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Chinese FM meets Myanmar's former president

Xinhua) 10:02, July 01, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with former Myanmar President U Thein Sein, who is in China for the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with former Myanmar President U Thein Sein in Beijing on Saturday.

Calling U Thein Sein an old friend of the Chinese people, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said 70 years ago, Chinese leaders advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It was first responded by Myanmar and promoted in Asia, which strongly promoted the development of relations among Asian countries.

Seventy years later, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is not only not outdated, but demonstrates great vitality, said Wang.

The building of a community with a shared future for mankind has injected new connotations into the Five Principles, and once again provides important public goods for solving various challenges facing the world today, Wang said.

China is willing to work with Myanmar to make new efforts to implement the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and promote the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, Wang added.

Noting China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors of long-term peaceful coexistence, U Thein Sein said Myanmar attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and is willing to work with China to inherit and carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen cooperation in various fields, and jointly build a community of shared future between Myanmar and China.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with former Myanmar President U Thein Sein, who is in China for the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Former Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry said recently that he never planned to leave Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and expressed keenness to rejoin the group, reported ARY News reported on Sunday. Fawad Chaudhry also referred to his contacts with the PTI founder while he was in jail and said that Intezar Panjutha had sent a message to the PTI founder asking for a meeting. "A valuable person Junaid Akbar resigned from the party which, and senior politicians like Parvaiz Elahi, Shah Mehmood, and Asad Qaisar can potentially stand the party on its feet," he said, expressing alarm about the resignation. "There is not a 1 percent chance that the current party leadership can 'bring PTI founder out of jail' as they lack political strategy and capacity," he said, harshly criticizing the PTI's current leadership, according to ARY News. In his remarks, Chaudhry also underlined the necessity of giving the party's founder correct information, adding up that present party officials might not be doing so. He questioned the party's timing in calling for protests, arguing that choices of this nature ought to have been taken as soon as possible after the mandate. Chaudhry urged the formation of a Grand Position Alliance, noting that it would take a lot of time and work to put together such a group. He emphasized that the party's success and stability depended on its members being united and making wise decisions. (ANI) Chaudhry had left Imran Khan's PTI in the aftermath of the state's crackdown against the party following the May 9 riots. (ANI)
The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 26 Indian fishermen, and seized four boats, the Fishermen Association of Pamban said. The fishermen had gone fishing from Pamban in the Rameswaram Island area near the Palk Bay sea area, the Fishermen Association added. Condemning the move by the Sri Lankan Navy, the fishermen of Pamban along with their families took part in a road blockade to protest the arrest of the fishermen. Last week, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 22 Tamil Nadu fishermen for fishing near Neduntheevu in Sri Lankan waters, according to the Rameswaram Fisherman Association. While the fishermen were fishing near Nedundeevu in the Palkbay Sea area, the Sri Lankan Navy arrived and seized three boats belonging to the fishermen of Thangachimadam. Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had requested' the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his immediate intervention to convene the Joint Working Group to prevent further arrests and secure the release of all fishermen and fishing boats currently in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities. Stalin said that such incidents disrupt the livelihood of the fishermen and instill a sense of fear and uncertainty in their entire community. The families of the fishermen had requested that the central and state governments take appropriate action to ensure timely release of the fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Responding to which, Jaishankar said the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been expeditiously and consistently taking up such cases for the early release of those detained. Jaishankar assured Stalin that the efforts to address the interests of the Indian fishing community still continue. "After coming to office in 2014, the NDA Government has endeavoured to address the livelihood interests of our fishing community and its humanitarian aspects. These efforts continue," the EAM said. "Their multiple dimensions, including through engaging the Government of Sri Lanka. You may be assured that we give the utmost priority to the welfare and security of Indian fishermen and will always do so," he added. (ANI)
India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The lists were shared in keeping with the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, under which the lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1, an MEA statement read. India has shared the lists of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in India's custody to Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan has shared "names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian," according to MEA. "The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody. Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far," the MEA said in an official release. "Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India," it added. India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those about prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. "In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 75 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India's custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," the MEA said. As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date. (ANI)
In 2023, India took the helm of two significant international groupings: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the G20. On July 4, 2023, the country hosted the 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State in a virtual format, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This event marked India's first time leading the SCO, emphasising its ambition to strengthen ties with the five Central Asian countries. India's chairmanship of the SCO occurred during a period of global upheaval, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. These events have disrupted established international political norms, presenting India with a unique opportunity to guide discussions on critical issues affecting Eurasian politics and beyond. Strengthening relations with Central Asia, a region of significant geostrategic importance and part of India's 'extended neighborhood,' was a primary objective for Indian policymakers. Through the SCO, India aimed to foster multilateral cooperation with the Central Asian republics, enhance connectivity, boost trade relations, and promote regional security. India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017 during the annual SCO Heads of State summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, alongside Pakistan. Prior to this, India held Observer Status at the SCO since 2005. Recognizing the organization's potential, India initiated the process for full membership in 2015 at the Ufa Summit in Russia. This move aligned with India's renewed global engagement efforts following Prime Minister Modi's assumption of office in 2014, alongside a strategic push to strengthen ties with the Central Asian region, which had previously been of secondary importance to Indian foreign policy. Additional motivations for India joining the SCO included enhancing connectivity between Central and South Asia, promoting energy security, and countering terrorism and illegal narcotics trade. The Eurasian region would have become a hotbed of ethnic strife, regime changes, and radicalism without this organization. Smaller Central Asian states require assistance from external powers to maintain internal stability and counter external influences. They face existential threats from major regional powers and radical influences in neighboring areas. Notably, the SCO has established a geopolitical balance, aligning the interests of major powers in Central Asia. However, it has also limited Western influence in Eurasia. In summary, the SCO has contributed in three key ways: fostering political stability in Central Asia, harmonizing the interests of major powers in the region, and curbing the spread of terrorism, separatism, and radicalism. India's entry into the SCO in 2017 has significantly altered the organization's dynamics. The SCO can no longer be labeled as a coalition of authoritarian states with an anti-Western agenda. Russia and the Central Asian states supported India's inclusion, viewing it as a benevolent stabilizer and a potential regional investor. However, there are serious concerns about how the ongoing Sino-Indian and Pakistan-India border conflicts might affect the organization. Additionally, Beijing and Moscow will need to allow New Delhi more influence as it becomes increasingly active and involved in the region. Currently, as a new member, India does not aggressively push its own agenda, focusing instead on collaborative developmental goals and avoiding confrontation. Nonetheless, as India's engagement in Central Asia deepens, its role within the SCO is expected to evolve. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains highly significant for India for several reasons. First, it aligns well with India's broader strategy of multi-alignment, complementing its participation in other groups like BRICS and reinforcing its policy of maintaining diverse international partnerships. Additionally, India has crucial geopolitical interests in Eurasia, driven by both security and commercial considerations, as stability in Central Asia is vital for India's own security. Without SCO membership, India's efforts to engage with Central Asia would be hindered, potentially allowing China and Pakistan to create unfavorable conditions for India's involvement in the region. Furthermore, India's membership in the SCO supports Russia and the Central Asian states in balancing China's influence in the region. Central Asian states are also eager to strengthen economic ties with India, making it imperative for New Delhi to prioritize involvement in Central Asia's developmental, connectivity, and infrastructural projects. In recent years, the highest political offices in India have actively pushed for connectivity projects, coinciding with India's membership in the SCO and its proactive engagement with the region. This initiative aligns with a parallel desire among Central Asian states, particularly Uzbekistan, to enhance connections between Central Asia and South Asia. For example, during the 2022 Samarkand Summit in Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Modi held discussions with Russia, Iran, and Uzbekistan to accelerate connectivity projects along the North-South axis. These projects include the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chabahar Project, with efforts to integrate Chabahar into the INSTC framework. India has also utilised the SCO platform to engage with Central Asian states on regional security issues, particularly concerning terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, three of the five Central Asian states, share borders with Afghanistan and are crucial stakeholders in the region's stability. Today, the SCO needs to put in place measures to counter threats of ISIS emerging from Afghanistan. India's proactive involvement in the SCO demonstrates its commitment to fostering regional stability, enhancing connectivity, and promoting economic cooperation in Eurasia. As India's role within the SCO evolves, its influence in Central Asia is expected to grow, aligning with its broader strategic objectives in the region. (Dr. Chandan Kumar, Ph. D in Buddhist History, is a young scholar. He is working as Assistant Professor, Department of History, Satyawati College, University of Delhi). (ANI)
Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, solemnly honoured the memory of leaders from Iran, Malawi, and Tanzania who tragically passed away recently. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the House, offering heartfelt condolences and reflecting on the contributions of these esteemed figures. Vice President Dhankhar said, "Honorable members, I refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; H Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania; and Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi." Dhankhar continued, recounting the tragic events that led to their deaths, "Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and H Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and other senior Iranian officials passed away in an unfortunate helicopter crash on the 19 May 2024. They will always be remembered for their efforts and contributions in strengthening our bilateral relationships. On behalf of our country, I visited the Islamic Republic of Iran on the 22 May 2024, attended the official ceremony, and personally paid tributes to the dignitaries. Our nation also observed a day of national mourning on the 21 May 2024." Reflecting on Ali Hassan Mwinyi's legacy, Dhankhar remarked, "Ali Hassan Mwinyi passed away on the 29 February 2024 at Dar es Salaam. He was the second president of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1985 to 1995 and had implemented the economic recovery policy and steered Tanzania towards growth and prosperity. His liberal economic policies brought relief to the Indian diaspora in Tanzania involved in trade and businesses. Our nation has deep appreciation and respect for his extreme exemplary leadership and contribution in the advancement of India-Tanzania relations." Turning to Saulos Klaus Chilima's tragic demise, Dhankhar noted, "Saulos Klaus Chilima passed away on the 10 June 2024 when a Malawi Defence Force aircraft carrying him and nine others crashed while attempting to land. Chilima was a Malawian economist and politician who served as vice president of Malawi from 2014 to 2019 and again from 2020 until his death in 2024. Before entering politics, Chilima held senior positions in various MNC's including Airtel Malawi." Vice President Dhankhar called upon the House to pay respects, saying, "The House joins the bereaved families, the government, and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Malawi in mourning the passing away of Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, H Amir-Abdollahian, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, and Saulos Klaus Chilima. I request members to rise in their places and observe silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed." The Rajya Sabha observed a moment of silence as a tribute to these distinguished leaders and their significant contributions to their respective nations and international relations. (ANI)
Pakistan experienced a surge in violence during the second quarter of 2024 resulting in 380 deaths and 220 injuries from as many as 240 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, according to the report released by Pakistan's think tank, the Centre for Research and Security Studies. The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were identified as the focal points, accounting for 92 per cent of fatalities and 87 per cent of attacks respectively during this period. The report noted that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw increases in violence, with fatalities rising by 13 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively, compared to the previous quarter. Civilian casualties comprised 62 per cent of the total fatalities, with notable incidents targeting workers based on ethnic identity in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as deaths resulting from sectarian violence. Security personnel, including police and army officials, were also frequent targets. The report underscores the complex and varied nature of security challenges faced across different regions of Pakistan during the period in question. State sponsorship of terrorism has contributed to internal instability within Pakistan. Pakistan has been accused of using terror groups as proxies to further its strategic interests, especially in its rivalry with India and Afghanistan. This strategy dates back to the 1980s during the Soviet-Afghan War when Pakistan supported mujahideen fighters against the Soviet Union. In the context of Kashmir, Pakistan has been providing financial and logistical support to militant groups operating in the region. These groups have been involved in attacks against Indian security forces and civilians. Terror groups that were once supported for strategic purposes have turned against the state, leading to widespread violence, attacks on civilians and security forces, and a challenging security environment. The presence and activities of terror groups on Pakistani soil have eroded the state's sovereignty and control over certain regions, particularly in the tribal areas and border regions with Afghanistan. These areas have at times become havens for terrorists, posing a threat not only to Pakistan but also to regional stability. Terrorism and the resulting insecurity have had severe economic repercussions for Pakistan. Foreign investment has been deterred, tourism has suffered, and resources that could have been directed towards development have been diverted to security operations and counter-terrorism efforts. (ANI)
East Africa's Kenya experienced widespread violent protests last week during which at least 19 people lost their lives. The Kenyan debt crisis underscores the challenges faced by many African nations in balancing development goals with financial stability. Kenya, known as East Africa's one of the more economically developed and politically stable countries, experienced protests where demonstrators expressed their anger against President William Ruto, demanding his resignation due to the introduction of the Finance Bill 2024, which included tax hikes, Ruto temporarily suspended the controversial tax bill in response to public outcry. According to a report by USA-based Vox media, Kenya's total debt amounts to USD 80 billion, comprising both domestic and foreign debt. This debt represents 68 per cent of Kenya's GDP, exceeding the World Bank and IMF recommended maximum of 55 per cent. With the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, President Ruto needs to outline new measures to address the debt crisis. He has mentioned austerity measures but must strike a balance between meeting the needs of the Kenyan people and satisfying the country's creditors. The crisis was triggered by the Kenyan government's attempt to pass an IMF-backed finance Bill that proposed increasing taxes on various goods, including imported sanitary pads, tyres, bread, and fuel. The Bill aimed to raise an additional 200 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately USD 1.55 billion) to service the country's debt. Most of Kenya's debt is held by international bondholders, with China being its largest bilateral creditor, owed USD 5.7 billion. Kenya's debt situation stems from heavy borrowing to finance infrastructure projects. The country has borrowed from multinational lenders like the World Bank and IMF, as well as bilateral partners such as China. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war further exacerbated the situation, leading to increased expenses and a spike in global food and energy prices. The issue of debt has sparked international scrutiny, with Washington frequently accusing Beijing of engaging in "debt trap diplomacy" through its infrastructure investments under President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative. China, however, denies these allegations. Kevin P Gallagher, director of Boston University's Global Development Policy Center, highlighted the lack of a well-functioning global financial safety net as a significant factor contributing to Kenya's debt challenges. Aly-Khan Satchu, a Kenya-based economist quoted by Voice of America, described Kenya as being in a "perfect debt storm," noting shifts in Kenya's geopolitical alignments and efforts to reduce dependency on Chinese financing with support from the World Bank and IMF. However, Satchu also pointed out challenges arising from Kenya's need to allocate IMF and World Bank funds to repay debts owed to China, particularly related to infrastructure projects like the Chinese-built railway. The Sunday Guardian cited Paul Nantulya from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, who highlighted China's substantial role in financing and building infrastructure across Africa. Concerns arise when African countries struggle to repay these loans, potentially leading to asset seizures by China. Countries like Zambia and Ghana defaulted on their payments and subsequently reached agreements with their creditors to restructure their debt. These cases highlight the need for a balanced approach to debt management and economic stability. Kenya's economic and political landscape remains fraught with challenges as it navigates its debt burden and seeks to manage its international relationships effectively. A collaborative approach involving fair taxation, debt restructuring, and international support is essential to navigate this crisis without further burdening the population. (ANI)
A right-wing pro-monarch leader has claimed that only the return of monarchy and declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state would bring stability to the Himalayan Nation. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Rajendra Prasad Lingden, chairman of right-wing pro-monarch Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) claimed the present political system has failed and needs reform. Lingden, also the parliamentary leader of the fifth largest party in the parliament with 14 seats, called for the dismissal of the federal structure claiming it to be costly and unfavourable. "In the context of Nepal, in order to make it a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation, the provincial system of governance should be dismissed and the Hindu nation as well as the monarchy should be reinstated. On the basis of it peace and stability would prevail and the people's representative would then be able to take forward the developmental works," Lingden told ANI. According to Lingden, the party has been using the fronts of the road as well as parliament to raise awareness and garner its support from the public to bring about the changes. The pro-monarchist leader stated that the party would convince existing parties to agree on a point to make changes in the constitution making them realise of failure in delivery which was promised at the time of change. "The existing political parties who have stood in line with the republic, secularism and federalism, those political parties would be convinced and made to agree for it for change. The reason would be their own roadmap which led their country to this phase has been proven wrong. The current malpractice has proved this system to be wrong. In order to correct it, we would convince them to make the correction and reinstate the monarchy, Hindu state and annul the federalism, moving forward with a new roadmap which would be achieved through the mutual understanding and the convincement," Lingden added. Demands for a Pro-monarch system have continued to rise in the Himalayan Nation in recent years with huge turnovers seen in the protest called by various pro-monarch groups. Thousands of people took part in a pro-monarch protest organised in the capital Kathmandu on November 23, 2023, which clashed with the police for hours where pro-monarch chants along with others relating to loan shark laws were heard. Earlier this year on April 9, thousands of pro-monarch supporters rallied in Kathmandu and broke into a restricted zone in front of Singha Durbar, the administrative capital of the nation defying the tear gas and water cannons used by the Police. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Lingden who had led the protest claims it to be a result and testament to rising frustration/ dissatisfaction of people towards the existing system of governance. "Now the calls for a Hindu state and the monarchy are rising. People now are realising that replacing the King with a President has led to the inclination in the respect and value of the nation. The public in real-time is experiencing it. In bygone days many had thought that the nation could operate in the absence of monarchy, develop and prosper, there are countries in existence in the absence of Kingship, and it worked as a driving force. Making a comparison of the past and present and the place of Nepal in the world arena, the lowering graph also might have made people realise the importance of the monarchy in any form, the essence of a strong guardianship," the leader of the right-wing pro-march party said. "On the other hand, being an independent nation and its prerequisites apart from the geography, the governing system- the existence of the monarchy, only Hindu state in the world, like we have been saying the country of Mount Everest, Hindu state and the Monarchy also would add-on identity to Nepal. It has been realised lately which has given rise to the Hindu state and the monarchical system." Nepal in the year 2006 had abolished a centuries-old constitutional monarchy after then King Gyanendra seized power and imposed an emergency sending all the leaders under house arrest. The movement also referred to as "People's Movement II" witnessed bloodshed with dozens killed in the crackdown against protestors by the government. After weeks of violent protest and increasing international pressure, Gyanendra gave up and reinstated the dissolved parliament, the dawn of a new democracy is highlighted as Lokantantra (People's Rule). Upon being asked about the form of the monarchy that the RPP is promising, Lingden replied, "When we talk about monarchy, there is a perception that the King is only related to RPP (Rastriya Prajatantra Party). Those who follow us (RPP) also are under the illusion that the King whose reinstatement we are talking about only relates to us but the King which RPP is talking about, whether you call it figurative, cultural, constitutional or any of the name to be given, it (Kingship) will perform the duty as a parental institution, bounded by the constitution and the parliament would have the rights to appoint the successor. We are doing so because the concept which we have proposed has the provision of a Directly elected Prime Minister with executive rights, which gives the King a limited right, to remain within the boundaries of the constitution. The Kingship which was in practice in bygone days does not come under our proposed monarchial system." Formed in the 1990s after lift of the ban on the formation of political parties by then monarchial system, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) since then served as the force always supporting the Kingship. It also has been taking part in periodic elections and presenting its demands forth. In the year 2008 right after the overthrow of monarchy rule from Nepal, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) had secured 8 seats in the Constituent Assembly out of the 575 seated strong parliament. In the 2013 election, it was able to secure 13 seats while in the year 2017, it fell down to 1 seat while it bounced back in the election of 2022 with 14 seats. The party since its inception has been supporting the Hindu State and the Kingship as interdependent in the tiny nation buffered between two giants India and China. The Himalayan Nation of Nepal has a population of 30.55 million with a Hindu population of 81.19 pc as per the census of 2022. With rising demands for the Hindu state and monarchy, Rajendra Prasad Lingden also clarified that the party's demand would be inclusive and not based on any religious ultraism feared by minority groups. "The Hindu state which the Rastriya Prajatantra Party is talking about comes in along with religious tolerance. We all have been saying (Sarba Dharma Samabhav:) meaning all religions are equal, complete religious freedom, a Hindu nation relative to Sanatan Dharma. Nepal is a Hindu state, non-Hindu should not feel terrified and Nepal don't have any kind of religious conflict. But the encouragement that is being given to conversion in the name of secularism which has increased the proselytisation and its continuation would lead to religious conflict. In order to stop it, we have been demanding for a Hindu state; also, to continue the heritage, history and identity of Nepal we have come forth. This demand is not raised against any religion nor to fuel any sort of religious ultraism," said the right-wing pro-monarch leader. (ANI)
Pakistan's agricultural and food sector is grappling with significant challenges, particularly in its narrow export base dominated by a limited range of commodities. Among these, rice emerges as the primary export, generating over USD 3.5 billion in foreign exchange in the fiscal year 2024, according to a report published in Dawn. However, the rice export industry is increasingly plagued by the threat of shipment rejections, particularly from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, citing serious food safety concerns. In 2023, the European Union issued a surge in alerts due to the discovery of pesticide residues in rice shipments, particularly basmati, originating from Pakistan and India. These shipments failed to meet the EU's maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides. In previous years, India had a higher non-compliance rate compared to Pakistan. However, the situation took a sharp turn in 2024, with Pakistan's rice shipments triggering more alerts than those from India, as reported by Dawn. Additionally, Pakistan has consistently recorded higher cases of mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, compared to India over the past three years. Aflatoxins are toxic substances that develop in rice when infected by fungus or mold. The escalation in pesticide residues and mycotoxins has raised alarms among exporters, who now face the looming threat of an EU ban unless corrective measures are promptly implemented. Strengthening Pakistan's food safety protocols within the rice sector is now a critical imperative. The rice value chain in Pakistan involves key players such as farmers, stockists, millers, and exporters. Farmers frequently use agrochemicals like chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid--chemicals intended for other crops like cotton and sugarcane--to combat pests such as stem borers, brown bugs, and fungal infections. However, these chemicals are not approved for use in rice crops, leading to heightened levels of pesticide residues in harvested rice, the report added. Furthermore, improper application practices by farmers, such as using higher than recommended concentrations or applying pesticides too close to harvest time, contribute to elevated residue levels. The lack of education among many farmers exacerbates the problem, as they are often unaware of rice-specific agrochemicals, their proper dosages, and the required pre-harvest intervals (PHI) for pesticide dissipation. The issue of mycotoxins is compounded by inadequate post-harvest practices. Many farmers resort to premature harvesting due to climate change-induced erratic rainfall patterns and the need to shorten crop cycles. This premature harvesting, often done at moisture levels of 20-30 per cent, coupled with suboptimal drying methods, promotes fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination in the harvested rice. Even among millers, the use of outdated sun drying methods persists, despite their inefficiency in reducing moisture levels to the safe threshold of 14-15 per cent. This highlights a broader systemic issue of inadequate infrastructure and technology adoption within Pakistan's rice milling industry. Moreover, the procurement practices of rice mills are fraught with challenges. Most mills purchase paddy from local markets without adequate knowledge of its origin or the farming practices employed. This lack of traceability and quality control further contributes to the prevalence of non-compliant rice shipments. In addressing these issues, Pakistan's government faces significant hurdles, including resistance from influential pesticide companies against implementing bans on harmful chemicals. Unlike Indian Punjab, which announced a ban on ten agrochemicals to reduce pesticide residues in basmati rice, Pakistan's regulatory framework remains inadequate to enforce similar bans. The existing Contract Act of 1872 lacks specific provisions to regulate and enforce contract farming, which could potentially improve agricultural practices and compliance with international food safety standards. Efforts by organisations like the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to raise awareness among farmers and stakeholders are commendable but insufficient. More extensive educational campaigns utiliszing digital platforms and partnerships with agricultural extension services and pesticide companies are urgently needed. Financial incentives, such as export development surcharges and subsidised loan schemes for upgrading drying facilities in rice mills, could incentivise the adoption of safer agricultural practices. However, these measures require robust governmental support and effective policy implementation, which are currently lacking, Dawn reported. (ANI)
The US Supreme Court on Monday ruled that former President Donald Trump can assert limited immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during the final days of his presidency. This ruling is expected to further postpone a trial regarding federal charges of election subversion against him, CNN reported. The case, widely anticipated as one of the most significant this year, overturned a federal appeals court's February ruling that denied Trump immunity for alleged crimes aimed at overturning the 2020 election results. Special counsel Jack Smith had strongly advocated for preventing Trump from delaying legal proceedings, a cornerstone of the former president's legal defence strategy. Trump, amidst multiple legal battles, while also positioning himself against President Joe Biden for a White House return, faced another setback in May when he became the first former US president convicted of a felony in a hush money trial, according to CNN. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court is deliberating on cases pertaining to First Amendment rights and social media regulations. Recent polling indicates widespread scepticism towards the Supreme Court's handling of Trump's immunity claims. An AP-NORC poll released last week highlighted a significant lack of public confidence in the institution, with only 16 per cent expressing a great deal of trust in the Supreme Court. A substantial 44 per cent reported having only some confidence, while 40 per cent indicated having hardly any confidence at all. Democrats, in particular, displayed significant distrust, with 58 per cent stating they had hardly any confidence in the Supreme Court. Regarding specific issues, approximately two-thirds of US adults expressed scepticism in the Court's approach to presidential powers and immunity (66 per cent), as well as elections and voting matters (63 per cent). Similar levels of doubt were observed on other contentious issues such as abortion and gun policies, as reported by CNN. A staggering 70 per cent of respondents believed that Supreme Court justices are inclined to shape laws according to their ideological leanings, while only 28 per cent believed they provide an impartial check on other branches of government, CNN reported. In another survey conducted by Marquette Law School in May, public approval of the Supreme Court stood at a low 39 per cent, with 61 per cent disapproving of its performance. This dissatisfaction has persisted since the Court's controversial 2022 Dobbs decision. Public opinion remains sharply divided on the issue of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. When asked specifically about Trump, 60 per cent of respondents opposed granting him immunity for official acts, compared to 30 per cent who supported it. On the broader question of whether former presidents should enjoy immunity, 71 per cent believed they should not, with only 16 per cent in favour. Among Republicans specifically asked about Trump, a majority (61 per cent) supported immunity from criminal prosecution, CNN reported. (ANI)
Deanna Sult, senior customer advocacy manager at Rackspace Technology Inc., at the companys new North Side headquarters. Shes with a Rackspace r logo thats been signed by employees of the company over the years since it was founded in 1998. Its one of several items moved from the companys former Windcrest headquarters. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Rackspace employees in a hybrid work meeting in a conference room at the companys new North Side headquarters. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The new headquarters features a cereal bar and arcade inside its open cafeteria and employee lounge. Were not trying to have hangry employees, a company manager says. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A wooden amphitheater next to the cafeteria and employee lounge in Rackspace Technologys new North Side headquarters. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The new headquarters features a cereal bar and arcade inside its open cafeteria and employee lounge. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News In this 2014 file photo, visitors to Rackspace Technologys former headquarters in Windcrest watch as a colleague emerges after going down a slide that was a signature part of the offices the cloud computing company recently left behind. Staff file photo Rackspace employees talk amongst themselves as they utilize a conference room for a hybrid work meeting at Rackspace New Castle on Thursday morning, June 13, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

After 14 years in a building that came to be known as the Castle, Rackspace Technology Inc. moved into new headquarters last month, pushed by a changing business landscape and the pandemic to evolve  and downsize.

The cloud computing firms so-called New Castle  a nod to the moniker the local tech community gave its former home  is in an office building at RidgeWood Plaza, a business park just north of Loop 1604 along U.S. 281 near Stone Oak.

At 80,000 square feet, the companys new office is one-tenth the size of its old 800,000-square-foot home in repurposed space at the former Windsor Park Mall in Windcrest.

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A Rackspace employee works on the second floor of Rackspace Technologys new North Side headquarters. Youll find our executives sitting in the same kind of desks that the rest of the employees do, a spokeswoman said. You can just walk up and talk to them anytime. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The move was announced in October as the struggling company  one of San Antonios few tech success stories  was reorganizing under new leadership and adjusting to the realities of hybrid and remote work.

The new office lacks the giant, twisty slide that greeted visitors to the companys old digs, but it has something the old one  in a sprawling 1970s-era concrete monstrosity  generally lacked: windows and natural light.

This really is Rackspace growing up, said Deanna Sult, a customer advocacy manager. You know, we were living in our moms basement and now we have our first home.

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While its a more conventional office space for an increasingly conventional company, Rackspace leaders said they tried to ensure it still has hints of the companys quirky startup culture.

Rackspace spent about 18 months retrofitting the building, including taking out some portions of floors and installing a private stairwell to let staffers stay within company space while moving between levels.

Rackspace Technologys headquarters moved recently to RidgeWood Plaza II, a four-story, 121,000-square-foot office building north of Loop 1604 along U.S. 281 near Stone Oak. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Declining employment

Rackspace currently has about 6,000 employees across four continents. The San Antonio headquarters once had more than 3,000, but that total has shrunk to about 800  a major reason for the move to the far North Side.

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The company kept its open workspace approach in the new offices, which officials say also allows easy access to at least some of the companys executives  CEO Amar Maletira works out of the companys Bay Area office.

Thats always been the philosophy at Rackspace, said Natalie Silva, a company spokeswoman. Youll find our executives sitting in the same kind of desks that the rest of the employees do. You can just walk up and talk to them anytime.

Rackspace chose the new location in part because of its proximity to the home addresses of its San Antonio-area employees, she said. It means shorter commutes and less greenhouse gas emissions.

And while many businesses are pushing workers to return to the office, Rackspace has employed a different approach. It allows each team of Rackers, as its employees are called, to set its own policies.

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They have the autonomy to make the decision of how many days in office, Sult said. Its mostly just for collaboration.

In addition to helping it adapt to a changing business landscape, reducing the companys physical footprint also lessens its environmental impact, the company said. It estimates the new office will result in an 80% decline in carbon dioxide emissions tied to its headquarters.

Employees at work inside Rackspace Technologys new headquarters earlier this month. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Kept the fun stuff

While the slide is no more, other signs of Rackspaces roots are easy to spot in the new, brightly lit space with colored accent walls, many of which were still devoid of decorations during a mid-June visit.

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A stylized Rackspace r mural made from Legos hangs in the main lobby. A poster with the logo is covered with the signatures of previous Rackers, including co-founder Graham Weston, the downtown developer and Missions co-owner. His legacy is also visible in an abstract red, white and black painting with his quote: What we all want is to be valued members of a winning team on an inspiring mission.

Upstairs, a community area features a cafe with free breakfasts and coffee.

Were not trying to have hangry employees, Sult said.

A quote from Graham Weston, a co-founder and former CEO of Rackspace, hangs on a wall inside the company's new headquarters. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Nearby, an alcove with several vintage video games recalls an 80s-era arcade. Theres foosball, shuffleboard and pingpong tables awaiting software engineers or customer service agents looking to blow off steam.

We definitely kept the fun stuff, Silva said.

Theres also a fitness facility with Pelotons, treadmills, weight machines and free weights. Because its roughly half the size of the companys old gym, Sult said the company has a lot of gym equipment to get rid of.

Rackers are welcome to bring their children to work, Sult said, and its not uncommon to see them in the building.

Rackspace Technology Inc.s new headquarters, nicknamed Rackspace New Castle, is pictured on Thursday morning, June 13, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The technology companys headquarters is now located at RidgeWood Plaza II, a four-story, 121,000-square-foot office building north of Loop 1604 along U.S. 281 near Stone Oak. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Alice in Wonderland

Rackspace hasnt yet themed each of its meeting rooms, as they were in the Castle. Now, instead of Rackers meeting in Alice in Wonderland, the Toy Shop, Cocoa Puffs or the Lodge, they navigate rooms with numbers.

You would actually have on your meeting invite, meet in Alice in Wonderland and everybody knew where it was, Silva said. So now theyre rattling off numbers, and were like, We dont work by numbers. 

A giant bust of a wildebeest that adorned the Lodge in the Castle didnt make the move, she said. But other parts of the themed rooms, such as a giant wagon full of rubber ducks that now sits at the bottom of a stairwell, did.

Silva thinks its only a matter of time before Rackers start naming the rooms. Theyve already dubbed one, which is full of stuff yet to be unpacked, the Brainstorming Room.

Rackspace employees work on the second floor of Rackspace Technology Inc.s new headquarters on the North Side. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Theyve also dedicated the companys new security operations center to Marc Nourani, the former director of global incident management who died in December.

Sult said shes seeing more and more Rackers coming into the new offices as the dust of the move settles.

We expect it to be a steady trickle of people because its going to take awhile for them to feel comfortable getting in here and setting up because its not the same where you had your desk. People are creatures of habit  especially Rackers, she said. I think the most Ive seen in here at any given time is like 200-something people.

The new Rackspace Technology Inc. headquarters at RidgeWood Plaza II, a four-story, 121,000-square-foot office building north of Loop 1604 along U.S. 281 near Stone Oak. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

As for the Castle, Rackspace is repaying $9 million in perks it received when it took over the building in 2008.

Under an agreement that was to run through 2037, Rackspace got $72 million in tax breaks and grants from the city of Windcrest and the Texas Enterprise Fund.
North Korea has fired two ballistic missiles and the second may have failed and blown up, possibly raining debris inland, Al Jazeera said, quoting South Korea's military. Monday's launches came a day after Pyongyang promised "offensive and overwhelming" responses to new military drills staged by the United States, South Korea and Japan. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the missiles were launched 10 minutes apart in a northeasterly direction from the town of Jangyon in southeastern North Korea. The military said the first missile flew 600 km and the second 120 km, but did not say where they landed. North Korea typically test-fires missiles towards its eastern waters, but the second missile's flight distance was too short to reach that far, Al Jazeera said, quoting South Korea's military. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-joon later told a briefing there appeared to have been problems with the second missile and that if it exploded, its debris would probably have scattered on the ground. Al Jazeera said that the South Korean media, citing unidentified South Korean military sources, said it was highly likely the second missile crashed in an inland area of North Korea, while the first one landed in the waters off North Korea's eastern city of Chongjin. Monday's launches were the first from North Korea in five days and came as the US, South Korea and Japan ended their "Freedom Edge" drills, new multi-domain trilateral military exercises. Pyongyang typically frames such drills as rehearsals for an invasion or proof of the countries' hostility, Al Jazeera said. "In both North Korean politics and military policy, the best defence is often a good offence," Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at the Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said in emailed comments to Al Jazeera. "Pyongyang is also determined not to appear weak while South Korea conducts defence exercises with Japan and the United States." Last Wednesday, North Korea launched 'multiwarhead missile' in the first known test of a developmental, advanced weapon meant to defeat US and South Korean missile defences, although South Korea disputed the claim. (ANI)
A video-gaming Italian teenager will become the Catholic Church's first millennial saint after his cause for canonization was approved by church authorities, CNN reported. Carlo Acutis, who died from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was renowned for using his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith and earned the nickname "God's influencer." It may take decades to be recognized as a saint in the Catholic church, but Acutis's case moved swiftly as he developed a devoted following across the world. Often depicted wearing jeans and trainers, his story is seen as helpful for the Catholic Church as it seeks to better connect with the younger generation in a digital age, and he's become popular with Catholic youth groups, CNN said. The church's sainthood process normally requires that candidates have two miracles attributed to them, with each alleged supernatural occurrence requiring in-depth examination. In May, a second miracle attributed to Acutis was recognised by Pope Francis, a decision that paved the way for him to be declared a saint. The final step, which was completed on Monday, took place when the Vatican announced that the Pope had decreed the canonization would go ahead after cardinals convened by the Pope voted in favour of Acutis' sainthood, along with 14 others. The date for his canonization is yet to be set, however, although it is likely to occur at some point during the Catholic Church's jubilee year celebrations in 2025. That canonization ceremony, expected to take place in St Peter's Square in Vatican City in front of thousands and presided over by the Pope, will be the moment when Acutis is formally declared a saint, meaning the Catholic Church across the world can name parishes and schools after the teenager and will remember him annually on a "feast day". Acutis was beatified and declared "blessed" in 2020 after his first miracle when he reportedly healed a Brazilian boy who had a birth defect in his pancreas that left him unable to eat food normally. He was reportedly healed after his mother said she prayed to Acutis to intercede and help heal her son. The second miracle attributed to Acutis relates to the reported healing of a girl from Costa Rica who had suffered head trauma after falling from her bicycle in Florence, Italy, where she was studying. Her mother said she prayed for her daughter's recovery at the tomb of Acutis in Assisi. (ANI)
A Japanese supermarket chain operator Aeon Co on Monday said that a senior official of a joint venture in Myanmar has been detained, with the military junta saying he was held along with 10 others for allegedly violating rules on the selling price of rice, Kyodo News, a Japan-based news agency reported. Aeon named the official as Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, an employee of Aeon Orange Co, adding it would cooperate with local authorities' investigations while seeking support from the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar. According to the junta, which has ruled the country since ousting its civilian government in a February 2021 coup, Kasamatsu and 10 Myanmar nationals have been held for selling rice at a price around 50 per cent to 70 per cent higher than the level mandated by the authorities. The Japanese embassy said a lawyer who met Kasamatsu at a police station in Yangon where he is believed to have been interrogated told them he has no health issues. "We are in the process of confirming the facts, but we are calling for his early release. We will also provide necessary support," an official from the embassy said. Japan's top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the government is urging Myanmar's authorities to release the official at the earliest and is communicating with the company. The detention of a Japanese-affiliated company official in Myanmar came despite Japan having not imposed sanctions on the Southeast Asian country's military or associated individuals and groups following the coup, unlike Western countries. The incident could cast a shadow over other businesses linked to Japan in the country, Kyodo News said. Aeon Orange was established in 2016 with local retailer Creation Myanmar Group of Companies. The junta has sought to stabilize the market by fixing the prices of necessary goods, including rice, and setting a reference exchange rate for Myanmar's currency, the Kyat, which has weakened significantly since the coup. (ANI)
Soldiers identified three suspects crossing a border fence on Sunday night. After searching the area, three sacks containing more than 75 handguns and dozens of weapon parts were found.

Forces are continuing to search for the smugglers.

Jordan has been grappling with a concerted Iranian effort to smuggle weapons through the kingdom to Palestinian terror groups.

At the same time, Jordanian weapons smuggling has also contributed to a surge in Israeli-Arab crime.

In 2023, a record number of 244 Israeli-Arabs were murdered, more than double the 120 homicides in 2022, according to the Abraham Initiative, a non-profit organization that promotes Arab integration into Israeli society.

The spike in violence is attributed to organized crime groups fighting turf battles and trying to eliminate rivals. Arab criminal organizations have been involved in extortion, money laundering, and trafficking in weapons, drugs and women. (ANI/TPS)
Many were killed in close-quarters combat as soldiers discovered weapons manufacturing and storage facilities and large numbers of arms.

Meanwhile, in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, a terrorist who fired an anti-tank missile at troops was killed in an airstrike.

A separate drone strike killed a Hamas terrorist who fired a rocket at soldiers along the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead. (ANI/TPS)
The economic landscape in China continues to show signs of uneven recovery, as indicated by contrasting reports on factory activity from different sectors. On Monday, a private gauge revealed that factory activity among China's private firms expanded at its fastest pace in three years, suggesting robust domestic and international demand for Chinese goods, CNN reported. This optimism contrasts sharply with findings from an official government survey released on Sunday, which highlighted a contraction among larger, state-owned manufacturers. This disparity underscores the ongoing unevenness in China's economic recovery. According to S&P Global, the Caixin manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 51.8 in June, up marginally from 51.7 in May. This exceeded market expectations and marked the sixth consecutive month of improvement in the index. In contrast, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that its PMI remained unchanged from May at 49.5, marking the second straight month of contraction. The PMI, a crucial monthly indicator of economic activity, reflects expansion with a reading above 50 and contraction below it, according to CNN. Goldman Sachs analysts pointed out that the widening gap between the Caixin and official PMIs could be attributed to differences in the sectors covered by each survey. The Caixin survey tends to include more export-oriented and consumer-related companies, which have shown stronger performance. Meanwhile, the official PMI leans towards larger manufacturers involved in industrial materials production like steel, cement, and chemicals, making them more susceptible to fluctuations in fixed-asset investments. Senior economist Wang Zhe from Caixin Insight Group emphasized that despite challenges, the manufacturing sector in China experienced growth in June, driven by increasing supply, domestic demand, and exports. He highlighted stronger demand for consumer and intermediate goods compared to investment goods, reflecting the current economic dynamics. While customs data for June is forthcoming, May statistics indicated a notable 7.6 per cent year-on-year increase in China's exports, surpassing analysts' expectations. Despite these positive indicators, manufacturers remain cautious about the future outlook. Concerns have been exacerbated by recent tariff announcements from the United States and European Union, which have dampened sentiment among Chinese companies, according to CNN. Wang noted a significant decline in the gauge for future output expectations, citing it as the lowest since November 2019. Surveyed companies in the Caixin index expressed concerns over downward economic pressure and fierce market competition. In recent developments, the European Union announced plans to impose provisional tariffs of up to 38.1 per cent on electric vehicles imported from China, citing unfair competitive practices that disadvantage European automakers. These tariffs are set to take effect by July 4, pending ongoing investigations, with final duties expected to be determined by November 2. This decision follows a similar move by the United States, which recently quadrupled tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles from 25 per cent to 100 per cent. This action aligns with the US strategy to boost domestic manufacturing and employment, CNN reported. (ANI)
22 civilians, including 17 foreign nationals and two police officers were killed after five gunmen carried out the attack in Dhaka's upscale Gulshan diplomatic enclave on July 1, 2016.

Indian High Commission in Bangladesh on Monday, shared the pictures of Pranay Verma and his wife paying floral tributes to the victims, who lost their lives in the attack eight years ago.

"On the eighth anniversary of the terror attacks in the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka, High Commissioner Pranay Verma and Mrs Verma paid floral tributes to the victims, including an Indian national, who lost their lives in the carnage on July 1 eight years ago," the Indian High Commission stated on X.

https://x.com/ihcdhaka/status/1807786838146654509?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw

In 2019, an anti-terrorism court sentenced seven people to death in connection with the attack, while one person was acquitted, Al Jazeera reported.

The seven convicts who face the gallows include Hadisur Rahman, Rakibul Hasan Regan, Aslam Hossain Rash, Md Abdus Sabur Khan, Shariful Islam Khaled, Mamunur Rashid Ripon and Jahangir Hossain.

The cafe was shut down after the attack and later moved to a different location. The original building was locked down by the owners, only open to mourners on the anniversary of the attack who came to pay their respects.

The incident is considered to be one of the deadliest terror attacks in Bangladesh's history. (ANI)
The boiling frustration over inflated electricity bills and the recent hike in taxes exploded into a countrywide protest with traders leading from the forefront. Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also joined the protests.

The traders' community, led by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), staged protests in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Tando Allah Yar, Tulamba, Kasoor, Mailsi, Depalpur, Peshawar, Daska, Hasilpur, Liaquatpur, Haveli Lakha, Bahawalnagar, Aabpara Chowk, demanding the government to withdraw the increase in electricity tariffs and taxes.

The Chamber of Small Traders in Multan organised a protest against the hike in electricity bills and taxes. Traders in Sukkur staged a rally and marched from the Sarafa Bazaar to the Ghanta Ghar Chowk, demanding the government to reduce electricity tariffs and withdraw the increase in taxes.

Residents of Tando Allah Yar staged a protest and blocked roads while chanting slogans against the government.

The All-Pakistan Traders Association (APTA) had warned the federal government to abolish additional taxes by June 30 or face further actions.

The protesters chanted slogans against the government and threatened to expand their protest if their demands were not met.

Ajmal Baloch, President of the All-Pakistan Traders Association, alongside other traders, made this announcement during a joint press conference in Islamabad. He said that the government has committed an injustice regarding electricity bills.

The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) head Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday announced a protest in Islamabad on July 12 against "high taxes and exorbitant electricity tariff". Rehman said that the JI could not see the people under such a circus.

The JI announced its Haq Do Awam Ko (give rights to the masses) movement in a post on X, adding that Rehman would lead the rally. (ANI)
Elianne Alvarado, 44, fans herself at the Astoria Boulevard subway station stop in Astoria, New York, last week. Climate change is forcing New York and other Northeastern states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey to take extreme heat more seriously. (Shalina Chatlani/Stateline)

NEW YORK  As temperatures soared into the 90s, the heat and humidity hit the concrete in Astoria, Queens, and bounced into the air. People moved along the scorched sidewalk slowly, their clothes drenched with sweat.

Elianne Alvarado, 44, who was raised in New York City and has lived here for most of her life, ascended the steps to the elevated Astoria Boulevard subway station, fanning herself with a sheet of paper. She was looking forward to escaping the heat in an air-conditioned train.

I dont ever remember it being this hot, Alvarado told Stateline. I remember other summers being nice, not that hot. But this week has been crazy.

The heat wave that pummeled New York state and much of the East Coast and Midwest last week and into the weekend broke daily records in several cities. On June 19, Boston (98 degrees); Hartford, Connecticut (97); and Providence, Rhode Island (91), all set new highs for that date. In New York City, temperatures reached the low 90s  not a record, but plenty hot enough to cause misery, especially with humidity and the radiant heat from concrete and asphalt.

The Northeast is not the hottest part of the country, but several states in the region are among those where average temperatures have increased the most over the past two decades. In recent years, climate change has forced states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York to take extreme heat more seriously. In preparing for a hotter future, some of them are copying the policies of states that are used to sizzling temperatures, such as Arizona, Florida and Louisiana.

Public health officials in Connecticut and New York, for example, are partnering with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that their most vulnerable residents  older and lower-income people  are better prepared for extreme heat and other aspects of climate change. And in April, New Jersey published a draft Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan, recognizing that, while the state remains committed to reducing emissions, New Jersey is past the point of avoiding all climate change impacts and needs to enact measures to adapt.

New Jersey is a northern state, and it is not necessarily the folks that are hardest hit by this phenomenon of extreme heat compared to, for example, the desert Southwest, said Nathaly Agosto Filion, deputy chief climate resilience officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

But for that reason, much of our built environment is maybe not as well designed to withstand the impacts, and much of our population sort of undervalues the extent to which it is a problem for our communities.

New Jerseys draft plan includes 133 action items, but the first priority is helping New Jerseyans cope with the heat. The state aims to do that by beefing up emergency preparedness and response; providing public cooling centers; planting more trees; and adopting workplace safety rules, among many other steps. It also plans a public information campaign to make people  especially vulnerable populations such as older and homeless people  aware of the risks of extreme heat.

Were also talking about outdoor workers, were also talking about athletes, were also talking about folks that are pregnant or breastfeeding  these are all subpopulations that are really important to engage, Agosto Filion said.

Hot box apartments

Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States  and those deaths are increasing as average temperatures rise, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Approximately 2,302 people died from heat-related causes last year, up from 1,722 in 2022 and 1,602 in 2021.

Those totals are likely an underestimate, because heat waves make death more likely from other causes as well. A New York City analysis in 2022, for example, found an annual average of 360 heat-exacerbated deaths in the city compared with 10 caused directly by heat.

Last week on 31st Street in Astoria, Hassan Johnson was standing outside a bank with a water bottle and a towel, which he used to wipe the multiplying beads of sweat on his forehead. The 48-year-old truck driver blasts his three air conditioners when hes at home, but the one in his truck is broken and its hot as hell as he makes deliveries. Driving in such conditions can be dangerous: In July 2022, paramedics had to cover a New York UPS driver in ice packs and take him to the hospital after he nearly collapsed at the end of his Long Island route.

Not far away, Meg Johansson was braving treeless Broadway to get an iced coffee.

Its a bad one, said Johansson, 38, who has lived in the city for 15 years. There have been a few summers where I remember really hot days, but I dont remember one this early that was so prolonged. So its just been like torture trying to leave the house.

Back at the Astoria Boulevard subway station, Alvarado said she was coping by staying hydrated, walking in the shade and taking cold showers. Shes fortunate to have air conditioning in her home, but she said shes nervous about what the future will bring.

You feel like youre burning, she said. Its like we are in a walking sauna.

Ladd Keith, an associate professor of planning at the University of Arizona who focuses on climate change, said cities and states should have different plans to cope with extreme heat, because housing and development differ so dramatically among communities.

One challenge, Keith explained, is that many homes were designed for climates that have changed dramatically. Many hot box apartments in New York dont have air conditioning because decades ago it was rarely needed. In the Pacific Northwest, many homes have large windows to let in light, but they let in too much heat during the now-warmer summers. Homes designed to rely on air conditioning, like those in Arizona, quickly become miserable if the power goes out.

Keith said that for the most part, the rising temperatures havent been enough to convince most Americans that heat is a serious threat  yet.

Even though the awareness is growing, we really havent had this watershed moment, or what I call a heatshed moment, where weve said, We really need to take this seriously as a climate risk, Keith told Stateline.

Southern experience

But public officials in some states are focused on the threat.

The New York State Department of Health is one of 13 recipients, mostly state and local agencies across the country, of a CDC climate resilience grant. Neil Muscatiello, who heads the departments bureau of environmental health, said the goal is to identify how we think climate change is going to be impacting New Yorkers, particularly vulnerable populations, and then work on adaptations or interventions to help reduce those risks.

The agency, noting that people can fall ill at lower temperatures, recently changed New Yorks heat alert threshold from 100 degrees to 95 degrees. Last week, it was tracking emergency room visits and coordinating with other state and local agencies on getting vulnerable people to cooling centers.

Muscatiello said the department is also learning from other jurisdictions that have dealt with heat for years.

It is a really collaborative process, not only with CDC, but also with other state partners. Were always interested to hear what theyre doing.

Southern cities and states have long integrated heat resilience into their public health programs and have lessons to share.

In 2021, Miami-Dade County, Florida, became the first jurisdiction in the world with a chief heat officer. Since then, Phoenix and other cities have followed suit.

One policy change Jane Gilbert, Miami-Dades heat officer, made was to lower the thresholds for heat advisories and warnings. The county now issues advisories when the heat index  what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature  reaches 105 degrees, down from the previous 108 degrees. The new standard for a heat warning is a heat index of 110 degrees, down from 113 degrees. She made the changes because heat-related illness can happen at the lower temperatures.

Gilbert also created an outreach strategy to help homeless people cope with extreme heat, including placing cooling centers in areas where there are many people living on the streets.

We are doing a lot of great services to people who are unsheltered. That doesnt mean we dont miss people. We are doing a lot of messaging to employers with employees doing work, but that doesnt mean we wont miss people, Gilbert said. We know there are gaps. There is definitely more work to be done. Thats what we are focused on.

Like Florida, Louisiana has long experience with extreme heat. But the states public health response still has to evolve with the warming planet, said Michelle Lackovic, who is the project lead for Louisianas Occupational Heat-Related Illness Prevention Program at the Louisiana Department of Health. Last year, she said, the state had more heat-related emergency department visits and fatalities than ever before.

Last summer the Louisiana Department of Health created a public, online dashboard for heat-related illness and daily counts of emergency room visits that it updates weekly during the hot months. The data is also broken down by sex, age, race and geography, so that the public can be aware of who may be most susceptible to the rising temperatures.

The state experienced over three weeks of temperatures above 95 degrees last year, Sundee Winder, an executive director at the health department, told Stateline.

Drought, wildfires, saltwater intrusion, all of those things were a result of that extensive heat last year that was unprecedented for our state, Winder told Stateline. So, we continue to improve our dashboard, make it more user-friendly, and share the times of day that we see [people should] avoid.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

The post Cooler states now forced to grapple with extreme heat fueled by climate change appeared first on Washington State Standard.
The Ethics Commission meets in the Sakakawea Room of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on June 26, 2024. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota Ethics Commission has seen a rise in campaign-related complaints but lacks tools to address the allegations, Executive Director Rebecca Binstock said.

Commissioners are considering adopting a new set of rules so the board has more authority to investigate the complaints.

As of Tuesday, 23 complaints had been filed with the commission since the beginning of the year. Of those, 10 related to campaigns, Binstock said. The commission received 17 complaints in all of 2023 and 14 in 2022. In both 2023 and 2022, two complaints each year related to campaigns. Generally, ethics complaints are confidential unless the commission determines them to be substantiated and the accused has the ability to appeal.

Weve also received, I want to call it anecdotal information, from the public, from state agencies, state employees as well as elected officials that this particular election cycle is different, Binstock told commissioners during a Wednesday meeting. That anecdotal evidence aligns with what we see in real time with the complaints that have come in.

Secretary of State Michael Howe said his office has received reports of alleged improper campaign finance disclosures on materials like signs and fliers, though hes not sure if theres been more this election cycle compared to previous years. The Secretary of States Office does not enforce compliance with campaign laws.

We say, Well, there is a requirement of that North Dakota Century Code, Howe said. If you feel the law has been broken, you need to reach out to the states attorney in the county where you think this crime has been committed.

Recently, there have been allegations of campaign fraud in North Dakota submitted to federal authorities.

Julie Fedorchaks campaign earlier this month filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission and Federal Communications Commission after text messages were sent en masse to North Dakotans the day of the primary falsely claiming she had dropped out of the U.S. House race.

A North Dakota resident in May filed an FEC complaint against Rep. Brandon Prichard, R-Bismarck, claiming he may have engaged in campaign finance activity that violates federal election law. Prichard has denied wrongdoing. The status of the complaint is not public.

The 2018 constitutional amendment that created the Ethics Commission allows the board to adopt rules related to elections, lobbying, corruption and transparency to enforce ethical behavior by state officials.

Under the constitution, the Ethics Commission can investigate alleged violations of its own rules, the constitutional amendment or related state laws.

Its ability to investigate campaign complaints is still very limited, however. For one, the commission has yet to adopt any rules on campaign ethics.

North Dakota does have statutes relating to campaign ethics  most of which impose misdemeanor penalties  which could fit the definition of related state laws under the constitutional amendment. However, because the commission does not have prosecution authority, it cannot investigate alleged violations of criminal law, Binstock said.

There are other ways to address complaints, though. The Ethics Commission may work with the complainant and the accused to resolve the complaint informally, for example.

Additionally, if a complaint accuses someone of a criminal violation, the Ethics Commission is required by law to forward the allegation to a states attorney.

States attorneys have discretion over whether or not to charge someone with a crime. Binstock noted during the meeting that when an ethics-related allegation crosses the desk of a state prosecutor, chances are theyre already dealing with a heavy caseload.

A letter dated May 10 provided to the North Dakota Monitor indicates that Binstock referred a complaint about a legislative race to Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer. The prosecutor has not responded to requests for comment and Binstock is unable to comment on specific complaints.

If a prosecutor declines to bring charges related to an ethics complaint, the case is handed back to the commission. But again, since the commission has neither prosecution authority nor any rules pertaining to elections, its staff may be unable to investigate the complaint.

If the Ethics Commission doesnt have a corresponding ethics rule, were left with a criminal statute that the Ethics Commission cant investigate under, Binstock said.

The commission during the meeting gave staff the greenlight to draft election rules. The draft rules will likely go before the commission for consideration sometime in the next few months, Binstock said.

In 2018, Burleigh County prosecutors charged Bismarck legislative candidate Duane Sand with a misdemeanor that alleged he misstated opponent George Keisers voting record in a campaign ad. The charge, publication of false information in political advertisements, was prompted by a police report Keiser filed and a finding from a prosecutor that the act fit the elements of the crime, The Bismarck Tribune reported.

Sand later filed police reports accusing Keiser and others of breaking the same law. The charge against Sand was dismissed after all involved reached a private settlement and agreed to stop pursuing the complaints.

The post Ethics Commission sees uptick in campaign complaints, but lacks rules to enforce appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn speaks during The Greater San Antonio Chamber Senatorial Series luncheon at La Mansion del Rio, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News A conceptual rendering of a 16th Air Force campus being proposed at Port San Antonio. At far left, the existing Boeing Center at Tech Port can be seen. At center right in white is what the Port is now calling Innovation Tower, a new office building its working to develop. Port San Antonio Jim Perschbach, chief executive of Port San Antonio, talks about aerospace company, Boeing, as he gives a State of the Port Address at Boeing Center at Tech Port on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The Port is the largest tech employer in San Antonio -- and it's growing. The Port is working with a new clients that will be on location. It's also pursuing a futuristic vertiport project on campus. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer

A bipartisan group of Texas congressmen led by Sen. John Cornyn is backing Port San Antonios $1 billion proposal to move the Air Forces main cyber headquarters to the growing tech hub.

In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Cornyn, Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon and Democratic Reps. Joaquin Castro and Henry Cuellar expressed their strong support for the first-of-its-kind proposal to move the 16th Air Force from failing facilities on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to a new campus at the Port.

This effort has the potential to not only save the Air Force significant money but will also result in a state-of-the-art facility for our warfighters delivered more expeditiously than traditional delivery methods, they wrote.

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The letter echoes many of Port San Antonio President and CEO Jim Perschbachs talking points about the pitch, which calls for using intergovernmental support agreements to pay for pre-development work and construction of a new campus for the unit that oversees a vast enterprise of cybersecurity, information, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Such support agreements are commonly used for municipalities to provide services such as water, waste removal and road maintenance on military installations as a way to reduce costs. Using them for planning and construction of a facility would be a first.

Perschbach has said the novel approach could deliver the headquarters in six years at a cost of $1 billion  about half the time and cost the Port estimates it would require under the traditional military construction process.

The congressional letter also highlighted the benefit of the proposed headquarters proximity to the academic, commercial and research capabilities already located at the Port.

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This thriving innovation and technology campus supports a significant and rapidly growing presence of key Air Force and Defense Department missions, the congressmen said.

Tremendous support

The Air Force declined to comment on the letter, saying the secretary will respond directly to the congressmen. However, Air Force officials earlier hinted theyre eyeing the plan as the service moves forward with temporary fixes to keep the 16th in usable facilities.

Perschbach said his own conversations with the Air Force and Defense Department are continuing and that hes heading to Washington, D.C., this month to discuss the matter.

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The support from Congress to show the DOD that they support ways to find solutions that are not only innovative but save time and money while providing value to the DOD is tremendous, he said.

Last month, Air Force officials acknowledged their consideration of the Ports proposal.

Spokeswoman Laurel Falls said the service seeks to maximize the use of existing assets and land development opportunities, providing a mutual benefit to the community and is open to exploring what she termed potential concepts with partners.

In their letter, the congressmen wrote that they applaud the Air Force for recognizing the need for innovative solutions to its infrastructure needs and asked the service to continue its collaboration with the Port and to keep them updated.

Missing from the letters signatories is Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose district includes Port San Antonio and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. He did not respond to a request for comment.

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Big, growing

Discussions of the 16th Air Forces future home come as the units cyber mission continues to grow. One of its most important responsibilities as November approaches is protecting U.S. elections from hacking threats.

The 650 military and civilian employees at the Lackland headquarters are responsible for more than nine wings across the country with 32,000 people  including 4,200 at JBSA. Its mission spans cyberspace operations, electronic warfare, information operations and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

As such, most of its work is classified and high-tech, requiring secure facilities and solid infrastructure.

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The 16th is currently operating in JBSAs Building 2000, a 71-year-old structure with a hobbled HVAC system and foundation problems that have caused shifting floors and cracked walls, a spokeswoman said recently. Such problems plague many facilities across JBSA.

Building 2000 is in such bad shape that JBSA officials are working with 16th Air Force to create temporary headquarters workspaces at Building 171, a massive government office and facilities building on Port San Antonio. In addition to Building 2000, the 16th works out of other JBSA facilities between 27 and 38 years old.

The current setup in an aging mishmash of buildings is the result of years of reorganizations as the 16th has grown to keep up with advancing technology.

As it evaluates the Ports proposals, the Air Force also is considering more traditional means for construction and modernization of facilities for the 16th.
New leader of Springfield MSTA steps up outreach to teachers, visibility in SPS

The new president of a nonprofit teacher organization that has long operated in the Springfield district  but had grown quiet of late  spoke at the school board meeting Tuesday to introduce himself and vow to show up at more meetings.

The Missouri State Teachers Association has been active in Springfield Public Schools for decades  the statewide group was founded in 1856  but its membership and visibility have dwindled in the past decade, taking another hit during the pandemic.

"We are the largest teacher organization in the state of Missouri with over 43,000 members," said Jeffrey Pettibone, president of Springfield MSTA. "We are the second largest school staff organization in the Springfield school district with over 320 members."

The local MSTA has been largely overshadowed by the Springfield National Education Association, a union elected to exclusively represent teachers  and, later, additional employee groups  in collective bargaining with the state's largest district. The first contract was approved in 2011.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the union and the association were both highly visible. They were competitive, each vying for membership, but mostly friendly and collaborated, at times, on issues of shared interest.

The Springfield MSTA has been less visible in the past decades but has been slowly gaining traction since the end of the pandemic by endorsing candidates in board races, meeting with district officials, and sending representatives to board meetings, even if they rarely signed up to address the governing body.

"We hold ourselves to a high standard and work largely in the background so that we can get more accomplished for our members," Pettibone told the board.

He added: "We pride ourselves on our approach to collaboration and working toward resolutions with those in the district. As a result, we have regular meetings with our members and top school officials. Thus, we are well respected by our members and administrators."

Pettibone, who recently served as vice president, said he plans to regularly attend board meetings and speak on the topics that matter to educators. Here are other steps the association plans to take:

Hand out goodie bags and sweet treats at new teacher meetings;

Set up a table with giveaways and membership information at the SPS employee event Aug. 13;

Provide ways for members to offer feedback and get updates on what is happening in the district and with public education at the state level;

Mailing postcards to members in July with details about upcoming meetings and contact information locally and at the MSTA headquarters;

Organize a back-to-school event for Springfield MSTA members on Aug. 15.

"We'll be working collaboratively with stakeholders to find workable solutions to challenges and will continue to have a great working relationship with human resources and other district officials," Pettibone told the News-Leader.

"We firmly believe that more can be accomplished in an environment that has mutual respect, understanding and heart."

Pettibone said the focus on Springfield MSTA is to give the "members that we currently have adequate support and a presence in the district." He said, if successful, membership may grow.

The push by Springfield MSTA comes as the relationship between the leaders of the district and the Springfield NEA has become deeply fractured with signs of frustration on both sides.

Superintendent Grenita Lathan stopped attending regularly scheduled meetings with Springfield NEA president Laura Mullins, delegating face-to-face conversations to members of her leadership cabinet.

In statements, the union and district have traded accusations and pointed remarks.

More: Apparent rift between Springfield NEA, school district casts shadow over board election

Mullins has repeatedly used social media and the public comment period at board meetings to highlight members' concerns and air grievances. She organized a protest related to student behavior outside the district headquarters in late December.

Springfield NEA was elected to represent nine employee groups, representing more than 80% of employees, at the bargaining table, giving it a competitive edge. This year, the union and district met for more than 100 hours to reach an agreement on contract details.

Pettibone said the association is open to working with Springfield NEA.

"We would like to establish a collaborative effort once again," he said. "That collaborative effort has decreased over the last several years and we'd like to see it increase."

He added: "I've heard the misconceptions that this organization is Republican and this organization is Democratic, which is not true, of either organization in Springfield. They're both nonpartisan."

Pettibone said there is a misconception that only Springfield NEA can advocate on behalf of teachers or represent individuals with employment issues "which is simply not true. Teachers are led to believe that they need to join NEA because they have the collective bargaining power."

More: Here's how much Springfield Public Schools will pay starting teachers this fall

He encouraged teachers to join a group that can advocate on their behalf.

"As a teacher, I want everyone to be part of an organization no matter which one they choose" said Pettibone, who has been a classroom teacher. "They need to make a choice based on their own morals and beliefs and values."

Springfield MSTA employs three full-time attorneys plus member service coordinators in each region of the state.

"In Jefferson City, we are at the forefront of the fight for public education and its staff. Our focus is strictly on educational issues within the state of Missouri," he said, "Member dues are directly reinvested to support our public school staff."

At a statewide convention each year, MSTA members adopt resolutions and use them to amplify a collective voice with lawmakers.

"Everything is publicly available, nothing is hidden so everybody knows what is going on and the actions that are being taken," he said.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield MSTA's new leader increases visibility, teacher outreach
At least four people have died and another is missing due to flooding this weekend in southern Switzerland, according to local police and Swiss state media.

Three people were killed in a landslide in the Maggia Valley, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.

Police in Switzerlands Valais canton said another man was found dead in a hotel in Saas-Grund, adding that initial findings suggest he could have been taken by surprise by the rapidly rising waters.

A search is also underway for a 52-year-old man who has been missing in the village of Binn since Saturday evening, Valais Cantonal Police added in a press release Sunday. The public prosecutors office has opened an investigation into the case of the missing man in Binn and the man found dead in Saas-Grund, police said.

A flooded road near Sierre, western Switzerland, on June 30, 2024. - Boris Heger/AFP/Getty Images

The floods are a result of a rapid increase in water levels of several rivers, including the Rhone, caused by storms and melting snow, police said in Sundays press release. Police added the flooding has also caused debris flows and numerous road closures.

The river Rhone overflowed in several places causing hundreds of people in the Canton of Valais to be evacuated, according to a local government statement on Sunday, which said that major damage had also been reported in the valleys near the Rhone River in Upper Valais.

As a result of the flooding, the Valais canton said it called on the army to provide support.

Meanwhile in France, the department of Haute-Saone, which is near the border with Switzerland, was also hit with strong storms overnight. Last night, Haute-Saone was hit by violent storms with intense rainfall and strong gusts of wind, the local government said in a post on X.

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Workers from the Environmental Protection Agency and O.H. Material yesterday moved barrels containing toxic chemicals at the "valley of the drums" in northern Bullitt county to build roadways and set up work areas for later cleanup work, March 4, 1979.

Environmental consultants this summer will be digging trenches and taking soil samples in this citys Jefferson Memorial Forest, looking to document new evidence of toxic waste dumped there decades ago.

Louisville Metro Council on June 20 approved a $68,000 contract with Shield Environmental Associates for the work. The company, with offices in Louisville and Lexington, last studied the site over a decade ago. Kentucky environmental regulators commissioned that 2011 assessment, which estimated cleanup costs of as much as $900,000 to remove partially buried drums and contaminated soil.

But the cleanup never occurred. That was just one of the balls dropped by federal, state and local government agencies going back more than four decades.

Sam Satterly, while she was a graduate student at the University of Louisville, investigated a hazardous waste dump known as the Gully of the Drums in Jefferson Memorial Forest.

The full extent of the bureaucratic bungling was exposed earlier this year by a recent University of Louisville graduate student, Sam Satterly, and reported first by Inside Climate News. Her masters research revealed previously untold connections between the largely unknown Gully of the Drums and the much larger and nationally infamous Valley of the Drums, which was located just several hundred feet away before it was cleaned up in the 1980s.

The Jefferson Memorial Forest is a 6,600-acre sylvan landscape known for its steep hills and hardwood canopy of beech, maple and oak trees, its understory dotted with flowering dogwood and redbud trees. The forest has served as a memorial to veterans since 1948.

This forest holds a special place in my heart, Satterly said in an interview earlier this year at a coffee shop, where she sifted through documents she had obtained through public records requests and court files. It has offered me sanctuary in times of anguish and peace in times of sorrow.

Satterly, an Iraq War veteran, said, Sadly, we have treated it, in many ways, like a forgotten military veteran.

Kentucky in 2016 Described an Imminent Threat

Valley of the Drums in Bullitt County, scene from Feb. 3, 1979 of Thomas Jorling, assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, viewing the thousands of barrels at the toxic-waste site.

The Gully of the Drums sits about 700 feet from the Valley of the Drums, where some 17,000 hazardous waste barrels were discovered in the late 1970s about 17 miles south of downtown Louisville. Images of the massive stockpile scattered on 23 acres, along with the frightening revelation of chemical plant dumping in New Yorks Love Canal, led Congress in 1980 to pass the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund.

The law authorized a tax on chemical and petroleum industries to pay for the cleanup program. It also gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the authority to directly respond to toxic dumps that threatened the public or environment, then assess cleanup costs on the responsible parties. The Valley of the Drums was among the first sites to be cleaned up with the new federal mandate.

But EPA didnt clean up the much smaller Gully of the Drums at the same time. And at least twice since thenafter EPA had declared the Valley of the Drums cleanup a successKentucky environmental regulators and EPA officials found pollutants lingering in the soil at the gully site at levels that would normally spur remediation.

Map of the location of the drums.

Across the country, there are likely many smaller dump sites such as the one in Jefferson Memorial Forest that fell off the charts and went into oblivion as EPA and states were inundated with reports of toxic dumps to investigate in the 1980s, said Louisville environmental attorney Tom FitzGerald, who has looked into legal issues related to the site.

The gully site is far smaller than the Valley of the Drums. Official estimates have pegged the number of visible waste barrels at 40 to 45.

The (Louisville) Courier-Journal published a story in 2008 about the discovery of an estimated 40 rusting drums inside Jefferson Memorial Forest, noting a push by state and federal regulators to get the extent of any pollution there evaluated and remediated.

When Shield completed its study in 2011, it noted drums and other containers strewn along swaths of the forest for about 300 feet, along with buried metal and potential waste nearby. The firm found evidence of elevated levels of heavy metals and pesticides.

Valley of the Drums superfund site, Nov. 21, 2008/

Satterlys research uncovered a 2016 letter from state officials to the Michigan chemical company Dow Corning, telling the company they had found containers with its logo. The letter declared that the site was an imminent threat to human health and the environment, and told Dow Corning it needed to clean up the dump site.

Dow Corning, which was split up in 2016 and partially absorbed by Dow, the Michigan chemical company, replied at the time that it had worked with state officials in 2012 and 2013 to address their concerns and had submitted a proposal, with the agencys knowledge, to the [city parks department] for participation in a possible response action. Your letter is the first communication we have received since then; it suggests that you are unaware of or indifferent to those discussions, the company said.

Dow Corning further said at the time that it did not believe it had any legal liability for the forest dump site and would not commit to participating in its remediation.

State officials declined to answer questions about what happened to the cleanup talks they had with Dow Corning.

Satterly also found records showing the same person who created the Valley of the Drums in the 1960s, the late A.L. Taylor, who owned that land, was also dumping waste at about the same time on the neighboring property that would become the Gully of the Drums.

Protected by gas masks and rubberized suits, workers move chemical drums at the "valley fo the drums" to try to protect a small steam nearby, March 4, 1979.

By the end of the 1960s, Jefferson County had agreed to clean up the gully following a legal dispute over the propertys ownership and claims that county officials had allowed the dumping. But theres no evidence any such cleanup ever happened.

City Commits to Getting This Right

State officials nudged the city into conducting the new study Shield will now do. A state Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesman, John Mura, said Wednesday that the study should define the extent of waste material and characterize related soil contamination so officials can develop a corrective action plan. The Cabinet expects [Louisville] to implement the cleanup and report the results to the Cabinet, he said in an email.

The city, through Mayor Craig Greenburgs spokesman Kevin Trager, has declined interview requests about the Gully of the Drums. But in a written statement Wednesday, Trager downplayed the sites risk, saying its located in a remote area away from park amenities and parking areas.

While further site investigation is neededwhich is the contract just approved by the Metro Councilwe have no reason to believe the active spaces and trails in the forest present the public with anything other than the opportunity for high-quality natural experiences, he wrote.

Hazardous waste dump known as the Gully of the Drums in Jefferson Memorial Forest.

Trager said the city would determine next steps after Shield completes the study. We are committed to getting this right for those who visit  and the neighbors who live nearby.

The Shield contract runs through Sept. 1.

One Metro Council member, Dan Seum Jr., a Republican whose district includes the memorial forest, is adamant that the city will clean it up, and quickly. He noted that state lawmakers this year allocated $2.5 million toward land acquisition and improvements at the forest and said he plans to ask the state for more.

The goal, he said, is to make the forest a regional destination. Cleaning up the Gully of the Drums will be critical to that effort, he added.

Whatever has to be done, it will be done, Seum said. And we will be transparent.

Valley of the Drums in Bullitt County, scene from Jan. 10, 1979, of workers pumping contents from some of thousands of barrels at the toxic-waste site. Caption: Workers pumped the contents from barrels at the landfill. There were nearly 2,000 chemically laced drums at the site.

One of Satterleys professors, Lauren Heberle, chair of sociology and an expert on Superfund cleanups, said shes very encouraged that Louisville is poised to complete the original Shield environmental assessment from almost 15 years ago.

Heberle credited Satterleys research and public discussion about it for spurring action. Im glad to see Louisville Metro government take responsibility for completing the assessment and hope they will also follow up on remediation in a way that cleans the site of any remaining toxic or hazardous materials, she said.

Satterley is hopeful cleanup will finally happen.

I cannot put into words how that makes me feel, she said, but it certainly makes my heart swell.

Inside Climate News is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet that covers climate, energy and the environment. Click here for the Inside Climate News newsletter.

17,000 drums at the Valley of the Drums toxic dump site in the 1970s.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 'Valley of the Drums' focus of new study
Milwaukee has been a Republican 'punching bag.' What will that look like during the RNC?

WASHINGTON  When Donald Trump called Milwaukee a "horrible city" during a closed meeting with fellow Republicans last month, he touched on an enduring trend in Wisconsin politics.

Milwaukee has for decades been at the center of budget battles in the statehouse, and it is frequently singled out by the GOP in statewide campaigns as an emblem of dysfunction. Democrats have accused Republicans of making the city a political pincushion, though Republicans maintain that their state-level intervention  and at times criticism  is for the better.

The former president's comments, made just a month before he plans to accept the Republican presidential nomination in the city, only served to highlight that friction.

There were certainly times when we treated Milwaukee as a punching bag, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a former state lawmaker and member of the state Legislature's powerful budget-writing committee, said in an interview a week before Trump made his remarks. But its the biggest city in Wisconsin. Its a very important city, and theres a tremendous amount of economic activity and cultural activity that goes on in the city, so its really critical to the state.

The Milwaukee River flows through downtown Milwaukee on May 29, 2024.

The relationship between Republicans and Milwaukee, a blue city and key component of Democrats success in the swing state, will be on full display during the Republican National Convention, set for July 15-18. Republicans have likened the event to staging four Super Bowls in a row and claimed it will bring millions of dollars to the city. RNC host committee chairman Reince Priebus called the event a game-changer for Milwaukee.

But that rhetoric has not always been so upbeat.

Milwaukee is frequently pilloried by Republicans on the campaign trail for crime, which has trended downward this year, and been at the center of wide-ranging and false claims of election fraud. In Madison, the two parties have clashed over everything from how much revenue the city can recoup from the state and how the public school system operates to the makeup of its police and fire commission.

The contrast has led some Democrats to accuse their counterparts of insincerity. As one Democrat characterized it: Republicans hyperbolic bashing of Milwaukee doesnt square with the partys newfound love of our community ahead of a convention that will put the eyes of the political world on Wisconsin.

I would put it firmly in the camp of hypocrisy, state Sen. Chris Larson, a Milwaukee Democrat elected in 2010, said of Republicans touting Milwaukee ahead of the convention. They have spent my entire time in the Legislature and generations before that bashing Milwaukee and bashing every urban center across the country.

Theyre always beating up on Milwaukee, said U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat who has represented Milwaukee at the state and federal level since 1989. For as long as I can remember, this has been an issue.

A LED screen showcases the logo during the Republican National Convention fall media walkthrough at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee Nov. 30, 2023.

RNC could give GOP a platform for its case against Democratic leadership

In choosing Milwaukee as a host city for the 2024 GOP national convention, Republicans may see an opportunity to illustrate their arguments against Democratic leadership.

"Republicans are having a harder time when it comes to picking a city for their national conventions. Big cities have become more Democratic in recent years and the GOP's messaging is increasing about the ills of big cities, including problems like crime, culture and failing schools," said Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the university's Elections Research Center. "Being in a big city is an opportunity for Republicans to emphasize their arguments about Democrats having failed to govern urban centers effectively."

"It's awkward to insult one's hosts," Burden added, "but Republicans will be compelled to do it because they are stuck in the belly of the beast they usually disdain."

For Democrats, Trump's comments last month, which his campaign claimed were references to election integrity concerns and crime, were an example of just that  a confirmation Republicans would use the platform to continue a campaign against Milwaukee.

Wisconsin Republicans offered conflicting explanations for their nominee's words, though they all denied Trump was speaking about the people of the battleground state's largest city when he referred to Milwaukee as "horrible." The state GOP party, meanwhile, said Trump was "correct to highlight the embarrassing mismanagement of elections in Milwaukee."

Tensions between Milwaukee, GOP flare in state Legislature

The tensions between the states largest city and Republicans, who have controlled the state Legislature for more than a decade, are nothing new.

At one point in 2019, members of the Legislature's budget-writing committee clashed over state funding levels for Milwaukee's child welfare agency  a responsibility the budget committee chairman from Dodge County described as being at the expense of other communities in the state that do not rely on state officials to help run their local programs.

"We should be asking why you are not thanking us," Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, said about state funds paid by taxpayers elsewhere going to Milwaukee's child protective services, which is overseen by state officials unlike in other counties.

"You say it's been a screwing of Milwaukee," Born said to state Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee. "I'd say it's been a screwing in the opposite direction and we're going to stop that tonight."

Democrats representing Milwaukee on the committee blasted their Republican colleagues over moves they described as undercutting the state's largest city and accused their GOP colleagues of racism.

"Seventy-two percent of this state's poor resides in Milwaukee," Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, said at the time. "Milwaukee always finds itself at the front and center of the firing squad, yet we can't figure out why Milwaukee doesn't have the resources that it needs to take care of its own poor."

Crime in Milwaukee a frequent election-year focus

The 2022 GOP primary in the last governor's race focused almost exclusively on crime, voting and education in Milwaukee, with some candidates calling to dissolve the state's largest school district amid persistently low academic outcomes.

During election years, GOP candidates often single out Milwaukee for crime, a problem that has plagued the city. From 2019 to 2022, the city broke its homicide record three years in a row.

In his gubernatorial bid last cycle, for example, Republican construction executive Tim Michels zeroed in on the city as he made crime a central issue in his campaign and painted Democratic Gov. Tony Evers as being soft on criminals, focusing on the state's parole process and highlighting examples of violent criminals being released early.

Its trends like those, Republicans say, that have led them to speak up at the state level.

Milwaukees problem is they keep voting for left-wing Democrats, said U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, who entered the state Legislature in 2003 before being elected to Congress in 2014. Whether youre talking about their schools, whether youre talking about their crime, they have made a mess of Milwaukee.

There shouldnt be that much crime, but they elect people who are  be it the district attorney or judges  soft on crime, Grothman said. Should the Legislature step in and do something? Well, theyre screwing up their city.

In interviews, a number of Wisconsin Democrats pointed to recent budget discussions in the statehouse as evidence of recent clashes with Republicans.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other members of the Assembly seen during the Assembly Republican presser discussing the shared bipartisan revenue proposal giving more state aid to local communities May 17, 2023, at the State Capitol in Madison.

They noted measures like the shared revenue increase passed last year that they complained gave Milwaukee less money than other communities across the state. The legislation saved Milwaukee from a fiscal crisis and gave the city the ability to implement a new sales tax, though it came with conditions, including limiting the city's ability to spend tax money on priorities such as diversity, equity and inclusion  efforts that Republicans deemed "woke."

Republicans agreed to the proposal in exchange for Evers support for a bill to increase funding for private school vouchers, leading Johnson, the Democratic Milwaukee state senator, to remark that Evers had a gun to his head."

Either he gave my colleagues what they wanted, or Milwaukee went into insolvency, Johnson said. And he chose to save Milwaukee.

Others recalled Republican opposition to lead pipe replacement funding because the majority of the money would go to Milwaukee  an epicenter of the problem in the state  and legislation requiring Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to take on larger costs for renovations to American Family Field, where the Brewers play.

In an interview, Johnson said she welcomes the GOP national convention but wants her Republican colleagues to abandon the us vs. them mentality when it comes to Milwaukee.

"You don't get to utilize our city and then not care about its people," Johnson said, pointing to legislation she proposed to GOP colleagues that would allow some gun restrictions in Milwaukee only to curb violence in the city.

"You know what they told me, 'my heart aches for you, but that's not happening in our district,'" Johnson said. "How can you honestly say, 'that's not happening in my district,' when kids are being killed? That's the same thing as saying that as long as those kids continue to look like you, it's not important to me."

Several former and current top Wisconsin Republicans told the Journal Sentinel their scrutiny of Milwaukee stems from what they described as efforts to hold a heavily Democratic city accountable for the state support it receives.

Former GOP Gov. Scott Walker terms relationship with Milwaukee 'complicated'

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in an interview described the relationship between Republicans and the city as complicated but said GOP frustrations are typically tied in towards elected officials in Milwaukee, not necessarily the people of Milwaukee.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) leads state Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), center, and State Rep Robert Brooks (R-Saukville) for a news conference about funding renovations at American Family Field Sept. 18, 2023, at the Milwaukee Brewers home field, American Family Field. A plan unveiled would spend $600 million of state and local cash on American Family Field's renovations over nearly 30 years, matching $100 million from the Milwaukee Brewers.

I think part of the reason at least some Republicans were historically upset was because it wasnt just the money they spent, Walker said. They felt the results werent effective.

Both Walker and fellow former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson pointed to their efforts to expand school choice  an issue that has divided the two parties  as a positive for the city. And Thompson credited himself with keeping the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Thompson  who in 1995 famously said he would stick it to Milwaukee and Waukesha counties when talking about taxing counties for a new Brewers ballpark, a comment he apologized for  carried deep blue Dane County in one gubernatorial reelection bid and was the only statewide Republican in recent history to win Milwaukee County, something he did three times.

He told the Journal Sentinel that bringing the RNC to the city is a pretty strong indication that Republicans love Milwaukee, but he acknowledged the friction between the parties.

I think its just the fact that when you have Republicans in control of government, the Legislature, and you have only Democrats, predominantly Democrats, representing the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, youre not going to develop the rapport that you would like to, Thompson said.

U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, the former GOP leader in the state Senate, brushed off comments that Milwaukee has been treated as a punching bag as unserious. He pointed to the 2015 bipartisan deal to finance the construction of Fiserv Forum for the Milwaukee Bucks as evidence of positive collaboration.

If you think about it, everything thats kind of high-profile thats come up in the city, besides the sales tax that they just did, had Republican support, Fitzgerald told the Journal Sentinel.

Any serious legislator understands that Milwaukee needs to be strong if the state is going to do well, Fitzgerald said.

Burden, the political science professor, said few states exhibit a dynamic similar to the push and pull between the largest city in the state and the state's lawmakers. In Illinois, for example, Chicago is often criticized by downstate lawmakers, but Chicago-area lawmakers have much more influence in the statehouse.

"Many states such as Ohio have more than one major urban area, so there's less focus on a single standout city. States such as New York and Minnesota do not have such partisan hostility because Democrats are in charge of state government and run the cities," Burden said.

Milwaukee, though, remains at the center of debate in Wisconsin.

The Republican National Convention will take place July 15-18 at Fiserv Forum (right), the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (center, white roof) and the Baird Center (left), just west of Pere Marquette Park in Milwaukee.

In recent elections, Republicans have made the city a focal point in election challenges. In the hours after the 2020 presidential election was projected to be called for President Joe Biden, Trump in a news conference suggested the outcome was fraudulent because of Milwaukee's late-night posting of results, for example.

Trump ultimately paid for recounts of ballots in Milwaukee and Dane counties and sought to throw out all ballots that were not cast on Election Day. But the process ended up confirming Biden's victory.

This year, the GOP has made a push to recruit poll watchers and attorneys to monitor election proceedings, with a particular emphasis on Milwaukee and Madison  something Democrats like Moore, the congresswoman from Milwaukee, have labeled intimidation tactics.

Still, Republicans have claimed the relationship between the party and Wisconsins biggest city has improved in recent years under new leadership.

You can find difficulty, Thompson, the former GOP governor, said. But Im here to tell you I think the relationship for this convention with the city mayor and the county exec both coming on enthusiastically  that tells you that theres a sense of friendliness and rapport thats going to carry on into next year.

Trump's labeling of Milwaukee as a "horrible city," however, will likely hang over the convention.

"They're gonna spend the time  you can bet good money on it  that they're going to disparage our community while they're here," Larson, the Milwaukee state senator, said in late May, "and hope to get props for being brave just for being here while they're trying to rip apart our city."

A grant from the Pulitzer Center supported reporting for this story. All work was done under the guidance of Journal Sentinel editors.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: RNC host Milwaukee a longtime Republican punching bag
Insights from The Washington Post and Firstpost



The News

Russia warned on Friday that an increase in US drones being flown over the Black Sea could prompt it into a direct confrontation with NATO.

The Kremlin accuses Washington of conducting reconnaissance on behalf of Ukraine in the waters, while the US has said it is flying the drones in accordance with international law.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Russia is using sabotage missions to hit back at NATO

Source: The Washington Post

The US has warned its NATO allies that Russia is intensifying a covert campaign of sabotage and hybrid warfare against supporters of Ukraine, The Washington Post reported. Recent fires in storage facilities in the UK and Spain, which were holding supplies destined for Ukraine, are thought to have been arson attacks that are part of a larger Kremlin strategy: Russia has often called for covert attacks that minimize the threat to Moscow while sowing discord elsewhere, the Posts David Ignatius noted. The Ukraine conflict keeps moving inexorably up the escalation ladder: Russia attacks, Ukraine defends; NATO pumps military aid to Ukraine, Russia responds by sabotaging NATO supply lines. Each rung higher, the danger of a misstep gets worse.

NATO-Russia tensions may be near flashpoint

Source: Firstpost

Fears are mounting about the possibility of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. In Indian publication Firstpost, international studies professor Nalin Kumar Mohapatra argued that NATO may need to pull back some of its presence in Ukraine to counter the risk of angering Russia and entering into a wider war. NATOs major aim is to use Ukraine as a base for its further enlargement into the post-Soviet Eurasian space. This is the major flashpoint between NATO and Russia, Mohapatra argued.
After a three-month hiatus, the community-loved pizzeria Peace of Pie is finally reopened at 534 Main St. in Altavista.

The restaurant, owned by Breezy and Lucas Peterson since 2022, still has its same groovy, hippy decor but most importantly, remains the welcoming hub for community members.

Born and raised near the San Francisco Bay in California, the couple, both 37, moved around the country due to Lucas Petersons service in the Navy. He spent two years in Charleston, South Carolina, as a nuclear engineer and another four years in Groton, Connecticut, working on nuclear submarines. After fulfilling his six-year contract, the Petersons moved to Altavista in March 2013, where Lucas Peterson transitioned to working at a biomass facility.

The idea of owning Peace of Pie was seeded back in 2013 when Lucas Peterson, working at the power plant, was introduced to the pizzeria by his colleagues.

My husband was like, Man, this is so good. Id love to own this one day, Breezy Peterson said.

Though the plant was a great place to work, it wasnt supporting his health being on constant rotations, switching from days to nights.

After receiving an inheritance from Lucas Petersons father, the two looked to God to discover what could be their next step.

Why would we have this resource and what was the intention with it? Breezy Peterson remembered.

The restaurant is the perfect fit for the Petersons who both love food and restaurants.

My mom was a waitress and my dad worked in restaurants. They both moved on to better paying professions but some of my fondest memories are sitting in a diner and there was a waitress at a diner where my mom worked who made me magic milk, and it was just a cup of milk and she would put the chocolate sauce in the bottom, let it settle and then she told me to stir it and it would turn into chocolate, Breezy Peterson said.

Their neighbor, Tom Rose, introduced them to Donna Hendricks, the original owner of Peace of Pie, leading to their eventual purchase of the business.

Hendricks opened the pizzeria at 519 Broad St. around 2010 and decorated the small but welcoming space wall-to-wall with tapestries, art work, framed vinyl records and album covers as well as posters of 70s artists and movies, from Jaws and Star Wars to The Beatles and Blondie.

We met Donna in May 2022 and officially bought her out on July 5, 2022, Breezy Peterson said. It was an amazing opportunity to buy the building and ensure we were investing in our own property.

The move to 534 Main St. was driven by the Petersons philosophy of owning their business property and their desire for a larger space. The new location, which once housed Bettys Kitchen and later a general store, has been transformed into a cozy, family-friendly pizzeria with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

I think this thing that we heard from Donna most often was love the food and be good to people and it really lines up with how we view the world anyway, because as Christians and as bearers of Christs image, its our job to take care of people and to be his hands and feet and we can do that with food sometimes, Breezy Peterson said.

The couple worked to renovate the space, adding necessary updates such as fire-retardant paint, electrical wiring and a dish pit.

Our new place already feels like home, Breezy Peterson said. Its an accomplishment that were incredibly proud of, similar to giving birth, you can only do so much, and life happens, but its all worth it.

The Petersons are committed to maintaining a work environment that prioritizes family and community. Their hours reflect this balance, with the pizzeria open Wednesday through Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

We dont have a manager; were managing, and were still raising kids, Breezy Peterson said. Its important to find a balance between our education responsibilities and our work responsibilities.

The couple are dedicated to both their work and community. They have created strong relationships with their employees and customers and have cultivated a unique and supportive work culture. The Petersons children, aged 9, 15 and 17, also contribute to the business, learning valuable life and work skills along the way.

Id say that small business, although its the American dream, its not for the faint of heart. You have got to have something to hold on to. And for us, its our marriage. Its our church, our community. And I dont know how people do this without a lot of support, she said.

The Petersons have been thankful to have a community who has supported them throughout the new ownership and new location.

Breezy Peterson especially enjoys meeting the new people who walk through the doors and hearing their stories.

Every day that we get up, its another chance to be a part of the community that we love, where were raising our kids, where we go to church and just love people and enjoy community. And it is a business, but its more than that for us. Its where were raising our kids. Its where our home is, its our people, she said.

Will Skinnell, a longtime customer of Peace of Pie, said its the best pizza in this part of the state.

I absolutely love their pizza and I cannot say enough good things about Breezy and Lucas. They are amazing people and Altavista has embraced them taking over this institution from the previous owner. They are always extremely pleasant and courteous to deal with as well as their wonderful staff.
CHIBA, Jul 02 (News On Japan) - In an abandoned school deep in the mountains of Chiba, locals are experimenting with foreign travellers, who are dressed up in school uniforms to have a 'Japanese School Experience,' in an effort to revive the town.

This experience, themed "What if I were a Japanese high school student?", has been offered at the abandoned school in Kimitsu City since November last year, aimed at inbound tourists.

The first period is a "Japanese" class.

"Stand up, bow, sit down! Please teach us!"

Just like in a real school, the class starts with a command from the class leader. First up is a calligraphy experience, where students choose and write their favorite kanji character using a brush.

Dani, who "attended" from America, chose the kanji for "samurai."

"I chose this kanji because I am very interested in various aspects of Japanese culture, including samurai," Dani explained.

Dani's friend Teresa chose "ninja."

The two, who love Japanese subculture, participated because they were eager to experience the "Japanese school life" often depicted in manga and anime like "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Naruto."

Kimitsu City, the stage for this school experience, has seen an increase in abandoned schools due to population decline, with 16 now in total. Moreover, it has become merely a transit point to popular tourist destinations like Kamogawa, highlighting the need to expand tourism content for inbound visitors.

The school experience also includes "physical education," featuring activities like tug-of-war, bread-eating races, and ball toss games. Additionally, participants can experience evacuation drills and other scenes rarely seen today.

"What did you do?" a teacher asks a student standing in the hallway holding a bucket.

"I cheated on the test," the student replies.

"This is a rather old custom. Nowadays, this punishment is no longer practiced," the teacher explains, prompting a wry smile from Dani.

The "school lunch" brought smiles to the surprised students.

"Do you want more?" Dani, acting as the lunch server, asks.

"More!" a student replies.

"Okay!" Dani responds.

Dani, who has never experienced serving lunch in America, enjoyed distributing dishes like the traditional curry rice, fried bread, and the familiar Chiba school menu item, "peanut miso."

"It's very delicious. It's also great to eat local food," Dani said.

The experience concludes with a "graduation ceremony."

"It was a truly wonderful experience to actually do almost everything that students do in Japanese schools," Dani remarked.

Takaki Beiji, the representative of Undokaiya, the company running the event, hopes this initiative will become a new tourist attraction in Kimitsu City.

"We aim to discover and promote more attractions and create new charm, bringing liveliness to the region," Beiji said.

This service is being closely watched as a potential new use for abandoned schools.

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, approximately 450 schools across Japan become abandoned facilities each year due to the declining number of children and students.

Takaki Beiji, the representative of Undokaiya, which operates the school experience service, said he thought about how to use abandoned schools in their existing form, leading to the creation of this Showa-era school experience service.

The cost to launch the business was about 6 million yen, utilizing subsidies from the Japan Tourism Agency's inbound business program to prepare actors and uniforms.

Beiji said that the maintenance costs associated with using the school have begun to be covered by profits as the business gets on track. "If this initiative to meet the high demand from foreign tourists to 'experience Japanese culture' becomes a success, it could lead to revitalization in areas with few tourism resources and limited benefits from inbound tourism. We want to create content from scratch and promote 'regional revitalization projects' to bring liveliness to the community," Beiji stated.

Source: ANN
KANAGAWA, Jul 02 (News On Japan) - A 30-year-old man known as the 'Drift Master' has been arrested on suspicion of repeatedly engaging in drift driving late at night.

Surveillance camera footage captured in Yokohama City this January shows Tatsunori Hasegawa, 30, in a purple car performing drift maneuvers multiple times at the same intersection near the Daikoku Parking Area, allegedly engaging in reckless driving behavior.

According to police, Hasegawa was referred to as "Master" by his drift-driving peers.

Hasegawa denies the charges, stating, "I don't remember; it was a long time ago."

The police are continuing their investigation, suspecting there are accomplices involved in the reckless driving activities.

Source: ANN
By Justina Otio

A prosecution witness, Abubakar Madaki has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that former Governor Ayodele Fayose did not personally make any of the financial transactions relevant to the charge before the court.

He stated this during the cross-examination in the ongoing trial of Fayose for N6.9 billion in fraud and money laundering.

Naija News reports that Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts bordering on fraud.

At the resumed trial on Monday, the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), called Madaki, who is an Investigating Officer with the EFCC, to enter the witness box in continuation of his cross-examination.

Under cross-examination, the second defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), called for exhibit D12 and asked the witness to look through and confirm to the court if there was any transaction relevant to the charge which was personally made by the first defendant.

In response, the witness replied: There is none.

The defence counsel also asked the witness if he recalled telling the court that he did not witness any of the transactions in the case. The witness replied, I only said it was in the course of investigation.

On whether he acted based on facts in his investigation, the witness replied, Yes, very well my lord.

When further asked if the facts were made available to him by persons who saw or participated in the transactions, the witness replied, Yes, in the course of investigations.

The defence counsel asked the witness whether all conclusions tendered or made available to the court, including the investigations made in respect to the charge took their root from facts which he was either told or read.

In response, the witness replied, Yes, including documents recovered in the course of investigations.

When asked by Ojo if he came across any document where Fayose had acknowledged receipt of any amount of dollars from one Obanikoro, the witness replied that there was no document of acknowledgement.

TOP HEADLINES
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.
By Ibrahim Ramalan

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says the commission has come with 142 recommendations to improve future electoral process .

Mr Yakubu said this at the opening of a two-day Induction Retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, on Monday in Lagos.

He said that the commission had published the report of the review of the 2023 elections ,adding it was already available on its website.

But in addition, there is also the outcome of the retreats and engagements with stakeholders, which is right now being published.

I can tell you that the commission has made 142 recommendations on the improvement of electoral process in Nigeria.

As soon as the report is ready, we will go public and engage with Nigerians on this reforms.

The reforms are categorised, the majority are for implementation by administrative action by INEC, but some are to be implemented by security agencies.

We have those that require amendment to the electoral legal frameworks by the National Assembly. Some are to be implemented by political parties and other stakeholders.

Nigerians should be patient, as soon as we conclude the process very soon, we will share this report with Nigerians, Mr Yakubu said.

According to him, in Nigeria, there is no election session any longer as the commission conduct elections round the round.

He said that since the inauguration of the National and State Assembly in 2023, INEC had conducted nine by-elections and still had to conduct five by-elections before the 2027 general elections.

Stating that the FCT Area council elections would also be due in 2026, Yakubu said that there was no respite for the commission again.

As we innovate, we reflect, we review and we also implement, he said.

On Edo, the chairman noted that the flood disaster that hit the the state recently affected over 4000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS, machines at the commissions office.

He ,however ,said the commission had been able to recover no fewer than 3500 of the machines.

The INEC Chairman said the machines in the state would not be enough for the election and that the commission would call for additional support from neighbouring states.

On the retreat ,the INEC Chairman said it was not just about induction of new appointees ,but an opportunity to review performance, reappraise process, discuss innovations and engage service providers.

He said that it was also an opportunity to interface with lawmakers on critical areas of reforms and explore new frontiers in our continuous effort to improve organisational capacity for better service delivery.

In March 2022, we had an induction retreat for new National Commissioners, followed by another one on election logistics in October and then another retreat for new RECs in November.

The most recent retreat was held in August last year for the review of the 2023 General Elections.

Today, we are holding another retreat to induct 10 new RECs: nine of them were sworn-in on Dec. 12, 2023 and one of them on Jan.30 ,2024, Yakubu said.

He said that in a matter of weeks after the swearing-in, many of the new RECs were saddled with the task of conducting re-run elections in a few locations in some constituencies or bye-elections in entire constituencies.

According to him, INEC will conduct four major elections before 2027 , listing them as Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

Therefore, as we think, reflect and innovate for credible elections, we are also instantly implementing the reforms and innovations that we can introduce by administrative action.

Since election is a process governed by law, we also plan to intensify our engagement with the National Assembly for activities that require legal reform, he said.

The chairman charged the new RECs to be focused on how to acquaint themselves more with the processes and procedures of the commission.

He urged the existing RECs to leverage their privileged field experience to mitigate recurring challenges in the areas of pre-election and post-election litigations, operational issues.

He said that such experience should be applied in the area of logistics, improvements in voter education processes, issues of strategic communication and combating fake news, misinformation and disinformation as well as inclusivity in the electoral process.

Mr Yakubu said that the experience should also cover voter registration, allotting voters to polling units, the role of technology from pre-election activities to election day processes.

He also urged RECs to help on political party issues mainly arising from leadership crisis and the management of party primaries, the recruitment and training of election duty officials, election security and our own code of conduct.

The INEC Chairman charged them to bear in mind that the cardinal objective of the retreat was for improved service delivery.

 I urge you to listen attentively to the presentations and, most importantly, contribute to discussions in a solution-oriented manner.he said.

Mr Yakubu expressed the commissions appreciation to the Development Associates Inc., DAI, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, for supporting the retreat and many other activities of the commission.

The presence and goodwill messages of the DAI Team Leader, Mr. Rudolf Elbling and the IFES Country Director Seray Jay is a further affirmation of their commitment to transparent and inclusive electoral process in Nigeria.

We wish to reassure you that INEC remains committed to these ideals just as we are determined to continue to push the boundaries of credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria, he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC REC, Lagos State, described the retreat as important and timely, saying that the platform would enhance electoral management in the country and inspire new ideas.

Salami said that electoral activities globally remained big tasks that required, uprightness, integrity and diligence.

Urging participants to take the retreat seriously, Salami said that at the end, RECs should be able to deliver a transparent, credible and acceptable electoral process,and one that is devoid of bias and partisanship.

In his remark, Seray Jah, Country Director, IFES, applauded INEC for appointing experienced ex-staff as REC,saying the step would make election administration much easier.

Mr Jah said that IFES had been partnering with INEC over the years by providing technical support in the area of capacity building, training and other areas.

According to him, elections all over the world are difficult tasks but there is no other country where elections are much more difficult to hold than Nigeria.

We assert our continuous support in advancing the aspiration of this commission, Jah said.

The retreat had in attendance RECs from the 36 states of the federation, directors and other management staff members of the commission.

TOP HEADLINES
Ajayi Crowther University

Twelve out of the 25 students of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, brought before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates Court, Ibadan for alleged murder were on Monday discharged.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 25 students, arraigned on June 5, were charged with conspiracy, murder and negligence.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, had ordered the students to be remanded in a correctional facility in Ibadan, pending the outcome of legal advice.

The 12 discharged students are: Kehinde Martins, Samuel Okorie, Mustapha Khalid, Yusuf Adeniran, Joseph Areoye, Iyanuoluwa Oyelakin, Obaloluwa Olalekan, Emmanuel Adejumobi, John Daudu, Moses Abiola, Hammad Tijani and David Kolawole.

Ogunkanmi, while discharging them, held that the legal advice was out, which indicated that the 12 students should not be charged with any offence, as there was no evidence linking any of them with the offences alleged to have been committed.

One of the 25 defendants, who is a security guard at the university, Femi Oladoye, earlier charged with negligence of duty, was also granted bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Ogunkanmi, thereafter, adjourned the case till July 8 for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, CSP Funke Fawole, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 24 at about 9 p.m. at the afore-mentioned university.

Fawole said that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of one 22-year-old Jefry Akro, a student of the university, by beating him with planks and electrical wire.

She said that Oladoye, as a security guard, however failed to prevent the aggrieved students from beating Akro to death.

She said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 515 and 324 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

TOP HEADLINES
Melissa Manno is a reporter covering education for the San Antonio Express-News. She can be reached at melissa.manno@express-news.net.

She graduated from Penn State University in 2022 with a bachelors degree in journalism and minors in geography and digital media trends and analytics. She is also the 2021 Hearst National Journalism Writing Champion.
With the United States in the process of withdrawing its 1,000 troops from Niger and also about 75 from neighboring Chad, Western military officials and experts are concerned that violent extremist groups are growing in size and influence across Africa, posing a threat to the US and Western allies.

A recent UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting in Sierra Leone on Combating the Rise of Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel highlighted the protracted and expanding terrorist violence that has plagued West Africa and the Sahel region for more than a decade. Officials and experts from the UN, African Union, ECOWAS heard that the threat had been greatest in the Sahel states of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, where violent extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group frequently attack security forces and civilians, have seized territory, and have blockaded towns. Efforts to respond to the threat are in a period of transition, as Frances decade-long counter-terrorism operations have ended, the US troops are pulling out from Niger, while the three Sahel states are increasing their military cooperation with Russia, most notably through the Wagner mercenary group.

Speaking during a conference of African chiefs of defense in Botswana last week, US defense and military officials described the threats and their concerns about growing instability in Africa and what implications the ouster of American troops and a decline in US intelligence gathering could have for future counter-terrorism operations on the continent. I think we can all agree, what happens in one part of the world, does not stay in one part of the world, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned, spurring questions from African military chiefs about what Washington could do to help stem the spread of insurgents in West Africa, the Gulf of Guinea and the Sahel. As were in transition and resetting, we need to maintain capabilities to get enough intelligence to identify warnings of a threat out there, Gen. Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command, said, adding that the US is still trying to assess the militant groups capabilities as they grow.
Niger is considering routing its oil through neighboring Chad and Cameroon, instead of using a China-backed pipeline running from Niger to Benins coast, after protracted diplomatic disputes with the latter and a recent rebel attack that damaged the vital pipeline.

The China-backed pipeline, which the junta in Niamey hoped would turn Niger into an oil-exporting country, is being threatened by an internal security crisis and a diplomatic disagreement with neighboring Benin that led to the pipelines recent closure. Then the pipeline was also recently attacked by the local Patriotic Liberation Front rebel group, which claimed to have disabled a part of the pipeline, threatening more attacks on oil installations if the $400 million deal with China isnt canceled. State media said the malicious individuals who had sabotaged part of the pipeline would be apprehended and prosecuted. Niger has kept its borders closed to goods from Benin, alleging its neighbor was hosting French forces that were training others to destabilize Niger, a claim Paris has denied.

It is a completely messy situation and the only way for a resolution is if both administrations directly engage and resolve issues, said Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused security consulting company Signal Risk. To find a solution out of this impasse, the Niger junta is considering reviving the option of routing the oil through neighboring Chad and Cameroon. But the Chad option is not a simple solution, as it involves building a new (oil) pipeline, says Seidik Abba, researcher and president of the International Centre for Studies and Reflections on the Sahel (CIRES). We need to find an investor. Will the Chinese, who have already invested in the pipeline to Benin, invest again in the pipeline to Chad? While the Chad pipeline is a possible option, Abba says there are many challenges that stand in the way of its implementation. I dont think all these questions have been answered yet.
The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency have voiced their shared commitment to bolster their cooperation to support the Palestinian cause amidst the ongoing regional challenges.

This came during a meeting in Jeddah on Monday between Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, director of the Rabat-based agency and Cheikh Niang, President of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The discussions underscored a shared commitment to advancing the Palestinian cause amidst ongoing regional challenges. Both parties agreed on the importance of sustained cooperation and dialogue to address pressing issues affecting Al-Quds and its inhabitants.

During the meeting, Cheikh Niang commended the efforts of King Mohammed VI, who heads the Al-Quds Committee, for promoting values of peace and coexistence in the region, particularly in Al-Quds Asharif. Niang also acknowledged the Kings role in safeguarding the legal status of the Holy City and expressed the UN Committees desire to bolster cooperation with Bayt Mal Al-Qods Acharif, an offshoot of the Al-Qods Committee.

Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, for his part, praised the UN Committees commendable initiatives aimed at raising global awareness about the significance of protecting Al-Qods and preserving its legal standing. He emphasized the necessity to strategize joint actions towards achieving shared objectives.

The encounter took place on the sidelines of a conference hosted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, titled Al-Quds and the War on Gaza: Palestinian Identity and Existence under the Threat of Obliteration.
Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Democrats have been in full panic mode since Joe Bidens disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump with pundits, donors, and average voters questioning whether the president should be replaced at the top of the 2024 ticket. But it seems one crucial constituency is not engaging in the national conversation about whether Joe should drop out: the Biden family.

As President Biden huddled with his wife, children, and grandchildren on a preplanned trip to Camp David over the weekend, multiple outlets published dishy behind-the-scenes reports on how the family members think he should proceed. One thing is clear: They want him to stay in the race. But there was some conflicting gossip about who the Bidens blame for Joes bad performance and what they plan to do about it (which is pretty remarkable, as this may be the least leak-prone White House in recent memory). Here, a roundup of what weve learned.

The Bidens are not talking about Joe dropping out.

You might assume that the president called a family meeting to help him decide whether he should heed calls for him to drop out of the race. But the family had already planned to gather at Camp David this past weekend to participate in a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. And multiple reports emphasized that this was not a formal family meeting and the Bidens werent actively debating whether the president should drop out. As the New York Times reported:

One of the people informed about the situation said the entire family is united and added flatly that the president was not getting out of the race and had not discussed doing so. You get up and keep fighting, the person said.

Two sources told the paper that if Biden was thinking about quitting, he wouldnt have that discussion at Camp David, where too many people outside the family might overhear.

Jill Biden tells Vogue, We will continue to fight.

First Lady Jill Biden is the driving force behind the presidents decision to continue his reelection campaign, according to a person familiar with the dynamics.

The only person who has ultimate influence with him is the First Lady, the source told NBC News. If she decides there should be a change of course, there will be a change of course.

During a postdebate stop at Waffle House on Thursday night, Joe Biden told reporters, I think we did well. But as the president and First Lady appeared at various rallies and fundraisers over the weekend, the spin evolved. Yes, Joe had a bad night  but it was no more than that. Jill articulated this message at a fundraiser on Friday.

After last nights debate, he said, You know, Jill, I dont know what happened. I didnt feel that great, she said. And I said, Look, Joe, we are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that youve been president.

Jill Biden reiterated this  and declared that her husband will continue to fight  in an editors note attached to the top of her Vogue profile, which was published on Monday morning:

Editors Note: The debate on June 27 spurred a discussion about whether President Joe Biden should remain the Democratic nominee. Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady and Vogues August cover subject, has fiercely defended her husband and stood by him. Reached by phone on June 30 at Camp David, where the Biden family had gathered for the weekend, she told Vogue that they will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president. We will continue to fight. President Biden, she added, will always do whats best for the country. Whatever happens in the weeks and months between now and November, it is Dr. Biden who will remain the presidents closest confidant and advocate.

"Every campaign is important, and every campaign is hard, shares Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady and Vogues August cover subject. Whatever happens between now and November, it is Jill Biden who will remain the president's closest confidant and advocate. https://t.co/y6WcDbsWtf pic.twitter.com/4LQFUzoVx6  Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) July 1, 2024

Hunter Biden is advising his dad to keep running.

Jill Biden has always been one of her husbands fiercest defenders, so he should probably be seeking advice from more objective sources, too. But instead, the other main voice in his ear right now is his son Hunter, who we can all agree has not made the best life choices. Per the Times:

One of the strongest voices imploring Mr. Biden to resist pressure to drop out was his son Hunter Biden, whom the president has long leaned on for advice, said one of the people informed about the discussions, who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations. Hunter Biden wants Americans to see the version of his father that he knows  scrappy and in command of the facts  rather than the stumbling, aging president Americans saw on Thursday night.

Hunter has even been joining meetings with his father and top White House aides in recent days. Per NBC News:

While he is regularly at the White House residence and events, it is unusual for Hunter Biden to be in and around meetings that his father is having with his team, these people said. They said the presidents aides were struck by his presence during their discussions.  One of the people familiar with the matter said Hunter Biden has been closely advising his father since the family gathered this past weekend at Camp David after Thursdays debate. This person said Hunter Biden has popped into a couple of meetings and phone calls the president has had with some of his advisers.

Another person familiar with the matter said the reaction from some senior White House staff has been, What the hell is happening?

The Biden grandkids think TikTok is the answer.

The younger Bidens big idea is exactly what youd expect from well-meaning grandkids with no political experience. Per the Times:

Other family members were trying to figure out how they could be helpful. At least one of the presidents grandchildren has expressed interest in getting more involved with the campaign, perhaps by talking with influencers on social media, according to the informed person.

The Biden family blames campaign staffers.

Members of the Biden family privately trashed his top campaign advisers over the weekend and even urged the president to fire or demote people in his political high command, according to Politico. Complaints reportedly range from Biden being poorly prepared to overly prepared:

Among the familys complaints about the debate practice: that Biden was not prepared to pivot more to go on the attack; that he was bogged down too much on defending his record rather than outlining a vision for a second term; and that he was over-worked and not well-rested.

The blame was cast widely on staffers, including: Anita Dunn, the senior adviser who frequently has the presidents ear; her husband, Bob Bauer, the presidents attorney who played Trump in rehearsals at Camp David; and Ron Klain, the former chief of staff who ran point on the debate prep and previous cycles sessions.

But a senior Biden aide said it is not true, and other sources said there is no expectation that anyone will actually be fired. And Axios reported that Biden personally assured Ron Klain that no one blames his top staffers:

But the president smoothed it over: He called former chief of staff Ron Klain, who led the team, and one of the things they talked about was that neither he nor the family blames the prep.

Some Biden staffers blame Biden.

Eight anonymous people involved in or briefed on the presidents debate preparation hit back at efforts to blame the Biden team, telling the Washington Post that he was adequately prepared and they were as shocked as anyone by his terrible night:

So aides were bewildered by his performance. Many felt they had never seen him collapse so dramatically. After all, Biden was a veteran of numerous debates  as a senator, vice-presidential nominee and presidential candidate. And they did not understand why he gave an entirely different answer on the age question than the one they spent more than a week perfecting.

Other Biden campaign staffers blame CNN.

Mid-debate, Biden officials started telling reporters that the president had a cold in an attempt to play down his raspy voice. When Bidens raspiness disappeared the following day, they looked around for something else to blame and settled on the debate host, CNN. According to Politico, they criticized the network for everything from the lack of live fact-checking to Bidens pale makeup:

 Bidens campaign staff only grew angrier at CNN as to how the debate was run, according to several people familiar with the conversations. Their complaints were lengthy, including that the moderators should have fact-checked Trump more often, that Biden was not told which camera hed be on when not speaking and that the makeup staff made him appear too pale, according to the three people. Biden did, however, agree to the terms of the debate before it was held.

The Biden campaign blames the entire media.

Jen OMalley Dillon, the presidents top campaign strategist, said that if theres a dip in the presidents polling, pundits will be to blame. Per the Times:

By Saturday evening, Ms. OMalley Dillon wrote a memo accusing the beltway class of counting out Mr. Biden prematurely. If we do see changes in polling in the coming weeks, it will not be the first time that overblown media narratives have driven temporary dips in the polls, she wrote.

As Bloomberg reported, another top Biden campaign staffer blamed the Pod Save America guys specifically:

In another memo, deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty argued that even if the presidents polls did decline, it was merely a temporary reflection of reactionary coverage by the chattering class.

Flaherty went on to swipe at self-important podcasters  a clear reference to the popular Pod Save America show, hosted by former Obama administration officials who expressed alarm in the aftermath of the debate.

Breaking news: People think Joe Bidens old. They did coming into the debate, they do coming out of the debate, he wrote.

Many blame Bidens inner circle for keeping him isolated and hiding his condition.

On Tuesday, Politico reported that many Democrats are now looking back at Bidens entire presidency and blaming his top aides, along with the First Lady and his sister Valerie Biden Owens, for forming an increasingly protective circle around him, limiting his exposure to the media and outside advice. Per Politico:

Following the debate, the pervasive view throughout much of the party is of Bidens inner circle as an impenetrable group of enablers who deluded themselves about his ability to run again even as theyve assiduously worked to accommodate his limitations and shield them from view.

 When aides to the president suggested he was the best and only candidate who could beat Trump, few pushed back.

The fact is, there wasnt an open dialogue about whether he should run except for the people who would benefit from him running, said a Democratic operative close to the campaign. They described the inner circle, Donilon especially, as convinced that this was going to be about Trump, not about Biden, and at the end of the day, people just wouldnt vote for Trump. But here we are, were sitting in July, and the race is about Biden, and its about a trait you cant fix.

Senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates pushed back after the piece was published, telling Politico that complaints about Bidens tight inner circle are unfair distortions of processes that exist in every administration, and saying the president actively seeks input from a wide range of individuals inside and outside the administration.

This piece has been updated.
Are they going to let him wear multiple shirts in there? Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images

It was a busy morning outside the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury. After roughly two years of trying to appeal a guilty verdict for contempt of Congress, Steve Bannon arrived shortly before his noon deadline to surrender at the federal prison for his four-month sentence. As with many things surrounding the former Trump adviser/MAGA podcaster/pardoned border-wall grifter, it was a circus.

Dozens of supporters showed up to support their favorite MAGA podcaster in his moment of need. A priest from a nearby parish offered his support to Bannon, which he used as an opportunity to grandstand. Father, dont pray for me, pray for our enemies, Bannon said to the throng. Theyre the ones that are going to need the prayers. Getting a few more hits in, he described himself as a political prisoner and said that he was proud to stand up to the Garland corrupt DOJ.

Bannon also told his devoted supporters to basically leave him alone for the next four months. Dont send me a letter, because Im not going to read it, he said. Well see about that.

For the next four months  until just a few days before the election  Bannon will be in the low-security prison for ignoring a subpoena from the House subcommittee investigating the Capitol riot. (He is now Donald Trumps second ex-adviser to be sentenced for such a charge, joining Peter Navarro; together, they are the only two former White House officials to be sentenced on a contempt-of-Congress violation.) FCI-Danbury, which was a mens prison that became a famous womens prison and then became a mens prison, has a long history of famous inmates, from Moonies leader Sun Myung Moon to Housewife Teresa Giudice and poet and conscientious objector Lauryn Hill (for tax reasons). It is also the setting of Piper Kermans Orange Is the New Black.

Devoted listeners of Bannons War Room podcast should not fear for their loss of content. In one of his last shows, he announced that a rotation of conservative guests, including Lauren Boebert, would hold down the pod as Bannon does his time. Perhaps, though, using his allotted 320 monthly minutes of phone time, he will be able to call into his own show  the pod equivalent of fellow Trump pardon recipient Kodak Black recording a song over the prison phone.
Photo: Supreme Court of the United States/Getty Images

On Monday, the Supreme Court handed Donald Trump a big but partial victory, ruling that he has immunity from criminal prosecution for any official act he took as president  but not unofficial acts. The 6-3 decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts and split on ideological lines, sends the matter back to federal judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the long-delayed federal election-subversion case against Trump.

In its decision, the Republican majority largely affirmed that a president and former holder of that office is entitled to immunity for official acts taken while in power, going further in protecting Trump and future presidents than many observers had expected. Importantly, the majority agreed that acts that cannot be prosecuted are barred from being used in trial as evidence for other matters  a clarification that may hamstring the January 6 case against Trump.

We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office, Roberts wrote. At least with respect to the Presidents exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote a blistering dissent, writing that the majority fails to recognize or grapple with the lack of historical evidence for its new immunity. She said that her conservative colleagues ruling gives a future president broad leeway to use their power with ill intent, listing off bleak scenarios such as a leader accepting a bribe in exchange for a pardon or using the military to assassinate a political opponent.

Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably, Sotomayor wrote. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

In August 2023, Trump was indicted on four counts in connection with his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, resulting in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. He pleaded not guilty. Trump and his legal team have long argued that he has immunity from federal prosecution in this case because his actions took place while he was president. A D.C. appeals court disagreed with that premise; the three-member panel ruled in February that Trump does not have presidential immunity in the case. Later that month, the Supreme Court agreed to hear his argument. And on Monday, the Court overturned the appeals courts ruling.

Chutkan had already delayed the January 6 cases planned start date in anticipation of the Supreme Courts ruling. Now she will need to painstakingly establish which of Trumps actions are covered by the new immunity standard and which are not, a process that will likely be time-consuming and that makes it increasingly doubtful that Trumps trial will happen before the November election.

Trump seemed pleased with the Supreme Courts ruling, calling it a big win on Truth Social. In a subsequent post, he suggested that the decision should put an end to the rest of his legal matters including state attorney generals civil fraud case and E. Jean Carrolls defamation suits, which were already decided, as well as the hush money case that is set for sentencing on July 11.

The Biden-Harris campaign weighed in on the decision in a statement: Todays ruling doesnt change the facts, so lets be very clear about what happened on January 6: Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election.

Reaction to the decision varied widely based on party affiliation. Senator Chuck Schumer called it a sad day for America, while Representative Jim Jordan praised the courts move.

This is a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy.



The very basis of our judicial system is that no one is above the law.



Treason or incitement of an insurrection should not be considered a core constitutional power afforded to a president. https://t.co/wCNI42U5Ki  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 1, 2024

Hyper-partisan prosecutors like Jack Smith cannot weaponize the rule of law to go after the Administration's chief political rival, and we hope that the Left will stop its attacks on President Trump and uphold democratic norms.



The Judiciary Committee will continue to oversee https://t.co/vird1G76WF  Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) July 1, 2024

Steve Vladeck, a Georgetown Law professor, wrote on social media that the decision was far more favorable to Trump than most experts were initially predicting:

This is a big part of why the ruling is a bigger win for Trump than many of us had been expecting. Its not just which acts will be immune; its how this will hamstring efforts to prosecute even those acts for which there *isnt* immunity. Thats why Barrett concurs only in part. https://t.co/SwIofaiBqs  Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) July 1, 2024
King Donald I. Photo: Getty Images

The same six conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices who swept away Roe v. Wade in 2022 took another revolutionary step on the last day of the current Court term. They adopted a theory of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution that will almost certainly allow Donald Trump to evade responsibility for his insurrectionary conduct on and before January 6 while setting a new and highly permissive standard that will surely encourage Trump to continue his lawless behavior if he returns to power next year.

Writing for a unified majority (aside from a concurrence by Justice Amy Coney Barrett that seeks to carve out a few clearly unconstitutional presidential acts from immunity), Chief Justice John Roberts took two crucial steps toward paralyzing any federal prosecution of former presidents for criminal misconduct. First, he extended the concept of presidential immunity for official acts against civil liability, which the Court developed in a 1982 decision involving a lawsuit against former president Richard Nixon. Todays decision applies that doctrine to criminal cases, a highly controversial proposition with no real precedent. Second, he set out a test for determining the line between official and unofficial acts that makes it difficult to discern any acts that are not at least presumptively immune.

As an immediate result, the decision forces a reconsideration of Trumps immunity claims with respect to the crimes alleged in special counsel Jack Smiths federal prosecution that virtually guarantees a delay in his trial until the former president is safely past the November election. No matter what Judge Tanya Chutkan decides, Trump will be able to again appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for a clarification of its hazy but highly permissive scheme for assessing presidential misconduct. Hes almost certainly in a position to quash his own prosecution if he wins, which greatly enhances the likelihood that hell again refuse to admit defeat if he loses.

But the decision in Trump v. United States has implications that go far beyond its impact on the 2024 presidential election. As Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissent for the Courts liberal bloc argues, it could give a reelected Trump or any other future president breathtaking freedom from accountability for criminal misconduct:

Todays decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law. Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for bold and unhesitating action by the President  the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more 

The main takeaway of todays decision is that all of a Presidents official acts, defined without regard to motive or intent, are entitled to immunity that is at at least  presumptive, and quite possibly absolute.

While Robertss majority opinion allows for a theoretical area of presidential acts that are not forever cloaked with immunity, and accuses the dissenters of striking a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today, its difficult to discern any warning signs that someone like Trump would observe. Sotomayor goes through the scary hypotheticals of official acts that would be presumptively if not absolutely sealed off from prosecutors:

The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

In a separate dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson suggests that any doctrine of presumptive presidential immunity for criminal acts inherently defies the principle of equality before the law:

Unlike a defendant who invokes an affirmative defense and relies on a legal determination that there was a good reason for his otherwise unlawful conduct, a former President invoking immunity relies on the premise that he can do whatever he wants, however he wants, so long as he uses his official power in doing so  In the former paradigm, the President remains subject to law; in the latter, he is above it.

Truly, Trump v. United States is the right name for this case, and Trump won. While you can expect Jack Smith to try to revise and revive his case, it may have been delayed and gutted beyond repair. And now the last line of defense against a rogue president lies with the American electorate.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images

Last week, the Supreme Court threw a grenade into years of painstaking negotiations between the family that helped usher in Americas opioid epidemic and thousands of their victims. In a 5-4 opinion, the Court held that a complex settlement worth as much as $6 billion, and agreed to by Oxycontin manufacturer Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family who once ran it, and a long list of plaintiffs including states, tribes, and individuals, could not stand because the Sacklers had improperly used bankruptcy court to shield themselves from civil liability down the road  a key plank of the deal. For victims who had grudgingly signed on to the settlement in hopes that theyd finally see some compensation for their suffering, the ruling  which means they might never see any money at all  hurt badly. For others, more invested in seeing corporate drug pushers face any kind of personal justice, it was a relief.

The journalist Patrick Radden Keefe introduced many Americans to the Sacklers, first in The New Yorker and then in his book Empire of Pain. He chronicled how members of the insular clan, once pharmaceutical and philanthropic royalty, ruthlessly pushed Oxycontin with the help of pliant medical authorities and doctors, opening the door to a public-health crisis that continues to exact a devastating toll across the U.S. And his reporting galvanized a backlash that has all turned much of the family into pariahs. I spoke with Radden Keefe after the ruling came down about the Sacklers newfound vulnerability to lawsuits, how their crafty financial maneuvering has helped shield them over the years, and whether they feel any guilt or shame over their role in an epidemic.

After the Supreme Courts ruling, the Sackler family issued a statement in which they said, While we are confident that we would prevail in any future litigation given the profound misrepresentations about our families and the opioid crisis, we continue to believe that a swift negotiated agreement to provide billions of dollars for people and communities in need is the best way forward. Knowing what you know about this family, do you think theyll agree to anything without the benefit of the liability shield?

I think thats the big question, and you see a difference of opinion between the Courts majority opinion and the dissent on just that. The majority, somewhat optimistically, says, Maybe theres a better deal to be made here  essentially, that the Sacklers had been prepared to put up $6 billion, but that if you withdraw the shield, they may ultimately increase that figure. So thats one point of view. Theres another point of view you see in the dissent, which is essentially We dont know that. You had $6 billion on the table. It was going to get paid out quite slowly over 19 years, but even so, that money is desperately needed. One of the issues in this case is that a lot of the Sackler money is offshore. So theres this question of  how would you actually claw that money back if they for whatever reason decide they dont want to play ball?

I think the danger theyre facing is a lifetime of litigation. Its hundreds or even thousands of lawsuits they could be fighting ad hoc forever. And it could go on for the rest of everybodys lives, which is less appealing for victims and people who could use that money in order to help remediate the damage of the opioid crisis, and also less appealing for the Sacklers. So my sense is that they will all go back to the mediation process and try to come up with a version of the deal, which I think probably will ultimately entail more money coming from the Sacklers and may leave open the idea that in the future there are people who can sue them.

Can the Sacklers maintain absolute immunity from lawsuits now under any circumstance? Or is that totally out the window with this ruling?

Some of this stuff is very complicated and technical, but the difference is between a nonconsensual third-party release, which is what the Supreme Court said they couldnt do, and consensual third-party releases, in which basically you get people to waive their right to litigate.

One of the issues in this case is that you have a huge class of people, 80,000 people or something  who have claims that could be brought that we know of. Then theres a smaller group of people who actually came in and voted on the settlement deal. The majority of the people who voted signed off on it, but the number of voters was a small minority of the overall group of people who could potentially bring claims against the Sacklers. So the challenge is that you have this larger universe of people who might want to sue, might have good grounds for doing so, and didnt come into the process to sign off on this deal.

I think the discomfort you end up with  and this is what gets expressed in the Courts opinion  is can a bankruptcy judge really say, There will be no future litigation against the Sacklers because weve all done this deal, and foreclose the possibility that some of those other people would be able to bring suits in the future? There may be a version of this in which the Sacklers are able to get some larger number of people to consent to the deal and minimize the number of outliers. Because the nightmare for the Sacklers is that they pay all the money and then they nevertheless are looking at a lifetime of litigation.

Lets say some lawsuits do go forward against the Sacklers. Who specifically would be in the crosshairs? Richard and David Sackler come to mind.

We talk about the Sackler family, but in fact, there are three different branches of it, and only two of those branches were involved in the management of the company while it was marketing Oxycontin in a way that we now see as having been dangerous and fraudulent. Richard Sackler was running the company for a period of time. Theres his son David, and Kathe Sackler, his cousin from the other branch who was involved in the management of the company. You ultimately had members of these two different branches of the family from three different generations who dominated the companys board of directors and were very, very involved in decision-making at the company. Thats all been pretty well established in litigation at this point. So yes, in terms of actual individuals who would be named, I think if theres a bulls-eye, Richard Sackler is sitting on it.

To this day, none of these people have ever admitted any fault or really expressed any guilt or shame, is that right?

Thats correct. I think its been almost a point of pride for the family. There have been many instances over the years in which the company would settle lawsuits, essentially pay for lawsuits to go away, but never wanted to acknowledge any wrongdoing. The family has been very adamant that they never did anything wrong at all, that this is a false narrative. You saw that in these very dramatic moments in which Richard and Kathe and David got hauled before Congress a number of years ago and testified and were questioned by members of the House. I think people were quite shocked. I was watching it in real time, and just the implacability of these people was unsettling. In the context of the bankruptcy deal, it was always very important to the Sacklers that they would make no acknowledgments of responsibility or apologies or anything along those lines. It was part of the deal that, Okay, well put up the money, but were not going to concede the point.

I wonder if they feel that theyve been so wronged that this ruling hurts on that level more than the prospect of litigation or any financial penalty.

Oh, thats really interesting. I think the first thing to say is that the family is not by any means monolithic. So I think there are probably differences of opinion even among the core members who are most implicated in this story. Certainly, Richard Sackler, in terms of his personality profile, has always had a defiantly stubborn streak. Hes getting quite old, and I dont know that he has the appetite necessarily to fight for the remainder of the years that he has left. But I tell these stories in my book about him incessantly responding to emails to people in the middle of the night who had the nerve to suggest that there was anything wrong with Oxycontin. There was a pride, in his case, where you could see him going down with the ship.

I dont know that that would necessarily be true for everyone. I think particularly for David, whos younger  hes in his 40s and has young kids  and his cousin, Mortimer Jr., who was also very involved in the business  these are people who I would think are looking at quality of life for themselves over the coming decades and thinking, There has to be some way that I can put this behind me. The reputational cost, I think, is probably just priced in for them.

As youve chronicled extensively, their names have been taken off museum wings and other institutions around the world. Theyve become persona non grata in a lot of places. But there are all kinds of shady people who are doing fine financially and living a pretty sweet life, even if theyre getting good ink in the newspapers.

In Florida, yes.

The rogue state.

Which I should say is where Richard and David ended up. The last refuge of scoundrels.

Do you have a sense of the kind of company theyre keeping and whether theyre still welcomed in certain echelons of high society?

A number of them have left New York. It may be that places like Florida or Switzerland present a more commodious alternative for roguish people with dicey reputations and a lot of money. My sense is that even in Florida, there have been instances in which theyve been shunned. So I think that there is a social stigma that they are going to live with for the rest of their life. But I think the reality is that for a certain segment of society, what matters is money, and they still have it.

The reputation stuff may be priced in, as you said, but their lives could get meaningfully worse if the lawsuits start coming in.

Oh, absolutely, yes. I think that the $6 billion figure is interesting, because it started much lower. For a period of time they were saying, Well commit $3 billion, and then it went up to about $4.5 and then finally it went up to $6. I think theres good reason to believe the number will go up more now that the deal has been undone. But you have to remember that this is a family that has a fortune of at least $11 billion, and that they were committing to pay any money out over 19 years, so this is very sustainable for them. Its a strange thing to say to suggest that $6 billion might not actually be that much money, and Im sure its painful for them to part with it, but its a loss that they can sustain.

Listen, I had expected that this case would get ruled the other way. I had thought that they were home free. And I had thought that there might be a dangerous precedent here where the Court would essentially ratify the ability of bad corporate actors to create this kind of harm and then just game the bankruptcy system.

Thats all the rage right now. Johnson & Johnson is doing it, the Boy Scouts are doing it 

Exactly.

I was actually a little surprised by the ruling too, because of this Courts usual pro-business slant.

Absolutely, and you get this 5-4 vote, with odd bedfellows on both sides of the decision. I think that just reflects the fact that its not an easy case. Its very, very difficult. The one thing that I wrestled with when I was writing the book and I was covering the bankruptcy process in real time is that the whole idiom of bankruptcy law is all about efficiency and cutting a deal and arriving at the least bad disposition of a situation. Its very pragmatic. There is a sense, in that pragmatism, that larger concerns like justice and transparency and accountability are almost a little sentimental, that they have no room in a deal. I think you see that conflict playing out in this decision where there are people on the one side who were saying, That was $6 billion. It was really hard to arrive at that deal with all these different stakeholders.

It took years and years.

Somebody once memorably described bankruptcy proceedings as a melting ice cube. Those were years in which you had all these bankruptcy lawyers billing $1,000 an hour or more, and the sum of money to be distributed was rapidly diminishing because the bankruptcy lawyers cost so much. To one way of thinking about it, the fact that the deal gets set aside now and everybody goes back to the negotiating room means that the sum of money that is there to be distributed will continue to erode, because theres going to be the huge expense of coming up with some alternative that is viable. But on the other side of the ledger, theres this question of justice. Do we really want a situation in which you cut a deal and the bad guys ride off into the sunset?

You implied at the top that it would be difficult to extract all this money from the family. Along with everything else, theyre experts at hiding cash, right?

I agree with that, but I also have to say that during the course of the bankruptcy proceedings and even in the Supreme Court dissent, I always found it pathetic when people articulated that as a reason to make the deal. It always seems so bizarre to me.

Throwing your hands in the air and giving up?

Yeah. Just saying, Well, Jesus, look at them. They craftily moved all the money offshore, and its really only through their indulgence that we could expect them to furnish us with any of that cash at all. So lets come up with a situation that pleases them. That seems like a strange position for a judge or a Supreme Court justice.

But realistically, it is going to be incredibly difficult to get the money.

Yeah, no question. This is a formidably well-resourced family. For people who havent followed all the ins and outs of this case and may be wondering, How is it that Purdue Pharma, the company, ended up in bankruptcy court in the first place?, the whole way we got here is that about a decade before Purdue declared bankruptcy, there were conversations within the family where they realized that this litigation isnt going away, that there are going to be more and more of these lawsuits. They realize that at some point, somebodys going to have to pay the piper. And there are emails among family members saying that eventually, one of these lawsuits is going to break through to the family. So a decade before the company actually declares bankruptcy, the Sacklers start very quietly siphoning money out of the company and into their private accounts  moving it offshore and making it hard to reach. They take more than $10 billion out of the company. Then when theyve bled it dry, they declare bankruptcy for the company, not for them.

So I think thats what youre up against, is a group of people who had the foresight a decade out to start preparing for the eventuality in which the company that they owned and controlled would be so overwhelmed by lawsuits that it could declare bankruptcy and they could have already pulled $10 billion out of it and kept it somewhere safe.

Youve got to tip your cap, just on a criminal level.

Its hard to deny that theres a fiendish brilliance.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Turtle Boy leaving the courtroom. Photo: Boston Globe via Getty Images

On Monday, more than two years after the suspicious incident that left her boyfriend, the police officer John OKeefe, dead in the snow, a Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial in the second-degree murder case against Karen Read. For many reasons, the trial has captivated true-crime rubberneckers far beyond suburban Canton, Mass. A telegenic defendant in a rocky relationship; a towns police officials accused of an alleged cover-up; destroyed evidence by a federal agent; a federal investigation into the local police investigation; all that and a symphony of Boston accents arguing on Court TV.

Deep inside this circus is a blogger named Aidan Kearney, known as Turtleboy (imagine Dave Portnoy if he found a passion for true crime). For the past two years, Kearney has devoted his life to covering the trial in an unorthodox manner, which includes many exchanges with the defendant, a steadfast belief in her innocence, and a confrontation of a key player in the trial at her childs lacrosse game. (He also made merch.) Kearney has become a part of the trial so much that he has gotten a trial of his own. Last October, he was charged with multiple counts of witness intimidation and picketing a witness; earlier this year, he did 60 days in jail after a judge revoked his bail. He has denied all wrongdoing, citing First Amendment rights.

Hours after the mistrial was declared, I spoke with Kearney to better understand his role in the saga, its effect in suburban Massachusetts, and his unusual approach to digital media.

Youve spent two years of your life obsessing over this. How does it feel that its technically over?

Its not even close to over, unfortunately. But it feels bittersweet, bordering on shitty, I guess, because this is an open and shut case, man. It is sad about the jury system where we live in a society where people this dumb can be on juries to decide the fate of other people and they are happy and willing to vote guilty.

What was it like inside of the courtroom today when it was declared a mistrial?

Several members of Johns family cried. Karens team seemed happy that she wasnt convicted. I would say more like relieved is the best way word to describe it. But then, lo and behold, 10 minutes later they announced theyre going to try it again. I mean, these people are just ruthless. Theyre shameless. Its disgusting how much theyre willing to expend on this.

What are your plans if theres a retrial?

Were not going anywhere. I mean, were seeing this all the way through. Were going to continue to protest. Were going to continue to cover this story. I have my own side charges, if you will, that Ive gotten as a result of my coverage of this case that I have to deal with. I have a hearing for that on July 11.

Its a pretrial hearing to go over evidence that theyre supposed to have given us. They have not given us a whole bunch of discovery. I still dont know what Ive been indicted for on a number of these charges because theyre just ignoring court orders to hand over charging documents and bills of particulars showing exactly what theyre even alleging Ive done.

How much did you know about the legal process before this trial? And what is your takeaway now?

I watched a lot of SVU, but I understood the basics that everybody else did. Objection. Sustained. Plaintiff. Defendant. Discovery. But I definitely learned a lot watching this trial about how much influence a judge can have on a case. The fundamental weakness of the jury system is really just what I took away from this, how we live in a society where just people this dumb can decide the fate of others.

Im from a town not too far from Canton and I kept overhearing people talking about the case. (If they got in a drunk fight, then it isnt murda.) Growing up in the area, I feel like there was a was a strong sense of trust in the police in the community. Do you think that has changed in Canton?

I mean, they voted to audit the police, and thats an unprecedented move for a cop town. But theres plenty of law enforcement supporters like myself who traditionally backed the blue and are disgusted with the way that the police handled this case.

Theres the idea in journalism that someone shouldnt become part of the story or that they shouldnt be too far of an advocate. I was wondering where journalism and activism collide for you with this story?

I wear three hats. I wear the journalist hat, the activist hat, and the entertainer-satirist hat. And traditionally, yeah, youre right. Most journalists dont wear all three, but I do, and I can switch hats whenever I want. I feel passionate about this case. So its not for me to just report on whats happening. I feel motivated to get out there and to protest, to raise awareness. And I cant pretend that I see both sides here when I see one side is clearly in the wrong and as all the facts going against them. And the other side is goodness on their side and has all the facts that support everything that theyre saying.

How would you describe Karen Read as a person?

I never had gotten a chance to know the real Karen Reed. I only know indicted Karen Reed. You dont really know a person, I feel like, until they dont have impending murder charges against them. So I only know a person who is dealing with a lot of stress constantly, so you know what I mean? I feel like I dont know her until these charges are gone. I know a person right now whos extremely worried, very confident, and very smart.

What has your lawyers advice been to you?

I have a very hands-off lawyer. His thing is like, You do your thing. Im never going to tell you Im in a unique position where lawyers usually tell their clients, shut up and dont talk. But I talk for a living and my lawyer trusts me. He trusts my judgment.
Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

We now have the Supreme Courts immunity decision and  wow.

In large part, its what we expected and forecast in this space. But the Courts opinion expands presidential power (and bolsters Trumps legal defenses) substantially more than anybody reasonably predicted.

Theres a lot here, so lets break down todays decision. Here are the biggest takeaways.

Criminal immunity exists. This is, in itself, a headline. Weve recognized civil immunity  protecting federal officials from lawsuits for their official, on-the-job actions  since the 1982 Supreme Court decision Nixon v. Fitzgerald. But, until today, it remained an open question whether there even was such a thing as criminal immunity. Now we know: There is.

Criminal immunity is not blanket or absolute  but its pretty darn broad. This has mostly been a problem of nomenclature. Its easy to scoff at a claim that a president is immune (absolutely!) for everything he does from the moment he takes the oath of office at noon on January 20 until his term ends four years later. But, in reality, Trumps team made no such argument to the Supreme Court, though it did (unwisely) float it below. Rather, his team argued for a more limited form of criminal immunity, which the Supreme Court has now accepted and then some. Hes immune, in many circumstances (more on this in a moment)  but no president or former president has all-encompassing, blanket coverage.

It all depends on whether the presidents actions were official or unofficial. As expected, and roughly parallel with civil immunity, a president is criminally immune for official acts taken within the scope of the job. But there are two crucial kickers here.

First, the Court will construe the job description quite broadly in the presidents favor. According to the decision, the boss is immune for anything within the outer perimeter of the Presidents official responsibilities, covering actions so long as they are not manifestly or palpably beyond his authority.

Second, while a president cannot be indicted for his official acts, a prosecutor cannot even introduce evidence of any official act as part of a prosecution. So, for example, in DOJ special counsel Jack Smiths 2020 election subversion case, the Court made clear that Trumps contacts with the Justice Department (to try to arm-twist prosecutors to investigate and find election fraud) are within the scope of the job and cannot play any part in Smiths presentation of evidence of the jury, even if necessary to explain the entire sequence of events in a coherent manner.

A president (probably) cannot order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival and get away with it. As we discussed in a recent column, the SEAL Team Six hypothetical  and Trumps claim that he could be indicted only if he was first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate  oversimplified and distorted the actual legal issue at hand. I wrote then, Count on the Supreme Court blowing past the impeachment argument and rejecting it out of hand. But that wont end the inquiry. Look for the Court to consider, and potentially to create, a criminal-immunity test based roughly on whether conduct falls within or beyond the presidents official job responsibilities. Thats essentially what has now happened. Justice Sonia Sotomayor argues that the Courts ruling would permit a president to order an assassination without consequences, but I respectfully dissent from that dissent. I dont see any way a court concludes that such a plot would be an official act within the scope of the job. I might be wrong; we dont know. Justice Sotomayor is right to at least highlight the dilemma.

This trial will not happen before the election. Its over, folks. The chances of a pre-election trial on Smiths 2020 election indictment have now slipped from unlikely but possible to flat-out zero. Thats because the Court sent the case back down to the district court with instructions to hold a hearing to determine which acts are within or beyond the scope of the presidency. Okay, so cant Judge Tanya Chutkan hold that hearing in the next couple weeks and get this thing back on track for an early fall trial? Nope. Because the Supreme Court went out of its way to specify, several times over, that Trump has the right to appeal the trial judges determinations on this issue before the trial. Thatll blow this case out until well after the November 2024 election.

All four Trump criminal cases are in trouble to varying degrees. Smiths 2020 election case wont happen before the election  or maybe even in 2025, given that he can go through the whole appeal process again  and his indictment will look like Swiss cheese once all the official acts are removed. Fulton County district attorney Fani Williss election-subversion indictment was already circling the drain on its own demerits, and now it faces the same immunity problems as Smiths case. Trump also has claimed immunity in Smiths federal classified-documents case and, while its tough to imagine how he could be immune for conduct that occurred entirely after he left office, Trump will have a renewed argument that he obtained the government documents in the first place as part of his job as president. Even the Manhattan hush-money conviction now stands in doubt. Watch for Trump to argue that some of the evidence admitted against him  including conversations he had with White House adviser Hope Hicks, while he was in office in 2017  is entitled to immunity and was wrongly admitted at trial. Its all a big mess, far more so now than it was yesterday.

We all cherish the slogan No person is above the law. But now we need to add a rejoinder: Except, in large part, the president.

This article also appeared in the free CAFE Brief newsletter. You can find more analysis of law and politics from Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, Joyce Vance, and other CAFE contributors at CAFE.com.
Troy Castro, a resident at Westwood Plaza apartments, helps unload cases of water on June 18 after SAWS shut off water service to the complex due to the property owner falling behind on payments. Jessica Phelps Ray Diaz, a maintenance worker at Westwood Plaza apartments, delivers cases of water to residents after the water was shut off by San Antonio Water System on June 18. Jessica Phelps

There could be another blitzkrieg of water service shut-offs at local apartment complexes if property owners dont pay their overdue water bills, San Antonio Water System's top executive says.

Despite criticism from a member of the San Antonio City Council, SAWS CEO and President Robert Puente said he stands by the city-owned utility's decision to shut off the water on on June 18 at four apartment complexes with a total of 600 units. The owners of those properties had tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills.

READ MORE: SAWS cuts off 4 apartment complexes for unpaid bills

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Some residents said they received no warning from their property owners that their water could be shut off. SAWS staffers distributed printed notices at the complexes the day before the service was turned off.

Service was restored at three of the complexes the same day it was shut off after their owners made payments to SAWS. Only one, an eight-unit building on Magnolia Avenue, remained out of service as of Monday. SAWS said seven of the eight units in that building are boarded up, and the property owner has not contacted SAWS about the situation.

Puente said the disconnection strategy was very successful in prompting owners to make payments and said it could happen at other apartment complexes if the property owners fall behind on paying their water bills.

The water accounts for nearly all multi-family housing in San Antonio are in the names of the owners, not the individual tenants. Residents are typically charged for water as part of their rent or monthly bills, but the payment to SAWS is made for the entire building and is owed by the property owner.

Gavino Ramos, SAWS' senior vice president for communications and external affairs, said it appears the individual tenants are paying their bills  because they havent been evicted  but the landlords arent keeping up with their own payments.

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Its unfortunate that these property managers are collecting rent, but theyre not paying their bills on time, he said.

'A very serious disruption'

At any given time, there are about 300 multi-family housing and commercial accounts that have overdue outstanding balances with SAWS, Puente said. There are 15 to 20 that are very seriously delinquent and could be included in a second round of disconnections, he said.

Its about 15 to 20 that could potentially be on our list for us to do what we did, as far as a blitzkrieg of cutting off service and forcing them to pay, Puente said. He said hes hopeful the June shut-offs drew enough attention to motivate property owners to keep up with their payment plans. With some of the largest overdue balances now taken care of, that kind of large-scale action might not be necessary again, he said.

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We decided to do it in a very open and public way to try to get the attention of all of the other customers, especially commercial customers, that the same thing can happen to them, Puente said. The goal was to convey that there will be a very serious disruption in their operations if they dont talk to us and let us know what their situation is and how they may be able to stay in operation and pay their bill, he said.

The four apartment complexes ranged in size and overdue bills, from the eight-unit building to complexes with hundreds of units.

Two of the complexes that were shut off, Roselawn and Westwood Plaza, are owned by the same California-based nonprofit, Pico Union Housing Corporation.

The nonprofit owed about $243,000 in bills for the two complexes when SAWS decided to disconnect them. It made partial payments the day before the disconnection, and additional payments the following day to resume service. As of Monday, the company still owed a combined $185,594.34 for Roselaw, Westwood and a third apartment complex, SAWS said.

Puente said five or six complexes owned by Pico Union were on a list for potential disconnection, and some of them paid in time, but the two that were temporarily cut off did not do so in time.

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At Serenity Residences, a 268-unit complex near the Medical Center, water was shut off for only about an hour before the owner paid, Puente said.

The owner there, a company called Latitude Deng LLC, owed $244,577.86 when service was shut off, SAWS said Monday. The utility said previously that the owner owed just under $40,000, which was incorrect. While the owner paid enough to quickly restore service, the company still has an outstanding balance of almost $153,000, SAWS said Monday.

Puente said some of the problems with local apartment complexes began during the coronavirus pandemic, when property owners started falling behind on payments and couldnt evict residents for non-payment.

SAWS eventually told those customers that they needed to pay at least their monthly bills, he said, but some continued to fall behind.

To get their attention and bring them into compliance, we felt we had to do something out of the ordinary, Puente said.

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READ MORE: New connections to San Antonio Water System to get pricier

Criticism from council

San Antonio City Council Member Marina Alderete Gavito, whose District 7 includes Serenity Residences, criticized SAWS for the decision to undertake simultaneous disconnections, which she said forced city staff to respond to multiple locations as they tried to help tenants.

Staggering the disconnections would have allowed the city departments to help each apartment complex on a case-by-case basis, she said in a statement that day. Instead, the citys capacity to rectify this situation is now spread out between the remaining complexes that have not yet made payments.

She also said the utilitys actions lack compassion for residents who were being punished for the landlords lack of response and their neglect of duty to care for their tenants.

Residents at Westwood Plaza said the building management never warned them about a potential shut-off, and after the disconnection, many gathered outside the building to pick up water bottles provided by the city and Pico Union while they waited for it to be restored.

Bertoldo Guzman said he bought water so he could flush his toilet and for his wife and 6-year-old son to take bird baths.

"If it was just me and my wife, thatd be one thing, but I have my little one, he said.

However, Puente said SAWS communicated and coordinated with the city before shutting off the water at the apartment complexes, and the utility said it notified residents twice that water could be turned off.

Puente said city staffers did not let us know they would be taxed by the four shut-offs throughout the day, but said he spoke with Alderete Gavito and would take her feedback into consideration.

He said the utility also had bottled water on hand and was prepared to help residents if the owners didnt make payments quickly.

But he defended the decision to shut off all four complexes on the same day, saying SAWS benefited from the attention it gained.

We got a lot of publicity on this, which serves as a notice to all of the other delinquent nonpayers that we are serious, he said. Because of that, we may not need to do it in such a concentrated way anymore.

He said SAWS tries to avoid shut-offs and is willing to work with customers, as long as theyre staying in communication with the utility about payment plans.
The Biden Administrations new strict tailpipe emission standards have just become particularly vulnerable after the Supreme Court overturned last week a 40-year-old landmark ruling, known as the Chevron deference, which granted federal agencies the authority to interpret ambiguous laws.

The precedent, set in 1984 in a case involving the oil giant, gave federal agencies more power to interpret ambiguous laws. But last Fridays Supreme Court ruling will strip federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from the power of interpreting laws, such as the Clean Air Act, and how to apply them.

The U.S. top court ruling will have wide-reaching implications for the oil and gas industry because it will make it more difficult for federal agencies to regulate the environment and public health, based on their interpretation of ambiguous laws.

The tailpipe emissions limits, which the EPA finalized just a few weeks ago, look especially vulnerable in light of the Supreme Court ruling, environmental law attorneys have told Reuters.

In March, the EPA announced the finalization of new tailpipe emission standards. The agency boasted that these were the strictest standards ever, adding that they would save money, create jobs, and eliminate billions of tons of CO2 emissions.

The ruling adds to already heated debates about whether the EPA has authority to regulate emissions from vehicles, they said.

Related: Bidens De Facto EV Mandate At Risk after Supreme Court Chevron Ruling

There have been longstanding debates about whether and to what extent the (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has the authority to regulate emissions from mobile sources, Sherry Jackman, an environmental litigator and compliance counselor at Greenberg Glusker in Los Angeles, told Reuters.

Even before the Supreme Court ruling last week, the American Petroleum Institute (API) challenged the new tailpipe emissions rules in court.

API sued the EPA over the vehicle emission standards, with Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Meyers saying that EPA has exceeded its congressional authority with this regulation that will eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A couple of years ago, private equity funds were having trouble convincing investors that there was still money to be made in oil and gas. At that time, everyone wanted in on the ESG game.

Fast forward two yearsprivate equity funds that stayed exposed to the oil and gas industry are making billions from their exits.

At the end of last month, EnCap Investments sold its portfolio company XCL Resources to SM Energy and Northern Oil and Gas. The total price tag was about $2.5 billion. Also in June, EnCap sold assets of another portfolio company, this one in the Permian, to Matador Resources for close to $2 billion.

EnCap has been cashing in on the consolidation spree in the shale patch and on its bet that oil and gas investments could be profitable. The bet turned out to be a winner. And the private equity firms that made it are set to profit from current trends in the industry. They might as well hurry up before it ends.

According to a recent Reuters article, Big Oil majors were facing a challenging period trying to find buyers for their asset divestment plans, which, per the article, are used to fund dividends and stay on investors good side in volatile transition times. What aggravated the situation, Reuters writers said, was the fact that private equity was no longer interested in oil and gas. According to them, private equity was going full ESG. Related: Court Hearing on Citgo Auction Could Be Delayed Until September

Meanwhile, the news broke that Quantum Capital Group was buying a Rocky Mountain oil and gas producer, for which the private equity company agreed to pay some $1.8 billion. The sellers were also private equity players, while Bloombergs commentary on the deal was that buyout firms are increasingly eager to put money to work in the oil and gas sector, which has been undergoing a deals boom.

The boom, the publication said, followed the Covid lockdowns end and the rebound in energy demand. That rebound, as has become evident, could not be met by alternative energy sources, which ensured strong demand for oil and gas remained, drawing the attention of energy-focused investment firmsand not only in the Permian.

The most prolific shale play has been the focus of merger and acquisition activity for years now. Most big-ticket deals in the oil and gas space take place in the Permian. Yet EnCaps XCL Resources operates in the Uinta Basin in Utah, and Caerus, the company that Quantum Capital bought from a trio of fellow private equity firms, operates in Colorado. In other words, the consolidation wave is spreading, and private equity is very much a part of it.

In the first quarter of the year, merger and acquisition activity in the oil patch hit a record high of $51 billion after a whole record-breaking 2023 as Big Oil sought to become even bigger and had the money to make it happen after the surge in oil and gas prices from 2022 that extended into 2023.

It looks like the rest of 2024 will be busy in M&A as well, and it looks like private equity will be among the main characters after firms spent years backing independent drillers that have turned into acquisition targets. But they might also become buyers once again.

In that same Reuters article that claimed private equity firms were no longer interested in oil and gas, the authors mentioned that Big Oil majors were looking to offload some assetsincluding in the Permianto streamline their most lucrative operations. They would need buyers for those assets, and what better buyers than private equity firms after the wake-up call that said ESG investing was not the sure winner it was supposed to be.

In the latest edition of its annual Statistical Review of World Energy, the Energy Institute reported that last year, global oil consumption had topped 100 million barrels daily for the first time ever. The figure exceeded oil consumption by some 4 million barrels daily, which suggests the balance between supply and demand for oil remains precarious despite multiple reports about a surplus. In other words, oil remains very much in demandas does natural gas.

The United States is the biggest producer of both crude oil and natural gas in the world. This makes it an important supplier to the global marketand a profitable opportunity for investors, including investors from the private equity world. As the business world begins to quietly shelve its emission-related plans amid increased regulatory pressure, private equity interest in oil and gas might even increase.

Several years ago, private equity stepped in to fill the void left by banks that were starting to suspend their business relations with the oil and gas industry. These banks must be kicking themselves now, while private equity is making billions on investments of several hundred million.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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As the world transitions away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives, we are inevitably seeing cuts in oil and gas jobs around the globe. Meanwhile, the number of renewable energy jobs is increasing in line with capacity expansion. Many of those who have worked in oil and gas are ideal candidates for the clean energy sector as they have extensive experience working in energy, as well as the skills needed to support operations. Therefore, governments and the private energy sector must introduce mechanisms to make it easier for workers to switch fields and support green energy sector growth. Further, governments worldwide must consider possible ways to overcome the geographical barriers involved with the shift from fossil fuels to renewables.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many oil and gas companies were forced to lay off workers due to the dramatic decrease in energy demand worldwide. However, as the global energy demand has risen to record highs, many companies hired back their workers. Nevertheless, the global shift away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives has meant that there are fewer jobs in oil and gas than there once were, leaving many workers without a position to return to. Yet, there are more jobs in the energy sector today than there were in 2019, largely due to the notable growth in clean energy, a sector that now employs more workers than fossil fuels.

According to the IEA, energy employment reached nearly 67 million in 2022  growing by 3.4 million over pre-pandemic levels. While clean energy sectors added 4.7 million jobs between 2019 and 2022, to total 35 million, the number of fossil fuel jobs has been slow to recover following the pandemic, meaning that by 2022 it remained around 1.3 million lower than pre-pandemic employment, at 32 million. Most of the job growth was seen in solar PV, wind, electric vehicles (EVs) and battery manufacturing, heat pumps and critical minerals mining, which together employ around 9 million workers, with the solar PV sector accounting for around 4 million jobs alone. In addition to operational jobs, huge growth has been seen in construction and manufacturing, contributing around half of the jobs in the clean energy sector.

While the number of clean energy jobs is growing, companies worldwide cite skilled labour shortages as a major barrier to increasing capacity, according to an IEA survey carried out with 160 energy firms worldwide. The report showed that the number of workers enrolling in degrees or certifications relevant to energy sector jobs is far below the growing demand. The IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol explained, The unprecedented acceleration that we have seen in clean energy transitions is creating millions of new job opportunities all over the world  but these are not being filled quickly enough. Birol added, Governments, industry and educational institutions need to put in place programmes to deliver the expertise needed in the energy sector to keep pace with growing demand, particularly to manufacture and build the clean energy projects necessary to meet our energy and climate goals.

In the U.K., North Sea oil and gas jobs fell by 28 percent between 2015 and 2022, from 38,100 to 27,600, while the number of clean energy jobs increased by 29 percent, to 26,600, showing a clear shift in opportunities. Clean energy jobs are on the rise even though the ruling Conservative Party has slashed support for onshore wind and solar power. Jonathan Noronha-Gant, a senior campaigner at Global Witness, believes Instead of flogging this very dead horse, the government needs to face up to reality and give its full backing to the renewable energy industries, and ensure the creation of well-paid jobs within that sector, with good conditions for UK workers This would both improve energy security and reduce emissions.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., clean energy jobs are increasing but they are heavily dependent on geography. A 2023 report published by the journal Nature Communications suggested that while many workers had the skills needed to transition from the fossil fuel industry to the clean energy sector, geography was a major barrier. The publication analysed 14 years of fossil fuel employment and skills data and found that many workers would have to relocate to work in clean energy, as new renewable energy regions are emerging in less conventional areas of the U.S. The report states that without careful planning and targeted policies, it is estimated that only about 2% of fossil fuel workers involved in extraction are likely to transition to green jobs this decade.

While the number of fossil fuel jobs has fallen and continues to fall, opportunities in clean energy are increasing. The global green transition is resulting in a shift in energy jobs. There is huge potential to introduce mechanisms to support the transition of workers from the fossil fuel industry to the clean energy sector through government and private sector support. However, barriers, such as geography, continue to stand in the way of the shift, meaning that more needs to be done to ensure that oil workers are not left unemployed and clean energy companies can find the talent needed to accelerate the energy capacity increase needed to fuel a green transition.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil imports into Asia declined slightly in the first half of the year contrary to expectations of a steady rise, LSEG data has shown, as reported by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell.

Per the data, Asian oil buyers imported 27.16 million barrels daily over the first six months of the year. This was down by 130,000 bpd from a year earlier, mostly because of weaker imports into China, Russell reported.

Its worth noting that oil imports into China hit a record high last year, at some 11.28 million barrels daily. When the data was reported in early 2024, expectations were for a slowdown in imports this year, on the back of the countrys real estate market turmoil.

Over the first half of this year, Chinas overseas oil purchases came in at an average 11.08 million barrelsa palpable if not major decline from last years record. This decline is bound to sow doubt among traders betting on another strong year for Chinese oil importsand prices.

Indias oil imports, on the other hand, grew steadily over the first half of the year, with the latest figure, for May, at 5.1 million barrels daily. That was up by some 5.6% from April, Reuters reported last month. Over the first six months of the year, Indias imports stood at an average of 4.85 million barrels daily.

The overall decline in Asian oil imports is going counter to forecasts about demand growth in the worlds biggest regional driver. The International Energy Agency, for instance, expects global oil demand to grow by 960,000 barrels daily this year, of which some 900,000 bpd would come from Asia.

OPEC is as usual more bullish, expecting Asias oil demand to expand by 1.3 million barrels daily this year, with 720,000 bpd of this coming from China, Reuters Russell noted in his report. The latest actual import data suggests this sort of demand growth would be difficult to achieve.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Factory activity in China slowed down further last month, with the countrys statistics bureau reporting a PMI reading of 49.5the lowest in five months, Reuters noted in a report.

However, a private PMI reading, calculated by S&P Global, showed an uptick in manufacturing activity among smaller companies, Reuters reported separately, with the increase attributed to strong overseas orders.

Whats more, one Economist Intelligence Unit analyst told Reuters that the official figures that suggested a slowdown may not be accurate.

Actual industrial activity should be stronger than the data suggests as our observation is that the official PMI fails to fully capture the current export momentum, which has been the major economic driver this year, Xu Tianchen, chief economist at the EIU, told Reuters.

Oil prices, meanwhile, began the month with a gain today, driven by expectations of strong peak season demand and tight supply amid the latest extension of the OPEC+ cuts.

The uptick in prices followed a U.S. Energy Information Administration report that revealed oil production and demand in April had jumped to a four-month high, with demand specifically rising to 20 million barrels daily.

The slowdown in Chinese factory activity may dampen some of that enthusiasm but the effect may not be lasting in light of such demand figures. What could aggravate a potential bearish effect, however, is the news that Chinese oil imports during the first half of the year declined by 300,000 barrels daily from the first half of 2023

While the decline could be seen as a natural trend following growth to a record high in imports last year, any news of a decline in Chinas oil consumption tends to weigh on international prices, even in the presence of bullish factors.

This week, the bullish factors include fears of an escalation in the Middle East and a change in the political landscape in Europe after the right-wing National Rally party won the first round of snap elections on Sunday, according to exit polls.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Egypt has signed deals worth $33 billion with companies including BP, Masdar, and Germanys DAI for green ammonia projects, The National reported, citing a statement by the Egyptian government.

One of the projects, worth $11 billion, would see Egypts sovereign wealth fund partnering with German FAI Infastruktur for the construction of a green ammonia plant in East Port Said.

The other, with a piece tag of $14 billion, would see the country partner with BP, Masdar, and a subsidiary of the Emirati company, Infinity Power, to build another green ammonia plant in Ain Sukhna Port on the Gulf of Suez.

Green ammonia, like green hydrogen, is seen as an indispensable part of the energy transition because of its theoretical ability to help decarbonize hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as, in the case of ammonia, fertilizer production.

The problem with the green versions of both hydrogen and its product ammonia is that the process of making them is quite costly. The reason they are called green is because they are produced through hydrolysis, powered by wind or solar power.

Yet the intermittency of wind and solar generation makes that power expensive as does the energy intensity of the process of hydrolysis. Green hydrogen production also requires enormous amounts of water, which also adds to the costs.

Egypt has been ambitious to develop its wind and solar resources, and the green ammonia projects are part of that ambition. Earlier this year, the country said it planned to build some 16.5 MW in new solar capacity this year with investments provided by the European Union. It also plans the addition of 10 GW in wind power capacity, with construction set to start in 2026.

The Egyptian government has announced plans to source as much as 42% of the countrys electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The European Union has seen its largest share of zero-emission electricity generation so far this year, with 74% of power generated by renewables and nuclear, according to data from industry association Eurelectric.

Year to date, renewables have generated 50.39% of the EUs electricity and nuclear accounted for 23.5% of power generation, while fossil fuels made up 26.1% of the blocs electricity output, the data showed.

The electricity generation of Europe has never had such a low-carbon profile before, Kristian Ruby, Eurelectric Secretary General, told Reuters, commenting on the data.

According to Eurelectric, coal produced 9% of EU electricity and gas accounted for 13% of power generation and these were the lowest shares for each of the fuels for the same period in any year to date.

The surge in solar and wind capacity installations has led to the greenest EU power mix yet, although lower EU power consumption made it easier for renewable energy sources to dent the share of fossil fuels.

In April, for example, the EU saw a record-low power generation from fossil fuels and a record-high share of renewables in the electricity mix, energy think tank Ember says. In April 2024, fossil fuels produced less than a quarter of EU electricity for the first time, while the share of renewables, at a record-high for a single month at 54%, was boosted by wind and solar and a recovery in hydropower compared to April 2023, when droughts had diminished the hydropower share of generation.

However, grid investments are lagging behind renewable additions and a lack of transmission capacity could hold back the energy transition, Ember said in a report earlier this year.

Eurelectrics Grids for Speed study from May 2024 showed that Europes distribution grids need to be urgently modernized to enable massive electrification of transport, heating, and industry, integrate renewables and withstand more frequent extreme weather and cyber threats. The study found that distribution grid investments should increase from an average $35.5 billion (33 billion euros) to $72 billion (67 billion euros) per year from 2025 to 2050, roughly 20% of what the EU spent on fossil fuel imports in 2023.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Japanese trading firm Sumitomo will look to increase its services and related business in the U.S. shale patch, three years after quitting shale production operations, Sumitomo president Shingo Ueno told Bloomberg in an interview published on Monday.

In early 2021, Sumitomo sold the last of its production assets in the U.S. shale patch, divesting its oil-producing operations in the Eagle Ford. Prior to that deal, Sumitomo sold its Marcellus Shale Gas development project and its relevant assets in Pennsylvania.

The Japanese trading firm now seeks a more prominent role in U.S. shale without returning to production.

Sumitomo will be looking to increase sales of pipelines used in U.S. shale fields, Ueno told Bloomberg. The company plans to take advantage of its strength in related businesses rather than return directly to production in America, the manager added.

Shale is perhaps one of the most important natural resources for the US, said the executive, who became Sumitomos president in April.

Sumitomos exit contrasts with the strategies of other Japanese firms that have recently acquired U.S. shale assets amid an ongoing consolidation wave in the American oil and gas industry.

At the end of last year, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd announced the acquisition of Rockcliff Energy II LLC, a portfolio company of Quantum Energy Partners, through its ownership interest in TG Natural Resources LLC (TGNR).

Tokyo Gas has been expanding its upstream business in the U.S. through TGNR, which became its subsidiary in 2020.

Tokyo Gas Groups plan through 2025 envisages that Tokyo Gas expand its shale gas business. TGNR has been seeking to acquire superior assets around its existing assets in Texas and Louisiana, the company said.

Last week, Mitsui & Co. completed the acquisition of an unconventional gas asset in Texas from U.S. oil and gas E&P companies, Sabana, LLC and Vanna, LLC. This asset, named Tatonka, has access to the Gulf Coast industrial area, which includes LNG export terminals and ammonia plants, Mitsui said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Trans Mountain pipeline delivered enough crude oil to load 20 tankers from Canadas Pacific Coast in the first full month of operations of the expanded link, just below the companys expectations, Reuters reported on Monday, citing data from tanker-tracking providers LSEG, Vortexa, and Kpler.

The expanded Trans Mountain pipeline has tripled 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 higher shipment capacity gives Canadian crude additional access to international markets. The U.S. West Coast and Asian markets were expected to be the two top destinations for the crude now flowing through the expanded pipeline in Canada.

And they were in the first month of operations of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX).

A total of 20 vessels loaded crude delivered to Canadas West Coast via TMX, compared to 22 the company  currently operated by the Canadian federal government  had expected.

The initial volumes were slightly lower than expected, but this could be due to the early phase of operations, according to analysts.

Traders and market analysts are closely watching Asias appetite for Canadian crude, as the TMX gives Canadian producers an outlet on the Asian markets and on the U.S. West Coast.

The 20 tankers that left the Canadian Pacific Coast with crude delivered by TMX headed mostly to the U.S. West Coast and Asia. Some cargoes on Aframaxes  mid-sized ships that can carry about 550,000 barrels each  were loaded onto bigger tankers with destinations in India and China, per data from LSEG, Vortexa, and Kpler cited by Reuters.

Rongsheng Petrochemical has become the latest refiner in China to have purchased crude oil delivered to Canadas Pacific coast via the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline.

The pipeline is set to boost the price of Canadas heavy crude oil for years to come, top executives at the major energy firms say.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The San Antonio Police Department is warning residents of a local phone scam where callers pose as law enforcement officers. RapidEye/Getty Images

The San Antonio Police Department is warning residents of a local phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement and ask for money to resolve fake charges.

The agency alerted the public of the scam affecting city residents in a recent Facebook post. To pull off the scheme, the swindlers use spoofed phone numbers beginning with the 210 area code, followed by 207-, the standard prefix for San Antonio city government numbers, according to the post.

Once someone answers their call, the scammers identify themselves as local law enforcement officers and inform the person on the line that they are being investigated by the police department. They ask for a payment by sending money to their account to resolve the bogus investigation.

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The San Antonio Police Department will NEVER contact citizens and ask for a payment via phone or to transfer money to a certain account, the post reads. Be mindful of who you may be speaking to and verify the person on the other line before giving out any identifying information over the phone.

If you or someone you know fell for the scam, call SAPDs non-emergency number at 210-207-7273 to make a police report.

To help avoid any mishaps, the Federal Trade Commission has outlined the four signs of a scam to look for. For one, scammers often pretend to be from an organization their target is aware of by using fake phone numbers and names.

They often say theres a problem  including that youre in trouble with the government, someone in your family had an emergency or theres a problem with one of your accounts  to get your personal information. Others will claim you got lucky and won money or a prize but you have to pay a fee to claim it.

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Something to be aware of, the FTC says, is that scammers are persistent and pressure you to act immediately. They also request payment in a specific way, insisting that you must wire money through a company like MoneyGram or use cryptocurrency or a payment app.
(Miyako Island, Okinawa)

Miyako-jima is all about the beaches. There are sugarcane plantations and mango trees and a few other things to see, but the islands main attractions are its powdery white sand, warm clear water, and spectacular abundance of undersea creatures.

Because my family and I arrived at Miyako airport in the late afternoon, we chose to try out Sunayama Beach first. Sunayama is about 15 minutes north from the main town of Hirara and is a popular, attractive little beach with a natural stone arch (unfortunately blocked off by rather unattractive metal fencing). Snorkeling there was decent enough around the edges with a few schools of fish and it proved an easy introduction for my young son, who was nervous to be swimming in the ocean for the first time.

(fish)

The magic really began the next day, however, when we traveled cross-island to a broad expanse of sand known as Aragusuku Beach. Just a few meters offshore, coral reefs extend far out into the ocean, teeming with fish of all different sizes, shapes, and colors. The clear shallow water made it the perfect spot for a beginner to don a life-jacket, a mask, and a snorkel.

Down there, the forest is the coral, Daddy, enthused my son after we climbed back onto the beach. The animals are the fish.

Up next was Shigira Beach on the southern coast. Its proximity to a large resort and description in the guidebook as family friendly filled me with dread, but it actually proved to be one of the best snorkeling spots we found. The key was to swim out of the small, murky, and rather crowded lagoon out under the bridge into a small sheltered bay. Amidst bright blue plumes of coral, we saw parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and tiny blue iridescent squid that zinged away as we approached. There were then squeals of Nemo! through the little snorkel next to me. Obligingly, creamsicle-colored clownfish peeked back at us through the pale pink swirl of anemone tentacles.

(bridge)

Miyako is linked to its neighboring islands by three large bridges. These bridges are attractions in themselves, rising up dramatically to provide panoramic views of green, blue, and turquoise. We crossed the bridge to the northern island of Ikema to explore two remote beaches known as Rope and Block. Secluded and picturesque, these were my personal favorites, though my family found swimming there slightly intimidating. Across the southern bridge we found Nagama Beach hidden away on the far side of tiny Kurima Island, the perfect place for a sunset swim. The largest and most dramatic bridge leads to Irabu and Shimoji islands. On Shimojis west side (past the new airport) is 17END, a walkway that extends out over one particularly stunning stretch of sea.

Less impressive were the city beaches of Painagama and Yonaha Maehama. Fronted by large concrete steps and looking out on the port, Painagama was run-down and somewhat dirty. Yonaha Maehama, a large stretch of sand south of Hirara dotted with jet-ski rentals and barbecue restaurants, was crowded and slightly tacky, though for those in search of a party, it might be the best bet.

As for food, Miyako-soba was tasty and all the usual Okinawan standards (goya chanpuru, rafute, umi-budo) could be found at local restaurants. Id also recommend a trip to the local co-op store to buy fresh or frozen mangoes and homemade sausages. While there, you can also stock up on Orion beer and awamori (as well as SPAM flip-flops and fishing spears) at the Donki Hote next door.

(Miyako-soba)

Renting a car is by far the better option on Miyako, as public transportation is limited and infrequent. Exploring the back roads through the sugarcane fields, some unpaved and dotted with old stone Okinawan tombs, is a nice interlude between beaches. Id also recommend bringing your own snorkeling stuff, as rentals are expensive. If you are into scuba diving, there are plenty of companies that offer tours and equipment rentals.

On our final day, we returned to Aragusuku Beach, hoping to find one of the large sea turtles that swim in with the morning tide. We arrived early, before the snorkeling tours from the big hotels, and happened upon an immense dark-shelled fellow grazing placidly on seagrass. We drifted near this graceful creature for a while until it was time for him to head back out to sea and for us to head back to the beach, and to Tokyo.

metropolisjapan.com
One morning, while they were enjoying their coffee, Jordan Mapes asked James Russell if he was ever going to propose.

They had already bought a house together in midtown Omaha and had a son, James Jr.

He said, Do you want me to propose right now while were wearing sweatpants? I said Sure. Then he dropped to one knee and had a ring in his hand, Mapes said. It was perfect.

Thats when the fun began.

Their wedding theme was RussellMania  a pro-wrestling extravaganza. They didnt want to take the day too seriously.

A merch table for their guests came with koozies, matchbooks, stickers, condoms and miniature wrestling figures.

We made all of our props for our photobooth  we knew our theme was unique, and we wanted our props to match, Mapes said. We had wrestling belts with RussellMania on them, we spray-painted folding chairs, and created many other wrestling-esque props.

We also set up a 12-foot skeleton in the corner of the dance floor. It wasnt part of the theme, but why wouldnt you want a giant skeleton at your wedding?

Five nephews and their son wore shirts that said RussellMania on the front, and Event Security on the back  the eldest was 12 and the youngest was one week old.

It was a nice comedic touch and was a wonderful way to involve our family in our ceremony, Jordan said.

The funnest moment of the day came at what would have been the traditional bouquet toss.

Instead, they stood on the stage of the Slowdown and threw Runza sandwiches into the crowd. Then they danced to Bikini Girls with Machine Guns by the Cramps with all of their guests.

It was just a beautiful day, and it fit our personalities perfectly, Mapes said. We dont like to take things seriously and more than anything we just wanted to have a good time.

Doing it themselves

Their colors were red, gold and silver, and they made all the decorations.

Dont look at marquee letters and think I could make those. They are a lot harder to make than they seem, Russell said.

A wedding planner did handle the day-of details, and Mapes said it made the whole day go smoother.

Money well spent

Slowdown, their reception venue, was the most expensive spend, but they said it was a great deal.

They provided all of the alcohol, staff, lighting and music equipment, and it was absolutely worth it, Russell said. My suit was the second-most expensive. I wanted a custom-fit suit in bright red.

They chose doughnuts and doughnut holes instead of cake and it was a much easier and a more affordable option, Russell said. Plus, the kids loved it.

They asked for no gifts because they are already well established, and they just wanted to spend time with their friends and families.

Sweetest moments

Russell surprised Mapes with a homemade neon Just Married sign for the back of their Datsun B210 for them to ride away in after the ceremony.

Also, in the middle of our vows, our 1-year-old son wandered off and started picking flowers, Mapes said.

Omaha couple creates their own 'Russellmania' event

ABOUT THEIR BIG DAY Photographer: Trevor Wiltgen Wedding date: Aug. 26, 2023 Ceremony: Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens Reception: Slowdown Bridal gown (shop and designer): ASOS Luxe Accessories: GlamourGhoulFinds.com Hair stylist: Sierra Brazda at Satellite Salon Makeup artist: Kayla McKain Men's attire: Bespoke Custom Clothing & Suits Rings: Alexis Russell Event coordination and design: Megan Welch Cake and doughnuts: Pettit's Pastries Caterer: Valentino's Music: Brent Crampton at Alternative DJs Invitations/programs: Designed by the bride Guest accommodations: The Cambria
One of southeast Sarpy Countys last gravel roads is about to get the concrete treatment.

Contractors have begun an 18-month, $4.3 million construction project to pave 60th Street between Capehart Road and Nebraska Highway 370. The project includes grading, installation of culverts, and paving to create a three-lane suburban connector road between two of the countys major roads.

This will bring it up to standards, said County Board member Don Kelly. Its the last gravel road that goes north-south in that part of the county.

Construction started last week on the southernmost stretch, between Capehart and Maass Road. That work is expected to continue through the fall.

Next year, the northern part of the road will be built, between Maass Road and Highway 370. The entire project is expected to be complete by October 2025, according to a press release from Sarpy County.

Kelly said the project is being funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, passed by Congress in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow local governments to fund water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.

He said about two-thirds of the money will later be reimbursed by the developers of property along the route, much of which currently is still farmed.

The paved road is adjacent to the study area for the Southeast Sarpy Road Network Plan, an undeveloped 6-square-mile area between 36th and 72nd Streets south of Capehart Road. The county is running new sewer lines through the area, which is expected to be intensively developed in the future.

As part of that plan, 60th Street is likely to be extended south, to connect to 57th Street and the future Platteview Expressway.

The growth is coming, theres nothing we can do to stop it, Kelly said. Were actually out in front on this one.

Water-main break closes lane on South 72nd Street

A water-main break has closed a lane of traffic near one of the city's busiest intersections.

One southbound lane of South 72nd Street is expected to remain closed until Wednesday between Jones Street and Jones Circle, according to a press release from the Omaha Public Works Department. That's about one-quarter mile south of the busy intersection with Dodge Street, near Nebraska Furniture Mart.

The break occurred last Wednesday evening at 707 S. 72nd St., in front of the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop, said Tracey Christensen, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Utilities District. Water service was cut off to 11 residential customers from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m. Thursday so crews could repair the break.

The 12-inch ductile-iron main that failed was installed in 2002, she said. The cause hasn't been determined, but Christensen said corrosion is suspected.

The weeklong road closure will allow city road crews to repair the road above the break.

Travelers on 72nd Street have seen plenty of orange cones in recent months. A southbound lane from Shirley Street to Cedar Street (between Pacific and Center Streets) has been closed since mid-May, and the northbound curb lane has been closed since early February on an adjacent stretch between Cedar Street and Mercy Road. Both closures are part of MUD utility improvements. Those projects are scheduled to wrap up early this week, although completion dates have been extended multiple times before.

Work also will continue through December on the repair of a bridge on South 72nd Street between Interstate 80 and F Street. The northbound lanes are closed.

New road construction

Nighttime lane and ramp closures will occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Interstate 80 between the 13th and 24th Street exits so workers can seal joints and repaint stripes for the rest of the summer.

so workers can seal joints and repaint stripes for the rest of the summer. Leavenworth Street between South 37th and South 36th Streets will be restricted to one lane in each direction for building repair in the eastbound lanes until July 7.

will be restricted to one lane in each direction for building repair in the eastbound lanes until July 7. The intersection of South 60th and N Streets will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until July 10.

John J. Pershing Drive between Dick Collins Road and Ponca Drive is closed because of flooding until further notice.

is closed because of flooding until further notice. North 25th Street from Avenue Q to River Road, and Big Lake Road between Joslin Avenue and North Eighth Street in Council Bluffs are closed because of flooding until Friday.

and are closed because of flooding until Friday. The intersection of North 18th Street and Locust Street will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation improvements until Aug. 24.

will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation improvements until Aug. 24. Fort Street between North 116th Court and North 118th Street will be restricted to one lane westbound for street repair in the inside lane until Thursday.

North 30th Street between Dodge Street and Lincoln Boulevard will be restricted to one lane northbound for utility work in the inside lane until Saturday.

South 132nd Street between Augusta Avenue/Kingswood Drive and Atwood Avenue will have varying lane restrictions for fiber-optic installation until July 9. Augusta Avenue between South 129th Avenue and South 132nd Street will have westbound lane restrictions until July 9 as part of the same project.

The eastbound curb lane on Q Street from Harry Andersen Avenue to Deauville Drive is closed for street repair until July 9.

Ames Avenue between North 31st and North 30th Streets will be restricted to one lane eastbound for utility work in the outside curb lane until Monday.

will be restricted to one lane eastbound for utility work in the outside curb lane until Monday. Pacific Street between South 139th Street and Holling Drive will be restricted to one lane eastbound for street and inlet repair in the outside curb lane until Monday.

The intersection of South 157th Court and Q Street will have varying lane restrictions for street repair until Tuesday.

Construction around Omaha

Northwest (north of West Dodge Road and west of I-680)

The 192nd Street interchange on the West Dodge Expressway is being rebuilt as a diverging diamond interchange. Periodic lane closures and some overnight ramp closures can be expected through the end of 2024.

is being rebuilt as a diverging diamond interchange. Periodic lane closures and some overnight ramp closures can be expected through the end of 2024. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction on U.S. Highway 275 between Nebraska Highway 64/West Maple Road and the Douglas County line for repair of the roadway and shoulders through July.

for repair of the roadway and shoulders through July. Overnight lane closures (7 p.m. to 5 a.m.) can be expected on South 204th Street/U.S. Highway 6/Nebraska Highway 31 from Harrison Street to West Dodge Road for concrete and bridge repair and joint sealing through the fall.

for concrete and bridge repair and joint sealing through the fall. State Street west of North 252nd Street near Valley will be closed for bridge construction until August.

will be closed for bridge construction until August. F Street between 204th and 207th Streets is closed for road construction until further notice.

is closed for road construction until further notice. Mount Michael Road between North 216th Street and Mount Michael Benedictine High School is closed for road construction until further notice.

is closed for road construction until further notice. State Street from Kilpatrick Parkway to HWS Cleveland Boulevard, and 168th Street from Rachel Snowden Parkway to Reynolds Street are closed for grading, paving and reconstruction of the 168th and State intersection until December 2024.

are closed for grading, paving and reconstruction of the until December 2024. State Street between b etween Nebraska Highway 133/Blair High Road and 114th Street is closed because of culvert replacement until late fall.

is closed because of culvert replacement until late fall. Lane closures are in place on North 132nd Street from Blondo Street to the West Dodge Expressway for street panel replacement and curb improvements until July 14.

for street panel replacement and curb improvements until July 14. North 108th Street between Burt Circle and Decatur Street will be closed with local access only for street widening until July 31.

Northeast (north of Dodge Street and east of I-680)

North 72nd Avenue between Webster and North 73rd Streets will be closed because of street compromise until further notice.

will be closed because of street compromise until further notice. The eastbound lane of Maple Street between North 65th Avenue and North 68th Street will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer installation until Aug. 10.

will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer installation until Aug. 10. Nighttime lane and ramp closures can be expected on I-80 between South 60th and South 24th Streets because of patching, bridge repairs and road resurfacing until late fall.

because of patching, bridge repairs and road resurfacing until late fall. The eastbound curb lane is closed on Dodge Street from 46th Street to the Saddle Creek Road exit ramp because of construction on an adjacent property until Dec. 31.

because of construction on an adjacent property until Dec. 31. Westbound Dodge Street between North 38th and North 40th Avenues will be restricted for building construction in the outside curb lane until Aug. 30.

will be restricted for building construction in the outside curb lane until Aug. 30. Military Avenue between Hamilton and Grant Streets will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until Tuesday.

will have varying lane restrictions for utility work until Tuesday. Forest Lawn Avenue between North 36th Street and Craig Avenue will be closed for a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until July 10.

will be closed for a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until July 10. The intersection of North 33rd Street and Forest Lawn Avenue will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation until Wednesday.

will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation until Wednesday. North 33rd Street from Craig Avenue to King Street is closed because of a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until July 10.

is closed because of a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until July 10. North 33rd Street between Cass and Chicago Streets will be closed because of street collapse from a sinkhole until Wednesday.

will be closed because of street collapse from a sinkhole until Wednesday. North 30th Street between Hanover and Ernst Streets will be restricted to one lane southbound for a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until Wednesday.

will be restricted to one lane southbound for a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until Wednesday. North 30th Street between Craig and Forest Lawn Avenues will be restricted to one lane southbound because of a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until Aug. 3. Forest Lawn Avenue between North 30th and North 31st Streets will be closed as part of the same project until Aug. 3.

will be restricted to one lane southbound because of a CSO sanitary sewer separation project until Aug. 3. will be closed as part of the same project until Aug. 3. North 30th Street between Ellison and Laurel Avenues is restricted to one lane southbound because of utility work until Friday.

is restricted to one lane southbound because of utility work until Friday. The Binney Street bridge over the North Freeway between North 28th Avenue and North 26th Street will be closed for bridge repair until today.

will be closed for bridge repair until today. The Hamilton Street bridge spanning the North Freeway is closed for bridge repairs until Nov. 30.

is closed for bridge repairs until Nov. 30. Florence Boulevard between Read Street and Sharon Drive is closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation improvements until Dec. 31.

is closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation improvements until Dec. 31. North 18th Street between Grace Street and Willis Avenue will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation improvements until Friday.

will be closed for CSO sanitary sewer separation improvements until Friday. North 17th Street between Capitol Avenue and Davenport Street will be closed for utility work due to a water-main break until Wednesday.

will be closed for utility work due to a water-main break until Wednesday. North 16th Street will be closed at various points between Pinkney and Clark Streets for CSO sewer separation improvements through Aug. 31

will be closed at various points for CSO sewer separation improvements through Aug. 31 North 16th Street between Binney and Locust Streets will be closed for CSO sewer separation improvements until July 11.

will be closed for CSO sewer separation improvements until July 11.

Southwest (south of West Dodge Road and west of I-680/80)

Shoulders are closed, speed limits are reduced and occasional lane closures may occur on Interstate 80 from the Platte River to near the Nebraska Highway 50/South 144th Street exit to allow for construction of a cable median barrier through late fall.

to allow for construction of a cable median barrier through late fall. South 222nd Street (Skyline Drive) from I Street to south of Q Street is closed for reconstruction of the roadway and construction of a new roundabout at 222nd and Q Streets until November.

is closed for reconstruction of the roadway and construction of a new roundabout at 222nd and Q Streets until November. South 168th Street between Q Street and West Center Road will have lane restrictions for street widening until December 2024.

will have lane restrictions for street widening until December 2024. F Street between South 147th Street and South 150th Plaza will be closed for street improvements until July 21.

will be closed for street improvements until July 21. Varying lane restrictions can be expected on Nebraska Highway 50/South 144th Street/Millard Avenue from L Street to Nebraska Highway 370 through July 31, 2025. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction on Highway 50 at the Highway 370 interchange through the summer. Millard Avenue from U Street to South 144th Street is closed for pavement replacement until August. Traffic will be detoured via South 144th and Q Streets.

Southeast (south of West Dodge Road and east of I-680/80)

Nighttime lane closures will occur on northbound I-480 from I-80 to the North Freeway interchange between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays for a crack-sealing project until mid-July.

between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays for a crack-sealing project until mid-July. Nighttime lane and bridge closures are occurring on I-80 between the 60th Street and 24th Street exits to allow for bridge repairs and resurfacing of the roadway until late fall.

Q Street between South 46th and South 48th Streets is closed because of a road-widening project until July 8.

is closed because of a road-widening project until July 8. The eastbound curb lane on Douglas Street will be closed between 44th Street and Saddle Creek Road for construction through May 2025.

will be closed between for construction through May 2025. Varying lane restrictions are in place at the intersection of Saddle Creek Road and Leavenworth Street because of utility work and intersection improvements until Dec. 13.

because of utility work and intersection improvements until Dec. 13. South 38th Street between Farnam and Harney Streets will be closed for construction until Saturday.

will be closed for construction until Saturday. Harney Street between South 38th and South 37th Streets is restricted to one lane eastbound for building construction until Aug. 30. South 37th Street between Farnam and Harney and Farnam between South 38th and South 37th Streets are also closed until Aug. 30 as part of the same project. South 38th between Farnam and Harney is closed until Saturday.

is restricted to one lane eastbound for building construction until Aug. 30. and are also closed until Aug. 30 as part of the same project. is closed until Saturday. Eastbound traffic on Farnam Street between South 37th and South 33rd Streets will be shifted to the center lane for utility work to accommodate the new streetcar line until July 9.

will be shifted to the center lane for utility work to accommodate the new streetcar line until July 9. South 14th Street is closed between Farnam and Douglas Streets, and curbside lanes are closed on Farnam, Douglas and South 15th Street because of construction of the new Mutual of Omaha tower until early 2026.

is closed and curbside lanes are closed on because of construction of the new Mutual of Omaha tower until early 2026. The southbound outside lane is restricted on South 13th Street between William and Pine Streets because of road construction until Sept. 6.

because of road construction until Sept. 6. Leavenworth Street east of South Sixth Street to the roundabout will be closed for street improvements until Friday.

Around Sarpy & Cass Counties

180th Street is closed for a half-mile south of Highway 370 near Valas Pumpkin Patch for replacement of a culvert and reconstruction into a three-lane road until summer 2024.

is closed for near Valas Pumpkin Patch for replacement of a culvert and reconstruction into a three-lane road until summer 2024. 168th from Giles Road north for about half a mile to the BNSF railroad bridge is closed to allow for widening of the road to three lanes until mid-July.

Around Nebraska

Occasional lane closures will occur and the speed limit has been reduced because of road maintenance work on U.S. Highway 275 from U.S. Highway 77 near Fremont to East Meigs Street in Valley until October.

until October. Head-to-head traffic is limited to 55 mph on U.S. Highway 30 between North Ridge Road and County Road 8 six to 18 miles west of Fremont until fall 2024.

six to 18 miles west of Fremont until fall 2024. Varying and intermittent lane closures can be expected on U.S. Highway 275 eastbound between B Road (5 miles east of West Point) and Pebble Street (1 mile west of Scribner), using flaggers because of road and bridge construction through summer 2024.

using flaggers because of road and bridge construction through summer 2024. Intermittent lane closures can be expected on Interstate 80 between Exit 388 (Crete) and Exit 395 (Northwest 48th Street) west of Lincoln while the highway is widened to six lanes and the Pleasant Dale interchange is reconstructed through November.

while the highway is widened to six lanes and the Pleasant Dale interchange is reconstructed through November. Traffic will be limited to a single lane on U.S. Highway 77 between Winnebago and Walthill while workers install culverts and lay new asphalt, until July. Traffic will be maintained with signals and a pilot car.

while workers install culverts and lay new asphalt, until July. Traffic will be maintained with signals and a pilot car. The right lane is closed and traffic is reduced to two lanes head-to-head on U.S. 30 between 30th and 14th Avenues in Columbus, for road construction, through fall 2024.

for road construction, through fall 2024. Traffic will run head-to-head and width restrictions will be in place on I-80 between mile markers 254 and 263 near Lexington and Kearney until spring 2026 while workers completely reconstruct the roadway, widen and rebuild four bridge decks, and replace ramps at the Elm Creek interchange. Work will take place in the eastbound lanes during 2024 and the westbound lanes during 2025.

until spring 2026 while workers completely reconstruct the roadway, widen and rebuild four bridge decks, and replace ramps at the Elm Creek interchange. Work will take place in the eastbound lanes during 2024 and the westbound lanes during 2025. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction and run head-to-head in the westbound lanes of I-80 between Exits 237 (Lexington) and 248 (Overton) while the eastbound lanes are rebuilt through September.

Around Council Bluffs & Iowa

The left lane of Interstate 680 between the Interstate 29 interchange and Exit 1 (130th Street) 2-3 miles east of Omaha in Iowa is closed for road construction until Aug. 1.

is closed for road construction until Aug. 1. Occasional nighttime lane and ramp closures may occur on I-80 at the Madison Avenue interchange through June 2026 while the interchange is being rebuilt. Both shoulders are closed through July 12.

through June 2026 while the interchange is being rebuilt. Both shoulders are closed through July 12. Intermittent lane closures will occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on I-80 between Iowa Highway 906 and Exit 17 near Weston, Iowa , because of road construction until Aug. 9.

, because of road construction until Aug. 9. Avenue L between North 27th and North 28th Streets in Council Bluffs will be closed because of a storm sewer rehabilitation project until Nov. 30.

will be closed because of a storm sewer rehabilitation project until Nov. 30. Lane restrictions are in place on North Broadway Street between Orchard and Gunn Avenues in Council Bluffs because of concrete repairs and resurfacing until July 12.

because of concrete repairs and resurfacing until July 12. The Benton Street bridge over Indian Creek between Kanesville Road and East Broadway in Council Bluffs will be closed for rehabilitation and repair until July 31.

will be closed for rehabilitation and repair until July 31. A lane is closed intermittently between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays for road construction on U.S. Highway 34 for 2 miles east and west of Glenwood, Iowa, until 2 p.m. Wednesday.

until 2 p.m. Wednesday. Head-to-head traffic is in place on Interstate 29 from Exit 1 (Iowa Highway 33 East) and Exit 10 (Iowa Highway 2) north of Hamburg because of road construction until Aug. 1. Iowa Highway 333 from I-29 to 274th Street near Hamburg also is closed for road construction until Aug. 15.

because of road construction until Aug. 1. also is closed for road construction until Aug. 15. U.S. Highway 59 from Iowa Highway 48 and County Road J14 near Shenandoah is closed for road reconstruction until Aug. 1.

The Omaha metro's 10 busiest intersections No. 1: 90th Street and West Dodge Road No. 2: 120th and L Streets No. 3: 72nd and Dodge Streets No. 4: 72nd and Pacific Streets No. 5: 132nd Street and Industrial Road No. 6: The I80 westbound on-ramp from 72nd Street No. 7: 84th and L Streets No. 8: 132nd Street and West Center Road No. 9: 72nd and Grover Streets No. 10: 78th and Dodge Streets
The group that is making its latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska through a pair of ballot measures still needs 12,000 registered voters to sign the petitions with two days before the Wednesday deadline.

The ballot committee, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, needs to submit at least 87,000 verified voter signatures for each petition to the Secretary of States Office by Wednesday to appear on Novembers general election ballot  a feat the committee appears at risk of falling short of as organizers make a last-minute plea to voters.

I have spent the last five years alongside thousands of suffering patients, fighting for access to a medicine that will provide comfort and save the lives of our loved ones, Crista Eggers, the groups statewide campaign coordinator, said in a press release Monday.

The people of this state have the power to get this done, said Eggers, whose 8-year-old son suffers from uncontrolled seizures. I am a mother, pleading for help for my child and so many others. Please help us.

Eggers urged Nebraskans to sign the pair of petitions at Wine, Beer and Spirits stores in Lincoln, Omaha and Grand Island during store hours Monday and Tuesday. Eggers plea comes roughly a month after the committee said it needed 30,000 more signatures from registered voters to qualify the pair of initiatives for Novembers ballot.

The group needs to collect and turn in valid signatures from 7% of Nebraskas registered voters, or roughly 87,000 voters. The group also needs signatures from 5% of voters in at least 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties, a threshold the campaign reported surpassing in mid-May.

If Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is able to gather the signatures needed before Wednesdays deadline, two initiatives would go before voters.

The first would protect doctors who recommend cannabis for their patients as well as patients who use cannabis for medical purposes, while the second would allow for the production, supply and distribution of cannabis for medical reasons.

The late push mirrors a similar effort by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana in 2022, which after losing a key donor, was run by a grassroots campaign of volunteers.

That effort fell 8,000 votes short of the total needed to qualify for the general election ballot despite submitting more than 100,000 signatures, and also missed qualifying the requisite number of counties.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is one of a handful of ballot campaigns facing Wednesdays deadline to submit petitions to Secretary of State Bob Evnens office.

Two rival ballot campaigns on the topic of abortion  one that seeks to expand abortion access in Nebraska and another that aims to enshrine the states 12-week ban into the the states constitution  have yet to turn in signatures to Evnens office.

A third petition seeking to recognize fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses as people began circulating last month but is staffed entirely by volunteers. No petition drives run exclusively by volunteers have been successful in Nebraska in recent years.

Since all three of those efforts seek to amend Nebraskas constitution, organizers behind the abortion access ballot campaigns need valid signatures from around 123,000 registered voters to crack Novembers ballot, as well as at least 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties.

Organizers behind a pair of proposed constitutional amendments that would upend Nebraskas tax system also must turn in 123,000 valid signatures before 5 p.m. Wednesday to reach Novembers ballot.

Backers of the the EPIC Option petitions  like most ballot campaign organizers in the state  have declined to say how close they are to the 123,000-signature threshold and have been reliant on volunteer circulators since early this year.

Advocates pushing a ballot measure that would require Nebraskas employers to provide workers with paid sick leave are very confident their proposal will appear on Novembers ballots after they turned in about 51,000 more signatures than they needed last week.

And organizers seeking to overturn part of a new law providing state tax dollars for private school scholarships have until 5 p.m. July 17 to turn in signatures for their effort, a referendum that operates under different rules than ballot initiatives or proposed constitutional amendments.

The group behind the scholarship referendum was given 90 days to gather and submit roughly 65,000 valid signatures to reach Novembers ballot.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2024
Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments are searching for a 17-year-old male last seen Sunday night wading in the Platte River south of Fremont.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office said it received a call at 9 p.m. Sunday about the teen who was last seen just west of the U.S. Highway 77 bridge. The search for the teen was called off at 11:45 p.m. but resumed Monday morning.

Multiple resources were coordinated for the search including water rescue teams from Waterloo, Valley and Fremont, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office said in a press release Monday. The search also included the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks, Omaha Police helicopter unit, Saunders County Sheriff's Office, Fremont Rural Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Dodge County drone team.

Law enforcement air boats, boats and drones were launched on the river within 15 minutes of the initial call, the Sheriff's Office said.

Members of the public should not stop their vehicles on the Platte River Bridge. Anyone with information about the missing teen is are asked to call the 402-727-2700.
Aaron James Declouette, 61, was arrested Friday on a warrant for a charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office

A San Antonio man was arrested in connection with the death of a Schertz woman last year, police announced Monday.

Aaron James Declouette, 61, was arrested Friday on a warrant for a charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony. He was taken to the Guadalupe County jail and booked without incident.

Guadalupe County court records show that Declouette was released the following day after posting bond on $75,000 bail.

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Declouette was arrested in connection with the death of 42-year-old Lisa Sipes. She was found dead May 26, 2023, at the Palmera Apartments in the 500 block of FM 3009.

Schertz police said Sipes death had occurred under suspicious circumstances.

Details on Declouettes charges and Sipes death were not immediately available, though a GoFundMe started by Sipes sister states that she was killed inside her apartment and left behind two children. She was a registered nurse and a veteran, according to the description.
BLOOMINGTON  Threshold to Hope will host a children's art show this weekend.

The show will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 5 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at at Threshold's studio, 200 W. Monroe St. in downtown Bloomington.

Director Mare Darling started the children's program, and this is the first art show where she invited all children who previously created art with her in the studio since October to submit their work.

During the event, a viewer's choice award will be given, with votes cast by putting pennies into a jar for each art piece. The pennies will then be used to support the Saturday children's program.

The program is funded in part by an Illinois Arts Council Agency grant, the state, the McLean County Arts Center and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Threshold has helped children create more than 200 art projects since the program started, according to the nonprofit organization.

Photos: Saturday during the Make Music Normal Festival normal music festival 1 062924.JPG normal music festival 2 062924.JPG normal music festival 3 062924.JPG normal music festival 4 062924.JPG normal music festival 5 062924.JPG normal music festival 6 062924.JPG normal music festival 7 062924.JPG normal music festival 8 062924.JPG normal music festival 9 062924.JPG normal music festival 10 062924.JPG normal music festival 11 062924.JPG normal music festival 12 062924.JPG normal music festival 13 062924.JPG
Ghana's finest Cocoa Production mogul and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Leaves Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Asanbeck Group of Companies, Beckham Nana Kwabena Asante has been crowned Ghana's Most Outstanding Personality in Cocoa Production at the just-ended Business Executive Excellence Awards 2024 held at the Ghana Marriot Hotel in Accra.



The award is a clear reflection of his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to delivering top-quality cocoa, both domestically and globally. He is widely revered for championing best business practices in the cocoa sector.



The 10th edition of the event, held on Friday, June 28th, 2024 seeks to identify and publicly recognize private enterprises, public institutions and individuals that have displayed exemplary conduct and chalked up extraordinary accomplishments regarding their business activities over the previous one-year period.



For him, the award demonstrates their unwavering focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations while adhering to rigorous quality standards over the years.



After receiving the award, Beckham Nana Kwabena Asante emphatically told the media that the honors unequivocally validate the company's continuous growth and substantial contribution to the Ghana Cocoa Production Industry and the Ghanaian economy at large. He boldly emphasized that the award holds profound significance, highlighting his resolute determination to build an unwavering and proficient brand.



"I am super excited for such a wonderful recognition at this highest magnitude. This is a testament to the team's dedication to excellence in every aspect of our operations. I dedicate this honour to our cherished customers across the world for their unflinching support always over the years", he noted.



A peek at the ASANBECK GROUP OF COMPANIES



ASANBECK Pharmacy



ASANBECK Pharmacy Limited is a wholly owned Ghanaian pharmacy business, with a workforce of 20 people.



Established in 2020 our prime aim is to provide enhanced and premium healthcare products and services at arguably the best affordable rates. Since its establishment in the year 2020, ASANBECK Pharmacy has gradually experienced good development, yet visibly emerged as one of the major providers of healthcare products in the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana making health products easily accessible and affordable to the public. We procure and distribute quality and affordable products to healthcare providers nationwide, hospitals and clinics. The company has grown from a single retail outlet into a great business entity with a wholesale department and 02 retail branches currently located in Community 25 Methodist Junction Dawhenya  Tema and Ashaiman Timber Market roundabout a firm determination to achieve a minimum of 20 Pharmacy outlets all across the territory of Ghana.



Asanbeck Pharmacy offers a good number of services to enhance healthcare delivery with high-quality rapid testing kits to our clients.



GOLDEN LEAVES GHANA LTD



The company's unparalleled presence in Cocoa production and its processing and production capabilities are enhanced by research and development expertise, that is why we are today one of the largest single sellers and exporters of premium cocoa powders.



Golden Leaves Ghana Ltd, was founded in 2015, with a workforce of 110 people. Our manufacturing operations start from raw cocoa obtained or harvested in various cocoa farms in Ghana.



Cocoa powder is rich in theobromine, which helps to reduce inflammation and can protect you from diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.



Also, the Cocoa powder is made by removing 75% to 80% of the fat from ground cocoa beans and then pulverizing the partially defatted mass that remains.



Meanwhile, ASANBECK GHANA LTD is also into real estate development building and construction, fish farming and poultry farming.





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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This years Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) attracted hundreds of industry stakeholders from across the continent and beyond, not only to discuss the current state of the industry but also to shape its future.



Hosted in Windhoek, Namibias capital, AHIF 2024 welcomed both experts in the hospitality field and newcomers eager to connect, learn and stay abreast of the ever-changing dynamics of hospitality operations.



In an interview with VoyagesAfriq, David Eduaful, Managing Director of Ghana-based Labadi Beach Hotel, who was participating in the event for the first time shared his impressions of the three-day event and his insights from various sessions.



For me, it is the right forum to bring together the best minds to generate valuable information for policymakers. This can help create policies that will foster the growth of the hospitality business across the continent.



Eduaful attended a session on artificial intelligence (AI) and shared his thoughts: The AI session was very insightful. AI has the potential to revolutionize our industry by improving efficiency and guest services. However, we must not overlook the importance of the human element. While AI can enhance our operations, hospitality is fundamentally about people, and we must ensure that the human touch is preserved.



Discussing the sessions on major hotel brands in Africa, Eduaful noted: Globally, people are drawn to big brands and want to see them in their countries, which is beneficial. However, we must also focus on developing our own African brands. I believe in growing the African brands.



While big brands contribute to technology transfer and business growth, they sometimes hinder local development by bringing in their own top managers rather than training locals for leadership positions. To truly grow our industry, we need to invest in developing local talent.

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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Blue Ocean LPG Bottling Plant has partnered with Puma Energy Ghana, a leading oil marketing company to support the government of Ghanas clean cooking initiative and the safe transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by distributing more than 1,025 cylinders to six local communities as part of the plan to distribute over 15,000 cylinders by December 2024.



In sub-Saharan Africa, LPG is considered an essential component of the energy mix, where according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), an estimated 970 million people are without access to clean cooking fuels and technology and rely heavily on wood, charcoal and kerosene. These contribute to poor air quality and environmental degradation including deforestation.



According to the DGB Group, wood remains the primary source of energy for cooking and heating in many rural areas of Ghana. The high demand for fuelwood has led to the indiscriminate cutting of trees, particularly in areas with low forest coverage causing deforestation. In Ghana the use of burning biomass for cooking has led to increase in childhood pneumonia and asthma resulting in lower respiratory tract infection, which is associated with inhaling smoke from traditional fuels, and the third leading cause of death in Ghana, according to the Environmental Markets Lab (mLab).



The partnership between Puma Energy and Blue Ocean is to foster access to clean cooking providing innovative solutions to low-income households that would not otherwise have access to LPG. These initiatives aim to improve the health and environmental welfare of citizens by transitioning them from traditional fuels like wood and charcoal to cleaner, more efficient LPG.



According to the Ghana Statistical Services' 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) report about 25% of households in Ghana use clean fuel and technologies for cooking. The government is therefore actively promoting LPG use and aims to reach a 50% penetration target by 2030.



Blue Oceans cylinder distribution process aligns with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)-led Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) project to increase access to clean energy for cleaner cooking.



Its state-of-the-art bottling facility guarantees efficiency and safety. An automated, telescopic conveying channel moves empty cylinders through the many phases of the bottling process which includes everything from degreasing and pressure washing to weight checking, programming, leak detection and shrink-wrapping. The automated 18-head carousel fills 1200 cylindersincluding 3, 6, 12.5, and 14 kgper hour. Additionally, the plant contains a manual filling installation that can fill 36 and 52 kg cylinders and acts as a standby should the automated system fail, always ensuring 100%operability.



Over 60 Puma Energy retail outlets and fourty (40) community exchange centres will serve as distribution centres to deploy over 15,000 filled cylinders of various sizes. Currently the filled cylinders have been deployed to Puma Energys retail service stations in Nmai Dzorn, Adentan, Kissehman, amongst other places. Further distribution is expected to be carried out across communities in rural and urban areas in 11 regions by the end of 2024.



Zwelithini Mlotshwa, General Manager of Puma Energy Ghana, an affiliate of Blue Ocean Investments, emphasized the value of the partnership and the contribution of the partnership to enabling Puma Energys commitment to the clean cooking initiative. "As partners in this programme, we are committed to enabling access to clean cooking to improve the well-being of unserved communities. We believe that by reducing household reliance on harmful traditional cooking fuels, we can make a positive impact on both peoples health and the environment," he said.



The plant guarantees safety and accessibility, it is a welcome boost to energy efficiency in Ghana and makes it possible to implement the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) project, said Michael S. Kyeremanteng, the Operations Manager, Blue Ocean LPG Bottling Plant.



The Puma Energy Clean Cooking Initiative seeks to drive the National Petroleum Authoritys low-income African communities access to affordable, accessible and clean cooking alternatives. The programme aims to increase LPG accessibility especially and raise knowledge of the advantages of clean cooking.



Alongside governments, private sector companies, international organizations and civil society, Puma Energy joined the Clean Cooking Declaration at the International Energy Agency (IEA)s Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in Paris in May 2024, a commitment to making 2024 the pivotal year for clean cooking.



By participating in the declaration, Puma Energy pledged to take concrete steps towards advancing the clean cooking agenda, through action on the ground, raising awareness, and fostering greater collaboration among the key stakeholders.



With our partner Blue Ocean, Puma Energy is proud to advance clean cooking solutions in Ghana too, added Zwelithini Mlotshwa, General Manager of Puma Energy Ghana We believe that LPG for clean cooking is a critical solution to Africas energy transition offering healthier and cleaner cooking alternatives that benefit both people and the environment.









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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Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has been re-elected as head of state following Saturday's national vote, winning comfortably in the first round without the need for a run-off.



The electoral commission website shows he took over 56% of the vote, beating six opposition candidates.



In second position was anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid with 22%, while Hamadi Sidi el-Mokhtar of the Islamist Tewassoul party came third with 13%.



On Sunday, Mr Abeid said he would not recognise the results, calling it an electoral coup.



Before this years election, the third-place candidate, Mr Mokhtar, warned that his party would not accept the results if it suspected rigging, the AFP news agency reports.



President Ghazouani, a former army chief, is credited with establishing stability since his first election five years ago, after decades of political unrest and frequent coups.



He has been allies with Western partners such as France and the US, but has also kept ties with junta-led neighbours including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which have pivoted towards Russia in recent years.



Mauritania has largely avoided the Islamist insurgencies affecting neighbouring Sahel state.



Slavery is still a scourge in the country despite being outlawed, and anti-slavery activists have faced torture and detention.



Thousands of black Mauritanians are enslaved. About 3% of the country's total population are living as slaves, according to the Global Slavery Index (GSI) in 2023.



The president's nearest challenger, Mr Abeid, has spent much of his life campaigning against slavery and his own grandparents were slaves.



He ran for president this year for a third time and alleged there was rigging, saying on Sunday, "we'll not accept these results from the so-called independent electoral commission. We'll use our own electoral commission to proclaim the results".



Mr Abeid emerged second in the 2019 elections also won by Mr Ghazouani.



The turnout for the election was about 55%, according to the electoral website.

Source: BBC









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

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Nana Ohene Ntow has implored Christian leaders to teach their members to desist from physically attacking people accused of witchcraft.



The former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party noted that if indeed one is a witch, the right approach is to deal with the witchcraft in a spiritual court.



He wondered how some people believe their mother or guardian is a witch and would mete out corporal punishment on such a person.



Nana Ohene Ntow, contributing to Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, advised the religious leaders to inculcate the right doctrines in their congregation stating "I am a Christian, so I believe in the spiritual but when you read the Bible, the Bible says the weapons of our warfare are not physical".



"Imagine someone is indeed a witch and spiritually tormenting but you go to slap her physically, how do you deal with the issue? It just doesn't even make sense; it's foolishness...Spiritual things are spiritual; physical things are physical," he concluded.



He added that assaulting someone is against the laws of Ghana and perpetrators will face prosecution.

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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Dr. Francis Nkrumah, the eldest son of Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has died.



His death was confirmed by Indian author and editor Vijay Prashad, who broke the news via social media on Sunday, June 30, 2023.



"Dr. Francis Nkrumah (1935-2024) has just died. He was the oldest son of Kwame Nkrumah. He spent his life as a pediatrician, highly loved by his patients. Dr. Nkrumah remained in Ghana after the coup against his father and continued to work as a doctor and scientist," he wrote.



The editor of Inkani Books, publishers of the latest edition of "The Revolutionary Thoughts of Kwame Nkrumah," quoted a foreword of the edition written by Dr. Francis Nkrumah in which he eulogized his father, stating, "I feel presently that Africa continues to miss [Kwame Nkrumah] unless we go back and revisit what Nkrumah actually meant for Ghana and for Africa."



Francis Nkrumah was the first son of Dr. Nkrumah, with his siblings being Gamal Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah, and Sekou Nkrumah.

Dr. Francis Nkrumah (1935-2024) has just died. He was the oldest son of Kwame Nkrumah. He spent his life as a paediatrician, highly loved by his patients. Dr. Nkrumah remained in Ghana after the coup against his father, and continued to work as a doctor and scientist. pic.twitter.com/fKM0h6mM52  Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) June 30, 2024









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

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NPP National Organizer has challenged Ex-President John Dramani Mahama to a debate with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.



Taking a cue from US President Joie Biden and former President Donald Trumps debate in the early hours on Friday, June 28, Henry Nana Boakye implored Ghanaians to impress on John Mahama to engage in a debate with the NPP presidential candidate to inform Ghanaians on their track records.



He believed the flagbearer of his party, Dr. Bawumia will give the former President a showdown.



To him, President Mahama is avoiding the intellectual clash with the Vice President but we will not allow President Mahama to run away from the debate.



He should debate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, he emphasized on Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Schertz police is investigating a shooting after two people were shot while sitting inside a vehicle on Sunday. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

A shooting in a residential area in Schertz injured two people early Sunday, police said.

Schertz police responded to the 3700 block of Columbia Drive around 2:30 a.m. after they received a call about a disturbance.

When they arrived, officers learned there had been a shooting at a different location, in the 6000 block of Covers Cove. Officers located a vehicle with multiple bullet holes, according to a news release from Schertz police.

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Four people were inside the vehicle and two had been struck by gunfire, the release states. Police did not say where the victims were shot or what their conditions were.

Schertz Police Chief Jim Lowery said the shooting did not appear to be a random act and it seemed the people in the vehicle were targeted.

"The Schertz Police Department wants to assure the public that although this act was an isolated incident it is concerning for the fact it occurred

in a residential area," the news release states.

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The Ashanti Region is well positioned to experience significant developmental strides with the return of John Dramani Mahama, the former President of Ghana.



Godson A. Amponsah, the Organizer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) chapter in Denver, Colorado, USA and NDC Subin Constituency Branch Chairman, said during a recent engagement with the media.



Amponsah emphasized the commitment of John Mahama and the NDC to driving substantial progress in the Ashanti Region, which is known as a critical economic hub in Ghana.



He said the assertion that the NDC is not a party for the Ashantis particularly in this modern day of inclusive Ghana politics cannot be true.



According to him the NPP does not cherish Ashantis more than NDC because John Mahama has done lots of developmental projects in the region.



He continued that, "John Mahama's return is a beacon of hope for the Ashanti Region."



"The NDC has always prioritized the development of this region, and under Mahama's leadership, we anticipate even more impactful projects and initiatives," he said.



He said John Mahama has always said that if not for his defeat in 2016, the Ashanti Region would have been far developed by the end of his 8-year term.



John Mahama and the NDC is therefore humbly appealing to all Ashantis to vote for his return to power, in order to come and fulfill his vision for the Ashanti Region to attain this enviable high level of development.



During his previous tenure, Mahama launched numerous infrastructure projects across the country, including the Ashanti Region.



These projects spanned various sectors, such as education, healthcare, transportation and energy.



The return of Mahama is expected to revive and accelerate similar projects, addressing key developmental challenges and enhancing the quality of life for residents.



Amponsah highlighted several specific areas where the Ashanti Region stands to benefit.



"We are looking at substantial improvements in our road networks, which are crucial for economic activities and connectivity."



"There are also plans to boost healthcare facilities, ensuring that quality medical services are accessible to all."



"Additionally, we will focus on educational infrastructure to provide better learning environments for our children," he noted.



John Mahama considering the congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital built alternative hospitals and healthcare facilities across the Ashanti Region.



"Projects like the Afari Hospital, Kejetia Market, Rattary Park, Sewua and Kumawu health facilities and even opening a water supply point for Kumawu are worth mentioning," he said.



John Mahama has also assured that the Kumasi Krofrom Market will be completed when he returns to power in 2025, since the project was an NDC government project.



He said it is sad how the NPP and Akufo-Addo have spent 8 years in power and have abandoned such a project meant to benefit the Ashanti people and the region at large.



He assured that John Mahama will complete all NDC Projects abandoned by the NPP in the Ashanti Region.



The NDC USA Denver-Colorado chapter, under Amponsah's leadership, has been actively engaging the diaspora community to rally support for John Mahama's return.

















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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Some Muslim clerics who identify themselves as sympathisers of the ruling New Patriotic Party have expressed their huge disappointment and decision to halt their spiritual support and prayers for the NPP and the partys Presidential Candidate, HE Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, over what they describe as an unwise decision concerning the nomination of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the Running Mate of the party for the December 2024 Elections.



The clerics who expressed their displeasure from far away Mecca, claim they were in the middle of prayers for the NPP when the nomination news got to them.



They complain that Dr. Opoku Prempeh as a Running Mate around their brother will only put their spiritual efforts in vain. According to them, the Minister of Energy is highly unpopular at the Zongos, Ashanti and other parts of the country due to what they describe as his bad disrespectful attitude towards people.



We are proud sympathisers of the NPP who always pray for the NPP, particularly Alhaji Bawumia. Now this unwise decision has discouraged us and we will cease praying for them because it will be of no use. NAPO has a very bad disrespectful attitude towards people. Everyone in the Zongos, Ashanti and everywhere knows this. People dont like him and it will affect the party in the elections.



We were in the middle of prayers for them when this news got to us so weve decided to stop. We dont encourage arrogance and people with such attitudes. So we cant be part it this. NAPO around our brother will do the party more harm than good in the elections. Thats why we are not happy, they added.



They went further to claim that they supported the Vice President with prayers during the partys Super Delegates conference and the main Presidential primaries which helped him win with ease.



They continued, People dont know. We played a key role in the super delegates conference and the presidential primaries with our prayers and fasting for Alhaji Bawumia. That made him win. With NAPO as the Running Mate, theres no point in wasting our time and energy.



The NPP Flagbearer is currently meeting the various stakeholders of the party on the Running Mate nomination, after which he will present the name to the National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in line with the constitution of the party for acceptance.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has warned that recent events in Kenya must serve as a wake-up call to Ghanaian leaders especially as the country prepares towards a crucial election on December 7.

The Speaker said the situation in Kenya is not too different from Ghanas and urged leaders including Members of Parliament not to take things for granted in ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.



Mr Bagbin said he has reached out to key stakeholders including chairpersons of the Electoral Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education, traditional authorities, and the Chief Justice and will engage with President Akufo-Addo as part of efforts to ensure a violent-free electoral process.



Speaking during an engagement with journalists in Kumasi, Bagbin emphasised the need for preemptive measures to be taken to safeguard Ghanas democracy ahead of the 2024 elections.





People sometimes take so many things for granted including my colleagues in Parliament but we all can bear witness that what happened in Kenya is now in Tanzania it could be in Ghana and I am not saying it will be in Ghana.



We are not different from our brothers and sisters in Kenya and so we have to take preemptive measures to prevent that from happening and so we must do all we can to make sure that the right person that Ghanaians want to lead the country, leads the country and so in this matter, I will do all I can so that nobody reads partisanship in whatever I do.

Source: citinewsroom.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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Government has successfully restructured $1 billion in legacy debt owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) marking a significant milestone in the country's energy sector reform efforts.



This announcement was made by Finance Minister, Mohammed Amin Adam during a joint press conference held on July 1, 2024, alongside the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



We have successfully concluded negotiations with several IPPs to restructure over $1 billion in legacy debt," Minister Adam stated. "This agreement not only provides fiscal relief but also sets the stage for a more stable and reliable electricity supply across Ghana."



The negotiations, which spanned several months, focused on restructuring Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and clearing arrears accumulated over years of financial strain in the energy sector.



In his address, Minister Amin Adam highlighted the strategic importance of these agreements in revitalizing Ghana's energy infrastructure and bolstering economic growth.



"The restructuring of PPAs with IPPs like AKSA, Amandi, CENIT, Cenpower, Karpowership, Early Power, and Sunon Asogli will alleviate financial pressures and enhance operational efficiencies. This initiative underscores our commitment to resolving longstanding challenges in the energy sector while promoting sustainable development goals," he stated.



Key components of the agreement include revised payment terms and adjustments to contractual obligations, aimed at ensuring IPPs receive timely payments and continue to contribute to Ghana's energy needs without interruptions. Minister Adam noted that some agreements, such as those with Amandi, Cenpower, and Early Power, will require parliamentary approval to finalize amended terms.



The restructuring efforts, he said are part of Ghana's broader Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP), designed to address systemic challenges and enhance sectoral resilience. This, the Minister expressed confidence in the transformative impact of these reforms on Ghana's economic stability and growth trajectory.



"With these agreements in place, we anticipate improved financial health for the energy sector, reduced operational risks, and enhanced investor confidence. This marks a significant step forward in our journey towards sustainable energy provision and economic prosperity for all Ghanaians," he added.



He said the restructuring deal with the IPPs is expected to significantly boost investor confidence and provide a solid foundation for Ghanas economic recovery, setting the stage for sustained growth and development in the coming years.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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Movie actor Kwadwo Nkansah popularly known as Lil Win on Sunday took off his neck brace after 'receiving instant healing' from his pastor, Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah.



Lil Win had been in a neck brace since May 25 following a car accident at Amakom in Kumasi.



The accident happened near the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) and led to the death of a 3-year-old boy.



The 3-year-old boy, Nana Yaw, was in a vehicle with his father when they were hit by Lil Wins car.



Some eyewitnesses said Lil Win was speeding in the congested area of Amakom.



Following the crash, Nana Yaw and his father were rushed to a nearby health facility and later transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.



The 3-year-old Nana Yaw died later.



Arrest and charge



Lil Win was arrested on 10 days later on June 3, by officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Manhyia Divisional Police Command shortly after being discharged from hospital.



His arrest was after an intensified call from the family of the deceased for justice.



The police had earlier cited Lil Win's ill health as the reason for the delay in causing his arrest.



When he was arraigned at the Asokore Mampong District Court, he was granted bail in the sum of GH50,000 with two sureties.



He has been charged with dangerous driving and negligently causing harm.







Source: graphiconline









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

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Lithouva - the earliest fossil grape from the Western Hemisphere, ~60 million years old from Colombia. Top figure shows fossil accompanied with CT scan reconstruction. Bottom shows artist reconstruction. Credit: Fabiany Herrera, art by Pollyanna von Knorring.

If you've ever snacked on raisins or enjoyed a glass of wine, you may, in part, have the extinction of the dinosaurs to thank for it. In a discovery described in the journal Nature Plants, researchers found fossil grape seeds that range from 60 to 19 million years old in Colombia, Panama, and Peru. One of these species represents the earliest known example of plants from the grape family in the Western Hemisphere. These fossil seeds help show how the grape family spread in the years following the death of the dinosaurs.

"These are the oldest grapes ever found in this part of the world, and they're a few million years younger than the oldest ones ever found on the other side of the planet," says Fabiany Herrera, an assistant curator of paleobotany at the Field Museum in Chicago's Negaunee Integrative Research Center and the lead author of the paper. "This discovery is important because it shows that after the extinction of the dinosaurs, grapes really started to spread across the world."

It's rare for soft tissues like fruits to be preserved as fossils, so scientists' understanding of ancient fruits often comes from the seeds, which are more likely to fossilize. The earliest known grape seed fossils were found in India and are 66 million years old. It's not a coincidence that grapes appeared in the fossil record 66 million years agothat's around when a huge asteroid hit the Earth, triggering a massive extinction that altered the course of life on the planet.

"We always think about the animals, the dinosaurs, because they were the biggest things to be affected, but the extinction event had a huge impact on plants too," says Herrera. "The forest reset itself, in a way that changed the composition of the plants."

Herrera and his colleagues hypothesize that the disappearance of the dinosaurs might have helped alter the forests. "Large animals, such as dinosaurs, are known to alter their surrounding ecosystems. We think that if there were large dinosaurs roaming through the forest, they were likely knocking down trees, effectively maintaining forests more open than they are today," says Monica Carvalho, a co-author of the paper and assistant curator at the University of Michigan's Museum of Paleontology.

But without large dinosaurs to prune them, some tropical forests, including those in South America, became more crowded, with layers of trees forming an understory and a canopy.

Lead author Fabiany Herrera holding a fossil of the oldest grape ever found in the Western Hemisphere. Credit: Fabiany Herrera

These new, dense forests provided an opportunity. "In the fossil record, we start to see more plants that use vines to climb up trees, like grapes, around this time," says Herrera. The diversification of birds and mammals in the years following the mass extinction may have also aided grapes by spreading their seeds.

In 2013, Herrera's Ph.D. advisor and senior author of the new paper, Steven Manchester, published a paper describing the oldest known grape seed fossil, from India. While no fossil grapes had ever been found in South America, Herrera suspected that they might be there too.

"Grapes have an extensive fossil record that starts about 50 million years ago, so I wanted to discover one in South America, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack," says Herrera. "I've been looking for the oldest grape in the Western Hemisphere since I was an undergrad student."

But in 2022, Herrera and his co-author Monica Carvalho were conducting fieldwork in the Colombian Andes when a fossil caught Carvalho's eye. "She looked at me and said, 'Fabiany, a grape!' And then I looked at it, I was like, 'Oh my God.' It was so exciting," recalls Herrera. The fossil was in a 60-million-year-old rock, making it not only the first South American grape fossil, but among the world's oldest grape fossils as well.

Monica Carvalho, a co-author of the paper, holding the fossil of the oldest grape seed found in the Western Hemisphere. Credit: Fabiany Herrera

The fossil seed itself is tiny, but Herrera and Carvalho were able to identify it based on its particular shape, size, and other morphological features. Back in the lab, they conducted CT scans showing its internal structure that confirmed its identity.

The team named the fossil Lithouva susmanii, "Susman's stone grape," in honor of Arthur T. Susman, a supporter of South American paleobotany at the Field Museum. "This new species is also important because it supports a South American origin of the group in which the common grape vine Vitis evolved," says co-author Gregory Stull of the National Museum of Natural History.

The team conducted further fieldwork in South and Central America, and in the Nature Plants paper, Herrera and his co-authors ultimately described nine new species of fossil grapes from Colombia, Panama, and Peru, spanning from 60 to 19 million years old. These fossilized seeds not only tell the story of grapes' spread across the Western Hemisphere, but also of the many extinctions and dispersals the grape family has undergone.

The fossils are only distant relatives of the grapes native to the Western Hemisphere and a few, like the two species of Leea are only found in the Eastern Hemisphere today. Their places within the grape family tree indicate that their evolutionary journey has been a tumultuous one.

"The fossil record tells us that grapes are a very resilient order. They're a group that has suffered a lot of extinction in the Central and South American region, but they also managed to adapt and survive in other parts of the world," says Herrera.

Given the mass extinction our planet is currently facing, Herrera says that studies like this one are valuable because they reveal patterns about how biodiversity crises play out. "But the other thing I like about these fossils is that these little tiny, humble seeds can tell us so much about the evolution of the forest," says Herrera.

This study was authored by Fabiany Herrera (Field Museum), Monica Carvalho (University of Michigan), Gregory Stull (National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution), Carlos Jarramillo (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute), and Steven Manchester (Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida).

More information: Cenozoic seeds of Vitaceae reveal a deep history of extinction and dispersal in the Neotropics, Nature Plants (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01717-9 Journal information: Nature Plants
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Despite assurances from the federal government that bird flu will be eradicated from the nation's dairy cows, some experts worry the disease is here to stay.

Recently, Eric Deeble, USDA acting senior advisor for H5N1 response, said that the federal government hoped to "eliminate the disease from the dairy herd" without requiring vaccines.

Since the disease was first publicly identified in dairy cattle on March 25, there have been 129 reports of infected herds across 12 states. In the last four weeks, there has been a surgejumping from 68 confirmed cases on May 28 to nearly twice that many as of June 25. There are no cases in California.

So far, however, the dairy industry has proved reluctant to work with state and federal governments to allow for widespread testing of herds.

To some epidemiologists, this lack of close herd surveillance is a problem. They worry that the virus is spreading unchecked among dairy cows and other animals, and has taken up permanent residence.

David Topham, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Rochester's Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, said he considers H5N1 to be "endemic in animals in North America"citing its prevalence in wild bird populations as well as its long staying power in domestic poultry.

No one knows how widespread it is in cattle, Topham said, because testing has largely targeted symptomatic cows and herds. "But I suspect the closer we look, the more we'll find, and I don't know if we're going to cull our entire cattle herds and start over again."

Topham said he understands the industry's reluctance to permit government scientists onto farms "because we're going to want to see everything, and we're going to report everything that we see, and that might be bad for business. ... But until we have all that information, I don't think we will have control."

Federal officials have announced a pilot bulk milk testing program that includes Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. Farmers in these states can voluntarily enroll to have bulk milk samples tested for the virus. If their samples test negative for three weeks, they will be able to move their herds across state lines without additional testingsomething they are currently unable to do.

So far, only one herd in each state has signed up.

A USDA "strike force" investigated 15 infected Michigan dairy herds as well as eight turkey flocks in early April. It worked with the state of Michigan as well as individual farmers.

The investigation was launched after local researchers identified a "spillover" event that went from infected cattle to a nearby poultry plant. The stateand farmerswanted to know how it happened.

What the team found suggests the "control" Topham referred to may be elusive.

From surveys and observations, they found that cats and chickens were free to walk around without containmentpotentially migrating between nearby dairies and poultry farms. Some of these animals had become infected; several died.

Asked about their practices regarding isolation of newly introduced cattle, three out of 14 farms said they always isolated, another three said they never isolated, and the remainder didn't respond.

Then there was the dumping of unpasteurized, contaminated milk into the open waste lagoons on several of the farms. And the feeding of non-pasteurized milk to calves on three farms. Or the potentially contaminated manure that was stored, composted or applied to nearby fields. In one case, a farmer reported they had sold or given away potentially contaminated manure.

Finally there was the issue of humans: On every farm, there were visitors, carcass removal companies, milk suppliers, veterinarians and employeesmany of whom traveled between farms.

For instance, of the 14 dairies that reported information about their employees, three had employees that worked at other dairies, one had employees that worked at a poultry farm, and one had an employee who also worked at a swine farm. At four dairies, some of the employees were reported to have their own livestock at home.

As the authors reported, "transmission between farms is likely due to indirect epidemiological links related to normal business operations ... with many of these indirect links shared between premises."

They noted there was no evidence to suggest waterfowl had introduced the virus to the Michigan herds.

Michael Payne, researcher and outreach coordinator at UC Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, said there was no one to blame for the lack of containment.

He said in the weeks and months before the disease was identified in cattle, researchers from across the nation scrambled to figure out what was happening to dairy cows in Texas that appeared listless and had diminished milk production.

"It's not like people weren't aware or concerned and trying to figure it out," he said. And then once it was identified, and it didn't seem to cause too much illness in cows or transfer to humans quickly, while there was urgency, the system fell into a series of "incremental" solutionsnegotiated among dozens of federal and state agencies.

He and Topham agree that no one can say for sure what the virus will doand where it will gonext.

If it becomes endemic in cattle and is renamed "bovine influenza," vaccines are likely to follow, as well as continuous surveillance and testing of dairy products.

Topham said that the biggest concern among epidemiologists now is how the virus will evolve as it continues to movelargely unabated and undetectedthrough cattle herds, resident farm animals and people.

There have been three human cases of H5N1 in U.S. dairy workers since March.

One key worry is that the virus may move with a dairy employee onto a small farm and then recombine inside a pig, dog or cat that is harboring another flu virus.

He and Payne agree that officials need to remain alert to signs that the virus is adapting in ways that could hurt humans.

Wastewater is one way to detect the location of the virus.

As of Tuesday, data from the academic research organization WastewaterSCAN show that levels of H5 influenza have been rising in wastewater samples from a facility in Boise, Idaho.

Asked about whether the region's health department was investigating, or if there was any idea where the H5 was coming from, Surabhi Malesha, communicable disease program manager at Central District Health in Idaho, said there was no way to know if the H5 signal was from H5N1 or another influenza subtype.

She said testing for H5 in wastewater had only recently started and therefore "there is no way to compare this data from last year or the year before, and so we don't know what a baseline detection of H5 looks like."

"Maybe we see H5 detections like this on a regular basis, and it is not of public health significance or importance. ... How do we define normalcy when we have nothing to compare the data to?"

She said the findings were "not a public health concern" and her agency and the state "do not need to really investigate into this, because this could be H5N1, or could be any other H5 strains, and it really does not affect the public in general."

Dennis Nash, distinguished professor of epidemiology and executive director of City University of New York's Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, said that given the current situation, the wastewater sample should be considered H5N1 "until proven otherwise. The only other H5 we know about is H5N2. And a man in Mexico City just died from that."

Nash said health officials should be trying to determine the source of the virus found in the wastewater: a nearby dairy herd, a milk processing site or raw milk that was dumped down the drain.

Idaho has reported 27 infected herds, although according to Malesha, none has been reported in the Central District.

"You want to do everything you can to prevent these types of viruses from emerging, because once they do, we don't have a whole lot of control over them," Topham said. "Because when the horse is out of the barn, it's gone. So I think the question is, what do we need to do to keep this in check?"

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Open Data at the ATLAS Experiment. Credit: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN

The ATLAS Experiment at CERN has made two years' worth of scientific data available to the public for research purposes. The data include recordings of protonproton collisions from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at a collision energy of 13 TeV.

This is the first time that ATLAS has released data on this scale, and it marks a significant milestone in terms of public access and utilization of LHC data.

"Open access is a core value of CERN and the ATLAS Collaboration," says Andreas Hoecker, ATLAS Spokesperson. "Since its beginning, ATLAS has strived to make its results fully accessible and reusable through open access archives such as arXiv and HepData. ATLAS has routinely released open data for educational purposes. Now, we're taking it one step furtherinviting everyone to explore the data that led to our discoveries."

Released under the Creative Commons CC0 waiver, ATLAS has made public all the data collected by the experiment during the 2015 and 2016 protonproton operation of the LHC. This is approximately 65 TB of data, representing more than 7 billion LHC collision events.

In addition, ATLAS has released 2 billion events of simulated "Monte Carlo" data, which are essential for carrying out a physics analysis.

External researchers, in particular, are encouraged to explore the ATLAS open data. "Along with the data, we have provided comprehensive documentation on several of our analyses, guiding users through our process step-by-step," says Zach Marshall, ATLAS Computing co-Coordinator.

"These guides provide first-hand experience of working on a real ATLAS result, allowing anyone to test our tools, and evaluate the systematic uncertainties associated with the result for themselves."

Tutorial: getting started with ATLAS Open Data (from beginners to researchers). Credit: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN

ATLAS traditionally collaborates with non-ATLAS scientists through short-term associations, granting them full access to ATLAS data, internal tools, and information. Through the open data, ATLAS researchers hope to further nurture this dialogue and collaboration.

"In particular," adds Zach, "we'd like to encourage phenomenologists and also computer scientists to explore our datasets, instead of relying on mock-ups."

Today's release builds upon previous open data releases for educational use (in 2016 and 2020). "All of our open data releases are now available through the ATLAS open data website," says Dilia Portillo, ATLAS Outreach and Education co-Coordinator.

"The website includes multi-level documentation, video tutorials and online tools aimed at the full-spectrum of users, from high school students to senior particle physics researchers. In addition, the software used to create the education-use open data has been released.

"This provides a seamless transition from the research open data to all the tutorials for outreach and education, including newly updated Higgs-boson discovery documentation. With a bit of time and dedication, you can go from being a relative novice to carrying out your own analysis."

The ATLAS open data website also serves as a hub for the community, which includes teachers, students, enthusiasts and, now, scientists. Anyone diving into the open data can also directly engage with ATLAS physicists, who are available to respond to user feedback and take suggestions.

This release marks the start of more to come, with ATLAS' first release of lead-lead-nuclei collision data data up next. The ATLAS Collaboration, along with the other main LHC experiment collaborations, has committed to making all of its data publicly accessible after a certain time. Openness is deeply ingrained in the culture of high-energy physics, enabling greater accessibility, reproducibility and better science.

More information: ATLAS Open Data portal: opendata.atlas.cern/ CERN Open Data portal: opendata.cern.ch/ Journal information: arXiv
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Fractal Bi monolayers on InSb substrate. Credit: Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02551-8

What if we could find a way to make electric currents flow, without energy loss? A promising approach for this involves using materials known as topological insulators. They are known to exist in one (wire), two (sheet) and three (cube) dimensions; all with different possible applications in electronic devices.

Theoretical physicists at Utrecht University, together with experimentalists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, have discovered that topological insulators may also exist at 1.58 dimensions, and that these could be used for energy-efficient information processing. Their study was published in Nature Physics.

Classical bits, the units of computer operation, are based on electric currents: electrons running means 1, no electrons running means 0. With a combination of 0's and 1's, one can build all the devices that you use in your daily life, from cellphones to computers. However, while running, these electrons meet defects and impurities in the material, and lose energy. This is what happens when your device gets warm: the energy is converted into heat, and so your battery is drained faster.

A novel state of matter

Topological insulators are special materials that allow for the flow of a current without energy loss. They were only discovered in 1980, and their discovery was awarded a Nobel Prize. It revealed a new state of matter: on the inside, topological insulators are insulating, while at their boundaries, there are currents running.

This makes them very suitable for application in quantum technologies and could reduce the world energy consumption enormously. There was just one problem: these properties were discovered only in the presence of very strong magnetic fields and very low temperatures, around minus 270 degrees Celsius, which made them not suitable for use in daily life.

Over the past decades, significant progress has been made to overcome these limitations. In 2017, researchers discovered that a two-dimensional, single-atom-thick layer of bismuth displayed all the right properties at room temperature, without the presence of a magnetic field. This advancement brought the use of topological insulators in electronic devices closer to reality.

Romanesco broccoli

In the QuMAT consortium theoretical physicists from Utrecht University, together with researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, have now shown that many states without energy loss might exist somewhere in between one and two dimensions. At 1.58 dimensions, for example.

It may be difficult to imagine 1.58 dimensions, but the idea is more familiar than you think. Such dimensions can be found in fractal structures, such as your lungs, the network of neurons in your brain, or Romanesco broccoli. They are structures that scale in a different way than normal objects, called "self-similar structures": if you zoom in, you will see the same structure again and again.

Best of both worlds

By growing a chemical element (bismuth) on top of a semiconductor (indium antimonide), the scientists in China obtained fractal structures that were spontaneously formed, upon varying the growth conditions. The scientists in Utrecht then theoretically showed that, from these structures, zero-dimensional corner modes and lossless one-dimensional edge states emerged.

"By looking in between dimensions, we found the best of two worlds," says Cristiane Morais Smith, who has been leading the theoretical research at Utrecht University.

"The fractals behave like two dimensional topological insulators at finite energies and at the same time exhibit, at zero energy, a state at its corners that could be used as a qubit, the building blocks of quantum computers. Hence, the discovery opens new paths to the long-wished qubits."

Intuition

Interestingly, the discovery was the result of a gut feeling. "When I was visiting Shanghai Jiao Tong University and saw the structures produced by the group, I got very excited," Morais Smith says.

"My intuition was telling me that the structures should exhibit all the right properties." She then got back to Utrecht and discussed the problem with her students, who were very interested to do the calculations. Together with master student Robert Canyellas, her former Ph.D. candidate Rodrigo Arouca (now at Uppsala University), and current Ph.D. candidate Lumen Eek, the theoretical team managed to explain the experiments and confirm the novel properties.

Uncharted dimensions

In follow-up research, the experimental group in China will try to grow a superconductor on top of the fractal structure. These fractals have many holes, and there are lossless currents running around many of them. Those could be used for energy efficient processing of information.

The structures also exhibit zero-energy modes at their corners, thus combining the best of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional worlds, according to Morais Smith.

"If this works, it might reveal even more unexpected secrets hidden at dimension 1.58," she says. "The topological features of fractals really show the richness of going into uncharted dimensions."

More information: Canyellas, R., et al. Topological edge and corner states in bismuth fractal nanostructures. Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02551-8, www.nature.com/articles/s41567-024-02551-8 Journal information: Nature Physics
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Most climate-vulnerable countries with highest hunger rates are significantly under-represented in agrifood research. Credit: CABI

The most climate-vulnerable countries with the highest hunger rates are significantly under-represented in agrifood researchsparking a need for urgent action and increased investments to redress this imbalance, a major new study has found.

The "State of the Field for Research on Agrifood Systems" report has found that only one out of eight research papers is led by scientists from the 81 poorest countries.

The authors, including researchers from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), revealed that some countries have an evidence base of fewer than 1,000 articles.

Poised to shape future research agendas for greater food security

This report, which used artificial intelligence to assess 6.3 million scientific titles, abstracts, and metadata spanning the years 2010 to 2023 and sourced from CAB Abstracts, offers an overview of current outcomes from research and is poised to shape future research agendas for greater food security with donors and governments.

It also presents a series of recommendations, including calls for increased funding to support original research efforts in the world's poorest countriesfocusing on regions most vulnerable to climate change and hunger.

Furthermore, the scientists suggest greater promotion of participatory practices to incorporate women's perspectives into agricultural research methodologies and strengthen engagement in outcome and intervention pathways to foster coherence and cooperation in addressing agricultural challenges.

Inclusive and equitable development within food systems

Professor Jaron Porciello, Director of the Juno Evidence Alliance and lead author of the report, said, "This report aligns scientific research with policy imperatives, concentrating on outcomes and interventions proposed by scientists to guide inclusive and equitable development within food systems across low-and middle-income countries."

The report highlights how research publications in agriculture and food systems have increased more than 60% in the past decade, with publications spanning over 35,000 journals and technical reports within agricultural domains alone.

However, dominance in agricultural research publications by countries such as China, the U.S., Brazil and India, the scientists say, underscores the need for enhanced focus on regions with disproportionately lower research output.

Insights crucial for informed policymaking

They add that under-representation of scientists from the world's poorest countries in scientific publications stifles global conversation, impeding the acquisition of contextually relevant insights crucial for informed policymaking.

Professor Porciello added, "Discrepancies in crop-related research, where cereals receive 40% more research attention than fruits and vegetables, highlight potentially missed opportunities to address critical outcomes through interventionsparticularly in promoting gender equity, nutritional outcomes, and sustainable farming practices. Keeping pace presents an immense challenge. Beyond the sheer volume lies the Herculean task of synthesizing scientific research into actionable evidence."

Further recommendations include calls for greater investment in initiatives promoting crop diversification to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability. The report also highlights the need for high-quality research aimed at bridging the gap between farmers' perceptions of climate change and actionable advisory services.

Other researchers who collaborated on the research included those from Cornell University and the University of Texas, U.S., the University of Helsinki, Finland, and Global Affairs Canada.

More information: Jaron Porciello et al, The State of the Field for Research on Agrifood Systems (2024). DOI: 10.1079/junoreports.2024.0001

Provided by CABI
Superintendent Eduardo Hernandez addresses a community meeting on school closures recommended by Edgewood ISDs Rethink & Redesign Task Force at John F Kennedy High School on Oct. 19. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Eduardo Hernandez, the superintendent of Edgewood Independent School District, has been named the 2024 Region 20 Superintendent of the Year, a recognition that celebrates exemplary leadership in public schools.

The Texas Association of School Boards announced 18 education leaders from across the state Monday who are regional nominees in its annual Superintendent of the Year award.

Hernandez was chosen to represent Region 20, the multicounty Texas Education Agency service area in South Texas that includes 58 school districts. He will advance to the next phase of the competition in August, when a TASB committee will conduct interviews to select five finalists for the statewide honor.

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The winner will be introduced at txEDCON, an annual education conference scheduled for Sept. 27-28 in San Antonio. If Hernandezs name is announced, it will be the first for a superintendent in Bexar County outside of Northside ISD since the competition was established in 1984. Former Northside chiefs Brian Woods and John Folks got the honor in 2018 and 2011, respectively.

Edgewood ISD received a C on the TEAs 2022 A-F accountability system, but its test scores have improved as other local school districts have struggled to recover from pandemic-era losses. On this years STAAR end-of-course exams, Edgewood saw the largest overall year-to-year increase, with a 20% jump in its Algebra I passing rate. It also improved its English II scores from pre-pandemic levels.

Hernandez was the chief academic officer at Duncanville ISD, a small district south of Dallas, when he was appointed superintendent at Edgewood in 2018 to replace Emilio Castro, who resigned amid a sexual harassment complaint. Hernandez helped steer the district back to independence as its board transitioned from state-appointed managers who had taken over because of a paralyzing factionalism among trustees.

With an elected board back in charge, Hernandez convinced it to close two neighborhood schools and has signaled the need for continued consolidation to deal with shrinking enrollment, depleted funding and growing competition from charter schools.

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Regional committees selected Superintendent of the Year winners based on leadership skills, dedication to improving academic performance and commitment to public involvement in education.
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A mallee eucalyptus species, in Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia. There are more than 500 species of eucalypt in WA and many of them are endemic, making them a big contributor to its status as a biodiversity hotspot. Credit: S Buckley (ECU/UWA)

Climatic stability over millions of years has allowed ancient and isolated freshwater fishes to flourish in areas such as the 356,000 square kilometers from Shark Bay to Esperance in southwest Western Australia.

But now accelerating climate changes threaten this biodiversity hotspot and its native fish species, according to new research in journal Heredity led by Matthew Flinders Professor Luciano Beheregaray and Ph.D. Sean Buckley.

Made up of temperate forests and grasslands, the corner of the continent hosts more than 8,000 species of plants, of which about half are endemic, and more than 500 recorded vertebrate species.

Unfortunately, the southwest section of WA is also a climate change hotspot as hotter, drier conditions take hold, a journal summary explains.

Since the 1970s, rainfall has decreased by 1015% and is predicted to worsen in the coming decades. Over the last century, the region has also experienced a 1.1C increase in temperature.

"This remarkable biodiversity is already suffering the consequences, including species declines and recent forest die-offs," says Flinders University Molecular Ecology Lab researcher Dr. Buckley, now Lecturer in Molecular Ecology and Environmental Management at Edith Cowan University, WA.

"This is especially concerning if historically stable climates have been key to generating this biodiversity: climate change presents a novel threat to this incredible ecosystem, and endemic species might not have evolved the capacity to respond.

"Understanding the role of historical climate stability is required to better predict the potential impacts of climate change in the region."

The research focused on two small freshwater fishes endemic to the region: the western (Nannoperca vittata) and little (Nannoperca pygmaea) pygmy perches.

The western pygmy perch is found across the region, while the little pygmy perch is only found in a handful of rivers (and is listed as Endangered in state, national and global conservation lists).

"Based on our prior research, we knew that these species had likely existed in the landscape for a very long time and would be ideal models to look at the interaction of climatic history and evolutionary patterns," says Professor Beheregaray.

The Molecular Ecology Lab study generated genomic data from nine populations accessed through museum collections, assessing their evolutionary relationships, divergence histories, and gene flow over time.

He says, "We combined these methods with environmental approachesspecifically, species distribution modelingto see how the climatic history of the region had shaped their evolution.

"Using a time calibration derived from previous studies, we found that these two cryptic species last shared an ancestor around nine million years ago, with no evidence for gene flow between them. This suggests that they have been persisting in isolation for a very long time."

The environmental approaches supported this conclusion.

Using reconstructions of past climate in the region, the study found relatively little change in species ranges over time: save for a small expansion coastward during the lower sea levels of ice ages, pygmy perches have been found in the same areas since the Pliocene.

"These patterns reflect the climate itself, which has remained relatively stable over that same time period, particularly compared to other parts of Australia," adds Dr. Buckley.

"However, modeling these distributions under future climate change produced a stark picture, with large declines in range across the species. In a business-as-usual scenario, this included the complete loss of suitable climate for one of the cryptic species within the next few decades."

Conservation management actions which improve adaptive capacity, like genetic rescue, might be necessary to preserve the unique diversity of this part of WA.

Other ambitious strategies, like captive-breeding and reintroductions programs have been successful for other threatened pygmy perches, and may be necessary in the future, researchers say.

More information: Sean James Buckley et al, Long-term climatic stability drives accumulation and maintenance of divergent freshwater fish lineages in a temperate biodiversity hotspot, Heredity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41437-024-00700-6 Journal information: Heredity
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Aerial view of Honokea loko ia in Keaukaha, Hilo during low tide. Credit: Kainalu Steward

Scientists and kiai loko (fishpond practitioners) have a new tool to aid their efforts to restore and ensure the resilience of Native Hawaiian fishponds. Researchers from the University of Hawai'i (UH) and fishpond stewards in Hilo, Hawai'i published a study in the Journal of Remote Sensing highlighting the use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support integrated coastal zone management, including at cultural heritage sites.

"We discovered that drones are effective and cost-efficient tools for mapping loko ia at the community level, providing kiai loko ia with better insights into the timing and locations of flooding and future sea level rise impacts on their fishponds," said Kainalu Steward, lead author of the study and Earth sciences doctoral student in the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).

Loko ia, traditional Hawaiian fishponds located along the coastline, have historically provided sustainable seafood sources. These culturally important sites are undergoing revitalization through community-driven restoration efforts. However, as sea level rise poses a significant climate-induced threat to coastal areas, loko ia managers are seeking adaptive strategies to address related concerns such as flooding, water quality, and the viability of native fish species.

King Tides as estimate of future sea level

The researchers' surveys determined that by 2060, the average sea level along the Keaukaha coastline in Hilo will be similar to the extreme tidal events, known as King Tides, during summer 2023. Steward and Brianna Ninomoto, a master's student in tropical conservation biology and environmental science at UH Hilo, devised a plan to investigate how future sea level rise will affect loko ia by assessing the impacts of the summer 2023 King Tides.

UH Hilo M.S Student and co-author, Brianna Ninomoto, goes over the fieldwork plan with interns and staff from the Pacific Internship Program for Exploring Science (PIPES) at Laehala. Credit: Kainalu Steward

Throughout the summer, including during the extreme high tide events, researchers collected drone imagery in real time and monitored water levels using sensors submerged at each loko ia. With this, they compared flooding predicted from drone-derived topography models and more commonly used Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived models to the observed flooding documented by drone imagery.

The team found that digital elevation models derived from drone surveys accurately estimated observed flooding during extreme high tide events, whereas LiDAR flood models, which are nearly 20 years old for the Hilo region, significantly overestimated observed flooding by two to five times.

Loko ia practitioners, however, reported that occasionally during severe weather and large swell events, these particular areas modeled from LiDAR data do flood. This suggests that data collected by LiDAR offers a more conservative and cautious understanding of coastal flooding, emphasizing that UAV-derived and LiDAR-based data are important components of the suite of coastal management tools.

The project, "Quantifying Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise Across Multiple Coastal Typologies," led by co-author and SOEST assistant professor of Earth sciences, Haunani Kane, engages underrepresented populations through a wide variety of initiatives.

"One of the goals of this project is to increase the capacity of Native Hawaiian students in assessing and evaluating impacts of sea level rise upon cultural resource sites," said Kane. "This project supports five undergraduate students and three local Native Hawaiian students as they work towards obtaining their Master's and Doctorate degrees in science at the University of Hawaii."

"This research is important for enhancing coastal community adaptation, resilience, and food security in the face of climate change," said Ninomoto. "This work was ultimately done to support loko ia practitioners along Keaukaha and the future management of their aina as the impacts of flooding become more severe."

Local high school students from the Project Hokulani STEM internship program, who assisted with this study, are clearing sediment and debris at Kaumaui loko ia to create more habitat and allow sufficient water flow. Credit: Kainalu Steward

Another component of the project is storytelling and outreach to the community. John Burns, study co-author and UH Hilo associate professor in marine science and data science, and the MEGA Lab have a community lab space at Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Downtown Hilo where the research team uses virtual reality and short films to share stories and engage the community in discussions of how climate change is impacting coastal resources in Hawaii.

UH researchers plan to continue working with the kiai loko ia in Keaukaha, to provide up-to-date aerial imagery of their fishpond to support restoration efforts.

"Loko ia are examples of how our kupuna have adapted to changes in climate for generations, and we want to contribute towards their resilience and perpetuation by integrating modern technology," said Steward.

More information: Kainalu K. Steward et al, Highlighting the Use of UAV to Increase the Resilience of Native Hawaiian Coastal Cultural Heritage, Remote Sensing (2024). DOI: 10.3390/rs16122239
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A researcher from Queen's University Belfast says farmers need to be listened to in the debate about reintroducing lynx and wolves to Britain and Ireland, centuries after they disappeared.

Queen's researcher and conservationist Dr. Jonny Hanson recently published his findings entitled "Large carnivore reintroductions to Britain and Ireland: farmers' perspectives and management options," as a Nuffield Farming report.

The report found that farmers were concerned about post-Brexit political and economic uncertainty, priorities and funding for agri-environmental schemes, management tools for coexistence with large carnivores (deterrence, finance, force, enterprise), and governance elements like guidelines and consultations.

Dr. Hanson, research fellow from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Sciences at Queen's said, "The strategic context for potential large carnivore reintroductions to Britain and Ireland is currently extremely challenging. For this and other reasons, the return of apex predators to our landscapes are likely to be complex, contested and costly affairs."

An application for a trial reintroduction of lynx in England was declined in 2018, but interest remains with discussions ongoing in England and Scotland. Successful reintroductions of non-carnivore species, like beavers and sea eagles, suggest the idea is growing in popularity and ambition. However, despite potential social, economic, and environmental benefits, reintroducing large carnivores could pose significant challenges and costs, particularly impacting livestock farmers.

Credit: Queens University Belfast

Other key findings

When large carnivores return to a landscape, the challenges of achieving coexistence between these species and livestock farming are considerable.

Farmers in Britain and Ireland are opposed both to the return of apex predators in general, as well as to most of the management tools which could be used to facilitate coexistence.

There is some consensus between farmers and rewilders on the importance of good governance, such as frameworks, guidelines, licensing, consultations and working groups.

There are wide gaps in the knowledge base relating to this topic, such as the costs of training and equipping farmers to adapt their farming practices to deter lynx or wolves.

Greater representation of experts in the social sciences and humanities on reintroduction panels and working groups is essential.

Dr. Hanson said, "Much greater levels of research and consultation, especially with livestock farmers, are necessary to weigh up the delicate balance of pros and cons in this debate. Only then can the questions of could and should we reintroduce these species be properly answered."

More information: Large carnivore reintroductions to Britain and Ireland: farmers' perspectives and management options. www.nuffieldscholar.org/report  ers-perspectives-and
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Credit: Tracey Nearmy/ANU

GPS tracking collars have revealed how newly reintroduced eastern quolls are settling in at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, with quolls who were born at the sanctuary accepting their new neighbors with open paws.

The findings come from a new study led by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) and published in Biodiversity and Conservation.

Lead author Dr. Belinda Wilson said the results are "welcome news."

"We're at capacity at Mulligans Flat, so if we bring in new quolls for their fresh genetics, it's important for us to know whether they'll be absorbed into the population, or excluded," she said.

"Thankfully, the new quolls were accepted, even sharing dens with the other residents. It was sweet to see."

Dr. Wilson and her team placed tiny GPS collars on eight newcomers and eight resident quolls.

This provided invaluable data on how the quolls moved throughout the landscape, and how they interacted with each other.

"While the new quolls initially moved around the entirety of Mulligans Flat, over time the distances they traveled became smaller and they settled into similar-sized home ranges to the residents, possibly because of the 'anchoring' effect of their neighbors," Dr. Wilson said.

"We had a particular den that we referred to as the 'megaden.' At one point we had seven of the quolls hanging out there together. That showed up as an area of high activity on our maps."

Eastern quolls are a carnivorous marsupial that became extinct on the Australian mainland in the 1960s.

In a partnership between ANU, ACT Government, and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, the eastern quolls were reintroduced into Mulligans Flat in 2016.

"Even though eastern quolls are known to be solitary, we now know that reintroducing them into the same area as residents can actually help them stick," Dr. Wilson said.

"As we manage the population and bring 'fresh blood' into the sanctuary to avoid inbreeding, we'll also send some of our extra quolls to our sister sanctuariesthat way Mulligans Flat can contribute to eastern quoll recovery across Australia's growing network of sanctuaries."

Curious citizen scientists can see the quolls for themselves by joining a Twilight Tour at Wildbark Learning Center.

More information: Belinda A. Wilson et al, Everybody needs good neighbours: movement, habitat use, and conspecific association in a reintroduced mesopredator, Biodiversity and Conservation (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s10531-024-02884-z Journal information: Biodiversity and Conservation
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How the toroidal field coils fit around the tokamak vacuum vessel (including human scale). Credit: ITER

After two decades of design, production, fabrication and assembly on three continents, the historic, multinational ITER fusion energy project today celebrates the completion and delivery of its massive toroidal field coils from Japan and Europe.

Masahito Moriyama, Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy's Minister of Environment and Energy Security, will attend the ceremony with officials from other ITER members.

Nineteen gigantic toroidal field coils have been delivered to southern France. They will be key components in ITER, the experimental fusion mega-project that will use magnetic confinement to imitate the process that powers the sun and stars and gives Earth light and warmth.

Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, abundant, and environmentally responsible energy source.

ITER is a collaboration of more than 30 partner countries: the European Union, China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States. Most of ITER's funding is in the form of contributed components. This arrangement drives companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, ASG Superconductors, Toshiba Energy Systems, SIMIC, CNIM, and many more to expand their expertise in the cutting-edge technologies needed for fusion.

The D-shaped toroidal field coils will be placed around the ITER vacuum vessel, a donut-shaped chamber called a tokamak. Inside the vessel, light atomic nuclei will be fused together to form heavier ones, releasing enormous energy from the fusion reaction.

After two decades of design, production, fabrication and assembly on three continents, the historic, multinational ITER fusion energy project today celebrates the completion and delivery of its massive toroidal field coils from Japan and Europe. Credit: Fusion for Energy

The fuel for this fusion reaction is two forms of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium (DT). This fuel will be injected as a gas into the tokamak. By running an electrical current through the gas, it becomes an ionized plasmathe fourth state of matter, a cloud of nuclei and electrons.

The plasma will be heated to 150 million degrees, 10 times hotter than the core of the sun. At this temperature, the velocity of the light atomic nuclei is high enough for them to collide and fuse. To shape, confine, and control this extremely hot plasma, the ITER tokamak must generate an invisible magnetic cage, precisely conformed to the shape of the metal vacuum vessel.

ITER uses niobium-tin and niobium-titanium as the material for its giant coils. When energized with electricity, the coils become electromagnets. When cooled with liquid helium to -269C (4 Kelvin), they become superconducting.

To create the precise magnetic fields required, ITER employs three different arrays of magnets. The eighteen D-shaped toroidal field magnets confine the plasma inside the vessel. The poloidal field magnets, a stacked set of six rings that circle the tokamak horizontally, control the position and shape of the plasma.

At the center of the tokamak, the cylindrical central solenoid uses a pulse of energy to generate a powerful current in the plasma. At 15 million amperes, ITER's plasma current will be far more powerful than anything possible in current or previous tokamaks.

Ten coils were manufactured in Europe, under the auspices of ITER's European Domestic Agency, Fusion for Energy (F4E). Eight coils plus one spare were made in Japan, managed by ITER Japan, part of the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST).

Each completed coil is huge: 17 meters tall and 9 meters across, and weighing about 360 metric tons.

The toroidal field coils will operate together, in effect, as a single magnet: the most powerful magnet ever made.

They will generate a total magnetic energy of 41 gigajoules. ITER's magnetic field will be about 250,000 times stronger than that of the Earth.

Making the toroidal field coils

The fabrication process began with production of niobium-tin strand. More than 87,000 kilometers of thin wire was needed to create 19 toroidal field coils. This strand was produced in China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States.

Hundreds of niobium-tin strands were wound with copper strands into a rope-like cluster, and inserted into a steel jacket, with a central channel to accommodate the forced flow of liquid helium.

The resulta "cable-in-conduit," or simply "conductor"forms the core element of the coils. This conductor material was shipped to Japan and Europe to begin the fabrication process.

The actual fabrication was even more challenging. To start, about 750 meters of conductor was bent into a double-spiral trajectory and heat-treated at 650C. It was then fitted precisely into a D-shaped "radial plate," a stainless steel structure with grooves on both sides into which the conductor nestles.

The conductor was wrapped and insulated using glass and Kapton tape. Cover plates were fitted and laser-welded. This created a "double pancake," a huge but delicate sub-component made of two layers of conductor. The whole double pancake was then wrapped again in insulating tape and injected with resin to add structural strength, using vacuum to remove any air pockets.

In the next stage, seven double pancakes were stacked to make a "winding pack," forming the core of the eventual magnet. Each double pancake was joined to the next for electrical continuity. The overall winding pack was insulated, heat treated, and again injected with resin.

Lastly, the winding pack was inserted into a massive, fit-for-purpose stainless steel case, weighing about 200 metric tons, strong enough to resist the immense forces that will be generated during ITER operation.

More than 40 companies were involved in the creation of the toroidal field (TF) coils. Some of the key European companies include:

ASG Superconductors manufactured 70 TF double pancakes and 10 winding packs.

CNIM manufactured 35 TF radial plates.

SIMIC manufactured 35 TF radial plates and completed 10 TF coils,

Iberdrola coordinated manufacturing of 10 TF coil winding packs.

Elytt Energy manufactured the tooling for the 70 TF double pancakes.

BNG completed the cold test, at 80 Kelvin, of 10 TF winding packs.

Japan was responsible for fabricating all 19 of the TF coil cases, in a collaboration between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Energy Systems, and Hyundai Heavy Industries. In addition, the key companies involved in the fabrication of Japan's TF coils include:

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation manufactured 5 TF winding packs.

Arisawa Manufacturing manufactured all insulation tapes.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries completed 5 TF Coils.

Toshiba Energy Systems completed 4 TF Coils.

"The completion and delivery of the 19 ITER toroidal field coils is a monumental achievement," said Pietro Barabaschi, ITER Director-General. "We congratulate the Member governments, the ITER Domestic Agencies, the companies involved, and the many individuals who dedicated countless hours to this remarkable endeavor."

How does fusion work?

A small amount of deuterium and tritium (hydrogen) gas is injected into a large, donut-shaped vacuum chamber, called a tokamak.

The hydrogen is heated until it becomes an ionized plasma, which looks like a cloud.

Giant superconducting magnets, integrated with the tokamak, confine and shape the ionized plasma, keeping it away from the metal walls.

When the hydrogen plasma reaches 150 million degrees Celsiusten times hotter than the core of the sunfusion occurs.

In the fusion reaction, a tiny amount of mass is converted to a huge amount of energy (E=mc 2 ).

). Ultra-high-energy neutrons, produced by fusion, escape the magnetic field and hit the metal tokamak chamber walls, transmitting their energy to the walls as heat.

Some neutrons react with lithium in the metal walls, creating more tritium fuel for fusion.

Water circulating in the tokamak walls receives the heat and is converted to steam. In a commercial reactor, this steam will drive turbines to produce electricity.

Hundreds of tokamaks have been built, but ITER is the first designed to achieve a "burning" or largely self-heating plasma.

How much power will the ITER Tokamak provide?

The plant at ITER will produce about 500 megawatts of thermal power. If operated continuously and connected to the electric grid, that would translate to about 200 megawatts of electric power, enough for about 200,000 homes.

A commercial fusion plant will be designed with a slightly larger plasma chamber, for 1015 times more electrical power. A 2,000 megawatt fusion power plant, for example, would supply electricity for 2 million homes.

Fusion power plants are carbon-free; they release no CO 2 .

Provided by ITER
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Habitat use by Pomacentrus moluccensis in a controlled dual-choice in situ aquarium experiment. Credit: Journal of Animal Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14127

A new study of coral reefs in Papua New Guinea shows ocean acidification simplifies coral structure, making crucial habitat less appealing to certain fish species.

While much media attention has focused on heat stress-induced coral bleaching, this finding, by a University of Adelaide research team led by Professor Ivan Nagelkerken, adds nuance to concerns about how global warming affects coral reefs.

Ocean acidification is caused by an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in oceanwater, leading to a reduction in pH. This makes calcium carbonate less available in the ocean, which corals use to build and repair their skeleton.

Professor Nagelkerken and his team show that, while ocean acidification in some instances does not reduce overall coral cover on a reef, the structures are less branched and therefore less appealing as habitat to some fish species. The study is published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.

Researchers observed two reefs in Upa-Upasina, Papua New Guinea: one located next to a volcanic seep releasing a steady stream of carbon dioxide, causing natural acidification, and another located 500 meters away unaffected by the volcanic gases.

"Aquarium experiments are rather simplistic and cannot adequately mimic the complex species interactions that commonly occur in nature," says Professor Nagelkerken.

"These reefs presented an incredible opportunity to directly compare current and future-analogous conditions side-by-side, with a full suite of ecological interactions in place."

Of the five damselfish species Professor Nagelkerken's research team observed, two displayed a preference for complex, branched structures; while two others were not disinclined to interact with simplified coral structures but still sought out complex habitats even as they became scarce. A fifth rubble-specialist species associated most strongly with rubble.

"Ocean acidification has the potential to reshuffle ecological communities globally, lead to the loss of key habitats and biodiversity, reduce fisheries' productivity, and have negative physiological impacts on many marine animals and plants," says Professor Nagelkerken, from the University of Adelaide's School of Biological Sciences.

"It might also lead to a reduction in populations of various fish species, which could create novel species community structures that might have lower biodiversity and not be as resilient as present-day communities. It could also clearly distinguish winner species from loser species. And if this ocean acidification affects fisheries species, some species that recreational and commercial fishers target might become less abundant."

The acidification conditions observed in the research at the reef beside the volcanic seep are expected to occur in the ocean more broadly as the increasing level of human-caused carbon emissions in Earth's atmosphere are absorbed by the ocean.

"If we continue to emit carbon dioxide unabated, at some point in the future we could see such levels of ocean acidification in Australia," says Professor Nagelkerken, who worked alongside colleagues from James Cook University as part of an international team that included researchers from New Caledonia, Hong Kong and Japan.

"The effects observed in our study would be similar in Australian ecosystems, because many of the coral and fish species that we studied in Papua New Guinea also occur on the Great Barrier Reef.

"But temperate reefs might also be affected, with ocean acidification having negative effects on cold-water reef builders such as oysters, mussels and calcareous algae, among others."

The way to avoid this looming future, according to Professor Nagelkerken, is simple. "We should increase our efforts to reduce CO 2 emissions globally," he says.

More information: Jamie Priest et al, Out of shape: Ocean acidification simplifies coral reef architecture and reshuffles fish assemblages, Journal of Animal Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14127 Journal information: Journal of Animal Ecology
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The phosphoproteomic census of the entire meiotic cell division program in budding yeast can be used as a broad resource to explore various cellular processes during gamete formation. Credit: Developmental Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.025

A recent paper published in Developmental Cell by the Matos Lab (formerly IBC, now Max Perutz Labs in Vienna) in collaboration with the Pilhofer Lab (IMBB), the Beltrao Lab (IMSB), and the Aebersold Lab (IMSB) unveils a phosphoproteomic census covering the entire meiotic cell division program in budding yeast.

Sexually reproducing organisms rely on a specialized cell division programmeiosisto form haploid gametes from diploid progenitor cells. At the completion of meiosis, gametes must inherit a haploid set of chromosomes as well as organelles and cytoplasmic content to ensure the development of viable offspring.

To control meiotic progression and the production of "healthy" gametes, a vast array of cellular processes needs to be tightly controlled, coordinated, and orderly executed.

To understand how gametes form, researchers generated a proteomic and phosphoproteomic census covering the entire meiotic cell division program in the model organism budding yeast.

They found that coordinated waves of changing protein expression and phosphorylation modify nearly all cellular pathways to drive the meiotic progression and gamete formation.

Leveraging this broad resource, researchers found that phosphorylation of the FoF1-ATP synthase complex is required for efficient gametogenesis. Moreover, visualizing meiotic mitochondria with cryo-electron tomography revealed elaborate filament assemblies of the aldehyde dehydrogenase Ald4, which is highly expressed and phosphorylated during meiosis.

Notably, no filaments accumulated in a phosphorylation-resistant mutant of the conserved metabolic enzyme, suggesting that phosphorylation promotes the meiotic assembly of Ald4 filaments. Overall, the phosphoproteomic census can be used as a hypothesis generator to explore various cellular processes involved in gametogenesis.

More information: Rahel Wettstein et al, Waves of regulated protein expression and phosphorylation rewire the proteome to drive gametogenesis in budding yeast, Developmental Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.025 Journal information: Developmental Cell
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided U.S. v. Rahimi, ruling 8 to 1 to uphold the constitutionality of a 30-year-old federal law that prevents people with domestic violence protection orders from possessing firearms.

For decades, Jacquelyn Campbell has been a global leader in research and advocacy in the field of domestic and intimate partner violence. She is best known for developing the Danger Assessment, a tool that has influenced national policy and helps abused women determine their lethality risk.

Campbell's research found that an abused woman is at a five times greater risk for homicide if the abuser has access to a gun, a finding was cited by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in the decision for U.S. v. Rahimi.

Here, Campbell talks about risk at the intersection of gun and intimate partner violence, the state of intimate partner violence in America today, and the pipeline to advocacy for nurse researchers.

What do we need to know about this case and the related research?

We know that a woman is five times more likely to be murdered by her abuser if he has access to a firearm. Guns are way too easy to pick up when someone is in a rage and not thinking clearly, so the presence of a gun makes it all too easy for there to be a homicide.

This finding came from a landmark study conducted by myself and my colleagues in 2003, and it really made a difference in terms of raising awareness among the general public, especially in the domestic violence community, and helped people understand how important it is to do safety planning around guns in the home.

"Does he own a gun" is a question in the Danger Assessment. If there's a gun, we need to do safety planning around the gun. One option is a protective order. But if she's not prepared to leave the relationship, we talk about getting the gun stored safely. It's important for children, toothe surgeon general just issued a warning because gun violence is the No. 1 cause of death for children and adolescents. Guns in the home are dangerous for children and abused women.

Why are deaths from intimate partner violence on the rise in the U.S.?

Because so many people own guns. There was an increase in domestic violence homicides amidst the COVID-19 lockdowns, but domestic violence homicides have been trending up since 2014. In 2014, 57% of gun-related domestic violence homicides happened with a gun; in 2017 it was nearly 61%, and the percentage continues to rise. There are more guns, and in more states there are more open carry laws, and in many states people are able to buy guns now with fewer background checks.

How do nurses and nurse researchers fit into advocacy fighting violence against women?

As a nurse researcher, I know well that there are millions of nurses who can help in conducting research but also just as importantly help implement the nursing practice implications from research. Nurses are the largest sector of the health care workforce and provide prenatal care, are in emergency departments, and just exist at every touch point of entry into the health care system. That means we are the closest health care providers in proximity to women experiencing domestic violence.

From our research, only 4% of women who were murdered by an intimate partner called the domestic violence hotline in the year before their death, but 47% were in the health care system during that year. If a nurse can ask a woman about their situation at home in terms of violence and abuse, and has the resources to share with them, that nurse can save a life.

One of the first studies I did was on the health effects of domestic violence. It is very meaningful to know that the legacy of that work continues on through researchers like Michelle Patch, who is investigating traumatic brain injury in relationship to domestic violence, and Katie Spearman, current Ph.D. candidate, who is investigating post-separation abusethings like stalking or using the courts against an intimate partner and how that affects the health of their children.

This work is heavy, but the women I work with, the ones we do this work for and with are incredibly strong and smart and give me strength and energy to continue on. My fellow nurse researchers are committed, caring people, and we try to take care of each other. We're all in this work because we want to make a difference. And it also helps that I got a personal Christmas card from Joe and Jill Biden!
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Artwork showing the Hayabusa2 spacecraft retrieving a sample from the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. Credit: Akihiro Ikeshita

Imagine opening a time capsule, hoping to learn about the ancient past. Except, instead of a box or a chest, it's an asteroid that could provide insights into the very dawn of life on Earth.

That was the situation that researchers using the Advanced Light Source (ALS) faced. As the ALS is a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility, the team that works there sees a lot of unusual items, from materials for solar cells to particles influenced by wildfires. But even for this crew, a sample from an asteroid was unusual.

Fortunately, the innovative tools available at the ALS allowed them to support scientists digging into the history of these rocks delivered from space.

Just like studying rocks on Earth can tell us about Earth's early history, studying primitive small bodies such as asteroids, meteorites, and comets can tell us about our solar system's history.

Chondrites are a particularly useful type of meteorite. They are undifferentiated and chemically primitive. The rocks in them trace back to dust and small grains in the early solar system that came together to form a large parent body.

A certain type of chondrites (called carbonaceous chondrites) preserve relatively abundant chemicals that are easily vaporized, including carbon and water. These are the building blocks of life on Earth. By studying these preserved materials, scientists can investigate one of humanity's fundamental questions: "Where did we come from?"

The team using the ALS examined a sample from the surface of a carbonaceous-type asteroid, Ryugu. They expected this asteroid to be similar to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Ryugu is relatively close to Earth, compared to asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Scientists hypothesize that Ryugu is a rubble-pile asteroid. They think that it formed when an object hit its parent body and then the rocks that were ejected re-coalesced into a new asteroid. After that process, the asteroid moved from the main belt to near-Earth orbit.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s spacecraft, Hayabusa2, collected samples from two locations on the surface of Ryugu in 2019 and returned them to Earth in 2020. The curatorial work at JAXA found a total of 5.4 g of sample.

The agency allocated a small portion of the sample to the Hayabusa2 initial analysis team, consisting of about 400 scientists around the world. Hikaru Yabuta at Hiroshima University led one of six sub-teams of the initial analysis team.

Ultrathin sections of the asteroid particles arrived at the ALS at DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The ALS allows scientists to precisely identify the elements and molecules inside materials. It uses a particle accelerator to produce extraordinarily bright X-ray beams. Like the X-rays at a doctor's office, they reveal information about what is inside an object. But instead of just highlighting bones, these X-rays allow scientists to probe the chemical and structural properties of the matter itself.

First, the team carefully scanned the sample in long horizontal rowslike text in a bookwith X-rays. By measuring how the X-rays change as the scanning happens, scientists could identify individual grains of organic material in the asteroid sample. These grains were tinyonly 100 times bigger than a strand of DNA.

Once the scientists identified grains of interest, they used X-rays to reveal the type of chemical bonds in the organic carbon grains. In this case, the researchers used the process to map out the various elements and functional groups (specific arrangements of atoms) in the sample.

Based on this analysis, the scientists found four different types of carbon compounds as well as different types of structures. After identifying these materials, the scientists compared them to similar meteorites that they already knew the history of.

Piecing together all of this data allowed them to outline a broad history of the asteroid during the early solar system, which formed about 4.6 billion years ago. The chemical compositions of the organic carbon in the samples indicated that Ryugu's organic matter resulted from the precursors to that matter changing during a chemical reaction with liquid water on the asteroid's parent body.

The isotopes of carbon in the samples reflected that the organic precursors came from the extremely cold environment of space (about -200C). The team was the first to prove the direct link between organic matter in the carbonaceous asteroid and the similar organic matter in primitive carbonaceous chondrites (meteorites).

There was one type of material notably missinggraphite. Graphite is a familiar form of carbon used in pencil leads. In asteroids, graphite or graphite-like material is a sign that the carbon was formed by radiogenic heating in parent bodies for several million years. The lack of it suggests that the sample collected from the asteroid was never exposed to heat above 390F (200C).

Studying the material from Ryugu wasn't the first or likely the last time that scientists will use the ALS to take a close look at rocks from space. Researchers used the ALS to analyze dust particles from the comet 81P/Wild 2 collected by NASA's spacecraft Stardust in 2006.

They found that the comet dust contained organic matter. This matter was composed of nitrogen- and oxygen-bearing chemical bonds as well as types of organic matter similar to that observed from the asteroid Ryugu and other chondritic meteorites.

These studies demonstrated tools and techniques that have proven useful for analyzing samples like those from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. This mission collected samples from the asteroid Bennu. In the fall of 2023, it returned them to Earth. The agency recently released a catalog of samples for scientists to study.

The ALS and other light sources allow us to draw lines from the earliest history of our solar system to today. Through shedding light on the objects in our current solar system, the DOE Office of Science scientists and user facilities may one day help us better understand how Earth became habitable.
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Wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Pierre Bester (left) and the Rhino Orphanage team monitors a sedated black rhino while Professor James Larkin (right) from Wits University prepares to insert radioisotopes into its horn. Credit: Wits University

After three years of meticulous and dedicated hard work, the Rhisotope Project at Wits University has successfully inserted low doses of radioisotopes into 20 live rhinoceros.

In this final phase of the research project, Professor James Larkin from the University of the Witwatersrand's Radiation and Health Physics Unit (RHPU) in collaboration with a team of experts who are leaders in the world of rhino conservation and veterinary work, will closely monitor the health and vital statistics of the rhinos over a period of six months, in order to determine the viability of this approach.

The Rhisotope Project's intention is to use nuclear technology in the form of small, measured quantities of radioisotopes and to insert these into the horns of rhinoceros, which can be picked up by radiation detection portal monitors at international borders, including at harbors, airports and land-crossings.

These radioisotopes will provide an affordable, safe and easily applicable method to create long-lasting and detectable horn markers that cause no harm to the animals and environment. At a later stage, the work will expand to elephants, pangolins and other fauna and flora.

Credit: Wits University

Being pioneered in the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, the Project aims to benefit from existing, sophisticated multi-billion-dollar nuclear security infrastructure that already exists throughout the world.

Over 11 000 radiation detection portal monitors are installed at airports, harbors and other ports of entry, including thousands of trained personnel equipped with radiation detectors, all of which can detect the smallest radioactive particles. In contrast to this, the infrastructure and number of trained officials to detect wildlife trafficking at ports of entry internationally is extremely limited.

"Every 20 hours in South Africa a rhino dies for its horn. These poached horns are then trafficked across the world and used for traditional medicines, or as status symbols. This has led to their horns currently being the most valuable false commodity in the black-market trade, with a higher value even than gold, platinum, diamonds and cocaine. Sadly, rhino horns play a large role in funding a wide variety of criminal activities globally," says Professor James Larkin.

Wits University's Professor James Larkin (left) and Arrie van Deventer, founder of the Rhino Orphanage inserts radioisotopes into the horn of a white rhino. Credit: Wits University

"Ultimately, the aim is to try to devalue rhinoceros horn in the eyes of the end users, while at the same time making the horns easier to detect as they are being smuggled across borders."

Starting on Monday, 24 June 2004, Professor Larkin and his team carefully sedated the 20 rhinos and drilled a small hole into each of their horns to insert the non-toxic radioisotopes. The rhinos were then released under the care of a highly qualified crew that will monitor the animals on a 24-hour basis for the next six months.

Members of the Rhino Orphanage team assist a white rhino into a lying position after being sedated so that the Rhisotope team can insert radioisotopes into its horn. Credit: Wits University

"Each insertion was closely monitored by expert veterinarians and extreme care was taken to prevent any harm to the animals," says Larkin. "Over months of research and testing we have also ensured that the inserted radioisotopes hold no health or any other risk for the animals or those who care for them."

The development and application of the Rhisotope Project nuclear technology has the capacity to help deter poaching, increase the detection capabilities of smuggled horns, increase prosecution success, reveal smuggling routes and deter end-user markets.

Rhino poaching reached crisis levels since 2008 where close to 10 000 rhinos were lost to poaching in South Africa, with wildlife trafficking being the third biggest organized crime globally.

Professor Lynn Morris, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at Wits University says, "This is an example of how cross-disciplinary research and innovation makes a real difference. This novel approach pioneered by Prof Larkin and his colleagues has the potential to eradicate the threat of extinction our unique wild-life species , especially in South Africa and on the continent.

"This is one of many projects at Wits that demonstrates research with impact, and which helps to address some of the local and global challenges of the 21st Century."

The Rhisotope Project at Wits was set up by a small team of likeminded individuals as a South African-based conservation initiative in January 2021 with the intention of becoming a global leader in harnessing nuclear technology to protect threatened and endangered species of fauna and flora as well as communities of people.

Aside from developing a solution to combat the illicit trade and trafficking of wildlife products, the Rhisotope Project seeks to provide education and social upliftment to empower people and local communities.

A special focus is aimed at uplifting the girls and women of rural communities, who are often the backbone of these communities in the remote areas where endangered species are found and are the greatest components of success in changing the hearts and minds of local communities thereby creating rhino ambassadors and champions.
Nation helping solve puzzle of global modernization

10:13, July 01, 2024 By Zhang Yi and Zhang Wenfang ( China Daily

Erfa Iqbal, a Pakistani civil servant for more than 25 years, recently graduated from Peking University with a doctoral degree in economics. With the governance knowledge she has acquired in China, she will soon return to her position with the government of Pakistan.

Wearing a red gown and an academic cap, Iqbal gave a speech on June 22 at Peking University's centennial auditorium for the commencement ceremony of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development. "It feels like a dream," she said.

Established in 2016, the institute aims to strengthen cooperation on experience sharing and capacity building with various countries. Its students are mid- to senior-level officials from developing countries, and the curriculum is focused on economics, politics, and governance.

This year's 35 graduates came from 19 Asian and African countries and were conferred 17 master's degrees in public administration and 18 doctoral degrees in economics. Overall, the institute has trained over 400 students from more than 70 developing countries in governance and administration.

Curious about the nation's rapid development, officials and political parties from developing countries have come to China through various cooperation projects, such as university programs, inter-party exchanges, and short-term visits, to understand the modernization path explored by the Communist Party of China.

Zhao Fengtao, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said, "As the world's largest developing country, China continues to increase its resource input into global development cooperation, creating opportunities for world development through its own progress."

In an address at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting in March last year in Beijing, President Xi Jinping said, "It is the people of a country that are in the best position to tell what kind of modernization best suits them."

"Developing countries have the right and ability to independently explore the modernization path with their distinctive features based on their national realities," said Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

China will continue to support and help developing countries in their pursuit of faster development, industrialization, and modernization and offer Chinese solutions and strength for narrowing the North-South gap and achieving common development, he said.

Focusing her research on industrial cooperation with China, Iqbal said, "All the classmates got a sense of what is going on globally, how China is now reshuffling economics around the globe."

"China is making history, and we have been trained by ISSCAD to be part of this process, to fix the jigsaw puzzle, for our respective countries," said Iqbal, who is executive director general of the Board of Investment, Islamabad.

Development miracle

Stevius Mfuko, a Tanzania Airports Authority human resources and administration officer, said: "It was my dream not only to study in China but also to learn about the reform and opening-up initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the 1970s. This marked the start of significant economic reforms, and opening China to foreign trade and investment leading to rapid economic growth and modernization."

Mfuko, who obtained a master's degree in public administration from ISSCAD, said, "We not only learned theoretical concepts in class but also visited Shenzhen, which is a prime example of China's rapid development (as it) transformed from a small fishing village into a major global business and financial center."

"The knowledge and insights gained from China's development experience will enable me to contribute effectively to Tanzania's own development initiatives and apply the lessons learned about economic reforms, infrastructure development, and efficient public administration to help foster sustainable growth and development in Tanzania," he said.

Zhou Yongmei, director of global partnership at ISSCAD, said, "China is indeed a 'shining star' among developing countries in terms of sustainable growth and poverty reduction in the past four decades."

"China's success makes people curious," she said, adding that "if you want to identify a development strategy, China stands out as an inspiration."

Through the study program, foreign students were taken to Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to learn about its development from a fishing village to a megacity. They also traveled to Pingyu in Henan province to learn how the impoverished county became a destination for industries looking to relocate from coastal provinces, where labor costs had become too high.

"It inspired the students to see how such a county, without a solid industrial foundation, realized development," the professor said.

Ethiopia's Government Communication Services Minister Legesse Tulu said China now leads the world in fields such as electronics, vehicles, and renewable energy thanks to its emphasis on innovation.

He gained his position after graduating from Peking University with a PhD, and his job includes providing citizens with government information and enabling them to engage in issues of public interest.

"The ambitious objectives  to improve China's manufacturing capacity and lessen reliance on foreign technology, impressed me," he said.

The country demonstrates its strategic approach to international economic relations through its involvement in global trade, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, Tulu said. "It's also impressive how fast the government can change its policy in reaction to economic difficulties," he added.

"I find it significant that the implementation of environmental fees to tackle pollution demonstrates a commitment to sustainable growth," he said.

"These instances highlight China's economic policies' depth and breadth, as well as their effects on sustainability and the world economy."

Long-term governance

The success of China's development has led people around the world to study the CPC's long-term governance in China, and how it leads the country to achieve continuous prosperity.

Tulu visited various organizations in China, including the Party school, and interacted with CPC leadership at various levels. He said he found that preserving unity and direction in China requires strong leadership. Tulu added that the Chinese leadership thinks long-term and plans strategically.

"The CPC considers centuries and decades in its thinking. They place a strong emphasis on stability and sustainable development, looking beyond immediate profits," Tulu said.

China's development is guided by Five-Year Plans for specific time periods. They implement the CPC's governance concept, define clear goals, and divide long-term objectives into manageable short-term assignments, he said.

For example, goals for socialist modernization by 2035 were made alongside the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), which also offered recommendations for the next five years, he said. "They illustrate the CPC's capacity to uphold popular will and mobilize support by combining goal and problem-oriented approaches," he said.

Tulu also learned that merit-based promotions are highly valued by the CPC, which helps guarantee competent leadership that can adjust to shifting conditions.

Party discipline is the third critical component of success and entails campaigns against corruption, procedures for holding people accountable, and ongoing assessments, he said.

Reaching out to the public through initiatives like the "mass line" strategy is the fourth aspect, Tulu said. "This motivates public servants to pay attention to citizens' worries, meet their needs, and preserve support from the public," he said.

Joint efforts

Gatwech Koak Nyuon, who works for the government of Jonglei State, South Sudan, said he had learned how a huge section of the population had been lifted out of poverty by the Chinese government, and the economic strategies it had used.

"The agenda for most developing countries is to get out of poverty and to unite, to ensure we become independent in terms of the economy," he said.

Tulu said China uses a variety of planning approaches to handle regional differences and encourage balanced growth. This guarantees that every region contributes to and gains from national development.

The government has prioritized increasing work opportunities for the underprivileged through public welfare jobs, enterprise job creation, labor market collaboration among regions, vocational training, and encouraging entrepreneurship, he said.

"These are lessons that will help us develop our own plans for reducing poverty within the context of our own socioeconomic situation," he said.

Fatou Jobe, senior assistant secretary at Gambia's Ministry of Lands and Regional Governance, said traveling through villages in China she saw that China's development is not a "miracle", but instead the result of a lot of hard work that a great deal of planning went into.

As a food security specialist who did her research in China, Jobe said she was impressed by an agricultural network where companies choose to work with farmers instead of putting them out of business. For farmers who want to retain and work their own land, the companies enter into an arrangement where they promise to buy their produce, which ensures the farmers have a market, she said.

"Such initiatives can prove useful in helping farmers in my country sustain their source of livelihoods, while also improving the food insecurity challenges we face," Jobe said.

"As such, having had the opportunity to witness firsthand the significance of cooperation and planning, I am inspired to make similar recommendations that would encourage dialogue and cooperation between farmers and big companies with the aim of mutual benefit," she added.

Deepening cooperation

President Xi announced in Beijing on Friday a host of steps to better support Global South cooperation. His key policy address was to mark the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

China will establish a Global South research center, and it will provide 1,000 scholarships under the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Scholarship of Excellence and 100,000 training opportunities to Global South countries in the coming five years.

The nation will also launch a Global South youth leaders program, he said. China will renew the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility, and make an additional contribution of $10 million to be used to support the agricultural development of the Global South.

Xi said China has been advocating universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and endeavoring to deliver on the Global Development Initiative.

"Our goal is to benefit all with the opportunity of development, to diversify development paths, to help all nations share development fruits, to encourage common development and prosperity for all countries in the global village, and to turn win-win into a solid consensus," he said.

Iqbal, from Pakistan, said developing countries need to develop according to their own resources, adding that China is on hand to offer support while this happens.

Cooperation programs help the countries involved become more confident, become masters of their own destiny, enable them to plan their own economic growth models, identify priority sectors, and overcome domestic problems, she said. "This is how the world is going to prosper in the future," she said.

Iqbal's son, Mohammad Murtaza, who also works for the Pakistan government, accompanied her to the graduation ceremony in Beijing. She said he is trying to learn more about the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

"I wanted him to see how China is moving forward. I wanted him to see how these classmates from different countries support each other," Iqbal said, adding that "maybe he's a future student for China."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Moza's Revolutionary New Flight Simulator Equipment Now Open for Pre-Orders

Moza just opened pre-orders for its revolutionary new flight simulator equipment that introduces an impressive lineup of force-feedback products.

The equipment includes a stick, a yoke, a throttle, and a set of pedals that were revealed during the FSExpo in Las Vegas that was held last weekend. But now, only a week on from North America's largest annual flight simulation convention, pre-orders have been opened.

Moza's New Flight Simulator Equipment

For those who did not get a chance to see Moza Racing's impressive hardware on display at the Las Vegas booth, they include the AB9 Force Feedback base, the MH16 flight stick, and the Z-Axis extension module.

What is worth noting is that the AB9 Base is a pre-requisite if you want to purchase the other two products that are available. It also represents a new entry into the force feedback flight controls market that has not had any new products in a while.

Additionally, the AB9 Base comes with a force feedback algorithm that will ensure players get a realistic and authentic feel on their flight controls.

These range from the stick wobbling while taxiing on the ground to feeling firmer and more difficult to move when you pull sharp maneuvers or travel at high speeds, according to FSElite.

The product also has built-in dual high-torque motors that are the driving force behind such realistic sensations. It also features a high-resolution encoder that will guarantee smooth and precise control inputs.

Read Also: Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Beta Cancelled as Devs Focus on Optimization, Fixes

Players are also given the ability to extensively customize and fine-tune these to their liking using the Moza Cockpit Control Software. On the other hand, the stick that was also introduced is finished in an aviation-grade aluminum alloy.

It was built from high-quality durable materials that give it its professional appearance and can be pre-ordered for $549.

On the other hand, Moza MAH16 Flight Stick has the classic look of a fighter aircraft control and has 27 inputs and detachable modular components that can be removed with pogo pin connections.

Realistic Flight Controls

The flight stick offers realistic ergonomics due to its inspiration from fighter plane control sticks. The detachable modular components and pogo pin connections also give you the chance to customize without cumbersome wiring, said UniverseSimu.

As for the Moza Z-Axis module, it offers a yaw control function that has a range of 20 as well as an extension kit that adds 97 millimeters in length.

The product is equipped with a high-resolution 16-bit Hall sensor that provides precise control and is constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy for optimal durability.

For now, the company's website only has further information regarding the base and grip but the hero image at the top shows both the throttle and pedals. The latter of which has a metal construction that completes the set nicely.

So far, what we know is that the throttle has 35 programmable switches on board, which means that there will be enough controls to take some of the heavy lifting of playing away from your keyboard. All of the products are controlled by Moza's Cockpit software, according to ReadWrite.



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In response to stress Urm1 increases in cells. Urm1 self-interacts and associates with other proteins in co-operation with Uba4, forming a complex protein interaction network that results in the formation of a biomolecular condensate. Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.009

To prevent proteins from being damaged during cellular stress, they are concentrated in so-called stress granules. Scientists from the department of Cellular Biochemistry at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry have now been able to show for the first time that the protein Urm1 has a critical role in this process.

In yeast cells, the ubiquitin-like protein facilitates the onset of phase separation and thus the formation of stress granules. The results of the study were published in the journal Cell.

Cells may experience various conditions of stress, such as heat stress during a fever. Such conditions can damage proteinsthe molecules responsible for almost every process of life. The ability of cells to mount a defensive stress response is crucial for their survival.

As part of this response, the small protein ubiquitin is attached to damaged proteins to signal that they should be removed by degradation. Other proteins, however, must be protected during stress by concentrating them in so-called stress granules, via a process called phase separation.

How this works exactly is not yet well understood. In a recent study, Lucas Cairo, Sae-Hun Park and their colleagues describe the role of the small protein Urm1 in regulating formation of reversible condensates under stress.

Urm1 is related to ubiquitin and like ubiquitin can be covalently attached to target proteins. However, unlike ubiquitin, the cellular role of Urm1 had not been fully understood. The researchers found that stress triggers the covalent attachment of Urm1 to target substrates, promoting their assembly into stress granules and other biomolecular condensates. This enables their safe storage until the stress subsides.

More specifically, Urm1 facilitates the initiation of phase separation by enhancing protein-protein interactions conducive to this biophysical process. Key to this is the intrinsic ability of Urm1 to sense acidification of the cellular milieu that occurs upon stress. As a result, Urm1 self-interacts and associates with other proteins through multivalent interactions, forming a complex protein interaction network.

This network facilitates the deposition of proteins within condensates located in both the cytoplasm and cell nucleus. Attachment of Urm1 to target proteins is facilitated by the enzyme Uba4, which coassembles with Urm1 in the condensates. In the absence of Urm1, cells can no longer cope with stress. These findings identify Urm1 as a ubiquitin-like protein with a critical function in the cellular stress response.

More information: Lucas V. Cairo et al, Stress-dependent condensate formation regulated by the ubiquitin-related modifier Urm1, Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.009 Journal information: Cell
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Adult female Tiputini velvet worm (Oroperipatus tiputini) with her offspring. Credit: Pedro Penaherrera-R., Archive Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ. CC-BY4.0

Scientists have described the first new species of Ecuadorian velvet worm in more than 100 years. Named the Tiputini velvet worm (Oroperipatus tiputini), it was discovered in the lowland forests of the northern Amazon.

Published as a new species in the open-access journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, the velvet worm is generally nocturnal and exhibits parental care, meaning the mother takes care of her young after they are born. These animals are hunters that use a sticky substance secreted from a pair of anterior glands to trap their prey.

The new species can be distinguished from other known velvet worm species by its skin texture, coloration, and leg structure. The Tiputini velvet worm inhabits old-growth terra firma forests with a closed canopy, where it searches for prey on leaves and stems of small herbs less than 70 cm above the ground, in leaf litter, and on tree roots.

Velvet worms, also known as onychophorans or peripatus, are rare and unique invertebrates often referred to as "living fossils" because they evolved more than 500 million years ago, long before the appearance of dinosaurs. Currently, only about 240 species are known, inhabiting tropical regions in the Americas, southern Chile, Africa, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and New Zealand. The last time Ecuador's velvet worms were studied was more than 100 years ago, in 1905.

A research team led by Jorge Montalvo from the USFQ Museum of Zoology named the new species in honor of the Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS), part of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, recognizing the hard work of the station's management, research, and field team in protecting biodiversity. So far, the species is known only from this location.

The description of the Tiputini Velvet Worm raises the total number of described velvet worm species in Ecuador to seven. This species is the first from the Ecuadorian Amazon lowlands and the third in the western Amazon. Most velvet worm species in Ecuador are known from only one locality, and in some cases, their taxonomy is unclear and requires further revision.

"The research on this new species took several decades. I discovered the first individual of this new species in 2001, and we finally managed to describe it as part of Jorge Montalvo's graduation thesis, who is now my colleague at the Museum of Zoology at USFQ.

"To complete the description, we used not only macromorphological descriptions but also high-magnification images obtained with a scanning electron microscope," said Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, one of the authors of the scientific article and director of the Museum of Zoology at Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Ecuador.

More information: Jorge L. Montalvo-Salazar et al, A new species of velvet worm of the genus Oroperipatus (Onychophora, Peripatidae) from western Amazonia, Zoosystematics and Evolution (2024). DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.117952
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new study challenges the common theory that the devastating potato blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans originated in Mexico. Researchers meticulously reconstructed its global migration history and found it likely originated in the South American Andes before spreading globally. This research provides significant insights into the pathogen's evolutionary journey, which is crucial for developing better disease management strategies worldwide.

P. infestans is infamous for causing the Irish potato famine in the 19th century, yet it remains a major threat to potato crops globally. Understanding its migration and genetic diversity is key to combating its spread. Focusing on tracing the pathogen's migration towards Colombia, the researchers used advanced statistical methods to reconstruct the likely migration routes by analyzing genotypic data from 1,706 isolates collected worldwide.

The study proposes that P. infestans originated in Peru before migrating north to Colombia and Mexico and then spreading to the United States, Europe, and Asia. This contrasts with earlier theories suggesting a Mexican origin followed by spread to South America. Interestingly, the study found no evidence of the pathogen returning to northern South America after these migrations.

"Even though the current Colombian population originated from Peru, the apparent lack of repeated introductions from neighboring countries suggests internal migrations might be more prevalent," said Camilo Patarroyo, first author of the study recently published in Phytopathology. "This should be carefully monitored to prevent the spread of new variants that could complicate disease control."

The study also emphasized the importance of international collaboration in tracking and managing P. infestans. The research underscores the necessity of global cooperation in tackling plant pathogens, with organizations like EuroBlight, USABlight, and Tizon Latino playing vital roles.

One of the standout findings was the strong geographic signal observed in the pathogen's genetic data, supporting the hypothesis of rare, significant migration events rather than continuous, small-scale movements. This insight is crucial for developing targeted control measures that focus on preventing these rare but impactful migrations.

By understanding the historical migration patterns of P. infestans, scientists and farmers can better predict and prevent future outbreaks. This knowledge also aids in breeding more resistant potato varieties, ultimately contributing to global food security.

Silvia Restrepo, lead author of the study and president of the Boyce Thompson Institute, highlighted the broader impact, stating, "Our work not only unravels the past migrations of P. infestans but also provides a framework for predicting its future movements. This is essential for global efforts to safeguard potato crops against this persistent threat."

This research demonstrates how historical data combined with modern genetic analysis can illuminate the pathways of one of agriculture's most notorious pathogens. The findings pave the way for improved disease management strategies, ensuring a more secure future for potato cultivation worldwide.

More information: Camilo Patarroyo et al, Reconstructing the global migration history of Phytophthora infestans towards Colombia, Phytopathology (2024). DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO-05-24-0163-R
Davenport police have arrested the Moline Post Office supervisor for allegedly stealing mail that contained cash and gift cards.

Justin Michael Brown, 42, of Davenport, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of ongoing criminal conduct. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Sgt. Brandon Koepke, members of the Davenport Police Departments Tactical Operations Bureau served a search warrant on Browns home at 8:59 a.m. Friday.

A cooperating witness said Brown began stealing mail in December of 2023. The witness told police that Brown would steal the mail before it entered the mail system and would target mail he believed were greeting cards that contained cash or gift cards.

According to the affidavit, the witness told police that Brown would steal the mail from the Moline Post Office, take it back to his home and then open it.

As part of his duties, Brown would receive complaints from customers about their mail not arriving at its destination, according to the affidavit.

During a search of Browns home, officers located 487 greeting cards. The cards contained family photographs, messages between grandparents and grandchildren, get well messages and personal checks.

After reading some of the messages, police determined that some of the greeting cards had contained cash or gift cards. One of the greeting cards had contained a gift card valued at $100, according to the affidavit.

The cards included graduation, birthday, wedding, Fathers Day and celebration greeting cards.

All the mail located in Browns home had been sent from cities in Illinois, including Moline, East Moline, Milan, Geneseo, Rock Island, and Silvis.

None of the envelopes appeared to have been scanned by the Post Office, and no postmarks were located on the envelopes indicating the mail was stolen before it reached the mail stream.

Along with gift cards, officers also seized a digital scale with meth residue and a marijuana grinder.

Brown made a first appearance on the charge Saturday in Scott County District Court. Magistrate Peter Gierut scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 9 and set Browns bond at $10,000, cash or surety.

Brown is in the Scott County Jail serving a seven-day sentence on an operating while intoxicated-second offense.

He also is being held for sentencing on a charge of driving on a revoked or suspended license. That sentencing was to have occurred on June 19, but Brown failed to show. Bond in that case is set at $1,000, cash only.

Brown also is being held after he failed to show for a pre-trial conference in a second case of driving on a revoked or suspended license. That conference also was to have been held June 19. Bond in that case also is set at $1,000, cash only.
Ubisoft Lays Off 33 Employees To Deliver on 'Ambitious Roadmap'

Ubisoft laid off 33 employees from Ubisoft Toronto in order to deliver on its "ambitious roadmap," adding that the studio's plans remain the same.

In a statement to the press, the company said that the latest round of layoffs were part of a "targeted realignment" that was necessary. It added that while unfortunate, the company is still committed to providing comprehensive support to the 33 team members who will be leaving Ubisoft.

Ubisoft's Latest Layoffs

The company said that the support they will provide to the affected individuals will include severance and career assistance to help them through the transition. For now, it is unclear exactly what departments the affected employees worked in.

It is also unknown just how the recent layoffs will affect work on the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. This is because Ubisoft Toronto was recently brought in to provide support work for the development of the title.

The company insisted that teams are still working to deliver on the Splinter Cell remake and other projects at the studio. The nearly three dozen layoffs are just the latest in a series of job cuts in the video game industry, according to Eurogamer.

It also marks an unflinchingly miserable time for games and the developers who make them. As of the end of May 2024, there have already been more than 10,000 people who have been laid off from their jobs across the industry.

Read Also: Hitman: World of Assassination Update Adds MMA Fighter Conor McGregor as Target

This number is even more grim when compared to the number of people who were laid off in the video game industry last year, which was 10,500. This means that more developers have lost their jobs in the first half of this year compared to the entirety of 2023.

Many companies have used the justification of pursuing "growth" or future ambitions in their efforts to give reasons for cutting jobs. Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto, described it as "rationalizing its pipeline" in April.

State of the Video Game Industry

On the other hand, Xbox chief Phil Spencer blamed an industry-wide "lack of growth" in March for the decimation of its workforce. Square Enix also announced in May its intent to "aggressively pursue" multiplatform game development with an increased focus on the PC market, said PCGamer.

What is especially noteworthy with the layoffs at Ubisoft Toronto is the fact that the studio was working on both the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and a Splinter Cell remake, which would presumably require more people.

The latest layoffs come as in November last year, Ubisoft also cut more than 100 employees from their jobs and roughly 60 others were affected by layoffs in the UK and North America. In February this year, Ubisoft employees in France conducted strikes to drive negotiations for better salaries.

This year has been an unfortunate series of events for many people working across the video game industry. On top of the layoffs, studios have been shutting down left and right despite spending decades in the business, according to Insider Gaming.



Related Article: Studio Ghibli-Inspired Mika and the Witch's Mountain Gets Official Release Date
A man was arrested Friday in Pierre after 26 months on the run after he was wanted for the 2021 manslaughter death of a 15-year-old Rapid City girl.

The Dakota Territory Fugitive Task Force  which consists of the US Marshals, Pennington County Sheriffs Office and many other South Dakota law enforcement participants  arrested 20-year-old Kayden Chalmers after receiving several reports about his whereabouts.

According to a press release from the Pennington County Sheriffs Office, Chalmers was consistently seen and reported to be living free on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

Law enforcement had then received a tip on Friday that Chalmers was at an address in the city of Pierre. US Marshals, along with Pierre police, immediately reported to the scene and successfully apprehended Chalmers without incident.

On Sept. 2021 a 2004 Mercury Sable was reported going eastbound on Interstate 90 when the vehicle went off the roadway and rolled. The three occupants, who were not wearing seat belts, were thrown from the vehicle.

Olivia Newman, one of the passengers, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chalmers  who was 18 at the time  was driving the vehicle, and a 15-year-old female passenger sustained serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The two were transported to a Rapid City hospital. Both are from Rapid City.

Early reports from law enforcement said Chalmers had been jailed on charges of possession of alcohol by a minor, driving under the influence and vehicular homicide.
Anything and everything sat stacked on plastic folding tables and hung on clothing racks along U.S. Highway 93 Friday as sellers displayed their knick knacks in hopes of catching eyes.

This years event is the largest recorded in the nine years the sales have run stretching from Lolo to Darby. About 180 garage sales registered for the annual Bitterroot Valley 50 Mile Garage Sale over the weekend, which ran June 28-29.

And we have people coming, organizer and owner of the Bitterroot Antique Mall, Rebecca Ryan said. We had people come from New York, Canada, southern California and northern California, Texas  pretty much you name it, people plan their vacations around it.

Registering as a garage sale ensures a spot in the online and physical map of sale locations and secures the signature bright orange sign that alerts passersby of a sale. The number of registered booths also doesnt include piggyback sales. Thats the one or two extra garage sales hopping onto family or friends set-ups.

The forms the sales took were about as unique as the items being sold. The displays varied from clusters of tents and overhangs along the roadside to homes located miles away down dirt roads.

Just outside Lolo, a handcrafted wooden sign pointed up the rural road with "this is the big one" painted on it.

Bet you havent seen a porta potty at one of these garage sales yet, seller Jerry Slater said.

Partnering with other neighbors and local community members, the Slaters have turned their garage sale into their own sort of event. A roll of caution tape and bright orange signs split the tents for the sales outside while a cheer team sold water and hot dogs as a fundraiser below.

In years past, the group rented out the DeSmet Public School gymnasium for yard sales. Since they moved to the new location theyve tried to keep it community-based, Slater added.

If we're not having fun, if we're not joking with people, then you'll lose something, Slater said. We're gonna make money. We're not worried about it many, many of these people tell us we were here last year. That's cool. That makes you feel good.

In the parking lot of the Sweets Barn in Lolo, sellers started setting up as early as 6 a.m. on Friday. By midday, the piles of objects and antiques had shrunk but were far from completely gone.

Underneath the mix of tents, Natalia Suprunchik gave a buyer change for a five dollar bill before returning to fold a pile of clothes on display in front of her. Growing up in Lolo, this year marked her third as a seller.

It's kind of a unique way to get rid of a couple of things that just keep laying around your house, she said. I guess for the people that live out in the middle of nowhere, it's nice to kind of come down here and have this space.

Across the parking lot, a pair from Missoula weighed the pros and cons of bringing home a cheaply-priced pottery vase.

We were literally driving to another location this way and then we saw this, Keilin Huang said, motioning around to the booths. This one is good. Like theres a lot of curb appeal.

Huang held a pair of new hunting boots she was considering. She debated whether she really needed them, but pointed out how new they looked.

Its like treasure hunting, Willa Zhang said next to her. I honestly don't need anything, but I'm just here to take a look.

With this years booth consisting of colorful rings and jewelry, Anna Finch has been a yard seller for over 20 years.

Whats crazy is people actually come from out of state to see us and these things specifically, Finch added. I actually have met some people from Idaho because they're returning customers. I think it's just really amazing people come back to regular vendors that they know.

Another large part of the seller base consists of resellers. These are antique store owners who comb through booths and sales to build inventory for their own shops. Usually, theyll haul back trailers full of items back home.

For the two days, its not uncommon to see cars parked back to back lined up against U.S. Highway 93 stretching from town to town.

It's good for my business, but I think it's really good for all the businesses in the valley, Ryan added. It's obviously great for the restaurants and the hotels and the gas stations. I think it's just a great thing for everyone involved.
The Bitterroot National Forest is a great place to enjoy the Fourth of July away from fireworks.

A few considerations will help ensure everyones safety and enjoyment:

 Fireworks are prohibited in the Bitterroot National Forest year-round. Violators face fines and jail time. Anyone who starts a wildfire can be held liable for suppression costs which can be substantial.

 All campgrounds on the forest are open and ready for visitors. Campgrounds fill up quickly. For a complete list of campgrounds and to determine if your favorite campground is one in which you can reserve a site, visit fs.usda.gov/bitterroot or recreation.gov.

 Campgrounds must be occupied the first night. Most campgrounds are first come, first served. Sites must be occupied the first night; no setting out chairs or coolers days before occupying the campsite.

 Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure your coals are cool to the touch before you leave. Forecasts are for a hot and dry Fourth of July and visitors need to be fire safe. One spark is all it takes to start a wildfire. Keep campfires small and a bucket of water close.

 Be prepared for changing weather conditions including the potential for afternoon thunderstorms.

 Expect heavier traffic than normal on forest roads and trails over the holiday. Drive defensively and notify forest officials of any downed trees or road damage so repairs can be made. Some trails and roads may not be open at higher elevations due to snow, high water, washouts, or trees that have fallen. Please stay on the trails and roads and do not create new trails to get around hazards.

 Pack it inpack it out is the best practice for all of your garbage.

 Be cautious around flowing waters, especially at creek crossings.

 Use proper trail etiquette  hikers yield to stock; bikers yield to stock and hikers. Move to downhill side of the trail for stock to pass and be visible and talk calmly as they pass.

 Consider leashing dogs at the trailhead and the first few miles of the trail to prevent user conflicts in congested areas.

 Be bear aware. Secure food and attractants, keep your camp clean, and store food properly. Avoid cooking smelly foods and dont sleep in clothes you wore while cooking. For more information about recreating safely in bear country visit igbconline.org/be-bear-aware/.

The gate at Lost Horse Road #429 on the Darby/Sula Ranger District is open but is not recommended for trailers or low clearance vehicles. Schumaker Campground and Bear Creek Pass are open, but with no services.

A recreation pass is required for parking at Lake Como. Passes are $5/vehicle or $30 for a season pass and are available at Forest Service offices, area retailers including Mr. Ts and Peoples Market in Darby, Anglers Roost, Lone Pine and Riverside Conoco, Town Pump South, and Bob Wards in Hamilton, and on-site. Day use and camping fees are charged from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Drinking water is available.

The Magruder Road Corridor between Darby and Elk City, Idaho is closed one mile past Observation Point due to snow. Nez Perce Pass is open to Paradise Campground. The road is only suitable for high-clearance vehicles. Be prepared with a chainsaw and know that there is no cell service or fuel for 120 miles. Contact the West Fork Ranger District for updates.

Forest Service offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in observance of the federal holiday. Please call your local ranger station ahead of time to obtain a firewood permit, request forest maps, or ask any questions you may have before your visit to the forest. Regular office hours resume Friday, July 5.

West Fork Ranger District, 406-821-3269

Darby/Sula Ranger District, 406-821-3913

Stevensville Ranger District, 406-777-5461

Supervisors Office  Hamilton, 406-363-7100
Two Richmond region tragedies  the shooting death of 13-year-old Lucia Bremer and Irvo Otienos fatal trip to Central State Hospital after his mother was denied access as police and emergency room staff tried to cope with his mental health crisis  sparked two of the hundreds of new state laws that take effect Monday.

Bremers death after a fellow Quioccasin Middle School pupil used his fathers gun to shoot her while she and a friend were on their way home prompted a new law. It makes it a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison for any parent or adult caregiver to allow a child to get ahold of a firearm if the child is known to pose a threat of violence or has been found delinquent because of a violent offense.

Bills sponsored by Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, and state Sen. Schuyler T. VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support, and were signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. He said his focus on parental responsibility swayed his decision on this gun measure.

Willett, along with state Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, sponsored the bills that make it a state law that a family member or legal guardian should be allowed to support and help make decisions when an individual in a mental health crisis is assessed for a temporary detention order. Otienos mother was denied access when police took him to Parham Doctors Hospital for an evaluation and treatment. These bills passed unanimously.

Other Richmond situations also sparked new laws.

Henrico Countys challenge getting an out-of-state landlord to fix hundreds of health and safety violations at the Glenwood Farms apartments, detailed in Richmond Times-Dispatch reports last year, prompted an increase in the fines localities can levy for repeated violations of the state building code. A court has since ordered Glenwood Farms into receivership, and a plan for its renovation and redevelopment is in the works, with significant county financial support.

Another law that takes effect Monday closes a loophole in state law that tied Chesterfield County authorities hands. Maira Butt was forced to work for the matriarch of the family she married into, as well as for two of the matriarchs sons, for more than a dozen years. Butts suffering, including denial of food and threats to take her children, continued for years before Zahida Aman and her sons Mohammed Rehan Chaudhri and Mohammad Nauman Chaudhri were convicted on federal charges in a case prosecutors called the modern-day equivalent of slavery.

Chesterfield police and prosecutors knew about the situation for years but were powerless to pursue it under state law.

New laws enacted this year range from measures that affect millions of Virginia children to the most narrowly focused, like one allowing Staunton to reduce or waive utility connection fees for a historic Black neighborhood next to the CSX railroad track.

Here are some highlights:

Children and families

A new Parental Child Safety Placement Program aims to keep kids out of foster care by promoting and supporting placements of children with relatives. This law was prompted by the tragic death of 3-year-old Khaleesi Hope Cuthriell, after her jailed mother asked an Augusta County friend to care for the little girl.

As of Monday, the legal age for marriage is set at 18, by ending the legal process under which a court can give a minor adult rights on the basis of an intention to marry.

Online and data firms will be barred from holding a childs personal data, if that data is used to target advertising. The firms are also banned from collecting precise geolocation data about children.

Civil rights

Marriage licenses cannot be denied on the basis of sex, gender or race; such lawful marriages must now be recognized.

A new law bans discrimination in employment and in places of public accommodation, such as restaurants, hotels or stores, on the basis of an individuals ethnic origin, an expansion of current anti-discrimination law. It also expands hate crimes law to protect people who are targeted because of their ethnic origin.

Search warrants, subpoenas and court orders seeking menstrual health data are no longer allowed.

Colleges

State colleges and universities can no longer admit students just because they have legacy status or solely on the basis of relationship to a donor.

Consumer protection

Firms that offer continuous service plans or that offer services with automatic renewal provisions have to give Virginians notice of their option to cancel at least 30 days before the deadline of the current contract.

Environment

Sales of driveway sealant with concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon greater than 1% are banned. These toxic chemicals are carcinogens and damage fish and shellfish when they seep into rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Food and drink

Cocktails to go will remain available, with the repeal of a July sunset of the provision allowing such sales. The state allowed restaurants with beer, wine and mixed-drink licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption to ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gambling

Petersburg gets a green light to pursue a casino, but Richmond is now barred from holding another referendum seeking voters OK for one for three years after voters rejected a casino for a second time.

Guns

Auto sears  devices that convert semiautomatic guns so that they can automatically shoot more than once with a single pull of a trigger  are now banned; sale, possession, transfer or carrying of one is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Selling a gun that does not have a serial number will now be a felony, subject to up to five years in prison; possessing a gun with a serial number that has been removed or altered is now a misdemeanor subject to up to a year in jail.

Health care

The state health commissioner must now create a statewide registry of sickle cell disease patients and submit an annual report of information obtained through the registry.

Motor vehicles

Department of Motor Vehicles temporary windshield placards allowing parking in disabled spots will now be valid for up to 12 months, instead of just two. The fee for temporary and permanent placards goes away.

The State Corporation Commission is to examine towing fees and suggest ways it could regulate these and is to report its conclusions by Nov. 30.

Pets

Declawing cats is prohibited, except to treat recurring infection or abnormal conditions in the paw or if its owner has a disease that could worsen if scratched.

A felony conviction of cruelty to animals can now mean a lifetime ban on having pets or horses; a misdemeanor conviction could bring a five-year ban.

Tenants

Tenants are now entitled to damages if they leave their homes because a violation of building codes poses a substantial risk to health and safety. This does not apply to damage caused by the tenant.

Records of a landlords request that a court order an eviction proceeding can be removed from a tenants record if a judge dismissed the eviction request.

Tobacco

E-cigarettes and other liquid nicotine products can no longer be sold over the internet to Virginians, while the sale of tobacco from vending machines will also be banned.

Virginia General Assembly opens 2024 session
The Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 to limit the obstruction charges against Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, saying the Department of Justice overstepped its authority.

A former Pennsylvania police officer challenged the validity of obstruction charges related to the violence.

Charges were brought against hundreds of people who took part in the violent assault.

The high court's interpretation of the law could impact the pending case against former President Donald Trump who is charged with obstruction by special counsel Jack Smith related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

It is unclear how the decision will impact that case but Smith has previously claimed the court's decision would not affect on charges against the former president.

The high court has not yet ruled on another major case involving Trump centered on absolute immunity claims.

The Supreme Court heard more than two hours of oral arguments in April over whether Trump is immune from prosecution.

Federal prosecutors accused him of plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Lower courts found he cannot claim immunity for actions that, prosecutors say, illegally sought to interfere with the election results, the Associated Press reported.

Today's ruling comes after Trump was crimally prosecuted in New York related to a hush money case involving payments made to port star Stormy Daniels to allegedly cover up an affair. Trump denies having any affair.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
Moomoo Malaysia has launched its IPO subscription service, allowing investors to subscribe to IPOs directly through the Moomoo app, making it the first stock trading platform in Malaysia to offer this feature in a fully-online process.

This new feature addresses a major pain point for Malaysian investors seeking for a more seamless IPO subscription service, which is a traditionally tedious process. With Moomoos IPO subscription service, everything is done directly on the Moomoo app, including real-time updates from application to IPO allotment. Funds are also directly deducted from the users Moomoo cash balance, or alternatively can be theres also an IPO financing option with a rate of 6.8%.

To enable this service, users need to perform a one-time set up. Setting up the CDS Account-IPO is a relatively straightforward process: users simply navigate to the Accounts section on the moomoo app, select CDS Account-IPO, and follow the prompts to ensure that personal and bank account information is accurate and updated. Successful IPO shares will initially be credited to the users CDS Account-IPO before being transferred to their Moomoo MY Account.



On top of the IPO subscription service, Moomoo adds its own enhancements for a better user experience. This includes detailed information about the IPOs, business analyses, and live Q&A sessions with business leaders  all within the Moomoo app, which already houses existing educational resources including investing courses, market insights, as well as round-the-clock news updates.

Our platform does more than facilitate transactions. Through comprehensive educational resources and direct engagements such as live webinars, we are creating a community of well-informed investors. These efforts ensure equitable access to crucial information, enabling retail investors to make decisions on a level playing field.

Johor Plantations Group IPO was the first IPO to be available via the service on the moomoo platform.

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Cozumel participates in Texas International Market of Magic Towns

Cozumel, Q.R.  The Third International Market of Magic Towns came to an end with great success for Cozumel in San Antonio, Texas. Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso Marrufo reported holding business meetings to attract more visitors and strengthen overnight tourism.

Initially, there were 14 meetings planned, but expectations were exceeded with a total of 42 meetings scheduled from June 28 to 30 with agents and wholesale tour operators, reported the Director of Tourism and Economic Development, Badih Sleme Flores.

Flores, who also attended the International Market in Texas, said meetings were held with wholesale tour operators, making a different promotion of Cozumel that is much more than just sun and sand.

The display of handicrafts and textiles made by Cozumel artisans, as well as honey-based products made in Cozumel, were of great interest he said, as was general island information on attractions such as Carnival.

Flores says as part of the business meetings, a presentation will be sent shortly to more than 100 travel agencies in the U.S. with the support of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies (AMAV).

He explained the presentation will include Cozumels historical attractions, traditions and customs that make it unique as a Magic Town.
Several Western Virginia men who were part of a mob that besieged the U.S. Capitol may benefit from a Supreme Court decision in a related case.

On Friday, the nations highest court limited the use of a charge  obstruction of an official proceeding  to prosecute about 350 of the more than 1,400 people accused of rioting over what former President Donald Trump says was a stolen election.

Among those convicted of the felony obstruction charge are Jeremy Daniel Groseclose of Elliston, Joshua Dillon Haynes of Covington and Thomas T.J. Robertson, a former Rocky Mount police officer who is currently serving a prison term of seven years and three months.

However, all three defendants were also convicted of other charges that were not part of the Supreme Courts ruling, meaning that reduced sentences are likely the most for which they can hope.

Last November, Groseclose was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, a second felony of resisting police during a civil disorder, and two misdemeanors. Three weeks later, the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case it decided Friday, an appeal by a former Pennsylvania police officer who challenged the obstruction charge.

A March 19 sentencing hearing was postponed for Groseclose, who remains free on bond, because the upcoming Supreme Court ruling could possibly reduce the range of punishment recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. The guidelines  which are not mandatory but are often followed by judges  will now be recalculated.

An earlier appellate court ruling, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, could also impact the cases of Groseclose, Haynes and Robertson.

In that case, the court held that a District Court judge wrongly applied an enhancement that lengthened the sentence recommended by the guidelines for an obstruction charge brought against another defendant in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

In late May, the D.C. Court of Appeals cited its earlier ruling in ordering a new sentencing hearing for Robertson, finding that he received a substantially increased punishment under the misapplied enhancement.

Fridays ruling from the Supreme Court could further reduce Robertsons time in prison. Currently incarcerated in a federal penitentiary in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, the 51-year-old is scheduled to be released on Feb. 23, 2027.

Robertson wrote in an April 1 letter to District Judge Christopher Cooper, who sentenced him two years ago, that he was ashamed of joining a mob that descended on the Capitol as Congress was certifying an election won by President Joe Biden.

No snowflake believes he is responsible for the avalanche, and as such I failed to see how my actions on that day helped to contribute to some very bad things that happened, Robertson wrote in asking Cooper to reduce his sentence.

Robertson was in the first wave of rioters to force their way into the Capitol, evidence presented during a jury trial in April 2022 showed. The U.S. Army veteran, who at the time was off duty from his job as a sergeant with the Rocky Mount Police Department, was wearing a gas mask and holding a large walking stick in a defensive posture across his chest as an angry crowd approached police officers trying to defend the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol.

Groseclose followed a short time later, joining a horde of rioters  many of them wearing pro-Trump apparel and waving signs supporting his claims of a stolen election  as lawmakers were rushed to safety.

Haynes, who is serving a 32-month prison sentence, was seen on surveillance cameras crawling through a broken window near the Senates wing door and later destroying cameras and other equipment that was being used by news media crews outside of the Capitol.

A second former Rocky Mount police officer who accompanied Robertson pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding. Jacob Fracker, who agreed to testify against his senior colleague, was placed on probation.

In its decision Friday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the charge of obstructing an official proceeding, enacted in 2002 in response to the financial scandal that brought down Enron Corp., must include proof that defendants tried to tamper with or destroy documents.

The high court returned the case of former Pennsylvania police officer Joseph Fischer to a lower court to determine if he should be charged with obstruction. Similar hearings are now likely for Groseclose, Haynes and Robertson.

Some information in this story came from the Associated Press.
I wanted to give a bit of context for this piece. I was introduced to Bill one afternoon at the local watering hole by a mutual friend. Bill, a talented and experienced writer, shared some of his work with me, and I was interested to read more. When I asked if he had anything we could publish, he sent over a series of travel vignettes. You can read one below. Also, he has a novel A Gamblers Feast: Summer of 1969 that is worth a read.  Anthony

In Little Havana, across from the boisterous Domino Park, in a cigar store on Calle Ocho in South Miami, settled into a deep leather couch amid feathery potted palms stirred by lazy ceiling fans, a traveler is eager to join five Spanish speaking strangers locked into an animated conversation. His courage fueled by strong tobacco and a bracing shot of Cuban coffee, he chooses his moment: You guys gotta be talking politics, he says in English.

They are.

The five meet every Thursday for lunch, punctuated by a smoke at The Little Havana Cigar Factory. They are not unlike men all over the world of a certain age and inclination who gather in cafes, parks and bars to chew over the events of the day, embroider stories from their past, complain, laugh and occasionally break eye contact to admire a pretty young woman, in this case a tall hostess, well aware of her Thursday Regulars and their innocent flirtations.

They welcome the traveler, speaking English for his benefit, and confirm it is presidential politics up for discussion this afternoon. And as is the norm in this part country, by people forced from their country as children, its all filtered through the lens of U.S. Cuba policy:

Jeb is their man, but feel if the young people vote, Hillary will likely win. Obama gave too much away for the sake of relaxing relations.

None have ever returned and never will as long as the regime is in power. When our generation dies the opposition will be mostly over.

Castro ruined a beautiful country.

They speak wistfully. Resigned.

The traveler confides with trepidation that he is embarking for Havana in the morning and has visited the island previously. He says, Do you all hate me now?

No, they say genuinely. Not at all.

The leggy hostess serves another round of Cafe Cubano. Salud, they say, cups raised. One by one they shake the travelers hands and wish him well as they slowly file out into

the heat and the sound of slapping domino tiles.



***

This is important.

The Spanish word for sandwich is sandwich. Who knew?

Some of us who travel internationally discover from time to time that our appetites are still at home days after weve landed on foreign shores. No matter how much wed like to try the pickled fish or tongue taco, there are occasions when something more familiar and less adventuresome might be in order get one through those squeamish, gurgling, alien food challenges, providing a gastronomic bridge of sorts, to new and unfamiliar cuisines.

Appetite Lag can be problematic. But there is a solution. And it is the simply sublime, ham and cheese sandwich.

Seems almost every country has a version. (Youre on your own in Muslim cultures, although I seem to remember having one in Tangier) In addition to Cuba where they are

particularly delicious, Ive enjoyed them in South Africa, Zambia, Argentina, all over Europe, Thailand, Japan, Mexico and Canada for example. So learn how to ask for one in the native language and make the ham and cheese your safety net road meal until your appetite arrives on a later flight with your luggage.

Youre welcome.

***

Cuba generates more revenue annually by loaningbetter said, rentingdoctors to foreign countries than it brings in from tourism, often cited as the prime source for foreign capital. Reliable 2014 numbers put income from placing doctors abroad at $ 8.2 billion; tourism in the neighborhood of $ 2 billion. Regardless of the trending increase in travel and tourism to the island accelerated by the recent loosening of relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Health Care Diplomacy, as it is known, will continue to provide significant income to Cuban government coffers for years to come.

One example. The niece of a friend in Cuba practices medicine in Brazil. He recently told me she earns the equivalent of $990 per month from which she pays her expenses, approximately $400 monthly. For her services Brazil compensates Cuba the equivalent of between $3000-$4000 each month. Do the math. On the surface it seems like a raw deal for the doctor.

Maybe not.

At home, medical professionals earn what amounts to $44 a month, surgeons and specialists slightly more.

For a Cuban doctor its profitable to practice healing in a foreign land.

***

He strides onto the stage of the Sala Dolores Concert Hall in Santiago de Cuba as if hes just taken off a cape.

And on matters of Cuban music, when Maestro Daniel Guzman speaks, you listen.

The 73 year olda visiting Artist in Residence at the University of Richmond this past April at the invitation of Dr. Mike Davisonis often referred to as the Leonard Bernstein of Cuba, a testament to his long and glorious international career as a musician, teacher, bandleader, composer/arranger and orchestra conductor.

On a steamy late May evening at a long table littered with mojitos on the balcony of the Hotel Casa Granda hanging over the historic Parque Cespedes in Santiago, he commands a group of visiting U.S. musicians and friends taking part in a local festival of music. The Maestro stands and gestures with his glass as if it were a baton and declares that history has been made. With authority, he declares this weeks brass quintet performances by student players from Penn State University, along with five teaching professionals, the first ever played in Santiago, and probably the whole island.

Salud, he says to the young players and their professors, all puffing on celebratory cigars. His smile seems to say more than his words.

The embargo may block us from many things, but not the music.

Main image of Havana, Cuba 2015 by William Hamby
Nepal's army has recovered five bodies from Mount Everest as melting snow has revealed remains of some of the 300 climbers who have died trying to summit the peak.

The bodies were recently removed from the world's tallest peak, including one skeleton and a corpse that took 11 hours to free as it was encased in ice up to the head, according to the Independent.

An army officer involved in the operation blames global warming for thinning snow levels. That has revealed bodies and trash on the peak.

In more recent years, the trek up the mountain has garnered controversy due to overcrowding concerns.

At least eight people have lost their lives on Everest this year. 18 people died last year, the highest number ever recorded.

In May, an overhanging ice formation-collapsed, causing British gym owner Dan Paterson and his sherpa guide to disappear after falling from a great height.
New Delhi's domestic airport terminal likely to be shut for a few weeks, sources say

By Rishika Sadam and Aditi Shah

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - New Delhi's main domestic terminal is likely to remain shut for a few weeks with debris still scattered outside the airport following last week's roof collapse, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.

A portion of the roof, canopy and several beams at the domestic terminal 1 collapsed after heavy rain in the Indian capital on Friday, killing one person, crushing cars and disrupting flights ever since.

The incident has put a spotlight on challenges Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government faces to overhaul infrastructure projects and has raised concerns about lax regulation and compliance issues.

The recently expanded terminal is mostly used by low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet, and has a capacity to handle 40 million passengers annually, but its closure is set to increase pressure on two other terminals from where domestic flights also operate.

A source at GMR Airports Infrastructure, which operates the airport, said "it could take few weeks, if the issue is small but very likely that it could take beyond a month if the problem is major".

"No matter how much time it takes, the terminal will not be re-opened until everything has been checked thoroughly," the person added.

GMR said in a statement that it was "too early" to provide details of when the terminal could resume operations.

Delhi airport handles 1,400 flights a day across its three terminals. Flight operations from T1 were currently limited to less than 15% of the total as they were gradually resuming after the recent expansion and refurbishment.

More than 22,000 passengers have been affected in the past three days, with around 90 flights moved to other terminals, government data shows.

On Monday, a Reuters photographer was not permitted to enter the accident site as the area has been cordoned off by authorities.

The second source said that the debris would not be removed until an inspection was complete, which was likely to take a few weeks.

IndiGo and SpiceJet said their passengers were being informed about terminal changes.

However, on Monday, two passengers told Reuters near T1 they had no information on any change in their departure terminal. "I'm running late and it will affect my timing to board my flight," said Satyam, a 22-year old student who only gave his first name.

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta, Aditi Shah, Anushree Fadnavis in New Delhi and Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad; Writing by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Aditya Kalra and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
McCOOK LAKE  Residents of some homes along and near McCook Lake were allowed to return to their homes Monday to assess their houses and buildings and have contractors assess stabilization of the structures.

Utility service also was restored to some homes in the neighborhood, which saw heavy flooding damage on June 23-24, when flood waters from the Big Sioux River swept into the lake. An estimated 29 homes were destroyed and at least another 100 damaged. Flood waters swept away portions of Northshore Drive and city utility lines, and access to the area has been controlled at two security points on either side of the damage zone on Northshore Drive.

According to a city of North Sioux City update:

Penrose Drive residents were given access Monday until 6 p.m. to check on their homes. Electricity has been restored to homes that can take power on Penrose, and city crews are working on establishing temporary water and sewer service. A boil advisory was issued for the area through 5 p.m. July 8.

Certain Northcoast Drive residents were allowed into the area until 6 p.m. Monday to assess their homes and bring a contractor with them. Gas service is in the process of being restored to some homes on the west end of Northshore Drive and Dakota Valley Elementary School.

Electricity has been restored to all school buildings, to homes west of the lake in the Suncoast Drive area and to homes on Westshore Drive that can take power.

Water service has been restored to the west McCook Lake area. A boil advisory was scheduled to expire at 5 p.m. Monday. A sewer line was being laid Monday, and is hoped to be operational by the July Fourth holiday.

On Sunday, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks retrieved 18-22 boats that had been knocked from their docks and were floating in the lake. Retrieval of boats that are operational only was scheduled to resume on Tuesday. The lake remains closed.

The city announced fireworks discharge within city limits west of the Interstate 29 Exit 4 will be prohibited.

Donations and volunteer opportunities are being coordinated through Renae Hansen at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse.
An endangered persons advisory has been issued for a mother in Kansas with two young children who authorities believe may have been lured to a religious rehabilitation facility in Mexico.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is concerned that the family has been coerced into traveling to a 'religious rehabilitation facility' in Mexico with Corney and Elizabeth Klaasen.

The Klaasens are reportedly in their fifties and may be driving a white and black Chevy Blazer with a Mexican license plate.

Investigators have turned to the public for help locating 23-year-old Martha Unger and her daughters, Madilynn Grace Unger, 2, and Haylie Faith Unger, 1.

They were reported missing from their home in Haskell County on June 28 shortly before 7 p.m.

Martha was driving a 2015 white Ford Explorer with a Kansas license plate of 301RJY.

She is approximately 5'6", around 120 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes. Both daughters have blonde hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information is advised to call 911 immediately.
MADISON COUNTY, Ill.  About a year after his release from prison, Dorynell Thompson found himself on Michigan Public Radio discussing his time behind bars and his newfound life as a free man.

The Kalamazoo resident had served about 17 years for a 1996 federal drug distribution charge, but he had recently become an ordained minister and was working in the community to help kids avoid the criminal justice system.

That was my first time ever getting in trouble, Thompson told Cynthia Canty, an anchor and morning show host during the 2015 interview. I grew up on the rough side of the area where I was living. And I had always kind of been on the streets. I was never the type of guy that would go out and get in trouble."

But that was far from the truth. Thompson wasn't who he said he was.

He's actually Robert Mason III, Madison County prosecutors say, and he has a violent criminal history in southern Illinois dating back to the 1990s.

Authorities say he fled Illinois at age 23, while facing an attempted murder charge, and stole the identity of his then-girlfriend's brother, Dorynell Thompson.

"Robert has kids with my sister  that's how I knew Robert," the real Dorynell Thompson told the Post-Dispatch in an interview. "We never had problems or anything. And when that (1994 shooting) happened, I just knew he had fled, but then I didn't know anything else about it. He was gone, as far as I was concerned."

Mason lived under Thompson's name for 30 years in Michigan, where authorities say he promptly embarked on a new life of crime. More than half of his time in Michigan was spent in federal prison on the drug charge.

Still, his fake identity remained undiscovered  even though he did not have Thompson's government-issued IDs such as a Social Security card or birth certificate.

Mason's secret was discovered when the real Thompson said he finally persuaded Alton, Illinois, detectives to investigate his claims of stolen identity. He had been turned away for years by state and federal authorities, he said  all while struggling with the financial ramifications of the identity theft. Thompson said he was told at one point that he must be wrong, "because this would never happen."

When Alton police launched an investigation, Thompson, 55, said he gave police a thick folder of evidence, including Mason's federal prison mugshot listed under Thompson's name.

Mason was arrested May 28 on the 1994 charges of home invasion and attempted murder. About a week later, he was charged with identity theft.

"This is very unusual," said John Davis, a federal prosecutor in Missouri for 23 years who now works as a criminal defense attorney. "In fact, this is the first time I've heard of such a thing. For that long of a stretch, in the federal system especially, unheard of."

How, exactly, Mason managed to live three decades and serve a prison sentence under another person's identity remains largely a mystery. Federal authorities  the Western District of Michigan and the Federal Bureau of Prisons  would not discuss the case with the Post-Dispatch, including whether Mason's federal records would be updated to reflect his real name.

As of this week, Dorynell Thompson's name still appeared in federal court and prison records under the 1996 drug case.

Mason, now 53, sits in Madison County Jail with no bond as his two cases work through the system. He declined to speak with a reporter when reached by jailhouse video call, and his wife, Trina Henry, could not be reached.

A Federal Bureau of Prison spokesperson would say only that when an inmate goes through the intake process at the prison, court information is entered and they are fingerprinted. Citing security concerns, he declined to answer if those fingerprints would have been run against a national database in the late '90s.

"Justice, for me, would be clearing this whole thing up and getting my life back," Thompson said. "I'm not wishing bad on him. It's not in my hands. But I'm so glad it's over. I've been dealing with it for so many years."

Mason's early years

Contrary to his account during the Michigan Public Radio interview, Mason was no stranger to trouble when he landed in federal prison in 1996. In fact, he had spent most of his early adult years in and out of the courtroom.

"He was no one to play with," Thompson said of Mason's reputation in Alton in the 1990s. "He was a pretty tough guy."

In 1989 and 1990, two misdemeanor battery charges against Mason were filed but eventually dropped, according to court records. He was also fined in 1989 for a misdemeanor property damage charge.

Things then escalated on Valentine's Day the next year, at age 20, when he was indicted on two felonies.

In the first, Mason and four other men were accused of shooting at a couple. He was charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated assault. Prosecutors also filed aggravated assault, mob action and armed violence charges against Mason and others in a separate shooting, though the latter two charges were eventually dismissed.

He was sentenced in April of that year to four years in prison. It's unclear exactly how much time he spent there, but by September 1993 he was free and living in Alton with his sister, two brothers and a niece, according to court documents. Mason was a lifelong Madison County resident at that point, save for his time in prison, and he had three children  two of whom were with Thompson's sister.

Mason faced legal trouble, though, when he was charged with robbing and shooting at a man. He pleaded guilty a few months later, and a judge sentenced him to "intensive supervision probation."

But his probation was revoked the next year after the shooting that prompted his flight from the St. Louis area.

Prosecutors said in two separate incidents on May 15, 1994, Mason shot a man four times and broke into an Alton woman's home and threatened her with a weapon. He was charged with home invasion and attempted murder.

But police couldn't find him to arrest him. Mason had seemingly disappeared, and the case lay dormant for 30 years.

Life in Michigan

By December 1994, seven months after the shooting, Mason was living in the Kalamazoo area and living under the name Dorynell Thompson. His uncle has ties to the area, public records show.

Less than two years after starting his new life, Mason found himself in court again. This time, it was federal.

Mason was charged  as Dorynell Thompson  with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. He was one of about a dozen co-defendants in the case, including his uncle, Sammy Dyer. The group was dubbed "The Ross drug organization" after the main conspirator, authorities said, and drugs were brought in from Gary, Indiana, Mexico and other locations.

Mason, who went by the nickname "Base," was charged with acting as a courier, transporting the drugs to the small town of Benton Harbor, Michigan, about 50 miles west of Kalamazoo.

Still, his real identity remained hidden. He was sentenced to 25 years.

His lawyer in that case, Richard Zambon, said in an interview he learned of his client's ruse only after he was charged with identity theft this month in Madison County.

"If he had told me about this subterfuge, I would have said, 'Let's deal with it and get it over and done with, and then you don't have to worry about always looking over your shoulder,'" he said, noting that state and federal authorities may have agreed to give him concurrent sentences for all of his cases if he had come clean.

Zambon said both he and federal prosecutors were suspicious at the time of the influence Dyer seemed to have over his nephew. He now wonders if it was related to Mason's uncle knowing about his stolen identity.

Dyer was sentenced to 30 years in prison and was released in June 2018, according to online records. He could not be reached for comment.

Mason was released in 2013 after federal authorities gave the power to judges to reduce penalties for crack cocaine offenses that had received harsh sentences.

Mason remained under court supervision after being released, but his lawyer said that ended early because Mason showed perfect compliance  a trait he also showed in prison.

"I hate to say  he was a good guy," Zambon said. "But that's what he was. I mean, he was cooperative. He was nice, he was never rude or inconsiderate to me. I got along real well with him."

Soon after his release, Mason was ordained as a minister, he said in an interview with Michigan Public Radio. He had begun working toward ordainment while in prison and had taken classes with the Jericho Christian Training College, according to court documents.

'His face popped up under my name'

Thompson first noticed his identity was being used around 2017, when the Alton resident received a letter from the IRS that said he owed money on wages he reported in another state.

"I didn't really didn't know what to do," Thompson said. "The IRS sent me a letter saying that I'm working in a different state. They did not state that I was working in Michigan. So I had no clue. I just knew that someone was reporting income using my Social Security number."

Another IRS letter came in 2018, and he worked with the office to flag his Social Security number.

Around the same time, Thompson's family started investigating who was using his name. His dad in 2019 suggested he run Thompson's name through online prison records.

"His face popped up under my name," Thompson said. "And I knew him, and that was what was surprising to me."

Meanwhile, Thompson's credit trouble continued. He was turned down for a home loan, and he was told he couldn't get a car loan because he had just taken one out even though he hadn't.

"When I checked my credit report, I was kind of floored." Thompson said. "I mean, I had stuff on there coming out of Michigan. Someone put a car in my name and credit cards and stuff like that. My credit score was really low."

Thompson said he went to Alton police and they told him they would get back to him. After a year of waiting, he said he went back and officers there didn't have information about his initial report. That pattern continued for a few years.

Meanwhile, Thompson, a longtime cement mason, suffered an injury. But he was denied Supplemental Security Income payments, he said, because the government said he was still working in Michigan.

Thompson said it wasn't until he talked to Alton Mayor David Goins about his situation last year that the case finally gained traction. Goins also knew Mason in the '90s and recognized his mugshot in the prison record.

The mayor called the police chief about the case last fall, Thompson said.

"I don't know what conversation they had, but everything started rolling," he said. "By knowing who (Mason) is, it was easy for David to say, 'Hey, this guy is really stealing this guy's identity.' I was fortunate that David happened to be the mayor."

'It was just not worth it'

While Thompson struggled to track down who was destroying his credit and using his identity, Mason's life outside of prison seemed to be flourishing.

He told Canty, the public radio host, he married his wife Trina Henry in September 2015.

"My life is truly a blessing," he said in the November 2015 interview. "I am just grateful to have another chance and another opportunity to get my life back."

Mason can be seen smiling in a photo posted to Facebook in April 2014 on Life Changing Ministries, a church in the Kalamazoo area. The post identified him as Thompson and featured other church members hanging out after a Sunday service.

But Mason's post-prison life wasn't without its bumps. In August 2016 he was charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated. One of those charges was dropped, and he paid fines for the other, according to court documents.

A year later in October 2017 he was again charged with a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated, and again he paid fines for the charge.

A few months before that second charge, Henry's son, 31-year-old Brian Robinson, was killed in a hit-and-run crash. Mason, still living as Thompson at the time, can be seen in the background of a TV news story about his stepson's death a year later.

"I just want the person that was responsible to actually take responsibility for their actions," Henry says during the newscast, as Mason helps other family members decorate a memorial behind her.

Last month, Henry posted Mason's $15,000 cash bail, the amount set in 1994 when his warrant for attempted murder was issued. But he was taken back into custody on the new 2024 identity theft warrant and is being held without pretrial release after Madison County prosecutors argued earlier this month that he "has a high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution."

During the 2015 interview with Michigan Public Radio, Mason advocated for second chances for nonviolent offenders.

Without the reduced sentence that freed him from prison early, he said, "life wouldn't be as great as it is now."

And he reflected on the choices that landed him in prison, too.

I tell you what," he said, "it was just not worth it."
Hi, Im Justin. Im new here, I introduced myself. What the hell was I doing there? I felt like Sasquatch at a ballet recital. At 22 years old, 200 pounds of lean muscle mass and 4 percent body fat, I sat and listened to women describe their anorexia. Which is the most fatal mental health condition. Organ failure, wasting away, suicide. Its deadly serious, more so than any other psychiatric illness. Good thing Im different, I thought.

I was sitting in the group therapy circle at a specialized unit for eating disorders at a hospital in New Jerseythe only man among 26 women, including teenagers and an 11-year-old. Several were ballet dancers. And then me, the new in-patient. A 16-year-old talked about needing to be smaller. I didnt get it. She was tiny already. Me? I needed to be bigger. I grew up with 1980s action movies. Conan the Barbarian was like an uncle to me.

Actually, my father was my personal Conan. A competitive bodybuilder, he wore neon-pink bikini bottoms and flexed onstage. He would take me backstage at his competitions and toss me a bottle of spray tan: Here son, go ahead and grease up your dad! Meanwhile, my mom would sneak me chocolate cupcakes in the supermarket.

By 2002, those forces converged into a confused, weightlifting, binge-eating law student named Justin. I crashed hard. One night I had enough of my cycles and was ready to end them all. For good. Thats what landed me in the hospital.

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Id spend the next 28 days with my friendly ED group circle. Though we were cut from the same cloth, it didnt sink in. On my second day, the nurses yelled at me for doing pushups. Exercise is good for you, I retorted. I guess my co-patients had never tried to do 200 crunches on a linoleum floor, so there was no hospital workout policy in place. I was downright ready to rumble when I learned the bathroom door policy: Open at all times. Im a grown man, and I get stage fright, I argued at the wedge desk of nurses. Blank stares. One of the Skills sessions was learning how to eat food, and why its good for you  Seriously? I looked around at my horrified co-patients. Not me. I knew how to eat. Jumbo industrial cans of tuna with salsapure protein, no fat, no sugar. Thats an iron warriors meal plan.

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Then there was the actual hospital food. It was decent, even tasty, but I had preferences. I started a mutiny when I refused to eat rice pudding. I dont like milk or gelatinous dairy. Pick a state of physics, I snarkily quipped. The 11-year-old and a few others joined my nutrition sedition. Flanked by the entire nurse squad, I was escorted out of the lunchroom and rewarded with another private counseling session by the head doctor. Justin, we have a system here 

All I kept thinking was: They dont know me. They dont know how to deal with me. They kept calling me bulimic. But I never threw up. The doctor tried to point out that the definition of bulimia includes forms of compensation like purging, but also compensatory exercise and fasting. I mean, did I run on a treadmill at the highest incline going full sprint because I hated myself for inhaling two Papa Johns supreme pizzaswith buttery dipping sauce? Who doesntam I right? And skipping a few meals to bring that stomach back down to washboard flatness after gorging on Jack-in-the-Box chicken sandwiches just makes good sense. Are these compensatory measures according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders? To me, they were vital skills and techniques that gave me powerHe-Man transforming from weak Prince Adam.

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Identification is a threshold step for healing. Maybe if I had seen another man in the ED center who looked like me, who knew the riddle of steel, the pain of the squat rack, and the shame of the ice cream aisle, I might have found a crack in my armor. Or maybe, quite simply, I just wasnt ready. I learned years later that recovery is for those who want it, not for those who need it. And that eating disorders can have some of the longest relapse trajectories of all the substance abuse disorders.

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But back then, sitting across from the women in the hospital group circles, I couldnt see itour similarity despite our disparity. They had their own riddle of steeltheir wrought-iron guts and pure ferrum will. Forget my 300-pound bench press. Brooke, who I later dated and knew well after we left the hospital, was stronger than me. She was a graceful ballerina from Toronto who weighed 86 pounds. I never knew the pain of perpetual, systematic refusal of all food. At the time, I considered myself no more than a self-obsessed gym rat worried about my six-pack.

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But anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating  They are all related, and I was more alike to these women than I knew. Eating disorders, like many substance abuse disorders, involve distorted ego, an imbalanced swing from low self-esteem to egosyntonicaka pride. I discovered that my anorexic co-patients, some of whom later became my dear friends, didnt actually want to be thinner. They wanted to disappear. Too much self. The same way that the more I lifted weights and the bigger I got, the more I binged. Too much me.

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I would spend eight more years battling my binge eating, and it would be 11 years between my hospital stay and the time it was recognized as a separate affliction in the DSM-V, in 2013. In that same time, between 2000 and 2018, eating disorders doubled around the world, with binge eating becoming the most common form and the least understoodan estimated 3 percent of the U.S. population suffers from it.

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I now know that I was addicted to the highs and lows. Being at the bottom of a pendulum swing was where I came alive. Eating a shitty, greasy meal was a reason to eat healthy the next time. Screwing up was a welcome and distracting raison detre. A mission, a purposeit staves off contentment, boredom, and death. You can tell me to have a nice day. Thats easy to ignore, because its fake. But tell me to have a regular day? I will freak the F out. Thats my worst nightmare, my Sisyphean mountain, my impossible challenge. Thats why I needed my pendulum of good food versus bad food.

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I now know that most men like me suffer in silence, being more isolated and lonely than ever.

Gym culture can often mask eating disorders and body dysmorphia for young boys and men. It did for me. I thought my shredded midsection meant I was doing greatnever mind the starving and fasting and binging that came with it. And the horrible turmoil. My angsty outer armor of self-sufficiency that was tearing me apart.

I had to learn my lessons the hardest way. Through more pain. More late-night binges. More failed willpower. More scorched-soul emptiness. Relapse became my inescapable teacher. In 2010, I was finally ready to admit defeat. With my own two feet, I walked into a recovery meeting and said the first true thing I could think of: Hi, Im Justin. Im new here. And I think I need some help.
Last Thursday, 81-year-old president Joe Biden responded to one of the first questions at his debate with Donald Trump by forgetting what he was talking about and freezing up while mumbling for 20 seconds. He spent much of the rest of the 90-minute event staring at nothing in particular with a pained and vacant expression. Pitched a softball question about the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, an issue on which his party holds what is easily the more popular position with voters, Biden started his answer by seemingly conceding his opponents oft-made claim (which hadnt yet come up during the debate) that immigrants are prone to violent attacks on women. (They are not.) Calling it the worst presidential debate performance ever doesnt do it justice. Biden looked, at times, senile.

Over the weekend, though, the president consulted with his wife Jill and son Hunter, both of whom he reportedly trusts more than any of his advisers. Both reportedly urged him to stay in the race. (One of the advantages that democracy has over hereditary succession is that family members like Hunter Biden, who has a vested interest in retaining power, arent usually the head of states chief advisers. But these are unique times in many ways.) As such, the institutional Democratic Party is now concocting justifications for him to keep running. And the justifications are no good!

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The partys response starts with the claimintroduced by Biden campaign manager Jen OMalley Dillon in a Saturday memothat the perception of Bidens debate performance as disqualifying is the result of groupthink and hysteria, a mania that the Beltway class has for some reason manufactured. Wrote OMalley Dillon, If we do see changes in polling in the coming weeks, it will not be the first time that overblown media narratives have driven temporary dips in the polls.

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Thats the public line. Privately, according to reports in Politico and the New York Times, those in Bidens inner circle do realize that he looked clueless and confused, but they blame other peopleand not the president being 81 and experiencing cognitive declinefor that perception. According to Politico, some family members feel that his advisers should be fired because they over-worked him in preparation for the debate, resulting in his not being well-rested enough on Thursday, a claim that, in addition to having further Generalissimos Sons Purge Counselors in Palace Intrigue overtones, raises the question of whether world events will be considerate enough to occur while Biden is well-rested until 2029, the year through which he is asking U.S. voters to extend his presidency. Per the stories, Biden family figurespossibly including a grandchild whose idea for helping turn the campaign around is to reach out to social media influencers, a first-ballot entry in the That Oughta Do It Hall of Famealso blame CNN, which hosted the debate, for not telling him which camera he would appear on when Trump was speaking, as well as makeup staff, who made him look too pale.

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A corollary to these rationales is the idea that Biden merely had a bad debate nightBarack Obamas words, in a Friday tweetfrom which, it is implied, he can recover like other candidates who have had bad debate nights. One way to do this would be to have him make unscripted public appearances in which he could show that hes actually still energetic and articulate, but there appear to be no imminent plans to do that, for the obvious-to-everyone-else reason that mental decline in ones 80s is not reversible. Establishment figures like Obama adviser David Axelrod and former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki are also arguing that Biden cant or shouldnt be replaced because he has already been nominated by voters in primaries across the countrythose are Axelrods words, while Psaki wrote, The public has already chosen Biden. This talking point might have merit if the voting hadnt been held before the candidate had a sundowning moment at the very beginning of the first presidential debate.

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Lastly, theres the idea that Biden doesnt need to explain to voters what he has done in his first term or what he would do in a second onepolls would disagreebecause his record and reputation speak for themselves. California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna wrote that like Rocky, Bidens character is his eloquence. In successful campaigns, a candidates eloquence is usually his eloquence, and in Rocky, Rocky lost. (Like the other underdog and fighter metaphors Dems are using, the analogy additionally fails because in sports, there is no opportunity cost to permitting an underdog to compete in a match or tournament. Although the Bad News Bears are not preventing other teams from playing against the boys from the expensive summer camp, the opportunity cost of Bidens staying in the race against Trump is potentially quite high.)

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Also making a version of this case is Jill Biden, who is coincidentally appearing on the next cover of Vogue. (On the subject of family members and the trappings of power: The Biden weekend gathering that ended up being used as a referendum on staying in the race was actually prescheduled because of a Vogue shoot.) Jill has, as mentioned, been said by many insiders to be the only person who could persuade Biden to drop out, but she has instead taken on the role of defending him to donors and other party elites. (The ambient notion that only Jill can make the big decision, by the way, seems self-serving: What if Bidens advisers and Cabinet members threatened to resign? What if prospective donors pulled their money?) She told Vogue that Biden is staying in the race because he doesnt want to let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president. (But of course, when they cast their ballots, voters will be choosing a president for the next four years, not defining the previous term. That job is the purview of Slate columnists.) According to the Associated Press, the first lady has also tried to spin the situation by saying, Anyone can tell you what they want to do, but Joe Biden can tell you what hes done with his judgment, his experience, and his relationships with leaders across the globe.

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This latter phrasing, in combination with Khannas, seems to concede more than it means to, implying that Biden is unable to speak to voters and may not be engaging with them further. Frankly, it sounds like something people say about someone in their family who is approaching the end of their life. According to the AP, Jill Biden also told donors that after the debate, Biden said to her, You know, Jill, I dont know what happened. I didnt feel that great. Thats a sad thing to hear someone say. The entire situation is as sad as it gets. But making it into a farce is a choice.

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In a 63 ruling, the Supreme Court just held that people experiencing homelessness could be subject to criminal and civil penalties for sleeping in public spaces. In City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the court overturned a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which had held that these penalties were unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. This case stemmed from Grants Pass, Oregon, where local politicians were seeking to eradicate the homeless population through fines and jail time.

As a disability rights lawyer who has a disability, I know that this decision will devastate my community. People with disabilities are disproportionately likely to experience homelessness. Data reveals that 78 percent of homeless people report having mental health conditions, and an estimated 52 percent of homeless adults in shelters nationwide have a disability. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities in particular face a housing crisis with many contributing factors, such as a serious lack of safe, affordable, accessible, and integrated housing, and significant housing-related discrimination. Outdated public policy and programs unnecessarily segregate people with IDD, and community-based programs are frequently underfunded. Likewise, the lack of physically accessible and affordable housing pushes people with disabilities who rely on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income into homelessness. Only 6 percent of homes nationwide are wheelchair accessible.

People with disabilities are at the heart of the Grants Pass case. At the trial court level, multiple people submitted declarations that they were not able to stay at the only shelter in Grants Pass because of their disqualifying disabilities. For example, CarrieLynn Hill could not stay at the shelter because it banned residents from using the nebulizer she needed regularly in her room. Debra Blakes disabilities prevent her from working, and she could not comply with the shelters requirement to work 40 hours a week. Hill and Blake are examples of the impossible choices faced by so many homeless disabled people. They cannot be at the shelter, but they risk prosecution under the ordinances if they remain unhoused.

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Faced with criminal sanctions for not having a place to live, Hill and Blake, alongside other homeless people, sued Grants Pass because they felt that the ordinances amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. They relied on Robinson v. California, a Supreme Court decision from 1962. In that case, the court held that the Eighth Amendment bars state and local governments from criminalizing a status, such as being addicted to drugs.

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In Robinson, the court based its decision partially on an understanding that the Eighth Amendment bars the criminalization of disability. Writing for the Robinson majority, Justice Potter Stewart declared, It is unlikely that any State at this moment in history would attempt to make it a criminal offense for a person to be mentally ill, or a leper, or to be afflicted with a venereal disease. Even in the early 60s, the court recognized that the criminalization of disability was unconstitutional.

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This was a groundbreaking decision. From the 1860s to 1972, cities in the United States succeeded in criminalizing disability through so-called ugly laws. These horrific ordinances prohibited disabled people from existing in public. For example, an 1881 Chicago ordinance provided that no person who is diseased, maimed, mutilated or in any way deformed so as to be an unsightly or disgusting object or improper person [is] to be allowed in or on the public ways or other public places in this city. Professor Susan Schweik has documented how this type of ordinance was enacted in cities across the country. In essence, ugly laws were designed to suppress disabled bodies (including unsightly beggars). Such legislation was obviously unconstitutional post-Robinson because it criminalized the status of being diseased or maimed in public.

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Yet in Grants Pass, the Supreme Court has sent the Eighth Amendment back to the 19th century. Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch distinguished the case from Robinson, claiming that the ordinance in Grants Pass prohibits only actions like sleeping outside, regardless of housing status. The opinion implicitly overrules Robinson by casting it as an outlier that sits uneasily with the [Eighth] Amendments terms, original meaning, and our precedents. The opinion contains no reference to disability, even after a group of 24 disability rights groups filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the court to consider how Grants Pass ordinance criminalizes being disabled and homeless. My organization, the Arc of the United States, proudly signed on to this brief.

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Related From Slate This Dissent Is Why Sonia Sotomayor Is the Peoples Justice Read More

In contrast, Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissent recognizes the effect these ordinances have on the disability community, citing extensively to our amicus brief. Because of the lack of accessible housing, she writes, it is unsurprising that the burdens of homelessness fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable in our society. Sotomayor also centers the stories of Hill and Blake and deftly undermines the majoritys reasoning.

Grants Passs Ordinances criminalize being homeless. The status of being homeless (lacking available shelter) is defined by the very behavior singled out for punishment (sleeping outside). The majority protests that the Ordinances do not criminalize mere status. Saying so does not make it so.  The Ordinances purpose, text, and enforcement confirm that they target status, not conduct. For someone with no available shelter, the only way to comply with the Ordinances is to leave Grants Pass altogether.

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Grants Pass is one of several cases in this and previous Supreme Court terms that significantly affect the rights of people with disabilitieseven when disability may not be the central theme or be explicitly addressed. Applying this disability lens to the Supreme Court is critical in understanding the broader impact these decisions have on the lives of people with disabilities nationwide.

The disability rights groups argue in their brief, Criminalizing the involuntary conduct of being a homeless person without a place to sleepin a city with no public sheltersis anathema to the decency standards of any civilized society. Yet the courts decision in Grants Pass allows localities to punish, as Sotomayor writes, the very existence of those without shelter, including those with disabilities. For her part, Sotomayor remains hopeful that someday in the near future, this Court will play its role in safeguarding constitutional liberties for the most vulnerable among us. In the face of this decision, the disability rights bar will continue to fight alongside people with disabilities to ensure that the promise of constitutional and federal disability rights protections are realized to the full extent of the law. Even when Supreme Court decisions may be inconsistent with the guarantees of these laws, it is critical that courtsand the general publicunderstand what is at stake.

This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside Amicus, we kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)
This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside Amicus, we kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)

The Supreme Courts conservative supermajority fundamentally altered American democracy on Monday, awarding the president a sweeping and novel immunity when he weaponizes the power of his office for corrupt, violent, or treasonous purposes. This near-insurmountable shield against prosecution for crimes committed while in office upends the structure of the federal government, elevating the presidency to a king-like status high above the other branches. The immediate impact of the courts sweeping decision will be devastating enough, allowing Donald Trump to evade accountability for the most destructive and criminal efforts he took to overturn the 2020 election. But the long-term impact is even more harrowing. It is unclear, after Mondays decision, what constitutional checks remain to stop any president from assuming dangerous and monarchical powers that are anathema to representative government. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor put it in her terrified and terrifying dissent, the President is now a king above the law.

Trump v. United States, Mondays decision, has no basis in the Constitution as written. Donald Trump brought the case as a delay tactic, an effort to run out the clock on his prosecution before the November election. Special counsel Jack Smith has charged the former president with a series of crimes related to his conspiracy to block the peaceful transition of power in 2020, culminating in the insurrection of Jan. 6. The indictment weaves a narrative of election subversion out of various actions the president tookmany of which involved abuse of his office. In response, Trump raised a claim of absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for any official act he took before leaving the White House. The theory was, again, largely designed to stall the case, but also meant to shield him from the most damning charges if the case moved forward. First, the Supreme Court abetted his stalling strategy, taking up the appeal then sitting on it for months. Now it has rewarded his larger plan, too, cutting the legs from Smiths indictment.

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Related From Slate Elena Kagan Is Horrified by What the Supreme Court Just Did. You Should Be Too. Read More

The fundamental problem with Trumps legal theory is that it has absolutely no basis in the text of the Constitution, history, or tradition. The Framers knew how to grant immunity to officeholdersthey did it for members of Congressyet expressly declined to immunize the president. So Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, located this nonexistent rule in, for lack of a better word, a vibe ostensibly expressed by bits and bobs of the Constitution. His views flow from the premise that the Framers envisioned a vigorous and energetic executive who could fearlessly carry out his duties. Fear of criminal prosecution, Roberts warned, could interfere with vigorous, decisive, and speedy execution of his obligation to ensure the law is faithfully executed. From this hazy generalization, the chief justice extracted an atextual absolute immunity for any official act that the president takes within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority. Thus, a president who accepts a million-dollar bribe in exchange for a pardon may never be criminally prosecuted, since his pardon power falls within this exclusive sphere.

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Roberts also created, out of whole cloth, a second category of acts for which the president has presumptive immunity, which are at once broader and hazier. Any action that falls within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility now enjoys this robust immunity. How do courts know what falls within this category? They must ask if it is necessary to enable the President to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution. Roberts suggested that this immunity may also be absolute, but we need not decide that question today. Rather, the lower courts will have to apply this Jell-Ostyle standard to the allegations in the indictment, deciding whether this immunity can be rebutted. Finally, the chief justice conceded that unofficial acts receive no immunity.

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Where does that leave us? With a huge hole blown in this particular indictment and seeds sown for a future American dictator. To the first part: At the heart of Smiths case are allegations that Trump tried to coerce the Department of Justice into interfering with the 2020 election, threatening sham investigations and wielding the agencys powers to cow swing states into changing their results. These charges are critically important to Smiths case; they show a president abusing the tools of his office in a desperate bid to remain in power, arguably the highest possible betrayal of the public trust. Yet Roberts declared that this coercion amounted to an official act that is absolutely immune from prosecution. Notably, if Trump had succeeded in using his DOJ to flip the results of the election, he would have been absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for a successful coup.

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Roberts also granted presumptive immunity to many other acts in the indictment. Into this category, he placed Trumps browbeating of Vice President Mike Pence to reject swing states electoral votes on Jan. 6, because he did not wish to chill the presidents ability to discuss official matters with the Vice President or hinder the Presidents ability to perform his constitutional functions. Smith now bears the burden of rebutting this presumption of immunity by somehow showing that prosecution of this conduct does not pose dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch. The chief justices rhetoric in this passage suggests that he does not believe Smith can meet that high standard. He lumped a ton of other conduct into this category, too, including the use of his bully pulpit to demand the rejection of electoral votes and foment the insurrection on Jan. 6.

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Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissent, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, may be one of the most alarming opinions in the Supreme Courts history. Her introduction lays out the stakes:

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Todays decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law. Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for bold and unhesitating action by the President, the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more. Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent.

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Sotomayor also rejected Roberts mushy hedging designed to make his opinion sound less extreme than it really is. Make no mistake, she wrote: The elements of his decision, in effect, completely insulate Presidents from criminal liability. The chief justice invents immunity through brute force, with disastrous consequences for the Presidency and for our democracy. His dance around presumptive immunity will, she warned, not prove meaningful in practice. As for the unofficial conduct that can allegedly still be prosecuted? Roberts narrows that category almost to a nullity by denying courts the ability to inquire into the Presidents motives. Thus, a president may simply lie, claiming that an act was undertaken for some official reason, and receive near-impenetrable immunity.

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Unlike Roberts, who glossed over much of Trumps most egregious misconduct, Sotomayor dug into the sordid weeds of his scheme, explaining how it illustrates precisely the kind of conduct that merits accountability in our system. It is not conceivable, she wrote, that a prosecution for these alleged efforts to overturn a presidential election could pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.  To the contrary: The Constitution demands a transition of power when a president loses reelection, and Trump illicitly sought to interfere with that process. It gets the hierarchy of constitutional values exactly backward to insulate his most corrupt acts by labeling them official, Sotomayor warned. The majoritys approach frees every president to manipulate his authority as a weapon against perceived enemies, with potentially lethal results. She explained:

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The Court effectively creates a law-free zone around the President, upsetting the status quo that has existed since the Founding.  When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Sotomayor went on:

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Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be.

That is the majoritys message today.

Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

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The justice concluded her opinion on a chilling note: With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

After Friday, Smiths Jan. 6 prosecution stands on shaky ground. The district court must now spend many more months parsing the distinction between acts that are absolutely immune, almost certainly immune, and non-immune (if this final category even really exists). If a trial ever happenswhich would first require Trump to lose his bid to reclaim the presidency, since his DOJ would dismantle the criminal cases against himit will take place in the distant future; Trump will surely appeal the district courts application of Roberts foggy taxonomy, and may well receive another favorable decision at SCOTUS. Beyond that, all future presidents will enter office with the knowledge that they are protected from prosecution for even the most appalling and dangerous abuses of power so long as they insist they were seeking to carry out their duties, as they understood them. (Remember, courts cannot even question their motives.) The Framers of the Constitution, wary of reestablishing the monarchy they overthrew, carefully limited the chief executives powers. And six justices just crowned him king.
At Supreme Court oral argument in the Texas social media case back in February, Justice Samuel Alito asked the question: Lets say YouTube were a newspaper, how much would it weigh? In Mondays Supreme Court opinion in Moody v. NetChoice, a five-justice majority over Alitos objection did not directly answer that absurd question, but it did say that under the First Amendment, Facebook should get about the same amount of editorial discretion as the Miami Herald. And thats some good news from an otherwise bleak end of the Supreme Court term.

As I first explained at Slate back in February, Moody concerns a pair of laws, one from Florida and one from Texas, that regulate different aspects of social media. Among the most important provisions in each of the laws is a limit on content moderation. The state laws differ in their particulars, but both were motivated by the removal of Donald Trump from major social media platforms after the violence of Jan. 6, 2021, and a general complaint that the platforms were unfairly censoring conservative voices on their platforms. A coalition of internet companies, NetChoice, challenged the laws claiming they violated the First Amendment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit put key parts of the Florida law on hold but the 5th Circuit allowed Texas law to go forward pending further proceedingsan action the Supreme Court reversed as it considered these issues.

In Mondays opinion in Moody, the Supreme Court was unanimous in holding that the way that NetChoice litigated its cases was not proper. It had brought a facial challenge to the law under the First Amendment, which essentially requires showing that in almost any way that the state might try to enforce its law, doing so would be unconstitutional. The justices agreed that these laws were very complex and the issues were not fully developed. As Justice Elena Kagan explained for the majority, the cases were litigated as if it was just about whether Facebook could curate its news feed. But it was not clear how this law might apply to Gmail, or Etsy, or Venmo. The case is going back for better legal and factual development to both courts.

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Thats where the agreement among the justices ended. Speaking for herself, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and Sonia Sotomayor, Kagan gave guidance on where the 5th Circuit went wrong in its First Amendment analysis in considering the constitutionality of the Texas content moderation decisions. None of this was necessary for the decision (in legal parlance, it was dicta), but the court addressed the issue because [i]f we said nothing about those views, the court presumably would repeat them when it next considers NetChoices challenge. The other justices would not have reached the First Amendment merits, although Alito expressed some serious reservations about the analysis.

Related From Slate Elena Kagan Is Horrified by What the Supreme Court Just Did. You Should Be Too. Read More

Kagans guidance relied heavily on a 1974 case, Miami Herald v. Tornillo, in which the court held unconstitutional a Florida law that required newspapers to print the reply of someone who had been criticized in the newspaper. The court held that private actors like newspapers have every right under the First Amendment to include or exclude content as they see fit.

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To Kagan, social media companies in moderating content were just like newspapers. She said that curating content is expressive activity protected by the First Amendment and that includes the decision to exclude content and that this principle is true even if most content is allowed and just a little bit is excluded. Further, when it comes to laws regulating speech, the government cannot get its way just by asserting an interest in improving, or better balancing, the marketplace of ideas. Were the rule otherwise, Kagan asserted, the platforms could be forced by Texas law to carry bad content including posts that support Nazi ideology; advocate for terrorism; espouse racism, Islamophobia, or anti-Semitism; glorify rape or other gender-based violence; encourage teenage suicide and self-injury; discourage the use of vaccines; advise phony treatments for diseases; [and] advance false claims of election fraud.

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Moody might seem like an unremarkable decision, consistent with long-standing First Amendment principles. And indeed, in an amicus brief in the cases that I filed with political scientist Brendan Nyhan and journalism professor Amy Wilentz and co-authored with Nat Bach and his team at Manatt Phelps, we argued that Tornillo is the right analogy.

But in endorsing this view of the First Amendment, the majority brushed aside a major argument made by Justice Clarence Thomas in earlier cases and by First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh that social media companies should be treated differently because they function like common carriers, such as the phone company. Just like Verizon cannot deny you a phone because of what you might say using it, the argument is that Facebook had to be open to everyones view.

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The court gives the argument the back of its hand, never even addressing it directly; Alito says the majority brushes aside the argument without adequate consideration. Thomas says the argument should still be pursued in the lower courts, but its squarely inconsistent with what the Kagan majority says in its dicta. Volokh too sees many unanswered questions and thinks there is still a chance for some parts of these laws to be upheld when the cases get back to the lower court.

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Beating back this common carrier argument, at least for now, is a victory for democracy. Had Texas won, as we argued in our amicus brief, a state would be free to require a social media company to carry not just election denialist speech but speech that foments political violence.

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Social media companies are in many ways not like newspapers in terms of volume and reach and the ability of everyone to share their own views and opinions. But when social media companies regulate content, they can act as responsible corporate citizens and remove speech they find objectionable. We know from Elon Musks takeover of Twitter (now X) that not all platforms will act responsibly. Thats a pity, but as the Supreme court said Monday, its a choice for the platforms to make.

This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside Amicus, we kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)
Three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting near the University of Cincinnati early Monday, police officials reported.

Police patrolling nearby rushed to the scene when they heard multiple gunshots in the town of Corryville at 2:50 a.m. They found one male dead at the site. Two others injured died a short time later at a local hospital.

Two more injured victims remained in the hospital for treatment Monday afternoon, officials said.

None of the victims' names were released.

The University of Cincinnati quickly sent out an alert on X warning students that police were responding in the area. A following alert warned that a shooting had occurred near the campus.

"If safe, stay at your location. Be observant/take action as needed," the alert urged. It issued an all-clear by 4 a.m.

UC Emergency- Police responding to emergency reported on Highland/E University. If safe, stay at your location. Be observant/take action as needed.  UC Public Safety (@UCPublicSafety) July 1, 2024

Cincinnati Police Capt. Mark Burns told the Cincinnati Enquirer that an officer spotted a man carrying a gun into a home after the shootings.

"They don't know if he was the shooter or if he was hiding a weapon; we have no idea," Burns said. He later surrendered and was taken into custody, Burns said.

Police are seeking a motive for the shootings and were continuing to collect evidence on the scene.
Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felony counts in the New York hush money casebut theres a lengthy appeals process ahead. And what ever happened to the other three cases against himJack Smiths federal election interference and classified documents cases, and Fani Willis Georgia election interference case? All three have hit various roadblocks. To make it easier to follow all of Trumps ongoing legal entanglements, each Monday well keep you updated on the latest developments in Keeping Up With the Trump Trials.

Its undoubtedly been a great week for Donald Trump. In a seismic decision released Monday, the Supreme Court found that Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for any official actions he took as president. In a separate case, Fischer v. United States, the court also narrowed the scope of a federal obstruction law that has been used to prosecute hundreds of Jan. 6 riotersa decision that could potentially weaken Jack Smiths criminal indictment. And to top it all off, Justice Juan Merchan agreed to lift a portion of his gag order in Trumps hush money conviction.

The Supreme Court Decides On Presidential Immunityand Sends the Case Back to Judge Chutkan

In a 63 decision, the conservative justices handed the former president a massive win in Trump v. United States. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing the courts majority opinion, declares that the nature of the presidency requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office.

Roberts writes that official actions having to do with core constitutional powers are covered by presidential immunity. Trump is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all of his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts. The justice also writes that Trumps discussions with his Department of Justice to overturn the 2020 election results are an official act that he cannot be prosecuted forknocking down a key pillar of Smiths indictment. And when Trump pressured his vice president, Mike Pence, to reject swing states electoral votes on Jan. 6, thats also an official act that Trump is now safe from ever being prosecuted for.

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What about those unofficial acts? Well, Roberts doesnt clearly define what falls under that category, leaving that determination instead to U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan. Roberts decision creates a glaring loophole, as Slates Mark Joseph Stern explains. A president may simply lie, claiming that an act was undertaken for some official reason, and receive near-impenetrable immunity.

Chutkan now has her work cut out for her, after Trumps federal election-interference case has been on the back burner for the past six months. Shell have to go through Smiths indictment with a fine-tooth comb and apply the Supreme Courts new standard for presidential immunity, parsing Trumps actions into official and unofficial categories while also determining whats left of the special counsels election interference indictment. Its expected to be a complex process that all but guarantees that Smith will be unable to prosecute Trump before the November election.

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Another SCOTUS Decision Weakens Jack Smiths Indictment

Last week, the Supreme Court found, in Fischer v. United States, that the government had overreached with a law it used to prosecute hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6including Trumpby misapplying a federal criminal obstruction law.

Congress passed the law in question, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in the aftermath of the Enron scandal, making it a crime to destroy documents to obstruct a government investigation, the way the companys accountants notoriously did when they suspected that the Securities and Exchange Commission would be coming for them. The act also made it illegal to otherwise obstruct an official proceeding, wording the DOJ seized upon to charge hundreds who participated in the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitoluntil Joseph Fischer, one of the many who was charged, sued. The Supreme Court decided that Sarbanes-Oxley was intended to target those who try to destroy or manipulate physical documents, and narrowed its scope accordingly.

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This means that the special counsel may have to reconsider at least two of the four charges against Trump in his election interference indictment. However, Smith has previously argued that his charges against Trump could still hold up because of the use of physical false electoral certificates that were sent to Congress and meant to be used on Jan. 6.

Aileen Cannon Will Reconsider Trumps Attorney-Client Privilege

Last week, Judge Aileen Cannon agreed to reconsider a ruling made last year in the classified documents case that allowed Smith to access information between Trump and his former attorney Evan Corcoranwhich might have been protected by attorney-client privilege.

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Judge Beryl A. Howell, who was then chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, ruled last year that Trump had most likely used information Corcoran had given him to further a crime, and she applied the crime-fraud exception. This allowed Smith to force Corcoran to waive his attorney-client privilege when answering questions before a grand jury. Corcoran was also required to hand over audio recordings he made of his description of conversations with Trump in which they had discussed returning classified documents to the government. Howells ruling was a hugely consequential win for Smiths case, and Trumps attorneys have fought to have it overturned since then.

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In her order, Cannon wrote that there was nothing unduly prejudicial or legally erroneous about Defendant Trumps fact-development request, despite Smiths prosecution team arguing that a hearing on the matter would inevitably end up creating a mini-trial.

Cannons decision to reconsider the application of the crime-fraud exception comes a week after she held a four-hour hearing to assess whether Smith had been improperly appointed as special counsel. And although Cannon continues to give space to countless motions brought by Trumps defense team, a trial date for the classified documents is nowhere in sight.

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The Hush Money Gag Order Is Loosened

After spending months fuming over Justice Juan Merchans gag order in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs hush money case, Trump is finally allowed to publicly comment on witnesses and the jury from the criminal trial that made him a convicted felon.

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Merchan modified the terms of his gag order, since the hush money trial has ended and all witnesses and jurors have been discharged. However, Merchan is still banning Trump and his lawyers from publicly disclosing the names and addresses of individual jurors and from speaking about court staffers, prosecutors, and their families until he is sentenced July 11.

During the trial, Trump violated Merchans gag order at least 10 times, accumulating $10,000 in fines and prompting the judge to threaten him with jail time. In Trumps civil fraud case, he also violated a judges gag order, earning $15,000 in fines.
RMA Media under the leadership of Managing Director & CEO Faredoon Kuka, serves as a pivotal gateway for Indian industries aspiring to make their mark on the global stage

proudly representing esteemed publications such as the The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Telegraph UK, Figaro France, France TV, Politiken, FD Mediagroep Netherlands,, and more. Today, the company continues to facilitate unparalleled opportunities for Indian businesses to amplify their global presence and forge impactful connections on the world stage."We are especially impressed with Kukas dedication and proactive nature in regularly updating himself and his team on changes in SPH and keeping us abreast of the changes on their side. RMA Media has grown SPHs print business in these markets with a year on-year average increase of 30 percent since our partnership in the 1990s, says Leslie Fong, Executive Vice President of the Marketing Division at SPH, Singapore's largest omnichannel media network.RMA Media embarked on its journey with humble origins under the guidance of Kuka's father-in-law, Ronny Mistry, in 1982. At that time, the concept of international advertising was largely unexplored by Indian companies. Kuka joined the company in 1991 and swiftly ascended to the position of CEO by 1997.Infact his son Rushad Kuka joined the company and he looks after Brand Management and Business Development. The three generations involved in RMA are determined to carry forward the legacy of the Founder, Ronny Mistry (Kuka's father in-law).Over the span of four decades, the company has experienced steady growth, evolving into a powerhouse headquartered in Mumbai, with a widespread presence across the nation. Offices are strategically positioned in key cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Cochin, among others. Kuka believes People make the Organization and he is proud that most of his colleagues have been part of the RMA family from the time of its inception. Kuka continues to follow the principles left behind by the Founder Ronny Mistry and leads his dedicated team with The values of the old and the spirit of the new'."We exclusively represent the top ranking titles from each global market. When Indian clients engage with us, we provide comprehensive information and expert guidance, enabling them to make informed decisions about their advertising investments. Our goal is to optimize our every client's reach within their designated market while maximizing the value of their budget", concludes Kuka.
Coalition MPs have shown how they will counteract Pellegrini the statesman.

Peter Pellegrini arrived at the EU summit in Brussels on June 27, where he represented Slovakia in place of Prime Minister Robert Fico. (Source: AP/TASR)

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Smer MPs contrive to spoil Pellegrinis first official presidential trip. The new president met Ukraines President Zelensky in Brussels. The coalition quickly takes control of another cultural fund.

Last Week in Slovakia is taking a short break next week. We will be back with an update on Slovak affairs on July 15 before a longer break later in August.

Smer MPs force Pellegrini to swallow a bitter pill in Prague

Our differences of opinion on some issues must not endanger nor worsen our splendid brotherly relations, said President Peter Pellegrini on his first official trip in Prague. He travelled to meet his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel, honouring a tradition that has developed between Slovaks and Czechs since their 1993 velvet divorce which dictates that constitutional officials in both countries pay their first foreign visit to their brotherly counterparts.

While Pellegrini acted the statesman, walking down the red carpet in Prague, back home in Bratislava some of the sentiments expressed by his former coalition allies towards the Czech government were far from velvety.

Nearly simultaneously with the joint press conference of the two presidents in Prague, Smer MPs stood before journalists in the conference room of the Slovak parliament to wag accusing fingers at the Czech ministers and the countrys police.

Former Slovak Police Corps president Tibor Gaspar suggested that the Czech police are overlooking cases of people who have expressed approval online of the May 15 attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Gaspar, who was last week elected to fill the post of deputy speaker of parliament vacated by Smers Lubos Blaha, who is preparing to take up his new mandate in the European Parliament, is among the defendants in the Purgatory case, where he faces accusations of abusing the police force to target the Smer partys political opponents. The irony that he is now accusing the Czech police of supposedly acting based on political motivation, seems lost on him.

Less than brotherly
Experts warn of potential shortage.

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Recently, a pan-European survey showed that Slovaks are obsessed with losing weight. They consider being overweight as the biggest defect when it comes to their attractiveness, reports the Sme daily.

However, in order to lose weight, many are willing to buy medicine for diabetes. One such drug is Ozempic, a prescription drug fully covered by health insurance companies. Its official price is approximately 83. Nevertheless, many Slovaks are willing to order it online and pay hundreds of euros. The drug is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and functions as weight loss medication as well.

According to data from Slovakia's State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL), 1,708 packs of 1 mg Ozempic were consumed in the last quarter of 2023. These were not covered by health insurance companies. However, by the end of the first quarter of 2024 the number almost doubled; a total of 3,381 packs were consumed.

The increase is so high that SUKL expects a temporary shortage in the coming weeks. Deliveries to Slovakia are set based on the number of diabetics, not the number of people who want to lose weight. In addition to Ozempic, Slovaks are also very interested in other drugs with the same active substance - semaglutide - such as Wegovy and Rybelsus.

SUKL warns that by buying from various websites, Slovaks may become victims of fraud and pay for an ineffective drug, or create health issues for themselves.
LEBANON, Tenn. (AP)  Joey Logano felt he couldn't get to the finish line fast enough with his No. 22 Ford sputtering and nearly out of gas.

First, he had to hold off the driver with the fastest car to win the rain-delayed race that seemingly wouldn't end Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway in a NASCAR Cup Series-record fifth overtime.

Logano had a pack of pursuers on his bumper and knew he had to make one more move to block Tyler Reddick in Turn 4. Then Logano went bonkers after making it over the line first at the Ally 400.

Definitely as close as you can cut it for sure," Logano said about stretching his fuel almost to the last drop.

Logano held off Reddick's charge in Turn 1 on the final lap and again in Turn 4. He then beat Zane Smith, Reddick, Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher to the line in the race that started nearly six hours earlier and went 31 laps longer than the 300 that were scheduled.

The fuel light in Loganos Ford came on going into Turn 3 after the engine sputtered on the backstretch, and Logano  who ran the last 110 laps without stopping on the 1.33-mile concrete oval  said it stumbled across the line. All the caution laps helped stretch a tank expected to last 85 laps at best.

Its a much-needed win for sure, a smiling and relieved Logano said about his first victory this year and 33rd of his career.

If the finish wasnt thrilling enough, the mayhem continued. Chase Briscoe ran out of fuel. Daniel Suarez and Martin Truex Jr. made contact, spinning Truex into the wall. Chase Elliott spun off Turn 4 and into the grass.

Smith wasnt happy at finishing second, though he said he wouldnt do anything different after the rookies best Cup finish.

I felt like I chose the right lane, and its crazy how much different these cars drive with cleaner air, Smith said. Just proud of our strategy there.

Reddick was upset with himself on pit road, convinced he let his second victory of the year slip through his fingers.

All the good cars ran out of fuel, and we were in position to pass the 22, Reddick said about Logano. He hadnt been good all day long, and I didnt get the job done.

Denny Hamlin, who started on the pole and took the lead with seven laps left in regulation, was two laps from winning when Austin Cindrics crash set up the chaotic finish. Hamlin finished 12th after pitting in overtime to avoid running out of fuel.

It certainly stinks, Hamlin said,

A thunderstorm that forced NASCAR to halt the race at 137 laps for 1 hour, 21 minutes washed off the traction that had built up. As a result, several cars got loose and crashed into the wall or slid into the grass.

That helped set up a thrilling race after Christopher Bell won the first two stages before crashing.

Hamlin took the lead going high into Turn 1, and Chastain went to the apron trying to hold him off and wobbled. That was enough for Hamlin to pass Chastains Chevrolet in what turned out to be only the first late lead change of a race that featured repeated crashes on restarts.

I had a shot to win, said Chastain, who led 45 laps while seeking his first win since the 2023 season finale at Phoenix.

Cindric set up the repeating overtimes when he made contact with Noah Gragson with two laps left. On the restart, points leader Kyle Larson caught the apron and slid with the right corner of his Chevrolet sending Chastain into the wall in Turn 1 for the 12th caution.

Larson then ran out of gas on another restart, causing Kyle Busch to crash into him. That's when Hamlin went for gas, scrambling the field for the wild finish.

Bell, who won last week at New Hampshire, won the first two stages before hitting the wall on lap 228.

Just put myself in a bad spot and lost my cool, Bell said. Got back in traffic with all those yellow flags. Had a bad restart.

Drivers tried to run as many laps as possible before an incoming thunderstorm on a steamy, humid Tennessee afternoon.

Lightning brought out the red flag, stopping the race after 137 laps with clouds in Turn 4 so heavy that it looked like a funnel was trying to form before heavy rain. The storm moved through quickly and dryers hit the track about 25 minutes after racing stopped.

Barely a half-hour after the race stopped, a rainbow could be seen. NASCAR sent drivers back to their cars about 70 minutes after the red flag, and the stoppage lasted 81 minutes with 143 laps remaining.

Playoff update

With the win, Logano's fretful nights worrying about making the chase are over. He became the 11th winner this season, leaving five spots left.

Not his day

John Hunter Nemechek raced to his second Xfinity Series victory of the year Saturday, then made his first Cup start at this track Sunday. The experience didnt carry over. Nemechek spun into the grass off Turn 4 of lap 117 to bring out the second caution of the race.

Up next

The Chicago street race is July 7.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/air-defense-shoots-down-36-ukrainian-drones-over-russian-regions---mod-1119199596.html

Air Defense Shoots Down 36 Ukrainian Drones Over Russian Regions - MoD

Air Defense Shoots Down 36 Ukrainian Drones Over Russian Regions - MoD

Sputnik International

Russian air defense systems suppressed and destroyed 36 Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod Regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

2024-07-01T04:38+0000

2024-07-01T04:38+0000

2024-07-01T04:38+0000

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"During the past night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was prevented. Air defense systems destroyed and suppressed 18 UAVs over the Bryansk Region, while nine UAVs were destroyed over the Kursk Region, and nine UAVs were destroyed over the Belgorod Region," the ministry said.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240629/russian-air-defenses-down-six-ukrainian-drones-over-4-regions-overnight-1119174833.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/bavarian-court-enables-german-counterintelligence-to-monitor-afd-in-bavaria-1119207744.html

Bavarian Court Enables German Counterintelligence to Monitor AfD in Bavaria

Bavarian Court Enables German Counterintelligence to Monitor AfD in Bavaria

Sputnik International

The Munich administrative court has rejected the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's claim against the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, allowing the agency to continue monitoring the party for suspected right-wing extremism, media reported on Monday.

2024-07-01T14:23+0000

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The monitoring started in 2022 and its expected outcome was a report that would either confirm or remove the initial suspicion, the Muenchner Merkur newspaper reported. In May, a higher administrative court in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia ruled that the federal agency's decision to classify the party as "suspected of right-wing extremism" was justified. The domestic intelligence agency has labeled three AfD chapters  in Thuringia, Saxony and in Saxony-Anhalt  as "extremist." Earlier in June, AfD member Eugene Schmidt told Sputnik that the attempt to ban the party was an anti-democratic procedure that revealed the political establishment in Germany was overwhelmed and threatened by the party's success in the 2024 European Parliament elections. German lawmaker Marco Wanderwitz said in June that he had convinced enough members of German parliament to submit a motion to ban the AfD over alleged ties to far-right extremism. If the Bundestag approves the motion, the potential banning of the AfD would then have to be considered by the Federal Constitutional Court.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231009/regional-election-results-suggest-afd-has-become-major-political-force-in-germany-1114049361.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/boeing-purchasing-spirit-aerosystems-for-47bln-amid-criminal-fraud-charges-1119204199.html

Boeing Purchasing Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7Bln Amid Criminal Fraud Charges

Boeing Purchasing Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7Bln Amid Criminal Fraud Charges

Sputnik International

Boeing on Monday announced a $4.7 billion acquisition of its supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings to coordinate commercial production systems, including safety and quality management.

2024-07-01T09:42+0000

2024-07-01T09:42+0000

2024-07-01T09:42+0000

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us

antony blinken

davos

boeing 737

boeing 737 max

boeing

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Earlier in the day, a source told Sputnik that the US Department of Justice is planning to charge Boeing with fraud over its alleged breach of a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. By reintegrating Spirit, Boeing is expected to be able to fully align workforce, commercial production systems, including safety and quality management "to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes  centered on safety and quality," Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun was quoted as saying. Boeing's acquisition of Spirit will include all Boeing-related commercial operations and additional commercial, defense and aftermarket operations, the statement said. Both entities will work together to "ensure the continuity of operations supporting Spirit's customers and programs it acquires," including working with the US Department of Defense and Spirit defense customers on defense and security missions, the statement read. In May, the Justice Department notified Boeing it was subject to criminal prosecution after it had determined that the company breached a 2021 agreement between them to avoid criminal charges for the two fatal 737 MAX crashes that occurred in 2018 and 2019. Under the agreement, Boeing paid $2.5 billion in penalties and vowed to improve its safety and compliance protocols. However, federal prosecutors recently recommended to senior Justice Department officials that Boeing be prosecuted for failing to improve the safety of its aircraft after a series of mishaps this year, including a door panel that blew off an Alaska Airlines flight shortly after takeoff, a source familiar with the matter told Sputnik. Boeing aircraft has encountered safety and quality issues in recent years. In January, the US Federal Aviation Authority temporarily grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 planes in the United States after a door panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight. The same month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Boeing 737 was grounded in Davos, Switzerland due to an oxygen leak, forcing him to board an alternate aircraft to return to the US. On April 3, his plane was grounded again in Paris due to a mechanical issue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/federal-prosecutors-recommend-criminal-charges-against-boeing-amid-ethics-concerns-1119086309.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/brazilian-president-says-ready-to-contribute-to-russia-ukraine-talks-1119211862.html

Brazilian President Says Ready to Contribute to Russia-Ukraine Talks

Brazilian President Says Ready to Contribute to Russia-Ukraine Talks

Sputnik International

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday that he is hoping that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine can begin soon and says his country can play a role.

2024-07-01T20:35+0000

2024-07-01T20:35+0000

2024-07-01T20:35+0000

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lula da silva

vladimir putin

volodymyr zelensky

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Brazil was one of several countries that attended Ukraine's so-called "peace summit" in Switzerland last month, an event Russia was not invited to attend.The Brazilian president said that his country would never be part to the Ukrainian conflict and reiterated that it could end at the negotiating table. In May, Brazil and China issued a joint proposal for peace in Ukraine which called for an international peace conference "that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties as well as fair discussion of all peace plans."President Vladimir Putin said in June that Russia would immediately cease fire and begin negotiations with Ukraine after Kiev withdrew troops from Russia-controlled territories and officially abandoned its plans to join NATO. Putin described Ukraine's NATO ambition as a direct threat to the national security and insisted that Kiev's non-aligned status was extremely important for future peace efforts. Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected Moscow's proposal as an ultimatum. His presidential term expired on May 20, but he postponed the election, citing martial law.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240611/lula-confirms-brazils-position-on-ukraine-conflict-in-conversation-with-putin-1118900857.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/canada-violated-rights-of-iranians-by-not-allowing-polling-booths---interim-foreign-minister-1119207325.html

Canada 'Violated Rights of Iranians' by Not Allowing Polling Booths - Interim Foreign Minister

Canada 'Violated Rights of Iranians' by Not Allowing Polling Booths - Interim Foreign Minister

Sputnik International

Canada has violated the rights of Iranians by not granting permission to set up polling stations to let them exercise their voting rights, Ali Bagheri Kani, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Sputnik.

2024-07-01T16:29+0000

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2024-07-01T16:29+0000

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Canada has violated the rights of Iranians by not letting the embassy set up polling stations for the presidential election, Ali Bagheri Kani, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Sputnik.While multiple polling stations were opened for expatriates in countries such as Germany, Iraq, the US and the UK, Canadian authorities refused permission for Iranian election activities on the territory of the country.Bagheri was referring to the Canadian government's "provocative and irresponsible" decision on June 20 to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a "terrorist entity."Bagheri said Canada was in effect condoning the genocide of the Israeli regime and the actions of terrorists, since the IRGC is a part of Irans armed forces  and helps fight against terrorist factions in Iraq and Syria.It was a violation of human rights to leave many Iranians unable to cast their absentee ballots in Canada, Kazem Gharibabadi, the Secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, said earlier."After Canada severed diplomatic relations with Iran, we no longer have any political representation in Canada, and a vast number of Iranians there are deprived of consular services," he said. "How are Iranians supposed to participate in the presidential elections there? Is Canada's action against human rights or not?"Snap elections were called in Iran following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials in a helicopter crash on May 19 that was caused by a technical malfunction, according to IRNA.The first round of voting was held on Friday, June 28. The four candidates for the presidential position were Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Saeed Jalili, Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.According to IRNA, over 24.5 million votes have been counted from more than 58,000 polling stations across 482 areas of Iran. As none of the candidates gained more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round, a run-off between the two highest-polling candidates will take place on July 5.Pezeshkian, who served as minister of health under former President Mohammad Khatami, will face off against Jalili, a representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/western-hypocrisy-exposed-by-support-for-gaza-holocaust--analyst-1118856390.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240629/iran-to-hold-2nd-round-of-snap-presidential-election-on-july-5---interior-ministry-1119177230.html

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Steve Bannon, an outspoken ally of former President Donald Trump, reported to prison Monday to serve a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress  claiming he was "proud" to do so despite trying to avoid it for two years.

Bannon, 70, arrived at Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, around noon and was formally taken into custody, the Associated Press reported, citing the Bureau of Prisons.

Earlier, Bannon struck a note of defiance outsde the low-security lockup.

"I am proud of going to prison today," he told reporters.

His surrender followed a lengthy, unsuccessful appeal of his July 2022 conviction and repeated attempts to postpone his sentence, including a last-ditch effort that Supreme Court rejected on Friday.

"I am a political prisoner." - Steve Bannon

During his remarks, Bannon called himself a "political prisoner" and claimed he was "standing up" against the "corrupt" Department of Justice.

He also said Trump was "very supportive" of him.

A federal jury in Washington, D.C., convicted Bannon on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was among a small group of people who gathered outside the prison to await Bannon's arrival.



The rowdy crowd held up flags and signs supporting Bannon and repeatedly broke into chants of, "USA!" AP said.

"It's a political war, and it's a political persecution, and it shouldn't be happening," Greene said during a news conference with Bannon.

A small group of protesters also showed up and shouted, "Traitor!" and "Lock him up!" in an echo of what Trump supporters chanted about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/finnish-mps-approve-defense-deal-to-allow-us-troops-on-its-soil-1119205537.html

Finnish MPs Approve Defense Deal to Allow US Troops on Its Soil

Finnish MPs Approve Defense Deal to Allow US Troops on Its Soil

Sputnik International

The Finnish Parliament has approved the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the United States.

2024-07-01T12:56+0000

2024-07-01T12:56+0000

2024-07-01T12:56+0000

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finland

us

parliament

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The Finnish Parliament has unanimously approved the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the United States.The agreement does not imply a permanent US presence in Finland. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has insisted that any foreign troops deployed there will be stationed on a rotational basis.Finland joined the North Atlantic Alliance on April 4, 2023.Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview with Dmitry Kiselev the general director of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, Sputnik's parent company, that Sweden and Finland's incorporation into NAT was meaningless for their national interests.He added that Finland's accession to the alliance would only mean Russia deploying more troops and strike systems near the Finnish border.In recent years, Russia has noted unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. NATO describes those manoeuvres as "deterrence of Russian aggression."Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the alliance's build-up in Europe. The Kremlin has stressed that Russia poses no threat to any nation but will not ignore actions that could potentially endanger its interests.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/us-bases-in-finland-will-make-nordic-nation-less-safe-heres-why-1115611407.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/frances-national-rally-may-nominate-leader-as-prime-minister-without-absolute-majority-1119206087.html

France's National Rally May Nominate Leader as Prime Minister Without Absolute Majority

France's National Rally May Nominate Leader as Prime Minister Without Absolute Majority

Sputnik International

France's right-wing National Rally party, which has won the first round of the parliamentary elections, is ready to nominate its leader Jordan Bardella as prime minister even without an absolute majority of seats in parliament if it gets enough support from other lawmakers, National Rally Vice-President Sebastien Chenu said on Monday.

2024-07-01T12:32+0000

2024-07-01T12:32+0000

2024-07-01T12:32+0000

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"If support [in parliament] can indeed be found, we will assume our responsibility to the French people," Chenu told France 2 broadcaster. He added that his party could receive support from lawmakers from other parties, who "might want the National Assembly not to be blocked." Bardella announced before the first round of elections that he would not become prime minister unless his party and its allies won an absolute majority of seats, that is, 289 seats. In France, if the opposition party wins an absolute majority of seats, the president is required to appoint the leader of the opposition as prime minister. If a party has only a relative majority, the president can choose any prime minister. The National Rally and its allies obtained 33.15% of the vote in the elections, which would give it up to 270 of the 577 seats in parliament. The left-wing New Popular Front secured 27.99%, while Ensemble  French President Emmanuel Macron's coalition  gained 20.04%. The second round of elections will be held on July 7.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/macrons-party-to-withdraw-some-of-its-candidates-from-2nd-round-to-fight-le-pen---pm-1119199486.html

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france's national rally, prime minister, parliamentary elections
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/nato-not-planning-to-revise-its-nuclear-doctrine--secretary-general-1119200278.html

NATO Not Planning to Revise Its Nuclear Doctrine  Secretary General

NATO Not Planning to Revise Its Nuclear Doctrine  Secretary General

Sputnik International

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday that the alliance currently does not see the need to revise its nuclear doctrine.

2024-07-01T05:20+0000

2024-07-01T05:20+0000

2024-07-01T05:20+0000

world

jens stoltenberg

russia

nato

pentagon

nuclear

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"There is no immediate threat. NATO does not see the need to revise its nuclear strategy," Stoltenberg said in an interview with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. Stoltenberg also noted that the process of replacing US fighter jets used for nuclear deterrence from F-16s to F-35s "continues as usual."In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia could make changes to the nuclear doctrine amid discussions in the West on the possibility of lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. Later, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that Washington sees no reason to make changes to its nuclear doctrine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/putin-sends-clear-message-to-nato-by-revising-russian-nuclear-doctrine-1119050537.html

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nato secretary general jens stoltenberg, nuclear doctrine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/portuguese-right-wing-party-chega-to-join-orbans-alliance-in-european-parliament-1119206937.html

Portuguese Right-Wing Party Chega to Join Orban's Alliance in European Parliament

Portuguese Right-Wing Party Chega to Join Orban's Alliance in European Parliament

Sputnik International

The leader of Portugal's right-wing Chega (Enough) party, Andre Ventura, has announced that he will join the new right-wing Patriots for Europe alliance in the European Parliament consisting of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) and the Czech Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO).

2024-07-01T13:21+0000

2024-07-01T13:21+0000

2024-07-01T13:21+0000

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lisbon

portugal

european parliament

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"We were invited to join this group from the very beginning," Ventura was quoted as saying by the Lusa news agency on Sunday. He said the group could unite right-wing parties in the fight against socialism, uncontrolled immigration, corruption and the high tax burden imposed on the middle class. He said this could happen in the coming hours or days. This is a "historic opportunity" to create the second largest group in the parliament, Ventura said. He added that Lisbon was "one of the first to express its support for the creation of this alternative," which will be "a great platform for the right-wing." Ventura will reportedly ask the party's top brass on Tuesday to convene a national congress to discuss joining the new group in the European Parliament. On Sunday, FPO head Herbert Kickl, ANO leader Andrej Babis and Fidesz' Viktor Orban announced the creation of the Patriots for Europe to "return the future of [Europe] to the European people." Orban said the Patriots were projected to become the largest right-wing faction in the European Parliament in a few days.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240612/dont-expect-eu-elections-to-change-ukraine-policy-1118910707.html

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portuguese right-wing party chega, orban's alliance in european parliament, patriots for europe alliance
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/russian-motorcycle-cavalry-accelerate-the-speed-of-offensive-1119209215.html

Russian Motorcycle 'Cavalry' Accelerate the Speed of Offensive

Russian Motorcycle 'Cavalry' Accelerate the Speed of Offensive

Sputnik International

Russian military personnel of the Vostok battlegroup actively used motorcycles and quad bikes during the liberation of the village of Staromayorskoye and other settlements on approach to Ugledar in the Donbass region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

2024-07-01T17:43+0000

2024-07-01T17:43+0000

2024-07-01T17:43+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

viktor litovkin

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ukraine

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The Russian military has employed a new tactic of motorcycle assault to cross exposed fields, minimize the risk of attack by Ukrainian drones, and break through enemy defenses from the flanks, the Defense Ministry's press service revealed on June 30."[The Russian military] stun the enemy with artillery or missile strike, and then quickly approach the area. While the enemy is in panic, at a loss, [motorcycle brigades] crush them," Litovkin said, comparing the motorcycle assault with cavalry attacks of past centuries.The New York Times claimed the tactic could be useful for crossing heavily mined fields."On the fields, motorcycle riders have good visibility and can swerve to avoid mines," the newspaper speculated.According to Litovkin, the newspaper's assumption is nonsensical, as it would amount to nothing short of a suicidal mission.The Western media reported last week that Russian soldiers have increasingly been using motorcycles, dirt bikes, quadricycles and dune buggies during the ongoing offensive, quoting the Ukrainian military deployed at the front line.The NYT admitted that the "nonconventional" tactic has proven effective and that the Russian army is advancing fast."Over time, its gains have added up and the Russian military is now close to strategically important supply lines and towns in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine," the newspaper stressed.The Russian Ministry of Defense (Mod) said on June 30 that during the liberation of the village of Staromayorskoye, and other settlements of the Donetsk People's Republic near Ugledar, assault units of the Vostok Group of Forces actively used motorcycles to carry out assault combat operations, transport ammunition and food.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240629/russia-strikes-ukraines-himars-missiles-warehouse-in-zaporozhye---underground-network-1119182786.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240627/russia-hits-ukrainian-airfields-where-ukraine-wants-to-station-western-aircraft---mod-1119151863.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/examination-of-atacms-will-help-russia-destroy-nato-weapons-faster--retired-colonel-1119208006.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/russian-un-ambassador-dismisses-zelenskys-so-called-peace-formula-as-non-starter-1119210664.html

Russian UN Ambassador Dismisses Zelensky's So-Called Peace Formula as 'Non-Starter'

Russian UN Ambassador Dismisses Zelensky's So-Called Peace Formula as 'Non-Starter'

Sputnik International

The so-called peace formula of Volodymyr Zelensky is a non-starter, and Russia will not even discuss it, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday.

2024-07-01T17:38+0000

2024-07-01T17:38+0000

2024-07-01T17:45+0000

russia

volodymyr zelensky

donald trump

ukraine

israel

afghanistan

taliban

the united nations (un)

patriot

vassily nebenzia

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"To solve the problem on the basis of Zelensky peace formula, we will not even talk about it," Nebenzia told journalists at a UN briefing. "It's a non-starter."Speaking about Former US President Donald Trump's claim that he can bring the Ukraine conflict to an end in one day, Nebenzia said it is subjective as this crisis is much more complicated"The Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day, that's subjective," he saidCommenting on Israel's potential decision to send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, the diplomat warned that it could have significant political consequences. Last week, the Financial Times reported that the United States is in talks with Israeli and Ukrainian officials to send Patriot missile systems from Israel to Ukraine. A US Defense Department spokesperson contacted by Sputnik on Thursday was unable to verify reports claiming that the United States was in talks with Israel about supplying Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems.Taliban* Are Afghanistan's De-Facto AuthoritiesThe Taliban are the de-facto authorities of Afghanistan and the international community should realize it and deal with them, Nebenzia told journalists.The United Nations will continue to engage with the Taliban in Afghanistan while not decreasing its interactions with Afghan women and civil society, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said earlier in the day.DiCarlo made the remarks after participating in the third UN-led meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan that was attended by the Taliban for the first time.*An organization under UN sanctions for terrorist activities

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/trump-vows-to-settle-ukraine-conflict-even-before-taking-office-if-reelected-1119072877.html

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vassily nebenzia, russia unsc presidency, zelensky peace formula, ukrainian conflict, ukrainian crisis, war in ukraine, taliban
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/slovakias-fico-getting-closer-to-resuming-work-after-assassination-attempt---minister-1119204065.html

Slovakias Fico 'Getting Closer' to Resuming Work After Assassination Attempt - Minister

Slovakias Fico 'Getting Closer' to Resuming Work After Assassination Attempt - Minister

Sputnik International

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is likely to have permanent health problems following an assassination attempt in May, although he is now getting closer to returning to his job and working at "full potential," Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said.

2024-07-01T09:40+0000

2024-07-01T09:40+0000

2024-07-01T09:40+0000

world

robert fico

robert kalinak

slovakia

health

assassination attempt

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"His health is still far from ideal. After a gunshot wound to the abdomen, those organs don't work the way they did when you were 17 or 30. It's still very erratic. As part of his regular rehab, doctors are doing everything they can to make sure he can do his job to his full potential, and we're getting close to that," Kalinak was quoted by the Euronews news portal as saying. Fico is likely to have musculoskeletal problems even after the rehabilitation, the minister added. In the coming days, Fico is expected to address the public once again, the Slovak defense minister said, adding no details on the format of the speech. In early June, Fico gave his first video address after the assassination attempt, saying he planned to return to work in late June or early July. Fico, a 59-year-old politician who took office in October 2023, was left fighting for his life after a man shot him multiple times at close range as he greeted supporters following an off-site cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova on May 15. He underwent two abdominal surgeries as part of intensive medical treatment. The gunman was charged with premeditated attempted murder for what Slovak officials described as a "politically motivated" assassination attempt.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240522/slovakia-investigating-ficos-health-data-leak-after-assassination-attempt-1118585360.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/south-africas-government-formed---president-ramaphosa-1119200028.html

South Africa's Government Formed - President Ramaphosa

South Africa's Government Formed - President Ramaphosa

Sputnik International

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he had approved the composition of the government of national unity.

2024-07-01T04:57+0000

2024-07-01T04:57+0000

2024-07-01T04:57+0000

africa

cyril ramaphosa

south africa

government

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"To give effect to this mandate, it was agreed that a Government of National Unity, which brings together parties from across the political spectrum, should be formed ... Following discussions over the course of the last few weeks, a total of eleven parties have elected to work together in government and in Parliament. These are the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and the United Africans Transformation," Ramaphosa said in a statement on Sunday. Paul Mashatile was reappointed as South Africa's vice president. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana also retained his post. Ronald Lamola was appointed foreign minister, and Angie Motshekga took the post of defense minister. On June 23, the ruling African National Congress party said that ten political parties in South Africa had reached an agreement to form a government of national unity.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/putin-congratulates-ramaphosa-on-reelection-as-south-african-president---kremlin-1118971143.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/south-korean-military-says-dprk-fired-two-ballistic-missiles-1119198576.html

South Korean Military Says DPRK Fired Two Ballistic Missiles

South Korean Military Says DPRK Fired Two Ballistic Missiles

Sputnik International

On Thursday North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported that the North Korean Missile Administration had "successfully" carried out a separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads one day prior.

2024-07-01T01:46+0000

2024-07-01T01:46+0000

2024-07-01T01:46+0000

world

north korea

sea of japan

yonhap

korean central news agency (kcna)

hypersonic missiles

hypersonic weapons

missile test

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korea launched two ballistic missiles, including a short-range one, eastward Monday, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported citing the countrys Joint Chiefs of Staff. The short-range ballistic missile flew about 600 kilometers (372 miles), while another missile flew about 120 kilometers (74 miles), the report added. On Wednesday the DPRK reportedly launched an unspecified ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan. Citing a military source, Yonhap later reported Pyongyang had test-fired a hypersonic missile, but the test apparently failed since the missile only flew about 250 kilometers (155 miles). On Thursday North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported that the North Korean Missile Administration had "successfully" carried out a separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads one day prior.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240627/treaty-between-russia-north-korea-does-not-seek-to-create-military-alliance--moscow-1119148198.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/this-day-in-history-nazis-ukrainian-nationalists-launch-massive-pogrom-in-lvov-1119198369.html

This Day in History: Nazis, Ukrainian Nationalists Launch Massive Pogrom in Lvov

This Day in History: Nazis, Ukrainian Nationalists Launch Massive Pogrom in Lvov

Sputnik International

Stepan Banderas Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists teamed up with Nazi Einsatzgruppen squadrons for an orgy of antisemitic violence.

2024-07-01T01:14+0000

2024-07-01T01:14+0000

2024-07-18T02:40+0000

analysis

europe

stepan bandera

adolf hitler

ukraine

eastern europe

nazis

organization of ukrainian nationalists (oun)

history

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A dark chapter in Ukraines history was written 83 years ago today when Stepan Banderas Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN)* launched a violent campaign against the Jewish population of the city of Lvov.The pogrom took place in the context of World War IIs Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the USSR that saw over 27 million Soviet citizens killed by the Nazi Wehrmacht.On June 30, 1941, the OUN seized control of Lvov, covering the city with antisemitic propaganda advocating violence against Jews and other ethnic minorities. Anti-Jewish violence reached an crescendo as nationalist authorities attempted to ingratiate themselves to the Nazi occupiers, with OUN militias arresting and executing thousands of Jews.Crowds of local Poles and Ukrainians joined in the violence as Nazi SS death squads initiated their own antisemitic campaign, subjecting victims to rape, beatings, and robbery.Altogether some 6,000 Jews were murdered during several days of persecution, many of whom had fled the Nazis from other parts of Eastern Europe. After the pogrom OUN militias would work directly under Nazi Einsatzgruppen leaders. The incident was typical of the racist violence of Banderas nationalist Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which sought to establish a totalitarian, ethnically homogeneous fascist dictatorship in Ukraine.Although he has been lionized as a national hero in the years since the Maidan regimes seizure of power a decade ago, the historical record is clear: Bandera was a brutal Nazi collaborator who enabled the death of millions as Hitlers army swept through Eastern Europe.That history has not prevented Ukraines government from celebrating Bandera with marches, statues, and official commemorations. In 2017 Lvov marked the anniversary of 1941s pogrom with a festival honoring Roman Shukhevych, a key leader of the violence.President Vladimir Putin has clarified that denazification is a non-negotiable demand of any peace agreement with Ukraine, with Moscow insisting that extremist nationalists must be removed from power at all levels of government. The Kiev regime has killed thousands of ethnic Russians in violence targeted against civilians in eastern Ukraine since 2014s Maidan coup ushered in a Russophobic US puppet regime.Ukrainian fighters are frequently seen sporting tattoos and using symbols tied to Nazi Germany. In May US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was hosted by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba at a Kiev pizza parlor notorious for displaying Third Reich iconography. In November 2014 the notorious neo-Nazi Azov Battalion was granted legitimacy by Kiev when it was officially integrated into Ukraines armed forces.*A terrorist group banned in Russia

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/chronicle-of-a-tragedy-dramatic-photos-from-the-nazi-invasion-of-the-soviet-union-during-wwii-1119061996.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240627/radical-zelenskys-regime-willing-to-sacrifice-own-people-for-anti-russia-crusade--analyst-1119146276.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/rejection-of-putins-peace-offer-exposes-true-motivations-of-natos-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1118967820.html

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oun, ukrainian nationalists, stepan bandera, lvov pogrom, lviv pogrom, stepan bandera antisemitic, stepan bandera massacres, stepan bandera nazi collaborator
Rebekah F. Ward is the Houston Chronicle's climate & environment reporter. She can be reached at rebekah.ward@houstonchronicle.com.

Before coming to Texas, Rebekah was an investigative journalist at the Albany Times Union, where she started in 2021 as the newsrooms first Joseph T. Lyons fellow. She has worked for outlets including Reuters, France 24 and the OCCRP, reporting from the U.S., Colombia, Mexico and her native Canada.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/ukraine-conflict-slowing-down-eu-economies-some-will-not-be-as-prosperous---us-investor-1119199702.html

Ukraine Conflict Slowing Down EU Economies, Some Will Not Be as Prosperous - US Investor

Ukraine Conflict Slowing Down EU Economies, Some Will Not Be as Prosperous - US Investor

Sputnik International

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is slowing down the European countries economies and some will not be as prosperous as they used to be, renowned US investor Jim Rogers told Sputnik.

2024-07-01T04:41+0000

2024-07-01T04:41+0000

2024-07-01T04:41+0000

world

jim rogers

imf

russia

ukraine

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"It [the Ukraine conflict] causes economies to slow down and some countries will not be as prosperous as they have been," Rogers said. "Whenever people have economic problems they blame somebody and that always leads to change." Rogers said the issues facing the global economy will affect not only Europe but also other parts of the world in the next couple of years. The investor noted that the United Kingdom left the European Union despite some people speculating such a move would destroy its economy, but added he believes other politicians will start "doing the same thing." Rogers expressed doubt that the European Union would survive given that few blocs have lasted for very long. In early June, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the Eurozone economy was gradually recovering from the coronavirus pandemic measures, the cut in gas supplies from Russia and the consequences of the Ukraine conflict, but the blocs aging population and sluggish productivity present risks to growth in the medium term. The IMF warned that intensifying geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and distortive industrial policy could further complicate economic prospects and the policy making environment for a region highly open to trade. The collective West stepped up sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine in 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the West's long-term strategy of containing Russia hurts the global economy.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/eu-falls-behind-china-us-in-economic-competition-following-monumental-mistakes---iea-chief-1117935907.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/ukraines-border-guard-confirms-ongoing-military-buildup-on-belarus-border-1119207872.html

Ukraine's Border Guard Confirms Ongoing Military Buildup on Belarus Border

Ukraine's Border Guard Confirms Ongoing Military Buildup on Belarus Border

Sputnik International

Ukraine is reinforcing its border with Belarus, both in terms of fortification and amassing military forces, Ukrainian border guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko said on Monday.

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Last week, Belarus's deputy chief for ideology with the Army Special Operations Command, Col. Vadim Lukashevich, said he had information that Ukraine was amassing troops and military hardware on their mutual border. Belarusian First Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveiko said last week that the situation on the border was tense and worsening day by day. "We continue enhancing it [the Ukrainian-Belarusian border] both in terms of engineering and in terms of deploying necessary numbers of troops and equipment there in order to prevent any activities which might come from Belarus," Demchenko said on Ukrainian television. Ukraine's border guard views Belarus as posing a threat, the spokesman said. On June 10, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said Minsk had no goal of creating any tension in regional security issues, adding it did not project military threats on third countries or seek confrontation with anyone.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240629/belarus-deploys-additional-air-defense-systems-on-ukrainian-border-1119178823.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/watch-russian-forces-pound-new-york-in-donbass-with-fab-3000-guided-bomb-1119203142.html

Watch Russian Forces Pound New York in Donbass With FAB-3000 Guided Bomb

Watch Russian Forces Pound New York in Donbass With FAB-3000 Guided Bomb

Sputnik International

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing a strike against Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbass town of New York.

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The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing a strike against Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbass town of New York.For more than a week, the Russian forces have been advancing along the front line near the city of Gorlovka, fighting near Toretsk and storming the city of New York.The Russian Aerospace Forces are actively using the bombs, equipped with universal gliding and guidance modules, in the zone of the special military operation. They give fighter aircraft the ability to hit Ukrainian military positions from a distance without coming under fire from enemy surface-to-air missile systems.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240701/zelensky-concedes-to-possibility-of-negotiations-with-russia-through-intermediaries-1119199096.html

Zelensky Concedes to Possibility of Negotiations with Russia Through Intermediaries

Zelensky Concedes to Possibility of Negotiations with Russia Through Intermediaries

Sputnik International

In March Zelensky said he opposed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to hold a peace summit with Russian participation. 01.07.2024, Sputnik International

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - De facto Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he sees a potential model for talks with Moscow in the format of a trilateral agreement similar to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which involves intermediaries in the form of the United Nations and Turkiye. "This model was used for the first time in the example of the grain corridor, when Ukraine negotiated not with Russia, but with the UN and Turkiye," Zelensky said in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday. Negotiations with Turkiye, which communicated with Russia, resulted in two "mirror agreements" involving Moscow, the de facto leader said. "Now this can be done with countries from different continents. For now, we only have this model," Zelensky noted. In March Zelensky said he opposed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to hold a peace summit with Russian participation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/zelensky-has-no-one-left-to-turn-to-except-putin-1119040955.html

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The Rev. W.C. Martin and Donna Martin have received a lot of press in the last few years, from People magazine to "Today," for their commitment to finding permanent homes for kids stuck in foster care. In the late '90s and early 2000s, the couple, who had two biological children, either took in or found homes among their neighbors for 77 children. This would be a remarkable feat anywhere, but it was especially the case in the fly-speck, working-class town of Possum Trot, located approximately 175 miles northeast of Houston, deep behind the Pine Curtain in Shelby County, close to the Louisiana border.

Now, their struggle is the focus of a new film, "Sound of Hope: The Possum Trot Story," from faith-based film company Angel Studios, that is opening Thursday. As expected, "Sound of Hope" showcases triumph over adversity and even ends with the real-life W.C. and Donna urging the members of the audience to do their part in helping to alleviate the burden on the foster care system.

But what makes the touching "Sound of Hope," the first feature-length film from director Joshua Weigel, more than just another inspirational story ripped from today's headlines are the strong performances from Nika King (Euphoria") as Donna and Demetrius Grosse (Fear the Walking Dead") as W.C. They hold the film together with as much verve, soul and heart as the real Donna and W.C. did with their family. King inhabits the persona of Donna with both vulnerability and strength, while the scenes with W.C.'s hand-clapping sermons are worth the price of admission alone.

As the film starts, having more children is the last thing on Donna's mind. She has more than enough on her plate with her two kids, one of whom, Princeton (Taj Johnson), is special needs. But with the sudden death of her mother, Murtha, in 1997, something snapped. She felt that God was calling her to do something, and a presentation from an area social worker, Susan (Elizabeth Mitchell), on the horrors that many children in foster care endure proved to be the wake-up call.

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At first, W.C. is against the idea but soon (a little too quickly to be completely believable) is as dedicated to the cause as Donna. And they're going to need all of that dedication for one especially difficult charge, Terri (Diaana Babnicova, "Don't Breathe 2"). Susan had warned them that Terri, a victim of horrific abuse, would be hard to deal with, and Terri definitely pushes them to the brink and makes them question if what they are doing is worth it.

The focus on Terri means that viewers don't really get to know all of their other children in the increasingly crowded household. They remain more abstractions while Terri comes to represent all the difficulties that come with incorporating someone with unresolved trauma into one's family. But only once, when Terri gets into a fight with Donna's birth daughter, Ladonna (Kaysi J. Bradley), does the audience get much of an inkling for what the other kids think about the Terri situation and how much space her issues take up in all of their lives.

That neither Donna nor W.C. gave up is remarkable, and their tenacity is what helps make "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" compelling. And the gospel music doesn't hurt either.

'Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot' Rated PG-13: thematic material involving child abuse, some violence, language and brief suggestive material Running time: 129 minutes Where: Opens Thursday throughout Houston  (out of 5)

The bad news? Unfortunately, like "Hit Man," another summer film inspired by a true Texas story, the Georgia-shot "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" wasn't actually filmed here in Texas. So, if the Piney Woods don't look quite right to you, now you know why.
The spate of layoffs and disruption at newspapers across Washington and Oregon, from Everett to Medford and Bend to Astoria, should be a wake-up call.

Residents in affected communities, legislators representing them, civic leaders and philanthropists should consider looking for ways to save their local journalism, if they arent already.

Those residents will see how severe the local-news crisis has become in the United States, and how hard it is for much of the countrys voters to stay informed.

The news desert affecting more than half of U.S. counties is spreading into relatively prosperous suburban, coastal areas.

This is hollowing out remaining papers, eroding civic literacy and stoking division as people increasingly get news from social networks and national media more focused on partisan controversies.

Id encourage local leaders and philanthropists to look through the gloom and consider ways to acquire or support their local outlets or start new ones. Strong, local news sources are not only key to democracy but to civic health and vitality.

New models are proving out regionally and in other states, suggesting that some of these papers can succeed with a fresh start and an infusion of local support. A list of promising models is included the Local News Initiatives latest report on news deserts.

Options include turning papers into nonprofits or a hybrid, blending a for-profit news outlet with nonprofit support.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was saved from bankruptcy and donated to a nonprofit foundation by a local telecom magnate. It operates as a for-profit subsidiary of the foundation.

The Seattle Times is a for-profit business but sustained and grew local coverage with support from philanthropists and community members.

Another example I wrote about last year is Gig Harbor Now, an online outlet started by community members after layoffs and consolidation by newspaper chains left the area with scant local coverage.

Gig Harbor Now benefited from talented journalists who worked at dailies before cutbacks. Nearly 100 more journalists are now looking for jobs after layoffs announced this month.

Lawmakers representing Washington and Oregon should be reminded by the latest cuts of how urgently government intervention is needed, to save remaining local outlets and incentivize potential new owners.

The U.S. has subsidized the press in various ways since it was formed without compromising the independence of the press. Theres a strong case that the government is obligated by the First Amendment to ensure the press survives.

Refundable tax credits to save newsroom jobs and antitrust reforms to help outlets negotiate better deals with tech gatekeepers have bipartisan support in Congress, including support from most of Washingtons delegation.

Those measures, including tax credits first proposed in the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, would have prevented much of this summers newsroom losses. But they seem stalled until 2025.

We would not be having the conversation about EO Media having layoffs and doing cutbacks and going up for sale if the LJSA had passed, said Heidi Wright, chief operating officer of the Salem-based newspaper group.

Earlier this month EO disclosed plans to close five Oregon papers, lay off 28 of 185 employees and put itself up for sale.

Simultaneously, Portland-based newspaper publisher Pamplin Media sold to a Southern newspaper chain, Carpenter Media Group.

Then Carpenter decided to layoff 62 employees at Sound Publishing, its recently acquired group of 43 papers in Washington and Alaska.

Affected employees include more than half of the unionized newsroom at The Daily Herald in Everett, as I reported June 18.

The Herald bobbled the announcement, initially posting a story about the layoffs June 19 in which Publisher Rudi Alcott was quoted saying readers wont notice.

That story appeared in print but was removed from the website and replaced with a toned down version, with a comment from Carpenter, on June 20.

Alcott said he has been fielding comments about this decision all day, Caleb Hutton, local news editor, posted on X. Just said he appreciated us challenging him on this today. Lots of hard lessons learned, I think.

The Herald layoffs are scheduled to take effect in July. Labor negotiations over the layoffs are scheduled for Friday afternoon, following a one-day strike Monday.

Todd Carpenter, chairman of Carpenter Media, has yet to respond to my request for an interview. Id like to know why the company is using its resources for more acquisitions instead of strengthening its already skimpy local newsrooms.

He told The Herald the company has deep sympathy for those affected by these changes and it is committed to Everett, The Herald and all who have a stake in its success.

The company on May 1 offered a starting wage of $19.50 per hour, according to the Everett NewsGuild. Thats above the states $16.28 minimum wage but below Seattles $19.97 minimum for large companies.

For comparison, the Everett McDonalds is offering 16-year-olds a $19.50 starting wage.

That, too, should be a wake-up call. It shows how desperately solutions, leadership and support are needed, to ensure communities have robust local news sources.
In an impassioned campaign rally on Friday, President Joe Biden tried to convince American voters that his alarming performance on a debate stage here in Atlanta the night before was an aberration.

I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. The 81-year-old president has shown a greater capacity to tell the truth than his opponent, former President Donald Trump.

But the unfortunate truth is that Biden should withdraw from the race, for the good of the nation he has served so admirably for half a century.

There is precedent for a president, duly elected by the American people, to step aside gracefully in the national interest. Weary from constant attacks from his opponents, and eager to avoid the perception of American dictatorship, George Washington, with assistance from Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, drafted what stands as one of the most important documents in our nations history. Washington, who decided not to seek a third term, never actually delivered what has come to be known as his farewell address; it was drafted in September 1796 and first published in newspapers around the country two months later.

Never one to tell a lie, our first president, then 64 years old, acknowledged the time had come to step aside. Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome, Washington wrote.

The shade of retirement is now necessary for President Biden.

Throughout the excruciating 90-minute forum Thursday night, the president failed to convey a competent and coherent vision for the future of America. He failed to outline the most fundamental aspects of his platform. He failed to take credit for the significant accomplishments of his 3 1/2 years in office. And he failed to counter the prevarications of an opponent, who, according to CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale, lied 30 times during the course of the debate, approximately once every 90 seconds of his allotted time.

President Bidens surrogates attempted to brush off the debate performance. Aides claimed he had a cold. Vice President Kamala Harris argued the leader of the free world should be evaluated on the totality of his presidency, not one night. Former President Barack Obama took to social media and said, Bad debate nights happen.

These responses are insulting to the American people.

This wasnt a bad night; it was confirmation of the worst fears of some of Bidens most ardent supporters  that after 36 years in the U.S. Senate, eight more as vice president and a term in the White House, age has finally caught up to him.

This moment was contemplated by Democrats and by Biden advisers when he was seeking the partys nomination for president in 2020. There was serious and public discussion of Biden, then 77, pledging to serve only one term. That discussion acknowledged the obvious. If reelected, Biden would be 86 years old at the end of his presidency in January 2029. There is no historical precedent for this. And now there are signs of decline, which were clear Thursday.

President Bidens ability to withstand the mental and physical rigors of another four-year term would be of concern regardless of his opponent. The fact that he is all that stands in the way of Trump returning to the Oval Office significantly raises the stakes.

Trump has already hinted at what his second term might look like. He has spoken of a desire to seek revenge against his political opponents, and he told Fox News Sean Hannity in a town hall last year that he would be a dictator on day one of his presidency (but only on day one).

Trumps campaign staff has tried to dismiss those comments as hyperbole. That might be easier to accept had Trump not attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 elections here in Georgia and had he not repeatedly and falsely claimed that the election was stolen from him.

That stance alone should have disqualified Trump in the eyes of voters. The former presidents personal and professional conduct has been egregious enough that his former vice president, chief of staff and numerous Cabinet members have repudiated him. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, himself a potential presidential candidate in 2028, says he cast a blank ballot in the states Republican primary, refusing to vote for the man who attempted to subvert the electoral process in our state.

That Trump remains at the top of the Republican ticket is a testament to the deep divisions and tribalism that has come to define American politics in the 21st century.

When George Washington informed the nation of his decision not to seek a third term, he offered a warning about the insidious nature of political parties, then in their infancy. They are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.

Trumps performance Thursday night should have prompted leaders in his party to repudiate his falsehoods.

But it didnt.

Biden has pledged to do all he can to prevent Trump from returning to the White House. The election is still four months away. If he truly hopes to defeat Trump, he must pass the torch to the next generation of Democratic leaders and urge the party to nominate another candidate at its convention in Chicago in August.

Doing this will require a massive and unprecedented string of legal and regulatory actions to get a Biden successor named and placed on each states ballot. This is difficult and necessary work that must start immediately.

The Democrats have a number of talented and principled leaders who might take the presidents agenda forward and provide the nation with a viable alternative to Trump. The right candidate would make it a priority to appeal to Republican and Democratic voters.

Bidens candidacy was grounded in his incumbency and the belief of Democratic leaders and pollsters that he stood the best chance of defeating Trump in November. That is no longer the case.

That reality may be difficult to accept for a man whose personal and political lives have been defined by resiliency, but it is the truth.

Biden deserves a better exit from public life than the one he endured when he shuffled off the stage Thursday night.

If he displays the courage and dignity that have defined his political career, he might follow in the footsteps of the nations first president and welcome his retirement, secure in the knowledge that he again served his country with honor.  The Editorial Board
Canon India announced the appointment of Mr. Toshiaki Nomura as the new President & CEO for Canon India, effective July 1, 2024.

Mr. Nomura has been associated with Canon since 1999, and prior to joining Canon India, he played a pivotal role in leading Canons Business Imaging Solution (BIS) Division in the Canon Southeast & South Asia Region. Furthermore, with Mr. Nomuras guidance and approach, the BIS Division has achieved significant and sustainable growth.

Expressing his enthusiasm on taking on the new role of spearheading Canons business strategy and operations in India, Mr. Nomura said, Indias vibrant and dynamic market offers immense potential, and Canon India is at an exciting stage in its growth journey, by harnessing these opportunities and expanding into new segments. I am thrilled and honored to lead the company through this transformative phase and collaborate with my talented team. Along with continuing our focus on strengthening core business of imaging and printing, I am particularly excited about contributing to development of new businesses such as surveillance, business solutions and industrial printing. By deeply understanding and addressing the unique requirements of the Indian market, it will be my endeavor to ensure our customers are consistently delighted with our high-quality products and services.

Mr. Nomuras extensive experience and strategic vision have been instrumental in driving remarkable growth and innovation for Canon in his previous endeavors. With him at the helm of Canon Indias operations, the company aims to continue its upward growth trajectory, by aggressively expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, developing new business segments, and strengthening brand presence across the nation. Canon India remains committed to its mission of Delighting customers always, by contributing to Indian society and economy through their business, product innovations and community centric initiatives.
Seagate Technology appoints Futoshi Niizuma as its vice president for Asia-Pacific and Japan sales. In this role, he will oversee the companys sales and technical support activities across the region.

We are excited to have Niizuma take on his new expanded role, said BanSeng Teh, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Seagate. Niizumas exceptional experience in working with business partners as well as his leadership will empower and support the customers we serve in this region.

Niizuma joined Seagate in October 2009 and has held various senior roles across Japan, South Asia, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. In his most recent role, Niizuma successfully led Seagates Japan sales team to grow market presence build robust ecosystem partnerships and deliver tremendous value to customers.

Prior to joining Seagate, Niizuma held various positions in senior sales, marketing, and management, including Kenwood Corporation and Advanced Micro Devices.
League City EMT services are improving the chances of patient recovery and survival by increasing its blood supply resources. The citys EMS services have implemented a program that will allow its emergency response vehicles to carry whole blood units during emergency response situations, becoming the first such agency in Galveston County to take a major step in making it standard practice. City of League City Without the capability to replace the blood through transfusion, patients have a higher risk of dying en route to a hospital.

Being able to carry whole blood on ambulances can reduce the number of deaths during life-threatening responses. City of League City

League City's emergency services division aims to improve the chances of patient recovery and survival by increasing blood supply resources on board ambulances.

The citys emergency medical services have implemented a program that will allow its emergency response vehicles to carry whole blood units during emergency response situations, becoming the first such agency in Galveston County to take a major step in making it standard practice.

"This sets us apart from other (EMS) in our area," said Lt. Blake Brazzel, the blood program manager for League City EMS.

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When responders are treating patients who are losing significant amounts of blood, suffering traumatic injuries or experiencing major hemorrhaging, blood components can replace lost blood. But whole blood consists of all units of blood, such as plasma, red blood cells and platelets.

"Typically when you go to the hospital, you will get one of those components separate, but the whole blood  hence the word 'whole'  has everything in it, and that's why it's an advantage to our patients," Brazzel said.

The city-funded initiative began in May and, for now, extends only to the city's primary response vehicle. The goal is to outfit all of the city's ambulances with these blood units within the next two years, according to EMS Chief Nicole Smith.

"It's like a pilot program by having it in just our shift captain's vehicle. ... All our medics have been trained; however, our captains are going to be the primary (personnel) to initiate that transfusion if a patient requires it," Smith said.

BAYLOR SURGEON: After whistleblower allegations, Baylor surgeon continues to treat patients in leadership role

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Calls will be filtered to determine which situations may require the use of whole blood, a practice that is expected to cut mortality rate and save lives, Brazzel said.

"These are the components that are really needed for patients in a time of crisis whenever theyre bleeding out, he said. "These are the goods, the nutrients in the blood that everyone would need."

Hemorrhaging, or bleeding out profusely, is one of the main causes of death of patients in emergency situations. Without the capability to replace the blood through transfusion, patients have a higher risk of dying en route to a hospital.

Being able to carry whole blood on ambulances can reduce the number of deaths during life-threatening responses, experts say.

EMTs can call ahead while on the way to the hospital about a patient bleeding out and receiving a blood transfusion, and the patient can quickly be moved to an operating room upon arrival.

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We can actually move the patient on our stretcher to the operating room and onto the operating room table, Brazzel said. Were cutting out all that wasted time.  And we think carrying whole blood will really put us at the leading edge in our area with prehospital medicine and caring for our patients.

There are only a handful of EMS departments in the Houston area with whole blood resources available for prehospital medicine  less than 10% of EMS services, according to Smith.

The practice is more often seen on the military battlefield, and because whole blood expires within 21 days from the time it is drawn and donated, the challenge of ensuring storage capability has been one possible reason why the practice has taken longer to take hold in city service, Smith said.

League City works with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, which supplies the whole blood components as needed.

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"The key is trying to ensure there is no waste of blood, and that we have all perimeters in place," Brazzel said. "The Gulf Coast blood bank doesn't carry whole blood on their shelves. Every time we request a unit of whole blood, they call a donor. That's why they really need donors for whole blood."

Put simply: "This is saving lives," Smith said.

What is whole blood?

Whole blood consists of all the blood components  red blood cells, plasma and platelets  to treat patients in life-threatening response situations.

Where does it come from?

Whole blood is collected from donors and is screened for diseases. The blood collected is verified to have nonsignificant antibodies against type A or B blood.

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White blood cells are filtered out, but the blood is left whole through plasma and platelets that promote clotting, along with red blood cells to carry oxygen.

What types of injuries can be utilized by whole blood resources?

Patients suffering major injuries and high-force blunt trauma in motor vehicle crashes or crush injuries, victims of violence and those who sustain traumatic amputations.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

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Australia's music industry continues to evolve as technology rapidly advances, but there are growing concerns about the emergence of AI-generated music and its potential to impact the viability of careers in music-making.

A parliamentary inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry is currently underway, with a University of Melbourne team, comprising Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology experts Dr. Suelette Dreyfus, Dr. Greg Wadley, Dr. Chris Ewin and Emma Baillie, making a submission highlighting how AI could jeopardize the livelihoods of home-grown musicians and threaten the viability of the nation's live music scene.

"Live music is a 'unifying glue' of society. In an era of social fragmentation due to social media, the federal government needs to prioritize strengthening this industry which not only contributes to the happiness of individuals but also the richness and diversity of culture," Dreyfus said.

Machine learning models are already able to produce authentic sounding music that's difficult to distinguish from music made by people. While this technology is still in its early stages, these computer programs can produce a greater volume of work far quicker and at a far lower cost than musicians.

Dr. Wadley explained that as most music artists are no longer able to solely survive off record/CD sales or income earned from streaming services, they largely rely on live music gigs to earn a living. If music listeners lose their emotional connection to the human creators of music, their motivation to come to live performances may be reduced, Wadley said.

Artists now face the possibility of losing audience exposure if big tech companies that own music streaming services, change their algorithms to prioritize AI-generated music or even generate their own music.

"What if these businesses steer listeners to tailored music that's purely AI-generated, effectively putting audiences in a 'music filter bubble,' devoid of any human songwriting. Reducing the ability of artists to connect with listeners will significantly affect their bottom line, and it's the emerging, lesser-known and community artists who would ultimately pay the biggest price," Dreyfus said.

The submission recommendations include calls for greater protections for the live music industry to safeguard the pipeline of musical talent and ensure there are pathways for emerging artists to hone their craft and build audiences.

The authors suggest the ACCC review Australian artists remunerations arrangements under digital platform services and to examine the potential impact of AI-generated music on the sector.

The submission also details how the cultural value of music could be at stake.

"AI-generated music has little to no cultural value as it lacks genuine emotion, which is the essence of humanity. A blind study has shown people preferred AI-generated classical music to that created by humans, however this may be due to the lack of transparency around how AI music is made. Ultimately, music fans will be worse off if AI ends up dominating the industry," Ewin said.

"The distinctively Australian character of local performers is unlikely to be replicated by AI-generated music, which trains its models on global datasets," Baillie said.

AI-generated music stands to join a set of factors threatening the future of Australia's live music industry, including changes in social habits, cost of living pressures, increases in venue insurance costs as well as weather events such as fires and floods.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As Amazon celebrated the opening of a Kirkland, Washington, manufacturing facility for its broadband network Project Kuiper, the company pushed back its timeline for launching satellites.

At a ribbon-cutting event to formally open the 172,000-square-foot facility, Steve Metayer, Project Kuiper's vice president of production operations, said the company will have its first load of production satellites ready for launch at the end of this year and will make testing available for certain customers in early 2025.

That's a delay from earlier Project Kuiper estimates that production satellites would be ready for launch in the first half of this year.

But, Metayer said, the new manufacturing facility in Kirkland is built for speed.

"Traditional communication satellites typically take years to build," he said. "But we want to be able to get service to our customers as soon as possible. That means we need to be able to build, test and ship and launch satellites at a much, much faster rate.

"This entire facility is designed with that mission in mind."

Amazon's Project Kuiper, which started in 2019, aims to use a network of 3,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites to bring broadband access to areas that don't currently have a reliable internet connection. It successfully launched prototype satellites in October, bringing it one step closer to launching production satellites and getting its broadband network off the ground.

Project Kuiper's license with the Federal Communications Commission, received in 2020, requires it to have 1,600 satellites in space by mid-2026.

Brian Huseman, Amazon's vice president of public policy and community engagement, said that Project Kuiper has all the regulatory approvals it needs in the United States. It will secure permits in other countries as it rolls out its network, Huseman said.

"Building advanced communications satellites at this scale is incredibly complex, and we want to ensure every Kuiper spacecraft meets our standards for performance, reliability, and safety," Metayer said in a statement. "The progress from the team is so impressive, and we now have the foundational pieces in place to ramp production ahead of a full-scale deployment."

In the broadband access race, Project Kuiper is competing with Elon Musks' SpaceX, which has an office in Redmond. SpaceX flew its first Starlink satellites in 2018 and has since launched more than 5,000 satellites using its own rockets.

Project Kuiper is hopeful the new manufacturing facility in Kirkland will help it make up ground. At its peak capacity, the factory will be able to produce five satellites per day.

One way to speed up production is to cut the time it takes to test each individual satellite from months to days, Metayer said. That would come from mass manufacturing the satellites, which would allow the company to see where it could tweak the testing process, he continued.

"If you're building hundreds of thousands of these, you can, over time, statistically, determine what is correct. What do you need to test for? What don't you need to test for?" Metayer said. "As we ramp up, every satellite we test, we gain knowledge."

Project Kuiper has so far hired 120 employees at the new Kirkland facility, which officially opened its doors in April. It plans to hire a total of 200 workers to staff the manufacturing hub.

In addition to its Kirkland site, Project Kuiper has a Redmond facility where it completes all the research and development for its satellites and has plans to open a logistics hub in Everett, where it will collect and sort supplies needed to put the satellites together.

On Thursday, at the ribbon cutting for the Kirkland manufacturing hub, Sen. Maria Cantwell said Project Kuiper's work is helping to make the Puget Sound region "the Silicon Valley of space."

Washington's space economy is a $70 billion industry that supports 250,000 jobs, according to Cantwell and Washington's Department of Commerce.

"Today represents another big step in that space economy for Washington," Cantwell said.

"Kuiper's deployment of over 3,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites is critically important to America's competitiveness," Cantwell said.

"The CHIPS and Science Act was literally about how to have innovation happen in more places," she continued. "Well, guess what's key to that? Having broadband access in more places."

2024 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Worker assembling wiring in electrical cabinet with reference hologramview from Hololens AR HMD. Electrical cabinet containing terminals. Two hands are manipulating a tool to attach wires to the terminal. A 3D hologram appears to the right of the terminal to show correct position of wires. Credit: Ergonomics (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2024.2352733

High-tech factory workers of the future will rely on training and support from Industry 4.0 technology, such as augmented reality head-mounted display modules (AR-HMD), to manage workflow and remote trouble-shootingincluding in the next generation of shipbuilders, say Flinders University experts.

Trials of such AR-HMD technologies to improve productivity by reducing and correcting errors in advanced manufacturing and assembly will improve software, tracking and other promising features of such devices, according to a new article published in the journal Ergonomics.

"Despite Industry 4.0 technology adoption being promoted to stimulate manufacturing flexibility and competitiveness, Australia has been slow to adopt it," says first author Dr. Valerie O'Keeffe, a Senior Researcher in Human Factors at Flinders University.

"The Australian Navy Hunter Class Frigate Program provides an opportunity for accelerating technology adoption to improve productivity and workforce skills in a traditional, complex and vital industry.

"Augmented reality head-mounted displays provide digital information directly to the user and can be used to guide completion of work tasks."

To understand shipbuilders' user experience and workload, the research case study focused on the "AR-HMD Hololens 2" in a simulated manufacturing workflow. This involved multiple tasks (electrical assembly, inspection and quality assurance) with a collaborative robot fitted with a visual inspection camera.

The study took place at the Osborne Naval Shipyard with the support of industry partner BAE Systems Maritime Australia.

Dr. O'Keeffe says the study highlights AR-HMD as a potential vehicle for integrating advanced technologies, improving functionality while minimizing end-user burden.

"This is valuable for fast-tracking learning and building skill levels in a workforce experiencing skilled labor shortages," she says.

"Interface design, tracking, gesturing and device durability were most likely to limit AR-HMD adoption and require improvement to ensure efficient uptake in operations.

"However, our findings suggest encouraging levels of technology acceptance and motivation in the workforce, with potential to promote learning and productivity.

"Findings can inform technology adoption, and translating knowledge to heavy industries beyond shipbuilding."

More information: Valerie O'Keeffe et al, Forming a view: a human factors case study of augmented reality collaboration in assembly, Ergonomics (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2024.2352733 Journal information: Ergonomics
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Credit: Tara Winstead from Pexels

With the current buzz around artificial intelligence (AI), it would be easy to assume that it is a recent innovation. In fact, AI has been around in one form or another for more than 70 years. To understand the current generation of AI tools and where they might lead, it is helpful to understand how we got here.

Each generation of AI tools can be seen as an improvement on those that went before, but none of the tools are headed toward consciousness.

The mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing published an article in 1950 with the opening sentence: "I propose to consider the question, 'Can machines think?'". He goes on to propose something called the imitation game, now commonly called the Turing test, in which a machine is considered intelligent if it cannot be distinguished from a human in a blind conversation.

Five years later, came the first published use of the phrase "artificial intelligence" in a proposal for the Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence.

From those early beginnings, a branch of AI that became known as expert systems was developed from the 1960s onward. Those systems were designed to capture human expertise in specialized domains. They used explicit representations of knowledge and are, therefore, an example of what's called symbolic AI.

There were many well-publicised early successes, including systems for identifying organic molecules, diagnosing blood infections, and prospecting for minerals. One of the most eye-catching examples was a system called R1 that, in 1982, was reportedly saving the Digital Equipment Corporation US$25m per annum by designing efficient configurations of its minicomputer systems.

The key benefit of expert systems was that a subject specialist without any coding expertise could, in principle, build and maintain the computer's knowledge base. A software component known as the inference engine then applied that knowledge to solve new problems within the subject domain, with a trail of evidence providing a form of explanation.

These were all the rage in the 1980s, with organizations clamoring to build their own expert systems, and they remain a useful part of AI today.

Enter machine learning

The human brain contains around 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons, interconnected by a dendritic (branching) structure. So, while expert systems aimed to model human knowledge, a separate field known as connectionism was also emerging that aimed to model the human brain in a more literal way. In 1943, two researchers called Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts had produced a mathematical model for neurons, whereby each one would produce a binary output depending on its inputs.

One of the earliest computer implementations of connected neurons was developed by Bernard Widrow and Ted Hoff in 1960. Such developments were interesting, but they were of limited practical use until the development of a learning algorithm for a software model called the multi-layered perceptron (MLP) in 1986.

The MLP is an arrangement of typically three or four layers of simple simulated neurons, where each layer is fully interconnected with the next. The learning algorithm for the MLP was a breakthrough. It enabled the first practical tool that could learn from a set of examples (the training data) and then generalize so that it could classify previously unseen input data (the testing data).

It achieved this feat by attaching numerical weightings on the connections between neurons and adjusting them to get the best classification with the training data, before being deployed to classify previously unseen examples.

The MLP could handle a wide range of practical applications, provided the data was presented in a format that it could use. A classic example was the recognition of handwritten characters, but only if the images were pre-processed to pick out the key features.

Newer AI models

Following the success of the MLP, numerous alternative forms of neural network began to emerge. An important one was the convolutional neural network (CNN) in 1998, which was similar to an MLP apart from its additional layers of neurons for identifying the key features of an image, thereby removing the need for pre-processing.

Both the MLP and the CNN were discriminative models, meaning that they could make a decision, typically classifying their inputs to produce an interpretation, diagnosis, prediction, or recommendation. Meanwhile, other neural network models were being developed that were generative, meaning that they could create something new, after being trained on large numbers of prior examples.

Generative neural networks could produce text, images, or music, as well as generate new sequences to assist in scientific discoveries.

Two models of generative neural network have stood out: generative-adversarial networks (GANs) and transformer networks. GANs achieve good results because they are partly "adversarial", which can be thought of as a built-in critic that demands improved quality from the "generative" component.

Transformer networks have come to prominence through models such as GPT4 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4) and its text-based version, ChatGPT. These large-language models (LLMs) have been trained on enormous datasets, drawn from the Internet. Human feedback improves their performance further still through so-called reinforcement learning.

As well as producing an impressive generative capability, the vast training set has meant that such networks are no longer limited to specialized narrow domains like their predecessors, but they are now generalized to cover any topic.

Where is AI going?

The capabilities of LLMs have led to dire predictions of AI taking over the world. Such scaremongering is unjustified, in my view. Although current models are evidently more powerful than their predecessors, the trajectory remains firmly toward greater capacity, reliability and accuracy, rather than toward any form of consciousness.

As Professor Michael Wooldridge remarked in his evidence to the UK Parliament's House of Lords in 2017, "the Hollywood dream of conscious machines is not imminent, and indeed I see no path taking us there". Seven years later, his assessment still holds true.

There are many positive and exciting potential applications for AI, but a look at the history shows that machine learning is not the only tool. Symbolic AI still has a role, as it allows known facts, understanding, and human perspectives to be incorporated.

A driverless car, for example, can be provided with the rules of the road rather than learning them by example. A medical diagnosis system can be checked against medical knowledge to provide verification and explanation of the outputs from a machine learning system.

Societal knowledge can be applied to filter out offensive or biased outputs. The future is bright, and it will involve the use of a range of AI techniques, including some that have been around for many years.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The comprehensive toolkit includes a five-step plan, complete with downloadable worksheets to help streamline execution of each step. Credit: Tara Smith, NREL

A new resource is equipping hydropower organizations with tools that can facilitate seamless succession planning and promote robust knowledge sharing practices.

The good news: Hydropower's reliability means it playsand will continue to playan important role in the electrical grid, supporting variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind. And existing and new hydropower projects are expected to play a pivotal role as we transition to 100% clean energy in the electricity sector. That could mean substantial growth in the hydropower workforce.

The bad news: The hydropower industry's workforce is experiencing major transitions, as it's seeing an increasing number of workers retire. The industry now faces the difficult challenges of not only ensuring that it can recruit enough workers to fill all the necessary roles, but also minimizing organizational knowledge loss from worker departure.

This organizational knowledge loss can have major implications, such as lost productivity as new workers come up to speed on organizational practices or increased pressure on existing employees, which can cause dissatisfaction and potentially lead to additional worker turnover.

A new resource developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) can help hydropower organizations prepare for worker turnover and reduce knowledge loss to ensure hydropower continues to play a major role in a clean energy future.

The Knowledge Sharing and Succession Planning Toolkit outlines a five-step process that can be used by any hydropower organization, no matter where they are in their workforce transition, to establish a system and culture for knowledge sharing.

"When we began this project, we realized that there are very minimal resources specific to hydropower regarding succession planning and knowledge sharing," said Adam Kanter, workforce development researcher at NREL and the lead author on the toolkit. "But we can see that hydropower is one of the industries that needs this kind of help the most."

To build the toolkit, Kanter spent months gathering expertise from other workforce development sources, then solicited feedback from members of hydropower associations and organizations.

"We had a good mix of perspectivessome technical hydropower people, but also human resources workers who already had some experience with knowledge sharing and succession planning," Kanter said. "Their input really strengthened the toolkit."

How to use the toolkit

The toolkit encompasses two important concepts necessary for successful workforce transitions: knowledge sharing, or the process of capturing skills and information and making that knowledge available to all employees; and succession planning, which helps leaders identify crucial positions within organizations and prepare employees to fill those vacancies as incumbents retire or move on.

These concepts are embedded in the toolkit's step-by-step approach, which first shepherds organizations through assessing, documenting, capturing, and sharing existing knowledge. The tool then guides them in making necessary changes and drafting a plan to revisit each topic regularly.

Each of the five steps include downloadable tools, templates, and checklists that simplify the process of evaluating organizational knowledge sharing practices. Examples of completed worksheets are also included in each step, so the organization can see the types of information they should be gathering.

But the beauty of the toolkit is its flexibility, said Kanter.

"People can use it chronologically, from Step 1 to Step 5, or they can skip directly to building a job profile," Kanter said. "One of the major considerations when we were creating this was making sure it's useful to people regardless of where they might be in this process. If they've already assessed their organization, and just want to make sure they're doing it right, they can use this to validate their ideas."

The toolkit was made publicly available in April 2024, and it has already been shared with many hydropower industry partners, from which Kanter is continuing to seek feedback. "One of the big benefits of having the toolkit online is that we can continue to update it to fill gaps and respond to industry input," Kanter said.

Hydropower industry partners will also be able to set up one-on-one sessions with Kanter to request assistance, get questions answered, or provide feedback.

"This toolkit comes at a time when hydropower organizations need help to ensure they have a qualified, knowledgeable workforce ready to help hydropower take its place in the clean energy transition," Kanter said.
Reinvestigation: Unmasking deep-rooted flaws of U.S. democracy

Xinhua) 10:22, July 01, 2024

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Though a work of fiction, the 2024 dystopian film "Civil War" resonates unsettlingly with Americans' real anxieties over escalating political and social polarization facing their country.

The film depicts a harrowing scenario where 19 states secede from the Union, the Lincoln Memorial is blown to pieces, and the White House falls. The New York Times said it reflects "the bipartisan sense of unease that has permeated American politics."

The fear of political violence and chaos has long gripped Americans. Back in August 2022, an Economist/YouGov poll showed that over 40 percent of surveyed Americans believed a civil war was likely in the next decade.

Having captured American discourse, the scenario of "civil war" exposes the increasing divisions and flaws in the American democratic system.

POLITICAL CHAOS, PUBLIC FURY

Scenes in "Civil War" have been echoed in reality.

Earlier this year, the southern U.S. state of Texas, which in the movie unites with California to overthrow the president, found itself in an armed standoff with the federal government over immigration tensions. More than 20 Republican-led states openly opposed the federal government, reviving memories of America's Civil War.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has lambasted the White House over illegal border crossings, which he described as an "invasion," claiming the state has the right to self-defense due to what he sees as President Joe Biden's failure to secure the U.S. border. However, Texan Democrats view this as another political maneuver to exploit the immigration issue, a major Republican agenda point in an election year rife with partisan strife.

Ultimately, it is the migrants, used as political pawns, who bear the brunt of these conflicts.

Recent American history has been marred by a series of unprecedented political incidents: the Capitol was stormed by protesters on Jan. 6, 2021; two consecutive presidents faced impeachment; a former president, who is campaigning for re-election, was criminally convicted; and a sitting president's child has been convicted of a crime for the first time.

Political conflicts have exacerbated social divisions, pitting movements like Black Lives Matter against white supremacists, gun control advocates against opponents, and liberals against conservatives on issues like abortion rights.

"The U.S. is now more divided along ideological and political lines than at any time since the 1850s," Bruce Stokes, an associate fellow with the Chatham House, a London-based policy institute, remarked in February.

"The United States has become a Disunited States. There are effectively two Americas -- and they are at war," he said.

Beneath the turmoil lies a profound erosion of livelihoods. In the United States, 37.9 million people live in poverty, while 26 million remain without health insurance. Over 650,000 individuals find themselves without a home, and the average student borrower faces a daunting 20-year struggle to extinguish their educational debt.

The health and safety of American citizens are increasingly imperiled by drugs and firearms. If alcohol and tobacco users are included, the number of people in the United States who are abusing substances totals 165 million. More than 100,000 Americans succumbed to drug overdoses in 2022, and nearly 43,000 died from gun violence in 2023. Additionally, the nation grapples with a suicide rate of 14.8 per 100,000 people.

ILLUSION OF VOTING

Despite the dire situation, American politicians remain entrenched in bipartisan conflicts instead of offering effective solutions.

Both parties leverage issues like immigration, climate change, and gun control to deepen polarization and expand their political bases. This partisanship has hindered the legislative process, with a Republican-controlled House and a Democrat-controlled Senate making consensus and effective lawmaking almost impossible.

Harlan Ullman, a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, wrote in January that the United States, faced with "the dilemma of democracy," is "incapable of finding rational solutions, or for that matter any solutions to its most pressing problems at home," be it immigration, energy, or gun control.

Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the lower house of the Malaysian Parliament, criticized the current U.S. election system, noting that candidates are far from representing the common people.

Ideally, candidates should be "people's choice," but in reality, they are "cherry-picked" by contesting parties, with some of them even being "novices remaining unknown to the people," Ong told Xinhua.

Moreover, candidates are usually mandated through rhetoric like "populist appeals, bold and undeliverable promises," and administrations often fail to address public needs after taking office, Ong said.

A Medill School of Journalism/NPR/Ipsos survey on non-voters in the 2020 presidential election found that two-thirds agreed "voting has little to do with the way that real decisions are made in this country," and 53 percent agreed that "it makes no difference who is elected president -- things go on just as they did before."

DEMOCRACY FOR THE PRIVILEGED

The malaise of today has deep historical roots. The "American democracy" system was not designed to foster consensus but to ensure the power and interests of monopolistic capitalists.

James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, once said, "In England, at this day, if elections were open to all classes of people, the property of the landed proprietors would be insecure. ... Landholders ought to have a share in the government, to support these invaluable interests, and to balance and check the other. They ought to be so constituted as to protect the minority of the opulent against the majority."

Friedrich Engels, in 1891, noted that nowhere do "politicians" form a more separate, powerful section of the nation than in North America.

"The nation is powerless against these two great cartels of politicians, who are ostensibly its servants, but in reality exploit and plunder it," he wrote.

Ideally, American democracy allows various parties to represent different groups. However, in reality, politicians often align with interest groups, manufacturing divisive issues and trapping citizens in mutual antagonism. As a result, politicians and interest groups exploit divisions over race, immigration, gender, social care, and environmental protection for economic and political gains.

In "Dog Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class," Ian Haney Lopez, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, argues that politicians and plutocrats deploy veiled racial appeals to persuade the middle class to support political candidates who promise to crack down on crime and curb undocumented immigration. Once elected, they slash taxes for the rich, give corporations regulatory control over industry and financial markets, and aggressively curtail social services.

In 1944, Hungarian economic sociologist Karl Polanyi lamented the decay of American democracy in his book "The Great Transformation," stating: "In spite of universal suffrage, American voters were powerless against owners."

"The separation of powers ... was now used to separate the people from power over their own economic life," he said.

According to a Pew Research Center survey last September, only 16 percent of Americans said they trusted the federal government, the lowest in over 70 years of polling. Nearly two-thirds of Americans said they always or often felt exhausted when thinking about politics, which they described as "divided" and "corrupt."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Conroe is considering a fee schedule for multifamily development to help offset the growing burden on the citys water infrastructure. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Workers pour concrete for a driveway. Conroe is considering a fee schedule for multifamily development to help offset the growing burden on the citys water infrastructure. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Workers pour concrete for a driveway. Conroe is considering a fee schedule for multifamily development to help offset the growing burden on the citys water infrastructure. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Homes are shown under construction. Conroe is considering a fee schedule for multifamily development to help offset the growing burden on the citys water infrastructure. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Conroe is considering a fee schedule for multifamily development to help offset the growing burden on the citys water infrastructure.

Council Member Marsha Porter proposed the plan that could include a fee per unit and fees for swimming pools.

We dont want to stop development but we want responsible development, Porter said.

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The plan comes as the council approved lowering the number of units per acre from 12 to six. Council Member Howard Wood was the lone nay vote and said he wanted to include a temporary timeline on the lowering of the number of units.

Stressed by development

In April, the council learned its aging infrastructure was no longer keeping up with multifamily development, creating critical water issues for the city. Last month the council unanimously agreed to amend its irrigation ordinance to limit the days residents can water their lawns.

New Conroe Mayor Duke Coon proposed the council amend its ordinance for the number of units per acre from 12 to six. He said since the council reduced the number of units from 20 to 12 in March 2023 another 203 units have been approved.

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Due to our water situation, I wanted to bring this forward quickly, Coon said. We have some challenges and we understand the impact 200 more units could have on our community.

Porter said since lowering the number of units per acre in March last year, only two developments have fallen under those new guidelines.

Managing growth

The problem that I see is that we had eight apartment complexes that were grandfathered in when we did not have a majority vote, Porter said. These complexes will certainly place future burdens on our water, our sewer and our traffic.

Porter said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which has changed its requirements from one connection per complex to one water connection per unit, is adding to the issue.

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Porter said other municipalities, including Bryan and College Station, are now charging apartment complexes an extra monthly fee to help offset the burden on the water supply.

Conroe has more than 18,000 apartment units, which make up 37% of the citys water customers. Porter said if the city imposed a fee of just $10 on each unit, it would generate about $2.1 million each year in water revenue.

I believe we can better serve the city of Conroe with a comprehensive plan rather than rushing to pass an ordinance that would only address one aspect of the problem, Porter said.

Wood said the city needed to look at all development including hospitals, assisted living and hotels.

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I just want to make sure we get this right, Wood said.

Council Member Harry Hardman said the city has been woefully inadequate in its handling of multifamily development and water supply.

Its created a huge burden for the city, Hardman said. We have to be very thoughtful, we have to be very effective about how we do regulate these things.

Norm McGuire, assistant city administrator and director of public works, said multifamily development can build twice the number of units per acre compared to single-family homes.

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Claire Goodman is a senior reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering the Katy area.

She also produces the Katy Insider newsletter, which sends every Monday and Wednesday.

Claire can be reached at claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com.
Visitors to The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books take a look at Ocean Vuongs book On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Beverly Benjamin-Bubb signs up to be able to check out books from The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Rachel Walker, community outreach and engagement specialist, The Woodlands Pride, offers Ocean Vuongs book On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous to Beverly Benjamin-Bubb in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Magnus Whitener, 10, browse through what is offered in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Magnus Whitener, 10, browse through what is offered in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer An All Are Welcome mat is placed in the doorway of The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Beverly Benjamin-Bubb, left, Michael Potler and Michelle Potter browse through the book selections offered in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Book selections offered to check out are shown on the shelves in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Magnus Whitener, 10, browses through the book selections in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Magnus Whitener, 10, sits down with a book in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Magnus Whitener, 10, browse through what is offered in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Book selections offered to check out are shown on the shelves in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Book selections offered to check out are shown on the shelves in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Caleb Bell browses through the selections offered in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Caleb Bell browses through the selections offered in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Book selections offered to check out are shown on the shelves in The Woodlands Pride Community Library located at Village Books in The Woodlands on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Woodlands Pride opened a new community library featuring diverse authors and inclusive topics. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

A new library dedicated to banned books and diverse voices opened Friday in The Woodlands.

Spurred on by book removal guidelines implemented by Conroe ISD and Montgomery County libraries within the last two years, the new Woodlands Pride Community library will offer more than 400 books featuring LGBTQ+ topics and a diverse range of authors and themes in the back of the Village Books bookstore.

Everybody is supposed to be represented at the library, The Woodlands Prides Rachel Walker said. The books on the shelf are supposed to be a reflection of the community, and our community has the people and the topics of the books that theyre removing. The entire community deserves to be represented, so we hope to fill that gap.

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The Woodlands Pride originally hosted book drives after Conroe ISD streamlined its book removal guidelines in November, Walker said. All books were originally set to be donated to Montgomery County libraries.

In March, Montgomery County commissioners voted that a commissioner-appointed citizens committee, instead of librarians, would decide what books and materials would be available to children in county libraries.

Before that, commissioners also tightened restrictions on access to library books with LGBTQ+ themes by children younger than 18 and agreed to add more conservative-based books to shelves after receiving dozens of complaints from residents.

Building a Pride library

Worried that the donated books would eventually be removed, Walker and The Woodlands Pride decided to open a library of their own.

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We decided to hold off on our donations because if that policy passed, it meant that these books could potentially be challenged and then pulled from the shelves, Walker said. That didnt feel like a responsible use of what the public had so kindly given to us.

Conroe ISD streamlined its book banning policy to mirror that of Katy ISDs in November 2023 and has removed 120 titles since January 2023.

Citing 19 recently banned books, district leaders may revisit the districts book removal policy after some board members worried it could cause collateral damage and affect students' academic performance. Titles including The Color Purple by Alice Walker, which was removed from classroom instruction, is a book choice on Advanced Placement exams.

Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong offered to pass out copies of his book, On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous, to anyone in Conroe after the district said it removed the title due to low circulation.

'Wave of censorship'

Vuong said on Instagram that he believes the book was banned as part of a wave of censorship.

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The Woodlands Pride got in contact with Vuong and offered copies of his book at the grand opening Friday. Although she homeschools her children, Debbie Whitener, who attended the opening, said having a community library with representation can be life or death for some kids.

I like to teach my kids that any book worth banning is worth reading, Whitener said. Were really just supporting our LGBTQ+ friends and the public school kids that need access to books with people that look like them.



How the library works

To use the library, readers can download the Libib app to browse the librarys catalog ahead of time and scan books in or out. Readers can also request a title online or donate to the librarys wishlist on its website.

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Although the library will not be staffed or operated by Village Books, owner Teresa Kenney will host a wishlist of titles that residents can purchase for the library.

The bookstore also hosts a banned books book club of its own that will read recently-banned titles including Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut, Kenney said. She has also launched a new nonprofit, Reading is Revolutionary, which will bring new books to children through avenues such as the Montgomery County Route of Kids Meals.
A tipster reported Cameron Peterson, 19, idolized school shooters and could potentially become one himself. The FBI arrested him after he tried to buy shotguns. Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

A New Braunfels man has been indicted on gun charges after someone told the FBI that he could be plotting a mass shooting.

The tipster reported that Cameron Peterson, 19, "has severe emotional issues, idolizes violence and school shootings, and that he may emulate infamous prior mass shooters," according to a criminal complaint affidavit.

The tipster reportedly based the warning on secondhand information relayed by someone close to Peterson. That person told the tipster that Peterson discussed plans to commit mass shootings and kept journals in which he detailed fantasies and plans for school shootings, the affidavit said.

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The FBI followed up on the tip and found that Peterson had tried to buy a shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop in January, but the shop did not sell it to him because of his age and the type of gun he was trying to buy, the affidavit said.

The FBI interviewed Peterson on May 21 at a home in New Braunfels. During that interview, he allegedly said he smoked marijuana daily. The FBI did not arrest him that day but added him to a list of people in the National Instant Background Check System who are prohibited from buying guns.

Ten days later, Peterson tried to buy another shotgun at a pawn shop using an old address, and did not report that he used drugs, according to the affidavit. The shop did not sell him the weapon after seeing his name was flagged in the NICS.

The FBI arrested Peterson in early June, and a federal grand jury last week indicted him on a count of attempted purchase of a firearm, "knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm would be used to commit a felony, that is premeditated, intentional murder."

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Peterson was also indicted on a separate charge of making false statements on a firearm purchase application for allegedly lying about his address and his use of marijuana on the firearm form.

Also in June, the FBI arrested Trevin Wayne Michael Boone, 19, and charged him with threatening an act of mass violence after he allegedly said on social media he intended to kill himself and take at least 12 people with me to hell, court records show.

Boone, of San Antonio, asserted that he was high on drugs when he made the post and was not serious about the threats, the affidavit says. But federal agents found posts on his other social media accounts that showed him wearing tactical gear and displaying guns. FBI agents also learned that he purchased a rifle and ammunition magazines shortly before he was arrested, court records said.

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A federal grand jury indicted Boone last week on a charge of interstate communication of a threat.
Hanoi gangs hire locals to circumvent gold price stabilization scheme: police

By Dinh Vu, Minh Hue Mon, July 1, 2024 | 2:55 pm GMT+7

Police in Hanoi have uncovered a scam involving several gangs hiring local people to queue up to buy gold bars at state-owned commercial banks and then reselling them to gold traders at higher prices.

Economic police officers inspect a gold store. Photo by The Investor/Dinh Vu.

The initial investigation found that four or five separate gangs had recruited local residents to queue up at branches of Vietcombank, Agribank and BIDV to buy gold bullion under the State Bank of Vietnams (SBV) price stabilization scheme.

Each gang had a person responsible for collecting the gold after seemingly legitimate transactions had been made.

The gang transferred money in advance to the recruits, who waited for their turns to buy gold from several bank branches.

Tracking the movements of the gang leaders, the investigators determined their destinations were jewelry businesses.

On June 17, Hanoi Police's Economic Security Department coordinated with the Hanoi Market Management Department to establish three working teams to inspect compliance with legal regulations on gold trading activities by businesses in the city.

During the inspection, police found that these businesses had been buying gold bars at higher prices than those offered by the banks, without issuing invoices or documents.

This shows that gold businesses attempted to buy SJC gold bars under the price stabilization scheme at higher prices, going against the government and the SBVs policy to stabilize the gold market," said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dac Tai from the Economic Security Department.

Many establishments failed to show a permit to trade SJC gold bars and foreign currencies, but were ready to buy SJC gold bars at high prices to hoard and then sell them on for a profit, causing instability in the gold market.

The Economic Security Department said that it will continue to keep a close watch on the gold market and coordinate with the SBV and the Market Management Department to inspect gold and foreign exchange transaction points in the city.

It will also give reality-based forecasts and make recommendations to stabilize the gold market.
Vingroup-led consortium to build $1.38 bln urban area in outlying Hanoi district

By Quang Tuyen, Minh Hue Mon, July 1, 2024 | 2:27 pm GMT+7

A consortium led by private conglomerate Vingroup has registered to build a VND35.2 trillion ($1.38 billion) smart-ecological urban area in Hanois outlying district of Dong Anh.

A corner of Dong Anh district, Hanoi. Photo by The Investor/Quang Tuyen.

The consortium, comprising Vingroup, Long Hai Investment Development JSC and Thai Son Construction Investment JSC, is the only entity that has registered for the project located in the districts Tam Xa, Vinh Ngoc and Xuan Canh communes, according to the municipal Department of Planning and Investment.

The urban area is expected to cover 268 hectares, with an operation period of 50 years. It will be constructed in about 96 months.

The developer will build 427 villas, 1,211 townhouses, 7,769 commercial apartments, 3,426 social housing units and a synchronous technical infrastructure system, accommodating about 38,500 residents.

The project is part of the capital citys general construction plan until 2030 (with vision until 2050), as well as the 1/5,000 scale Red River urban sub-area plan (from Hong Ha bridge to Me So bridge).

For Vingroup, the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam, Dong Anh is its new destination in the Hanoi property market. It has already built large-scale modern Vinhomes urban areas in Long Bien and Gia Lam districts.

With Dong Anh set to become an urban district in the near future, Vingroup is focusing on developing a number of other projects here including the National Exhibition Fair Center and a Vinhomes Co Loa urban area.

The National Exhibition Fair Center project covers over 265 hectares in Xuan Canh, Dong Hoi and Mai Lam communes, with Vietnam Exhibition Fair Center JSC (VEFAC), a subsidiary of Vingroup, as its investor.

Thai Son Construction Investment JSC was established in 2007, with Vinhomes, the real estate arm of Vingroup, holding 99.8% of its shares.

Long Hai Investment Development JSC is a popular partner of Vingroup. Last April, Long Hai and Vinhomes signed a contract to contribute capital to the Cua Hoi Amusement Park investment, construction and business project in Nghi Hoa and Nghi Hai wards, Cua Lo township, the central province of Nghe An.

Headquartered in Hanois Long Bien district, Long Hai mainly operates in the real estate business, with Nguyen Hong Quan, 62, as its CEO and legal representative.

When established in 2022, Long Hai had a charter capital of VN500 billion, which had risen to VND3,148 billion ($123.67 million) at the end of January 2024.
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In an effort to keep people and waterways safe during the July Fourth holiday, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division will be conducting courtesy boat inspections at public boat landings around the state.

DNR boating During the July Fourth holiday, SCDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform quick but thorough inspections for required safety 

The July Fourth holiday is one of the busiest times of the year for South Carolina lakes and waterways, and officers want to do everything possible to keep everyones weekend fun and safe.

SCDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform quick but thorough inspections for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registrations. Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Instead, they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat. SCDNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.

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To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the SCDNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431 or dial #DNR on your cellular phone.

For a copy of South Carolinas boating regulations, to find out about local boating safety courses, or to obtain a free float plan form, contact the SCDNR boating safety office at 1-800-277-4301 or visit http://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/boated.html.

July Fourth holiday boat inspection locations:

Thursday, July 4:

 Spartanburg County: Lake Bowen Landing, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Pickens County: Twin Lakes Landing, Lake Hartwell, 10 a.m. to Noon

Does SC have snakes that can climb up a house and get inside? Heres what DNR says For all of you who get the heebie jeebies when you see a snake, heres something else to think about. South Carolina is home to three types of snakes that can climb. Yep. Climb. And thats how they end up in your attic. Or toilet. Rat snakes, black racers and rough green snakes are the climbers among the 38 species of snakes, including six venomous, found in South Carolina, according to the ...

 York County: Allison Creek Landing, Lake Wylie, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Marion County: Galivants Ferry, Little Pee Dee River, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Lexington County: Larry Coon Landing, Lake Murray, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Richland County: Lighthouse Marina, Lake Murray, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Horry County: Bass Pro Shop, Intracoastal Waterway, 9-11 a.m.

 Charleston County: Wappoo Cut Landing, 9-11 a.m.

DNR biologist recognized for work on rare marsh bird Biologist Christy Hand receives 2023 Recovery Champion award for her pioneering conservation efforts for the endangered eastern black rail.

 Beaufort County: Lemon Island Landing, Okatie, 9-11 a.m.

Friday, July 5:

 Anderson County: River Fork Landing, Lake Hartwell, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Oconee County: South Cove County Park, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Darlington County: Highway 34 Cashua Ferry Landing, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Kershaw County: Clearwater Cove Landing, Lake Wateree, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Lexington County: Dreher Island State Park, Lake Murray, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Saluda County: SCE&G Ramp #4 Landing, Lake Murray, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Clarendon County: Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Charleston County: Limehouse Landing, Stono River, 9-11 a.m.

 Charleston County: Buck Hall Landing, McClelanville, 9-11 a.m.

 Georgetown County: Carrol Campbell Landing, Sampit River, 9-11 a.m.

Saturday, July 6:

 McCormick County: Dorn Landing, Lake Thurmond, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Greenwood County: Lake Greenwood State Park, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Oconee County: Seneca Creek, Lake Hartwell, 10 a.m. to Noon

 York County: Allison Creek Park Landing, Lake Wylie, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Chesterfield County: Lake H.B. Robinson, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Richland County: Lighthouse Marina, Lake Murray, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam, 10 a.m. to Noon

 Charleston County: Remley's Point Landing, Mt. Pleasant, 9-11 a.m.

 Berkeley County: William H. Dennis Landing, Tail Race Canal, Moncks Corner, 9-11 a.m.

 Horry County: Johnny Causey Landing, Intracoastal Waterway, North Myrtle Beach, 9-11 a.m.

Saturday, July 13:

 Beaufort County: Beaufort Water Festival, Battery Creek Boat Landing, 9-11 a.m.
Chachi's Mexican Restaurant in Kingwood is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Chachi's Mexican Restauranr

These bars and restaurants sold the most alcohol in Houston's suburbs in May, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The Spot, Sawyer Park Ice House and Little Woodrow's continue to dominate the top five spots, while Gringo's keeps its two spots on the list in Pearland and Conroe.

Chachi's in Kingwood joins the list this month and Pasadena residents manage to keep Pluckers in the top spot for their city.

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Editor's Note: These numbers do not include sales from alcohol wholesalers, such as liquor stores or large venues. Only bars and restaurants were included in this list. This information represents the most recently available data from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for alcohol sales in 2024.

1. Galveston: The Spot

The Spot has several bars as well as a restaurant, all within view of the ocean. The Spot is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. The Spot

Total sales: $317,673

2. Spring: Sawyer Park Ice House

Sawyer Park in Spring is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Sawyer Park



Total sales: $304,534

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3. Katy: Vida Mariscos

Vida Mariscos is one of the top 10 Katy establishments for alcohol sales. Courtesy/Vida Mariscos

Total sales: $304,221

4. Tomball: Little Woodrows

Little Woodrow's in Katy is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Little Woodtrow's

Total sales: $289,782

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5. Friendswood: Perrys Steakhouse and Grill

Perry's Grille & Steakhouse, at 2115 Town Square Place, is one of the top 10 Sugar Land establishments for alcohol sales in May. Perry's Grille & Steakhouse

Total sales: $238,491

6. Humble: Porkys Backyard

Porky's Backyard bar and food truck park is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Porky's

Total sales: $236,182

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7. Sugar Land: Lago Mariscos

Lago Mariscos, at 2425 Town Center Drive, is one of the top 10 Sugar Land establishments for alcohol sales in May.



Total sales: $197,845

8. Pearland: Gringos Mexican Kitchen

"The Original" Gringo's made the most alcohol sales in Pearland for the month of May. Courtesy of Gringo's Tex-Mex



Total sales: $187,399

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9. Cypress: Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen

Ambriza Cypress is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Ambriza Cypress

Total sales: $185,957

10. Conroe: Gringos Mexican Kitchen

Gringos Tex-Mex in Katy is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Gringo's Mexican Kitchen

Total sales: $159,269

11. Pasadena: Pluckers Wing Bar

Pluckers Wing Bar is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Melissa Skorpil

Total sales: $140,137

12. Kingwood: Chachis Mexican Bar and Grill

Total sales: $137,390

13. Alvin: Gordon Street Tavern

Gordon Street Tavern is among the top spots for alcohol sales in Houston's suburbs for May. Chronicle file
For over three decades, Orangeburg City Councilman Jerry Hannah has awarded scholarships through his business, Goldsteins on Russell.

The Greek paraphernalia store has provided scholarships to at least 45 college students at local colleges and Morris College in Sumter, Hannahs alma mater.

It has sustained, weve helped a lot of people, Hannah said.

The Mamie James Hannah and Candace Baker Richardson Scholarship has been awarded at Morris College for 35 years. He recently made a $11,000 donation in scholarship money to the institution.

Councilman Jerry Hannah Orangeburg City Councilman Jerry Hannah is owner of Goldstein's on Russell Street.

In the last four years, Hannah has introduced the Jerry Goldstein Hannah Scholarship for students at Claflin University, South Carolina State University and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. This year, he expanded the scholarships by awarding two per institution.

In my perspective, this is a way to let them know that somebody cares about them. I know what its like to go to college and I know what its like not to go to college, Hannah said.

Hannah began sending scholarships with one objective, to make a difference in a students life.

I didnt have any scholarships while in school, it was just blood, sweat and tears, he said.

Hannah attended Morris College for undergrad and SC State for graduate school.

In fact, Hannahs entrepreneurial spirit blossomed from his own struggles. He recalled having to sell items out of the trunk of a car to make money.

I had to eat. I was about ready to go back home, Hannah said.

ORANGEBURG CITY COUNCIL: $1.7M grant to battle Adden Street flooding The South Carolina Office of Resilience granted $1.7 million for stormwater drainage improvements on Adden Street.

He desires to provide scholarships to kids who are right on the edge.

I want to make a difference in a students life, Hannah said.

His scholarships are need-based and only awarded to existing students, with the exception of those attending OCtech.

Applicants are also tasked with writing a letter about Goldsteins impact on the Orangeburg community.

Hannah hopes the scholarships will get students to remain in Orangeburg post-graduation.

I want to try and get students to stay in the area because they often leave, he said.

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He realizes that some professions may require relocation but hopes the recipients of the scholarship still chose to give back.

A nuclear scientist could be staying in Seattle, Washington, and still contribute back to his hometown, he explained.

I help them with the scholarship, I want them to reach out to help Orangeburg.

History of Goldsteins

Goldsteins has been a part of the Orangeburg community for over 40 years. Hannah started the business in 1983 with the first location on Highway 61. Years later, it closed after the opening of Goldsteins on Russell Street.

In 1989, Hannah opened Goldsteins in Holly Hill. The Holly Hill location faced a lot of adversity. The store was first shut down by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Then it was severely damaged by a flood in 2015, forcing the business owner to rebuild. The misfortune continued as the building was burned down by the hands of an arsonist in 2018.

Someone set the town on fire and three businesses were burned down; Goldsteins was the last one, Hannah said.

Goldsteins on Russell Street is still open for business.

Orangeburg has fed me. This town has been good to me, and I appreciate that, Hannah said.
(TBTCO) - Muc tieu tang truong (GRDP) nam 2024 cua TP. Ho Chi Minh at 7,5%, la thach thuc rat lon can su quyet tam cao cua ca he thong chinh tri, UBND TP. Ho Chi Minh a ua ra cac giai phap cu the e hoan thanh muc tieu a e ra trong nhung thang cuoi nam 2024 va thuc ay kinh te trong nhung nam sau.
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has launched its Zero Bureaucracy initiative in the financial sector, aligning with UAE Government's wider programme Zero Government Bureaucracy.

The initiative aims to take a significant step in government procedures, simplifying people's lives and reducing unnecessary burdens on businesses and individuals in terms of time, effort and resources, a WAM report said.

The CBUAE, in cooperation with the Prime Ministers Office, organised a workshop to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme. The programme aims to eliminate at least 2,000 government procedures, minimise procedure times by at least 50%, and remove all unnecessary processes and requirements.

Reducing procedures

The workshop participants discussed several initiatives and plans aimed at eliminating bureaucracy by simplifying and reducing procedures, expediting service delivery, and innovating new patterns of government procedures. The objective of these initiatives and procedures is to enhance operational efficiency and improve the quality of services provided to customers and partners in the financial sector.

Additionally, the CBUAE Youth Council and Happiness Committee are actively facilitating dialogue between the CBUAEs employees and various departments in order to share their viable ideas and proposals with the internal committee overseeing the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, in line with the vision and organisational values of the CBUAE.

The CBUAE also issued a notice to all licensed financial institutions encouraging their participation in the programme by taking and discussing steps in a workshop that will be organised by the CBUAE, with the objective of simplifying and expediting procedures related to services provided to customers and business sector in the financial industry.

Continuous process

Khaled Mohmmed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, said: "The Zero Government Bureaucracy programme captures our leaderships vision of developing an integrated, innovative and forward-looking government ecosystem. Eliminating bureaucracy within the CBUAE is a continuous process aimed at fostering development and success in the financial sector.

This initiative will drive a positive impact for consumers, customers, and businesses alike, and support the achievement of the "We the UAE 2031" vision which aims to make the UAE government a forward ecosystem globally.--TradeArabia News Service
Dubai has announced a Metro station area development plan that aims to more than double the number of stations to 140 by 2040 and develop areas around Metro stations, to enhance economic opportunities, interconnect public transport modes, and improve sustainable transport efficiency.

The plan will expand the Metro from the current 64 stations over 84 sq km to 96 stations over 140 sq km by 2030. By 2040, the plan aims to cover 140 stations over 228 sq km, said a Wam news agency report. This strategic development plan reflects Dubai's commitment to enhancing public transport, sustainability, and community well-being, setting a progressive blueprint for the city's future growth.

Incentives for Developers

The plan, approved at a meeting of the Executive Council of Dubai on Sunday, offers incentives for developers to utilise plots around metro stations, supporting the '20-minute city' concept. These incentives aim to provide additional services, increase Metro ridership, and boost sustainability and quality of life in Dubai.

The meeting was chaired by HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Key Objectives

* Public Transport Utilization: Increase public transport share to 45%.

* Carbon Emissions Reduction: Reduce carbon emissions to 16 tonnes per capita.

* Public Spaces Improvement: Enhance public spaces to encourage walking and increase shaded areas.

* Population Growth: Boost populations around Metro stations.

* Diverse Spaces: Enhance residential, commercial, office, and service spaces around Metro stations.

* Economic Growth: Attract users and increase economic activities.
Taaleem Holdings, a leading K-12 premium education provider, has signed a master agreement with Harrow International Schools Limited (HISL) to own and operate Harrow Schools across the UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The first of these Taaleem Harrow Schools under the agreement is planned to open in the UAE.

Harrow International Schools Limited is renowned for extending the prestigious educational philosophy of Harrow School, one of the oldest and most respected schools in the UK. Harrow School, established in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, is synonymous with academic excellence, extensive co-curricular activities and a strong emphasis on character development and leadership.

Harrow School has educated and nurtured some of the worlds most influential figures, including Lord Byron, Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, King Hussein of Jordan, the former rulers of Iraq and Zanzibar, Lord Rayleigh, seven UK Prime Ministers and numerous influencers, inventors, artists and Nobel Laureates.

Oversight teams

Through its oversight teams, HISL oversees the requirement for all Harrow-branded schools to reflect Harrow Schools educational purpose, practice, strategy and philosophy, tailored to the needs of their students and locations.

Under the master agreement, Taaleem will bring Harrow School's exceptional standards of education to the GCC region, enriched with local cultural elements to provide a holistic learning experience. The agreement is an important milestone in Taaleems strategy to enter the Super-Premium school segment and expand its footprint across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Khalid Al Tayer, Chairman of Taaleem, commented: We are incredibly proud to partner with HISL. This agreement marks a significant milestone for Taaleem as we combine Harrows prestigious and long-standing tradition of educational excellence with Taaleems regional experience and focus on local culture and values. We are committed to providing our students with the highest standards of education, fostering an environment where they can thrive both academically and personally.

David Eyton, Chairman of the Governors of Harrow School, added: We are delighted to expand the opportunity for more children to access a Harrow education with Taaleem  a partner who shares our commitment to raising educational standards by focusing on the development of pupils talents and passions.

Premium education

By establishing world-class schools that offer a premium education based on the Harrow Values of courage, honour, humility and fellowship, our joint aspiration is to prepare children with diverse backgrounds and abilities for a life of learning, leadership, service and personal fulfilment.

Alan Williamson, CEO of Taaleem, commented: "It is a privilege to extend Harrow's legacy of academic excellence and holistic education across the GCC region. By combining Harrow's distinguished educational philosophy with Taaleems focus and commitment to premium education, we are set to provide an unparalleled educational experience for our students. The partnership also marks an important milestone for Taaleem as we launch our first Super-Premium schools in the GCC, providing even greater choice for parents and students across the region."

This partnership complements Taaleems two new Dubai British Schools, Jumeira and Mira, which are set to open to students in August 2024 and September 2025, respectively.--TradeArabia News Service
The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) recently received a Gold Health and Safety Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

This came in recognition of ASRYs unwavering commitment to implementing the highest standards of occupational health and safety during the year 2023. The company was formally honored at an award ceremony held recently in London, the British Capital, where ASRY HSE Department Head, Mahmood Abdulaziz, received the award on ASRYs behalf.

ASRY Deputy CEO, Mohamed bin Rashed AlKhalifa, expressed his pride in ASRYs successive achievements in the field of occupational health and safety, praising the efforts of all the employees for adhering to the highest international standards.

Occupational health and safety

He commented: ASRYs reputation in occupational health and safety is well known  meticulously built over decades of experience and dedication. Earning this recognition from a leading international body is a testament to our ongoing commitment to implementing the best practices. Safety is our number one priority, so its very gratifying for that dedication from all our employees to be recognised. It validates the success of our efforts to foster a positive work culture that thrives on continuous collaboration across all departments and aspects of our operations.

Adding to its series of accomplishments, ASRY has also recently been awarded the 2024 Green World Award by the Green Organisation. This prestigious award aims to celebrate institutions leading the change in environmental sustainability. ASRY has won this award for its outstanding performance in accordance with international standards, and due to its commitment to applying the best environmental practices through environmental conservation initiatives and shifting towards environment-friendly green projects.--TradeArabia News Service
The UAE is committed to collaborating with BRICS countries on joint food security initiatives and the expansion of food trade among member nations.

Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), told the 14th Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture and the 10th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting, convened in Moscow, Russia, that the UAE will cooperate in environmental conservation efforts and the promotion of sustainable systems.

Dr Al Dahak said: "The UAE has a clear strategy to enhance national food security and achieve food self-sufficiency as part of our efforts to implement the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. We recognise that mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing resilience are global challenges. Therefore, we are committed to developing sustainable food systems, both domestically and internationally."

Technical sessions

Dr Al Dahak was accompanied by Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MOCCAE, along with several ministry officials. The delegation participated in several technical sessions and engaged in meetings with counterparts from BRICS member states.

The Minister stated the UAE's aspiration to develop a purposeful and effective multilateral framework. She highlighted the significance of nurturing constructive dialogue to propel food security, enhance trade, and establish sustainable food systems across all member states.

She added: "The UAE is actively working to enhance intra-trade to ensure the sustainability of supply chains, while adhering to international standards and scientific principles. We are proud to sign comprehensive economic partnership agreements that facilitate the smooth flow of trade and remove unjustified restrictions. We believe that promoting fair, inclusive, and equitable trade in the agricultural sector will significantly contribute to building sustainable food systems worldwide."

At the "Establishment of BRICS Grain Exchange as an Element of Mutual Trade Development" session, the Minister reiterated the importance of trade in enhancing food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture in both BRICS countries and globally. She highlighted that the UAE has prioritised food trade as a fundamental component of its food security strategy.

BRICS Grain Exchange

She said: "The UAE welcomes the establishment of the BRICS Grain Exchange, anticipating that the initiative will facilitate further discussions aimed at advancing our shared objectives in the trade of grains, one of the most critical strategic food commodities. We look forward to increased, substantive, and productive cooperation in agriculture and sustainable food security, which are fundamental to the growth and prosperity of any country."

Al Nuaimi, noted that climate change is one of the most significant challenges that humanity has ever faced, impacting all aspects of life, from the economy, energy, and food security to education, health, and daily living.

Al Nuaimi said: "The COP28, hosted by the UAE last year, marked a significant turning point through the historic UAE Consensus, which renewed hope in reducing global warming. We believe that a fair and equitable energy transition, coupled with international cooperation, is essential for achieving a sustainable future for current and future generations."

Al Nuaimi asserted the UAE's national efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050, as well as its initiatives to enhance global climate action and preserve the planet.

Leveraging collective efforts

He concluded: "The collaboration among the environment ministries within the reconfigured BRICS group constitutes a significant enhancement to global climate efforts, leveraging our collective resources, technologies, solutions, expertise, and scientific research. Establishing additional cooperation platforms proposed during this meeting will further enable us to achieve our shared objectives."

A team from the Ministry, headed by Dr Mohamed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, also participated in the 2nd Meeting of The BRICS Agriculture Cooperation Working Group, where the BRICS priorities in the field of agriculture were discussed and a final statement was prepared on enhancing agricultural cooperation and food security among the member countries. In addition to this, the delegates prepared an action plan for the period 2024-2028, on agricultural cooperation among the BRICS countries.--TradeArabia News Service
APM Terminals Bahrain celebrated the completion of the first 'Be' leadership programme, an initiative aimed at supporting young Bahraini talents and contributing to the development of Bahrain's logistics industry.

The two-year programme, launched in May 2022 with the support of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, provided continuous development opportunities for students from Bahrain Polytechnic University Bahrain, including training, certifications, exchange programmes, and mentorship from local and global leaders within the company. The programme's objectives align with Bahrain's 2030 Economic Vision and the National Employment Programme for Bahrainis.

"The Be leadership programme has proven to be an outstanding success, showcasing the resilience and potential of Bahraini talents," said Yosra Abdulla, General Manager of Human Resources at APM Terminals Bahrain.

Positive impact

"APM Terminals Bahrain is committed to fostering Bahraini talent and contributing to the kingdoms economic growth and development. We look forward to the continued success of all our employees and the positive impact they will have on the logistics industry.

The announcement was made during an event celebrating Women in Maritime, by Bader Hood Al Mahmood, Undersecretary for Port and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dana Al Zayani, Undersecretary for Planning, Family Reconciliation and Alimony at the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Member of the Supreme Council for Women, APM Terminals Bahrain Managing Director Matthew Luckhurst and management team, as well as executive representatives from partner companies, and Bahrain Polytechnic University representatives.

The event included the announcement of the three candidates who have been extended employment opportunities to continue their careers with APM Terminals Bahrain and recognised those who supported the programme and helped bring it to life. Amal Al Hoori has been designated as Process Manager in the Asset Management Department, Duaa Al Meshqab, has been designated Lead in the companys Way of Working (WoW) within the Business Transformation Department, and Latifa Al Shamlan will continue in her role as Project Manager in the Human Resources Department.--TradeArabia News Service
Intersec Saudi Arabia, Saudis leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection, will return for a sixth edition from October 1 - 3 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC).

Organised by 1st Arabia and licensed by Messe Frankfurt, the exhibition is held in association with the Ministry of Interior and Saudi Civil Defense.

Intersec Saudi Arabia is expected to host over 350 exhibitors from 27 countries and will feature country pavilions for China, the Czech Republic, France and the UK. Saudi-based exhibitors account for 29% of the participating companies, which are categorised across five product sectors  Commercial & Perimeter Security, Cybersecurity, Public Safety & Security, Fire and Rescue, and Safety and Health.

Intersec Saudi Arabia draws thousands of security and safety professionals from around the GCC each year to procure, learn and develop their knowledge of a rapidly growing industry.

A record-breaking 15,336 visitors attended the 2023 event, and 17,000 visitors are expected at the upcoming edition. The exhibition space for Intersec Saudi Arabia 2024 has increased by 34% from 2023, covering a total area of 23,000 sqm across five halls and one outdoor showcase.

Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO and Founder of 1st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences, said: Intersec Saudi Arabia is tailored specifically to the needs of the Kingdom. The event is regarded as the largest and most important exhibition and conference for the security, safety, and fire protection industries in Saudi Arabia.

The annual conference programme for Intersec Saudi Arabia will include the Future Security and Safety Summit and the Fire Protection and Technology Summit, with both of these summits reflecting the specific needs of the Saudi market.

Riham Sedik, Show ManagerIntersec Saudi Arabia, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: We are proud to feature two pivotal summits that will unite industry pioneers to address current and emerging security threats at national and corporate levels while also bringing together leading fire and emergency service professionals to discuss the latest challenges, opportunities, and advancements in fire safety and technology."

The summits will run throughout the three-day event and have been developed to bring together the industry's best and brightest minds, offering significant value to attendees and high-quality, valuable educational opportunities to attendees.

Key themes for the Future Security and Safety Summit include Moving Beyond Security  How to React to AIs Transformative Potential and Boosting International Security Co-operation Meanwhile, the Fire Protection and Technology Summit will explore Robotics and Automation for Fire Suppression and Fire Challenges due to Climate Change among other vital industry topics.

The Premium Club will once again return to Intersec Saudi Arabia, providing unrivalled opportunities for professionals in safety, security, and fire protection to network. The programme is designed to encourage key buyers to connect with exhibitors away from the show floor, offering a seamless purchasing process.

Intersec Saudi Arabia will take place in Halls 1-5 at RICEC. Halls 1 and 2 will feature the Commercial, Perimeter, Homeland and Cybersecurity show sections, while halls 3 and 4 will focus on Fire Health and Safety. Security, Safety and Fire exhibitors will be featured in Hall 5, named Intersec Plus, as well as an outdoor, purpose-built exhibition space. -TradeArabia News Service
Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines speaks to his lawyers Nicole Degrade Hochglaube, left, and Molly Bagshaw before the start of jury selection in his felony murder trial on Monday, July 1, 2024 in Houston. The trial comes more than five years since the no-knock raid that left Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, dead and five officers wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The veteran officer retired from the department and was charged later that year with felony murder, tampering with a government record and engaging in organized criminal activity. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A photo composite of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas released Jan. 29, 2019 by Houston Police. Tuttle and Nicholas were killed in a drug raid during which HPD officers were injured by gunfire on Jan. 28, 2019. HPD/File photo Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines speaks to his lawyers Nicole Degrade Hochglaube, left center, and Molly Bagshaw before the start of jury selection in his felony murder trial on Monday, July 1, 2024 in Houston. The trial comes more than five years since the no-knock raid that left Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, dead and five officers wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The veteran officer retired from the department and was charged later that year with felony murder, tampering with a government record and engaging in organized criminal activity. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer 7815 Harding Street in Houston where the occupants of the home were shot to death during a police raid on January 28 and five Houston Police Department members injured on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines speaks to his lawyer Nicole Degrade Hochglaube, left, before the start of jury selection in his felony murder trial on Monday, July 1, 2024 in Houston. The trial comes more than five years since the no-knock raid that left Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, dead and five officers wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The veteran officer retired from the department and was charged later that year with felony murder, tampering with a government record and engaging in organized criminal activity. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A forensic photographer hired by the family of a south Houston couple killed during a botched drug raid investigates bullet holes at the home on 7815 Harding on Friday, May 10, 2019, in Houston. Houston police executed a no-knock warrant on Jan. 28, 2019, at the home during the raid, which left the two homeowners dead and five police officers injured. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines speaks to his lawyers Nicole Degrade Hochglaube, left, and Molly Bagshaw before the start of jury selection in his felony murder trial on Monday, July 1, 2024 in Houston. The trial comes more than five years since the no-knock raid that left Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, dead and five officers wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The veteran officer retired from the department and was charged later that year with felony murder, tampering with a government record and engaging in organized criminal activity. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Out of state forensic team brought by the family of the killed homeowners at a botched drug raid work the bullet holes still at the home on 7815 Harding on Friday, May 10, 2019, in Houston. The home was the scene of a botched drug raid that took place on Jan. 28, 2019 and left the two homeowners dead and five police officers injured. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer

The trial of former Houston police officer Gerald Goines on felony murder charges stemming from the deadly Harding Street narcotics raid began Monday with lawyers polling would-be jurors about their ability to remain impartial.

Several prospective jurors raised their hands to say they recognized Goines from news reports  and more chimed in after a juror referred to him as Officer Goines. No one in the court identified him as the law enforcement official until that moment.

One woman, who lawyers struck from their roster, said she has kept tabs on developments in the Harding Street turmoil since the no-knock warrant were carried out in January 2019.

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Im not sure I can be fair, she said.

Many of the jurors who shared her sentiment were also struck.

Prosecutors and Goines defense team will interview 42 potential jurors  whittled down from the 120 they started with  one-on-one to determine whether they will return for his trial in September. The lengthier jury selection process is typically reserved for death penalty cases but has also been used on high profile trials, such as the Antonio Armstrong Jr. capital murder trial held last year after two hung juries and attempts to ferry the case to another county.

The trial comes more than five years since the Pecan Park raid that left Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, dead and five officers wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The veteran officer retired from the department and was charged later that year with felony murder, tampering with a government record and engaging in organized criminal activity.

The lawyers also questioned prospective jurors about how credible they perceive uniformed police officers to be, indicating that the case will likely pit the former officer against the word of Houston Police Departments rank-and-file who prosecutors call to the witness stand. Both sides struck potential jurors based on their answers in court with little disagreement.

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Clay Conrad, a defense attorney not involved in Goines case, that the jurors answers could have hinted toward a particular bias.

If youre the defense, you want people who want to give police the benefit of the doubt, Conrad said. If youre the prosecution, you probably want people to believe that theres a few bad apples among cops and its important to root them out.

Judge Veronica Nelson, of the 482nd District Court, ushered both sides outside of the ceremonial courtroom to conduct a hearing away from the jurors in the gallery. About a dozen jurors were called in to speak with the lawyers. The judge did not permit the Chronicle to observe the proceeding.

The 42 jurors who were asked to remain after the hearing were ordered to return for individual voir dire.

Prosecutors and Goines lawyers have spent years arguing over the language of the indictments, resulting in the judge quashing the indictments after determining they were written vaguely. She made a similar decision in cases involving nine police officers accused of an overtime scheme was uncovered in the wake of the 2019 raid.

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Prosecutors obtained new indictments against Goines but have not done so in the other officers. The lawyers have asked that Goines' defense team be barred from referencing the other charged officers during Goines trial, according to court records.

The raids aftermath has had sweeping implications on the criminal justice system as higher courts have deemed Goines a bad actor and overturned nearly a dozen convictions in which he, as the arresting officer, was the sole witness.
Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the appointment of Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State, as the new point person for the Gulf, reported Wam.

This follows the constitution of Indias new Council of Ministers on June 9 after elections to Parliaments lower House, the Lok Sabha.

Singh assumed charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on June 11. He was given charge of the Gulf in the division of MEA work among ministers by Indias External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar.

It was notified to the public through an organogram that was updated yesterday to reflect changes.

A key environmental activist, Singh had won several cases pertaining to illegal sand mining against state governments in Green Tribunal. In 2024 he was re-elected as the Member of Parliament from Gonda in the pivotal 18th Lok Sabha elections, from a BJP ticket.

In tis new role, Singh will have concurrent charge of consular, passports and visa work, among other subjects. He will also deal with Overseas Indian Affairs. Both are subjects of vast interest in the Gulf because of a large Indian diaspora in the GCC countries.

India has a combined division for consular, passports and visas as well as Overseas Indian Affairs in the MEA. Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi will continue as the senior-most civil servant assisting Singh in this work.
Bahrain's Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has announced the launch of electronic services for domestic employee permits, which gives employers the ability to complete transactions electronically through the Expatriate Management System (EMS) without the need to visit the authority, while maintaining the option to apply in person at any of its branches for those who wish to do so.

Nibras Talib, CEO of the LMRA, stated that adopting electronic services for domestic employee permits comes as part of the authority's commitment to continuously enhance the quality of services provided, in line with the governments efforts in streamlining government relate processes, a Bahrain News Agency report said.

The CEO pointed out that employers  in the case of direct employment will be able to complete all operations related to domestic employees through the Expatriate Management System (EMS) using the Advanced e-Key issued by the Information & eGovernment Authority. Employers will be able to apply for the issuance, renewal, or termination of work permits, apply to increase the ceiling of Domestic Employees, as well as change the profession of a domestic worker.

In addition, employers can electronically approve requests submitted by domestic employee recruitment offices and pay fees using debit or credit cards.

Employers will also be able to monitor the progress of their transactions related to Domestic Employees, view the list of workers under their record, access related data (expiration date of the work permit; legal status), among other services related to Domestic Employees.

These enhancements come as part of LMRAs process re-engineering initiatives and shift towards digitalization of its services. Its noteworthy to mention that the authority previously streamlined the process of applying for domestic employee permits through licensed employment offices, where these offices are able to electronically complete all related transactions without the need to visit any of the relevant government entities, the report said.
bp has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to join an existing consortium comprising Masdar, Hassan Allam Utilities and Infinity Power to explore the potential development of a multi-phase green hydrogen (gH2) project in Egypt.

Under the JDA, bp will act as the main developer and operator of the project on behalf of the consortium. The partners are combining their respective gH2 projects in Egypt and will also explore the potential for a single large-scale, multi-phase project for the development of gH2 and its derivatives, with a focus on exports.

The newly formed consortium has signed a Framework Agreement (FWA) with the Egyptian government to start carrying out a set of studies and activities to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of the project.

Egypt-EU Investment Conference

The FWA agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Egypt-EU Investment Conference by Nader Zaki, bps Regional President, Middle East and North Africa; Karim Hefzy, Chief Operating Officer of Hassan Allam Utilities; Andreas Bieringer, Director, Green Hydrogen Business Development and Commercial, Masdar; Karim Hafzi, COO of Hassan Allam Utilities; and Mohamed Mansour, Chairman of Infinity Power, and witnessed by Dr Moustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr Mohamed Shaker, the Minister of Electricity and Renewable Resources, and Dr Hala El-Said, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development.

"We are pleased that the signing coincides with our celebration of 60 years in Egypt, which clearly reflects our ongoing commitment to the country. Over the decades, we have been a key supplier of energy in Egypt, consistently working to meet its increasing energy demands while supporting its endeavours for a more sustainable energy future. The diverse experiences of partners in energy projects present a great opportunity for regional cooperation and accessing global markets, fundamentally supporting Egypt's energy transition plans." said Nader Zaki, bp's regional president for the Middle East and North Africa.

Mohammad Abdelqader El Ramahi, Masdars Chief Green Hydrogen Officer, said: We welcome the addition of bp to the consortium, building on the well-established existing relationship between our companies and supporting Masdars ambition to drive the development of green hydrogen around the world.

We already have plans to develop green hydrogen projects in Egypt and this agreement reinforces Masdar and the UAEs commitment to Egypt to realise its massive clean energy and green hydrogen potential, alongside our Africa renewable energy champion IPH.

Key step

Amr Allam, Co-CEO Hassan Allam Holding, said: "Joining forces with bp, Masdar, and Infinity Power in this consortium is a significant step towards advancing the development of green hydrogen and anchoring Egypt as a key player in this sector. Our combined local and global expertise will create economic opportunities and contribute to a cleaner and greener future for Egypt and help to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors globally relying on fossil fuels.

Felipe Arbelaez, bps SVP Hydrogen and CCS, added: Hydrogen has a role to play in the future of global energy. We look forward to working with our partners to try to unlock hydrogens potential in Egypts energy story.

Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman of Infinity Power, said: Bringing another partner on board highlights the ambition of our consortium and our commitment to collaborating and innovating to bring about new green investment in Africa. Our track record delivering large scale projects in Egypt and across the continent will give us essential experience to help deliver on this exciting and innovative project.

Nayer Fouad, CEO of Infinity Power, added: We know Africa has abundant renewable resources, and this hydrogen export hub will take advantage of these resources and bring environmental and economic benefits to Egypt and other nations. Hydrogen power is an incredibly exciting technology, and this export hub can help to power green industry in Africa and beyond and strengthen Egypts role as a leader in green power.--TradeArabia News Service
GE Vernova on Monday announced the successful rollout of the first H-class gas turbine unit completed at the GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) facility in Dammam.

The official ceremony, held at GESAT, was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabias Minister of Energy.

As part of the event, GE Vernova also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Export-Import Bank (Exim) to enable the export of goods and services of GE Vernova from Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was also attended by Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernovas Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and other guests.

GESAT is a world-class gas turbine and component manufacturing facility and a joint venture between Dussur and GE Vernova.

The first locally completed H-Class unit is set to power the Jafurah Cogeneration Independent Steam and Power Plant (ISPP), which once operational is anticipated to be the most efficient power plant in Saudi Arabia. By 2030, the entire Jafurah gas field is expected to produce up to 630,000 barrels of natural gas liquids and condensates, as well as over 420 million standard cubic feet (MMSCFD) of ethane per day.

The successful rollout of the locally completed gas turbine at GESAT is a significant milestone in the kingdoms energy sector and contributes to Saudi Arabias economic diversification and local skills development initiatives, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The rollout underscores GE Vernovas commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology products to support both the Kingdoms energy needs and its sustainability goals, said a statement.

Hisham Al Bahkali, President of GE Vernova in Saudi Arabia, said: We are incredibly proud of GESATs accomplishments in driving industrial localization within the Kingdoms energy sector in support of Saudi Vision 2030. GESAT strengthens Made in Saudi capabilities and, since 2018, has exported 200+ accessory modules for power plants generating more than 11 GW. GESAT is now further growing its ongoing success with the rollout of one of the most advanced gas turbines, completed in Saudi Arabia.

Renowned for their high efficiency and performance, GE Vernovas H-class gas turbines offer one of the most cost-effective conversions of natural gas to electricity in their class, and support flexible power generation needs across the Middle East.

Joseph Anis said: GE Vernova has close to 90 years of legacy in the Kingdom, reflecting our strong commitment to advancing the countrys goals for energy security, economic diversification, and talent development under Saudi Vision 2030. The rollout of the first HA unit completed at GESAT is a testament to our efforts in further deepening power sector capabilities in the Kingdom. The high efficiency and hydrogen readiness of our H-class turbines can support the countrys energy transition, as the turbines can rapidly ramp up or down to support grid stability as more intermittent renewables are integrated into the energy system.

To further support the Kingdoms economic diversification and export capabilities, GE Vernova also signed an MoU with Saudi EXIM that aims at enabling the export of goods and services of GE Vernova from Saudi Arabia through lending and insurance support from Saudi EXIM Bank. Since inception, GESAT has been set up to deliver technology products for export from the Kingdom, and this MoU aims to further enable export projects. The signing was done by H.E. Eng. Saad Alkhalb, CEO of Saudi Exim Bank, and Hisham Al Bahkali, President of GE Vernova for Saudi Arabia.

GE Vernova spun-off from GE and began trading as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 2, 2024. With approximately 55,000 wind turbines and 7,000 gas turbines, GE Vernova's technology helps generate about 25% of the world's electricity and has a meaningful role to play in the energy transition.  TradeArabia News Service
Bapco Energies, the integrated energy company leading the energy transition in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company, announced the official signing of a strategic partnership agreement for petroleum products trading.

This joint venture marks a significant milestone for Bapco Energies and the Kingdom of Bahrain as it aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas and the aspirations of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the Kingdoms energy sector.

Lauding the trading partnership, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of Bapco Energies, said it stands as one of the many strategic initiatives within Bapco Energies ongoing transformation efforts in the Kingdom of Bahrains energy landscape.

Shaikh Nasser was speaking at the signing ceremony held in Paris, in the presence of Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, as well as senior representatives from Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies including Abdulla Al Zain, Bapco Refining Chairman; Mark Thomas, Bapco Energies Group Chief Executive Officer; and Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, Bapco Refining Chief Executive Officer.

He emphasised the important role this partnership will play in setting up Bapco Energies to compete on the global stage and to become a key player in the international energy market.

According to him, the JV will create substantial value as it aims to optimise Bapco Energies trading capabilities through TotalEnergies global petroleum product trading expertise.

"This partnership is a culmination of a collective effort between Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies, allowing both companies to unlock new avenues for growth in years to come," he stated.

The strategic partnership comes as a result of the collaborative foundation established earlier this year during TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyannes visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The partnership, set to commence this month, will also empower Bapco Energies to capture new market opportunities, enhance its trading strategies, and gain access to TotalEnergies extensive network, significantly expanding its reach and influence in the global market.

Furthermore, this partnership will provide opportunities for the development of human capital through the exposure to world-class expertise in trading and risk management.-TradeArabia News Service
Omans Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has signed a new air services agreement, expanding on a 1985 deal with Tunisia, that aims to regulate air services between the countries and beyond. It is based on principles of open skies, allowing the airlines to operate any number of direct flights, a report said.

The agreement was signed by Naif Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The 23-articles pact regulates operational and technical aspects in a manner that serves the common interests of the two countries. It introduces a special appendix that outlines the schedule of air routes.

It is worth noting that the Sultanate of Oman has so far concluded bilateral agreements in the field of air transport with as many as 124 countries around the world.
ECONOMIST Marla Dukharan has called for an independent and objective assessment of all countries worldwide to determine which ones are truly tax havens.

Dukharan stated that this approach would help combat the stigma often associated with the Caribbean region.
Samantha Ketterer is a Houston Chronicle reporter covering higher education. She can be reached at samantha.ketterer@houstonchronicle.com.

Since joining the staff in 2018, Samantha has also covered criminal justice and the Harris County courthouse. She is a former reporting fellow for the Dallas Morning News' state bureau and a former city hall reporter for The Galveston County Daily News.

Samantha, who is from Houston's suburbs, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and is a proud alumna of The Daily Texan.
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The mother of the suspect in the double murder of Tara Geeta Ramsaroop and her infant daught
A no trust, no HISD bond sign posted outside a home, Friday, June 28, 2024 in Houston. Signs follow the districts proposition of a $4.4 billion bond on ballots in November to address campus infrastructure needs. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer

Several Houston ISD teachers, parents and community members say they are planning to cast their first-ever vote against a school bond if the district puts the $4.4 billion bond package developed under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles on the ballot in November.

Critics recognize that this is one of their most powerful opportunities to voice their opposition to the state takeover, the replacement of HISD's elected board members, concerns over financial accountability and a lack of trust in district leaders, especially Miles.

Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said the largest teachers union in HISD has never opposed any of the districts past four school bond proposals  until now. She, like other bond opponents, have adopted the rallying cry of No trust. No bond, to stress to district leaders that much more must be done before theyd ever consider voting for the proposal.

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This is a very difficult position for the union to take and for teachers to take, Anderson said. We know that our schools need work. We know that, but because our collective voices and democracy have been stripped away from us, this is our only chance to express our disapproval at the direction that our district is going in.

THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicle's weekly newsletter recapping HISD news

The full scope of the pushback to the bond in the HISD community, including if it will be able to swing the election, remains unclear. According to HISD, 69% of voters said they would support a bond with no tax rate increase in a poll from Rice Universitys Kinder Institute for Urban Research, which was taken before the district publicly unveiled its bond proposal in May.

However, with more than four months until the potential vote, bond opponents say theyre working to raise awareness of their position and convince enough people to vote down the districts proposal through actions such as regular chants at board meetings, selling anti-Miles yard signs and even creating public yarn installations advocating against the bond.

HISD parent Jessica Catrett said shes had concerns about the state takeover and Miles all year but that the final straw for her was when the district announced plans to convert Crockett Elementary School, her childs campus at the time, to the New Education System model next year and later removed the schools principal.

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Catrett said those changes spurred her to establish Houston Stitching Together, a group of about 150 people who have begun crafting yarn installations around Houston with phrases like No trust. No HISD bond. She said the takeover has been harmful to students and that Houstonians need to use their vote to send a message that Miles has lost the communitys trust.

Everybody passionately cares about public education, Catrett said. We all care about our district, and we all are planning on staying here and fighting for it. We know that our schools need money desperately. ... But we don't trust this administration with $4.4 billion when they've done nothing but lie to the community.

The opposition from some community members comes as HISD is aiming to pass its first bond in more than a decade to address what it describes as a critical point of disrepair and significant structural needs at many of its schools. It would be the largest school bond in state history if approved, although the district says it would not raise taxes.

Monique Moody, principal, shows the construction work in an office area that is being done after foundation repairs at Revere Middle School, 10502 Briar Forest Dr., Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

The largest portion of the bond  more than $2 billion  would go to rebuilding, renovating and modernizing schools with poor facilities and learning conditions, with a focus primarily on elementary and middle schools. More than 40 campuses would receive millions of dollars for significant overhauls, according to the bond proposal.

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The district would spend $1.35 billion on health and safety improvements, including updating heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, removing lead from drinking water and enhancing security infrastructure. It would allocate $1 billion to expand students' access to technology, early childhood education and career and technical education centers.

Alexandra Elizondo, HISDs chief of public affairs and communications, said the districts students need better school buildings now so they can get the best education possible. She said the district is planning to implement a campaign to educate people about the bond details and will go above and beyond with oversight of the distribution of funds if it obtains approval.

PRINCIPAL TURNOVER: HISD scraps regulation requiring committee input in principal hiring

The bond fundamentally is about making sure that our students all have safe, healthy, comfortable classrooms to learn in, Elizondo said. It has been far too long since the district has improved many of the buildings our kids go to school in. ... It's not about the administration that's leading the district at this moment in time. It's not about the intervention. It's about what kids deserve now.

Opponents of the bond say they largely agree that improvements are needed at the districts schools, where several of them work or send their children, but that voters shouldnt pass any kind of proposal while the district is run by state-appointed leadership. Until the takeover ends, they say, state lawmakers should be responsible for providing enough funding for HISD to address its facility needs.

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Jessi Heiner, a frequent volunteer in HISD schools, said she believes nearly every building in HISD likely needs some maintenance but that she cant vote for a bond in good faith. She said theres nothing that Miles has done to make her feel confident in his decision-making and that she doesnt believe the district will spend tax dollars in a wise and fiscally responsible manner.

I never thought I would vote against a bond, Heiner said. There are very valid reasons for it, but I don't want anyone to take my word for it. I would rather they come to a board meeting with me. Listen to the teacher's statements. Listen to the student statements. ... I think any voter who is more informed on the matter will be able to make a good decision for themselves.

The bond proposal is not yet finalized and must receive approval from the appointed board of managers by Aug. 18 for it to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) has started a new era of AI-powered banking at its inaugural Techcombank Keynote event, as the lender accelerates its journey to become a leading bank in Vietnam with innovative digital and data-led solutions for customers, bringing the Vietnamese banking sector to global standards.

Techcombanks first-ever Keynote event, titled Pioneering Innovation: Reaching for New Heights, was held in Hanoi on June 28, the bank said in a press release.

The event showcased Techcombanks most innovative new solutions for individual, business, and corporate customers and highlighted how the bank is harnessing the power of data and AI to create meaningful experiences for clients and deliver unprecedented growth for the bank.

Kicking off the event, CEO Jens Lottner highlighted the investment made by Techcombank over the first three years of its 2021-25 transformation plan in digital, data, and talent spheres.

This investment has allowed the bank to create substantial value for customers and release a number of first-in-the-market innovations.

As of today, Techcombank has broadly applied data analysis and AI across the bank and most of its major systems have been transitioned to the cloud.

This puts the lender around three years ahead of its competitors in Vietnam and is enabling the bank to harness the power of data and AI in order to drive unique business outcomes and customer centricity.

This year we have accelerated our drive toward leveraging our digital platforms and new data and AI capabilities to create more hyper-personalized experiences for our customers, and grow our business faster and more profitably than any other bank in Vietnam. We are now redefining banking in Vietnam with our product innovations and personalized experiences, said Lottner.

Techcombanks application of technology, customer centricity, and strong operational and financial performance have been recognized by numerous prestigious international awards over the past 12 months.

It has been named Best Bank in Vietnam 2024 by international financial publications Global Finance and Finance Asia, and has been voted the #1 bank in Vietnam by customers in a Forbes Magazine survey.

Redefining banking with hyper-personalized experiences

During the Techcombank Keynote, Pranav Seth, its chief digital officer, highlighted the banks newest innovations that were helping to create hyper-personalized experiences for customers through its award-winning digital banking platforms.

Through the Techcombank Mobile app, the bank is helping customers improve their financial awareness by providing bespoke financial management advice and insights, enabling them to enjoy their money and save for the future.

Techcombank has already delivered over 52 million tailor-made pieces of financial advice to more than four million customers since the experience was launched.

The banks use of AI and machine learning has been a game changer, delivering more than 100 million customized insight views in 2023.

Techcombanks new loyalty ecosystem offers rewards and experiences tailored to the individual customers preferences and lifestyles.

It is one of the largest and most diverse loyalty programs in the Vietnamese banking industry, encompassing over 19,000 points of sale with more than 300 brands, where customers can earn reward points.

Currently, the bank has upwards of 8.5 million customers in its loyalty ecosystem, with around four million customers actively earning points each month.

The lender is already driving tangible business value from the personalization of its customer experiences, for example:

* 700-percent conversion uplift for select marketing campaigns

* Cross selling: conversion rate for credit card acquisition increased by up to 21 percent

* Active rate for new to bank customers (NTB) rose by 13 percent

Innovative solutions to cater to all customers needs

Phung Quang Hung, head of corporate and institutional banking group, introduced C-Cash, a first-of-its-kind corporate treasury management solution, in partnership with Kyriba.

Initially piloted in 2023, C-Cash is being rolled out to all corporate customers in 2024 and is designed to uplift their treasury management to a world-class level.

It enables corporates to take a more holistic and integrated 360 view of their financial positions across multiple bank accounts and even multiple banks.

C-Cash financial data is integrated and analyzed centrally to help CFOs make timely and optimal decisions, enhance efficiency, optimize financial costs and yield, and improve working capital.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, chief retail banking group officer, highlighted the banks all-in-one banking solution for merchant customers called Techcombank Merchant.

This holistic suite of offerings is designed to empower merchants to run and grow their businesses by providing:

* All-in-one smart payment acceptance

* Auto-Earning to earn more from surplus cash

* Easy access to credit for both business and personal needs

* Attractive loyalty ecosystem

* Beyond banking services to help manage and grow their business

Over 600,000 merchants now use Techcombanks merchant solutions, and this has contributed to a 20-percent increase in the banks CASA balances.

Pioneering differentiated wealth solutions

Nguyen Xuan Minh, chairman of Techcom Securities (TCBS), explained how TCBS has become the leading securities company in Vietnam by pioneering Wealthtech strategy.

Pursuant to this strategy, TCBS has developed the TCInvest super app and a suite of innovative digital-led wealth management solutions.

Today TCBS serves around one million customers, holds the leading spot in terms of market share among bank-owned equity brokerages on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, and stands in the top three overall.

In Q1 2024, 31,187 customers opened a new TCBS account through the TCInvest app, which averaged over 14.8 million visits each month.

Through the TCInvest app, customers can easily and securely trade securities, bonds, funds, derivatives, and other asset classes 100 percent online and at the touch of a button.

TCBS has delivered strong profit growth of approximately 40 percent per annum between 2013 and 2023, while operating costs have been increasingly optimized thanks to investment in the technology infrastructure.

Harnessing the power of data and AI

Supported by a workforce that includes over 1,800 data scientists, analysts, engineers and IT-related staff, Techcombank is setting the standard and defining the future of banking by offering meaningful and engaging experiences to customers as it transforms into a bank powered by data and AI.

Santhosh Mahendiran, Techcombanks chief data & analytics officer, reminded that the banks use of advanced data analytics, generative AI, and large language models (LLMs) underpin its ability to provide new personalized customer experiences to millions of individual customers.

The bank has integrated data from over 50 of its systems into a 'data lake' and linked it with Amazon Web Services' (AWS) data analytics capabilities to create a bank-wide 'data brain.

This data brain is linked to its cloud-based customer relationship management platform that provides a centralized 360 view of all customer information to empower relationship managers and ensure seamless online and offline customer journeys.

Sitting on top of the data brain and exploiting the data coming from more than 1,000 customer attributes, Techcombank operates 45 advanced machine learning models which allow it to predict and meet the needs of its customers with remarkable precision.

Applying this data resource in actual operation, an internally developed AI-empowered program named LACE provides the banks relationship managers with accurate and enriched AI insights and scores so that they may have smarter lead allocation and achieve higher productivity.

Techcombank is also experimenting with how generative AI can build the next level of innovation for itself and its customers.

Partnerships with some of the worlds leading technology companies  Adobe, AWS, Kyriba, and Salesforce  are playing a crucial role in the banks digital transformation and the creation of tailor-made new customer experiences.

For example, Techcombank is exploring with AWS how to increase developers productivity through generative AI-enabled services such as Amazon Q.

This is in addition to three newly-built applications using Amazon Bedrock to improve customer experiences already deployed today.

"AWS is proud to be part of Techcombank's digital transformation journey, enabling the bank to access the services, AI capabilities, infrastructure, and robust security they need to leverage generative AI at scale and drive innovation, whilst remaining cost-effective, said Eric Yeo, Vietnam country manager, AWS.

Simon Dale, vice-president, Adobe Asia said, Today's banking customers demand seamless, tailored experiences across multiple touchpoints, whether digital or in-branch. Adobe is proud to be Techcombank's partner since 2022, empowering them to deliver hyper-personalized banking experiences in real-time through our Adobe Experience Cloud and Real-Time Customer Data Platform.

We are thrilled to partner with Techcombank on its transformation journey with data and AI to better serve its customers and build an empowered workforce. Unified company data from across systems is critical for AI to deliver trusted and meaningful outputs that can be actioned, said Sujith Abraham, senior vice-president and general manager, Salesforce ASEAN.

Bringing the first-ever Techcombank Keynote to a close, CEO Lottner said, Our unique combination of advanced data capabilities, state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, and top-tier talent enables a growth strategy that is very hard to replicate. With the strong support of our partners and shareholders, we have built one of the best banking platforms in Asia. We are now ready to go to the next level, to compete and win over customers to realize our vision, Change Banking, Change Lives.

Techcombank (ticker: TCB VN, HOSE) is one of the largest joint stock banks in Vietnam, and a leading bank in Asia, with a vision to Change Banking, Change Lives.

The bank pursues a proven customer-centric strategy in providing a broad range of retail and corporate banking solutions and services to help financially empower its customers.

Techcombank has 13.8 million retail and corporate customers, serving them through a market-leading digital banking platform and mobile app, together with an extensive network of transaction service outlets at locations across Vietnam.

The banks ecosystem approach, co-created through partnerships in multiple key economic sectors, adds further scale and differentiation in one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Techcombank is rated A+ by FiinRatings, Ba3 by Moodys, and BB- by S&P, which is the highest among Vietnams joint stock commercial banks.

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CHICAGO/LONDON -- Scientists tracking the spread of bird flu are increasingly concerned that gaps in surveillance may keep them several steps behind a new pandemic, according to Reuters interviews with more than a dozen leading disease experts.

Many of them have been monitoring the new subtype of H5N1 avian flu in migratory birds since 2020. But the spread of the virus to 129 dairy herds in 12 U.S. states signals a change that could bring it closer to becoming transmissible between humans. Infections also have been found in other mammals, from alpacas to house cats.

"It almost seems like a pandemic unfolding in slow motion," said Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania. "Right now, the threat is pretty low ... but that could change in a heartbeat."

The earlier the warning of a jump to humans, the sooner global health officials can take steps to protect people by launching vaccine development, wide-scale testing and containment measures.

Federal surveillance of U.S. dairy cows is currently limited to testing herds before they cross state lines. State testing efforts are inconsistent, while testing of people exposed to sick cattle is scant, government health officials and pandemic flu experts told Reuters.

"You need to know which are the positive farms, how many of the cows are positive, how well the virus spreads, how long do these cows remain infectious, the exact transmission route," said Dutch flu virologist Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that abortions may be performed in the state of Idaho - for now - when pregnant women are facing medical emergencies.

A person holds a test tube labelled 'Bird Flu,' in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said surveillance for humans is "very, very limited."

Marrazzo described the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions human flu surveillance network as "really a passive reporting, passive presentation mechanism." The U.S. Department of Agriculture is more proactive in testing cows, but does not make public which farms are affected, she said.

Several experts said differing approaches from animal and human health agencies could hamper a quicker response.

If you were designing the system from scratch, you would have one agency," said Gigi Gronvall, a biosecurity expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "This is not the only example where we have environmental or animal problems that cause human problems.

A USDA spokesperson said the agency is working "around the clock" with CDC and other partners in a whole-of-government response," adding that ongoing research shows "Americas food supply remains safe, sick cows generally recover after a few weeks, and the risk to human health remains low.

The CDC in a statement said it, "USDA, and state and local health departments across the country have been preparing for the emergence of a novel influenza virus for nearly 2 decades and continually monitor for even the smallest changes in the virus."

'A note of caution'

Some pandemics, including COVID-19, arrive with little warning. In the last flu pandemic, caused by H1N1 in 2009, the virus and its predecessors had first spread among animals for several years, Hensley said, but more surveillance would have helped health authorities prepare.

Three people in the U.S. have tested positive for H5N1 avian flu since late March after contact with cows, experiencing mild symptoms. One person in Mexico was infected with a separate H5 strain not previously seen in humans, and with no known exposure to animals. Other cases were reported in India, China and Australia, caused by different strains.

An employee dilutes poultry serum samples for ELISA test for the detection of antibodies to the avian influenza virus at the Reference Laboratory of the World Organization for Animal Health in Campinas, Brazil April 25, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The World Health Organization says H5N1's risk to humans is low because there is no evidence of human transmission. Some tools are available if that changes, including limited amounts of existing H5N1 vaccine and antiviral medications like Tamiflu.

There are mechanisms to launch larger-scale production of tests, treatments and vaccines, if needed, said the U.N. agency's head of flu, Wenqing Zhang.

Other experts said there is sufficient concern to start preparing for potential spread in humans, although triggers for taking action differ depending on the role played in the response, said Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). His organization acted early on funding COVID vaccine development, and is now in talks with research partners about H5N1.

CEPI aims to create a library of prototype vaccines for pathogens with pandemic potential. This would help drugmakers initiate large-scale production and distribute shots where necessary within 100 days of an outbreak.

Some countries are taking steps to protect people against H5N1. The United States and Europe are securing doses of pre-pandemic flu vaccine that could be used for high-risk groups, including farm or lab workers. Finland is expected to become the first country to inoculate fur and poultry farm workers, as well as animal health response workers.

Expanding vaccine access is also complex, said the WHO's Zhang. Manufacturers of potential pandemic flu vaccines make seasonal flu shots and cannot produce both at once, she said.

Since most flu vaccines are made using virus grown in eggs, it could take up to six months to produce pandemic shots. The U.S. is in talks with Moderna to use their faster mRNA technology for pandemic flu shots.

The experts all acknowledged a need to balance acting quickly to avert a threat versus overreacting.

"We want to sound a note of caution," said Wendy Barclay, a virologist at University College London who researches avian flu for the UK Health Security Agency, "without saying the world is about to end."
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with leaders of 20 South Korean firms in Seoul on Monday, as part of his ongoing visit to South Korea until July 3.

Among them were Hyundai Motors, GS Energy, Doosan Enerbility, KB Financial Group, Hana Financial Group, POSCO International, and TKG Taekwang.

They had a morning meal during their talks.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R, 3rd) talks with leaders of 20 South Korean companies in Seoul on July 1, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac

Jung Yeoin, president of Doosan Enerbility, told the Vietnamese government leader that the firm entered Vietnam in 2006, and desires to join wind power projects in the Southeast Asian nation.

Power generation is a key field for cooperation between the two nations. Therefore, we are willing to transfer technology and join hands with Vietnam to offer training courses, Jung affirmed.

Lee Kye In, CEO at POSCO International, said at the meeting with PM Chinh that the company produces over 2.3 million metric tons of steel in Vietnam, and makes US$1.5-2 billion in revenue each year.

The firm got involved in the Mong Duong 1 Thermal Power Plant project in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam in 2015, and is planning to join the Quynh Lap liquefied natural gas-fired (LNG) power facility project in Nghe An Province, located in the north-central region.

Meanwhile, Jung In Sub, CEO at Hanwha Aerospace, expressed his hope that the firm could supply aircraft engine repair and maintenance services in Vietnam.

Vietnamese air carriers have to go abroad for maintenance, so he wishes to meet this high demand for the nation, said the leader of Hanwha Aerospace.

Hyundai Mipo is making much investment in Vietnam in a bid to accompany the country during the journey of developing the shipbuilding sector and creating prestigious products, said Kim Hyung Kwan, president and CEO at the South Korean shipbuilder.

The company is applying advanced technology and green technology to its production, contributing to Vietnams sustainable shipbuilding growth.

A representative of GS Energy speaks at a talk with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Nhat Bac

Regarding power issues, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam has a high demand for energy and is attracting investment in this sector, creating significant potential for bilateral cooperation.

To ensure a sufficient supply of electricity, Vietnam has completed and adopted a direct power selling and buying mechanism, issued policies related to rooftop solar power, and adjusted power prices reasonably.

The minister expected South Korean investors to prioritize their investment in hi-tech and value-added fields, digital infrastructure, green transition, transport, and energy.

He asserted that the Vietnamese government is willing to remove all obstacles and support South Korean firms.

PM Chinh underscored that Vietnam is diversifying its power sources.

Though electricity consumption in Vietnam has soared over the past few months, and the use of power was forecast to be on the rise, the prime minister affirmed that Vietnam will not experience a shortage of electricity.

The leader of the Vietnamese government threw his support behind South Korean firms intention to expand their reach in Vietnam.

He encouraged Hanwha Aerospace to work with Vietnamese airlines to supply aircraft engine maintenance and repair services.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (middle) is seen in talks with leaders of South Korean firms. Photo: Nhat Bac

PM Chinh said that Vietnam is developing the aviation industry by building and expanding a system of airports, most notably the big-ticket Long Thanh international airport under construction in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam.

As such, aircraft repair and maintenance services are a need in Vietnam.

The premier said that he always wishes to receive recommendations and proposals for cooperation from South Korean groups.

He expects South Korean firms to enhance their cooperation with Vietnamese partners to contribute to ramping up two-way trade between the two nations to $100 billion in 2025, and $150 billion in 2030.

The prime minister also called on investors from South Korea to prioritize their investment in artificial intelligence, digital economy, and green economy spheres.

PM Chinh and his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran, along with their entourage, arrived in Seoul on Sunday afternoon for a four-day official visit to South Korea at the invitation of his South Korean counterpart Han Duck Soo and his spouse.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with representatives from Vietnams embassy and other representative agencies, along with the Vietnamese community, in South Korea on Sunday within the framework of his official visit to the East Asian country.

Society

-- Vietnams Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, effective from January 1, 2025, mandates emissions testing for motorbikes.

-- Traffic police officers intercepted a car with a counterfeit government plate at a toll gate on the Van Don Expressway in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Sunday. Subsequently, the car owner, employed by a central-level state agency, admitted to modifying his vehicle with a device that flips between a genuine license plate and a fake state license plate.

-- Drivers are urged to exercise caution while traveling on the Dai Ninh Pass due to an ongoing project to upgrade National Highway 28B across Binh Thuan and Lam Dong Provinces.

-- The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed that the Ministry of Transport instruct the Airports Corporation of Vietnam to assess and present supplementary plans for expanding and refurbishing Vinh Airports runway in Nghe An Province by 600 meters, making it 3,000 meters long in total as per a previously-approved development blueprint.

Business

-- The wave of businesses vacating retail premises persists in Ho Chi Minh City, leaving numerous prime areas overrun by motorbike taxi drivers or marred by graffiti and advertisements.

-- Vietnam welcomed more than 8.8 million international visitors in the first half of 2024, marking a 4.1-percent increase compared to the same period in 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lifestyle

-- Over 10,000 visitors were drawn to many exciting activities at Nga Bay City Tourism and Investment Promotion Festival in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, a local leader said on Sunday.

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A 59-year-old South Korean man and his son, 14, have been running across Vietnam for over 20 days in the hope that his Vietnamese friend will recover well after surgery.

Kim Byeong Sam confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he and his son, Kim Taewoo, started in Hanoi on June 8 and expected to complete their run on August 30.

At first, I intended to travel through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos with my son and Vietnamese friends," Kim added.

However, one of my Vietnamese friends underwent a surgery in Ho Chi Minh City in late May.

"My son and I decided to come to Vietnam for a run to wish my friend a speedy recovery.

Kim Byeong Sam completed running from Ca Mau, the southernmost province of Vietnam, to Hanoi and vice versa from January 1 to May 29 last year.

Kim Taewoo was excited and wanted to run in Vietnam after his father told him about his interesting journey in Vietnam last year.

Having previously journeyed across Vietnam, the father found this year's run during his return to the Southeast Asian country relatively easy.

Kim Byeong Sam and Kim Taewoo pose for a photo with a Vietnamese person (C) during their journey in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied

He said Vietnam is developing fast with well-developed infrastructure and friendly people. This is a good opportunity for his son to explore the country.

I want to run with my son and consider it a tour, so I made no preparations and underwent no special training," Kim said.

We simply pray for my Vietnamese friends recovery and will meet my friend [after the run].

Their slogan is 'Togethers strong.'

Kim Byeong Sam hoped he and his son would jointly overcome challenges, his son would be physically and mentally stronger, and they would be a more loving family.

While passing through Thanh Hoa Province in north-central Vietnam, the two walked for eight kilometers to look for a hotel.

It was scorching at the time but they had no water.

A Vietnamese man suddenly rode a motorbike close to them and gave them two bottles of cold water for free.

His warm act touched us. I think that is Vietnamese peoples spirit, the South Korean man recalled.

In nearby Nghe An Province, an old woman invited them to drink coconut water and charge only VND10,000 (US$0.4) for two glasses of the beverage.

Kim Taewoo had many happy memories in Vietnam. He seems to like a girl whom he met at an ice cream shop in Ha Tinh Province, a neighbor of Nghe An.

Vietnamese girls are friendly and hospitable, Kim Byeong Sam remarked.

They added that Quy Nhon City, the capital of Binh Dinh Province in south-central, Vietnam shares many similarities with Busan, where they live in South Korea.

On the sons backpack is the phrase from Hanoi to Ca Mau 2,358km.' Photo: Supplied

During his trip to Vietnam last year, he encountered multiple difficulties.

This year, he has found it easier to seek restaurants and hotels.

However, they still faced hindrances in communication.

The fathers legs hurt and swell as he has to carry a 15-kilogram backpack.

However, Kim said he would not give up as he did not want his son to drop out.

He also wants to inspire those who are going through difficult times.

I will complete the run with my son to respond to everyones support and warm affection, the father said.

With a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, they sometimes felt exhausted. However, they did not falter.

They used ice packs to cool their bodies. Kim Byeong Sam also asked his son to eat three meals a day and drink a lot of water to confront the heat.

He is learning the Vietnamese history and language to communicate better with locals.

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Vietnam welcomed more than 8.8 million international visitors in the first half of 2024, soaring 58.4 percent year on year and marking a 4.1-percent increase compared to the same period in 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of tourist arrivals from India skyrocketed 312 percent in comparison to the same period in 2019, while the growth of travelers to Vietnam from Cambodia stood at 396 percent.

Of the total, air travelers accounted for over 7.4 million, while overland visitors made up more than 1.26 million. The number of holidaymakers by sea remained modest.

In June alone, over 1.2 million international tourists traveled to Vietnam, a year-on-year rise of 28.1 percent, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Given the positive growth in international travelers in the first half of the year, Vietnam reached 50 percent of the whole-year target, set at 17-18 million international tourist arrivals.

During the January-June period, South Korea continued to be Vietnams largest tourist source market, with 2.2 million travelers, or 25.8 percent of the total international tourist arrivals.

China came second, sending 1.8 million tourists to the Southeast Asian nation in the first half.

Other major tourist source markets were the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, India, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Many tour operators said that the peak season for inbound tourism in Vietnam lasts from October to April the following year.

Therefore, the number of international tourist arrivals in Vietnam is forecast to continue rising in the coming months.

Moreover, the country is implementing a series of tourism promotion programs and stepping up efforts to popularize tourism services and products among international friends.

Between January and June, Vietnam served 66.5 million domestic vacationers.

International tourists visit Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam.

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Nostalgic Hey Hey its Saturday host Daryl Somers has been named Victorian of the Year at a ceremony this morning at Melbourne Town Hall.

Victoria Day awards go to those individuals and groups who have made significant and valuable contributions to Victorian communities.

Chairman of the Victoria Day Council, Marissa Barter-Walters said, Victoria Day is a day to take joy and pride in what our state has given us, I am so delighted as Chair of the Victoria Day Council that we can honour those Victorians and Victorian Organisations who have given so much to serve the people of our community and out State. Our Award winners have all shown Public and Community Service: at the highest levels and we are excited to share their achievements with all Victorians.'

It is an honour. Im a born and bred Victorian. You think about the highs and lows in life and this is a high for me at the end of a rather solemn week, Somers said.

Last week we laid to rest my dear friend John Blackman. John was a passionate and loyal Victorian as well.

He is not here, but in part Id like to dedicate this award to him because we had an endearing friendship. I love the guy. We went back over 50 years.

Somers also thanked his team and said his biggest supporter was his wife Julie.

I relish the opportunity to publicly thank Julie for supporting me throughout my career, he said.

Daryl Somers is a triple Gold Logie award winner who rose to national fame as the host and executive producer of Hey Hey Its Saturday and later hosted Dancing with the Stars to stellar ratings. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2004.

His ticketing company StageCenta has dedicated 10% of profits to Victorian charities. He currently supports Camp Quality, a charity for children with terminal illness and has dedicated patronage for several other Cancer related charities. He hosts the Great Shakeup, an education and infotainment event of silent auctions and other fund raising.

Somers is Patron of Kids Under Cover that supports street kids in Melbourne and Sydney, the Yarrabah Special school for children with disabilities, the Lost Dogs Home in North Melbourne. He also supports the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, Wayjo, and Generations in Jazz which operates in Victoria and New South Wales.

At the start of 2024 Daryl Somers indicated that he intends to spend less time in his role as an entertainer, and concentrate on his philanthropic work.

This post updates.

Additional source: Seven
Former Home and Away actor Orpheus Pledger has pleaded guilty to a violent attack on a woman in Melbournes northern suburbs earlier this year.

Pledger, 31, who featured as Mason Morgan in Home and Away from 2016 to 2019, listened in to Mondays Melbourne Magistrates Court hearing via video-link from custody.

ABC reports the court heard the victim  who cannot be identified for legal reasons- called Triple-0 in the early hours of March 25, requesting police assistance because she believed Pledger was suffering a mental health episode.

When police arrived 15 minutes later, they found the victim on the floor, unable to get up, with bruises on her head and hand, lacerations on her face and signs of strangulation.

Pledger was arrested and released on bail on the condition he underwent a mental health assessment at Royal Melbourne Hospital. However, after stretched police and health resources forced him to wait almost 24 hours for assessment, Pledger left hospital, triggering an arrest warrant.

Lawyer Jasper MacCuspie said the actors mental health had declined after he missed out on a role in US show The 100, triggering the recreational use of methylamphetamine, which his lawyer conceded contributed to his offending.

Magistrate Foster said time was needed before sentencing for Pledger to be assessed for a community corrections order.

At the moment the court doesnt know if its a mental health or drug issue, he said.

He is expected to be sentenced on July 3.

Full Stop Australia 1800 385 578

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Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
This combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

After President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump addressed the nation in the first presidential debate last week, some Houstonians expressed doubt in the present candidates.

In a survey response, Houston Chronicle readers shared their thoughts on Thursday's debate, specifically about their confidence, or lack thereof, in their party's candidates and who they might suggest to replace them.

Some readers said they took issue with Biden's inarticulate performance, while others felt Trump repeated lies unchecked.

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Cheryl Hubbard from Spring Branch said though she plans to vote for Biden in the November election, another democratic nominee such as U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg or California Gov. Gavin Newsom would give the party a better chance of defeating Trump.

"It looks like our choices are between a serial liar with the maturity and vocabulary of an average 5th grader (Trump) and a decent man in late stages of life who doesnt look like he will live another four years, much less handle the stress of a presidency (Biden)," Hubbard wrote. "I am still very depressed about it 5 days later."

Joe Johnson from Northwest Houston said the U.S. is in disarray, and the debate showed why.

"Our country has been destroyed by this leadership," he wrote. "We may not like Trump, but our lives were much easier in many ways before Biden became president."

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He said an accurate picture of what the Democratic party has done to the country is overshadowed by its constant attacks toward Trump.

"My choice is Trump or the couch," he wrote. "But it will not be Biden or any Democrat following the present agenda."

As an Independent voter, J.E. Anderson from Woodvalley said both candidates, and America as a whole, lost the debate. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Joe Manchin are who he would choose to replace the candidates, he said.

"Where is Teddy Roosevelt when we need him?" Anderson wrote.

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Though many have called for Biden to step down as the democratic nominee in recent days, Anna Lykoudis-Zafiris from Sugarland said she'll continue to support him and running mate Vice President Kamala Harris.
Great British Railway Journeys is back for a 15th season with dapper dresser Michael Portillo taking more train rides through Britains fascinating post-war history.

Exploring the Britain of his youth, criss-crossing the country by rail and taking a nostalgic look back at everything from the birth of space exploration, to the invention of the lava lamp, Portillo looks back through the post-war decades!

Episode One: Denham to Swindon

Beginning at London Marylebone, the last great Victorian railway terminus to be built in the capital, Michael embarks on a post-war exploration of Britains southern counties. Continuing along the Chiltern line, Michael alights at High Wycombe, a historic centre of furniture-making thanks to its setting amid an abundance of beechwood forest. Then, he travels to Oxford to discover its local history.

Tuesday, 2 July at 7.30pm on SBS.
Asad Rizvi, TwoCircles.net

Lucknow: Rejuvenating the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will be a formidable challenge for Aakash Anand. Despite his reinstatement as the national coordinator of the BSP, his earlier removal from this position during the general elections significantly undermined his credibility, feel those close to the party.

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BSP supremo has once again appointed her nephew Anand as her successor and party coordinator. Now, the responsibility of revitalizing the party falls squarely on his shoulders. However, it appears to be a daunting task for the relatively inexperienced leader, especially with the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) both vying for Dalit votes.

Adding to the complexity, Chandrashekhar Azad, another emerging Dalit leader, is also gaining prominence. Popular among Dalit youth, the newly elected parliamentarian also poses a challenge for Anand.

Mayawati appointed Anand as her successor in December 2023, just months before the general election. There was widespread anticipation that the youthful Anand would breathe new life into the party, which has been declining over the past 12 years.

During the election campaign, Anand showcased his capabilities and focused on countering the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, he faced a setback when Mayawati dismissed him from the position of national coordinator during the election period.

The removal of Anand sent a negative message that Mayawati had capitulated to the BJPs influence among Dalits, resulting in another defeat for the BSP.

After a few days of the election, Mayawati reinstated her nephew. However, the political landscape has shifted, and despite their rivalry, Dalits have leaned towards the SP. Azad also won the election and emerged as a prominent Dalit voice in Parliament.

Political experts foresee a significant challenge for Anand in establishing his presence among Dalits following Azads rise.

Besides this, the shift of Dalit votes from the BJP to the SP instead of the BSP indicates a formidable challenge for the Bahujan Samaj Party to regain its footing.

Dalit intellectuals argue that Anand faces an uphill battle in rebuilding his political standing. Former IPS officer and Dalit intellectual SR Darapuri suggests that Mayawatis decision to remove her nephew as the partys coordinator in the midst of elections conveyed a negative message to Dalits.

According to him, this move signaled to Dalits that the BSP is influenced by the BJP, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, and lacks seriousness in addressing Dalit concerns.

According to Darapuri, only a few Jatav votes remain with Mayawati. He added that reviving the BSP will be challenging for Anand, given the competition from other formidable parties like the SP and the Congress, along with leaders such as Chandrashekhar who are also vying for Dalit support.

He also noted that this message has spread widely, not only among educated Dalits but also in villages, where Mayawati is perceived as aligning with the BJP.

Given Anands apparent lack of a Dalit-focused agenda, what issues will he prioritize with Dalits?

The former IPS officer criticized the BSP chiefs decision to appoint Anand as her successor, labeling it as nepotism in Ambedkarite politics. Darapuri pointed out that Mayawati first succeeded Kanshi Ram and has now passed on the mantle to her nephew, likening the process to monarchy rather than democracy.

Uday Singh Shankhwar from Firozabad, known for his advocacy on Dalit issues, asserts that Mayawatis lack of serious engagement during the elections was evident when she removed Anand midway through the campaign.

Had she contested the elections earnestly, Shankhwar believes the BSP could have secured two-five seats out of 80 on its own. He points out that currently, the Dalit community is more inclined towards Azad than Anand.

In Shankhwars view, the BSP can only regain ground through significant effort, considering its credibility has suffered from recent electoral setbacks.

He further commented that while Anand is educated, his lack of political experience complicates the task of revitalizing the party.

Many political analysts argue that the BSP now lacks heavyweight leaders, as figures like Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Ram Achal Rajbhar, Lalji Verma and Babu Singh Kushwaha have all departed from the party. With their absence, the task of revitalizing the party becomes challenging for any single individual.

However, political commentator Mudit Mathur acknowledges that Anand is youthful and dynamic, heading in a promising direction. His efforts could have rejuvenated the party, but his aunt intervened midway, which undermined his credibility.

A resounding message resonated among Dalits that Mayawati may not be fully committed to challenging the ruling BJP.

Mayawati appears to have diverged from the ideals laid down by Kanshi Ram, particularly in advancing Dalit emancipation. Consequently, the BSP has gradually lost all its legislative seats. In this context, the prospects for Anand to revive the party remain uncertain.

Moreover, Anand faces a challenge similar to Azads. The latter is outspoken in his criticism of the government, which has garnered him a substantial following among young Dalits.

The critical question now is whether Mayawati or Anand possess a concrete Dalit agenda capable of revitalizing the party, akin to its success in 2007 when it independently formed the government in Uttar Pradesh.

During that period, many believed the BSP would evolve into a national-level party. However, it currently struggles even at the state level. Re-establishing the BSP will likely demand as much effort as launching a new political entity altogether.

According to Dalit thinker Dr Satish Prakash, who teaches physics at the Meerut College, Meerut, the BSP is currently facing a challenging situation. He believes that the arrival of Anand could significantly benefit the party, but achieving this requires substantial grassroots work.

He emphasizes that amidst these adversities, meaningful change can only be achieved through grassroots efforts, not just organizational restructuring.
Snobar, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: The 2024 Lok Sabha election results, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory with the backing of its coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but fell short of a majority on its own, mark a significant democratic shift, particularly concerning minorities, notably Muslims. TwoCircles.net spoke to the members of the community to know their perspectives on the poll outcome and to underscore their thoughts and apprehensions regarding the unprecedented absence of a Muslim representative in the Union Cabinet.

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These elections were pivotal for the nation but held heightened importance for minority communities. Under the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many Muslims perceive a marginalization of their concerns. With the community comprising 15% of the population, issues of representation and inclusion resonate more acutely than ever before.

Election Results Highlight Democracys Resilience

Commenting on the Lok Sabha election results, where the BJP secured 240 seats while the Congress-led Opposition alliance (INDIA bloc) won 232 seats, a former professor of Islamic studies at Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia, Akhtarul Wasey, described the outcome as unexpected.

He emphasized that the results signify that politics based on religion cannot sustain itself in India for long. Pointing out the BJPs defeat in Ayodhya, which houses Ram temple, he noted, This indicates that the Hindu population values secularism and is not easily swayed by the idea of a Hindu Rashtra.

Professor Wasey further underscored the BJPs significant setback in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha and plays a pivotal role in governments formation in the Centre.

Despite their campaign slogan, targeting over 400 seats, they (the BJP) failed to achieve a clear majority on their own. I credit both Muslims and Hindus for resisting polarization in this election, he added.

Rehna Shajahan, an HR manager at a multinational company in Dubai, reflected on the election results, acknowledging the BJPs strong support base and emphasizing the importance of alliances within the NDA for effective governance.

She remarked, The Lok Sabha election results demonstrate a growing awareness among people that India should uphold its values of unity in diversity and move away from any inclination towards becoming a Hindu Rashtra.

Mutiur Rahman, a 30-year-old Ph.D. scholar from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), shared his thoughts on the recent election results, stating, I believe the outcome, where the BJP secured victory with NDA support but fell short of a clear majority on its own, signifies a fractured mandate. This situation underscores the resilience of our democracy and the strength of our democratic institutions.

Continuing the discussion on the election results, Sadique Anwar, team manager at London Stock Exchange Group in Bengaluru, Karnataka, observed, For Indians, this signals a promising aspect of democracy. Previously, when the ruling party held a majority in Parliament, they could act unilaterally. Now, with the necessity of alliances, such dominance is less feasible.

However, the ruling party and its allies are not ideologically aligned. Leaders like Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have significant differences in their approach to minorities, which may still allow the BJP to take unilateral decisions.

Moreover, the Oppositions position has strengthened compared to previous years, presenting a substantial challenge for the Modi government, he said.

Regarding the absence of Muslim representatives in the Union Cabinet, opinions vary. Some express concerns about this gap, while others argue against the need for token representation without real authority to advocate for their communitys interests.

According to Shajahan, the absence of Muslim representation in the current Union ministry is concerning because it risks neglecting issues, which specifically impact the Muslim community. Representation plays a crucial role in ensuring that diverse voices and concerns are heard and addressed at the highest levels of governance.

Rahman also expressed dismay over the lack of Muslim representation in the current Cabinet. He finds it particularly troubling that some lawmakers have indicated they may withhold benefits from Muslims because of their voting preferences for other parties.

He emphasized the importance of the ruling government, acknowledging this issue and promptly taking corrective measures.

Meanwhile, Kamal Faruqi, a practicing-chartered accountant involved in various educational activities across the country, remarked, As a positive thinker, I believe our concern lies not in the absence of immediate change. Historically, having Muslim representation in the Union ministry did not yield significant differences or substantial improvements. What matters is genuine authority and sincere commitment to serve the country and its people, regardless of religious affiliation.

Additionally, Professor Wasey commented, In previous governments, the presence of Muslim representatives did not lead to tangible societal impact. Their constituencies often lacked essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals, reflecting systemic neglect. What we truly need is empowered representation that can address our legitimate concerns effectively.

When discussing the protection of Muslims, he pointed out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi often refers to Pasmanda (backward) Muslims, but he may not realize that all the victims of mob lynching in this country were Pasmanda Muslims, not Sheikhs, Syeds or high-caste Muslims.

He further elaborated, During the recent elections, Modis rhetoric indicated that he does not depend on Muslim votes to govern. He labelled the community as infiltrators, accused them of overpopulation and claimed that the mangal sutra of Hindu women would be unsafe under an Opposition alliance government. This raises the question: did previous Muslim representatives in the ruling party effectively protect Muslims?

He emphasized, The primary concern now is ensuring the physical safety of Muslims. Alongside physical security, the community also requires freedom and equal opportunities in all spheres of life. Mere appointment of a Muslim representative will not address these fundamental issues, he concluded.

Critique of BJPs Policies and Impact on Muslims

When asked about their reluctance to support the BJP, they pointed to the atrocities, lynchings, hate rhetoric and anti-Muslim policies that have occurred under the BJPs rule.

Shajahan expressed, Muslims often feel marginalized and targeted by the BJPs policies and statements from its leaders. Measures like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are perceived as discriminatory and disproportionately affect Muslims. There is also concern about the climate of fear and reprisal faced by Muslims who speak out against injustice.

She continued, Instances like the dehumanizing Sulli Deals app, where Muslim womens pictures were auctioned online, and films perceived as targeting Muslims further exacerbate feelings of discrimination and alienation. These factors collectively contribute to why many Muslims find it difficult to support the BJP and instead lean towards parties they believe will safeguard their rights and dignity more effectively.

In addition, Rahman said, Muslims generally do not support the BJP because the party has consistently displayed a hostile stance towards them. Even the prime minister has made inflammatory comments against the community during election campaigns. The BJPs power seems to be reinforced by anti-Muslim rhetoric, which explains why they continue with their acerbic comments and policies against the Muslim community.

While discussing why Muslims prefer the Congress over the BJP, despite the history of riots under previous grand old partys rule, he explained, Muslims often choose the Congress over the BJP because, despite the formers failures to fully meet their aspirations, there is a perception of greater safety. However, it is time for Muslims to develop their own leadership. Nevertheless, the preference for the Congress remains, as it appears to offer more protection compared to the BJP.

Shajahan added, Muslims tend to support the Congress over the BJP because they perceive the former as more inclusive and protective of minority rights. Despite past instances of violence during Congress regimes, BJPs policies and rhetoric often create a perception of being less supportive towards Muslims.

Oppositions Responsibility and Silence

In discussing the Oppositions silence regarding the continued atrocities faced by minorities even after the election results were announced, Professor Wasey remarked that responsibility does not rest solely on the current ruling party.

Previous ruling parties must also be held accountable for atrocities against minorities. Neither the BJP nor the Opposition can ignore the issue of mob lynching of Muslims. The Opposition must not remain silent, especially considering the significant support they received from the Muslim population in this election. They have a duty to address these issues. It is not solely Asaduddin Owaisis responsibility to speak out against these atrocities. The Opposition also bears the responsibility to take action for the safety of minorities, he concluded.
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A Model of a Mind

Tyler Neylon

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This article explains a simple model of how minds might work. Im motivated by the success of AI-based language models to look at the future of digital minds. Ill present a conceptual data-flow architecture that can account for several key features of minds: the ability to initiate actions (agency), learning, thinking, and introspection. Ill describe the model at a high level, but Ill also try to anchor it in terms of existing AI systems to argue that something like this is realistic to build today.

I can imagine two goals of a mind model: to understand human brains, or to create digital minds. These goals overlap because the most impressive mind we know of is the human brain Please dont mistake ignorance for hubris! Im sure other minds can exist that are better.. My primary motivation is the creation of digital minds, but  because of the overlap in the goals  Ill aim for a mind model that can account for the way human minds work.

Theres still plenty of debate about whether or not a digital mind can ever be truly conscious, or have emotions or subjective experiences as humans do. Im convinced they can. Rather than focus on that debate, however, Id like to work in the hypothetical world where digital minds are indeed capable of all the internal experiences of human minds. If Im wrong, then this is a collection of blueprints about behavior alone; if Im right, then this article is something more  hopefully, actual progress toward both the creation of digital minds as well as some insight into how our own brains may work.

1 Goals of the Model

Im trying to make a system that can behave like a human. Consciousness is a personal motivation, but Im not going to focus on it as a goal because its difficult to define well and people often disagree about it. This article instead looks at some aspects of minds that  while still challenging  are a little easier to discuss.

Specifically, Im trying to build a system that has these features:

Agency

Learning

Thinking

Introspection

Ill show you the simple model, argue why it can enable behavior like each of the above points, and Ill finish with some notes about the elusive word consciousness.

2 The Model

Im thinking about minds in terms of data flow between simultaneously-acting modules. If you have a computer with a GPU, a multi-core CPU, and a camera attached, then each module (GPU, CPU, camera) can do its own work in parallel. The modules in a system like this talk to each other, but they can always process information as its received.

Human brains are incredibly parallel machines. Neurons dont wait for each other, but apparently react to signals as soon as they receive them. So it makes sense to think of a brain as a vast neural network  one we can understand better by seeing its architecture as a data flow diagram between modules that continuously act in parallel.

2.1 An action model

A central concept in this model is what I call an action model. The name is a natural evolution of language models, being systems that understand and can produce language. Thus an action model understands and can produce actions.

You can think of an LLM, in simple terms, like this:

context -> LLM -> next_token

By analogy, an action model works like this:

context -> Action Model -> next_action

Conceptually, Im thinking of an action as something like a superset of words. If I wanted to say hello, then say hello is an action. If I want to walk to the kitchen, thats an action. And if I want to ponder the meaning of life, that pondering is also an action.

2.2 The model at a high level

Heres the model:

Data flow diagram for a model of a mind.

Each arrow represents a flow of information. Solid arrows are what I consider to be the most important flows.

A couple of the modules do a lot of work but are relatively easy to understand: The sensory inputs provide everything we sense, including vision, taste, temperature, pressure, and so on. Im letting this module perform some work as well, since (for example) our vision system quickly provides us some analysis of what we see, so that we tend to perceive visual objects (face) rather than a raw image (pixels of a face). The other somewhat-simple module is the motor control which we can think of as receiving a conceptual vector (for example, scratch left ear); it can do some processing to translate that high-level command into a series of individual muscle commands. When you memorize a piano song well enough, it feels as if your fingers know the song better than you do, and I believe that indicates some kind of learning has happened within the motor control module.

The action model has already been introduced. Ive included within it a language encoder, which translates incoming signals  seeing written words, hearing spoken words, seeing sign language  converting those into a vector space understood by the system. Since Im imagining an action model can be a slight generalization of a language model, Im expecting that such an action model could naturally incorporate within itself a way to standardize lexical concepts into consistent vectors. Similarly, the language decoder is good at converting those conceptual vectors back out to lexical actions, such as speaking a sentence out loud, or writing something down.

The emotional state module is doing a lot of work: Its meant to represent all of our bodily needs, such as feeling hungry or tired, as well as our state of mind, such as feeling elated, frustrated, nostalgic, or intrigued. In this model, our emotional state can change based on whats coming out of the action model, and it also filters that output into the recent memory module.

Ive chosen this flow of data carefully. In effect, there are two filters on what we store in recent memory: First, when the action model receives a lot of incoming information, it will effectively pay more attention to some information than the rest. As in a language model, the unused information essentially disappears from the network as it passes through later layers; the attended ideas persist until the end. The second filter is based on our emotional state. When were bored, whats happening is not considered important, and not flagged for longer-term memory. When were experiencing an emotional spike, a lot more data is kept around in more detail. Our usual life tends to be somewhere between these extremes.

Finally, Ive called out one particular piece of data called a goal. This is not a computational module, but rather a part of the data feedback loop coming out of the action model and fed back into itself. Im imagining the action model as receiving a lot of data that we could view as one giant vector, and likewise producing another large vector. These large vectors might begin life in new brains as unformatted, meaning that a person can learn to use that space as they grow, rather than thinking of the vector data as pre-assigned to given purposes. Within the vector representations, theres room to learn / define specific variables, and one of the most important variables we learn is our current goal.

Just as a word can be captured by a vector, so can an action or a (closely related) goal that we have in mind. In this mind model, our current goal fundamentally shapes how we filter the incoming information, and can be edited by the action model itself. We may even have an effective stack of goals, a small data structure that we can push new goals onto, and pop them off as we complete them. Or, if youre like me, a limited-size stack where tasks are often forgotten because I keep thinking of new things to do.

Thats the gist of the mind model. In the next few sections, Ill explain how this model can provide agency, learning, thinking, and introspection.

3 Agency

Ill explain how agency can be achieved first because its the simplest of our goals to accomplish, and its somewhat independent from the present mind model.

A large language model doesnt have agency because it can only react to input; it cant independently take action.

However, we can imagine a change that adds agency to any LLM-like system. Think of a model that receives two interwoven input streams. One input stream is the person talking to the model, and the other is the model being able to see its own output. Current LLMs see both of these streams, but theyre set up so that only one person at a time can talk  the LLM or the user. The difference in the two-input version is that the model is designed from the start to see its own feedback, constantly, as well as simultaneous real-time input from the outside, such as the user.

Now the LLM can choose to switch, at its own discretion, back and forth between a talking and listening mode. When the LLM wants to listen, it can produce a special <listening> token many times in a row, until it wants to say something. When it wants to speak, it outputs what it wants to say instead of the <listening> token.

In this way, the model can run continously while enabling a meaningful two-way conversation that includes pauses for the other speaker. It can independently say whatever it likes whenever it likes. This is the lexical version of agency, and it applies perfectly well to the mind model sketched above, which does indeed receive both sensory inputs as well as feedback from its own output.

4 Memory and Learning

It might sound surprising to say that a machine learned LLM doesnt learn. What I mean is that, in their standard mode of operation, modern LLMs dont modify any internal state in reaction to the conversations they have. The first wave of LLMs would completely forget what everyone said as soon as its context window was full. As Im writing this, some systems like ChatGPT, have been augmented so that they remember certain facts. While I cant confirm details internal to OpenAI, my educated guess is that these facts are available to the model because they can be selectively added to the prompt. That is, I believe the only common way for LLMs to learn today is to implement an additional system to store data from conversations, and to selectively insert that data into prompts when we think it might be useful.

This is different from the way we experience life because we gain new abilities, and often the things we remember dont seem to be part of some internal prompt. For example, when you speak out loud, you dont feel as if your brain chose a subset of 100 candidate words to present to you, and you chose from amongst those. Rather, your full spoken vocabulary (something learned) feels available to you, without effort, and unfiltered.

Some internal data of our organic neurons is updated in response to what happens to us. The equivalent of this in the mind model is to update weights based on experiences.

4.1 Story memory and action memory

To explain the ideas of memory in this mind model, Ill split memory into two broad categories:

Story memory is the memory of everything thats happened to you; and

action memory is the modification of how you act based on positive or negative feedback.

Ill motivate these categories with a simple example. If a stranger says to you, hey, you can definitely trust me! then you can immediately store this narrative element of your life: This person said these words. Now, is what they said true? Thats a different matter, and one you should probably decide based on more evidence. The fact that they said these words can safely go into story memory without fact-checking. The idea that theyre trust-worthy is an uncertain claim we can keep around, flagged as dubious until further notice. Given more feedback, we can choose to act with or without trust toward this person, and this goes into our action memory.

When it comes to decisions we make, its not always obvious if it was a good decision until some later point in time. Consider making a move in chess. If your opponent surprises you with an unseen checkmate two moves later, you might retrospectively realize a particular move had been a mistake. This is an example of delayed feedback on the quality of your decision. When you have delayed feedback, its useful if you can later reinforce good decisions, or discourage repetition of mistakes.

Just as language models come with knowledge baked into them, an action model is also capable of holding knowledge, but Ive included a separate memory module. The motivation for the recent memory module in the mind model is a place that can essentially memorize exactly what has happened recently before its integrated (through some kind of training) into the action model. I suspect this is useful because, as you fine-tune LLMs, you can easily cause catastrophic forgetting, which is the effective erasure of old memories. In other words, in practice it seems that new memories are added carefully, perhaps in order to keep old memories intact. Another use of the recent memory module is to provide a delay to considering my own actions as good until after Ive received feedback about that action.

A third motivation to have a separate recent memory module is that a detailed memory of the past few hours is much more valuable that an equally-detailed memory of some random window of a few hours from when you were four years old. The usefulness of story memory decreases rapidly with time, and theres a need to filter whats stored due to the sheer volume of sensory input in comparison with the finite capacity in your action memory. Because recent memories tend to be more useful, its convenient to have a rolling window of accurate memories that are forgotten as enough time passes.

This breakdown of memory types might account for these features of human memory:

We seem to have a small memory capacity that we receive with almost no effort or special attention spent on the thing being remembered. George Miller did work to establish that most people can quickly remember about seven items from an arbitrary list. That memory might fit into the feedback vectors of the action model itself. This memory disappears as soon as we think enough about something else.

Different people have different recent memory capacities, but its common to remember what you ate for breakfast this morning, but not what you ate for breakfast several days ago, ignoring predictability (such as if you cheat by eating the same thing for breakfast every day). This type of memory matches what can fit into the recent memory module.

Longer-term memories dont seem to have a pre-determined time limit, but they do tend to fade over time. This pattern is consistent with knowledge baked into LLMs, and so can match the way an action model would effectively remember things  without a time limit, but with the ability to fade over time, especially if not referenced for a long time.

Human brains seem to have separate locations for long-term memories and whatever our equivalent of an action model is. Cases of amnesia suggest this: People can forget much of their past while otherwise acting normally. If our memories and behavior depended on the same set of neurons, then this wouldnt be possible. However, in the mind model above, Ive let the long-term memory be implicitly part of the action model because this is effectively how language models currently store their version of memories.

The mind model accounts for clarity of memory around emotionally charged moments  and lack of memory around unremarkable events  by filtering memories through emotional states. In order for the model to remember something, it must be both (a) something the action model has paid attention to, and (b) something the mind cares to remember based on the emotional state. In addition, the emotional state is part of the context for the action model, so that goals are influenced by how the mind feels, and what the mind pays attention to is likewise influenced by feelings. For example, if the mind is in a happy mood, its more likely to appreciate the positive aspects of a conversation; if its feeling defensive, its more likely to notice a perspective from which a conversation can be seen as judgmental.

Im using the word emotion in a broad sense meant to include pleasure, pain, boredom, happiness, frustration, and any combination of states of mind that have a not-purely-rational feeling associated with them. The most basic aspect of this  akin to simple pleasure or pain  can be seen as a relatively quick feedback loop to inform if the recent action memories are good are bad for the sake of learning. If you hit your thumb with a hammer, then youll have pain as a clue to no longer take that same action. The model captures pain as negative feedback from the emotional state.

4.2 Meta-learning

Another kind of learning happens at a higher level, which requires longer-term thinking. For example, suppose you write a first draft of a book, and then give that book to some beta readers for feedback. You can view this as a process with many months between the action first taken  writing your first word of a new book  and receiving useful feedback on that action. The recent memory is no longer a useful vehicle for this kind of learning.

In this case, I suspect humans learn a process in a more explicit manner. Im convinced that humans learn rational behaviors as action sequences which are initiated by triggers. For example, when I want to write about an idea thats already well formed in my mind, Ill either record a voice memo of the outline, or Ill type up a draft in google docs. Thats part of my personal process. The trigger is the combination of (a) wanting to write an article, and (b) not needing to do more research, that is, feeling confident Im ready to write. The action sequence, at a high level, is to make the outline.

Now suppose I get feedback on my action sequence. For example, maybe the voice recorder app on my phone deletes a file due to a bug. Then Ill make a mental note to use a different voice recorder app. This kind of learning is not happening at the level of weight updates in a neural network. Rather, its a more conceptual idea that is best seen as over-writing the key-value pair:

[I want to record an outline] -> [open voice app A]

by re-using the same key, and replacing the value, like so:

[I want to record an outline] -> [open voice app B]

Ive phrased things this way specifically because human brains dont seem to be good at erasing past memories, but rather they seem to be able to replace values associated with pre-existing keys. In this case, the keys are triggers that kick off actions.

4.3 Key-value memory in humans and AI models

Consider a person with a bad habit, such as biting their nails. Its notoriously difficult to enact a strategy of simply stopping such a habit. If you do this and your thought is Ill just stop, youre likely to fail. However, if you replace the bad habit with something else, youre more likely to succeed. For example, you can notice the situations where youre most likely to bite your nails  such as sitting in a classroom and somewhat bored  and then teach yourself to take a different action in those same contexts. For example, you might use a fidget spinner instead of nail-biting. This is a human-oriented example of key deletion being hard (key deletion here would be like ignoring the trigger  bored in a classroom  that tends to elicit your bad habit), but value-updating being possible (value-updating meaning that the trigger, bored in a classroom, still means something to you, but now your reaction is updated).

The internal mechanisms of modern language models are similar. They fundamentally rely on the transformer module, which is built on key-value lookups. Transformer-based models learn to ask internal queries (key lookups) encoded as vectors (a list of specific, but somewhat noise-tolerant, numbers). Once a model has learned to look for a certain key, its hard to unlearn. To change the models behavior, it seems easier to change what the key points to rather than to get the model to change so that it ignores the trigger altogether.

The similarity between these two add-only mechanisms may not be a coincidence; perhaps brains internally use something akin to the key-value pairs, just as the transformer does.

4.4 How the mind model can meta-learn

Meta-learning can happen in the mind model in a few ways:

Planning : When you understand you want to take on a new behavior in the future, you can perform explicit planning for your eventual actions. For example, you might put something on your calendar, or write down a list of things you want to do today. In this case, the model can simply capture the actions of using a calendar, or of writing a list, and the higher-level goals of these actions are only indirectly captured by the neural weights.

: When you understand you want to take on a new behavior in the future, you can perform explicit planning for your eventual actions. For example, you might put something on your calendar, or write down a list of things you want to do today. In this case, the model can simply capture the actions of using a calendar, or of writing a list, and the higher-level goals of these actions are only indirectly captured by the neural weights. Association : Often you dont know when youll need to use a new piece of knowledge, such as learning to ask directions in a new language. In this case, its useful if you can recall a relatively unpracticed action based on the correct context. The model could account for this in the following way: When you learn ahead of time, you have an understanding of the future context where the action will be useful, so that future context can be linked with the knowledge. The action itself can be stored as well as possible either through practice (such as language learning) or through understanding (such as reading a how-to guide).

: Often you dont know when youll need to use a new piece of knowledge, such as learning to ask directions in a new language. In this case, its useful if you can recall a relatively unpracticed action based on the correct context. The model could account for this in the following way: When you learn ahead of time, you have an understanding of the future context where the action will be useful, so that future context can be linked with the knowledge. The action itself can be stored as well as possible either through practice (such as language learning) or through understanding (such as reading a how-to guide). Problem-solving: There are other kinds of meta-learning, separate from either planning or receiving knowledge. If youre faced with a problem youve never solved before, and you dont know where to look up an answer (or dont want to), then you can try to simulate the probem in your head, and mentally consider potential solutions. If you arrive at an idea you like, this is its own kind of learning.

Id say this last kind of learning is based on thinking, so now is a good time to switch gears  lets take a look at how the mind model can capture sophisticated thoughts.

5 Thinking

Suppose youve just learned how to play tic-tac-toe, and its your turn. This is an example of thinking thats easy to think about. Youre naughts (circles), and its your turn on this board:

Its circles turn. Should the next circle go in the middle of the board?

Youre considering the center square for your next move. Im suggesting this example because, if youre brand new to tic-tac-toe, its not instantly obvious that crosses (xs) will win. After a little thinking or experience, you can see this.

The mind model captures thinking as an internal feedback loop. Some of the output of the action model is received again as input for the next cycle.

In the tic-tac-toe example, your thought process might work like this:

Its circles turn. Xs will win if they go in the middle next, so I better go in the middle.

Then its xs turn. Similarly, the x player better go in the lower-right corner.

Now, imagining that board, I can see that the x player has two lines that can win on the next move. Circle cant block them both, so x must win.

In the mind model, each of these bullet points may be one iteration of thought through the action model. It would be more difficult to imagine a single iteration of an action model noticing that conclusion if it was new to tic-tac-toe. So each iteration is useful as a smaller step in a kind of search process toward better understanding of whats happening, or in a protocol of more carefully deciding what to do. That example is more of a caricature compared to the exact calculations that actually happen, but it illustrates the way in which a feedback loop can support internal thoughts building on each other.

5.1 The nature of thought

Im not going to claim to understand all of human thought, but I will notice a few interesting things about both this mind model as well as how people seem to think. First Ill talk about thoughts in an abstract, human-oriented manner, and then circle back to the model and explain how these modes of thought can be captured by the model.

One mode of thought is predicting the future, including the future actions of other agents. This is useful in a game-playing context, but its also useful in many other scenarios. For example, if youre negotiating with someone (such as navigating the tricky terrain of a bed-time routine with a young child), its useful to predict how the other agent will react to different ways to communicating about the situation.

Another mode of thought can be creativity, wherein youre coming up with new ideas. An example of this would be in writing fiction, poetry, painting, or creating new music. In this mode of thought, it feels to me as if theres a general direction to the creativity, and we alternate between trial-and-error discovery of pieces of the work being created, or a mode in which we know what we want to achieve and simply put in effort to translate that goal into an actualization, such as painting an image we have clearly in mind.

A kind of thinking related to both of the above is problem-solving, in which we want to achieve something but dont know the best way to move forward. A toy example would be someone asking you a riddle. Whats better than pizza but worse than taxes? Answer: Nothing. Theres an interesting asymmetry to many problems we can try to solve: Often its easier to recognize a good solution than it is to find that good solution.

So when it comes to problem-solving, our mode of thought may be a feedback loop in which a creative component suggests candidate solutions, and an analytic part of the action model decides whether or not this is a good candidate.

5.2 Advanced thinking

There are more sophisticated versions of each of these processes.

For one thing, human brains clearly learn from experience. When youre better at tic-tac-toe, you can first see patterns that allow you to skip ahead in predicting the outcome of different boards  and eventually you can simply memorize the best possible moves. Similar pattern-recognition exists for more interesting contexts, from games like chess to real-world challenges, such as writing fiction (understanding tropes, audience reactions, dealing with narrative road-blocks), or running a business.

Related to pattern recognition is the concept of an internal mental vocabulary. A simple perspective is that mental words match words in the language we know best. By the time you learn the word dog, you have an idea for what a dog is. But there are differences between our verbal and mental vocabularies. You can recognize an animal youve seen before without having to know what its called. More abstractly, you can know how to deal with a situation youve been in before without needing a name for that situation.

Many people experience an inner voice, which seems to be just one particular way of thinking. I often think without an inner voice. But I do hear one, often, when Im faced with a decision or problem that takes me a little more time to solve. Often my inner voice acts, to me, as a simple tool to help organize my own thoughts. For example, if Im analyzing a list of options, I find it useful to say the options out loud in my mind to crystallize my comprehension of the full list. If Im trying to solve a tricky math or coding question, Ill ask aloud (in my mind), title-like questions, such as: Whats the simplest toy version of this problem? What other problems does this remind me of?

Whether or not you use an inner voice, there are still meta-protocols available to modes of thought. For example, in whatever job you have, you probably have faced many different variations of similar challenges. When those challenges can be helped with a lot of thought, you probably develop templates for solving similar problems. Because I like math, Ill use that as an example. In 1945, the mathematician George Polya published a small book called How to Solve It, in which he outlined conceptual guidelines for tackling difficult math problems. These are examples of meta-protocols available to modes of thought. They are processes that are not learned the way you memorize how to play a piano song, but rather that seem to exist at a higher level in a hierarchy of thought because there are abstract and unknown variables involved in each specific implementation of the process.

5.3 How the mind model captures modes of thought

The mind model can capture prediction about the future by implicitly asking: What will happen next in this context? Or, more specifically, what will this one agent do next in this situation? This is captured by the action model just as a language model can simulate different tones of voice, or take on the role of different personas. The default mode of the action model is to decide what the self actor will do, but, by adjusting the models analog of a system prompt, we can ask the same module what another agent would do.

Creativity might be captured in a manner similar to stable diffusion. Specifically, we may have a context for what we want the creativity to achieve  this is like the text given to a text-to-image model. Then we have vague, noisy thoughts to begin forming our solution, and over time we work to solidify those vague thoughts into more concrete realizations that align with the context. If youre a novice musician, you can probably hum a short tune, or drum a simple beat with your fingers. With more focus and experience, you can begin to turn those simple ideas into more complete songs. While I have not explicitly called out a stable diffusion component within the action model, the idea is that part of the feedback loop can include a partially-solidified (and thus partially-noisy) vector representing the eventual output of the stable diffusion component, and one pass through the action model has the ability to serve as a stable-diffusion-style denoiser.

The problem-solving mode of thought is simply a combination of the above two pieces. Your creativity can suggest uncertain or incomplete pieces of solutions, and your prediction mode of thought can work to answer the question: If I tried to use this solution, would it solve my problem? This question probably takes on more specific formats that depend on the challenge at hand, such as: If I communicated this solution, would it convince someone else? Or: If I took the actions of this solution, do I predict the outcome Im aiming for?

The more advanced forms of thought also fit within the model.

For one thing, once we learn a word, that word must have a vectorized representation as an output of the language encoder. This output vector is an internal mental concept used by the action model  this kind of vector is exactly analogous to the internal token vectors used by large language models. This mechanism shows how learning to understand words adds to our internal mental vocabulary.

Its one thing to understand what a word means, but another to produce the word while writing or speaking. Generally, people have a larger reading vocabulary than a spoken vocabulary. The mind model can explain this because its easy for the model to receive a word that it is unlikely to produce as output, since the language encoder and decoder are different systems. This can explain how pushing yourself to use a word in a sentence several times helps to add that word to our output (spoken or written) vocabulary.

All of the above, taken together, helps to show that the action model does indeed have an internal mental vocabulary which aligns closely with, but is in no way limited to, the concepts captured by a verbal vocabulary.

Another example of a thinking style is an inner voice, which is a special case of the feedback loop where the output of your action model makes use of the language decoder, translating non-verbal concepts into a verbal sequence. That internal verbal sequence is then received by the language encoder, and your internal percpetion is similar to hearing a voice spoken aloud.

When you develop habits of thought, such as trying to solve a math problem by beginning with a simplified version of the problem, then were touching on processes that arent directly part of the action model, but rather emerge at a higher level. This is analogous to the way we can drive a new car in a new country on the other side of the road (perhaps with some stress), even though theres no single neuron, or even a specific subset of neurons, dedicated to this kind of activity. Put another way, when youre looking at the low-level instructions a CPU can execute, you understand that its possible for the system to handle more complex operations than what can be obviously done at the low-level perspective. The mind model captures a low-level picture where highly sophisticated actions and ideas are challenging to directly express  even though theyre still possible. We just need to know that these more complex actions and ideas are enabled, just as a simple Turing machine can support any potential program.

6 Introspection

Introspection is an awareness of your internal experiences  of your thoughts and feelings. If were playing chess, and you make a move, you can explain your thinking behind that move.

Thoughts and feelings can exist without awareness of them. I suspect dogs can think to solve problems, such as how to get at some food they want. But Id also guess they dont think about their own thoughts; thats an example of thought without introspection. There are also examples within human minds of some simple kinds of reasoning happening beyond our awareness. If you close your eyes and hold up two books of clearly different weights, you immediately know which one is heavier without having to think about it. Our brain figures something out without us having insight into the work done to come to that conclusion.

But humans can often answer questions like: What was your thinking behind that? So humans have introspection, and I have a little more work to do to explain why this mind model could meaingfully reply to such a question.

As a warm-up, if I were to ask the mind model to remind me of the last three moves in a chess game we were playing, it could perform a lookup in the recent memory module and give me the answer. Introspection can work in the same way if thoughts themselves are treated as part of the story memory.

I can spell this out in more detail: Story memory is a record of whats been happening. The obvious stories are the sequences of events in the outside world. But keep in mind that whats received by the recent memory module is an internal vector representation that came out of the action model, and was further filtered by the emotional state. So, even for external events, whats really being stored is the minds own interpretation of those events. Instead of storing a video of a chess game, the mind stores its own conceptual understanding of those moves.

When it comes to thoughts, those are actions taken and perceived by the mind model. As events, thoughts are peers with external events. For example, the incoming perception my opponent has taken my queen is received, understood, and send out for storage by the action model. In subsequent iterations, the action model might ask itself How did I not see that coming? and then arrive at a conclusion akin to Oh, I was so focused on taking a knight that I wasnt thinking defensively, or whatever might be the reason. Those sentences may be non-verbal, each represented by a vector or a series of vectors  and they are events to be remembered.

So if you asked the model, What were you thinking about? it could tell you the story of its thoughts. Moreover, it could think about its own thoughts just as it could think about external events.

6.1 Awareness of emotions

Ive noticed that people are sometimes bad at knowing their own emotional state. This might seem surprising if youve never thought about it before, but if you have experience with kids, you might have seen a kid whos sleepy, angry, jealous, or frustrated, but has trouble being aware of feeling that way. I bring this up because the mind model can account for the remarkable ability we have to be unaware of such a fundamental side of ourselves.

Specifically, theres no automatic mechanism in this model to cause the mind to experience its emotion as part of a story. The dashed arrow from the emotional state to the action model indicates that this input is received as an implicit context, but is not received the same way that events are, as part of the primary input.

The model is perfectly capable, for example, of being sad without having awareness of that sadness. The sadness can operate by decreasing interest in whats happening, by a tendency to focus on the cause of the sadness, or by perceiving events in a more negative light when theres ambiguity. All of those things can happen without the event now Im feeling sad registering in the action model. That thought can occur  but it can also not, independent of the feeling existing. I suspect our awareness of emotions is a bit like noticing when a cloud covers the sun  we have the information given to us (everything suddenly gets darker), but it may or may not jump out to us that this has happened; emotions are things we can notice, but might not.

7 Consciousness

Ive avoided using the word consciousness in my entire description of the model  from 2 up until now. Ive avoided it for two reasons: First, many people have strong feelings about this concept that can get in the way of considering a scientific data flow diagram; and, second, the word consciousness itself is notoriously vague. Because of that, I think the most useful way to talk about minds is to focus on specific features that are easier to define. I see consciousness as nothing more than a collection of these features.

You probably have your own idea about this nebulous word, and thats fine  we dont need to agree on a definition, we just want to communicate clearly. The kind of consciousness Im interested in is personhood  the behavior and experiences that make us people. Of course, even that description is unfair to animals, because (for example) dogs have their own variant of consciousness, and we (perhaps unfairly) dont include dogs when we use the word people. So my adjusted concept is: The mental workings of people as a list of features that could apply to other agents.

Ive deliberately chosen a round-about definition because Im focusing on my goal: to extend the idea of personhood to other kinds of minds. If I were to give you a precise definition without mentioning personhood, then I could get some detail wrong and you wouldnt know how to fix it. I want this article to be correction-friendly by clearly sharing my goals along the way. Theres vagueness in the concept of personhood; Im not trying to solve that vagueness in this article. Rather, Im presenting a mind model and suggesting its a step toward digital minds which may one day be peers of our own.

7.1 Subjection Experience

Up until now, Ive focused on four specific features of minds: agency, learning, thinking, and introspection. I think there are more features (such as the ability to speak a language), but Ive focused on the features that large language models currently lack.

One thing I havent talked about is the subject experience of being alive. Philosophers like Thomas Nagel have famously argued that some aspects of consciousness simply cannot be understood scientifically. Some folks who agree with Nagel (or with similar arguments) can read this article  or even the best version of this article, which fixes all the flaws in the mind model  and see that the behavior can be human-like, yet these folks would still conclude that the experience of the mind model could never be the same as ours.

This is not the place for a full counterargument, but I do want to include a brief sketch of a reply.

7.2 Negative Arguments

Ill use the term negative argument to talk about arguments saying something is impossible, or that another argument is wrong, all without saying what is possible or what is correct. Contrast that with a positive argument, one which says something is possible, or says that such-and-such is the correct answer to a question. These are informal but intuitive terms.

Historically, many arguments about subjective experience have been negative  people either saying you cant understand everything about it scientifically, or other people saying such arguments are wrong. Ill mention some of these arguments, but Im personally more interested in the positive argument Ill present afterwards.

Ill give a caricature of a back-and-forth discussion about subjective experience. Ill present two sides, Nagels being anti-strong-AI (arguing that no software can have the same subjective experiences as humans), and the other side being pro-strong-AI.

(Anti-strong-AI) Our internal experiences are private and subjective, and, despite our ability to talk about brains scientifically, that science will always be different from truly experiencing what its like to be such a mind. Any recreation of a mind will thus miss out on correctly capturing that internal experience. (Pro-strong-AI) Hang on  if you really believe that, then suppose I create a perfect, atom-for-atom, clone of your entire body. Youre arguing that this perfect clone wont have the same kind of internal experiences as the original you. This is basically a disbelief in the ability of physics to correctly describe what happens in the world  a well-established philosophical position. Are you giving up on physics? (Anti-strong-AI) Thats not quite fair because youre talking about a hypothetical situation that we cant create. In any realistic simulation of a brain, the internal experience is different, and thats what Im talking about. (Pro-strong-AI) Ok, lets switch the thought experiment. Were getting closer to a reality of simulating the actions of each neuron in a human brain. If we did that, my argument still holds. If you think a simulated brain and a real brain can behave the same way, but theres some deep difference between them, thats again a conclusion that theres something different that no physical experiment could measure. Its an extraordinary claim, and the onus of proof is on your side, not on mine.

The discussion might continue. Its slippery because we all do have some internal, private experiences that are difficult to measure scientifically. And, at first glance, it does feel like any simple piece of code that produces English sentences couldnt possibly experience the nuanced world that we do.

Fundamentally, were arguing about whether or not something can exist: a digital mind with subjective internal experiences like our own. Can this mind model add any insight to the debate?

7.3 The Positive Argument

The negative arguments are akin to people discussing the possibility of human flight before airplanes were invented. (Admittedly, thats a biased simile.) But a great counterargument to people will never fly is I made an airplane. I realize the mind model presented here is untested, incomplete, and in need of further work. At the same time, it is a step forward, and can serve as a meaningful answer to the challenging question: How can we even begin to explain subjective experiences scientifically?

For example, when I look at a red apple, I experience a sensation of redness in my mind. What might that correspond to in a mind model? This one is easy: There can be a point in space (an internal vector) that represents redness. If I ask the model what color an object is, the model can focus on the internal vector representing its color. Internally, this might look like an attention lookup in which the query vector is asking what color is that object? the key vector is saying this is a color for that object, and the value vector is saying its red. This is the beginning of a scientific explanation behind subjective experiences.

It might seem overly simplistic to assume something like: For every word X theres an X-ness vector that captures what its like to perceive X. But this mind model isnt so simple, after all. For example, if the mind model sees a color between red and orange  a specific hue that it has no word for  then it can still have a vector to represent that color, and it can still have the same kind of experience it had for redness, but for any color. If the model sees an animal it didnt know existed  lets say a coati (which look like raccoons with longer snouts and tails)  there can be an internal vector representation that captures its similarity to animals its seen before. Or if the model experiences an emotion thats a new combination of other feelings, that can also be captured internally.

In other words, this is no finite or hand-made list of possible experiences, but a vast world of nuanced, combination-friendly concepts that have been learned. This mathematically infinite world of internal ideas, while daunting, is at once something the model can experience as well as something we can study and learn about.

8 Looking Forward

In writing this article, my hope is to push forward conversations about mind models that are both ambitious and detailed. When I read about some other mind models (such as the global workspace theory), I typically feel that theyd be hard to translate into code because theyre so high-level. Yet when I read about engineer-oriented AI directions (such as articles about artificial general intelligence), I dont see personhood as a goal  for example, discussions of AGI typically focus away from emotion.

It can be intimidating to work on digital personhood. Theres the fear that people will judge you for working on this. I have this fear. Historically, this pursuit seemed crazy to many  and even today some people find it alternatively impossible or dangerous. The idea of digital consciousness magically elicits opposing judgments about humanity: both a judgement that they can be arrogant in acts of learning and creation, and a judgment that theyre nothing special  possible to reduce to mere mathematical relationships.

On the other side of fear is hope; turn over arrogance and reduction to find humility and enlightenment: the humility to realize that the state of the world could be better  and that we can look for help. And the englightenment to improve on the best of ourselves; to aim to understand, even to create, minds that can be more mature, more caring, and more helpful than we have been.
FILE PHOTO: The Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander speaks as the country commemorates the abolition of slavery, in Amsterdam

FILE PHOTO: The Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander speaks as the country commemorates the abolition of slavery, in Amsterdam

By Catarina Demony and Charlotte Van Campenhout

(Reuters) -As the Netherlands on Monday marked 161 years since the abolition of slavery with annual Ketikoti celebrations, activists have questioned the sincerity of apologies by Dutch authorities since the issue of reparations has not been addressed.

"Ketikoti" is a Surinamese expression that means the "the chain is broken," and it is the title given to July 1 as a day of remembrance of slavery and celebration of freedom.

But in an incident highlighting the issue's divisiveness, Speaker of the House Martin Bosma was uninvited from Monday's celebrations for refusing to apologize for past dismissive remarks on slavery.

The government has ruled out reparations, instead setting up a 200 million euro fund to promote social initiatives in the Netherlands, the Dutch Caribbean and Suriname.

It said in a statement on Friday that the fund would benefit descendants of enslaved people and other groups, with the goal of countering "the harmful effects of the past in the present".

The idea of reparations for the transatlantic slavery is long-standing but has recently been gaining momentum worldwide. Opponents say countries shouldn't be held responsible for historical wrongs, while proponents say the legacy of slavery has resulted in persistent and vast racial inequalities today.

Barryl Biekman, an activist who for decades has been at the forefront of the movement calling for reparations in the Netherlands, said apologies must be followed by concrete measures to address issues affecting Black people.

"They apologised but they don't want to look at the systems that keep us down," Biekman said, pointing to persistent disparities in the labour market, education and health.

'BITTERSWEET'

Linda Nooitmeer, chair of the National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (NiNsee), said the official Dutch apologies appeared sincere but said the aftermath had been bittersweet.

"Sweet because the silence surrounding the history of slavery and the Netherlands has been completely broken... but(NiNSee) does feel the need for specific economic policies," Nooitmeer said.

The slavery reparations commission for the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, has drawn up a 10-point reparation plan that calls for debt cancellation and investment to tackle public health crises.

"The Dutch have set a precedent for a path that is not only not a true apology, but has nothing to do with reparations," Eric Phillips from CARICOM reparations commission told Reuters.

Opponents of reparations argue it is too complex to identify responsible parties and to determine remedies. Some say discussions of the issue could also trigger greater political polarisation in countries - including the Netherlands where the far-right is on the rise.

Biekman called for the establishment of a truth commission to look into reparations.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands still comprises several Caribbean islands, including Aruba and Sint Maarten.

Rhoda Arrindell, an advocate for the independence of Sint Maarten, said the apologies were "incomplete" if the islands remained part of the kingdom and the Dutch did not repair the economic underdevelopment caused by colonialism.

She said the new Dutch fund should be a "downpayment on a bigger reparation bill".

"How could you think that you commit the crime, acknowledge the crime and then decide what the punishment will be?" Arrindell said. "We find that rather appalling."

"We've come a long way, and more people are aware of the Dutch slavery history, but we still have far to go," said Suriname-born Cindy Chan A Hung (46), who attended the Ketikoti celebrations in Amsterdam.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony in Lisbon and Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam;Additional reporting by Stephanie van den Berg;Editing by Kat Stafford, Gareth Jones and Aurora Ellis)
Shakari Briggs is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at shakari.briggs@houstonchronicle.com.

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

Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting.
By Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) - An online petition calling for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to be impeached experienced delays and disruptions due to the large number of people trying to sign it, the speaker of the parliament said, promising to fix the issue as soon as possible.

More than 811,000 people have so far signed the petition, hosted on the National Assembly's website, since it went live on June 20. The petition calls on parliament to introduce a bill to impeach Yoon on the grounds that he is unfit for the job.

In a statement late on Sunday, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik apologised for the disruption, and said parliament would take action to uphold the public's constitutional right.

People trying to access the petition on Monday faced delays that lasted up to four hours. At one point, an error message showed more than 30,000 people were waiting to access the site.

There was no immediate comment from the presidential office.

The petition accuses Yoon of corruption, stoking the risk of war with North Korea and exposing South Koreans to health risks by not stopping Japan from releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant.

By law, parliament is required to assign any petition signed by more than 50,000 people to a committee which will then decide whether to put it to the assembly for a vote.

But the opposition Democratic Party which holds a majority in parliament is hesitant about turning the petition into an impeachment bill, media reports say, with a spokesperson saying the party has yet to discuss the matter.

The parliament can call for a president's impeachment with a two-thirds majority. The Constitutional Court then deliberates that motion and decides to remove or reinstate the president.

Yoon has been unpopular since taking office in 2022, with his latest approval ratings hovering around the 25 percent mark since April.

South Korea's parliament has twice impeached presidents: Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2017. Roh was reinstated by the Constitutional Court while Park was removed.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Jack Kim and Miral Fahmy)
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Combating Fake News requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society

Combating Fake News requires a concerted effort from all sectors of the society. By working together, we can protect the truth, uphold democratic values, and ensure that our information landscape remains robust and reliable.

Monday July 1, 2024 11:21 PM , Mohd Ziyauallah Khan

What if I say Mr. Modi sold tea at a platform in Gujarat, or that biryani was served in Shaheen Bagh during the CAA and NRC protests, or that Congress conspired in the Delhi riots? Anyone with a basic understanding of current affairs would call it fake news.

Call it Fake news or misinformation, which is nothing but a menace in the news ecosystem.

Today, we will discuss the menace of fake news, which is nothing but a grave matter of concern in our news ecosystem. In an era where information is more accessible than ever before, the proliferation of fake news poses a significant threat to our society. It undermines the very foundation of an informed citizenry, erodes trust in legitimate journalism, and can even incite violence and societal discord.

Lets delve into how fake news impacts our world and explore ways to combat this pervasive issue.

Definition and Spread of Fake News

Fake news refers to misinformation or false information presented as news. This phenomenon is not new, but its scale and impact have been amplified exponentially in the digital age.

Social media platforms, with their vast reach and speed of dissemination, have become the primary conduits for spreading fake news.

Unlike traditional media, which often undergoes rigorous fact-checking and editorial oversight, social media lacks these safeguards.

As a result, false information can spread rapidly, often outpacing the truth.

Impact on Public Perception and Trust

The most immediate impact of fake news is the distortion of public perception. When people consume false information, it shapes their understanding of the world in inaccurate and sometimes dangerous ways.

This distortion is particularly potent during critical times, such as elections, public health crises, or natural disasters.

For instance, during elections, fake news can sway voter opinions and undermine the democratic process.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about the virus and vaccines contributed to public confusion and resistance to health measures.

Moreover, the spread of fake news erodes trust in legitimate journalism. As people encounter conflicting reports and dubious sources, they become sceptical of all news, including credible sources.

This scepticism can lead to a phenomenon known as information fatigue, where individuals disengage from news consumption altogether, believing that finding the truth is an insurmountable task.

Societal Consequences

Beyond individual perception, fake news has broader societal consequences. It can incite violence and societal discord by fuelling conspiracy theories and exacerbating existing tensions. We have seen numerous instances where misinformation has led to real-world harm.

For example, false claims about political opponents or ethnic groups have incited violence and hatred, resulting in social unrest and even loss of life.

Fake news also undermines informed decision-making. In a democratic society, citizens rely on accurate information to make decisions about their leaders, policies, and personal choices.

When the information landscape is polluted with falsehoods, it becomes challenging to discern truth from fiction, leading to ill-informed decisions that can have long-lasting repercussions.

Role of Technology and Social Media Platforms

Technology and social media platforms play a significant role in the proliferation of fake news. Algorithms designed to maximise engagement often prioritise sensational and emotionally charged content, which is more likely to be false.

This creates an echo chamber effect, where individuals are repeatedly exposed to the same misinformation, reinforcing their beliefs and making them more resistant to corrective information.

However, these platforms also have the potential to be part of the solution. Social media companies can implement measures to detect and reduce the spread of fake news.

Fact-checking partnerships, algorithm adjustments, and user education are some strategies that can help mitigate the impact of false information.

Combating Fake News: A Collective Responsibility

Addressing the menace of fake news requires a collective effort from various stakeholders, including governments, technology companies, media organisations, and individuals.

Governments: Governments can enact and enforce laws that hold perpetrators of fake news accountable without infringing on freedom of speech. They can also support public education campaigns to enhance media literacy among citizens.

Governments can enact and enforce laws that hold perpetrators of fake news accountable without infringing on freedom of speech. They can also support public education campaigns to enhance media literacy among citizens. Technology Companies: Social media platforms and search engines must take greater responsibility for the content they disseminate. This includes investing in technologies to identify and flag fake news, collaborating with fact-checking organisations, and providing users with tools to verify information.

Social media platforms and search engines must take greater responsibility for the content they disseminate. This includes investing in technologies to identify and flag fake news, collaborating with fact-checking organisations, and providing users with tools to verify information. Media Organisations: Traditional media must continue to uphold high standards of journalism and engage in proactive fact-checking. They should also work to regain public trust by being transparent about their sources and editorial processes.

Traditional media must continue to uphold high standards of journalism and engage in proactive fact-checking. They should also work to regain public trust by being transparent about their sources and editorial processes. Individuals: Ultimately, each of us has a role to play. We must develop critical thinking skills and become more discerning consumers of information. This means verifying the credibility of sources before sharing information, being aware of our biases, and supporting reputable news outlets.



Final Thoughts

Thus, fake news is a formidable challenge that threatens the integrity of our news ecosystem and the fabric of our society. Its rapid spread, fueled by technology and social media, distorts public perception, erodes trust in legitimate journalism, and incites societal discord.

Combating this menace requires a concerted effort from all sectors of the society. By working together, we can protect the truth, uphold democratic values, and ensure that our information landscape remains robust and reliable.

[The writer, Mohd Ziyauallah Khan, is a freelance content writer based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.]





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Samsung in full-on campaign mode ahead of 'Galaxy Unpacked 2024'

Ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked July 2024 event, Galaxy AI is Here, tech giant Samsung Electronics unleashed a global billboard campaign in anticipation of the next chapter of Galaxy AI.

Monday July 1, 2024 9:10 PM , ummid.com News Network

[Ahead of 'Galaxy Unpacked July 2024', digital billboards went live in various cities around the world, including Bangkok, Brasilia, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, London, Madrid, New York, Seoul, Tokyo and Warsaw, among many others on June 26. (Photo: Samsung)]

Seoul: Ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked July 2024 event, Galaxy AI is Here, tech giant Samsung Electronics unleashed a global billboard campaign in anticipation of the next chapter of Galaxy AI.

As part of the full scale campaign ahead of the event, digital billboards went live in various cities around the world, including Bangkok, Brasilia, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, London, Madrid, New York, Seoul, Tokyo and Warsaw, among many others on June 26.

The campaign video  which features a rotating 3D cube on a flat surface, followed by a projection of the Eiffel Tower and 4-stars representing Galaxy AI  symbolizes Samsungs journey to unlock all new experiences for users everywhere.

Confirmed launches at Galaxy Unpacked 2024

Samsung's "Galaxy AI is Here" at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 is scheduled to be held on July 10. The event will be held in Paris instead of Korea where Samsung is based.

Samsung has confirmed the launch of Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Galaxy Buds 3 series, Watch 7 series and a debut of Galaxy Ring at the event.

As per the images leaked ahead of the event, the Galaxy Z Fold6, expected to be the highlight of Samsungs Unpacked event, is said to be lighter and thinner than its predecessor.

Leaked renders also suggest Z Fold 6 will have a more rectangular design, similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.

Leaked images also hint at the colour variants indicating Fold 6 will be available in pink, dark navy blue and silver, whereas the Flip 6 is shown in silver, green, light blue and yellow.

On the other hand, Samsungs upcoming wireless earbuds are likely to resemble Apples AirPods lineup.

Not much details are available regarding the much talked about 'Galaxy Ring'. The product however is anticipated to be one of the most capable smart rings, featuring a host of generative AI capabilities. Samsung will provide more details at the event.







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Among them, Hibana by Koki retained its one Michelin star for the second consecutive year. Backstage and Izakaya by Koki continued to be proudly recognised with the Michelin Selected award (selected and recommended to try by Michelin).

Dennis Laubenstein, General Manager of Capella Hanoi, said: "We are deeply honoured to be recognised by Michelin once again. Our unwavering dedication to culinary excellence and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests is the core of our success."

Hibana by Koki - Beyond Teppanyaki cuisine

The one Michelin-starred restaurant Hibana by Koki is located in the basement of the upscale boutique hotel Capella Hanoi, renowned as a trendy destination for discerning diners in Ha Noi.

It is the first high-end restaurant in the capital to bring the Japanese art of Teppanyaki to its guests, led by Chef Yamaguchi and Consulting Chef Yoshida Junichi - the first Michelin one-starred chef for Teppanyaki art in the world.

Teppanyaki at Hibana by Koki is a sensory journey through the delicate flavours of Japan. It is meticulously prepared and served in private rooms, with a traditional sake bar and the chef's Teppanyaki table.

In a rustic yet refined space with warm light brown tones, guests at the Teppan table are guided into an "emotional home," to wait with the Japanese chef for dishes made from the finest ingredients.

Premium Yaeyama Kyori beef is carefully prepared on the Teppan table at low temperatures for nearly an hour, creating a rich umami flavour that lingers on the palate. Additionally, the sea bass from the Japanese sea and the hairy crabs from the cold waters of Hokkaido are ingredients that are rare even in famous restaurants worldwide.

However, the allure of Teppanyaki does not only come from the novelty and taste of the Japanese beef and seafood specially curated for Hibana by Koki. The value of a meal here lies in the experience of watching master culinary artisans meticulously prepare and cook the ingredients with passion and unparalleled finesse.

Sharp knife slices glide through each dish at the 'speed of light,' cutting food into bite-sized pieces for diners. Flames flare up as the chef pours a bit of sake onto the grill, then quickly extinguishes, just enough to cook the food to perfection and release the aroma into the diners' senses.

Under the hands of the culinary artist, knives, forks and spatulas become tools, and the food on the Teppan transforms into works of art. There is no other culinary art in the world like Teppanyaki.

Backstage - Honouring Northern Vietnamese cuisine

Backstage restaurant is likened to a shining gem in the capital, honouring Northern Vietnamese cuisine in the most magnificent and luxurious space in the heart of Ha Noi.

Here, the Northern cuisine style blends tradition and modernity, using many local ingredients and distinctive spices from the northwester mountains, with cooking techniques that ensure the freshness and full flavour of each dish.

The culinary journey through northern Viet Nam is both sophisticated and novel, showcased by the restaurants chef, Tong ang Khoa. Bun cha, a traditional dish of the capital, evoke nostalgic flavour, while creative dishes, including duck breast with mulberry sauce, captivate the most discerning guests with their exquisite textures and harmonious flavours.

One of the secrets to Backstage being recommended by Michelin is its strict selection of ingredients, prioritising local handmade products with organic farming methods to ensure the original freshness and flavour of each dish.

Furthermore, the glamorous and luxurious beauty of every corner of Backstage is the perfect catalyst for the culinary exploration of discerning diners. Designed by the 'wizard' Bill Bensley, Backstage reflects his aesthetic and unique touch.

Inside, the restaurant is designed with an open kitchen and private dining areas where chefs bring the ultimate culinary art performance under dazzling lights. Intricately arranged dishes are presented one after another on the banquet table, indulging and pampering the senses with their sweet aromas, captivating colours and unforgettable flavours.

Izakaya by Koki - A different style of Japanese cuisine

While Hibana is renowned for Teppanyaki, Izakaya is the place for Japanese food enthusiasts who enjoy the 'pub' style. In Japan, Izakayas are dining spots where people often gather with colleagues or acquaintances after work to enjoy food and drinks.

At Capella Hanoi, Izakaya by Koki offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The space is designed towards the experience of interaction and conversation among diners, though there are also private corners.

The Izakaya menu at Koki 'weaves' the distinctive flavours of the four seasons, including spring, summer, autumn and winter. It provides each diner with a unique and different culinary experience.

Chef Yamaguchi, with his extensive experience and expertise, has created a symphony of flavours using only the freshest ingredients sourced from Japan. His culinary creations not only impress visually but also pamper the guests' taste buds, reflecting a harmonious blend of umami (the fifth taste), kansha (deep respect for ingredients) and omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).

A notable feature of Japanese culture here is the extensive collection of nearly 60 types of sake and premium Japanese teas, carefully curated by the restaurant.

The Michelin Guide is currently regarded as the world's most prestigious culinary evaluation system, rating restaurants through its star system and other special awards. Michelin restaurants are independently assessed by anonymous inspectors based on five criteria, including food quality, cooking techniques, flavour harmony, the personality of the chef in the cuisine and consistency over time and across the menu.

The fact that Capella Hotel owns two Michelin Selected restaurants and one restaurant achieving one Michelin star is rare, as experts note that very few hotel restaurants worldwide achieve Michelin stars. This also affirms Sun Group's exceptional vision and direction when creating each hotel and resort not only as a place to stay but also as a destination with an unforgettable impression on visitors, thanks to its unique and world-class culinary style.
Compiled by Mai Huong

HA NOI  Over the past decade, a key tax law has revealed many shortcomings, causing significant impacts on Viet Nams agricultural sector  a key pillar of the economy. Experts and businesses have called for timely and effective changes to address these issues, support farmers and businesses and move towards sustainable agriculture.

The Law No. 71/2014/QH13, issued on November 26, 2014, amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Tax Law, provides a VAT exemption for fertilisers.

Nguyen Van Phung, former Director of the Large Enterprise Tax Management Department at the General Department of Taxation, noted that in 2008, the National Assembly passed the VAT Law with three rates: zero per cent, 5 per cent and 10 per cent. Fertilisers and specialised agricultural machinery were taxed at 5 per cent. However, during the economic crisis in the Asia-Pacific region in 2008 and the subsequent difficulties Viet Nam faced, policymakers had to find ways to support the agricultural sector.

Many scientists and industry associations recommended lowering the VAT on agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, to reduce costs for farmers and benefit producers.

During discussions, the National Assembly considered reducing the VAT rate on agricultural inputs from 5 per cent to a non-taxable status due to the lack of data proving whether a 5 per cent or non-taxable rate was more beneficial. In 2014, the Assembly amended Law No. 71 to exempt fertilisers and specialised agricultural machinery from VAT.

After implementation, the law exhibited several issues. Domestic fertiliser prices didn't decrease but increased, limiting production and business activities, hampering investment projects in fertiliser production and causing difficulties for businesses and farmers.

Phung Ha, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fertiliser Association, highlighted the difficulties faced by fertiliser manufacturers due to the inability to deduct VAT on input goods and services. This increased production costs and reduced profits, disadvantaging domestic producers against imported fertilisers. Additionally, the inability to deduct input VAT discouraged investment in new, high-quality fertiliser products.

Fertilisers account for 40-60 per cent of agricultural production costs and if these costs could be deducted, the overall product cost would decrease, he said.

On the other hand, Law No. 71 exempts imported fertilisers from VAT, benefiting foreign manufacturers exporting to Viet Nam.

Annually, Viet Nam's agriculture consumes 11-12 million tonnes of fertilisers, with about eight million tonnes produced domestically. The rest are imported, creating unfair competition due to VAT exemptions abroad.

According to economist Ngo Tri Long, the lack of VAT deductions makes domestic fertilisers less competitive. Foreign enterprises benefit from reduced import duties in Viet Nam under free trade agreements, allowing them to lower fertiliser prices and compete with domestic producers, even those using outdated technologies. This not only hampers domestic fertiliser production but also negatively impacts agricultural products and the environment.

Long-term dependence on imported fertilisers cannot sustain agricultural development and harms the relationship between industry, agriculture, farmers and rural areas, affecting national food security, Long said.

He claimed that without tax policy changes, domestic companies might shift their business strategies, conceding market share to cheaper, lower-quality imported fertilisers, posing a significant threat to Viet Nam's agriculture and agricultural exports.

Taxed again?

Nguyen Tri Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fertiliser Association, noted that 60 per cent of imported fertilisers come from Russia and China, with VAT rates of 20 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively. Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand also tax fertilisers at around 8 per cent.

With agricultural export value of US$55 billion annually, Ngoc said Viet Nam needs refined support policies, particularly tax policies, to sustain this sector.

Both experts and businesses have proposed reinstating a 5 per cent VAT rate for fertilisers and specialised agricultural machinery to encourage investment and reduce costs.

Nguyen Hoang Trung, Deputy General Director of DAP - Vinachem, affirmed that amending Law No. 71 to tax fertilisers would benefit domestic producers by lowering input costs, reducing product prices and increasing market competitiveness. This would also provide resources and incentives for investment in technology and production scale, leading to high-quality fertiliser products for farmers.

At the National Assemblys session on the draft Value Added Tax (VAT) Law amendments on June 24, Minister of Finance Ho uc Phoc emphasised that VAT has a broad regulatory scope covering nearly all goods and services. Therefore, this law is complex and impacts the interests of many producers and businesses. Consequently, amending provisions in the draft must ensure production and trade development in accordance with established tax strategies.

The drafting committee rigorously studies and assesses the impact of each VAT policy to encompass revenue sources, expand tax bases and align with international practices, Phoc said.

Regarding fertilisers, he noted differing views suggesting tax exemption versus a 5-per-cent tax rate. Previously, fertilisers were taxed, then exempted and are now being considered for taxation again. The drafting committee will need to reassess the impacts and present them to the National Assembly at the year-end session.  VNS
CAN THO  Viet Nam is expected to require approximately US$2.7 billion to execute its high-quality rice cultivation project spanning one million hectares by 2030, according to an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

During a June 29 meeting involving the Ministry of Planning and Investment, MARD and Mekong Delta localities, discussions focused on utilising World Bank loans to support a project developing one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the region. Ton That Son Phong, deputy head of MARDs agricultural project management board, emphasised the urgency of mobilising international resources due to limited domestic funding.

To this goal, the MARD has proactively worked with many international organisations such as the WB, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). To date, the WB has committed to providing loans and technical assistance, while the IRRI and several other organisations have pledged to provide technical support.

Based on the WB's commitment, representatives from the MARD, 12 provinces and Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta, and other ministries and sectors have directly worked with the WB and domestic and international experts to complete a draft project on infrastructure and technical support for high-quality, and low-emission rice farming in the region.

The draft project is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval in the third quarter of 2024. Its investment is estimated at $430 million, of which $330 million will be financed by loans from the World Bank.

Cao Thang Binh, a senior expert of the WB, said that this is the first time Viet Nam and the world have a large-scale project on rice production towards sustainable growth and emissions reduction. Viet Nam is at a golden time to implement the project of one million hectares of high-quality rice, and this is a way for the country to promote and reposition the Vietnamese rice brand, its responsibility for rice production, and raise its position in the world.

According to Binhs preliminary calculations, if the investment for the whole project is about $1 billion, it will generate a profit of about $4 billion. It will also cut down production costs and fertilisers by about 30 per cent.

The project to develop one million hectares of specialised rice cultivation with high quality and low emissions associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region was approved by the Prime Minister on November 27, 2023.

It is part of efforts to restructure the region's production system and value chain with a focus on sustainable farming practices, higher product value, greater business and production efficiency, as well as improved livelihoods of rice farmers, in accordance with Viet Nam's commitment to protect the environment, adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  VNS
OTTAWA  Vietnamese coffee has the opportunity to surpass Mexico to enter the top 10 largest coffee exporters to the Canadian market.

The export value of Vietnamese coffee to Canada reached over US$4.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, up 12.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Viet Nam earned over $32 million from exporting coffee to Canada in 2023, the highest level in the 2013  2023 period, growing by 220 per cent compared to the time before the two countries joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Taking this opportunity, Cactus, a young Vietnamese enterprise investing in Canada, decided to set up a store in the bustling city of Toronto to introduce Vietnamese coffee, towards exploring and expanding the export market for Vietnamese coffee products.

Cactus set up shop in 2021 - the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, facing many difficulties. Currently, its coffee store has grown significantly and gained a stable customer base.

Co-owner of Cactus Nguyen Thi Kim Anh said she hopes that the brand will grow strong like a cactus, despite many challenges they may face in the country.

With the expansion of Vietnamese brands like Cactus, Vietnamese coffee has the opportunity to surpass Mexico to enter the top 10 largest coffee exporters to the Canadian market. Anh said with a sizable and stable number of customers, the brand is on a strong growth trajectory. Therefore, the firm plans to expand its business model through franchising.

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Canada Tran Thu Quynh said the office hopes to collaborate with Cactus to turn this establishment into a destination for introducing and promoting Vietnamese brands.

According to Quynh, besides developing coffee brands originating from Viet Nam, Cactus can boost franchising to build its chain of establishments across Canada. This is one of the ways to boost export value, thus bringing significant benefits to Viet Nam's exports in the coming time.

Viet Nam currently holds the most prestigious reputation for coffee among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) in Canada, capturing approximately a 2 per cent market share.

The CPTPP has created significant tariff advantages, enabling Vietnamese coffee to potentially surpass competitive rivals from other ASEAN states, India, and even China.  VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung met with the Vietnam Innovation Network in Korea (VINK) during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit.

He urged VINK to strengthen connections and support collaborations between Vietnamese and Korean businesses, focusing on high-priority sectors such as semiconductors, IT, AI and digital content.

Minister Dung highlighted initiatives like the Vietnam-Korea Startup Exchange (VKSE) programme, which emphasises semiconductor and AI training.

VINK showcased its activities in South Korea, including scientific research collaborations, technology transfers, and assistance for Vietnamese AI centres and businesses expanding into the South Korean market.

Looking forward to the rest of the year, plans involve expanding current programmes and launching AI talent incubators with support from Viet Nam's National Innovation Center (NIC), aimed at attracting major Korean technology partners to Viet Nam.

Minister Dung underscored NIC's operational status at Hoa Lac, spanning nearly 20,000 square metres and offering special incentives for partners. He encouraged network members to collaborate and facilitate the establishment of research units, offices, labs, and manufacturing facilities at NIC Hoa Lac for major Korean tech partners interested in Viet Nam.

He also proposed that VINK continue to share technology insights through forums and engage with investors and corporations, particularly in semiconductors, IT, AI and digital content, leveraging Korean industry strengths for mutual benefit.

VINK suggested developing Viet Nam's semiconductor industry, drawing on Korean experience and outlining stages such as semiconductor packaging, chip design, and traditional chip production.

They recommended prioritising advancements in semiconductor packaging in Viet Nam, including ensuring reliable power supply, investing in substrate production and advanced packaging technologies, streamlining administrative procedures, and decentralising to facilitate investment. Additionally, Viet Nam should offer tax incentives and capital for semiconductor workforce training and strengthen collaborations with countries like Israel and Singapore.

Minister Dung expressed his hope that VINK would continue to expand participation and welcome new members, fostering Vietnamese and international experts interested in Viet Nam's innovation and technology landscape.  VNS
Reinvestigation: Promotion of U.S.-style democracy delivers disaster, not peace abroad

Xinhua) 10:24, July 01, 2024

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Claiming to be a "beacon of democracy," the United States has been transplanting its political system to other countries and interfering in their internal affairs over the past century, despite significant differences in economic development, history, and culture.

However, the so-called "democratic transformations" and color revolutions engineered by the United States often escalate into turmoil and lead to endless wars in affected regions.

DISASTER FOR HAITI

Haiti, perhaps less known to many than once war-torn Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, has long suffered from U.S. intervention under the guise of democracy. For over a century, the United States has continuously meddled in Haitian politics.

In 1915, under U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, the United States initiated a nearly 20-year military occupation of Haiti, under the guise of leading Latin America to democracy and freedom. In 1994, amidst political turmoil in Haiti, the United States dispatched over 20,000 troops in "Operation Uphold Democracy."

Following these interventions, Haiti was coerced into opening its markets to the United States in exchange for external financial support. Decades of unemployment, gang violence, and hunger ensued. This year, over 300,000 civilians have been displaced by inter-gang warfare, with gangs controlling 80 percent of the capital, according to United Nations (UN) estimates quoted by CNN. "Every person CNN approached said they had been brutalized one way or another," the news outlet reported.

America's century-long efforts to export democracy to Haiti have not fostered genuine democracy but have instead plunged the nation into poverty.

"Haiti is a story that appears to repeat itself while also growing inexorably worse over time," said James Foley, former U.S. ambassador to Haiti.

Robert Fatton Jr., a professor at the University of Virginia and an expert on Haiti, argued in his article "Killing Haitian Democracy" that "the United States' repeated interventions in Haiti have left a legacy of despotism."

GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES

Haiti's plight mirrors the United States' relentless push for American-style democracy worldwide, a tool in its quest for global dominance. The United States has often framed this as a battle between democracy and authoritarianism, but this rhetoric primarily serves U.S. hegemony and its political, economic, and security interests.

Lindsey O'Rourke, an associate professor at Boston College, found that between 1947 and 1989, the United States conducted 64 covert operations to topple other governments, with about 30 percent targeting "democratic governments" by Western standards. Notable instances include U.S.-instigated coups in Iran in 1953, Guatemala in 1954, and Chile in 1973, which subverted democratically elected governments.

In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq under the banner of "spreading democracy," resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe and continued regional turmoil.

Many observers believe the root cause of the escalation of the Ukraine crisis is the continuous eastward expansion of the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), disregarding Russia's security concerns. The United States' repeated vetoes of ceasefire resolutions in the UN Security Council expose its hypocrisy in promoting peace.

WAR BUSINESS

So who benefits from the U.S. export of democracy?

U.S. President Joe Biden has emphasized America's support for Ukraine and Israel as a defense of democracy. In a primetime address last year, he said, "just as in World War II, today, patriotic American workers are building the arsenal of democracy and serving the cause of freedom."

The term "arsenal of democracy," coined by former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, reflects the significant increase in the U.S. production of war materials during World War II, which cemented the bond between the defense industry and the government, creating the military-industrial complex. This complex now includes the military, defense contractors, Congress, academic institutions, think tanks, and the media, all leveraging their influence to shape national policies.

This relationship has made "war economics" a significant aspect of U.S. foreign policy. One major reason the United States has intensified its involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and the Ukraine crisis is that prolonged warfare serves the interests of the American military-industrial complex.

On April 20, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a 95-billion-U.S. dollar legislative package for security assistance to Ukraine and Israel, with 14.1 billion dollars in aid to Israel and 60 billion to Ukraine. The majority of these funds benefit U.S. defense contractors. In 2023, U.S. military equipment sales to foreign governments surged by 16 percent, reaching a record 238 billion dollars.

What has "American-style democracy" brought to the world? It has fostered "neo-Monroeism" in Latin America, "color revolutions" in Eurasia, and the "Arab Spring" in the Middle East and North Africa.

William Hartung, a senior fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, noted that the military-industrial complex thrives on continuous revenue and unwavering support from Washington, arguing that weapons companies are complicit in ongoing humanitarian crises. This practice "in no way fits the category of defending democracy."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
USPS employees load trucks at the Gray Street location in Houston on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer

Dogs barking and attacking postal workers have been common television and movie tropes over the years. But there's nothing fictitious about the threats dogs can be to U.S. Postal Service letter carriers on their routes, especially in Houston.

USPS announced last month Houston ranked second in the country in 2023 in dog attacks. Dating back to 2013, no city in the country has had more dogs attack their postal workers than Houston.

"It's not a good list to be on but it is a list that we are on," said Nikki Johnson, the USPS spokeswoman for the Texas 2 region, "That's our reality. So Houston we do have a problem. However, we do want to fix it."

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'NOT A GOOD LIST': Houston ranks 2nd in country, 1st in Texas for dog attacks on USPS workers

There were 735 total dog attacks in Houston from 2013-2023. Los Angeles, which ranked No. 1 in 2023 with 65 attacks, had 683 dog attacks over the 11-year span. Cleveland and Chicago were the only cities with more than 500 attacks.

Dallas had 474 attacks during the time frame for second place in Texas.

Houston has ranked first or second in every ranking since 2013, including finishing first seven times. Its 2015 total of 85 attacks is the most of any city in one year during the time frame.

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"Prior to this, I would walk up to stray dogs. But they see the uniform and...," USPS letter carrier Brandon Burleson said before trailing off.

Burleson, 35, has been a letter carrier for seven years. About two years ago, he needed a signature for a certified letter from a resident on his route.

STAMP IT: USPS release new Forever stamps to raise awareness about protecting sea turtles

He'd passed the house where this resident lived and heard a dog barking many times. But he had never seen the dog.

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The woman answered the door and closed it behind her as Burleson asked if she could sign the document. But his pen wasn't working so the woman went back inside, and the dog jumped at Burleson.

Burleson fell back and tripped over a plant. The dog bit him again on the inside of his right thigh while he was down. Burleson would end up missing two months of work due to an infection from the bite.

He still tenses sometimes when he hears a dog on his route.

"You hear a big dog, a dog you've never seen before, and the first time you see it, it's launching at you," Burleson said. "It's terrifying. It kind of makes you nervous whenever you hear dogs. You never know when they're gonna bite you."

Burleson is lucky. Some injuries from dog attacks can be much worse. Yolanda Tate, a Postal Service safety manager, said there haven't been any fatalities in Houston but some severe injuries. Some carriers are even out for more than a year or never return.

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It's not just the physical recovery from a bite that can be timely. There's the mental health aspect, too.

Johnny English, 56, has been working as a letter carrier for 27 years. He didn't realize how many dogs were in the area until he started going on a route. It's not just house dogs, but stray dogs too.

He's been bitten twice while working. Luckily, neither has resulted in any serious injury.

"A lot of people think that, 'My dog is fine. He's not gonna do anything,'" English said. "But he doesn't know me."

Burleson also said people seem to think their dogs are not aggressive or going to attack someone so that puts them at a disadvantage when a dog does become aggressive.

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Johnson said she believes the city's size is a major reason for its high rankings. Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles are three of the top four cities in the country. They've made up the top three spots in three of the past five years of the rankings.

MAIL DELAYS: Sen. Cornyn, other senators ask USPS to pause rollout of plan that contributed to Houston mail delays

"I don't know if it's because we have such a large demographic," Tate said. "The inner city seems to be the issue with more people having dogs and walking their dogs without leashes, not adhering the Texas leash law."

The Postal Service's focus is not on hashing out the reasons for so many dog attacks. USPS wants to raise awareness about the attacks instead in hopes that their numbers can go down, which they have in recent years.

There haven't been more than 57 attacks in one year over the past three years after averaging nearly 74 attacks from 2015-2020. But Houston still lags well behind its peers.
HA NOI  Viet Nam recorded a trade surplus of US$11.63 billion in the first six months of 2024, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

In the first half of 2024, export turnover is estimated to reach nearly US$190.1 billion, an increase of 14.5 per cent over the same period last year.

Of the total export turnover, the domestic economic sector reached $53.4 billion, an increase of 20.6 per cent, accounting for 28.1 per cent of total export turnover. The foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) reached $136.7 billion, an increase of 12.3 per cent, accounting for 71.9 per cent.

In the first six months, processed industrial goods exports were estimated at $166.8 billion, making up 87.7 per cent of total export value.

Regarding imports, import turnover of goods in June 2024 was estimated to reach $30.15 billion, down 7.9 per cent over the previous month and up 13.1 per cent over the same period last year.

Ending June, the import turnover of goods was estimated to reach $178.45 billion, up 17 per cent year-on-year. Production materials imports made up 94 per cent, totalling $167.73 billion.

In the first half, the United States remained Viet Nam's largest export market at $54.3 billion, and China is the largest import market at $67 billion.

inh Thi Thuy Phuong, Director of the GSO's Trade and Service Statistics Department, emphasised the need to improve policies to create a favourable macro environment for exports and ensure a transparent business climate. Sustainable export growth should be pursued by diversifying markets and maintaining a healthy trade balance.

Authorities should enhance forecasting to warn businesses of potential risks, minimise trade defense investigation impacts, and prove that Vietnamese goods are not dumped. They should support industrial production, stimulate demand, and leverage free trade agremeents (FTAs), Phuong said.  VNS
HA NOI  The Russian National Orchestra (RNO), the first Russian orchestra to have won a Grammy, will perform for the first time in Viet Nam this autumn.

They will perform on October 12 and 13, their concerts part of the annual Vietnam Airlines Classic  Hanoi Concert (VACC) that has been organised by the national carrier since 2017.

However, unlike previous seasons when all the concerts were held on an open-air stage, the VACC this year will take place indoor at the Ho Guom Theatre, one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Opera Houses in the World, according to the World Travel Awards.

Under the baton of Spanish conductor Cesar Alvarez, the RNO will open the VACC 2024 with Viet Nams national anthem, Tien Quan Ca (The Marching Song) that has been arranged by composer o Hong Quan for the symphony orchestra.

The orchestra will present a repertoire featuring several other famous compositions by renowned composers.

Young and exceptionally talented pianist Eva Gevorgyan will perform a solo at the opening concert on October 12.

The Russian-Armenian pianist is a laureate in more than 40 piano competitions, including winning top prizes at the 2018 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists and the 2019 Van Cliburn Young Artist Competition. She has performed as soloist with several symphonies and orchestras including the Dallas Symphony, Lucerne Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic, the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra and Liechtenstein Philharmonic.

During the second concert of the VACC 2024 on October 13, alongside the Vietnamese national anthem and celebrated compositions, there will be some ballet excerpts staged by principal dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

The dancers include Anna Nikulina  People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Alexander Volchkov  Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, Elizaveta Kokoreva  winner of the International Ballet Competition Grand Prix of Siberia, and Egor Geraschenko  winner of the 3rd All-Russian competition of Young Performers in 2017.

The RNO was founded in 1990 by pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev and has been described as ' A living symbol of the best in Russian art' (Miami Herald).

Maintaining an active international schedule, the RNO appears in the music capitals of Europe, Asia and the Americas, and is a frequent guest at festivals such as Edinburgh, the BBC Proms and Festival Napa Valley.

Their recording of S. Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and J. Beintus' Wolf Tracks, conducted by Kent Nagano and narrated by Sophia Loren, Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev, received a 2004 Grammy Award, making the RNO the first Russian orchestra to win the recording industry's highest honour.

Their recording of Shostakovich Symphony No. 7, conducted by Paavo Jarvi, was awarded the Diapason dOr de lAnnee 2015 as the year's best symphonic album and was nominated for a 2016 Grammy Award.

VACC 2024 and all of the series from 2017 to 2019, before suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is produced by Thanh Viet Production  the producer of Monsoon Music Festival, Viet Nams biggest annual music festival.

In 2017 and 2018, Thanh Viet brought the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra to perform at the VACC at Ly Thai To Square by Hoan Kiem Lake.

VACC aims to bring world-class cultural and artistic performances to local audiences, as well as promote cultural exchange between Viet Nam and other parts of the world.  VNS
LANGUIDIC, Morbihan, France -- Activities promoting Vietnamese culture were held in Languidic city, in the Morbihan region of France.

The Viet Nam Festival, which was co-hosted by Languidic City Hall, along with Art Space Association and Vietnam Bretagne Sud Association, included a series of events to introduce Vietnamese culture in French schools. Performances included pieces on Vietnamese traditional and contemporary art and the puppet play 'The Legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day' at the City Library.

The event is part of the international cultural exchange and community project Toucher Arts, organised by the Art Space association, with the participation of 33 members who are 13-17-year-old students from Viet Nam, Canada, Australia, Japan and France.

Attending the programme were Laurent Duval, mayor of Languidic city, and nearly 1,000 French people interested in Vietnamese culture living in Languidic and neighbouring cities such as Lorient, Larmor-Plage, Kervignac and Queven.

Promoting Vietnamese language

On June 28 and 29, French people in Morbihan province had the opportunity to participate in many activities to learn and explore Vietnamese culture in a diverse and colourful way, including listening to Vietnamese fairy tales retold t the central library of Languidic city.

With the desire to convey the beauty of the Vietnamese language and Vietnam's cultural traditions to international friends, Toucher Arts project members chose a familiar story about the Tet holiday, 'The Legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day' , combined with the form of puppet theatre so that all ages could participate. French children and their families were also excited to answer questions about Vietnamese culture to receive gifts and to discover Vietnamese traditions and customs.

The entire script, translation, creating and drawing the puppet theatre stage, character control, storytelling and workshop instruction, were completed by Vietnamese-origin young students of Toucher Arts project from all over the world. It took the entire team three months to prepare for this project before coming to France.

Isabelle Masson-Courtet, Director of the Languidic music school and library said: The show is greatly presented. The young audience watched the show attentively and were extremely excited."

Parade promoting Vietnamese culture

With the theme of Vietnamese customs and traditions, more than 100 international students, Vietnamese in France and French friends in ao dai took part in the parade to introduce traditions in Vietnamese culture such as Mid-Autumn Festival and the Lunar New Year.

They recreated many unique images such as giving lucky money envelopes. The parade is also organised on a large scale and receives the support of the community of French people who live in the surrounding areas.

Vibrant colours of Vietnamese music

On the evening of June 28, a concert titled 'Vietnamese Colours' took place to introduce to French audiences at the festival to the beauty of Vietnamese music and art.

Participating in the event was the traditional martial arts club Minh Long Mordelles from the city of Mordelles, with a performance called 'One round of Vietnam' combining martial arts and art and performers from the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Paris with traditional bamboo musical instruments. Designer Ella Phan also presented an ao dai collection called 'The flow' inspired by different historical periods. Folk dance and contemporary dance performances by Vietnamese students and French children helped introduce Vietnamese music to international friends in a youthful and unique way.

International cultural exchange

The Festival is not only an opportunity to introduce Vietnamese culture, country and people, but is also considered an important event connecting the Vietnamese community living in all five continents to gather in France to promote their homeland's culture to international friends. In addition to the French community that loves Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese living in many neighboring cities such Nantes and Rennes, there was the participation of 33 Vietnamese and Vietnamese students aged from 13 to 17 years old, from Canada, England, France, Australia and Japan.Mayor of Languidic Laurent Duval said: I find this to be an extremely interesting and unique event as you have gathered dozens of young Vietnamese people from all over the world to come here and participate in the organisation, performance, and such dynamic activities."

"I am very happy to welcome Vietnamese culture to the Breton region and also look forward to having the opportunity to share Breton culture with the Vietnamese people one day. VNS
KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysia-Viet Nam Friendship Association participated in the ongoing IFOOD EXPO 2024  a large-scale food, beverage, and nutritional supplement fair  from June 28-30 in Malaysia.

Joining as a partner, the Malaysia-Viet Nam Friendship Association sets up 10 booths to introduce visitors to traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho (beef noodle soup), banh mi (bread), and spring rolls. Additionally, various Vietnamese food products are being sold, including instant noodles, dried pho, instant coffee, and different types of sauces.

Talking to the Viet Nam News Agency's resident reporter on the sidelines of the event, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Le Phu Cuong emphasised the necessity to participate in fairs to promote Vietnamese cuisine.

Cuong said that in the future, the Trade Office and Embassy of Viet Nam will continue to support organisations and activities that promote Vietnamese products to enhance related awareness and interest among Malaysian consumers.

Highlighting the promotion of the country's image through cultural interaction, including culinary delights, President of the Malaysia-Viet Nam Friendship Association Tran Thi Chang noted that the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the association and IFOOD  a leading food event organiser in Malaysia  at the fairs opening ceremony is set to provide more favourable conditions for it to participate in major food events in the country. -- VNA/VNS
LIAONING  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday urged developed nations to support and collaborate with poor and developing countries in three priority areas, enhancing a market economy, infrastructure development and human capital.

It was part of his keynote speech at the ongoing World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the Champions held with the theme of 'Next Frontiers for Growth' in Liaoning Province, China.

In strengthening and refining the institutions of a market economy, PM Chinh highlighted the aspect of efficiently mobilising and utilising all resources and raising the effectiveness of national governance.

In terms of infrastructure, the Vietnamese leader stressed the support and assistance in resources for the development of strategic infrastructure systems, with a focus on transportation, digital infrastructure and climate change adaptation and social, healthcare and education infrastructure.

With regards to human capital, he urged the advanced economies to do more technology transfers and prioritise the development of high-quality human resources for developing countries.

"To embark on the 'Next Frontiers for Growth' let us unite to foster trust, promote dialogue, bolster the spirit of solidarity, unity, cooperation and development," PM Chinh said.

"We must effectively address regional and global issues based on principles of laws and ensure the harmonious interests of all parties involved, not politicalising and discriminating global science, technology and innovation."

The Vietnamese Government leader suggested that the WEF, its partners and the business community enhance their roles in offering guidance, providing support and advocating public-private partnerships while also taking the lead in development.

Viet Nam suggested that international cooperation in making, planning and implementing policies at the global level be enhanced, especially in terms of monetary and fiscal policy.

PM Chinh also seeks to bolster trade and investment liberalisation to stimulate short term total demand, while also impacting positively on total supply over the longer term.

The future of the globe hinges on three primary factors and is shaped and propelled by three key areas, according to PM Chinh.

The three include the rapid advancement of science and technology, innovation, particularly in digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI); the profound impacts of climate change, natural disasters, resource depletion and an aging population; and the growing fragmentation and polarisation fuelled by conflicts, wars and global-scale geostrategic, geopolitical and geoeconomic competition.

The three trailblazing areas include: the development of digital economy; the development of green economy and circular economy; and the development of high-quality human resources and AI and the fourth industrial revolution.

The evolution of these transformative areas will usher in the "next frontiers for growth" with profound and far-reaching impacts on every person and sector all over the world, PM Chinh said.

"This calls for the adoption of a new mindset and approach, which should be people-centered, comprehensive and result-oriented with a global perspective, delivering overall benefits to all, both in the immediate and over the long term."

Global economy

While "the world today is largely at peace, local wars persist, overall rapprochement is marred by regional tensions and the predominant stability is occasionally disrupted by local conflicts. The global economy is also marked by intertwined opportunities, risks and challenges," PM Chinh said.

In his address, PM Chinh outlined the five prominent features of the global economy.

First, the global economy is undergoing an unprecedented, extensive and all-round transformation driven by the rapid advancement of science and technology, innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Second, sustainable development, inclusivity, and green growth have become more urgent than ever for all countries and the globe.

Third, the trend of polarised globalisation unfolds opportunities for economic cooperation and integration, while also contains underlying risks of disrupted supply and production chains and fierce competition.

Fourth, developing countries' roles and voices are increasingly recognised, contributing actively and positively to shaping new global cooperation frameworks and development trends.

Finally, Asia, in particular China and ASEAN, are emerging as key drivers, dynamic development hubs and engines of global economic growth.

Cooperation with China

"As close neighbours bound by shared mountains and rivers, Viet Nam and China are currently working together to build a 'Community with a Shared Future'" PM Chinh said, adding that "Viet Nam is pleased to witness China's strong development and rise amidst a difficult and challenging regional and world situation".

China's development strides created opportunities for the advancement of and inspired many developing countries, he said.

He said Viet Nam "strongly encourages China's continued commitment to working with the international community to vigorously champion multilateralism, bolster international solidarity and cooperation and safeguard a peaceful, stable, and cooperative environment for prosperous development in the region and the entire world."

Viet Nam's experience

In the WEF address, PM Chinh also relayed the "profound and historic achievements" of Viet Nam over the past four decades, which he attributed to the three key terms: Reform, Innovation and Integration.

Viet Nam had undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging from a position of a 30 year war-torn, embargoed country to a dynamic middle-income nation, he said.

"Today, we proudly stand among the world's top 40 economies and rank as one of the top 20 trade and investment partners globally. With 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) and diplomatic relations with 193 countries, Viet Nam's economy surged to US$430 billion in 2023, with GDP per capita reaching $4,300 and foreign investments registering a record $36.6 billion."

In 2024, the first quarter saw a growth of 5.66 per cent, with the second quarter expected to surpass this and maintain a more positive trend in the latter half of the year.

"Viet Nam is also lauded as a model for healing the wounds of war. We have closed the past, respected differences, looked to the future to forge friendships with former adversaries. All United Nations Millennium Development Goals were achieved," he said.

These achievements underscore the effectiveness of Viet Nams development strategies and policies under the leadership of the Communist Party and the State, which are grounded in three key pillars: (1) Building a socialist-oriented democracy; (2) Building a socialist rule of law state; (3) Developing a socialist-oriented market economy, according to the PM.

Throughout this process, the unwavering principle is to maintain political stability, with people at the centreas both subjects and the ultimate goalserving as the driving force and the most valuable resource for development, ensuring that social progress, social security, justice and environmental sustainability are prioritised alongside economic growth.

PM Chinh underscored that Viet Nam had steadfastly implemented six core policies: (1) An independent, self-reliant foreign policy with multilateralised and diversified international relations; (2) A defence policy defined by the Four No's; (3) Economic development embraced as a central task; building an independent and self-reliant economy through proactive, and effective international integration; (4) Ensuring social progress, equality, social security with no one left behind and improving the living standards of the people; (5) Promoting an advanced culture infused with national identity - "culture lights the way for the nation"; (6) Establishing a transparent, robust political system, coupled with the vigorous fight against corruption, wrongdoings and wastefulness.

He pledged that Viet Nam, alongside ASEAN, would deepen collaboration with China, the World Economic Forum, and other partners to champion new drivers of growth.

"Simultaneously, we will make every effort to maintain and strengthen an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world," PM Chinh said.  VNS
SEOUL  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with representatives from Viet Nams embassy and other representative agencies and the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on Sunday, within the framework of his official visit to the country.

PM Chinh said that the relationship between Viet Nam and the RoK is at its best today, with the two becoming each other's leading partner in numerous fields. That comprehensive relationship creates favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, work, study and research in the East Asian country.

Currently, the RoK holds the No. 1 position in direct investment, No. 2 in development cooperation and tourism, and No. 3 in labour and trade cooperation with Viet Nam.

Affirming that the Party and State consider Vietnamese people abroad as an integral part and a resource of the Vietnamese ethnic community, the leader acknowledged the Vietnamese community in the RoKs great and high-quality contributions to the Fatherland as well as bilateral relations.

He requested the embassy to always pay attention to caring for the Vietnamese community, and set up appropriate contact channels to connect the community and handle issues related to them.

Ambassador Vu Ho reported that there are currently nearly 280,000 Vietnamese people living in the RoK.

At the meeting, representatives of the Vietnamese community proposed initiatives to develop science and technology, innovation, and startup, especially in new industries such as semiconductor and artificial intelligence, and in connecting scientists at home and abroad. They also suggested mechanisms to mobilise resources and intelligence of Vietnamese people abroad to solve domestic problems.  VNS
HA NOI  Croatia aims to strengthen and diversify relations with Viet Nam in a number of key areas, focusing on economic cooperation by utilising it's strategic position to promote trade and investment between the two counties, according to a Croatian Government official.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency on the the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties (July 1, 1994-2024), Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman said that over the past 30 years, bilateral cooperation has been enhanced remarkably, reflected through high-level contacts and commitments on economic, cultural and diplomatic affairs, including Vietnamese Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuans visit to Croatia in October 2022, the two foreign ministries political consultations in 2023 and 2024, and a recent meeting of the two foreign ministers in France.

Croatia wishes to expand cultural, scientific and educational exchanges to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries, he said, adding that cultural diplomacy plays an important role in promoting the rich history and traditions of both countries, while tourism cooperation remains a top priority, with efforts aiming to promote tourism and highlight their natural beauty and cultural attractions.

In addition, Croatia appreciates collaboration with Viet Nam at multilateral forums and is committed to working together to address global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development and regional security, the official said.

About potential areas for future cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, Minister Grlic-Radman emphasised that there remains an ample room. By leveraging their strengths and common values, the two countries can build a strong partnership that benefits both countries and positively contributes to regional and global issues.

Within the framework of the EU-ASEAN relations, strengthening cooperation on political, economic and security issues is still important. Croatia is willing to support initiatives to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two regions.

Croatia hopes to further intensify coordination with Viet Nam within the framework of the United Nations (UN), and is ready to collaborate with the Southeast Asian country in global affairs, wherever the two countries have common interests. Other possible areas of cooperation could include reducing vulnerability to climate change which affects human rights of local communities, and improving their resilience and adaptation, he stated.

The official went on to say that the two countries' equal national-level commitments in implementing the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals are a good basis for the cooperation and support of Viet Nam and Croatia at international forums at the global level.

To further promote bilateral relations, Viet Nam and Croatia need to focus on a number of important initiatives and actions such as to prioritise strengthening economic and trade cooperation, with Viet Nam's dynamic economy and Croatia's strategic location in Europe being the firm foundation to expand trade ties.

Efforts should be made to facilitate access to each other's markets, take advantage of existing trade agreements, and identify new areas of cooperation such as information technology (IT), defence industry or energy, he added.

The two countries should also intensify diplomatic dialogue and high-level visits, in order to help maintain the impetus and the resolve newly arising issues. The establishment of parliamentary friendship groups will also enhance the bilateral ties at legislative levels.

Croatia welcomes the expansion of consular and diplomatic networks in each other country, the minister noted.  VNS
SEOUL  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working lunch with the Republic of Korea (RoK)s experts and scientists in semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) in Seoul on Monday, during which he expressed his hope that they will share their experience and know-how to help the two industries of Viet Nam develop fast and sustainably.

Highly valuing Viet Nam's development strategy based on innovation, science and technology, including semiconductor and AI, participants advised the country to prepare large investment and high-quality human resources, and immediately implement specific short-cut projects.

They proposed issuing systematic and concrete policies and mechanisms on human resources training for these industries. In addition to local human resources, the country needs to mobilise the intelligence and resources of overseas Vietnamese, as well as resources from other countries, including the RoK.

With its experience, resources, infrastructure, experts, scientists, and research and production facilities, the RoK is willing to cooperate with Viet Nam in the two fields via specific projects, they said.

PM Chinh asked Korean experts and scientists to continue contributing their ideas to help Viet Nam build accurate incentive mechanisms and strategies that are competitive enough to attract investment and human resources; develop infrastructure for semiconductor, AI and related industries; cooperate in high-quality human resources training and smart governance; and mobilise resources for developing the two industries and related ecosystems, with the application in public health care being one of the priorities needing breakthrough.

He said that during his official visit, when holding talks and meetings with the RoK's leaders, he will propose the two sides sign an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on developing the semiconductor and AI industries.  VNS
KUALA LUMPUR  The Ministry of Public Security has sent three representatives to the 14th ASEANAPOL Contact Persons Meeting (ACPM), which was convened by the ASEAN Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL)s Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday.

This annual event is a crucial framework for regional police cooperation, aiming to implement commitments by ASEANAPOL regarding the coordination between the blocs law enforcement forces with their peers from 11 dialogue partner organisations and 12 observers.

In his opening remarks, ASEANAPOL Secretariat Executive Director David Martinez Vinluan highlighted the meeting's pivotal role in strengthening partnerships and devising robust strategies to combat global security threats.

He called for close coordination among member countries to ensure a peaceful and safe Southeast Asia.

Lasting until July 5, the ACPM is set to deliberate on strategic cooperation in combating transnational organised crime within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Key areas of focus include compiling reports assessing the related situation and trends, implementing initiatives for cooperation in training and enhancing law enforcement capacities among member states' police forces, and expanding strategic partnerships with international organisations sharing common goals in the matter.

In 2023, in collaboration with its dialogue partner organisations and observers, the secretariat coordinated over 30 face-to-face and 14 online training courses for 620 police officers from member countries.  VNS
Shown are forecast high temperatures across Southeast Texas Monday, according to the National Blend of Models. Most of the Houston area will make a run at 100 degrees. WeatherBELL

The hottest temperatures of the year are forecast this week as Houston makes a run at 100 degrees.

In addition to this week's heat and daily storm chance, all eyes are on major Hurricane Beryl. Where will it lash Monday and will it make it into the Gulf of Mexico?

Houston approaches 100 degrees

If you've enjoyed the hot weather Houston faced over the weekend, this week's forecast is made for you. If you did not enjoy this weekend's hot weather, remember that cooler days will eventually return.

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In the meantime, we're in the midst of a stretch of hot weather that may result in Houston hitting 100 degrees for the first time this summer. A number of factors have kept temperatures below 100 degrees so far, like the rainy June Houston just came out of. But springtime and early summer rains have seemingly shut down thanks to high pressure aloft, known as a heat dome, and that means heat is able to build rather efficiently.

High temperatures through Tuesday will be a degree or two shy of 100 degrees. If Houston's official climate site, Bush Intercontinental Airport, hits 100 degrees this week, it'll likely be one of those two days. Maybe even both.

Storm chances are possible each day this week, but most of us will dodge rain through Friday. A 20 to 30% storm chance may result in briefly "cooler" temperatures if you're lucky, but it will also contribute even more moisture to the air and make it feel even steamier outside. Heat index values of 108 degrees and higher are expected through midweek, so heat alerts will likely be in place each day.

Fourth of July outlook

We're all looking forward to celebrating the July Fourth holiday with grilling, fireworks, and comforting our nervous pets when they think the world is ending. Perhaps that last thing isn't the most fun part of being a pet parent, but I digress.

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Highs for the Fourth of July holiday will top out around 97 or 98 degrees, with heat index values approaching 110. If you're in direct sunlight, tack on about 10 degrees to both temperatures and heat index. Remember, both observed and forecast temperatures are based on temperatures in the shade and not in direct sunlight.

Shown are forecast heat index values across Southeast Texas for the Fourth of July holiday, according to the National Blend of Models. Most of us will see heat index values of at least 108 degrees. WeatherBELL

While a stray storm or two is possible, that chance will mainly be confined to areas closer to the coast. Even there, storms should diminish in time for fireworks displays to take place without issues or delays.

Tropics come alive

Let's start this section of the forecast by saying that major Hurricane Beryl poses no immediate threat to the Houston area through Friday.

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Beryl rapidly intensified into a major hurricane Sunday, becoming the first major hurricane to form east of the Lesser Antilles in June. Favorable wind patterns throughout the atmosphere and sea surface temperatures more typical of September caused Beryl to go from a tropical depression last Friday to a Category 4 hurricane in less than 48 hours.

Beryl is expected to lash St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada early Monday morning with "potentially catastrophic" hurricane-force winds, storm surge, and dangerous waves. Once it passes through the Windward Islands, Beryl is forecast to pass south of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Jamaica is in the path of Beryl and should see tropical storm-force winds arrive by early Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center forecast suggests Beryl will likely be between the Yucatan Channel, which separates the Yucatan Peninsula from the western tip of Cuba, and the northern coast of Honduras by Friday.

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HA NOI - Despite the efforts of the authorities, the violation of railway safety corridors continues to occur daily in Ha Noi, especially in densely populated areas.

According to the Ministry of Transport, from 2019 to 2023, there were still over 3,000 unauthorised railway crossings nation-wide, primarily in urban areas with high train traffic.

Despite work to stop dangerous rail track crossings and close-to-the-track builds, over the past five years, only 777 out of 4,093 (less than 20 per cent) prohibited crossings in densely populated areas have been eliminated.

Common violations include the construction of shacks, businesses operating near railway tracks, illegal crossings and ignoring warning signs. These activities are widespread, posing significant risks of accidents.

Notably, in Ha Noi, along the railway routes through Bac Tu Liem, Thanh Tri, and Thuong Tin districts, violations of railway safety corridors are prevalent.

For example, at alley No. 119 in Co Nhue Street of Bac Tu Liem District, an unofficial market has long been established parallel to the railway.

Residents casually cross the rails to shop at the market adjacent to the tracks and this market causes traffic congestion and poses serious risks to railway safety.

The railway corridor is also used for drying clothes, despite prohibitory signs, creating an untidy and hazardous environment.

o Phuong Thao, a resident in the area, told kinhtedothi.vn: The market here poses a risk of accidents. If a train comes and people don't move in time, the consequences could be dire.

In the same area, the railway section passing through Alley No. 104 in Co Nhue Street lacks barriers separating the road from the railway, leading residents to cross the tracks recklessly.

Lieutenant Duong Thanh Khanh, a traffic policeman, said: The ward police frequently address these violations, preventing stalls within the railway safety corridor.

We have proposed that the district authorities and Ha Thai Railway Company erect protective fences along the corridor.

"Meanwhile, we strive to maintain order and safety, but it is challenging to monitor constantly.

Unauthorised crossings cutting through railway tracks are a primary cause of many traffic accidents.

Along Ngoc Hoi Street, from section at Tu Ky Pagoda in Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District to Van ien Town, Thanh Tri District, numerous unauthorised crossings are seen every few metres.

These crossings lack proper barriers and warning signs and residents cross the tracks carelessly. Shops are opened close to the railway tracks.

Nguyen Thi Tri, a resident living in Van ien Town said: Residents are quite negligent when crossing the tracks. Only one or two crossings should be open for residents, as many unauthorised ones are dangerous.

Even as a train approaches people, including the elderly and children, still calmly cross the train line. It is very common and is a terrifying sight.

Most of these crossings are created illegally by residents with makeshift concrete slabs. Over time, these shortcuts become permanent paths, convenient but risky.

Nguyen Thi Huong, chairwoman of the People's Committee of Van ien Town, said: We have reviewed and installed warning signs to alert residents when crossing the tracks. At certain accident-prone spots, the town mobilises groups to monitor during peak hours. However, manpower is still limited.

The local authorities have closed nine out of fifty-nine unauthorised crossings without affecting the adjacent households' traffic.

Huong emphasised that to resolve railway accidents definitively, all unauthorised crossings must be closed.

For this to happen, a project to construct parallel roads for residents must be initiated. The local authorities are reviewing land along the railway safety corridor to propose this project to the higher authorities.

Violations of railway safety corridors primarily stem from a lack of awareness among some residents who fail to recognise the severe consequences of their actions, said the chairwoman.

Moreover, local authorities need to tighten management, collaborate with the railway sector and enforce the removal of violations to prevent re-encroachment.

At particularly troublesome spots, constructing parallel roads for residents is essential to ensure safe and convenient travel, she added. VNS
HA NOI  Labour cooperation between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) should be promoted accordingly to their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday.

He was attending the Viet Nam-Republic of Korea Labour Cooperation Forum in Seoul with high-level officials from both countries and more than 600 Vietnamese workers in South Korea.

Delegates at the event agreed that over the past 30 years, the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress in bilateral cooperation, including labour, employment and social welfare.

Addressing the forum, PM Chinh expressed appreciation for the good relations between the people of the two countries, adding that the Viet Nam-RoK has never been better.

After more than three decades of cooperation, it can be seen that the presence of Vietnamese workers in South Korea is a necessity, and they also expressed satisfaction with their employment in the East Asian country, he said.

The Vietnamese government leader asked the RoK to continue its lead in international human resource training, including the Vietnamese labour force, and promote collaboration in effective, sustainable capacity training for the benefit of both countries.

The RoK is also welcome to send skilled managers and experts to work in Viet Nam and increase the quota for Vietnamese workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS), notably shipbuilding, agriculture, fishing and new fields such as information technology (IT) and nursing.

It is also necessary to strengthen measures that will ensure Vietnamese workers are sent to the RoK through official and authorised organisations, he said.

PM Chinh added that the South Korean authorities also need to increase coordination with their Vietnamese counterparts to create a favourable, safe and friendly environment for Vietnamese workers in the RoK, ensuring that they enjoy their legitimate benefits and abide by the RoKs laws. This should minimise their law violations in the host country.

It is necessary to educate workers so that they comply with the laws and understand the local culture, adapt to life in the host country, and possess the professional and language skills to work productively, said the PM.

The Viet Nam-South Korea agreement on social insurance should be executed effectively, he added.

Aside from traditional industries, Vietnamese ministries and departments are directed to focus on recruiting and sending skilled workers in fields where the RoK excels, such as semiconductors, electric and autonomous vehicles, and biotechnology.

They must also increase support for employment, entrepreneurship and job connections between returning workers and South Korean businesses in Viet Nam through regular training courses.

PM Chinh reminds the Vietnamese labour force to cultivate knowledge, skills and experiences during their time in the ROK to become skilled workers and successful entrepreneurs, contributing to the development of their homeland and the Viet Nam-RoK relations.

He hoped that they would hold a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their families and the two countries.

You are the bridge that connects our two countries and people to move towards a future of shared growth and prosperity, he said.

He expressed his trust that with high determination and efforts from both sides and based on the Viet Nam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, economic and labour cooperation will continue to be a key area and a driving force for bilateral relations for common development.  VNS
HA NOI  The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has issued an urgent directive to domestic airlines to promptly address the ongoing aircraft shortage and implement flexible pricing strategies.

The directive comes in response to the global recall of Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines affecting Airbus A320 and A321 NEO aircraft, which has resulted in the grounding of a significant number aircraft operated by Vietnamese airlines.

Le Hong Ha, Director-General of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA), said VNA had grounded 11 aircraft due to the recall and expects to ground another six by the end of this year.

The lengthy repair and maintenance process, taking between 250 to 300 days, means VNA's aircraft shortage is projected to persist throughout 2024 and gradually ease by mid-2025.

To mitigate the impact of the shortage, CAAV has instructed the airlines to seek and secure replacement aircraft from leasing partners worldwide to fill the void left by grounded aircraft.

They are also urged to prioritise increasing capacity on air routes with high tourism demand, especially those serving Can Tho International Airport.

Regarding airfares, CAAV has requested the airlines to ensure transparency in pricing by clearly displaying all components of ticket prices to avoid misleading.

They are also requested to implement flexible pricing structures that cater to the diverse needs of passengers and market conditions and strengthen monitoring and supervision of electronic ticketing systems and agent-based sales channels to prevent violations of pricing regulations.

Before the directive, CAAV conducted inspections to assess the pricing practices of four airlines and six travel agencies. The inspections revealed that all the entities adhered to the pricing framework established by the Ministry of Transport.

The PW engine recall has affected over 1,500 A320 and A321 NEO aircraft globally, with approximately 340 (nearly 30 per cent) requiring grounding.  VNS
AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a mission to finance the Infrastructure for Tomorrow. Beginning operations with 57 founding Members, now AIIB has 109 Members from six continents. AIIB focuses on key investment areas such as energy, transportation, and clean water.

AIIB, a multilateral development bank focused on financing sustainable infrastructure, started with 57 founding members and has expanded to 109 members across six continents. Its key investment areas include energy, transportation, and clean water. As one of the founding members of AIIB, and as a country having a long coastline with great potential for developing a blue economy, Vietnam becomes a promising target regarding the investment goals of the bank.

AIIBs $75 million investment in SeABanks green and blue bond project aims to bolster the banks capital base, enabling it to expand financing for sustainable economic activities related to the sea and water, and to grow green assets such as green buildings, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

Vietnams Nationally Determined Contribution lays emphasis on the importance of resource mobilisation from financial and international credit institutions to support climate mitigation and adaptation ambitions. AIIB is very pleased to work together with SeABank and IFC in this innovative transaction, which will supplement the on-going measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the thematic capital market development, said Gregory Liu, AIIB director general of Financial Institutions and Funds, Global.

We look forward to seeing more issuances from other Vietnamese financial institutions in future.

Following SeABanks sustainable commitment, one of our priorities in the current period is to issue the first blue bond in Vietnam and to issue the first green bond by a private commercial bank in the country. We hope the partnerships with financial institutions such as AIIB and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) could supplement SeABank with capital sources to foster green credit and sustainable strategies associated with green and blue economy, said Le Thu Thuy, vice chairwoman of the Board of Directors at SeABank.

This investment was facilitated through the co-investor introduction by IFC, a strategic partner supporting SeABank in sustainable projects and financial inclusion in collaboration with the Australian government. At the end of June, IFC provided a financing package of $150 million, including investments in SeABanks blue and green bonds. Together, AIIB and IFC are investing $150 million in these bonds, with IFC also advising SeABank on the issuance, related frameworks, and pipeline development.

In line with its sustainable development goals, SeABank has consistently applied international best practices in environmental and social risk management.

It has effectively implemented financial inclusion projects for small- and medium-sized enterprises and women-owned enterprises, green finance projects, and climate change mitigation initiatives. Consequently, SeABank has received continuous investments from international financial institutions such as DFC, IFC, and Asian Development Bank, amounting to approximately $850 million.

Norfund grants $30 million convertible loan to SeABank The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) on June 19 committed $30 million to Hanoi-headquartered SeABank (HSX: SSB) through a convertible loan, which can be converted into SeABank common shares within four years.

IFC offers $150 million financing package to SeABank The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is providing a financing package of $150 million to Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank) to catalyse a viable blue finance market, foster green bonds and support smaller businesses in Vietnam.
Nguyen Hoang Giang, chairman of the Board of Directors at DNSE Securities performed a gong-beating ritual.

HSX announced that it had granted the decision for listing and the commencement of trading of DSE shares to DNSE Securities.

DNSE is the only securities firm to issue an initial public offering (IPO) and gain approval for listing in the past five years. Along with DNSE, there are 16 securities firms listed on the HSX, Vietnam's largest stock exchange.

On the first day of trading, the reference price of DSE shares was VND30,000 ($1.18) apiece, equal to the initial public offering (IPO) price, with a fluctuation range of +/-20 per cent. With more than 330 million DSE shares listed, the company achieved a capitalisation of $388.9 million on its HSX debut.

DNSE Securities, formerly Dai Nam Securities, was founded in 2007 with a charter capital of VND38 billion, which has grown 86.8 times to reach $129.4 million today.

Before the IPO, the company increased its charter capital from to $117.6 million in May 2022. The firm raised its charter capital to $129.4 million after a successful IPO of 30 million shares.

In January 2024, the Finnish investment fund PYN Elite finalised its acquisition of a 12 per cent stake in DNSE.

Following the official listing on the HSX, DNSE Securities has realised its strategy to scale up its business. Meanwhile, the move also paves the way for the securities firm to raise funds from major local and international investors quickly and effectively, boosting transparency and reputation, thereby promoting strong growth in the future.

Nguyen Hoang Giang, chairman of the Board of Directors at DNSE Securities said, The successful listing on the HSX marks a proud milestone for the DNSE team. DNSE has achieved its plan within three years of changing its model, completing the platform and infrastructure, and achieving the growth steps to meet the requirements for being listed on the HSX.

Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, acting chairwoman of HSX (right) granted the listing decision to Pham Thi Thanh Hoa, general director of DNSE Securities (left)

DNSE's leaders will continue its strategy to attract customers and increase market share by diversifying its capital resources, supplying products and services with high technology content, and personalisation.

The company attributes its revenue and profit growth to its unique product portfolio, which is taking a lead in the market with diverse margin loan packages and virtual brokers providing quick information. The company also offers a diverse customer development network through API connections with financial partners such as ZaloPay or social network channels like Bull and Bear.

After the capital increase via the IPO and listing, in the next five years, DNSE aims to achieve five million customers, a capitalisation of $2.8 billion, and a profit of $94 million.

In the first quarter of 2024, DNSE posted a 21 per cent rise in revenue and 78 per cent in after-tax profits compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, DNSE constantly tops the market in terms of new account openings. In the first five months of 2024, DNSE accounted for 30 per cent of the total new account openings in the market.

As of the end of June, DNSE was managing nearly $1.61 billion, equal to 1.7 billion securities, up more than 50 per cent compared to the beginning of the year. In the first six months of 2024, the trading value of DNSE's underlying securities grew by 58 per cent over the same period last year.

Regarding derivative transactions, in 2024, DNSE carried out nearly 2.4 million derivative contracts and continuously set new records in terms of market share. Accordingly, DNSE ranked in the top five derivatives brokerage firms in terms of market share in the first quarter of 2024 (4.01 per cent), and is expected to continue to climb the rankings in the second quarter of 2024.

Given the many driving forces for development in the stock market in 2024, along with the unique, flexible strategies and prospects of the technology securities model, DSE shares are expected to bring growth opportunities and sustainable, long-term value for domestic and foreign investors.

DNSE Securities takes lead in new account openings in Q2 Despite multiple hardships, Hanoi-based securities firm DNSE posted impressive results in the second quarter (Q2) of this year, with 41 per cent jump in operating revenue while its accounting profit before tax skyrocketed by 720 per cent on-year.

DNSE Securities announces IPO DNSE Securities announced on January 2 that it is to sell 30 million shares at its initial public offering (IPO) to raise VND900 billion ($36.95 million), marking the first-ever IPO of a tech-securities firm in Vietnam and the first of any securities firm in five years.
At the signing ceremony for the MoU on June 29, Kim Hyo Tae, general director at Doosan Vina, said, "This agreement will go a long way to contribute to Vietnam's net-zero emission goal by 2050 and will be another stepping stone for Doosan Vina to penetrate the renewable energy market."

"We are shifting our focus towards environmental protection, which is considered a growth driver for the future and Vietnam has ample wind and solar resources, so there is tremendous potential to develop renewable energy, especially offshore wind power," he added.

Seiji Kawamura, general manager of the overseas power department (Asia-Pacific) at Marubeni Corporation, said, "Offshore wind power plays a vital role in our company strategy, and we have 50 years of experience in Vietnams power industry."

As per the conditions laid out in the MoU, the two sides will conduct a feasibility study to explore the collaborative opportunities in Vietnam.

Doosan Vina has a plan to produce monopiles to be used in offshore wind power foundations and other components for offshore wind farms at its 100-hectare industrial complex in Dung Quat Economic Zone.

Meanwhile, Marubeni is looking for partnership opportunities with other capable companies in Vietnam to contribute to the development of offshore wind farms in the country.

Doosan and Marubeni are strategic partners in the energy sector in the Asia-Pacific region. The two companies have previously developed the Nghi Son 2 build-operate-transfer thermal power plant in the central province of Thanh Hoa, with Doosan being the general contractor and Marubenie being a member of a consortium comprising three investors, the other two being South Koreas Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Japans Tohoku Electric Power Company.

Japan's Marubeni plans to inject billions of dollars into Vietnam Marubeni Corporation will continue to invest billions of dollars to scale up its operations in the Vietnamese market.

Doosan Group commits $120 million investment in Hai Duong Doosan Group pledges $120 million investment for the expansion of an automotive electronic component manufacturing facility in the northern province of Hai Duong.
According to the latest report of the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the total registered FDI in the first half of the year was $15.2 billion, up 13.1 per cent.

A total of 1,538 new projects were granted investment registration certificates in the first half, with the total registered capital of over $9.54 billion, up 18.9 per cent in the number of projects and up 46.9 per cent on-year in terms of capital.

The adjusted capital of almost 592 ongoing projects stood at about $3.95 billion, down 6.3 per cent on-year in number but up 35 per cent in capital terms.

There were approximately 1,420 capital contributions and share purchases as of June 20, equivalent to $1.7 billion, showing a decrease of 57.7 per cent on-year.

The FIA said that the amount of adjusted investment in June increased significantly compared to the previous months, with nearly $1.9 billion, accounting for 47.3 per cent of the total adjusted investment capital in the first half.

This contributed to the surge by 35 per cent of total adjusted investment in the first half, instead of consecutively decreasing compared to the same period in previous months.

Numerous large projects in semiconductors, energy (production of batteries, photovoltaic cells, silicon bars), components, electronic products, and high value-added products have been newly invested and expanded capital in the first half, the FIA reported.

The FIA report also indicated that FDI was seen in 18 out of the 21 economic sectors in the first half. Of those, processing and manufacturing took the lead with $10.69 billion, capturing 70.4 per cent of the total, and saw a 26.3 per cent higher than compared to the same period in 2023.

Real estate ranked second with $2.47 billion, making up 16.3 per cent of the total. This was followed by wholesale and retails, and professional, science and technologies with $614 million and $452 million, respectively.

Singapore is the top among 84 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with close to $5.58 billion, accounting for 36.7 per cent of FDI into the country in the first half of 2023, and representing an increase of 86 per cent on-year.

Japan came second with $1.73 billion, followed by Hong Kong, South Korea, and China.

Foreign-invested projects still choose cities and provinces that have more advantageous infrastructure development, human resources, and clear administrative procedures, such as Bac Ninh ($2.58 billion in total registered investment), Ba Ria-Vung Tau ($1.54 billion), and Quang Ninh ($1.36 billion).

Export turnover of FDI sector (including crude oil) was estimated at $136.73 billion or $135.73 billion (excluding crude oil), up 12.3 per cent on year, making up 72.2 or 71.6 per cent of the total export turnover of the country.

Import turnover of FDI was estimated at $114.11 billion, up 15.5 per cent on year, and accounting for 63.3 per cent of the total import turnover of the country.

In the first half of the year, the trade surplus of the FDI sector was $22.62 billion, while local businesses reported a trade deficit of $13.3 billion.

FIE and university tie-ups to breed high-tech workforce Collaboration between Vietnamese educational institutions and foreign-invested enterprises is paving the way for creating a more competent and globally ready high-tech workforce.

Positive performance for foreign-invested electronic manufacturers in Vietnam The increase in revenue and profit from exports of mobile phones and components is the basis for the continuous expansion of foreign-invested manufacturers in Vietnam.

Quang Ninh aims to attract 3 billion USD worth of FDI this year Northern Quang Ninh province has attracted more than 1.52 billion USD worth of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first half of this year and is poised to reach its goal of 3 billion USD in FDI for the full year.

Vietnam's PM assures no energy shortages in 2024 at WEF discussion Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a discussion with Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and around 20 leaders of major WEF corporations on June 26 in Dalian, China.
The centre will serve as an advanced base to help Korean security solution companies enter the Vietnamese market. Many Korean security solution companies faced challenges in expanding their operations in Vietnam due to the lack of local support personnel and differing IT infrastructure compared to Korea. LG CNS plans to foster an environment where Korean security solution companies can stably expand their businesses and compete with global security companies in Vietnam.

The company will also develop an 'integrated security services' framework that gives Vietnamese companies access to the advanced security solutions of Korean security companies. By hiring and deploying top local security experts at its Security Technical Support Centre, LG CNS aims to provide pre-technical training on security solutions alongside Korean security solution companies to ensure any security issues can be immediately addressed locally.

All in all, Korean security solution companies provide high-quality security services to corporate clients in Vietnam at a lower cost, while Vietnamese companies can quickly receive follow-up actions through the Security Technical Support Centre when issues occur. To develop this framework, the company is also collaborating with FPT Group. Back in March 2024, LG CNS signed an agreement with FPT Group to cooperate on DX business initiatives.

The company will also inform Korean security solution companies about essential legal information and regulations for operating their businesses in Vietnam, including the government's ICT laws. By working closely with Korean government agencies such as KISA (Korea Internet & Security Agency) and NIPA (National IT Industry Promotion Agency), LG CNS aims to help Korean security solution companies prepare for regulatory changes in advance, minimize business risks, and effectively enter the market.

"Through the Security Technical Support Centre, our goal is to introduce outstanding Korean security solutions to our corporate clients in Vietnam while expanding the Vietnamese cybersecurity business in partnership with Korean small- and medium-sized enterprises," said Min Bae, head of the Security & Solution Business division at LG CNS.

According to Ken Research, the Vietnamese cybersecurity market's compound annual growth rate from 2019 to 2023 was around 14.8 per cent and is expected to grow at approximately 26 per cent annually over the next five years. Vietnam's ICT industry continues to grow as one of the government's core initiatives, and the demand for security solutions is increasing, especially with the rise in cybercrime.

How companies can ramp up cybersecurity protections As Vietnams digital economy grows, so does the bullseye for cybercriminals. Cyberattacks - numbering approximately 13,900 - have rippled through Vietnams systems, seizing more than 83,000 computers and servers with encryption ransomware in the past five years.

Companies wary of cybersecurity threats Cybersecurity has gained more attention during the annual general meeting season following the surge in ransomware attacks in the first quarter of 2024.
Duke, a South Korean national educated in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, spent more than 25-years with Marriott Internationals portfolio of brands, including senior leadership roles across Asia Pacific.

Duke Nam, area vice president for South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam, Marriott International

Having enjoyed successful spells as the general manager of Westin and St. Regis hotels in Taipei, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, he spent several years as area managing director for West, Central, and South China, responsible for multiple hotels and resorts across these rapidly emerging regions.

Neeraj Govil, Marriott International COO, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott, regards Duke as one of the regions most respected and renowned hospitality professionals, with an exceptional career that now spans almost four decades.

"He worked at the height of the Asian development boom in some of the regions most important markets, including China, and has a proven track record of delivering strong results. This makes him the perfect person to spearhead our continued success in Vietnam," said Govil.

Dukes appointment comes at a pivotal time, as Marriott International embarks on an extensive growth strategy in Vietnam, where it now operates 23 properties.

By the end of 2024, the company anticipates expanding its nationwide portfolio, with more than 50 projects in the development pipeline.

This expansion will launch several new brands in the country, including Westin, which made its debut recently with The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh. Future brand launches include The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Executive Apartments, and more.

Based in Seoul, South Korea, Duke brings unparalleled experience, exceptional leadership skills, and a strong performance record, making him uniquely qualified to lead Marriott into this exciting new era. Dukes expanded role will see him responsible for over 70 operating properties across 16 brands in South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Duke was appointed vice president of Operations, South China & Hainan for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2014. Following Marriotts acquisition of Starwood, he was promoted to area vice president for South China in 2016.

In 2018, he returned to South Korea to assume the role of area vice president for that market, with the position later broadened to include the Philippines.

Marriott International and UNICEF expand 'Check Out for Children' programme Marriott International is relaunching and expanding its donation programme in the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Marriott International sees exceptional growth In 2023, Marriott International celebrated a milestone year in the Asia Pacific, securing over 80 deals to add around 18,000 rooms, excluding Mainland China, highlighting its expansion and deepened presence in pivotal markets like Japan, India, and Vietnam.
Last week VIR, in collaboration with Viet Research, held a ceremony at the Pullman Hanoi to announce the Top 50 Most Innovative Enterprises in Vietnam (VIE50) and the Top 10 Most Innovative Enterprises (VIE10) in key economic sectors. The Top 100 Innovative, Creative, and Effective Products of the Year were also unveiled.

PetroVietnam was named in the Top 10 Creative and Effective Business Enterprises in key economic sectors

This is the second year in a row that businesses have been recognised based on findings from Viet Research.

At the ceremony, Petrovietnam earned recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative Enterprises, while its subsidiaries PetroVietnam Gas, PetroVietnam Exploration and Production Corporation, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical, and PetroVietnam Drilling and Drilling Services were recognised in the Top 10 Most Innovative Enterprises in the oil and gas category.

In addition, PetroVietnam Power Corporation and PetroVietnam Power Nhon Trach 2 were named in the Top 5 Innovative, Creative, and Effective Enterprises for 2024 in the power production, distribution, and transmission group.

PetroVietnam and its subsidiaries have been honoured for their efforts to apply creativity and innovation to every aspect of their businesses, from their operational models to product and service design, and management approaches. The efforts help the group and its subsidiaries improve production and business efficiency and secure a stronger position in the market, thereby contributing to the overall development of the entire country.

Truong Minh Tien from Viet Research and Dr. Vo Tri Thanh honour PetroVietnam and other companies

Truong Minh Tien, managing director of Viet Research, said, Innovative and creative activities have become more vibrant among the business community over the past few years, ranging from simple initiatives to product and service improvements and other ground-breaking innovations to meet customer demand. There are also new and disruptive business models thatve led to breakthroughs in business efficiency.

A survey of the companies on the VIE lists revealed that 86 per cent of them view innovation and creativity as vital keys to future success, with the majority concentrating on product and service innovation, as well as process improvement. Furthermore, more than 70 per cent of the companies surveyed said they planned to raise their budget for innovation and creativity within the next two years.

Companies honoured at the ceremony are deemed outstanding representatives of the Vietnamese business community, maintaining growth rates during the challenging economic environment. They have pushed forward significant improvements and innovations for production, business, sales, and governance, thereby making a major contribution to the community.

Thanks to these efforts, more Vietnamese-made products have penetrated deeper into global supply chains and conquered demanding markets, as seen by sustained export growth. Furthermore, innovation and creativity have played a vital role in elevating Vietnams brand positioning with the rest of the world.

PTSC, a subsidiary of PetroVietnam, also made it onto the VIE10 list

Within the framework of the event, the Vietnam Business Forums Creativity and Effective Business also featured presentations from domestic and international experts. They share insights about the importance of innovation and creativity in unlocking the development potential and shaping the future generation of businesses. They also discussed the directions and conditions to promote innovation in the business community.

Speaking at the forum, Nguyen Duc Hien, deputy head of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission, said, The event is significant when the business community is facing many difficulties due to the impact of global economic headwinds. Enterprises honoured in these lists for 2024 can create important motivation for the Vietnamese business community.

The government has issued many policies to encourage innovation among the business community, Hien added.

Ministries and state agencies need to conduct more research to bring policies to life so that businesses can gain better access to the governments support. At the same time, businesses should step up their innovation efforts, focusing on researching and launching new products and solutions to satisfy evolving customer demand, he stated.

Associate Professor Dr. Vu Minh Khuong at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (National University of Singapore) noted, To foster innovation and creativity, business leaders should consider this a matter of survival, be visionary, and understand the development landscape. Regarding creative space, it must be widespread throughout the enterprise, with the participation of all relevant departments, especially in priority areas.

At the forum, experts agreed that innovation remains the biggest problem facing organisations today. Any company that wants to succeed in the long term needs to have a business innovation strategy. Businesses on the VIE lists can stay ahead of their competitive counterparts, adjust to shifting market conditions, and satisfy growing customer demands by implementing a business innovation strategy, they said.

Vietnam ranks 46th among the 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023, up five places compared to 2022. It is one of seven middle-income countries that have made great strides in innovation over the past decade. Vietnam is also one of three countries with innovation results exceeding the level of development for 13 consecutive years. The nations startup ecosystem has climbed up from fifth to third position among the top six economies in Southeast Asia.

PTSC shows strong engagement in offshore wind power projects The Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC), a subsidiary company of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam), is deeply engaging in domestic and international offshore wind power projects thanks to its rich experience, strong resources and highly qualified personnel.
The National Hurricane Centers latest projected track for Hurricane Beryl takes the storm closer to Texas. National Hurricane Center

As a powerful Hurricane Beryl approached Jamaica in the western Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, Texas residents along the Gulf Coast continued to worry that the storm would find its way to the Lone Star State.

The latest projected path for Beryl from the National Hurricane Center puts the center of the storm just south of the Rio Grande in northern Mexico. But what factors working in our favor? Lets look at what we know.

Whats the latest on Hurricane Beryl?

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the rotating center of Beryl, the first hurricane and second named storm of this hurricane season, was about 125 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaicas capital on its southern coast, National Hurricane Center forecasters said. With maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, Beryl was solid Category 4 hurricane, capable of damaging framed homes, snapping or uprooting trees, and toppling utility poles.

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ATLANTIC STORM TRACKER: Keep an eye on tropical storms and hurricanes as they approach the Lone Star State

National Hurricane Center forecasters are watching storms in the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico, identified here by the yellow arrow, that have a 70% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone. NOAA/National Weather Service

Texas has a few more days and and about 1,500 miles of ocean between it and Beryl, leaving room for uncertainty about exactly where the storm will end up or how its strength could change.

Where is Beryl headed now?

On Wednesday, Beryl was moving west-northwest at 20 mph toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The hurricane centers projected track for Beryl puts the center of the storm just south of Cozumel by Friday morning as a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger).

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Beryl was expected to encounter increased wind shear, or severe wind shifts in the atmosphere, which can substantially weaken tropical systems.

Earlier this year, hurricane forecasters had warned that the summer emergence of La Nina, when the waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the equator become unusually cool, would lead to less wind shear in the Atlantic basin. This effect from La Nina had forecasters worried about an especially active hurricane season this year.

By Saturday, the storm would be entering the Gulf of Mexico, via the Bay of Campeche, likely as a tropical storm with maximum sustained wind speeds as strong as 70 mph. But the latest projections from the hurricane center puts Beryl on a path that leads to northern Mexico, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, by Monday morning.

Hurricane Beryl, seen in this weather satellite photo taken Tuesday, was rolling through the Caribbean Sea, south of Puerto Rico, as a Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds. NOAA/National Weather Service

What could weaken Beryl?

If the wind shear doesnt weaken Beryl, then taking its projected path across Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula before entering the Gulf of Mexico could do the trick. Ocean-fed hurricanes typically weaken over large areas of land because they lack the heat energy and moisture-rich air thats over tropical waters. The hurricane center expected Beryl to eventually enter the southwestern corner of the Gulf of Mexico by Saturday morning as a much weaker  but still potent  tropical storm.

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What can a heat dome do to hurricanes?

High atmospheric pressure, with its clockwise rotation, causes air to sink and compress, resulting in warming temperatures at the ground. Unlike with low pressure, which promotes rising air and the formation of storm clouds, high pressure often produces dry weather and lots of sunshine.

A heat dome occurs when the jet stream keeps a large area of high pressure stuck over one spot. The high pressure traps warm air over a region, like a lid over a pot on a hot stove, leading to prolonged, unrelenting heat.

SAHARAN DUST EXPLAINED: Houston will get Saharan dust again. What does it mean for Texas?

This week, as Beryl aims for Jamaica, a strong high pressure system is forecast to park itself over the Southeast United States. The clockwise flow or the air around the high pressure could deflect Beryl and keep the storm inside the Caribbean through the workweek.

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A similarly stable area of high pressure earlier this month over Texas drove up our temperatures, but it also effectively shielded most of the state from the effects of Tropical Storm Alberto as it pressed into Mexico.

Is a hurricane the opposite of a heat dome?

Sort of. Think of heat domes and hurricanes as the most extreme versions of high and low pressure systems. While powerful high pressure systems can sometimes be parked over one spot and create what we think of as a heat dome, low pressure systems are typically on the move and, when fueled by a steady diet of summer heat and warm sea temperatures, can become rain-laden tropical cyclones. Low atmospheric pressure, particularly in the tropics, allows warm air saturated with water vapor to rise and form thunderstorms. The counterclockwise rotation of air under low pressure can lead to the formation of a tropical cyclone if the winds become strong enough and the rotation becomes organized enough. According to the weather service, a tropical cyclone can be a:

Tropical depression, which has maximum sustained winds (one-minute average) of up to 38 mph;

Tropical storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph;

Hurricane, which has maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or stronger.

Hurricane Beryl, seen here in this weather satellite photo taken at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, was heading west across the Caribbean Sea as a Category 5 storm packing 165 mph winds. NOAA/National Weather Service

Should Texas still be worried?

Yes. Keep in mind that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1, is likely to be extremely active because of especially warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic and the emergence of La Nina, forecasters have said. As Texas Gulf Coast residents warily watch from the sidelines, a trio of named storms already have formed in the past two weeks: Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris, which briefly formed Monday on Mexicos Gulf Coast but broke up within hours after moving inland. Sea surface temperatures also continue to be unusually warm in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic, a hurricane incubator that stretches from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Cabo Verde Islands off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. The MDR is responsible for the development of about 75% of all Category 3 and stronger hurricanes in the Atlantic. In one tropical hot spot closer to home, the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Alberto formed on June 19, while a second tropical disturbance failed to develop and broke up over eastern Mexico several days later. So far, none of the tropical events has approached the Texas coast, but Hurricane Beryl, the strongest of the three, was rolling west toward southern Mexico. Although the storm currently has a low chance of making landfall in Texas, any kind of landfall in northern Mexico could bring plenty of moisture to South and Southeast Texas.
Well known as the war museum of Vietnam, Quang Tris war and historical relics are densely distributed in the province. Such destinations as Vinh Moc tunnel and Vinh Linh tunnel village system, the banks of the Hien Luong-Ben Hai river, Truong Son martyr cemetery, Doc Mieu base, Lao Bao prison, Quang Tri ancient citadel, and others offer experiences that cannot be found anywhere else, attracting numerous international visitors.

Quang Tri is also renowned for its sea and island tourism hot spots with beautiful, pristine, lyrical beaches. In particular, Cua Tung beach in Vinh Linh district is known as the Queen of beaches.

Meanwhile, Cua Viet in Gio Linh district offers a long, pure and stunning beach with clear blue water and smooth, flat white sand. For island tours, Con Co island is a must-visit spot, with a rich nature of vegetables, diversified marine ecosystem, and wonderful coral reefs.

Regarding ecotourism, Quang Tri boasts beautiful landscapes of rivers, streams, lakes, mountains and forests, as well as diverse flora and fauna. Prominent are the Ru Linh primeval forest, Bac Huong Hoa nature reserve, Dakrong Nature Reserve, Tra Loc Tram forest, Klu hot spring, Sa Mu Pass, and Chenh Venh waterfall.

Additionally, Quang Tri is a promising destination for cultural and spiritual tourism with a system of ancient relic in Gio Linh district. The area preserves unique archaeological and cultural and artistic values created by the Champa people. The province has a system of unique spiritual and religious cultural works such as Sac Tu Tinh Quang Ancestral Temple and Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage.

Furthermore, there is a wide range of national monuments, including General Secretary Le Duans Memorial House and Lord Nguyens Palace.

Currently, Quang Tris religious and revolutionary festivals have also become major cultural events for the community, attracting a large number of tourists. These include Sac Tu Tinh Quang Ancestral Temple Festival, La Vang palanquin ceremony, the River Unification festival, the Trans-Asia Bridge festival, Legendary Truong Son festival, and more. Moreover, the organisation of the For Peace festival on an international scale promises to bring the image of Quang Tri tourism widely to domestic and foreign tourists and the public.

Economic expert Tran Du Lich said, With unique and unique tourism resources, plus being located in the middle of an area with dense landscapes and world cultural heritages such as Hue and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, this will be an opportunity for Quang Tri to invest in developing attractive types of tourism, connecting with tours and tourist routes with other localities.

Ha Sy Dong, Standing Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Peoples Committee, said that the province is considered a locality with an important strategic location, as the tourism gateway of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

At the same time, Quang Tri has two international border gates, Lao Bao and La Lay, which are convenient for linking exchanges and cooperation in tourism development with provinces in the central coastal region, with ASEAN countries and the Greater Mekong Sub-region, Dong said.

According to him, the province seeks to build and develop into an attractive tourist destination with unique historical and cultural characteristics for the central region, as an important nucleus within the East-West Economic Corridor.

Resources being sped up for Quang Tri development With its great potential, the central province of Quang Tri is witnessing the construction of many projects across various sectors, helping to drive the localitys economy forward.
The relationship between Quang Tri and the two Laotian provinces of Savannakhet and Salavan has been flourishing

Construction of Quang Tri Airport is expected to start in early July. This 265-hectare project is located in Gio Linh district, with a total investment of nearly $246 million. Quang Tri is responsible for conducting site clearance for the initiative, which was announced at the end of last year.

This project is to be built under 4C airport standards, capable of developing and operating Code E aircraft, and meeting the needs of up to five million passengers per year and 25,500 tonnes of cargo annually.

Also undergoing construction in the locality is Quang Tri Industrial Park (IP), after thorough preparation. Funded by Quang Tri Development Joint Venture Co., Ltd. and located in Hai Lang district, the $87.5 million scheme started with the first phase in December 2023, covering 97.4ha.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, five businesses signed an MoU to lease land in the IP. Among them, Winzen Holding of Hong Kong and Join Success Wealth from Singapore plan to carry out garment and textile production in the IP, along with three Vietnamese enterprises participating in furniture production and motorcycle distribution.

Beginning to take off

My Thuy port area has also started construction after many years of implementing related procedures. This projects investment policy was approved in 2019, with the goal of investing in construction and business of a specialised port area, serving industrial facilities in the province. It is combined with attracting transit goods to Laos and the northeastern region of Thailand on the East-West Economic Corridor, while ensuring the reception of ships with a tonnage of up to 100,000 tonnes.

My Thuy International Port Joint Venture is funding the facility, situated in Hai Lang district across 685ha, including 10 berths. The total capital stands at more than $600 million.

During preparation for implementation, the project encountered many difficulties related to investment procedures, overlapping plans, and site clearance work. Meanwhile, appraising the investors capacity has taken a long time.

Chairman of Quang Tri Peoples Committee Vo Van Hung assessed that My Thuy Port area is a key motivating project of the province. Once completed, the project will have important significance in attracting investment, promoting and exploiting potentials and strengths.

Duong Viet Roan, general director of My Thuy International Port Joint Venture, committed that investors will focus all resources to speed up the project progress, ensuring that by the end of 2025, about as many as four berths will be put into operation.

On high hopes

Quang Tri is a locality with a strategic location on the north-south traffic route. With Quang Tri Airport being built, aside from the ongoing North-South Expressway project, in the near future Quang Tri will have the strongest connections with other regions across the country, thereby contributing to exploiting and promoting the provinces strengths.

Aligning with that, an important milestone for the development of Quang Tri was the approval at the end of 2023 of provincial planning for the decade, with a vision to 2050.

Chairman Hung said that the planning not only plays a crucial role in orienting spatial organisation, implementing effective mobilisation, allocation, and use factors and resources, it also creates a legal framework to orient and formulate development policies for all sectors and fields of the province in the next period.

According to this plan, the overall goal of Quang Tri is to lift the provincial development to stand in the group of well-performing provinces in the country, with a basic economic structure of an industrial-service province. Quang Tri is set to become one of the general economic centres of the north central and central coastal regions; a logistics and goods transshipment centre of Southeast Asia and transport corridors in the ASEAN region, and the Greater Mekong Subregion.

To achieve the set goals, Quang Tri will mobilise and diversify resources to implement key transportation projects in the area, build synchronous transport infrastructure. Besides that, the province will also create an attractive living and working environment to attract domestic and foreign talents, Hung said.

In particular, Quang Tri will focus on strongly improving the business investment environment in a bid to engage more investors to promote and exploit potential advantages into economic values.

At present, with many potential advantages, Quang Tri is a destination for large investors in energy, resort tourism, manufacturing, and processing, such as T&T Group, Scavi, Son Hai Group, Sepon Quang Tri, Tan Hoa Cau, and Camel.

Chairman Hung assessed that the business community and investors are an indispensable part of Quang Tri province, and the success of businesses is also that of the province.

The province is always committed to providing all possible support for investors and enterprises. It stands ready to create all the conditions for investors to access resources, turn their ideas into reality, and to work with the province to realise the goals in the Quang Tri provincial planning for the period, he emphasised.

Quang Tri province has nearly 650 projects with valid investment licences operating, worth nearly $10 billion. Among them, there are 21 foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of more than $2.5 billion. In 2023 alone, Quang Tri attracted 52 new projects, with registered capital of around $125 million.

EU and France provide $78.5 million for Quang Nam and Quang Tri to tackle climate change The central provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Tri will receive financial support worth 72.3 million ($78.5 million) from the EU and France to tackle the impacts of climate change.

SK E&S and T&T Group research LNG project in Quang Tri A consortium of investors, including South Korea's SK E&S and Vietnam's T&T Group, have made a proposal to research the development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the central province of Quang Tri.

US Mission to Vietnam hands over kindergarten to Quang Tri The United States Mission to Vietnam, through the Office of Defense Cooperation, advanced ongoing bilateral efforts in educational infrastructure and disaster relief by handing over Trieu Thuan Kindergarten to Quang Tri People's Committee on April 17.
The forum was attended by approximately 500 attendees from both countries, including government officials and business leaders, among them Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, South Koreas Hyosung Group vice chairman Cho Hyun-sang, and Supex Pursuit Council chairman Choi Chang-won.

PM Chinh said, "After the more than three decades sine establishing diplomatic relationships, the relationship between Vietnam and South Korea has never been better than it is today. The friendly, trustworthy, and practical cooperation between our two countries is at a good stage of development because of our shared common values and strategic interests."

"Currently, South Korea holds the top position in direct investment in Vietnam, and ranks second in development cooperation and tourism, and third in labour and trade cooperation. The Vietnamese community in South Korea boasts approximately 300,000 people. Meanwhile, Vietnam is home to around 200,000 South Koreans," he added.

Vietnam encourages South Korean businesses to expand investment cooperation in areas where South Korea is strong and Vietnam has demand, such as semiconductors, AI, infrastructure, biotechnology, renewable energy, and high-quality human resource training. The forum saw the signing of 23 MoUs in various areas between Vietnamese and South Korean businesses.

PM Chinh called on South Korean businesses to support Vietnam by providing financial resources, engaging in infrastructure construction, improving institutions and policies, training high-quality human resources, and improving smart management. Meanwhile, support should be provided to Vietnamese businesses to join the value chain of South Korean businesses.

In his welcome address, Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Dukgeun Ahn congratulated the launching of the forum in Seoul this year with the participation of business leaders following the previous year's forum in Hanoi, and proposed directions for bilateral economic cooperation and more vigorous exchanges through larger-scale trade and investment, stronger supply chain cooperation, and energy collaboration.

Vietnam and Korea sign 16 agreements worth $15 billion 16 MoUs on corporation and investment agreements worth $15 billion were signed in the framework of the Vietnam  Korea Business Forum on December 6.

South Korea venture capital funds latch onto Vietnam More venture capital funds from South Korea are considering Vietnam as an appealing investment destination, with a plan to ramp up funding in homegrown startups.
According to local media platforms Vnexpress and VOV, 50 top executives from major South Korean corporations participated in a dialogue with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 1. They demonstrated significant interest in energy projects, particularly in wind and gas power in Vietnam.

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, currently a senior advisor at the law firm Kim & Chang, highlighted the significant expansion of South Korean companies' investments in various sectors in Vietnam.

"The Vietnamese government has consistently shown exceptional attention and support to South Korean businesses, " he said. "The trade and investment relationship between our countries is underpinned by a robust foundation of excellent political and diplomatic relations, active exchanges, and close-knit ties."

Jung Yeonin, vice president of Doosan Enerbility said, "We are ready to participate in renewable energy projects to help Vietnam achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. We hope PM Chinh and relevant agencies will support our efforts to integrate turbine products into these projects. We are also willing to transfer technology and collaborate with Vietnam to train specialised personnel."

GS Energy has invested in a $3 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Long An. In 2021, the conglomerate received an investment certificate and completed the pre-feasibility study report by September 2023.

GS Energy chairman Huh Yongsoo expressed hope that the project could be completed and start selling electricity by the end of this year.

"We hope the Prime Minister and Vietnamese agencies will allow us to implement global financial mechanisms and provide legal support," he said.

Vietnams Power Development Plan VIII aims to develop over 30,420MW of new gas-fired power capacity by 2030, with LNG accounting for 75 per cent (22,824MW) of this capacity. The plan includes 13 LNG projects to be developed by 2030. Additionally, Vietnam plans to develop approximately 27,880MW of wind power by 2030, with offshore wind accounting for 6,000MW.

The installed power capacity is projected to reach about 150,000MW by 2030 and increase to 510,000MW by 2050, which is eight times the current capacity. With an annual economic growth rate of 6-6.5 per cent, Vietnams electricity demand for production and consumption is very high.

"The need for investment in the energy sector is immense," said Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

Minister Dien also added that the Ministry was researching special mechanisms for developing LNG power and offshore wind power, including minimum electricity output purchase guarantees and a mechanism for converting gas prices to electricity prices.

At the end of May, the MoIT issued a price framework for LNG power generation, with a maximum ceiling price of nearly VND2,600 per kWh for investors to reference.

Beyond approved energy plans, the ministry is also finalising mechanisms related to direct power purchase agreements (DPPA). "Today marks the first day of implementing the DPPA mechanism, laying the foundation for business cooperation," Minister Dien said.

Furthermore, the government is directing the development of rooftop solar energy for self-consumption and revising the electricity pricing mechanism to market-based pricing.

PM Chinh also encouraged leading South Korean conglomerates to expand their investments and cooperation with Vietnam to promote "new horizons of cooperation" based on a "global, comprehensive, and a people-centric" approach.

This aims to achieve a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2025 and $150 billion by 2030. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $76 billion. South Korea is currently Vietnams third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, the largest foreign investor with the cumulative registered capital of $87 billion, and the second-largest official development assistance partner.

South Korea's CS Wind inaugurates a $80 million offshore wind tower plant CS Wind Vietnam, a subsidiary of South Korea's CS Wind Corporation, inaugurated an $80 million offshore wind tower facility in Phu My 1 Industrial Park, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, on March 13.
Relevant departments at the grassroots level are studying solutions to remove issues raised by firms

The province is in full swing to ensure the best preparations for the upcoming festival to commemorate 100 years of the Tra Vinh wax coconut speciality, slated to take place in late August. The event aims to elevate exposure of and honour Tra Vinh wax coconut, a distinct One Commune, One Product (OCOP) item that is popular to consumers and visitors, associated with preserving and promoting local culture and tourism.

In May, Tra Vinh Peoples Committee convened a dialogue meeting with around 40 pivotal businesses running ventures in the province. With an open-minded and receptive spirit, the provincial leaders listened to businesses opinions about the difficulties they faced and proposed solutions to remove difficulties to facilitate project execution, striving to constantly improve the local business environment.

The conference is also expected to lay the fulcrum for new policies to be presented to propel business development.

At the conference, Le Van Han, Chairman of Tra Vinh Peoples Committee, appreciated the exchange of opinions from businesses, thereby helping provincial leaders to grasp information about the firms difficulties in a timely manner, and have plans to resolve them effectively.

After the conference, Han directed relevant departments, sectors and the management at grassroots level to urgently study and come up with specific solutions to quickly and thoroughly remove the issues raised by firms.

Local departments, sectors and management bodies at local level are also urged to pay due heeds to and accompany firms in their production and business practice to be able to troubleshoot their problems quickly and efficiently.

For matters going beyond the provinces competency, businesses need to promptly propose solutions to the provincial management authority to be able to properly seek remedies from central management agencies.

Tra Vinh will organise more regular dialogues to discuss, exchange opinions, identify bottlenecks in current policies, creating a favourable and transparent business environment for enterprises. The province hopes to receive more sharing, along with opinions, suggestions, and advice to push up investment progress, bolster production and business efficiency, contributing to driving local economic development, said Han.

In March, Tra Vinh Peoples Committee issued an investment promotion programme for 2024. Accordingly, the province shall focus on calling for investment to strongly develop the marine economy such as renewable energy, seaport logistics, agricultural and aquatic product processing, among others.

In light of the scheme, Tra Vinh aims to entice foreign investment on a selective basis, approaching top investors leading the supply chains to draw in key projects powered by cutting-edge technologies, especially projects in priority sectors and fields such as marine industry, aquaculture and seafood processing, marine tourism, shipbuilding, renewable energy, mechanical engineering, and the supporting industry.

Tra Vinh also calls for investment into building technical infrastructure for economic zones, industrial parks, and industrial clusters; focusing on exploiting existing industrial areas and completing infrastructure to create cleared land; and enhancing traffic connections as well as offering training to become well-prepared to receive new investment flow.

The provinces investment promotion orients towards ensuring regional connectivity, and creating breakthroughs with high spill-over effects to regional socioeconomic development aligned with the provinces set goals.

In the year to date, Tra Vinh has charmed six domestic and foreign projects, including five domestic projects with a total value surpassing $73 million, and one foreign project worth $2 million. The province is currently home to over 2,800 operating businesses with a total capital volume approximating $2.2 billion, recruiting more than 68,200 employees, including 40 foreign-invested businesses.

This year, Tra Vinh aims to entice investment to 32 projects across industry, education and training, trade, tourism, and social infrastructure. In addition, the province called for ventures into three self-reliant social housing projects, and added eight projects in renewable energy to the wish-list in 2024.

Tra Vinh goals bear fruit for green funding Tra Vinh province in Vietnams Mekong Delta has seen breakthroughs in the local investment climate, for the first time climbing in the top 30 localities in provincial competitiveness and simultaneously topping the nations green index.

Tra Vinh bolsters governance efficiency via digital advances Tra Vinh province in the Mekong Delta is making compelling efforts on its digital transformation journey to best assist individuals and businesses.

Tra Vinh determined for 2030 tourism breakthrough Tra Vinh province aims to become a hotspot for community-based ecotourism, turning its tourism into a spearhead economic sector within the decade.

Tra Vinh proactive in green development The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh has extended growth momentum in diverse fields with distinct advantages, particularly taking measures to maintain green competitiveness.

Tra Vinh to thrive thanks to bountiful marine economy Tra Vinh is set to elevate development by leveraging abundant marine resources attuned to its carefully crafted strategy, which was approved last week.
Dr. Richard Lawton Thurston, a leading non-engineer semiconductor expert in the US, has played a crucial role in helping numerous companies and governments establish and manage technology parks worldwide.

During a meeting with Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in Washington on June 26 Thurston emphasised Vietnam's potential in the semiconductor and AI sectors. He noted that AI development requires various technologies, including sensors, memory, data collection, and processing.

"Vietnam can choose one of these stages to focus on and build its strategy," he suggested.

Meanwhile, Minister Dung underscored that following the upgrade of Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two countries have actively promoted diplomatic and cooperative efforts across various fields, particularly in science, technology, and innovation. The US has agreed to support Vietnam in training and enhancing its semiconductor capabilities to integrate into the global value chain.

"These are two areas where Vietnam is focusing on building a high-quality workforce and enhancing research and development capabilities in the long term," Dung stated.

Vietnam is implementing a strategy to develop its semiconductor industry and a project to cultivate a skilled workforce for this sector. By 2030, the goal is to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers, including 15,000 design engineers, and establish four national-level shared semiconductor laboratories and 18 standard semiconductor labs.

The government has consistently stated its commitment to perfecting the institutional framework and offering preferential policies to attract and collaborate with major global technology corporations in the semiconductor industry.

Minister Dung invited Dr. Thurston to serve as an advisor to Vietnam, sharing his expertise and recommendations for developing the semiconductor industry. He also proposed that Dr. Thurston assist in connecting with TSMC and suggest potential collaboration activities between Vietnam and the corporation.

TSMC, headquartered in Taiwan, is the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing company, producing chips for most major technology companies, such as Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm.

During this visit, Dung also met with representatives from Microsoft and Super Micro Computer. He urged Microsoft to organise a high-level delegation to Vietnam soon to explore and survey investment opportunities for a research and development centre. Through this initiative, both parties could develop training and research application programmes for AI in Vietnam.

For Super Micro Computer, a leading global server component manufacturer, Dung suggested collaboration with the Vietnamese government and enterprises to develop data centres and infrastructure for AI and 5G.
A stuffed bear with a special forces logo on on it is set on a shelf in the apartment of Ronnie Payne, a U.S. Army veteran, at Travis Street Plaza on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Houston. Cloudbreak owns three buildings where formerly homeless veterans are supposed to receive permanent supportive housing. But veterans living there say that they live under constant threat of eviction and they do not receive support in navigating payments through the HHA. The properties have a record of evicting veterans for not paying their rent. Payne has been served an eviction notice. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Ronnie Payne, a U.S. Army veteran, stands in the kitchen in his apartment at Travis Street Plaza on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Houston. Cloudbreak owns three buildings where formerly homeless veterans are supposed to receive permanent supportive housing. But veterans living there say that they live under constant threat of eviction and they do not receive support in navigating payments through the HHA. The properties have a record of evicting veterans for not paying their rent. Payne has been served an eviction notice. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Army Veteran Ronald Payne packs his belongings in preparation for an eviction due to paperwork issues on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Citing a number of deficiencies in bookkeeping and oversight of its federal voucher program, a recent audit has found the Houston Housing Authority in need of material adjustments.

This is not the first time the housing authority has faced criticism. Mayor John Whitmire overhauled the agencys board in February, saying it lacked sufficient leadership and financial management.

But this time these criticisms carry the weight of independent auditors highlighting the persistence of problems over several years.

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Compounding matters, the audit completed in February 2024 was a review of the year 2021, public record requests show.

The housing authority  which manages operating revenues of more than $238 million a year  has fallen behind on its financial audits. These delays have allowed problems to proliferate in the administration of its federal voucher program, which subsidizes rents for roughly 19,000 Houston households with very low incomes.

Despite its name, the housing authority is not part of Houstons city government; it reports to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Key to this oversight, and to detecting potential challenges in administering federal programs, is an audited financial statement to HUD within nine months after its fiscal year ends.

But since the end of 2019, the housing authority has not filed an audited financial report within a year of the fiscal year end. The 2019, 2020 and 2021 audits were each filed more than two years after the fiscal year end  meaning there has been no time to fix problems from one year to the next. Problems identified in the 2019 fiscal year were still present in the 2021 audit filed this year, and problems that may have arisen in 2022 and 2023 have yet to be reported altogether.

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Two separate independent auditing firms have raised flags about the housing authoritys ability to report its finances in an accurate and timely fashion, in part because of issues keeping track of the finances related to all of the real estate deals the housing authority has entered. They have also raised serious concerns about how the agency is administering its voucher program.

Those concerns come after the housing authority investigated multiple employees for voucher fraud in 2016, and the Chronicle found that the housing authoritys paperwork issues and poor communication had led to formerly homeless voucher holders getting evicted.

The housing authority said in an emailed statement that the unexpected transition to remote work during the pandemic, coupled with inadequate accounting software and a staffing shortage, led to the backlog.

It added it is currently implementing a new software system, introducing more stringent internal controls for its accounting process, and has also expanded its accounting department.

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A HUD spokesperson said, HUD will continue to work with HHA to submit its outstanding audited financials.

It did not respond to questions about whether there are consequences if audits are late or how HUD addresses weaknesses found in audits for multiple years in a row.

Imperfect results

In the most recent audit of 2021, Berman Hopkins CPAs and Associates reviewed a sample of 43 voucher recipients to see whether the housing authority was running the program according to federal guidelines. The results were far from perfect.

The audit found that not a single voucher recipient in the sample had signed the release needed for the agency to verify their incomes, a process that can involve reaching out to current and former employers. A failure to verify incomes raises questions if all of the participants were actually receiving the right amount of government aid.

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When asked if the housing authority was doing any sort of verification in absence of the signed releases, the agency said that in 2021, because of COVID-19, employees were still operating remotely.

This modified work environment created deficiencies within our files that were noted by our auditors, the agency said in an emailed statement. It said that, since 2023, it has been working to make sure it has all the required documents for every voucher holder, and it expected to finish remedying the situation in the next few weeks.

The audit also found that not a single voucher holder who was included in the sample had an inspection performed during the year  a practice meant to ensure that the units they are living in are fit for habitation. Inspectors check for working smoke detectors, appliances and outlets; windows, ceilings and walls that are in good condition; and a lack of electrical hazards, among other things.

Thats obviously concerning, said Taylor Laredo, a community navigator at the nonprofit Texas Housers who has worked with many voucher holders.

He said that the administrative deficiencies sow mistrust and frustration, not only among voucher holders, but also among the landlords who agree to work with the program. Additionally, it can put people at risk of losing their housing, he said.

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There should be additional safeguards put in place, he said.

Problems arise before pandemic

The audit for the housing authoritys fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2019, was not issued until September 2022. In it, auditor CohnReznick found deficiency in internal control over financial reporting.

Specifically, the housing authority was not able to provide timely, complete and reconciled financial statements for its real estate deals, which usually involve partnering with a firm that operates an apartment complex containing affordable units. The bookkeeping problem meant the housing authority may produce financial statements that are materially misstated, said the auditor.

The next audit, for the 2020 fiscal year, didnt come out until October 2023. The housing authority told HUD the delay was due to issues that arose during the 2019 audit.

At the end of the 2019 audit, we determined it was in the best interest of HHA to terminate our relationship with the prior audit and we proceeded to procure a new auditor, wrote Michael D. Rogers, the housing authoritys vice president of fiscal and business operations.

CohnReznick did not respond to a request for comment on the housing authoritys allegations.

But the new auditor, Berman Hopkins CPAs and Associates, also found issues with the authoritys record keeping and ability to oversee its financial closing processes. It reported that, in 2020, two out of five voucher holders had not gone through the paperwork process required to extend a voucher from one year to the next.

In October 2023, the housing authority promised HUD that it had implemented new procedures and would eliminate its backlog for recertifications by the end of the 2023 calendar year.

But since the issues from 2020 werent identified until 2023, they continued in the interim. The 2021 fiscal year audit, issued in February 2024, showed problems with financial reporting persisted, while problems with the voucher program had grown significantly. None of the sampled voucher holders had forms allowing the housing authority to verify their incomes, down from 14% the year before; none had their apartments inspected to make sure they were up to par, down from 95% the year before.

The housing authority wrote to HUD that it had hired a firm to review the finance department and was in the process of implementing many of the recommended changes. While it did not provide specifics in that letter, the housing authority told the Chronicle it has added an Asset Oversight and Compliance Division and introduced more controls to its accounting process.

We fully expect the finding to be present for the 2022 audit as many of the department improvements and changes were not made prior to 2023 so would not have been in practice during 2022, wrote Rogers.
DES MOINES  A federal judge Friday denied a request from a pair of THC beverage manufacturers to restrict enforcement of a law regulating consumable hemp products, but she raised questions about the lack of clarity in the law.

Judge Stephanie Rose said in a ruling Friday that she had serious concerns about the vagueness of the law, but that those concerns were not raised by the plaintiffs, who failed to prove their case that it is preempted by federal law.

The law, which state lawmakers passed this year and is set to take effect Monday, limits the amount of THC  the main intoxicating compound in cannabis  that can be in consumable hemp products that are legal under federal law. A product cannot have more than 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container, and it must include a warning label.

One issue during the hearing was the definition serving, which is not spelled out in the law. Manufacturers had believed they could change the labeling on their 12 ounce cans to include more than one serving, allowing them to sell cans containing up to 10 milligrams of THC.

But in proposed draft rules and a guidance document, the state health department has said that a 12 ounce can will be considered one serving, and it cannot contain more than one serving. The interpretation would disqualify more than 80% of the companies beverages, they have said.

Rather than argue that the law was too vague, though, Climbing Kites and Field Day brewing, two Iowa-based manufacturers of THC-infused beverages, argued the state law is preempted by federal law, which dictates packaging and label requirements for food. They also argued the draft rules proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services to regulate packaging exceed the agencys authority. The companies asked the federal court to block both the potency limits and the packaging rules in the law from taking effect.

During the course of the hearing, the Court expressed serious concerns whether HF 2605 was unconstitutionally vague based on a provision of the law limiting the potency of THC permissible in a single serving of a product, Rose wrote in her ruling. Because the statute does not define a serving, it is unclear how this provision would be enforced. This potentially raises due process concerns surrounding a statute with potential criminal penalties.

Rose also raised her concerns about the vagueness of the law during the hearing, calling the law an island floating without the necessary definitions to be enforceable.

Despite her concerns, Rose said those same arguments were not brought up by Climbing Kites and Field Day Brewing in their lawsuit. She ruled against their argument that the law was preempted by federal law, denying the request for an injunction. Roses ruling left open the possibility of further proceedings over the renewed complaint filed by the plaintiffs, and she said a more extensive discussion of the courts analysis would soon be filed.

During the hearing, Will Admussen, an assistant solicitor general with the Iowa Attorney Generals office, rebuffed Climbing Kites claims that the state does not have authority to add warning labels and set serving size standards.

Other courts, including in Alaska, have ruled that states have authority to regulate consumable hemp products, the state wrote in its reply to the lawsuit.

The companies filed an amended complaint on Friday that included arguments that the law was overly vague and violated the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The law does not define, explain, or otherwise shed any light on what constitutes a serving of total THC in a consumable hemp product, wrote Michael Reck, a lawyer for the companies, in the new brief.

Scott Selix, the co-founder of Climbing Kites, declined to answer questions after the hearing on Friday and did not respond to a following request for comment.

The ruling means Iowas law is all but certain to take effect starting Monday. But more challenges to the law remain, and Rose said arguments about the laws vagueness could be further developed.

Another lawsuit, brought by several CBD and hemp retailers in the state, challenges the law on several grounds, including that it violates due process by being overly vague and that it violates interstate commerce protections. A hearing is set for that lawsuit on July 11.

Presidential debate: Biden, Trump square off in Atlanta, in photos
On June 28, the grand celebration Scarlet Sails took place in St. Petersburg for the 20th anniversary, which is held in honor of the Last Bell for school graduates. The colorful celebration became one of the main events of the summer, which was eagerly awaited by residents and numerous guests of the city on the Neva.

WtR
Three teenagers and a child suffered minor injuries Sunday in a Buffalo County crash.

The countys sheriffs office was transferred an automatic vehicle crash alert from Trempealeau County Dispatch at about 4:59 p.m. Sunday.

Upon arriving on the scene of the crash, Buffalo County deputies learned that a vehicle was heading southbound on Montana Ridge Road near Lyga Valley Road in the town of Montana when it went off into the west ditch, according to a press release from the sheriffs office.

The vehicle struck a driveway and ended up rolling over.

Nicole Majerus, 19, of Littleton, Colorado, and Breah Golden, 19, of Arcadia were in the vehicle, along with a 17-year-old from Littleton and an 11-year-old from Arcadia.

The juveniles were not identified by the sheriffs office because of their ages.

Everyone in the vehicle was wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Arcadia Ambulance Services, Waumandee-Lincoln-Montana First Responders and firefighters evaluated all of the vehicle's occupants for non-life-threatening injuries.

Three of the occupants were taken to a nearby hospital via a private vehicle, while the other occupant was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Independence Police Department and Mayo One Helicopter also assisted with the accident.
A group of doctors join abortion rights supporters at a rally outside the Supreme Court on April 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that Idaho emergency rooms can temporarily provide abortions to pregnant women during an emergency using a federal law known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, but declined to rule on the broader merits of the case. Andrew Harnik/TNS

Ever since the Supreme Court decided in January to temporarily allow Idaho's strict abortion ban, even in instances where the mother's health and future fertility is at risk, the state's largest health care provider has had to airlift six patients to neighboring states to get the care they need.

The stakes of such a trip can be life or death. Jim Souza, the chief physician of St. Luke's Health System, noted that if a pregnant woman happens to hemorrhage while in transit, the resources you have are no longer the resources of a tertiary care center; theyre the resources of a helicopter.

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade two years ago has opened up opportunities for states such as Idaho and Texas to test the limits of Draconian anti-abortion laws. The latest battleground: whether federal law requiring hospitals to provide emergency medical care includes emergency abortion care.

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While both Idaho's and Texas' laws, as written, include language allowing abortions to save a patient's life, those exceptions are not clear enough to assuage doctors who fear being prosecuted or losing their licenses. In Texas, our lawmakers, Supreme Court and medical board have all passed on clarifying the specific circumstances when doctors are allowed to perform abortions or, better yet, to protect their ability to exercise their medical judgment. Fear and paralysis appears to be the point.

The U.S. Supreme Court welcomed this confusion by allowing states to regulate or ban abortion as they see fit. The court has avoided clarifying the specific circumstances in which abortions are still legal. Even on the question of emergency abortion care  when a pregnant woman's life could be at risk  the court punted. In a 6-3 decision released Thursday, the court ruled that pregnant women in Idaho can retain access to emergency abortions while litigation continues in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Justices declined a broader ruling on whether the nearly 40-year-old federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, known as EMTALA, compels health care providers to perform the procedure in emergencies.

While abortion rights advocates may take solace in this minor victory for those in Idaho, the court's inaction will have a devastating impact on pregnant women seeking an abortion in states that have banned the procedure. The ruling maintains a chaotic patchwork of abortion regulations, where some pregnant women are being forced to travel out of state.

"Todays decision is not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. It is delay," wrote Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in a partial dissent. "While this Court dawdles and the country waits, pregnant people experiencing emergency medical conditions remain in a precarious position, as their doctors are kept in the dark about what the law requires. This Court had a chance to bring clarity and certainty to this tragic situation, and we have squandered

it."

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The delay also cracks open the door for a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to wind its way to the Supreme Court. In January, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that EMTALA does not preempt Texas' abortion ban, effectively blocking doctors from invoking the federal law to perform an abortion.

Ironically, Texas was at the forefront of EMTALA's creation. Thanks to the staunch advocacy of Dr. Ron Anderson, a Dallas-area physician and former chair of the state health board, the Legislature adopted the nation's first anti-patient dumping law in 1985. A year later, Congress followed suit. This statute, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, requires hospitals that receive federal funding to treat and stabilize any patient who requires urgent medical care, regardless of their ability to pay. The law defines an emergency as a condition severe enough to jeopardize the health of the patient or the health of an unborn child.

The Biden administration, which issued guidance two years ago instructing hospitals to abide by EMTALA and perform abortions when needed, argued that Idaho's abortion ban conflicted with the federal law. During oral arguments, it seemed that even some of the conservative justices agreed. Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted that Idaho's ban would create a situation where some doctors could effectively conscientiously object to performing an abortion needed to save a pregnant woman's life.

Souza, the Idaho physician, echoed this concern. He told reporters in a media call that his doctors are asking themselves: "Is she sick enough? Is she bleeding enough? Is she septic enough for me to do this abortion and not risk going to jail and losing my license? And when the guessing game gets too uncomfortable, we transfer the patients out at a very high cost to another state where the doctors are allowed to practice medicine."

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Here in Texas, a recent study estimated that more than 35,000 Texas patients traveled out of state to obtain an abortion last year, some as far as Massachusetts or Washington state. It's unclear how many were seeking emergency care, but several troubling instances have prompted litigation.

Women are suffering. Culture war politics are putting their lives, their health and their fertility at risk. And for now, the high court seems just fine with that.

Conservative justices appear content to take the easy, technical, incremental route that staves off controversy but also prolongs harm to women and their families as extremist anti-abortion states push boundaries into unconscionable territory.

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Melbourne, July 1, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium Universe Limited ( ASX:LU7 ) is pleased to announce a successful trip by key leadership members to Eastern Canada. The delegation, led by CEO Alex Hanly and including Chairman Iggy Tan, Board Directors Patrick Scallan and Dr. Jingyuan Liu, and Canadian Director, Victoria Vargas, engaged with government stakeholders, community partners, and industry peers.



Highlights



- Strong engagement from Federal, Provincial and Local Government



- Becancour Lithium Refinery well aligned with Provincial strategy



- Mature local government support and project understanding



- LU7 Lithium Carbonate Refinery is regional innovation



- Hatch is leader in the field of lithium refinery engineering



The meetings in Montreal, Becancour, Quebec City, and Ottawa reinforced the Company's strategy to address the Lithium Conversion Gap in North America and provided updates on our engineering progress and commercial discussions. This trip underscores Lithium Universe's commitment to advancing its initiatives and fostering strong relationships in the region.



Ministry of Economics, Innovation, and Energy



The Company is pleased to announce a productive meeting in Quebec City with the Honourable Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economics, Innovation, and Energy. This follows our initial presentation of the Company's unique strategy in November 2023 in Dubai. Once again, Minister Fitzgibbon expressed enthusiasm for our engineering progress, the acquisition of the Option agreement within the Becancour Industrial Park, and the Hydro-Quebec application for an estimated 22.5MW energy allocation for our Becancour Lithium Refinery.



Lithium Universe emphasized Quebec's strategic benefits, including hydroelectric power, proximity to the James Bay region, and logistic advantages with port access to the transatlantic region. The Minister reiterated his support for our vision of transforming Quebec into the Centre of Lithium Conversion for the transatlantic region. The Company is impressed with the forward-thinking provincial government of Quebec and the progress of the Strategic Innovation Zone under the pragmatic guidance of Minister Fitzgibbon.



Becancour Waterfront Industrial Park (BWIP)



The Company once again met with key executives from the Becancour Waterfront Industrial Park (BWIP) in Becancour. The BWIP is strategically situated just south of Trois-Rivieres, between Montreal and Quebec City. The site offers excellent access to a major highway, cross-continental railway, all-weather port, and cost-effective, green hydroelectric power. The meeting focused on the Company's progress in site evaluation activities and included a presentation on the process design, featuring pictures from a reference lithium carbonate refinery. The port was confirmed to have the capacity to manage 50,000-ton bulk shipments, exceeding the Company's initial requirements. The Company had the opportunity to inspect Lot 22, view the proximity to infrastructure and immediate tie-in to existing BWIP utilities.



The SPIPB team provided an overview of planned expansions and facility upgrades to the onsite infrastructure, positioning Becancour as a leader in offering prime industrial real estate in Quebec. The Company is excited to be part of this significant regional development and is committed to participating in various community initiatives to integrate the industrial site into the wider community.



Municipality of Becancour



The Company met with the Mayoress of Becancour to discuss our objectives to contribute to the local economy by providing hundreds of employment opportunities and helping to realize its economic potential. We reaffirmed our commitment to the Becancour and wider Trois-Rivieres region, pledging to support various social, community, and environmental initiatives in the coming years. The Mayoress expressed enthusiasm for the Company's plans within the SPIPB, recognizing the development of a proven and reliable design with internationally aligned process outputs. We were pleased with the Mayoress' thorough understanding of the battery supply chain and the key drivers of the energy transformation underway throughout North America.



Provincial Government - Quebec



The Company met with key delegates in Montreal from Investissement Quebec (IQ), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF), Energy Transition Valley Innovation Zone, and the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. The provincial government has identified a lithium conversion gap within the supply chain, crucial for servicing the expected increase in spodumene supply from the James Bay region in the coming years. The Company's extensive experience, proven track record, and established technology made our strategy to address this lithium conversion gap well-received across provincial government departments. Quebec is a North American leader in attracting foreign direct investment, sustainable development, and supporting battery metals projects. The province has a strong history of supporting lithium battery supply chain development, with significant provincial and federal government incentives.



Recent government support includes the General Motors (GM) and Korea-based POSCO Chemicals' US$1 billion cathode active material (CAM) factory, the Ford/EcoPro BM US$800 million cathode factory, and Northvolt's US$7 billion EV Battery Facility at Saint-Basile-le-Grand. This creates a favourable regulatory environment for the Company's project, ensuring robust support throughout the cycle.



Canadian Federal Government - Ottawa



The Company met with various federal government stakeholders from Invest in Canada (IIC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), and Export Development Canada (EDC). During the meeting, the Company outlined its strategy to address the Lithium Conversion Gap in North America and provided updates on our progress. Given the lack of refining capacity in Canada, our lithium carbonate plant is an innovative project, as there are no current operating or planned facilities of this kind within the country. Building lithium conversion capacity alongside spodumene mines will enable Canada to become wholly self-sufficient in the lithium chemical supply chain.



Stakeholders praised the Company's proactive approach in aligning with the federal strategy to decouple supply chains from China. The Company was impressed with the federal stakeholders' knowledge and practical approach to developing critical supply chains. This initiative aligns well with the recent Cooperation on Critical Minerals agreement released in March 2024 between the Australian and Canadian governments, highlighting a commitment to responsibly grow the global sustainable supply of critical minerals.



Hatch - Montreal



The Company and our engineering partner, Hatch Ltd, held a productive meeting at the Montreal office, where we aligned on our shared culture and fast-track development vision. We discussed the benefits of our "same process, same equipment, same supplier" strategy, which minimizes technical risks, ensures quality, and reduces costs within an expedient timeframe. The operational environments in Australia and Canada share many similarities, facilitating the integration of skills into Quebec. Hatch's leadership in building lithium conversion facilities and tackling challenging projects validates our decision to partner with engineering firm. Furthermore, through this collaboration, we are excited to highlight Hatch's expertise as the premier lithium refinery engineering expert.



Lithium Universe Chairman, Iggy Tan said, "The reception from federal, provincial and local government delegates has left a very positive impression on the LU7 Board of Directors. The region has made strong commitments since releasing the Critical Minerals Strategies four years ago and we have seen that in the significant investments made within the battery supply chain and pragmatic discussions held with key government executives. We look forward to advancing the Company's Becancour Lithium Refinery to contribute in making Quebec the lithium conversion centre within the Transatlantic region."





About Lithium Universe Ltd





Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7) (FRA:KU00) (OTCMKTS:LUVSF), headed by industry trail blazer, Iggy Tan, and the Lithium Universe team has a proven track record of fast-tracking lithium projects, demonstrated by the successful development of the Mt Cattlin spodumene project for Galaxy Resources Limited.

Instead of exploring for the sake of exploration, Lithium Universe's mission is to quickly obtain a resource and construct a spodumene-producing mine in Quebec, Canada. Unlike many other Lithium exploration companies, Lithium Universe possesses the essential expertise and skills to develop and construct profitable projects.

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Major Upgrade to Mt Ida Gold Resource

Perth, July 1, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Delta Lithium Limited ( ASX:DLI ) is pleased to announce an update for the ongoing activities at its 100% owned Mt Ida Project, a shovel ready lithium and gold project, 100km west of Leonora in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Western Australia.



Highlights:



- Major Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) upgrade for gold at Mt Ida. Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources of: 6.6Mt @ 3.5 g/t Au for 752,000 ounces (at various cut-off grades see Table 1*)



- Upgrade represents an 82% increase in contained gold for the Mt Ida Project with new Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) prepared by External Consultant Snowden Optiro



- 82% Increase in the Baldock Deposit to 4.8Mt @ 4.4g/t gold for 674,000 ounces



- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Golden Vale Prospect of 27,000 ounces @ 1.7g/t Au



- Significant potential for further resource growth being tested now with drilling underway at Mt Ida



- The Baldock Deposit becomes one of only a handful of high-grade gold deposits exceeding 500,000 ounces in Western Australia



- Mining Approval granted for Phase 1 Open Pit mining at Mt Ida



- The growth in the MRE presents Delta with further optionality to monetise gold assets at Mt Ida and drive progress at Delta's core lithium business.



- A Scoping Level gold development study for Mt Ida is expected to be released within the coming months



The recent Mineral Resource Estimate has significantly increased the contained gold at Mt Ida, demonstrating the presence of a large gold system.



All mineral resources at the Mt Ida Project are located on granted Mining Leases, with granted mining approval received late in 2023. This allows the Company to start mining immediately if studies support this outcome.

Commenting on the results Managing Director, James Croser said;



"This is a wonderful result for Delta shareholders, reaffirming our long-held belief that the gold system at Mt Ida has significant scale and upside. The Baldock is fast becoming one of very few, large high-grade undeveloped gold deposits in WA in excess of 500koz.



The commencement of open pit mining has been approved, and the underground approval with the Department is submitted and pending. We are investigating the best options for Delta shareholders to crystalise value from our gold, which can then be applied to further developing our core lithium business.



"The efforts of Delta's Geology team have been tireless and driven toward this success. We have already started follow up gold drilling at Mt Ida to target resource growth beyond 1Moz."



Mt Ida Gold Mineral Resource Update



Snowden Optiro was contracted to undertake a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for gold at the Mt Ida Project in June 2024. The updated mineral resource estimates are for the Baldock and Golden Vale Deposits. The Kestrel deposit Mineral Resource Estimate has not changed since Delta's Maiden Gold MRE Announcement on 11th October 2023. All material information pertaining to this updated resource is to be found in Appendix 1 Material Information Summaries.



The update to the MRE is the result of an additional 431 drillholes for 51,604m completed by Delta subsequent to the release of the Maiden Mt Ida Gold MRE on 11 October 2023, and 199 historical drillholes for 11,830m at Golden Vale. Material drill results which have allowed for the update to the MRE have all previously been released to the ASX in announcements on 10 November 2023 'Yinnetharra and Mt Ida Exploration Update' and 15 February 2024 'Yinnetharra and Mt Ida Exploration Update', data pertaining to the Golden Vale MRE is found in Appendix 2*.



Material drill results used in the Maiden Mt Ida Gold MRE released on 11 October 2023 have all previously been released to the ASX in the announcements detailed in the Bibliography.



Key changes to the Mineral Resource Estimate released on 11 October 2023 are:



- A more conservative approach to reporting of MRE has been taken, in accordance with Reasonable Prospects of Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) guidelines to the JORC2012 Code



- Mineralisation previously referred to as "Western Lodes" now referred to as the Baldock Deposit



- 82% Increase in the overall MRE for the Mt Ida Project from 412koz @ 4.1 g/t Au to 752koz @ 3.5 g/t Au



- 82% Increase in the overall MRE for the Baldock Deposit from 370koz to 674koz



o 17% Increase in total Indicated Resources from 206koz @ 5.7 g/t Au to 242koz @ 4.9 g/t Au



o 153% Increase in open cut Resources reported into an optimised ultimate pit shell (reported at 0.5 g/t Au cut off) from 145koz @ 5.5 g/t Au to 367koz @ 4 g/t Au



o 90% Increase in open cut Indicated Resources reported into an optimised ultimate pit shell (reported at 0.5 g/t Au cut off) from 110koz @ 6.6g/t Au to 209koz @ 4.8g/t Au



o 36% increase in underground resources reported into optimised stopes (reported at 1.5g/t Au cut off) from 225koz @ 4.7g/t Au to 307koz @ 4.9 g/t Au



- Addition of maiden Golden Vale MRE of 27koz @ 1.7 g/t Au reported into an optimised ultimate pit shell at 0.5 g/t Au cut off



- No change to Kestrel MRE of 43koz



Baldock Deposit



The Baldock deposit is a series of steeply west-south-west dipping gold lodes in the vicinity of the historic Baldock and Timoni gold mines, located within Delta's 100% owned Mt Ida Project (see Figure 1*). There is a close relationship between the Baldock Lodes and the Timoni and Sister Sam lithium deposits (see ASX announcement dated 3rd October 2023 entitled 'Mt Ida Lithium Mineral Resource Estimate Update'). Gold mineralisation is associated with quartz and sulphide development within shear zones. The MRE extends over 2km of strike, with the mineralised system identified over 4km of strike with only a handful of holes testing the strike outside the MRE (See Figure 4*).



Golden Vale



The Golden Vale deposit is a series of shallow east-south-east dipping gold lodes that were first mined in the early 1990's from a ~300m long by ~120m wide open pit (see Figure 1*). Gold mineralisation is associated with quartz and sulphide development within a shear zone. The MRE expands over 700m of strike with the mineral system identified over 1km of strike (see Figure 5 below*).



Potential Resource Growth



The Company has undertaken very little gold specific exploration at Mt Ida since the acquisition of the project in 2021 (see ASX Announcement dated 24th September 2021 entitled: 'Completion of Mt Ida Acquisition'). The majority of drilling that has been undertaken and used for this gold MRE update was drilled targeting lithium. In addition to the excellent resource growth potential immediately along strike and down dip of existing resources at Baldock (See Figure 4*), Golden Vale (See figure 5*) and Kestrel (Maiden Mt Ida Gold MRE on 11 October 2023), there are numerous drilling results exceeding 1g/t Au within the project that sit outside current resource estimates (See Figure 6 and Table 4*).



Drilling is currently underway at the Mt Ida Project and will target high-grade resource extension opportunities to grow the resource significantly.



Next Steps



Delta has recommenced drilling activities at Mt Ida, with an RC rig recently mobilised to test both lithium and gold targets. This program will include holes to test down-dip and plunge extensions to multiple high-grade lodes identified in the current gold resource at Baldock. Further holes are also planned at Kestrel and Golden Vale, along with regional follow up on high-grade assays such as those highlighted in Figure 6*.



In parallel with site activities, Scoping Level assessment of the gold resource is underway to define scale and scope of potential future gold mining options at Mt Ida.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/V7YB14R3





About Delta Lithium Limited





Delta Lithium Limited (ASX:DLI) is an exploration and development company focused on bringing high-quality, lithium-bearing pegmatite deposits, located in Western Australia, into production. With a strong balance sheet and an experienced team driving the exploration and development workstreams, Delta Lithium is rapidly advancing its Mt Ida Lithium Project towards production. The Mt Ida Lithium Project holds a critical advantage over other lithium developers with existing Mining Leases and heritage agreements in place. To capitalise on the prevailing buoyant lithium market, Delta Lithium is pursuing a rapid development pathway to unlock maximum value for shareholders.

Delta Lithium also holds the highly prospective Yinnetharra Lithium Project that is already showing signs of becoming one of Australia's most exciting lithium regions. The Company is currently undergoing an extensive 400 drill hole campaign to be completed throughout 2023.

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a presidential debate hosted by CNN with President Joe Biden, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. Gerald Herbert/AP

The claim: Former President Donald Trump, who has promised to carry out the "largest domestic deportation operation" in U.S. history if reelected, says an enormous number of immigrants entering the country illegally are people with mental illnesses or criminal records.

President Joe Biden "is letting millions of people from jails, from prisons, from insane asylums, from mental institutions, drug dealers pour in," Trump told reporters May 29 in Manhattan during his falsified business records trial. "Venezuela, if you look at their crime statistics, theyve gone down 72% in crime because theyre releasing all their criminals into our country because of this horrible president that we have."



PolitiFact ruling: Pants on Fire. Some migrants have criminal records, but PolitiFact found no evidence that they add up to millions.

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Discussion

U.S. Customs and Border Protection data show that from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024, immigration officials arrested about 103,700 noncitizens with criminal convictions whether in the U.S. or abroad, so long as the conviction was for conduct deemed criminal by the U.S.

Some key points about this number:

Includes people stopped at and between ports of entry.

Not everyone stopped was let in.

The term "noncitizens" includes people who may have legal immigration status in the U.S., but are not U.S. citizens.

Fiscal year 2021 includes about four months of Trumps administration; the data for fiscal year 2024 is incomplete. (The federal fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.)

The data reflects the numbers the federal government knows about, but its inexhaustive.

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"A pro-Trump responder would say (correctly) that countries like Venezuela or Cuba dont share their criminal databases with the US, and other countries' justice systems are in general disarray anyway (Haiti, Honduras etc.)," border security expert Adam Isacson wrote in an email to PolitiFact.



But Trumps "millions" statement is "laughable," said Isacson, defense oversight director at the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights advocacy organization.

Including repeat crossers, thereve been around 8 million encounters at the border since Biden took office, Isacson said.

For reference, encounters data represents events, not people. For example, if one person tries to cross the border three times and is stopped each time, that would be counted as three encounters. This data also doesnt tell us how many people stayed in the U.S.

"Millions would mean one in eight was someone released from a jail or a mental institution, a claim too ridiculous to dignify," Isacson said.

It also "strains belief," he said, that someone with serious mental illness could navigate the route to the U.S. after release from an institution.

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Mike LaSusa, deputy content director for InSight Crime, a think tank focused on crime and security in the Americas, said that because the U.S. government doesnt stop everyone who crosses, its impossible to know exactly how many criminals may have entered.

However, LaSusa said, the claim of millions coming from prisons seemed mathematically and logically unlikely. "The trend in recent years has generally been toward locking more people up, not letting them out so they can emigrate," he said.

The federal governments data showed the Border Patrol apprehended 2,033 gang members nationwide from fiscal years 2021 to 2024.

Under Biden, the U.S. has expelled, removed or returned people out of the U.S. around 3.8 million times, according to PolitiFacts March analysis of Department of Homeland Security data.

In September 2021, DHS released a memo instructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prioritize removing people who have crossed the border in recent years or who threaten public safety. Courts halted those guidelines in 2021, but they were reinstated in 2023 after a Supreme Court decision. Biden on June 4 announced a new order to limit the number of migrants seeking asylum at the border.

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Pierluigi Mancini, an Atlanta-based expert on immigrant behavioral health, also told PolitiFact that Trumps statement about emptying facilities of people with mental illness who are coming to the U.S. "does not make sense because those numbers are not there."

Many people in Latin American countries face barriers to getting mental health treatment, Mancini said, and "if there are mentally ill persons flooding the United States, they are not coming from psychiatric hospitals."

Often, people pay smugglers thousands of dollars to help them get into the U.S. Also, immigrants usually must wait in Guatemala or Mexico before they try to cross into the U.S. And then they need the physical fortitude to make the journey "something that someone with a serious mental illness may be unable to," Mancini said.

We asked the Trump campaign for its evidence and received no reply. But in 2023, the campaign pointed CNN to an article a Border Patrol veteran wrote for Breitbart, a conservative news website. The article was based on information from an unnamed source at Customs and Border Protection and a Homeland Security intelligence report (we did not see the report and PolitiFact does not rely on anonymous information). The article said the report found the Venezuelan government was freeing inmates, including those convicted of rape and murder, and that they were seen traveling to the border, but included no specific numbers.
National Doctors Day is celebrated every year on July 1st in India and recognises the invaluable contributions of physicians to our lives. Doctors help us to fight all kinds of diseases and give people a new life. The history of Doctors day dates back to the year 1882, July 1st when well known physician Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy was born. He was also the second chief minister of West Bengal and has made valuable contributions to public health and healthcare industry. National Doctors Day serves as a special day for paying a tribute and acknowledging the contributions of doctors and healthcare professionals in ensuring the well-being of people and their selfless service. The theme for Doctor's Day this year is 'Healing hands, caring hearts'.

Like every year, this year too brands celebrated Doctors day with full devotion. Check out the campaigns launched by brands celebrating Doxtors Day :

Medibuddy, a digital healthcare platform has launched #WhiteCoatHeroes campaign in celebration of Doctors Day. The campaign video intends to encapsulate the life of a doctor and encourages everybody to take note of the sacrifices made by the healthcare professionals and be grateful to that.

RiteBite Max Protein unveils DilseDoctor campaign, paying a tribute to doctors on National Doctors Day. It features discussions on gynaecology, breast cancer, physiotherapy, and more, portraying the journey of doctors as well as the strategies for the maintenance of their well-being, which include the methods for destressing.

Sun Pharma launches #SecondBirthDate 2.0 campaign featuring celebrated actress Sushmita Sen , expressing her gratitude to the real life heroes.

SPAG FINN Partners, a leading health communication and integrated marketing agency, unveils its list of "Top 50 Influential Doctors on Social Media - India 2024" under its ChangeMakers series. This initiative on Doctor's Day celebrates the remarkable impact of Indian doctors who are driving significant change through their digital presence on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Bhailal Amin General Hospital came up with a social media post paying a tribute to the selfless service by healthcare professionals in our society, those who are on the frontlines to save our lifelines.

Dezerv, Indias most trusted house of investment solutions for affluent Indians, has launched Dezerv for Doctors, the countrys first dedicated wealth management offering for doctors.
The largest media investment group globally, GroupM is set to enhance its retail media capabilities through a strategic partnership with Tesco Media and Insight Platform. This landmark agreement includes an exclusive in-store screen partnership for Tesco Connected Store and encompasses both on-site and off-site digital offerings. GroupM clients will benefit from early access to platform innovations, fostering a direct feedback loop.

Nick Ashley, client development director at Tesco Media and Insight Platform, hailed the partnership as a significant milestone, emphasizing its potential to deliver measurable commercial advantages through enhanced data insights and strategic planning in retail media.

Luke Bozeat, GroupM UKs chief operating officer, highlighted the partnerships focus on driving innovation and leveraging Tesco's extensive Clubcard data, positioning both entities at the forefront of retail media initiatives.

In parallel, Omnicom Media Group UK and ITV have also forged strategic alliances with Tesco Media and Insight Platform, underscoring agencies' pivotal role in shaping the company's growth strategy. Uche Ofili, agency group head, emphasized the holistic approach to client collaboration, ensuring best-in-class solutions across Tescos platform.

Looking ahead, GroupM anticipates robust growth in retail media, predicting significant market share expansion globally and particularly strong performance in the UK market. David Fieldhouse, head of commerce at GroupM UK, emphasized the integration of commerce capabilities across multiple channels, reflecting a strategic alignment with Tesco Media and Insight Platform to maximize client benefits.

This collaborative effort aims to capitalize on evolving market trends and deliver impactful, measurable campaigns that resonate across digital platforms and in-store environments.
It's almost inevitable for facial recognition to be used by the authorities. It can help them identify perpetrators through camera footage more easily. The problem is that the system doesn't always get right, and that can lead to undeserved consequences on a person's life.

Detroit Police's New Facial Recognition Rules

It's unfortunate how there have been many wrongful arrests in the past and facial recognition has just made the situation worse. Acknowledging how it is not ready to be the sole basis for arrests, new rules are set by the Detroit Police Department.

What's worse is that the change was prompted by yet another wrongful arrest of a Black individual, Robert Williams. He was arrested in 2020 after a shoplifter's face was "identified," which was then used to construct a photo lineup.

Without further evidence, Williams was arrested in his home, which the victim of false recognition said "completely upended" his life. The court has finally reached a settlement with the wrongfully accused and has banned the technology, as per Engadget.

However, it won't be a permanent ban since the agreement will only restrict the use of facial recognition technology for leads for four years. The American Civil Rights Union (ACLU) called the restriction a "groundbreaking settlement agreement."

The summary of the agreement states that an "FRT lead, combined with a lineup identification, may never be a sufficient basis for seeking an arrest warrant," and that there must be further independent and reliable evidence linking a suspect to the crime.

Detroit Police will also have to undergo training and learn about the technology's tendency to be inaccurate and biased, especially with people of color. All cases that used facial recognition technology since 2017 will be audited.

Read Also : Facial Recognition Results in Pregnant Woman Being Wrongfully Arrested





Bias in Facial Recognition Technology

This is not the first time that a Black person has been mistakenly incriminated because of facial recognition, and studies have shown that the identifying technology is more likely to misidentify people of color leading to wrongful arrests.

Another woman from Detroit who was eight months pregnant at the time of her arrest has already filed a lawsuit against the police for the same incident. The victim, Porcha Woodruff was arrested by six police officers accusing her of robbery and carjacking, as per NBC News.

The court document states that Woodruff only later discovered that she was implicated as a suspect, also through a photo lineup shown to the victims of the robbery and carjacking. To make matters worse, Woodruff was only released on a $100,000 personal bond.

The authorities on the case reportedly used an eight-year-old photo of Woodruff when she was scanned even though they had access to her driver's license. They even refused to check if the suspect in the warrant was pregnant like Woodruff was, which could've cleared everything up easily.

In a different case, Michael Oliver was one of the three people who were accused of a crime he did not commit. His arrest led to severe consequences as well, such as his losing his job in 2019. It took three misidentifications before the police finally made changes in how facial recognition was used.
In its bid to strengthen its Agriculture and Climate practice, Primus Partners India (Primus)  a leading management consulting services provider  announced the appointment of Mr. M Ramakrishnan as a Managing Director.

In his role as Managing Director, Mr. M Ramakrishnan (Ram) will focus on developing solutions to elevate Primus Partners expertise and market position in Agriculture & Climate practice. Ram comes with strong expertise and experience of working across industries and consulting. In his last few engagements at Zetta Farms and Gramaphone, Ram drove sustainable farming practices with a thrust on improving farmer income and optimizing water/input use. As an Angel Investor, he has supported early-stage start-ups and also helped them raise funds.

Commenting on the appointment Nilaya Varma, Co-Founder and CEO, Primus Partners said, Agriculture and Climate are two areas that will impact our growth and our ability to manage climate-driven challenges. Ramakrishnans years of experience in Agritech and Sustainability will come in handy to provide strategic consulting to our clients. This strategic appointment will further position Primus as a leading consultancy firm, navigating the evolving challenges in the Agriculture, Climate and Sustainability space.

Commenting on the appointment Sameer Jain, Managing Director, Primus Partners said, Primus strongly believes that Indias Climate Agenda needs to be devolved to each sector, state, industry and individual. Over the last few years, Primus has built strong competence in the areas of Climate-Health, Climate-WASH, Climate-Urban. Ram will help further strengthen the Agriculture & Climate practice.

Having started his career as a consultant in a BIG4, Mr. M Ramakrishnan expressed happiness in his homecoming back to Consulting, having been in Industry for close to a decade. "I am very impressed at how Primus Partners has emerged as one of the largest Indian management consulting firms, is solutions driven, and am very excited to contribute and share my experience and knowledge added M Ramakrishnan.

The addition of Mr. M Ramakrishnan to Primus Partners leadership as Managing Director signals a new era for the firm's Agriculture & Climate offerings. His experience and strategic vision will be key in shaping Primus Partners path in the Agriculture & Climate landscape. This move not only enhances Primus Partners capabilities but also reaffirms its commitment to provide clients with exceptional expertise in these increasingly important sectors.






Authored by Juhi Mehta  COO of Qyuki Digital Media.

As the Chief Operating Officer of Qyuki, I've witnessed first-hand the transformative power of intellectual property (IP) in the digital age. IP is no longer just about legal protection; it has become a cornerstone for brand strategy, creativity, and engagement in the dynamic digital landscape.

The Digital Revolution and IP

In today's digital ecosystem, IP serves as a critical asset that enables brands to differentiate themselves, build trust, and create lasting value. The rapid pace of technological advancements has amplified the importance of IP, making it an integral part of a brand's identity and strategy. At Qyuki, we have embraced this evolution by focusing on innovative IPs that resonate with contemporary audiences and drive brand growth.

NEXA Music: Revolutionizing Indie Music

Consistently delivering high-quality, original content builds trust and credibility, which are essential for sustaining customer relationships and establishing a positive reputation. Well-executed IPs drive value creation by generating new revenue streams through merchandising, licensing, and partnerships, while enhancing our brand equity and allowing for premium pricing opportunities. NEXA Music, our biggest original indie music branded property, exemplifies this transformation. At the heart of NEXA Music lies the discovery of indie talent. The platform provides emerging artists with a stage to showcase their talents, aligning perfectly with NEXAs premium and innovative brand values. Many artists discovered on NEXA Music have gone on to build successful careers in Bollywood and live music. As we move forward, we plan to include regional languages to enable, fuel, and champion this cause even further. Our meticulous planning and high-quality production have resulted in a robust brand presence and deep audience engagement.

STOK N Chill: Setting Industry Benchmarks

Furthermore, IPs provide a platform for deep audience engagement, fostering a sense of community and turning customers into brand advocates. They also support continuous innovation and adaptability, enabling us to experiment with new ideas, explore different content formats, and stay ahead of trends. This ensures that we remain dynamic and competitive in the digital age, positioning us as leaders and influencers in our industry. STOK N Chill, designed as a post-hours relaxation platform, achieved a remarkable 16% organic growthan industry first. Its unique design and sustained year-round content deployment have ensured ongoing audience engagement. The platform's launch and positive reception have exceeded all expectations, underscoring our expertise in creating compelling content that resonates with audiences.

Implications for Brands

In the digital age, strong IPs are crucial for brands to stand out, build deeper connections with audiences, and create lasting value. The achievements of NEXA Music and STOK N Chill illustrate how, with the right strategy and execution, brands can leverage IP to achieve remarkable results. Investing in robust IPs allows brands to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, foster loyal communities, and ensure long-term success. Authentic, high-quality content like that of NEXA Music and STOK N Chill resonates deeply with audiences, driving engagement and loyalty

Conclusion

As we continue to navigate the digital age, the role of IP will only grow in significance. At Qyuki, we are committed to pioneering new frontiers in IP development, leveraging our expertise to create compelling, value-driven IPs that set new industry standards.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.
The global leader in digital imaging technologies,Canon India, has announced the appointment of Toshiaki Nomura as the new President & CEO for Canon India, effective from July 1, 2024.

Nomura has been associated with Canon since the year 1999, and prior to joining Canon India, he played a crucial role in spearheading Canon's Business Imaging Solution (BIS) Division in the Canon Southeast & South Asia Region. Furthermore, with the approach and guidance of Nomura, the BIS Division has achieved significant and sustainable growth.

Expressing his enthusiasm on taking on the new role of spearheading Canons business strategy and operations in India, Nomura said, Indias vibrant and dynamic market offers immense potential, and Canon India is at an exciting stage in its growth journey, by harnessing these opportunities and expanding into new segments. I am thrilled and honored to lead the company through this transformative phase and collaborate with my talented team. Along with continuing our focus on strengthening core business of imaging and printing, I am particularly excited about contributing to development of new businesses such as surveillance, business solutions and industrial printing. By deeply understanding and addressing the unique requirements of the Indian market, it will be my endeavor to ensure our customers are consistently delighted with our high-quality products and services.

Nomuras extensive experience and strategic vision have been instrumental in driving remarkable growth and innovation for Canon in his previous endeavors. With him at the helm of Canon Indias operations, the company aims to continue its upward growth trajectory, by aggressively expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, developing new business segments, and strengthening brand presence across the nation. Canon India remains committed to its mission of Delighting customers always, by contributing to Indian society and economy through their business, product innovations and community centric initiatives.
TPV Technology, one of worlds leading global manufacturer of monitors, with a market share of around 30%, announced the appointment of Sajeev Rajasekharan as the new Managing Director  Philips AVA & Soundbar Business in India. Sajeev brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive and consumer durables industries and has an impressive track record in his previous roles.

This move comes in-line with the companys goal to meet local market demands and ensure the availability of its innovative portfolio of AVA & Soundbars.

Prior to joining TPV Technology, Sajeev was associated with Harley-Davidson as the Managing Director - Asia Emerging Markets & India. He has a trustworthy track record of managing large-scale operations with expertise in business turnaround and driving significant growth. Before joining Harley-Davidson, he worked with Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Ltd as the Executive Vice President. Beyond the automotive space, Sajeev has over 2 decades of experience in consumer durables industries with brands such as Samsung and Panasonic.

At TPV Technology, Sajeev now steps into a pivotal role as the Managing Director of the Philips AVA & Soundbar Business in India.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director  Philips AVA & Soundbar Business- India, TPV Technology, said, I am thrilled to embark on this journey with TPV Technology. Drawing from my extensive background in consumer durables and the automotive industries, I look forward to spearheading the transformative growth and innovation in the Philips AVA & Soundbar segment. I aim to build on the companys strong foundation and steer it towards newer heights of success in the Indian market.

Speaking on the appointment, Ms. Grace Sun, Head Global AVA Business, TPV Technology said, We are thrilled to have Sajeev Rajasekharan as the new Managing Director of our Philips AVA & Soundbar Business in India. With over 30 years of remarkable experience in consumer durables and the automotive industry, Sajeev has a proven track record in managing large-scale operations and driving growth. His leadership and strategic vision will be invaluable as we innovate and expand our presence in the Indian Market.

With his MBA in marketing from Pune University and a career marked by outstanding achievements, Sajeev Rajasekharan stands poised to lead Philips AVA & Soundbar Business in TPV India to attain new milestones.
This Pride Month, White Rivers Media (WRM) built on their ongoing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community by launching a series of impactful initiatives that furthered their efforts to address new-age problems and empower the community. Their conviction being that allyship requires more than just tokenism. WRMs focus continued to be on three key pillars: fostering understanding within its own walls, addressing real-world challenges faced by the community, and amplifying diverse voices. Partnering with the Keshav Suri Foundation, an NGO that works for the betterment of marginalised communities, including LGBTQIA+, WRM spotlighted the pertinent issue of dating app scams targeting folks in the pride community. Their social media campaign aimed to raise awareness, encourage reaching out, and empathise with those being tricked.

They highlighted top LGBTQIA+ campaigns from around the world for inspiration and created the 'Groove with Pride' a Spotify playlist, showcasing the exceptional talent of LGBTQIA+ music artists globally.

The agency hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion in association with The Quint on Pinkwashing the LGBTQIA+ community. This discussion challenged the concept of performative brand support to the pride community and had diverse views from the community and allies.

Shrenik Gandhi, Co-Founder and CEO of WRM, said, True support goes beyond a hashtag or surface-level gestures. At WRM, we are committed to facilitating and fostering an environment where diverse views are heard and addressed, while bridging the gap between gender equality and gender equity. WRM is continuing to enrich inclusion through impactful Pride Month initiatives, bolstering sensitisation through open communication  both internally and externally.
Dear Readers: Since announcing my departure from writing this syndicated column, I have heard from scores of people across various platforms, thanking me for more than two decades of offering advice and wishing me well in my retirement. I am very touched and grateful for this outpouring of support.

The thing is  I dont think of myself as retiring.

I have led a constant, reliable life. I will read even the worst book to the last page. I have never voluntarily left a relationship, an obligation, or any employment.

(I can barely stand to leave a room!)

But Im leaving this seven-day-a-week commitment  because I want to, and because its time.

My intention is to move on and to do other meaningful work.

Writing this column has given me a glimpse into thousands of lives.

The insight I have gained has inspired and empowered me to listen to my own counsel, to be authentic in my actions, and to  basically  be in charge of my own life, as much as possible.

Showing myself the door at this moment reflects the privilege of good health, strong relationships, years of steady employment, and some prudent financial choices. Im very aware of how lucky I am.

My favorite way to envision this work is to picture families reading these columns together at the breakfast table and weighing in with their own points of view before reading mine.

And yes, there are still parents and grandparents out there who clip the newspaper and send pertinent columns to kids in college or summer camp, or tape it to refrigerators and bathroom mirrors.

Ive heard from healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and office workers who say they discuss the issues raised in the column in the break room.

I love knowing that, and Ill miss having coffee with you.

The questions raised in this space have been used as teaching tools in middle schools, memory care units, ESL classes and prisons. These are perfect venues to discuss ethical, human-sized dilemmas.

On my last day communicating with you in this way, I feel compelled to try to sum up my experience by offering some lasting wisdom, but Ive got no fresh insight. Everything I know has been distilled from wisdom gathered elsewhere.

Boxer Mike Tyson famously said, Everybody has a plan, until they get punched . Punches are inevitable. But I do believe Ive learned some universal truths that might soften the blows.

They are:

Show up for people.

Be gentle with yourself  and with others.

Lead with kindness, and recognize kindness when you receive it.

Reserve your harshest judgment. Sit on your worst thoughts about other people and consider the consequences before expressing them.

Be of service by finding something, or someone, to take care of.

Find creative ways to express your feelings.

Admit to your faults and failings, and resolve to do better.

Ask for forgiveness.

Work hard not to be defined by the worst things that have happened to you.

Recognize even the smallest blessings and express gratitude.

Be kind to receptionists, restaurant servers, dental hygienists, and anyone who needs to physically touch or serve you in order to do their job.

Understand that there are times when it is necessary to give up.

Spend time in nature.

Identify, develop, or explore your core ethical and/or spiritual beliefs.

Recognize and detach from your own need to control someone else.

Respect boundaries  yours and others.

Seek the counsel of people who are wiser than you are. Ask their advice, and listen.

I sometimes supply scripts for people who have asked me for the right words to say, and so I thought I would boil these down to some of the most important statements I believe anyone can make.

They are:

I need help.

Im sorry.

I forgive you.

I love you, just as you are.

Im on your side.

Youre safe.

You are not alone.

Now that Im near the end of my movie, I hope youll pay attention to the end credits.

Many thanks to Chicago friends and colleagues, including Jim Warren, who found me, Ann Marie Lipinski, who hired me, Steve Mandell, who represented me, and editors Mary Elson, Bill OConnell and Carrie Williams. Thank you to Gentleman Jack Barry, who softened my exit.

And especially to Tracy Clark, a talented novelist who has helped to correct my faulty thinking and grammar for many years.

Finally, much gratitude to faithful readers, who can find me on social media and through my regular newsletter.

Onward!

Read more Ask Amy and other advice columns.

Ask Amy comes to to an end today, June 30, 2024, after 21 years. You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.
In three years, a citizens review group intended to provide an independent review of police misconduct in Birmingham has heard just three cases.

And only one case proceeded without dismissal.

Since this board was created, weve paid for funerals for Black men that were killed by Birmingham police, said Cara McClure, cofounder of Black Lives Matter Birmingham.

McClure served on Mayor Randall Woodfins task force that recommended forming a community-led group to review police misconduct.

In April 2021, Woodfin did that. He announced a new civilian review board, saying it would provide an independent forum for police accountability.

This is an opportunity to build bridges, to cultivate trust, to create more checks and balances and for ensuring justice, Woodfin said at the time. Were putting reform in the hands of the people.

Three years later, the group has a new name  the Birmingham Public Safety Advisory Committee  and less power.

The problem with this committee is that it has no authority, said Florence L. Finkle, vice president of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. It doesnt have any authority to do anything. So what is it supposed to tell the public its authority is? The goals set forth in the mayors executive order do not match with the actual authority they have.

The committee can hire investigators and mediators, but it doesnt have the authority to subpoena anyone to testify or to get records like body camera video, police reports or personnel records. In fact, the committee isnt allowed to consider the most controversial cases, because the committee cant get involved if theres an internal police department review, a lawsuit or other reviews by the district attorney or the county personnel board.

The group was initially set up as a board. But the city revamped it after the citys legal department realized that boards have specific legal authority that this committee wasnt intended to have, according to Birminghams Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity.

I wanted to identify any holes, said Uche Bean, who is deputy director of the Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity. We looked at everything and we just wanted to take a more critical look.

Spokespeople for Woodfin did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Communities arent showing up

Committee members and city officials say they havent processed a lot of cases because of a lack of community participation.

Rev. Lawrence Conaway, the head of the committee, told AL.com that no news is good news when it comes to police misconduct.

I think its low because there are no cases, said Conaway, a pastor and the chair of a housing organization in Birmingham said at the committees most recent meeting in April. Hopefully there are no cases that police officers are doing what they shouldnt be doing.

The Birmingham Police Department did not provide data about how many complaints have been filed with internal affairs in recent years. AL.com has filed a public records request.

We also want to get the good comments as well, added committee member Victor Revill, a criminal defense attorney in Birmingham.

The five-member citizens committee also includes a former Alabama governor, a police department retiree, and a reentry activist  all appointed by the mayor.

They serve on a voluntary basis and arent paid. The mayor can remove any of the members, per the committees website.

At the groups most recent meeting in April, just three people sat in the audience  two city employees and an AL.com reporter. The committees only action was to vote to meet less frequently  on an as needed basis.

A lot of times communities are complaining, but communities arent showing up. Thats my thing, committee member Dena Dickerson said, suggesting live streaming or recording meetings to boost participation. Why arent you coming if this is an issue for you?

There were no new cases of residents alleging police misconduct brought to the committee to consider. The meeting lasted 14 minutes.

Conaway said fewer than five people had attended the committees five meetings since September.

Bean said low participation is typical for a new committee.

If our residents know about it and understand, they will have confidence in it, Bean said. At this point our only obstacle is the public understanding whats available to them.

Don Siegelman  who is a former governor, secretary of state, lieutenant governor and attorney general for Alabama  told AL.com that he believes the committee is in its embryonic stage, but said he has faith in its potential for impact.

Its going through some growing pains, he said in an interview. I think that the public knowledge of it is probably one reason why we havent had a great deal of interaction from the public. The word will get out, Im sure.

City officials say they have launched targeted ads and other social media posts. Police officers are also expected to inform community members about the committee.

Deterring misconduct

Johnathan Austin is a lawyer and former member of the Birmingham City Council. He dismissed the notion that there arent cases of police misconduct in the city.

In February, a federal jury handed down a nearly $4.5 million verdict against the city and one of its officers for a 2019 shooting.

The citizens themselves know of many instances of police misconduct, said Austin, one of the attorneys who brought the federal lawsuit. If you really cared about these people, then you would provide them another avenue to lodge their complaints. I dont understand why [Mayor Woodfin] doesnt get that.

Attorney Richard Rice pointed to the case of Carl Grant, a 69-year-old Vietnam veteran who died from spinal cord injuries months after a Birmingham police officer body slammed him into the floor at UAB Hospital in 2020.

Grant became confused and disoriented after trying to drive to the grocery store from his home in Georgia but ended up in Birmingham, where a police officer found him wandering, lost. Rice said that he was a victim of poor police training for responding to people who are having a mental health crisis.

Nobody was taking the committee seriously and nobody is taking the Carl Grant case seriously. This is somebodys uncle, grandfather, brother who didnt do anything wrong, he said. They have been trained to use force to resolve situations.

Siegelman, who spent six years in prison for a federal bribery conviction, has been outspoken about condemning excessive force by police, something he said he studied while working for the Department of Justice. The committee, he said, is a first step toward curtailing such violence in Birmingham.

The fact that there is a process thats in place that can be utilized by members of the public is important and helpful, and can serve as a deterrent, he told AL.com. Not only a deterrent to the use of excessive force, but also used as a means to better improve the quality of training and improve the qualifications for specific law enforcement positions.

In the committees case that went to mediation, a resident said she was unfairly diagnosed with a mental illness by officers after she reported her neighbor for harassment. After mediation, police officials apologized to her, corrected the police report that mentioned her perceived mental state, and required the officer involved to go through customer service training and the full department to go through report writing training.

As for the other two cases, one was withdrawn after the person who filed the complaint said their accusation was false. The committee dismissed the other case as unfounded.

Filing complaints

The concept of a civilian review board, while newer to Alabama, is decades-old. It emerged as a popular reform option with more attention amid Black Lives Matter protests and calls for more police accountability in the summer of 2020. There are similar committees formed to weigh in on police misconduct in Alabama, in Huntsville, Mobile, Decatur, Montgomery and Madison.

In 2020, Mayor Woodfin created Birminghams Public Safety Task Force  which included Revill, McClure, and others  to improve public safety. Among that task forces findings was a recommendation to create a citizens advisory board to develop in the first quarter of 2021.

But after it formed, with more than a year of no public meetings, Birmingham relaunched the board last September as a committee.

McClure, who is also executive director of Faith and Works, said that the task force envisioned the committee being community-led and having more power than just advising. She said the task force wanted city council members, not just the mayor, to have authority to select community members as representatives.

She suggested that the committee launch a campaign to spread information about how to file a complaint through libraries, neighborhood associations and knocking on doors.

That will show that this body is real. Right now, its not real. Its not real if the community dont know about it, she said. You have to ask yourself, the mechanisms to file a complaint, is that realistic, if theres already no trust?

Birmingham activist Frank Matthews said hes advocated for civilian oversight since the 1990s.

He wants the current group to be able to review more of the police departments activity and policies. He said the committee should look into how police handle crimes like homicide and exhibition driving, in addition to investigating complaints of misconduct.

The review committee has to have more teeth, and they have to have more access, said Matthews, who was a longtime gang liaison to the mayors office and ran against Woodfin in the mayoral race in 2017. To me, its just window dressing.

Finkle said that recommending mediations between police departments and community members can be valuable.

But NACOLE, the national organization that Finkle represents, lists the principles that make review committees effective. And those include unfettered access to records, community involvement, and independence.

You cant investigate a complaint by just interviewing the person that files the complaint, Finkle said. You need access to records, body worn camera footage, and police officer personnel.

Joseph D. Bryant contributed to this story.
Whats more Birmingham than hot dogs and peanuts?

Two downtown Birmingham institutions -- Guss Hot Dogs on Fourth Avenue North and the Alabama Peanut Company on Morris Avenue -- are teaming up for a pre-Fourth of July pop-up featuring boiled peanuts soaked in Guss Hot Dogs sauce and hot dogs topped with crushed roasted peanuts from the Alabama Peanut Company.

Their Born in the BHM pop-up will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Alabama Peanut Company at 2016 Morris Ave.

The idea is, before everybody heads out for the weekend, we do a little Morris block party, Guss owner Lee Pantazis says.

What better to do for the Fouth of July than hot dogs and peanuts, adds Alabama Peanut Company proprietor Jaime Thursby. So, its perfect timing for finally doing a collab together.

RELATED: Keeping an Alabama peanut tradition alive on Morris Avenue

The two businesses have almost 200 years of collective Birmingham history.

Guss, which AL.com named the best hot dog joint in Birmingham, goes back to 1947, and the Alabama Peanut Company continues a tradition that began in on Morris Avenue in 1907.

Thursby, who is always thinking of new and creative ways to serve his boiled peanuts, has previously collaborated with such iconic Alabama brands as Wickles Pickles, Milos, Full Moon Bar-B-Que and Dales Steak Seasoning on some of his rotating, limited-time-only flavors.

The Guss boiled peanuts will come with some diced onions, a little mustard and a small slice of a charred hot dog  just to give it that little bit of hot dog character, Thursby says.

Like beanies and weenies, Pantazis adds, but peanuts and weenies.

RELATED: Preserving a Birmingham hot dog tradition at Guss downtown

The pop-up menu will also include four varieties of hot dogs, including the traditional Birmingham dog, a Chicago dog, a chili-cheese dog and wan Asian-inspired dog that Pantazis is calling The Melting Pot.

Were going to do a hot dog that is peanut-inspired with a Thai peanut sauce, a southeast Asian slaw and then some crushed peanut on top, he says. Its almost like a little hot dog banh mi.

Theyll be the roasted peanuts from Alabama Peanut Co., Pantazis adds. Im going to take half of them and chop them up for the crushed peanut topping, and the other half Im going to use to make a peanut sauce.

While Wednesdays pop-up is a one-time collaboration, Guss Hot Dogs and the Alabama Peanut Company may partner again later, Pantazis and Thursby say.

If it goes well, it can be an annual thing, for sure, Thursby says. Id be down for it.

For more information about the Alabama Peanut Company, go here. For more information about Guss Hot Dogs, go here.
Former president Donald Trump has extended his lead after President Joe Bidens rocky debate performance last week, according to the latest presidential poll.

Nonpartisan Patriot Polling showed 44% of registered voters were planning to cast a ballot for Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, over 41% who were backing Biden, a Democrat. Slightly more than 11% supported independent Robert Kennedy and 4% were unsure. The results show that Trump has doubled his lead since the organizations last poll in February.

Among those polled, 76% said Trump won Thursdays debate in which Biden sometimes seemed confused and appeared to struggle with his words. Bidens approval rating has also dropped since the groups last poll, falling from 33% in February to 29% in June, something pollsters described as a precarious position for an incumbent seeking reelection.

The nationwide poll was conducted among 1,029 registered voters between June 27-29. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Trump is also ahead of Biden  albeit by a closer margin  in FiveThirtyEights average of recent national polls. That shows Trump leading Biden 42% to 40%. Kennedy is polling at 9%.

The same polling average saw Biden leading by a slim margin as recently as a week ago.

Trump against other Democrats

With calls growing for Biden to step aside, another set of polling numbers suggests that might not help the Democrats cause.

Data For Progress polling shows none of the possible Democratic contenders  including Vice President Kamala Harris  outpolling Trump. In a head-to-head matchup, 48% of likely voters said they preferred Trump over Harris, the choice for 45%. Trump holds similar advantages over a host of possible Democratic contenders including Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, all of whom have been mentioned as possible Biden replacements.

The Data For Progress poll showed only 51% of Democrats and 35% of likely voters thought Biden should remain as the Democratic nominee, a 12-point drop among Democrats since the same question was asked in March.

The Data for Progress poll was conducted among 1,011 likely voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The popularity of "Demon Slayer" is hard to miss within the anime community. It has tons of complex characters, a story that pulls you in, and it helps that the animation is also beautifully made. With the franchise close to an end, it will go out with three films to top it off.

'Demon Slayer' Film Trilogy

There are tons of anime titles that have huge fan bases, and you can count "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" as one of them. You can easily find cosplayers in conventions that don outfits and carry weapons from the anime's universe.

Like many good titles, the show will eventually come to an end, and that time is inching closer. Going out with a bang, the show will end with three films that will have theatrical releases, as reported by Gizmodo.

In an announcement from Crunchyroll, it confirmed that it has acquired the rights to the upcoming "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle," which means that the films will be produced under the popular anime platform.

"Crunchyroll is thrilled to be able to bring this trilogy of films to fans, on the big screen, and it promises to be one of the truly epic and consequential pop cultural events of our time when it hits theaters," the company's President Rahul Purini stated.

It's only right that Crunchyroll will have a hand in creating the ending given that it has been "a part of it from the beginning." That way, we can expect consistent story-telling and will hopefully live up to the quality that has been shown in the series.

The trilogy will be co-released by Sony and will be distributed globally. Strangely enough, there are a couple of excluded countries from Asia including Japan. For now, a release date has yet to be announced but a teaser has already been released.

It won't be the first time that the franchise released a film. Back in 2021, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train" hit the theaters and it was a big hit, so the trilogy is already expected to get a lot of attention as well.

The Popularity of the Franchise

With it being available on Netflix and Prime Video, it was an easily accessible title that could appeal to fans all around the world. It also helped that those who have watched the series have praised it on social media, further adding fame to the title.

According to Game Rant, it has already sold over 150 million copies of its 23 volumes globally. The adventures of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke have been compelling from the beginning and have hooked fans to keep watching until the very end.

With the ultimate goal of avenging the death of his family and turning his sister into a demon, Tanjiro has set out to find Muzan, and in that process, the show has brought out aspects of family, adventure, bravery, combat, and many others. It's only appropriate that the show would end on the big screen.
A Birmingham man has been sentenced to federal prison after he bought two specialized keys from a postal worker that he used to steal mail from outside drop boxes.

Derrell Allen Matthews, 27, bought two Arrow Keys for $3,000 each in a deal brokered over Facebook with a woman who worked at the Fairview Heights Station Post Office. At the time of his 2023 arrest, he was in possession of 17 pounds of stolen mail.

U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco sentenced Matthews to 63 months  more than five years  in prison, according to an announcement Monday by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Scott Fix.

Matthews pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy, paying a bribe to a public official, possession of U.S. Postal Service keys  stolen or reproduced, bank fraud and possession of stolen mail.

Keaundria Janae Gresham, 30, of Pleasant Grove, was previously sentenced to one year in prison for conspiracy, public official accepting a bribe and possession of U.S. Postal Service keys, stolen, or reproduced.

Steven Cornelius Hudson, Jr, 34, of Bessemer, was previously sentenced to three years of probation for possession of stolen mail. According to Hudsons plea agreement, Matthews paid him to drive him around.

Postal inspectors in northern Alabama last year investigated a series of mail thefts and postal carrier robberies. Birmingham, Homewood, Pelham, Hoover, and Vestavia were just a few of the cities that have experienced thefts.

Postal Inspector Montaleto Barber said in the criminal complaint that in the mail thefts, the suspects often used stolen or illegally obtained Arrow Keys to access U.S. Postal Service blue collection boxes to steal mail.

The keys are unique keys that are used only by the U.S. Postal Service and should never be outside of the possession of postal employees.

According to court documents, between August 2022 and April 2023, Matthews used stolen USPS keys to steal mail from several blue collection boxes in Hoover.

Matthews bought the keys from Gresham. Who was a letter carrier and was assigned to a U.S. Post Office in Birmingham. Authorities said she used her position to provide unauthorized USPS keys to Matthews.

In October 2023, Matthews was found in possession of a USPS key, stolen checks, counterfeit checks, blank checks, stock printers and more than 350 stolen, altered, or counterfeit checks totaling over $1 million dollars.

Between October 2021 and May 2023, Matthews deposited altered or counterfeit checks by ATM or mobile deposit into co-conspirators bank accounts.

Matthews took a portion of the deposited amount for himself and left a portion in the account or paid the person by other means.

In April 2023, postal inspectors and Shelby County Sheriffs deputies observed Matthews open two blue collection boxes at the Meadowbrook Post Office. Matthews removed mail from the boxes and put it in the front seat of his vehicle.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver, Hudson, Jr. and the passenger, Matthews, were arrested.
Spanish Fort police are investigating why a 48-year-old border patrol agent shot and killed his ex-wife and then himself Sunday during a horrific case of domestic violence.

According to Police Chief John Barber, Michael Settle shot and killed his ex-wife, 48-year-old Kerri Settle, following an argument that occurred sometime around 10 p.m. at 10 Sailors Cove.

He came over and there was a confrontation that occurred at the house, Barber said. She tried to lock herself in the bedroom. She exited the house where she tried to get away.

Michael Settle then shot and killed her in the front yard before shooting and killing himself, Barber said.

The couple, Barber said, had been divorced since January. Kerri Settle was a career educator and former assistant principal within the Mobile County Public School System.

We dont know what snapped on him last night, Barber said, indicating there had been no prior calls of police assistance at the house involving the Michael or Kerri Settle.

However, a relative of Kerri Settles told AL.com that police went to the home on at least one previous occasion because of Michael Settles outbursts and that Kerri Settles mother accompanied Kerri to the police department for a similar reason.

When asked by AL.com, Barber said that when the department ran a report for their address, there were no previous calls for domestic violence there.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Orange Beach city officials plan to investigate whether the citys ordinance prohibiting vulgar and lewd displays sold inside stores can restrict the type of messaging on aerial banners flown over the citys beaches.

The investigation comes after a plane flew a banner advertising a Texas womans OnlyFans account over the citys beaches. A picture of the banner was captured and posted to an Orange Beach Facebook page, drawing outrage from the citys mayor.

Its pornography, said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. Its advertising pornography. Who am I to judge what adults do? But when you fly advertisement for a pornographic site down the beach in front of thousands of individuals including children, you are a sick individual.

Kennon told AL.com he wasnt sure what kind of jurisdiction the city has in restricting the message, but that he was willing to investigate.

He said it was his understanding that the Federal Aviation Administration controls banner planes, though an FAA official said the agency does not regulate the content of the messaging.

This is the first advertisement I can think of that has been somewhat dark and distasteful or counter to our family-friendly brand, Kennon said. A few years back, we had problems with vulgar T-shirts and the T-shirt shops were bad. We put in an ordinance and (it cleaned it up).

He added, We have zero control on what can be put on the banners.

Ian Gregor, spokesperson for the FAA, said the agency would be charged with overseeing the equipment of the banner planes, but not the messaging of the displays.

A proposal to regulate the messages on banners is outside the FAAs regulatory authority, Gregor said.

Aerial ad bans

The city could push to use its vulgarity ordinance or institute a more widespread ban of aerial banners, which has been considered in only a few U.S. cities.

Banning aerial advertising is rare in the United States, but federal courts have upheld past challenges to banner ad restrictions in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Hawaiian citys aerial ad ban dates to 1978 and has been twice challenged in federal courts. Both times, the ordinance was upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in San Francisco.

The most recent action might be the most substantive for Orange Beach. In 2006, the appeals court ruled the airspace as a non-public forum and Honolulus ordinance banning aerial ads does not violate First Amendment free speech rights.

The case focused on graphic aerial banners paid for by an anti-abortion group that depicted aborted fetuses. The controversial banners were flown over the populated beaches of Hawaii.

The anti-abortion group did get a certificate of permission to fly its banners from the FAA, but it was prevented from doing so by the citys ordinance.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider an appeal, and the citys ordinance remains in effect.

To my knowledge, nothing has changed, and the ban is still in place  there are no flying messages anywhere on Oahu, said Ian Scheuring, spokesperson for Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. On the whole, there are stricter laws here than in most places about preserving natural beauty and viewplanes  we do not allow billboards, either.

OnlyFans

Orange Beach does not have an aerial advertising ban in place, but it does prohibit billboards.

In fact, the city stance against billboards was recently decided by the Alabama State Supreme Court and wrapped up lengthy litigation between the city and Mobile-based Lamar Companies over allegations of selective enforcement. The high court ruled in favor of the city, authorizing the removal of the last remaining billboard along Perdido Beach Boulevard within the citys limits.

The concerns over the OnlyFans banner also puts the London-based company into the spotlight. OnlyFans was founded in 2016, but grew in popularity during the pandemic. While the company has become synonymous with pornography and adult videos, it is a subscription-based platform that has also hosted other content creators such as physical fitness experts and musicians.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

Marcy Nicole Smith, the OnlyFans account advertised by the aerial banner, also could not be reached for comment. On her Facebook page, she defended her appearances on the website saying that selling content on the site has allowed her to give up a fear of other peoples opinions and improved her mental health.

Using my looks to make money does not make me a bad person, she posted recently. I know my own character and that is all that matters.

Kennon said he was unsure which billboard company flew the banner.

Family friendliness

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon speaks ahead of participating in a ceremonial signing of a purchase agreement for the Foley Beach Express on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Foley City Hall. The state purchased the bridge for $60 million and will officially end the $5 one-way toll starting at noon on Thursday, May 23, 2024.John Sharp

The pushback against the OnlyFans banner is only the latest by Kennon and Orange Beach city officials who vow to keep the city  among Alabamas most popular tourist destinations thanks to the beaches  as a sanctuary city for families.

Coffee shops, souvenir stores, jam bands and others have gotten attention because of Orange Beachs efforts to maintain a certain level of family friendliness within the city.

The citys ordinance addressing vulgar and lewd displays was adopted in 2013 after Kennon discovered controversial messages sold inside some of the souvenir stores within the Alabama beach city. Some of the shirts included obscene language and diagrams of oral sex, among other things.

The ordinance acknowledges that the city is heavily invested in protecting a family-friendly environment and that the open display by merchants of merchandise and other display items that can be considered offensive and are visible to children is plainly destructive of the citys family-friendly atmosphere.

The ordinance does not specifically address other items aside from merchandise sold by merchants. It does not address signage.

Kennon, mayor of Orange Beach since 2009, has gotten media attention in the past for offering candid assessments over what he and other city officials consider as a lack of morals when it comes to businesses, events and other attractions on Alabamas beaches.

The most recent example occurred in 2022, over the introduction of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii.

Related content: Slutty, Bad Ass, Wacked Out Weiner: Provocative business names stir debates in Alabama

City officials, during a council meeting nearly two years ago, said the name was inappropriate for children. Kennon blasted the name for not respecting the family-friendly vacation destination brand the city has long tried to sell.

The companys owner, however, said the name was not meant to be profane but to show historical and cultural significance toward donkeys that hauled coffee products in Hawaii.

Kennon was mocked on social media over the coffee fracas, but he said he remains undeterred.

The more I get slings and arrows at me, it means that Im doing something other than being a politician who is trying to get re-elected, Kennon said. My job is to protect Orange Beach and I will continue to do it and when people of Orange Beach are tired of it, they will vote me out of office, or they can kiss my bad ass cup of coffee.
This is an opinion cartoon.

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Ive been pondering that debate debacle ...

Joe Biden is a good president who should ponder retirement. Trump is a lying criminal who should be pondering what his prison name will be.

One thing for sure, that wasnt State of the Union Jacked Up Joe who showed up on the debate stage last Thursday. It was hard to watch Bidens ghost get caught in that cartoonish Trumpy Tasmanian devils firestorm of lies. The optics were a disaster.

Was this one bad night brought on by cold medicine for the 81-year-old president? Or is this the guy the presidents insiders have been able to hide until now? According to an Axios report, that behind-the-scenes juxtaposition plays out daily: Sometimes hes on his game, sharper than people would think, and quicker on his feet. But often its the Biden you saw on the debate stage: tired, slow, halting.

Biden has some pondering to do with his inner circle of family and confidantes. I believe he knows in his heart of hearts if he is capable of handling the daily rigors of the worlds most important job for another four years. The stakes are too high in this election. Biden has built a legacy of lifelong public service. I believe he will ultimately do what he thinks is best for the nation. Whatever that is.

The other guy is a treacherous narcissistic gaslighting menace who would burn this country down just to stay in power.

Personally, I think both Democrats and Republicans could benefit by having open conventions for this election.

Related: January 6 Capitol attack: Trump tried to burn democracy to the ground. Hes still trying - al.com

Related: Whitmire: Democracys at risk? This debate showed its already broken. - al.com

Related: Biden allies shrug off post-Trump debate drop in poll numbers as bed wetting - al.com

One of Bidens favorite columnists is Thomas L. Friedman of the NY Times. It must have been hard for Biden to read these words from Friedmans column: Opinion | Joe Biden Is a Good Man and a Good President. He Must Bow Out of the Race. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

I watched the Biden-Trump debate alone in a Lisbon hotel room, and it made me weep. I cannot remember a more heartbreaking moment in American presidential campaign politics in my lifetime, precisely because of what it revealed: Joe Biden, a good man and a good president, has no business running for re-election. And Donald Trump, a malicious man and a petty president, has learned nothing and forgotten nothing. He is the same fire hose of lies he always was, obsessed with his grievances  nowhere close to what it will take for America to lead in the 21st century.

On the other hand, theres this essay by former Republican political consultant, Stuart Stevens: Opinion | Democrats: Stop Panicking - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Some excerpts:

Its baffling that so many Democrats are failing to rally around a wildly successful president after one bad night. But it does remind me of why Republicans defeated Democrats in so many races Republicans should have lost.

One debate does not change the structure of this presidential campaign. For all the talk of Mr. Bidens off night, what is lost is that Mr. Trump missed a great opportunity to reset his candidacy and greatly strengthen his position.

Mr. Trump could have reassured voters who are horrified, in the wake of Roe v. Wades demise, by the stories of young girls who become pregnant by rape and then must endure extremist politicians eager to criminalize what was a constitutional right for two generations. But Mr. Trump bizarrely asserted that a majority pro-abortion-rights country hated Roe v. Wade and celebrated his role in replacing individual choice with the heavy hand of government.

He could have said he would accept the outcome of the next presidential election. He refused.

For 90 minutes, Mr. Trump unleashed a virulent anti-American rant. The America he lives in is a postapocalyptic hellscape of violence, with people dying all over the place  more Mad Max than morning in America.

My one plea to my new friends abandoning Mr. Biden is simple: Suck it up and fight. Its not supposed to be easy.

Read all of Stevens essay here.

Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe

JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram
Episcopal priests and United Methodist ministers may be just a few years away from full recognition in each others churches and the ability to swap pulpits.

It will be at least three years before clergy for the denominations will have that kind of interchangeability.

The Episcopal Church General Convention, which concluded June 28 in Louisville, approved a resolution affirming the goal of full communion between the Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church.

Full communion means each denomination fully embraces the other as part of the universal Christian church and recognizes their sacraments as authentic; clergy from one can serve in the others church.

There are some big hurdles that would have to be covered, because there is so much variability in Methodist theology that its hard, said Bishop Glenda Curry, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. A lot of work to do.

The United Methodist General Conference that ended May 3 approved a plan for full communion with Episcopalians, pending approval by the 2027 Episcopal Church General Convention.

The Episcopal Church voted last week to celebrate with The United Methodist Church the historic and sweeping changes to the Book of Discipline and Social Principles made at their 2024 General Conference regarding the ordination and marriage of homosexual persons, advancing towards our common goals of an open and inclusive church for all Gods people.

The United Methodist Church voted at its recent General Conference to approve same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination, stances already held by the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church holds its governing General Convention every three years.

By the next one in 2027, the church plans to work on a Principles for the Orderly Exchange of Ministers document and a plan for liturgical recognition and reconciliation of clergy orders with United Methodists.

The Episcopal Church also elected its next presiding bishop, Bishop Sean Rowe, who will take office on Nov. 1, after the nine-year term of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry expires on Oct. 31.

He has a sense of urgency, said Bishop Glenda Curry of Alabama. He sees the culture changing. He sees the need to try new things.

The Episcopal Churchs embrace of the United Methodist Church comes after a major schism in Methodism, in which more than a quarter of United Methodist churches and more than half in Alabama disaffiliated.

A statement released May 14 by the United Methodist Council of Bishops made it clear that United Methodists are not currently in communion with Global Methodist churches that disaffiliated with United Methodists.

Holding Scriptures call for Christian unity before us, we lament that some have chosen to leave The United Methodist Church, wrote Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops.

At the same time, we must clarify that the Global Methodist Church has no official relationship with The United Methodist Church and has not been endorsed by any of its official bodies. There has been no request for such a relationship and, as such, there is no communication taking place to negotiate a common understanding of our two bodies.
The Birmingham-Hoover metro area had over 130 pedestrian fatalities between 2018-2022, according to the 2024 Dangerous by Design report from national community development nonprofit Smart Growth America.

That means 35 more fatalities than the 98 recorded from 2013-2017 (a .67% increase). The increase made Birmingham the 39th most dangerous metro area for pedestrians in Smart Growths ranking of 101 large metros across the U.S.
Alabama public health officials are urging residents to update their pets vaccinations after a fox that attacked an Atmore woman while she was unloading her groceries tested positive for rabies.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that the woman was returning from grocery shopping and unloading her vehicle when, while holding a loaf of bread and seemingly out of nowhere, she was attacked and bitten by a fox.

The fox was taken to a Health Department laboratory where it tested positive for rabies.

The viral disease can be fatal if untreated, but the Health Department notes that the woman has received appropriation medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis.

Although rabies is primarily found in wild animal since widespread vaccination of domestic animals began over 70 years ago, it continues to be a public health threat, said Dr. Dee Jones, State Public Health veterinarian.

Although attacks such as this by rabid wildlife are rather uncommon, it highlights the risk rabies continues to pose and hopefully reminds people to be aware of the risks and continue to vaccinate their pets.

It is rare for people to get bitten by rabid foxes, but incidences do occur.

The most notable attacks were in 2018 in Baldwin County, after people reporting spotting foxes displaying erratic behavior as they roamed the fast-growing county. The state reported 13 cases of rabies in foxes that year, with five confirmations in Baldwin County.

So far this year, there have been 13 positive rabies tests overall, with five each coming from foxes and raccoons. Last year, there were 38 animals who tested positive for rabies in Alabama, with 20 occurring to raccoons and two to foxes.

The year with the most rabies confirmations in Alabama over the past decade was 2015, when there were a reported 83 cases. Of those 53 were raccoons, 13 bats and eight foxes.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks and older be current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian.

Rabies vaccination is multi-faceted, according to the Health Department. It involves people taking precautions with wildlife, making sure pets are current on rabies vaccines, and always reporting an animal bite or other exposures to their medical provider and the ADPH.

In addition, the ADPH provides the following advice to lower exposure to rabies:
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is calling todays Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity a big win for the Constitution.

The senior Alabama senator posted two reactions on social media platform X following the decision.

This came after the court handed down its ruling Monday morning in connection with former President Donald Trumps election interference case.

Tuberville said the decision is a massive loss for the Democrats who have spent four years trying to silence their top political opponent, President Trump.

A big win for the Constitution and the future of our country. pic.twitter.com/UDpelgp8xb  Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) July 1, 2024

The American people, not the courts, will choose the next President of the United States, Tuberville said.

On his other account, Tuberville was more blunt:

The Supreme Court just delivered a crushing blow to Joe Bidens 4-year witch hunt against President Trump.



Trump will wipe the floor with Biden in November. #MAGA  Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) July 1, 2024

The Supreme Court just delivered a crushing blow to Joe Bidens 4-year witch hunt against President Trump, Tuberville stated. Trump will wipe the floor with Biden in November. #MAGA

The Supreme Court extended the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices said for the first time that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for their official acts and no immunity for unofficial acts. The court then sent the case back to lower courts to figure out precisely how to apply the decision to Trumps case.

Sen. Katie Britt said the decision helps to ensure that the leader of the free world can effectively execute the duties of their office without fear of retribution from political prosecutions, particularly as it relates to a Presidents core constitutional powers and other official acts.

The Courts decision upholds and protects Americas foundational system of separated powers and checks and balances, Britt said. Democrats continued partisan campaign to delegitimize the Supreme Court is dangerous, irresponsible, and undermines our constitutional republic.

In another post, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he looks forward to working with a re-elected President Trump:
A retired Birmingham FBI supervisor has been named as a top ranking official at the Birmingham Police Department.

Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday appointed Jeffrey Brown as deputy chief of investigative operations.

Woodfin last week announced Assistant Police Chief LaQuaylin Parhm Mack and Deputy Chief Shelia Frazier-Finney would no longer serve in those roles.

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. Parhm Mack will return to her previous rank of lieutenant if she stays with the department.

Frazier-Finney, a 27-year veteran, retired from the department.

As part of the reorganization, Woodfin promoted Lt. Rodarius Mauldin, who was Parhm Macks assistant, to deputy chief of as the new deputy chief of administration, a position previously handled by the assistant chief.

Brown, who replaces Frazier-Finney, was a 22-year veteran of the FBI and retired as assistant special in charge. He will join BPD later this month.

Brown served in multiple roles during his FBI career, including unit chief in the Counterterrorism Division in Washington, D.C., and violent crimes task force coordinator in Michigan. He led interagency teams conducting critical threat missions overseas during the global war on terrorism.

Prior to his FBI tenure, Brown served as a deputy sheriff, police officer and detective in Michigan and Arizona.

While serving the FBI in Birmingham, Brown led the criminal and administrative branch of the field office, which included special agents, intelligence analysts, professional support staff, and task force officers.

He is the recipient of several commendations and two United States Attorney awards for leading criminal investigations.

Brown will join Chief of Police Scott Thurmond, Deputy Chief of Special Operations Michael Pickett, Deputy Chief of Patrol Operations Onree Pruitt, and Mauldin.
A 72-year-old man from Clermont, Florida was arrested for shooting a Walmart delivery drone while the team has been conducting mock deliveries.

The police found a bullet hole in the payload that the drone was carrying, indicating that the gun sound heard by the crew targeted the drone.

Read Also : Walmart Expands InHome Delivery Services to Boston, Other Cities

Walmart Delivery Drone Suffers Damage in Mock Delivery

The Walmart crew filed a complaint to the Lake County Sheriff's Office due to the shooting incident. According to the two-man team, the drone was conducting mock deliveries in the area to introduce and attract customers to the new service.

While waiting for the drone, a loud sound similar to a gunshot was heard by the crew. The investigation discovered that the payload was shot which can cost up to $2,500.

Witnesses shared that they saw Dennis Winn, a 72-year-old man, shot the drone when it flew over his home. The police revealed that a 9mm pistol was used by the shooter to damage the device.

Lake Country Arrests Walmart Drone Shooter

According to Winn, he had seen drones flying over his home in the past and believed that the devices were conducting surveillance on him, resulting in the action. The witnesses helped the police locate the shooter and were able to conduct a Miranda interview.

Winn was charged with a second-degree felony for shooting an aircraft, a third-degree felony for criminal mischief causing damage over $1,000, and a misdemeanor for firing on public or residential property.

Last month, Walmart started to add the drone delivery option to its shopping app. Customers can now receive their items within 30 minutes or less.

The retail giant has been piloting drone deliveries since 2021 and has recorded over 30,000 deliveries to date.
We watch Washington D.C. like wed watch a ship steaming way too fast toward a crowd on the pier. Our nations capital is so filled with corruption, ladder-climbing, and plain stupidity that its embarrassing to watch. This is America?!?

Yet the Democrats we know personally are not guilty of those sins. Many are smart, hard-working, kind, educated people and yet they voted for the wasted shell in the oval office -- a man who is not only suffering from dementia, but has never been very bright, or very good. A lot of these lovely people appear to be planning to vote for him again. How can that be? How can even a third of our compatriots think Biden is okay? I believe it to be one of the most startling paradoxes of our time. These proud, sophisticated, overeducated folks are, unlike the power brokers of the party, simply naive. Theyre hopelessly gullible. How they can possibly be both -- naive and sophisticated -- is beyond me. For these lefty-leanies, the Brooklyn Bridge is always for sale at half price and someone else will pick up the difference. Let us list the facets of the Democrat fairytale:

They assume that other people are just like them -- hardworking, clean, healthy, nice, fun-loving. It just doesnt occur to them that the man dragging two kids across the border isnt their father and is only interested in selling them. The fact that most of these illegals are young men of military age doesnt ring any bells for the average Democrat. Somehow the only reaction to these intruders is to feel sorry for them -- not to be cautious about their motives, or to be concerned about what diseases they may carry or where their education stopped. They think people are what they portray themselves to be. To them, there is no angry, sexually abused, misfit of a young man behind the exuberant makeup and the green sequined dress. From their point of view, college professors are wise, good, and superior and have no intention of disabusing your child of his upbringing. No priest or Boy Scout leader has any perverse designs on your kids. How cynical to suspect that theyre anything other than caring and compassionate. Ambrose Bierce, in his hilarious book The Devils Dictionary, defines cynic as a person who sees things as they really are. Then I guess Im a cynic. Wont you join me? This attitude slithers out from the lefts assumption that there is basically no evil, no sin, that people are all basically good (except Republicans, of course). A middle-class leftist can look at a drag queen reading to three-year-olds and not see anything perverse and nasty. A thief is just someone overreacting to some 200-year-old atrocity done to someone elses ancestor. A rapist just needs counseling. The 85,000 missing kids? Oh look! Theres a squirrel! Speaking of naivete -- this one is a doozy. These fanciful folk think that a law passed is a law obeyed -- to the letter. Dont like guns? Ban them and they will be no more. In fact, there will be no more violence. Look at what happened with bipartisan Prohibition -- did everyone just suck it up and quit drinking? No. The Mafia was born. Which brings up the issue of rich verses poor. The loony leftist assumes that the poor are poor because of the rich . The wealthy have more than their fair share (as if wealth is limited -- it isnt: its produced, but thats another discussion.). So -- if we raise taxes on the rich, well have enough money to give a lot to the poor and well all be equal. Right? That just beats all. How do they think the rich got that way? Not by being stupid. No law has ever been written that didnt have a loophole in it. The rich can afford to lobby Congress to get those loopholes created. And the rich can afford to hire people smart enough to find and appropriate those loopholes. What makes matters worse is that not only do the rich get richer, but those whose job it is to redistribute the wealth gain power and use that power to get even richer themselves. So, the poor will always be with us. The naive can cling to their suppositions because, in their world, truth and logic are no longer required, no longer absolute, no longer respected. Neither are facts. I havent just observed this, Ive been told this by brilliant, well-educated people. One guy, who holds three hard-science doctorates, patiently explained to me that logic is now passe. Ive also been told that facts dont matter. Outright lies dont even seem to faze leftists, no matter whether theyre on the receiving or the delivery side of the lie. It is hard to have a productive conversation with those who live according to these rules. The by-default Left believes that feelings are where reality lives. What matters is how I feel. If I feel like a princess, or a giraffe, or Napoleon, by George, you need to deal with me as such. Never mind that mutilation -- either bodily or linguistically -- may be required. The Democrats I know feel that loyalty to a party is more important than loyalty to our country. Most of the Democrats I know are Democrats only because they always have been. One doesnt just abandon a ship because someone has drilled a hole in the hull. And if you dont even notice the hole -- such a position doesnt require a person to know anything about whats going on. It doesnt demand much in the way of common sense thinking or practicality. Just yell Go-team-go! And burn down a building now and then. Being an automatic leftist is also easy in that one doesnt need to know history or geography. How many of the pro-Palestinian activists even know where Israel is, let alone how she got there? Besides which, the gullible Left believes all cultures are the same in value. Its just fine that a Muslim father thinks he should kill a disobedient daughter. Its okay if the Netsilik Eskimos put their elderly out on ice floes to freeze to death on the barren ice. No problem if the Chinese enslave their people. For these compliant leftists, tolerance is the most important virtue and wealth the most egregious sin. You just hate the rich, especially if theyre white, and especially if theyre male. No other judgment needed. No courage necessary. No kindness required.

Having listed these traits, whats to be done? Im afraid that the fanciful will always be with us, so it is doubly important that we keep our feet solidly planted in reality, in Gods truth, in common sense. Someone has to mind the store, watch the kids, and plow the north forty. And we have to win elections -- honestly and by huge margins, remembering that our opponents dont mind cheating -- see #6. However, we need to see our deluded fellow Americans as just that. The bigwig Democrats are patently evil -- look what they allowed (or planned) to have happen to Joe Biden in that debacle they called a debate. They were clearly eating their own. But our friends, neighbors, and countrymen are not those people. Lets remind ourselves of that now and then so that when the cannon smoke clears, we can all still be friends.

Deana Chadwell is an adjunct professor and department head at Pacific Bible College https://pacificbible.edu in southern Oregon. She teaches writing, logic, and literature. She can be contacted at 1window45@gmail.com

Image: Lorie Shaull
The day after Joe Biden turned in the horrific debate performance that many of us knew was coming, and after countless Democrat apparatchiks finally had to admit what many of us have long known -- that Joe Biden is unfit to serve as U.S. President -- Biden got out on the campaign trail and declared,

Folks, I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong.

Prior to this, immediately after the debate, and just after treating her husband like a five-year-old who had just finished his tee-ball game, Jill Biden led the faithful in declaring Donald Trump a liar. As Joe Biden continues to resist calls to drop out of the race (though, that could change soon), the American Left is clinging to two particular refrains when it comes the race for the White House: Donald Trump is a liar and a threat to democracy.

The threat to democracy accusation is getting Democrats virtually nowhere. In a richly hilarious bit of irony, a recent Washington Post poll found that Trump beat Biden by double digits (44% to 33%) in who would best protect America from threats to democracy. (Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for the Democrat lackeys at the Post to publish these results?!)

Even more absurd is the Democrat Party touting their candidate -- Joe Biden, or whomever it turns out to be -- as an agent of truth. When it comes to the most important moral issues of our time, few entities have been on the wrong side of the truth more often than has the Democrat Party and their apologists.

The Democrat platform has long been a mountain of lies. On everything from abortion to universal health care, the Democrat Party has lied repeatedly, for decades. Since at least the early 1970s, in order to justify killing the most helpless and innocent among us -- the unborn -- the American Left has continuously dehumanized the unborn. They have told countless lies about the consequences of killing a child in the womb. They have even gone so far as to attempt to justify what could only be described as infanticide.

The numerous lies surrounding abortion were born from the Lefts lies on sex. With devastating consequences, the Left has preached to generations of Americans the pagan principle Do as thou wilt when it comes to matters in the sexual realm. Thus, millions of Americans have been deceived into believing that they can have sex whenever they like, with whomever they like, without consequence. And, of course, if an unwanted child results, the left demands the right to kill it.

Likewise, the evil LGBT agenda was born out of the Lefts lies on sex. Among much other wickedness, the LGBT agenda has resulted in the perverse lie that is same-sex marriage along with the absurd lie that, through mutilating their bodies, human beings can change their sex.

In the name of more power and control over our lives -- just as we saw with COVID -- the Left continues to promote the lie that man-made global warming climate change threatens the planet. This lie has become the new religion of first-world elites. This lie also demands trillions of dollars in a foolish and ineffectual energy transition, that the use of fossil fuels must stop, and that we should eat bugs instead of beef.

The Lefts lies on police and crime have led to pervasive and enduring lawlessness in numerous American cities. Of course, this resulted from the widespread effort to defund the police in Democrat-controlled cities and states. Because the Left cant tell the truth about crime, Democrat-run cities are also littered with the homeless, squatters, and drug users to the point that millions of Americans are fleeing these liberal hellholes.

In an attempt to Make America Mexico Again, or to import more Democrat voters, the Left continues to lie about their desire for open borders and the devastating consequences of this destructive, intentional policy. The Biden administration alone has lied over and over again about the crisis at our southern border. Unsurprisingly, the attempt to bolster this lie with virtue-signaling sanctuary city policies has backfired big time on Democrats.

One of the most lucrative lies for the Left is the idea that systemic racism still plagues the U.S. This is a rather effective lie as well, as three-fourths of Joe Biden voters believe that America is a racist nation. Of course, it makes it rather easy to paint a nation or an individual as racist when almost everything that exists can described as racist.

For example, according to the Left, merely wanting peace and quiet is now white supremacy. Similarly, being fit is racist, the Electoral College is racist, math is racist, and even being born white is racist.

And who can forget the lefts repeated lies on Trump-Russia collusion and the Hunter Biden laptop? Whats more, the Left has long lied about guns and gun violence, education, the economy, and even the nature of truth itself.

The Left lies as if it were its native language. For many years now I have said that one of the greatest tools of Satan in the world today is the Democrat Party. In John 8:44, speaking of Satan, Jesus declares, When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Given how frequently and demonstrably the Left lies, it seems my claim is spot on.

Trevor Grant Thomas

At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason.

www.trevorgrantthomas.com

Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America

Image: VectorPortal.com
Marxist activists and historians, along with their left-wing allies often make the claim that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics under Joseph Stalin should somehow receive our thanks and praise for the defeat of Nazism. They often back this up with the statistical figure that many more Soviet soldiers died defeating Nazi Germany than American soldiers or the Western Allies.

While this statistic is true, it does not mean that the USSR should be thanked for defeating Nazi Germany, or that without the USSR, Nazi Germany would not have been defeated. This myth will be debunked thoroughly in this article.

The USSR played a key role in the rise of Nazi Germany. Starting in the 1920s, the Germans and Soviets began a partnership of military cooperation in both training and industrial engineering, starting with the Rapallo Treaty and reaffirmed in the Treaty of Berlin. This cooperation was significant: in exchange for German engineering assistance, many future famous German officers would be able to train in the Soviet Union. This was done to hide such activities from the Western Allies, since the Treaty of Versailles prevented German re-armament. It was not the Soviets training the Germans: It was the Soviets allowing German industry to produce (via shell companies) in the USSR and allowing the Weimar/Nazi military to train on Soviet territory, away from Western Allied inspectors.

The generals who were involved in the training on Soviet territory will be familiar to anyone who follows military history. Here are a few:



Heinz Guderian  Considered by many to be the father of armored warfare (a title which is probably not accurate, but not relevant to this discussion), Guderian studied armored tactics in the USSR and refined his theories that would make him a successful armored commander in the early stages of World War II.

Erich von Manstein  One of the best German generals of the war, Manstein was heavily involved in German-Soviet cooperation during the interwar period. He was responsible for the Battle of France, when the Wehrmacht achieved in seven weeks what the Kasiers army could not in 4 years and drove the British Army to its humiliating salvation at Dunkirk.

Albert Kesselring  Was involved in many aspects of aviation training in the USSR. Sending German pilots to flight school in the USSR was one of the ways that the Germans avoided the Treaty of Versailles. This contributed greatly to the early war success of the Luftwaffe.

Despite the ideological differences the Nazis had with the Soviets, this cooperation continued clandestinely after 1933. Germany, who was lacking natural resources, would often trade their technical expertise for Soviet raw materials. Military training continued, and German officers and engineers gained valuable experience working with the Soviet Union.

In 1939, this relationship was formalized with the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. In it, the Nazis and the Communists agreed to carve up Poland and the Soviets provided the Nazis with millions of tons of valuable war material such as oil, metals and even food.

This was all happening as Hitlers panzers rolled across France in 1940. The Nazis were receiving millions of tons of Soviet aid as Hitler conquered France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Greece. Nazi Germany won its most significant military victories while receiving massive amounts of supplies from the Communists.

In the end, the Communists did not turn against Hitler out of moral indignation at the Nazi regime: they had no say in the matter, because Hitler betrayed them first and invaded the USSR in June 1941.

The Communists were perfectly happy to supply the Nazis with badly needed oil and food while the Dachau Concentration Camp was operating.

Further, the Soviets were in a non-aggression pact with Imperial Japan for most of World War II. After the battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939, the Soviets contributed almost nothing to Allied victory in Asia. Marxist historians will often point to the invasion of ManchuTia (after the 5-year non-aggression pact expired) as being a factor in Japans surrender: this is possible, however the Soviets possessed no serious navy to get their army from China to Japan. Even after being devastated by the United States Navy in battles like Midway and the Marianas, the Imperial Japanese Navy was still larger than the Soviet Pacific Fleet. The Soviets were in no position to threaten Japan without getting there on US ships, and they could never have fielded a Navy capable of taking on the IJNs Combined Fleet in its prime.

After the Soviets were backstabbed by Hitler, they were still unable to produce many vital war supplies that had to be supplied by the Western Allies: in particular, high quality radios and high-octane aviation fuel were items that the Soviet industry was simply unable to produce. The USSR relied on Lend-Lease for both items.

The myth that we should be thankful to Communism because they lost more men defeating the Nazis is yet another vicious Marxist deception: the Communists were just as, if not more, responsible for the rise of Nazi Germany as they were for its fall. The Nazis won their greatest military victories while their tanks were running on oil from the Soviet Union and being led by generals who had trained in the Soviet Union, with pilots whose instructors had attended flight school in the Soviet Union. This was happening while the United States was sending millions of dollars of war supplies to Great Britain, who was fighting to stop Hitler and the Nazis.

All the Soviet Union did was prevent Germany from becoming a nuclear wasteland. Had the western allies been unable to invade Germany or perform the invasion of Normandy (which was enabled by the Soviet Operation Bagration), the United States had nine nuclear bombs by the end of 1945 and could build them at a rate of one bomb per month, a capacity that would only have increased as 1946 progressed. Berlin, Dresden and a half-dozen other German cities would have been leveled, along with anywhere the German Army massed for an attack or defense. And Germany was far less determined to fight to the death than Imperial Japan.

While the sacrifice of the millions of Red Army soldiers should be respected, it should come with the understanding that the Soviets helped the Nazis rise as much as they participated in their downfall. Had the Soviets not allowed German officers to train in Russia, had Stalin not made an agreement with Germany and had the Communists not provided the Nazis with vital war supplies such as oil and rare metals, Hitler may not have been able to conquer seven countries from Sept 1939 to June 1941.

Image via Picryl.
How low Australia has fallen -- our once-great BHP now has a Vice President for Climate, the number of Australian students choosing physics at high school is collapsing, and our government opposes nuclear energy while pretending we can build and operate nuclear submarines.

Our Green politicians want: No Coal, No Gas, No Nuclear while Our ABC, Our CSIRO and Our Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) are telling us that wind and solar energy plus a bit of standby gas, heaps of batteries, and new power lines can power our homes, industries, and the mass electrification of our vehicle fleet. This sounds like Australias very own great leap backwards.

There are two troublesome Green Energy Unions -- the Solar Workers down tools every night and cloudy day, and the Turbine Crews stop work if winds are too weak or too strong. And wind droughts can last for days. The reliable Coal and Gas Crews spend sunny days playing cards, but are expected to keep their turbines revving up and down to keep stable power in the lines.



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Magical things are also expected from more rooftop solar. AEMO says we need to quadruple rooftop solar by 2050. But panel-power has four huge problems:

Zero solar energy is generated to meet peak demand at breakfast and dinner times.

Piddling solar power is produced from many poorly oriented roof panels or from the weak sunshine anywhere south of Sydney. If too much solar energy pours into the network (say at noon on a quiet sunny Sunday), the grid becomes unstable. Our green engineers have the solution -- be ready to charge people for unwanted power they export to the grid, or just use smart meters to turn them off. More rooftop solar means less income and more instability for power utilities so they have to raise electricity charges. This cost falls heaviest on those with no solar panels, or no homes.

Magical things are also expected from batteries.

When I was a kid on a dairy farm in Queensland, I saw our kerosene lamps and beeswax candles replaced by electric lights. We had 16 X 2 volt batteries on the veranda and a big thumping diesel generator in the dairy.

(At least those old lead acid batteries on our veranda did not catch fire and explode while recharging.)

It was a huge relief, years later, when power poles bringing reliable electricity marched up the lane to our house. All those batteries disappeared with the introduction of 24/7 coal power.

Batteries are not a generator of power -- they just store energy generated elsewhere, incurring losses on charging and discharging.

There has to be sufficient generating capacity to meet current demand while also recharging those batteries. What provides electricity to power homes, lifts, hospitals and trains and to recharge all those vehicle batteries after sundown on a still winter night? (Hint: Call the reliable coal/gas/nuclear crews.)

The same remorseless equations apply to all the pumped hydro schemes being dreamed up  every one is a net consumer of power once losses are covered and the water is pumped back up the hill.

Yet AEMO hopes we will install 16 times our current capacity of batteries and pumped hydro by 2050 -- sounds like the backyard steel plans of Chairman Mao or the Soviet Gosplan that constipated initiative in USSR for 70 years. Who needs several Snowy 2 fiascos running simultaneously? All taxpayer funded, AEMO planned, ABC supported and union run -- what could possibly go wrong?



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Mother Nature has created the perfect solar battery which holds the energy of sunlight for millions of years. When it releases that energy for enterprising humans, it returns CO2 for plants to the atmosphere from whence it came. It is called coal.

Hydrogen gets a lot of hype, but it is an elusive and dangerous gas that is rarely found naturally. To use solar energy to generate hydrogen and to then use that hydrogen as a power source is just another silly scheme to waste water and solar energy. It always takes more energy to produce hydrogen than it gives back. Let green billionaires, not taxpayers, spend their money on this merry-go-round.

Who is counting the energy and capital consumed, and the emissions generated, to manufacture, transport, and install a continent being covered by ugly solar panels, bird slicers, high-voltage power lines, access roads, and hydro schemes? Now they want to invade our shallow seas. Who is going to clean up this mess in a few years time?

As Jo Nova says:

No one wants industrial plants in their backyard, but when we have to build 10,000 km of high voltage towers, 40 million solar panels and 2,500 bird killing turbines -- its in everyones backyard.

With all this planned and managed by the same people who gave us Pink Batts, Snowy 2 hydro, and the NBN/NDIS fiascos, what could possibly go wrong?

Another big problem is emerging -- country people dont want powerlines across their paddocks, whining wind turbines on their hills, and glittering solar panels smothering their flats. And seaside dwellers dont want to hear or see wind turbines off their beaches. Even whales are confused.

The solution is obvious -- build all wind and solar facilities in electorates that vote Green/Teal/Labor. Those good citizens can then listen to the turbines turning in the night breezes and look out their windows to see shiny solar panels on every roof. This will make them feel good that they are preventing man-made global warming. Those electorates who oppose this silly green agenda should get their electricity from local coal, gas, or nuclear plants.

What about the net zero targets?

At the same time as Australia struggles to generate enough reliable power for today, governments keep welcoming more migrants, more tourists, more foreign students, and planning yet more stadiums, games, and circuses. All of this generates more emissions and is incompatible with their demand for net zero emissions.

Unlike Europe, the Americas, and Asia, Australia has no extension cords to neighbors with reliable power from nuclear, hydro, coal or gas -- we are on our own.

Australia has abundant resources of coal and uranium -- we mine and export these energy minerals. But Mr. Chris Bowen, our Minister for Blackouts, says we may not use our own coal and uranium to generate future electricity here. Someone needs to tell him that no country in the world relies solely on wind, solar, and pumped hydro. Germany tried but soon found they needed French nuclear, Scandinavian hydro, imported gas, and at least 20 coal-fired German power plants are being resurrected or extended past their closing dates to ensure Germans have enough energy to get through the winter.

Australia is the only G20 country in which nuclear power is illegal (maybe no one has told green regulators that we have had a nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney since 1958). Australia is prepared to lock navy personnel beside nuclear power plants in our new nuclear-powered submarines but our politicians forbid nuclear power stations in our wide-open countryside.

More CO2 in the atmosphere brings great benefits to life on Earth. If man adds to it, the oceans dissolve a swag of it, and what stays in the atmosphere is gratefully welcomed by all plant life.

In 2023 Australia added just 0.025 ppm to the 420 ppm in todays atmosphere. Most of this probably dissolved in the oceans. If we in Australia turned everything off tomorrow, the climate wouldn't notice -- but our plant life would, especially those growing near power stations burning coal or gas and spreading plant food.

Climate has always changed and a warm climate has never been a problem on Earth.

It is cold that kills. Especially during blackouts.
Most now know Joe Biden has serious dementia problems. Many thought this was already true during the last election. They kept him in the basement, he never did much, never campaigned much, never gave many press conferences, and even they were scripted. Since he has been installed to the presidency, he rarely makes appearances, doesnt really take unscripted questions, and has been set up to be hidden most of the time. Things have hit a tipping point with this debate. Many Democrat deniers have been shocked with the truth of this problem in spite of the feeble attempts to walk it back by Joes cabal.

There are much bigger issues than the cat being let out of the bag and announcing itself on the stage of this debate. Yes, there is a shock for too many, but there is a deeper, more nefarious problem very few have mentioned.

Joe is not capable of running the country. Thats a fact. The bigger question: Who is it that will actually now make the decisions? More important, who has been running this country these years while pretending Joe was President? This is a hard point to get beyond: These people, whoever they are, all knew. Not only did they know, they also pretended Joe was normal. Just Joe, the blue-collar guy from Scranton. Never mind the man behind the curtain.

This cabal extends to most of the leftist media and the tech oligarchs. They lied as well. These lies were promulgated to maintain and aggrandize their own power, wealth, and ideological beliefs. Done at the expense of an entire country, done at the expense of each and every citizen of this country. Heck, done at the expense of setting the world on fire, as they clearly and perhaps inadvertently have.

This is the issue: What kind of people would want to pull this travesty off? Answer: Very sick people, people awash in evil, people who value power over all, people who willingly lie and cheat to maintain their power. People who think their moral status is so high they are willing to go into the gutter and use a man with dementia so they can clandestinely run this country.

How does one go this far down the path to Hell jadedly thinking they are entitled to power? Entitled to do anything, no matter how horrid, to maintain that power.

Ladies and gentlemen, the mask is off. Behold the demons who are running this country. Preening fools who think they are smart enough to claim the emperor does, after all, have new clothes. Dont believe your eyes, believe them because they are the superior ones.

God help them, especially Jill Biden. Theyre going to need all the help they can get in the coming years because this will not go away.

The natural response to this has been shock for much of the country. Let me suggest this sense of shock is going to evolve into slow and deep anger from many. Recognizing you have been fooled by people you trusted is the problem for Democrats. There will be soul-searching by many of their voters. For those who knew, realizing there is a large group of people that propagated or knew about this disgrace should bring a slow, deep, righteous anger. Neither of those groups is likely to forget soon. That, in spite of the overtime the cabal must put in to try to blunt this truth.

The cat is not only out of the bag, but its dancing an Irish jig and wont leave the stage for months.

This should be the singular issue of the rest of the campaign. Of course the cabal will try to change it with shiny objects they will dangle around. However, a dementia patient in charge of the worlds most powerful country will not fly. Those who propped him up will not fly either.

If I had one piece of advice to the Trump campaign it is this: Do not press for

Bidens removal. Rather press to bring this cabal to its knees for what it has done. Dont make fun of Joe, thats not funny. Do make fun of the people who shoved him down our throats as a perfectly functioning, wonderful President. Remind all voters, every day, what they have done. The list of the failures of this cabal is huge, as Trump pointed out so well in the debate. Repeat that list daily because these failures are demonstrably true, because these combined fiascos are destructive and terrible for all. Just as important, remind us of this cabal who lied to the American public for all this time. Remind the public in multiple ways just how wrong it has been to run the country through a man who wasnt really there. Remind the public the media who was so freaked out by Joes debate performance were fine with him running the country. Remind us how deranged and morally failing all of these people must be. Because what they have done is awful.

Side note: If they try to change the candidate, remind the voters this new candidate will be the choice of the group who was disgusting enough to do all this in the first place. If they make the change from Joe, nothing will change. The wrongdoing is too entrenched in the Democrat leadership. Trump should start making this point right away, tie these Democrat leaders to each other, remind people these party leaders all knew they were lying about Joe, and these are the ones who cannot be trusted to replace Joe. They cannot be allowed to be the ones to choose another person. Remind us they will lie about their new choice as they lied about Joe. Their failures will simply transfer to Joes replacement.

To all voters: If you once trusted the Democrat party leaders and the media, realize you cant now. This lie is a bridge too far. For those that knew, however much you disliked these immoral people before, realize you should disdain them even more for what they have done here. This was a hateful thing done by people steeped in self-loathing. This was an arrogant thing done by people who are not half as smart as they think they are. Its off the chart of awful.

So where do we go as Trump supporting conservatives?

We must not fall into the trap of thinking this election is over. Its not. These people are still in power and will clearly try to cheat/lie themselves in an ongoing way to maintain their ill-gained status. Be aware of their ability to foster false flags, be aware they are cornered animals and will fight hard to survive.

Instead of misusing anger to simply be upset with this evil, channel that slow burning anger into resolve and into finishing this election as a seminal event in American history. Go to work with the new and revamped Lara Trump RNC to elect unstoppable majorities, become poll workers, sign up with Trump Force 47 Home | Trump Force 47, chase ballots with Charlie Kirk @TPUSA, work for and donate to candidates you know and trust. Do not stop until the swamp has been swamped.

Become part of this pivotal 1776 time in our history. Lets get started. Work until Trump is safely elected. Dont stop.

Image: LIDayo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
In an interview with Israel Hayom, Professor Michael Wolffsohn of the Federal Army University in Munich stated:

"Hamas is not just a terror army, but also an organization that holds a modern ideology for the extermination of Jews."

Wolffsohn is one of the worlds leading researchers on the analysis of German-Israeli relations.

According to Wolffsohn, students in Europe and the U.S. who express solidarity with Hamas:

are actually expressing solidarity with the values of the Nazi Einsatzgruppen, who were the spearhead of the German masterplan for the extermination of the Jews.

With due respect to Professor Wolffsohn, the spirit of Hamas is not confined to the Palestinian-controlled territories.

The notion and depth of Hamas has been promoted and expanded by professors, lecturers and administrators who have infiltrated elite Western universities in pursuit of their Marxist-Islamist global deception.

This negative and dangerous influence is felt in government decisions made by tainted administrators, the media, and corporate America.

But not only America.

It has been allowed to expand its influence with open border policies, inviting an alien mass immigration, a migration that exported the Jihadism of Hamas from the Middle East into Western countries in which they take root and spread their influence.

This migration has changed Western societies forever, permitted by a dormant indigenous population that left critical decisions to their elected Socialist leaders who ruined their nations economies, security, traditional values, and self-confidence, out of a delusional political appeasement to the unappeased stranger.

That sprit, the notion of Hamas, is no longer something that we Israelis alone have to deal with.

Yes, we are at the forefront of the war of civilizations against the uncivilized, but it is increasingly embedded in your society, whether you are reading this from the American continent, Europe, or Australasia.

Deal with it before they devour you, as we are dealing with it as I am writing this to you.

Be warned! First, they come for the Saturday people.

Barry Shaw is the Senior Associate for Public Diplomacy at the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies. He is also the author of Fighting Hamas, BDS and Anti-Semitism,' '1917. From Palestine to the Land of Israel, 'BDS for IDIOTS,' and his latest work 'A Tale of Love and Destiny,' the dramatic life of a Jewish heroine.

Image: thephotostrand, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0
Some of us weary of DEI wonder if it means Didnt Earn It? Others hiss and remind us that DEI means Dont Even Inquire!

That's what's in mind now given the unanswered questions swirling around Wes Moore, the black Democrat governor of Maryland, who's being trotted out in the press right now to discuss the faltering of Joe Biden.

Moore certainly seems to be a Democrat opportunist in the mold of Rahm Emmanuel who said, Never let a crisis go to waste. A bridge collapses in Maryland and he imagines himself being sworn in as POTUS.

That's an actual possibility now, given that Joe Biden has messed up his June 27 debate, and the names of potential replacements are being bruited about. Sure, he denies interest. But they all do at this point.

At the risk of being awarded the Scarlet R, amid this media buildup, I would like to ask, as a resident of Maryland, a few questions about Moore, who is sure to be given glowing press coverage:

Did Wes Moore earn a Bronze Star during his time in the Army? Does he, like Joe Biden, embellish and allow others to embellish his own history to advance his career? What kinds of petty crime did he commit before his mother sent him to military school? Is he the latest DEI messiah from the Democrat party, hoping to out-Obama Obama?

Friends of Wes Moore may react to my questions as unfair.

Wes Moore may be the real deal and I will say so if he is.

But for now, I would respond with caution. As the press is bound to be touting him for his dream job of POTUS, I remember that Barack Obama was also feted in the press, and became POTUS before he was thoroughly vetted.

How did that work out for us? He was rammed down our throats by Ted Kennedy and the hidden patrons of Obama. I am not a fan of Hillary Clinton, but I bet she could tell us some stories about the bum rush that put Obama into the White House.

That's important, because as the nation watched Joe Biden collapse rhetorically on a debate stage with Donald Trump, Wes may see Bidens political corpse as a bridge to the White House. Fortunately for Gov. Moore, he hasnt had enough time in office to do unto Maryland what Gov. Hairdoo has done to California.

In Shakespeares tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence cautions young Romeo, saying, Wisely and slow, they stumble who run fast.

The Democrats are in a hurry to find a candidate to run against Trump in 2024 now that some are urging that Biden be given the hook by some after his terrible debate performance.

Would Governor Moore of Maryland give us more or less of what we need in these dangerous times?

Ned Cosby, a frequent contributor to American Thinker, is a former pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired career public high school teacher. His novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby.

Image: Screen shot from CBS's Face The Nation video, via YouTube
After Joe Bidens disastrous debate performance, a flurry of conservative articles pointed out that the mainstream media have now been exposed as covering up Bidens cognitive incapacity all this time, with titles along the lines of They knew, and They knew we knew they knew, and so on. Well of course they knew; its been obvious the MSM has been under orders for years to (borrowing an expression) hide the decline. Think about it; they let Biden get away with demanding press conference questions in advance, Biden would call only on those whose questions were vetted and selected, they would recite verbatim the question submitted, and then he would essentially recite his prepared response. Imagine the uproar if Trump had tried that.

But Id say their complicit behavior dates back (at least) to the Trump-Russia collusion plot, when the MSM collectively were strangely incurious as to all the evidence piling up indicating Trump being set up in a seditious plot by much of his own government. Maybe they also knew that nowadays you get a Pulitzer Prize for robotically publishing government leaks of fake news rather than for exposing them, at least when Trump is president. The MSM not only knew and know, they are now willing participants, and its about time they get called out on it.

To that end, CNN promised us an unbiased debate format. Well, as Mark Steyn (bankrupt and in poor health after the ridiculous guilty verdict of slandering Michael Mann of the original hide the decline fame, but fortunately for us still writing) pointed out, while Jake Tapper read a question to Biden, co-moderator Dana Bash twice within four seconds pointed her finger toward Jake (the second time more prominently), presumably to get Wandering Joes attention to focus on the question or to point his head in the right direction for the cameras. Heres the video (starting at 19:22):

From now on, every conservative being interviewed by Bash should bash Bash by asking her why she was assisting Biden against CNNs debate rules until she gives a satisfactory answer (if she can). Id love to hear what lie she comes up with: just a nervous twitch; just signaling the lighting guy so Jake would be more visible for the cameras. (Note that no one else was supposed to be present at the debate and no one appears in front of or behind the two candidates in the adjacent footage.) Well know shes lying, and shell know that we know shes lying. But putting her on the spot might just prevent future MSM malfeasance.

While were at it, ask CNNs Erin Burnett what she meant in her post mortem when she said, [Biden] knows every one of these questions is coming, and yet he couldnt fill the time, which seems to suggest he had the questions in advance. If she says, well, I was referring to the six days of practice he had which I mentioned just before that, ask her if all the debate questions are that predictable. There were other suspicious occurrences at the debate. Ask them about all of it.

W.A. Eliot is a pseudonym.

Image: YouTube video screen grab.
As the global landscape continues to shift, one trend has become increasingly clear: China's influence in Latin America is on the rise. While some may view this development with skepticism, it is crucial that the United States recognizes the opportunities and challenges that come with China's growing presence in the region. Rather than viewing China's expansion as a zero-sum game, the US must adopt a strategic approach that acknowledges the complexities of this new era of competition.

First and foremost, it is essential to acknowledge China's significant economic investments in Latin America. With trade volumes projected to exceed $700 billion by 2035, China has become a vital partner for many countries in the region. However, this economic leverage also presents a risk, as countries may become increasingly dependent on Chinese capital. To mitigate this risk, the US must offer alternative investment opportunities and promote economic diversification.

Moreover, China's political influence in the region is also on the rise. While some may view this as a threat to democratic governance, it is crucial to recognize that China's approach to development is fundamentally different from that of the US. Rather than imposing its own political system, China is focused on delivering tangible results. The US must adapt its approach to development, prioritizing concrete outcomes over ideological purity.

In terms of security, China's establishment of military bases and space facilities in the region poses a significant risk to regional stability. However, rather than viewing this development as a direct threat, the US must recognize the opportunities for cooperation. By engaging in dialogue and establishing clear boundaries, the US can ensure that China's military expansion does not compromise regional security.

The Monroe Doctrine and its Roosevelt Corollary, which have guided US policy in the region for over a century, must also be considered in this new era of competition. The Monroe Doctrine's emphasis on preventing European colonization and influence in the Americas remains relevant today, as China's growing presence in the region could potentially undermine US interests and values. The Roosevelt Corollary's emphasis on US intervention in cases of "flagrant wrongdoing" must also be considered, as China's support for authoritarian regimes and involvement in illegal activities like drug trafficking could potentially destabilize the region.

Furthermore, the US must recognize the importance of the Monroe Doctrine's principle of non-colonization, which remains essential in the 21st century. As China's economic and political influence grows, the US must ensure that this influence does not lead to a new form of colonization, where Latin American countries become beholden to Chinese interests. Similarly, the Roosevelt Corollary's emphasis on US leadership and intervention must be adapted to the realities of the 21st century, where multilateral cooperation and diplomacy are essential.

To effectively navigate this new era of competition, the US must adopt a strategic approach that integrates economic, political, and security considerations. This approach must prioritize dialogue and cooperation with China, while also maintaining a strong commitment to democratic values and human rights. The US must also work closely with regional partners to promote economic diversification, political stability, and security cooperation.

Moreover, the US must recognize the importance of promoting democratic governance and human rights in the region. As China's influence grows, the US must ensure that democratic values and human rights are not compromised. This requires a sustained commitment to supporting democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and encouraging civic engagement.

In addition, the US must also consider the implications of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the region. While the BRI has the potential to promote economic development, it also poses significant risks, including debt-trap diplomacy and environmental degradation. The US must work with regional partners to promote sustainable and transparent infrastructure development, and to ensure that the BRI does not compromise regional stability.

In conclusion, the dawn of a new era has arrived. China's rise in Latin America presents both opportunities and challenges, and it is up to the US to adopt a strategic approach that acknowledges the complexities of this new era of competition. By prioritizing economic diversification, adapting its approach to development, engaging in dialogue on security issues, promoting soft power, upholding the principles of the Monroe Doctrine and its Roosevelt Corollary, and promoting democratic governance and human rights, the US can ensure that China's influence in Latin America is a force for good. The US must also remain committed to promoting sustainable and transparent infrastructure development, and to ensuring that the BRI does not compromise regional stability. By doing so, the US can ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.

Image via Pixabay.
The year 2020 was a turning point for the entire U.S. law enforcement system. The murder of George Floyd by Officer Derek Chauvin dealt a serious blow to the image of policing and its employees. Mass protests and riots, which quickly spread throughout the country, demonstrated the distrust of part of the population in the work of law enforcement agencies.

The Black Lives Matter movement, having determined its goal to combat racial discrimination, has become, without exaggeration, a catalyst for distrust of the entire U.S. law enforcement system. Existing since 2013, BLM especially grew in 2020, as a response to the infamous events in Minnesota.

During the popular unrest, in which many black Americans took part, the slogan "Defund The Police was actively used, calling for reducing funding for police departments and transferring the saved funds to other public organizations. It is known that the widespread use of this wording did not lead to significant results. Despite this, some factors have influenced law enforcement services to partially lose their prestige and become less attractive.

In June 2020, immediately after the infamous events, BLM representatives proposed to bring Defund The Police to life to reform the existing law enforcement system. And, unsurprisingly, it was in blue Minneapolis that such rhetoric was taken seriously.

A resolution adopted by a group of city council members appeared on the city's website, which involved replacing the police department with a department of public safety and violence prevention. At the same time, the functions of the newly created body were painted quite vaguely, limited not to the fully understandable wording "responsibility for public safety services prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach."

And, thanks to God, this decision has not been approved. Now just imagine: let's deprive a large city of police, and distribute its functions among civilian organizations.

Brilliant.

Those who came up with such an initiative did not have a clear plan: It was another populist move designed to meet the needs of the distraught crowd.

However, the events that occurred seriously influenced the desire of American citizens to serve in the police. According to research carried out by PERF, between 2020 and 2023, the number of police recruits fell, while the number of layoffs from service increased significantly. The fact that such a decline was observed precisely during the Biden administration is not at all surprising. Most of the decisions taken by Democrats in the last four years are pure populism without any background.

It turns out that BLM achieved one of its goals -- the number of people wishing to continue to associate their lives with policing has significantly decreased. However, if we consider this issue from a rational point of view, it turns out that instead of adequate proposals for reforming the police system, the ideological crowd has achieved that police, whose job is to protect the population from criminals, have become criminals in the eyes of the public.

At the same time, no one will undertake to assert that there are no cases of misconduct by the police. But people often do not see what work is being done by police, how many potential crimes have been prevented and how many criminals have not escaped from responsibility.

The toxic attitude towards police officers has crossed all boundaries in recent years. This affected the fact that fewer people were willing to serve in law enforcement agencies. Seems the question now is how to attract people to work for the police.

After all, there are rational proposals -- to provide employees with appropriate training, to carry out preliminary work with the police to prevent abuse of authority, and to enable them to receive additional psychological assistance due to actions in stressful conditions. Perhaps, importantly, there are calls to increase funding (say 'hi' to Bidenflation).

America is the most progressive, free and sensible country in the world. It was, and must continue to be. There is a whole list of opportunities to increase the prestige of work in law enforcement agencies because serving in the police should be a privilege, not a punishment. The fact that this is not given due attention will continue to lead to cases like in 2020. And, honestly, I don't want anybody to experience such a thing once again. It is hoped that the next administration, which will be better than the current one, will pay due attention to this issue and make police service worthy and worthwhile again.

Shawn Hodges lives in Jackson, Ohio. Proud husband and father of two, spending my free time trying to understand and dig into U.S. politics.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Transitioning an entire city to solar energy is the best initiative to mitigate the increasing effect of climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change continues its work to encourage nations to lessen the carbon footprint on the planet.

As cities around the globe seek and promise sustainable projects, transitioning to solar energy presents significant challenges. High initial cost, long-time planning, and effective energy storage solutions must all be considered.

With Pope Francis pioneering the action to transform the Vatican City into 100% solar energy-dependent, here are some key pros and cons that should be considered by cities before making the same decision:

Read Also : Pope Francis Declares Solar Energy Transition for Vatican City

Environmental Benefits

The main factor for relying on solar energy is to significantly reduce the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Too much reliance on fossil fuels contributes to the increasing pollutants in the air that we breathe.

Unlike fossil fuels, solar power is a renewable energy. The continuous bright energy coming from the sun will be the key ingredient to all of this. Energy resilience against grid failures and natural disasters can also occur.

Economic Benefits

Due to the increasing electricity demand, several companies tend to charge expensively to their customers. Once transitioned to solar energy, there will be substantial savings on energy bills over time.

In addition, the entire development and operation process of the transition can create multiple job opportunities for citizens. This will mainly increase the demand for workers in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

Flexibility

Some residents have started participating in their climate change action by opting to install solar panels on their roofs. This may be a small-scale action but it is a significant improvement to encourage more people to support the cause.

In big-scale production, solar farms will be established which could potentially power up a whole city. The Vatican plans to build a solar plant that could provide energy to less than 1,000 people.

High Initial Costs

Despite its long-term benefits, the transition will be a high upfront investment. The cost of purchasing and installing solar panels is very expensive, along with securing the location for them.

The project must have sufficient access and support from financial and government agencies to ensure that the transition will be affordable.

As for residents, some people tend to forget the potential benefits of installing solar panels due to the expensive price of the device. The return on investment would take years to manifest.

Effective Storage Solutions

Since the sun does not shine 24/7 on our planet, there is a need for effective energy storage. This will allow the energy to be stored properly so that it can be used during non-sunny periods.

Continuous Maintenance

The efficiency of solar energy relies on the technological advancement and the maintenance support that the project will receive. There should be an efficient device that could back up the project or else it could render the systems obsolete.

As for the panels and farms, they should remain clean and functional to ensure long-term optimal performance.
War...huhyeahwhat is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

This song caught my attention as a young man growing up in the seventies. Had a great tune, powerful energy, but most importantly invoked a feeling about war in general.

Much ink has been spilt discussing Joe Bidens horrible debate performance and the medias universal denunciation, but sadly, some critical policy distinctions have been overlooked. None is more important than the question of war  the Ukraine war in particular.

Trump spelled out his take on war at a CNN Townhall last year:

CNN Spokeshole: Would you give Ukraine weapons and funding? Trump: If Im president, I will have that war settled in one day. 24 hours. Ill meet with Putin. Ill meet with Zelenskyy. They both have weaknesses and strengths, and within 24 hours that war will be settled. CNN Spokeshole: Do you want Ukraine to win this war? Trump: I dont think in terms of winning and losing. CNN Spokeshole: Could you say if you want Ukraine or Russia to win the war? Trump: I want everybody to stop dying! Theyre dying. Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying.

In the debate Thursday night, President Trump again stated,

I will have that war settled between Putin and Zelenskyy as President-Elect, before I take office on January 20th. Ill have that war settled.

Hubris? Boastfulness? Possibly a little, but there is no doubt in my mind that he means exactly what he stated, and there is historical precedent for his proclamation. Recall the Iran hostage crisis and Jimmy Carters fecklessness in getting our hostages returned or rescued.

Fifty-three American diplomats and citizens were held hostage in Iran for 444 days, from November 4, 1979 to their release on January 20, 1981. January 20, 1981, you might recall, was the day that Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as the 40th president of the United States.

Peace through strength means two things.

One: Dont want none, dont start none. No new wars were started during Donald Trumps term. Donald Trump exuded power and authority. Putin, Xi, Rocket-man, the Iranian mullahs  they respected Donald Trump. They likely feared Donald Trump. As President Trump states, Russia took Ukrainian land during Barack Obamas term and Joe Bidens term. The Russians didnt take any land during his term. Putin knew better.

Two: Mess with the bull, and youll get the horns. The United States has (or had) the greatest fighting force ever assembled. Although we should not seek war, if its a just cause, and more particularly in defense of our country and/or our assets, we should execute that war as brutally and effectively as possible.

Donald Trump understands war. He understands our adversaries. And, sadly, he understands the influence that our military-industrial complex has in influencing our involvement in foreign entanglements.

Donald Trump asks: war, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Image via Raw Pixel.
It was not too many years ago that Barack Obama was welcomed into the Presidency in messianic fashion. Change was needed, it was proclaimed, and Barack Obama was just the man to make that change. The death of the GOP was being joyously proclaimed, at home and abroad. Tears of joy streamed down the face of Jesse Jackson as President Obama became a reality.

In England the Guardian took a poll, just after Obamas victory, asking the question: Is the Republican party dead?

They also editorialized: Without a clear leader or direction, is this the end of the GOP? 58 percent responded: Yes, start planning the funeral.

Eight years later the death of the GOP was affirmed as Robert Reich, former secretary of labor under Bill Clinton, posted on his blog: Im writing to you today to announce the death of the Republican Party. It is no longer a living, vital, animate organization. It died in 2016. RIP.

Obama was hailed as the Machiavellian genius who had engineered the death of the rival party.

Recent pieces here at AT proclaimed, first, that Obama was, as many have long believed, the mastermind who guided the Democrats first to victory over Trump, then through the nearly four years of Biden and now down the path of destiny to which they are now committed.

Last Thursday, the debate foreshadowed what even the staunchest of Democrats are conceding: The November election is now Trumps to lose. States rarely in play for Republicans are now in play: Minnesota, Virginia and, hold your breath, New Jersey.

Admittedly schadenfreude among Trump supporters is running at peak levels. The misery of the CNN/MSNBC crowd has maxed out. There is no joy in Joy Reidville. The mighty Biden has struck out.

Editorials have been written in the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution pleading for Biden to withdraw. The key to that possible occurrence is held by Jill, who has made it clear she is not letting go. But it is too late, as yet another AT article confirms that destiny is now cast in concrete. Expectations of an alternate to Biden are delusional, as indeed, the Rubicon has been crossed and there is no turning back. Destiny and defeat now await.

How ironic that Obama, the mastermind of the imminent death of the GOP in 2008, is now the man who is most likely responsible for the pending electoral bloodbath in November.

Indeed, the Democrat chickens have come home to roost. It could not have happened to a more deserving group.

Image: Pixabay
Ive now read the decision in Trump v. United States, admittedly not deeply but superficially enough to grasp the main points. Therefore, I feel safe saying that the decision on presidential immunity is entirely appropriate and consistent with the Constitution, precedence, and logic. I can also say that the dissents are a joy if you like reading things that are unhinged, paranoid, and poorly reasoned, even within the four corners of their ideological and mental universes.

In August 2023, Jack Smith got a D.C. jury to indict Trump for conspiring to defraud the U.S. because Trump suspected that there had been major chicanery in the November 2020 election. That alleged conspiracy to defraud took the form of asking the quisling AG Bill Barr to investigate election fraud (something Barr failed to do), urging state legislatures and election officials to change electoral votes derived from fraud, organizing alternate slates of electors, trying to convince Pence that his duties did not include certifying a manifestly questionable election before questions were answered, claiming that the election had resulted from fraud, and telling his supporters to let Congress know that they believed the election was tainted by fraud.

Image: United States Supreme Court justices. Public domain.

In other words, Trumps fraud was that he accused the Democrats of fraud. It mattered not that he was doing the same thing Democrats had done in the past when they lost to Bush or Trump himself. What mattered was that Trump did it, and Merrick Garland and his minions needed to shut Trump down when it appeared that he intended to run again.

Trumps defense was that the acts alleged were official acts in his capacity as a constitutional president, making him immune from criminal prosecution. According to Trump, he acted entirely within his legitimate powers to ensure that the election was properly conducted and that fraudulent activity ended. These actions, he said, were within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilitiesthat is, they were actions that are properly subsidiary to and part of the necessary powers to allow a president to function.

Roberts wrote the opinion in which he was joined by Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, and sort of by Barrett. Meanwhile, Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented. In the opinion, Roberts reaffirmed that presidential immunity is real for acts that are explicitly stated in the Constitution and that implicitly exist as a subset of those official powers. Only unofficial acts are prosecutable. Some of what Trump did was clearly official and untouchable, wrote Roberts, while the record was too undeveloped to determine whether other acts were official.

The bottom line about the various actions is ably summed up in the SCOTUS Blog:

In conducting the official/unofficial inquiry, Roberts added, courts cannot consider the presidents motives, nor can they designate an act as unofficial simply because it allegedly violates the law. Turning to some of the specific allegations against Trump, the majority ruled that Trump cannot be prosecuted for his alleged efforts to leverage the Justice Departments power and authority to convince certain States to replace their legitimate electors with Trumps fraudulent slates of electors. With regard to the allegation that Trump attempted to pressure his former vice president, Mike Pence, in his role as president of the senate, to reject the states electoral votes or send them back to state legislatures, the court deemed Trump presumptively immune from prosecution on the theory that the president and vice president are acting officially when they discuss their official responsibilities. On the other hand, Roberts observed, the vice presidents role as president of the senate is not an executive branch role. The court therefore left it for the district court to decide whether prosecuting Trump for this conduct would intrude on the power and operation of the executive branch. The court did the same for the allegations in the indictment regarding Trumps interactions with private individuals and state officials, attempting to convince them to change electoral votes in his favor, as well as Trumps tweets leading up to the Jan. 6 attacks and his speech on the Ellipse that day. Making this determination, Roberts wrote, will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations.

The analysis is mostly a win for Trump and a slap to Judge Chutkan, the anti-Trump fanatic who gagged his First Amendment rights and clearly lusts to imprison him. It also had three useful gems along the way.

First, the decision reaffirms that when the president has power, its plenary power and cannot be infringed upon by the judicial or congressional branches. This matters for two reasons. The first is that, when it comes to Jack Smiths attack on Trumps possessing formerly classified documents, Congress, the bureaucrats who work for the executive, and the courts lack the power to override a presidents national security decisionsincluding Trumps decision via acts, not words, that the documents he took out of the White House were declassified. That should kill the Florida case. The second is that, Trump has plenary power over the military, so he can remedy the DEI and LGBTQ+ madness thats destroying its efficacy.

Second, in footnote 1, Roberts reminds us that, under the recently decided Fischer v. United States, the Court held that, under clear rules of statutory interpretation, 18 U.S.C. 1512 applies to investigations and not to congressional acts. Although Roberts doesnt say so, the implication is clear that, to the extent the DOJ accused Trump of violating 1512, that charge (although not at issue in the decision) must be dropped.

Third, the decision reaffirms the presidents power to fire those who work for him. Its to be hoped that, once he regains control of the executive branch, Trump takes that seriously. I would argue that government unions, which have no constitutional authority, cannot block that plenary authority.

Although the Court was very delicate and careful, the case is really not complicated. Presidents have enumerated and implied powers, and political opponents cannot criminally attack them for exercising those powers. End of story.

The best part of the decision is the introductory sentence to Roberts attack on the loopy leftist ladies dissent:

As for the dissents, they strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does todayconclude that immunity extends to official discussions between the President and his Attorney General, and then remand to the lower courts to determine in the first instance whether and to what extent Trumps remaining alleged conduct is entitled to immunity.

That is not an exaggeration. Sotomayor sounds hysterical as she rants about the decision making a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law. Apparently, she missed that bit during the debate when Joe Biden announced that he had changed the law regarding immigration, a gross and tyrannical violation of the separation of powers, which gives Congress sole authority to make and alter laws.

Sotomayors dissent is also a typical piece of leftist garbage because, rather than looking at the legal principles (as the decision does) and leaving it to the lower courts to look at the facts, she recites chapter and verse of the CNN and MSNBC narrative about the elections purity and Trumps subsequent maddened attack. According to Sotomayor and her harpies, Trump is guilty without a trial. With guilt pre-proven from the medias allegations, presidential immunity works backward from there. This is Lewis Carrolls Red Queen in action: Sentence first, verdict afterwards, with no evidence required in between.

I cannot summarize both Jacksons and Sotomayors dissents here. Theyre long and unhinged. Sotomayor even harks back to that trope about using Navy SEALS to assassinate a political rival. That is not an official act if its done for personal advancement. However, it would be an official act if the political rival were an agent of an enemy power. Facts matter, but not to dummies. The worst thing about reading the dissents is knowing how much power these gals have. They are dullards led by emotion.

In sum, Trump v. United States is an unexceptional opinion that guides the lower court. Its nice, though, that the law favors Trump. And Sotomayor is a moron.
If you have been following the latest tech coverage lately, then you probably know that Samsung is hosting its next Unpacked event on July 10. At the event, the South Korean tech giant is expected to unveil its next-generation of foldable smartphones  the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6. Just a few days ahead of the event, the company has now sparked excitement around the new foldables with giant Galaxy Unpacked billboards.

Samsung is hyping upcoming products with massive Galaxy Unpacked billboards across the world

A little over a week ahead of the launch, Samsung has started hyping its upcoming products with massive Galaxy Unpacked billboards. The company has placed these giant digital advertising billboards in major markets across the world. The Galaxy Unpacked events billboards started displaying at prominent places in cities like New York, Dubai, London, Bangkok, Warsaw, Tokyo, and Seoul.

On the billboards, Samsung is hyping the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 foldable smartphones. The advertising panels are creating excitement around the event with the Galaxy AI is Here messaging. The upcoming foldable phones will flaunt the Galaxy AI features, which debuted on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year. These advertising boards will appear in other cities as well before the event unfolds next week.

Samsung could also launch new earbuds, smartwatches, and the Galaxy Ring next week

Besides the new Galaxy Z series foldable phones, Samsung could also launch its new earbuds, smartwatches, and the Galaxy Ring. The brand is expected to unveil the Galaxy Buds 3 and the Buds 3 Pro as its next-gen audio products. In the smartwatch category, we expect the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra or Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The Galaxy Ring will be one of the biggest highlights of the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The company already showcased the next-gen wearable device many times earlier this year. Now, it will finally commercially launch the product at the upcoming event. Ahead of the launch, the Galaxy Rings health features were leaked recently. It appears that the smart ring will share health features with the Galaxy Watch series devices.

Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event will take place in Paris, France on July 10, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The event will be live-streamed on the companys website. We will also bring you updates from the event, so stay tuned to Android Headlines for the latest coverage.
Google Maps is without a doubt one of the most widely used services by the search engine giant. Just like with its other popular products, Google continues to enhance the user experience by providing new features for Google Maps from time to time. The company is now reportedly working on a new functionality, which will make driving for a family getaway a lot less hassle.

According to a newly found patent, Google Maps will soon let users co-navigate with multiple drivers in real-time. The new feature will make it immensely easier for several people to meet up at a single location while co-navigating together.

Google Maps will soon make it easier for multiple drivers to co-navigate, even coming from different locations

Some patent documents regarding a new Google Maps feature have been uncovered by Igilta and David Kowalski (xleaks7 on X). The document describes a new Google Maps functionality that will make it easier for multiple drivers to co-navigate to a single destination. This feature will certainly be helpful in situations when people are meeting at a place while coming from different locations.

Currently, navigation on Google Maps is quite easy for individuals or one vehicle. After all, this is how the service is intended to be used. But, if you are traveling in a group, with separate vehicles coming from different locations, navigation becomes a little more complex. However, the feature seen in the patent will organize hassle-free multi-car co-navigation for you and your friends.

The patent hints at a lot of new features to revolutionize group travel by road in Google Maps

The patents details suggest that Google Maps will soon be getting a lot of new co-navigation features. These are expected to revolutionize group travel by road. The new features will identify situations in which multiple people in your group are going to the same place. The system will co-navigate all the users in the group by sending notifications, sharing the location of other vehicles, and more.

While co-navigating, Google Maps will also suggest meeting spots where routes of multiple drivers can merge. It will also provide notifications about the latest traffic and road conditions. These will be determined by the leading vehicle. If a car makes a detour, all other people in the group will be notified. If thats not enough, once the destination is reached, the system will also help with parking.

Its worth mentioning that the aforementioned Google Maps feature is just a patent at the moment. So, theres no way to tell when exactly Google is planning to launch this functionality. Given the usefulness of the feature, we hope it sees the light of the day very soon.
In May, we exclusively revealed the model numbers of Samsungs Galaxy Tab S10+ and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The following month, we confirmed that the company had begun software development for the duo. We also gave you an exclusive first look at the Ultra model. All this while, there has been no talk about the base Galaxy Tab S10. Turns out it doesnt exist. Samsung plans to release its next-gen flagship Android tablets in only two models.

Galaxy Tab S10 series tipped to come only in Plus and Ultra models

Samsungs last two generations of S series flagship tablets have come in three models. The company released a base model, a Plus model, and an Ultra mode of the Galaxy Tab S9 (2023) and Galaxy Tab S8 series (2022). The Galaxy Tab S7 series before that (in 2020) came in base and Plus models. It appears Samsung is returning to a dual-variant lineup with the Galaxy Tab S10 series. But this time around, its making Plus and Ultra models.

The information comes from the Korean media and corroborates our previous findingswe have yet to spot a base Galaxy Tab S10 in Samsungs product pipeline. According to the new report, this is a strategic shift from the Korean firm to compete against Apples new iPads. This year, Apple switched to an OLED display for the iPad Pro, eliminating Samsungs long-standing display tech superiority in the tablet market (it has made OLED tablets since 2014).

In response, the Korean conglomerate plans to take the fight to the screen size. It aims to differentiate its flagship tablets from Apple iPads with larger OLED screens. The Galaxy Tab S10+ will sport a 12.4-inch display, while the Ultra has a 14.6-inch OLED panel. The iPad Pro (2024) is available in 11-inch and 13-inch variants. This strategy seemingly made a base model with a 10.95-inch display redundant and Samsung decided to cancel it altogether.

A MediaTek chip is on the cards

Last month, the Galaxy Tab S10+ appeared on Geekbench running MediaTeks Dimensity 9300+ flagship chipset. It appears its a deal done. The new report says Samsung is considering using the MediaTek processor on one or both new tablets in some markets. The tablets will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in other markets. If true, this will be the first instance of a flagship Galaxy tablet featuring a MediaTek chipset. Maybe its a cost-cutting measure, we shall find out soon.

There are even rumors of Samsung considering equipping the Galaxy S25 phones with a MediaTek chip. The company is trying hard to reduce Snapdragons share in its products, likely because of successive major price hikes from Qualcomm. Time will tell how much truth is in these rumors. The Galaxy Tab S10 series is expected later this year, while the Galaxy S25 series will arrive in early 2025. Samsung is launching new foldables and watches on July 10.
Do you hear that sound? Thats the sound of the vein in every Samsung executives head collectively pulsating with rage as the community continues to leak its upcoming devices. We all know pretty much everything to know about the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Watch 7/7 Ultra, and Buds 3. Sure, there are still details in the shadows, but dont expect us to pull a Macaulay Culkin when Samsung unveils these devices. A new leak has revealed just about EVERYTHING about the Galaxy Watch 7 series.

In case you dont know, the countdown has started. Samsung is going to have its next Unpacked event on July 10th, which is weeks earlier than last years event. Were just over a week away from the event, and we expect to see its next foldable, watches, and earbuds. Along with that, Samsung could unveil its Galaxy Ring, which was showcased earlier this year. As if thats not enough, we also expect Samsung to unveil some new additions to Galaxy AI.

A leak just revealed the specs of the Galaxy Watch 7 series

Youve got to love leaks like these; ones that spill the beans of everything about a device. It diminishes the mystique, yes, but some people just cant wait for information. Dealabs just burst the pinata and let a bunch of information fall to the ground. It posted the full list of specs for both the upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra.

To catch you up, it looks like Samsung wont be releasing a Classic Watch 7. Rather than that, were getting a base-level Galaxy watch and an Ultra model. While Samsung has been using the Ultra moniker for years, its obvious that the company was taking inspiration from Apple. This is something were seeing with the Galaxy Buds 3 as well.

Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra specs

While this seems like valid information, youll still want to take this news with a grain of salt. Theres no telling if any details arent accurate.

Starting off with the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra, this watch will be the more robust of the bunch. According to the information, this watch could be a 47mm watch with a 1.5-inch display Super AMOLED screen. Thats the same size as the Galaxy Watch 6s display. It will also share its 480 x 480 resolution. That screen could be protected by a sapphire glass screen. That should make it less vulnerable to scratches.

Moving onto the internals, Samsung will power this watch with its in-house Exynos W1000 wearable SoC. This will be an upgrade over the W930 in last years watches. It will have 2GB of RAM, which is a lot for a smartwatch. Also, it will have 32GB of storage. Again, thats a lot for a smartwatch.

As for the battery, this watch could sport a large 590mAh battery which will feature fast wireless charging. The battery capacity is about 39% larger than the battery in the Watch 6.

The new Galaxy Watches will debut Samsungs One UI Watch 6 running on top of Wear OS 5. This version is already in testing.

Other specs include Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, IP68 water and dust resistance, a light sensor, BioActive sensors for measuring temperature and heart rate, a microphone, a speaker, etc.

The Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra could come in Titanium Gray, Titanium silver, and Titanium White.

Galaxy Watch 7 specs

Next up, we have the base Galaxy Watch 7. Were looking at two different variants of this watch. The smaller of the two (40mm) could have a 1.3-inch screen with a 432 x 432 resolution. It will also be a Super AMOLED display. The larger model (44mm) could have a 1.5-inch display with the same 480 x 480 resolution as the Ultra. While these two are the less-expensive models, they could come with the same sapphire glass over the screen as the Ultra.

As for the processor, both the base models could come with the same Exynos W1000 powering the Ultra model. They could also have the same 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage as the Ultra.

Moving onto the battery, the 40mm Galaxy Watch could have a 300mAh battery, and the 44mm model could have a larger 425mAh battery. Those are pretty typical battery capacities for smartwatches. Were not sure if Samsung will bring new battery optimizations with the latest version of its wearable software.

Speaking of that, these watches will, obviously, come with the same software powering the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra. Along with that, the base Galaxy Watch 7 models will come with the same IP68 rating, sensors, microphone, and speaker as the Ultra.

As for the colors, the 40mm models could come in Green and Cream while the 44mm model could come in Green and Silver.

With so many similarities between the base and Ultra Galaxy Watch 7 models, we have to wonder how Samsung plans to differentiate these models. Maybe it will bring exclusive features to that watch that arent available on the others.

Price

These prices arent final, so you can expect some sort of variation. The base Galaxy Watch 7 might start at 319 ($343 USB). The USD conversion might be a little off, but we could be looking at a U.S. price of either $319.99 or $349.99.

As for the Ultra, this one might start at 699 ($751 USD). Again, the USD price could be different. It might be between $699.99 and $749.99.
Almost 16 million people tuned in to watch Englands dramatic extra-time victory over Slovakia to land a place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, ITV has said.

The audience peaked when 18.4 million tuned in on ITV1 and ITVX on all devices to see England saved from an embarrassing exit from the tournament.

Jude Bellinghams stoppage-time goal prevented Gareth Southgates team from crashing out in the last 16.

Englands Jude Bellingham celebrates with team-mates after scoring (Bradley Collyer/PA)

The Three Lions fought back to beat Slovakia 2-1 after extra time, with Harry Kane sealing the win with a header.

From kick-off to final whistle, the match was watched by an average of 15.6 million people  with 66% of the available TV audience tuning into the coverage, according to overnight ratings.

The total ITV coverage, which started at 3.30pm, was watched by 11.3 million.

The extra time meant the England match was followed directly by Spain v Georgia on ITV1 and ITVX, which peaked with 8.9 million.
5 killed, 10 injured in glass factory blast in India

Xinhua) 10:30, July 01, 2024

NEW DELHI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- At least five workers were killed and 10 others injured in an explosion inside the glass-making factory in the southern Indian state of Telangana, officials said Saturday.

The explosion took place Friday evening in Shadnagar town of Ranga Reddy district, about 54 km southwest of Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana.

The blast is believed to be caused by high pressure in the autoclave, an official said.

The deceased were identified as laborers hailing from Bihar. The injured have been hospitalized.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Unsplash/Tingey Injury Law Firm)

The US Justice Department has given Boeing until the end of the week to decide whether to plead guilty or face a trial. Bloomberg first reported that this decision left affected families enraged, calling it a sweetheart plea to let Boeing off the hook.

Boeing's Fraud Conspiracy

The Department of Justice (DOJ) offers Boeing a plea deal that would enable the aerospace giant to avoid once again a trial over allegations of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Attorneys representing families of victims of two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes were briefed on the DOJ's plans on Sunday afternoon.

The deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) was initially established before the Trump administration ended, charging Boeing with one count of conspiracy for allegedly misleading the FAA during its assessment of the new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, resulting in the deaths of over 300 people, with the first occurring in Indonesia in October 2018 and the second five months later in Ethiopia.

As punishment, Boeing was fined $243.7 million and mandated to pay $1.77 billion in compensation to its airline customers and $500 million to the beneficiaries of the victims under the terms of the DPA. Boeing was also mandated to disclose fraud allegations, cooperate fully with government investigations, and refrain from committing any felony offenses, prompting the DOJ to defer criminal prosecution for three years.

A note to employees after the company was charged by the DOJ in 2021 reads that David Calhoun, Boeing's president and CEO, firmly believed entering into this resolution was the right decision. The resolution serves as a significant reminder of Boeing's obligation to transparency with regulators and the potential consequences the company faces if anyone fails to meet those expectations.

READ ALSO: Boeing CEO Grilled in Court Hearing, Accused of "Strip-Mining" Despite Safety Remorse

Victims Strongly Opposing The Sweetheart Plea

Under the proposed deal, Boeing would need to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge filed in January 2021 for allegedly misleading the FAA during its evaluation of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft. It would also be required to accept the appointment of an external corporate monitor, pay a fine of approximately $200 million, and undergo a three-year probationary period, ABC News reported.

The families, who are unhappy and angered because there is no accountability or admission from Boeing that its admitted crime caused the 346 deaths, have been urging the DOJ to take Boeing to trial and impose fines that could exceed $20 billion and will likely object before Judge Reed O'Connor and ask him to reject the plea deal if Boeing accepts it, Robert Clifford, lead counsel in the civil litigation against Boeing said.

The criminal charges and potential plea deal follow numerous safety failures at Boeing, leading to multiple federal investigations and strong criticism from airlines, customers, lawmakers, and regulators. Criminal charges against a major corporation like Boeing are uncommon and would significantly impact its already unstable financial state and further harm its reputation.

However, the families of the victims expressed anger that Boeing might avoid a trial, believing that the government is absolving the company of responsibility for the deaths of their loved ones, CNN reported.

RELATED ARTICLE: United Airlines Held Liable for an Accident Crushing Worker's Foot, Demanded $14,502 for Negligence on Safety Procedures

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Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has told a trial the Kevin Keegan effect meant people still viewed him as being a member of Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) after it became a proscribed terrorist network.

Choudary, who was convicted of supporting the so-called Islamic State in 2016, is accused of taking a caretaker role in directing the group, as well as being a member of the proscribed organisation for many years and encouraging support for it through online meetings.

The 57-year-old, of Ilford, east London, is said to have given lectures to the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which prosecutors allege was the same as ALM.

ALM has been banned in the UK since 2010, though it is said the group has continued to exist under various names.

Choudary, giving evidence at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, said ALM was disbanded in 2004 because founder Omar Bakri Mohammed had a shift in ideology.

Asked by defence barrister Paul Hynes KC if his role in the group is what he is most famous for, Choudary replied: Yes, it was the Kevin Keegan effect, Ive never moved on from him playing for Liverpool.

He added: People look at me and think Al-Muhajiroun.

Choudary said he became known as a member while the group sought publicity between 1996 and 2004.

He added: People still remember you, in the same way Nigel Farage is Ukip, George Galloway is Respect.

Asked if he saw any evidence of ALM existing after 2004, he told jurors: No, it was not for anyone to revive it apart from Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, he founded it, he disbanded it.

It would not be for someone else to revive it.

Kevin Keegan in his Liverpool days (PA)

Choudary said the suggestion that ALM continued under the name of ITS was nonsense, saying the organisation was formed in 2003 amid disagreements with ALM over ideology.

The defendant went on to say that ALM sought media attention and had a sophisticated structure, while ITS shunned news outlets and operated mostly on streets.

He told the court that ITS members were attacking ALMs positions in online posts.

Prosecutors say that Choudary appeared in a video posted on YouTube in 2016 entitled The History of Dawah in Europe in which he referred to Islamic Thinkers as our branch in America.

Asked about this, Choudary said: They branched off, they were doing their own thing.

The defendant said he became aware of ITS existence in 2010 but was not communicating with members until he started giving online lectures to them in 2021.

He told jurors: I was not doing much, I was just out of prison (after the 2016 conviction) and doing some talks online, this was another request and I accepted it.

Asked why he agreed if ITS members had criticised ALM in the past, Choudary replied: I didnt know about the attacks until the police evidence in this case.

Choudary denied having a management role within the group, saying that during lectures he spoke of the importance of Dawah (spreading the word of Islam).

He told jurors: I dont call myself a scholar or anything like that, I am a student of sharia, I will always be a student. If I can pass on some knowledge before I pass away, why not?

Choudary said his involvement with ITS had nothing to do with administration or money.

Also on trial is Khaled Hussein, 29, from Canada, who prosecutors say was a follower and dedicated supporter of Choudary.

He has pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM while Choudary denies directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17 of last year while Hussein was detained at Heathrow having arrived on a flight the same day.

The trial continues.
BBC Scotland director Steve Carson has announced he will step down in the autumn after seven years in Scotland, and 11 years with the broadcaster.

Mr Carson will leave in mid-September ahead of taking up a new position in Dublin with the Republic of Irelands public service broadcaster, RTE.

Originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland, Mr Carson began his career with the BBC before setting up an independent production company and then working for RTE Television.

He rejoined the BBC in 2013 as head of BBC Northern Ireland Productions.

He joined BBC Scotland as head of multiplatform commissioning in 2017 and in July 2020 was appointed director of BBC Scotland.

Mr Carson said: It has been the honour of my life to serve as director of BBC Scotland, and it has been a privilege to meet and work with so many talented people and teams across the country.

Over the past seven years across two roles at BBC Scotland, I have been blessed to partner with the brilliant creative industry here, and together we have seen the launch of the BBC Scotland channel, landmark series including Guilt and Rebus, record levels of licence fee investment in Scotland, the biggest ever range of live sport coverage, and strong audience growth online across the BBCs iPlayer, Sounds News and Sport products.

He added: There is a busy week ahead with the General Election on Thursday. As weve just seen with our Euros coverage, the election will be an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of talent and experience that we in BBC Scotland can bring to major events  and in this case of the vital role that public service broadcasting plays in a democracy.

As director of BBC Scotland, Mr Carson has had lead editorial responsibility for BBC services and output in Scotland.

This includes news and current affairs, online and digital services and television programmes for local and UK-wide audiences.

The BBCs Director of Nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies, said: Steves shrewd judgment, his focus on audiences and his impressive creative instincts have been a driving force in BBC Scotlands success over recent years.

He is also a passionate and supportive colleague  intensely proud of the teams he leads across BBC Scotland and deeply committed to the development of the Scottish production sector.

The BBC said the search for Mr Carsons successor will begin immediately.
A British man who founded a charity providing military and humanitarian support in Ukraine has died while fighting in the country, the organisation has said.

Peter Fouche died on Thursday in the battlefield after getting badly injured in combat against Russian forces, Halyna Zhuk, commercial director and co-founder of Project Konstantin, said in a video message.

Mr Fouche set up the charity in 2022 as a team of independent volunteers in Ukraine that provide essential supplies such as drones and food to Ukrainian soldiers.

It also evacuates the soldiers and civilians and delivers humanitarian aid to conflict zones near the front line.

On the shield: Peter Hasta La Vista Fouche It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder. There are no words that can do Petes life justice. No words or phrases that could ever encapsulate how much he meant to all of pic.twitter.com/acrtrtkcDV  Project Konstantin (@KonstantinTeam) June 30, 2024

In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, Project Konstantin said: It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder.

There are no words that can do Petes life justice. No words or phrases that could ever encapsulate how much he meant to all of us.

Petes unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people have left an everlasting impact on the countless lives he touched.

Mr Fouche had previously helped to build a field hospital in Kyiv before he founded Project Konstantin and later enlisted as a contracted soldier with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the charitys website.

It said in the statement that his extraordinary actions would forever be etched in our hearts, and described his loss as the worst nightmare.

Pete was more than a leader; he was a beacon of hope, a true hero, and a friend to all. His wisdom, compassion, and faith in God inspired us every day, the charity said.

Project Konstantin became a registered charity last year and has so far helped to evacuate 219 Ukrainian soldiers, according to its website.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said it was supporting the family of a British man who had died in Ukraine and was in contact with local authorities.
Tayside residents are being asked to consider the effects of alcohol-related harm as the NHS raises awareness on alcoholic drinks.

With Alcohol Awareness Week taking place from July 1-7, Alcohol Change UK and NHS Taysides Public Health Team are looking to inform the public about the risks associated with drinking.

Alcohol Change UKs theme for this years awareness week is Understanding Alcohol Harm, which focuses on how alcohol affects the mind and body, and how it can have a knock-on effect on families, friends and society.

The week provides an opportunity to talk about issues around alcohol, to help people make more informed choices about their drinking.

NHS Taysides Public Health team, together with local partners in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross, are raising awareness of the effects of alcohol harm throughout the week.

A series of staff workshops are being held across NHS Tayside and alcohol awareness sessions will take place for patients and staff.

Dr Kirsty Licence, consultant in Public Health Medicine, said: Alcohol is so readily available and so embedded in much of our everyday experience through advertising, marketing, sponsorship and sales outlets that it can be too easy to see it as just another ordinary product.

However, alcohol can have a range of very damaging impacts on our health and wellbeing.

Alcohol Awareness Week is a great opportunity to take time to consider cutting down our own consumption of alcohol, how alcohol may be impacting other people, including children and young people, and how we can reduce the harm caused by alcohol.
Holly Willoughby kidnap plot trial's most chilling moments. (Gavin Plumb court sketch, Alamy) (Elizabeth Cook, PA Images)

Holly Willoughby is at the centre of an alleged kidnap and murder plot trial that is being heard at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, is accused of planning to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning presenter. Plumb, of Harlow, Essex, denies all the charges.

Willoughby waived her right to anonymity in relation to the incitement to rape allegation. The alleged victims of sex offences or targets of sex offence have the right to remain anonymous for life.

Willoughby left her high-profile job on This Morning in October but she returned to TV with her Dancing on Ice presenting duties earlier this year. At the time, she said: "I have to make this decision for me and my family."

While she has no plans to return to This Morning, Willoughby is making a comeback to the spotlight. Out next year, the TV presenter will be the host of new Netflix show Bear Hunt, alongside Bear Grylls.

The trial expected to last two weeks is being heard at Chelmsford Crown Court. It started last week and we take a look at some of the key moments that have been heard in court so far.

Holly Willoughby is at the centre of the alleged kidnap plot. (Getty) (Yui Mok - PA Images via Getty Images)

Moment Plumb was arrested

Plumb's arrest was shown in court from footage captured on a police body-worn camera. When told he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap, Plumb asked "who" and was told it was Willoughby. In footage from 4 October, he told officers: "Im not gonna lie, she is a fantasy of mine."

Plumb told the court he was 30 stone when he was taken into custody but now he is 24 and a half stone. Defence barrister Sasha Wass KC asked a video of Plumb in police custody be played in court. She said: "I wanted the jury to see Mr Plumb was talking freely and to see the size he was then as opposed to now."

Plumb 'heartbroken' Holly Willoughby chats public

Plumb also said he is "absolutely heartbroken" that his online chats about kidnapping, raping and murdering Holly Willoughby "come out".

He told the court: "I completely regret this chat and Im disgusted this has all come out." Asked on whether he would apologise by the prosecutor, he added: "Im sorry for the contents of the chat, absolutely. Im absolutely heartbroken, disgusted and shocked that it has come out."

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Gavin Plumb (right). (Alamy) (Elizabeth Cook, PA Images)

Fears Holly Willoughby was in 'immediate danger'

The court also heard from an undercover police officer. The officer, who is based in America, was referred to by the pseudonym David Nelson for the safety of his family and himself. His job saw him "engage in online investigations across various types of social media applications".

He shared his fears that Willoughby faced an "imminent threat" from Plumb, whom he had been speaking to. The officer told the court that he came across Plumb on an online group called Abduct Lovers. Asked why he directly messaged Plumb, he said: "I felt there was imminent threat to the female at that time."

'Kidnap kit'

Accused of the kidnap plot, the court heard how Plumb had bought 400 metal cable ties online in April 2022. The prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told Chelmsford Crown Court that Plumb "purchased four lots of 100 pieces" that were "described as heavy duty, theyre cable ties".

Footage of items  including ankle shackles, ball gag, rope, metal cable ties and handcuffs  were shown to the jury. The court heard how the security guard sent a potential accomplice a video of restraint kit items laid out on a bed.

Holly Willoughby has been keeping a low-profile from the spotlight. (Getty) (Dave Benett via Getty Images)

'Abandoned farm with cells to hold Willoughby'

The court also heard how Plumb looked at an abandoned farm with cells to "keep" Willoughby. The prosecutor read out a Whatsapp exchange and the defendant said: "Weve got somewhere in the country to keep her Ryan (another man he had been speaking with) is interested again by the looks of it."

In the Whatsapp read out in court, Plumb explained the place was "a stud farm thats abandoned" that "had cells".

Security guard had '10,322 images of Holly Willoughby'

On the first day of the trial it was revealed police found 10,322 images of Willoughby on Plumb's mobile phone in a folder called "Holly".

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told Chelmsford Crown Court: "There was a folder in fact on the defendants telephone which was called Holly and it contained 10,322 images of Holly Willoughby."

The trial continues.
Jewish community representatives have condemned the treatment of a rabbi berated outside a mosque he had been invited to speak at.

Rabbi Arnold Saunders, a councillor in Salford, who uses a walking stick, was left shaking as he was harangued and called a snake but has since played down the incident.

He had gone to Masjid Bilal mosque in Prestwich, Greater Manchester to speak after prayers last Friday, as he is standing for the Conservative Party in the Bury South constituency in the General Election.

He had been invited there by Muslim elders, but a video online shows the elderly candidate being abused before he enters and finally leaves without speaking.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement: We are disgusted by the abusive treatment of Rabbi Arnold Saunders, a candidate in Bury South.

Rabbi Saunders had been invited by the elders of a local mosque; the video shows that some of the attendees took issue with this and the footage clearly shows the Rabbi was being targeted in this fashion due to his religion.

We urge all who care about the health of our democracy to call out this bigotry.

"You are a snake"WATCH the threatening way Rabbi Arnie Saunders was treated when he was invited to the Bilal Mosque in Prestwich, Manchester in his role as the Conservative candidate for Bury South by the mosque elders. That he was allowed to be abused, intimidated and have his pic.twitter.com/X4PZTsteLq  NW Friends of Israel (@NorthWestFOI) June 30, 2024

Rabbi Saunders told the PA news agency on Monday he was feeling fine and never felt afraid for his personal safety during the incident.

He said: Obviously the video looks quite bad, but I think it looks worse than it was  at no point was I threatened.

Rabbi Saunders said 500 other people who had attended the event had treated him with great respect and courtesy and that the abuse only came from one guy egged on by a couple of others.

He said he had requested that police did not take any further action and that he had received tremendous support from the highest echelons of the Conservative Party.

During the four-minute incident, a man shouting at Rabbi Saunders tells him not to come to the house of Allah and orders him to leave, claiming: You justified children to be murderedwhen you are with your own people these are the things you say, then you come here and smile like a snake.

Christian Wakeford, until the general election was called the Labour MP for Bury South and the partys candidate on July 4, said in a statement on X: Both Bilal Mosque and Rabbi Saunders have undertaken many years of progressive interfaith work which is in stark contrast to this individuals behaviour which is totally unacceptable.

Both Bilal Mosque and Rabbi Saunders have undertaken many years of progressive interfaith work which is in stark contrast to this individuals behaviour which is totally unacceptable. We get nowhere in the world without dialogue and this is not representative of Bury South. 1/2 https://t.co/EDeuilWuBf  Christian Wakeford (@Christian4BuryS) July 1, 2024

We get nowhere in the world without dialogue and this is not representative of Bury South.

Despite political disagreements myself and Rabbi Saunders have always had an excellent relationship and I hope he is ok following this incident.

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, said in a statement: Rabbi Saunders is a much respected communal figure and we unequivocally condemn his treatment in this video.

It is unquestionably antisemitic and we expect action to be taken.

The incident occurred following an invitation by the mosque to meet their congregants.

As an organisation we were delighted to invite and welcome members from the Mosque to our Hustings.

The fact he has been attacked emphasises how individuals are importing the tragic conflict taking place in Israel and Gaza onto the streets of the UK.

This is manifesting itself in politicians campaigning in a General Election being targeted, abused and unable to freely move around the constituencies they are seeking to represent.

When politicians are unable to speak about their views in public, have meetings disrupted and their offices attacked, it constitutes a real risk to our democracy.

We hope that there are no further scenes of this nature as we approach polling day.

In a statement the mosque said most people had engaged positively with Rabbi Arnolds visit.

It continued: Unfortunately, one or two individuals questioned the rabbi in a hostile manner and this clip has been widely circulated. This clip was recorded by one of the individuals himself.

The rabbi was a guest of the mosque, and he was treated inappropriately and disrespectfully. Any genuine political questions should have been raised respectfully.

We regret what has happened, we have already apologised to the rabbi for how he was treated and wish to extend our apologies to others who have seen the clip and are upset by it.

This incident is not reflective of the congregation of the mosque or the Muslim community in Bury.

Rabbi Saunders, a seasoned politician with many years of experience, and a former member of the Conservative Muslim Forum has himself taken the incident very calmly.

Masjid E Bilal has a long track record of good inter-faith relations and positive relations with the Jewish and other faith communities.

The Muslim community itself suffered some incidents during this years Purim celebrations at the hands of some youth activists.

None of these incidents are reflective of most of the people in the area.

We call on anyone attending any election events, wherever it may be, to remain calm and respectful whilst questioning candidates or holding politicians to account.
Monzo has unveiled new app-based features to help prevent criminals from raiding peoples savings after stealing their mobile phone.

The digital bank said the security control tools were the first of their kind to be launched across mobile banking.

The features have been designed to prevent criminals transferring or withdrawing money from customers accounts, either as a result of phone theft, impersonation scams, or stealing personal information.

Customers will be able to opt in on their apps when the tools are rolled out in the coming weeks.

Monzos new known locations app feature to combat fraud (Monzo/PA)

It comes amid a rise in incidents of phone theft over recent years with particularly high levels reported in London.

Monzos new known locations feature will give customers the option to choose a location, like their home or workplace, that they need to be in when transferring money or withdrawing savings over a certain limit.

Using tracker technology, the bank will identify if their phone is not in one of the chosen locations and block any attempted transactions.

Customers can also choose to invite a trusted friend or family member, who also has a Monzo account, to be notified before they send or withdraw money over a chosen limit.

That person can then review whether they think the payment looks safe or is suspicious.

Priyesh Patel, a senior engineer at Monzo, said the bank was trying to outpace the tactics of fraudsters by rolling out new in-app tools.

Monzos trusted contact feature is designed to help people spot potentially suspicious payments (Monzo/PA)

He said: Whether its choosing your safety radius with known locations or having a trusted contact sense-check your payments before you make them, these features offer customers peace of mind and force a much-needed moment of pause in a high-stakes situation.

The bank, which has about nine million customers, also unveiled a third new feature whereby customers can choose to authenticate a payment by getting a secret QR code sent to a different device.

They then have to scan the code through their Monzo app for the transaction to go through.

Mr Patel said there was much more to come after launching the three new security controls, which customers have to opt in to using.

About 90,000 mobile phones, or 250 a day, were stolen in London in 2022, according to the latest statistics from the Met Police.

A separate survey, last month, from money insights provider Intuit Credit Karma found that around a 10th of people in the UK say they have been targeted by thieves for their phones in the past five years.

Meanwhile, the level of fraud has been spiralling across the country, with banks taking steps to try and prevent people losing their savings to scammers.

Trade body UK Finance found that more than 1 billion was stolen by criminals through unauthorised and authorised fraud last year.
Labor senator Fatima Payman leaves the chamber after crossing the floor during a vote on Palestine in response to the Israel-Gaza war. Anthony Albanese has called her decision an indulgence. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Anthony Albanese has accused the Labor senator Fatima Payman of disrupting and undermining the government by vowing to repeat her vote for a Greens motions on Palestine, which he derided as a stunt and indulgence.

The prime minister suspended Payman indefinitely from Labors caucus on Sunday after an interview with ABCs Insiders in which the Western Australian senator said she would again cross the floor if faced with another Senate motion to recognise the state of Palestine.

With a slew of cost-of-living measures taking effect from Monday  including revamped income tax cuts, $300 electricity rebates and an increase in the minimum wage  Albanese said he had decided to discipline Payman in part because of her disruption of the governments message.

By taking part in the interview Payman chose to  disrupt Labor and what we are doing today, the day before the most significant assistance that has been given to working people in a very long period of time, the prime minister said.

Asked why Payman had been suspended, Albanese told ABC Radio: Well, lets be very clear  its not because of her support for a policy position that shes advocating.

Instead of talking about tax cuts and cost-of-living relief you have seamlessly segued into the actions of an individual, which is designed to undermine what is the collective position that the Labor party has determined, he said.

Related: Fatima Payman leaves Labor with little choice after vowing to cross floor again

No individual is bigger than the team. And Fatima Payman is welcome to return to participating in the team if she accepts [that] shes a member of it.

Albanese said Labors rules required that members vote in line with caucus decisions, in a process where people participate, people respect each other and people dont engage in an indulgence such as Paymans decision to cross the floor.

In question time, Albanese answered a Coalition question about the fact he had not expelled Payman from the party by arguing it is important for social harmony  that we take temperature down in this debate, not seek not seek to inflame it.

By her own actions, Senator Payman has placed herself outside the privilege that comes with participating in the federal parliamentary Labor party caucus, and I informed her of that yesterday, he said.

Last week the Greens and the Coalition joined forces to reject a proposed government amendment to the motions wording that embraced a two-state solution and, if accepted, would have allowed all Labor senators to vote for the motion.

Payman has been defended by Labor Friends of Palestine, who noted that the ALP platform contains a commitment to recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination within a sovereign state.

But Albanese said Labor supports a Palestinian state existing onside alongside an Israeli state.

We dont support a one-state solution, he told the ABC. The resolution moved by the Greens does nothing to advance the peace process. Pretending that the Senate recognises states is quite frankly untenable.

On Sunday Payman reiterated that she supported a two-state solution and that she believed Israel had a right to exist.

Albanese said he understood that Israels military action in Gaza after the 7 October Hamas attacks had resulted in a very difficult period for sections of the Australian community, including the Islamic community.

He added that this is why we need actually real solutions, not gestures and stunts from the Greens.

This stunt from the Greens was designed to put Fatima Payman in a difficult position  It wasnt designed to assist Palestinians in Gaza. It wasnt designed to advance the peace process. And it was counterproductive.

In a joint statement Muslim groups including the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Australian National Imams Council said Payman had been punished for voting with her conscience against genocide.

Her stance was a commitment to justice and the right thing to do, it said, adding: Australians and millions across the world demand decisive action in the form of sanctions and an immediate stop to weapons trade and training.

The Muslim groups accused Labor abandoning the people it represents and allowing party politics to dominate the voices of the people.

Anne Aly, the minister for youth and early childhood education, said she hoped Payman remained in the Labor party.

I fought long and hard to ensure that we have a diverse representation in our parliament, she said on Monday. I think our party is better for that diversity and I think our government and this parliament is better for their diversity.
Three Tahitians, an 1899 painting by Paul Gauguin. Gauguins World: Tona Iho, Tona Ao is at the National Gallery of Australia until 7 October Photograph: NGA

What to do with a problem like Paul Gauguin? The 19th-century French masters radical experimentations with colour, space and syncretic symbolism have made him a canonical artist. Yet it is Gauguin the monster  not Gauguin the artist  who takes up the most oxygen in discussions today. It is Gauguin  purveyor of primitivist fantasies, emblem of French colonialism in the Pacific, and paedophilic, syphilitic sex tourist who took child brides as young as 13  who looms large in the public consciousness.

Related: Ouroboros: NGAs polarising new four-year $14m artwork to close roads on its journey to Canberra

The National Gallery of Australia has clearly grappled with this legacy in the lead-up to its winter blockbuster, titled Gauguins World: Tona Iho, Tona Ao. This is the first major exhibition of Gauguin in Australia, with more than 130 works by the artist being pulled from collections from around the world.

The curator of the show, Henri Loyrette  a former director of the Musee dOrsay and Musee du Louvre in Paris  has obviously done a lot of heavy bureaucratic lifting to acquire the artworks. The show represents an incredible effort and a remarkable result. For almost any other artist, the NGA would be taking an unqualified victory lap. Yet instead the gallery finds itself in a double bind of mixed messaging, which oscillates between jubilation, ambivalence and polemic.

Some of this messaging directly platforms Pacific artists  a podcast accompanying the exhibition opens with the question What immediately comes to mind when I say Paul Gauguin? with the response: Argh! Over four episodes, the podcast positions Gauguin as a productive  if deeply fraught  challenge to reckon with historical legacies rather than a figure of blind cancellation.

This is borne out in the space directly leading to the Gauguin exhibition. Here the singular narrative of Gauguin cedes ground to a dialogue in the form of the artist Rosanna Raymonds 2024 collaborative work SaVAge Klub: Te Paepae Aorai  Where the Gods Cannot Be Fooled, a physically and symbolically imposing installation reaching high up the walls of the gallery. First conceived of in 2010, the SaVAge Klub takes its name from 19th-century gentlemens clubs in London, where, Raymond explains, they parodied Indigenous cultures. Presenting a rich diversity of Pacific work from both the NGAs historical collection and the SaVAge Klub collective, the installation almost overwhelms your vision, inverting a space of parody into a space of celebration.

Raymonds intervention ends where the Gauguin exhibition begins. In the typical fashion of a monographic exhibition, the French artists name is heroically emblazoned across the entrance to the institution and the exhibition. The shows possessive title could not be clearer: we are entering into Gauguins world.

The first room is filled with Gauguin self-portraits. In Self-Portrait with the Yellow Christ (dated 1890-91), Gauguin is depicted beside a painted image of Jesus. In the next work, the 1896 painting Self-Portrait (near Golgotha), he is seen garbed in white robes and wears an existential stare, continuing his canonisation. Yet it is the last painting, 1903s Portrait of the Artist by Himself  produced in the year of his death  which holds the most dimension and depth, despite its thin painted layers.

Here white canvas and blue underpainting intermittently peek through to the works surface, threatening to collapse the fragile painted illusion and the image of the artist. But while there is diversity in these portraits, in their assembled configuration, they are ultimately unified in reproducing a well-worn art historical trope, proffering Gauguin as the canonical protagonist whose psychology must be deliberated over and fetishised by all passersby.

In the next room, Gauguin disappears, as does his loaded symbolism and obsessive chromatic experimentation. Instead we find ourselves looking at some of his earliest work, rendered in a muted palette, and with an impressionist style. Several works recall Camille Pissarro: 1873s Landscape and 1879s Apple Trees At lHermitage . In both Gauguin feels absent. Its a smart curatorial move to lead with the atypical and the staid, as the artistic innovation in the rest of the show feels all the more punchy and pronounced.

The following rooms take a material turn and foreground art-making techniques: ceramics, printmaking, and wood carving. Here the exhibition doesnt quite stick to its own, loudly professed, signposting. Half of the works in the Gauguin and printmaking section are not prints; the ceramics, too, occupy a relatively modest part of the Gauguin and ceramics room. I spied barely three monotypes in Gauguin, wood carving and monotypes.

The process-driven titles of the rooms are something of a curatorial gambit. They represent a deception which keeps the gallery-goers mind on the far safer idea of technique and allows them to forget the man producing the work.

The exhibitions final two rooms turn most explicitly to Gauguins time in French Polynesia and are handled with a conspicuously light touch. The curatorial texts acknowledge but do not substantively address the colonial or predatory legacies of the artist, leaving a viewer caught in the seductions of Gauguins paintbrush. Make no mistake, his works  the 1899 masterpiece Three Tahitians, foremost  pull at you with their utter aesthetic brilliance. The problem is that, in the space of this same brilliance, Gauguin fixates on a primitivist fantasy, which paints Tahiti as a mythical land, caught in a pre-modern Edenic state.

The last work I see as Im leaving the exhibition is Gauguins 1898 painting Tahitian Woman II. It makes me stop in my tracks. Not because of the quality of the painting but because of the pose. Gauguin has taken and reversed the pose from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres orientalist painted fantasy from 1814, Grande Odalisque, which depicts a nude woman in a Middle Eastern harem.

Charged with sexual connotations and ideas of possessing the imagined other, Ingres painting is one of the most famous artworks housed at the Louvre  a work that hangs in the curators old workplace and which he would undoubtedly be intimately familiar with. Yet Gauguins conspicuous reference to this fantasy and its sexual politics is given no mention on the nearby wall plaque, which simply proffers the paintings title and date. Here omission takes the place of critical commentary.
A soldier of the Ukrainian Army wait for orders to shoot a BM-21 'Grad' to Russian positions in the frontline near Pokrovsk - Anadolu/Pablo Miranzo

Today, we bring you the latest news from Ukraine, look at how Russia has been blamed for jamming GPS signals on British military jets and ask quite why Belarus - a country hosting Russian nuclear missiles - is rattling the nuclear sabre once more.

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).
(Photo : Pexels/Photo by Kindel Media)

A 56-year-old Gerald Don Miller of Winnsboro was charged with two counts of impersonating a public servantfollowing an investigation of allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Child Protective Services worker to sexually assault children, KSST Radio reported.

The Lamar County's investigation started in early June when a guardian of a child reported to the Sheriff's Office on June 18, detailing a man who allegedly claimed to be a CPS worker and gained access to her child after persuading them he needed to speak with her, the Lamar County Sheriff's Office investigation reads.

Deputies Connecting a Similar Incident Involving the Fake CPS Worker

The evidence found in the Lamar County investigation resembled a similar incident that occurred in Sulphur Springs in November 2023, the sheriff's office stated. This led to the identification of Gerald Don Miller of Franklin County as the individual impersonating a CPS worker on June 25.

The Sulphur Springs authorities' description of the suspect and vehicle matched the information gathered in Lamar County, leading to the search warrant execution at Miller's residence in Winnsboro, Franklin County, where detectives recovered property from Miller's vehicle that matched the description provided by the Lamar County's victim, as well as evidence linking him to the Sulphur Springs offense.

READ ALSO: Architect Guilty of Four Deaths, Charged with Two More After Serial Killing "Blueprint" Found in His Computer

The Filing of Multiple Charges Against The Fake CPS Worker

Miller had been apprehended and taken into Franklin County Jail custody, facing multiple charges across various jurisdictions, according to investigators.

Miller faced charges of public servant impersonation in the Lamar County Sheriff's Office, with a bond amounting to $25,000 from Franklin County Jail. At the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office, Miller was charged with sexual assault, with a $100,000 bond, along with another charge of public servant impersonation, with a $100,000 bond from Hopkins County Jail. Miller was also charged with another public servant impersonation at the Sulphur Springs Police Department, with a $100,000 bond set at Hopkins County Jail.

Collective Investigative Efforts Leading to A Criminal's Arrest

Law enforcement and Child Protective Services want to remind communities that CPS workers will always carry accredited credentials and show proof before discussing with individuals.

Law enforcement agencies request that anyone who has had contact with this individual while he claimed to be with CPS come forward by contacting their local law enforcement agency.

Miller is described as 5'08" tall and weighing approximately 240 pounds. He has brown and white hair and a white mustache. He may have been carrying a red case displaying a Texas Department of Criminal Justice logo.

Sheriff Cass highlighted that this investigation exemplifies how collaboration between agencies can successfully resolve a case and commended the collective efforts of the Lamar County Sheriff's Office detectives, the Sulphur Springs Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office, and Child Protective Services. Sheriff Cass emphasized that another criminal has been removed from the streets and neighborhoods through such collective efforts. The investigation remains ongoing.

RELATED ARTICLE: Former Piano Teacher at Trinity Valley Arrested on Four Warrants for Indecent Child Exposure

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Peter Fouche had helped build a field hospital in Kyiv before setting up Project Konstantin. Photograph: Project Konstantin/X

A British man who founded a charity providing support to Ukraine soldiers has died while fighting in the country, the organisation said.

Peter Fouche died last Thursday in the battlefield after getting badly injured in combat against Russian forces, Halyna Zhuk, commercial director and co-founder of Project Konstantin, said in a video message.

Fouche set up the charity in 2022 as a team of independent volunteers that provide essential supplies such as drones and food to Ukrainian soldiers. It also evacuates the soldiers and civilians and delivers humanitarian aid to conflict zones near the frontline.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, Project Konstantin said: It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder. There are no words that can do Petes life justice. No words or phrases that could ever encapsulate how much he meant to all of us.

Petes unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people have left an everlasting impact on the countless lives he touched.

Fouche had previously helped to build a field hospital in Kyiv before he founded Project Konstantin and later enlisted as a contracted soldier with the armed forces of Ukraine, according to the charitys website.

It added that his extraordinary actions would for ever be etched in our hearts, and described his loss as the worst nightmare.

Pete was more than a leader; he was a beacon of hope, a true hero, and a friend to all, the charity said. His wisdom, compassion, and faith in God inspired us every day.

Project Konstantin became a registered charity last year and has thus far helped to evacuate 219 Ukrainian soldiers, according to its website. A Foreign Office spokesperson said it was supporting the family of a British man who had died in Ukraine and was in contact with local authorities.

Last September, a former British army soldier who had gone to the country to fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers was found dead in a body of water with his hands tied behind his back.

Jordan Chadwick, 31, who served in the Scots guards from 2011 to 2015, had travelled to Ukraine to fight in 2022.

In August 2023, Samuel Newey, from Solihull, was killed while fighting in east Ukraine, his family said. The 22-year-old had been volunteering as a fighter in Ukraine for more than a year.

Other Britons who have died in the country since the invasion by Russia in February 2022 include Simon Lingard, 38, from Blackburn, and Jordan Gatley, who died fighting Russian forces in the city of Sievierodonetsk in June 2023.

Scott Sibley, 36, died in April last year in Mykolaiv after a drone dropped mortars on his regiment and Craig Mackintosh, from Norfolk, was killed while volunteering as a medic in September 2022.
Video show Rabbi Arnie Saunders being shouted at and asked to condemn Israel's actions in Gaza

A rabbi standing as a Conservative candidate was abused and intimidated at a local mosque by a pro-Palestine supporter.

Rabbi Arnie Saunders was invited to Bilal mosque in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, by its elders last week.

Footage on social media shows a man shouting at him and calling for him to condemn Israels actions amid the continuing conflict in Gaza following the Oct 7 attack by Hamas.

In the footage, the man can be seen approaching the rabbi before pointing and shouting at him.

The man, who appears to be holding the camera, says: Condemn the IDF, condemn the killing of children, of women, of old people, of livestock.

Rabbi Saunders can be heard attempting to speak but the man keeps cutting him off.

The man continues: Dont [say I] regret  Condemn in the strongest terms. What was your stance on the ceasefire? Did you vote for it? Were you willing to condemn?

Tell him to go. He should go. Ask him to go. We dont want to engage with you people. We dont want to engage with you. You justify child killers. You say that its right that they cut off water and electricity supplies. You say that and then you come here and smile like a snake.

He added: Youre not getting our vote.

Rabbi Arnie Saunders was invited by the mosque's elders, pictured - LAWRENCE PURCELL

Rabbi Saunders told PA on Monday he was feeling fine and never felt afraid for his personal safety during the incident.

He said: Obviously the video looks quite bad, but I think it looks worse than it was - at no point was I threatened.

Rabbi Saunders said 500 other people who had attended the event had treated him with great respect and courtesy and that the abuse only came from one guy egged on by a couple of others.

He said he requested police to not take any further action, adding he had received tremendous support from the highest echelons of the Conservative Party.

In a statement, the mosque said most people had engaged positively with Rabbi Saunders visit.

It continued: Unfortunately, one or two individuals questioned the rabbi in a hostile manner and this clip has been widely circulated. This clip was recorded by one of the individuals himself.

The rabbi was a guest of the mosque, and he was treated inappropriately and disrespectfully. Any genuine political questions should have been raised respectfully.

We regret what has happened, we have already apologised to the rabbi for how he was treated and wish to extend our apologies to others who have seen the clip and are upset by it.

This incident is not reflective of the congregation of the mosque or the Muslim community in Bury.

Rabbi Saunders, a seasoned politician with many years of experience, and a former member of the Conservative Muslim Forum has himself taken the incident very calmly.

Masjid E Bilal has a long track record of good inter-faith relations and positive relations with the Jewish and other faith communities.

The Muslim community itself suffered some incidents during this years Purim celebrations at the hands of some youth activists. None of these incidents are reflective of most of the people in the area.

We call on anyone attending any election events, wherever it may be, to remain calm and respectful whilst questioning candidates or holding politicians to account.

Appalling and disgusting

Commenting on the footage, Richard Holden, the Conservative chairman and parliamentary candidate for Basildon and Billericay, said: Whats happening here to Arnie Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bury South, is appalling, disgusting and should not be part of our democratic process.

I hope the Labour leadership and Bury South Labour candidate condemns this hatred.

Christian Wakeford, the incumbent MP for Bury South, said in a statement on Twitter: Both Bilal mosque and Rabbi Saunders have undertaken many years of progressive interfaith work, which is in stark contrast to this individuals behaviour, which is totally unacceptable.

We get nowhere in the world without dialogue and this is not representative of Bury South.

In a statement posted online, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region condemned the treatment of the rabbi.

It said: Rabbi Saunders is a much respected communal figure and we unequivocally condemn his treatment in this video. It is unquestionably anti-Semitic and we expect action to be taken.

The incident occurred following an invitation by the mosque to meet their congregants. As an organisation we were delighted to invite and welcome members from the mosque to our hustings.

The fact he has been attacked emphasises how individuals are importing the tragic conflict taking place in Israel and Gaza onto the streets of the UK.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement: We are disgusted by the abusive treatment of Rabbi Arnold Saunders, a candidate in Bury South.

Rabbi Saunders had been invited by the elders of a local mosque; the video shows that some of the attendees took issue with this, and the footage clearly shows the rabbi was being targeted in this fashion due to his religion. We urge all who care about the health of our democracy to call out this bigotry.
David Lammy has kept a low profile during Labour's general election campaign - DAVID CLIFF/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

David Lammy is facing questions about his suitability as a Labour foreign secretary after it emerged he has described Marine Le Pen as toxic and malevolent.

The first round of voting in the French elections suggests Ms Le Pens National Rally party could soon seize power in the French parliament, and if Labour wins the election on Thursday, Mr Lammy could be foreign secretary by Friday, representing Britain in its dealing with foreign allies including France.

The shadow foreign secretary has also described Donald Trump, the US presidential hopeful, as a Nazi sympathiser and expressed support for charging Israels Benjamin Netanyahu with alleged war crimes.

On Monday he was forced to row back on his previous comments by insisting Labour would work with whoever is elected if Sir Keir Starmer becomes prime minister.

The Conservatives say Mr Lammys previous comments make him unsuitable for the role of foreign secretary, and even Sir Keir has refused to confirm whether he will be given the job, despite making it clear that others, including the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, will keep the same brief.

A close relationship with France will be vital for whoever is in government after the election, to tackle the problem of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

Drag us into the gutter

Mr Lammy has never disguised his contempt for figures on the Right including Mr Trump and Ms Le Pen, and has even taken to the streets to march against Mr Trump.

In 2018 he wrote on Twitter (now called X): Malevolent figures like [presidential aide] Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and Marine Le Pen want to drag us into the gutter.

The previous year he tweeted: We dont want the xenophobia of Farage and Le Pen in our country. We must stand up to them and their toxic views.

He also said: First America, now Le Pen. This virus is contagious, just as it was in the 1930s But some of us dont forget our history and will stand up and fight this s until our last breath.

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to confirm whether Mr Lammy would be his foreign secretary - TAYFUN SALCI/ZUMA/SHUTTERSTOCK

When Mr Trump visited Britain in 2018, Mr Lammy joined an anti-Trump march, writing at the time: Trump is not only a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath, he is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the foundation of Western progress for so long I will be one of tens of thousands on the streets, protesting against our governments capitulation to this tyrant in a toupee.

Mr Lammy, whose job as foreign secretary would include dealing with Israel and the Palestinians over the continuing conflict in Gaza, made clear which side he was on when he said that international law must be upheld after the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court called for a warrant to be issued for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, for alleged war crimes.

Hyperbolic rhetoric

A Conservative Party source said: Once upon a time, David Lammy was a reasonably thoughtful politician but since the Brexit Referendum something has changed.

He frequently indulges in hyperbolic rhetoric, never missing an opportunity to smear those who disagree with him as racists and fascists. Its a fundamentally unserious approach to politics and diplomacy more at home on a US college campus than in the Foreign Office.

Asked on Monday whether he would be willing to work with National Rally if he wins the election, Sir Keir said: I will work with any government in Europe and across the world if we are elected in to serve the country. For me, thats what serious government is about.

Donald Trump was once described as a 'profound threat to the international order' by Mr Lammy - STEV HELBER/AP PHOTO

Mr Lammy told journalists at the Foreign Press Association on Monday: France is one of Britains closest allies and we will work with whoever is elected. It is a democracy and it is up to the French people who governs them.

The results last night were the first round of the French parliamentary elections. We will wait to see what happens in the second round on July 7.

A Labour source pointed out that Ms Le Pen is not standing in the current elections and that Mr Lammys team has been in touch with National Rally in Paris.

Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, used the sort of language the Government normally reserves for countries such as China, saying Britain would always need to work with France on global issues such as climate change and migration, but that Sir Keir will make the case for progressive values.

Disaster for France

Nigel Farage said it would be a disaster if National Rally won power in France. The Reform UK leader said the party would be even worse for the economy than the current lot.

Mr Farage, who believes in tax cuts and spending cuts, does not agree with National Rallys policy of borrowing heavily to fund public spending. He also believes the party is too protectionist when it comes to trade.

Mr Lammys dealings with Guyana, the country of his mothers birth, are also likely to come under scrutiny if he becomes foreign secretary.

He is an adviser to Pomeroon Trading, a start-up company that has had help from the UK Government and is listed on the Guyana Stock Exchange.

Although his advisory role to the company is unpaid, he holds share options in the firm, the value of which he has not disclosed.

Mr Lammy has declared his shareholding in the parliamentary register of members interests, but says it is below the level at which the value of shareholdings must be detailed. Under the current rules, any shareholding worth more than 15 per cent of a companys share capital, or greater in monetary value of 70,000, must be declared in full.

When The Telegraph asked Mr Lammy how much his share options were worth, his spokesman declined to say, adding only: David registered this in his members interests. The registration remains correct and up to date.

When the company  which grows coconuts and spices  went public that year, Mr Lammy told the media in Guyana: I hope Pomeroons initial public offering will excite all my fellow Guyanese people as much as it excites me.

Potential conflict of interest

In 2021, the companys website listed among its partners UK Trade and Investment, now part of the Department for Business and Trade. A spokesman for the department said: We hold no records of UKTI/DBT funding for Pomeroon Trading.

Bob Seely, the Conservative candidate for Isle of Wight West, said: This raises serious questions about a potential conflict of interest.

If Labour wins the election, David Lammy will be in charge of Britains relations with foreign countries including Guyana and the public will expect complete transparency. Labour seems to expect that the standards it calls on for others should not apply to them.
With an increase in global instability, the British Army needs to be ready for international conflict - AFP

The new head of the British Army, General Sir Roly Walker, has declared in an opening salvo to whichever party wins next weeks election that he wants to double the militarys lethality.

Gen Walker, a former member of the SAS, believes that the only real measurement of an army is its fighting power. And he believes that his challenge as the new Chief of the General Staff is to double that lethality in three years and treble it by the end of the decade. But if it is to be doubled, precisely how is this to be done?

General Roly Walker, a former member of the SAS, has just been appointed the British Army's chief of the general staff - Getty

Increase the size of the Army

The first and most obvious way of doubling the lethality of the Army might be simply to double the number of high-quality troops. By 2025, the Army will be reduced in size to a miserly 72,500 personnel  reportedly the lowest number for more than 200 years. Given that in May, Russia was sustaining 1,200 casualties a day  killed and wounded  the British Army could be expected to become operationally ineffective within a month if it sustained losses at a similar rate.

On the battlefield, size does matter, and quantity is said to have a quality all of its own. But the price of doing so would be huge. In 2021 the annual cost of employing a soldier was 47,352  meaning a potential additional cost of billions per year to double the size of the Army.

Adopt drone warfare

The war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza have both demonstrated the importance of this new type of warfare, where 50 drones equipped with relatively small amounts of explosives have been used to destroy tanks and armoured vehicles. So the potential is huge. Mass drone attacks could be used to defeat air defence systems and target lines of communication, creating mayhem in areas thought safe.

But drone warfare is accelerating at an alarming rate which makes procurement a nightmare given that equipment purchased today and delivered next year could easily become obsolete before it is even used. Gen Walker will have to find a way of squaring that circle.

Mass drone attacks can easily disable enemy communication lines - Reuters

Keep upgrading long-range fires

Gen Walker referred to the importance of long-range fires in his statement. By this, he means rocket systems capable of hitting the enemy in the rear, disrupting supply lines and destroying troops in devastating missile strikes.

Currently, the Army is reliant on the Royal Artillerys 44 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). These are now being upgraded to provide a greater range  up to 150km from 84km. Once upgraded, the MLRS system will also be able to fire the USs Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which has a range of 499km and is expected in service from 2024. The lethality of these killing machines cannot be underestimated  but he will want more of them.

Dont forget air defence

Air defence is vital to protect troops, tanks and equipment operating on the ground from air attack and missile strikes. Unfortunately, according to the well-respected defence analyst Francis Tusa, the British Armys air defence capability is virtually non-existent. The Armys air defence is composed of the long-range Sky Sabre missile system and the short-range Star Streak, he says. These are both capable weapon systems  we just dont have enough of them. Sky Sabre is currently deployed in Poland and the Falklands and there are around five launchers in the UK. The launcher is the vehicle which carries the missile launch system.

As well as the Sky Sabre systems, the Army is also equipped with around 150 short-range Star Streak air defence missile launchers. Star Streak is a shoulder-launched air defence missile, which can also be fitted to vehicles. Tusa adds: If the Army deployed in Ukraine today without any air defence, it would last about three weeks.

The Sky Sabre systems are effective, but are in short supply - Getty

Invest in electronic warfare

During the Cold War, electronic warfare (EW) was a big deal. In recent years, EW is a capability, which Tusa believes, has withered on the vine. But now its being treated seriously again. EW is all about disrupting your enemys ability to communicate via radio, computer and digital communications. It basically comes down to trying to listen into what your enemy is planning via their various means of communication and then disrupting those plans through jamming operations.

Tusa explains: EW has once again become significant, especially against a technically capable adversary. Jamming operations will once again be vital. EW wasnt hugely important in Afghanistan but it will be in the future.

Make the Army like the Special Forces

The UKs Special Forces are one of the few strategic assets that have successfully managed to insulate themselves from decades of defence cuts. Gen Walker has said he wants to make the Army more like the SAS  but that is a big ask. The Special Forces select the very best personnel the British army has to offer and then trains them to conduct covert operations in small teams, often deep behind the enemy lines. The SAS is able to do this because it has almost limitless resources, allowing for personnel to train in different environments around the world and with access to the very best weapons.

Stockpile enough ammunition to fight a lengthy war

Once upon a time, the Armed Forces used to have a network of vast underground bunkers packed with ammunition ready for use if the Cold War went hot. Today, the Armed Forces are reliant on a series of just-in-time contracts, with the defence industry designed to deliver enough ammunition just when it is needed.

Unfortunately, this isnt working in quite the way it was hoped. The chronic shortages of 155mm ammunition and replacing 6,000 NLAW anti-tank systems, which were largely given to Ukraine, were highlighted earlier this year in a Defence Select Committee report. Any hope of making the Army more lethal would mean that having adequate stocks of all forms of ammunition would be vital. Gen Walker wants better communication between the defence companies and what the Army actually needs on the front line. If this means embedding soldiers with contractors then why not?

Build more tanks

The Challenger 2 tanks (pictured here) will soon be upgraded in the form of the Challenger 3 - Jeff Gilbert

Few weapons systems define lethality more than a modern 50-ton tank, and Britain, so the Ministry of Defence claims, will have one of the worlds best in the form of the Challenger 3  the upgraded version of the Challenger 2. The new tank is due in service in 2025. The tanks will have better armour, more sophisticated sensors and a powerful smooth-bore gun, Unfortunately, the Army will only be equipped with 148.

Although the internet is full of images of Russian tanks being destroyed by handheld anti-tank weapons and drones, Colonel Philip Ingram, a former Army Intelligence Officer, believes heavy armour will be crucial in any future state-on-state war. He says: The Army needs to be able to deploy an armoured division of around 15,000 to 20,000 troops. Any view that this can be done on the cheap or without growing the Armys heavy armour capability is ridiculous.
Hazan: looked forward to a time when capitalism would be in retreat, and 'everything will become possible again, including the return of the excluded, the overcrowded, the despised'

Eric Hazan, who has died aged 87, was a paediatric surgeon in Algeria and in Palestinian refugee camps before founding La Fabrique, a French radical imprint that has published the work of figures including Edward Said, Alain Badiou and Zahra Ali; in later life he wrote a series of erudite and polemical alternative guides to Paris.

Beginning with The Invention of Paris, published when he was 66, Hazan dwelt on the historical significance of street signs, plaques in memory of men shot for joining the Resistance, and the psychogeography of the citys streets and arrondissements.

The Champs-Elysees he saw as the principal axis of Collaborationist Paris, while the classical lines of the Rue de Rivoli bore testimony to the absolutism of Napoleon and the Bourbon kings who preceded him.

But his main goal was to record and celebrate enclaves of vitality holding out against the commercialism, mass tourism, gentrification and museumification of his city.

The Invention of Paris, published when Hazan was 66

His own multicultural neighbourhood of Belleville, once an independent commune and the birthplace of Edith Piaf, which had mostly been spared the architectural modernisation efforts of the 1960s and 1970s, represented the kind of authentic Paris he loved.

He celebrated its prostitutes, immigrant schools, cafes full of card-playing Tunisian Jews, its Chinese supermarkets  and the modest coffee shop from which, in 1871, the revolutionary Jules Valles shot at government troops during the insurrection of the Paris Commune, the revolutionary government that held power from March 18 to May 28 that year.

Hazan looked forward to a time when capitalism would be in retreat, and everything will become possible again, including the return of the excluded, the overcrowded, the despised. Until then, he, argued, we must keep a grip on the city, know its history and its vagaries, so that when the time comes it can regain its colours and its glory.

Balzac's Paris, published in 2024, followed in Balzac's footsteps

Eric Hazan was born to Jewish immigrant parents on July 23 1936 in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine, to Fernand Hazan, a Cairo-born publisher of art books, and his wife, Blanche, nee Pascal.

After the German invasion in 1940 the family moved to Marseille, where Fernand established a sweet factory using imported honey, made, Eric Hazan claimed, by spiders. The money from this enterprise enabled the family to buy a house in Antibes, then under Italian jurisdiction, where the family remained hidden until the end of the war.

My family was not religious, Hazan recalled. But to be forced to hide during the war, thats something a child never forgets.

After the war he attended the Lycee Louis-le-Grand in Paris, after which he trained as a doctor and paediatric surgeon. After working in hospitals in Paris, he spent time in newly independent Algeria and in Lebanon, where he worked in Palestinian refugee camps.

But aged 47 he decided to give up his medical career and take over his fathers publishing business. In 1992 he sold it to Hachette and in 1998 he founded La Fabrique.

Its involvement with the radical Left sometimes brought La Fabrique to the attention of the police. In 2008, when anarchist revolutionaries sabotaged some rail lines, a copy of the La Fabrique-published The Coming Revolution by the mysteriously named Invisible Committee was found on one of those arrested. Hazan was interrogated by the police; naturally, sales of the book shot up.

In April 2023 La Fabrique again made headlines when British police officers detained its foreign rights manager, Ernest Moret, in St Pancras Station in an operation apparently related to his participation in the protests and strikes against French government plans to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Hazans other books include Paris in Turmoil: A City Between Past and Future; A Walk Through Paris: A Radical Exploration; A History of the Barricade; and Balzacs Paris: The City as Human Comedy.

Eric Hazan, born July 23 1936, died June 6 2024
Marine Le Pens far-right, anti-immigration party is in reach of becoming the biggest political force in the French parliament after a historically high showing in the first round of snap parliament elections.

The left and centrists immediately began to call for tactical voting to try to stop the far-right before next Sundays final round runoff, after exit polls indicated the National Rally (RN) performed well.

Official results showed that RN and its allies received 33% of the national popular vote, with the leftwing New Popular Front in second with 28%. President Emmanuel Macrons centrist bloc was third on 20% of the vote.

Related: Unease and fear in France as Le Pens National Rally leads in exit polls

Speaking after the polls had closed, Le Pen said French people had shown in an unambiguous vote  their wish to turn the page on seven years of the disdainful and corrosive [presidency] of Macron. The presidents centrists, she said, had been almost wiped out by the RN, which was now hoping to increase its 88 seats in parliament to a majority of 289.

This is still seen as a steep challenge, but if it happens in next Sundays decisive second round of voting, it will be the first time in French history that a far-right party has won a parliamentary election and forms a government. In that scenario, Macron  who called the election three weeks ago after losing to the RN in the European elections  would have to share power.

Equally, the RN could win the largest number of seats but fall short of a majority. Macron could then find himself with a hung parliament unable to govern the EUs second biggest economy and its top military power.

The New Popular Front (NFP), a leftwing coalition formed in an attempt to hold back the far right, received 28% of the vote.

We have one week to stop the far right coming to power, all progressives and humanists  have to mobilise behind the New Popular Front, said Clementine Autain of the leftwing France Unbowed party before the second-round election race next week.

Macrons centrist alliance was the biggest grouping in parliament, but it could now could lose more than half of its seats.

The national vote share indicates the broad trend of voting, but does not predict the exact makeup of the 577-seat parliament, which will only become clear in the final round on 7 July. Most constituencies will now go to runoffs. A record number of these will be three-way runoffs.

On Sunday night, Jordan Bardella, Le Pens protege and party president, said he wanted to be the prime minister of all the French. But in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nantes and Strasbourg thousands took part in street demonstrations against his party. Large crowds gathered at the Place de la Republique in the capital, where leading figures in the left alliance spoke out against the far right.

Bardella has said he will only become prime minister if his party wins an absolute majority. He has ruled out trying to form a minority government and neither Macron nor the NFP leftist group will form an alliance with him.

I will be a cohabitation prime minister, he said, referring to the fact that Macron will remain president. He said he would be respectful of the constitution and of the office of President of the Republic, but uncompromising about the policies we will implement.

The RNs chances of winning power will depend on the political dealmaking made by its rivals over the coming days. In the past, the traditional right and leftwing parties have struck agreements to stand down candidates from the runoffs to avoid splitting the vote against the RN. But the tactical voting strategy known as the republican front to block the RN is less certain than ever.

In a written statement, Macron called on voters to rally behind candidates who are clearly republican and democratic, which, based on his recent declarations, would exclude candidates from the RN and from Jean-Luc Melenchons France Unbowed, but not candidates representing the NFPs more moderate leftwing parties.

In an address, the prime minister, Gabriel Attal, echoed that appeal, saying that with the RN at the gates of power, runoff candidates in third place should withdraw. Not one single vote must go to the National Rally  The stakes are clear: to prevent the National Rally from having an absolute majority, he said.

Melenchon said the left alliance would withdraw all its candidates who came third in the first round, saying: Our guideline is simple and clear: not a single more vote for the National Rally.

Several RN MPs were elected in the first round, including Marine Le Pen. In northern France, one of the most popular figures on the French left  the head of the Communist party, Fabien Roussel  was knocked out in the first round by the RN candidate, Guillaume Florquin.

The turnout of more than 69%  way above the turnout in 2022 polls of just 47.5%  was the highest in almost 40 years in an increasingly polarised country, where Macron had said that a win by either the far right or hard left could lead to civil war in France.

Risk analysis firm Eurasia Group said the RN looked likely to fall short of an absolute majority. France was facing at least 12 months with a rancorously blocked National Assembly and  at best  a technocratic government of national unity with limited capacity to govern, it added.

For decades, the Front National party co-founded by Le Pens father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, was regarded as a danger to democracy that promoted racist, antisemitic and anti-Muslim views. Centrist and leftwing politicians attempted to remind voters of the history of the 52-year-old party, which at its start included in its ranks former members of a Waffen-SS military unit under Nazi command during the second world war. But the renamed party surged after Marine Le Pens years-long public relations drive to normalise its policies and detoxify its image.

The anti-immigration party has, however, kept its traditional doctrine once known as France for the French, or national preference, which it has renamed national priority. It means that French citizens would, if the RN were in power, be given priority over non-nationals for jobs, social welfare assistance and housing. The party has pledged to bar dual nationals from certain strategic state jobs in France. It wants to scrap nationality rights for children born and raised in France by foreign parents.

Macron stunned and bewildered his own government and supporters with his decision this month to dissolve parliament and call snap elections after his centrist, pro-European grouping was trounced by the RN in EU elections. He argued that he was calling the vote to clarify the French political landscape.
The Right's Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella seen on billboards in a street - Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

France goes to the polls on Sunday for the second round of its most crucial election in decades.

The hard-Right National Rally (RN) topped the first round of voting last month with 33 per cent, while the Left-wing New Popular Front alliance came second with 28 per cent.

Together, Emmanuel Macrons centrist coalition, came a distant third with around 20 per cent.

Mr Macron called the election after being trounced by Marine Le Pens National Rally in European elections in June  shocking France and taking some of his closest allies by surprise, according to reports.

The French president had hoped the vote would see the electorate reject the hard-Right.

However, critics warned that it would prove a reckless gamble which could propel extremists into government.

When is the French election and how will it work?

The first round of legislative elections to choose deputes (MPs) for Frances National Assembly took place on June 30.

Emmanuel Macron's election call may prove to be a reckless gamble - Aurelien Morissard/Reuters

More than 60 candidates who received more than 50 per cent of the vote in their constituency were automatically elected. Ballots will be cast in the remaining 501 seats in a run-off vote on July 7.

Any candidate who secured the support of more than 12.5 per cent of registered voters in the first round will progress to the second. Whoever gets the most votes in the second round wins the seat.

In an attempt to erect a firewall against RN, the Left-wing bloc and Mr Macrons alliance have pulled 224 candidates out of three-way races. Polling suggests the manoeuvre may have paid off.

While voters tend to pick candidates who best reflect their values in the first round, the process becomes more tactical by the second round.

A weaker candidate may step aside so it becomes a two-horse race  for example, between a mainstream candidate and hard-Right candidate.

This can allow voters of various views to band together to block a rival.

The party which manages to secure a majority in the lower house of parliament then forms a government to serve under the president.

When will the results be announced?

The second round of voting is taking place on Sunday.

Voting ends at 8pm local time (7pm BST), when pollsters publish nationwide projections based on a partial vote count. These are usually reliable, with official results trickling in from 8pm.

Vote counting is usually fast and efficient and the winners of all, or nearly all, seats will be known by the end of the evening.

Who is in the running?

The frontrunner in this race is the hard-Right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen in parliament and nationally by Jordan Bardella, who could become Frances youngest prime minister at the age of 28.

Marine Le Pen arrives at Rassemblement National (RN) party headquaters in Paris - Yoan Valat/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

In second place is a Left-wing alliance, the Popular Front, formed from centre-Left, hard-Left and Green parties.

Trailing them both in third place is Mr Macrons centrist alliance Ensemble, which has been on the ropes since losing its absolute majority in parliament in 2022.

The latest polls indicate that the RNs hope of scoring an absolute majority is further from grasp in the run-off vote.

The most optimistic projections from French broadcaster BFM TV give the RN 200-230 seats, while others forecast between 185 and 215 seats.

All of them are well below the 289 seats that would be required for Ms Le Pens party to take an absolute majority in parliament.

Mr Macron has said publicly that he will not resign, but Elysees insiders have suggested to French media that he has become unpredictable.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-Left party France Unbowed (LFI) has called on the president to step down if the election produces a hung parliament.

Why did Emmanuel Macron call an election?

Critics of Mr Macron believe his move was an act of hubris that will doom his presidency and propel the hard-Right into power.

Ms Le Pen has spent years working to sanitise her partys image and position herself as the co-leader of a new party of government.

Now that goal is tantalisingly close, thanks in large part to Mr Macrons decision.

However, the French president was already under immense pressure from the National Rally given its soaring popularity over the course of his presidency.

In calling the election, he had an opportunity to take the initiative and fight on his own terms.

Initially, the tactic seemed effective, throwing the French Right into total disarray as they argued over the shape of their anti-Macron alliance.

Nevertheless, it has since taken pole position in the election.

The presidents move did not catch the French Left off-guard in the same way, who formed an alliance that has pushed ahead of Mr Macron.

Who will become prime minister?

When the president fails to secure a majority, they must appoint a prime minister from the winning alliance.

This process  known as cohabitation  has only happened only three times in modern French history.

In 1997, for example, Jacques Chirac, a conservative president, appointed Lionel Jospin, the socialist prime minister.



When the prime minister is appointed, they are accountable to parliament, lead the government and introduce bills.

The president retains some authority over foreign policy, such as holding the nuclear codes, and can veto the prime ministers laws, though parliament can overrule this with its majority.

If the National Rally secures an absolute majority, Mr Macron will be left as a lame duck.

What are the possible outcomes?

RN minority

An RN minority government looks the most likely outcome from the state of the polls.

However, Mr Bardella says he will refuse to become prime minister without being backed up by an absolute majority, since his government could be overthrown by a no-confidence vote.

I tell the French people that to act, I need an absolute majority, the 28-year-old has said.

A prime minister ... with a relative majority cannot change things, I would not be able to act in the daily lives of French people, on the countrys policies.

However, if the polls are wrong and RN comes just below the 289-seat threshold, it will seek an alliance with Right-wing deputies for an absolute majority.

Left, mainstream alliance

The president could try to build a grand coalition or plural assembly by selecting a centre-Left prime minister propped up with support from the Greens, Socialists and Republicans.

Gabriel Attal, the prime minister, has said he hopes to have enough centrist lawmakers to build a majority of projects and ideas with other Republican forces. This may include those from the centre-Left and the centre-Right.

However, assembling a coalition will be a significant challenge given the political differences it will have to contain.

One alliance that is off the table is a pact between Mr Macrons centrist party and the far-Left France Unbowed, which both sides have ruled out.

Paralysis

Another option is for Mr Macron to appoint a government of experts such as economists and senior civil servants, to form a technical government until the next election.

Their responsibilities would be limited to day-to-day affairs rather than major reforms.

Experts predict that this form of government would not last long. The National Assembly cannot be dissolved before June 9 2025.
The head of the Gaza Strips biggest hospital has accused Israel of torturing him and other detainees, following his release after seven months in Israeli prisons and detention facilities.

Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, was among dozens of Palestinians freed and returned to Gaza on Monday, according to Israeli authorities.

The doctor, who had been held by Israel without charge since arrest at his workplace in November, said he and other prisoners were subjected to almost daily torture while in detention in Israel.

Mistreatment included assaults with batons and dogs, deprivation of food and medicine, as well as physical and psychological humiliation, Abu Salmiya said.

Other detainees released alongside Abu Salmiya also alleged abuse. The claims could not be independently confirmed but matched other accounts of Palestinians who have been held in Israeli custody.

Abu Salmiya also said the medical staff at different facilities where he was held had taken part in the abuse in violation of all laws and that some detainees had limbs amputated because of poor medical care.

Related: Whistleblowers allege widespread abuses at Israeli detention camp

There was no immediate response from the Israeli prison service, which has previously denied multiple similar accusations.

The release of Abu Salmiya prompted a political row in Israel, with the countrys most senior officials denying prior knowledge of the move.

Israels Shin Bet intelligence agency said it had decided on the release with the Israeli military to free up places in detention centres. The agency said it opposed the release of terrorists who had taken part in attacks on Israeli civilians so it was decided to free several Gaza detainees who represent a lesser danger.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels far-right national security minister, who controls the police and prison service, said the release of Abu Salmiya and others constituted security negligence and blamed the defence ministry, which denied responsibility. The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, said Abu Salmiyas release was another sign of the governments lawlessness and dysfunction.

The row came as the Israeli army ordered another mass evacuation of Palestinians from much of Gazas second city, Khan Younis, in an indication that troops were poised to start a new ground assault on the city.

Much of Khan Younis was destroyed in a long assault earlier this year, but large numbers of Palestinians have since returned to escape another Israeli offensive in Rafah, the southernmost city in the territory.

Sporadic clashes continued in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza on Monday, local people and officials said. The armed wing of Islamic Jihad, an Iranian-backed ally of Hamas, said it had fired rockets towards several Israeli communities near the fence with Gaza. The volley caused no casualties, the Israeli military said.

Abu Salmiya was detained when Israeli forces raided al-Shifa hospital in November after alleging that Hamas had created an elaborate command and control centre inside the sprawling medical complex.

The military uncovered a tunnel beneath the hospital leading to a few rooms, as well as other evidence that militants had been present inside the facility, but little that substantiated claims made before the raid that the complex concealed a sophisticated underground command base.

The army raided al-Shifa a second time earlier this year, causing heavy destruction, after saying militants had regrouped there.

Israel has raided several other Gaza hospitals after making similar allegations, forcing them to shut down or dramatically reduce services. Hospitals can lose their protection under international law if combatants use them for military purposes.

Since the start of the war, Israeli forces have detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank, crowding military detention facilities and prisons. Many are being held without charge or trial in what is known as administrative detention.

In May the Guardian reported allegations of widespread abuse at the Sde Teiman detention facility in the Negev desert in Israels south, based on whistleblowers accounts.

Other media have also documented multiple descriptions of abuse at the camp, where thousands of detainees from Gaza have been held since the beginning of the war.

Last month Israels high court of justice ordered the Israeli government to update it on conditions at the facility, after a legal petition from human rights organisations.

Israel launched its offensive into Gaza after Hamass surprise attack into southern Israel in October, in which Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 250 hostage.

The war has killed at least 37,900 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry. The figure does not differentiate between combatants and civilians but almost half of the 28,000 who have been fully identified were women and children.
Waves crash into a pier after Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 1 July 2024. Photograph: Andrea De Silva/Reuters

The prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has decried a lack of political will in western Europe and the US to tackle global climate crisis as Hurricane Beryl has made landfall as an extremely dangerous category 4 storm.

Speaking from his residence in SVG on Monday, Ralph Gonsalves described the unfolding catastrophe as the monster storm ripped off rooftops, including that of the 204-year-old St Georges Anglican cathedral in the countrys capital, Kingstown.

We have no electricity, and while I am talking to you, the rain is beating on the official prime ministers residence, and the winds are howling. And its going to get much worse, he said. The coming hours are going to be horrendous.

Related: We cant let the animals die: drought leaves Sicilian farmers facing uncertain future

Torrential rain and gale-force winds downed power lines, smashed vehicles and forced thousands into shelters. Videos posted on social media showed aluminium roofing sheets gliding through the air.

In a statement late Monday, Gonsalves said that on Union Island, 90% of houses had lost their roofs or been severely damaged.

Warning that there is worse to come, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration described Beryl as life-threatening.

Beryl strengthened from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours  a phenomenon recorded only six times before in Atlantic hurricane history.

By Sunday morning, countries across the eastern Caribbean, including SVG, Barbados, Grenada and St Lucia, had been put on hurricane watch. Before the end of the day, a full-blown state of emergency declaration was issued on some islands, with curfews and restrictions on movement.

Beryl has also grounded flights and forced the postponement of major events in the region, including the celebrations around the St Vincent Carnival and the 20-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders summit, which was scheduled for this week in Grenada.

Scientists say that human-caused climate breakdown has increased the occurrence of the most intense and destructive tropical storms, because warming oceans provide more energy and increase their strength.

With the winds howling in the background, Gonsalves said:

For the major emitters of greenhouse gases, those who contribute most to global warning, you are getting a lot of talking, but you are not seeing a lot of action  as in making money available to small-island developing states and other vulnerable countries.

I am hopeful that what is happening  and we are quite early in the hurricane season  will alert them to our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses and encourage them to honour the commitments they have made on a range of issues, from the Paris accord to the current time.

SVG  which is still recovering from the effects of a major volcanic eruption in 2021  and neighbouring Grenada are bearing the brunt of Hurricane Beryl. After the storm made landfall in Carriacou, one of the islands of Grenada, officials said they had received reports of devastation.

Gonsalves referred to Cop, the annual UN climate change conference, as largely a talk shop.

He also pointed to the UK election campaign as an example of weak political will on climate action.

He said: Climate change is not playing any major part in the campaigns. While you hear one or two people from the Labour party talk about it and some concerns from the Greens, it is really not at the core of the messages from the major parties to the British people  for the simple reason that it is not an election winner one way or the other.

The same thing is happening in other parts of the election in western Europe and the United States as countries move to the right. Its a terrible time for small-island developing states and vulnerable countries.
Jill Biden defended her husband in a phone call with American Vogue, following the presidential debate - NORMAN JEAN ROY/VOGUE.COM

Jill Biden has insisted her husbands lacklustre debate performance against Donald Trump should not define the four years hes been president, in a cover interview with American Vogue.

The first lady spoke to the magazine from the secluded presidential retreat of Camp David on Sunday  where her family had gathered following Thursdays disastrous debate, in which her husband repeatedly froze and stumbled over his answers, which were at times incomprehensible.

We will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president. We will continue to fight, Mrs Biden said.

The first lady was Vogue's cover star this month and told the magazine 'we will continue to fight' - NORMAN JEAN ROY/VOGUE.COM

Democrat donors have turned on the first lady over her failure to advise her husband to pull out of the 2024 presidential race.

Lots of people are blaming his wifefor not telling him [to step aside], one told the New York Post.

Democrat donors have turned on the first lady over her failure to advise her husband to pull out of the race - Norman Jean Roy

The Vogue interview was conducted ahead of the CNN debate but the publication followed up with Mrs Biden via phone on Sunday.

Hunter Biden is also said to be one of the strongest voices urging his father to resist the pressure to stand aside.

The New York Times reported that Hunter, 54, is desperate for his fathers awkward display in front of 50 million American viewers on Thursday not to become his legacy, according to a source informed by the ongoing family discussions.

Hunter Biden is reported to be one the strongest voices urging his father to resist stepping down - AFP Contributor#AFP

The ageing presidents oldest child is currently facing his own battles, following his federal gun conviction earlier this month and a trial set for September over tax evasion charges.

Mr Bidens family are said to be accepting of how poorly he performed against former president Donald Trump  but have expressed frustration with the aides who prepared him for the event.

Another person privy to the discussions told The New York Times the entire family is united, adding that there was no talk of Mr Biden backing out.

The 81-year-old president has previously said he would never run a political campaign without the backing of his family.

Further sources said Mr Biden was upset by the criticism but was committed to staying in the race. In private conversations, he has reportedly asked his aides and allies about what they are hearing in the Democrat camp.
John Swinney admits that there is 'only male and female' - Jane Barlow/PA Wire

John Swinney has admitted he thinks there are only two genders despite being Nicola Sturgeons deputy when she pushed through her self-ID laws.

The First Minister initially tried to avoid answering a question on a radio phone-in about how many genders there are, saying it was a matter of political debate.

But, pressed three times by the BBCs Nicky Campbell for a response, he eventually stated that from my point of view there is the male and female gender.

Mr Swinney also said it was up to an incoming Labour government to decide whether Ms Sturgeons controversial Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill would be resurrected.

The Bill would allow Scots to change their legal gender by simply signing a statutory declaration, dropping the requirement for a formal medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Rishi Sunaks Government blocked the legislation over concerns it undermined UK-wide womens rights, including the sanctity of safe spaces such as changing rooms.

JK Rowling has called Ms Sturgeon a destroyer of womens rights and, in May, criticised Mr Swinney for refusing to say if he believes trans women were women.

Asked by Mr Campbell on BBC Radio Five Live how many genders he thought there were, Mr Swinney said:  I think therell be quite a debate about that. Nikki.

Pressed a second time for his views, the First Minister said: Well, I think in this debate a woman is an adult born as a female and there are also transgender women.

Asked by Mr Campbell a third time how many genders there are, Mr Swinney said: I think people will debate and discuss that. From my point of view, theres the male and female gender.

Ms Rowling tweeted as recording of the exchange, saying: In which the First Minister of Scotland does a very good impression of a teenager trying to bulls--- his way through questions on a book hes never read.

Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Tory MSP, tweeted that the First Ministers response to the question had been excruciating.

The First Ministers comments came after a caller to the phone-in expressed concern that the GRR Bill would be brought back and would undermine the sanctity of women-only safe spaces.

Mr Swinney, who was Ms Sturgeons deputy first minister, said he accepted a ruling by the Court of Session in Edinburgh last September that the UK Government acted lawfully by blocking the legislation.

In a 65-page judgment, Lady Haldane rejected claims made by the SNP that Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, had acted irrationally and could not justify his concern the legislation would undermine UK-wide protections for women.

The First Minister said: The question then arises is whether the incoming Labour government would change the stance of the UK Government.

I dont know what the answer to that question is. I think thats a matter for the incoming Labour government, which I expect to be in place on Friday. It would be their decision as to what to do in that respect.

He insisted that his SNP administration would do nothing to jeopardise womens safe spaces.

The UK Labour manifesto pledged to simplify the process for changing legal gender whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist doctor.

But the Scottish Labour document removed this wording and merely promised to modernise, simplify and reform the procedure.

For Women Scotland, the feminist campaign group, said the absence of any medical diagnosis meant that the plan was completely and utterly self-ID.

Marion Calder, the organisations director, said Mr Swinney had deliberately confused sex and gender during the phone-in.

She said there were only two sexes but there are as many genders as there are people on the planet.
David Lammy, Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Angela Rayner

If we are trying to decipher what a Labour government will mean for British policy towards Israel, and the impact of such policy here in the UK, it probably makes sense to look at the most recent opportunity for Labour politicians to demonstrate where they stand. In that context, one could make a plausible case that the most important support by any British politician of Israels right to self-defence after the massacre of October 7  and thus of its having spent the past eight months hunting down Hamas in Gaza  has come from Sir Keir Starmer.

At the start of the Gaza war, few would have expected the Leader of the Labour Party to have been so resolute in his backing of the Israeli case for military action. Most obviously thats because until Sir Keir became leader in 2020, Labour was led by a man who described members of Hamas and Hezbollah as his friends. But it goes deeper than Jeremy Corbyn. Many Labour members parrot the dreary progressive mantra that Israel itself is an illegitimate colonialist enterprise and that Israels enemies are, by definition, friends. A Venn diagram between Labour supporters and attendees at the now fortnightly hate marches through London would have a big overlap.

But Sir Keir has stood firm and resolute, refusing to buckle in the face of pressure from these people  in the face, too, of a concerted attempt by some Muslims to divide politics along sectarian lines and to create a Muslim bloc vote to oppose Labour over Gaza on 4 July.

This steadfastness by Sir Keir is encouraging. Unfortunately, however, almost all other evidence points in the opposite direction.

Labours manifesto promise to recognise a Palestinian state may not be new  in 2014 the then Labour leader, Ed Miliband, voted in favour in a Commons motion on the issue  but after October 7 it is, at best, crass. The manifesto says recognition will be a contribution to a renewed peace process. In reality, however, recognition before there has been any form of peace agreement with Israel is nothing other than a reward for Hamas terror  and has already been proclaimed as that by Hamas after Spain, Ireland and Norway moved to recognition last month, with the organisation saying it shows its terror works.

Labours policy is not that of a serious player in the Middle East, where the action revolves around Saudi Arabia and the Abraham Accords, and where Saudi recognition of Israel would be a far more potent lever towards a broader settlement  including a Palestinian state.



Whilst Sir Keir seems to grasp the need for a certain coolness towards many in his party, the man who seems set to be foreign secretary has taken the opposite approach. David Lammys reaction to the overtly political application last month by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for an arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes alongside the leader of Hamas  drawing an equivalence between the two  was to back it with what came across to me almost as glee. He appeared to relish the idea of Britain handing over decisions to a deeply political international forum. Given the fetishisation of human rights law on the left, when combined with Labours fears over Muslim support, this is surely a more likely pointer to Labours stance in government than Sir Keirs previous backing of Israels right to defend itself.



There are similar pointers elsewhere. One of the casualties of the early election was the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill  better known as the BDS Bill, which sought to prevent public bodies from implementing Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions policies when deciding procurement and investment. Labour fought it tooth and nail, despite BDS being fundamentally anti-Semitic, with campaigners singling out the worlds only Jewish state  and only the Jewish state  for boycott.



Worryingly, too, the manifesto commits Labour to reverse the Conservatives decision to downgrade the monitoring of antisemitic and Islamophobic hate  a reference to the important decision taken by Suella Braverman as Home Secretary to ban the police from recording non-crime hate incidents. It will not be long, one can be sure, before the first report of the police feeling someones collar for daring to call out Islamist hatred. And given the polices dogmatic refusal to tackle the overt antisemitic hate on display at the fortnightly hate marches, it is difficult to see how the marchers, and their backers in organisations such as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, will be anything other than emboldened by the arrival of a Labour government.



Sir Keir Starmer has given a good impression of someone on the sensible side of these issues. But sense is not a word that applies to most of his colleagues.
Protesters outside Labour's London headquarters in a demonstration organised by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism in 2018 - TOLGA AKMEN/AFP

Labour has a problem with racism among its supporters, the Home Secretary has said.

In an interview with The Telegraph, James Cleverly said that his most recent experience of racism had been from the political Left, with their anti-patriotic rhetoric telling ethnic minorities they should know their place.

I get criticism when I say how proud I am of this country, I get criticised by Left-wing voices, and it reminds me that they fundamentally hate this country, and they expect me to echo their opinion, and I dont, and I wont, said Mr Cleverly, whose father is English and mother is from Sierra Leone.

The Home Secretarys comments follow an election row over racist comments by some Reform UK candidates and supporters, including personal slurs targeting Rishi Sunaks Asian heritage which left the Prime Minister hurt and angry.

Mr Cleverly said he did not think the Reform UK leadership had gone anywhere near far enough distancing themselves from some of these distasteful opinions.

Speaking during a break from campaigning in his Braintree seat in Essex, he said: Ive met Nigel Farage, and whilst I fundamentally disagree with him, Im not suggesting thats the kind of language that he personally would use.

But the simple truth is, a number of people who have, you know, joined his party and are campaigning or standing on behalf of his party have clearly got some really quite anti-British views.

These are not patriotic views. Suggesting that we placate Putin is not patriotic. Suggesting that Churchill should have struck a deal with Hitler, thats not patriotic. Thats not what my voters in Essex want to associate themselves with.

James Cleverly believes there is still time to woo Reform voters back to the Tories - THOMAS KRYCH/STORY PICTURE AGENCY

Asked if he had experienced racism on the campaign or elsewhere, he said: The sad truth is the racism Ive received most recently has come from the political Left. Thats a sad indication of modern Left-wing politics, the idea that theyre very proud of black politicians, but only if they agree with their Left-wing ideology.

He said he was incredibly proud to live in a fantastic country where people like his and Mr Sunaks parents could work hard and get huge opportunities.

The ethnic diversity at the top of conservative politics is a really powerful reflection of that entrepreneurial attitude that many migrant families have, and the fact that in the UK, if you work hard, you play by the rules, you pay your taxes and you do the right thing, you can really get on, said Mr Cleverly.

Whereas the voice Im hearing from the Left is kind of like: Know your place, stick with the Left-wing lines to take. Dont be proud. Dont be proud of this country.

Despite the Tories lagging up to 20 points behind Labour in the polls, Mr Cleverly said he struggled to remember a time when there were so many undecided voters at this stage of an election campaign, with just three days to go.

Although he refused to say if the Tories could still win, he said Labour had clearly not sealed the deal with voters which gave the Tories a credible chance getting a lot of the undecided members of the public to recognise whats at risk and vote Conservative.

Very uncomfortable with Labour

I think a lot of those voters have realised that the election is still very much in their hands, that the opinion polls dont dictate the outcome. Voters do. And as I say, a lot of those voters have told me that they are very, very uncomfortable with Labour, he said.

It is this assessment of the political odds that he uses to close down speculation that he might stand in a post-election Conservative leadership contest. Asked if he would be prepared to lead the Tories if asked to do so in the event of Mr Sunak losing the election, he replied: My plan is to try and make that a moot point.

My plan is to try to infuse those as yet undecided voters, those people who may have told the pollsters they were thinking about voting Labour, who are starting to recognise the fact that they will be taxed to the eyeballs by a Labour government.

So we get the best chance of having as many Conservative Members of Parliament as possible working towards getting a working majority. Thats what Im relentlessly focused on and any distractions other than that is not the best use of my time, effort or energy. I am focusing on getting myself and my colleagues elected.

To this end, he highlighted three key pillars of Conservatism: investing in defence, backing the police and protecting the UKs borders. All those things would be put at risk with a Labour Government, he said.

Particularly in light of the fact that Keir Starmer has already said hes going to gerrymander the system with votes at 16, packing out the House of Lords, probably going to give votes to foreign nationals and to criminals, which is something that hes been passionate about for years and years and years.

Thats totally at odds with what the British people need and want.

Big majority

Mr Cleverly, a former party chairman as well as former foreign secretary, believed there was still time to woo Reform voters back to the Tories on the basis that they instinctively knew that backing Nigel Farages party would hand Labour a potential landslide victory.

He steered clear of talk about a super majority, but warned: The point is that the most likely outcome if a lot of people vote for Reform is that Labour end up with a big majority and will do the opposite of what those voters want.

In the conversation, they dont need me to tell them that they know instinctively a Labour government would be completely at odds with what they want, and that even the best result for Reform would be maybe a handful of MPs, if that, but a big Labour majority with a leader who took the knee rather than backing the police.

His Telegraph interview comes just hours after the seismic results in Frances parliamentary elections, putting Marine Le Pens Right-wing National Rally party on course for power. This has raised speculation that the French could take a less aggressive approach to stopping the migrant boats crossing the Channel.

However, Mr Cleverly did not believe it would affect Anglo-French efforts to stop the small boats in the short term as inter-government co-operation was done through ministers appointed under the presidential system of Emmanuel Macron.

Co-operation across Europe

So the bottom line is that weve already got very, very good co-operation across Europe. I have no doubt that under the Conservatives who take this issue seriously, we will continue doing that, he said.

I genuinely fear that those people queuing up in France, praying for a Labour government before they come over to the UK, the criminal gangs who know that Labour will be a softer touch on this than we are, they are just waiting for a Labour government.

And I really worry that the problem is not so much the electoral outcome in Europe, but the electoral outcome here in the UK.
Angela Rayner has been happy to term herself a 'socialist' - Jon Super/AP

Tory voters are concerned about Angela Rayner one day succeeding Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, a poll has suggested.

Labour voters were twice as likely as Tory supporters to back Ms Rayner as Sir Keirs successor.

While 28 per cent of those who voted Labour in 2019 backed the deputy leader to take over, only 13 per cent of 2019 Conservatives felt the same.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, was a much less divisive choice attracting the backing of 13 per cent of Tories and 18 per cent of those in Labour and coming above health spokesman Wes Streeting and Lisa Nandy, the shadow aid secretary.

Ms Rayner was the most popular choice among Labour voters, which will lead to fears that Sir Keir could be followed in office by his much more Left-wing deputy.

With separate surveys suggesting as few as 35 per cent of 2019 Tory voters will stick with the party on Thursday July 4, the findings raise the prospect that those who have turned to Labour believe that Ms Rayner could eventually replace Sir Keir.

Ms Rayner is one of a few senior Labour figures who has been happy to term herself a socialist.

She has pledged a radical workers rights agenda under which all Tory legislation affecting trades unions brought in since 2010 would be repealed.

Ms Reeves refused to serve under Jeremy Corbyn and has built up close relations with business, scrapping previous policies such as a cap on bankers bonuses.

The Savanta poll for the Daily Telegraph also showed that Labours lead over the Conservatives has narrowed to its lowest for a month as the election campaign reaches its end.

The Tories were on 24 per cent, up three  the highest figure since before Rishi Sunaks D-Day debacle in early June.

Labour has also increased by one point to 39 per cent. Sir Keir Starmers lead of 15 points over Mr Sunak is still likely to result in a Labour landslide but it could save the Conservatives from electoral oblivion.

Meanwhile Reform UK saw another decline by one point to 13 per cent, the Liberal Democrats fell by the same amount to 10 per cent and the Greens suffered a two-point loss, leaving them on four per cent.

Almost half of the public said their impression of Mr Sunak had worsened during the campaign, including 31 per cent of those who voted Conservative in 2019.

His decision to leave Junes D-Day ceremony early is seen as the biggest gaffe of the campaign, the poll suggested.

Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said: This is the highest Conservative vote share in a Savanta poll since early June - or more specifically, pre D-Day debacle.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves here: this result, if replicated on election night, would still mean a historic Labour victory.

But these sorts of numbers imply heavy losses rather than electoral oblivion. Alongside Reform UK looking like they could be slipping, this is as close to good news as the Conservative Party gets these days.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty left the D-Day celebrations early in Normandy - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

The poll of 2,287 adults, was carried out between Wednesday and Friday last week. On Wednesday night, Mr Sunak was seen to have bested Sir Keir on immigration in the final leadership debate of the campaign.

However, the survey showed that only Labour is perceived to have run a positive campaign, with 45 per cent saying so compared with 32 per cent who said it was negative.

Reform UKs campaign was seen by 45 per cent of people to have been negative, with 27 per cent rating it positive. The Conservatives were considered to have run a positive campaign by only 22 per cent of people compared with 56 who thought it had been negative.

The general perception of Sir Keir has remained net neutral over the course of the campaign, as it has for Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader.

For the other two leaders, the public are far more likely to say that their opinion has worsened rather than improved.

A quarter said their opinion of Reforms Nigel Farage had improved but four in ten said it has worsened. For the Prime Minister, half said their opinion had worsened with just one in six saying it had improved.

Mr Hopkins said: This campaign is not the only reason the Conservatives are in a deep trouble, but it certainly hasnt helped.

The public thinks that the Conservatives have run the most negative campaign out of all the major parties, and half say their view of Sunak has got worse since the election was called. Id imagine thats the opposite of what the Conservative Party were hoping.

Some 20 per cent of voters said that Mr Sunaks D-Day departure was the most damaging campaign gaffe or misstep, closely followed by Reform UK candidates caught on film making racist slurs (17 per cent) and the betting scandal (16 per cent).

Mr Sunak saying he went without Sky TV as a child was listed by 11 per cent of voters, the Labour candidate betting against himself 6 per cent and Labours mishandling of Diane Abbotts candidacy 5 per cent.

The biggest mishap for 4 per cent was Mr Sunak announcing the date of the election in the pouring rain, followed by Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, running as an independent (2 per cent) and Mr Farage having milkshake thrown at him (1 per cent).
Marine Le Pen's party became more popular after her father, Jean-Marie, was kicked out

It was a defining moment in Marine Le Pens painstaking bid to de-demonise her party.

As the National Rally leader was about to deliver a speech at her partys traditional May 1 march in 2015, her estranged father took to the stage.

She had already banned Jean-Marie Le Pen, the ageing Holocaust denier, from speaking after a fresh salvo of anti-Semitic comments, including that he had never considered Frances wartime collaborationist leader Philippe Petain a traitor and labelling then prime minister Manuel Valls an immigrant due to his Spanish roots.

But he defied her and, dressed in red in defiance, stood before the crowd, waving his fists in the air and exclaiming: Ive been disowned.

Enough was enough, and he was subsequently booted out of the party altogether.

Jean-Marie Le Pen's final act of defiance was enough for his daughter to boot him out of the party - KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP

Marines cut-throat family purge appears to have spectacularly paid off as her party has reached the gates of power after clinching a historic score in Sundays first round of snap parliamentary elections.

While the RN may yet fall short of an absolute majority in next Sundays run-off, the fact that 10.6 million French, or 33 per cent of voters, cast a ballot in her favour is a massive vindication of Ms Le Pens attempts to erase its pariah status.

In the space of a few years weve gone from being the most hated party in France to the most loved party, she recently told the Telegraph.

The RN won 31 per cent of the vote in the June 9 European elections, far ahead of Emmanuel Macrons camp on 14.6 per cent, with several polls suggesting her bid to prove she had broken with her partys xenophobic, anti-Semitic past was gradually bearing fruit.

Last year, for the first time since 1984, more French people (45 per cent) than the reverse (41 per cent) said they no longer viewed the RN as a threat to democracy, according to a Verian-Epoka survey.

Now, thats not something you can do by snapping your fingers. Im not the only one responsible, but come on, maybe Ill give myself a little credit for this development, said Ms Le Pen, who has an eye on the presidency in 2027.

I think weve done our homework. Does that mean that the political and media system is not yet reticent? Of course it is, but its been humming along for 30 years and someone coming along and changing things creates resistance. Thats not a problem, were used to it.

During the campaign, political rivals seized on the partys toxic history to try to mobilise voters against it in the run-up to Frances snap election.

Left-wing and centrist politicians reminded voters that when Ms Le Pens father co-founded the party  originally named Front National  in 1972, its ranks included former members of a Waffen SS military unit under Nazi command during the Second World War.

However, president Macron has previously cautioned against this approach.

When Elisabeth Borne, his former prime minister and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, told a radio station in 2023 that Ms Le Pens party were heirs of Petain, he warned that history and morality were no longer effective in countering its apparently inexorable rise.

You will never make millions of people who have voted for the far-Right believe they are fascists, Mr Macron reportedly told ministers, suggesting that gunning for its policies, not its past was the best way to bring it down.

That past is undoubtedly racist and anti-Semitic. Mr Le Pen, a former paratrooper who had served in Algeria, once founded a company that sold recordings of Nazi speeches and German military songs.

In 1987, he famously dubbed the Holocaust a mere detail of the Second World War and was subsequently convicted of hate speech and contesting crimes against humanity.

Unabashed racist

An unabashed racist, in 1996, he said he believed in the inequality of the races and that ebola was a blessing for Africa as it would result in fewer migrants coming to Europe.

Mr Le Pen once called the Holocaust a 'mere detail' of the Second World War - REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

When, in 2002, he shocked France by making the second round of the presidential election, it sparked mass street demonstrations. His rival, Jacques Chirac, won with more than 82 per cent of the vote.

When Jean-Marie Le Pens youngest daughter, took over the anti-immigration party in 2011, she ousted many of its most extreme elements and toned down its language, framing it as a governing rather than protest party.

She then ousted her father from the party, saying his outbursts were political suicide.

In 2018, she changed the partys name to National Rally and took a case to Frances highest administrative court, the Council of State, arguing that it should no longer be labelled far-Right by the interior ministry. The case was dismissed and France officially classifies the party as far-Right.

However, heated debate erupted during this campaign over whether the term was still appropriate.

David Pujadas, a well-known anchorman on rolling news channel LCI, said he thought it wasnt.

Studying the far Right in Europe, I saw what Geert Wilders was proposing in the Netherlands, what the AfD was proposing in Germany... And I saw the gulf that separated these parties from the RN, he told Le Quotidien. So here, its the far Right and elsewhere its the far far Right? Thats why I changed.

In that case, ex-Trotskyist Jean-Luc Melenchon and his France Unbowed party should be dubbed far Left, said RMC colleague Apolline de Malherbe, even if the Council of State does not use that term for that party.

Perhaps Ms Le Pens main weapon in her detoxification drive is Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old party leader who hopes to become Frances next prime minister after the run-off on Sunday.

Marine le Pen with Jordan Bardella, RN's rising star - Magali Delporte

With his Colgate smile, ideal son-in-law good looks and taste for TikTok and selfies, Mr Bardella has brought in a new generation of supporters with a consensual image.

However, both he and Ms Le Pen have kept the partys essential doctrine, namely national preference, and which she has rechristened national priority. In other words, French citizens should be given priority over non-nationals for jobs, social welfare assistance and housing.

Rights groups and constitutionalists say the doctrine is discriminatory and anti-constitutional.

A key plank of its manifesto is to end birthright citizenship, namely the right for children born to foreign parents on French soil, who are raised and schooled in France, to later claim French nationality.

But experts point out that eliminating birthright citizenship could encounter constitutional hurdles.

His party also shocked many during the campaign by expressing its intention to ban dual nationals from taking up sensitive posts, which would have barred a former education minister and various diplomats from keeping their jobs. France has three million dual nationals and the mooted measure caused uproar.

The party has also kept its long-running hard line on law and order, arguing that crime is linked to immigration. Ms Le Pen wants to introduce a presumption of legitimate defence for police officers firing weapons.

De-demonising the party

Mr Bardella has pledged to fight a cultural battle against Islamism, to demand a 2 billion (1.7 billion) rebate from the European Union, drastically reduce legal and illegal immigration and deport foreign criminals if he leads the government.

Speaking to the Telegraph recently, he said: Weve been de-demonising the party for 10 years. Now I want to institutionalise it.

That he said had been done by the 88 MPs from his party forming the largest single-party opposition force in the previous parliament. In what has been dubbed the tie strategy, they were ordered to look the part and avoid any controversial rhetoric to show they were ready to take the levers of power.

Weve changed dimension. We are the most serious group in the National Assembly, he claimed. Meanwhile, the national cursor had moved to the Right on most of the issues it had been defending for years.

By contrast with the RN, the Left has wreaked chaos in parliament, flouting basic rules by, for example, brandishing Palestinian flags in the National Assembly and blocking debates.

But economically, the RN is, if anything, far-Left, proposing to cut the retirement age to 60 for some, slash VAT on energy prices and block the price of essential goods, even if it toned down some of these during the campaign to avoid scaring the markets.

National Rally expert Jean-Yves Camus said that it resembled other European illiberal parties found in Hungary with Victor Orban or in Polands Law and Justice party that undermine the system of checks and balances that is characteristic of democracy. It is also historically pro-Putin, seen as a strong hand who defends traditional values and Christian roots, but has rowed back since the Ukraine war.

He said perhaps the main reasons the RN had become more palatable was the state of the other parties, which were either in ruins or had radicalised, making the Le Pen camp appear more mainstream.

First, we have a president who wanted to play poker and lost, never had a real political party to act as a conveyor belt for his ideas and is now paying for the fact that he wanted to establish a quasi-vertical link with the French people and failed, he told the Telegraph.

Second, France is probably the only major country in Europe without a conservative Right.

The once-mighty Gaullist Republicans, which won 10 per cent of the vote, are deeply divided after a spectacular split over whether ot not to back Ms Le Pen.

Ms Le Pen has benefited from the xenophobic, anti-Islamic outbursts of Eric Zemmour, a polemist whose rhetoric makes her look like a shrinking violet, and has distanced herself from Germanys far-Right AfD.

Last month, she said her party would no longer sit in the EU parliament with the AfD after the head of its European election list said that someone who had been a member of the SS was not automatically a criminal.

By contrast, she has sought to build bridges with Giorgia Melona, the Italian prime minister, who on Monday said that attempts to demonise far-Right voters were losing impact.

I notice something that in different forms is also happening in Italy: the constant attempt to demonise and corner the people who dont vote for the Left, said the most Right-wing Italian leader since the Second World War.

Its a trick that serves to escape debating on the merits of different political proposals. But its a trick that fewer and fewer people fall for. Weve seen it in Italy, and were seeing it more and more in Europe and throughout the West.

But above all, said Mr Camus, Ms Le Pens ranks had swollen due to the mass rejection of the fiery Jean-Luc Melenchon, an admirer of Hugo Chavez and Mao Zedong, whose Unbowed France, LFI, is part of the New Popular Front, which came second on Sunday.

No doubt on Sunday, moderate voters, even social democrat voters, will find it very difficult to put a Popular Front ballot paper in the box due to his outbursts.

This explains why Mr Bardella is so keen to debate with Mr Melenchon rather than a more moderate member of the Left-wing alliance.

Beyond his tepid support for Ukraine and refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organisation after the Oct 7 attack on Israel, Mr Melenchon has been accused of downplaying anti-Semitic incidents and pandering to the radical Muslim vote.

It reminds me a lot of George Galloway in the UK whose Respect Party tried to bring about this sort of fusion between political Islam and the far Left. It worked quite well but is a turn-off for most, he said.

As parties jockey to forge alliances and strategies to keep the RN out, Sunday will be the ultimate crash test of whether the de-demonisation drive is complete.

Supporters upbeat

Meanwhile, its supporters have the wind in their sails and are prepared to forget Mr Bardellas decision to dilute some of his policies.

Shortly after the results were announced at Ms Le Pens northern fiefdom of Henin-Beaumont, one said: Hes reasonable, in fact he does what other parties fail to do, which is not to offer promises he cannot keep. We wont be able to do everything straight away.

Then the subject moved onto immigration and the tone became more radical.

One supporter called Vanessa said: We need to bin immigration. We dont have the same culture, we dont have the same values. They want to try and change us. Never. Id rather die. With the Popular Front, well end up under under Sharia law. No way.

Edouard was even more direct. Ive had enough of the Left that doles out lessons to everyone. If they love migrants that much, they can have them in their block of flats. They have houses, a job and cars. Why are they in my social housing and whites sleep on the sidewalk?

Minutes earlier, Ms Le Pen had taken to the stage to call on the French to vote National Rally to finally get back unity and fraternity.
The commission said Meta must launch equivalent versions of Facebook and Instagram that use less of peoples data. Photograph: Peter Dasilva/Reuters

The European Commission has accused Mark Zuckerbergs Meta of breaching the EUs new digital laws with an advertising model that charges users for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram.

Meta launched a pay or consent model last year in an effort to comply with the blocs data privacy rules, under which users pay a monthly fee for an ad-free version of Facebook or Instagram that does not use their personal data for advertising purposes. If users do not pay, their data is used to tailor personalised adverts that appear in their social media feeds.

The European Commission, the EUs executive body, said the model did not comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is designed to rein in big tech companies. The commission issued preliminary findings from an investigation into pay or consent on Monday and found the model forces users to consent to their data being collected from multiple platforms if they dont want to pay. Meta also does not allow users to choose a service that uses less of their data but is broadly similar to the with adverts versions of Facebook and Instagram, the commission said.

Related: AI drive brings Microsofts green moonshot down to earth in west London

In the commissions preliminary view, this binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them a less personalised but equivalent version of Metas social networks, it said.

It said in order to comply with the DMA, Meta must launch equivalent versions of Facebook and Instagram that use less personal data.

A Meta spokesperson said the new model had been designed to comply with the DMA and other regulatory demands.

Subscriptions as an alternative to advertising are a well-established business model across many industries, and we designed subscription for no ads to address several overlapping regulatory obligations, including the DMA. We will continue to engage constructively with the commission, they said.

Anne Witt, a professor of antitrust law at EDHEC Business School in France, said the key question behind the case is whether consumers freely consent to their data being collected when the choice is either to pay for a service or use it free of charge, but with the caveat that Meta is then allowed to build profiles of them for advertisers.

The commission is arguing that Meta should give users a choice between a highly personalised service for which it is allowed to collect user data and a less-personalised service for which it may not collect users data, she said.

The commission must finish its investigation by the end of March next year and Meta faces a fine of up to 10% of global turnover  equivalent to $13.5bn (10.5bn)  if it is deemed to have breached the act. The commission said last week that Apple had breached the DMA by restricting competition on its app store.
An Army rider calms one of the horses down after it went on the run

This is the moment a runaway horse collides with a black cab in London after being spooked by a bus.

The taxi driver posted the footage on social media from his dashcam and said the horse hit his vehicle at around 8.30am on Monday in Lupus St in Pimlico.

The clip, posted on X, shows the horse continuing along the road with a second horse following it.

The incident comes just months after a similar incident in London.

On Monday, six horses under the control of five soldiers had been out on a routine exercise when the lead horse, which was being led rather than ridden, was scared by a vehicle.

Two horses then lost their riders from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, with the three riderless horses charging from Seville Street to South Eaton Place.

One was collected at South Eaton Place but the other two continued to Vauxhall Bridge via Belgrave Road before being stopped.

The animals were seen being stroked and calmed by Army troops on Vauxhall Bridge around 9.30am as traffic passed by.

An Army rider calms one of the horses down after it went on the run

A police officer told The Telegraph: Two horses lost their riders and went on a run. We are now waiting for horse boxes to take them away. There were no injuries.

A military source told The Telegraph that horses losing riders and bolting in cities happens from time to time. They were unable to confirm exact figures but said the two recent events had happened in relatively close proximity.

The incident has prompted concern from activists who claim the highly sensitive animals should not be subjected to the noise and commotion of a city centre.

Fiona Pereira, the Animal Aid campaign manager, said: It is difficult to imagine how frightened these horses must have felt, racing through a city so alien to the natural environment they should be living in. Bolting horses can injure themselves and pose significant danger to the public. In 2024, the use of horses for essentially entertainment purposes, is outdated and unethical.

Elisa Allen, PETAs vice president of programmes, added: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) snubbed its nose at PETAs warning about the dangers of treating easily spooked horses as mere equipment  and now the groups concerns have been vindicated. In 2024, animals have no place in the military, and its high time it MoDernised.

Two marked police vehicles were parked next to the horses on the pavement. A large white horse van then appeared, and traffic was brought to a halt.

A member of the public called out: Did they get loose again? A police officer responded: Yeah.

The horses were collected and returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55am. One horse suffered minor injuries. None of the horses were involved in the previous bolting incident in April.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Were aware that a number of horses were loose in central London, and worked with the Army to locate them.

Were pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army.

One of the horses is helped into a horse box following its escape

An Army spokesman said: We can confirm that whilst exercising this morning, three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment became loose from their riders. They were swiftly and safely recovered.

One horse received minor injuries, but no further treatment is required and there were no injuries to the soldiers involved.

It comes after Household Cavalry horses rampaged through central London on April 24 after being spooked by noisy construction work, leaving four people injured.

The animals threw their riders, Lifeguards and Blues and Royals servicemen, while they were leaving Hyde Park Barracks during rehearsal preparations for the Kings birthday parade in June.

Two of the horses, one covered in blood, then charged at pace through busy streets around Tower Bridge and the Strand for five miles until eventually being stopped in Limehouse, east London.
Lord Harris said he can't think of 'many good things that the Conservatives have done and stuck to' - Eddie Mulholland

A multi-millionaire Tory donor and backer of dozens of academies has switched his support to Labour because he says the Conservatives have run out of ideas.

Lord Harris of Peckham, the founder of The Harris Federation, a charity that runs more than 50 primary and secondary schools across deprived London boroughs, said the Conservatives were no longer the party of high and rising education standards.

Knighted by Baroness Thatcher and elevated to the House of Lords by Sir John Major, he has donated more than 1.1 million to the Conservatives over the past 20 years and has been giving money to the party since the 1980s.

Lord Harris founded Carpetright, the countrys largest carpet chain, after starting work in his family market stall and two shops at the age of 15, but is best known for his contributions to education. He was a close ally of Michael Gove in championing academy schools.

In a letter to The Times, he wrote: Fourteen years ago, radical change spearheaded by an ambitious and determined Michael Gove brought new ways of teaching and running schools to our education system.

Academies  including those in the Harris Federation  have been a central part of bringing a renewed focus on high standards, on evidence-led practice in teaching, and on the outcomes a school delivers rather than who runs it or how they like to teach it. The results speak for themselves.

At this election, it is no longer the Conservatives who are the party of high and rising standards, no longer the Conservatives putting our children and their schools front and centre. Despite a merry-go-round of ministers in recent years, they are out of ideas.

Mr Gove, who is standing down after Thursdays election, oversaw an expansion of the academies programme and also allowed groups to set up free schools, outside local authority control.

One of the most expensive free schools established was Harris Westminster, a sixth form that cost 45 million and was supported by the fee-charging Westminster School. It takes pupils from across London, and sends dozens to leading universities each year.

Despite supporting Mr Goves education reforms, Lord Harris said: I have watched with slowly growing admiration as Sir Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson, Labours impressive education spokeswoman, have set out Labours stall.

She gets teaching, knows that expanding and improving the teacher workforce and tackling the epidemic of mental ill-health among our young people are both vital, and will focus on making schools better, not fiddling with how well run schools are operating.

At this election, the party for people who care about education is, as it was a quarter of a century back, Labour. The torch of change has passed.

Last August, Lord Harris gave 5,000 to Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, who was a former pupil at a Harris Academy school.

He told the Telegraph at the time: The whole situation in politics at the moment is very damaging to the UK.

Does a party like the Conservatives, with what they have done in the last three years, deserve to get back [in power]? I dont think so.

You cant think of many good things that the Conservatives have done and stuck to. At the last election, they said they were going to open 40 new hospitals in the next five years. Where are they?

The 81-year-old has become the latest high-profile businessman to donate to Labour ahead of the next election.

Former supermarket chairman Baron David Sainsbury and Gary Lubner, the former Autoglass chief, have both given multi-million-pound donations following a charm offensive by Sir Keir and Ms Reeves.
Graham Hancock. Photograph: Netflix

Controversial British writer Graham Hancock has abandoned plans to film a new season of his hit Netflix show Ancient Apocalypse in the US following an outcry from Indigenous groups over his depiction of their history and culture.

Hancock is a former journalist who has been criticized by experts for his promotion of fringe beliefs in the show which presents theories about an advanced lost civilization active during the last ice age.

Producers on the show, which reportedly reached Netflixs top 10 status in 31 countries, had applied for permits to film new episodes at the Grand Canyon national park in Arizona and the Chaco Canyon national historical park in New Mexico, the Guardian has learned, despite strong objections from local tribal leaders.

An application to film at Grand Canyon was lodged by ITN Productions, makers of Ancient Apocalypse, in February, with a further permit for Chaco Canyon then granted, a National Parks Service (NPS) spokesperson confirmed. However, ITN told the Guardian that neither of the permits will now be taken up, with the show instead looking to film at locations outside the US. The company declined to specify a reason for this move.

According to information obtained by the Guardian through a Freedom of Information Act request, ITN did do some filming for four days in Chaco Canyon in January.

The crew planned to return to the park for more filming in March, but an email to Chaco staff states they cancelled their trip at the last minute due to some delays with permissions for some other sites we were hoping to film in.

The description for the Secrets of the Ancients program listed on the Chaco filming permit application said the program would explore one of archaeologys biggest mysteries: the peopling of the Americas.

It went on to state: Well uncover the latest findings about the earliest inhabitants of the Americas and reveal remarkable scientific knowledge thats been handed down for generations. Where did humans settle first in the Americas, and what do we know about them?

Hancock, who is not an archeologist, has attracted the ire of those in the profession, as well as Native groups, for pushing a theory that an advanced ice age society, responsible for modern understandings of maths, architecture and agriculture, was wiped out by floods triggered by comet strikes nearly 12,000 years ago.

Evidence of this is found at ancient sites around the world, Hancock claims, with the writer visiting such places in countries including Turkey, Mexico and Indonesia in the first season of the Netflix show, aired in 2022. During the show, which Netflix promoted with the tagline What if everything we know about prehistoric humans is wrong?, Hancock railed against mainstream archaeology for not accepting his theories.

[Hancock] presents his theories as being superior to what the first inhabitants of the area say about their own history, said Stewart Koyiyumptewa, tribal historic preservation officer for the Hopi Nation.

The Hopi people have lived in or near the Grand Canyon for at least 2,000 years and claim a sacred site inside the canyon as their place of emergence. They also have strong ties to Chaco Canyon.

A Grand Canyon national park staff member who is Native American also pushed back against issuing a permit to ITN.

This is embarrassing and a discredit to our agency when we have been working hard to respect Indigenous people and right many historical wrongs, wrote the staff member in an email to Grand Canyon park management. This is just degrading.

According to a memo sent last March by a Grand Canyon national park staff member to leaders of the 11 Indigenous tribes affiliated with the park, Grand Canyon senior management sought to deny ITN permission to film in the natural wonder. However, upon review at the Washington level, it was determined that NPS cannot deny this permit, stated the memo, which was seen by the Guardian.

Hancocks show is no stranger to such controversy. Scholars of Indo-Pacific history and Indigenous leaders in Micronesia objected to Hancocks portrayal of archaeological sites in Indonesia and the Federated States of Micronesia in season one of Ancient Apocalypse.

According to Hancock, the ancient pyramid Gunung Padang in Indonesia and the ruins of Nan Madol in Micronesia were both built by an advanced civilization more than 20,000 years ago during the last ice age. However, present-day Pohnpeians say their oral histories passed down through generations describe the city of Nan Madol as being built by their ancestors beginning around 1,000 years ago  a timeline supported by historians and archaeologists.

Professor Patrick Nunn, who specializes in researching Pacific geography and archaeology at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Hancocks theories about who built Nan Madol strip Indigenous peoples of their rich histories and can be traced to racist philosophies and white supremacist ideologies of the 19th century.

In a May 2000 essay published on his website, Hancock writes: I have consistently argued that the Americas were inhabited in prehistoric times by a variety of ethnic groups  Negroid, Caucasoid and Mongoloid  Such ideas have caused deep offense to some American Indians, who have long claimed to be the only native Americans.

He goes on to describe various prehistoric artifacts that he says prove the presence of Caucasians and Africans before Columbus landed on the continent in 1492. This includes his research into the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, who he says was described by the Aztecs as tall, white-skinned and red bearded  sometimes blue eyed as well.

In addition to defying Indigenous histories and more than a century of established archaeological research in North America, Hancocks theories are especially damaging because they fuel long-held racist beliefs that seek to erase the violence of colonization and slavery upon which the United States was founded, say Hancocks detractors.

When Koyiyumptewa learned last March that the National Park Service was going to allow ITN to film in Grand Canyon, he sent an email, seen by the Guardian, that was addressed to Grand Canyon staff, ITN and Netflix stating he was extremely disappointed with the National Park Services decision.

Related: A scam all around: Navajo Nation groups oppose hydropower projects

That kind of decision is supposed to involve consultation with tribes, Koyiyumptewa told the Guardian. And its not just Hopi that objected. Numerous tribes were against allowing that permit because it brings negative consequences to us. But we were not consulted before the decision was made.

Established archeologists have called on Netflix to label the show as science fiction, accusing Hancock of damaging their profession and of exhibiting racist attitudes towards Indigenous peoples.

After more than a century of professional archaeological investigations, we find no archaeological evidence to support the existence of an advanced, global ice age civilization of the kind Hancock suggests, a letter sent by the Society for American Archaeology, after the airing of the Netflix show, states.

The letter adds that the claims in the show are preposterous and that Hancocks narrative emboldens extreme voices that misrepresent archaeological knowledge in order to spread false historical narratives that are overtly misogynistic, chauvinistic, racist and antisemitic.

ITN did not respond to questions about the criticisms of the show. Hancock has previously defended his work, denying that he has sought to spread disinformation or fuel racist reimaginings of different cultures.

That archaeologists have not found material evidence that would convince them of the existence of a lost civilization of the ice age is not by any means compelling evidence that no such civilization could have existed, Hancock said in response to the Society for American Archaeologys letter.

Hancock, previously a journalist at the Economist, wrote several books on international aid before switching focus to human prehistory. He has written more than a dozen books that embrace historical and archaeological themes. His son, Sean Hancock, works at Netflix as a senior manager of unscripted originals.
Some used their elbows or forearms. this policeman smashes concrete with his head - CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN

Policemen have been showing off their strength by breaking blocks of concrete at a ceremony to commemorate the founding of Indonesias national police (Polri).

Participants were pictured in impressive displays of physical force, smashing concrete with their elbows and foreheads, in Banda Aceh.

The festivities come as part of Bhayangkara Day on July 1, which celebrates its 78th anniversary this year, and honours the countrys police.

Elesewhere in Indonesia, celebrations included a roll call ceremony, arts and cultural activities, and also a climactic peoples party at Monas, Jakarta.

Another officer cracks blocks with his elbow - CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP

At Monas, incumbent president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) offered the gathered police officers happy birthday, while president-elect Prabowo Subianto looked on.

Mr Jokowi said in his speech: Happy 78th birthday, Bhayangkara.

The spirit to always uphold the courage, innovation, solidarity, and honour of the national police in protecting Pancasila and the Republic of Indonesia and always serving the community wholeheartedly.

The Polri are suffering from a number of mounting law and order issues, including armed conflict in Papua, drug and human trafficking, and online gambling.

Gen Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the national police chief, promised to dismantle online gambling operations within Indonesia and emphasised collaboration between the governments online gambling task force and financial institutions.
A shortage of probation officers has been blamed for a decline in the supervision of criminals being released from jail - SIMON PRICE/ALAMY

At least one murder, sex assault or crime of violence is committed every two days by convicted criminals under supervision of the probation service after being released from jail, research has revealed.

An analysis of Ministry of Justice data shows that 3,540 serious further offences (SFOs)  which include murder, kidnap, rape, arson and other sexual or violent crimes  were carried out by criminals released from between 2010 and 2022 and placed under the supervision of the probation service.

They included 762 murders, 220 attempted murders and more than 1,000 serious sexual crimes including rape, sexual assault, and rape of children under 13 since 2010. It equated to one offence every 30 hours over the 12-year period.

Joshua Jacques was on probation when he killed four people from one family - CENTRAL NEWS

Inspection reports have suggested shortages of probation officers are to blame, contributing to a decline in the quality of their work and increased risk to the public.

The disclosure comes after a series of high-profile cases where three offenders on probation murdered nine people including three children, with inspectors subsequently blaming failings by the probation service.

They included the murder of Zara Aleena, the 35-year-old law graduate, in East London by Jordan McSweeney, who had 28 previous convictions for 69 offences.

McSweeney was recorded as being of medium risk to the public by his newly qualified probation officer, rather than high risk. An inquest last week heard that McSweeney could have been recalled to prison earlier.

Damien Bendall, dubbed the sleepover killer, was monitored by an inexperienced and unqualified probation officer trained online, before he murdered his pregnant partner and three children

Serious further offences include murder, kidnap, rape, arson and other sexual or violent crimes - THRIVE IMAGES/ALAMY

An inspection report found probation officers missed multiple chances to prevent the 33-year-old from killing Terri Harris, her two children and a friend of theirs who was sleeping over. They died at their house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, in September 2021, three months after Bendall received a suspended sentence for arson.

The data shed light on the Governments failure to ensure that potentially dangerous criminals are properly monitored, and to break the cycle of crime because of poor supervision.

Serious probation failings were also revealed after Joshua Jacques, 29, killed his girlfriend Samantha Drummonds, 27, and her family with a knife in Bermondsey, south London, on April 25 2022 while intoxicated with cannabis.

Staffing levels impact the quality of work

Martin Jones, chief inspector of probation, who conducted an independent review into Jacques supervision by the probation service, said it failed to organise a drug abuse intervention, despite it being a condition of his release.

The chief inspectors annual report found that assessments of the risk of harm people on probation pose remain inaccurate and incomplete.

The report said: It is clear that reduced staffing levels within local services continue to have an impact on the quality of work we are seeing, both in these serious further offence reviews and the findings from our local inspections.

Last year, the probation service had a leaving rate of more than 10 per cent. In the year to March 2023, nearly 2,300 staff left the service. In 2018, it was only 729.

The Ministry of Justice states that 60 per cent of all SFO convictions since 2016-17 were for offences committed while the prisoner was outside jail on licence, including some on a period of post-sentence supervision.
RCN carried out a survey of more than 11,000 nursing staff - Peter Dazeley

Patients are being left to die alone because of a dangerous lack of nurses, it has been claimed.

Around two-thirds of hospital shifts have fewer than the planned number of registered nurses working, according to an analysis by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

A fifth of A&E nurses are having to care for more than 50 patients on their own, the RCN said as it called for a legal limit on the number of patients a nurse should be expected to care for.

The college said patients were at risk as the new figures also revealed four in five nurses believe that safety is being compromised by a lack of staff.

Missing nurses

A survey of more than 11,000 nursing staff found that 68 per cent of those working in hospitals were on shifts with fewer than the planned number of registered nurses. Half of these, or a third of the total, were understaffed by at least a quarter.

In community services, there were similar issues, with 64 per cent of shifts missing nurses, and 40 per cent missing more than half of the required number to care for patients.

A nurse in a hospital in the West Midlands said: I have not been able to sit with patients who are dying, meaning they have been left to die alone.

They added: I have not had the time to make sure patients are fed properly and have adequate drinks.

Another nurse in the West Midlands said patients were being left in pain and not being cleaned after incontinence.

The RCN is calling for 'safety-critical limits' to be introduced to stop nurses from having to care for dozens of patients at any one time - Christopher Furlong

Medications have been hours late, leaving patients in severe pain, they said. Patients have not had their personal care done as often as necessary to keep them clean after episodes of incontinence.

A midwife at a hospital in Yorkshire said the standard of care had fallen to trying to keep patients alive and that there was completely unsafe care due to unacceptable staffing levels.

The standards of what is acceptable care for a service to provide have fallen so low, the benchmark is survival.

The RCN is calling for safety-critical limits to be introduced to stop nurses from having to care for dozens of patients at any one time. It wants the next government to legally enforce rules to protect patients.

It comes a year after the NHS published a long-term workplace plan to fix the staffing crisis. Plans were outlined to increase the number of nurses employed from around 350,000 at present, to 520,000 in England by 2036-37.

Vicious cycle

There are currently 31,000 unfilled vacancies for registered nurses, according to the RCN, which said understaffing was creating a vicious cycle of worsening conditions.

A community nurse in the South West of England said staff were always rushing and there were days when 60 visits to patient homes could not be carried out because there was no one to do them.

Another community nurse in the South of England said: We leave over 50 patients requiring nursing care unseen on a daily basis due to poor staffing levels. This leads to increases in hospital admissions and deaths. It is left to us to decide who gets seen and who gets missed, which is heartbreaking.

Professor Nicola Range, the RCNs acting general secretary and chief executive, said nurses were fighting a losing battle to keep patients safe.

Without safety-critical limits on the maximum number of patients they can care for, nurses are being made responsible for dozens at a time, often with complex needs. It is dangerous to patients and demoralising for nursing staff, she said.

We desperately need urgent investment in the nursing workforce but also to see safety-critical nurse-patient ratios enshrined in law. That is how we improve care and stop patients coming to harm.

NHS England was approached for comment.
It is left to us to decide who gets seen and who gets missed, which is heartbreaking, one nurse told the survey. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

NHS patients are being left unseen in pain and in some cases to die alone because shifts do not have enough registered nurses, a survey shows.

The Royal College of Nursing said analysis of a survey it carried out showed that only a third of shifts had enough registered nurses on duty.

The union has also gathered testimonies from nurses who talk of always rushing and being asked to do more; working in completely unsafe levels of care; and having to make heartbreaking decisions on who does or doesnt get seen.

Shortages mean individual nurses are often caring for dozens of patients at a time, the RCN said. It has called for limits on the maximum number of patients for whom a single nurse can be responsible.

Nicola Ranger, the RCNs acting general secretary and chief executive, said the survey showed that patients were being failed.

In every health and care setting, nursing staff are fighting a losing battle to keep patients safe, she said. Without safety-critical limits on the maximum number of patients they can care for, nurses are being made responsible for dozens at a time, often with complex needs.

It is dangerous to patients and demoralising for nursing staff.

The RCN questioned more than 11,000 nursing staff across the UK for its latest last shift survey. It asked them about their experiences on their most recent shifts.

The results included:

 In hospital and community settings, 32% of hospital nursing staff and 36% of community nursing staff said their shift had the planned number of registered nurses on it.

 One in three hospital shifts were missing at least a quarter of the registered nurses they needed.

 In the community, almost four in 10 shifts were missing up to half of the planned number of registered nurses.

 Across all settings, 81% of respondents said there wee insufficient numbers of nurses to meet the needs of patient safety.

 In accident and emergency settings, significant numbers of nurses reported having more than 51 patients to care for.

A nurse working in the community in the south-west of England told the survey: We have days when we have 60 visits unallocated because we dont have enough staff. Every day we are asked to do more. We are always rushing.

Related: NHS across UK spends a staggering 10bn on temporary staff

Another, also working in the community in the south of England, said: We leave over 50 patients requiring nursing care unseen on a daily basis due to poor staffing levels. This leads to increases in hospital admissions and death. It is left to us to decide who gets seen and who gets missed, which is heartbreaking.

A nurse in a West Midlands hospital said: I have not been able to sit with patients who are dying meaning they have been left to die alone. I have not had the time to make sure patients are fed properly and have adequate drinks.

A midwife, working in a hospital in Yorkshire, said: Completely unsafe care due to unacceptable staffing levels. The standards of what is acceptable care for a service to provide have fallen so low, the benchmark is survival.

The RCN survey follows a recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme, which found that almost 19,000 NHS patients were left waiting in A&E for three days over a 12-month period.

The Dispatches investigation focused on the Royal Shrewsbury hospital and contained harrowing scenes. The RCN says its survey showed that the scenes in Shrewsbury are commonplace across health and care services.

Ranger said: When patients cannot access safe care in the community, conditions worsen and they end up in hospital where workforce shortages are just as severe. This vicious cycle fails staff and patients  it cannot go on.

We desperately need urgent investment in the nursing workforce but also to see safety-critical nurse-patient ratios enshrined in law. That is how we improve care and stop patients coming to harm.

The RCN said the survey covered all of the UK but the vast majority of respondents were from England.
A police officer guards the premises of Legacy funeral home in Hull in March. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Police in Humberside have met with more than 160 families whose loved ones remains could be among human ashes found at the Legacy funeral home in Hull that will never be identified.

A total of 35 bodies were recovered in March from the companys premises on Hessle Road, along with the ashes of an unknown number of people, after reports of concern for care of the deceased.

The bodies were able to be identified and families have been informed. But police said it was impossible to ascertain to whom the ashes belonged, with 163 families of potential victims being traced using the funeral homes records.

In April, police, working with forensic scientists and specialists, determined it would not be possible to extract any DNA from the ashes because the high temperatures involved in a cremation would have broken down any potential samples to the point where it would not be possible to get a meaningful profile.

Since then, police said comprehensive inquiries and detailed work had been carried out from documentation found with individual ashes and at the premises, to potentially identify and locate next of kin.

As a result, 163 families have now been identified and officers have been contacting them to provide an update and discuss the options available to them, Humberside police said in a statement.

Thom Mcloughlin, the assistant chief constable of the Humberside force, who is leading the investigation, said: Over the last two weeks, my officers have been making contact with the families identified as part of the investigation.

This has been to provide an update as to the ashes recovered and to also arrange personal meetings with them, to offer further support and discuss in detail the process that has taken place and the options available to them.

We have waited to provide this update publicly until initial contact could be made, as understandably the families are our priority and the information is personal and private to them.

He said the meetings began last week and would take time to complete, with officers and support staff from Hull city council and East Riding council in attendance to offer care and assistance to families.

McLoughlin said: Some families may want to receive the ashes, and others may not, there is no right or wrong answer and the impact and affect it will have will differ for each individual family, but it should not be underestimated and we will do all we can to support those throughout what is an incredibly difficult time.

If you have not received a call from us in regards to the ashes recovered, but you have concerns or feel impacted by any element of the ongoing investigation, support is available via Victim Supports 24-hour independent helpline on 0808 281 1136, and I would you encourage to please get in touch.

Again, as always, I want to thank the families and everyone in our communities for their understanding as we continue this complex investigation, and we will endeavour to provide answers and updates as and when we are able to.

A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position were released under investigation.

In May, a hearing was held to dissolve Legacy funeral home, which owed Hull city council 40,938 in unpaid fees and owed 5,000 in utility bills.

The solicitor advocate Paul Thompson, representing the council, said the issues came to light when a whistleblower contacted the police on 6 March over concerns about the way bodies were stored. He said the company certainly will not ever operate again.
Princess Anne, pictured speaking in North Vancouver in May, was planning to go to Canada this weekend - Canadian Press/Shutterstock

The Princess Royal has said she is deeply saddened to miss a memorial ceremony in Canada, as she made her first public comments since being hospitalised last week.

The Princess, who had intended to fly to the Commonwealth realm this weekend, said it was with deep regret that she is not able to join a service to mark the centenary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial.

She said she was compelled to cancel her trip after suffering concussion following an incident with a horse.

She suffered what the Palace has described as minor injuries and concussion, with wounds thought to be consistent with being hit on the head by a horses leg or head.

The Kings sister, 73, spent five nights at Southmead Hospital in Bristol after being hurt while walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

She departed privately on Friday morning without being seen and is continuing her recovery at home.

The Princess has had to cancel her trip to Canada as she recovers from her injuries - Michael Steele/Getty

The Canadian memorial ceremony saw the repatriation of the remains of an unknown First World War soldier from Newfoundland, who fell on the battlefields in Northern France.

In her absence, the Princesss remarks were read by the Canadian Governor General.

It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today, as you commemorate the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme, the Princess said.

I have fond memories of joining you in 2016, on the 99th occasion that the people of this Island commemorated the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and I am deeply saddened that Im unable to join you again, and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of commemoration.

Princesss engagements postponed

The Princess has postponed a further week of engagements, after a serious accident on Sunday, June 24.

Her team have postponed engagements in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, and Gloucester in the coming week, with all further work to be assessed in line with advice from doctors.

In a written statement after her discharge, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princesss husband, said: I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wifes short stay.

Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, who has commented on her recovery - Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon

It is not known how long the Princess will spend convalescing, but she will be receiving rehabilitation support at home.

The repatriation of the Unknown Soldier, who served at Beaumont-Hamel in France in the First World War, has been described by the Royal Canadian Legion as momentous.

He will be interred at the refurbished Newfoundland National War Memorial which is being rededicated to mark its 100th anniversary.
Linda De Sousa Abreu leaves Uxbridge magistrates' court after being charged on Monday - Belinda Jiao

A prison officer allegedly filmed having sex with an inmate in a cell has appeared in court charged with misconduct in public office.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of Fulham, south-west London, was charged after a video of the alleged activity was shared on social media.

Ms De Sousa Abreu appeared at Uxbridge magistrates court on Monday for a brief hearing.

Ms De Sousa Abreu had been working at HMP Wandsworth in south London

A police investigation was launched on Friday after officers were made aware of a video said to have been filmed inside HMP Wandsworth in south London.

An arrest was made later that day and Ms De Sousa Abreu was charged with misconduct in public office on Saturday, police added.

The charge against her alleges that between June 26 and 28, while acting as a public officer, namely an HMP Wandsworth prison officer, you wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the publics trust in the office holder by engaging in a sexual act with a prisoner in a prison cell.

A court drawing of Linda De Sousa Abreu at Uxbridge magistrates' court - Elizabeth Cook/PA

Niamh McDonagh, prosecuting, asked that Ms De Sousa Abreus Portuguese passport remain in police possession and that she not be allowed to apply for any international travel documents.

Magistrate Julie Cook, who granted Ms De Sousa Abreu conditional bail, barred her from entering any UK travel ports and imposed an electronically monitored curfew.

Addressing Ms De Sousa Abreu, who wore a prison-issue grey tracksuit, the magistrate said: This matter before us today is indictable only and has to be heard at the crown court.

Ms De Sousa Abreu was described by Gayathri Yogarajah, her lawyer, as a young mother and a person of good character.

She will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on July 29 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Photograph: The Guardian

Introduction

This is the privacy policy for Guardian News & Media Limited (collectively referred to as Guardian, we, us or our in this policy), our sites such as theguardian.com and our associated apps (our sites). Some of our other sites and services have their own policies, which will be relevant to you when you are using those sites and services.

Our values guide everything that we do  including our editorial approach and how we use personal data. We are strongly committed to keeping your personal data safe. This commitment exists throughout the lifecycle of your personal data, from the design of any Guardian service which uses personal data to the deletion of that data.

To complement our global approach to privacy protection, this policy also incorporates specific data privacy rights granted to individuals under Californian and Australian privacy law. This reflects our relationship with our readers in these locations where we provide localised editions of our editorial content.

We think carefully about our use of personal data, and below you can find the details of what we do to protect your privacy. This policy covers, among other topics:

Information about your rights, the choices available to you, and our obligations in the UK, European Union, in California, in Australia, and elsewhere.

Transparency about how we collect and use your personal data, including when and how it is shared.

Information on how we protect your personal data.

Information on how we will facilitate your rights and respond to your questions.

Find out more about how we manage your personal data below.

About this privacy policy

This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, share, transfer and sell (for California residents only) your personal data when you use the services provided on our sites or interact with us. This privacy policy also explains your data privacy rights.

Personal data is any information about you by which you can be identified or be identifiable. This can include information such as:

Your name, date of birth, gender, email address, postal address, phone number, mobile number or financial details, such as payment cards you use to purchase products or subscriptions or to support our journalism.

Information about your device (such as the IP address, which is a numerical code to identify your device that can provide information about the country, region or city where you are based).

Information relating to how you use and interact with our sites and services.

When we refer to personal data in this policy, we are also referencing personal information, as it is defined under California law, and as it is defined under Australian law.

Some of our other sites provide additional privacy information. You can read that information using these links:

Sometimes our sites may contain links to sites and services that are not part of the Guardian family of offerings. These sites and services have their own privacy policies. If you follow a link to these non-Guardian sites and apps, you should read the privacy policy shown on their site.

Who we are

Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU is the data controller in respect of your personal data that you share with us. This means that we are responsible for deciding how and why we hold and use your personal data. If you want to contact us directly, you can find our contact details in the Contact us for information about how we use your personal data section below.

The types of personal data we collect about you

We collect your personal data when you visit our sites, subscribe for products or services, contribute to the Guardian or when you interact with us. We will only collect your personal data in line with applicable laws. We collect your personal data in the following ways:

Directly from you, e.g. when you sign up for our services, purchase products or services, including by signing up for newsletters or selecting specific topics you are interested in, including through My Guardian, and when you browse or use our sites.

Personal data we generate about you, e.g. personal data we use to authenticate you, or personal data we generate about you from your IP address or your preferences.

Personal data we collect from third parties, e.g. personal data that helps us to combat fraud or which we collect, with your permission, when you interact with us through your social media accounts and/or payment service providers (e.g. Paypal).

More details about the types of personal data we collect are provided below.

The personal data we collect when you register for a Guardian account on theguardian.com

When you register for a Guardian account, we collect:

Your name.

Your email address.

Other details such as your contact number and residential or billing address when you sign up to support us or a subscription.

Your user name, if you comment on our sites.

Your photograph, if you add one to your profile page.

Some limited data from your social media profile (further information on this is below), if you have signed in to theguardian.com using your social media details.

You can change or remove these details using the profile and settings area of your Guardian account.

Personal data we generate about you

When you register for a Guardian account or sign up for a newsletter, we assign you a unique ID number. We use this to manage your preferences, for example, the newsletters you have subscribed to. When you register for a Guardian account we use your unique ID to recognise you when you are signed in to our services. This will recognise you if you sign in using the same account on a new device or through a different application such as the Guardian app on mobile devices.

When you use our sites we may also use cookies or similar technologies to collect extra data, including:

Your IP address - a numerical code to identify your device, together with the country, region or city where you are based.

Your geolocation data - your IP address can be used to find information about the latitude, longitude, altitude of your device, its direction of travel, your GPS data and data about connection with local Wi-Fi equipment.

Information on how you interact with our services.

Your browsing history of the content you have visited on our sites, including how you were referred to our sites via other websites.

Details of your computer, mobile, TV, tablet or other devices, for example, the unique device ID, unique vendor or advertising ID and browsers used to access our content.

We will not collect special categories of data from you - such as personal data concerning your race, political opinions, religion, health or sexual orientation - unless you have chosen to provide that type of personal data to us.

When you use our apps

The Guardian apps use personal data based on the content you have viewed. Information on bugs and crashes is also sent to us when you use our apps. A list of the articles that you have recently viewed is also cached in the local storage on your device. You can delete this reading history in the settings of the app. You can choose to receive notifications on your device via the app, and manage these notifications in the settings of the app.

Using your social media details to sign into your Guardian account

When you sign in to our sites using your social media ID, we will use this personal data to form a profile for your Guardian account. If you remove the Guardian app from your Google settings or your Apple ID, we will no longer have access to this data. However, we will still have the personal data that we received when you first set up your Guardian account using your Google login, Apple ID, or any other social media sign in.

Apple

If you register or sign in with your Apple ID, you give Apple permission to share your personal data with us. This only includes your first and last name, and your email address. You can also choose to hide your email and Apple will create a random email address so your personal email can stay private. This email address will be linked to your Guardian profile and will be used to retrieve your subscribed content.

Google

When you sign in to our sites using your Google login details, you give Google permission to share the personal data that you have made public in your Google profile. This only includes your first and last name, your email address and whether your email address has been validated, a link to your Google profile and, if you have one, your profile picture. This email address will be linked to your Guardian profile and will be used to retrieve your subscribed content.

Personal data when you post comments about the Guardian on other social media sites

If you have mentioned the Guardian in posts on social media sites, then we may collect your social media handles. For example, when you mention the Guardian in a post, we may collect your X handle.

When you post publicly (comments) on our sites

When you post on a discussion board or comment publicly on an article on one of our sites, the personal data you post, including your username and other information about yourself, are publicly accessible. This personal data can be viewed online and collected by other people. We are not responsible for the way these other people use this personal data. When contributing to a discussion, we strongly recommend you avoid sharing any personal details, including information that can be used to identify you directly such as your name, age, address and name of employer. We are not responsible for the privacy of any identifiable information that you choose to post in our online community or other public pages of the site.

How we collect personal data

We collect personal data when you:

Become a supporter or register for an account on our sites.

Make contributions to fund and support the Guardian.

Pay for a subscription or purchase any other products/services for yourself or others.

Manage your account settings (e.g. notification, preferences).

Attend our events (in person and/or virtually).

Enter our competitions, prize draws, bids and surveys.

Take part in our call-outs.

Sign up for our editorial emails.

Post or comment in our online community.

Sign up for marketing communications.

Use mobile devices to access our content.

Access and interact with any of our sites.

Contact us via email, social media, our apps or similar technologies or when you mention us on social media.

Test our products, participate in focus groups or provide us with feedback.

We also collect personal data through cookies and other similar technologies. Please refer to our cookie policy for more details on how we use cookies.

How we use your personal data

We use personal data collected through our sites only when we have a valid reason and the legal grounds to do so. We determine the legal grounds based on the purposes for which we have collected your personal data.

Legal grounds for using your personal data

The legal ground may be one of the following:

Consent: Often we will use your personal data because we have asked for your consent, which you can withdraw at any time. Please refer to the table below for examples of where we ask for your consent.

Performance of a contract with you (or in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract with you): We will use your personal data if we need to in order to perform a contract with you. For example, where you have purchased a subscription from us, we will need to use your contact details and payment data in order to process your order and deliver your subscription. We will use your information as necessary in order to conduct competitions or prize draws. We may contact you directly via social media or email if you enter competitions, prize draws, bids or respond to call-outs.

Compliance with law: In some cases, we may have a legal obligation to use or keep your personal data, for example to retain records of transactions as required by financial regulations.

Our legitimate interest: We may process your personal data where it is necessary for our legitimate interests in a way that might be expected as part of running the Guardian and in a way which does not materially impact your rights and freedoms. For example, it is in our legitimate interest for us to understand our readers, promote our services and ways to support us, and operate our sites efficiently for the creation, publication and distribution of news, media and related journalistic content both online and in print form, globally. Please refer to the table below for examples of when we rely on our legitimate interests to use your personal data.

In addition to the above, we also rely on the legitimate interests below to use your personal data:

For internal administrative purposes related to our services - such as our accounting and records.

To inform you of any changes to our services, such as updates to our terms and conditions.

To enable you to register for an account on our sites.

To enable you to share our content with others using social media or email.

When we respond to your queries and to resolve complaints.

When we moderate comments under our community standards and participation guidelines.

To remember where you have reached in our puzzle products.

To troubleshoot technical issues on our sites and their functionalities.

When we de-identify or anonymise personal data, or aggregate it so that it can no longer identify you.

For security and fraud prevention, and to ensure that our sites are safe and secure and used in line with our terms of use.

To contact you directly via social media or email if you send us emails or engage with the Guardian on social media or contact us.

Where we rely on cookies to collect any personal data please see our cookie policy for more information and how to manage your cookie choices through our Privacy Settings link on our sites in the footer of every page.

Where personal data has been de-identified or anonymised, it will not be used in order to re-identify individuals.

The Guardian is a media organisation and publisher. Data protection law includes certain exemptions when personal data is processed for the purposes of journalism. Those exemptions apply to some of the ways the Guardian uses personal data. This privacy policy does not cover personal data that the Guardian processes for the purposes of journalism.

Access permissions when you are using the Guardian app

When you use the Guardian app, we will ask for permissions to access particular functions of your mobile device. When we ask for permissions will depend on the operating system of your mobile device, but can include:

When you decide to store content including photographs on your mobile device to read or use when offline. We will need your permission to save content to your mobile device.

Asking permission to access your contact details/profile on your mobile device, so that we can add or find your Guardian account on your phone.

If you decide to submit content, such as photographs, to the Guardian. We will ask permission to access your camera or photographs.

Updating your personal data and your profile page on our sites

When you register for a Guardian account, you have access to a profile page. Under edit profile you can review and update what personal data is public when you comment on our articles, or if people look up your profile. For more information on how to manage your account please see https://manage.theguardian.com/help-centre.

You may also update your marketing preferences in the Emails and marketing and/or Data privacy tabs in your account.

Personal data that we receive about you from other organisations

Adding to or combining the personal data you provide to us

When you sign up to our services we may add to the personal data you give us by combining it with other personal data shared with us by other trusted organisations. This includes, for example, the region that you are located in, so that we can show you the prices for subscriptions or other products in your local currency. We may also add personal data to improve the accuracy of your delivery address when we send out mail. We may also obtain your personal data from partners whose offers we include in some of our marketing communications and we use this personal data to ensure that we do not send you irrelevant marketing and to ensure the accuracy of the information we hold.

We also use personal data based on the content you have viewed on our sites and your interaction with the content to add you to groups with similar interests and preferences, so that we can make our online advertising more relevant. Sometimes we use data about your interests or demographics that some of our global third parties have collected from you online to add you to these groups, such as Comscore and Nielsen. Please refer to our cookie policy for more information on how we use cookies.

Personal data shared by event partners

When you register or book a ticket for a Guardian event organised by an event partner, your registration data may be shared with us by the event partner.

Childrens personal data

We do not aim any of our products or services directly at children under the age of 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal data about children under 13 in providing our services. Some of our services may have a higher age restriction and this will be shown at the point of registration.

We also note and comply with the California law which prohibits sale of personal data of consumers between 13-16 years of age unless their guardian has authorised the sale.

Security of your personal data

We have implemented appropriate technical and organisational controls to protect your personal data against unauthorised processing and against accidental loss, damage or destruction. You are responsible for choosing a secure password when we ask you to set up a password to access parts of our sites. You should keep this password confidential and you should choose a password that you do not use on any other site. You should not share your password with anyone else, including anyone who works for us. Sending any information, including personal data, via the internet is not completely secure. We cannot guarantee the security of any personal data sent to our site while still in transit and so you provide it at your own risk.

When we share your personal data

Within the Guardian group of companies

Depending on where you live, we may share your personal data within the Guardian group of companies in the UK, US, or Australia. We may share it in order to perform a contract with you, for administrative purposes, or when we have a legitimate interest in doing so. For example:

If you book an event held in Australia, at first we may hold your data on our systems in the UK and then we may share it with the Guardian in Australia for administration purposes.

Sometimes we may receive a letter, email or another form of communication from you that we consider to be significant to the history of the Guardian. We may decide to share this with the Guardian Archive run by the Guardian Foundation for historic and archiving purposes.

We may share your data to understand how you interact across our group products or to tailor and offer relevant advertising to you.

With external organisations

We share your personal data with other organisations that are not directly linked to us under the following circumstances:

Service providers - We may share your data with other organisations that provide services on our behalf. We may do this to perform a contract we have entered into with you, where it is in our legitimate interests or with your consent. Examples of when we may share your data with service providers include sharing with:

Companies that help deliver newspapers and subscription vouchers, such as i-Movo.

Online payments processors who process credit and debit card transactions on our behalf.

Fraud management providers that help us to identify and prevent online fraud.

Internet and cloud hosting services providers, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Life-cycle engagement platforms such as Braze, to help us build and manage our campaigns and send our email communications, including newsletters.

Software service providers such as Salesforce that assist us with our customer relationship management.

Communications services providers, such as our podcast service provider called Acast.

Error tracking software providers, such as Sentry and Google Firebase, to help us diagnose and fix errors and optimise the performance of our website and apps.

Service providers that help us carry out analytics, facilitate audience creation and segmentation and to measure our audience engagement. For example, Permutive provides us with data management platform services.

Service providers that help provide us with insights and analytics that help us to improve our products and services.

Google ReCaptcha, which we use to protect our sites from fraudulent users.

Data management companies, such as Formstack, that help us collect data via online forms and surveys.

Service providers that help provide online identity-as-a-service and access management services such as Okta.

Service providers that allow us to deliver personalised advertising to your device, such as Criteo.

Service providers that allow us to compare your personal data with information held by advertising partners and identify if you are known to both us and our advertising partner, such as InfoSum, Optable or Permutive.

YouTube because we use their unbranded embedded player to provide video content on our websites and apps. The embedded player relies on the YouTube API, which is a type of software that allows data to be communicated between our website and apps and the YouTube player. This will include personal data which will also be collected by cookies as set out in our cookie policy. We will provide this data about how you interact with videos to enable YouTube to provide statistical information such as how many views a video has, or how many users watch the entire video. More information about how YouTube will use this personal data, which includes usage data when you interact or use the embedded YouTube player, can be found at the Google Privacy Policy: http://www.google.com/policies/privacy.

Skimlinks because they are an affiliate marketing service provider. We do not drop first or third party cookies, or otherwise access local storage through our affiliate links. Instead we use a type of link that redirects users into Skimlinks network. This means we are tracking and identifying the click, rather than individuals. Skimlinks will use IP addresses to direct readers to the geographically relevant affiliate link. The IP address and user agent are anonymised and truncated by Skimlinks. Third party sites including retailers and sites in Skimlinks network may place cookies or collect additional information. Details about Skimlinks use of data is set out in their privacy policy at https://skimlinks.com/privacy-policy.

Advertising partners - We may also share your data collected through our sites with our advertising partners, as set out in our cookie policy. These partners help us deliver relevant advertising across our sites. For example, we use Google Ad Manager to assist us with the delivery of relevant ads.

Affiliate marketing - When a product is linked from a Guardian article or gallery, if the retailer has an affiliate programme, then the link will redirect to the retailer website through our affiliate marketing partner, such as Skimlinks network. When a reader clicks on a link, Skimlinks will identify which page the click came from and assign it a randomly generated number. This is communicated to the retailer and associated with any subsequent purchase. The affiliate marketing partner, such as Skimlinks, then reconciles the list of clicks from links on the Guardian with purchases on the retailers site. This is used in order to calculate the commission for the Guardian.

Agencies and authorities if required by law - We may reveal your personal data to any law enforcement agency, court, regulator, government authority, or in connection with any legal action if we are required to do so to meet a legal or regulatory obligation, where the request is proportionate, or otherwise to protect our rights or the rights of anyone else (for example, in response to a valid and properly served legal process such as subpoena or warrant). If we have your contact details, we will take reasonable steps to attempt to notify you prior to disclosing your data unless (i) prohibited by applicable law from doing so, or (ii) there are clear indications of unlawful conduct in connection with your use of Guardian services.

Event sponsors and partners - We may share your personal data with sponsors of Guardian events and partners who we hold events with for marketing purposes when you have given your permission for us to do so. We may also share your personal data with these sponsors and partners for event administration and security purposes.

Prize draws, competitions and bids - We may share your personal data with sponsors and partners for the purposes of selecting and notifying winners when you participate in any of our prize draws, competitions and bids. We may also share your data with entities offering any prize you have won in order for that entity to contact you about such a prize.

Social media organisations - We may share your personal data with other organisations when our web pages use social plug-ins from these organisations (such as liking or sharing on social media). These other organisations may receive and use personal data about your visit to our sites or apps. If you browse our site or view content on our apps, personal data they collect may be connected to your account on their site. For more information on how these organisations use personal data, please read their privacy policies.

Organisation/s that buy any of the Guardian group companies - We may share your personal data to any other organisation that buys, or to which we transfer all, or substantially all, of our assets and business. If this sale or transfer takes place, we will use reasonable efforts to try to make sure that the organisation we transfer your personal data to uses it in line with our privacy policy.

When we share your personal data, as specified above, with any organisation which accesses your data in the course of providing services on our behalf, they will be governed by strict contractual restrictions to make sure that they protect your data and comply with applicable law. We may also independently audit these service providers to make sure that they meet our standards.

California resident - Do not sell

These transfers to third parties may constitute sale of your personal information under California law. A California resident can halt these sales at any time by pressing the California resident - Do not sell link that is located in the footer of every page on our site. Third-parties do not sell personal information that has been sold to them by the Guardian unless you have first received explicit notice and are provided an opportunity to exercise the right to opt out.

International data transfers

Data we collect may be transferred to, stored and processed in any country or territory where one or more of our Guardian group companies or service providers are based or have facilities. While other countries or territories may not have the same standards of data protection as those in your home country, we will continue to protect personal data that we transfer in line with this privacy policy.

Whenever we transfer your personal data out of the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure similar protection and put in place at least one of these safeguards:

We will only transfer your personal data to countries that have been found to provide an adequate level of protection for personal data.

We may also use specific approved contracts that use Standard Contractual Clauses for the protection of personal data where appropriate, with our service providers that are based in countries outside the UK or the EEA, including those based in the US and Australia. These contracts give your personal data the same protection it has in the UK or the EEA.

If you are located in the UK or the EEA, you may contact us for a copy of the safeguards which we have put in place for the transfer of your personal data outside the UK or the EEA.

How long we keep your personal data

We keep your personal data for only as long as we need to. How long we need your personal data depends on what we are using it for, as set out in this privacy policy. For example, we may need to use it to answer your queries about a product or service and as a result may keep your personal data while you are still using our product or service. To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal data, the purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means. We may also need to keep your personal data for accounting purposes, for example, where you have bought a subscription.

If we no longer need your data, we will delete it or make it anonymous by removing all details that identify you. If we have asked for your permission to process your personal data and we have no other lawful grounds to continue with that processing, and you withdraw your permission, we will delete your personal data. However, when you unsubscribe from marketing communications, we will keep your email address to ensure that we do not send you any marketing communications in the future.

How we may contact you

Service communications

From time to time we may send you service emails or SMS, for example, telling you your subscription is coming to an end or thanking you when you contribute or place an order with us.

Marketing communications and editorial newsletters

If we have your permission or you have not opted out, we may send you materials we think may interest you, such as new Guardian offers and updates. Depending on your marketing preferences, which you can amend in the Emails and marketing tab of your Guardian account, this may be by email, phone, SMS or post.

We offer a range of editorial newsletters. You can manage your subscription to these emails through your profile page when you are signed in to your Guardian account.

You can decide not to receive these emails at any time and will be able to unsubscribe directly by clicking a link in the email or through your email preferences in the tab Emails and marketing when you are signed in to your Guardian account.

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Guardian research

If we have your permission or you have not opted out, we may contact you for research purposes, for example about the Guardian app. You can opt out from being contacted in this way by signing into your Guardian account and going to the tab emails and marketing.

Responding to your queries or complaints

If you have raised a query or a complaint with us, we may contact you to answer your query or to resolve your complaint.

Special Note to California Users

If you elect to use the California resident - Do not sell button, we will not recontact you about that choice for at least 12 months.

Cookies and similar technologies

When you visit our sites, we may collect personal data from you automatically using cookies or similar technologies.

This privacy policy includes our cookie policy, where you can find more information about our use of cookies.

Your privacy and data protection rights with regard to the personal data that we hold about you

You have a number of rights with regard to the personal data that we hold about you and you can contact us with regard to the following rights in relation to your personal data:

You have the right to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

You have the right to correct the personal data we hold about you.

Where applicable, you may also have a right to receive a machine-readable copy of your personal data.

You also have the right to ask us to delete your personal data or restrict how it is used. There may be exceptions to the right to erasure for specific legal reasons which, if applicable, we will set out for you in response to your request.

Where applicable, you have the right to object to processing of your personal data for certain purposes.

Where you have provided us with consent to use your personal data, you can withdraw this consent at any time.

If you do not want us to use your personal data for marketing analysis, you can change your settings in the Data privacy tab of your Guardian account.

If you would like to exercise any of your rights specified above, please email dataprotection@theguardian.com or write to the Data Protection Officer at Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. We will respond to all standard legitimate requests within one month. Occasionally it may take us longer than a month if your request is particularly complex or you have made a large number of requests. In this case, we will notify you and keep you updated.

We may need verification of your identity to proceed with a request. If you provide us with proof of identity containing information that does not match our records, we may request further proof of identity from you. This is a security measure to ensure that your personal data is not disclosed to any person who does not have a right to receive it.

You will not have to pay a fee to obtain a copy of your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, for any further copies requested by you, we may charge a reasonable fee based on administrative costs.

Your California privacy rights

The California Consumer Privacy Act 2018 (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act 2020 (CPRA) provide certain rights to residents of California. The CCPA and CPRA are collectively referred to as CCPA below.

If you are a resident of California you may contact us with regard to the following rights in relation to your personal data:

Right to Know: At or before the time of collection, you have a right to receive notice of our practices, including the categories of personal data and sensitive personal data to be collected, the purposes for which it is collected and used, whether such personal data is sold or shared and for how long personal data is retained. These details are set out in this Privacy Policy.

Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal data we may hold on you for the past twelve (12) months. You may submit up to two (2) requests per year of access to your personal data.

Right to Correct: You have the right to correct inaccurate personal data we hold about you.

Right to Opt-Out of Sale of Personal Data: For individuals sixteen (16) years or older, you have the right to opt-out of sale of personal data we may hold on you. You can exercise this right at any time by pressing the California resident - Do not sell link in the footer of every page on our site. For individuals between thirteen (13) to sixteen (16) years old, you have the right to opt-in to the sale of personal data we may hold on you.

Right to Deletion: You also have the right to ask us to delete personal data we may hold on you or restrict how it is used. There may be exceptions to the right to deletion which, if applicable, we will set out for you in response to your request.

Right to Limit Use and Disclosure of Sensitive Personal Data: Where applicable, you have the right to limit our use of sensitive personal data for any purposes other than to provide the services you request or as otherwise permitted by law.

Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your California Consumer Privacy Act rights.

If you want to make any of these requests, please contact dataprotection@theguardian.com. We will deal with requests for access to your personal data within forty-five (45) days for California-specific requests.

To help us respond as you expect, please specify that you are making a request under the CCPA. We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity. For example, we will verify your identity before complying. If you provide us with proof of identity containing information that does not match our records, we may request further proof of identity from you.

You can designate an authorized agent to make requests to exercise your rights on your behalf under the CCPA. We will clarify that any authorized agent has your written permission in making that request. We may also contact you directly to verify your identity.

Record of Requests

We keep a record of requests that we received from users exercising their CCPA rights. If the user does not verify their identity, their request will be denied. We have set out this record of requests for the last calendar year from 1 July 2023 below:

California Shine the Light Privacy Rights

Residents of California can ask us to provide a list of the types of personal data we have disclosed to third parties for direct marketing purposes and the identity of those third parties. We do not generally disclose personal data as defined under the California Shine the Light law. To the extent that we share email addresses with third parties in connection with online marketing that could be covered, you may opt-out through your Manage My Account choices.

To make a Shine the Light request, please email dataprotection@theguardian.com with Shine the Light in the subject line.

Your Australian privacy rights

The Australian privacy Act has rules around how we handle your personal information that may be different to rules in other regions. These rules are set out in the Australian Privacy Principles in force under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Australian Privacy Act). We are required to treat your personal information in line with those principles, including to disclose to you what personal information we collect and how we use it, to store your information securely and to support you in exercising your rights.

Personal information we collect and use

When we refer to personal data throughout this policy, we are also referencing personal information, as it is defined under Australian law.

Details about the personal information that we collect, use and disclose is set out throughout this privacy policy. You can navigate these relevant sections by going to the contents section at the top of the page.

Your rights

Your rights to privacy are also protected by the Australian Privacy Act, including your:

Right of access to the personal information held about you; and

Right of correction to correct your information when it is incorrect.

These principles and rights are reflected throughout this privacy policy.

Opt out of personalised advertising

Under the Australian Privacy Act, you have the right to opt out of the use of your personal information for the purpose of direct marketing, including in relation to personalised advertising. You can opt out of personalised advertising across our website and apps at any time by going to the Privacy Settings link on our sites in the footer of every page. You will still see non-personalised advertising.

We and our partners use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your use of the website to help create reports and statistics on the performance of the website. Analytics cookies such as Google Analytics collect information such as your IP address, device type and operating system, referring URLs, location and pages visited. If you dont want Google Analytics to be used in your browser, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On, provided by Google.

For a complete description of our use of cookies and similar technologies globally, please see our cookie policy.

If you have contacted us at dataprotection@theguardian.com with a privacy related complaint and you are not satisfied with our handling of that complaint, you may refer that complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner:

GPO BOX 5218, Sydney NSW 2001

1300 363 992

https://www.oaic.gov.au/

Contact us for information about how we use your personal data

If you have any questions about how we use your personal data or if you have a concern about how your personal data is used, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Or, email dataprotection@theguardian.com.

Complaints will be dealt with by the Data Protection Team, and will be responded to within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with the way your concern has been handled, you can refer your complaint to the Information Commissioners Office.

If you have a question about anything else, please see our Contact us page here.

For individuals based in the European Union:

Since we do not have an establishment in the European Union, we have appointed an EU based representative to serve as a direct contact for data protection authorities and individuals on our behalf, who can be contacted at theguardian@mcf.ie or MCF Legal Technology Solutions Limited, Riverside One, Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Changes to this privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, the updated privacy policy will be posted on this page. If the changes are significant, we may also choose to email all our registered users with the new details. If required by law, we will get your permission or give you the opportunity to opt out of any new uses of your data.

Changes to this privacy policy to date

The most recent changes to this privacy policy were made on:

1 July 2024

9 February 2024

8 December 2023

13 July 2023

19 August 2022

28 January 2022

8 October 2021

20 November 2020

12 August 2020

30 June 2020

A list of all previous changes are available upon request.
Protesters at the supreme court on Monday. Photograph: Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Images

While Republicans applauded the supreme courts decision to grant Donald Trump immunity for official acts undertaken as president, Democratic leaders expressed outrage over a ruling that legal experts warn could undermine the foundations of US democracy.

The courts six conservative justices ruled that presidents have absolute immunity for official acts but no immunity from unofficial acts. The distinction could hamper the federal case against Trump over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and makes it even less likely that the case will go to trial before election day in November.

Trump celebrated the ruling as a big win for our constitution and democracy  a view echoed by the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson.

Todays ruling by the court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith, Johnson said.

As President Trump has repeatedly said, the American people, not President Bidens bureaucrats, will decide the November 5 election.

Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the House judiciary committee, weighed in as well. Hyper-partisan prosecutors like Jack Smith cannot weaponize the rule of law to go after the administrations chief political rival, and we hope that the left will stop its attacks on President Trump and uphold democratic norms, he said.

Related: Sotomayor says in stark dissent ruling makes president king above the law

Democrats, meanwhile, condemned the decision as a disgrace, describing it as an attack on the separation of powers and a mark against the supreme courts reputation.

This is a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy, said Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate majority leader.

This disgraceful decision by the Maga supreme court  which is comprised of three justices appointed by Mr Trump himself  enables the former president to weaken our democracy by breaking the law. This decision undermines the credibility of the supreme court, and suggests that political influence trumps all in our courts today.

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation, adding: The framers of the constitution envisioned a democracy governed by the rule of law and the consent of the American people. They did not intend for our nation to be ruled by a king or monarch who could act with absolute impunity.

Legal experts voiced similar concerns about the rulings implications, highlighting liberal justice Sonia Sotomayors warning that the decision could enable a future president to claim immunity for blatantly illegal acts such as ordering the assassination of a political rival or organizing a military coup to stay in power.

Scotuss immunity decision will in time rank as among the courts worst decisions in its many-year history, Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said. Any US president can now violate the law to remain in power as long as he cloaks it in the trappings of his office.

Joyce Alene, a law professor at the University of Alabama, concluded: Its up to American voters. We held Trump accountable at the polls in 2020 [and] must do it again in 2024. Because the supreme court wont.

Joe Bidens campaign team agreed that the ruling only heightened the stakes of the presidential race, and they urged voters to reject Trump in November to avoid a repeat of the violence seen on 6 January 2021.

On a Biden campaign press call, the representative Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, said the ruling underscored how Trumps re-election would endanger Americans fundamental freedoms.

Were talking about reproductive freedom, freedom to access the ballot box, freedom to love who you want, freedom of press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to live the life you want to live, Crockett said. We cant underestimate Donald Trumps threat or his dark vision for our future.

Harry Dunn, a former US Capitol police officer who worked during the January 6 insurrection, told reporters that the ruling amplified Trumps status as the single greatest threat to our democracy.

We dont need nine supreme court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for January 6, Dunn said. I was there. Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name on his orders.

Representative Dan Goldman, a Democrat from New York who previously served as lead majority counsel in Trumps first impeachment inquiry, went even further by framing Trumps re-election as far and away the biggest threat since the civil war.

Goldman said: If Joe Biden is not elected in November, we will not have a democracy that we have known for 250 years.
Voters are posting ballots all over the country, but Royal Mail is scrambling to keep up with demand - PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty

Royal Mail has been criticised by the postal minister for failing to deliver votes in time for the general election.

Postal vote delays across the country have forced Royal Mail to scramble to ensure that ballots are counted in time for the general election.

Extra staff are being drafted in to work on election night to make sure that ballots are collected from postal sorting offices and reach counts before polls close at 10pm on Thursday.

The Telegraph has discovered that voters in more than 90 constituencies, including those of Cabinet ministers, have raised concerns about their ballots failing to arrive.

Delayed postal votes can risk some people not being able to cast their ballot if they are not returned on time or if their papers are never received.

It is understood that there are several factors behind the delays, including the short turnaround time for councils to process applications, problems with printers and issues with Royal Mail deliveries.

The crisis is fuelling fears among candidates that delays may cost them election on Thursday.

Kevin Hollinrake, the postal affairs minister, criticised Royal Mail for failing to anticipate the demand, saying: We urge Royal Mail to do all they can to make sure that postal votes get to the right people at the right time, and time is completely of the essence now.

Theres a resourcing issue. They have recruited extra people and I welcome that but theyve got to make sure theyve got the right number of people to deliver the mail at busy times like this.

Its not acceptable its sat in sorting offices. It needs to be delivered to peoples houses. So they need to put more people on to do that.

He added: I dont think theres an issue here other than Royal Mail being competent and fulfilling their obligations under the USO [Universal Service Obligation].

If people want to choose to vote by post, thats perfectly fine. In my view, certainly from a logistical point of view, that should be something thats available to anyone who wants to do that.

Mr Hollinrake said that he had been made aware of problems in his own constituency of Thirsk and Malton, where he is defending a majority of 25,154.

A Royal Mail source said: Well be carrying out sweeps at our mail centres and delivery offices to ensure all postal votes in the network are identified and returned to the relevant local authority before the close of poll stations.

We will also have additional people on the ground in our mail centres on Thursday evening, identifying and pulling postal votes for delivery to local authorities.

One candidate is already warning that the chaos could cost them their chance of winning.

Luke Graham, the Conservative candidate in Perth and Kinross-shire, said more than 20 voters had told him they had not received their papers before embarking on their summer holidays.

Mr Graham, whose prospective seat was won by the SNP by 21 votes in 2017, said: It absolutely could be the difference between winning or losing.

The Telegraph has identified at least 91 constituencies where voters are affected, including 76 in England, 12 in Scotland and three in Wales.

Kemi Badenoch, Grant Shapps and James Cleverly are among Cabinet ministers whose constituents have raised concerns about postal vote delays.

Mr Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said that some people in his Essex constituency of Braintree had not yet received their forms.

Mr Cleverly, who is defending a majority of 24,673, said it was not clear if the delays were part of a pattern but urged voters to chase up any missing ballots.

He told The Telegraph: What I would say to people is that, if they havent received their postal ballot, if theyre expecting one, to get in contact with their local authority, to really chase this up.

Everyone should have the right to vote, and people should look to exercise their democratic right.

Downing Street denies that delays will affect results

Downing Street played down the issue on Monday, with the Prime Ministers official spokesman saying they were aware of some concerns but denying the delays could affect results in marginal seats.

An estimated 10 million people are thought to have opted to cast their ballot by post this year, accounting for between 20 and 25 per cent of the vote.

Postal voting was introduced for UK elections in 2001, and has increased in popularity from 4.9 per cent to 21 per cent of votes  6.7 million  in 2019.

The deadline to apply to vote by post in Thursdays poll was June 19. Voters could apply for their postal ballot to be resent to them no more than four days before the election if it had not arrived, and are able to personally hand in their votes at a polling station.

If voters have not yet sent their postal ballot, they can take it to a polling station on July 4, although they will be asked for their date of birth, postcode and National Insurance or passport number before they will be able to vote.

Those who do not receive ballots in time, or who cannot hand them into a polling station on Thursday, will not be able to cast their vote.

There were warnings from senior election officials as early as last year that the electoral system would be unable to cope with increasing demand for postal voting.

In a review of the May 2023 local elections, the Association of Electoral Administrators, which represents returning officers, who are responsible for making sure elections run smoothly, warned about problems with postal votes.

Many returning officers were having to deal with delivery problems, the report said, and significant numbers of voters had not received their ballots, which caused upset.

Its chief executive, Peter Stanyon, said: Its symptomatic of the challenge of delivering postal votes in a very constrained timetable.

It is getting harder and harder and this time round we are expecting in the region of 10 million postal votes to have been issued for the general election. That is up by more than 1.5 million on the last time around, which was a winter election.

The Electoral Commission told The Telegraph last week that problems with the postal voting system would be included in its post-election review.

An Electoral Commission spokesman in Scotland confirmed that tens of thousands of postal votes had been delivered to Scottish voters over the weekend. The spokesman continued: We know local authorities and Royal Mail are working to get the final ones out as soon as possible.

A Royal Mail spokesman said that it has a specialist elections team and that it was working closely with local authorities in order to get ballots to voters in time. They said: We have no backlog of postal votes. Where concerns have been raised, we have investigated and confirmed ballot packs are being delivered as soon as they arrive in our network.

A Local Government Association spokesman said: Councils and electoral staff across the country have been doing their utmost to ensure the smooth running of this election and that people can vote.

People voting by post are expected to have increased 20 per cent since the 2019 General elections, with more than 1.3 million postal vote applications made between 22 May and 19 June. This unprecedented increase adds more pressure to an already complex process and overburdened system.

We are aware of reports of incidents where delays have happened. The postal vote system could benefit from review and more could be done to support Royal Mail and printers to be ready to deliver elections.
Danielle Carr-Gomm hoped Hongchi Xiao would cure her type 1 diabetes

An alternative healer who thought Western medicine was evil killed a diabetic grandmother at a slap therapy workshop after encouraging her to stop taking insulin, a court has heard.

Hongchi Xiao allegedly congratulated Danielle Carr-Gomm when she stopped taking the drug at his four-day retreat where he performed paida lajin, a Chinese holistic therapy that involves slapping patients.

Mrs Carr-Gomm, 71, a follower of Mr Xiaos who wanted to get rid of her Type 1 diabetes, fell gravely ill over the course of the 2016 workshop and on day four of the retreat she died of diabetic ketoacidosis.

On Monday jurors heard Mr Xiao, 61, ignored medical evidence that diabetics need lifesaving insulin and evangelised his slap therapy course as a cure.

Mr Xiao, who is accused of manslaughter, is said to have refused to call for urgent medical intervention and led patients to think that Mrs Carr-Gomms worsening condition was a healing crisis.

Hongchi Xiao at the opening day of his trial at Winchester Crown Court, Hants. He denies manslaughter - Elizabeth Cook/PA

Prosecutors said he had entrenched views that medicines such as insulin were poison and believed in the curative powers of paida lajin.

Paida lajin means slap and stretch in Chinese and involves practitioners slapping patients all over their body to apparently expel poisonous waste.

Mr Xiao was previously convicted of manslaughter in Australia after a six-year-old boy with Type 1 diabetes stopped taking insulin under his instruction and died during a workshop about 17 months before Mrs Carr-Gomms death.

Mr Xiao of Cloudbreak, California, appeared on Monday at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire, for the first day of his three-week trial. He denies manslaughter.

Mrs Carr-Gomm died at Mr Xiaos four-day paida lajin course at Cleeve House in Melksham, Wiltshire, in October 2016.

Mr Xiao, who has no medical qualifications or training, said the therapy could lead to full recovery in 90 per cent of cases including people with diabetes.

Told about the risk

In March 2015 Mr Xiao held a workshop in India with the Diabetes Research Centre and a report was given to him, telling him about the risk of death for Type 1 diabetics who stop taking insulin.

A month later, in Australia, the six-year-old boys parents took their son to Mr Xiaos workshop to try to cure his condition.

Mr Xiao was found by an Australian court to have told the boys parents to stop giving him insulin and when he was dying before them, Mr Xiao said he was simply detoxing.

Mrs Carr-Gomm of Lewes, East Sussex, first attended one of Mr Xiaos workshops in Bulgaria in July 2016.

She was an obsessive vegetarian who had a fear of needles, so did not like injecting insulin and as a result tried every kind of alternative therapy, the court heard.

At the Bulgarian workshop, Mr Xiao assured Mrs Carr-Gomm he could help her with her diabetes and she stopped taking insulin. However, she was eventually given it when she became extremely unwell.

Duncan Atkinson KC, prosecuting, said Mr Xiao had an important influence over Mrs Carr-Gomm and owed her a duty of care at the Wiltshire workshop in October 2016 as he knew the seriousness of not taking insulin.

Mr Atkinson said Mr Xiao would have known there was an obvious and serious risk of death.

Mr Atkinson also said Mr Xiaos failure to take reasonable steps in those circumstances substantially contributed to Mrs Carr-Gomms death and amounted to gross negligence.

Crying and yelling

Mr Atkinson said that after Mrs Carr-Gomm stopped taking her insulin she exhibited clear signs of being increasingly and seriously unwell.

On the second day of the workshop, Mrs Carr-Gomm was heard crying and yelling while lying on her bed.

A day later she was vomiting and by the evening she was howling in pain and was unable to respond to questions.

Mr Atkinson said: [Mr Xiao] had, but did not take, repeated opportunities to call for medical assistance.

Both his experience with [the six-year-old boy] and with Mrs Carr-Gomm in Bulgaria would have made abundantly clear to him that her life was increasingly in danger.

The medical evidence is that Mrs Carr-Gomms life could have been saved if medical aid was called.

By the time medical assistance was sought the next day it was too late. Mrs Carr-Gomm had died of diabetic ketoacidosis as a direct result of the decision to stop taking insulin, Mr Atkinson said.

The trial continues.
Composite: selection of false, AI-generated images.

In a crucial election year for the world, with the UK, US and France among the countries going to the polls, disinformation is swirling around social media.

There is much concern about deepfakes, or artificial intelligence-generated images or audio of leading political figures designed to mislead voters, and whether they will affect results.

They have not been a huge feature of the UK election so far, but there has been a steady supply of examples from around the world, including in the US where a presidential election looms.

Here are the visual elements to look out for.

Oddness around the mouth or chin

In deepfake videos the area around the mouth can be the biggest giveaway. There may be fewer wrinkles in the skin, less detail around the mouth, or the chin looks blurry or smudged. Poor synchronisation between a persons voice and mouth can be another sign.

This deepfake video posted on 17 June shows a simulation of Nigel Farage destroying Rishi Sunaks house in Minecraft. It is part of a trend of deepfake satire videos featuring politicians playing the online game.

A couple of days later, another simulated video appeared of Keir Starmer playing Minecraft and setting a trap in Nigels pub.

Dr Mhairi Aitken, an ethics fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, the UKs national institute for AI, says the first giveaway for the Minecraft deepfakes is, of course, the ridiculousness of the situation. But another sign of AI-generated media or manipulation is imperfect sync between voice and mouth.

This is particularly clear in the segment with Farage talking, says Aitken.

Another tell, says Aitken, is whether shadows fall in the right place or whether lines and wrinkles on a face move when you would expect them to move.

Ardi Janjeva, a research associate at the institute, adds that the low resolution throughout the video is another obvious sign that people should notice because it immediately resembles something that is patched together. He says people are familiar with this amateur approach because of the prevalence of rudimentary, low-res scam email attempts.

This lo-fi approach then manifests itself in obvious areas such as the mouth and jawline, he says. It shows in facial features like the mouth, which viewers tend to focus their attention on, where there is excessive blurring and smudging.

Strange elements of speech

Another deepfake video was made of Keir Starmer selling an investment scheme by editing the audio over his 2023 New Year address video.

If you listen carefully, you will spot that the sentence structure is odd, with Starmer saying pounds before the number multiple times, for example pounds 35,000 a month.

Aitken says that, again, the voice and mouth are out of sync and the lower facial area is blurred. The use of pounds before a number indicates that a text-to-audio tool has probably been used to recreate Starmers voice, she adds.

This is likely an indication that a tool has been used to convert written words into speech, without checking this reflects typical spoken word patterns, she says. There are also some clues in the intonation. This maintains a fairly monotone rhythm and pattern throughout. To check the veracity of a video its a good idea to compare the voice, mannerisms and expressions with real recordings of the individual to see whether they are consistent.

Consistency between the face and body

This deepfake video of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, asking civilians to lay down their arms to the Russian military was circulated in March 2022. The head is of a disproportionate size to the rest of the body and there is a difference between the skin tones of the neck and face.

Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California in Berkeley and a specialist in deepfake detection, says this is an old-school deepfake. The immobile body is a giveaway, he says. The telltale sign in this so-called puppet-master deepfake is that the body below the neck doesnt move.

Discontinuity across the video clip

This video, circulated in May 2024, falsely shows the US state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, justifying Ukrainian military strikes on the Russian city of Belgorod by telling a reporter there are virtually no civilians left in Belgorod. The video was tweeted by the Russian embassy in South Africa and then removed, according to a BBC journalist.

The fake video shows the spokespersons tie and shirt changing colour from one point of the video.

While this is a relatively conspicuous change, Farid notes that the generative AI landscape is changing rapidly and therefore so are the deepfake pointers. We also have to always practise good information consumption habits that include a combination of good old common sense and a healthy amount of scepticism when presented with particularly outrageous or unlikely claims, he says.

Extra fingers, hands, limbs

Look out for a surplus of fingers, legs, arms and odd-looking hands in still images that are AI-generated.

A picture purportedly showing the US president, Joe Biden, and the vice-president, Kamala Harris, celebrating Donald Trumps indictment was circulated on Twitter in April 2023.

Signs that it could have been generated by AI include Kamala Harriss right hand having six fingers. The top of the flag is distorted and the pattern on the floor is also awry.

The AI team at Reality Defender, a deepfake detection firm, says prompts typed into image-generating tools can focus on people  often the names of well-known individuals  which result in outputs emphasising faces. As a result the artifice is often revealed in other details such as hands or physical backgrounds, as with the Biden-Harris image.

Usually the prompts to create such images place higher emphasis on the people featured in them  particularly the faces, the Reality Defender team explains. Thus, the outputs often create credible human faces with higher-frequency details, while deprioritising the physical consistency of the background (or, in many cases, other parts of bodies, like hands).

However, Reality Defender, which uses deepfake detection tools, says the increasing complexity of generative AI programmes means that manual scrutiny of deepfakes is becoming decidedly less reliable.

Mangled letters and numbers

AI image generators have difficulties reproducing numbers and text. This fake Trump mugshot published in April 2023 was made with such a tool. You can see how in the background, instead of a height chart, there is a combination of nonsensical numbers and letters.

The numbers and text in the background are a giveaway, says Aitken. AI image generators really struggle with producing text or numbers. They dont have an understanding of the meaning of the symbols they produce so they typically produce garbled or illegible text and numbers. If there are any text or numbers in an image zooming into these can be a really good way of identifying if it might be AI-generated.

Jerky video edits

Some manipulated images are put together so amateurishly they are easy to spot. Known as cheapfakes, these often use simple video-editing software and other lo-fi techniques.

Just before the Mexican elections, a video of the then presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum was edited to show her saying she would close churches if elected. The clip was patched together in a deliberately misleading manner from a video where she was in fact stating: They are saying, imagine the lie, that were going to close down churches. An alternative background showing satanist symbols was also added in an attempt to make the clip even more damaging.
The state capitol in Sacramento, California, on 25 June 2019. Photograph: Salgu Wissmath/The Guardian

California voters will get to decide whether a law that was heralded as a breakthrough in criminal justice reform will remain intact, the latest signal that anxieties and fear around crime has risen to the top of the states political agenda in this election year.

A measure to undo much of Proposition 47, the landmark 2014 law that downgraded several non-violent felonies to misdemeanors, officially made it onto the ballot on Friday.

Support for the measure, which is backed by many law enforcement groups, major business groups, conservative lawmakers and some mayors, including San Franciscos London Breed and San Joses Matt Mahan, is another signal of the growing willingness to walk away from sweeping reforms in policing and prosecution toward a more conservative approach to crime that relies on putting more law enforcement officers on the street and imparting harsher sentences.

That shift has come as the state faces high-profile struggles with homelessness, open-air drug use and retail theft, with residents and politicians alike divided over solutions.

Prop 47 was a lie from day one. Its deliberately misleading title was designed to trick voters, Mike Gatto, a former state assembly member, said during a press conference announcing that the measure will be on the states ticket. A decade later things, are worse than they have ever been.

Californias governor, the states attorney general and a number of state legislators have long said retail theft should be addressed in new legislation, rather than the undoing of the proposition.

I dont think theres a need to have it on the ballot. Why have something on the ballot that doesnt actually achieve the goals that are intended? the California governor, Gavin Newsom, who has long supported Prop 47, told KCRA, Sacramentos NBC affiliate in June. Why do something that cant be done legislatively with more flexibility? I think its a better approach to governing.

But facing intense political pressure, top Democrats on Sunday announced in a last-minute decisions they would be introducing a competing measure to repeal Prop 47. If Newsom signs the measure, voters will be asked whether repeat thieves could be punished more harshly if their convictions happen within three years.

An unexpected win

Prop 47 changed drug possession and thefts of items worth less than $950 from felonies to misdemeanors, and proved a momentous change in Californias criminal justice approach.

The measure came 20 years after the states notorious three strikes policy that requires a minimum sentence of 25 years to life for someones third felony offense, as well as the 1994 federal crime bill, which upped sentences and created grants for states to build more prisons. By 1994, Californias prison population had already been rising, going from about 50,000 people in 1985 to more than 120,000 by 1994, according to Californias legislative analysts office. The population reached a peak of 173,000 in 2006, forcing then governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency due to overcrowding.

It was the first time that voters were willing to change multiple sections of the penal code to reduce incarceration, said Lenore Anderson, the co-author of Prop 47. California voters want a balanced approach to public safety. We dont want our budgets to be burdened by crowded and costly prisons.

When we initially crafted the measure, many people said: Voters would never support that, so I think it was a bit of an unexpected win, said Anderson, who also founded two groups, Alliance for Safety and Justice, and Californians for Safety and Justice, that advocate for victims and criminal justice reform.

Before, it was political suicide to say you are in favor of criminal justice reform. It was seen as anti-victim, so it was nearly impossible to move reform forward because of that political fear that youre gonna lose your job.

Since it was signed into law by then governor Jerry Brown, the bills champions have argued that it has kept out of prison people who commit crimes of desperation or who are in need of drug treatment, thus saving the state money that can be used to bolster drug-treatment and diversion programs that ultimately keep people away from crime.

Prop 47 and subsequent policies marked a sea change in California politics, they say, and made the state a leader in the effort to decrease prison populations and address racial disparities in arrests, prosecution and sentencing.

Prosecuting fewer people also saved the state millions, they argue, funds that were then distributed to cities and counties in the form of grants that fund re-entry and behavioral health services. These programs, Kent Mendoza from the Anti-recidivism coalition (ARC) says, ensure that formerly incarcerated people can adhere to their parole and probation directives and stay out of prison.

Its one of those monumental pieces of legislation, and it got us over the hill for something weve been fighting for for so long. It gives counties an opportunity to be bold and approach these things differently. This is what allows us to maybe save 10 people who wouldnt have this support.

Undoing Prop 47

But the measure has also long had its detractors. Each year since its signing, Prop 47 has faced legal and political challenges, with law enforcement arguing that it left officers and prosecutors hamstrung and unable to deal with lower-level theft and drug offenses.

Since the pandemic and protests that followed George Floyds murder, these claims have only increased as homeless encampments have expanded, fentanyl has torn through unhoused communities across the state, and videos of car break-ins and groups of people running into stores and leaving with armfuls of merchandise became local and national news fodder.

Moderate and conservative officials joined the chorus arguing Prop 47 was a driver of chaos that needs to be addressed through new legislation.

This proposition will fix some of the definite wrongs, the unintended consequences that we have with Prop 47, said Chad Bianco, the outspoken sheriff for Riverside county, in an interview on Los Angeless Fox affiliate.

The state, we are dying. Our businesses are fleeing the state, our small-business mom and pops are closing up, our homes are being burglarized, our garages, our cars, everything is being stolen, he continued. Criminals are running this state. We dont have to go so far to put every single criminal in jail. But if we dont start having consequences like we had 15 years ago, we are never coming out of this.

The first ballot measure to amend the proposition wouldnt necessarily repeal Prop 47, but it would undo key components of it by increasing penalties for people repeatedly caught stealing and creating a new class of offense  called treatment-mandated felony  to charge those in possession of hard drugs like cocaine, meth and fentanyl.

Experts on homelessness and housing policy have argued that the bill and the felony charges it promises would do little to address the triplet crises of homelessness, drug addiction and poor access to mental healthcare. Felonies often lead to homelessness. In the past, punitive measures such as zero-tolerance policies increased incarceration rates and homelessness, creating significant financial and social burdens, Meghan Morris, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times.

Still, district attorneys, sheriffs and mayors have announced their support, describing it as the best way to address theft, overdoses and homelessness without fully returning to the tough-on-crime days of yore.

Newsom has fought off challenges to Prop 47 for years, and a majority of Democrats in the legislature have long argued that it is working and should remain completely functional. In April, they announced a package of sevens bills aimed at addressing homelessness, drug addiction and theft without hampering Prop 47.

On Sunday, however, top Democrats also announced their own ballot measure to amend the proposition. They still argue that the amendments suggested by the coalition would increase incarceration, and argue criminalizing fentanyl addiction would be counterproductive. But they concur there should be harsher penalties for retail theft and some fentanyl dealers.

Their proposal would allow prosecutor to charge a suspect with a misdemeanor or felony for a third incident of petty theft or shoplifting within a period of three years. It would also allow prosecutors to aggregate the amount of stolen goods within three years to charge harsher offenses. And it would increase penalties for dealers who mix drugs with fentanyl without the purchasers knowledge. The legislature will vote this week on whether the measure will appear on the ballot.

Now that the future of Prop 47 is in the hands of voters, Anderson and Mendoza say that their respective groups will likely begin education campaigns for voters to shift perceptions about what causes people to commit crimes and the best ways to keep them out of the cycle.

The most important strategy is voter education, said Anderson. When voters get a chance to hear the facts, voters take the side of a balanced approach to safety and reject tough-on-crime measures.

Its probably gonna be a communications strategy: sharing success stories, Mendoza echoed. Uplifting the success of people who have been in prison to show that people can do good. We might do town halls in communities that need more education, in communities who may not see these things the way we tend to say we see it.
'Whitby Woman' voters have an average age of 61 and backed Brexit - Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Support for the Conservatives is set to halve among Whitby Woman voters who overwhelmingly backed them at the last election, a new poll shows.

The crucial group has an average age of 61, backed Brexit and voted for Boris Johnson in 2019, but went into this election campaign undecided.

A survey by More in Common, a think tank, of the 40 constituencies with the highest share of Whitby Woman voters found that the Tories are set to pick up just one in three of their votes in those seats.

Of the 988 people surveyed between Tuesday and Friday last week, 32 per cent plan to vote Tory  down from 62 per cent in 2019. Twenty-seven per cent inten to back Labour, while 20 per cent plan to support Reform UK and 12 per cent are set to vote Liberal Democrat.

More in Common, which coined the term Whitby Women, has said they tend to be traditional Tory supporters in their late 50s or early 60s, with adult children and their own home in mostly coastal suburbs. They do not tend to have a university degree.

The figures come despite Conservatives aiming a number of policies at older voters, including the triple lock plus pension guarantee and the return of national service for 18-year-olds.

Whitby Woman constituencies would prefer Sir Keir Starmer to Rishi Sunak as prime minister by 35 per cent to 26 per cent, although the Labour leaders approval rating among this group is minus 10, lower than the national average.

The main reasons those who voted Tory in 2019 have been deterred from doing so again are the partys handling of immigration and a lack of unity among Conservative MPs, with 42 per cent citing each of these reasons.

Sixty-one per cent worry that Labour would not deliver on what it is promising at the election, 60 per cent fear Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, would raise taxes, and 57 per cent are unconvinced that Labour would tackle legal or illegal migration.

Luke Tryl, the director of More in Common, said: At the start of the campaign, we identified winning back undecided Whitby Women as crucial to the Conservatives avoiding an electoral catastrophe.

Instead, as the campaign has gone on, this voter bloc has become more disillusioned with the Conservatives and looks set to punish them at the ballot box on Thursday.

Our polling of voters in 40 seats with the highest proportion of Whitby Women finds that not only have the Conservatives failed to win them back, but that the swing against them in these seats is higher than it is elsewhere in the country.

Mr Tryl added that the only hope for the Tories was if their warnings of tax rises under Labour cut through, as well as messaging about support for Reform UK handing Sir Keir a super-majority.

When asked what concerns  if any  they had about Nigel Farages Reform, 38 per cent said a vote for Reform only helped Labour, while 32 per cent said the party did not have a realistic chance of winning where they lived.
Paul Hogan was taken to hospital with critical head injuries after falling from the roof of St Margaret Marys Spotswood. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

A teacher has died after falling through a skylight of a primary school in Melbournes west while attempting to retrieve balls from a roof.

WorkSafe Victoria said they believe the 61-year-old man, who has been identified as Paul Hogan, was retrieving balls from the roof of St Margaret Marys Spotswood when he fell more than three metres to the concrete ground below at about 2.30pm on Thursday.

He was taken to hospital with critical head injuries and died on Friday.

Dr Edward Simons, the executive director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, said the community was deeply saddened at tragic news of the passing of our colleague, friend, retired principal, and relief teacher, Paul Hogan.

Simons described Hogan as a highly regarded educator and leader in the Catholic school system across his 36-year career.

Hogan began his teaching career in 1988, working across a number of schools in Melbournes north and west.

He became principal at Our Lady of Mount Carmel school, Sunbury, in 2009, before becoming principal at St Marys in Ascot Vale in 2016.

After his retirement in 2022, Hogan continued working as a part-time and casual relief teacher at St Annes Sunbury, St Marys Ascot Vale and St Margaret Marys Spotswood.

Simons said: We extend our sincere condolences to Pauls family, friends and colleagues, and we hold all of those impacted in our hearts and prayers.

Paul was a friend and mentor to many in our MACS community and he will be dearly missed, he said.

WorkSafe is investigating the death, which it said was the 23rd confirmed workplace fatality for 2024. There were 41 work-related deaths at the same time last year.
Starmer and Macron

The media cliche goes that throughout this election, Sir Keir Starmer has resembled a museum curator transporting an antique across a polished floor. The analogy is unfortunate. The formidable Ming dynasty ended in a dribble of weak and remote leaders who were mercilessly manipulated by court eunuchs, before finally imploding in 1644.

The Ming court came to a sticky end because it stagnated. Europe frothed with new ideas and technologies, while the Chinese rulers banned oceanic shipping, clamped down on foreign trade, and failed to innovate in crucial areas like flood prevention. A swirl of crises convinced the peasants that the ruling dynasty had lost their Mandate from Heaven. The elites were overthrown.

It is not just history but live events that should send a shiver down the spine of this countrys likely next Prime Minister as Starmer inches towards a historic Labour victory this week.

Yet his allies across the West are engulfed by Ming-style popular revolts. Emmanuel Macron looks set to be wiped out by Marine Le Pen in the French elections. Across the pond, the Democrats are tanking, as an internal row deepens over whether the octogenarian emperor of moderate liberalism, Joe Biden, should run for re-election. We are witnessing the twilight of the technocrats.

The foundational reason for this is that centrists have not come up with a single solution to stagnation.

Technocrats should have spent recent years dedicating themselves to solving the one basic conundrum that they have avoided since the 1970s  how to revive the economic dynamism that nations wrongly assumed would last forever when they first constructed welfare states. The great tragedy of the West that continues to get lost in the daily noxious blather about transgender bathrooms and the legacies of slavery is that at the very moment the Left won the intellectual argument on universal healthcare and social security in the post-war period, the conditions that would have made such a utopia remotely feasible began to collapse.

The golden age of Western progress from the 19th century to the mid 20th century  when innovations, from antibiotics to the production line heralded an era of unprecedented mass prosperity  came to an end.

Instead, centrists spent their time wailing about post-truth Trumpism, and Brexit fascism, waging war on transphobia, and spouting insane theories about boosting productivity through green jobs. Now populism is on the uptick again after a brief abatement. And they are in terminal trouble.

France is a case in point. The cliched interpretation is that ordinary French people are too stubbornly Left-wing to accept painful reform  but in truth voters are also refusing to cooperate because they sense that the ruling class doesnt know what it is doing.

Macron has avoided confronting the deep creative stagnation at the heart of Frances woes. In 2008, France was Europes leading producer of medicines. It has since tumbled to sixth position. Its startup scene is one of soonicorns rather than unicorns. Even French fashion is stagnating as mid-range ready-to-wear brands fall like flies and Parisian streetwear is mocked by TikTokers as boring.

Macron has notoriously attempted to transcend division through the healing majesty of personal leadership. Such a bid to smother national problems under an august leadership cult has only served to reinforce views that the ruling class is conceited and remote. Instead of leading frank national debate about the dire state of the country and need for change, le roi has oscillated between obfuscation and imperialism, passing stealth taxation packages and forcing through piecemeal pensions reforms.

There is a similar dynamic to the Democrat implosion in the United States. Bidens popularity has fallen off a cliff not just due to doubts about his mental capacity but the colossal failure of his grand plans to revive the rustbelt by splurging trillions on manufacturing reshoring, green industrial projects and investment in basic science. Since the financial crash the urban myth has flourished that Americas lost manufacturing prowess was built on raw state power.

In reality, the states contribution to the mass production revolution was limited to army-funded tinkering with interchangeable gun parts. It is pure fake news that the Pentagon invented the internet. The reason why the world of atoms has stagnated, yet the world of bits has exploded in the last generation is that the crucial breakthroughs in semi-conductor electronics did not occur in a traditional academic institution, where powerful vested interests so often conspire to crush new ideas, but Bell Labs.

Centrists might have realised this, and saved America from both a bitter populist backlash and squandering of precious time, had they treated the question of stagnation seriously rather than retreating into the ecstasies of anti-Trump apocalypticism and identity politics.

Indeed the basic reason that Joe Biden has survived until now despite his missteps is that no unity candidate has emerged to robustly critique or replace him. The next generation of Democrats jostling to replace Biden, like Kamala Harris and JB Pritzker are dismal culture warriors keen to insist that abortion rights  not stagnation  is the foundational question facing America. Of course, Trump doesnt have the answers either. But he will make mincemeat of such virtue-signalling blockheads.

Such developments should rattle Keir Starmer. Indeed, judging by his intervention that events in France are a lesson for progressives, they have. Labour has too failed to do its homework. The centre-Left has spent so long fighting tactically against the Corbynites in the trenches, that it has devoted little time to crafting a growth strategy. In the age of woke, when slaying the demons of structural racism and climate denialism is infinitely more thrilling than tackling the productivity puzzle. Labours attention span for economic matters has ominously waned. It has copied and pasted Bidens flawed green growth plans.

The danger is that, scenting the terminal status of wet centrism, Starmer will move aggressively to the Left. While all this might lend hope that a Right-wing government could snatch back power within one term, the fact is that the next five years will be unadulterated pain, And with the Tories out for the count, it is now unavoidable.
The Tories currently have 20 seats in the capital but the poll suggests this will plummet significantly - Phil Noble

The Conservatives are set to be all but wiped out in London at the general election on Thursday, polling suggests.

Savantas final survey of Londoners showed Labour 30 points ahead of the Tories, with 49 per cent of those in the capital intending to back Labour.

While Sir Keir Starmers party is down six percentage points from the previous week, it remains comfortably ahead of the Conservatives, who are on 19 per cent  down three points.

Reform UK has risen to 11 per cent, up three percentage points, while the Liberal Democrats are on 10 per cent, the Greens six per cent and other parties and candidates five per cent.

The Tories currently have 20 seats in the capital, but the poll suggests this will plummet in line with expectations that voters will turn their backs on the party nationwide.

At the 2019 general election only four seats changed hands, with the Tories gaining two and losing two, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats gained one and lost one.

The poll found Labour to be most trusted by Londoners 'on every policy issue important to them, from housing to the cost of living' - REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

Chris Hopkins, Savantas political research director, said: Our research suggests that the Conservatives could be all but wiped out from London this week if our results are replicated on election day.

Their party is deeply unpopular in the capital, leaking votes to Reform UK and facing threats from both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Labour is seen by Londoners as most trusted on every policy issue important to them, from housing to the cost of living. That ultimately will be likely what drives Londoners on polling day, with our research also suggesting theyre looking forward to a London Mayor and a national government working together.

In May, Susan Hall outperformed the Tory party nationally in the London mayoral race but still slumped to defeat as Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor, secured a historic third term.

Electoral casualties in the capital could include Greg Hands, a former Conservative Party chairman, Julia Lopez, the data minister, and Theresa Villiers.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith received a boost towards the start of the campaign in his ultra-marginal constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green, where Faiza Shaheen, the former Labour candidate, is running against her old party as an independent following a row over her reportedly liking controversial social media posts about anti-Semitism.

Ms Shaheen has said she reached her decision to stand against her former party following hundreds of messages from people in my community who are tired of the Tories but now feel they cant trust Labour.

She previously insisted she did not remember liking one of the social media posts that led to her being blocked. The post alleged that anyone critical of Israel is assailed by professional organisations who inflict non-stop harassment and accuse you of anti-Semitism.
Robert Largan's vandalised office in High Peak, Derbyshire

The campaign office of a Conservative election candidate has been defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Robert Largan, who is seeking re-election in High Peak, Derbyshire, posted a picture on X, formerly Twitter, of the message Zionist child killer written on the windows in red paint.

Alongside the picture, Mr Largan wrote: Good morning from Whaley Bridge. He later thanked two local residents for volunteering to help clean up the office.

It comes after a Metropolitan Police investigation was launched following an attack on the office of Labour politician Stella Creasy last month. Windows were smashed, and graffiti read: F--- your weasel words this is genocide. Labour child bombing Liars. 2001, 2003, 2024.

Ms Creasy, who represents Walthamstow, in north-east London, wrote on social media: Message to whoever attacked my office last night. You dont intimidate me and you dont belong in the political process. Same as those circulating malicious and false leaflets.

Police already on this to find you  will press for the strongest penalties for such an anti-democratic attack, and I know Walthamstow wont be cowed or influenced by your violence either.

Smashed windows at Stella Creasy's Walthamstow office

Last month, Mr Largan was criticised after he posted an election advert that appeared to make him look as though he was standing for Labour.

He posted a picture of himself in front of a red background with the words Labour for Largan. He also posted a similar blue advert saying Reform for Robert and appearing to use Reform UKs colours.

The Tory oak tree silhouette logo is faint in the background and, in small font in the bottom left corner, it says the ad is on behalf of Robert Largan, of High Peak Conservatives.

The Tory candidate claimed in posts on X that so many local Labour voters have told me theyre going to vote for me, because they want to keep me as their local MP.

He added: There have been so many that Im launching a new Labour for Largan club, with a link to a webpage inviting Labour voters to explain why they are backing Robert Largan. The link takes visitors through to his own website, showing he is a Tory candidate for High Peak.

Mr Largan is a government whip and was elected with a majority of 590 in 2019.
Joe Biden has warned that the Supreme Court ruling that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for official actions sets a dangerous precedent.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Mr Biden said the decision by the conservative justices on the court means the power of the US presidency will no longer be constrained by the law.

The court on Monday delivered a major boost to Donald Trump who has sought to claim presidential immunity over his actions related to the Jan 6 riots.

This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one, no one is above the law. Not even the president of the United States, Mr Biden said.

With the decision on Monday, he said, that fundamentally changed.

Mr Biden said the ruling undermined the rule of law in America - GETTY IMAGES

Mr Biden, speaking in his first set of remarks at the White House since his shaky debate against Mr Trump last week, has been sharply critical of his election rivals actions related to the Jan 6 riots.

Now the man who sent that mob to the US Capitol is facing potential criminal conviction for what happened that day. The American people deserve to have an answer in the courts before the upcoming election, Mr Biden said, referring to Mr Trump being on trial for his role in spurring the riot.

Mr Biden said the public has a right to know what the results of that prosecution before the election in November.

Now, because of todays decision, that is highly, highly unlikely. Its a terrible disservice to the people in this nation, he said.

The presidents campaign, who have frequently sought to paint Trump as a threat to democracy, said it would allow presidents to kill off their political rivals with impunity.

One of the Supreme Court justices who dissented against the ruling said the decision could allow US presidents to deploy Navy seals to assassinate rivals.

Sonia Sotomayor argued that the decision would allow the president to use their office for evil ends.

She wrote: Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organises a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends.

Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majoritys message today.

Trumps lawyers have previously claimed that a president was immune from criminal prosecution if they used a team of Navy seals to kill their political enemies - unless they were first impeached by Congress.

The Court did not explicitly address the claim, but took issue with the argument that a president could not be prosecuted without being impeached.

John Roberts, the Chief Justice and author of the Courts opinion, noted that a president who resigned from office or otherwise evaded impeachment would never be held accountable for his criminal acts.

Impeachment is a political process by which Congress can remove a president, he said.

Transforming that political process into a necessary step in the enforcement of criminal law finds little support in the text of the constitution or the structure of our government.

01:24 AM BST

Thats all for now

Thank you for following our live coverage of Joe Bidens statement.

Here are the top stories from the US today:

01:20 AM BST

Biden concludes remarks

Mr Biden has concluded his remarks and left without taking questions.

It is the first time he has delivered a statement at the White House since his poor debate performance against Donald Trump last week which led to calls for him to stand down from the election race.

Joe Biden

01:04 AM BST

Trump will be emboldened

For all practical purposes todays decision almost certainly means there are no limits to what a president can do. This is a fundamentally new principle, and its a dangerous precedent, Mr Biden says.

The American people must decide if they want to entrust... once again, the presidency to Donald Trump, now knowing hell be more emboldened to do whatever he pleases, whenever he wants to do it.

01:03 AM BST

Trump now free to ignore the law

I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the three-and-a-half years, but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law, Biden has told reporters.

12:53 AM BST

There are no kings in America

This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America, Biden says, adding that no one is above the law.

With the Supreme Court decision, he said, that fundamentally changed.

12:47 AM BST

Biden speaking now

The US president has walked out to address reporters.

He begins by stating that todays Supreme Court decision sets a dangerous precedent.

Joe Biden

12:34 AM BST

Biden due to speak at White House

Good evening.

We are covering Joe Bidens remarks as he addresses reporters at the White House following the Supreme Courts decision on Donald Trumps immunity earlier today.

06:57 PM BST

Thats all for now

Thanks for following our live coverage as the Supreme Court ruled on Donald Trumps immunity claim. This live blog is now closed.

06:14 PM BST

Trump has been handed keys to a dictatorship

Joe Bidens re-election campaign has used the Supreme Courts ruling in a bid to spur on donations from supporters.

We cannot overstate how unprecedented this ruling is, one message reads. If Trump wins again, hell be even more dangerous and unhinged because he knows the courts wont hold him back.

Quentin Fulks, the campaigns deputy manager, told reporters that Trump had been handed the keys to a dictatorship and that we have to do everything in our power to stop him.

06:01 PM BST

House Speaker: This is a victory for Donald Trump

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has hailed the Supreme Courts ruling as a victory for Donald Trump and defeat for the justice department.

The Court clearly stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts, he said in a statement.

This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense.

05:58 PM BST

Trump calls for end of all criminal cases against him

Donald Trump has claimed that the Supreme Courts ruling today should end his four criminal cases - including the hush money case in which he was convicted in May.

The former president wrote on his Truth Social platform:

Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes - The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs case. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

In a separate message to supporters, Trump claimed the Court had given him absolute immunity from criminal charges.

This is not the case. The Court ruled that he could not be prosecuted for charges related to attempting to install a loyalist as attorney general to oversee him claims that the 2020 election was rigged.

The DC district court will decide which of the other charges fall within the scope of his official acts as president and are protected by presidential immunity.

05:53 PM BST

Trump may be entitled to presidential immunity over Jan 6 case

Donald Trump may be able to claim presidential immunity over his actions related to the Jan 6 riots, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The Court split 6-3 along partisan lines to rule that presidents cannot be prosecuted for actions that fall within their core constitutional roles, and that official acts are entitled to a presumption of immunity.

Trump has absolute immunity from the charge that he attempted to install a loyalist as attorney general to oversee his rigged election claims, the Court ruled.

A Washington, DC district court will decide which of his other charges, related to his alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, are protected from criminal prosecution.

It marks a further delay in the Jan 6 case - one of the most serious cases against the former president, with two of the four charges carrying up to 20 years in prison.

Trump hailed the ruling as a big win for our constitution and democracy in a message on his Truth Social platform.

05:24 PM BST

Coney Barrett: Hard to see how Trump has immunity for all charges

Amy Coney Barrett, the last Supreme Court justice appointed by Donald Trump, said there are charges against the Republican that likely fall outside the scope of his executive acts - and therefore presidential immunity.

She wrote in a partially-concurring opinion: The indictment alleges that the President asked the Arizona House Speaker to call the legislature into session to hold a hearing about election fraud claims.

The President has no authority over state legislatures or their leadership, so it is hard to see how prosecuting him for crimes committed when dealing with the Arizona House Speaker would unconstitutionally intrude on executive power.

05:11 PM BST

Trump has absolute immunity for trying to promote election denier

Donald Trump has absolute immunity from the charge that he attempted to install a loyalist as attorney general to oversee his rigged election claims, the Court ruled.

It strikes a fatal blow at the charge that Trump attempted to appoint Jeff Clark acting attorney general as part of a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The President cannot be prosecuted for conduct within his exclusive constitutional authority, Chief Justice John Roberts ruled, noting that presidents have unrestricted power to remove executive officers.

Trump is therefore absolutely immune from prosecution for the alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials.

Other charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith have been sent down to the DC district court, which will decide whether they fall within the scope of presidential immunity.

Trump has a presumption of immunity for allegedly pressuring Mike Pence, his vice president, to refuse to certify the election results - meaning it is up to the government to rebut this.

04:50 PM BST

Attempt to pressure Mike Pence has presumption of immunity

Donald Trumps alleged attempts to pressure Mike Pence, then his vice president, into rejecting the results of the 2020 election are covered by a presumption of immunity, the Court ruled.

Applying a criminal prohibition to the Presidents conversations discussing such matters with the Vice President... may well hinder the Presidents ability to perform his constitutional functions, John Roberts, the Chief Justice wrote.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity.

We therefore remand to the District Court to assess... whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

04:41 PM BST

The argument that Trump lost

The Supreme Court did not wholeheartedly agree with arguments put forward by Donald Trumps lawyers.

The former presidents legal team had argued that a president would need to be impeached before they could be criminally prosecuted. Notably, they said this would need to happen even if a president assassinated a political rival.

However, John Roberts, the Chief Justice, noted that a president would resigned from office or otherwise evaded impeachment would never be held accountable for his criminal acts.

Impeachment is a political process by which Congress can remove a president, he wrote in the Courts majority decision.

Transforming that political process into a necessary step in the enforcement of criminal law finds little support in the text of the constitution or the structure of our government.

04:35 PM BST

Tweets and speeches likely to fall within official acts

John Roberts, the Chief Justice, noted that special counsel Jack Smiths indictment makes a number of claims about Trumps tweets, and a public address on Jan 6, 2021.

Public communications would generally fall with official responsibilities, he wrote, but conceded there were contexts when a president could speak publicly in an unofficial capacity:

Most of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities. There may, however, be contexts in which the President, notwithstanding the prominence of his position, speaks in an unofficial capacity - perhaps as a candidate for office or party leader. To the extent that may be the case, objective analysis of content, form, and context will necessarily inform the inquiry.

04:29 PM BST

Analysis: A bitter blow for Joe Biden

This ruling is a bitter blow for Joe Biden, who has made the election interference case against Donald Trump a key part of his campaign, Tony Diver writes.

It requires Tanya Chutkan, the judge who first heard this case, to hold evidential hearings to effectively restart the trial by reexamining all of the Governments charges again. One charge has been voided entirely by the Supreme Court, while others will now be fought over by lawyers for both sides.

The upshot is that the trial and verdict in this case are now likely to take place either just before the election, or after it. We dont yet know how long the extra process will take.

The Supreme Court opinion in former President Donald Trump's immunity case - AP Photo/Jon Elswick

But it also gives heart to Trumps supporters, who have long argued that the witch hunt prosecutions against him are stretching the law to its extremes. Undecided voters who were wavering about Trump because of election interference have now been told that some of the charges may well be unlawful.

We can expect to see this ruling waved around on the campaign trail by Trump for some weeks. One of Mr Bidens top attack lines has been severely weakened.

04:27 PM BST

Pictured: Hectic scenes as Court hands down Trump ruling

A journalist runs across the US Supreme Court plaza carrying an opinion to a news correspondent as the court handed down decisions - DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images

04:21 PM BST

Ruling lets future presidents assassinate rivals, says dissent

The Supreme Courts ruling today will give presidents the power to assassinate rivals or stage a military coup, an associate justice warned in her dissent.

Donald Trumps lawyers claimed, in a case ultimately decided against them in a lower court, that the president could send a team of Navy Seals to kill their political enemies without being prosecuted - unless they were first impeached by Congress.

Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent: Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune.

Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends.

Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majoritys message today.

04:16 PM BST

Read the full ruling - and dissents - here

04:15 PM BST

Chief Justice: Criminal trial would distort presidents decisions

Presidents need some degree of immunity for their official acts because otherwise their decisions and judgement would be distorted by the threat of criminal trial, the Court ruled.

John Roberts, the Chief Justice, cited a 1982 case against Richard Nixon which established that the president had immunity from civil cases.

The danger is akin to, indeed greater than, what led us to recognize absolute Presidential immunity from civil damages liability, he wrote.

Although the President might be exposed to fewer criminal prosecutions than the range of civil damages suits that might be brought by various plaintiffs, the threat of trial, judgment, and imprisonment is a far greater deterrent.

Potential criminal liability, and the peculiar public opprobrium that attaches to criminal proceedings, are plainly more likely to distort Presidential decision making than the potential payment of civil damages.

04:09 PM BST

The Court has let down the guardrails of the law

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned in her dissent that the ruling breaks new and dangerous ground by granting immunity to the governments most powerful official.

That core principle has long prevented our Nation from devolving into despotism, she wrote.

Yet the Court now opts to let down the guardrails of the law for one extremely powerful category of citizen: any future President who has the will to flout Congresss established boundaries.

04:05 PM BST

Pictured: Protesters throng outside Supreme Court

People hold anti-Trump signs in front of the US Supreme Court - DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images

04:04 PM BST

This will reshape the presidency

Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the Courts decision was gravely misguided in her dissent, warning that it makes a mockery of core constitutional principles.

Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency, she wrote.

It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.

04:02 PM BST

How did the court vote?

The court split along partisan lines, voting 6-3 in favour of the principles having some degree of immunity from criminal prosecution.

John Roberts, the Chief Justice, wrote the opinion of the court, while Justice Thomas wrote a concurring opinion and Justice Coney Barrett concurred in part.

Justices Sotomayor and Jackson wrote dissenting opinions.

03:59 PM BST

Chief Justice: No president is above the law

John Roberts, the Chief Justice, wrote in the opinion of the court that no president is above the law - but could not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers.

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law. But Congress may not criminalise the Presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution. And the system of separated powers designed by the Framers has always demanded an energetic, independent Executive. The President therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party.

03:56 PM BST

Trump hails big win after Supreme Court decision

Donald Trump has hailed the ruling as a big win for our constitution and democracy that will see his appeal heard again, Tony Diver writes.

In a post on Truth Social minutes after it was published, the former president said: BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

The Supreme Court, which has had a conservative majority since Trumps first administration, has issued a number of recent rulings that sided with Republicans, including overturning a ban on bump-stock rifles.

Trumps argument that he is immune to prosecution was viewed as unlikely to succeed when it was first brought to court in Washington in April. The Supreme Courts partial support is a big win for the former president.

03:47 PM BST

Welcome

The Supreme Court has issued its ruling on Donald Trumps immunity case, deciding that presidents are entitled to criminal immunity for their official acts.

The development is good news for the former president, whose case will now be remanded to a lower court to decide which of his actions - related to allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election - will be deemed official.
Protestors hold anti-Trump banners outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC - DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump has won a major victory in his battle against election interference claims after the US Supreme Court ruled he had immunity over some actions taken while he was president.

A ruling issued by the court on Monday found that Trump had a presumption of immunity in most of the charges brought against him by the US government, which accuses him of trying to overturn the 2020 election result.

The ruling kicks off a fresh round of litigation over the case in a federal court in Washington DC, and will almost certainly delay a verdict until after the presidential election on Nov 5.

It is a blow for Joe Biden, whose campaign has focused heavily on Trumps denial of the last election result and connection to rioters who stormed the US Capitol on Jan 6 2021.

Trump said the ruling was a big win for our constitution and democracy and should end all of crooked Joe Bidens witch hunts against me.

In a divided ruling on partisan lines, the nine justices said Trumps official conduct taken as US president had a presumption of immunity against prosecution.

Some of his actions, involving dealings with the Justice Department and an attempt to install an election denier as attorney general, were taken under the presidents core constitutional powers and therefore bring total immunity, the court said.

Any unofficial actions, including statements made in an entirely personal capacity, carry no immunity.

Trump was indicted last August with four crimes relating to election interference. He is accused of conspiring to overturn the election result and defraud the American people.

He denied the charges, and brought an appeal to the Supreme Court, claiming his actions in the aftermath of the vote enjoyed immunity because he was still president at the time.

The decision provoked fury from Democrats and some lawyers, including the three dissenting justices who considered Trumps Supreme Court appeal.

Sonia Sotomayor, one of the justices, said the ruling would give a sitting president immunity for a decision to assassinate a political rival using Seal Team Six  the US Navy unit that killed Osama Bin Laden.

Orders the Navys Seal Team Six to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organises a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune, she wrote.

Let the president violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends.

Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majoritys message today.

Donald Trump held a rally on Jan 6 2021 in Washington that appeared to challenge the US election result - REUTERS/Jim Bourg

Chuck Schumer, the Democrat majority leader in the Senate, said the decision was a sign of political influence in Americas highest court, which is sometimes abbreviated to Scotus.

This disgraceful decision by the Maga Scotus  which is composed of three justices appointed by Trump himself  enables the former president to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, he said.

It undermines Scotuss credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today.

Eric Holder, a former US attorney general in Barack Obamas administration, said the ruling was absurd and dangerous and a monstrosity.

Trumps allies hailed the ruling as a historic victory for the rule of law and American people.

Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican representative, said: The president of the United States must have immunity, like members of Congress and federal judges, which is necessary for any presidency to function properly.

The Supreme Courts decision kicks the case back to federal court in Washington DC, where Judge Tanya Chutkan is overseeing it.

The ruling means that lawyers on both sides will litigate over whether each of Trumps actions were official conduct before the case can be brought to trial.

The new process essentially begins the case again, with both sides expected to haggle over evidence. The ruling on Monday said Trumps official conduct cannot be used as evidence to inform unofficial actions  in a major blow to the governments legal strategy.

The precise timeline for the case is not yet clear, but it is likely Trump will not face trial until after the election, if at all.

A spokesman for the Biden campaign said: Todays ruling doesnt change the facts, so lets be very clear about what happened on Jan 6: Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election.
Viktor Orban at an EU summit in Brussels days before taking over the unions rotating presidency. Photograph: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

Hungarys Viktor Orban is expected to travel to Kyiv on Tuesday, according to three sources with knowledge of the plans, in a surprise visit for one of Europes most pro-Russian leaders, which comes as Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the EU.

Two sources in Budapest said Orban was expected to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, in the Hungarian prime ministers first trip to neighbouring Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion more than two years ago.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to Zelenskiy, declined to comment on any possible visit. But another source in Kyiv confirmed the plans. Orban is here tomorrow, unless there is a last-minute change, said the source.

One of the Budapest sources said the trip plans came together after lengthy negotiations on the issue of rights for Ukraines Hungarian-speaking minority, who live in the far west of Ukraine close to the two countries border.

It was a precondition for the meeting that the issue of nationality rights was resolved. In recent weeks, an agreement has been reached. They will be able to announce this as a success, said a source in Budapest with knowledge of the buildup to the visit.

Related: Make Europe Great Again: Hungary sets scene for its EU presidency

While the issue of nationality rights has been one of Budapests most vocal complaints when it comes to Ukraine, sceptics of Orban have accused him of using the issue as a smokescreen to facilitate the promotion of Russian talking points over the conflict.

In contrast to most European nations, Hungary has repeatedly questioned the need to support Ukraine militarily, and has instead called for a ceasefire. After winning parliamentary elections in 2022, Orban included Zelenskiy in a list of opponents who had supposedly conspired against him and backed the opposition.

Meanwhile, Budapest has kept channels open with Moscow, and Orbans foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has made at least five trips to Russia since the start of the war, most recently to visit an economic forum in St Petersburg last month.

On Monday, Hungary took over the rotating EU presidency until the end of the year, to the dismay of many other European politicians, given the countrys frequent clashes with Brussels over domestic rule-of-law issues and foreign policy.

A senior EU diplomat recently summed up the level of disquiet over Hungary taking over the presidency, saying: I take pills to calm myself when I talk about this issue because its getting really ridiculous  at every turn of the road you see the Hungarians hampering Ukraines ability to fight an aggressor.

The source in Kyiv said there was uncertainty over whether Orban was travelling to Kyiv in a bilateral capacity, or as a representative of the EU. There is clearly a conflict [between the EUs interests and Budapests], said the source.

Last week, EU governments agreed to use 1.4bn (1.2bn) of profits from frozen Russian assets to supply arms and other aid to Ukraine, bypassing the Hungarian veto that has so frequently held up EU decisions on Ukraine. In response, Budapest accused the EU of a shameless breach of its own rules.
The genome sequence of the bilby includes information on how the elusive nocturnal omnivores grow and evolve, researchers say. Photograph: Save the Bilby Fund

Genetic research has revealed the threatened Australian native bilby  with its ridiculously oversized ears and stretched snout  does not only look odd from the outside.

Bilbies are weird and cool. The genome has been fascinating, said Prof Carolyn Hogg, of the University of Sydney, who led research that sequenced the greater bilbys genome for the first time.

Theyve got the biggest genome of any marsupial  its got 3.66bn pieces to it, Hogg, of the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, said.

The genetic sequence would help conservationists target their efforts to save the species that had already disappeared from about 80% of its range, Hogg said.

Quite why the bilbys genome is so large could, in part, be down to how it has evolved its incredible sense of smell.

Because they dig in the desert looking for grubs and seeds, theyre really important to the landscape and circulate the soil, Hogg said.

Related: Rewilding the red centre: bilbies released into NT predator-free sanctuary in bid to save threatened species

Published on Monday in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, the research is the result of work to sequence the genome that started in 2018 but was held up because of the global pandemic.

The genetic blueprint of the bilby, a culturally important species for many Indigenous communities, includes information on how the elusive nocturnal omnivores grow and evolve.

Hogg said: It helps us understand what gives bilbies their unique sense of smell and how they survive in the desert without drinking water.

All 115 genes expressed in the human uterus to produce a placenta are also found in the bilby, Hogg said. Theyve got so many fascinating genes.

European invasion and the subsequent spread of feral cats, foxes and rabbits  the latter of which compete for food with bilbies  had seen bilby numbers plummet.

The only other member of the bilby marsupial family  the lesser bilby  is extinct and is thought to have hung on in the landscape until the 1960s. The team also sequenced the lesser bilby using a scraping from the skull of a specimen collected in 1898.

Greater bilby numbers in the wild are not known, but about 6,000 live in sanctuaries that are either fenced for protection or located on islands.

The genome is already being used to help manage bilbies in zoos, fenced sanctuaries and islands.

Hogg said: By selecting individuals for translocation and release we maximise their genetic diversity, thus improving the populations ability to adapt to a changing world.

A method to track and assess bilby populations using their scat had also been boosted by the genome sequencing, allowing for a more precise way to understand what was happening to wild populations.

Ranger Scott West, of the Kiwirrkurra Indigenous Protected Area in Western Australia, said: We know a lot about bilbies  where they live, what they eat, and how to track them.

Its good to use iPads for mapping, and cameras to monitor them. The DNA work also helps check if bilbies are related, where they are from and how far they travelled.
Jean-Luc Melenchon is the face of Left-wing politics in France - Shutterstock

The Palais Bourbon, where the National Assembly meets, is a grand and historic part of Frances civic infrastructure. When Jean-Luc Melenchon pointedly removed his tie to enter its chamber one day in 2017, he was engaging in an act of symbolism that turned his attire itself into a political weapon.

The leader of La France Insoumise (LFI, or France Unbowed) declared at the time: There were sans-culottes  now there will be sans-cravates, referencing the trouser-wearing 18th-century revolutionaries whose disdain for breeches marked them out as different from the aristocracy.

Critics of the veteran Left-wing firebrand may have scoffed at all this, but it was classic Melenchon: positioning himself as a man of the people, subversive, radical and anti-establishment. In an interview in 2010, he asked Am I a populist? Yes I am!

Today, the 72-year-old is the figurehead of a leftist alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP), which is now almost certainly the only political grouping capable of blocking the rise to power of Frances hard-Right National Rally (RN). In the first round of voting in the snap French election at the weekend, Marine Le Pens RN won 33 per cent of the popular vote, giving them a resounding victory. The NFP, which includes hard-Left, communists, socialists and greens, won 28 per cent. President Emmanuel Macrons centrist Ensemble (Together) bloc trailed behind on 21 per cent.

With the second round of voting scheduled for this weekend, the tactical planning and bargaining to keep RN from gaining the absolute majority they would need to form a government is well underway among the centre and Left.

'Am I a populist? Yes I am!': Jean-Luc Melenchon (then a senator) in 1991 - Gamma-Rapho

This is what they call the horse-trading period, says Andy Stafford, professor of French at the University of Leeds. Melenchon will have to keep both sides on board: the leftist parties hes already got and, to defeat RN, hell have to get some of Macrons MPs to stand down.

The centre-Right and Left-wing parties have in the past already struck such deals to stand down candidates in the second round of elections, to ensure the anti-RN vote isnt split.

Keeping the RN out of power this time, though, will depend in part on whether Frances centrists can bring themselves to get on board with Melenchon, a man who has been dubbed Frances Jeremy Corbyn.

So who is the divisive Left-wing figure with whom centrists and moderate Right-wingers might have to form an accommodation if France is to avoid its first hard-Right government since the Second World War?

Born in Tangiers in Morocco in 1951, the son of a postmaster father of Spanish descent and primary school teacher of Sicilian descent, Melenchon moved to France in 1962. He later studied philosophy at the University of Franche-Comte in Besancon. Originally a Trotskyist, he joined the Socialist Party in 1976 and briefly served as a minister for vocational training in 2000.

He has described himself as a republican who believes in representative democracy and elections. That is why I call for a citizens revolution through the ballot box, he said in 2010.

By then he had decided the Socialists were the wrong vehicle for such a revolution, having left the party in 2008. It was hardly radical enough for a man whose positions on a range of social and geopolitical questions was markedly further to the Left, and in 2016 he founded LFI.

Our country needs another voice on the Left, he said when he left the Socialist Party. Few would dispute that since then he has made his heard.

Hes taken some quite strong positions that are really very opposed to the centre and the centre-Left, says Michael Kelly, emeritus professor of French at the University of Southampton. [Hes been] very critical of the European Union, which he regards largely as a rich mans club, and very outspoken about the drift towards globalisation, neoliberalism and so on.

Hes had some opposition to the consensus over Ukraine. He supported the takeover of Crimea [by Russia], though he did come out against Putin in 2022 for invading Ukraine. Hes also campaigned for taking France out of Nato, which he sees as an arm of American imperialism.

A strong speaker and rhetorician, he has skilfully mobilised the youth vote on social media, boasting more than a million YouTube subscribers.

Just as in Britain when former Labour leader Corbyn enjoyed a surge in support several years ago, especially among the young (until he crashed out in 2019, heavily defeated by Boris Johnsons Conservatives and mired in an anti-Semitism scandal surrounding his party), Melenchon has attracted a sizeable following in France, especially among younger voters. In Frances 2022 presidential election, he won 22 per cent of the vote in the first round  not far behind Le Pen, on 23.2 per cent, and Macron on 27.9 per cent.

Melenchon pictured voting in the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday - AFP

Now, as the NFPs most high-profile politician, he can claim to have improved on his position. But whether the alliance he belongs to can hold and extend its appeal to those whose support will be needed to secure a victory in round two is very much in question.

It was interesting to see him throwing his lot in with the NFP, says Prof Kelly, who has written on French political history. It slightly took me by surprise because I didnt see him having that much sympathy with the more centrist parts of the Left.

Suggestions of anti-Semitism have swirled around Melenchon, who is critical of Israel, just as they did around Corbyn. Melenchon has likewise strongly denied any anti-Semitic comments and vowed he has nothing to do with racism...nothing to do with anti-Semitism.

Hes also been criticised for appearing to support not only Vladimir Putin but also autocratic leaders in South America. Both Hugo Chavez, the late Venezuelan president, and Chinas Mao Zedong have won his admiration.

Little of which seems to have deterred his supporters. He has got a sort of cache among younger [voters], says Prof Stafford. He can deliver a good speech. I dont know if Id call him an intellectual, but hes more of a strategist [than Corbyn was].

But does being a strategist make him capable of the compromise that might be needed to form a political machine strong enough to stop RN? Id say yes, because hes so far managed to keep the NFP together, which is quite a feat given they were at each others throats, says Prof Stafford. If he did become prime minister, would he plough ahead with his hard-Left [programme] or recognise he has to compromise? I think hes capable of compromise, but it depends over what. Some things, yes, some things, no. He is quite a maverick. A bit unpredictable.

Whether France will make him prime minister remains to be seen. If the choice is one between him and Le Pen, some commentators think it might swing his way.

It's all to play for: If the choice is between Le Pen and Melenchon, some commentators think it could swing in his favour - AP

Its all to play for, says Prof Kelly. If he can trim his sails a bit to appeal to the republican spirit right through into the centre, then theres a chance, because there is a tradition in France of voting against the [hard-Right] and in endless elections people have voted for whoever wasnt Le Pen.

With Le Pen having made a concerted effort to broaden her partys appeal and convince those of a more moderate persuasion to vote for her, its far from assured shell be similarly defeated this time.

Moderates who want to keep her out at all costs will have to make their peace with the man described by his former socialist ally Francois Hollande as the problem.
The next stage of the mammoth public inquiry into the activities of undercover police is due to begin on Monday.

Opening statements will be made over three days at the start of a batch of hearings looking at the since disbanded secret Metropolitan Police unit the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) between 1983 and 1992.

Evidence is due to be heard in two stages from July to early August and then for several months starting in late September.

A report following the first batch of hearings, which looked at the SDS between 1968 and 1982, found that the squad should have been shut down in the first years of its existence.

It said that, of the groups spied upon during that period, only three were legitimate targets.

The report from the first part of the inquiry said the Special Demonstration Squad should have been shut down in the early years of its existence (Yui Mok/PA)

The SDS and a successor unit spied on hundreds of campaign groups over four decades.

In the 1980s and 1990s the SDS infiltrated groups including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Troops Out, and the Socialist Workers Party, as well as womens, anarchist and animal rights groups.

An officer was also deployed to the British National Party  the only right-wing group the SDS ever targeted.

One of the undercover officers working at the time, Bob Lambert, was accused of planting a firebomb while undercover with an animal rights group that targeted branches of Debenhams in the 1980s, and fathered a child with a woman who did not know he was a police officer.

The Metropolitan Police apologised and paid compensation to Lamberts biological son in 2020.

The inquiry will also hear evidence that the SDS used the identities of deceased children as cover without the permission of bereaved families during this period.

Then-home secretary Theresa May set up the Undercover Policing Inquiry in 2015 after a public outcry over the actions of undercover officers.

To date it has cost just over 82 million, and is currently due to publish its final report at the end of 2026 if enough funding is available.

The inquiry still has a massive amount of information and evidence to tackle covering the SDS between 1993 and 2007, then its successor squad the National Public Order Intelligence Unit.

It then plans to look at other undercover policing activities, before examining current practices and what should happen in the future.
Nicola Benedetti warned of a crisis in the arts sector which would amount to a major identity shift if the Scottish Government fails to provide 100 million funding.

Speaking to Holyrood Magazine, Benedetti, a violinist who has won multiple awards, warned the culture sector in Scotland faces a very trepidatious time due to funding issues.

She said that arts and culture were key to the wellbeing and health of the nation.

It comes after then first minister Humza Yousaf told the SNP conference last year that he pledged the additional funding for Creative Scotland by 2028, calling it a huge vote of confidence in the cultural sector.

Creative Scotland, the countrys development body for the arts and creative industries, had its budget cut by 6.6 million in December 2022, with the sum then reinstated in February 2023, and cut again in September the same year.

However, it remains unclear when the additional funding promised by Mr Yousaf will be granted to Creative Scotland.

Benedetti, who is the director of the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), said: It is a responsibility for government, unless you begin to think that arts, culture  and by that I mean all the activities that fall into the general psychological, mental, emotional wellbeing and health of the nation, of society and individuals, everything that falls into that category I would relate to a civic pillar you can call culture  if as a nation we start to believe that thats not one of the civic pillars that we hold ourselves to, we are essentially changing our goalposts and our identity.

Were shifting what post-Second World War we believed was a society that was increasing in equality and elevating civilisation.

If we dont consider it to be that then thats a major identity shift. If we do consider it to be so then a portion of whats raised in taxes and spent by the government should be on the fabric of the life we live and what we call culture and art.

We would allow that to slip away from the responsibility of the government at our peril.

Humza Yousaf speaks at the SNP annual conference (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The Scottish Government previously said an additional 15.8 million, including the 6.6 million that was cut then reinstated, was being made available this year as a first step to fulfilling the 100 million, bringing the total spend on culture to 196.6 million, with the majority to go to Creative Scotland.

While a further uplift of 25 million has been promised for next year, arts industry collective Culture Counts has estimated that up to 55% of the organisations applying for Creative Scotland funding could lose out when the agency makes its long-term funding announcement in October.

Earlier this year, Creative Scotland announced that 361 organisations had collectively applied for funding of 96 million and that 351 were deemed eligible to move forward to the next stage.

That was whittled down to 281 organisations with a total ask of 87.5 million but Creative Scotland warned that due to lack of clarity regarding longer-term funding from the Scottish Government it expects to have just 40 million available to distribute.

Creative Scotland chief executive Iain Munro said: As we have emphasised consistently, our budgets remain extremely limited and we anticipate being able to fund only a proportion of the organisations which have applied.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: Ministers have committed to investing at least 100 million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, starting with a 15.8m increase this financial year to 196.6m.

As set out in the December 2023 Budget speech, this is the first step on the route to investing at least 100m more annually in culture and the arts, and ministers aim to provide an additional 25m to the culture sector in 2025-26.

In line with normal budgetary procedure the Scottish Government will publish a draft budget for 2024-25 later this year.

This timing is necessary in order to follow the UK Government Autumn Statement, which directly determines what consequentials the Scottish Government will receive for allocation in the next Scottish budget, and any impact inflation may have on the spending power of that funding.
A move requiring a referendum to be held before an assisted dying law could come into effect in the Isle of Man has narrowly failed.

The islands chief minister Alfred Cannan had insisted the Assisted Dying Bill changes the social contract on the island and requires a public mandate.

But his amendment stating that the legislation should not commence until a yes-no referendum had been held was voted down by 12 to 11 on Monday.

Campaigners have said the Isle of Man could become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying.

Once this current clauses stage has been concluded, the Bill requires a third reading in the House of Keys, before moving to the parliaments Upper House.

If it gains royal assent next year, assisted dying could be available to eligible Manx residents from 2027, campaigners have previously said.

The debates morning session heard an emotional plea against the amendment from a widow whose late husband suffered a horrible death after a motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.

Sue Biggerstaff became tearful as she recounted the difficult final period of her husband Simons life, as he endured paralysis from the neck down within just two months of his diagnosis.

Recalling his suffering, Mrs Biggerstaff told Members of the House of Keys (MHKs): There was a total loss of dignity. He couldnt speak properly, couldnt do anything.

Sue Biggerstaff gave an emotional speech to the Isle of Man parliament on assisted dying (Lee Notman/PA)

There were so many horrible, horrible things happening to him. Nobody should have to live through it. Its just awful. Awful.

She warned of misinformation around the Bill, with members of the public appearing uncertain as to who it would apply to, and said a referendum could see people with no real experience of prolonged and difficult deaths casting an ill-informed vote.

She said: Anybody who hasnt (had experience of a difficult death) hasnt got a clue what these people are going through. They really havent. And thats one of the dangers of a referendum. Youre asking lots of people with no experience or understanding, they are distant from it, as I was before Simon.

People talk about palliative care. Oh you can get good palliative care. Yes, you can. He had it.

She detailed how despite such care, her husband had still suffered.

Mrs Biggerstaff added: No-one should suffer like that. And no-one has the right to tell another how much suffering they could and should bear.

Dr Alex Allinson, the MHK and doctor who was first given leave to introduce a Private Members Bill two years ago, said the issue of assisted dying has long been seen as one for parliament, rather than a public vote.

In the debate he said it is an issue which should be taken up by one of us to bring through on behalf of the constituents who place their trust in us and placed us here to represent them.

In a statement following the vote, he said: I am grateful to the Members of the House of Keys for honouring the trust bestowed on us by our constituents to pass laws which improve the lives and indeed deaths of those we represent.

As it stands, the Bill is only for adults who have been resident on the island for five years, have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of no more than 12 months, and who have a settled intention to end their life.

Further debate towards the end of the clauses stage will be held on July 9.
Reform UK has announced a 1 million last-week advertising splurge ahead of the country going to the polls on Thursday.

The party said it was flooded with 400,000 of donations in 24 hours, and that in the month of the General Election campaign the partys membership had doubled from 30,000 to 60,000.

Reform claims the donations came from grass-roots support spurred on by the partys event held in Birmingham at the weekend, despite last weeks allegations of racism as a result of comments emerging from the Clacton division of the campaign.

The 1 million advertising campaign across national newspapers and websites will seek to drive home the message that only Reform UK will be able to mount an effective opposition to a Labour government.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hailed his partys grass-roots support (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Party leader Nigel Farage said he was blown away by the generosity of so many ordinary people who are sick of what is happening to this country.

He said: It is humbling but also very telling that they are prepared to back their faith in Reform UK with hard-earned cash and I thank each and every one of them.

Reform UK is already the leading voice of opposition across the country and by Friday morning we can be the real opposition in Parliament, too. If people want to make it actually happen, all they have to do is vote for it. Its that simple.

Over the past week Mr Farage has faced accusations from across the political divide of failing to tackle allegations of racism within Reform which have engulfed the party.

Campaigners for Reform in the Clacton seat Mr Farage hopes to win in Essex were also recorded by an undercover journalist from Channel 4 making racist comments, including about the Prime Minister, who is of Indian descent.

Another activist described the Pride flag as degenerate and suggested members of the LGBT community are paedophiles.

Mr Farage said he will put Reform under much, much stricter control to avoid the risk of damaging support from ethnic minority voters.

He told Times radio: This is a start-up party. I took it over a month ago. There were some people there that should never, ever have been there and Im sorry for that.

And nobody is angrier than I am, particularly as were doing so well with black and ethnic minority voters Yes, some bad apples in a start-up. Theyre gone. And I wont have anyone like it in the future in the party. Im going to put this thing under a much, much stricter control.

He added: How interesting that despite all these smears, YouGov polling yesterday showing that Reform now has more black and ethnic minority voters than the Liberal Democrats. So Channel 4 can do what they want. People out there are bright enough to work things out.

Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage said his party was a start-up (Paul Marriott/PA)

With a rake of candidate controversies relating to racist, xenophobic or homophobic social media activity, Mr Farage said his party was badly let down by a company they contracted to vet candidates.

Mr Farage said: When I took this over a month ago, we had hardly any staff and no money Yes, weve got things to sort out, as every party does. But believe me, something is happening out there.

The Reform leader also restated his pledge not to join the Conservative party, amid speculation he wants to attempt a reverse takeover.

He said: For the moment, the Conservative Party is a broad church with no religion. I mean, they dont agree on anything.

They dont stand for anything other than their own jobs or ministerial cars. I mean, frankly, the Conservative Party virtually doesnt exist. This is for Reform.

Thursday is the first big step. And what were going to do over the next few years is to build a mass movement for real change and that includes the electoral system and much else.
TV star Sian Welby has said her newborn daughter Ruby was born by emergency C-section after her hopes for a water birth did not go to plan.

The 37-year-old, who co-hosts Capital Breakfast with Jordan North and Chris Stark  and also appears on This Morning, announced her new arrival on June 29.

Welby, who is in a relationship with Heart Breakfast producer Jake Beckett, told ITVs This Morning: Im tired. Im delirious, but it is the best thing Ive ever done.

Im just absolutely over the moon. Im in love. Im loving every second, despite it being absolute carnage at times.

She added: You cant believe that youre meeting them. Jake actually was filming me at the time when I held her and I said I cant believe Im meeting you. It feels like a dream. And it did.

I think the first thing I said to her was like, Ruby, its me!

You feel like youve been chatting to them and getting to know them for so long, youve had nine months of getting to know this bump and then when you finally see the little face, and the character in person, its really real. Shes absolutely beautiful.

Describing her birth, she said: I originally was planning to have a water birth, because obviously you can try and plan what youre going to have.

But then it boils down to whats the safest way and in the end, I did actually have an emergency C-section, but I felt so safe. I was in amazing hands and the midwives are just incredible.

'It feels like a dream'. We catch up with @Sianwelby after the birth of her little girl, Ruby!  pic.twitter.com/myEuaYMnJj  This Morning (@thismorning) July 1, 2024

If any midwives are watching now, you are a different breed of human.

I just want to thank you, because the work they do and the way they treat you like youre their only patient, and yet theyve probably dealt with 30 other people already and theyre exhausted but theyre always smiling at you and they make you feel so at ease. I cant thank them enough.

Welby had announced her pregnancy live on air on Capital in February, saying: Being serious guys, Ive got a bit of an announcement for you Im pregnant.
Sir Keir Starmer has said a victory for Frances National Rally would not damage Labours goal of negotiating a better deal with the European Union.

Marine Le Pens party is on the cusp of power after surging into the lead in the first round of legislative elections in France.

The Labour leader said the rise of nationalist parties meant that progressives had to show they had the answers to the concerns of disaffected voters.

Asked whether he would be willing to work with the far-right French party, Sir Keir told reporters in Buckingham and Bletchley on Monday: I will work with any government in Europe and across the world if we are elected in to serve the country. For me, thats what serious government is about.

Challenged over whether he was concerned a Eurosceptic French government could make his aim of closer economic ties with the bloc more difficult to achieve, he said: I genuinely dont want to get ahead of myself. Firstly, we havent seen the final outcome in France. Weve also got a big outcome of our own on Thursday.

I dont think it affects the overall intention we have, which is to negotiate a better deal with the EU. I think the deal weve got is botched. I think that anybody whos trading with the EU feels that its botched, and we can do better than that across not just trade, but actually research and development, also on the security front.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was focused on this election when asked about his reaction to the National Rallys strong showing, and highlighted the Governments work on tackling illegal migration.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on a campaign visit to a pharmaceutical packing and distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Sir Keir said both bilateral deals with France and agreements with the whole EU were important to address the issue of small boats crossing the Channel.

Pressed on Ms Le Pens preference for bilateral deals over EU-wide ones, Sir Keir said: Ive always supported bilaterals as well as EU-wide agreements. Theyre not mutually exclusive.

And some of the agreements weve got with France are bilateral in any event. I think they need to be stronger and better and deeper, particularly in relation to smashing the gangs that are running the vile trade of putting people into boats.

But there are also EU measures. The security agreement we want with the EU when it comes to dealing with smuggling gangs is really important.

In terms of lessons he drew from the rise of nationalism or populism, Sir Keir said it was that we need to address the everyday concerns of so many people in this country who feel disaffected by politics.

We have to take that head on and we have to show both Thursday in the United Kingdom and across Europe and the world that only progressives have the answers to the challenges that are facing us in this country and across Europe.

We have to make that progressive cause but we have to, in making that, understand why it is certainly in the United Kingdom after 14 years of chaos and failure that people do feel disaffected with politics  return politics to service and continue to make that argument that politics is a force for good.

Sir Keir also stressed Labours continued support for Ukraine should it seize power on July 5.

Handout photo issued by the Office of the President of Ukraine of Volodymyr Zelensky welcoming Sir Keir Starmer to Kyiv in February (Office of the President of Ukraine/PA)

It came after Mr Sunak claimed multi-year support to Kyiv would be put at risk under a Labour government.

Asked whether he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were to become prime minister, Sir Keir said: At the moment that is simply not an issue.

He is the aggressor in Ukraine, and the most important thing is to be absolutely clear that our support for Ukraine is on a united front in this country.

Mr Sunak criticised Labour for failing to match our pledge on increasing defence spending and suggested a vote for Labour would strengthen Mr Putin.

It sends a bad signal to our adversaries, like Putin, that were not serious about investing in our security, that we dont have the staying power to stand up to him, the Tory leader told Times Radio.

It was put to him that Labour has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, just not set a date for when this would happen.

Mr Sunak replied: Thats totally and utterly meaningless.

We have a year-by-year trajectory for increasing defence spending, which the armed forces are now already planning on. Because you cant plan to invest more in your defence unless you have long term certainty.

Labour has said it would undertake a strategic defence review within the first year of government, to set out a path to the 2.5% increase.
While the Labour Party has found its home on TikTok and Reform UK is reaching the most Facebook users, the Conservatives have trailed behind in their effectiveness on social media throughout the General Election campaign.

Despite forking out more than 700,000 on Facebook adverts since the election announcement, the Tories and Rishi Sunak have managed just a quarter of the total interactions earned by Reform and Nigel Farage (according to the latest available Meta data  May 29 to June 27).

Meanwhile, there has only been one winner on TikTok since the countrys leading parties launched on the video sharing platform in May, with Labour racking up more than five million likes to the Conservatives 780,000.

Social media is absolutely key to getting a message out to the UK voter, Drew Benvie, a social media expert and chief executive of social media consultancy Battenhall, told the PA news agency.

It is one of, if not the most, influential types of media around today.

In particular for the younger voters, those disenfranchised or disengaged or apathetic, those who just havent voted before  social media is the way to reach them.

If we look to four years, eight years to the future, there will be a legacy there that is being built right now so it is a major battleground.

 TikTok

The three main parties have stepped onto a new electoral battleground during this campaign  TikTok  with the Conservatives, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats all launching their accounts within days of the General Election being called.

Labour has taken the platform by storm with about five million likes on their page so far, while the Conservatives have notably trailed behind with about 780,000 likes.

The Liberal Democrats have earned more than 600,000 likes, while Reform, which launched on TikTok in 2022, has nearly two million.

Labours popularity on the platform could be due to their use of internet culture to share their messages with their 208,000 followers, where they have leant heavily into viral trends and popular memes.

Labours TikTok poking fun at Rishi Sunaks policy on national service earned more than 700,000 likes (UKLabour/TikTok/PA)

One example, which earned more than 700,000 likes and was posted on May 26, aimed to deliver a blow to Prime Minister Sunaks policy on national service.

The party posted a clip of Cilla Black singing Surprise! Surprise! with a caption reading: POV: Rishi Sunak turning up to your 18th birthday to send you to war.

The TikTok account for the Conservative Party, which has about 70,000 followers and launched three days after Labours on May 26, has mainly steered clear of implementing viral trends or memes.

Their account has instead favoured using members of the party, such as Lord David Cameron and James Cleverly, as well as Sunak, to provide explainers and speak to viewers about their key policies.

Briefly dipping a toe into the comical, the account shared a set of pictures to their page on June 8 which set to poke fun at Sir Keir Starmer by presenting three different toy doll versions of the Labour leader.

The Conservatives presented Sir Keir Starmer as three different toy dolls on their TikTok account (UKConservatives/TikTok/PA)

The dolls were accompanied with names and attributes such as Remain Kier, Corbyn Keir and Eco Keir, and while users felt the post was a nice concept, earning about 4,000 likes, it left some feeling Labours TikTok game is better.

The Liberal Democrats, who launched their account on May 28 and have about 24,000 followers, appear to have taken a leaf out of Labours book by posting videos focused around memes to land digs at the Conservatives  scattered in amongst posts of Sir Ed Davey paddleboarding and going down a water slide on the campaign trail.

The Liberal Democrats have shared images of Sir Ed Davey along the campaign trail on their TikTok account (LibDems/TikTok/PA)

Rumbling on in the background is the TikTok account for Reform UK, which first launched in 2022 with former leader and current chairman of the party, Richard Tice.

Since then, the account has gained about 203,000 followers and earned nearly two million likes, with leader of the party Farage fronting the majority of the videos with clips from his speeches along the campaign trail.

Mr Benvie said: Because of the size of the user base (on TikTok) and the ease of which information can be consumed and shared, were looking at very much a TikTok election this year.

All of the parties will be looking at ways to engage an audience at all costs, and that will be with memes, trending sounds, clips that are funny  because a typical user who might be under the age of 24 might not be after a serious political clip.

Broadly its a good thing, I think all of the parties are trying to strike that balance of being funny, engaging and viral whilst also getting a serious point across.

 X

Formerly known as Twitter, X is more familiar territory for the parties, with the Tories and Labour launching on the platform in 2008, while Lib Dems account goes back to 2007.

Again, Labour leads the way on the discussion-based platform with one million followers, compared with about 625,000 for the Conservatives, 340,000 for the Lib Dems, and 360,000 for Reform.

The number of interactions on posts  namely comments and reposts  however does not always equate to support from users.

For example, since the election was announced a top-performing post on the Conservatives X account was a video showing two people carving the world WELCOME into stones on a beach in Britain and rolling out a red carpet  a dig at Labours immigration policies.

Don't wake up to this on 5th July. pic.twitter.com/SQ4m71dqyZ  Conservatives (@Conservatives) June 20, 2024

The clip, which was posted on June 20 and captioned Dont wake up to this on July 5, gained about eight million views and 9,000 comments, with some X users finding it offensive, while others said the video was hypocrisy and unbelievable given what has happened over the last 14 years.

For Labour, their X tactics appear similar to their approach on TikTok, with the party sharing frequent posts based on viral memes to poke fun at the Conservatives.

However, one of the partys top-performing posts on X since May 23 was a simple text post responding to Sunak, who wrote on X on June 10: If youre a criminal, the law should show you no mercy.

Says the man fined for breaking the law twice. https://t.co/uXJJy5qVj2  The Labour Party (@UKLabour) June 10, 2024

Labour quoted the post on the same day and replied: Says the man fined for breaking the law twice, which earned more than 30,000 likes and 1.5 million views.

The Liberal Democrats have also had success since May 23 with posts aimed at landing blows to the Tories.

Their top-performer in that period earned 11,000 likes by taking a social media swipe at Sunak for not being in attendance at the D-Day 80 International Ceremony at Omaha Beach.

The party shared an edited photo on June 7 of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden with Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron  who was in the original photo  cut out of the picture while his silhouette was instead marked with a black dotted line.

A dereliction of duty. pic.twitter.com/jx7IIgR7gN  Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) June 7, 2024

The post was captioned: A dereliction of duty.

For Reform, their two top-performing posts since May 23 have amassed about 8,000 likes each, including a video clip of Farage discussing immigration and a post encouraging their followers to vote for the party on July 4.

The election is just a week away. This is the immigration election. Vote Reform UK next Thursday to freeze immigration. pic.twitter.com/RlOyZ1m5cT  Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) June 26, 2024

 Facebook

Facebook is the oldest of the three social media platforms included in our study, but it is the newest of the four main parties which has enjoyed the most success during the election campaign so far.

According to figures from Metas Ad Library Report platform from the period May 29 to June 27 (the latest available data) the Conservatives forked out more than 700,000 on about 2,500 advertising campaigns for their Facebook page and that of Sunak.

In that period, pages for Farage and Reform spent less than half that amount (just over 300,000) on fewer than 200 ads, but earned more than four times as many interactions on their pages (2.23 million) than the Tories and Sunak (521,000) according to social monitoring platform Crowdtangle.

The combined following of the two pages for Sunak and the Tory party is around 1.72 million, compared with 1.38 million for the two pages of Farage and Reform.

Meta data also showed that, for the same time period, the Facebook pages for the Labour Party and Sir Keir spent more than 500,000 on about 6,600 adverts, seeing just shy of 600,000 interactions.

The Lib Dems spent 98,000 on 3,589 ads, with almost 40,000 interactions  Sir Eds page did not purchase any adverts in the period.

Mr Benvie said Facebook and Meta cannot be ignored because it is such a large force in the social media ecosystem.

Facebook is such a widely used social network, not as regularly used and its engagement numbers maybe arent anywhere near as some of the other large social networks, but due to its large size it cant be ignored, he said.

Therefore what were seeing at the moment is that all of the parties are still regularly posting to Facebook.

I think if you scratch beneath the surface, the role its playing is vital in reaching older voters, even for those who are aged 25 and over.
As the General Election draws near, both major parties will hope to have done enough to woo a key set of voters: small business owners.

The UK has an estimated 5.5 million small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and many of their votes are still thought to be up for grabs.

Last week, a poll by insurer Simply Business suggested four in five of them could still be swayed if they thought their interests were being prioritised.

The Conservatives have long positioned themselves as the natural party for entrepreneurs, but soaring inflation, the cost-of-living crisis and adverse effects of Brexit have risked souring the relationship.

In turn, Labour has tried to grab the initiative, promising to reform business rates, cut down on late payments and commit to a new industrial strategy, in a broad-based appeal to SMEs.

With just days until the country goes to the polls, the PA news agency spoke to five small business owners to see which issues are most important to them  and what could yet sway their vote.

 Emma Robson, hamper retailer, Essex

Emma Robson runs Stort Valley Gifting, employing a handful of people to assemble personalised hampers to sell to companies. The packages often include bottles of gin, high-end olive oil, locally sourced honey and personalised chocolate bars.

Skyrocketing inflation in recent years has forced her suppliers to hike prices, subsequently pushing up what Ms Robson charges for hampers.

She is worried that it will get to the point where her customers cant afford to do it anymore.

Hamper retailer Emma Robson has previously voted Tory, but says she is considering voting Labour this election (Emma Robson/PA)

For Ms Robson, business rates is a key issue. The tax, which applies to non-residential property such as pubs, factories, shops and offices, has been criticised for unfairly punishing companies that trade in-person versus online.

She says she moved her company to an industrial unit outside of her local town, Harlow, to try to accommodate more space, but feels she is still paying too much.

If we wanted to move again, we just couldnt because we cant afford the rates, she says. Its a barrier to growth for us.

She is encouraged by Labours pledge to reform the tax, but less so about the lack of detail on how it will do it. If youre going to vote for policies like that, you need to look at how its going to impact you.

Ms Robson has previously voted Conservative, but that could be about to change. She says: Now, Im at the point where Im actually thinking: Do I vote Labour?

Im torn between the two.

 Robert Wicks, brewer, Kent

Id like to see the major parties stop being in awe of large corporations, says Robert Wicks, managing director of Westerham Brewery, a real ale brewer near Sevenoaks which employs about 30 people at peak times.

Mr Wicks has been in business since 2004. Since then, large brewers growing dominance of the UK market  through undercutting competition and buying up independents  has made trading near impossible for some smaller competitors, he says.

Brewers have been hit hard by Covid and the cost-of-living crisis (Johnny Green/PA)

Brewers were at the sharp end of the pandemic, with pubs closing for months at a time during lockdowns. Now, they are struggling through a cost-of-living crisis that has depressed sales.

The number of breweries that went bust last year jumped 82% versus 2022, according to auditors Mazars.

Mr Wicks questions whether the Conservatives have lived up to their billing as the natural party of small business.

But then youve got Rachel Reeves (Labours shadow chancellor) going around trying to get big business on-side, he says. Heres an idea: how about meeting with independent brewers and listening?

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He says Reform UKs manifesto, dubbed a contract by the party, has the most encouraging general tone for SMEs.

But many of the policies  which include lifting thresholds on VAT and corporation tax  are aspirational rather than anything thats going to be enacted, he adds.

Mr Wicks said he wants to see competition regulators given more teeth to deal with big companies, and that beer duty  currently at about 21 per litre of alcohol  needs to come down.

Im p***** off with the Tories and I dont want the Government any longer, he says. But I really fear what is coming in their place.

Wasim Riley, restaurateur, Manchester

Wasim Riley and his partner run Afrikana, a restaurant business based in Manchester that employs about 20 people.

He says the hospitality sector has been highly neglected compared with other industries in the last few years.

Restaurateur Wasim Riley wants the next government to speak to small businesses more frequently (Wasim Riley/PA)

We cant afford to pay our staff, were just about hitting our margins and theres not enough people coming through the doors, Mr Riley says.

He adds that rising costs and depressed demand due to the cost-of-living crisis have not been directly dealt with and this makes us more vulnerable to political changes.

Mr Riley says a reduction in the rate of VAT would be welcome, but that he does not believe the Conservatives would help the hospitality industry if re-elected.

He added: The only helpful measure to date has been the 75% discount on council tax rates, but our industry requires us to be in prime locations, which comes with high costs. The discount should be a given, not a benefit.

Mr Riley is swinging towards Labour, having previously voted Tory, and wants to see the next government communicate better with SME owners.

He said: They wont know what is needed if they dont speak to business owners more frequently.

 Vivienne Brown, florist, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Vivienne Brown has run 5th Avenue Flowers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for 35 years. The business supplies floristry for hotels, restaurants and offices. She voted Conservative at the last election.

She says business has suffered from companies working from home since the pandemic, which has depleted the office segment of her trade.

That, combined with increases in the minimum wage, has prompted her to downsize the business from nine people to just three full-time workers.

Were having to work a hell of a lot harder, she says. When people leave we cant afford to replace them.

However, Ms Brown says she will vote Tory again, pointing to Covid-19 business relief measures such as the furlough and small business loans schemes as reasons to trust the party.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on a visit to a farm shop (Aaron Chown/PA)

They saved a hell of a lot of businesses with their actions, she says. You cant blame the Government for the pandemic.

But despite Labours promises for small businesses, Ms Brown says she is too sceptical of the party to vote for them.

Theres no conviction in the things (Sir Keir) says I can remember trying to run my business 14 years ago and it was really hard then, she says, referring to the end of the last Labour government.

With (Sir Keir) I think itll be more of the same.

 Mark Brearley, tray manufacturer, London

Mark Brearley runs Kaymet, a manufacturer of high-end serving trays and trolleys. Stockists include Harrods and Selfridges, but he exports to dozens of countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Brexit is the wound that keeps on bleeding, he says. Its not gone away, its not just teething problems, he says.

Manufacturer Mark Brearley says he is desperate for a more positive spirit (Carmel King/PA)

Mr Brearley says the cost of importing materials has gone up, while he also relies on trade shows  often in Europe  for winning new business.

If youre a small business, you drive the van yourself. But then you suddenly find youve lost a day trying to get out of the country  its all just preposterously complex and bureaucratic, he says.

Things have just fundamentally all got harder in an infuriating day-to-day grief-and-cost kind of way.

Mr Brearley also points to an incident in 2018, when former prime minister Boris Johnson reportedly said f*** business when questioned about concerns over a no-deal Brexit.

When youre already feeling sensitive to the world of politics, that sort of thing doesnt go away, he says.

Mr Brearley says he will vote Labour at this election, and is encouraged by the partys commitment to a new industrial strategy which has a focus on procurement and trade policy, and also mentions manufacturers.

Thats such a blindingly obvious thing for a government to do, he says. But its also gone beyond party political things, Im just desperate for a more positive spirit.
An officer in Utica, New York, shot and killed a 13-year-old on Friday night after police say he fled and pointed a replica handgun at them.

The teenager, identified as Nyah Mway, was approached by three officers Friday night after he and another 13-year-old matched the descriptions of robbery suspects, according to a release from the Utica Police Department.

Officers were patrolling the area to assist with two recent robbery investigations where the suspects were described as Asian males who brandished a black in color firearm and forcibly demanded and stole property from victims, the release reads.

Based on the listed identifying factors from the robbery, officers approached Nyah Mway and the other juvenile as they matched the robbery suspects descriptions and were in the immediate vicinity of the previous robbery at nearly the same time of day, it continues.

Police also say Nyah Mway was violating New York vehicle and traffic law by walking in the road.

Nyah Mway - Obtained by CNN

According to Utica Police and bodycam footage released, when the officers attempted to conduct a citizen stop of the two 13-year-old juveniles and tried to pat-frisk Nyah Mway, he immediately fled on foot.

While fleeing, police said, Nyah Mway pulled out what appeared to be a handgun but was later found to be a replica Glock pellet gun and pointed it at the police officers.

One of the officers discharged his firearm once and shot the teen in the chest during a ground struggle, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said during a news conference Saturday.

He was given immediate first aid by the officers and taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died, according to Williams.

The officers involved with the incident were identified by the police department as Patrick Husnay, Bryce Patterson, and Andrew Citriniti. Husnay was the officer who fired his gun and all three are on administrative leave with pay, according to police.

CNN has reached out to the Utica Police Benevolent Association for comment.

Body camera footage released by police shows chaotic struggle

The body camera footage released by police shows one officer saying he needs to pat down the two juveniles to make sure they dont have any weapons. Nyah Mway immediately flees in the video.

Some of the footage was edited to insert a red circle around the replica gun and authorities froze the frames where the teen appears to point it at the officers.

The officers believed it was a handgun, police said, but it was later determined to be a replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine, The Associated Press reported.

The replica gun carried by the teen is in all aspects a realistic appearing firearm with Glock markings, signatures, detachable magazine, and serial numbers, Lt. Michael Curley, a police spokesperson, said via email to The Associated Press. However ultimately it fires only pellets or BBs.

The police body camera video shows a chaotic scene.

In this still image from body camera footage released by police in Utica, New York, Nyah Mway appears to point a replica gun at police officers. A red circle highlighting the replica gun was added by the police department. - City of Utica, New York Police Department

In the footage, Nyah Mway appears to point the replica handgun at police while he flees. The officers yell gun, and one police officer tackles and punches the teenager. As they are wrestling on the ground, another police officer fires a single shot.

Bystanders scream at the police throughout the recordings, and at one point an officer yells back, Were trying to save him right now!

The other youth was detained in the back of a police vehicle and was not involved in the shooting, The Associated Press reported.

The police department released the body camera videos following a public outcry as the shooting roiled Utica, a city with a population of 65,000. It is home to more than 4,200 people from Myanmar, according to The Center, a non-profit helping to resettle the refugees, The Associated Press reported.

Nyah Mway, who local media reports said was an eighth grader at Donovan Middle School, was identified as a refugee born in Myanmar and a member of the Karen ethnic minority, The Associated Press reported.

There are two ongoing, parallel investigations into the incident, according to police: one by the New York State Attorney General, and another by the Utica Police Departments Professional Standards Unit.

A vigil for 13-year-old Nyah Mway was held in Utica, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024. - Daniel DeLoach/Utica Observer-Dispatch/USA Today Network

Tensions run high during news conference

A news conference about the incident ended early Saturday after tensions ran high.

The conference was stopped several times after audience members audibly booed and interrupted the police chief and Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime.

An interpreter struggled to speak over repeated audience outbursts.

Members of the community, including the youths family, were in attendance, The Associated Press reported.

I know theres a lot of emotions in this room and a lot of upset people, the police chief said. But youre asking us to be transparent  youre asking us to be transparent, and when you shout over us, it makes it very difficult to do so.

A small group also staged a protest outside the Utica Police station Saturday night. One protesters sign reads Justice for Nyah Mway. Forever 13. Another protest took place Monday morning, according to CNN affiliate WKTV

Galime met for more than two hours with members of the community on Sunday to discuss the shooting.

It is extremely tragic to see a police stop end like this, the mayor said, adding the city has worked so hard to make sure we train, we understand, and we are completely objective in how we deal with our community.

Right now, it feels that possibly the police did something out of anger and out of subjectivity. I know that we are doing everything we can to make sure our police departments and our whole government as whole truly treats everyone through objectivity, Galime said.

During the meeting, community members asked questions and expressed their concerns on topics such as police procedures during stops and racism.

They would like to change right now, right away, but we understand thats something that cannot happen right now, right away, Lupway Doh, a leader of the Karen community, told CNN affiliate WKTV.

CNNs Paradise Afshar and Zenebou Sylla contributed to this report.

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Running sensation Quincy Wilson, 16, is going to the Paris Olympics, becoming the youngest American male to be part of the Olympic track team.

Wilson, who will be on the 4x400 relay pool, posted on his social media about the selection, with the caption: "WE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS." On Monday, he posted a photo with the official uniform with the "USA" emblazoned on it on his Instagram Story.

Quincy Wilson finished sixth in the men's 400-meter final on Day Four of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 24, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. / Credit: / Getty Images

A rising high school junior at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, Wilson made it all the way to the final of the 400-meter final at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, on June 24. He finished sixth in the race, which kept his Olympics hopes alive. Despite his final position, he said he was "so thankful" to be part of it.

Wilson will join track stars Quincy Hall, Michael Norman and Chris Bailey, who all finished ahead of him in the 400-meter final at U.S. trials, in Paris.

En route to the race, he beat the world's under-18 400-meter record twice  surpassing his own record in the semifinal on June 23 and breaking the record two days earlier.

Bill Mallon, an Olympics historian, told CBS News that Wilson is the youngest male track Olympian to make the U.S. team. The youngest ever track and field American athlete is Esther Stroy, who competed at the age of 15 in the 1968 Olympics, Mallon told CBS News.

Wilson's Olympic bid comes as big names in Team USA such as Simone Biles and Suni Lee punched their tickets to the City of Love over the weekend.

Supreme Court gives Trump a win, rules presidents have immunity for official acts in office

Hurricane Beryl an "extremely dangerous" storm with Caribbean in its sights

Hurricane Beryl lashes Caribbean as a powerful Category 5 storm
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Despite our four-year age gap, my younger brother and I are besties. And while some of my fellow firstborn friends find it odd, my brother and I openly talk about our dating lives. We tap each other for advice and certainly are not afraid to roast each others dating profiles. But one factor that neither of us considered impacting our love lives is our birth order.

If you spend any time on TikTok, you mightve already heard of the birth order dating theory, which posits that certain birth order pairings are more compatible than others. The hashtag #birthorderinrelationships has over 58.6 million posts, with many users confirming that their past relationships corroborate the theory. I am the eldest daughter, and all of my relationships have been with youngest sons, revealed one user.

As it turns out, this theory isnt just a fun TikTok trendits psychologically backed, too. Your birth order has a direct impact on your personality and relationships, including who you date. Your siblings can absolutely impact your romantic life, because those are your first age-appropriate dynamics when youre learning how to communicate with someone, explains Karen Stewart, PsyD, a psychologist specializing in sex and couples therapy in California. Therefore, it makes sense that eldest children are often drawn to lastborns: If youve been comfortable with that dynamic for the past 20-plus years, it isnt surprising that you gravitate towards that type of partner, she adds.

So, what is the birth order dating theory, and is it really the ultimate compatibility test? Ahead, relationship experts and therapists break it down.

The birth order dating theory has been around for over a century.

Today, the hashtag #birthorder may have 690.5 million views on TikTok. But the idea that children may inherit certain behaviors and traits based on where they fall in their family tree has its origins in the early 1900s.

Through his research, Austrian psychologist Alfred Adlerwho is also credited for developing the superiority complex and retail therapy theoriessuggests that the rank of ones birth order shapes not only your personality, but how you show up in all aspects of life. In other words, my fearless ability to take charge is due to my inner eldest child syndrome, in which my role as the older sibling molded me into being a leader and problem solver.

According to Adler, birth order can also impact how we view and interact in non-familial relationships, including romantic ones. More specifically, your birth order can explain compatibility with a partner, as an eldest childs alpha mentality may best compliment the personality of a youngest sibling, who tends to be more of a follower. Although every family dynamic (and person!) is different, there are common threads in all these birth order situations, Stewart notes.

Eldest children are leaders and planners in their relationships.

As the eldest, firstborns can feel a sense of hierarchy over their siblings. Theyre used to being the leader, explains Stewart.

While Adlers birth order theory describes firstborns as being high achievers, problem solvers, and caretakers, Stewart says these strong characteristics can also result in controlling tendencies. Additionally, eldest children tend to be people pleasers and worrywarts, she adds. (And suddenly, my anxiety all makes sense!)

In the realm of dating, eldest children exhibit many redeeming qualities. For starters, theyre action-orientatedso if planning date night isnt your thing, theyll likely be more than happy to take the reins. Eldest children are also devoted and reliable.

While theres nothing wrong with having an alpha personality, per se, the need to be in control all the time can also hurt you in a relationship, warns Julie Menanno, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist, and the author of Secure Love: Create a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime. An eldest child might not know how to adapt or be flexible with their partner, which can lead to issues including resentment from their S.O., she adds. You never want your partner to feel like theyre invisible in the relationship, so try to relinquish some of that control when you can, advises Menanno.

Middle children might struggle with conflict.

Growing up, middle children often get lost in the shuffle. They dont entirely know what their identity is because when theyre with an older sibling theyre treated like the youngest, but with a younger sibling, the middle child wants to exert that power or dominance of an older sibling and its really confusing for them, explains Stewart.

Because of this constant tug-of-war, middle children often take on the role of peacemaker. As a peacemaker, they tend to back away from conflict because they want everything to be okay. However, being the family peacemaker is exhausting for them, so they may view relationships, including romantic relationships, as a lot of work, says Menanno.

Sometimes, this can snowball into developing poor communication skills like checking out in the face of conflict, she adds. On the contrary, Menanno says middle children may be more verbally combative in relationships because theyre used to having to fight for their voice to be heard. It'll likely depend on what your relationship with your older and younger siblings looks like.

Youngest children bring excitement into their relationships.

Known as the baby of the family, lastborns are often perceived as spoiled, extroverted, and a little rowdy, according to the birth order theory. Whereas their eldest siblings were held under a magnifying glass, the youngest are typically, in theory, kept on a looser leash. To put it simply, theyre able to get away with a lot more.

That said, lastborns are used to adhering to multiple authoritative figures in the house, which can sometimes translate to codependency in relationships. On the flip side, if youre used to being spoiled and getting all your needs met, then that can turn into sucking up all the air in a relationship, says Menanno.

But, of course, every partnership needs balance. A lastborns fun spirit and zest for adventure can be appealing to a firstborn or even middle child who considers themselves a rule follower. Their spontaneity ignites feelings of excitement and togetherness, both of which are important building blocks of a relationship.

Communication might be a sore spot for only children.

Similar to lastborns, only children crave the spotlight because theyre often used to being the center of adult attention. Theyre used to having their needs met at all times, so those folks can tend to be a little more needy, explains Stewart.

Only children can also get a bad rap for being selfish in relationships. Stereotypically, only children dont learn how to share in those formative years. Thus, for example, not learning how to share toys can evolve into not knowing how to share time or space with a partner, continues Stewart.

Communication can also be a weak spot for some only children. This is particularly true when it comes to fighting styles, as only children can be more catastrophic with their words and actions, says Stewart. But despite this, only children might also be more mature and emotionally intelligent in some ways, because they grew up surrounded by adults.

Firstborns and lastborns tend to be compatible pairs.

So, who is your perfect match based on the birth order dating theory? On paper, all signs point to firstborns and lastborns being the most compatible pairing, says Stewart. The eldest is used to assuming the role of caretaker. This person aims to please and they want someone who they can look after, she explains. Then, you have the baby of the family, who is used to being led and coddled. Thats a dynamic theyre [both] probably comfortable and familiar with.

And the same goes for firstborns and only children: An only child looks for someone who can take care of them at all times, which is one of the primary personality traits of a stereotypical eldest child, says Stewart. While only children may run away from conflict, firstborns run towards it.

Surprisingly, middleborns also get along best with siblings who were born first. The eldest can be the leader and the support system that the middle child never received growing up, explains Stewart. Meanwhile, middle children are perceptive yet quiet. They make great mediators, which helps when navigating tough conversations in which an eldests instinct is to take control.

You might be less compatible with someone who shares your birth order.

Theoretically, based on the birth order dating theory alone, same-birth orders are the least compatible combinations, say both Menanno and Stewart. This means two firstborns, two middle children, two lastborns, and two only children might not be the best match.

Two older siblings together will definitely butt heads in a relationship, says Menanno. Both people have been awarded throughout life for taking charge, figuring it out, making a plan, finding a solution, and being the one thats always right. And so, it feels very vulnerable to an eldest child to have to give that up.

And, while being a peacemaker certainly has its attributes, a pair of peacemakers (Im looking at you, middle children) can put a relationship in a communication rut. Theyre going to have a difficult time navigating conversations, especially big ones that may involve conflict, warns Stewart.

And finally, because lastborns and only children are used to being the center of attention and share such similar personalities, any combination of the two could end in strife. But if youre in a same-birth order relationship, dont worry: This isn't an end-all, be-all compatibility test, because every person is a little different. There could be a super healthy situation in which nobody needs to fall into those rigid birth order roles to feel a sense of identity or belonging, says Menanno.

The birth order dating theory isn't (and shouldn't be) the end-all, be-all.

If youre fascinated by astrology and/or attachment theory, then you know there are a lot of different factors that play into who we become in relationships, and birth order is just one of those. So, if youre a firstborn contemplating whether you should dump your fellow firstborn partner because this theory is all over your TikTok feed right now, well first, take a breath. And, no. Someone's birth order shouldn't be a relationship deal breaker, say both experts.

Does [this theory] mean you should set up your dating profiles to I only date the youngest child? Absolutely not, because we were all raised in different ways, explains Stewart. While birth order does shed some insight into the role you might feel comfortable filling in a relationship, it isnt the golden rule of dating.

Am I going to stop dating lastborns? Definitely not. As much as I hate to admit it, I do inhibit the caretaking (and controlling, if Im being honest) gene. But, did Adlers theory prompt me to reevaluate how I show up in relationships? Absolutely.

Meet the experts: Karen Stewart, PsyD, is a psychologist specializing in sex and couples therapy in California. Julie Menanno, LMFT, is a marriage and family therapist and the author of Secure Love: Create a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime.

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CHICAGO (CBS)  Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law that says domestic abusers with protection orders are banned from owning guns. But there are still problems domestic violence survivors face trying to get guns out of the hands of abusers, as in the case of one Chicago mother who was killed earlier this year after her abuser was allowed to keep his guns.

Our current moment can be a dangerous one for victims, as court sources say the law is unclear as to whether judges have the authority to take away guns at this point, during the Emergency Order of Protection process.

/ Credit: Mitchell Family

China Mitchell went to court in October 2022 and was granted an Emergency Order of Protection against her former boyfriend, Louie Foster, whom she accused of abuse. But she needed more than the order, said Pauline McQueen, who was raised with China.

"It didn't help her," said McQueen. "Nothing helped her."

/ Credit: Mitchell Family

In the same hearing, Mitchell also requested a seizure warrant to have Foster's guns taken away. On the court petition she was required to fill out, Mitchell checked boxes warning he had a history of violence, was suicidal, and was a threat to the public.

But a judge did not grant the warrant. Transcripts from the court hearing reveal there was not one mention of Mitchell's request to remove the guns.

This is a problem, said Benna Crawford, an attorney from Legal Aid Chicago  who represents domestic violence victims.

"It was worse, I think, than being denied," said Crawford. "It was just ignored."

In January 2024, Mitchell became one of the latest domestic violence victims shot and killed by her abuser according to police and court records. She was 33 years old and a mom to three children.

China Mitchell and her daughter / Credit: Mitchell Family

China Mitchell and her sons / Credit: Mitchell Family

Mitchell was a security guard who worked along a Chicago Transit Authority rail line. Her friends called her "the diva," always dressed up, and always so kind.

"China was a helpful person," said McQueen, "She helped everybody."

Mitchell also was worried for her safety says her mom, Brenda Mitchell.

"China said, 'I think he's going to catch me and try to kill me,'" said Brenda Mitchell.

In the Emergency Order of Protection petition, China Mitchell wrote her ex-boyfriend "beat" her and said, "I'm going to break your neck, [expletive]."

She said he "strangled" her until she was "unconscious." Mitchell also said during some of the attack, she was holding her daughter.

Mitchell wrote, "I was bleeding on the baby."

Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863-6338National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Police said on Jan. 15, Foster found Mitchell outside a pawn shop where she liked to buy and sell jewelry. China Mitchell's father, Frankie Mitchell, explains what police say happened after she ran inside the business.

"China ran around the place into the bathroom," said Frankie Mitchell about the attack detailed in police and court records. "He caught China in the bathroom and shot her in the chest. And when she fell on the floor, he shot her again in the side of the head."

"You would think he would think before he pulled that trigger, because I'm pretty sure China said, 'What about Olivia?'," said McQueen.

Foster is Olivia's dad. He pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and being an armed habitual offender.

China Mitchell's funeral was packed with people wearing purple ribbons for domestic violence awareness.

China Mitchell's funeral / Credit: Mitchell Family

So many lives were ripped apart by a gun, an ex-boyfriend, and a system that can make it hard to get guns out of the hands of abusers.

Data from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County shows in Cook County alone, during the past 10 years, nearly 112,000 emergency orders were granted. No one tracks the number of domestic violence survivors requesting guns be removed.

But the Circuit Court Clerk's records show only 85 gun seizure warrants were granted.

"It's an inappropriately low number, but it isn't surprising to me," said Crawford.

When judges decide whether to issue gun seizure warrants, they often do so while not knowing the accused abusers' criminal backgrounds.

"It's just not a position that we want judges to be in, to make life or death decisions," said Crawford.

A domestic violence survivor has to bring proof of their abuser's violent criminal history to court. That is likely something Mitchell did not know to do.

Foster was a felon who served time relating to a gun charge and could not legally own a gun.

"And as it turned out to be true, without the issuance of that removing his firearm, she was likely to be seriously harmed or killed," Crawford said of Mitchell.

Mitchell's parents are now raising her three children and continue grieving their daughter's death.

China Mitchell and mom Brenda / Credit: Mitchell Family

"It seemed like she never left," said Brenda Mitchell. "But it seems like she's not coming back either."

On June 6, what would have been China's 34th birthday, her family and friends gathered to release purple balloons. Her dad has a special message for her.

China and dad Freddie Mitchell / Credit: Mitchell Family

"China, I love you, and I miss you," said Frankie Mitchell. "I tell you goodnight every night, and I tell you good morning every morning. And I think you're looking over me because I'm doing the best I can with your children. I love you, and I'll see you laterjust not yet. But please save a seat for me."

Illinois lawmakers have been sitting on a bill that could help fix this problem. It's called Karina's bill, and it has been stalled for more than a year in Springfield.

The bill was named after a woman and her daughter who were gunned down by an abuser.

If you are in a domestic violence situation or know someone who is, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County has guidance on getting a protection order. The Network, an advocacy group for domestic violence victims, put together a toolkit on how to create a safety plan.

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Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teen who died from cancer is the first millennial to be canonized as a saint.

"He was an ordinary boy, a boy who lived his childhood and youth between family, school, and the games children play," said Bishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino.

On Monday, the College of Cardinals voted for the teen's canonization, reports the Catholic News Agency, and in 2025, he will be declared a saint.

Acutis then lived a "life of faith that was nurtured until it reached a peak that now makes him stand out in the eyes of the Church and the world as a saint, who will soon be proclaimed," he added.

Two medical miracles have already been attributed to the teen, who was known as "God's influencer."

Body of Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 aged 15, is seen inside his tomb in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, Italy, May 26, 2024. Pope Francis has cleared the way for Acutis to be the first saint of the millennial generation. REUTERS/Matteo Berlenga

Who was Acutis?

Acutis was an Italian teen who used his tech skills to spread the Catholic faith.

He was born on May 3, 1991, in London and died on Oct. 12, 2006 in Italy after battling to leukemia, reports Vatican News. Before his death, he considered becoming a priest, reports WJBF.

The teen's beatification took place in 2020, meaning the pope declared the teen attained the blessedness of heaven, and Acutis was given the title of Blessed.

Miracles attributed to Blessed Carlo Acutis

A student attending a university in Florence fell off her bike and suffered severe head trauma and required craniotomy surgery that had a low chance of survival. However, her miraculous recovery is attributed to Acutis, reports Vatican News.

The student's mother made the pilgrimage to visit Acutis' tomb and leave a note. The same day, her daughter started to breathe spontaneously. The day after, she began to move and regained some of her speech.

Ten days later, a CAT scan showed her brain hemorrhage had disappeared.

What is a saint?

Saints are persons in heaven who were officially canonized or not who did one of the following, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Lived heroically virtuous lives.

Offered their life to others.

Died for their faith.

All saints must have lived lives worthy of imitation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Italian teen Carlos Acutis is first millennial saint: God's Influencer
Luke Wilson recalled the moment Kevin Costner cast him in his "Horizon" Western epic: "This guy just offered me the job!"

Luke Wilson wasn't sure he got the job.

The actor, who is set to star in Kevin Costner's new Western "Horizon," was a bit confused in meeting Costner during the casting process, he told People in an interview published Friday.

"I was on location in New Jersey and Kevin was on location in Utah for Horizon, and we had a Zoom," he told the outlet. "I considered it a job interview. He might have known that he was hiring me. I didn't."

The "Old School" actor shared how intimidated he was to chat with Costner at the time. "Of course, I grew up as a big fan," he said. Wilson, 52, said he was just "trying to put my best foot forward with Kevin and talk to him about the script" when the pair's wires got crossed.

"(Costner) said, 'Well, I hope you'll want to come work with me. And I was just kind of sitting there," Wilson said. "I thought, 'Shoot, this guy just offered me the job!'"

Wilson added: "(That) completely threw me off. And I just muttered, 'Oh. Hell yeah, hell yeah.' That's how I got started on it."

The actor plays Matthew Van Weyden in the film. The brother of Owen Wilson said working on the Wild West epic was out of the ordinary for him.

"I've done dramas and done a couple low budget Westerns and one comedic western with Adam Sandler," he said of the 2015 film "Ridiculous 6." "But yeah, I certainly had never done anything like this."

He continued: "(It was) a great, one-of-a-kind thing for me to be a part of."

Kevin Costner's new 'Horizon' movie: Why he needs 'Yellowstone' fans, John Dutton's money

Wilson reflected on Costner's gamble on the four-part film series.

Costner said the cost of the first two "Horizon" movies required "a lot more" than the $38 million he copped to personally putting down in previous interviews. But despite the pricey passion project, Wilson said Costner was unshaken during filming in Utah.

"I'm sure he was thinking about putting up his land to help finance it and other stuff he had going on," Wilson told USA TODAY. "But he just focused on the work. The guy is cool under pressure. I couldn't believe it."

Contributing: Bryan Alexander

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luke Wilson was unclear if Kevin Costner casted him in 'Horizon'
A 13-year-old boy. A police foot chase. A single deadly shot.

The scene, police say, began with two juveniles fleeing them, one  a 13-year-old boy named Nyah Mway  accused of displaying what appeared to be a handgun.

Following a demand for justice from the community, the Utica Police Department released body camera footage Sunday showing a police officer fatally shoot Nyah after the boy allegedly aimed an object at the officer later determined to be a pellet gun.

The shooting in Utica, about 55 miles east of Syracuse, was also witnessed by civilians and sparked outrage throughout the 10th-most populous city in New York State.

People line Shaw Street during a vigil for 13-year-old Nyah Mway in Utica, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

On Monday, an internal police investigation as well as a state investigation into the police shooting were underway.

Here's what we know so far about the deadly incident that claimed the young boy's life.

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What do police say Nyah Mway did?

The incident unfolded just before 10:20 p.m. on Friday as Utica police officers conducted a pedestrian stop of two juveniles in a residential area on Shaw Street, police said.

During the stop, Nyah fled from police and displayed what appeared to be a handgun during a chase, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said. An officer then fired one shot striking the boy.

Nyah was taken to a hospital where, police said, he died from his injuries.

The other youth, age 13, was not injured, according to police and, at the scene, police recovered a replica GLOCK 17 handgun.

"As always, we are committed to transparency and earning the publics trust in our investigations," police said in a statement after the shooting. "As much information as allowable will be released during this process."

Body camera footage published on the police department's YouTube channel Sunday shows six videos of varying length. Police also released photos of the pellet gun Nyah reportedly pulled on the officer.

Who shot Nyah Mway?

The police officers involved in the incident were identified as:

Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran who fired at the boy;

Bryce Patterson, a four-year veteran;

Andrew Citriniti, a two-and-a-half year veteran.

Footage shows the officers approach Nyah and another youth on a bicycle. Patterson tells the boys they are being stopped because one of them was riding a bike in the road. Nyah is seen walking nearby.

After officers ask if they could pat Nyah down to see if he had any weapons, Nyah  initially who had his hands in the air  is seen running away, footage shows. Patterson and Husnay run after Nyah, with Patterson tackling the teen to the ground after a short chase. At the same time, officers are heard in the footage screaming "Hes got a gun."

"It was one shot," Husnay is heard saying in the footage. "It was me."

Footage shows Husnay had his gun drawn and appeared to shoot Nyah while he was on the ground.

All three officers were on routine paid administrative leave Monday, police said.

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Who is Nyah Mway?

Nyah had recently graduated from 8th grade at Donovan Middle School.

"It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our Utica City School District students," Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Davis released in a statement through the district's website Saturday. "On behalf of our entire school community, I extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt wishes for strength to the students family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time."

The boy was a member of the Karen ethnic minority, the Observer-Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network reported. He was also a refugee born in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian nation formerly known as Burma that borders countries including China and India.

The fatal shooting caused outrage and calls for justice in the city's Karen immigrant community, an ethnic minority from Southeast Asia.

According to The Center, a nonprofit that helps resettle refugees, Utica is home to more than 4,200 people from Myanmar.

On Saturday night, hundreds attended a candlelight vigil to celebrate the boy's life.

"We gather here to honor and support our little brother, Nyah Mway," said speaker Kay Klo, director at Midtown Utica Community Center. "He was tragically murdered by police officers... The story they told at the press conference, what witnesses say they say, and what was seen in the video. None of it adds up. The police officers need to be investigated and held accountable for their actions."

A vigil for 13-year-old Nyah Mway was held in Utica, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Mway was shot and killed by Utica Police on Friday night.

Who is investigating the police shooting?

The New York Attorney Generals Office of Special Investigations announced Saturday it had opened an investigation into the boy's death.

Under state law, that office has the lead criminal investigatory role in officer-involved shootings.

Meanwhile, Utica police are conducting an internal investigation with its Professional Standards Unit to determine if policies, procedures, and training were followed.

Where is Utica?

Utica, a city with a population of about 65,000 residents, is in Mohawk Valley which sits between the Adirondack Mountains and Catskill Mountains.

It's the county seat of Oneida County and located about 95 miles west of Albany.

Contributing: Casey Pritchard

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who was Nyah Mway? 13-year-old Utica boy from Myanmar shot by police
Rome  A 15-year-old Italian web designer is set to become the Catholic Church's first saint from the millennial generation. On Monday, in a ceremony called an Ordinary Public Consistory, Pope Francis and the cardinals residing in Rome formally approved the canonization of Carlo Acutis, along with 14 others.

No specific date has been set for the canonization of Acutis, who was dubbed "God's Influencer" for his work spreading Catholicism online, but he's likely to be proclaimed a saint in 2025.

Monday's consistory was merely a formality, as Acutis' cause for sainthood had already been thoroughly examined and approved by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints. The initial announcement came in May.

An image of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died in 2006 of leukemia, is seen during his beatification ceremony celebrated by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, center, in the St. Francis Basilica, in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 10, 2020. / Credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP

Acutis was born to wealthy Italian parents in London in 1991, but the family moved to northern Italy shortly after his birth. His family have said he was a pious child, asking at the age of 7 to receive the first communion.

He went on to attend church and receive communion every day. As he grew older, he became interested in computers and the internet, creating a website on which he catalogued church-approved miracles and appearances of the Virgin Mary throughout history.

According to the Vatican, Acutis was "welcoming and caring towards the poorest, and he helped the homeless, the needy, and immigrants with the money he saved from his weekly allowance."

He reportedly used his first savings to buy a sleeping bag for a homeless man he often met on his way to mass.

Acutis died in October 2006 at the age of 15 in Monza, Italy, of leukemia. Some of the city's poorest residents, whom Acutis had helped, turned out to pay their respects to the teenager at his funeral.

His body lies in an open tomb in Assisi, in central Italy, wearing blue jeans and Nike sneakers.

A friar visits the tomb of Carlo Acutis in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore on the eve of the beatification ceremony of Acutis, Oct. 9, 2020 in Assisi, Italy. / Credit: Vatican Pool/Getty

"I am happy to die because I lived my life without wasting even a minute of it on anything unpleasing to God," Acutis was quoted as saying before he died.

Pope Francis declared Acutis "blessed" in October of 2020, after a miracle attributed to him was approved by the church. That miracle was a young boy in Brazil who was healed of a deadly pancreatic disease after he and his mother prayed to a relic of Acutis.

In order to be declared a saint, a second miracle  this one posthumous  needed to be approved. It came in 2022, when a woman prayed at Acutis' tomb for her daughter, who just six days earlier had fallen from her bicycle in Florence, causing severe head trauma.

She required a craniotomy and had a very low chance of survival, according to doctors. On the day of the mother's pilgrimage to Acutis' tomb, the daughter began to breathe spontaneously. Just a few days later, the hemorrhage disappeared completely.

Along with Acutis, the canonizations of 14 other people were approved Monday, including 11 people who were killed in Syria in 1860, during the Syrian Civil War, which saw thousands of Christians killed.

Zero chance" Supreme Court will rule that Trump has "absolute immunity," Jan Crawford says

Students making history

Redefining old age
Progressives are venting loudly about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) after Rep. Jamaal Bowmans (D-N.Y.) loss chipped away at the squads ranks.

AIPAC was one of the greatest forces working against Bowman, playing big by pouring millions into a successful long game to elect Westchester County Executive George Latimer in Tuesdays primary.

In and out of Congress, progressives see the group as overly intrusive and increasingly damaging, arguing it is promoting an undemocratic way to win elections centered on money.

I think we need to have a real conversation about the AIPAC, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told reporters after Bowmans defeat.

Within the House chamber, progressive lawmakers unleashed their frustration as Democrats in both wings of the party sought to make sense of Tuesdays results.

Some called out AIPAC by name, tracing parts of its funding to ultrarich Republicans, while others gave a more esoteric analysis of the broader problems with outside spending.

What we do need to have a real conversation about is how a Republican  primarily Republican and largely Republican-financed  organization is playing and dumping money and playing an extremely divisive role in the Democratic Party, added Ocasio-Cortez, who easily won her primary the same night.

The influential group has caused fierce debate among Democrats assessing special interest involvement this cycle. Centrist Democrats have been some of AIPACs biggest allies, built around the belief that their funding helps candidates who show loyalty to Israel after Hamas attacked it on Oct. 7. Others, largely in the more left-wing parts of the progressive coalition, worry such groups are creating a damaging precedent for outside spending of all kinds.

The GOP-linked donor approach, they say, could backfire. And some of those interests could work against the Democratic Partys agenda.

It may be right now, AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel and crypto money, theyre really the only groups that are in primaries, but if theyre successful, why wouldnt the NRA or Big Pharma do this? said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC).

The relatively lower cost to help finance downballot races makes it easier for well-funded groups to jump into a variety of contests with little downside.

Why wouldnt everyone try to purchase candidates in primaries where the price is discounted? Pocan said.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), one of the newest members of the CPC who joined the squad in 2022, shared similar thoughts in the wake of Bowmans loss.

It becomes [a] very slippery slope where next it could be, Casar said. Big Pharma, next after that it could be Wall Street, it could be anyone with a, you know, enormous checkbook deciding to vastly outspend what grassroots donors can put into a race.

Obviously, $25 million  is a significant amount in a primary, added Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), the head of the House Democratic Caucus who, like other top Democrats, endorsed Bowman and was struck by the sheer number of dollars dropped.

Bowmans defeat  just four years after joining the House by defeating a 16-term moderate  put progressives on alert for what unencumbered spending could mean for their shrinking team. Leftist strategists, campaign advisers and activists working to protect incumbents and recruit candidates have become more openly critical of AIPAC after observing the $20 million spent in New Yorks 16th Congressional District, $15 million of which came from pro-Israel sources.

The more money AIPAC pours in, the more they are unifying everyone else against them, said Hassan Martini, a Democratic operative who leads the group No Dem Left Behind. The ramifications of these harmful actions will be felt far into the future for the pro-Israel lobby politically.

Some Democrats see AIPAC and allies like the Democratic Majority for Israel and the United Democracy Project as helpful surrogates for President Bidens approach to Israel, particularly in the wake of Hamass attack, which left more than 1,000 people dead.

Many on the far left, however, say Biden has become more hawkish during his first term and see pro-Israel spending as elevating what they view as a flawed policy in the region.

Bowmans ouster, one progressive activist said, demonstrates how far back things have moved since we have acquiesced to Bidens centrist and frankly prowar worldview.

AIPAC plans to continue its engagement. And progressives are likewise working to protect another vulnerable squad member, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), in her Aug. 6 primary.

Bush was among the first House progressives to condemn the millions spent against Bowman as she contends with a hard reelection bid.

AIPAC and their allies  backed by far-right Donald Trump megadonors  poured a tidal wave of cash into this primary race showing us just how desperate these billionaire extremists are in their attempts to buy our democracy, promote their own gain, and silence the voices of progress and justice, Bush said in a statement.

There should be no question about the need to get Big Money out of politics, she added.

Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist who won her congressional seat the same year as Bowman, predicted a similar setup could play out in her race against prosecutor Wesley Bell, whom AIPAC endorsed.

These same extremists are coming to St. Louis. They are bankrolling a faux-progressive, former Republican campaign operative to buy our deep blue Democratic seat, Bush said. But let me be clear: St. Louis will not be silenced or sold out. We will rise up, louder and stronger than ever to show that our voices, our votes, and our values are not for sale.

A spokesperson for AIPAC told The Hill its support spans the political spectrum, including many within the Progressive Caucus. The group has endorsed 28 CPC members.

We support candidates from both parties solely based on one criteria  their commitment to strengthening the US-Israel relationship, the spokesperson said. We support scores of progressive candidates including the Democratic leadership and nearly half of the membership of the congressional Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus and Hispanic Caucus.

We are the largest PAC contributor to Democratic candidates and Progressive Caucus members, the spokesperson added.

Bush and Bowman have both shown disapproval of the Israeli military and government while expressing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which estimate show has killed more than 30,000 people. Their defiance has created new political vulnerabilities as Democrats continue to struggle to find common ground on the issue.

Bushs demands for a cease-fire and criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government have given AIPAC and related groups an opening to work to replace the progressive congresswoman with Bell, who is avowedly pro-Israel.

AIPACs grassroots members are proud to support strong pro-Israel progressive Democrats like Wesley Bell, the AIPAC spokesperson added. Cori Bush has been one of the most hostile critics of Israel since she came to Congress in 2021 and has actively worked to undermine mainstream Democratic support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Mychael Schnell and Mike Lillis contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Across the globe, a wave of workers are secretly outsourcing parts or all of their jobs. Lorenzo Matteucci for BI

Remi never intended to secretly outsource her job. It sort of just happened.

After graduating from college in 2019 with a degree in education, the Gen Zer found work at a Chicago publishing company. She did not love it. Most of her colleagues were decades older than her, and their struggles to use basic software forced her to become a one-woman IT operation. The work itself was uninspiring and relentless: On most days she juggled presentation slides, managed spreadsheets and databases, and formatted page layouts.

The pandemic provided a respite from the tedium of in-office interactions. But it didn't lessen her workload, and she quietly began asking her boyfriend, a STEM major working in a lab, for occasional help. Certain she'd be fired for it, she didn't tell her employer.

Then her mother died.

Remi was appointed executor of the estate, and settling her mother's affairs was a never-ending nightmare: wading through countless gambling debts, maintaining the crumbling family home, and distributing the few remaining assets. Though she took a leave of absence from work and continued to rely on her boyfriend when she returned, she couldn't keep up. Soon, she also turned to a childhood friend, who was unemployed and needed money. Remi proposed a plan: She'd pay her friend $100 a book to help with editing and formatting, saving her hours of work every week. The friend eagerly accepted. Her colleagues, meanwhile, remained clueless.

And just like that  although she didn't know it  Remi had become part of a hidden movement that went far beyond her Chicago publishing company.

Across the globe, a wave of workers are secretly outsourcing parts or all of their jobs. Labor has never been easier to invisibly offload, thanks to a perfect storm of factors: globalized social networks, ubiquitous software tools, and the pandemic. An inadvertent byproduct of the rapacious, profit-seeking impulse that drives our global economy, this corporate subterfuge stretches from high-powered Silicon Valley techies to legions of low-paid helpers in India and Pakistan.

Welcome to the world of shadow stand-ins.

Stories about covert outsourcing are nothing new. Essay mills and faux test-taking have become perennial problems in academia, and gig-economy workers are occasionally caught lending their accounts to friends. Walter Keane gained notoriety in the 1960s for passing off "big eyes" paintings by his wife, Margaret, as his own. In 2012, a Verizon engineer was caught farming out his work to a team in China so he could browse Reddit all day. But in most workplaces, the idea of hiring someone to do your job for you seemed so outlandish that The Onion satirized it in 2009 as the natural endpoint to globalization and American laziness.

No longer.

I talked to dozens of players in the shadow stand-in economy, including people like Remi, hired helpers, and those who have watched colleagues or friends partake. (Citing reputational or professional risks, most spoke on condition of anonymity or asked to be identified only by their first or middle name.) Given its clandestine nature, it's difficult to know just how many people the network scoops up. But providers told me they had seen a surge in popularity since 2020, a consequence of the pandemic and its attendant remote-work revolution. The past four years have transformed workplace norms, liberating millions from commutes and precipitating a wave of alienation from professional life  while providing eye-watering opportunities for the hungry or unscrupulous.

"It becomes very easy for people to take the support when working from home," said one shadow stand-in who lives in India and who has been in business since 2019. "After the pandemic," said another from Pakistan, the industry "boomed."

There's no one model for how shadow stand-ins work, and practitioners use different terms: outsourcing, delegating, proxy work, subcontracting, virtual assistants, offshoring, or the delightfully euphemistic "job support." It ranges from doling out small tasks to providing someone login credentials for full remote access. Some people want a mentor, some want a crutch after using "proxy interview" services to cheat their way through the hiring process, and some just want the productivity guru Tim Ferriss' "4-Hour Workweek" on steroids. Others use the free time to rake in cash by working multiple jobs, a twist on the concept of overemployment.

Though Remi recruited people she knew, shadow stand-ins are often sourced from a complex online web of faceless providers. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork are common conduits; a designer in the Southwestern US told me he would periodically hire two freelancers for the same job and discard the inferior work. Platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp are full of job support groups with thousands of members each. dedicated to matching providers and users. In one recent Facebook post, an Atlanta man struggling with his Salesforce-related job offered half his salary to anyone willing to quietly hold his hand through tasks and meetings. In another, a woman in San Jose, California, working for a major tech firm asked for help with a short programming assignment.

Facebook Groups are a popular forum for recruiting shadow stand-ins, providing a two-sided marketplace where workers and providers can connect to one another. Facebook

"Job support is nothing bad," Raj Kumar, the Bengaluru, India-based cofounder of Onlinejobsupport.net, told me. He simply sees it as an "advanced version of training." Like many professional job-support firms, his team often acts as a kind of black-market IT helpdesk, using screen-sharing software to dial in to their clients' computers for a few hours a day to give pointers as they work  or completing the work themselves if the client would rather be elsewhere.

You could hire shadow stand-ins in many workplaces, assuming your boss isn't looking too closely. But it's much more common in jobs in technology and IT. SaaS tools and tech services like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Amazon Web Services have become the plumbing for our global economy, used by everyone from fast-fashion retailers to nonprofits, and their cookie-cutter systems make it easy for anyone with the right skills to quietly step in.

For the past few years, an American Java developer named Kevin has been living in Southeast Asia and outsourcing his jobs  all three of them. With the help of a Filipino friend acting as a recruiter, he brought on three local "virtual assistants," offloading nearly all of his technical work. He writes formal assignment sheets for each worker; "Implement a test for valid JSON in POST content," reads a typical directive.

Needless to say, none of his employers  finance and construction firms  know about one another, and his workers are similarly in the dark. Even his location is a secret: He told his bosses he was based in the United States, and he works nights to avoid detection. "It's low-cost labor or low cost of living, mostly," Kevin explained. "I'm making three American incomes, but I'm paying Filipino rates to live."

He's an extreme example of a user of shadow stand-ins. But whether they're juggling multiple jobs or outsourcing the odd task, they tend to have one thing in common: a deep skepticism of traditional corporate values.

Some believe if the work gets done, no matter how unconventionally, there's no problem. "Everybody has a different moral compass and a different thing that they say: 'This crosses the line for me,'" said Andrew, a consultant in Colorado who has outsourced work to freelancers and family members. He views "quiet quitting"  deliberately coasting at work  as far more odious. "I don't believe somebody hires me for my time. They hire me to get results for them," he said.

For many devotees, using shadow stand-ins isn't just a preferred way of working  it's a renegade professional philosophy. Lorenzo Matteucci for BI

Others, like the Southern California developer Brandon Nowak, have contemplated dipping their toe in the water. He told me that shadow stand-ins are an inevitable outcome to our system of making money. "Companies themselves are taking advantage of you, by hiring you to do work which they reap more value from you than they give to you. That is the basis of capitalism," he said. "I'm not an anti-capitalist necessarily, but I don't fault anyone  myself included  for looking to turn those tables on the companies themselves."

There is one wrinkle to this line of thinking. Some shadow stand-in connoisseurs  particularly those who ship their work to offshore helpers earning much less  are arguably replicating the same structures they're trying to rebel against.

"For-profit corporations are government-sanctioned psychopaths, existing only to predatorily and parasitically earn profit," Kevin said. "Corporations are owed no moral obligation whatsoever, any more than a hen owes a fox moral consideration. The only rational response is to extract as much as possible."

But, he conceded, "I readily admit I can't provide a consistent response to the problem of pushing predator-parasite further down the line."

Soon after hiring her friend, Remi had an awkward realization: They were bad at the job.

Sometimes, they made glaring errors. Reformatted manuscripts came back with page numbers inserted into paragraphs, or charts were missing data. Remi effectively demoted them, adjusting the arrangement to pay $10 for each individual chapter, but that created new problems: Since they took hours to complete what usually took her 30 minutes, she was effectively paying them less than minimum wage.

Their friendship suffered, too. "I'd give soft corrections on how I would like the work to be done, and they would be a little defensive about it, or wouldn't take the note," Remi said.

After two months, Remi decided to fire them, fibbing that she simply no longer needed help. She turned back to her boyfriend, who began working for her more consistently.

The dustup highlighted a key drawback to shadow stand-ins: While alluring, things can go horribly wrong.

Half a dozen workers at different companies in the US and India told me they knew of colleagues who had secretly outsourced work. Problems invariably piled up, they said: The work was inadequate; there were inconsistencies in communication; and organizational chaos abounded.

"If you can't trust your employee  if they're dishonest and they're not telling you the truth about one thing  that could mean that they're not telling you the truth about other things," said Amber Clayton, a senior director at the Society for Human Resource Management, an HR industry body. "I wouldn't want that individual within the organization, because who knows what they would do?"

Facebook's anonymous posting tools in Goups have made it easy and low-risk for shadow stand-in seekers to advertise their needs. Facebook

Even when it goes right, managing a secret helper or two can be laborious. Your conventional workload may be lightened, but it's replaced with finding and vetting helpers, delegating tasks, reviewing the completed work, and living in constant fear of being found out. "It required a lot of micromanaging," said a backend engineer in Pennsylvania who hired shadow stand-ins to help him juggle multiple jobs. "It's like you were working  but then on top of that, it became another task of just managing them."

Occasionally, the problems can have implications far beyond the workplace.

In December, Tim Woodruff, a ServiceNow developer in Washington state, got a curious LinkedIn message from a "consulting" firm. "We will send job applications to remote jobs and schedule job interviews for you," the message read. If he got the job, the firm promised to "attend everything related to programming." All he had to do for whatever role he landed was attend meetings, and give the firm half of his salary.

Woodruff despised workplace deception, even joining job support and proxy interview-focused Telegram groups to disrupt them in his spare time. "I'm autistic, and rules help me make sense of the world, and I don't like it when they're just ignored and no one seems to care," he told me. He decided to go along with the chicanery to see where it led.

He joined the firm's Slack channel and let it apply for jobs on his behalf, even attending some job interviews. He said he noticed a disquieting trend: Many of the jobs he was interviewing for had national security implications, including tech consultancies working with the Secret Service and the Department of the Treasury. Other applications were to financial institutions. Woodruff said he reported the firm to the FBI. (A bureau spokesperson said they couldn't confirm the existence of any investigations.)

Ranjan, a software engineer from Bengaluru, is regularly approached by job-support firms trying to hire him to work for their clients. "We will keep your name, all data confidential. We do not deduct tax from your salary," one recruiter wrote to him on LinkedIn. "Your package will be Beautiful, trust me."

The pitch hints at the stark economic power disparity that underpins shadow stand-ins, he told me: Most job support comes from countries like India and Pakistan, where wages are low and "desperate" workers will provide cheap labor. Pay rates for shadow stand-ins are "definitely more than what people earn in their regular payday, that's for sure," he said.

Despite mixed feelings about the practice, Kiran, a shadow stand-in based in Bengaluru, has continued to provide help because of the money he earns. "They are faking," he said of clients. He has watched, frustrated, as clients coast through high-paying jobs, lying about skills and taking job opportunities "which are supposed to be for honest people who are actually experienced."

The same economic disparities that underpin much of our globalized economy power the shadow stand-in trade, which stretches from tech workers in the US to low-paid helpers in India. Lorenzo Matteucci for BI

Still, Western pay remains an alluring prospect to many. "I think it's a win-win situation," said Rahul, an Indian developer whose friends have provided job support and who is interested in doing it himself. "We get paid peanuts anyway, so this is an extra source of income. It usually pays better, too." Andrew, the Colorado consultant, argued that both parties agree on a price they're happy with. "I feel like I pay people fairly," he told me.

Peter Steele, a Michigan developer, has an Upwork account and receives unsolicited pitches several times a year offering to apply for and complete jobs using his name in return for a slice of salary. "They talk about how getting clients is extremely difficult when you're not based out of the United States," he said.

High demand has paved the way for intermediaries who match clients and helpers  a veritable nesting doll of outsourced hustle. Many of them aren't shy about their businesses: Kumar's job support firm Onlinejobsupport.net, for example, claims on its website to have more than 500 happy clients across 25 countries  focusing on popular systems or tools like Java, AWS, Hadoop, and React. (It might be wise to be skeptical of any one provider's marketing claims, but there's clearly a bustling ecosystem.)

Many of these intermediaries aren't shy about their business, either. You can even find some marketing their services on LinkedIn.

The pandemic years were a boom time for shadow stand-ins. Now the winds are shifting.

Return-to-office has forced some delegators to give it up  it's harder to screen-share and outsource tasks if you're sitting in a cubicle  while others are reduced to huddling with helpers after returning home. Providers told me they're feeling the pinch, but there's no putting the genie back in the bottle.

The model has been proved, the global supply chain is there, and worker attitudes have shifted. "If I died at my desk tomorrow, my job would be posted online before my funeral," said one Oregon worker whose colleague tried to outsource their job.

Others question why secret delegating might be stigmatized more than other tactics. "Assuming you are not sharing proprietary data," Andrew, the Colorado consultant, asked, "what is the difference from outsourcing your work vs using an AI or software tool to automate your work?"

And while shadow stand-ins feel like a uniquely modern, internet-enabled phenomenon, its roots run much deeper. "Historically, at least in certain trades, both in the US and other countries, the household unit was the unit employed to do the work," said Michel Anteby, a professor of management and sociology at Boston University. He offered up the New England spinning industry as an example. "No one really cared or tracked if it was the husband, the wife, the kids who are doing the job."

Remi fits neatly within that framework.

Her boyfriend, it turned out, was a great worker. He could swiftly complete technical tasks that usually took her all day, and she didn't pay him; they had already merged finances when her mother died. They continued the arrangement until she quit a year later. But even after she left, Remi received intermittent texts from old coworkers asking for help. She never replied. She had no interest in letting the company exploit her labor.

Today, the Chicagoan has no regrets. "I personally come from a background where I am very anti-corporation," she told me. "I don't personally see the harm in it  especially because if my company isn't going to do its best to keep me happy and healthy, and have my best interests in mind, then that falls upon me to ensure that that's happening for myself."

Remi now works in an education-related field. Her boyfriend is employed as a remedial tutor at a school, and she sometimes lends him a hand, formatting his presentation slides and doing other miscellaneous work.

His employer doesn't know, and the couple have no plans to stop.

Rob Price is a senior correspondent for Business Insider and writes features and investigations about the technology industry. If you have experience with shadow stand-ins, you can contact him via Signal/WhatsApp at +1 650-636-6268 or email at rprice@businessinsider.com .

Read the original article on Business Insider
Democrats would be taking a big risk by replacing Biden. It could pay off  or it could hobble the party. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A lot of Democratic voters want Joe Biden to drop out after his disastrous debate performance.

It's a choice between gambling on a new nominee or risking defeat with Biden.

Here are the biggest arguments for and against Biden dropping out.

Democrats are in a state of panic after President Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance last Thursday, and now, a solid chunk of the party's voters do not believe he should be their nominee.

A CBS/YouGov poll found that 46% of registered Democrats think Biden should step aside. Morning Consult found that number to be 47%. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll put it at 41%.

Sticking with Biden after the debate carries clear risks. His rambling, at times incoherent performance seemed to confirm voters' worst fears about the 81-year-old president's age, and there's a real question as to whether he can ever recover in the polls against former President Donald Trump.

Yet Biden dropping out of the race at this stage is also a huge gamble, one that's fairly unprecedented in recent memory. It's not immediately clear who would replace Biden, and there's the potential for a chaotic nomination fight at the Democratic convention in August.

Here are the most common arguments that people are making for and against Biden dropping out of the race  some of which, inevitably, may contradict each other.

Why Biden should drop out of the race

The debate was his last good shot at turning things around, and he failed. Biden has been consistently polling behind Trump, and the debate represented the best possible shot to reset the narrative of the race, perhaps turning attention to Trump's unpopular stances on issues like abortion and January 6. Instead, it became all about Biden's weak performance, and there's no guarantee that the president won't bomb the September debate as well.

He's losing because of his age, and there are younger alternatives available. Polling has consistently shown that a majority of voters, including Democrats, think Biden's too old to serve. Swapping him out with a younger candidate  perhaps the 59-year-old vice president or a senator or governor in their 40s or 50s  would eliminate that factor from the race entirely while drawing attention to the 78-year-old Trump's own fumbles.

His performance could hurt House and Senate candidates. Within days of the debate, Biden's performance was ricocheting in the Pennsylvania Senate race: GOP candidate Dave McCormick released an ad hammering Democratic Sen. Bob Casey over his past defenses of Biden's ability to do the job. One can easily imagine versions of this ad being used in competitive House and Senate races around the country, potentially costing Democrats control of both chambers.

A contested convention could actually be a boon for the party. While many fear the uncertainty that could come with handing the decision of choosing the nominee over to roughly 4,700 Democratic delegates, it could also work in their favor. As New York Times opinion columnist Ezra Klein argued in February, a contested convention could "make the Democrats into the most exciting political show on earth" and show off the "murderer's row of political talent" within the party while providing a contrast to a GOP that remains bound to Trump, who remains a deeply unpopular political figure.

Why Biden should stay in the race

This debate may not matter that much. It's early, but polling so far has not shown a dramatic shift in the race since the debate. If that remains the case, it will be because Americans have largely made up their mind about each candidate  they know that Trump's is chaotic, and they know that Biden is old. Plus, the salience of a debate can fade over time.

None of the other options poll much better than Biden: In an email to supporters, the Biden campaign cited a Data for Progress poll finding that other potential Democrats candidate performed similarly to Biden against Trump.

Democratic infighting could hurt the eventual replacement nominee. This is another Biden-world argument: In their email to supporters, they wrote that Biden dropping out would "lead to weeks of chaos, internal foodfighting, and a bunch of candidates who limp into a brutal floor fight at the convention, all while Donald Trump has time to speak to American voters uncontested." While it's not clear that would definitely happen, many may not want to take the risk.

Replacing Biden could be a logistical and financial mess. The Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee have spent months building up a campaign apparatus, both at the national and state level, and they've raised hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. If Vice President Kamala Harris were to replace Biden, it would be somewhat seamless: She could essentially take over that apparatus and the war chest. If Democrats were to go with someone else, it gets much more complicated.

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WASHINGTON  Steve Bannon, a former political aide to Donald Trump, reported Monday to federal prison to serve a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress after defying a subpoena from the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.

I am proud of going to prison today, Bannon said outside the low-security federal lockup.

Bannon, a podcaster who remains popular with the former president's supporters, was convicted in July 2022 and was sentenced to four months in prison and fined $6,500. He'll be imprisoned in Danbury, Connecticut.

A group of supporters including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., joined Bannon for a roadside news conference Monday morning. "What group of pirates is out here today, he said.

"It's a political war, and it's a political persecution, and it shouldn't be happening" Greene said as cars whizzed past and a small group chanted "Trump won."

Earlier, Bannon told ABC News, "I'm a political prisoner." Incarceration, he said, "won't change me. It will not suppress my voice. My voice will not be suppressed when I'm there."

He was one of two former Trump aides, along with Peter Navarro, who were convicted of defying the committee. Navarro is serving his four-month sentence in a federal prison in Miami. He is expected to be released July 17.

Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon arrives at the New York State Supreme Court for a hearing, in New York City, on Feb. 28, 2023.

Bannon remained free while he appealed. But the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the conviction on May 10.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday rejected an emergency request to postpone the sentence while Bannon continues to appeal. His lawyer had argued that Bannon will have served his term before the courts reach a final decision.

House Republican leaders voted to contribute a legal argument withdrawing support for the investigative committee when Bannon files his anticipated request for the entire D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to review his case, after the rejection by a three-judge panel.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said in a joint statement that the filing would explain why Republicans thought the committee was organized illegitimately when Democrats controlled the House.

Peter Navarro, who served as then-President Donald Trump's trade adviser, talks to the media before turning himself in at a federal correctional institution to begin his prison sentence for defying a subpoena from a panel that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, in Miami, Florida, on March 19, 2024.

Bannon said he was relying on his lawyer's advice not to respond to the subpoena until it was resolved whether the former White House aide was protected by President Donald Trump's claim of executive privilege. That doctrine allows presidents to keep confidential some executive branch communications.

Bannons lawyer, David Schoen, had argued that when his former attorney, Robert Costello, got the subpoena, he received a direction from Trump that the former president was invoking executive privilege.

Costello then advised Bannon not to respond in any way to the subpoena, and the lawyer told the committee Bannon would comply if lawmakers resolved the dispute over executive privilege with Trump.

House lawyers argued that Bannon had thumbed his nose at the committee and ignored the subpoena.

The committee sought to question Bannon, a political strategist for Trump, in part because he told associates from China on Oct. 31, 2020, that Trump would declare victory even if he lost the election and said it would be a firestorm.

In a "War Room: Pandemic" podcast Jan. 2, 2021, Bannon said former Vice President Mike Pence spit the bit, meaning he was no longer supporting Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which the committee described as amplifying the pressure on Pence.

Bannon called Trump at least twice on Jan. 5, 2021.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump aide Steve Bannon imprisoned for defying House Jan. 6 subpoena
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Courts broad finding of immunity for former President Donald Trumps official acts shocked legal experts who said it could delay his federal trial a year as courts sort out what charges can stand amid allegations he tried to steal the 2020 election.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the 6-3 ideological majority that lower courts must determine which of Trump's actions were taken in his official capacity as president, and which were unofficial  and open to prosecution.

We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office, Roberts wrote. "As for a president's unofficial acts, there is no immunity."

Trump declared the decision a big win for our constitution and democracy in an all-caps post on Truth Social.

More: Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling shakes up the Biden-Trump conversation

The ruling directed U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to analyze the indictment to determine whether any of the charges are for official acts to which Trump is immune. One justice suggested reviewing whether the prosecutor was appointed legitimately and a footnote invited a review of an obstruction charge the court narrowed in a decision Friday.

Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths team of prosecutors has argued the charges are based on private actions because they were aimed at overturning election results. But Trump has argued his complaints about alleged fraud were part of his official duties to ensure election integrity.

Michael Waldman, a constitutional law expert and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, said the judicial review of charges could take a year. David Becker, a former senior trial attorney in the voting section of the Justice Departments civil rights division, called the decision deeply disturbing and really striking for the protection it offers presidents.

The way I read this opinion is it could be a road map for (presidents) seeking to stay in power, said Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. It could put into question whether or not future peaceful transfers of power occur.

More: In historic ruling on presidential immunity, Supreme Court says Trump can be tried for private acts

A person holds a placard outside the Supreme Court, after justices rule on former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's bid for immunity from federal prosecution for 2020 election subversion in Washington, on July 1, 2024.

Lengthy hearings expected to determine valid charges against Trump

The indictment of two obstruction counts and two conspiracy counts broadly alleges that Trump sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The allegations include:

Conspiring to obstruct Congress meeting Jan. 6, 2021, to certify President Joe Biden as the election winner.

Attempting to leverage the Justice Departments power to convince states to replace their legitimate presidential electors with fraudulent slates

Meeting with the then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to discuss investigating purported election fraud and threatening to replace Rosen.

Attempting to enlist Vice President Mike Pence to accept fraudulent electoral ballots in his role as president of the Senate while Congress certified the vote.

Roberts wrote that deciding how to apply immunity in Trumps case raises multiple unprecedented and momentous questions about the power of the President.

More: Supreme Court sends GOP-backed social media cases back to lower courts in moderation fight

Trumps discussions with his acting attorney general are official and cant be part of the prosecution but his interactions with Vice President Mike Pence and others present more difficult questions, Roberts wrote, leaving the issue to the lower courts to tackle. But in doing so, Roberts admonished, courts may not inquire into the Presidents motives.

And, in Pences case, Trumps attempt to pressure his vice president to interfere with Congress electoral count is at least presumptively immune from prosecution.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity, he wrote.

Justice Clarence Thomas, in an opinion agreeing with Roberts, seemed to question whether Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is a legitimate prosecutor for the case.

If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people, Thomas wrote. The lower courts should thus answer these essential questions concerning the Special Counsels appointment before proceeding.

In a footnote, the justices also invited lower courts to review the obstruction charge in Trumps election interference case after a Friday ruling narrowed the charge. Trump has argued the indictment stretches that charge far beyond its natural meaning.

Supreme Court justices pose for their group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2022. Seated (L-R): Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Samuel A. Alito, Jr. and Elena Kagan. Standing (L-R): Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Trump's lawyer acknowledged private conduct in indictment

Trumps lawyer, John Sauer, conceded during the oral argument in April that the former president would be vulnerable to charges for private acts.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett rattled through a list of allegations in the indictment and asked whether they sounded public or private. In one episode, she asked whether the defendant allegedly conspiring with a private attorney to file false allegations to support a court challenge to election results was private.

That also sounds private, Sauer said.

More: Trump aide Steve Bannon reports to federal prison for defying House Jan. 6 subpoena

Barrett asked whether the defendant allegedly directing an effort by two private lawyers to submit fraudulent slates of electors to obstruct the certification of the election sounded private.

Thats private, Sauer said.

But he also argued it was absolutely an official act for the president to communicate with state officials about election integrity, citing as precedent President Ulysses Grant's decision to send federal troops to Louisiana and Mississippi to ensure Republican electors were certified in the years after the Civil War.

Former President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021.

No Trump trial before election: legal experts

Legal experts said hearings to determine what charges can stand against Trump will move any trial beyond the Nov. 5 election.

"The Supreme Court has put out a fact-intensive test on the boundaries of the president's immunity  with a huge thumb on the scale favoring the president's immunity  in a way that will surely push this case past the election," said Rick Hasen, a law professor at UCLA.

Georgetown University law professor Erica Hashimoto said it would take a while to sort out the opnion and how it applies.

"No chance of a pre-election trial," Hashimoto said.

More: Trump appeals to some Black voters more concerned about economy than attitude

Becker said even if a lower court says Trumps request that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger find enough votes to win the election is not an official act, that might be overruled on appeal to the Supreme Court.

The degree to which that immunity falls on the president is really striking for me, Becker said.

Waldman said former President Richard Nixon paying hush money to Watergate burglars or offering clemency to one of the conspirators could be considered official acts, under the court's logic. He estimated sorting out what Trump can be charged with could take another year.

The facts are easy: Trump is not immune from conspiring to overthrow the Constitutions peaceful transfer of power, even if he worked with other government officials to do it, Waldman said.

Nadine Seiler holds a banner outside the Supreme Court, after justices rule on former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's bid for immunity from federal prosecution for 2020 election subversion in Washington, on July 1, 2024.

SEAL Team 6 assassinations or 'chilling doom': Justices vigorously disagreed about impact of ruling

Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly disagreed with the majority opinion, saying the ruling would allow a president to order SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, organize a military coup to hold onto power or accept a bribe in exchange for a pardon.

"Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done," Sotomayor wrote. "In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law."

Roberts criticized the dissenters for not acknowledging the lower courts will determine whether Trumps conduct is vulnerable to criminal charges.

As for the dissents, they strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today  conclude that immunity extends to official discussions between the President and his Attorney General, and then remand to the lower courts to determine in the first instance whether and to what extent Trumps remaining alleged conduct is entitled to immunity, Roberts wrote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court forces lengthy review of charges against Donald Trump
A retired Virginia couple is making rounds online as they set out to visit every Texas Roadhouse restaurant in the U.S.

Although they have recently achieved viral fame, Mike McNamara and his wife, Judy, started the challenge back in 2003.

The couple is from Franklin, Virginia, about 44 miles southwest of Norfolk. They first went to Texas Roadhouse in 2003 when Judys brother took them to one in Knoxville.

After going to about 37 restaurants, Mike looked at the couples credit card statements and started a spreadsheet to keep track.

Since we were both retired at that time, I was like OK. Let's see how many we can go to, Mike told USA TODAY.

The couple went to nearly 100 restaurants total in 2018 and 2019. At last check, they've hit 434 restaurants.

I thought we were going to slow down but we're apparently not doing that, said Mike. Theres supposed to be between 650 and 700 in the United States alone, so we've knocked down a few of them."

Virginia couple just loves good food, they say

Mike said the couple likes Texas Roadhouse because their dishes have the home-cooked feel he loves.

Its good food, he said. We dont like fancy food. We dont like what they call fine dining. Its just too rich and its not worth the price to start with, to us.

He really enjoys Texas Roadhouses six-ounce sirloin with salad and baked sweet potatoes. He visits the restaurant so frequently, but he likes to switch things up though. Now, he typically orders the sirloin, the pork chops, the pulled pork and the chicken tenders.

Judy, his wife, typically orders shrimp and chicken dishes, and sometimes ribs.

The McNamaras have been greeted enthusiastically at multiple Texas Roadhouse locations, including a restaurant in Montana last summer.

Last week we had the pleasure of meeting Mike & Judy McNamara, posted management from a Billings, Montana location on June 14 last year.

Mike and Judy McNamara with Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan at one of the chain's restaurants.

They are currently on a road trip visiting every Texas Roadhouse in the U.S. and Billings was their 337th location!

The couple works with someone from Texas Roadhouse to let different restaurants know when theyre visiting. Sometimes the workers know theyre coming and other times, theyre in for a nice surprise.

Yesterday was a big celebration, Mike said. Our milestones, the 200th, 300th, 400th visit have been very exciting as far as the participation of the people that are there, he said.

He said reaching these milestones and visiting hundreds of restaurants is like a dream.

Couple travels hundreds of miles per day

The McNamaras, now 71, have known each other since they were in third grade. They started dating in 10th grade and got married in 1971, Mike said.

Now that theyre retired, they have more time to dine at Texas Roadhouse restaurants all over the country. They drive a pickup truck and pull their camper, sometimes traveling 350 to 450 miles between campsites.

Virginia couple Judy and Mike McNamara. The pair have been trying to dine at each Texas Roadhouse location in the U.S. since 2003.

They estimate they travel 25,000 miles a year traveling to and from home, checking out Texas Roadhouses treats.

We've wiped out a lot of them within 400 or 500 miles of home, Mike said. It's getting harder to (do) as they're building some more, which of course, sort of defeats the purpose of getting them all because now you've got more to go to.

They have plans to visit Texas Roadhouse locations in Alaska too, Mike said. They went to Alaska in 2010 but the restaurants hadnt been completed yet. Now that theyre done, they plan to fly to Alaska at some point.

As long as our health is good and I still can drive 300 to 400 miles a day, were going to keep doing this, Mike said.

The couple was in Indiana Friday with plans to go to Ohio later on.

The attention theyve received has been a bit puzzling, Mike said.

It's not like we don't want it, he said. I don't think we deserve it to a certain degree. Yes, we're doing something that nobody else is doing but to us, it's not that special other than enjoying the food and enjoying the Roadhouse family.

Keep up with the McNamaras and their Texas Roadhouse journey on Facebook.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Couple travels across US to visit every Texas Roadhouse restaurant
UTICA, N.Y.  Authorities in New York released body camera footage on Sunday showing a police officer fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy after he allegedly aimed an object that was later determined to be a pellet gun during a foot chase on Friday night.

The incident unfolded at around 10:18 p.m. on Friday when Utica police officers were conducting a pedestrian stop of two people in a residential area. During the stop, the 13-year-old boy  who was identified as Nyah Mway  fled from police and displayed what appeared to be a handgun during the chase, according to Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.

An officer then fired one shot and wounded the teen, Williams said. Nyah was taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police said they recovered a replica GLOCK 17 handgun, which was determined to be a pellet gun.

The body camera footage was published on the police department's YouTube channel in six separate videos of varying lengths. Police also released photos of the pellet gun Nyah allegedly had when he was fatally shot.

"As always, we are committed to transparency and earning the publics trust in our investigations," the Utica Police Department said in a Saturday statement on the officer-involved shooting. "As much information as allowable will be released during this process."

The fatal shooting has caused an outpouring of outrage and demands for justice in Utica's Karen immigrant community, an ethnic minority from Southeast Asia. Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil in memory of Nyah on Saturday night.

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'It was one shot'

The three Utica police officers involved in the incident were identified as Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran with the department who fired at the teen; Bryce Patterson, a four-year veteran; and Andrew Citriniti, who has been on the police force for two-and-a-half years.

The body camera footage showed the three officers approach Nyah and another juvenile, who was on a bicycle. Patterson is shown in the footage telling the teens they are being stopped because one teen was riding the bike in the road, while Nyah was walking nearby.

Nyah  who initially had his hands up in the air  was then seen running away after officers asked if they could pat him down to see if he had any weapons, according to the footage. Patterson and Husnay ran after Nyah, with Patterson taking the teen down after a short chase as officers can be heard screaming "Hes got a gun."

Husnay had his gun drawn and appeared to shoot Nyah when he was down on the ground, his released body camera footage showed.

"It was one shot," Husnay can be heard saying, according to the released footage. "It was me."

All three officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation.

New York State Attorney General's Office launches probe

On Saturday, the New York Attorney Generals Office of Special Investigation announced it had opened an investigation into the death of Nyah.

New York State Executive Law 70-b mandates that the New York State Attorney General's Office of Special Investigations has the lead criminal investigatory role in officer-involved shootings.

"If OSIs assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident," the state attorney general's office said in a statement. "These are preliminary facts and subject to change."

The Utica Police Department is conducting a joint parallel internal investigation with its Professional Standards Unit to determine if policies, procedures, and training were followed. Additionally, Utica police said it will work closely and openly with the City of Utica Public Safety Advisory Committee.

'The stories don't add up'

Around 24 hours after Nyah was shot and killed by police, members of the community gathered for a candlelight vigil and mourned the teen's death. The heat from a hundred candles was carried on the breeze through a crowd of three times as many.

"We gather here to honor and support our little brother, Nyah Mway," said speaker Kay Klo, director at Midtown Utica Community Center. "He was tragically murdered by police officers."

Though officials have declared that an investigation is underway, members of the Karen community feel betrayed. Klo said nine years ago, the Mway family came to America seeking safety from "military, wars, and police violence."

With wounds of persecution at the hands of the military and police in their home country still fresh in many of their minds, the Karen community of Utica is demanding justice.

"The stories dont add up," Klo said. "The story they told at the press conference, what witnesses say they say, and what was seen in the video. None of it adds up. The police officers need to be investigated and held accountable for their actions."

Klos words echoed through the streets before the same message in the Karenic language was repeated, mingling together to make a single cry for justice. Buddhist monks from the community, many who settled in Utica as refugees from Cambodia, spoke to the crowd in their native tongue and carried them through a Buddhist prayer for Nyah.

At the end of the prayer, the monk spoke in English, asking the crowd, "What do we need?"

It was quickly echoed back with the word "justice," again they were asked, and again they said "justice."

Pastor Debbie Kelsey of Tabernacle Baptist Church spoke to those in attendance.

"Some of us come as (Nyah Mways) family. Some come as friends. Some are classmates and some are neighbors," she said. "All of us are part of this community and all of us are here to say that Nyah Mway lived. And he was loved. And he will never be forgotten."

Nyah Mway's mother can be seen kneeling and praying amongst candles being lit for his vigil on Saturday

Who are the Karen people?

Utica, a Rust Belt city in New York's Mohawk Valley about 55 miles east of Syracuse, New York, is home to a rapidly growing, refugee population that includes thousands of Karen people.

Pronounced "ka-ren" and also known as the Kayin, Kariang, or Kawthoolese, the Karen people are a large and dispersed ethnic group of Southeast Asia, with origins traced to the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, or Tibet  according to the Karen Womens Organization. The Karen then settled in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Under British colonization in the mid-to-late 19th century, administrators recruited many Karen people into their police and armed forces, according to the organization. During World War II and the Burma Campaign, the Karen people became loyal guerrilla fighters for the Allies against Japanese occupiers.

When Britain granted Burma independence after the war, the Karen people had hoped to form their own nation. Instead, they were absorbed into the new Union of Burma, later renamed Union of Myanmar in 1989.

Troops of the predominantly Burmese government killed Karen villagers, and Karen insurgency sprang up, resulting in a conflict lasting until 1962 when the government pledged to quell and unify the country. The so-called "Four Cuts" offensive intended to separate rebels from their food sources, funds, intelligence, and recruits. It lasted until 1990.

A ceasefire was reached in 2012. But well before that, refugees were resettled in refugee camps, many of which were across the border in Thailand, according to the Karen Organization of Minnesota. Refugees in Thailand were not allowed to venture outside the crowded camps they occupied and were arrested by Thai police if caught.

And some refugees resettled in numerous countries  including the United States.

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica police release body camera footage of Nyah Mway shooting
Dicker Data has signed a distribution agreement with interactive display manufacturer Smart Technologies for the Australian market.

Targeting the education and professional AV markets, Smart Technologies provides interactive displays that enable people to connect, collaborate and learn.

Vlad Mitnovetski, executive director and chief operating officer at Dicker Data, said the solutions are focused on education and the commercial sector.

The Smart Technologies range will resonate with our growing partner community, he said. As the need for digital collaboration and digital learning solutions continues to grow, these products will enable our partners to expand their offerings and capture more of their customers budget while providing increased value.

Ruben Cammaerts, Smart Technologies international VP, added that the partnership is a significant milestone for the vendor.
On Friday, June 28, Indias external affairs ministry put out a strong statement against a report from the United States state department on religious freedom in India. Our statement said that as in the past, the report is deeply biased, lacks understanding of Indias social fabric and is visibly driven by vote bank considerations and a prescriptive outlook. We therefore reject it.

Our statement further went on to attack the primary report on which the US state department was basing its observations. We said that this primary report was a mix of imputations, misrepresentations, selective usage of facts, reliance on biased sources and a one-sided projection of issues.

There are a couple of hundred words added to this which talk about our laws and our sovereignty, but sadly do not address the specific accusations that the US state department has made. What were these?

Americas secretary of state Antony Blinken said these two things: In India, for example, Christian communities reported that the local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges. He added: In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities.

This is a fact. We cannot both be proud of the BJPs bulldozer culture and disown it. It would have been appropriate for us to have addressed these things specifically, but we chose not to. Instead, we ended our statement with the words that in 2023, India has officially taken up numerous cases in the US of hate crimes, racial attacks on Indian nationals and other minorities, vandalisation and targeting of places of worship, violence and mistreatment by law enforcement authorities. We will come to this later, but first let us understand what this US report is that has India upset.

It is an annual report put out by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). It claims to be an independent and bipartisan (meaning comprising both Democratic and Republican members) US federal (or central) government entity.

For the last five years, every year, it has been recommending sanctions against Indian leaders and institutions. Each year, the US federal government, first under Donald Trump and then under Joe Biden, has been avoiding imposing sanctions.

If readers remember the US visa ban on Narendra Modi (then chief minister of Gujarat) 20 years ago, it was because he was put on the USCIRF sanctions list and the then President (George W. Bush) had enforced the sanctions against Mr Modi for the Gujarat pogrom.

Their 2020 report says: India took a sharp downward turn in 2019. The national government used its strengthened parliamentary majority to institute national-level policies violating religious freedom across India, especially for Muslims. Our external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankars response was to say that the USCIRF was biased and its tendentious comments against India are not new.

Last year, after India for the fourth year running made it to the list of nations persecuting minorities, our foreign ministry said the report was biased and inaccurate and reflected a severe lack of understanding of India and its constitutional framework, its plurality and its democratic ethos.

This is inaccurate. I have engaged with the USCIRF and find them to be extremely knowledgeable about India.

See this note by one of the USCIRF commissioners, Johnnie Moore, in the 2021 report. He writes: I love India. I have floated early in the morning down the Ganges in Varanasi, walked every alley in Old Delhi, stood in awe of the architecture in Agra, sipped tea next to the Dalai Lamas temple in Dharamsala, circled the shrine in Ajmer, and looked in awe at the Golden Temple. All along the way, I have met Christian brothers and sisters who serve the poor selflessly, often in difficult circumstances. Of all the countries in the world, India should not be a country of particular concern. It is the worlds largest democracy and it is governed by a pristine Constitution. It is diversity personified and its religious life has been its greatest historic blessing. Yet, India does seem to be at a crossroads. Its democracy -- still young and freewheeling -- is creating through the ballot box difficult challenges for itself. The answer, of course, is for Indias institutions to draw upon their rich history to protect their values. India must always resist allowing political and inter-communal conflict to exacerbated by religious tensions. Indias government and people have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose from preserving social harmony and protecting the rights of everyone. India can. India must.

These are the people whose views we are dismissing and calling biased. Even if we are to assume that the USCIRF is biased as Mr Jaishankar and the external affairs ministry claim, this is not relevant. What they say is relevant. Is it true that Indian minorities are being persecuted by law and policy under the BJP? The answer is obvious to anyone who opens a newspaper and switches on their television set.

Our response threatening to take up violations in the United States against their minorities is welcome. As a democracy which says it respects human rights, it is our obligation to point out flaws in other nations, especially in our friends. However, this should be a deep exercise, such as the one the USCIRF conducts, and not as a throwaway statement in angry response to well-founded and accurate accusations against us.
by Joseph Masilamany

In a joint statement, the Defender of Ancestral Lands Sabah (MOPOT) and the Sabah and Sarawak Indigenous People's Alliance (GOASS) call on the government to respect the "informed consent" of local communities. Joining the intergovernmental group raises questions about sovereignty and self-determination in Sabah and Sarawak. Peter John Jaban told AsiaNews that consultations are essential on decisions that have an impact on our future.

Kuching (AsiaNews)  In Borneo environmental organisations and indigenous groups have come out against the governments decision to join BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation comprising emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa) led by Beijing.

In a joint statement, the Defender of Ancestral Lands Sabah (MOPOT) and the Sabah and Sarawak Indigenous People's Alliance (GOASS) call for respect for the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) of indigenous peoples in the country.

Their criticism is aimed at the cabinet and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose decision raises critical issues related to indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in the two Borneo states which are home to diverse indigenous communities.

Andrew Ambrose, representing MOPOT, and Peter John Jaban, on behalf of GOASS, raise several critical points, calling on the prime minister to uphold the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak.

In their view, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must ensure indigenous peoples right to self-governance and control over their lands, territory, and resources; he must also respect the right of indigenous communities to self-determination and freedom to determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development without external interference.

To this end, it is essential to subscribe to the principles defined by Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) in all decisions related to international alliances like BRICS, ensuring meaningful consultation with indigenous communities and traditional customary and spiritual leaders before the Malaysian government makes any decision.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must address historical injustices, including discriminatory practices, inadequate resource sharing, and political marginalisation faced by Indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak, which must be a priority in Malaysia's international engagements, the statement said.

These must be the priorities in the countrys international engagements.

What is more, The prime minister must apologise to Sabah and Sarawak natives for 61 years of neglect and discrimination.

The advocacy groups urge Prime Minister Anwar, as head of government, to preserve and promote Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions and safeguard these against the pressures of globalisation and external economic interests.

The statement also urges the prime minister to commit to environmental sustainability and conservation, particularly the fragile ecosystems and biodiversity within indigenous territories, waters, and food systems.

Thus, any international agreement or alliance must not compromise existing legal protections and human rights that represent the first step towards safeguarding the indigenous peoples of Malaysia, particularly in their territories in Borneo.

MOPOT and GOASS emphasise that Malaysia's potential entry into BRICS must not undermine any rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak self-determination and liberation, said activist Peter John Jaban speaking to AsiaNews.

We call upon Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his federal government to prioritise Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and meaningful consultation in all decisions that impact our future, he added.
by Sumon Corraya

In the attack against the Holey Artisan Bakery, 22 people were killed. Since the authorities carried out massive arrests, no more massacres of this magnitude have occurred. However, jihadi groups are reorganising. The leader of the JMB is operating out of Turkey via the web, especially targeting youth.

Dhaka (AsiaNews)  Eight years ago, at around 8.45 pm on 1 July 2016, an armed terrorist group stormed the Holey Artisan Bakey in Gulshan, sowing chaos and terror, resulting in the death of 22 people.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack, which saw its operatives take several people hostage, before all were killed in the rescue operation.

The sad anniversary provides an opportunity to remember that banned organisations in the country have not ceased been a threat, as Islamic extremism continues to cast its shadow over Bangladesh.

Islamist groups continue to recruit online, targeting mainly teenagers aged 18 to 20 as well as students and teachers in madrassas, this according to law enforcement sources.

The victims of the attack eight years ago included nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one American, two Bangladeshis and two police officers.

During the rescue operation, security forces killed six militants carried and saved 32 foreign nationals.

On this anniversary, officials from various diplomatic missions in Bangladesh honoured the victims of the attack against the restaurant located in a residential area of Dhaka. Catholic churches across the country prayed for the souls of the 22 victims.

Despite the passage of time, Bangladesh remains deeply scarred by that brutal event.

Investigators recently arrested five members of an organisation called As Shahadat in Cox's Bazar, explaining how militants manage to evade monitoring and communicate even from prison.

This is not an isolated case. Md. Asaduzzaman, Head of Bangladeshs Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, as well as Deputy Police Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said that the Ansar Al Islam, an Islamist militant group still poses a threat today.

While its activities are monitored, a major challenge is the way they are present in cyberspace, using different applications.

Since 1 July 2016, the leaders of several banned organisations have been arrested one after another and several leaders have been killed. About 4,000 militiamen have been arrested in recent years.

According to sources in the CTTC unit and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB),[*] the leader of the Jama'at Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Mahadi Hasan John, is conducting organisational activities online from Turkey, targeting youth who are more easily influenced by misrepresentations.

Secret meetings were also held at various times in religious facilities, homes, and other places.

Last Thursday, the RAB arrested three active members of the banned Ansar Al Islam militant group in Choufaldandi.

[*] The anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The murder took place in the rural village of Toylanka, where the conversion of a branch of a family to Christianity did not go down well with the rest. The victim was mortally wounded while working in the fields. Relatives even opposed her burial.

Raipur (India)  A 22-year-old Christian woman, Bindu Sodhi, was killed with a hammer by fanatical Hindu relatives because of her Christian faith.

The murder took place on 24 June in Toylanka, a village in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh.

In a complaint to the district's police chief, relatives of the murder victim said her family had been harassed and threatened by other relatives since they became Christians four years ago.

Despite various complaints by Sori's family to the local police station, no action was taken against the harassers.

With the onset of the rainy season, some relatives even tried to prevent Sori's family from ploughing the fields. When they did it anyway, enraged relatives attacked them with arrows and axes.

The driver of the tractor and some others in the group managed to escape, but not Sori. Two men reached her, attacked her, and killed her. The anti-Christian relatives also prevented the victims immediate family from burying her.

It is unfortunately common in Indian villages for Hindu extremists to deny Christian families the right to bury their loved ones unless they return to Hinduism.

This is happening despite a ruling by the Chhattisgarh High Court on 24 April that Article 21 of the Constitution of India includes the right of a person to have a decent burial.

It goes on to say that the Right to life implies a meaningful life with human dignity  and this right also extends to a person who is dead.

Photo: Flickr / James Hansen (CCAFS)
Mauritania's President Mohammed Ould Ghazouani has once again won the presidential election with more than 56% of the vote, securing his second term in office after winning the polls for the first time in 2019.

Ghazouani, a former army chief of staff and defence minister, has pledged to ensure security and boost investment to stimulate Mauritania's raw materials. The African country possesses important natural resources such as iron, copper, zinc, phosphate, gold, oil and natural gas.

Mauritania is on the verge of becoming a gas producer thanks to the launch of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyin offshore gas project, operated by BP, on the border with Senegal. This plan is expected to be launched by the end of the year.

Ghazouani won the first round of the election against six other candidates. His main rival, activist Biram Dah Abeid, came second with 22% of the vote, followed by Hamadi Sidi El Mokhtar of the Islamist Tewassoul party with 12.8%.

Abeid has rejected the provisional results citing irregularities and claimed to use his "own electoral commission to proclaim the results". "We will not accept these results from the so-called independent electoral commission," Abeid told a press conference in Nouakchott, according to Reuters.

A polling station in Nouakchott on June 29, 2024 - AFP/MICHELE CATTANI

El Mokhtar also warned before the polls that his party would not accept the results if it suspected any irregularities. In the 2019 elections, some opposition candidates questioned the credibility of the vote, leading to small-scale protests.

Preliminary figures showed that turnout for this past weekend's vote was just under 55.33%, electoral commission data showed.

Despite criticism from his opponents, the president enjoys great popularity among Mauritanians, who perceive his government as a model of stability in a region marked by coups and jihadist violence.

Panels of the large 50 megawatt solar farm on the outskirts of Nouakchott - AFP/ MED LEMINE RAJEL

Likewise, Ghazouani, who is also the current president of the African Union, has managed to position his country as a strategic partner of the West in the midst of a deeply unstable Sahel where countries such as Russia are increasingly gaining influence.

However, the Mauritanian leader must also confront poverty and lack of opportunity in the African nation. According to the United Nations, almost 60% of the population lives in poverty, which has led many young people to try to reach Europe or even the United States to seek a better life.
Negotiations continue constructively, read a short statement released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian.

It said that the Armenian and Azerbaijani government commissions on border delimitation have proposed to each other draft regulations for their joint work and should work out a relevant common document soon.

The Azerbaijani government issued a similar statement. It too gave no details.

The two commissions pledged to agree on the regulations by July 1 when they announced on April 19 the start of the delimitation process that took the form of Armenian territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. In the following weeks, Baku gained control of disputed border areas that that used to be occupied by four Azerbaijani villages captured by Armenian forces in 1991-1992.

For its part, the Azerbaijani army had at occupied at the time large swathes of nearby land belonging to several villages in Armenias Tavush province. It has not withdrawn from that land in return for the Armenian concessions. Baku has also refused to withdraw from Armenian territory seized by its troops in 2021 and 2022.

The land transfer strongly condemned by the Armenian opposition sparked angry protests in Tavush border villages seriously affected by it. The protests were led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian, the then head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. After failing to scuttle preparations for the handover, Galstanian took his campaign to Yerevan where he held a series of big rallies in May and June in a bid to oust Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Pashinian repeatedly defended his unilateral concessions, saying that they will lay the groundwork for Azerbaijans recognition of Armenias territorial integrity. He said that this positive experience will be used in the border delimitation and demarcation process that will supposedly be based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration signed by newly independent ex-Soviet republics.

Earlier on Monday, Pashinian refused to answer a question about the process when he was approached by RFE/RL correspondent in Yerevan.

The 1991 declaration committed Armenia, Azerbaijan and other ex-Soviet state to recognizing each others Soviet-era borders. But it does not contain a detailed description of those borders.

Yerevan has insisted, at least until recently, that the two South Caucasus states should use Soviet military maps drawn in the 1970s as a basis for the border delimitation. Baku has rejected this, highlighting its apparent desire to gain even more territory and cede nothing in return.
Joined by lawmakers and other Yerevan-based opposition figures, Galstanian visited regional towns and villages after pledging to restructure his opposition-backed movement seeking to oust Pashinian.

The movement was triggered by the Armenian governments controversial decision to hand over several disputed border areas in the northern Tavush province to Azerbaijan. Galstanian, who headed until recently the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, emerged as the leader of protests that erupted in local border villages. He shifted the protests in Yerevan in early May to demand Pashinians resignation.

His most recent rally in the capital took place on June 17. The outspoken cleric put a brave face on his failure to topple Pashinian so far and vowed to continue fighting for regime change.

Galstanian reaffirmed that pledge during meetings with his supporters in Syunik. He again claimed that Pashinians continued rule would spell a disaster for Armenia.

[The territorial concessions] reached Tavush, tomorrow they will reach Tigranashen and again Syunik, he said at an indoors meeting held in the provincial town of Goris. If we take a look at such a map, what will we see? We will see a change in the structure of our country and a complete destruction of its security system.

Vahagn Melikian, a leader of an association of retired senior diplomats supporting Galstanians movement, also spoke at the meeting. He claimed that the land transfer in Tavush could have a dangerous domino effect on Syunik.

The enemys aim is Syunik, said Melikian. The number one threat to Armenia is not even war, its the policy of these authorities  If we dont stop this we will lose Syunik as well.

Pashinian visited Syunik two weeks ago and claimed afterwards that the trip exposed the opposition lies about his policy towards Azerbaijan. He said that local residents support what his administration describes as the start of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border delimitation.

One of the stops on the trip was the border village of Shurnukh which lost much of its agricultural land and a dozen houses after an Armenian troop withdrawal controversially ordered by Pashinian in the wake of the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. The Armenian authorities took three and a half years to build new homes for the dispossessed villagers, including a 74-year-old local woman, Anahit. The prime minister personally handed them the keys of the new houses.

How long will he keep surrendering [land to Azerbaijan?] Anahit told Galstanian on Sunday. I dont get it. Its a pity that they didnt let me talk to [Pashinian] the other day.

Unfortunately, as beautiful and good as [the new houses] are, they are still the consequence of a great loss that not only you but all of us are suffering today, the archbishop told the villagers.
1 July 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Although some experts note that the improvement of fuel types plays a minor role in reducing the risk of global warming and issues with our vulnerable environment, the countries of the world support this as a global initiative. Studies show that a large part of environmental pollution is caused by toxic gases released from cars as a result of using fuels that do not meet modern standards.

For example, many leading European countries have stopped selling and producing diesel fuel for more than ten years. Moreover, the worlds car manufacturers, including the Chinese ones, have started exporting cars that meet the new Euro-5 standards.

In addition, the main goal of those countries regarding air pollution is to accelerate the transition to electric cars. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, which will host the COP29 event in November of this year, is already taking its first steps. Charging stations for electric cars have already been established in Azerbaijan in the last few years, and this indicates that decisive measures have been taken for the import of new generation - 0-emission cars.

However, today in Azerbaijan, especially cars running on AI-92 octane gasoline are still the majority. Experts say that these types of fuels are of low quality and emit more toxic gases into the air as a result of combustion in car engines. Even in most countries, AI-92 gasoline is no longer produced or sold. Moreover, taking into account the greater environmental damage of diesel, measures are being taken to reduce its consumption. For this purpose, in many countries, the price of diesel is regulated so that it is more expensive than the price of gasoline.

Yesterday, the new decision of the tariff council in Azerbaijan on fuel prices showed that it is a fundamental step taken to support the solution to the climate problem in the world. Although Azerbaijan is naturally an oil and gas country, it is extremely sensitive to environmental pollution, global warming, and similar problems. For this reason, starting the production of AI-95 (Premium) octane gasoline that meets the Euro-5 standards in the country and the relative reduction of prices in connection with this are commendable steps.

On the other hand, the slight increase in the prices of AI-92 (rising from 1 manat to 1.10 manats) and diesel (from 0.80 manat to 1 manat) fuel indicates what will happen in the next decade. For example, experts note that the production and registration of new cars with gasoline or diesel engines (with the exception of cars running on carbon-neutral synthetic fuel (e-fuel)) in the European Union will not be possible from 2035. Considering that AI-92 brand gasoline is not used in most countries, it means that countries that already produce cars will have to make a transition to Euro-5 standard engines at once.

Large manufacturers at the global level have already switched to the production of "premium" branded cars with electric and hybrid engines. The reason is very clear; in order to reduce the negative impact of transport emissions on the environment, there is a need to increase the quality of fuel. From this point of view, "Euro-5" is considered more efficient and climate-friendly with its capability to meet the standards. In Azerbaijan, taking into account environmental requirements, the production of fuel in accordance with the "Euro-5" ecological standard has already been started. The use of Euro-5" standard fuel reduces car exhaust gas smoke and emissions to the environment, reduces the possibility of corrosion in the engine, and reduces fuel consumption. As mentioned earlier regarding the decision of the tariff council, the price difference between gasoline and diesel was reduced in order to switch to more gasoline consumption, taking into account the greater environmental damage of using diesel fuel.

It is also important to take into account the fact that statistics show that although the import of gasoline-powered cars to Azerbaijan has decreased, the number of diesel-powered cars has increased significantly recently. The main reason for this was that the price of fuel was lower than gasoline. But it's no secret that along with the repair costs of diesel engines, their damage to the environment is higher. In all countries, especially European countries, as well as in Azerbaijan, taking into account that diesel engine cars pollute the air more, reducing their use is being encouraged.

Of course, the price change will accelerate the transition to fuel-efficient hybrid, electric and CNG (compressed natural gas) powered vehicles.

How will the new fuel price affect the prices of other products?

At present, various questions arising in society regarding the latest decision of the tariff council have started to make everyone think. The first question that comes to mind is "If fuel prices rise, will other products become subsequently expensive?"

Of course, the decisions made by the tariff council regarding transport, transportation, and fuel do not always affect the price of a product. If the prices are increased on the one hand, on the other hand, it is regulated in a certain way. In addition, it is better to understand fuel prices not economically, but rather as a step towards a new and clean environmental cycle.

As for the impact of the latest decision of the Tariff Council on the prices of other products in the country, taking into account the possibility that fuel price increases due to psychological pressure will initially push prices up, strict control measures will be implemented to prevent abuse of tariff regulation and unjustified price increases.

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1 July 2024 12:04 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Turkiye has recently reduced customs duties on select categories of imports from Azerbaijan, effective July 1, Azernews reports.

The decision, signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and published in the Resmi Gazete, outlines revised tariffs for goods such as quince, mulberry, and iron semi-finished products.

Under the updated regulations, tariffs for Azerbaijani imports of mulberry and quince are set at 7.7%. Meanwhile, customs duties on certain iron and steel products range from 11.3% to 15%.

Furthermore, additional customs duties on plastic pipes, hoses, and non-alloyed aluminium sheets and plates from Azerbaijan have been eliminated. Azerbaijani wines, up to an annual quota of 15,000 hectoliters, are now exempt from state duty as well.

Implementation of these changes falls under the jurisdiction of Turkiye's Ministry of Trade.

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Feature: Slovenian automaker revives through green transition under Chinese ownership

Xinhua) 10:48, July 01, 2024

This photo taken on June 14, 2024 shows an external view of TAM in Maribor, Slovenia. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

MARIBOR, Slovenia, June 29 (Xinhua) -- TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market.

In Slovenia's second largest city, Maribor, a fleet of huge trailers on Friday carried TAM's latest range of productions from the company's manufacturing facility to European customers.

Its latest products are almost unrecognizable from the first petrol-powered vehicles that rolled off the line at the company's inception nearly 80 years ago. Following the company's acquisition by a Chinese firm, TAM now plays an important role in the European electric bus production.

One of the company's latest clients is Paris Charles de Gaulle international airport. The 24 buses ordered by the French company from TAM will be put into service during the Olympic Games that begin on July 26 in order to ensure efficient airport operations during the Olympics and support the transportation needs of athletes and associated personnel.

"Getting the order for the Olympic Games is of great significance for us. It reflects TAM's influence throughout the region and plays a positive role in our future expansion on international markets," Ma Fuxiong, CEO of TAM Europe, told Xinhua in an interview recently

TAM was established in 1947 and became well-known as a producer and exporter of trucks, trailers and military vehicles in the former Yugoslavia, and also provided parts for aircraft. It is an important part of the economy of Maribor, employing more than 8,000 people at its peak, equivalent to one-tenth of the city's total population.

However, after Slovenia's independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, TAM faced major challenges from market changes and economic downturn. After multiple rounds of restructuring, it was finally declared bankruptcy in 2011.

"I was really stressful at that time, and also sad because of this big brand almost shut down," said Gorazd Bubic, head of production, PS, and technology at TAM-Europe. A 30-year veteran of the company, he said he still remembers how he felt when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy more than 10 years ago.

"But later the Chinese company took over TAM, and I was really satisfied to see that TAM brand will go further, and the TAM brand has a bright future right now," he added. In 2011, TAM was taken over by the Chinese company which retained the company's original Logo, resuming production in 2013.

Local employees are regularly dispatched to Chinese factories to learn new technologies, while Chinese technicians frequently visit the Slovenian factories to provide on-site guidance and support. Bubic, who has undergone training in China multiple times, expressed his admiration for the Chinese people, describing them as "really nice and pleasant, with a lot of respect."

From an assembly line team leader to head of the production technology department, Bubic believes that in addition to "language, culture and cooperation with Chinese colleagues", his professional skills have "improved a lot" and he is very happy with his growth experience in TAM (Europe).

The partnership has brought about new technological advancements for the Slovenian-based company. Bubic said that in the past, the company manufactured internal combustion engine buses, but now focuses on green solutions such as electric buses and hydrogen fuel buses.

"The overall energy trend in Europe is the transition from European 5 standard to European 6. From this year, the bus standards in European airports have all been upgraded to European 6," said Ma, adding that they have "upgraded in terms of environmental protection," which was important in getting the order from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport."

TAM successfully cooperates with more than 100 international airports, and operates a high-quality after-sales service of more than 40 maintenance centers established across the EU.

After the takeover, TAM is committed to deepening local user needs, upgrading local industrial chain, and strengthening local operations. Customized services have always been the characteristics of TAM (Europe).

"In the field of new energy, the European supply chain has shortcomings," Ma said, adding that the company is capable of providing technical support to its local auto part suppliers and assists them in producing parts that meet its standards.

Bubic believes that the current achievements have exceeded expectations and has high expectations for the future. "Right now we have a lot of orders. The brand is more and more recognizable," Bubic said.

A TAM worker works on the production line of electric buses for the needs of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Maribor, Slovenia, on June 14, 2024. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

A TAM worker works on the production line of electric buses for the needs of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Maribor, Slovenia, on June 14, 2024. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

TAM's production line of electric buses for the needs of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is pictured in Maribor, Slovenia, on June 14, 2024. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

TAM's production line of electric buses for the needs of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is pictured in Maribor, Slovenia, on June 14, 2024. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

TAM workers work on the production line of electric buses for the needs of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Maribor, Slovenia, on June 14, 2024. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

TAM workers work on the production line of electric buses for the needs of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Maribor, Slovenia, on June 14, 2024. TAM, a leading bus and commercial vehicle producer in Slovenia, is experiencing a significant revival after its acquisition by China. From bankruptcy following years of decline, the company is once again thriving on the European market. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The country with the highest number of military coups in history suffered yet another one on Wednesday. This chaotic and short-lived episode has deepened the crisis in Bolivia. The Revolutionary Communist Nucleus (the RCI in Bolivia) made a brief statement on the day of the coup. Below, we analyse what happened, and what it means, in more detail.

On 26 June 2024, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Juan Jose Zuniga, led an attempted coup d'etat. A day earlier, Zuniga had been removed from his post (but not yet replaced) by President Luis Arce for threatening to arrest Evo Morales, should he stand in the elections.

On Wednesday afternoon, soldiers were mobilised to occupy Plaza Murillo. Evo warned that a coup was in the making and called for the mobilisation of the population in defence of democracy. Arce did the same shortly after, and the Bolivian Workers Centre (COB) called for an indefinite general strike to stop the coup.

Zuniga told the media that a new ministerial cabinet would be formed, which is equivalent to saying that the current government would be replaced. After knocking down the doors of the Government Palace with a tank, there was a dramatic confrontation between Arce and general Zuniga. Without any protection, Arce commanded Zuniga, who had several armed military men at his side, to demobilise his troops. Zuniga refused, but ended up withdrawing from the building shortly thereafter.

By now, many had gathered around Plaza Murillo, chanting slogans in support of Arce and against the military intervention. At the same time, all the country's political figures, including even reactionaries like Luis Fernando Camacho and Jeanine Anez, condemned what was unfolding.

The coup seemed to be collapsing: Arce completely replaced the military high command, installing new commanders-in-chief, who ordered the troops occupying Plaza Murillo to withdraw. As they did so, they were pursued by angry crowds. At the same time, Zuniga fled in an armoured vehicle, but did not get very far before being arrested.

He then addressed the press and made a very peculiar statement. According to Zuniga, Arce had ordered him to carry out a self-coup because of the latters low popularity, in order to get him out of his screwed up situation.

In any case, he was arrested and now faces sedition charges, along with the commanders-in-chief of the navy and air force, as well as other military personnel and civilians.

How can we make sense of this?

From the outset, the coup seemed to have a certain political logic of its own / Image: Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional, Wikimedia Commons

How can we make sense of this bizarre situation? Was it really a self-coup? What consequences will it have for the country? And, most importantly, what lessons should communists and all conscious class fighters draw from it?

First of all, why did Zuniga carry out this coup d'etat? The hypothesis of supporters of former-president Evo Morales within MAS  the ruling party  and various groups within the right-wing opposition, is that this was indeed a self-coup. Certain aspects of the coup, such as the face-to-face confrontation between Arce and Zuniga  in which the former was unarmed and unprotected  would seem to lend themselves to this idea. But this does not survive closer scrutiny.

From the outset, the coup seemed to have a certain political logic of its own. Apart from talking about completely replacing the ministerial cabinet, Zuniga attacked the lack of respect for the armed forces  let us not forget that he had been dismissed only a short time before  and said that political prisoners like Camacho and Anez would be released.

It was only once it had become clear that he would not get away with it that he launched his accusation of a self-coup against Arce. But a cornered lion will try anything to escape, or at least deal a good blow to his enemy before he falls. Zuniga later changed his story again in his official arrest statement to the police, attacking other army commanders for not fulfilling their assigned role.

Furthermore, carrying out a self-coup under the current conditions would have been completely antithetical to Arces interests. The coup has had a profoundly destabilising effect on the economy and politics, further weakening his position. This is an obvious consequence of any coup attempt, and it is hard to imagine that Arce would not have considered this.

It is also necessary to stress another important point. The theory of a self-coup distracts from the extremely reactionary role played by the army. The army is an essential part of the capitalist state. Whenever there have been military interventions in our country, it has always been in the service of imperialism and the capitalist oligarchy.

It is important to note that Evo has once again aligned himself with the right-wing opposition against Arce. Evo still has considerable influence among a certain layer of the masses, and the fact that he is turning his attention to an alleged self-coup rather than mobilising against the actual and concrete fact that an army general attempted to overthrow a democratically elected government  a government of his own party!  is striking.

Were the imperialists involved? This is a question we cannot answer definitively. On the one hand, it is hard to believe that anything of importance happens within the army without the US embassy and its intelligence services being aware of it. Bolivia is rich in strategic mineral resources, and control over these resources is disputed by the US and other rival powers (China, Russia, Iran).

However, the coup seemed to take foreign governments by surprise, and they condemned it. Other than issuing a security alert due to the military presence in Plaza Murillo, the US embassy maintained its silence. And as mentioned, Zuniga did not receive open support from any sector.

The conditions for a coup

The necessary conditions for a coup d'etat are not currently present in Bolivia / Image: Fernando6718, Wikimedia Commons

The fact is that the necessary conditions for a coup d'etat are not currently present in Bolivia. One of the indications of this is the speed with which the masses mobilised against the coup. The COB was quick to call an indefinite general strike. If the military coup had not failed when it did, the general mobilisation of the working class would have probably overthrown them shortly thereafter, or else it would at least have begun openly confronting the military on the streets.

Historically and as a general rule, the ruling class only resorts to military dictatorship in situations of extreme instability, when its system is threatened and on the verge of a political collapse. When the working class is unable to overthrow capitalism, yet, at the same time, the capitalists are too weak to re-establish order, we see the emergence of what Marxists call Bonapartism. Here, the state can rise far above society and  represented by its strongest wing: the army  uses violence to stabilise the situation.

Historical examples of Bonapartism in the region include the dictatorships installed under Operation Condor. Banzer in Bolivia came to power by crushing the Popular Assembly, which was an embryonic Soviet  i.e. an organ of workers control formed in a revolutionary situation.

In Chile, Pinochet staged his coup d'etat to crush Allendes Popular Unity government and, above all, the masses, who were beginning to take things into their own hands by occupying the land and the factories.

However, in both cases, it was necessary that the energy of the workers movement was to some extent exhausted before the military could carry out its coup. In Bolivia, the Popular Assembly had existed for several months but was at an impasse which paralysed the workers. In Chile, it was Allendes insistence on remaining within the framework of capitalism, against the will of the workers, that created enough passivity to allow Pinochet's coup.

That is clearly not the situation in Bolivia today. There is a lot of confusion in the labour movement, but it is still very much capable of mobilising against such a clear threat as military dictatorship. It should also be added that a coup d'etat, rather than securing the ruling class' position, can provoke a revolutionary movement under certain conditions. Crucially, however, a revolutionary leadership with a Marxist programme is necessary for such a movement to succeed.

It is clear that Bolivia is indeed in a deepening crisis, but a critical point has not yet been reached, although it is approaching. The armys re-emergence as an independent actor in last Wednesdays failed coup is both an expression of this crisis and a factor in deepening it. The economy, already in bad shape before, is now struggling to stay afloat. We are not yet in a full-blown economic crisis, but the first signs of danger, such as the shortage of dollars, are worsening.

Politically, the crisis is developing around the ruling party, the MAS, but it may become more generalised as the August 2025 elections approach. Any illusions of a rapprochement between the two wings of MAS to fight the common enemy of military intervention lie in tatters. The division in the party has only worsened. The right and centre parties are simply a reflection of the pathetic and parasitic Bolivian bourgeoisie and are constantly in crisis. The conflict developing around the self-appointed judges is another typical expression of the backward and corrupt capitalist state, which is not something wholly unique to Bolivia.

The threat of military intervention has not gone away; what happened on 26 June is a warning of the instability to come. It is necessary to remain vigilant. The experience of 1973 in Chile shows that such failed coups can be mere rehearsals for a more serious attempt in the future. And the army in Bolivia continues to play the same role it played in the 1970s here and in the rest of Latin America.

In a capitalist state, the armed forces will always serve the interests of national and international capital. The supposed decolonisation of the armed forces that MAS promised when it came to power has failed. The only way to effectively decolonise the army  that is, to abolish its role as a tool of imperialism  is not to change a few symbols but to destroy it and replace it with the armed people, with democratically elected officers, instead of the oligarchic and reactionary caste presently at the top of the army.

But this would mean destroying the basis of the capitalist state and, with it, Bolivian capitalism itself. In other words, the only way to ensure that there will never again be a military dictatorship is socialist revolution and the institution of the dictatorship of the proletariat, i.e. the rule of the oppressed workers and peasants against the oppressive capitalist minority.

Bolivia, which not so long ago seemed immune to the capitalist crisis, a shining example of the success of reformism, now marches hand-in-hand with world capitalism towards the abyss. The exhaustion of the cycle of high commodity prices that gave a certain stability to the MAS governments during their first decade in power, is now the cause of its crisis.

This country has had many military dictatorships and a good number of failed revolutions. We hope never to see a military dictatorship again, but we can be absolutely sure that the mole of revolution will rise again in Bolivia and all over the world. The only guarantee of success for the revolution is the existence of a revolutionary communist leadership rooted in the working masses. We, comrades of Nucleo Comunista Revolucionario, the Revolutionary Communist International in Bolivia, are building the embryo of such a party  join us!
1 July 2024 11:47 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Today, the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria will convene in Baku, Azernews reports.

The agenda includes discussions on enhancing cooperation across various sectors between the two nations.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov, and Bulgaria's Energy Minister, Vladimir Malinov, are currently engaged in bilateral talks as co-chairs of the commission.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan and Bulgaria maintain diplomatic relations that date back to 1992. Over the years, the two countries have focused on enhancing cooperation in various fields such as energy, trade, and cultural exchanges. Both nations are members of international organisations like the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which further facilitates their bilateral dialogue and collaboration on regional and global issues.

Economic ties, particularly in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and tourism, continue to be significant aspects of their relationship. Political visits and intergovernmental meetings further strengthen their partnership.

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1 July 2024 12:46 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

During the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in Baku, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov highlighted significant progress: 69 cooperation documents have been signed between the two countries, with 7 more currently under review, Azernews reports.

Mammadov emphasised a notable 57% increase in bilateral trade value last year compared to the previous period. He stressed the untapped potential for further enhancing trade relations, underscoring the need to expand cooperation, particularly in agriculture.

"The current trade figures do not fully reflect our potential," Mammadov remarked. "We are committed to bolstering our agricultural ties, and anticipate that a new agriculture agreement and the establishment of a joint working group will catalyse expanded bilateral cooperation."

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1 July 2024 13:45 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

At the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in Baku, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov invited Bulgarian transit operators and logistics companies to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the Middle Corridor, Azernews reports.

"Azerbaijan has emerged as a reliable hub in Eurasian transport and logistics. Our sea ports, airports, railways, and highways integrated into international corridors like the East-West and North-South provide significant advantages for expanding trade relations," Mammadov highlighted.

"The Middle Corridor serves as a secure link connecting Europe with Central Asia and China, offering a dependable transport route. The newly established Alat Free Economic Zone within this corridor aims to foster modern industrial enterprises and export-oriented products. I encourage investors to explore the opportunities available in economic zones both in Azerbaijan and Bulgaria," he added.

Minister Mammadov highlighted ongoing significant investments in Azerbaijan's "green energy" sector, in collaboration with foreign investors.

He emphasized Azerbaijan's pivotal role in Europe's energy security, underscoring its reputation as a reliable partner. "Our energy cooperation with Bulgaria is robust," Mammadov noted, citing recent developments such as SOCAR's office opening in Sofia and a memorandum signed under the "Ring of Solidarity" initiative, reflecting a strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties in this vital sector.

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1 July 2024 15:21 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

During the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in Baku, Bulgarian Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov highlighted Bulgaria's pivotal role in an upcoming "green energy" export initiative from Azerbaijan to Europe, Azernews reports.

Minister Malinov underscored the potential for collaboration in developing renewable energy sources and noted Bulgaria's recent approval to participate in the joint venture for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Europe "green energy" corridor. "Bulgaria's Energy Holding and its subsidiaries will be actively involved in the project," he stated.

Malinov emphasised Bulgaria's strengths, including its advanced power transmission system, robust interconnections with neighbouring countries, well-developed electricity market, and investment opportunities in renewable energy. He highlighted the increasing regional demand for "green energy," not only within Bulgaria but across the broader area.

The minister expressed optimism about expanding cooperation between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan across various sectors, expecting the commission's 6th session to spur further dialogue and collaboration.

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1 July 2024 17:02 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

In the first quarter of this year, "SOCAR Ukraine," a subsidiary of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in Ukraine, was the leading company in terms of tax payments from fuel sales, Azernews reports, citing "Unian".

This was revealed in a study conducted by specialists from the Ukrainian Institute of Socio-Economic Transformation (ISET), the CASE analytical centre, and the Economic Expert Platform, aimed at assessing the proportion of "shadow" activity in excisable goods and its trends.

According to the study, "SOCAR Ukraine" also ranked second in terms of tax payments for its employees.

It is worth noting that in three quarters of the previous year, "SOCAR Ukraine" was the top taxpayer in terms of fuel sales, and in two quarters, it led in terms of taxes paid for its employees.

As noted by the study's authors, excise taxes serve a dual purpose: to curb consumption of certain goods due to price elasticity and to contribute to government revenue, which is generally less distortive than many other forms of taxation.

The authors of the study suggested that the full-scale war likely resulted in a slight increase in the share of "shadow" sales (though with a decrease in absolute numbers) due to a sharp decline in legal sales. However, measures implemented during 2023 significantly reduced this share over the year, with the illegal market volume decreasing by 2.5 times on average.

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1 July 2024 11:06 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

NATO will continue to strengthen cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, Azernews reports.

Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing Secretary General of NATO, said this in an interview with the "Yomiuri" newspaper.

"We have to make our partnership meaningful," Stoltenberg said.

According to him, it is about strengthening cooperation in areas such as arms control, technology development, and the fight against cyber attacks.

Speaking about the prospects of opening the NATO office in Tokyo, the Secretary General said that a decision will not be made at the summit of the North Atlantic Alliance to be held in July.

In recent years, Japan has been actively expanding its cooperation with NATO. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has already attended the alliance summits twice. The permanent representation of Japan operates at the headquarters of NATO in Brussels.

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1 July 2024 19:54 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

In recent days, the rising voices in protests against Macron's administration among the French elite have become more intense. Florian Philippot, the leader of France's Patriots Party, also said yesterday that Emmanuel Macron has created clashes between parties and dragged the country into chaos.

So, what are the reasons behind the Macron administration causing such aggression in France?

It should be recalled that last year, Macron's attempt to reform the pension system in France by raising the retirement age led to massive protests and strikes. After Emmanuel Macron came to power, increasing unemployment rates, economic inequality, and the cost of living also became sources of discontent among the French population.

Additionally, the lack of measures taken against police brutality within the country and the Macron administration's inability to respond to these incidents have caused widespread protests and social tension.

In the last six months, there have been so many disagreements in the French National Assembly that rumours have spread that the opposition might unite to overthrow Macron and his government after the summer break in France in September.

Macron il y a 24h: "La dissolution, c'est la clarification". En fait, c'est le chaos... pic.twitter.com/AEtMzpUXZI  Nils Wilcke (@paul_denton) June 11, 2024

On June 9, the decision by French President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and hold snap elections caused a major scandal in France.

According to a poll conducted by Politico Europe, Macron's centrist alliance (Ensemble) ranked third among rival parties with only 19.5% of the votes. This indicates a lack of confidence in the Macron government.

In the 2019 EU election, 21% of French women voted for the far-right National Rally.



This year, that number jumped to 33%, outpacing men, a recent poll shows.



For President Macron, it's another ominous sign before this month's legislative election.



 https://t.co/tDzxBN3PtS pic.twitter.com/rJly6QnRVE  POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) June 21, 2024

So why is the Macron administration, which is dragging its own country into an abyss, engaging in provocative actions in different regions instead of contributing to official Paris?

Undoubtedly, the threat of losing its colonies in Africa pushes Macron to expand his sphere of influence in new territories. France is currently trying to maintain and expand its influence in strategic regions, including the South Caucasus.

The presence of an Armenian diaspora in the country fuels the conflict zones that France is trying to create in the South Caucasus. This raises the question: While there is so much strife and unrest within the country, how logical is it to interfere in a foreign country's political affairs in a negative sense when the processes towards a peace agreement are ongoing?

Just as the Armenian diaspora in France does not serve the welfare of the French people, it also puts the country in a politically and socially untenable position. Instead of solving France's internal problems, the country's leadership arms Armenia and claims to do so based on "principles of justice."

It is not surprising that France, like many other European countries, bases its principles of justice on Christian unity and has therefore turned a blind eye to the massacres and provocations carried out by Armenia on Azerbaijani lands for 30 years. However, portraying Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Garabagh War as ethnic cleansing against the Armenian people and arming the Armenian army with new artillery during peace negotiations in the region shows how provocative and indecisive France's leadership is.

While the French people are dealing with the internal problems that arose during the Macron administration, the president's attempt to interfere in the South Caucasus and hinder peace is unacceptable.

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1 July 2024 21:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Kazakh national company QazaqGaz and the American Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiary Chevron Munaigas Inc., signed an agreement on cooperation on exploration work at the Zhalibek site in the Aktobe region of Kazakhstan near the Zhanazhol and Urikhtau fields, Azernews reports.

Negotiations and technical preparations for this project have been conducted over the past year. At the initial stage, Chevron will re-process existing seismic data and develop technical interpretations. The parties consider the signed agreement as a potential starting point for broader cooperation, the information says.

"We are pleased to start working with Chevron on new gas fields. It is expected that further exploration and development of a potential gas and gas condensate field at the Zhalibek site in the future will contribute to the development of the resource base of commercial gas and the economic growth of the country," said Sanzhar Zharkeshov, Chairman of the Board of QazaqGaz, quoted in a press release.

QazaqGaz manages the infrastructure for gas transportation through main gas pipelines and gas distribution networks, provides international transit and sells gas on domestic and foreign markets, develops, finances, builds and operates pipelines and gas storage facilities.

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Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be?

8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become.
As some countries like Venezuela empty their prisons into the migrant stream to the US, and other criminal elements flee strict government crackdowns on crime in their home country in places like El Salvador, the number of criminals entering the US (and Europe) as illegal aliens is snowballing. Some get caught at the border, but due to very weak vetting and the fact that most throw away their ID before crossing and can use any name they want, most do not.

This is causing an increase in many levels of crime in our country and in Europe, from a big rise in violent crime to exploding sex crimes to petty theft and pickpocketing. Here are some examples from both sides of the Atlantic:

https://www.beaufortcountynow.com/post/78910/illegal-alien-migrants-behaving-badly-migrants-and-crime-newly-updated.html

https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2024/07/01/a-wave-of-migrant-crime-engulfing-america/

New data from the border patrol on arrests of foreign individuals with criminal convictions has exploded under Biden after Trump brought the numbers down. In Trump's first year, 2017, there were 8,531 foreign criminals detained, which by 2019 had been almost halved to 4,269, and in 2020 almost halved again to 2,438. In Biden's first year, 2021, the number exploded to 10,763, rose to 12,028 in 2022 and 15,,267 in 2023. So far in 2024, it is already 13,130. These numbers include foreign criminals caught after they entered the US, often by agencies other than the Border Patrol.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/number-criminals-caught-entering-us-illegally-each-month-sets-record-cbp

Meanwhile, the Biden regime is flying illegal aliens who were deported during the Trump administration because their fake asylum claims were ruled to be invalid back to the US.

https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/biden-admin-flying-migrants-trump-deported-back-into-the-us/
Anesthesiologist reimbursements are sinking as a provider shortage plagues ASCs and hospitals nationwide.

Udaya Padakandla, MD, president of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, joined Becker's to discuss the changes he'd like to see to anesthesiology reimbursements.

Editor's note: This interview was edited lightly for clarity and length.

Question: What changes would you like to see regarding anesthesiologist pay specifically?

Dr. Udaya Padakandla: The latest in the payer's armamentarium is that they are wanting to deny the physical status modifier payment that has been in place for several decades. This is calculated by the complexity of the patient's disease state  what we call the degree of sickness and the likelihood of complications related to that sickness in the perioperative period. Traditionally, we have had an amount of additional compensation added to the sicker patients and more complex disease states  for instance, a patient with heart, kidney and liver disease. A patient with liver disease is provided a set of care that is not the same thing as one receives when one has no other health issues.

CMS in their initial wisdom, decided early on, that every patient in the older age group is essentially a complex disease entity, so they did not recognize additional payments for them. Now, the insurance companies want to do the same thing  they just don't want to pay for a patient with complex care needs and more systemic illnesses.

Their reasoning has been that Medicare doesn't pay, so they don't want to pay either for physical status modifiers. Their arguments are hollow and without merit. This arbitrary decision needs to be reversed and the PS modifier payments restored. It is also about time CMS acknowledges this and starts paying anesthesiologists for PS modifiers.

There have also been cases where payers have said they are not going to pay for patients undergoing preventive colonoscopies. Why do patients undergoing colonoscopy for preventative care deserve less anesthesia care than the ones with disease is beyond my comprehension.
Over the last 10 years, 342 cardiology clinics have been acquired by private equity firms. Over 94% of those acquisitions occurred between 2021 and 2023, according to research presented at the 2024 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting.

The private equity acquisitions happened in 20 states over the last 10 years, with Florida seeing the most acquisitions, followed by Texas and Arizona, according to a July 1 press release from the American College of Cardiology.

Between January 2013 and September 2023, private equity firms acquired 41 outpatient cardiology practices, corresponding to 342 clinic sites.

The number of clinic sites acquired per year increased from zero in 2013 to 215 in 2023, with 324 of those happening from 2021 to 2023. Sixty-four of the accounted-for clinics were acquired more than once.
The American Heart Association named Stacey Rosen, MD, Northwell Health's senior vice president of women's health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health, its 2024-25 volunteer president-elect.

Dr. Rosen formally steps into her new role in July 2025. As volunteer president-elect, she will support the newly announced president and help direct the association's overall initiative.

"I look forward to supporting AHA President, Keith Churchwell, MD, in advancing his vision for the AHA's future," Dr. Rosen said in a news release from New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell. "Together, along with all of the AHA's amazing staff and volunteers, and my colleagues at Northwell Health, we will continue our vital work to promote heart and brain health, with a special focus on the unique challenges faced by women."

She has been a practicing cardiologist for more than 30 years. She serves as a professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York City and serves on the AHA's International Committee, NYC board of directors and NYC medical advisory committee.
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Competition Director Henry Liu called Novant Health's decision to call off its plan to acquire two hospitals from Community Health Systems "a win for consumers."

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health on June 18 ended its proposed $320 million acquisition of Mooresville, N.C.-based and Statesville, N.C.-based Davis Regional Medical Center from Franklin, Tenn.-based CHS after an appellate court granted the FTC an emergency injunction blocking the deal. The FTC had argued that the transaction would "irreversibly consolidate the market for hospital services in the Eastern Lake Norman Area in the northern suburbs of Charlotte."

"Now with this deal off the table, Novant and Community Health Systems will continue to compete against one another, delivering better outcomes for patients in both quality of care and price," Mr. Liu said in a July 1 FTC news release.

Mr. Liu also stated that hospital consolidation "diminishes the quality of care and increases costs for critical services."

"Novants deal with Community Health Systems would have followed this same trend to the detriment of North Carolinians," he added.

Novant said on June 18 that, with the FTC's continued roadblocks, it did not see a way to finalize the acquisition.

"The communities served by these facilities deserve better than the fate they've been dealt by the FTC, so we will look for other ways to support patients and clinicians in these communities," Novant stated.

For-profit CHS said on June 19 that it is "evaluating the current operations" at the two North Carolina hospitals. The system assured that in the interim, there will be no disruption to patient care or other immediate changes to the services offered by the hospitals.

The FTC and Justice Department updated their merger guidelines in December, outlining the factors and frameworks used to review proposed transactions. Under the guidelines, health systems are not allowed to merge if doing so prevents a potential competitor from entering the market or reduces incentives to pay higher wages. The guidelines could also be used to challenge cross-market mergers that have been historically difficult to contest.
Cooper University Health Care on July 1 completed the acquisition of Cape May, N.J.-based Cape Regional Health System.

As part of the closing, Cape Regional Medical Center has been renamed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional.

The combined health system comprises two hospitals with more than 900 beds, 130 ambulatory sites and almost 11,000 employees, including over 1,000 physicians. It is projected to have revenue exceeding $2.2 billion a year.

The transaction unlocks significant growth opportunities, particularly in the outpatient market, as healthcare continues its shift away from inpatient settings, Camden, N.J.-based Cooper CFO Brian Reilly told Becker's.

"We are happy to have brought this vision to reality. We look forward to working with our new colleagues to build upon their tremendous work and provide the highest quality of primary and specialty care to the residents and visitors at the shore," Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care, said in a news release.
Catholic Medical Center, a 330-bed regional health system in Manchester, N.H., is pursuing a deal to join HCA Healthcare.

CMC announced July 1 that it entered into an asset purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare and initiated the regulatory review process with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.

Nonprofit CMC and investor-owned HCA signaled mutual interest in September 2023, when the two signed a nonbinding letter of intent to explore a potential integration. At that time, the systems said they were working toward a proposed agreement in which CMC would maintain its Catholic identity.

"This agreement is the result of months of due diligence, thoughtful negotiations between our organizations and discussion with the local community about how we can best serve them," CMC President and CEO Alex Walker said. "In addition to embracing our Catholic mission, HCA is committed to healthcare excellence, community service and investing in our people and facilities."

The health systems are prepared for the regulatory process to proceed "over the coming months," and did not specify a tentative date for finalizing the deal.

CMC has an affiliated medical staff of more than 400 providers and more than 3,000 employees, who serve more than 180,000 patients each year. Since 2017, it has operated as part of GraniteOne Health, an alliance of New Hampshire hospitals.

In 2022, The Boston Globe published investigative reporting about a CMC surgeon with one of the worst surgical malpractice records in the United States and ties to 14 patient deaths, initiating an internal review process that spanned several months. So far this year, CMC suffered a vendor-related cybersecurity breach and enacted layoffs as part of a cost-reduction effort to stabilize its finances.

HCA currently operates three hospitals in New Hampshire: Parkland Medical Center in Derry, Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Liberty (Mo.) Hospital on July 1 officially joined the Kansas City-based University of Kansas Health System.

The transaction sees KU Health grow into a nine-hospital system, including seven acute-care hospitals and two behavioral health facilities. Liberty Hospital is its first hospital in Missouri.

"This was a perfect opportunity to partner with another independent hospital in a prime area for our health system. We also have that cultural compatibility, so it was pretty much a no-brainer for us to pursue," KU Health President and CEO Bob Page told Becker's.

The deal has gone through despite pushback from some lawmakers who argued against the idea of a Kansas health system owning a Missouri hospital, according to the Missouri Independent. Supporters of the transaction argued Liberty Hospital needed a larger health system partner to grow and invest in its facilities and services.

KU Health said 35% of its patients come from Missouri, so having a community hospital in the state made sense. It also committed to investing $324 million into Liberty over the next 12 years to expand and improve care across various areas and make more care available closer to patients' homes.

"This agreement will not only allow us to treat more patients overall, but also offer access to those with the most complex care needs at 39th and Rainbow and other locations," Tammy Peterman, MS, RN, president of the health system's Kansas City division, told Becker's.

Liberty Hospital President and CEO Raghu Adiga, MD, said the partnership will ensure the hospital's future as well as its ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of patients in the Northland and northwest Missouri.

"We are excited to bring world-class healthcare to our patients, for our employees to experience the benefits of academic medicine, and for our community to enjoy the economic growth and local opportunities we expect from this partnership," Dr. Adiga said.
Kittanning, Pa.-based Armstrong County Memorial Hospital is officially affiliated with Pennsylvania Mountain Care Network.

The news comes after the two parties signed a definitive agreement in March and a letter of intent in October.

Punxsutawney (Pa.) Area Hospital and Indiana (Pa.) Regional Medical Center are also part of the PMCN network, which was created in 2015, according to a news release shared with Becker's on July 1.

"This partnership not only strengthens our ability to provide high-quality care to our patients but also reinforces our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in healthcare delivery," Nichole Geraci, president and CEO of ACMH, said in the release.

Under PMCN's network, the collaboration allows the hospitals to benefit from technological, administrative and clinical resources with a mission to combine shared values and resources.

ACMH will maintain its local identity and operate as a separate licensed community hospital under the agreement. It will also retain its foundation, medical workers and employees, the release said.






Morehead, Ky.-based St. Claire HealthCare has officially joined Lexington-based UK HealthCare, part of the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

The two parties shared plans for the acquisition after an April 26 approval from the university's board of trustees.

Prior to joining UK HealthCare, St. Claire kicked off an extensive request for information process in 2023 and contacted 12 national and regional organizations as potential partners, according to a UK HealthCare July 1 news release.

UK and St. Claire have partnered on several academic and clinical programs to increase the healthcare workforce since the 1960s, including the Rural Physician Leadership program in collaboration with Morehead (Ky.) State University.

Along with housing the Lexington-based UK College of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program, St. Claire is also home to the UK Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Lexington.

Under the new partnership, St. Claire President and CEO Donald Lloyd II will remain in his position, the release said.

"Today is the culmination of many years of work, searching for the best solution to serve our community with the highest level of care and access to care for many decades to come," Mr. Lloyd said in the release. "Through this partnership, our neighbors will enjoy top-quality medical care in their own backyard."

St. Claire HealthCare comprises a 139-bed hospital, seven primary care locations, a multispecialty medical pavilion, a pediatrics clinic, two urgent care centers, an outpatient center, a retail pharmacy, a medical equipment and supply store, and a counseling center.

It also has more than 1,300 employees, including more than 50 physicians and almost 50 advanced practice professionals who represent over 20 specialties.

UK HealthCare has more than 10,000 employees across its hospitals and clinics, the release said.
In May, surveyors issued Jefferson Health's Abington (Pa.) Hospital an immediate jeopardy warning after determining a security guard used excessive force against a psychiatric patient who had not displayed aggressive behavior, according to an inspection report obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The warning was lifted a day later, after the hospital submitted a plan of correction that included revising its excessive-force policy and retraining staff. The citation was related to an incident in April, according to the inspection report from surveyors with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Video surveillance reviewed by inspectors reportedly showed a hospital security guard stopping a patient who had been wandering the hallways of the hospital's emergency trauma center wrapped in a blanket.

The video shows the security guard wrestle the patient to the ground, pinning them down until a stretcher arrived. Hospital staffers reviewed video surveillance of the incident with surveyors and confirmed the patient had not been acting aggressively and was not trying to leave the building, the Inquirer reported. The inspection report does not make mention of whether the security guard was disciplined or further details on the patient.

"Jefferson Health is committed to providing our community with the highest standard of care," a spokesperson for the Philadelphia-based system said in a statement to Becker's. The spokesperson confirmed surveyors' approval of the corrective plan, adding the hospital "continues to provide exceptional care to the community."

The hospital's correction plan includes policy updates that specify clinical staff, not security, are responsible for patients, and that excessive force should only be used when it's believed to be the only way to keep a patient from harming themselves or someone else.

Jefferson Abington Hospital is a 665-bed regional referral center and teaching hospital. It includes an inpatient adult psychiatric unit.

The hospital has been cited two other times this year for safety violations related to behavioral health services.
Rishi Shah, co-founder and former CEO of healthcare technology startup Outcome Health, has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for his role in a scheme involving about $1 billion in fraudulently obtained funds, the Chicago Tribune reported June 26.

Five things to know:

1. Brad Purdy, former COO and CFO of Outcome Health, received a 27-month prison sentence for his role in the scheme. Co-founder and former President Shradha Agarwal was sentenced to three years of confinement at a halfway house, after which she will be deported to India. The sentences came about 14 months after a jury found the three executives guilty of fraud.

2. Founded in 2006, Outcome Health operated as a digital provider of medical information and advertising in physician offices. The startup installed screens in medical offices free of charge and sold advertising to pharmaceutical companies. The company grew fast, with 500 employees and a reported $5.5 billion valuation in May 2017 with funding from Goldman Sachs, Alphabet and Pritzker Group Venture Capital, among others.

3. During the 2023 trial, prosecutors alleged that the executives lied about how many physician offices had screens and tablets running their content. The trio allegedly used those false numbers to overcharge pharmaceutical companies for ads, and inflated revenue figures used to raise money from investors and secure loans, according to the Tribune.

4. In 2019, Outcome Health resolved a fraud investigation with the Justice Department by agreeing to pay $70 million and cooperate with the agency in its investigation of individual executives at the company. Outcome Health admitted that from 2012 to 2017, former executives and employees perpetrated a scheme to defraud its clients by selling advertising inventory that it did not have.

5. The Justice Department then criminally charged executives for their alleged role in a scheme that "tricked clients into paying for advertising it failed to deliver and served to falsely inflate the value of Outcome Health," according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes.
Former FDA attorneys say the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Chevron deference, a decades-old legal precedent, could stall the development of new drugs and medical devices, Politico reported July 1.

On June 28, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to repeal the doctrine that has been in place since 1984. The Chevron deference stipulated that when disputes arise over vague or ambiguous laws, judges should defer to federal agencies like CMS and the FDA for interpretations, so long as the interpretation is reasonable. The overturning essentially removes the automatic deference previously given to federal agencies, meaning courts will interpret statutes themselves when disputes arise.

Under the ruling, the FDA's decision-making process may come under greater scrutiny, former officials told the news outlet. It could also affect medical device manufacturing.

"The agency is really going to have to build in a lot more explanation of why it comes to the decisions that it does," Jerry Masoudi, a partner at Covington and Burling and former FDA chief counsel, told Politico.

The Supreme Court's decision is expected to especially affect federal agencies whose policies are guided by science, such as the FDA, former officials at the agency told the news outlet. For example, agencies may be challenged with lawsuits more often as scientific evidence evolves.

The ruling has the potential to affect health policy on numerous fronts, including bringing forth more legal challenges to Medicare payment rates. It also paves the way for challenges over what preventive services are covered under the Affordable Care Act, and additional suits over whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act preempts state law where abortion is prohibited and does not make exceptions for the health or life of a pregnant person, Politico reported.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Economy Minister have said they are fully committed to supporting Spirit Aerosystems after Boeing agreed to buy part of the manufacturers Belfast operation.

Spirit is Northern Irelands most significant manufacturing employer with about 3,500 staff. The deal values the airline supplier at at $4.7bn.

Meanwhile, European aerospace corporation Airbus  Boeings European rival - is taking control of the part of Spirit Aerosystems business which makes wings and fuselage for its A220 jet. Its a lossmaking enterprise for which Airbus will receive $559m in compensation.

Its sparked uncertainty for the non-Airbus parts of the Belfast business after Spirit Aerosystems said it would sell them separately.

The ministers said they have been collaborating closely with the company to explore all avenues for sustaining its Northern Ireland operations and employment.

They said they recognise the uncertainty this brings for staff. Earlier, DUP leader Gavin Robinson called for a firm plan to protect Spirit Aerosystems as a whole.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said the companys role as a major employer was recognised.

"We discussed this issue at the Executive today and confirmed that we are all committed to working together to ensure the legacy of this long-standing company continues for many years, she said.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said theyre committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the company and its employees here continue to play a vital role in this global industry.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: I have been engaging with the company and union on the acquisition and will work with all key stakeholders to ensure that the future status of the highly skilled workforce is protected.

Boeing said the move, which comes almost two decades after the companies had split would boost safety in the manufacturing process.

It follows negotiations since March and results in a total transaction value of about $8.3bn, including Spirits last reported net debt, said Boeing.

It will bring Spirit Aerosystems back under the wing of Seattle-based Boeing. The companies parted ways in 2005 but Boeing remained Spirit's biggest customer.

By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our safety and quality management systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes  centred on safety and quality, said Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun.

Spirit Aerosystems in Belfast

After carefully evaluating Boeings offer to combine, we are confident this transaction is in the best interest of Spirit and its shareholders, and will benefit Spirits other stakeholders, said Patrick M Shanahan, president and chief executive officer of Spirit.

Bringing Spirit and Boeing together will enable greater integration of both companies manufacturing and engineering capabilities, including safety and quality systems.

The majority of Spirit Aerosystemss NI production is for Airbus, but around 40% of jobs are tied to production for other aerospace companies, including Bombardier and Rolls Royce. Union Unite has estimated that around 7,000 jobs in Northern Ireland rely on the companys activities in the area.

The aerospace supplier, which makes the body of Boeings 737 Max jet, has come under scrutiny over manufacturing problems that have slowed the production of the aircraft.
Harland and Wolff has suspended trading on the London Stock Exchange this morning after a delay in publishing audited accounts.

A statement on the website of the Belfast-based firm said: At the request of the company, trading on AIM for the under-mentioned securities has been temporarily suspended from 01/07/2024 7:30am, pending publication of the company's annual audited accounts.

The company, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), said it had been in ongoing discussions with its auditors about the method of accounting for revenues in some of its contracts. As a result, it has delayed publication of its 2023 annual report until July 8.

The suspension is due to be lifted when the report is eventually published.

But the company has published unaudited financial results for 2023, showing a tripling in revenue from 27.8m to 86.9m. Its operating loss was also reduced from 58.5m to 24.7m.

A spokesperson said: In line with AIM rules, the groups shares have been temporarily suspended pending the publication of our audited financial statement which is expected to be next week, with the slight delay necessary to ensure the accurate recognition of revenues related to a multi-year contract.

As our unaudited 2023 results demonstrate, the group continues to grow driven by key contract wins and we remain on track to achieve our forecasted revenues of 200m in FY24.

"We have several new contracts at advanced stages of negotiations and ready to be executed in the coming weeks.

We remain in active discussions with the Department of Business and Trade and other counterparties with a view to successfully closing a refinancing facility in the next few weeks.

Earlier this month, workers at the Belfast business voted in favour of industrial action. The GMB union said members voted with a 98% majority after the company failed to make a pay offer for the year 2024/25.

In recent months, the union said internal disagreements within the Government were scaring workers after it was reported the shipyard could close  despite winning a 1.6bn Royal Navy contract.

It was reported in May that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was expected to block a 200m taxpayer-backed financial support package designed to keep the shipyard afloat in order to complete the contract.

It led to fears that without the package, the 162-year-old firm could collapse  but this was rubbished by Harland & Wolff.
Zero hour contracts could be banned in Northern Ireland under changes proposed by Economy Minister Conor Murphy.

The Sinn Fein politician has launched a consultation on proposed changes to employment law, which he set out in an Assembly statement today.

It's with the aim of introducing new legislation later next year.

Zero hour contracts allow employers to hire staff with no guarantee of the hours they will work.

But those contracts could be replaced with a "banded hours" system, which gives a worker the right to work the average of a certain number of hours in a specified band for a year.

Another proposal is to include the right to a week unpaid carers leave every 12 months, bringing Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

A further proposal could see works request flexible working immediately as soon as they start a job, instead of having to wait six months.

Minister Murphy said: Modernising our employment law framework is one of my key priorities. I want to take views on a range of issues, including how to tackle zero hours contracts; ensure that tips left to workers are passed on to them in full; make it easier for trade unions to organise; and promote a healthy work-life balance so that workers can manage their work and family lives.

The Minister concluded: This is an ambitious programme of work. I will continue to consult with business and trade union representatives to design a framework that operates effectively for businesses, for workers and for our economy. I encourage everyone to respond to the consultation.

In response to the launch of the consultation, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said any changes will have to work for businesses of all sizes.

He said: "The big challenge is that many of our members are small businesses who do not have HR Departments and at times struggle to process the complexity of employment legislation.

For this Good Jobs Bill to succeed it must work for both business of all sizes and workers alike if we are to improve productivity and grow our local economy."

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions Northern Ireland Committee said a move to improve the daily lives of workers is welcome.

ICTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy said: "The rule book for workers' rights has become significantly outdated, lagging behind the real-life changes experienced by the majority of workers due to technological advancements and other changes accelerated by globalisation and the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also welcome the proposals to modernize how trade unions function, such as electronic rather than postal ballots for trade unions elections and industrial action, and the rights of unions to access workplaces and gain recognition so they can assist and represent workers.

Likewise, there are substantial improvements proposed to support family life. These include support for people with caring responsibilities, families hoping to adopt children, spend important time with newborn babies, or those needing leave after domestic violence. All of these are progressive and humane improvements to the law."

The consultation will run until the end of September.
Stephen Dixon, Isabel Webster, Eamonn Holmes, Ellie Costello and Ben Briscoe accepting the News award on behalf of GB News Breakfast at The TRIC Awards 2024 at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Eamonn Holmes attends The TRIC Awards 2024 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on June 25, 2024 in London (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Friends are becoming concerned about Eamonn Holmes solitary existence after leaving the comfort of the mansion he shared with his estranged wife and moving into a small flat, it has been reported.

The Belfast-born TV presenter is said to be struggling to adjust to his new life following the breakdown of his marriage to Ruth Langsford.

The pair, who used to present ITVs This Morning together, announced their split last month.

A source told the Daily Mail that Eamonn has moved into a "small flat near a roundabout" from which he is chauffeured to and from the GB News studios in West London due to his ongoing mobility issues.

They said pals are worried about the 64-year-old who, its claimed, is now living a pretty solitary existence.

"It's all a rather sorry affair, the source added.

"It was only a few months ago he was living in his lovely family home with Ruth.

"Yes, they were troubled, but she was caring for him and he had some kind of normality.

"Now, he is alone in a flat living a pretty solitary existence. His marriage ending after such a long time has been something he has found difficult to accept."

It comes days after reports that Ruth is grappling with "agonising guilt" over the break-up.

The Loose Women star is said to be concerned about appearing as if she's abandoned Eamonn who now relies on a wheelchair and walking frame due to chronic pain.

Eamonn Holmes attends The TRIC Awards 2024 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on June 25, 2024 in London (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Sources claimed Ruth is caught between supporting her former partner and moving forward with her own life.

Bella magazine quoted one source as saying she feels "terribly guilty" and that seeing recent photos of her "frail" ex has been very hard for her.

However friends, who describe the ITV star as a "sensitive soul" have encouraged her not to be too hard on herself as she adapts to her "new normal".

Even though she has every right to live her life and do what is best for her, shes worried the public will perceive her as abandoning Eamonn in his time of need as he struggles with his health, the source added.

Separately, it was reported that friends fear the split between couple is about to get nasty after Ruth was said to be hurt by a recent public dig.

That came after Eamonn made his first social appearance since the divorce announcement when he attended the TRIC Awards in a wheelchair last Tuesday where his GB News Breakfast show won in the news category.

During his award acceptance speech the broadcaster told the audience: I think sometimes we [GB News presenters] all have imposter syndrome, why is, that sort of thing.

I went for an operation a year and a half ago and it went wrong.

"So I got two things in my back that I didnt want, so why not, Ill happily accept this.

According to friends of Ruth, the ITV presenter interpreted the remarks as as being aimed at her.

Stephen Dixon, Isabel Webster, Eamonn Holmes, Ellie Costello and Ben Briscoe accepting the News award on behalf of GB News Breakfast at The TRIC Awards 2024 at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Ruth took Eamonn's words as a dig at her, a source said.

"She found it unfair and hurtful.

However, Eamonns spokesperson later told The Mirror the comments had nothing to do with anything other than the two pins in his back after his surgeries."

The former GMTV host spoke candidly about the demise of his 14 year marriage to his partner of 27 years and admitted struggling. "I'm not OK, he said.

"This is not a good time at all.

"It's too early to say but I hope we can still be friends."

Ruth has continued wearing her sparkling engagement and wedding rings.

She was pictured last week enjoying an evening out at Giovanni Pernice and Anton du Beke's stage show in London after being invited by her close friend Anton (57).

Eamonn Holmes thanks supporters as Ruth Langsford separation announced
Lisa McGee: How To Get To Heaven From Belfast is full of twists to make you laugh out loud

Lisa McGee as production of her new comedy thriller How To Get To Heaven From Belfast gets underway

Production has started in Northern Ireland on Lisa McGees new Netflix comedy thriller series, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast.

The latest show from the creator of Derry Girls will star Roisin Gallagher, Sinead Keenan and Caoilfhionn Dunne as three childhood friends, now in their late 30s, who come together over the news of a fourth pals death.

The reunion leads them on a dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland and beyond as they try to piece together the truth of the past.

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast will star Roisin Gallagher, Sinead Keenan, and Caoilfhionn Dunne (Netflix/PA)

Belfast woman Gallagher, star of The Dry and The Lovers, will play Saoirse, a clever, chaotic TV writer, while Dunne, best known for Love/Hate, A Thousand Blows and Industry, will portray Dara, described as a dependable, inhibited carer.

Keenan, who starred in Little Boy Blue and joined series five of Unforgotten last year, takes on the role of stressed-out mother-of-three, Robyn.

Having met in school but still as close as ever, the trio are about to embark on the most thrilling adventure of their lives.

When an email arrives telling them about the death of Greta, the estranged fourth member of their childhood gang, a series of eerie events at her wake set them on their journey through the island.

The synopsis for How To Get To Heaven From Belfast describes it as a show about friendship, memory and what happens when life doesnt turn out quite like youd expected.

Speaking about the highly-anticipated new series, creator, writer and executive producer McGee said: I couldnt be more excited to start production on How To Get To Heaven From Belfast.

Ive loved writing Saoirse, Robyn and Dara  three flawed, funny women who are about to embark on the most thrilling and terrifying adventure of their lives.

Its a mystery full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing and make you laugh out loud. Lets go, girls!

The supporting cast will be announced at a later date.

Lisa McGee as production of her new comedy thriller series How To Get To Heaven From Belfast gets under way

The show will be directed by Co Antrim man Michael Lennox, who directed all three series of Derry Girls.

He won the Best Director Comedy Drama/Sitcom Award at the 2018 RTS Craft and Design Awards.

Derry Girls won a slew of awards, including Best Comedy at the International Emmy Awards 2023, Best Scripted Comedy award at the 2023 Bafta TV Awards, Best Comedy Programme award at the 2019 Broadcast Awards and the RTS Awards Best Scripted Comedy Award.

The three lead actresses have also been nominated for a number of gongs between them, including Baftas and IFTAs.

Keenan previously worked with McGee when she starred in her sitcom London Irish, which debuted on Channel 4 11 years ago.

The Dublin-born actress also made a cameo appearance in Derry Girls in 2022, playing Aideen OShea in the episode Stranger on a Train.

Derry Girls was Channel 4s biggest comedy launch in 15 years and the biggest series ever in Northern Ireland.

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast will feature eight episodes and is expected to be another hit for McGee.
Steve Carson has announced he will stand down (BBC/PA)

BBC Scotland director Steve Carson has announced he will step down in the autumn after seven years in Scotland, and 11 years with the broadcaster.

Mr Carson will leave in mid-September ahead of taking up a new position in Dublin with the Republic of Irelands public service broadcaster, RTE.

Originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland, Mr Carson began his career with the BBC before setting up an independent production company and then working for RTE Television.

He rejoined the BBC in 2013 as head of BBC Northern Ireland Productions.

He joined BBC Scotland as head of multiplatform commissioning in 2017 and in July 2020 was appointed director of BBC Scotland.

Mr Carson said: It has been the honour of my life to serve as director of BBC Scotland, and it has been a privilege to meet and work with so many talented people and teams across the country.

Over the past seven years across two roles at BBC Scotland, I have been blessed to partner with the brilliant creative industry here, and together we have seen the launch of the BBC Scotland channel, landmark series including Guilt and Rebus, record levels of licence fee investment in Scotland, the biggest ever range of live sport coverage, and strong audience growth online across the BBCs iPlayer, Sounds News and Sport products.

He added: There is a busy week ahead with the General Election on Thursday. As weve just seen with our Euros coverage, the election will be an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of talent and experience that we in BBC Scotland can bring to major events  and in this case of the vital role that public service broadcasting plays in a democracy.

As director of BBC Scotland, Mr Carson has had lead editorial responsibility for BBC services and output in Scotland.

This includes news and current affairs, online and digital services and television programmes for local and UK-wide audiences.

The BBCs Director of Nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies, said: Steves shrewd judgment, his focus on audiences and his impressive creative instincts have been a driving force in BBC Scotlands success over recent years.

He is also a passionate and supportive colleague  intensely proud of the teams he leads across BBC Scotland and deeply committed to the development of the Scottish production sector.

The BBC said the search for Mr Carsons successor will begin immediately.
I felt like I had failed: The Irish designer who dressed Taylor Swift on life after New York

Don O'Neill on the closure of his clothing label during Covid

Don O'Neill was born in the seaside village of Ballyheigue, Co Kerry. Photo: Domnick Walsh/Eye Focus LTD

Donal Lynch Sun 30 Jun 2024 at 21:43

The light playing across the surface of the sea below his apartment in Ballyheigue, Co Kerry, reminds Don ONeill of his old life. Theia is the Greek goddess of light and hers was the name he gave the hugely successful fashion brand he founded in New York, where he lived for 30 years.
Alleged NI victim of domestic abuse waited until partner was sleeping before stabbing him to death'
Ulster Rugby

First caps give you important grounding regardless of the result, says Ulsters Nick Timoney
DJ Provai of Kneecap performs on the Woodsies Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, on June 29

Kneecap at Feile in west Belfast (Photo by Kevin Scott for Feile 35)

A Government department has been ordered to release information related to Belfast band Kneecap or it could be referred to the High Court where the matter will be dealt with as contempt of court.

Earlier this year, the rap trio said they were blocked from getting a 15,000 grant as part of the Music Export Growth Scheme after the Government objected.

It later emerged that Kneecap secured High Court permission to challenge the Governments decision.

The band said an independent selection board at the British Phonographic Industry had approved the grant.

The rap trio claimed they were told that their 2019 tour, entitled Farewell to the Union, had angered the Conservatives.

Business Secretary Kemi Badenochs spokesperson said they did not want to hand taxpayers money to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), with investment from the UK recorded music industry.

This grant decision by DBT is now subject to a legal challenge from Kneecaps legal representatives.

The Belfast Telegraph sought communications through a freedom of information (FoI) request between Northern Ireland-based MPs and DCMS about the Music Export Growth Scheme to ascertain whether there was political interference.

Communications between DCMS officials and other Westminster departments about Kneecap over a specified period were also sought.

The FoI request was lodged on February 9 and, under legislation, the department has 20 working days to provide a response.

After repeated attempts to contact the DCMS FoI team, an apology was issued on March 28.

At that time, the FoI office confirmed that it did indeed hold information within the scope of the request. However, an official said an exemption may be applied as releasing the communications could prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.

As such he believed it necessary to carry out a public interest test to consider whether any information should be disclosed.

DJ Provai of Kneecap performs on the Woodsies Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, on June 29

According to the DCMS FoI office, a substantive response would be issued by April 10. However, no response arrived by said date and none has been provided since.

A complaint was then lodged with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), which upholds information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

The ICO initially granted DCMS more time to comply with the request, but the DCMS failed to abide by that direction and a decision was issued, with the ICO stating: The public authority must provide a substantive response to the request in accordance with its obligations under FOIA. The public authority must take this step within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice.

Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to Section 54 of FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: Whatever your opinion of Kneecap, this is an appalling attempt by the British Government to censor artists they do not agree with.

The withdrawal of funding speaks to a deeper anxiety within the Tory establishment about the break-up of the United Kingdom.

The West Belfast MLA added: Tory policy is a primary cause of harm and division in working-class communities.

This Government has gutted the public sector, denied workers a pay rise and condemned countless people to a life of poverty.

They have decimated the arts through years of funding cuts.

The Tories havent a leg to stand on when it comes to criticising artists who satirise northern society.

DCMS and DBT were contacted for comment.
The Green Party has accused Sinn Fein of interfering in south Belfast local decision making after council funding was moved away from regeneration of an historic city centre building to a new build for a special needs charity.

At the recent meeting of the councils Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee at city hall, the parties clashed over Sinn Fein blocking a decision by south Belfast councillors to give 26,946 to Hearth Historic Buildings Trust for the redevelopment of Riddels Warehouse, and 26,946 to the Solas Special Needs Charity for the Solas New Build Project.

The money came from an additional Neighbourhood Regeneration Funding stream of 53,893.

At a secret Area Working Group meeting for south Belfast, away from the public eye, councillors from the area agreed for the amount to be split in two for the Riddels Warehouse project at Ann Street and the Solas New Build Project.

The decision was moved by Alliance Councillor Micky Murray and seconded by SDLP Councillor Donal Lyons, and on a vote was carried by four in favour, with three against. Present at the meeting were two Alliance councillors, one in the role of chairperson, two DUP councillors, two SDLP councillors, one Green councillor and one Sinn Fein councillor.

However at the Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee, Sinn Fein successfully proposed overriding the decision by giving the full amount 53,893 to Solas, which supports children with complex needs.

Sinn Fein came under fire in January this year along with the DUP, as both were accused of a political carve-up of community regeneration funds after they blocked a recommended funding amount for Solas Autism and Additional Needs, in favour of alleged pet projects in the Village and the Market area of South Belfast.

Solas was earmarked 800,000 from a city council fund for a new building, but its allocation was reduced by Sinn Fein and the DUP during a secret committee meeting to 24,744  a funding cut amounting to 97%.

During secret restricted discussions held by the council away from the public and press at a full Belfast City Council meeting, the two parties bent to growing public pressure and reversed the drastic cut.

The new figures, agreed by all parties except Alliance, gave 500,000 each to the Market Development Association and the Greater Village Regeneration Trust, while giving 308,248 each to Solas, LORAG, and the Fitzroy Presbyterian Church. In the end Solas lost nearly half a million from the original earmarked amount.

At the recent Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie said: On the South Belfast allocation of the NRF fund, we have made this point a number of times before, and spoken to the City Solicitor, that we never believed the Riddels project was in the neighbourhood. The definition of a neighbourhood is being surrounded by a community, which it is not  it is in the city centre.

We would like to propose the total fund is given to Solas, because we dont feel the Riddel project sits within the framework of the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund.

Green Councillor Aine Groogan said: We have made this point previously, and we will make it again, in terms of interfering with the decision of the Area Working Group. I would also like a bit of clarity from the City Solicitor if it is fair and competent to do that, to restrict someones access to a fund if they were originally declared eligible. You cannot say this if they have met all the eligibility checks  it is not particularly fair or sound to do so.

It is all well and good if you disagree with the project, and to say there are other competing priorities is fair enough, but to say they are not eligible when they have met all of the checks, that is unfair.

I am the first person to say that south Belfast gets the raw end of the deal because of the city centre and the split of the Area Working Groups, and it is something we should have considered at the start of this project.

The City Solicitor said: It is correct (the Riddel project) was declared eligible, but councillor Beattie has made the point and that is a matter of judgement for the committee.

On a recorded vote at the committee meeting, 10 were in favour of the Sinn Fein proposal to give Solas all the money, and four were against.
The Royal Irish Regiment and Army Cadets at Armed Forces Day 2024 at Jordanstown Loughshore Park

This is the third year of the Tesco offer, although 2024 is the first time it has been extended to veterans (Getty Images)

A TUV election candidate and RAF veteran has accused Tesco of discrimination, after military personnel and veterans in Northern Ireland were excluded from an Armed Forces Day free breakfast.

Lagan Valley candidate Lorna Smyth has written to the companys chief executive, Ken Murphy, and called for an apology from the retailer.

This years Armed Forces Day was held on Saturday.

As a gesture of appreciation for members of the military, Tesco offered the 159,000 regulars and 32,000 reservists a chance to avail of a free hot breakfast from any of its 301 Tesco cafes in GB.

This is the third year of the offer, although 2024 is the first time it has been extended to veterans.

The Royal Irish Regiment and Army Cadets at Armed Forces Day 2024 at Jordanstown Loughshore Park

Rhys Little, chairman of the Armed Forces Network at Tesco, had said: We take great pride in our connection with the armed forces.

Weve received the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme twice now (2016 and 2020) and we were also the first retailer to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014.

However, many in NI have expressed disappointment that Tesco branches here were excluded from the breakfast.

Among them is Ms Smyth, who served for 12 years in the military, at home during Operation Banner and overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

She has written to Mr Murphy, questioning this decision.

While she commended the generosity of the scheme, she said the exclusion of those in NI was discriminatory.

TUV candidate Lorna Smyth

She said: I have read the statement which Tesco themselves have put out. In it they say how much they cherish the armed forces, how they were the first employer to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, and the breakfast is their way of thanking all UK armed forces veterans for their service.

I just find it extremely strange and discriminatory that they have excluded Northern Ireland from taking advantage of their very kind and thoughtful gesture.

Armed forces from both NI and the mainland UK served during the Troubles; 1,441 members of the armed forces died during that period, over 700 were killed by the IRA, yet Tesco does not seem fit to honour those who served here or suffered those losses.

As for the reason for the exclusion, only Tesco can answer that.

Northern Ireland is still part of the United Kingdom. I cannot answer to their hows or whys, but I do believe they need to explain their actions and their reasoning why they have excluded NI.

Perhaps an apology would be the most apt thing to remedy this, and a recognition that NI veterans deserve the exact same treatment as veterans who live in England, Scotland and Wales. And if anything like this is offered again, then NI vets arent excluded.

Tesco has been approached for a response.

News Catch Up: Monday 1st July 2024
Author of book on Jean McConville murder tells Dua Lipas podcast about close scrape with ex-SF boss

An American writer and investigative journalist has said that he had a close scrape with Gerry Adams while gathering material for his book on the Troubles.

Speaking about his non-fiction novel Say Nothing on pop star Dua Lipas podcast Service95, Patrick Radden Keefe discussed his experiences with the former Sinn Fein leader and his views on the role of women in Northern Ireland during that time.

The book examines the Troubles through the lens of the abduction and murder of mother-of-10 Jean McConville in Belfast in 1972.

Describing Mr Adams as a paradoxical figure, Keefe recounted how he missed his chance to interview the republican in New York City.

There are four central characters in the book  Jean McConville, Dolours Price, Brendan Hughes and Gerry Adams. By the time I started writing, the first three were dead, so only Gerry was alive, and I did have a close scrape with him.

Initially this book started as an article for the New Yorker Magazine and at the time I was talking to his people, and it looked like maybe there would an interview.

Every year, his political party, Sinn Fein, host a fundraiser in New York City, and they have it in a huge ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel just outside Times Square.

I attended as a journalist, sitting in the back with my notebook, and before he was going up to give his speech, I was just walking through a service corridor, and I looked down and I saw Gerry Adams by himself with his little notecards preparing for his speech.

I thought to myself, Now is your moment, you got to go. This is it; you may not have another opportunity. Im in talks with his people, they might be unhappy if I went around them, and he is going to give a speech in a little bit, I dont want to accost him.

So, I didnt. I gave him his space. A couple of days later they came back and said he wasnt going to talk to me. I never got the interview.

He added: I think he is quite a paradoxical figure Adams comes out in the in the right place politically in that he ends the conflict, but he is a very chilly guy. He is not someone that I find it easy to feel emotionally connected to.

Discussing feminism and its role in the lives of Irish women during the Troubles, the London-born interviewer said that the idea of equality held by two women central to the republican struggle was warped.

The story is very remarkable in many ways. These characters, Dolours and Marian (the Price sisters), were young, passionate, radical, but were also glamorous in a way that captured the imagination of the press at the time.

They spent years in jail, ravaged their bodies through hunger strikes but they remained so unapologetically committed to the republican cause and I guess they would use violence to be able to achieve it.

I wonder if there is anything that their story can tell us about the role of women in Northern Ireland at the time?

Dua Lipa added: It seems their idea of equality was quite warped in a sense, but now for example, there has been a massive shift in the past 50 years about women in the government in Ireland. They make up around 35% of it and I think its all about women not having a place but now its become prevalent, which is interesting to read about.
Nationalist party wants Irish Sea border for people  but doesnt seem to realise that would end the Common Travel Area

An Irish Sea border for people would mean an end to the Common Travel Area which allows free movement around Britain and Ireland - something Aontus manifesto doesn't seem to comprehend

Aontu's manifesto lacerates the Stormont parties

Sam McBride Mon 1 Jul 2024 at 21:45

The Irish Sea border has been a key election debate within unionism - but now a nationalist party is calling for an "Irish Sea border for people".
Cathal Crotty pleaded guilty to assaulting Natasha OBrien in Limerick in 2022 (Damien Storan/PA)

Irelands Director of Public Prosecutions has lodged an appeal against the sentence given to an Irish soldier for the assault of a woman in a random attack.

Cathal Crotty, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Natasha OBrien in Limerick in 2022.

The 22-year-old, who is a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after being given a three-year suspended sentence for the attack.

Crotty was also ordered to pay Ms OBrien 3,000 euro in compensation.

The DPPs appeal against the sentence was lodged on Friday on the basis of undue leniency.

The case has sparked protests in Irish cities, outside the Irish parliament and Limericks district court, and put pressure on the Irish government and the Defence Forces.
Anjem Choudary has pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has told a trial the Kevin Keegan effect meant people still viewed him as being a member of Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) after it became a proscribed terrorist network.

Choudary, who was convicted of supporting the so-called Islamic State in 2016, is accused of taking a caretaker role in directing the group, as well as being a member of the proscribed organisation for many years and encouraging support for it through online meetings.

The 57-year-old, of Ilford, east London, is said to have given lectures to the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which prosecutors allege was the same as ALM.

ALM has been banned in the UK since 2010, though it is said the group has continued to exist under various names.

Choudary, giving evidence at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, said ALM was disbanded in 2004 because founder Omar Bakri Mohammed had a shift in ideology.

Asked by defence barrister Paul Hynes KC if his role in the group is what he is most famous for, Choudary replied: Yes, it was the Kevin Keegan effect, Ive never moved on from him playing for Liverpool.

He added: People look at me and think Al-Muhajiroun.

Choudary said he became known as a member while the group sought publicity between 1996 and 2004.

He added: People still remember you, in the same way Nigel Farage is Ukip, George Galloway is Respect.

Asked if he saw any evidence of ALM existing after 2004, he told jurors: No, it was not for anyone to revive it apart from Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, he founded it, he disbanded it.

It would not be for someone else to revive it.

Kevin Keegan in his Liverpool days (PA)

Choudary said the suggestion that ALM continued under the name of ITS was nonsense, saying the organisation was formed in 2003 amid disagreements with ALM over ideology.

The defendant went on to say that ALM sought media attention and had a sophisticated structure, while ITS shunned news outlets and operated mostly on streets.

He told the court that ITS members were attacking ALMs positions in online posts.

Prosecutors say that Choudary appeared in a video posted on YouTube in 2016 entitled The History of Dawah in Europe in which he referred to Islamic Thinkers as our branch in America.

Asked about this, Choudary said: They branched off, they were doing their own thing.

The defendant said he became aware of ITS existence in 2010 but was not communicating with members until he started giving online lectures to them in 2021.

He told jurors: I was not doing much, I was just out of prison (after the 2016 conviction) and doing some talks online, this was another request and I accepted it.

Asked why he agreed if ITS members had criticised ALM in the past, Choudary replied: I didnt know about the attacks until the police evidence in this case.

Choudary denied having a management role within the group, saying that during lectures he spoke of the importance of Dawah (spreading the word of Islam).

He told jurors: I dont call myself a scholar or anything like that, I am a student of sharia, I will always be a student. If I can pass on some knowledge before I pass away, why not?

Choudary said his involvement with ITS had nothing to do with administration or money.

Also on trial is Khaled Hussein, 29, from Canada, who prosecutors say was a follower and dedicated supporter of Choudary.

He has pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM while Choudary denies directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17 of last year while Hussein was detained at Heathrow having arrived on a flight the same day.

The trial continues.
Hospital patients are being left to die alone because of staff shortages, according to a new report.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said its research suggested that only a third of shifts had enough registered nurses on duty.

Nurses are often caring for dozens of patients at a time, said the RCN, as it called for safety-critical limits on the maximum number of patients a single nurse can be responsible for.

A survey of more than 11,000 nursing staff found many were demoralised from being unable to keep patients safe, the RCN said.

Only a third of hospital nursing staff said their shift had the planned number of registered nurses on it.

Significant numbers in accident and emergency and outpatient departments reported having more than 51 patients to care for.

A nurse working in the community in the south-west of England, said: We have days when we have 60 visits unallocated because we dont have enough staff.

Every day we are asked to do more. We are always rushing.

Another, also working in the community in the south of England, said: We leave over 50 patients requiring nursing care unseen on a daily basis due to poor staffing levels. This leads to increases in hospital admissions and death.

It is left to us to decide who gets seen and who gets missed, which is heartbreaking.

In a hospital in the West Midlands one nurse, said: I have not been able to sit with patients who are dying, meaning they have been left to die alone.

I have not had the time to make sure patients are fed properly and have adequate drinks.

A midwife, working in a hospital in Yorkshire, said: Completely unsafe care due to unacceptable staffing levels. The standards of what is acceptable care for a service to provide have fallen so low, the benchmark is survival.

RCN acting general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said: In every health and care setting, nursing staff are fighting a losing battle to keep patients safe.

Without safety-critical limits on the maximum number of patients they can care for, nurses are being made responsible for dozens at a time, often with complex needs.

It is dangerous to patients and demoralising for nursing staff.

When patients cannot access safe care in the community, conditions worsen and they end up in hospital where workforce shortages are just as severe. This vicious cycle fails staff and patients  it cannot go on.

We desperately need urgent investment in the nursing workforce but also to see safety-critical nurse-patient ratios enshrined in law.

That is how we improve care and stop patients coming to harm.
The Scottish Conservatives have said pro-independence Reform candidates may help the SNP win seats in Scotland, citing recent polls.

The party said recent polls showed that while Reform UK is expected to win a small percentage of the vote, it could be enough to elect an SNP MP by the back door.

Scottish party chairman Craig Hoy said Reform candidates may want to help the SNP, since several of them are pro-independence.

The Scottish Conservatives listed Gordon and Buchan candidate Kris Callander, and Dundee Central candidate Vicky McCann as examples, as both supported independence.

They also cited Reforms deputy chairman, David Kirkwood, as another independence voter.

He is standing in the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale seat.

When asked directly last week, Reform chairman Richard Tice could not say how many of his candidates are pro-independence, according to the Conservatives.

Mr Hoy said: The Scottish Conservatives are ready to defeat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland where its a straight fight between us and the nationalists.

If everyone who wants to beat the SNP votes for the Scottish Conservatives, we can do it and finally end their demands for independence.

But the result will be so close in many seats. Even a few votes for Reform could elect an SNP MP by the back door.

We know several Reform candidates are pro-independence, so it may well be that helping the SNP is what they really want.

On Thursday, in key seats, vote Scottish Conservative to guarantee the best possible chance of beating the SNP.
Sir Ed Davey has urged the public to vote for historic change by choosing the Liberal Democrats and getting rid of the Conservatives.

This comes after the party leader took part in a bungee jump before asking voters to take a similar leap of faith on polling day.

Sir Ed said: On Thursday, millions of people have a chance to vote for historic change.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey at the partys manifesto launch (Lucy North/PA)

This will be a once-in-a-century election.

From former Conservative heartlands like Tunbridge Wells to communities across the West Country such as St Ives and Yeovil, people must vote Liberal Democrat if they want to kick this Conservative Government out of office for good.

From Honiton to Harrogate, people are switching to the Liberal Democrats after years of failure and neglect under this Conservative Government.

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to beat Conservative MPs in scores of seats, save our NHS, end the sewage scandal and elect a strong local champion.

The party said it is in second place to the Tories in 80 seats across the UK.

On Monday, the Lib Dem leader sought a General Election poll bounce for his party by flinging himself off a crane platform while shouting: Do something youve never done before  vote Liberal Democrat.
The outcome of the election is not a forgone conclusion and the decision of a small number of voters could swing it away from a huge Labour majority, Rishi Sunak is to say.

The Prime Minister will urge wavering Tory voters to stick with his party in a speech during the final 48 hours of the General Election campaign.

Multiple opinion polls have suggested the Labour party is on course for a huge majority in Parliament following the election.

The Conservatives have dubbed this an unaccountable supermajority, in a bid to dissuade voters who would usually back them from switching to rival political parties.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talked to staff during a visit to Well Healthcare Supplies a pharmaceutical packing and distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Speaking in Oxfordshire, the Prime Minister will say: The outcome of this election is not a foregone conclusion. If just 130,000 people switch their vote and lend us their support, we can deny Starmer that supermajority.

Mr Sunaks reference to those switching away from Labour refers to an analysis by the Times newspaper of a YouGov poll, which highlights the partys wide but shallow voter coalition.

He added: Just think about that: you have the power to use your vote to prevent an unchecked Labour government.

So, we must redouble our efforts in these final days and deliver the strongest Conservative voice in the next parliament.

We are fighting for the future of our country and every door we knock on, every leaflet we deliver and every call we do will make a difference.

The Prime Minister is expected to claim that Conservative MPs will act as local champions for their constituents, who can be your voice, represent your values and stand up for you.

He will also say more Tory MPs would help to prevent Labour from rewriting the rules so that they can stay in power for decades, pointing to Labours proposals to extend the voting franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds as among the moves which could entrench the partys voter base.

The Prime Minister will add: 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.

Between now and Thursday, we have got to get the message out to people that we Conservatives will stand up for you and make sure your voice is heard, your values represented.

A Labour spokesperson said: A vote for anyone but Labour risks the British public waking up to desperate Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister on July 5.

If people are fed up of the chaos, division, and decline under the Tories, Thursday is their chance to reject it and embrace a decade of national renewal with Keir Starmer.

The choice at this election is clear: five more years of Conservative chaos with 4,800 more on your mortgage, or the chance to rebuild Britain with a changed Labour Party.

Change with Labour will only happen if people vote for it on Thursday July 4.
The three main parties have stepped onto a new electoral battleground during this General Election campaign  TikTok (Yui Mok/PA)

While the Labour Party has found its home on TikTok and Reform UK is reaching the most Facebook users, the Conservatives have trailed behind in their effectiveness on social media throughout the General Election campaign.

Despite forking out more than 700,000 on Facebook adverts since the election announcement, the Tories and Rishi Sunak have managed just a quarter of the total interactions earned by Reform and Nigel Farage (according to the latest available Meta data  May 29 to June 27).

Meanwhile, there has only been one winner on TikTok since the countrys leading parties launched on the video sharing platform in May, with Labour racking up more than five million likes to the Conservatives 780,000.

Social media is absolutely key to getting a message out to the UK voter, Drew Benvie, a social media expert and chief executive of social media consultancy Battenhall, told the PA news agency.

It is one of, if not the most, influential types of media around today.

In particular for the younger voters, those disenfranchised or disengaged or apathetic, those who just havent voted before  social media is the way to reach them.

If we look to four years, eight years to the future, there will be a legacy there that is being built right now so it is a major battleground.

 TikTok

The three main parties have stepped onto a new electoral battleground during this campaign  TikTok  with the Conservatives, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats all launching their accounts within days of the General Election being called.

Labour has taken the platform by storm with about five million likes on their page so far, while the Conservatives have notably trailed behind with about 780,000 likes.

The Liberal Democrats have earned more than 600,000 likes, while Reform, which launched on TikTok in 2022, has nearly two million.

Labours popularity on the platform could be due to their use of internet culture to share their messages with their 208,000 followers, where they have leant heavily into viral trends and popular memes.

Labours TikTok poking fun at Rishi Sunaks policy on national service earned more than 700,000 likes (UKLabour/TikTok/PA)

One example, which earned more than 700,000 likes and was posted on May 26, aimed to deliver a blow to Prime Minister Sunaks policy on national service.

The party posted a clip of Cilla Black singing Surprise! Surprise! with a caption reading: POV: Rishi Sunak turning up to your 18th birthday to send you to war.

The TikTok account for the Conservative Party, which has about 70,000 followers and launched three days after Labours on May 26, has mainly steered clear of implementing viral trends or memes.

Their account has instead favoured using members of the party, such as Lord David Cameron and James Cleverly, as well as Sunak, to provide explainers and speak to viewers about their key policies.

Briefly dipping a toe into the comical, the account shared a set of pictures to their page on June 8 which set to poke fun at Sir Keir Starmer by presenting three different toy doll versions of the Labour leader.

The Conservatives presented Sir Keir Starmer as three different toy dolls on their TikTok account (UKConservatives/TikTok/PA)

The dolls were accompanied with names and attributes such as Remain Kier, Corbyn Keir and Eco Keir, and while users felt the post was a nice concept, earning about 4,000 likes, it left some feeling Labours TikTok game is better.

The Liberal Democrats, who launched their account on May 28 and have about 24,000 followers, appear to have taken a leaf out of Labours book by posting videos focused around memes to land digs at the Conservatives  scattered in amongst posts of Sir Ed Davey paddleboarding and going down a water slide on the campaign trail.

The Liberal Democrats have shared images of Sir Ed Davey along the campaign trail on their TikTok account (LibDems/TikTok/PA)

Rumbling on in the background is the TikTok account for Reform UK, which first launched in 2022 with former leader and current chairman of the party, Richard Tice.

Since then, the account has gained about 203,000 followers and earned nearly two million likes, with leader of the party Farage fronting the majority of the videos with clips from his speeches along the campaign trail.

Mr Benvie said: Because of the size of the user base (on TikTok) and the ease of which information can be consumed and shared, were looking at very much a TikTok election this year.

All of the parties will be looking at ways to engage an audience at all costs, and that will be with memes, trending sounds, clips that are funny  because a typical user who might be under the age of 24 might not be after a serious political clip.

Broadly its a good thing, I think all of the parties are trying to strike that balance of being funny, engaging and viral whilst also getting a serious point across.

 X

Formerly known as Twitter, X is more familiar territory for the parties, with the Tories and Labour launching on the platform in 2008, while Lib Dems account goes back to 2007.

Again, Labour leads the way on the discussion-based platform with one million followers, compared with about 625,000 for the Conservatives, 340,000 for the Lib Dems, and 360,000 for Reform.

The number of interactions on posts  namely comments and reposts  however does not always equate to support from users.

For example, since the election was announced a top-performing post on the Conservatives X account was a video showing two people carving the world WELCOME into stones on a beach in Britain and rolling out a red carpet  a dig at Labours immigration policies.

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The clip, which was posted on June 20 and captioned Dont wake up to this on July 5, gained about eight million views and 9,000 comments, with some X users finding it offensive, while others said the video was hypocrisy and unbelievable given what has happened over the last 14 years.

For Labour, their X tactics appear similar to their approach on TikTok, with the party sharing frequent posts based on viral memes to poke fun at the Conservatives.

However, one of the partys top-performing posts on X since May 23 was a simple text post responding to Sunak, who wrote on X on June 10: If youre a criminal, the law should show you no mercy.

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Labour quoted the post on the same day and replied: Says the man fined for breaking the law twice, which earned more than 30,000 likes and 1.5 million views.

The Liberal Democrats have also had success since May 23 with posts aimed at landing blows to the Tories.

Their top-performer in that period earned 11,000 likes by taking a social media swipe at Sunak for not being in attendance at the D-Day 80 International Ceremony at Omaha Beach.

The party shared an edited photo on June 7 of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden with Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron  who was in the original photo  cut out of the picture while his silhouette was instead marked with a black dotted line.

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The post was captioned: A dereliction of duty.

For Reform, their two top-performing posts since May 23 have amassed about 8,000 likes each, including a video clip of Farage discussing immigration and a post encouraging their followers to vote for the party on July 4.

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 Facebook

Facebook is the oldest of the three social media platforms included in our study, but it is the newest of the four main parties which has enjoyed the most success during the election campaign so far.

According to figures from Metas Ad Library Report platform from the period May 29 to June 27 (the latest available data) the Conservatives forked out more than 700,000 on about 2,500 advertising campaigns for their Facebook page and that of Sunak.

In that period, pages for Farage and Reform spent less than half that amount (just over 300,000) on fewer than 200 ads, but earned more than four times as many interactions on their pages (2.23 million) than the Tories and Sunak (521,000) according to social monitoring platform Crowdtangle.

The combined following of the two pages for Sunak and the Tory party is around 1.72 million, compared with 1.38 million for the two pages of Farage and Reform.

Meta data also showed that, for the same time period, the Facebook pages for the Labour Party and Sir Keir spent more than 500,000 on about 6,600 adverts, seeing just shy of 600,000 interactions.

The Lib Dems spent 98,000 on 3,589 ads, with almost 40,000 interactions  Sir Eds page did not purchase any adverts in the period.

Mr Benvie said Facebook and Meta cannot be ignored because it is such a large force in the social media ecosystem.

Facebook is such a widely used social network, not as regularly used and its engagement numbers maybe arent anywhere near as some of the other large social networks, but due to its large size it cant be ignored, he said.

Therefore what were seeing at the moment is that all of the parties are still regularly posting to Facebook.

I think if you scratch beneath the surface, the role its playing is vital in reaching older voters, even for those who are aged 25 and over.
A dangerous and extremely powerful Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday on the Caribbean island of Carriacou after becoming the earliest storm of Category 4 strength to form in the Atlantic, fuelled by record warm waters.

Winds up to 150 mph, just shy of a Category 5 storm, blew off roofs, uprooted trees and caused other damage on Carriacou, one of the islands of Grenada, and elsewhere in the southeast Caribbean.

This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation, the National Hurricane Centre said.

Hurricane warnings were in effect for Barbados, Grenada, Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines as thousands of people hunkered down in homes and shelters.

The last strong hurricane to hit the southeast Caribbean was Hurricane Ivan 20 years ago, which killed dozens of people in Grenada.

Hurricane Beryl floods a street in Hastings, Barbados, on Monday (Ricardo Mazalan/AP)

NBC Radio in St Vincent and the Grenadines said it received reports of roofs being torn off churches and schools as communications began collapsing across the southeast Caribbean.

In nearby Grenada, officials received reports of devastation from Carriacou and surrounding islands, said Terence Walters, Grenadas national disaster co-ordinator. Prime minister Dickon Mitchell said he would travel to Carriacou as soon as it is safe, noting that there has been an extensive storm surge.

Grenada officials had to evacuate patients to a lower floor after a hospital roof was damaged, he said.

There is the likelihood of even greater damage, he told reporters. We have no choice but to continue to pray.

Later on Monday morning, Beryl was about 30 miles (50km) north of the island of Grenada, moving west-northwest at 20 mph (31 kph).

In Barbados, officials received more than a dozen reports of roof damage, fallen trees and downed electric posts across the island, said Kerry Hinds, emergency management director. Wilfred Abrahams, minister of home affairs and information, said drones  which are faster than crews fanning across the island  would assess the damage once Beryl passes.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for St Lucia, Martinique and Trinidad. A tropical storm watch was issued for Haitis entire southern coast, and from Punta Palenque in the Dominican Republic west to the border with Haiti. A hurricane watch was issued for Jamaica.

Forecasters warned of a life-threatening storm surge of up to nine feet (three metres) in areas where Beryl made landfall, with three to six inches (7.6 to 15 cm) of rain for Barbados and nearby islands and possibly 10 inches in some areas (25 cm), especially in Grenada and the Grenadines.

The storm was expected to weaken slightly over the Caribbean Sea on a path that would take it just south of Jamaica and later toward Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 1.

Beryl is forecast to remain a significant hurricane during its entire trek across the Caribbean region, the National Hurricane Centre said.

Officials in some southeast Caribbean islands announced controlled power outages and warned of water cuts ahead of the storm, as well as landslides and flash floods. Schools, airports and government offices shuttered.

Hours before the storm, Barbadian Michael Beckles said he still feared the worst for his island.

As prepared as we can try to be, there are a lot of things that we cant control, he said. There are a lot of houses that are not ready for a storm like this.

Beryl strengthened from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours  a feat accomplished only six other times in Atlantic hurricane history, and with September 1 as the earliest date, according to hurricane expert Sam Lillo.

It also was the earliest Category 4 Atlantic hurricane on record, besting Hurricane Dennis, which became a Category 4 storm on July 8, 2005.
Israel released the director of Gazas main hospital on Monday, after holding him for seven months without charge or trial over allegations the facility had been used as a Hamas command centre.

He said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured.

The decision to release Mohammed Abu Selmia, apparently taken in order to free up space in overcrowded detention centres, sparked uproar from across the political spectrum, with government ministers and opposition leaders saying he should have remained behind bars.

They repeated allegations that he had played a role in Hamas alleged use of Shifa Hospital, which Israeli forces have raided twice since the start of the nearly nine-month war with Hamas.

Abu Selmia and other health officials have repeatedly denied those accusations, and the fact that he was released without charge or trial was likely to raise further questions about them.

A Palestinian child looks at the graves of people killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip and buried inside the Shifa Hospital grounds (Mohammed Hajjar/AP)

Abu Selmia was released into Gaza with 54 other Palestinian detainees, many of whom also alleged abuse.

The allegations could not be independently confirmed but matched accounts of other Palestinians who have been held in Israeli custody.

Our detainees have been subjected to all kinds of torture behind bars, Abu Selmia said at a news conference after his release.

There was almost daily torture. He said guards broke his finger and caused his head to bleed during beatings, in which they used batons and dogs.

He said the medical staff at different facilities where he was held had also taken part in the abuse in violation of all laws. He said some detainees had limbs amputated because of poor medical care.

There was no response from the prison service, which has previously denied similar accusations.

Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital in November, alleging that Hamas had created an elaborate command and control centre inside the facility.

Abu Selmia and other staff denied the allegations and accused Israel of recklessly endangering thousands of patients and displaced people who were sheltering there.

The military uncovered a tunnel beneath Shifa Hospital leading to a few rooms, as well as other evidence that militants had been present inside the medical centre, but the evidence fell short of what it had claimed before the raid.

Abu Selmia was detained on November 22 while escorting a UN-led evacuation of patients from the hospital.

He said his detention was politically motivated, adding that he had been taken to court at least three times but was never charged or allowed to meet lawyers.

Israel has since raided several other Gaza hospitals on similar allegations, forcing them to shut down or dramatically reduce services even as tens of thousands have been wounded in Israeli strikes or sickened in the harsh conditions of the war.

The army raided Shifa a second time earlier this year, causing heavy destruction after saying that militants had regrouped there.

Hospitals can lose their protection under international law if combatants use them for military purposes.

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The decision to release Abu Selmia drew harsh condemnations from government ministers and opposition leaders, as the various state bodies responsible for detentions scrambled to shift blame.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israels national security minister who controls the countrys police and prison service, said the release of Abu Selmia and the others constituted security negligence and blamed the defence ministry.

Yair Lapid, an opposition leader, said Abu Selmias release was another sign of the governments lawlessness and dysfunction.

Gallants office released a brief statement saying the incarceration and release of prisoners is the responsibility of the prison service and the Shin Bet internal security agency.

The prison service said the decision was made by the Shin Bet and the army, and released a document ordering his release that was signed by an army reserve general.

The Shin Bet said the government had decided, against its advice, to release detainees who were determined to be less of a threat in order to free up space.

Though the Shifa Hospital chief passed the risk assessment compared to other detainees, the matter will be internally reviewed, it said.

Since the start of the war, Israeli forces have detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank, crowding military detention facilities and prisons.

Many are being held without charge or trial in what is known as administrative detention.

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas October 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 civilians and took another 250 hostage.

The war has killed at least 37,900 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or fighters.

Most of Gazas population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, with many displaced multiple times.

Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of public order have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, fuelling widespread hunger and sparking fears of famine.
The army were searching for IRA weaponsA large number of guns, mostly belonging to the Official IRAThe killing of civilians, the use of CS gas and widescale destruction turned the population against the army

Military Police stand guard at checkpoint on the Falls Road in 1970

On the 3rd of July 1970, a Friday, the British Army seals off the lower Falls area of west Belfast.

A curfew is announced, although without a legal basis.

Troops go in, searching from house to house, looking for IRA weapons.

But the use of CS gas, houses being wrecked, looted even, turns the population against them.

Hundreds, maybe thousands of rounds were fired  four people died  all victims of the army.

The Official IRA decided since they couldnt get their guns out  they should fight the army in what they called The Battle of the Falls.

In the end the army did seize a considerable number of weapons though many were smuggled out.

However, the standing of the British Army in west Belfast had been completely changed.

To hear the story of the Falls Curfew and its impact, Ciaran Dunbar is joined by historian Brian Hanley, and by Belfast Telegraph columnist and author Malachi ODoherty.
Millions of higher education students were locked out of classes on the first day of an indefinite work stoppage.

A man walks past padlocked doors at Dhaka University as professors and other employees strike against a new pension plan, July 1, 2024.

Up to 4.4 million students were shut out of classes and exams at 53 public universities in Bangladesh on Monday as professors and other faculty went on an indefinite strike to demand the government cancel a new pension scheme.

Faculty members who are already on pension plans said the Prottoy scheme, effective July 1, could reduce their retirement pay despite government assurances to the contrary.

We are supposed to be in class. We are not supposed to hold a press conference or a human chain, but there is nothing we can do, Professor Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan, secretary general of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association, told BenarNews.

If we allow the scheme, we will suffer a lot.

Across Bangladesh and at Dhaka University  the nations most famous campus  striking educators and employees formed human chains and performed other forms of protest on Monday.

The latest pension scheme is not acceptable to us. We have been asking the government for three months not to do this for universities where a pension system already exists, Bhuiyan said.

Under Prottoy, 10% of basic salaries received by all employees or a maximum of 5,000 taka (U.S. $42.55), whichever is less, will be deducted and an equivalent amount will be given by their employers, according to the Ministry of Finance. All funds will be deposited to an account under the National Pension Authority.

On March 13, the Ministry of Finance announced that Prottoy would be introduced for all state-owned, autonomous, statutory or homogeneous organizations beginning July 1. Teachers and other employees of the public universities quickly announced their displeasure with the scheme.

While Prottoy is expected to be positive for those not covered, professors and others already enrolled in pension plans could see losses, according to protesters. They said professors could lose at least 10 million taka (U.S. $85,097) from their pensions.

On Monday evening, Bhuiyan said there had been no contact with authorities about the strike.

Dhaka University faculty and other employees gather outside the Arts Building as they strike against a new Bangladesh pension system, July 1, 2024. [BenarNews]

State Finance Minister Waseqa Ayesha Khan said the Prottoy scheme was good for all employees.

The state financial involvement in the present pension system  is not sustainable in the long run. But Prottoy is a sustainable pension system, she told BenarNews on Monday, adding India has a similar system.

With introduction of the new system, gradually people from all strata of the life will be brought under a sustainable social security structure. This will ensure financial inclusion and inclusive development, she said.

Under the previous scheme, if a pensioner died before age 75, the surviving spouse would receive those funds up until that time, the finance minister said.

By participating in an appropriate universal pension scheme, the spouse of a pensioner can get pension for the rest of their life no matter whether they are public servants, she said of Prottoy.

But the existing pension system lacks a lifelong pension for spouses, Khan said.

Support for existing plan

Despite the finance ministers assurances, Abu Khaled Mohammad Khademul Hoque, a former joint secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers Association, talked about how Prottoy could hurt those already enrolled in a pension plan.

He said that under the previous scheme, a professor who retires after working at least 25 years would be eligible to receive two years pay. In addition, teachers can accrue up to 18 months of earned leave ahead of retirement.

After calculating everything, it can be seen that a professor with the highest scale gets an average of 11.4 million taka [$97,000] after retirement. Most teachers build houses or buy flats with this money or open savings accounts with the money, he said.

Even after receiving this cash, he gets a maximum of 45,000 taka [$382] as pension every month. If he dies his spouse enjoys the pension for life. And in the case of children, there is pension benefit up to 18 years, Hoque said.

A classroom sits empty at Dhaka University, July 1, 2024. [BenarNews]





Post-graduate student Arafat Hossain Bhuiyan was among those who were locked out of class on the first day of the strike.

He said he was concerned not only about himself and other students at Dhaka University, but for Bangladesh as well.

We want to go back to class, he told BenarNews.

My first-semester exam is done. I dont know when the classes of my second semester will start, said Hossain, a masters degree student in the Islamic History and Culture department at Dhaka University.

He said students would suffer if the strike was prolonged, which will not be good for the country.

[T]here is an uncertainty among students at all levels  we support the logical demands of the teachers, he said. At the same time, we hope that the teacher and employee leaders and the authorities concerned with the government will resolve this issue immediately.
The carrier was spotted near Luzon island as the U.S.-led RIMPAC military exercise kicked off.

A J-15 Chinese fighter jet prepares to take off from the Shandong aircraft carrier during military exercises around Taiwan on April 9, 2023.

A Chinese aircraft carrier sailed near the main Philippine island of Luzon late last week in what one analyst said was a show of Chinas resolve amid tensions with Manila in the South China Sea.

Satellite images obtained by MizarVision, a technology firm based in Shanghai, and several open source analysts show that the Shandong was spotted in the waters about 200 nautical miles (370 km) from Luzon, which is the extent of the Philippines exclusive economic zone, since last Wednesday.

The carrier appeared to be nearest to the Philippine mainland on Friday before heading northwest. This would be the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier has come that close to Philippine shores.

On Sunday, it appeared to be back in the waters near Hainan, China, some 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Sanya.

The South China Morning Post newspaper quoted Ni Lexiong, defense professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, as saying that the carriers passage was intended to send a message of deterrence to Manila and Washington and underline Chinas determination to protect territorial sea sovereignty amid tension over the Second Thomas Shoal.

Last month saw escalating confrontations between the Chinese and Philippine coast guards near the shoal, where Manila maintains an outpost on an old warship. On June 17, Chinese coast guard personnel rammed and boarded a Philippine boat, severely injuring a Filipino sailor.

The Philippines has not confirmed the sighting of the Shandong.

Named after the Chinese province of Shandong, it is Chinas second aircraft carrier, but its first that was domestically built.

While sending a message of deterrence, Chinas aircraft carrier fleet, though expanding, still lags far behind that of the U.S. in terms of technology and power projection.

The Shandong was commissioned in 2019, seven years after the first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, joined the navys fleet. Both carriers use a ski jump-style launch system called STOBAR, considered much less advanced than U.S. carriers which use electromagnetic catapults.

The Shandong cannot accommodate J-35s, Chinas fifth-generation fighters, as they require catapults for take-off.

Show of force

Ni, the Shanghai-based professor, was quoted in the Hong Kong newspaper as saying that the Chinese carriers deployment might also be a response to the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific exercise, which started on Thursday.

The exercise, widely known as RIMPAC, is held every two years and is in its 29th iteration this year.

The U.S. and 28 partner countries have sent 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel to take part in the drills that are expected to last until Aug. 1 in and around Hawaii.



Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) form Aloha on the flight deck as the ship arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Jun. 25, 2024. [U.S. Navy]

U.S. Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier the Carl Vinson arrived in Pearl Harbor on June 25 to participate in RIMPAC 2024.

The U.S, Navy said in a statement that the exercise this year would include multi-domain warfare in a range of scenarios from anti-submarine warfare, multi-ship surface warfare, multinational amphibious landings, and multi-axis defense of the carrier strike group against live forces.

U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported that one of the drills will be the sinking of a decommissioned amphibious assault ship  the USS Tarawa  as a target.

At 40,000 tons, the ship is roughly the same size as Chinas new Type 075 amphibious assault ships that it is believed to have developed in case of conflict in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Military analyst Fu Qianshao told Chinas Global Times newspaper that using an amphibious assault ship of similar size as a target could simulate an attack on a Chinese amphibious assault ship, as well as on an aircraft carrier.

When asked about RIMPAC 2024, Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said, The U.S. is trying to frighten the Chinese military through the so-called military exercise, which is a completely impossible task.

Radio Free Asia is a news service affiliated with BenarNews.
A police officer inspects the scene in the wake of a car-bomb explosion in front of the police flats at the Bannang Sata Police Station in Yala, a province in Thailands Deep South, June 30, 2024.

Two men including an engineer employed by a local government agency were in custody Monday as suspects in a car-bombing that killed a school teacher in Thailands troubled Deep South on Sunday, officials said.

The explosion in front of a housing complex for police officers in Bannang Sata, a district of Yala province, left a female civilian dead and injured 34 other people, according to authorities. It also damaged nearby cars, motorcycles, and utility poles.

The two who were taken into custody are a 27-year-old assistant civil engineer who works for the Sub-District Administrative Organization (SAO) in Than To, another district in Yala, and a 45-year-old aluminum worker, authorities said. BenarNews is withholding their names because they had not yet been charged on Monday.

[The engineer, suspect No. 1] appeared nervous during questioning. [Suspect No. 2] was the last person to leave the SAO premises and had called [the other suspect] to inquire about the vehicle keys around 4 p.m., Col. Ekwarit Chobchuphon, spokesman for ISOC-4, the regional office of the Internal Security Operations Command, said in a statement.

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Two decades on from a watershed year, peace still eludes Thailands Deep South

The vehicle used in the bombing belonged to the SAO office and was reported stolen on the day before the attack, officials said. Authorities have not yet pinpointed a motive, although separatist insurgents who operate throughout Thailands heavily militarized southern border region are known for carrying out roadside bombings and rigging cars and motorcycles with bombs.

The suspects were taken to an interrogation center at the 41st Ranger Forces Regiment in Raman, another district in the province. Authorities also revealed that the wife of the arrested engineer is a fugitive in a separate criminal case, but they did not divulge more information.

The car, a blue four-door Toyota, was not modified externally but was fitted with an improvised explosive device in a 16-kg gas cylinder. The bomb contained cut steel bars and explosives, weighing over 80 kg in total, along with two gallons of fuel. It was detonated by a timer, said Police Lt.-Gen. Piyawat Chalermsi, commander for Provincial Police Region 9, confirming that the Toyota belonged to the Than So SAO.

The 34 people who were hurt in the attack sustained non-life threatening injuries. The lone fatality was identified as Rokiyoh Sarana, a 45-year-old teacher at a local Islamic school. She was killed when the bomb went off as she drove by while on an errand to buy food for her students, officials said.

Rokiyah was a married mother of three children, and her family would receive assistance and financial support, said Ramadan Hayeeawae, assistant secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC). The compensation would include educational support for the three children through university and a financial package of 500,000 baht (U.S. $14,000).

Yala and three neighboring provinces in the predominantly Malay Muslim border region next-door to Malaysia have been home to a decades-old separatist rebellion.

Since the insurgency reignited 20 years ago, there have been reports of more than 22,200 violent incidents in the region through 2023 that resulted in more than 7,540 deaths and 14,000 injuries, according to data from Deep South Watch, a local think-tank.

Sundays attack marks the ninth car bombing targeting police residential areas in Thailands southern border provinces since 2017.

The previous incident occurred on Nov. 22, 2022, at the Muang Narathiwat Police Station flats, killing one officer and injuring 37 people in neighboring Narathiwat province.

Violence linked to the insurgency has persisted despite Malaysia-brokered direct peace talks that began in 2020 between Thailand and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the largest and most powerful among the southern rebel groups and factions.

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2 decades on, families of Tak Bai Incident victims seek justice

Huge explosion from truck bomb injures dozens in Deep South
MANCHESTER  The youth summer camps are well underway at Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) in Manchester.

The summer program for youngsters ages 3 to 5, called Creative Community, kicked off first  just in time for the oppressive heat wave in June. Completing the first two sessions by the end of the month, Creative Communities is set to run again from July 1 to 3, July 8 to 12, and Aug. 26 to 30.

In late June, SVAC also hosted several creative play, music and art workshops for school-aged youth  including teens.

Taking place during the week of June 17 to 21, Creature Features for ages 6 to 8 and Space is the Place for ages 9 to 12 were hosted in Studios One and Two of the Hay Medeira Education Center.

Participants of the Creature Features camp, led by artist Lee Williams, began by creating environmentally friendly houses for forest animals along the trails of the SVAC grounds.

They made these little environments for animals and imaginary things out in nature, said Williams, laughing as he walked into Studio One, which had string stretched from corner to corner, wall to wall, tables to chairs, and everywhere in between.

And now were making a spiders web. Its all over the walls, and theyre making the spiders for it now. Then, tomorrow, were making these animal-like robot monster masks  with claws and ears, and using different techniques to create these big masks.

Across the corridor, Stan Sears was running Space is the Place camp, where cardboard tunnels and spaceships covered the floors of the large space. Construction materials littered the floors and tables, and industrious youngsters were conversing earnestly with one another over the next steps in construction.

This is three days of construction, said Sears, introducing Shelby and Quinn as guides.

Hes our space camp leader, said Shelby, giggling as Quinn ducked into a cardboard tunnel. And, this is our science lab. Since theres zero gravity in space, umm, there is floating stuff  see?

Stuff was indeed floating, suspended, in mid-air inside the cardboard space lab.

And, this is alien slime, said Quinn, bursting in with great enthusiasm, and pointing to a greenish substance on the side of the lab. Then, with a sudden sad and disheartened tone, added, Weve also got an alien egg right here  and the aliens put slime in our bucket, too, because they didnt want us to be able to use it.

As disappointing as that experience had been, Shelby and Quinn were quick to recover. They had decided that their science lab needed a cardboard keyboard to communicate vial messages, such as that, back to base camp.

One read, This is a lucky spaceship. Well, not even a spaceship because its a science lab. Its been through many battles with alien guts and broken alien hearts  and markings from the Milky Way. We hope this science lab will survive many other battles  and we also hope we will survive the battles, too.

The message had been signed, From, the Space Crafters.

One other deeply disappointing part of Space Camp, according to Shelby and Quinn, was that all of the boys had been huddling in their own spaceship and couldnt be tempted out to play.

Back in Creature Features camp, the pipe cleaner spiders were crawling all over the webs and up the walls.

The whole idea is that the children are learning while having fun, said Williams. Weve explored all types of media and techniques, all while pushing their creative abilities  and also getting them to engage with concepts and ideas of sharing and being resilient  and making things come to a natural conclusion. Lots of creativity.

Erin Kaufman, director of education at SVAC, pointed out that during the week of June 24 to 28, the Arts Center has partnered once again with Taconic Music to bring musicians from all over the world to help lead an introduction to instruments in the mornings, and that local artist Ken Rush had been working with a group of teens in a workshop titled, Personal Landscapes.

Fun with Music gives campers the chance to experience fantastic music and to try playing chamber instruments themselves, explained Kaufman, adding that the annual partnership was in its fifth year. It's really great. Heather Munch, violinist, coordinates. Taconic sends nine musicians from their 'Chamber Music Intensive' program  serious college-aged students from all over.

Each morning of the camp, Kaufman can find the young artists performing for about 20 minutes, before breaking up into smaller groups to introduce their instruments to the campers.

Then, Heather leads musical games and other activities for the campers  there are a couple of special activities, said Kaufman. On Thursday, the special activity was musical paintbrushes in which kids explored the idea of kinesthesia, and painted the music they heard. That was led by local painter, Carol Berry, and Taconic director and amazing violinist Joana Genova. On Friday, there was a musical story time.

Kaufman noted that the partnership with Taconic Music was a symbiotic and complex one, I love everything about this camp. It is pretty wonderful to hear the campers getting to try to make music on the instruments the Taconic young artists have mastered. The sounds and spirit of it are all terrific. It's good for Taconic's mission too, as it encourages attendance at their free concerts  and gets some kids interested in lessons.

Another music-themed camp, held at SVACs Yester House gallery, was called Passport to Music. Taught by Laura Molinelli from the band Luminous Crush  Molinelli is also a teacher in Burr and Burtons ACCESS Program  students learned how to make musical instruments out of recycled materials. While doing so, Molinelli introduced youngsters to the sounds and ideas of music from all over the globe.

She's wonderful, and this is also a favorite of mine, said Kaufman.

During the week of June 24-28, SVAC opened its doors to a new workshop  Miniature World Sculptures for ages 9 to 13. Run by artist and educator Janice Marin in the Arkell Lobby of SVAC, the workshop immersed youngsters in the enchanting world of miniatures  a creative journey building three-dimensional world scenery small enough to fit in baskets.

Ken Rush also led ArTEEN Studio for the second year, said Kaufman, as she described the camp. This was a studio intensive for teens. Ken's a painter who shows locally and elsewhere  and also a 40-year teaching veteran  who has become only more enthusiastic with time, I think. He could not wait to get at the theme he had chosen this year with the kids. They explored personal landscapes in literal and metaphorical ways. Lots of printmaking. Very cool.

During the months of July and August, SVAC will be hosting many more creative and educational camps, workshops and experiences, which can be found on its website, svac.org. Registration is required.

Southern Vermont Arts Center is at 860 SVAC Drive in Manchester.
The Savoy man who allegedly shot two people on North Street last month has seen the case against him elevated to Berkshire Superior Court, where prosecutors try the countys most serious crimes.
On Summer Street, neighborhood concerns about a four-home affordable housing subdivision has the project stuck in the planning phase. Construction will not begin until, at earliest, next spring. "... if were serious about solving some of our housing issues we have to build. We cant just say no, no, no forever.
PITTSFIELD  When William P. "Bill" Sturgeon climbs into a 1950s Thunderbird for a morning drive on Thursday, he'll be leading a parade that he sorely missed when he was fighting in Vietnam.

The Pittsfield July 4 parade was at the top of the list of things he missed, alongside Christmas and family. Today, the American flag flies in front of his house, and theres a "God Bless America" sign on the breezeway door.

Patriotism is a learned trait, says Sturgeon, an unabashed patriot. He defines that word "patriot" as one who puts his life on the line for his country.

A Kennedy Democrat, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 after graduating Pittsfield High School in 1966. He came home with his life, the Bronze Star and exposure to Agent Orange. The symptoms didnt present until the 1980s, although he noticed shortness of breath much earlier.

Today, hes grateful to another man who might also call himself a Kennedy Democrat, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, the Springfield congressman who represents Western Massachusetts in Washington. Sturgeon credits Neal with pushing through the PACT Act in 2022, which won Vietnam veterans the recognition and benefits to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other Agent Orange diseases.

Sturgeon has that fatal diagnosis, but for the moment, hes focused on living. He turned 77 in April.

While he relies on oxygen to breathe much of the time, he records WTBR's hour-long Morning Drive radio show three days a week without it.

From the basement office that Sturgeon calls "the tomb," he sits at a small table holding a laptop propped up on a fat book about the Civil War. Hes got a set of lights aimed at the spot, akin to studio lighting, in the otherwise dim room.

Todays guest is The Most Rev. William D. Byrne, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. As a Catholic who tries to be good, Sturgeon frequently invites Byrne to be a guest.

Byrne opens their off-air conversation on Zoom by congratulating Sturgeon on having been named grand marshal of the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade.

Sturgeon replies that hes overwhelmed by the honor. His face shows he means it.

And then, he turns the conversation back at the bishop.

Well, you look good, Sturgeon tells Byrne.

I do it myself, Byrne quips, referring to his bald head.

Well, I do too, retorts Sturgeon, whose pate also shines. Yeah, its a lot cheaper.

Its much, much cheaper, Byrne agrees.

Ah, bishop, its good to see you, buddy, Sturgeon says.

Thank you. Good to see you, too, Byrne responds.

Then, Sturgeon throws in this affirmation that might help to disarm any last-minute nerves of his guest.

And, you  boy, youre  youre a good man, he tells the bishop. Thats all Im going to tell you. And I mean that sincerely. I dont envy you your job, but you do it well.

The two return to banter as Sturgeon notes a momentary technical glitch.

Then, as the technician at PCTV synchronizes the recording for the radio and television show, Sturgeon ratchets up his voice and delivers a warm and peppy on-air welcome to the bishop and the audience.

During the interview, Sturgeon imperceptibly consults his cellphone for the talking points he made ahead of their discussion, drawing out the cleric and peppering the chat with his own opinions. Sturgeon also asks Byrne to share reflections and memories of his 30 years in the priesthood.

Sturgeon attributes his listening and interviewing skills to his work in law enforcement, first as a Lanesborough police officer. When he was a Pittsfield police officer, he learned interviewing techniques from Detective Sgt. Richard Henault.

The first thing is, make everybody relaxed, says Sturgeon. Even if theyre a suspect.

Later he refined those skills through courses with the U.S. Department of Justice.

My international exposure from Vietnam to my last assignment sensitized me to people, he said. We all are the same. I dont care how we look, what gender or whatever."

"I call this packaging," he said, pointing to the color of his skin. "When you talk to people, once you get by that, you get to the person.

After the interview with Byrne, Sturgeon reads public service segments over the air. The topics reflect his interests: a plug for the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy in Great Barrington and for a play he just attended, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, at Berkshire Theater Groups Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge.

Behind him, along the basement wall, theres an array of plaques and memorabilia.

Above his desk, a plaque reads "Chief of Security, The State of Texas, W.P. Sturgeon." A poster for the Second Prison Rodeo in Kansas City, Kan., hangs on the wall. There's a signed declaration from the governor of Kentucky declaring Sturgeon "a Kentucky Colonel," and a certificate of basic training for police officers from the Law Enforcement Officers Training School and the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. Also hanging up is a firemens hat his father wore as a member of the Pittsfield Fire Department.

Around a corner, a framed photo of Nelson Mandela signifies the work Sturgeon did to help establish the criminal justice system in South Africa as it rebuilt after apartheid. Hes done that sort of work in Haiti and the Philippines, as well. Hes also consulted for the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

An expert witness on prisons, security and prison gangs, hes testified in court and before Congress. He has co-written three books: No Time to Play: Youthful Offenders in Adult Correctional Systems" and "Recess is Over: A Handbook for Managing Youthful Offenders in Adult Systems," both with the late Barry Glick, and "Think Like a Terrorist to Combat Terrorism and Radicalization in Prison" with Francesca Spina.

In the 1990s, Sturgeon wrote scripts and was the on-air host of a series of training videos for correctional officers called "Lock Up USA," for which he won a Telly Award.

Hes currently working solo on a manuscript with the working title, Todays Kids Are All At Risk.

Born in Pittsfield, Sturgeon met his wife, then named Rose Ann Marcinczyk, in kindergarten at St. Charles School. While they went skating at Springside Park when he was at North Junior High School (now Reid), it wasnt until shortly after midnight Jan. 1, 1965, that they kissed at a New Years Eve party. Before he left for Vietnam, he gave Rose Ann a ring. When he returned as a "buck sergeant," the two married at Holy Family Parish on April 24, 1971.

Sturgeon isnt up to telling the story of his Bronze Star and other Vietnam citations.

Im here, theyre not, he says. They got the same medals, but they got them posthumously. Ive lived to be 77, and theyre always 19.

His first job after Vietnam was at Beloit Corp. as midnight janitor.

People were different toward you, Sturgeon recalls. It was hard for Vietnam veterans to get jobs.

At Beloit, he was promoted. And from there, he pursued his career in criminal justice.

Along the way, he's obtained three degrees in criminal justice, an associate from Berkshire Community College, a bachelor's from Southern Vermont College, and a master's from Goddard College.

The Sturgeons moved back to Pittsfield in 1984 and Rose Ann returned to teaching in Pittsfield public schools. After retiring in 2005 for open-heart surgery, Sturgeon began hosting a call-in and interview show at WBRK radio in 2008. That grew from an hour a week to three hours a day.

With a seven-second tape delay, My finger was always on the button, he said.

Shawn Serre, executive director of PCTV and WTBR-FM, first met Sturgeon when the two were involved in the rebirth of the radio station and were both filling in for John Krol on his "Good Morning Pittsfield" show. Shortly thereafter, Sturgeon joined the PCTV board.

"Clearly a real radio and television personality," Serre describes Sturgeon. "Someone who can really handle doing a great interview, who has a good personality for keeping a conversation running, a larger-than-life personality, I guess you would say. Always has a good joke or a humorous story for you, or a nice adage or a little advice."

While he's taping from home, Sturgeon is still an active presence at the station, Serre said.

"It's always new content, and he's working all the time, at least three or four a week on really good interviews with all kinds of people," Serre said. "He has gotten a lot of really what I consider to be significant interviews on a regular basis."

Serre called Sturgeon's interviews, particularly with Neal, "a real service I think to this area and our listeners."

"He's pretty comfortable talking with police and DAs," Serre said. "He probably does break some news."

Pittsfield Parade Committee President and Mayor Peter Marchetti applauded Sturgeon for his service to the community, pointing to his 50-year criminal justice career and the impact of his local talk shows, including the United Cerebral Palsys Berkshire Talking Chronicle."

Bill has interviewed numerous individuals and organizations and has provided a platform to highlight the impact they make each day in our city, county and commonwealth," Marchetti wrote in a statement. "I applaud Bill for his years of dedication to this community and for his service to this country as a veteran of the United States Army.

With Rose Ann, Sturgeon attends Mass several times a week. He meets friends at Dotties Coffee Lounge, where he's known for being a generous tipper, and is enjoying being a grandfather of two.

If I check out tomorrow, Ive had a great life, Sturgeon says. A great wife. Got a great son, great grand-babies. Great friends.

Along that basement wall, a framed print of Lee Teters Reflections features the image of Jim Williams with his hand on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

I spend time in front of it every day, Sturgeon says, because I could be one of those shadows coming out of the wall.
Lenox native James Brooke has traveled to about 100 countries reporting for The New York Times, Bloomberg and Voice of America. He reported from Russia for eight years and from Ukraine for six years.
Orchid Pharma, based in Chennai, has recently received Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for the manufacturing and marketing of its invented New Chemical Entity Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), Enmetazobactam, and to manufacture and market Finished Dosage Form (FDF) of Cefepime and Enmetazobactam as a dry powder injectable, to improve the treatment landscape for serious infections in India such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To discuss more about this development, and to find out about the companys growth plans this year and beyond, BioSpectrum spoke to Manish Dhanuka, Managing Director, Orchid Pharma in detail.

What are the major plans in store for FY 24-25? How much growth is expected?

We have recently received DCGI approval for Indias first invented Antibiotic Drug Combination of Cefepime and Enmetazobactam (NCE). We look forward to expanding access to advanced and affordable treatment options for patients. For the Indian market, Orchid will partner with a third party with comprehensive hospital coverage while also utilising our own Antimicrobial Solutions (AMS) division for product distribution.

Enmetazobactam has already received approval from both the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. These approvals are a significant step forward for Orchid Pharma, opening doors to royalties from lucrative markets. In India, we have also been granted waiver for Phase III clinical trials and we will be conducting a Phase IV post-launch.

Our initial expectations for launching in mid-2025 have now been advanced, and we anticipate starting sales by the next quarter. This accelerated timeline will enhance our revenue streams substantially.

Besides this our new capacities coming online will lead to a healthy growth for the coming year in line with the past trend of 2-3 years.

How much revenue do you expect to add up through this product?



This will depend on the price elasticity, but we should be able to capture ~3 per cent of the market in the medium term.

How much revenue was generated by the company during FY 23-24?

For the full year FY2024, we achieved sales of Rs 819 crore, a significant jump from Rs 666 crore last year. Our full-year EBITDA stood at Rs 142 crore, up from Rs 103 crore in FY2023. This growth is reflected in our strong Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22 per cent in sales and 30 per cent in EBITDA over the past three years. These figures highlight our continuous progress and ability to adapt to market demands.

Are you exploring new partnerships with global pharma companies?

As an enterprise, we are always on a look-out for expansion and collaborations. We do see a massive need for our innovations globally. Several such deals are under discussions but due to confidentiality cannot be shared. One such outcome was the Orchid-GARDP-Shionogi partnership to tackle the growing menace of antimicrobial resistance. Orchid has received the license to make this product for 135 LMICs (Low and Middle Income Countries).

Are you planning new investments, or facility expansions in India?

Orchid is committing close to Rs 800- Rs 1000 crore of capital investments in next 2-3 years.

How do you view the growing burden of AMR globally? What needs to be done?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) isn't just a scientific challenge; it's a growing threat to public health and has severe economic impact. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers AMR one of the top ten global health threats, highlighting its potential to send us back to a pre-antibiotic era. We may soon be returning to the pre-antibiotic era because antibiotics are losing their power. AMR is declared as the silent pandemic by the UN and WHO and it has contributed to almost 5 million deaths in 2019. In addition to death and disability, AMR has significant economic costs. The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in $1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and $1 trillion to $3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.

Combatting AMR requires more than just scientific advancements; it demands a shift in mindsets and behaviours. We see some steps that can support and build a future resilient to AMR:

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes that promote responsible antibiotic use in human and veterinary medicine is paramount. These programmes champion responsible prescribing practices, track resistance patterns, and advocate for rapid diagnostics.

Global Surveillance Networks : Establishing robust surveillance networks to monitor AMR trends across different regions is essential. This data will guide targeted interventions and inform research priorities.

Investing in Innovation: Increased investment in R&D for new antimicrobials, diagnostics, and alternative therapies is crucial. Public-private partnerships can accelerate innovation and ensure a steady stream of solutions.

Dedicated Funding for Innovation : Creating a dedicated "AMR and Innovation Fund" can incentivise continued research and development.

What are your views on pharma innovation in India? What are the gaps and challenges that need to be addressed?

Pharma innovation is progressing rapidly and is making strides in India, with significant advancements in drug discovery and development. However, there are still significant gaps and challenges to be addressed. Insufficient funding for research and development, limited collaboration between academia and industry, plus navigating regulations can feel like a maze. Additionally, we need to invest in better facilities and skilled workforce. By addressing these issues and challenges, India can truly become a global leader in innovative medicines.

What are major expectations from the government to strengthen the pharma sector in India, in terms of R&D, innovation and quality?

Orchid Pharma is committed to developing life-saving medications, thats our passion and purpose. However, it is always better and efficient to have partnerships and support especially from government functionaries, it can accelerate this mission in India.

First, increased R&D funding will empower our scientists to develop cutting-edge treatments. Second, streamlining the process for approving new drugs that will get them to patients faster. Protecting intellectual property is also essential, inventors need to be rewarded for their hard work to encourage continuous innovation. Finally, fostering stronger ties between universities and drug companies, along with creating a conducive environment for startups, will get everyone working together to create the next big breakthrough and drive growth in the Indian pharma sector.

Dr Manbeena Chawla

manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com
BHARAT EYES GLOBAL BIOMANUFACTURING DOMINANCE

Boosting Innovation, Collaboration & Entrepreneurship with BioE3 Policy

Bharat has demonstrated a strong economic growth in the past decade and is poised to be amongst the global leaders in the next industrial revolution by leveraging emerging technologies and new innovative solutions. Bharat is competitively positioned to be amongst the global leaders in futuristic manufacturing that leverages living systems. Biomanufacturing can fundamentally transform the global economy from todays consumptive manufacturing paradigm to the one based on regenerative principles. Biomanufacturing refers to the use of engineered microbial, plant, and animal (including human) cells with increasing precision and control to produce commercially important products on scale. These are versatile processes that have the potential to create bio-based products allowing efficient utilisation of resources, in a scalable and costeffective manner with reduced environmental impact. Keeping in view the national priority of steering Bharat on the path of accelerated Green Growth, an integrated BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing with an aim to make a green, clean, prosperous, and self-reliant Bharat was released on September 12 at Global Bio-India (GBI) 2024. Lets take a look at how the BioE3 Policy for biomanufacturing is set to transform this landscape.


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Electric Vehicles have received negative publicity in recent times which is often caused by consumer perceptions of what EVs can and cant do.

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Kia is one of Ireland top-selling car brands and operates through a dealer network of 32 dealers across the country.

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The Kia EV model range

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British actor Idris Elba said he has had deep conversations with Sir Keir Starmer about how to tackle knife crime.

The Luther star met with the Labour leader earlier in the week at an event where they spoke to the families of knife crime victims.

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On Sunday, following a rousing speech on the West Holts stage at Glastonbury Festival, the 51-year-old said it is crucial that the next UK prime minister addresses the issue.

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Elba graced the stage at Worthy Farm to speak about knife crime and discuss his campaign, Dont Stop Your Future  which is demanding a ban on zombie knives and machetes.

Speaking to the PA news agency backstage, he said: I think that the politics around knife crime are so crucial to anyone that ends up in office (as prime minister), its important that whatever happens, something is done about knife crime.

I believe that (Sir) Keir and I have had very deep conversations about his plans to try and tackle it.

Hes read and listens to what Ive got to offer in terms of the manifesto I wrote about how we try (to fix) this, and hes been very responsive.

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So I can only hope right now that everyone is paying attention and that were going to move forward and fix it.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer rests his hand on the shoulder of Idris Elba, as they meet families of knife crime victims (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Asked if he has a message for the next elected government, he said: Weve been sort of thinking in silos around knife crime and youth culture.

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We need to think as a group. We need to think as joined up teams.

So the communities need to speak to the schools (to) education, education needs to speak to the healthcare. Healthcare needs to speak to the police.

These are all joined-up conversations that need to happen, and the governments need to just support that.

They also really need to pay attention to what youth culture needs.

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The youth are being ignored, and the result of that, we can see, is in a rise in violence and all sorts of fragmented behaviour.

Idris Elba at the Glastonbury Festival (Ben Birchall/PA)

The actor also spoke about the significance of speaking at Glastonbury, which is known for giving a platform to politicians and artists wishing to draw attention to varying social issues.

Glastonbury has this really incredible history of important moments, Elba said.

He added: People have used the opportunity to speak to so many people and spread messages and its (Glastonbury) a celebration of life in arts and culture.

And this, my campaign, the campaign  Dont Stop The Future  is a celebration of life.

After Elba gave his speech, 18-year-old musician Romaya from west London, a recent Brit School graduate, performed a song about knife crime.
Sophie Rundle says she is riding a heavenly wave of perfect love following the birth of her second child.

The British actress, known for playing Thomas Shelbys sister Ada Thorne in BBC gangster saga Peaky Blinders and Anne Listers love interest, Ann Walker, in BBC drama Gentleman Jack, shared a photo of her new son relaxing against her chest.

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Rundle wrote on Instagram: Hes here. I am fully ready and expecting to nosedive off the hormonal cliff edge at any moment but for now I am riding this heavenly wave of perfect love.

I only want to stay in this bed, tending to my exhausted happy bones, sniffing his delicious head and grandly announcing that he is wearing an archival look from the 2021 collection everytime I put him in one of his brothers old baby grows. (I am perhaps a tad delirious at this point.) Oh wow, the love the love the love.

Rundle also thanked Stroud Maternity Hospital for bringing him here so safely and happily and for looking after us so expertly, we are so grateful.

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She is in a relationship with actor Matt Stokoe, known for fantasy series Cursed, true crime drama The Hunt For Raoul Moat and superhero show Misfits.

They reportedly met on the set of the period drama Jamestown, set shortly after the British colony of the same name was founded in the 17th century.

The couple had their first child in 2021.
Additional reporting by David Raleigh.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has lodged an appeal against the sentence given to a soldier for the assault of a woman on a street in Limerick city.

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Cathal Crotty, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Natasha OBrien in 2022.

The 22-year-old, who is a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after being given a three-year suspended sentence for the attack.

The DPPs appeal against the suspended sentence has been lodged on the basis of undue leniency.

Protests have been held in cities across the country, outside the Dail and outside the Limerick courthouse after the story came to light.

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Ms OBrien said she was buoyed by the news that the DPP is to appeal Mr Crottys suspended three-year sentence for his vicious assault on her on the grounds that the sentence was overly lenient.

Thank god the right thing is being done now, Ms OBrien said.

However, the 24-year-old Limerick woman said many more victims of crime, particularly violent crime, do not get the opportunity to have their abusers

This is a step forward, but I am still at the bottom of a big mountain, so Im going to keep going, Ms OBrien said.

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The amount of victims that have come forward to me with sentencing horror stories, and their convicted (abusers) walking free, with no hope of an appeal, is quite frightening.

Ms OBrien said she has been advised that it can be quite difficult for the DPP to pursue an appeal, sometimes they don't have the grounds, which is very sad.

I am almost certain that there are a far greater number of unduly lenient sentences that dont get to that point.

Ms OBrien said she believed that speaking out in public about Crottys suspended sentence had helped bring an appeal against his sentence.

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I know the DPP is impartial to public opinion and government opinion, however I have no doubt there would not have been an appeal had their not been a national uproar, she said.

It is legislation and sentencing guidelines that need to change to allow for more of this, when judges are not - in my opinion - conducting fair sentences, that this process isnt so impossible and that it is more accessible for others, Ms OBrien said.

Ms OBrien said she had been advised that the appeal before the three-judge court of appeal would not be heard until October/November. She said she had been invited to attend the appeal hearing and that a transcript from Crottys sentencing hearing would be made available to the court.

Ms OBrien said she has experienced two crazy weeks since she spoke out publicly about her disgust at the sentence imposed on Crotty by Judge Tom ODonnell at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

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Crotty boasted on social media after the unprovoked attack: Two to put her (Ms OBrien) down, two to put her out.

There have been so many highs and so many lows, Ms O'Brien said.

She said the Labour Party was due to put a motion before the Dail next Wednesday seeking stringent sentencing guidelines in assault cases: That is fantastic, and it is great to see the wheel of change moving slowly forward.

Ms OBrien said she was concerned at some of the reaction to her publicly expressing her disappointment at both the sentence handed to Crotty and at her wider campaigning to seek changes in how judges deal with victims of crime.

Ive been receiving an outrageous amount of backlash this past weekend, in regards to people saying would she give it a rest  two (punches) to put her down, how many to shut her up, she deserved it, shes mouthy.

That is really frightening, this is a societal issue and people are getting frustrated that I am continuing to speak out about this? I wont be giving it a rest, because we, as a society, are only at the start  we are moving forward, but it is nowhere where we need to be, Ms OBrien argued.

To any of those commentators - their hate is my motivation to keep going, she said.

The negative comments are now a driving force for me to keep going. Its not ok, its as simple as that, and people thinking I should sit down and be quiet is worrying.

It is raising alarms for me that there is such a lack of conversation around the justice system, around victims, around violence, that people are seriously triggered when I speak out about holding accountability for assaults.

Its a touchy subject - why - it is extremely important and we need to keep speaking about it.
An application seeking to have a former director of a property development fund adjudicated bankrupt over a 1.85 million judgment debt might not proceed next month as settlement terms have been shared between the parties, the High Court has heard.

Stephane Fund (56) and former Irish rugby international Brendan Mullin were co-directors of Bisvale DAC, which went into receivership in 2021.

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Mount Street Mortgage Servicing Limited (MSMS) brought petitions seeking to have both men adjudicated bankrupt.

Last April, the petition related to Mr Mullin (60), with an address in Donnybrook, Dublin, was struck out with consent from him and the company.

The petition against Mr Fund, of Kilternan, Co Dublin, is listed for hearing on July 22nd.

On Monday, Mr Funds barrister, Keith Farry, told the court that terms of settlement have been shared between his client and MSMS.

He asked Mr Justice Liam Kennedy to schedule for the case to be mentioned on July 15th for an update on implementation.

Una Nesdale, counsel for MSMS, said the issues between the parties have narrowed, and the lawyers will be able to update the court in two weeks about whether the petition hearing will proceed or be struck out.

The judge listed the case as requested.

The petition follows a judgment MSMS secured from the High Court for some 2 million against Mr Fund and Mr Mullin.

The judgment, given in April 2022, arises from guarantees concerning loans to purchase properties in Ballsbridge from the National Asset Management Agency (Nama).
The body of a serial sex offender from Donegal that was discovered at a caravan and camping park in Dublin two years ago had to be identified through DNA, an inquest has heard.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court into the death of Patrick Porter (46) of Grange, Inch Island, Burnfoot, Co Donegal heard his badly decomposed body was found in a van at the Camac Valley Caravan & Camping Park in Clondalkin, Dublin on July 27th 2022.

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The coroner, Crona Gallagher, was informed that a DNA sample from the body was matched with a sample taken from the deceaseds father, Reg Porter ,at his home in Co Donegal.

Dr Gallagher noted that a visual identity of the body had not been possible due to its advanced state of decomposition when it was discovered.

However, the coroner said she was satisfied that Reg Porter was the biological father of the deceased as a result of a forensic analysis which matched their DNA samples.

The site manager at Camac Valley, James Keogh, told the inquest on Monday that he had noticed a bad smell on a part of the site when he began work on the morning of July 27th 2022.

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However, Mr Keogh said he believed at the time that the odour had been coming from litter bins, although he had also noticed flies around a white van parked under a tree.

He recalled how he was approached a short time later by some French tourists who also complained about a bad smell in the area.

Mr Keogh said he asked them if they had seen anyone near or in the van, but they had not.

The witness said he rang the phone number associated with the vehicle when it had checked into the caravan park a number of times and sensed something was wrong when he got no answer.

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When he returned to the vehicle, Mr Keogh said a pile of rubbish fell out on the ground when he opened the back door before he noticed the decomposed body of a male under a duvet.

In reply to questions from the coroner, Mr Keogh said Mr Porter had stayed at Camac Valley a few times in his Volkswagen Caddy van that he parked in a spot on a communal grass area.

He was in and out usually for 3-4 days at a time, Mr Keogh recalled.

However, he was uncertain exactly when the deceased had last checked in or when he had last been seen by staff at Camac Valley.

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Garda Erica Fleming said she was informed by a paramedic that Mr Porter had probably been dead for a number of weeks by the time his body was discovered.

Garda Fleming said the deceased, who had been lying fully-clothed on a mattress under a duvet, was formally pronounced dead at 11.55am on July 27th 2022.

The inquest heard the Caddy van had been traced to the deceaseds mother, Bridie Porter, who was its registered owner.

Although no direct reference was made to Mr Porters criminal background, Garda Fleming said, in reply to questions from the coroner, that he had had interactions with gardai which were not positive.

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She understood that the deceased, who was a welder by trade, had also been living intermittently in Co Donegal.

Garda Fleming said gardai had been unable to establish when he had last been seen alive and also noted that he had a bit of an estranged relationship with his family.

She confirmed that gardai had no concerns that there was anything suspicious in relation to Mr Porters death.

Garda Fleming observed that Garda files showed he had a history of drug use, alcohol addiction and mental health problems.

The inquest heard a postmortem had found traces of heroin, cocaine and some prescription drugs in the deceaseds body.

Dr Gallagher recorded the cause of death as multiple drug toxicity but noted that it had been impossible to determine the quantity of the various drugs in his body.

The coroner said chronic liver disease and scarring of the heart tissue detected in the autopsy on Mr Porters body were also contributory factors.

Based on the evidence, Dr Gallagher said there was no evidence that the deceased had intended to harm himself, and she returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

Offering condolences to Mr Porters family, who did not attend the inquest, the coroner said the death of a relatively young man who had become isolated was very tragic.

Porter, who had a series of convictions for lewd behaviour and other sex offences going back as far as 2011, had served prison sentences in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.
A 36-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his fiancee at their home in Co Meath nearly two years ago by reason of insanity.

Andrei Dobra, with an address at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, is charged with murdering his partner Ioana Mihaela Pacala (30) in their flat at that address on or about November 12th, 2022.

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Mr Dobra was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: "Not guilty", adding, "I can't be responsible".

Addressing the jury panel, Mr Justice Paul McDermott clarified: "For the record, that is a not guilty by reason of insanity plea."

The judge informed the potential jurors that Mr Dobra and Ms Pacala were partners, who were due to be married, and they had shared a home together. He also told the jury panel that both individuals were Romanian nationals.

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Mr Justice McDermott said there was a mental health issue in the case in relation to the accused man.

"That will be the subject of professional evidence in relation to his mental state at the time and whether he suffered from a mental disorder," he added.

The judge told the jury panel that they would be invited to assess the facts of the case, which he said was mainly medical evidence in relation to Mr Dobra's state of mind at the time of Ms Pacala's death.

Mr Justice McDermott said consultant psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright will testify for the prosecution, and psychiatrist Dr Patricia Casey will give evidence for the defence.

A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin on Tuesday before Ms Justice Melanie Greally.

The trial is expected to last up to five days.
Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Autumn general election?

While Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin continue to insist the Governent will serve its full term to March 2025, an autumn general election appears to be on the cards.

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Fine Gael and Fianna Fail held their own in the recent local and European elections, while Sinn Fein suffered disappointing results.

This, and the fact there would be five by-elections due to the election of MEPs and Michael McGrath as EU Commissioner, will both be contributing factors.

Fine Gael has also confirmed candidate selection will need to be completed by September 22nd.

With the conclusion of the local and European elections, the Fine Gael Executive Council has requested that all Fine Gael Dail selection conventions take place by September 22nd, a spokesperson said. This is to ensure that new candidates have ample opportunity to prepare, receive training and build profile in advance of the general election which is due on or before March 22nd, 2025.

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In a recent interview with BreakingNews.ie, Ivan Yates predicted November 15th as the most likely general election date.

Green Party leadership contest

Roderic O'Gorman and Pippa Hackett have both put their cases forward in the Green Party leadership contest.

At the leadership hustings on Sunday, Mr O'Gorman spoke about getting the party on an election footing, while Ms Hackett spoke of dealing with an "image problem".

Minister for Integration O'Gorman is regarded as the favourite over Ms Hackett, who is a senator.

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The decision will be made by votes from the party's 4,000 members, with the new leader to be announced on Monday, July 8th.

Defence Forces controversy, Aer Lingus dispute

The Taoiseach has admitted he was frustrated over an ongoing controversy in the Defence Forces.

It comes after earlier this week Simon Harris stated that information on how many serving members had criminal convictions was not immediately available to him.

The Defence Forces later said a total of 68 members have been convicted or are before the courts charged with criminal offences.

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They include public order, drink-driving, drugs, physical assault and sexual offences.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheal Martin asked for a review of members of the military who were charged with offences after the case of an Irish soldier who assaulted a woman until she was unconscious prompted protests across Ireland in the past week.

Victim Natasha OBrien called on politicians and the Defence Forces to do your job to protect women and other civilians.

On the Aer Lingus pilots' pay dispute, Mr Harris said the Government has already intervened.

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Mr Harris said the Government has done what it can but that both sides need to sort this out quickly.

"The State already has made an intervention through the Labour Court, so the Labour Court has already met both parties separately in the last couple of days.

"But on that occasion, they said 'hang on a second, you guys are too far apart, we'll be back to you in a few days', and the private conversations, I'm sure took place. Now on Monday, the Labour Court will again meet, so that is Government, through its industrial relations mechanism endeavouring to make progress."

Sinn Fein targets electoral success in North

Sinn Fein wants to maximise the number of progressive MPs returned from Northern Ireland in this years UK general election, vice president Michelle ONeill has said.

The party is running 14 candidates, standing aside in East Belfast, North Down and Strangford where Alliance is challenging unionists, as well as South Belfast where the SDLP is hoping to return to the green benches.

Ms ONeill said it had not been an easy decision to stand aside in the four constituencies but said the party wants to see a rejection of those who had propped up the last Conservative government.

Abroad

In the UK, general election campaigning is approaching the final stages ahead of the Thursday, July 4th poll.

A convincing victory for the Labour Party looks inevitable. The only uncertainty is how strong the majority will be for Keir Starmer's party.

Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is in a fight to be the largest opposition party, as polls suggest they will be under pressure from the Liberal Democrats and Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

Meanwhile, the US is still reeling from a chaotic US presidential debate.

US president Joe Biden performed poorly, and appeared confused at times, prompting calls for him to step aside for a different challenger to Republican candidate Donald Trump.

However, top Democrats have insisted Mr Biden will be the candidate for November's poll.
The Israeli army has ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from the eastern half of Khan Younis.

Mondays order is a sign that Israeli troops could soon return to the southern city  the second-largest in Gaza.

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Israel ended an offensive in Khan Younis earlier this year and withdrew most of its forces.

Much of Khan Younis was already destroyed in a long assault earlier this year, but large numbers of Palestinians have since moved back in to escape another Israeli offensive in Gazas southern-most city, Rafah.

Mondays evacuation call covered the entire eastern half of Khan Younis and a large swathe of the Gaza Strips southeast corner. Earlier in the day, the army said a barrage of rockets out of Gaza was fired from Khan Younis.

An evacuation and eruption of fighting in the Khan Younis area could further hamper Palestinians access to much-needed potable water.

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Included in the evacuation zone is a water line that Israel installed following criticism over its cutoff of water to the strip early in its campaign.



Displaced Palestinian children fill plastic bottles with water as others wait their turn at a makeshift tent camp in Khan Younis (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Also in the zone is the area surrounding the Kerem Shalom crossing, the major aid crossing to southern Gaza, as well as an aid route that Israel said it would safeguard to allow trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the strip.

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Very little aid has entered the strip due to lawlessness along the aid route, and a new offensive would risk further harming aid efforts.

The evacuation order indicates that Hamas has regrouped in the area.

Israel has said it is in the final stages of an offensive in nearby Rafah, and there has been heavy fighting in recent days in parts of Gaza City in the north.

Earlier on Monday, Israel released 55 Palestinians whom it had detained from Gaza, including the director of the territorys main hospital, Mohammed Abu Selmia, who was freed without charge or trial after being detained in November when Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital.

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Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Gazas main hospital, who was detained by Israeli forces in November, sitting with family members after his release on Monday (Mohammad Jahjouh/AP)

In video comments aired by Palestinian media following his release, Mr Abu Selmia accused Israeli authorities of subjecting Palestinian detainees to daily physical and psychological humiliation. Israeli authorities have denied such allegations.

Israel launched the war after Hamass October 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducted about 250.

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Since then, Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 37,700 people in Gaza, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

The war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and basic goods to Gaza, and people there are now totally dependent on aid.

The top United Nations court has concluded there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza  a charge Israel strongly denies.



Palestinians walk through a street market in Khan Younis (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Most of Gazas population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, with many displaced multiple times. Israeli restrictions, fighting and the breakdown of public order have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, fuelling widespread hunger and sparking fears of famine.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the new evacuation order just shows yet again that no place is safe in Gaza for Palestinian civilians.

Its another stop in this deadly circular movement that the population in Gaza has to undergo on a regular basis, he said in a statement calling for a ceasefire.

Also on Monday, victims of Hamass October 7 attack sued Iran, Syria and North Korea, saying their governments supplied the militants with money, weapons and know-how needed to carry out the assault that precipitated Israels ongoing war in Gaza.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, seeks at least four billion dollars (3.16 billion) in damages for a co-ordination of extrajudicial killings, hostage takings, and related horrors for which the defendants provided material support and resources.

Irans mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the allegations, while Syria and North Korea did not respond.

Later on Monday the Israeli military said a soldier had been killed by a roadside explosion in the northern West Bank.

Israeli media say the explosion took place in Nur Shams  the urban refugee camp near the city of Tulkarem where the army has been operating in recent days.

Earlier on Monday the army announced the death of another soldier killed in fighting in the southern Gaza Strip.

More than 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war against Hamas erupted on October 7.
Israel released 55 Palestinians on Monday who had been detained from Gaza, including the director of the territorys main hospital, a Palestinian health official said.

Mohammed Abu Selmia was detained in November when Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital.

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In a video shown by Palestinian media after his release, Abu Selmia accused Israeli authorities of subjecting Palestinian detainees to daily physical and psychological humiliation.

Israeli authorities have denied such allegations.

Israeli soldiers on top of a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border (Leo Correa/AP)

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Israel accuses Hamas and other militant groups of sheltering in hospitals and using them for military purposes.

Palestinian health officials say Israeli raids have forced several hospitals to shut down or dramatically reduce services, recklessly endangering civilians.

Hospitals can lose their protection under international law if they are used for military purposes.

The Israeli military says about 20 projectiles were fired from Gaza at communities near the border early on Monday. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

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Israel launched the war after Hamas October 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250.

Since then, Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 37,700 people in Gaza, according to the territorys health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

The war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and basic goods to Gaza, and people there are now totally dependent on aid.

The top United Nations court has concluded there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel strongly denies.
Updated: 5.10pm

Police in Spain are investigating the death of an Irish tourist in Majorca on Monday morning.

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Initial local reports described the 45-year-old as British after he was found dead in the street and Calvia Town Hall.

However, the Civil Guard, which is leading the probe into the incident in Martin Ros Street near the raucous Punta Ballena strip, subsequently revealed the man had been travelling on an Irish passport.

He was found unresponsive after the alarm was raised around 4.30am on Monday morning.

A security guard alerted local police, telling officers he had seen the man collapse and fall to the ground.

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Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man was identified by the hotel wristband he was wearing.

Police reportedly went to the four-star family friendly hotel, which has not yet been officially named, to try to speak to the man's friends or relatives.

An post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on the man's body on Monday, and police are understood to be collecting CCTV footage from the area.

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A spokesperson for Calvia Council confirmed: A 45-year-old man died in the street this morning in the Magaluf area.

It occurred around 4.30am. The dead man was staying in a hotel in the area.

He added: An employee of a local establishment alerted police, saying that a man was unwell and was stumbling around in the street.

Local police arrived and performed CPR but were unable to revive him. The Civil Guard has taken over the investigation to determine the cause of death.

A Civil Guard source said: This death does not appear to be crime-related in any way, but the autopsy will be key to determining what happens next.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

"As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of any specific case."
At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole.

In return, they must join the fight against Russia.

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You can put an end to this and start a new life, said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion.

The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You wont succeed at 50 per cent, you have to give 100 per cent of yourself, even 150 per cent.

A Ukrainian military instructor of Arey Battalion checks weapons of convict prisoners (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

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Ukraine is expanding conscription to cope with acute battlefield shortages, more than two years into fighting against Russias full-scale invasion.

Its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the countrys prison population.

Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems, as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward.

More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilisation bill last month, Ukrainian deputy justice minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press.

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About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new programme, according to justice ministry estimates.

A military instructor demonstrates how to use a grenade launcher on a rifle (Evgeniy Maloletka)

A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison, Ms Vysotska said.

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Ernest Volvach, 27, wants to take up the offer. He is serving a two-year sentence for robbery, at the penal colony in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region. He works in the kitchen, ladling of food into tin bowls.

Its stupid to sit here doing nothing, he said, adding that since the start of the war he has wanted to do something for Ukraine and have the opportunity to enlist. Now its appeared.

Ukrainian soldiers on active duty are typically identified only by their first name, or a call sign, for security reasons. Many of the inmates at the Dnipropetrovsk penal colony also asked to be identified only by their first names to avoid difficulties if they enlist.

Another inmate, 30, who gave his name only as Volodymyr, makes rivets at a penal colony workshop. He said he plans to volunteer after his sentence ends in one year, but would not do so now because there is effectively no home leave under the parole programme.

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Prisoners in the Dnipropetrovsk region (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Prisoners can get the conditional release after an interview, medical exam, and a review of their conviction. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murdering two or more people or crimes against Ukraines national security are not eligible.

Ukrainian officials are keen to draw a distinction between their programme and recruitment in Russia of convicts to serve in the notorious Wagner mercenary group.

Those fighters typically have been funnelled to the deadliest battles, the officials say, but the Ukrainian programme aims to integrate the inmates into regular Ukrainian frontline units.

The country has a prison population of some 42,000, according to figures forwarded by the government to the European Union.

After screening, paroled inmates are rushed to basic training at camps where they learn how to handle weapons and other combat fundamentals. Training is completed later once they join the individual units.

Paroled inmate Mykhailo, 29, joined an assault course and said it was hard to keep up with the physical demands after months of relative inactivity in prison  clambering in and out of armed personnel carriers and running through obstacle courses.

I decided to sign up for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army because I have a family at home, children, parents, he said, speaking over the noise of gunfire at a shooting range. I will be more useful in the war.

Ms Vysotska said interest in the military parole programme has exceeded early expectations, and that it could provide as many as 5,000 new recruits. That would definitely help, she said.
The US Supreme Court on Monday extended the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

Mr Trump hailed the ruling as a big win for democracy.

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In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices said for the first time that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for their official acts and no immunity for unofficial acts.

But rather than do it themselves, the justices ordered lower courts to work out precisely how to apply the decision to Mr Trumps case.

The outcome means additional delay before Mr Trump could face trial in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.



The Supreme Court in Washington, DC (Susan Walsh/AP)

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The courts decision in a second major Trump case this term, along with its ruling rejecting efforts to bar him from the ballot because of his actions following the 2020 election, underscores the direct and possibly uncomfortable role the justices are playing in the November election.

The ruling was the last of the term and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including the Watergate tapes case.

The Supreme Court directed US district judge Tanya Chutkan to assess whether core aspects of the indictment are official acts and therefore shielded from immunity or are not official acts and therefore potentially subject to prosecution.

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Those include, among other things, Mr Trumps hectoring of then-vice president Mike Pence not to certify the electoral votes  a core feature of the four-count indictment.

Mr Trump posted in all capital letters on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

The three liberal justices  Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson  all dissented from the majority opinion.

In her dissent, Ms Sotomayor wrote: Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.

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Protesters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on Monday (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.

In May, Mr Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to an adult film actress who says she had sex with him, which he denies. He still faces three other indictments.

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Smith is leading the two federal probes of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Mr Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. The other case, in Georgia, also turns on Mr Trumps actions after his defeat in 2020.

If Mr Trumps Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter.

But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.

The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Mr Trump  Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh  and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.

Justice Clarence Thomas wife, Ginni, attended the rally near the White House where Mr Trump spoke on January 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when a mob of Trump supporters attacked it soon after.

Following the 2020 election, she called it a heist and exchanged messages with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Mr Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud.



Donald Trump speaking at a campaign rally in Chesapeake, Virginia (Steve Helber/AP)

Justice Samuel Alito said there was no reason for him to step aside from the cases following reports by The New York Times that flags similar to those carried by the January 6 rioters flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore.

His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the Appeal to Heaven banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic politicians responding to their recusal demands.

Mr Trumps trial had been scheduled to begin March 4, but that was before he sought court-sanctioned delays and a full review of the issue by the nations highest court.

Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Mr Trump can be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to January 6.

For the purpose of this criminal case, former president Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defences of any other criminal defendant, the appeals court wrote in February. But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as president no longer protects him against this prosecution.

Judge Chutkan, who would preside over the trial in Washington, DC, ruled against Mr Trumps immunity claim in December. In her ruling, Judge Chutkan said the office of the president does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass.

Former presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability, she wrote. Defendants may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.





At the Supreme Court, the majority found that the immunity they recognised extends to the outer perimeter of the presidents official responsibilities, setting what appears to be a high bar for determining what conduct could potentially be prosecuted.

In dividing official from unofficial conduct, courts may not inquire into the presidents motives, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. Nor may courts deem an action unofficial merely because it allegedly violates a generally applicable law.

The opinion found Mr Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.

Mr Trump is also at least presumptively immune from allegations that he tried to pressure Mr Pence to reject certification of the vote, Mr Roberts wrote.

The majority did reject Mr Trumps arguments that the indictment should be dismissed, and that impeachment is a necessary step in the enforcement of the law.

Justice Clarence Thomas issued a separate concurrence saying that he believed Jack Smiths appointment as special counsel was illegitimate and that the case therefore violates our constitutional structure.

No other justice signed on to that opinion, but the question took centre stage in recent arguments in a separate case against Mr Trump charging him in Florida with illegally hoarding classified documents.

Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal called the Supreme Courts ruling a cravenly political decision meant to shield Mr Trump with a legal armour that no other citizen enjoys.

This is a licence for authoritarianism, the Connecticut politician said in a statement on Monday.





And David Becker, an election law expert and the executive director of the nonprofit Centre for Election Innovation and Research, called the breadth of immunity granted to Mr Trump incredibly broad and deeply disturbing.

Almost anything that a president does with the executive branch is characterised as an official act, he said on a call with reporters following the ruling.

I think putting aside this particular prosecution, for any unscrupulous individual holding the seat of the Oval Office who might lose an election, the way I read this opinion is it could be a road map for them seeking to stay in power.

Mr Becker said even historic scandals such as Watergate could be seen differently given the ruling.

Its likely that Gerald Ford did not need to pardon Richard Nixon under the interpretation of presidential immunity that this court enunciates today, he said.

Mr Becker lamented the time the Supreme Court took with the ruling, saying Americans had an interest in knowing the result sooner given Mr Trumps candidacy in the upcoming presidential election.

President Joe Bidens campaign said in a statement that the Supreme Courts immunity ruling doesnt change the facts about the events of January 6.

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer denounced Mondays ruling by the Supreme Court as a disgraceful decision made with the help of the three justices that Mr Trump appointed himself.

It undermines Scotuss (Supreme Court of the United States) credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today, the New York Democrat said on X, formerly Twitter.

Former Capitol Police sergeant Aquilino Gonell, who was injured by Mr Trumps supporters during the January 6 attack on the Capitol, said the Supreme Courts decision that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution is very disappointing.

Mr Gonell was in front of the Supreme Court as the ruling was handed down. He criticised the decision to return the case to a lower court, delaying the criminal case against Mr Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss.

What is it that we are playing other than delaying the inevitable, which is that Donald Trump needs to face the consequences? Mr Gonell asked.

Mr Gonell, who has been campaigning for Joe Biden, was severely beaten in the Capitol attack. He retired from the force in 2022 because of his injuries.

Following its rulings in three cases on Monday, the Supreme Court adjourned until the first Monday in October.
The Supreme Courts ruling on Monday in former US president Donald Trumps 2020 election interference case makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington ahead of the November election.

In a 6-3 ruling, the justices said former presidents are shielded from prosecution for official acts but do not have immunity for unofficial acts.

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The Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court to determine whether core aspects of the indictment are unofficial versus official, and therefore potentially shielded from prosecution.

Here is what to know about the ruling and what comes next:

 The opinion

In the courts majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that while the president is not above the law he also may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers. Therefore, Mr Trump is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts, Mr Roberts wrote.

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The ruling means that special counsel Jack Smith cannot proceed with core allegations in the indictment  or must at least defend their use in future proceedings before the trial judge.



Republican presidential candidate former president Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Virginia (Steve Helber/AP)

The justices, for instance, wiped out Mr Smiths use of allegations that Mr Trump sought to leverage the investigative power of the Justice Department by ordering investigations into claims of voter fraud.

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It does not matter, the justices said, if the requested investigations were based on sham allegations or based on an improper purpose. At the end of the day, the court said, the president cannot be prosecuted for conduct within his exclusive constitutional authority.

The justices said the lower court must carefully analyse whether other allegations involve official conduct for which the president would be immune from prosecution.

Among the issues for further analysis is Mr Trumps relentless badgering of then-vice president Mike Pence not to certify the electoral votes on January 6 2021. The justices said it was ultimately the governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity in Mr Trumps interactions with Mr Pence and sent the question back to US district court judge Tanya Chutkan.

 The fake electors scheme

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The justices also directed additional fact-finding on one of the more stunning allegations in the indictment  that Mr Trump had participated in a scheme orchestrated by allies to enlist fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden who would falsely attest that Mr had won in those states.

The Trump team had argued that the selection of alternate electors was in keeping with Mr Trumps presidential interest in the integrity and administration of the federal elections and cited as precedent an episode from 1876 in which the president Ulysses Grant sent federal troops to Louisiana and Mississippi to ensure that Republican electors got certified in those two cases.

The Smith team, by contrast, portrayed the fake elector scheme as a purely private action that implied no presidential duty.

The conservative justices in their majority opinion did not answer the question as to which side was right, instead saying that determining whose characterisation may be correct, and with respect to which conduct, requires a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations.

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Unlike Mr Trumps interactions with the Justice Department, the justices said, this alleged conduct cannot be neatly categorised as falling within a particular presidential function. The necessary analysis is instead fact specific, requiring assessment of numerous alleged interactions with a wide variety of state officials and private persons.



People protest outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on Monday (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

 Trial timing

The ruling makes it nearly impossible that a trial could be held before voters decide whether to send Mr Trump back to the White House.

No pre-trial preparations have taken place for more than six months since Judge Chutkan put the case on hold in December to allow Mr Trump to pursue his appeal. Judge Chutkan had indicated she is likely to give the two sides at least three months to get ready for trial once the case returns to her court.

That had left the door open to the case potentially going to trial before the election if the Supreme Court  like the lower courts  had ruled that Mr Trump was not immune from prosecution.

With the Supreme Courts ruling, however, the case could be tied up for months with legal wrangling over whether Mr Trumps conduct was official or unofficial.

 The dissenters

The three liberal justices  Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson  sharply criticised the majoritys opinion in scathing dissents. In her minority opinion, Ms Sotomayor expressed fear for our democracy and said the ruling wrongly insulates presidents as a king above the law.

The dissenting justices said the majority decision makes presidents immune from prosecution for acts such as ordering Navy seals to assassinate a political rival, organising a military coup to hold on to power or accepting a bribe in exchange for a pardon.

Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the president and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law, Ms Sotomayor wrote.

In a separate dissenting opinion,Ms Jackson said the majoritys ruling breaks new and dangerous ground.

Stated simply: The court has now declared for the first time in history that the most powerful official in the United States can (under circumstances yet to be fully determined) become a law unto himself, Ms Jackson wrote.



Special counsel Jack Smith (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

 Trumps other cases

Mr Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts in his hush money trial in New York and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. Each count of falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars, but there is no guarantee he will get prison time. Other possibilities include fines or probation.

It seems almost certain that Mr Trumps two other criminal cases will not go to trial before the election.

An appeals court recently halted Mr Trumps Georgia 2020 election interference case while it reviews the lower court judges ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case. No trial date had been set in that case.

Mr Trump was supposed to go to trial in May in the other case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, over classified documents found at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House. But US district judge Aileen Cannon cancelled the trial date as the case got bogged down with legal issues. She has yet to schedule a new one.
Sean Curran | Merge PR

NASHVILLE, TENN. / ATLANTA, GA. (JUNE 28, 2024) sixstepsrecords/Capitol Christian Music Group's Sean Curran will release his first full-length studio project, Basic Faith, on August 9th. Today two new tracks from the upcoming debut are available along with the pre-order. Listen to the title track and his version of "He Who Is to Come," which was previously released on Passion's latest album, co-written by Curran with Cody Carnes and Kristian Stanfill, here.

"Jesus came to do more than get us into heaven, He came to get heaven into us, shares Sean Curran about this album. The idea that God wants to be discovered in our everyday lives is weaved throughout this album. I think we can tend to build in our imagination a world where we only relate to God in spectacular settings, but that is not where we spend most of our time. Thats why I like the word Basic.' Its less about simple or easy, and more akin to something like fundamental or foundational. Often we want something from faith that it isnt trying to give us. Faith isnt about knowing whats around every corner, it's about trusting WHO is leading the way."

Although this is his first full-length studio project, Curran has established himself as a thoughtful and creative songwriter since his first record deal at 22 years old with the Billboard chart-ranking band Bellarive. Since 2018, he has been part of the sixstepsrecords family delivering a long list of songs such as "Bigger Than I Thought," "Glorious Day," "1000 Names" and most recently "He Who Is To Come." Known for his unique artistry, Basic Faith captures new styles and sounds that will give the listener a path to take them back to the fundamentals of their faith.
A cashed-up Venture Minerals is ready to make good on its promise to explore the vast potential of its record-breaking Jupiter rare earths deposit in Western Australias Mid West region after securing full ownership of the Brothers project.

The company also confirmed this morning it had completed a $6 million capital raising mission that would fund its aggressive strategy at Jupiter, which is part of Brothers, for the next 18 months.

Venture Minerals Jupiter prospect has the potential to become Australias biggest clay-hosted rare earths discovery.

As part of a new deal, Venture is set to acquire joint venture (JV) partner Merchant Ventures 30 per cent share of the Brothers project for $1.5 million worth of its shares. That will see the company grab full rights to the emerging Jupiter operation it says has all the hallmarks of being Australias biggest clay-hosted rare earths discovery.

Merchant will retain a 1 per cent net smelter royalty over future production at the project.
Its been a long-held dream of Candice Lins to have a cat lead an exhibition tour, and its finally happening in Melbourne.

I never thought anybody would take it seriously and make it happen, the Chinese-American artist says. Were speaking a day before the preview of her new show, The Sex Life of Stone, at Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA). Over two weekends in July, the exhibition will be led by a cat named Kovu.

Candice Lin with Kovu, the cat who will lead tours of the artists exhibition at the Monash University Museum of Art. Credit: Simon Schluter

The cat-led tour is both an experiment and an extension of the themes Lin explores in her work: the creatures feature in The Animal Husband and The Blueness, video works narrated respectively by Lins cat, Roger, and Rogers feral uncle, White-n-Gray, as they ruminate on life and death. Both consider the power dynamics between humans and animals. A lot of my work tries to think about what a non-human-centred view of the world would look like, Lin says.

The artist took inspiration from the way Roger interacts with and observes her art practice, as well as the spiritual life of cats. My work is often dealing with things in history that, I think, are a little bit haunted, she says. There might be demons or other spiritual aspects of the work that allow you to be able to feel the content of what the piece is about, even though youre just looking at physical objects.
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Review Eating outSydney Fine dining meets fusion at this slightly otherworldly Circular Quay showpiece Former Aria chef Daeun Kangs fusion of French and Japanese cooking plays out on every plate at luxurious harbourside restaurant Oborozuki. Terry Durack July 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 12 Oborozukis location is hard to beat, overlooking the ferry end of Circular Quay. Louie Douvis 2 / 12 Daeun Kangs food is delicate, refined and high in technique. Louie Douvis 3 / 12 Sake sommelier Donggeon Kim. Louie Douvis 4 / 12 A white-gloved sommelier selects a glass from Japans famous Kagami Crystal. Louie Douvis 5 / 12 Go-to dish: Maremma duck, purple carrot, blackberry, madeira, macadamia. Louie Douvis 6 / 12 OConnor beef tartare with fermented chilli and toasted brioche dusted with cured egg yolk. Louie Douvis 7 / 12 Louie Douvis 8 / 12 Glacier 51 toothfish, fennel and celeriac terrine. Louie Douvis 9 / 12 Louie Douvis 10 / 12 Coral trout, wasabi, katsuobushi, Kaviari Kristal caviar. Louie Douvis 11 / 12 Sake baba, sudachi curd, citrus cells, marigold. Louie Douvis 12 / 12 Teppanyaki chef Felix Zheng. Louie Douvis Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Japanese$$$$ Its probably a difficult time to be a luxurious fine-dining restaurant; especially one designed as a shrine to the fusion of Japanese and French cuisines. (Havent we done this before, and fused already?) But if it is, Oborozuki isnt showing it. Instead, its showing off. There are sommeliers for sake and wine, and I have just been presented with a huge leather-bound Louis Vuitton trunk. Inside are 40 individual glasses from Japans famous Kagami Crystal, backlit and glowing like cut emeralds and rubies. I select one, and a white-gloved somm fills it with Hananomai Abysse ($23 for 100ml), an unpasteurised sparkling sake brewed using a process similar to champagne that leaves it zippy and fresh.

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Its a flourish, a ritual, that is almost sacramental. As I am to learn, this is the Oborozuki way. A white-gloved sommelier selects a glass from Japans famous Kagami Crystal. Louie Douvis The Tong Sheng Group (behind Panda Yum Cha and 678 Korean BBQ) has pulled out all the stops with its first upscale restaurant in Australia. The location is hard to beat, overlooking the ferry end of Circular Quay. A magnificent spiral staircase (bait for influencers) leads to a golden-hued double-height cathedral-like room. Above, a second level of three private dining rooms is the domain of dedicated head teppanyaki chef Felix Zheng. Oborozuki started as high-end omakase, but appointed a la carte head chef Daeun Kang in late 2023, fresh from seven years at Aria, to ring in some changes. Her food is delicate, refined and high in technique. The expense of the menu ($180/$220 a head) is lightened by the generosity, as not one but three appetisers land on the table, followed by Sonoma bread and seaweed butter. Fingers of maki roll have the bite of mustard greens, capped with avocado and saltbush. An impossibly thin tartlet (made from gyoza wrapper) holds oyster cream, diced kingfish and crisp apple, with a bunch of sea grapes reclining on top like a seal. A smoked mussel sits atop a cushy doughnut with a bright sudachi aioli.

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Coral trout, wasabi, katsuobushi, Kaviari Kristal caviar. Louie Douvis Oh my, this food. Overlapping slices of raw coral trout nestled with tangy furls of daikon, huddles of Kaviari Kristal sturgeon caviar and tiny white blossoms are so white-on-white, its almost bridal. Chawan-mushi is bathed in a scallop consomme, carrying wonderfully toasty scallops, sea urchin and Jerusalem artichoke crisps, paired with a seriously umami-rific Gassan Tokubetsu Junmai sake ($36 for 120ml). The fusion of French and Japanese plays out on every plate, and my drinks pairing ($95) flows from wine to sake and back, with Donggeon Kim on duty to guide our sake experience, and Harold Clouet and Romain Bouquet for wine (what a brilliant surname for a sommelier). Go-to dish: Maremma duck, purple carrot, blackberry, madeira, macadamia. Louie Douvis

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OConnor beef tartare is nubbly and rich, warm with fermented chilli and capped with a disc of toasted brioche dusted with cured egg yolk. Some dishes owe inspiration to Kangs years at Aria. The Maremma duck is one; dry-aged for seven days, brushed with red wine and maltose, roasted, rested, carved and char-grilled. Accompaniments are precise and pointed; a pretty gathering of jube-like purple carrot with blackberries, and a curl of macadamia cream. The duck is a star; ruby-red and as giving as high-marble-score beef, paired with a velvety 2019 E. Guigal Crozes Hermitage. Its slightly otherworldly, like being in a Japanese restaurant in Paris or a French fine diner in Tokyo. A word: agree to the same number of courses among yourselves, or you may get out of step at the end, with one brought fish and the other dessert; something best avoided. Sake takes on the role of rum for a gorgeous little baba layered with sudachi curd, citrus cells and citrus granita, with freeze-dried mandarin showered from above at the table.

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The theatrics and staged rituals at Oborozuki are reminiscent of high-end Vue de Monde in Melbourne, but theres generosity here, with a sense that everything possible is done for the diner, not for the kitchen. Its slightly otherworldly, like being in a Japanese restaurant in Paris or a French fine diner in Tokyo. But instead, were here in Sydney, where bringing them together feels like a glimpse of the future. The low-down Vibe: Lavish harbourside French-Japanese, shaped with craft Go-to dish: Maremma duck, purple carrot, blackberry, madeira, macadamia Drinks: Sake is given equal billing to wine, with its own sommelier, bespoke glassware and style Cost: Three courses a la carte $180 a head, four courses $220, plus drinks
Legacy brands revitalized as China-chic products unleash new demand

10:52, July 01, 2024 By Shi Hao, Xie Xiyao and Deng Xianlai ( Xinhua

BEIJING/WASHINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- While ice cream in various flavors is available at grocery stores in Beijing, a host of young people still feel compelled to wait in a long line in the blazing sun for something special.

Priced at 9 yuan (about 1.3 U.S. dollars) per cone, the tea flavored ice cream is a superstar product of Wuyutai Tea, a company founded in 1887. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday earlier this month, a staggering number of approximately 4,000 cones are sold each day at a single outlet in downtown Beijing.

For numerous coffee lovers, the "sauce-flavored latte" made by domestic coffee brand Luckin is an absolute must-try. This novelty is one of Luckin's best-selling products, made all the more enchanting by a key ingredient: alcohol from China's premium liquor maker Kweichow Moutai.

Wuyutai Tea and Kweichow Moutai are among China's 1,455 "time-honored brands," which are well-known throughout the country and officially recognized by the Ministry of Commerce.

With an average age of nearly 140 years, these legacy brands either serve as a reminder of people's childhood flavors or relate to festival traditions and nostalgic memories.

Faced with cut-throat competition from both domestic and foreign companies absent in the past, many of the long-established businesses are proactively adapting to the changing landscape and flourishing by tapping into the current consumer trend of China-chic products, which are designed with traditional cultural elements.

GROWING POPULARITY

"Many of the long-established brands, previously known only by name, have become more relevant as part of daily life," said post-90s consumer Huang Qingmiao, who learned more about the legacy brands from popular video-sharing platform Douyin over the past year.

Official data shows that in 2023, the number of Douyin users buying vintage brands rose 38 percent year on year, while the number of old-name businesses generating revenues on Douyin rocketed by 89 percent.

"Using the same things as our ancestors did over 100 years ago gives me a strong feeling of resonance," Huang said.

On e-commerce platform Meituan, these long-established businesses enjoyed a 25.6-percent increase in orders during a one-year span ending on May 26 this year.

More than 90 percent of surveyed consumers say they visited vintage catering establishments in 2023, according to data analysis provider iiMedia Research.

Many enterprises have stricken gold in the China-chic boom. Jewelry company Lao Feng Xiang, for instance, saw its profits jump 31.41 percent to nearly 4 billion yuan last year. Established in 1848, the jewelry maker now operates over 4,000 stores worldwide, including outlets in New York City, Sydney and Vancouver.

As traditional culture enjoys a revival in the consumer market, the Chinese government is looking to tap into trending China-chic products under vintage brands.

The 2024 government work report pledges efforts to boost the consumption of domestic brands with Chinese design elements, which is anticipated to offer a fresh catalyst for the development of legacy brands.

WAYS TO STAY YOUNG

During a visit to China in April, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen dined at Cantonese restaurant Taotaoju, and the delicacies she ate there sparked immediate interest among the public.

However, few people know that Taotaoju, which is also an officially certified time-honored brand dating back to 1880, once suffered setbacks.

Like traditional restaurants serving Beijing roast duck -- such as Bianyifang and Quanjude -- Taotaoju and other vintage catering firms feel the pressure from a raft of newcomers in the business that offer a whole range of dishes from high-end choices to budget-friendly options.

What's more, engaging the younger generation continues to be a prominent challenge, as the elderly remain the primary consumer group for these products, a research has found.

To hone its competitiveness, Taotaoju incorporated private capital and successfully implemented the mixed-ownership reform. It regularly introduces new culinary creations every three to four months and periodically revamps its restaurant decor. Today, approximately 70 percent of its clientele are comprised of individuals under the age of 35.

In addition, the restaurant chain has expanded its presence online. Its sales on e-commerce platforms posted an average annual growth of over 40 percent in the past seven years.

Besides creations like the sought-after ice cream that mainly targets young people, Wuyutai Tea has also leveraged the power of technology to overhaul production, with its annual sales surging from hundreds of kilograms to over 2,000 tonnes.

"Traditional brands used to rely on experience, but in the future, we must depend on technology to ensure both quality and quantity," said its chairman Zhao Shuxin.

EXPANDING GLOBAL REACH

In the U.S. State of Virginia near Washington DC, the proprietor of a Chinese food restaurant surnamed Liu, has noticed an increasing number of American diners ordering a type of Chinese herbal tea made by Wanglaoji, a Chinese legacy brand.

"Some of my customers had their first taste of the beverage. They said it was refreshingly sweet, tasty and an ideal choice to beat the summer heat," he told Xinhua.

Last year, Wanglaoji unveiled its brand name "WALOVI" for international market amid efforts to expand its global footprint. The company also aims to build 56 museums globally to promote the culture of Chinese herbal tea.

Sales of the beverage have been growing significantly in North America, particularly in major retail chains like Costco and HMart, as well as on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Yamibuy and Weee!.

Meanwhile, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), a traditional Chinese delicacy typically consumed during the Dragon Boat Festival, has also gained popularity among foreigners.

Wufangzhai, a well-established zongzi brand that dates back to 1921, sold the snacks in more than 30 flavors to overseas markets this year. Zongzi exports from the city of Jiaxing in east China's Zhejiang Province, where Wufangzhai is located, increased 12.36 percent from January to May, according to customs data.

Phoenix, a long-standing bicycle manufacturer in China, secured a bigger footing in the global market with its popular battery-powered e-bikes. In the first four months of this year, the sales of Phoenix e-bikes in Germany and Canada grew more than 15 percent.

Chen Lifen, a researcher at the Development Research Center of China's State Council, believes it is a good thing that an increasing number of time-honored brands have expanded their global reach, as their products can showcase the traditional culture and meet the demand of foreign consumers through Chinese technology.

(Qu Ting, Pan Jie, Wei Hongyi, Zhou Rui, Yu Wan, and Ding Le contribute to the story)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Coming soon: 16 hot new Sydney restaurants still to open this year As well as the glitzy four-in-one hospitality venture soon to open in North Sydney, these are the places were seriously excited to try. Scott Bolles July 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 11 An inside peek at the new four-in-one hospitality venture at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney. Steven Woodburn 2 / 11 Steven Woodburn 3 / 11 Chef Rhys Connell is executive chef of the four-in-one hospitality venture from Etymon Projects opening at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney. Steven Woodburn 4 / 11 Steven Woodburn 5 / 11 Steven Woodburn 6 / 11 Left to right: Rhiann Mead, head of pastry at Genzo, Sol, and Soluna; Rhys Connell, executive chef at Genzo, Sol, Soluna, and Una; Tuan Colombo, head chef at Genzo; Hiroyuki Takehira, sous chef at Genzo. Steven Woodburn 7 / 11 Steven Woodburn 8 / 11 Steven Woodburn 9 / 11 Steven Woodburn 10 / 11 Steven Woodburn 11 / 11 Steven Woodburn Previous Slide Next Slide On Tuesday, July 9, the curtain drops at a new hospitality mega-venue in North Sydney with a contemporary restaurant, separate bakery-wine bar, a providore and a glitzy Japanese restaurant. If you thought Sydney restaurant expansion would slow due to tough trading conditions, think again. Nothing gets in the way of the harbour city and a restaurant launch. Hatted chef Rhys Connell (ex The Gantry, Sepia) is executive chef of the four-in-one beast opening at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney. The Walker Street precinct is the latest venue from Etymon Projects, the group behind The Charles restaurant in the Sydney CBD. Connell has ex-Nobu London chef Tuan Colombo heading the kitchen at Japanese restaurant Genzo, and a palette of freshly minted interiors. At the 200-seat Soluna restaurant, Connell will lean in on a produce-driven menu hes calling Australian lifestyle cuisine, where mains will mostly sit between $40-$50 and a couple of dishes below that price spread. Chef Rhys Connell is executive chef at the Walker Street precinct. Steven Woodburn

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The four venues havent landed in North Sydney by chance. Connell explains they are on the same block as the upcoming Victoria Cross metro station, which will put Sydney CBD diners less than a 10-minute trip away. Connell wants to create a community hub for the area and the incoming 386 apartments in the Aura by Aqualand development above them. Locals will be able to pick up charcuterie at providore outlet Una or grab freshly bread in the morning at bakery Sol Bread and Wine, which morphs into a wine bar in the afternoon. Back over the Harbour Bridge, there are plenty of upcoming openings to get excited about. Neptunes Grotto, the incoming Italian eatery in the subterranean space beneath sibling restaurant Clam Bar, will unveil chefs Dan Pepperell and Mikey Clifts riff of northern Italian in August/September. A few blocks south, the $60 million facelift of the iconic Wentworth hotel site on Phillip Street, will unveil four yet-to-be-named restaurants from the crew behind Lana and Grana restaurants in the CBD in spring. House Made Hospitality will open a seafood grill in the lobby of the 1960s hotel, and up on the prized horseshoe terrace, therell be a rooftop bar that holds 250 people, with a French-Vietnamese restaurant behind it. The fourth venue, a 90-seat bar area, will offer a range of Australian whiskies and an antique spirits collection. The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth will welcome four yet-to-be-named restaurants. Supplied Redfern has become a rich source of restaurant openings, too. In July, Attenzione!, a Euro-style eatery and wine bar from a team who cut their teeth at Love Tilly and Bentley Group establishments, will open its doors.

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A few suburbs away in Paddington, Josh and Julie Nilands launch of Saint Peter at The Grand National Hotel, is also edging closer, as is the Paddo branch of Jimmys Falafel on Oxford Street. The new, yet-to-be-monikered European restaurant from the owners of The Apollo at Potts Point will also open before the end of 2024 (across the road in the old Paper Bird restaurant site). In late August, Neil Perrys two new Double Bay venues will touch down: Song Bird, a sprawling multi-level Asian restaurant, and Bobbies, a collaboration with Australian-born bar tsar Linden Pride, of New Yorks award-winning Dante. From Cronulla to Bankstown, Sydney is lighting up the runway for new venues. Chase Kojima, the former executive chef at hatted Pyrmont restaurant Sokyo, has chosen a new direction in his food journey, opening Tokyo Samba, a halal, alcohol-free Japanese with a Brazilian twist in the heart of Bankstown. Kojima is aiming for a mid-August launch. The former One Penny Red site will reopen after an old-school cosmetic renovation. Supplied

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The suburbs have become hot expansion turf for high-profile chefs. Alessandro Pavoni, the chef behind aMare restaurant at Crown Sydney, this year snapped up the former Summer Hill post office building where hatted inner west favourite One Penny Red traded until late last year. In mid-August, Pavoni will open an Italian restaurant Postino Osteria in the space before turning his expansionist gaze to Manly, where he will swing open the doors at Cibaria, on the oceanfront in early summer. The sprawling Cibaria will include bakery, pastry, grill and pasta outlets under the one roof. A northern beaches resident, Pavoni isnt the only hospitality gun opening in his own backyard. Alex Cameron cut his teeth as group general manager of hatted Sydney venues Franca and Parlar, but the eastern beaches resident has chosen Bronte for his first solo venture. He snapped up the site of 23-year-old restaurant stalwart Wet Paint, which hell reboot as Table Manners in August, with a southern-European leaning menu and dishes such as brioche and spanner crab. Also opening in August, a Cronulla spin-off from Pinos Vino e Cucina in Alexandria. Owner Matteo Margiotta confirmed hes nabbed a historic 1908 building on Surf Road, where hell open Pinos Vino e Cucina al Mare. Margiotta says he moved to the shire during the pandemic, where hes now an entrenched local. After nine years were taking this leap of faith. Its a tough climate, everyone says Im crazy, but we lived in Alexandria when we first opened, and I like doing things [in my own community]. Our eight favourite new Sydney restaurants and bars of the year (so far)

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International hotel brand Hyatt Regency and the owner of its Perth home have agreed to part ways, leaving a rebranding and change of management of the sprawling brick complex in East Perth.

Tuan Sing Holdings announced on Monday that the Adelaide Terrace hotel would cease to be managed by Chicago-based Hyatt from September 1.

The hotel at the Tuan Sing-owned complex on Adelaide Terrace has been run by Hyatt Regency since 1988. Credit: Hyatt

The agreement was mutual and will allow the property will be re-positioned and rebranded, according to a statement by the Singaporean company.

Tuan Sing plans to announce details on the future of the site in coming months.
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson has conceded his team simply werent tough enough in Sundays 61-point loss to Hawthorn, saying only Elliot Yeo could be excused for the horror display.

The Eagles were smashed 38-19 at the clearances, 14-4 at centre clearances, 60-33 in the inside 50s and 426-278 in overall possessions in the 14.10 (94) to 4.9 (33) defeat.

James Worpel of the Hawks is pursued by Eagles players. Credit: Getty Images

It marked West Coasts second-worst performance of the season, just behind the 99-point defeat to Adelaide.

The Eagles have also endured poor displays in losses to the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, GWS and Port Adelaide.

But their home loss to Hawthorn  in front of 49,454 fans  was all the more disappointing considering West Coast fielded their best team since 2021.

The return of Tim Kelly and Harley Reid from injury meant West Coast boasted a powerful midfield contingent of Kelly, Reid, Yeo and Reuben Ginbey, as well as first-choice ruckman Matt Flynn.

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Yeo, playing six days following the death of his father, was understandably below his best with just 13 possessions and two clearances in his quietest display of the year.

When asked whether his team werent as tough as Hawthorn, Simpson replied: Yeah, absolutely, just look at the numbers.

We wont treat it like a catastrophe, but weve got to dig a bit deeper.

You can point the finger at a lot of players today, but Id rather you just point it as a collective, and it starts with me and finishes with the players.

West Coast will be back in action on Sunday when they take on Melbourne at the MCG.
The Senate is officially the house of review.

Delivering her first speech as governor-general, Sam Mostyn gave the assembled senators and their popularly elected upstarts from the House of Representatives plenty to review and contemplate.

New Governor-General Sam Mostyn is casting an eye over the standard of public debate. Credit: James Brickwood

Across issues from domestic violence to cost-of-living pressures, from locations as varied as the boundary lines of footy fields to the Venice Biennale, and from people including her dad, Bill, to budding Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the new governor-general painted a picture of modern Australia.

And, according to Mostyn, the residents of that modern Australia have already told her they are increasingly worried about the public debate that often starts in the halls of the Senate or the House of Representatives.
A five-bedroom family home in the inner west sold for $6.05 million at auction on Saturday to a recent arrival in Sydney.

The property at 13 Birnam Grove, Strathfield, was modern throughout and had undergone a renovation eight years ago.

Ten buyers registered, including doctors and local business owners. Six actively made offers, while the four who didnt werent fast enough to keep up the pace.

Bidding opened below its $5 million guide at $4.8 million, and bids started in $100,000 increments all the way to $5.4 million meeting its reserve. Bids then slowed down to smaller $50,000 and $25,000 bids until the house sold under the hammer for $6.05 million.
Beijing: Chinese company Space Pioneer accidentally launched one of its rockets still under development, resulting in a fiery crash in a hilly area outside the city of Gongyi, in the centre of the country.

Beijing Tianbing Technology Co said the first stage of its Tianlong-3 rocket under development had detached from its launch pad during a test due to structural failure. There were no reports of casualties after an initial investigation, Beijing Tianbing, also known as Space Pioneer, said on its official WeChat account.

A picture of the rocket crashing just outside the city of Gongyi was posted to social media.

Parts of the rocket stage were scattered within a safe area but caused a fire, according to a separate statement by the Gongyi Emergency Management Bureau.

The fire had been extinguished and no one had been hurt, the bureau said.
Hes being selfish. Hes putting himself ahead of the country. Hes surrounded by opportunistic enablers. He has created a reality distortion field where were told not to believe what weve plainly seen. His hubris is infuriating. He says hes doing this for us, but hes really doing it for himself.

Im not talking about Donald Trump. Im talking about the other president.

Joe Biden is being selfish by running for election to remain president. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

In Washington, people often become what they start out scorning. This has happened to Joe Biden. In his misguided quest for a second term that would end when hes 86, he has succumbed to behaviour redolent of Trump. And he is jeopardising the democracy he says he wants to save.

I got to know Biden in 1987 when he was running for president. He was hailed then as a leading orator of the Democratic Party, even though he could be windy. I knocked him out of that race when I wrote about how he cloaked himself in the life of Neil Kinnock, the British Labour leader who was a soaring speaker, and how he gave speeches that borrowed, probably unwittingly, from Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.
Washington: US President Joe Bidens family used a weekend gathering at Camp David to urge him to stay in the race and keep fighting despite his dreadful debate performance, with some members criticising how his staff prepared him for the face-off, according to four people familiar with the discussions.

Biden spent the day sequestered with first lady Jill Biden, his children and grandchildren, a previously scheduled trip to the presidential retreat in Maryland for a shoot with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz for the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

But the gathering was also an exercise in trying to figure out how to quell Democratic anxiety that has exploded following his debate performance.

A drumbeat of calls for Biden to step aside has continued since, and a post-debate CBS poll showed just 28 per cent of registered voters believed Biden should be running for president, including only 54 per cent of the presidents own party. Some 72 per cent said Biden didnt have the mental and cognitive health to serve as president.
The annual rise sharply contrasts with FY2022-23, where CoreLogics national index dropped by -2%. In that period, values plummeted by -7.5% in the nine months following May 2022, driven by a rising cash rate target.
Mixed fortunes among big four, ANZ nabs Suncorp

Among the rest of the big four, Westpac continued its strong growth trajectory climbing 0.62% in the monthly period, bringing its total books up to $472.48 billion. Year-on-year, Australias second-largest bank has increased its books by $26.4 billion (5.84%), the most among the major lenders.
The scheme provides cashless and paperless benefit cover of Rs 5 lakh per annum per family on a floater basis in empanelled hospitals across India | Photo: Shutterstock

Indias health sector may see a higher allocation, with expected increases in outlay for the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), vaccination, and disease control programmes in the upcoming Union Budget for 2024.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had seen a 13 per cent increase in the proposed outlay to Rs 87,657 crore for FY25 during the interim Budget in February. This followed a 10 per cent rise in outlay for the Ayushman Bharat scheme to Rs 7,500 crore, with the Finance Ministry proposing to bring Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers under its ambit. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

A similar expansion of AB-PMJAY is expected after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led governments manifesto promised to increase the schemes coverage to include all senior citizens over 70 and the transgender community.

K Madan Gopal, advisor (public health administration), National Health Systems Resource Centre and former senior consultant, NITI Aayog, said the health budget is expected to increase by at least 30-35 per cent to around Rs 1.2 trillion.

This could be on the back of an expected rise in allocation for PM-JAY to Rs 10,000 crore to cover more families and additional health conditions, he said.

The scheme provides cashless and paperless benefit cover of Rs 5 lakh per annum per family on a floater basis in empanelled hospitals across India.

According to data available on the National Health Authority dashboard, the scheme has so far covered over 345 million citizens who received free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh for hospitalisation.

The scheme, though, has seen a lack of participation and empanelled hospitals complain of delays in reimbursements, an expert said.

To tackle this, the health ministry formed a 16-member committee in March to look into the implementation of the scheme and oversee progress in beneficiary identification, hospitalisation, and modes of implementation.

The government may put a concerted effort into adult vaccination after several health experts proposed the need to create awareness about vaccines for adults, such as the influenza vaccine or cervical cancer vaccine. They added that these should be available at subsidised rates.

Many people may not know about the importance of influenza and cervical cancer vaccines. So, there is a need to create awareness and provide these vaccines either free of cost or at subsidised rates, a health expert told Business Standard after meeting the finance minister.

Sources indicate the government may also increase allocation for the establishment and strengthening of regional centres of the National Centre for Disease Control.

This will lead to increased inter-sectoral coordination for preparation and control of infectious zoonotic diseases like bird flu and surveillance of viral hepatitis and antimicrobial resistance, an official said.

Similarly, experts indicate that control of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiac ailments, and cancer may see a concerted push from the government. The support for increasing funding comes at a time when non-communicable diseases account for more than 60 per cent of all deaths in India.

Increased funding for screening and diagnostics to target non-communicable diseases is essential to provide quality care to citizens, an expert said.

The other key areas of focus in the Budget could be programmes included in the ministrys 100-day plan.

These include deployment of Arogya Maitri Cubes in central government hospitals to meet health emergencies and providing financial support to Banaras Hindu University's Institute of Medical Sciences on the lines of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Also, to make the National Medical Register, an e-register of all certified medical practitioners in India, operational, an official said.

Gopal added that the drug regulatory framework is also expected to be strengthened, with a substantial allocation for the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and other regulatory bodies.

Queries sent to the health ministry remained unanswered till the time of going to press.
Early-stage investor NuVentures has backed US-based AI startup Pivot Robots, marking its latest investment in AI-first startups. NuVentures backed the AI testing and compliance platform RagaAI last year.

Pivot Robots didnt reveal the amount it has raised. Founded last year by two Carnegie Mellon University graduates Siddharth Girdhar and Vignesh Rajmohan, the firm uses artificial intelligence to power automation in the manufacturing sector. Girdhar and Rajmohan earlier worked with AI and robotics teams at companies such as Meta, Google and Uber. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

The startup has also raised funding from Y Combinator (as part of its 2024 cohort) and a US-based fund.

Pivot Robots uses AI vision control software to automate industrial robots, addressing the labour shortage in manufacturing in the US. Its first product is designed to address the task of grinding metal parts.





ALSO READ: China's AI startups head to Singapore in pursuit of global growth Pivot Robots is making software to help manufacturers automate some of their most labour-intensive and dangerous tasks, starting with the castings industry, co-founder Siddharth Girdhar said. We are excited to partner with NuVentures because they provide us with support in finding customers and talent across both the US and India, which are both manufacturing hubs, he added.

Girdhar had also designed multi-agent algorithms for warehouse robots at Nimble Robotics. Rajmohan had also researched large language model (LLM) applications for robotics in the Atkeson Lab.

Pivot Robots said its AI vision control software puts the startups technology ahead of traditional robotic automation, giving industrial robots the ability to adapt.

In Siddharth Girdhar and Vignesh Rajmohan, I found two passionate entrepreneurs who had a clear vision and a disruptive way to improve efficiency in the manufacturing sector, said Venk Krishnan, founder of NuVentures. I believe that most of the innovations in AI will come out of the top institutions in the US and India where a lot of research is done.

NuVentures, set up by NuWare founder Venk Krishnan, was among the first backers of companies such as Mu Sigma and Acko. It counts startups such as Pocket Aces, Foxtale, Geist Beer and Third Wave among its over 40 portfolio firms. NuVentures also has Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and Mu Sigma founder Dhiraj Rajaram among its advisors.
The rationalisation of the goods and services tax (GST) regime may take longer than expected, as another reshuffle of a panel comprising state ministers, responsible for recommending rate changes, looms on the horizon, according to official sources. This potential shake-up may involve the panels convenor.

High-level government sources revealed a proposal to replace Goas Transport Minister, Mauvin Godinho, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the seven-member panel. This comes after the most recent reorganisation during the GST Council meeting on June 22, when Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary was appointed the panels convenor. The panel was expected to convene in
With Goods and Services Tax (GST) reaching its seventh-year mark, one should acknowledge and appreciate the endless efforts of the Indian Government for implementing it in a country which has had a history of complex and multi-tier indirect tax laws. The Ministry of Finance, along with the GST Council, has undertaken a major responsibility of bringing in many clarifications by issuing over 300 circulars in the last seven years, focusing on trade facilitation, reducing the burden of compliance, and providing relief to taxpayers. This has demonstrated to the global market that India is capable of rapid growth and evolution, with emphasis on enhancing the ease of doing business in the economy.

This approach has also benefited the Government, which is evident from the significant increase in GST revenue collections over the last few years.

One of the key aspects under GST is that tax should only be on the value addition. Also, the legacy issue of tax on tax will be eliminated. This means that each supplier in the value chain is required to pay tax on the value addition at this stage, and there is no tax on tax, which results in a seamless flow of credits. The supplier is not burdened by the tax component on the purchases he makes. This was achieved by allowing credits on procurements when the supplier has to pay tax on his output supplies as envisaged under the GST law.

Over the years, a key focus area for the Government and the GST Council has been simplifying the rules for taxpayers towards input tax credit (ITC). The rules regarding ITC eligibility and availment are essential and have gained significant importance for both taxpayers and Government officials. During the introduction of the Constitution Amendment Bill on GST in Lok Sabha in December 2014, the then Finance Minister assured that Due to the seamless transfer of input tax credit from one state to another in the chain of value addition, there is an in-built mechanism in the design of GST that would incentivise tax compliance by traders.

ITC in GST is permissible for all expenses incurred in the course of business, except for a specified list of expenses on which it is disallowed. This calls for a rigorous reconciliation and review exercise to be conducted by both the taxpayers and the revenue department in order to determine what is eligible and what is not. The expenses on which ITC is disallowed are the ones related to motor vehicles, food and beverages, renting or leasing of motor vehicles, works contract services, construction services, corporate social responsibility expenses, etc. All these expenses are incurred for the purposes of business itself but are not creditable. It is thus important to bear in mind that exceptions should be bare minimum and not become the norm. This also creates difficulties for the taxpayer since one has to follow a different mechanism in income tax vis-a-vis GST. Under income tax, personal expenses are excluded for the purposes of deductions while all other business outlays are allowed for the taxpayer to consider as an eligible deduction. The Government may consider aligning the practice in both GST and income tax regimes and simplify the credit mechanism by allowing ITC on all business expenditure.

ITC has also been a source of concern for industries engaged in exempted supplies such as education, healthcare, and power sectors. Although an exemption has been granted to these sectors on output supplies, most input supplies procured by them are subject to GST, which contributes to the cost of procurement. Moreover, this added cost of input tax diminishes the benefit of tax exemption which is granted on the output supplies. Therefore, one way to overcome this challenge would be to make all input supplies zero-rated so that there is no procurement tax cost for such sectors.

In addition to the above, there are other process-related issues related to ITC availment. Taxpayers are able to obtain ITC based on its reflection in GSTR 2B, a form which contains the details of inward supplies of goods/services received from registered suppliers. This form is important for businesses as it helps them to reconcile their purchase ledger with vendors. This requires an extensive follow-up and reconciliation exercise before availing of the ITC. Moreover, there exist reversal rules of ITC that are applicable to industries engaged in both exempted and taxable supplies, which requires tagging of each expense under different buckets (taxable/exempt/common) before making the reversal calculations. These reversal calculations are required to be performed on a monthly basis, followed by a true up/true down annually, which could lead to interest and penalty implications for the taxpayers.

A simplified method for calculating eligible ITC amount can be introduced as an additional option for such assesses. It could either be in the form of notifying a fixed percentage of the total ITC as the eligible amount applicable for the banking sector, or notifying a fixed percentage of the exempted turnover to be reversed as illegible credit, which would be similar to the option available in the erstwhile regime.

In the past few years, Indias ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index has seen a sharp upward rise from being at the 100th place in 2018 to 77th in 2019 and 63rd in 2020  i.e., a leap of 37 positions in three years. Therefore, we believe that such measures and simplifying ITC-related rules and processes would further help achieve the Governments aim to simplify business processes, and overall tax administration and compliances in India.





The author is Principal - Price Waterhouse & Co LLP





Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper
India saw a dramatic increase in medical tourists from Bangladesh in 2023, with numbers soaring 48 per cent to 449,570 from 304,067 in 2022. This sharp rise contrasts with the comparatively low influx from other neighbouring countries like the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Myanmar.

Government data reviewed by Business Standard reveals that in 2023-24 India granted only 1,432 medical visas to Sri Lankans, an 11.7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline. Myanmar citizens received 3,019 medical visas, a modest 4 per cent increase from the previous year. The figures for Pakistan remained notably low, with only 76 medical
Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party leaped into a strong lead Sunday in France's first round of parliamentary elections, bringing the party closer than ever to being able to form a government in round two and dealing a major blow to centrist President Emmanuel Macron and his risky decision to call the surprise polls.

Amid an unusually high voter turnout, the RN bloc secured 35.15 per cent of the vote, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition came second with 27.99 per cent and President Macrons centrist Ensemble alliance slumped to a third with just 20.76 per cent, according to the final results published by the French Interior Ministry on Monday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

How did France get here?

When Macron dissolved France's National Assembly on June 9 after a defeat at the hands of the RN in French voting for the European Parliament, he had gambled that the party, with its anti-immigration stance and historical links to antisemitism, wouldn't be able to repeat that success with France's own fate in the balance.





ALSO READ: France election: Macron on the defensive as National Rally gains ground However, things didn't work out that way, with French polling agencies projecting that the RN and its allies secured about one-third of the national vote on Sunday. Amid these projections, Macron's prime minister, Gabriel Attal, warned that France could end up with its first far-right government since World War II, if French voters didn't come together to prevent that scenario in round two of polling next Sunday.

"The extreme right is at the doors of power," Prime Minister Attal said, while describing the National Rally's policy pledges as "disastrous". He added that in the second-round ballot, "not one vote should go to the National Rally. France does not deserve that."

Securing a parliamentary majority would enable RN leader Le Pen to install her 28-year-old protege, Jordan Bardella, as prime minister.

If such an outcome does materialise, Macron could be left to see out the remaining three years of his presidential term with a prime minister from an opposition party.

However, according to reports, while the RN bloc appears on track to win the most seats in the French National Assembly, it might still fall short of the 289 seats required for an absolute majority. Experts have told the media that as a result, there is a chance that France could be heading for a hung parliament and increased political uncertainty.





ALSO READ: France at crossroads: Macron's gamble with snap polls amid far-right surge According to projections, after the second round of voting next Sunday, the RN could win between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat Lower House. Either outcome would be a staggering rise from the party's tally of 88 seats in the outgoing parliament. Meanwhile, the NFP is projected to secure between 125 and 165 seats and the Ensemble between 70 and 100 seats.

With another week of campaigning to go before the decisive final vote next Sunday, the French election's outcome remains uncertain.

France's snap parliamentary polls explained

*What's at stake?

The snap elections could either see France's first far-right government since World War II or no majority emerging at all

*Who's in the running?

The three major political blocs are: the far-right National Rally, the New Popular Front coalition that includes center-left, greens and hard-left forces, and President Macron's centrist alliance

*How do French parliamentary polls work?

A parliamentary candidate requires over 50 per cent of the day's vote to be elected outright. Failing that, the top two contenders move forward to a second round of polling

What would a far-right win mean for France?

With the RN party claiming that anti-Semitism is now a problem among France's left wing, it has shifted its focus against migrants and Muslims.

As a result, a win for the RN could have significant repercussions for France, which is home to Europe's biggest Muslim community.





ALSO READ: Far-right gains in EU election deal stunning defeat to Macron, Scholz In the past, Bardella has said that the party will work towards banning the wearing of the Islamic headscarf in public spaces and making it easier to close down mosques. Bardella has also indicated that his party will fight against "Islamist ideologies", but he has not specified what specific legislation it would adopt in this regard.

The RN party, co-founded by Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, was regarded as a danger to democracy in France for decades. It was seen as a party that promoted racist, anti-Muslim, and antisemitic views.

At its start, the 52-year-old party's ranks even included former members of a Waffen-SS military unit under Nazi command during World War II.

However, after Marine Le Pen's years-long public relations effort to detoxify its image, the renamed party has seen a surge in its political fortunes. The party was earlier called the National Front.

Still, the party, known for its anti-immigration stance, has kept intact its traditional doctrine, called "national priority". Under this doctrine, if the RN were in power, French citizens would be given priority over non-nationals when it comes to jobs, housing, and social welfare assistance.

The RN has made the introduction of the "national priority", via constitutional referendum, its top priority. It has also pledged to bar dual nationals from certain strategic state jobs.

The RN's other top priorities include adopting stringent border controls and scrapping birthright citizenship, a centuries-long practice that has been granting citizenship to those born in France to foreign parents.

What about French foreign policy?

In recent days, Bardella has softened and even reversed some of the RN's traditional positions. For example, while pushing back against allegations that some of his party's members had links to the Kremlin, he made a U-turn on Ukraine and said that he was committed to continued military support to Kyiv.

Recently, however, Bardella also said that he opposed sending to the conflict French troops and weapons capable of striking Russian soil.

Experts describe Macron's stance on Ukraine as unwavering, with France playing the role of a pillar of the European Union (EU).

They contend that a Bardella-led government in France that was not as committed to the EU would mark a significant shift.

French observers and political experts also add that should the RN win this election, it will shift its focus to its ultimate goal -- securing the French presidency in 2027.



(With input from the Associated Press)
Earlier this month, Mother Dairy and Amul, two of Indias leading milk brands, increased their prices by Rs 2 per litre. The jump, which coincided with the end of the 2024 general elections, marked the first price increase in nearly 15 months.

Days later, the Karnataka Milk Federation, selling under the Nandini brand and a significant player in the southern state, also announced a Rs 2 per litre increase.

While private milk players had increased their prices earlier, cooperatives and state-supported enterprises had managed to maintain stable prices. Interestingly, some dairies in southern India have reduced their
Home-grown cryptocurrency firms suggest that regulating the sector may necessitate the involvement of multiple agencies, given the approaching deadline to develop a unified framework.

Industry participants believe that creating comprehensive legislation through a single regulator could be complex and time-intensive ahead of the 2025 timeline.

The International Monetary Fund-Financial Stability Board (IMF-FSB), which developed a global policy framework for crypto assets, has set a deadline to address data gaps and gather test data on crypto assets by the end of 2025.

Reports indicate that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) may propose supervision by multiple
Cochin Shipyard stock surges: Shares of shipbuilding company Shares of shipbuilding company Cochin Shipyard soared as much as 4.40 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 2,310.15 per share on Monday.

The uptick in stock price came after the company announced that its arm, Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), has secured an order worth Rs 1,100 crore. UCSL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

In an exchange filing, Cochin Shipyard said, We would like to inform that Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of CSL, has entered into contract with Wilson ASA, Norway, for Design and Construction of 4 nos. of 6300 TDW Dry Cargo Vessels. Agreement has also been entered into for additional 4 vessels of the same type which will be formally contracted within September 19, 2024. The overall project of 8 vessels is worth about Rs 1,100 crores and is to be executed within September 2028.

UCSL, under contract terms, will undertake the design and construction of four 6300 TDW dry cargo vessels, the company said in a statement.

Additionally, an agreement has been reached for four more vessels of the same type, expected to be formally contracted by September 19, 2024.

This follows a previous contract awarded in June last year for the design and construction of six 3800 TDW dry cargo vessels, which is currently in advanced stages of construction at the Udupi yard in Karnataka.

Each vessel measures 100 metres in length with a deadweight of 6300 metric tonnes at a design draft of 6.5 metres. They will be designed by Conoship International of the Netherlands and constructed as environmentally friendly diesel-electric vessels for transporting general cargo in European coastal waters, Cochin Shipyard said.

The entire project, comprising eight vessels, is scheduled for completion by September 2028.

Wilson ASA, headquartered in Bergen, Norway, is Europe's leading short sea fleet operator. It moves approximately 15 million tonnes of dry cargo across the continent. Their fleet consists of about 130 vessels ranging from 1500 to 8500 DWT.

Since its acquisition by Cochin Shipyard Limited, UCSL has successfully delivered two 62T Bollard Pull Tugs to Ocean Sparkle Limited and one 70T Bollard Pull Tug to Polestar Maritime Limited.

These tugs conform to the Approved Standard Tug Design & Specifications (ASTDS) mandated by the Indian government for ports under the AatmaNirbharBharat initiative.

UCSL has also secured additional orders for four 70T Bollard Pull Tugs, with three from Ocean Sparkle Limited and one from Polestar Maritime Limited, Cochin Shipyard added.

At 9:54 AM, shares of Cochin Shipyard were trading 2.79 per cent higher at Rs 2,274.40 per share. By comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.28 per cent higher at 79,252.23 levels.
The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBIs) Financial Stability Report, or FSR, released last week, suggests the state of the financial system in India is broadly strong and stable. Several indicators of broader financial risk in the economy have declined, and the system appears prepared to deliver the resources required for growth. The gross ratio of non-performing assets in the banking system is at a multi-year low, at 2.8 per cent, and the FSR expects it might continue to decrease. However, there are still certain sources of future risk that require careful monitoring by the regulator.

One of these
New Delhi: INDIA bloc MPs stage a protest against the alleged misuse of probe agencies by the central government, during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

Opposition members on Monday demanded a separate one-day discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in the Lok Sabha and staged a walkout after they sought a clear assurance from the government on the issue.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of irregularities in NEET soon after the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, prompting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to assert that a separate discussion cannot be held till the House finishes with the motion of thanks on the president's address.

"We wanted a one day discussion on NEET. It is an important issue. More than two crore students have been affected. Paper leaks have happened on 70 occasions. We would be happy if you allow a separate discussion on the issue," Gandhi said.





"In my decades-long tenure as a parliamentarian, never has any other issue been taken up during the motion of thanks on the president's address. Other issues can be raised after passing the motion of thanks," Singh said.



ALSO READ: NTA releases NEET re-test results, revises rank list of 1,563 candidates Singh, deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, said the House has certain rules and procedures and also on healthy tradition, which are a strength of this House"In my decades-long tenure as a parliamentarian, never has any other issue been taken up during the motion of thanks on the president's address. Other issues can be raised after passing the motion of thanks," Singh said.

Seizing on his comments, Gandhi and other opposition leaders insisted that the House discuss the issue after the debate on the motion of thanks and sought a specific assurance from the government.

"We can send a message from Parliament to the students that the issue of NEET is very important for us," Gandhi said.

Speaker Om Birla said there was no convention of taking up any other discussion during the debate on the motion of thanks and members can give a separate notice for the discussion on NEET.

Opposition members were on their feet as the speaker called on BJP member Anurag Thakur to initiate the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address.

Opposition members continued to insist on a categorical assurance from the government on having a separate discussion on NEET and staged a walkout.
Google is reportedly enhancing the Circle to Search feature by adding an on-screen barcode and QR code scanner. Introduced earlier this year, this gesture-drive feature offers users the convenience to search directly from the screen. However, it lacked support for scanning QR codes and barcodes. Another Google offering, Google Lens, however supports it. With support for QR codes and barcodes scanning features with Circle to Search, it seems like Google could integrate the Lens with Circle to Search, and for better.

Circle to Search: QR and barcode support Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

QR and barcode scan support in Circle to Search was identified in the Google app version 15.19.45.29.arm64 beta, as reported by the consumer technology news platform, Android Authority. The feature was manually activated with version 15.25.32. Once activated, the feature displays a barcode on the screen instead of merely searching Google for other barcodes. After scanning the code, a chip will appear next to it, displaying a URL or a preview.

Incorporating this feature into Circle to Search will enable users to scan QR codes received in emails, such as for eSIM activation. While this can already be achieved using Google Lens, it requires users to take a screenshot of the QR code and open it in the gallery app or use the gallery scanner in Google Lens. The new feature aims to streamline the search process, making it more convenient.

Circle to Search was initially introduced on the Samsung Galaxy S24 and is later made available on select Google Pixel devices. The QR and barcode scanner feature is currently being tested, and it is expected to be widely introduced soon.
Chili's Grill & Bar is excited to announce the grand opening of its latest restaurant at Sunview Plaza in Ludhiana. This marks the 21st Chili's location in India under Trimex Foods Private Limited, and the 22nd across India and Sri Lanka.Situated in the bustling Sunview Plaza, Chili's brings America's favorite casual dining experience to the heart of Ludhiana. The new restaurant offers seating for 144 guests, featuring both indoor and outdoor options, where patrons can enjoy their favorite Tex-Mex dishes in a vibrant atmosphere.The restaurant's design blends contemporary and industrial elements, with charming brickwork and sleek metal frames that create a warm and inviting ambiance.Chili's Ludhiana welcomes guests from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., offering a flavorful menu of Tex-Mex favorites, from sizzling fajitas to handcrafted Big Mouth burgers. Diners can indulge in signature dishes accompanied by refreshing mocktails and fresh juices, all for an affordable price of just Rs. 1200 for two people.With Trimex Foods Private Limited driving Chili's expansion in the region, Chili's is set to become a favorite dining destination in Ludhiana. Follow Chili's India on Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/chilis.in ) for updates and promotions, and experience the excitement of Tex-Mex cuisine at Sunview Plaza, Ludhiana.
MOGAS Industries has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contract for the South Korean S-Oil Shaheen Project for the first-ever commercialization of TC2C (Thermal Crude to Chemicals) technology. The TC2C technology licensed by Lummus Technology converts whole crude and other refinery orphan streams into high value olefin and aromatic products, and includes one of the worlds largest steam crackers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240630789060/en/

For over 50 years, MOGAS Industries has been the most trusted severe service technology company offering severe service valves, surface engineering / coating, modular process units, and aftermarket support. (Graphic: Business Wire)

On the back of earlier project successes for ebullated bed hydrocracking with technology licensor Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), MOGAS will supply more than ninety 2-inch through 14-inch, ASME 3002500 Class severe service valves and actuation packages, which include multiple fast-acting, metal-seated emergency shutdown valves.

We are proud to be part of Aramco's largest investment into South Korea and to be part of the first TC2C process plant. This investment will make a positive impact on the global marketplace with clean heavy crude upgrading that supports the green economy, says MOGAS CEO Matt Mogas.

Recognized as a leader in severe service valves and service specifically in heavy oil applications for over 40 years, MOGAS provides a high level of confidence in both product and technical assistance, ensuring a smooth startup and operation. MOGAS has over 11,000 valves installed in more than 30 ebullated and slurry bed hydrocracking active operations world-wide.

ABOUT MOGAS

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Population of rare golden monkeys increases in China's Shennongjia

Xinhua) 10:53, July 01, 2024

WUHAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Shennongjia Forestry District in central China's Hubei Province has reported population growth of golden monkeys thanks to efforts in habitat protection.

The area is now home to 1,618 golden monkeys, 147 more than the previous survey five years ago, according to the results of the fourth survey conducted by the district administration.

As the easternmost habitat of golden monkeys, Shennongjia saw only 501 golden monkeys with a habitat of 164 square km in 1990. The figures improved over the years, with 1,282 monkeys living an area of 189 square km in 2005, and 1,471 residing in an area of 354 square km in 2019.

More than 40 people contributed to the latest survey, carrying out field investigations and laboratory analysis for over two months. During this process, they explored 240 survey routes, covering a total distance of 58,800 km.

Feng Wei, secretary of the Party committee of Shennongjia Forestry District, said the survey suggested 1,618 golden monkeys belonging to 11 groups now live in a habitat of 401 square km in the district.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
If theres one car that can be considered as the king of reinvention, its the Hyundai Santa Fe. In the five generations its been around, e...
When The Carter Center assumed leadership of the global eradication campaign in 1986, an estimated 3.5 million human cases were occurring every year.

Nine of the 14 human cases reported in 2023 occurred in Chad, two in South Sudan and one each in Cameroon, Mali, and the Central African Republic. Ethiopia reported zero human cases.

Weiss cited expanded surveillance and reporting in Angola, where Guinea worms have appeared only recently, and Cameroon, where infections spill over from Chad.

This doesnt necessarily mean the worm population is growing, said Adam Weiss, director of the Centers Guinea Worm Eradication Program . It means were getting better at finding them.

Fourteen human cases and 726 infections in animals were reported in 2023, both slight increases from the previous year, when there were 13 human cases and 683 animal infections.

Humankind has been battling Guinea worm disease for millennia, and since the 1980s, The Carter Center has been leading the charge to rid the world of this parasite. Incredible progress has been made in recent decades.

In Chad, health educators tell a crowd how to spot a Guinea worm. The country reported nine human cases of the parasitic disease last year.

To encourage reporting of cases and animal infections, people in impacted locations are paid cash rewards for reporting confirmed Guinea worms. Health workers aggressively investigate all such rumors, which are key to finding actual cases and infections.

Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander met a Guinea worm patient and observed interventions in action during a rain-soaked April 2023 visit she and Board of Trustees member Dr. Greg Vaughn made to Adeba, South Sudan.

The hard work being done here and in the other endemic countries is so important, Alexander said during the visit. This is how were going to eradicate Guinea worm  one rumor, one person, one village at a time.

Guinea worm disease is typically contracted when people or certain animals drink water containing tiny crustaceans (called copepods or water fleas) that harbor Guinea worm larvae. The larvae mature into worms and mate within the human or animal host. The male worm dies. After about a year, a meter-long pregnant female worm emerges slowly through a painful blister in the skin, often of the legs or feet (but it could be anywhere). A sufferer may seek relief by dipping the affected body part in water. Unfortunately, contact with water stimulates the emerging worm to release its larvae and start the life cycle anew. Guinea worm disease incapacitates people for weeks or months  sometimes permanently  reducing individuals ability to care for themselves, work, grow food for their families, or attend school.

Without a vaccine or medicine, the disease is being eradicated mainly through community-based interventions to educate people and change their behavior.

The volunteers and program officers are the backbone of the surveillance system in areas beyond the end of the road, where Guinea worm disease is making its last stand, Alexander said in South Sudan.

In addition to education, interventions to stop transmission include the use of filters (donated by Vestergaards LifeStraw) for all drinking water, barring people and animals with emerging Guinea worms from entering water sources, and targeted use of the larvicide ABATE (donated by BASF) in thousands of stagnant, shallow water sources.

Tethering dogs to keep them out of water and not allowing them to eat potentially contaminated fish entrails are key factors in preventing Guinea worm infection in animals.

With continued interventions and alert surveillance, the Guinea worm will soon run out of places to hide.

Related Resources

Carter Center Guinea Worm Eradication Program
In November 2022, Carter Center observer Connie Moon Sehat (in purple) monitors a polling station in Fulton County, Georgia. The Center will again bring its expertise to the November 2024 U.S. election.

The Centers work emphasizes strengthening trust in the U.S. election system and encouraging citizens to address disagreements in a civil manner.

The environment in the United States has changed in ways that have prompted us to expand our programming, said Barbara Smith, the Carter Centers vice president of peace programs. We believe we can help forge a better path for American democracy than what weve seen in recent years.

The Carter Center has a hard-earned reputation as a fair, impartial observer of elections overseas. It brought its electoral expertise to a U.S. election for the first time by observing Georgias post-election risk-limiting audit in 2020, and its domestic focus has grown ever since.

A Georgia voter marks her ballot in November 2022. The Carter Center is working to give U.S. voters confidence in the electoral system for this November.

While not taking political positions itself, the Center for the past three years has been recruiting right-leaning and left-leaning leaders in six swing states  Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin  to bring all kinds of Americans together for civil, fact-based discussions about issues.

For too many Americans, the hallmarks of U.S. politics today are polarization, misinformation, disinformation, and distrust of election systems, said David Carroll, director of the Centers Democracy Program . One way we hope to help is by demystifying the electoral process and highlighting its safeguards.

Why did people riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021? Because they thought they were being disenfranchised, said Nathan Stock, Conflict Resolution Program associate director. So what do you do about that? One step is to get trusted messengers to pass on better information about the nature of American elections.

The goal is to correct misinformation, search for common ground, and reduce fear of our fellow Americans.

We want people on opposite sides to acknowledge one another as human beings, Stock said. They probably wont ever agree on the Second Amendment or abortion rights, but they can agree that protecting the functioning of our democratic republic is important.

The Carter Center recognizes the role that faith communities can play in the effort. It is building a network of religious leaders to work with their congregations to promote healthy conversations and tamp down dehumanizing language.

The Centers work has a legal angle as well, partnering with law schools and legal associations to provide lawyers in Georgia, Arizona, and Wisconsin with election-specific knowledge and skills. The effort aims to create a cadre of citizen lawyers who can speak knowledgeably and persuasively about election processes in a way that helps restore public confidence in our elections integrity and results, said Randolph Kent, associate director of the Centers Rule of Law Program.

On the front lines of that system are election workers, who have been subjected to threats and harassment in recent years. Recognizing the stress of the role, the Center has published a mental health wellness guide just for them.

As it always has, The Carter Center supports a set of widely accepted international election standards. These include ensuring that all citizens have an equal opportunity to exercise their voting rights. To that end, the Center backs efforts to ensure that voters with disabilities can access polling places, and to secure voting rights for Native Americans and people returning from incarceration.

The Carter Center also is working to demonstrate the important role that nonpartisan election observers can play in several U.S. states, with plans to support state-based actors in Montana, New Mexico, and California. The Center will provide guidelines and instruction to local organizations working to observe elections in these states.

We hope that these nonpartisan groups will provide well-documented public reports and actionable feedback and recommendations on how to improve electoral processes, Carroll said.

Related Resources

Carter Center Democracy Program

United States Elections
Amran Cement Factory to be modernised

Peter Bell By 01 July 2024

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yemeni General Corp for Cement Industry and Marketing, Yahya Atifa, has reviewed the progress of production work at the 2Mta Amran Cement Factory.

Mr Atifa, accompanied by First Undersecretary Governor, Abdul Aziz Abu Kharfsha, inspected the work conditions at the factory. In the meeting, chaired by Mr Atifa, the performance and work level of all departments and manufacturing formations of the Amran Cement Factory units were discussed. He stressed the need to benefit from the factory's management, expertise and technicians as a fundamental pillar in solving problems and implementing development and modernisation plans to achieve the highest levels of quality in production processes and following modern practices and innovation in the cement industry.

He also inspected the quarries of raw materials affiliated with the plant and the mechanism for extracting the basic materials for the cement industry. He noted the need to develop and modernise technologies and equipment to enhance efficiency and achieve more progress and growth in the cement industry sector in Yemen.

For his part, Abu Kharfsha stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination between the institution, the governorate and the plant management, which would develop and modernise the factory system in general.

Published under
Leilac to share decarbonisation recommendations with DoE

Peter Bell By 01 July 2024

Leilac is responding to the US Department of Energys (DOE) recent 'Request for Information on Transforming Industry  Strategies for Decarbonisation,' to help identify cost-effective decarbonisation pathways.

Leilac, a decarbonisation project using Calix technology and Heidelberg Material's Lixhe and Ennigerloh Nord facilities, is deploying a unique decarbonisation technology purpose built for cement and lime to provide the lowest cost means of capturing unavoidable process CO 2 emissions and enable lower cost and lower carbon fuels, including electrification.

Through experience developing CCUS projects for cement and lime in the US, Europe and around the world, Leilac has identified numerous common barriers for decarbonisation projects. Leilac will provide recommendations for additional policy support that can help reduce barriers and drive adoption of decarbonisation solutions in the US, including:

 enhanced incentives for process emission capture under Section 45Q of the US tax code

 the development of, and fair access to, low-cost CO 2 transport and storage infrastructure, particularly targeted at unavoidable process emissions

 government-led advisory and coordination support for complex CCUS projects, matching partners across the carbon value chain and helping to navigate regulatory and stakeholder challenges

 support that provides downside cushioning for projects, in addition to the upside incentives currently available, to derisk early adoption of new technologies

 support for commercial demonstration of electrification + CCUS for process emissions in cement

 introduction of safe and consistent standards for CCUS projects that promote lowest cost system-wide solutions

 further emphasis on community benefits and public engagement initiatives, embedding public acceptance at the heart of every publicly funded CCUS project

 continued implementation of policies that drive demand for, and promote stricter regulation of, low-carbon intensity products

 equal incentives for CO 2 avoidance with CO 2 capture from industrial facilities.

 consider biogenic sources of carbon emissions as being non-emitted and incentivise fuel switching from conventional fossil to alternative fuels

 following successful commercial demonstrations, gradually transition public support from a project level towards the deployment of industry-wide enabling infrastructure.

Published under
Edward A. Phillips, 80, longtime resident of Sale Creek, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

He was born to the late Ralph Fred and Geneva Reno Phillips of Red Bank, where he graduated from Kirkman High School. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Navy in the Construction Battalion, better known as the Sea Bees as a Surface Warfare combat welder. He served a tour in Vietnam. After returning home, he owned the Red Plow Restaurant in Kevil, Ky. He later worked for TVA as a welder at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and then downtown until retirement.

He loved the Lord, his family, farming, hunting, fishing and basically anytime he could get outside.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Judy Nell Wilmurth Phillips; siblings, Fred, Jenny Lee, and Helen.

He is survived by his sister, Barbara NcNair; brother, Ted (Linda) Phillips; two stepsons William (Heather) and Joseph (Patti) Lamar; along with six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and two great great grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to a local church elderly, a widow or veteran funds.

A Celebration of Life Graveside Service will be held on Sale Creek Mountain at the Standifer Cemetery on Sunday, July 7, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Dennis McChargue officiating.
A group of mainly black clergy and business and community leaders held a press conference on Monday morning in front of the district attorney's office, saying the indictment of Police Chief Celeste Murphy was the result of politics.

District Attorney Coty Wamp was at the event and she immediately responded, saying the stance the group should be taking is on multiple black members of the community being killed by other blacks.

She said her office had nothing to do with the charges against Chief Murphy, saying she had referred the matter from the start to a prosecutor from another county.

Chief Murphy, formerly of Atlanta, was indicted on 17 counts last week after the TBI carried out an investigation related to her residency and statements made by her about it. She resigned a day before the indictment was made public.

Dr. Ernest Reid, pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, said Chief Murphy gained an historic appointment as the city's first female black police chief, but he said she "was met with hostility almost from the start."

He said, "This attempt to discredit an African American woman in leadership reeks of petty partisan politics with dangerous outcomes if applied uniformly."

He also said, "She has challenged the status quo, advocating for a fair and impartial environment. Her commitment to high standards, independent thinking and community engagement has made a tangible positive difference. We are not addressing individuals, but a pervasive spirit of resistance to change and justice."

Dr. Reed said Chief Murphy early on had announced a process to review the cases of police officers who have been transferred due to "Brady letter" accusations that they have misled officials in various investigations. He said all those officers have been allowed to stay on except one who recently resigned.

He said under her tenure that the homicides solved rate was over 90 percent, which he said was one of the best in the nation.

She made strides in the department, including technological advances and recruitment and retention gains, he said.

"Chief Murphy led with integrity and honor," while undergoing "personal attacks," he stated.

Dr. Reed said similar female black chiefs across the country had faced "the same struggle."

He said Chief Murphy should receive her full severance package.

The office of Mayor Tim Kelly said she will be getting 90 days severance. The office said, "Public safety is Mayor Kelly's priority, and he knows that that requires stability at the CPD. Three months' pay is a common strategic lever, as permitted by the employment contract, and at this critical juncture Mayor Kelly decisively used it to ensure the clean, immediate separation necessary to move the department and our city forward."

The amount is $44,431.68.

DA Wamp said the group had not held any press conferences "to call for the end of bloodshed in the black community."

She said, "It (that she is not handling the Murphy prosecution) doesn't matter, because opportunists don't care about facts. I cannot and will not comment on Chief Murphy's investigation or indictment, because I do not know anything about it other than what I have read in the news media.

"I do hope the very best for the Chattanooga Police Department through this transition. There are dozens of law enforcement officers at the Chattanooga Police Department who are ready and able to take over the department and serve this community."

DA Wamp also said, "Last year in the city of Chattanooga, 77 percent of homicides claimed the lives of black men, women and children of all of those that were cleared. Every single one was a black perpetrator. I don't recall a press conference speaking out against those killers. I don't recall a press conference where you stand up and are the voice of victims. Maybe I wasn't invited to that one.

"I do not recall a press release or a press conference in which you call for a cease fire in your own community. I don't recall you saying prayers outside of this courthouse as you are losing dozens of members of your community every single year. My office works in Juvenile Court, where, last year, 14 young men had to be transferred to be tried in this courthouse because of the seriousness of the offenses they commit. I don't recall seeing you all at Juvenile Court trying to reach young men and women before they take it too far. You have not darkened the door of our Juvenile Court.

"I have prosecutors working in every single one of these courts today. I don't recall any of you being in our criminal courts when a jury returns a verdict of guilty and my office is sitting next to the mothers holding their hands. I don't recall seeing any one of you here. You see my office doesn't get to pick and choose what we care about. We don't show up when politics is involved. We don't come out here to divide the community over one case."

DA said the group cares more about the Murphy case "than they do about black lives."

She said no one from the group had called her office about the Murphy case, "though you are holding a press conference outside my office."

DA Wamp said the last time she had met with the group that Rev. Ternae Jordan "told me not to refer to gangs."

She said the group "has been meeting with the city mayor in the last week, who encouraged them to be here. And I have a message for them to take back to him. I am not up for re-election next year. I don't care about your politics. He has my phone number, he has my email address, and he knows where I work. If he has something to say to me, he can come down here and say it."
The Princess of Wales proved she had the fortitude to become one of the most popular members of the House of Windsor.

When Kate Middleton first met Prince William as college students at St. Andrews University, royal watchers would have never believed the stunning Art History major would be the person who saved the crown. However, the Princess of Wales has always been made of tougher stuff, says a royal commentator.

Kate Middleton became the jolt of electricity the House of Windsor needed

Daniela Elser of News.com.au discussed how Kate Middleton became one of the most important members of the royal family. Historically, royal watchers would have never believed Kate would have such an impact on the crown when she was revealed as Williams then-girlfriend in 2004.

Elser claims, It was 19 years ago this week when either Carole or Michael [Middleton] picked up a camera and snapped a photo that will still appear in holographic textbooks a century from now. In it, two freshly graduated university students sweetly have their arms around one another, relaxed, delighted, and affectionate. Moreover  normal.

From our perspective, nearly 20 years after Carole or Michael took that graduation photo, I think we can confidently say that the monarchy would be well and truly stuffed if William had not had the foresight and the heart-shaped eyes to latch onto Kate. And she had not had the maturity and the groundedness to stick with him through all the trials and tribulations and requirements to wear scratchy tweed, the commentator continued.

There is a story that goes around semi-regularly, that when William and Kate were in their 20s and dating, someone was enthusing about how lucky she was to have snaffled the affections of a prince. Kate reportedly replied, hes lucky to be dating me. Too right.

She concluded, Lucky Kate hung in there. Lucky that she was and is made of tougher stuff. What that 2005 photo captures is the crown, whether it knew it or not, being quietly saved.

Did Kate Middleton ever wonder if Prince William was worth it?

Prince William and Kate Middleton photographed in 2011 | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

As Kate Middleton found herself amid a firestorm surrounding her relationship with Prince William, she may have wondered, at times, if the relationship was worth it. Royal commentator Daniela Elser weighed in on those remarks.

Walking down the street, grocery shopping, heading out for a drink with friends, at train stations and airports. Kate was valuable prey. She was hunted and hounded and harried across the well-to-do bits of London; while also being maliciously labeled Waity Katie.' Elser wrote.

There must have been no end of moments of frustration, sadness, loneliness, anger, and misery. Kate must have wondered, is this guy worth it? the royal commentator asked.

However, Kate persevered. While their relationship had its ups and downs, Kate and William maintained a private romance, which culminated in an engagement in a very special spot to the prince.

Prince William put a ring on their relationship 6 years after it began

Six years after Prince William and Kate Middleton began dating, he proposed in Kenya, Africa, in 2010. We had a little private time away together with some friends. I just decided it was the right time, really, William revealed in their engagement interview (via YouTube).

Wed been talking about marriage for a while. So it wasnt a massively big surprise, but I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya.

In April 2011, Kate Middleton and Prince William married. Nearly 72 million people worldwide watched them take their vows.

The couple welcomed their first son, Prince George, in 2013. Princess Charlotte joined their family in 2015, followed by Prince Louis in 2018.
Structural formulas are a source of dread for many students, but theyre an essential tool in biology lessons. A joint study by biology didactics expert Dr. Nina Minkley from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and chemistry didactics expert Dr. Sascha Bernholt from the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics education in Kiel, Germany, have shown that the stress levels of students working with chemical formulas are significantly reduced if they are given simple tips on how to deal with these formulas. Therby, also their overall performance increases, says Nina Minkley, head of the study. She and her team had 136 high school students take a test with and without tips and compared their performance and stress levels. They published their findings in the journal Research in Science Education from June, 26, 2024.

Chemical formulae trigger stress reactions in many pupils.  RUB, Marquard

Chemical formulas are actually taught in chemistry classes, where they are systematically introduced at the junior level. In biology, theyre used in several fields, for example when studying the photosynthesis reaction. Experience and previous studies have shown that complex structural formulas in particular can lead to stress reactions, and many students have considerable difficulties with them and try to avoid them, reports Nina Minkley. In biology classes, however, theres not enough time to systematically introduce the formulas all over again.

H stands for hydrogen Her idea was, therefore, to give the students tips that would make it easier to master formulas. One such tip could be that the letter H stands for hydrogen, or that carbon, denoted by the letter C, can have a maximum of four bonding partners.

For their experiment, the researchers first asked a group of 136 high school students to take a preliminary test to determine their prior knowledge of structural formulas. The participants then wrote a test in which half of them received tips and the other half didnt. The researchers compared the results of the tests as well as the subjectively perceived stress levels and the stress levels measured objectively using heart rate variability.

Less stress, better performance We observed that the students whod received tips were less stressed and performed better than the control group who hadnt been given any tips, says Nina Minkley. The researchers factored out the impact of prior knowledge for the purpose of the study. Such simple hints, which are easy for teachers to give, could help students to focus on the essentials in assignments and tests  which are, after all, not about understanding the structural formula. The research team also argues that too much stress can lead to cognitive decline, which can hinder the recall of previously learned information. This problem could be avoided by providing tips on the formulas.
In July 2023, a resident of New Castle County in Delaware was getting ready for bed when they discovered a live adult male kissing bug on their pillow. Three months later, the same insect was found in the kitchen.

One of the bugs tested positive for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for causing Chagas disease.

It marked the first recorded case of an infected kissing bug in the state of Delaware. Chagas disease is not common in the United States, but it affects millions of people in Latin America.

The World Health Organization deems it a neglected tropical disease. Untreated Chagas disease can result in serious heart and digestive system issues.

The Delaware case suggests that the risk of acquiring Chagas disease in the U.S. may be higher than previously thought. It also raises questions about the presence of the parasite in local wildlife populations.

Kissing bugs have black and orange bodies and were named for their tendency to bite people on the face or around the mouth, which is said to resemble a kiss. They are scientifically known as Triatoma sanguisuga.

Researchers took a multi-step approach to investigate the New Castle County case. They collected information about the homes construction, the surrounding environment, and potential wildlife hosts in the region. The owner of the home was also tested to see if they had been infected with the parasite.

Finally, the researchers documented how the situation was handled. They recorded the homeowners experience with seeking help and information from pest control services and healthcare providers.

The homeowners experience showed that there was a lack of preparedness and awareness of kissing bugs and Chagas disease in the area.

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A fun trip to New York City is on many peoples bucket lists. Its understandable, as its one of the greatest cities in the world and houses some of the best museums, parks, and live performances.

However, some seasons are better for visiting New York than others. For instance, as someone whos lived there for a few years, Id recommend coming in the fall or early spring instead of the summer.

Summertime in New York, while it can have its pretty moments, can be brutal due to the humidity and crowds.

However, for many families, its the only time theyre able to visit because of their school schedules.

A popular TikTok creator who is also a born and raised New Yorker, Dutch (@dutchdeccc), recently made a viral video thats a guide to visiting New York City in the summer. Its a way to make everyones lives easier, both tourists and locals.

Dutchs first tip? Minding your business when youre out and about.

Learn how to mind your business, okay? says Dutch.

If somebodys selling chicken empanadas in the basement of a Barnes and Noble, it doesnt concern you unless youre buying a chicken empanada. If somebody jumped the turnstile on the train, you didnt see it.

If you see something a little strange on the streets of NYC in the summer, which you most likely will, just pay no mind to it. Look away and keep on moving.

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One of the most well-known and controversial studies in the history of psychology is the Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University.

The experiment aimed to determine the impacts of being a prisoner or prison guard. They wanted to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power in a simulated prison environment.

To carry out the experiment, the researchers organized a mock prison in the basement of the universitys psychology building.

Then, they picked 24 people out of a group of 70 volunteers to play the roles of prisoners and prison guards. The participants were physically healthy, had no psychological issues, and had no criminal background.

The mock prison contained three cells that were each six by nine feet. Three prisoners were placed in each cell and were provided with three cots. There was also a small space that acted as the solitary confinement room, another room that served as the prison yard, and other rooms across from the cells for the warden and guards.

Prisoners had to stay in the prison for 24 hours a day. The guards worked eight-hour shifts in teams of three. They were allowed to return home after each shift. The researchers watched the events unfold using hidden cameras and microphones.

Originally, the experiment was supposed to last 14 days. However, it was stopped after six days because of the shocking deterioration of the studys participants. The guards became increasingly abusive as the days passed, and the prisoners started showing signs of extreme emotional distress.

During the experiment, the prisoners and guards could interact in any way they wanted, but their exchanges were always hostile. Overall, the prisoners experienced stress and anxiety. Five of the prisoners had to be released from the study early due to the severe negative emotions they were experiencing, such as crying and acute anxiety.

Even the researchers behaved in surprising ways. Zimbardo was the prison warden, and he overlooked the cruel behavior of the guards until a student finally raised ethical concerns about the conditions in the mock prison.

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This 28-year-old woman is a big plant collector and has a bunch of different rare plants in her home. But, her most prized plant is a variegated Monstera  which she has cared for over the last three years.

Its incredibly delicate and has specific needs, making it quite valuable and unique, she said.

She also has a 27-year-old female friend named Clara, who is a photographer specializing in lifestyle and home decor photo shoots. So, after recently landing a photography gig with a popular home decor magazine, her friend was over the moon.

Just a few days ago, her friend called her to share the big news. Then, she was hit with an unexpected request  her friend wanted to use her variegated Monstera for the magazine photo shoot.

Clara believes the plant would be the perfect centerpiece for one of the settings shes planning, she explained.

Despite being really excited for her friend, though, shes just super protective of her plant. Shes spent a ton of time and effort nurturing her Monstera, and shes concerned about it being transported for the shoot. She doesnt want it to get damaged in any way.

Thats why, after thinking the idea over, she ultimately told Clara no. She also offered to let her friend use some of her other less delicate plants for the photoshoot instead.

Well, her friend immediately became upset and promised her that her plant would be taken care of. Plus, Clara even offered to give her credit for the plant in the magazine.

Still, her friends assurances didnt make her feel any better about the idea, so she refused to budge. This caused Clara to quickly end their conversation, and she hasnt spoken to her friend ever since.

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Illustration by Elizabeth Kaye / Source Images: Getty

Several years ago, Johnson Ambrose Afrane-Twum was under consideration to become a black lead pastor of a white-majority church in the United Kingdom, when a white friend approached him.

Johnson, everybody here knows that you can lead this church, he said. There is only one problem: Some people say they dont want you as a pastor because you speak with a Ghanaian accent.

I thought to myself, what has an accent got to do with this? said Afrane-Twum. Is this the way God wants us to do church?

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Originally from Ghana, Afrane-Twum had planted churches in three West African countries through the Calvary Chapel movement before immigrating to the UK in 2005 to further study theology and leadership. He soon observed many newcomers to Britain starting vibrant congregationsand numerous local churches dying. These realizations, in tandem with his challenging experiences working cross-culturally, led Afrane-Twum to research how African Christian leaders could better work with UK locals to revitalize faith across the country.

In Christian Mission in a Diverse British Urban Context, Afrane-Twum explores African identity in UK churches, the cultural barriers Africans face in the UK, and the need for more creative ways to reach out to diverse communities. He recently spoke with CT about the African migrant community in the UK and its potential to bring revival to the body of Christ in that country.

How would you assess the current relationship between the established UK churches and African immigrant congregations?

Some people refer to the black churches in the UK as doing reverse mission. The UK brought the gospel to us in Africa, they say, and now we are bringing the gospel back to them. But this is often a misnomer. If you are an African in the UK today and you are tending only to your own kind and not to the wider community, then there is no reverse mission. That issue must be addressed. How do we partner with the white churches so that we can be effective in our missionary work to the whole UK and not only to our fellow black Africans?

Many white-majority churches allow migrant churches to use their buildings. But for an effective partnership, we must go a step further. Both the African immigrant church and the UK church agree on winning souls to Christ, but we are subject to cultural changes that have occurred in the past few decades because of migration. The first thing we must do is to commit ourselves to building a spiritual relationship of mutual love and trust. We need to help the white churches know that we are here on a mission. At the moment, they think we are here just for our own people.

God has providentially allowed black churches to come over here to sustain the UK churches. If we have a spiritual relationship of mutual love and trust, then we can work together for kingdom goals. If the white churches come to believe that they need revival and that we have been called to help them, then the next question is, How we can best help? How do they see us, and how do we see them? If there are cultural biases, then we have to address them. Achieving the goals of the kingdom of God should be our highest purpose, even though we may have other differences.

You chose four distinct churches to study for your research on intercultural ministry in the UK. What did you find?

Two congregations (All Nations Church in Wolverhampton and Harborne Baptist) are white-majority churches that have worked hard to bring in people from multiethnic backgrounds. My study of All Nations revealed that second-generation migrants in the UK can not only adapt to the lifestyle and culture of the wider white community but, if nurtured properly by local leaders, can themselves become leaders in multiethnic churches.

At Harborne Baptist, I saw how important it is for pastors to train local youth as cross-cultural ministers and to release them to work cooperatively with Christians from other backgrounds.

The other two congregations were the Ethiopian Church London, which is mono-ethnic, and the Church of Pentecost, a very successful congregation connected to a denomination from Ghana. The Ethiopian church prefers to organize itself around its own cultural allegiances and values. The congregation feels they can best connect with God at a place with people who share their background, language, history, culture, worship style, and social needs.

The Church of Pentecost, in contrast, is a migrant church that has tried to collaborate with a white-majority church in the UK. They believe that second-generation migrants ability to participate in multiethnic gatherings will increase as they develop confidence in their own ability to navigate the social spaces of the new host culture. They are working out a strategy to reach out to the wider community, which they believe would be accomplished by their next generation.

In general, migrant churches have enabled their members to discover a sense of identity and self-respect, which we lacked when we came into the country. But we need to work harder to partner with the white-majority churches toward creating a society that models the values of the kingdom of God.

What has been your experience with racism in the UK church?

Some white people in the UK feel that churches should continue to do business as they have always done and that you shouldnt have to cross cultural barriers to reach out to other groups. When I was doing my masters degree, one of the lecturers taught us about some of the models on church planting. He said that black churches should be for blacks and white churches for whites. Comments like these are why I am doing this work.

As for those people in my church who resented me because of my accent, I dont think they were racist. I think they were ignorant.

How has the African migrant community in the UK helped give it a sense of identity?

What unites us in the UK is that we have been marginalized by society. When we come together as the African church community, we gain a sense of self-respect and identity and feel like we are with our people.

New arrivals also need help from their fellow Africans. If you go to a white-majority church and say, I dont have my immigration papers, the next day the police may be knocking on your door.

Africans come to church no matter what their problems are. We pray for them, lift them up, encourage them, and help them integrate. That is what the church does. Its both a spiritual and a social institution.

But the key question isare we going to be cemented in our own glue? Are we going to find comfort in what we get from our fellow African Christians, or are we going to share what we can offer with others? Thats where we want to be, and the wider community is also waiting.

Do you see this collaboration happening?

African churches share the universally accepted doctrines of the Christian faith. I dont see why we cannot work with our brothers and sisters in the UK if both sides practice equality and respect. Differences and commonalities are present among any groups. That shouldnt bring division. Through interaction and dialogue, we can promote understanding of different cultures and foster greater participation and inclusiveness.

As the case of All Nations suggests, second-generation migrants can negotiate effective partnerships between black churches and white churches. The second generation is better placed to do this because they know both cultures. The challenge, however, is how these next generations can maintain their families culture, identity, and Christian faith, while at the same time adapting to the culture of the host country that has much influence on them.

The influence of the wider community has caused many migrant children to lose faith in God. These young people acknowledge their ethnic heritage but place a greater premium on adapting their lives and values to the culture and values of the wider society, which is an increasingly secular social context. This is concerning because the survival of the African immigrant churches hinges on our success in raising the next generation. The success of any meaningful cross-cultural initiatives will depend on how well the next generation of immigrants is equipped.

Black liberation theology is mentioned in the book as a way of understanding African contexts. How has this theology shaped African churches in the UK?

Black people coming from Africa are not all the same. Blacks in South Africa developed a theology of liberation, a South African version of what African Americans developed in the United States, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as a conscious and theological dimension of their struggles against apartheid.

But other sub-Saharan African countries, although they also had encounters with colonialism, did not experience struggles like those of black South Africans. As a result, the liberation theology expressed in these countries is quite different.

Africans ascribe spirituality to everything they do. They believe that everything an African does should be grounded in Scripture. We believe that demons are real and that we need the power of God to overcome demonic forces and witchcraft. For most Africans, liberation comes through prayer, fasting, and living a holy life to overcome the evil forces.

In this version of liberation theology, the place of the Holy Spirit and his empowerment is incredibly significant to assist us in our encounters with the demonic.
Fiona Goodall / Stringer / Getty

The appearance of the Matariki star cluster (also known as Pleiades) in the New Zealand sky just before sunrise in late June or early July marks the new year in traditional Maori culture. Celebrated with feasts, prayers at dawn, and time spent with family, Matariki is a time to remember those who died in the past year, celebrate and give thanks for the present, and look forward to the future.

After the British colonized New Zealand in the mid-1800s, traditional Maori practices began to decline, and by the 1940s, public celebration of Matariki had stopped. Yet since the 1990s, Maori culture has undergone a successful revival, leading the New Zealand government to designate Matariki as a national holiday in 2022, celebrated this year on June 28 (although the festivities continue until July 6). This re-indigenization has also elicited the reintroduction of traditional beliefs, including the worship of ancestors and a pantheon of gods.

For Christians, this has led to a parsing of what believers should and should not embrace when celebrating Matariki. CT spoke with Michael Drake, who is of English and Maori heritage, about Christianitys legacy among the Maori people and how believers can engage with Matariki today. Drake worked in Christian education for 50 years, including as a teacher, principal, curriculum writer, and school founder. Today he pastors and writes books, including the 2023 explainer A Christian Looks at Matariki.

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Could you describe what Matariki is?

Matariki is a celebration embedded as far back as we know in Maori culture. It celebrates the rising of the Matariki star constellation, which is the beginning of the new year in our culture and indicates when harvesting and planting should be timed.

Rather than one unified group, the Maori are made up of different tribes with different customs, and we recognize the event in different ways. Yet there are common themes of eating, fellowshiping, and praying.

We cook hangi by digging a hole in the ground and placing big rocks on the bottom and lighting a fire on top of it. After fighting the fire off, you put meat, fish, cabbage, and kumara (sweet potato) in baskets in there with lots of water and cover it up with dirt. A few hours later, you open it up and the food is steamed.

It is a celebration of the new year. At that level, its something that Christians might well celebrate.

But traditional Maori culture is deeply animistic. There are prayers and incantations to the stars. The ancestors who died in the previous year are believed to have migrated to the stars, the Matariki constellation in particular. During the feast, the steam rising from the food youre cooking goes up as a prayer to the stars, the ancestors, and those who died in the last year.

Did you celebrate Matariki growing up?

No, I was raised postWorld War II at a time when my parents, who didnt look overtly Maori, were able to hide the fact. I knew I had Maori ancestors but didnt know I was Maori. They did this to keep us safe, due to the prevalent racism against Maori in New Zealand society.

It wasnt until I was about 20 and went to college that I really understood my Maori heritage. It was quite exciting to see what my ancestry was and also to learn the significance of the gospel in Maori history.

How did the gospel come to the Maori people?

Anglican missionaries proclaimed the gospel to the Maori on Christmas Day in 1814. Over the years, God turned hearts massively. At the time, Maori were using muskets and cannons to fight each other, decimating the population. In Gods providence, Maori were ready for the gospel as they saw the promise of peace. Missionary Henry Williams came here in 1823 and established trust with them. He stood in the middle of a battlefield and told them to put down their rounds because God commanded them to live in peace.

By 1860, 80 percent of Maori were attending church on Sundays. The three keys to the Maori rapidly accepting the gospel were the preaching of the gospel, the translation of Scriptures into the Maori language (there was no written language previously), and the Maori themselves becoming evangelists.

How did the introduction of Christianity change their beliefs and practices?

There was a massive abandonment of pagan religion. The Scriptures were their rule of life. For example, in northern New Zealand, a group of chiefs each had multiple wives. As they read the Scriptures, they felt that was wrongthey should have only one wife. They decided to build a village where the surplus wives would be housed and placed under their protection so that they could be the husbands of one wife. They sought husbands for the other women. They worked out for themselves how the Scripture should be applied.

Christmas and Easter were celebrated. Matariki was celebrated in terms of celebrating family and community and thanking God for the food, the harvest, and the promise of a new year.

Based on the 2018 census, only 30 percent of Maori say they are Christian. What led to this large drop in the faith?

In the 1860s, the military confiscated massive amounts of Maori land, which led to the Maoris alienation from Christianity. Many Maori lost confidence in the gospel and in the church as they associated the European settlers with the faith. The colonizers stripped Maori of their land, their territory, and their identity.

A hundred years later, in the middle of the 20th century, Maori tried to rebuild their identity again, and many resorted to the old paganism. Celebrations like Matariki, which many Christians celebrated simply as a new year, returned to being a pagan festival.

The government is now promoting Matariki in a religious way. State schools are being supplied with specially written prayers and incantations, which they claim are not religious but cultural. Some Maori young people are coming to believe in the traditional deities, and even non-Maori take part in it. Thats impacting the church, as many of our churches are struggling to reach Maori and be seen as open. You get quite a bit of syncretism in evangelical churches today.

How are Christians responding to prayers to Maori gods and deities happening in the workplace and taught at schools?

Most Christians are not quite sure what to do with it. Public events will often open with a kind of karakia or prayer. It depends on who is doing the karakia: A Christian would pray to God, while someone who isnt Christian will pray to the stars or earth or ancestors. When Christians ask what to do in those situations, I say you just dont have to say Amen.

There are all sorts of situations where as Christians, we see things going on [and] we do not have to participate in them, nor do we have to be antagonistic to them. Were called to be wise and prudent. I think theres a danger that weve become too confrontational about things we dont need to confront.

We have an opportunity to share the gospel. You see that with Paul in Athens speaking about the unknown god. He says, Let's talk about him; I can tell you about him. This is a classic example of how we can use the culture without confronting it. On the other hand, in Ephesus and Philippi, they did have to confront the culture. There comes a time when you have to.

What was New Zealanders reaction when the government decided to make Matariki a public holiday?

Theres a significant group of non-Maori New Zealanders who are bitterly opposed to anything Maori. Sadly, there are a lot of Christians among themthey just dont understand it; they cant stand it. On the other hand, there are people who think its wonderful to celebrate Maori culture. In the middle are a large number of New Zealanders who are not particularly concerned; they are fairly benign toward different cultures as long as they dont have to do anything about it.

What aspects of the festivals should Christians partake in?

We can celebrate the rising of Matariki and the fact that God has built the universe and continues to rule it in a way that for centuries Maori have been able to identify when this was going to happen. We celebrate the wonderful order in creation that declares the glory of God.

A lot of Christians will get up and pray during the dawn of Matariki because it is tradition to pray at that time. I personally avoid anything that can be misunderstood by somebody. To me the gods mean nothing, but if somebody sees me praying at dawn, they could misinterpret it.

Other Christians are quite happy to do that. I have no problem with that at all; it's perfectly right. You have that freedom in the gospel. Matariki is funits fellowship; its talking about those who have recently died and building family relationships.

Last year, I put out this booklet on how Christians can engage with Matariki, written for non-Maori believers unfamiliar with the holiday. I also opened the church service with a Matariki greeting and encouraged people to embrace it as a celebration of Gods grace.

How do you see Matariki as an evangelism opportunity?

This week, a handyman who came to fix my burglar alarm asked me what I thought of Matariki, and I got to share with him that God set the stars in their place.

He responded, But [the universe is] so huge it doesnt need us.

Yes, that shows how great God is, I said. This is the type of conversation Im happy to have around Matariki.

I cited Genesis 8:22 to him: As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. We have not only a glorious God but a constant God, a reliable God, a faithful God. All these you can show through Matariki. Its an exciting time to share the gospel: Jesus is the bright and morning star.
Twenty years after a trusted counselor used faith to groom him for abuse, a Colorado man says he is trying to reclaim part of his life and take a stand for fellow victims.

Courtesy of Andrew Summersett

Andrew Summersett felt his world shatter twice.

The first time was in 2009, when the Christian camp counselor he idolized was convicted of child abuse. It was then that Summersett saw though years of manipulation, trauma, and teenage confusion and realized he also was a victim.

The second time came in 2021, when he read reports that leaders at Kanakuk Kamps had known about Pete Newmans predatory behavior against boys like him, and they covered it up.

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After years under the weight of shame and secrecy, Summersett, 37, came forward last week in a lawsuit filed against Kanakuk, a number of its current and former leaders, and its insurer, alleging they fraudulently concealed Newmans abuse from him.

He said the legal action was his way to regain control over part of his life because I didnt control what happened to me as a kid.

Summersett says Newmanwho is currently serving a double life sentence for child enticement and sodomyabused him at his familys home in Texas during a camp recruitment trip and again at Kanakuks K-Kamp in Branson, Missouri. He was 14 and 15 years old.

The same year that the former camper says his abuse began, Newman was warned by Kanakuk leadership to stop sleeping alone with children, among other healthy boundaries, the suit claims, citing a years-long pattern of Newman being promoted despite concerns about his nudity and other boundary-crossing behavior with children.

When Newman was arrested, Summersett turned to two camp directors, the daughter and thenson-in-law of Kanakuk CEO Joe White, to ask if they had known about Newmans behavior and to share what happened to him.

The filing states that they told Summersett they didnt know and to back off and alleges that their false representations and omissions factored into Summersetts decision not to pursue a legal claim at the time.

Kanakuk did not respond to CTs request for comment but has previously declined to discuss pending litigation. The camp portrays Newman as a rogue employee and master of deception, saying leaders had no knowledge of his abuse prior to his 2009 confession and arrest.

Last year, Kanakuk also sued its insureradmitting that it had withheld information about Newmans previous abuse from victims and their families due to advice from their adjuster. Court documents include a 2010 letter from ACE American Insurance Company recommending that Kanakuk not let families know about Newmans misconduct and the camps response, since such disclosures threaten to expose Kanakuk to greater liability and may interfere with ACEs contractual right to defend claims and to have Kanakuks cooperation in that defense.

Summersett is the second of Newmans victims to sue the Missouri-based Christian camp for fraud, following Logan Yandell in 2022. Yandells family said the camp similarly claimed that it had no knowledge of the former counselors misconduct when they entered a settlement over his abuse in 2010. His case is awaiting trial.

Yandell called it both empowering and heartbreaking to see another survivor come forward with a lawsuit, a sign of the scope and continued impact of Newmans abuse through Kanakuk.

Legal actions like Andrews and mine aim to expose the truth and hold those responsible accountable, he said in a statement to CT. This fight is not just for our individual justice but for systemic change that prioritizes the protection of children over the shielding of institutions.

Their cases also raise the profile of the risk of grooming and abuse toward male victims. Men may not be subject to the same formal boundaries or informal expectations for their interactions with boys as they would with the opposite sex.

It is an area that we have to be so much more cognizant of and so much more vigilant in and around, because there are evil people. There are predators, there are people like Pete and people like Kanakuk who harbored Pete, Summersett said in an interview with CT. I think its our absolute charge and duty to protect our kids because they dont deserve this, and we can prevent it.

Summersett grew up in Arkansas and Texas, where he loved to play outside with no shoes on, running around the neighborhood. He looked forward to camp at Kanakuk every summer, starting at age 7. His favorite part was the people. He loved reuniting with fellow campers and with staff members like Newman who seemed larger than life with their big personalities and spiritual insights.

I grew up in a Christian householdfaith was always part of our family, and obviously, this significantly rocked the entire foundation of everything I believed, said Summersett, now married and raising a family of his own in Colorado. Faith and God and the Bible were what Pete used to groom me.

A popular and charismatic counselor, Newman initiated conversations with boys about biblical purity. He had hot tub Bible studies where theyd discuss sexuality and masturbation.

Its totally grooming behavior, said Andi Thacker, a counseling ministries professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and a licensed professional counselor who treats victims of child sexual abuse.

Thacker described how abusers like Newman stairstep their way to abuse by justifying inappropriate behavior as playful or just what guys do. Underage victims in evangelical settings, then, dont know what to make of their young bodies responses and feel the additional guilt of sexual behavior with someone of the same sex.

Many victims of child sexual abuse wait decades to report their abuse, if at all, and men can be particularly reticent. They may blame themselves or may be afraid of how people would respond, said Thacker.

Summersett said he hadnt told his family until last year. But hes been encouraged by the outpouring of support since his lawsuit made news last week. Putting his name and face out there as a victim, he said, is worth it if it makes fellow survivors feel less alone.

One of the most impactful things has been connecting with other survivors who have eerily similar stories, said Summersett, who began to network through the site Facts About Kanakuk, which shares resources for survivors. Theres been a ton of healing and sharing and kind of this brotherhood forming.

Dozens of men have come forward in civil complaints and John Doe suits against Newman. Reports estimate that his victims could be in the hundreds.

Yandell sees a similar sense of hopefulness and bravery from fellow survivors: Each voice that speaks out strengthens our collective fight for justice and healing. It is through our shared experiences and united efforts that we can demand accountability and ensure that such abuses are never repeated.

Kanakuk is a prominent and long-running camp program, hosting 450,000 campers over nearly a century of ministry. A 2021 Dispatch investigation by Nancy French examined how the camp culture at Kanakuk enabled horrific abuse. She noted that nobody resigned as a result of the failure to stop a decade of abuse. There was no disciplinary action against any of Newmans supervisors, and Joe White is still the head of the camp today.

Across many cases involving victims of child sexual abuse, Summersetts attorney Guy DAndrea has seen the lasting damage done by institutional cover-up on top of the trauma of the abuse itself.

If you want your faith to grow and prosper, you cant have the most vulnerable  feel their faith has been shattered by the leadership of an organization or entity, said DAndrea, with the firm Laffey Bucci DAndrea Reich & Ryan. Were not holding the organization to an impossible standard. Were asking them to do the right thing, which is what our faith asks us to do.
Home News Texas Rep. Chip Roy files resolution urging VP Harris to remove Biden from office

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, has introduced a resolution aimed at invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Joe Biden from office following his widely criticized performance at last weeks presidential debate against former President Donald Trump.

According to Roys statement and the text of the resolution, the move would require Vice President Kamala Harris and the Cabinet to formally declare Biden incapable of performing his duties, The Daily Caller reported.

The call for action is rooted in Bidens debate performance Thursday night, which was described by both Democrats and left-leaning media outlets as disastrous, raising serious questions about his mental acuity and fitness for the office.

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Whereas President Joseph R. Biden has repeatedly and publicly demonstrated his inability to discharge the powers and duties of the presidency, including, among others, the powers and duties of the commander-in-chief: Now, therefore, be it resolved that the House of Representatives calls upon Vice President Kamala D. Harris to immediately use her powers under section 4 of the 25th Amendment to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments in the Cabinet to declare that President Joseph R. Biden is unable to discharge the duties and powers of the office; and to transmit to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that she will be immediately assuming the powers and duties of the office as acting president, reads the resolution.

The 25th Amendment, which was ratified in 1967 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, includes provisions for the transfer of power in scenarios where the president is unable to perform the duties of the office. Section 4 of this amendment allows the vice president, together with a majority of the cabinet, to declare the president unfit, thereby making the vice president the acting president, the Washington Examiner noted.

Despite these calls, Harris has publicly dismissed concerns about Bidens debate performance. In an interview with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow, Harris admitted to a slow start in the debate but insisted that he finished strong, praising Biden for wanting a debate based on facts and truth, according to the interviews transcript by The Daily Signal.

The move by Roy comes amid a backdrop of increasing concerns from members of both parties over Bidens capability to handle his duties as president, especially after a report in February by special counsel Robert Hur described Biden as a well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.

Critics, including some Democratic figures like former Senator Claire McCaskill, expressed disappointment, noting Biden failed to reassure Americans of his capability to handle the presidency at his age during the debate.

Republican senators have also voiced their concerns, with Sen. Mike Lee suggesting that weve definitely entered 25th Amendment territory, and Sen. Rick Scott commenting on the serious discussions about the 25th Amendment among Democrats.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has also stressed the urgency of evaluating Bidens capability, advocating for the release of the Hur tapes to assess Bidens coherence, calling it a matter of national security.

Every member of Congress has a constitutional duty to ensure we have a coherent President. We MUST hear the Hur tapes. A lawsuit can take years. I will be calling up the vote to hold Garland in inherent contempt this morning. This is a national security issue, she wrote on X.
Home News Missouri church apologizes for full-page bulletin encouraging young men to join militia

A Catholic church in Missouri has issued an apology after its bulletin mistakenly featured an advertisement calling for the formation of a militia. The ad, displayed in the June 16 bulletin, urged young men aged 18 to 29 to join and protect the holy eucharist, congregation, clergy and church grounds from potential threats.

The Ascension Catholic Church in Chesterfield swiftly retracted the advertisement through a post on the homepage of its website this week, clarifying that no militia was being formed and expressed regret over the ads inclusion in the bulletin.

The statement emphasized that the notion of needing a militia for church protection was inappropriate and unhelpful, and reassured the community that there had been no threats against the church.

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The ad was from an individual who was recruiting members for a group he called the Legion of Sancta Lana, according to the statement. However, the church did not disclose the name of that individual.

The advertisement, which included a QR code with an application for membership, suggests that a militia would be formed and that this group would be affiliated with Ascension parish. The is, of course, untrue, the church said.

To be perfectly clear, there is no militia being formed, and we regret that this item was included in the bulletin. Furthermore, the suggestion that our community might require a militia in order for us to celebrate the Eucharist is both inappropriate and unhelpful. Please be assured that there have been zero threats made against our community.

Fox 2 Now, which said the ad featured a call to join now in large bold font, reported that multiple parishioners, who chose to remain anonymous, viewed the incident as an unfortunate oversight.

One parishioner was quoted as saying, It sort of was a mistake. It was an advertisement that was printed without any review by the parish, and I think it slipped through the review process cracks, if you will.

The churchs bulletin publication process is managed by an external agency.

It was just kind of a surprise, because its contradictory to everything that the school and the church preaches in the parish, another parishioner said.

The church further clarified that the link is now deactivated and is no longer accepting responses.

We sincerely apologize for this error and the anguish it has caused, and we believe it is in the best interest of our parish and our community for us to clarify that we do not support his activity, it said in the statement.
Home News Church of England may split over same-sex services, clergy warn

The Church of England is facing potential divisions as it approaches the General Synod which begins this week as factions are expressing deep concerns over the denomination's direction on same-sex blessings and church law.

Ahead of the Synod, three significant letters from the orthodox wing  comprising over 2,000 clergy members  signal a stark warning: the church may be on the brink of a split.

In 2023, the CofE marked a significant turning point by permitting priests to bless same-sex couples. However, these blessings are restricted to regular, publicly held services, not individual ceremonies like weddings.

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At this month's synod, a new proposal will be considered that seeks to introduce standalone blessing services for same-sex couples on an experimental basis. While these services would not be recognized as marriages, conservative members of the church argue that this move would still be an excessive deviation from traditional practices.

The first letter, authored by 11 orthodox bishops, calls for a "sufficient consensus" on doctrinal matters, warning that pushing forward without such consensus could cause "fundamental fragmentations" at multiple church levels.

They argue that current proposals lack the necessary two-thirds majority support in each House of the Synod, reflecting a deep-seated division within the church's governance.

"We therefore urge Synod to rethink the process at this time, and request the bishops to enable further doctrinal work, bringing back proposals that will properly be considered under the governance of the necessary canons," the letter reads. "We pray that, through prayer, wise counsel and good process, we may yet reach a consensus that is recognised as having legitimacy by all parts of the church and enables all to flourish in our shared mission to the nation and beyond."

In a more direct threat, a second letter from an orthodox group known as "The Alliance" threatens the establishment of a "parallel province" within the CofE if the blessings proceed. This letter, signed by over 25 church leaders, is addressed to the Archbishops of York and Canterbury.

This group, which includes leaders from notable networks like Holy Trinity Brompton, New Wine and Church Society, accuses the House of Bishops of straying from church doctrine and failing to follow proper legal processes.

The letter links their stance to a global context, noting their alignment with the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans Assembly, which has called for a "global reset" in leadership due to perceived failures by the CofE.

"We will encourage all church leaders who are in sympathy with The Alliance to join the parallel Province," the letter reads. "We will take action with immediate effect to open up a new pre-ordination stream for potential ordinands, in partnership with orthodox bishops, to reverse the decline caused in part by this unconstitutional and unorthodox process."

The third letter, posted to the website of the Society of St. Wilfred and St. Hilda  an Anglo-Catholic group within the CofE  adopts a less confrontational tone compared to the other two. While it also expresses concerns similar to those of the other letters, it seeks to draw attention to the personal and emotional toll the debates are taking on LGBT Christians within the community.

The letter demands thorough theological reflection by the Faith and Order Commission of the House of Bishops on these issues.

Meanwhile, some parishes, including Canterbury Cathedral, have begun offering same-sex blessings as part of regular worship services.
Home News 'Reagan' star Dennis Quaid reflects on faith, humility of Ronald Reagan; reveals if he'll ever run for office

Few U.S. presidents have left as indelible a mark as Ronald Reagan, known for his charisma, leadership during the Cold War and deep connection with the American people. But according to actor Dennis Quaid, who stars in the forthcoming film Reagan, it was the former presidents humility and deep faith that made him uniquely qualified to lead during a tumultuous time in American history.

He was my favorite president, and I think the greatest president of the 20th century, for sure, Quaid, who plays Reagan in the film releasing Aug. 30, told The Christian Post.

Everybody knows what Ronald Reagan looked like. Hes one of the most recognizable people in the world, like Muhammad Ali.

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To truly embody Reagan  a task Quaid said initially sent fear through his spine  the 70-year-old actor knew he had to move beyond mere impersonation to help audiences see beyond the public persona of one of America's most iconic leaders.

The public Reagan  that's kind of easy, but thats kind of an impersonation. I wanted to get to feel him at his core, he said.

This journey took Quaid to the Reagan Ranch, the Western White House, where he found a personal connection to the man behind the image. Driving up those 5 miles of bad road, getting to the top of that mountain where his place was at, I could really feel him as a person, he recounted. Reagan, I realized, was a humble man.

The Academy Award-nominated actor said it was the modesty of the Reagans' 1,100-square-foot home, where they received the Queen of England, that struck him.

They had a king-size bed that was two single beds zip-tied together. Three remote controls to operate the television with a note from Nancy on how to do it. I could really feel him, and thats what compelled me to say yes to doing the movie.

When I play real people, I feel like I have a responsibility to portray them from their point of view, and it took me a while to really get there. Despite the great communicator that Ronald Reagan was, there was also a very private part of himself that made him difficult to really know, he added. Nancy, his wife, probably knew him better than anybody, and said there was a place there, too, that was difficult to penetrate. I think that that had to do with his relationship with God; it was very private. [The movie] was an honor to do, and I think we portray him as a human being like all of us.

From ShowBiz Direct and set during the Cold War, "Reagan" tracks the life of the 40th president of the United States from his early days in a small town through his Hollywood career to his global political influence. The narrative, told through the perspective of Viktor Petrovich, a former KGB agent, explores Reagan's impact, which drew Soviet interest during his acting career. The film offers a different take on Reagan's legacy, shaped by his resolve and the support of his wife.

In addition to Quaid, the film's cast includes Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan, Mena Suvari as Jane Wyman, Lesley-Anne Down as Margaret Thatcher, David Henrie as a young Reagan, Kevin Dillon as Jack Warner, and Jon Voight as Petrovich. The film is directed by Sean McNamara, known for "Soul Surfer" and "Miracle Season."

Originally planned for a 2023 release, "Reagan" faced production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and was further postponed by an actors' strike. It resumed shooting seven months after initially shutting down.

According to Quaid, Reagan aims to present a comprehensive view of Reagans life, from his early days in Dixon, Illinois, to his farewell to the American people after his Alzheimers diagnosis. The actor said through his portrayal of Reagan, he wanted to highlight the former presidents personal struggles and resilience without glossing over the difficult parts of his story.

Its not a love letter. Its a kind of warts-and-all portrayal, Quaid explained. But its also a story of triumph, about us as much as it is about him.

Reagan felt like, as an actor, he was a failure. He never got beyond playing in B movies, Quaid added. Yet, he stressed that Reagans journey from Hollywood to the presidency is a testament to finding purpose. His faith had a lot to do with him finding that purpose in life.

When asked if he has political aspirations himself, Quaid laughed. Nope, no. God told me thats not my purpose, he said.

Ive always been very interested in politics and in history as well, he added. As an actor, I just enjoy it so much because it's about what makes people tick, and Ronald Reagan has been like the epitome of that.

For Quaid, who has starred in a slew of films over the last few decades, "Reagan" has become a career-defining project. Ive always said that The Right Stuff was my favorite movie. Reagan has knocked that off the top spot. Its my favorite movie that Ive ever done, he said.

Quaid said he hopes Reagan entertains audiences  Going into the theater and having an experience with an audience, its quite thrilling. And its the right spot for it, he said, adding that it provides hope at a time when the country desperately needs it.

I have hope and faith in the wisdom of the American people winning in the end, he said. We're in times now that are very much like the times before Reagan came into office. He came along and won the Cold War and made us feel that we could do anything. I'm sure that Ronald Reagan would give credit for winning the Cold War to the American people. He said, You know, it's amazing how much you can get done in Washington if you're willing to not take credit for it.

He had an amazing life and was an amazing person. The movie is, number one, to entertain people, and that's in the story of his life. Its an amazing love story, really, between him and Nancy that I think the public has not really seen before. You get to be like a fly on the wall for all these great events that happened  this movie goes there. That's what I love about it.

Tickets for Reagan go on sale July 4. The film will be released exclusively in theaters nationwide on Aug. 30.
Home News Hawaii schools ordered to allow Good News Clubs access to campus

A federal court has ordered the Hawaii Department of Education and six individual elementary schools to allow Child Evangelism Fellowship's after-school Bible clubs to operate on public school campuses just like any other club. The directive comes months after CEF sued education officials for blocking their student clubs from operating in four local school districts.

The preliminary injunction protects Good News Clubs from viewpoint discrimination and compels school officials to respond promptly to facility-use applications, according to Liberty Counsel, the legal group that represented CEF.

This decision stems from a lawsuit filed in January, alleging that the Hawaii Department of Education and six schools had continuously denied the Good News Clubs' access to school facilities over three years, citing instances of what the Liberty Counsel described as blatant religious discrimination.

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During the legal proceedings, it emerged that one school had explicitly barred the club based on its religious nature, while another rejection was attributed to a misinterpretation of school policies.

This is a great victory for Child Evangelism Fellowship, parents, and the students in Hawaii public schools, said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities, he pointed out. Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a safe space that offers moral and character development from a Christian viewpoint.

Before the pandemic, child Evangelism Fellowship of Hawaii had established Good News Clubs in over a dozen schools across Oahu and other islands. However, despite the restoration of after-school programs in 2022 following COVID-19 restrictions, the Department of Education, led by four superintendents and other officials, denied all requests from CEF to restart its programs. They rejected every appeal, allowing access only to other similar groups.

The Good News Clubs aim to provide a safe space for children for spiritual growth and moral character development. These clubs, which meet weekly, immediately after school, are managed by trained local volunteers and offer religious teachings alongside activities promoting learning, service and leadership development. The clubs are free and open to children who have written permission from their parents.

In their complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of the District of Hawaii, CEF Hawaii named several defendants, including the Hawaii Department of Education and Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi; and other area superintendents such as Rochelle Mahoe, Linell Dilwith, Janette Snelling and Richard Fajardo.

The complaint argued that the denials of access violated constitutional rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments by preventing the clubs from communicating with students on equal footing with secular organizations such as the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school, Staver remarked.

In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Good News Club v. Milford Central School that public schools could not ban the Christian student group from meeting on their property after class hours solely because the club was religious in nature.
Home News Pastor shot in face speaks out after charges dropped against suspect

Clemmie Livingston Jr., the 71-year-old Tennessee pastor who was shot in the face by carjackers outside his church in February, is speaking out after the Shelby County District Attorneys Office dropped several charges against a suspect in the attack that almost cost him his life.

RShunio Greer, 18, was charged with aggravated robbery and theft of property, according to WREG. He was also facing a number of gun possession charges. The teen was tied to Livingstons shooting after investigators reportedly found pictures of Greer in a car that was stolen from Livingstons church, Zionfield Baptist Church in Memphis, the day the pastor was shot. Greer also allegedly admitted to driving away from the scene of the shooting.

Prosecutors recently dismissed all charges against Greer except theft of property, according to Fox 13, because witnesses did not show up.

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Livingston told the news outlet that the claim made by the prosecutors for dismissing the charges against the suspect cannot be true because he was a witness and he showed up to court for the hearing of the case.

I was stunned when they said there were not any witnesses there, knowing that we were there, Livingston said. That was the thing that shocked me.

A spokesperson for the DAs office confirmed with Fox 13 that witnesses were present for Greers hearing despite their previous statement but noted that the theft charge against the suspect will still be reviewed by a grand jury.

Though his desire is to see his attackers rehabilitated, Livingston says he will be praying that the police track down the other suspects involved in his shooting.

I am sure that others will be brought in, he said. If you listen to the guys statement, he says he didnt do it. He says, But I was with them. The question is, 'Who is the them?

The Memphis pastor faced life-threatening injuries after he was shot and is refusing to give up hope despite the charges against Greer being dismissed.

I dont let things disappoint me such as this, he said. I feel like the judicial system, they do what they want to do anyway.

Livingston was shot just after 9 a.m. on Feb. 25 as he came out of his church before the start of his Sunday morning service. He recently testified about the ordeal during his first appearance in the pulpit since the shooting in his Easter Sunday message.

Glad to be here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I remember the words of Peter.  He said, Lord, its good to be here. And sometimes we take being here for granted, but its good to be here, the 71-year-old Livingston said after directing his congregants to Matthew 28:5-6.

Even after being a preacher for almost 40 years, he said he needs to keep reading Scripture to remind himself of how sure Gods promises are.

Say what you will. I dont care what youre going through. You can always stand on the Word of God. His Word is everlasting, all the way to everlasting, he said.

He told Fox 13 that he is still dealing with pain and will likely need reconstructive surgery.

It causes me to have severe pain in my head, Livingston said of his injuries. I am not able to eat like normal people and, of course, my bone is still shattered down there.
Home News Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity from prosecution

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump and other U.S. presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts undertaken while in office.

The Supreme Court released its much-anticipated decision in the case of Trump v. United States on Monday morning. The case centered on whether the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was immune from certain charges he was facing from an indictment last year.

In a 6-3 decision, the high court concluded that while the President is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for conduct within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority, such immunity does not extend to conduct in areas where his authority is shared with Congress.

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Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the majority opinion, concluding that a former president has some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office, with the immunity being absolute when the president exercises his core constitutional powers.

As for his remaining official actions, he is also entitled to immunity, Roberts wrote. At the current stage of proceedings in this case, however, we need not and do not decide whether that immunity must be absolute, or instead whether a presumptive immunity is sufficient.

The Supreme Court vacated a judgment from the Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit, and remanded the case back for further proceedings consistent with the high courts opinion.

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law, Roberts continued. But Congress may not criminalize the Presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution.

The President therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor authored a dissenting opinion, being joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan, in which she argued that the decision makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.

The Court now confronts a question it has never had to answer in the Nations history: Whether a former President enjoys immunity from federal criminal prosecution, wrote Sotomayor. The majority thinks he should, and so it invents an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law.

Nothing in our history, however, supports the majoritys entirely novel immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts. The historical evidence that exists on Presidential immunity from criminal prosecution cuts decisively against it.

Last year, special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with four felonies related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in response to the outcome of the 2020 election.

These charges levied by Smith included conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and exploiting the Jan. 6 protest to remain in power.

The attack on our nations capital on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, stated Smith, as quoted by Politico.

It was fueled by lies  lies by the defendant  targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.

For his part, Trump has argued that his actions were protected by presidential immunity, arguing that his actions were official acts that were part of his duties as president.

Two lower courts ruled against the former president, with the Supreme Court  three of whose members were nominated by Trump  eventually agreeing to hear an appeal.

Since leaving office, Trump has dealt with numerous legal issues regarding an array of allegations of unlawful behavior.

In May, for example, a New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 charges related to falsifying business records stemming from an allegation that Trump paid porn star Stormy Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford) $130,000 in 2016 to conceal an alleged sexual encounter years earlier, in 2006, while he ran for president.
Home News Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on transgender surgeries, puberty blockers for kids

The Texas Supreme Court has upheld a state law barring medical professionals from performing cosmetic sex-change surgeries or prescribing hormonal intervention drugs to children.

In an 8-1 ruling released Friday in the case of Texas et al v. Lazaro Loe et al., Texas highest court upheld Senate Bill 14, which passed last May and took effect last September. The law bans medical professionals from performing sex-reassignment surgeries or prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children.

Justice Rebeca Aizpuru Huddle authored the majority opinion, concluding that the Legislature made a permissible, rational policy choice to limit the types of available medical procedures for children.

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We therefore conclude the statute does not unconstitutionally deprive parents of their rights or physicians or health care providers of an alleged property right in their medical licenses or claimed right to occupational freedom, wrote Huddle.

We also conclude the law does not unconstitutionally deny or abridge equality under the law because of sex or any other characteristic asserted by plaintiffs. We therefore reverse and vacate the trial courts order.

Justice Debra Lehrmann wrote the dissent, arguing that the new law is not only cruel but also unconstitutional and that the majority opinion effectively forecloses all medical treatment options that are currently available to these children.

Although this Court has enshrined a robust conceptualization of parental autonomy for many years, in the blink of an eye, the Court tosses that precedent aside today, Lehrmann added.

Concerningly, the Court's opinion puts all parental decisions at risk of being overruled by the government. The Court's attempt to cabin its opinion to only this case makes its outcome-driven decision-making all the more transparent.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that filed an amicus brief in support of the state law, celebrated the state supreme court decision.

Texas rightly enacted the Minors Protection Act to protect the health and welfare of all children  supporting their natural biological development and ensuring that children experiencing gender dysphoria have a chance for comprehensive healing and compassionate mental health support, said ADF Senior Counsel Natalie Thompson in a statement.

And no reliable scientific evidence demonstrates that these dangerous medical procedures improve mental health. Thats why countries like Sweden, England, and Finland  which once recommended these procedures for children  are now restricting them and protecting children from the devastating effects they have had on countless lives.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, one of multiple progressive organizations that represented the families suing Texas, denounced the state high court decision.

This decision by the Texas Supreme Court allows the suffering caused by S.B. 14 to continue across the state, said Ash Hall, policy and advocacy strategist at ACLU of Texas, in a statement.

Our government shouldn't deprive trans youth of the health care that they need to survive and thrive. Texas politicians obsession with attacking trans kids and their families is needlessly cruel. We will not stop fighting until our trans youth have the health care they deserve and our state is a welcoming place to all.

SB 14 includes exceptions to allow such procedures or interventions in limited scenarios, such as when a minor is "experiencing precocious puberty," "born with a medically verifiable genetic disorder of sex development," or if a minor "does not have the normal sex chromosome structure for male or female as determined by a physician through genetic testing."

Shortly after the law was passed, a group of progressive organizations filed suit on behalf of five families with trans-identified minors, with the 201st Judicial District Court of Travis County granting an injunction that temporarily blocked the law.

At the end of August 2023, however, the Texas Supreme Court issued a brief order overruling the injunction, and allowing the law to take effect while the legal proceedings continued.
Home News Third-party presidential candidate seeks to 'blow a hole in the Democrat Party'

A pro-life activist running a third-party presidential campaign is hoping to persuade Americans to refrain from voting for Democrats in the 2024 election by showing them ads he believes will prove to them that the party is a fortress of evil that must be destroyed.

Randall Terry is the Constitution Partys nominee for president in the 2024 presidential election. Terry, a pro-life activist who founded the pro-life organization Operation Rescue, which was established to organize blockades outside abortion clinics, is running a campaign to raise awareness about abortion by airing ads showing the graphic reality of killing preborn babies and is urging Americans not to support President Joe Biden and the Democrats.

The campaign cites the overarching message behind the ads as to Defend Children, Defeat Biden, and Destroy the Democratic Party. So far, his campaign has produced nine ads.

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About half of the ads feature Stephen Broden, the Constitution Partys vice presidential nominee and the founder of the National Black Pro-Life Coalition who also serves as senior pastor of Fair Park Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. The campaign intends to produce nearly 20 more ads.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Terry said his campaign is producing the ads and showing them to people to raise money. The window where we can compel the stations to run the ads begins on September 5, so the [Federal Communications Commission] law requires that a TV station take the ad of a federal candidate who is on the ballot 60 days prior to the election.

Terry told CP that his campaign is in the process of mapping out the strategy for where the ads will air. He said the final strategy will depend on how much money we raise. He added that he intends to have one of the ads, titled Stupid Celebrities, air on national television during The View.

The ad, which shows images of outspoken celebrities who've expressed support for progressive causes, including The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg, features Terry declaring in a voice-over, I am so sick of stupid celebrities who embarrass themselves. In the ad, pictures of preborn and newborn babies appear on screen as Terry says, Hey morons, this is a human being.

These are dead human beings, Terry declares as the ad transitions into showing the remains of babies murdered by abortion. He then asks the fools pictured in the ad to shut up and follow the science before urging those who still have brains to send Biden the baby-killer packing.

At the end of the day, once pro-lifers recognize the power of these ads to defeat Biden and destroy the Democrat Party, thats when they'll start giving us money, Terry predicted. The Democrat Party is a fortress of evil that must be destroyed.

My mission in the presence of God  our mission as a campaign, is to blow a hole in the side of the Democrat Party and cause it to sink, he added.

While Terry has raised about $200,000 so far, he hopes to raise between $5 million and $6 million and is looking to start a Super PAC. Although Terrys primary goal is to affect the outcome of the presidential race, he also hopes to have an impact on several abortion-related referendums slated to go before voters this fall that could have the effect of establishing constitutional rights to abortion in their states.

Terry indicated that he plans to run ads against the proposal to establish a constitutional right to abortion in Florida, communicating the message that if you vote for this constitutional amendment, you have blood on your hands.

Terry shared his belief that the pro-life movement missed their opportunity to defeat efforts to establish constitutional rights to abortion that passed in several states by not engaging in similar messaging. The most powerful weapon we have are the images of aborted children, he stated. The second most powerful weapon we have is saying that abortion is murder. Can you imagine fighting antisemitism without using the pictures of the Holocaust? Think about it.

That is their best weapon is to show these horrifying images of these poor victims and say never again, he remarked. Terry noted that one of the ads features Pastor Broden detailing how America saw 100 years of the [Ku Klux Klan] lynching black men.

Now, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party are killing for the KKK, Broden laments in the ad as pictures of the remains of aborted babies are shown on screen.

Lynching black babies by abortion in their mothers womb, theyve convinced black women that the answer to unintended pregnancy is to murder their babies, Broden laments. Black people must repent of voting for these child killers.

Terry contended that this kind of messaging is necessary to influence public opinion on abortion: Think about the firestorm thats going to create, a black man on national television saying, If you vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris  they are doing the work of the Ku Klux Klan, lynching black babies in the womb. No one has ever done this.

Terry also addressed concerns that his campaign would take away votes from former President Donald Trump, the most pro-life candidate among the two major party presidential hopefuls: Thats not our mission. And if you look at the ads, its clearly going after Biden and the Democrat Party. By destroying the Democrat Party and defeating Biden, we help Trump.

I dont want Republican votes. I want their money, he insisted. Terry cited former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, as one member of the political right who is embracing his strategy.

After viewing the ads, DeLay told Terry that every Republican should be giving you money. Terry remained confident that once Republican voters and those concerned about him spoiling the election for Trump see his ads, they will go, Oh, I get it.

We are begging pro-life Christians to fund this campaign. We will show America the truth in a way that has never happened before, he vowed. We believe that America will not end abortion until America sees abortion.

When asked about conservatives who are still unhappy with Trump over his support for COVID-19 lockdowns or his statements suggesting Congress shouldn't set abortion policy, Terry responded by stressing, Our ads are targeted at Catholic Democrats and Catholic African Americans. The pro-life presidential candidate identified both groups as key constituencies in the Democrat Party before discussing his strategy in detail.

The largest voting bloc in the Democrat Party are Roman Catholics. The second largest voting bloc is African Americans. So we are tailoring our ads to Catholics and black Americans to say, if you vote for these candidates, you are voting for people who are at war with your family and at war with your faith.

If we can cause 5 percent, just 5 percent of Catholics and blacks to leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party will capsize, it will go under, it will sink. Referring to other major American political parties that have gone extinct over the years, he forecasted that It will go the way of the Whig Party and the Southern Democrat Party.

For the handful of dissatisfied pro-lifers who vote for us, they will be a small percentage compared to the Catholic Democrats and Catholic  black Americans that we will reach and cause to switch their vote, he predicted. He expressed concern that over half of Catholics vote for a Democrat every single time and the majority of those Catholics say that theyre pro-life, identifying the ads as an effort to hold them accountable to their faith by causing them to refrain from voting for Biden.

Terry outlined how his efforts have worked in the past on a much smaller scale. The pro-life activist sought the Democrat nomination in 2012 when then-President Barack Obama was seeking renomination. While Terry did not gain traction on a national scale, he received 18% of the vote by showing [similar] ads in Oklahoma.

Eighteen percent of the vote in a closed primary. Thats the power of these ads. I carried 13 counties; I beat a sitting president in 13 counties in Oklahoma running these ads. I earned delegates at the Democrat Convention, which they took away, but these ads are so powerful that when Democrats see them, it strikes their conscience and they realize they cant vote for a child killer. Eighteen percent of the vote I carried in a statewide election, in a closed primary.

Terry added, A closed primary means you cant switch. It wasnt independents, it wasnt Republicans who said, oh Im going to vote just to  screw around. No, its a closed primary. You have to be a registered Democrat to vote in that primary, and I carried 18 percent of the vote showing aborted baby ads.

Terry told CP that he would have run for president in both 2016 and 2020, but two of his sons suffered from severe illnesses during that time, causing him to sit out the elections.

As of June 2024, the Constitution Party has ballot access in 12 states worth a combined 110 electoral votes: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. While the Constitution Party has limited ballot access, Terry predicted a much larger presence for his party on presidential ballots across the U.S. based on recent history.

If you look at the history of the Constitution Party, it has always had between 22 and 30 states. In some of the states it has perpetual ballot access. Some of the states, they have to get it every four years by signature gathering.

Terry listed New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee as additional states where he expected to be on the ballot.

In the past two presidential elections, the Constitution Party has had a negligible impact on the final results. In 2016, the party received just 0.15% of the vote, and it captured only 0.04% of the vote in 2020. Terry hopes this year will be different, describing his dream come true as the Constitution Party providing the margin of defeat for Joe Biden because they showed television ads of the victims of abortion.
Home News Vandals who attacked pro-life pregnancy center forced to pay settlement

The owners of a pro-life pregnancy center have reached a settlement with the vandals who defaced the facility nearly two years after it fell victim to a wave of pro-abortion attacks.

The law firm First Liberty Institute announced in a post on X Thursday that Heartbeat of Miami, a pro-life pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, had finally secured "justice" after it was vandalized by pro-abortion activists in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision which ruled the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion.

The post elaborated on what it meant by justice, specifically highlighting that vandals who spray-painted threatening messages on Heartbeats property last year will pay for their crimes. Expressing gratitude for the assistance of Floridas Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody for holding these violent protesters accountable, First Liberty described the development as a big win for Floridas pro-life community.

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While we cannot publicly discuss the specifics of the settlement quite yet, the vandals associated with Janes Revenge who sought to injure, intimidate and interfere with access to Heartbeat of Miami, and several Florida pregnancy resource centers, will be held to account, First Liberty stated in a piece published by Life News.

The settlement follows a federal lawsuit filed by First Liberty Institute last year against the group of pro-abortion activists who refer to themselves as Janes Revenge and the individuals responsible for the vandalism against Heartbeat of Miami. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, sought damages of $5,000 for each violation of federal law committed by each of the defendants.

The vandalism at the center of the lawsuit took place on July 3, 2022, nine days after the Dobbs decision. In early 2023, defendants Caleb Freestone and Amber Smith-Stewart were indicted by a Florida grand jury for defacing the property with pro-abortion messages reading, if abortions arent safe [then] neither are you and our rage will not stop in addition to the symbol for the anarchist movement and the phrase Janes Revenge.

Heartbeat of Miami was one of several pro-life pregnancy centers and churches targeted following the publication of the Dobbs decision in June 2022. The Dobbs ruling ignited outrage among pro-abortion activists, as it overturned the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide and enabled states to enact laws regulating abortion and setting legal limits on when a pregnancy can be terminated.

Vandalism of churches and pro-life pregnancy centers by pro-abortion protesters first began in May 2022, when a draft of the Dobbs decision was leaked. Incidents at pregnancy centers and churches continued beyond the summer of 2022.

Pregnancy centers have also found themselves in the crosshairs of Democrat politicians at the state and federal levels who have sought to shut down the facilities or put them under investigation for allegedly misleading consumers.

Most recently, Massachusetts has launched a $1 million campaign urging residents not to rely on the services of pro-life pregnancy centers, citing concerns that they put womens health at risk and purportedly use deceptive practices to attract patients.

While pro-life pregnancy centers have become a target of Democrats and pro-abortion activists in the past two years, they retain support from the American public as a whole. A poll conducted by CRC Advisors in August 2022 found that 74% of Americans support the public funding of pro-life pregnancy centers.
Home News Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns restraining order against pro-life protester

The Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously ruled against an order barring a pro-life protester from speaking to a Planned Parenthood employee outside an abortion facility.

In 2020, a lower court issued an injunction ordering Brian Aish to stay away from nurse Nancy Kindschy after Aish had allegedly made threats against the clinic staffer. The decision was upheld by a circuit court in 2022.

However, in a decision released last week, Wisconsins highest court concluded that the injunction violated Aishs First Amendment rights, and remanded the case to a circuit court with the instruction to vacate the injunction.

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Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet authored the court opinion, writing that even if Aish's statements were true threats  an issue we do not decide  the harassment injunction still violates the First Amendment because the circuit court did not make the necessary finding that Aish consciously disregarded a substantial risk that his communications would be viewed as threatening violence.

The circuit court therefore did not evaluate whether Aish's statements were true threats, wrote Dallet, adding that the circuit court failed to make clear findings regarding Aish's subjective mental state as it relates to his statements to Kindschy.

Dallet also took issue with the injunctions parameters, noting that it orders Aish to avoid any location Kindschy might be, effectively prohibiting Aish from speaking not just to Kindschy, but to others at the clinic or anywhere else that she might be.

In doing so, the injunction burdens significantly more speech than is necessary to protect individual privacy, freedom of movement to and from work, and freedom from fear of death. Therefore, it cannot survive strict scrutiny, she continued.

Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote a concurring opinion, concluding that the circuit court had failed to show that Aish had made true threats against Kindschy or other clinic staff.

Not all statements that stoke fear in listeners are true threats, wrote Bradley. Violence must be threatened, not merely predicted, hoped for, or endorsed.

The First Amendment is a bulwark against the weaponization of the justice system to squelch or even criminalize disfavored political voices. Courts are duty bound to protect the free exchange of thought on which our republic depends.

Joan Mannix, executive vice president and managing counsel with the Thomas More Society, which represented Aish, celebrated the decision in a statement released last week.

We are very pleased that the Wisconsin Supreme Court vindicated Brian Aishs free speech rights and restored his ability to continue sharing his pro-life message, stated Mannix.

It reaffirms that the First Amendment embodies a paramount American value of protecting free speech, even if the viewpoint expressed may be unpopular or controversial  a value that transcends partisan divides.
Home Opinion Support drops for same-sex marriage

A few days ago, David Von Drehle of The Washington Post scolded pro-lifers for allowing so-called zealots to take over their movement after winning the victory of overturning Roe v. Wade. In the piece, he compared pro-lifers to the Khmer Rouge of 1970s Cambodia, which, after its victory, began murdering its own members for trivial offenses. In Von Drehles mind, pro-lifers who are now calling attention to the ethical problems with IVF are doing the same thing: allowing counterproductive radicals to take over the movement in the wake of a victory.

The irony here is that the kind of radical overreach Von Drehle is talking about is happening, just not in the pro-life movement. Rather, his analysis more closely describes another major political movement that, not too long ago, won a decisive victory at the Supreme Court. In the years since the Court redefined marriage for the whole country in 2015 in Obergefell v. Hodges, the LGBT movement has been overtaken by its most radical wing, who has demanded all kinds of new rights.

No sooner had marriage equality been achieved, then these activists demanded transgender equality that included giving men access to womens bathrooms and lockers, hosting drag queen story hours at libraries, providing tax-funded gender transitions, and indoctrinating kids and taking them away from their parents. Some relentlessly persecuted businesspeople, such as cake artist Jack Phillips and florist Barronelle Stutzman, for refusing to join their celebrations. And most began demanding the entire population adopt new language, obey pronoun requirements, and join various pride celebrations.

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Perhaps then, we shouldnt wonder that the years-long trend of growing support for so-called gay marriage has paused. Perhaps, it is even reversed.

A recent poll by the Public Religion Research Institute found that support for same-sex marriage dropped by at least two points last year, and support for gay rights anti-discrimination policies fell by four points. Also, opposition to businesses refusing certain services on religious grounds fell by five points.

Every major media outlet that reported on these findings quickly assured readers that a large majority of Americans still support gay marriage and rights. Still, this reversal is significant. It may even suggest a potential backlash, especially since even young Americans are losing their rainbow zeal. The PRRI study also found that those 18-29 are now eight points less likely to support nondiscrimination laws than they were in 2020. The LGBT movement, remember, has long prided itself on its high youth support.

At the same time, Pew Research reported that a growing majority of registered voters in the U.S. affirm that a persons gender is determined by their sex at birth. In 2017, only 53% of voters thought gender was determined by sex. Today, 65% say it is  this after years of incessant preaching by activists and elites that gender is subjective and has nothing to do with a persons body.

This is the movement that has experienced the sort of takeover by zealots that Von Drehle accused pro-lifers of allowing. In the days after Obergefell, LGBT activists decided the culture was theirs for the taking, and there was no longer anyone standing in the way of their broader agenda. The T in particular, whose proponents havent always had the best relationship with the L or the G, decided to piggyback off their success, but it appears to have backfired. At the very least, their cultural progress has stalled, and the movement is losing ground. Perhaps Americans have just tired of the preaching. Consider how pride month festivities this year seem a bit subdued.

The lesson here is one of cautious encouragement. The cultural ascendency of bad ideas is not inevitable, nor is it irreversible. Often, those bad ideas carry within themselves the seeds of their own destruction, which means there is no excuse to give up or stop telling the truth, even when it seems the tide of cultural opinion is against us. Tides tend to turn, and movements that win quickly tend to let it go to their heads.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Home Opinion The most important day in US history

What was the most important day in our nation's history? Many would say July 4, 1776, and for very good reasons. We will commemorate Independence Day this week  the day our forefathers signed one of the most important documents in history, the Declaration of Independence. Yet there was another July 4 that may be the more miraculous day: July 4, 1787.

The Revolutionary War had been fought and won at great cost. The founding fathers wisely structured a government called the Continental Congress. But by 1787, a permanent government structure for the long haul was needed.

They gathered in Philadelphia to put the structure in place and to write a constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation. It was not going well. The delegates could not agree on how states would represent themselves. This appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle that could not be overcome. Anger and tension filled the air. Some delegates walked out. Some threatened military action against other delegates. Frustration and disappointment abounded. Those who had pledged their lives and fortunes in hopes for a new nation, were now unsure their dream would ever come to pass, the outcome hanging in the balance.

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On June 26th, 1787, all seemed lost. Suddenly, Ben Franklin asked to speak to the assembly. By now, he was an elder statesman known to be the least spiritual of all the founding fathers. This well-respected man walked to the front of the gathering, stopping at the podium. With great conviction and immovable resolve, he spoke to the delegates.

In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection.  Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance. I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth  that God governs in the affairs of men.

The hall was quiet. No one dared speak. Yet, this riveting speech demanded a reaction. Therefore, a motion was immediately put forth and passed for the leaders to begin each day of deliberations with prayer and have a chaplain attend the meetings to lead this daily prayer. Additionally, they passed a motion to break and take three days to fast and pray. As the meeting adjourned that day, each man went his own way to enter into a time of prayer and fasting.

They reassembled on July 4, 1787. When they gathered, everything was different. The anger and animosity was gone. Agreeable conversations took place where ill feelings had once resided.

One of the delegates, Jonathan Dayton, wrote in his journal  every unfriendly feeling had been expelled, and the spirit of conciliation had been cultivated. Prayer triggers cooperation. Prayer releases divine solutions.

That day, they formed a committee that created the representative structure of the House of Representatives and Senate. With representation based on population (the House) and equally assigned to each state (the Senate), they called this plan the great compromise. It was the final large piece of the puzzle for the Constitution. A final draft was produced in about six weeks, and then the states ratified it.

Today, I pose the same questions to our leaders that Ben Franklin asked the Continental Congress. Are we smart enough now to not need the assistance of the Almighty? Have we forgotten our powerful friend? Why would we not want to solicit the Supreme in the affairs of this nation? Why would we not want to petition for the power of Providence to act? Why would we not entreat the eternal God for wisdom? And why would we not appeal to divine power to solve the issues of today?

Our nation was founded on prayer, and it would not be here without prayer, nor would it continue to thrive without prayer. This year, lets celebrate both July 4 days that shaped the United States of America, and lets pray that our leaders would ask God for the wisdom they need.
Home Opinion Why you exist according to ChatGPT

The question of why there is something rather than nothing at all is one of the most profound and fundamental questions in philosophy, cosmology, and metaphysics.

At least thats what ChatGPT says when you ask it why the universe or anything like you and me exists.

And, its right  the question originally posed by German mathematician, logician, and philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) of why we have something rather than nothing at all has provoked all kinds of explanations from the best of the best in every discipline.

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In his work, Principles of Nature and Grace Based on Reason, Leibniz answered the question like this: given that things have to exist, we must be able to give a reason why they have to exist as they are and not otherwise. Now, this sufficient reason for the existence cant be found in the series of contingent things  it must be something that exists necessarily, carrying the reason for its existence within itself; only that can give us a sufficient reason at which we can stop. And that ultimate reason for things is what we call God.

Thankfully, ChatGPT includes God as one of the possibilities for why you and I exist. And, amazingly, it includes the other 3 possibilities as well.

Option 1  its all an illusion

As the last option in its answer, ChatGPT includes the possibility that is akin to the movie The Matrix  everything you see and experience is just an illusion and not real. Of course, just like in the movie, there has to be something real behind the illusion that is actual reality, so this possibility isnt viable.

Its somewhat like the philosophy student who once asked his professor, How can I know that I really exist? The professor looked down his glasses at the student and responded, And who may I say is asking?

Option 2  we made ourselves

ChatGPT also offers the option that was championed by Stephen Hawking and some other physicists, which is self-creation via quantum mechanics. In other words, the universe / we made ourselves.

ChaptGPT puts it like this: Some physicists propose that quantum fluctuations in a vacuum could spontaneously generate particles and even entire universes. According to this view, the universe could arise from a state of nothingness defined by quantum fields.

Lets give ChatGPT three cheers for putting nothingness in quotes. Its great that the AI chatbot communicates the fact that quantum fields are not nothing. Nothing, as Aristotle said, is what rocks dream about.

And thats really the rub with this option. Not only are quantum fields not nothing, but something cant be ontologically prior to itself. So, the idea of self-creation is not an option to entertain when it comes to answering the question of why you and I exist.

Option 3  were just here because were here

If option 3 doesnt sound like its really helpful on the surface, youre right, it isnt. But, as ChatGPT says, that doesnt stop people from throwing the option into the ring.

However, when you dig into this possibility composed by the chatbot, it deserves a little more attention: Brute Fact: Some philosophers and scientists accept the universe as a brute fact  something that exists without explanation or cause. This perspective suggests that the universe's existence is simply a fundamental aspect of reality.

So, now were actually getting somewhere because, as theologian Jonathan Edwards said in his short answer to the question of why we exist, the only explanation is that there is a necessary and eternal something that exists. In other words, there must be, as ChatGPT says, a fundamental aspect of reality.

ChatGPT supplies the usual non-supernatural suspects in its list of possibilities, including multi-verses and our singular universe big bang model, although it admits this theory describes how the universe evolved, not why it exists in the first place.

Score another one for ChatGPT!

When it comes to the multi-verse idea, Dr. Alexander Vilenkin shot that proposal down in his State of the Universe paper, which was presented at the 70th birthday celebration of Stephen Hawking that took place on January 2012. Vilenkin said: All the evidence we have says that the universe had a beginning. And if our universe or any multi-verse has a beginning, they have a cause and are not eternal.

Commenting on the multi-verse idea, Dr. John Polkinghorne says, Let us recognize these speculations for what they are. They are not physics, but in the strictest sense, metaphysics. There is no purely scientific reason to believe in an ensemble of universes.

Option 4  what Leibniz said

ChatGPT, of course, includes Leibnizs God option for why we exist, saying Many religious traditions posit that a divine being created the universe with purpose and intent. This being, often referred to as God, is seen as the ultimate cause of the existence of everything.

Even with the other options crashing and burning, we shouldnt be lazy and just default the God hypothesis in. However, it has a strong start because, as French philosopher and historian of philosophy Etienne Gilson remarked, But why anything at all is, or exists, science knows not, precisely because it cannot even ask the question. To this supreme question, the only conceivable answer is that each and every particular existential energy, each and every particular existing thing, depends for its existence upon a pure Act of existence.

He's right. This being true, its no coincidence that this is exactly how God described himself to Moses when he asked Him His name: I AM WHO I AM (Ex. 3:14), which literally translates in Hebrew to I be who I be  a declaration of pure existence.

In the end, although ChatGPT includes 4 basic possibilities on why you and I exist, they can really be cut in half, just as mathematician Dr. John Lennox explains: There are not many options  essentially just two. Either human intelligence ultimately owes its origin to mindless matter; or there is a Creator. It is strange that some people claim that it is their intelligence that leads them to prefer the first to the second.

My bet is on #2  how about you?
Home Opinion Stop the Ukrainian meat grinder?

Nearly eleven months ago, in August 2023, The New York Times reported that U.S. officials had estimated that some 500,000 Russians and Ukrainians had been killed, wounded, or missing in the then 18-month Ukrainian War.

Both Russia and Ukraine underreport their losses. Hundreds of thousands of additional casualties have followed in the 28 months of fighting.

In the West, the mere mention of a negotiated settlement is considered a dangerous appeasement of Russias flagrant aggression. In Russia, anything short of victory would be seen as synonymous with the collapse of the Putin regime.

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Yet as the war nears two and a half years this summer, some facts are no longer much in dispute.

Controversy still arises over the circumstances of the 2014 overthrow of Ukraines pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Russia charges that the West engineered the Revolution of Dignity  an effort to Westernize the former Soviet republic, to expand the borders of Europe right to the doorstep of Russia, and eventually to fully arm Ukraine as a member of NATO.

Westerners counter that most Ukrainians wished to be part of Europe and independent from Russian bullyingand they had a perfect right to ask to join either NATO or the E.U. or both despite anticipated escalating tensions.

After the heroic Ukrainian defeat of the 2022 Russian bid to take Kyiv, there have been few significant territorial gains by either side.

Like the seesaw bloodbath on the Western Front of World War I, neither side has developed the momentum to force the other to negotiate or grant concessions.

As nuclear Russian threats against Europe mount, NATO is seeking to regain deterrence capabilities by boosting defense budgets, incorporating robust front-line nations Sweden and Finland, and uniting over shared concerns about Russian aggression.

Many in the U.S. cheer on the conflict as a necessary proxy war to check Russian aggression and bolster NATOs resistance.

But unlike third-party wars during the Cold War, now the Western client, Ukraine, is fighting directly against the chief antagonist of European NATO members.

Arming a proxy in a war waged against the homeland of a nuclear adversary is a new and dangerous phenomenon.

The West counts on supplying Ukraine with more and better weapons than a richer, larger, and more populous Russia.

But Ukraines problem is not so much weapons as manpower. Nearly a fourth of Ukraines population has fled the country.

Ukraine may have suffered some 300,000 causalities. The average age of its soldiers is over 40 years. It already lacks sufficient forces to replay the failed 2023 counteroffensive. The Russian plan of attrition is to wear down and bleed out the Ukrainian people.

In a geostrategic sense, the new alignment of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea is starting to gain opportunistic support from illiberal Middle East regimes, Turkey, and the Islamic world in general.

The Biden administrations respective approaches to the Ukraine and Gaza wars continue to be utterly incoherent.

It lectures our strongest ally Israel on the need for a cease-fire, proportionality, a coalition wartime cabinet, and the avoidance of collateral damage. The administration considers the terrorist group Hamas almost a legitimate state.

However, President Joe Biden and the American diplomatic establishment urge Ukraine to keep fighting without negotiations. They urge Kyiv to seek critical disproportionality through superior weaponry, including hitting strategic targets inside Russia.

The U.S. has overlooked the cancellation of Ukrainian political parties and elections by the Zelenskyy administration. America does not seem to care about Ukrainian collateral damage to the borderlands. And it considers the Russian government a near-terrorist state.

No one in the West, at least prior to the Russian February 2022 invasion  neither the prior Obama, Trump, and current Biden administrations or the Ukrainian government itself  had considered it even possible to regain by force Crimea and the Donbas absorbed by the Russian invasion of 2014.

Add up all these realities, and the only practicable way to avoid another near 1 million dead and wounded would be a settlement, however unpopular.

It would entail the formalization of the 2014 Russian absorption of Crimea and Donbas.

Russia would then agree to withdraw all its forces to its pre-2022 borders. Ukraine would be fully armed but without NATO membership.

Both sides would agree to a demilitarized zone on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian border. Russia would brag that it prevented its former province from joining NATO while finally institutionalizing its prior incorporation of the Donbas and Crimea.

Ukraine would be proud that, like heroic 1940 Finland, it miraculously stopped Russian aggression. It would remain far better armed than at any time in its history and soon enjoy a status similar to that of non-NATO Austria or Switzerland.

The deal would anger all parties. But it would make public what most concede privately  and stop the ongoing destruction of Ukraine and the further slaughter of an entire generation of Ukrainian and Russian youth.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Over 400,000 people formally left Germany's Catholic Church in 2023

(CP) In 2023, a substantial number of individuals, totalling 402,694, decided to formally dissociate themselves from the Catholic Church in Germany, a significant figure though slightly less than the record set in 2022.

The German Bishops' Conference, which came out with these statistics, said while these numbers are high, they reflect a slight decrease from the 522,821 departures recorded the previous year, indicating that this was the second-highest departure rate to date, according to National Catholic Reporter.

In Germany, church membership has financial implications due to the church tax system, which is a part of the broader tax structure. Members who formally exit the church no longer need to pay this tax, providing a financial incentive for deregistration. Exceptions to this requirement include low earners, the unemployed, retirees, students and others.

Despite the slight decrease in departures, the overall membership of the country's Catholic Church stood at roughly 20.35 million by the end of 2023, according to the German Bishops' Conference.

The backdrop to these departures includes a longstanding crisis stemming from scandals related to abuse by clergy members, NCR noted. In recent years, many have turned away from the Catholic Church as these issues have persisted.

In an effort to address these concerns, the bishops and a prominent lay organization launched a three-year reform initiative known as the "Synodal Path." The process, marked by deep divides between progressive and conservative elements within the Catholic Church, culminated last year with calls for the church to sanction blessings for same-sex unions despite overt opposition from the Vatican.

Further tensions have surfaced in a subsequent reform process initiated this year following Vatican pressures to halt previous reform votes.

"The figures are alarming. They show that the church is in a wide-ranging crisis," Limburg Bishop Georg Batzing, the head of the Bishops' Conference, was quoted as saying. "Reforms alone will not solve the church crisis, but the crisis will get worse without reforms. And so changes are necessary."

The issue of declining church membership is not isolated to the Catholic Church in Germany.

The Protestant Church also reported substantial departures, with around 380,000 members leaving in the past year, mirroring levels seen in 2022 and reflecting challenges facing religious institutions in Germany.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the Catholic Church's situation presents a contrast in certain areas. While the Northeast sees ongoing declines in church enrollment, areas like South Florida are witnessing growth, largely driven by an increasing Hispanic population, according to an October 2023 piece published on Substack by Pastor Ryan Burge.

Research by Burge noted that from 2008 to 2022, only six states  Vermont, Idaho, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Arizona and Tennessee  saw increases in the proportion of residents identifying as Roman Catholic. In contrast, states such as Hawaii and Connecticut experienced significant declines in Catholic identification.

Furthermore, attendance at weekly Mass showed varied trends across the U.S., with states like Alaska and Hawaii seeing increases, while others like Wyoming and Rhode Island having seen sharp declines.

 The Christian Post
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To everyones surprise, prime minister Rishi Sunak announced on 22 May that the UKs general election would take place on 4 July. For charities involved in campaigning, it meant bringing forward and ramping up their activity plans.
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Early last month, the Wall Street Journal published a buzzy story that shined a light on President Bidens advanced age and questioned his mental acuity. (Behind Closed Doors, the headline read, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping.) Many observers criticized the article. One of them was Joe Scarborough, the host of MSNBCs Morning Joe, who blasted the storys sourcing as shockingone of the only on-the-record criticisms came from Kevin McCarthy, the former House Speaker who has been accused of mocking Bidens acuity in public while praising it in privateand called it a Trump hit piece. Scarborough said that hed spoken with foreign diplomats whod had dealings with Biden, and that nobodys saying hes not cogent.

On Friday morningfollowing a soporific, at times incoherent debate performance that led pretty much everyone to say, Hes not cogent!Scarborough sounded significantly less bullish on the presidents faculties, and downright deflated in general. I think I should start by saying, without any apologies, that I love Joe Biden, Scarborough beganand yet, if he were CEO and he turned in a performance like that, would any Fortune 500 corporation in America keep him on? Add in the huge stakes of beating Donald Trump in the fall, Scarborough suggested, and its unclear whether Biden should still run for reelection at all.

Scarboroughs about-face might have been especially painful for Bidenthe pair are reportedly close, and Biden is a regular viewer of Morning Joebut it was far from an isolated incident. Even before the debate was over, prominent liberal pundits who previously supported Biden (at least contra Trump) began drafting calls for him to drop out, sometimes in similarly pained terms; Thomas Friedman, a New York Times columnist who is himself in touch with Biden, said that the debate made him weep. (I cannot remember a more heartbreaking moment in American presidential campaign politics in my lifetime, precisely because of what it revealed, he wrote. Joe Biden, a good man and a good president, has no business running for re-election.) Similar calls have since come from the editorial board of the Times and the editor of The New Yorker.

The debate also opened a separate vein of commentary from reporters and pundits who have raised concerns about Bidens age in the past: We told you so! The National Review literally said as much in a headline; Emma Tucker, the editor of the Journal, took a victory lap over the story that Scarborough and others had criticized, telling Semafor that the reporters took a lot of grief for covering a story that needed to be covered and that no other main stream publishers were willing to touch. Some journalists blasted aides and allies for cocooning Biden and gaslighting reporters about his limitations for the past three and a half years. Others suggested that the media was at fault for missing the story. If you were surprised by Joe Bidens frailty and discombobulation Thursday night, the media is, on some level, to blame, Semafors Ben Smith concluded. Scattered stories and open questions aside, the press failed to penetrate this White House as it did the last one, and failed to provide an accurate portrait of the president.

Whether it evinced surprise or a sense of vindication, much of this commentary presented Bidens debate performance, at least implicitly, as a sort of Wizard of Oz momentthe grand public reveal of the frail man behind the curtain. Clearly, the debate was a consequential moment (not least because many pundits and Democratic power brokers have decided as much), and some of the criticisms leveled above are fair. But, when it comes to Bidens age and acuity, I didnt see the debate through such emerald-tinted glasses. Its meaning and lessons strike me as messier, for three principal reasons.

To start with the curtain: it is certainly fair to criticize Bidens team for a lack of access; he has done far fewer formal interviews with major media outlets than his recent predecessors. (He has done a couple recently.) But if they were trying to cover up the fact that Biden is an old man who has lost a step, they didnt do a very good job; indeed, the pundits now calling on Biden to drop out have in many ways simply caught up to where much of the voting public has been for a long time. The impact of the debate on Bidens pollingand broader perceptions of his fitness for officeis not yet fully clear. Some of the early numbers on the latter question are not pretty for Biden, and his campaign is already scrambling to get out ahead of a dip. There have also been suggestions, however, that the debate might not move voters electoral preferences all that muchprecisely because many of them had already priced in Bidens frailty.

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Second, while Smith might be right that there has been a deficit of truly penetrative reporting on Bidens condition, that shouldnt lead to the broader conclusion that reporters and pundits have downplayed his ageindeed, the latter has been an incessant topic of media chatter, at least as a horse-race vulnerability for Biden. And if some of this coverage and chatter has drawn criticism in the past, at least some of that criticism has been fair. The sourcing of the Journals story was in some places questionableand it was certainly appropriate for reporters to fact-check the wave of stories, in right-wing media in particular, that recently cast Biden as infirm based on blatantly misleading footage clipped together by partisan operatives. Did some reporters wrongly conflate the shoddiness of these stories with the idea that there was no there there at all? Perhaps. But the debate doesnt mean that shoddy stories suddenly have merit.

One long-standing criticism of Biden-age coverage has been that the same level of scrutiny has rarely been applied to Trumps age, even though he himself is an old man who regularly speaks incoherently. That criticism was fair at the time and, in my view, has remained so since the debate; as I wrote on Friday, Trumps performance, while more energetic than Bidens, was itself incoherent in many ways, not to mention rampantly dishonestfacts that have not been totally ignored by the press in the days since, but have been somewhat drowned out by the focus on Biden. If media critics often decry this sort of coverage as a product of false equivalence or a desperate attempt to project balance, it has, this time, been driven in no small part by pundits who loathe Trump and fear that Bidens weaknesses will facilitate his return. But the resultTrump skating on his incoherence, at least relatively speakinghas been the same.

Another past criticism of Biden-age coverage has been its excessive extent (one I have leveled myself, while stressing that the topic was a legitimate subject of journalistic scrutiny). This has, at least, been true of media blather about Bidens age in the absence of much hard reporting on impairments to his decision-making faculties; maybe, as some critics have suggested, not enough effort has gone into that reporting. His debate performance was visible evidence of shakiness, at the very least, and so the huge media reaction is understandable. Even now, though, the story shouldnt blot out the sun. The debate has overshadowed not only Trumps own shaky performance but highly substantive and consequential stories like the Friday Supreme Court ruling that gutted the regulatory power of federal agencies. On Meet the Press yesterday, that ruling was mentioned just onceby Doug Burgum, a leading candidate to be Trumps running mate, who welcomed the ruling without being asked to explain why.

Finally, the implication, in some coverage, that what we saw on Thursday is what Biden is like nowand that the media has failed to report itstrikes me as an oversimplification. Clearly, this is, at least, what Biden is like sometimes, and its totally fair for the media to convene a debate as to what that means for his fitness to servein the present tense but especially looking forward, since hes asking to be returned to office into 2029 (when he will be eighty-six).

And yet its also clear that, currently, he isnt like this all the time. The day after the debate, he gave an energetic performance at a rally in North Carolina. Several journalists pointed out that this was a far less demanding environment for Biden than the debate stage. And yet, in recent memory, he has also appeared sharp in more challenging settingsnot least the State of the Union in March, which, while also scripted, was a high-pressure moment. (As I recall, a lot of coverage framed the speech as a test of Bidens acuityone he was widely seen to have passed.) And, while he has given interviews too rarely, those journalists who have sat or met with him in recent months have not found that he is losing the plot. Scarborough said that he found Biden to be sharp as of a few months ago; journalists from Time concluded, following a ninety-minute interview, that Biden gave an impression of advancing age and broad experience, of a man who has lived historya nuanced takeaway, but hardly a damning one. The New Yorkers Evan Osnos, who has written a biography of Biden and wrote a profile of him earlier this year, told Semafor yesterday that the Biden I spoke with in January was very different from the Biden we saw on that stage Thursday night, adding that he stood by his reporting entirely.

I find it hard to believe that all these journalists were duped. Instead, I suspect that they saw snapshots of a processagingthat is very complicated; one that is not linear, and can produce different effects from week to week, day to day, even minute to minute. Osnos told Semafor that hed concluded, following the debate, that Biden clearly has good days and bad days and wretched days. Again, its fair to interrogate whether such a person should be president. But its unfairor at least inaccurateto reduce Biden to his debate performance alone. I wrote earlier this year that the political media loves to grade politicians in good days and bad daysin the sense not of their mental sharpness, but who is up and down politically on a given day. This framingshort-termist, whiplash-inducing, often obsessed with perception over substanceis a reductive way to cover any story. Bidens good days and bad days are no exception.

Going forward, its clear that we need more reporting on Bidens conditionjournalism that is hardheaded and leaves nothing off the table, but that, at the same time, does not lapse into caricature or rely on dubious sources. We have already seen the beginnings of this kind of coverage since the debatewhich could, perhaps, make reporting such stories easier, if it encourages insiders or interlocutors with concerns to talk to members of the press. We should also demand much more transparency of the White House, which should, in turn, offer it.

As far as the pundit class is concerned, the blanket calls to replace Biden on the Democratic ticket, while understandable, will at some point have to grapple in more detail with the complicated mechanics of how that might actually happen. And, however this story moves forward, we will all need to find a way to keep adequate focus on Trumps many shortcomings as a candidate, not least his falsehoods and threats to democracy. Some commentators are already doing this, of course. Following the debate, the editorial board of the Philadelphia Inquirer flipped the script by arguing that if anyone should drop out of the race, it should be Trump. Scarborough, for his part, stressed that Mika Brzezinski, his cohost and wife, strongly disagreed with his view that Biden should consider dropping out. She rightly believes, he said, that Joe Bidens bad night is nothing compared to Trumps terrible decade.



Other notable stories:

The Washington Post is out with another story investigating the background of Will Lewis, the papers publisher, who, among other controversies, has come under the spotlight over his role in an alleged cover-up of phone-hacking at Rupert Murdochs UK media empire in the early 2010s. (Lewis has denied wrongdoing.) The Post found that News Internationals actions in response to the hacking scandal left some police investigators and IT workers concerned that the company was obstructing the investigation, the paper reports. Some now say their concerns have only grown with time. Gordon Brown, a former British prime minister and alleged hacking victim, told the Post that British police should investigate Lewis and his then-boss, Rebekah Brooks.

According to The Guardians Jillian Ambrose and Antonia Langford, at least three journalists from the UK and France were refused entry to an energy-industry conference in Azerbaijan last monthraising concerns over journalists access to this years edition of COP, the United Nations climate summit, which is due to be held in Azerbaijan later this year. The journalists said that they were turned away despite having registered to cover the event, and that they left the premises after overhearing an organizer say take them away over the phone. The incident comes in the context of a longer-term clampdown on press freedom in Azerbaijan, which I wrote about in December.

Yesterday saw the first round of voting in the snap legislative elections that French president Emmanuel Macron called following the strong far-right showing in last months European Union voteand the far right once again did well, scoring around a third of the vote and finishing ahead of a left-wing bloc and Macrons allies. The division of seats in Frances National Assembly wont become clear until after a second round of elections next weekendbut the worlds press concluded that the results already constitute an earthquake and the end of the Macron era, among other dramatic takeaways.

And the Columbia Spectators Jesse Levine has a fascinating story on what happened to materials collected from the site of recent Gaza-solidarity protests on campus. Per Levine, an archivist gathered the materials in an apparent bid to preserve a piece of university history, but did so without students knowledge; now protesters are demanding space to independently archive living materializations of our ongoing movement. (We wrote about the protests, and interviewed the editors of the Spectator, back in April.)

ICYMI: President Biden Has a Cold

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Baylor Scott & White Holdings (BSW), the largest nonprofit health system in Texas, sued insurer Factory Mutual Insurance Co. in February 2021 for denying a claim seeking business interruption losses as a result of COVID-19 totaling over $192 million. BSW said its claim was predicated on physical loss and/or physical damage to property caused by, among other things, the presence of COVID-19 at its facilities.

The policy BSW purchased from Factory Mutual covered two general types of claims  property damage and time element claims. The policy excludes coverage for contamination, and any cost due to contamination including the inability to use or occupy property or any cost of making property safe or suitable for use or occupancy.

Related: California Supreme Court Resolves Question on Coverage for COVID Business Shutdowns

The policy contains additional coverages, including the Communicable Disease Response Extension and the Interruption by Communicable Disease Extension. Under the extensions, the policy covers up to $5 million for cleanup, removal and disposal of the presence of communicable diseases, and costs for public relations services or reputation management resulting from the presence of communicable diseases. Both parties agree that the $5 million limit has been paid out in full for the implicated policy year.

In March 2023 a district court granted Factory Mutuals motion to dismiss BSWs lawsuit seeking business interruption losses. The court found that given existing circuit precedent, BSW had not plausibly alleged physical loss or damage under the Policy, and the Contamination Exclusion and Loss of Use Exclusion barred BSWs recovery under the Policy. BSW appealed the district courts order.

The 5th Circuit panel affirmed the district courts ruling in a 2-1 decision, finding that in context of previous COVID-19 commercial-insurance coverage disputes, COVID-19 does not physically damage property within the plain meaning of physical.

BSW argues that its policy language is unique because it covers physical loss or damage caused by communicable disease, making the coverage broader than a typical policy. BSW further contends that its complaint was wrongly dismissed because no other case previously included specific factual allegations of demonstratable, measurable, and tangible alteration of property caused by COVID-19.

The panel acknowledged the great scientific detail BSW went through in explaining how COVID-19 physically altered the surfaces of its property but did not budge.
The US Justice Department will charge Boeing Co. with criminal fraud, leaving the planemaker to choose between pleading guilty or taking the risk of going to trial, according to people familiar with the matter.

Boeing has until the end of the week to decide whether to plead guilty to the charge, the department told the families of victims of two fatal 737 Max crashes and their attorneys in a meeting Sunday, according to the people who asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter.

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The department will inform Boeing it will have to pay an additional criminal fine of $243.6 million on top of the $243.6 million already paid with a 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement, bringing the total amount of fine close to $500 million, according to two of the people. The company will also have to hire a corporate monitor for three years, they said.

Related: Prosecutors Recommend DOJ Criminally Charge Boeing as Deadline Looms

Officials from the Justice Departments fraud section and the US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas attended the Sunday meeting, according to an email seen by Bloomberg.

Paul Cassell, an attorney representing the crash victims families, called the offer the department plans to make to Boeing a sweetheart plea deal.

The deal will not acknowledge, in any way, that Boeings crime killed 346 people, he said in an email. The families will strenuously object to this plea deal.

The fine the department will seek falls far short of a nearly $25 billion fine the families requested  with the possibility of suspending $14 billion to $22 billion of that if Boeing devotes those funds to an independent corporate monitor and improvements to its safety programs.

The Justice Department declined to comment. Boeing declined to comment.

Bloomberg previously reported that the planemaker is in talks with the department to resolve potential charges stemming from the crashes, and that a settlement is expected to include the appointment of a corporate monitor.

Related: 737 Max Crash Victims Families Seek $25 Billion Boeing Fine

Dave Calhoun, chief executive officer of Boeing Co., during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. A Boeing Co. quality inspector alleged that the planemaker mishandled and lost track of hundreds of faulty parts, some of which he said may have been installed on new 737 Max planes, the latest revelation by a whistleblower pointing out possible misconduct at the manufacturer. Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg

A guilty plea to criminal charges would mark a low-point in Boeings century-long history and a stunning development for a company that was once renowned for its cautious, straight-laced culture. It raises concerns over US government contracts for the company at a time when Boeing needs its defense division to counteract plunging revenue at its commercial airplane business.

The meeting comes after the Justice Department determined the planemaker violated the 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement struck between Boeing and the government in the waning days of the Trump Administration. The deal allowed Boeing to avoid criminal prosecution as long as it met certain conditions.

But in May, the department concluded the company had failed to meet a requirement to implement an effective compliance program to prevent and detect violations of US fraud laws. Boeing told the DOJ that it disagreed with the finding.

The breach announcement came after a fuselage panel blew off a Boeing jet operated by Alaska Airlines Inc. mid-flight in January. US safety investigators determined the plane was missing four bolts meant to secure the so-called door plug in place  a revelation that helped to unearth a series of manufacturing and quality lapses at the company and prompted multiple investigations by lawmakers and government agencies, including the Justice Department.

Boeing has been in turmoil since the mid-air blowout. The companys shares are down by about a third this year and it has warned that its on pace to burn through about $8 billion in cash during the first half of 2024 as it deals with a production slowdown in the aftermath of the near-catastrophe. In response to the January accident, the Federal Aviation Administration capped production of the 737 Max and required Boeing to submit a sweeping plan to address the quality issues at its factories.

At the same time, the planemaker is in the midst of a leadership shakeup as it searches for a new chief executive officer to take over for Dave Calhoun, who plans to step down from the role later this year.

As part of the 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement, Boeing paid a criminal fine and admitted to deceiving the FAA about an obscure flight control system linked to the crashes. The company also pledged to improve its internal safety controls and submit regular reports to the Justice Department. In return, the government would withdraw a criminal charge against the company after three years.

But the door plug blowout, which occurred just days before the deal was set to expire, prompted the department to consider throwing out the agreement.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
The White House is seeking roughly $4 billion in additional emergency funding from Congress for costs related to the collapse and repair of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore and to respond to other disasters that have occurred around the U.S. in recent months.

That money is part of a new emergency request from President Joe Bidens administration that essentially re-ups a broader, $56 billion ask from last October that Congress virtually ignored. Now, the Democratic administration is asking for that same pot of money again, but with billions added to deal with the bridge reconstruction and related costs.

More specifically, the Biden administration wants an additional $3.1 billion for the Department of Transportation, which would go toward rebuilding Key Bridge with the federal government picking up the entire tab. Nearly $80 million would go to the Coast Guard to compensate for its unplanned costs responding to the March bridge collapse, and another $33 million would be designated for the Army Corps of Engineers for expenses related to wreckage removal after the bridge was struck by a cargo ship.

The request from the Biden administration is detailed in a letter from Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., being sent on Friday. Young says that making this money available would ensure that the federal government fulfills its responsibility to rebuild Baltimore without endangering Americas ability to respond to other recent or future disasters across the nation.

The additional $4 billion also covers costs for other disasters over the past year, including a spate of tornadoes in the Midwest and the wildfires in Hawaii.

The cargo ship experienced electrical blackouts about 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore and yet again shortly before it slammed into the Key Bridge, killing six construction workers, federal investigators said last month.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio Republicans trampled on the rule of law when they ignored seven rulings from the Ohio Supreme Court declaring the political maps Ohio used for its 2022 elections as unconstitutionally gerrymandered in favor of the GOP, according to Maureen OConnor, the former Republican chief justice who cast the deciding vote in each of those rulings.

Ladies and gentlemen, those days are over, OConnor, now a leader with a campaign trying to get voters to pass a redistricting reform amendment this November, said to applause Monday during a Statehouse rally held shortly after backers of the reform amendment took a major step toward qualifying for the ballot.
Chinese envoy to UN urges transition to peace mechanism to settle Korean Peninsula issue

Xinhua) 11:03, July 01, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), on Friday said that a transition from the current armistice to a peace mechanism is key to the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.

"In order to fundamentally resolve the question of the Peninsula, it is necessary to realize the transition from the armistice to a peace mechanism, which China has been calling for and actively working for for many years," Geng told the Security Council briefing on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Geng expressed deep concern over the ongoing tension and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, highlighting the broader regional and global implications of instability.

"If there are war and chaos on the Peninsula, the entire Northeast Asia will be deeply affected," he noted, adding that "a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula serves the common interests of the countries in the region and the common expectations of the international community."

"Certain countries use the Peninsula issue to advance their geopolitical strategies, increase their military presence, and strengthen their extended deterrence. Such actions will only lead to camp confrontation, exacerbate tensions, and make it more difficult to achieve the goal of long-term peace and security in the region," he said.

Geng called for rational and pragmatic joint efforts to find a solution, citing the United States as an example, saying it "should end the myth of deterrence and pressure, and demonstrate sincerity in unconditional dialogue through concrete actions."

Highlighting the historical context, Geng referred to the Cold War legacy impacting the Peninsula, underscoring the absence of a peace mechanism as the crux of ongoing issues. "The Peninsula issue has dragged on for decades," he said. "The crux of the problem is the lack of mutual trust between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the absence of a peace mechanism."

Geng defended China's position and efforts toward peace on the Peninsula, responding to criticism from the U.S. representative to the UN: "Just now, the U.S. representative, in his statement, again attacked and made accusations against China's position and role on the Peninsula issue. China strongly rejects this and absolutely does not accept it."

Geng concluded by reiterating China's commitment to peace in the region. "As a close neighbor of the Peninsula and a responsible major country, China will play a constructive role in its own way for the realization of long-term peace and stability on the Peninsula and in Northeast Asia," the envoy said. He called for cooperation from all parties, especially the United States, and urged them to reconsider their approach to international relations and conflict resolution.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Nearly two in three workers around the world are "vacation deprived," according to a new report published by Expedia. However, the report shows the feeling is highest among cultures that take the most days off. Some 84% of Germans and 69% of French respondents said they feel they don't have enough time off, according to Expedia's "Vacation Deprivation Report" published on June 20. That's despite respondents from both countries taking the most vacation days  27 days and 29 days, respectively  in the survey. The survey of more than 11,500 workers showed Americans take the least time off per year (11 days), followed by Japan (12 days). However, only 53% of Japanese said they feel "vacation deprived" compared to 65% of Americans, it showed.

The survey  Expedia's 24th annual report on the topic  shows that while vacation deprivation rates have decreased in many parts of the world, the feeling is at an 11-year high in the United States.

What's happening in France and Germany?

Expedia's report indicates that feeling "vacation deprived" has less to do with the actual time off one takes, and more to do with cultural mores around work and free time. "The French overwhelmingly view time off as a basic, fundamental right, while Americans seem to treat is as a guilty pleasure," said Christie Hudson, head of public relations for Expedia in the United States. "This is why not even a month seems like enough time to the average French worker."

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Among Germans, however, only 42% said they feel their employers are supportive of them taking their vacation time, the lowest rate across all markets, said Hudson. "This can contribute to guilt and being unable to unplug and feel refreshed after vacation," she said, adding that "vacation deprivation" can result from feeling unable to use the days off you are given, she said.

Wasted vacation days

Despite most workers indicating they feel vacation deprived, respondents from nearly every location admitted to letting some of their annual leave lapse.

Hong Kongers, however, meticulously planned their leave, not allowing a single day to go unused, on average, the report showed. Interestingly, Hong Kong was the only location where workers said they planned to take more time off than they're given, said Hudson. "In 2024, 15% of Hong Kongers plan on taking 31 vacation days, exceeding the average allotted 25.5 days," said Hudson. "It's an interesting finding and could be linked to the fact that they seem to have a strong pro-PTO culture: 80% of Hong Kong workers agree that their employers are supportive of employees taking their vacation time, which is one of the highest rates globally." That could mean that "those few extra days here and there are overlooked," she said. Singaporeans, too, carefully plan their time off, allowing only one of their 20 days of annual leave to lapse, according to the report. But those in Japan aren't nearly as focused on maximizing their days off, it showed. Respondents there left seven out of 19 days on the table, on average.

One big break vs. many mini-breaks
US President Joe Biden gestures after speaking about student loan debt relief at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin, April 8, 2024.

A federal appeals court will allow a key part of President Joe Biden's student loan relief plan to resume as the legal challenges against it unfold.

In a Sunday ruling, the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals granted the Biden administration's request to stay an order from last week that temporarily blocked a provision of its Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan.

The decision is a major win for Biden, experts say. The SAVE plan was his biggest accomplishment to date in delivering relief to student loan borrowers. So far, around 8 million borrowers have signed up for the new income-driven repayment plan, according to the White House.

Last week, just as the Biden administration prepared to lower borrowers' monthly payments under the SAVE plan, a federal judge in Kansas issued an injunction blocking it from doing so.

The Department of Justice quickly appealed.

The appeals court ruling will allow the Biden administration to go ahead with lowering borrowers' monthly payments.

Under SAVE, many borrowers pay just 5% of their discretionary income toward their debt each month, and anyone making $32,800 or less has a $0 monthly payment. On the other income-driven repayment plans, borrowers pay 10% or more of their discretionary income.
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Boeing Co. 737 fuselage sections sit on the assembly floor at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Boeing said Monday that it will buy back its struggling fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock deal that the plane maker has said will improve safety and quality control. It said it agreed to pay $37.25 a share in Boeing stock for Spirit, giving the plane supplier an equity value of $4.7 billion. Including Spirit's debt the deal has a transaction value of $8.3 billion Boeing said. Spirit's shares closed Friday at $32.87 a share, a market capitalization of about $3.8 billion. Boeing in March disclosed it was in talks to acquire the Wichita, Kansas-based company, weeks after a fuselage panel blew out midair from a nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9 on an Alaska Airlines flight, sparking a fresh crisis for Boeing. Spirit makes the fuselages for the 737 and other parts, including sections of Boeing's 787 Dreamliners. In 2005, Boeing spun off operations in Kansas and Oklahoma that became the present-day Spirit AeroSystems. Boeing accounted for about 70% of Spirit's revenue last year, while roughly a quarter came from making parts for Boeing's main rival, Airbus, according to a securities filing. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, who has said he will step down at the end of the year, on Monday said bringing Spirit in-house will "fully align" the companies' production systems and workforces.

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"Among the many actions we're taking as a company, this is one of the most significant in demonstrating our unwavering commitment to strengthen quality and make certain that Boeing is the company the world needs it to be," Calhoun said in a message to employees. He said he expects the deal to close mid-2025, subject to approval by regulators, Spirit shareholders and the sale of Spirit's operations dedicated to Airbus planes. Spirit's CEO, Pat Shanahan, is considered a possible successor for Calhoun. Airbus, meanwhile, said Monday it has reached an agreement with Spirit so that the European aircraft manufacturer is compensated $559 million by Spirit to acquire its manufacturing lines dedicated to Airbus planes. Those include operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the wings and mid-fuselage of the A220 are produced, A220 pylons in Wichita and A350 fuselage sections in North Carolina. Airbus will pay $1 for the assets.

Mounting pressure
Like many families throughout the U.S., Amanda, 28, and Carlos, 36, are wrestling with the cost of child care. Currently, they both work full-time jobs, but Amanda would like to stop working for a few years to spend time at home raising their daughters before they go to school. Carlos is supportive, but thinks her income is imperative to their overall financial picture. The couple lives comfortably outside the New York metropolitan area with their two daughters. Together, they earn around $180,000 a year, they told self-made millionaire and money expert Ramit Sethi on a recent episode of his "I Will Teach You to be Rich" podcast. The couple's last names were not used. Carlos has a government job and hopes to retire relatively soon when he hits the 20-year mark and gets his pension. Amanda is a teacher who only recently went back to work after taking a break to have their daughters. They pay $1,881 a month for day care, and Amanda earns a net income of about $44,870 a year, or about $3,739 a month, meaning over half of her take-home pay goes toward child care. The couple keeps their finances separate, with Amanda covering child care while Carlos pays for other costs, like rent. But after crunching the numbers with Sethi on the podcast, they realized they could reasonably afford for Amanda to leave her job. In addition to reducing their child-care costs to $0, the couple estimates they could cut out an entire car payment, along with some fuel costs, if Amanda was able to stay home. Plus, they'd save on food because she would be able to cook rather than use the meal prep service they currently pay for. But day-to-day costs aren't the only thing to consider when weighing whether a parent should take a break from the workforce to care for their children. Here's why.

The burden often falls on women

The cost of external child care has risen by roughly 263% from 1990 to 2024, according to a KPMG analysis. With that in mind, it may seem like the logical choice to have the lower-earning parent stay home if their salary is comparable to the annual cost of child care. But in many opposite-sex couples that parent is the mother, since men earn more than women, both historically and statistically. And for some women, it's less of a choice and more of an expectation that, when applicable, the stay-at-home parent will be the mother. While the share of stay-at-home parents who are fathers has been on the rise over the last few decades, mothers remain the majority (82%) of stay-at-home parents, according to Pew Research. "I have seen many women leave their jobs because their salaries don't cover the cost of childcare," Emily Green, head of wealth management for Ellevest, told CNBC Make It in an email. "In some households, that math means a career break is inescapable." But even when a family has the option to decide between paying for child care or having one parent stay home, there are more costs to consider. "In households where there's a little more financial wiggle room, women often don't think about what they may give up in the long term  say in 5-10 years  by leaving their jobs now," Green said.

Costs of leaving the workforce

Green shared three examples of how taking a break from the workforce can have long-term effects on an individual's  and their family's  financial future. 1. Steady salary increases Salaried workers can generally expect to see their income rise over time, even if it's a modest 2% to 3% each year. If you stop working, no matter the reason, you miss out on those annual raises, Green says. "If they are out of the workforce for 5 or 10 years, then return to the job market, they don't get that benefit of steady salary increases," Green said. "It is likely women will start back up from where they stopped." While a career break can impact any worker's salary trajectory, it's especially challenging for women who see the gender pay gap widen when they become parents. Mothers earned 31% less than fathers in 2023, according to a Bankrate analysis of the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey data. 2. Resume gaps While career breaks may be becoming more acceptable, many companies still see gaps on your resume as a red flag when looking to hire someone, Green said. "You may be highly educated with a large amount of experience in your field before you left to take care of your kids," she wrote. "The corporate world still sees gaps on a resume as a negative thing. It may be very hard to get the job you deserve." Unfortunately, even mothers who don't take extended leave often have trouble getting promoted after they've had children. Childless women were eight times more likely to be promoted than mothers, a disparity that doesn't occur among men, one study found. 3. Trade-offs on long-term goals If you have the option of paying for child care or having one parent stay home, Green says it's important to think about what sacrifices you may have to make in order to go either route. You might be sacrificing career growth by staying home, or you may be sacrificing some of your ability to build wealth by paying for child care. "You need to really crunch some numbers to understand what sacrifices you may need to make in the short, medium, and long-term and the feasibility of doing that," she said. "What trade-offs may you have to make and how willing are you to do so?"

The right choice for your family
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on during his campaign event, in Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. June 18, 2024.

On a cool, sunny June evening in San Francisco, the Pacific Heights mansion of venture capitalist David Sacks was the scene of an event that is rare to see in one of America's most progressive cities: a high-dollar, Republican political fundraiser.

The guest of honor on this night was former President Donald Trump, who delivered formal remarks from a curtained stage to guests who had paid up to $300,000 to be there.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee promised to loosen the regulation of cryptocurrencies if he is elected in November, and to "get out of the way of innovation," a person who was in the room told CNBC. When he was finished, Trump invited the audience members to pipe up.

Stuart Alderoty, chief legal officer of the blockchain giant Ripple, explained the company had spent over $100 million defending itself in litigation brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Alderoty's comment was meant as a example of how the SEC's regulatory actions under Chair Gary Gensler had hampered his company and the industry at large, according to a guest and a person familiar with the situation, who were granted anonymity to describe a private meeting.

As Alderoty spoke, a second crypto executive whose company is also fighting the SEC was in the audience: Paul Grewal, the chief legal officer of Coinbase .

In 2020, before President Joe Biden took office, the SEC accused Ripple, their CEO and one of their founders, of violating securities laws by acting as unregistered brokers of digital currency tokens, which the SEC regulates as securities. In 2023, the regulator filed a similar complaint against Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange platform.

The SEC later dismissed the charges against the two Ripple executives. Both firms have denied they broke securities laws. Alderoty's comments at the Trump fundraiser have not been previously reported, but he has made similar remarks elsewhere.

This frustration with Gensler's regulatory agenda has taken on a political tenor this year, as crypto investors seek to exert more influence in Washington, D.C.

Trump has seized on this frustration in recent months, recasting himself from a crypto skeptic into a crypto supporter. Early signs show that shift is winning Trump support in the small but loud crypto community.

Some in the industry who are siding with Trump are going farther than just complaining about Gensler. Instead, they're trying to shape the agency in a potential future Trump administration  starting at the top.

In recent weeks, crypto investors have raised several names of potential nominees for SEC commissioner, in the event that Trump is elected to a second term, according to three people who have knowledge of the conversations.

These names include two former chairs of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission during the Trump administration: J. Christopher Giancarlo and Heath Tarbert.
Steve Bannon, former top advisor to Donald Trump, greets supporters as he arrives to speak with media before he reports to prison at the U.S. federal correctional institution in Danbury, Connecticut, on July 1, 2024.

Steve Bannon, a former aide to Donald Trump, reported to prison on Monday to begin a four-month sentence for refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena.

Bannon entered the federal correctional institution in Danbury, Connecticut, around 12:00 p.m., NBC News reported.

In July 2022, a Washington, D.C., federal jury found Bannon guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress after he refused to provide testimony and records to the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Bannon's sentence was stayed pending an appeal. But after a federal appeals court panel upheld Bannon's conviction in May, a federal judge in early June ordered him to report to jail by July 1.

Bannon had argued that he was not guilty of contempt because his lawyers advised him to not comply with the congressional subpoena based on the chance his testimony might be covered by executive privilege  a defense the appeals court rejected.
From the left: French far-right Rassemblement National party President Jordan Bardella, France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and French MP of left wing party La France Insoumise Manuel Bompard, prior to a political debate broadcasted on French TV channel TF1 on June 25, 2024. Dimitar Dilkoff | Afp | Getty Images

French stocks staged a relief rally early Monday after results from the first round of the nation's snap election raised expectations of a hung parliament. The far-right National Rally party and its allies won 33.1% of the vote, the left-wing NFP alliance was second with 28% and Macron's coalition secured 20%, France's Interior Ministry said Monday. France's benchmark CAC 40 index was 1.3% higher by 10:17 a.m. London time, off earlier highs of more than 2.5%. "The election, in the end, tells us pretty much what we knew before, which is that the most likely scenario remains a hung parliament," Sebastian Paris Horvitz, director of research at La Banque Postale Asset Management, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." From a market perspective, that is the "least bad" option, he added, although it is far from ideal. "Generally you have a majority to govern France.  After the second round, maybe we are not going to have such a majority. And so we have to figure out how France will be governed."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon CAC 40 index.

It comes after economists at Citi and elsewhere warned that an outright victory for either the far-right or leftist alliance could cause a severe market shock given their tax and spending plans, with the potential to spiral into a debt crisis. "A hung parliament appears likely and would, we believe, be seen as a positive development for European assets, as markets would price in policies on tax and immigration that would more closely resemble the status quo," Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at financial services firm Ebury, said in a note Monday. "Following their strong showing in the first round, the possibility of a majority for National Rally remains in play, however, which could act to cap gains in the euro in the coming days."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Euro/U.S. dollar.

The second round of the vote is due July 7 and to win a majority, the National Rally would need to secure 289 out of 577 seats in the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament. Current candidates now have until Tuesday evening to confirm whether they will be proceeding to the final round. Some left-wing and centrist candidates who placed third in their local race are expected to drop out to avoiding splitting the vote, in an effort to curb far-right gains. This has added to uncertainty over the final result.

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A key question remains who the prime minister will be  a position currently held by Gabriel Attal, an ally of President Emmanuel Macron. National Rally is hoping it will be the party's 28-year-old leader, Jordan Bardella. With Macron previously stating he plans to carry out the remainder of his term as president until 2027, this would lead to a "cohabitation" scenario in which the two roles are at odds. Even in a hung parliament  where no party has an overall majority, making it difficult to pass bills and implement a broad agenda  the French Constitution allows for the continuation of the current budget, so areas such as pension payments are not destabilized, Horvitz said.

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"Still, there is no reform," he continued, noting this comes as a critical time for Europe as it deals with defense threats, the energy transition and weak French and German economic growth. Horvitz added that French borrowing costs, which have soared versus Germany's since the election was called, are likely to remain elevated. That will likely lead to continued pressure on assets linked to bonds, including bank stocks and some utilities, he said.

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The aerial view reveals the mutual benefits of combining solar energy production and agricultural land use. Farmers can lease their land to solar energy developers, diversifying their income streams while maintaining agricultural activities on the remaining areas. This symbiotic relationship supports sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy adoption.

Google will partner with BlackRock to develop a 1-gigawatt pipeline of new solar capacity in Taiwan, the U.S. tech giant announced Monday in a press release as it seeks to boost energy capacity and cut carbon emissions amid the artificial intelligence boom.

The deal will see Google make a capital investment, yet to be approved by regulators, in Taiwanese solar developer New Green Power "to facilitate the buildout of its large-scale solar pipeline."

Google did not reveal how much it was investing into New Green Power, a BlackRock portfolio firm.

The investment will boost clean energy on Taiwan's local electricity grid and help Google reach its goal of achieving net-zero emissions across all its operations and value chain by 2030, the company said.

The new solar capacity will help power Google's data centers and cloud region in Taiwan, the press release said. Some of the clean energy capacity will also be offered to Google's chip suppliers and manufacturers in the region, it said.

"We expect to procure up to 300 [megawatts] of solar energy from this pipeline through power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the associated energy attribute certificates (Taiwan Renewable Energy Certificates or T-RECS) to help meet electricity demand from our data center campus, cloud region and office operations in Taiwan," Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of data center energy at Google, said in a blog post on Monday.

Taiwan produces nearly 60% of the world's semiconductor chips and accounts for an even bigger share of advanced AI processors, according to global consulting firm EY. Chip fabrication facilities are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the world as chip manufacturing is a long and complex process.
Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, said he remains skeptical that artificial intelligence could soon make human jobs obsolete as he sees flaws in machine learning models applied in certain scenarios.

"We are at what is widely viewed as a real inflection point in the evolution of technology, with the rise of large language models. Some are convinced that within three years almost everything we do as humans will be done in one form or another by LLMs and other AI tools," Griffin said Friday during an event for Citadel's new class of interns in New York. "For a number of reasons, I am not convinced that these models will achieve that type of breakthrough in the near future."

The rapid rise of AI has had the world pondering its far-reaching impact on society, including technology-induced job cuts. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is among many who have repeatedly warned of the threats that AI poses to humanity. He has called AI "more dangerous" than nuclear weapons, saying there will come a point where "no job is needed."

Griffin, whose hedge fund and electronic market maker have been at the forefront of automation, said machine-learning tools do have their limits when it comes to adapting to changes.

"Machine learning models do not do well in a world where regimes shift. Self-driving cars don't work very well in the North due to snow. When the terrain changes, they have no idea what to do," Griffin said. "Machine learning models do much better when there's consistency."

Still, the billionaire investor thinks the power of advanced technology can't be dismissed in the long term, and he even sees cancer being eradicated one day because of it.

"The rise of computing power is allowing us to solve all kinds of problems that were just simply not solvable five, 10, 15 years ago," Griffin said. "This is going to radically transform healthcare. We will end cancer as you know it in your lifetime."

Citadel has long placed a great emphasis on hiring, not hesitant about putting responsibility into the hands of young employees and even interns, the CEO said.

The firm's internship program has become one of the most competitive in the country. More than 85,000 students applied for about 300 positions this year, reflecting an acceptance rate of less than 0.5%, which is lower than that of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"The people we hire today are going to be the leaders of Citadel not in 30 or 40 years, but in just a few years," Griffin said.
Investors are staying on the sidelines amid a broad selloff in tech stocks this year. Shares of Facebook parent Meta are down more than 30% this year amid a troubling macro environment and weaker-than-expected results. Igor Golovniov | SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images

Facebook parent company Meta on Monday was accused by EU regulators of failing to comply with the bloc's landmark antitrust rules over its recently introduced ad-supported social networking service. The European Commission, which is the executive body of the EU, labeled the ad-supported subscription option a "pay or consent" model  which means users have to either pay to use Meta's platforms ad-free, or consent to their data being processed for personalized advertising. The service was introduced for Facebook and Instagram in Europe last year. "In the Commission's preliminary view, this binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them a less personalised but equivalent version of Meta's social networks," regulators said in a statement Monday. A Meta spokesperson told CNBC in a statement that its ad-supported subscription model "follows the direction of the highest court in Europe and complies with the DMA." "We look forward to further constructive dialogue with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close," the spokesperson added.

Meta introduced the new model in response to a ruling from the European Court of Justice, the EU's top court, last year that a company may offer an "alternative" version of its service that does not rely on data collection for ads. Meta has previously pointed to this ruling as a reason for introducing the subscription offer. In its statement Monday, the commission said that Meta's ad-supported offering failed to comply with the DMA for two key reasons: one is that it doesn't let users opt for a service that uses less personal data but is still equivalent to the "personalized ads"-based service. Regulators said users should still be entitled to "get access to an equivalent service which uses less of their personal data, in this case for the personalization of advertising." The other reason cited by the European Union is that the Meta ad-supported service doesn't allow users to exercise their right to "freely consent" for their personal data to be used to target them with online ads.

Hefty fines at stake
A great book can challenge your perceptions, shape your worldview, and impart messages that stay with you forever. Six books that billionaire Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has read over the course of his life have left that sort of lasting effect.

Branson is himself an author. Most recently, in April, he released his audiobook memoir, "Losing and Finding My Virginity: The Full Story."

This list of the six books that have most inspired him, which he shared with CNBC Make It, includes fiction and non-fiction entries from the past five decades.

1. 'Just Mercy' by Bryan Stevenson

Stevenson is a New York University law professor and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit providing legal representation to underserved clients and wrongfully convicted prisoners. Published in 2014, "Just Mercy" is a memoir focusing largely on Stevenson's work to overturn a wrongful conviction that put Walter McMillian on death row for six years before his release in 1993.

The story was adapted into a 2019 film by the same name starring Jamie Foxx.

"I think everyone should read the book 'Just Mercy'  it will really make you think about capital punishment and why it deserves no place in the world," says Branson, who has called for an end to the death penalty. "While it is ultimately a story of hope, it is also a damning indictment of a system still characterized by discrimination, error, and unimaginable cruelty."

2. 'The Dice Man' by Luke Rhinehart (aka George Cockcroft)

This 1971 novel revolves around the role of fate in our lives, following a psychiatrist who opts to make all of his day-to-day decisions by literally rolling dice  spurring some exciting, and sometimes tragic, results. The provocative thought experiment at the center of the book helped it develop a cult following.

Branson calls it "a very entertaining read that has always stayed with me."

He first read the novel "just before starting Virgin Records" in 1972 and even occasionally used the dice-rolling strategy when making tough decisions around which bands to sign to his record label.

"This meant compiling a list of potential actions, rolling a dice and going along with whatever number the dice landed on," Branson says, noting that the method produced mixed results: "Safe to say I didn't keep using the book to influence my decisions for long!"

3. 'Start With Why' by Simon Sinek

Sinek is an author and leadership expert whose first book, 2009's "Start With Why," focuses on how the most effective leaders can inspire others to take action. The moral of the book is that great leaders and businesses focus on a firm purpose or belief to steer their mission before worrying about the process or results.

That ethos struck a chord with Branson, who believes that happiness comes from exploring opportunities you genuinely find interesting and rewarding, and that success is about "making a difference in other people's lives," he told CNBC Make It in May.

On "Start With Why," Branson says: "My key takeaway was that it doesn't matter what you do, but why you do it . If you don't understand why you're doing something and if you're not passionate about it, it's harder to create something unique and something that adds value to people's lives."

4. 'I Am a Girl From Africa' by Elizabeth Nyamayaro

Branson believes this memoir exemplifies the idea that "the biggest challenges of our time also present the biggest opportunities," he says.

Nyamayaro writes about growing up in a Zimbabwe village struck with famine in the 1980s, where she received food and aid from the United Nations, through UNICEF. That experience inspired her dream of working for the U.N. and helping others in need.
Fundstrat's Tom Lee is standing by his $150,000 forecast for bitcoin despite recent weakness in the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin has been stuck in a tight trading range between $60,000 and $70,000 since it touched an all-time high of about $73,000 in March. At the end of June, it slid to the lower end of that range. "Bitcoin's probably suffering from Mt. Gox starting distributions in July  that was a huge overhang for many years," Lee told CNBC's " Squawk Box " Monday morning. "If I was invested in crypto, knowing that one of the biggest overhangs is going to disappear in July, I'd think it's a reason to actually expect a pretty sharp rebound in the second half." As a result, $150,000 for bitcoin is still within reach, Lee added. BTC.CM= 1M mountain Bitcoin's recent weakness On June 24, the trustee of the now defunct Mt. Gox crypto exchange, once the largest in the world, said it will begin repayments to creditors in July  142,000 bitcoins worth $9 billion at today's prices  although it has an October deadline to do so. That spooked the market, with investors worried that creditors may soon sell some of that bitcoin, after waiting more than 10 years for a resolution with the exchange. Additionally, the U.S. and German governments sent large amounts of previously seized bitcoin to exchanges at the end of June, further driving the coin's recent weakness. Bitcoin rose 4% at one point over the weekend to begin July trading at about $62,000. Investors are still optimistic about the price of bitcoin, after it traded in a 20% range for several months last summer before eventually ripping higher. They also point out that bitcoin historically has approached new all-time highs about 18 months after its regular halving . This year's took place in April. On top of that, Lee highlighted that investors can't afford to miss just a handful of days in any year. Bitcoin "makes most of its gains [in] 10 days every year. If you take out the 10 best days in a single year, bitcoin actually has negative returns."
LONDON  The boss of British financial technology giant Revolut told CNBC he is optimistic about the company's chances of being granted a U.K. banking license, as a jump in users saw the firm report record full-year pre-tax profits.

In an exclusive interview with CNBC, Nikolay Storonsky, Revolut's CEO and co-founder, said that the company is feeling confident about securing its British bank license, after overcoming some key hurdles in its more than three-year-long journey toward gaining approval from regulators.

"Hopefully, sooner or later, we'll get it," Storonsky told CNBC via video call. Regulators are "still working on it," he added, but so far haven't raised any outstanding concerns with the fintech.

Storonsky noted that Revolut's huge size has meant that it's taken longer for the company to get its banking license approved than would have been the case for smaller companies. Several small financial institutions have been able to win approval for a banking license with few customers, he added.

"U.K. banking licenses are being approved for smaller companies," Storonsky said. "They usually approve someone twice every year," and they typically tend to be smaller institutions. "Of course, we are very large, so it takes extra time."

Revolut is a licensed electronic money institution, or EMI, in the U.K. But it can't yet offer lending products such as credit cards, personal loans, or mortgages. A bank license would enable it to offer loans in the U.K. The firm has faced lengthy delays to its application, which it filed in 2021.

One key issue the company faced was with its share structure being inconsistent with the rulebook of the Prudential Regulation Authority, which is the regulatory body for the financial services industry that sits under the Bank of England.

Revolut has multiple classes of shares and some of those share classes previously had preferential rights attached. One conditions set by the Bank of England for granting Revolut its U.K. banking license, was to collapse its six classes of shares into ordinary shares.

Revolut has since resolved this, with the company striking a deal with Japanese tech investor SoftBank to transfer its shares in the firm to a unified class, relinquishing preferential rights, according to a person familiar with the matter. News of the resolution with SoftBank was first reported by the Financial Times.
NSE

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday (July 1) said it has collaborated bilaterally with various countries to link Indias Fast Payments System (FPS)  the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with their respective FPSs for cross-border Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) payments.Historically, India has pursued bilateral agreements to connect its FPS, UPI, with those of other countries, enabling efficient person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) payments across borders. While these bilateral connections have proven beneficial, the multilateral approach of Project Nexus is expected to enhance the international reach and efficiency of Indian payment systems, the central bank said.Project Nexus, conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), is designed to interlink the domestic FPSs of its founding member countries: Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and India.These nations, alongside Indonesia in a special observer role, signed an agreement on June 30, 2024, in Basel, Switzerland, marking the official launch of this initiative.The participating central banks include Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Bank of Thailand (BOT), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Reserve Bank of India.Slated to go live by 2026, the Nexus platform aims to revolutionise retail cross-border payments by making them faster, more efficient, and cost-effective.This initiative is expected to reduce transaction times and fees, benefiting consumers and businesses alike by facilitating smoother international commerce and financial transactions.In the future, the platform is designed to accommodate additional countries, potentially expanding its reach and impact even further.
The suicide rate among construction workers is alarmingly high compared to other occupations, according to a recently published study.

About Suicide

Suicide is one of the major public health concerns impacting people across various professional fields. It is a complex phenomenon with numerous contributing factors, including mental health struggles, substance abuse, and stressful working conditions. Addressing suicide requires a multifaceted approach involving awareness, prevention, and intervention strategies.

Suicide Rates Among Construction Workers

Construction workers face a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population. According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022. Male construction workers have a suicide rate of nearly 50 per 100,000, while female workers have a rate of approximately 25 per 100,000. These rates are the highest among all occupational groups.

The Building Trade Employers' Association (BTEA) of New York highlighted these troubling statistics at their SAFEBUILD conference. The association emphasized that construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than from on-the-job injuries. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for industry reforms to address mental health issues among workers.

Mandatory Mental Wellness

Elizabeth Crowley, former Queens City Councilwoman and current head of BTEA of New York, is advocating for significant changes to protect construction workers. She stressed the importance of making mental wellness a mandatory part of safety training programs and ensuring naloxone is available on large construction sites to treat overdoses. Crowley pointed out that the construction industry, which is predominantly male, has traditionally viewed mental health struggles as a sign of weakness. This cultural attitude often leads workers to hide their internal struggles, exacerbating their mental health issues.

Toxic Environments

The combination of long working hours, harsh conditions, strict deadlines, and job insecurity can create a toxic environment for construction workers. Implementing industry reforms and promoting mental wellness initiatives are crucial steps in reducing the high suicide rates among construction workers. Addressing these issues can help create a safer and healthier work environment for those in the construction industry.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
A recent study from the United Kingdom sheds light on the profound impact of strong friendships during adolescence on mental health resilience in adulthood. The research suggests that healthy teenage friendships can significantly improve an individual's ability to cope with social exclusion and stress up to a decade later.

Researchers found that adults who had strong friendships as teenagers showed greater resilience, defined as the ability to maintain social, emotional, and behavioral functioning in the face of trauma or stress. This study involved a cohort of 14-year-olds who experienced childhood trauma.

These participants completed the Cambridge Friendship Questionnaire four times over ten years, starting at age 14 and concluding at age 24. Initially, 1,238 individuals participated, with 436 remaining for the final assessment. Of these, 62 volunteers underwent brain imaging.

At 24, participants who agreed to brain scans experienced a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan while engaging in a virtual activity simulating social exclusion. The task involved a ball-throwing game with two avatars, during which researchers monitored brain activity. Results showed activation of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to emotion regulation, StudyFinds reported.

Maria Dauvermann, a researcher at the University of Birmingham's School of Psychology and Institute for Mental Health, explained the significance of these findings.

"We would expect that everyone will have some problems with their mental health after any kind of stressful experience, at least in the short term," Dauvermann noted in a media release. "By using the definition of resilient functioning, we are taking a more sophisticated and dynamic approach that takes into account a whole range of different behavioral measures at different time points and in relation to the particular trauma severity that has been experienced."

Published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, the study found that individuals who reported having strong friendships at age 14 demonstrated better resilience at 24, showing more positive responses to social inclusion and greater capacity to handle stressful events. However, the precise impact of brain activity related to resilience and social exclusion remains unclear.

Further research is needed to understand how adolescent friendships influence adult brain wiring and mental health. Additionally, the study highlights the need for effective support programs for teenagers lacking friendships or dealing with mental health issues. The authors suggest that peer support groups could offer valuable assistance to these teens.

"Mental health among young people is a complex and nuanced area," Dauvermann concluded. "One of the things we hope to achieve through research programs like this one is to increase both awareness and understanding that will empower young people to seek support when they need it."
If you see something in enough movies, you assume its true. If every movie has bears growling or frogs ribbiting or vampires hating lemons, we assume thats how the real world works, because movies are the only form of education we have.

Sometimes, however, no trend is necessary. All it takes is one influential movie  one old movie that you personally never saw  to change the world, convincing everyone that...

5 Presidents Are Supposed to Wear Flag Pins Don't Miss The president always seems to wear a flag pin on his lapel. Check out the two presidential candidates below, almost looking like theyre sharing a uniform, thanks to their pins. CNN Because if one skipped on the pin, clearly that would change this debate. Presidents, however, went almost 200 years without adopting the flag pin standard. They wore other lapel pins  a masonic symbol perhaps, or a military star  but not a flag. You might even say a president wearing a flag pin is redundant, since hes already the president and his nationality isnt in question. The first president to wear the pin was Richard Nixon, and his staff convinced him to adopt it after watching a 1972 Robert Redford movie called The Candidate. Redford plays a senatorial candidate, one who doesnt actually wear a flag pin. He does wear a flower pin, and this image evidently convinced Nixons staff that they needed to go one step better than that to give their man respectability. The movie is satire. Redfords character starts by speaking his mind, but his edges get sanded down, till hes just repeating the same empty, agreeable lines. In the clip below, we see him giggling at his own bullshit in private, and also flashing a couple V-signs in a very Nixonian pose. So, Nixon starting wearing flag pins thanks to The Candidate. Then he left office in disgrace, so no one followed his example. But afterward came the 21st century and the attacks of September 11th, and politicians remembered the flag pin idea Nixon had pioneered and brought it back. As for Redford, a few years after The Candidate, he starred in All the President's Men, a movie we trust Nixon enjoyed just as much. Advertisement

4 Pirates Used the Pirate Accent We have this concept of pirate speak, of a single accent that pirates use. The more pirate-y the pirate, the closer theyll adhere to this accent. The strongest pirate accent in recent years may have come from Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, while various other characters in the same movies do their own lighter versions of this accent. In reality, pirates couldnt possibly all speak the same way, since they came from all over the world. Our idea of the pirate accent comes entirely from one actor, Robert Newton, and his performance in 1950s Treasure Island. Obviously, a lot of our cultural idea of pirates comes from Treasure Island, since thats the most famous pirate story of all, but this idea of how pirates speak came from one single adaptation and was absent from the novel. Advertisement Newton gave Long John Silver that distinctive accent not because thats how he thought pirates spoke but because he himself was from the West Country in England, and thats a theatrical West Country accent. Some of the other pirates in the same production followed his lead, though not as strongly. Theres an alternate universe where that movie hired some guy from Pennsylvania instead, and generations went on to think pirates all sounded like they were from Pittsburgh. Advertisement Advertisement

3 Rabbits Like Carrots We all associate rabbits with carrots, but the two dont go together naturally at all. The carrots we eat dont exist in nature at all, as theyre the result of a whole lot of selective breeding. Rabbit like greens, and they can eat the leafy top of a carrot, but if a rabbit gorges itself on carrots, thatd be like you trying to live on cotton candy. The rabbit-carrot connection originated entirely from that carrot-eating cartoon character Bugs Bunny. As for why Bugs munched on a carrot in his screen debut... Advertisement ...thats because he was doing an homage to a movie from a couple years earlier, It Happened One Night. Clark Gables character in that movie at one point whips out a raw carrot and chomps on it while outside. Elmer Fudd could have laid down lettuce to bait his quarry, but by making him use a carrot, A Wild Hare sets up a gag where Bugs appears and eats it like Clark Gable. Advertisement Advertisement Weve shared this fact with you before, but if youve still not watched It Happened One Night yourself, maybe youd like to see the actual scene in question: The plot finds an excuse for Gable to poke inside love interest Claudette Colberts mouth, then they talk about whether she should eat a carrot. There are some definite sexual undertones here. The whole movie is full of hints at sex, which wouldnt be allowed in movies once the Hays Code went into effect a couple months later. In fact, sexual undertones are surely why it was named It Happened One Night, as the movie doesnt actually take place during one night, or concern any night in particular. Advertisement

2 Mohawks Wear Mohawks Advertisement The mohawk is a hairstyle. Its also a name for an indigenous people from the eastern United States, so you probably think that hairstyle is named after the people. Indeed, Mohawk warriors did have a tradition of removing the hair on the scalp other than a single patch, but the result wasnt the hairstyle that wed call a mohawk. The tuft would be at the back of the head, making what you instead might call a scalp lock or a topknot. Other people, like the Pawnee, did have mohawk hair. So, why do we call the hairstyle a mohawk, instead of a pawnee (or an oldcroghan, since weve also found the hairstyle on 2,000-year-old Irish bog bodies)? Its because of another Claudette Colbert movie, 1939s Drums Along the Mohawk with Henry Fonda. This movie featured native warriors with mohawk hairdos, and when people found they needed a name for the hairstyle when it became popular in the 1970s, this movie influenced their choice. Advertisement Drums Along the Mohawk shows a frontier couple getting attacked over and over by natives until the American Revolution is won off-screen and everyone beams at the promise of a new nation. But that doesnt mean it only portrays natives as bad guys. Theres one good native, played by prolific actor Chief John Big Tree. He acts kindly toward the couple  by giving Fords character a stick so he can beat his wife, to tame her. Advertisement Advertisement
Why sit through a three-hour movie when Hader can ruin it for you?

Minimum wage jobs stink, even if youre Bill Hader. A few years back, he told Kevin Pollack about working as an usher at a movie theater as a young man  like any service job, it came with its share of obnoxious customers. Hader got his revenge, but it cost him.

Hader was working at Centerpoint Movie Theater in Tempe, Arizona, a job that required him to dress like an old-timey usher with a cummerbund and bowtie. This is 1997 or early 1998, he explained. At the time, I had very, very long hair and a beard, and I tore tickets.

One night, a local sorority rented out an entire theater to see Titanic. They were congregating in the front, and I was going, Hey, you guys gotta move, he remembered. The sorority members ignored Haders request, refusing to go anywhere while they waited for the remaining sisters to arrive. They were just being dickheads to me, he said. It just sucked.

Don't Miss

Eventually, all the sorority members arrived. Theyre like, All right, lets go everybody! As the sisters paraded in, Hader tore their tickets and exacted his revenge. Enjoy the movie! he told them. Leo dies at the end! The boat sinks!

As Hader tore tickets, he continued giving away the entire ending. They go, Leo doesnt die! And I go, No, you think hes sleeping, but hes frozen. The old lady? Thats Kate Winslet. Shes got the diamond that Bill Paxtons looking for. And at the end, she throws it into the fucking water. Enjoy the movie. Fuck you.

As one might expect, Haders antics earned him a visit from his manager. He was this guy whos kind of like, Hey man Hader said in a stoner drawl, eyes half-closed. And he was like, Did you just tell them the end of Titanic?

Yep, Hader replied.

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Oh, slurred the manager in his stoner voice. I have to fire you.

Another weird moment in young Haders usher career? At the movie theater where he worked, patrons werent allowed to bring in their own food. One time, I wasn't paying attention and a guy  this is no joke  brought a wedding cake. He had his tickets in his mouth.

Once again, Hader got in trouble for allowing egregious rule-breaking. Everybody was like, Why do you bring a fucking wedding cake to see He Got Game?

I had time to kill, the man replied. Do you have a freezer for this?

And the people at concessions were like, No, get this out of here!

The staff couldnt understand why Hader tore his ticket and admitted him in the first place.

Hey, said Hader, he paid!
Most reasonable people likely wouldnt take medical advice from South Park, a show that regularly features an anthropomorphic talking towel, has portrayed the human digestive system as an epic fantasyland for gerbil quests and once implied that the human body can survive for several seconds with a baked potato in place of a human heart before exploding.

But there may be some medical value to the show after all, thanks to the recent 50-minute  definitely not an episode  special South Park: The End of Obesity.

After earning a low-key endorsement from Lizzo, whose body positivity is marketed as a low-cost alternative to Ozempic, now an actual honest-to-goodness doctor has suggested that the show may hold some value for prospective medical practitioners.

Don't Miss

In a recent op-ed for the medical news site Medscape, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, Canada's most outspoken obesity expert, suggests that South Park: The End of Obesity is remarkably accurate in its depiction of a serious issue. For example, the opening scene, in which Cartman and his mother visit their family doctor to ask questions about obesity and health, is representative of responsible medical discourse, minus the prescription for Lizzo. Cartmans doctor doesnt spend time doubting or cajoling, Freedhoff argues. Instead, he does his job  which is to inform his patient, without judgment, about a pharmaceutical option that has been proven to be beneficial.

The special is mostly a takedown of the American health-care system, portrayed here as a soul-crushing, M.C. Escher-like hellscape.

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Cartman is ultimately forced to turn to compounding, a real-life practice where compounding pharmacies claim to be able to provide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs with comparable efficacy at a fraction of the price, but without the same rigor of proof of purity or efficacy.

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Again, this is a real trend, all due to the affordability of a drug that can reportedly be manufactured for less than $5 a month.

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As Freedhoff argues, South Park covers obesity and its treatment with more accuracy, nuance and compassion than does society as a whole, illustrating that obesity is a biological condition that demands more cultural sensitivity.

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To its credit, South Park shines a light on the fact that drug companies are making antiobesity medications more expensive in America than anywhere else in the world. Yeah, if it wasnt clear from the scenes of Cartman battling a bloody Capn Crunch, the real villain of The End of Obesity is late-stage capitalism. Freedhoff quotes Kyles climactic speech: "We have sugar companies, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies all just trying to figure out how to make money off our (fucking) health. It isnt fair to put the blame on anyone for their weight.

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This movie should be required viewing in medical schools, Freedhoff concludes.

How med students will feel about paying $70,000 a year to watch cartoons remains to be seen.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.


It seems like every time you log onto TikTok, there's a beauty influencer raving about a brand-new viral skincare product that you just have to try.

Whether it's snail mucin or hair identifying spray or a new kind of blush, there's always something that's setting the internet ablaze.

And this doesn't even cover all of the skincare advice and 'hacks' that are shared on the platform, too, like mouth taping and slugging.

But at the end of the day, how can we really know what's good for our skin - and what products and routines can we trust?

To find out, FEMAIL interviewed trusted dermatologists in their 20s to their 60s to learn what products they use on their skin everyday - and the common skincare mistake that they all regret making when they were younger.

At the end of the day, how can we really know what's good for our skin? And what products and routines can we really trust?

20s: Rachel Goodman, MD

Dr. Rachel Goodman is a recent graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and will be heading into her dermatology residency at Yale University soon.

She was also a 2022 Medical Student SCRIPS Scholar at Vanderbilt University's Medical Center.

When Dr. Goodman wakes up, she starts by washing her face with the inexpensive and gentle CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, which she likes because of its moisturizing hyaluronic acid and ceramides to reinforce the skin's natural barrier.

After that, she uses the $182 SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which she appreciates for its blend of Vitamin C and ferulic acid. She says that this serum protects her skin from environmental damage.

'While vitamin C and retinoids can enhance each other's effects, I like to apply them at different times (morning and night) to avoid excessive irritation,' she explained.

Then, she applies a pea-sized amount of the La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Niacinamide Serum, which she likes to use in the morning because it's safe alongside Vitamin C products.

She said it also helps with DNA repair and reduces inflammation.

For a moisturizer, she likes the fragrance-free version of the $19.99 Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel, followed by a thin layer of the $45 Elta MD Tinted Sunscreen for the face and neck.

Dr. Rachel Goodman is a recent graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and will be heading into her dermatology residency soon

'Early in medical school, a dermatologist mentor advised that for healthy skin aging, the two most essential products are sunscreen and retinoids,' Dr. Goodman shared with DailyMail.com

Since the doctor grew up in Florida, she admitted that she spent a lot of time baking in the sun with little sunscreen - something that she regretted.

'Early in medical school, a dermatologist mentor advised that for healthy skin aging, the two most essential products are sunscreen and retinoids,' Dr. Goodman shared with DailyMail.com.

'So when people mention that sunscreen feels uncomfortable, leaves an unwanted white cast, or is an annoying additional step, I remind them that sunscreen not only has numerous benefits like preventing skin cancer, but also prevents long-term signs of sun damage,' she continued.

Finally, she applies some Aquaphor to her lips, which she likes for its ingredients like petroleum and mineral oil. She says that the different components create a barrier and seal in moisture to keep her lips hydrated.

At night, Goodman's routine is a bit more streamlined.

She cleanses with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, and then goes on to what she calls her favorite step - applying a pea-sized amount of prescription tretinoin 0.05% all over her face.

'I love retinoids like tretinoin because, like sunscreen, they effectively help prevent signs of photoaging, [like] fine lines [and] wrinkles,' she explained.

'Tretinoin also combats acne as an added bonus. In my experience, I've found that tretinoin works best to prevent acne rather than as a localized spot treatment,' she said.

Dr. Goodman added that before she began using tretinoin, she would apply adapalene gel, which she said was not as powerful but was a good, affordable over-the-counter option.

30s: Dr. Samantha Ellis of PotzokinMD Skincare Center in Danville, California

Dr. Samantha Ellis is the founder of skincare brand Prequel, with products that won the 2024 Allure Reader's Choice Awards

Dr. Samantha Ellis is a board-certified dermatologist who offers dermatology care to her patients in California, while sharing her skincare expertise on her social media channels, like TikTok.

She is also the founder of skincare brand Prequel, with products that won the 2024 Allure Reader's Choice Awards.

In the morning, Dr. Ellis likes to stick to a 'pretty simple' skincare routine that includes both expensive and inexpensive products, especially when she is getting ready to go to clinic.

The first thing she does is cleanse her face with warm water, and goes in with the Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C serum, followed by an eye cream, like the $114 Neocutis Lumiere Firm.

If her skin needs that extra boost, Dr. Ellis will layer on a hydrating serum on top of her Vitamin C serum, and then finishes off with sunscreen, which she says also functions as her moisturizer.

'I have a sunscreen "wardrobe" and often choose based on my mood or planned activities for the day,' she shared.

She will always include an antioxidant and SPF in her morning routine because she wants to make sure her daytime skincare is protecting her skin from various stressors throughout the day.

But at night is where things start to get a bit more fun - Dr. Ellis admitted that she often liked to test out new products.

'I have a sunscreen "wardrobe" and often choose based on my mood or planned activities for the day,' Dr. Ellis shard with DailyMail.com

She says that she always starts with a double cleanse to remove sunscreen and makeup, starting with Bioderma's $18.99 Micellar Water or the $10 Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil, followed by her Prequel Cleanser.

'My double cleanse is how I gently prepare my skin for all of the anti-aging/corrective treatments that come next in the routine,' she said.

After that, she applies the $20 Prequel Redness Reform Serum, along with a peptide serum. She is currently alternating between the viral $25 CosRx The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum and the $179 Colorescience Pep Up Serum.

Finally, like the other dermatologists, she applies a retinoid, which helps with fine lines and pigmentation, and a moisturizer.

One night per week she will forgo the retinoid and use an exfoliating treatment, like the Dr. Dennis Gross Universal Daily Peel Pads.

And, like her fellow dermatologists as you'll soon see, Dr. Ellis also told DailyMail.com that she wished she had used sunscreen before her mid-20s.

'I've been working to correct all of the sun damage I incurred, but deep down I know some of that is irreversible and could easily have been prevented with safer sun habits,' she admitted.

40s: Dr. Mamina Turegano of Sanova Dermatology in New Orleans, Louisiana

Dr. Mamina Turegano, a triple-board certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist, is based in New Orleans, Louisiana.

She has a well-known online presence, including her YouTube channel, where she dives deep into viral skincare trends and skincare concerns, like whether or not your dry skin could be thyroid-related.

Each morning, Dr. Turegano cleanses her face with cold water to wake her up, followed by the $182 Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, a Vitamin C which works to brighten the skin, decrease find lines and wrinkles, and protect the skin, along with sunscreen.

Dr. Mamina Turegano has a well-known online presence, including her YouTube channel, where she dives deep into viral skincare trends and concerns

Dermatologist cross-over! Products loved by the professionals $115 Neova DNA Total Repair Serum, loved by Dr. Gendler and Dr. Turegano

$182 SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, loved by Dr. Turegano and Dr. Goodman

$23 Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C, loved by Dr. Gendler and Dr. Ellis

Under $20 CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, loved by Dr. Woolery-Lloyd and Dr. Goodman Advertisement

Skinceuticals is another brand that's well-loved by dermatologists, and is sold in many of their offices - but can be a bit pricey.

Next, the dermatologist uses Clinique All About Eyes Serum, which contains caffeine to help depuff swollen skin and improve dark circles, followed by the La Roche-Posay Melasyl B3 Serum, a new anti-hyperpigmentation product.

Dr. Turegano also uses the $115 Neova DNA Total Repair Serum.

She explained that DNA repair enzymes are an important anti-aging ingredient that repairs damage from UV exposure.

In the morning, Dr. Turegano puts on the Vichy Liftactiv Collagen Specialist Moisturizer to increase collagen production, as well as the La Roche-Posay tinted mineral sunscreen, her go-to sunscreen for over 10 years.

She admitted to DailyMail.com that she wished that she had started using a retinoid product earlier, as well as regularly wearing sunscreen.

'I didn't start until my late 20s when I was in dermatology residency and I learned about the importance of daily sunscreen use and the effectiveness of retinoids,' Dr. Turegano told DailyMail.com.

'I also wish I didn't bathe out in the sun as much as I did during high school and college,' she added.

When it comes to her night routine, the dermatologist starts by taking off her makeup, using the Elemis Pro-collagen cleansing balm, which she says makes her skin feel soft.

'I also wish I didn't bathe out in the sun as much as I did during high school and college,' Dr. Turegano said

After her makeup is all gone, Dr. Tuegano washes her face with either the Biojuve Conditioning Cleanse or the $16.99 RoC Barrier Renew Gel-To-Foam Cleanser.

Then, she'll put on the $225 Biojuve Living Biome Essentials Serum and the brand's Activating Mist, a product that Dr. Turegano says combat signs of aging and hyperpigmentation.

To brighten up dark circles under her eyes, she glides on the $116 Skinceuticals Age Advanced Eye Complex, and follows up with a Tretinoin 0.05% cream.

The last step in Dr. Turegano's nighttime routine is the Clinique Clinical Repair Lifting Face and Neck Cream, which she said has a has a well-researched blend of peptides to help lift and moisturize the skin.

50s: Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd of Baumann Cosmetic Dermatology in Miami, Florida

Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd is an internationally recognized, board-certified dermatologist and lifestyle medicine doctor based in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd currently serves as Director of the Skin of Color Division for the University of Miami Department of Dermatology, and is the founder of Derm Friends, an online platform that helps people find products for specific skin and hair concerns.

Every morning, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd goes for a walk outside, which means she always puts on sunscreen.

Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd currently serves as Director of the Skin of Color Division for the University of Miami Department of Dermatology, and is the founder of Derm Friends

'I live in Miami, where the UV index is very high, so the sunscreen I use for exercising outside is different than the sunscreen I wear for everyday use,' she told DailyMail.com.

Currently, the dermatologist uses the $15 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick, which she likes for its easy application.

When she's back from her walk, she uses the $15 Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Wash, followed by the $19.99 La Roche-Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream if her skin is feeling dry.

La Roche-Posay is a fan-favorite brand among dermatologists, and is often easy to find in drugstores.

She'll then apply a lightweight one for everyday use, like the CeraVe AM SPF30, another drugstore product.

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd likes to mix her sunscreen with concealer, specifically the $7 e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer, to create the look of a tinted moisturizer.

'The other added benefit of using a concealer is that the tint helps to block visible light,' she said.

The dermatologist noted that while she has always applied sunscreen daily, she would have added a tint to her sunscreen earlier.

The dermatologist noted that while she has always been good about applying sunscreen everyday, she would have added a tint to her sunscreen earlier

'The data on how visible light affects our skin is relatively new,' she told DailyMail.com.

'I think this is very helpful for boosting protection from the sun.'

At night, if she has any makeup on, she'll use the $12.99 CeraVe Makeup Remover Cleanser Balm followed by a gentle cleanser, like the $16.49 CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser or Dove Beauty Bar.

Once her face is all clean, she will go in with the La Roche-Posay MelaB serum, something that she just recently added to her routine.

'It contains a new ingredient to even skin tone, and I am loving the results so far,' she shared.

For a nighttime moisturizer, Dr. Woolery-LLoyd is a big fan of Eucerin's Immersive Hydration Gel Cream, which she says is very lightweight but still hydrating - and only costs about $20.

60s: Dr. Ellen C. Gendler of Gendler Dermatology in New York City

Dr. Ellen C. Gendler is not only a board-certified dermatologist but also a leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, as a clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Medical Center.

She is straightforward and not a big fan of gimmicky skincare - consistently sharing advice and warnings on her popular TikTok and Instagram pages, where she boasts a combined 300,000 followers.

In the morning, Dr. Gendler starts out with a face cleanser from her own skincare line, Gendler Dermatology, which she says contains jojoba oil and is non-drying.

Like Dr. Turegano, she uses Prequel's $23 Vitamin C, and goes in with the $115 Neova Total DNA Repair daily serum, which is meant to address skin damage from the sun.

For a moisturizer, the dermatologist alternates between Dieux's $45 Instant Angel or one by the brand Virginskin.

One product she absolutely loves for her under eyes is the M4 Estriol Cream by Alloy, which contains topical estriol, an estrogen hormone, which is meant to help address signs of aging.

A great sunscreen is extremely important to Dr. Gendler, too.

Dr. Ellen C. Gendler of New York City's Gendler Dermatology is a leading expert in cosmetic dermatology

'As someone who developed a skin cancer on my face in my 50s, requiring reconstructive surgery, I wish I had not basked in the sun looking to get tan like I did as a teenager and young adult,' Dr. Gendler shared with DailyMail.com.

'I wish I had known about European sun filters back then,' she added.

In Europe, the sunscreens have newer chemical filters, which means that they have a stronger protection against the sun, especially when it comes to blocking UVA rays, which go deep into our skin and can contribute to a variety of potential problems.

After she's applied all of her skincare in the morning, she puts on the Rationale Tinted Serum 3, a mineral sunscreen that contains SPF 50, as a makeup.

And, when she's going to be outdoors, she layers on the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400, but just uses one coat when going into the office.

At night, she cleanses with the same products, along with the prescription-only M4 Estriol Cream.

She then applies the Altreno 0.05% tretinoin, a product she's been using for more than 20 years, a go-to product that she credits for helping her skin look as good as it does now.

That's followed by the Photozyme Ultra-Rich cream, a DNA repair that also serves as her moisturizer.

Using a great sunscreen is very important to Dr. Gendler, who developed a skin cancer on her face in her 50s

If she's feeling super dry, she'll add in the $170 Isdin Melatonik restorative serum on top.

'Everything I use serves a distinct purpose to accomplish something,' Dr. Gendler explained. 'I don't believe in fluff.'

One product she doesn't believe in?

The dermatologist admitted that she 'deeply regrets' using lash serums like Latisse, which she said caused permanent pigmentation on her eyelids and a total loss of the fat around her eyes.
An Amazon customer has revealed how she was trapped inside her house for three hours after a delivery driver left her package in a very unsuitable spot.

Holly Ciampaglio, from Philadelphia, took to TikTok to share the light-hearted tale with her 60,800 followers.

She explained that she had been unable to open the front door due to the parcel's poor positioning - adding that she had desperately been 'trying to wave down a neighbor.'

And viewers were left in stitches over the unfortunate mishap.

Holly Ciampaglio, from Philadelphia, took to TikTok to share the light-hearted tale with her 60,800 followers

She explained that she had been unable to open the front door due to the parcel's poor positioning - adding that she had desperately been 'trying to wave down a neighbor'

In the clip, which has so far been viewed more than 592,000 times, Holly spoke directly to camera as she explained the situation.

Fighting back nervous laughter, she began: 'I got a package from Amazon. It's supposed to be a cardboard cutout of a Star Wars character - that's not important.'

She then flipped the camera to show the large parcel on the door step which had been wedged between the outward-opening front door and the metal bannister beyond - leaving her no way of getting out of the house.

'Why? We can't open our door. Oh god, we're stuck. Oh no,' the content creator said.

She captioned the clip: 'Amazon we're still stuck. It's been three hours trying to wave down a neighbor.'

And Holly's video was soon flooded with comments from other social media users as one wrote: 'Legend has it they are still stuck...'

Another commented: 'The thought of not being able to open the door makes me ill!'

And a third added: 'This happened to me a couple years ago! Call the local police station, not 911, and explain what happened. They'll send someone out to help! They will laugh at you, but they WILL help.'

Holly's video was soon flooded with comments from other social media users as one wrote: 'Legend has it they are still stuck...'

Following the widespread furor, Holly uploaded a follow-up clip in which she provided further context.

'It's been a couple days. We're not stuck still,' she began, before showing viewers that she was now able to open the door in question.

Holly then launched into answering questions posed by other social media users.

'As far as the back door goes, first of all, we live in a house, not an apartment.

'We do have a back door and a back patio. We just live in a very narrow house because we live in a city.'

She showed viewers her yard before pointing out that it is surrounded by neighbors on all sides - which is why she was unable to escape that way with ease.

Holly then pointed to a fence on her right, adding: 'That leads to a parking lot directly next to our house.

'Now you see, if we were to climb this fence and hop down, we'd probably injure ourselves so we weren't about to do that...

'We weren't about to injure ourselves just to get a package on the street because we knew of our friend dropping off somebody at the train station in our city.

'We asked them to come look at our Wi-Fi anyway, so we knew that they were coming.'

Following the widespread furor, Holly uploaded a follow-up clip in which she provided further context

'It's been a couple days. We're not stuck still,' she began, before showing viewers that she was now able to open the door in question

She also showed viewers her yard before pointing out that it is surrounded by neighbors on all sides - which is why she was unable to escape that way with ease

She continued: 'We just waited probably three or four hours before he came and relieved us.

'As far as everyone telling us to "take the glass off our door" - it is a Sunday, too much work, especially if we knew that a friend was coming.

'Everyone's like, "break a window." Would you break a window in your own house to get to a package? No.

'Also, we live in a major city, so I don't know how long the local police [would take]. The local police probably would have taken just as long as our friend did to release us.'

Holly concluded: 'So, everyone that was genuinely worried about us - thank you. I love you. You're great people.

'Everybody who was making fun of us for, I don't know, being a little lazy - whatever.

'But I'm just glad that this is a universal experience because that was crazy.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Amazon for comment.
Photos from Bored Panda prove there's more than one way to fix a problem

When something breaks at home, the most efficient among us will simply replace it, quickly.

There are others - people with bulging cupboards - who will choose to ignore the issue by placing the tainted item out of sight.

And then there are those - let's call them 'the resourceful' - who, remarkably, summon the courage, commitment and creativity to actually tackle the problem, no matter how hopeless or boring the task may appear.

These photos from around the world and collated by Bored Panda are testament to the ingenuity - and good humour - of that third category.

There's the man who thought better of abandoning his broken boot when the superglue failed to hold the sole in place. Clearly not a self-conscious type, he chose to tape it together instead.

When the superglue didn't hold up, this man, believed to be from the US, decided to tape his boot together again

And the woodworker who used branches to create a stand for his lamp when the base broke. A feat of design or a fit for the bin?

Perhaps best of all is the baker who, reluctant to be slowed down by a broken electric whisk, improvised... with a drill and a pair of scissors.

Here, FEMAIL has selected the most 'innovative' workarounds to inspire, encourage and, most of all, amuse...

Tree a crowd! One woodworker from Brazil found a creative solution when the base of their lamp broke

Crafty in the kitchen! This baker, from Finland, wasn't going to be slowed down by a broken electric whisk

Easy does it! Why bother reading the DIY books when they offer a more straightforward solution? That's what his DIY-enthusiast from the US did

A lost lampshade shouldn't be a problem so long as there are spare cups lying around

Rather than dealing with the damp patch in a traditional way, one UK office added a picture of Big Bird from the Muppets

It may not be a sustainable solution, but this is one US Dad's solution to stop the dishwasher opening mid-cycle

One person thought better of wasting money on a new bin, choosing instead to improvise with an upside down stool

Even popular fast food chains sometimes have to improvise. This Dunkin' Donuts in the US added a baby monitor when their Drive Thru speakers weren't working

Not what you want to see! easyJet passengers saw an engineer taking up their plane with tape on a UK flight
Princess Beatrice appeared to be having the time of her life as she watched Kings of Leon perform in Hyde Park last night.

The royal, 35, was filmed singing along to the band's 2008 hit 'Use Somebody' with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, at British Summer Time festival.

For the occasion, Prince Andrew's eldest daughter - who was spotted at Glastonbury festival earlier in the day - wore a plain navy jumper and light black jacket.

The mother-of-one - who sported an elegant half-up, half-down hairstyle - was also seen wearing a tan-toned crossbody bag and navy silk midi skirt.

Meanwhile, Edoardo cut a casual figure in a white t-shirt, jeans, navy blazer and green cap.

Pictured: Princess Beatrice and her husband of almost four years Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi seen sharing a loving moment at BST last night

When the band began playing one of their most popular singles, Beatrice and Edo were seen standing at the front of a VIP box with friends.

At the beginning, the couple - who are about to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary - were seen swaying along to the song.

As it progressed to the chorus, the couple's friend Carrie Scott - who is a London-based art curator - put either hand on her husband and Edoardo's shoulders.

Princess Beatrice was then seen throwing her arms up in the air while Edoardo clapped his hands next to her.

Earlier in the evening, the couple shared a sweet moment from the balcony of the VIP box.

Edoardo was pictured putting a loving arm around his wife, who nestled into his chest.

Later, the devoted husband was also seen hugging his wife from behind as she looked out over the crowds of 65,000 music fans.

That afternoon, Beatrice and Edoardo were seen tucking into burgers at Worthy Farm in Glastonbury - where SZA and Shania Twain took to the stage.

The couple were filmed singing and dancing along to Kings of Leon's 2008 hit song Use Somebody

Prince Andrew's eldest daughter - who was spotted at Glastonbury festival earlier in the day - wore a plain navy top and light black jacket

Priness Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, tucked into lunch on Worthy Farm yesterday afternoon on the final day of Glastonbury

The devoted husband was also seen hugging his wife from behind as she looked out over the crowds of 65,000 music fans

The mother-of-one - who sported an elegant half-up, half-down hairstyle - was also seen wearing a tan-toned crossbody bag and black silk midi skirt

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi seen whispering to his wife Princess Beatrice during the Kings of Leon set

The royal couple were seen sharing several sweet moments - including Beatrice nestling into Edo's chest during the Kings of Leon set

The Princess was dressed in a pink hoody while Edo cut a casual figure in a denim shirt and a green cap.

It comes after the royal was spotted at the Soho House bar on Friday evening, where she reportedly sipped on picantes 'until midnight'.

The royal mother to Sienna and stepmother to Wolfie cut a subtle figure in an all-black outfit as she was spotted on site last night.

The Mirror reports the Princess of York, 36, was drinking picante cocktails until around midnight before calling it a night.

Just hours earlier, alternative band Idles had encouraged its audience to chime in on the chant: 'F*** the King' - referring to Beatrice's uncle, King Charles.

Pictured: Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi seen arriving at BST with friends Stephen Lockyer and Carrie Scott

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi cut a casual figure yesterday in a white t-shirt, jeans, navy blazer and green cap

Princess Beatrice looked chic in a navy jumper and matching silk midi skirt as she arrived at the festival

Priness Beatrice is pictured with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at Worthy Farm in Glastonbury in 2022

The Princess visited the bar after Dua Lipa's headline set on the Pyramid Stage had concluded - although it's unclear if the royal had watched the set before heading for a beverage.

Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie, have been spotted partying it up at Glastonbury several times over the years.

In 2022, Beatrice and her husband, Edo Mapelli Mozzi, were seen hanging out with friends on the last day of the festival.

A Glastonbury regular, Beatrice was also there in 2022. The Princess did find herself in a tricky situation that year when her card was allegedly declined at a high-end food stall.

While grabbing a bite to eat at the the Michelin-starred Pony Bistro, it was widely reported that Beatrice's card was declined three times.

Despite the short-lived embarrassment, she seem unperturbed and soon re-united with her husband among the other revellers.
A woman has revealed how she can make up to 75 an hour just by hugging strangers.

Professional cuddler Aniko Rose, who is based in Manchester, appeared on This Morning earlier today to discuss her unusual job.

According to Aniko, 42, she has been working as a professional cuddler for three years.

Speaking to This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, she claimed the service can help people who are struggling with issues like trauma, stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems.

She even ended up embracing co-host Ben, as she demonstrated what she describes as 'cuddle therapy'.

Professional cuddler Aniko Rose (pictured) appeared on This Morning today, where she talked about cuddle therapy

At one point, Aniko (pictured, right) gave a demonstration, giving This Morning co-host Ben Shephard (pictured, left) a squeeze

Speaking about her work, Aniko said: 'Cuddle therapy is a very relaxing and healing experience.'

She continued: 'Touch has a soothing effect, because when we hug and hold hands, our bodies release happy hormones like oxytocin and this make our nervous system calm down, and therefore our body and mind get into a very relaxed state.'

Adding that the experience can be 'almost like a meditation', Aniko noted revealed that some people even fall asleep while receiving cuddle therapy.

This, she explained, is because during the contact 'thoughts fade away and people are just...relaxed'.

According to Aniko, she finds the work 'very rewarding'. She added: 'Thats why I do it.

'Touch has a soothing effect whether its through a hug or holding hands. Because of this calming effect, touch can also lower your heart rate, and blood pressure, lessen depression and anxiety, and relieve pain.'

She also noted that the sessions she has with her client are completely non-sexual, and that as a trained professional in her line of work, there is a strict code of conduct, for both therapists and clients.

The segment was controversial among some viewers, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts - with many referencing the cost of the therapy.

The segment was controversial among some users, with some discussing the priceHowever, others joked about how they wanted to hug Ben

One X user wrote: 'I dont even want to talk to strange people, never mind pay them seventy quid for a hug.'

Another agreed, adding: '70????? erm no!!!!!'

However, others were more interested in the hug co-host Ben had received, with one X user saying: 'Ben's got lipstick on his shirt. Uh oh!'

Another joked: 'I'd pay @benshephard 70 for a hour of cuddles, tbh.'

And a third added: 'I'll start charging 70 for hugs if I got to go on #ThisMorning and hug Ben Shepard too.'
Lauren Sanchez stunned as she soaked up the sun in an ultra-mini white dress while on billionaire fiance Jeff Bezos's $500 million yacht.

The loved-up couple has been enjoying a relaxing and romantic getaway in Greece alongside the brunette beauty's ex-boyfriend Tony Gonzalez, his wife October, and a few of their other pals - including Kim Kardashian.

And, the future Mrs. Bezos, 54, has made sure to show off her sizzling physique while on the lavish vacation.

Most recently, Lauren took to Instagram to put on a stylish display, wowing in a crochet dress with a series of cutouts that accentuated her trim waistline.

The mom-of-three - who is engaged to the 60-year-old Amazon founder - paraded her fit figure in the tiny number as she held her long locks back in the wind.

Lauren Sanchez stunned as she soaked up the sun in an ultra-mini white dress while on fiance Jeff Bezos's yacht

Lauren dazzled in the white dress, which featured a strapless neckline and a crochet pattern.

She showed off her strong arms as she kept her hair from blowing in the wind.

The former journalist opted for minimal makeup, which complemented her natural beauty.

She showed fans that she was really was more in love with her partner and her life than ever before by captioning the photo with a simple heart.

Her most recent snap comes after she touted her fun-filled lifestyle online.

Over the weekend, the former journalist proved she was still young at heart as she jumped on a jet ski and rode the waves while sizzling in a gold bikini.

The skimpy swimsuit put her ample assets on full display as she and Jeff had a blast on the shimmering blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

Kim - who has long hailed Lauren as one of her best friends for 'life' - also joined the couple in her own jet ski.

Over the weekend, the former journalist proved she was still young at heart as she jumped on a jet ski and rode the waves while sizzling in a gold bikini

Lauren and Jeff have previously soaked up the sun on his mega yacht, with the helicopter pilot sharing a slew of images online

The reality TV star, 43, who was joined by TV personality Olivia Pierson on a separate jet ski, looked at ease.

She slipped into a silver co-ord with a bikini top and biker-style shorts before stopping to pose up a storm for a series of selfies.

Lauren and Kim have formed a tight friendship in recent years - with the pair regularly stepping out for dinners together, along with Jeff, who is also close with Kris Jenner.

Just a few days before Lauren and Jeff's trip to Greece at the beginning of June, the former reporter put on another dazzling display as she and Jeff celebrated her eldest son's graduation from college.

They were joined by the Gonzalez family, with all participating in a graduation photoshoot together, before heading out to dinner to honor Nikko.

The proud mom shared a montage of photos and clips from the festivities in a video posted to her Instagram afterward.

Kim also joined Lauren on a jet ski, which comes as no surprise since the pair have formed a close bond in recent years

Lauren and Jeff (seen in May) have been island hopping on his luxury $500 million mega yacht Koru since the beginning of June - with Koru meaning 'new beginnings' in Maori

Lauren and Jeff have been island hopping on his luxury $500 million mega yacht Koru since the beginning of June - with Koru meaning 'new beginnings' in Maori.

Jeff's 230-foot tall yacht, which he commissioned in 2018, currently holds the record for being the world's tallest superyacht.

The Koru is the second-largest sailing ship in the world.

Lauren has been wowing fans with sultry snaps from her romantic getaway in recent days.

Last week, the award-winning journalist uploaded a saucy photo to her Instagram story; showing off her abs and impressive figure in a skimpy sea-ready getup as the pair vacations in Greece.

Taking a selfie in a full-length mirror, a tanned Lauren wore a tiny black crop with a cutout and gold beads on the straps and a crocheted mini skirt.

Lauren and Jeff appear to be enjoying their vacation; spotted at the beginning of June with her billionaire beau along a promenade on Hydra island before going for a romantic oceanfront dinner together at Sunset Restaurant.

At the beginning of June, the former reporter put on another dazzling display as she and the Amazon founder celebrated her eldest son's graduation with her ex-partner

The Koru is the second-largest sailing ship in the world with an elaborate carving of a woman

The superyacht holds a special place for the couple, with Lauren and Jeff getting engaged there in early 2023.

Lauren detailed the heartwarming moment Jeff got down on one knee while speaking to Vogue last year.

She recalled how Jeff popped the question on the $500 million superyacht after they enjoyed a romantic dinner under the stars together.

Lauren said Jeff concealed the huge diamond ring under her pillow, adding that she almost 'blacked out' when she discovered it at the end of their romantic evening.

The couple recently relocated from Seattle, Washington, to Indian Creek Island in Florida - with Jeff purchasing three mansions on the island, totaling a whopping $237 million.
Sanna Marin posed for a snap with Hillary Clinton, after both participated in the 2024 Global Women Leaders Summit at the Bellagio Center, Italy.

The former Prime Minister of Finland, 38 - who gave up politics last September to join the Tony Blair Institute - shared snaps from the event on her Instagram, where she has more than a million followers.

The jet-setting mother-of-one expressed her 'honour' to have taken part in the conference, which was chaired by the former US Secretary of State and Ambassador Melanne Verveer.

In the first photo in the gallery, Sanna - sporting a sophisticated white lace co-ord - grinned as she posed alongside Hillary, 76, who donned an elegant all-navy trouser suit.

The focus of the summit is to 'facilitate reflection and strategic discussions on persistent barriers facing women leaders worldwide and address ongoing and escalating global conflicts that disproportionately impact women and girls'.

Sanna Marin posed for a snap with Hillary Clinton , after both participated in the 2024 Global Women Leaders Summit at the Bellagio Center, Italy

Sanna also revealed that the event, which is co-organized by The Rockefeller Foundation and Georgetown Universitys Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS), this year got to hear from 'women activists and peacebuilders from Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen as well as from Israel and Palestine'.

In her caption, she expressed how the summit leaders crafted a statement and letter to the UN Secretary-General ahead of a meeting of Special Envoys and Special Representatives on Afghanistan taking place in Doha, Qatar.

'It is an outrage that Afghan women are not represented at the Doha III and we insist that Afghan women have a seat at the table,' Sanna penned.

'This is the time and moment for the UN and the international community to demonstrate unwavering commitment to Afghan women and girls that are victims of draconian abuses and gender apartheid under the Taliban rule.'

Images from the event pictured Sanna enjoying the Italian scenery and weather as well as taking part in talks and educational conferences.

Snaps and clips showed her taking in the views as she sipped on a coffee, taking glamorous selfies and grinning in group photos surrounded by political VIPs.

Sanna was the world's youngest prime minister when she took office in 2019. She lost the general election in Finland to the country's conservative party leader Petteri Orpo in April 2023.

Last May, she announced she was divorcing her husband Markus Raikkonen after 19 years together.

The former Prime Minister of Finland , 38 - who gave up politics last September to join the Tony Blair Institute - shared snaps from the event on her Instagram , where she has more than a million followers

The jet-setting mother-of-one expressed her 'honour' to have taken part in the conference, which was chaired by the former US Secretary of State and Ambassador Melanne Verveer

Snaps and clips showed her taking in the views as she sipped on a coffee, taking glamorous selfies and grinning in group photos surrounded by political VIPs

The couple, who share five-year-old daughter Emma Amalia Marin together, were rarely seen in public together in the months leading up to their divorce.

Her recent trip comes following a recent visit to New York in April.

Earlier this year, Sanna shared personal snaps of the trip to her Instagram stories, of which included a casual walk through Central Park.

The jet-setting mother-of-one took to New York just days after visiting Berlin, where she posted herself visiting a Holocaust memorial and the German Health Ministry.

This time around however she appeared to have embarked on a more social trip where she seemingly enjoyed lunches and cocktails with friends.

Taking to her stories, Sanna posted a picture of passers-by near Radio City, which she tagged 'NYC'.

The shot captured the essence of New York tourism, including its famous yellow cabs and sky-high buildings.

During her trip she also attended a 'working lunch' with friends, where she tucked in to a fish salad with leafy greens and an entree of fresh bread.

Later on the ex-Social Democrat leader and two friends filmed a selfie video while walking through New York City's sixth-largest park, Central Park.

For the trip, she donned an off white outdoor coat which she paired with black leggings and matching black accessories.

She and a pal then posed up a storm while sitting in front of a large water fountain.

Images from the event pictured Sanna enjoying the Italian scenery and weather as well as taking part in talks and educational conferences

In one clip from the trip, Sanna showed herself enjoying a walk with a coffee as she took in the scenery

Hours later Sanna posted an image of a cocktail garnished with a purple flower which she branded 'the cutest drink ever'.

Her last image for the day featured the politician and her friends dolled up as they met an old colleague for dinner at a restaurant in New York.

She donned all black for the night out, while her brunette shoulder-length hair was styled neatly with a side part.

As Finland's prime minister, Marin was one of Europe's youngest leaders, and oversaw her country's successful application to officially join NATO.

Announcing her resignation from politics, Marin told Finnish broadcaster YLE that it was 'time to move on'.

She said: 'I am eager to step into a new role. I also believe that it can benefit the whole of Finland.

'I believe that I can serve those voters [in Finland] well and maybe even better in the new assignment'.
Queen Letizia's disgraced biographer has sensationally claimed Princess Leonor 'sleeps in class' at Zaragoza military academy.

Jaime Penafiel, 92, was sacked by the Spanish publication El Mundo after 20 years in January after making a series of highly damaging claims about the Spanish Queen in his book 'Letizia & I'.

The journalist alleged that Queen Letizia had an affair with her ex-brother-in-law Jaime del Burgo and has gone to write a sequel called 'Letizia's Silences', where he claims King Felipe was 'crushed and destroyed' by his wife's reported infidelity.

Following the fallout from his books, the veteran royal reporter now has a column for the Spanish publication Okdiario.

In a column published last week, Jaime reportedly claimed that Princess Leonor - who has followed in her father's footsteps by attending Zaragoza military academy - struggles to stay awake during lessons, El Nacional reports.

Pictured: Princess Leonor arrives for a ceremony to receive the Medal of the Cortes in May 2024

The author claims one of Leonor's peers told him: 'She often falls asleep in class.'

Jaime alleges that King Felipe struggled with this when he was a similar age and sensationally claims that the royal father and daughter both suffer from narcolepsy. Neither have either publicly commented on this.

Jose Antonio Alcina, who worked for the Royal Family when Felipe was a teenager, told Jaime that the King would 'fall asleep even while standing'.

Jaime writes: 'To wake him up, the tutor would, according to his account, pull on his feet, open the bedroom window wide or call him from the Zarzuela switchboard.'

What's more, the former tutor also says he told the school that Felipe should attend lessons standing up because he would 'fall deeply asleep' even if he placed an elbow on his desk.

Femail has contacted the Spanish Royal Household for comment.

Elsewhere in the column, Jaime claims the family's hereditary dentistry problems are corrected by 'fake teeth and whitening' - but says they have to resort to 'pretending' that Felipe and Leonor do not suffer with narcolepsy.

Princess Leonor will complete three years of training at the military academy before then moving on to the General Air Academy.

Pictured: King Felipe and Queen Letizia with their daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia

Pictured: Veteran journalist Jaime Penafiel, 91, attends event in Madrid in December 2018. The author has confirmed he is no longer employed by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo

When she first arrived at the academy, Leonor completed a module to help her adapt to military life - with the Palace releasing images of the royal taking part in lessons in the classroom.

According to heraldo.es, she is staying in a cabin with as many as twelve other students and was given basic military equipment before the first training session.

During her three years at the academy, Leonor will be entitled to a salary of 417-a-month. However, the palace has said she will not claim the salary.

Rather like a boarding school, the military academy follows a strict timetable during the week. but Leonor will be free to return home at the weekends if she's not on manoeuvres.

In his latest book, Jaime Penafiel claims that King Felipe was 'aware that Letizia was cheating on him in real time' as her bodyguards have an obligation to report on her whereabouts.

Pictured: King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain's official portrait marking their 20th wedding anniversary

The author alleges that bodyguards joined Queen Letizia on a trip she took to New York in 2011 with her 'lover' Jaime del Burgo, whom she had dated before meeting Felipe.

The author wrote: 'That day [in New York], she was accompanied by her faithful escorts, who, without a doubt, any, they would pass a report to the Ministry of the Interior or [the Palace of] Zarzuela.'

Following this, Jaime claims that Felipe has been left 'crushed and destroyed' by his wife's alleged cheating.

The royal reporter - who worked for Hola! magazine for 20 years - claims that Felipe has been 'plunged into hell' by his wife's supposed 'betrayal' and 'wants to get out'.



Elsewhere in the book, Jaime labels Queen Letizia 'cold, emotionally immature and passive aggressive' and claims she is 'hated' by King Felipe's family.

In the opening chapter, the author sensationally claims that 'everything in Letizia's world has been broken' as a result of alleged 'deceit, adultery and betrayals'.

The author goes on to say Queen Letizia has a 'cold, indestructible and determined' aura about her and that the royal's silence on the recent allegations signify her 'emotional immaturity'.

Pictured: Queen Letizia of Spain when she was a Television Espanola newsreader. Jaime Penafiel alleges in his new book that Felipe fell in love with his future wife while watching her present the news

Jaime claims the royal 'resorts to silence as a way of controlling and punishing other people'.

He then goes on to claim that Letizia's 'passive aggressive' behaviour towards King Felipe is the reason her 'mother-in-law [Queen Sofia] and sisters-in-laws [Infanta Cristina and the Duchess of Lugo] hate her so much'.

In the following chapter, Jaime alleges that King Felipe fell in love with his future wife while watching her present the news.

Reports on how the royal couple got together have varied over the years - with some claiming they were introduced at dinner party while others allege they first met when Felipe visited an oil spillage site in Northern Spain.

When they began dating, Jaime claims Letizia would 'test' Felipe's feelings for her by travelling frequently.

In 2002, the future Queen flew to Santo Domingo to report on the annual Ibero-American Summit - which Jaime describes as Letizia putting Felipe's intentions 'to the test'.

Weeks later, the author claims Letizia flew to Costa Rica as a 'strategy' to secure the future King of Spain.

Following his dismissal from Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the veteran journalist has now written another book - called 'Letizia's Silences' - which begins by delving into her early romance with King Felipe

He explained: 'It was a strategy, because that absence was a real torment for the very much in love Felipe, who conceived distance as the worst of evils, coming to understand [Spanish poet] Lope de Vega when he said that "the beginning of absence is like the end of life."'

Following this, Jaime says Letizia was certain of the strength of Felipe's 'total love' for her and returned to Spain 'bossy and manipulative'.

What's more, the author claims that Felipe assured Letizia that he could 'cut short' any news outlet reporting on their romance.

During one of Felipe's visits to Letizia's Valdebernardo apartment, Jaime alleges that the journalist confided in royal about how she used to work as a cigarette stewardess while living in Mexico.

He also predicted the couple, who have maintained what the mainstream Spanish press have described as a dignified silence in the face of ongoing infidelity claims by Jaime del Burgo, would follow in the footsteps of Felipes parents Juan Carlos and Sofia.

Pictured: King Felipe and Queen Letizia attend the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in Stockholm in 2010

Spains former king is now living in exile in Abu Dhabi after corruption investigations he was caught up in left his reputation in tatters although he returns to his homeland from time to time.

Later in the book, Jaime alleges that Felipe and Letizia are living separate lives and 'just keeping up appearances in public'.

Following its publication today, Spanish publication El Nacional Cat published a review claiming that Jaime Penafiel is 'determined to end the Queen's career' and described him as 'one of Letizia's biggest enemies.

In 'Letizia & I', the Queen's former brother-in-law Jaime del Burgo makes the unlikely claim that he was planning to propose to Letizia - who was a newsreader at the time - on the night that she told him that she was dating a high-profile man in Spain.

Pictured: King Felipe and Queen Letizia and their parents on the couple's wedding day in May 2004

King Felipe's sister Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (left) and Infanta Cristina pictured attending the Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine of the Hellenes at St George's Chapel

Letizia reportedly told him that she had 'met someone who would oblige her to quit her profession', which Jaime said led him to deduce her mystery partner was Felipe.

What's more, the royal's ex-brother-in-law also made the far-fetched claim that he 'dealt' with Letizia's pre-nuptial agreement and helped to front the cost of the Queen's family's wedding outfits.

He is quoted as saying: 'When the wedding with Felipe came round, I dealt with the pre-nuptial agreement as you know, amongst other things.

'I also had to pay Letizia's family's expenses because [former King] Juan Carlos refused to pay or even go halves with me. So with the help of my friend Felipe Varela, I dressed her mum, grandmother and her sisters. And with the help of Jaime Jason, her father, grandparents and a cousin.'

Jaime also makes the incredible claim that the Queen asked to see him the night before the wedding at the exclusive El Latigazo restaurant in Madrid - where she asked him to 'never leave' her.

Pictured: Queen Letizia's ex-brother-in-law Jaime del Burgo with his ex-wife Telma when they were still married

He sensationally claimed: 'When we met, she took hold of my hand and asked me why I had never asked her to marry me. Obviously I didn't reply. I encouraged her as best I could. The last thing she said to me before we said goodbye to each other in that restaurant was a request: 'Never leave me.''

Jaime - who says the Queen nicknamed him her 'yogi pal' - claims he still had a romantic relationship with Letizia even after the wedding in 2004. He also claims he has kept 'photographs, videos, mobile phones' and text messages as evidence.

In the book, Jaime sensationally claims that Letizia whispered that she loved him when they were lying in a hammock by a pool at her home following Princess Leonor's birth.

Following this, Jaime alleges they 'took steps forward with the goal of being free' - which involved seeking legal advice and looking at properties in the US.

One of the most damaging claims Jaime reportedly makes is that Queen Letizia suggested they have a child together using a surrogate in Los Angeles.

Around this time, Jaime claims that he confronted Letizia after photos of her kissing Felipe appeared on the covers of Spanish magazines.

He claims the Queen told him: 'I had to do it to protect us.'

He says in the book Jaime del Burgo told him Felipe and Letizia had a 'difficult relationship' and told him: 'Felipe uses me as a good man because he felt incapable of calming her down.'

After Letizia allegedly ended the 'relationship' in August 2011, Jaime claims that a female friend told him to get in touch with the Queen's sister Telma.

The following year, the pair got engaged after just two months of dating. However, the couple divorced 2014 following two years of marriage.
The Palace of Monaco's social media account has released a sweet snap of Princess Charlene and Prince Albert to mark their 13th wedding anniversary.

Charlene, 46, and Albert, 66, tied the knot on 1 July, 2011, in a religious ceremony at the Prince's Palace among other royal guests such as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Naomi Campbell.

In the new snap, the couple look over the palace balcony with their two children standing in front of them.

Charlene opted for a soft grey jumper with a V-cut at the back and Prince Albert donned a navy suit with a crisp white shirt in the picture.

The caption simply said: 'Happy wedding anniversary to Their Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.'

Today, the couple's official Instagram account shared an image of Prince Albert lovingly putting his hand on his wife's back to mark their wedding anniversary

Many may remember when the Princess shed tears in front of a global audience of millions, leading to questions about her wellbeing

Charlene and Prince Albert beam as they walk arm in arm after the religious ceremony at their 2011 wedding

The post racked up thousands of likes, with people congratulating the couple on reaching another milestone.

One wrote: 'The union of two people is precious, take time to look back on all the sweet moments together.'

Another penned: 'Happy wedding anniversary to Princess Charlene and Prince Albert.'

A third said: 'I came especially from Corsica, it was a lovely day.'

A fourth commented: 'Congratulations and many happy years to come.'

When the couple met, few expected romance to blossom - Charlene was after all a sports-mad Olympian 20 years his junior.

Yet the couple fell in love and made their first public appearance at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Today, the couple's official Instagram account shared an image of Prince Albert lovingly putting his hand on his wife's back as they look over crowds of royal fans from their balcony alongside their nine-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

To marry into the family, Charlene was required to learn French and Monegasque and she had to convert to Catholicism. The couple then became engaged in June 2010.

The similarities between their love story and that of his father, Prince Rainier III, and his Hollywood actress mother Grace Kelly did not go unnoticed.

French journalist Philippe Delorme went as far as to tell the Daily Mail in 2011: 'If the Princess Grace story was a movie, then Princess Charlene is the remake.'

When they tied the knot, she walked down the aisle in a bespoke Armani dress that had taken the Italian atelier an astonishing 2,500 hours to create.

However, as she exchanged vows with the principality's ruler, she looked anything but the happy bride.

The post racked up thousands of likes, with people congratulating the couple on reaching another milestone

Many may remember when the Princess shed tears in front of a global audience of millions, leading to questions about her wellbeing.

Rumours swirled around days before the big day that Charlene had tried to flee the country on three occasions with a one-way ticket to Johannesburg.

A Parisian news magazine claimed Charlene had been stopped at Nice airport clutching a one-way ticket to South Africa the week before her wedding day after allegedly learning a 'distressing' revelation about her future husband's private life.

A senior Monaco detective told MailOnline at the time: 'Charlene had her passport confiscated so that the Prince's entourage could persuade her to stay.'

But she denied that the tears at her wedding were of sadness and instead insisted that she was simply emotional because she was overjoyed at the ceremony.

In a rare interview, the South African former swimmer revealed in July 2013 that they were tears of happiness and has described the speculation as 'categorical lies'.

'Everything was just so overwhelming and there were all the mixed emotions because of the rumours, and obviously the tension built up and I burst into tears [immediately after the ceremony],' she said.

It was the celebrity event of the summer in 2011 when Albert II of Monaco married Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock

Charlene sparked rumours when she was seen crying on her wedding day. She later said: 'There were all the mixed emotions because of the rumours and obviously the tension built up and I burst into tears'

'And then I burst into tears some more because I was thinking 'Oh no, now the whole world has seen me cry''.'

Three years later, Charlene gave birth to twins Jacques and Gabriella, who were the first legitimate heirs to the throne after Albert's children out of wedlock.

In 2021, the princess took a prolonged medical hiatus in South Africa which saw her spend most of the year away from her husband and children.

She missed both the seventh birthday of her twins and her tenth wedding anniversary.

In April 2022 the couple were seen together for the first time in more than 12 months. Charlene then returned to full-time public duty in May of that year.
You may not be kissin' cousins - but if you're often told you have a familiar look, you could have 'cousin face.'

TikTok creator Evie Barenberg explained the term after being introduced to it by a mutual friend at a party.

After meeting the woman through a friend of a friend, Evie told her she looked familiar, promptly asking if they had met before.

They hadn't - but the woman introduced Evie to a term to describe what she had experienced.

'She goes, "Oh that's just because I have cousin face,"' Evie elaborated in her video.

TikTok creator Evie Barenberg (pictured) was being introduced to a mutual friend at a party recently and thought she looked familiar, promptly asking if they had met before

'I was like, "What the f*** is cousin face?" And she goes, "Everyone's always like, you look like my cousin. you look like my cousin's cousin." I look like everyone's cousin,' she shared.

Evie then noted the two of them looked 'very similar' - meaning she herself may also have the same affliction.

'I have cousin face,' she concluded the short video.

Viewers were astonished by the term - although many agreed that Evie did indeed have cousin face.

'I don't even have a cousin and you look like my cousin,' one person declared.

'I have good news! When you have cousin face in your 20s, eventually it becomes "generic actress face" around your 40s. Random people stop me in stores to tell me I look like different actresses,' another chimed in.

'Is that why people always tell me I look familiar????' someone else questioned.

'Oh hi it's me I have this face,' a fourth added. '"You look familiar" is a normal response to meeting me.'

The friend-of-a-friend told her she had 'cousin face,' meaning she always looks like someone's cousin

Users were gob smacked by the term - although many agreed that Evie did indeed, have cousin face

The topic was even discussed on The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show in Dallas, Texas, with host Ana Szabo.

Ana described the term to their listeners, saying it's when someone who looks vaguely familiar - but you can't pinpoint why.

'It's basically when you see someone and you're like, "I think I know them from something,"' she explained on the show.

'Or like "Maybe they're a friend of a friend or we've met before," but you're not entirely sure.

'Somebody who looks I don't want to say bland, but like someone you've met before.'

The face of familiarity has long been researched by scientists, with Caltech biologists, Le Chang and Doris Y. Tsao, discovering there is, in fact, a code for how faces are recognized - and some are more recognizable than others.

In a 2017 article in Cell, the Caltech team found the brain's face cells respond to the dimensions and features of a face, which could explain why certain people instantly look familiar to others.

The New York Times reported that the tuning of each face cell is a 'combination of facial dimensions, a holistic system that explains why when someone shaves off his mustache, his friends may not notice for a while.'

They continued the Caltech team reported that some '50 such dimensions are required to identify a face.'

'These dimensions create a mental "face space" in which an infinite number of faces can be recognized,' the article read. 'There is probably an average face, or something like it, at the origin, and the brain measures the deviation from this base.'

In 2018, Isabelle Boutet, a University of Ottawa psychology professor, explained as you got older, you're more likely to think you recognized people.

'Older adults mistake strangers as familiar because they have so many faces stored in their memories,' she explained.
Princess Beatrice enjoyed an exhibit this evening - as she was shown around by an excitable street artist known as Mr Brainwash.

The royal, 35, attended the creative's presentation by Clarendon Fine Art and Jack Barclay Bentley in Mayfair, London on Monday evening.

She couldn't contain her laughter as the French artist, who is largely based in Los Angeles, enthusiastically posed along with her for photos.

Images also showed Mr Brainwash - whose real name is Thierry Guetta - in deep conversation Beatrice and other attendees.

Thierry is known for his colourful street art, and has worked with celebrities including Madonna, Rick Ross, and KYGO - alongside other powerful brands.

Princess Beatrice enjoyed an exhibit this evening - as she was shown around by an excitable street artist known as Mr Brainwash

He and Beatrice appeared to enjoy a spirited conversation as they examined a white car doused in colourful splatters, paintings of cars and more pensive portraits, including one of a woman in a cafe. Another painting showed the royal's uncle - King Charles III - behind the wheel of a silver Bentley.

The princess donned an elegant floral dress for the event, which featured white, green and lilac designs.

She accessorised her ensemble with beige pumps, and styled her honey blonde tresses down in relaxed waves.

Beatrice opted for a glamorous make-up look with dark eyeshadow and a dusky pink lipstick.

It's a busy start to the week for the royal, who appeared to be having the time of her life as she watched Kings of Leon perform in Hyde Park last night.

She was filmed singing along to the band's 2008 hit 'Use Somebody' with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, at British Summer Time festival.

For the occasion, Prince Andrew's eldest daughter - who was spotted at Glastonbury festival earlier in the day - wore a plain navy jumper and light black jacket.

The mother-of-one - who sported an elegant half-up, half-down hairstyle - was also seen wearing a tan-toned crossbody bag and navy silk midi skirt.

Images also showed Mr Brainwash - whose real name is Thierry Guetta - seemingly in deep conversation with Beatrice and other attendees

Mr Brainwash pictured attending the presentation of Mr. Brainwash by Clarendon Fine Art and Jack Barclay Bentley at Jack Barclay Bentley. Pictured, a painting of King Charles III behind a silver Bentley

The royal, 35, attended the creative's presentation by Clarendon Fine Art and Jack Barclay Bentley in Mayfair. She couldn't contain her laughter as the French artist, who is largely based in Los Angeles, enthusiastically posed along with her for photos

Thierry is known for his colourful street art, and has worked with celebrities including Madonna, Rick Ross, and KYGO - alongside other powerful brands

He and Beatrice appeared to enjoy a spirited conversation as they examined a white car doused in colourful splatters, paintings of cars and more pensive portraits, including one of a woman in a cafe

Meanwhile, Edoardo cut a casual figure in a white t-shirt, jeans, navy blazer and green cap.

When the band began playing one of their most popular singles, Beatrice and Edo were seen standing at the front of a VIP box with friends.

At the beginning, the couple - who are about to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary - were seen swaying along to the song.

As it progressed to the chorus, the couple's friend Carrie Scott - who is a London-based art curator - put either hand on her husband and Edoardo's shoulders.

Princess Beatrice was then seen throwing her arms up in the air while Edoardo clapped his hands next to her.

The princess donned an elegant floral dress for the event, which featured white, green and lilac designs

She accessorised her ensemble with beige pumps, and styled her honey blonde tresses down in relaxed waves

Princess Beatrice opted for a glamorous make-up look with dark eyeshadow and a dusky pink lipstick

It's a busy start to the week for the royal, who appeared to be having the time of her life as she watched Kings of Leon perform in Hyde Park last night

Beatrice looked to be in deep conversation as she and Mr Brainwash took in the artworks around them

The princess appeared to be in high spirits as Mr Brainwash excitedly took her around the exhibit

Mr Brainwash, whose work is known around the world, showed attendees around the artworks this evening

Beatrice was effortlessly elegant in a summery frock, opting for a glamorous evening make-up look

She kept her hair down in a relaxed style, and opted for minimal jewellery to accessorise the ensemble

Beatrice was all smiles as she enjoyed looking around the art exhibit at Jack Barclay Bentley tonight

Earlier in the evening, the couple shared a sweet moment from the balcony of the VIP box.

Edoardo was pictured putting a loving arm around his wife, who nestled into his chest.

Later, the devoted husband was also seen hugging his wife from behind as she looked out over the crowds of 65,000 music fans.

That afternoon, Beatrice and Edoardo were seen tucking into burgers at Worthy Farm in Glastonbury - where SZA and Shania Twain took to the stage.

The artist posed on the painted over car, as excited attendees took in the colourful exhibit this evening

The artist appeared to be in extremely high spirits as he posed in front of a series of artworks this evening

The Princess was dressed in a pink hoody while Edo cut a casual figure in a denim shirt and a green cap.

It comes after the royal was spotted at the Soho House bar on Friday evening, where she reportedly sipped on picantes 'until midnight'.

The royal mother to Sienna and stepmother to Wolfie cut a subtle figure in an all-black outfit as she was spotted on site last night.

The Mirror reports the Princess of York, 36, was drinking picante cocktails until around midnight before calling it a night.
Growing numbers of patients are paying for treatment abroad rather than enduring lengthy NHS waiting times, according to medical tourism leaders.

Overseas clinics are reporting increases in Britons travelling for 'more affordable' private treatments including hip and knee replacements, varicose vein removal and dental procedures.

Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows the number of self-funded hip replacements has increased by almost 200 per cent since 2019.

At the inaugural London Health Tourism Expo at the weekend, hospital bosses at Turkey's leading private healthcare providers were confident of signing up more patients willing to travel for cut-price care.

Dr Aydin Arslan, an orthopaedic surgeon who works at two hospitals in Turkey, said he had seen an increase in the number of British patients flying over for surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Overseas clinics are reporting increases in Britons travelling for 'more affordable' private treatments including hip and knee replacements

Dr Arslan said: 'The NHS system is very slow and they are in pain and discomfort. They are wanting knee and hip replacements but we also have a lot coming for other non-surgical options, such as stem-cell treatments for osteoarthritis.'

Patients typically undergo an online consultation before agreeing a treatment plan with operators, which often includes flights, transfers and hotel stays.

These can be anywhere up to a month long for the more complicated orthopaedics.

Treatment prices vary  it costs an average of 11,000 for a hip replacement or less than 14,000 for both knees, the equivalent of one done privately in the UK.

Zoe Chivers, director of services and influencing at Versus Arthritis, said it was 'completely unacceptable' that patients were having to choose between long waits or paying for surgery.

She said: 'We hear from people every day who tell us that paying for hip and knee replacement surgery is their only hope.'

But Naveen Cavale, an NHS plastic surgeon and founder of Real Plastic Surgery, warned people against going for what appears the cheaper option.

He said: 'I've definitely seen patients who travelled abroad for surgery due to NHS waiting lists.

'Medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular, but unfortunately, the NHS is often left to rectify poor work and substandard care provided abroad. This puts undue pressure on our healthcare system.

'While there are skilled surgeons in Turkey, there are also many who do not meet the high standards we uphold in the UK.'

He added: 'Patients may be tempted by the lower costs, but they need to be aware of the risks  quality and safety should never be compromised, and it's crucial to thoroughly research and verify the credentials of any overseas clinic or surgeon.'

Dr Bessam Farjo, a Harley Street hair restoration surgeon, said he spent a quarter of his time addressing issues arising from poorly executed hair transplants in Turkey and elsewhere.

He said: 'The initial low cost can lead to higher long-term expenses and complications when the work needs to be redone.

'Patients come to me with hopes of fixing their previous surgeries, often facing more complex procedures than if they had sought proper treatment initially.'

It comes days after the British Medical Association said more Britons were dying or requiring emergency care in the UK after jetting abroad for cut-price obesity surgery.

Delegates at a BMA meeting in Belfast backed a motion 'expressing concern' about the 'boom' in surgical tourism.

'Agonising' death after gastric band op

Shannon Bowe suffered an 'agonising, horrific death' after botched gastric band surgery in Turkey, MPs were told earlier this year.

The 28-year-old from Falkirk was left 'convulsing' for nine hours before she died after the operation went wrong, her MP John McNally said.

Ms Bowe had travelled to Turkey in March 2023 to have the procedure. She died on April 1.

Shannon Bowe suffered an 'agonising, horrific death' after botched gastric band surgery in Turkey. Pictured with Ross Stirling

In an emotional tribute, her partner Ross Stirling said: 'Sleep tight, my angel, love you for ever and always.'

A source close to Ms Bowe said at the time that she had no insurance. They added: 'It is so sad. These operations obviously are risky, but it is so rare you hear of this happening. Everyone is finding it really hard to believe she is no longer with us.

'She did not have any travel insurance and her family are now going to have to pay thousands of pounds to bring her back home.'

The surgery involves placing a band around the upper portion of the stomach to curb food consumption.

The NHS website describes a list of potential side effects including blood clots and gall stones. It says one in 100 patients suffer problems after gastric band surgery, while deaths occur in roughly one in 1,000 procedures.
Patients are being left to die alone in hospital amid 'dangerous' nursing shortages, a new report reveals.

Research carried out by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) suggests that just one third of shifts have enough nurses on duty.

Shortages mean staff often end up caring for dozens of patients at a time, with experts calling for safety-critical limits on the number of patients a single nurse can be responsible for.

A survey of more than 11,000 nursing staff found many were demoralised from being unable to keep patients safe, the RCN said.

In hospitals and community settings, just a third said their shift had the planned number of registered nurses on it.

Patients are being left to die alone in hospital amid 'dangerous' nursing shortages, a new report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reveals

RCN acting general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said nurses are 'fighting a losing battle to keep patients safe'

And significant numbers of A&E and outpatient nurses reported having more than 51 patients to care for.

A nurse working in the community in south-west England said: 'We have days when we have 60 visits unallocated because we don't have enough staff.

'We are always rushing.'

Another in the south of England said: 'We leave over 50 patients requiring care unseen on a daily basis due to poor staffing levels.

'This leads to increases in hospital admissions and death. It is left to us to decide who gets seen and who gets missed, which is heartbreaking.'

In a hospital in the West Midlands, one nurse said: 'I have not been able to sit with patients who are dying, meaning they have been left to die alone.

'I have not had the time to make sure patients are fed properly and have adequate drinks.'

And a midwife in a hospital in Yorkshire said: 'Completely unsafe care due to unacceptable staffing levels.'

RCN acting general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said nurses are 'fighting a losing battle to keep patients safe' and described staffing levels as 'dangerous to patients and demoralising for nursing staff'.

She added: 'We desperately need urgent investment in the nursing workforce but also to see safety-critical nurse-patient ratios enshrined in law.

'That is how we improve care and stop patients coming to harm.'
A widow has revealed how her husband's brain tumours turned him from a 'warm and loving' husband and 'doting dad' to a violent abuser.

Michele Kenber, 58, says Dave Kenber, 54, changed dramatically, but there was little clue as to why, until his shocking diagnosis.

Scans revealed three cancerous lumps growing on his left frontal lobe  part of the brain which plays a key role in social skills, self-control and behaviour.

It came after years of heartache for corporate financier Ms Kenber  who watched the stepfather of her son turn into a paranoid and jealous man who she eventually had to evict.

Mr Kenber, financial executive, from Sandton, South Africa, put a tracker on her car, spyware on her computer, and would snap at their kids  once even pointing a pellet gun at Ms Kenber's face, she revealed.

Michele Kenber, 58, says Dave Kenber, 54, changed dramatically, but she only realised why when doctors found three brain tumours on his left frontal lobe

Mr Kenber took on Ms Kenber's son (pictured) from a previous marriage and 'just totally adored him'

When the tumours were removed, he instantly reverted back to his 'loving self' and Ms kenber cared for him during his final months.

Mr Kenber failed to get a mark on his arm, which turned out to be skin cancer, checked out in 2013.

'Like all men he hated going to the doctors,' Ms Kenber said.

'He was always in the sun but never wore sunblock.'

Eventually Mr Kenber booked an appointment and was referred for a biopsy, but it was cancelled at the last minute and he never re-booked.

The growth disappeared but a year later Ms Kenber says she 'started noticing his personality changing'.

Mr Kenber, financial executive, from Sandton, South Africa , put a tracker on her car, spyware on her computer, and would snap at their kids - once even pointing a pellet gun at Ms Kenber's face

In the space of around 12 months, in 2014, he went from being the life and soul of the party to a 'mean and jealous person,' Ms Kenber said

Mr Kenber failed to get a mark on his arm, which turned out to be skin cancer, checked out in 2013

Eventually Mr Kenber booked an appointment and was referred for a biopsy, but it was cancelled at the last minute and he never re-booked

In the space of around 12 months, in 2014, he went from being the life and soul of the party to a 'mean and jealous person,' she said.

She explained he took on her son from a pervious marriage and 'just totally adored him', but everything changed.

'We were happy, we both had successful careers, our boys were thriving, our lives were social and fun, but then I started to notice changes in his personality,' she said.

'There was never jealousy in our marriage, and suddenly he started to become very paranoid about things and saying things like "why are you wearing that".

'He also started getting agitated with the kids really quickly. It deteriorated to the point where it became a nightmare to live with him.'

He even ended up putting computer spyware on all of Ms Kenber's devices and put a tracker on her car.

'I became suspicious when he would say things like "what were you doing at lunchtime today?", Ms Kenber said.

One night she awoke to find Mr Kenber pointing a pellet gun at her face.

She began having frequent contact with police in Sandton after continuous domestic violence incidents, she said.

Ms Kenber said: 'The anguish that brought about was horrible - having kids with the legal process of that was traumatising.

'I went to Sandton police station to open a case and just thought "how did this happen to me?

In October 2016, Mr Kenber suddenly collapsed while he was at work, and he was rushed to hospital, during which time he had had two seizures

A scan revealed he had three advanced brain tumours on his left frontal lobe  the area of the brain which affects logic

Brain tumours can cause personality changes including a lack of motivation, irritability and even aggression, The Brain Tumour Charity explains

In late 2015, Ms Kenber had him evicted from the house and got a restraining order.

But in October 2016, Mr Kenber suddenly collapsed while he was at work, and he was rushed to hospital, during which time he had had two seizures.

A scan revealed he had three advanced brain tumours.

The Brain Tumour Charity explains that one in three people could experience personality changes caused by a brain tumour or its treatment.

Other common symptoms of brain tumours include headaches, seizures, nausea, weakness in a part of your body and vison or speech problems, the NHS says.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and more than 5,300 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year.

He was immediately given intensive radiotherapy. Mr Kenber was also given steroids to reduce the swelling, and once they removed some of the tumour, Ms Kenber was amazed to see her old husband come back

Ms Kenber moved him back into her house where he stayed for his final four months, before he died on January 26, 2017

Ms Kenber has since retired from corporate sales and now volunteers for a domestic violence charity

Ms Kenber said: 'The tumours had all come from a melanoma from the original growth on his arm I spotted all those years ago.

'By time he collapsed, the big ones had been growing for a good few years.'

He was immediately given intensive radiotherapy.

'The brain surgeon asked me if I noticed any changes in personality in his personality. I just told him "you dont want to know!",' she said.

Mr Kenber was also given steroids to reduce the swelling, and once they removed some of the tumour, Ms Kenber was amazed to see her old husband come back.

'I literally saw the change in real time,' she said.

'He was totally back to his old self.'

Ms Kenber moved him back into her house where he stayed for his final four months, before he died on January 26, 2017.

'We had four amazing months where everything of the previous years was almost wiped away,' she said.

'He totally reverted back - it was amazing. That time I was extremely grateful for,' she added.

Now, Ms Kenber is urging people to be 'more vigilant and get themselves checked'.

'I just wish people, especially men, would be more vigilant and get themselves checked,' she said.

Ms Kenber has since retired from corporate sales and now volunteers for a domestic violence charity.

She said: 'My experience though horrible really opened my eyes to what people go through, its never as simple as just getting up and leaving.

'I urge anyone who notices a growth or something unusual on their skin to get it checked out immediately, you never know what could happen.'
Identical Chinese twins separated at birth by the nation's draconian one-child policy grew up to have almost identical IQs, a fascinating study reveals.

The research, led by Dr Nancy Segal an expert in psychology from the University of California, considered one of the world's leading experts on twins, examined the intelligence scores of 15 pairs of identical twins adopted by different families.

Fourteen pairs of twins were female due to Chinese culture traditionally favouring male children, a bias which led to female children, including twins, being abandoned by parents during China's one-child policy which ran from 1980 to 2016.

These genetically identical twins were separated and raised in different environments  and sometimes even in different countries.

This provided scientists with the rare opportunity to test if nature or nurture was the most important factor for IQ.

Research, led by Dr Nancy Segal an expert in psychology from the University of California and considered one of the world's leading experts on twins, examined the IQs of 15 pairs of identical twins adopted by different families

Dr Segal is considered a leading authority on twins and has found separated twins growing up in totally different families, sometimes even totally different cultures can have remarkable similarities. Here Dr Segal (centre) is pictured with Ann Hunt and Elizabeth Hamel

The twins underwent IQ tests twice, once when they were, on average, 11-years-old and then again, after some years had passed, when they had an average age of 14.

Comparing the results between the twin pairs over time the researchers discovered their scores were nearly identical.

Publishing their results in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, the authors wrote: 'Despite their different homes, educational experiences, and (in some cases) residences in different countries, the twins appear to have interacted with their environments in ways that aligned with their genetic propensities.

'This supports the notion that environments do not act randomly in fashioning developmental outcomes  rather, individuals behave selectively and actively with respect to the people, places and events that engage and challenge them.'

Dr Segal said that the older twins got the more their IQ scores seemed to align in the long term.

'As genetic factors kick in, the environment drops out. So they become more alike with time,' she told The Times.

She based this finding off another aspect of the study which examined data from nine pairs of Danish identical twins who underwent similar IQ tests as adults.

While the data on this group of twins was more limited that the Chinese cohort, it similarly showed that twin pairs tended to match each other for changes in IQ between the two tests.

Concluding their study the authors said the results suggest that 'twins can be expected to achieve similar results on school tests, whereas unrelated siblings can be expected to achieve different outcomes.'

They continued: 'Knowing this will help parents and educators tailor their treatment, resource provision, and expectations of different children within families.

WHY IS A MEASURE OF MENTAL ABILITY IQ stands for intelligence quotient and it is used to measure mental ability. The score is achieved by dividing a person's mental age, obtained with an intelligence test, by their age. Test questions focus on abilities such as mathematical skills, memory, spatial perception, and language abilities. The resulting fraction is then multiplied by 100 to obtain an IQ score. An IQ of 100 has long been considered the median, or most often achieved, score. Because of the way the test results are scaled, a person with an IQ of 60 is not necessarily half as intelligent as someone with an IQ of 120. Although the accuracy of intelligence tests is somewhat disputed, they are still widely used. To be accepted into Mensa, the 'high-IQ society', a person by score in the top two per cent of the general population. This currently means having an IQ of at least 132. Famous people's IQ scores: Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking - 160 Donald Trump - 156 Emma Watson - 138 Arnold Schwarzenegger - 135 Nicole Kidman - 132 Advertisement

'In doing so, they may avoid the frustration that may come from encouraging and/or expecting outcomes and goals that may be outside the child's inclinations.'

Dr Segal and the other authors acknowledged an obvious limitation of their study is the overall small number of participants, a somewhat unavoidable factor given the rarity of identical twins being separated at birth.

As such they say the results should be interpreted with caution.

Dr Segal added: 'Should parents and educators throw their hands up in despair?

'Absolutely not. Everybody can become smarter. But were not going to all be the same.'

While the latest study suggested separated twins has similar IQs some case examples have shown the opposite.

Dr Segal has previously reported the remarkable case of two identical Korean twins separated in 1976, one raised in South Korea the other in the US after they went missing.

Tracked down 40 years later, they showed remarkably similar personality traits but differed when it came to IQ with the American twin 16 points behind her genetically identical sibling.

It bears mentioning the American twin had suffered three concussions in life that her South Korean counterpart hadn't, and this may have influenced the results.

Measuring IQ and equating it to 'intelligence' in real life has proved controversial.

For example, some experts highlight that people can score highly on IQ tests which measure logic, abstract reasoning, learning ability and memory, but struggle to apply these day to day.

Identical twins are those born from the same fertilized eggs which then splits into two genetical identical embryos.

They differ from non-identical twins which happen when two separate eggs are released and then fertilised at the same time.

Identical twins have been linked to various have been linked to various shared behaviours before.

Some studies have found twins are likely to share nail biting habits, and reports have emerged that some twins share cancer symptoms even if only one of them is suffering the disease.

Perhaps the most starting twin stories come from pairs who were separated at birth but share remarkedly similar lives.

Some studies have found twins are likely to share nail biting habits, and reports have emerged that some twins share cancer symptoms even if only one of them is suffering the disease. Picture posed by models.

One of the most famous examples of this are the 'Jim twins' Jim Lewis and Jim Springer who were separated at birth.

Dr Segal, who has written about their case, said that despite being raised in different environments the pair both suffered tension headaches, bit their fingernails, smoked the same cigarette brand, both enjoyed woodworking, and even vacationed on the same Florida beach.

The leading expert on twins also worked with another pair separated at birth Ann Hunt and Elizabeth Hamel who were only reunited at the age of 78.

Ann from Aldershot, Hampshire, didnt even know she had a sibling until her daughter Samantha Stacey discovered Elizabeth while tracing their family tree.

Whereas Elizabeth always knew she had a twin but had given up hope of ever finding her, and had moved to Portland, Oregon, USA.

They have earned a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records as the longest time apart for reunited twins after their emotional reunion in Los Angeles, California.

The girls were born out of wedlock in 1936 in Aldershot and their mother Alice Patience Lamb couldnt cope and both were to be adopted.

But domestic servant Alice couldnt find anyone to adopt Elizabeth, because she had a curvature of the spine so only gave Ann up.

When the pair finally made contact, they both learned they had married men named Jim.

Dr Segal who funded their trip to be reunited said at the time: 'Fascinating work on separated twins shows that here are twins growing up in totally different families, sometimes even totally different cultures, and yet they bring with them similar types of attitudes - in politics, religion, social behaviour.

'Where do these things come from? Its difficult to know exactly but it seems that their genes linked to intelligence, personality and temperament just lead them to have similar types of world views.'
Young patients with debilitating Parkinson's disease have revealed their surprising symptoms of the world's fastest growing neurlogical condition.

Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological condition, has long been thought of as an 'old person's' disease, as it's typically diagnosed in patients over the age of 60.

However, in as many as one in five cases, adults under age 50 are struck with tremors, balance issues, and stiff muscles.

One of the most famous examples is actor Michael J Fox, who was diagnosed with the condition at just 29 years old and hid the battle from the public for seven years.

Now, following Fox's, 62, electric performance with Coldplay's Chris Martin at the Glastonbury Festival in England this weekend, other patients with young-onset Parkinson's disease have shed light on their own battles.

Michael J Fox, 62, surprised audiences when he performed with Coldplay's Chris Martin at the Glastonbury Festival last weekend

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 29 and has long been the face of the early-onset form of the condition

Amber Hesford of Texas thought her trembling hands were just from drinking too much coffee.

However, after her father urged her to see a doctor, the physician 'immediately said that there was something wrong,' she shared in a TikTok video.

Ms Hesford, now 41, was referred to several neurologists, who mistook the shaking for stress, especially as Ms Hesford was newly divorced and raising two small children.

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It would take several years before she was finally diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease at age 35 in 2018.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the impairment and death of nerve cells that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates body movements.

Without dopamine, patients have balance issues, tremors throughout the body, stiff limbs, and slow movement.

According to the Parkinson's Foundation, roughly 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every year, and 10 to 20 percent are under age 50.

Experts are still unsure what causes Parkinson's disease, though evidence suggests that genetic factors and environmental triggers like exposure to strong chemicals and pesticides could be to blame.

In younger patients, a family history of the disease may play a role, according to the Michael J Fox Foundation.

Ms Hesford is still able to work full time and raise her now teenage sons. In 2021, she underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgery in which doctors implant a pacemaker-like device into the brain to correct impaired electrical signals.

Amber Hesford of Texas was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2018 at age 35. She initially mistook her tremors for a side effect of drinking too much coffee

The mother-of-two underwent deep brain stimulation in 2021 and is now focusing on raising awareness on social media

Parkinson's itself is not a fatal disease, though it can put the body under significant stress and lead to complications like swallowing difficulty, cognitive decline, and infections.

Mike Michaud of Connecticut was just 42 years old in 2018 when he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease.

Months earlier, Mr Michaud had noticed stiffness and rigidity in his right arm and hand. The software engineer was also having trouble typing, a critical part of his job.

Doctors at first attributed the symptoms to a nerve issue or carpal tunnel syndrome, discomfort from a pinched nerve in the wrist.

However, a neurologist suspected Parkinson's. 'She told me she was going to prescribe me medication, and if it helped me, it was likely that I did have Parkinson's,' Mr Michaud, now 48, said in a TikTok video.

The drugs, Carbidopa and Levodopa, eased his symptoms. 'I remember going back to work and being completely devastated,' he said.

'I remember calling my wife from the car in the parking lot in tears, just wondering what my future held at that point.'

The diagnosis was confirmed with a DaTscan, which involves doctors injecting a radioactive tracer into the blood to measure dopamine signals.

According to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Parkinson's patients typically have smaller signals in a part of the brain called the striatum, where the ends of the dopamine neurons are meant to be.

'For the first couple of years, my Parkinson's was merely an inconvenience,' Mr Michaud said. 'As long as I took my medication on time, I could live my life pretty normally.'

However, in the last few years, Mr Michaud's condition has declined, and his medication has become less effective. Earlier this year, he underwent DBS.

Mike Michaud of Connecticut was just 42 years old in 2018 when he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease. Months earlier, Mr Michaud had noticed stiffness and rigidity in his right arm and hand

Barbara, who is now in her late 60s, was diagnosed with Parkinson's 24 years ago. Doctors initially told her she was 'much too young'

When Barbara was 40, she noticed tremors in her right leg. 'I thought that was very odd,' Barbara, now in her late 60s, said in a TikTok video.

Soon after, she developed sleep issues and restless leg. However, doctors assured her that these symptoms were nothing to worry about.

Four years later, Barbara's handwriting started shrinking and becoming illegible. As the physician referred her to a neurologist, he said, 'You're much too young to get Parkinson's disease.'

In April 2000, at age 44, Barbara was diagnosed with Parkinson's.

'That day totally changed everything for me. Life as I knew it totally changed. All the things that I dreamed about and built for seemed totally unattainable.'

A TikTok user who goes by TheKiltedDad also shared that he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease earlier this year.

'I mentioned, "Man, I'm having such a hard time sleeping," and my wife mentions, "It's not just a hard time sleeping. He's yelling in his sleep, he's kicking in his sleep, he's punching in his sleep, he's jumping out of the bed,"' he shared on TikTok.

TheKiltedDad is taking medication and was able to dance with his daughter at her recent wedding. He is now focused on raising awareness as he copes with the new diagnosis.

'If you have a loved one and they are yelling, screaming, kicking in their sleep, they're obviously not resting, they're talking a lot, make sure you mention it to your doctors because it could be a sign of something else,' he said.
The rate of child deaths in the United States is climbing and America has the highest rate of youth mortality in the world.

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University examined CDC mortality data for the US and data from the Human Mortality Database (HMD) of 16 'comparison countries' between 1999 to 2019 - and 2020 to 2022 where available.

They included deaths of children from younger than one years old to 19 years old.

The study found between 1999 and 2019 there was an excess of 413,950 deaths in the US of kids aged zero to 19 years old - an average of 19,710 deaths per year and the highest among the countries included.

And deaths among 10- to 19-year-olds rose nearly 10 percent from 2009 to 2019.

Researchers attributed America's higher death rates to easier access to guns and the rise in the use of illicit drugs like opioids.

The above shows the youth mortality rate for 10- to 14-year-olds in the US (orange line) compared to 16 countries (gray lines) and the average of those countries (dark blue line)

The above shows the youth mortality rate for 15- to 19-year-olds in the US (orange line) compared to 16 countries (gray lines) and the average of those countries (dark blue line)

The researchers also concluded that each year during the study period, nearly 20,000 excess youth deaths would not have occurred if the US experienced the average death rate of the 16 comparison countries.

More than half of these excess deaths involved infants, reflecting the disproportionately high US infant mortality rates.

Excess deaths were calculated by multiplying the difference between US mortality rates and the average mortality rate of the comparison countries by US population.

The comparison countries included: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The majority of the excess deaths were among infants - 57 percent.

Separate figures from the National Center for Health Statistics showed America's infant mortality rose in 2022 for the first time in more than two decades. In 2021, there were 19,930 infant deaths and in 2022 there were 20,540.

Overall, the all-cause infant mortality rate rose from 5.44 infant deaths per 1,000 births to 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 births  the first year-over-year increase in the rate since 2001 to 2002.

Following infants, the 2024 study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found 15- to 19-year-olds accounted for 26 percent of excess deaths.

The graph shows how each country of the G7, an informal grouping of seven of the world's advanced economies, fared in international life expectancy rankings each year from 1950 to 2020. The US plummeted from 13th place to 53rd place

Those in the age groups one to four, five to nine and 10 to 14 made up smaller percentages - ranging from four percent to 7.5 percent.

The age group that saw the largest increase from 2009 to 2019 was kids between 10 years old and 19 years old - rising from 27.5 percent to 36 percent.

And males accounted for the majority of excess deaths at 61 percent.

Boys experienced higher rates of deadly injuries and suicides, homicides and fatal drug overdoses were also top contributors to overall excess deaths. Researchers attributed this to easier access to guns and rise in the use of opioids.

While the researchers did not specify death rates for each country, the overall trend among the comparable nations has been on the decline since 1999. While it was also on the decline in the US, around 2009 the death rate for 10-to 14-year-olds began increasing.

And the rate for kids aged 15 to 19 began increasing around 2013.

According to the Children's Hospital Association, between 2016 and 2022, children's hospitals in the US saw a 166 percent increase in visits for suicide attempts and self-injury among children five to 18 years old.

Nearly 2million adolescents attempt suicide each year and among child deaths, approximately 25 percent are by suicide, making it the second leading cause of death for children.

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CDC data shows youth suicide increased 62 percent from 2007 to 2021.

Experts attribute the rise to mental health struggles as half of US adolescents have reported suffering from a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders, according to the Office of Population Affairs.

Concerning guns, firearm deaths in the US have increased and America has the highest rate of child and teen gun mortality.

From 2012 to 2022, nearly 19,700 children ages 17 and younger died by firearm, CDC data shows.

And while gun-related child deaths dipped from 2017 to 2019, they rose sharply at the start of the pandemic through 2022 - increasing from 2.4 per 100,000 kids under 17 in 2019 to 3.5 per 100,000 in 2022.

Most gun deaths stem from gun assaults.

As for drugs, the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics found there was a 61 percent increase in drug use among eighth graders between 2016 and 2020 and half of teens have misused a drug at least once.

Deaths from overdoses among teens had been steadily rising from 1999 but fell in 2018. However, in 2019, they rose again to 4,780.

And opioids accounted for most of those deaths - 3,725.

Public health experts and officials have said the opioid epidemic in the US is a national health emergency as more potent and deadly substances infiltrate the drug market and lead to fatal overdoses.
Tough choices: If Rachel Reeves becomes Chancellor she will need to repair the damage done by Gordon Brown

Assuming Rachel Reeves enters Number 11 this week, the UK's first female chancellor will face as tough a task, if not tougher, than most of her male predecessors.

Her first Budget is likely to be in October or November, to allow time for the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare its report.

It might be sooner  the OBR did offer to produce a quick version for Liz Truss before her ill-fated mini-Budget, only to be rebuffed  and the rest is history.

The backdrop for Reeves is highly challenging. She and Starmer are relying, Pollyanna-style, on growth so they can meet debt targets without either raising taxes even further or slashing public services.

The other option is borrowing more. It's worth reminding ourselves, though, just how much national debt has mushroomed since the financial crisis and then Covid.

In 2007, it stood at 350billion or just over a third of the economy. That figure seemed plenty at the time but looks paltry beside today's debt mountain of 2.7trillion or close to 100 per cent of GDP.

Sources close to Labour have suggested to me that in government, Starmer and Reeves want to tackle the blight of 'economic inactivity'.

There are a shocking 9.4m people who are not working but not officially registered as unemployed, including more than 2.8m claiming to be long-term sick.

This is an albatross on the economy. The Tories have baulked at taking strong measures to encourage people back into employment, perhaps for fear of being seen as the nasty party. Labour politicians, knowing the anger felt by many hard-working voters at this situation, paradoxically may have fewer qualms.

Investment is needed on a vast scale to improve our desperately inadequate infrastructure, including transport, energy and water, which should in turn boost productivity.

According to former Legal & General boss Sir Nigel Wilson, who has been an energetic speech-maker on the pre-election circuit, we need to invest an additional 1trillion over the next decade in order for the UK economy to grow by 2 to 3 per cent in real terms.

Fortunately, there is plenty of capital sloshing around that could be funnelled to more productive use: 6trilllion or so in pension funds, ISAs and other investments.

Most of this hoard of capital is not invested to good effect in the UK either for individual savers or the country at large, as the tax and regulatory systems do not favour the home market. Instead, UK pension funds are investing ever-larger amounts in overseas equities.

There is not a quick fix but there are some straightforward steps Reeves could take. These include scrapping stamp duty on share purchases, which would invigorate the London stock market.

She could also make sure plans hatched by Jeremy Hunt for the Great British ISA, with an extra tax efficient savings allowance of 5,000 for UK shares, actually come to fruition.

The Conservatives are ideologically averse to compelling pension funds to invest in UK assets. This free market purism defies common sense as capital drains out of this country. Given the 70billion or so a year of tax breaks for pension saving, it's not unreasonable to ask them, in return, to invest more in the UK.

Much blame lies at the door of Gordon Brown and his tax raid on pension funds. It falls to Reeves to repair the damage and to incentivise them to invest for the benefit of current pension savers and generations to come.
Moving on: Sebastian James

The US owner of Boots is looking for a new chief executive after its boss stood down to run one of Europe's largest eye clinics.

Sebastian James  an Old Etonian and contemporary of Boris Johnson and David Cameron in Oxford University's Bullingdon Club  will leave the high street stalwart in November after six years at the top.

James is set to become group chief executive of Veonet, which provides treatment to more than 2m patients a year across Europe.

The move, first reported by Sky News, comes just weeks after Walgreens Boots Alliance, which owns the British retailer, decided against a sale of stock market flotation of the chain.

Walgreens also abandoned sale plans in 2022 due to an 'unexpected and dramatic change' in market conditions.

The New York-listed firm, which has owned Boots since 2014, has seen its value tumble in the past year due to soaring debts.
Confidence among British bosses has tumbled ahead of the General Election as hiring and investment plans slide.

In a dreary survey published today, the Institute of Directors (IoD) said its economic confidence index  which measures bosses' optimism in the economy  slumped to a four-month low.

The figure fell to -14 in June, down from -3 in May.

It came as some 10 per cent of business leaders said they were 'very pessimistic' about the wider UK economy last month, with just 1 per cent 'very optimistic'.

Anna Leach, chief economist at the IoD, said the figures were 'disappointing' and reflected the falling investment plans amongst bosses, as well as sluggish hiring in the coming year. She added that the Election meant firms were reluctant to make commitments during a time of political uncertainty.

Best foot forward: Labour plans to introduce a raft of pro-worker regulations, including scrapping zero-hour contracts, quicker access to statutory sick pay and a 'right to switch off'

The figures come just days before the country goes to the polls, with surveys predicting a landslide victory for Labour.

But some business leaders have flagged concerns over some of Sir Keir Starmer's policies, including overhauling workers' rights and a North Sea tax raid.

Labour plans to introduce a raft of pro-worker regulations, including scrapping zero-hour contracts, quicker access to statutory sick pay and a 'right to switch off'.

But top industry figures have slammed these policies over fears that changes could cripple thriving UK firms. In April, Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of S4 Capital, called the policies 'Labour's Achilles heel'.

And Archie Norman, chairman of Marks & Spencer, said changes could mean Britain will struggle to attract investment.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) last week said Labour's 'new deal for working people' would raise costs for firms, forcing many to cut wages or hours.

It said: 'For some employees  such as those who particularly value paid sick leave or the right to take paternity leave  that trade-off will be welcome, for others it might not be.'

The oil and gas industry has also railed against Labour's plans for a 'proper windfall tax' on the North Sea, which would see the rate hiked from 75 per cent to 78 per cent. The rise could lead to the loss of 100,000 jobs according to investment bank Stifel.
Boeing has agreed to buy an aerospace supplier in a 3.7billion deal as it tries to contain its ongoing safety crisis.

The scandal-hit airline said the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems was in the best interests of its passengers.

Spirit manufactures and supplies key parts of Boeing planes including the wings and main body of the aircraft.

Boeing previously owned the Kansas-based group before spinning it off in 2005 as it pushed ahead with plans to slim down the business.

But this strategy has come under fire in recent years as Boeing faces a series of safety issues.

Safety scandal: Boeing said the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems was in the 'best interests' of its passengers

The group was plunged into crisis in January after a faulty door panel, manufactured by Spirit, blew off a Boeing 737 MAX plane mid-air.

The incident, which happened at 16,000 feet on an Alaska Airlines flight, terrified passengers and led to all Boeing 737 Max planes being grounded.

Production was halted and restarted at a reduced level on the instructions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Regulators also found more manufacturing issues at Spirit. In a bid to calm concerns, Boeing will now bring the supplier in house.

We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly, said Boeing president and chief executive Dave Calhoun.

By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our safety and quality management systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes  centred on safety and quality.

Boeing made up around 70 per cent of Spirits revenue last year, while roughly a quarter came from Boeings main rival Airbus.

Under the deal, Airbus will take over parts of the Spirit business that manage its own plane making.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the move makes sense for Boeing.

He said: Spirit was at the heart of the manufacturing defects and safety concerns over its 737 Max airliner which have put Boeings share price into a tailspin. This move gives Boeing more control.

But troubles still remain at Boeing. The US Department of Justice Boeing has given the company a week to admit fraud charges or face a public trial over the fatal crashes of its 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019.

Boeing would have to pay a 192m criminal fine and accept a three-year probation period, according to reports.
The husband and wife behind data group Preqin are about to join the ranks of Britains richest people after agreeing to sell to Blackrock for 2.55billion.

Mark and Lindy OHare, who own 80 per cent of the business through a family holding, will rake in a 2billion windfall when the deal completes.

This alone would make the couple richer than Blackrock boss Larry Fink, who has a net worth of 1.3billion and founded the money manager in 1988.

Double act: Mark and Lindy OHare, who own 80% of Preqin through a family holding, will rake in a 2bn windfall when the deal completes

The takeover will also make the OHares richer than F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Hargreaves Lansdown founder Peter Hargreaves, who are both worth around 1.8billion.

Some of Preqins 300-strong workforce also own a share of the group and are set to become multi-millionaires as a result of the deal.

Founded in 2003, Preqin tracks the performance of private equity firms and hedge funds.

The UK group has nearly 50,000 customers and 16 global offices, according to its website.

It is set to post revenues of 190million for 2024. Cambridge-educated OHare was chief executive before he stepped down in 2022 while his wife worked at the firm until 2008.

She is on the companys board and represents the OHare familys interests in the business.

The takeover comes as Blackrock looks to expand its technology arm and an increasing number of its clients hunt granular information about the financial markets.

Founder: Blackrock boss Larry Fink has a net worth of 1.3bn

The US titan recently agreed to buy data group Global Infrastructure Partners in January for 10billion.

Blackrock chief operating officer Rob Goldstein said: As clients increasingly evolve their focus from choosing products to constructing portfolios, this shift requires technology, data, and analytics.

Blackrock said Preqin would complement its portfolio management software Aladdin, which provides investors a way to view and manage daily investments.

Mark OHare will join Blackrock as vice chairman after the deal closes.

He started his career at Boston Consulting Group before turning his hand to business in the 1990s.

He set up Citywatch, a shareholder information service, in 1993 before selling it to Reuters five years later.

Lindy OHare is South African and studied English at the University of Natal and Contemporary Art at Goldsmiths College.

Aside from business, the couple made headlines during the pandemic when they built an outdoor theatre in the grounds of their Suffolk farm estate.

The 350-seat theatre, which cost 70,000 to construct, sits inside a Second World War bomb crater.

Thorington Theatre is in its third season of music, theatre, opera, comedy and poetry but has become one of the best-known open-air theatres in Britain.

In an interview with the BBC in 2022, Lindy OHare said: Profit was not the driving force  as long as its not a drain on the farm, were happy.

The theatre is open from June to August.

Drama: The O'Hares made headlines during the pandemic when they built an outdoor 350-seat theatre in the grounds of their Suffolk farm estate

Takeover frenzy sees 31bn of UK firms sold

By JOHN-PAUL FORD ROJAS

A feeding frenzy has seen UK-listed firms worth a total of more than 31billion succumb to takeover offers in the first half of this year.

Figures yesterday from broker Peel Hunt showed there have been 30 firm offers for British businesses since the start of January with an average value of just over 1billion.

The total half-year value of 31.5billion was the highest since the second half of 2021.

And it is already more than 50 per cent ahead of the 19billion for the whole of 2023.

Charles Hall, head of research at Peel Hunt, has previously described the rash of takeovers as a feeding frenzy.

And yesterday, his colleague Michael Nicholson, head of mergers & acquisitions (M&A) at the broker, said: At the start of the year, we observed that the UK takeover market was like a coiled spring  now, the jack is out of the box.

The figures could fuel anxiety that Britains corporations are being sold on the cheap, including to foreign predators, thanks to the low valuations on the UK stock market.

But Nicholson said directors at takeover target companies have been emboldened to demand higher offers amid an improvement for the market.

That meant bidders on average were paying an average 40 per cent-60 per cent premium to the share price to seal deals, up from a previous typical range of 30 per cent-50 per cent.
Docs show the brand was targeted by serial litigators over California's Prop 65

The trendy coffee brand that Meghan Markle invested in was targeted by a group that issued a violation notice and threatened to take legal action over 'toxic chemicals' allegedly found in its products.

The Duchess of Sussex confirmed in December 2020 that she had invested an undisclosed sum in Clevr Blends, a wellness coffee company which has a range of organic, gluten-free 'SuperLattes' in powder form.

Now DailyMail.com can reveal that Clevr was legally threatened by Safe Products for Californians (SPFC), on August 24, 2021, under a law that allows private groups to warn customers of the presence of toxic chemicals found in consumer goods.

Two months later the notice was withdrawn.

So did the Superlattes ever contain toxic chemicals, or were they removed based on a actual evidence? Both parties agreed to keep the reason confidential.

It turns out that SPFC are serial litigants who have served hundreds of lawsuits under California's Proposition 65, passed via a referendum in 1986 requiring businesses to warn customers of products containing toxic chemicals.

It allows private citizens, advocacy groups and attorneys to sue on behalf of the state 'acting in the public interest'.

Meghan Markle revealed her partnership with Clevr Blends, a wellness coffee company founded by CEO Hannah Mendoza in December 2020

The brand sells a number of drinks, in powdered form, including 'SuperLattes' in a range of flavors

Critics have argued that it's open to abuse from legal firms and litigants who are profiteering from the law.

In this case, the 60-day notice of violation stated that 'lead and lead compounds' were found in Clevr products without any 'proper warnings', giving the example of its 'Rose Cacao SuperLatte'.

It lists possible 'types of harm' as 'birth defects and other reproductive harm'.

The notice states that it had been selling these products since at least June 1, 2021.

The notice was served on the California Attorney General's Office and all district attorneys in the state's counties by SPFC's attorney, Tanya Moore of Moore Law Firm, who stated that Clevr should make contact to resolve the matter to avoid 'time-consuming and expensive litigation'.

Moore's ex-husband Kenneth 'Randy' Moore owns SPFC and they are reportedly serial filers when it comes to Prop 65, with the LA Times stating in 2020 that SPFC had filed over 100 Prop 65 lawsuits and made nearly $700,000 in legal fees.

Additional documents show the violation notice was withdrawn in October 2021.

In an email statement to DailyMail.com, Moore said: 'SPFC and Clevr Blends are both bound by a confidentiality agreement, which covers all communications and any exchange of information between them.

'My former client can't comment as to why the notice was withdrawn, nor can Clevr. I can confirm that the notice was indeed withdrawn, and there was no legal action taken, which is a matter of public knowledge. I can't comment on what information was exchanged nor why the notice was withdrawn.

DailyMail.com can reveal the company was hit with a violation notice and legal threats for its alleged breach of California's Proposition 65, in August 2021, by private firm Safe Products for Californians (SPFC)

The notice claimed Clevr failed to warn consumers about alleged lead and lead compounds found in its products

Additional documents obtained by DailyMail.com show the violation notice was withdrawn in October 2021, presumably after the two parties had found a resolution

'If both parties authorize me to provide more details, I will be happy to do so.'

A legal spokesperson for Clevr Blends released its own statement, saying: 'Product quality and safety is Clevr Blends' top priority.

'The company has been, and continues to be, in compliance with California's Proposition 65. The notice was voluntarily withdrawn by Safe Products for Californians, LLC without a settlement as there was no basis for it.'

Moore is also a serial filer of hundreds of lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act and was exposed in the New York Times in 2021.

Albert Dytch, then 71 and suffering muscular dystrophy, filed more than 180 lawsuits with the support of Moore suing multiple restaurants, movie theaters, shops and educational institutions.

In 2017, Moore, ex Randy and his brother Ronald were sued by Fatemah Saniefar  whose pizzeria had been originally been sued by Ronald  in a case that was dismissed by a judge under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, saying they were 'part of a criminal enterprise that uses fraudulent ADA actions, predicated on false allegations of disability, injury and standing, to collect quick settlements from California businesses and citizens'.

It stated that since 2009, Moore Law Firm had filed over 1,400 lawsuits with Ronald Moore serving as the ADA plaintiff in over 250 cases.

It goes on to say that 'Moore has averred in ADA lawsuits that he requires the use of a wheelchair for mobility, Plaintiff [Saniefar] alleges that video surveillance of Ronald Moore from March 2015 to May 2015 shows him walking, kicking, hopping, and bending without any support and without a wheelchair'.

The case was settled and dismissed.

But reports and additional documents show Ronald and Tanya Moore of the SPFC are serial filers when it comes to Prop 65 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, for which they were countersued by pizzeria owner Fatemah Saniefar in 2017

With respect to Clevr's violation notice, it went on to say that its products didn't list chemicals without clear and reasonable warnings as required by Prop 65.

It added that 'without proper warnings regarding the toxic effects of exposures to the listed chemical, resulting from contact with the products, California citizens lack the information necessary to make informed decisions on whether and how to eliminate (or reduce) the risk of exposure to the toxic chemical from the reasonably foreseeable use of the products.'

'SFPC intends to file a citizen enforcement lawsuit' unless there is a 'binding written agreement' to recall as best as possible all 'products already sold provide clear and reasonable warnings for products sold in the future or reformulate such products to eliminate the exposure of California citizens to the listed chemicals and pay an appropriate civil penalty.'

On the Clevr website, Rose Cocoa latte is described as 'moody magic' with a 'gentle uplift'.

The ingredients are gluten-free organic oatmilk powder, organic coconut cream powder, monk fruit, organic cacao, organic MCT oil, Mucuna pruriens, organic Ashwagandha, organic Reishi, Himalayan pink salt, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom and rose extract.

Out of those, higher levels of lead have been found in cacao products and medical research suggests 15 per cent of oat milk contains a heavy metal such as lead.

Clevr Blends CEO and co-founder Hannah Mendoza

The Duchess of Sussex also shared a glowing five-star review of the line in November

The wellness product was also plugged by Meghan's friend Oprah on Instagram

In March, the Food and Drug Administration recalled six brands of cinnamon for exceeding lead levels, which can happen from the soil being contaminated or the processing and packaging process.

These are cases not related to Clevr nor is there any suggestion that there is lead in its ingredients.

While this appears to be a legal shakedown, Clevr has been hit with negative press in the past.

In April 2021, DailyMail.com revealed that Clevr imported almost 19 tons of oat milk powder from a Chinese company based in Xinjiang, a brutal police state where an alleged genocide is taking place.

Human rights groups have urged Western companies to cut all business ties with the region because of appalling abuses, including the widespread use of forced labour and the detention of a million Uighur Muslims in re-education camps, where it's claimed women are systematically raped.

We can also reveal that the former Suits actress has roped in her influential friends to invest in the brand.

Air Venture Partners have plowed millions into the business, with the firm headed up by Ali Guthy and Ryan Renker, the offspring of the founders of the controversial marketing firm Guthy-Renker, Bill Guthy and Greg Renker.

Ali's mother is cosmetics tycoon Victoria Jackson, who has been befriended by Markle in the last year.

She was behind one of the first TV 'infomercial' make-up empires and it's thought she and Bill are central to plans to make the duchess the 'world's highest paid influencer'.

Guthy-Renker has helped former supermodel Cindy Crawford turn her Meaningful Beauty line of cosmetics into a $100million brand.

Meghan has publicly promoted the wellness coffee over the years, even appearing in an ad for the brand shared on social media last year

In another clip shared months earlier, Meghan and Mendoza were seen sipping on a cup of the hot stuff

It's also made millions for Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson and Heidi Klum, who all had beauty product lines by Guthy-Renker.

But the company has courted controversy.

It's been fined over illegal business practices in California, placed under federal investigation and sued for $26million by thousands of women who claim its shampoo made their hair fall out, and had commercials banned in the UK for 'misleading' consumers.

In October 2021, DailyMail.com reported that Markle and Prince Harry had visited the Guthys' luxury Carpinteria estate multiple times earlier in the year, even taking Markle's mother Doria Ragland on one visit.

In the same year, Markle and Harry flew from New York to Los Angeles in a Guthy-Renker owned private jet sparking speculation that the firm and the duchess were going into business.

According to the trusted financial data websites Pitchbook.com and CB Insights, Air Venture Partners invested in Clevr Blends in May 12, 2023 when Clevr raked in $2.78million in a round of funding.

It's not clear if all that money was put up by Air Venture Partners but it's one of only three key investors - the other two are Markle and Selva Ventures.

Selva Ventures was founded by Kiva Dickinson and specializes in investing in health and wellness start ups.
The Supreme Court issued a 9-0 decision in a major social media censorship case dealing a blow to GOP-led states.

The Republican-led states of Texas and Florida passed law to restrain Big Tech giants from moderating 'objectionable' material on their platforms.

The states said that the social media companies unlawfully tampered the free speech of users, particularly with conservative posts.

The tech companies, on the other hand, said that the laws improperly limited their ability to exert 'editorial discretion' over the content on their sites.

Justice Elena Kagan wrote the majority opinion which puts the Republican states' social media laws on ice until the cases snake back through the court system.

'A State cannot prohibit speech to rebalance the speech market. That unadorned interest is not 'unrelated to the suppression of free expression,'' the court ruled Monday in the opinion by liberal Justice Elena Kagan.

The Supreme Court issued a decision in a major social media censorship case

Kagan wrote there is much work to do on the cases, but the work must be done consistent with the First Amendment.

She noted how social media has transformed how people communicate but the courts still have a necessary role in protecting those entities and rights to speech as courts have done with traditional media's rights.

Florida and Texas passed separate state laws in 2021 regulating large social media companies and other internet platforms.

The laws restricted the platforms ability to moderate whether and how third-party posts were presented to users.

The laws also required platforms to provide an explanation to a user if it alters or removes a post.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to keep fighting on a post on X after the Supreme Court sent his case back to lower courts.

'I will keep fighting for our law that protects Texans voices. No American should be silenced by Big Tech oligarchs.'

Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody struck a more positive tone.

'We are pleased that SCOTUS agreed with Florida and rejected the lower courts flawed reasoninginvalidating our social media law.'

The Supreme Court vacated lower court judgements on the Florida and Texas social media laws in a 9-0 decision. Justice Elena Kagan wrote the majority opinion

This year, I went before SCOTUS to defend our landmark Texas law that forbids social media companies from discriminating on the basis of viewpoint. Big Tech censorship is one of the biggest threats to free public discourse and election integrity. Today, SCOTUS has sent this case  Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 1, 2024

BREAKING NEWS: SCOTUS Unanimously Sides with Florida in Social Media Case



We are pleased that SCOTUS agreed with Florida and rejected the lower courts flawed reasoninginvalidating our social media law. While there are aspects of the decision we disagree with, we look  AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) July 1, 2024

'While there are aspects of the decision we disagree with, we look forward to continuing to defend state law.'

NetChoice, a trade association which represents members such as Facebook and YouTube brought a challenge against both laws.

The Supreme Court ended up vacating decisions by appeals courts and remanded the cases for further proceedings.

The Supreme Court's decision on Monday comes on the last day of the court's session before they head out on summer recess.

The decision comes a few days after the court also determined that the Biden administration can keep censoring social media posts on topics like COVID-19 and election security.

And in March, the Supreme Court ruled that public officials can block critics on social media in certain circumstances without violating constitutional protections for free speech.
Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance has seen him switch positions with Donald Trump when it comes to basic questions of competence, according to an exclusive poll for DailyMail.com.

It found that more independent voters would prefer convicted felon Trump to babysit their children than the 81-year-old president, who cultivates an image of the twinkle-eyed grandfather.

Need to put up a shelf, plan a road trip or just hang out with someone?

The J.L. Partners poll of 805 independent voters who watched the debate found that Trump was the choice in each case.

It marks a stunning setback for Biden, whose aides hoped would be able to use the debate to remind viewers of the chaos and anxiety of Trump's years in power.

J.L. Partners asked 805 independent voters for their thoughts on the two candidates after Thursday evening's debate. The results suggest Trump is ranked more competent than Biden

Instead, Biden looked every one of his 81 years in a halting, uncertain performance.

Independent voters overwhelmingly saw Trump as the winner, branding him the more presidential and stronger of the two candidates.

And 38 percent said they would want Trump to babysit for them ahead of 29 percent who said they would ask Biden.

More than half said they would prefer to spend the Fourth of July with Trump, about the same percentage who said he would be the better bet to put up a shelf, perhaps worried that Biden would fall off a ladder.

'If you'd have told me at the start of this year that independent voters would prefer Trump to babysit their kids over Biden, I'd have told you you were mad,' said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners.

'Even during the depths of his unpopularity, Biden has tended to be seen as the more caring and competent of the two leaders.

'Debate night changed that.'

He added that voters were so concerned by Biden's ageeight in 10 of them, according to the pollthat they now doubt his basic competence.

'Competence is not a dry, managerial quality to voters but linked to strength and purpose,' he said.

The candidates are the oldest in history. Trump is only three years younger than Biden

How did listening to Joe Biden in the first presidential debate make you feel?

'Biden failed to show any of those qualities at the debate and, almost by default, Trump claimed the mantle of babysitter-in-chief.'

Biden's campaign had pushed for the early debatethe earliest in historybecause they believed that many voters had yet to focus in on the choice they will face in November.

But the decision backfired, triggering a frantic round of soul-searching among Democrats worried they might be letting the election slip away.

Among independents, the group who will decide the outcome in November, the verdict was brutal.

When asked for one word to describe how listening to Biden made them feel, respondents said: Concerned, worried, sad.
Canada's second-major airline has left tens of thousands of passengers stranded and scrambling for answers after it canceled hundreds of flights over the holiday weekend.

Calgary-based WestJet announced Saturday morning that it would cancel more than 400 flights through Sunday - affecting nearly 50,000 customers - as it struggles to reach an agreement with the Aircraft Mechanical Fraternal Association, which voted to strike Friday night and prompted hundreds of employees to walk off the job.

The airline canceled an additional 410 flights overnight, for a total of more than 800 canceled flights by Sunday.

WestJet will now continue to cancel flights to reduce its operating fleet from about 200 aircrafts to just about 30 through the weekend, as thousands of travelers try to get away before Canada Day on July 1.

WestJet left nearly 50,000 passengers scrambling after it canceled more than 800 flights over the weekend

The Aircraft Mechanical Fraternal Association, which voted to strike Friday night and prompted hundreds of employees to walk off the job

Passengers at Toronto's Pearson International Airport described how they arrived at Terminal 3 to get answers and get rescheduled onto another flight - only to be met with silence from airline officials.

Villamor Torres and Mary Jane Herrera said they went to the airport after struggling to rebook their flight to the Cayman Islands over the phone.

They recounted how they were all set to travel on Saturday when they received an email at around 9.40am notifying them that the flight was canceled.

'We're trying to figure out what to do,' Herrera told The Globe and Mail.

'We're in the middle of getting a new flight, but they said if we get a new flight they won't compensate us.'

Amy Morris, visiting Canada for the first time from Atlanta, Georgia, also described the situation as 'chaos.'

Passengers have described how they left without answers after their flights were canceled over the holiday weekend

'We had a hiking trip planned tomorrow in Banff, we lost the entire first day at least,' she said. 'It's not a great introduction to Canada.'

She said her family of four was headed to Calgary when they learned of their flight cancelation on a connecting flight to Toronto.

'We're getting no information from WestJet at all - they said within a couple of hours we'll get a reassignment, but we've heard nothing.

'It was [our] last family vacation,' Morris added. 'The kids are moving out of state and it was supposed to be our last hurrah.'

Matt Estrada claimed online he was forced to buy a hotel room after his flight was canceled

Liam Stein also claimed that his wedding in Mexico was ruined due to the flight cancelations

Others have taken to X to express their frustrations with the airline, including Liam Stein - who claimed that his 'wedding in Mexico is ruined due to your incompetence to mitigate this strike.

'Tens of thousands of dollars gone because you cannot swallow your pride and save the biggest travel week of the year,' he posted on Saturday.

'WestJet will never recover from this incompetence.'

Matt Estrada also said he was forced to spend $451 on a hotel room because his flight was canceled - and claimed WestJet would not cover the costs of the accommodation because the strikes are 'unplanned.'

'Kind of like an act of God, they say,' he wrote, adding that there are 'zero rental cars available as well.'

Meanwhile, Samin Sahan and Samee Jan said they were planning to leave Saturday with extended family on a trip to Calgary when they received an email that their flight had been rescheduled for Monday.

They said they decided to go to the airport anyway, seeking clarification and hoping they could get on an earlier flight, but have not gotten any answers.

'This inaction is hurting a lot of people, their own company as well as their customers who will likely no longer be their customers ever again,' Sahan said.

WestJet will continue to cull its fleet as the contract negotiations continue

It will operate just 30 of its aircrafts, out of its fleet of about 200

One of the striking mechanics outside of Toronto's Pearson Airport said it regrets any inconvenience to passengers.

'However, the reason they [the passengers] have possibly missed a flight or had to cancel is due to the reason that WestJet is not respectfully sitting down at the table and negotiating,' Sean McVeigh said.

'We take a lot of responsibility and we would just like to be appreciated financially.'

The Aircraft Mechanical Fraternal Association has claimed that WestJet's 'unwillingness' to negotiate made the strike inevitable and accused the airline of insinuating retaliatory action against union members.

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech, meanwhile, blamed the situation on a 'rogue union from the US' that is trying to make inroads in Canada.

He claimed that the union rejected an offer that would have made the airline mechanics the 'best paid in the country.'

The Aircraft Mechanical Fraternal Association has claimed that WestJet's 'unwillingness' to negotiate made the strike inevitable

Von Hoensbroech also said that as far as the airline was concerned, bargaining with the union came to an end once Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve the contract dispute through binding arbitration - a process in which a third-party deliberates on the terms.

The board ordered the contract to be finalized through arbitration on Friday, but noted that O'Regan's referral 'does not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout.'

'This makes a strike totally absurd, because the reason you actually do a strike is because you need to exercise pressure on the bargaining table,' Von Hoensbroech said.

'If there is no bargaining table, it makes no sense - there shouldn't be a strike.'

WestJet President Diedrik Pen also said the airline was 'extremely outraged' at the union and would hold it '100 percent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result,' according to The Globe and Mail.

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech blamed the situation on a 'rogue union from the US' that is trying to make inroads in Canada

On Saturday, Minister O'Regan said he met with representatives from both WestJet and the union, and told them they needed to work together 'to resolve their differences and get their first agreement done.'

The two parties were set to reconvene with a mediator on Sunday, Bret Ostreich, the president of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association told Reuters.

'All we want to do is go back to the table,' he said, vowing that 'the strike will be in effect until we get an agreement.'

In the meantime, Gabor Lokacs, a Canadian air passenger rights advocate, says WestJet has a legal obligation to provide passengers with canceled flights a reasonable and speedy alternative.

'Under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, they need to reschedule you on another airline or buy a ticket from a competitor,' he told The Globe and Mail, adding that the airline should do so within the first few hours after a flight is canceled.

'If WestJet is not reachable for several hours, they are not fulfilling their obligation,' he said.

Lokacs now recommends that passengers who cannot reach the airline or are not offered an alternative travel plan book a flight at their own expense - and send WestJet the bill.

Most importantly, though, he said, 'they should document every message and exchange with the airline.'
A man who was caught on camera kicking in the front door to a hotel got a dose of instant karma within seconds of him carrying out the act of vandalism.

Video posted on social media saw the man attempting to get inside the lobby of a Marriott hotel by him punching the glass door, shattering one of the panes instantly.

To break his way inside, he then continues to repeatedly kick the glass door, almost knocking it from its hinges.

However, he immediately soon came to regret the incident when a nearby police officer got involved.

Footage shows the man first standing at the door, breaking his way inside but once he reaches the front desk, he appears to act as if nothing had happened.

A man could be seen kicking open the glass doors to a hotel after struggling to get inside

It's not long before maintenance workers, security and police are on the scene, and as the man fails to comply with his instructions, the situation grows tense.

The officer pulls out a pair of handcuffs while the man is standing at the reception desk of the hotel.

Towering over the police officer, he could be heard protesting saying repeatedly 'I am a citizen'.

The man refused to offer his hands to be placed in cuffs but the officer appears to have heard enough.

Catching the man off-guard, he abruptly punches the man in the jaw, knocking him off balance.

Police were on the scene extremely quickly and an officer punched the man in the jaw knocking him off-balance

The man was then placed in handcuffs following his arrest

The officer is then able to wrestle the man to the ground, placing a knee on the mans head while grabbing his wrists in order to finally place them in handcuffs and arrest him.

Those commenting online were impressed with the say the police officer handled himself.

'That's one tough little cop. Well done,' wrote one.

'Cop has some nice moves!', agreed a second.

'Lol bro really thought he wasnt gonna go to jail after kicking that door in,' chimed in another user.

CCTV footage shows Jason Williams running behind the suspect and banging their head with a massive heavyweight frying pan at around 3.30pm yesterday

It is the latest video showcasing an example of instant karma.

Last week, a Chicago homeowner was seen chasing and fighting off a would-be burglar around his neighborhood wielding a frying pan as a weapon.

Surveillance footage shows Jason Williams running behind the suspect and banging smashing their head with the kitchen utensil.

Williams was minutes away from getting home from work when he received an alert from his alarm system that someone had broken in.

'Came in the house, I looked if there was an available weapon... there was a frying pan laying there, so I grabbed the frying pan and at the same time the burglar came downstairs.

'At this point, it was fight or flight, and I would rather do the fighting,' Williams told ABC.

'At this point, it was fight or flight, and I would rather do the fighting,' Williams said in an interview

Video shows the brave owner chasing the suspect while waving the frying pan in the air on his lawn.

'Get out of here, I'm gonna kill you,' Williams can be heard yelling as the intruder runs for their life.

In a scene straight from a TV cartoon, Williams ultimately ends up taking a satisfying swing at the suspect and leaving them completely shaken up as cops arrived at the scene.

The intruder is seen trying to race across the street after the painful blow before eventually gives up and is handcuffed by police.
ABC star Sarah Ferguson has taken aim at President Joe Biden after his disastrous debate with Donald Trump.

The US President repeatedly suffered senior moments in Friday's debate, struggling to find his words as he talked on various policy issues.

However, Biden's disposition transformed the following day at a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, when he attacked Trump more clearly in front of cheering fans.

While some were glad to see Biden recover, many were left questioning how the president had made such a dramatic turnaround in such a short time.

Sarah Ferguson, the presenter of ABC's flagship current affairs show 7.30, claimed the change was due to Biden using a 'teleprompter' instead of being placed on the spot.

However, the criticism backfired on Ferguson, as many called her comment hypocritical.

'He's got a lot to say now, after a, granted awful first debate, and you know what, Sarah, I reckon he's knocking it out of the park,' they commented.

'If he wants notes, prompts via a teleprompter, so bloody what.'

ABC star Sarah Ferguson (pictured) has taken aim at United States President Joe Biden after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump

The world tuned into the debate between the president and Donald Trump on Thursday only to see Biden mumbling through a number of talking points

A second added: 'Jeez, I would expect better from someone who uses one themselves. It's actually sort of nasty.'

'That's a mean-spirited comment. What's your point,' a third asked.

'As if you don't use one every night? Puhlease,' a fourth said.

Biden used the rally in North Carolina to assuage widespread concerns about his performance as some of his closest allies including Obama publicly stood behind him despite admitting their concerns about the disastrous debate.

'I know I'm not a young man. To state the obvious,' Biden said alongside First Lady Jill while she wore a Christian Siriano dress covered in the word 'vote.'

'Folks, I don't walk as easily as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to.'

The president's disposition turned around the following day at a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, attacking Trump more clearly in front of cheering fans.

Sarah Ferguson, the presenter of ABC's flagship current affairs show 7:30, claimed the change was due to Biden using a 'teleprompter'

'But I know what I know - I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done,' the president argued.

'I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didn't believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job.'

In a shocking move, Trump had something nice to say about Biden's comeback speech.

'His speech on Friday was better... but AMERICA must ask itself, with all of the many dangers around, do we really want a President who CHOKES? I don't think so!' Trump said.
Investigators are yet to determine what caused a horrific crash between a Greyhound bus and a car towing a caravan that left three women dead and dozens more injured.

The collision occurred on the Bruce Highway near the Wilson Creek Rest Area, between Gumlu and Wangaratta, in northern Queensland, at about 11am on Sunday.

Some 33 people were on the inter-city Greyhound bus travelling between Bowen and Townsville. Two people were in the 4WD that was towing the caravan.

The three women killed, and 27 passengers injured were all on board the bus, with those inside the 4WD unharmed.

Two men, aged 23 and 24, remain fighting for their lives on Monday morning, while details of the deceased are yet to be released.

Queensland Police Superintendent Graeme Paine said investigators will be interviewing more witnesses as they work to determine the cause of the crash.

'We've collected a significant amount of evidence from the scene. As we process that evidence and interview further witnesses, we anticipate getting a clearer picture of exactly how it occurred,' he told Sunrise on Monday morning, adding specialist crash investigators have already forensically examined the scene.

Superintendent Paine declined to confirm whether the bus was at fault, but said all passengers would have by law been required to be wearing seatbelts.

Investigators are yet to determine what caused a horrific crash between a Greyhound bus and a car towing a caravan that left three women dead and dozens more injured. Pictured is the caravan embedded into the front of the bus

'The passengers are required to wear them. That will be one of the aspects we look at throughout the investigation,' he said.

He added the scene of the crash was 'very confronting' for everyone involved.

'I also want to acknowledge the role that the members of the public on the scene played in assisting and treating some of those injured people,' he said.

'It was a very significant and very confronting incident.

'With any incident like this, the initial response is very chaotic and very complex. Being in a situation like this is incredibly challenging.'

Shocking photos from the aftermath show the cabin of the caravan embedded into the front of the bus, which had been pushed onto nearby train tracks.

It's understood 27 people were treated for various injuries, while the bus driver managed to walk away seriously unharmed, sustaining just minor head injuries.

Other passengers were reportedly trapped in the bus wreckage.

Two men taken to hospital, aged 27 and 51, were listed stable on Sunday night.

The three women killed, and 27 passengers injured were all on board the bus, with those inside the 4WD unharmed

Another man, 64, and two women, 23 and 63, were discharged from hospital on Sunday night.

A triage system was set up at the scene due to the number of victims, while a Queensland Government Air rescue helicopter and a RACQ Helicopter Rescue Service were also deployed.

The bus departed Brisbane at 12pm on Saturday and was expected to arrive in Townsville at 12.10pm on Sunday.

The speed limit on the Bruce Highway where the crash occurred was 100km/hour.

The highway has since reopened.

The Bruce Highway stretches more than 1,670kms from Brisbane to Cairns and is a major transportation corridor for freight, local communities and other motorists.

For years, the road has been plagued with safety concerns, congestion, flooding and funding issues and has claimed hundreds of lives.

From 2020 to 2023, the Bruce Highway claimed the lives of 134 people. Between the start of this year and April, nine people have been killed.
Joe Biden's entire family has gathered at Camp David to discuss the president's future after his shockingly bad debate against Donald Trump.

The White House and campaign blame a 'cold' for Biden's low and, at times, hard-to-understand speaking voice.

Others say this is what the President is like on a day-to-day basis now and it has even Democrats wondering if Biden needs to be replaced in time for November, as his poll numbers slide further behind Trump.

Many have seen Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, as the one person who could sway the president either way.

However, this time, son Hunter - found guilty of three criminal charges in his blockbuster gun and drugs trial on June 11 and someone who has constantly distracted people from his father's foibles - has been the one to speak up most fervently for his father.

Joe Biden 's entire family has gathered at Camp David to discuss the president's future after his shockingly bad debate against Donald Trump. Son Hunter (pictured right) has become an advocate for his father's presidency

According to a new report, Biden's eldest living son - who is notorious for his wild exploits with booze, drugs and women in addition to his convictions - is turning into the most adamant member of the Biden family to insist he remain in the race.

The New York Times claims that Hunter - who despite his troubles, has always advised his father - doesn't want the country to see his father as the 'stumbling, aging' man who showed up Thursday's debate, citing a person familiar with the talks.

Instead, he wants America to see him as he apparently does, 'scrappy and in command of the facts.'

The rest of the Biden family were more attempting to be supportive and wanted to know what they could do to help if the president kept going.

Ideas suggested including the president's grandchildren 'talking with influencers on social media.'

Overall, the entire family gave Biden their 'unequivocal support,' according to CNN, citing an adviser.

Despite mounting pressure from the Democrats to consider his political future after a car-crash debate performance, Joe Biden seems to be staying firmly in the race with Jill Biden stubbornly standing by his side.

And her actions over the past 48 hours are clear that she is the one firmly pulling the strings over her husbands decision to stay in the race.

She made it clear when she spoke to wealthy donors in New York on Friday night she knew how the debate was perceived but said she told her husband the campaign would continue.

Many have seen Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden , as the one person who could sway the president either way

The rest of the Biden family were more attempting to be supportive and wanted to know what they could do to help if the president kept going

"So let's talk about last night's debate, because I know it's on your minds." she said. "As Joe said earlier today, he's not a young man. And you know, after last night's debate, he said, 'You know, Jill, I don't know what happened. I didn't feel that great.' And I said, 'Look, Joe, we are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that you've been president.'"

The CNN performance where Joe Biden meandered through answers and lost his train of thought sparked an unprecedented panic in the party.

Top lawmakers and operatives were immediately considering their options.

But when Biden attended a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday, he seemed like a different man. Jill Biden called it an 'amazing' event.

During it, he admitted his debate performance wasn't ideal, but insisted he is staying put in the race. The crowed of more than 2,000 cheered him on.

His defiant announcement came alongside the one person likely standing between him and a potentially historic decision to step aside: His wife Jill.

Even though she knows he had a bad night at the first presidential debate, she is standing stubbornly at her husband's side and fighting back against the fears he will lose November's contest to Donald Trump.

The Bidens know 'he didnt have the best first debate,' a source close to her told DailyMail.com. 'Is he the best person to be president, now and for the next four years? 100% yes.'

Biden's defiant announcement came alongside the one person likely standing between him and a potentially historic decision to step aside: His wife Jill

According to a new report, Biden's eldest living son - who is notorious for his wild exploits with booze, drugs and women in addition to his convictions - is turning into the most adamant member of the Biden family to insist he remain in the race

'Shes his wife of 47 years; she is his biggest supporter, biggest champion, and biggest believer.'

President Biden, 81, has the nomination locked up. The only way for the party to have a different nominee is for him to voluntarily exit the race.

However, it appears the president is fighting an uphill battle after Thursday's debacle.

A poll released Sunday reveals 72 percent of voters don't think Biden has the cognitive faculties for another term in office. This is a seven percent increase from the same poll taken earlier in June before the debate.

Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has repeatedly brought Biden's cognitive and physical health into question.

He suggested that debate prep for seven days at Camp David was a way to get the drug cocktail just right before the showdown with Trump.

Doubts increased from before the debate to after the debate over Biden's mental acuity and cognitive health.

Biden stumbled his way through the debate with Trump on Thursday, often speaking lowly, mumbling or losing his train of thought. When Trump was speaking, the split screen showed the President with his mouth ajar and a blank stare.

The outcome resulted in a chorus of calls for Biden to end his candidacy  even from some of his biggest supporters.

On the other hand, Trump's debate performance has only increased his party's support.

Fifty percent of registered voters think the 78-year-old has the cognitive faculties to run for a second term in 2024  only 27 percent feel the same about Biden.

It's unclear what will happen next, but Biden is spending his Sunday at Camp David where he is discussing the future of this race with his family.

Some are blaming First Lady Jill Biden for forcing her husband to continue campaigning for reelection, and Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wy.) accused the first lady of 'elder abuse.'
The US military has raised the alert level of several of its bases across Europe to the second-highest level in a move that hasn't been seen 'in at least ten years.'

The US Army Garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, America's military headquarters in Europe, bases in Rheinland-Pfalz and Ramstein, and Aviano Air Base in Italy were all put on alert level 'Charlie' over the weekend, several publications reported.

The 'Charlie' threat level only 'applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely,' according to the US Army.

It is not currently known why the four bases, which together make up the largest overseas US military community, raised their threat levels.

But a US official told CNN that they haven't seen a threat level this high 'in at least 10 years', adding that this usually means the military is aware of an 'active-reliable threat.'

Ramstein Air Base (pictured) has its alert level raised to 'Charlie', the second-highest level

The continent has been on high alert for terrorism for months

In addition to the formally raised alert level, Spangdahlem Air Base in west Germany told airmen from its 52nd Fighter unit that they were prohibited from wearing their uniforms off-base, and must commute in civilian clothing, military publication Stars and Stripes reported.

The continent has been on high alert for terrorism for months.

In March, French president Emmanuel Macron pushed his nation's terror alert level to its highest, after revealing that the ISIS offshoot that killed hundreds in Moscow tried to carry out 'several' attacks in France.

France's security alert system, Vigipirate, was pushed to its highest level months ago, where it remains to this day, after Macron held an emergency meeting to discuss the already tense security situation in the country, as it prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games.

He revealed that ISIS-K, the ultra-brutal ISIS offshoot that Western intelligence believes carried out the attack in Moscow, has 'attempted several times to hit France.'

The UK's current terror threat level is 'substantial', the third-highest level out of five.

According to MI5, this means an 'attack is likely'. In October, British intelligence chiefs considered pushing it up one level to 'severe', following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.
Radical animal rights activists who were planning to steal more than 100 animals from RSPCA Assured farms this summer have U-turned on their plans following an investigation by the Daily Mail.

Campaigners from the group Animal Rising were planning to 'mobilise and train' more than 200 people to take part in the 'huge open rescue' at an undisclosed location later this year.

Earlier this month, over 110 people took part in a zoom meeting where ringleaders of the extremist group revealed they were organising secret in-person trainings across the country - to teach people how to break onto farms and take animals.

But now Animal Rising have cancelled their plans after the RSPCA warned that these sort of 'divisive stunts' may frighten and 'distress' the animals and potentially 'spread disease to animals on farms'.

It comes days after two Animal Rising activists defaced the King's first official portrait with Wallace and Gromit inspired posters to raise awareness about their investigation into animal welfare on RSPCA assured farms.

Campaigners from the group Animal Rising hope to 'mobilise and train' more than 200 volunteers to take part in the 'huge open rescue' at undisclosed locations. Picture shows Animal Rising of their activists taking sheep in May 2023

The group also has a long history of stealing animals from farms. In May 2023, three of its supporters (pictured) snatched three lambs from the King's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

The group's report found hundreds of alleged legal breaches on at least 45 RSPCA assured farms including one incident of a dead pig left to rot in a walkway on a farm in Somerset.

So compelled by scenes of animal suffering the group of investigators kidnapped one pig known as 'Charlie' from the farm during their visit.

Animal Rising has a long history of stealing animals from farms and have been responsible for several appalling incidents over the past few years.

Last May, three Animal Rising supporters brazenly snatched three lambs from the King's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and whisked them away to an undisclosed sanctuary, before handing themselves into the police in Windsor.

The group have released one picture of the lambs but there is no independent way to verify their current conditions.

In December 2022, the group broke into animal testing breeding facility MBR acres in Cambridgeshire in the middle of the night and used bolt cutters to tear through security fences.

They allegedly stole 18 beagles from their cages and have since rehoused them in multiple secret locations.

In 2023 Animal Rising infamously planned to sabotage the Grand National by getting hundreds of their supporters to run onto the Aintree race track and halt the race.

Their plot was spectacularly foiled by an undercover reporter for the Mail on Sunday who alerted police leading to the arrest of dozens of activists.

In the end the race was delayed for just 15 minutes.

Responding to the latest plot, Mo Metcalf-Fisher from campaigning group the Countryside Alliance said: 'These stunts actually risk threatening the welfare of livestock. We hope the authorities take immediate and robust action to tackle this criminality.'

Founded in 2019 Animal Rising, is a direct action protest group that campaigns for sustainability and animal rights.

Responding to the shocking plot, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, External Affairs Director of the Countryside Alliance said: 'It is bizarre that a group which supposedly supports animal welfare would attempt to disrupt a scheme designed to ensure high animal welfare standards.

'In a sad irony, these stunts actually risk threatening the welfare of livestock.

'We hope the authorities take immediate and robust action to tackle this criminality.'

An RSPCA spokesperson said: 'We welcome scrutiny of our work to improve the lives of millions of farm animals, but we do not condone illegal activity.

'Trespassing on farms and taking animals risks causing fear and distress to animals and potentially spreading disease to animals on farms and beyond.

'The growth of industrial farming is the biggest, and most difficult issue we must all tackle for the sake of our planet and the animals we share it with.

'Divisive stunts risk undermining the work we must collectively do to create a better world for every animal.'

Animal Rising have said they take extensive biosecurity safety measures during all their open rescues.

Co-Director of the group Rose Patterson said: 'It's become abundantly clear over months of investigations on 45 farms that the RSPCA Assured scheme is doing nothing to protect animals.

'In that time we've been compelled to rescue a pig from one of their farms.

'Later this year Animal Rising will be rescuing dozens of animals, allowing them to live their lives free and happy in sanctuaries - away from the horrors of an RSPCA factory farm.

'It doesn't have to be like this, we want the RSPCA to join us in rescuing animals - but for now, they're continuing to participate in their suffering.'
A Tesla Cybertruck was caught on camera speeding out of control down a driveway before smashing into a neighbors home.

The $109,000 vehicle had only been in the possession of its new owner for just four hours when the vehicle's brakes appeared to malfunction.

Surveillance footage sees the distinctive-looking vehicle speeding down the driveway before the screeching of tires can be heard as it rounds a bend.

A huge thud can then be heard as the vehicle comes to a halt having plowed straight into the side of a neighbors home while the Tesla's horn can then be heard sounding on and off.

Seconds after, the panicked owner can be seen running after his beloved new purchase in a cartoonish scene that sees him disappearing down the hill of his driveway, while surely knowing all hope is lost.

A Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a neighbor's home just four hours after its new owner took possession, with the brakes reportedly malfunctioning as it sped down a driveway

The owner could be seen frantically running after his beloved Cybertruck but it was too late

The owner said the 'back brakes locked' while the car was accelerating while the steering wheel became 'non-responsive'.

'Waited 5yrs for the girl and never connected to house WiFi,' he wrote on X.

Luckily, nobody was hurt during the incident, although the car did not fare quite so well.

Repairs are likely to cost close to $30,000 with a years-long wait for replacement parts.

It is the latest in a string of embarrassing mishaps involving the electric vehicle since it was released in November 2023.

The Tesla Cybertruck was left with $30,000 of damage which will take a year to repair

The front portion of the Cybertruck simply crumpled after crashing into the side of at home

The windshield was left shattered by the impact of the collision

Tesla recently issued a fourth recall for vehicles manufactured between November 13, 2023, and May 26, 2024, with around 11,000 Cybertrucks affected.

This particular incident in which the car can be seen speeding away is similar to others that have been reported in recent months.

New Cybertruck owners have described its gas pedal as a 'deathtrap,' demonstrating how the pedal cover can slide off the accelerator and become snagged on the carpet, locking it in place and spurring the car to accelerate away at top speed.

The Cybertruck had been rushed into production at Tesla's Texas Giga factory, as attorneys for construction workers have alleged in recent years, despite on-site safety hazards and incomplete construction of the facility itself.

Customers have reported issues with the Cybertruck's accelerator in which the pedal cover can slide off and become get wedged on carpet

One Cybertruck owner in California posted photos of the damage to their car after it crashed into a traffic sign pole, due to a brake issue. A broken bumper cover can be seen here

And at least one Cybertruck customer in California has recently come forward claiming that the EV's brakes malfunctioned just weeks after purchase, sending their vehicle crashing into the pole of a road sign.

In a post on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, the driver said they attempted to slow the Cybertruck by pressing the brakes, only to find they did not engage  adding that the air bags also did not deploy when the EV collided with the pole.

Images of the incident showed the shiny steel front end smashed, the side panel hanging off and the hood bent on the side of the impact.
Most voters think Labour has 'just opposed everything' rather than coming up with good ideas for the country, a poll found yesterday.

The survey by think-tank More in Common found that the majority of voters believe Labour has played a negative role in opposition.

Voters also told the poll that Sir Keir Starmer was wrong to suggest Jeremy Corbyn would have made a better prime minister than Boris Johnson in 2019.

Labour has faced criticism for its 'safety first' manifesto which is vague about the party's plans for power in many areas.

The new study suggests that, despite polls predicting Sir Keir will win by a landslide this week, most voters believe he has had little to offer in opposition.

Most voters think Labour has 'just opposed everything' rather than coming up with good ideas for the country, a poll found yesterday

Voters also told the poll that Sir Keir Starmer was wrong to suggest Jeremy Corbyn would have made a better prime minister than Boris Johnson in 2019

Just 34 per cent of voters said Labour had come up with 'good ideas for how to govern the country', while 47 per cent said it had 'simply opposed everything and not proposed anything new'.

Sir Keir has spent much of the campaign trying to distance himself from Mr Corbyn, whose shadow cabinet he served in for four years.

He has repeatedly refused to say whether he believed his 2019 claim that his hard-Left predecessor would make a 'great prime minister'.

But, in a TV debate he said he would have been a better candidate than Boris Johnson.

The new survey of more than 2,000 people found that voters took issue with Sir Keir's claim.

Only 28 per cent of voters said they would have preferred Mr Corbyn, while 46 per cent said Mr Johnson was the better candidate.

Even among Labour voters, fewer than half (47 per cent) backed Mr Corbyn, while 81 per cent of Conservative voters supported Mr Johnson.
A Chicago judge has shot down an attempt to void a will that would see $11miilion left to an inactive day care company.

Cook County Judge Daniel O. Tiernan made the decision Thursday, after hearing testimony from two men who say they witnessed the late Joseph Stancak sign the will the year before he passed away at age 87 in 2016.

Mansoor Afzal and Asad Mahmood said they saw Stancak, a longtime recluse who lived in a modest five-bedroom in Gage Park, sign the will at a New York real estate office in 2015.

Tiernan, in turn, approved the will be allowed into evidence in December, citing how state law required him to do so. The law requires jurists to approve a will if witnesses testified they were present, and in possession of a clear state of mind.

The judge, however, disclaimed the day's proceedings were merely paving the way for an inevitable legal battle between Stancak's 119 still-alive relatives, who laid claim to the fortune the man amassed over his life to be split between them.

Joseph Stancak (not pictured), left behind a $11million when he died in 2016. With no apparent will, officials deemed the fortune would be distributed to 119 relatives - written down in here in this scroll compiled by lawyers Rodney and Kenneth Piercey

Stancak lived in the Chicago suburb of Gage Park, where he rarely ventured from this modest home on South Troy Street. A new will was found there last year, sparking a now underway legal battle

'This is designed to be a limited hearing,' the judge said as those relatives had claimed no will was penned at the time of Stancak's death.

'It does not preclude a more formal will contest later on.'

The ruling served as the latest installment in the now nearly eight-year saga surrounding Stancak's fortune, discovered by state officials after senior's death in December 2016.

Stancak, an unseemly man who sometimes walked down his street with his hands clasped behind his back, had $21,000 in two Bank of America checking accounts, but had a hive of assets in mutual funds or individual securities.

Altogether, they amounted to more than $11million - making the fortune the largest unclaimed estate in U.S. history, due to an absence of an obvious will.

As the treasurers office received reports of these accounts, staff frantically worked to address the riches of historic proportions, successfully locating more than 100 of the man's distant relatives - including one woman who live less than five miles due west of Stancaks house, but had no idea he existed.

Each were in line for $100,000 payouts until the will was presented in court this past year, paving the way for a legal fight of epic proportions.

It came in the form of petition filed in June 2023 asking Tiernan to accept a newly turned-up will - one that left his entire estate to a New York company, Smart Kids Child Care Inc, and the companys president, Mahmood.

Cook County Judge Daniel O. Tiernan made the decision Thursday, after hearing testimony from two men accused of forging the newly surfaced document in 2015

Stancak, an unseemly man who sometimes walked down his street with his hands clasped behind his back, had $21,000 in two Bank of America checking accounts, but had a hive of assets in mutual funds or individual securities. Altogether, they amounted to more than $11million - making the fortune the largest unclaimed estate in U.S. history

As the treasurers office received reports of these accounts, staff frantically worked to address the riches of historic proportions, locating more than 100 of the man's relatives like Anna Madeja (middle), who lives less than five miles from Stancaks house. Each were in line for $100,000 payouts until the will was presented in court last year, paving the way for a fight

On Thursday Mahmood detailed his ties to the man in question, claiming he knew him through the daycare's original founder's son, Afzal.

Afzal testified that his father knew Stancak from when his father lived in Chicago in the late '80s and '90s, when they both worked as electricians.

He said his father died the same year as Stancak, and that he only learned of Stancaks death one week ago from Mahmood.

Mahmood told the judge how he allegedly witnessed Stancak sign the will only discovered late last year in his home while cleaning for a move, while claiming his daycare company is inactive and has never had a physical location.

Afzal said Stancak sometimes visited Afzals father in New York after he moved there in 2002, after which he co-founded the daycare company.

In 2015, he invited Afzal to witness the signing of his alleged will, Afzal claimed Thursday.

'Children meant something to him,' Mahmood added.

Tiernan went on to approve the will to be entered into evidence, as the lawyer representing many of the heirs who were in line for the plum payouts accused Mahmood of forging the will.

One of the men told the judge how he allegedly witnessed Stancak sign the will only discovered late last year in his home while cleaning for a move, while claiming his daycare company is inactive and has never had a physical location. The case will continue in August

In a petition filed this month, the jurist, Ashley Coppola, made that argument, while citing how Stancak was in failing health in the years before he died.

This, she said, would make it highly unlikely he was planning to move cross country as the pair claimed.

Gregory Markwell, the administrator of Stancaks estate and lawyer representing Mahmood, said he would reply to the petition by the next court hearing, slated for the first week of August.

The son of Polish immigrants, Stancak was born in Chicago in 1929. His parents moved there after living in New Jersey for two decades.

He had six siblings: Mary, Paul, Anna, John, Helen and Frances. Only Anna and John married, but none of the siblings ever had children.

Stancak's neighbors in the Chicago suburbs told CBS that the elderly man was quiet and frugal, often seeing him undertake home repairs by himself.

He lived on South Troy Street at a modest, $325,500 home, which is listed as a 5 bedroom, two bath, single-family home on Redfin.

The only evidence that Stancak had any kind of wealth was his boat, named 'Easy,' officials said. Public records show Stancak renewed his boating license annually for the vessel before turning 80.

When he died in 2016, first responders found him wearing a jacket in the homes empty bathtub with heat and electricity turned off.

Relatives were found across the US and Europe, and after taxes, on average would receive around $60,000.
This is the moment a Chinese rocket ship that was accidentally fired soared into the sky before exploding in a huge fireball following its disastrous unplanned lift-off.

The Tianlong-3 rocket, made by spaceflight company Space Pioneer, was seen accidentally lifting off from the city of Gongyi in central China on Sunday during a test run.

The company said that the flight happened 'due to the structural failure of the connection between the rocket body and the test platform', which led to the first-stage rocket leaving the launch pad.

Footage taken on phones show the rocket, designed to be partially reusable, slowly making its way through the air, before its engines fail.

As the engines fail, the craft can be seen tilting heavily. The entire body can then be seen sputtering black smoke as it falls back down to earth on its side.

The Tianlong-3 rocket, made by spaceflight company Space Pioneer, was seen accidentally lifting off from the city of Gongyi in central China on Sunday

The company said that the flight happened 'due to the structural failure of the connection between the rocket body and the test platform'

Footage taken on phones show the rocket, designed to be partially reusable, slowly making its way through the air, before its engines fail

As it hits the ground outside the city of around 790,000, a deafening explosion can be heard as the area around the impact site is consumed by a fireball

As it hits the ground outside the city of around 790,000, a deafening explosion can be heard as the area around the impact site is consumed by a fireball.

A spokesperson for the company told CNN: 'After liftoff, the onboard computer was automatically shut down, and the rocket fell into the deep mountains 0.9 miles southwest of the test platform. The rocket body fell into the mountain and disintegrated.'

They added that no one was injured in the crash, as the people in the area were evacuated well in advance of the test.

The maiden flight of the Tianlong-3 is meant to take place in just three months, and is meant to serve as a low-cost method to deliver payloads to space.

Just last month, the company revealed it had raised $207million (163.7million) in funding, making it one of China's most well-funded commercial space launch companies.

The company is a keystone in China's so-called 'eternal dream', which president Xi Jinping described as the vision to establish the nation as a dominant space power, amid a new Space Race with countries including the US that have ramped up their own space exploration programmes.
Police abandoned a criminal investigation every 13 seconds without finding the culprit last year.

The number of criminal inquiries dropped without a suspect being identified has soared by 30 per cent in just two years, new Home Office figures show.

More than 2.3million investigations were abandoned in 2023 without the perpetrator being found - more than four every minute and almost 6,500 each day.

This is up by almost a third when compared to 2021 when more than 1.8 million probes were closed without a suspect.

The investigations dropped included hundreds of thousands into violent offences and burglaries.

Police abandoned a criminal investigation every 13 seconds without finding the culprit last year, new Home Office figures show (file pic)

Last year, police were almost six times more likely to drop an investigation than make a charge (file pic)

The figures raise serious questions about whether the taxpayer is receiving value for money for the billions injected into policing the Governments uplift programme.

The programme has seen the number of officers in England and Wales increase from 129,110 at the end of March 2020 to 149,164 by last September.

The Home Office has spent almost 4billion on the election pledge to hire 20,000 officers and expects to spend a further 18.5billion on the wage bill over the next ten years.

Last year, police were almost six times more likely to drop an investigation than make a charge.

For offences including robbery and criminal damage, more than half of investigations ended with no suspect being identified and the perpetrator escaping justice.

Forces were unable to find a suspect in more than 80 per cent of residential burglaries and thefts.

Cases of violent assault and sexual assault were closed without finding a suspect 18 per cent of the time, the figures show.

This means that criminals went unidentified following 350,000 violent assault investigations and 33,000 cases of sexual assault.

And a shocking 1.4million investigations into thefts were abandoned.

Given there are 525,600 minutes in a year, the statistics show that 4.5 investigations were closed every minute in 2023 - or one probe dropped every 13 seconds without a suspect being found.
Joe Biden has faced protests to end his re-election campaign from his own supporters at a fundraiser.

But his wife Jill insisted he was the 'only person for the job' despite the fallout from his calamitous TV debate.

As the President arrived in The Hamptons in New York, he drove past signs from wealthy Democrats reading: 'We love you but it's time.'

Others included: 'Please drop out for US'; 'Step down for democracy'; and 'Thank you, next'  a reference to the hit Ariana Grande song.

Mr Biden, 81  the oldest US President in history  slurred his words and gave incoherent answers on Thursday night's election debate with Donald Trump.

Joe Biden pictured with his family. From left to right: Natalie Biden, Finnegan Biden and the First Lady Jill. Jill is standing by her husband despite the President's disastrous debate

Biden has faced protests to end his re-election campaign from his own supporters at a fundraiser.

It was seen as such a disaster that Democrats are openly calling for Mr Biden to be replaced as the party's candidate come November.

He tried to quell anxiety among supporters at the fundraiser, hosted by billionaire Barry Rosenstein and attended by actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

He said: 'It wasn't my best debate ever... I get it. But I'm going to be fighting harder.'

Top Democrats were trying to speak to Mrs Biden in the belief she is the best person to convince her husband to drop out.

But after arriving in The Hamptons on Air Force One, the First Lady stood by the President.

She told donors: 'Joe isn't just the right person for the job  he's the only person for the job.'

Mr Biden was yesterday with his family at Camp David, where they had their picture taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. But the gathering, which was arranged before the debate, has now taken on new urgency and significance.

Democrats have been carrying out polling to understand the impact of the debate and whether it would impact ballot candidates. An adviser to Mr Biden said that the only way he would quit is if the data showed he couldn't beat Mr Trump.
A top donor to Joe Biden has slammed three of the president's most trusted aides after the president's horror show at the first debate in Atlanta Thursday night.

Tens of millions of Americans saw Biden look weak and raspy on stage at the event with Donald Trump.

The Biden family gathered at Camp David this weekend for a summit to discuss their patriarch's political future as he slides further away in the polls.

While the family remains united in its 'unequivocal support' for the president - and with troubled son Hunter most insistent he remain in the race - others are wondering about the team that prepared Biden for the debate.

Another person critical of some of Biden's trusted aides is John Morgan, a top Democratic donor and ally of Biden's younger brother, Frank.

John Morgan (pictured), a top donor to Joe Biden has slammed three of the president's most trusted aides after the president's horror show at the first debate in Atlanta Thursday night

Tens of millions of Americans saw Biden look weak and raspy on stage at the event with Donald Trump

Morgan called out whom he felt were 'grifters' like former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, White House senior adviser Anita Dunn and Biden's personal attorney, Bob Bauer, who is Dunn's husband.

'Biden's advisers failed him,' he wrote on social media, referring to how Team Biden picked the debate format.

'Format was a disaster for him and a plus for Trump. He over practiced and was drained who wouldn't be,' he added.

He then specifically called out Dunn and Bauer for leading the president astray.

'Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go TODAY. The grifting is gross. It was political malpractice.'

In an interview with the New York Times asking him for clarification, Morgan did not mince words.

'It would be like if you took a prizefighter who was going to have a title fight and put him in a sauna for 15 hours then said, 'Go fight,' he said.

'I believe that the debate is solely on Ron Klain, Bob Bauer and Anita Dunn.'

Morgan called out whom he felt were 'grifters' like former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain (pictured)

White House senior adviser Anita Dunn was also put to the sword, saying Biden has been 'fooled by the value of Anita Dunn' for too long

Biden's family were reportedly also critical of the trio, asking what had happened in debate rehearsals, where Bauer was a stand-in for Trump.

Klain, was in charge of Biden's preparations, was questioned as to why they 'overloaded' Biden with stats and allowed Biden to show up looking 'pale' to the contest.

However, the sources cited by the Times said Biden himself was not angry at any of them and still trusted the threesome.

Despite mounting pressure from the Democrats to consider his political future after a car-crash debate performance, Joe Biden seems to be staying firmly in the race with Jill Biden stubbornly standing by his side.

And her actions over the past 48 hours are clear that she is the one firmly pulling the strings over her husbands decision to stay in the race.

She made it clear when she spoke to wealthy donors in New York on Friday night she knew how the debate was perceived but said she told her husband the campaign would continue.

The CNN performance where Joe Biden meandered through answers and lost his train of thought sparked an unprecedented panic in the party.

Top lawmakers and operatives were immediately considering their options.

Biden's family were reportedly also critical of the trio, asking what had happened in debate rehearsals, where Dunn's husband and Biden's personal attorney Bob Bauer (pictured) was a stand-in for Trump

But when Biden attended a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina , on Friday, he seemed like a different man. Jill Biden called it an 'amazing' event.

During it, he admitted his debate performance wasn't ideal, but insisted he is staying put in the race. The crowed of more than 2,000 cheered him on.

His defiant announcement came alongside the one person likely standing between him and a potentially historic decision to step aside: His wife Jill.

Even though she knows he had a bad night at the first presidential debate, she is standing stubbornly at her husband's side and fighting back against the fears he will lose November's contest to Donald Trump .

The Bidens know 'he didnt have the best first debate,' a source close to her told DailyMail.com. 'Is he the best person to be president, now and for the next four years? 100% yes.' '

Shes his wife of 47 years; she is his biggest supporter, biggest champion, and biggest believer.'

President Biden has the nomination locked up. The only way for the party to have a different nominee is for him to voluntarily exit the race.

However, it appears the president is fighting an uphill battle after Thursday's debacle.

A poll released Sunday reveals 72 percent of voters don't think Biden has the cognitive faculties for another term in office. This is a seven percent increase from the same poll taken earlier in June before the debate.

Klain, was in charge of Biden's preparations, was questioned as to why they 'overloaded' Biden with stats and allowed Biden to show up looking 'pale' to the contest

Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has repeatedly brought Biden's cognitive and physical health into question.

He suggested that debate prep for seven days at Camp David was a way to get the drug cocktail just right before the showdown with Trump.

Doubts increased from before the debate to after the debate over Biden's mental acuity and cognitive health.

Biden stumbled his way through the debate with Trump on Thursday, often speaking lowly, mumbling or losing his train of thought. When Trump was speaking, the split screen showed the President with his mouth ajar and a blank stare.

The outcome resulted in a chorus of calls for Biden to end his candidacy  even from some of his biggest supporters.

On the other hand, Trump's debate performance has only increased his party's support.

Fifty percent of registered voters think the 78-year-old has the cognitive faculties to run for a second term in 2024  only 27 percent feel the same about Biden.

It's unclear what will happen next, but Biden is spending his Sunday at Camp David where he is discussing the future of this race with his family.

Some are blaming First Lady Jill Biden for forcing her husband to continue campaigning for reelection, and Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wy.) accused the first lady of 'elder abuse.'
A local guide has been slammed over a series of videos promoting a 'dangerous' walking trail in the Blue Mountains.

Blue Mountains Explore came under fire after posting to Instagram a series of videos at Hanging Rock in Blackheath, west of Sydney.

One showed two bushwalkers standing on the narrow edge of a cliff that hangs over the valley, while another showed hikers jumping a perilous gap along the trail.

The group is best known for their award-winning guidebooks which include tips and suggestions on where to visit, however its latest videos have sparked outrage.

Social media users accused them of promoting a dangerous trail, warning it could lead many visitors to risk their lives.

'You guys should avoid promoting this... so many people have died at this spot,' one wrote.

'Stop showing people walking to the edge of cliffs unless your business is happy to contribute to funeral expenses and rescue helicopter services,' another added.

'Pretty bloody reckless as a visual branding piece,' a third commented.

Blue Mountains Explore, best known for their award-winning guidebooks, shared a video which shows two bushwalkers standing on the narrow cliff edge

The second video showed a man measuring the gap that hikers must 'clear' to make it to the end of the trail.

He could be seen using a tape measure, before saying 'the safe length to jump, to clear the gap, is 1.6metres'.

The video has attracted almost half-a-million views since it was shared on Instagram last month.

Many of those were unamused, saying the video encouraged people to consider jumping.

'Wouldn't want to miss the jump, Westpac helicopter will be retrieving you,' one wrote.

'I get nervous just watching this,' another added.

'This looks like a horrible accident waiting to happen... this gives me the shivers,' a third commented.

'Death by misadventure is real. Please don't post these as a mum of impressionable teenage boys this kinda thing terrifies me,' another wrote.

In another video posted on the page, a man could be seen measuring the 1.6metre gap which hikers must 'clear' to make it to the popular scenic spot

The page responded to the backlash, saying they 'don't see the issue'.

'Promoting this is actually educational important for people to be aware,' they wrote on Instagram.

Blue Mountains Explore maintained that it is important to know your limits and stay safe.

'Doing something you're not comfortable with can lead to an accident. It's best to be cautious if unsure or uncomfortable,' they wrote.

Every year around 130 bushwalkers get lost or need rescuing in the Blue Mountains, according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS).

Through a partnership with NSW Police, the NPWS developed Think Before You TREK, a bush safety initiative to help bushwalkers plan ahead.

Daily Mail Australia contacted NSW Police, NPWS and Blue Mountains Explore for comment.
EXCLUSIVE

A woman who nearly died in a random axe attack has launched a GoFundMe appeal for the slain mum-of-three who was allegedly murdered in a grisly sword attack last week.

Annette Kiss, 53, allegedly died when new housemate Benjamin Art, 42, attacked her with a sword, meat cleaver, and claw hammer last Thursday at their Russell Lea share house in Sydney's west.

When police arrived, they allegedly found Art lying on Ms Kiss' body with the sword in a harrowing scene that has devastated first responders.

Now family friend Sharon Hacker has launched a GoFundMe for Ms Kiss' family after revealing she is close friends with mum-of-four's eldest son.

But she is united in grief with the family after experiencing her own terror attack seven years ago when a crazed trans woman tried to chop her head off with an axe.

Ms Hacker was buying milk at an Enmore service station in Sydney's inner west in 2017 when she was set upon by the mentally ill attacker in a horrific scene compared to a Quentin Tarantino movie.

Evie Amati, now 31, had set out to murder three strangers when she launched an attack on a man in the service station, striking him across the face.

She [then] turned immediately around to me and with both hands, came through and struck me at the back of the head, Ms Hacker revealed after the attack.

Annette Kiss, 55, was allegedly murdered by her new housemate on Thursday morning

Benjamin Art (pictured) has been charged over the alleged violent murder of his housemate

Ms Hacker, who has dreadlocks, said she was told by authorities that her thick braided hairstyle had saved her life during the vicious attack.

They said (I) was lucky to [still] have a head,' she revealed. 'They said it was like a Quentin Tarantino movie.'

A court heard Amati had been on a Tinder date before the late night attack and had felt ashamed of being transgender before taking a cocktail of drink and drugs.

She was jailed for a minimum of eight years for the attack after her sentence was almost doubled on appeal.

Now her victim Ms Hacker, 50, has launched a GoFundMe appeal for the heartbroken children of Ms Kiss, who had only moved into the share house five weeks earlier.

Police allege housemate Art ran into the house brandishing weapons, yelled at his four housemates to sit down, and started showing Ms Kiss texts from an unknown sender on his phone.

'You're trying to set me up, who you got to try and kill me? Who's the chick texting me?' he allegedly yelled, according to court documents.

'You're trying to set me up or get me killed, now you're trying to kill me.'

Art allegedly held Ms Kiss by the neck before he grabbed the cleaver, while another female housemate used a chair to try to stop the alleged attack before she fled and called police.

Detectives later said it was one of the worst crime scenes they have ever encountered.

On Friday, a neighbour told Daily Mail Australia the surviving housemates are 'too traumatised' to return to the home and collect their things.

Days after the horror attack, Ms Hacker launched a campaign to raise funds for Ms Kiss' three adult children - Six, Samuel and Hayely.

'On June 27 someone took the life of Annette Kiss,' she wrote in the appeal.

'This was a massive shock and now her three children are working to pick up the pieces and give her a worthwhile farewell.

'Given the nature of her death, it's a more complex affair than usual and her kids are having to take considerable time off not only to deal with her affairs and belongings, but eventually the court cases to hopefully get justice.

'There was no warning for her death so the family has dropped everything to make sure the funeral is done right and the sudden influx of costs are quite stressful for them.

'Making it harder is that there's no way to plan everything as it's all dependent on the police and the processes.'

In a touching message, she told included that eldest son Six had supported her the same way after her violent attack.

When I was attacked he set up a Go Fund Me and your support helped me to not loose my business during my recovery. she said, adding.

Any help now is very appreciated to help with settling her affairs and assisting Six during this devastating time.'

The fundraiser has already raised $7,450 raised of $10,000.

On Friday, Art was was represented by solicitor Javid Faiz in Parramatta Bail Court on Friday. He did not apply for bail but it was formally refused.

'My client understands the seriousness of the matter,' Mr Faiz said outside court, according to the Daily Telegraph.

'He's instructed me not to make a release application today.'

His matter will return to Burwood Local Court on August 22.

Superintendent Christine McDonald said on Thursday that Art did not have a violent history, and said he was not in a romantic relationship with Ms Kiss.
A Melbourne cafe has hit back at an elderly customer who sparked a bitter row about hygiene when they criticised a staff member for working while 'clearly sick.'

The anonymous customer emailed the cafe to slam a staff member who was seen coughing and visibly unwell while serving customers.

'She looked and sounded awful, and I overheard her telling another customer that she was sick,' the customer wrote on Reddit.

'It was really off-putting, especially since she wasn't wearing a mask.

'I understand people need to run their business, but it's unsettling to see someone so clearly sick serving food and drinks without taking basic precautions,' the customer added.

The customer shared the email she wrote to the cafe on social media.

'I had to throw my coffee away after seeing her touch my coffee cup,' they wrote.

'I am elderly and do not want to get sick from other people's highly unhygienic habits.'

The email sent to the Melbourne cafe after a customer spotted an employee working while sick

The cafe issued a response to the customer's email, sparking a major debate (stock image)

In response to the customer's email, the cafe said that sometimes staff needed to work when unwell.

'I can assure you that there are no unhygienic habits undertaken, as we take health and well-being very seriously with constant sanitation happening and gloves being worn if preparing food.'

The cafe owner insisted the staff member was unable to wear a mask.

'I'm sorry you felt uncomfortable,' they added.

'However, given ongoing sanitisation before handling, you would quite possibly be more likely to catch something from another customer or someone standing next to you outside, rather than this interaction.'

The email chain triggered an angry response from hundreds of Aussies when posted to social media.

'I thought Covid was meant to teach us if you're sick stay home, but the incompetence of managers has gotten worse,' one said.

Another commented: 'It is against food safety regulations for people who handle the prep of food and drinks to be unwell.'

A third added: 'This makes me rage. Wear a mask at the absolute least. So insanely selfish.

'I'd like to know the name of the cafe so I can avoid it. I have walked out of places in situations like this.'

Many pointed out that the lack of sick leave for casual workers forces employees to show up to work even when they're unwell.

The cafe's response to the customer's email, which stated that staff sometimes needed to work when slightly unwell

'Casual workers no longer get sick leave, and people need to earn money to feed themselves,' one said.

'Most hospitality workers are a couple of missed shifts away from missing their rent payments and potentially being out on the street,' a second added.

'Cold and flu symptoms can hang around for a few weeks for some people.

'This is just the reality of living in Australia in 2024, where the cost of housing has negatively impacted almost every other aspect of society.'

A third person shared their experience: 'I just went three weeks without pay (I'm a hospitality worker) because customers are just as bad.

'The number of filthy keep-cups handed over to me is revolting, as is coughing and slobbering all over your cash. Stay home if you're sick, dammit!'
A suspected racially motivated shooting in suburban Nebraska has left seven people injured.

The gunfire came from 74-year-old Crete resident Billy Booth Friday, and culminated with him turning the gun on himself and taking his own life, cops said.

The incident occurred just before 4 pm local time, and spurred a pronounced police response.

Four of the victims were children ranging in age from 3 to 10 and three were adults, State Troopers said - electing not to name those affected as some recover from non-life-threatening injuries in local hospitals.

All are believed to be Hispanic, and some have already been released. The late gunman reportedly told residents of the targeted home last month to go back to where they came from, while telling them to speak English, cops said.

A suspected racially motivated shooting in suburban Nebraska Friday left seven injured. Four of them were children, and all are believed to be Hispanic. Despite some being more seriously injured than others, all are expected to survive, cops who responded to the crisis said

The gunfire came from 74-year-old Crete resident Billy Booth Friday, and culminated with him turning the gun on himself and taking his own life, cops said. The home from where he fired - and where he had lived - is seen here

'There could be, we don't know,' Nebraska Crete Police Chief Gary Young said Saturday When asked if investigators believe the shooting was racially motivated.

'Certainly the context of "Go home" and "Speak English" lends itself to that.'

The day before, cops vetting the case said they believed six were injured - three kids and three adults - until 'a seventh patient realized he had been injured later in the evening,' Colonel John A. Bolduc of Nebraska State Patrol revealed.

During a subsequent press conference Saturday, he confirmed that "multiple rounds were fired" by Booth from inside his own house next-door, stating that the exact number of shots fired was unknown.

He did, however, state that 'all of the injuries [were] consistent with shotgun blast injuries,' and that 'most of the victims were outside of the home at the time of the shooting.

At least one, he said, was inside the home when they were struck, and all are expected to survive.

The seven were part of a bigger party of 15 gathered at the residence for an apparent gettogether, he added - stating how for now, it remains unclear who was a resident and who was visiting.

'Recovery will be a long road for some of them,' he said of the victims.

The incident occurred just before 4 pm local time, and spurred a pronounced police response. Members of a state-deployed SWAT team are seen here

Four of the victims were children ranging in age from 3 to 10 and three were adults, State Troopers said - electing not to name those affected as some recover from non-life-threatening injuries in local hospitals. A group of people are seen outside the home Friday

All are believed to be Hispanic, and some have already been released. The late gunman reportedly told residents of the targeted home last month to go back to where they came from, while telling them to speak English, cops added

A friend of one of them, Joshua Morales, spoke to KETV to claim the shooter had previously made incendiary remarks and 'shot the house up.'

He said the man now confirmed as Booth shot his friend along with that person's mother. The latter, he said, was shot four times in her back.

[Booth] was supposedly telling [the friends] parents to go back to their country, and they got into problems,' he said.

'And I guess until now the dude just shot the house up. I guess it was just a racist thing that happened.

'So, I guess the dude that shot them was just racist cause he shot a Hispanic family and he told a Hispanic family to go back to their country.'

Cops added that they believed no words were exchanged in the buildup to the event, but that Booth and the family did have prior history.

This included tiffs over parking and other small nuisances, along with the single report that the suspect had told them to go back to where they came from and to speak English while flipping them off back in May.

The Crete Police Department confirmed they received a call about the incident, and that the family decided not to take the matter any further.

A friend of one of them, Joshua Morales, spoke to KETV to claim the shooter had previously made incendiary remarks and 'shot the house up.'

He said the man now confirmed as Booth shot his friend along with that person's mother. The latter, he said, was shot four times in her back

Colonel John A. Bolduc of Nebraska State Patrol laid out the potential motive during a presser Saturday, but said such facets of the shooting are still under investigation

In a statement from cooperating State officials, officers recalled how when cops arrived, they came across a range victims suffering from gunshot wounds outside the residence - as well as the suspect inside his own home.

A SWAT team, in turn, responded to apprehend what was believed to be 'a barricaded subject,' Bolduc said - after which they heard 'one single gunshot' emanate from the home across the street.

Inside, they found Booth deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, along with two firearms - one of which being the shotgun believed to have been used in both incidents.

Boldouc said that, to his knowledge, Booth was legally allowed to carry a firearm.

'All gunfire had come from a single residence at 1810 Parkland Street,' Bolduc said, mentioning the suspect's home where he was found.

He added that as of early Saturday afternoon, four patients have been treated and released from area hospitals.

A SWAT team, in turn, responded to apprehend what was believed to be 'a barricaded subject,' Bolduc said - after which they heard 'one single gunshot' emanate from the home across the street

Inside, they found Booth deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, along with two firearms - one of which being the shotgun believed to have been used in both incidents. The shooting is still being probed by both local and state officials

Three others remain at a hospital receiving care, said - including two at Childrens Hospital in Omaha and one at Bryan Health West Campus in Lincoln.

All injuries, he added, were believed to be non-life-threatening, but nonetheless serious.

'"The active situation has been resolved,' his department said in a statement to X late Friday following the bloody ordeal. 'There is no threat to the public.'

An investigation into the incident remains underway, and people with any information are being urged to come forward.

The shooter's motive, meanwhile, is still being investigated.
A Qantas flight to Brisbane was forced to return to New Zealand following a technical issue.

Qantas flight QF120 left Auckland International Airport at 6.18am on Monday before returning more than three hours later at 9.30am.

An airline spokesman said the decision was made due to technical issues on the flight.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was an hour into the flight when it began to turn back.

The aircraft was forced to complete large circles over the North Island to reduce its landing weight before it was allowed to land at the airport two hours later.

A flight path was shared online raising concerns among social media users.

'Are these guys OK?' one asked on Reddit.

A replacement flight left the airport at 10.30am.

A Qantas flight to Brisbane was forced to return to New Zealand following a technical issue

The flight is scheduled to arrive in Brisbane at 2pm local time.

There are expected to be no further disruptions to the schedule, with the next flight due to depart Auckland International Airport at 6.25am tomorrow.

A Qantas spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'One of our flights to Brisbane returned to Auckland this morning due to an engine-related issue which our engineers troubleshooted and has since departed again for Brisbane.'

'We apologise to our customers for the extended travel time this morning.'

The latest issue comes after a Qantas flight from Canberra to Brisbane was forced to make an emergency landing after losing the use of its brakes on Friday.

QF1908 from Canberra to Brisbane was due to depart at 5.25pm but was delayed.

Shortly after taking off, a warning light indicated there was a brake issue with the aircraft.

Qantas flight QF120 left Auckland International Airport at 6.18am on Monday before returning more than three hours later at 9.30am (stock image)

The aircraft landed on the longest runway at Brisbane Airport at 8.02pm with no issues.

In June a Qantas flight from Sydney to Auckland was diverted back to Sydney after striking a bird over the Tasman Sea.

Flight QF141 was half an hour into its flight when it turned back to Australia.

The aircraft circled over NSW's Central Coast for 40 minutes before landing safely at Sydney Airport.
Feature: Giant panda-themed cultural event held in Austria

Xinhua) 11:13, July 01, 2024

VIENNA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo hosted a spectacular giant panda-themed cultural event on Friday night, attracting hundreds of participants.

Themed "Adorable Pandas, Beautiful China," the event showcased an exhibition of award-winning panda-themed artworks from a recent competition organized by the Chinese Embassy in Austria. Attendees also engaged in quizzes on giant panda conservation efforts.

At the event, Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei said giant panda is a window for the world to learn about China and a "non-governmental envoy" that promotes China-Austria friendship.

Highlighting the long-standing bilateral cooperation in giant panda conservation and the fruitful results, Qi said that the recent announcement by both sides to extend the collaboration underscored their sustained joint efforts to protect endangered species and promote global biodiversity, and demonstrate the friendly strategic partnership between the two countries.

On Wednesday, Schoenbrunn Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation, which dates back to 2003, on giant panda protection and related research.

Pandas Yang Yang and Yuan Yuan now reside at Schoenbrunn Zoo, which co-organized the cultural event with the Chinese Embassy in Austria.

Under the new agreement, a new pair will be sent to the zoo under a 10-year project after Yang Yang and Yuan Yuan's return to China later this year.

Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck, director of Schoenbrunn Zoo, told Xinhua Friday that Yang Yang and Yuan Yuan are among the most popular animals in the zoo, and that the giant pandas have a unique ability to bring people together, connecting different countries and cultures and fostering friendships across borders.

"We are very, very proud because we have great cooperation with the CWCA since over 20 years ago, and we are very happy because through this cooperation, a lot was done for the conservation of the giant panda... we have also managed to have some very good scientific results," Hering-Hagenbeck said, adding that he looks forward to another 10 years of friendship and cooperation with the CWCA.

He also said Schoenbrunn Zoo will renovate and upgrade its facilities to welcome the new panda pair.

At Friday's event, Qi and Hering-Hagenbeck also presented awards to the creators of the artworks on display.

"I love giant pandas and enjoy visiting the two pandas at Schoenbrunn Zoo, so I drew this painting to show the cute and funny side of giant pandas," said Mario Schuster, a resident from the state of Lower Austria and author of the painting titled "A panda holding balloons."

He told Xinhua that he looks forward to visiting China and seeing pandas in their home country.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Florida woman accused of killing her boyfriend by leaving him in a zipped suitcase has written a rambling 58-page letter to a judge claiming she is 'not the problem' after ripping through eight defense attorneys.

Sarah Boone, 46, slammed her latest attorney, Patricia Cashman, in the unhinged letter for allegedly withholding information from her, noting she lost faith in Cashman - but insisting she did not want to have her lawyer replaced.

Boone also noted that she knows her case has gained national attention after she admitted to zipping her boyfriend Jorge Torres Jr, 42, inside a suitcase and leaving him there for hours until he died in what she has described as a game of hide-and-seek gone wrong.

She has maintained that Torres' death was an accident after a night of drinking.

Sarah Boone, 46, wrote a 58-page letter to the judge in her case criticizing her latest attorney

Boone has admitted to zipping Jorge Torres Jr., 42, inside the suitcase in what she has described as a game of hide-and-seek

Since her arrest in February 2020, Boone burned through a series of defense attorneys - and when she appeared in court on June 7, she handed the judge the long-winded note to justify why the eighth lawyer wasn't up to standard.

'Ive never experienced anyone like Ms. Cashman,' Boone told the judge in court as she handed over the letter.

'She will change her disposition and her attitude towards me, and it doesnt matter how dumbed-down I am to myself to try to co-exist with her.

'Ive even come up with the solution to have a pretend judge in interactions with her so she would try hopefully to treat me appropriately and professionally, which she does not do.'

In her letter obtained by Court TV, Boone doubled down on these claims - insisting: 'I AM NOT THE PROBLEM EXCEPT THAT I WANT TO, AND SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY WITH RESPECT, ACTING MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THE PAID 'I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 40 YEARS' PROFESSIONAL.

'After so long in all the experience, common courtesy, customer service and listening skills should have been acquired.'

She argued that Cashman is not including her in discussions about the case, and asked 'how much more of my case and self is being added hourly (especially after this letter gets loose) to the internet increasing the mass infection and destruction of my hopes to have a fair trial, anything fair, my side foremost, and wondering now if my attorney "drank the punch like everyone else."'

Boone claimed that her latest attorney, Patricia Cashman, is not including in discussions about the case

Boone then went on to admit she has walked out of meetings with Cashman 'due to her unwarranted, uninformative, unprofessional, snotty attitude and her untruthful answers to my questions and beyond.'

She added: 'How she treats me is extremely prejudiced, hostile and unconcerned.'

Still, Boone said her intention was not to have her attorney replaced like the others, writing: 'I should feel secure, highly confident, proud in her "representing" my life.

'I do not, and have said to her many times regarding her monumental disbelief in me and my case, which I believe contributes greatly to her inimical attitudes towards me.

'I am hoping by this letter she will pick up the sword of injustice and fight alongside, not against me as so many unmotivated, overwhelmed, weak attorneys who bowed out ungracefully and crept away from the battlefield unsuccessful.'

Just four days after Boone submitted the letter, Cashman filed a motion asking to withdraw from the case and cited irreconcilable differences 'including, but not limited to, ethical considerations,' according to Court TV, sharing a much different version of events that the defendant portrayed.

She claimed that she had spent hours with Boone accepted collect calls, but Boone has refused to cooperate.

'Ive spent over 20 hours going through her questions, going through her lists,' the attorney told the court.

'When I try to update her with regard to the depositions that I took recently, she opted to exit the jail conference.

'When I tried to review some things with regard to discovery as to things I wanted to make sure she was aware of, she walked out.'

She added: 'I cant spend all my time defending what Im doing and at the same time be effectively preparing a case for trial.'

Boone was arrested in February 2020 after calling deputies to her home, saying Torres had died while the two were playing hide-and-seek after a night of drinking.

Cops later found videos on her phone showing the woman filming Torres pleading to be released from the suitcase

Boone was arrested in February 2020 after calling deputies to her home, saying Torres had died while the two were playing hide-and-seek after a night of drinking.

During her initial interview with a detective, Boone said she and Torres were painting pictures, completing a puzzle and drinking Woodbridge Chardonnay when they decided to play hide-and-seek.

Boone said she hid upstairs in the shower, but Torres never went up to look for her.

When she came downstairs, she says she found Torres in the living room and together they decided to have her zip up Torres in the blue suitcase, leaving two of his fingers sticking out of the zipper.

'Sarah and Jorge were both laughing that she zipped him into the suitcase,' the affidavit stated.

At 12.30am, Boone said she decided to go upstairs while Torres was still stuck in the suitcase, thinking that he could get himself out.

Boone got in bed and fell asleep half an hour later. She claimed neither she nor her boyfriend were drunk from the wine.

She told the detective she assumed Torres was going to get out of the bag and join her in bed, the affidavit stated.

Boone woke up the next morning and stayed in a bed for while. She said she assumed Torres was already downstairs 'on the laptop looking for employment.'

She finally went downstairs at around 11am and could not find her boyfriend anywhere.

'Sarah freaked out and remembered the last time she saw Jorge was when she zipped him in the suitcase,' according to the arrest document.

She then unzipped the luggage and found Torres unresponsive inside.

Deputies who responded to the residence in the 4700 block of Frantz Lane found Torres' lifeless body laying on the floor next to a blue suitcase.

The victim had a cut on his lip, bruising around his eye, forehead and shoulder, and nail scratches on his back and neck, according to the document.

Deputies found Torres laying on the floor next to the suitcase, with bruising around his eye, forehead and shoulder, and nail scratches on his back and neck

During the ensuing investigation, Boone gave verbal and written consent to the detective to search her phone, leading to the discovery of two videos.

The first recording, the victim is heard yelling at Boone from inside the suitcase and telling her he cannot breathe, prompting the woman to laugh at him in response.

'Yeah, thats what you do when you choke me,' Boone tells her boyfriend in the video, according to the affidavit.

Torres continued pleading and pushing against the fabric of the suitcase in a desperate bid to get out, telling his girlfriend he could not breathe.

'Thats on you. Oh, thats what I feel like when you cheat on me,' Boone told him, according to the document, adding he 'should probably shut the f*** up.'

A second video found on Boone's phone shows the luggage in a different position. On that recording, Torres is heard yelling Boone's name and saying, 'I cant f***ing breathe.'

Boone would later say she did not remember recording the videos, which she conceded 'looked "bad."'

She also reportedly contradicted her original statement to the police, blaming what happened on her and Torres' alcohol consumption.

The case has since gained national attention, Boone admitted in her letter to the judge earlier this month - including a world map and a map of the United States, annotated to indicate the locations from which she received messages and mail.

Boone claimed the letter was necessary to provide the public with 'insight to my continued disadvantages, hindrances, impediments I am still experiencing on top of the news, spurring my intentions to write.

'The race to the pulpit is unfair and it is important to me that "you" are aware and understand what transpires when the news cameras are off, and we are all in between my "status" hearings,' she wrote.

A hearing for Cashman's motion to be removed from the case has not yet been scheduled, but Boone's trial is set to begin on October 7.
The estranged husband of a missing Wisconsin woman was arrested this week - three weeks after her family last heard from her.

Zachariah Rasch, 42, faces charges of identity theft as a result - after he used missing Crystal Rasch's credit cards to buy a slew of cleaning supplies like gloves, stain remover, and carpet and drain cleaners earlier this month.

Each of the counts against Rasch accuses him of using Crystal's debit card several times, with surveillance video linking him to the purchases.

In total, Dodge County cops said the purchases added up to over $6,500 - all made in different stores miles apart.

Airing the update Friday, authorities added how they tracked Crystal's cellphone to nearby Adams County, where Rasch's family owns the property. An ensuing search turned up his car, which they said has significant evidentiary value.

Zachariah Rasch, 42, faces charges of identity theft as a result - after he used his missing spouse's credit cards to buy a slew of cleaning supplies like gloves, stain remover, and carpet and drain cleaners earlier this month

Each of the counts against Rasch accuses him of using Crystal Rasch's debit card several times, with surveillance video linking him to the purchases. The missing woman is seen here

The car is being processed at the state crime lab in Madison, as cops said they are still treating the case like that of a missing person.

'The Dodge County Sheriffs Office remains committed to the investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rasch and has dedicated every available resource to locating her,' their statement read.

'As part of the investigation, earlier this week, investigators were able to look into the financials of Crystal.

'We found that numerous transactions had taken place using her financial accounts,' the office revealed.'

A criminal complaint filed that morning explained how Crystals estranged husband, a man who currently resides in the rural village of Clyman, was responsible for the transactions.

'They were processed without consent,' cops said.

Security footage obtained by investigators further revealed how Rasch was alone when he made the purchases - all with Crystal's credit cards.

All were made after her family says they last saw her on June 11, along with multiple cash withdrawals as well, a criminal complaint said.

The search is happening in the rural town of Clyman, where cops said Rasch made a plethora of suspicious purchases with his spouse's credit cards before she was reported missing. A Douglas County cop searching the village is seen here

She was reported missing by her stepmother, who contacted cops on June 23 after finding her car at the aforementioned residence with no explanation from her suspect son.

She told officers how she was unable to reach Crystal by phone, sparking a now week-long search into the woman's whereabouts.

Family members have since come forward to claim they've received suspicious message's from the woman's Facebook account, which, based on the language and tone used, appeared to not be her.

That development was detailed in the criminal complaint that's been filed against Rasch, which frames him as a estranged husband with a history of harassing his spouse.

Upon learning this, authorities wrote how they questioned Rasch about her disappearance, and whether he had had any recent contact with Crystal.

He denied having seen her, the complaint said.

Investigators later uncovered the financial records showing the suspicious transactions, which were then confirmed by surveillance clips.

All were made on Crystal's credit and debit card in the days after she was last seen.

Despite still treating the investigation as a missing person's case, cops said that they are also handling it 'as a case in which a serious felony has likely been committed'. Crystal, meanwhile, has yet to be found

After being pressed about the purchases, Rasch eventually owned up to lying, cops said - describing how he confessed to making numerous unauthorized purchases using her account.

A subsequent search warrant of Rasch's residence turned up $1,800 in cash from a dresser drawer and $1,345 from a wallet, police said in the criminal complaint filed with the Dodge County Circuit Court.

deputies added how they were able to ping and trace two phone numbers belonging to Crystal, with last known location for one tracked on June 8 near Juneau, which is in Dodge County.

The other phone pinged near Adams - where Rasch's family lives - on June 17, and showed a call on June 10 from that same area.

Despite still treating the investigation as a missing person's case, cops said that they are also handling it 'as a case in which a serious felony has likely been committed.'

Crystal, meanwhile, has yet to be found. As for Rasch, he is being held at the Dodge County Jail on $250,000 bond.
A young woman was on her way to visit family in India for the first time in four years when she died on a Qantas flight right before it took off in Australia.

Manpreet Kaur, 24, suffered a medical episode after boarding the plane at Tullamarine Airport, in Melbourne, on June 20.

Medical assistance was immediately provided to Ms Kaur before she died in front of concerned passengers. She is understood to have died from tuberculosis.

The plane had been destined to Delhi where Ms Kaur's family live. The 24-year-old had not seen her family since moving to Australia in March 2020.

A Qantas spokesman said flight crew and emergency services had both attempted to provide medical assistance.

'Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones,' the Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

Ms Kaur's friend Gurdip Grewal said the 24-year-old had been feeling unwell in the hours before she arrived at the airport.

'When she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on,' he said.

A woman who died on board a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Delhi, Manpreet Kaur (pictured), has been revealed to have been returning home to reunite with family

'Just before her flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot.'

Roommate Kuldeep told the Herald Sun Ms Kaur worked at Australia Post and wanted to become a chef.

'She was kind and honest,' she said.

'She loved to travel with her friends around Victoria.'

Mr Grewal launched a GoFundMe in a bid to raise money for her family.

'Our dear friend Manpreet left us too soon, leaving a void in our lives that can never be filled,' he wrote.

'As we grieve her passing, we want to come together to honour her memory and support her family in their time of need.'

Roommate Kuldeep told the Herald Sun Ms Kaur worked at Australia Post and wanted to become a chef

The fundraiser has drawn in just under $25,000 of it's $30,000 target with more than 670 donations made in just five days.

'Your support means so much to us and Manpreet's family, helping them navigate through this challenging period,' Mr Grewal wrote.

Victoria Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

'As the matter is before the coroner we will not be providing further comment,' a spokeswoman said.
A holidaymaker has been left fuming after a real estate agent scheduled an open inspection while they were staying at a guest house.

The Aussie explained they had reserved a room through Booking.com when they were abruptly told several people would be coming over for an inspection.

'At 11:45am we were informed that from midday there would be an open viewing for people looking to buy the house, and to allow access to our room,' they wrote on Reddit.

'In came the real estate agent, we allowed the first group into the room because we were a bit confused at what was going on.

'The second group we told we did not want going into the room as these were just random people off the street, we'd paid for this accommodation, and our valuables were all out in the room - they just let themselves in anyway!

'I had to sit in the room from then on to tell people to get out when they wandered in.'

Social media users were horrified by the experience, with many encouraging the holidaymaker to lodge a complaint with Booking.com.

'How detached from humanity must someone be to make a decision like that,' one wrote.

A holidaymaker shared their experience on Reddit after several people came through and inspected the room they had booked on Booking.com

'If this happened to me I'd be livid. Completely unacceptable,' another added.

'That's amazingly illegal,' a third commented.

Purcell Property real estate agent Ned Pearson-Bourke said tenants should be given at least seven days' notice if the real estate agent is planning to have an inspection.

'You come to an agreement beforehand saying look, "every Saturday we're doing this inspection this time", and you can kind of plan a little bit of a roadmap,' he said.

'And the people within the accommodation have every right to decline that from happening.'

Mr Pearson-Bourke said that being notified 15 minutes before an inspection is 'absolutely outrageous' and 'unethical'.

'If you've got someone that is willing to spend quite a bit of money to stay in a house, they're paying that money with the understanding that they're going to have an uninterrupted stay for that period of time,' he explained.

An Aussie has been left fuming after a real estate agent scheduled at open inspection while they were staying at a guest house

'We sell a lot of properties that are up for short term rentals and it's just a matter of liaising with the homeowner as to when it's available to show and when it isn't.

'It's an absolute no-go to even think about showing the property when someone's already staying in it.'

When asked about the Redditor's claims, he said: 'That situation shouldn't ever happen'.

'It almost tarnishes the image of the agency and the image of Booking.com.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Booking.com for comment.
There are three different routes Democrat mega-donors are considering for how they handle Joe Biden after his feeble debate performance in Georgia Thursday.

Focus much of this weekend post-debate has been on the Biden family, who gathered at Camp David to discuss their patriarch's political future.

The family has offered its unequivocal support to the president and even wondered how they can get further involved, with troubled son Hunter insisting his father fight back into the race.

However, many have started to play the blame game, citing Biden's advisors' poor debate prep to face Donald Trump and time is of the essence as Democrats panic at his dive in the polls post-Atlanta.

Democrat donors, former and current Washington power players and supporters of Biden have seemingly coalesced around three different paths they could take around the remainder of this election season, with the knowledge that there's only one person who will decide the fate of the campaign.

There are three different routes Democrat mega-donors are considering for how they handle Joe Biden after his feeble debate performance

Many of the president's richest backers believe that, while Thursday was a disaster, there's not much they can do if Biden won't make the call himself.

'The smartest thing is to think through how you (as influential outsiders) operate, assuming no change,' Dmitri Mehlhorn, who organizes wealthy Biden boosters like LinkedIn CEO Reid Hoffman, told CNN.

'And if there's no change, if Biden wants to remain president, then any kind of a pressure campaign is just a waste of time and energy and effort and money,' added Melhorn, who admitted a good chunk of the debate was 'very upsetting to see.'

Signum Global Advisors Chairman and major Democrat donor Charles Myers immediately dismissed the idea of replacing Biden.

'Yes, donors were nervous after the very bad debate performance but still very much on board and some want to do more,' he said.

There's a opposing faction - though largely not anyone with direct access or influence over Biden - that say now is the time to encourage him to quit.

Tom Harkin, a former Democrat Senator from Iowa who worked with Biden for decades, has perhaps been most public with this sentiment in a post-debate missive to allies.

'All incumbent Democratic Senators should write to Biden asking him to release his delegates and step aside so the convention can choose a new candidate,' Harkin wrote.

Signum Global Advisors Chairman and major Democrat donor Charles Myers immediately dismissed the idea of replacing Biden

'The smartest thing is to think through how you (as influential outsiders) operate, assuming no change,' said donor organizer Dmitri Mehlhorn

'This is a perilous time and is more important than Joe Biden's ego or desire to stay president,' he added, saying a new ticket would 'energize the party at all levels' and be capable of beating Donald Trump.

A third way is developing among some donors, who are alarmed by Biden's performance but want to study the backlash to Thursday's debate further before making any major moves, while still planning ahead.

'It's time to do polling and find out if there are any potential replacements that poll higher than Trump,' said businessman Mark Cuban, who endorsed Biden this week.

Ultimately, the only person who can determine the fate of this campaign is Joe Biden himself.

'The party is in President Biden's hands  for better or worse. He deserves our respect and space to reach any decision,' said one Democratic Senator who spoke anonymously to CNN.

Another party insider told the network that there just isn't a feasible replacement plan.

'A true succession plan does not exist. That's what makes all of this not just heartbreaking, but very problematic.'

The CNN performance where Joe Biden meandered through answers and lost his train of thought sparked an unprecedented panic in the party.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is staying the course with Biden, according to Mehlhorn

'It's time to do polling and find out if there are any potential replacements that poll higher than Trump,' said businessman Mark Cuban, who endorsed Biden this week

President Biden has the nomination locked up. The only way for the party to have a different nominee is for him to voluntarily exit the race.

However, it appears the president is fighting an uphill battle after Thursday's debacle.

A poll released Sunday reveals 72 percent of voters don't think Biden has the cognitive faculties for another term in office. This is a seven percent increase from the same poll taken earlier in June before the debate.

Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has repeatedly brought Biden's cognitive and physical health into question.

He suggested that debate prep for seven days at Camp David was a way to get the drug cocktail just right before the showdown with Trump.

Doubts increased from before the debate to after the debate over Biden's mental acuity and cognitive health.

Biden stumbled his way through the debate with Trump on Thursday, often speaking lowly, mumbling or losing his train of thought. When Trump was speaking, the split screen showed the President with his mouth ajar and a blank stare.

The outcome resulted in a chorus of calls for Biden to end his candidacy  even from some of his biggest supporters.

Many have started to play the blame game, citing Biden's advisors' poor debate prep to face Donald Trump and time is of the essence as Democrats panic at his dive in the polls post-Atlanta

On the other hand, Trump's debate performance has only increased his party's support.

Fifty percent of registered voters think the 78-year-old has the cognitive faculties to run for a second term in 2024  only 27 percent feel the same about Biden.

It's unclear what will happen next, but Biden is spending his Sunday at Camp David where he is discussing the future of this race with his family.

Some are blaming First Lady Jill Biden for forcing her husband to continue campaigning for reelection, and Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wy.) accused the first lady of 'elder abuse.'
Investigators have appealed for help from the public

Police have released CCTV footage showing the car allegedly involved in a hit and run which killed a 'loving dad'.

Emergency services rushed to Abell Road in Melonba, about 51km northwest of Sydney's CBD, at 11.45pm on Sunday following reports a man was injured on the side of the road.

Paramedics worked desperately to save the 79-year-old man, but he died at the scene.

The man's grief-stricken family explained he was visiting Australia from Nepal to celebrate his daughter's 25th wedding anniversary.

His daughter, who was too distraught to appear on camera, told Sunrise on Monday her dad was a 'lovely family man' who looked after his wife and children.

Speaking to the Today show, she also slammed the cowardly driver for fleeing the scene and not stopping to help her dying dad.

Police have released CCTV footage of the car they believe was involved in the alleged hit and run.

The footage, taken from a neighbours home, show a small dark coloured sedan or coupe speeding through Abell Road.

The 79-year-old man who was visting Australia from Nepal was killed in a suspected hit and run on Abell Road in Melonba, north west of Sydney

Police released CCTV images showing the car small dark coloured sedan or coupe they believe was involved (pictured)

Investigators have appealed for the public's help in identifying the car and those who may have been travelling inside

Investigators have appealed to the public for help in identifying the vehicle and those who may have been travelling inside at the time of the incident.

A crime scene was established and forensically examined by specialist officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit.

An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone with information, dashcam footage from the area, or may have witnessed the incident are being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The cop who busted down the door when police arrested Claremont serial killer Bradley Robert Edwards has described the sex fiend's breathtaking reaction to finally being caught - and calmly asked officers: 'So what's this all about then?'

Todd Bowler was a member of Western Australia's Tactical Response Group when he was called in to take part in Edwards's arrest 20 years after his killing spree began.

Edwards was the main suspect in the deaths of Jane Rimmer, Ciara Glennon, and Sarah Spiers when police surrounded his home at Kewdale in Perth's east on December 22, 2016.

The three young women had all disappeared from Claremont in the city's west between January 1996 and March 1997. Ms Spiers' body has never been found.

Mr Bowler had been a general duties officer when the women went missing and had driven around Claremont keeping an eye for suspicious vehicles at the time.

When it came to bringing former Telstra technician Edwards in for questioning two decades later, Mr Bowler was keen to be involved.

'It was a fairly quiet thing when it first came in because it was so high-profile and the detectives didn't want any leaks to the fact they'd found a suspect,' he told the Crime Insiders podcast.

Mr Bowler said the operation was planned so that Edwards would be taken down without having time to resist or destroy any evidence which might be in his home.

The cop who busted down the door when police arrested Claremont serial killer Bradley Robert Edwards (above) has described the sex fiend's calm reaction to finally being caught.

'We had to work out how to do it pretty smoothly and keep all the evidence intact if there was any left after all those years,' Mr Bowler said.

'We went out that morning and we sat off his house a fair way off in the bushland and just got a surveillance team to have a look at the house.'

The surveillance team detected no movement inside the dwelling so police could not determine whether Edwards was inside or not.

'For obviously reasons, commissioners and people high up in the police wanted this guy taken out as early as possible,' Mr Bowler said.

'Because to leave a known serial killer on the streets would be a bad thing so we had to make a decision at some point.'

Having seen no sign of Edwards since daybreak, it was decided the best way to establish the killer's location was to see if he could be lured out.

'We ended up coming up with a plan where we got a surveillance covert guy to go and knock on the door of his house and Bradley Edwards answered the front door,' Mr Bowler said.

Bradley Edwards was the main suspect in the deaths of Jane Rimmer, Ciara Glennon (above), and Sarah Spiers when police surrounded his home in Perth's east on December 22, 2016

'The covert guy basically said, "I just saw some kids mucking around with the car at the front. You might want to check it out".

'Bradley Edwards said, "Yeah, thanks for the heads-up", went out, checked his car doors and things, and went back inside the house.

'Within a couple of minutes from there, we got our team sorted, and we rolled in.'

Mr Bowler's job was to breach the building through the front door.

'I bashed through the front door,' he said. 'The front door went like a saloon door.

'The top half has smashed open, and the bottom half stayed. It was an old wooden door so it just swung around. So I ended up kind of dismantling it into little pieces of wood.

'We got through there pretty quickly and then grabbed him at gunpoint in the hallway, basically just inside the front door.'

Mr Bowler said by the time Edwards had worked out police had stormed the house 'he was down on the ground on the carpet in the hallway and strapped up facedown'.

Retired cop Todd Bowler said the operation to arrest Edwards was planned so he would have not time to resist or destroy any evidence which might me in his home (above)

So far, all had gone to plan as other officers came in through the back and cleared each room of the house.

Mr Bowler said most offenders were 'not very lippy' when TRG members were pointing firearms at them but they sometimes 'get brave again' once they were gone.

Edwards's reaction, particularly for a person who had never been arrested at gunpoint, was unlike anything Mr Bowler had seen before.

'He sat down on the carpet for probably four or five minutes while we stood over him with guns, just making sure he didn't get up to anything,' Mr Bowler told the podcast.

'And then he just stuck his head up and he said, "So what's this all about then?"

'We just told him, "Mate, detectives will be here soon. Just keep quiet, they'll talk to you when they get here".

"He said, "Fair enough" and he put his head back down on the carpet.'

Mr Bowler said Edwards's heart rate did not appear to rise above 50 beats a minute.

'He was just very calm and very peculiar in that way,' he told the podcast.

Todd Bowler (above) was a member of Western Australia's Tactical Response Group when he was called upon to take part in Edwards's arrest 20 years after his killing spree began

Edwards was charged the next day with the murders of Ms Rimmer and Ms Glennon. He was charged with the murder of Ms Spiers in In February 2018.

In October 2019, he pleaded guilty to five other charges related to sexual attacks upon an 18-year-old woman at Huntingdale in 1988 and a 17-year-old at Karrakatta cemetery in 1995.

In June 2020, after a seven-month trial, Justice Stephen Hill found Edwards guilty of murdering Ms Rimmer and Ms Glennon but not guilty of murdering Ms Spiers.

Justice Hill said it was more likely than not that Edwards had also killed Ms Spiers and in December 2020 sentenced him to life imprisonment with a 40-year minimum term.

Mr Bowler, who left the police force shortly after he helped arrest Edwards, said it had been satisfying to end his service by taking the Claremont serial killer down.

'I'd be amazed if anyone was willing to give him parole, ever, because you'd have to put your name to that one,' he said. 'So I don't think he'll be out.'
Investigators have released chilling new audio of a Kentucky mother confessing to exposing her eight-month-old baby girl to heroin after she had traces of the drug on her hands.

Brianne Ehlinger, 33, and Shawn Gardner, 35, were both arrested in November of 2023 after their eight-month-old daughter went into respiratory arrest.

Now Boone County investigators have made public audio in which Ehlinger can be heard confessing to how her child overdosed.

'It's a lot,' the detective can be heard saying. It never should have happened,' Ehlinger says, tearfully.

The detective is then heard telling her in audio aired by Fox 19: 'Yeah, yeah. It definitely never should have happened. But from here, this is how we moved forward and makes things better.'

Brianne Ehlinger, 33, is pictured with a different baby, and not the one that overdosed on heroin. She confessed to exposing her eight-month-old baby girl to heroin

Ehlinger is pictured with her partner Shawn Gardner, 35. Both were arrested in November of 2023 following the overdose of their baby

The overdose happened at the family home in Burlington, Kentucky, in Boone County

Ehlinger, who has given birth to at least three children, explained how she had a drug addiction since she was 18 years old but had been clean for two years having completing a treatment program.

However, she told the detective how had recently suffered a relapse and made a tragic mistake after using the drug.

'Later on, I was playing with my kids, and I thought she had something in her mouth,' the mother explained.

'So, I put my finger in her mouth to check her mouth, and then she kinda, like... she wasn't breathing, like something was going on. So, we called 911 and I didn't even think about something being on my hands,'

Ehlinger had accidentally allowed her baby to ingest the drug after forgetting to wash her hands.

Brianne Ehlinger, 33, and Shawn Gardner, 35, were arrested in November of 2023

Brianne Ehlinger is seen with Boone County officers during her initial arrest in November 2023

The couple have had at least three children together over the years

After realizing something was wrong with her baby, it was then her partner Gardner who called 911.

'Me and my sister gave her CPR because she was still kind of breathing, but she was going out of it,' Ehlinger explained to the detective.

Paramedics arrived at the home and were able to administer Narcan to reverse the opioid overdose.

Incredibly, the baby survived and after spending a few days being cared for in Cincinnati Children's Hospital, she was later released.

Ehlinger is pictured alongside another of her daughter's in a photo on her Facebook page

Gardner is seen playing with one of his daughters in photos posted to social media

After realizing something was wrong with her baby, it was then her partner Gardner who called 911 and paramedics arrived at the home

Alongside the confession, Ehlinger told officers that her partner, Gardner, who had also undergone a treatment program in the past, had given her the drugs.

Ehlinger completed a treatment program in 2019 while Gardner also underwent a drug treatment from which he graduated in 2016. But both appeared to have relapsed in recent years.

The pair were arrested in May with Ehlinger pleading guilty to wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor.

She will be sentenced later this month and faces between one and five years in prison.

Gardner will also be in court later in July to face similar charges.

The child has since been taken into care under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori has been accused of sending porn to staff members - including minors - at West's company, Yeezy, in a bombshell lawsuit.

Censori, 29, allegedly sent one of the employees a link to 'hardcore' sexual content after West announced the launch of his adult film business, Yeezy Porn, in late April.

Those videos were accessible to underage staffers amid the development of the porn app, according to the court documents obtained by TMZ.

Despite the allegations, Censori was not named in the federal lawsuit filed in California - and the anecdote was just incorporated into the suit to demonstrate the problems with the work environment at Ye's YZYVSN streaming service app.

'No guardrails were put in place to prevent the underage YZYVSN workers from working on Yeezy Porn, or to prevent them from being exposed to and being forced to view pornography to perform their work,' it says, according to the Washington Post.

Kanye West's wife, Bianca Censori, 29, is accused of sending porn to staff members - including minors - at West's company, Yeezy, in a bombshell lawsuit

Despite the allegations, Censori was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which accuses West, 47, of engaging in 'forced labor and cruel inhuman, or degrading treatment'

The suit goes onto accuse West, 47, of engaging in 'forced labor and cruel inhuman, or degrading treatment' and claims that his former chief of staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, called some employees 'new slaves.'

The complainants in the suit were all hired by Ye to work on his YZYVSN streaming service app, designed to rival Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music, to promote his Vultures and Vultures 2 albums.

They claim West and Yiannopoulos hired an international developer group comprised of several black members, many of whom were underage, with some as young as 14.

They then fostered an allegedly racist working environment and repeatedly made false promises about payment and working hours.

Milo reportedly promised the developer group $120,000 if they completed the app, agreed to the work conditions and didn't complain.

But Ye then allegedly ordered all of the employees to sign NDAs and threatened to fire the minors if they didn't.

The lawsuit claims that West's former chief of staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, called some employees 'new slaves'

The duo also allegedly required minors to sign 'volunteer' agreements.

From then on, Ye's white managers reportedly used disparaging and racist language to create a hostile working environment.

They reportedly harassed team members on the basis of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation and national origin.

Some of them were called 'slaves' while others were referred to as 'new slaves'.

'Black and African employees were segregated and given less favorable work assignments and separate "whites only" working groups were formed,' Thigpen Legal claimed in a statement to NBC News.

'Minors were mocked for their age.'

The complainants were hired by Ye to work on his YZYVSN streaming service app, designed to rival Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music, to promote his Vultures and Vultures 2 albums

The workers were also reportedly forced to work through the night without pay or sleep.

If they did not agree with the long work hours without breaks, the plaintiffs were allegedly threatened with having their pay withheld.

But even after the team allegedly finished one of the apps on May 1 and sent it to Ye, the suit claims he did not pay them - leading them to file the suit asking for damages for unpaid wages and overtime pay, as well as emotional distress.

In a statement posted to X, Yiannopoulos called the lawsuit a 'joke' and a 'sad race hustle,' claiming it was brought by a 'disgruntled, comically inept Black developer I call Hotep Susan who is mad he didnt get chosen for a full-time Yeezy job.

'I'll eviscerate the complaint line by line tomorrow on camera, including his bonkers racism claims,' Yiannopoulos vowed on Sunday.

'Truly, it's the most dishonest thing I've ever seen filed with a court. (And I've worked for billionaires and megastars for a decade),' he wrote.

DailyMail.com has also reached out to Ye and Milo for comment.

The lawsuit comes as West made a surprise trip to Russia. He is thought to be in the country to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, and not for a concert.

The lawsuit came as West made a surprise trip to Russia. He is believed to be with Censori

Kanye hired the post-Soviet fashion poster boy as his Yeezy brand's creative director in December 2023 in which Rubchinskiy was described as 'legendary'.

West announced his arrival to the city with a message on state-monitored website VKontakte - Russia's answer to Facebook - in which he wrote in Russian: 'Hello, Moscow.'

It is believed West is with his Censori on the trip, although she was not seen on walkabouts, according to Russian media. This comes after the couple was spotted in Paris and Tokyo together this month.

Kanye has previously said he is 'pro-Putin' and once called himself a 'Young Putin' during an interview on the Drink Champs podcast.

Footage allegedly showed him in the Moscow subway, while other videos allegedly showed him at a five star hotel close to the Kremlin, following a reported arrival by private plane.

Kanye reportedly saw the Kremlin and Red Square from a viewing platform on the roof of GUM department store.

It was later reported that Kanye was staying in the $12,846 a night presidential suite of the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow, which has an astonishing view of St Basil's Cathedral.
A father of three who was stabbed to death on a Victorian pier has been remembered as a 'true gentlemen'.

Andres Pancha, 45, was fishing on Frankston Pier in the state's southeast in the early hours of Saturday morning when he was allegedly attacked by homeless man, Forrest Stevenson, 36.

Police say the Filipino father from Cranbourne north did not know his alleged attacker.

Mr Pancha's friend and former colleague Lee Seddon, took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved fisherman.

'Had the pleasure to work and sail with Andres Pancha on the Iron Chieftain. He was a true gentleman. Loved his fishing and young family,' he said.

'So shocking to hear he has been taken so young and in this terrible way. Fair winds and smooth seas.'

Another family friend said he had only recently spoken with Mr Pancha, 'now nothing'.

'Still young and already gone, RIP Andres Pancha. We will miss you,' Tc Cor Glover said.

Filipino father of three Andres Pancha (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death on Frankston Pier on Saturday morning

Andres Pancha, 45, was fishing on Frankston Pier in the state's southeast in the early hours of Saturday morning

Mr Pancha visited the popular fishing spot once or twice a week.

Mr Stevenson was arrested a short time after the alleged murder on the Frankston foreshore.

Police were called to the site after reports of an assault when they found Mr Pancha unresponsive.

Stevenson was arrested on the nearby foreshore shortly after the alleged attack.

Police said the two men are not known to each other.

Stevenson is of no fixed address and promotes himself on social media as an amateur artist who tattoos his own body.

He appeared at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Sunday wearing a disposable face mask and black t-shirt.

Stevenson closely followed court proceedings and appeared lucid.

Forrest Stevenson (pictured) is accused of randomly killing Mr Pancha

Homicide Squad detective senior constable Kate Lynch told the court police required 12 weeks to compile a brief of evidence.

The process usually takes six weeks, but the court was told an extension was needed for pathology and DNA test reports to be completed.

Stevenson was remanded in custody until November 6.

Magistrate Marc Sargent told the court the accused needed prompt medical attention to make his custody 'stay more comfortable'.

'The nurse will see you as soon as possible today,' he told Stevenson.
A historian who has correctly predicted every general election outcome for the past 40 years was asked if the Democrat Party should dump Joe Biden after his horrid debate with Donald Trump Thursday.

Focus much of this weekend post-debate has been on the Biden family, who gathered at Camp David to discuss their patriarch's political future, while mega-donors and famous supporters plot their own courses of action.

The family has offered its unequivocal support to the president and even wondered how they can get further involved, with troubled son Hunter insisting his father fight back into the race.

However, many have started to play the blame game, citing Biden's advisors' poor debate prep to face Donald Trump and time is of the essence as Democrats panic at his dive in the polls post-Atlanta.

American University's Dr. Allan Lichtman, who has yet to make his official prediction about November's election, is sounding off on whether the Democrats should get Biden off the ticket.

Joe Biden's (pictured with wife Jill and granddaughters Finnegan, left, and Natalie, far left on Saturday) political future is up in the air after his horrid debate with Donald Trump Thursday

American University's Dr. Allan Lichtman, who has yet to make his official prediction about November's election, is sounding off on whether the Democrats should get Biden off the ticket

Dr. Lichtman, who previously said Trump's 34 felony convictions are likely not to impact the 2024 election, is also against liberals getting rid of the 81-year-old president.

'It's a huge mistake,' he told CNN. 'They're not doctors. They don't know whether Biden is physically capable of carrying out a second term or not.'

The historian relies on a formula he developed with mathematician Vladimir Keilis-Borok by analyzing elections dating back to 1860. He has used it to correctly predict the outcome of nine presidential elections since 1984.

Dr. Lichtman said that so-called experts and pundits were saying the same thing about Ronald Reagan, who ran for a second term at the age of 73.

'He won 49 states, so this is all foolhardy nonsense,' he said.

Using 13 questions called 'keys,' Lichtman keeps his personal preferences out of his predictions and was one of the few able to correctly predict Trump would prevail in 2016 when polls and political commentators all favored Democrat Hillary Clinton.

'The same pundits who led us down the primrose path of 2016 are giving the Democrats horrible advice,' he said.

He said that 'debate performances can be overcome' in referring to Biden's awful showing Thursday and continued to criticize Democrats for abandoning their president.

He said that 'debate performances can be overcome' in referring to Biden's awful showing Thursday and continued to criticize Democrats for abandoning their president

The historian relies on a formula he developed with mathematician Vladimir Keilis-Borok by analyzing elections dating back to 1860. He has used it to correctly predict the outcome of nine presidential elections since 1984

'At the first sign of adversity the spineless Democrats want to throw under the bus, their own incumbent president. My goodness,' he said.

Lichtman's keys are based on simple true or false questions related to party mandate, contest, incumbency, third party, short-term economy, long-term economy, policy change, social unrest, scandal, foreign/military failure, foreign/military success, incumbent charisma and challenger charisma.

It should be noted that while Lichtman technically was incorrect in 2000, predicting Al Gore would win, though he believes that to be a stolen election and Gore won the popular vote.

Biden's entire family met at Camp David this weekend to discuss the president's future after his shockingly bad debate.

Many have seen Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, as the one person who could sway the president either way.

However, this time, son Hunter - found guilty of three criminal charges in his blockbuster gun and drugs trial on June 11 and someone who has constantly distracted people from his father's foibles - has been the one to speak up most fervently for his father.

According to a new report, Biden's eldest living son - who is notorious for his wild exploits with booze, drugs and women in addition to his convictions - is turning into the most adamant member of the Biden family to insist he remain in the race.

The New York Times claims that Hunter - who despite his troubles, has always advised his father - doesn't want the country to see his father as the 'stumbling, aging' man who showed up Thursday's debate, citing a person familiar with the talks.

Instead, he wants America to see him as he apparently does, 'scrappy and in command of the facts.'

Many have seen Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden , as the one person who could sway the president either way

Joe Biden 's entire family has gathered at Camp David to discuss the president's future after his shockingly bad debate against Donald Trump. Son Hunter (pictured right) has become an advocate for his father's presidency

The rest of the Biden family were more attempting to be supportive and wanted to know what they could do to help if the president kept going.

Ideas suggested including the president's grandchildren 'talking with influencers on social media.'

Overall, the entire family gave Biden their 'unequivocal support,' according to CNN, citing an adviser.

Meanwhile, Democrat donors, former and current Washington power players and supporters of Biden have seemingly coalesced around three different paths they could take around the remainder of this election season, with the knowledge that there's only one person who will decide the fate of the campaign.

Many of the president's richest backers - like some connected to LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman - believe that, while Thursday was a disaster, there's not much they can do if Biden won't make the call himself.

There's a opposing faction - though largely not anyone with direct access or influence over Biden - that say now is the time to encourage him to quit.

A third way is developing among some donors, who are alarmed by Biden's performance but want to study the backlash to Thursday's debate further before making any major moves, while still planning ahead.

While the family remains united behind their patriarch, others are wondering about the team that prepared Biden for the debate.

Many of the president's richest backers - like some connected to LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman - believe that, while Thursday was a disaster, there's not much they can do if Biden won't make the call himself

Many have started to play the blame game, citing Biden's advisors' poor debate prep to face Donald Trump and time is of the essence as Democrats panic at his dive in the polls post-Atlanta

One major player critical of some of Biden's trusted aides is John Morgan, a top Democratic donor and ally of Biden's younger brother, Frank.

Morgan called out whom he felt were 'grifters' like former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, White House senior adviser Anita Dunn and Biden's personal attorney, Bob Bauer, who is Dunn's husband.

'Biden's advisers failed him,' he wrote on social media, referring to how Team Biden picked the debate format.

'Format was a disaster for him and a plus for Trump. He over practiced and was drained who wouldn't be,' he added.

He then specifically called out Dunn and Bauer for leading the president astray.

'Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go TODAY. The grifting is gross. It was political malpractice.'

In an interview with the New York Times asking him for clarification, Morgan did not mince words.

'It would be like if you took a prizefighter who was going to have a title fight and put him in a sauna for 15 hours then said, 'Go fight,' he said.

John Morgan (pictured), a top donor to Joe Biden has slammed three of the president's most trusted aides after the president's horror show at the first debate in Atlanta Thursday night

Morgan called out whom he felt were 'grifters' like former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain (pictured)

'I believe that the debate is solely on Ron Klain, Bob Bauer and Anita Dunn.'

The CNN performance where Biden meandered through answers and lost his train of thought sparked an unprecedented panic in the party.

President Biden has the nomination locked up. The only way for the party to have a different nominee is for him to voluntarily exit the race.

However, it appears the president is fighting an uphill battle after Thursday's debacle.

A poll released Sunday reveals 72 percent of voters don't think Biden has the cognitive faculties for another term in office. This is a seven percent increase from the same poll taken earlier in June before the debate.

Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has repeatedly brought Biden's cognitive and physical health into question.

He suggested that debate prep for seven days at Camp David was a way to get the drug cocktail just right before the showdown with Trump.

Doubts increased from before the debate to after the debate over Biden's mental acuity and cognitive health.

Biden stumbled his way through the debate with Trump on Thursday, often speaking lowly, mumbling or losing his train of thought. When Trump was speaking, the split screen showed the President with his mouth ajar and a blank stare.

The outcome resulted in a chorus of calls for Biden to end his candidacy  even from some of his biggest supporters.

On the other hand, Trump's debate performance has only increased his party's support.

Fifty percent of registered voters think the 78-year-old has the cognitive faculties to run for a second term in 2024  only 27 percent feel the same about Biden.
Rishi Sunak has seized on the England team's comeback win as he kicks off a frantic 72-hour push to election day.

The PM posted a picture of himself celebrating along with the message 'it's not over until it's over' after the late Euros victory last night.

The rallying cry to Conservatives comes as Mr Sunak tries to rein in Labour's huge poll lead, and stave off the threat that Reform splits the right-wing vote on Thursday.

The premier is expected to target the Midlands and step up warnings that Keir Starmer in No10 would push up taxes and go easy on Vladimir Putin, as he tries to shore up the voting coalition Boris Johnson secured at the 2019 election.

But there have been claims that Mr Johnson is his best hope of blunting the attack from Nigel Farage.

Focus groups by More in Common found that the ex-PM could woo back wavering voters as he has 'some of the same authenticity/boldness qualities they like in Farage'.

Rishi Sunak posted a picture of himself celebrating along with the message 'it's not over until it's over' after the late England Euros victory last night

There have been claims that Boris Johnson (pictured) is the Tories' best hope of blunting the attack from Nigel Farage

Tories fear that Mr Farage's (pictured) Reform will split the right-wing vote on Thursday and hand Labour a huge majority

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Mr Sunak warned yesterday that Vladimir Putin wants the Tories to lose the election on Thursday because Labour would weaken the UK's defences.

He accused Sir Keir of planning to cut UK defence spending 'on day one' which he said would 'embolden our enemies'.

In a dig at Reform, he argued that any other party than the Tories in government would amount to appeasing the aggression of the Russian leader.

'Russia does not want us to be reelected,' Mr Sunak said as he pointed to the Tories' record on standing up for Ukraine.

'Putin would like nothing more than for Britain to step back, to appease his aggression rather than face it down, and that is what will happen with another party in power.

'Nigel Farage has talked of appeasing Russia, which will only play into Putin's hands, and Labour will cut UK defence spending on day one.

'This will embolden our enemies and send a signal to our allies that Britain is not with them any more.'

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Home Secretary James Cleverly voiced alarm that Labour will rig the voting system to keep themselves in power.

He added: 'The reason that this is so important, is because Labour have already said they are going to gerrymander the system, they have said they're going to pack out the House of Lords, they've said they're going to get votes at 16, they're going to get votes for foreign nationals, they're probably going to get votes for criminals.

Rishi Sunak (pictured) issued a stark warning suggesting electing any other party than the Tories would appease the aggression of Russia

The PM accused Keir Starmer (pictured) of planning to cut UK defence spending 'on day one'

'They are determined to have a permanent Labour government and they are quite willing to distort the British political system to get that  that is what is at stake. This is not an election which is about giving the Conservatives a bit of a telling off, and many people might think that is legitimate.

'This is about the next five years and beyond and Labour are going to put up taxes, that is inevitable because of the spending commitments they've already made, let alone the ones they've hidden from people.

'They have said they're going to distort the political system and I think there's a real risk, there is a genuine risk that they take a majority if that is what they get to try and lock in their power permanently, because they don't really feel confident that they're going to be able to make a credible case to the British people at the next general election.'
The family of a healthy teenager have been plunged into shocked grief after he died hours after being diagnosed with the flu.

William Jones, 16 was found unresponsive in his bed by his mother Rebecca Rollason at their home near Wellington, in New Zealand, on June 14.

She called the doctor a day earlier after William developed a sore throat and cough two days prior.

The doctor told the concerned mother-of-three to give William plenty of fluids and to call again the next day if she was still worried about his condition.

She went to check on William the following morning, but the teenager was already dead.

'We just don't understand how this can happen to a boy who was barely ever sick and was very healthy,' Ms Rollason told the New Zealand Herald.

'We ask ourselves how what started as a sore throat, snotty nose and a cough on Tuesday to no longer with us three days later.'

Almost three weeks on, William's shattered family still don't know how he died.

William Jones, 16 (pictured) was found unresponsive in his bed by his mother Rebecca Rollason at their home near Wellington, in New Zealand, on June 14

The grieving family are still waiting for results from specialists to determine the cause of death.

William was a talented musician who attended Upper Hutt College.

He got his driver's license last year, just weeks after he celebrated his 16th birthday.

Friends, loved ones and the local community have been left shattered by his death.

William was farewelled by loved ones, friends, teachers and classmates at his funeral on June 21.

Ms Rollason told mourners that William was looking forward to his future.

'William was an amazing, talented and very bright kind boy who we love so very much,' she said.

Rebecca Rollason (pictured) said the grieving family still don't know how William (pictured left) died hours after he was diagnosed with the flu

A lifelong friend of Ms Rollason's set up a fundraiser on Givealittle to help the family cover the funeral costs.

'It is every parents worst nightmare and a shocking tragedy to lose a healthy child from a sudden and brief illness,' Amanda Amies wrote.

Almost $15,500 has been raised so far.

'Rebecca and [the] family would like [you] all to know that [they] are incredibly grateful for all the support and kindness,' the latest fundraiser update states.

Health officials have urged Kiwis to be aware of and protect themselves from respiratory illnesses such as influenza, Covid-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during winter.

The flu accounts for two per cent of deaths in New Zealand every year.
An Air Force veteran, and current Mr Louisiana title holder, is facing jail in Dubai after claiming he was drugged on a night out before being arrested by plain clothes cops while on holiday.

Joseph Lopez, who was also being considered for the prestigious Mr USA title, may now not be able to compete following his arrest.

The B-52 mechanic and Honor Guardsman left the military nine months ago and began advocating for mental health on social media with fans saying he 'tries to inspire and make people laugh and feel related to'.

Lopez jetted out for a two-week-long vacation in Dubai before he was set to begin his preparations for the beauty pageant.

But on June 2, he and his brother, Joshua, visited a popular Dubai club called Bla Bla but the night ended in unexpected horror.

Joseph Lopez, the current Mr Louisiana title holder and Air Force veteran, was arrested in Dubai after a night out ended in him and his brother getting 'drugged' following a night out

Lopez (left) pictured with his brother Joshua (right) before the pair were arrested by plain clothes officers donning 'black ski masks' on June 3

An Uber reportedly approached the brothers while they stood outside the club and suggested the pair attend an after party at a nearby hotel.

Lopez and Joshua agreed to the offer and were taken directly to the VIP section where they were presented with platters of food, sparklers, and drinks that the brother's had not requested.

Around 20 minutes later, as the venue was closing, Lopez was reportedly handed a bill that he paid in full - despite feeling as if he had been scammed.

'Uber drivers and other promoters are paid by some venues to bring tourists in,' said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai.

'In this case, it appears they have gone a step further by forcing food and beverages onto them while making them appear to be free'.

Despite Lopez's suspicions rising following his hefty, unexpected bill, he explained how he was then invited to a yacht by a partygoer before explaining he was 'done spending for the night'.

But the unnamed man persevered - telling Lopez and Joshua that they would be his 'American guests'.

Ultimately, the brother's agreed and once they boarded the luxury vessel, they were provided with a drink that staff later attempted to charge them over $2,700 for - but Lopez refused several times.

The social media influencer then claimed he and his brother began feeling strange, before they were allegedly confronted by a group of Arabic-speaking men donning black ski masks.

They tried to throw the brothers into the back of a vehicle and Lopez admitted he thought they were being abducted.

'They didn't realise the men were plain clothed police officers', Stirling explained.

'Plain clothed police officers often forcefully approach tourists, grab them and intimidate them without identifying themselves.

'Of course the tourist is going to defend themselves to what they perceive to be assault or worse. They end up unfairly being charged with resisting arrest or assault of a police officer'.

The social media influencer left the military nine months ago and beacme a mental health advocate. Pictured: Lopez pictured in Dubai in an Instagram post, uploaded on May 27

The terrified brothers were taken to Al Barsha where they were held overnight and detained until June 12.

They had told officers upon arrival that they had been drugged but police allegedly refused to test them.

The pair were reportedly not breathalyzed for at least 24 hours, but several days later, authorities took a urine sample - once any drug residue had left their bodies.

'Police usually take samples immediately on arrival to preserve evidence against the detainee,' Stirling said.

'It's highly unusual and suspicious to wait several days for a test, particularly when they have been told about the concerns'.

According to Lopez, fellow cellmates revealed to the brothers that it is common in Dubai for visitors to be drugged on purpose and taken advantage of.

Joseph and Joshua were given bail with a travel ban on June 12.

They are not allowed to leave the country - despite the pair not being officially charged with any offences.

The decision now rests with the prosecutor but they have reportedly been considering charging the brothers with alcohol consumption, resisting arrest and damage to the patrol vehicle before they realised the masked men were police.

'The legal process in Dubai can be drawn out for months and often the punishment is the process,' Stirling said.

'We hope authorities in the UAE drop the investigation against Joseph and Joshua and move to investigate those potentially involved in crimes against tourists'.

Joseph hopes he can leave the country, continue his work in mental health and run for Mr USA.

If convicted, he faces years in Dubai's notorious jails where countless foreigners have been beaten, tortured and even killed.
The parents of a three-year-old girl who died after swallowing a battery have been dealt another cruel blow after an alleged thief stole from her grave.

Brittney Conway lost her brave fight for life in Queensland Children's Hospital in July 2020 - three weeks after she ingested the button battery which became embedded in her body.

Her parents Lorraine and David Conway, who live on the Gold Coast, had attached a glass box to her grave with a tiara inside in memory of Brittney

The precious keepsake locked inside the box, was allegedly stolen from her grave at a Mudgeeraba cemetery.

Ms Conway said the stolen item was a reminder of how much she loved her little girl, who adored tiaras and dressing up.

'We just wanted her to know she was our little princess,' Ms Conway told 7 News.

The shattered mother expressed her frustration at the alleged thief, adding that the tiara was irreplaceable.

Brittney Conway (pictured) died at the Queensland Children's hospital on July 28, 2020 - three weeks after she ate the button battery, which became embedded in her body

'I was so angry to think that that somebody would [allegedly] take something so precious from us or even her,' she said.

Locals have rallied behind the distraught family and have offered to donate money by a new tiara.

'I've had a gentleman who wants to donate a $1,000 reward,' Ms Conway said.

The couple first noticed the missing tiara last week.

'What dirty low life dogs to steal my daughter's tiara from her lock box on her grave,' Ms Conway fumed on Facebook.

Hope you get haunted forever!

'We will get you a new one but this one was sat on her final bed before we laid her to rest.'

Ms Conway described her daughter as a girl who was courageous and full of life.

'She was a vivacious little girl, whether she fell off a bike, she would get back on,' she said.

She urged the alleged thief to return the stolen tiara.

'I don't hate you, but please just take it back to her,' she said.

Brittney's mother Lorraine Conway (pictured) expressed her frustration after the tiara was allegedly stolen from her daughter's grave on the Gold Coast

Queensland Police are understood to have been made aware of the incident.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Queensland Police for further comment.

Brittney first started showing symptoms several weeks before she died after she had a sore throat and began to vomit repeatedly.

She also began to have nose bleeds and experienced terrible chest pain before she was taken to the doctor to have the symptoms checked out.

Doctors had previously told Ms Conway that her daughter may have had food poisoning or could have contracted a virus.

Ms Conway rushed Brittney to Robina Hospital after she found her several days later unconscious and lying in a pool of blood at home.

The tiara had been placed inside a locked glass box which has been attached to Brittney's grave (pictured)

The toddler underwent a nine hour surgery to remove the battery after doctors found the item in her chest when they conducted an X-ray.

She was later taken to Queensland Children's Hospital for another surgery, but died eight days later.

Button batteries are small disc shaped items, which are used to power common household objects such as watches, remote controls and toys.

The batteries can cause severe injuries and even death among young children if they are ingested.

Parents of children aged 0-5 are urged to keep button batteries out of sight and reach.
Labour's plan to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme could lead to a surge in Channel migrants that would cost the average household 635, James Cleverly has warned.

The Home Secretary cited government figures suggesting that removing the 'deterrent' scheme would lead to the number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels jumping to 185,000 at a cost of 32million a day.

And he seized on reports yesterday that Sir Keir Starmer is 'praying for rain' this summer to prevent a surge in Channel crossings in Labour's first hundred days.

Mr Cleverly said Labour had no credible plans to deter channel crossings, adding: 'Right now, all we know is that Keir Starmer would stand on the cliffs of Dover to do a rain dance and hope that stops the boats.

'There would be no deterrent under Labour and that means the business model for people smugglers would still be viable - boats would cross the channel in droves.

'There are thousands waiting in Calais for a Labour government so they can make the crossing. We simply cannot give them that incentive by surrendering our borders to Labour.'

Labour dismissed the claim as a 'a ludicrous lie from an increasingly desperate Tory Party'.

Mr Cleverly today said Labour is copying his work on immigration policy.

A Border Force cutter bringing migrants in to Dover this morning.

A Labour spokesman said the Government had 'completely lost control' of the asylum system.

But Tory officials cited an official impact assessment produced for the Illegal Migration Act which found that the cost of housing asylum seekers is set to jump to 11.6billion by 2026 unless a deterrent is introduced - equal to 635 for every working family.

Sir Keir has promised to cancel Mr Sunak's policy of sending migrants to Rwanda on 'day one' of a Labour Government - a move the Refugee Council estimates would lead to nearly 60,000 of those earmarked for deportation being granted asylum instead.

A shadow minister confirmed that Labour's focus in the first week would be on small boats, telling the Mail on Sunday: 'Keir's team see that weather forecast as the most important since D-Day.

'If it's sunny, with calm seas, there's going to be a surge of migrants. And that could set the tone for the first 100 days.

'It could falsely make it look like we've lost control.'

The Allied operation to liberate Europe from the Nazis in 1944 was originally planned for June 5, but it was delayed by a day after meteorologists correctly forecast a window of quieter weather.

A record number of migrants crossed the Channel in the first six months of this year, with 12,901 reaching the UK - up 17 per cent on last year and up eight per cent on the previous record in 2022.

Mr Cleverly today said Labour is copying his work on immigration policy.

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He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I'm absolutely determined as Home Secretary to continue looking at ways of smashing the gangs, interrupting their supply of boats, interrupting their supply of engines, interrupting their illegal money, and of course having the deterrent, the Rwanda scheme, which is designed to deter people from making that dangerous and illegal crossing.'

Asked about his use of the phrase 'smash the gangs', terminology associated with Labour's policy on immigration, Mr Cleverly said: 'They are copying my work.

'Because we have worked with European law enforcement agencies, we've successfully seized a number of boats that were in transit across Europe, a number of engines that were in transit across Europe interrupting their supply of money, so the National Crime Agency is doing that.

'I've made it clear since the day I was appointed as Home Secretary that my plan was to make it impossible for the criminal business and people-smuggling to operate.'

Home Secretary James Cleverly lashed out at the dinghy with dummy migrants which surfed the crowd at a set by Bristol rock band Idles on Friday night (pictured) before returning for rapper Little Simz on Saturday.

Mr Cleverly also accused cult artist Banksy of 'celebrating' migrant deaths in the Channel with his inflatable boat stunt at Glastonbury.

The minister lashed out at the dinghy with dummy migrants which surfed the crowd at a set by Bristol rock band Idles on Friday night before returning for rapper Little Simz on Saturday.

The artist confirmed that the boat was his work following criticism from high-profile Conservative ministers over the weekend, and posted a video of the boat sailing through the crowd during the band's set to his Instagram page.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Mr Cleverly said: 'There are a bunch of people there joking and celebrating about criminal actions which costs lives, people die.

'People die in the Mediterranean, they die in the channel. This is not funny. It is vile. It is a celebration of the loss of life in the channel.'

Asked if the boat could have been a commentary on the Conservatives' failure to stop the boats he said: 'Our ability to sort that problem out has been hampered every stage by the Labour Party who aspire to border control.

'They know that had they supported us, they voted over 130 times to prevent us taking greater control of our borders, the hypocrisy of the left on this issue is breathtaking and to joke about it, to celebrate it at a pop festival when there have been children dying in the channel is completely unacceptable.

It came after deputy PM Mr Dowden yesterday added his voice to the backlash, saying he was 'really saddened' by the gesture.

He highlighted how trafficking gangs endanger migrants who hand over thousands of pounds for hazardous journeys across the Channel which can prove fatal.
Rishi Sunak is stepping up grim warnings about Britain under Labour government as the election campaign enters its final phase.

The PM has kicked off a three-day blitz by visiting Staffordshire, with fears running high that Keir Starmer is on track for a 'supermajority'.

Speaking to a group of workers, he acknowledged 'frustration' with the Tories but warned that Labour had 'no answers' and think about their own 'bank accounts' as well as the nation's security.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir has been challenged over whether he would be the least popular Labour leader ever to enter No10.

Conservatives have been laying out a grim vision of how life could change with Sir Keir in No10, cautioning that he will 'rig' the electoral system to cement his grip on power, by handing 16 and 17-year-old the vote.

They are also hammering the message that Labour will hike taxes more than they are admitting, as well as delighting Vladimir Putin by weakening the UK's defences.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has been forced to deny they will bow to union pressure to bring in a four-day week.

Mr Sunak has seized on the England team's comeback win as he tried to rally Conservatives for the last push.

The PM posted a picture of himself celebrating along with the message 'it's not over until it's over' after the late Euros victory last night.

There have been claims that Mr Johnson is his best hope of blunting the attack from Nigel Farage.

Focus groups by More in Common found that the ex-PM could woo back wavering voters as he has 'some of the same authenticity/boldness qualities they like in Farage'.

In other twists and turns in the campaign today:

Labour has unveiled a pillow with a racy image of Mr Sunak in bed and the message: 'Don't wake up to 5 more years of the Tories.'

Ed Davey has been bungee jumping in his latest wacky campaign stunt;

Home Secretary James Cleverly has hit out at a Banksy stunt at Glastonbury where an inflatable small boat was deployed across the crowd.

Rishi Sunak is stepping up grim warnings about Britain under Labour government as the election campaign enters its final phase

Keir Starmer was in Hitchin today as he tries to seal the deal with the public

Rishi Sunak posted a picture of himself celebrating along with the message 'it's not over until it's over' after the late England Euros victory last night

There have been claims that Boris Johnson (pictured) is the Tories' best hope of blunting the attack from Nigel Farage

Tories fear that Mr Farage's (pictured) Reform will split the right-wing vote on Thursday and hand Labour a huge majority

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Back on the campaign trail, Mr Sunak said: 'It's a big week, I'm going to cut straight to it. I know many of you who supported us in the past have some hesitations about doing that again.

'I know you're frustrated with me, frustrated with our party, it hasn't been an easy few years for anybody, I get all of that, we haven't got everything right, we've made mistakes. I appreciate and hear your frustration.

'But when you go to the polls on Thursday you have to remember this is not a by-election. This is a choice about who governs our country for years and I would urge you not to sleepwalk into that, think about what that will mean for you and your family and the impact that'll have.

'In particular, if these polls are right, and Labour are in power with a supermajority, you have to think about what that will mean  a Labour government unchecked, no-one to hold them accountable, no-one to stand up to them in Parliament and all of the impact it would have on all of your lives.

'If you hand Labour a blank cheque you will not be able to get it back.'

Mr Sunak added: 'If I remain as your Prime Minister on Friday we will keep going to cut all of your taxes.'

Mr Sunak warned yesterday that Vladimir Putin wants the Tories to lose the election on Thursday because Labour would weaken the UK's defences.

He accused Sir Keir of planning to cut UK defence spending 'on day one' which he said would 'embolden our enemies'.

In a dig at Reform, he argued that any other party than the Tories in government would amount to appeasing the aggression of the Russian leader.

'Russia does not want us to be reelected,' Mr Sunak said as he pointed to the Tories' record on standing up for Ukraine.

'Putin would like nothing more than for Britain to step back, to appease his aggression rather than face it down, and that is what will happen with another party in power.

'Nigel Farage has talked of appeasing Russia, which will only play into Putin's hands, and Labour will cut UK defence spending on day one.

'This will embolden our enemies and send a signal to our allies that Britain is not with them any more.'

Mr Sunak said today: 'You have to back up words with actions, that's what we are doing, we're investing more in defence.

'You have to have strength to signal to your adversaries that we're not going anywhere, that's why under the Conservatives we're increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.

'If Keir Starmer is in charge those plans are going to be cut. That's going to send a signal of weakness to our adversaries and to our allies and crucially will mean that we won't have the funding to continue providing multi-year support to Ukraine.

'I can say that because I've got a fully funded plan to increase defence spending. That's why I can say we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to ensure Putin is not successful there ... Labour can't say that because they are not prioritising investing more in defence.'

Labour advisers have been playing down the prospect of legislating for a four-day week, despite the huge Unison union formally backing the idea.

Dozens of businesses and politicians upped the pressure last week by signing a letter calling for the move - although many firms are alarmed that the idea is practically impossible.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Home Secretary James Cleverly voiced alarm that Labour will rig the voting system to keep themselves in power.

He added: 'The reason that this is so important, is because Labour have already said they are going to gerrymander the system, they have said they're going to pack out the House of Lords, they've said they're going to get votes at 16, they're going to get votes for foreign nationals, they're probably going to get votes for criminals.

Rishi Sunak (pictured) issued a stark warning suggesting electing any other party than the Tories would appease the aggression of Russia

'They are determined to have a permanent Labour government and they are quite willing to distort the British political system to get that  that is what is at stake. This is not an election which is about giving the Conservatives a bit of a telling off, and many people might think that is legitimate.

'This is about the next five years and beyond and Labour are going to put up taxes, that is inevitable because of the spending commitments they've already made, let alone the ones they've hidden from people.

'They have said they're going to distort the political system and I think there's a real risk, there is a genuine risk that they take a majority if that is what they get to try and lock in their power permanently, because they don't really feel confident that they're going to be able to make a credible case to the British people at the next general election.'
Jay Slater's family have been left 'in the dark' after Spanish police stopped searching for their son, the missing bricklayer's friends said.

Yesterday, Spanish police dramatically announced they were ending their search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire, but the case would remain open.

His family have been left 'blindsided' by the decision to end the search after 14 days and have vowed to keep looking for answers, even enlisting the help of TikTok sleuths who continue to scour the mountainous region of Tenerife.

Mother Debbie, father Warren and brother Zak are due to meet with Spanish officials on Monday to understand why police had halted the search, but MailOnline understands this will take place over the phone and not in person.

On day 14 of the hunt for missing Jay:

Today TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who worked on the Nicola Bulley case, urged the family to use the 45,000 raised in GoFundMe donations to hire 'experts' to help find him.

Echoing the family's 'disappointment' to end the search, he told the Mirror: 'I have advised the family to use the GoFundMe money to bring in a large team of experts to flood the area from where we know Jay last was.'

It comes as amateur sleuths who have taken over the search for Jay in the police's absence claimed they have discovered a new clue which could help explain what happened to him.

Amateur sleuths who have taken over the search for Jay Slater claim they have found a pair of sunglasses that could belong to the missing teenager. Pictured: The teenager the day before he went missing

A sleuth claimed a pair of sunglasses has been found on a remote Tenerife mountain that could belong to missing raver Jay Slater

The video, which has since been deleted, shows a pair of broken black sunglasses lying on the ground near to the Mirador viewing point, in the area where his phone was last tracked in the Rural de Teno Park near the village of Masca

Jay's desperate family have called in the help of one TikTok sleuth - Paul Arnott (pictured). He has blasted a police search on his TikTok account as a 'PR exercise'

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

Jay's father Warren along with with Jay's mother Debbie and a number of his friends have flown to the Spanish island

Warren Slater (right), 58, and his son Zak (left), 24, pictured alongside volunteers at the remote mountain spot outside the village of Masca where Jay's mobile phone last pinged

Despite a search involving dogs, drones, helicopters and mountain rescue teams there has been no trace of Jay

Missing raver Jay Slater, 19, went missing following a night out in Tenerife's Playa de las Americas resort on June 17

The 29-year-old, who runs the TikTok account Down the Rapids and describes himself as an 'explorer', has been searching for Jay since Saturday. He has posted more than 70 videos since, racking up millions of views

Paul Arnott, who has been assisting Jay's family since the police wound down their investigation, told MailOnline a pair of sunglasses similar to the ones Jay was last seen wearing had been found close to where his mobile phone last pinged.

The video, which has since been deleted, shows a pair of broken black sunglasses lying on the ground near to the Mirador viewing point, in the area where his phone was last tracked in the Rural de Teno Park near the village of Masca.

Family members have been handed the sunglasses, which were found by an army expat named only as Chris, who lives on the Spanish holiday island.

Paul told MailOnline: 'There have been some new developments and these sunglasses could be key.

'They were found by an army guy called Chris who lives here. I don't want to go into too much detail yet but the family have them and are looking at them.

'They could be Jay's they are very similar to ones he has and we are waiting to see. It could be very significant.'

Mr Arnott, an adventurer and mountaineer from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, cancelled a charity fundraiser to fly out to Tenerife last week and join the search and rescue operation.

The self-described explorer, who has been sharing clips on TikTok of his own search operation, has been backed by Jay's family, who he claims are 'really proud' of his efforts.

After Spanish officials called off the search yesterday, he told MailOnline: 'The police say they have searched everywhere but I'm not happy with that.

'If they had searched everywhere they would have found him, but they haven't and I'm convinced he is on that mountain.

'I've been along ridges and gullies they haven't been down and now I intend to look at two other ravines.

Police had been concentrating their search on a ravine further along the national park, with caves near Los Carrizales being investigated

'They say they have searched everywhere but in my opinion that haven't and that's why I am carrying on.'

Mr Arnott also revealed he had refused help from Jay's family and said: 'They are so amazing and lovely. They just want to find Jay and I want to help them.

'They keep offering to pay for my food and accommodation, but I keep telling them no. I don't want anything and I don't want anything from the Go Fund Me site.

'What I would be interested in doing is setting up my own fund to pay for a team from Scotland mountain rescue to come out here.'

Speaking on ITV's This Morning, he said: 'There has been a lot of people around however I've only seen four people actually searching.

'The rest of the people are standing on the side of the road, blocking off paths, trying to stop news reporters going into certain areas.

'The four people that are searching are doing a good job of searching the paths.

'They've gone off-grid a little bit from what I can see but everyone else is just standing about.'

Meanwhile, a family friend told The Times that the Slaters were 'in the dark' about the next steps of the investigation.

Today it emerged that Spanish authorities say there is 'no current evidence of criminality' in the Jay Slater case.

The female investigating judge who is being kept informed of developments has been told the Civil Guard sees nothing at this stage pointing to Jay being the victim of a crime.

As is standard procedure in Spain, the police force is reporting to a court which has opened a routine judicial investigation and has declined to comment on what it is doing behind the scenes as part of a 'parallel probe' which has continued despite the ending of the visible mountain search.

On Saturday, a search took place in Masca, where the local police asked volunteers to help with the search for Jay Slater

Yesterday morning the mountain side near Masca where the search parties gathered for two weeks was quiet on the hillside after Spanish police announced that they were ending their search for the missing apprentice bricklayer

A judicial source, speaking on condition of anonymity as is normal in Spain, said: 'There is no evidence of criminality at this stage in this case.

'That's not to say things won't change because the case remains open and investigations are ongoing. But right now that's the situation.'

Another said: 'This missing persons' case has been judicialised as is normal in Spain and it's been lodged at Court of Instruction Number One in Icod de los Vinos.

'The Civil Guard don't have to tell the judge about everything officers are doing but will be keeping her updated on case progress and of course update her on any significant developments.'

In line with the revelation that the Jay Slater probe is being treated at the moment as a missing person inquiry and not a crime, officials confirmed investigating judge Maria Goya has not declared it 'secret' to protect the judicial proceedings.

An order called in Spanish a 'secreto de sumario' is often slapped on a criminal probe in its infancy, preventing even defence lawyers and prosecuting attorneys from accessing case files.

Such orders also prevent public officials from revealing details of any case files with breaches punishable by heavy fines.

Judges who make their investigations secret when cases are still in their infancy act out of a desire to avoid them being compromised by minimising the risk of leaks.

The judicial source said: 'The Jay Slater case that has been opened at the Icod de los Vinos court is not under any secrecy order.'
Leading film directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon have been detained by French police for questioning over sexual abuse allegations, sources close to the case have said.

Jacquot, 77, and Doillon, 80, were seen arriving at a Paris police station on Monday morning, accompanied by their lawyers.

Actress and director Judith Godreche has formally accused Jacquot of rape and Doillon of sexual assault when she was a minor.

The 52-year-old has described Jacquot of having an unhealthy 'hold' over her during a relationship with him that started when she was 14, from in 1986 to 1992.

She has accused Doillon of abuse on set when she acted in one of his films. The men have each denied the allegations.

Benoit Jacquot, 77, has denied the accusations levelled against him by actress and director Judith Godreche

Jacques Doillon, 80, has been accused of abuse by Godreche when she was on set for one of his films. He denies the allegations

Fellow actor Isild Le Besco, 41, has also formally accused Jacquot of raping her between 1998 and 2007 during a toxic relationship that started when she was 16 and he was 52.

Actor Julia Roy, 34, has also filed a complaint against him for sexual assault, during 'a context of violence and moral constraint which lasted several years', a source close to the case said.

The director's lawyers said there had been no need to detain them in order to question them, and stressed they should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

Jacquot's lawyer, Julia Minkowski, said her client would 'finally be able to express himself before the law'.

Doillon's attorney, Marie Dose, said no legal criteria could justify his being detained for questioning '36 years' after the incident alleged by Godreche.

The sources close to the case said their interrogation could include a confrontation with the person or persons accusing them.

Godreche on Instagram wrote she was deeply moved that police had finally summoned the two directors.

'I'm crying... From all this... I don't know if I have the strength but I will have it. I will have it... For her,' she wrote, posting a picture of her teenage self next to Jacquot, 25 years her senior.

Actress and director Judith Godreche has formally accused Jacquot of rape and Doillon of sexual assault when she was a minor

'I'm crying... From all this... I don't know if I have the strength but I will have it. I will have it... For her,' Godreche wrote on Instagram, posting a picture of her teenage self next to Jacquot, 25 years her senior

Godreche was 14 when she met Jacquot, then 39, in 1986 on the set of his film Les Mendiants.

Le Monde reports that they went on to share an 'intimate relationship' for six years.

The actress has since accused him of predatory behaviour and of 'violent rape of a minor under 15 years old committed by a person in authority'.

The French film industry is reeling from accusations it has too long provided cover for abuse, including after a series of allegations against 75-year-old screen legend Gerard Depardieu, all of which he denies.

Since breaking her silence, Godreche has become a leading voice in France's #MeToo movement.

After she appealed for a cinema oversight body, parliament in May voted to create a commission to investigate sexual and gender-based violence in the film industry and other cultural sectors.
Three men have been brutally caned 42 times today for consuming alcohol and breaking Sharia law on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Pictures showed an intimidating executor, or 'algojo', gripping a rattan before carrying out the public caning against four men in front of Islamic court officials.

Dressed in brown robes, the algojo struck the backs of the convicts with the wooden cane in the centre of a white, tiled room.

Two of the convicts were seen dressed in white tunics, while the other two wore red tops printed with the name of the district attorney's office.

They were led into the middle of the room to sit on a blue rug, their heads bowed, before each taking their turn to receive their respective punishments.

A man has been brutally caned 42 times for consuming alcohol and breaking Sharia law on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Pictured: A man is seen being caned in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Pictures showed an intimidating executor, known as an 'algojo', gripping a rattan before carrying out the public caning against four men in front of Islamic court officials

Dressed in brown robes, the algojo struck the backs of the convicts with the wooden cane in the centre of a white, tiled room. One man was struck 42 times

Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city in the Indonesian province of Aceh, and is located on the island of Sumatra - home to the Acehnese people.

Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that has implemented Sharia law and considers gambling, alcohol, lesbian, gay and bisexual relationships and sex outside of marriage as violations of the law.

Punishments for breaking the draconian laws include caning, fines, and imprisonment. In 2009, there was a legal push to also allow stoning, but this was vetoed by the governor of Aceh at the time.

The four Acehnese men received 19 to 42 lashes for drinking alcohol, known as 'khamar' in sharia law. A police officer with a microphone oversaw the punishments.

The three men to receive the 42 lashes were named in local press as M. Fais Akbar, Aulia Syahputra, and Yusdi, while Cukri Ramadhan received 19.

Before the punishment was out, all men underwent a health check by a team of medics. They were all deemed ready to serve their sentence.

The executing prosecutor then called the convicts into the middle of the room one by one, where the caning sentence was carried out.

Kompas reported that the caning was paused for one of the men after he groaned in pain after 10 lashes. He was given something to drink by the medics, who also checked on his condition, before the punishment continued.

'Today, the execution of the caning sentence for four people convicted of violating khamar or being drunk has been completed,' said the Head of the Banda Aceh District Prosecutor's Office after the process.

Supporters of the Islamic criminal law argue that such punishments are legal under the special autonomy that is granted to Aceh.

Two of the men are seen in white tunics arriving at the building in Banda Aceh where they were late caned for breaking the region's Sharia law on consuming alcohol

The four men are seen sitting in front of Islamic court officials and police ahead of the punishment, which was carried out in the white tiled room

Supporters of the Islamic criminal law argue that such punishments are legal under the special autonomy that is granted to Aceh

Critics have called on officials to abolish the use of caning as a punishment, while also objecting to the criminalisation of sex outside of marriage and homosexuality.

Amnesty International, which has urged the region to stop the practice of caning gay men, said 108 canings were carried out in 2015 and 100 in 2016.

It said that sharia law applied to non-Muslims for the first time in 2016 when a Christian woman was sentenced to 28 strokes for selling alcohol.

In 2022 it was reported that a woman had received 100 lashes for adultery, while the man she had the affair with only received 15 lashes.
Dozens more migrants arrived in Dover this morning after trying to cross the Channel.

Around 50 people including young children were seen being brought to shore on the Kent coast after being rescued during the perilous journey.

Some youngsters were carried, seen wearing life jackets, while others walked and were led by the hand.

They are the latest arrivals after the number landing in the UK this year tipped over the 13,000 mark last month.

It follows the artist Banksy being accused of 'celebrating' migrant deaths in the Channel with his inflatable boat stunt at Glastonbury.

Home Secretary James Cleverly lashed out at the dinghy with dummy migrants which surfed the crowd at a set by Bristol rock band Idles on Friday night before returning for rapper Little Simz on Saturday.

A child is seen being led by the hand as they disembark from a Border Force vessel today

Dozens of migrants including young children have arrived in Dover in the latest crossing

Young children are seen being carried as they were helped ashore today

Keir Starmer hopes that the start of next month is unseasonably wet  to reduce the chance of his likely premiership being sabotaged by rows over his migrant policy

Rishi Sunak landed blows on the Labour leader last week by claiming that illegal migrants are 'queuing up in Calais waiting for a Labour government'

The artist confirmed that the boat was his work following criticism from high-profile Conservative ministers over the weekend, and posted a video of the boat sailing through the crowd during the band's set to his Instagram page.

It comes as party leaders vow to tackle the problem ahead of Thursday's election.

A record number of migrants crossed the Channel in the first six months of this year, with 13,056 reaching the UK.

And the number of migrants arriving in small boats has reached 50,108 since Rishi Sunak became the Prime Minister on October 25, 2022.

Keir Starmer hopes that the start of next month is unseasonably wet  to reduce the chance of his likely premiership being sabotaged by rows over his migrant policy.

Mr Sunak landed blows on the Labour leader last week by claiming that illegal migrants are 'queuing up in Calais waiting for a Labour government', and Sir Keir's strategists are concerned about the 'optics' of a surge in small-boat arrivals in his first week in No 10.

Labour's plan to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme could lead to a surge in Channel migrants that would cost the average household 635, James Cleverly warned previously.

The Home Secretary cited government figures suggesting that removing the 'deterrent' scheme would lead to the number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels jumping to 185,000 at a cost of 32million a day.

And he seized on reports that Sir Keir Starmer is 'praying for rain' this summer to prevent a surge in Channel crossings in Labour's first hundred days.

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Mr Cleverly said Labour had no credible plans to deter channel crossings, adding: 'Right now, all we know is that Keir Starmer would stand on the cliffs of Dover to do a rain dance and hope that stops the boats.

'There would be no deterrent under Labour and that means the business model for people smugglers would still be viable - boats would cross the channel in droves.

'There are thousands waiting in Calais for a Labour government so they can make the crossing. We simply cannot give them that incentive by surrendering our borders to Labour.'

Labour dismissed the claim as a 'a ludicrous lie from an increasingly desperate Tory Party'.

A Labour spokesman said the Government had 'completely lost control' of the asylum system.

But Tory officials cited an official impact assessment produced for the Illegal Migration Act which found that the cost of housing asylum seekers is set to jump to 11.6billion by 2026 unless a deterrent is introduced - equal to 635 for every working family.

Labour has also been warned that French preparations for the Paris Olympics at the end of next month will draw police away from the migrant camps in the north of the country.

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Home Secretary James Cleverly lashed out at the dinghy with dummy migrants which surfed the crowd at a set by Bristol rock band Idles on Friday night (pictured)

The shadow minister said: 'The Foreign Office has already briefed us that when the Olympics start the police are going to be deployed around Paris. And the smugglers know that. They could exploit the window.'

In addition to the 60,000 migrants likely to be granted asylum  out of a total of 90,000 on the Rwanda list  the Refugee Council also forecasts that 27,000 more migrants will cross the Channel this year, adding to the backlog of claims that a Labour government would have to process.

A third of small-boat arrivals have been from countries from which more than 80 per cent of asylum claims are granted: Sudan (with a 99 per cent asylum grant rate), Eritrea (99 per cent), Syria (99 per cent), Afghanistan (98 per cent) and Iran (83 per cent).

The Council expects Labour to start transferring the 90,000 migrants to the asylum system, even before it repeals Mr Sunak's Illegal Migration Act.
A man was shot and hospitalized after a violent brawl broke out at Washington Square Park during New York City's Pride Parade.

The 20-year-old is now recovering from multiple gunshot wounds following the shooting as police dashed to the scene to break up the intense fighting that began in the early hours of Monday morning.

Both 5th Avenue and East 8th Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, were shut down just after 2am, with bullet markers visible on the ground.

Cops swarmed the area as they worked to piece together just what went wrong at the march, and who was responsible for firing the shots that left the unnamed man wounded in his buttocks and right hand.

'The first one, I was running. I heard two, but I didn't know if it was a shot or not, I thought it was like a firework or something because it's Pride, you know,' one witness told ABC7.

A man, 20, was shot and hospitalized after a violent brawl broke out at Washington Square Park, Lower Manhattan, during New York City 's Pride Parade. Pictured: A group of women fight beside the park's iconic water fountain

Pictured: A reveler seen laying on the ground with only one shoe after intense bouts of fighting erupted during the weekend Pride march

Pictured: Footage captured the moment a woman in a pink shirt was thrown to the ground by another furious partygoer amid the fighting

The victim was dashed to a local hospital, with police continuing their hunt for the gunman.

Footage from the weekend's Pride celebrations showed multiple fights breaking out late on Sunday and into Monday morning, as massive crowds of unruly revelers turned up to take part in the festivities.

Some 22 people were arrested during Pride and the disastrous aftermath - with 16 people receiving desk appearances and release, while six remain in custody with charges pending.

'This is really crazy, Pride is not supposed to be like this,' a witness told the news outlet.

'We're supposed to come out and enjoy and you know just love one another and come together. And we hope moving forward there will be no more violence and craziness going on.'

Video from the jaw-dropping scenes shows large groups of partygoers embroiled in fist-fights and hair-pulling battles as they tackled each other to the ground.

Crowds gathered around to watch the chaos unfold, while others pulled out their phones to record the Lower Manhattan showdowns.

In one clip, a woman who appeared to be bleeding from her face while dried blood stained her white shirt, lunged at a fellow reveler as the crowds went wild with cheers amid the fighting.

Large groups of Pride festival-goers began throwing punches at one another after massive crowds showed up at the New York City park to celebrate Pride

Pictured: The woman in the pink shirt was dragged to the floor by her hair in shocking scenes before a group of women came to her rescue and ushered her away from her attacker

Pictured: A woman was thrown off the edge of the park's fountain before she attempted to crawl to safety

Pictured: A woman yelled into the face of another party-goer as the fighting continued to erupt in the background

At another point, two men were seen launching haymakers at one another before one stumbled onto the ground.

Just moments later, two women threw swings at each other as a a couple of brave bystanders attempted to break up the brawl, a clip shows.

Two women were also spotted thrashing it out as one pushed the other off the edge of the park's water fountain - sending her tumbling to the ground.

Another brawler grabbed the shirt of a woman in pink and threw her onto the floor before she was dragged around by her attacker.

A small group of people quickly gathered around the bloodied woman and ushered her to safety, as she held her head and stumbled away from the fight.

Shards of smashed glass could be seen littered across the ground where people walked barefoot after having their shoes ripped off during fights.

But before the violence took over the celebrations, separate footage captured multiple women twerking on top of a whit vehicle and one person grinding against a light pole he had climbed to the top of.

As nighttime crept in, the NYPD played a loudspeaker recording declaring Washington Square Park's closure and ordered revelers to leave the site - causing a stir between cops and rowdy partygoers.

It was not immediately clear if any arrests took place as a result of the fighting.
A female prison officer accused of having sex with an inmate at Wandsworth prison in an X-rated film today appeared in court.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, was charged after a video of the alleged activity was shared on social media.

Appearing in the glass-fronted dock at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court wearing all grey, she spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, before hiding her face and carrying a large suitcase as she left court.

The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent probe on Friday after officers were made aware of a video said to have been filmed inside HMP Wandsworth in south London between June 26 and 28.

Ms De Sousa Abreu was arrested at Heathrow Airport and was due to catch a flight to Madrid having notified the prison of her travel plans, the court heard.

Linda De Sousa Abreu leaving Uxbridge Magistrates' Court

Ms De Sousa Abreu appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court in West London this afternoon charged with misconduct in public office by 'engaging in a sexual act with a Prisoner in a prison cell'

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, (drawn in court today) who worked as a guard at HMP Wandsworth, was apprehended at Heathrow Airport on Saturday

Prosecuting Niamh McDonagh told the court: 'Ms De Sousa Abreu was apprehended at Heathrow Airport where a flight had been booked for Madrid. I believe she has relatives living there.

'A Portuguese passport was seized by police when she was apprehended. She is a Portuguese national with a Portuguese passport.'

Defending, Gayathri Yogarajah said Ms De Sousa Abreu had notified HMP Wandsworth, telling them of her travel plans which was duly passed on to Scotland Yard.

The 30-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear for a plea and case management hearing on July 29 at Isleworth Crown Court.

De Sousa Abreu hiding her face as she leaves Uxbridge Magistrates' Court

The ex-prison officer leaving court carrying a large suitcase

The ex-prison officer carried a large suitcase and hid her face as she left court

Ms De Sousa Abreu pulled the hoodie over her face as she left court

The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent probe after being made aware of a video alleged to have been filmed inside HMP Wandsworth (pictured)

She must remain at the southwest London address given in court.

Her Portuguese passport must remain with the police and she cannot make any attempt to retrieve it.

She is forbidden from applying or being in possession of international travel documents and she must hand over her Portuguese identity card that she could travel on.

Ms Da Sousa Abreu is also forbidden to enter any UK port and must be electronically monitored between the hours of 9am and 7pm.

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'Staff corruption is not tolerated and the former prison officer allegedly featured in this video has been reported to the police.

'It would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate.'

HMP Wandsworth is a Category 'B' Victorian prison with a 1,371 capacity, which opened in 1851.
Three men are dead and two injured after an an early morning shooting near the University of Cincinnati campus.

Multiple gunshots rang out around 2.50am Monday near East University Avenue and Highland Avenue, Cincinnati police confirmed.

Officers discovered four victims at the scene, including one in a wheelchair, and a fifth victim was identified after being self-transported to a nearby hospital.

Two people were taken into custody, including one of the wounded, and multiple firearms were recovered at the scene, police Captain Mark Burns said.

There was a brief standoff at the scene after an individual ran into a house with a weapon. The suspect was arrested after coming out of the home voluntarily.

Multiple gunshots were fired around 2.50am Monday near East University Avenue and Highland Avenue in Cincinnati's Corryville neighborhood early Monday morning

Four victims were found at the scene including one who was shot in a wheelchair

'There were multiple firearms recovered at the crime scene and two subjects (one of which was also shot) are being detained at this time,' Burns told The Associated Press in an email. He said he had no further information.

Earlier, the university's public safety department posted on the social platform X that police were responding to an emergency shortly before 3am.

The department later posted it was a shooting and said: 'Be observant/take action as needed.'

About an hour later, the department issued an 'all clear' message and said 'police will maintain heavy presence.'

Local news stations reported that officers patrolling Corryville neighborhood early Monday morning when they heard shots fired in the 300 block of East University Avenue.

Officers were patrolling Cincinnati's Corryville neighborhood early Monday morning when shots were fired in the 300 block of East University Avenue

Police declared one victim dead at the scene and another was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where they were later declared dead. An officer is pictured at the scene on Monday morning

Captain Mark Burns said during a media briefing around 5am Monday that officers took one person into custody after the individual ran into a house with a weapon. Burns said there was a standoff with police but the individual did ultimately exit the property voluntarily

Officers arrived on scene to find several people suffering from gunshot wounds. They said all five shot were men, believed to be adults.

Burns, during a media briefing around 5am, confirmed that one of the victims had been shot in a wheelchair. One victim is understood to have been shot in the leg, another on the sidewalk and one in a vehicle.

Police said that one of the victim had been taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, WCPO reported.

Officers declared one victim dead at the scene and another was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where they were later declared dead.

Burns said during the briefing that a third man was victim was suspected to be dead. It is unclear when or where he was officially declared deceased.

The university did issue an emergency alert on social media at 2.54am but had given the all clear by 3.51am. The school noted that police will maintain a heavy presence while they carry out their investigation

The captain added that a fifth victim was self-transported to a hospital. Their condition remains unknown at this time.

Burns also told the media that one person at the scene ran into a house with a weapon.

He said there was a standoff with police but the individual did ultimately exit the property voluntarily.

It is unclear at this time if the suspect was the shooter, hiding the weapon or connected to the incident in some other way.
Her controversial performance at Eurovision in Malmo earlier this year prompted enormous protests and mean-spirited boos and jeers.

But last night spectators in London had nothing but applause for Israeli Eurovision star Eden Golan, 20, as she was joined on stage in a private performance in London by scores of celebrities including Countdown's Rachel Riley MBE, Fauda's Rona-Lee Shimon and Emmerdale's Louisa Clein.

The secret event - which took place at a theatre in the West End and included performances from an ensemble of A-List stars - raised more than 1 million that will be used to rebuild nurseries that had been destroyed on October 7 in Kibbutz Be'eri.

It was one of the worst affected villages of Hamas's bloodthirsty attack on Israel - with 120 of its residents being murdered and a further 26 taken hostage during the terrorist group's murderous rampage.

Eden Golan from Israel enters the stage during the opening ceremony of The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on May 11

Eden Golan performs at an exclusive event in London's West End. The show was kept secret due to security fears

Golan pictured on stage. Just under 1,000 people were personally invited to the performance

Titled Letters, Light and Love, the one-time show included performances from world-class British, American and Israeli entertainers including Olivier award-winning actress Dame Maureen Lipman, Will & Grace star Debra Messing, supermodel Bar Refaeli, Israeli artist Michael Aloni, and Booker-winning novelist Howard Jacobson.

The event's existence, as well as the time and location of the show were kept completely secret due to significant security fears - with just under 1,000 people being personally invited to the performance.

During the show actors read extracts from letters sourced from the archives of The National Library of Israel written by Zionists throughout the ages including Golda Meir, Winston Churchill, Caesar and Theodore Herzel, to highlight the historic connection between the Jewish people and Israel.

Interspersed amongst the readings were musical performances from Rona-Lee Shimon, Ester Rada, and Eurovision powerhouse Eden Golan

Interspersed amongst the readings were musical performances from Rona-Lee Shimon, Ester Rada, and Eurovision powerhouse Eden Golan.

Celebrities attending the one-of-a-kind event in central London included British comedian Jimmy Carr, Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev and Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely.

Following the show performers and VIPs were then invited to an exclusive party underneath the theatre where wine, sushi and canapes were served.

Commenting on the enormous success of the fundraising event, creator and co-producer of the show Sarah Sultman said: 'We are a people with a rich history and connection to Israel that spans centuries.

Greta Thunberg pictured outside the Malmo Arena, Sweden, to protest Eden Golan's performance

Police restrain a man wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf outside the Malmo Arena on May 11

'We researched and collected hundreds of letters from the thousands if not millions that exist; this show is just a mere drop in the ocean of those narratives.

'We hope that other diaspora communities around the world will take this script and adapt it for themselves and stage it so that the letters continue to create stories of renewed hope, connectivity, and pride in our homeland.'

Michal Noe co co-producer of the event added: 'Cast, crew and individuals have all given generously of their time and their talent and come together to remind us at this critical moment in Israel's history of the joy and pride we all have for our homeland.'

Mandie Winston, Chief Executive of UJIA, the charity partner for the event said: 'This vital project is crucial to helping young families to return to Kibbutz Be'eri.

'Together we can make sure that Israel emerges from the ashes of October 7 stronger and more resilient than before.'
An aspiring Minnesota Republican lawmaker accused of hurling a tarantula at her roommate has refused to deny that she is an escort.

Hennepin County Board candidate Marisa Simonetti, 30, was arrested earlier this month after she allegedly threw a tarantula and other items at a woman who was renting a room in the property she lives in.

Following her arrest, the Star Tribune reported that Simonetti once worked as an escort, which she has not denied.

In a statement, Simonetti said: 'I have done nothing wrong or to be ashamed of. When you are a woman, with an infant and no money, living with domestic violence, you cant "just leave."

'I made a plan to protect my son and I executed, and now hold considerable wealth. I refuse to accept any narrative that shames or blames women for the autonomy they exercise over their own bodies.'

Hennepin County Board candidate Marisa Simonetti was arrested earlier this month after she allegedly threw a tarantula and other items at a woman who was renting a room in her home

Simonetti also told the Star Tribune: 'It sure beats swiping on Tinder endlessly and having my time wasted by guys who want a free fun time.'

The Republican did admit she had an OnlyFans account.

Local Republicans have distanced themselves from the candidate, saying she 'does not reflect our values' and 'has only served to embarrass the Republican Party.'

Simonetti, 30, who has been running on a 'Rebuilding Safety through Family Values' campaign for this year's election was charged with fifth degree assault charges and domestic assault following the incident with her roommate.

According to reports, the aspiring congresswoman was also charged with a felony count of financial card fraud against her former lover last year.

Simonetti, 30, who has been running on a 'Rebuilding Safety through Family Values' campaign for this year's election was charged with fifth degree assault charges and domestic assault

Vasquez recorded Simonetti blasting Christian music and banging pots and pans before she tossed a tarantula down the stairs

Simonetti said she was inspired by Home Alone before throwing the spider down the stairs

Simonetti claimed in an interview with Fox 9 that she rented her basement to local attorney Jackie Vasquez who needed to study for the California bar exam, but the arrangement fell apart less than three weeks later.

Vasquez recorded Simonetti blasting Christian music and banging pots and pans before she tossed a tarantula down the stairs.

It's unclear how Simonetti rented the room as she is not the property's owner.

Simonetti told Fox that she had asked Vasquez to leave because she had too many complaints, but said Vazquez refused.

The politician claimed Vasquez was 'squatting' at the property but the victim insists she had paid $1,500 to stay there through AirBnb.

Simonetti added that she was inspired by the movie Home Alone.

'And at the end of the day, unhinged got her out of the house,' Simonetti said.

It's unclear how Simonetti rented the room as she is not the property's owner

Simonetti told Fox that she had asked Vasquez to leave because she had too many complaints, but said Vazquez refused

The aspiring lawmaker's campaign page describes her as the only conservative candidate in the race who hopes to rebuild safety through family values.

In an effort to promote her campaign message and gain support, Simonetti once posted a video on X saying that having 'low standards is selfish' and how tired she is of hearing that 'Minnesota is an embarrassment'.

But despite utilizing classic GOP election strategies, she has already lost the May 14 special election for the vacant District 6 seat on the county board to State Representative Heather Edelson.

She was campaigning to become one of the seven Hennepin County Board commissioners who are tasked to approve budgets for both the county attorney and sheriff offices.

Despite the loss, Simonetti has previously indicated that she will once again compete against Edelson in the upcoming November election.

Previously, the conservative candidate had been accused of making transactions on the victim's financial cards and accounts in amounts totaling $75,000 and $8,876.

The felony charges were ultimately dropped after the victim refused to cooperate with prosecutors.
A young mother has shared a heartbreaking plea for the Albanese government to do more to curb the cost-of-living crisis, saying tax cuts aren't enough for young families to get by.

Young mother Emma Robertson and her partner both work at least 40 hours a week to support themselves and their 15-month-old son Atlan.

Despite their heavy workload and the fact they live with Ms Robertson's parents, they say the tax cuts won't be enough to help and the family is growing frustrated.

Ms Robertson told Channel Nine's A Current Affair that the tax cuts do 'pretty much nothing at all'.

'The tax cuts come in but everything else goes up so it's not justifiable,' she told host Ally Landgon.

The government has claimed the tax cuts legislated earlier this year are set to provide relief to low and middle-income earners while decreasing the benefits for taxpayers who earn more $150,000.

The 33-year-old mother is concerned because despite living with family and receiving the tax cut, her son's daycare keeps going up.

'We got an email saying our daily rate was increasing by $17 a day, which is quite a lot realistically,' Ms Robertson added.

Young mother Emma Robertson (pictured with her baby son) believes the tax cuts aren't enough to keep families afloat during the cost of living crisis

'When you think about everything else that's gone up, like car insurance, food prices, fuel, rent, rates, all of that type of stuff ... this is not where I saw my life, unfortunately, but it is where we are.'

The young mother works 40 hours a week, while her partner works up to 50, but she said the pair struggle to live comfortably.

Ms Robertson said without her parents, her family would 'essentially be homeless'.

'It's a struggle. We do everything we can to cut where we can, just to survive, to put food on the table,' she said.

'At the moment we just can't save and get on top of everything. It's just too hard.'

When asked whether she'd ever own her own property, Ms Robertson said it wasn't something she saw for herself in the current circumstances.

She begged the government to 'step up' and help families like her, who need to see the cost of living ease to keep moving forward.

Ms Robertson said she needs help from the government.

'Every single day I wake up and I go what is going to happen this week? What is going to go up today?' she said.

'It's horrible. I never pictured myself being in this situation, ever, but here I am, just scraping by.'

Many Aussies like Emma are begging for more cost of living relief from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured)

The Albanese government says the changes mean all 13.6 million taxpayers will receive a tax cut, and 11.5 million taxpayers will receive a bigger tax cut, compared with the Morrison government's proposed changes in 2019.

The government also claims 5.8 million women will receive a larger tax cut compared with the Coalition's previous plan.

Under the changes, Australians earning between $18,201 and $45,000 will now pay 16 per cent tax, a 3 per cent fall from the original stage 3 plan.

The 32.5 per cent tax bracket will fall to 30 per cent for workers earning more than $45,000 but will cut off at $135,000 under changes to the tax bracket.

Those earning between $135,000 and $190,000 will now pay 37 per cent tax.

The top tax bracket of 45 per cent will now start at $190,000 instead of $180,000.

Emma Robertson told ACA's Ally Langdon that her family is 'just scraping by'

An Aussie earning $50,000 would save $929 a year, meaning they will be $804 better off under the new stage 3 tax cuts.

A person earning $90,000 would save $1929 a year, a significant increase from the originally promised $1125.

A worker earning $110,000 would save $2429 a year compared with $1625 under the old plans.

A person earning $140,000 would save $3729 a year, slightly up from the $3275 they would have got back under the Coalition's initial plans.
President Joe Biden and his team spent all weekend on a mission to convince Democratic Party members and voters he is still fit for office and is the right choice for their presidential ticket in November.

Biden was forced to play damage control all weekend after a car crash debate performance against former President Donald Trump.

Democrats were in a panic after Biden stumbled and mumbled his way through the debate on Thursday and immediately said his raspy and hard-to-hear voice was the result of a cold and tried to sell the line that it was just a 'slow start.'

But the reality is Americans saw an 81-year-old President that seemed his age. At several times he lost his train of thought and appeared on stage with his mouth agape and a blank or wide-eyed stare whenever Trump was speaking.

The day after the debate, the President was more energetic at a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina with First Lady Jill Biden.

Democrats scrambled over the weekend to conduct damage control after President Joe Biden's train wreck debate performance against Donald Trump on Thursday led to calls for him to drop out of the race

But it was too late, and many Democratic donors and strategists were already calling for him to step aside and allow a new candidate to emerge before the nomination convention in August.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and Biden's campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez held a call Saturday afternoon where they sought to reassure rank and file members of the party of Biden's viability as a candidate.

According to some on the call, the party leaders largely ignored Biden's weak showing in Atlanta on Thursday and downplayed the avalanche of criticism that followed. No one was able to ask questions and the chat function was disabled.

The members felt gaslighted by Harrison and Rodriguez and claimed they were being asked to ignore the ire situation of the party's predicament  either toe the line and get behind Biden's candidacy or scramble to find a replacement in just one month's time.

Harrison offered what they described as a rosy assessment of Biden's path forward.

'I was hoping for more of a substantive conversation instead of, 'Hey, let's go out there and just be cheerleaders,' without actually addressing a very serious issue that unfolded on American television for millions of people to see,' Joe Salazar, an elected DNC member from Colorado who was on the call, said, according to the Associated Press .

He added: 'There were a number of things that could have been said in addressing the situation. But we didn't get that. We were being gaslit.'

Also on Saturday, Biden stopped at a $250,000 per-head Hampton's fundraiser at hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein's 18-acre beach estate.

Some donors skipped the event, and The New York Times reports that several megadonors were trying to reach Jill Biden to have her convince her husband to bow out for a younger candidate.

'Lots of people are blaming his wife for not telling him [to step aside],' one told the New York Post.

According to Anthony Scaramucci, who attended the fundraiser, Biden used a teleprompter when speaking to donors in the living room of the beach house.

Following Saturday's campaign stop and fundraiser, the first couple went straight back to presidential retreat Camp David, which is where Biden spent seven days debate prepping before his showdown with Trump at CNN headquarters.

He was set to discuss with his wife and family the future of his political campaign.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden held a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina the day after the debate where the President appeared more energetic and defended his viability as a candidate while acknowledging his debate performance could have been better

Joe and Jill brought granddaughters Natalie and Finnegan Biden to attend a Hampton's fundraiser on Saturday where the President used a teleprompter when speaking to donors at the beach house of hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein

While concerns over Biden's mental fitness and calls for him to step aside have remained private over the last several months, now Democrats are saying the quiet part out loud.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) went further than most when saying: 'There are very honest and serious and rigorous conversations taking place at every level of our party.'

'We're having a serious conversation about what to do,' he said in an interview on MSNBC program Velshi. 'One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified.'

'Whether he's the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention,' he added. 'He will be the figure that we rally around to move forward and beat the forces of authoritarianism and reaction in the country.'
Passengers who survived a horror bus crash that killed three women have revealed harrowing new details as loved ones of one of the victims broke their silence.

The Greyhound bus collided with a 4WD towing a caravan on the Bruce Highway near the Wilson Creek Rest Area, between Gumlu and Wangaratta in north Queensland, about 11am on Sunday.

Three women on the board the bus died after the bus allegedly veered onto the opposite side of the highway.

One of the victims has since been identified as Townsville mother-of-four and grandmother Emma 'Alli' Sailor, 56, who was returning home from Brisbane with her daughter, who escaped uninjured.

The two other women killed were believed to be overseas tourists aged in their 20s and 30s.

The crash also injured 27 passengers, who were among 33 others on board that was heading to Townsville after it left Brisbane on Saturday.

Grieving loved ones broke their silence on Monday night to pay tribute to Ms Sailor, who was remembered as a very religious person who was a lead member of the choir at her local church.

'(She) was a wonderful personshe is going to be missed(her death) doesn't feel real,' the family member told the Townsville Bulletin.

The Greyhound bus (pictured) that collided with a 4WD towing a caravan on the Bruce Highway was badly damaged

The relative added that the family were still in shock but 'wanted answers.'

Meanwhile, survivors on board the bus have opened up about the harrowing ordeal.

Mikayla was returning home from a wedding and had fallen asleep when she was woken by the impact of the collision.

'I just woke up and saw us hitting the caravan,' Mikayla told Nine News.

'I just immediately went into brace position.

'The bus driver and a couple of civilians came in and they worked together to open the door and helped get everyone out.'

Mikayla, who was seated just three rows from the front of the bus, took harrowing photos of the wreckage after it was left with extensive damage.

Parts of the front exterior of the vehicle had been ripped apart and a portion of the cabin was completely destroyed.

The impact of the crash led the caravan to go straight through the front windscreen and into the cabin of the bus.

Crews spent much of Sunday night clearing the extensive debris from the Bruce Highway.

Audio has also emerged of emergency services responding to the crash.

'Responding priority to caravan verse Greyhound bus,' one operator is heard saying.

Another added: 'We have multiple injuries.'

One of the passengers who survived the horror bus crash (pictured) revealed chilling new details about the incident

The bus driver was uninjured but remains in hospital shaken by the crash.

The elderly couple in the 4WD towing the caravan miraculously escaped unscathed. The driver has been hailed as a hero.

Several passengers suffered serious injuries before they were rushed to Ayr and Townsville University hospitals after emergency services arrived at the scene.

As of Monday night, two German male tourists, aged 23 and 24, are still fighting for their lives while two men - aged 27 and 51 - are in stable conditions.

Townsville University Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr Jason Yates said that doctors treated seven patients at Ayr Hospital while three patients were treated at Townsville.

He said three people who were taken to Townville Hospital were discharged later on Sunday.

The patients include a 64-year-old man and two women aged 63 and 23.

Two men, aged 23 and 24, are fighting for their lives while two men - aged 27 and 51 - are in stable conditions (stock image)

Dr Yates thanked the doctors, nurses and medical staff who worked tirelessly to help care for the injured.

'We were expecting a mass casualty event yesterday [Sunday] and we needed to be ready to respond. We were able to cope with everything,' said.

'We were able to provide timely care to the patients that needed it as part of this tragic event, but also our regular care.'

Queensland Police Superintendent Graeme Paine said police are yet to determine what may have caused the crash.

'At this stage the crash is under investigation. We haven't determined any factors that may have contributed to the crash at this stage,' he said.

Forensic crash officers are understood to be investigating whether fatigue may have contributed to the incident. They have also started interviewing bus passengers.

'I think it's too premature to be speculating on the cause,' Queensland Premier Steven Miles told reporters.

'Our investigators will do what they do best and that is identify what exactly has happened here.'

The crash was the third major incident on the Bruce Highway within a fortnight amid renewed calls for road upgrade.

'It's not up to standard and I don't think there's a Queenslander who believes it is,' state opposition Leader David Crisafulli said.
The son of a former state premier, who was convicted of drink-driving and causing a violent car crash which was a factor in the end of his dad's political career, has leapt to the defence of Peter Dutton's son.

An image of Tom Dutton, 18, holding a bag of white powder was splashed across the news last week.

Steve Bracks was the Victorian Premier in 2007, when his son Nick, then aged 20 totalled the family car after a multi-day alcohol bender.

'I feel sorry for him,' Nick said of Tom on The Project on Monday night.

'I wouldn't condone the behaviour, but he is an 18-year-old kid experimenting with things like a lot of other kids.

'Growing up being referred to as, "you are the son of this person"... it makes you think, well, what do I need to do for people to see me as Nick Bracks and not the son of Steve Bracks?'

'Being that young and having people say these different things to you for something that you've done in your own private life can become a difficult thing to deal with.'

Last week an image, which went public via Tom Dutton's social media wound up making newspaper front pages across the country.

A photo emerged on Snapchat a week ago of Tom Dutton, 18, (pictured) was seen holding a bag of white powder

Nick Bracks (pictured) told The Project that he feels sorry for the Opposition Leader's son

'Birthday day treat. Hello how u goin', the quickly-deleted image was captioned.

'I haven't been in touch with Tom but I would love to speak to him, if he ever wanted to,' Nick said on television.

Back in 2007, 20-year-old Nick suffered an injury which ended his dreams of being a professional athlete.

On his own admission, his behaviour spiralled and he leant on alcohol as a coping mechanism.

On a wet night in suburban Melbourne, after consecutive days of drinking, Nick spun out doing 90km/h in a 60 zone, smashed a tree and injured his friend in the passenger seat. He was convicted of drink-driving and fined $750.

As the Premier's son, the incident hit the headlines quickly with reporters camped out outside the family home.

Premier Bracks already had plans to resign, but quit less than two weeks after the crash.

'Dad has always been amazing,' Nick wrote in an opinion piece this week for Nine Newspapers.

The son of former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has defended opposition leader Peter Dutton's son Tom, after a photo of him holding a bag of white powder emerged.



Nick Bracks tells us why he needed to tell his story to make people understand the pressure pollies' kids face. pic.twitter.com/cjxPcUYSX7  The Project (@theprojecttv) July 1, 2024

Nick Bracks (pictured in 2007), who was caught drink driving when he was 20, has spoken in defence of Peter Dutton's son

'But that pressure from other people really played on me. He became premier when I was 12, and I spent my entire teenage life having that follow me around.'

On television Monday night, Nick said he felt sorry for Tom Dutton being embroiled in scrutiny for having a prominent father.

'So I felt sorry for the guy and felt I needed to speak out about it.'

The political response to Mr Dutton's son's incident has been similarly restrained and understanding by both sides of parliament.

'I've got no comment at all. Peter Dutton's a public figure, but his son's not,' Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek last week.

Mr Dutton's office also batted away media inquiries other than to say the issue was a private matter.
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - On the occasion of the festivities to mark the 62nd anniversary of national independence, Burundi's Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye Monday awarded a medal of merit to retired Senegalese Brigadier General Alioune Samba, former chairman of the Joint Commission for the Supervision of the Ceasefire in the 1993-2003 ethnic civil war in Burundi, under the aegis of the United Nations and the African Union (AU)
A 100-year-old bridge that sits above a 25-mile-long river in Oregon reopened just three days after a truck caused severe damage to the structure.

Officials have for decades toyed with the idea of replacing the Hood River bridge, which serves as a vital route for residents in the Columbia Gorge.

And on Thursday morning its stability was tested even further when a semi-truck crashed into the lift span, leaving a crack in the girder.

The Port of Hood River, which operates the span of the bridge, re-opened it on Sunday but noted it is 'near the end of its serviceable life.' The structure is now only open to passenger vehicles.

Commercial trucks are not allowed on the bridge 'to prevent another accidental strike to the overhead bracing while the bridge remains in a damaged state,' the Post of Hood River said in a Facebook post.

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge partially reopened on Sunday after a semi-truck crashed into the lift span on Thursday morning, leaving a crack in the girder

The semi-truck damaged six beams and gusset plates, which keep the beams together

It comes after the sensational collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March this year, sending eight construction workers into the Patapsco River below, and killing six of them.

The Hood River bridge connects Interstate 84 to Washington State Route 14, between the cities of White Salmon and Hood River, which has a population of more than 8,300.

'Electronic tolling will be implemented, and traffic control personnel will be stationed at both entrances around the clock to ensure compliance,' officials said.

'A schedule for the permanent repairs will be provided later in the week.'

Following the crash, the bridge was immediately closed so engineers could assess the 'severe damage.'

No injuries were reported and commuters were told to take alternate routes.

Mike Fox, the co-chair of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, said that a bucket attached to the truck was sticking up too high at the time of the crash.

Mike Fox, the co-chair of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, said that a bucket attached to the truck was sticking up too high at the time of the crash

The semi-truck damaged six beams and gusset plates, which keep the beams in place.

'The gusset plates on it where he hit were damaged extensively  they actually ripped and then bent,' Fox said.

'More than likely, theyre going to have to be replaced and some of the beams will have to be replaced.'

On Sunday morning the Port of Hood River Commission met with engineers to go over recommendations and determine if the bridge was safe to reopen.

Poll Would you drive across the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge? Yes No Would you drive across the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge? Yes 42 votes

No 88 votes Now share your opinion





Many residents in Columbia Gorge rely on the bridge to travel to work, shopping areas and medical services in Hood River.

Allisson Williams, the Hood River County Administrator, explained that around 30 percent of employees in Hood River live outside the county and rely on the bridge for their commute.

Williams expressed her concern if the bridge has to be shut down for a longer period of time, which would slow down service and lengthen commutes for workers.

White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler said that the city is now focused on creating a plan in the event of an emergency.

The bridge connects Interstate 84 to Washington State Route 14, between the cities of White Salmon and Hood River, which has a population of more than 8,300

When the bridge first closed following the accident, Keethler said it would have a 'direct and immediate impact' on the community.

She told Oregon Public Broadcasting the city was considering ferry or shuttle service options for the community.

The bridge was built in 1924 and in 1938 it was completely redone. The Port of Hood River has been preparing to replace the ancient structure as the agency said it is unsafe for commercial barges, vehicles and pedestrians.

In March, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project announced it was set to receive an extra $8million in federal funding, according to the bridge replacement website.

Prior to the additional funding, the project was awarded a $200million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Fox said: 'Were committed to delivering a new bridge by October 2029, and this funding brings us that much closer.

'Whats more, every dollar we get from the government is a dollar local residents wont have to repay in tolls on the future bridge.

'Were incredibly grateful to the Congressional delegation from Washington and Oregon for securing funding for this critical interstate connector.'

Allisson Williams, the Hood River County Administrator, explained that around 30 percent of employees in Hood River live outside the county and rely on the bridge for their commute

Fox admitted that he was not surprised by the accident that he said 'was bound to happen'

In May 2021, Fox admitted that the bridge is 'old,' 'narrow' and considered 'unsafe' by many people.

'Replacement efforts have been too slow and fragmented. This needs to change immediately to make sure a new bridge is in place before the old one is shut down,' he told Columbia Gorge News.

The co-chair previously said that the new bridge could start being built in late 2025, with an estimated completion expected in 2029.

He admitted that he was not surprised by the accident that he said 'was bound to happen.'

'It was bound to happen sooner or later,' he said. 'Now, we gotta put it back together and get the operation going again.'

DailyMail.com contacted Fox and the Port of Hood River for comment.
A convicted double murderer was caught flashing a mysterious hand signal as he sat stony-faced while being sentenced to death.

Wade Wilson, 30, made headlines in October 2019 after slaughtering two women within a matter of hours, with images of his striking tattooed appearance circulating widely.

Dubbed the 'Deadpool Killer' as he shares a name with the Marvel character, Wilson was convicted over the murders of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, who prosecutors said he killed 'for the sake of killing.'

Footage of Wilson's eerie hand signal sparked speculation online, with some morbid female fans also appearing to swoon over the killer's heavily tattooed look.

Convicted double murderer Wade Wilson, 30, flashed a mysterious hand signal as he was sentenced to death this week

Wilson strangled two women to death within a few hours of each other during a chilling crime spree in October 2019

Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, were murdered by Wilson 'for the sake of killing'

Wilson was also convicted of a number of charges during an hours-long crime spree, including the battery of Melissa Montanez, 41, the burglary and theft of two homes, and the grand theft auto of Melton's car.

He began on the afternoon of October 6, 2019, when he met Melton at a live music bar and went home with her.

Wilson strangled her to death inside her home in Cape Coral, Florida the next day, where her body was found inside.

The same day, Ruiz was reported missing after she was seen being asked for directions by Wilson while on her walk to work.

He was driving a car he stole from Melton's home after he murdered her, which Ruiz got into before she was also strangled to death.

In testimony from Wilson's father, it was said that he went onto 'run her over until she looked like spaghetti.' Ruiz's body was found three days later in a field behind a Sam's Club.

The 30-year-old killer also drove to Fort Myers in Melton's car and attacked Montanez, his ex-girlfriend.

Wilson was arrested on October 8, where he remained behind bars without bail until he was found guilty of murder this month.

Wilson added a number of tattoos since he was arrested, and his face includes several Swatika's, menacing Joker-like mouth tattoos, and a neck tattoo reading: 'Bred for war.'

Jurors voted to send him to death row, with Wilson seen in courtroom footage appearing emotionless as he learned his fate.

Wilson's striking face tattoos seen during his trial on June 25, 2024

Wilson was also convicted with the battery of his ex-girlfriend Melissa Montanez, pictured testifying against him at his trial

Wilson's father Steven Testasecca, 46, said in his testimony that Wilson had been adopted as a baby because he and the killer's mother were teenagers when they had him.

He said his contact with his son had been 'sporadic' since they reconnected when he turned 18, but said Wilson reached out to him on October 7 after he killed Melton and Ruiz.

'He said, 'I'm a killer,'' Testasecca said, adding that he initially believed his son was merely telling him a 'story.'

'He's a good storyteller,' he testified. Later that day, after another phone call, he said it dawned on him that his son was telling the truth.

Testasecca said his son then went into gory details of how he killed the two women, including how he choked Melton after she fell asleep.

Ruiz was also still breathing when she was repeatedly ran over by Wilson, Testasecca said he was told.

'He was excited,' he said. 'He was wanting me to feel the same way he was feeling... he would've done it again.'

Apparently a bloodied Wilson then went to a restaurant owned by an acquaintance and told them of the killings. When the owner threatened to call 911, Wilson is said to have fled, later breaking into the home of Fanny and Kent Amlin, a retired couple who were out of town.

He was reportedly found inside the home with a number of White Claw alcoholic beverages.

Kristine Melton's cousin said she always dreamed of being a mother, and said in a victim impact statement she 'will never experience motherhood, a role she was born to play'

Ruiz was described as having a 'magnifying' personality' who 'always had everybody's back'

In heartbreaking victim impact statements following Wilson's trial, Melton's cousin Samantha Catomer said she was a quick witted and kind person who dreamed of becoming a mother.

'Kristine will never experience motherhood, a role she was born to play,' she said.

Zane Romero, 19, one of Ruiz's two sons, said that his mother was murdered just days before he was set to debut in his school marching band, which he said she was looking forward to.

'I never got to see her in the crowd,' Romero said. 'My mom will never get to see me get married.'

Ruiz, a bartender, was remembered by her colleagues as 'the heartbeat of the bar' where she worked, who never missed a shift for over five years.

'She always had everybody's back. She just had that personality that was really magnifying. She has this really loud laugh that you could hear it like a mile away,' she said.
Thanks to an affordable housing lottery, a single mom just bought the house of her dreams for a fraction of what a typical home goes for in ritzy Kennebunkport, Maine.

Local nonprofit group Kennebunkport Heritage Housing Trust organized a contest seeking to sell a home for just over $326,000 when properties in the affluent coastal town go for $1.1 million on average, according to Zillow.

That represents a 71 percent discount, yet only 45 Mainers expressed interest in the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home, the Bangor Daily News reported.

Out of the initial 45, only three applicants met the guidelines to be considered.

The single mom who won the lottery was chosen last Thursday, and she'll live in the 1700 square foot home with her child who's enrolled in the Kennebunkport school district.

Pictured: The three bedroom, two-and-half bath home that a family of two won for a price tag of $326,000, which is 71 percent cheaper than the average house in Kennebunkport

'She is very excited to have this home,' said Larissa Crockett, executive director of the Kennebunkport Heritage Housing Trust.

Beyond its homey white shingles, a spacious front porch and a modern kitchen, there's a lot more to love about this property.

For one, it's a five minute drive west to the center of town.

If you don't want to get in your car, it's walking distance from the Cape Porpoise Harbor, which has plenty of scenic areas to gaze out at the water.

The house is also close to a number of highly-rated lobster restaurants, a specialty in New England.

All of these perks and more left Crockett wondering why more families didn't apply for a chance to live there.

Pictured: An open concept dining room that leads into a living room

The kitchen is complete with an island and modern amenities

Like most housing lotteries, this one appealed to a small sliver of people based on how much money they bring in.

In this case, the buyer couldn't make more than 120 percent of the area median income, which the listing defined as $93,975 for a two-person household.

The median household income in 2022 for Kennebunkport residents was a whopping $113,456, more than 52 percent higher than nation as a whole.

Buyers also had to get pre-approved for a mortgage through a bank and complete a homeownership course.

And since this home sale was set up for the expressed purpose of making it affordable for people with shallower pockets than the average Kennebunkport resident, this property cannot be rented on a short or long term basis.

To ensure the continued affordability of the home, the buyer also had to sign a land lease at closing instituting a maximum sales price.

This means that the woman who successfully bought this home won't be able to turn around and sell it for market price.

She'll also have to live in the home all 12 months of the year unless the trust gives her an exemption.

Colony Beach in Kennebunkport. This beach is less than three miles from the affordable home

A Kennebunkport marina during the morning hours, filled with boaters

A welcome sign with houses along Kennebunk River in the background

If these restrictions are what held people back from applying, Crockett hasn't heard any feedback that would suggest this.

'To allow someone to purchase a home at half the market value, to then be able to turn around and sell that home at market value is really, I think, disrespectful of the generosity and support of both public and private resources,' she said.

This $326,000 home is surrounded by properties going for $450,000 on the low end and waterfront mansions going for $7.75 million on the high end.

Tara Baker, the owner of Kennebunk Beach Realty, told Bangor Daily News that she recently listed a home under $1 million. And in just three days it was snapped up under contract.

'Its still a sellers market, for sure,' Baker said.

To counter this seller's market, Crockett said she would be conducting a 'deep debrief' to figure out how to improve the trust's next affordable housing project and get more people to apply.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, one of Joe Biden's biggest defenders in Congress, said Democrats are having 'serious conversations' behind the scenes about whether or not the current president would be at the top of the Democratic ticket in November.

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee said there was a 'big problem with Joe Biden's debate performance' but also 'a tremendous reservoir of love for Joe Biden in our party, so this makes it a difficult situation.'

Raskin, D-Md., went on: Were having a serious conversation about what to do. One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified.'

'And so whether he's the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention, he will be the figure that we rally around to move forward and beat the forces of authoritarianism and reaction in the country.'

Rep. Jamie Raskin, one of Joe Biden 's biggest defenders in Congress , said Democrats are having 'serious conversations' behind the scenes about whether or not the current president would be at the top of the Democratic ticket in November

Raskin has been Biden's top attack dog in Capitol Hill as he's countered Oversight Chair James Comer's impeachment inquiry and the demands for audio tapes from Biden's special counsel interview. He has almost never shown any daylight between himself and Biden.

Days ago, the New York Times editorial board called on Biden to 'serve his country' and drop out of the race. Biden spent the weekend back at Camp David and plans to head back to the White House on Monday.

The Democratic finger-pointing began immediately after the Thursday night debate where Biden at moments struggled to get his words out and veered off into unintelligible rambling.

Republicans accused First Lady Jill Biden, 73, of 'elder abuse' as Democratic insiders insist the only one Biden, 81, would listen to about the matter would be his wife of 50 years.

But the Biden family reportedly believes it's Biden's top advisers who are at fault for not adequately preparing for the evening. The Biden team had spent nearly a week hunkered down at Camp David prepping the president for the debate.

NEW ON MSNBC: Rep. Raskin tells @AliVelshi that Democrats are "having a serious conversation about what to do" following Biden's debate performance. pic.twitter.com/XJXZx1X8Sw  MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 30, 2024

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee said there was a 'big problem with Joe Biden's debate performance' but also 'a tremendous reservoir of love for Joe Biden in our party, so this makes it a difficult situation'

Biden reportedly already had crisis talks with former President Barack Obama and his former White House Chief of Staff after the debate.

But top Democratic Party leaders, including Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are still offering public support for Biden despite reports of a different tune behind the scenes.

Some donors skipped Biden's $250,000-per-head Hamptons fundraiser at hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein's 18-acre beach estate this weekend after his car-crash debate performance.

'Lots of people are blaming his wife for not telling him [to step aside],' one told the New York Post.
Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance has prompted Republicans to sue the Department of Justice to release the tapes of his special counsel interview that called the president an 'elderly' man with a 'poor memory.'

Tapes of the interview have been requested by GOP lawmakers who are probing the commander-in-chief's competence.

Instead of giving the audio tapes to lawmakers, the DOJ provided a transcript of the interview, prompting the GOP's vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress last month for 'concealing' the requested materials.

Republicans say only the tapes will provide more damning evidence of the president's diminished cognitive ability, which is now firmly in the spotlight following the first presidential debate.

On Monday the House Judiciary Committee announced it is suing Garland to get ahold of the audio tapes, significantly escalating their feud with the DOJ.

Joe Biden caused concern among Democrats and voters after the 81-year-old stumbled through his first debate with former President Donald Trump. His age was a central focus of the showing and since the debate Republicans have increased calls for the DOJ to release an audio interview with the president which caused the agency to believe Biden has a 'poor memory'

'This dispute is principally about a frivolous assertion of executive privilege,' the 56-page lawsuit begins.

'While DOJ has provided the Committee with transcripts of those interviews, transcripts that the Executive Branch has released publicly, Attorney General Garland has refused to produce the audio recordings of the Special Counsels interviews with President Biden.'

'Instead, Attorney General Garland asked that President Biden assert executive privilege over those recordings, and President Biden complied with that request.'

The suit argues that Congress has the power and responsibility to oversee actions taken by the executive branch and the Garland has impeded the lawmakers from doing so.

'This is why they don't want Congress to have that audio tape,' Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said last week after Biden's age became the central issue during the debate.

'If it's the same, then why is the audio sacred but everybody can get a transcript?' Donalds said.

'Watching tonight, that is exactly why the American people should hear the Robert Hur audio from his interview with Joe Biden.'

Biden often did not use his full allotted to him to answer questions and had a soft voice during the event which at times made it hard to hear the president

Shortly after the debate, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told reporters Joe Biden's performance must be indicative of what is being withheld in the DOJ's audio tapes

Republicans have sought the audio tape for months since the DOJ report was published in early February.

However, the White House has invoked executive privilege over the audio tapes, effectively blocking the DOJ from handing them over.

During the interview, special counsel Robert Hur said that Biden could not remember the dates of his son Beau's death and other key moments of his life and work as vice president.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has received the scorn of Republicans over his repeated refusal to give the the audio.

His withholding the tapes prompted Republican lawmakers to hold the top law enforcement official in contempt of Congress.

By doing so the GOP members forwarded recommendation of contempt charges against Garland to his DOJ, and the department is likely going to ignore their request to bring a case against the agency's boss.

Immediately after the televised event Democrat pundits began speculating whether Biden should bow out of the race while he still can

Attorney General Merrick Garland has been held in contempt of Congress for his refusal to hand over the audio tapes to Republicans, and GOP lawmakers now plan to sue the agency to get the recordings

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he is planning on suing the DOJ to get ahold of the Joe Biden interview audio tapes

As a result, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., cooked up a different plan to try and force Garland to comply by filing an 'inherent contempt resolution,' which would direct the top congressional security agent, the Sergeant-at-Arms, to arrest the Attorney General.

But Republicans have been hesitant to go so far as to put the resolution up for a vote.

Luna said the inherent contempt charge would get a vote Friday, but that did not happen. She later said she would work with House leadership on a path forward for the measure.

On Monday, text of her inherent contempt resolution was released showing that instead of seeking the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest Garland, that he would instead be fined $10,000 per day.

It is unclear when the resolution would receive a vote on the House floor.

'President Biden showed last night that he was weak, sadly, that he is feeble,' Speaker Mike Johnson,R-La., said Friday after the debate.

'He will very likely sound exactly on that tape as he did on the stage last night and that's embarrassing to the President.'

He mentioned then how the House would look to bring the suit against Garland and the DOJ.

Responding to Johnson's threat last week, the DOJ claimed that Garland has not broken the law.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer doesn't think Michigan is winnable for President Joe Biden.

In a call with Biden's campaign chair Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, the Michigan Democrat said the highly important swing state may no longer be in play after the President's disastrous debate performance.

Following a chaotic debate where Biden stumbled over his words, lost his train of thought and was oftentimes hard to understand, Democrats are scrambling and some are calling for him to drop out.

Whitmer's name is being floated as a potential replacement on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, as well as California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

But Whitmer, according to Politico, said on her call with Dillon that she didn't like her name coming up as a fill-in should Biden be ousted from November's ballot.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer doesn't think President Joe Biden can win her state in November after his car crash debate

Michigan is one of the seven states in play in the 2024 election and is vital for presidential candidates to clinch in the battle for 270 Electoral College votes.

In 2016, Trump won Michigan by a tiny 0.3 percent margin. But the state flipped blue for Biden in 2020 by a 2.8 percent margin against Trump.

The midwest and rust belt states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are all battlegrounds for 2024 that flipped from red to blue between the 2016 and 2020 elections.

The President was already losing traction in Michigan in his reelection campaign among the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party and as Muslim and pro-Palestinian voters. In the primary election earlier this year, these voting blocs cast their ballot for 'uncommitted' as a protest of Biden's policies in the Middle East.

Whimer's name is being floated as a top contender to replace Biden on the 2024 ticket amid calls for him to step aside after the debate. But Whitmer insists she is not stoking these discussions and has no interest in being on the ballot in November

Now, after his disastrous debate performance on Thursday, Whitmer, speaking with Dillon, warned that her state's 15 Electoral College votes aren't likely to be won by Biden.

The second-term Michigan governor still reiterated to Dillon her commitment to help Biden in his bid for reelection.

The chatter about Whitmer being a replacement on the ticket is likely being pushed by rivals who want to wound her ahead of what many feel like is her intention to launch a presidential bid in 2028.

Even Trump doesn't think Democrats will actually move to replace Biden, claiming at a rally Friday in Chesapeake, Virginia that the left lacks a better choice and that no one polls higher than the incumbent President.
Welsh Labour has been accused of 'over-the-top' nanny statism today after unveiling plans to ban free drink refills in restaurants and supermarket multibuys of 18 categories of food in an anti-obesity drive.

Vaughan Gething's administration in Cardiff has taken aim at food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) with a slew of proposed changes announced this morning.

Under the consultation supermarkets would face heavy restrictions on 2-4-1 offers and in-store placement of treats including pizzas, crisps, breakfast cereals, smoothies and even yoghurts, while eateries would be banned from offering free refills of sugary drinks.

And retailers and restaurateurs who fail to follow the proposed new rules could be hit by fines of up to 2,500 if they consistently fail to follow the rules.

Announcing a consultation due to run until September, Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Labour cabinet secretary for health and social care, said the new rules were 'the first in a package of measures to improve the health of our food environments across Wales and to support the public to live healthier lives.'.

But her Tory shadow, Sam Rowlands, said: 'Nanny state plans like these are a distraction from Labour's atrocious NHS record here in Wales.

Under the consultation supermarkets would face heavy restrictions on multi-buy offers and in-store placement of treats including pizzas, crisps, breakfast cereals and even yoghurts, while eateries would be banned from offering free refills of sugary drinks.

Announcing a consultation due to run until September, Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Labour cabinet secretary for health and social care, said the new rules were 'the first in a package of measures to improve the health of our food environments across Wales and to support the public to live healthier lives.'.

But her Tory shadow, Sam Rowlands (pictured above, with Rishi Sunak), said: 'Nanny state plans like these are a distraction from Labour's atrocious NHS record here in Wales.

'These frankly over the top regulations will hit people in their pockets, exacerbating the cost of living for the poorest in society, yet Keir Starmer calls this his blueprint for Britain.

'While healthy eating is important, the Welsh Conservatives believe that you have a right to decide what you eat and drink. Clearly Labour do not.'

Plans for a ban on 2-4-1s in England were postponed to October 2025 by Rishi Sunak last summer.

Welsh Labour says bog off to BOGOFs

Food and beverages that would be subject to a multi-buy ban and location restrictions in supermarkets: Soft drinks with added sugar that are in scope of the soft drinks industry levy Cakes

Chocolate confectionery

Sugar confectionery

Ice cream

Morning goods (eg pastries)

Puddings and dairy desserts

Sweet biscuits

Breakfast cereals

Yoghurts

Milk-based drinks with added sugar

Juice based drinks with added sugar

Pizza

Ready meals

Meal centres

Breaded and battered products

Crisps and savoury snacks

Chips and similar potato products Advertisement

He said he believed in 'people's right to choose' and did not want to make grocery shopping harder while food prices remain high during the cost-of-living crisis.

However Labour has pledged to ban the advertising of junk food to children along with the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, if elected on Thursday.

In her forward to the consultation today, Ms Morgan said: 'Over 60 per cent of the population is living with obesity or overweight.

'We know that obesity and overweight is associated with many physical and mental health problems across our life course.

'I intend for this to be the first in a package of measures to improve the health of our food environments across Wales and to support the public to live healthier lives.

'As a nation, the food choices we are led to make contain too many calories and are too high in fat, sugar and salt.

'We want to support individuals to make healthier choices by restricting the promotion of food and drink which is high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) and by encouraging the promotion of healthier products.'

It would place restrictions on what can be stocked at 'key selling locations such as store entrances, checkouts and aisle ends, which evidence suggests can lead to pester power and impulse purchases.'

The rules will apply to supermarkets and other stores with more than 50 employees.

Earlier this month Jamie Oliver hailed 'exciting' Labour plans to ban under-16s from buying high-caffeine energy drinks like Prime, Red Bull and Monster if they win power.

The restaurateur and chef warned spoke out over plans by Sir Keir Starmer to outlaw the sale of drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to minors if it wins power on July 4.

Red Bull has 80mg of caffeine in a 250ml can, equivalent to 320mg/l, while brands including Prime, Monster and Rockstar have similar or higher rates.

Mr Oliver, 49, said that schoolchildren are having energy drinks as a substitute breakfast, leading to an 'absolute nightmare' for teachers.

In a video posted on X he said: 'It's a small thing but it is a big thing. When we have got some of the most unhealthy kids in Europe we need to not have one thing, we need many many things that are going to help make our kids fitter, healthier, have better outcomes and just flourish and be more productive as adults and cost the NHS less.'

He added: From my point of view for the past 17 years working in many secondary schools around the country, you would be amazed if you saw how many kids have breakfast in the firm of an energy drink...

'If you've got kids coming to school having energy drinks for breakfast it is not healthy  we are talking three or four shots of espresso in one of these tins, loads of sugar, so an absolute nightmare.'

It came after shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the restriction was a response to 'the outcry from parents and teachers who are seeing the consequences of these high energy drinks on children's concentration, their wellbeing, their sleep, their mental health'.

The Labour politician added: 'The reason why we're being far more interventionist when it comes to children is because we can see how irresponsible sales and marketing are driving a crisis in children's health.'

Sir Keir Starmer singled out Monster energy drink as a problem in classrooms and for children's health.
Vladimir Putin will reportedly send Russian children to a summer camp in North Korea where they are expected to polish statues of leaders and undergo enforced exercise.

The plans were announced by Grigory Gurov, the head of Putin's Movement of the First Youth organisation, despite objections by Russian parents worried about sending their children to North Korea, according to the Telegraph.

But Gurov insisted: 'Conditions there are good.'

The children will reportedly visit the Songdowon camp on the country's eastern shore, which is reportedly a mix between a Disney-themed water park and a boarding house with early wake up calls.

This is the latest indication that relations between Putin and Kim Jong Un are blossoming following the Russian leaders visit to North Korea last month.

Vladimir Putin (left, pictured with Kim Jong Un) will reportedly send Russian children to a summer camp in North Korea where they are expected to polish statues of leaders and undergo enforced exercise

Children take part in a cookery lesson at Songdowon International School Children's Camp on August 22, 2018 in Wonsan, North Korea

Schoolchildren play in the water at Songdowon International Children's Camp in Wonsan City, North Korea in this undated photo released by the Korean Central News Agency

In Songdowon, which was built by Kim's grandfather in 1960, children will have to get up at 6.30am and start their day by cleaning statues of Kim's father and grandfather, North Korea's previous dictators.

'We received special attention and were given not brooms, but special pads and were allowed to wipe the statue itself,' Artem Samsonov, a former Communist party official, wrote about his visit to the camp in 2015.

Samsonov, who was imprisoned in 2022 for abusing a child, also published photographs of Russian children polishing a statue.

He also revealed that children have to participate in enforced exercise, other cleaning tasks as well as state-approved lessons.

While they can also go to a disco, they will likely be fed nothing but soup, rice and potatoes every day, according to Samsonov.

Sending Russian children to North Korea for a summer camp indicates that Putin is taking yet another step closer to Kim.

Last month, North Korea pledged to send military personnel to Ukraine within a few weeks to support Putin's war-weary forces as both sides struggle to make a decisive breakthrough.

Pyongyang will take an unprecedented step in sending construction and engineering forces to occupied territories of Ukraine as early as the beginning of July to assist in rebuilding work, South Korea's TV Chosun reported, citing a government official.

The rare vow of foreign support follows president Vladimir Putin's official state visit to North Korea - the first in almost a quarter of a century - which culminated in the signing of a so-called defence pact on June 19.

The treaty binds its signatories to providing 'military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay' should either find itself 'put in a state of war by an armed invasion'.

The lobby of the dormitory at the Songdowon International Children's Camp is painted in pastel colors, Tuesday, July 29, 2014, in Wonsan, North Korea

Kim Jong Un is pictured during a previous camp visit in Songdowon

North Korean girls in similar bathing suits stand under a shower at the Songdowon International Children's Camp, Tuesday, July 29, 2014, in Wonsan, North Korea

During his visit, Putin reportedly made the promise to send children from his Movement of the First Youth organisation to North Korea.

Created in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin aims to align the children closely with the Kremlin's ideology.

The members can be seen wearing red berets as well as matching neck scarves and are often given flags to carry during state functions.

But many of the children's parents have voiced concerns about sending their children to North Korea, even just for a summer camp.

One parent joked on social media that their child's only escape would be to 'walk through the jungle to South Korea'.

Another user tried to reassure her fellow parents, saying that the camp was 'good' and offered pools and water parks after she stayed there in 2017.

She even compared it with Artek, a Russian youth camp in occupied Crimea: 'Just with a different culture and completely without the internet.'
Bill Maher has urged Democrats to dump president Joe Biden after his disastrous showing in last week's debate against Donald Trump.

The comedian and pundit wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times that the first debate between Biden and Trump was like the worst episode of The Golden Bachelor ever.'

Maher also took issue Biden allies claiming the president had a cold during the debate.

The Real Time host wrote: 'If he had a cold, why was he out campaigning the next morning instead of putting his 81-year-old body to bed?'

However, Maher said the debate was more a blessing in disguise than a tragedy, because it opened the opportunity for the 81-year-old president to step aside before the Democratic convention.

Bill Maher wrote that that the debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was like the worst episode of The Golden Bachelor ever'

The Real Time host wrote: 'If he had a cold, why was he out campaigning the next morning instead of putting his 81-year-old body to bed?'

'Democrats can no longer afford to suspend disbelief,' wrote Maher, adding that an open convention would be much more exciting than another Biden run.

'[Democrats] would be hosting a competition, something Americans love,' Maher continued.

'Who will get the rose this August in Chicago? Gavin or Gretchen? Suddenly, Stacey Abrams might say shes in! And so might Tim Ryan, and Josh Shapiro! And Amy Klobuchar and Ruben Gallego! And Mayor Pete and Raphael Warnock! And Wes Moore, and who knows, maybe Andrew Yang says hes a Democrat again!''

Maher shared that his own choice would be California govern Newsom, because 'people are attracted to what looks like strength, much more than specific policies. And he looks great on TV.'

The comedian also dug into the president's disastrous debate in his opening monologue for his Max show, Real Time, on Friday.

Maher has regularly criticized Biden's chances at re-election, often declaring his age to be the biggest problem.

Earlier in June, Maher declared Biden's new immigration policy would cost him the presidency after he issued an executive action that limited the number of migrants who can arrive at the border and claim asylum to 2,500 per day.

Maher said: 'If Biden loses this election, it's going to be because of two things: He's old and immigration.'

Meanwhile Bidens campaign has spent the days since the debate  where he appeared raspy, trailed off, and at times gave convoluted answers  working to keep donors and surrogates on board as Democrats increasingly questioned whether he should stay in the race.

At this point in the delegate process, Biden would likely have to decide to drop out for there to be a new nominee. And the people he listens to most in the world  his wife and son  are telling him to stay in.
This is the moment a passenger is pulled out from the overhead bin after an Air Europa flight was hit by severe turbulence.

The shocking cell phone video the man's feet dangling out of the compartment and being helped to the ground by two passengers before flight UX045, which was traveling from Madrid, Spain to Montevideo, Uruguay, was diverted and made an emergency landing in Natal, Brazil on Monday.

A two-year-old child was also pulled out from the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner's ceiling after the turbulence was over.

The incident left 30 passengers with head, facial and spinal injuries. At least 23 passengers were rushed to Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital.

Dr. Cecilia Laguzzi, a Bolivian national, was traveling with her husband and two children  her two-year-old son was ejected from his seat by the aircraft's violent movement and trapped in the ceiling.

The impact of the turbulence experienced by Air Europa flight UX045 cause ceiling panels to fall inside the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Passengers rushed to help another traveler who was ejected from his seat and thrown into the airplane's overhead bin area

'My husband and I were looking for the little one, who is 2 years old,' Dr. Laguzzi said as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1. 'And we found him above the suitcases. Part of the plane collapsed and the child was up there crying. My husband had to go and bring him back down.'

Laguzzi recalled being awoken and upside down when the Air Europa aircraft carrying 325 passengers encountered turbulence.

'People were flying over me. I couldn't get up,' she said. 'I felt the plane falling and I thought, 'It's going to stabilize now.' But then it kept falling and falling. Until they stabilized the plane and I was able to get up.'

Cell phone footage showed sections of the airplane's ceiling panels torn off, oxygen mask dangling above passenger seats and at least one seat that was completely damaged.

Air Europa flight UX045 bound from Madrid, Spain to Montevideo, Uruguay was diverted to Natal, Brazil on Monday after encountering severe turbulence that left 30 passengers injured

The passengers are expected to board a different Air Europa aircraft on Monday afternoon to continue their trip to Montevideo

A male passenger is helped out of the overhead bin after he was ejected from his seat after an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay encountered turbulence

Air Europa posted a statement on X on Monday morning indicating that a new aircraft was dispatched from Madrid and that the passengers would be bussed from Natal to Recife before being flown to Montevideo.

'We inform that our clients are moving to Recife, where they will stay and then travel to Montevideo. Natal was the airport that could serve passengers with medical needs the fastest,' the airline said. 'As it is not an AirEuropa destination, company personnel also travel to Natal and Recife to provide better service to our customers.

'All people who have required health care are being treated in centers in Natal. Passengers will be notified with updated information about this operation. We will update with more information.'

A Venezuelan passenger Norys, who lives in Uruguay, told Uruguayan newspaper El Observador that the captain advised the passengers and crew to fasten their seatbelts because the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was about to encounter turbulence.

'A long time after that, there was a very, very slight turbulence, it was barely felt, and from one moment to the next the plane abruptly falls and we all rise,' Norys said.

'Those who did not have a seatbelt flew and some remained hooked to the ceiling. It lasted like 3.5 seconds.'

Oxygen mask were spotted dangling inside the aircraft after an Air Europa flight encountered turbulence during its flight from Madrid, Spain to Montevideo, Uruguay early Monday

First responders treated passengers from Air Europa flight UX045 at Governador Aluizio Alves International Airport early Monday

A seat on Air Europa flight UX045 was severely damage as a result of turbulence

Passengers deplane Air Europa flight UX045 in Natal, Brazil after Monday's emergency landing

She recalled that the injured passengers waited three hours lying on the aircraft floor before they were removed.

Juan, an Argentine lawyer who was returning to his home in Uruguay following a 40-day trip for leisure and business, said the captain told him that the aircraft 1,640 feet.

The feeling was terror, feeling like you are falling and that it doesn't end. And you are aware that you are falling at an incalculable speed,' Juan said. '

'And you felt that it ended there, that you died,' he added. '(That was) until we began to see on the screen that the plane began to rise.'

It was the second Air Europa incident in less than 24 hours after a flight from Madrid to Tel Aviv was diverted to Rome.

The captain declared an emergency after flight UX1301 entered Italian airspace while the Boeing 787-9 plane was descending from 37,000 feet, according to AirNav RadarBox, a real-time flight tracking system.

DailyMail.com reached out to Air Europa for comment.
A former London cab driver who helped save hundreds of Ukrainian servicemen wounded in battles with Russian forces has been killed on the frontline.

Peter Fouche, who co-founded the Project Konstantin charity responsible for orchestrating the medical evacuation (medevac) of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, died in fighting last month, the charity revealed on Sunday.

Born and raised in Bluewater Bay, South Africa, 49-year-old Fouche served as a sniper in the nation's 'Flying Squad' - an elite branch of the police service tasked with rapid response to major violent crimes such as homicides, armed robberies and hijackings.

The father-of-one later moved to Fulham in West London and obtained British citizenship. In Britain, he worked in construction and later became a driver for cab and courier service Addison Lee.

But in March 2022, Fouche headed to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February, desperate to put his skills learned during his time with the Flying Squad to good use.

Peter Fouche, who co-founded the Project Konstantin charity responsible for orchestrating the medical evacuation (medevac) of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, died in fighting last month, the charity revealed on Sunday

Peter was a former sniper in the South African police force and was working as a courier and cab driver in London before the outbreak of war in Ukraine

Announcing his death on social media this weekend, a spokesperson for Project Konstantin shared a touching tribute to Fouche - known affectionately as Hasta La Vista - that told of his lifesaving work on the frontlines of Ukraine.

'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder,' it began.

'There are no words that can do Pete's life justice. No words or phrases could ever encapsulate how much he meant to all of us. Pete's unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people have left an everlasting impact on the countless lives he touched. His heroism knew no bounds.

'He was actively involved in saving more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, evacuating civilians from the most dangerous frontline cities, as well as bringing humanitarian aid to people in those towns and cities.

'Pete's bravery and selflessness in the face of danger were nothing short of extraordinary, and his actions will forever be etched in our hearts.

'We will honour Pete's memory by continuing the work he was so passionate about, carrying forward his legacy of courage and kindness, of fighting for what is right, and of speaking up in the face of injustice.

The heartfelt tribute concluded: 'Rest in peace, Peter. We know that our Heavenly Father has welcomed you into His arms. Your heroism and contributions will never be forgotten and we will make sure that it was not in vain.'

Upon his arrival in Ukraine, Fouche volunteered to fight for Kyiv with one of many territorial defence units that were created following the outbreak of war.

But as a trained member of South Africa's Flying Squad, he felt his experience of high-speed car control and rapid response incidents would be better suited to performing medevacs.

He later co-founded the Project Konstantin charity with Tetyana Millard, a British-Ukrainian citizen who was also involved in providing humanitarian aid to frontline towns and evacuating wounded soldiers.

Millard died in a horror car crash as she drove a donated car to a frontline position in Ukraine last year.

The charity's name itself is a tribute to a Ukrainian serviceman named Konstantin who had fought alongside Fouche and was killed by Russian mortar fire.

Announcing his death on social media this weekend, a spokesperson for Project Konstantin shared a touching tribute to Fouche that told of his lifesaving work on the frontlines of Ukraine

Fouche is seen standing in front of a damaged building in Ukraine in this screengrab taken from a social media clip

In 2023, Fouche was operating near the besieged city of Bakhmut, where he was actively involved in providing medical assistance to Ukrainian soldiers just 800 metres from the frontline.

Speaking on his experiences with Metro late last year, Fouche said:

'We are embedded with the Ukrainian army and we live in a bunker 800 metres from the zero line,' he said.

'Whenever they get an injured soldier they call on us and they patch him as best they can before we rush forward and snatch him.

'We bring him from his beautiful but hellish post to road ambulances that wait for us in a secret location.'

He also explained what compelled him to move to Ukraine and volunteer to fight and serve.

'They say once a cop always a cop...

'When I saw the images of innocent Ukrainians being mown down as the full-scale invasion began it pushed my police trigger button.

'To be inserted with a Ukrainian brigade has taken a lot of work earning their trust to work in a very dangerous area and it's a wonderful relationship.'

Earlier this year, he hit out at Western governments amid delays in sending continued military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv.

'How dare you tell your dilly and dally like this?' he said in a social media post. 'Imagine these were your children being butchered out here.

'Put yourself in Ukrainian shoes for once  we are being terminated, exterminated. I'm ashamed to be a Westerner.'

Besides performing medevacs of wounded soldiers, the members of Project Konstantin are responsible for delivering essential supplies such as vehicles, drones, uniforms, food, and more to soldiers on the front lines.
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The heartbroken parents of a toddler who died two years ago say they owe it to their little girl to continue fighting for answers over the tragedy.

Pippa White was rushed to Cowra Hospital in central-west NSW, in June 2022 after she fell ill with flu symptoms, which included fever, high heart rate, diarrhoea and vomiting.

The two-year-old wasn't seen by doctors until several hours later, where they failed to detect that Pippa likely had sepsis.

The life-threatening condition occurs when the immune system in the human body has as extreme response to an infection.

Pippa's temperature rose and no blood tests were conducted.

She was transferred 90km to Orange Base Hospital, where she died the next day, just two months shy of her third birthday.

Her parents Annah and Brock White have travelled to Sydney this week to attend an coronial inquest into Pippa's death.

The inquest will examine whether Pippa's death was preventable and whether she received appropriate care at both hospitals.

Pippa White (pictured) died hours after she was taken to Cowra Hospital with flu symptoms

Pippa White would have soon celebrated her fifth birthday if she was still alive today

Pippa's parents and five siblings were flanked by family and friends at the inquest at in Lidcombe on Monday all wearing yellow- her favourite colour.

'I presented to a hospital in NSW with my daughter [who had] flu symptoms and within 24 hours she was dead,' Ms White told 7 News outside court.

'I feel like we owe it to our daughter to just hash out what happened'.

Day one of the inquest on Monday heard from Dr Suhail Omer Mir, who treated Pippa at Cowra Hospital.

The inquest heard that Dr Mit determined that Pippa did not show any signs she had sepsis and made arrangements to have her taken to Orange.

He was the only doctor on duty at the time and had little time to to leave the bedside of an eight-year-old child being resuscitated after a cardiac arrest, The Guardian reported.

'I was busy...I wasn't there to kind of watch Pippa unfortunately while she was waiting for the transfer,' he said.

Annah and Brock White (pictured with Pippa) hope that the coronial inquest will finally provide some answers

The paramedics who transported Pippa to Orange recorded her pulse at 169 beats a minute and her temperature at 38C, the inquest heard.

Dr Mir said he would have been 'very concerned' if he had been aware of this.

'If that information had been relayed to me, that definitely would have led me to take blood tests, start antibiotics,' he said.

The inquest is expected to be held over four days this week

More experts will be called next May to give evidence about the medical care provided to Pippa.

Her family refuse to give up hope on finding out why Pippa died with their long quest for answers set to continue well into 2025.

'Time will tell, that's what we're here for,' Ms White said.
The New York City Council approved a budget with more cash for NYPD Sunday

The New York Police Department will see a massive cash boost next year after the City Council adopted a $112 billion budget despite dissent from Democratic socialists.

The Big Apple's increase in police spending by roughly $72 million comes under a week after Squad progressive Congressman Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., a defund the police advocate, lost his reelection bid to a moderate.

The budget was adopted 46-3, with three Democratic socialist members voting against the measure partly because of the money for NYPD 'pet projects.'

The boosted law enforcement budget may now indicate New Yorkers' desires to get tough on crime, especially after Bowman's ousting.

And that could put other Squad Democrats' races in jeopardy.

Fellow Squad members Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who have both been outspoken about defunding the police, also face tough primary challenges that could see them kicked from Congress.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., a member of the Squad, lost his reelection bid after getting beat in the Democrat primary to George Latimer. He is the ever first member of The Squad to lose

Bush, for example, is currently in a dead heat with St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, new polling found.

The survey of 400 registered voters in the Missouri 1st District by The Mellman Group put Bush at 42 percent, behind Bell's 43 percent.

Bush is suddenly in a street fight with Bell after looking like a sure thing in January when she was ahead 45 percent to 29 percent.

And Omar is not off the hook either, facing a tough challenger in Don Samuels, a 75-year-old former city councilman who lost to her by just two points in 2022.

Samuels has been arguing to voters that Omar focuses too much on issues abroad like the Israel-Hams war and does not spend enough time fighting for constituents.

The Somalia-born Democrat has repeatedly attended pro-Gaza rallies - and her daughter was arrested for organizing a student-led campus protest at Columbia University in support of Palestinians.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., has recently polled behind her Democrat challenger

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., (R) is again facing a tough primary challenge from Don Samuels, a 75-year-old former city council member who lost to the Squad member by just two points

Another New York Democrat who supported the defund the police movement, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., however, appears to not be in jeopardy of losing her seat.

Her Democrat challenger Marty Dolan had wanted the district to return to more moderate leadership.

He criticized her for being too extreme on Israel and other issues.

One ad ran for Dolan's campaign hit AOC for 'defunding the police.'

Still, the Squad leader won her Democratic primary race, defending her seat representing part of the Bronx, last week.

'Wall Street came for us again, and the people prevailed,' she posted on X after winning the primary.

'Thank you to the Bronx and Queens for choosing me to be your Congresswoman. It is the honor of my life to fight for working families and everyday people.'

Similar to many of the Squad member's stances on defunding the police, several Democratic socialist New York City Council members slammed the increased NYPD funding in the city's 2025 budget.

'Mayor Adams is funneling money into his NYPD pet projects that do not work towards real community safety including the Cop City multi-agency training center, the 86 member PR team, the teenage school police cadet program, and the Strategic Response Group,' council member Shahana Hanif said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., won her primary last week. She tried to support Bowman by campaigning with him, but her popularity was not enough to save his seat

The New York City Council approved a budget Sunday that will increase funding for the New York Police Department by millions

'A budget is about choices and Mayor Adams has made the wrong ones,' she continued. 'I cannot sign off on a budget that, despite the Council's best efforts, continues us down Mayor Adams's path of austerity.'

Tiffany Caban, another New York City Council Democratic socialist, said 'This no vote will certainly not grow my popularity with the powers that be.'

'My constituents did not put me in this room to be a rubber stamp on another Mayor Adams budget.'

Meanwhile, Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams celebrated the budget adoption in a statement.

'Our administrations mission is clear: Protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make this city more livable  and this budget is a direct testament to that mission,' he said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who used to work for NYPD, celebrated the passage of the $112 billion budget, which includes increased police funding

Bowman was an outspoken supporter of the defund the police movement before entering and while in office

'A system this cruel and inhumane can't be reformed,' Bowman posted on X after his December 2020 election. 'Defund the police, and defund the system that's terrorizing our communities.'

In another tweet from April 2021, Bowman wrote, 'Republicans want to defund every government program except for those that actively terrorize Black and brown people.'

'It's time to disarm the police,' a third Bowman tweet from 2019 said.

The New York Democrat had been a leading 'defund the police' voice on Capitol Hill.

In contrast, George Latimer, the New York county executive who beat Bowman, has not expressed a desire for defunding law enforcement.
Furious relatives of the hundreds who died in two deadly Boeing 737 Max jetliner crashes have blasted the Justice Department after they offered a 'sweetheart plea deal' to the plane-making giant.

Boeing will have until the end of the coming week to accept or reject the offer, which includes the plane maker agreeing to an independent monitor who would oversee its compliance with anti-fraud laws, the Justice Department said.

The department told relatives of some of the 346 people who died in the 2018 and 2019 crashes about the plea offer during a video meeting.

One said prosecutors were gaslighting the families; another shouted at them for several minutes when given a chance to speak.

'We are upset. They should just prosecute,' said Massachusetts resident Nadia Milleron, whose 24-year-old daughter, Samya Stumo, died in the second of two 737 Max crashes, 'this is just a reworking of letting Boeing off the hook.'

Devastated families of those who died in the 2018 and 2019 Boeing 737 Max airliner crashes have blasted the US Justice Department after it offered a 'sweetheart plea deal' to the plane giant. Pictured: Indonesian people examining debris of the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 in Jakarta, October 30, 2018

The heartbroken families believe the deal is a way of 'letting Boeing off the hook'. Pictured: An Oromo man hired to assist forensic investigators walks by a pile of twisted airplane debris at the crash site of an Ethiopian airways operated Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on March 16, 2019

Pictured: Officials inspect engine of the crashed Lion Air jet on November 4, 208, in Jakarta, Indonesia. An Indonesian investigation found a Lion Air flight that crashed and killed 189 people five years ago was doomed by a combination of aircraft design flaws, inadequate training and maintenance problems

Prosecutors told the families - who want Boeing to face a criminal trial and to pay a $24.8billion fine - that if Boeing rejects the plea offer, the Justice Department would seek a trial in the matter, meeting participants said.

Justice Department officials presented the offer to Boeing during a meeting later Sunday, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The meeting with crash victims' families came weeks after prosecutors told O'Connor that the American aerospace giant breached the January 2021 deal that had protected Boeing from criminal prosecution in connection with the crashes.

The second one took place in Ethiopia less than five months after the one in Indonesia.

A conviction could jeopardize Boeing's status as a federal contractor, according to some legal experts. The company has large contracts with the Pentagon and NASA.

However, federal agencies can give waivers to companies that are convicted of felonies to keep them eligible for government contracts, and lawyers for the crash victims' families expect that would be done for Boeing.

But outrage was sparked as it was revealed the US government is preparing to offer Boeing a 'sweetheart plea deal' over the two deadly 737 Max jetliner crashes.

The said deal will include a small fine and three years of safety audits, the lawyer representing the crash victims has revealed.

The plea deal would take away the ability of US District Judge Reed O'Connor to increase Boeing's sentence for a conviction, and some of the families plan to ask the Texas judge to reject the deal if Boeing agrees to it.

'The underlying outrageous piece of this deal is that it doesn't acknowledge that Boeing's crime killed 346 people,' said Paul Cassell, one of the lawyers for victims' families.

'Boeing is not going to be held accountable for that, and they are not going to admit that that happened.'

Sanjiv Singh, a lawyer for 16 families who lost relatives in the October 2018 Lion Air crash off Indonesia, called the plea offer 'extremely disappointing.'

The terms, he said, 'read to me like a sweetheart deal.'

Pictured: Shoes found during the search for victims from the Lion Air flight JT 610 are collected at the Jakarta International Container Terminal in Jakarta, on October 31, 2018

Pictured: A bouquet of flowers is placed in front of a pile of debris at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on March 13, 2019

Another lawyer representing families who are suing Boeing, Mark Lindquist, said he asked the head of the Justice Department's fraud section, Glenn Leon, whether the department would add additional charges if Boeing turns down the plea deal.

'He wouldn't commit one way or another,' Lindquist said.

Boeing paid a $244million fine as part of the 2021 settlement of the original fraud charge.

The Justice Department is likely to seek another, similar penalty as part of the new plea offer, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing to discuss an ongoing case.

The deal would include a monitor to oversee Boeing - but the company would put forward three nominees and have the Justice Department pick one, or ask Boeing for additional names.

That provision was particularly hated by the family members on the call, participants said.

The Justice Department also gave no indication of moving to prosecute any current or former Boeing executives, another long-sought demand of the families.

Lindquist, a former prosecutor, said officials made clear during an earlier meeting that individuals - even CEOs - can be more sympathetic defendants than corporations.

The officials pointed to the 2022 acquittal on fraud charges of Boeing's chief technical pilot for the Max as an example.

It is unclear what impact a plea deal might have on other investigations into Boeing, including those following the blowout of a panel called a door plug from the side of a Boeing Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

Pictured: Investigators and recovery workers inspect a second engine after it is recovered from a crater at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on March 13, 2019 in Ejere, Ethiopia. All 157 passengers and crew perished after the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 Flight came down six minutes after taking off from Bole Airport

Pictured: Rescuers carry body bags containing the remains of the victims of Lion Air crash at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, November 2, 2018

Pictured: Children from surrounding homesteads stand in front of a flower memorial held for victims at the crash site of an Ethiopian airways operated by a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on March 16, 2019

The company is also under fire following a series of disasters - from just this year alone.

On March 3, a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 veered off the runway after landing in Houston due to some sort of gear collapse.

Shocking footage showed the plane lying flat on its wings on grass by the side of the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder.

Then just five days later, on March 7, a wheel fell off a Boeing 777-200 shortly after takeoff from San Francisco, crushing cars below.

On March 11, a Boeing 777 was was forced to land due to hydraulic fluid spewing from its landing gear area and on March 15 a United Airlines 737 was grounded after it was found to be missing a panel after it touched down successfully in Medford Airport, Oregon, despite the missing part.

The plane with 235 passengers and 14 crew diverted to Los Angeles Airport after it was alerted to the landing gear failure and landed safely with no further incident and no injuries reported on the ground.

On March 20 a Boeing 737 900 bound for Atlanta was forced to turn back and make an emergency landing after an engine blow out on take-off from Aruba and on March 29 a Boeing 777-200 flying from San Francisco to Paris had to touch down early in Denver after engine problems.

On April 26, Delta flight 520 was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport when an emergency slide fell off the 33-year-old Boeing 767 an hour into its journey to Los Angeles and on May 8 a FedEx Airlines Boeing cargo plane landed at Istanbul Airport without the front landing gear deployed.

Just a day later a Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 plane's front tire burst upon landing at an airport in southern Turkey.

Then on May 21 one person died aboard a Boeing 777 and others were injured on the flight from London to Singapore which plummeted 6,000ft in five minutes before making an emergency landing in Thailand.

The deadly Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes took place between October 2018 and March 2019.

Joshua Dean (pictured) died suddenly on April 30 aged 45 having raised the alarm about supposed defects in 737 Max jets

Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, (pictured) who ran the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol, was on board the plane when the incident happened on May 21

In 2018, Lion Air flight JT610 crashed into the sea off Jakarta shortly after departing on a domestic flight, killing all 189 passengers on board.

Investigators said automated systems probably believed erroneously that the aircraft had stalled and needed to descend to increase airspeed.

The 737 Max 8 jet had only been launched globally the previous year.

Just five months later, in March 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 301 crashed just minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi, killing all 157 people on board.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) then ordered US airlines to ground all 737 Max aircraft, following in the footsteps of regulators from China, Europe, and Canada.

Boeing agreed with the FAA's decision at the time.

'Boeing has determined  out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft's safety  to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of the operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 Max aircraft,' the company said.
Former President Donald Trump is celebrating his Supreme Court 'big win' on presidential immunity while Democrats started melting down.

The conservative 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court ruled a president does have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts in a monumental decision Monday.

The six-three decision is a major blow to Special Counsel Jack Smith's cases against the ex-president.

'Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!' Trump wrote on Truth Social immediately following release of the Supreme Court decision on Monday.

The majority on the country's highest court ruled the president does have immunity from prosecution for official acts in office. The president does not have immunity for unofficial acts, the majority concluded.

The three liberal justices dissented and raised concerns about what the decision means for democracy arguing the constitution does not 'shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts.'

Donald Trump at a campaign event on June 18, 2024. The ex-president celebrated the Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity on Monday calling it a 'BIG WIN'

The ex-president in a separate Truth Social post said the decision should end all the criminal cases against him including the New York convictions and the civil fraud case.

Trump was joined in his praise of the Supreme Court decision by fellow Republicans who celebrated the court decision on presidential powers.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the ruling a 'victory for former President Trump and all future presidents and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith.'

GOP Senator Roger Marshall wrote on X that the Supreme Court made the right decision.

'We must maintain strong presidential immunity protections to ensure our leaders can make tough decisions without fear of political retribution,' he wrote.

Senator Marsha Blackburn claimed the decision 'rebukes Democrats blatant attempts to weaponize our legal system against Donald Trump.'

As Republicans hailed the decision, Democrats started melting down, saying Trump is even 'more unhinged' than ever.

'As President Biden has said, nobody is above the law,' White House counsel office spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement Monday afternoon. 'That is a core American principle and how our system of justice works. We need leaders like President Biden who respect the justice system and dont tear it down.'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Monday she will be filing articles of impeachment against the conservative justices after they ruled on Donald Trump's immunity case.

Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life unless they choose to step down or are impeached - and the last and only time a justice was impeached was in 1805.

'The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control,' AOC posted on X. 'Todays ruling represents an assault on American democracy.'

'It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture,' she continued. 'I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return.'

Speaking on behalf of the Biden campaign on Monday, Congressman Dan Goldman said the decision sets back democracy dramatically.

'It is a sweeping and devastating opinion for our separation of powers and for our fundamental belief and notion that no one is above the law,' Goldman said.

He pointed out the implication is that there will be no trial in Trump's election interference case before the election.

The Supreme Court made the right decision. We must maintain strong presidential immunity protections to ensure our leaders can make tough decisions without fear of political retribution.  Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) July 1, 2024

President Biden's deputy campaign manager blasted the Supreme Court decision. Quentin Fulks said Trump has become more 'unhinged' since the January 6 attack and because of the court decision, he is 'unchecked'

Biden's deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks said the decision does not change the facts that the American people saw what happened on January 6, 2021. He called Trump of being desperate and unstable and accused him of encouraging a mob to try and over throw the election.

'Since that fateful day, Trump has only grown more unhinged, and now he's unchecked,' Fulks said.

'Todays Supreme Court decision to grant legal immunity to a former President for crimes committed using his official power sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation,' said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a statement.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA SCOTUSwhich is comprised of 3 justices appointed by Trump himselfenables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law.



It undermines SCOTUS's credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today. https://t.co/wCNI42U5Ki  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 1, 2024

'This disgraceful decision by the MAGA SCOTUSwhich is comprised of 3 justices appointed by Trump himselfenables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law,' wrote Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on X.

'It undermines SCOTUS's credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today,' he said.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served under President Obama, wrote of the decision 'Our democracy has been gravely wounded.'
A Michigan nurse has described her horror at realizing she was paralyzed from the neck down after being hurled off a horse during a ride with her wife.

Dawn Rammage, 44, and her wife of five years, Brianna 'Bri' Engel, 31, were enjoying a scenic horseback ride on June 8 when Dawn was flung into the air.

The experienced rider and mother-of-one landed on her head and although she didn't lose consciousness, her medical instincts kicked in and she instantly knew something was wrong.

'In nursing, I feel like you know too much. So, my arms flew back in a certain posture. I knew I was paralyzed,' she told WLBT3.

She fractured her neck and was left with a spinal cord injury. She has no feeling from her neck down, but she can slightly feel a small spot on her thumb.

Dawn Rammage, 44, was left paralyzed after freak horseback riding accident flung her into the air on June 8 in Michigan

Dawn, who started riding horses at 16-years-old and is a farrier- someone who trims and shoes horses' hooves- never expected to have a negative experience doing what she loves. (pictured: Dawn (right) and her wife Brianna (left))

Dawn started riding horses at 16-years-old and is a farrier - someone who trims and shoes horses' hooves.

'I was about 10 steps from getting off and being done. And, for whatever reason, the horse bucked pretty good twice and sent me into a spiral,' she said.

Horses buck or launch riders off of their back when they experience anxiety, excitement or are in pain, Horse Illustrated Magazine reported.

Dawn's cousin Olivia, who created a GoFundMe page to help with medical and recovery costs for Dawn, commended her for her horseback riding skills.

'For my whole life she has been an accomplished rider and teacher,' Olivia said.

At the time of the frightening incident, Dawn and Brianna were enjoying a ride around their yard when her horse bucked after spotting a chicken in the chicken coop, Oliva said.

As of Monday afternoon, the donation page has raised more than $37,000. The funds are set to go toward Dawn, Brianna and their two-year-old adopted daughter who 'is the light of their lives.'

Her cousin explained that Dawn underwent emergency surgery the same day of the accident and had another procedure on June 10.

She fractured her neck and was left wit a spinal cord injury. She has no feeling from her neck down, but she can slightly feel a small spot on her thumb

Doctors told her there is a small chance she can walk again. However, her physician, Dr. Gianna Rodriguez, the director of the Michigan Medical Spinal Cord Injury Program, said that everybody's spinal cord injury varies.

Rodriguez explained that there are still some generalities between spinal cord injury patients.

Dawn met Brianna at The University of Michigan and got married in 2019

'The most motor function and sensory function that comes back occurs within the first three months.

'You continue to regain function in your nervous system at six months and at 12 months. But it slows down a little bit. And they say, at about one year, you sort of plateau,' Rodriguez said.

Dawn never expected to swap places with her patients after 18 years at The University of Michigan, where she first met her wife.

Brianna said that once her wife hit the ground she went into 'emergency Bri nurse mode.'

'Right away, within 20 minutes, the ambulance was there. I was coordinating people,' she said.

'The ambulance was coming to the back of the yard. We had a little bit of a walk. I coordinated fire.'

Dawn insists she is maintaining a positive attitude throughout the trauma.

'Life is always gonna constantly throw curveballs at me  always.

'But you just need to keep moving in that direction and be like, "All right, you got me there. But now, Im gonna go in this direction",' she said.

'For my whole life she has been an accomplished rider and teacher,' Olivia, Dawn's cousin, said

Dawn created a poster board of encouraging words (pictured) for her to live by following her accident

Dawn has been going to physical therapy sessions as her main goal is to get up and walking again

Her wife has posted many updates on Dawn's improvements since the accident, as she was seen in physical therapy sessions striving to reach her main goal of walking again.

On Sunday, Brianna posted multiple pictures of her wife and said: 'Today marks the first time Dawn Rammage has felt sunlight in 3 weeks.'

Her friend, Lucie Ptasznik, also shared an image of Dawn holding up words of encouragement that she wrote on a large poster board.

The statements read: 'I am Dawn. I am powerful. I am whole. I am well. I will recover 100%,' among others.

On June 26 Revel Run Equestrian held a fundraiser to support Dawn and her family in an event for horse-riders and non-horse-riders.

The event offered people a spaghetti dinner, drinks and the chance to ride horses in honor of Dawn. All proceeds were donated to the struggling family.
Michael LaRosa, Jill Biden's former press secretary, called out Bidenworld for 'gaslighting' the American public by saying data indicated the 2024 race hadn't shifted after the 81-year-old's disastrous debate.

LaRosa first made the claim in a tweet Sunday after former White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said on CNN's State of the Union that 'the race has not fundamentally changed' post-debate.

Bedingfield cited 'data' that had emerged since Thursday's debate in Atlanta that purportedly showed that Americans weren't 'suddenly moving toward Trump' and found the Republican former president 'not persuasive.'

The major headline out of the debate, however, was President Joe Biden's jumbled and sometimes incoherent responses.

'The data!? If there is data that counters the impact of what we all saw then WHERE THE HELL IS IT???' LaRosa begged in a post on X Sunday. 'WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? SHOW US!'

First lady Jill Biden's former press secretary Michael LaRosa called out Bidenworld for 'gaslighting' the American public by saying data indicated the 2024 race hadn't shifted after the 81-year-old's disastrous debate

In an X post Sunday and then during a Fox & Friends interview Monday morning, the former East Wing spokesman asked to see 'The data?!' that purportedly showed that the race was virtually unchanged after Biden's rough debate

'Jesus Christ with the gaslighting, the talking points, and the damn spinning. Enough already. Show your supporters or the media this data so we can help you help him!' the former White House aide continued.

LaRosa pointed out that for 'A YEAR' Biden aides pushed that polling data couldn't be trusted.

'[N]o one is paying attention ... and all the polling and date are unreliable,' the ex-aide went on.

Biden has trailed former President Donald Trump in many major polls.

'Are we NOW supposed to believe it?' he asked, referring to the 'data' that allegedly shows Biden untainted from the debate. 'You've been undermining all the public data and polling and attacking news outlets and their independent data for a year!'

'Is it now safe to trust the data?' he mused.

'Should we believe your data instead of independent media data and polling???' he asked. 'Ok, cool. WHERE THE HELL IS IT?'

President Joe Biden (left) and first lady Jill Biden (right) are pictured during a trip to the Hamptons to raise funds for the reelection campaign on Saturday. LaRosa said Dr. Biden wouldn't be supporting the president staying in the race if that's not what he wanted

LaRosa appeared on Fox & Friends Monday morning and continued to demand to see the numbers Biden surrogates were pushing.

Co-host Steve Doocy pointed out that Americans all saw the debate Thursday night, describing Biden's performance as 'terrible.'

'Yeah, that's ultimately going to be the problem. Look, we live in a visual world. It's hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube,' LaRosa acknowledged.

He also pointed out that Biden's team 'got everything they wanted in this debate in terms of parameters.'

'And there was so much riding on this first impression,' he added. 'He won't have probably another audience like that. And even the convention won't get them what they need.'

LaRosa, who was first lady Jill Biden's campaign spokesperson in 2020 and then served in the same role in the White House until 2022, pushed back on the narrative that Dr. Biden is the main person pressuring her husband to stay in the race.

He pointed out that Joe and Jill 'don't live in each other's shadows.'

'And if he didn't want to be president, if he didn't want to run again, she would be the first one in her car headed to the beach and she would have no reason to ever come back to Washington, D.C.,' LaRosa said. 'She doesn't care about politics.'
The 'terrible' list of Lucy Letby's convictions as a serial baby killer was read out loud in a courtroom today, as her re-trial on a charge of attempted murder entered its final phase.

Nick Johnson KC, prosecuting, named each of the seven premature infants she murdered at the Countess of Chester Hospital, and all six of those she tried to kill while on duty in its neonatal unit.

Her first victim, a boy, died the day he was born, the second, another boy, when he was four days old. A little girl died at two days, a boy at six days and another girl at 11 weeks.

One of a set of triplets was murdered by Letby when he was two days old, and the following day she also killed one of his brothers at the age of three days.

Killer nurse Lucy Letby was accused of 'lying' and changing her account of events

Body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary during the arrest of Lucy Letby

In his closing speech at Manchester Crown Court, Mr Johnson told the jury they now had to decide whether Letby, 34, had also tried to murder Baby K. Jurors in the nurse's previous trial failed to reach a verdict on the infant's death.

'Lucy Letby is an extraordinary person  and not in a good way,' said Mr Johnson. The list of her previous convictions provided them with 'the shocking and dreadful context' of the case.

'The crimes themselves are wholly abnormal, and so to were the circumstances. From first to last, one year, two weeks and three days. So cunning and devious was Lucy Letby that she managed to carry out her campaign of murder and attempted murder undetected for all those months.

'We say that tells you an awful lot about her as a person, and we say you should take that into account when you consider this case'.

He added: 'Even in that dreadful context, K was the epitome of fragility, a tiny, tiny girl born at 25 weeks weighing 629 grammes  seven tenths of a bag of sugar'.

The prosecution has alleged that the lead consultant on the unit, Dr Ravi Jayaram, walked into Nursery 1 at about 3.45am on February 17, 2016, to find Letby standing next to Baby K's incubator and 'doing nothing' as monitors showed her saturation levels dropping to critical levels.

Mr Johnson told the jury: 'Her answer to the accusation? 'I don't remember, but it can't be true because that's not the sort of thing I would do'.

In her evidence the convicted killer had used expressions like 'best practice', 'normal practice' and 'common practice' on nine separate occasions.

'There was nothing 'best' or 'normal' about Lucy Letby's practice,' said the barrister. 'But it was common practice for her to sabotage infants entrusted to her care'.

The prosecution claim Letby was caught 'virtually red-handed' by senior paediatrician Dr Ravi Jayaram 'doing nothing' as the child's oxygen levels dropped dangerously low

Baby K died at Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral, three days after her birth in Chester. The prosecution do not accuse her of causing her death, but of attempting to kill the infant while she was in her unit.

All the other staff at Chester were doing their best to maximise Baby K's chances of survival, said Mr Johnson. But there was one exception. 'The one exception to that is sitting in the dock'.

One doctor on the neonatal unit had helped give Baby K 'her first breath of life', while staff at Arrowe Park left her parents with her as she breathed 'her final breaths cradled in the arms of her father'.

Mr Johnson said it was 'a red herring' for the defence to try to focus on imperfections in Baby K's care at the Countess of Chester. 'It has nothing to do with why K's ET tube kept dislodging.

When Baby K desaturated at around 3.45am Dr Jayaram had been 'doing his best' to arrange her transfer away from Chester. One of his fellow consultants, John Gibbs, said in evidence that the quickest thing a nurse can do for a baby whose saturations are dropping is simply to turn up the oxygen on the wall.

'One thing that was not a reasonable option was doing nothing and to wait for her to self-correct,' said Mr Johnson.

He highlighted the fact that in agreed evidence a nursing expert had made it clear that it would not be good practice to wait.

But when confronted with that in cross-examination, Letby had replied: 'That's her opinion'.

'That's her opinion?' asked Mr Johnson. 'That's not an answer. That IS what should have happened. It's agreed evidence'.

With hindsight, staff should had Baby K transferred out of Chester earlier on, 'because there was a killer operating on the neonatal unit'.

Mr Johnson said that despite Letby's claims not to remember the events of June 17, she 'took pleasure in her murderous handiwork' and later tried to cover her tracks.

In Baby K's third desaturation she sought to portray herself as 'saving the day' when the infant's breathing tube slipped too far into her throat.

'She was clearly lying about this incident, just as she was lying about so many things.

'When you look at the whole picture, it's clear that Dr Jayaram was telling the truth, and if you agree with that we respectfully submit that the only possible verdict is one of guilty'.

Letby's barrister, Ben Myers KC, told the jury: 'Anyone who thinks this is a done deal is wrong'.

He said the prosecution said at the outset that the case centred on its 'star witness', Dr Jayaram having caught Letby 'almost red-handed' in the act of attempted murder. But the consultant's account was 'incredible'.

If he had really seen what he said he saw, and believed someone was 'killing babies and trying to hurt them', he would have gone to the police. 'He would have told the management, and if they dragged their heels he would have told the police.

'You don't need to be a paediatric consultant to do that'.

At one point Dr Jayaram had said he and his colleagues 'didn't have the training' to deal with the issue. Mr Myers described that as 'pathetic', adding: 'A child would know what to do. If he had really thought that, he would have gone to the police and he would have got her out'.

Dr Jayaram 'didn't have a clue' what he had seen, and the prosecution had been 'inventing' ways of getting around his evidence. It was operating on the basis that Letby's previous convictions would lead to a similar verdict in the current trial, 'come what may'.

'We say it's an insult to the collective intelligence of this courtroom to say that Dr Jayaram saw what he says he saw and did absolutely nothing. It is ridiculous and it is unbelievable'.
Did YOU see what happened?

Did YOU see what happened? Email milo.pope.mol@mailonline.co.uk

Military horses could 'continue' to run wild on the streets of London unless training drastically improves, an expert has told MailOnline.

Household Cavalry horses bolted through the city earlier today on a blind-panic rampage for the second time this year after losing their riders.

The incident happened around Knightsbridge when six horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were conducting a routine exercise under the control of five soldiers.

The lead horse, which was being led rather than ridden, became loose after being spooked by a London bus. This then led to two riders being unseated from their horses, who also became loose.

Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Claire Corridan, a veterinary surgeon and expert on animal behaviour and welfare, said it is 'really worrying'.

'You would think that cavalry regiment would be on high alert after the first time and their risk assessment would make sure that something like this couldn't happen again,' she said.

TODAY: Dash cam footage courtesy of a black cab taxi driver shows two of three military horses which bolted through central London

TODAY: The taxi driver posted the video on X with the caption: 'Got hit by them in Lupus St Pimlico'

TODAY: The army said that one of the horses received 'minor injuries'

The animals bolted from Seville Street to South Eaton Place, where one horse was recovered. Two horses continued to Vauxhall Bridge via Belgrave Road before being stopped. The Ministry of Defence said all were collected and returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55am. The map shows where the horses in April bolted - on Wilton Crescent

'Anything can spook an animal and they can then behave defensively to get to a place of safety if fearful, but what this shows is how this could definitely happen again. It could even be worse next time.

'Although it's not scientifically proven, this sort of event can be cumulative with a horse and any sort of noise in the future can be a pre-cursor to it happening again. Even if there's no noise, they can associate with the first incident again.

How are Household Cavalry horses trained? The horses of the Household Cavalry are a uniquely British institution. When it comes to training them, each horse is trained for between eight to 10 months at the Household Cavalry Training Wing in Windsor and Hyde Park Barracks in London. This involves the horses being regularly ridden on the streets of the capital to desensitize them to loud noises and heavy traffic. In addition, special training is given for the horses to be used to noises. This includes sounds like the gun salutes and regimental bands. They also need to be comfortable in a procession, with noises coming from behind them. Advertisement

'Even the most experienced riders can have difficulty with a horse. There's an endless list of potential triggers, especially in a city like London, but for this to happen again, so quickly, the regiment's training has to be better.

'Preparation work is so, so important and it needs to be as comprehensive as possible, looking into whether horses should be in large groups or not, because we're not just dealing with the health and safety of the animals, we're dealing with members of the public as well. It's a huge issue.'

Dashcam footage from a taxi today showed one of the animals running into the bonnet of the car at a junction in Pimlico.

The animals bolted from Seville Street to South Eaton Place, where one horse was recovered. Two horses continued to Vauxhall Bridge via Belgrave Road before being stopped. The Ministry of Defence confirmed all were collected and returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55am.

None of the three horses were involved in the previous bolting incident on April 24, the MoD said.

An Army spokesman said: 'We can confirm that, whilst exercising this morning, three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment became loose from their riders. They were swiftly and safely recovered.

'One horse received minor injuries, but no further treatment is required and there were no injuries to the soldiers involved.'

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'We're aware that a number of horses were loose in central London and worked with the Army to locate them.

'We're pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army.'

In April, service personnel were thrown from their horses when they bolted after being spooked by rubble being dropped through a plastic tunnel while on an exercise in Belgravia after the horses were spooked by construction work.

The five horses smashed into vehicles, including a double-decker bus, and caused a number of injuries.

APRIL: Household Cavalry horses pictured bolting through central London

APRIL: The distressed animals drenched in blood

Ambulance crews treated four people in three separate incidents in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street, in the space of 10 minutes.

Three of the horses injured - Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish - were back on duty 'against all expectations' and featured in the King's Birthday Parade on June 15.

The remaining two injured horses - Vida and Quaker - were said to be 'enjoying a summer holiday' in the country but would return to work in due course.

As of June, three of the five riders who suffered injuries in the incident had recovered and were back on duty, while the other two were progressing in their recovery.

Did YOU see what happened? Email milo.pope.mol@mailonline.co.uk
A disqualified driver who admitted killing a young mum in a horror crash after falling asleep at the wheel has been told he faces jail.

Edward Carty, 30, had been driving for 14 hours without a break before the smash on the A90 near Errol, Perthshire, on August 12, 2022.

Rebecca Tasker, 32, was in the back seat of her car with her two children, aged seven and 10, when the Nissan they were travelling in veered off the road and careered down an embankment hitting two trees. There was also a teenage passenger in the front of the car.

The High Court in Glasgow heard members of the public were able to pull her children out of the vehicle unharmed while Cartys friend, 19-year-old Lucas Hollings, managed to free himself from the wreckage.

Rebecca Tasker, 32, died after Edward Carty fell asleep at the wheel on the A90 and plunged down an embankment into two trees, the High Court in Glasgow was told

However, Ms Tasker was pronounced dead at the scene having suffered two spinal injuries, a severe neck injury and blunt force trauma to several ribs.

Carty later posted on social media app TikTok that he had fallen asleep.

He pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.

The court heard that Carty, his pals, Ms Tasker and her kids had travelled from Arbroath, Angus, to Lochinver in Sutherland, before making the return journey.

Prosecutor Ruaridh Ferguson said: During the journey, Carty did not rest and had driven for around 14 hours.

Carty, who was banned from the road at the time of the incident, drove at 80mph in a 70mph zone at the time of the crash.

The car was seen drifting towards the edge of the road and he tried to correct its course before crossing over into another lane with another attempt to steady the vehicle.

Mr Ferguson said: The vehicle started to veer in an anti-clockwise direction before crossing the grass verge and a path.

The car then turned 90 degrees and went backwards.

Mr Ferguson told the court: At this point, the car collided with a tree causing damage to the door and the tree. The contact with the tree stopped the vehicle rotating.

But the car continued to travel backwards down the embankment before smashing into another tree.

Witnesses rushed to the scene to help the casualties but Ms Tasker could not be freed from the wreckage and was thought to have been rendered unconscious by her injuries.

Carty was taken to hospital for surgery to his leg. He also suffered a stroke.

The hearing was told that he broadcast himself on TikTok in September 2022 when he discussed the incident with a woman.

He said: I fell asleep behind the wheel, but I pulled over 15 times asking my girlfriend to drive but she wouldnt drive even though it was her car.

Mr Ferguson stated to the court that Carty failed to take any rest.

Brian Bell, defending, told the court: He accepts full responsibility, the comment about asking her to drive - he doesnt remember that.

He recalls saying it on TikTok but he doesnt recall asking her to drive.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Judge Lord Young said: You will be aware that custody is inevitable for an offence of this gravity.

Carty, of Blackburn, Lancashire, was disqualified from driving and remanded in custody meantime.

After Ms Taskers death, tributes poured in on social media from loved ones with cousin Alana Dempster saying: My heart is broken.

Shellie Lyon said: She was amazing and will be missed loads. Such an amazing woman and mother gone far too soon.

Hayley Milne commented: Such a shame thoughts are with her family and those wee kiddies! She was such a funny wee character.

The A90 is one of Scotlands most deadly roads with a number of serious accidents every year.
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This is the dramatic moment Ukrainian special forces storm Snake Island in a daring operation to liberate the key Black Sea outpost from Putin's humiliated troops.

Ukrainian secret services have released previously unseen footage marking the second anniversary of its special forces storming Snake Island, which triggered Russia's retreat from the Black Sea outpost.

In the dramatic video, the island is seen being hit by aerial bombs before an assault by helicopters, with soldiers shooting from above before being dropped off near the outpost.

Headcam footage shows the troops shooting at enemy soldiers to liberate the remote but strategically important island, giving a huge lift to Ukrainian resistance.

Russian forces claimed they had retreated in a 'gesture of goodwill' but in fact had been forced to leave.

Ukrainian secret services have released previously unseen footage marking the second anniversary of its special forces storming Snake Island, which triggered Russia 's retreat from the Black Sea outpost

Ukrainian troops were flown to the key Black Sea outpost to liberate the island. In the picture above, soldiers are firing at enemy troops on the island before they were dropped off

Headcam footage shows the troops shooting at enemy soldiers to liberate the remote but strategically important island, giving a huge lift to Ukrainian resistance

The final liberation was on June 30, 2022, and there are Russian claims that this assault was a May 7 precursor to the final liberation.

The Kyiv Independent stated: 'Occupying Snake Island effectively allowed Russian forces to launch a blockade of Odesa's Black Sea ports and direct missile attacks against Ukraine until 14 April 2022, when Ukraine successfully sank the Mosvka, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.'

Snake - or Zmiyinyi - Island in the Black Sea hit the headlines at the start of the war when heroic defenders famously radioed an approaching Russian cruiser to 'Go f*** yourself'.

Ukrainian defenders on the island spent more than 800 days in Russian captivity.

Nineteen heroic Ukrainian defenders of Snake Island were liberated on May 31 in a PoW exchange with Russia.

In the dramatic video, the island is seen being hit by aerial bombs before an assault by helicopters, with soldiers shooting from above before being dropped off near the outpost

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen visiting Zmiiny (Snake) Island to pay tribute to defenders on the 500th day of Vladimir Putin's war against his country

The strategic rock outcrop was visited by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky after its liberation.

The Ukrainian secret services said the Snake Island operation was 'unique and extremely important'.

It was an initial phase in one of the key Ukrainian successes of the war - to limit Russian naval operations in the western sector of the Black Sea.

This allowed the U.N. and Turkey brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative, which resumed grain and other agricultural exports to the rest of the world.
The former Moelis banker 52, turned himself in on assault charges on Monday

New CCTV images sheds light on to the events leading up to scuffle last month

Dramatic new footage has revealed the moment New York investment banker Jonathan Kaye was attacked by a group of revelers hurling anti-Semitic slurs at him - for the first time since he was accused of punching a woman during the altercation last month.

Kaye, 52, the now former managing director at Moelis & Company, made headlines in early June after viral video showed him throwing a vicious punch at a female reveler at the Brooklyn Pride Parade on June 8.

The millionaire banker was reported to have resigned from his high-paying role last week after being placed on leave as his firm investigated the incident.

Now, DailyMail.com can reveal Kaye was arrested on Monday morning after he willingly turned himself in to police in Brooklyn, where he has been booked on second and third degree assault charges.

It comes after sources close to the financier came forward with his side of the story in the wake of the controversy last month, claiming the fracas had unfolded after a group of four female 'Queers for Palestine' supporters allegedly started taunting the Jewish financier and throwing liquids at him as he left a nearby restaurant that night.

Now, unseen footage obtained by DailyMail.com offers new insight into the events leading up to scuffle, showing the moment the two parties cross paths on the street in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, before getting into a heated physical confrontation.

New footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows the moment millionaire investment banker Jonathan Kaye first encounters a group of Pride parade-goers as he walks by them on the corner of a Brooklyn street on June 8

Kaye, 52, continues walking down the sidewalk where he then encounters another member of the group (red arrow) and the two exchange words

It is unknown what was said between the two, but the exchange was enough to prompt Kaye to turn around and approach the group. The bankers' attorneys have claimed the group had hurled anti-Semitic slurs at him

The confrontation quickly turns aggressive and violent, as the group gangs up on Kaye and shoves him onto the street

The CCTV images, captured by a nearby restaurant, show Kaye emerging from the right side of the sidewalk, where the group of revelers appear to be hanging out on the corner.

The two parties appear to exchange words as Kaye walks by, but he continues walking, before glancing back at the group after they allegedly begin hurling slurs and insults.

As he continues up the sidewalk, he crosses paths with someone who appears to be returning to the same group of friends in the corner, and they exchange words as well.

It is unknown exactly what was said, but it was apparently provocative enough to cause Kaye to stop and turn around and approach the group.

The confrontation quickly turns chaotic and physical, with Kaye seen being surrounded and then shoved into the street, off screen, catching the attention of nearby onlookers.

After the altercation unfolds off camera, he reappears in frame seconds later and continues on his way down the sidewalk.

Last month sources told DailyMail.com that Kaye, who is Jewish, had told the group they were 'on the wrong side', prompting the women to gang up on him

Now, DailyMail.com understands Kaye had turned around and went back to confront the group after hearing the anti-Semitic slurs directed towards him.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Kaye's legal representative Danya Perry, Perry Law said: 'Mr. Kaye, a middle-aged Jewish man with no history of violence or aggression, was terrorized, assaulted, and surrounded by a group of unruly anti-Semitic protesters.

At one point, Kaye is seen reacting as he is pushed, just seconds after approaching them

'What the previously released video clip does not show is what another video and other evidence we have shared with the DA does show: that these agitators formed a ring at him, doused him with two unknown liquids, shoved him to the ground, and hurled anti-Semitic slurs at him.

'Terrified and injured, Mr. Kaye managed to act in self-defense to escape the situation and return safely to his family. We are hopeful that the District Attorney will fully and fairly consider these facts, along with the surge of anti-Semitic acts, protests, and attacks that are ravaging our city. We will aggressively fight injustice, and we look forward to a full vindication for our client.'

Kaye was recorded throwing a vicious punch at the unnamed woman during a pride parade in Brooklyn on June 8, he has since turned himself in on assault charges

As previously reported by DailyMail.com, insiders close to the 52-year-old banker had claimed the viral clip did not capture the full clash, which they say began when the group began hurling anti-Semitic slurs at Kaye, who is Jewish.

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.

'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.

Kaye was recorded throwing a punch at the unnamed woman during a pride parade in Brooklyn on Saturday evening, although there has not been an official probe launched by the NYPD.

Viral video had shown Kaye 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

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

Posters with his face, home address and cell phone number have been 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.

Defending the banker, who works as a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown Manhattan, the source said the whole thing was 'super anti-Semitic'.

They added: 'You can clearly see in the video, if you slow it down, that he's wet because they were throwing liquids at him.

'That video clip is cut and doesn't show the entire thing. He's never had one issue in his entire life never been arrested or anything.

'It was a super anti Semitic attack of four individuals ganging up against one Jewish man. It's left him completely traumatized.'

Kaye was placed under investigation by the bank, with a spokesman confirming his identity and adding that they are taking the footage and allegations seriously.

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.

Kaye, who lives his wife, owns multiple properties on the street, which he rents out to neighbors.

One said she was 'shocked' when she saw the footage this morning, adding that the father-of-three always seemed 'normal', although she normally spoke with his wife.

Another neighbor described scenes of chaos on the usually quiet street last night, as the victim's friends ran up and down screaming that Kaye had assaulted a woman.
Pensacola Beach in Florida was the site of something extremely unusual last month - a shipwreck.

A tattered, 45-foot sailboat washed up on shore sometime on June 18, catching the eye of many nearby residents who took to calling it the 'ghost ship.'

For people like 46-year-old Francine Farrar, who was one of the first to see the boat coming in, it carried mystery and intrigue.

But for its owner, Michael Barlow, 39, the ship had a name: Lady Catherine III. More crucially, he had spent much of his life savings to purchase the now-destroyed vessel.

He sank $80,000 into the sailboat intending to 'explore the world' only to have to abandon ship and enlist the Coast Guard in a daring rescue operation.

Pictured: The 'ghost ship' the washed onshore Pensacola Beach in June, weeks after its captain and owner, Michael Barlow, had to be rescued by the Coast Guard

That's how the empty Lady Catherine, bought by Barlow in May, would eventually make its way to the sandy shores of the Florida panhandle, but the full story is much longer and more complicated than that.

It started with Barlow's dream to live a freer, more fulfilling life with his wife and 9-year-old son.

'We were just going to explore the world,' Barlow told NBC 6 South Florida.

'Were normal people. We have normal finances, very, very basic. And this is the only way I could take my son and show him theres a whole world out there, beyond whats in America,' he said.

A little over a month ago, Barlow and his friend set sail on an 884-mile journey from Fort Pierce, Florida, back to Texas, where he was ready to close his excavation business and sell off his worldly possessions to fund his new lifestyle.

They studied the weather patterns for days before officially leaving, WEAR News reported, concluding that 'the forecast was beautiful.'

'We had 15 to 20 knots on our backs all the way home to Texas,' Barlow said.

Pictured: Michael Barlow stands in front of Lady Catherine sometime in late May, when he bought the boat

Lady Catherine is docked in Fort Pierce and shimmering with a strong blue paint job

Barlow is behind the wheel of his brand new $80,000 boat. Little did he know, it'd be wrecked in a matter of weeks

A week into Barlow's maiden voyage with Lady Catherine, the initially perfect sailing conditions changed drastically.

'The seas started building, wind hit us and it was 30 to 40 knots,' Barlow said. 'It pretty much stayed that way for the next two days.'

A series of storms sent waves crashing into the hull and high winds ripping at the sails, but Barlow remained undeterred.

At first.

'When it started getting crazy, I knew the boat could handle it and we just sent it.'

As he battled three days worth of horrendous weather that was slowly damaging his ship, he was able to stay in touch with his family via a Garmin tracker.

They knew his exact position the entire time, one of the reasons Barlow would eventually emerge alive from this ordeal.

Eventually, the ship was too badly compromised to continue on. Even worse, his loyal crewmate was beginning to freeze to death.

'The auto pilot broke in the first storm, so we had been hand steering for three days,' Barlow told WEAR News.

'[My friend] had all the symptoms of hypothermia and he went down below and passed out. He was unconscious throughout all of this.

Video from Coast Guard helicopters capture the sorry state of Lady Catherine, stranded in the Gulf of Mexico

Upon the Coast Guard's nighttime arrival, the boat was bobbing up and down in the rough waves, its main sail almost entirely torn off

A Coast Guard rescuer is seen boarding the wrecked ship

'I'm sitting there and watching these seas build, so I started hammering on the radio going through the procedures just seeing if there was someone within reach that could help us. No one was responding.'

Just when he thought all hope was lost, he hit the SOS button on his Garmin, which put him in direct contact with the Coast Guard in New Orleans.

The rescuers would later say Barlow and his friend were picked up on June 1 roughly 190 miles south of Panama City, Florida.

Over the radio, a Coast Guard member told Barlow he was 'about to get slammed again' and that they were three hours away from rescuing them.

But he was told he'd need to make a sacrifice. His $80,000 boat or his life.

'"We can come get you right now, but you have to leave the vessel,"' said Barlow, recalling what the Coast Guard said to him. '"Youre definitely rolling the dice on your life if you stay."'

Barlow chose to survive, fleeing his doomed ship.

Richard Hoefle, the rescue swimmer aboard the helicopters dispatched to Barlow's position, told WEAR News they were dodging storms left and right during their journey over the Gulf.

And when they got there, it was completely dark.

A night vision video posted to Facebook by the Coast Guard shows the boat bobbing up and down in the rough waves, its main sail almost entirely torn off.

The same video also depicts the harrowing rescue of the two men, which involved Hoefle jumping out of the helicopter straight into the water.

'It was like a movie,' Barlow said. 'Bro jumped in out of a helicopter in these mad big seas and swam over to us with nothing but snorkel gear on.'

While this wasn't a mundane task for Hoefle, who noted that he got sea sick just looking at the two men in the ocean, he showed unflinching confidence throughout the entire rescue.

'We are the Coast Guard, we are the absolute best in the world for this,' Hoefle said. 'You can just see the relief as they see the light at the end of the tunnel.'

The dramatic video shows Barlow and his friend being hoisted away into the sky before being flown back to Panama City.

Either Barlow or his friend is pictured getting hoisted up in a metal contraption by Coast Guard helicopters

For weeks, no one was certain where the Lady Catherine was. But when Pensacola residents began posting images of the wrecked vessel to social media, that's how Barlow was able to find her.

'I knew it was her,' he said.

Farrar, one of the people who saw the ship on shore, noticed people were stealing things from it.

So, she reached out to Barlow on social media and helped however she could.

'I would want someone to help me out. So I went and got a lock,' she said, adding that she watched over the boat until Barlow arrived in Pensacola.

Unfortunately, by the time he got there, it was looted of all his valuables.

Barlow will need to confront more unfortunate problems in the coming weeks now that state authorities know where his boat is.

Since he's the owner of what authorities call a 'derelict vessel,' he needs to get it off the beach or possibly face a felony criminal charge, punishable by a $5,000 fine or prison time, NBC reported.

Barlow is pictured with the Coast Guard officers that saved his life

'Yes, our officers have been in contact with Mr. Barlow,' Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Faith Fawn said in statement. 'He has 30 days from the date the uniform boating citation was issued to bring his vessel into compliance.'

His options are to pay $20,000 to have the Lady Catherine taken to a dry dock for repairs that, in all likelihood, would cost more than the initial value of the boat.

Or he said he could pay a flat $28,000 to get it taken away and demolished.

'If were talking about business numbers, itd make more sense to scrap the boat,' Barlow said. 'Thats just the stone-cold truth.'

Barlow also set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the move and possible repairs to the ship.

'Removal will be a massive undertaking and so will repairs. We put our last into this, left our home and bet the farm. It's now washed up on shore and I don't know what else to do,' he wrote on the post.

So far, the campaign has raised over $9,000, rapidly closing in on its $10,000 goal.

Despite this tragedy, Barlow remains an aspiring seafarer, undaunted by his near death experience out in the Gulf nor by the financial ruin he's facing.

'This definitely did not shake my resolve as far as sailing goes. I love the ocean. I respect the ocean. Its relentless and beautiful at the same time,' he said.
The tourist who collapsed and died in the middle of the street in Magaluf in the early hours of Monday morning was a popular family man from Ireland who had got lost following a night out, it has emerged.

Michael Grant, 45, a physiotherapist from Waterford, was found unresponsive close to the resort's notorious Punta Bellena strip that is packed with late-night bars, nightclubs and lap dancing joints at about 4.30am.

Mr Grant was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife Leanne and their four children and other families from Ireland when the tragedy took place.

The group were staying at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort that is popular with families with young children.

This afternoon Irish local radio station WLR reported Mr Grant was from Waterford.

Michael Grant (pictured),45, tragically collapsed and died in the middle of the street in Magaluf in the early hours of Monday morning

Mr Grant was a popular family man from Ireland who had got lost following a night out, it has emerged. Pictured: A view of the road where the man was found this morning

Mr Grant, a physiotherapist from Waterford, was found unresponsive close to Magaluf's notorious Punta Bellena strip that is packed with late-night bars, nightclubs and lap dancing joints at about 4.30am. Pictured: Locals watch on as police work at the scene today

Today his family and friends were said to be distraught following his unexpected death.

'The family and friends of Mr Grant were crying all morning,' a hotel worker revealed.

'He was staying at the hotel with his wife and children. They were part of a large group, other families, who are all on holiday together.'

Mr Grant had been enjoying drinks by the hotel pool before going out on to the town, it is believed.

The hotel worker added: 'He had been drinking by the pool all of the afternoon. And then he went out.'

Mr Grant is believed to have become separated from other members of his group and to have become disorientated before he collapsed while crossing Martin Ros Garcia street, close to the Blue Bar restaurant.

He is believed to have taken the wrong turn as he tried to return to his hotel, which is in the other direction to where he was found.

A security guard alerted local police, after seeing him collapse and fall to the ground.

Attempts to revive him at the scene proved unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

But his body was not recovered from the street until several hours later, as police launched an investigation into his unexpected death.

A local shopkeeper told MailOnline: 'I was not here when the man died, it was about four o'clock in the morning. But when I came to work at about 8am his body was still lying on the ground. It was horrible.'

A strip of paper from what appears to be instructions for a defibrillator are seen on the street where Mr Grant was found unresponsive this morning

Mr Grant was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife Leanne and their four children and other families from Ireland when the tragedy took place. Pictured: The road where he was found

A hotel lifeguard added: 'The man was already dead when I got to work.

'He was lying in the road by the pedestrian crossing. It was earie. I did not was to look too closely, it is bad luck.'

A spokeswoman for Mr Grant's family declined a request to comment on his tragic death, but a relative posted a tribute to the much-loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, online.

It read: 'Michael died suddenly whilst on holidays with family & friends.

'Deeply mourned and forever loved by his heartbroken wife Leanne, his four children Kayley, Niamh, Shay and Sofia, his devastated parents Michael (Sam) and Marie (Grant), sisters Jeannette, Deborah and Deirdre, brothers and best friends Brian and Alan, his parents-in-law Luke and Tina (Nolan), brothers-in-law Les and Shane, Shane's wife Trish, sisters-in-law Lilian, Sinead and Catherine, Catherine's partner Gordon.

'Always remembered and forever loved by his ten nieces and nephews, godchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbours and his wide circle of wonderful friends. May he Rest in Peace Forever.'

Holidaymakers have told of their shock at Mr Grant's sudden death.

Friends Brenda and Shirley from Wolverhampton described his death as a tragedy.

Brenda, 65, said: 'It's awful that he just dropped dead in the street. Forty-five is not old, how can this have happened?'

Shirley added: 'People do drink while they're on holiday, but you don't expect something like this.'

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs today did not offer any comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Initial media reports had incorrectly described Mr Grant as a 49-year-old Brit, before it was later confirmed that he was travelling on an Irish passport.

A spokesman for Calvia Council, the local authority responsible for Magaluf, had said earlier: 'A British tourist aged 45 died in the street this morning in the Magaluf area. It occurred around 4.30am. The dead man was staying in a hotel in the area.'

He added: 'An employee of a local establishment alerted police, saying that a man was unwell and was stumbling around in the street.

The group were staying at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort (pictured) that is popular with families with young children

'Local police arrived and performed CPR but were unable to revive him. The Civil Guard has taken over the investigation to determine the cause of death.'

A Civil Guard source said: 'This death does not appear to be crime-related in any way but the autopsy will be key to determining what happens next.'

A post-mortem is reported to be set to take place today.

It is hoped that CCTV cameras will be able to shed light on the incident.
Wealthy second homeowners in Cape Cod are complaining after their high-priced rentals suddenly aren't being booked following a pandemic boom.

Modest homes along the shoreline are on offer for upward of $1,500-per-night, however some rental owners are admitting they will have to slash their prices this summer season due to a fall-off in interest.

Christine Peterson, who owns three rental properties with her husband, told the Boston Globe that during the pandemic she could book her homes 'three times over,' but is now struggling to find customers.

'Your rates could go as high as they could go,' she said. 'Last year was where it took the dip... this year is definitely even slower.'

Cape Cod in Massachusetts saw a rental property boom during the pandemic, but wealthy second homeowners say they are struggling to fill their properties this summer

This modest home on the coastline is on offer for over $1,500-per-night, with one agency owner saying she is urging rental owners to slash their prices this summer

During the pandemic, idyllic coastal properties became increasingly popular for those looking to escape limited city lifestyles.

Real estate and rental prices skyrocketed during the boom, with Cape Cod becoming one of the hotbeds of affluent new homeowners.

The number of short-term rentals listed with the state increased from 12,000 in 2021 to over 16,000 in 2022 and 18,000 in 2023 on the Cape.

However, for the first time in years, last summer saw rental owners struggle to fill their spaces.

Peterson said her coastal home in Cape Cod failed to find a single renter for an entire week in July, the first time in 15 years the property sat empty.

'It was unlike anything before,' she said of the dip.

The home reportedly still has openings this summer too, one of many rentals in the region that are seeing the marked decline.

'Owners need to readjust their expectations,' said Ryan Castle, CEO of the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors, told the Boston Globe.

'You cannot compare numbers for what we saw in 2021 and 2022 to the future. Those numbers were inflated because of the pent-up demand of the pandemic, and were never going to get back to those numbers.'

Castle added the Cape is far from an exception, and the summer rental market is 'flat across the board' nationwide.

This rental is on offer for $970-per-night, but is one of many that may be hit by the summer slump as insiders say the rental market is 'flat'

On Cape Cod, the number of short-term rentals listed with the state increased from 12,000 in 2021 to over 16,000 in 2022 and 18,000 in 2023

Martha Murray, who owns a rental agency on the Cape, said her agency urged rental owners to cut their prices amid the dip, which many wrongly believed to be a 'fluke' last year that would rebound this summer.

She said she told owners to 'keep your prices somewhat reasonable', with some forced to slash their prices by as much as $1,000 a week.

Part of the surge of rental homes in the area can be put down to more owners complying with regulations and registering their properties with the state.

But it also shows that more wealthy second homeowners who fled to the coastline when the pandemic set in have since moved back into the cities, and are putting their beach homes up for rent.

'Now, theyre using it as an income-generating property,' said Paul Niedzwiecki, executive director of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
This is the moment a rabbi standing as a Conservative party candidate is 'abused and intimidated' by a pro-Palestine supporter while visiting a local mosque.

Arnold Saunders, who is trying to win the Bury South seat, was on a visit to the Bilal Mosque in Prestwich on June 21 when a worshipper began hounding him on his position on the war in Gaza.

Throughout the clip, which has been widely spread on social media, the man aggressively approaches the rabbi telling him to condemn Israel's attacks in Gaza following the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas.

'Condemn the IDF, condemn the killing of children, of women, of old people, of livestock,' the man shouts.

Rabbi Saunders, who had been invited to the mosque by local elders, tries to speak and stars saying that he 'regret(s)' something before being interrupted once again by the worshipper, who calls him a 'snake'.

Rabbi Arnold Saunders, who is trying to win the Bury South seat for the Conservative Party, was approached by a worshipper outside Bilal Mosque in Prestwich

Throughout the clip, which has been widely spread on social media, the man aggressively approaches the rabbi (pictured) telling him to condemn Israel 's attacks in Gaza following the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas

'Don't regret. Condemn in the strongest terms. What was your stance on the ceasefire? Did you vote for it? Were you willing to condemn?' the unnamed man adds.

When the Rabbi tries to explain he was unable to vote on the ceasefire, as he is currently not a MP, he is interrupted again and is told 'you're not getting out vote'.

The man shouts and tells the Mosque's leader: 'Tell him to go. He should go. Ask him to go. We don't want to engage with you people. We don't want to engage with you.

'You justify child killers. You say that it's right that they cut off water and electricity supplies. You say that with your own people and then you come here and smile like a snake.

'Until he goes I am not going. I've asked him 10 times to condemn it.'

After a three-minute rant the Rabbi is seen being helped up by security staff and led away from the chaos.

Rabbi Saunders was the only candidate to turn up at the hustings held at the mosque last month, although others were invited.

'I was warned before I went there that people attending the mosque might want to engage with me robustly, but that was beyond the pale,' he told MailOnline.

'I never thought I'd have any problems. Maybe I was naive.

'I had been there for about an hour-and-a-half before the incident happened.

'The vast majority of people attending the mosque were very courteous, I was able to engage with them without any issues.

'It was just this one individual who began shouting at me.

'He was leaning over and invading my personal space. It went on for about four minutes.

'The elders at the mosque were trying to reason with him.

'There was security there as well, but they could probably have done more to deal with it.

'I didn't feel physically threatened at any stage. I've never run away from anything in my life.'

The clip has sparked widespread condemnation from the Jewish community and beyond.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said: 'We are disgusted by the abusive treatment of Rabbi Arnold Saunders, a candidate in Bury South.

'Rabbi Saunders had been invited by the elders of a local mosque; the video shows that some of the attendees took issue with this and the footage clearly shows the Rabbi was being targeted in this fashion due to his religion.

When the Rabbi tries to explain he was unable to vote on the ceasefire, as he is currently not a MP, he is interrupted again and is told 'you're not getting out vote'

After a three-minute rant the Rabbi is seen being helped up by security staff and lead away from the chaos

'We urge all who care about the health of democracy to call out this bigotry.'

A statement from the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and the region said: 'Rabbi Saunders is a much respected communal figure and we unequivocally condemn his treatment in this video.

'The fact he has been attacked emphasises how individuals are importing the tragic conflict taking place in Israel and Gaza onto the streets of the UK,' it added.

'This is manifesting itself in politicians campaigning in a General Election being targeted, abused and unable to freely move around the constituencies they are seeking to represent.'

Christian Wakeford, until the general election was called the Labour MP for Bury South and the party's candidate on July 4, said in a statement on X: 'Both Bilal Mosque and Rabbi Saunders have undertaken many years of progressive interfaith work which is in stark contrast to this individual's behaviour which is totally unacceptable.

'We get nowhere in the world without dialogue and this is not representative of Bury South.

'Despite political disagreements myself and Rabbi Saunders have always had an excellent relationship and I hope he is ok following this incident.'

Richard Holden, the Conservative chairman and parliamentary candidate for Basildon and Billericay, told the Telegraph: 'What's happening here to Arnie Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bury South, is appalling, disgusting and should not be part of our democratic process.

'I hope the Labour leadership and Bury South Labour candidate condemns this hatred.'

In a statement the mosque said most people had 'engaged positively' with Rabbi Arnold's visit.

It continued: 'Unfortunately, one or two individuals questioned the rabbi in a hostile manner and this clip has been widely circulated. This clip was recorded by one of the individuals himself.

'The rabbi was a guest of the mosque, and he was treated inappropriately and disrespectfully. Any genuine political questions should have been raised respectfully.

'We regret what has happened, we have already apologised to the rabbi for how he was treated and wish to extend our apologies to others who have seen the clip and are upset by it.

'This incident is not reflective of the congregation of the mosque or the Muslim community in Bury.

'Rabbi Saunders, a seasoned politician with many years of experience, and a former member of the Conservative Muslim Forum has himself taken the incident very calmly.

'Masjid E Bilal has a long track record of good inter-faith relations and positive relations with the Jewish and other faith communities.

'The Muslim community itself suffered some incidents during this year's Purim celebrations at the hands of some youth activists.

'None of these incidents are reflective of most of the people in the area.

'We call on anyone attending any election events, wherever it may be, to remain calm and respectful whilst questioning candidates or holding politicians to account.'
A wife was 'shameless and unrepentant' about her relationship with another man before she was killed by her husband and dumped in the river in a suitcase, a court heard.

Suma Begum, 24, was allegedly strangled by Aminan Rahman, 47, after he found out about her TikTok relationship with 24-year-old Shahin Miah.

Rahman attacked his wife in front of their young children at their Docklands flat on the night of 29 April 2023 before putting her into a suitcase which he dumped in the River Lea, the Old Bailey heard.

Rahman, who worked as a chef at an Indian restaurant, was video calling his wife's TikTok boyfriend, Mr Miah, making threats to him when he attacked her, jurors have been told.

Ms Begum had moved to the UK in 2020 after marrying Rahman over the phone and their children were aged two and four months old when she died.

Suma Begum (pictured), 24, was allegedly strangled by Aminan Rahman, 47, after he found out about her TikTok relationship with 24-year-old Shahin Miah

Rahman denies murder and an earlier assault on Ms Begum on 6 February 2023.

She had video called Mr Miah on 6 February saying Rahman had attacked her and showed him marks on her neck.

Rahman claims he had accepted that Ms Begum was going to leave him and that she was threatening to kill their children when she was killed.

In her closing speech to the jury prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward, KC, said that witnesses had said the married couple seemed 'fine' in the lead up to her death and had not said anything about them agreeing to separate.

'If that was the plan it seemed to be a very private one,' she said.

'If he was upset she was giving money he had earned to her lover you would perhaps have every sympathy. But that was not his evidence.

'You may have sympathy that at that stage of his marriage the defendant was hurt, angry, upset and worried about the effect the state of the marriage would have on his children.

'He had every right to be all of those things but that was not his evidence..'

Rahman is accused of attacking his wife in front of their young children at their Docklands flat (pictured) on the night of 29 April 2023

Rahman then put his wife's body into a suitcase which he dumped in the River Lea (pictured), the Old Bailey heard

Ms Ledward reminded the jury that Rahman had told them he had no problem with Ms Begum leaving him and that he planned to give her all the help she needed to get Mr Miah to the UK.

'The idea he had accepted the marriage had ended is at odds with the fact he continued to bed her when he came to see her with the children.

'In a text message he said 'you are still my wife so I will do it.'

'It is impossible to reconcile the defendant's obvious love for his children with the idea he would simply let his wife go and live with another man while they were so young.

'And even if he thought that that would be 10 years or so away and the children would be under his control by then the messages do not leave that impression.

'Any hope she would stay with him must have been fading as 2022 ran into 2023.'

Ms Ledward said Rahman's explanation of 6 February assault was not credible.

He said she had picked up a knife and threatened the children.

'There is no dispute the defendant caused the scratches to Suma's neck which can be seen.

'Only a very serious threat could justify that as reasonable force.

'If what he says is true why would he have then left both children behind with Suma?'

Ms Ledward said Rahman had not mentioned a knife or the children in his messages to Ms Begum after the event.

The Old Bailey (pictured) heard Ms Begum had moved to the UK in 2020 after marrying Rahman over the phone

Ms Ledward said Ms Begum had not reported the incident to police like 'thousands' of other women who are victims of domestic abuse.

'If she called the police against the defendant it would be a huge leap into the unknown. She was isolated with no one around.

Ms Ledward said: 'Suma had done what many in her community must have considered to be unthinkable.

'She had done something so bad the defendant felt it necessary to drag her and the children to London have a confrontation with her family about it. So bad her family disowned her.

'A young woman who had an arranged marriage, who wore a headscarf and dressed modestly in public- she had not only engaged in a romantic relationship with a young man on the other side of the world, a poor man unknown to her family, but she had engaged in an explicit relationship with that man.

'And instead of being ashamed, she was shameless and unrepentant.

'If her family disowned her because of what she had done do you really believe the defendant, would be supportive?

'He may have been saying from time to time it was all fine but every so often that simmering resentment came to the fore just as it had done on 6 February with highly violent consequences.'

Ms Ledward said Ms Begum hid her phone on the day she was killed because she was scared of the defendant.

'It can't have been a particularly happy time in Curtis House for those last couple of days. With Suma seemingly confined in her last 24 hours to her flat despite the sunshine outside.

'She hides her telephone in the the pillow protector on the bed and leaves it there and has nothing to do with it all night.

'What possible explanation can there be other than fear of the defendant seeing her using the phone that night?'

Rahman denies murder and assault. He admits preventing a lawful burial.

The trial continues.
A female worker is suing a Scottish NHS board after she was suspended from her job for complaining about having to share a changing room with a trans woman.

The staff member, who has not been named, is taking legal action against NHS Fife over the incident, which has sparked concerns among womens rights groups.

She was said to have been in a changing room late at night last year when a trans woman colleague started to undress in front of her.

After she complained, she was suspended for three months in January.

Although she has now returned to work, a disciplinary investigation into the matter by the health board is ongoing.

Alba Party MP Neale Hanvey described NHS Fife's decision to suspend the female worker as 'utterly scandalous'

The case was raised by the Alba Partys Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy candidate, Neale Hanvey, who described her treatment as utterly scandalous.

Mr Hanvey said the woman had felt intimidated and embarrassed, but her colleague had maintained they had a right to be there.

The trans woman also complained and the female member of staff was suspended from work with a probe launched into the incident.

NHS organisations allow transgender staff to use the toilets and changing rooms which align with their gender identity. Prohibiting this may be a breach of the Equality Act which protects the rights of trans people, although the act does afford some provisions for possible exemptions concerning single-sex spaces.

But the woman has objected on the grounds of her own privacy and dignity being violated. She has also complained that the trans woman has been allowed to use the changing facility without consultation with the other women who use it.

Mr Hanvey, who was still an MP when the case first emerged, referred the suspended health worker to charity Sex Matters.

NHS Fife says it is 'committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming working environment'

He said: This has been an unimaginably difficult case for the woman concerned and is utterly scandalous.

I have been a strong supporter of womens rights prior to and during my time as the local MP.

The woman came to me for help and support.

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters said: Making a female employee share changing facilities with a man who identifies as a woman and then suspending her from work for raising her concerns shows that gender ideology has been allowed to trump all other considerations. Do women who work in NHS Scotland not deserve privacy from the other sex?

This looks like a Scottish government body prioritising the feelings of men over the safety and wellbeing of female staff members.

A spokesman for NHS Fife said: We are unable to comment on matters relating to individual members of staff for reasons of confidentiality.

NHS Fife is an inclusive employer and is committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming working environment for each and every member of its staff.

First Minister John Swinney was also asked about the row while he was campaigning in Glasgow on Saturday.

He said: I dont know the detail of the case, but Ill look at that with care.

Its important that the legislative arrangements that are in place under the Equalities Act to protect single sex spaces are applied in practice.

That thinking and rationale is important to be applied in practice in all circumstances.
A total of 200 patients have come forward alleging they have been harmed by a rogue surgeon ahead of a probe into the scandal.

A public inquiry into the disgraced neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel was announced last year with experts saying it is set to be the most complex in Scotlands history and warning of potential delays as individual claims are scrutinised by medics.

Prof Eljamel worked for NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013 but his botched surgeries left some people with life-changing injuries, and in December 2021 he was made to pay 2.8million in compensation to one woman after leaving her with serious disabilities.

Following a damning report into his conduct, and after a huge campaign, the Scottish Government finally announced the Eljamel inquiry in September.

Now a group representing his victims says a total of 200 patients have come forward believing they have been harmed at the hands of the surgeon.

Professor Sam Eljamel left patients with life-changing injuries following botched surgeries he carried out over an 18 year period in Scotland

Campaign leader Jules Rose said: Its bittersweet we have reached the milestone of 200 patients who have come forward to our campaign group in the belief that they have been harmed by Prof Eljamel.

But many patients would have felt completely isolated and just unlucky had we not campaigned intensely as we have for justice and holding those to account.

Miss Rose herself suffered a botched surgery in August 2013 when Prof Eljamel wrongly removed her tear duct instead of a brain tumour.

The inquiry is being chaired by Lord Weir, a Supreme Court judge and Professor Stephen Wigmore, regius chair of clinical surgery and dead of the department of surgery at the University of Edinburgh.

Prof Wigmore is chairing clinical reviews of patients with the aid of expert neurosurgeons.

Although the probe was announced last year, it is yet to set any hearing dates.

In a letter to campaigners, Prof Wigmore apologised for delays and admitted initial estimates may have been too optimistic.

He said: I understand your frustration with the delays in setting up the independent clinical reviews.

As far as I understand there has never been an inquiry and a clinical review of this complexity and scale in Scotland. My initial estimate of when it might have been possible to start was clearly over-optimistic for which I apologise.

Prof Eljamels patients were left furious at the start of the year when former first minister Humza Yousaf failed to guarantee the inquiry would begin in 2024.

The probe was announced amid damning new evidence which showed major failures in NHS Taysides handling of the debacle.

Prof Eljamel was placed under supervision for the last six months of his employment at the health board following complaints and concerns.

But nobody oversaw his surgeries and he operated on 111 patients during that time, putting them at risk.

He was eventually suspended and later dismissed.

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Liz Smith said: Prof Wigmore is quite right to acknowledge the scale of the Eljamel scandal and all the complexities which it involves. I am pleased to hear that progress is finally being made.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The establishment of the independent Eljamel public inquiry is progressing at pace with the chairman, Lord Weir, leading on the necessary arrangements.

Prof Eljamel returned to his home country of Libya in 2017 where he has continued to practice as a surgeon.

In 2022, a patient who took legal action against former Ninewells medic and NHS Tayside was awarded 2,810,118 following proceedings at the Court of Session.

Lord Uist ruled it was the bungling surgeons negligence that had left the woman with life-changing injuries and ordered Prof Eljamel pay the compensation in full.
A man was busted attempting to smuggle 400 canaries inside three suitcases as he boarded a flight to Brazil.

The passenger placed nine cages inside the luggage bags and tried to check them in at Boa Vista International Airport in Roraima on Sunday.

The traveler, whose name was not released by the Federal Police, was scheduled to Brasilia, the South American nations capital.

He was taken to the law enforcement agencys headquarters and questioned before he was released after posting bail.

The canaries were transferred to the Wild Animal Screening Center as part of the investigation.

Authorities at Boa Vista International Airport in Roraima, Brazil seized 400 canaries that a passenger attempted to smuggle on a flight Sunday

Federal law enforcement agents in Brazil arrested a passenger who was trying to conceal 400 canaries in three suitcases prior to boarding a flight

Each canary could have been sold between $180 to $710 in the black market, Metropoles news outlet reported.

The passenger is the second person arrested while trying to smuggle 500 canaries through Boa Vista International Airport last month.

On June 8, an airline worker alerted authorities are noticing bird movement and noises after the man checked in four bags.

Federal Police agents inspected the bags and found one bird dead.

The passenger was arrested and released after he posted bail.

Brazilian authorities found 400 canaries inside three suitcases that were checked in at Boa Vista International Airport on Sunday. The passenger was arrested and released on bail

Three of the 500 canaries that were found hidden in suitcases during a June 8 smuggling attempt at Boa Vista International Airport in Roraima

In April, Naiane Pimentel was arrested at Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus for attempting to ship 12 stingrays to Sao Paulo.

Investigators indicated that the endangered stingrays would have been smuggled out of Brazil.

Each stingray could have been sold for as much as $1,200.

Pimentel, a lawyer and legal adviser for the Borba municipal government, was arrested and released on bail.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson floated Monday that former President Barack Obama is 'disingenuous' in his public support for President Joe Biden staying in the White House race.

81-year-old Biden's performance at Thursday's presidential debate frightened Democrats, as he bungled answers, sounded weak and confused.

Carlson, who's been hosting an interview show on X, took to the platform overnight and said he got his information from an 'unusually good source.'

'Obama's tweet supporting Joe Biden was disingenuous,' Carlson wrote. 'In private, Obama is telling people Biden can't win, and he is therefore in favor of an open convention.'

'Obama will not say whom he supports, nor as of yesterday afternoon had he met personally with Biden to deliver the message,' Carlson went on.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired out a theory overnight Monday saying on X that former President Barack Obama isn't as supportive of President Joe Biden's reelection campaign as he may seem

Carlson said that behind closed doors 'Obama is telling people Biden can't win, and he is therefore in favor of an open convention.' The former Fox News host also blames first lady Jill Biden for keeping her husband away from people who'd tell him to drop out

Biden traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina on the heels of the debate and gave a much more vigorous performance, defending his decision to stay in the race.

'Folks, I don't walk as easily as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to.'

'But I know what I know - I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done,' the president argued.

Biden then spent most of the weekend fundraising in New York and New Jersey.

The president returned to Camp David - where he had holed away for a week to prepare for the debate - and is expected to return to the White House late Monday.

Carlson said that 'relations between the Obamas and the Bidens have never been warm.'

'At times they've been hostile,' the former Fox News host added. 'But recently they've deteriorated further, mostly due to Jill Biden.'

President Barack Obama (left) smiles alongside President Joe Biden (right) during their Radio City Music Hall fundraiser in late March. Tucker Carlson is pushing that Obama isn't as nearly as pro-Joe as he seems

President Joe Biden had a disastrous first presidential debate, which has frightened party members. He couldn't hold his train of thought at times and coughed through the opening moments

'In the hours and days after the debate, she kept her husband cloistered away from anyone who might convince him to drop out,' Carlson claimed. 'Jill Biden is the driving force behind her husband's reelection campaign, just as she was in 2020, when other members of the family (including Biden's sister Val) considered him too impaired to run.'

'The next generation of potential Democratic candidates understands all this as an opportunity and they're circling, particularly Gretchen Whitmer, who is promoting herself aggressively,' Carlson added.

On Friday, Obama came out in support of Biden noting that 'bad debate nights happen.'

The Democrat offered that the election was still a 'choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.'

While The New York Times editorial board wrote an op-ed saying Biden should pull out, Obama did no such thing.

But there has been some reporting on the cracks between the two prominent Democratic families.

Axios reported Thursday, ahead of the debate, that Michelle Obama has privately expressed frustrations over how the Bidens treated Kathleen Buhle, her close friend and the ex-wife of Hunter Biden.

Three of the Bidens' seven grandchildren are Kathleen's, but they largely iced her out of the family after she divorced Hunter while he was a crack cocaine addict.

Former President Obama has appeared several times on the campaign trail with Biden - and at a White House state dinner with Kenya - but Michelle Obama has yet to do anything with the campaign.
Police have launched an investigation after a pensioner was found dead in her 700,000 Kensington home after officers broke into the home amid 'concerns for her welfare'.

Emergency services rushed to the home of Rita Fleming on Goldborne Road at around 9.45am yesterday where they found the 70-year-old unresponsive inside.

She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, with her death being treated as unexpected and unexplained.

A post-mortem is taking place while detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman's death.

Any one with information about Ms Fleming's movements in the days leading up to her death have been urged to get in contact with the cops.

Emergency services rushed to the home of Rita Fleming on Goldborne Road at around 9.45am yesterday where they found the 70-year-old unresponsive inside

A post-mortem is taking place while detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman's death. Pictured: Golborne Road

Ms Fleming's next of kin are being supported by specially trained officers at this time.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'My team continues to work to establish the events that led to Rita's death.

'This includes trying to build as comprehensive a picture as possible about her movements in the days prior to her being found.

'I would ask anyone who saw or heard from Rita from the 20th to 23rd of June, or anyone who has information they think could be relevant to this investigation, to get in contact with police immediately.'
An alternative healer who believes Western medicine is 'evil' failed to get life-saving insulin for a diabetic grandmother as she laid dying at a 'slap therapy workshop', a court heard today.

Hongchi Xiao allegedly 'congratulated' Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, when she stopped taking insulin at his four-day retreat where he performed paida lajin, a Chinese holistic therapy which involves slapping patients.

Mrs Carr-Gomm - a follower of Xiao's who wanted to get rid of her type 1 diabetes - fell gravely ill over the course of the October 2016 workshop, was heard 'howling in pain', and on day four died of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Today jurors heard Xiao, 61, of Cloudbank, California, ignored medical evidence that diabetics need lifesaving insulin and 'evangelised' his slap therapy course as a 'cure' for diabetes.

Accused of manslaughter, Xiao is said to have refused to call for urgent medical intervention and led patients to think that Mrs Carr-Gomm's worsening condition was a 'healing crisis'.

Hongchi Xiao (pictured) allegedly 'congratulated' Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, when she stopped taking insulin at his four-day retreat

Mrs Carr-Gomm (pictured) - a follower of Xiao's who wanted to get rid of her type 1 diabetes - fell gravely ill over the course of the October 2016 workshop

Mrs Carr-Gomm died at Xiao's four-day paida lajin course at Cleeve House in Melksham, Wiltshire, in October 2016

Prosecutors told jurors he had 'entrenched' views that medicines like insulin are 'poison' and instead believes in the 'curative powers of paida lajin'.

It was heard Xiao was convicted of manslaughter in Australia after a six-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes stopped taking insulin under Xiao's instruction and died during his workshop around 17 months before Mrs Carr-Gomm's death.

Xiao, from Cloudbreak, California, today appeared at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, for the first day of his three-week trial. He denies manslaughter.

It was heard Mrs Carr-Gomm died at Xiao's four-day paida lajin course at Cleeve House in Melksham, Wiltshire, in October 2016.

Paida lajin means 'slap and stretch' in Chinese, and involves practitioners like Xiao slapping patients all over their body to apparently expel 'poisonous waste'.

Xiao - who has no medical qualifications or training - said it can lead to full recovery in 90 per cent of cases, including people with diabetes.

In March 2015, Xiao held a workshop in India in conjunction with the Diabetes Research Centre and a report was given to him, telling him about the risk of death for type 1 diabetics who stop taking insulin.

A month later, in Australia, a six-year-old boy's parents took their son to Xiao's workshop to try to cure his type 1 diabetes.

Court sketch of Xiao appearing at Winchester Crown Court charged with manslaughter of woman at slapping therapy workshop

Xiao was found by an Australian court to have told the boy's parents to stop giving him insulin and told them that it was merely the 'detox' when their son was in fact dying.

Mrs Carr-Gomm, from Lewes, East Sussex, first attended one of Xiao's workshops in Bulgaria in July 2016.

She was an 'obsessive vegetarian' who had a fear of needles, so did not like injecting insulin and as a result 'tried every kind of alternative therapy'.

At the Bulgarian workshop, Xiao 'assured Mrs Carr-Gomm he could help her with her diabetes' and she stopped taking insulin, however was eventually given it when she became 'extremely unwell'.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said Xiao had an 'important influence' over Mrs Carr-Gomm and owed her a duty of care at the Wiltshire workshop in October 2016 as he knew the seriousness of not taking insulin.

Mr Atkinson KC said Xiao would have known there was an 'obvious and serious risk of death'.

Mr Atkinson KC also said Xiao's 'failure to take reasonable steps in those circumstances substantially contributed to Mrs Carr-Gomm's death and amounted to gross negligence'.

Opening the case, he said: 'Whilst at the workshop, to Xiao's knowledge and with his approbation if not encouragement, Mrs Carr-Gomm stopped taking her insulin.

Xiao, from Cloudbreak, California, today appeared at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, for the first day of his three-week trial. He denies manslaughter

'She announced this on the first day, and had been congratulated by the defendant when she did so.

'He knew that Mrs Carr-Gomm was risking death, and he knew that he had an influence over her decision.

'In short, therefore he chose to congratulate a diabetic who stopped injecting, rather than to persuade them not to take so grievous a risk to their life.'

When Mrs Carr-Gomm stopped taking insulin and began fasting before showing 'clear signs of being increasingly and seriously unwell,' the prosecution said.

Mr Atkinson added: 'On the second day of the workshop, October 18, Mrs Carr-Gomm was heard to be crying and yelling whilst laying on her bed. She started to vomit, in a way similar to that which followed her withdrawal from insulin in Bulgaria.

'On day 3, October 19, she was vomiting, tired and weak, and by the evening she was howling in paid and unable to respond to questions. She was moved from her bed to a mattress on the floor because she fell from the bed.'

Others attending the workshop who had 'received and accepted' Xiao's teaching believed Mrs Carr-Gomm's condition was a part of healing.

'The defendant was involved in Mrs Carr-Gomm's care. He thus had repeated opportunities to see and advise her,' the prosecution added. 'He had, but there is no evidence that he took, the opportunity to tell her to take her insulin.

'Moreover, he had, but did not take, repeated opportunities to call for medical assistance. Both his experience with [the six year old boy], and with Mrs Carr-Gomm in Bulgaria would have made abundantly clear to him that her life was increasingly in danger.'

The prosecution added that Mrs Carr-Gomm's life 'could have been saved' if medical aid had been called in.

'By the time that such medical aid was finally called on day 4, Thursday October 20, however, it was too late, and Danielle Carr-Gomm had died of diabetic ketoacidosis as a direct result of the decision to stop taking her insulin injections,' he said.

'That decision was taken in the context of Mrs Carr-Gomm's exposure to the evangelism, the confident belief, of this defendant that insulin was a poison and that Paida Lajin represented an alternative, an alternative she sought, to insulin injection.

'The defendant knew at first hand that it did not represent such an alternative, but rather carried with it an obvious and serious risk of death.

'He assumed a position of leadership and control over Mrs Carr-Gomm and her care as she declined and died, and owed her a duty, which he failed to meet, to help and care for her.'

It was heard Mrs Carr-Gomm wrote a testimonial for Xiao on his paida lajin website.

The trial continues.
Amid fallout over President Biden's disastrous presidential debate performance on Thursday, some Democrats are calling for the president to be replaced at the top of the ticket come November.

Multiple party members have reiterated to DailyMail.com that the decision to step aside rests solely with the president, and Democrats cannot push him out.

More than a handful of Democratic officials are being floated as potential replacements should the 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief announce he won't seek reelection after all.

Among the names that have surfaced in the days since the debate are Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Senator Raphael Warnock.

But at this point, all of the names being suggested as a potential replacements as Democratic presidential nominee are pushing back and closing ranks around the president.

Here's what they have to say about the prospect of Biden being replaced:

Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris was one of the first Democrats to defend President Biden following the debate on Thursday.

She appeared on CNN right after the debate where she admitted the president had a rough start but claimed he had a better finish.

'Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish,' she told anchor Anderson Cooper. 'And what became very clear through the course of the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people.'

Vice President Kamala Harris has defended Biden amid fallout over his debate performance both on television and the campaign trail. She appeared at a campaign event in Nevada after the debate

Harris has appeared for multiple interviews where she has defended Biden since the debate, saying he is the one candidate who was on the debate stage who has the endorsement of his vice president.

After the debate Harris hit the campaign trail in Nevada to rally support for Biden.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Fellow Californian Governor Gavin Newsom has also been suggested as a potential replacement for Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Newsom has been one of Biden's fiercest supporters and appeared in the 'spin room' in Atlanta directly after the debate to push back on concerns over the president's fitness to serve.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been a forceful defender of President Biden and rejected him being replaced. He said he would never turn his back on the president

When asked about replacing Biden, Newsom forcefully rejected it.

'I would never turn my back on President Biden. Never ever turn my back on President Biden, and I don't know a Democrat in my party who would do so,' Newsom said. 'We're going to win this election.

Newsom said he has spent a lot of time with Biden and knows what he's capable of.

'I have no trepidations,' he said.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is another state leader whose name has been thrown out as a Biden replacement and one who hails from a battleground state.

On Monday, the governor rejected a report that she suggested Biden could no longer win Michigan following the debate after Politico reported Whitmer called a senior Biden campaign official to disavow a 'draft Gretch' movement and warned Michigan was not winnable for the president.

Whitmer released a statement saying she is proud to support Biden as the nominee and behind him 100 percent.

'Not only do I believe Joe can win Michigan, I know he can because hes got the receipts,' she said.

A Whitmer political aide told DailyMail.com the comment from an unnamed 'potential 2028 Whitmer rival' is 'BS.'

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is co-chair of the Biden reelection campaign, insisted on Monday that Biden could win Michigan in November and anyone claiming she would say otherwise is 'full of sh*t'

The governor also posted a video Monday afternoon where she praised Biden for working to make people's lives better. It urged people to campaign and vote for the president.

'Anyone who claims I would say that we cant win Michigan is full of sh*t. Lets go,' she wrote in her post.

Governor Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's name often comes up as a Democrat with a bright political future and potential sights on the White House.

The battleground state governor was one of the first Democratic leaders to push back on replacing Biden following his stumbling debate performance.

'Joe Biden had a bad debate night, but Donald Trump was a bad president,' Shapiro said in a CNN interview the morning after the debate. However, he also said he would be the first to admit the debate was not a good look.

Governor Shapiro said he would not engage in hypotheticals over whether he could replace Biden as the Democratic candidate

Shapiro also argued CNN should have done a better job of calling out Trump's lies.

The Pennsylvania governor refused to respond in the interview over whether he could replace Biden on the ticket. He said he would not 'engage in that hypothetical,' but he's all in.

Shapiro said Democrats need to stop worrying and start working.

Governor Andy Beshear

Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat who won reelection in ruby red Kentucky last year, was asked about replacing Biden on Monday and whether he would be willing to step in if he had to.

'Only the president can determine his future as a candidate. He is the candidate and as long as he is, I'm supporting him,' Beshear told the crowd of reporters.

Democratic Governor Andy Beshear said mention of his name as a Biden replacement is flattering but insisted he's backing the president as long as he is running

He called the mention of his name flattering but said it's a reflection of all the good things going on in his state.

When asked, Beshear did admit Biden's debate performance on Thursday was not good.

'It was a very bad night for the president, but he is still the candidate. Only he could make decisions about his future candidacy,' he told reporters.

Governor JB Pritzker

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's name has surfaced as a Biden replacement as well, but the governor and billionaire released a statement after the debate slamming Donald Trump while touting the president.

'Tonight, voters were presented with a clear choice  a president working hard every day to improve the lives of all Americans or a convicted felon, a selfish blowhard looking out only for himself,' it read.

'The contrast between these two men was clear before the debate  it is even clearer now,' it continued.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released a statement after the debate where he said voters had a choice between a president working hard and a convicted felon

Pritzker accused the former GOP president of lying and misleading the American people but said voters would not be fooled.

'Americans rejected Donald Trumps extreme MAGA agenda in 2020 and theyll do it again in November,' he said.

Pete Buttigieg

Transportation Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg's name has also been mentioned by some hopeful Democrats looking for a younger generation of leaders.

The 42-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana gained national attention for running in the 2020 primary before joining the Biden administration.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg retweeted a post on X from Biden where the president said 'I know how to do this job' following the debate

Buttigieg took to X on Monday to retweet a post from the president's account which included Biden's latest campaign ad featuring video of Biden campaigning in Raleigh, North Carolina the day after the debate.

Senator Raphael Warnock

Some voters in the battleground state of Georgia suggested to DailyMail.com that their Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock would be a good replacement for Biden having won the battleground state.

But Warnock was on the ground in Atlanta defending Biden following the debate on Thursday.

'I would be concerned if the president didn't have a record to run on,' Warnock told reporters. 'But the fact of the matter is, this is a man who has passed historic legislation.'

Senator Raphael Warnock said he would do everything he can to make sure Biden and Harris are reelected

Warnock doubled down Sunday on 'Meet the Press' where he said bad debates happen.

During the interview, he was asked about the possibility of Biden stepping aside and paving the way for Harris to run.

'I have great respect for Vice President Harris, whom I spent a great deal of time with, but Joe Biden is the nominee,' he responded. 'I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.'
Two Georgia firefighters who were once high school sweethearts were mysteriously found dead in a car in Tennessee following a week-long search for the pair.

Reagan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, both 24, vanished on June 24 from a Crunch gym parking lot, with authorities launching a multi-state search after the pair were believed to have left in Anderson's car.

On Sunday, their bodies were found over 450 miles away inside the vehicle, however law enforcement has not offered any details over their cause of death or the manner in which they were found.

Kuhbander's mother said they had dated for seven years in a 'toxic' relationship, and claimed that Anderson took their recent breakup badly and threatened to kill herself and was harassing her son.

Reagan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, both 24, were tragically found dead in her car on Sunday, over 450 miles from where they vanished a week ago

The couple of seven years had recently broken up, and Kuhbander (pictured) had reportedly said Anderson was harassing him and threatened to kill herself

Kuhbander was last seen leaving a Crunch fitness in Savannah, Georgia, where his mother Jane said he was seen walking 'out of the building, and he looks very comfortable, like he just had his workout.'

'He doesnt look rushed as he walks through the parking lot,' she told WJCL. 'After that, we dont see him again.'

Kuhbander's mother said she saw surveillance footage showing Anderson circling the gym's parking lot several times while he was inside.

Security footage showed him head towards his car, however Kuhbander's mother said she believes he got into her Ford Focus 'under duress.' They claimed his car never left the parking garage and his family later went to retrieve it.

It appears the couple began driving together, with Anderson last seen in surveillance footage at a gas station in South Carolina that day, at the same spot where Kuhbander's phone last pinged off a cell tower.

Officials have not said why the former couple were driving together or what their intended destination was.

Kuhbander was last seen leaving a Crunch fitness in Savannah, Georgia, and is believed to have got into Anderson's car and left his in the parking lot

Kuhbander's mother Jane (pictured together) said she believes her son went in Anderson's car 'under duress', and claimed that he told her she was exhibiting disturbing behavior after their breakup

Authorities launched an exhaustive week-long search for the former couple after they vanished, and were searching for Anderson's black Ford Fiesta (pictured) that they left in. They were later found dead in the car, 450 miles from where they left

Authorities said Anderson was seen in grainy surveillance footage at a gas station in South Carolina. It is unclear why the couple drove or what their intended destination was

Kuhbander (left) and Anderson (right) had dated for seven years and were high school sweethearts

After a week-long search that saw both families plead for help in finding the two, Hinesville Police in Georgia said on Sunday that they were both found dead in the car in Cocke County, Tennessee.

Kuhbander's mother said she last spoke to her son a few days before he disappeared, and claimed that he told her Anderson had been continually harassing him following their breakup.

'He was telling me she was blowing up his phone, and he said that she had threatened that she was going to commit suicide,' she said.

'And it's not the first time that she's done it.'

Two days before they disappeared, Anderson was arrested after spotting Kuhbander on a date with another woman and allegedly keying his car.

Kuhbander's mother told WJCL that she posted bail, and was facing charges of criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.

She alleged that Anderson wrote a suicide note to her son on the day they disappeared, and said he continued to console her despite their breakup in the days beforehand.

'He's very driven to do the right thing and make sure people are safe,' she added to Court TV. 'He really does care about Reagan.'

Two days before they vanished, Anderson reportedly keyed Kuhbander's car after she spotted him out on a date with another woman

Kuhbander's heartbroken family said they were 'trying to find the words to say goodbye' after his shock death

Amid numerous unanswered questions over what happened to the pair or how they died, an autopsy is reportedly being prepared to determine their cause of death,

'Details pertaining to the discovery of their bodies, vehicle and events leading to their deaths are not available at this time,' cops said in a statement.

Kuhbander's family set up a GoFundMe to pay for mounting funeral costs, where they said he was 'sadly and unexpectedly taken from his family and the life he loved.'

In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Kuhbander's sister said she was 'trying to find the words to say goodbye, but I can't.'

'Its tearing me apart to even think about not having you here. Never in my life did I think I would have to be doing life without you,' she wrote.

'Its always been my two big brothers but now its just me and Xander. We will honor you in every way possible. No one will ever not know who you are and how good of a person you are. I love you forever bub.'
Being ghosted may be heartbreaking, but a relationship expert revealed that it is occasionally what's best.

Ghosting someone means that a person is cutting off all communication with an individual without saying a word.

Licensed marriage and family therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw told The New York Times that victims of ghosting 'start to question their reality.'

She explained that ghosting victims question where they missed the signs and what did they do wrong, one being TikTok user Micki Kennedy.

However, professionals and social media users like Stella Scholaja revealed when it's best to ghost someone and how to survive being ghosted.

Ghosting someone means that a person is cutting off all communication with an individual without saying a word and it is a common method of ending a growing relationship

Ghosting has become a common way to cut ties with someone who can be difficult for an individual to break up with, according to licensed psychologist Roxy Zarrabi.

'You may start questioning your reality, including your own judgment and what signs you may have missed,' Zarrabi said.

'These questions can quickly turn into an unhealthy rumination that prevents you from moving on.'

However, ghosters often have prosocial motives when ending budding relationships, according to a 2024 study.

'As someone who has  and has been  ghosted frequently in my personal and professional relationships, this phenomena was something that had interested me for a while,' study author YeJin Park told PsyPost.

'Ghosting was only further exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where most communications moved online, making ghosting even easier.'

Although the signs may not be there right away, it is sometimes easy to tell when the ghosting process is happening, according to social scientist Lauren Rosewarne.

'The obvious sign is larger gaps between replies to messages or unreturned phone calls,' Rosewarne told WellBeing Curious in 2023.

'In-person meetings might also be repeatedly canceled or rescheduled to never eventuate.'

Ghosters often have prosocial motives when ending budding relationships, according to a 2024 study conducted by YeJin Park

Signs that someone is being ghosted includes in-person meetings repeatedly canceled or rescheduled

Brenna Holeman, 40, discussed what she believed was an incredible first date with a ghostful ending 10 years ago to The New York Times.

She enjoyed a rainy night in a London bar with a date who kissed her goodbye and expressed excitement about seeing her again.

'He even texted me that night saying, "I cant stop smiling,"' said Holeman, who added that he wrote: 'I can't wait to see you again.'

Unfortunately, the two never saw each other again, and instead of planning their next date, he ghosted her.

Kennedy also recalled her being ghosted by a man in her 2022 TikTok video after he debated going out or staying in for date night.

'I wake up at 8:00 in the morning... and this dude is not beside be anymore,' said Kennedy.

'I laid there for a couple minutes and thought to myself, "who knows, maybe he's in the bathroom." So I left his room and started scoping around his apartment.'

The TikToker could not find him, and after feeling 'weirdly uncomfortable,' she left.

Brenna Holeman, 40, was ghosted 10 years ago after what she believed was a successful date with a man in a London bar

TikTok user Micki Kennedy recalled a ghosted horror story in 2022 after her woke up at 8:00 alone and feeling 'weirdly uncomfortable'

Ghosting may not have been the best method to end Holeman and Kennedy's non-serious relationships, but when it comes to safety and the ability to take a hit, non-verbally kicking someone to the curb would be best.

'If theyre just not listening to what youve already expressed, then I think its OK,' said Earnshaw.

Rosewarne emphasized how one must always prioritize safety when thinking of ghosting someone.

'There are certain times when ghosting is the only option. Situations of harassment or abuse, for example,' Rosewarne said.

'Or when you have already articulated that you werent interested in pursuing things and the other person keeps contacting you; you can rightfully just disappear in those circumstances.'

There are ways on how to successfully end a growing friendship or relationship without having to ghost someone.

Etiquette expert Elaine Swann suggested that someone could say, 'I dont think we are a good fit, but best wishes to you and I hope you find the connection you are looking for,' according to The New York Times.

However, for anyone who has already had more than one date or makeout session with someone, Swann recommends breaking up with them in person or by phone call.

Etiquette expert Elaine Swann suggested that someone who's gone on more than one date with someone end the budding relationship in person or by phone call

Stella Scholaja suggested in her 2023 TikTok video to think about how much space the ghoster would've potentially had in their life.

Ghosting victims can learn to pick up the pieces and move on to find bigger and better things.

New York psychotherapist Rachel Sussman wants ghosted individuals to remember that this method is 'normal' and that it can happen to anyone.

'Even the supermodel is saying: "Oh, I shouldnt have said this, or I shouldnt have worn that,"' said Sussman.

Scholaja suggested in her 2023 TikTok video to think about how much space the ghoster would've potentially had in their life.

'Usually, when you get ghosted by someone that you truly care about, it's because you already have a level of trust with them,' said the TikToker.

'If you know what it is that hurt you, then I would recommend writing out a text... Write it down and actually have your little Academy Award monologue.'

She added that the ghosted victim can either keep this write-up for themselves or send it to their ghostee.

'You don't need to sit there in silence, you don't need to protect their feelings, and you don't need to protect a future with them that is probably not going to happen.'
Squad leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she plans on impeaching the six conservative Justices on the Supreme Court for their ruling in Donald Trump's presidential immunity case.

The conservative 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court ruled Monday a president does have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts in a monumental decision.

The ruling kicks the decision on whether Trump intentionally tried to subvert the 2020 election results back to a Washington, D.C., judge - and will likely delay the trial until after the November election in a 'big win' for the former president.

Reacting to the ruling, an outraged Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X: 'The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control. 'Today's ruling represents an assault on American democracy.'

'It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture,' her post continued.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., posted Monday on X that she would soon file articles of impeachment against the Supreme Court Justices after they ruled that Donald Trump has presidential immunity for a case related to the January 6 Capitol riot

The House returns to session Monday, July 8, after the July 4th recess, which is when she plans to take action.

Her post did not specify which justices she plans on drafting articles of impeachment for, but it is expected to target the six conservative justices.

The ruling Monday means that if Trump wins the November election he can direct the Justice Department to drop the charges against him, dealing a blow to those who want to see him convicted for his involvement with the January 6 riot.

The case centers on the former president's alleged actions on January 6 to overturn the election results.

Prosecutors have argued that Trump was acting as a candidate, and not in his official capacity, when he addressed the audience.

The former president's attorneys, meanwhile, argue that Trump was conducting official presidential business - which the new Supreme Court ruling means is protected under presidential immunity.

Trump himself celebrated the ruling Monday, posting on his Truth Social app: 'Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!'

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021

Trump called the Supreme Court's ruling a 'big win for our constitution and democracy'

The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control.



Todays ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture.



I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2024

The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that former US President Donald Trump is entitled to immunity from prosecution in the context of his official acts

And even if AOC drafts articles to impeach the Supreme Court Justices, they will likely not get far.

Republicans hold control over the chamber and would presumably never agree to advance articles of impeachment against the Supreme Court Justices.

But House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did say that his caucus will look into what they can do about the ruling.

'Today's Supreme Court decision to grant legal immunity to a former President for crimes committed using his official power sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation,' he said in a statement Monday.

'The Framers of the Constitution envisioned a democracy governed by the rule of law and the consent of the American people. They did not intend for our nation to be ruled by a king or monarch who could act with absolute impunity.'

'House Democrats will engage in aggressive oversight and legislative activity with respect to the Supreme Court to ensure that the extreme, far-right justices in the majority are brought into compliance with the Constitution.'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said that Democrats will look conduct oversight of the Supreme Court after the ruling

What legislation and oversight can be brought against the court, though, is currently unclear.

If the progressive Squad leader does impeach some or all of the Justices it would be the first time in roughly 220 years.

The only time a Justice has been impeached was in 1804 when Samuel Chase was accused of refusing to remove biased jurors and excluding witnesses in two politically charged cases.

Chase was later acquitted by the Senate in 1805 and was not removed from the Supreme Court.
The terrifying moment a home invader broke into an Idaho home and tried to kidnap a child was caught in surveillance footage.

Briayan Vergara, 28, is accused of trying to abduct the four-year-old child before he went on to another home in Burley and raped a 68-year-old woman in her house in June 2023.

The home owners say Vergara, who was armed with a knife, was seen on the video entering the house, as the front door was unlocked.

Vergara is seen talking to a little girl, touching her head, before he picks her up.

The suspect carries the child for about 15 seconds before setting her back on the ground and exiting the home.

The terrifying moment a home invader broke into an Idaho home and tried to kidnap a child was caught in surveillance footage

Briayan Vergara, 28, is accused of trying to abduct the four-year-old child before he went on to another home in Burley and raped a 68-year-old woman in her house in June 2023

The girl's mother, Kiana Mae Greener-Gibson, told the Idaho State Journal that Vergara looked out the front door before putting the child down and leaving.

The four-year-old was not harmed in the incident, according to police.

Greener-Gibson was home at the time, taking care of her newborn, and did not notice the intruder.

She told KMTV she did not realize what had happened until her husband texted her asking who was in the house after noticing the man on the security system.

Police say they believe Vergara went to three other homes before he was recorded in the family's security camera.

Officials say Vergara walked throughout the city for hours, entering homes and committing several crimes

The girl's mother, Kiana Mae Greener-Gibson, told the Idaho State Journal that Vergara looked out the front door before putting the child down and leaving

Officials say Vergara walked throughout the city for hours, entering homes and committing several crimes.

At one home, he reportedly told the homeowner that he would kill her if she screamed.

He tried to resist arrest, at one point grapping an officer's stun gun.

Vergara is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to rape, burglary, kidnapping, assault and battery.
A 'doting son and loving brother' died of a fatal brain injury after being punched in the head by a man he labelled 'Ed Sheeran' during a row outside a Birmingham bar, an inquest heard.

Amarpal Atkar, 33, died after trouble flared over comments made in the smoking area of Be At One, on Stephenson Street, in which he referred to a man who had accidentally backed into him as 'Ed Sheeran' and a 'ginger t***'.

Mr Aktar, who was 'like a celebrity' at the venue as 'everybody knew him', was punched twice to the head, the second of which caused the fatal brain injury.

The incident began when Thomas Coleman, a stranger on his first night out in the city, accidentally backed into Mr Atkar outside the club at around 1:20am on 31 July 2021.

Witnesses then heard Mr Atkar call Mr Coleman a 'ginger t***' and 'Ed Sheeran' before saying: 'Hit me, hit me.'

Amarpal Atkar (pictured), 33, died after trouble flared over comments made in the smoking area of Be At One, on Stephenson Street, in which he referred to a man who had accidentally backed into him as ' Ed Sheeran ' and a 'ginger t***'

Mr Coleman responded by punching Mr Atkar in the face which made him to fall to the ground. Mr Atkar got back to his feet as bouncers restrained Mr Coleman, taking his wallet and hotel key before letting him go.

As he walked away, Mr Atkar 'pursued' him and was heard on the phone saying 'he's here, come quick', the court heard. As a struggle ensued between the pair near Birmingham New Street station, he swung to punch Mr Coleman.

Mr Atkar, a financial services officer from Oldbury, West Midlands, was then punched in the face a second time in a blow that proved fatal. He was found unresponsive near the entrance to the railway station on Stephenson Street and was rushed to hospital. Nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead the same day.

Mr Coleman, who ran from the scene, was found at the Grand Hotel and arrested by police, initially on suspicion of murder, with a case later made for manslaughter. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has, on two occasions, made the decision not to charge Mr Coleman with any offence, the court was told.

After the initial decision, Mr Atkar's family lodged a Victims' Right to Review, however Birmingham Coroner's Court heard no charges would be brought, with family feeling 'let down by the justice system'. As the inquest concluded, it was ruled Mr Atkar died from a traumatic brain injury caused from the second punch to the head during the altercation.

Ruling out unlawful killing and recording a narrative conclusion, senior coroner Louise Hunt told the court: 'I accept Mr Coleman's evidence when he said he was trying to protect himself at the time and the punch was in self-defence.

Mrs Hunt added: 'It is regrettable that Mr Coleman decided to use such force to respond to the verbal altercation as this did result in the death of Mr Atkar.'

Mr Aktar, was 'like a celebrity' at Be At One on Stephenson Street, Birmingham, as 'everybody knew him'

Mr Coleman and his girlfriend - now wife - had come to Birmingham for the first time to celebrate passing her driving test. Ending the night at Be At One, the couple decided to go back to their room at the Grand Hotel.

They were outside the club speaking to a taxi driver when the incident unfolded. As Mr Coleman was told they could not get a taxi, as it was too close to the hotel, he stepped back, accidentally bumping into Mr Atkar, the inquest heard.

Mr Coleman told the court: 'I walked away and, at that moment, I heard a comment about the colour of some someone's skin. After hearing 'Ed Sheeran' being shouted louder and louder, that's when I realised it was addressed to me.

'I walked over to Mr Atkar and asked if everything was alright and asked what was going on. He was saying "if you're going to do something, then do it now", but increasingly getting louder as he was saying it.

'I was intimidated, I was scared. I was in a city I had never been to before, I had not experienced this kind of situation before. I remember vividly taking a step back and at that moment, I was thinking "do I run away or do I try and defend myself?" '.

CCTV then shows Mr Coleman punching Mr Atkar in the face, causing him to fall to the floor as he is struck. Mr Coleman told the court his 'intention of throwing a punch was to try and stall and get out of there.'

He said he turned around to run, but was 'restrained by bouncers'. After they confiscated his hotel key and wallet, he was let go and walked towards Birmingham New Street station with a plan to 'get out of there.'

Mr Coleman continued: 'Mr Atkar came towards me with his phone to his ear, he was saying: 'He is here now, come quick.' He then went to punch me.' Mr Coleman punched Mr Atkar a second time to the face, ultimately causing his death.

Concluding the inquest Mrs Hunt told the court: 'It is apparent that there may be an accidental bump to Mr Atkar, it is very minor and it's shortly after this that they begin to converse. Mr Coleman says he was alerted to Mr Atkar when he heard reference to skin colour and Ed Sheeran. He realised it was in reference to him.

'He said he didn't know if he was just verbally assaulting him. He said he felt scared and intimidated and had not experienced that before. [His girlfriend] heard Mr Atkar say 'are you going to hit me?' She says things then escalated.'

Mrs Hunt added: 'Mr Coleman did make a second punch...we now know that was a fatal blow. Mr Coleman says he was on the phone saying 'he is here, come quick'. He thought he was going to be injured.'

Be At One's head doorman, Chace Cappellie, described Mr Atkar as a club regular who was 'known to be quite mouthy,' but had never been violent, the inquest heard.

Mr Cappellie said: 'He spoke to everyone, however he was harmless. I never heard him be offensive or violent towards anybody. I heard [Mr Atkar] say 'hit me, hit me'; this is what drew my attention to them. I don't remember him saying it in an aggressive way, it was just loud and slightly cocky.'

After the inquest, Mr Atkar's devastated family paid tribute to him as the 'life and soul of any room he walked into'. They said: 'He was the happiest and most sociable person one could ever meet. He always made you feel welcome and at ease.

'He was such a compassionate and caring human being. He was a doting son, a loving brother, and an amazing uncle. As a family, we are lost without him in our lives; there is a void he has left that nobody can fill. We feel let down by the justice system, CPS and today's inquest. We feel very sad.'

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said:

We understand the decision not to bring charges has been difficult for Mr Atkars family and our thoughts remain with them for the tragic loss they have endured.

Our role as prosecutors is to make fair and independent decisions based on the evidence and following a careful review of the circumstances in this case, we concluded there was not a realistic prospect of conviction  a decision later supported by a further review of the case.
The high-profile murder trial of a Boston woman accused of murdering her police officer boyfriend has ended with a mistrial.

Karen Read, 44, was told Monday that jurors were unable to agree on whether she'd deliberately killed Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe with her SUV in January 2022.

It marked the end of a contentious nine-week trial where Read alleged that she was the victim of a wide-ranging plot to frame her.

Prosecutors countered that Read ran over O'Keefe to end their toxic relationship before leaving him for dead in the snow.

Karen Read (pictured waiting for the jury's decision on Monday, July 1), saw her high-profile trial end in a mistrial as jurors were deadlocked over her guilt

John O'Keefe, 46, was found dead 6am on January 29, 2022, outside a house where Read dropped him off for an afterparty about 12.45am

On the evening of O'Keefe's death, he and Read had been drinking with a group of friends at the Waterfall Bar and Grill in Canton, around 14 miles south of Boston, and were invited to his friend Brian Albert's home for an afterparty.

Read, who prosecutors say drank several alcoholic drinks beforehand, decided to drop her boyfriend at the afterparty before she went to his home - that O'Keefe shared with his orphaned niece and nephew - to sleep at around 1am.

Court documents revealed that the couple had been bitterly arguing for weeks beforehand, and on the night O'Keefe died, Read left him a voicemail calling him a 'f****** loser', and telling him: 'John, I f****** hate you.'

The couple had been dating for two years at the time of O'Keefe's death. He had been serving on the Boston Police Department for 16 years.

According to Read's version of events, she woke up at 4am to find that O'Keefe never returned home, leading her to frantically drive out to try and find him.

After finding O'Keefe's body outside Albert's home, which party attendees claimed he never entered, first responders on the scene alleged that Read repeatedly told them she hit him while in a panicked state.

Vehicle data also found that Read reversed her SUV for 62 feet at 24mph near to Albert's home. O'Keefe's cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma and hypothermia, with pieces of Read's taillight found around his body, prosecutors said.

In his closing argument on Tuesday, Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally said the claims that Read was framed was little more than 'rampant speculation.'

Lally also pointed to hair and DNA from O'Keefe found on the rear end of Read's SUV.

Read and O'Keefe had been out drinking on the night of his death, before she drove him to an afterparty while she went home to sleep. He was found dead on the lawn of the afterparty's home hours later

Read (right, with her defense attorney following Monday's decision) claimed she was the victim of a wide-ranging conspiracy to frame her for murder

The defense countered that the taillight was actually broken by Read when she left in a panic to find O'Keefe when he never returned home.

This included security video shown at trial showing Read clipping O'Keefe's vehicle as she backed out of her home to search for him.

Read claimed that attendees at the afterparty beat him to death, and her attorneys presented phone data that showed O'Keefe's phone climbed dozens of steps at the time he was allegedly struck.

Her attorney, Alan Jackson, claimed that these steps could have been the basement of Albert's home. Albert was never charged with any wrongdoing.

Read's attorneys added that although first responders claimed Read spoke of hitting O'Keefe at the scene, they claimed this evidence was falsely given at a later date and not said at the time.

A forensic engineer was brought in to evaluate the case, who testified that if O'Keefe had been struck by a vehicle at over 20mph he would expect to see more severe injuries.

As her trial began, Read received a slew of support from true crime fans and locals who camped outside the courthouse with signs reading 'Free Karen Read'

A judge issued an order barring Read's supporters from coming within 200 feet of the courthouse or wearing supportive colors due to her rampant support

Read's defense was led by Alan Jackson (center, with Read on right), the high-powered lawyer who secured disgraced actor Kevin Spacey's acquittal of sexual assault charges

When her trail began, Read received a slew of support from true crime fans who camped outside the courthouse with signs reading 'Free Karen Read.'

Many took to wearing pink as a show of support for Read, leading a judge to issue an order barring any clothing or accessories that could be perceived as encouraging, and banning them from coming within 200 feet of the courthouse.

As the trial made national headlines, some observers were turned off by Read's apparent flippant attitude during the proceedings, leading her to be nicknamed 'America's happiest murder defendant.'

She was seen winking to cameras and snacking inside the courthouse, which angered some critics.
In the wake of President Joe Biden's calamitous debate performance, it seems a new presidential candidate has risen as an alternative to Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Bruce Mahnken III, who describes himself as a comedian and an artist, recorded himself shirtless wearing a gold chain as he recited his campaign slogan: 'I'm runnin' for s**t.'

With the song Yankee Doodle Dandy in the background, Mahnken stood in front of his truck and made his first bold proclamation.

'Vote for me, because I'm not f****ing 95 years old, and I still remember where I park my truck,' the long-haired man said in a TikTok video that's already racked up over 11 million views.

Among the 47,000 comments and counting on the viral video, one viewer said: 'Best candidate I've seen in decades.'

Another wrote: 'Bro u had me at not 95.'

Bruce Mahnken III jokingly listed a wide range of policies he'd pursue as president, including making congressmen work in fast food

Other comments echoed this long standing sentiment among Americans that the candidates are too old.

A majority of Americans have repeatedly answered polls saying they did not want a rematch between Trump and Biden in the 2024 election, with many claiming both were too old or mentally and physically unfit to serve.

Americans have soured on the current president to the point that only 38 percent of voters think Biden will be alive at the end of a second term.

Like most Americans, Mahnken is aware of this, making it all that much easier to crack jokes at the current state of our presidential politics.

His next campaign plank was delivered in front of a motorcycle, as he seeks to bring internet tough guys to task.

'Vote for me, and I'll make it a law that if you talk s**t on the internet, you have to fist fight in real life,' he said, punctuating his speech with a wry smirk.

Another law of his though might prompt quite a few resignations from congressional members.

Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden pictured at CNN's debate last Thursday. The headlines were dominated Biden's shaky performance, characterized by forgetfulness, a hoarse voice and frequent trouble communicating his ideas

'Vote for me and I'll make everybody that's in the f***ing Senate and Congress work in fast food for the next eight f***ing years,' he said.

Next, he tackles foreign policy, mirroring his earlier proposal to have people fighting on social media duke it out in real life.

'Vote for me, and if we got a problem with another country, I'll catch a fair one with their leader, and it'll be f***ing done with. No more wars,' he said.

All throughout the video, he was wearing a tie dye hat with OKIE on the front, suggesting that he may be from Oklahoma.

Even though Oklahoma may not be a swing state, one commenter suggested Mahnken liven up his candidacy by picking the 'Hawk Tuah' girl from TikTok stardom as his vice presidential candidate.

Haliey Welch became famous for an interview she did on June 19 in which she used the term 'Hawk Tuah' to describe a sexual act

Like any tried and true political ad, he ended it with a still image of himself saying, 'This message is approved by Captain Motherf***king Isosceles'

Mahnken also responded to people requesting he do things as president.

One person asked him if the US could have a 4 day weekend.

His response: 'We only workin' Thursday and 1/2 day Fridays.'

Another person requested he bring music videos back to MTV and create a TV channel dedicated to playing Star Wars 24/7.

'Sounds doable,' he replied.

Arguably the most important question he received in the comments was from someone asking what name they should write in on their ballot in order to vote for him.

He wrote back: 'Bruce Hampshire Mahnken III.'

Like any tried and true political ad, he ended it with a still image of himself saying, 'This message is approved by Captain Motherf***king Isosceles.'
At least nine people have been killed and four others injured today in South Korea after a car ploughed into crowds of people in the capital Seoul, police said.

Six pedestrians were found dead at the scene near Seoul city hall, while three others were pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital, firefighter Kim Chun-soo said.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the 68-year-old driver crashed into people who were waiting at a traffic signal.

He was driving in the wrong direction and hit two other vehicles before ploughing into the pedestrians, Yonhap said.

The man was detained by police over the incident, said Kim Suk-hwan, safety and transport director at the city's Jung-gu district office.

Emergency workers stand near the site of a car accident which left nine people dead in Seoul, South Korea, today

Emergency services can be seen surrounding the crash site which has been cordoned off with tape and tents

Police officers investigating the car accident scene near Seoul City Hall in downtown Seoul, South Korea

South Korea 's Yonhap news agency reported that the 68-year-old driver crashed into people who were waiting at a traffic signal

South Korean Police officers investigate the debris at the scene of the fatal accident

Pictures taken at the scene show damaged vehicles and smashed glass and debris on the pavement.

Emergency services can be seen surrounding the crash site which has been cordoned off with tape and tents.

Investigations are underway to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved, as well as whether the deadly incident was caused by accidental acceleration, Kim said.

Emergency workers and vehicles are seen near a car that was involved in the accident

A policeman standing guard at the scene as investigations and rescues were taking place

Pictures taken at the scene show damaged vehicles and smashed glass and debris on the pavement

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon described it as 'a very sad accident' when he visited the crash site, according to city authorities.

He also ordered officials to 'take the victims to the hospital quickly and thoroughly identify the cause of the accident'.

Deadly transport accidents with multiple casualties are rare in South Korea, which generally has well-maintained roads and vehicles.
Fears are growing for a young Scots tourist who disappeared without trace while on a trip to Poland.

Sam Kennedy, 20, was due to return to the UK from Krakow last week but did not board the flight home and has made no contact with loved ones since.

His worried family have now issued a desperate plea for people to get in touch with them with any information which could help find him.

It is understood Police Scotland has been liaising with Polish authorities and Interpol over the case while the Foreign Office yesterday confirmed it was supporting the family. Mr Kennedy, from Glasgow, has been missing since last Thursday, and his sister Robyn Kennedy has taken to social media in the hope that someone will be able to put her back in touch with him.

In the post, in which she included a picture to help people identify Mr Kennedy, she said: This is my brother Sam, he was supposed to have returned home from Poland (Krakow) on Thursday night but me and my family have not heard from him.

Sam Kennedy was due to return from Krakow last week but did not get on his flight

The city of Krakow if one Poland's largest city's and is a popular destination for British holidaymakers

If anyone knows any information that could help us find him, please let us know and please share this post so we can reach as many people as possible.

Within hours almost 2,000 people had responded to her plea, sharing the Facebook post. Others vowed that they would pass on news of the appeal to relatives in Poland to help raise awareness there.

Last night a spokesman for the Foreign Office said: We are supporting the family of a British national missing in Poland.

Krakow is one of the largest cities in Poland, and is home to more than 800,000 people.

A popular destination for British holidaymakers, it is considered one of Europes most beautiful cities thanks to its well-preserved historic buildings.

The appeal from Mr Kennedys loved ones comes after police in Tenerife stopped searching for missing British tourist Jay Slater.

Since mid-June the Spanish island had been at the centre of one of Europes largest missing persons investigations following the 19-year-olds disappearance.

Mr Slater was last heard from when he called a friend to say he was lost in the mountains. He then vanished without any trace.

Helicopter crews, specially trained search dogs and drones have been deployed to no avail.

The apprentice bricklayer, from near Blackburn in Lancashire, had been attending a music festival on the island and got into a car with two British men in the early hours of June 17.

He went to an Airbnb in the remote village of Masca, about 40 minutes drive away, and left that morning and headed into the mountains hoping to catch a bus or get a taxi.

Mr Slater made his final call at about 8.30am British time in which he told his friend that he was lost, needed water and had only one per cent charge left on his phone.
Britain's depleted military capability has left our Armed Forces unable to defend the country properly, a senior official warned last night.

Pushing defence back into the political spotlight just days before the election, the devastating assessment also found that our troops are unprepared for 'conflict of any scale'.

It came against the backdrop of growing concerns that a Labour government will leave the UK vulnerable to foreign enemies  and unable to offer any practical support to embattled Ukraine.

The Prime Minister responded last night with an emotive plea for voters to prioritise security when they vote on Thursday, cautioning that we are 'living in the most dangerous time that we've seen in decades'.

While the Conservatives have provided a clear timetable for vital increases in defence spending, Sir Keir Starmer has refused to offer the same commitment.

Pushing defence back into the political spotlight just days before the election, the devastating assessment also found that our troops are unprepared for 'conflict of any scale'. Pictured: Former Ministry of Defence chief Rob Johnson

It came against the backdrop of growing concerns that a Labour government will leave the UK vulnerable to foreign enemies  and unable to offer any practical support to embattled Ukraine. Pictured: Royal Marine troops during training

The Prime Minister responded last night with an emotive plea for voters to prioritise security when they vote on Thursday, cautioning that we are 'living in the most dangerous time that we've seen in decades'. Pictured: Royal Marine troops during training

It has led Rishi Sunak to warn that Russian president Vladimir Putin would prefer Labour to form the next government. The critique of the UK's military decline was presented by Rob Johnson, who led a government team responsible for measuring the country's readiness for war.

Mr Johnson, who spent two years in the role, revealed Britain would 'rapidly' run out of ammunition and be powerless to prevent missile attacks. He added that the Navy and Air Force were desperately short of ships and aircraft, and said the UK was not spending enough money to rectify these critical issues.

His intervention comes after the Mail has repeatedly called for increases in defence investment  while our Don't Leave Britain Defenceless pressured the Government into its recent pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030.

Worryingly for the country, Mr Johnson's appraisal was met with unanimous agreement from leading defence figures. Mr Sunak said: 'Right now we're living in the most dangerous time that we've seen in decades in our country. And in spite of that, Labour are not matching our plans to keep everyone safe.

'I think this sends quite a worrying message to our adversaries like Putin, that we're not serious about security.'

Sir Keir said he had shown a 'united front' with the Government on support for Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky.

'I've been to see President Zelensky in Kyiv myself personally to say, should there be a change of government, there won't be any change in our support for Ukraine,' he said. Former head of the Army General the Lord Dannatt told the Mail that Mr Johnson's assessment was a 'searingly honest account of the woeful state of our Armed Forces'.

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon also warned that Putin would exploit any weaknesses on the front bench of a prospective Labour government  such as the previous refusal of those in the Shadow Cabinet to back Trident.

He said: 'Sir Keir, if he enters Downing Street, must get on top of defence first, otherwise everything else he intends to achieve will become horrifically irrelevant.'

It has led Rishi Sunak to warn that Russian president Vladimir Putin would prefer Labour to form the next government

Sir Keir said he had shown a 'united front' with the Government on support for Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky

General Sir Richard Barrons added: 'Right now, our Armed Forces are not up to the job. We need to accelerate their modernisation and transformation.' Mr Johnson, a respected academic, was appointed in 2022 to head up the Secretary of State's Office for Net Assessment and Challenge.

According to the MoD, the purpose of the 25-person unit in Whitehall was to ensure the UK's defensive capabilities operated 'at peak performance'.

Mr Johnson told the Financial Times: 'In any larger-scale operation, we would run out of ammunition rapidly. Our defences are too thin and we are not prepared to fight and win an armed conflict of any scale.

'The UK has reached a situation where it cannot defend the British homelands properly.'
Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz has been charged with a gun violation at an airport serving the Washington, D.C. area.

A Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that the Indiana Republican was charged with a violation on Friday while traveling through Dulles International Airport.

'Victoria Spartz, 45, of Noblesville, IN, was charged on Friday, June 28 with a weapons violation at Dulles Airport,' the spokesperson disclosed.

The airport is roughly 30 miles west of DC in Dulles, Virginia.

Specifically, Spartz was caught with a gun while trying to pass through airport security, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., was charged with a weapon violation at Washington Dulles International Airport on Friday

'On Friday, June 28, TSA officers at [Dulles] detected a .380 caliber firearm during passenger security screening,' an agency spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

'The firearm was unloaded and in the individual's carry-on bag.'

The violation is a misdemeanor, according to Virginia legal code.

'Last Friday, Rep. Spartz accidentally carried an empty handgun in her suitcase with no magazine or bullets, which she did not realize was in the pocket of her suitcase, while going through security at Dulles airport,' a spokesperson for her office told DailyMail.com.

'Rep. Spartz was issued a citation and proceeded on her international flight to the OSCE PA meeting in Europe.'

The Ukraine-born lawmaker has represented Indiana's 5th Congressional District since 2021.

She has gained popularity in recent years for being an outspoken voice against funding the Ukraine-Russia war.

She was also endorsed by the conservative National Rifle Association (NRA) in April.

Earlier this month, the lawmaker again made waves after former members of her congressional staff named her the worst boss on Capitol Hill.

Spartz posted on April 1, 2024 she was proud to receive the endorsement from the National Rifle Association (NRA)

Spartz was discovered with an unloaded .380 caliber firearm in her carry-on baggage, a spokesperson for TSA said

Dulles is the main international airport serving the Washington, D.C. area

Spartz's former staffers have made explosive claims she was 'manic' and 'abusive' and would throw furniture at aides.

The hot-tempered Ukrainian-born Indiana lawmaker has been named the 'worst boss' on Capitol Hill and her conduct is now at the center of an ethics complaint.

Her office has been a revolving door of staffers who think they are 'tough' enough to handle it, only to head for the exits shortly after.

One source said that Spartz had 'thrown shoes' at her district staff, and 'blew up' at them in front of constituents on multiple occasions.

Ethics staffers have been in contact with former Spartz aides about the complaint, DailyMail.com has confirmed, but it's not clear at what stage their probe is. Politico first reported the committee had made 'preliminary inquiries' into complaints about her behavior.

The committee would typically notify a member if they are under a formal investigation, and Spartz says she has not been notified.

Spartz's office has the highest turnover of any House member, according to a Legistorm 'worst bosses' tally that tracks turnover from 2001 to 2023

One former staffer described her behavior to DailyMail.com as 'manic' and 'verbally abrasive, if not borderline abusive.'

Spartz's office has the highest turnover of any House member, according to a Legistorm 'worst bosses' tally that tracks turnover from 2001 to 2023.
Reform candidates have branded King Charles a 'climate cracker', said the late Queen was an 'OAP on state benefits' and that they would prefer murderers Fred and Rose West to the Royal Family.

Social media posts from more than a dozen aspiring Reform MPs attacking the royals have been identified by the Mail.

The party has already dropped several candidates over offensive comments or past support for far-Right organisations, with leader Nigel Farage blaming a vetting company for failing to do background checks properly.

But this latest swathe of comments appears to reflect the party's strained relationship with the monarchy, despite burnishing its 'patriotic' credentials.

Last month Mr Farage struggled with questions over branding the King an 'eco-loony' during a bruising election interview.

Reform's Orkney and Shetland candidate Robert Smith, referring to the Royal Family, once said he would 'prefer Fred and Rose [West] to any of these c****'

Andrew Husband, running in North Durham, engaged in the conspiracy theories around the WEF, calling King Charles a 'climate cracker' and hinting at foul play in the death of Princess Diana

Reform leader Nigel Farage last month struggled with questions over branding the King an 'eco-loony' during a bruising election interview

Reform's Orkney and Shetland candidate Robert Smith, referring to the Royal Family, once said he would 'prefer Fred and Rose [West] to any of these c****'.

Last year the candidate, who has previously run for UKIP in the area, said Charles was a 'WEF fascist' referring to the World Economic Forum.

It brings thinkers from around the globe each year to Davos, Switzerland, and has been the subject of conspiracy theories about a secret cabal running the world.

Mr Smith also suggested online that King Charles was 'serving another master'.

Andrew Husband, running in North Durham, engaged in the conspiracy theories around the WEF, calling King Charles a 'climate cracker' and hinting at foul play in the death of Princess Diana.

Watford candidate Gary Ling also posted an offensive post about the King in 2022. He wrote: 'Chump Charlie is back at it...if he becomes King, his bulls*** will ensure he will be the last.'

In Meriden and Solihull East, where Reform are expected to spoil the Tory vote and potentially let in Labour, Malcolm Sedgley criticised the late Queen in 2021 over her endorsement of Covid vaccines.

John Edwards, running in Southampton Test, said on social media: 'Our King is talking about reparations....Is Charles a problem or a well-intentioned do gooder?'

Meriden and Solihull East candidate Malcolm Sedgley called the late Queen an 'OAP on state benefits'

In 2019 he compared the Royal Family's right to rule to 'Nazis' and accused them of thinking they had 'superior genetics'. Two years before, when sharing an article about tax havens, he wrote of Elizabeth II: 'An OAP on state benefits, heading an extended family with barely a job between them, manages to save a few quid and sneak it away for a rainy day. What's wrong with that?'

Donald Brookes, who could leapfrog the Tories into second place in the new seat of Wolverhampton West, said last year: 'This is not my King  we need now to get rid of the monarchy, it's a joke.'

John Edwards, running in Southampton Test, shared similar vitriol. 'Our King is talking about reparations....Is Charles a problem or a well-intentioned do gooder?' he wrote on social media last year.

Hamish Haddow, running in Chipping Barnet, said of Prince William after he called for an end to fighting in the Israel-Hamas conflict: 'This is a big mistake.

'This looks very anti-semitic and anti- British. Not a good look.'

Reform did not respond to a request for comment last night. All of the candidates were contacted for comment.

Mr Ling said: 'Unless the current King and Prince of Wales stick to the political impartiality practices of Queen Elizabeth, whom I served as an army officer, the monarchy as a critical constitutional institution will lose public consent and be destroyed within a decade.'

Mr Sedgley said: 'Firstly, I didn't compare the Royal Family to Nazis. Rather, I suggested, albeit in a slightly clumsy way, that someone's bloodline, should not be the prime consideration, for them becoming Head of State in the 21st Century.

'Secondly, I believe it's correct that the then third in line to the throne, did indeed dress as a Nazi for a fancy dress event and the quote attributed to the late Duke of Edinburgh was correct.

'Thirdly, I criticised most people, who promoted the mRNA Covid vaccine. It was and still is my opinion, that lockdown and the Covid vaccine, have done considerably more harm than good.

'As for "anti-monarchy" posts. Well, I wasn't aware that not being an ardent monarchist was considered particularly offensive in 2024. I wouldn't even consider myself anti-monarchy, just not particularly pro-monarchy. If the majority of people wish to retain the monarchy, then it should be retained. That's what democracy is about.'

Mr Lewis said: 'A public good (in its economic context) relates to the funding of the Monarchy, around which there has been debate and contestation since HM Queen agreed to pay tax on her income in 1992. In my opinion, we are in transition to a constitutional arrangement where sovereignty is judged to rest with the citizens of the United Kingdom (rather than, as now, by divine right from God via the Monarch). This is what I meant my 'Republic NOW' (which was made in jest). It would not mean the United Kingdom ceasing to have an hereditary monarchy. You will note in a much more recent tweet dated 2 May 2023 that: 'I stand by comment that were Britain to become a Republic - not my preference btw - the tourism impact would be negligible'. As someone with an academic interest in public policy I am frequently expected to test arguments; this conversation on 'X' is an example of that'.'
1) Who did Nigel Farage recently describe as 'the worst prime minister of modern times'?

a) Rishi Sunak

b) Boris Johnson

c) Theresa May

d) Tony Blair

2) What did Rishi Sunak post after England won against Slovakia in the Euros on Sunday?

a) 'It's over once it's over'

b) 'It's not over once it's over'

c) 'It's not over until it's over'

d) 'Over and out'

3) Twin the politician and their description by our sketchwriter, Quentin Letts:

a) '...kept doing that gulpy Bill Nighy thing when his glasses start to steam up and he nibbles the front of his gums, looking a bit befuddled and pop-eyed and shifty in his smalls'

b) '...had the crowd jiggling and screaming like nudists in a sandstorm'

c) 'His speech was schmaltzy. It was aw-shucks. It was, as they say in spin-doctor circles, 'courageously personal'... another way of saying it was revoltingly American and one of the most emotively manipulative pieces of saccharine hucksterism thrust down my gullet for decades'

d) 'The old lentil-muncher was on dandyish form'

Rishi Sunak addressing crowds on the campaign trail as the countdown to the election day gets ever closer

e) '...he started to resemble a Royal Navy rating in a rep-theatre production of the Cruel Sea, bucketfuls of water being chucked on stage from the wings.'

i Ann Widdecombe

ii Keir Starmer

iii Ed Davey

iv Jeremy Corbyn

v Rish Sunak

4) Which party leader was once filmed licking his paws, pretending to be a cat, while an actress told him, 'Pussy, pussy, it's okay, it's okay'?

a) Sir Ed Davey

b) Nigel Farage

c) George Galloway

d) Rishi Sunak

5) Which one of these activities has Ed Davey NOT yet undertaken in the election campaign?

a) Riding the Colossus rollercoaster at Thorpe Park

b) Falling off a paddleboard on Windermere

c) Bungee-jumping in Eastbourne

d) Falling into the water on a floating assault course in Henley-in-Arden

e) Standing on one leg while saying 'Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry' three times, fast.

Nigel Farage recently called who 'the worst prime minister of modern times'?. Pictured giving a speech on the campaign trail

6) 'I will not be silenced by... a rich, lefty, white male celebrity.' Who tweeted this, about whom?

a) James Cleverly of Michael Sheen

b) Suella Braverman of Sir Ian McKellen

c) Kemi Badenoch of David Tennant

d) Priti Patel of Stephen Fry

7) Where did Rishi Sunak launch the 2024 Conservative manifesto?

a) Wembley stadium

b) Silverstone

c) Epsom Races

d) Les Croupiers Casino, Cardiff

8) Which of these songs did Keir Starmer choose on Desert Island Discs?

a) Welcome To My World by Jim Reeves

b) We Are The World by USA For Africa

c) What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

d) You're My World by Cilla Black

e) I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing by The New Seekers

Sir Ed Davey (pictured) has taken the campigning to a new level with antics including riding the Colossus rollercoaster at Thorpe Park and bungee-jumping in Eastbourne

9) Asked on TV what he likes to sing at karaoke, James Cleverly replied that he was 'rather partial' to singing which song?

a) It's Raining Men b) Man! I Feel Like A Woman!

c) (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

d) Stand By Your Man

10) Which former party leader posed on Instagram with a marrow, urging his followers to 'zoom in on my marrow'?

a) Ed Miliband

b) Boris Johnson

c) Jeremy Corbyn

d) David Cameron

11) How did shadow health secretary Wes Streeting describe the final days before the General Election?

a) Sneaky bung time

b) Squeaky bum time

c) Speaky fun time

d) Sneaky burn time

12) 'This spiritual and deeply personal occasion will forever be stained by a selfish and self-promoting stunt,' complained Gideon Davey. What was he referring to?

a) Nigel Farage gatecrashed Davey's bowls club coffee-morning, complete with a camera crew.

b) Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg turned up at Davey's daughter's first communion ceremony, complete with a camera crew.

c) Sir Ed Davey descended in a hot-air balloon on Davey's daughter's birthday party, breaking a table.

d) Angela Rayner gatecrashed a seance in Oldham, filmed by Newsnight.
The moment an alleged drunk driver slammed into a Long Island nail salon killing four people, including an NYPD officer has been shown in shocking footage captured by surveillance cameras at the strip mall where the horrific crash occurred.

The driver of the vehicle, Steven Schwally, 64, of Dix Hills, New York, appeared in court on Monday. He has so far been charged with DWI with more serious charges expected later.

The salon's owner, Jiancai Chen, 37, together two of his employees Meizi Zhang, 50, and Yan Xu, 41, and an off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, were all killed in the crash. Ten others were also injured and taken to hospital.

The footage sees the minivan barreling through the parking lot before it slammed into Hawaii Nail and Spa.

The moment an alleged drunk driver slammed into a Long Island nail salon and killed four people, including an NYPD cop has been shown in shocking footage

The minivan can be seen slamming into the front of the spa on Friday

Defendant Steven Schwally appears for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip, New York York on Monday. Schwally was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated after authorities say he crashed his SUV into a nail salon, on June 28, killing several people and injuring others

The video shows the strip mall from a side view. But even then, the images of the out of control vehicle are fleeting with the car traveling at significant speed, straight into the shop front. A cloud of dust could be seen shooting out from the inside the spa.

Authorities say Schwally, of Dix Hills, was behind the wheel of his minivan when it barreled through the parking lot and slammed into Hawaii Nail and Spa.

Such was the velocity of the 2020 Chevy Traverse, the vehicle managed to travel all the way through the building before getting stuck at the back of the salon which was open and conducting business just before the weekend.

Schwally appeared in court sitting in a wheelchair and wearing hospital clothes. Families of a number of the victims could also be seen sitting close by.

Prosecutors described the crash as having occurred with the driver having 'accelerated at a high rate of speed', and that Schwally allegedly 'drove in the opposite lane of travel, nearly striking pedestrians and that he continued through the intersection, went airborne' as he slammed into the packed nail salon.

Prosecutors said Schwally claimed to have had 18 beers on Thursday night but had stopped drinking at 3am. The results of a blood alcohol test are pending. He is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Schwally appeared in court sitting in a wheelchair and wearing hospital clothes. Families of a number of the victims could be seen sitting close by

Off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, was killed during Friday's crash

Rennhack, 30, had stopped by Hawaii Nail and Spa in preparation for the wedding of another police officer later that night

Jiancai Chen, owner of the Hawaii Nail & Spa salon in Deer Park was also killed in the crash

An employee at the salon, Yan Xu, 41, also lost her life in the tragic crash

The crash left four dead and ten hospitalized after a minivan crashed into the Hawaii Nail & Spa salon in Deer Park on Long Island, New York

Prosecutors say that by the time he was spoken to after the crash he had 'bloodshot and glassy eyes' while his speech was slurred.

'A smell of alcoholic beverage emanated from his breath,' the criminal complaint states, according to CBS News.

This is not Schwally's first time being charged with driving while intoxicated, Newsday reports.

Back in April 2014, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and had his license suspended.

Schwally's brother Edward also claims he has had more than one prior DUI, recounting how he once drove his brother to probation after he refused to take a Breathalyzer in 2010 or 2011.

The family of the brother and sister of the salon's co-owners, Jencai Chen, who was killed, and his wife Wen Jun, who's in critical condition have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for expenses in looking after their two children, aged 10 and 5.

The spa was the family's sole source of income.

Several customers shared their heartbreak upon hearing about the accident.

'I just lost a friend of mine's son to alcoholism. It's a disease. There's no doubt about that. But don't get in your car and drive. He killed four people - a New York City cop. She's 30 years old, just married in September. My son's a Nassau County police officer, my stepson. I worry every day that he's out there,' local resident Jimmy Punda said.

The minivan ended up right at the back of the nail salon. It took hours to retrieve

Video shows a chaotic scene at the strip mall with a massive police presence last Friday

'They are the greatest people. They are so family-oriented. It's unbelievable. It's sad, and it's a big, big loss,' Mike McClorey from Deer Park, Long Island said.

'My heart is just broken. Just living in the community, and alcohol kills everybody,' one area resident said.

'It's insane. You would never expect this to happen. They were like family to us, and it's just heartbreaking, 'cause you come here to relax, to spoil yourself, to pamper yourself, and this tragedy happens,' added customer Patricia Castillo.

'Losing a member of the NYPD has been especially heartbreaking for the officer's family and her husband, who, as you probably know, works at that same precinct, and they were just recently married,' Congresswoman Grace Meng said.

A candlelight vigil is to be held at the spa on Monday evening.
A construction company who mistakenly built a house on the wrong plot of land has been ordered to knock it down.

The confusion occurred in Hawaii after PJ's Construction got the plot in Hawaiian Paradise Park on Hawaii's Big Island confused with a neighboring one next-door.

They accidentally built on Annaleine 'Anne' Reynolds' property, a one-acre plot bought for $22,500 at auction in 2018.

She lives in California, and had plans to use the land for a home for her children.

Judge Robert D. S. Kim last week ordered PJ's Construction to foot the bill for the demolition of the house immediately, despite it being worth some $500,000.

A construction company who mistakenly built the half-a-million-dollar house on the wrong plot of land on Hawaii's big island was ordered to knock it down last week

They accidentally built on Annaleine 'Anne' Reynolds' property, who ourchased the one-acre plot bought for $22,500 at auction in 2018

'We are thrilled with the court's decision that PJ's Construction must bear the costs of demolishing the unauthorized structure on Anne Reynolds' property,' Reynolds' lawyer James D. DiPasquale told Business Insider.

'This ruling not only preserves Anne's property rights but also sets a precedent for accountability in the construction industry.

'While it's regrettable that the land cannot be restored to its original state, the judgment underscores the importance of meticulous adherence to property and zoning laws.'

The strange saga began last year, when Reynolds discovered the house had been built on her idyllic slice of land.

PJ's Construction, which was contracted by Keaau Development to build the house and 11 others nearby, had mistakenly built the property on the wrong plot after using telephone poles to try to identify them, legal filings said.

It had built the house on Lot 114 instead of Lot 115, located on the other side of one of the properly marked poles.

Patrick John Lawrence, Jr., the owner of PJ's Construction, was made aware of the mistake thanks to a real estate agent who identified it after the house had already been sold.

Keaau Development then sued Reynolds, saying that she was 'unjustly enriched' by the property now technically belonging to her.

PJ's Construction got the plot in Hawaiian Paradise Park on Hawaii's Big Island confused with this one next-door

Judge Robert D. S. Kim last week ordered PJ's Construction to foot the bill for the demolition of the house immediately, despite it being worth some $500,000

The strange saga began last year, when Reynolds discovered the house had been built on her idyllic slice of land. PJ's Construction, which was contracted by Keaau Development to build the house and 11 others nearby, had mistakenly built the property on the wrong plot

The company had telephone poles to try to identify them, legal filings said, but built the house on Lot 114 instead of Lot 115, located on the other side of one of the properly marked poles.

Reynolds has described the whole situation as 'awful,' and recalled how the house had attracted squatters over the past several months. She also had to pay for fencing to surround the empty home, as well as several thousand dollars in property taxes

Reynolds, meanwhile, rejected the developer's offer for a neighboring lot of equal size and value - arguing the land she had purchased was 'sacred' and had 'all the right qualities' to serve as the bedrock for her family for generations to come.

She repeatedly described the situation as 'awful,' and recalled how the house had attracted squatters over the past several months.

'It was so disgusting,' she told Fox19 of human feces found inside the house as a result.

She also had to pay for fencing to surround the empty home, as well as several thousand dollars in property taxes.

The developer eventually pulled everyone involved into the lawsuit so that a judge could decide who was ultimately responsible for the drastic mistake - paving the way for Kim's ruling Monday.

He said the company may seek contribution or indemnity from Keaau Development at a subsequent trial or hearing, but for now has to bear the burden of razing the misplaced home.

He also said the companies had 'seriously disturbed the peaceable use, enjoyment, and possession of real property' by bulldozing Reynolds' plot of land, which "removed all of the previously standing native vegetation,"

'We are thrilled with the court's decision that PJ's Construction must bear the costs of demolishing the unauthorized structure on Anne Reynolds' property,' Reynolds' lawyer James D. DiPasquale said

'This ruling not only preserves Anne's property rights but also sets a precedent for accountability in the construction industry'

A 'long period of neglect' that ensued then allowed Albizia trees to 'infest' the lot, he wrote, adding how it was now 'impossible' to return the property to its original state.

He also declared the company and the developer "cut corners to reduce construction costs," citing how they excavated the lot and built the house without a survey

. He added that because the construction permits were approved for Lot 115, not Lot 114, the house was illegal. The case is still ongoing, with a trial scheduling conference set for the end of July.
Jill Biden insists she and her husband 'will continue to fight' despite his catastrophic TV debate performance.

The First Lady, 73, said last night that she and Joe Biden 'will not let those 90 minutes define the four years he's been president'. She added that the 81-year-old Democrat 'will always do what's best for the country.'

The interview in Vogue magazine came as it emerged that the Biden family 'united behind' him during a meeting at Camp David last weekend.

Jill Biden insists she and her husband 'will continue to fight' despite his catastrophic TV debate performance

They feel that 'you get up and keep fighting' after such knockbacks and believe that few voters will have been swayed by the debate last Thursday.

Hunter Biden, 54, who was found guilty on three charges related to buying a handgun, wants America to see 'the version of his father that he knows'.

That he is 'scrappy [feisty and determined] and in command of the facts', The New York Times reported.

Joe Biden during the presidential debate with former United States President Donald Trump

Such certainty among Mr Biden's inner circle has exasperated many Democrats who don't believe he can beat Donald Trump. In the TV debate he rambled and often looked ponderous.

But the website Axios is reporting that Mr Biden's supporters have drawn up an eight-point plan to quell unrest.

The top priority is to stop 'bedwetting' among Democrats and to warn that replacing Mr Biden would be 'chaos' with just four months to go.


SPC Sheikh Darvesh Saheb Days after state police chief (SPC) Sheikh Darvesh Saheb was given a years extension by the Kerala government, a court here ordered the attachment of a property owned by his wife following a complaint of breach of contract. The case pertains to a sale agreement entered by the wife of Saheb with Umar Sherief in June last year.



According to the agreement, the sale of 10.8 cents of land owned by Sahebs wife in the city was to be bought by Sherief for Rs 74 lakh.



Sherief told the media that he first paid Rs 15 lakh and later Rs 10 lakh and then handed over Rs 5 lakh at the SPC's office which Saheb acknowledged in receipt.



Then when I asked for the original document, I later came to know that he had already pledged it with a commercial bank. Then, when I said I was no longer interested in the land and wanted the advance that I paid to be returned, he did not honour it despite several requests of mine. He said he can return the money only after he sold it to some other person, said Sherief.



As his requests were repeatedly turned down, he approached a local court. After hearing the petition, the court decided to attach the property and ordered that when the money is returned, the attachment will be lifted.



However, Saheb claimed that after paying the advance, Sherief erected a compound wall in the property and later failed to pay the balance amount. The SPC said that it was he who had suffered a loss.



The state police chief said that he would fight the case legally.




A lesbian couple was beaten by group of men who they accuse of first making rude comments about their sexuality while they were out celebrating their birthdays.

Terrifying scenes captured on video show the couple surrounded by nearly a dozen men, with one woman lying on the floor while another appears to be held back by one of the alleged attackers.

The assault came after one of the men allegedly made a rude comment about Emma MacLean as she was walking in downtown Halifax, Canada, with her girlfriend Tori Hogan after visiting a few bars to celebrate Emma's birthday on June 22.

McClean described the men as 'Middle Eastern', and said they are 'believed to be from Syria'.

Tori, upset about the slur, stood up for Emma and said: 'Hey, watch your mouth, that's my girlfriend,' as she followed the men to confront them, Saltwire reports.

But then the group of about 10 men allegedly started beating Tori around 1.30am.

Emma MacLean, left, and her girlfriend Tori, right, were assaulted by a group of men in downtown Halifax late last month while they were out celebrating one of their birthdays

The group of men, believed to be from Syria, surrounded one woman - while the other struggled to break free from another man's clutches

Emma MacLean said she suffered a chipped tooth, a broken nose and bruises in the aftermath, while Tori had bruises all over her body

Emma said Tori suffered bruises under her eye and on her arm in the alleged attack

'I see Tori being pushed on the stairs right in front of the BMO Centre, and they are cement stairs, and she's on her back - that's when all the men started punching and kicking them,' Emma told CTV News.

At first, Emma said she yelled at the men to stop, but they ignored her and continued their assault on her girlfriend to the point Tori was 'basically flying through the air' as she was getting pushed.

'All at once they all just swarmed her and started punching and kicking her in the ribs. Then I kind of got into my fight or flight,' Emma told Saltwire.

She explained that she tried to protect Tori, saying she 'basically jumped on one of their backs and put them in a chokehold - trying to restrain them.'

But video shows some of the men in the group kicking at one of the women, who was lying on the ground - while the other struggled to break free from another man's clutches.

Eventually, a bystander alerted police patrolling the area nearby - but by the time the officers arrived, the fight had already ended, according to Emma.

Officers then spoke with one of the men involved in the alleged assault, who reportedly blamed the fight on the two women.

While he gave his ID, the other men involved refused to cooperate with police and identify themselves, according to Emma.

Police told CTV News they are still investigating the incident, and no charges have been brought against the assailants, who Emma and Tori believe to be between the ages of 18 and 24.

Emma said police told her they are hoping to get CCTV footage of the incident, but she said the existing videos taken by witnesses already show the men 'beating up two girls'.

While Emma said Tori suffered bruises on her arm and under her eye in the attack, she was left with a chipped tooth, a broken nose as well as bruises.

A cop on the scene told MacLean that one of the men blamed the women for the assault, while the others refused to cooperate

Emma said she believes that her and Tori were targets of hate crime due to their attacker's homophobic comments

MacLean is now asking the public to help identify her assailants

Recounting the incident, Emma said she 'felt punches and kicks and then I felt it on my nose and there was blood'.

'I just thought "This needs to stop now,"' she added, telling CTV News how her nose was originally too swollen for surgery.

Both Emma and Tori are rugby players and Emma grew up learning mixed martial arts in her father's gym.

Police-reported hate crime in Canada

The most recent data covers 2022 and shows a total of 3,576 reported hate crime incidents in Canada. Of these, 491 are in relation to sexual orientation. The majority of reported hate crime incidents, 1,950, were related to race or ethnicity of the victims. Overall, the number of reported incidents increased in 2022 compared to the year before. The hate crimes relating to sexual orientation increased by 12 per cent from 2021 to 2022. Source: Statistics Canada Advertisement

Despite her training, Emma said she surprised herself by not throwing a single punch and instead opting to try and restrain one of the attackers.

'I put them in a choke hold,' she said, remembering that both her and the man fell to the ground before she let go after 'being manhandled'.

She added that the incident left her 'terrified' to into downtown in Halifax after something 'so out of control' could happen.

Emma said she would have to be in a large group to feel safe enough to go downtown again and that it's heartbreaking for something like this to happen during Pride Month.

'Now people will be terrified to hold their partner's hand walking down the street. Its just a major setback,' she told Saltwire.

She said she believes that her and Tori were targets of hate crime due to their attacker's homophobic comments.

Emma told Saltwire that the men told Tori: 'You wish you had a dick.'

'Clearly, they picked her out  she's a more masculine-presenting lady than I am, so I think they thought they had the go ahead  she was fair game for them,' she said.

Emma went on to share photos of the men from the night of the attack, and pleaded for anyone with information on the incident or potentially even video footage to come forward.

Halifax Regional Police said in a statement that it was taking incidents 'motivated by hate toward a specific group very seriously'.

The force also encouraged anyone who 'find themselves exposed to behavior that is offensive, threatening or intimidating' to report it to officers.

The statement continued: 'Even if the investigation does not find criminal wrongdoing in that specific incident, it is important to have it on record as part of the collective effort to identify trends and prevent violence.'
Elon Musk humiliated Kamala Harris on his social media platform X Monday, confirming she lied about Donald Trump's position on a national abortion ban.

In April, Trump said that he is against a national abortion ban - and wouldn't sign a law if re-elected as president because he already 'broke' Roe v. Wade, while refusing to clarify if he identifies as pro-choice or pro-life.

Trump reiterated that position during his first debate with Harris' boss Joe Biden Thursday, in a horrific spectacle that has left Democrats reeling for what to do next ever since.

However, on Monday, Harris tweeted: 'Donald Trump would ban abortion nationwide. President @JoeBiden and I will do everything in our power to stop him and restore women's reproductive freedom.'

Musk reposted a screenshot of the tweet to his own account, complete with several community notes reiterating Trump's resistance to a national ban.

Elon Musk humiliated Kamala Harris on his social media platform X Monday, confirming she lied about Donald Trump's position on a national abortion ban

The Tesla CEO wrote: 'When will politicians, or at least the intern who runs their account, learn that lying on this platform doesnt work anymore?'

The community notes cited pieces published by center-left and even reliably liberal-friendly outlets like CNN, BBC, The Associated Press and The New York Times.

Trump told reporters at the April press event with Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago that there is no need for a national abortion ban anymore because of the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The president previously flip flopped over he would support a national abortion ban, angering supporters on the right and liberals.

'We don't need it any longer because we broke Roe v. Wade, and we did something that nobody thought was possible. We gave it back to the states and the states are working very brilliantly in some cases,' he explained.

When pressed further by a reporter over whether he identifies as 'pro-choice' or 'pro-life,' Trump brushed it off.

'You know exactly which one it is,' he responded. He then went on to compare himself to Ronald Reagan, because the two GOP leaders were once registered Democrats.

'When I was in New York, and when I was a Democrat also just like Ronald Reagan, you know. Ronald Reagan was a Democrat, we sort of fall in a very similar path.'

On Monday, Harris tweeted: 'Donald Trump would ban abortion nationwide. President @JoeBiden and I will do everything in our power to stop him and restore women's reproductive freedom'

The Tesla CEO wrote in defense of Trump: 'When will politicians, or at least the intern who runs their account, learn that lying on this platform doesnt work anymore?'

He praised the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, three of which he appointed as president.

Trump also accused Democrats as being the 'radicals on this' because they're willing to have abortions up to birth.

'That's extreme and that's radical, and nobody should have that. And it has to be ended.'

The former president released a video earlier this week in which he stated that abortion policy should be let up to the states - finally revealing his stance on the highly controversial issue after teasing it for months.

He didn't specify a time frame in which he would support or not support abortion in the video of his highly-anticipated announcement posted on Truth Social.

Trump celebrated the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which has caused two years of debate over how abortion should be handled now at the state and federal levels.

The 77-year-old also said in the four-and-a-half minute video that he believed in exceptions for a right to terminate a pregnancy in the case of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

'We have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,' Trump said in the video.

Trump told reporters at the April press event with Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago that there is no need for a national abortion ban anymore because of the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

The president previously flip flopped over he would support a national abortion ban, angering supporters on the right and liberals

He also accused Democrats of believing in 'executing the baby after birth'.

Previously, Trump has suggested he would support a 15-week federal-level ban on abortion.

Speaking last month on radio show Sid & Friends in the Morning Trump confirmed some reports that he was considering proposing policies that would implement a federal ban that would allow abortion through the first trimester.

'The number of weeks, now, people are agreeing on 15, and I'm thinking in terms of that, and it'll come out to something that's very reasonable,' Trump said in the interview.

'But people are really  even hard-liners are agreeing, seems to be 15 weeks, seems to be a number that people are agreeing at. But I'll make that announcement at the appropriate time.'

Now, Trump dodged by throwing the issue to the states.

Those most staunchly against abortion are disappointed that Trump didn't go far enough with his policy roll-out after calling himself for years the most pro-life president in U.S. history.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America says the group is 'deeply disappointed' in Trump's position and said giving the issue to the states 'cedes the national debate to the Democrats.

The group said it will 'work tirelessly to defeat President Biden' in November.
Labour's housing policies are a 'threat to our green spaces' Housing Secretary Michael Gove has warned.

He accused Sir Keir Starmer of not caring about 'concreting over the countryside and bulldozing through the concerns of local communities'.

Sir Keir has pledged to begin a housebuilding blitz in the first weeks of a Labour government and hopes to identify green-belt sites which could be used to ensure targets are met.

But senior Tories have now claimed that a vote for Labour on Thursday ensures Britain's green spaces will be under threat.

Mr Gove told the Daily Express: 'They don't want to give local people a say over housing and will go as far as ignoring local communities in development plans. Be in no doubt, Labour's flagship housing policies are a threat to our green spaces.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has accused Sir Keir Starmer of not caring about 'concreting over the countryside and bulldozing through the concerns of local communities'

'They simply don't care about concreting over the countryside and bulldozing through the concerns of local communities.'

The Conservative Party has pledged to build 1.6 million homes compared to Labour's target of 1.5 million. But while Rishi Sunak has maintained the party's 'cast iron' commitment to protecting the green belt, Labour want to free up lower quality green-belt land, which it is terming 'grey belt', to build on.

Sir Keir has said he wants to 'hit the ground running' when it comes to housing, with three policy announcements expected in the first two weeks of a Labour government.

But former cabinet secretary Dame Priti Patel said his attitude risked angering local communities. 'Sir Keir Starmer has been boasting that he'll ignore the views and concerns of local people,' she said.

The Tories have attempted to make housing and home ownership a dividing line in the election.

Sir Keir has said he wants to 'hit the ground running' when it comes to housing and plans to make drastic changes if eh gets into office. Pictured with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Mr Gove has previously accused Sir Keir of imposing a 'first-time buyers tax' after Labour confirmed they would not match the Tory commitment to abolish stamp duty for properties under 425,000.

Sir Keir last night said planning reform is his highest priority as he committed to start work on it 'straight away' if he is elected later this week.

Asked if his first action would be to reform the planning system, the Labour leader replied: 'Yes.'

Speaking to ITV News, he added: 'We cannot go on with the system as it is. Infrastructure takes years.

'Housing takes years to build. We're too slow. We're too expensive. We're over budget.

'We have to take the tough decisions to get the country moving. And we'll start on that if we're elected to serve our country, we'll start on that straight away.'
Labour's plan to water down anti-strike laws will plunge Britain back into the 'bad old days' of 1970s-style snap walkouts or spark huge tax hikes, the Tories warned last night.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper sounded the alarm as he pointed out that the only rail dispute yet to be resolved is with the union whose militant boss sits on Labour's powerful National Executive Committee.

At present, union barons can only call walkouts if 40 per cent of members vote in favour on a turnout of 50 per cent. They must also give two weeks' notice of any strikes.

But Mr Harper told the Mail these protections for the public would be swept away given that they are enshrined in the Trade Union Act 2016, which Labour has pledged to repeal.

He added that this would lead to much more damaging strike campaigns or send the cost of running public services soaring to meet union barons' demands, in turn requiring tax hikes.

Labour's plan to water down anti-strike laws will plunge Britain back into the 'bad old days' of 1970s-style snap walkouts or spark huge tax hikes, the Tories warned last night

Robert Barrowcliffe (pictured) has entered the political ring as the Reform UK candidate for the Ashton-under-Lyne constituency in Thursday's general election

Robert Barrowcliffe, 25, who fights under the alias Rob Valentine, has entered the political ring as Reform UK's candidate

The overhaul is part of Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner's promise to strengthen workers' rights.

The swipe at Labour comes as Ms Rayner faces a knockout election contest with a professional wrestler in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency. Robert Barrowcliffe, 25, who fights under the alias Rob Valentine, has entered the political ring as Reform UK's candidate.

Ms Rayner has also vowed to reverse the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 within 100 days of taking power. The legislation was introduced to allow employers to force workers into delivering a minimum level of service during strikes to limit their impact.

Separate analysis has also claimed that a return to 'French-style' union laws under a Labour government could lead to intimidation in the workplace and bullying by militant hard-Left members.

The Tory probe into Labour's Plan To Make Work Pay highlights how it includes a pledge to bring back 'workplace ballots' and give 'access rights' for union reps into workplaces.

It is feared this could lead to some workers being bullied into strike action by militant members, making strike action more likely. Currently, strike ballots must be posted to the worker's home by law.

Mr Harper said: 'I don't think it's a coincidence that the one [rail] union which has refused to put the deal that is on the table to its members is the one whose general-secretary sits on Labour's National Executive Committee and who runs the Trade Unions for Labour Organisation.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper sounded the alarm as he pointed out that the only rail dispute yet to be resolved is with the union whose militant boss sits on Labour's powerful National Executive Committee

'And Louise Haigh [Shadow Transport Secretary] herself has said that she wants to 'work hand in glove' with him.

'And I think that combined with Angela Rayner's trade union laws means you'd have strikes where you didn't have to meet [turnout] thresholds, you didn't have to give notice and I think you go to the bad old days where they'd call strike action and expect loads of money to be thrown at them.

'It's taxpayers' money and you therefore either get a much more expensive railway, which ultimately gets passed on to consumers, or you get a railway with even more disruption than you've had from the strike action today. But that goes for all other types of unions as well, not just transport.'

The Aslef union, which represents train drivers, has been striking for nearly two years after rejecting an offer of an 8 per cent pay hike. Ms Haigh previously promised to work 'hand in glove' with the union's militant boss Mick Whelan.
A driver is on the run after crashing into a home in Melbourne's north.

A father and his five-year-old daughter were sound asleep in the Greenvale home when the car crashed into their garage at 3.45am on Tuesday.

The vehicle caught alight with flames quickly spreading to the home which sustained extensive damage before firefighters arrived.

The father and daughter escaped with only minor injuries.

Police have just established a crime scene and are reportedly investigating the incident as a potentially targeted attack.

It took fire crews with the help of neighbouring residents, about 40 minutes to extinguish the flames which was contained to the home.

Images from the scene showed the damaged and charred garage door being inspected by firefighters as police arrived at the scene.

The driver crashed into the garage of the home in Melbourne's north at 3.45am on Tuesday

The car burst into flames and caused a serious house fire at the Arkose Street property
New York investment banker Jonathan Kaye was attacked and called anti-Semitic slurs outside his court appearance, after being charged with assault for slugging a woman at a Pride event.

Kaye, 52, the now former managing director at Moelis & Company, made headlines in early June after viral video showed him throwing a vicious punch at a female reveler at the Brooklyn Pride Parade on June 8.

He was arrested on Monday morning after he willingly turned himself in to police in Brooklyn, where he has been booked on second and third degree assault charges.

Upon leaving court, he and his lawyer were met by attackers, at least one of whom - a man - went after Kaye with keys that they were attempting to use as a knife.

The group Kaye and his attorney engaged with also had antisemitic slurs hurled at them, with at least one member of the pro-Hamas group calling out 'Zionist pigs' and 'Jewish dogs'.

New York investment banker Jonathan Kaye was attacked outside his court appearance, after being charged with assault for slugging a woman at a Pride event

Kaye, 52, the now former managing director at Moelis & Company, made headlines in early June after viral video showed him throwing a vicious punch at a female reveler at the Brooklyn Pride Parade on June 8

The man physically attacked the lawyer from behind and then tried to chase Kaye with his car keys between his fingers.

A woman eventually told the attacker to run, which he did. DailyMail.com has reached out to the NYPD for comment.

It comes after sources close to the financier came forward with his side of the story in the wake of the controversy last month, claiming the fracas had unfolded after a group of four female 'Queers for Palestine' supporters allegedly started taunting the Jewish financier and throwing liquids at him as he left a nearby restaurant that night.

Unseen footage obtained by DailyMail.com offers new insight into the events leading up to scuffle, showing the moment the two parties cross paths on the street in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, before getting into a heated physical confrontation.

The CCTV images, captured by a nearby restaurant, show Kaye emerging from the right side of the sidewalk, where the group of revelers appear to be hanging out on the corner.

The two parties appear to exchange words as Kaye walks by, but he continues walking, before glancing back at the group after they allegedly begin hurling slurs and insults.

As he continues up the sidewalk, he crosses paths with someone who appears to be returning to the same group of friends in the corner, and they exchange words as well.

It is unknown exactly what was said, but it was apparently provocative enough to cause Kaye to stop and turn around and approach the group.

Upon leaving court, he and his lawyer were met by attackers, at least one of whom - a man - went after his female attorney with a knife

The group Kaye and his attorney engaged with also had antisemitic slurs hurled at them, with at least one member of the pro-Hamas group calling out 'Zionist pigs' and 'Jewish dogs'

Jonathan Kaye leaves Brooklyn Criminal Court after he was arraigned and released on his own recognizance for punching a woman at a Pride Rally in Brooklyn, with his lawyer, who was also reportedly attacked

The confrontation quickly turns chaotic and physical, with Kaye seen being surrounded and then shoved into the street, off screen, catching the attention of nearby onlookers.

After the altercation unfolds off camera, he reappears in frame seconds later and continues on his way down the sidewalk.

Last month sources told DailyMail.com that Kaye, who is Jewish, had told the group they were 'on the wrong side', prompting the women to gang up on him

Now, DailyMail.com understands Kaye had turned around and went back to confront the group after hearing the anti-Semitic slurs directed towards him.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Kaye's legal representative Danya Perry, Perry Law said: 'Mr. Kaye, a middle-aged Jewish man with no history of violence or aggression, was terrorized, assaulted, and surrounded by a group of unruly anti-Semitic protesters.

'What the previously released video clip does not show is what another video and other evidence we have shared with the DA does show: that these agitators formed a ring at him, doused him with two unknown liquids, shoved him to the ground, and hurled anti-Semitic slurs at him.

'Terrified and injured, Mr. Kaye managed to act in self-defense to escape the situation and return safely to his family. We are hopeful that the District Attorney will fully and fairly consider these facts, along with the surge of anti-Semitic acts, protests, and attacks that are ravaging our city. We will aggressively fight injustice, and we look forward to a full vindication for our client.'

As previously reported by DailyMail.com, insiders close to the 52-year-old banker had claimed the viral clip did not capture the full clash, which they say began when the group began hurling anti-Semitic slurs at Kate, who is Jewish.

New footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows the moment millionaire investment banker Jonathan Kaye first encounters a group of Pride parade-goers as he walks by them on the corner of a Brooklyn street on June 8

Kaye, 52, continues walking down the sidewalk where he then encounters another member of the group (red arrow) and the two exchange words

It is unknown what was said between the two, but the exchange was enough to prompt Kaye to turn around and approach the group. The bankers' attorneys have claimed the group had hurled anti-Semitic slurs at him

The confrontation quickly turns aggressive and violent, as the group gangs up on Kaye and shoves him onto the street

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.

'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.

Kaye was recorded throwing a punch at the unnamed woman during a pride parade in Brooklyn on Saturday evening, although there has not been an official probe launched by the NYPD.

Viral video had shown Kaye 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

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

Posters with his face, home address and cell phone number have been 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.

Defending the banker, who works as a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown Manhattan, the source said the whole thing was 'super anti-Semitic'.

They added: 'You can clearly see in the video, if you slow it down, that he's wet because they were throwing liquids at him.

'That video clip is cut and doesn't show the entire thing. He's never had one issue in his entire life never been arrested or anything.

'It was a super anti Semitic attack of four individuals ganging up against one Jewish man. It's left him completely traumatized.'

Kaye is currently under investigation by the bank, with a spokesman confirming his identity and adding that they are taking the footage and allegations seriously. An official report has not yet been made to the NYPD though they are aware of the footage.

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.

Kaye, who lives his wife, owns multiple properties on the street, which he rents out to neighbors.

One said she was 'shocked' when she saw the footage this morning, adding that the father-of-three always seemed 'normal', although she normally spoke with his wife.

Another neighbor described scenes of chaos on the usually quiet street last night, as the victim's friends ran up and down screaming that Kaye had assaulted a woman.
A primary school headmistress who was sacked and accused of assault after tapping her own toddler's hand while he played with a bottle of hand sanitiser has been awarded more than 100,000.

Shelly-Ann Malabver-Goulbourne was trying to get her three-year-old to stop playing with the bottle in her office when she used two fingers to attract his attention, an employment tribunal heard.

The incident was witnessed by the teacher in charge of child safety who accused her of hurting her son and filed an official complaint. Police officers were called in and the head was suspended.

Despite the police ruling that her actions were 'reasonable chastisement' by a parent, Ms Malabver-Goulbourne, 46, was found guilty of gross misconduct and sacked.

Yet an employment judge concluded there was no evidence that she had committed 'physical chastisement or an assault' and ruled her dismissal unfair.

Former head of Northwold Primary School in Hackney (pictured) has been awarded more than 100,000 for unfair dismissal

Now, she has won 102,328 in compensation following her unfair dismissal case.

Ms Malabver-Goulbourne was the head of Northwold Primary School in Hackney, east London which is run by the Arbor Academy Trust, where she had been a teacher for 'many years'.

What is the Arbor Academy Trust?

Davies Lane Primary School, in Leytonstone and Selwyn Primary School, in Highams Park, formed the Arbor Academy Trust in 2016. Prior to this, the two schools had been working together since 2011 as part of a local authority improvement strategy. In 2015, Davies Lane was awarded national support school status following its strong track record of school improvement. In 2016, Davies Lane was awarded Teaching School status. CEO of the Trust Maureen Okoye is also a current Ofsted inspector. In February 2019, Woodford Green Primary School joined the Trust. In January 2020, Northwold Primary School joined the Trust. Advertisement

She first joined in 2005 as a teacher before being promoted to the head of the school in 2017.

The incident that led to her sacking took place on January 17, 2022, the tribunal heard, when Ms Malabver-Goulbourne was working late in her office.

'It was around 6.20pm and [Ms Malabver-Goulbourne] was packing up her things to go home after having a meeting with Ms Bhagwandas, the designated lead for safeguarding,' the hearing was told.

'[Her] two children who attended the school were in her offices with her, waiting for her to take them home. [Her] youngest child, her son J, who was 3 years old at the time, was in the room, as was her 11-year-old daughter.

'J took up a bottle of hand sanitiser which was on a table. [Her] daughter told her that he had squirted some to the floor. [Ms Malabver-Goulbourne] took the sanitiser out of his hand.'

Employment Judge Julia Jones said: 'I find it likely that she then bent down to his level to speak to him about why he should not be playing with hand sanitiser.

'When she did so he turned his face away from her and she tapped him with two fingers on the back of his hand to get his attention, so that he would look at her to hear what she was saying.'

Two weeks earlier the toddler had got hand sanitiser in his eye, the tribunal heard.

Shelly-Ann Malabver-Goulbourne was trying to get her three-year-old to stop playing with a bottle of hand sanitizer. Pictured: File photo of hand sanitizer

'It was with the knowledge of that earlier experience that [Ms Malabver-Goulbourne] wanted to speak to him again to ensure that he understood that hand sanitiser was not a toy that he should be playing with.'

Ms Bhagwandas then told the head teacher that she should not have hurt her son and that she should have spoken to him instead.

Ms Malabver-Goulbourne replied that she had not hurt her son as all she had done was tap him with two fingers to get his attention.

However, Ms Bhagwandas was 'unhappy' with her response and completed a 'cause for concern' form to report a 'safeguarding incident'.

'In it she reported that she had witnessed [Ms Malabver-Goulbourne] smack J on the hand,' the tribunal heard.

'She also stated that before doing so, [she] had told J that she was going to smack him and expressed disregard for the Ms Bhagwandas' presence in the office.

'Ms Bhagwandas reported that the child had been crying and that she had pacified him.'

Her complaint led to Ms Malabver-Goulbourne being suspended, a disciplinary investigation launched and the local authority and police being called.

The tribunal was told that neither the council nor the police - who interviewed all of the head teacher's children - thought further action necessary with officers concluding what she had done was 'reasonable chastisement'.

'[The officer] considered that physical chastisement could be appropriate because the child was in possession of a chemical, which could have caused irritation to his eyes, and he accepted [his mother's] explanation that her response was to get him out of harm's way,' the tribunal heard.

However, the trust continued its investigation into whether Ms Malabver-Goulbourne 'assaulted a pupil/child whilst in a position of trust and on school premises'.

When interviewed, Ms Bhagwandas accused the head teacher of inflicting pain on a child, that she was shocked at what happened and considered it a form of corporal punishment.

Ms Malabver-Goulbourne defended herself by claiming that her actions were designed to get her son's attention and not to hurt him.

'[She said that] when explaining inappropriate behaviours to her child she will say 'this is wrong we don't do that' and explain why or show him the appropriate way to behave,' the tribunal heard.

'She explained that this is what she did when her son J took up the hand sanitiser the first time at home.

'When it happened again in school, she reminded him about the first encounter with the sanitiser and that it had got into his eyes. [She said] that she used 'tapping' on J's wrist to get his attention.

'She described this action as meaning, 'Look at me when I am talking to you, focus on me and what I am saying' as he looked away when she was talking to him.

'[She said] that her son had not cried from her tapping the top of his hand, he started whining because she took the bottle away from him. She had not done it in anger or as a punishment.

'She tapped him on the top of his hand to get his attention to explain to him the danger of playing with hand sanitiser as she was worried about what could happen to him. She was clear that she had not smacked him.'

In May 2022, the trust sacked Ms Malabver-Goulbourne for gross misconduct.

'The Trust expressly forbids any physical chastisement or contact of any kind,' she was told. 'Therefore, whether a tap or otherwise, this was unnecessary physical contact with a pupil, which constitutes an assault, and therefore a breach of policies and statutory guidance.'

However, EJ Jones said that the school's code of conduct does not prohibit all physical contact between pupils and teachers and pointed out that as a parent of pupils that would be a difficult rule for the head teacher to abide by.

Upholding her claim for unfair dismissal, EJ Jones said: 'It is this Tribunal's judgement that [the Trust] had sufficient evidence...that she was trying to prevent injury to her child and addressing his behaviour.

'There was no evidence that she had committed physical chastisement or an assault.'
Jay Slater's mother yesterday urged police to keep going with their investigation as the hiker who found a pair of mystery sunglasses says the area where the teen's phone last pinged suggested someone had thrown it there.

Heartbroken mother Debbie, father Warren, and brother Zak are understood to have spoken with Spanish cops over the phone to make 'sure the police aren't giving up on Jay', according to a family source.

They have been in constant contact with the police after being left 'blindsided' by Sunday's decision to call off the hunt for the missing 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer after 14 days scouring the mountains in Tenerife.

It comes as amateur sleuths who have taken over the search for Jay in the police's absence claimed they have discovered a new clue which could help explain what happened to him.

TikTok sleuth and amateur mountaineer Paul Arnott, who has been assisting Jay's family since the police wound down their investigation, told MailOnline a pair of sunglasses similar to the ones Jay was last seen wearing had been found close to where his mobile phone last pinged.

Jay Slater's mother Debbie (pictured) father Warren, and brother Zak are understood to have spoken with Spanish cops over the phone to make 'sure the police aren't giving up on Jay'

Cops have called off the hunt for the missing 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer after 14 days scouring the mountains in Tenerife

A family source told The Mirror: 'The family want to be sure the police arent giving up on Jay. They are in constant contact with them about the case.'

The sunglasses were handed in to the family, which were found by Chris Pennington, 43, originally from Chester and a former British Army reservist who served in Iraq with the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry.

He told the MailOnline how he found the sunglasses and believes the area where Jay's phone last pinged suggested someone had thrown it in there.

Mr Pennington who now lives in Tenerife, told MailOnline: 'I've done a bit of hiking and mountaineering and wanted to help out the family.

'They are desperate to find their lad and with my background I thought I could do my bit.

'I parked up near the viewpoint near where the phone last pinged and found them on the ground near some bushes and in the area where they have been searching.

'I don't know if they are Jay's but as a duty of care I picked them up and told the Guardia Civil about them.

'They told me not to touch them if possible and wrap them in paper not plastic and I did and handed them in.

'They also took my DNA and fingerprints as well. It must be awful for the family with the search sacking back and they haven't had any news for two weeks weeks.

'I walked a bit further towards where they said his phone pinged but it was a challenge to get through, it was impossible.

The pair of sunglasses found by Chris Pennington, 43, originally from Chester and a former British Army reservist who served in Iraq with the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry

A sleuth claimed a pair of sunglasses has been found on a remote Tenerife mountain that could belong to missing raver Jay Slater

The video, which has since been deleted, shows a pair of broken black sunglasses lying on the ground near to the Mirador viewing point, in the area where his phone was last tracked in the Rural de Teno Park near the village of Masca

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

Jay's desperate family have called in the help of one TikTok sleuth - Paul Arnott (pictured). He has blasted a police search on his TikTok account as a 'PR exercise'

The 29-year-old, who runs the TikTok account Down the Rapids and describes himself as an 'explorer', has been searching for Jay since Saturday. He has posted more than 70 videos since, racking up millions of views

'You would have needed a machete to get through all that undergrowth so this phone pinged from there it's because someone threw it in there.

'The sunglasses were about 50 metres from the road near a tunnel I wanted to search. I saw them glinting in the sun and picked them up.'

Mr Arnott, an adventurer and mountaineer from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, cancelled a charity fundraiser to fly out to Tenerife last week and join the search and rescue operation.

The self-described explorer, who has been sharing clips on TikTok of his own search operation, has been backed by Jay's family, who he claims are 'really proud' of his efforts.

After Spanish officials called off the search, he told MailOnline: 'The police say they have searched everywhere but I'm not happy with that.

'If they had searched everywhere they would have found him, but they haven't and I'm convinced he is on that mountain.

'I've been along ridges and gullies they haven't been down and now I intend to look at two other ravines.

'They say they have searched everywhere but in my opinion that haven't and that's why I am carrying on.'

Mr Arnott also revealed he had refused help from Jay's family and said: 'They are so amazing and lovely. They just want to find Jay and I want to help them.

'They keep offering to pay for my food and accommodation, but I keep telling them no. I don't want anything and I don't want anything from the Go Fund Me site.

Jay's father Warren along with with Jay's mother Debbie and a number of his friends have flown to the Spanish island

Warren Slater (right), 58, and his son Zak (left), 24, pictured alongside volunteers at the remote mountain spot outside the village of Masca where Jay's mobile phone last pinged

'What I would be interested in doing is setting up my own fund to pay for a team from Scotland mountain rescue to come out here.'

Speaking on ITV's This Morning, he said: 'There has been a lot of people around however I've only seen four people actually searching.

'The rest of the people are standing on the side of the road, blocking off paths, trying to stop news reporters going into certain areas.

'The four people that are searching are doing a good job of searching the paths.

'They've gone off-grid a little bit from what I can see but everyone else is just standing about.'

Meanwhile, a family friend told The Times that the Slaters were 'in the dark' about the next steps of the investigation.

It emerged that Spanish authorities say there is 'no current evidence of criminality' in the Jay Slater case.

The female investigating judge who is being kept informed of developments has been told the Civil Guard sees nothing at this stage pointing to Jay being the victim of a crime.

As is standard procedure in Spain, the police force is reporting to a court which has opened a routine judicial investigation and has declined to comment on what it is doing behind the scenes as part of a 'parallel probe' which has continued despite the ending of the visible mountain search.

TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who worked on the Nicola Bulley case, urged the family to use the 45,000 raised in GoFundMe donations to hire 'experts' to help find him.

Echoing the family's 'disappointment' to end the search, he told the Mirror: 'I have advised the family to use the GoFundMe money to bring in a large team of experts to flood the area from where we know Jay last was.'

A judicial source, speaking on condition of anonymity as is normal in Spain, said: 'There is no evidence of criminality at this stage in this case.

'That's not to say things won't change because the case remains open and investigations are ongoing. But right now that's the situation.'

Another said: 'This missing persons' case has been judicialised as is normal in Spain and it's been lodged at Court of Instruction Number One in Icod de los Vinos.

'The Civil Guard don't have to tell the judge about everything officers are doing but will be keeping her updated on case progress and of course update her on any significant developments.'

In line with the revelation that the Jay Slater probe is being treated at the moment as a missing person inquiry and not a crime, officials confirmed investigating judge Maria Goya has not declared it 'secret' to protect the judicial proceedings.

An order called in Spanish a 'secreto de sumario' is often slapped on a criminal probe in its infancy, preventing even defence lawyers and prosecuting attorneys from accessing case files.

Such orders also prevent public officials from revealing details of any case files with breaches punishable by heavy fines.

Judges who make their investigations secret when cases are still in their infancy act out of a desire to avoid them being compromised by minimising the risk of leaks.

The judicial source said: 'The Jay Slater case that has been opened at the Icod de los Vinos court is not under any secrecy order.'
Rishi Sunak will today implore voters to use the power in their hands to deny Sir Keir Starmer a supermajority.

The Prime Minister will say that as few as 130,000 votes could swing the result and decide as many as 100 seats as he insists the election is not a 'foregone conclusion'.

In a speech today  with just 48 hours to go until the election  he will tell voters: 'You have the power to use your vote to prevent an unchecked Labour government.'

He will target former Tory voters who are considering voting Reform, and those who see a Labour win as an inevitability and plan to stay at home.

'If the opinion polls were to be reflected on election day, the UK would be headed for an unaccountable Labour supermajority  meaning higher taxes and uncontrolled migration, and an unchecked Labour party in power for a generation,' he will warn at the Oxfordshire event.

Rishi Sunak will today implore voters to use the power in their hands to deny Sir Keir Starmer a supermajority

'However, independent analysis shows an estimated 130,000 votes could decide upwards of 100 seats. In tight constituency races, just a small number of people lending their vote to the Conservatives would prevent a Labour supermajority.' Last night he urged Tory supporters not to 'surrender to Labour' and to fight for every vote.

An analysis of a YouGov MRP poll for The Times last week showed Labour could lose its projected majority if just 130,000 switch their votes before polling day.

It suggested that, despite Labour being on course for a landslide victory, the party's vote is so narrowly distributed that even a small swing could have dramatic consequences in terms of seats.

Just 34,000 swing voters in key seats could halve Labour's projected 200 majority, while the party would lose its majority if only 132,000 voters in the tightest races opt for the next-placed candidates.

It came as Sir Keir targeted traditionally true Blue seats on the campaign trail yesterday, touring Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. All three seats he visited are forecast to turn red, according to various polls, despite once being considered safe for the Conservatives. Asked yesterday about his choice of campaign stops, Sir Keir said: 'There are no 'no-go' areas.

It came as Sir Keir targeted traditionally true Blue seats on the campaign trail yesterday, touring Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

'I want to come to places like this, places that we wouldn't normally win, because I think it's important we see the task of earning every vote as one that is across the whole of country.'

At a campaign event in Leicestershire last night, Mr Sunak said: 'We have three days to save Britain from the danger of a Labour government.

'A Labour government that would hike up everyone's taxes by 2,000, would shunt our politics to the Left, and they would change the rules to entrench themselves in power for a decade. We cannot let Britain sleepwalk into this. It is our job, it is our duty to wake people up to that danger. So I say to every Conservative don't surrender to Labour, fight for every vote, fight for our values.'

Earlier he said voting for anyone but the Tories would make the UK a 'soft touch' on immigration. He said Sir Keir was going to cancel the Rwanda flights 'precisely at the time when the rest of Europe is recognising that having a safe alternative to send people is the right approach'.

Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn told the i newspaper that the Labour leader had imposed a 'straitjacket of conformity' on the party and warned him against being overconfident if he wins a big majority. Sir Keir said he wasn't going to apologise for putting Labour 'in a position to win an election'.
Labour's 'ideological' approach to Net Zero will see them 'clapping as the lights go out in Britain', the Energy Secretary said yesterday.

Claire Coutinho said Labour's race to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 would push up bills and risk energy blackouts.

In an interview with the Mail, she suggested shadow energy spokesman Ed Miliband had been 'locked in a cupboard' during the election campaign to prevent scrutiny of his agenda.

And she warned that his plan to ban new exploration in the North Sea would jeopardise energy security and cost jobs  and end up having to be reversed.

Ms Coutinho, whose East Surrey constituency is where Sir Keir Starmer grew up, also urged former Tory voters flirting with Reform that they would get 'the exact opposite of what they are looking for' if they inadvertently help Labour secure a supermajority. 'I tell them to look at Keir's instincts,' she said.

Claire Coutinho (pictured) said Labour's race to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 would push up bills and risk energy blackouts

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured with Claire Coutinho (right) and Chief Executive of Centrica Chris O'Shea (left)

In an interview with the Mail, she suggested shadow energy spokesman Ed Miliband (pictured, centre) had been 'locked in a cupboard' during the election campaign to prevent scrutiny of his agenda

'He was one of four people in the East Surrey Socialists and you can see those instincts in his fanatical approach to Net Zero  they'll be clapping as the lights go out in Britain.

'They can't say they'll protect women's spaces, they won't back higher defence spending, they believe that illegal immigrants are more deserving of our compassion than the hard-up taxpayers who have to pick up the bill and they want to tax the state pension because they believe what's yours is actually theirs.

'And if you dare to complain about any of it they'll call you a bigot or a flat-earther to try and shame you into silence. Ordinary people will end up paying the price for Keir's Left-wing ideals.'

Labour has watered down Mr Miliband's original pledge to borrow 28 billion a year to fund green initiatives and now says it will spend less than 25 billion over five years. But it has retained his goal to achieve 'clean power' by 2030.

The target is five years earlier than the Government's current goal and has been branded unachievable by many experts.

Ms Coutinho said the proposals would see the cost of achieving Net Zero 'explode'  and warned the plan would be 'a disaster for Britain'.

'If they were confident in their plans for Britain's energy, they would put Ed Miliband up for media interviews, but where is he?' she said. 'Is he locked in a cupboard somewhere?

'Their energy proposals are clearly a disaster for Britain. They'll put hundreds of billions of pounds worth of investment into our energy sector at risk and their solution is less than 10 billion via GB Energy.

Labour has watered down Mr Miliband's original pledge to borrow 28 billion a year to fund green initiatives and now says it will spend less than 25 billion over five years. But it has retained his goal to achieve 'clean power' by 2030

'It won't even touch the sides of what we'll lose. They've admitted GB Energy won't produce any energy and I can tell you it definitely won't save you any money . . .

'Their plans will cost hundreds of billions of pounds and who is going to pay that? It's ordinary Brits. It is either higher taxes or higher bills but either way it's not what families who've been struggling for the last few years need.'

Ms Coutinho noted that Mr Miliband previously praised direct action group Extinction Rebellion for their 'fantastic success' and that Labour has taken 5 million in donations from eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince who previously backed Just Stop Oil.

Key union backers, such as Unite and the GMB, have criticised Labour's plan to ban new oil and gas licences.
High-voltage power transmission lines owned by Pacific Gas & Electric are seen stretched across a neighborhood in western San Ramon. Some 12,000 customers could lose power as the region braces for high-risk wildfire weather. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2019

LIVE UPDATES: Excessive heat warnings continue as temps set to peak; fires burn across state

PG&E informed customers Monday that power outages could begin early Tuesday morning. A small proportion of those customers are in three Bay Area counties: Napa, Sonoma and Solano.

Customers north of Calistoga and near Vacaville appear to have had their power shut-off as of 8:25 a.m., according to PG&E's outage map.

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The other customers are spread across Northern California in Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa, Lake, Yolo and Butte counties, according to PG&E officials.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for parts of the Sacramento Valley, Lake County and Solano County as an exceptionally strong high-pressure system will move over California on Tuesday into Wednesday.

Parts of the Bay Area will likely see the hottest weather since September 2022. Inland portions of the Bay Area could see four straight days of 100-degree temperature, and parts of the North Bay and East Bay valleys could see temperatures approaching 110 degrees.

PG&E officials are asking customers subject to potential shutoffs to have a plan for power outages. All customers were notified via text, email and automated phone calls, PG&E said. Customers can also look up their address online to find out whether they may be subject to the power shutoff.

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We are closely monitoring areas where abnormally high heat is forecasted and demand on the grid will be elevated, such as the Santa Clara Valley and other interior Bay valleys. This is in addition to the entire Central Valley where temperatures are projected to be the hottest, said Scott Strenfel, senior director of meteorology and fire science at PG&E.
An elite City law firm has vowed to crackdown on 'microaggressions' in the office by launching an anonymous reporting hotline for staff upset by 'non-inclusive' language at work.

Hogan Lovells has created a new internal system for staff to report instances of 'microaggressions' or 'interactional bias' that make them uncomfortable.

The law firm, one of the highest earning in the world, says the hotline aims to create a 'a secure, anonymous channel to log incidents such as microaggressions or interactional bias related to gender, race, sexual orientation, disability and more.'

Critics on Legal Cheek, a website aimed at junior lawyers, described the hotline as 'Orwellian' and 'woke tokenism.'

Another speculated that that the hotline would be used protect the firm from constructive dismissal claims.

Hogan Lovells (pictured) has created a new internal system for staff to report instances of 'microaggressions' or 'interactional bias' that make them uncomfortable

Hogan Lovells has teamed up with InChorus, a technology platform that works with corporate partners to create 'speak up' hotlines that allow staff to report bullying, harassment and 'non-inclusive behaviours'.

One commenter said: 'Can't wait to tour the Hogan Lowell's special re-education centre.'

Hogan Lovells has teamed up with InChorus, a technology platform that works with corporate partners to create 'speak up' hotlines that allow staff to report bullying, harassment and 'non-inclusive behaviours'.

The system can be embedded into software such as Slack and Microsoft teams.

InChorus describes microaggressions as 'subtle, often unintentional, behaviours or comments that convey negative assumptions about a person's identity or background.'

Examples of microaggressions that could be reported included describing a mixed-gender group as 'guys' or calling a colleague of an ethnic minority background 'articulate'.

Other examples including reference to age, sexuality, disability, and social class such as calling younger colleagues 'kids' or 'babies' and 'making assumptions about someone's financial status'.

Penny Angell, UK managing partner at Hogan Lovells said: 'We know that there can be a reluctance to call out seemingly 'minor incidents', which may nonetheless contribute to someone feeling excluded or marginalised in the workplace.

The creation of the hotline comes after the Solicitors Regulation Authority announced it was investigating 24 cases of alleged bullying and harassment in top City law firms (File image)

'By embracing this technology, we can help ensure that every voice is heard, allowing us to review and act on trends over time and to foster an even more inclusive environment.'

The creation of the hotline comes after the Solicitors Regulation Authority announced in March it was investigating 24 cases of alleged bullying, harassment, and inappropriate pressure within law firms.
A soft approach on immigration by Labour could trigger the rise of 'extremist' parties as seen across Europe, James Cleverly warned yesterday.

The Home Secretary said that the Labour pledge to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme would end hopes of putting in place a 'deterrent' to crossing the Channel illegally.

It comes as populist parties on the Continent have seen a surge in support in response to rising public concern about the impact of immigration, including in France where president Emmanuel Macron faces humiliation at the hands of Marine Le Pen's hard-Right National Rally after a gamble on a snap election backfired.

Mr Cleverly said the evidence from around the world was that 'if governments don't get a grip of immigration... there is a risk that extremist parties take advantage of the disquiet'.

He told GB News: 'I worry that when Labour, not if, when Labour fall short on this issue, the anger of the British people could erupt in a whole load of different ways. That is why it's so important that people think very carefully about how they vote on July 4.'

The Home Secretary (pictured) said that the Labour pledge to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme would end hopes of putting in place a 'deterrent' to crossing the Channel illegally

Migrants pictured on a lifeboat after being picked up at sea while crossing the English Channel in August last year

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to 'smash the gangs' smuggling migrants across the Channel.

But Mr Cleverly said most of the measures being suggested by Labour were already being done. And he said Labour had no alternative deterrent scheme  and no clear plan for dealing with a backlog of up to 100,000 migrants who currently have no right to claim asylum in this country.

'He's going to scrap the Rwanda scheme,' Mr Cleverly said.

'There are big policy announcements of the creation of two new Home Office units, a border command and returns unit. They both already exist. They're already existing in the Home Office.

'So Labour are basically saying they are going to do less and somehow achieve more. It's like having an immigration policy where you're praying for rain.

'You have to actually have a plan. We have a plan. Labour do not.'

For its part, Labour has accused the Conservatives of 'losing control' of the UK's borders.

Sir Keir yesterday acknowledged a Labour government would have to stave off the populist Right but said he would move to restore faith in politics through 'deeds, not words'.

Asked how he would prevent the Hard Right topping the polls, as they have in France this week, he told reporters: 'The lesson I take from that is that we need to address the everyday concerns of so many people in this country who feel disaffected by politics, who feel that either the country is too broken to be mended or that they can't trust politicians.

'We have to take that head on and we have to show, on Thursday for the United Kingdom, and across Europe and the world, that only progressives have the answers to the challenges that are facing us in this country and across Europe.'

Sir Keir yesterday acknowledged a Labour government would have to stave off the populist Right but said he would move to restore faith in politics through 'deeds, not words'

Sir Keir said he was ready to work with Ms Le Pen on tackling the Channel migrant crisis if her party emerges from the current elections as the dominant force, putting her in prime position to topple Mr Macron as president when the time comes.

'I will work with any government in Europe and across the world if we are elected in to serve the country,' Sir Keir said.

'For me, that's what serious government is about. So yes, we will work with whoever. I do think it is important that we make the progressive case to meet the challenges that we face across Europe and across the world.'

But Rishi Sunak said the Labour leader would make the UK the 'soft touch of Europe' on illegal migration.

Challenged over his claim that migrants in Calais are waiting for a Labour government before making the crossing, Mr Sunak told reporters: 'That's what the illegal migrants themselves in Calais are saying.

'They know Rwanda is not somewhere they would like to go, it is a deterrent.. It's very simple  I don't think illegal migrants should get to stay in our country.'
An ex-cabinet minister has argued Australia could have been making its own electric vehicles if manufacturers had been given more support from the government.

Former Labor industry minister Kim Carr, who is now a professional fellow at Monash University, said an all-electric Holden Commodore could have been made locally.

His comment comes as Australia becomes increasingly reliant on overseas imports with Chinese cars now accounting for 80 per cent of Australia's EV market.

Mr Carr said vehicles, such as a hydrogen-powered Toyota, could have been made if car manufacturing still existed in Australia with government subsidies.

'There's no doubt in my mind we could have been building hydrogen cars,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'The industry would have evolved as we set the foundations for that evolution. There was actually a green car innovation fund project to produce an electric Commodore.'

Manufacturing the vehicles would only have come at a cost to taxpayers of $300million a year.

Mr Carr argued things would have been very different if the former Coalition government a decade ago hadn't complained to General Motors in the United States about the cost of keeping Holden as a local manufacturer.

Australia could be making electric cars instead of importing them from China if he wasn't for a major blunder a decade ago, a former minister says (pictured is a BYD Seal)

In December 2013, recently elected Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott said he wanted Holden to stay in Australia, but added his government would not 'chase them down the road waving a blank cheque'.

On that same day, Holden chief executive Mike Devereux told a Productivity Commission hearing the GM offshoot was unsure about its future in Australia but wanted to stay.

But Mr Abbott said Australia's former carmakers and unions were to blame for the demise of the local manufacturing industry.

'We would still be making cars if the car companies had better integrated their local operations into their global ones, and if unions hadn't been so bloody minded about productivity improvements,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'There is sometimes a case for doing marginally uneconomic things in the overall national interest, especially with defence industries, but the Labor idea that we can subsidise our way to prosperity is simply crackers.'

By October 2017, Holden made it's last car in Adelaide, a year after Ford and Toyota closed their Victorian factories

A decade ago, Toyota manufactured a petrol-electric hybrid Camry sedan in Australia, with subsidies from the federal government's old green car innovation fund, as it exported more cars from Melbourne than it sold locally.

'It was a highly successful export industry,' Mr Carr said.

By October 2017, Holden made its last car in Adelaide, a year after Ford and Toyota closed their Victorian factories.

'It's a shocking, shocking loss of national sovereignty,' Mr Carr said.

Mr Carr, who was aligned with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union as a Labor senator for Victoria, rejected the notion car plant workers in Australia had been overpaid.

He said that back in 2013, when he was still a cabinet minister, car plant workers were paid an average of $70,000 which at the time was below the average, full-time salary of $74,760, citing departmental data when he was minister.
The studio collection of the revered royal sculptor Angela Conner has emerged for sale for 100,000.

The British artist, who is nearing 90 and is retiring, is selling more than 50 works, including bronze busts of the late Queen and King Charles.

In a catalogue foreword, Queen Camilla expresses her 'awe' for Conner and laments that 'this great artist is laying down her tools', before adding that 'her work will inspire and delight for generations to come'.

The collection also features a rare bust of her friend, the iconic British artist Lucian Freud, who was notoriously reluctant to do sittings.

Other busts in the sale are of the James Bond author Ian Fleming, poet laureate Sir John Betjeman and actor Laurence Olivier.

Connor, who was an apprentice under St Ives sculptor Barbara Hepworth, was commissioned by the Knights of the Garter to create a 15ins tall portrait bust of Elizabeth II to mark her 80th birthday in 2006.

The studio collection of the revered royal sculptor Angela Conner has emerged for sale for 100,000. Connor, who was an apprentice under St Ives sculptor Barbara Hepworth, was commissioned by the Knights of the Garter to create a 15ins tall portrait bust of Elizabeth II to mark her 80th birthday in 2006. Ten busts were made. The above example is tipped to fetch 12,000

The Queen agreed to six sittings of two hours each which took place in the Chinese room at Buckingham Palace

The Queen agreed to six sittings of two hours each which took place in the Chinese room at Buckingham Palace.

She was captured by Conner looking straight forward sporting a firm gaze, with a three-strand pearl necklace draped around her neck.

Ten busts were made, one of which is displayed at St George's Chapel in Windsor, and this example, numbered 'three', is tipped to fetch 12,000.

A bronze bust of Charles made in 1995, depicting the former Prince of Wales looking off into the distance, is valued at 6,000.

And a bronze study of his beloved Jack Russell Tigga, who died aged 18 in 2002, is expected to sell for up to 500.

A study of Camilla's rescue dog Beth - who she adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011 - has the same estimate.

In a catalogue foreword, Queen Camilla laments that 'this great artist is laying down her tools', adding that 'her work will inspire and delight for generations to come'. Beth (above left in 2012), one of Camilla's rescue Jack Russell terriers, was depicted by Conner. Right: The bronze study of Camilla's dog Beth is expected to sell for up to 500

Freud only agreed to sit for a handful of sculptors who he particularly admired.

It reputedly took quite a while for her to persuade Freud to look her in the eye, but she persevered and he complied.

Conner said of working with Freud in a 2000 interview: 'You certainly have to get to know them; there's no question. You have to peel off the layers.'

His bronze bust, which was exhibited at the Chatsworth Theatre Gallery in 1975, could go for 30,000.

The collection, also featuring her abstract and kinetic sculptures, is set to spark a bidding war at Dreweatts Auctioneers, of Newbury, Berkshire.

The auction house said that 'sculpture pioneer' Conner is selling a selection of her works to celebrate her long-standing career.

A bronze bust of Charles made in 1995, depicting the former Prince of Wales looking off into the distance, is valued at 6,000

A bronze study of Charles' beloved Jack Russell Tigga, who died aged 18 in 2002, is expected to sell for up to 500. Above right: Tigga at Highgrove in 1994

The Queen seen with Angela Conner during one of her six sittings in the Chinese Room at Buckingham Palace. The busts she produced were made for the Queen's 80th birthday in 2006

The Queen can't help but smile as she sits for sculptor Angela Conner

Conner seen working on the bust of Queen Elizabeth inside Buckingham Palace

Conner seen working on her sculpture of the Queen as Her Majesty sits for her in Buckingham Palace

Francesca Whitham, specialist at Dreweatts, said: 'It is a pleasure to offer the studio collection of Angela Conner, a pioneer in the field of sculpture, whose works will always have the ability to inspire and evoke emotion and fascination.

'Her ability to capture a person in clay, in such precise detail, is exceptional and I believe this is driven by her ability to feel an emotional connection to her sitters and allowing this interaction to take over the physical practice of modelling.

'What has become apparent over the last couple of months as I have spent time with Angela's works is the intense passion and determination that formed each piece.

'I have been particularly struck by Angela's close connection to nature, which sits at the core of her work.

'Whether this may be through the exploration of the effects of wind, the sun or experimenting with balance and forces - it is these elements and the way they are intertwined in Angela's work which makes it so exceptional.'

The collection also features a rare bust of her friend, the iconic British artist Lucian Freud, who was notoriously reluctant to do sittings. His bronze bust, which was exhibited at the Chatsworth Theatre Gallery in 1975, could go for 30,000

This bust of acclaimed poet Sir John Betjeman is expected to sell for up to 3,000

This depiction of James Bond author Sir Ian Fleming is tipped to tell for up to 800

Conner, who has studios in Herefordshire and London, said of her career: 'I started making sculpture when all of us start making sculpture - as a child - with cardboard, paper and glue. I guess the difference is that I never stopped.'

Queen Camilla, in the catalogue foreword, said: 'I am delighted to introduce this wonderful collection of Angela's work which will, no doubt, evoke a mixture of emotions in us all.

'Admiration, awe, amusement, peace and joy are now tinged with the poignancy that, as she approaches her 90th birthday, this great artist is laying down her tools.

'From vast public installations to intimate bronze busts; from extraordinary abstracts to the perfect depiction of a horse poised for action - there is no feeling and no moment that Angela cannot capture.

'This world is enhanced by her talents and her work will inspire and delight for many generations to come.'

The sale takes place at Donnington Priory on July 11.
Princess Anne today said she was 'deeply saddened' to miss out on the First World War commemoration event in Canada as she continues to recover after being struck by a horse.

The 73-year-old Princess Royal suffered concussion and head injuries when she was hurt at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire more than a week ago.

The King's sister is now recuperating at her Gatcombe Park home following a five-night hospital stay after she was believed to have been struck by the animal while out walking on June 23.

Anne was due to travel to Canada for an overseas tour on Sunday, but is now away from public engagements until her medical team recommends it is safe and comfortable for her to resume official duties.

The princess said she was 'deeply saddened that I'm unable to join you' in remarks read out on her behalf by Canada's governor general Mary Simon in St John's, Newfoundland.

Princess Anne is 'deeply saddened' to miss out on the First World War commemoration event in Canada as she continues to recover after being struck by a horse (Pictured in May arriving at the Bayeux War Cemetery to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lays wreath at the National War Memorial and Tomb of an Unknown Soldier in St John's, Newfoundland today

The ceremony on July 1 - Canada Day - saw the repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier from the battlefields of northern France.

The King's sister praised the 'brave efforts and sacrifices' of the soldiers who fought on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, one of the war's largest and bloodiest offensives.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial - where the unknown soldier's remains were being laid to rest, entombed on the plateau of the memorial.

Anne is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The princess, who left hospital on Friday, said in her first publicly-released message since her accident: 'It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today, as you commemorate the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme.

'I have fond memories of joining you in 2016, on the 99th occasion that the people of this island commemorated the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and I am deeply saddened that I'm unable to join you again, and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of commemoration.'

The Newfoundland Regiment was all but wiped out in the disastrous Battle of Beaumont Hamel on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, with more than 700 killed or wounded of the 800 fighting.

It is not known how long the princess will spend recovering, but she is receiving rehabilitation support at home as she follows standard concussion protocols.

Princess Anne missed eight engagements in the UK last week as well as the visit to Canada

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence leaves Southmead Hospital on after visiting his wife on June 25

Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall arrives at Southmead Hospital to visit her on June 25

Anne's medical team said her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs but her concussion has meant precise details of how the incident came about are not clear.

An air ambulance was scrambled to take the princess to hospital, but in the end she travelled by road after being treated by an emergency crew on site.

She was treated at Southmead Hospital in Bristol for minor head injuries and her concussion.

Her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence said last week that the princess was 'recovering slowly'.

In Canada, the Governor General has read some remarks by The Princess Royal at a ceremony which marks the centenary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial and repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War battlefields of northern France.

Remarks: 'It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today, as you commemorate the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme.

'I have fond memories of joining you in 2016, on the 99th occasion that the people of this Island commemorated the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and I am deeply saddened that I'm unable to join you again, and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of commemoration'.
A 12 year-old Texas girl was raped before being murdered by two illegal immigrants, police say.

Jocelyn Nungaray suffered a sex attack prior to her killing last month, the medical examiner in Houston confirmed two weeks after her slaying.

Houston prosecutors have been awaiting forensic evidence of a sexual assault because a second crime on top of murder would make the two Venezuelan men accused of killing her eligible for the death penalty.

Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Pena, 26 are charged with capital murder in Nungaray's death.

They are accused of luring the girl underneath a bridge where they stayed with her for two hours before the men emerged alone.

Her body was found the next morning after she had been strangled, bound and thrown in a bayou. She was naked from the waist down.

The men met Jocelyn, who had snuck out of her house, as she was walking to a 7-11 around 10 p.m. June 16.

The men walked to the store with her and later under the bridge. Investigators have yet to say which of the men they believe raped Nungaray.

Investigators say two Venezuelan men lured Jocelyn from a 7-11 underneath a bridge where they strangled her and likely raped her June 16

Although the men were charged with capital murder-- which would normally make a suspect eligible for the death penalty in Texas-- it did not in this case.

In the Lone Star State, a capital murder charge usually means a person murdered someone else while committing a second crime.

Some years ago, 'capital murder' was expanded in Texas to include the murder of a child between 10 and 15, even if no other crime was committed.

In order to get the law passed, legislators stripped the death penalty component for 10-15 year-olds.

For murder victims in that age range, a suspect must be accused in a second crime in order to qualify for lethal injection.

Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, is led out of the courtroom on Monday. His bail was set for $10 million

Johan Jose Rangel-Martinez, 21, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray

In Jocelyn's case, prosecutors did not initially have proof that a second crime was committed against her.

They couldn't even charge the suspects with kidnapping-- as the girl was seen in surveillance video willing leaving with the two men.

Since last week, Houston District Attorney Kim Ogg said she was waiting for lab tests that could make Pena and Martinez eligible for capital punishment.

'Should those tests produce evidence that would support a charge of sexual assault or should other evidence be brought forward that supports a charge of kidnapping, both underlying offenses would this capital murder and these individuals death penalty eligible,' Ogg explained in a press conference last week.

Johan Jose Rangel-Martinez, 21, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, is led from the courtroom by deputies on Tuesday

Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, is led out of the courtroom on Monday. His bail was set for $10 million

One of the suspects has pinned the blame of the girl's death on Martinez.

Pena told authorities he asked Martinez to stop while under the bridge, local KTRK reported Monday.

Instead of stopping, Martinez put his arm around Jocelyn's neck and covered her mouth.

Once she was dead, Martinez tied her up and told Pena to throw her in the bayou to remove any DNA.

Both men are currently being held in jail with $10 million bonds each.

First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott (center) stands with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as they address the other of Jocelyn Nungaryay at her funeral in Houston Thursday

Nungaryay's great aunt Julie looks over at the girl's casket and says, 'We will get them and they will get what they deserve,' of her loved one's killers

A third man who briefly lived with the two suspects was the one who ratted them out to the cops.

The unnamed roommate claims he had only lived with Martinez and Pena for a matter of days when he ate dinner with the accused killers the night of Jocelyn's murder at a restaurant called 'Ojos Locos' -- or 'crazy eyes' in Spanish, according to Fox 26.

Two days after her slaying, as Houston police led a full-fledged manhunt for Nungaray's killers, the tipster was watching TV with Martinez and Pena when their photos flashed on the screen.

The roommate 'tried not to react', as he wasn't even sure it was them.

Through a family member, the roommate contacted investigators who were able to arrest them.

Last week, hundreds attended a funeral for 'Jocey,' her family's nickname for her, as she was laid to rest in Houston.

The body of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was murdered in Houston, Texas by two migrants from Venezuela, is carried to her final resting site the day of her funeral

The costs of her funeral were paid for by a local businessman, after the family expressed they could not cover the costs themselves

Jocelyn Nungaray's mother, pictured center in sunglasses looking down next to a little boy, did not speak at her daughter's service

'Today is the last day I will get to physically see you and just touch you one more time,' Jocelyn's great aunt Julie said.

'We will see you again-- I promise.'

'Jocey' was remembered as having a passion for reading fantasy books, especially Harry Potter.

Her hour-long funeral was open to the public and was attended by the First Lady Cecilia Abbott of Texas and the state's lieutenant governor.

They sat up front and knelt by the girl's mother during the end of the service, offering comfort.
A county in Missouri has been deemed a 'cancer cluster' due to World War II-era radium used in America's atomic bomb efforts littering the region.

For decades, residents of St Louis County have raised concerns about a spike in cancer diagnosis - and specifically those living just outside the West Lake Landfill.

The landfill has held thousands of tons of radioactive waste and contaminated soil since 1973 when drums containing the chemicals were illegally dumbed by a contractor for the Cotter Corporation.

The state launched a cleanup for the site this year, revealing Monday that discovered the toxins have contaminated nearby groundwater in Bridgeton that sits northwest of the St Louise Lambert International Airport.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found levels exceed limits for drinking water and plans to investigate whether it's leaked into nearby wells or it the toxins could reach the Missouri River.

Crews who have been working to clean up the West Lake Landfill - where radioactive waste was illegally dumped from the atomic bomb - found radium contamination at the edge of the site. Coldwater Creek has also been contaminated with toxic waste

The hazardous chemicals filter into the soil through precipitation or surface run-off and moves into groundwater systems.

In the case of radium, a naturally occurring radioactive metal, this chemical has been linked to the increase of lung and bone cancer - two types that have seen a spike in the region.

From 2015 to 2019, St Louis County had an age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rate of 38.5 per 100,000 people, which was higher than the national rate but lower than Missouri's.

The entire 40 tons of uranium oxide that was used to make the atomic bomb was manufactured at the Mallinckrodt industrial site in downtown St. Louis, which produced 200 million pounds for the Manhattan Project.

And the facility continued its work to produce pure uranium during the Cold War.

But in 1973, Mallinckrodt Chemical Works took advantage of the free disposal in the West Lake Landfill and commissioned Cotter Corporation to do it, according to Vanderbilt University.

'Keeping ultra-hazardous waste near people's property and not taking responsibility for it is a big problem,' said Kenneth B. McClain, senior partner of Humphrey, Farrington & McClain that is pursuing legal action.

'These landfills are the poster child of that problem. You can't have people living in proximity of nuclear waste and not be responsible for it.'

Testing of the landfill in the 1980s showed high levels of radium - and shortly after residents had spikes in cancer diagnoses.

In 2010, a fire broke out underground about 1,000 feet from the West Lake Landfill that is still burning today, which sent sulfur-based compounds flowing through the region.

'The number of people that had not had issues before that suddenly, that was happening, you know, they were having lung issues, and then it was cardiac,' resident Dawn Chapman told NBC in 2022.

Generations of families who moved to St. Louis County since the end of WWII have faced rare cancers and autoimmune disorders that are believed to come from playing in nearby creeks, which have shown radiation levels exceeding drinking water limits.

Debi lost her brother Doug in 2007 to an aggressive, rare form of cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme

Steel drums containing radioactive waste were dumped near Coldwater Creek in the mid-1970s

Rhonda Branneky, a Bridgeton resident, said her two children had suffered from cancer after 'radioactive material [was] illegally dumped across from [her] family home.'

She was forced to leave with her two kids who had already suffered from cancers linked to the 'leftover mess from the Manhattan Project.'

Debi lost her brother Doug in 2007 to an aggressive, rare form of cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Doug had a baseball-sized tumor removed, but following surgery he was given just 18 months to live - he passed away at age 14.

Debi and Doug grew up in the now nonexistent Brownleigh neighborhood near the Manhattan Project radioactive waste storage site at the St Louis Airport (SLAPS).

The EPA did not confirm on Monday about how much radium was detected in the groundwater- the maximum level is 5 picocuries per liter.

A spokesperson told Dailymail.com that 'no conclusions have been made about the source(s) of the radium in off-site groundwater because data collection is ongoing.'

'Field activities associated with the Remedial Investigation began in 2020 and are ongoing,' the EPA spokesperson added.

'Once completed, information from the well network will be evaluated and conclusions about the nature and extent of groundwater impacts, including the possible source(s), will be provided in the Remedial Investigation Report.'

The landfill has held thousands of tons of radioactive waste and contaminated soil since 1973 when drums containing the chemicals were illegally dumbed by a contractor for the Cotter Corporation

About 14 miles from Bridgeton sits Coldwater Creek, which the federal government confirmed in 2018 was causing cancer in the area - it was labeled as one of the most polluted waterways in 1981.

Mary Oscko had lived in St Louis County her entire life and grew up spending time at St. Cin Park, which sits along Coldwater Creek and contained low-dose radioactive soil.

She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2013, despite never being a smoker, and succumbed to the disease last year - her diagnosis has since been linked to radioactive waste disposal.

Kim Visintine also grew up playing at Coldwater Creek, and when she gave birth to her son Zach, doctors found he had a rare radiation-linked brain tumor.

The infant underwent his first brain surgery at one week old and started chemo two weeks later.

Kirbi Pemberton solemnly stood in front of her town council in 2018, sharing the story about her daughter, Kirstee, who passed away at 10 years old rom a cancerous brain tumor

Pemberton spoke in front of a room of people with a poster featuring pictures of her daughter

Zach had multiple brain surgeries before he passed away at just six years old.

Kirbi Pemberton solemnly stood in front of her town council in 2018, sharing the story about her daughter, Kirstee, who passed away at 10 years old rom a cancerous brain tumor.

Ron, Kirby's husband, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2014.

'Theres six people in my house, and all six of us have issues,' Kirbi told The Guardian in 2016.

'Honestly, people literally die, and were still sitting here doing nothing.'

It's unknown how many people have been diagnosed with and died from major illnesses related to radioactive waste in the area to date, but a 2013 report by St. Louis Magazine revealed at the time that 7,200 residents had been affected.

For decades, residents of St Louis County have raised concerns about a spike in cancer diagnosis - and specifically those living just outside the West Lake Landfill

The EPA is now adding groundwater monitoring wells between the West Lake Landfill and the Missouri River to determine if radioactive contamination is spreading from the site.

'Radium in the groundwater is not impacting the community due to the availability of public water supply in the area,' an EPA spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

'The Remedial Investigation will include a risk assessment evaluating the potential for human exposure from radium in the groundwater.

'Again, this report will also evaluate and discuss the possible the source(s) of radium in the groundwater.'

Groundwater wells were expected to be fully installed by August 2022, 'but the detections in offsite locations required a significant expansion of the network in order to delineate exactly where the impacts are found,' Snehal Bhagat, the Remedial Project Manager at West Lake said at a December press briefing.

'So a lot more wells were put in. We're still putting them in as we chase the edges of the impacts.'

Generations of families played in Coldwater Creek which has resulted in thousands of people developing life-threatening cancers and other illnesses Pictured: A 1980s picture of a boy using a rope swing to jump into Coldwater Creek

The West Lake Landfill is just one of several sites in St Louis County that have been contaminated by decades-old nuclear waste.

In the wake of World War II, the radioactive waste created from refining uranium for the atomic bomb was moved to the local airport where it remained until it was sold in 1973.

At the time, there weren't any federal laws regulating hazardous waste disposal, and an estimated 133,007 tons of radioactive refuse was dumped at the site.

Some were left in barrels that eventually rusted, while others were buried under soil and some were simply left in uncontained piles.

Keeping the waste at the airport posed a major problem for the surrounding area because the nearby Coldwater Creek could flood, spreading the radioactive waste.

When it was removed, the massive amounts of radioactive waste were taken to Coldwater Creek to extract valuable metals and the remaining waste was illegally dumped at the West Lake Landfill.

However, the area had already been contaminated for years as the material often spilled off trucks and was dumped on the ground next to the creek, contaminating the water for miles.

Coldwater Creek (pictured) is labeled as one of the most polluted waterways in the US. It is connected to the Missouri River

The reports come as records revealed the government downplayed the risks attached to the radioactive waste, calling them 'slight,' 'minimal' or 'low-level' and one engineering consultant incorrectly claimed in a 1970s report that that human contact with Coldwater Creek was 'rare,' the Missouri Independent reported.

An internal memo from the company that was used to develop the atomic bomb, Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, showed that workers were concerned the chemicals could leak into the creek, according to the Missouri Independent.

The health hazard to workers handling the K-65 material, especially in broken drums, is much more serious and immediate than the possible hazard of stream pollution,' the memo said.

'As recently as last year, we got a new cache of documents that showed the full extent of the government's knowledge and what the government knew years ago  30, 40, 50 years ago  that they had poisoned the creek, that their landfill that they dumped the waste into was going to cause huge problems, environmental problems and health problems. And they lied about it,' Sen. Josh Hawley, (R-Missouri) told Fox News.

'For years, the people of St. Louis were told, 'Don't worry. There's no significant radiation.' Or they were told, 'Hey, we've cleaned it all up.' In fact, those things were not true.'
Archaeologists have discovered a 'significant' religious relic decorated with Christian motifs hiding inside a marble shrine of an early church excavated in Austria.

The 1,500-year-old ivory box depicts a scene of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments from God on Mount Sinai as described in the Old Testament, along with imagery of saints and the ascension of Christ.

The circular-shaped box is deemed a significant find by archaeologists due to sacred early Christianity objects being extremely rare - the faith is about 2,000 years old.

Researchers noted that only 40 such discoveries have been made worldwide, with the last found during excavations about 100 years ago.

Archaeologists have discovered a 'significant' religious relic decorated with Christian motifs hiding inside a marble shrine of an early church excavated in Austria

The 1,500-year-old ivory box depicts a scene of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments from God on Mount Sinai as described in the Old Testament, along with imagery of saints and the ascension of Christ

'We know that this only happens once in an archaeologist's life as a scientist,' said Gerald Grabherr, lead archaeologist.

Roman emperor Constantine the Great converted to Christianity, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 AD that legalized the religion and promoted tolerance of the fait.

Then in 380 AD, emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

The discovery was made by researches from the University of Innsbruck, who were excavating an early Christian church that once stood on top of on the Burgbichl in the municipality of Irschen in southern Austria.

The region was once owned by the Roman Empire and the church was likely a pagan sanctuary prior to the emperor's law more than 1,600 years ago.

The team uncovered a sealing stone in a pit-like depression where an alter once stood and after removing it, they pulled out the white marble box.

The artifact was found broken in pieces, but once formed a pure circle fashioned with metal as the 'glue' and wood used as the clasp.

The object was the holiest part of the church and should have been taken before it was abandoned, leaving experts to question why it remained among the ruins.

The characters featured around the box are all men with beards and long robes which depict scenes in the Old and New Testaments.

While archaeologists hypothesized that Moses and Christ are displayed on the box, they admitted the interpretation is not fully known.

For Moses, the team speculated it could be him receiving the laws from God or striking his staff in the water to part the Red Sea as the figure is placed at the foot of a mountain.

Another scene may be imagery of Jesus resurrecting from the burial chamber following the crucifixion.

'The head is turned in a different direction and with this representation, we can grab [God] handing over the law to Moses,' Dr Barbara Kainrath who is involved with the research said.

The relic was the holist part of the church and should have been taken before it was abandoned, leaving experts to question why it remained among the ruins

For Moses, the team speculated it could be him receiving the laws from God or striking his staff in the water to part the Red Sea as the figure is placed at the foot of a mountain

The characters featured around the box are all men with beards and long robes which depict scenes in the Old and New Testaments

'A second scene that we can address well is the figure being pulled up again by a hand that sticks out of the cloud, which is the hand of God again.

'And here we are dealing with an ascension. In addition to the hand of God, a team of horses is also shown here. You can still see two horses and a wheel from the cart.

The Bible includes several passages with two horses, including Revelations 19:11 which reads: 'saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.'

The Book of Exodus also discusses the Egyptians riding horses and chariots while pursuing Moses and the Israelites

The church was about 60 feet long and featured a marble threshold at its entrance. To the south and west were burials - the team has uncovered remains of people who once lived in the region who they believe were 'social upper class'

The box was found inside a marble square box that was discovered under what was once an alter

However, the team noted that Elijah's ascension to the heavens may also be a possibility.

The Second Book of Kings reads: 'As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven.

Elijah was a prophet known in the Bible as saving the religion of Yahweh from being corrupted by the nature worship of Baal, a comparable being who was worshiped at the same time in Jerusalem.

The team noted that while the box was found in southern Austria, it was unlikely to have been made there due to the lack of materials needed in the region.

'So the ivory pyx, or box, is certainly a product that was not made in Irschen,' a researcher said in a video.

'Because of the quality of workmanship and the artistry of the craftsman, one can be sure that they were located in a major urban center - that craftsman or those craftsmen.

The circular-shaped box was also fashioned with metal as the 'glue' for the ivory and wood used as the clasp

Human remains of three adults, a teenager and four children can be recovered and examined in the Natural History Museum in Vienna

'So we're assuming an area between Alexandria, Ravenna or  the closest  Aquileia would be conceivable.'

The box was found in several pieces, suggesting it could have broken before it was placed in the large marble box that was found under the ancient church's shrine.

Either the pyx was already in a destroyed, broken state in the marble cube or someone was tampering with it,' said Dr Ulrike Tochterle.

'Presumably someone tried to remove the relic. It is very noticeable that parts were missing, from the fittings for example, and also parts of the relief on the outer wall.'

The church was about 60 feet long and featured a marble threshold at its entrance.

To the south and west were burials - the team has uncovered remains of people who once lived in the region who they believe were 'social upper class.'

Human remains of three adults, a teenager and four children can be recovered and examined in the Natural History Museum in Vienna.

However, researchers note that the people did not die at the same time and were buried on after the other.

They believe 200 to 300 people lived in teh area in the late antiquity between the 3rd and 7th century AD.
June 2024 was a dry, cool and sunny month compared to the UK's long-term average, according to provisional Met Office figures.

The average mean temperature for June was 12.9C (55F)  around 0.4C below the long-term meteorological average.

June was a 'month of contrasts' for many, with a cool first half of the month offset by warmth later in the month, with rainfall also in relatively short supply, especially in the south.

June was drier than average, with the UK recording 29 per cent less rainfall than the long-term meteorological average.

In all, the UK saw 2.1 inches (55.1mm) of rain recorded across the month.

A dry, cool and sunny June was had in the UK according to the Met Office. Wales and the south of England received much lower-than-average rainfall amounts. Pictured, wet weather in Wimbledon, London, June 15, 2024

June 2024 was a dry, cool and sunny month compared to the UKs long-term average, according to provisional Met Office figures

Wales and the south of England received much lower-than-average rainfall amounts compared with the rest of the UK.

Wales recorded 1.8-inch (48.1mm) which is 48 per cent less than average, while the south of England recorded 0.97-inch (24.8mm) which is 58 per cent less than the average.

Northern Scotland recorded above average amounts  it saw 4.8 inches (122.0mm) of rainfall, 32 per cent more than its average for June.

A Met Office spokesperson said: 'Temperatures in the first two weeks of June were around 2C below average.

June was a month of contrasts for many, with a cool first half of the month offset by warmth later in the month. Pictured, beachgoers in Brighton, June 26, 2024

Brits had to wait for hot weather to arrive even as summer officially started. Pictured, beachgoers in Brighton, June 26, 2024

'This was due to northerly winds bringing cold Arctic air across the UK in what was a cool start to meteorological summer.

'The second half of the month saw high pressure as the jet stream moved north, bringing warmth to many, especially in the south.

'Some areas of southeast England exceeded 28C for several days.'

Met Office said the top temperature was 30.5C at Wisley in Surrey on 26 June  also the hottest day of the year so far.

There were several locations that reached the required criteria to be considered a heatwave, described as a localised heatwave  but the heatwave wasnt a widespread event.

However, the warm weather was short-lived, and temperatures returned to around or below average for the last few days of the month.

Looking forward, the spokesperson said there's 'uncertainty in the forecast', but temperatures could recover to average or a little above after a cooler week this week.

'There is nothing at the moment in the forecast to suggest heatwave conditions but the detail will become clearer through the week,' the spokesperson said.

'As for the second half of the month, it is just too far ahead to give that kind of detail at this range.'
The Rough Guide To Puglia says tourists give Taranto a wide berth. Lonely Planet, meanwhile, has it that the city is very much not on the tourist trail.

And yet Im hearing that Taranto is nothing like this. Could it actually be that most mythical of things  a glorious, historic Italian city, right on the dazzling blue Med, almost untouched by global tourism?

To be honest, first impressions arent great. Ive picked up a hire car at Bari (which has direct flights from the UK) and driven 80 minutes across Puglia (the boot-heel of Italy)  and am now surrounded by ugly steelworks and brawny naval bases.

But then I pierce the industrial belt which defends Taranto like a moat and I gaze about its neo-classical boulevards  Im astonished, gladdened and ready for a mango gelato by the sea.

And the rumours about a lack of tourists are completely right  I am the only non-Italian around.

Spanning the ages: Sean Thomas travels to Taranto, pictured, a 'wonderfully forgotten basement of Italy'

Taranto is home to an Aragonese fort (pictured) that is linked to the rest of the city by a bridge

Historically, Taranto  with its linked islets facing lagoons and sea  dates back to the Spartans in the 8th Century BC. At its classical peak it boasted 300,000 citizens.

The Tarantella dance comes from the city. In fact, many things come from Taranto  and for proof of this I head to its brilliantly refurbished museum, MArTA, which sits on a stately 19th Century square replete with chic cafes, cheerful trattorias and happy Tarantinos, who are notably friendly, even by Italian standards. The museum boasts multiple marvels, including a famous collection of classical jewellery.

For the next few days I wander Taranto, feeling like a pioneer. I sip macchiato atop the Aragonese water-forts. I spend hours in the old town island, exploring its hidden snickets, slumbering churches and listening to men in string vests contentedly arguing across alleys hung with scented laundry.

Sean visits the city's museum, MArTA, which boasts 'multiple marvels', including a famous collection of classical jewellery

Sean spends hours in the 'old town island', exploring its hidden snickets

Above, 'mind-blowing' Castel del Monte, which is a couple of hours' drive from Taranto

Then I get caught in a terrific rainstorm and duck into the nearest restaurant. I am entirely bedraggled  basically a disgrace. The head waiter looks at me, smiles and says: You need food. And wine. He laughs. Dont worry, it is not expensive. Hes right. My decent bottle of white costs just 6, while the grilled red mullet is excellent.

And as I digest my finely spontaneous dinner I consider my next move in this wonderfully forgotten basement of Italy.

Maybe I shall head north to Altamura, a perfectly preserved medieval town reputedly with the worlds best focaccia, a magnificent white-stone cathedral and 600-year-old bakeries in Byzanto-Arab alleyways. Or maybe I will head east and check out Castel del Monte, a mind-blowing octagonal castle from the 12th Century, allegedly built by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, in a bid to commune with occult forces.

For now I am going to sit here  happily tipsy  because Taranto is brilliant. It is like Venice without the cruise boats, like Naples with even more ghosts. It is like the Italy of your dreams, before the tour buses came.
Christian Groups Announce Merger to 'Help Shape Future' of U.S. Politics as Elections Loom

NEWS PROVIDED BYI AM PRJuly 1, 2024

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 1, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Two leading conservative Christian groups today announced they have joined forces in an effort to inject biblical values into the increasingly murky U.S. political waters as elections loom.

Family Policy Alliance Foundation (FPAF, https://familypolicyalliance.com/statesmenacademy/about-us-fpaf/), the educational sister ministry of Family Policy Alliance, has merged with Christians Engaged (www.christiansengaged.org), a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that promotes Christian engagement in politics and advocacy. (Watch announcement video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_kLc9KkHjY&authuser=0)

The organizations aim to sign up 1 million Christians to engage in the upcoming U.S. presidential election and local elections across the country for years to come.

FPAF is a leader in pro-family education and alliance building, with Family Policy Council allies in nearly 40 U.S. states. Christians Engaged challenges churches and individual Christians to pray for the nation and mobilizes Christians to vote and get involved in their local communities.

The merger will create an expanded network capable of driving cultural and legislative change to advance biblical values, the organizations said.

Together, we will train elected officials nationwide to view policy through the lens of the Bible and to ensure victories on policies that impact families, life, and religious freedom, said Craig DeRoche, FPAFs president and CEO.

Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged, said, Were excited to move Christians into more active roles in politics and to advocate for Christian values influencing the local, state, and federal levels of government. We believe we can inspire Christians to participate in these vital elections and help shape the future landscape of America.

Michele Bachmann, former member of Congress and current Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University, described the merger as a force multiplier that creates a network of leaders who together can shift the nation.

Focus on the Family President Jim Daly added, Followers of Jesus Christ have an obligation, responsibility, and opportunity to put feet to their faith by voting and serving in their communities. By joining forces, Family Policy Alliance Foundation and Christians Engaged will help make this daily task easier--and faith-driven cultural activism more effective. History rests in the hands of believers, and turns on the hinges of seemingly small things, including our willingness to register and vote our values.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS & INQUIRIES: Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660 gregg@iampronline.com

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CONTACT: Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660, gregg@iampronline.com
President calls for full utilization of new cross-sea link

11:16, July 01, 2024 By Luo Wangshu and Qiu Quanlin ( Chinadaily.com.cn

This photo taken on June 19, 2024, shows the Shenzhong Bridge and the west artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link (back) in South China's Guangdong province. (Photo/Xinhua)

President Xi Jinping has called for the enhanced utilization of a new cross-sea passage connecting two cities in South China's Guangdong province to drive the advancement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark on Sunday in a letter sent to congratulate the unveiling of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link.

The 24-kilometer cross-sea passage, which features two bridges, two artificial islands, and an underwater tunnel, opened to traffic at 3 pm on Sunday.

The link, bridging Shenzhen in the east of the Pearl River Estuary with Zhongshan in the west, has significantly reduced travel time between the two cities from about two hours to under 30 minutes.

Xi said the massive transportation project managed to overcome numerous global-level technical challenges and set multiple world records.

"This fully illustrates that Chinese modernization can only be achieved through solid work, as all great causes are accomplished through concrete actions," he said while extending congratulations to all participants for their diligent efforts and unwavering resolve in successfully completing the project with high quality.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link features eight lanes designed for speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The one-way toll fee is 66 yuan.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link  a large-scale transportation project in the Greater Bay Area after the 31-km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge  is one of the world's most challenging cross-sea cluster projects to have been built.

Over 10,000 workers overcame hurdles such as frequent typhoons, high salinity, humidity and severe siltation during the course of its seven-year construction. The project set multiple world records in areas such as suspension bridge engineering, tunnel construction and underwater highway interchanges.

The new link will enhance regional development and competitiveness, bridging the economic gap between the eastern and western shores of the Pearl River Estuary and facilitating leisure travel, experts said.

Li Hui, an assistant professor at the School of Media and Communication at Shenzhen University, underscored the significance of the transportation cluster in propelling development of the Greater Bay Area.

"It has not only reduced physical distance, but also  and more importantly  provided a sense of psychological proximity. It exemplifies a deeper integration of the Greater Bay Area," Li said, noting that the link effectively blurs urban boundaries and fosters a closer life-work environment.

Drawing parallels between the two key transportation links in the Greater Bay Area and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States, Li expressed confidence that advancements in the Greater Bay Area would enhance social equity, balance regional progress, and facilitate overall development.

Ning Jinjin, an engineer involved in the construction of the undersea tunnel, expressed gratitude and pride for having been able to contribute to the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link.

"For engineers, the challenges encountered in projects are fundamentally straightforward  it's about progressing through the process of identifying and resolving issues, a simple cyclical approach," he said.

The new cross-sea link promises to enhance the lives of millions of people in the Greater Bay Area and beyond, local residents said.

Yang Nan, a researcher at a medical institute in Zhongshan, said she is often required to travel to Shenzhen for academic exchanges, a journey that typically took over two hours by car until now.

"There was constant traffic congestion along the highway, despite the relatively short distance between Shenzhen and Zhongshan," she said.

With the opening of the new link, Yang said she hopes to take cross-city buses or drive to Shenzhen more frequently.

Shenzhen resident Huang Mu, who has a cousin living in Zhongshan, also highlighted the benefits of the new link.

"Previously, we had to take a detour via Humen Bridge to go to Zhongshan, where traffic congestion, especially during the holidays, often resulted in trips taking over three hours, which sometimes hindered my visits," she said.

Huang added that she plans to take the new link to visit her cousin as soon as her son's summer vacation starts. "This is excellent news for all of us."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Richard Lara, seen in 2018, is Californias insurance commissioner. He has not testified before the Little Hoover Commission on the insurance crisis in the state despite multiple requests, though he has testified in other forums. Russell Yip/The Chronicle

A California oversight commission has taken nine hours of public testimony in recent months looking into the states burgeoning insurance crisis and what can be done to solve it. Experts have testified on everything from the premium levels to wildfire mitigation.

But theres one person the group has not heard from: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

And the members of the Little Hoover Commission are not pleased.

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Im aghast that an elected official, the insurance commissioner, will not appear, nor will he send his top representative, Commissioner Gil Garcetti said last month at the committees most recent meeting.

Commission Chair Pedro Nava, whos served on the Little Hoover Commission since 2013, said it was the first time in his tenure that any public official did not show up when requested or send a representative of their agency.

The Little Hoover Commission has held two hearings and one roundtable discussion on the insurance crisis, but despite seven letters to the department, neither Lara nor any other department employees participated in any meeting, according to Nava. Nava said he has not gotten an explanation as to why Lara would not attend.

Michael Soller, deputy insurance commissioner with the Department of Insurance, said in a statement that Commissioner Lara has testified at several legislative oversight hearings in recent months on his efforts to safeguard the integrity of the states insurance market. Our focus is on helping consumers during this insurance crisis.

The Little Hoover Commission is made up of 13 commissioners appointed by the governor and the legislature. Its mission is to probe statewide issues and create thoughtful recommendations for legislative solutions without the time crunch of the legislative session, according to Nava.

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Over a dozen other experts have testified on the insurance crisis, including former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Victoria Roach, president of the FAIR Plan  the state-created insurer of last resort  as well as consumer advocacy groups, industry representatives and experts in risk assessment, forest management and fire prevention. The committee will produce a report later this summer on the crisis, including suggested solutions.

I know how busy elected officials can be, but nevertheless, this was important, and the public is in a position where they need all the information and help they can get right now, Garcetti, a former Los Angeles County district attorney, told the Chronicle regarding Laras absence. He added: Im still dumbfounded by it.

Over the past year, Lara has testified before the Assembly Insurance Committee twice, answering questions about his Sustainable Insurance Strategy at a meeting in December and again in April. In January, he also testified before the state Senate Insurance Committee. In April, Lara appeared before a legislative committee a fourth time  this time to support AB2872, a department-sponsored bill that would alter pay for rank-and-file Department of Insurance employees.

Behind the scenes, hes met privately with local, state and federal lawmakers dozens of times  including at least four meetings with Gov. Gavin Newsoms staff in the past year, according to Laras public meeting calendar. Hes also appeared at five public town halls on insurance and given just over a dozen media interviews, according to the calendar. In early June he answered questions from several Bay Area mayors while appearing on state Sen. Steve Glazers Table Talk podcast. On Tuesday he is scheduled to appear at another public town hall, this one hosted by state Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, who represents the East Bay. Representatives of the department also regularly host and attend community meetings to answer questions about the insurance crisis.

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Garcetti noted the Little Hoover Commission would have benefited from hearing Laras input on what additional legislation could help the department solve the insurance crisis.

Garcetti also said he would have liked to ask Lara about the mechanics of the Department of Insurance, why it can take months for rate increase requests to be approved, and what issues Lara considers to be the most important.

Nava said he would have liked to ask about the departments currently proposed regulations and what resources the department has at hand.

When Garcetti asked experts testifying before the commission about their experience with Lara and the Department of Insurance, several indicated that Lara and his department had been collaborative.

For example, State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant told the commission that Lara had reached out to several government agencies, including Cal Fire, the Governors Office of Emergency Services, the Governors Office of Planning and Research and the California Public Utilities Commission to help develop 2022 regulations that required insurers to provide discounts for wildfire mitigation efforts and disclose homeowners wildfire risk scores upon request.

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Karen Collins, property and environmental vice president for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, an industry group, also said the department had collaborated with the industry when crafting regulations.

But Little Hoover commissioners still felt frustrated at Laras nonappearance.

The commission does have subpoena power, and Nava noted some commissioners had requested to subpoena Lara. But he said he did not want to resort to subpoenaing an elected official he felt should have come willingly.

During my time on the Commission, we have taken testimony from current and former statewide elected officials, members of the Legislature, and multiple members of the Governors Cabinet. Never have we been confronted with such a determined refusal to participate in a hearing that is directly the responsibility of the specific department, Nava wrote in a June 4 letter to Lara, which he said was his seventh plea. He has yet to receive an answer.

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Which? analysed 3,500 package holidays still available to book this summer

The cheapest last-minute all-inclusive holiday destinations have been revealed by Which?  and it's Morocco and Ibiza that top the table.

The consumer group analysed more than 3,500 package holidays still available to book this summer with the UK's largest holiday providers, Jet2 and TUI, identifying the cheapest options for a seven-night resort break in the first week of August, across all package types.

Topping the table for cheap all-inclusive breaks are the Moroccan west-coast resorts of Agadir, 'one of Morocco's most popular beach destinations', and nearby Taghazout, 'a low-key fishing village that doubles up as a surfer's paradise', according to Which?.

Which? said: 'At 1,041 per head for a week on average, it's this summer's most wallet-friendly option for all-inclusive sunseekers on a budget.

'And for those worried that Morocco might be swelteringly hot, fear not: this stretch of coastline is cooled by a refreshing Atlantic breeze.'

The cheapest last-minute all-inclusive holiday destinations have been revealed by Which?  and Taghazout and nearby Agadir in Morocco come top. Above is the Marina Harbour in Agadir, Morocco

Ibiza is the second most affordable last-minute all-inclusive holiday destination, according to Which?. Above is an aerial view of Calla Tarida, on the western coast of Ibiza

Taking a close second place is Ibiza, with Which? noting it as the 'ideal option for those looking to combine sunshine with buzzing nightlife'.

With an average cost per person of 1,046, Which? said the island is one of the cheapest all-inclusive destinations partly due to the availability of mid-range and keenly-priced properties, with options available from 804 per person.

Dalaman in Turkey and Menorca bag the third and fourth spots on the all-inclusive list, averaging 1,057 and 1,100 per person respectively.

Though all-inclusive holidays can appear to offer a straightforward way to keep holiday costs under control with food, accommodation and drinks all wrapped into the price, previous Which? research has shown some holidaymakers can be stung by unexpected costs.

The consumer group said that it's essential to check the Ts and Cs carefully before booking to ensure the deal includes all the key elements.

Which? also looked at room-only, self-catering, B&B and half-board packages.

The Turkish resorts of Dalaman (first) and Bodrum (second) top this table, boasting 'pocket-friendly price tags' averaging 781 and 800 per person. Which? added: 'A warning to those not seeking to spend their holiday surgically attached to the pool, however - temperatures around here can easily rise to the mid-thirties during the day.'

Dalaman (above) in Turkey comes third in the ranking of cheapest all-inclusive resorts, averaging a cost of 1,057 per person

Menorca (pictured) is the fourth-cheapest all-inclusive last-minute destination, with an average cost of 1,100 per person

In third place is the Greek island of Kalymnos. Which? noted: 'At an average of 840 per head, this island allows holidaymakers to step into real-life Mamma Mia without breaking the bank.'

Other 'wallet-friendly' Greek destinations include Kefalonia (seventh), averaging 911 per person, Lefkas (eighth) at 929 per person, and Thessaloniki (10th) at 937 per person.

For those looking for something more Roman Holiday than Mamma Mia, Which? described the Campania region (sixth) of Italy as an 'excellent option'.

Home to the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Pompeii and the island of Capri, holidays here cost 911 per person on average. Which? added: 'The luxurious Amalfi Coast may set you back more than its neighbours, however, at 931 per person.'

Other good-value options include well-known budget destinations in Antalya, Turkey (fourth), and the coast around Bourgas in Bulgaria (fifth).

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: 'Our analysis shows you can have your pick of amazing destinations this summer without spending a fortune.

'There is still plenty of availability at some of the most popular European seaside resorts this summer, but as we get closer to departure dates prices will only increase. Book quickly to get the best price.'
Ryanair, it seems, is the most popular low-cost airline operating in the UK.

There's a perception that it's much-maligned, yet it beat perennial UK favourites Jet2.com and easyJet at the recent Skytrax airline awards  the 'Oscars of Aviation'.

Ryanair finished ninth in the World's Best Low-Cost Airlines 2024 ranking, with Jet2.com coming 12th and easyJet 10th. In 2023, Ryanair came 13th, with Jet2.com claiming 10th and easyJet 11th.

So, just what is it that Ryanair is doing right?

Rob Burgess, from frequent flyer website headforpoints.com, suggested that punctuality was a significant factor  plus the CEO's know-how.

Ryanair finished ninth in the World's Best Low-Cost Airlines 2024 ranking, with Jet2.com coming 12th and easyJet 10th

He told MailOnline Travel: 'Ryanair has pipped both easyJet and Jet2 in the low-cost carrier award category, possibly based on "ontime" performance. This might, in part, be to do with easyJet suffering longer delays given more of its flights are out of Gatwick, which is notoriously more prone to delays than Stansted, Ryanair's main UK hub.

'However, Ryanair is an increasingly slick operation run by the inimitable Michael O'Leary, who has focused on punctuality, investment in new aircraft and ultimately cheap fares.

'It delivers what the travelling public want.'

Gilbert Ott, Founder of travel site www.godsavethepoints.com, agreed that ticket price is a plus point for Ryanair  adding that its website and app are also well-liked.

He told MailOnline: 'Ryanair is deserving of praise. The airline continues to boast among the highest on-time performance across low-cost carriers and has invested heavily in digital technology.

Rob Burgess, from frequent flyer website headforpoints.com, said that Ryanair 'delivers what the travelling public want'

'Travellers just want to get where they're going on time and Ryanair consistently is among the lowest for basic fares and improving digital experiences are removing previous friction points.'

Travellers agree.

'Seconda731' wrote on Tripadvisor: 'I recently flew with Ryanair and I was impressed by the overall experience. The airline offers a no-frills, cost-effective option for travel without compromising on efficiency. The booking process was straightforward, and their commitment to punctuality was evident throughout my journey.

'The cabin crew was professional and friendly, making the flight enjoyable. Despite the affordable prices, the seating was comfortable enough for the duration of the flight.'

And 'Tracey C' commented on Tripadvisor: 'I know Ryanair have bad reviews, but I honestly couldn't fault them. From the initial booking to the flight itself. Online chat was friendly and helpful. Staff in both airports were also friendly. Cabin crew were lovely. Flight boarded and left on time on both journeys. Price was also great. Will definitely be using Ryanair again.'

Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large at The Points Guy, noted, however, that 'there's not a huge amount to read into seeing a slight shift up and down in the positions of Ryanair and easyJet'.
Owning Manhattan star Jade Shenker has furiously hit back at her 'fake' costar Jonathan Nrmlle over the cruel comments he made about her and fellow brokers on the new Netflix series.

Jonathan, 27, ripped into several of the Serhant real estate agents, including Jade who he branded 'terrible,' in a now-deleted podcast episode alongside costar Jessica Markowski.

The podcast  which was recorded for the company  caused a huge fallout on the show and resulted in Jonathan being forced to apologize for his actions.

Sharing her thoughts about his scathing comments, Jade, 28, told DailyMail.com she has blocked him - as she revealed the pre-edited version was even more shocking.

'Good riddance,' she said. 'We have a good amount of agents here. I've blocked him.

Owning Manhattan star Jade Shenker has slammed costar Jonathan Nrmlle over the cruel comments he made about fellow agents on the Netflix series

The outspoken 27-year-old ripped into several of the Serhant real estate agents in a now-deleted podcast episode, dismissing Jade, 28, as a socialite who brags online

'I don't care if somebody talks about me because guess what? You are a fan. Who are you? You are no-one. You're a fake. I simply don't care.'

On the podcast, Jonathan was heard saying: 'That's what p***es me off about the people at the firm now, it's almost like a lot of the people are not angry with us, but have some resentment towards us.

'For example, Jade. The New York socialite and this and that. Every single video she posts says "My dad is a real estate tycoon, my mom is a model"... I'm like, well you turned out terrible.'

He later added: 'Anybody in their 30s or 20s that has millions of dollars would much rather go tour with your and me... This might sound cocky, but there's no competition at all.'

Jade explained that his decision to say the comments on a company podcast was the most offensive part of the ordeal.

She stated: 'With Jonathan, I was more offended by the fact he went into Serhant and was calling out our agents on this podcast. I heard the original podcast which is way worse before it was even edited.

'It was really nasty. I'm like: "How could you do that?" Ryan [Serhant] is giving you a chance to prove yourself. He's giving you a golden opportunity and you're going to tell him, everyone else you hired is dogs**t.

She added: 'Jonathan is a character and he's young. Fame and humility is something that needs to go hand in hand and he's definitely lacking the latter.'

Jade raged to DailyMail: 'I don't care if somebody talks about me because guess what? You are a fan. Who are you? You are no-one. You're a fake'

Jonathan was eventually fired by Ryan Serhant on the roof deck of Manhattan skyscraper The Edge at Hudson Yards in the final episode of the series

Jonathan was eventually fired by Ryan Serhant on the roof deck of Manhattan skyscraper The Edge at Hudson Yards in the final episode of the series.

Jade admitted she felt grateful to her boss for making the decision.

'There are so many reasons why I think he should have been fired... this was an important lesson for a lot of people,' she said. 'It's one thing to use social media and clickbait and stuff to elevate your brand.

'But there needs to be a strategy behind it. When you put things out there, there needs to be a strategy. How many reality stars do we see actually turn fame into business and know how to leverage them.'

She continued: 'If I did an event for a building, and if there was no strategy behind it, what does it really do? It's a waste of my time it's a waste of money and it's a waste of everyone who goes there's time.

'So doing a podcast, incredible... doing a podcast and talk s**t about other agents, make it make sense.'

During her time as a Commercial Real Estate strategist, Jade has made her name as a Top 30 Under 30 real estate industry disrupter and advisor.

Since founding Serhant's commercial division with almost a quarter of a billion dollars in active listings, she has managed over $650 million in luxury assets, as well as gaining a large following on social media thanks to her unique approach to selling.

Indeed, Jade proudly boasts about her mission to make 'commercial real estate sexy' - something that often sees her being judged and underestimated.

Elsewhere, Jade also proudly boasted about her mission to make 'commercial real estate sexy' - something that often sees her being judged and underestimated

'I'm going to be honest, the trolling on social media does get to me,' she explained. 'There are times where I have thought, "Oh my gosh, maybe I should tone it down".

'But I don't want to. I have had so many investors and developers get in touch after seeing my posts and the way I present my properties and they tell me that they love what I'm doing.

The broker stated: 'So many investors and developers get in touch after seeing my posts and they tell me that they love what I'm doing'

'As a broker, I need to grasp attention and make my building stand out compared to a million others. In this climate, I'm not going to keep doing what has been done before.'

Jade also revealed that how she presents herself has more to do with encouraging her inner confidence while doing business deals.

She continued: 'Part of loving what I do is showing up how I feel most confident and that is when I am feeling sexy and at my best. Growing up I would always hear: "That skirt's too short, it's going to distract the boys". And I never understood that.

'Why does that matter when I graduated top of my class? Why does that matter when I am closing this million dollar deal? If being myself and showing up how I feel confident to do business is distracting then alright, let's use it to sell.

'I'm all about my business and doing what it takes to get the best for my clients and my company.'

One such example is when she performed a sexy dance routine in a music video created to help sell a property.

Jade also stated that how she presents herself has more to do with encouraging her inner confidence while doing her business deals

All episodes of Owning Manhattan are available to stream on Netflix

Jade was quick to point out that she hadn't actually planned on starring in the music video herself, but was encouraged to take part in order to be the clear face of the project.

'We sold that building, it was a record sale,' she said. 'I then had other developers reach out to me to do the same for them but I had to point out that it's not a one shoe fits all approach.'

The SERHANT brokerage takes center stage in Owning Manhattan, and gives viewers an inside look at the adrenaline-filled universe of high-stakes New York City real estate.

The agents are seen facing intense competition to secure the citys most exclusive luxury listings.

All episodes of Owning Manhattan are available to stream on Netflix
An Australian influencer has claimed she got food poisoning after dining at a Michelin star restaurant at the Louvre in Paris on Sunday.

Rozalia Russian, the glamorous wife of nightclub owner Nick Russian, explained she enjoyed a meal with her husband and two kids at the well-known establishment.

She told her Instagram followers, she wasn't very hungry so decided to order a 'light meal' of a Salad Nicoise which she said caused her to become extremely ill.

'Last night in Paris, we ate here. The view was stunning. I wasn't starving so I ordered something light and then. Food poisoning!!' Rozalia, 36, wrote.

'It was our travel day as well. In between being sick I would say 10 times that morning sweating and shivering. I have no idea how I got through airport security, two flights and a car transfer.

'Would put it up there with one of the worst days of my life! Food poisoning is the pits! See you never tuna.'

After arriving in Italy, Rozalia shared an update, explaining: 'So little update on the food poisoning situation. I woke up at 2am and felt sick and nauseous and then at 3am I started vomiting.'

She said as they left Paris she visited the pharmacy at the airport to get tablets but they didn't help her.

Rozalia Russian, the glamorous wife of nightclub owner Nick Russian, has claimed she got food poisoning after dining at Michelin star restaurant in Paris on Sunday

'I couldn't even stand up straight. I had to sit down My whole body was aching,' she said.

Rozalia then visited the medical centre at the airport and the doctor prescribed her more tablets.

'Long story short, it was one of the worst days of my life,' she admitted.

She told her Instagram followers, she wasn't very hungry so decided to order a 'light meal' of a Salad Nicoise which she said caused her to become extremely ill

Rozalia is currently enjoying a European holiday with her husband Nick, 45, and their two children Willow, 10, and Kingston, seven.

The couple met over 10 years ago when she visited his nightclub Eve in Melbourne.

In 2016, Nick and his brother Daniel decided to close the venue, which had been a celebrity hotspot.

'It was mixed emotions when it ended because every single morning on a Saturday, I would wake up with massive anxiety about the night ahead,' Nick told Domain in 2021 about the club.

'When I walked out there for the final time, it felt like an enormous relief to an extent. I also felt proud because we have achieved everything we possibly could.'
Australian comedian Chris Lilley has posted a mind-blowing throwback video featuring a well-known AFL WAG.

Before becoming a successful businesswoman and the wife of Geelong star Tom Hawkins, Emma Hawkins, 35, had a budding career as an actress and featured in three of Lilley's comedy series for the ABC including Summer Heights High.

Credited as Emma Clapham on the show, the future WAG can be seen sharing a scene with Lilley, 49, in his controversial series We Can Be Heroes.

Emma, who plays schoolgirl Briana in the 2005 show, appeared as the same character in Lilley's Summer Heights High (2007) and again in Ja'mie: Private School Girl (2013).

All three shows featured Lilley as Ja'mie, a foul-mouthed 16-year-old school girl and the centre of a friendship circle of four teen girls, including Hawkins' character.

Lilley's Instagram share featured a scene in which Ja'mie's mates are dressed in pyjamas for a sleepover and are playing with an Ouija board.

'Private school girl Jamie has a seance and communicates with Briana's dead dog Chico at a sleepover with her friends,' the comedian explained in the caption.

Back in 2018, Emma, founder of children's wear brand Homegrown Kids shared that she was only in Year 10 when she first filmed We Can Be Heroes.

Before becoming a successful businesswoman, Emma Hawkins, 35, had a budding career as an actress and featured in three of Lilley's comedy series for the ABC including Summer Heights High. Pictured: Emma, second from left with Chris Lilley and the cast of We Can Be Heroes in 2005

The series is a mockumentary that follows a series of five characters - all played by Lilley - who have been nominated for Australian of the Year.

'Well, yes I guess you could say I was a teenage actor  similar to The Olsen Twins or Hillary Duff,' Emma revealed to her Instagram followers in 2018.

'We have obviously all gone in very different directions with our lives.

Emma appeared as the character of Briana, a school girl in Lilley's Summer Heights High (2007) and again in Ja'mie: Private School Girl (2013)

Emma welcomed her third child, a son Henry, with husband, Geelong footy champ Tom Hawkins in July, 2022. Both pictured

She added: 'It was such a fun experience.

'I never pursued acting Or it didn't pursue me? I cant remember the finer details (it was [definitely] the latter).'

Emma welcomed her third child, a son Henry, with husband Tom in July, 2022.

The couple who married in 2016, also share daughters Arabella, seven and Primrose who is four.
Australian actress Abbey Lee revealed that Kevin Costner made her feel 'really comfortable' with filming their sex scene in Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1.

The 37-year-old supermodel portrays Marigold in the first part of the epic Western who is the love interest of Hayes Ellison, the lead character played by Costner, 69, who also is the director, producer and co-writer.

Marigold and Hayes have an intimate scene inside a wagon in the film released on Friday in theaters.

'Kevin was very sensitive about that. He made sure that I was really comfortable and we had a long talk about it beforehand,' Lee told People in an article on Sunday.

Lee said that Costner 'told me how it would be shot, that there wouldn't be any nudity, that there would be nothing graphic.'

Australian actress Abbey Lee revealed that Kevin Costner, shown last week in Los Angeles, made her feel 'really comfortable' with filming their sex scene in Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

'You have to talk about the details of it so you understand what's going on so everyone feels safe and comfortable. And we obviously had those conversations,' she added.

The Mad Max: Fury Road star continued that it also was a 'matter of feeling comfortable with the crew that needs to be in the room and the ones who don't, aren't there.'

Lee admitted that 'there's always an element of discomfort' with sex scenes.

'They're always a bit weird, but as long as you can trust the people around you ... it's just weird because there's people standing in a room while you're doing this fake, intimate thing. It's just strange,' Lee said.

An official synopsis teases that Horizon 'explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won  and lost  through the blood, sweat and tears of many.'

'Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Kevin Costners ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America,' the summary added.

The four-part epic has a star-studded ensemble cast that includes: Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Michael Rooker, Jamie Campbell Bower, Ella Hunt, Jena Malone, Luke Wilson and Costner's son Hayes, 15, making his acting film debut.

Costner gushed about Hayes while promoting the film in May on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC.

The 37-year-old supermodel portrays Marigold in the first part of the epic Western who is the love interest of Hayes Ellison, the lead character played by Costner, 69, who also is the director, producer and co-writer

Marigold and Hayes have an intimate scene inside a wagon in the film released on Friday in theaters

Abbey, shown last week at the Los Angeles premiere of the film, has made the transition from modeling to actress

Costner portrays Hayes Ellison in the Western epic and his teenage son Hayes is in Part 1

Kimmel, 56, asked if he had to pay his teenage son to be in the movie.

'He didn't have to audition,' Costner quipped.

'Listen, I know these parts are so important in people's career, so I don't just hand them out like candy,' he added.

'Oh, I was going to ask if I could be in it,' Kimmel joked.

Costner continued that he wanted Hayes for the movie, but with a part that wasn't too big for him.

'It was something I could have him with me,' Costner said.

Horizon: An American Saga - Part 1 was released in theaters on Friday and Chapter 2 will be released on August 16.

Costner has started work on Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 is in development.
Her ex-fiance Braith Anasta recently confirmed his split from girlfriend Evie Tziomakis, but things appear to be getting very serious between Rachael Lee and her new beau Evan Faulks.

The glamourous PT and alleged 'high-ranking member' of the Bra Boys went out to dinner with her entire family in Coogee on Saturday evening.

Rachael and Evan held hands as they walked alongside her mother and father, Kim and Stuart Lee, her sister Bridgette and her fiance, and Rachael's two children - son Addison, 13, and five-year-old daughter Gigi.

The clan appeared to have just wrapped up a family dinner at Justin Hemmes' popular Coogee Pavilion.

Mother-of-two Rachael showed off her incredible figure in a double denim ensemble - including jeans with cut-outs at the thighs with a matching jacket and a tight white singlet top.

The ex NRL WAG boosted her already statuesque height with white strappy stilettos and wore her long bronde hair extensions out in curls.

Meanwhile, Evan, 38, a professional surfer, covered up his own fit frame in cream trousers, a black T-shirt and a smart sweater.

The new couple have been spending most days together and recently got into meditation as Evan waits for several months before learning if he has to go back to prison.

Braith Anasta's ex Rachael Lee and her new beau Evan Faulks went out to dinner with her entire family in Coogee on Saturday evening

The accused gang member was arrested in March last year as part of an investigation into an alleged drug importation ring and won't face a hearing until next February.

Evan was granted $200,000 bail in November and three weeks later uploaded to Instagram a video of himself carrying a bag of belongings as he left custody jumping for joy.

The video was captioned: 'The best feeling I have ever experienced and I never want to do feel it again [sic].'

The glamourous PT and alleged 'high-ranking member' held hands as they left Coogee Pavillion

The couple walked alongside her mother and father, Kim and Stuart Lee, her sister Bridgette and her fiance, and Rachael's two children - son Addison, 13, and five-year-old daughter Gigi

In May, Evan uploaded a black and white image of himself walking out of court which Rachael then reposted to her own social media.

Rachael and Evan, who reportedly met at Crown Plaza in Coogee over Christmas, were photographed together in public for the first time in May celebrating her 36th birthday.

The couple arrived at Hijinx Hotel in Sydney's inner-city Alexandria with Rachael's son Addison and little girl Gigi, who she shares with TV presenter Braith.

Evan's court case was listed in Downing Centre Local Court in May, but he did not have to appear in person because he was represented by a solicitor.

The clan appeared to have just wrapped up a family dinner at Justin Hemmes' popular eatery

Mother-of-two Rachael showed off her incredible figure in a double denim ensemble - including jeans with cut-outs at the thighs with a matching jacket and a tight white singlet top

Meanwhile, Evan, 38, a professional surfer, covered up his own fit frame in cream trousers, a black T-shirt and a smart sweater

He was extradited last year from Queensland following an 18-month investigation into cocaine and meth consignments allegedly intercepted by US authorities.

Evan, who police allege is a 'high-ranking member' of the Bra Boys, was originally accused of running a criminal operation which imported and distributed drugs worth $12.6million around Sydney.

On March 19, police withdrew a charge that Evan had knowingly directed the activities of a criminal group and another that he knowingly dealt with the proceeds of crime with intent to conceal.

The same day he pleaded not guilty to dealing with property worth $266,954 which was suspected to be the proceeds of a crime between September 2016 and May 2017.

Evan was arrested in March last year as part of an investigation into an alleged drug importation ring and won't face a hearing until next February

In May, magistrate Daniel Covington heard Evan maintained his not guilty plea to the proceeds of crime charge and set the matter down for a four-hour hearing on February 4.

Evan faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted.

Rachael and former footy player-turned-television presenter Braith split in November 2022.

He went on to date Evie Tziomakis, but a source confirmed they had parted ways earlier this year in June.
Married At First Sight New Zealand star Andrew Jury was behind bars when he died aged 33 last Thursday.

Andrew's father Roy Jury confirmed to the New Zealand Herald his son was on remand at Mt Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland at the time of his death.

The former reality star, who starred on MAFS NZ in 2017, passed away just hours before a scheduled court appearance after medical and emergency staff desperately tried to save him.

According to the publication, Andrew was was 'facing charges that included assault with intent to injure, willful damage and possession of an offensive weapon'.

The Herald also reported that Roy 'held concerns for his son's mental state' ahead of the hearing and he was 'struggling' in prison following his April 2 arrest.

'It should have been a red flag when Andy stopped communicating with family and friends,' he said.

Mt Eden prison general manager Dion Paki confirmed Andrew's death on the morning of June 27.

Andrew was just 26 years old when he made his MAFS appearance in 2017.

Married At First Sight New Zealand star Andrew Jury was behind bars when he died aged 33 last Thursday

His co-stars Brett and Angel Renall and Benjamin Blackwell announced the reality TV star's shock death in a joint statement over the weekend.

'It's with the heaviest hearts we've come together to acknowledge the passing of Andrew Jury,' it read.

'We had the absolute pleasure of filming and participating in a show which leaves us intricately linked for a lifetime.

'Despite his struggles, Andrew was always friendly and the life of the party during our shared experience and he really valued his time on the show.'

Following his appearance on MAFS, Andrew kept a low profile and rarely shared details of his life on his Instagram page.

His final photo was posted to his grid on 28th May 2023 to mark his 32rd birthday.

Andrew's father Roy Jury confirmed to the New Zealand Herald his son was on remand at Mt Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland at the time of his death. He passed away just hours before a scheduled court appearance after medical and emergency staff tried desperately to save him

He shared a selfie and wrote: 'Haven't posted since last year, updated pic of me, 32 ain't so bad people #roastme.'

It comes after Warner Bros Discovery, which broadcasts MAFS in NZ, revealed they have wellness protocols in place as concerns grow for all MAFS stars' well-being.

'WBD takes duty of care extremely seriously and has protocols in place regarding the wellbeing of cast and crew,' a spokesperson of the company said.

'All MAFS NZ contributors have access to mental health professionals throughout the process, including pre-screening, during production and after broadcast.'

The builder was one of the original grooms from the first season, which aired in 2017 when he was 26 years old

While announcing Jury's death over the weekend, Brett and Angel Renall and Benjamin Blackwell sent their condolences to his family.

'At this time our entire cast wish to send our deepest condolences and love to his family - Ben, Angel, Brett, Vicky, Haydn, Lacey, Claire, Dom, Aaron, Luke, Belinda,' they wrote in their statement.

Andrew was paired with bride Vicky Gleeson-Stokes, and while the pair stayed together during the finale, they split after filming ended.

If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out for crisis support on 131114 or visit lifeline
Ashley Roberts dressed to impress for another day at work on Monday.

The Heart Radio Breakfast star, 42, was spotted strutting to the radio studios in London in a slinky blue dress, while her co-star Amanda Holden, 53, looked chic in lilac.

Ashley complained about the sun's disappearance as she asked her Instagram followers why she was wearing 'long sleeves in July' while posing in her River Island number.

The ruched maxi dress showed off Ashley's incredible figure, clinging to her curves. She accessorised with white heels and a Miu Miu bag.

Ashley Roberts dressed to impress for another day at work on Monday. The Heart Radio Breakfast star, 42, was spotted strutting to the radio studios in London in a slinky blue dress

Her co-star Amanda Holden , 53, looked chic in a sleeveless lilac dress and Dior accessories

Amanda meanwhile showed off her tan, after working in Spain for the latest series of her house renovation show with Alan Carr.

She looked gorgeous in a sleeveless lilac dress, with button detail up the front and a daring thigh-high split.

The TV and radio star added stappy white sandals and carried a 4,000 floral print Christian Dior tote.

It's been an emotional week for Amanda who proudly posed with her lookalike daughter Lexi as she celebrated her last ever day at school on Friday.

The BGT judge shared a touching tribute on Instagram over the weekend to her 'brilliant, funny and resilient' daughter as she completed her A-levels.

Lexi, who is now hoping to embark on a career in modelling, towered over Amanda as they posed for stunning snaps at her school leavers day.

The mother-daughter duo looked the spitting image of each other as they stood arm-in-arm in their gorgeous floral dresses for the sweet snap.

Amanda captioned her post: 'Last ever day at school. A levels done. Could not be prouder of our little brilliant, funny, resilient and all grown up.. the world is yours.. Go and live the biggest possible life .. Mummy Daddy & Hollie love you.'

Ashley complained about the sun's disappearance as she asked her Instagram followers why she was wearing 'long sleeves in July' while posing in her River Island number

The bodycon maxi dress showed off Ashley's incredible figure, clinging to her curves

She accessorised with white heels and a Miu Miu bag and added statement shades as a finishing touch

Amanda meanwhile showed off her tan, after working in Spain for the latest series of her house renovation show with Alan Carr

The TV and radio star added stappy white sandals and carried a 4,000 floral print Christian Dior tote

The mother-of-two's showbiz pals gushed to the comments to congratulate Lexi, with Ashley penning: 'Aww Lexi!'

In March 2022, Amanda announced her eldest daughter signed with Kate Moss' original agency Storm modelling as she follows in her mother's showbusiness footsteps.

Discussing Lexi's next steps, Amanda exclusively told MailOnline in March 2023: 'She's been taken on by Storm. She's 17 but I think when she's 18 we'll start looking for her to be in that field. At the minute they are working on her Lookbook.'

When asked about her and Lexi's recent red carpet appearances, the TV personality admitted: 'I'm very mindful of what things we go to.

'We went to the Fashion Awards which was really exciting. So yeah, I want to take her to the right things, the relevant things. She's interested in the fashion side of things.'

Amanda added: 'Lexi's an A* student so I don't want her to mess that up and she wants to do it all.'

It's been an emotional week for Amanda who proudly posed with her lookalike daughter Lexi as she celebrated her last ever day at school on Friday
After four decades in the music industry, Simon Cowell is showing no signs of slowing down.

And ahead of his 65th birthday later this year, the talent scout has insisted that he will never retire from the industry - and revealed the touching reason why.

In an interview with Hello! magazine, Simon, 64, recalled the sadness surrounding his late father Eric's retirement as he had 'no choice' in his stopping working.

Simon - who is about to set out on a new search for the next hit boyband - has confirmed that he won't let the same thing happen to him.

Asked if he was looking to retire, he said: 'Oh god no, I'll probably drop dead doing what I'm doing.

Simon Cowell insisted that he will never retire from the industry in an interview with Hello! in July, ahead of his 65th birthday later this year (Pictured in June)

Asked if he was looking to retire, he said: 'Oh god no, I'll probably drop dead doing what I'm doing' (Pictured in 2003)

'As long as I think there's a need or a purpose and it's something I can do well, I'm up for it.'

Simon recalled that Eric - who passed away in 1999 from a heart attack - had 'no choice' but to stop working as he was employed by a big company.

The X Factor judge said that watching what his father went through was difficult.

'His brain was still amazing and he could have done that job for another 20 years,' Simon said.

Sharing the words of advice he received from him, Simon said his father urged him to try and work for himself if he was ever in a position to.

Simon's fiance Lauren Silverman, who he shares his son Eric, 10, with - has also come to terms with the fact that her partner won't be slowing down.

Lauren, 46, said that a relationship is about accepting a person for her who they are.

She said Simon 'marches to the beat of his own drum' and instead of trying to change him, she is happy to walk alongside.

In an interview with Hello! magazine, Simon, 64, recalled the sadness surrounding his late father Eric's retirement as he did not want to stop working (Simon picture centre-left and his father Eric picture far right)

Simon - who is about to set out on a new search for the next hit boyband - has confirmed that he won't be stepping away from his job anytime soon (Pictured with the Pop Idol team in 2003)

Simon's fiance Lauren Silverman, who he shares his son Eric, 10, with - has also come to terms with the fact that he won't slow down (Pictured in September 2023)

Lauren, 46, said that for her, a relationship is about accepting a person for her who they are (Pictured in 2022)

In a sign that his career is nowhere near its end, Simon signed a huge deal with Netflix for his new talent show.

He said recently that he thought there had not been a band as successful as One Direction since, and set about on a quest to replicate their fame.

It was then revealed that he signed a deal with Netflix for the show and - clearly not afraid to shout about his talent scouting prowess - called it Simon Cowell: Midas Touch.

A source revealed to The Sun that Simon is in the end stages of finalising the deal with the streamer.

They said: 'Netflix is the perfect place for his new show and Box To Box, who are producing the series, have worked with them before.

Simon was seen putting up a giant billboard of his own face in a bid to drum up publicity for his new show

'Simon and his team have been working so hard on getting the show off the ground and a final deal is so close now.'

The name of the show has amused people behind the scenes, it has been said.

The source added: 'Simon knows he is the best at what he does and calling his show Midas Touch gives a new meaning to blowing your own trumpet.'

Simon's search will consist of X Factor boot camp style auditions starting on July 4 and 5 in Newcastle, before he moves on to Liverpool, Dublin and London.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is warning of potential power shut-offs this week to help prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2021

As California braces for a heat wave this week, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. warned Sunday of potential power shut-offs in parts of the Bay Area and elsewhere in Northern California to help prevent its electrical equipment from sparking wildfires.

PG&E officials were monitoring weather conditions for a possible public safety power shut-off Tuesday in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Shasta, Solano, Tehama and Yolo counties. During the shut-offs, the utility preemptively turns off customers power in areas with elevated fire risk when weather forecasts predict gusty winds and dry conditions.

Dry, hot and windy conditions are in the forecast this week, raising the risk of wildfires. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for parts of the Sacramento Valley, Lake County and Solano County. High temperatures in the North Bay valleys are predicted to range from 100 to 110 degrees Tuesday.

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As of now, no PSPS has been called, and no customers have been notified, as the potential event is more than two days away, said PG&E spokesperson Karly Hernandez.

Specific details  including addresses and maps that could be affected by the shut-offs  are available two days before the shutoff, according to PG&Es website.

PG&E customers can sign up for text or phone call alerts on its website.

We are committed to keeping our communities informed and will provide updates as conditions evolve, Hernandez added.
New Zealand TV presenter Matthew Ridge has unleashed a torrent of homophobic slurs on his new podcast, The Brink.

The former footy star, 55, who currently lives in Grasse, France with his wife Chloe and their children, dropped the f-slur with co-host David Ring during the shock debut episode.

He then told listeners 'you can't cancel me' because his mother and David are homosexual and he was 'raised' by the LGBTQIA+ community.

Video clips of the podcast, which Matthew promised would offend the 'woke', were shared to Instagram and showed the hosts using slurs.

One conversation in particular involved David describing a gay pride parade as involving 'bears', 'twinks' and 'dykes on bikes'.

Matthew promptly cut him off with: 'Hang on, the guys that we call f**s... I don't care if you cancel me either. I don't give a s**t.'

David, who lives in Monaco with his husband of 10 years James Vaile, responded: 'Well you can't cancel it because I'm here and I'm not getting offended.'

'It's just a f**king word,' he added, with Matthew explaining: 'I've got plenty of gay friends because my mother's gay, by the way.'

New Zealand TV presenter Matthew Ridge, 55, (pictured) has spewed a torrent of slurs on his new podcast The Brink during its debut over the weekend

'I've been raised by the gay community, so to speak. You can't cancel me,' he said.

But the conversation didn't end there as Matthew then accused David of making him feel 'uncomfortable' in a previous situation by 'dressing like a queer'.

'Like a raving f**king pink. Just don't dress like a pinky,' Matthew said.

The former footy star who currently lives in Grasse, France with his wife Chloe and their children, dropped the f-slur with co-host David Ring (right) in the shock episode

He then told listeners 'you can't cancel me' because his mother and David are homosexual and he was 'raised' by the LGBTQIA+ community

The Designing Dreams host and socialite became fast friends through Matthew's daughter Jaime, reported Spy on Saturday.

The pair hit it off during a lunch in Monaco when they bonded over them both having ADHD and a 'disdain for small talk'.

'We discovered a mutual love of deep, judgment-free conversation that led to a friendship and a connection we find as baffling as everyone around us,' David said.

Matthew and David record their podcast while alternating between their respective homes in France and Monaco.
This is the moment Rick Ross was attacked by Drake fans after he played Kendrick Lamar's diss track against the Canadian rapper in his home country.

Ross, real name William Roberts, ended his set at the Ignite Music Festival in Vancouver on Sunday with Lamar's chart-topping song against Drake, Not Like Us.

As Ross left the stage, with the song still playing, the rapper was confronted by a group who did not appreciate his closing song.

Footage of the incident shows one of the men punching Ross in the face after a short exchange. which sparked an all-out brawl.

Lamar made some serious accusations on his track Not Like Us, which was released shortly after he dropped Meet The Grahams.

This is the moment Rick Ross was attacked by Drake fans after he played Kendrick Lamar's diss track against the Canadian rapper

Rick Ross and his crew were assaulted after his show in Canada after they played Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' pic.twitter.com/AiZbxS2qwt  The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 1, 2024

In the new song, Lamar appears to accuse Drake, 37, of pursuing much younger girls, along with another member of his crew.

Not Like Us was released on YouTube with what appeared to be a graphic of Drake's home covered with red sex offender symbols.

In the lyrics, the Pulitzer Prize winner hit out at the hitmaker and members of his Octobers Very Own (OVO) crew.

Ross and Drake were once friends, but the Hustlin rapper has made it clear he is on Lamar's side in the rap beef.

In a series of online posts antagonizing the Canadian rapper back in April, Ross claimed that Drake had surgery to remove fat and accentuate his abs  calling Drake 'BBL Drizzy'.

Footage of the incident shows one of the men punching Ross in the face after a short exchange. which sparked an all-out brawl

Lamar made some serious accusations on his track Not Like Us, which was released shortly after he dropped Meet The Grahams

Ross also accused the God's Plan artist of having a nose job in his Champagne Moments single.

In the lyrics, Ross calls Drake a 'white boy,' and raps 'Thats why you had an operation to make your nose smaller than your father nose.'

Drake denied making any changes to his appearance, writing back, 'I would have got us a 2 for 1 deal if I went ma.'

He then pushed back against his nemesis explaining, 'Its coming from Rick Ross the guy I did songs with.'

Drake then made allegations about the B.M.F artist using a diabetes drug that can also promote weight loss.

Ross and Drake were once friends, but the Hustlin rapper has made it clear he is on Lamar's side in the rap beef

Ross also accused the God's Plan artist of having a nose job in his Champagne Moments single

Drake denied making any changes to his appearance, writing back, 'I would have got us a 2 for 1 deal if I went ma'

'Hes gone loopy off the Mounjaro he hasnt eaten in days and its turned him angry and racist,' he claimed adding, 'hes performing at proms for money its bad dont worry well handle it.'

Drake tagged Ross on the Instagram Story slide writing, 'Youre one nosey goof.'

After Drake posted his denial, the Lyrical Eazy rapper was quick to hit back, sharing a video showing his luxurious swimming pool with a yellow nose emoji, writing BBL Drizzy and tagging the (drake) at @champagnepapi.

'I just realized BBL Drizzy called his mommy on me,' The Boss artist said on the clip.
A 29-year-old TikTok star famed for her dating comedy series died by suicide, the New York City medical examiners' office has confirmed.

Eva Evans hanged herself in her apartment on April 20, authorities told TMZ after previous reports suggested she had left a suicide note.

Police found the 'Club Rat' series creator after obtaining a key from a friend who had seen her the previous day.

She appeared to have hanged herself from the ceiling in her living room, according to police sources. Friends of the influencer said they didn't know her to be depressed or struggling with poor mental health.

Evans - who amassed more than 305,000 followers on TikTok where she posted about her life in New York as a rising filmmaker - was pronounced dead at the scene.

TikTok star Eva Evans, 29, died by suicide after hanging herself in her apartment on April 20, the New York City Medical Examiners Office confirmed

Police found the comedy series Club Rat creator after obtaining a key from a friend who had seen her the previous day

'Yesterday my family received news that our sweet, fabulous, creative, caring, hilarious Eva, my beautiful sister, has died,' her sister Lila Joy said in an Instagram post revealing the tragic news.

'After 24 hours, I still find myself in a constant cycle of denial and acceptance, so I know how unbelievable and hard to process this news will be.

'I wish I had Eva here now to refer to because she would have better words and know how to say what I don't,' she continued.

'I am keeping this brief, so we can plan for the next few days, but you'll be hearing a lot more from me on how much Eva means to me and just how different the world will be without her.'

Actress Julia Fox also paid a tearful tribute to Evans who she called a 'New York Icon.'

'That was the kind of person that she was, always sticking up for me,' the Uncut Gems star said through tears.

Evans is said to have left a suicide note but its contents are unknown and her sister Lila Joy confirmed her death on Instagram

Hundreds of loved ones and fans gathered at Grace Church to remember the beloved filmmaker

'She passed away and she was so young, still had so much to do in life. But she lived life to the fullest.'

Reality star Lo Bosworth also expressed her condolences under Evans' last Instagram post before her death.

'Rest in peace, angel Eva you were always kind to me when others couldn't be bothered. Will never forget that kindness,' The Hills alum wrote.

Hundreds of loved ones and fans gathered at Grace Church to remember the beloved filmmaker.

Picture collages of Evans throughout her life were displayed inside the church, along with an array of flowers. Others were seen wearing shirts with her face on them and petting her dog Slayer.

Last year, Evans debuted a five-episode series on Prime Video titled Club Rat, which she wrote, directed and starred

Actress Julia Fox paid a tearful tribute to Evans who she called a 'New York Icon'

Last year, Evans debuted a five-episode series on Prime Video titled Club Rat, which she wrote, directed and starred.

She played a 'self-absorbed influencer' who 'attempts to re-enter the chaotic New York City dating scene after a candid video of her humiliating breakup goes viral.'

Evans starred alongside Noa Fisher and Marcela Avelina in the episodes, which ranged from five to 10 minutes in length.

'I'm so grateful to the cast and crew who not only made some on screen magic, but also made the shoot an unforgettable and special experience in and of itself. I LOVE YOU ALL!!' she wrote on Instagram when production wrapped in June 2023.

The first episode of Club Rat is available to watch for free on Evans' YouTube, and the full series is available to purchase on Prime Video.

For help and support in the US contact the National Suicide Hotline on 988, or in the UK call the Samaritans on 116 123
The Love Island villa will be shaken on Tuesday night as the Islanders' heads start to turn in Casa Amor.

The girls met the new boys during Monday's episode after leaving the villa for a cocktails night.

New boy Jake Spivey was quick to get grafting Matilda Draper as he told her she is playing it 'safe' with partner Sean Stone and that he is 'punching big time' with her.

He said: 'You're safe with him if you wanted to.'

Matilda replied: 'What? Why? I so feel like he's going to be cracking on'

The Love Island villa will be shaken on Tuesday night as the islanders heads start to turn in Casa Amor (pictured Ayo Odukoya)

New boy Jake was quick to get grafting Matilda (pictured) as he told her she is playing it 'safe' with partner Sean and that he is 'punching big time' with her

Jake added: 'It's early days, so of course. But what I'm saying I just feel like he's punching big time with you.'

The comment made Matilda laugh as Jake added: 'Hopefully I get to tell him. I might be holding your hand'

When it came to the sleep arrangements, Jake was quick to tell Matilda that she's sharing with him.

Meanwhile Nicole Samuel, who is coupled up with Ciaran Davies, and Mimii Ngulube, who is coupled up with Ayo Odukoya, both decide to sleep outside away from the new boys.

However, as the six new girls woke the boys up in the main villa Ayo quickly had his head turned after speaking with Jessica Spencer.

Speaking in the kitchen, Ayo admitted Jessica is 'causing problems' for him as they had a very flirty chat.

She asked: 'What's your type?', laughing her replied: 'I can't say it You, innit. I love a pretty face. That's my problem.'

Smiling Jessica added: 'Pretty faces are meant to cause problems'

When it came to the sleep arrangements, Jake was quick to tell Matilda that she's sharing with him, while Nicole (R), who is coupled up with Ciaran, and Mimii (L), who is with Ayo, both decide to sleep outside

However, as the six new girls woke the boys up in the main villa Ayo quickly has his head turned after speaking with Jessica

Speaking in the kitchen Ayo admitted Jessica is 'causing problems' for him as they had a very flirty chat and he said: 'You're definitely my cup of tea, this is going to be very interesting'

Elsewhere in Casa Amor, Jess White, who revealed she has got the ick from bombshell Trey Norman on Monday, has started to get to know new boy Hugo

'Facts. You are doing that as we speak. Causing problems,' he replied.

Jessica went onto tell him she is going 'after what she wants' and has 'manifested' coupling up with him.

Later in the day, Ayo has a chat with Sean and says new girl Jessica has a 'different energy' to Mimii as he feels 'she can get a lot more out of me'.

He said: 'It's definitely good with Mimii. She brings that calm to me a lot more. She has a different energy to her.'

Sean asked: 'Initial reaction off of Jess, do you get that?'

Ayo replied: 'Yeah, I do. I feel like she'd get a lot more out of me in terms of that laughy, jokey.'

Later when Ayo and Jessica speak again Ayo admitted: 'You're definitely my cup of tea, so ok, this is going to be very interesting.'

Jessica replied: 'Very interesting'

Elsewhere in Casa Amor, Jess White, who revealed she has got the ick from bombshell Trey Norman on Monday, has started to get to know new boy Hugo Godfroy.

Discussing her situation with Trey she explained how the pair get on well but she wants someone who can 'give her banter back'.

She later told Hugo: 'You're very handsome, the more I look at you.'

He replied: 'I did see you staring at me at the fire pit a little bit', she added: 'I am good at eye contact.'

Hugo then subtly told Jess that they should share a bed in the new villa, he said: 'That's what I was going to warn you, I do snore a little bit. Obviously me and you are sharing a bed aren't we?'

Love Island continues Sunday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Sharon Corr has claimed she was refused boarding on a Ryanair flight home to Dublin because she was travelling with her violin.

The Corrs musician, 54, shared a post on Instagram on Sunday, saying she was left 'humiliated and crying' during the incident.

Sharon, who has lived in Madrid since 2018, wrote that she was booked on a Ryanair flight home to Dublin, where she was travelling to rehearse for her upcoming tour dates with her sisters and brother.

'Today I was booked on a @ryanair flight. I got up at 6 in the morning I was not allowed on the flight because I had my violin. I was in the airport for 7 hours,' Sharon wrote on Instagram.

Sharon Corr has claimed she was refused boarding on a Ryanair flight home to Dublin because she was travelling with her violin

'I had to return home after searching for my checked in bags. Humiliated, angry then crying as only a good woman can do.'

'Why was I going to Dublin? My home turf, to rehearse, to go on tour! I'm beyond disappointed. Michael O'Leary shame one you.'

Ryanair state on their website that passengers may 'carry any music equipment onboard as long as it fits within Cabin Bag allowance.'

'For smaller music equipment like guitars or violins that exceed your cabin baggage dimensions, you can opt to pay an extra seat fare for it. To do this, you must purchase an extra flight ticket and seat.'

'If your equipment does not fit in your Cabin Bag allowance and you do not wish to purchase an extra seat, you can choose to check it in against payment of a fee.'

A Ryanair spokesperson told MailOnline: 'This passenger was not refused travel from Madrid to Dublin (30 Jun).

' This passengers violin exceeded the cabin bag dimensions permitted for her flight, and therefore was required to pay a standard gate baggage fee to place it in the hold of the aircraft.

'This passenger refused to pay the standard fee and instead chose not to travel on this flight.'

Sharon and The Corrs are busy preparing for their string of live dates this summer, which will see them perform at BST Hyde Park on Sunday, supporting Shania Twain, before festival dates in Spain.

Sharon relocated to Madrid with her barrister husband Gavin Bonnar and their two children Cal, 18, and Flori, 16, in 2018.

The Corrs musician, 54, shared a post on Instagram on Sunday, saying she was left 'humiliated and crying' during the incident

Sharon and The Corrs are busy preparing for their string of live dates this summer, which will see them perform at BST Hyde Park on Sunday, supporting Shania Twain

A year later and Sharon and her husband split after 18 years together.

Bonnar moved on with Telma Ortiz, the sister of the Queen of Spain Letizia Ortiz, and the couple welcomed a child together in October 2021.

In her recentsolo album The Fool & The Scorpion, Sharon wrote lyrics including 'the queen's twisted sister' - which fans speculated were inspired by her children's new step-mother.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Sharon gushed that she was enjoying the single life.

'I've been dabbling. I'm browsing the buffet, let's put it that way,' she admitted.

Sharon relocated to Madrid with her barrister husband Gavin Bonnar and their two children Cal, 18, and Flori, 16, in 2018 but the couple split a year after the move

'It's really nice being single and being out there again, and you know what, a little bit of love and affection goes a long way.'

'I'm very happy right now. I just feel so comfortable in my own skin and that's something that has come with age.'

She continued: 'A couple of friends of mine turned 50 recently and I said, 'Your fifties are going to be your best years. You just watch this space.'
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Pinup swimsuit model Charlotte McKinney looked like a million bucks as she paraded around on a beach in Miami a skimpy string bikini that barely contained her assets.

The 30-year-old former Guess model - who has been trying stand-up comedy this year - was seen working on her tan on a stunning coastline.

The cover girl was modeling a very small two piece bathing suit that was white with black trim. It had ties on the briefs and a triangle top.

It seemed as if it may have been a size too small as it showed an eyeful of cleavage. The ex-girlfriend of actor Stephen Dorff was also seen getting in a power walk as the waves crashed by her.

The blonde bombshell from Orlando, Florida hit a big milestone last year: she turned 30.

Pinup swimsuit model Charlotte McKinney looked like a million bucks as she paraded around on a beach in Miami a skimpy string bikini that barely contained her assets

McKinney is a model and actress who first gained attention as an Instagram personality, eventually achieving wider recognition for her appearance in a Carl's Jr. commercial which aired regionally during Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.

The star has already be on the cover of GQ and Vanity Fair.

And Charlotte has competed on Dancing With The Stars and acted in the Baywatch remake.

This new sighting comes two months after she landed one of her most scintillating ad campaigns of her long career.

The blonde beauty was seen posing in skimpy lingerie to plug a major shoe brand in Miami.

The face of Larroude footwear as she was seen pouting for the camera in new eye-popping images shared to her Instagram page.

The 30-year-old former Guess model was seen working on her tan on a stunning coastline. The cover girl was modeling a very small two piece bathing suit that was white with black trim. It had ties on the briefs and a triangle top. It seemed as if it may have been a size too small as it showed an eyeful of cleavage

'New @larroude spring collection out now!' wrote the ex of Stephen Dorff in her brief caption.

'Shooting this campaign was extra special because the first time I wore their shoes I fell in love and became such a fan of the line but all that aside I had the chance to work with some of the most kindest and bad a** people.'

The Hollywood veteran then added hashtags for the brand as well as the glam team.

The star had on a pale pink sheer corset that had applique over her chest. McKinney also wore very tiny briefs that barely covered her up.

The outfit was used to plug the pale pink high heels from Larroude, though it is debatable if anyone was checking out her feet as her body seemed to be the focus.

The fashion industry personality left little to the imagination while showcasing her shapely form. The social media figure let her blonde hair fall down over her bare shoulders and her glam was on point.

McKinney began her modeling career by building a large presence on Instagram in the mid-2010s.

The model spoke about her platform during an interview with Marie Claire, where she pointed out that what she shared on her account was not indicative of what her life was normally like.

The ex-girlfriend of actor Stephen Dorff was also seen getting in a power walk as the waves crashed by her. The blonde bombshell from Orlando, Florida hit a big milestone last year: she turned 30

Her big breakout role: She came to fame when she modeled a bikini top and micro shorts for a Carl's Jr campaign in 2015

'Social media is an interesting part of life, and it's not all it looks like from the outside. Instagram is just an outlet to exude this image of what you deem as a perfect life,' she stated.

McKinney went on to express that she was not necessarily fond of using the social media outlet, although she recognized its necessity in her professional life.

'I have such a love hate relationship with it, being a private person but it plays such an essential part of my career,' she said.

The fashion industry personality concluded by expressing that prospective models should consider utilizing unconventional means while looking for success.

'Now more than ever, there isn't just one path to wherever you want or need to go. Explore as many options as possible, and don't rely on one straight road,' she said.
Shirtless Eric Clapton showcased his age-defying looks as he soaked up the sun during a family holiday in Corsica, France last week.

The 450million megastar, 79, who is ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, relaxed on the beach with his daughters and wife Melia.

Eric has five children Ruth, 39, Julie Rose, 23, Ella May, 21, Sophie Belle, 19, and his late son Conor, who died in 1991.

The guitarist enjoyed some downtime with his family as they travelled around the French island on a yacht.

Following a day in the sunshine, Eric slipped into a blue T-shirt and white shirts, teamed with a denim jacket to head out for dinner.

Shirtless Eric Clapton, 79, showcased his age-defying looks as he soaked up the sun during a family holiday in Corsica, France last week

The 450million megastar, who is ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, relaxed on the beach with his daughters and wife Melia

After a day at the beach, middle child Ella May was seen cooling off in the shade on a luxury yacht.

She flashed her jaw-dropping physique in a burgundy strappy bikini with sea shells embellished on.

Eric's first child Ruth, whose mother is Yvonne Kelly, was born in 1985 while he was married to ex-wife Pattie Boyd.

The father-of-five shares three children Julie Rose, Ella May and Sophie Belle with hus current wife Melia McEnery - who is rarely seen.

Eric and Melia tied the knot at St Mary Magdalene Church in Surrey back in 2001.

And in 1991, Eric lost his only son Conor after he tragically died in New York City from falling 49 stories out of an open window.

In February, Eric's first wife Pattie Boyd said she was planning to sell letters from her notorious love triangle with him and Beatles legend George Harrison - saying she finds them 'heartbreaking' to read back.

The 1960s model and muse, who was the inspiration for both musicians, said she has Eric's permission for the auction of the love letters.

Eric has five children Ruth, 39, Julie Rose, 23, Ella May, 21, Sophie Belle, 19, and his late son Conor, who died in 1991

After a day at the beach, middle child Ella May (pictured) was seen cooling off in the shade on a luxury yacht

She flashed her jaw-dropping physique in a burgundy strappy bikini with sea shells embellished on

Following a day in the sunshine, Eric slipped into a blue T-shirt and white shirts, teamed with a denim jacket to head out for dinner

The guitarist enjoyed some downtime with his family as they travelled around the French island on a yacht

Eric headed to the sea to cool off from the scorching heat

He later swapped his comfy beach chair and sunbathed on a towel on the sand

She famously captured the hearts of two of the leading voices of her time, inspiring George's Beatles classic, Something, and Eric's Wonderful Tonight and Layla.

Boyd, the daughter of a retired RAF bomber pilot, wed George in 1966 but the marriage lasted just under 10 years. In that time, she was pursued by his friend Eric - who expressed his love for her in letters.

The model eventually went on to marry the guitarist in 1979 and they both remained close with her ex-husband, but divorced in 1988.

His daughter Ella was full of smiles as she headed back on a boat back to the yacht
Tamara Ecclestone fumed at British Airways over a cancelled flight fiasco on Sunday.

The model and socialite, 40, took to her Instagram Story to share her fury with the airline after her team's flights home were 'cancelled with seven hours notice'.

It comes after she jetted to the Spanish island of Ibiza to celebrate her 40th birthday with her family.

She furiously demanded someone from the airline 'call her asap' after the replacement flights offered weren't until Wednesday.

She penned in the caption: '@british_airways Cancelling our teams flights home 7 hours before that are due to fly and offering replacement flight on WEDNESDAY is NOT ok.

Tamara Ecclestone fumed at British Airways over a cancelled flight fiasco on Sunday

The model and socialite, 40, took to her Instagram Story to share her fury with the airline after her team's flights home were 'cancelled with seven hours notice'

'Please have someone call me asap.'

Another post read: '@british_airways Please have someone from management call me asap', along with an angry face emoji.

British Airways has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

Last week and weekend Tamara was celebrating her 40th in style, chartering a yacht in Ibiza to party with her famous family.

The heiress was spotted boarding the luxury vessel on Thursday, the day before her milestone birthday, alongside husband Jay Rutland, sister Petra and their father Bernie.

Carrying her youngest daughter Serena in her arms, Tamara looked gorgeous in a bright pink and yellow kaftan as the group left a restaurant onshore and headed out to their yacht.

Her younger sister Petra, 35, dressed for the heat in a pale blue mini skirt and white vest top as she headed to a waiting dinghy with husband Sam Palmer.

Tamara and Petra's father Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of the F1 group who has an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion, also joined the fun.

The 93-year-old mogul was seen being helped on board the boat by his wife Fabiana Flosi, 47.

She furiously demanded someone from the airline 'call her asap' after the replacement flights offered weren't until Wednesday

Tamara shares daughters Fifi (Sophia) and Serena with her husband of over a decade Jay Rutland, an art dealer

Tamara's husband Jay Rutland and their two daughters Sophia, 10, and Serena, three, along with Petra's four children Lavinia, eight, twin boys James and Andrew, six and Millie, three, looked in great spirits as they enjoyed the family day.

Bernie and Fabiana's son Ace, three, was also spotted, while a team of nannies were on hand to help out with the kids.

Tamara has form for lavish celebrations, whisking her family away to the Maldives for Jay's 40th back in 2021.

The birthday trip is a rare chance for the family to all be together, with Tamara often talking about how much she misses her sister Petra, who lives in Los Angeles.

Petra and husband Sam tied the knot in July 2022, enjoying a lavish ceremony at Petra's 170 million London mansion, but now live together in the states with their children.

Tamara meanwhile has been married to art dealer Jay since 2013 and together with their daughters reside in a 70million London mansion.

Last week Petra told The Times magazine how she stays connected to her sister, admitting that she is her lifeline in her somewhat lonely life in LA.

'I miss my friends and family [in the UK]. But it's just more calm here. I like the slower pace, the early nights, the outdoor activities, the sunshine. And I feel less judged,' Petra explained.

The birthday trip was a rare chance for the family to all be together, with Tamara often talking about how much she misses her sister Petra, who lives in Los Angeles (seen together)

'The hard part is that we don't have great friends. I haven't really clicked with anyone. They just flake a lot. Everything is so surface. Sam meets more people. He's a lot more outgoing and friendly.'

'I have Sam and I speak to my sister [Tamara] about 100 times a day.'

Petra and Tamara's mother is Bernie's second wife Slavica Radic. Bernie is also father to Deborah, 68, who he welcomed with first wife Ivy Bamford.

Bernie married his wife Fabiana, 46, in 2012.

He is the former Chief Executive of the Formula One Group and former co-owner of Queens Park Rangers.
The latest episode of Watch What Happens Live got particularly interesting after Jeff Lewis attempted to bury the hatchet with Teresa Giudice.

While the origin of their feud remains unclear, host Andy Cohen asked Jeff if he had extinguished his 'beef' with Teresa backstage.

The question led to a very awkward exchange between Jeff and Teresa, with the Real Housewives Of New Jersey star initially unconvinced the Flipping Out alum was truly sincere in his efforts to make peace with her.

'We're good, right?' Jeff, 54, asked Teresa, 52.

'Well he was saying sorry to me 'cause he said something,' Teresa, who looked glamorous in a white Nadine Merabi jumpsuit, explained. 'But you didn't mean it. I don't know why you said it.'

The latest episode of Watch What Happens Live got particularly juicy after Jeff Lewis attempted to bury the hatchet with Teresa Giudice

The question led to a very awkward moment between Jeff and Teresa, with the RHONJ star initially unconvinced the Flipping Out alum was truly sincere in his efforts to make peace with her

'I did mean it!' Jeff insisted.

'Oh you did mean it? Oh you meant saying sorry to me!' Teresa clarified before adding, 'So tell everybody why you said sorry to me,' she coldly replied.

'Get on your knees! Get on your knees!' Sonja Morgan chimed in, playfully urging him to beg for forgiveness.

'I was wrong. I was wrong and I apologize!' Jeff said.

'Do not diss her!' Sonja Morgan added.

Jeff insisted: 'I'm not dissing her!'

While it's unknown how their feud all started, the exchange comes several months after Jeff was asked for his opinion on Teresa and her estranged sister-in-law Melissa Gorga on Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge's podcast, Two Ts In A Pod.

During the May episode, Jeff admitted he would rather fire Giudice over Gorga if given the chance.

'Get on your knees! Get on your knees!' Sonja Morgan chimed in, playfully urging him to beg for forgiveness

While it's unknown how their feud all started, the exchange comes several months after Jeff shaded Teresa on Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge's podcast, Two Ts In A Pod

Andy Cohen asked Lewis if he had extinguished his 'beef' with Giudice

For years, Teresa has had a rift in her relationship with her brother Joe Gorga and his wife Melissa Gorga (pictured 2016)

'I think Id probably let Teresa go,' he said in response to a question asking who he'd fire if given the chance.

'Good luck to you on social media,' Teddi advised Jeff.

'Oh, is that not good?  Oh, I dont even know. Is that a problem? I just  its just my opinion,' he responded.

For years, Teresa has had a rift in her relationship with her brother Joe and his wife Melissa.

However, the pair cut off communication with each other after the explosive season 13 finale, which aired in 2023.

After Teresa and her husband Luis accused Melissa of cheating on Joe, Melissa firmly denied the allegations.

The Gorgas then ended up skipping Teresa and Luis' August 2022 wedding.

On the newest season of RHONJ, they have filmed group scenes together but have continuously insisted that they are completely estranged.
Madonna is receiving comparisons to pop sensation, Sabrina Carpenter, after sharing an age-defying selfie to her Instagram Story on Sunday evening.

Following her glamorous post, taken ahead of her performance at New York City's LadyLand Festival in Brooklyn, the music icon and pop culture legend, 65, sent the internet into a frenzy as their marveled over her youthful appearance and striking resemblance to the Espresso hitmaker, who is 40 years her junior.

Social media users were quick to react to the new snap of Madonna on X (previously known as Twitter), with one declaring the seven-time Grammy winner as looking like 'the same gorgeous woman she was 34 years ago.'

'I don't care if she has fillers twice a week or if she drains the national grid applying filters to her pictures - she looks AMAZING!' another raved online.

In response to many comparing her appearance to Carpenter's, a Madonna superfan gently reminded the world that it's actually 'Sabrina [who] resembles young baby face Madonna.'

Madonna is receiving comparisons to pop sensation, Sabrina Carpenter, after sharing an age-defying selfie to her Instagram Story on Sunday evening

'Madonna actually looks better sorry to say,' a fourth remarked.

Another joked that the mother-of-six woke up and 'said it's time to look like Sabrina Carpenter today.'

A handful also suggested that Carpenter would be perfect to 'play Madonna in her biopic' someday.

The comments come just Carpenter stepped out in a stunning Michael Kors dress, previously worn Madonna on the cover of Glamour magazine in 1990, to a Vogue World: Paris afterparty.

Earlier this month, she gushed that if she were to teach an Intro to Pop class that Madonna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera's music would all be incorporated into the curriculum.

'Those were some of the first pop songs I ever heard and they raised me when I was five and helped me find my own version of that,' Carpenter told Rolling Stone. 'This would be a really long course. I should never teach a course.'

Carpenter has paid tribute to Madonna a handful of times over the years, including performing a cover of the superstar's 1984 track, Like A Virgin, multiple times during her Emails I Can't Send Tour.

The Disney Channel alum, who opened for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour in Latin America, Australia and Singapore, has recently skyrocketed in popularity following the releases of her hits Espresso, Please Please Please, Feather and Nonsense.

Social media users were quick to react to the new snap of Madonna on X (previously known as Twitter), with one declaring the seven-time Grammy winner as looking like 'the same gorgeous woman she was 34 years ago'

Another joked that the mother-of-six woke up and 'said it's time to look like Sabrina Carpenter today'

'I don't care if she has fillers twice a week or if she drains the national grid applying filters to her pictures - she looks AMAZING!' a third raved online.

In response to many comparing her appearance to Carpenter's, a Madonna superfan gently reminded the world that it's actually 'Sabrina [who] resembles young baby face Madonna'

The comments come just Carpenter stepped out in a stunning Michael Kors dress, previously worn Madonna on the cover of Glamour magazine in 1990, to a Vogue World: Paris afterparty. (seen above)

Last week, Carpenter scored her her first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with single Please Please Please.

The tune sat at number two last week, followed by her song Espresso at number three.

Upon hearing the news, she took to social media to gush: 'MY FIRST #1 on the HOT 100!!!!!!! And espresso at #4.. Im very immensely grateful so i will surely always remember this day for the rest of my life!'

The note continued with her thanking collaborators Jack Antonoff, Amy Allen, and Laura Sisk.

Carpenter has paid tribute to Madonna a handful of times over the years, including performing a cover of the superstar's 1984 track, Like A Virgin, multiple times during her Emails I Can't Send Tour (seen this month at the 2024 Governors Ball)

'@jackantonoff @amyallen i deeply love this song and i love you both!!!!! I love our pitchy claps!!!!! I love @sharp_stick !!!! good things come in threes,' she added.

Wrapping up the caption, she said: 'thank you everyone whos listened and made it so much fun to have these songs out in the world. more to come soon.'

For Please Please Please's music video, she shocked fans by casting her boyfriend Barry Keoghan as her love interest.

The two play a modern Bonnie and Clyde duo as Sabrina finds herself mixed up in her new man's life of crime  which includes bloody scuffles and an armed bank robbery.

The music artist's forthcoming album Short N' Sweet is slated for an August 23 release.
Diners pick dim sum from carts at Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant in Sunnyvale on April 1, 2024. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Steam rises from sui mai and other dim sum on a cart at Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant in Sunnyvale. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Carts piled high with bamboo steamers of plump dumplings, once a fixture of the dim sum experience across the Bay Area, are now an endangered species.

Many local restaurants stopped using the carts during the pandemic. Most never brought them back. Now, the pushcarts roam dining rooms at only a handful of dim sum restaurants, and some only bring them out on weekends. Theyve become a special occasion affair, something to seek out and cherish  though purists may insist anyway on ordering from a server for peak freshness. (While not a dim sum restaurant, customers can also find cart service at the Michelin-starred State Bird Provisions in San Francisco.)

San Francisco dim sum favorite Yank Sing is one of the few places where diners can still point to and order plates of sesame balls and pork buns on the roving carts. The restaurant revived them as soon as we could, co-owner Vera Chan Waller said, in response to customer demand.

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We believe cart service has become synonymous with the style of service and cuisine at Yank Sing, and we intend on continuing the tradition into the future, she said.

Here are some of the remaining Bay Area dim sum restaurants with cart service, listed in alphabetical order. (Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and it reflects these restaurants service models in July 2024.)

Sesame balls at Yank Sing in San Francisco in 2017. The famed restaurant still serves dim sum via carts. Stephen Lam/Special to The Chronicle

Cheung Hing

This Milpitas shopping center restaurant offers a classic dim sum experience: a vast, packed dining room with Lazy Susans on every table and carts roaming throughout  but only on weekends.

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1235 E Calaveras Blvd. Milpitas. 408-263-1888

East Ocean Seafood Restaurant

One of the Chronicles top dim sum picks, this East Bay favorite is known for its family friendly vibe and food like baked barbecue pork buns and golden shrimp rice rolls. Cart service is available weekends only.

1713 Webster St., Alameda; 1841 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. eastoceanseafoodrestaurant.com

Fu Lam Mum

This Peninsula dim sum favorite, which reopened in downtown Mountain View in 2019 after a lengthy remodel, offers carts on weekends only.

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53 Castro St., Mountain View. fulammummountainview.com

Grand Dynasty

This San Jose dim sum restaurant lives up to its name, with an opulent, spacious dining room and carts available on weekends.

6164 Bollinger Road, San Jose. granddynastyseafood.com

Saigon Seafood Harbor

The barbecue pork buns at Saigon Seafood Harbor are wildly delicious with a glistening top that looks polished to a glassy sheen, wrote San Francisco Chronicle associate restaurant critic Cesar Hernandez, naming it one of the best dim sum restaurants in the Bay Area. Customers fill out a paper slip to order, but the food still arrives on trolleys.

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1135 Lawrence Expy., Sunnyvale; 3150 Pierce St., Richmond. saigonharbors.com

Yank Sing

This longtime San Francisco dim sum restaurant, open since 1958, is always bustling. Both its locations offer cart service.

101 Spear St. and 49 Stevenson St., San Francisco. yanksing.com

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Paul Mescal showcased his rippling muscles as he took to the Coliseum in first offical snaps from much the anticipated Gladiator sequel.

Due for release later this year, the Irish actor, 28, takes on the role of Roman Empire Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla, portrayed as a child in the Oscar-winning original from 2000 starring Russell Crowe.

Paul donned a full suit of armour, complete with breast place and leather kilt, bearing a striking resemblance to his predecessor Russell - who will not appear in the sequel.

The Normal People star then went shirtless for a dramatic scene where he appeared to be preparing for battle before taking on blood soaked Pedro Pascal, 49.

Describing his character to Vanity Fair Paul said: 'He's a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer.'

Paul Mescal showcased his rippling muscles as he took to the Coliseum in first offical snaps from much the anticipated Gladiator sequel

Due for release later this year, the Irish actor, 28, takes on the role of Roman Empire Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla, portrayed as a child in the Oscar-winning original from 2000 starring Russell Crowe

Paul went shirtless in one dramatic scene where he appeared to be preparing for battle before taking on blood soaked Pedro Pascal, 49 (pictured)

In another action packed moment the duo went head to head with Paul diving into the air while Pedro's character looked terrified as he lost grip of his sword.

The Last Of Us' Pedro plays Roman general Acacius, who trained as a gladiator beneath Russell's character Maximum.

With the actor saying: '[Acacius] learned from the best, so of course this code of honour is ingrained into his training and into his existence. But at the end of the day, he's a different person. And that can't change who he is.

Before teasing: 'Maximus is Maximus, and that can't be replicated. That just makes Acacius capable of different things.'

Denzel Washington, 69, was also pictured for the first time as Macrinus, dripping in gold he plays an arms dealer who lives lavishly and keeps gladiators for sport.

It had been rumoured for years, the sequel will centre on Lucius (Paul), the nephew of Commodus and son of Maximus' former lover Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

Lucius was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in the original Gladiator, who idolised Maximus for his battles.

The sequel will be set after Maximus' death, following Lucius, who has long thought that his mother is dead only to clap eyes on her when he is brought to Rome as a slave.

The first look snaps showed numerous bloody battles between the Gladiators

Paul donned a full suit of armour, complete with breast place and leather kilt, bearing a striking resemblance to his predecessor Russell (L, in 2000 original) - who will not appear in the sequel

Describing his character Paul said: 'He's a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer'

In once action packed moment pair fought with Paul diving into the air while his opponent looked terrified as he lost grip of his sword

Denzel Washington, 69, was also pictured for the first time as Macrinus, dripping in gold he plays an arms dealer who lives lavishly and keeps gladiators for sport

The cast also includes Joseph Quinn as Emperor Caracalla, Fred Hechinger as Emperor Greta as a pair of brothers who rule a decaying and corrupt Rome.

Meanwhile returning Gladiator stars Connie Nielsen (Lucilla) and Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus) will also be returning for the sequel.

Director Ridley Scott, 86, is back to helm the reported 250M sequel, after the original bagged five Oscars including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Picture, as well as earning 400M worldwide.

The original story is set in 180 AD, followed Maximus (Crowe) returning home after leading Roman forces to victory over Germanic tribes.

Meanwhile, his Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), is secretly murdered by his treacherous son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), after telling him he was unfit to rule.

After Maximus refused to pledge his loyalty to Commodus, he murdered his family, as Maximus is captured by slave traders as he must fight his way through various obstacles to get his vengeance against Commodus.

The film from director Ridley Scott and writers David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson is still considered a classic.

While there had been talk of a sequel since 2001, it never fully came to fruition since 2018 when Paramount gave the project a green light.

Director Ridley Scott, 86 (L) is back to helm the reported 250M sequel

It had been rumoured for years, the sequel will centre on Lucius (Paul), the nephew of Commodus and son of Maximus' former lover Lucilla (Connie Nielsen)

The original bagged five Oscars including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Picture, as well as earning 400M worldwide

Lucius was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark (L) in the original Gladiator, who idolised Maximus for his battles (pictured with co-star Joaquin Phoenix)

The highly anticipated sequel had been shooting in Morocco and the neighboring Sahara desert.

Filming got off to a shaky start when it appeared a special effects shot had gone wrong, causing a dangerous explosion.

One on-set source shared their hopes that the injured crew members would make a full recovery, though their condition is unclear.

'It was terrifying  a huge ball of fire flew up and caught several crew members in its path,' the source recalled. 'In years of filming Ive never seen an accident so scary.'

Witnesses to the explosion reportedly speculated that it may have been caused by a gas pipe rupture on set.

'Six production staff had to be rushed to hospital for treatment,' they said, and it appears that no actors on the film were injured in the inferno.

The cast also includes Joseph Quinn (pictured) as Emperor Caracalla, with the actor looking unrecognisable in the role

He joins Fred Hechinger (pictured) as Emperor Greta as brothers who rule a decaying and corrupt Rome.

Meanwhile returning Gladiator stars Connie Nielsen (pictured) and Derek Jacobi will also be returning for the sequel

Russell Crowe portrayed Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original and won the Oscar for Best Actor for his work in the film

'Hopefully everyone will be OK, but it was a serious accident,' the source added. 'Everyone involved, from the lowliest runners to the star names, has been shaken up by this.'

The original historical epic grossed five times its budget, and it helped cement the stardom of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.

Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

While the new film brings back director Ridley Scott, Russell won't be featured, as his character died at the end of the original film.

Gladiator 2 is expected to debut in cinemas later this year.
One Tree Hill star Shantel VanSanten, 38, and her husband of almost two years, actor Victor Webster, 51, have finalized their divorce.

In new court documents obtained by TMZ, it stated that the two had reached a settlement in mediation.

They have come to terms on how their assets will be divided, which was made easier by their existing prenup.

They also figured out how to deal with the custody of their pets.

The two wed in 2022 with three ceremonies and split in January of this year.

The actors met on set of 2017's TV film Love Blossoms and were just friends until their relationship took a romantic turn the following year.

One Tree Hill star Shantel VanSanten and her husband of almost two years, actor Victor Webster, have finalized their divorce; seen in March 2018

In new court documents obtained by TMZ, it stated that the two had reached a settlement in mediation. They have come to terms on how their assets will be divided, which was made easier by their existing prenup. Here she is seen on June 15 in Monaco

The Canadian actor made the filing in January 2024 as the documents cited their date of separation as the 10th.

The do not have any children together and the reason for their separation was 'irreconcilable differences.'

The couple tied the knot in three separate ceremonies back in late 2021 which were highlighted by Brides at the time.

According to the publication, Victor had proposed on top of a mountain in February 2021 when they began planning two wedding ceremonies before circumstances caused them to add a third.

Their first ceremony took place in August of that year as they enjoyed an intimate courthouse wedding on the anniversary date of Shantel's grandparents after her grandfather passed away.

She explained to Brides: 'When my grandfather unexpectedly passed away on Fathers Day, the heartbreak was unbearable; I had been planning on him walking me down the aisle in Minnesota.

'In the midst of my grief, I looked at Victor and said I wanted to do a spontaneous civil ceremony on my grandparents wedding date, August 9. The idea of my grandparents being reunited and watching over our ceremony from above gave me some peace.

The duo met on set of 2017 TV film Love Blossoms and were just friends until their relationship took a romantic turn the following year

Shantel is best known for portraying Quinn James on seasons seven through nine of One Tree Hill from 2009 to 2012

'They were married for 63 years had such a special, deep love. They were the example to me of how love is a choice and takes work. It wasnt perfect, but their love was always pure'

As if that already wasn't enough the couple were joined by 48 friends and family for a ceremony in wine country Napa, California.

The third gathering in Shantel's hometown of Luverne, Minnesota.

The theme of that wedding was vintage and prairie-inspired as she explained: 'We wanted to blend into the nature around Blue Mounds Park.

'The leaves on the trees were vibrant fall colors, so I wanted to play with those tones and let nature inspire the colors: dusty rose, mauve, blush, burgundy, beige, tan, caramel, and toffee.'

The duo met on set of 2017 TV film Love Blossoms and were just friends until their relationship took a romantic turn the following year.

Shantel is best known for portraying Quinn James on seasons seven through nine of One Tree Hill from 2009 to 2012.

She has also starred on television series including Shooter, The Boys, The Flash and For All Mankind and films including The Final Destination, You And I, Remembrance, and most recently American Murderer.

Victor has nearly 90 credits to his name including TV series Workin' Moms and films The Scorpion King 4: Quest For Power, Surrogate, and Bringing Down The House.
Love Island fans were left fuming after Will Anderson declared his type was 'petite blondes' despite being coupled up with statuesque brunette stunner Uma Jammeh on Monday.

As Casa Amor kicked off the 23-year-old enjoyed a flirty chat with brand new bombshell Lucy Graybill, 26, telling her that she was more or less everything he was looking for.

Meanwhile Uma was left heartbroken as she pined for the hunk asking her fellow singeltons: 'Where's my Wil?'.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they fumed: 'Petite blond and he ended up with Uma...oh Wil was playing a game the whole time': 'Wil saying his type is petite blonde so why did you go for Uma, a tall, tan brunette': Uma, your will is talking about petite and blonde babe, pls girl':

'Uma is going to have a rude awakening when she hears Will wants a petite blonde': '"petite blonde" when you have this woman at home?? Wil you've already brunt your bridge': 'Uma needs to say BYE to Wil, What was that comment about petite blonde?'

Love Island fans were left fuming after Will declared his type was 'petite blondes' during a flirty chat with new bombshell Lucy on Monday

This comes despite him being paired with with statuesque brunette stunner Uma (pictured)

It comes after Love Island fans branded Joey Essex as 'terrifying' as they believe he is about to jump ship for the third time as six new girls prepare to enter Casa Amor on Sunday.

During Friday's instalment of the ITV2 show, viewers saw Joey, 33, and Grace Jackson, 25, relationship hit the rocks as she discovered he had secretly kissed Jessy Potts, 25, on the terrace the night before.

The TOWIE star, 33, has now ended things with ex flame Grace after new bombshell Jessy chose to re-couple with him.

Blonde beauty Jessy has said to the girls she is 'not naive' as she has seen Joey do 'the same to Samantha that he's now done to Grace'.

Fans took to X to say that the TV personality needs to 'act his age' as he keeps 'repeating the disgraceful behaviour'.

'Joey is just terrifying i know hes about to do the exact same thing to jessy once he meets the casa girls'

'Joey is actually a wicked person'

'Grace and Joey were doing up honeymoon at the stay away villa and now its over when a new girl comes??'

Will appeared to be flirting up a storm with newcomer Lucy

Meanwhile Uma was left heartbroken as she pined for the hunk asking her fellow singeltons: 'Where's my Wil?'

Uma and Wil have been loved up and shared numerous kisses

Taking to X, formerly Twitter , they fumed: 'Petite blond and he ended up with Uma...oh Wil was playing a game the whole time'

'Joey, will be kissing another girl tomorrow night'

'Joey is 33 years old uno, a disgrace'

'Joey is a mess. Jess is right its repeated behaviour with him'

Later in the show, Joey and Jessy were seen relaxing on the pool sun loungers, when Joey asked her: 'Does it not make you feel uncomfortable that she is here'.

Jessy said: 'No I'm just aware she's not been the friendliest but I'm not uncomfortable but people have been talking that it's the second time you've done this...'

Joey replied: 'It's very different me and you compared to Samantha and Grace'.

The girls headed out for cocktails in the evening and Jessy said she is 'not convinced he [Joey] won't do it again, I'm wary of it.'

While the girls were catching up, they received a text and were sent to the legendary Casa Amor.
Love Island fans have declared Ayo Odukoya had 'lost his head' over stunning new bombshell Jessica Spencer following their streamy chats during Monday's episode.

Despite being coupled up with Mimii Ngulube, 24, Casa Amor has seen the hunk fall head over heels for the busty beauty following the arrival of six bombshells.

The pair flirted up a storm by the side of the pool, with 25-year-old blatantly declaring his interest in Jessica before seemingly questioning his feelings for Mimii.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans joked that Ayo had 'met his Kryptonite' and declared he 'couldn't stop smiling'.

Love Island fans have declared Ayo Odukoya had 'lost his head' over stunning new bombshell Jessica Spencer following their streamy chats during Monday's episode

Despite being coupled up with Mimii Ngulube, 24, Casa Amor has seen the hunk fall head over heels for the busty beauty following the arrival of six bombshells (Jessica pictured)

Mimii is currently languishing in Casa Amkor while Ayo gets to know the new bombshells

Writing: 'Ayo has met his Kryptonite lol': 'Ayo can't stop smiling can he': 'Ayo doesn't smile that wide around Mimii': 'Why does Ayo look like he's gonna ask her for a kiss?': 'Ayo have your teeth been out like this for Mimi?': 'Lol Mimii it's over'.

Elsewhere in the episode fans were left fuming after Will Anderson declared his type was 'petite blondes' despite being coupled up with statuesque brunette stunner Uma Jammeh on Monday.

As Casa Amor kicked off the 23-year-old enjoyed a flirty chat with brand new bombshell Lucy Graybill, 26, telling her that she was more or less everything he was looking for.

Meanwhile Uma was left heartbroken as she pined for the hunk asking her fellow singeltons: 'Where's my Wil?'.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they fumed: 'Petite blond and he ended up with Uma...oh Wil was playing a game the whole time': 'Wil saying his type is petite blonde so why did you go for Uma, a tall, tan brunette': Uma, your will is talking about petite and blonde babe, pls girl':

'Uma is going to have a rude awakening when she hears Will wants a petite blonde': '"petite blonde" when you have this woman at home?? Wil you've already brunt your bridge': 'Uma needs to say BYE to Wil, What was that comment about petite blonde?'

It comes after Love Island fans branded Joey Essex as 'terrifying' as they believe he is about to jump ship for the third time as six new girls prepare to enter Casa Amor on Sunday.

During Friday's instalment of the ITV2 show, viewers saw Joey, 33, and Grace Jackson, 25, relationship hit the rocks as she discovered he had secretly kissed Jessy Potts, 25, on the terrace the night before.

The pair flirted up a storm by the side of the pool, with 25-year-old blatantly declaring his interest in Jessica, also, before seemingly questioning his feelings for Mimii

Mimii and Ayo have been vey loved up (pictured during their date)

Taking to X, formerly Twitter , fans joked that Ayo had 'met his Kryptonite' and declared he 'couldn't stop smiling'

The TOWIE star, 33, has now ended things with ex flame Grace after new bombshell Jessy chose to re-couple with him.

Blonde beauty Jessy has said to the girls she is 'not naive' as she has seen Joey do 'the same to Samantha that he's now done to Grace'.

Fans took to X to say that the TV personality needs to 'act his age' as he keeps 'repeating the disgraceful behaviour'.

'Joey is just terrifying i know hes about to do the exact same thing to jessy once he meets the casa girls'

'Grace and Joey were doing up honeymoon at the stay away villa and now its over when a new girl comes??'

Earlier in the show fans were left fuming after Will declared his type was 'petite blondes' during a flirty chat with new bombshell Lucy on Monday

This comes despite him being paired with with statuesque brunette stunner Uma (pictured)

'Joey is actually a wicked person'.

Joey, will be kissing another girl tomorrow night'

'Joey is 33 years old uno, a disgrace'

'Joey is a mess. Jess is right its repeated behaviour with him'

Later in the show, Joey and Jessy were seen relaxing on the pool sun loungers, when Joey asked her: 'Does it not make you feel uncomfortable that she is here'.

Jessy said: 'No I'm just aware she's not been the friendliest but I'm not uncomfortable but people have been talking that it's the second time you've done this...'

Joey replied: 'It's very different me and you compared to Samantha and Grace'.

The girls headed out for cocktails in the evening and Jessy said she is 'not convinced he [Joey] won't do it again, I'm wary of it.'

While the girls were catching up, they received a text and were sent to the legendary Casa Amor.
Popular Married At First Sight Australia star Olivia Frazer has called for the show to increase its mental health support following the death of MAFS New Zealand star Andrew Jury aged 33.

The builder was one of the original grooms from the first season of the reality show, which aired in 2017 when he was 26-years-old.

His co-stars Brett and Angel Renall and Benjamin Blackwell recently announced his shock death in a joint statement.

'It's with the heaviest hearts we've come together to acknowledge the passing of Andrew Jury,' it read.

'We had the absolute pleasure of filming and participating in a show which leaves us intricately linked for a lifetime.

'Despite his struggles, Andrew was always friendly and the life of the party during our shared experience and he really valued his time on the show.'

Olivia said producers should offer more support to the participants after filming.

'This highlights the lack of duty of care given by production companies,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle.

Popular Married At First Sight Australia star Olivia Frazer has called for the show to increase its mental health support following the death of MAFS New Zealand star Andrew Jury aged 33

'MAFS in particular has a huge history of changing people's lives drastically, and more preparation and ongoing support needs to be given to participants. What support they offer currently is just to tick a box and basically negligence.'

Olivia has previously spoken about her own struggles with mental health issues after appearing on the show two years ago.

She admitted back in 2022 she suffered from both anxiety and depression.

The reality star was dubbed a 'villain' during the dramatic 2022 MAFS season after sharing a nude photo of Domenica Calarco among the cast, outing her as an OnlyFans model.

Andrew as one of the original grooms from the first season of the reality show, which aired in 2017 when he was 26-years-old

Dom had shared the image on her public Twitter profile in early 2021 to promote her OnlyFans account, which has since been deleted.

The photo quickly spread through the MAFS cast via WhatsApp, and was addressed at the first dinner party following the couples' retreat.

Domenica was humiliated to learn her co-stars knew about her OnlyFans page and had seen her naked, and eventually broke down in tears.

Olivia later refused to apologise for discovering the picture.

She fell victim to trolls who would slam her over the MAFS controversy when she attended red carpets or event.

Olivia has previously spoken about her own struggles with mental health issues after appearing on the show two years ago

Meanwhile, Brett and Angel Renall and Benjamin Blackwell sent their condolences to Andrew's family while announcing his death last week.

'At this time our entire cast wish to send our deepest condolences and love to his family - Ben, Angel, Brett, Vicky, Haydn, Lacey, Claire, Dom, Aaron, Luke, Belinda,' they wrote in their statement.

Andrew was paired with bride Vicky Gleeson-Stokes, and while the pair stayed together during the finale, they split after filming ended.

If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out for crisis support on 131114 or visit Lifeline.
American cable giant Spectrum is raising its TV, internet and phone plan prices in July.

Spectrum's internet base price will increase by $3 a month for all plans beginning in July, CNET reported.

The provider's home phone plans and TV Select service will also increase by $3 in some states.

It is the second time Spectrum - one of America's main cable providers along with Comcast Xfinity, DirecTV and Dish - has hiked it rates this year alone.

In January, Spectrum raised its low-income plan from $20 to $25 a month.

Spectrum's internet base price will increase by $3 a month for all plans beginning in July

The provider's home phone plans and TV Select service will also increase by $3

At the same time in January it also raised the price of renting a router from the company from $5 to $7 per month.

Existing customers wishing to negotiate the price rises may have trouble contacting the company's customer service - because call centers have recently been shut.

Spectrum closed three call centers over the last two months, laying off 745 employees in the process, the outlet reported.

It comes after a recent earnings report shows Spectrum lost 72,000 internet customers and 405,000 cable TV customers in the first three months of 2024.

'We continue to expand and improve our offerings to ensure all customers have products and packages that best meet their needs,' Spectrum said in a statement.

'While our services have been impacted by rising costs, we strive to keep prices as low as possible.'

The price rises come amidst a reckoning for internet and streaming consumers as more and more providers raise their prices.

Last week, Paramount announced that it would be hiking the price of its streaming service as it looks to boost falling profits.

Warner Bros Discovery has raised the price of its ad-free Max subscription for the second time

The vast majority of streaming platforms have increased in price in the last year - some by as much as 43 percent

Spotify announced that the cost of its 'Individual' ad-free premium subscription plan in the US will go up by $1 a month to $11.99

The Paramount+ Essential option is set to rise by $2 to $7.99 for new customers - which works out as a huge 33 percent price rise.

It is also upping the bundle with Showtime by $1 to $12.99 - for both new and existing customers. Prices rises take effect on August 20.

Warner Bros. Discovery has also angered customers by raising the price of its ad-free Max subscription for the second time.

The $1 price rise to $16.99 a month for the ad-free tier took effect last month for new subscribers.

The 'ultimate' ad-free option, which offers 4k streaming and the ability to run four accounts at the same time, will also be raised by a $1 to $20.99.

The streamer is also raising its annual ad-free plan by $20 to $169.99 a year, with the ultimate version increasing to $209.99 a year.

Spotify also announced last month that the cost of its 'Individual' ad-free premium subscription plan in the US will go up by $1 a month to $11.99.
Domestic macroeconomic data announcements, global trends and trading activity of foreign investors would guide market sentiments this week, analysts said.

After a record rally, markets may face volatile trends this week amid elevated valuations and investors would also keep a track of global oil benchmark Brent crude and rupee-dollar movement for further cues.

"Potential volatility in the stock market is anticipated this week. Elevated valuations remain a concern, with investors now focusing on monsoon progress and its impact on the rural economy. The upcoming Union Budget in July has become the next focal point, with high expectations for growth-oriented policies," said Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst, Swastika Investmart Ltd. Market sentiment will be gauged by closely monitoring foreign and domestic institutional investors' activity (FII and DII) and crude oil prices, he said.

On the global front, the US market has experienced some profit-booking from higher levels. Key economic data, such as the US job openings report, will be released on July 2, 2024, followed by the US ISM Services PMI data on July 3, 2024, he noted.

"Additionally, the US Federal Reserve Chairperson Powell's speech is scheduled for July 2, 2024, and the US FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) minutes will be released on July 3, 2024. The movement of dollar index and US bond yields will also be crucial factors to watch," Gour added.

Last week, the BSE benchmark jumped 1,822.83 points or 2.36 per cent, and the Nifty climbed 509.5 points or 2.16 per cent.

The Sensex recorded the best monthly gain in June by climbing 7.14 per cent.

The Sensex breached the historic 79,000 mark on Thursday, and the Nifty hit the 24,000 level for the first time in intra-day trade.

"The outlook for the market will be guided by major domestic and global economic data such as HSBC India Manufacturing PMI, HSBC India Services PMI, S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, Fed speech, initial jobless claims this week," Arvinder Singh Nanda, Senior Vice President, Master Capital Services Ltd, said.

After hitting a fresh all-time high level in early trade on Friday, the BSE 30-share index declined 210.45 points or 0.27 per cent to settle at 79,032.73. During the day, it jumped 428.4 points or 0.54 per cent to hit a record peak of 79,671.58.

The Nifty went lower by 33.90 points or 0.14 per cent to 24,010.60. During the day, it climbed 129.5 points or 0.53 per cent to hit a new lifetime high of 24,174.

"We expect this positive momentum to continue at a steady pace with stock-specific action. However, the release of economic data points this week would keep a little volatility in the market. Sector like auto is expected to be in the limelight with release of their monthly sales number," said Siddhartha Khemka, Senior Group VP, Head - Research, Broking & Distribution, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
Realty firm Sattva Group is bullish on India's housing market and will launch many projects to achieve 85 per cent growth in sales of residential properties to around Rs 6,500 crore this fiscal, a top company official said.

In the 2023-24, Bengaluru-based Sattva Group achieved sales bookings of Rs 3,500 crore. "We are very bullish on housing demand. We are targeting to achieve sales of Rs 6,000-6,500 crore this financial year," Sattva Group MD Bijay Agarwal said.

He said the company would invest Rs 12,000-14,000 crore over the next three years to build housing, office and hotel projects. The bulk of the investments would be to develop housing projects and office complexes.

Sattva Group is one of the leading real estate developers in India with a significant presence in South India.

It has completed 140 projects comprising 80 million square feet area in the last 30 years. Around 23 million square feet are under construction, and 65 million square feet are in the pipeline.

Agarwal noted that the demand for the residential segment has been very strong post-COVID pandemic, while the leasing activities in the office market are also back on track.

He said the company would enter the Mumbai housing market this year.

Shivam Agarwal, VP (Strategic Development) of Sattva Group, said the company is looking for growth opportunities across geography and different verticals of real estate.

In the residential segment, Shivam said Sattva Group will launch more than 13 million square feet of area in Bengaluru this fiscal.

In Hyderabad, it will launch more than 6 million square feet of housing units this fiscal.

"In Mumbai, we intend to launch a project in the latter half of FY2024-25 of approx 1.3 million sq ft," said Shivam.

Furthermore, the company is looking to acquire land parcels for another 1.5 million sq ft in Mumbai.

The company's MD highlighted that the group's co-working and co-living joint ventures  Simpliwork Offices and Colive  have been performing well and expanding.

"We plan to list our coworking and coliving businesses on stock exchanges in the next 2-3 years by launching public issues," Agarwal said.

Sattva Group has more than 50 per cent stake in Simpliwork and Colive.

When asked about its plan to launch Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Bijay said, "We are in the early stage of discussion with Blackstone".

He did not give any timeline for the launch of the public issue of REIT to monetise the commercial assets developed jointly by Sattva Group and global investment firm Blackstone.

Sattva Group and Blackstone have a joint portfolio of around 32 million square feet, of which 18 million square feet are already completed.
The construction of the Rs 12,940-crore 'Urja Ganga' gas pipeline, India's most ambitious project taking environment-friendly fuel to eastern parts of the country, has been delayed by nine months and will now be completed by March 2025, state-owned GAIL (India) Ltd said.

The 3,306-kilometre Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline was originally targeted for completion by June 2024. But due to "delay in right of use (RoU) availability", the completion schedule has been revised "from June 2024 to March 2025", GAIL said in a stock exchange filing.

The bulk of the pipeline has already been constructed, and gas has started to flow in most cities along the route.

Traditionally, natural gas was available for use as fuel to generate electricity, make fertiliser or turn into CNG and cooking gas only in the western and northern parts of the country, as pipelines taking the fuel from source to users were limited to these parts.

In October 2016, work on laying a pipeline from Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal, Bokaro in Jharkhand and Dhamra in Odisha began.

The line was extended to Guwahati in Assam from Barauni in Bihar, a length of 726 km, to take the fuel to hereto-unconnected states in the eastern region.

The Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL), popularly called the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline, is to supply gas to the eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.

GAIL, the firm executing the pipeline, said its board of directors in a meeting on June 28 approved the revision of the completion schedule.

The completion schedule for the 240-km Dhamra-Haldia pipeline has also been revised from June 2024 to March 2025, it added.

The company on May 10, 2019, stated that it has completed awards of all major contracts worth Rs 10,500 crore for pipeline supply and laying of the integrated 3400-km Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) and Barauni-Guwahati Pipeline (BGPL) pipeline.

The government provided 40 per cent viability gap funding amounting to Rs 5,176 crore for execution of JHBDPL. For the Barauni-Guwahati pipeline, a 60 per cent viability gap funding, amounting to Rs 5,559 crore, has been provided by the government.

The Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline will connect all the geographical areas (more than 90) spread over Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and further to the northeastern region of India.

When the project is fully completed, the northeastern/eastern part of India will become an integral part of the gas-based economy with the twin benefits of the cheapest gas transportation through Urja Ganga and gas pricing reforms.
The summer of 2024 has seen record-breaking temperatures. It is imperative for policymakers to understand the underlying causes and implement effective measures

The country is in the midst of intense heat waves causing severe hardship in the entire North, Central and Western India for more than a month. India may have recorded the hottest-ever temperature in 2024. On 29th May 2024 Delhi recorded 52.3 Degrees Celsius temperature at a weather station in Mungeshpur a suburb of Delhi though later on it was proved that it was slightly on the higher side. Even cooler places like Dehradun have noticed the highest temperature of the last 53 years this year. More than 30 crore people in India are prone to high risk due to lack of means to escape heat waves. The people are feeling severe shortages of power and water and many grids are collapsing due to overload leading to prolonged outages. Several people have died due to heat waves across the country. According to official sources, 150 people have died due to heat waves and around 30,000 people suffered heat stroke from March to mid-June 2024. The people from Delhi and other adjoining areas are rushing to hill stations of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and other hills to escape the heat torture and in the process causing heavy traffic jams and throwing in disarray the civic amenities in several towns and cities. The River width of Ganga in Varanasi has reduced by 35 % and similar reports are forthcoming of the narrowing of other streams and rivers.

The experts have been warning the government and the society at large about the changing weather trends of the country. Now the question for the policymakers, professionals and administrators is to assess the causes of such an unprecedented rise in temperature and how to mop up resources to deal with it. If the mandarins in power in the centre and state do not change the way to deal with it efficiently and effectively many disasters will be ruining the stability and cohesiveness in the society.

One thing all must learn is the fact that high temperatures are the results of the combined effects of global warming, increasing urbanisation/concretization leading to changing weather patterns. As far as Delhi and nearby areas are concerned the dry and warm westerly winds from Rajasthan and Haryana are the causes of the heat wave. Now these winds continue during the night and do not allow the night temperature to fall and this is further accentuated when these westerly winds lead to cloud formation in the sky which prevents cooling the temperature. To find the solution our planners and civic administrators in cities must meet the challenges of the urban heat island effect.

In nature trees and other vegetation in the landscape along with green roofs help in reducing the urban heat island effects by releasing moisture through transpiration, and by shading reflecting the sun radiation back into the atmosphere. Therefore, the massive dense urbanisation, buildings, roads and pavements absorb and retain the heat and hence the urban heat island effect with disastrous consequences. On the other hand, the effects of heat waves in rural areas are different; there is less or minimal heat island effect but the heat effects mostly relate to health issues like severe dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and gastro-intestinal diseases exacerbated by the long power cuts and water shortage.

India is not the only country affected by heat waves. Europe is also suffering from heat waves since April 2024. The temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius in south Europe, particularly in Spain. This year in Europe the highest temperature was noticed in Zeneca and Bosnia at 33.3 degree Celsius on 14th April 2024. The European country's architecture is such that they cannot cope up well with continuous heat waves. The objective of this article is to stress that in India the Central and State governments should jointly devise a policy to effectively deal with summer weather.

The first thing to be done is to declare the temperature beyond a certain limit as a natural disaster/climate emergency and put in place standard operating procedures to deal with it for the different cities and rural areas. In rural areas, the government must ensure a supply of potable water and electricity as well as a mobile dispensary to provide quick health care services. In each village lakes and ponds should be created compulsorily so that people including farmers and cattle get water.

It needs short-term planning risk assessment and early warning systems based on the India Meteorological Department forecast.

One of the fundamental requirements is the need to remould the district administration by creating an integrated and holistic approach so that climate-resilient development is ensured and preparations are made in advance to deal with any emergent situation.

However, real change in the entire civic administration is essential in urban areas. The town and country planning needs complete overhauling as also revisit the power-centric civic bodies. The drainages are in shamble and must be protected so that the next emergency in rainy weather does not derail the life and property. Will the Urban Development Ministry set up a task national force to recommend action?

(The author is the former Director-General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and Chancellor of FRI University; views are personal)
Third Culture Bakery owner and executive chef Sam Butarbutar sprinkles dried coconut onto ube mochi donuts . The company closed one of its San Francisco locations in June. Celeste Noche/Special to The Chronicle

The following is a list of notable Bay Area restaurants that closed in June. Click here for a list of restaurants that closed in May.

The Inner Sunset outpost of Third Culture Bakery, best known for its chewy mochi muffins (and for its attempt to trademark them), served its last treats on June 2. In an Instagram post, the owners said they saw consistent growth at the location but had difficulty training and retaining employees. The post also states Third Culture sold the location to Momo Teas, which specializes in Asian snacks and drinks. Third Culture outlets in Berkeley and Walnut Creek remain.

Forthright Oyster Bar owner Jim Stump told the East Bay Times of his plans to close the Campbell restaurant on June 23. The high cost of living, the pandemics effects and a general change in dining culture has made it difficult to hire, Stump said. The restaurant opened in 2016 with a focus on sustainable seafood dishes.

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Worker-owned restaurant Understory closed on June 30 after three years of serving diners in downtown Oakland. No specific reasons were disclosed in the Instagram post announcing the closing, although it stated that it hopes to raise $150,000 to move into its next location.

The dining space at Understory, as seen in 2022. The restaurant closed in June 2024. Kristen Murakoshi/Special to The Chronicle

A South Bay venue for drinks, live music and dancing is now closed after more than 50 years in business. Charleys Los Gatos Bar hosted its final performances on June 2. The San Jose Spotlight reported owner Alex Hult sold the venue to a group that will transform the space.

East Bay Nosh reports Cabanas Cafe, a Berkeley spot for all-day Mexican fare, is now closed. It opened in September 2022, offering morning dishes like breakfast burritos, molletes and chilaquiles. Dinner items included chiles rellenos and mole enchiladas. The restaurant was also one of the rare Bay Area restaurants where diners could find kurtos, a Hungarian-style chimney cake.

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Salvadoran restaurant Los Amigos closed on Valencia Street, Mission Local reported. The outlet writes the restaurants owners had a difficult time bringing in diners and rent had become too high. The restaurant operated in the space for five years. Los Amigos second location in the Castro had a short run, shutting down after just six months last year.

Santa Clara restaurant Fiorillos welcomed its last diners Saturday night. The business owners told the East Bay Times it felt like the right time to put an end to the 52-year-old business, known for big family banquets and dishes like veal Parmigiana and seafood pasta.

Diners enjoy dinner at Monsieur Benjamin, as photographed in 2014, in San Francisco. The restaurant closed in June 2024. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

A Parisian bistro in San Francisco served its last escargot and cassoulets on June 29. Monsieur Benjamin in Hayes Valley ended operations as chef-owner Corey Lee, a French Laundry and Per Se alum, opted to not renew the lease. Lee, who still runs San Francisco restaurants Benu and San Ho Won, did not elaborate on the decision in an announcement on the restaurants website. We are proud and grateful to have been a fixture in the neighborhood, and a comforting restaurant for so many regulars, the message partially read.

A popular post-commencement watering hole for UC Berkeley graduates is now closed. The Graduate, on the Oakland side of Claremont Avenue, stirred its last martinis on June 30 so longtime co-owner Javad Parsa could retire. The neighborhood bar opened in 1987 and served students as well as neighbors in the Rockridge neighborhood.

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After avoiding eviction late last year, beloved Palo Alto restaurant Mikes Diner Bar closed on June 16. Owner Mike Wallau said he is closing due to the high cost of running a restaurant in the Bay Area. The 30-year-old restaurant was popular among Midtown residents for its burgers and its crab cake Benedict. Local institution Kirks Steakburgers will take over the location.

The Second Story, a vegan restaurant on the floor above SingleThread, closed in June. Brian L. Frank/Special to The Chronicle

Fancy vegan restaurant the Second Story, located on the floor above Little Saint in Healdsburg, closed on June 14. The restaurant faced challenges from Little Saints private and musical events, which took place in the same space and that made it difficult to operate. The restaurant opened with plenty of buzz, featuring a chef from Copenhagen landmark Noma, commonly billed as the best restaurant in the world.

The Bay Area saw its last two locations of the fish taco empire Rubios Coastal Grill close. The company slashed 48 underperforming restaurants throughout California, including franchises in San Joses Brokaw Plaza and Sunnyvale. Rubios still operates more than 80 locations, mostly in Southern California.
As the new criminal laws came into force on Monday amid apprehensions, Home Minister Amit Shah allayed fears regarding them asserting that the new laws have ended the era of British laws in India, converting the criminal justice system into completely Swadeshi.

The new law prioritises the provisions of justice in contrast to the colonial-era law that focused primarily on penal action, the Home Minister claimed.

Instead of dand, it is now nyay; instead of delay, there will be speedy trial and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the police were protected but now, rights of victims and complainants will be protected too, Shah said. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into effect on Monday.

The new laws have replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Addressing a Press conference in the Parliament premises, Shah said, First of all, I would like to congratulate the people of the country that about 77 years after Independence, our criminal justice system is becoming completely Swadeshi.

This will function on Indian ethos. After 75 years, these laws were contemplated upon and as these laws have gone into effect from today, colonial laws stand scrapped, and laws made in the Indian Parliament are being brought into practice, he said.

The Home Minister said justice would be delivered up to the level of the Supreme Court in all cases within three years of the registration of an FIR under the new criminal laws.

The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summons served through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes, he said.

He said the new statutes were made more sensitive by adding a chapter on crimes against children and women and the inquiry report in such cases were to be filed within seven days. Shah said, according to the new laws, judgment in criminal cases had to be delivered within 45 days of completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of first hearing.

The Home Minister said the laws would be applicable to cases occurring on or after July 1, 2024. Shah said the first case under the new laws was about a motorcycle theft registered in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior at 10 minutes past midnight.

He also said the police dismissed the case filed against a street vendor for selling water and tobacco products from a cart that allegedly obstructed a public way in central Delhis Kamala Market after an investigation.

Setting aside apprehensions regarding the new criminal laws, Shah said that new laws do not give more powers to police and remand period will remain only 15 days.

In the first-60 day period, police can take custody for 15 days any time, he said, adding that in the next 3/4 years, the entire system would get an uplift.

Shah also said the issue of bringing sexual crimes against men will be discussed since a Supreme Court verdict has mentioned this.

On terrorism, Shah said it has been defined separately in the BNS as we have a zero-terror policy.

There are some instances, he recalled, where conspiracies are hatched outside the country as was a bomb blast which occurred when he was Gujarat Home Minster. All conspirators walked free as terror was not defined.

Shah also rejected amid protests Oppositions criticism that the new criminal laws were a cut, copy, paste job and were rushed through without adequate discussion or debate.

He said misinformation was being spread in this regard. We have been consulting on the new laws for four years. I have attended 118 consultative meetings. And in Parliament, there was a 9.29-hour debate in the Lok Sabha, 6.7-hour in Rajya Sabha on the new laws...34 members in Lok Sabha and 26 in Rajya Sabha participated [in the debate], Shah said

The Home Minister said organised crime, acts of terrorism and mob lynching had been defined, sedition was replaced with treason and video recording of all search and seizures made mandatory.

A new provision has been added for the cases where physical relations have been established after giving false promise of marriage and statement of rape victims will be recorded by a woman police officer in presence of her guardian, he said.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Monday held the Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government responsible for creating flood like situation in the national Capital, calling it incompetent.

Hitting at the Delhi government over the water logging situation in the city, he said, Delhi has 287 identified dangerous waterlogging spots, and on Friday, more than 250 of these locations had non-functional pumps.

He added that on the day Delhi received a record-breaking rainfall of 228 mm, over 400 out of the total 696 permanent water drainage pumps installed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in the city were. According to our information, more than 100 pumps were non-functional because they did not have diesel, Sachdeva said.

Additionally, he said, 465 pumps are installed in Delhi by the Delhi Jal Board, the Flood Department, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and most of these are still not working. Proof of this is that two days after the flooding, Minister Atishi herself visited the pumping station at Minto Road Bridge, and even then, three out of eight pumps were not operational.

At the Bharti Nagar Pumping Station, the pumps of the Public Works Department of the Delhi government were found to be non-functional on Friday, and the situation has not improved satisfactorily, the Delhi BJP Chief claimed while mentioning that every year during the monsoon, around 1300 additional temporary water drainage pumps are rented and installed, but this year not a single one has been installed.

He claimed that the Kejriwal government's argument, that the necessary tender could not be issued due to the election code of conduct, is false. However, the truth is that the government, engrossed in securing the Chief Minister's bail and fighting elections, did not pay attention to this essential task, he said.

Renting additional water drainage pumps for the monsoon is an annual public interest task, and if the Arvind Kejriwal government, intoxicated by power, had written a letter to the Election Commission seeking special permission, it would have certainly been granted, but they did not consider it necessary, he alleged

The Delhi BJP President said that the excuse of not being able to install additional water drainage pumps due to the election code of conduct is weak, as the code ended on June 5. The Public Works Minister Atishi could have tendered on June 6 or 7 and installed additional pumps by June 20, he said.

Sachdeva challenged Atishi to disclose how many permanent and temporary water drainage pumps are needed during the monsoon and how many are currently operational.

He said, The drowning of 11 people in the capital city is shameful. The BJP demands that the Delhi government provide one crore rupees in compensation to the bereaved families of these helpless individuals. Sachdeva demanded compensation from the Delhi government and the MCD for the damage caused to traders of wholesale markets in Old Delhi, as well as to ground floor and basement homes and offices throughout the city.
On the 111th broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular radio program 'Mann Ki Baat,' BJP workers from Chas Nagar North listened attentively at their respective booths. The session was attended by Chas Nagar North President Pannalal Kandu and City In-Charge cum District General Secretary Sanjay Tyagi at booth number 392.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation through All India Radio, expressing gratitude to the citizens for their faith in democratic systems. He highlighted the significance of June 30 as 'Hul Diwas,' commemorating the indomitable courage of Sidho and Kanhu, who resisted British oppression in 1855 by mobilizing thousands of Santhals in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana. Modi honored their supreme sacrifice, noting that their legacy continues to inspire.

Modi also mentioned the special campaign launched on World Environment Day, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (A Tree in Mother's Name). He urged people to plant a tree in honor of their mothers or in their memory. The Prime Minister expressed delight at seeing individuals share photos of planting trees with their mothers or their mothers' pictures on social media.

In his address, Modi emphasized the unprecedented expansion of forest cover in India over the past decade. He also mentioned the creation of over 60,000 'Amrit Sarovars' (immortal lakes) across the country during the 'Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations.

The event was attended by local BJP leaders and workers, including Pannalal Kandu, Rajesh Ghoshal, Pintu Pal, Senti Kandu, Dharmendra Bauri, Geeta Devi, Mamta Devi, Tarubala Devi, Balika Devi, Pinky Devi, Bajrang Kandu, Ajit Sharma, and Harekrishna among others.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its preparations for the upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, deploying ministers in each of the nine assembly constituencies going to polls.

These assembly seats have become vacant due to resignation of the sitting MLAs after their election to the Lok Sabha. The bypoll dates are yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India, but the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh is already heating up.

The by-elections will be held for Karhal (Mainpuri), Khair (Aligarh), Kundarki (Moradabad), Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Phulpur (Prayagraj), Ghaziabad (Ghaziabad), Majhawan (Mirzapur), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar) and Milkipur (Ayodhya) assembly seats.

As per its strategy, the BJP will assign a minister to each constituency to oversee the election preparations, campaign and voter outreach. This move aims to strengthen the partys grassroots presence and ensure a strong victory in the by-elections.

The ministers who have been assigned responsibility are Katehari (Swatantra Dev Singh and Ashish Patel), Kundarki (Suresh Khanna), Milkipur (Surya Pratap Shahi), Karhal (Jaiveer Singh), Phulpur (Rakesh Sachan), Majhawan (Anil Rajbhar), Ghaziabad (Sunil Sharma), Meerapur (Anil Kumar).

The ministers have been directed to interact with voters, listen to their concerns, and address their grievances. They will also be responsible for boosting the partys visibility and momentum in their assigned constituencies.

The BJPs decision to deploy high-ranking ministers reflects the importance they place on securing victories in these by-elections, a senior BJP leader said.

In addition to the designated ministers, the partys state and district-level organisations are working in tandem to galvanise support among voters

The by-elections are seen as a crucial test for the BJP, after it got a drubbing in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls.

The party is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a convincing victory, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself monitoring the preparations, the BJP leader said.

The opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, are also gearing up for the by-elections, and the contest is expected to be intense. Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party and Azad Samaj Party of Chandrashekhar Azad will also contest the by-elections, adding a new dimension to the Dalit politics in UP.
The community health center of Harihurganj is in the news for extreme wrong reasons.

Here on Saturday civil surgeon Dr Anil Kumar made a surprise inspection.

What he saw there baffled him most making him wonder if a doctor or for that matter any paramedic may be so ignorant so as not to keep anti venom serum vials in proper way and manner.

Dr Anil Kumar told this correspondent that "I saw scores of the anti venom serum vials kept on the top of the steel almirah. It's never a place to keep any injectible or tablets even what to talk about antidote to snake bites."

These vials were there on the top of the almirah for weeks and months added Dr Anil Kumar.

These vials were exposed to high temperatures that Palamu underwent in April, May and 25 or 26 days in June too.

The civil surgeon said the common knowledge and sense is to have anti venom serum vials be kept away from exposure to excessive heat. It should be in lesser cool area within the fridge.

Again it is not to freeze. Here at the CHC Harihurganj these vials were made exposed to higher temperatures.

On being asked if the lot of 186 vials so exposed to excessive heat would be discarded civil surgeon said "We would inform the senior health officials in Ranchi. We will wait for the directives in this regard."

However he said as of now we would rush in 30 vials of the anti venom serum here at the CHC Harihurganj.

Each vial is worth more than 600 rupees. Again it's minimum 10 vials for 1 snake bite victim.

Dr Anil Kumar said we have seen cases where 50 vials of anti venom serum have been used with severe or critical snake bite victims.

The vials at the CHC Harihurganj that were found to be exposed to the excessive heat was a combo pack which means one vial was common for bite by either cobra, common karait, russell viper or saw scaled viper.

Those responsible for mismanagement to the upkeep of the anti venom serum vials will have to explain their conduct asserted the civil surgeon.
Congress national general secretary and Haryana party affairs in-charge Deepak Babaria on Sunday said that the party manifesto for the impending state polls will be common man-centric and the party has undertaken an exercise to collect feedback and suggestions from a cross-section of the society to prepare the document.

The party is reaching out to different sections of the society and taking their feedback and suggestions for the manifesto which will be common man-centric, Babaria said in the presence of party MLA Geeta Bhukkal, who is the chairperson of the Haryana Congress's manifesto committee.

Babaria alleged that Haryana, which used to be ahead in the country on various developmental parameters during the Congress regime, has fallen behind in the last 10 years under the BJP rule and is now ahead only in crime, corruption, unemployment and drug menace.

We once again want to build a Haryana that was once known for prosperity and overall development, he said.

We are inviting different sections of the society, including farmers, youngsters, the poor, weaker sections, traders, government employees, women and others, and holding talks with them, the Congress leader said.

Hitting out at the BJP, he said, The award for the most-failed government in the country will go to the BJP government in Haryana.

Babaria indicated that the party may not project a chief ministerial face for the Haryana Assembly polls slated to be held later this year. The Congress general secretary in-charge of Haryana exuded confidence that his party will win the polls with a big mandate and form its government in the state.

Asked if the Congress will declare its chief ministerial face before the polls like the BJP, Babaria pointed to the party's tradition of not doing any such thing.

Senior Congress leader Bhukkal said that the party has formed 17-18 sub-committees under the main manifesto committee. We are trying to come up with a very good manifesto for every section of the society, she said.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that conforming to Prime Minister Narendra Modis initiative, an important decision was taken today to utilize the water streams of Chambal-Parvati-Kalisindh for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been formalized between the two states to commence this transformative project. This agreement promises enhanced drinking water and irrigation facilities across 13 districts, including Morena, Gwalior, Sheopur, and Rajgarh. With every drop of water slated for efficient use in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, this initiative marks a pivotal moment in the developmental journey of both states. Valued at Rs 72,000 crores, this project heralds a historic milestone for Madhya Pradesh, embodying both innovation and the collaborative spirit of federal governance in our nation.. Chief Minister Yadav was addressing the program organized for joint initiative for the implementation of Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Inter-State River Link Project at Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium today.

Chief Minister Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the joint initiative for the implementation of Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Inter-State River Link Project by lighting the lamp in the Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium and immersing the sacred water of the rivers in the urn. On this occasion, Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silavat, New and Renewable Energy Minister Rakesh Shukla, Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare (Independent Charge) Krishna Gaur and MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani were present.

Chief Minister Yadav emphasized that while states have their own interests, none should supersede the welfare of the country. He underscored that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's vision, emphasizing continual state collaboration to resolve issues, particularly concerning water sharing. Yadav acknowledged Prime Minister Modi's generous allocation of funds to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, foreseeing substantial opportunities for tourism development as a result of resolving water issues between the states. He highlighted the tourism potential in regions like Chambal, Sheopur, and Ranthambore, noting Rajasthan's success in desert tourism and Madhya Pradesh's significant potential in religious tourism, with efforts focused on promoting sites like Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar in Madhya Pradesh along the path of Lord Krishna.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav highlighted that the successful completion of this project will significantly boost employment opportunities. Additionally, both states will collaborate on leveraging their mineral wealth. He emphasized the potential for Ayurveda in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, noting joint efforts under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Dr. Yadav also underscored cooperative initiatives to benefit farmers through opium cultivation. Furthermore, he expressed a commitment to joint wildlife conservation efforts and promoting tourism and employment-oriented industries.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma praised Chief Minister Dr. Yadav for advancing the joint initiative of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, aligning closely with Prime Minister Shri Modi's vision. He emphasized their shared commitment to advancing both states together, anticipating significant progress upon the completion of this project. Shri Sharma underscored the collaborative efforts between the state and the Centre to propel this project forward, noting the changed landscape from earlier times with now expanded resources.

The project's benefits will extend to 13 districts each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, strengthening mutual relations. Shri Sharma proposed further joint schemes between the two states, including creating a cultural corridor from Khatu Shyam to Mahakal, promoting tourism and architectural admiration. He also highlighted initiatives to promote Sri Anna (millets) in agriculture to enhance water levels and benefit farmers and citizens with improved drinking water. Addressing wildlife conservation and tourism, Shri Sharma outlined plans to protect tigers moving from Ranthambore to Madhya Pradesh and leopards crossing into Rajasthan, aiming for comprehensive plans to safeguard wildlife and boost tourism.

Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silawat said that Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal project is a big gift for Madhya Pradesh. This gift will be completed with the efforts of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav. The resolution of former Prime Minister Shri Atal ji is now going to be fulfilled. The target is to irrigate 65 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh in the year 2026. About 4 lakh hectares will be irrigated by this project. 2 lakh 80 thousand hectares will be irrigated in Rajasthan. Chief Minister Shri Sharma said that the project will open doors of employment.

Mayor Smt. Malti Rai, Additional Chief Secretary of Chief Minister's Office Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary of Rajasthan Shri Abhay Kumar, public representatives and senior officials were present in the programme.
In the connection of death of a youth by snake bite in Majhiaon of the district, the police have registered an FIR against Dr. Raju Kumar Das, a doctor of CHC Majhiaon. On the application of the father of the deceased, the FIR has been registered under section of 304 and 166 IPC.

Other hand, IMA and Jhasa have opposed the FIR by holding a joint meeting and have warned of agitation.

According to the police sources, on the late evening of 27 June 2024, the snake had bitten to the, resident of Gaheri village located in ward number four of Nagar Panchayat under Majhiaon police station area on Thursday night. He was taken to CHC Majhiaon. According to the relatives of the deceased, Dr. Raju Kumar Das, who was on duty at CHC on that day then, did not provide proper treatment to him despite anti-venom injection being available in the hospital and referred him from there. While he died while being taken outside for treatment. After this, after getting his body after post-mortem , the relatives of the deceased reached CHC Majhiaon on 28 June 2024 and created a ruckus demanding action against the doctor and blocked the road. Later, on the application of the deceased's father Paras Nath Mehta, a case has been registered against CHC doctor Dr. Raju Kumar Das in Majhiaon police station.

Majhiaon police station in-charge Akash Kumar has confirmed the FIR and said that an FIR has been registered under Section 304 and 166 of the IPC on the application of the deceased's father Paras Nath Mehta. Further investigation is underway.

On the other hand, IMA and Jhasa held a joint meeting on Sunday under the chairmanship of IMA President Dr. Nandkishore Rajak. The doctors present in the meeting opposed the FIR lodged against CHC Majhiaon doctor Dr. Raju Kumar Das in Majhiaon police station. It was decided to meet the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police regarding the said matter. Also, the doctors have warned of agitation if action is not taken within 24 hours.

The doctors said that if FIRs continue to be lodged like this, doctors will not be able to work in the coming days. Incidents of assault on doctors are happening every day in the district. If this situation remains, the doctors will go on an indefinite strike. IMA's Garhwa district unit president Dr. Nandkishore Rajak said that the Supreme Court has said in a decision that a complaint against any doctor cannot be considered until the negligence of the accused doctor is confirmed through investigation by a competent doctor. Action can be taken against that doctor only after taking the opinion of expert doctors. The Supreme Court has also warned in its decision that it is illegal to harass or arrest a doctor unless the facts clearly fall within the prescribed criteria.

Jhasa's Garhwa district unit secretary Dr. T Piyush, Dr. Amit Kumar, Dr. RNS Diwakar, Dr. Arshad Ansari, Dr. Manish Kumar Singh, Dr. Kush Kumar, Dr. Snehlata Raj, Dr. Maheru Yamani, Dr. Ravi Kumar etc. were present in the meeting.
Punjab has commenced its maiden export of state-grown litchi to England (UK) from the sub-mountainous districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur. the states Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra virtually flagged off the inaugural consignment of litchi, marking a significant leap for Punjab's agricultural exports in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

Highlighting Punjab's agricultural prowess, Jouramajra on Sunday revealed that litchi cultivation spans 3,250 hectares across the State, yielding approximately 13,000 metric tons annually. He emphasized the exceptional quality of litchi from Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur, renowned for their naturally vibrant red hue and unmatched sweetness, surpassing counterparts from other regions.

The first shipment of litchi to England signifies a new era of prosperity for our farmers, said Jouramajra, adding, Through strategic government initiatives, Punjab's litchi growers are poised to achieve substantial financial gains through international markets.

Looking ahead, the Horticulture Minister affirmed plans to expand exports to include various other horticultural crops, leveraging partnerships between the Punjab government, the Horticulture Department, and APEDA.

The produce of progressive farmer Rakesh Dadwal from Muradpur village in Pathankot district has paved the way for this milestone export to England from Amritsar, said the Minister.

He expressed confidence that Punjab's fruits will soon garner global acclaim, projecting the state as a key player in international agricultural trade. With ambitions to showcase Punjab's agricultural diversity on a global stage, the Minister underscored the government's commitment to fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for farmers.
Smokin Ds two-meat combo plate at a pop-up in the Sunset District. The business is opening a brick-and-mortar location, also in the Sunset. Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle From left owners Daniel Ramirez and Lareina Chu share a laugh while serving customers at Smokin Ds at Sunset Mercantile and Farmers Market in San Francisco. Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle Owner Daniel Ramirez slices his signature smoked brisket at Smokin Ds. Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle

One of the Bay Areas top barbecue specialists will soon open a permanent storefront.

Smokin Ds owner Daniel Ramirez confirmed to the Chronicle he plans to open his first brick-and-mortar location in San Franciscos Sunset District. Ramirez posted the news on Instagram, showing off the interior at the incoming location at 2181 Irving St. (The location, at the corner of 23rd Avenue, was formerly Yum Yum Sushi House.)

Ramirez, who began his passion project in the backyard of his Outer Sunset house along with his wife in 2021, is currently working on the space and permitting to open as soon as possible. He plans to continue regular appearances at his usual farmers markets in San Francisco and Oakland, as well as night markets in San Franciscos Chinatown and the Richmond and Sunset districts.

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Smokin Ds first launched with offerings that included 15-hour smoked brisket, sausages, pulled pork and spareribs. The popular brisket sandwich, on a brioche bun with house-made pickled onions, was one of the breakaway hits at Smokin Ds launch.

Most recently Smokin Ds appearances have had a greater focus on barbecue-stuffed bao: a hand-rolled, fluffy milk bun filled with Ramirezs succulent, smoky brisket. He posted that the rising cost of meats was a factor in shifting to this item for pop-ups in October 2023.

Smokin Ds Brisky Baos as seen at their booth at the Sunset Mercantile and Farmers Market in San Francisco. Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle

But the new location will have this hit item, old favorites and more. Ramirez hasnt finalized his menu yet, but plans to bring back items like breakfast tacos, pulled pork sandwiches and mac and cheese to start with. He is also thinking of incorporating Asian and Mexican flavors into the menu, in a nod to his and his wifes cultures.

We have a few ideas for special menu items to keep it fun and fresh, Ramirez said.
A delegation of Federation of Jharkhand Chambers of Commerce and Gold-Silver Vyavasayee Samiti met Chief Minister Champai Soren today and submitted a memorandum. They apprised the Chief Minister of the criminal incidents like loot, snatching and robbery happening in the capital Ranchi and urged him to take appropriate steps to control it.

The Chief Minister told the delegation that strict instructions have been given to the Director General of Police of the state for crime control. He has been instructed to disclose the criminal incidents and take strict action against the criminals involved in it.

The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to maintain law and order at all costs. Those who carry out criminal incidents will not be spared at any cost. Those who met the Chief Minister included Jharkhand Chambers of Commerce President Kishore Mantri, General Secretary Paresh Gattani, Executive Members Praveen Lohia and Rohit Poddar, former President Kunal Ajmani and Dr. Dilip Soni, Ravi Kumar Pintu and Jitendra Kumar Verma of Gold-Silver Vyavasayee Samiti.



Notably, criminals carried out a horrific robbery on June 28 at DP Jewellers located near Birsa Chowk in Jagannathpur police station area. In protest against this incident, all the jewellery shops in the capital Ranchi are closed today on Saturday. All the jewellers united and also took out a protest march.



All the businessmen gathered near the Gandhi statue in Upper Bazaar and marched wearing black bands. During this, the jewellery businessmen gave an ultimatum to Ranchi Police to arrest the criminals within two days.



The jewellers who are doing the protest march say that two big robbery incidents have been carried out in the city. Earlier, a jeweller was robbed in Pandra area of Ranchi. The criminals involved in that robbery have not been caught yet. Now another robbery incident has been carried out. Also, during the robbery, the criminals also shot the shop owner Om Verma. The criminals should be arrested as soon as possible, otherwise they will be forced to take to the streets every day.



All the criminals were doing recce for a long time to carry out the robbery in the jewellery shop located at Birsa Chowk. As soon as the PCR van moved to the other side from near Birsa Chowk, all the criminals entered the shop. As soon as the criminals entered the shop, they held the owner Om Verma and the employees hostage at gunpoint and then started looting. For about 10 minutes, the criminals filled all the jewellery and cash in four big bags and left the shop and walked towards Birsa Chowk.
Haryana is soon to get a waste-to-charcoal plant, also known as the green coal plant. A MoU for this plant will be signed between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVNL) and the Haryana Government soon. After setting up the plant in Gurugram-Manesar and Faridabad, this initiative will be expanded to other cities in Haryana. NVVNL officers will soon visit a few sites to establish green coal plants, said the Government official spokesperson.

Spokesperson said that to implement these plants, a meeting was held at Shram Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi, chaired by the Union Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Spokesperson said that the government is highly committed to reducing the problem of the increasing quantity of municipal solid waste and using it beneficially for renewable energy production. During the meeting on waste-to-energy, detailed discussions were held on NVVNL's initiative to produce green coal from solid waste.

It is noteworthy that green coal, also known as bio-coal, is a sustainable alternative to traditional waste, as it can be blended with regular coal for electricity generation in thermal power plants.

NVVNL recently established a plant in Varanasi to produce green coal from solid waste. Once fully operational, this plant will consume 600 tons of waste and produce 200 tonnes of green coal, leaving very little residue. NVVNL is also working in various stages to set up green coal plants in Haldwani, Vadodara, Noida, Gorakhpur, and Bhopal.

Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) Commissioner Narhari Singh Bangar mentioned that the MCG has already initiated this process and shown some sites in Gurugram to the NVVNL officials.

The Union Minister instructed that the civic body, in collaboration with NVVNL, should set up a green coal plant at Bandhwari or alternative sites around Gurugram and Manesar.

He stated that this plant should be capable of consuming around 1200 tons of solid waste daily. Similarly, Faridabad Municipal Corporation (FMC) should start the process with NVVNL to set up a plant with a capacity of 1000 tonnes per day on the available land in the village of Mothuka.

Establishing waste-to-green coal plants in Gurugram-Manesar and Faridabad will not only provide a permanent solution to the waste problem but also increase energy production.
Kolar police have booked an employee of healing therapist for cheating his master of Rs 44 lakh, accused had taken the money in the name of buying land to build an ashram.

The police have registered a case in this matter. Search for the accused is on.

According to TI Ashutosh Upadhyay, Yogendra Mishra, who lives in Sai Sidda Homes, does healing therapy, his employee Prince Goyal also worked with him. He was originally from Punjab. The accused used to look after all the work related to his office. The accused had won Yogendra's trust. Taking advantage of this, he deceived the complainant to get him land to build an ashram. Because Yogendra was already looking for land for the ashram.

He agreed to buy the land mentioned by the accused. Taking advantage of this, the accused took Rs 44 lakh from the complainant in five installments by telling him about the expenses of buying the land, getting it constructed and other expenses including registration.

The accused had also given fake documents to Complainant Yogendra, who trusted him to such an extent that he gave so much money to the accused without seeing the land, just on the basis of documents.

The accused left saying he was going to Punjab and never returned.

The incident took place between April 1, 2023 and December 2023. For a long time, he kept on giving false assurances of returning soon on calls. From March 2024, he even stopped picking up the complainant's calls. After which a complaint was lodged in the police station. After about three months of investigation, the police have registered an FIR.

Meanwhile in another case of fraud Home Guard personnel was cheated of Rs 6 lakh in the name of giving plot(land).

Kolar police said that Surya Narayan Toraniya is Home Guard personnel who reported that that broker Jitendra Wadhwani and Richa Gaur had shown him a plot in village Imalia Jagir.

The accused had told Surya Narayan that they wanted to sell the plot. Not only this, the accused had also taken about Rs 6 lakh from Surya Narayan for the plot. Later it was found out that the plot was not his. When the matter was revealed, the victim had given an application to the police. After investigating the application, the police registered a case.

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Kolar police have booked an employee of healing therapist for cheating his master of Rs 44 lakh, accused had taken the money in the name of buying land to build an ashram.

The police have registered a case in this matter. Search for the accused is on.

According to TI Ashutosh Upadhyay, Yogendra Mishra, who lives in Sai Sidda Homes, does healing therapy, his employee Prince Goyal also worked with him. He was originally from Punjab. The accused used to look after all the work related to his office. The accused had won Yogendra's trust. Taking advantage of this, he deceived the complainant to get him land to build an ashram. Because Yogendra was already looking for land for the ashram.

He agreed to buy the land mentioned by the accused. Taking advantage of this, the accused took Rs 44 lakh from the complainant in five installments by telling him about the expenses of buying the land, getting it constructed and other expenses including registration.

The accused had also given fake documents to Complainant Yogendra, who trusted him to such an extent that he gave so much money to the accused without seeing the land, just on the basis of documents.

The accused left saying he was going to Punjab and never returned.

The incident took place between April 1, 2023 and December 2023. For a long time, he kept on giving false assurances of returning soon on calls. From March 2024, he even stopped picking up the complainant's calls. After which a complaint was lodged in the police station. After about three months of investigation, the police have registered an FIR.

Meanwhile in another case of fraud Home Guard personnel was cheated of Rs 6 lakh in the name of giving plot(land).

Kolar police said that Surya Narayan Toraniya is Home Guard personnel who reported that that broker Jitendra Wadhwani and Richa Gaur had shown him a plot in village Imalia Jagir.

The accused had told Surya Narayan that they wanted to sell the plot. Not only this, the accused had also taken about Rs 6 lakh from Surya Narayan for the plot. Later it was found out that the plot was not his. When the matter was revealed, the victim had given an application to the police. After investigating the application, the police registered a case.
A one-day national conference of experts on medicinal use of natural herbs and forest wealth was organized. During the Covid pandemic, it was felt that along with physical and mental health, social and economic health is also very important for us. I think that through integrative medicine, we can also develop the society holistically on these parameters. Divisional Commissioner Deepak Singh said this at the National Conference of Integrative Medicine organized at Shri Aurobindo University on Saturday.

He said that on the one hand obesity and the problems caused by it are causing problems for people, while many people are also struggling with the problem of malnutrition. In such a situation, instead of depending completely on any one medical system, if we treat patients with a combination of modern, ancient and traditional medical systems, then their chances of quick recovery will increase. Especially, in our country, the documentation and authentication of the medical information that has been passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition is very important.

Each plant produced in the forest has its own importance. Retired PCCF Dr. PC Dubey addressed the workshop and elaborated on the action plan of the entire event. He said that special efforts need to be made to increase the health and diversity of the forests. The plants produced in the forest have their own importance. The forest will have to be re-established. Special efforts will have to be made to strengthen the nature and the fabric of the forest. Herbs have special importance in medical methods. There is a need to preserve the knowledge of experts of forest herbs living in remote forest areas. For this, their knowledge will be compiled and established in a scientific way. This initiative will provide a new direction to the conservation of forests and forest management.

The founder president of the university, Dr. Vinod Bhandari, said that there are many such herbal medicines, whose treatment will collect evidence of cured patients and publish it in world-class research journals. With this, patients will be able to benefit from these medicines at national and international level as well. Retired PCCF Dr. PC Dubey said that this effort will prove beneficial in better health of humans as well as forests, animals, land, water sources as well as the entire nature through the special initiative of Divisional Commissioner Deepak Singh and this effort with Shri Aurobindo Hospital.

The university's pro-chancellor Dr. Mohit Bhandari proved the importance of integrated medicine while sharing personal experiences, pro-chancellor Dr. Mehak Bhandari gave information about the Shri Aurobindo group. Prof. Sanjay Vyas of Holkar Science College said that just as in an emergency we can save a person's life by giving CPR in the golden time, similarly the time has come to give CPR to the entire environment through integrated medicine. For this we have to collect, preserve and restore information (CPR).

On this occasion, Vice Chancellor Dr. Jyoti Bindal, Dean (Students Welfare) Dr. Jayshree Taparia and Registrar Dr. Anand Mishra also addressed. On this occasion, traditional Vaidyas, herbal experts and forest department officials from Indore, Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Khandwa and Ujjain etc. also participated. Health cards were also distributed by Shri Aurobindo Hospital for free treatment to provide information on forest herbs.
Punjab unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused the BJP candidate for jalandhar west bypolls, Sheetal Angural, of involvement in an extortion case, shedding light on alleged criminal activities orchestrated by him and his associates. The expose came to light during a press conference held in Jalandhar, where AAP leaders presented compelling evidence implicating Sheetal Angural and his brother Rajan Angural in coercing large sums of money from a victim named Sandeep Kumar.

AAP Punjabs chief spokesperson and Sri Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang, along with Jagtar Singh Sanghera and Jalandhar district (urban) secretary Gurinder Singh Shergill, detailed the sequence of events leading to the criminal complaint against the Angural brothers. Kang stated that numerous individuals have come forward alleging fraud, extortion, and other illegal activities perpetrated by Sheetal Angural.

The case revolves around a family dispute in Jalandhar, where one Sandeep Kumar, residing in Australia, sought Sheetal Angurals intervention as a mediator. According to Kang, Rajan Angural, acting on behalf of his brother, allegedly extorted Rs 5.20 lakhs from Sandeep under the pretext of resolving the familys issues. Kang emphasized that Sandeep possesses recordings of Rajan Angural demanding money, providing damning evidence against the accused.

Highlighting the modus operandi, Kang accused Sheetal Angural of leveraging his political influence while delegating criminal activities to his brother Rajan. He alleged that the brothers introduced Sandeep to Ayub Khan, purportedly Sheetal Angurals close aide, promising assistance in resolving the police-related issues stemming from the family dispute. However, the situation escalated when Sandeep continued to face harassment, prompting Rajan Angural to demand an additional Rs two lakhs.

This isn't an isolated incident, Kang asserted, underscoring Sheetal Angurals alleged pattern of criminal behaviour. He urged the voters in Jalandhar West to carefully consider the upcoming by-election, characterizing Sheetal Angural as a habitual offender who left AAP for BJP due to purported constraints on his illicit activities under AAP's governance.

Kang contrasted Sheetal Angural with Mohinder Bhagat, an honest and longstanding public servant from the Bhagat family, known for their dedication to Jalandhar's welfare over two generations. He implored voters to reject Sheetal Angural's candidacy, citing multiple criminal cases against him and his alleged exploitation of constituents seeking assistance.
Bahujan Samaj Party national president Mayawati on Monday said that paper leaks in examinations held in Uttar Pradesh and other states and corruption in government recruitments was very serious, sad and worrisome.

She said any kind of government negligence and politics towards these problems was not appropriate, rather strict steps were necessary to prevent it.

Allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks, in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) have led to protests and litigation, with various quarters demanding a complete re-examination. The Union Health ministry later postponed NEET-PG, scheduled for June 23, as a precautionary measure amid the allegations.

In a post on X, Mayawati stated that along with the sanctity of various examinations held from time to time in the country, uncertainty prevails at present, especially regarding medical NEET-UG and NEET-PG examinations. It is natural that there is a wave of restlessness, worry and anger among the people, for which it is very important to find a quick and correct permanent solution.

Further, she said that the paper leak in examinations held not only at all-India level but also in states, including UP, and corruption in government recruitments was also very serious and worrisome. Neither any kind of government negligence nor politics is right towards these problems, rather strict steps are necessary to prevent them, she said.

Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati has congratulated Samajwadi Party national president and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and MP Akhilesh Yadav on his birthday. Wishing him a long life, she wished him all the best and also congratulated his family on this occasion.
As the three criminal laws came into force on Monday, Delhi Police registered its first FIR under provisions of the new criminal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against a street vendor for allegedly obstructing a public way in central Delhi's Kamala Market.

Addressing a press conference, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the Delhi's case was not the first FIR registered in the country. He said the first case under the new laws was about a motorcycle theft registered in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior at 10 minutes past midnight. He also said the Delhi Police "dismissed" the case filed against a street vendor after an investigation. "By using the provisions of review, police have dismissed this case," he told the media.

The BNS, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Delhi Police sources said that they will initiate the process of cancelling the FIR registered against the street vendor and will have to inform the court for formally cancelling the FIR. The FIR was registered under Section 285 of the BNS which states, "Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000."

Police said 23-year-old Pankaj Kumar, a native of Patna, was found selling water, bidi and cigarettes from a cart under a foot overbridge near the New Delhi railway station around 12:15 am. While the patrol officer asked Kumar to move his makeshift cart away from the path as it was hindering people's movement, he ignored the officer's instructions following which a case was registered at 1:30 am. The officer also asked four-five passersby to become witnesses but they refused, the FIR stated. The patrol officer used the e-Pramaan app to record the seizures made. The app, handled by the Delhi Police's Crime Branch, will directly feed the content to police records for further investigation.

In north east Delhi, the first FIR was registered at the Seelampur police station, under clause 109 (1), over a gun firing incident that led to the injury of a 30 year old e-rickshaw driver. According to the clause 109 (1),  Whoever does any act with such intention or knowledge, and under such circumstances that, if he by that act caused death, he would be guilty of murder, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if hurt is caused to any person by such act, the offender shall be liable either to imprisonment for life, or to such punishment as is hereinbefore mentioned. In east Delhi district, the first case was registered under section 303 (2) of BNS in Shahdara over theft of a mobile phone by an auto driver who forcibly stole it from his passenger and fled away. According to officials, two cases under the BNS were also registered in Delhis Outer district including one regarding an accident in Nihal Vihar and an encroachment case in Mangol Puri.

The Delhi Police has imparted training to its 30,000 personnel, from the ranks of assistant sub-inspectors and inspectors to assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners, who are responsible for registering FIRs and conducting investigations. The force was among the first in the country to start training personnel on the new criminal laws, the officials said. Meanwhile, Delhi Police chief Sanjay Arora said the force has started registering FIRs under the three new laws.

He told reporters during the Delhi Police's Commissionerate Day celebrations at Kingsway Camp that the force was fortunate the new laws came into force on this day. "We are fortunate as today is our Commissionerate Day and, on the same day, these laws are being implemented," Arora said.

The Noida Police on Monday registered its first FIR under provisions of the new criminal code BNS for cheating and forgery, and arrested five people in connection with the case. The case was lodged at Surajpur police station under the Central Noida police zone, a police spokesperson said.
Under the guidance of Executive Director Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh, the Ophthalmology Department of AIIMS Bhopal has achieved another significant milestone.

On Sunday, the department received two eye donations for corneal retrieval, marking a momentous occasion in its ongoing efforts to restore vision to those in need.

Ayush Jharbade, a resident of Mandideep, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, exhibited exceptional generosity and humanity by voluntarily donating the corneas of his late father, Ganesh Jharbade, aged 42 years. This philanthropic contribution will provide vision to two individuals, significantly enhancing their quality of life.

Expressing his gratitude, Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh stated, "We are extremely grateful to our eye donors and their families.

Their selfless donation has set a remarkable example of social contribution and compassion. These donations are a ray of hope and light for the visually impaired." The Ophthalmology Department at AIIMS Bhopal is committed to bringing revolutionary changes in the lives of many by restoring their vision through this program.

Dr. Bhavana Sharma, head of the Eye Department, explained the importance of corneal donations: "The cornea is a dome-shaped surface on the eye that helps focus while reading or seeing. When a person donates their eyes after death, the cornea is removed and transplanted into the eyes of someone whose cornea is damaged, allowing them to see again. When the cornea of a person's eye is damaged and cannot be treated with medicine, doctors recommend corneal transplant surgery."

AIIMS Bhopal has been performing corneal retrieval for the past five years, and this recent achievement underscores its dedication to improving the lives of individuals through advanced medical interventions.
In the meeting held at the Collectorate Auditorium, Jamshedpur, District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal reviewed the applications received and the progress of PM-Kusum Yojana in the district. Against the target of 573, 1107 verified applications have been received from the blocks for this scheme, which aims to provide solar pump sets to farmers on subsidy for irrigation. The District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner directed the District Agriculture Officer to cover the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme after examining all the applications.

On this occasion, the District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner said that there are immense possibilities in the agricultural sector in the district, but due to a lack of adequate irrigation facilities, farmers are not able to farm properly. In such a situation, this scheme will be very effective, as it will provide electricity for irrigation and meet daily needs. Farmers will no longer have to depend on rainwater for farming and can produce Rabi and Kharif crops, as well as vegetables, flowers, and other products in their fields every year. Farmers will greatly benefit from the scheme, as they will be relieved from the high costs of fuel and electricity, reducing their agricultural expenses and increasing their income.

To avail of the benefits of the scheme, farmers will need to provide an identity card, residential certificate, land receipt, and a declaration attested by a notary. Only one person in a family will be eligible for the scheme.

The District Agriculture Officer stated that those farmers whose applications have been approved should ensure to make their contributions by visiting the online portal.
To make the State Governments ambitious farm diversification plan a huge success, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has decided to provide subsidy on hybrid seeds of Kharif maize and cover over 4700 hectares area under maize demonstrations.

Farmers can avail Rs 100 as a subsidy on purchase of every one kg of hybrid maize seeds certified and recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), said the states Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Sunday.

He said that the subsidy for hybrid Kharif maize seeds will be provided for a maximum five acres of area or 40 kgs per farmer and a total amount of 2,300 quintal seeds will be made available to the state farmers at a subsidized price.

Under maize demonstrations, a total area of 4700 hectares will be covered for which farmers will receive financial support of Rs 6000 per hectare for various inputs including fertilizers, insecticides etc, he said.

To wean off the state farmers from water-guzzling paddy crop to save the groundwater, the Minister said Punjab has set a target to cultivate Kharif maize on a record two lakh hectares, almost double as compared to the last year.

Urging the state farmers to take maximum benefits of the scheme, Khudian said that the subsidy amount will be directly transferred to the beneficiary farmers bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to ensure transparency. Interested farmers of the state can submit their application at online portal agrimachinerypb.com to avail the subsidy on the hybrid maize seeds.

He also asked the Agriculture Department authorities to ensure close monitoring of seeds being sold in the state and only quality seeds should be made available to the farmers.
Gov. Gavin Newsom doesnt want California voters to approve a November ballot measure to roll back parts of Proposition 47. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders really, really dont want California voters to approve a November ballot measure to roll back parts of Proposition 47, the controversial 2014 initiative that reduced some theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

In fact, theyre so desperate to prevent the measure from succeeding that theyre willing to subvert and twist the very process they claim to revere more than anything else  democracy  to achieve their aims.

Newsom and Democratic leaders first attempt to keep Prop 47 reform off the ballot backfired last month. To try to force the Californians for Safer Communities Coalition  led by local district attorneys  to withdraw their initiative, legislative leaders cooked up a last-minute scheme to kill many of the bills in their own ambitious public safety package if voters approved the ballot measure. But the sketchy maneuver alienated both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, forcing Newsom and legislative leaders to backtrack on the amendments and instead go to Plan B.

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That Plan B is to propose their own ballot measure to reform Prop 47  even though Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas have all repeatedly said that they oppose overhauling the initiative.

The text of this ballot measure was published late Sunday night, giving lawmakers just a few days to consider it before Wednesdays deadline for inclusion in the official state voter guide. The initiative would, among other things, make it a felony to knowingly sell drugs laced with fentanyl without disclosing the deadly synthetic opioids presence to the purchaser and make it easier for prosecutors to aggregate multiple low-level thefts when charging defendants. (The district attorneys measure, by contrast, encompasses a wider range of offenses and could lead to tougher penalties.)

In a statement, Newsom called the measure a balanced approach (that) cracks down on crime and protects our communities  without reverting to ineffective and costly policies of the past. But it will likely be a tough sell in the supermajority-Democratic Legislature, where many lawmakers have expressed wariness about returning to a War on Drugs approach.

This helps explain why the proposed ballot measure calls for a special election to be consolidated with the Nov. 5 general election.

This special election would have no noticeable impact on voters; the new measure would appear on the normal general election ballot.

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But framing the measure as an act calling an election would allow it to take effect immediately with a simple majority vote  as opposed to an urgency clause, which requires a two-thirds vote. (The urgency is necessary to ensure the measures actually end up on the November ballot after lawmakers blew past the original Thursday deadline for inclusion.)

It leads to a legal question  can you have all these substantive changes in law and declare this a special election, and therefore that trumps everything else? longtime Capitol lobbyist and legal expert Chris Micheli asked me, adding that he isnt aware of any appellate court ruling on this issue.

Newsom and Democratic leaders are clearly trying to exploit this legal gray area to avoid a perilous two-thirds vote, which could sink their measure. In other words, theyre gaming election procedures for their own political aims.

And that isnt the only way theyre stacking the ballot.

The proposed measure states that if it receives more votes than the district attorneys rival Prop 47 initiative, the latter will be declared null and void, as opposed to having both go into effect. And another Sunday night bill, which would add two general obligation bond measures to the ballot, specifies that the crime initiative will be the first to appear on the ballot  as Prop 2  increasing its visibility for voters.

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If all this seems designed to confuse voters, that may very well be the ultimate goal of Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders. Theyve been very clear that they dont want any significant Prop 47 reforms, and research shows that when voters are confused by a ballot measure, theyre more likely to vote against it.

The end game of two initiatives to reform Prop 47 could be no Prop 47 reform at all  as we saw in San Francisco in 2022, when progressive members of the Board of Supervisors successfully sabotaged Mayor London Breeds housing measure with a rival measure, confusing voters and causing both measures to fail.

This is not the first time Newsom and Democrats have gamed the ballot for their own gain. In 2021, Newsom signed a law moving up the date of his recall election amid arguments from political pundits that doing so could help him stay in office. Ironically, that was made possible after Democrats waived rules they wrote in 2017, when they added more steps to Californias recall process in a failed attempt to defeat the recall of Democratic state Sen. Josh Newman.

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

This cynical, callous changing of election procedures to advance a political agenda diminishes trust in government and the integrity of elections. And it makes Newsoms State of the State speech last week, in which he upheld California as a bastion of democracy and freedom in a darkened and divided nation, ring hollow.

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National Security Act (NSA) detainee and pro-Khalistan Sikh preacher Amritpal Singhs resounding victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections has ignited a new trend among individuals facing legal charges, particularly his peers behind bars, who now aspire to transition from accused lawbreakers to potential lawmakers.

Amritpal, renowned for leading Waris Punjab De and currently held in Assams Dibrugarh jail, caused a stir by securing the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary seat with a significant majority, surpassing expectations and inspiring others in similar circumstances to contemplate a foray into electoral politics.

Following his lead, several of his close aides, also NSA detainees incarcerated in Dibrugarh, now harbour ambitions to contest upcoming bypolls across Punjab, fueled by newfound political aspirations. At least three of his close aides contemplating their own electoral bids.

Punjab is staring at four bypolls  from Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Barnala, and Chhabewal  after the sitting legislators Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, and Dr Raj Kumar Chhabewal, respectively, were elected members of the Lok Sabha, and vacated their seats.

First one to inspire from Amritpals success is his close aide Bhagwant Singh, widely known as 'Pardhan Mantri Bajeke, who is preparing to contest the impending bypolls from Gidderbaha. After him, Kulwant Singh Rauke and Daljeet Singh Kalsi  also incarcerated with Amritpal in Dibrugarh jail  also announced their intentions to run in the Barnala and Dera Baba Nanak Assembly by-elections, respectively.

The announcement was made by their family members, underscoring a growing trend where detainees are actively seeking political office despite their legal predicaments.

In addition to NSA detainees, another individual currently incarcerated in Patiala Jail is set to make his electoral bid. Sandeep Singh, also known as Sunny, gained notoriety for his involvement in the shooting of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri in Amritsar. Despite being lodged in Patiala jail, Sandeep Singhs brother recently announced his intention to contest the upcoming by-election in Dera Baba Nanak.

Sandeep Singh had previously expressed interest in running for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat but withdrew his candidacy. Now, with his sights set on Dera Baba Nanak, Sandeep Singh joins Daljeet Kalsi, another inmate from Dibrugarh jail, in vying for the same assembly seat.

This unprecedented development underscores the evolving dynamics of Punjab's electoral landscape, where individuals facing serious legal challenges are actively seeking political office.

Kulwant Singh Rauke, a clerk with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), was apprehended during a statewide crackdown on alleged radical activities linked to Amritpals group, 'Waris Punjab De.'

Raukes father was also detained under the NSA in 1987 due to his association with the pro-Khalistan movement led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. His family still unaware whether he was killed in a fake encounter or still alive.

His cousin, Maha Singh, maintained that when he spoke to Kulwant, he told him that he had discussion with Amritpal and others and expressed his desire to contest assembly bypolls from Barnala; and asked him to contact the panthic organizations for support and prepare for his elections.

Narinder Kaur, wife of Daljeet Kalsi, also shared a video on social media announcing her husbands decision to contest the upcoming assembly by-elections from Dera Baba Nanak. In the video, Kaur stated that she had met Kalsi at Dibrugarh Jail where he expressed his intention to run for office in his maternal ancestral village. She appealed for support from the public, promising to provide further updates as the campaign progresses.

Sources familiar with Kalsi describe him as an alleged adviser and financial supporter of Amritpal Singh, known for his connections within the Punjabi film industry and frequent international travels.

The decision of these NSA detainees to contest elections raises profound legal and ethical questions about the intersection of civil liberties, security laws, and democratic processes. Critics argue whether individuals facing serious charges should be eligible to participate in electoral politics, while proponents view their candidacy as a test of democratic inclusivity and the right to political representation.

Amritpals electoral success has not only emboldened his associates but also sparked broader discussions on the role of detainees in shaping Punjabs political future.

With vacant assembly seats awaiting bypolls, the upcoming electoral contests will serve as a litmus test for the traditional political players.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet released the schedule for the upcoming by-elections, despite four assembly seats being declared vacant by Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker. According to regulations, the ECI is required to schedule these by-polls within six months.
A two-day training program on Effective Communication and Interpersonal Relations at Work for the youth representatives of the participating unions was organized the other day at the Training Workshop of Vishwakarma Hall (HRD Centre).

This program was organized in coordination with HR- Industrial Relations and Human Resource Development Centre. This training program was organized in collaboration with the Dantopant Thengadi National Labour Education and Development Board.

This 02 day training program was inaugurated by Birendra Kumar Singh, General Manager (HR), Arif Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional General Manager (HR), Smt. Swagata S. Saxena, Additional General Manager (HRD) and Ambrish Garg, Regional Director-in-Charge Dantopant Thengadi National Labour Education and Development Board, Smt. Renu Verma Special Education Officer, National Labour Education and Development Board. R. K. Jaiswal, Deputy Manager (HR-IR) gave information about the origin and objectives of the program. This training program has been organized by the Industrial Relations Section for the purpose of personality development for the union representatives for the past several years. <

Birendra Kumar Singh, General Manager (HR) motivated the young representatives by explaining the importance of communication. Arif Ahmed, Siddiqui, Additional General Manager (HR), Swagata S Saxena, Additional General Manager (HR) welcomed all the guests present and told that any problem can be resolved only through mutual communication in the organization. Kirti Singh, Manager (HR) thanked the people who attended the inaugural ceremony. 28 participants from unions were present in this program.

At the closing ceremony of the program on Friday, Chief Guest Hiralal Bharani, Additional General Manager & DRO (HSE), and Ambrish Garg, Regional Director-in-Charge, National Labour Education and Development Board, Smt. Renu Verma Special Education Officer, National Labour Education and Development Board addressed all the participants and distributed certificates. In the closing ceremony, a vote of thanks was given by Kirti Singh, Manager (HRD). The main objective of this program is to teach the art of personality development to the participants.
A married woman in the Kolar area of Bhopal has accused her father-in-law of sexually assaulting her; police have registered case and started investigation.

According to Kolar police, the 24-year-old victim lives in a colony. She is originally from Khajuraho. On February 14 (Valentine's Day), she was alone in her house and taking advnatage her father-in-law raped her. Not only this, when the victim told the whole thing to her mother-in-law, she started threatening her.

Upset by this, the woman went to her maternal home. The accused father-in-law kept calling her even then. Fed up, the victim complained to her maternal family. After this, the maternal family took the victim to Khajuraho police.

After investigating the complaint, the police registered a case there. From there, after registering the case of zero FIR, the diary was given to Kolar police. Where the police registered the case.

After this incident, the victim woman returned to her maternal home. The accused husband started talking obscenely to her even on call. Then the victim gave a complaint application to Khajuraho police station. After investigating the application, the police there registered a case on zero and handed over the case diary to Kolar police on Saturday. The police have registered a case against the accused mother-in-law and father-in-law and have started searching for them.
Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was sentenced to five months simple imprisonment on Monday by a Delhi court in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena 23 years ago when he headed an NGO in Gujarat.

Observing that false allegations made by a person of Patkar's stature aggravated the offence, Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma also imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on her and asked her to pay the amount to Saxena.

The court, however, suspended the sentence for a period of one month to enable Patkar, 70, to move an appellate court against the judgment.

The court also said that Patkar's age and ailments do not absolve her of the "serious" offence as Saxena experienced "profound damage to his reputation, trustworthiness, and social standing".

Reacting to the court's verdict, the septuagenarian activist said that her lawyers will challenge the order.

"Truth cannot be defeated. Whatever work we are doing is for the poor, tribals and Dalits... We do not want destruction and displacement in the name of development.

"We do not have any desire to defame anyone. My lawyers will take further legal recourse... We will challenge it (court order)," she said outside the courtroom.

In its eight-page order, the magisterial court said, "While the convict is a distinguished social activist with numerous awards, this status makes her actions even more reprehensible and her respected position in society brings with it a responsibility to uphold the truth and act with integrity."

"The fact that someone of her stature made such false and damaging allegations aggravates her liability, as it undermines public trust and sets a negative example," the court added.

It said while Patkar's age and medical condition were factors that necessitated a balanced approach, these did not "absolve her of the serious nature of her offence".

"The aim is to impose a punishment that is both just and humane. A longer term of imprisonment of one or two years could be disproportionately harsh considering her age and health, and too short a term of one or two months would leave the complainant without justice," the court said.

"Therefore, a sentence of five months simple imprisonment is appropriate, ensuring that the punishment is significant yet not excessively severe given her circumstances," it added.

The judge orally observed that the sentence be suspended for one month to enable Patkar to file an appeal against the order.

The court said that the imposition of a Rs 10 lakh fine would be a "compensatory measure" for Saxena, besides being a "tangible acknowledgement of his pain and distress".

It said that the fine also acknowledged "the extensive harm and prolonged suffering" that Saxena endured over the 23-24 years of legal battle.

Underlining that sentencing must reflect the seriousness of the offence, the need for deterrence, and the protection of societal values, the judge quoted Lord Denning who had said that "punishment is the way in which society expresses its denunciation of wrongdoing; and in order to maintain respect for the law, it is essential that punishment should be adequate and effective".

The court said that the unfounded accusations, such as Saxena's "involvement in hawala transactions and compromising the interests of Gujarat's people for foreign entities were designed to ruin the complainant's public image and credibility".

The court rejected Patkar's plea for a grant of the benefit of probation, saying the relief was generally considered for first-time offenders or for offences where the impact on the victim was minimal, and in cases where the offender showed genuine remorse and potential for rehabilitation.

In the present case, however, Patkar's actions exhibited a high degree of severity and intentionality, clearly aimed at inflicting significant reputational harm on the complainant and there was no indication of remorse or acceptance of responsibility for the damage inflicted on the complainant, the court said.

It said that granting probation would undermine the gravity of the offence and the suffering endured by the complainant and a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offence was necessary to deter similar malicious actions in the future.

Also, allowing probation in this case would be contrary to the principles of justice, the court added.

Advocates Gajinder Kumar and Kiran Jai, appearing for Saxena, requested the court that the fine amount be given to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to which the court said that upon receiving the compensation, they could dispense the amount as per their volition.

The offence entailed a maximum punishment of simple imprisonment of up to two years or fine or both.

Saxena had filed the case as president of the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council of Civil Liberties against Patkar for her defamatory press release against him, issued on November 24, 2000.

On May 24 this year, the court had observed that Patkar's statements calling Saxena a "coward" and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions were not only defamatory per se but also crafted to incite negative perceptions about him.

Also, the accusation that the complainant was "mortgaging" the people of Gujarat and their resources to foreign interests was a direct attack on his integrity and public service, it had said.

The arguments on sentencing were completed on May 30, following which the judgment on the quantum of sentence was reserved on June 7.

Patkar and Saxena have been locked in a legal tussle since 2000 after she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Saxena had also filed two cases against Patkar in 2001 for making derogatory remarks against him on a TV channel and issuing a defamatory press statement.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that the last 10 years of his rule was just a trailer and 'picture abhi baaki hai', saying the third term of NDA has seen exam paper leaks, terror attack in J&K, train accident, airport canopy collapse, bridges cave-ins and toll tax hike.

The Leader of Opposition also criticised the Prime Minister for his poll speeches and also levelled allegations against the ruling BJP's ideological parent RSS, but most of his remarks were expunged by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Rajya Sabha, he said the prime minister during the Lok Sabha election campaign stated many times that "pichle 10 saal toh bas trailer tha, abhi asli picture baaki hai" (last ten years was just a trailer, the real picture is yet to come).

"How the PM's picture would be, we have been able to imagine in the last one month," Kharge quipped.

Listing out many recent incidents, Kharge pointed out that there have been exam paper leaks, cancellation of many examinations, train accident, three terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, leakages in Ram temple, the collapse of canopy at three airports, an increase in toll taxes and depreciation of the rupee.

Kharge said the future of 30 lakh students has been affected due to recent paper leaks.

"If this keeps happening, students will stop their studies," he said

In the last seven years, there have been paper leaks 70 times, Kharge said, adding that this has affected the future of 2 crore students.

The leader of opposition (LoP) in the upper house further said that the government was not doing anything on this matter and blamed opposition parties for raising the issue in Parliament.

He asked the government to improve the examination system in the country and demanded that the investigation be held under the watch of the Supreme Court.

Expressing dismay at the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament last week, he said the speech did not make any mention of the Manipur situation.

Kharge said the PM did not visit Manipur, which has been burning since the last one year.

While expunging Kharge's remarks on RSS, Dhankhar also defended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it an organisation engaged in working for the nation.

During his speech, Congress chief Kharge mentioned comments made by Modi in his election rallies and presented statistics showing the number of times the prime minister referred to minorities and Pakistan.

The Rajya Sabha chairman asked him to authenticate his assertions and refused to accept newspaper clippings that the Congress leader showed to buttress his points.

Kharge was backed by his party colleague and former finance minister P Chidambaram, who asked how an opposition MP could authenticate what the prime minister has said other than by citing news reports.

The Chair, however, did not accept the arguments and expunged the remarks made by Kharge from the records.

Kharge insisted that he was only seeking to highlight the divisive nature of the speeches delivered by the prime minister. He also said no other prime minister before Modi had ever made such comments.

In his nearly 90-minute speech, which also saw several disruptions by the treasury benches and intervention by the Chair, Kharge repeatedly referred to the RSS and personalities associated with it.

Talking about the education system in the country, Kharge made certain allegations regarding the RSS.

Dhankhar said the comments stood expunged as it was not fair to level allegations against the RSS, an organisation engaged in nationalistic activities.

"Is it a crime to be a member of an organisation? You are saying a particular person is a member of the RSS, is that in itself a crime? The RSS is an organisation working for the nation. They have a lot of intelligent people," Dhankhar added.

Kharge cited a remark by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Manipur but that too was expunged, with Dhankar saying the Congress leader was contradicting himself.

Leader of the House and BJP president J P Nadda too objected to the remarks made by Kharge. He said the Congress leader had no knowledge about the RSS and whatever Kharge was saying about the organisation was regrettable.

"You are bashing an organisation, which is working tirelessly for the nation," Dhankhar said.

Later, Dhankhar emphasised that when the Chairman during the course of a debate deletes a portion, the reporting of that part becomes contempt of the House.

"It is a breach of privilege of the House. While the Leader of the Opposition was making his address to the house, I had from this chair deleted certain portions. It is unfortunate that from the official handle of his party, there is the propagation of the deleted portion," he said and asked the Leader of the Opposition and his party to take note of it.

Congress leader Kharge also raised the issue of relocation of statutes of prominent personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji from the Parliament premises.

In his speech, Kharge also demanded the scrapping of the Agniveer scheme and criticised the government for improper implementation of the 'one rank one pension' scheme for retired defence personnel.

Further, he attacked the government for atrocities against Dalits and women.

Dhankhar also informed the House that SP leader Jaya Bachchan was administered oath of office in the Chairman's chamber.
California Sen. Alex Padilla is co-author of a bill to expand the federal judiciary, an effort that appears to have bipartisan support. Shuran Huang/Special to the Chronicle

Congress hasnt approved a nationwide increase in federal judgeships since 1990, leading to a shortage of judges that has increased their caseloads and the time it takes to get into court. But that could be changed by bipartisan legislation that would add 66 judges to U.S. courts in the next decade, 21 of them in California.

Bills to expand the judiciary have been introduced frequently during Democratic administrations and then scuttled by congressional Republicans. The current measures may be more resilient because they would authorize periodic judicial appointments through 2033, and both lead authors are Republicans.

With the dense backlog in our nations judicial system  cases are being delayed  with justice right along with it, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista (San Diego County), said in introducing HR7597. The bills first hearing will be in the House Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Courts, which Issa chairs.

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Too many Hoosiers and Americans are being denied access to our justice system due to an overload of cases and a shortage of judges, said Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., after his bill, SB2759, won unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month and was sent to the Senate floor. It is similar to Issas House bill.

One of the co-authors is Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., a member of the Judiciary Committee. U.S. District courts across California and the nation have been overwhelmed by pending cases with too few judges to hear them, he said when the bill was introduced.

According to the U.S. Judicial Conference, a group of judges that recommends policies for federal courts, as of March 2023 there were 702,433 pending cases in U.S. trial courts, an average of 803 per judge.

Congress approved 34 new judgeships for specific federal district courts in a series of bills between 1999 and 2003. But no legislation adding judges in states across the country has been passed since 1990, and this is the longest such interval in U.S. history, according to the Judicial Conference.

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California has 58 full-time federal trial judges and three vacant positions, in addition to judges on senior status with reduced caseloads. The 21 judgeships that would be authorized by the new legislation include five in the Northern District of California, which has 14 full-time judges. The district is based in San Francisco and handles federal cases in the coastal zone from Monterey County to the Oregon border.

Federal judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.The House and Senate bills were both drafted to take effect after the next presidential election, with added judgeships every two years through 2033.

Our bill is absolutely bipartisan, Jonathan Wilcox, a spokesperson for Issa, told the Chronicle. This is a solid idea that can work.

The fate of both the House and Senate bills, however, could still be determined by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who often decides whether legislation supported by Democrats will be heard in committees and on the House floor. Johnsons office did not respond to requests for comment on the judicial legislation.
A rendering of the proposed a 70,600-square-foot incubator facility along Indiana Street that would provide workspace and equipment to biotech startups in San Francisco. MBH Architects

As San Francisco contends with a dearth of commercial development four years after the start of the pandemic, one recently approved project is now in limbo as conflicting priorities collide in the citys Dogpatch neighborhood.

Neighborhood groups have launched an appeal challenging the San Francisco Planning Commissions approval last month to redevelop a 1-acre lot along Indiana Street into a 70,600-square-foot incubator facility that would provide workspace and equipment to biotech startups.

At the root of the opposition is a dispute over the citys determination that the planned building qualifies as a non-life sciences laboratory building. While zoning in the Dogpatch allows laboratory spaces to be constructed at the project site  located at 700 Indiana St., in what is known as an Urban Mixed Use, or UMU, district  life sciences uses are not permitted.

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The definitions of laboratories and life sciences spaces overlap, but there are differences: The former applies to specialized facilities that are intended primarily for scientific research, while the latter encompasses the creation of products and services related to scientific research, and can include the use of offices, laboratories, light manufacturing or other types of spaces, per the citys planning code.

The groups behind the appeal submitted last week  the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association and Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association  argue that the Planning Commission erred in interpreting the code and abused its discretion in determining that the project was not a Life Science laboratory when it approved the plan on June 13.

The project is located in the Urban Mixed Use zoning district, where life science uses, including Life Science laboratories, are not permitted, the appellants, who have also taken issue with potential shadows that the project would cast over nearby Esprit Park, wrote in their appeal, filed Friday.

Its a life sciences use, said Potrero Boosters President J.R. Eppler, about the 700 Indiana project, during last months commission hearing, referencing a determination by the citys zoning administrator that classified an existing MBC BioLabs incubator project at 953 Indiana St. as a life sciences use in 2012. And unfortunately, its not permitted here.

Donovan Lacy, of DNA, said the groups are not opposed to housing at the 700 Indiana site, and they also support lab uses  just not there.

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We couldnt put in the Mayo Clinic there, or office space for environmental lawyers, because its prohibited in UMU and for a reason: Because UMU is supposed to function as a buffer between those types of activities and residential, Lacy said. We dont want large floor plates that create a block or two-block-long dead spaces with no activation.

The project is supported by the city's Chamber of Commerce  CEO Rodney Fong said the city's comeback depends on "diversifying our local economy" and the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council. Its approval comes as the city struggles to fill its downtown commercial space, with more than 37% of offices reported as sitting empty. Despite cooling off over the past year, demand for lab and life sciences spaces surged in the wake of the pandemic.

The 700 Indiana project, spearheaded by MBC BioLabs, would rise in a historically industrial area near the Central Waterfront that has morphed into a biotech hub in recent years. It is located just south of Mission Bay, which is home to biotech companies like FibroGen, Nektar Therapeutics and a UCSF campus.

MBC BioLabs already operates a startup incubator facility, similar to the one that it is pitching at 700 Indiana, nearby at 953 Indiana, and said that demand for its shared spaces is outpacing supply.

Despite the citys 36% commercial vacancy rate, we are at capacity and have to turn away entrepreneurs who want to build their businesses in San Francisco, said MBCs Chief Operating Officer Leah Makley at the Planning Commission hearing on the project last month, before updated vacancy numbers were released.

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Ryan Guibara, MBCs director of lab development, said that the project was unanimously approved because it is exactly the type of project San Francisco needs.

We are providing space for startups to find cures for cancer and other terminal diseases and are proud that the project will be built with union labor. Most importantly, we are ready to begin building today to get people back to work, Guibara said. We look forward to continuing conversations with the neighborhood and getting this project approved on appeal.

Planning Director Rich Hillis echoed that sentiment, saying that well-designed, innovative and code-compliant projects such as 700 Indiana should be encouraged and celebrated.

Its a big shot in the arm for the development of new commercial space in the city, Hillis said.

While the commission gave the project the green light, there have been efforts by the city in recent years to clarify what types of spaces qualify as life sciences and laboratory uses, and where they are allowed.

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UMU zoning districts, such as the Dogpatch, are intended to allow for a mix of uses, including laboratories, while maintaining the characteristics of former industrial zone areas. They are intended to serve as a buffer between residential areas and production, distribution and repair  aka PDR  uses, which refer to light manufacturing, arts activities and warehouses, among others.

During San Franciscos recent tech boom, offices notoriously intruded on PDR districts in the citys eastern neighborhoods, pushing out the manufacturers, suppliers artisans and automotive shops that provided jobs to blue-collar residents. The office expansion into these areas was supported by a special zoning district, called the Life Science and Medical Special Use District, or SUD, that was created more than a decade ago and pertained to 93 parcels in the Dogpatch.

This SUD exempted these parcels from certain zoning controls, such as limits to the number of stories in projects that could contain office space  an effort to support the creation and expansion of life sciences and medical uses in the Dogpatch neighborhood, given its proximity to the UCSF campus.

But the SUD was repealed in 2022, thanks to legislation spearheaded by District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton that identified a renewed need to protect PDR spaces. The newest crop of tenants vying for these spaces includes artificial intelligence companies  a growing sector with space needs that run the gamut from offices to manufacturing, which the city has been working to accommodate.

On June 4, Walton introduced another piece of legislation seeking to amend the planning code to revise the definition of laboratory uses to include biotechnology, and to also ban such uses in UMU districts. It is still unclear whether the 700 Indiana project, which was approved a week after the ordinance was introduced, will be grandfathered in as an approved use if Waltons laboratory ban passes.

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Walton declined to comment on the 700 Indiana appeal but said there are not a lot of UMU zones left in the city and most certainly they should be used to enhance the areas in the communities where they exist.

We have a need for housing and space that compliments the area. We need storefronts and places where people gather and bring families. In this case, labs do the complete opposite and they do not enhance the area for the community, Walton said, adding that the city has plenty of space for laboratories at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, formerly Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, and Candlestick Point, massive redevelopment sites in his district, as well as the Schlage Lock area.
Elizabeth Wilson is an intern on the breaking news team. She is a rising senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. She has lived in San Francisco for the past decade and is excited to join the breaking news team. Wilson was most recently a fellow for the CalMatters College Journalism Network, where she covered higher education policy. She previously interned at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. At her campus paper, Wilson is a data and investigations reporter. Her award-winning reporting has focused on student experiences with campus safety. In her free time, she enjoys walking around the city, watching nostalgic TV shows and finding new music.
People took advantage of the cooler temperatures at Ocean Beach on Sept. 6, 2020, as hot weather toppled records all over the Bay Area. Big beach crowds are likely in the region this Fourth of July holiday week during an intense heat wave, officials say. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

With an intense heat wave building over much of the Bay Area and holiday revelers already gearing up for Independence Day, crowds are expected to hit the regions beaches  and clog the highways leading to them.

Heat warnings and advisories have been issued for most the Bay Area, with temperatures Tuesday through Friday expected to soar to 95 to 110 degrees in interior Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, Napa and Sonoma counties and in the Santa Clara Valley.

Along the bay shoreline, in Oakland and along the Peninsula, temperatures are expected to be cooler but still reach from the mid-80s to mid-90s. San Francisco, except near the coast, is expected to see temperatures in the 80s on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Coastal areas are likely to get a break from the heat  with temperatures in the 70s  but not from the crowds and traffic jams

Any route out to our beaches, whether in Marin or Sonoma counties down to Half Moon Bay (and beyond), youll see people heading to those areas, said California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Barclay.

Warm San Francisco weather brought a crowd to East Beach in the Presidio on July 28, 2015. With an intense heat wave forecast in the Bay Area this week, crowds of people are likely to seek respite at the regions beaches. Brant Ward/The Chronicle

In addition to loading up your picnic basket, cooler, beach gear and bathing suits, he advised those headed to the coast to pack their patience.

Understand that lots of people are going to be doing the same thing, heading to the same places, and have patience, he said. When people are stuck in traffic a long time, tempers can flare, people get impatient. Just be prepared.

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Typical hot spots for beachgoers include Highway 1 to Stinson Beach from Mill Valley, and south from San Francisco to the beaches of the San Mateo County Coast: Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero and Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains to Santa Cruz.

Surfers crowd the water at Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay on July 4, 2021. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Early Monday afternoon, with temperatures climbing to the upper 80s and lower 90s in the interior Bay Area, highways to the beaches were mostly clear, with slowdowns mainly through business districts in the beach towns. Thats likely to change as the week wears on and the heat builds.

Traffic tie-ups and trouble finding parking are also likely at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, a popular cooling-off spot during heat waves.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area officials, however, warn people not to swim at Ocean Beach, due to unpredictable surf and rip tides that can sweep unsuspecting swimmers out to sea. Park officials advise visitors to wade no deeper than their ankles and to never turn their backs to the ocean.

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For drivers headed to beaches, in addition to preparing for a long drive, the CHP advises making sure your vehicles coolant level is full and that the air conditioner is working.
Feature: Versatility, poetry of Chinese traditional opera captivates Spanish audience

Xinhua) 13:14, July 01, 2024

MADRID, June 30 (Xinhua) -- A combination of music, dance and drama of Wu Opera by a troupe from east China's Zhejiang Province amazed an enthusiastic audience in the Spanish capital Madrid over the weekend.

Some 2,000 people attended two packed Wu Opera performances by China's Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Center on Friday and Saturday. A lot of the audience praised the versatility, drama, agility, colors, and poetry of this local operatic genre, which has a history of more than 500 years.

"I found it very interesting. The combination of music is so unfamiliar to us: the acrobatics, the gestures, and the movements. I thought it was very colorful, very unique," Patricia Garcia, a music teacher, told Xinhua after watching the show on Saturday.

She said the audience was very passionate and involved from the beginning. "I think it is a very attractive and different show. It transported me to China," she added.

During the show lasting for more than an hour and a half, the audience was introduced to different performances like "9-Pieced Segmented Dragon," Suona Solo "Picking Dates," or satirical pieces such as "The Sedan Ride" and "Three Triumphs Over the Skeletal Demon."

Amaya Niz Azpiroz, a supervisor at Lufthansa Airlines, said she is very interested in Chinese culture and art, and this was her first time watching Wu Opera.

"I loved it because of the colorfulness, how simple it is to understand what is going on, the gestures and expressiveness," she said, adding that she expected to see more such shows.

Concepcion Gutierrez, a retired professional, pointed out that she was very impressed by the dragon. "The girl handing out the flowers with the ribbon (is) so delicate. Of course the agility of everyone, the colours," she said.

Among the audience, some people, like Rebeca Mato, came from far away. The Mexican has been a cellist for 33 years with the Mexico National Autonomous University Philharmonic Orchestra, and she is on holiday in Spain.

Noting that the musical registers of Wu Opera are very different from Western ones, Rebeca said they "produce different emotions" and "they have incredible coordination, they do a lot of acrobatics, they do dance ... They are very complete artists."

Wu Opera, also known as Jinhua Opera, is the second major regional operatic genre in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. It first grew in popularity in Jinhua and its surrounding areas and was named after Wuzhou, the name of Jinhua in ancient China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
High temperatures Wednesday are forecast to range from the upper 70s to mid-80s at the coast, upper 80s to low 100s near the bay shoreline and up to 110 degrees inland. Baron/Lynx

An exceptionally strong high-pressure system will build off the West Coast on Monday and move over California on Tuesday into Wednesday, resulting in the hottest weather since September 2022 in much of the Bay Area.

The stubborn area of high pressure, also known as a heat dome, is expected to park itself over Northern California through the holiday weekend into early next week. Heat domes trap hot air near the ground, further strengthening the high-pressure systems overhead in a feedback loop.

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The heat wave will be notable from an intensity and duration perspective. At least four straight days of 100-degree temperatures are likely for inland portions of the Bay Area, perhaps longer. A few days could even approach 110 degrees in the North Bay and East Bay valleys.

Weather models predict a heat dome will build over the Pacific Ocean early this week and then stall over California for several days, resulting in a severe, long-lasting heat wave. Baron/Lynx

Cities adjacent to San Francisco Bay along the Peninsula and East Bay could exceed 100 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday. It will even be abnormally hot in San Francisco, which is typically cooled off by the marine layer. The eastern side of the city could flirt with 90 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings and advisories, which go into effect Tuesday morning and continue through Saturday evening. In parts of the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley, red flag warnings for critical fire weather conditions will go into effect Monday evening, expiring at various times between Tuesday evening and Wednesday evening.

Bay Area timeline

The heat will gradually build Monday, with highs in the 90s close to 100 in the inland valleys of the North, East and South Bay. Marine stratus clouds may linger near the coast, but should eventually burn off, unlikely to return for many days.

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By Tuesday, the heat wave will be in full swing. Temperatures will be well into the 90s by 10 a.m. in parts of the North Bay and East Bay, with a weak offshore breeze pushing hot air all the way to Oakland. Afternoon highs will likely range from 100 to 108 throughout Wine Country and the East Bay interior valleys. Downtown San Francisco and Oakland should reach the mid-80s to low 90s, respectively.

Wednesday is shaping up to be the hottest day of the week around the San Francisco Bay shoreline. High temperatures will be 15 to 25 degrees above normal throughout the Bay Area.

On Wednesday, downtown San Francisco will flirt with 90 degrees, Oakland will get well into the 90s, and cities farther south such as Redwood City, Palo Alto, Hayward, Fremont and Milpitas will likely have scattered triple-digit temperatures. San Jose may reach 105 degrees, and Walnut Creek and the Tri-Valley may be close to 110.

The heat may wane ever so slightly for Independence Day, especially near the water, dropping about 5 degrees from Wednesdays highs. However, inland temperatures will likely begin climbing again Friday and through the weekend.

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The National Weather Service warns of a high to extreme risk of heat-related impacts throughout Northern California this week, especially Wednesday. Baron/Lynx

Overnight temperatures will remain elevated this week, particularly Tuesday night. Away from the coast, lows may not drop below 70 degrees. The weather service warns of extreme risk of heat-related impacts, the most dangerous level of heat risk, due to the compounding effects of many hot days and warm nights.

Monday breakdown

San Francisco: Monday will be the last day to enjoy the cool marine air for a while, as temperatures are expected to crank up throughout the city for the remainder of the week. Patchy morning fog west of Twin Peaks should burn off for midday sunshine. Mondays highs will be about 5 degrees above normal, in the mid-60s in Golden Gate Park and the Richmond and Sunset districts and the low 70s in Nob Hill, downtown, SoMa and the Mission District. Overnight lows will be in the mid-50s.

North Bay: The first of a string of 100-degree days may begin Monday in parts of the North Bay, including in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, St. Helena, Fairfield and Vacaville. Closer to the bay shoreline, highs will be in the 90s in Petaluma, San Rafael and Napa, upper 80s in Vallejo and low to mid-80s in Tiburon and Mill Valley. West of Mount Tamalpais, highs will be in the upper 60s to mid-70s.

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A red flag warning, indicating critical fire weather conditions, begins at 11 p.m. in eastern Solano County, continuing through Wednesday evening. Overnight lows will be in the upper 50s to low 60s near the bay shoreline, mid- to upper 60s in the North Bay mountains, and in the 70s in eastern Solano County.

East Bay: A stretch of well-above-normal temperatures will begin in the inland valleys of the East Bay on Monday. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 90s in Concord, San Ramon, Dublin and Livermore, about 10 to 12 degrees above average. Oakland and Berkeley will be in the upper 70s, while Hayward and Fremont should reach the mid- to upper 80s, relatively cool considering these cities will be well into the 90s Tuesday and Wednesday. Overnight lows will be around 60.

Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Patchy fog may linger near the coast Monday morning, but with the high-pressure system strengthening overhead, it may completely disappear by the evening. Highs will be in the mid-60s in Daly City, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, low 70s in South San Francisco, upper 70s in San Mateo and low to mid-80s in Redwood City. Gusts up to 25 mph are possible through the San Bruno Gap in the afternoon. Overnight lows will be in the low 50s at the coast and upper 50s near the bay shoreline.

South Bay and Santa Cruz: Heat will begin to build in throughout the South Bay on Monday. Highs will range from the mid-80s in Mountain View and Sunnyvale, near 90 in San Jose and the low 90s in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-60s.

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Key Points:

The report argues for a significantly expanded and modernized Royal Navy to maintain its strategic edge in a changing geopolitical landscape.

The reports central focus is on enhancing submarine capabilities.

The report also advocates for increased destroyer and frigate numbers.

Submarines, Destroyers, and Arsenal Ships on the List

The Royal Navy faces a critical moment, navigating a complex geopolitical landscape where traditional threats have evolved and new challenges emerge. To maintain its strategic edge, a new report, A More Lethal Royal Navy: Sharpening Britains Naval Power, advocates for a significant expansion and modernization of the fleet, focusing on submarines, destroyers, and even the adoption of an arsenal ship.

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A Submarine-Centric Strategy

The report, sponsored by Lockheed Martin and published by the Council on Geostrategy, emphasizes the pivotal role of nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) in maintaining naval dominance. SSNs, known for their stealth and endurance, excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and launching cruise missiles. Citing the Falklands War as a prime example, the report highlights the strategic importance of submarine patrols, noting how the presence of the HMS Conqueror forced the Argentine fleet to retreat.

Currently, the Royal Navy boasts five Astute-class SSNs, with two more in development and one upgraded Trafalgar-class submarine. However, the report stresses the need for a larger submarine force to achieve strategic objectives. It recommends procuring 12 of the new SSNs being developed under the AUKUS program, a joint effort with the US and Australia, ensuring their design incorporates significant land-attack and anti-ship missile capabilities.

Beyond Submarines: A Comprehensive Approach

While submarines are the centerpiece of the reports recommendations, it also calls for broader fleet expansion and modernization. The report criticizes the aging Type 23 frigates, urging for their replacement with more Type 26 and Type 32 models equipped with the Anti-Submarine (ASROC) system.

Furthermore, the report proposes increasing the destroyer fleet to 32 ships by acquiring eight Type 83 destroyers. It emphasizes the need to expedite the Fleet Solid Support Programme, which ensures resupply for warships at sea, and accelerate the exploration of the arsenal ship concept, a concept already being explored by the US and Australia.

Political Landscape and the Future of the Royal Navy

The reports release coincides with a significant political juncture in the United Kingdom. A general election is scheduled for July 4th, and both the Conservative and Labour parties have incorporated increased defense spending into their campaign platforms. Their stated objective is to elevate defense expenditure to 2.5% of the UKs gross domestic product by 2030. According to the Conservative partys estimates, this translates to a substantial commitment to military investment, representing a projected increase of 97 billion over six years.

However, despite these pledges for increased funding, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, also known as Chatham House, highlights the existence of complex resource allocation challenges. The organization cautions that, even with a larger defense budget, the UK government will face difficult decisions regarding strategic priorities. Specifically, Chatham House argues that the simultaneous need to address ongoing military operations in Europe and bolster military presence in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific region will necessitate a carefully considered prioritization of resources. The organization further emphasizes that increasing defense spending does not eliminate the need for strategic decision-making. The UKs military resources will need to be strategically allocated, focusing on its commitments to European security and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Restrictions on zero hours contracts and the introduction of paid carers leave are among proposals included in a plan to strengthen employment rights in Northern Ireland.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy launched a public consultation exercise on a series of measures linked to his Good Jobs strategy.

The proposals also include giving workers the right to request flexible working arrangements from the first day of their employment.

At present, employees need to be in a job for six months before employers are obliged to consider such a request.

The plan also seeks to address issues around the misclassification of people as being self-employed, when they are effectively employed workers.

Those categorised as self-employed are not entitled to rights afforded to staff, such as paid leave and receipt of the national minimum wage.

Such laws would be relevant to some delivery drivers and similar jobs.

There is also a proposal to ban the practice of fire and rehire, where employees are let go and then rehired on reduced terms and conditions.

The consultation also includes steps to make it easier for trade unions to organise in workplaces in Northern Ireland.

A right to disconnect from work out of hours has also been proposed, and a measure that would ensure tips to staff are fully allocated to them by their companies.

There are also proposals to make it easier for employers and worker to calculate holiday pay.

The consultation on legislative changes also proposes giving workers the right to take one week of unpaid leave a year for caring responsibilities.

Mr Murphy said it was also his goal to ensure carers could receive paid leave.

He said the introduction of a statutory payment to support carers taking leave would potentially cost the Stormont Executive 60 million per year.

The ministers plan also includes additional statutory leave for working parents whose newborn children require neo-natal care.

This is an ambitious programme of work, said Mr Murphy.

I will continue to consult with business and trade union representatives to design a framework that operates effectively for businesses, for workers and for our economy.

I encourage everyone to respond to the consultation.

The consultation will be open for 13 weeks from July 1 2024 to September 30 2024.
Stormont leaders have defended the timing of a 300 million funding announcement amid claims of a pre-election stunt.

Executive ministers met on Monday to agree the in-year June monitoring round exercise, at which previously unallocated funds were distributed to departments.

Health, education and social house building were the main beneficiaries of the allocation of 250 million of resource spend and 50 million of capital money.

Some 122 million is allocated to the under-pressure Department of Health.

An outstanding pay settlement for non-teaching educational support workers will be funded from 43.7 million allocated to the Department of Education.

First Minister Michelle ONeill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald made the monitoring round announcement in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings on Monday.

Leader of the opposition, the SDLPs Matthew OToole, called the timing shameful and shocking, saying it was in contravention of guidance on how ministers should be operating in a pre-election period.

The pre-election guidance for civil servants is quite clear that civil servants are not supposed to facilitate activity that can be perceived as jeopardising the impartiality of the civil service, he said.

I do not know how you can describe a monitoring round, which could have happened on Friday, in four days time, that allocates hundreds of millions of pounds to public services, isnt anything other than political and jeopardising of civil service impartiality?

I think its disappointing. I think its shocking. And I think its important that the official opposition call it out.

People were told here multiple times that the culture at Stormont was going to improve. It hasnt improved on the evidence of todays stunt.

The ministers dismissed the criticism, saying the monitoring round process was routine Stormont business. They also stressed the need to give departments certainty on funding as soon as possible.

Why should this wait? said Sinn Fein First Minister Ms ONeill.

This is money that needs to be allocated to our departments, this is very much business as usual. And the Westminster election shouldnt disrupt as much as we possibly can, our own business.

Also, our departments need confirmation in terms of the allocations which they received, so now they can get on with actually delivering the projects, which right across our departments will benefit from some of this funding today.

So, its very much a business-as-usual approach to the June monitoring, which we do every year in June.

And Im glad that weve actually been able to get the four parties of the Executive to agree that this is the right course of action today.

DUP deputy First Minister Ms Little-Pengelly rejected the suggestion that the monitoring round should have been delayed.

Just like our health system cant wait, our non-teaching education staff have waited too long, I think its really important that this is an executive that delivers and that means that we have to take action, she said.

This is a fairly balanced settlement today, we have been fair to a range of departments, no department will be particularly happy with what they have got.

But we all know the crisis that there is within the health department, for example, theyre crying out for those additional funds, and it is right that we have moved swiftly in order to meet some of that need.

The Finance Minister said the decisions on Monday did not contravene pre-election guidance.

Of course, I considered the pre-election guidance when considering to do the June monitoring round today, said Dr Archibald.

And its my view and my departments view that this is normal routine business for the Assembly and the Executive. And, as Michelle has said, it happens every year.

And our departments needed certainty in relation to their funding allocations so that they are able to make decisions around living within their budget.

Our health workers, our education workers, all those delivering right across our public services need certainty, and today we have been able to give them that.

Former UUP health minister Robin Swann voted against the Stormont budget that was agreed by the other Executive parties earlier this year.

He opposed the budget plan after claiming the allocation to his department would inflict significant damage on health service delivery.

Ahead of the monitoring round, the department said it required about 270 million to avoid having to make catastrophic cuts to services this year.

That was before funding to pay for an annual pay uplift for health workers is factored in.

While the 122 million falls short of what the department says it requires, current UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt supported the monitoring round decisions on Monday.

I welcome the additional funding being provided to my department in-year, he said.

While this makes some contribution to reducing the deficit position facing the health and social care (HSC) system, a significant shortfall still remains.

I am still not in a position to balance the health budget without taking measures which would be regarded as having a catastrophic impact on services. I have repeatedly made clear I will not be sanctioning such measures.

The ongoing and significant budgetary shortfall is before a 2024/25 pay uplift can be considered.

The financial position therefore remains very challenging and work continues across the HSC system to deliver the maximum possible savings and efficiency.

As well as money to resolve the pay dispute involving educational support workers, the Department of Education will receive a further 44.5 million in the monitoring round  29.5 million to address pressures in the education system and 15 million for capital works to improve the school estate.

A total of 35 million is being given to the Department for Justice while the Department for Communities has been allocated 20 million for new build social housing and 10 million for safe cladding works.

The Department for Communities will get a further 10 million for discretionary support, which helps people with short-term living expenses, and its Supporting People programme, as well as for homelessness interventions.
Stormont ministers are to reach out to the incoming UK government as part of efforts to secure the aerospace industry in Northern Ireland amid uncertainty over the future of the Spirit AeroSystems operation in Belfast.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy answered an urgent question in the Assembly on Monday after confirmation of an acquisition deal that will see Boeing buy Spirit, but Airbus take over the part of Spirits operations involved in manufacturing its aircraft.

The transaction has effectively resulted in a split in the Spirit business in Belfast.

Airbus has taken over the part of the business that makes wings for its A220 jet, which encompasses around 40% of the 3,500 workforce.

However, there is now uncertainty around the future of the rest of the business, with Spirit looking to sell that separately.

Unions have voiced concern that the employees in the non-Airbus operations have been left in limbo.

Mr Murphy told the Assembly that he appreciated there would be a nervousness among the workforce.

Obviously, the best outcome would have been Airbus to take the entirety of the operation here, he said.

Theyre focused on the area around the wing production unit, which of course is good news for those involved. Theres a significant number of workers in relation to that particular part of the operation. But there are a larger number of workers that are outside of that.

He said the process for Spirit to find a buyer for the rest of the business was set to take between six to 12 months.

We are intending to reach out, Im hoping actually perhaps this week to reach out to the department in London but certainly with an incoming government on the other side of this week, we have clearly intended to reach out there as well. And we will continue to engage, said Mr Murphy.

There is a recognition by Boeing and by Spirit and indeed by Airbus that there is a very highly skilled workforce here, that they have been performing remarkably well, that there is room for growth in the aerospace industry.

First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said they were fully committed to supporting Spirit AeroSystems and its employees.

Spirit AeroSystems is a major employer in the north, said Ms ONeill.

It is recognised across the globe for its engineering and manufacturing excellence and locally for its contribution to the local economy, employment and supply chain development. We discussed this issue at the Executive today and confirmed that we are all committed to working together to ensure the legacy of this long-standing company continues for many years.

Ms Little-Pengelly said the aerospace industry in east Belfast was a significant part of Northern Irelands history and also of aviation history.

We are proud of the high standard of technical, engineering and design capabilities within the skilled workforce here and are committed to working with everyone, including the UK Government, Airbus and Boeing, to ensure the company and its many employees here continue to play a vital role in this global industry, she said.

Alan Perry, a senior organiser at the GMB union, voiced concern.

Todays announcement is very concerning for GMB members and what the future holds for those working on non-Airbus contracts, he said.

Theyve been left in limbo.

We have been clear on the implications of this kind of Boeing acquisition, but weve yet to hear any assurances the Belfast site will be kept as one single entity.
July is almost here and it is going to be pretty exciting in terms of smartphone launches. Some really cool smartphones are expected to drop this month. If you are thinking of buying a new smartphone, this article might help you find one. Lets quickly take a look at what to expect from July 2024.

Smartphones launching in July 2024

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip 6

First up, two new fold-format phones might drop this month. Samsung will host its annual Galaxy Unpacked event during which it can possibly release the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. These smartphones are expected to see major upgrades from their predecessors. In addition to that, Samsung might also unveil the Galaxy Ring during the event.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 2024 date confirmed: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, Galaxy Ring & more to expect

CMF Phone 1 by Nothing

This one is creating quite a buzz on the internet. Nothing is expected to drop the CMF Phone 1 this month. It is expected to be an affordable option with a unique design and segment-first features. Rumours suggest that it can be priced at Rs 18,000. Since it is Nothing, we can expect something really cool.

Redmi 13

Xiaomi might unveil a budget smartphone this month. We are expecting the Redmi 13 and it might be priced around 10,000. This budget offering might pack all the basic features and might drop in the first half of the month itself.

Also read: Redmi 13C 5G Review: 5G companion with a balanced approach

Oppo Reno 12

Oppo has also made it to the list with the Reno 12 series. It is expected to drop in July itself. This series might include the vanilla Oppo Reno 12 and the Oppo Reno 12 Pro. It can be a premium offering, with great design and AI-powered camera features too.

So, these are some of the smartphones that are launching in July 2024. If you are buying a smartphone this month, do check these smartphones out.
Xiphera reveals quantum security features in cryptographic solutions

As quantum computing advances, it poses a serious threat to current encryption standards. Finnish cybersecurity startup Xiphera is working to future-proof critical infrastructure against this emerging risk.

Most products nowadays rely on software-based encryption algorithms. Within their operational ecosystem, a complex interplay unfolds among the operating system, third-party libraries, and processor architecture. Any vulnerability in these components could spell trouble for the system's security. In contrast, hardware-based encryption solutions offer a more fortified approach, reducing potential points of attack on the system while simultaneously boosting overall performance and cutting down on system power consumption.

Xiphera provides hardware-based security solutions centered around cryptography IP cores. These building blocks allow equipment manufacturers to embed security into their products. The target sectors are defense, telecoms, data centers, industrial automation, and automotive. Satellites and other space tech are also part of critical infrastructure that can benefit from Xiphera's offerings.

"Our products are under export control license. We cannot ship our products without an export license," explains CEO Matti Tommiska. This dual military-civilian use prevents exporting to Russia, while exporting to China requires an export license. However, it has led to increased demand from democratic countries wanting to reduce dependency on potentially compromised foreign supply chains.

Xiphera's post-quantum cryptography will secure systems against future quantum computing attacks. It also provides traditional cryptography like encryption algorithms and TLS protocol implementations. True random number generation enables key generation for encryption.

The IP cores run on FPGA or ASIC platforms. FPGAs allow reconfiguring functionality, while ASICs offer lower power consumption and costs but require upfront investment. Customers can prototype on FPGAs before migrating to ASICs.

Xiphera sells solely to private sector manufacturers, though the end-customers may be government-affiliated. Grants provide additional funding but aren't counted as revenue. Despite limited resources, Tommiska sees ample business development opportunities through partnerships.

Xiphera partners with major semiconductor industry leaders like Intel, AMD, Lattice, Microchip, Bittware, Spinnaker Systems, and Muspark to deliver hardware encryption solutions. While the startup is currently Finland-based, they are looking to expand with sales partners, R&D, and local support in Asia. Taiwan is a particular focus, given its position in semiconductors. Tommiska highlights cryptographic solutions for securing the Taiwanese supply chain against tampering.

With the ubiquity of cyber threats, he believes all organizations must implement cryptographic defenses to secure critical data and infrastructure. Xiphera aims to provide the bedrock for trustworthy systems, even as quantum computing looms on the horizon.
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India-based Ola Electric ramps up cell manufacturing, develops solid-state battery

India-based EV unicorn Ola Electric announced a plan to spend US$100 million to build a Gigafactory, focusing on in-house battery cells, as the company is expanding beyond the EV business into becoming a cell provider.

According to Mint and the Economic Times, Ola Electric, an India-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer poised for its upcoming IPO, announced a US$100 million investment in the initial phase of its Gigafactory to manufacture lithium-ion battery cells. Founder Bhavish Aggarwal highlighted plans for the factory to scale up from 1.5 GWh to 5 GWh capacity in two phases. Furthermore, the company aims to integrate these advanced 4680 form battery cells into its electric two-wheelers by 2025, following recent certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Aggarwal emphasized the strategic shift towards in-house battery production, which is expected to reduce costs significantly and enhance profitability. Ola Electric plans to supply these cells to other electric vehicle manufacturers and renewable energy firms. The firm is concurrently developing solid-state batteries to further advance its technology portfolio.

With an eye on expanding production capacity from 5 GWh to 6.4 GWh using IPO proceeds, Ola Electric continues to innovate in the EV sector, bolstered by a dominant 40% market share in India's electric two-wheeler market. The company's Futurefactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, and its newly established Gigafactory mark significant steps towards localizing battery production, aiming to lessen reliance on imports and reduce production costs.

On June 14, the Securities and Exchange Board of India approved India-based EV startup Ola Electric Mobility for an IPO. The Draft Offer Document was sent on December 26, 2023, and an observation letter was issued on June 10, 2024. In its Draft Red Herring Prospectus, the company plans to launch the Ola Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu, which will focus on battery cell manufacturing.

In addition to the planned Gigafactory, Ola Electric built a Future factory in Tamil Nadu. With an installed capacity of one million units per year, the facility has become the largest integrated electric two-wheeler manufacturing plant in India. In its IPO filing, the company expects the penetration of electric two-wheelers in India to grow from 4.5% in fiscal 2023 (April 2022 to March 2023) to up to 56% by fiscal 2028.
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The new owner of the Derryhale Hotel in Dundalk says he looks forward to the creation of 40 jobs in the town while bringing the Victorian-era luxury hotel back to life this year.

Dundalk native Andy Mackin says he bought the hotel as he wanted to return it to its former glory.

Derryhale is a project particularly close to my heart as a native of Dundalk. I used to go there when I was younger and found it heartbreaking to see it closed over the last 20 years and becoming so run down in the years, he explained.

Im proud to be able to give something back to the town and to hopefully leave a legacy in my Dads honour and name.

Speculation and excitement is rising locally as people from the community have been reminiscing about their experiences at the hotel  everything from First Holy Communions, to weddings and engagement parties.

Mr Mackin said: Its been really touching to see such support and reminiscing from the local community since renovation works to the building got underway.

People have been sharing their pictures and memories of their first dates, wedding and family celebrations down through generations.

Its lovely and Im so looking forward to being able to open the doors and welcome people of the town and further afield.

The hotel, which is located just off the Carrickmacross Road, will create 40 jobs in Dundalk.

Dating back to the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, the building was the pride of the town from when it first opened as a hotel in 1963.

Sadly, Derryhale fell into a state of disrepair over the years, but Im excited to revive this iconic listed building in all its heritage glory, Mr Mackin shared.

He continued: Im proud we are in a position to help weave the hotel and its new staff back into the social fabric of Dundalk.

He said the Derryhale Hotel was about to write a new chapter in its history but the memories of the last chapter would also be honoured as members of the community and those with memories of the hotel are being asked to share them ahead of the hotels opening in early 2025.

Mackin Group is an international business group headquartered in Cork, with offices in Dublin, London and Warwickshire, California and North Carolina, Vancouver, Zurich, Netherlands, Cape Town, Singapore and Shanghai.

The company was established in 2004 just before Mr Mackin retired in 2006 from the navy after 21 years.

The Mackin Group employs 250 staff worldwide and operates across several sectors including recruitment services Mackin Talent and Greybridge Search & Selection, environment health and safety consultancy Mackin EHS, and a diverse property portfolio MackinGo flexible workspaces in the US and properties in the US and Ireland.

Mr Mackin continued: Derryhale and indeed the other properties in Mackins portfolio reflect my continued ambition and open minded perspective to business and life.

Im as passionate as ever about my business endeavours, the people we work with and the service and contribution we make.

The Derryhale Hotel is a listed building which dates back to c. 1906, in the late Victorian/early Edwardian style.

The hotel still boasts its distinctive carved timber staircase, stained glass windows, panelled doors, architrave and ceiling cornices.

The hotel was first opened in August 1963. Follow the progress of the reopening of the Derryhale Hotel at www.derryhale hotel.com.
A 15-year-old boy who was regularly raped and abused by his older cousin as a young child has said he is sentenced to life.

The boy told the Central Criminal Court how he tried to take his own life to stop the pain in my head.

The court heard that the victim was eight years old and his cousin was 13 when the abuse first began. It continued for three years.

The two families lived in rural area in Leinster next to their grandmothers farm. The victim told the court that his family have since moved, leaving their forever home behind.

He said his parents are paying the price with their health and finances adding that his father has suffered a stroke due to the stress he was under and continues to endure.

The teenager read his victim impact statement during the sentence hearing of the now 20-year-old accused earlier this month.

I have tried to take my life to stop the pain in my head. I have caused physical harm to myself. The physical pain I cause myself alleviates [pain of the abuse] but this is always short lived, he said.

I wished I could tell seven-year-old me not to be afraid and that you would be believed. I finally found my voice, and told my sister, found my voice after years of him telling me I would not be believed, he said.

He was supposed to protect me. He brutalised and raped me. I am sentenced to life, the teenager concluded his statement.

The 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to sample counts including two sexual assault charges, one oral rape, one anal rape and a charge of child exploitation by causing a child to look at images of sexual activity on dates between January 2018 and February 2020.

Justice Melanie Greally noted the accused had an obsessive consumption of pornography and imposed a three-year sentence but suspended the final year of it on certain conditions.

She noted the accused had ongoing medical issues and been diagnosed with myocarditis and autism and has a history of anxiety and depression. The judge said she had to take account of the age of the accused serving a sentence in an adult prison.

She also said she had to take account of the remorse he expressed and his difficult childhood in that he had been bullied in school.

In his victim impact statement, the teenager said that his happiness, innocence and wonder was robbed and said what should have been the most natural of experience with an older cousin around his grandmothers farm turned into obscene.

He described his cousin as an opportunistic predator.

He said his mother used to tell him life was my playground but that sentiment was taken from him by the accused.

He spoke of how his self-worth and self-esteem has been impacted and he feels it will never get better. He spoke of falling behind in school because it was easier to get into trouble and he struggled with sleep.

The teenager described the threats his cousin made against his sister and his parents, if he told anyone or didnt allow the abuse to happen. He said he thought about killing himself.

I was an innocent child who was violated and raped by my cousin who was defended and shielded by his parents, the boy continued. He spoke of having to move away from his forever home where he would cycle around on his Nanas road and help his uncle on the farm.

It was ideal but it was also the least safe place because of (the accused), he continued.

He said how the lockdown during Covid meant that he didnt have to see the accused and said there was no pain in my body and heart, but when the country re-opened it was like he started back where it left.

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE

A local detective told Patrick Gageby SC prosecuting that the child told his mother in May 2020 that his cousin had shown him inappropriate stuff and had suggested he do inappropriate stuff.

The victim was 10 years old at the time. However the gravity of the abuse was not clear and the families agreed that the matter should be dealt with by Tusla.

A few months later, the victims mother said she didnt want it investigated by gardai but two years later they made statements.

The child told his mother then that his cousin had shown him pornography and told him that they would be doing it soon - referring to the sexual conduct in the videos.

The child had been unwilling to speak to the gardai and it was difficult to get information at the time of the first disclosure which was why his parents waited. The detective said the boy then began to leave his mother notes outlining what was happening to him.

He was interviewed by specialist gardai in October 2021 and outlined incidences of oral rape and anal rape saying they happened for or five times and occurred during games of hide and seek.

He was told not to tell anyone or his cousin would kill his sister or rape her.

The accused was arrested and charged and the victim was re-interviewed two years later when he was almost 14 years old. He was able to articulate more of the abuse at that point, the detective told the court.

He gave details of multiple occasions of both oral and anal rape and spoke again of the threats that were issued.

He said the abused happened every couple of days  whenever he got a chance. His cousin was questioned again and denied some of the allegations but made admissions to less serious offences that the victim had included in his statement.

The court heard that the accused has no previous convictions and is working in the building trade with his father.

The detective agreed with Karl Finnegan SC defending that the incident was initially reported to the family GP who then reported it to Tusla before the gardai were contacted.

He accepted that both of the boys were then referred to the appropriate agencies. It was further accepted that the accused made admission to sexual assault and showing his younger cousin pornography. He has not come to any garda attention outside of this case.

In suspending the final 12 months of the sentence Justice Greally directed that he engage with Autism Spectrum Disorder supports and to undergo consent and personal boundaries counselling.

The judge wished the injured party the very best in the future and said she hoped he lived a very full life.
Aaron Vanwalleghem, the interim Chief Executive Officer, stated, "As a global leader in materials handling solutions for leading food and beverage producers worldwide, Scott Technology has successfully secured multiple new contracts through our European operations and our center of excellence for materials handling  palletising solutions. These agreements, totaling $19M NZD (11M), underscore our capability in deploying sophisticated automation systems in a wide range of industries. The revenue from these contracts will primarily be recognized in the fiscal year 2025."

Danone  Food - Dairy

Scotts partnership with global food and beverage giant, Danone continues to grow with a new end of line extension of their existing palletising installation for their Poland plant. This installation will be the 05th Scott solution bought by Danone in Europe. Its operations in Poland focus on the production and distribution of dairy products, plant-based foods, and beverages.

This project will automate palletising for four existing production lines and one new line, incorporating several Scott Pal 4.0 high-speed palletizers. Additionally, the project includes repurposing existing empty and full pallets transport into the new architecture.

Cranswick  Food - Meat

We are also pleased to announce a new relationship with Cranswick Country Foods, a leading UK-based food producer specializing in the manufacturing and supply of fresh and processed meat products. This first stage of the project is set to extend the existing factory and enhance automation for freezing and palletising operations. Our implementation of a case sortation system will deliver carton cases to freezer locations within Cranswicks production facilities at its Hull facility. The second stage of the project sees the palletising and wrapping of shipments ready for delivery out to customers.

"Our expertise in both materials handling and protein automation clearly demonstrated to Cranswick Country Foods that Scott was the ideal partner to meet their growing needs for advanced automation," said Mr. Vanwalleghem.

These contracts demonstrate Scott Technologys capability to deliver industry leading automation solutions that enhance production capacities and operational efficiencies for our customers. We look forward to continuing to build on our success and expanding our footprint in the European market. The addressable market is large and there is still significant opportunity in front of us.

END

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September 27th Morning Report

Spark announces departure of Finance Director


New Zealand King Salmon Investments Limited (NZX and ASX: NZK) advises that it has accepted the resignation of Ernst & Young as external auditor of the group with effect from 2 July 2024. PricewaterhouseCoopers will be appointed as the group's new external auditor from today.

The decision to change external auditor does not reflect adversely on Ernst & Young. Rather, the Board determined that after a long period as New Zealand King Salmon's external auditor, it is good governance practice to change the auditor as signaled in the recent Notice of Annual Meeting of shareholders.

PricewaterhouseCoopers appointment follows a thorough competitive tender process that was overseen by New Zealand King Salmon's Audit, Finance and Risk Committee.

New Zealand King Salmon would like to thank Ernst & Young for their professionalism and service over the last 15 years.

ENDS

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LAURIE and Sonya ODwyer met in secondary school 25 years ago, and after a long friendship, a calamitous proposal, and a surprise wedding now run the hugely successful Cork Whiskey Festival every March.

We met in Scoil Stiofain Naofa on the Tramore Rd, Laurie was completing his Leaving Cert and I was repeating mine, said Sonya.

We were in that school together for about a year, then I went to London to do my undergrad and Laurie stayed to join the army.

They stayed in touch and were friends for about five years, with Laurie saying it just took a while for the cogs to fall into place.

We were friends so we were going to gigs, socialising together anyway  one night it just kind of happened, he said.

Sonya said: When he says it happened, he means he finally got up the courage.

Sonya was in London at the time, and for a year they flew back and forward but that last year we got fairly sick of airports every month. In 2004, she moved back to Cork, and they got an apartment together in Glanmire, with Sonya working in a legal practice and Laurie serving several missions abroad.

Laurie decided to propose, concocting a romantic plan with champagne and fireworks in Crosshaven.

However, he said: It started absolutely lashing, I was trying to be all romantic and it just went to pot, so he proposed indoors, and Sonya said yes.

Laurie and Sonya O'Dwyer in 2008.

Sonya said: Whilst we were engaged, I got pregnant with our son Riley, and after he was born we decided to get married very quickly, because wed put all our wedding plans on hold.

So we invited everybody to our sons christening in Collins Barracks, but it was actually our wedding!

Their guests gathered in the church for their surprise wedding, and then they went back to the Metropole for a reception, in a room that the couple would later use for their Whiskey Festival.

Laurie explained how that venture came about.

We were up in Belfast for their whiskey week in 2022, driving back after a really great few days and chatting about how good it was and why there wasnt anything like that in Cork, he said.

Sonya added: On the four-hour drive home from Belfast we started discussing if someone was to set it up who would do it and where would it be. By the time we parked at our house in Glanmire, it turned out that we were doing it.

Laurie and Sonya O'Dwyer at their annual Cork Whiskey Fest.

That was July 2022. They had tickets on sale in September, and the first Cork Whiskey Festival had 34 events, 22 brands, and three sponsors.

They partnered with a range of Cork bars and venues and drew on Lauries connections from his Whiskey Chats podcast  the next year was even bigger.

Laurie said that he got involved in the whiskey community after getting a bar manager job in Collins Barracks.

Sonya said: And I just got dragged along for ride.

Initially it wasnt something I saw myself being interested in, but after a few festivals and masterclasses, I enjoyed the friends you make and the knowledge they have, you meet some really cool, very clever people.

Laurie is the creative side and Im more the business and logistics and organisation side, she said, adding that knowing their strengths is why they get on so well while organising the festival.

Between their full-time jobs, spending time with their son, and the festival, they are kept very busy. They take two weeks off after the festival each year and are then straight back into organising the next one.

Were very proud of it. As much work as it is, were delighted we can give it to Cork and its great that its something we can do together, said Sonya.
Cork Green Party councillor Oliver Moran has welcomed the update on the N/M20 Cork-to-Limerick road and the accompanying public-transport measures.

The new road will provide up to 100km of safe, shared active-travel pathways, connecting communities from Blarney to Patrickswell, the largest project of its kind in Ireland.

The shift in focus, from being a traditional private-car-focused roads project to supporting ride-sharing and public transport, is a significant re-imagining of what a project like this can be, said Mr Moran.

The project team have also confirmed to me that theyre steadfast in their recommendation for the introduction of an hourly direct rail service between Cork and Limerick alongside the road, he said, adding that the project also ties in with the every-10-minute commuter rail service between Mallow and Cork thats under way and the new station and Park & Ride proposed for Blarney.

It is likely to be a tolled road, and Mr Moran said that was bound to be controversial.

But the announcement of distance-based tolling as part of the project is fair and will encourage use of the more sustainable transport features.

A dual carriageway M20 motorway with a 120kph speed limit has been selected, following appraisal of alternative road types. They recommended demand-management measures, distance-based barrier-free tolling, with work ongoing to determine appropriate toll charges for the various classes of vehicle.

The project will facilitate efficient public transport options, including quicker inter-city express bus services and improved efficiency on existing bus services serving the communities on the route.

Ride-sharing and public transport hubs will allow people to pick-up and drop-off passengers along the route and will connect with local bike parking, active travel routes and public transport, said Mr Moran.

Few roads projects are going to be welcomed from a climate action point of view. But, overall, the project presented is a picture of a more sustainable and rounded project than we might otherwise be used to.
THE Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has issued an urgent call for blood donations in Cork and elsewhere.

The organisation is seeking an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to help the national blood supply as some blood groups have fallen to under three days of stock.

We are asking regular donors who are texted over the next few weeks to make an extra effort to attend their nearest clinic, especially in Dublin and Cork, where we have clinic availability every week, said Paul McKinney, director of donor services and logistics. This is vital to address the current increased demand from hospitals.

For the longer term, we would also urge donors to consider giving blood if they are eligible before they go on holidays this summer.

Mr McKinney said a pre-amber alert letter was issued to all hospitals on June 25, restricting issues of O negative blood, and hospitals have been asked to reduce their stock holding.

This enables the IBTS to manage the limited blood supply available more effectively across the health service, said Mr McKinney.

If the IBTS has to issue an amber alert letter, which is the next escalation level of the blood shortage plan, it would have an immediate implication for hospitals and for elective surgical procedures requiring blood support.

People can check their eligibility to give blood at www.giveblood.ie/become-a-donor/
AN Italian restaurant in the heart of Cork city has lodged plans seeking to expand.

The application submitted to Cork City Council by Ortley Way Limited proposes the expansion of Sonflour on Castle St into an adjacent premises.

The proposed development, if approved, would see the amalgamation of the ground floor of Sonflour at 9 Castle St, and 9A Castle St.

It requires a change of use from retail at 9A, The Gold Reserve, to restaurant use to facilitate the expansion.

Some demolition of internal elements would be required.

A planning statement submitted with the application said the plans would see the expansion of a thriving restaurant in Corks historic centre.

It stated: Key considerations pertaining to the sites location within the North Main Street Architectural Conservation Area and its location within, and in the curtilage of, a protected structure have been significant considerations of the proposed development.

A decision is expected by August 14.
An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding a sewage spill from Macrooms Waste Water Treatment Plant, a spokesperson from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed, after residents in the town reported a foul stench over the past number of weeks.

The EPA spokesperson confirmed that the incident leading to the latest sewage spill had been reported to them by Uisce Eireann and a spokesperson for the utility company said the incident occurred following heavy rainfall.

On Friday, June 21, there was heavy rainfall which led to an overflow from the existing plant of which the EPA and Inland Fisheries Ireland were notified through our compliance team, said the Uisce Eireann spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the Macroom Waste Water Treatment Plant was undergoing a substantial upgrade in excess of 21m, and this would address the existing wastewater infrastructure, which the spokesperson described as overloaded and outdated.

These works are expected to take 24 months, and the project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025, said the spokesperson.

The required works are hugely significant, as it involves decommissioning of the existing plant and structure and the construction of new inlet works, stormwater tank, biological treatment process, control building, sludge storage, and solar panel farm.

Central to the works is the connection to the existing outfall pipe to safely discharge treated wastewater into the Sullane River.

When finalised, the new wastewater treatment plant will serve a population of 7,700 in the Macroom catchment region.

In its statement, the EPA said that there were issues with the operation and management of the plant in Macroom.

Two site visits have been carried out recently by the EPA, said the EPA spokesperson.

An investigation is ongoing, the outcome of which will provide clarity on the issue.
A MAN was arrested at Cork Airport at the weekend and charged with multiple counts of raping a 16-year-old girl and producing child pornography at a time when the parties were described as being in a relationship approximately four years ago.

Detective Garda Alan Maxwell charged the man who was 29 at the time of the alleged offences and is now almost 33 years old.

He was charged with 10 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two assault causing harm charges, four charges of production of child pornography and one of possession of child pornography.

Sergeant Dave Delea said the DPP indicated trial by indictment at the Central Criminal Court.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said, My client was picked up literally at the airport in this longstanding file going back four years.

He argued in his application for bail that if the accused man was refused bail he would be remanded in custody for two years pending trial and would lose his employment.

Detective Garda Alan Maxwell objected to bail saying the relationship between the defendant and the complainant went on from Christmas 2019 to July/August 2020.

It is alleged it was a relationship based heavily around sex and that the sexual activity occurred when the injured party was heavily inebriated or unconscious during intercourse  there is substantial evidence in relation to this, the detective said.

Mr Buttimer said, I will be objecting to this kind of speculation  you have a complaint from the complainant and a response from the respondent.

He added that the actual complaint came from a person other than the complainant.

I accept the charges are serious. It speaks for itself, the solicitor said.

The detective said, The charges before the court carry lengthy sentences. Our concern is that  given this realisation  the accused may attempt to influence the injured party in this case.

Mr Buttimer said, I object. I would love to know where that comes from  it is no more than prejudicial speculation.

The detective said, I cannot say there has been any contact but there is a concern.

Mr Buttimer said, You need have no concern, there will be no contact.

Further concern was expressed that because the accused was working outside of Ireland he may not return to stand trial if granted bail.

Again, Mr Buttimer said that would not be an issue. He said the accused had been in and out of the country five times since he was first made aware of the investigation.

The solicitor was critical of the decision to arrest the accused at Cork Airport on Sunday (June 30) when he returned home for a holiday with his family in Cork, and said that a letter he (Mr Buttimer) had written to the gardai about the defendants availability was ignored. Instead he said the defendant had been arrested by stealth at Cork Airport.

As for the prospect of the case not being heard for a long time, Sergeant Dave Delea said the book of evidence could be served on the accused within a week.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in accused in custody until July 2 with consent to bail on the defendants own bond of 50,000  of which 40,000 to be lodged, and an independent surety of 40,000  of which 20,000 to be lodged. The indication from the accused and his mother  who will go surety - was that this could be arranged by tomorrow (July 2).

Other bail conditions require him to sign on daily at his local garda station, have no contact  direct or indirect  with the complainant, and to surrender his passport.
THE Irish aviation industry recently launched a campaign to tackle unruly passenger behaviour in airports and on flights.

All Irish airlines and airports, An Garda Siochana, the Irish Aviation Authority, AirNav Ireland, ground handlers, and international aviation organisations have all come together to tackle the issue.

The campaign sets out how the aviation industry aims to combat the issue of unruly behaviour on flights. It plans to boost its ability to ban passengers through no-fly lists, ensure Gardai are informed of all criminal activity, enhance training for cabin crew, and improve communication to passengers to prevent unruly behaviour.

They acknowledge that while the vast majority of people have the highest regard for fellow passengers, there is a small minority whose behaviour at airports or on aircraft can have a significant impact on the experience and safety of other passengers or flight crew.

I think thats a good move and not before time, but maybe they should consider going a step further.

A few years ago, there was a poll on whether there should be a ban on selling alcohol in airports before 10am. The result was very close, with 49.2% saying no and 48.6% saying yes, and the remainder had no opinion either way.

Until recently, its not something I thought about too much, to be honest, because it wouldnt really bother me whether alcohol was available or not. I rarely drink in an airport or during a flight simply because I find travelling tough enough on the body at the best of times without adding drink to the mix.

I prefer to keep myself hydrated with water, but thats just me.

There was a time when I used to catch a 6.30am flight out of Dublin, which meant I had to be in the airport around 4.30am. It wasnt unusual to see guys drinking pints at that hour and theres nothing wrong with having a drink before a flight to kick start the holiday if thats your thing. Lots of people do it sensibly and the best of luck to them.

Some nervous fliers find a pre-flight drink helps to calm the nerves and thats OK too.

The problems start though when the drinking becomes excessive. Drunk passengers can cause a variety of issues that not only affect them but can also impact other travellers through delayed or diverted flights, and I reckon thats becoming more of an issue.

There are many examples of this.

A woman was charged with public order offences after gardai removed a group of disruptive passengers from a flight headed for Ibiza. Passengers on board a Ryanair flight from Dublin Airport to Ibiza experienced delays in taking off over the disturbance.

In another example, a group of seven people were escorted by police off a Bristol flight to Malaga after they became disruptive. The pilot was forced to stop the plane shortly before take-off and return to its stand while the group were removed from the aircraft.

The flight was further delayed while the passengers luggage was offloaded.

A flight from Glasgow was forced to make an emergency landing due to a disruptive drunken passenger on board, causing a delay of more than five hours for hundreds of passengers.

These stories made the news, but many other examples never made the headlines.

I was travelling through Gatwick Airport in London recently and I called into a bar/restaurant for some breakfast. It was about 9.30am and the airport was busy and so was the pub.

There were six guys in their mid to late twenties sitting around a table and the drink was flowing. They were surrounded on all sides by families with young children.

To say they were loud would be an understatement, and while I was there, they became even louder. They were playing drinking games while noisily cheering and roaring each other on. Their behaviour was way over the top.

Thankfully, there was an absence of Irish accents, which was some consolation.

Its fair to assume they were catching a flight and I wondered about the condition these guys were likely to be in by the time they were due to board. They were in a bad state when I saw them and that was unlikely to improve, so the future wasnt looking too bright for their fellow travellers.

That flight was about to become a lot more tiresome for the other passengers.

Having a ban on the sale of alcohol before 10am might have been useful in this instance, but would have little effect on unruly passengers taking afternoon or evening flights.

Some sort of sobriety check prior to boarding might be a better weapon, but this would probably be difficult to enforce, except in cases where the drunkenness is obvious.

Back in the pub, I expected a member of staff to approach these guys and advise them to calm down. I was there for about 45 minutes and I didnt see that happen, but they were served with more alcohol when it was obvious they had enough.

Surely the bar staff have a responsibility there?

And what about the responsibility of airline staff? Drunk passengers must present their passport and boarding pass at the boarding gate along with everyone else. Should staff there assess the condition of drunk passengers and question their fitness to travel?

It would seem reasonable to carry out a risk assessment at that point under health and safety regulations, given the potential implications for the airline, its crew, and the other travellers.

But, apart from the safety aspect, the comfort of the remaining passengers should also be given consideration.

They paid for their seats and are entitled to a peaceful journey.

The entitlement of the many to enjoy a pleasant flight should take precedence over the right of the few to drink themselves silly.
James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Autumn general election?

While Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin continue to insist the Governent will serve its full term to March 2025, an autumn general election appears to be on the cards.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail held their own in the recent local and European elections, while Sinn Fein suffered disappointing results.

This, and the fact there would be five by-elections due to the election of MEPs and Michael McGrath as EU Commissioner, will both be contributing factors.

Fine Gael has also confirmed candidate selection will need to be completed by September 22nd.

With the conclusion of the local and European elections, the Fine Gael Executive Council has requested that all Fine Gael Dail selection conventions take place by September 22nd, a spokesperson said. This is to ensure that new candidates have ample opportunity to prepare, receive training and build profile in advance of the general election which is due on or before March 22nd, 2025.

In a recent interview with BreakingNews.ie, Ivan Yates predicted November 15th as the most likely general election date.

Green Party leadership contest

Roderic O'Gorman and Pippa Hackett have both put their cases forward in the Green Party leadership contest.

At the leadership hustings on Sunday, Mr O'Gorman spoke about getting the party on an election footing, while Ms Hackett spoke of dealing with an "image problem".

Minister for Integration O'Gorman is regarded as the favourite over Ms Hackett, who is a senator.

The decision will be made by votes from the party's 4,000 members, with the new leader to be announced on Monday, July 8th.

Defence Forces controversy, Aer Lingus dispute

The Taoiseach has admitted he was frustrated over an ongoing controversy in the Defence Forces.

It comes after earlier this week Simon Harris stated that information on how many serving members had criminal convictions was not immediately available to him.

The Defence Forces later said a total of 68 members have been convicted or are before the courts charged with criminal offences.

They include public order, drink-driving, drugs, physical assault and sexual offences.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheal Martin asked for a review of members of the military who were charged with offences after the case of an Irish soldier who assaulted a woman until she was unconscious prompted protests across Ireland in the past week.

Victim Natasha OBrien called on politicians and the Defence Forces to do your job to protect women and other civilians.

On the Aer Lingus pilots' pay dispute, Mr Harris said the Government has already intervened.

Mr Harris said the Government has done what it can but that both sides need to sort this out quickly.

"The State already has made an intervention through the Labour Court, so the Labour Court has already met both parties separately in the last couple of days.

"But on that occasion, they said 'hang on a second, you guys are too far apart, we'll be back to you in a few days', and the private conversations, I'm sure took place. Now on Monday, the Labour Court will again meet, so that is Government, through its industrial relations mechanism endeavouring to make progress."

Sinn Fein targets electoral success in North

Sinn Fein wants to maximise the number of progressive MPs returned from Northern Ireland in this years UK general election, vice president Michelle ONeill has said.

The party is running 14 candidates, standing aside in East Belfast, North Down and Strangford where Alliance is challenging unionists, as well as South Belfast where the SDLP is hoping to return to the green benches.

Ms ONeill said it had not been an easy decision to stand aside in the four constituencies but said the party wants to see a rejection of those who had propped up the last Conservative government.

Abroad

In the UK, general election campaigning is approaching the final stages ahead of the Thursday, July 4th poll.

A convincing victory for the Labour Party looks inevitable. The only uncertainty is how strong the majority will be for Keir Starmer's party.

Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is in a fight to be the largest opposition party, as polls suggest they will be under pressure from the Liberal Democrats and Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

Meanwhile, the US is still reeling from a chaotic US presidential debate.

US president Joe Biden performed poorly, and appeared confused at time, prompting calls for him to step aside for a different challenger to Republican candidate Donald Trump.

However, top Democrats have insisted Mr Biden will be the candidate for November's poll.




Aviagen: Arbor Acres held series of broiler farmer visits in South Africa



Aviagen's Arbor Acres distributor, Arbor Acres South Africa, held a series of broiler farmer visits for customers across South Africa, in collaboration with broiler consultant Henry van Dungen on April 15-24, Aviagen revealed this month.

The events saw 256 attendees, with visits centered on a number of key broiler topics including:

- Brooding

- Winter brooding

- Targeting seven-day weights for better processing weights

- An update on avian influenza (AI)

- How to save energy

Arbor Acres South Africa's local customer support team, which includes technical manager Marlie Saunders, was in attendance.

Two guest speakers were also present, namely, Dr. Greg Celliers, veterinarian at Eagles Pride, who gave an update on the AI situation in South Africa, and broiler farmer Dr. Chris Travers, who discussed his experience with new technologies that are installed in his own broiler houses.

"The broiler farmers days were a great success," said Saunders. "All attendees found the events to be insightful, and they gained valuable knowledge and practical insights to assist in enhancing their farming practices. The topics discussed during the visits were not new to our participants; however, they provided them with a fresh perspective, inspiring them to reconsider their approach to poultry farming and the design of their poultry houses. It summoned ideas on how they can make positive changes to optimise their operations and enhance the well[1]being of their flocks."

"Aviagen is committed to strengthening Arbor Acres South Africa's customer success by helping maximise the performance and efficiency of Arbor Acres flocks,' said Aviagen regional technical manager (SSA) Florian Blevin. "Events such as this assist local producers with continuously progressing the performance of their broiler flocks. The transfer of knowledge and awareness of the genetic improvements are key to managing Arbor Acres birds."

Gerrie Venter, strategic accounts and marketing manager at Eagles Pride, said: "The Arbor Acres Broiler Day was highly informative, featuring three expert speakers who provided valuable insights on important topics for broiler farming.

"Henry van Dungen's presentation on winter brooding provided clear explanations on complex concepts, making them easy to understand and apply in the field. Dr. Greg Celliers' update on avian influenza in South Africa highlighted the importance of being vigilant and proactive in managing the disease.

"The seminar concluded with a presentation from Dr. Chris Travers on farming efficiency where he gave advice on how to manage the rising energy costs and environmental concerns. Overall, the seminar was a great success, and offered valuable knowledge and practical solutions to aid broiler farmers in improving their operations."

- Aviagen
KALISPELL, Mont. - A fugitive on the run from North Carolina was discovered Friday at a campground in the North Fork area by Flathead County Sheriff Deputies. He ran away from law enforcement, waded into the Flathead River and floated downstream. His dead body was found submerged in the water north of the Blankenship Bridge.

According to the news release from the Flathead County Sheriffs Office, the office received a tip on Thursday, June 20, 2024, about the fugitive, 35-year-old Steven Jeffrey OShields of Franklin, NC, possibly being in the Kalispell or Evergreen area.

OShields was a non-compliant sexual offender. He had felony warrants out of North Carolina for his arrest regarding sexual battery against a child, burglary, theft of services, and obstruction of law enforcement, the release said.

On June 21st, after receiving a report from someone who spotted O'Shields around 7:00 p.m., Deputies responded to the North Fork area around the Big Creek Campground, and they found OShields walking south on the North Fork Road, near mile marker 11.

He immediately fled into the woods, going eastbound, toward the Flathead River. Police chased the fugitive on foot until he waded into the Flathead River. He moved downriver to the south.

"OShields was beyond the reach of the deputies on the scene. Deputies observed OShields struggling to stay above water before he went around a bend and out of sight just south of the Glacier Rim," the release said. "Deputies continued searching for OShields in the direction of his last known location."

At approximately 9:00 p.m. a body, later identified as OShields, was observed submerged in the water north of the Blankenship Bridge.

The body was transported to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula on June 24 for autopsy and identification.

The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation is currently investigating this incident.
A Melton Mowbray creamery is to shut down after a review into its operations was concluded by Arla Foods.

The dairy co-op said it had spoken toworkers affected by the proposal to cease production at the site, known locally as Tuxford & Tebbutt.

Fran Ball, vice president of production at Arla, said it was now entering into a 'period of consultation' with impacted workers, who total around 60.

Our priority right now is to support our colleagues impacted during this challenging period, Ms Ball said.

In January, the co-operative announced that it would be undertaking an operational review of the creamery to search for a buyer.

The Melton Mowbray site currently employs around 60 workers and remained operational during the review.

Arla said that, during the review process, it would be "exploring the market" for any buyers of the site.

Ms Ball explained that the co-op was committed to supporting all colleagues through periods of change.

She admitted the announcement would bring a sense of uncertainty for those who work at the site.

Over the last few years, the speciality cheese market in the UK, which includes Stilton, has continued to decline.

"As a farmer cooperative, we are therefore looking at what this means for our business so we can continue to return a fair price back to our 2,000 UK farmer owners."
Farmers and farm workers are being reminded to 'look up, it's live' to help stem incidents involving overhead power lines this harvest.

As farm workers take to their fields to harvest their crops, an electricity distribution network operator is sharing the vital safety message.

Overhead power lines can cause serious or fatal electrocution if farm machinery comes too close or accidentally touches them.

Northern Powergrid's Look Up Its Live campaign targets the farming industry, providing tips to watch out for them.

Large sections of Northern Powergrids network crosses farmland with some overhead cables on wood poles carrying anything up to 132,000 volts.

Judging heights and distances, especially when tired or operating in reduced light at dusk or dawn, can be challenging for farm workers and electricity can jump gaps of between one and seven metres, depending on the voltage of the power line.

The electricity distributor will be engaging with farm workers at the upcoming Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, between 9-12 July.

There, safety engineers will be able to chat with the farming community on how to avoid the dangers of electricity and to stay away from its power network when farming their land.

Teams will be on hand to provide Look Up Its Live safety packs, which contains a free advice leaflet, safety sticker and air freshener, as well as giving out their new safety booklet.

Gareth Pearson, Northern Powergrid's director of safety, said the increase in farming activity can lead to an increase in accidents.

He said: The launch of our summer safety campaign is targeted at farmers who are actively harvesting their crops and are out and about on countryside roads.

Wed encourage members of the farming and agriculture industry to read our free safety information and drop into our stand at the show to speak with our safety experts and get a free safety pack and brochure."

The Look Up Its Live campaign will run throughout July, with farmers encouraged to register to receive a free safety pack.

Staying safe near power lines

Northern Powergrid has issued some safety tips for farmers:

 Inform anyone working near power lines of the dangers and the action they should take in an emergency.

 Remember you dont need to make contact with a power line to be in danger. Electricity can jump to an object or person  so stay well clear!

 Ground levels may have changed since your last visit, reducing clearance. Risk assess every situation, on every occasion.

 Always carry a mobile phone and store 105, the number to call in an emergency.

What to do in an emergency

 Drive well clear if safe to do so and call 105.

 If unsafe to drive clear  stay in the cab, call 105, and warn others to stay clear.

 If unsafe to stay in cab  jump well clear. Do not step down or make contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time.

 Leaping strides  land with both feet together and make leaping strides away, so that one foot is always off the ground.

 Warn others to stay clear. Damaged power lines can stay live or become live at any time without warning.
John Deere has seen an influx of applications to its Military Hiring Programme after hosting a special event for members of the UK's armed forces.

The event, held at the firm's UK HQ in Nottinghamshire, gave military service personnel a look at what the next stage of their career could look like.

John Deere's military resettlement programme offers new career opportunities working on some of the worlds most advanced agricultural products.

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK dealerships.

Many military service personnel have already worked with systems and products similar to those used by agricultural machinery firms.

Those who enrol onto the programme are put into contact with an individual from the John Deere network who have resettled themselves.

Allan Cochran, branch training manager for John Deere, said: What was really successful about the day was the amount of conversation between military personnel and dealers.

Everybody wanted to talk, everybody wanted to engage with the event, and I think everyone that was there, both military and dealers, got something out of it.

The event drew a number of applications to the Military Hiring Programme, with 23 ex-servicemen now waiting for the next step to start their new career with John Deere.

The programme has drawn interest from across the country, with attendees travelling from not just the surrounding Midlands, but also from as far as Cornwall and Scotland.

To have people coming from all the country is really great to see, explained Mr Cochran.

We have dealers in all corners of the nation, and with the largest proportion of people wanting to resettle wherever they are based now, we can make that happen.

As well as dealers and staff, attendees also had the opportunity to listen to those who had been through the programme themselves and were now a part of the dealership network.

Ex-servicemen Martin Frodsham, Will Foster and Mike Rogers spoke about their journey and what their career has been like since leaving the armed forces.

Attendees also heard from instructors who showed them the machines that they would be working on should they apply to join, with a focus on precision agriculture.




by Dushanthi Silva





In the world today, there is a prominent trend to promote small nations as strong and powerful countries within the worlds global agenda. According to that trend, we can identify East-Timor (now Timor-Leste) as one of the robust nations in the international scene. This is also the intention of the country, and the present President Jose Ramos-Horta who in fact visited Sri Lanka in 1996 and met with some of the progressive political leaders. He also conducted human rights training for several young social activists and leaders.





Jose Ramos Horta prays at the grave of one of his ancestors during a visit to Santa Cruz Cemetery in December 1999. Photo: Weda/AFP





Timor-Leste is a Southeast Asian country which was brutally invaded and ruled by Indonesia for more than 20 years. Before the Indonesian invasion, Timor-Leste was colonized by Portuguese formally since 1702, but their first presence was in 1515.





When Ramos-Horta was in Colombo in 1996, at a general speech, he humorously said, In 1505, Portuguese came to your country and as you failed to stop them, they came to our country after ten years! Portuguese competitor in Timor was Dutch who mainly colonized Indonesia. After several skirmishes, they came to a settlement for the Dutch to control the West Timor and the Portuguese to control the East-Timor.





Timor is an island closer to Australia. Even today the relations between Timor-Leste and Australia are very close of course with some frictions. Timor-Leste (East Timor) has a very rich history, and it was earlier known as the city full of fragrant sandalwood. Timor was historically divided into two parts, East and West, and because of this history and colonial influences people have become different with their own cultural and other characteristics. The West-Timor was mostly a non-political region, and it remains a part of the Indonesian Province of Nusa Tenggara.





UN Involvement in East-Timor





After a long period of occupation, in 1975 the Portuguese decided to leave East-Timor. There were two main reasons for the decision to leave. In 1970s the remaining Western colonialism was failing in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia etc.). Secondly, in Portugal there was a political revolution called Carnation Revolution in 1974. The new regime did not want to keep colonies. Indonesia was decolonized in 1945 even before Sri Lankas independence in 1948. One purpose of the formation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 was also to encourage and support decolonization. Building peace was another major objective. However, decolonized Indonesia wanted to colonize East-Timor. This was an unfortunate paradox. As a result, there was a civil war and rebellion against Indonesian rule led by Xanana Gusmao in Est-Timor.





There were strong campaigns in the UN forums to oppose Indonesian rule in East-Timor. These were led by Jose Ramos-Horta with the support of international human rights organizations. As a result of these campaigns and the UN positions, Indonesia finally decided to leave the country, but by that time the country was politically, economically and socially devastated. Even when the Indonesian army was leaving, they killed innocent people and destroyed buildings and property. This is why the direct intervention and involvement of the UN was necessary.





The United Nations intervened in East-Timor as a transitional government. This was with the agreement of the Eat-Timors liberation leaders. At the time the main need of the country was the establishment of their sovereignty and a workable government. The United Nations was involved as the United Nations Transitional Administration in East-Timor (UNTAET). During that period the United Nations acted as a fully legal government in East-Timor. Both constitutional and legislative powers were under the hand of UNTAET. UN delegator to East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was the head of the transitional government appointed by the United Nations. He was a compassionate and efficient person. The United Nations transitional government in East Timor was highly admired among the experienced diplomats and democratic countries in the UN.





In the process of United Nations post-war peace keeping and post-war nation building processes there were successes and failure and Est-Timor was one of the great successes. At that time, The Time magazine described the above situation as follows: UN is the legally autocratic bearer of East-Timor. The UN delegator to East-Timor Sergio Vieira de Mello had full authority to introduce new laws and regulations regarding the path of freedom of East-Timor with the supervision of the United Nations General Assembly. In the process of implementation, East Timorese leaders Mr. Xanana Gusmao and Mr. Jose Manuel Ramos Horta acted as leaders. After the independence, the first president of East Timor was Xanana Gusmao who was appreciated by all over the world regarding his presidency. Joes Ramos Horta became the new president in East Timor at present. He too is one of the most admired presidents in the world.





In 1999, the UN did conduct a referendum to decide whether the people of East-Timor clearly wanted a separation from Indonesia and wanted full independence. This was a condition from the President of Indonesia. The people overwhelmingly said yes (78.5 percent) and this event strengthened their determination for independence.





At the end, East Timorese people gained their right of self-determinations on 20th of May 2002. At the time, the United Nations Organization was the biggest strength that stood by them. After the 20th of May 2002, the United Nations legally handed over the governing power of East-Timor to their leaders. While Xanana Gusmao became the first President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta became the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Under the honors of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, East-Timor became 192-member country in the United Nations.





Achievements after Independence





As a Southeast Asian country, Timor-Leste is ranked as the freest country in the region. The countrys path to freedom and independence, however, was not easy. After independence in 2002, they formally proclaimed a democratic government. The President Joes Ramos-Horta and Minister of Foreign Affairs Xanana Gusmao were attacked by some rebel soldiers in 2008. Since then, the security of the country has been stable.





The Timor-Leste government has faced many other difficulties after independence throughout the process of nation building. But the excellent leadership and confident relationship between the government and the people has carried their country onto a peaceful path. East Timorese do not hesitate to trust their government. Trusting the government is the main point in their success. The country has been able to experience free and fair elections for more than twenty years without violating rules and regulations. The country has experienced a good political agenda within a peaceful environment. In world politics, most of the countries started clashes between ruling government and different kind of groups within their own territories. That is the most tragic situation experienced in other countries. In Timor-Leste people are very close to their elected government and their implementation of policies.





Timor-Leste is actively involved in the international arena and is trying to keep up their leadership within the global community. As an example, we can show that the international conference titled, International Dialog on Peace Building and State Building was held in the Timor-Leste capital in Dili in 2010 and group G-7 Secretariat has been in Dili since then. Timor-Leste has also joined the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and the WTO (World Trade Organization) and they have shown stronger co-operation with the international community.





The above does not mean that Timor-Leste is free from problems and challenges even at present. Agriculture is still the main livelihood of 70% of the population. Despite these challenges Timor-Leste has successfully created peace and stability within the country. The country hasnt suffered protracted violence or instability. At present, the Timor-Leste has to overcome some issues related to insufficient government revenue and need to invest more on industries, agriculture and exports. Due to their regional and global relations with other nations, its not difficult to manage problems arising in them.





In summary, after 500 years of Portuguese colonial rule and 24 years of Indonesian brutal occupation, Timor-Leste gained their independence in 2002. The UNs involvement was extremely helpful. During the last two decades, the country was managed by extremely committed leaders based on the trust of the people. So, we can surely say that Timor-Lestes future is in successful hands because they could rise strongly with unity without any violence. As a Southeast Asian nation Timor-Leste is the best example for achieving the right of self-determination in a peaceful way in the global political arena. The contribution of the United Nations should be unequivocally appreciated.





Dushanthi Silva is a special degree holder from the University of Colombo in International Relations.
The Indian woman traveller should not miss out on these free and almost-free things to do in New York City





Theres a new selection of free and affordable activities for women travellers to enjoy in New York City (NYC), and it can be found on NYCtourism.com (look for the NYC on a Budget content hub). Weve selected 7 cool activities you can do on a budget and still fully tap into that inimitable Big Apple vibe.







Go Cultural!

NYCs museums cocoon world-class art and many of them are always free, or free at select hours, or free on specific days of the week. Find the full list of cultural institutions in the Free NYC Museums guide from NYC Tourism.


Bangladesh has reduced its export subsidies further for almost all sectors to ease pressure on the treasury and encourage exporters to prepare for global competition without government support after the country graduates from the least developed country (LDC) status in 2026.

The government offered cash incentives in the 1-15 per cent range on export earnings between February and June in the last fiscal to enhance competitiveness of exporters. The highest rate was 20 per cent earlier.

Bangladesh has cut its export subsidies further for almost all sectors to encourage exporters to prepare for global competition sans state support after 2026. In this fiscal, the maximum rate of export incentive is 10 per cent and the minimum 0.3 per cent. Cash incentive on export earnings of apparel makers has been halved to 0.30 per cent from 0.5 per cent.

From the latest fiscal that begins today, the maximum rate of export incentive has been set at 10 per cent and the minimum at 0.3 per cent, the Bangladesh Bank said in a notice.

Cash incentive on export earnings of apparel makers in all markets has been halved to 0.30 per cent from 0.50 per cent. Cash subsidy for venturing into new markets has been reduced from 3 per cent to 2 per cent, according to domestic media reports.

The reduced export incentive will be applicable to various other sectors, including jute and jute goods, leather and leather products.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) now considers cash incentives as export subsidies. But when an LDC graduates to a developing nation, it cannot continue cash assistance as per the WTO agreement on subsidies and countervailing measures.

Exporters are obviously disappointed over the government decision.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)




by M. K. Bhadrakumar





There is enormous appreciation among Iranian intellectuals, diplomats and politicians regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modis stellar support for their countrys membership of the BRICS grouping. Modi played a key role to navigate Irans membership purposively at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg last August.





Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and Irans president late Ibrahim Raisi at the BRICS Summit, Johannesburg, August 18, 2023





The Russian President Vladimir Putin couldnt be present at Johannesburg. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit in person, rubbishing the malicious rumours and canards to the contrary orchestrated by the western media. The Anglo-Saxon game plan was to somehow get Irans membership question deferred to an indefinite future.





The defining moment was a phone call from the Iranian President late Ibrahim Raisi to Modi in the week before the summit meeting. However, the ground for the last-minute flurry of diplomatic activity was prepared in the preceding weeks by the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval when he attended the meeting of BRICS national security advisors in Johannesburg in late July, just weeks prior to the summit to review security and economic cooperation.





Doval held separate working meetings with his Russian and Iranian counterparts  Nikolai Patrushev and Ali-Akbar Ahmadian respectively. The NSAs discussed Irans BRICS membership issue as a core vector of the Johannesburg summit.





Ahmadian and Dovals talking points covered the whole spectrum of Iran-India relations and an ambitious agenda to deepen the ties across the board in fields ranging from transportation, energy and banking to counter-terrorism.





The two NSAs agreed that the Chabahar Port project, which is the anchor sheet of Modis hugely ambitious vision for Indias regional policies, stands to gain from Irans BRICS membership, even as the Moscow-led International North-South Transportation Corridor is steadily coming into operation.





Tehran visualises that in the downstream of Chabahar Port, Indian trade and industry can and should enter the hinterland in a big way via trade, investments and project exports. The Iranian side feels that Chabahar has the potential to elevate Indias partnership with Iran to an altogether higher strategic level.





Significantly, the makeover in India-Iran ties also dovetails into a paradigm shift under way in the two countries respective relations with Russia. Iran and Russia signed a memorandum this week in Tehran to turn Iran into a regional gas hub. Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller personally attended the signing ceremony, testifying to the highest importance the Kremlin attaches to the futuristic project.





The Russian intention is to enter the Iranian market in the northern Caspian region through Soviet era pipelines from the Caucasus and Central Asia and to participate in the development of the Iranian gas industry, the construction of gas pipelines, LNG projects and mining projects. Gazprom is interested in organising swap supplies to third countries and a number of LNG projects in the south of Iran are being considered, according to a report in Kommersant newspaper, for tapping the South Asian market.





Now, the big picture is not complete without factoring in that Moscow and Tehran are also in the cusp of a historic transformative breakthrough in their relationship with the Russia-Iran comprehensive cooperation treaty that has been under negotiation since 2022 ready for signature no sooner than the new government in Tehran settles down. Setting aside protocol, Putin had a telephone conversation on Wednesday with Irans Acting President Mohammad Mokhber  their second such conversation in the past fortnight. (here and here)









At any rate, Doval at his meeting with his Iranian counterpart at Johannesburg assured him that Irans accession to BRICSwould expand the groupings economic and political capacities. Doval was quoted as saying that New Delhi would use every means and opportunity at its disposal to facilitate Irans accession to the BRICS grouping.





The Indian readout of the phone conversation between Modi and Raisi just four days before the Johannesburg summit highlighted that The two leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation including to realise the full potential of Chabahar Port as a connectivity hub. The two leaders also discussed cooperation at multilateral forums including expansion of BRICS and looked forward to their meeting on the margins of forthcoming BRICS summit in South Africa.





How far these positive impulses will be carried forward at Modis one-on-one discussions with Putin during his forthcoming two-day visit to Moscow on July 8 remains to be seen. Russia and Iran together own more than 60 percent of global gas reserves, and the expectation in Tehran is that the two countries energy deal in the making will facilitate the formation of an energy balance in the region  as Irans Oil Minister Javad Owji put it. Without doubt, Russia and Iran can be the most reliable suppliers of natural gas for the Indian market over the next several decades and strengthen Indias energy security through this century.





A holistic picture will be incomplete without casting an eye on the upcoming BRICS Summit as well. After all, Russia and Iran are under US sanctions. The crux of the matter is that the BRICS Summit in October in Kazan under Putins chairmanship will be focused on the creation of a new payment system for the member countries. Different variants are under consideration  the use of stablecoins (cryptocurrency tokens pegged to assets like gold), a platform to link the central banks digital currency systems, and the integration of national systems for financial messaging.





At a media briefing in Moscow on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said BRICS countries are actively and evenly pursuing initiatives in all the 3 above-mentioned areas. Ryabkov said the political momentum is crucial here, and added, Perhaps there wont be any decisions (at the Kazan summit) that completely revolutionise everything, and that may not be necessary in such a sensitive area where gradual progress is often best. However, there will be tangible outcomes and Im pleased that all member states, including those who recently joined on January 1 share our common understanding and vision of the steps needed to move forward.





Modi had built a good rapport with Raisi who was due to visit India later this year. The importance of picking up the threads with Raisis successor cannot but be stressed. Perhaps, an early visit by Doval to Tehran is timely.





By the way, Afghan situation is also causing concern to Iran and Russia as there are growing signs of a consolidation of Islamic State-Khorasan in the northern regions of Afghanistan with the active support of the CIA. In response, Moscow intends to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations and strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism with the authorities in Kabul.





M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
Turkiye's removal from the gray list of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its adoption of more conventional economic policies are expected to boost the inflow of foreign investment into the country, experts feel.

The country has made significant progress in improving its regime of anti-money laundering and combating terror financing, the Paris-based crime watchdog said in a statement after its recent plenary meeting in Singapore.

Minister of treasury and finance Mehmet Simsek hailed the decision with the post We succeeded," on the social media platform X.

Turkiye's removal from the 'gray list' of the global Financial Action Task Force and its adoption of more conventional economic policies are expected to boost the inflow of foreign investment into the country, experts feel. Moody's Ratings said it would contribute to the country's reputation globally and improve its ties with European and US institutions.

Turkish government officials and the countrys business community welcomed the decision, according to domestic media reports.

Credit rating agency Moody's Ratings also said it would contribute to the countrys reputation globally and improve its relationships with European and US institutions.

Legal regulations stopped many international investment funds to invest in countries included in the FATF gray list, said Turkiye Payments and Electronic Money Institutions Association (TODEB) president Ufuk Bilgetekin.

An increase in company mergers and acquisitions is also expected in future following this decision, he said.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Turkiye were worth $10.6 billion last year, while the figure was $1.5 billion in the first quarter this year, slightly below the overall quarterly average in the recent period.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Vietnams exported goods worth an estimated $190.08 billion in the first half (H1) this yeara year-on-year (YoY) rise of 14.5 per cent. The country's trade surplus rose to $11.63 billion, according to the general statistics office (GSO).

The domestic sector saw exports rise by 20.6 per cent YoY to 53.39 billion in H1 2024, accounting for 28.1 per cent of the total.

The foreign-invested sector, including crude oil, saw a 12.3-per cent rise in exports to $136.69 billion, making up the remaining 71.9 per cent.

Vietnam's exported goods worth an estimated $190.08 billion in H1 2024a YoY rise of 14.5 per cent. The trade surplus rose to $11.63 billion. The domestic sector saw exports rise by 20.6 per cent YoY to 53.39 billion in H1, accounting for 28.1 per cent of the total. The foreign-invested sector saw a 12.3-per cent rise to $136.69 billion, making up the rest.

Processed industrial goods dominated exports, generating an estimated turnover of $166.79 billion.

Imports rose by 17 per cent YoY to $178.45 billion. The domestic economic sector contributed $65.74 billion to the import turnovera 22.3 per cent YoY increase, while the foreign-invested sector imported $112.71 billion worth of goodsup by 14.1 per cent YoY.

Raw materials for production were the leading import category, accounting for 94 per cent share with a value of $167.73 billion, a domestic news agency reported.

The United States was the largest export market, accounting for $54.3 billion. China was the largest source of goods and services for Vietnam, with imports being worth $67 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The World Bank has announced the launch of an ambitious new regional initiative aimed at significantly accelerating energy efficiency to ensure secure, affordable, and clean energy supply across Europe and Central Asia. The 10-year Scaling Up Energy Efficiency in Europe and Central Asia Programme (E3 Programme) is projected to save over 63 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy over the lifetime of its investmentsequivalent to the annual electricity production of Switzerlandand reduce CO2 emissions by 18.7 million metric tonnes.

The E3 Programme will provide $1.46 billion in World Bank funding and raise an additional $2.4 billion from the public, private, and development sectorsincluding $1.5 billion in private capital. Initial funds have been earmarked for energy efficiency programs in four countries, with more expected to join over the 10-year period. Investments will target public facilities, residential buildings and appliances, industrial modernisation, and district heating upgrades.

The World Bank has launched the 10-year 'Scaling Up Energy Efficiency in Europe and Central Asia Programme' (E3 Programme), backed by $1.46 billion in funding to save 63 TWh of energy and cut 18.7 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. Targeting public and residential sectors, it aims to enhance energy security and affordability through efficient systems.

Investing in energy efficiency is part of the World Bank Groups vision to accelerate a shift towards clean and efficient energy, in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Scaling up energy efficiency can generate budget savings for other development priorities and significantly reduce the need for investment in new energy supply, said Antonella Bassani, World Banks vice president for Europe and Central Asia. Efficient systems make business operations cleaner and more competitive, lower household energy bills, decrease air pollution, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs.

The E3 programme will develop replicable country projects based on national plans and support access to sustainable financing. Initial projects under the Programme include $300 million of World Bank funding for the renovation of central government buildings in Turkiye and $54.5 million to renovate public buildings and district heating, focusing on education facilities, in Moldova. The project is supported by a $5 million grant from the Moldova  Growth, Resilience and Opportunities for Well-being (M-GROW) programme. Additional phases and projects in Turkiye, Moldova, Montenegro, Uzbekistan, and other countries are planned, World Bank said in a press release.

Over time, the E3 Programme will support countries in transitioning from smaller publicly financed energy efficiency programmes to national-scale programs with greater commercial financing. The use of public financing will focus on demonstrating the investments needed to bring in commercial financiers, testing new business models, de-risking investments, and providing targeted subsidies alongside commercial financing.

Eighteen countries in the Europe and Central Asia region have already pledged at COP 28 to double their annual rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030. Yet, the region remains home to some of the worlds most energy-inefficient, carbon-intensive economies. The E3 programme will help overcome market failures associated with energy efficiency investments, such as high transaction costs, lack of codes and standards, general lack of awareness and need for behaviour challenges. The programme will strengthen policies and regulations, develop robust agencies and institutions, create and disseminate credible data, enhance market capabilities and mobilise private capital.

"The recent energy crisis has underscored the urgent need for large-scale energy efficiency measures which conserve scarce natural resources. Energy efficiency remains the most accessible and cost effective way to meet energy needs compared to generating new energy," said Charles Cormier, World Bank regional director for infrastructure. "Our programme builds on decades of experience in helping countries in Europe and Central Asia increase their energy efficiency. Although a diverse region, these countries share many common barriers and national priorities that the programme will help address, while creating a platform to share information and knowledge through a regional network.

A coalition of regional and global organisations, including international financial institutions and donor partners and organisations dedicated to knowledge exchange and capacity building, will be established as part of the Programme. The regional network will be financed with an initial $5 million grant from Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP). This regional network will facilitate knowledge exchange and creation, and coordinate and harmonise country approaches. Priority topics of the network will include policy formulation and implementation, the design of scaled-up programmes, and measurement and verification of energy efficiency measures.

The E3 programme will work alongside the recently launched Europe and Central Asia Renewable Energy Scale-up (ECARES) Programme to enhance energy security, improve affordability, and support the clean energy transition. While ECARES focuses on clean energy supply, E3 aims to reduce energy demand. Countries interested in participating in both programmes are invited to submit letters of intent.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Kriti Sanon recently spoke about how her life changed post Mimi's release. The actress who has had a prolific career, balancing commercial blockbusters with meaningful cinema reveals the one film she holds close to her heart is Mimi. Kriti opened up about how the film was a turning point in her career.

In a recent interview, Kriti said, There are some films that kind of open you up. A sort of release happens and, suddenly, you discover a little more about yourself. I think that happened with Mimi.





Kriti further elaborated on her experience, saying, Whenever you imagine a trailer of your life, you know that particular shot that has to be there. It was one of those moments. That film was one I was extremely passionate about. It gave me a lot to do as an actor and the satisfaction that I felt after performing was on another level altogether.

The actress is all set to turn producer with Do Patti, a project that promises to push the boundaries of storytelling and creativity starring actress Kajol in the film.
Temasek (Singapore), CDPQ (Quebec), BCI (British Columbia), NZ Super (New Zealand), and ISIF (Ireland) achieve a perfect score around Governance, Sustainability and Resilience issues.

Today, Global SWF published the 5th edition of its GSR (Governance, Sustainability, and Resilience) Scoreboard, which has become the measuring stick of best practices among State-Owned Investors. The report is publicly available on www.globalswf.com/reports/2024gsr

The annual exercise analyzes the world's 200 largest Sovereign Wealth Funds and Public Pension Funds, which manage US$ 27.5 trillion on behalf of 80 countries. The assessment is based on 25 different elements that are answered binarily based on public information only. This year saw the following results:

Sustainability scores continued to improve globally, when compared to 2023 yet, the average score in Governance (77%) is still much higher than that in Sustainability (51%) and in Resilience (50%).

Five entities with different mandates got full marks: two Canadian pension managers (CDPQ, BCI), a European strategic fund (ISIF), and two Asia-Pacific state-owned investors (Temasek, NZ Super).

The Middle East as a region continues to improve, and the average score has gone up by 16% since 2020 with progress led by Saudi Arabia's PIF (96% in 2024) and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala (92%).

There continues to be a positive and strong correlation between best practices, as measured by Global SWF's GSR scores, and the financial performance of Sovereign Investors in the long run.

Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Holdings, commented: "We are humbly honoured to receive this recognition as one of the top-scoring investors for the second year running. Global SWF's independent assessment to address key areas such as transparency and accountability, impact and responsible investing, and long-term survival is aligned to Temasek's focus on governance, sustainability and resilience. We look forward to an increased level of engagement and sharing of best practices amongst our global peers as we endeavour to contribute towards a better, more sustainable and inclusive world

Gordon J. Fyfe, BCI's CEO and CIO, added: "Amid an increasingly complex global investment landscape, strong governance and responsible investing practices have become imperative to deliver long-term, sustainable returns for our clients and their beneficiaries. This recognition reflects more than two decades of dedication to excellence in achieving our mandate, and the commitment of our world-class team. We are proud to be among leading global investors and look forward to continuing to support best practices across the industry

Jo Townsend, CEO of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, stated: "The Guardians has long believed that good governance, a commitment to sustainable investment principles, and policies and processes that support a resilient organisation are fundamental to our success as a long-term investor. The big improvement in scores this year suggests more and more funds are adopting this way of thinking. That's encouraging for the industry but also challenges us to find new ways to improve our own performance

Nick Ashmore, Director of ISIF, said: "We welcome this recognition from Global SWF which aligns with ISIF's endeavours to be a responsible investor, actively integrating ESG factors into its decision-making processes with a view to enhancing the overall outcomes for the Fund and ultimately its beneficial owner. ISIF often looks to its peers for learnings in best practice and being able to benchmark itself in this respect, as well as sharing the pursuit of common goals for the improvement of the investment landscape, which is important in ensuring it has a positive impact."

Diego Lopez, Founder and Managing Director of Global SWF, concluded: "The GSR Scoreboard is the only objective, quantitative, and independent evaluation of best practices among Sovereign Investors, and we are fully committed to contributing to the advancement of the industry. These institutions are very heterogenous by nature, but there is a reduced number of them that are leading the way when it comes to best practices and positive change

The report will be officially presented at an in-person event in New York City, on Thursday, July 11. Parties interested in attending can contact the representatives of Global SWF for further details.

About Global SWF

Global SWF LLC, which turns six years old today, promotes a better understanding of and connectivity into state-owned investors through the most comprehensive platform of data and research on these global funds. The firm also provides consulting services and an executive education program, the SWF Academy, for professionals working at sovereign and pension funds. For more details, please visit www.globalswf.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240630428719/en/

Contacts:

Global SWF

Diego Lopez

+19293011895 +6590702552

diego.lopez@globalswf.com
The deal leverages CBC's hands-on "investor-operator" approach to accelerate portfolio companies' asset acquisition and strategic international expansion

SINGAPORE, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CBC Group ("CBC"), Asia's largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm headquartered in Singapore, announced that its controlled portfolio company, Hasten Biopharmaceutical ("Hasten"), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company, has successfully acquired the asset rights of 14 branded products across Pan-Asia countries and regions from Celltrion, a South Korean biopharmaceutical company. The successful acquisition draws upon CBC's unique "investor-operator" model which combines innovation, vast industry experience and commercial expertise, to support leading healthcare companies such as Hasten as they source attractive assets and expand across borders.

According to the agreement, Hasten will own the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) rights for these 14 products in eight countries and regions, including South Korea*, Singapore, Thailand, Australia and China Hong Kong S.A.R. The deal not only enriches Hasten's product pipeline and supply chain system but also marks its business expansion across Pan-Asia region. As an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on chronic diseases and critical care area, Hasten will expand its product portfolios through this acquisition, with the commercial rights to drugs in various chronic diseases areas such as hypertension and diabetes, including Edarbi, Basen, Actos, Blopress, and Nesina.

Fu Wei, CEO of CBC Group remarked, "This strategic deal lays a solid foundation for Hasten's global expansion, facilitated by CBC Group's deep experience in large-scale cross-border buyouts and platform building. Our distinct active approach has seen a strong history of success as we work closely with healthcare companies to grow their platforms across stages and accelerate their expansion internationally while retaining a sharp focus on unlocking synergies and joint value for companies and investors alike. This milestone for Hasten underscores our commitment towards building a resilient global health ecosystem, as we continue to deliver much-needed healthcare solutions across Pan-Asia and beyond."

Summer Xia, CEO of Hasten said, "This successful acquisition marks an important step as we expand our business across Pan-Asia and progress towards our globalization trajectory. We are pleased to be partnering with CBC, as this deal provides us the opportunity to expand our regional commercial platform, broaden our product portfolio with the coverage of more classic products, while paving the way to go overseas with more high-quality products, in alignment with our development strategy. Beyond CBC's deep experience in buyouts and proven approach in growing leading healthcare platforms, we share a similar vision of addressing unmet medical needs across communities globally by bringing to market greater quality and affordable products. Going forward, we will continue to introduce innovative products, leverage our commercialization capabilities and optimize our product portfolio while enhancing research and production capabilities."

This latest move follows a series of key growth developments for CBC and Hasten. In 2023, CBC co-led a US$315 million fundraising round for Hasten, to support strategic acquisitions and business development of innovative pipeline assets. In the same year, Hasten acquired the commercial rights in Mainland China for Rocephin, a long-acting, broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, from Roche, delivering strong synergy within the portfolio and supporting the enhancement of patient care and outcomes.

*Excluding Edarbi, Actos, and Nesina

About CBC Group

Headquartered in Singapore, CBC Group is Asia's largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm, with an AUM of US$8.8 billion. With a diversified, multi-product strategy, CBC Group is focused on platform-building, buyout, private credit and royalties, and real estate, across the healthcare space, including pharmaceutical, biotech, medical technology, and healthcare services.

We are committed to creating lasting value by integrating global innovations and talents. Partnering with the world's top entrepreneurs and scientists, our unique "investor-operator" approach has empowered leading healthcare companies to widen access to affordable medical care, catalyse innovations, and improve efficiencies in fulfilling unmet medical needs worldwide.

For more information on CBC Group, please visit www.cbridgecap.com/.

Connect with us on LinkedIn (CBC Group).

About Hasten

Hasten Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Hasten), which integrates R&D, production and commercial promotion and covers the whole industrial chain, was established in 2020. Hasten is jointly invested and established by CBC Group, Hefei Industry Investment Group and Feidong County, Hefei City. In April, 2023, Hasten received a new round of fundraising co-led by CBC and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Company, with participation from other institutional investors.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cbc-backed-hasten-biopharmaceutical-announces-acquisition-of-14-celltrion-legacy-products-302186407.html
Flight attendant and excellent sky chef of China Eastern Airlines (CEA) had in-depth exchanges with nearly 30 international students studying in China during a cultural activity co-hosted by CEA and The International School of Tongji University on June 25.

The Meet U in CEAir activity, themed on aviation culture, offered a perfect opportunity for these students from around a dozen countries including Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands, to learn about civil aviation, experience aviation culture and try their hands at making CEA's signature in-flight meals.

Excellent sky chef Ludwig Strobel shared with the students his life in Shanghai as an employee of CEA. He also shared the fun short videos about making Chinese dishes he had posted on social media platforms.

CEA's Gen-Z flight attendant Deng Wenyi told the students her story of attending the China International Import Expo in Shanghai for six years in a row, giving them a "virtual tour" to the grand event.

Together, the students and the chefs made traditional Chinese cuisine mung bean pastry and "Bright Future," a signature dish of CEA. Besides, CEA also presented the students with MU Tea in different flavors.

Many students said the activity ignited their interest in CEA and expressed their willingness to work at the company after graduation.

The Meet U in CEAir themed activity is dedicated to connecting with young people in universities worldwide, using aviation culture to establish a unique bond with Gen-Zers around the world.

Through diverse forms of interactions and in-depth dialogues, the activity has effectively enhanced Gen-Zers' understanding of aviation culture and Chinese culture.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240630472158/en/

Contacts:

China Eastern Airlines

http://www.ceair.com/

fangying

00862122331470

fangying@ceair.com
Vanuatu leaders reaffirm commitment to one-China principle

Xinhua) 13:24, July 01, 2024

Port-Vila, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Vanuatu President Nikenike Vurobaravu and Prime Minister Charlot Salwai have reiterated the country's commitment to the one-China principle in two separate meetings with a senior Chinese political advisor.

While meeting with Hu Chunhua, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in Port-Vila on Monday respectively, they asked Hu to convey their best wishes to Chinese leaders and thanked China for its long-term support and assistance to Vanuatu.

Both leaders also said Vanuatu is willing to actively expand practical cooperation in various fields and promote the all-round growth of bilateral relations with China.

For his part, Hu said that under the strategic guidance and joint efforts of the leaders of the two countries, China and Vanuatu have continuously enhanced political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields.

Hu said China is willing to deepen strategic coordination with Vanuatu and strengthen all-round dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, so as to push bilateral relations to a new level.

He also briefed the Vanuatu leaders on Chinese modernization and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

During his stay in Vanuatu from Saturday to Monday, Hu also met with the country's parliament speaker Seoule Simeon.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Gemass heutiger Mitteilung von Silvio Denz betragt dessen Beteiligung an Lalique Group  unter Berucksichtigung der von ihm und den mit ihm in gemeinsamer Absprache handelnden Personen gehaltenen sowie der ihm im Rahmen des offentlichen Kaufangebots angedienten Lalique-Group-Aktien  per Ende der Angebotsfrist am 28. Juni 2024, vorbehaltlich des Vollzuges des Angebots, insgesamt 55.82% aller Lalique-Group-Aktien. Silvio Denz erklart das Angebot, unter Vorbehalt der weiterhin geltenden Angebotsbedingung, fur zustande gekommen.

Die Ankeraktionare Muller Handels AG Schweiz, Dharampal Satyapal Limited, Hansjorg Wyss sowie Claudio Denz, welche zusammen 42.67% der Lalique-Group-Aktien halten, haben mit Silvio Denz, wie bereits mitgeteilt, je separate Nichtandienungsvereinbarungen abgeschlossen und beabsichtigen, an Lalique Group auch nach der beabsichtigten Dekotierung beteiligt zu bleiben.

Die Nachfrist beginnt am 3. Juli 2024 und dauert bis zum 16. Juli 2024, 16.00 Uhr. Wahrend dieser Zeit konnen die Lalique-Group-Aktien nach wie vor in das Angebot angedient werden. Das offentliche Kaufangebot wird voraussichtlich am 19. Juli 2024 vollzogen.

Samtliche Informationen zum offentlichen Kaufangebot stehen auf der Website des Anbieters unter www.silviodenz-offer.com zur Verfugung.

Medienkontakt

Lalique Group SA

Elle Steinbrecher

Head of Communication & PR

Grubenstrasse 18

CH-8045 Zurich

Telefon: +41 43 499 45 58

E-Mail: elle.steinbrecher@lalique-group.com

Lalique Group

Lalique Group ist ein Nischenunternehmen, das auf die Kreation, Entwicklung, Vermarktung und den weltweiten Vertrieb von Luxusgutern spezialisiert ist. Die Geschaftsbereiche umfassen Parfum, Kosmetik, Kristall, Schmuck, hochwertige Mobel und Lifestyle-Accessoires sowie Kunst, Gastronomie und Hotellerie, erlesene Spirituosen und Weine. Das im Jahr 2000 gegrundete Unternehmen beschaftigt rund 810 Mitarbeitende (Vollzeitaquivalent) und hat seinen Hauptsitz in Zurich. Die Marke Lalique, von der die Gruppe ihren Namen ableitet, wurde 1888 in Paris durch den Glasmachermeister und Schmuckdesigner Rene Lalique gegrundet. Die Aktien der Lalique Group (LLQ) sind an der SIX Swiss Exchange kotiert.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter www.lalique-group.com.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Lalique Group and it does not constitute a prospectus or a similar notice within the meaning of articles 35 et seqq. or 69 of the Swiss Financial Services Act. Complete terms and conditions of the offer are set forth in the offer prospectus which was published on 31 May 2024 (the "Offer Prospectus"). Holders of shares in Lalique Group are urged to carefully read the Offer Prospectus because it contains important information about the offer. This announcement is not for publication, release or distribution in or into or from any jurisdiction where it would otherwise be prohibited and does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in such countries. Please also refer to "Legal Disclaimers" below.

Legal Disclaimers

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature or which relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. The offeror undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

Important Additional Information

This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any registered shares or other equity securities in Lalique Group, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor. This release is not part of the offer documentation relating to the tender offer. The terms and conditions of the tender offer have been published in the Offer Prospectus. Shareholders of Lalique Group are urged to read the tender offer documents, which are or will be available at www.silviodenz-offer.com.

Certain Offer Restrictions

The public tender offer (the "Offer") is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which it would be considered unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require Silvio Denz or any of the companies controlled by him to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Offer in any way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other authority or take additional action in relation to the Offer.

It is not intended to extend the Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Any document relating to the Offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction, and must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of any securities of Lalique Group SA by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction.

The communication is not being made by, and has not been approved by, an authorised person for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in the United Kingdom.

Reference is made to the Offer Prospectus published today for full offer restrictions and an overview of certain key differences with U.S. tender offer procedures and laws.

Notice to U.S. Holders

Shareholders of the Company in the United States (the "U.S.") are advised that the registered shares of Lalique Group SA ("Lalique Shares") are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder.

The Offer is being made for the registered shares of the Company, a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd. ("SIX"), and is subject to Swiss disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States.

The Offer is being made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the Exchange Act, subject to the exemption provided under Rule 14d-1(c) under the Exchange Act for a tier I tender offer (the "Tier I Exemption"), and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, Offer timetable, settlement procedures, waiver of conditions, timing of payments and procedural requirements that are different from those applicable under U.S. tender offer procedures and laws. Holders of Lalique Shares resident in the United States (each a "U.S. Holder") are urged to consult with their own legal, financial and tax advisors (including with respect to Swiss law) regarding the Offer.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, the Offeror and its affiliates or its brokers and its brokers affiliates (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of this Offer Prospectus and during the pendency of the Offer, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly purchase or arrange to purchase Lalique Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for Lalique Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Switzerland, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of the Company of such information. In addition, the financial advisers to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Switzerland, any information about such purchases will be made public in Switzerland in the manner required by Swiss law.

In particular, the financial information, any financial statements or figures included or referenced in this Offer Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards of, or recognized in, Switzerland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. The Offer is being made to U.S. Holders on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of the Company to whom an offer is made. Any informational documents, including this Offer Prospectus, are being disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Companys other shareholders.

As permitted under the Tier I Exemption, the settlement of the Offer is be based on the applicable Swiss law provisions, which differ from the settlement procedures customary in the United States, particularly as regards to the time when payment of the consideration is rendered. The Offer, which is subject to Swiss law, is being made to U.S. Holders in accordance with the applicable U.S. securities laws, and applicable exemptions thereunder, in particular the Tier I Exemption. To the extent the Offer is subject to U.S. securities laws, those laws only apply to U.S. Holders of Lalique Shares and will not give rise to claims on the part of any other person. U.S. Holders should consider that the Offer Price for the Offer is being paid in CHF and that no adjustment will be made based on changes in the exchange rate.

It may be difficult for the Companys shareholders to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arising under the of U.S. federal securities laws, since the Offeror and the Company are located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. Company shareholders may not be able to sue the Offeror or the Company or their officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel the Offeror and the Company and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

The receipt of cash pursuant to this Offer by a U.S. Holder may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local laws, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Lalique Shares is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of an acceptance of the Offer.

Neither the SEC nor any securities commission of any State of the U.S. has (i) approved or disapproved of the Offer; (ii) passed upon the merits or fairness of the Offer; or (iii) passed upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in relation to the Offer. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone

SHENZHEN, China, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On June 30, The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a massive cross-sea passage in south China that features two bridges, two artificial islands and an underwater tunnel, opened to traffic at 3 p.m., Beijing Time.



The Shenzhen terminal of the link is located in Qianhai. The Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone states that spanning 24 kilometers, the link drastically reduces the time it takes to travel between the city of Zhongshan and the technology hub of Shenzhen -- situated on opposite sides of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong Province -- from two hours to approximately 30 minutes. It will reshape the road network layout of the Pearl River Estuary, significantly impacting the economic and social development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and further strengthen Qianhai's position as a "transportation hub of the GBA".

The link is considered one of the world's most challenging cross-sea cluster projects to have been built. Qianhai is the starting point of the Shenzhen side of the link and also a key hub in Shenzhen that interacts with Hong Kong's modern service industry. Convenient transportation will greatly improve the accessibility of the modern service industry and facilitate the expansion of high-end services. With the opening of the link, the modern service industry in Hong Kong will be able to more conveniently enter the broader mainland market from Qianhai.

It is expected that the financial services of Qianhai, including cross-border finance, offshore finance, and free trade (FT) accounts, will spread more quickly to the GBA. The cross-border investment and financing needs of cities such as Zhongshan and Jiangmen will be rapidly matched with Qianhai, Shenzhen on the opposite shore. In terms of logistics, Qianhai boasts several ports and an airport. As a free trade zone, it can provide high-quality transportation services for GBA cities, thus facilitating the rapid development of cross-border trade in the region. Furthermore, the exhibition industry will also benefit from Qianhai's development. According to the Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, various exhibitions will be jointly held in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, with the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center playing a key role in the initiative. Besides, Qianhai's numerous institutional innovations in the legal field are expected to have a spillover effect. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint law firms based in Qianhai, and Hong Kong and Macao lawyers certified to practice in Qianhai can conveniently extend their services to other cities in the GBA, thereby empowering its legal services to align with international standards.

According to Zheng Yongnian, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and former Dean of the Institute for International Affairs, Qianhai undertakes a special mission in the national strategy, including seeking institutional innovations, pioneering reform and opening-up, and facilitating the integration and cooperation of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the release of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Over the past five years, the GBA has been continuously enhancing its physical and institutional connectivity, accelerating the development of the sci-tech innovation industry, and gathering young talents for entrepreneurial undertakings. China aims to develop the area into a world-class city cluster, a global technology and innovation center, and a livable, business-friendly location. Now, empowered by an upgraded transportation network, Qianhai will facilitate the integration of the GBA and help build it into a world-class platform from various aspects such as economy, finance, logistics, and legal services.

As the link further enhances personnel exchanges and resource flow among the GBA cities, Qianhai, serving as both a transportation hub and a focal point for high-quality development, is poised to seize historical opportunities, attract more global resources, and take targeted actions. With the opening and operation of this large-scale transportation project, Qianhai will have a new engine for further expanding opening-up.

Source: Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
Lalique Group SA / Schlagwort(e): Vorlaufiges Ergebnis/Aktienruckkauf

Silvio Denz veroffentlicht provisorisches Zwischenergebnis des offentlichen Kaufangebots an die Publikumsaktionare von Lalique Group



01.07.2024 / 06:45 CET/CEST

Veroffentlichung einer Ad-hoc-Mitteilung gemass Art. 53 KR

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.





MEDIENMITTEILUNG - Ad hoc-Mitteilung gemass Art. 53 KR



Medienmitteilung (PDF)

Media release (PDF)

Communique de presse (PDF) Zurich, 1. Juli 2024 - Silvio Denz, Mehrheitsaktionar der in der Kreation, der Entwicklung, der Vermarktung und dem weltweiten Vertrieb von Luxusgutern tatigen Lalique Group SA (SIX: LLQ), hat heute nach Ablauf der Angebotsfrist des freiwilligen offentlichen Kaufangebots fur alle sich im Publikum befindenden Namenaktien von Lalique Group (mit Ausnahme der Aktien derjenigen Aktionare, welche sich verpflichtet haben, ihre Aktien nicht in das Angebot anzudienen) das provisorische Zwischenergebnis veroffentlicht. Gemass heutiger Mitteilung von Silvio Denz betragt dessen Beteiligung an Lalique Group - unter Berucksichtigung der von ihm und den mit ihm in gemeinsamer Absprache handelnden Personen gehaltenen sowie der ihm im Rahmen des offentlichen Kaufangebots angedienten Lalique-Group-Aktien - per Ende der Angebotsfrist am 28. Juni 2024, vorbehaltlich des Vollzuges des Angebots, insgesamt 55.82% aller Lalique-Group-Aktien. Silvio Denz erklart das Angebot, unter Vorbehalt der weiterhin geltenden Angebotsbedingung, fur zustande gekommen. Die Ankeraktionare Muller Handels AG Schweiz, Dharampal Satyapal Limited, Hansjorg Wyss sowie Claudio Denz, welche zusammen 42.67% der Lalique-Group-Aktien halten, haben mit Silvio Denz, wie bereits mitgeteilt, je separate Nichtandienungsvereinbarungen abgeschlossen und beabsichtigen, an Lalique Group auch nach der beabsichtigten Dekotierung beteiligt zu bleiben. Die Nachfrist beginnt am 3. Juli 2024 und dauert bis zum 16. Juli 2024, 16.00 Uhr. Wahrend dieser Zeit konnen die Lalique-Group-Aktien nach wie vor in das Angebot angedient werden. Das offentliche Kaufangebot wird voraussichtlich am 19. Juli 2024 vollzogen. Samtliche Informationen zum offentlichen Kaufangebot stehen auf der Website des Anbieters unter www.silviodenz-offer.com zur Verfugung. Medienkontakt

Lalique Group SA

Elle Steinbrecher

Head of Communication & PR

Grubenstrasse 18

CH-8045 Zurich Telefon: +41 43 499 45 58

E-Mail: elle.steinbrecher@lalique-group.com Lalique Group

Lalique Group ist ein Nischenunternehmen, das auf die Kreation, Entwicklung, Vermarktung und den weltweiten Vertrieb von Luxusgutern spezialisiert ist. Die Geschaftsbereiche umfassen Parfum, Kosmetik, Kristall, Schmuck, hochwertige Mobel und Lifestyle-Accessoires sowie Kunst, Gastronomie und Hotellerie, erlesene Spirituosen und Weine. Das im Jahr 2000 gegrundete Unternehmen beschaftigt rund 810 Mitarbeitende (Vollzeitaquivalent) und hat seinen Hauptsitz in Zurich. Die Marke Lalique, von der die Gruppe ihren Namen ableitet, wurde 1888 in Paris durch den Glasmachermeister und Schmuckdesigner Rene Lalique gegrundet. Die Aktien der Lalique Group (LLQ) sind an der SIX Swiss Exchange kotiert. Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter www.lalique-group.com . This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Lalique Group and it does not constitute a prospectus or a similar notice within the meaning of articles 35 et seqq. or 69 of the Swiss Financial Services Act. Complete terms and conditions of the offer are set forth in the offer prospectus which was published on 31 May 2024 (the "Offer Prospectus"). Holders of shares in Lalique Group are urged to carefully read the Offer Prospectus because it contains important information about the offer. This announcement is not for publication, release or distribution in or into or from any jurisdiction where it would otherwise be prohibited and does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in such countries. Please also refer to "Legal Disclaimers" below. Legal Disclaimers Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature or which relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. The offeror undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason. Important Additional Information

This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any registered shares or other equity securities in Lalique Group, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor. This release is not part of the offer documentation relating to the tender offer. The terms and conditions of the tender offer have been published in the Offer Prospectus. Shareholders of Lalique Group are urged to read the tender offer documents, which are or will be available at www.silviodenz-offer.com . Certain Offer Restrictions

The public tender offer (the "Offer") is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which it would be considered unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require Silvio Denz or any of the companies controlled by him to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Offer in any way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other authority or take additional action in relation to the Offer. It is not intended to extend the Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Any document relating to the Offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction, and must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of any securities of Lalique Group SA by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction. The communication is not being made by, and has not been approved by, an authorised person for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in the United Kingdom. Reference is made to the Offer Prospectus published today for full offer restrictions and an overview of certain key differences with U.S. tender offer procedures and laws. Notice to U.S. Holders

Shareholders of the Company in the United States (the "U.S.") are advised that the registered shares of Lalique Group SA ("Lalique Shares") are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The Offer is being made for the registered shares of the Company, a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd. ("SIX"), and is subject to Swiss disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States. The Offer is being made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the Exchange Act, subject to the exemption provided under Rule 14d-1(c) under the Exchange Act for a tier I tender offer (the "Tier I Exemption"), and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, Offer timetable, settlement procedures, waiver of conditions, timing of payments and procedural requirements that are different from those applicable under U.S. tender offer procedures and laws. Holders of Lalique Shares resident in the United States (each a "U.S. Holder") are urged to consult with their own legal, financial and tax advisors (including with respect to Swiss law) regarding the Offer. To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, the Offeror and its affiliates or its brokers and its brokers' affiliates (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of this Offer Prospectus and during the pendency of the Offer, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly purchase or arrange to purchase Lalique Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for Lalique Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Switzerland, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of the Company of such information. In addition, the financial advisers to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Switzerland, any information about such purchases will be made public in Switzerland in the manner required by Swiss law. In particular, the financial information, any financial statements or figures included or referenced in this Offer Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards of, or recognized in, Switzerland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. The Offer is being made to U.S. Holders on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of the Company to whom an offer is made. Any informational documents, including this Offer Prospectus, are being disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Company's other shareholders. As permitted under the Tier I Exemption, the settlement of the Offer is be based on the applicable Swiss law provisions, which differ from the settlement procedures customary in the United States, particularly as regards to the time when payment of the consideration is rendered. The Offer, which is subject to Swiss law, is being made to U.S. Holders in accordance with the applicable U.S. securities laws, and applicable exemptions thereunder, in particular the Tier I Exemption. To the extent the Offer is subject to U.S. securities laws, those laws only apply to U.S. Holders of Lalique Shares and will not give rise to claims on the part of any other person. U.S. Holders should consider that the Offer Price for the Offer is being paid in CHF and that no adjustment will be made based on changes in the exchange rate. It may be difficult for the Company's shareholders to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arising under the of U.S. federal securities laws, since the Offeror and the Company are located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. Company shareholders may not be able to sue the Offeror or the Company or their officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel the Offeror and the Company and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment. The receipt of cash pursuant to this Offer by a U.S. Holder may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local laws, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Lalique Shares is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of an acceptance of the Offer. Neither the SEC nor any securities commission of any State of the U.S. has (i) approved or disapproved of the Offer; (ii) passed upon the merits or fairness of the Offer; or (iii) passed upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in relation to the Offer. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

Ende der Adhoc-Mitteilung
The award jury selected Samir Ounzain, PhD and Daniel Blessing, PhD, the two co-founders of HAYA Therapeutics, as the winners from an outstanding finalist group of life science entrepreneurs

Representatives from the award committee presented the award and the 100,000 cash prize at the Festival of the Future at the Deutsches Museum in Munich last Friday, June 28, 2024

The committee of the newly established Andreas Thomas Struengmann Award today announced that Samir Ounzain and Daniel Blessing, the two co-founders of HAYA Therapeutics, are the inaugural winners of the Andreas Thomas Struengmann Award. Established to support and recognize entrepreneurial vision in the life science arena, the award recognizes the co-founder's progress in building a company developing an RNA therapeutic approach targeting long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in multiple disease areas, in advance of the start of a HAYA's first-in-human clinical study in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

"Together with the award committee and this year's jury, we congratulate Samir and Daniel and hope that this award provides an additional validation as HAYA's begins the next stage of development as a company. They have proven their ability to translate their findings from the lab into a differentiated cell-state-modifying platform that has significant potential to provide novel, disease-modifying therapeutics for the heart and a range of other disease areas," Andreas and Thomas Struengmann said in a joint statement. "Throughout our selection process, it has been a tremendous privilege to view the outstanding companies nominated from across the DACH region and, in particular, get to know the finalists whose successes made the final decision a difficult one to make."

The company teams shortlisted in May represent established and emerging biotech entrepreneurs in the DACH area who made significant achievements over the past years. These entrepreneurs turned unique scientific approaches into companies focused on bringing solutions to patients through modalities ranging from cell and RNA therapies to ADCs. Following the nomination, a group of finalist innovators had the opportunity to present their companies and their respective scientific approaches to an expert jury of leading personalities from the DACH life sciences sector, who then selected the winners announced last Friday, June 28 at the Festival of the Future at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. As part of the award, Samir Ounzain and Daniel Blessing received a cash prize of 100,000, which they will share.

"We created HAYA to translate our knowledge of lncRNAs into tangible therapeutic candidates, with the upcoming first-in-human study with HTX-001 in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as the next opportunity to demonstrate the potential. To be recognized by the Andreas Thomas Struengmann Award for our achievements to date and contributions to the DACH life science ecosystem is a true honor. It fuels our ambition of providing patients with disease-modifying therapeutics with the potential for greater efficacy, safety, and accessibility," said Samir Ounzain, CEO of HAYA Therapeutics.

Daniel Blessing, CTO of HAYA Therapeutics, added: "We are confident that this prestigious award will become one of the most important recognitions for emerging companies and their founders. Being nominated alongside other inspiring entrepreneurs and selected as the first winners is truly exciting for us, but also the entire HAYA team who is working with great commitment to make our shared vision a reality."

As a molecular biologist, Samir Ounzain has over 15 years of experience exploring the non-coding portion of the human genome, known as "dark matter", and his research efforts directly led to the discovery of hundreds of novel heart-enriched lncRNAs. Daniel Blessing is a biotechnology scientist with 10 years of experience working in the field of pharmaceutical biotech including various translational aspects of drug development and production.

HAYA Therapeutics is a precision medicine company developing programmable therapeutics that target lncRNAs, a new class of regulating molecules. The company is using its innovative cell state modifying platform to gain new insights into the biology of disease cell states and the lncRNAs that regulate them to address fibrotic diseases. Its first program, HTX-001, is targeting Wisp2 super-enhancer-associated RNA (Wisper), a cardiac fibroblast-specific lncRNA, which shows increased cardiac expression after myocardial infarction (MI) and in hypertension models. Inhibition of Wisper after MI is thought to inhibit the development of fibrosis and improve cardiac function. HAYA Therapeutics is nearing clinical readiness for HTX-001 in non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, the company is developing a pipeline of lncRNA-targeting therapies for the cell-specific treatment of diseases in other tissues and disease areas, including the lung and the tumor microenvironment.

About the Andreas Thomas Struengmann Award

The award was established in 2024 to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs realizing revolutionary ideas in the DACH life science sector. The goal is to reward exceptional achievements with a prestigious prize and to further the development of the next generation of leaders in this space. The award was named to honor twin brothers Andreas Struengmann, M.D., and Thomas Struengmann, Ph.D., who are among the important entrepreneurs, visionaries and investors in the life science sector. As the founders of Hexal, they achieved extraordinary entrepreneurial success and as investors, they have continued to repeat that success for more than 20 years by building and developing leading companies across the industry, including Mainz-based BioNTech. Learn more at https://struengmannaward.de/.

About HAYA Therapeutics

HAYA Therapeutics is a precision medicines company developing programmable therapeutics targeting regulatory RNAs derived from the dark genome, a cell information processing unit, to reprogram pathological cell states for a broad range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The company is using its innovative platform to gain novel insights into the biology of disease cell states and the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate them. HAYA's lead therapeutic candidate is HTX-001, an antisense oligonucleotide targeting Wisper that is a heart-specific lncRNA known to be a fundamental regulator of pathological cardiac fibrosis in the context of heart failure. The company is also developing a pipeline of lncRNA-targeting precision therapies for the cell-specific treatment of diseases in other tissues and disease areas, including the lungs and the tumor microenvironment.

Headquartered at the life sciences park Biopole in Lausanne, Switzerland with laboratory facilities at JLABS San Diego, HAYA is led by a world-class team of experts in programmable and precision RNA-targeted therapeutics and is supported by a strong investor consortium. HAYA's mission is to identify and develop breakthrough disease-modifying therapeutics with the potential for greater efficacy, safety, and accessibility than existing treatments. For more information on the company, please visit our website at www.hayatx.com. Follow us on X and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240630113716/en/

Contacts:

Trophic Communications

Stephanie May, PhD

Phone: +49 (0) 171 185 56 82

Email: athos@trophic.eu
Acuity Knowledge Partners ("Acuity"), a leading provider of high-value research, analytics and business intelligence solutions to the financial services sector, today announced the acquisition of PPA Group ("PPA").

PPA is a leading technology-enabled service provider to financial institutions in Germany and Switzerland, providing services focused on bespoke structuring of global financial and ESG data for commercial lending and ESG analysis.

With offices in Darmstadt, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland, PPA has over two decades of experience in working with leading European banks to help them better understand and utilise complex counterparty data. PPA's software-enabled services, developed in-house, and deep domain expertise deliver accurate, cost-effective and secure results to its growing client base.

"Advanced, accurate and timely data processing to assist financial institutions engaged in commercial lending is a key growth area for Acuity. The acquisition of PPA Group is a strategic investment to support Acuity's commitment and growing presence in supporting best practices in commercial lending. I am also delighted that we will partner with the highly experienced PPA management team to scale this business and bring its capabilities to Acuity's global client base," said Robert King, Chief Executive Officer, Acuity Knowledge Partners. "Our combined platform will provide clients with a market-leading service, and we look forward to integrating PPA's innovative use of AI and Machine Learning into our portfolio of solutions. The acquisition also adds direct presence in two important and major European financial markets, Germany, and Switzerland."

Heimo Saubach, Chief Executive Officer, PPA Group, said, "We have built a best-in-class data extraction and processing business serving European lending customers. Becoming part of Acuity Knowledge Partners will allow us to expand our market share globally and provide additional value to our existing customer base. It also means we can combine our advanced understanding of AI platforms with that of Acuity to create new and market-leading solutions. Acuity and PPA share the same mission of being a strategic and trusted partner to our customers and a great place to work for our employees. We feel very comfortable becoming part of Acuity and are confident that we can add value to our common endeavours."

4GC acted as the exclusive M&A advisor for PPA.

About Acuity Knowledge Partners

Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity) is a leading provider of bespoke research, analytics and technology solutions to the financial services sector, including asset managers, corporate and investment banks, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds and consulting firms. Its global network of over 6,000 analysts and industry experts, combined with proprietary technology, supports more than 600 financial institutions and consulting companies to operate more efficiently, unlock their human capital and transform operations. Acuity is headquartered in London and operates from 10 locations worldwide.

Acuity was established as a separate business from Moody's Corporation in 2019, following its acquisition by Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone). In January 2023, funds advised by global private equity firm Permira acquired a majority stake in the business from Equistone, which remains invested as a minority shareholder.

For more information, visit www.acuitykp.com

About PPA Group

PPA Group is a leading technology partner and service provider for the digitalization and preparation of corporate data on behalf of financial service providers. More than 50 commercial banks from the D-A-CH region have outsourced the process of data preparation for internal bank decision-making processes to PPA. Around 150 experts at the locations in Darmstadt (D) and Glattbrugg (CH) process more than 300,000 documents per year. PPA combines the capabilities of artificial intelligence and trained experts in a hybrid process approach and delivers individually structured data in customer-specific processes. Compliance with the regulatory requirements for outsourcing management for banks (Bundesbank, EBA, FINMA) is confirmed annually by external audits.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701687602/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Stuti Das

Global Head of Communications and PR

Acuity Knowledge Partners

stuti.das@acuitykp.com
First in Europe to acquire NVIDIA H200 GPUs - currently the most powerful GPUs on the market

The deployment further expands the Group's Generative AI CSP offering, already the largest in Europe

Further demonstration of the Group's continued commitment to providing best-in-class technologies

FRANKFURT, Germany, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Data Group (Ticker symbol German stock market: NB2, ISIN: DE000A0SMU87), a leading provider of High-Performance Computing (HPC) solutions, today announces it has purchased NVIDIA H200 GPUs through a newly established partnership with Supermicro, a global leader in Application-Optimized Total IT Solutions.

Northern Data Group's cloud platform, Taiga Cloud will be the first Cloud Service Provider (CSP) in Europe to offer access to the H200 GPU hardware, with delivery and deployment scheduled for Q4 2024. The partnership with Supermicro for the NVIDIA H200 GPUs will further build its HPC solutions and complement its existing offering of best-in-class GenAI technologies.

This purchase of the H200 GPUs demonstrates Northern Data Group's commitment to offering the best-in-class technology to its customers, as it continues to expand its cloud solutions offering, while also maintaining its position as Europe's first and largest dedicated Generative AI Cloud Service Provider.

The first full island of over 2,000 NVIDIA H200 GPUs utilizing BlueField-3 data processing units (DPUs) and NVIDIA Mellanox CX7 NICs, to deliver 32 petaFLOPS of performance. The configuration of NVIDIA-referenced architecture allows customers to access more bandwidth, faster, and more efficient data storage access. The H200 GPUs will be housed in one of Northern Data Group's European data centers, powered by carbon-free, renewable energy and boast a Power Usage Effectiveness ratio of less than 1.2.

Aroosh Thillainathan, Founder and CEO, Northern Data Group, commented:

"Our GenAI platform is constantly evolving and we are proud to collaborate with Supermicro to be the first in Europe to offer access to NVIDIA H200 GPUs. This is testament to our commitment to continually offer industry-leading, next-generation solutions.

"As an Elite Partner of NVIDIA, we are proud to continue to offer cutting-edge technology, deployed in line with recommended architecture references to maximize the technology."

Vik Malyala, President & Managing Director, EMEA; SVP, Technology & AI, Supermicro commented:

"We are excited to collaborate with Northern Data Group to expand its GenAI Cloud offering to include Supermicro GPU servers based on latest Nvidia H200 HGX GPUs. Supermicro is fully committed to delivering most performant and energy efficient AI infrastructure and solutions, and this collaboration will accelerate availability and bring the best value for customers in Europe."

About Northern Data Group:

Northern Data Group (ETR: NB2) is a leading provider of High-Performance Computing (HPC) solutions to businesses and research institutions, utilizing GPU- and ASIC-based solutions. Our flexible compute power fuels innovation in our three core business platforms: Taiga Cloud, Ardent Data Centers, and Peak Mining. Through our HPC solutions, we pioneer ambitious computing innovation that drives progress in the AI, ML and Generative AI industries. Our close collaboration with industry-leading manufacturers including Gigabyte, AMD, and NVIDIA is fundamental to the acceleration of innovation across sectors including life sciences, financial services, and energy.

About Taiga Cloud:

Taiga Cloud, a Northern Data Group platform, is Europe's first and largest Generative AI Cloud Service Provider. We provide a flexible, secure and compliant cloud-based ultra-fast GPU Network, engineered to meet organizations' most ambitious compute needs. Taiga Cloud recognizes that high-intensity, large-scale processing power is crucial for accelerating Generative AI models and research which will deliver a new era of technological breakthroughs. Taiga's energy-efficient Cloud is powered by Europe's largest cluster of NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core and H100 Tensor Core GPUs, helping enable organizations to accelerate AI and ML innovation on demand, with technology that is fully scalable.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northern-data-group-is-first-in-europe-to-acquire-nvidia-h200-gpus-302185926.html
STOCKHOLM, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IFPA (The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations) concluded its highly anticipated 7th IFPA Conference on World Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, held from June 27 to 29, 2024, in Stockholm, Sweden. Established in 2006, the conference has become a cornerstone event for medical and health professionals worldwide, fostering collaboration and showcasing cutting-edge research in dermatology, rheumatology, and related fields.

Under the theme "Uncovering the Broad Spectrum of Psoriatic Disease," this year's conference aimed to foster international collaboration on research, advocacy initiatives, and awareness among medical professionals and industry stakeholders.

Delegates from over 76 countries convened at the IFPA Conference 2024, representing a diverse array of clinical experts, health professionals, and patient organizations. Accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), the conference featured over 190 abstracts covering pivotal topics such as biomarkers, imaging, and comorbidities.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition of exceptional e-posters through the Poster Prize. The event also showcased over 50 high-level presentations, spotlighting cutting-edge research and advancements in the field of psoriatic disease.

Professor April Armstrong, Conference President, remarked on the conference's impact: "We shared knowledge, engaged in meaningful conversations, and highlighted significant achievements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of psoriatic disease. The IFPA conference serves as a platform to focus on future research and advance care for all persons living with psoriatic disease."

Ingvar Agust Ingvarsson, Acting President of IFPA, highlighted the conference's theme: "'Uncovering the Broad Spectrum of Psoriatic Disease' emphasized patient-focused research and encouraged collaborations on future advocacy initiatives. We warmly welcome you all to the next IFPA World Conference in 2027."

Barbra Bohannan, Conference Secretary, reflected on the conference's success: "The 2024 IFPA conference showcased our progress in treating the whole person, highlighting the complex nature of psoriatic disease and inspiring hope for improved quality of life."

Frida Dunger, Executive Director of IFPA, expressed gratitude: "During the past three days, we have united the psoriatic disease community and truly covered the broad spectrum of this disease. We are bridging gaps between disciplines, specialty groups, and the patient community, moving from knowledge to action. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the 7th IFPA Conference."

IFPA remains committed to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care through future conferences and initiatives.

If you couldn't make it to the conference, register at https://conference.ifpa-pso.com/register to get access to the virtual program.

For more information about the conference, visit ifpaconference.com.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2447455/IFPA_Conference.jpg

Media contact:

Annika Sjoberg

annika.sjoberg@ifpa-pso.com

+46 (0) 70 749 58 20

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ifpa-celebrates-success-of-the-7th-ifpa-conference-2024-302181684.html
EQS-News: Multitude SE / Schlagwort(e): Sonstiges

Multitude SE: Transfer of Registered Office to Malta Completed



01.07.2024 / 10:30 CET/CEST

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.





Multitude SE: Transfer of Registered Office to Malta Completed

Gzira, 1 July 2024 - Multitude SE, a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and other FinTechs ("Multitude", "Group" or "Company") announces that the transfer of the Company's registered office from Finland to Malta in accordance with Article 8 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of 8 October 2001 on the Statute for a European company (SE) ("SE Regulation") ("Transfer") has been completed on 30 June 2024.

Following the Transfer, the Company is registered with the Malta Business Registry. The Company's registration number is SE 21, and its registered address ST Business Centre, 120, the Strand, Gzira, GZR 1027, Malta.

In connection with the Transfer, the Company's shares were given a new ISIN (MT0002810100), a new WKN (A40G1Q), and a new trading symbol (E4I). The Transfer did not affect the listing of the Company's shares on the regulated market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the shares continue to be traded under the above-mentioned new symbol.

The Company's LEI Code (74370078YLPFWHE33716) remained unchanged in connection with the Transfer.

In connection with the Transfer, the Company's issuer central securities depository ("Issuer CSD") changed from Euroclear Finland Oy ("EFi") to the CSD operated by the Malta Stock Exchange ("MSE CSD"). Consequently, the Company's shares were removed from the Finnish book-entry securities depository maintained by EFi and are now held through the international central securities depository Clearstream Banking S.A., Luxembourg ("CBL") acting as a nominee.

As communicated by the Company on 5 January 2024, the Transfer is the first phase in the Company's contemplated relocation to Switzerland. After the Transfer, the Company is planning a conversion into a public limited liability company governed by the laws of Malta pursuant to Article 66 of the SE Regulation followed by a redomiciliation to Switzerland pursuant to applicable Maltese and Swiss laws.



For further information, please contact:

Lasse Makela

Chief Strategy and IR Officer

Phone: +41 79 371 34 17

E-mail: lasse.makela@multitude.com

About Multitude:

Multitude is a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and other FinTechs overlooked by traditional banks. The services are provided through three independent business units, which are served by our internal Banking-as-a-Service Growth Platform. Multitude's business units are consumer banking (Ferratum), SME banking (CapitalBox), and Wholesale Banking (Multitude Bank). Multitude Group employs over 700 people in 25 countries and offers services in 16 countries, achieving a combined turnover of 230 million euros in 2023. Multitude was founded in Finland in 2005 and is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 'E4I '.

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Strengthening its position as an independent consultancy with European roots and a global reach, BearingPoint emphasizes its commitment to people development and strategic expansion.

Management and technology consultancy BearingPoint announced today that it has internally promoted 19 new Partners effective July 1. BearingPoint prioritizes people development, and these appointments align with the consultancy's plan to accelerate its growth strategy and expand its expertise and services globally. BearingPoint reported record revenue of 1.017 billion for 2023, an 18% increase from the previous year.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701186943/en/

BearingPoint appoints 19 new Partners to accelerate global growth (Photo: Business Wire)

Kiumars Hamidian, Managing Partner BearingPoint, said: "Our success starts with people, and that is why I am pleased to welcome 19 new internally-promoted Partners to our Partner-led firm. Their exceptional skills, deep industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to our clients are invaluable. All of them embody our growth ambitions and will play a crucial role in accelerating our strategic goals as we continue to expand globally."

The new Partners at a glance:

Clement Boisset

Office: Paris, France

With BearingPoint since: 2013

Education: Master's in Finance

Business focus: People and strategy, real estate, and new ways of working

This is what Clement says about his goals:

"In the context of great change in the sector, my team and I support the main real estate players and the real estate departments of BearingPoint clients in their transformations. Sustainability, digital, cost reduction, growth drivers, and new ways of working are all developments we are implementing for our clients."

Katharina Casanova

Office: Zurich, Switzerland

With BearingPoint since: 2016

Education: Double degree in Business Administration and International Management

Business focus: Banking and capital markets

This is what Katharina says about her goals:

"Navigating changing banking client demographics, banks face the increasing challenge of meeting the expectations of the next generation. Together with my team, I am committed to supporting our clients on their digitalization journey by seamlessly integrating new technologies within their organization and delivering an exceptional digital experience."

Vasant Chaudhry

Office: Singapore

With BearingPoint since: 2018

Education: Master of Business Administration (Finance Marketing) and Master's in Economics

Business focus: Financial services

This is what Vasant says about his goals:

"As a BearingPoint Partner, my goal is to collaborate closely with clients in the financial services industry to craft an exceptional client experience. This involves assisting clients in adopting innovative operating models while ensuring that every client interaction is seamless, value-oriented, and compliant with regulatory standards. By doing so, the aim is to enhance both top and bottom-line results, delivering tangible value for all stakeholders involved and fostering a meaningful and sustainable impact together."

Martin Costa Santos

Office: Dusseldorf, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2013

Education: Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Business Administration

Business focus: Technology, Microsoft, cross-industries

This is what Martin says about his goals:

"As a Partner in the field of technology with a focus on Microsoft, I support our customers in identifying and unlocking the business value of new cloud technologies. My ambition is to leverage new technologies to enhance organizational capabilities and empower individuals to achieve greater success."

Alexandre Darraspen

Office: Paris, France

With BearingPoint since: 2019

Education: Engineer Major Enterprise Industrial Management

Business focus: SAP advisory, transformation programs, consumer goods and retail, fashion industry

This is what Alexandre says about his goals:

"I will keep developing our SAP activity in key areas, like the fashion and luxury businesses, bringing the best of our SAP implementation capabilities and business consulting expertise to provide high achievements and satisfaction to our customers."

Jan Flemming

Office: Berlin, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2014

Education: Diploma in Business Administration

Business focus: Finance transformation, finance excellence, SAP, healthcare, circular economy

This is what Jan says about his goals:

"Finance Excellence is not just a buzzword for me my passion lies in laying the foundation for your future finance department together with you. As a Partner, I bring my expertise in areas such as digitalization, financial processes, and implementation to help customers develop ideas and turn them into reality."

Max Froesch

Office: Stuttgart, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2018

Education: Master's in Strategic Sales Management and Bachelor's in Business Informatics

Business focus: Public sector, public IT service provider, IT transformation

This is what Max says about his goals:

"The business of the public IT service provider must change: they have to deliver much more with even fewer resources. Both IT and business models will have to adapt to the market and change significantly. I am thrilled to support them with my team on their transformational journeys by optimizing their operational models through increased IT efficiency, transforming their business organizations, and professionalizing their processes."

Sebastien Guechot

Office: Paris, France and London, UK

With BearingPoint since: 2014

Education: Master's in Sustainability Environment, Economics, Management

Business focus: Sustainability

This is what Sebastien says about his goals:

"My focus is assisting our clients to address sustainability challenges by designing new business models, supporting regulatory readiness, and operationalizing sustainability strategies with the right levers, tools, and effective governance."

Valerie Guichard-Douche

Office: Paris, France

With BearingPoint since: 2002

Education: Master of Business Administration in Information Technology Management

Business focus: Finance transformation, SAP advisory, utilities, public sector

This is what Valerie says about her goals:

"Passionate and committed, I support clients during their SAP transformation journeys, from business support to integration. I'm ready to stand by you for the next waves of innovation around ERP!"

Stefan Kauerauf

Office: Dusseldorf, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2011

Education: Diploma in Business Administration

Business focus: Banking, regulatory advisory

This is what Stefan says about his goals:

"Banks face ongoing regulatory pressure through new regulations, ongoing audits with a strong focus on data management and governance, and the need to become more efficient in their operations. As a Partner in BearingPoint's banking segment, I enable my clients to tackle their current and future challenges along the regulatory reporting value chain together with our international regulatory advisory team and a strong partnership ecosystem."

Wahid Khan

Office: Stuttgart, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2016

Education: Master of Business Administration

Business focus: Automotive and industrial manufacturing, operations

This is what Wahid says about his goals:

"My passion is digital manufacturing: As an expert in manufacturing planning and execution, I am specialized in automotive and industrial manufacturing, leading digital transformation projects combined with GenAI."

Ilja Krybus

Office: Berlin, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2010

Education: Dr. (PhD) Business Informatics

Business focus: Utilities, energy system operators, system control centers

This is what Ilja says about his goals:

"Coinnovating with our clients, I contribute to new processes and future-ready digital solutions for energy system operators to secure energy supply in an increasingly volatile world. As a Partner, I am committed to further disseminating our paradigm and solutions of next-generation control center systems and building a digital ecosystem and community around this new paradigm."

Christopher Lonzius

Office: Dusseldorf, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2017

Education: Diploma in Business Administration

Business focus: Value chain and process transformation in automotive and industrial manufacturing, supply chain management, digital manufacturing

This is what Christopher says about his goals:

"I support our automotive and industrial manufacturing clients on their journey to globally transformed value chains with harmonized and digitalized business processes along the entire supply chain. This includes a seamlessly integrated ERP transition from project and process governance to global template rollouts."

Guillaume Rozier

Office: Paris, France

With BearingPoint since: 2022 (with the acquisition of Fekra Digital Services by Arcwide)

Education: Master's in Information Systems

Business focus: Technology, digital transformation, innovation, manufacturing, energy, utilities and resources, engineering and construction, aerospace and defense, and telco

This is what Guillaume says about his goals:

"In my role as Partner in charge of Arcwide France by BearingPoint, I am passionate about helping our existing and new clients to explore and navigate their increasingly complex and demanding business requirements and build robust system implementations that enable transformation strategies with technology and innovation to help them consistently win in the market."

Nadine Scheuerl

Office: Munich, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2011

Education: Master of Science in Business Administration

Business focus: Automotive and industrial manufacturing, digital business transformation, logistics execution

This is what Nadine says about her goals:

"In the dynamic world of automotive and industrial manufacturing, digital transformation serves as the catalyst for efficiency, agility, and innovation. From optimizing supply chain execution to embracing smart factory solutions, technology is no longer optional it's essential. I eagerly anticipate advancing the digital transformation journey alongside our clients and my team in my role as a Partner."

Aron Simon

Office: Zurich, Switzerland

With BearingPoint since: 2011

Education: Diploma in Business Administration

Business focus: Postal and transportation, business strategy and execution, organizational and process development, operational excellence, and people development

This is what Aron says about his goals:

"As a Partner in our Utilities, Postal and Transportation segment, I focus on delivering strategic visions, creating maximum value for our clients while driving operational excellence in every aspect of our work. I am passionate about helping our clients navigate their complex and demanding business environments and building the foundations for sustainable success."

Martial Soulie

Office: Paris, France

With BearingPoint since: 2010

Education: Ingenieur Supelec (France), Master of Science, Transport (UK)

Business focus: Digital transformation

This is what Martial says about his goals:

"As a Partner, I will continue to assist our clients in their digital transformation journeys supported by IFS solutions, help them accelerate their ambitions, and meet their strategic business objectives. I guide them through the best practices to deliver their programs considering every aspect of their transformation: business processes, organizational changes, IT roadmap, and change management."

Felix Till

Office: Berlin, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2017

Education: Master's in Media and Political Communication

Business focus: Public sector, process management, organizational consulting, change management

This is what Felix says about his goals:

"As a new Partner, my goal is to improve public administration a little more every day. With my expertise in process management, organizational consulting, and change management, I will continue to support our public sector clients on their digital transformation journey."

Moritz Willer

Office: Hamburg, Germany

With BearingPoint since: 2013

Education: Master of Science in Industrial Engineering

Business focus: Consumer goods and retail, operations

This is what Moritz says about his goals:

"As a Partner at BearingPoint, I support our clients in digital transformations, from the development of business and IT strategies via the design of processes and organizations to IT implementations and operations. My goal and passion are to deliver projects and develop solutions that help our clients remain successful in the long term and generate sustainable competitive advantages in an ever-changing market."

In addition to the 19 internally-promoted Partners, BearingPoint welcomed ten external Partners to the firm, taking the total Partner team to more than 200.

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. The company operates in three business units: Consulting, Products, and Capital. Consulting covers the advisory business with a clear focus on selected business areas. Products provides IP-driven digital assets and managed services for business-critical processes. Capital delivers M&A and transaction services.

BearingPoint's clients include many of the world's leading companies and organizations. The firm has a global consulting network with more than 10,000 people and supports clients in over 70 countries, engaging with them to achieve measurable and sustainable success.

For more information, please visit:

Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

Twitter: @BearingPoint

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701186943/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Alexander Bock

Global Senior Manager Communications

Telephone: +49 89 540338029

E-Mail: alexander.bock@bearingpoint.com
Regulatory News:

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 LR.

UBS (NYSE:UBS) (SWX:UBSN) announces today that it has completed the merger of UBS Switzerland AG and Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG. Today, Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG has been deregistered from the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich and has ceased to exist as a separate entity. UBS Switzerland AG has succeeded to all the rights and obligations of Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG.

The merger of the Swiss entities facilitates the migration of clients and operations from Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG to the UBS platform, following business, client- and product-specific requirements. While clients of Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG have become clients of UBS Switzerland AG upon the merger, they will for an interim period interact with UBS using existing Credit Suisse platforms and tools, except as specifically communicated.

Sabine Keller-Busse, President UBS Switzerland, comments: "The completion of the Swiss entities' merger marks an important milestone in the integration of UBS and Credit Suisse. The migration of the majority of client transactions in Switzerland to the UBS platform will take place in 2025 and will be gradual, with tailored updates to our clients. As the integration progresses, our clients will be able to access the capabilities and support of the combined firm. We will continue to focus on providing our clients with comprehensive services to achieve their financial goals and acting as a strong pillar of economic support in Switzerland."

Andre Helfenstein, CEO Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG, has decided to leave the bank following the merger. Sabine Keller-Busse remarks: "Since the acquisition of Credit Suisse by UBS, Andre has made a substantial contribution to the stabilization of Credit Suisse's business and has been committed to our clients and our employees throughout. We thank him for his commitment and dedication and wish him all the best and success in his next steps."

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This ad hoc announcement contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" including, but not limited to management's outlook for UBS's financial performance, statements relating to the anticipated effect of transactions and strategic initiatives on UBS's business and future development and goals or intentions to achieve climate, sustainability and other social objectives. While these forward-looking statements represent UBS's judgments, expectations and objectives concerning the matters described, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from UBS's expectations. UBS's business and financial performance could be affected by other factors identified in our past and future filings and reports, including those filed with the SEC. More detailed information about those factors is set forth in documents furnished by UBS and filings made by UBS with the SEC, including the Risk Factors filed on Form 20-F for the UBS Group AG Annual Report for 2023, filed on 28 March 2024. UBS is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701679355/en/

Contacts:

UBS Switzerland AG

Investor contact

Switzerland: +41 44 234 41 00

Americas: +1 212 882 57 34

Media contact

Switzerland: +41 44 234 85 00

UK: +44 207 567 47 14

Americas: +1 212 882 5858

APAC: +852 297 1 82 00

www.ubs.com/media
Seoul, South Korea--(Newsfile Corp. - July 1, 2024) - - Gate.io, a world-leading crypto exchange, recently concluded its prominent hosting of Lead Asia Demo Day, alongside its participation in Seoul Meta Week 2024 as a Platinum Sponsor, reaffirming its leadership in both events. These platforms served as a stage for the future and advancement of blockchain technology, highlighted by keynote speeches delivered by Gate.io CEO Dr. Han Lin during Seoul Meta Week 2024.

Gate.io Advances Blockchain Innovation at Lead Asia Demo Day and Seoul Meta Week

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10450/215020_3113af89c40c8a33_001full.jpg

Empowering Startups at Lead Asia Demo Day

On June 28th, Gate.io partnered with Wemade, a leading game developer in Korea known for its flagship IP, MIR, to host Lead Asia Demo Day in Seoul, drawing over 300 attendees. The event began with a welcome speech by Leo, Director of Strategy & Operations in East Asia, and Tiffany Chang, Investment Associate, highlighting Gate.io's dedication to fostering innovation and driving industry growth. They detailed Gate Ventures' proactive investments and support for innovative blockchain startups, emphasizing their focus on community-driven tokenomics, genuine innovation, robust engineering, and sustainable business models across the Asia Pacific Region. Gate Ventures offers comprehensive support in areas like product development, code auditing, liquidity provision, and market making, ensuring startups receive essential resources and strategic guidance in today's dynamic blockchain ecosystem.

Showcasing Promising Startups

During Lead Asia Demo Day, four promising startups-Batching.ai, CYRUS, Amnis Finance, and Quranium-presented their groundbreaking projects, each contributing to the limitless potential of Web3 development.

Batching.ai : An AI-driven NFT Gaming Platform that utilizes NFT information and incorporates AI technology for image generation, allowing users to play games with their NFT decks.

CYRUS : A blockchain startup focused on environmental and healthcare solutions, seamlessly integrating personal well-being, eco-friendly initiatives, and blockchain technology.

Amnis Finance : The top #1 liquid staking platform on Aptos. It has achieved over $104 millions in Total Value Locked (TVL) and more than 200K stakers.

Quranium: The world's first quantum-proof hybrid distributed ledger technology (DLT), designed to build a groundbreaking decentralized infrastructure prepared for the quantum computing era. This innovative solution stands out for its unparalleled speed and scalability, ensuring robust and future-ready performance in an evolving technological landscape.

Driving Forward with Vision and Passion

The startups showcased their innovative potential, making it a close competition for the Best Innovation Award. Ultimately, Batching.ai stood out for its groundbreaking work. Tiffany Chang commented, "We believe their cutting-edge AI-driven NFT gaming platform is set to revolutionize the Web3.0 gaming experience."

At the end of the event, Gate.io extended its heartfelt gratitude to co-host Wemade, a pioneer among game developers in South Korea which adopted blockchain technology early to operate the world's largest web3 game platform, Wemix Play, along with Golden Sponsors Quranium, Batching.ai, CYRUS, and Amnis, and Silver Sponsors Burrito Wallet, TetherMax, UNICE, WEMIX, and Kroma. Their generous contributions and invaluable support made this event possible.

Lead Asia Demo Day was a resounding success in fostering connections among Korean Web3 industry leaders and the community. "It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of this well-curated event by Gate.io. South Korea is a crucial market focus for Quranium, and Gate.io's leadership in advancing Web3 initiatives in Asia will contribute significantly to building a strong ecosystem. We eagerly anticipate closer collaboration," remarked Benjamin Shin, Chief Business Officer at Quranium.

Building Trust Beyond Blockchain

During June 26th - 28th, Gate.io also participated in Seoul Meta Week 2024 as a Platinum Sponsor, contributing to the gathering of industry leaders and enthusiasts to explore the future of blockchain technology. Dr. Lin Han, Founder and CEO of Gate.io, delivered a keynote speech titled "How We Build Trust Beyond The Blockchain," focusing on recent security challenges in the industry and Gate.io's mission to establish a secure and user-friendly environment, emphasizing blockchain development and financial innovation.

In addition to Dr. Han's keynote, Tiffany Chang, Investment Associate at Gate.io, participated in a panel discussion on "AI in Web3: Transforming the Future of Decentralized Technology," highlighting Gate Ventures' belief in AI's transformative potential within Web3. Gate.io also showcased a variety of technologies and innovations at its booth during Seoul Meta Week.

Seoul Meta Week 2024 and Lead Asia Demo Day were both successful events for promoting blockchain technology and its use cases and showed Gate.io's commitment to driving Web3 innovation and industry development.

Media Contact:

Elaine Wang at elaine.w@gate.io.

Disclaimer:

This event is for professional knowledge sharing and networking purposes only. The content herein does not constitute any offer, solicitation, or recommendation of any products or services. Please note that Gate.io may restrict or prohibit the use of all or a portion of the Services from Restricted Locations. For more information, please read the User Agreement via https://www.gate.io/user-agreement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/215020

SOURCE: Gate Global, Corp.
June 30, 2024: China is building a small aircraft carrier that will carry and use droves (UAVS) instead of manned aircraft. China never revealed it was building carriers but open source satellite photos have revealed three small carriers under construction in a shipyard way up the Yangtze River from the major shipyards in Shanghai. These carriers can operate unmanned aircraft but not manned ones. The carriers will apparently carry dozens of UAVs, most of them armed for one-way attacks. A smaller number of UAVs are used for reconnaissance or aerial surveillance to protect the carrier.

While China is already using land based drones to patrol coastal waters, these carriers would enable drones to be used for reconnaissance or attacks far out at sea. The drone carriers can also be used in training exercises with the first modern Chinese aircraft carrier, Fujian. This 80,000 ton carrier is similar to the eleven American aircraft carriers. Fujian is a bit smaller and carries fewer aircraft but is very capable. Currently Fujian is spending a lot of time at sea to begin the long process of training the crew to meet the performance standards that Americans have achieved during 70 years of carrier operations in war and peace.

The Chinese drone carriers are an attempt to develop something unique in carrier warfare that the Americans dont have. The drone carriers will conduct exercises against the Fujian, which will play the role of an American carrier. This is to gain an understanding of how much of a threat the drone carriers would be to American carriers. This leaves out the American SSN (nuclear powered attack submarine) factor. These subs can stay submerged for months at a time and have sensors that can detect and track many types of surface ships, including Chinese warships and particularly the Fujian and the drone carriers. American SSNs are designed to hunt down and torpedo enemy surface ships and submarines.

Ship-operated drones can be a threat to American SSNs. That depends on many factors. But it is quite irrelevant that they are no threat to torpedoes fired by submarines.
ASPIRE-FTD is now recruiting at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

The study is evaluating AVB-101, an investigational gene therapy designed to stop disease progression for people with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations

AviadoBio, a pioneering gene therapy company dedicated to developing and delivering potentially transformative medicines for neurodegenerative disorders, today announced that its Phase 1/2 ASPIRE-FTD clinical trial is now open and recruiting patients in the United States at The Ohio State University. ASPIRE-FTD is evaluating AviadoBio's investigational gene therapy, AVB-101, in people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with progranulin (GRN) gene mutations (FTD-GRN). The study is also recruiting in Europe with study sites in the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain, with additional sites expected to open in multiple countries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701652660/en/

FTD is a devastating form of early-onset dementia that typically leads to death within three to 10 years from diagnosis.1,2 People with FTD commonly experience personality changes, behavioral disturbance, loss of language, apathy, and reduced mobility.3 It is a leading cause of dementia in people under the age of 65 and is often misdiagnosed.4 People with FTD who have disease-causing GRN mutations produce a reduced amount of progranulin protein. AVB-101 is a potential one-time therapy designed to stop disease progression by delivering a functional copy of the GRN gene to restore appropriate progranulin levels to affected areas of the brain.

"People living with FTD-GRN have no available disease-modifying treatments and the impact of this disorder is profound for both patients and their families," said neurosurgeon Dr. James "Brad" Elder, professor of neurological surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "There is an urgent need for collaboration between researchers, clinicians, patients, advocates, and families to courageously explore new approaches for FTD, including innovative and targeted delivery approaches. This study will allow us to investigate how highly targeted GRN supplementation could be a potential breakthrough treatment."

"Although delivery of progranulin protein via gene therapy is known to be possible, effective brain delivery remains a challenge primarily due to the anatomy of the brain," said David Cooper, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of AviadoBio. "Our goal is to use intrathalamic delivery to facilitate the biodistribution of PGRN protein to areas of the cortex affected by FTD. The therapy has already shown great promise in preclinical studies, and we now look forward to taking this important next step in its clinical development."

AVB-101 is delivered as a one-time-only treatment using a minimally invasive, stereotactic neurosurgical procedure directly to the part of the brain called the thalamus. The thalamus has extensive connections throughout the brain, including the frontal and temporal lobes, which play a critical role in FTD. This targeted delivery method aims to safely and effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, delivering the investigational gene therapy directly to the brain to restore GRN levels in the frontal and temporal cortex where it is needed most, while at the same time reducing the dose required and the potential systemic exposure.

"Thousands of people are diagnosed with FTD each year. The relatively early onset of FTD and often strongly hereditary nature can make it all the more challenging for patients and their families," said Lisa Deschamps, AviadoBio's Chief Executive Officer. "We are grateful to the patients and families with FTD-GRN involved in ASPIRE-FTD, as well as The Ohio State University researchers for their dedication to investigating AVB-101's great potential in stopping disease progression and offering hope to patients and their loved ones."

More information about the ASPIRE-FTD study can be found at www.aspire-ftd.com or https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06064890.

About ASPIRE-FTD

ASPIRE-FTD is an open-label, multi-center, Phase 1/2 dose-escalation study designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of AVB-101 in patients with FTD-GRN. In the study, patients will receive a single administration of AVB-101 delivered as a one-time infusion into the thalamus via a stereotactic neurosurgical procedure at expert neurosurgical centers throughout Europe and the United States.

About AVB-101

An investigational gene therapy, AVB-101 contains a correct (non-mutated) version of the GRN gene. It is designed to restore levels of progranulin in the brain, potentially slowing or stopping the progression of FTD-GRN. AVB-101 will be delivered as a one-time infusion directly into the brain via a minimally invasive surgical procedure, performed by a study neurosurgeon at a specialist neurosurgical center.

About Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and FTD with GRN Mutations (FTD-GRN)

FTD is a devastating form of early-onset dementia that typically leads to death within seven to 13 years of symptom onset and three to 10 years from diagnosis.1,2 People with FTD commonly experience personality changes, behavioral disturbance, loss of language, apathy, and reduced mobility.3

FTD is a leading cause of dementia in people under the age of 654 with an estimated prevalence at any one time of up to 4.6 cases per 1,000 people.5 FTD typically strikes younger than Alzheimer's disease and the majority of FTD cases occur between 45 and 68 years of age.6,7 Given the early onset, FTD can have a substantially greater impact on work, family, and finances than Alzheimer's disease.8 Genetic FTD cases account for about one-third of cases and are associated with autosomal dominant mutations in three genes, including the GRN (progranulin) gene.9 Approximately 11,000 people in the U.S. and EU5 are living with FTD-GRN with approximately 2,200 new cases per year.10,11 Some FTD cases may be misidentified, and diagnostic delay is common. As disease education, genetics knowledge, and research and treatment options grow, these numbers are expected to increase.

About AviadoBio

At AviadoBio, we are relentlessly chasing cures by translating groundbreaking science and precision delivery into life-changing medicines for people living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). With our deep understanding of the brain and suite of proprietary gene therapy platforms and delivery technologies, AviadoBio is working to overcome the challenges of delivering the right drug to the right place. Its innovative, neuroanatomy-led approach is designed to maximize the therapeutic potential of gene therapy to halt or potentially reverse neurodegenerative diseases. AviadoBio was founded on pioneering research from King's College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute and has a leadership team with extensive gene therapy development, delivery, and commercialization experience which uniquely positions the company for success in bringing transformative medicines to patients.

AviadoBio's investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Monograph Capital, F-Prime Capital, Johnson Johnson Innovation JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), SV Health Investor's Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), Advent Life Sciences, EQT Life Sciences (Dementia Fund), and LifeArc.

For more information, please visit www.aviadobio.com and follow us on X @AviadoBio and LinkedIn at AviadoBio.

Onyike CU. Neuroepidemiology. 2011;37:166-167 Riedl L et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;10:297-310 Pressman P and Miller BL. Biol Psychiatry. 2014;75(7):574-581 Hendriks S, Peetoom K, Bakker C, et al. Global Prevalence of Young-Onset Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2021;78(9):1080-1090. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.216 Hogan DB et al. Can J Neurol Sci. 2016;43 (Suppl 1):S96-S109 Moore KM et al. Lancet Neurol. 19(2):145-156 Kansal K et al. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2016;41:109-122 Galvin JE et al. Neurology. 89(20):2049-2056 Young JJ et al. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(1):33-48 Onyike CU and Diehl-Schmid J. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2013;25(2):130-137 Kuang, L., et. al. Frontotemporal dementia non-sense mutation of progranulin rescued by aminoglycosides. Human Molecular Genetics 2020;29(4):624-634

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701652660/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Farah Speer

SVP, Head of Communications and External Relations

Fspeer@aviadobio.com

+1-312-543-2881
ROME, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the EU-Egypt Investment Conference currently underway in Cairo and opened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Italy announced significant initiatives in the fields of infrastructure and sustainable mobility, in line with the 'Mattei Plan for Africa'. The signing of the agreements was attended by the Egyptian Minister of Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, and the Italian Ambassador to Cairo, Michele Quaroni.

Arsenale SpA and the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) have signed an agreement to create Egypt's first Made-in-Italy luxury tourist train, the 'Guardian of the Nile'. MERMEC SpA and ENR signed a contract for the development of the ECTS Level 1 railway signalling system on the Al-Fardan - Bir al-Abd and Balouza - East Port Said lines. This project, worth 130 million euros, is essential for connecting the East Port Said station with the rest of the railway network, enhancing safety and reducing CO2 emissions, in line with the 'Egypt Vision 2030' plan and the European Green Deal. MERMEC, with the support of Italian institutions, plans to establish a centre of excellence for signalling and infrastructure design in Egypt, further consolidating its presence in the country. SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency, has also finalised two important Memoranda of Understanding with the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and the Commercial International Bank (CIB). These agreements, totalling 920 million euros, aim to support low-impact transportation projects and facilitate Italian exports through export credit insurance and guarantee programmes. Additionally, the Italian company Movyon and the Egyptian company Elsewedy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding develop smart and sustainable mobility solutions. The collaboration involves the creation of a new company to manage the maintenance and operation of intelligent transport systems on Egyptian highways for a period of 10 years, with an investment of 200 million euros.

"These four projects confirm Italy's commitment to supporting the growth and modernisation of Egyptian infrastructure, while also promoting environmental sustainability and technological innovation. This is a concrete way to invest in Egypt responsibly and to the benefit of both markets, Italian and Egyptian, in line with the 'Mattei Plan' launched by Prime Minister Meloni," said the Italian Ambassador to Cairo, Michele Quaroni.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c910c288-3140-4100-91c9-ad66db14e4c8
Company to appoint Prof. Arun J. Sanyal as the new Chairman of HistoIndex's Scientific Advisory Board, bringing unparalleled expertise to guide future innovations.

Prof. Vlad Ratziu joins the Scientific Advisory Board to strengthen the Company's global scientific leadership in liver disease management.

HistoIndex's AI-driven solutions qFibrosis, qSteatosis, and qBallooning can standardize assessments in MASH clinical trials, improving drug efficacy evaluations and patient screening processes.

SINGAPORE, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HistoIndex, a global leader in digital pathology solutions for the management of chronic liver disease, is pleased to announce changes to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Established in 2017 under the leadership of the late Dr. Stephen A. Harrison, the SAB has played a crucial role in guiding HistoIndex's research and development efforts. Current members include Prof. Arun J. Sanyal, Prof. Quentin Anstee, Prof. Wei Lai, and Prof. Jacob George.

New SAB Appointments

Prof. Arun J. Sanyal, a professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Molecular Pathology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, has been appointed as the new Chairman of HistoIndex's SAB. Also serving as the Director of the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health at VCU, Prof. Sanyal's leadership spans multiple prestigious roles as Chair of the NIH NASH Clinical Research Network, the NIMBLE consortium, and the Liver Forum. A continuous NIH grant recipient since 1995, Prof. Sanyal brings well over 500 publications in leading journals to the role, placing him in the top 0.1% of biomedical scientists globally. "I am honored to lead HistoIndex's Scientific Advisory Board," said Prof. Sanyal. "Our collective expertise will drive innovative solutions in chronic liver disease management, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery to improve patient outcomes."

Prof. Vlad Ratziu, a professor of Hepatology at Sorbonne University and the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris, also joined the SAB. With over 400 publications and an H-index of 96, Prof. Ratziu is a prominent researcher in steatotic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. He has played key roles in numerous MASH therapeutic trials and European research consortia, and is the incoming Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Hepatology, a leading liver disease publication and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) flagship journal. "HistoIndex's technology has ushered in a new era in quantifying liver injury. The Company's commitment to innovation and collaboration among industry and academic leaders aligns perfectly with my scientific pursuits. I am thrilled to join the scientific board under Prof. Sanyal's leadership and contribute to innovative work benefiting MASH patients."

Remembering Dr. Stephen A. Harrison

As we embrace these new changes, we also pause to honor and remember the exceptional contributions of our late chairman, Dr. Stephen A. Harrison, a visionary leader in metabolic disease. His foresight to leverage AI for disease assessment in 2014 propelled HistoIndex's digital pathology solutions to the forefront of liver disease management. Dr. Gideon Ho, CEO of HistoIndex, reflected, "Stephen was more than our chairman; he was a true pioneer and mentor whose persistence and guidance brought our technology to maturation for enhanced patient care. His legacy will continue to inspire our work as we expand the applications of our platform technology to other diseases."

Innovative AI Tools

HistoIndex's pioneering AI-based image quantitative tools, qFibrosis and qSteatosis, have been incorporated in over 25 MASH clinical trials and demonstrated greater sensitivity in drug efficacy evaluations and patient stratification. Building on the same AI foundations, the Company developed qBallooning, which improved concordance among expert pathologists in ballooned hepatocyte evaluations. "Developing qBallooning is a significant step in standardizing and improving the evaluation of liver biopsies in MASH clinical research and practice," said Dr. Dean Tai, Chief Scientific Officer. "With these advancements and our strengthened SAB, HistoIndex is poised to accelerate liver disease drug development and diagnosis breakthroughs."

About HistoIndex

Founded in 2010, HistoIndex is a pioneer in stain-free, fully automated imaging solutions for visualizing and quantifying fibrosis in tissue biopsies. By combining cutting-edge biophotonic technology with AI-based analysis, HistoIndex provides innovative tools that transform research, expedite pharmaceutical drug development, and set new medical standards.

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LEHI, UT / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / ADDAX Overland, known for creating the world's most rugged, reliable, and trailblazing overlanding products, announces a strategic $2.5 million investment of capital and resources from Philo Venture's Studio; and the appointment of Marshall Smith as CEO.





Gladiator Overlanding Camper by ADDAX





The new strategic investment from Philo will enable ADDAX to further invest in innovation, manufacturing, and R&D, ensuring that production of the company's premier overlanding equipment keeps up with the growing demand.

ADDAX CEO Marshall Smith is a seasoned chief executive, having co-led two successful e-commerce companies to over 300% growth. The former president of Manly Bands and COO of Taft, Smith comes to ADDAX with a wealth of operational and manufacturing experience to fuel growth and product expansion, such as bringing the company's new Gladiator Overlanding Cap and Camper to market late this summer.

"As an overland enthusiast myself, I'm excited to be a part of ADDAX - a company that excels in designing rugged and capable products that complement overlanders' different preferences and styles," said Smith. "ADDAX's commitment to exceeding customers' expectations is a big part of its success. A top priority will be to scale up manufacturing to keep pace with the surging demand for our outstanding overlanding products."

"We invested in ADDAX Overland because we see a thriving market with overland enthusiasts seeking high-quality, durable products," said Chad Staheli, CEO and Managing Partner of Philo Ventures. "The overlanding industry aligns perfectly with our passion to support businesses that encourage individuals and families to enjoy the great outdoors."

With Philo's $2.5 million investment, ADDAX will expedite manufacturing and production for its trailers and campers, and continue R&D to expand its offering of overlanding equipment. In addition to the cash injections, Philo will also provide robust operational resources and expertise across strategy, sales, and operations.

About ADDAX Overland

Built upon a combined 60 years of off-road industry chops, ADDAX Overland is proud to create the world's most rugged, reliable, and trailblazing overlanding products from its pioneering overland truck cap and camper to its military-grade trailer. ADDAX's thirst for open-air freedom drives an uncompromising pursuit of the ultimate in overlanding performance. Headquartered in Utah, ADDAX tests all of its products on the rugged trails of Moab, a top destination for overlanding. For more information, visit addaxoverland.com.

About Philo Ventures

Philo Ventures is a Utah-based venture group, driving innovation and economic growth through its startup studio, venture fund, and real estate development group. Led by serial entrepreneurs Chad Staheli, Cory Cozzens and Greg Whitehead, Philo's diverse portfolio includes aerospace tech, AI software for healthcare, B2B SaaS, insurtech, hospitality, and innovative land development projects. Notable Utah business leaders, such as Christian Gardner and Dan Shaw, serve as advisory and capital partners. For more information, visit philo.ventures.

Contact Information

Suzanne Campbell

Content & Communications Lead

suzanne@philo.ventures

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CHICAGO, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global photoacoustic imaging market, projecting growth from USD 80 million in 2024 to USD 105 million by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.5%. Key drivers include rising investments in imaging systems and strategic partnerships. Challenges include high system costs and a shortage of skilled professionals. Opportunities lie in personalized medicine and emerging markets. Major entities include market segments like imaging systems, technology types such as photoacoustic imaging, key players like FUJIFILM CORPORATION and Seno Medical, and influential regions such as North America.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Photoacoustic Imaging Market"

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Competitive Landscape and Key Players

The photoacoustic imaging market is characterized by a competitive landscape with various established and emerging players. Key stakeholders as of 2023 include Advantest Corporation, Cyberdyne, Inc., Fujifilm Corporation, IllumiSonics Inc., iThera Medical Gmbh, Kibero, Opotel LLC, TomoWave Laboratories, Vibronix, PhotoSound Technologies, and Seno Medical. These entities are instrumental in shaping market dynamics through innovation and strategic initiatives.

FUJIFILM's Leadership in Photoacoustic Imaging

FUJIFILM Corporation, renowned for its expertise in imaging technologies and medical systems, has made significant strides in photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Leveraging its capabilities in ultrasound and optical imaging integration, FUJIFILM excels in delivering high-resolution, high-contrast images that enhance tissue visualization and quantification. With a robust global presence and collaborative research efforts, FUJIFILM continues to innovate and expand applications in clinical settings, from oncology to cardiology.

Seno Medical's Innovative Approach to Cancer Diagnosis

Seno Medical Instruments, based in the US, is pioneering cancer screening and diagnosis with its proprietary opto-acoustic imaging technology. Their Imagio Breast Imaging System combines real-time optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in breast cancer detection. Seno Medical aims to reduce invasive procedures and healthcare costs by distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions more accurately, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and experience.

iThera Medical's Advanced Imaging Solutions

iThera Medical GmbH, headquartered in Germany, specializes in optoacoustic imaging technologies with their Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) systems. These systems offer high-resolution visualization and molecular-level quantification, serving both preclinical and clinical research needs. iThera Medical's MSOT Acuity Series integrates optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging for comprehensive tissue analysis, catering to diverse fields such as oncology, dermatology, and neurology globally.

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Segment Analysis and Market Dominance

The photoacoustic imaging market is segmented by product into imaging systems, transducers, and software/accessories, with the imaging systems segment leading in 2023. The technology's high spatial resolution and deep tissue penetration have expanded its applications significantly, enabling detailed visualization of structures deep beneath the skin. This advancement is essential for accurate imaging in various medical contexts.

Leadership in Technology Integration

The photoacoustic imaging market, segmented by technology into photoacoustic imaging, microscopy, and tomography, is led by the photoacoustic imaging segment. Integration with modalities such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT enhances diagnostic accuracy by providing complementary information. This versatility across medical fields drives advancements in photoacoustic imaging systems.

Research and Development Focus

In terms of type, the photoacoustic imaging market is divided into pre-clinical and clinical research, with the pre-clinical segment holding a major share in 2024. Increased research and development investments, coupled with rising funding in developing countries, drive adoption in both pre-clinical and clinical research settings.

Applications Driving Market Expansion

The photoacoustic imaging market, categorized by application into oncology, hematology, veterinary, and others, sees oncology as the largest segment. The technology's functional and molecular imaging capabilities enhance its utility in identifying specific molecules or physiological parameters, bolstering applications in oncology, cardiology, neurology, and other fields.

Influence of Academic and Research Institutions

Academic and research institutes are pivotal in the photoacoustic imaging market, accounting for the largest share in 2023 among end-users. These institutions play a critical role in advancing imaging technologies through fundamental and applied research. They lead efforts in developing new algorithms and techniques to improve imaging modalities across biomedical disciplines.

Geographic Insights and Market Presence

Geographically, the photoacoustic imaging market spans North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of World regions, with North America holding the largest market share in 2023. Its dominance is attributed to robust pre-clinical and clinical research initiatives, widespread adoption of advanced technologies, and stringent regulatory standards ensuring product safety and efficacy.

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Related Reports:

Veterinary Imaging Market

MRI Systems Market

Diagnostic Imaging Market

Multimodal Imaging Market

Preclinical Imaging Market

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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.

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WESTFORD, Mass., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to SkQuest, global Mobile Robots Market size was valued at USD 16.5 Billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 20.31 Billion in 2023 to USD 107.1 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 23.1% during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Robots that can move from one place to another and perform their programmed functions are known as mobile robots. Use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning have made mobile robots more capable than ever before. High investments in the development of advanced robotics technologies are also slated to help mobile robots market expansion in the future. The global mobile robots market is segmented into offering, type, application, and region.

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Mobile Robots Market Overview:?

Report Coverage? Details? Market Revenue in 2023? $ 20.31 billion? Estimated Value by 2031? $ 107.1 billion? Growth Rate? Poised to grow at a CAGR of 23.1%? Forecast Period? 2024-2031? Forecast Units? Value (USD Billion)? Report Coverage? Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends? Segments Covered? Application, Offerings, Type, and Payload Geographies Covered? North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America Report Highlights? Updated financial information / product portfolio of players? Key Market Opportunities? Adoption of industry 4.0 technologies in warehousing and industrial automation Key Market Drivers? Advancements in Robotics Transforming Personal Assistance and Household Tasks is a driving factor of market expansion

Segments covered in Mobile Robots Market are as follows:

Application Agricultural, Cleaning, Educational, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Warehousing & Logistics, and Others

Offerings Hardware (Sensors, Actuators, Power supplies, Control Systems, Others), Software & Services

Type Professional Robots (Autonomous Mobile Robot, Automated Guided Vehicle, Others), and Personal & Domestic Robots

Payload Up to 300 kg, 500-600 kg, 1000-1500 kg



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Hardware Determines the Success of Any Mobile Robot Manufacturer

Hardware plays a crucial role in determining the efficacy and functionality of mobile robots and this is why this segment is high important for all market players. Sensors, actuators, control systems, etc. are key hardware components that mobile robot providers will need to focus on. Companies can completely develop new hardware technologies to stand out from the competition or collaborate to leverage each other's expertise.

Software is also a key component of mobile robots and its importance is slated to increase exponentially across the forecast period. Integration of new and advanced technologies will mostly be dependent on software. High demand for advanced technology integration will allow the software and services segment to bring in many new opportunities for mobile robot companies through 2031.

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Professional Robots to Remain the Talk of Town as Implementation of Robots in Commercial Spaces Rises

Developing professional mobile robots is projected to remain the most lucrative thing for all market players. The growing adoption of robotics in several industry verticals and the high availability of novel professional mobile robots is allowing this segment to hold sway over others. Proven improvements in operational efficiency, costs, and productivity are key benefits that will bolster the sales of professional mobile robots in the future.

On the other hand, domestic or personal robots are also slated to offer good returns as consumer preferences change around the world. The rising disposable income of people around the world is also projected to favor the demand for domestic robots and create new opportunities for mobile robot companies in the long term.

Rise of Precision Farming to Augment Product Adoption Rate in Agricultural Applications

The rapidly growing population, followed by the need to feed the ever-increasing population has boosted the adoption of precision and smart farming techniques. Such methods utilize machinery and technology to improve efficiency in farming, thus boosting the demand for mobile robots to operate in the agricultural sector. Healthcare is another industry where the use of mobile robots is estimated to increase at a good pace going forward. Robotic surgeries are also gaining traction and acceptance around the world, which is also slated to boost the demand for mobile robots in the future. Manufacturing and logistics are also highly remunerative industries where sales of mobile robots could shine brightly.

Mobile robot manufacturers must invest in developing innovative robots equipped with advanced technologies. The creation of more capable robots will be the primary focus of upcoming as well as established mobile robot providers in the future.

Related Reports:

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We work closely with innovators, inventors, innovation seekers, entrepreneurs, companies and investors alike in leveraging external sources of R&D. Moreover, we help them in optimizing the economic potential of their intellectual assets. Our experiences with innovation management and commercialization has expanded our reach across North America, Europe, ASEAN and Asia Pacific.

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Antea Group UK, a leading environment, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Alex Ferguson as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Ferguson will lead the company's growth strategy and operations in the United Kingdom.

"We are thrilled to welcome Alex to Antea Group UK," said Keith Knoke, Interim Chief Operating Officer at Antea Group UK. "His proven track record of success in leading environmental and sustainability consulting businesses, combined with his deep understanding of the UK market, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our team forward."

Mr. Ferguson is a highly respected environmental and sustainability consultant with extensive experience running UK-based consultancy businesses as part of an international network. Having spent over two decades at Delta-Simons, he has worked closely with investors, developers, and construction professionals on a wide range of geo-environmental, ecological, and environmental planning projects. More recently, his focus has shifted to ESG and biodiversity, where he helps clients develop and deliver on their sustainability commitments.

"I am excited to join Antea Group UK at this pivotal time in the company's start-up and growth," said Mr. Ferguson. "The demand for EHS&S expertise is rapidly increasing, and I am confident that Antea Group UK is well-positioned to capitalise on this opportunity. I look forward to working with the talented team, many of whom I have decades of personal experience with, at Antea Group UK to deliver exceptional service to our clients and make a positive impact on the environment."

About Antea Group UK

Antea Group UK is a leading environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. The company provides a comprehensive range of services to help clients manage their environmental risks, improve their operational efficiency, and achieve their sustainability goals. Antea Group UK is part of Antea Group, an international engineering and environmental consulting firm with over 3,200 employees in more than 70 locations worldwide. Learn more at www.anteagroup.uk.

Media Contact:

Alison Bryant

alison.bryant@anteagroup.us

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SOURCE: Antea Group

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Like the conductor of an orchestra, Ron Erdmann leads a closely coordinated team of professionals. But instead of music, Ron is conducting American's Boeing 777 operation on a recent afternoon.

Ron, a 35-year veteran of the airline, is an operations coordinator based at American's Integrated Operations Center (IOC) in Fort Worth, Texas. Before him is a three-dimensional puzzle that's playing out across five continents: the 67 777s in American's fleet and the backbone of the airline's long-haul operation.

At his side are the three other members of his unit: senior aircraft router Matt Hair, who looks after the aircraft themselves; crew coordinator Tiffany Gray-Coleman, who ensures the aircraft have crews available for their flights; and system customer service manager Robert Thornhill, who looks after customers.

Think of these units as teams of problem solvers who are committed to getting customers, team members and aircraft on their way when they're thrown operational curveballs - and looking ahead to prevent issues from getting worse - or appearing altogether.

"An ounce of prevention goes a long way for our operation," Ron said.

Saving the day for our customers

IOC units like the 777 unit - one of 11 in the building - are known to devise creative solutions when needed to save the day for American's customers.

Take the time that a group of 54 customers traveling from Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU), to Orlando, Florida (MCO), were going to misconnect at American's Miami (MIA) hub. In the unit, the system customer service manager worked closely with the ops coordinator to develop a solution that allowed American to fly the large group to MCO on the same day. The solution? Creating an additional flight that's known as an extra section.

The maintenance router found an available aircraft at MIA that could accommodate the group, while the crew coordinator found a crew that could staff the flight. The plan worked, and other customers were even able to take advantage of this extra section. Had it not worked, the group would have had to remain in MIA overnight and would have likely been separated as they made their way to MCO.

Recently, the Boeing 787 unit worked together to race a line of weather that was about to impact American's Chicago (ORD) hub and a critical ORD-London Heathrow (LHR) flight that was scheduled to arrive close to the airport's curfew time. The unit coordinated a 15-minute early departure that allowed the aircraft to beat the weather and avoid a lengthy delay of at least 8 hours. To make this plan work, the crew coordinator worked to ensure the crew knew of the earlier time and the system customer service manager worked to ensure that there were no tight inbound connections that could be jeopardized by the earlier departure time.

A day in the life

That afternoon, the 777 unit with Ron, Robert, Matt and Tiffany looked after American's customers - and operation - in a number of ways:

The team proactively looked at opportunities to swap aircraft - switching one aircraft's flight assignment for another - to help keep the operation on track. For instance, Matt and Ron proactively looked at the estimated arrival times for different 777 aircraft at London Heathrow (LHR) the following morning and made these swaps to maximize the time between flights, which helps ensure on-time departures.

A medical diversion saw the unit do two things: work to ensure a customer requiring medical attention was getting the necessary care on the ground and devising a plan for the flight to continue to its destination, which it did after the quick diversion.

Throughout the shift, Ron was looking at the big picture, while Robert was looking out for the customers, Matt was ensuring that aircraft were being sent on the correct flights and Tiffany was looking out for crew issues, ensuring flights were staffed with crew who could operate them.

The unit makes decisions with American's customers in mind and collectively looks after customers across more than 6,000 flights and 1,500 aircraft a day. Safely solving for the customer - and American's system - is the main goal. Whether it's devising an operational plan when a customer has a medical emergency or helping to restart the operation after severe weather impacts a hub, the IOC unit is there to help solve any problems that may arise, day and night.

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London Finance & Investment Group Plc - Director/PDMR Shareholding

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 01

London Finance & Investment Group PLC

(Incorporated in England & Wales with registered number 201151)

LSE code: LFI

JSE code: LNF

ISIN: GB0002994001

("London Finance" or "the Company")

PERSON DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITES DEALING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Company announces that it received notification on 1 July 2024 that Mr Warwick Marshall has purchased 163,552 ordinary shares of 0.05 each in the Company. Following the purchase Mr Marshall holds a direct beneficial interest in 288,552 shares representing 0.92% of the issued share capital.

This announcement is made in accordance with Article 19 of the UK Market Abuse Regulation ('MAR'). In accordance with MAR, the relevant Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA') notifications are set out in below.

This announcement is also made in compliance paragraphs 3.63 to 3.74 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

1 July 2024

Enquiries to:

London Finance & Investment Group PLC

020 3709 8741

JSE Sponsor

Questco Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited
Glen Ellyn, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - July 1, 2024) - When Dr. Christine M. Hammond begins at College of DuPage on July 1, she will be fully invested in the College community from the moment she sets foot on campus.

"Higher education today is dynamic and competitive. College of DuPage deserves to have a leader who is going to champion everyone's efforts and move them forward," she said. "I will also lay the groundwork for your permanent president, and I want the views of the campus community and surrounding communities to be reflected in the selection process. During my time at COD, I will be fully invested in my work and will bring my best self to COD every day."

The College's Board of Trustees approved Dr. Hammond as the Interim President following the retirement of President Dr. Brian Caputo. With more than 40 years of experience in higher education, she served as President of Mid Michigan College for six years until her retirement in June 2020. She then fulfilled two interim leadership positions and will be at COD for the next year while the Board leads a national search for a permanent president.

Growing up in northeastern Ohio, Dr. Hammond was inspired by her parents to achieve more. During World War II, her father earned seven battle stars while her mother was a real-life "Rosie the Riveter."

"I grew up in a pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps environment," she said. "Neither envisioned where my career would go, but they did not want me to have a job at a factory. I became a first-generation college student before anyone coined that phrase."

Dr. Hammond enrolled at Thiel College, a small liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor's degree in English in three years while working the entire time. One of her jobs was as head resident in one of the residence halls on campus, and someone mentioned that she could do the same thing at Bowling Green State University while pursuing a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel. She did just that and ended up working in residence life for 10 years.

"I always got to know the students well. I knew of their struggles and their achievements," she said. "I began to believe that I could have an impact on students who were like me. I loved learning, and I enjoyed being able to open doors for others."

She became Associate Dean of Students at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, then worked in the president's office at Michigan State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. Her research focused on faculty engagement in service learning, and her career began to move away from student services.

Her tenure at MSU included roles as Executive Director of Administration at the institution's College of Law and Senior Project Coordinator for MSU's initiative in Dubai. In these positions, she learned about academic governance and leadership at corporate levels. While working on the project in Dubai, which she dubbed "the world's longest commute," Dr. Hammond decided to take advantage of an opportunity at a community college, where she had not worked before, and became the Chief Academic Officer for Northern Central Michigan College.

Dr. Hammond serves on the advisory board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the Advisory Council for the Association of Chief Academic Officers, is a long-standing member of the MI-ACE Network for Women, is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, and is a member of the Petoskey Rotary. She especially enjoys mentoring young girls and women.

As she begins her presidency at COD, Dr. Hammond looks forward to drawing upon her extensive experience to help all students succeed.

"We want to make the most of all of our resources for the success of our students," she said. "Degree and certificate completion is an important component of student success, but it is not the only component. It is also about how we provide the best launching platform for students of all ages to move ahead from college."

Dr. Hammond emphasized that her interim status does not mean the College's progress will be put on hold.

"I have great respect for the work I can already see being done at College of DuPage," she said. "In the coming year, I will learn about the aspirations that our campus community has for achieving the next level. It will be a year of opportunity, but we won't do this work alone. We are smarter collectively than individually."

Dr. Christine M. Hammond, College of DuPage Interim President



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July 1, 2024: The war in Ukraine is the kind of war NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was designed to cope with. While Ukraine was not a NATO member, Ukrainian efforts to join NATO were the main cause of the Russian invasion. Russia did not want another NATO member on their border, especially one that spoke a language Russian speakers could understand. NATO had agreed to accept Ukraine as a member, but first Ukraine had to undergo some military reforms to ensure that most of their weapons and military equipment, like radios, were compatible with those other NATO members were using.

At first, in 2022, Russia said it did not want a war with NATO. Now, in 2024, Russian leaders are talking about taking on the NATO alliance. One reason for this threat is the Russian belief that NATO would not unite, as it is supposed to, but fall apart as many members refused to get drawn into a war with Russia.

NATO is very much involved in the Ukraine War, but not with troops. NATO nations, especially the United States, have supplied Ukrainian forces with over $100 billion in weapons and that aid continues. NATO troops may not be in Ukraine but its weapons and munitions Ukrainians need to fight the Russian are. The fierce resistance of the Ukrainians has cost Russia most of its tank force and over half a million casualties. The war was not supposed to last this long because the initial invasion plan was based on the idea that the Ukrainian resistance would quickly collapse and pro-Russia Ukrainians would seize control of the government and make peace. Turned out that there were not enough pro-Russia Ukrainians to make a difference and that most Ukrainians agreed that the invading Russians must be halted and forced to leave Ukraine, including Crimea and portions of two eastern provinces Russia had seized in 2014.

Russia did not expect this much resistance and found itself unable to sustain their forces in Ukraine. At the same time the Ukrainians went on the offensive and demoralized Russian troops, many of them inducted into the army unwillingly, did not put up much resistance. The cost of the war wrecked the Russian economy and demoralized the Russian population who were initially told the invasion was to prevent NATO forces from taking control of Ukraine and then Russia itself. After about a year, few Russians believed that anymore and were wondering why their government was spending so much money and getting so many Russian soldiers killed inside Ukraine. There were no NATO troops in Ukraine, only angry Ukrainians fighting demoralized Russians.

The fighting in Ukraine has convinced NATO that they have to stop pretending that they are an organized defense organization with forces ready to oppose any attack. That has been a myth for decades, especially after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and the Cold War, which had been going on since the late 1940s, ended. If the Russians could invade Ukraine, they could invade nearby NATO countries that Russia still has claims on. Currently Russia cannot do that, but Russian leaders are openly talking about increasing Russian military power so that such larger scale aggression would be possible. NATO members are now agreeing that peace can only be maintained if NATO members upgrade their armed forces and show Russia that NATO is not unprepared and attacking NATO, which includes the United States and Canada, would be a costly mistake and lead to failure.
The show connects top global leaders and offers more than 170 education sessions.

ISSA Show North America, the largest and most comprehensive event dedicated to the worldwide industrial, commercial and residential cleaning and facilities industries, opens registration for the upcoming annual gathering (November 17-21 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas).

ISSA Show North America, organized by Informa Markets and sponsored by ISSA, convenes over 600 exhibitors from across the entire cleaning ecosystem to showcase the newest products, tools, equipment and technologies. The event addresses the critical need to enhance safety, sustainability and efficiency in global sectors including food and dining, hospitality, healthcare and more.

The annual gathering, held in conjunction with the Building Service Contractors Association International's (BSCAI) Contracting Success Conference, will bring a projected more than 14,000 registered professionals from over 80 countries, with first-time attendance expected to near 30 percent as observed at the 2023 event. The expansive reach and continued growth underscores ISSA Show North America as a vital touchpoint to gain hands-on experience and education on new innovations, trends and regulations in one of the most critical and indispensable industries in the world to better utilize resources to advance cleanliness.

"One of ISSA Show North America's greatest values to the market is the ability to deliver highly qualified business opportunities across a variety of market sectors every year," remarks Ed Nichols, Show Director of ISSA Show North America. "Our industry partnerships allow us to bring a unique blend of distributors, suppliers and trusted brands together to utilize the most science-backed technology, research and data, to source all kinds of solutions to regulatory, labor, sustainability and operational efficiency challenges."

North America has become the world's largest cleaning industry market, significantly contributing to the international market, which is forecasted to reach USD 729.47 billion worldwide by 2033. As this space expands, software continues to optimize automated processes to meet demand. New technologies showcased at the ISSA Show North America, such as artificial intelligence (AI) assisted clean tech, autonomous AI-integrated service robots and automated maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) programs, are enhancing performance.

The surplus 170 educational sessions, covering business development, sustainability, career development and facility operations and management will provide valuable insights for the hospitality, healthcare, residential, commercial and industrial cleaning sectors. These sessions will share best practices, solutions and success strategies to deliver high-quality services, tailored to each sector. Specialized courses for facility service professionals, housekeeping management, facility supply sales and residential cleaners will also address labor law compliance, informing the industry about regulations impacting cleaning companies, improving the quality and safety of cleaning services.

"ISSA Show North America is the single most important event in the cleaning and facility solutions industry," said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. "We're excited to build on last year's successful show and welcome back the entire industry to the fantastic Mandalay Bay Convention Center this November to elevate their knowledge, expand their network and explore the latest innovative cleaning products and solutions."

Top-tier leading brands confirmed to attend include 3M Commercial Solutions Division, AmerCare Royal, Aztec Products, Bissell BigGreen Commercial, Clorox Pro, Ecolab Inc., Georgia-Pacific Pro, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Nilfisk, Procter & Gamble Professional, Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc., Sanitaire, SC Johnson Professional, Sofidel Group, Spartan Chemical Co. Inc., Sunbelt Rentals and Tork, an Essity brand.

ISSA Show North America registration is open now. To attend the much-anticipated show this November, please register at www.issashow.com.

About ISSA Show North America

In partnership with ISSA trade association, ISSA Show North America?offers an unmatched conference program featuring over 100+ education sessions, workshops, panels, training and certification courses over four days. The event and the association are committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line.?

For more information about ISSA Show North America, visit www.issashow.com.?Follow ISSA Show North America on LinkedIn, Facebook,?Instagram, X and YouTube.?

About ISSA

With more than 10,500 members-including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members-ISSA is the world's leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.??

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com.

Media Contact:?

Informa Markets?Infrastructure and Construction PR?

ConstructionPR@informa.com

SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION

View the original press release on accesswire.com
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucinity has received the 2024 ICA Award for Innovation in Financial Crime Prevention, recognizing its exceptional AI innovations, including the Luci copilot . The ICA Compliance Awards celebrate excellence in compliance and financial crime prevention, and Lucinity's Generative AI copilot, Luci, stood out for its significant impact on operational efficiency.

Luci, launched in 2023, transforms complex financial data into actionable insights using generative AI. It reduces case investigation times from an average of three hours to just 30 minutes, resulting in substantial cost savings. A Tier 1 bank can potentially save up to $36 million annually in training and recruitment costs and boost productivity by $100 million yearly.

Luci includes out-of-the-box skills such as case summarization, business validation, adverse media and negative news searches, money flow visualizations, transaction summaries, writing and sending requests for information (RFI), generating Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and address checks. These features allow compliance teams to shift their focus from manual tasks to higher-level decision-making.

To further enhance its offerings, Lucinity recently launched the Luci plugin , enabling seamless integration with any web-based application. The plugin is platform agnostic, allowing it to be incorporated into various tech stacks, including case management systems and CRMs. Financial institutions can immediately benefit from AI and automation, leading to a more efficient and consistent workforce and productivity boosts of up to 90%.

Lucinity continues to ensure maximum security and responsible AI development through its integration with Microsoft's OpenAI on Azure. Lucinity also recently launched the Luci Studio where users can customize their AI copilots in a no-code, drag-and-drop user interface, providing full explainability for the actions that AI takes.

Founder and CEO of Lucinity, Gumundur Kristjansson, expressed his gratitude, stating, "2023 and 2024 have been transformative years for Lucinity. With seven large banks now requesting to trial Luci and widespread interest in our AI copilot, we've received numerous accolades and media attention. Luci is proving to be an essential tool in financial crime operations."

This award follows several other achievements by Lucinity in 2024, such as the inclusion in the Fintech100 list , winning the Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards , and acknowledgment in Chartis Research's FinCrime and Compliance 50 Ranking for 2024.

The full list of winners for the ICA Compliance Awards 2024 can be found here .

Contact:

Celina Pablo

celina@lucinity.com

+354 792 4321

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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.

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The appointment aligns with the company's recent strategic pivot towards treating genetic disorders of the CNS without gene therapy

GENEVA, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Release Therapeutics ('Release Tx' or 'the Company'), a privately-held, Swiss BioMedTech company, announced today the appointment of Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, as CEO. The appointment follows the recent strategic pivot of Release Tx (formerly, 'MaxiVax') towards treating genetic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with a best-in-class cell macroencapsulation technology as an alternative to gene therapy.1



With over 25 years' experience in multinational pharma companies, including Takeda, Mundipharma International and Hoffmann-La Roche, Dr. Mehrling is an expert in developing novel oncology compounds from bench to bedside. During his tenure at MundiPharma International (2003-2013), he oversaw the clinical development, registration and launch of two major products in Europe, Depocyte and Levact (Ribomustin and Treanda). Dr. Mehrling received his PhD in Pharmacology and MD from the University of Frankfurt, where he previously spent 13 years working on research projects in cardiology and oncology.

Release Tx is developing a proprietary technology capable of delivering highly potent therapeutic proteins beyond the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for the long-term treatment of CNS disorders. Consisting of an implantable macroencapsulation device and a human myoblast cell line that can be genetically modified to produce diverse proteins, this technology is the first of its kind to be designed for cell macroencapsulation in humans.2 The lead programme of Release Tx focuses on treating Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic CNS disorder typically affecting young children.

Release Tx's Chairman, Ksenija Pavletic, said, "We're thrilled to have Dr. Mehrling on board to lead Release Therapeutics on its new mission. The remarkable progress we've made with our technology now offers significant advantages over gene therapy for the treatment of CNS diseases, bringing hope to patients and their families around the world."

Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, said 'Release Therapeutics' technology is a game-changer in getting therapeutic proteins where they are needed most. I am looking forward to driving the company towards this goal.'

References

About Release Therapeutics

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Release Therapeutics is a privately-held, BioMedTech company developing the first cell macroencapsulation technology designed to deliver potent therapeutic proteins beyond the human blood-brain barrier. The Company's proprietary technology integrates an implantable macroencapsulation device with an immortalised myoblast cell line capable of producing a broad range of proteins for long-term delivery to the CNS. Innovating at the nexus of biotech and MedTech, Release Therapeutics is on a mission to treat genetic diseases of the CNS without gene therapy. The company's lead programme is in preclinical development for the treatment of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic disorder that leads to progressive loss of myelin and typically affects young children.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.release-tx.com/

Contacts

Release Therapeutics SA

contact@release-tx.com

Manage Mind Greece (for Release Therapeutics)

Jessica Kourniaktis

Phone: (+30)6932254679

Email: jkourniakti@managemind.ch
JERSEY CITY, N.J. and SYDNEY, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global investment and trading technology solutions provider ViewTrade Holding Corporation has launched in Australia in a bid to deliver enhanced global market access, reduce inefficiencies caused by legacy infrastructure, and create investment avenues for the $9 trillion of superannuation assets expected to amass by 2041.

ViewTrade has also calculated that its technology and operational solutions, particularly for crossborder investing, could bring efficiencies not currently available to the Australian wealth industry, creating savings of nearly USD $160 million annually given the scale of wealth under management.

Unlocking more efficient and broader access to global markets would also enable Australian investors to capitalise on new opportunities for diversification and returns.

ViewTrade therefore hopes to create significant value for Australia and its financial services ecosystem, which it sees as having quite an exceptional talent pool thanks to the significant complexity of the regulatory landscape.

Tony Petrilli, CEO of ViewTrade Holding Corporation, said: "Launching in Australia underscores ViewTrade's dedication to empowering financial institutions and wealth management firms across the globe. But it is particularly exciting for us to launch into such a promising market as Australia, where we have incredible wealth management expertise and high potential for growth. We can't wait to work with partners on the ground, given the sophistication and talent in the local market."

As of year-end 2023, ViewTrade carried over USD $20 billion in assets under administration globally. In cross-border transactions, it also brokered 58.2 billion equity shares, USD $860.9 billion in equity orders, and 16.7 million option contracts between 2020 and 2023.

This makes ViewTrade one of the largest B2B-only, cross-border investment solution providers globally.

Its new Sydney-based regional HQ makes Australia the 30th country where ViewTrade provides its suite of solutions including cross-border and multi-asset investments, custody, and funding for broker-dealers, super funds, wealth advisors, and fintechs.

The new entity is now operating under the name ViewTrade International Australia (VTIA), and will be used to expand an already-significant APAC presence, with plans to also expand its existing presence in the Middle East.

VTIA is helmed by CEO Nigel Singh , whose 20 years' experience within wealth management, capital markets, and investment technology includes establishing Morgan Stanley's flagship Private Wealth Management (PWM) operation in Australia.

Singh is joined by Chief Operating Officer Carl Brazendale , a financial services veteran with 13 years' experience at BNY Mellon's Pershing division, and leadership roles at global fintech providers such as GBST and Broadridge. Former Morgan Stanley director and FinClear exec, Kerri Buggy VTIA's the Operations Manager.

According to Singh, the immense opportunity lies in the ability of ViewTrade's local team to work closely with Australian firms to create significant efficiencies through world-class technology and unparalleled global access, significantly reducing Time-to-Value (TTV) creation for clients looking to achieve their strategic and tactical goals.

Nigel Singh, CEO of ViewTrade International Australia, said: "The Australian market is ripe with potential, huge financial services and wealth sector, exceptional talent pool, and strong yet balanced regulatory landscape.

"I am excited to work closely with local Australian firms to deliver the same market-leading levels of innovation and efficiency that ViewTrade has delivered in other markets globally.

"Our local Australian expertise and strong belief in the value and potential of the Australian financial services industry as a whole will position us strongly to succeed from day one. We couldn't be more excited to build bespoke solutions tailored to the strengths and needs of this critical market to help realise its enormous potential."

Please contact Laura for any interview requests: ?laura@thirdhemisphere.agency

For media inquiries in the US, please contact: viewtrade@forefrontcomms.com

ViewTrade ( www.viewtrade.com ) is a global leader in investment and trading infrastructure solutions that power cross-border investing for financial services firms throughout the world. ViewTrade provides the technology, support, and brokerage services that business innovators need to launch or enhance retail investing experiences. For more than 20 years, ViewTrade has partnered with over 300 clients - from technology startups to large banks, brokers and advisors - to deliver innovative investment solutions and exceptional customer service.

This communication is not an offer to buy or sell securities and is not a recommendation regarding any investment or investment strategy by ViewTrade International Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 676 490 056). Any financial advice or information provided is general in nature and provided for illustrative purpose only and does not take into account any person's personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Investing involves risks and past performance is no guarantee of future results. We recommend that before any person acts on any advice provided, they seek advice from a licensed and/or authorised financial adviser to determine whether the advice provided is appropriate to them taking into account the individual's personal circumstances. ViewTrade International Australia Pty Ltd does not accept liability for errors or omissions in the contents of this communication.

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There are a number of different web hosting solutions for businesses to choose from. Among these options, dedicated servers offer the best choice for those who are looking for reliability, performance, and security as they offer high performance dedicated web hosting.

Heres an exploration of the benefits that dedicated servers offer for web hosting which will help explain what makes them an indispensable asset for many enterprises.

Unmatched Performance and Reliability

One of the most noticeable and significant advantages of using dedicated servers is the superior performance they deliver. Unlike a shared hosting situation, where resources are distributed among multiple users, dedicated servers allocate all of the resources to a single client.

What this means is that your website enjoys consistent and high-speed performance, which is crucial for maintaining a seamless user experience.

Dedicated servers not only provide fast load times, ensuring that visitors to your site experience minimal delays but they also ensure that there is no risk of your website being affected by other users activities.

Superior Security

Regardless of what a website is used for, security is a top priority. It is especially important in those handling sensitive data such as e-commerce platforms or financial services. Dedicated servers offer a higher level of security when compared to shared hosting solutions.

Why are they so much stronger when it comes to security? Firstly, the isolation from other users significantly reduces the risk of malware, hacking, and other cyber threats. Secondly, having full control over the server allows them to implement and customize security measures that are tailored to your specific needs. This includes advanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits.

Full Control and Customization

Dedicated servers provide you with complete control over your hosting environment. This flexibility allows businesses to configure their servers to meet their exact requirements.

First off, you will have the freedom to install any software or applications that your business operations require, which is particularly beneficial for companies with specific technical needs. Secondly, you can choose the operating system that best suits your business and finally, you can select the hardware specifications, such as CPU, RAM, and storage, that match the performance needs of your company.

Scalability

As your business grows, so do your web hosting needs. Having a dedicated server provides you with the scalability necessary to accommodate increased traffic and data demands.

You can easily upgrade your servers hardware to enhance performance and storage capacity and you can adjust bandwidth to handle more significant data transfers, which ensures that your website remains responsive even during traffic spikes.

Dedicated Support

With dedicated server hosting, you often receive premium support services. Hosting providers typically offer around-the-clock technical support to ensure any issues are promptly addressed.

This means that you have access to support staff whenever you need them, and you may also have access to proactive monitoring services that can detect and resolve issues before things go wrong.

Enhanced User Experience

The performance and reliability of dedicated servers contribute directly to a better user experience. Visitors to your site will appreciate the fast load times and minimal downtime.

Having a responsive website encourages visitors to stay longer, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement and there are also SEO benefits as search engines favor faster websites which can potentially improve your search rankings and drive more organic traffic to your site.

Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run

While dedicated servers can be a more expensive upfront investment compared to a shared hosting option, they will often save on costs in the long run. The enhanced performance, security, and scalability can lead to significant savings and increased revenue over time.

Dedicated servers offer a number of benefits for web hosting which makes them a preferred choice for businesses and individuals that are looking for excellent performance, security, and control. From enhanced speed and reliability to superior security measures and customization options, dedicated servers provide the foundation necessary for a successful online presence.

While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term advantages make dedicated servers a wise choice for those committed to delivering an optimal user experience and safeguarding their digital assets. Dedicated servers will remain a critical component in the arsenal of effective web hosting solutions going forward.
The Indian stock market is likely to start the day on a flat note. Asian stocks have given mixed signals ahead of the opening bell. From big orders to licensing agreements to breakthroughs in technology, take a look at why shares of Cochin Shipyard, Zydus Lifesciences, Dr Reddys Laboratories, PTC Industries and more are likely to be in focus today read more

The stock market is expected to open on a flat note on Monday (July 1). Reuters

The GIFT Nifty index on Monday around 8:45 am was down 14 points or 0.06 per cent at 24,106. It hinted at a flat start for Dalal Street on the first trading day on July. The India VIX, a measure of fear in the stock market, was down 2.47 per cent at 13.8 points.

Ahead of the opening bell, heres a list of stocks to watch today:

Cochin Shipyard Limited: Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited, has secured an international order worth Rs 1,100 crore for eight 6300 TDW dry cargo vessels. The order, awarded by Wilson ASA, Norway, involves the design and construction of four 6,300 TDW dry cargo vessels.

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Orchid Pharma: Chennai-based Orchid Pharma Limited, the only Indian pharmaceutical company to invent a New Chemical Entity (NCE), has announced the launch of its new drug, Cefepime-Enmetazobactam. This drug has been approved for treating complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI), Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP). In collaboration with Cipla Limited, Orchid Pharma aims to ensure widespread and rapid distribution of this breakthrough antibiotic combination across India.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking BEL has signed a Rs 3,172 crore contract with Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) to supply and install an advanced, indigenously designed and developed Sighting and Fire Control System (FCS) for the upgrade of BMP 2/2K Tanks of the Indian Army. The project also includes a comprehensive Engineering Support Package.

Zydus Lifesciences, Dr. Reddys Laboratories: Zydus Lifesciences and Dr. Reddys Laboratories have entered into a licensing agreement to co-market Pertuzumab biosimilar in India. Pertuzumab is crucial for treating HER2 positive breast cancer patients, and the biosimilar was developed in-house by the Zydus Research Centre (ZRC).

Godrej Properties: Godrej Properties has announced plans to develop an approximately 11-acre land parcel in Hinjewadi, Pune. The development will primarily include Group Housing and High Street Retail, with a developable potential of around 2.2 million square feet and an estimated revenue potential of about Rs 1,800 crore.

PTC Industries: Aerolloy Technologies Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PTC Industries Limited, has successfully developed advanced casting technology for manufacturing Single Crystal and Directionally Solidified blades and vanes for Aero-engine and Industrial Gas Turbine applications. This new manufacturing capability has been established at its Lucknow facility.

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BCPL Railway Infrastructure Limited: BCPL Railway Infrastructure Limited has received an order from K-Ride, the Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited. The project, valued at Rs 349.47 million, is expected to be executed over a period of 15 months.
It has been quite an eventful month for Sinha, who emerged victorious from West Bengals Asansol constituency for his party TMC in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, followed by the much-talked-about wedding of his actor-daughter read more

Veteran actor and TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha was admitted to a private hospital here after he developed a strong fever, said his son Luv Sinha on Sunday.

The 77-year-old  popular for 70s and 80s films such as Mere Apne, Kalicharan, Vishwanath, Kaala Patthar and Dostana  is also undergoing an annual check-up at the medical facility, he added.

It couldnt be confirmed immediately when Sinha was taken to the hospital.

My father had a strong fever and we decided to take him to the hospital so that he could recover and we could have his yearly tests done as well, told PTI in a WhatsApp message.

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It has been quite an eventful month for Sinha, who emerged victorious from West Bengals Asansol constituency for his party TMC in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, followed by the much-talked-about wedding of his actor-daughter Sonakshi Sinha to longtime partner and Double XL co-star Zaheer Iqbal on June 23.

There were reports that Sinha had undergone a minor surgery but Luv denied such claims.

I have been going there (to the hospital) every day, so (I) can tell you that there was no surgical procedure, he said.

Newlyweds Sonakshi and Zaheer were spotted exiting the hospital on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Luv criticised a website for allegedly running an online campaign against him on a false premise about why he didnt attend his sisters wedding.

Why I chose not to attend. Running an online campaign against me on a false premise wont change the fact that for me my family will always come first (sic) he wrote on X.

While Luv previously asked for some time to respond to questions of his absence from the ceremony, his twin Kussh had denied reports that he skipped the wedding.
Three new criminal laws are set to be implemented from Monday, July 1. The results of the biennial elections to four seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council in Mumbai, Konkan, and Nashik regions will be declared. On the global front, the US Supreme Courts ruling in Donald Trumps claim of immunity from prosecution for trying to undo his 2020 election loss is expected today read more

Three new criminal laws are set to be implemented from Monday, July 1, 2024. Representative Image/Pixabay

Its a busy Monday.

Three new criminal laws are set to be implemented from Monday, July 1. The results of the biennial elections to four seats of the Maharashtra legislative council in Mumbai, Konkan, and Nashik regions will be declared.

On the global front, the US Supreme Courts ruling in Republican former president Donald Trumps claim of immunity from prosecution for trying to undo his 2020 election loss is expected today, the final day of its current term.

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Heres how the day will unfold.

New criminal laws kick in

Three new criminal laws are set to be implemented from Monday, July 1, 2024.

The laws  the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023  will replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Coinciding with the enactment of these three criminal laws, events will also be organised by the officer-in-charge of each police station in all states and Union Territories.

Maharashtra MLC poll results

The results of the biennial elections to four seats of the Maharashtra legislative council in Mumbai, Konkan, and Nashik regions will be declared today.

As many as 4.29 lakh voters determined the fate of 55 candidates in the Mumbai Graduates, Mumbai Teachers, Nashik Teachers and Konkan Graduates constituencies.

The voting took place on Wednesday.

New rules for SIM card replacement

Amendments to Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regulations to check SIM swap and replacement fraudulent activities will come into force from July 1, The telecom regulatory body Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on March 14, 2024, issued the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, which will come into force on July 1, 2024, the statement issued by the regulator added.

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Amendments to Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regulations to check SIM swap and replacement fraudulent activities will come into force from July 1. Representational Image/Pixabay

As per the TRAI, the SIM swap or replacement means a process of acquisition of a new SIM card in place of a lost or non-working SIM card by the existing subscriber.

Trumps immunity ruling likely

The US Supreme Courts ruling in Republican former president Donald Trumps claim of immunity from prosecution for trying to undo his 2020 election loss is expected on Monday, the final day of its current term.

US Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday announced July 1 as the final day of the nine-member courts current term, which began in October.

Pakistan traders against increased electricity bills

The All Pakistan Traders Association has announced a nationwide protest against rising electricity bills on Monday.

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During a joint press conference in Islamabad, President Ajmal Baloch and other traders demanded that the federal government eliminate additional taxes by June 30 or face further actions.

Ajmal Baloch stated, The government has committed an injustice regarding electricity bills, and we are declaring a nationwide protest starting from July 1.

He highlighted the disparity in electricity bills, noting, A bill for 200 units is different from that of higher usage. The Independent Power Producers (IPPs), owned by government elites, are being paid in dollars.

Manufacturing PMI data for June to be released

The final manufacturing PMI headline figure for the month of June will be released on July 1 and is projected to slightly increase to 58.5.

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The services and composite PMI will be released on July 3.

SC hearing on Punjab AAP MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majras plea

The Supreme Court will be hearing a plea filed by Punjab AAP MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra challenging his arrest and remand by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering probe linked to a bank fraud case.

The top court had earlier refused to grant interim bail to the MLA to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balajis remand ends

A sessions court earlier on Tuesday had extended the remand of former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, arrested by the ED in a money laundering case, till July 1.

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Principal Sessions Judge S Alli, before whom Senthil Balaji was produced by the prosecution through video-conferencing from the Central Puzhal Prison here, also extended his judicial custody till July 1.

In one petition, Senthil Balaji sought to defer the present proceedings and adjourn the case to a later date. In two others, he sought to furnish the missing documents in Relied Upon Document Nos-16 and 17copies of counterfoil challans relating to his account, which were collected by the ED in its investigation, to him.

Balaji was arrested on June 14, 2023 by the ED in connection with the money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam when he was the Transport Minister during an earlier AIADMK regime.

Shiromani Akali Dal rebels to appear before the Akal Takth

The SAD leaders who want a change in the leadership would appear before the Akal Takth, the highest seat of temporal authority for the Sikhs, on July 1 before electing a new leader who can do politics with a sense of religiosity.

Led by former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur plan, the rebels plan to appear before the Akal Takht, and tender an apology for all the mistakes of the party before electing a new leader to replace SAD president Sukhbir Badal.

Credit card bill payments to be unavailable through Cred, PhonePe

Fintech companies such as PhonePe, Cred, BillDesk, and Infibeam Avenues are among those impacted by the latest RBI regulation requiring credit card bill payments to be routed through the RBIs centralised billing network. This regulation takes effect on July 1.

Major banks like Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which have issued over 50 million credit cards, have yet to enable BBPS compliance.

Consequently, customers will be unable to pay their credit card bills through fintech platforms like Cred and PhonePe after June 30 unless these banks comply with the new mandate.

Delhi court hearing on Engineer Rashids interim bail plea

A Delhi court on June 21 asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond by July 1 to an application filed by Engineer Rashid, arrested in a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case, seeking interim bail to take oath as an MP.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, defeated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Baramulla. Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Gupta fixed the matter for hearing on Monday and directed the NIA to file its reply by then.

A day to remember
French voters will be faced with a critical decision on July 7 during the second round of its snap parliamentary elections, where they could potentially witness the formation of Frances first far-right government since the Nazi occupation in World War II, or possibly no majority government emerging at all. We take a look at what is next for the European nation after the first round of voting read more

French far right leader Marine Le Pen reacts as she meets supporters and journalists after the release of projections based on the actual vote count in select constituencies, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. AP

As France prepares for the decisive second round of its snap general election on July 7, the far-right National Rally (RN) is poised for an unprecedented breakthrough, as it outperformed expectations and is closer to power than ever before.

In a stunning turn of events, the RN secured 33 per cent of the vote in the first round of Frances parliamentary elections. This marks a significant achievement for Marine Le Pens party, which has long been a pariah in French politics due to its anti-immigrant and eurosceptic stance.

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The New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing alliance, garnered 28 per cent, while French President Emmanuel Macrons centrist Together bloc trailed with 21 per cent.

Marine Le Pen celebrated the victory, saying, This is a historic moment for our party. The French people have shown their desire for change and for policies that put France first.

Marine Le Pen, French far-right leader and far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party candidate, deliver a speech after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, June 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters

This election is a critical setback for Macron, who had called the snap election following his partys defeat in the European Parliament elections. Now, with the RN on the brink of forming a government, France faces a pivotal moment that could redefine its political landscape and its role in the European Union.

What is the two-round electoral system?

Frances two-round electoral system is designed to ensure broad support for elected representatives. To win a seat in the National Assembly in the first round, a candidate must secure more than 50 per cent of the votes cast and represent at least 25 per cent of registered voters.

This is a rare occurrence, and the 2024 election saw only 80 candidates achieve this due to an exceptionally high turnout of 67 per cent.

Also Read: Emmanuel Macron says France at risk of civil war

If no candidate meets these criteria, the top two candidates, along with any others who received at least 12.5 per cent of the registered vote, advance to the second round. The candidate with the most votes in the second round wins the seat.

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Historically, this system favours larger parties and can lead to disproportionate representation.

What are triangular races that this election is seeing?

This election is notable for its high turnout, the highest since the 1980s, and a reduced number of candidates (4,011 compared to 6,290 in 2022). This has resulted in a record number of three-way contests, or triangular races, potentially affecting half of the assemblys seats.

People gather at Republique square to protest the far-right National Rally, which came out strongly ahead in first-round legislative elections, June 30, 2024 in Paris. AP

In these triangular races, the presence of three or more candidates can split the vote, often benefitting the party with the largest share from the first round, which in this case is the RN.

What kind of alliance-building are we looking at?

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In previous elections, mainstream parties have often formed alliances to block the RN, a strategy known as the Republican front. This involves parties withdrawing their candidates in favor of the best-placed rival candidate to defeat the RN. However, this strategy has been weakening, with voters increasingly reluctant to support parties with differing policies.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the radical left France Unbowed (LFI) and part of the NFP alliance, pledged that in constituencies where the RN is in first place and an NFP candidate is in third, the NFP candidate would withdraw. We must do everything to prevent the far-right from winning, Melenchon stated.

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Macrons coalition has been less definitive. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasised, Not one single vote must go to the National Rally, but some candidates from Macrons bloc may not withdraw if faced with an LFI candidate.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of French far-left opposition party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI), delivers a speech on stage during a rally with members of the alliance of left-wing parties called the Nouveau Front Populaire (New Popular Front - NFP), at the Place de la Republique after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Paris, France, June 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters

An Ipsos poll found that 87 per cent of NFP voters were willing to vote against the RN, compared to 62 per cent of Together voters.

Another poll by Odoxa indicated that fewer voters were willing to block the RN (41 per cent) compared to blocking the NFP (47 per cent) or Together (44 per cent). This fluid and complex voter behavior and party alliances will be crucial in the second round.

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What is cohabitation?

Cohabitation refers to a situation in the French political system where the president and the prime minister come from different political parties, often resulting in a divided government. This occurs when the presidents party does not control the majority in the National Assembly, forcing the president to appoint a prime minister from the majority party.

France has experienced cohabitation three times in its modern history:

From 1986 to 1988 under President Francois Mitterrand (Socialist) and Prime Minister Jacques Chirac (Conservative).

From 1993 to 1995 under President Mitterrand and Prime Minister Edouard Balladur (Conservative).

From 1997 to 2002 under President Jacques Chirac (Conservative) and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin (Socialist).

During cohabitation, the prime minister leads the government and implements policies, while the president retains significant influence over foreign policy, European affairs, and defence. Jean Garrigues, a political historian, told AP, In case of cohabitation, policies implemented are essentially those of the prime minister, but the president can still influence foreign policy and defence.

Also Read: Whos in the running? Whats at stake?

If the RN or another political force wins a majority, Macron will be forced into cohabitation, appointing a prime minister from the majority party. Jordan Bardella, a potential RN prime minister, stated, I intend to be a cohabitation prime minister who is respectful of the Constitution and of the President of the Republics role but uncompromising about the policies we will implement.

Bardella indicated that an RN-led government would oppose sending French troops to Ukraine and delivering long-range missiles capable of striking Russia, diverging significantly from Macrons policies.

What can we expect in the second round?

The second round on July 7 will be crucial in determining the future political landscape of France. If the RN secures a majority, France will experience its first far-right government since World War II. This would significantly impact Frances domestic policies and its role in the EU, given the RNs resistance to further EU integration and its stringent stance on immigration.

If no party secures a majority, Macron could face cohabitation or attempt to build a broad coalition, an unlikely scenario given the political divergences.

Marine Tondelier, National Secretary of Les Ecologistes (The Ecologists - Greens) party, listens to the speech of Manuel Bompard, coordinator of the operational team of the French far-left opposition party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI), during a rally by members of the alliance of left-wing parties called the Nouveau Front Populaire (New Popular Front - NFP), at the Place de la Republique after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Paris, France, June 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Another option could be appointing a government of experts unaffiliated with political parties, which would need to be accepted by a majority in the National Assembly.

Attal expressed hope for building a majority of projects and ideas with other Republican forces from the centre-left and centre-right.

Also Read | Anti-immigration, anti-Islam, Pro-Putin: About Marine Le Pens National Rally party

Experts suggest that the Constitution of the 5th Republic is flexible enough to manage these complex circumstances, although the populations acceptance of the situation remains uncertain.

The far-right RN is poised for a significant victory, but strategic withdrawals and voter alliances in the second round will be critical. The second round on July 7 will be a decisive moment for the country and its place in Europe.

With inputs from agencies
July 1, 2024: In 2023 Ukraine defeated the Russian Black Fleet, destroying or disabling over a third of the Russian ships. The remaining Russian ships fled to farther east ports in the Black Sea. In early 2024 Ukraine built 35 Sea Baby drones, also known as USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles). These USVs are made of a material that is nearly invisible to radar. Each can carry up to 850 kg of explosives. Less explosives can be carried if you want the Sea Baby to travel farther. With a full load of explosives, it can reach targets up to 1,000 kilometers distant, so the Russian Black Sea Fleets remaining ports are within its range. Top speed is 90 kilometers an hour but more economical, in terms of fuel use, cruise speed is about half the top speed. That means it would take the Sea Baby about twenty hours to travel a thousand kilometers. That is a one way trip to a target, like a naval base or any ships docked at the base which is then attacked. Sea Baby navigates using several devices including GPS, INS, and short range sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. These sensors can also be programmed to identify and attack a specific target like a ship or other naval base facility. Sea Baby can also be equipped with short range weapons like explosive rockets that can hit targets a thousand meters distant with thermobaric/fuel air warheads. When used to launch rocket attacks, the Sea Baby can escape and return to a Ukrainian base for reuse. Some Sea Babys are equipped with video cameras to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions. In this case, communications equipment must be carried to transmit video or individual digital photos back to the Ukrainian base. The Ukrainians have been very imaginative and flexible in their use of these unmanned seagoing vessels.

In May 2024 the Ukrainian USV and UAV attack on the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk succeeded in damaging port and logistics facilities. Additional UAV attacks were made on oil storage facilities using over fifty UAV. This many UAVs overwhelmed Russian air defenses and made it possible for numerous Russian targets to be hit. Later, residents of the target areas reported hearing numerous explosions followed by outbreaks of large fires, most of them in the oil storage facilities. Since 2023 Ukrainian UAV attacks have been hitting Russian oil refining and storage sites deep inside Russia. These operations have caused fuel shortages for Russian forces inside Ukraine.

Currently Ukraine has three operational Ukrainian models of their USVs. These include Sea Baby, Mother (Mamai), and MAGURA, which carries 320 kg of explosives while Mamai carries 450 kg. These USVs are no longer used just for delivering explosives against a target; they can also be used for reconnaissance when equipped with video cameras that broadcast what they see back to the USV operator. Some USVs have been armed with small rocket launchers. Malyuk has a range of over 700 kilometers, which means they are suitable for operations on the high seas. Endurance is about 60 hours, and top speed is over 70 kilometers an hour. MAGURA has similar characteristics. Mamai was used in the long range attack at the distant naval base at Novorossiysk on Russias Black Sea eastern, which is a thousand kilometers from Crimea.

Sea Baby was used in the mid-2023 Kerch Strait Bridge attack and was carrying 850 kg of explosives that inflicted enough damage to render the bridge unusable. The bridge is a key transport route for getting supplies into Crimea and as of early 2024 was still unusable.

Ukraine has been developing subsurface USVs and in early 2023 the first one, the Toloka2 TK-150 was introduced. This USV was 2.5 meters long and equipped with a sensor mast that remained above the surface for navigation and to identify targets. Toloka2 can also carry a small explosive warhead. More recently, Ukraine developed the larger Marichka USV that is 6 meters long and one meter in diameter. Ukraine has planned for a Western manufacturer to build and weaponize Ukrainian USVs.

Ukrainian USVs have been quite successful in attacking and sinking or disabling Russian navy ships. So far there have been twelve attacks which resulted in damage to 12 ships and the sinking of a cruiser, two small landing ships and one missile corvette. The longest range raids have been against targets in Kerch Strait and the more distant Novorossiysk.

Ukrainian USV operations in the Black Sea forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to withdraw to the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Sevastopol was no longer a safe place to be, and Russian ships could no longer launch their Kalibr cruise missiles without moving closer to Ukrainian territory and risking attack by Ukrainian USVs. The presence and aggressive use of the USVs means that Ukraines grain corridor has been kept open despite Russias threats to interfere. Beyond symbolic significance, the corridor holds critical economic importance for Ukraine and is expected to contribute 5-7 percent to GDP growth in 2024 because of the grain shipments.

The aggressive and successful use of Ukrainian USVs against the Russian Black Sea fleet was unprecedented in the history of naval warfare. Not only were these USVs tactically successful but financially as well. For example, new frigates cost about $1.5 billion each. That much money can also pay for 5,000 such USVs. Destroyers cost twice as much. The frigates and destroyers are high seas ships and can travel all over the world. The USVs operate in coastal waters although some of the larger USVs can operate up to a thousand kilometers from where they were launched. These USVs carry video cameras and satellite-based communications systems to collect information and, in peacetime, do so without fear of attack. Severe storms are another matter, but any storm damage will be broadcast as it is happening, at least until the video cameras or communications equipment is disabled.

Commercial cargo ships can carry hundreds of armed UAVs equipped with satellite communications so operators anywhere in the world can control them. These USVs can be unloaded at sea and sent to carry out attacks on targets in the area or move to a nearby harbor and remain tied to a dock until needed. The only maintenance is keeping the USV batteries charged. These USVs are a radical new weapon for naval warfare and the war at sea will never be the same because of the success of Ukrainian USVs in their victorious war against the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Nations with major warship fleets, like the U.S. and China, have much to fear from this new development of weaponized seagoing USVs. These USVs are difficult to spot visually, especially at night. Sonar can detect them, and autocannon-equipped ship weapons, like Phalanx, can be adapted to accurately target and destroy USVs. Since the United States provides most of the military aid to Ukraine, they can get some cooperation from the Ukrainians that will help American warships and those of other NATO nations develop weapons and tactics to deal with USVs. The Russians were taken by surprise when their Black Sea Fleet was attacked by USVs. In less than a year, most of the Black Sea Fleet warships were destroyed or severely damaged by USVs. Because of the USVs, Ukraine, which does not have a conventional navy, now controls most of the Black Sea.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the invaders also expected to reinforce and expand their control of the Black Sea. This included blocking Ukrainian grain exports, which would drive up prices for Russian grain exports. That financial goal was never met because Ukraine fought back with USVs and some air strikes to not only contest efforts to expand Russian control of the Black Sea, but also disrupt Russian naval operations in the Black Sea as well as Russian use of the Crimean Peninsula as bases for naval, air force and army operations. In 2022 Russia had numerous warships in the Black Sea and these came under heavy attack by Ukrainian USVs and missiles. This led to the destruction of the flagship of the Black Sea fleet and systematic attacks on the remaining Russian warships. Ukraine didnt have any ships of their own for these attacks and had to improvise. Ukraine used armed UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and USVs for these attacks, as well as some land-based guided missiles.

This eventually forced Russia to abandon Crimean naval and air force bases. This included the major Crimean port and naval base of Sevastopol. The growing number of Ukrainian attacks on Crimea forced most of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to move. The UAVs and USVs carry explosive warheads to destroy military targets, including bases, ports, headquarters, and airfields. While civilian targets are spared, the military facilities are a major source of employment. When these facilities are damaged, destroyed and shut down, the civilians begin to leave. Now Ukrainian forces are getting close to the narrow isthmus that connects Crimean to the mainland and the other access point, the Kerch Strait bridge in southeastern Crimea is also under constant attack. As the situation in Crimea deteriorates, corruption by local officials makes matters worse for the remaining civilians and persuades a growing number of them to leave.

In late 2023, advancing Ukrainian forces were close enough to the narrow isthmus connecting Crimea to the mainland that the only Russian rail line carrying supplies to occupied Crimea was within range of GMLRS missile attacks. These NATO supplied missiles were carried and launched from HIMARS vehicles. They had a range of 80 kilometers and were a constant threat to Russian supply lines, including ports and ships in the Black Sea.

Ukraine had already disabled the other rail supply route to Crimea, which used the Kerch Strait bridge. Ukraine used various types of UAVs, USVs and novel UUVs (unmanned underwater vessels) to do this, as well as destroy Russian air defenses in Crimea and drive the remaining ships of the Black Sea fleet to port on the east coast of the Black Sea. The largest of these eastern Black Sea ports is Novorossiysk, which had a small naval base facility added in 2012. Now it is being used to host the surviving remnants of the Black Sea Fleet. While Novorossiysk is mainly a commercial port, exporting oil and other goods produced in the area and handling most of the imports, most of that has been halted because of the Ukrainian unmanned weapons that now make the Black Sea a dangerous place for Russian ships of any type. Ukraine did this without a fleet of its own. The Russians were still able to launch missile attacks on Ukrainian ports using submarine launched cruise missiles as well as land-based missiles. These Russian attacks became less frequent as the Ukrainians forced Russian naval forces farther away from Ukrainian export ports west of Crimea.
The 52-day-long Yatra began on July 29 with the first batch of devotees leaving for the cave shrine successfully, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said. Heres why this pilgrimage is so difficult read more

Pilgrims enroute to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath from the Baltal base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra, in Ganderbal district. PTI

The Amarnath Yatra began on July 29 with the first batch of pilgrims leaving from the base camps of Baltal and Nunwan to visit the cave shrine in south Kashmir. The holy Yatra, which will end on August 19, started early morning from the twin tracks, one from Anantnag and another from Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Every year, thousands of devotees visit the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine to pay their respects. Teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police along with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed along the 300 km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure the safety of the devotees.

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Let us take a look at what makes this Yatra one of the toughest in the country.
The Delhi Police registered its first FIR under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against a street vendor. The three criminal laws, replacing the British-era legislation came into effect today. The Centre has been preparing for the smooth shift to the new laws for months read more

The Centre says the new criminal laws will ensure 'speedy justice'. Representative Image/PTI

The three new criminal laws have come into effect in India. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Act (BSA) have replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

These laws will bring several reforms to Indias criminal justice system. The legislation, which the Centre says will ensure speedy justice, has provisions like Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints and summoning through electronic modes such as SMS.

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After the new criminal laws were enforced, the first FIR was filed at 12.10 am in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior in case of motorcycle theft, reported NDTV. The Delhi Police on Monday (July 1) lodged its first FIR under provisions of the BNS against a street vendor in the Kamala Market.

Lets look at how India has prepared for the new criminal regime.

Centres efforts

The Centre started preparations for a smooth switch to the new criminal laws soon after they were notified on December 25.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has conducted multiple meetings with states and Union Territories (UTs).

An MHA official told the Times of India (TOI) that the ministry has held regular meetings with states/UTs. States and UTs are geared up in terms of technology, capacity building and awareness generation to implement the three criminal laws.

The Home Secretary held nine review meetings with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Women and Child Development Ministry, Department of Legal Affairs, iGoT-Karmayogi India, MyGov, Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and National Informatics Centre (NIC) for publicity campaign, training and capacity building, as per an India Today report.

WCD, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj ministries organised a webinar in Hindi for 40 lakh grassroots functionaries on June 21. Another such session was conducted on June 25 in English for about 50 lakh people.

The new criminal laws have provisions pertaining to Zero FIR and online registration of police complaints. Representational Image/Reuters

The Home Secretary also held five review meetings with Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of States/UTs to chalk out a blueprint for the effective implementation of the three laws, the India Today report added.

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ALSO READ: Indias three new criminal laws kick in from today: What will change for you?

Police, judiciary preparations

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has come up with 13 training modules to build capacity of various stakeholders including police, prisons, prosecutors, judicial officers, forensic experts and central police organisations.

A training module is being developed for instructing master trainers of all States/UTs through Central Academy of Police Training (CAPT), Bhopal and Central Intelligence Training Institutes (CDTI) Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ghaziabad, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru, reported India Today.

BPR&D has held 250 training courses/webinars/seminars and trained 40,317 officers and personnel.

The bureau is coordinating the efforts of a group of ministries for a synchronised publicity campaign.

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States and UTs have undertaken capacity building of more than five lakh officers, including from the police, prison, forensic, judicial and prosecution personnel.

To resolve the queries and issues of the field personnel regarding the implementation of the laws, control rooms have been established with a team of law and police officers, as per the India Today report.

Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy Of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, organised a five-day training session for IAS/ IPS /judicial officers, and for personnel from crime records bureaus, forensic labs, etc, reported Indian Express.

The judiciary has also taken steps to spread awareness about the new laws.

The Department of Legal Affairs has conducted four conferences with representatives from different fields including Chief Justice of India (CJI), judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, senior police personnel and domain experts, an official told Indian Express.

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Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Union Minister of Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal during the inauguration of a conference on Indias New Criminal Justice System - A Progressive Step organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice, at the Ambedkar International Centre, in New Delhi, April 20, 2024. File Photo/PTI

A fifth conference was organised in Mumbai on Sunday (June 30).

The Bar Council of India has mandated the inclusion of the new laws into the curricula of universities and Centres of Legal Education from the 2024-25 academic year.

Public awareness

As per Indian Express, thematic posters and flyers have been shared with all departments, while advisories, press releases, and infographics will be used to spread awareness through social media.

The I&B ministry through the Press Information Bureau has held 17 vartalap (conversations) and workshops for the regional media in 20 state capitals. More vartalaps will be held in other capital cities as well, a government official told the newspaper.

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All India Radio and Doordarshan also spread awareness about the new laws through news bulletins, special in-depth discussion programmes with experts, and explanatory videos, reported India Today.

Technological changes

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has made 23 functional modifications in the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) application to enhance tech compatibility, including the filing of FIRs.

A mobile app web application called NCRB Compendium of Criminal Laws was launched in March.

Technical support is being provided to states/UTs, and support teams and call centres have been set up for regular evaluation and assistance.

NIC has developed applications such as eSakshya, NyayShruti, and eSummon to facilitate videography and photography of crime scenes, judicial hearings and delivery of court summons electronically.

Changes have been made to CCTNS, e-Prison, e-Prosecution and e-Forensic Apps according to the new laws.

Challenges in implementing the new criminal laws

The Opposition has attacked the Centre over the implementation of the new criminal laws, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge saying that the legislation was forcibly passed by suspending 146 MPs.

INDIA will no longer allow this Bulldozer Justice to run on the Parliamentary system, he declared.

In an interview with The Wire, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising urged the Union law minister and Opposition parties to halt the implementation until the three criminal laws were further discussed and scrutinised. She said they would create a legal and judicial mess, warning that life and liberty could be in danger.

There could be confusion as the old laws will apply to offences committed before July 1, 2024.

As advocate Samarjit Pattnaik of Karanjawala &Co wrote for Moneycontrol, For offences committed from 1st July 2024 the three new laws will be applied. This will definitely cause a lot of confusion and it will take some time for the entire judicial and law enforcing system to get used to.

With inputs from agencies
Rishi Sunak has resigned as UK prime minister and said he will also step down as Tory leader after the Conservative Party suffered a massive defeat at the hands of Labour. Now, with several big party leaders such as Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, Priti Patel and Jeremy Hunt retaining their seats, the race to replace Sunak as party chief is on read more

Rishi Sunak has said he will remain in the post until the race to elect a new party chief begins. Reuters

For Rishi Sunak, its all over.

Sunak has handed in his resignation as UK prime minister after the Conservative Party suffered a massive defeat at the hands of Labour.

This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honored to have been prime minister of the best country in the world, Sunak said in his final speech outside 10 Downing Street.

Labour led by Sir Keir Starmer has racked up a mammoth 412 seats in the UK polls.

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The Conservatives, meanwhile, have been reduced to just 121 seats.

Sunak has also quit as Tory leader, though he said he will remain in the position until the race for the new party chief begins.

The Telegraph quoted Sir Brandon Lewis, the former Conservative chairman as saying his party MPs would render their pick by the end of July.

Meanwhile, the party workers would decide the new leaders in the next few months.

But who could replace Sunak as the new head of the Conservative Party?

Lets take a closer look:

Kemi Badenoch

Badenoch, a former banker, could be the favourite to replace Sunak.

Badenoch, the UKs Minster for Women and Equalities, has become a darling of Conservative right-wingers" over direct approach and dedication to anti-woke principles, according to the BBC.

Badenoch won her North West Essex seat by 2,600 votes.

As per The Telegraph, Badenoch in May had the rating of any Cabinet minister among readers of the influential ConservativeHome website.

Kemi Badenoch, a former banker, seems to be the odds on favourite to replace Rishi Sunak.

However, it may not all be smooth sailing for Badenoch.

As Tom Newton Dunn noted in the London Evening Standard she is far from a shoo-in.

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While she is an original and loved by the members, she can be bad-tempered and dismissive inside Westminster and is far less loved by Tory MPs.

Badenoch in recent days got in a spat with ex-Doctor Who actor David Tennant who told her to shut up in a speech on LGBTQ rights.

Badenoch, who some have labelled a culture warrior, accused Tennant of being blinded by his ideology.

Suella Braverman

The Indian-origin Braverman has been eyeing Sunaks chair for months.

Indeed, Braverman wasted little time lashing out at Sunak the day after she was sacked as British home secretary in November, calling his approach uncertain, weak and a betrayal of his promises.

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Braverman as home secretary had championed the governments stalled plan to send asylum-seekers who arrive in Britain in boats on a one-way trip to Rwanda.

She has emerged victorious in the newly-created Fareham and Waterlooville constituency.

Braverman defeated Labours Gemma Furnivall by over 6,000 votes.

Im sorry that my party didnt listen to you, she said in a press conference. The Conservative party has let you down.

You, the great British people, voted for us for over 14 years, and we did not keep our promises, despite promising time after time that we would do those things, she added.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman was sacked by Rishi Sunak. AP

Although Braverman is a rallying figure for some Conservatives, she has the support of a minority of the partys lawmakers.

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More centrist Tories see her as reviving the authoritarian and intolerant nasty party image that the Conservatives have long worked to shed, starting with the government of Prime Minister David Cameron between 2010 and 2016.

Though the tough on immigration leader remains popular with her party base, she may be second choice behind business secretary Badenoch.

Penny Mordaunt

Thought to be a moderate Conservative, Mordaunt is a Royal Navy reservist.

She was the UKs first woman defence secretary.

Mordaount lost her Portsmouth North in todays poll.

She was defeated by Labours Amanda Martin by fewer than 1,000 votes.

According to the Express, the Conservative Party constitution states that the leader of the party shall be drawn from those elected to Parliament.

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So while this would seemingly rule Mordant out at first glance, it is important to note that the Tories could always change their party constitution.

The newspaper quoted the Institute for Government as saying: Among smaller parties, it is quite common for party leaders not to sit in the House of Commons.

Indeed, it cited the example of Reform leader Nigel Farage who previously led the party despite not being a sitting MP  though that will now change with his victory.

As per The Telegraph, Mordaunt was the third most popular Cabinet minister among ConservativeHome readers in May.

The Guardian earlier this year reported that Mordaunt was being considered as a potential consensus candidate to replace Sunak.

Mordaunt raised her profile during King Charles coronation last year when she became the first woman to perform the ceremonial exchange of swords.

I was so honoured to be part of the coronation along with thousands of others who played their part, Mordaunt told PEOPLE Magazine.

Priti Patel

Patel, like Braverman, is another Indian-origin MP.

Like Braverman, Patel too served as UK home secretary in the Boris Johnson regime.

Patel too held onto her seat in Essexs Witham  which she has held since 2010.

Patel has been involved in multiple controversies.

Patel in 2020 made an unreserved apology after an inquiry found she bullied Home Office staff.

Priti Patel has seemingly surpassed Braverman with support from the Tory party faithful in recent months.

In 2017, Patel was asked to resign as the international development secretary by then Prime Minister Theresa May over unauthorised communications with Israeli officials.

Patel in recent months has seemingly surpassed Braverman with support from the Tory party faithful in recent months.

Patel is expected to present Badenoch with her toughest challenge when it comes to winning the hearts and minds of the party base.

The Telegraph reported that figures from across the party wanted her to stand as a potential unifying candidate who could end the infighting and provide a credible leader of the Opposition.

Tom Tugendhat

Tugendhat was the UKs security minister.

Tugendhat has been re-elected to his Tonbridge seat in Kent.

Tugendhat won 20,517 votes against Labours Lewis Bailey who got 9,351 votes and the Greens Anna Cope, who received 7,596 votes.

This has been a very, very difficult night for the Conservative Party, Tugendhat said after the results. This has clearly been one of those moments where we really do need to stop and rethink where were going.

Tugendhat previously ran for Tory leadership in 2022.

As per The Telegraph, Tugendhat comes from the Conservative Partys moderate wing.

Politico reported that Tugendhat has been working quietly in the background to test the level of support he has among colleagues.

The Telegraph quoted bookmaker William Hill as saying Tugendhat was now the second favourite behind Badenoch to take over the reins of the Conservative Party.

Jeremy Hunt

Hunt is the former finance minister of Britain.

Hunt held on to his parliamentary seat in southern England on Friday, fending off a fierce challenge from the smaller Liberal Democrat party.

Hunt, a Conservative lawmaker who was also health secretary and foreign secretary during 11 years at the top of government, was tipped to be the biggest scalp on the night, as the Conservatives lost seats across the country.

But after surviving the challenge, Hunts odds of taking over as Conservative Party chief have improved according to William Hill.

James Cleverly

Cleverly was the UKs home secretary. He previously served as education secretary and foreign secretary.

Cleverly was re-elected as Member of Parliament from Braintree in Essex.

Cleverly defeated Labours Matthew Wright, who got 13,744 votes.

Meanwhile, Reform UKs Richard Thomson came in third with 11,436 votes, while Liberal Democrat Kieron Franks netted 2,879 votes.

The Green Partys Paul Thorogood got 2,878 votes, and Independent David Heather received 767 votes.

The Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel is thought to lack the appetite to follow Sunak given his wife Susies cancer treatment in recent years, as per The Times.

However, Cleverly is reportedly being urged to stand by some centrist colleagues.

James Cleverly had replaced Suella Braverman as UKs home secretary. AP File Photo

As per The Week, Cleverly will not say no given the uncertainty of the state of the party post-election.

As per The Guardian, Cleverly is well known and affable, and can be a good communicator.

However, his proximity to Sunak may be his downfall as Tory MPs and party workers may want a complete break from the past.

Grant Shapps

Shapps, a centrist, was the UKs defence secretary.

As per The Guardian, Shapps is thought to be the insiders insider and is said to have made spreadsheets tracking support for other candidates in the past.

However, like Cleverly, Shapps has been front and centre in the Conservative Party for over a decade.

He too may also fall prey to the demand for change from the Tory base.

Shapps on Friday lost the Welwyn-Hatfield constituency in Hertfordshire to Labours Andrew Lewin  ending a 19-year stint as MP.

BBC quoted Shapps as saying that the voters had tired of an endless political soap opera" and that the people do not vote for divided parties.

Victoria Atkins

Atkins was the UKs health secretary.

Though she has been an MP since 2015, Atkins is little-known.

She became health secretary in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

As per The Guardian, Atkins is thought to be a good communicator.

Atkins on Friday held onto her Louth & Horncastle seat  defeating Reform UKs Sean Matthews and Labours Jonathan Slater.

Im very pleased but enormously honoured to be re-elected. This is my home, I love representing the people of Louth & Horncastle, and its an incredible privilege. I hope others are as pleased that Ive been re-elected and Im looking forward to the next five years, Atkins was quoted as saying by MSN.

Robert Jenrick

Jenrick, the former immigration minister, quit Sunaks Cabinet after Braverman was sacked.

According to The Guardian, some in the party see Jenrick as nothing more than a B-list Braverman.

He is thought to be organised and eager to run for the top job.

Jenrick was so little-known before his rise under Johnson that he was called Robert Generic.

He has since created a new avatar for himself as a migration and culture warrior.

However, with stars like Badenoch, Patel and Braverman to choose from, the Tory workers are unlikely to go for Jenrick.

Jenrick was re-elected as MP for Newark on Friday  defeating Labours Saj Ahmed by 3,572 votes.

Steve Baker

Baker was the Minister for Northern Ireland.

The MP from Wycombe lost his seat in todays poll.

Im sad for our country because Labour are going to be a disaster.. I wanted to win this.. But for me personally, thank God Im free.. Its over.. And Im glad, Baker told BBC.

Baker had won the seat in 2019 with a margin of 4,214 votes.

Baker, a senior Tory backbencher, twice chaired the European Research Group (ERG) of Brexiteer MPs before Britain left the EU in 2020.

David Cameron

Cameron is the former British prime minister.

Widely regarded as politically moderate and socially liberal, he had returned to Sunaks government in the Cabinet shuffle that ousted Braverman.

Sunak then appointed him foreign secretary, making Cameron the first ex-prime minister for half a century to hold another Cabinet post.

His return to the head of the Tory party would be a massive twist in the tale.

However, as The Telegraph noted, this may be a tall order for the man who has a negative approval rating with ConservativeHome readers in May.

Former prime minister David Cameron leaving Downing Street in London. AP

While Cameron does not technically need to have a seat in the House of Commons to lead the Tory party in Opposition, this scenario is unlikely in the extreme.

Boris Johnson

Johnson replacing Sunak if anything would be an even more incredible story.

Such a development would be a huge irony given that it was Sunaks resignation that was arguably the final blow which toppled Johnson after months of ethics scandals.

However, the party seems to have moved on from the scandals and tumult of Johnsons leadership.

Few, if any from the party, would be willing to give Johnson another look.

Nigel Farage

This is perhaps the most outlandish scenario on the table.

Farage, the leader of Reform UK, isnt even a member of the Tories.

Farage has even said it is his mission to destroy the party, as per The Guardian.

Former MEP and president of the Reform UK party Nigel Farage. AP

Farage on Friday won a seat in the UK Parliament  on his eight attempt.

He emerged victorious in the seaside English town of Clacton-on-Sea as voters deserted Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party.

Farage, whose career of anti-immigration, pro-Brexit campaigning has made him one of Britains most recognisable and divisive political figures, comfortably beat the Conservative candidate Giles Watling who had previously held the seat.

There is a massive gap on the center right of British politics and my job is to fill it and thats exactly what Im gonna do, Farage said after the result was announced.

My plan is to build a mass national movement over the course of the next few years and hopefully be big enough to challenge the general election properly in 2029.

Believe me, folks, this is just the first step of something that is going to stun all of you, he said.

But for the Conservative Party, desperate times call for desperate measures.

And given what has happened in British politics over the past decade, nothing can be ruled out completely.

With inputs from agencies
The Cetrovo 1.0, also known as the Carbon Star Rapid Transit, has been unveiled in Shandong provinces Qingdao. The train, which has a top speed of 140 kilometres per hour, will begin operations in the city of Qingdao later this year read more

The carbon fibre train was manufactured by Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Co  a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation. Image courtesy: @CRRC_global

China now has the worlds first carbon fibre train.

The Cetrovo 1.0, also known as the Carbon Star Rapid Transit, was unveiled in Shandong provinces Qingdao.

But what do we know about the train?

Lets take a closer look:

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the train was manufactured by Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Co  a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation.

The train has successfully been tested at the factory.

It will begin operations in the city of Qingdao later this year.

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The train has a top speed of 140 kilometres per hour.

This is much faster than the average speed of 80 kilometres per hour of Chinese metro trains.

The train is also fully automated and driverless.

The trains structure including its car body and bogie frame comprises composite materials made from tiny stands of carbon atoms interlinked.

The company says the carbon fibre body and frame are around 25 and 50 per cent lighter than counterparts made of steel, aluminium and other metals.

As per SCMP, this reduces the weight of the train by 11 per cent.

This in turn leads to less energy being consumed to power the train and less wear on the tracks.

The Cetrovo 1.0, also known as the Carbon Star Rapid Transit, is also fully automated and driverless. It will begin operations in the city of Qingdao later this year. Image courtesy: @CRRC_global

According to Global Construction, the train will not face corrosion over its 30-year service life.

The carbon fibre is five times stronger than steel, but 75 per cent lighter.

As per SCMP, the company says a seven per cent decrease in energy consumption is equivalent to 130 tonnes of carbon dioxide being reduced.

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Over 100 acres of trees would need to be planted to reduce an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.

In the field of rail transit, a key technology is to reduce the vehicles body weight and its energy consumption while ensuring vehicle performance towards a greener, low-carbon future, Qingdao Sifang said on WeChat as per SCMP.

Carbon fibre until recently was being used in items such as airplanes.

However, its cost has been consistently falling for decades.

Carbon fibre, which was around $400 per kg in the 1980s, is around $30 today.

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The Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Co was founded in 1900 under German occupation.

It is one of Chinas oldest and most esteemed rolling stock manufacturers.

The company won its first US contract in 2014  to supply metro trains to Boston.

The company in 2018 first said it would build carbon fibre rolling stock which would be a comprehensive upgrade in terms of energy saving, environmental protection, comfort and intelligence, according to Global Construction.

With inputs from agencies
On July 3, Japan will introduce new banknotes featuring what it claims to be the worlds pioneering use of advanced holography. This technology creates the illusion of historic figures portraits rotating in 3D on the bills, serving as a key anti-counterfeit measure. This marks the first redesign of the banknotes in 20 years read more

A worker holds samples of new Japanese yen banknotes at a factory of the National Printing Bureau producing Bank of Japan notes. File Image/Reuters

Japan is set to unveil a new series of banknotes, marking the first significant redesign in two decades. This update to the 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 notes incorporates advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies and features prominent historical figures.

Since the country issued its first banknote in 1885, there have been 53 different designs. This latest update, effective from July 3, comes as a measure to enhance security and usability amid evolving technological advancements.

What are the new features of the redesigned banknotes?

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The upcoming banknotes introduce several innovative features equipped with advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting. One of the most notable advancements is the incorporation of cutting-edge holographic technology, which creates a three-dimensional effect. These include:

Three-dimensional holographic stripes on the 10,000 and 5,000 notes that display the portraits from different angles when tilted. The 1,000 bill also includes a similar holographic patch at the bottom left corner.

Enlarged Arabic numerals replacing the previous kanji characters for easier recognition of the face value by people of all ages and nationalities.

Tactile marks to help visually impaired individuals identify the denominations by touch.

Intaglio printing and watermarks for enhanced authenticity.

In a groundbreaking move, Japan claims to be the first country to utilise holography that creates a 3D rotating effect on the portraits, significantly elevating the notes security features.

These features are part of Japans ongoing efforts to combat counterfeiting, which, despite a significant decline in recent years, remains a concern. In 2020, there were 2,693 counterfeit cases reported, whereas only 681 cases were reported in 2023.

Who are the historical figures featured on the new banknotes?

The new banknotes will prominently feature three influential figures from Japanese history, each chosen for their significant contributions to the nation.

The 10,000 note will feature Eiichi Shibusawa (1840-1931), known as the father of Japanese capitalism. Shibusawa played a pivotal role in the modernisation of Japans economy during the Meiji Era.

He was instrumental in establishing the First National Bank in 1873 and founded over 500 companies, including notable names like Sapporo Brewery and Tokyos Imperial Hotel. On the back of the 10,000 note, the iconic red-brick building of Tokyo Stations Marunouchi Building is depicted, symbolising the progress and modernisation Shibusawa championed.

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The banknotes will be redesigned and issued on July 3, 2024. Bank of Japan

Umeko Tsuda (1864-1929) will grace the 5,000 note. Tsuda was a pioneering educator who dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for women. After studying in the United States, she founded Tsuda University, which remains one of Japans most prestigious institutions for women.

The reverse side of the 5,000 note features Japanese wisteria flowers, a symbol of the beauty and persistence of Tsudas efforts to uplift womens status in Japanese society.

Also Read | From the Himalayas to Tokyo: How Nepal is helping Japan print its currency notes

The 1,000 note will honour Shibasaburo Kitasato (1853-1931), a celebrated bacteriologist known for his contributions to modern medicine. Kitasato co-discovered an antitoxin for diphtheria and was a key figure in the early development of Japanese medical science.

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The back of the 1,000 note showcases The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a famous woodblock print by ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, symbolising Kitasatos impact on global science and medicine.

How will the new banknotes be made available?

The new banknotes will be made available starting Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Initially, they will be distributed to financial institutions, which will then make them available to the public through ATMs and cashier windows.

By the end of March 2025, nearly 7.5 billion new banknotes are expected to be in circulation, with a total of 5 billion banknotes prepared by the end of March 2024. The old banknotes will remain valid for transactions even as the new ones enter circulation.

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Banknotes range in value from one thousand yen all the way up to ten thousand yen. Representative Image/Reuters

A survey conducted by the Japanese Finance Ministry indicates that around 80 per cent to 90 per cent of banks, railway stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets will have updated their machines to accept the new banknotes before the release date. However, street vending machines and restaurant ticketing machines may take longer to adapt to the new currency.

What kind of public impact are we looking at in Japan?

The introduction of the new banknotes comes at a time when Japan is grappling with a shift from cash to cashless payments.

As of 2023, cashless payments accounted for about 40 per cent of transactions in Japan, which lags behind other countries such as the UK, Canada, the US, China, Singapore, and South Korea, where cashless transactions exceed 50 per cent of total payments.

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From July 3, 2024, the new series of BOJ notes will be paid out to financial institutions (FIs), which will distribute the notes over their counters or through ATMs once they are ready. Please note that the timing (date and time) of availability may vary by FI or its branches. pic.twitter.com/7EbjT8kRtO  Bank of Japan (@Bank_of_Japan_e) July 1, 2024

The redesigned banknotes reflect a balance between maintaining traditional cash systems and encouraging a move towards more digital payment methods.

The launch of the new banknotes has also posed challenges for local businesses. For example, Fukumen Tomo, a ramen shop in Tokyo, had to invest approximately 300,000 yen to replace ticket machine parts to accept the new currency, reported Nippon News.

Also Read: Whats the beni koji death scandal in Japan?

The owner, Tomonori Oikawa, expressed concerns about the financial burden of these updates and the potential need to raise menu prices. To support small businesses, Tokyos Katsushika Ward will provide subsidies of up to 300,000 yen to cover half of the costs associated with adapting to the new banknotes.

With inputs from agencies
Screens have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. Blue light emanating from digital devices is bad for our eyes. But did you know they do not help your skin either? read more

Blue light from screens are harmful for the skin. Representational Image/Pixabay

Screens have become an unseverable part of our lives. In this digital era, most of us are spending over 12 hours on our screens daily. Consider this, you are reading this article on your mobile, laptop or other digital device and it is affecting your skin.

We all know that being glued to screens is bad for your eyes. But were you aware that the blue light emitted from these devices is also harmful to your skin?

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We will explain how.

What is blue light?

Blue light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 490 nanometers.

Also known as high energy visible (HEV) light, blue light is visible to the human eye, unlike ultraviolet (UV) light which is invisible.

The sun is the main source of blue light, but digital screens such as TVs, laptops and mobile phones are additional sources, as well as LED and fluorescent lighting, cosmetic dermatologist Dr Connie Yang told HuffPost.

Blue light from screens can damage your skin. Representational Image/Pixabay

Besides impacting eyes, blue light exposure can disrupt sleep cycles.

Blue lights impact on skin

Blue light can penetrate the skin and cause several problems such as premature ageing and hyperpigmentation. It damages collagen through oxidative stress, as per a New York Times (NYT) report.

As blue light can create oxidative stress destroying skin cells, collagen, and elastin fibres, this can result in the skin losing its elasticity and firmness, contributing to premature ageing, Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, a dermatologist and anti-allergy specialist, wrote for ThePrint.

Blue light is not as harmful to the skin as UV rays produced by the Sun.

[Blue light] is thought to penetrate deeper into the skin than UV light but fortunately is not associated with the development of skin cancer, Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospitals Department of Dermatology in New York City, told Everyday Health in 2021.

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A prolonged exposure to blue light can stimulate melanocytes, the cells responsible for melanin production, according to Dr Bhardwaj.

A 2010 study showed hyperpigmentation occurs in medium to dark skin tones from blue light.

Dr Bhardwaj wrote in her Opinion piece for ThePrint that this can lead to uneven skin colour and dark spots.

Experts say blue light can also cause dry skin, inflammation, redness and acne.

Over time, because [blue light] is penetrating your third layer of your skin, its going to bring out redness in your skin, its going to bring out acne, its going to bring out ageing in your skin, Tomorrow-Today Beauty founder Indianna Roehrich told Harpers Bazaar magazine.

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But it is not all bad when it comes to blue light. Speaking to HuffPost, dermatologist Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed said that blue light is used to treat acne and pre-cancerous skin cells by causing oxidation and thus destroying these cells.

ALSO READ: You shouldnt sleep with your cell phone at night. Heres why

How to protect skin?

The simplest solution is to limit the amount of blue light let off by our devices. While Apple products have a night shift option that gives a warmer screen tone, Android has night mode and laptops have night light.

You can also reduce your screen time to limit strain on the eyes and check expanded exposure to blue light.

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Dr Hamed told HuffPost that sunscreens alone cannot protect the skin from the harmful effects of blue light. Thus, mineral sunscreens with iron oxides are recommended to do the job.

If youre consistently in front of a blue screen, or artificial lights, then yes [you need anti-blue light skin care]. Ideally, Id invest in some blue light glasses to protect the eyes against the damage first, he said.

Experts say sunscreens alone cannot protect the skin from the harmful effects of blue light. Representational Image/Pixabay

Applying serums or moisturisers on skin rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, and ferulic acid protects the skin against blue light, Dr Bhardwaj wrote in ThePrint article.

However, it is not yet proven that antioxidants work on blue light, NYT noted.

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Experts say adopting a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine can also be beneficial.

With inputs from agencies
In his maiden speech as the LoP in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi complained that fallen Agniveers dont get the status of martyrs or shaheed. What has been the governments stand on the matter? read more

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi speaks in the House during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi on 1 July, 2024. PTI

Amid an acerbic attack by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on the ruling BJP and PM Modi, and strong counterattack from the treasury benches, the Congress leader alleged that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was not keen on acknowledging the Agniveers dying in the line of duty as martyrs.

He said, An agniveer from a poor family was martyred in a landmine blast. I am calling him a martyr. But the government does not acknowledge him as a martyr. Narendra Modi wont call him a martyr. Modi calls him Agniveer. His family wont get the pension. His family wont get compensation. He wont get the status of martyr.

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The MPs, including ministers, from the ruling coalition rejected Rahul Gandhis allegations as misleading claims, challenging him to authenticate that Agniveers who laid down their lives didnt receive compensation from the government.

However, this martyr or shaheed debate around the fallen soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty is not new. It was hotly debated even when the Congress was in power. In 2013, the government said that there was no provision to declare a fallen soldier a martyr.

The Manmohan government said it in May 2013

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government headed by Manmohan Singh was entering its final year in 2013, when the issue of according a martyr status to fallen soldiers became an emotive issue. It happened against the backdrop of demands for  with then Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde raising hopes of  a martyr status for Sarabjit Singh, the Indian national who was executed in Pakistan in 2013 on charges related to terrorism which he and the Indian government denied.

Weeks after Shindes promise of getting the martyr status for Sarabjit Singh, the Manmohan Singh government clarified in May 2013 that there were no such plans under its consideration. It categorically said that the status of martyrs would not be accorded to those who lay down their lives in the line of duty.

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For long, police officers had been demanding martyr status for cops killed in action. Their demand was also denied. Home ministry officials were quoted in various media reports as saying that the issue had been examined at various levels but there is no provision under any government rule to notify martyrs.

Martyrs appear in the only official document  a 1980-version of the freedom fighters pension scheme  that refers to people who died or were killed for participating in the national movement for emancipation of India. However, repeated demands for according the martyr status to Bhagat Singh, the young Indian revolutionary who was executed by the British colonial government, were not met for the lack of legal provisions in India.

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Modi government maintained the same stand December 2015

A year after the Modi government came to power, the Union home ministry in a reply to Lok Sabha on December 22, 2015, said that the defence ministry had informed it that the word martyr was not used in reference to any of the casualties in Indian armed forces.

Similarly, no such term is used in reference to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel killed in action or on any operation, then-Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, now the parliamentary affairs minister, had said in the written reply.

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The same stand was reiterated by the government in the Rajya Sabha in December 2021.

When an RTI applicant reached the CIC, March 2017

The defence and home ministries told the Central Information Commission, in response of an RTI applicant approached the Union home minister seeking to know the detailed definition of shaheed (martyr) according to the law and Constitution, that there was no term as martyr or shaheed in the Army or the police.

The applicant approached the CIC complaining that the ministries didnt give a satisfactory reply.

Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad said, The respondent from the Ministry of Defence stated that the word shaheed or martyr is not used by the MoD. Instead the one used is battle casualty. The respondent from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that in the MHA the word used is operations casualty.

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Rahul Gandhi tweets his demand after Pulwama, February 2019

Following the Pulwama terror attack, Rahul Gandhi demanded the status of shaheed to CRPF soldiers killed in the incident on the Jammu-Srinagar highway since it was not yet available.

He tweeted, We must recognise the sacrifices of our paramilitary forces, like the CRPF & award their martyrs the title of Shaheed. Even if the PMs ego will not allow him to act on my request, I hope he will act on the SCs order for better pay to the Paramilitary.

The BJPs Amit Malviya replied, There is no term as martyr or shaheed in the Army or the police, instead a soldier or a policeman killed in action is called a battle casualty or operations casualty respectively. This has been settled long ago. Rahul Gandhi is a compulsive liar.

The Army communique to its Commands, February 2022

The Army headquarters issued a letter to all its Commands on the incorrect use of the term martyr for soldiers who fell in the line of duty, which it said may not be appropriate.

Martyr refers to a person who suffers death as a penalty for refusing to renounce a religion or a person who suffers very much or is killed because of their religious or political beliefs, the letter dated February 2, 2022, said.

It said that the continued reference to Indian Army soldiers as martyrs may not be appropriate.

The letter listed six alternative terms that can be used for fallen soldiers. These are  killed in action, laid down their lives, supreme sacrifice for the nation, fallen heroes, Indian Army braves and fallen soldiers.

Who actually were martyrs and shaheeds?

Both became popular with episodes of crusade. The term martyr has its origin in an ancient Greek dialect. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church traces it to the New Testament, defining martyr as a witness, saying it was first used for the Apostles in the sense that they had witnessed Jesus Christs life and resurrection.

As it happened that early Christians were persecuted for adopting the new religion, the term martyr was also applied to them. In effect, the word eventually became the term to identify a person who had died for his belief in Christ.

Shaheed, on the other hand, is an Arabic-origin word shaheed and in the Quran, it is used frequently in the sense of witness. Oxford Bibliographies says that shaheed is a person who suffers or dies on his own volition for the sake of affirming the truth of a belief system.

This connection with religious wars or persecution has been a strong argument against enacting a law in India for according the status of martyr or shaheed to the countrys fallen soldiers, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The first case was filed under Section 285 of the new criminal code for obstructing a foot over bridge at New Delhi Railway Station and conducting sales read more

The first FIR under the new criminal code was registered in New Delhi on Monday, the same day it came into force. The complaint under Section 173 of the new Bharatiya Nagarik Sanhita (BNS) was filed against a street vendor for obstructing a road near the New Delhi Railway Station.

India has replaced its British-era Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act laws with new reforms, with the objective of making the criminal justice system faster and more efficient. All the FIRs from July 1, 2024, will be registered under provisions of BNS.

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All the cases registered before July 1, 2024, will continue to be tried under IPC, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act until final.

First case filed under new criminal laws

The first case was filed under Section 285 of the new criminal code for obstructing a foot over bridge at New Delhi Railway Station and conducting sales.

Fault of the accused booked under new criminal laws

According to the FIR, the case has been registered against 23-year-old Pankaj Kumar, a resident of Baad Bakhtiyaarpur village in Bihars Patna.

What does the first FIR under new criminal laws say?

The FIR mentions that Pankaj Kumar, the accused was vending tobacco products and water bottles from a cart positioned under foot over bridge, close to the main road, resulting in obstruction and inconvenience to passersby.

The on-duty cops patrolling in the area instructed the accused to relocate his cart, but he disregarded their instructions.

The police officer asked several passers-by to join the probe, but they refused. Then he shot a video using the e-praman application, the FIR mentioned.

Who has filed the first FIR under new criminal laws?

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The first complaint under the new criminal laws has been filed by sub-inspector Kartik Meena of the Kamla Market police station, who was on patrol duty last night.

The cop asked Pankaj Kumar repeatedly to move his cart, but when he did not, the police officer moved to register an FIR.

What is Section 285?

According to Section 285 of the BNS Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000.

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New Criminal Laws

Three new criminal codes  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam  have come into force from July 1, 2024.

The criminal codes have been changed with the aim to ensure speedy justice and tackling new kinds of crime. Also, judgments are now required within 45 days of completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.
The Patiala House Court in Delhi, on July 2, will issue a final order and set rule on the conditions of Engineer Rashids oath taking read more

Jailed Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, is expected to take oath as the MP on July 55 in the parliament after getting a nod from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday.

The green signal from NIA came a day ahead of an order on this matter from Delhis Patiala House Court. Additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh will pass an order on the plea and set conditions of his oath-taking on July 2.

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Why Engineer Rashid has still not taken oath as MP?

Engineer Rashid won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate from the Baramulla seat, defeating former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Congress leader Omar Abdullah by a margin of over 2 lakh votes.

On June 24, when the other MPs of the 18th Lok Sabha took oath, Engineer Rashids name was also called but he could not follow the procedure since he has been lodged in jail since 2019 after being charged by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in a terror funding case.

Rashid had moved the court seeking interim bail, or custody parole in the alternative, to take oath as well as perform his parliamentary functions. On June 22, a Delhi court had adjourned the matter and asked the NIA to file its response.

On Saturday, Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Gupta mandated NIA to respond to Rashids interim bail application to facilitate his oath taking. The court directed the agency to file its reply by July 1.

NIA sets restrictions for Rashid

The NIA counsel said it does not oppose Rashids plea to take oath but said he should be subject to certain restrictions including not speaking to the media.

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The counsel also said that Rashid will have to finish taking oath and all other activities within a single day.

Why is Engineer Rashid jailed?

Rashid, founder of Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party, has been arrested in a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case.

Since he is in jail, Rashid contested the election as an independent candidate. His two sons led his campaign.

Rashid, a two-time MLA from the Langate constituency of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but was defeated.

He started his political career after resigning from his job as a construction engineer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that the Constitution had taught him to respect the post of the Leader of Opposition, which is currently held today by Rahul Gandhi read more

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP), triggered a row in the Lok Sabha on Monday with his remark targeting the BJP, saying those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and lies. Gandhis comments forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to interrupt and seeking apology and saying, calling the entire Hindu community violent is very serious.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Speaking on Motion of Thanks to the Presidents Address in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi displaying a poster depicting Lord Shiva, said: Abhayamudra is the symbol of the Congress The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions

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All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (you are not Hindus), Gandhi further said.

Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred and falsehoods, Gandhi said, citing Islam, Sikhism to underline one should be fearless.

#WATCH | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruthAap Hindu ho hi nahi"



PM Modi is present in the House. pic.twitter.com/mdHtPI9TvL  ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Government demands apology from Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi remarks created uproar in the Lok Sabha. Amid this, PM Modi stood up and slammed Gandhi for remark, saying: Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter.

In his second intervention that drew jeers from his rivals; PM Modi declared the Constitution had taught him to respect the post of the LoP, which is currently held today by Gandhi.

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#WATCH | After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter." pic.twitter.com/HrpCvLg3hF  ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Union minister Amit Shah slammed Rahul Gandhis remark, demanding an apology.

The Leader of the Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesnt know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise, he said.

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However, Gandhi hit back saying PM Modi and Shah cannot claim to be the sole representative of the Hindu community.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in response to Gandhi, said the House operates under established rules, procedures, and traditions and that during the motion of thanks on the Presidents address, no other issue has historically been taken up.

With inputs from agencies
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will release a book on Param Vir Chakra recipient Abdul Hamid which mentions interesting facts and experiences of the 1965 Indo-Pak war solider that he shared with his son and family members read more

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will release a book on Param Vir Chakra recipient Veer Abdul Hamid on Monday which also marks his birth anniversary at his residence in Ghazipurs Dhamupur village.

In July last year, Veer Abdul Hamids son Jainul Hassan had informed Bhagwat about the book being written on his father and requested the RSS chief to release it after its final publication.

The title of the book on Abdul Hamid is Mere Papa Param Vir and has been authored by Dr Ramchandran Shrinivasan. It narrates the tales and stories from the war field that Jainul Hassan heard from his father before martyrdom.

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The book also includes several interesting facts and experiences of Abdul Hamid that he shared with his son and family members, a report by ToI quoted Hassan as saying.

Who Abdul Hamid is?

1 - Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the 4th Grenadiers, Indian Army. During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, his battalion displayed exemplary valour and fought the enemy with great determination.

2 - Company Quarter Master Havildar (CQMH) Abdul Hamid came under fire in the Khem Karan sector of Punjab from an enemy tank in the 1965 Indo-Pak was blown to death after a direct hit on the jeep he was mounted on.

3 - Abdul Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for display of exceptional bravery and conspicuous courage in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

4 - He was born on July 1, 1933, in Dhamupur village in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.

5 - Abdul Hamid completed his education till eighth standard from a junior high school in Deva. He could not study further due to the grim financial condition of his family.

6 - He had then started helping his father at his familys tailoring shop.

7 - In 1953, when he was 20 years old, Abdul Hamid had joined the Indian Army.

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8 - He trained at the Grenadiers Regimental Center in Nasirabad and in 1955 he was posted to 4 GRENADIERS.

9 - Initially, Abdul Hamid served in a rifle company and was then sidestepped to the Recoil-Less Platoon (RCL)

10 - He served with his battalion in Agra, Amritsar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, North-East frontier Agency (NEFA) and Ramgarh.

Abdul Hamids role in 1965 India-Pakistan war

On September 6, 1965, Pakistan was left surprised by the Indian Armys offensive in Punjab to offset the attack launched by Pakistan Army in the Chhamb sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

After being dislodged from their positions in Khemkaran sector, the Pakistan army launched a counter attack with its 1 Armoured Division.

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On the morning of September 8, the 4 Grenadiers quickly occupied a defended sector at Asal Uttar. They arrived in the sector from the area of Ichhogil Canal and started frantically to dig down.

The battalion held their fire and when the leading tank was 30 yards away Abdul Hamid knocked it out.

The crew of the two follow-up tanks abandoned them and fled. After the unsuccessful attempt of the preceding day, on September 9, Pakistani forces carried out recce in force with tanks, throughout the latter part of September 9 and 10.

The attack came at 6:45 am on September 10, 1965. Pakistani tanks came in area Manwan with an aim to bypass the Indian defended sector. At 8:30 am an enemy combat group from Pak 4 Armoured Brigade was launched against 4 Grenadiers but the attack was foiled by artillery concentrations before the enemy infantry could close in on the Indian minefields. Indian armour then came from flanks resulting in a tank battle.

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Abdul Hamid was manning a recoilless gun (RLC) there. On September 10, around 8:00 am, Pakistani forces attacked a vital sector ahead of the village of Chima on the Bhikhiwind road in the Khem Karan Sector with a regiment of Patton tanks. There was heavy artillery shelling preceding the attack.

The enemy tanks then had reached the forward position. Abdul Hamid, commander of a recoilless gun detachment, realised the gravity of the situation and moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep amidst heavy enemy shelling and tank fire. He quickly changed positions after taking advantage of a favourable location to take out the leading enemy tank and ignite another tank.

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After being recognised by the enemy tanks in the region, intense enemy fire with heavy explosives and concentrated machine guns was directed towards his jeep.

Abdul Hamid continued firing his RCL at yet another enemy tank without ceasing. He was fatally wounded while doing so by an enemy high explosive shell. Inspired by the courageous act of Abdul Hamid, his companions put up a valiant resistance and repulsed the enemys massive tank onslaught.

He showed total disregard for his own safety throughout the operation, exhibited unwavering bravery in the face of persistent enemy fire.

The grave of Abdul Hamid and all those Indian Army soldiers who laid down their lives in the Battle of Asal Uttar is located at the outskirts of Chima Village on Khemkaran-Bhikkiwind road in Tarn Taran district of Punjab.

With inputs from MoD, Govt of India
Pakistan cannot continue to nurture those terror groups that operate in its east while targeting those operational in its west read more

Despite earlier operations, the menace of terrorism has persisted, presenting a challenge to Pakistans security. This has raised questions about Pakistan's strategy in dealing with a threat that is of its own creation. Image: REUTERS

Amid a surge in terror incidents, which Pakistan blames on the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership hiding in Afghanistan, on June 22, Pakistan announced that it is launching a counterterrorism (CT) campaign that promises to eradicate all forms of extremism and violent militancy in the country in a decisive manner.

Described as an attempt to reinvigorate and re-energise the ongoing implementation of the Revised National Action Plan, Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, which means strong resolve for stability, is the latest in a list of kinetic actions that Pakistans security forces have undertaken over the last two decades.

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Despite earlier operations, the menace of terrorism has persisted, presenting a challenge to Pakistans security. This has raised questions about its strategy in dealing with a threat that is of its own creation.

Earlier Operations

It was in 2001 that the military-led government of Gen Pervez Musharraf launched the so-called Operation Enduring Freedom in the former tribal regions following the US invasion of Afghanistan. A series of counter-terrorism campaigns followed: Al-Mizan (2002), Zalzala (2008), Sher Dil, Rah-i-Haq, and Rah-i-Raast (20072009), Rah-i-Nijaat (2009), Zarb-i-Azb (2014), and Raddul Fasaad (2017).

Given the questionable success of the previous operations, there is scepticism over the launch of the present operation. This is also because Pakistan is seen to be making compromises with militant outfits it claims to be fighting; hence, there exists a trust deficit between the state and the people on this count. An example of this was the secret deal with the TTP in 2022, which allowed thousands of armed militants to return home and regroup.

Despite various military operations, the menace of terrorism has persisted with greater ferocity. The militants, who are better organised and equipped with sophisticated weaponry, are now involved in attacks that are taking a huge toll, especially on the security forces. As per the annual security report of the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and [CT] operations in 2023, marking a record six-year high. Matters turned worse in the first half of 2024 with a rise in militant activities, particularly in KP and Balochistan.

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There has been an exponential rise in terrorism in Pakistan since the Taliban returned to rule Afghanistan in 2022. There are also reports of tacit Afghan Taliban support for the TTP. Pakistan, in turn, has blamed the Taliban administration in Kabul for not taking action against TTP sanctuaries on its soil.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, the militarys media wing, has stated, The recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan has the full support and assistance of Afghanistan." The Afghan interim government is not only arming the terrorists but also providing a safe haven for other terrorist organisations as well as being involved in the incidents of terrorism in Pakistan.

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The Pakistan Foreign Office has said that terror outfits, including the TTP, pose a grave threat to Pakistans security and have consistently used Afghan territory to launch terror attacks inside Pakistani territory.

Attacks on Chinese Citizens

The targeted attacks against Chinese nationals working on various development projects in the country have caused concern in China. The latest attack took place a few months ago, when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy in a remote district in KP where a key dam is being constructed. As a result, five Chinese workers were killed.

This was the third major attack this year on Chinese interests in the country. The growing number of targeted killings of Chinese nationals also has serious geopolitical implications. Thousands of Chinese workers are engaged in multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects in the country under CPEC China, and China has invested $62 billion in the project.

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The increasing occurrence of targeted killings of Chinese nationals has in turn raised questions about Pakistans ability to ensure the security of its citizens and was brought up when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited China recently. It is apparent that the launch of a new counter-terrorism operation has been largely driven by the threat of Chinese companies pulling out their investment in Pakistan.

Liu Jianchao, a Chinese official who visited Pakistan last week, reiterated the importance of protecting Chinese interests in the country. We need to improve security and the business environment. In Pakistans case, the primary factor shaking the confidence of Chinese investors is the security situation. Hence, one of the aims of these operations is to placate China.

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Challenges in Dealing with Terrorism

The issue of terrorism in Pakistan is a complicated one that involves crimes, drug smuggling, and religiously motivated and state-sponsored extremists. But there seems to be no coherent policy in place to deal with the challenge and thus successfully counter the extremist narrative.

While the latest round of terrorism in Pakistan needs to be responded to militarily, there are questions regarding the limits of military force to quell the threat. No doubt, the state must employ force where necessary. But this is not very effective unless it is accompanied by other measures. The threat posed by violent extremism cannot be countered without broad political support.

Analysts have said that despite the governments claim to remove the shortcomings in the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), there are no signs that the administration is carrying out long-delayed reforms critical for containing extremism in the country.

What is also not clear is if the operations will be intelligence-based operations (as in the recent past) rather than full-scale operations. The environment in 2008 was very different when large-scale operations were launched. At that time, the TTP was in control of territory, and the operations were launched to dislodge the militants and impose the writ of the state. As per reports in the media, it seems that TTP is not controlling territory in the same way.

Then operations were partly based on assumptions that once the TTP fighters tried to escape military operations by crossing the border, they would be confronted by Afghan and NATO forces. However, this time around, given the relations with Afghanistan, cross-border coordination of operations will be difficult, as the regime in Kabul is unlikely to provide assistance in eliminating the TTP.

Also, the large-scale operations earlier enjoyed widespread public support; the latter didnt just come from the urban centres and the mainstream areas of the country but also political parties based in KP. However, this time around, this support will not be easy to ensure because the people are openly hostile to operations.

The mass-scale displacement of people, the challenges of living in refugee camps, and then their return to homes and livelihoods destroyed and delayed compensations have made the Pakhtun population wary. This has been brought home by the mass protests that were held in many areas when the TTP reappeared in 2022. The large gatherings in a number of areas, including Swat, were not simply against the TTP but also against military action; such is the public mood that all parties took a stand against them. This distrust of the state and its institutions will not make it easy to create public support for the widespread use of state force, as in the past.

Finally, there is also the issue of expenses. The extensive military operations in the past took place at a time when aid from the US in the form of coalition support funds was still making its way to Pakistan. At present, with no such aid and the cash crunch the country is dealing with, any planning for military operations will also have to consider how they will be financed.

While speaking at the Wilson Centre, Pakistans Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, urged the US to provide small arms and modern communication equipment to ensure the success of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. He also emphasised that Pakistan and the US should maintain strong security links, enhance intelligence cooperation, resume sales of advanced military platforms, and work on the sustainment of US-origin defence equipment.

Can Afghanistan Be Targeted?

Pakistans Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has recently hinted at the possibility of cross-border strikes to eliminate militant hideouts in Afghanistan. In an interview with Voice of America, the Defence Minister said Islamabad could strike terror havens in Afghanistan, and it would not be against international law since Kabul had been exporting terrorism to Pakistan and the exporters were being harboured there. He said though the TTP was operating from the neighbouring country, its cadre, about a few thousand in number, are operating from within the country and blamed the PTI government for bringing these militants back.

In separate remarks to Geo News, he said Islamabad would stringently enforce international laws at its borders with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of smuggled goods. All traffic from Afghanistan will only be allowed entry into Pakistan with a valid passport and visa.

His statement came on the same day as Maulana Fazlur Rehmans warning about the critical security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The JUI-F Chief said that things had reached a point where even the police could not go out at night due to the presence of armed men. He said that armed men control traffic, set up roadblocks, and collect tolls from motorists. Besides, he said that police across the Southern Districts of KP find themselves besieged in police stations after dusk. They are not allowed to perform their duties outside the police station during the night.

However, the Maulana compared Afghanistan to Iran. Issues with Iran were resolved within a week of both countries conducting strikes inside each others territories, he said, asking why Afghanistan was not being dealt with in the same manner.

While addressing a press conference after a grand tribal jirga, he said Islamabad was making its decision about Kabul based on anger and emotions, adding that issues between states could not be resolved in haste or through threats as it would only result in further deterioration of bilateral relations. When people question the establishment over a law-and-order situation, they simply shift the blame to Afghanistan, he claimed.

According to the Maulana, The jirga expressed its lack of trust in the operation and declared that this was not Azm-i-Istehkam but rather Adam-i-Istehkam (instability).

Conclusion

The attacks in Pakistan have exposed its vulnerabilities as well as the increasing political and economic instability in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has borne the brunt of the terrorist resurgence. There now appears to be a severe breakdown of law enforcement in this region as the confrontation between the centre and the provincial government worsens.

But unilaterally targeting militants on Afghan soil may create more problems than it solves. Further, if hot pursuit across their Western borders is Pakistans publicly stated policy to target terrorism, the same must also hold good when terrorists are targeted inside their Eastern borders.

Given their past record and intimate relationship with terrorism, however, there remains scepticism regarding the success of these operations. For Pakistan, there cannot be two sets of rules to deal with terror. It cannot continue to nurture those terror groups that operate in its east while targeting those operational in its west. It needs to address double standards.

The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The regional conflict between Israel and Iran will have a lasting impact, reshaping power equations and alliances. Iran is now seen as the only Muslim power capable of challenging the Israeli regime in the Middle East read more

The unfolding Gaza war has established Iran as the most dominant regional power in the Middle East. With over 38,000 Palestinians killed, including children and women, along with more than 490,000 Palestinians experiencing catastrophic food shortages, and nearly three-quarters of Gaza rendered uninhabitable since the October 7 attacks, the Gaza war has shown us in clear terms that there is no Arab power left in the region to challenge Israel. However, Iran is the only credible Muslim power left in the region capable to speak for the Palestinian cause.

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Following Hamass October 7 attacks on southern Israeli cities, Irans parliament, the Majlis, praised Hamass bold actions. Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei publicly supported Hamas fighters and denounced the Zionist regime, prompting Israeli accusations of Irans direct involvement. The Biden administrations failure to handle the Gaza war further led to suspicions of Iranian logistical support for Hamas. However, Iran has denied any direct involvement in the attacks. Meanwhile, it maintains close relations with Palestinian resistance groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Axis of Resistance

The term Axis of Resistance refers to a geo-strategic and geopolitical alliance among certain countries, like Iran, Iraq, and Syria, and groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, that share common goals and interests. Thus, Irans involvement in the Gaza war is part of the Axis of Resistance. Iran-allied Lebanons Shiite armed group, Hezbollah, has continuously kept Israel engaged on its northern border through a low-intensity conflict targeting mostly military installations in Israel. In contrast, Israel has responded and inflicted heavy losses on the region. Additionally, Hezbollah has linked the cessation of hostilities with Israel to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Lately, there has been an imminent threat of a full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel.

The Houthis in Yemen, another part of the Axis of Resistance, have disrupted international shipping in the Red Sea, targeting Israeli and Western ships. They have also attacked Israeli installations within Israel, including the Eilat port. Pro-Iran Shiite militias in Iraq have launched rocket attacks on Israel, further illustrating Irans extensive influence.

Iran-Israel Conflict in the Middle Eastern region

The Iran-Israel conflict is an important aspect of the ongoing Gaza war. In the Middle Eastern region, Iran and Israel have been engaging in a shadow and proxy war for decades now. Historically, Iran and Israel enjoyed good relations during the Shahs regime. Post-1979, following the Islamic revolution, Iran adopted a staunchly anti-Israel and pro-Palestine stance, making them fierce regional adversaries under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

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In April 2024, Israels targeting of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, resulting in the deaths of two Iranian generals, led to Irans retaliatory Operation True Promise against Israeli military installations in Israel. This unprecedented direct attack from Iranian territory has shifted the military balance, with experts like former Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and John Mearsheimer noting that Iran coordinated closely with American authorities during these attacks. This limited conflict marked Israel as the biggest loser and Iran as the net gainer.

Arab Regimes and Changing Regional Dynamics

The Arab regimes response to Israels war on Gaza has been largely ineffective. Symbolic summits under the Arab League banner have failed to pressure Israel into stopping its assault on Gaza or to significantly aid the besieged Palestinians. In fact, Arab regimes have cooperated with Israel and maintained official and unofficial ties with the State of Israel throughout the war. Early in the conflict, the Houthis blockade of the Red Sea waterways for international shipping led some Arab countries, like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, to assist Israel in establishing a land corridor through their territories to secure supplies from across the Arabian Sea from ports such as Indias Mumbai port. During the Iran-Israel conflict, Jordan actively defended Israel by thwarting incoming Iranian missiles over its territory. Reports also indicate that Saudi Arabia provided intelligence to the US during Irans attacks on Israel.

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Egypt, the only Arab country bordering Gaza, has done little to alleviate Palestinian suffering. Prominent Egyptians, especially in the Sinai Peninsula, who have close ties with Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, are profiting from the war by charging hefty fees to Palestinians fleeing through Egypt. Despite some mediation efforts between Israel and Palestinian resistance, Egypt has largely cooperated with the US and like-minded Arab regimes to contain the Gaza wars spillover, doing little for Gazans. A week ago, Israeli top general Herzi Halevi held a meeting with military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Jordan, and Egypt in Bahrain to work out a post-war plan with them along with the USs overall commander for the Middle East. According to a new report by Israels Central Bureau of Statistics, Egyptian exports to Israel have doubled in 2024, and UAEs and Jordanian exports have surged despite the raging war. Almost all these countries have clamped down heavily on pro-Palestinian protests in their countries. Does all this suggest that Arab regimes have betrayed the Palestinian cause? While these regimes have maintained a largely pro-Palestinian and somewhat anti-Israeli rhetoric in public, their actions suggest otherwise.

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While its not entirely fair to claim that Arab regimes have betrayed the Palestinian cause, strategic and tactical reasons related to Irans growing regional influence explain why these Arab countries have cooperated with Israel or aligned themselves with the United States position on the conflict. Moreover, Arab countries possess the economic and diplomatic clout to help end Israels war on Gaza. This power shift has been evident since the Abraham Accords of 2020, with most Arab countries now viewing Israel as a partner rather than an adversary.

Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, Mohammad Bin Salman, has openly stated that they see Israel as a future partner. Saudi Arabia has been engaging with Israeli and American leadership on normalising relations, a process disrupted by the Gaza war. Saudi foreign minister Faisal Bin Farhan has publicly linked normalisation with Israel to the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, though the sincerity of this stance remains to be seen.

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Shifting Geopolitics in the Middle East

There seems to be a clear shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics today. The current Gaza war has shown us glimpses of this power shift. Israel is firmly backed by its all-weather friend America in its war on Gaza and is also provided military and diplomatic support by its Western allies, such as Germany and the United Kingdom. Americas current policy on the Middle East or its position on the Gaza war seems to be endorsed by the Arab monarchical and military regimes. On the other hand, there is Iran and its Axis of Resistance plus countries like Syria. This alliance seems to be externally supported by powers like Russia and China, which have recently increased their foothold in the Middle East and desire to see Americas influence in the region wane.

Iran has emerged as the predominant regional power, comparable to Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser. Its influence stretches from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, a fact made more apparent during the ongoing Gaza war. In this conflict, nearly all regional and extra-regional players are on the losing side, except Iran.

Both the authors are doctoral fellows at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
After the visit of Turkiyes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Xinjiang (Urumqi and Kashgar) in the first week of June 2024, where he met Uyghurs and shared pleasantries with them, it is crystal clear that the Uyghur issue is no more a factor in the China-Turkiye relationship. The issue is eventually belittled amidst a comprehensive, deep and high-level strategic partnership, about which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had boasted during his meeting with his Turkish counterpart. This visit signifies two things: While it fulfils the Chinese design to mobilise the global community against the Uyghurs, it tactfully reduces Turkiyes tacit support for Uyghurs.

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It is important to note herewith that Turkiye is believed (by many, including China) to be one of the strongest supporters of the Uyghurs in contemporary times. The people of Turkey and Uyghurs have had ethno-cultural bonding, language affinity and emotional connection for centuries. This author was reminded by Turkish locals during his visits to the tomb of Eretna in Kayseri city of Turkiye in June 2011 and July 2017 about the age-old historical-cultural linkage between Turkish and Uyghur people, which had flourished during the Kingdom of Eretna in the 7th-8th century AD.

Turkiye had been among the strongest supporters of the Uyghurs from the 1950s onwards. It patronised the Uyghurs and provided them the much needed moral and material support. For example, Turkiye made all efforts to settle a group of nearly 200 families from Xinjiang, who fled to India (Kashmir) after the communist takeover of China in 1949. Even though there is no official data from the Turkiye government at present concerning the Uyghur population in its territory, roughly between 55,000 and 75,000 Uyghurs are currently living in Turkiye, mostly in Istanbul, Ankara, Kayseri, Izmir and Manisa. The single largest factor for this bonhomie was Isa Yusuf Aleptkin, one of the Uyghur leaders who fled Xinjiang for fear of persecution at the hands of the Chinese and later settled down in Turkiye in the early 1950s.

Isas son Erkin Aleptkin, who spearheaded the Uyghur movement after his fathers death and was instrumental in establishing Uyghurs global diaspora organisation in Munich (Germany), the World Uyghur Congress, vividly described during an interaction with this author the arduous journey from Xinjiang to Kashmir then to Pakistan and finally to Turkiye. To him, his father Isa not only developed a personal rapport with many Turkish leaders (both parties in power and the opposition) but also raised the Uyghur issues in global fora with the help of Turkiye. Isa was so popular that several parks and streets in Turkiye were named after him. Even his tomb was built just next to the Blue Mosque at the heart of Istanbul. One important incident needs to be mentioned here. The present President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was the Mayor of Istanbul when Isa Aleptkin passed away in 1995. Erdogan had ordered a huge procession in Istanbul in honour of the departed Uyghur leader and even took part in it.

Erdogan was so enamoured with the Uyghurs that he described the Urumqi riot that occurred 15 years ago on 5 July 2009 as genocide because of death of several Uyghurs. He threatened China to raise the same in the UN General Assembly a few days later. However, Erdogans roars fizzled out when the Chinese rejected his call and played the dirty tricks subsequently. An opposition parliamentarian from Turkiye (name withheld on request) told this author on the sidelines of a conference in Brussels in 2013 about Erdogans deafening silence on Uyghurs. To him, at the instructions of the Chinese government, the Chinese traders threatened their Turkish counterparts, who were funding Erdogans party AKP (The Justice and Development Party). These Turkish traders, who had billions of dollars of trade with the Chinese, threatened to stop funding the AKP. Erdogan had no option but to give in to the Chinese pressure, he added.

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Erdogan has been to China nearly half a dozen times in the last one decade on official visits. In April 2012, as the Prime Minister of the country, Erdogan visited Xinjiang, the first by Turkiyes head of government in 27 years, along with a delegation of high-profile officials and nearly 300 businessmen. Even when the entire world was criticising China for its crimes against Uyghurs, the Erdogan government kept mum. Turkiye did not have any official position on the incarceration of millions of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Since 1995, the political dispensations in Turkiye from Suleyman Demirel to Recep Tayyip Erdogan  have preferred to build solid political, diplomatic, economic and defence ties with China. Since the Strategic Partnership between China and Turkiye was inked in 2010, the country heads of Turkiye, including Erdogan, have given priority to their national interests instead of their filial and emotional linkage with Uyghurs. Besides, Chinas veiled threat of patronising the Kurdish Workerss Party (PKK) in case Turkiye continues its support to the Uyghurs seems to have worked for China. Currently, when both China and Turkiye have a common adversary in the United States, besides valuable stakes in bilateral, regional and global affairs, their relationship has known no bounds. The Uyghurs are the first and foremost casualty of the growing China-Turkiye relationship.

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Dr Mahesh Ranjan Debata teaches at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The combined reduction in exports from both countries totalled $9.4 billion. In contrast, Indias mobile phone exports rose from $11.1 billion in FY23 to $15.6 billion in FY24, a $4.5 billion increase read more

Looks like Beijing has some massive reasons to be worried about India emerging as a legitimate alternative to the manufacturing might of China. Due to sanctions from the US, and the banning of certain Chinese tech products from companies like Huawei, China has seen its exports take a hit.

The Chinese smartphone industry, however, has taken the biggest hit as manufacturers like Apple look to diversify beyond China, and into India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

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China is especially worried about India as it is making some significant strides in mobile phone exports, and has been quickly closing the gap with China and Vietnam.

While mobile phone exports from China and Vietnam declined by 2.78 per cent and 17.6 per cent, respectively, during the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) compared to the previous year, Indias exports surged by a remarkable 40.5 per cent, as reported by the Economic Times, which was based on data, on global trade data, as reported by officials.

This indicates that Indias mobile phone exports reached $15.6 billion in FY24, capturing nearly half of the reduction in exports from China and Vietnam combined. This trend highlights Indias success in attracting a substantial portion of the global mobile phone supply chain.

The smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, designed to attract supply chain shifts from China, appears to be delivering tangible results. Although China remains the top mobile phone exporter, India is rapidly gaining ground.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Chinas mobile phone exports fell from $136.3 billion in FY23 to $132.5 billion in FY24, a 2.8 per cent decline, amounting to a $3.8 billion reduction. Similarly, Vietnams exports dropped from $31.9 billion in FY23 to $26.27 billion in FY24, a 17.6 per cent decrease, or a $5.6 billion reduction.

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The combined reduction in exports from both countries totalled $9.4 billion.

In contrast, Indias mobile phone exports rose from $11.1 billion in FY23 to $15.6 billion in FY24, a $4.5 billion increase, reflecting a growth rate of over 40 per cent. This indicates that India has captured nearly 50 per cent of the total decline in mobile phone exports from China and Vietnam.

Experts see this as a major win for India, particularly in light of the current geopolitical tensions with China. The Government of India has been actively encouraging companies to adopt a China+1 strategy to diversify their supply chains and manufacturing locations.

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The success of the PLI scheme, particularly with Apples involvement, has been a key driver of this growth. Apple has established India as its second manufacturing base for iPhones after China, producing the devices under the PLI scheme introduced in 2020. Three major iPhone vendors  Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now owned by Tata)  have set up factories in India following the schemes launch. As a result, Apples production and exports from India have doubled over the past two fiscal years.

According to data submitted by Apples vendors to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the PLI plan, production increased from $7 billion in FY23 to $14 billion in FY24, while exports rose from $5 billion to over $10 billion during the same period.

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iPhone exports now constitute 65 per cent of Indias $15.6 billion in mobile phone exports and account for more than one-third of Indias electronics exports, which surpassed $29 billion in FY24. This impressive growth in mobile phone exports demonstrates Indias successful efforts to capture a significant share of the global supply chain shift from China, positioning itself as a key player in the international mobile phone market.
For AI firms in China raising funds has become more challenging due to the slowing economy and rising US tensions, prompting global venture capital firms to reduce their exposure to the country read more

Singapore is becoming a prime destination for Chinese AI startups aiming for global reach. Historically attractive to Chinese companies due to its ethnic Chinese majority, the city-state is now seeing a surge in AI entrepreneurs moving in, driven by US trade sanctions that limit access to the latest technologies in China.

Setting up in Singapore allows these companies to distance themselves from their Chinese roots, a tactic often referred to as Singapore-washing. This helps reduce scrutiny from customers and regulators in countries that are politically opposed to China, such as the US, as reported by Bloomberg.

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Wu Cunsong and Chen Binghui, who founded the AI startup Tabcut in Hangzhou two years ago, encountered numerous obstacles, including a lack of venture capital. In March, they relocated their company to Singapore, a move undertaken by many Chinese AI companies.

The move provided them with better access to global investors and customers, especially at a time when geopolitical tensions deter many US and international firms from engaging with China. In Singapore, they can also purchase cutting-edge technology like NVIDIA Corp.s latest chips, which are restricted in China due to US export controls.

We wanted to be in a place where capital is abundant rather than diminishing, Wu said.

However, relocating doesnt guarantee success. For instance, ByteDance, the Beijing-based company behind TikTok, moved its TikTok headquarters to Singapore but still faced US legal challenges requiring the sale or ban of its American operations. Similarly, Chinese fashion giant Shein, which also shifted its base to Singapore, faced intense scrutiny in the US and is now planning to go public in London instead of New York.

For AI startups, the stakes are even higher. These companies rely heavily on large datasets and advanced chips to train their systems, and restricted access to these resources can significantly impact their product quality. US regulations block the sale of sophisticated chips and technologies to China to prevent their use in military applications. OpenAI, a leader in generative AI, also restricts Chinas access to its software tools.

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Additionally, China has strict regulations on AI-generated content to ensure compliance with the Communist Partys policies. This regulation means AI developers in China cant freely explore new innovations. Adam, the founder of consulting firm Linkloud, estimates that 70% to 80% of Chinese software and AI startups now target global markets, often bypassing China altogether. Linkloud is building a community for Chinese AI entrepreneurs seeking to go global.

Singapore, with its less stringent AI regulations and ease of setting up businesses, aims to be a bridge between Asian entrepreneurs and the global market, said Chan Ih-Ming, executive vice president of the Singapore Economic Development Board. At the end of 2023, Singapore hosted over 1,100 AI startups. While the country does not disclose data by origin, theres increasing evidence of China-based AI companies establishing themselves there.

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Jianfeng Lu, who moved to Singapore from Nanjing in 2019, was one of the first to make this shift. His AI startup, Wiz Holdings Pte., backed by Tiger Global, GGV Capital, and Hillhouse Capital, focuses on speech recognition AI and serves clients in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and North Africa, avoiding the Chinese market entirely. Lus success has made him a mentor for other Chinese entrepreneurs looking to settle in Singapore, with an online group he runs having 425 members.

In China, raising funds has become more challenging due to the slowing economy and rising US tensions, prompting global venture capital firms to reduce their exposure to the country. Wu and Chen of Tabcut struggled to find backers in China, with local VC firms demanding extensive financial and operational details before making decisions. They ultimately secured $5.6 million from Singapore-based Kamet Capital and moved their global headquarters to Singapore.

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Climind, another AI startup, is preparing to move from Hong Kong to Singapore. Co-founder and CTO Qian Yiming cites Singapores supportive government, which offers financial backing and technical support, as a key attraction. Singapores stable political environment and ease of access to global markets also make it an appealing destination.

While some Chinese AI companies have found success in their domestic market, expanding globally remains a challenge due to services tailored for the Chinese audience and regulatory environment. The escalating geopolitical tensions mean young Chinese AI companies often have to choose between growing in China or abroad, as a combination of both is increasingly difficult. With more regulations on the way in China that are very much likely to stifle their growth, and with the US set to escalate its tensions with China and impose more sanctions a country like Singapore starts making much more sense.
The summit will serve as a critical platform for stakeholders from various sectors, including science, industry, civil society, governments, international organisations, and academia read more

The summit aims to showcase India's capability to lead in the AI domain and emphasizes the country's goal of ensuring that AI benefits are accessible to all. Image Credit: Pexels

India is gearing up to host the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 in New Delhi on July 3-4, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This summit is set to bring together international AI experts to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, highlighting Indias commitment to ethical and inclusive AI development.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT announced that the summit will be a significant gathering for stakeholders from various sectors, including science, industry, civil society, governments, international organizations, and academia. These experts will discuss crucial AI issues, share insights, and address challenges within the AI ecosystem.

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By hosting this event, India aims to solidify its position as a key player in the global AI community, focusing on advancing technologies that are safe, secure, and beneficial to society. As the lead chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), India will welcome member countries and experts to further GPAIs commitment to trustworthy AI practices.

The summit will showcase Indias capabilities in the AI domain, emphasizing the goal of making AI benefits accessible to all and contributing to the nations socio-economic development. At the heart of this effort is the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem that fosters AI innovation across the country.

The IndiaAI Mission aims to democratize access to computing resources, improve data quality, develop indigenous AI capabilities, attract top talent, promote industry collaboration, provide funding for startups, ensure the societal impact of AI projects, and advocate for ethical AI practices. The mission is structured around seven key pillars, each focusing on a critical aspect of AI development and deployment.

IndiaAI Compute Capacity aims to create a scalable AI computing ecosystem with over 10,000 GPUs through public-private partnerships, including an AI marketplace offering AI as a service and pre-trained models to support AI innovators and researchers.

IndiaAI Innovation Centre focuses on developing and deploying large multimodal models (LMMs) and domain-specific foundational models tailored to the needs of Indias diverse industries and sectors.

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IndiaAI Datasets Platform plans to streamline access to high-quality non-personal datasets through a unified platform, supporting startups and researchers by providing seamless data access for robust AI model development.

IndiaAI Application Development Initiative seeks to promote AI applications across critical sectors by addressing problem statements from various government bodies and institutions, aiming to create impactful AI solutions for large-scale socio-economic transformation.

IndiaAI FutureSkills is committed to making AI education more accessible by increasing the availability of AI courses at different academic levels and establishing Data and AI Labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to keep pace with technological advancements.

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IndiaAI Startup Financing aims to support deep-tech AI startups by providing streamlined access to funding and risk capital, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of AI startups driving technological advancements and economic growth.

Safe & Trusted AI emphasizes responsible AI development through projects focused on ethical practices, including the development of indigenous tools and frameworks and guidelines for the transparency and trustworthiness of AI technologies.

The Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 is a major step in Indias AI journey, showcasing the countrys dedication to fostering innovation and ensuring AI advancements benefit society. As India continues to develop its AI ecosystem, this summit will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI both nationally and globally.
There are a few possible reasons for this early date. One could be how ready the next Google Tensor Chip, the G4 actually is. Another reason could be the fact that there will be four new Pixel 9 models, which would give them enough time to roll them out in a phased manner read more

The most compelling reason might be Googles increasing focus on AI. As competition in the AI space heats up, Google is pushing its AI capabilities harder than ever, and the Pixel devices are central to this strategy. Image Credit: Google

Google typically unveils its new Pixel smartphones at the annual Made by Google event in October, a tradition that began on October 4, 2016. While there have been exceptions, such as the launch of the Pixel 5 and other devices on September 30, 2020, the event generally sticks to an October timeline.

However, this years event, scheduled for August 13, is an unexpected shift and will be held at Googles headquarters in Mountain View, California, rather than New York City, where it has been hosted for the past few years. This change suggests significant developments are underway.

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There are a few possible reasons for this early date, though we wont know for sure until more information is released.

One reason could be the readiness of Googles next Tensor chip, the G4. This chip is considered a stopgap, with a fully custom Tensor chip made by TSMC expected in 2025. The Tensor G4 is rumoured to be a minor improvement over the current Tensor G3, which has been more reliable than its predecessors.

Upgrades are expected in areas like heat management and efficiency, along with an updated cellular modem that includes satellite support. Given these minor upgrades, the Tensor G4 might simply be ready ahead of schedule, prompting an earlier launch.

Another likely reason is the sheer size of this years product lineup. Rumours suggest there will be four new Pixel 9 models: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This extensive lineup could make it necessary to announce everything at once while staggering the actual releases over the following weeks or months.

Additionally, new hardware for the Pixel Watch and updated Pixel Buds are expected to be unveiled at the same event. Managing such a large release could be a logistical challenge, hence the earlier start.

The most compelling reason might be Googles increasing focus on AI. As competition in the AI space heats up, Google is pushing its AI capabilities harder than ever, and the Pixel devices are central to this strategy.

Launching in August gives Google the opportunity to showcase its new AI features before Apple releases its next iPhones, which are rumoured to include significant AI advancements branded as Apple Intelligence.

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Google has already hinted at powerful new AI features, such as Gemini Live, slated for release this year.

There is also strong public support for an earlier release. A poll conducted by 9to5Google shows that readers overwhelmingly favour the idea of Google launching the Pixel earlier. This sentiment reflects a broader desire for the company to reconsider its traditional timeline to better compete in the market.
Williams, who is African-American, was identified by the software mistakenly, leading to his wrongful arrest for a shoplifting incident. The settlement not only compensates Williams but also imposes new restrictions on the use of the technology by the Detroit police read more

Under the new guidelines, Detroit police officers will no longer be permitted to arrest individuals based solely on facial recognition results. Furthermore, they will not be able to make arrests based on photo lineups generated from facial recognition searches.. Image Credit: Reuters

The city of Detroit has reached a significant settlement with Robert Williams, a man who was wrongly accused of shoplifting due to flawed facial recognition technology. The settlement includes a $300,000 payment to Williams and mandates substantial changes to how Detroit police use facial recognition in their investigations.

This case highlights the ongoing debate about the reliability and fairness of facial recognition technology, especially its potential biases against people of colour.

Williams, who is African-American, was mistakenly identified by the software, leading to his wrongful arrest for a shoplifting incident at a Shinola watch store in 2018. His drivers license photo was incorrectly flagged as a likely match to a man seen on the stores security video.

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The agreement, announced by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School, is seen as a victory for civil rights advocates who argue that facial recognition technology is inherently flawed and racially biased.

The settlement not only compensates Williams but also imposes new restrictions on the use of the technology by the Detroit police.

Under the new guidelines, Detroit police officers will no longer be permitted to arrest individuals based solely on facial recognition results. Furthermore, they will not be able to make arrests based on photo lineups generated from facial recognition searches.

Instead, any leads provided by the technology must be corroborated with traditional investigative techniques. Phil Mayor, an attorney with the ACLU, explained that this means police must gather additional evidence to substantiate any suspicions raised by facial recognition matches.

The settlement also includes a retrospective review of cases from 2017 to 2023 where facial recognition technology was used. Detroit police are required to examine these cases to determine if any arrests were made without independent evidence. If such instances are found, a prosecutor will be notified to address the potential wrongful convictions.

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This agreement follows policy changes announced by Detroit Police Chief James White last August, prompted by another wrongful arrest case involving a woman who was eight months pregnant.

She had been wrongly charged with carjacking due to facial recognition errors. In response, Chief White implemented policies requiring that facial recognition technology be supplemented with additional evidence, ensuring that suspects have the means, ability, and opportunity to commit the crime before making an arrest.

Robert Williams expressed hope that these changes will lead to better safeguards and ultimately reduce the use of facial recognition technology. Williams expressed excitement about the introduction of more safeguards for the technology, hoping these measures will contribute to a better world. Having said that he indicated that he would rather the technology not be used at all.

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The settlement and policy changes in Detroit could have broader implications for the use of facial recognition technology in law enforcement across the United States. Critics argue that the technologys inaccuracies and biases can lead to wrongful arrests and undermine public trust in the police.

By implementing stricter guidelines and reviewing past cases, Detroit is taking steps to address these concerns and improve the fairness and accuracy of its policing methods.
South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had detected two launches, the first at 5:05 am (2005 GMT) and the second around 10 minutes later read more

A man watches a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a train station in Seoul. AFP

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday, South Koreas military said, a day after Pyongyang warned of fatal consequences following major joint exercises in the South.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had detected two launches, the first at 5:05 am (2005 GMT) and the second around 10 minutes later.

The short-range ballistic missile launched at around 05:05 flew approximately 600 km (372 miles), it said, adding the second one travelled 120 km.

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The specifications are currently under detailed analysis by South Korean and U.S. authorities, JCS said in a statement.

Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches, it added.

The launch comes after Pyongyang on Sunday denounced joint military exercises by South Korea, Japan and the United States, calling them an Asian version of NATO and warning of fatal consequences.

The three-day Freedom Edge drills, which ran from Thursday to Saturday last week, included preparation in ballistic missile and air defences, anti-submarine warfare and defensive cyber training.

They also involved Washingtons nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Tokyos guided-missile destroyer JS Atago and Seouls KF-16 fighter jet.

Pyongyang has always decried similar combined exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, but Seoul defended the latest exercises, saying they were a continuation of defensive drills held regularly for years.

Testing, testing

Last week, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a multiple warhead missile, but the South said that the launch ended in a mid-air explosion.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years, with the North ramping up weapons testing while bombarding the South with balloons full of trash.

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Pyongyang says those missives are in retaliation for balloons loaded with anti-regime propaganda leaflets sent northwards by activists in the South.

In response to the Norths repeated launches, South Korea has fully suspended a tension-reducing military treaty. It also briefly resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts, and conducted live-fire drills near the border.

South Korea has grown anxious over the Norths warming relations with its isolated neighbour Russia.

North Korea is accused of breaching arms control measures by supplying weapons to Russia to use in its war in Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit with leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June in a show of unity.

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North Korea is also currently holding a major party meeting, which was opened by leader Kim, state media said Saturday.

In both North Korean politics and military policy, the best defence is often a good offence, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

These missile launches are likely the Kim regimes way of compensating for recent failed tests, aiming to impress a domestic audience during ruling party meetings.

Pyongyang is also determined not to appear weak while South Korea conducts defence exercises with Japan and the United States.
Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based and Iran-backed terrorist organisation that controls vast swathes of territories in the country and holds great political sway read more

Amid fears of the Israel-Hamas War spilling over into neighbouring Lebanon, the Arab League has revoked the terrorist designation of Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based and Iran-backed terrorist organisation that controls vast swathes of territories in the country and holds great political sway. It has clashed with Israel since the October 7 attack on Israel on a near-daily basis and has upped the ante in recent weeks, leading to fears of a full-fledged war. Several thousand of Israelis have been displaced in the countrys north for months and cross-border exchange of fire has increased lately.

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Even as the United States and other countries are working to prevent the outbreak of a full-fledged war, the Arab League appears to have reached out to the group with the revocation of the terrorist designation. The designation was announced in 2016.

Why did Arab League revoke Hezbollahs terrorist designation?

The Arab League has pitched the revocation of Hezbollahs terrorist designation as part of a policy shift to initiate communication with the group.

Hossam Zaki, the Assistant Secretary General of Arab League, told the Egyptian news channel Al-Qahera that the designation led to severing of communication with Hezbollah and it should not be the case anymore.

In earlier Arab League decisions, Hezbollah was designated as a terrorist organization. This terminology was reflected in our resolutions and led to the severing of our communication with them [Hezbollah]. Member states of the Arab League have now agreed that this approach no longer applies, said Zaki.

Justifying the decision, Zaki said that the Arab League does not mention any list of terrorist organisations and therefore Hezbollahs designation as a terrorist organisation was not needed.

The Times of Israel noted that the Arab League indeed does not maintain any list of terrorist organisations and the groupings 2016 decision appears to have been an ad-hoc decision to be on the same terms as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which had designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation a few days before.

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Is Arab League reaching out to Hezbollah?

The Arab Leagues revocation of Hezbollahs terrorist designation has to be seen in the regional context.

In the Arab world, there is great anger against Israel over the deaths and devastation in the Gaza Strip. As the popular sentiment is against Israel, the regions governments even though they are frustrated with Hamas and Hezbollah cannot appear to be going soft on Israel or going hard on groups seen as battling Israel.

The Arab Leagues decision can also be seen as how it has been presented: opening of communication channels. Now that Hezbollah is no longer labelled as a terrorist organisation, the Arab League could directly talk with the group and such talks could be geared at stabilising the regional tensions or preventing the escalation of the regional conflict.

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As part of the regional context, one should also look at the rising even if cautious acceptance of Iran and Syria in the region. Last year, the Arab League readmitted Syria as a member after 12 years of exile over the civil war in the country. Hezbollah had intervened in Syria in support of the Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad and the terrorist designation was also part of the regional pushback against the support of Iran and its proxies like Hezbollah to Assads regime. Now that the Syrian Civil War is more or less settled in favour of Assad and Saudi Arabia and Iran have also normalised ties, the context of 2016 in which Hezbollah was designated as a terrorist group no longer exists.

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Middle East analyst Seth Frantzman has said that overall context here is the one about the possible Israel-Hezbollah War.

The overall context here is that the region is concerned about possible war. Countries are considering asking their citizens to leave, and reports say some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, are already urging citizens to leave Lebanon. The Kingdom of Jordan has also advised citizens against travel there, noted Frantzman in an article for The Jerusalem Post.

Hezbollah is part of the Iran-sponsored Axis of Resistance in the Middle East thats pitched against Israel. Like Iran and Hamas, Hezbollah is committed to the destruction of Israel and rejects Israels rights to exist. It is the most powerful of all the anti-Israel armed groups in the region. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in its public assessment has said the group has around 45,000 personnel. It has further said that the group has an arsenal of around 150,000 missiles and rockets of various types.
Largely peaceful anti-tax rallies  led by mostly young Gen-Z protesters  descended into shocking scenes of deadly violence last Tuesday when lawmakers passed the contentious legislation. After the vote was announced, crowds ransacked the parliament complex in central Nairobi and it was partly set ablaze as police fired live bullets at protesters read more

Pedestrians walk past damaged shops vandalized by protesters following a deadly nationwide strike to protest against tax hikes and the Finance Bill 2024 in downtown Nairobi, on June 26, 2024. AFP

A total of 39 people have been killed in anti-government demonstrations in Kenya, the national rights watchdog said Monday, as activists geared up for a new round of protests this week.

The toll announced by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is almost double the figure previously disclosed by the authorities for those killed while contesting a raft of deeply unpopular tax increases that have now been withdrawn.

Data from our records indicates that thirty-nine people have died and three hundred and sixty-one injured in relation to the protests countrywide, the state-funded body said in a statement, adding that the figures covered the period from June 18 to July 1.

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It also said there had been 32 cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances and 627 arrests of protesters.

Largely peaceful anti-tax rallies  led by mostly young Gen-Z protesters  descended into shocking scenes of deadly violence last Tuesday when lawmakers passed the contentious legislation.

After the vote was announced, crowds ransacked the parliament complex in central Nairobi and it was partly set ablaze as police fired live bullets at protesters.

It is the most serious crisis to confront Ruto since he took office in September 2022 following a deeply divisive election in a nation often considered a beacon of stability in a turbulent region.

- Excessive and disproportionate force -

The Commission continues to condemn in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted violence and force that was inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, lawyers, journalists and on safe spaces such as churches, medical emergency centres and ambulances, the KNCHR said.

We maintain that the force used against the protesters was excessive and disproportionate.

The KNCHR also said it strongly condemns the violent and shocking acts of lawlessness that was exhibited by some of the protesters including the parliament and other government buildings.

The Kenyan authorities were taken by surprise after small rallies against the tax increases gathered momentum, with thousands of people taking to the streets.

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Fresh protests have been called by activists starting from Tuesday despite Ruto announcing last week that he would not sign into law the bill containing the tax hikes.

Leaflets have been posted on social media with the hashtags Occupy Everywhere, Ruto must go and Reject Budgeted Corruption.

The president said in a television interview Sunday that 19 people had died in the protests, but insisted he did not have blood on my hands and pledged an investigation into the deaths.

Kenyas cash-strapped government had said previously that the tax increases were necessary to service the massive public debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equal to roughly 70 percent of GDP.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the country to implement fiscal reforms in order to access crucial funding from the Washington-based lender.

Ruto had already rolled back some tax measures after the protests began, prompting the treasury to warn of a gaping budget shortfall of 200 billion shillings ($1.6 billion).

In Sundays interview, he had warned that the government would have to borrow heavily following the decision to scrap the finance bill.
Abu Selmia was released back into Gaza along with 54 other Palestinian detainees, many of whom also alleged abuse. The allegations could not be independently confirmed but matched other accounts of Palestinians who have been held in Israeli custody read more

Israel released the director of Gazas main hospital on Monday after holding him for seven months without charge or trial over allegations the facility had been used as a Hamas command center. He said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured.

The decision to release Mohammed Abu Selmia, apparently taken in order to free up space in overcrowded detention centers, sparked uproar from across the political spectrum, with government ministers and opposition leaders saying he should have remained behind bars.

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They reiterated allegations that he had played a role in Hamas alleged use of Shifa Hospital, which Israeli forces have raided twice since the start of the nearly nine-month war with Hamas. Abu Selmia and other health officials have repeatedly denied those accusations, and that fact that he was released without charge or trial was likely to raise further questions about them.

Abu Selmia was released back into Gaza along with 54 other Palestinian detainees, many of whom also alleged abuse. The allegations could not be independently confirmed but matched other accounts of Palestinians who have been held in Israeli custody.

Our detainees have been subjected to all kinds of torture behind bars, Abu Selmia said at a news conference after his release. There was almost daily torture. He said guards broke his finger and caused his head to bleed during beatings, in which they used batons and dogs.

He said the medical staff at different facilities where he was held had also taken part in the abuse in violation of all laws. He said some detainees had limbs amputated because of poor medical care.

There was no immediate response from the prison service, which has previously denied similar accusations.

Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital in November, alleging that Hamas had created an elaborate command and control center inside the facility. Abu Selmia and other staff denied the allegations and accused Israel of recklessly endangering thousands of patients and displaced people who were sheltering there.

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The military uncovered a tunnel beneath Shifa Hospital leading to a few rooms, as well as other evidence that militants had been present inside the medical center, but the evidence fell short of what it had claimed before the raid.

Abu Selmia was detained on Nov. 22 while escorting a U.N.-led evacuation of patients from the hospital. He said his detention was politically motivated, adding that he had been brought to court at least three times but was never charged or allowed to meet with lawyers.

Israel has since raided several other Gaza hospitals on similar allegations, forcing them to shut down or dramatically reduce services even as tens of thousands have been wounded in Israeli strikes or sickened in the harsh conditions of the war. The army raided Shifa a second time earlier this year, causing heavy destruction after saying that militants had regrouped there.

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Hospitals can lose their protection under international law if combatants use them for military purposes.

The decision to release Abu Selmia drew harsh condemnations from government ministers and opposition leaders, as the various state organs responsible for detentions scrambled to shift blame.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israels far-right national security minister who controls the countrys police and prison service, said the release of Abu Selmia and the others constituted security negligence and blamed the Defense Ministry. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Abu Selmias release was another sign of the governments lawlessness and dysfunction.

Gallants office released a brief statement saying the incarceration and release of prisoners is the responsibility of the prison service and the Shin Bet internal security agency. The prison service said the decision was made by the Shin Bet and the army, and released a document ordering his release that was signed by an army reserve general.

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The Shin Bet said the government had decided  against its advice  to release detainees who were determined to be less of a threat in order to free up space.

Though the Shifa Hospital Chief passed the risk assessment compared to other detainees  the matter will be internally reviewed, it said.

Since the start of the war, Israeli forces have detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank, crowding military detention facilities and prisons. Many are being held without charge or trial in what is known as administrative detention.

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 civilians and took another 250 hostage. The war has killed at least 37,900 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or fighters.

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Most of Gazas population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, with many displaced multiple times. Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of public order have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, fueling widespread hunger and sparking fears of famine.
As Far-right dominates the first phase of snap polls, the question of who will assume the prime ministerial post is turning out to be more crucial than who will have the sway in the parliament read more

Its Gabriel Attal vs Jordan Bardella in the race to the PM post. Source: AFP

Frances President Emmanuel Macron received a major setback after his party and the alliance it was involved in performed horribly in the first phase of the countrys parliamentary elections. The party that did do well was Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN), which dominated the snap polls called by Macron.

The elections took place weeks after Macron dissolved the French National Assembly because his party was battered by the RN in the European Parliament elections.

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The early projection of the first phase of polling indicated that the RN bloc is dominating the contest with 35.15 per cent of the vote, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition came second with 27.99 per cent and President Emmanuel Macrons Ensemble alliance slumped to a dismal third with 20.76 per cent.

However, it is safe to say that the question of who will assume the prime ministerial post is turning out to be more crucial than who will have the sway in the parliament.

Attal vs Bardella: The battle of two extremes

The snap elections in France will witness a rematch between current French PM Gabriel Attal and RN party chief Jordan Bardella. The last time the two clashed with each other was at the EU election debate.

The fight between the two was so heated that the highly anticipated debate was heavily criticised by other candidates who felt left out and angered by the platform given to the two politicians.

Some of the critics even questioned the reason behind the debate between the two, since Attal wasnt even on the ballot of the EU polls.

However, the debate crystallised the radically opposing views of both parties. One of the most heated exchanges between the two was their stances on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. In the past, Attal accused Bardellas party of cosying up to the Kremlin.

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Your party needed money. Russia needed a party in Europe precisely to weaken Europe from within," said Attal, referring to repeated accusations that the far-right party has alleged links to Moscow.

In the European Parliament, I have always been very clear and I have always condemned without the slightest ambiguity the aggression of Ukraine by Russia, which is today a multi-dimensional threat, responded Jordan Bardella.

The clashes between the two were severe even during the parliamentary election campaign. In his final effort to influence the voters, the French PM warned that there would be impulses of hate and aggression if far-right came to power.

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Meanwhile, Badella made it clear that he wanted to be the prime minister of all French if his party emerged victorious.

Why PMs post is more crucial than having a sway in the parliament

It is pertinent to note that in France, the prime minister is the holder of the second-highest office after the post of the president. It is a significant position because while the president appoints the prime minister, he can not dismiss him.

In France, the PM is the one who proposes a list of ministers to the president. The decrees and decisions are signed by the prime minister. If RN wins the polls, Macron will be compelled to choose Badella for the post since the presidents PM appointment must reflect the will of the majority in the National Assembly.

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For example, after the 1986 elections, President Francois Mitterrand had to appoint Jacques Chirac as prime minister although Chirac was a member of the Rally for the Republic and therefore a political opponent of Mitterrand.

Having political sway in the parliament can be comparatively less important since Macron will still have the special power to pass legislation.

It is important to note that the French leaders centrist coalition has already lost its parliamentary majority in the 2022 elections. Since then, the Macron administration has been pushing controversial bills using special executive powers. However, not having an amicable second in command can cause a major delay in getting the green light for crucial legislation.

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What happens if Macrons rival ends up being the next PM

If the Opposition forms a government under Macrons presidency, it will turn into an uneasy marriage that the French call cohabitation. As we have seen in the case of Chirac and Mitterrand, cohabitation is not an unprecedented concept. However, this time things will be a little different.

Those previous political odd couples were all from the political mainstream, a fact that was conducive to cooperation. However, a prime minister from one end of the political extremes can make matters complicated.

Attempts to rein in the countrys high debt or to step up support to Ukraine, too, might get harder if a far-right government is jostling for supremacy with Macron.

For instance, the French president is generally viewed as having exclusive powers over defence and foreign policy, known as the domaine reserve. The reality is not that simple, the budgets for these sectors are determined by the parliament. Hence, any new defence funds, or additional French contributions to Ukraine, could be blocked in the National Assembly.

As mentioned before Bardella has been accused of taking a pro-Russian stance in the past. Tensions will also simmer over ways France will manage its alarmingly high debt ratio which has reached over 110 per cent of Frances GDP.

Hence, the 28-year-old far-right politician can cause major turbulence in Macrons remaining three years as the countrys president.

With inputs from agencies.
Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 promising to transform it into an illiberal democracy, frequently clashes with Brussels over rule-of-law and human rights issues. He is also the only EU leader who has maintained ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Kyiv and repeatedly slammed sanctions against Moscow over the war read more

Hungary trumpeted its joyful taking over of the EUs rotating presidency on Monday, despite widespread concerns over what critics see as the countrys authoritarian, Russia-friendly government.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 promising to transform it into an illiberal democracy, frequently clashes with Brussels over rule-of-law and human rights issues.

He is also the only EU leader who has maintained ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Kyiv and repeatedly slammed sanctions against Moscow over the war.

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Hungary is taking over the six-month rotating presidency from Belgium under the motto: Make Europe Great Again.

That echoes the rallying cry of Orbans good friend former US president Donald Trump  which already caused a stir in Brussels.

Everybodys happy that its our turn to make Europe great again! Orban posted on X above a photo of him shaking hands with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

Both men were smiling in what Orban described as a very joyful handing over ceremony.

De Croo said on X that he trusted Hungary would deliver in the interest of all EU citizens.

- Occupy Brussels -

Last year, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution highlighting Hungarys backsliding on democratic values, and questioning how it could credibly take on the blocs six-month presidency.

Budapest insists it is ready to assume the duties and responsibilities of steering the bloc of 27 countries.

It has vowed to be an honest broker, working loyally with all member states and institutions, in the words of the countrys EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka.

At the same time, we believe Hungary has a strong mandate to pursue a strong European policy. Our work will reflect this vision of Europe, he added.

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He said there was a need to steer the ship because Europe is not heading in the right direction.

After Hungary last held the EU presidency in 2011, Orban boasted about handing out flicks, smacks, and friendly slaps to the excitable tormentors of the European Parliament.

This time, the nationalist leader, 61, is even more combative, having vowed to occupy Brussels during the campaign for European elections in early June, banking on a right-wing breakthrough.

But even though far-right parties made gains, Orbans Fidesz currently stands isolated, unable to find a group in the European Parliament that suits it.

On Sunday, Orban announced he wanted to form his own group, together with Austrias far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) and the centrist ANO party of Czech ex-premier Andrej Babis.

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They still need parties from at least four other countries to join them.

Last week, Orban failed to derail a deal to return Ursula von der Leyen as head of the powerful European Commission with two others from a centrist alliance taking the other top jobs.

Meanwhile, von der Leyen put off a courtesy visit to Budapest, originally planned for the presidency opening. A new date has not been set.

- Limited opportunities -

Among Hungarys seven priorities for its EU presidency are stemming illegal migration and bringing the Western Balkans countries one step closer to EU membership.

Orban can use the presidency to set the agenda, but he cannot achieve results without the commissions support, Daniel Hegedus, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told AFP.

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He also noted that the Hungarian premier has limited opportunity to act as a spoiler, as the outgoing Belgian presidency and EU institutions have rushed to conclude some important decisions.

Last week, the European Union adopted a fresh sanction package against Russia and formally launched historic accession talks with Ukraine.

Among Hungarys battles with Brussels, it is looking to unlock billions of euros in EU funds which have been frozen because of its positions on issues including LGBTQ rights, the treatment of asylum seekers and public procurement.
The meeting was touted as a significant one since it was the first time Afghanistans Taliban attended talks at an international level read more

India became one of the 25 nations that participated in the third UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Doha which commenced on Sunday. The meeting was touted as a significant one since it was the first time Afghanistans Taliban attended talks at an international level.

The international body made it clear beforehand that the Talibans participation in the meeting does not mean that the regime is getting international recognition. However, the conference came under immense scrutiny and backlash from women rights activists who raised concerns about the plight of women in Afghanistan.

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When it comes to India, the External Affairs Minister visited Doha to meet Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. At the UN meeting, New Delhi was represented by MEA joint secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran (PAI) division J P Singh, The Times of India reported.

It is pertinent to note that Singh visited Kabul in March of this year and during his visit, he also conducted meetings with the Taliban leaders. However, India is still treading carefully with the Taliban, as it works closely with them for Afghanistans humanitarian needs and its own security needs.

Jaishankar makes his trip to Doha more productive

During his day-long visit to Qatar, Jaishankar held talks with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha. The two conducted meetings on strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors and addressing key regional challenges.

We reviewed our bilateral relationship focusing on political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, the External Affairs Minister wrote in a post on X, formally known as Twitter.

Delighted to meet PM and FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_ in Doha this afternoon. Conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of PM @narendramodi to H.H. The Amir and him.



Reviewed our bilateral relationship focusing on political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people pic.twitter.com/GXuFYNukx7  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 30, 2024

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In the post, Jaishankar mentioned that the two leaders delved into regional and global issues of mutual concern. Exchanged views on regional and global issues. Appreciate his sharing insights on the Gaza situation, he added.

Jaishankars visit came months after Narendra Modi visited Qatar on 14-15 February 2024 and held discussions with Qatars Amir H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Taliban makes a rare appearance

The Taliban delegation from Afghanistan also participated in the third round of meetings hosted by the UN. Our participation in this Doha meeting demonstrates that, despite the considerations we have, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to positive engagement, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who is the head of the five-member Taliban delegation, said at the opening session.

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We perceive the current Doha meeting as a crucial opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue regarding the unilateral and multilateral sanctions imposed on some officials and our financial and banking sectors, as well as the broader challenges confronting our national economy, he added.

With inputs from agencies.
Pakistan recently announced a new military campaign against terror groups against a surge in incidents in the country. Curiously, it came a day after a high-ranking Chinese official expressed concerns about the stability and security situation in Pakistan read more

Having made terrorism a tool of its state policy, Pakistan showed first signs of action against terror groups  those targeting local government  in 2007. It has undertaken about a dozen campaigns against terror groups, most of them being tactical and achieving limited objectives. However, two have been bigger and with definite China links. The third has just been announced.

About a week ago, the Shehbaz Sharif government of Pakistan announced a new military operation called Azm-e-Istehkam as part of its National Action Plan adopted in the aftermath of the December 2014 Peshawar terror attack at the Army Public School, killing more than 140 people, mostly children.

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Azm-e-Istehkam means resolve for stability.

This announcement incidentally came a day after a high-ranking Chinese official, Liu Jianchao, voiced grave concerns at a political forum. Pakistani daily Dawn reported that Liu starkly highlighted that the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan undermined the confidence of Chinese investors, urging a ramp-up in security measures.

Liu is the head of the International Department of Chinas ruling Communist party, and a close aide of President Xi Jinping.

Lius remarks came in a series of advice from Chinese leadership to their Pakistani counterpart after terrorists targeted Chinese workers in Pakistan in March this year. A comment on Pakistans stability and security from China always carries significant weight in the Islamic Republic as it is the largest foreign investor there. However, a reiteration of such remarks at all diplomatic levels signals China is pressuring Pakistan for something that has been a difficult call for any establishment in the country.

But this is not the first time that China gets what it wants in Pakistan.

The first Pakistani action against terrorists

Pervez Musharraf was the president and chief executive of Pakistan, when it all began in 2007. Musharraf ordered his forces to lay siege of Islamabads Lal Masjid, the Red Mosque, captured by two Islamist fundamentalist brothers  Abdul Aziz, a cleric, and Abdul Rashid, a vice-chancellor  who were gathering militants and fighters to impose Sharia in Pakistan, with a greater moment since 2006.

The military campaign against them was launched in July 2007. This came days after militants from the Red Mosque group attacked a Chinese massage centre and abducted seven Chinese nationals and two Pakistanis.

A fuming China demanded Pakistan to ensure the safe release of its nationals from the captivity of their abductors. The Musharraf administration got into action, and the Red Mosque released them in 17 hours.

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Soon Pakistans Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao visited Beijing, where Chinas Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang told the visiting leader to ensure better safeguard of Chinese people.

News agency Xinhua quoted Zhou as telling Sherpao, We hope Pakistan will look into the terrorist attacks aimed at Chinese people and organisations as soon as possible and severely punish the criminals.

Sherpao, in return, pledged that Pakistan would take more rigorous actions, Xinhua reported on June 27, 2007.

On July 3, Pakistan sent its army to the Red Mosque. Clashes continued for eight days before the forces could recapture the shrine. More than 100 people died on both sides. China specifically wanted Musharraf to clean up the Red Mosque. He did it.

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Zarb-e-Azb, the second big anti-terror campaign

In 2014, Pakistan launched Zarb-e-Azb or Strike of the Sword of Prophet Mohammed in North Waziristan Agency, leading to massive clashes and displacement of civilians. In part, observers said, the military campaign launched by then Army Chief Raheel Sharif, was aimed at giving China an assurance that it was aimed to rooting out all support bases for Uighur militants in its western province Xinjiang.

A year later, when Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain travelled to China to meet Xi Jinping, he told the Chinese president that almost all members of the Uighur militant group the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) had been eliminated from Pakistan.

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Islamist group ETIM, active in Xinjiang, aims to set up an independent state called East Turkestan and have bases in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Back in 2015, Reuters quoted Hussain as having told Xi as saying, It [the military campaign] has also been very helpful in eliminating the ETIM element from our country and I think almost all the ETIM people in our country have been eliminated. Maybe, if they are there, there should be very few.

And, now a political stability campaign

First, a look at a timeline that preceded the announcement of Azm-e-Istehkam.

In March, a series of terror attacks happened targeting Chinese nationals and economic installations. Three attacks, in particular, spooked China, prompting Beijing to demand accountability from Pakistan. China has been increasingly concerned about its economic investments in Pakistan.

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The first attack happened on Pakistans Gwadar port, built with Chinas help in restive Balochistan. Next attack also happened in Balochistan on Pakistans largest naval bases. The attackers cited Chinese investment in the region as their motivation. In the third instance, terrorists targeted a convoy carrying Chinese engineers working on a Chinese-funded hydropower project in north Pakistani city, Besham. China lost five nationals in the attack.

Back from political oblivion and exile, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif undertook a private visit to China, amid speculation about the purpose of his visit. Some speculated that the Chinese leadership conveyed to him to bring stability in Pakistan for maintaining the current economic relationship.

In May, when a Pakistani delegation visited China to prepare for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong spoke to them, reports said, about the need for another Zarb-e-Azb against terrorist forces such as TTP, Majeed Bridge, BLA and others to crush them once and for all.

And in June, when Shehbaz Sharif visited China in June, Xi Jinping told him to ensure safety of Chinese people, Chinas interests and create a safe, stable and predictable environment for investment in Pakistan.

Against this backdrop, Chinese official Liu Jianchao met Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and several top leaders of Pakistan on June 22 in Islamabad, where he sought a decisive action by the Pakistani establishment against terrorism to keep the country feasible for foreign investments. This also came amid Pakistans struggle to make the economic policy changes to meet the conditions that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put to rescue the country from its economic mess.

The day after Lius meeting at a political forum in Pakistan, the Sharif government launched its new anti-terror operation, Azm-e-Istehkam. They say Pakistans iron brother China gets whatever it wants in the country. Is the Azm-e-Istehkam, another such case?
With this phase, the authorities are likely to expel more than 800,000 Afghans from the country. Around 541,000 Afghan refugees were forced to leave the nation in the first phase of the plan read more

Amid the brewing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, reports are emerging that Islamabad has commenced the second phase of Afghan deportation. The controversial plan aims to send undocumented Afghan refugees back to their own country.

According to Al Jazeera, Pakistan began the second phase of deportation on Sunday. With this phase, the authorities are likely to expel more than 800,000 Afghans from the country. Around 541,000 Afghan refugees were forced to leave the nation in the first phase of the plan which was conducted in November last year.

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What makes the plan so controversial is the fact that if these people do not leave voluntarily, the refugees will end up facing arrest and deportation by the local Pakistani authorities.

What was the need for such a plan?

Before the first phase of repatriation, the then-Pakistani government claimed that nearly 4.4 million Afghan refugees were living in the country, out of which an estimated 1.73 million were undocumented. The government went on to defend the crackdown by citing security concerns and also highlighted that it is hard to sustain them in an already crippling economy.

It is pertinent to note that the deportation order came amid a dramatic increase in armed attacks across Pakistan. Things became even more complicated when the government attributed these attacks to groups and nationals based in Afghanistan. However, the Taliban regime in Kabul has vehemently denied such accusations.

In the span of several months, the controversial plan has attracted criticism from the international level as well. In November last year, United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said he was alarmed by the news of Afghan refugees being persecuted in Pakistan.

These new developments are at variance with Pakistans decades-long tradition of hosting, generously, Afghan refugees in vast numbers, Turk said in a statement.

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Many Afghans are arriving with very few financial resources, having been forced to leave their homes and jobs, in addition to being forced to pay bribes or having their possessions seized. In the current context of Afghanistan, this is exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian situation, the UN official furthered.

Philippa Candler, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Islamabad told Al Jazeera that the Pakistani authorities should look at the profiles of these undocumented Afghans before expelling them since they might be in need of international protection.

Theyre refugees. Theyre not involved in terrorist activities. Theyre just people who fled and who need protection, said Candler, adding that if any Afghan nationals were involved in terrorist activities, it should be dealt with separately.

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It is pertinent to note that Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 UN convention that protects the rights of the refugees. Not only this, but the country also lacks domestic laws to protect the refugees as well as individuals who are seeking international protection within its own borders.

With inputs from agencies.
Every month, the chairmanship of the Security Council is transferred from one country to another. Russia is taking over the Chairmanship from South Korea which held the post for the month of June read more

Amid the brewing tensions between Russia and the West, Moscow assumed the chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of July.

What makes the matter important is the fact that this month, the International body will be discussing the crisis in the Middle East, the new global security equation and the United Nations regional corporation with regional organisations like CIS and the SCO.

The UN Security Council is a crucial wing of the body which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Every month, the chairmanship of the Security Council is transferred from one country to another. Russia is taking over the Chairmanship from South Korea which held the post for the month of June.

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What is Russia planning to do in the month of July?

Russian Permanent Representative to the World Organization Vasily Nebenzia told RIA Novosti that Moscow is planning to conduct three key events under its own chairmanship. They are as follows:

Discussion on Global Security Equation: Russias first plan of action will be hosting an open debate on multilateral cooperation in order to build a more just, democratic and sustainable world order. In the debate scheduled on July 16, the Russian delegation is planning to raise the issue of a new global security equation.

On July 17, the Kremlin is planning to push an open debate on the Middle East settlement. Nebenzia said that both debates are expected to be chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. However, the Russian official also raised scepticism over the issuance of US visas to attend the meetings.

In April last year, Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany Lavrov were not issued visas by the American authorities. At that time Russia was holding the presidency of the UNSC.

UN and regional organisations: On July 19, Russia is also planning to debate on UN cooperation with regional organizations, namely the CSTO, the CIS and the SCO.

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Russia-Ukraine war: The discussions on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine will also take centre stage during Russias chairmanship. According to RIA Novosti, during its chairmanship, Russia is also planning to discuss the Ukrainian missile strike on the beach in Sevastopol. In the past, Moscow also claimed that Ukraine was able to conduct the attack with the help of the American ATACMS missiles.

Hence, it will be interesting to see what Russia can and will do with just one month of reins.

With inputs from agencies.
According to the initial estimates by Ipsosl, Le Pens RN bloc is leading with 34 per cent of the vote, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition is in second with 28.1 per cent read more

In a major blow to French President Emmanuel Macrons party, Frances far-right took a major lead in the first round of the countrys parliamentary elections. Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN) party took the pole position in the first phase of snap elections that took place on Sunday.

According to multiple news outlets, early projections indicated that Le Pen is closer to forming a government than ever before. Interestingly, the country witnessed a record voter turnout with 59.39 per cent casting their vote by 5:00 pm (1500 GMT). The interior ministry noted that the turnout was some 20 points higher compared to the first stage of the 2022 polls.

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According to the initial estimates by Ipsosl, Le Pens RN bloc is leading with 34 per cent of the vote, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition is in second with 28.1 per cent. What made matters worse is the fact that President Emmanuel Macrons Ensemble alliance slumped to a dismal third with 20.3 per cent of the votes.

With these figures, while RN appears to be on track to win the most seats in the National Assembly, it may fall short of reaching the magic number of 289 seats to form a majority government. Hence, many believe that France is heading towards a hung parliament marred with political uncertainty.

The remaining three years can turn out to be difficult for Macron

Keeping these numbers in mind, the early projection shows that after the second round of voting next Sunday, the RN could win between 230 to 280 seats in the 577-seat lower house. The NFP was projected to secure between 125 and 165 seats, with Ensemble trailing with between 70 and 100 seats, CNN reported.

The figures indicate that Macron could see out the remaining three years of his presidential term in an awkward partnership with a prime minister from an opposition party.

It is pertinent to note that the French leader called for the snap polls after his party was battered by RN in the European Parliament election in June.

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Le Pen celebrates an early win

Meanwhile, Le Pen started to celebrate the partys performance by addressing a charged-up crowd at the RN election party in the northern town of Henin Beaumont. However, she went on to maintain that the second phase of the voting will remain crucial.

Democracy has spoken, and the French people have placed the National Rally and its allies in the first place  and has practically erased the Macronist bloc, she told a jubilant crowd, adding: Nothing has been won  and the second round will be decisive.

With inputs from agencies.
French far-right party National Rally (RN) is expected to win the French parliamentary elections and drive President Emmanuel Macrons centrist bloc to a distant third read more

British Labour Partys leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the far-right victory in French parliamentary elections should be a lesson for the progressives.

In the first round of French parliamentary elections, the National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen has emerged as victorious. In all of the surveys so far, the RN is projected to win the elections and relegate French President Emmanuel Macrons centrist bloc to a distant third.

In the British elections scheduled for July 4, Starmers Labour Party is expected to win and the ruling Conservatives are staring at a rout as they face a challenge from the three fronts: the Labour, the hard-right Reform UK, and Liberal Democrats.

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We need to address everyday concerns of people

As the results of the first round of French elections poured in on Monday, Starmer said that that they need to address everyday concerns of people or else France-like results would be seen.

The lesson I take from [the right-wing victory in France] is that we need to address the everyday concerns of so many people. We have to take that head on and we have to show both Thursday in the United Kingdom and across Europe and the world that only progressives have the answers to the challenges that are facing us in this country and across Europe, said Starmer, as per AFP.

Reflecting on the French elections, Starmer further said that progressives needed to understand why people were disaffected with politics.

We have to make that progressive cause but we have to, in making that, understand why it is that people do feel disaffected with politics, said Starmer.

UK turns left as Europe moves to right

While much of Europe is going through a right-ward shift, the United Kingdom is going in the opposite direction as the Labour is certain to win the upcoming general elections.

While there is indeed a right-ward shift in Europe, the vote for the right is also a protest vote in the sense that the voters are frustrated with the status quo and want a change. In France, Italy, and Germany, voters sought this change by voting for right-wing parties after being dissatisfied with the ruling centrists and leftists. On the other hand, in the UK, the voters are seeking the change by electing the Labour after frustration from 14 years of Conservative rule.

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Issues like the economic upheaval, the cost of living, anxieties over the climate change agenda affecting traditional jobs, and illegal immigration are some of the concerns that have worked to fuel support for the right-wing in Europe. The failure of the centrists and leftists to address these issues has led to the widespread acceptance of right-wing parties.
The Taliban were not invited to the first meeting, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second one, in February, including demands that Afghan civil society members be excluded from the talks and that the Taliban be treated as the countrys legitimate rulers read more

A United Nations-led meeting held in Qatar with the Taliban on increasing engagement with Afghanistan does not translate into a recognition of their government, a U.N. official said Monday.

The gathering on Sunday and Monday in Qatars capital of Doha with envoys from some two dozen countries was the first time that representatives of the Afghan Taliban administration attended such a U.N.-sponsored meeting.

The Taliban were not invited to the first meeting, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second one, in February, including demands that Afghan civil society members be excluded from the talks and that the Taliban be treated as the countrys legitimate rulers.

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Ahead of Doha, representatives of Afghan women were excluded from attending, paving the way for the Taliban to send their envoys  though the organizers insisted that demands for womens rights would be raised.

I would like to emphasize that this meeting and this process of engagement does not mean normalization or recognition, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, a U.N. official for political and peacebuilding affairs said Monday.

My hope is that the constructive exchanges on the various issues over the last two days have moved us a little closer to resolving some of the problems that are having such a devastating impact on the Afghan people, she added.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief Taliban government spokesman who headed the delegation to Doha, said there was opportunity for them to meet with representatives of various countries on the sidelines of the gathering.

He added that the messages from the Taliban reached all participating countries at the meeting. Afghanistan needs cooperation with the private sector and in the fight against drugs, he also said. Most countries expressed their willingness to cooperate in these areas.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 as United States and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their pullout from Afghanistan following two decades of war. No country officially recognizes the Taliban and the U.N. has said that recognition remains practically impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place.

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However, some participants, including Canada, expressed disappointment over the exclusion of women and civil society representatives.

Canada is extremely disappointed that the U.N. organizers have excluded non-Taliban Afghan participants, including womens advocates, religious and ethnic minorities, and human rights groups from participating in the meetings main sessions, David Sproule, Canadas special representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement.

DiCarlo, the U.N. official, said that while women and civil society were not sitting across the table form the de facto (Taliban) authorities in last two days, we made their voices heard  civil society has a rightful role to play in shaping Afghanistans future.
President Cyril Ramaphosa led tough negotiations to balance demands for key ministerial posts from his party and its new allies and mediate diverging views to come up with a common policy agenda on the economy and other pressing matters read more

South Africas new government, where the ruling ANC will share power for the first time after losing its outright parliamentary majority in elections last month, will have to tackle various issues vexing a frustrated population.

Former opposition parties will hold 12 of 32 ministers in a broad coalition that includes the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and other smaller parties.

President Cyril Ramaphosa led tough negotiations to balance demands for key ministerial posts from his party and its new allies and mediate diverging views to come up with a common policy agenda on the economy and other pressing matters.

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Here are some of the main challenges and priorities that the cabinet will face as it ushers in what it calls a government of national unity (GNU).

Poverty and unemployment

South Africas economy features lacklustre growth and record unemployment, key issues which both the ANC and the centrist DA, the two largest groupings in the new government, say are a top priority.

Millions of people live in poverty in the country where 33 percent are unemployed out of a population of 62 million  far more than when the ANC came into power  and 28 million rely on welfare grants to survive.

In the GNUs statement of intent, job creation, investment and fiscal sustainability were among the goals listed to remedy the weakened economy that has frustrated South Africans and dented the ANCs popularity.

Foreign policy

Agreeing on a foreign policy framework may be contentious under the GNU, considering the war in Gaza and other foreign policy flashpoints.

For months Ramaphosa and his party officials have sported keffiyeh scarves in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians, whom they have historically supported.

Under the ANC, South Africa brought a case before the International Court of Justice alleging the Israeli military operation in Gaza, launched in response to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants, amounts to genocide.

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While DA has supported a two-state solution, the party has been accused of being pro-Israel by many South Africans.

One sides genocide could be another sides freedom fighting, DA leader John Steenhuisen told the state broadcaster earlier this year.

Last year the two parties clashed regarding the ANCs close diplomatic ties with Moscow with which it maintains historic relations dating back to the struggle against apartheid.

The DA took legal action to force the ANC government to arrest Vladimir Putin if the Russian President were to attend a planned summit in the country.

No water, no electricity

South Africa is the continents most industrialised nation, but access to basic services such as water, electricity and refuse collection is a recurring source of anger for tens of millions of inhabitants.

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Due to a shortfall in energy production and frequent breakdowns at ageing power stations, the nation has for years suffered from economy-crippling, rolling power cuts that at their worst last up to 12 hours a day.

Political parties, who have formed coalition governments on a local level for a few years, have often played the blame game for lack of services.

Rapes and murders

Between October and December, South Africa recorded almost 84 murders a day, according to police statistics.

Apart from countries at war, South Africas per capita homicide rate is one of the highest in the world.

In addition to other crimes, the broad coalition government has made gender-based violence a priority in the country where a rape is recorded every 11 minutes, according to official figures.

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The DA has proposed distributing policing power to the countrys nine provinces in order to tackle crippling crime, a break with the ANCs current centralised national policing power structure.
The news has infuriated the loved ones of hundreds of passengers who died in the two fatal crashes five years ago read more

(File) The Boeing logo is seen on the side of a Boeing 737 MAX at the Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough, Britain. Reuters

The US Department of Justice is set to charge Boeing with fraud but reports are emerging that the department might offer the planemaker a favourable plea deal. The news has infuriated the loved ones of hundreds of passengers who died in the two fatal crashes five years ago.

According to The Guardian, the aircraft manufacturer will have to decide by the end of this week whether it will plead guilty to the charge and avoid trial. The DoJ officials informed the families of those on board the fatal Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 about the plea deal. The fatal accidents claimed 346 lives.

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The attorneys representing the relatives accused the federal government of cooking up another sweetheart plea deal with Boeing. During the online briefing, one of the family members asked the officials how he sleeps at night.

Families urge the judge to reject the plea deal

The terms of the deal attracted severe criticism from the victims loved ones. The memory of 346 innocents killed by Boeing demands more justice than this, said Paul Cassell, who represents the families of 15 crash victims.

Another attorney in the case described the proposal as shameful and stated that it completely fails to mention or recognize the dignity of the victims. The families are now planning to make a case to the judge and the wider public, for this deal to be rejected, Applebaum said. And when there is inevitably another Boeing crash and DoJ seeks to assign blame, they will have nowhere else to look but in the mirror," he added.

The Justice Department has yet to comment on the matter. The two crashes of Boeings 737 Max, in October 2018 and March 2019, killed 346 people and prompted the worldwide grounding of the jet for almost two years.

In 2021, the justice department and Boeing reached a controversial deal that protected Boeing from a criminal conspiracy charge. In recent months, the company has come under intense scrutiny after a brand-new 737 Max jet was forced into an emergency landing when a cabin panel blew off mid-flight. At that time the Justice Department said that Boeing breached the agreement.

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The deal will not acknowledge, in any way, that Boeings crime killed 346 people, Cassell said. It also appears to rest on the idea that Boeing did not harm any victim," he added.

With inputs from agencies.
These elections in Iran are not free and fair, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters. We have no expectation that these elections, and whatever the outcome might be, will lead to a fundamental change in Irans direction or lead the Iranian regime to offer more respect for human rights and more dignity for its citizens read more

The United States said Monday it expected no fundamental change from Iran no matter who wins the presidential election runoff and said it did not consider the first round free and fair.

Masoud Pezeshkian, billed as a reformist within the cleric-led Islamic republic, placed first in the election and will go to a runoff Friday against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili.

These elections in Iran are not free and fair, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

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We have no expectation that these elections, and whatever the outcome might be, will lead to a fundamental change in Irans direction or lead the Iranian regime to offer more respect for human rights and more dignity for its citizens.

Patel also cast doubt on the official figures on turnout, which were already low.

Even the Iranian governments official numbers about turnout, like most other things as it relates to the Iranian regime, are unreliable, he said.

Iranian authorities said that slightly more than 40 percent of the 61 million electorate took part  a record low turnout for the Islamic republic  and more than one million ballots were spoiled.

The poll had been scheduled to take place in 2025 but was brought forward by the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
Warren Buffett has announced significant revisions to his estate plans, marking a departure from his longstanding commitment to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation read more

Warren Buffett, the esteemed 93-year-old chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced significant revisions to his estate plans, marking a departure from his longstanding commitment to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Buffett, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, disclosed that his posthumous donations will no longer flow to the Gates Foundation, but will instead be managed by a new charitable trust overseen by his three children.

End of an Era for Gates Foundation?

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The Gates Foundation has no money coming after my death, Buffett bluntly stated, signalling a strategic shift in his philanthropic priorities. Previously, Buffett had earmarked over 99 per cent of his estate for the Gates Foundation and four other family-related charities.

Trust in Family Values

Motivated by his unwavering trust in his childrens values and ability to steward his legacy, Buffett stressed on his confidence in their respective philanthropic endeavours. Each of his children already heads a charitable organization.

I feel very, very good about the values of my three children, and I have 100 per cent trust in how they will carry things out, Buffett affirmed.

Continued Support During Lifetime

Despite the posthumous redirection, Buffett continues his charitable contributions to the Gates Foundation during his lifetime, highlighting his ongoing commitment to philanthropy.

Financial Implications & Berkshire Hathaways Role

In tandem with these estate adjustments, Berkshire Hathaway announced a significant restructuring of Buffetts shares. Around 9,000 Class A shares were converted into over 13 million Class B shares, with 9.3 million of these newly created shares designated for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. The remainder will bolster the endowments of the four Buffett family charities.

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Gratitude Amidst Change

Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, expressed gratitude for Buffetts longstanding support, acknowledging his contributions of approximately $43 billion over the years. Despite recent changes, Suzman underscored the foundations appreciation for Buffetts generosity and its enduring impact on their mission.

Financial Overview

After the recent donations, Buffett retains ownership of 207,963 Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares and 2,586 Class B shares, valued collectively at an estimated $128 billion
Apple announced iOS 18 at WWDC last month, featuring new home screen capabilities and enhanced Apple Intelligence.

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg now reports that Apple has already begun developing iOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3 for next year.

iOS 19

Gurman states that Apple has formally begun work on 2025s major operating systems. This is consistent with Apples usual development timeline. The codenames for the upcoming systems are:

iOS 19: Luck

macOS 16: Cheer

watchOS 12: Nepali

visionOS 3: Discovery

Although iOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2 are yet to be released, Apple is proceeding with its regular schedule.

Early development is essential as next years hardware needs software for testing. However, it is too soon to know the features of the new systems.

Apple Intelligence Coming to Vision Pro  Possibly Next Year

Gurman also reveals that Apple Intelligence will come to the Vision Pro headset, but not to the HomePod. The Vision Pro, with enough memory, will support on-device Apple Intelligence features such as notification summaries, writing tools, and an updated Siri.

Apples design team must ensure that Apple Intelligence integrates well into a mixed-reality environment and that sufficient cloud capacity is available.

Gurman notes that the HomePod and HomePod mini, with only one gigabyte of memory, will not receive Apple Intelligence.

Instead, Apple is focusing on an entirely new robotic device with a display incorporating Apple Intelligence. The current HomePod is considered too low-volume a product to waste the engineering time on integrating this feature.

Looking ahead, Gurman believes Apple Intelligence will become increasingly central to Apple devices and will be updated more frequently than services like iCloud, at least as often as Apples hardware and software.

Beta Releases

Public beta versions of iOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2 are expected next month, with official releases in the fall.

Source
SRI-Bangalore, Samsungs largest R&D center outside Korea, has collaborated globally to develop AI language models for British, Indian, and Australian English, along with Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian.

Recently, engineers from various Samsung Research centers visited Bangalore to enhance Galaxy AI with Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian capabilities.

Development of Hindi Language Model

SRI-B also spearheaded the development of Hindi for Galaxy AI, a complex endeavor involving over 20 regional dialects, tonal variations, punctuation, and colloquialisms. The team conducted extensive AI model training using translated and transliterated data, addressing the linguistic nuances unique to Hindi.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

Giridhar Jakki, Head of Language AI at Samsung R&D Institute India  Bangalore, highlighted the challenges and rewards of integrating Hindi into Galaxy AI.

He emphasized the intricate phonetic structure of Hindi, which includes retroflex sounds not found in many languages. Collaborating with native linguists, the team developed specialized phonemes to support various Hindi dialects, ensuring accurate speech synthesis.

Academic Collaboration and Data Acquisition

The collaboration between Samsung and academic partners, such as the Vellore Institute of Technology, was pivotal. They curated nearly a million lines of audio data, crucial for incorporating Hindi into Galaxy AI, ensuring high-quality language support.

Galaxy AI now supports 16 languages, empowering users with offline translation capabilities in features like Live Translate, Interpreter, Note Assist, and Browsing Assist.

This project exemplifies Samsungs philosophy of collaborative innovation, bridging cultural divides to deliver meaningful advancements in language technology.

Speaking about the collaboration, Giridhar Jakki, Head of Language AI at Samsung R&D Institute India  Bangalore, said:
The Ratekin Towers apartment building at 875 Main St. has had a unit test positive for methamphetamine contamination.

The six-story building, which contains 107 apartments for seniors and people with disabilities, is managed by the Grand Junction Housing Authority.

Housing Authority Chief Operating Officer Scott Aker said the positive meth test affected one apartment, as well as some common areas, including hallways, corridors and an area by an elevator.

More than one floor was affected, Aker said, but its hard to say whether all the contamination is related or not.

Remediation work is underway in the building, Aker said.

Aker said hes confident crews can get the remediation and additional testing done without displacing residents.

Its uncomfortable, but its not unsafe, Aker said.

The building had a positive meth test in 2018-2019 that required significant levels of remediation, but Aker said the new contamination isnt on that scale.

I can comfortably say this is less severe than in 2018-2019, Aker said.

In September 2020, The Daily Sentinel reported that remediation costs exceeded $2 million.

Aker said he couldnt speculate on the levels of meth present in the building, just that it was enough to cause a positive test. He also said he wasnt sure how much remediation might end up costing.

Remediation and testing are performed by separate companies that are both certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, Aker said.

After the remediation is complete, additional testing will be performed to make sure there is no trace of methamphetamine left in the building. If there is, additional remediation and testing will be performed until the meth residue is gone.

Aker said theres no specific timeline for how long the remediation will take, but the Housing Authority is working as fast as they possibly can to rectify the situation.

You cant control every human beings behavior and we dont have the resources to watch people around the clock, Aker said. Unfortunately, people choose to use methamphetamine.
World's largest naval exercise sends message to China

By Carla Babb June 28, 2024

The United States and 28 partner nations have begun the world's largest naval war exercise off the shores of Hawaii, known as the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC.

This year's exercise brings international cooperation on a scale like no other: 40 surface ships, more than 150 aircraft, three submarines and 25,000 people.

Nations from around the globe are practicing a wide range of missions, from natural disaster response to attack skills needed for war. While most participants are nations with Pacific coastlines, this year's RIMPAC also includes non-Pacific nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Brazil and Israel.

"Every nation in the world that has interests in the Pacific and will adhere to the same values is more than welcome to participate," said Chilean Navy Commodore Alberto Guerrero, RIMPAC deputy commander.

One country not invited? China.

Why? Because the warm welcome RIMPAC gave to China in 2014 and 2016 backfired, according to Markus Garlauskas, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council.

"There was this outreach to China, and definitely the U.S. and its allies and partners were essentially burned by the Chinese taking advantage of it  as an opportunity to essentially collect intelligence and to try and get more acceptance of what should be considered unacceptable behavior," Garlauskas told VOA.

Since China's last RIMPAC in 2016, he said, Beijing ramped up its aggressive behavior, building and militarizing more artificial islands in international waters, conducting aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan in recent months and pummeling Philippine ships with water cannons in recent days.

But the biennial exercise, officials say, can send a strong message to China to stop bullying its neighbors. RIMPAC nations this year will practice targeting the decommissioned assault ship USS Tarawa, in a rare chance to learn how effective their weapons are at sinking a large and protected adversary in open waters.

"They're not just going to be facing the United States in the country they're targeting, but they're potentially going to have to deal with a response from a wide range of countries that have common interests in deterring and confronting Chinese aggression as threats to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Garlauskas said.

Israel's inclusion this year sparked calls from pro-Palestinian activists wanting countries to skip the exercise in protest. Malaysia's prime minister addressed the protesters ahead of the exercises, saying that while his country would continue to speak out in support of the Palestinian people, Malaysia needed to act in a way that was "not driven by anger," while also considering the practical implications of missing the major military exercise.

RIMPAC is set to end in early August.

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Statement on Canada's attendance at UN meeting on Afghanistan

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

June 30, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement on the participation of David Sproule, Canada's Special Representative for Afghanistan, in the third meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan (Doha III) hosted by the United Nations in Doha, Qatar, from June 30 to July 1, 2024:

"Canada is extremely disappointed that the UN organizers have excluded non-Taliban Afghan participants, including women's advocates, religious and ethnic minorities, and human rights groups from participating in the meeting's main sessions.

"Canada has clearly expressed for weeksboth privately and in concert with other governmentsits grave disappointment about the absence of civil society from Doha III.

"The full, equal and meaningful participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting process is not only a core tenet of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, but fundamental to the achievement of a peaceful, stable and inclusive Afghanistan. None of the goals that Afghans are seeking to achieve are possible without the full participation of women.

"In the lead up to Doha III, Canada held consultations with Afghan civil society, human rights groups, and women to hear their concerns. Canada will use its platform at this meeting to amplify the messages of those who have courageously spoken out about the human rights abuses committed by the Taliban, but have not been invited to the main meetings.

"Since the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021, and the subsequent closure of Canada's embassy in Kabul, Canada has repeatedly urged the Taliban to honour Afghanistan's international human rights obligations, lift restrictive measures on women and girlsincluding those measures touching on freedom of movement and rights of free speech and educationand restore women's and girls' meaningful participation in Afghan society.

"Canada will continue to call upon the UN to appoint, in a timely manner, a Special Envoy for Afghanistan with robust expertise on human rights and gender, who will spearhead the implementation of the roadmap as outlined in the UN Special Coordinator's 2023 report and UN Security Council Resolution 2721."

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Afghan Talks Kick Off In Doha Amid Anger Over Taliban's Exclusion Of Women

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi June 30, 2024

Two days of UN-organized talks on international relations with Taliban-led Afghanistan were getting under way in the Qatari capital, Doha, on June 30, with the Taliban present for the first time -- but rights groups expressed anger over the hard-line fundamentalist regime's exclusion of women and its refusal to discuss women's rights at the forum.

"The Taliban had a major role in creating the agenda of this meeting and who should be in this meeting," Shahrazad Akbar, the former head of the Independent Human Rights Commission and currently executive director of the Rawadari rights organization, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, speaking from Britain.

"This in itself is a big problem and is giving power and legitimacy to the Taliban," she said.

Habiba Sarabi, a prominent women's rights activist and former member of the negotiating team of the deposed Afghan government, echoed those remarks, saying, "Afghan women are half of Afghan society."

"How can we say that women are not present in important decision-making meetings. When it is specifically related to Afghanistan, women should be present and women should also participate in those decisions," she told Radio Azadi.

This is the third such UN-sponsored meeting on Afghanistan in Doha, but the first in which the Taliban has been involved. Along with UN officials, delegations from some two dozen nations, including the United States, are expected to attend.

The Taliban was not invited to the first Doha conference and set conditions that were rejected for its participation in the second gathering in February, including that it be the sole representative of Afghanistan at the meeting.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said the group's demands were "unacceptable" and amounted to recognizing the Taliban as the country's legitimate government, something the international community has refused to do.

Afghan women's rights groups and supporters have held protests inside Afghanistan and in Europe over the Taliban's participation and its exclusion of women at the gathering.

Zahid Mustafa, who has organized a protest in Amsterdam, told Radio Azadi that "our goal by these protests is that the United Nations has invited the Taliban to this meeting on behalf of Afghans. But we are protesting this and calling for a boycott of the Doha meeting."

Shukriya Barakzai, a women's rights activist and Afghanistan's former ambassador to Norway -- who was invited to the previous meeting -- expressed frustration with the UN organizers of the summit.

"The United Nations' looking down upon Afghan women and representatives of civil society shows that, despite the fact that this meeting was organized by the United Nations, they are acting against their own procedures and values," she told Radio Azadi from London.

She did not say if she was invited to the current gathering in Doha.

Roza Otunbaeva, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has defended the failure to include Afghan women at the meeting, saying that women's rights are certain to be raised with the Taliban. She said the group's inclusion in the talks does not represent a legitimization of its government.

The Taliban government, which took over after the U.S.-led international coalition left the country in mid-2020, is not recognized internationally, although Beijing has accepted credentials from a Taliban ambassador.

The United Nations has accused the Taliban of waging "gender apartheid" on women and girls since returning to power nearly three years ago, closing girls' schools and forcing women out of the workplace and out of public spaces.

Women's rights groups and civil society activists are expected to meet with international diplomats and UN officials on July 2, after the close of the official two-day talks.

But Sima Samar, the former head of Afghanistan's human rights commission of the deposed Afghan government, said that was not sufficient action by the international community.

"They [the UN] have said they will meet the [Afghan] women on the sidelines after the end of the meeting on July 2," she told Radio Azadi.

"If they care about women, why don't they meet with women before that, or why aren't women directly at the table, because the Taliban's desire is to erase women from all social and political issues in Afghanistan."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-talks-doha- taliban-women-rights/33014343.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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Orban-Led Hungary To Assume EU Presidency Amid Concerns Of Far-Right Rise

By RFE/RL June 30, 2024

Hungary, led by right-wing nationalist and Russia-friendly Prime Minister Viktor Orban, takes over the EU's rotating presidency on July 1, raising concerns in much of the West amid signs of the rising strength of the far right throughout the continent.

"It's unbelievable. It's like the defendant in a trial has suddenly taken over the prosecution," Hungarian journalist and Orban biographer Paul Lendvai told the AFP news agency, referring to Orban's long-standing opposition to EU policies.

Orban, who has governed Hungary with a parliamentary supermajority since 2010, has angered many EU leaders with perceived attacks on democracy and the bloc's founding principles and inclusivity, his opposition to sanctions on Russia and military aid for Ukraine, and his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Hungarian prime minister has talked openly about his plans to turn the country from a democracy into an "illiberal state," and the government has taken control of much of Hungary's print and broadcast media.

Despite Orban's stated policies, one observer said the Hungarian leader is not likely to have a major impact over EU decision-making during the six-month presidency.

Dorka Takacsy, a research fellow at the Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy, told the Associated Press that the timing of the presidency will give Orban little opportunity to disrupt EU policies aside from the occasional controversial outburst. The term begins ahead of the long summer break and during the formation a new European Parliament and Commission.

"These six months are altogether not that long, which means that...Hungary cannot do potentially much harm, even according to the critics," she told AP.

Alongside allies from Austria and the Czech Republic, Orban on June 30 announced the imminent launch of a political alliance that he vowed would "quickly" dominate the European political right.

Speaking at a press conference in Vienna flanked by "Patriots For Europe" signs, the national populist and strident Brussels critic added that "This will happen within days, and after that the sky is the limit."

Elections in early June for the European Parliament showed big gains for Europe's far right, although Orban's own Fidesz party suffered a setback amid a challenge from party defector Peter Magyar's new movement at home.

Even with the far-right gains across Europe, the main takeaway from the European Parliament elections was that the three biggest political groups in the chamber are unchanged.

After EU citizens went to vote across the 27 EU member states, the center-right European People's Party (EPP) came in first -- as it has done in every European parliamentary election since 1999 -- with a projected 185 lawmakers in the 720-seat chamber.

With reporting by AP and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-orban-eu- presidency-far-right/33014565.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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Orban, Allies Announce Right-Wing 'Patriots For Europe' Alliance

By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service June 30, 2024

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on June 30 announced alongside allies from Austria and the Czech Republic the imminent launch of a new political alliance that he vowed would "quickly" dominate the European political right.

Speaking at a press conference in Vienna flanked by "Patriots For Europe" signs, the national populist and strident Brussels critic added that "This will happen within days, and after that the sky is the limit."

Orban's right-wing Fidesz party has dominated Hungarian politics with a supermajority since 2010, but it has appeared isolated since quitting the center-right European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament under a threat of expulsion in 2021.

Despite an apparent setback for Orban's own Fidesz party in early June's European elections amid a challenge from party defector Peter Magyar's new movement at home, many right-wing parties in the European Union rode a surge of popularity to boost their gains in the European Parliament.

Orban was flanked at the announcement in Vienna by Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) President Herbert Kickl and the billionaire former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who heads the ANO party.

"Today we are creating a political formation that I believe will multiply and very quickly become the largest faction of the European right," Orban said in a video of the event shared on Facebook and other social media.

But the Patriots For Europe project must first win further support, since those three allies so far fall short of the 23 representatives from at least seven member states required to form an official grouping in the European Parliament.

Budapest's influence will be amplified this week and for the remainder of 2024 as Hungary holds the six-month rotating EU Presidency.

It has announced that its goals include giving more space to more critical perspectives of the EU's mission and work.

Orban has hammered Brussels as his government imposed controversial laws on LGBT speech and clashed with the bloc over perceived backsliding on democratic and media freedoms.

He has also cozied up to Moscow diplomatically and economically while resisting EU and other sanctions imposed on Russia to punish its unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and refusing to join NATO and other Western efforts to help arm Kyiv.

"I think everybody is more or less aware that we are a very characteristically right-wing government," longtime Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a recent gathering. "We don't really like leaving doubts in this regard or any other."

Szijjarto added, "We serve as the evidence that, no, liberal mainstream is not the only way to go forward."

There is a "conservative, patriotic, right-wing, Christian Democratic way as well," that Fidesz represents, he said.

Hungary has been embroiled in rule-of-law and LGBT- and migrant-rights disputes with Brussels that have left tens of billions of euros in EU funds withheld despite an awkward compromise in January that released billions more in funds despite misgivings about judicial independence there.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-czech-austria- right-new-alliance-patriots-europe/33014393.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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United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Statement on attacks in Gwoza, Borno

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Abuja, 30 June 2024 -- The United Nations strongly condemns the suicide bomb attacks on civilian populations in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State yesterday. The exact number of people killed and injured remains unknown, but it appears that dozens of people have reportedly been killed and others seriously injured.

On 29 June, members of a non-state armed group allegedly attacked a wedding party in Gwoza town with a person-borne improvised explosive device. Dozens of people were reportedly killed in this attack, including children, women and men. Reportedly, this was followed by another two attacks later the same day.

I am horrified by this attack on civilian populations and condemn such acts in the strongest terms. I stand in solidarity with the Government of Nigeria, and the families and communities of all those affected.

On behalf of the United Nations, I remind all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.

I have reached out to the Borno State Government to express my condolences and offer any support that the United Nations and the humanitarian community can provide to aid the victims of the attack.

- END -

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Israel's Netanyahu vows 'victory' as cease-fire talks with Hamas are stalled

By Ken Bredemeier June 30, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his vow Sunday that there is "no substitute for victory," telling his Cabinet that Israel would continue its war against Hamas in Gaza until the militants are defeated and 120 Hamas-held hostages, both dead and alive, are returned.

He said the war, nearly 10 months long, would continue "until we achieve all our goals," including that Hamas "no longer poses a threat on Israel."

Netanyahu contended, "Everyone knows the simple truth: Hamas is the only obstacle to freeing our hostages," in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

But there appeared to be no change in the stalemated cease-fire talks, with Israel calling for a six-week halt in the fighting and exchange of hostages and prisoners, while Hamas demanded a permanent stop to the fighting and an Israeli withdrawal of its troops.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said Saturday at a Beirut news conference, "There has been no real progress at the end of aggression negotiations, and what is quoted by the American administration is to put pressure on the (Hamas) movement, to accept the Israel (cease-fire) proposal without modification."

"Once again," Hamdan said, "Hamas is ready to deal positively with any proposal that secures a permanent cease-fire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a serious swap deal."

On Saturday, a senior Biden administration official said the U.S. presented new language to intermediaries Egypt and Qatar to try to jump-start the stalled Israel-Hamas negotiations.

On the battlefield, Israeli forces advanced farther into the Shejaiya neighborhood of northern Gaza, months after Israel had declared Hamas's command structure dismantled in the northern area and pushed deeper into western and central Rafah in the south near the Egyptian border. Residents said at least six Palestinians were killed and several homes destroyed, residents said.

The armed wing of Hamas said its fighters had fired anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs against Israeli forces operating there.

Netanyahu said, "Dozens of terrorists are being eliminated every day. This is a difficult fight that is being waged above ground, sometimes in hand-to-hand combat, and below ground as well."

On Saturday, the military announced the death of two Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza.

Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has so far killed nearly 38,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, and left the heavily built-up coastal enclave in ruins.

Some material in this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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Taliban call on West to build deeper ties, ignore curbs on women

By Sarah Zaman June 30, 2024

A United Nations-led two-day conference of special envoys for Afghanistan from nearly two dozen countries kicked off Sunday in Qatar with the Taliban demanding an end to financial sanctions and expressing a desire for greater engagement with the West while dismissing curbs on women's freedom as a policy difference.

This is the first time the Taliban participated in the gathering to discuss international engagement with Afghanistan since U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres initiated what is commonly referred to as the "Doha process" a year ago.

Rosemary DiCarlo, U.N. undersecretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs is presiding over the talks.

Delegates attending the conference told VOA, the hard-line group's participation was a boon for the process, despite intense criticism from women's rights groups in and outside Afghanistan for excluding rights activists. To ensure the Taliban did not skip the meeting as they did in February because activists were invited, the U.N. decided not to bring them to the official event.

The Taliban were not invited to the first round in May last year.

Taliban's pitch

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesperson of the Taliban's interim government, is leading the Kabul delegation. Addressing the gathering, Mujahid urged unfreezing Afghan funds and lifting banking sanctions that have cut off the country from the international financial system, saying such actions were hindering the economic progress his government was aiming for.

"Afghans are questioning why the easing of sanctions on financial and trade sectors remains slow-paced? Why the government and the private sector are consistently confronting various challenges?" Mujahid asked the gathering that included representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

The U.S. froze $7 billion of Afghan central bank funds after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021. In 2022, the Biden administration put half the money in a Switzerland-based trust account called "Fund for the Afghan People," which a board oversees. The remaining money is locked in the U.S.

The Taliban delegation head did not directly reference the ban on girls' education and women's employment in most sectors, or curbs on their mobility, instead hinting at them as cultural, religious and policy differences. In a recent report, U.N. special rapporteur Richard Bennet called the Taliban's hard-line practices an "attack on the entire civilian population, amounting to crimes against humanity."

"I do not deny that some countries may have problems with some measures of the Islamic Emirate," Mujahid said using the title the regime uses for itself.

"The policy differences should not escalate to the extent that powerful countries use their leverage to impose security, political, and economic pressures on our people, affecting the lives of our nation in a significant way," Mujahid added, apparently criticizing the way the United States and other western countries have been pressuring the Taliban to soften their stance. Mujahid instead called on countries to separate "Afghanistan's internal matters from foreign relations."

Referring to growing bilateral engagement with Russia, China, and others, Mujahid said the de facto rulers were keen to engage with the West.

"We hope that Western countries will also prioritize mutual bilateral interests in a similar manner," he said.

Prior to the start of formal talks Sunday, the Taliban held bilateral meetings with delegates from Russia, Saudi Arabia, India and Uzbekistan. While no country has recognized the Taliban government since the group came to power in August 2021 at the end of the 20-year, U.S.-led war, at least 16 countries have diplomatic missions in Afghanistan. Only Beijing has exchanged ambassadors with Kabul.

Response to Taliban

"Everyone stated their position. It was good. Everyone talked about engagement," Asif Durrani, Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan told media covering the summit. "The very fact that Taliban attended shows the U.N. could prevail."

Despite severe criticism by global rights group of the U.N.'s decision to exclude Afghan women from the event and their issues from the agenda, no country boycotted the gathering. Delegates from the United States, Canada, Norway, and other western countries as well as the European Union are taking part in the talks along with representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

"There is pressure to attend. There is a realization to make the best of it, to build on it," said a Western diplomat speaking on background to VOA.

They added that it was good that countries were choosing a structured process to deal with the Taliban and that despite nearly three years of Taliban rule, there was still a huge divide between the de facto rulers and the global community.

Speaking to media on the sidelines, Durrani said delegates raised the issue of women's rights during the closed-door speeches. The Taliban gave measured, "palatable" responses to issues that were difficult for them, he added.

Despite participants expressing concerns about the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil and calling out the regime for its treatment of women and girls, Mujahid seemed upbeat afterward.

"The views of all countries seems positive about Afghanistan," Mujahid said responding to a VOA question while talking to the media. "Because everyone wants to cooperate with Afghanistan. Which is good. We want to boost our relations with the countries which are already in touch with us, and those who aren't, they should come and give importance to interacting with Afghanistan and cooperate with the people of Afghanistan."

More than one delegate told VOA the mood during the talks was good and a positive tone was set for similar engagement in the future.

Discussions on improving conditions for Afghanistan's private business sector, including exploring ways to collaborate on entrepreneurship, job creation, Islamic finance, and access to markets will take place Monday. This will be followed by talks regarding sustaining the Taliban's ban on opium poppy cultivation, it's impact on women, and providing alternative livelihoods to poppy farmers.

U.N. representatives and delegates from various countries plan to meet with Afghan civil society activists after the conference Tuesday. In a post on social media platform X, the Taliban foreign ministry official Zakir Jalali insisted this meeting would not mean the Taliban will be sharing the spotlight.

"If several special envoys meet with someone after the meeting of the participants, it has nothing to do with Doha-3," he said.

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Army awards $4.5 billion Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile multiyear contract

By U.S. Army Public Affairs June 28, 2024

Multiyear contracting provides production stability and cost savings to the Army

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Officials from the United States Army's Program Executive Office Missiles and Space and Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal executed a contract award for Fiscal Year 2024 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement production. The $4.5 billion contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control will procure 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and associated hardware.

"This multiyear contract award for the PAC-3 MSE missile follows through on the Army's commitment to stabilize and expand our production capability for this critical weapon system, which is vital to supporting the US Army and Joint Force, along with Ukraine and other allies around the world" said Douglas Bush, the Army's Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.

"Multiyear contracts are mutually beneficial to the United States Government and our industry partners," said Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, Program Executive Officer Missiles and Space. "They strive to lower procurement costs by allowing bulk purchasing and reducing administrative strain and costs associated with annual contract renewals, while also providing our suppliers with a stable demand forecast, encouraging investment in production capacity and capability improvements."

A multiyear procurement contract is used by the U.S. Department of Defense to purchase goods or services over multiple years. This type of contract allows the DoD to commit to longer-term relationships with suppliers, typically spanning up to five years. Unlike annual contracts, multiyear contracts obligate the government to procure goods or services over a period of years, subject to the availability of funds. They provide stability and predictability for both the DoD and suppliers, facilitating better planning and resource allocation.

The PAC-3 MSE is in high demand. It defends against incoming threats using hit-to-kill technology that delivers exponentially more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast-fragmentation. The PAC-3 MSE is capable of countering incoming threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonics, and aircraft.

This contract award is an initial step to increasing production and incentivizing innovation, while reaping the cost savings benefits of Economic Order Quantities and long-term supply chain reliability.

The contract award is led by PEO MS and executed in partnership with ACC-Redstone Arsenal.

Please contact Darrell Ames, PEO MS' public affairs officer, at Darrell.d.ames.civ@army.mil for more information.

# # #

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Travel to mainland to be more convenient for non-Chinese permanent residents of HK, Macao

Xinhua) 13:25, July 01, 2024

BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- China's immigration authorities announced on Monday a new measure that will make it more convenient for non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao to travel to the mainland.

Starting July 10, non-Chinese permanent residents of the two special administrative regions will be eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the mainland, according to the National Immigration Administration.

According to the basic laws of the two regions, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao include both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals.

Holders of these documents will be allowed multiple entries into the mainland within a five-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. After completing procedures such as fingerprint collection, the holders can enter through the express clearance channel, according to the administration.

However, if non-Chinese holders intend to work, study, or engage in news reporting activities on the mainland, they should apply for visas or residence permits in accordance with the law.

The administration said that it will continue to improve immigration management services to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and promote the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the country's overall development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Xi To Combine SCO Summit With State Visits To Kazakhstan, Tajikistan

By RFE/RL June 30, 2024

China's Foreign Ministry announced on June 30 that President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan from July 2 to July 6.

The announcement, on the ministry's official website, quotes spokesperson Hua Chunying as saying the Kazakh and Tajik visits will come at the invitation of those Central Asian states' respective leaderships.

"From July 2 to 6, President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana and, at the invitation of President [Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev] of the Republic of Kazakhstan and President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan, pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan," the ministry said.

The SCO, a political and security grouping, was launched by China and Russia in 2001.

Its July 3-4 summit comes with SCO members -- which include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan but not Turkmenistan among the post-Soviet Central Asian republics -- expected to focus in part on economy and energy issues but also grappling with fallout from Russia's war on Ukraine and other geopolitical issues.

Beijing has continued and intensified cooperation with Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, days after Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed a new "no limits" partnership in part to counter Western power and influence.

Russia was Astana's largest trading partner when the war broke out, and the attack on Ukraine and the international backlash have posed additional challenges for Kazakh diplomacy, society, and the economy as Astana has sought to maintain neutrality.

A recent report by the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, alleged that China was experimenting with spreading its authoritarian model to other countries.

The gunning down of a Kazakh opposition activist and journalist in Ukraine earlier this month raised fresh questions about possible authoritarian trends and dissent in Kazakhstan.

Natalya Sadyqova, the wife of Aidos Sadyqov, who remains hospitalized in Kyiv, has called his June 18 shooting an attempt to silence him over reporting she and Sadyqov have done on Russian influence in Kazakhstan.

In January 2022, Kazakh President Toqaev allowed Russian troops to help quell deadly unrest that he suggested was part of an internal power struggle against people connected to Kazakhstan's former leadership, in a move that raised concerns of tighter security and military reliance on outside powers including Moscow.

China and Tajikistan pledged in May to boost bilateral cooperation as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President Rahmon in Dushanbe, following up on Rahmon's to China visit a year earlier.

China has pledged billions of dollars to megaprojects in some of Central Asia's poorest areas, including a major China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) highway that is among Beijing's most ambitious there.

A Chinese company is also said to have committed itself to a major solar power plant in Tajikistan, near that country's border with Afghanistan.

China has already invested major sums in power and other infrastructure projects in Tajikistan just as Dushanbe's debt payments are on the rise to China's Exim Bank.

The SCO's membership also includes India, Iran, and Pakistan.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/xi-china-kazakhstan- tajikistan-sco-astana/33014300.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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Takeaways From Iran's Record-Low Presidential Vote With No Winner

By Kian Sharifi June 29, 2024

The Islamic republic of Iran witnessed its lowest presidential-election turnout ever on June 28, when only around 40 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots.

None of the four candidates cleared to run in the election managed to secure enough votes to be declared the outright winner.

Reformist lawmaker Masud Pezeshkian, who took 42.5 percent of the vote, and ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, who won 38.6 percent, will face off in a second round of voting on July 5 that will determine the next president of Iran.

The historic low turnout came despite calls by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for voters to show up in droves to cast their ballots, arguing that the "durability, strength, dignity, and reputation of the Islamic republic" were on the line.

Turnout in major elections has been declining since 2020, but opinion polls carried out in Iran had suggested that this election would not be as bad as the 2021 presidential election, which saw a then-record-low turnout of 48.8 percent.

The low turnout is "obviously a sign of the decreasing legitimacy of the Islamic republic," said Farzan Sabet, a senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Ahead of the election, dissidents both in Iran and abroad had called for a boycott, arguing that past votes had failed to bring change.

Sabet said among a slew of factors contributing to the poor turnout was that a majority of the public "does not see elections as a meaningful path to change," particularly when past presidents, such as the moderate Hassan Rohani, complain about having been blocked from carrying out their campaign promises by circles of power.

So, people question whether there is any point in voting if ultimately the government's decision-making powers are limited, Sabet said.

Curtains On Qalibaf's Presidential Aspirations

Another key takeaway from the election was the poor performance of conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, whose third-place finish in his fourth presidential run may have ended his aspirations to become president.

"In a sense, this might be the end of his rise in the system," Sabet said. "Although he will go back to the parliament and continue to govern from there."

The conservative camp had been urging Jalili and Qalibaf to come to an understanding for one of them to drop out in favor of the other to prevent the splitting of the conservative vote. Neither budged, however, and Qalibaf suffered for a couple of reasons.

Qalibaf found himself squeezed between Jalili, who appealed to more hard-line and ideologically committed voters, and Pezeshkian, who drew on the support of enough moderate and pro-reform voters to finish ahead of the pack.

The parliament speaker has also been embroiled in a series of corruption allegations and political scandals throughout his career, which may have damaged his reputation to such an extent that it could not be offset by his attempts to present himself as a competent, experienced manager with technocratic solutions.

Pezeshkian-Jalili Showdown

Pezeshkian initially was not seen as a serious challenger but as election day grew closer, his poll numbers soared.

Despite the low turnout, he managed to lure enough moderate and reformist voters out to secure a place in the runoff election.

Pezeshkian is a veteran lawmaker who backs engaging with the West and has been critical of some of Tehran's conservative policies. But he is also committed to the principles of the Islamic republic and has vowed to follow Khamenei's policies if elected.

Jalili, who is staunchly opposed to improving relations with the West, will be hoping to get Qalibaf's votes after the parliament speaker endorsed him for the runoff. However, there is no guarantee that Qalibaf's supporters will swing to Jalili.

The hard-liner Jalili has also surrounded himself with officials close to the administration of the late Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopter crash in May triggered the snap election to replace him.

The last time an Iranian presidential vote went to a runoff was in 2005, when the populist candidate Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who had finished second in the first round, beat the moderate hopeful Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

If turnout remains low and Pezeshkian fails to mobilize a larger portion of pro-reform voters, Jalili could win the July 5 poll.

To convince the disillusioned public to vote, Pezeshkian needs "a clear plan and distinct approach," France-based political commentator Mojtaba Najafi told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

If Pezeshkian succeeds, he will have "a significant chance" of defeating Jalili, he said.

There is also a possibility that the prospect of a Jalili presidency is enough incentive to compel some to vote for Pezeshkian.

"I voted for Pezeshkian because I believe he is qualified, but also I was scared of Jalili becoming president," a voter inside Iran said in a voice message to RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

Sabet argued, however, that with the Iranian public having experienced the repressive Ahmadinejad and Raisi presidencies, "I'm not sure how much more frightening a Jalili administration will be."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-presidential- election-takeaways/33014062.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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Iran election heads to runoff; turnout numbers in dispute

By VOA's Persian News Network June 29, 2024

None of the candidates for president proposed by the Iranian regime secured the necessary votes, the Ministry of Interior said Saturday. The top two vote-getters, Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili, will advance to a runoff next Friday.

The nationwide participation rate, as reported by contested data, stands at 40%, marking the lowest turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic.

More than 24 million votes were cast in the election to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi. Pezeshkian won 42.4% of the vote; Jalili won 38.6%, according to Iran's elections authority. Conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf won 13.8% and conservative cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi, got less than 1%.

"None of the candidates could garner the absolute majority of the votes," electoral authority spokesperson Mohsen Eslami said.

The government's claim of a 40% participation rate, based on official statistics announced recently, shows the continuing decline in public engagement in elections under the Islamic Republic.

Participation in the 2019 parliamentary elections, held during Hassan Rouhani's administration, was reported at 42%. The 2021 presidential election, concurrent with city and village council elections, allegedly saw a turnout of 48%, according to government claims, with more than 13% of votes deemed invalid.

The participation rate for last year's parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections in March was similarly reported at 41%.

Despite extensive efforts and widespread propaganda by the Islamic Republic to mobilize voters, reports from social media users and images from Iran indicated a low turnout among Iranians.

About 77% of the eligible voters in the Greater Tehran area refused to vote for the government's presidential candidates, according to official numbers.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran, a political coalition of Iranian opposition groups and individuals that call for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, cited reports Saturday from what it referred to as the "Social Headquarters inside Iran." It stated that "overall, less than 7.4 million people, representing just 12% of eligible voters, participated either voluntarily or under pressure in the clerical regime's presidential election."

The council emphasized: "As a result, 88% of Iranians boycotted the sham presidential elections of the Khamenei regime, decisively rejecting the religious dictatorship. They declared that their ultimate vote was for the overthrow of the regime."

Many protesters, families of victims, political and civil activists, along with various political organizations, had previously declared their refusal to participate in the "governmental appointments" and the "circus of elections."

Political prisoners in Evin Prison also abstained from participating in the voting process.

"It's shameful for a government when only 35% to 40% of eligible voters participate in their presidential elections. Clearly, their people have neither trust in the political system nor confidence nor hope," Mehdi Mahmoudian, a human rights activist and former political prisoner, said on X the social media platform.

Hossein Ronaghi, a political activist and former prisoner of the Islamic Republic, also spoke out: "The widespread boycott and non-participation of the people in the farcical and fake elections of the Islamic Republic demonstrate the opposition, dissatisfaction, and protest of the Iranian public towards the current situation. It serves as a resounding 'no' to the entire 'Islamic Republic' government that has occupied Iran for decades and kept the people in captivity."

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Zelenskiy Says More Air Defenses Needed Against 'Russian Terror' As Vilnyansk Casualty Toll Tops 40

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 30, 2024

Ukraine's State Emergency Service on June 30 raised the number of injured to more than 35 in an apparent Russian rocket attack the previous night that killed seven people in the city of Vilnyansk, in the southern Zaporizhzhya region.

It reported that building and car fires had been put out at the scene, where Governor Ivan Fedorov said three children were believed to be among the dead and nine more children among the dozens of injured.

Initial reports had put the number of injured at around 10.

"How can we be expected to live?" a resident of Vilnyansk said in comments to RFE/RL.

"There is a burned corpse there," she said, pointing to rescue workers wrapping the body of a blast victim.

"This is a very popular area. There is an ATB [supermarket]. There are benches. People are walking. Children are walking. Some people were driving by from work. They just disappeared [in the blast] and we cannot find them."

The attack in Vilnyansk came with Russian forces putting heavy pressure on Ukrainian defenders along the 1,000-kilometer front line and with increased air strikes in the 28-month-old full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his June 30 video address, urged Ukraine's Western allies to allow the country's forces more freedom to conduct attacks inside Russia.

"The sooner the world helps us to deal with the Russian warplanes dropping these bombs, the sooner we can attack the Russian military infrastructure, the Russian military airfields, the closer we are to peace," Zelenskiy said

On June 30, local leaders in Kyiv and Kharkiv -- Ukraine's two largest cities -- reported attacks on residential and civilian areas.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said fragments of a Russian-launched missile caused a fire in the Obolon district of the capital. There was no initial report of casualties, but authorities said emergency crews were at the site.

Separately, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekho said Russia had fired guided bombs into a residential area of Ukraine's second-largest city, causing casualties.

"Unfortunately, we already have information that one person has been killed. Inspection of the site of arrival continues," he said.

Also on June 30, Ukraine's military released video it said was filmed from a drone that showed what appears to be bodies in a civilian area in Toretsk, claiming that Russia had used powerful "glide bombs" on the mining town in the Donetsk region.

Highly destructive Soviet-era glide bombs are launched from warplanes that are out of the range of air-defense systems.

Johan Norberg, a senior analyst and expert on Russia's military at the Swedish Defense Research Agency FOI, has said jet-dropped glide bombs have been used to a devastating effect and have been key to allowing Russia to make gains in recent months.

Late on June 29, Zelenskiy cited a huge Russian strike that gutted four floors of an apartment building in the central city of Dnipro on June 28 as further evidence that his country needs more air-defense systems from its allies.

"There are ways to overcome the daily Russian terror from which Ukrainian cities and communities suffer," Zelenskiy said. "For this, it is necessary to destroy Russian terrorists and launchers where they are, as well as increase the number of modern air-defense systems in Ukraine."

The previous night, Kyiv had reported thwarting 10 aerial drone attacks, and said Russian forces had dropped anti-tank missiles on the city of Derhachi, in the central Kharkiv region.

Russia has stepped up air strikes this year in a bid to drain Ukraine's resources, often targeting energy facilities and other vital infrastructure, and deal psychological blows to the population.

Ukrainian officials have said that half of the nation's power system has been damaged by Russian strikes.

Russia said that Ukraine launched attacks on Sevastopol in Crimea as well as Kursk on June 29.

The Ukrainian General Staff said late on June 29 that the "hottest" combat situation continued to be in the area of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donetsk region.

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry meanwhile said four of its employees had been injured in what it said was Ukrainian shelling in Donetsk.

Russia said on June 29 that it had captured Shumy, a settlement located about 7 kilometers southeast of Toretsk.

RFE/RL cannot confirm claims by either side in areas of the heaviest fighting.

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-civilian- deaths-vilnyansk-zelenskiy-air-defense/33014264.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 kills 1, injures 8 in attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv

By VOA News June 30, 2024

Russia attacked Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, on Sunday with a guided bomb, killing one person and injuring eight, officials said.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the bomb hit near the city center, triggering a fire that damaged buildings and vehicles. He said an 8-month-old infant was among the injured.

Kharkiv is about 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) from the Russian border and has been a frequent target of Russian attacks in the 28-month war. Russian forces have increasingly relied on guided bombs in their assaults.

Russian forces launched a cross-border incursion into the Kharkiv region last month and seized several villages, but Ukrainian officials say the situation near the border has been stabilized.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military released drone footage that shows what appears to be bodies in a civilian area in the embattled eastern town of Toretsk, which Russia has heavily bombarded in recent days.

Ukraine has ramped up rescue services in the Donetsk region as a result of the attacks.

Local officials say that Russia is using powerful glide bombs to attack the area. They are heavy Soviet-era bombs weighing more than a ton apiece fitted with precision guidance systems and launched from aircraft flying out of range of air defenses.

VOA has been unable to independently verify such battlefield claims.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Russia had dropped more than 800 glide bombs in Ukraine in the past week alone.

"Ukraine needs the necessary means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, including Russian combat aircraft, wherever they are. This step is essential," he wrote in an online post.

Zelenskyy called on countries assisting Ukraine to further relax restrictions on using Western weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.

"Clear decisions are needed to help protect our people," he said. "Long-range strikes and modern air defense are the foundation for stopping the daily Russian terror. I thank all our partners who understand this."

Some material in this report came Reuters and The Associated Press.

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Perth, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- resignation of non-executive director

Perth, Western Australia/July 1, 2024/Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX: PRU) (Perseus or the Company) wishes to advise that it has, with deep regret, accepted the resignation of valued colleague and friend, David Ransom, from the role of non-executive, independent Director of the Company.

Mr Ransoms resignation, which comes after a period of ill health, took effect on June 30, 2024. Perseus intends to recruit a non-executive, independent director to replace Mr Ransom in due course.

Perseuss Chairman and CEO Jeff Quartermaine said:

On behalf of the Board of Perseus and the entire Perseus Team, I would like to sincerely thank Dave for his significant contribution to our Company over the past four years.

He was first appointed to the Perseus board in November 2019, and in the period that has followed, Dave has served Perseus with distinction, helping to guide the Company through a period of significant growth. His personal style, which combines humility with outstanding professionalism, experience and knowledge, has been a very important ingredient in Perseuss recent success. His contribution and presence will be greatly missed by his Board colleagues, as well as all members of the Perseus team, both past and present, who had the privilege of working with Dave in recent years.

This market announcement was authorised for release by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Perseus Mining Limited, Jeff Quartermaine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jeff Quartermaine

Executive Chairman & CEO

jeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.com Stephen Forman

Investor Relations

+61 484 036 681

stephen.forman@perseusmining.com Nathan Ryan

Media

+61 420 582 887

nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au REGISTERED OFFICE:



Level 2

437 Roberts Road

Subiaco WA 6008



Telephone: +61 8 6144 1700

ABN: 27 106 808 986

WWW.PERSEUSMINING.COM
Oslo and Cairo, 1 July 2024: Scatec ASA, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, and its partners, ECHEM and MOPCO, have agreed on Heads of Terms for renewable ammonia offtake from Egypt with Yara Clean Ammonia, the world's largest trader- and distributor of ammonia.



Last year, Scatec, the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) and Misr Fertilizers Production Company (MOPCO) (the "Sponsors") entered into a joint development agreement and a shareholder agreement for the production of renewable ammonia.

The Sponsors will develop and build up to 480 MW of renewable energy and an up to 240 MW electrolyzer facility for production of renewable hydrogen, which will be used as feedstock for production of renewable ammonia at MOPCO's existing ammonia production facility at Damietta in Egypt. The targeted production capacity is up to 150,000 tonnes of renewable ammonia per annum.

Scatec also signed a letter of Intent with the European Investment Bank ("EIB") for long-term financing for the project, showcasing EIB's commitment to support renewable hydrogen and renewable ammonia projects in Egypt.

"We are very pleased to be signing this Heads of Terms with global industry leader Yara Clean Ammonia. This is a testament to Scatec's position in Egypt and our strategy to focus on developing renewable hydrogen projects related to existing ammonia production capacity. Scatec will bring their expertise and experience gained from other projects. We are looking forward to our future collaboration," says Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog.

"Yara Clean Ammonia has a diversified portfolio of asset backed and offtake agreements for low-emission ammonia. This project will further strengthen our sourcing portfolio of renewable ammonia and is a testimony to Yara Clean Ammonia as the most preferred off-taker as the world's largest trader and distributor of ammonia. Once the project has reached a final investment decision, the renewable ammonia from this project will help us reliably serve our customers across several market sectors," says Yara Clean Ammonia CEO Hans Olav Raen.

"Today's signature is a further step towards our efforts in working with our partners from the private sector to support translating Egypt's national low carbon hydrogen strategy into action through specific projects," said Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, H.E. Tarek El Molla. "Such collaboration and partnerships will help secure renewable hydrogen investments, de-risk implementation of projects and facilitate realizing Egypt's vision of becoming a regional and global green hydrogen hub."

"We are excited to embark on this significant project in collaboration with Scatec and MOPCO. This agreement with Yara Clean Ammonia not only underscores our commitment to sustainable energy solutions but also marks a substantial step forward in our mission to innovate within the petrochemical industry. The development of renewable ammonia from this project aligns with our strategic goals and will contribute to a greener future for Egypt and beyond," says ECHEM President & Chairman Eng. Ibrahim Mekki.

"Misr Fertilizers Production Company "MOPCO", one of the major ammonia and urea producers in MENA, is working together with their partners, ECHEM and Scatec ASA, to develop a major renewable ammonia production facility in Egypt through Damietta Green Ammonia Company, "DGA", that was recently established by the three parties. The facility will produce approximately 150,000 metric tons of renewable ammonia for export in the international market through the well-known global off-taker, Yara Clean Ammonia. As one of DGA shareholders, MOPCO, is pleased to announce the signature of the Heads of Terms for this flagship ammonia offtake with Yara Clean Ammonia," says MOPCO Chairman and Managing Director Eng. Ahmed Mahmoud El-Sayed.

"Enabling industry to harness renewable energy is key for the green transition. Accelerating renewable hydrogen production in Egypt can strengthen business competitiveness and unlock opportunities to export renewable hydrogen. The European Investment Bank looks forward to working with Scatec and project partners to unlock large scale renewable hydrogen investment across Egypt," says EIB Vice President Gelsomina Vigliotti.

For more information, please contact:

Yara Clean Ammonia:

Media inquiries: Hilde Steinfeld, hilde.steinfeld@yara.com, mobile: +47 993 53 030

Investor Relations in Yara International: ir@yara.com



Scatec:

Investor Relations: Andreas Austrell, andreas.austrell@scatec.com, mobile: +47 974 38 686

Media inquiries: Meera Bhatia, meera.bhatia@scatec.com, mobile: +47 468 44 959



About Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA)

Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Yara Clean Ammonia is uniquely positioned to enable the hydrogen economy in a market expected to grow substantially over the next decades. We aim at significantly strengthening our leading global position as the worlds largest ammonia distributor, unlocking the green and blue value chains, and driving the development of clean ammonia globally.

Building on Yaras leading experience within global ammonia production, logistics and trade, Yara Clean Ammonia works towards capturing growth opportunities in low-emission fuel for shipping, power generation, low-carbon food production and ammonia for industrial applications.

Yara Clean Ammonia operates the largest global ammonia network with 15 ships and has, through Yara, access to 18 ammonia terminals and multiple ammonia production and consumption sites across the world. Revenues and EBITDA for the FY 2023 were USD 1,9 billion and USD 101 million respectively. Yara Clean Ammonia is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

www.yaracleanammonia.com

About Scatec

Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy emerging markets. As a long-term player, we develop, build, own, and operate renewable energy plants, with 4.6 GW in operation and under construction across four continents today. We are committed to grow our renewable energy capacity, delivered by our passionate employees and partners who are driven by a common vision of Improving our Future. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SCATC. To learn more, visit www.scatec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

About ECHEM

The Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) was established in January 2002 to manage and develop the Petrochemicals industry in Egypt through new promising areas of investment. ECHEM priority is to enhance the growth of Petrochemical industry through implementing The National Petrochemicals Master Plan with the target of realizing the optimum utilization of natural gas in value added products. ECHEM is entitled to develop a competitive petrochemicals industry based on local human and natural resources, using state-of-the-art technology and through implementing a pre-set flexible strategy. ECHEM seeks a high standard of performance, etching a prominent position in the competitive environment, and aims for efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. To learn more, visit www.echem-eg.com

About MOPCO

Misr Fertilizers Production Company "MOPCO" is considered as the largest producer of nitrogen fertilizer products in Egypt and one of the major producers of these products in MENA. It was established in 1998 on plot of 400,000 m2 inside Damietta Public Free Zone next to Damietta port located in the middle of the world, with assets exceeding 50 billion Egyptian Pounds.

MOPCO specializes in the production of urea as a basic product with 2 million tons production capacity per year and anhydrous ammonia as an intermediate product with 1.2 million tons capacity per year through their three plants using advanced EU technologies that achieves the highest levels of product quality, safety, and environmental protection. MOPCO is exporting approximately 50% of its urea production and 40% of its anhydrous ammonia production to the international markets especially EU, while 50% and 60% of its production of urea and anhydrous ammonia respectively are sold in the local market.

Attachments
Dublin, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Grease Additives Market: Analysis By Type (Oxidation Inhibitors, Corrosion Inhibitors, Pressure Additives, Antiwear Agents, Metal Deactivators, and Others), By Application, By Region Size, Trends and Forecast to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global grease additives market was valued at US$483.93 million in 2023. The market value is expected to reach US$614.63 million by 2029. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approx. 4% during the forecasted period of 2024-2029.

The major drivers for the grease additives market include growing demand for specialty greases from various industries, including aerospace, marine, and food processing and rising demand for grease additives from the automotive industry. In addition, as manufacturing processes become more precise and sophisticated, the grease additives market is expected to witness increased adoption of specialized formulations, driving revenue growth, and establishing a solid foundation for the industry's expansion in the foreseeable future. Thus, the expansion of industrialization and manufacturing activities is projected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the grease additives market.

Market Segmentation Analysis:

By Type: The report provides the bifurcation of the global grease additives market into three types: Oxidation Inhibitors, Corrosion Inhibitors, Antiwear Agents, Pressure Additives, Metal Deactivators, and Others. The oxidation inhibitors additives segment held the highest share of the market. Oxidation inhibitors are chemical additives commonly used in greases to prevent or slow down the process of oxidation, which can lead to degradation and deterioration of the grease. As consumers and industries prioritize long-lasting and more sustainable products, oxidation inhibitors have become essential to mitigate the harmful effects of oxidative processes, ensuring product freshness and integrity. This growing awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of oxidation inhibitors is driving their heightened demand across various sectors.

By Application: The global grease additives market has been further analyzed based on the application: Automotive, Construction Machinery, Mining, Aerospace, Marine, Steel Mill, and Others. The automotive segment held the dominant share in the market. As vehicles become more advanced and the need for efficient and durable lubrication solutions increases, the grease additive market is experiencing a surge in demand. This is primarily driven by the automotive sector's constant innovation and production, requiring high-performance lubricants to ensure smooth and reliable vehicle operation.

By Region: In 2023, the Asia Pacific region led the grease additives market, propelled by growing activities in the construction, industrial and automotive sector on account of emerging economies such as China and India. During 2024-2029, the US is forecasted to maintain its lead within North America. The US is the largest and fastest growing segment of the region, due to growing utilization of grease additives in various end user industries, presence of major grease additives companies that are focused expanding their manufacturing plants to meet the rising demand for long-life lubricants and advancements in additive technology to enhance lubricant efficiency and durability in the region.

Key Market Dynamics:

Market Dynamics:

Growth Drivers: The global grease additives market growth is predicted to be supported by numerous growth drivers such as increasing demand from aerospace & defense sectors, heightened demand from automotive industry, proliferating construction activities in developing economies, expansion of industrialization & manufacturing activities, and many other factors. The rapid expansion of air travel, both commercial and military, has led to a surge in demand for advanced grease solutions in the aerospace industry. Aircraft manufacturers and operators require grease additives that ensure smooth operation, reduce friction, and enhance fuel efficiency. Moreover, the defense sector's need for grease additives extends to applications in military vehicles, weapons systems, and naval vessels, where reliability and performance are important. The growth in these sectors is driving R&D efforts to create specialized grease formulations that meet the stringent requirements. Therefore, increasing demand from aerospace and defense sectors has significantly aided growth of the grease additives market, globally.

Challenges: However, the market growth would be negatively impacted by various challenges such as fluctuating prices of raw materials, rise in stringent government policies, etc.

Trends: The market is projected to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period, due to various latest trends such as growth in wind turbine installations, consolidation, upsurge in adoption of nanotechnology, escalating demand for synthetic grease, etc. Furthermore, the rise in the adoption of nanotechnology in grease additives is driven by the advantages provided by nanomaterials in improving the performance of lubricating greases. Additionally, nanoparticle additives offer advantages such as low-friction coefficients, exceptional load-carrying capacities, and enhanced thermal stability. These benefits collectively contribute to improved grease performance. Therefore, increasing adoption of nanotechnology in grease additives production process for improving production efficiency, product quality, and supply chain management is expected to provide countless opportunities for the grease additives market in coming years.

Competitive Landscape:

The global grease additives market is highly competitive in nature, with major players leading the market with their innovative products and strong market presence.

The key players in the global grease additives market are:

BASF

NewMarket Corporation (Afton Chemical Corporation)

Clariant AG

Croda International Plc

Evonik Industries AG

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (The Lubrizol Corporation)

Lanxess

Arkema Group

International Petroleum Products & Additives Company, Inc.

R.T. Vanderbilt Holding Company, Inc.

Shamrock Technologies, Inc.

Tianhe Chemicals Group

Players operating in the global grease additives market focus on providing high-quality products to fulfill customer demand. The leading players of the market are also focusing on adopting different strategies, such as investments in research & development activities, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and many others.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 169 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $502.18 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $614.63 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.1% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:





1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

3. Global Market Analysis

3.1 Global Grease Additives Market: An Analysis

3.2 Global Grease Additives Market: Volume Analysis

3.3 Global Grease Additives Market: Type Analysis

3.4 Global Grease Additives Market: Application Analysis

4. Regional Market Analysis

5. Impact of COVID-19

6. Market Dynamics

6.1 Growth Drivers

6.1.1 Increasing Demand from Aerospace & Defense Sectors

6.1.2 Heightened Demand from Automotive Industry

6.1.3 Proliferating Construction Activities in Developing Economies

6.1.4 Surging Demand for Specialty Greases

6.1.5 Expansion of Industrialization & Manufacturing Activities

6.2 Challenges

6.2.1 Rise in Stringent Government Policies

6.2.2 Limited Compatibility with Base Greases

6.2.3 Fluctuating Prices of Raw Materials

6.3 Market Trends

6.3.1 Growth in Wind Turbine Installations

6.3.2 Upsurge in Adoption of Nanotechnology

6.3.3 Escalating Demand for Synthetic Grease

7. Competitive Landscape

7.1 Global Grease Additives Market: Recent Developments

8. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hur0g3

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.

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Dublin, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Tractor Market - Industry Analysis & Forecast 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. Tractor Market totaled 280.09 Thousand Units in 2023, and is expected to reach 356.84 Thousand Units by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 4.12%.

The U.S. tractor market is highly concentrated, with the top players controlling most of the market. Domestic and global brands, on the other hand, are equally represented in the market. Global brands not previously present in the U.S. are planning to enter the market. For instance, VST Tillers Tractors Ltd, an India-based company, has announced that it will enter the U.S. market in the next two years. Further, the industry has established players in various segments. Vendors have improved their aftersales services, making customers loyal to the existing brands.





Established global players are moving toward increasing the introduction of technology in their offerings to attract more customers. For instance, CNH Industrial has introduced autonomous technology in agriculture tractors with Case IH, New Holland, and Steyr tractor brands. The company has already incorporated technology in its agriculture tractors, such as auto-steering and telematics. John Deere and AGCO worked to introduce the autonomous concept in their tractors.

Furthermore, regarding advanced tractor technology, John Deere has equipped many models with GPS, location tracking, image sensors, and telematics to assist in field navigation. The company has also equipped its S700 model with features to autonomously adjust the harvesting equipment according to the state of crops. Vendors, such as ARGO and John Deere, provide direct financing to farmers to encourage them to buy tractors and other related agricultural machinery.



The Midwest region has the largest market share in the U.S. tractor market. It represents one of the most intense areas of agricultural production in the world and constantly improves the global economy. The Midwest is the leading region with a high penetration of compact tractors. The area's hilly and plateau terrain has driven the adoption of small HP tractors. Also, the region offers a variety of agricultural production beyond soybeans and corn.



Northeast's geography is dominated mainly by forest area, although it contains grasslands, coastal zones, beaches and dunes, wetlands, and abundant marine and freshwater fisheries. Concerning the farmland holding structure, small and medium farmers of the Northeast region have total land holdings of 18,820 hectares, so farmers invest in low HP (less than 46 HP) tractors. The U.S. tractor market is currently in the growth stage, and manufacturers are seeking capacity augmentation. The country's Northeast region still has negligible farm mechanization, and vendors can explore these regions with a portfolio of small tractors suitable for the region's rolling hills and low mountains.



The major crops of the South region are soybean and wheat. The region is growing due to fertile soil and a warm Mediterranean climate. The region's small and medium land holdings mostly use 46-100 HP tractors. Furthermore, a sub-tropical and humid climate characterizes the West region. The region experiences hot summers, heavy rainfall during monsoons, and moderate winters. The high prevalence of small and marginal farmers and the focus of both private and public bodies on improving agriculture aspects in the region are driving the potential for the sales of tractors in the below 46 HP and 46-100 HP segments.

INSIGHTS BY HORSEPOWER



The U.S. tractor market is categorized into the following segments based on the horsepower types: less than 46 HP, 46-100 HP, 101-250 HP, and above 250 HP. With less than 46, the HP segment has generated the highest sales in most regions. Tractors in this HP range can easily handle small and medium-sized fields and heavy-duty mowing tasks.

Market trends driving less than 46 HP range tractor sales include:

Crop Adaptability: Farmers favor this HP range of tractors due to their versatility across various crops, accommodating the diverse worldwide agriculture.

Sustainability Focus: Sustainable farming practices are a priority, and small & medium-sized tractors, with their efficient power-to-efficiency ratio, align well with eco-friendly approaches.

Cost-Effective Solutions: In a globally competitive agricultural landscape, a small HP range of tractors offers cost-effective alternatives to larger models, attracting budget-conscious farmers while delivering substantial performance.

INSIGHTS BY DRIVE TYPE



In the U.S. tractor market, 2-wheel-drive tractors have higher sales than 4-wheel-drive tractors. Ease of driving and flexibility with light loads and in plain fields are significant factors that boost the demand for two-wheel-drive tractors. John Deere, New Holland, and Massey Ferguson hold most of the 2-wheel-drive tractors segment share.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS REPORT?

Market Size & Forecast Volume (units) 2020-2029

Segmentation by Horsepower

Segmentation by Drive Type

Segmentation by Geography

Production and trade values

Major current and upcoming projects and investments

Competitive intelligence about the economic scenario, advantages, industry dynamics, and market shares

Innovative technologies

Market share by each HP segment

Market share by each country

Company profiles of major and other prominent vendors

Market shares of major vendors

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 176 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value in 2023 280.09 Thousand Units Forecasted Market Value by 2029 356.84 Thousand Units Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.1% Regions Covered United States

Industry Overview

Increase in Adoption of Precision Farming

Role of Mechanization in Agriculture Sector

Innovations

Technological Advances

Market Opportunities & Trends

Development of Smart & Autonomous Tractors

Growth in Use of Electric Tractors

Change in Socio-Economic Behavior of Youth

Fall in Farming Interest

Youth Engagement

Market Growth Enablers

Growth in Agriculture Productivity & Exports

Government Schemes & Financial Aid to Farmers

Growth in Farm Mechanization & Labor Shortage

Benefits of Farm Mechanization

Challenges of Farm Mechanization

Market Restraints

Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

Growth in Demand for Used & Rental Tractors

Volatility in Prices of Raw Materials

Premium Insights

Opportunity Pockets

Market Maturity Indicator & Vendor Spectrum

Report Overview

Segmental Analysis

Market Share Analysis

Regional Analysis

Competitive Analysis

Recent Developments by Top Brands

Key Company Profiles

Deere & Company

TAFE

CNH Industrial

AGCO

Kubota

Other Prominent Vendors

CLAAS

Same Deutz-Fahr

Mahindra & Mahindra

Yanmar

Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery (MAM)

SOLIS

KIOTI

Arbos Group

Iseki

Escorts Kubota

Lovol

ARGO Tractors

ACE

JCB

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2kogru

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.

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MONTREAL, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Halo Dental Technologies, which is pushing dental practice innovation through the development of its digital mirror, announces that it has been honored with the prestigious Red Dot Award for Design Concept 2024 for its groundbreaking product, the Halo Digital Mirror. The only device of its kind, the Digital Mirror is set to transform dental care by enhancing patient communication, improving chairside diagnosis, and streamlining clinical workflows.



Crafted to innovate patient engagement, the Digital Mirror seamlessly integrates into dental practices, elevating patients comprehension of their care during procedures. The Digital Mirror empowers patients with visual aids for enhanced understanding and engagement in their care through high-quality images.

Exceptional Features and Benefits

Designed with the needs of both patients and dental professionals in mind, the Halo Digital Mirror offers a range of benefits:

Chairside Image Capture and Video Stream : The device streamlines patient education and treatment planning with effortless intraoral image capture and video streaming.

: The device streamlines patient education and treatment planning with effortless intraoral image capture and video streaming. Streamlined Processes : It integrates a wide range of commonly used tools and processes into one handy device, designed for all-day use.

: It integrates a wide range of commonly used tools and processes into one handy device, designed for all-day use. Enhanced Oral Cavity Visibility : Featuring integrated LED diffused light and a wide-angle camera, the mirror ensures improved, fog-free visibility for detailed examinations.

: Featuring integrated LED diffused light and a wide-angle camera, the mirror ensures improved, fog-free visibility for detailed examinations. Durable Construction: Made of high-strength titanium and cassette autoclavable materials, the Halo Digital Mirror offers enduring durability without compromising on weight and feel, similar to conventional dental mirrors.

Transforming Dental Practices

The Halo Digital Mirror not only enhances patient communication and dental professional efficiency at the point of care but also improves overall customer care by reducing workflow interruptions and potentially lowering costs.

We are incredibly honored to receive the Red Dot Award for Design Concept 2024 for the Halo Digital Mirror, said Peter Khoury, president at Halo Dental Technologies. This recognition validates our commitment to innovation and excellence in dental care. Our goal has always been to develop tools that not only improve clinical outcomes but also enhance the patient experience.

The Significance of the Red Dot Award

The Red Dot Design Award is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized awards in the design industry. Established in 1955, the award celebrates outstanding design and innovation across various fields. Receiving a Red Dot award is a mark of exceptional quality and creativity, signaling to consumers and professionals alike that a product meets the highest standards of design excellence. Winning this award places Halo Dental Technologies among an elite group of innovators and underscores the companys dedication to pushing the boundaries of dental technology.

The Halo Digital Mirror is set for release to dental practices worldwide starting in early 2025. Until then, a waitlist is available for dental professionals who wish to be among the first to secure the technology. For more information or to join the waitlist, visit https://halodental.com/ .

About Halo Dental Technologies

Halo Dental Technologies is a pioneering developer of innovative solutions for the dental industry. With a mission to revolutionize patient care and streamline dental workflows, Halo Dental Technologies leverages cutting-edge technology and industry expertise to deliver unparalleled products and services.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Media Contact

Scott Rupp

scott@firecrackerpr.com

Firecracker PR

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82300847-558c-4172-856e-45122eb4253b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2be88e09-7320-4abb-9342-48b690216adc
ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) ("the Company" or "Kraig Labs"), announces today that it has achieved full capacity at its current production location. Hitting this milestone was part of Kraig Labs' expansion plans for the first half of 2024. The Company now reports that it is moving forward with its planned investment into additional production facilities.

Kraig Labs began planning for this factory expansion during the spring trials after witnessing the strong growth and robustness of its new spider silk hybrids.

This expansion is scheduled to take place in two waves. The first will address the near-term need for capacity during the upcoming rainy seasons, this will provide the needed secure space for production over the next several months. The second, larger project will address Kraig Labs' longer-term need for hatchery space, which is expected to address production needs for the next 12-18 months.

Permitting for both of these projects has been approved and the Company is now moving forward with investment into both of these expansion projects. Construction for both investments has begun, with the first project expected to be completed within just a few weeks and the larger effort is scheduled to be completed by early fall.

We have set ambitious goals for spider silk production in 2024, and we are committed to achieving and exceeding those targets, said Company Found and CEO, Kim Thompson. These investments into production capacity bring us one step closer to realizing our vision for cost-effective commercial scale production of spider silk.

The Company expects to begin the third wave of recombinant spider silk production this month, focusing on scaling up the output of the parental lines for its production hybrids.

To view the most recent news from Kraig Labs and/or to sign up for Company alerts, please go to www.KraigLabs.com/news

About Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. ( www.KraigLabs.com ), a reporting biotechnology company is the leading developer of genetically engineered spider silk-based fiber technologies.

The Company has achieved a series of scientific breakthroughs in the area of spider silk technology with implications for the global textile industry.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Statements in this press release about the Company's future and expectations other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These statements are made on the basis of management's current views and assumptions. As a result, there can be no assurance that management's expectations will necessarily come to pass. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as "believes," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "estimated," "hopes," "if," "develops," "researching," "research," "pilot," "potential," "could" or other words or phrases of similar import. Forward looking statements include descriptions of the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions and goals. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

HONG KONG, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A launching ceremony marking the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland was held in Victoria Park of Hong Kong on June 29, kicking off a series of celebration activities organized by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association.

The exhibition on the culture of the Mausoleum of Huangdi attracted a large number of Hong Kong citizens, which offers them a glimpse into the northwest China's Shaanxi Province, where the mausoleum is located, and enables them to feel the charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture. The administrative committee of Huangdi Mausoleum cultural park and the government of Huangling County organized a cultural promotion event on June 30 at the Grand Center in Hong Kong.

Huangdi, also known as the Yellow Emperor, blazed the trail and laid the foundation of the splendid civilization of the Chinese nation. He is considered the progenitor of Chinese culture. According to "Records of the Grand Historian," after Huangdi's passing, he was buried in Qiaoshan Mountain. The Mausoleum of Huangdi is located at the peak of Qiaoshan Mountain in Huangling County, Shaanxi Province.

The Mausoleum of Huangdi is a spiritual symbol of Chinese civilization, revered by Chinese both at home and abroad. It serves as a sacred place for the Chinese diaspora worldwide to reconnect with their roots and honor their ancestors.

The cultural exhibition covers an area of over 200 square meters. The exhibition focuses on the theme of Huangdi and the culture surrounding his mausoleum. It includes various sections such as thematic displays with pictures and texts, exhibitions of inscriptions and stone carvings, and showcases of black pottery artworks.

The exhibition aims to introduce the remarkable achievements of Huangdi, showcase the historical rituals and ceremonies dedicated to him throughout different periods, and tell the story of the inheritance of Chinese civilization. Furthermore, it seeks to promote cultural tourism related to the Mausoleum of Huangdi.

In the exhibition, many precious cultural elements of the Mausoleum of Huangdi, such as the replicas of the Xuanyuan Hall, the statue of Huangdi, the cypress tree planted by Huangdi himself, and the inscriptions in the mausoleum, appear in Victoria Park. With the main focus on inheriting the Huangdi culture and keeping the Chinese roots culture alive, this immersive exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to experience Chinese culture and trace their cultural heritage.

The exhibition hall also features a variety of interactive experiences, allowing visitors to participate in activities such as seeking blessing, tracing the origins of family names, hanging wishing plaques on the cypress tree planted by Huangdi, ink rubbings, and collecting stamps.

Calligraphy artists and intangible cultural heritage inheritors from Huangling County are invited to write calligraphy on site and create traditional Huangling paper-cutting and dough flower artworks, allowing Hong Kong citizens to personally experience the profound traditional culture and foster a sense of cultural kinship.

In a bid to showcase China in various perspectives, this year's celebration campaign has featured the participation of various provinces and cities in China, as well as relevant organizations and enterprises, which will present a panoramic display of the beautiful vision of China's modernization and to celebrate the joy of the return to the motherland. The exhibition will run for four days until July 2.

Through exhibitions, interactive experiences of intangible cultural heritage, and cultural promotions, the event showcased the profound cultural heritage of Huangdi and the splendid image of Shaanxi, aiming to enhance cultural exchanges and tourism partnership between Hong Kong and Shaanxi, and further expand the scope of cooperation and communication between the two places.

Source: The Administrative Committee of Huangdi Mausoleum Cultural Park
NEW YORK, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LifeSci Capital LLC, a research-driven investment bank focused on the life sciences, today announces the appointment of Dan Wychulis as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.



Mr. Wychulis brings extensive capital markets-related experience to LifeSci Capital, with a broad background spanning equities, corporate finance, research, institutional sales, corporate access, strategy, and business development. Prior to joining LifeSci Capital, he spent eight years at BTIG, most recently serving as Co-head of Global Equities and, prior to that, as Head of U.S. Strategy and Franchise Sales. He recently served on BTIGs Executive Committee, Global Operating Committee, Capital Markets Advisory Committee, and Commitment Committee. Before BTIG he spent 15 years at the JMP Group, where he led the firms institutional equity research sales force, held senior institutional sales roles, and was a Vice President within corporate finance. Mr. Wychulis began his Wall Street career in corporate finance at Sandler ONeill & Partners, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. He holds a B.A. in government with a concentration in international relations from Georgetown University.

We are thrilled to welcome Dan to our team. His vast financial industry expertise and strong relationships will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in the life sciences sector, said Andrew McDonald, Ph.D., Co-Founder of LifeSci Capital. "LifeSci Capital is on a robust growth trajectory, and I am confident that Dan is the right leader to further enhance our offering to corporate clients and investors."

Mr. Wychulis commented, LifeSci Capital has established itself as a truly differentiated firm in healthcare finance. It is an important segment within the LifeSci Partners network of companies, which together provide high value professional services to life sciences companies from inception to maturity. I am excited by the opportunity to build on this success, and lead the firm into its next level of growth. I look forward to working closely with the talented team here to innovate, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver exceptional value to our clients."

LifeSci Capital continues to solidify its position as a premier banking partner in the mid-tier healthcare sector, having helped to raise over $6.5 billion across 35 financing transactions over approximately the last 18 months.

LifeSci Capital (www.lifescicapital.com) (Member: FINRA/SIPC) is a research-driven investment bank registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that provides corporate finance, strategic advisory, and equity research services to corporate and institutional investors. The firms highly accomplished team specializes exclusively on life science companies that discover, develop, and commercialize innovative products, and is uniquely positioned to work closely with corporate clients to establish and execute their financing and strategic initiatives. LifeSci Capitals research product, led by its Alpha Series and KOL Series offerings, is highly differentiated and provides the investment community with a deep understanding of companies across therapeutic indications that are both within and beyond our coverage universe.

LifeSci Partners is the leading provider of strategic healthcare advisory services in the areas of Investor Relations, Strategy Consulting, Strategic Partnering, Communications, Capital Market Services, Venture and Mutual Fund Investing, Executive Search and On Demand Talent with global operations across North America, Europe, Israel and Asia. The firm has a presence in New York, Boston, San Francisco / Silicon Valley, Chicago, Charlotte, London, Geneva, Paris, Milan, and Tel-Aviv. LifeSci leverages global relationships and local knowledge in multiple territories around the world to provide high-value services for clients. The firm has an experienced team drawing from diverse Wall Street, scientific, and communications backgrounds to successfully plan and implement strategic programs for public and private life sciences companies of all sizes and stages.

Contacts

Andrew McDonald, Ph.D.

LifeSci Capital, LLC

Phone: 646-597-6987

andrew@lifescicapital.com

Michael Rice

LifeSci Capital, LLC

Phone: 646-597-6979

mrice@lifescicapital.com

For additional information about LifeSci Capital and its services, please visit www.lifescicapital.com.
Covina, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the recent research study, the global mental health screening market size and share was valued at USD 2.3 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.8 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 10.6%.

Mental Health Screening Market Report Overview

A mental health screening is a standard set of questions that a person responds to assist a health care practitioner in identifying indicators of a mental disorder. The questions allow the clinician to understand a patient's emotions, thinking, behavior, and memory. Mental health tests provide early detection and intervention, thereby bridging the gap. We've discovered that early detection and treatment leads to better results. Early therapy can also reduce long-term disability and save years of suffering.

Mental health screening is a crucial process that helps identify potential signs of mental health disorders using standardized instruments, questionnaires, or interviews. It helps prevent chronic conditions from worsening and allows for prompt intervention and treatment. Screenings are conducted in various settings, such as community centers, schools, workplaces, and primary care clinics. The market for mental health screenings is driven by the growing recognition of the need for early intervention and the destigmatization of mental health issues. However, the stigma associated with screening and the shortage of skilled mental health experts limit its potential growth.

Download a Free Sample Research Report with Latest Industry Insights: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-sample/5340

Our Free Sample Report includes:

Overview & introduction of market study

Revenue and CAGR of the market

Drivers & Restrains factors of the market

Major key players in the market

Regional analysis of the market with a detailed graph

Detailed segmentation in tabular form of market

Recent developments/news of the market

Opportunities & Challenges of the Market

Competitive Landscape:

The mental health screening market is characterized by rapid growth, technological innovation, and fierce competition. Companies are expanding their global presence, focusing on sustainability, and diversifying their service offerings to stay competitive.

Some of the Key Market Players:

Quartet

Sondermind

Kintsugi Mindful Wellness, Inc

Modern Life, Inc.

Sonde Health, Inc.

Fitbit

Canary Speech, Inc.

Ellipsis Health, Inc.

Proem Behavioral Health

Adaptive Testing Technologies

Aiberry

Thymia Limited

Clarigent Corporation

Riverside Community Care

FuturesThrive

Headspace Inc.

To Know More on Market Players, Download a Free Sample Report Here: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-pdf/5340

Analyst View:

The market is expected to grow due to rising awareness of mental health issues, the adoption of AI-based tools, and the increasing prevalence of mental disorders. North America is expected to dominate the global market, while Asia Pacific is expected to experience rapid growth due to the expanding depression screening industry and technological advancements. However, challenges include stigma, insufficient awareness, and data privacy concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has mixed effects, but analysts remain optimistic about the future of the market.

Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Increased incidence of mental disorders

The mental health screening market is experiencing growth due to the rising prevalence of mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. About one in five people suffer from these issues, influenced by hereditary, stress-related, and neurochemical factors. The US has a high prevalence of mental health issues, prompting community health centers and primary care offices to incorporate mental health screening to promote early intervention and reduce stigma. The Indian market is also expected to grow due to the increasing prevalence of severe mental illnesses, including eating disorders, anxiety, bipolar illnesses, and psychotic disorders.

Increasing emphasis on remote monitoring

The mental health screening market is experiencing significant growth due to technological advancements and growing awareness of mental health issues. Online tools and AI-based screenings have made remote screening more accessible and efficient. The integration of these tools with wearable technologies and social media is expected to further increase adoption. The COVID-19 pandemic has bolstered telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, promoting virtual patient assessment and advanced technology. The consumer segment has become a significant aspect of the industry, prompting device manufacturers to adapt their designs and marketing strategies. Online platforms are expected to register the highest growth rate in the mental health screening market.

Market Trends:

Technological innovations

Technological innovations are revolutionizing the mental health screening market, making it more accessible, precise, and efficient. Deep learning algorithms are being trained on extensive datasets, enabling the detection of early signs of mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Wearable technologies and passive monitoring are being used for real-time mental state analysis, with advanced algorithms predicting mood episodes accurately. Online screening tools are making mental health assessments more accessible, allowing users to log emotional states, activities, and triggers in real-time. Virtual reality and gamification are being used for mental health screening and treatment, integrating educational content with interactive gaming elements. However, challenges remain around data privacy, integration with healthcare systems, and the need for clinical validation of some solutions.

Reduce a cost up to 30% with a custom report by requesting here: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-customization/5340





Segmentation:

Mental Health Screening Market is segmented based on indication, technology, demography, and region.

Indication Insights

Depression is the most common mental health condition, affecting millions worldwide. Screening tools can identify symptoms like chronic depressed mood, loss of interest, weight changes, sleep disturbances, and suicidal thoughts. Bipolar disorder involves sharp mood fluctuations between depression and mania, requiring accelerated cognitive processes and altered sleep cycles. Schizophrenia, characterized by chaotic thought patterns and hallucinations, requires a focus on recognizing specific signs. ADHD symptoms, including impulsivity and hyperactivity, can be evaluated. Alzheimer's, a neurological illness, progresses over time, impairing thinking, memory, and behavior. Dementia, a cognitive decline, can be distinguished from other types and identified early.

Technology Insights

mHealth offers self-administered depression screening through mobile apps but may have lower accuracy and depth. Remote platforms offer a wider selection of screening tools and better communication between mental health providers. Telehealth uses video conferencing for in-person communication with medical experts, providing more personalized contact and instruction. These approaches offer accessibility, convenience, and a more comprehensive approach to mental health screening.

Demography Insights

This section discusses the use of screening instruments for mental health issues in children and adolescents, adults aged 19-64, and seniors aged 65 and above. These instruments detect symptoms in children and teens, address unique difficulties in adults, and address the increasing prevalence of dementia, anxiety, and depression in seniors due to aging.

Mental Health Screening Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market value in 2024 USD 2.3 billion in 2024 Market value in 2034 USD 5.8 Billion by 2034 CAGR 10.6% from 2024  2034 Base year 2023 Historical data 2019-2022 Forecast period 2024-2034

Recent Development:

In June 2024, Fischer announced the collaboration of DigiHealth with RiteMED Philippines. DigiHealth is a disruptive digital healthcare technology provider that aims to revolutionize primary healthcare by making it advanced, affordable, and accessible to all. The Company recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with RiteMED Philippines, Inc. (RiteMED), a leading player in generic medicine in the Philippines, in support of the nation's Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

Fischer announced the collaboration of DigiHealth with RiteMED Philippines. DigiHealth is a disruptive digital healthcare technology provider that aims to revolutionize primary healthcare by making it advanced, affordable, and accessible to all. The Company recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with RiteMED Philippines, Inc. (RiteMED), a leading player in generic medicine in the Philippines, in support of the nation's Universal Health Care (UHC) program. In March 2024, Sonde Health's mental fitness vocal biomarker (MFVB) platform was shown in a new study to identify those who exhibit higher mental health symptoms accurately. A statistically significant link was found in the four-week cohort research between the outcomes of the M3 Checklist, a clinically recognized mental health evaluation, and voice-based identification of increasing or decreased mental health risk. The study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, emphasizes how vocal biomarkers and Sonde's technology, in particular, can offer objective data that can enhance clinical care and enhance self-monitoring for illnesses like anxiety, depression, and conditions linked to stress and trauma.

Regional Insights

North America: North America is expected to account for an important portion of the mental health screening market due to the region's high level of awareness of mental health concerns, favorable reimbursement regulations, and the concentration of large market participants. The availability of cutting-edge screening technologies, an aging population, and the growing usage of telehealth services have resulted in the United States becoming North America's largest market.

North America is expected to account for an important portion of the mental health screening market due to the region's high level of awareness of mental health concerns, favorable reimbursement regulations, and the concentration of large market participants. The availability of cutting-edge screening technologies, an aging population, and the growing usage of telehealth services have resulted in the United States becoming North America's largest market. Asia Pacific: The market for mental health screenings is predicted to grow fast in this region as healthcare facilities improve, public awareness of mental health concerns grows, and mental health problems become more prevalent. The market is expected to expand rapidly in countries like as China, India, and Japan due to an aging population, increased disposable incomes, and the adoption of cutting-edge screening technologies.

Browse Detail Report on "Mental Health Screening Market Size, Share, By Indication (Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, ADHD, Alzheimer, and Dementia), By Technology (mHealth, Remote Platform, and Telehealth), By Demography (Children & Adolescents (Age 018 Years), Adults (Age 1964), and Seniors (Age 65 and above)), By Application (Cognitive and Behavioral) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America) - Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2034" with complete TOC @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/mental-health-screening-market-5340

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SANTA MONICA, CA, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oliveda International, Inc. (OTC Pink: OLVI) today announced that revenues for its Olive Tree People subsidiary and its waterless beauty movement grew almost 3,000% in the second quarter of 2024 over the same period in 2023 and more than 147% over the first quarter of 2024.

Founder and CEO Thomas Lommel commented, The future of beauty is waterless, and the waterless beauty movement will change the beauty industry over the next two to five years. In our second year in United States, we are projected to reach more than 50,000 waterless beauty consultants and more than $100 million in revenue.

Why are we growing so exponentially? There are three main reasons:

First, our waterless beauty consultants run our business with such passion, dedication, and deep love that they are sensationally successful in showing people the difference between conventional and waterless beauty. Everyone deserves to learn the difference and then decide whether they want to continue working with conventional cosmetics or with waterless beauty. I believe that beauty is not made for online shops and should not gather dust on shelves. Beauty should be recommended from human to human, to friends and family. Waterless beauty and direct-to-consumer are the perfect match.

Second, people understand the difference and no longer want to buy the up to 70% water in clean and/or organic beauty or in doctor brands.

Third, it works, and people love our 365-day guarantee, which we have been successfully offering in Europe and the U.S. for over a decade because we deeply believe in nature and what we are doing.

Our mission is to heal the world with the power of our mountain olive trees. For this, we take over large lands with wildly growing mountain olive trees, cultivate and eco-certify them. The mountain olive trees then supply the worldwide unique, 'Holistic Beauty Molecule,' hydroxytyrosol, which protects the cells of the trees up to 4,000 years and also human cells perfectly. This globally unique Beauty Molecule, which is only found indigenously in our mountain olive trees, replaces 100% of the 70% water phase that is otherwise common in skin care products. The products are therefore 70% more efficient than those based on water. The water that we do not use in our products we bring to people in Africa by building water wells, most recently with the Maasai in the Kilimanjaro region in 2021. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people on our planet have no direct access to clean water.

About Oliveda International, Inc.

Oliveda International, Inc. and its subsidiary, Olive Tree People Inc., as well as the European companies, Olive Tree People Europe AG and Oliveda Deutschland GmbH, as well as Olive Tree Farmers SL, were founded by the German real estate investor Thomas Lommel and have more than 20 years of experience in management and organic certification growing mountain olive trees, in the extraction of first-class, internationally award-winning extra virgin olive oils, the extraction of hydroxytyrosol, and in the production and distribution of cosmetic and holistic waterless products related to the olive tree. Lommel is the inventor of the Olive Tree Therapy 10 years in 14 days as well as the inventor of olive matcha, which is based on the ground olive leaf. Also unique is the coffee replacement developed by Lommel, which is based on olive leaf and hydroxytyrosol. In addition, Lommel is successfully active in the rapidly growing mindfulness industry with the olive tree sound bath meditation he developed and the frequencies of his olive trees, which he makes available worldwide.

In addition to the registered beauty brands, Oliveda and LA Dope, as well as Re:connected to Nature, The Intuition of Nature, and Olive Mush, to name just a few brands, Lommel is the region's largest conservationist and protector of over 30,000 one-hundred-year-old mountain olive trees, and, with his Thomas Lommel Foundation, he brings the water that he does not use into his waterless beauty products to the people of Africa by building water wells on site.

In addition to online sales and a Europe-wide branch network of thousands of retail stores, Oliveda Deutschland GmbH operates its own flagship stores in Berlin and Dusseldorf.

The brand's treatment concepts are unique worldwide, and their effectiveness has been confirmed by conventional medicine. Read our book The Olive Tree Therapy 10 Years in 14 Days. Waterless beauty has been called The Next Big Thing in articles in U.S. Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, Madame, Forbes, and many other industry publications, as well as by Mintel, a world-leading futurology institute. Gigi Hadid and many other celebrities are already Oliveda fans and support its success. Further information on Oliveda International, Inc. and its subsidiaries and associate companies and brands can be found at www.olivetreepeople.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute "forward-looking statements" pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which may be found in the Companys filings with OTC Markets Group Inc., that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and present expectations or projections. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or intention to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements unless otherwise required by law.
Dublin, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Pipetting Robots Market - Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Pipetting Robots Market was valued at USD 3.4 Billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 5.24 Billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 7.48%.

North America dominated the global pipetting robots market and accounted for more than 37% of the global market share in 2023. In North America, the demand for pipetting robots is significantly high due to the increasing preferences for lab automation tools, high-tech infrastructure of laboratories, increasing investment in laboratories, presence of pharma & biotech companies, and high expenditure on diagnosis. These factors accelerate the market growth in North America. Furthermore, in North America, the U.S. held a significant market share 2023 across the region and showed dominance over all the global countries. In the U.S., around 75% of clinical decisions depend on laboratory testing. This factor drives significant demand for automation in clinical labs and accelerates the adoption rate of pipetting robots in clinical laboratory settings.



Europe holds a significant position in the global pipetting robots market. Also, it is a well-developed market for scientific research and development activities. These factors increased automation in life sciences, healthcare, and other industrial labs and drove high demand for automated lab tools, including pipetting robots. The pharmaceutical and biotech companies and their long history of research and development in the life sciences and healthcare sector deliver the demand for automated lab systems in various laboratories. Furthermore, APAC has a rapidly growing pipetting robots market that is projected to witness the fastest growth rate in the global market during the forecast period. In APAC, China and Japan drive the huge demand for automated laboratory systems in the pharma-biotech and healthcare industry.

The global pipetting robots market has witnessed highly competitive rivalry among market players. Globally, the presence of leading, rapidly growing, and emerging players impacts the industry landscape. Several players showed continuous dominance, and some companies tried to achieve more market penetration and share. Based on the huge competitive landscape, leading companies accepted and implemented several business strategies focusing on expanding industry share and presence.

Pipetting robots are advanced tools continuously evolving with development and innovations, leading to increased competitive rivalry among vendors. It results in companies focusing on new product development, product portfolio expansion, merger and acquisition, collaborations, and partnerships. Furthermore, Agilent Technologies, Beckman Colter, Eppendorf, and Hamilton Company are leading companies with significant global pipetting robots market share, market penetration, and geographical presence. Besides these vendors, BRAND, Gilson, Waters, and INTEGRA Biosciences are other prominent vendors who are highly active in the pipetting robots market.



MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increasing Integration & Development of New Solutions for Pipetting Robots



The pipetting robot market has significantly developed in the past couple of years. Some companies have developed new products and launched new technologies and tools to integrate them into pipetting robots, such as cameras, UV light, connected devices, software, advanced pipetting heads, and others. For instance, Festo introduced the DHOP Closed-loop pipette head for high-speed robotic pipetting.



Recent Industrial Merger & Acquisitions



Pipetting robots is a rapidly growing industry with increasing competition among market players. With the rising competition among vendors, they are turning towards strategic business models, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), collaboration, and partnerships to enhance automated liquid handling solutions, including pipetting robots. For instance, in January 2020, Waters acquired Andrew Alliance. Andrew Alliance specializes in laboratory automation technology, robotics, and software. This acquisition helped Hamilton's company expand its technology portfolio to include advanced robotics and software for automated liquid handling and other lab tools.



Increasing Lab Automation Across Several Industries



Lab automation enhances R&D procedures in the fast-paced scientific and research landscape. By automating streamlined workflows and repetitive tasks, laboratories achieve higher accuracy and efficiency in regular operations. In recent years, laboratory science has constantly evolved with automation, with technological advancements opening up new possibilities to enhance scientific attempts.



Increasing R&D & Number of Laboratories in the Life Sciences Sector



The life sciences sector continuously increases its investment in research and development activities. In life sciences industries, advanced technologies and innovations such as laboratory robotics, AI, cognitive automation, real-world evidence, and several other automation solutions are accelerating the adoption of pipetting robots. The demand for clinical research, drug discovery, and manufacturing is rising, resulting in increased investment in laboratories and demand for pipetting robots. Life sciences companies are increasingly focusing on their R&D departments to bring new, innovative treatments to market to drive better patients and health outcomes. Life sciences industries realize that investing heavily in R&D is essential to stay competitive and meet the world's changing needs. Increasing development in the life sciences sector, such as pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical devices companies, led to increased demand for advanced lab and research tools, accelerating the growth of the pipetting robots market.



A Shift from Partial to Fully Automated Models in Laboratories



In the past ten years (2013 to 2023), the demand for lab automation increased compared to previous times as the development in the clinical industry has increased since 2011. Laboratory automation is one of the significant evolutions in life sciences companies and medical industries. In 2000, only around 2,000 to 2,500 clinical laboratories implemented some proportion of laboratory automation worldwide; however, in recent years, almost every clinical lab is aware of lab automation and uses lab automation tools in daily activities.



SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY PRODUCT



The fully automated product segment holds the most significant share of the global pipetting robots market 2023. Fully automated pipetting robots reduce significant lab work burden with efficacy and accuracy. This is the major factor accelerating segmental growth. Fully automated pipetting robots are highly versatile, enable high-speed sample processing, and are vital during large liquid sample handling. As the burden of sample processing increases, more laboratories are turning towards automation and installing fully automated pipetting robots.

Fully automated pipetting systems help to reduce labor requirements and save significant time in lab operations. Management is an evident advantage of automated sample processing systems like pipetting robots. Fully automated pipetting robot systems are compatible with multichannel pipetting systems, eliminating the repetitive task of routine pipetting. Also, these systems offer total automation, increasing time for other lab activities and saving the maximum labor cost. Labor shortages in laboratories are a major concern across several geographies where robotic pipetting systems are in high demand.

INSIGHTS BY APPLICATION



The global pipetting robots market by application is segmented into drug discovery & development, clinical diagnostics, and other applications. In 2023, the drug discovery and development segment accounted for the highest market share and will dominate the market during the forecast period. In drug discovery and development, pipetting robots are considered the most important automated lab equipment to reduce manual error chances and the costs of clinical trial activities across pharma & biotech companies, specifically in screening millions of tests and compound analyses. Pharma and biotech companies invest billions of dollars in clinical studies where human or lab equipment errors can lead to significant cost burdens and failure of new drugs. It fuels the demand for pipetting robots in drug discovery and development procedures.

INSIGHTS BY END-USER



The global pipetting robots market by end-user is segmented into pharma & biotech companies, academic research centers, clinical diagnostic laboratories, and other end-users. The demand for pipetting robots is high in pharma and biotech companies due to continued engagement in clinical studies and R&D activities where pipetting robots have proven effective. In 2023, the pharmaceutical and biotech companies segment accounted for the highest market share in the global pipetting robots market. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology are leading sectors across the life sciences industries with huge potential to accelerate the demand for the market. Pharmaceutical companies' laboratories are constantly engaged in R&D and drug discovery. Thousands of laboratory operations are regularly done across pharmaceutical company labs where the burden of lab activities and demand for lab automation solutions is constantly increasing. On the other hand, academic research institutes and research centers that run publicly or privately demand robotic pipetting systems for research and academic purposes and contribute to market growth.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 297 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $5.24 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.4% Regions Covered Global

Key Company Profiles

Agilent Technologies

Beckman Coulter

BRAND

Eppendorf

Hamilton Company

Tecan Trading

Waters

Other Prominent Vendors

Analytik Jena GmbH+Co. KG

CYBERTRON GmbH

Corning Incorporated

ESSERT GMBH

Flow Robotics

FORMULATRIX

Gilson Incorporated

Hudson Robotics

HighRes Biosolutions

INTEGRA Biosciences

METTLER TOLEDO

M2-Automation

MGI Tech Co., Ltd

Opentrons

Revvity (PerkinElmer Inc)

SPT Labtech

SYNCHRON

Market Opportunities & Trends

Technological Advances on Pipetting Robots

Increasing Integration & Development of New Solutions for Pipetting Robots

Recent Industrial M&A

Market Growth Enablers

Increasing Lab Automation Across Several Industries

Rising R&D and Lab Expansion in the Life Sciences Sector

Shift from Partial to Fully Automated Models in Labs

Market Restraints

Continuing Popularity of Manual & Electronic Pipettes Over Pipetting Robots

Ergonomics with Pipetting Robots

Cost Burden Associated with Pipetting Robots

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pzupvi

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.

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Dublin, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Warehouse Robotics Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The United States Warehouse Robotics Market is experiencing a substantial uptrend, with expectations for continued robust growth, driven by the booming e-commerce sector, escalating demand for efficient order fulfillment, and the need for labor cost management. This remarkable market development indicates a deeper integration of robotic systems into warehousing strategies, as companies seek to enhance their operations with improved accuracy, productivity, and flexibility.





Technological innovations and the rapid growth of e-commerce are instrumental in propelling the warehouse robotics market forward. Robotics in warehouses is revolutionizing how companies manage inventory and process orders. Tightening labor markets and the rising costs of wages further incentivize businesses to turn to automation to remain competitive.

Regional Market Highlights: Midwest Dominates



The Midwest region of the United States is spearheading this wave of market dominance thanks to its strategic position and robust industrial presence. With an established logistics infrastructure and a concentration of manufacturing and automotive industries, companies in the Midwest are investing heavily in warehouse robotic solutions to meet increasing demands efficiently.

Market Trends: Autonomous Robots and AI Integration



Key trends shaping the United States Warehouse Robotics Market include the adoption of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and the application of AI and ML technologies. These advancements are making robots smarter and more efficient, revealing the market's responsiveness to changing operational requirements and customer expectations.

Market Challenges: Investment Costs and Workforce



Despite the promising growth, challenges such as the substantial initial investment for robotics implementation and the transition of the workforce remain predominant. Companies are navigating these challenges by assessing long-term ROI and prioritizing workforce reskilling and upskilling to complement the growing presence of robotics in warehouses.

The United States Warehouse Robotics Market is setting the stage for what appears to be an era of unprecedented automation in warehousing and supply chain management. With innovation as a consistent driving force, businesses are looking to leverage these technological capabilities to optimize operations and carve out a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving logistics industry.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $6.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $12.48 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.6% Regions Covered United States





A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

Zebra Technologies Corp.

GreyOrange Pte. Ltd.

Locus Robotics Corporation

inVia Robotics, Inc.

FANUC America Corporation

OMRON Corporation

Yaskawa America, Inc.

Honeywell International Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rl73rp

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.

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Los Angeles, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Barron (Barry) L. Weinstein has joined the firms nationally leading Insurance Recovery practice as of counsel and will be affiliated with the Los Angeles office. Barry brings more than 40 years of experience representing policyholders in complex insurance coverage disputes, including litigation against insurance carriers in state and federal courts throughout the country. Barry joins Blank Rome from Weinstein & Numbers LLP, a boutique insurance recovery law firm that he co-founded in 1993. Joining Barry from Weinstein is senior attorney Kevin L. Cifarelli.

We are delighted to welcome Barry and Kevin to our Los Angeles office and national Insurance Recovery practice, said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Romes Chair and Managing Partner. Barry is a highly respected and seasoned insurance recovery attorney who has successfully handled a wide range of cases involving both third party liability and first party property insurance coverage disputes. Their addition enhances our ability to provide comprehensive and strategic counsel to our clients on their insurance-related issues and disputes.

Barrys practice focuses exclusively on representing policyholders in complex insurance disputes, including matters involving sexual abuse, construction defects, professional liability, property damage and business interruption, and bad faith claims. He has also lectured on insurance coverage issues in numerous Continuing Legal Education courses and has served as a Settlement Officer for the San Francisco Superior Courts Mandatory Settlement program.

Barry and Kevin are tremendous additions to our Insurance Recovery team, which is widely recognized as one of the top practices in the country for representing policyholders, said James R. Murray, Partner and Co-Chair of Blank Romes Insurance Recovery practice group. Barry has a wealth of experience and knowledge in handling complex and high-stakes insurance coverage disputes, and he is well regarded by his peers, clients, risk managers, and mediators for his professionalism, skill, and creativity. We are thrilled to have Barry and Kevin join our team and expand our presence and capabilities in the West Coast market and beyond.

With decades of experience in the field of insurance coverage, Barry began his career at the Farella, Braun & Martel law firm located in San Francisco. He then co-founded Weinstein & Buffington, where he continued his commercial litigation practice with an emphasis on insurance coverage. Six years later Barry joined the office of the San Francisco City Attorney where he served as Chief of Complex Litigation, supervising a team of 15 trial attorneys in complex litigation matters. At the City Attorneys Office, Barry tried and argued on appeal cases in both state and federal courts. He also advised city departments and commissions on a wide range of legal matters involving potential and pending litigation, including matters involving insurance coverage disputes. He then co-founded Meredith, Weinstein & Numbers (which later became Weinstein & Numbers LLP) where he continued to represent policyholders in cutting edge insurance coverage litigation.

Kevins practice focuses on litigating and supervising insurance defense claims, including professional negligence, general liability, and real estate actions. He has represented policyholders in litigation against carriers in state and federal courts. Kevin is skilled at developing and implementing strategies to solve complex insurance issues and maximize policy recoveries for clients. He also advises clients about litigation risk, dispute avoidance, and resolution, and he conducts settlement negotiations and represents clients at mediations. Prior to joining Weinstein & Numbers, Kevin worked for several law firms including serving as a partner at an Am Law 200 firm.

I am very excited to join Blank Rome and its outstanding Insurance Recovery practice, said Barry. I have long admired the firms reputation and achievements in the insurance recovery field, and I look forward to working with the talented, tight-knit, and dedicated attorneys in the practice group. I am also impressed by the firms culture of collegiality and commitment to pro bono and community service, and I am eager to contribute to Blank Romes growth and success.

Barry received his J.D. from The University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Kevin earned his M.F.A. from the University of Mississippi, his J.D. from Golden Gate University, and his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

About Blank Rome

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and more than 750 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Romes culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com.

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LOS ANGELES, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Central City Association (CCA) issued the following statement on the Supreme Courts decision on City of Grants Pass v. Johnson.



Building more housing will always be the most impactful tool as we look to address homelessness, but todays ruling provides another tool that local jurisdictions can avail themselves of. The scale of this problem is such that we need to use all resources at our disposal and CCA remains committed to solving this issue which is most deeply concentrated in the heart of our city, stated Nella McOsker, President & CEO, Central City Association of Los Angeles.

We are pleased with the Courts decision to provide cities with the ability to enforce laws in the interest of public health and safety. Local governments now have one more mechanism to address homelessness. The Chamber remains committed to effectively addressing this issue which effects so many in our community, stated Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier this year, the organizations issued a joint amicus brief in support of the City of Grants Pass position.

About The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce:

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of a broad spectrum of organizations across the private, non-profit, academic, and public sectors, including the business community, job creators, and innovators in the Los Angeles region. Our mission is to design and advance opportunities and solutions for a thriving regional economy that is inclusive and globally competitive. As the oldest and largest business association in the region, the Chamber has a long-standing history of convening business leaders, communities, and policy makers to promote a vibrant economy. For more information visit www.lachamber.com

About CCA:

Central City Association (CCA) is the premier advocacy organization in the Los Angeles region and leading visionary on the future of Downtown. Through advocacy, influence and engagement, CCA enhances Downtowns vibrancy and increases opportunity in the region. For 100 years, CCA has produced meaningful results for its members, Downtown and the greater Los Angeles area. It represents a coalition of businesses, nonprofit organizations and institutions in Los Angeles County. For more information, please visit www.ccala.org.

Contact: Shannon Smith, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, 213-361-6621

ssmith@lachamber.com
Golden, CO, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A research effort led by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energys (DOEs) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has made advances that could enable a broader range of currently unimagined optoelectronic devices.

The researchers, whose previous innovation included incorporating a perovskite layer that allowed the creation of a new type of polarized light-emitting diode (LED) that emits spin-controlled photons at room temperature without the use of magnetic fields or ferromagnetic contacts, now have gone a step further by integrating a III-V semiconductor optoelectronic structure with a chiral halide perovskite semiconductor. That is, they transformed an existing commercialized LED into one that also controls the spin of electrons. The results provide a pathway toward transforming modern optoelectronics, a field that relies on the control of light and encompasses LEDs, solar cells, and telecommunications lasers, among other devices.

It's up to one's imagination where this might go or where this might end up, said Matthew Beard, a senior research fellow at NREL and coauthor of the newly published Nature article, Room temperature spin injection across a chiral-perovskite/III-V interface.

Beard also serves as director of the Center for Hybrid Organic Inorganic Semiconductors for Energy (CHOISE), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the Office of Science Basic Energy Sciences within DOE. The reported research was funded by CHOISE and relied on a broad range of scientific expertise drawn from NREL, the Colorado School of Mines, University of Utah, University of Colorado Boulder, and the Universite de Lorraine in France.

The goal of CHOISE is to understand control over the interconversion of charge, spin, and light using carefully designed chemical systems. In particular, the work focuses on control over the electron spin that can be either up or down. Most current-day optoelectronic devices rely on the interconversion between charge and light. However, spin is another property of electrons, and control over the spin could enable a wide plethora of new effects and functionality. The researchers published a paper in 2021 in which they reported how by using two different perovskite layers they were able to control the spin by creating a filter that blocks electrons spinning in the wrong direction.

They hypothesized at the time that advancements could be made in optoelectronics if they could successfully incorporate the two semiconductors, and then went on to do just that. The breakthroughs made, which include eliminating the need for subzero Celsius temperatures, can be used to increase data processing speeds and decrease the amount of power needed.

Most current-day technologies are all based on controlling charge, Beard said. Most people just forget about the electron spin, but spin is very important, and it's also another parameter that one can control and utilize.

Manipulating the spin of electrons in a semiconductor has previously required the use of ferromagnetic contacts under an applied magnetic field. Using chiral perovskites, the researchers were able to transform an LED to one that emits polarized light at room temperature and without a magnetic field. Chirality refers to the material's structure that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, such as a hand. For example, a left-handed oriented chiral system may allow transport of electrons with up spins but block electrons with down spins, and vice versa. The spin of the electron is then converted to the spin, or polarization, of the emitted light. The degree of polarization, which measures the intensity of light that is polarized in one direction, reached about 2.6% in the previous research. The addition of the III-V semiconductorwhich is made of materials in the third and fifth columns of the periodic tableboosted the polarization to about 15%. The degree of polarization serves as a direct measure of spin accumulation in the LED.

This work is particularly exciting to me, as it combines spin functionality with a traditional LED platform, said the first author of the work, Matthew Hautzinger. You can buy an LED analogous to what we used for 14 cents, but with the chiral perovskite incorporated, weve transformed an already robust (and well understood) technology into a futuristic spin-control device.

Other NREL researchers listed as coauthors are Steven Hayden, Jiselle Ye, Qi Jiang, Mickey Wilson, Alan Phillips, Yifan Dong, Emily Raulerson, Ian Leahy, Chun-Sheng Jiang, Jeffrey Blackburn, Joseph Luther, Katherine Jungjohann, Joseph Berry, and Kirstin Alberi.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC.
New York, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to International Relations Study Association(IRSA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China officially announced on June 27 that it will implement a visa-free policy for citizens of Australia, New Zealand and Poland from July 1, which will last until the end of 2025. The move marks the further deepening of China's relations with these countries. According to the policy, travelers from these three countries will enjoy visa-free entry into China and can stay in the country for up to 15 days, during which they can use it for business travel, sightseeing or visiting friends and relatives.

Determination to open up

Starting from 2023, China has initiated a series of visa policy adjustments, taking the lead in piloting a unilateral visa-free policy for citizens holding ordinary passports from six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia, as well as Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg. In addition, since 2024, China has signed or extended agreements on mutual visa exemption policies with Singapore, Antigua and Barbuda, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries. These initiatives aim to further promote international exchanges and cooperation and provide citizens of all countries with a more convenient entry and exit experience.

Meanwhile, in order to further expand high-level opening up, China has simultaneously implemented a number of initiatives to promote multilateral people-to-people exchanges.

Since October 2023, China has opened a 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy for 54 countries.

Since January 11, 2024, China has introduced five measures to facilitate the entry of foreigners to China, including simplifying the procedures for submitting visa application materials and relaxing visa requirements at border crossings.

On May 15, 2024, the National Immigration Administration issued a new policy allowing foreign tour groups traveling on cruise ships organized and received by domestic travel agencies to enter the country as a whole group without visa from the cruise ports in 13 cities and stay for 15 days.

China's series of initiatives to open up to the outside world are aimed at further promoting bilateral exchanges of people and continuously expanding its opening up to the outside world. The message of positive and high-quality opening-up has been conveyed through practical actions.

Positive signals

At the economic level, in the face of slowing global economic growth, a series of policies to open up to the outside world underpin a broader strategy to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties. Attracting international tourists and investors by increasing cross-border movement of people through lowering barriers and costs of movement of people will effectively strengthen the dynamics of economic and trade exchanges. According to China's National Immigration Administration (NIA), from January 1 to May 31, 2024, a cumulative total of 12.009 million foreigners entered the country's ports of entry, including 7.014 million visa-free entries, with a daily average of 79,000, a year-on-year increase of 1.9 times compared to 2023. The visa waiver policy has also been effective in boosting the recovery of China's tourism industry, with "ChinaTravel" becoming a long-standing hot topic. Visitor searches for flights and accommodation in China have increased significantly, and demand for potential travel to China is at an all-time high.

The accelerating pace of China's opening up to the outside world is not only a core element of the country's development strategy, but also reflects a significant increase in human rights freedoms at a deeper level. The Chinese government has always been based on domestic realities and closely integrated with local cultural traditions, and has steadfastly promoted respect for and protection of the rights and interests of its people. On the international stage, China is deepening exchanges and cooperation through practical actions, adhering to the cornerstone principles of mutual respect, tolerance, exchanges and learning, and unswervingly carrying out the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. When China undergoes its fourth session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on July 4, it is believed that there will be positive feedback on China's human rights review. At the same time, China is also actively creating a more open and fair international environment and providing a broad platform for cultural exchanges with its diversified policies. This is not only a key step in promoting harmonious coexistence among countries around the world, but also a profound reflection of the concept of peaceful coexistence. The plurality of the world provides us with opportunities to understand each other's differences and promotes mutual understanding among different cultures. The deepening of cross-cultural dialogue not only deepens our knowledge of different concepts and customs, but also realizes the sharing of ideological differences, which in turn deepens mutual understanding among different countries through cultural exchanges, strengthens social cohesion, and jointly pushes for the construction of a global environment conducive to sustainable development.

The series of open-door policies launched by China is a vivid example of its positive stance in creating a more favorable international environment, which demonstrates that while pursuing its own development, China is also actively embracing the world and is committed to cooperating with other countries to create a better future.
Mount Olive, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mount Olive, Alabama -

Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham recently earned recognition in the "Best of Smith Lake" awards for Window Treatments - Blinds, etc., for 2023. This award underscores their commitment to offering top-quality window treatment solutions to the Birmingham and surrounding areas. As a family-owned company, Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham provides a wide range of products, including blinds, shades, shutters, draperies, and patio solutions.

Owner Mark Tant expressed his gratitude for the recognition. "We are delighted to be named the Best of Smith Lake for Window Treatments," said Tant. "This award reflects our hard work and dedication to delivering great service to our customers."

The Best of Smith Lake contest is an annual event where the community votes for their favorite businesses in over 100 categories. Its a chance for customers to highlight businesses that stand out in terms of customer service and quality. This year, Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham led the way in the Window Treatments category, showing their strong position in the industry.

Customers interested in their services can explore the different types of blinds offered by Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham, such as faux wood, wood, and skylight blinds. This wide selection ensures there is something to match every interior style.

Additionally, Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham offers various shutters and shades, adding a touch of elegance to any room. The company also specializes in draperies, including sheer drapes and custom panel curtains. These draperies not only enhance the look of a room but also offer privacy and light control.

Their expertise also extends to patio solutions, ensuring that outdoor spaces are both stylish and practical. The motorization services they offer allow easy control of window treatments, which is handy for large or hard-to-reach windows. Nearly all of the window treatments offered can be motorized.

Being a family-owned business, Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham is known for its friendly and honest service. They offer a limited lifetime warranty on their products and even provide free estimates for their services. With flexible financing options, their high-quality window treatments are accessible to a broader range of customers.

Winning the Best of Smith Lake award showcases Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham excellent service and high-quality products. This recognition is not just a milestone; it motivates the team to keep excelling. The awards community voting system highlights the strong bonds Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham has built with its customers.

Mark Tant emphasized this connection by stating, "The support from our customers means everything to us. This award reassures us that we're on the right track, and we'll continue to strive to meet and exceed our customers' expectations."

Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham remains dedicated to serving the Birmingham and surrounding areas with high-quality window treatments and outstanding customer service to meet the needs of their clients.





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For more information about Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham, contact the company here:



Bloomin' Blinds of Birmingham

Mark Tant - Owner

205-649-5746

mark.tant@bloominblinds.com

Mailing Address Only:

1670 Kelly Loop Rd, Mount Olive, AL 35117
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NEW YORK, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky announces that it has commenced an investigation of Faraday Future Intelligent Electric, Inc. (NYSE: FFIE) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duty. If you have been a shareholder of FFIE since at least December, 2023, and currently hold shares, you can obtain additional information here:



https://zlk.com/compensation2/faraday-future-intelligent-electric-inc-lawsuit-submission-form

or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized firm with offices in New York, Connecticut, California, and Washington, D.C. The firms attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact the firm. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

33 Whitehall Street, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10004

jlevi@levikorsinsky.com

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.com
TORONTO, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp. ("Voyageur" or the "Company") (CSE: VOY) announces that African Energy Metals Inc. (AEM), has terminated the option agreement (the Option Agreement) to acquire a 100% interest in the Companys Mink Narrows project, due to being unable to raise the funding required to fulfil the terms of the Option Agreement. Voyageur will seek other partners to advance the project.



ABOUT VOYAGEUR MINERAL EXPLORERS CORP.

Voyageur is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in Northwest Manitoba and Northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company owns a valuable package of royalties in the prolific Flin Flon greenstone belt, and has assembled a portfolio of base metal and precious metal prospects in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

For further information please contact:

Fraser Laschinger

President and CEO

Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp.

Tel: (416) 628-5910

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information with respect to the Option. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects, or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, or does not anticipate, or believes or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, or will be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Voyageur to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks associated with the exploration, development and mining such as economic factors as they effect exploration, future commodity prices, changes in foreign exchange and interest rates, actual results of current production, development and exploration activities, government regulation, political or economic developments, environmental risks, permitting timelines, capital expenditures, operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities, employee relations, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of resources, contests over title to properties, and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as those risk factors discussed in Voyageurs public disclosure documents which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Voyageur has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Morehead, Kentucky (USA), July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, is the proud Video Sponsor for the 10thanniversary of the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit 2024. Tickets go on sale today for the two-day event on October 17th and 18th in Pikeville, Kentucky. Those wishing to attend can secure early bird registration now through August 1st using the discount code RAJANT.

SOARs Executive Director Colby Hall states, This years SOAR Summit celebrates being in existence for a decade. Throughout the years, Rajant has been with SOAR as a loyal supporter and has renewed again in 2024 to be the SOAR Summit Video Sponsor. Because of dedicated sponsorship, like Rajants, and the committed patronage of attendees, the 2024 SOAR Summit will be the most expansive ever, taking over all of downtown Pikeville.

The SOAR Summit will feature plenary sessions at the University of Pikeville, the Exhibit Hall at Appalachian Wireless Arena, and breakout sessions at different small businesses and community organizations on Main Street, continues Colby Hall. Programming will feature multiple tracks that align with SOAR's overall blueprint. Some exciting ones connecting to Rajant include AI and its impact on Eastern Kentucky as well as countering population loss through retention of the region's young talent. The SOAR Summit will also feature several "pre-Summit" sessions on October 15th and 16th, including multiple receptions.

Rajant CEO and Co-founder Robert Schena shares, Rajant has found a home in Eastern Kentuckys Morehead and has expanded operations, offering more jobs for families to stay in their community. SOARs dedication to reversing population loss and driving prosperity for Eastern Kentucky counties is a mission Rajant wholly supports. We are grateful to Congressman Hal Rogers, who serves as a Co-Principal Officer at SOAR, for making Rajant a part of SOARs annual event. In 2024, we will be the SOAR Summit Video Sponsor again. We will also offer advocacy and insights to inform other businesses of the richness of doing business in Kentucky.

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About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant and its family of products, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, agriculture, and more, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Versailles, Ky, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Frontier Nursing Universitys Board of Directors announced that Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM, has been selected as the Universitys next president. Dr. Flinders has extensive experience as an advanced practice nurse, educator, and college administrator. Dr. Flinders will leave her current position as Professor of Nursing and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs at Miami University (Ohio) and assume the presidency at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) on August 1, 2024. Dr. Flinders holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Frontier.

We are thrilled that Dr. Flinders has accepted the offer to become the next President of Frontier Nursing University, said FNU Board Chair Dr. Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP, FAAN, FNP/GNP, BC. Dr. Flinders wealth of experience as an educator, practitioner, and administrator will be a tremendous asset to our students and to our faculty and staff who support them. We are extremely excited about the future of Frontier under Dr. Flinders leadership.

Our long and rigorous search brought forward several qualified presidential candidates, but ultimately, Dr. Flinders stood out as the best choice for Frontier Nursing University, said co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee and FNU Board of Directors member, Dr. Kerri Schuiling, PhD, CNM (ret), NP, FACNM, FAAN. Through her interactions with the search committee, Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, Dr. Flinders demonstrated her understanding of and commitment to the mission of Frontier Nursing University.

Dr. Flinders obtained her Associate Degree of Science in Nursing (1994) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2003) degrees from Miami University. In addition to acute care and community-based care experience as a Registered Nurse and full-scope practice as a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Flinders has been a nurse educator, nursing department chair, and associate dean.

I am proud and honored to accept the position of President of Frontier Nursing University, Dr. Flinders said. My connection to Frontier extends nearly two full decades, and I am so proud to be one of its more than 9,000 graduates. I loved my time as a student and have been thoroughly impressed by the universitys lived mission and how it has been embraced by the faculty, staff, administration, and students through their culture of caring. I believe wholeheartedly in Frontiers mission to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education that integrates the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and I am excited to carry it forward.

During her academic career, Flinders received Miami Universitys Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Nursing (2021) and, in recognition of their service efforts during the COVID pandemic, Flinders and each of her nursing colleagues received the Presidents Service Medallion. Flinders was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives in 2021, as a recognition of her demonstrated leadership, clinical excellence, scholarship, and professional achievement.

As a proud graduate of Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing and Frontier Nursing University, I am eager to build upon the amazingly strong foundation that already exists, Dr. Flinders said. Healthcare provider shortages and the maternal mortality crisis plague our country. Frontier has a long history of finding unique solutions to complex problems, and we will continue to be a leader in identifying and implementing solutions by producing highly prepared nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who have answered the call to serve.

Founded in 1939 as the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery, Frontier Nursing University has an enrollment of over 2,500 students. FNU offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and Post-Graduate Certificate, and specialties including Certified Nurse-Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner, Womens Health Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

#####

About Frontier Nursing University:

The mission of Frontier Nursing University is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education that integrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We transform healthcare by preparing innovative, ethical, compassionate, and entrepreneurial leaders to work with all people with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the students home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or Post-Graduate Certificates. Frontier has been named a Great College to Work For by the Great Colleges to Work For program for each of the past three years (2021-2023). To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu .

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Washington, D.C., July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance petitioned the en banc U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Cato Institute v. Cardona case for halting the Department of Educations illegal erasure of $39 billion of student loan debt and counting. The Departments scheme has already begun wiping out debt that borrowers owe under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) programs, by crediting non-payments during periods of forbearance as monthly payments via a One-Time Account Adjustment. On behalf of the Mackinac Center and the Cato Institute, NCLA calls on the en banc Court to stop this plot that disregards federal law, the Constitution, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Moving on an accelerated schedule to deter court review, the Department of Education announced the unlawful plan in July 2023 before the ink was dry on the Supreme Court opinion striking down its old $430 billion student loan debt cancellation plan. The Administrations policy counts certain non-payment periods as monthly payments needed to qualify for loan-forgiveness programs. Doing so results in cancellation of debt for borrowers who have not yet satisfied mandatory statutory conditions for forgiveness.

The Department of Educations decree violates the Constitutions Appropriations Clause, which grants Congress exclusive authority to expend taxpayer funds to pay for debt cancellation. The cancellation further violates loan-forgiveness statutes that require participating borrowers to make a specific number of monthly payments before having their loans forgiven. Additionally, instead of promulgating the plan through the required notice-and-comment and negotiated rulemaking process under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Department simply issued a press release announcing its wishes that did not bother to identify any laws to justify the plan.

Cancelling borrowers debt through this scheme erases their incentive to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program by completing ten full years of work for qualified non-profit employers while making monthly payments. The Administrations substitute plan thus directly harms non-profit organizations that benefit from PSLF like the Mackinac Center and the Cato Institute, and undermines Congresss goals in enacting the PSLF program. In May, a Sixth Circuit panel erroneously rejected this standing argument in Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Cato Institute v. Cardona.

The panel improperly held that the economic disadvantage that Administrations plan creates for NCLAs clients compared to competitors was not enough to give them standing against it, failing to draw factual inferences in the Plaintiffs favor and ignoring uncontroverted allegations that support their standing. The panel further decided that that competitor standing does not exist because the Adjustment is directed only at third-party borrower-employees rather than the for-profit employers against whom Plaintiffs compete in the labor market. This standard would prevent judicial review of any unlawful government action that imposes economic disadvantage, as long as it strategically does so only through third parties like competitors employees. The en banc Court should correct these serious mistakes.

NCLA released the following statement:

The panel decision rejecting competitor standing inexplicitly refused to accept uncontroverted facts, like that non-profit think tanks compete against for-profit companies for college-educated employees and that counting 36+ months of non-payments toward the 120 monthly payments needed to receive public service loan forgiveness reduces the number of monthly payments that a borrower must make. En banc review is needed to correct these glaring errors.

 Sheng Li, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.
NEW YORK, July 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) between July 27, 2022 and January 24, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important August 2, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.



SO WHAT: If you purchased Humana common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Humana class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25679 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 2, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Humanas business and operations. Specifically, defendants downplayed pressures on Humanas adjusted earnings per share (EPS) resulting from increased medical costs associated with pent-up demand for healthcare procedures (especially as COVID concerns abated) which, contrary to Humanas assurances, resulted in increased utilization rates and costs. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Humana class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25679 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:



Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
Perth, July 01, 2024 - resignation of non-executive director

Perth, Western Australia/July 1, 2024/Perseus Mining Ltd. (ASX/TSX: PRU) (Perseus or the Company) wishes to advise that it has, with deep regret, accepted the resignation of valued colleague and friend, David Ransom, from the role of non-executive, independent Director of the Company.

Mr Ransom's resignation, which comes after a period of ill health, took effect on June 30, 2024. Perseus intends to recruit a non-executive, independent director to replace Mr Ransom in due course.

Perseus's Chairman and CEO Jeff Quartermaine said:

"On behalf of the Board of Perseus and the entire Perseus Team, I would like to sincerely thank Dave for his significant contribution to our Company over the past four years.

He was first appointed to the Perseus board in November 2019, and in the period that has followed, Dave has served Perseus with distinction, helping to guide the Company through a period of significant growth. His personal style, which combines humility with outstanding professionalism, experience and knowledge, has been a very important ingredient in Perseus's recent success. His contribution and presence will be greatly missed by his Board colleagues, as well as all members of the Perseus team, both past and present, who had the privilege of working with Dave in recent years."

This market announcement was authorised for release by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Perseus Mining Limited, Jeff Quartermaine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jeff Quartermaine

Executive Chairman & CEO

jeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.com Stephen Forman

Investor Relations

+61 484 036 681

stephen.forman@perseusmining.com Nathan Ryan

Media

+61 420 582 887

nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au REGISTERED OFFICE:



Level 2

437 Roberts Road

Subiaco WA 6008



Telephone: +61 8 6144 1700

ABN: 27 106 808 986

WWW.PERSEUSMINING.COM
ST HELIER, July 01, 2024 - Caledonia Mining Corporation plc ("Caledonia" or "the Company") (NYSE AMERICAN: CMCL; AIM: CMCL; VFEX: CMCL) is pleased to announce that the board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 14 United States cents (US$0.14) on each of the Company's shares.



The relevant dates relating to the dividend are as follows:

Ex-dividend date VFEX: July 10, 2024

Ex-dividend date AIM: July 11, 2024

Ex-dividend date NYSE American: July 12, 2024

Record date: July 12, 2024

Payment date: July 26, 2024

Shareholders with a registered address in the UK will be paid in Sterling.

Caledonia's Dividend Policy

Caledonia's strategy to maximise shareholder value includes a quarterly dividend policy which the Board adopted in 2014. The Board will consider future dividends as appropriate and in line with other investment opportunities and its prudent approach to risk management.

Enquiries:

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Mark Learmonth

Camilla Horsfall Tel: +44 1534 679 800

Tel: +44 7817 841 793 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)

Adrian Hadden

Pearl Kellie Tel: +44 207 397 1965

Tel: +44 131 220 9775 Liberum Capital Limited (Joint Broker)

Scott Mathieson/Matt Hogg Tel: +44 20 3100 2000 Camarco, Financial PR (UK)

Gordon Poole Tel: +44 20 3757 4980 3PPB (Financial PR, North America)

Patrick Chidley

Paul Durham Tel: +1 917 991 7701

Tel: +1 203 940 2538 Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe)

Debra Tatenda Tel: +263 77802131 IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe)

Lloyd Mlotshwa

Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39

This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR") as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
VANCOUVER, July 01, 2024 - Bedford Metals Corp. (TSX-V: BFM) (the "Company" or "Bedford") is pleased to announce the successful completion and assessment of its VNIR (Visible Near Field Infrared) and SWIR (Shortwave Infrared) satellite investigation at the Ubiquity Lake Uranium Project, just south of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan.



The statistical analysis, conducted by Dr. Neil Pendock, PhD in Applied Mathematics, identified several key indicators for uranium mineralization. The investigation revealed anomalous helium emissions and methane, the latter of which is interpreted as altered clays, particularly illite.

At Ubiquity Lake, the principal target zone (TZ1) is a 3.6km northwest-trending fault, striking at an angle roughly 90 degrees to the Cable Shear fault. The satellite survey identified a large but well-defined methane gas anomaly that correlated strongly with the footprint of TZ1. Methane gas is a marker for illite, which forms through hydrothermal alteration - the primary mechanism responsible for uranium deposition in the Athabasca Basin region.

Additionally, the survey revealed multiple highly anomalous helium blooms over TZ1 and other prospective areas, with the greatest intensities near radioactive boulder fields. These boulder fields have been identified and confirmed through multiple prospecting surveys. Like radon gas, helium is a first-order decay product of uranium, and its presence strongly correlates with uranium deposits.

Peter Born, President of Bedford, commented, "I am greatly encouraged by the results of our satellite survey at Ubiquity Lake. The identification of these key uranium markers provides us with further confidence in our ability to make a discovery at Ubiquity Lake. These findings will guide our future exploration efforts and help us focus on the most promising targets."

Bedford remains committed to conducting all exploration activities to the highest environmental standards. The Company is dedicated to minimizing its environmental footprint and ensuring that all operations are sustainable and responsible. Additionally, Bedford values its relationships with local communities and indigenous groups and is committed to working collaboratively to ensure that its activities benefit these stakeholders.

Dr. Peter Born, P.Geo., is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and the president of the Company and is responsible for and has approved the technical information contained in this release.

About Bedford Metals Corp.

Bedford Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company. We create value for our shareholders by identifying and developing highly prospective mineral exploration opportunities. Our strategy is to advance our projects from discovery to production.

The Ubiquity Lake Uranium Project, covering 1382 hectares, lies just south of the bottom lip of the Athabasca Basin, adjacent to ALX Uranium's Carpenter Lake Project to the east. Situated near the Cable Bay Shear Zone, parallel to the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts Cameco's Centennial uranium deposit, the project holds immense potential. Furthermore, it is located 100 km west of Cameco's past-producing Key Lake uranium mine, underscoring the strategic significance of its location.

The Close Lake Uranium Project lies on the eastern side of the Athabasca Basin, adjoining claims held by Cameco Corp., the largest uranium producer in the world. The claim is approximately 245 hectares and lies within the primary exploration corridor, which hosts the Keys Lake Mine, the Cigar Lake Mine and the McArthur River Mine. Access to the property is done through a network of roads and trails.

For further information, please contact the Company at info@bedfordmetals.com or 604-622-1199 or visit the Company's website at www.bedfordmetals.com.

On behalf of the Board,

Bedford Metals Corp.

"Peter Born"

President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. 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 forward-looking statements. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587
VANCOUVER, July 01, 2024 - Solaris Resources Inc. (TSX: SLS; NYSE: SLSR) ("Solaris" or the "Company") and the Warints and Yawi Shuar communities correct the record of false and misleading claims made by anti-mining NGOs in relation to the social license for its Warintza Project ("Warintza" or "the Project") in the province of Morona Santiago in southeastern Ecuador.

Warintza Resides on the Ancestral Lands of the Warints and Yawi - The Ancestral Lands of these communities have been registered and clearly defined by the Government of Ecuador since 2002. These communities are registered legal entities under Ecuadorean law and the only parties that have any legal rights or authority over their Ancestral Lands. No other entity or association has any legal rights or authority over the Ancestral Lands of the Warints and Yawi.

Warints and Yawi Recognized as Sole Holders of Their Ancestral Lands - The International Labor Organization documented the legitimacy of the Warints and Yawi as the sole holders of title to their Ancestral Lands and the legality of the Strategic Alliance governance structure created by Solaris as a mechanism of community consent for Warintza. The Strategic Alliance is managed by an Advisory Board of Directors made up of representatives of the Company and members of each community, democratically elected through their General Assemblies.

Consultation Processes - The Ministry of Environment of Ecuador has carried out two consultation processes that have determined that the communities of Warints and Yawi are those directly influenced by Warintza. These successful consultation processes, supported by the communities, have allowed for the phase change of the Project from Initial Exploration to Advanced Exploration following the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment and issuance of an Environmental License.

Host Community Agreements - Solaris has explicit consent for the Project from the Warints and Yawi through its formal community agreements. These include an Impact and Benefits Agreement signed in 2020, later updated in 2022, and most recently in early 2024 to reflect the continued growth and advancement of the Project and its commitment to its host communities. All surrounding communities contribute employees to the Project and many of these have requested Solaris to engage in consultations regarding partnership in relation to their lands.

Interprovincial Federation of Shuar Centers - In March 2024, Solaris signed a trilateral cooperation agreement with the Interprovincial Federation of Shuar Centers ("FICSH") and the Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of Ecuador in the presence of a delegation of senior Ecuadorian government officials. FICSH is the highest authority and largest Shuar indigenous organization and was established by the Ministry of Social Welfare of Ecuador in 1964 and represents 143,000 Shuar indigenous people. Mr. David Tankamash, President of FICSH, commented at the time, "We support the Warints and Yawi communities and reject the efforts of foreign NGOs who act against the will and interest of our members."

Yawi Community - Mr. Froilan Juank, President of the Yawi Shuar Center, stated: "We are the legitimate registered owners of the Ancestral Lands on which the Warintza Project resides and we have the right and have chosen, through our General Assembly, to participate in the Project through our Strategic Alliance and Impact and Benefits Agreement."

Warints Community - Mr. Agustin Kayak, Trustee of the Warints Shuar Center, stated: "We and the Yawi community have decided to move forward with the Warintza Project. We are the owners of the lands where Warintza is located. We work together, the two communities of Warints and Yawi, for the well-being and development of our people."

Ecuador State Mining Company - Mr. Emmanuel Delaune, Manager of Ecuadorean state-owned mining company, Empresa Nacional Minera, stated: "Solaris is an example to follow with its Warintza Model, which contributes to the local development of the Shuar communities through transparency, citizen participation, environmental stewardship and social development. These are the principles by which Solaris has earned the necessary credentials to operate in this area of Ecuador."

Shareholders and investors are cautioned in listening to the falsehoods and misrepresentations that have been perpetuated by NGOs and other third parties and that the Company continues to be available to answer further questions to ensure the correct record is relayed.

On behalf of Solaris Resources Inc.

"Daniel Earle"

President & CEO, Director

"Federico Velasquez"

President Latin America

For Further Information

Jacqueline Wagenaar, VP Investor Relations

Direct: 416-366-5678 Ext. 203

Email: jwagenaar@solarisresources.com

About Solaris Resources Inc.

Solaris is advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in the Americas, which includes a world class copper resource with expansion and discovery potential at its Warintza Project in Ecuador; a series of grass roots exploration projects with discovery potential in Peru and Chile; and significant leverage to increasing copper prices through its 60% interest in the La Verde joint-venture project with a subsidiary of Teck Resources in Mexico.
Governor slams climate activists at Austrian GP

The governor of Styria has slammed climate activists for attempting to disrupt Sunday's Austrian GP.

Austrian GP 2024

 Red Bull

Just before the start of the F3 support race at the Red Bull Ring, several protesters breached the spectator fences and made it as far as the middle of a gravel trap - reportedly with the intention to chain themselves to the circuit.

Two of them made it to the gravel bed at turn 3 before they were stopped by the organiser's security staff, a police spokesman confirmed to Kronen Zeitung newspaper.

They apparently came onto the track via the western, wooded part.

Two men and a woman were arrested, charged with trespassing, theft of a service as they did not have tickets, property damage and other offenses - and strongly condemned by the visiting Styrian governor, Christopher Drexler.

To me, these people are not activists, they are dangerous, he said. They are taking tens of thousands of peaceful motorsport fans hostage and thereby damaging the climate - namely that of our society.

Drexler added that the activists endanger the drivers, the spectators, the security personnel, and ultimately our joint efforts to protect the climate .

(GMM)
:              ...
Din Tai Fung 1633 Broadway, nr. W. 50th St. Crab-and-Kurobuta-pork xiao long bao. Photo: Hugo Yu

Last October, 40 new hires were in the underground midtown space that, until recently, was most famous for once being the cosmos-themed restaurant Mars 2112. Soon, however, it would become the first East Coast branch of the Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung. The employees were beginning a 12-week program that would stretch into the New Year, focused on perfecting just one dish: Din Tai Fungs xiao long bao.

Consistency is our North Star, and we can only achieve that through rigorous training, says Albert Yang, who runs the American operation of Din Tai Fung with his brother, Aaron.

Interestingly, we have run a lot of data on the training programs and found out that there was no correlation whatsoever between previous cooking experiences and the ability to make excellent xiao long bao, Aaron says. Less than one percent of our applicants have xiao long bao experience  they still end up making excellent dumplings.

Din Tai Fung does make excellent dumplings: Exactly 18 perfect little folds adorn each one. The skin is surprisingly thin but still holds its shape when lifted from a bamboo steamer basket. They are agreeably small  21 grams apiece  and hold rich broth with pork or crab that is best eaten by biting a small hole in the side, slurping some broth, and gobbling the rest of the dumpling in one bite.

At any of the chains 181 locations, from Taipei to Tokyo, Shanghai, Seattle, or Los Angeles, the experience of eating at Din Tai Fung is the same: friendly service and delicious dim sum, regardless of time zone.

They have somehow managed to have skill and scale grow at the same time. Its extremely impressive, and improbable, says Richard Ho, chef and founder of the beloved, if significantly smaller, Taiwanese restaurant Ho Foods in East Village.

Albert and Aaron, charged with North American expansion, are grandsons of the original founder, Yang Bing-Yi, who arrived in Taiwan with the wave of Chinese refugees escaping civil war on the mainland and made his living by biking around Taipei selling cooking oil. In the 1970s, cooking oil industrialized, with canned products replacing artisan deliveries. To save his business that risked collapsing, Yang expanded to selling the kind of Shanghainese xiao long bao he had himself grown up with in China. They were part of a generation of mainlanders who came to Taiwan and brought certain foods with them, and that eventually became Taiwanese food, Albert says. These dumplings became so popular that he opened his first Din Tai Fung restaurant on Xinyi Road in central Taipei in 1972. The restaurant is still there today, in the same location, with the same phone number and the same xiao long bao.

When Yang Bing-Yi passed away last year, at 92, he was treated in Taiwan as a national hero. The New York Times called him the man who brought soup dumplings to the world. To Albert and Aaron, he was just Grandpa. I remember our morning walks around Taipei, Aaron says. He would always rise early, and we would walk around the city at 6 a.m., before it gets too hot, and Grandpa would constantly be stopped by people who told him how much they admired the restaurant.

As Din Tai Fungs success in Taiwan attracted foreign visitors and an international reputation, the company opened its first branch abroad in Tokyo in 1996. Meanwhile, copycat restaurants went up in California using Din Tai Fungs name, if not their attention to detail.

Yang Bing-Yis son, Frank Yang, the father of Albert and Aaron, had previously moved to California and decided to open the first American branch in Arcadia, in 2000, to distinguish the real thing from the imitations. The Los Angeles branch immediately gained a following, with hour-long waits on weekends. Albert remembers working in the restaurant from an early age, doing homework while running credit cards, and spending at least a year struggling in the kitchen, trying to make the soup dumplings. We must have thrown away tens of thousands of failed dumplings before I was able to make a perfect one, he says.

A Din Tai Fung dumpling. Photo: Hugo Yu

The Yangs have continued opening locations across the United States  an Anaheim location is opening at the Downtown Disney resort today, for example  but the New York outpost carries added pressure. For one thing, since its arrival was first announced back in 2022, every new development at the Manhattan location has been tracked on social media. For another, its going to be enormous.

Unofficially, I think it will be the biggest restaurant anywhere in New York, says Albert. Officially, it will be the biggest Din Tai Fung in the world, able to seat 450 diners at a time. An Apple Storeesque glass-cube entrance gives way to a 25,000-square-foot room designed by David Rockwell. Since its smack in the middle of Broadway, we liked the idea of working with Rockwell, who has done so many spectacular stage sets for Broadway shows, Aaron says. We wanted to bring some of that energy into the room.

This means a bigger and more centrally located bar than is typical of their U.S. branches, as well as a more extensive bar menu (yes, there is a new espresso martini, this version made with black sesame). For food, the menu will most closely resemble Din Tai Fungs West Coast branches. The pork is the same Kurobuta breed from the same Iowa farms that supply the other American restaurants, but every new location brings some new challenges and compromises, says Albert  like mustard greens, which are a staple of the West Coast restaurants but have proven difficult to source locally. Instead of compromising by serving sub-par mustard greens, we decided to just take it off the menu.

Is that the reason for the delays that saw its opening bumped from 2023 to early 2024, and now to mid-July? There were a bunch of reasons, but it is close now. Reservations will go live tomorrow; the grand opening will happen on July 18.

A few weeks before the doors open to the public, executive chef Rapheal Anderson showed me around the cavernous space, with 120 tables and 16 bar seats. At least 200 employees will work here on any given evening, Anderson explained, as he walked by a dozen kitchen staff cooking behind the large kitchen windows facing the dining room, a design feature of all Din Tai Fung restaurants. The staff made pilot versions of the xiao long bao, and during this latest round of training, they had small light boxes next to their tables, where the skin of each dumpling could be tested for thickness. The skin should be as thin as possible, Anderson said, but if its transparent, if the light comes through, they might break when theyre lifted, and they have to be redone.

This post has been updated to correct Rapheal Andersons title.
The Guam Ancestral Lands Commission is seeking to lease property along the Tiyan cliff line for up to 50 years, with options to renew for up to an additional 49 years  totaling up to 99 years  for commercial or industrial use.

Theres currently a five-year limit on government of Guam land deals, but theres a process to allow leasing out public property longer than that.

The process requires legislative review and approval.

GALC, via its property manager, the Guam Economic Development Authority, on June 26 wrote to Speaker Therese Terlaje to seek the Legislatures approval for an exceptional term contract in order to issue a request for proposal for commercial leasing of Lots 5175-1REM and 5182-1REM in Tiyan, Barrigada.

The combined 13,712 square meters of property, in two contiguous parcels, has the potential for commercial or industrial use because its right by the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Guam, according to GALC, via a letter and attached document sent by GEDA Deputy Administrator Carlos P. Bordallo to the speaker.

The property is located across from the CTSI freight forwarding facility, overlooking Tamuning and the Philippine Sea.

Depending on what the potential offeror or offerors intend to do with the property, the three houses located on the two lots would have to be demolished.

The property, located off Route 20 and Lower East Sunset Blvd., was formerly used by the U.S. Navy for enlisted family housing.

Prior to transfer to GovGuam and GALC, the property was cleaned by the Navy for industrial use as opposed to residential use standards.

GALC used the houses for its office from fiscal 2011 to 2012, and for storage from fiscal 2011 to the present.

GALC intends to award a lease of the Property for a term of up to fifty (50) years with options to renew for up to an additional forty-nine (49) years to allow a prospective developer to invest in the Property and profit from its investments, GEDA wrote.

Such terms will be subject to negotiations based primarily on the amount of time required by lessee to satisfy financing requirements and recover and profit from investments, the agency said.

If a term of more than five years including extensions is proposed, the lease will require approval as an Exception Term Contract by the Guam Legislature pursuant to Public Law 34-99, GEDA wrote.

It said that while there may be some organizations or businesses that might be able to afford a loan from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, and still be able to repay it in less than five years, there are also a large number of small local businesses that are unable to do so.

Even a $250,000 business loan, for example, at only 4% interest over a mere five-year term would require monthly payments of nearly $5,000 a month for the loan itself, GEDA said.

Limiting a lease term to 5 years would only add an additional hardship, or even exclusion, for most small local businesses to participate, employ local workers, or have any hope of success, GEDA wrote in justifying a need for a lease longer than five years.

The proposed use of the GALC property will essentially dictate the amount of investment by the selected offeror.

The conditions of the three houses on the two lots and the possible presence of certain environmental contaminants left over from the Navys use of the property such as asbestos in the floor tiles and lead based paint may also require a significant investment to allow the reuse of the property, according to GEDA.

Coupled with todays higher construction and operating costs including rent payments, a five-year lease term would be insufficient to justify a significant investment, GEDA added.

The property is overgrown with vegetation, and the condition of the existing houses may be poor.

GEDA also said that the property is accessible through Route 20 and in the future, via the Laderan Tiyan Parkway once constructed.
Millions of dollars in additional funding for the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, CQA, is included in the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill that the House passed on Friday by a vote of 212 to 200.

Del. James Moylan proposed the Guam CQA funding through amendments and submittals, to help provide the local agency with additional support in addressing its objectives of combating illicit drugs and protecting Guams borders.

Two of his amendments included in the House-passed Homeland Security Appropriations bill would provide unprecedented authority for both the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to work with Guam CQA in providing equipment, resources, and/or other forms of support.

Up to $6 million was appropriated to execute this authority, Moylans office said in a press release.

Moylans community project funding, CPF, to provide X-ray scanners for Guam CQA to intensify its inspection authority at the Guam airport was also approved and included in the base text of the Criminal Justice Appropriations bill.

This approval was for $350,000 and the agency will receive the equipment, Moylans office said.

With our rising drug epidemic and now with the news that fentanyl has entered our island and has sadly taken some lives, it is obvious that we need to do more as a government to equip our law enforcement officers and entities with resources, Moylan said in a press release Monday. I am happy that my colleagues supported these amendments, as they are very much welcoming.

He said the authority being provided to TSA and CBP would assist Guam CQA in securing additional scanners, vehicles, and other necessities as the officers not only protect the borders from drugs, but also address the influx of migrants entering the island illegally.

The work is far from over, but these actions do bring some optimism, added Moylan, who is seeking his first reelection.

Earlier in the month, Moylan announced another CPF approval, which would provide Guam CQA with a Mobile Command Center.

Last year, his CPF to provide the agency with $2 million to initiate the process of constructing the long-awaited screening facility at the Port Authority of Guam was approved and enacted at the start of the year.

That facility would greatly assist the agency with inspecting cargo entering the seaport, Moylans office said.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, THAAD, anti-ballistic missile defense system vehicle is positioned in the northern part of Guam on May 9, 2024.
The Guam National Guard trained with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on responding to mass casualty situations.

The Guards State Partnership Program conducted the medical first responder and incident command subject matter expert exchange with members of the AFP OJ9, Reservist and Retiree Affairs, at Mactan Air Base in Cebu, Philippines in June.

After four days of classroom learning, about 100 troops from the Philippine Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines tested their knowledge with a mass-casualty field training exercise.

Victims dressed in moulage, sirens blaring over loudspeakers, and smoke machines added realism to the exercise.

Sgt. 1st Class Fred Esteves of Guam Guards Medical Readiness Detachment was a member of the Medical First Responder Exchange.

This weeks lesson was to work on a medical response to a disaster, which may be chemical, biological, earthquake/natural, or explosions, said Esteves. We have to train for it all and like everything we do, it comes with practice.

Across the field from the Medical First Responder exercise, students of the Incident Command Course are also busy, tracking events from the disaster and generating reports.

The concurrent training between first responders and incident command allows decision makers to see a more complete picture of the disaster, ultimately helping them to save lives, according to instructor Senior Master Sgt. Mike Quitugua.

Col. Sheila Compton-Rivo, Guam Guard chief of joint staff, congratulated the class during the graduation ceremony and thanked Armed Forces of the Philippines MGen Joel Nacnac, deputy chief of staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs OJ9, and Col Rozelle Salvosa, chief of the Reserve Training Division, for their presence.

Working with you has been rewarding and has helped me embrace the Filipino spirit of bayanihan  which means working together as a community," said Compton-Rivo. The SPP process of training together, learning from each other, and becoming stronger together builds respect, trust, and friendship not only on the individual level, but on the national and international level as well.
Former Gov. Carl T.C. Gutierrez is the general manager and CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam permit czar, and chairman of the Governors Economic Strategy Council. Send comments or questions to GVB at communityrelations@visitguam.org.




Haiti - Economy : Important meeting between the PM and the Association of Industries of Haiti





Prime Minister Garry Conille held an important meeting last week with members of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH). Exemption from taxes on imports of raw materials, improvement of customs processes, strengthening of border controls and support for the renewal of the HOPE/HELP law were, among other things, at the center of the discussions.



From the outset, Garry Conille expressed his gratitude to ADIH for its continued efforts to promote industrial development in Haiti. While recognizing the need to achieve political and economic stability with a view to better performance of the industrial sector, he assured that the Government will take concrete measures to this end, as soon as possible.



The Prime Minister also underlined the Government's commitment to fighting corruption and updating the tax system which must align with current economic realities.



He reiterated the Government's commitment to working in close collaboration with ADIH and other employers' associations with a view to creating a favorable business environment. He stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and collaboration to address challenges related to the industrial sector. The Head of Government insisted in particular on the participation of the economic sector in decision-making and the strengthening of public-private partnership.



Furthermore, let's recall that following the elections held during the Ordinary General Assembly of June 26, 2024, the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH), has a new Board of Directors



President : Maulik Radia



Vice-Presidents :

John Batroni - National Production

David Coles - Agro-Industry

Nathalie Hermantin - Textiles



Treasurer : Mikaelle William

Secretary : Stephan Dejoie



Advisors :

Tom Adamson

Carine Bellefleur

George Cassis

Laila Durban

Ralph Edmond

Maude Louis Jean

Christian Mathon

Christopher Rodriguez

Stephan Saint Remy

Alexandre Vital

Wilhelm Lemke



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Hurricane Beryl : Sunrise Airway, flights canceled

Due to Category 3 Hurricane Beryl, flights between Antigua and Saint Lucia (S6 825 from Antigua and S6 826 from Saint Lucia) are canceled for Monday July 1st, 2024. We apologize for Disagreements. Please contact our call center for assistance with a new reservation:

WhatsApp: +509 39 11 2222

Telephone: + 1 877 652 0202 (International)

Email: reservations@sunriseairways.net



Father's Day : Message from the PM

"On the occasion of Father's Day, I wish all Haitian fathers, whether in Haiti or abroad, a happy holiday and, on behalf of the Government, I wish them courage and hope. Even if we know that the challenges are numerous, we will manage to face them with strength, love, determination, we are the essential intermediate pillar. Together, we will build a better future for all of country's children. Happy Father's Day, hope for Haiti," Prime Minister Garry Conille.



Gressier police station taken over by the bandits

Sunday June 30, the town of Gressier was at the heart of intense clashes between police officers and armed bandits. During these clashes the bandits managed to regain control of the police station, the second time in less than two months.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42331-haiti-pnh-resumption-of-the-gressier-police-station-videos.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42314-haiti-insecurity-armed-individuals-storm-the-gressier-police-station-video.html



Martissant : Interschool debate tournament result

Saturday June 22, 2024, at the Cultural and Research Center for Youth Development, the Little Brother of Jesus Mixed College won the interschool debate tournament organized by the Martissant Debate Club. Beauvais Geraldo, member of the champion team, was elected best debater of the competition. Victor DJ Barolette College placed second.



4.5 million trees planted !

To mitigate the effects of Climate Change in Haiti over the past five years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) helped its partners plant 4.5 million trees on approximately 24,000 hectares of land in the northern and northeastern departments of Haiti, which helped offset approximately 54,000 tons of carbon dioxide.



Reception center for returning Haitian migrants

A delegation from the United States Embassy visited the Reception Center for returning Haitian migrants funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) and managed by the National Migration Office (ONM) from Haiti to the airport and the Port of Cap Haitien. USAID is committed to providing returnees with the services and support necessary for a smooth reintegration into the country.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















MBABANE  The Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration interviewed 17 teachers, who were reportedly on board the bus into which a tear gas canister was thrown by the police.

This is contrary to recent government reports that the people who were on board the bus were not workers. The incident happened at Nkoyoyo on October 20, 2021, and the affected teachers were reportedly heading to Mbabane for a proposed protest action in the city. The interviews of the teachers followed a complaint, which was lodged by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT).

Workers

Government has disputed this allegation and insisted that those on board the bus were not workers, while the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) has opposed this narration and emphasised that they were workers.The incident was the subject of discussion during the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference in Geneva last month.As such, Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi submitted that the occupants of the bus were not workers. The minister further repeated the statement in an interview where he said the passengers were political activists and members of the public, who posed as workers.

Buthelezi said this issue was among the matters which were referred to the Human Rights Commission for further investigation, through the assistance of the ILO, which held an in-country mediation process. Subsequent to the assertion by the minister in Geneva, the Human Rights Commission was sought for comment to establish what had been uncovered in their investigations as government maintained that those who were travelling in the bus were not workers.

Investigations

Human Rights Commission Deputy Commissioner Duduzile Nhlengetfwa, said the commission interviewed 17 teachers who were in that bus incident. The deputy commissioner was interviewed on the status of all the cases that were referred to the commission for investigations. She said: The commission investigated a complaint reported by SNAT of about 17 of its members who were injured and affected during the incident. The commission investigated the complaint reported by SNAT and issued its findings and recommendations, which was the conclusion of the complaint.

The commissioner also said some issues of the reconciliation were still under investigation. It was gathered that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security referred the issues to the commission around the first quarter of this year. Other issues that were referred to the commission included that of the bus conductor, who was allegedly shot by police during a protest by transport workers. The matter was referred to the commission by the Ministry of Labour around February or March, following the ILO process for the country, she said.

Commission

Nhlengetfwa said the commission had not completed investigating the matter yet; as it was critically understaffed, but the complaint had been allocated an investigator and preliminary investigations were underway. When she was asked about the set timelines to conclude the investigation, Nhlengetfwa said it was difficult to state exactly when a complaint could be concluded. This, she said, depended on the circumstances of each complaint and also given the shortage of staff compared to the number of complaints which the commission was seized with, it is difficult to be precise.On the matters that were referred to the Human Rights Commission, the minister said there was no report received by the ministry from the commission. As such, he said it was for this reason that he was standing by governments position, as captured in the voluntary conciliation that took place last year, that there were no workers in the bus.

Response

The Voluntary Conciliation Report was delivered in September 2023. Following this response, the minister was made aware that the Human Rights Commission had informed this publication that it had interviewed 17 teachers. Buthelezi was asked if he retained his position that the passengers in the bus were not workers but political activists and members of the public; and he said: We have not yet received or seen a formal report from the HRC (Human Rights Commission) on that matter and thus, we cannot comment any further.

On the other hand, SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati confirmed that they had lodged a complaint with the commission.

He said despite lodging the complaint regarding the injury of their members, they were yet to be furnished with a report stating the findings and recommendations. Vilakati said: This feels like it was a window-dressing exercise, as our members were injured and nobody is taking responsibility for the act. He bemoaned the speed which was being applied in dealing with the matter as his belief was that it needed to be addressed to avert such an occurrence in the future.
MBABANE  Beginning from today, government doctors will not attend to anyone who will fall sick after their knock-off time.

This was confirmed by the On-Call Committee, following that the healthcare professionals have still not received their on-call and standby allowances. The Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, Khanya Mabuza, last week held a meeting with the healthcare professionals. Mabuza promised that the doctors would receive their monies before June 30, 2024.

The payment of on-call and standby allowances for the period of October 2023 to March 2024 was not included in their June 2024 monthly salaries, as they had expected.

Following the omission of their on-call and standby allowances, the healthcare professionals took a resolution to down tools with effect from today and will not attend to all patients who will require emergency services, until they are paid their dues in full. There are over 300 on-call and standby medical personnel working in the countrys major hospitals, which are Mbabane Government Hospital, Hlatikhulu Government Hospital, Mankayane Government Hospital and Piggs Peak Government Hospital. Other healthcare workers who will not be working on weekends as well as at night, are those who are based at Mkhuzweni, Dvokolwako and Matsanjeni health centres.

The on-call medical staff consists of doctors, theatre nurses, laboratory, pharmacy, blood bank and biomed, among others. Questioned by this reporter on whether they had received their allowances, the On-Call Committee members stated that they had not received their payments. The members said they were not shifting from the contents of their notification, which was written to the PS early last month.

The committee representing the healthcare professionals said: As instructed by all medical personnel participating in on-call and standby duties hereby relay that payment of the on-call and standby allowances for the said period is still expected to be paid with the June 2024 monthly salary. Failure to honour the above will force all medical personnel to immediately cease all on-call and standby duties in all affected facilities on July 1, 2024.

Direction

They stated that they would have a clear direction from this evening. The medical personnel said they did not accept the omission of the on-call and standby allowances. The healthcare practitioners said all other alternative payment arrangements explored in the past attracted higher taxation rates, which financially prejudiced them significantly. They said staggered payments, omission of officers or other forms of delay, would force them to stop working until all officers are paid in full. The resolution by the medical personnel is against the backdrop of members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommending that the Ministry of Health should remove the on-call allowances budget and divert it to the procurement of drugs.

Making reference to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, PAC Vice Chairperson Manzi Zwane submitted that it was disheartening that government was paying so much to doctors for the on-call allowances, while patients were not attended to when the doctors had knocked off.

The legislators added that there was no sense of urgency at the hospitals, especially after 7pm, when the doctors had knocked off. This, he said, did not make sense to have on-call allowances budget when the service was not rendered. Govemment is paying these people, but we are not getting the service. EmaSwati are getting substandard health attention at the hospital, but a budget is reserved by government to pay the on-call allowances. The ministry should cancel the budget for on-call allowances and divert same to the procurement of more drugs, he said.

In response, the doctors said they did not take seriously the statement made by the PAC and were not troubled by it. They said they were not going to entertain the statement because there was nothing formal the ministry had said to them. This is not the first time the medical staff issues threats to down tools over their on-call and standby allowances. In December 2023, the medical personnel said they would not be available to be on-call and on standby, meaning they would work during normal working hours. They argued that claims for the allowances were submitted about three months ago, but were still being processed by government, something that the health professionals explained as a deliberate move to frustrate them. Reached for comment, the PS stated that he was busy in a meeting and would revert to this reporter.
(CNBC) Boeing said Monday that it will buy back Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock deal that the planemaker has said will improve safety and quality as it struggles with its latest manufacturing crises. Boeing in March disclosed that it was in talks to acquire the Wichita, Kansas-based company, weeks after a fuselage panel blew out midair from a nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9 on an Alaska Airlines flight. Spirit makes the fuselages for the 737 and other parts, including sections of Boeings 787 Dreamliners.

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He viewed that the threat culminated in the position the committee adopted recently on a government bill for a new border security act  one that would essentially enable the government to ignore binding international human rights obligations to safeguard national security.

THE ACTIONS of the Parliaments Constitutional Law Committee pose an unprecedented threat to rule of law in Finland, Kaarlo Tuori, one of the most internationally prominent legal scholars in Finland, argued in a rare interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Saturday.

Both Hungary and Poland, he reminded, began to chip away at rule of law specifically by undermining the constitutional review process. Finland is presently at risk of slipping onto the same path.

In Poland and Hungary, the constitutional law courts were made harmless for those in power with political appointments and the removal of legal limits on the parliamentary majoritys power. The next step was to subjugate regular courts of law to political steering, he recounted to Helsingin Sanomat.

The authoritarian governments then turned their attention to the media and civil society.

We in Finland have unfortunately witnessed at least the first stage of the development. Advance constitutional review, which is the responsibility of the Constitutional Law Committee, has been deliberately made harmless for the government this electoral term.

Tuori, who holds a professorship emeritus at three universities, watched the erosion of rule of law in Hungary and Poland as a member of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, in 19982022. He continues to take part in the commissions activities also today as an honorary president.

In the past four decades, he has submitted almost 700 legal statements to various parliamentary committees.

A key principle of rule of law is that parliamentary majorities and majority governments must comply with the limits imposed by the constitution, and that such compliance is preserved by an oversight body that is independent of party politics. In Finland, the Parliaments Constitutional Law Committee is that body, meaning the oversight is proactive rather than retroactive.

The committees position on the draft bill has been deemed problematic because it could set a dangerous precedent for sidestepping human rights obligations at the convenience of the ruling parties. Many legal experts have concluded that the position violates key elements of the constitution, which interlace national basic rights and international human rights.

The bill has also drawn criticism from Michael OFlaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Finlands credibility as a leading proponent of rule of law, human rights treaties and the rules-based international order has been run aground. In the [committees] statement, law was forced into submission by politics. Judicially, the statement is abysmal, slammed Tuori.

Helsingin Sanomat reported earlier last month that all 18 legal experts who lent their expertise to the committee concluded that enacting the bill is unfeasible. The position taken by the committee marks the first time it has diverged so brazenly from the very cohesive opinions of experts, according to Tuori.

Its claim that the European Court of Human Rights and the EU Court of Justices rulings on applying the principle of non-refoulement are dissimilar to the situation on the eastern border is also inaccurate. All the recent rulings have dealt with instrumentalised immigration, he noted.

He additionally expressed his dismay at the committees decision to issue instructions to courts for resolving the potential question of whether border guards are liable for violating international human rights by enforcing the special act.

These sorts of instructions are unheard of  as are instructions about how courts should wield the power afforded to them under the constitution to retrospectively assess whether enforcing a law enacted by parliament would result in an obvious conflict with the constitution.

He also reserved sharp criticism at the chairperson of the Constitutional Law Committee, Heikki Vestman (NCP).

The chairperson has adopted forcing through government proposals as his north star, clutched at legal straws and superficial justifications that have been taken out of context, argued against experts and asked them leading questions, catalogued Tuori. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

The shift, he viewed, has been evident since the start of the electoral term, with the committee systematically placing less and less emphasis on human rights in order to green-light government bills.

In Finland, the balance between law and politics has rested largely on conventional rules on propriety, including respecting legal expertise and the chairperson acting fairly and rising above party politics.

Also opposition parties have broken the rules, though.

The Social Democratic Parliamentary Group has tried to silence members who oppose the special act, according to Helsingin Sanomat. Chairperson Tytti Tuppurainen has even reprimanded lawmakers who dared to voice their opposition to the act before the group had cemented its position. One such lawmaker was Elisa Gebhard, who had deputised Maria Guzenina in eight of the nine meetings the Constitutional Law Committee.

Guzenina replaced Gebhard in the decisive meeting on 18 June, when the committee adopted its position by a vote of 15 for, 2 against. Gebhard had earlier that week expressed her support for an alternative statement drafted by Anna Kontula (LA).

The all-important conventional rules also state that you shouldnt tie the hands of committee members with group decisions and that committee members shouldnt face reprimands in hindsight. If these kinds of rules collapse, so will the credibility and reliability of the advance constitutional review exercised by the committee, cautioned Tuori.

Because of partisan politicisation, deaths bells have started ringing for the committee.

Vestman rejected the claim about the politicisation of the committee to Helsingin Sanomat on Saturday.

It wasnt politicised last electoral term, when similar claims were made, and I dont think it has become politicised this electoral term. The committee carries out judicial reviews and has founded its statements on the constitution, the travaux preparatoires and the established interpretations. Not once this electoral term has the committee ruled on an issue against the unanimous opinion of experts, but it has acted within the framework of expert statements, he countered.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
ENCORE Youth Theatre, the junior division of the Sinodun Players in Wallingford, is to put on a series of stories that were originally intended to be performed before the covid-19 pandemic.

The groups of Footlights (school years 3 to 5), Limelights (years 6 to 8) and Spotlights (years 8 to 10) will present A Forest Full of Fairy Tales: Remember the Rules of the Wood at the Corn Exchange tonight (Friday) and tomorrow.

Diana Christie, who leads the group, wrote the stories with a friend for a project in 2019 and then added some more.

She says: We were in rehearsal from January 2020 and then in March we got the phone call that theatres were shutting. I had about 45 young people in rehearsals and they had done a lot of work and it would have been a shame to throw that in the bin, so we used them for online sessions and did sort of radio versions.

I do a show with Encore every couple of years, so when the theatre asked me to do it in 2022, I couldnt use those scripts because I still had the actors who had basically spent all of lockdown on them.

Then when we were asked to do one for this year some of the original actors in these plays were off to university and everyone has moved up one or two classes.

A Forest Full of Fairy Tales includes stories where Little Red Riding Hood fights off wolves, a frog prince tries to marry a princess, Snow White gets chased by an evil queen, four skilled sisters rescue a prince, Cinderella goes from rags to riches and Rapunzel hears all of these stories in secret. Diana says that the traditional stories have been updated to reflect modern life as fairy tales tend to be very great stories for male actors and boring stories for female actors.

The Grimms fairy tale of The Four Skillful Brothers, we have called The Four Skilled Sisters, she says.

Also, when youre presenting six of these stories at the same time, you realise theyre very similar, so we have changed them to make it a better experience for our cast.

Cinderellas quite funny actually and there are comical moments in most of them, but Rapunzel and Snow White are quite moody and atmospheric.

Ive got to keep in mind that the seven-year-olds may have a four-year-old sibling in the audience and this is a family show, so we cant send them home with nightmares.

Hopefully, as long as they present what theyve done really well and come off confident then Ill be happy.

Things can and go wrong but thats okay, we can deal with little mishaps. I just want them to feel confident and proud of themselves.

 Encore Youth Theatre presents A Forest Full of Fairy Tales: Remember the Rules of the Woods at the Corn Exchange, Wallingford, tonight (Friday) at 7pm and tomorrow at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets cost 8 adults, 6 under-18s. The show has a running time of approximately 1 hour, 40 minutes including an interval. For more information and to buy tickets, call (01491) 852000, email info@

cornexchange.org.uk or visit www.cornexchange.org.uk/whats-on/

a-forest-full-of-fairy-tales
MBABANE  St Marks High School teachers were petrified when a female pupil stormed the staffroom, armed with a knife, to stab a male teacher.

Another teacher was injured on his hand when he and the armed Grade 10 pupil wrestled for the knife. The incident, which left teachers at the school shocked, happened on Friday morning. Sources said the injured teacher was not the pupils target. According to the source, the pupil intended to stab another teacher, but the one who got injured tried to intercept the pupil and they ended up wrestling for the knife. Her target was another male teacher, who was in the staffroom. The incident was confirmed by the Head teacher of the school, Khanyisile Shabangu.

Contention

She explained that the bone of contention between the teacher and the pupil was that he (teacher) had engaged her (pupils) mother concerning her behaviour. She said they had not yet received a report from the pupil, but had referred her to the Guidance and Counselling Department. Shabangu said they would, however, request her to give her account on what fuelled her anger. However, she said according to the teacher, he had engaged the pupils mother about her behaviour in class, as she would burst into tears and cry, out of the blue. The conversation was held in front of the pupil, something which angered her. This, according to the head teacher, did not sit well with the pupil, who felt that the teacher had to engage her first.

Shabangu said the child interjected while the teacher and her mother were speaking. She said the teacher then told the pupil that he was not speaking to her and the mother sided with him, hence the learner got very angry, such that she bought a knife on her way to school and attacked the teacher after morning assembly. Shabangu said another male teacher, who was trying to disarm the pupil, got injured in the process and cut his wrist. The head teacher said the pupils mother was a former learner at the school and was taught by the same educator who was now teaching her daughter. She said the pupil was a troubled child and would cry out of the blue and at times cut herself on the wrist. Shabangu added that they were working on the matter collectively with the pupils mother.

Matter

Reached for comment, Hhohho Regional Education Officer (REO) Dr Nathi Nkambule said he was informed by the inspector, who told him that he was called by the head teacher to inform him about the matter. Nkambule said he had not received a formal report of what exactly happened. He said when he received the call from the inspector, he suggested that the pupil be brought to their office in order to try and assess her condition under their Guidance and Counselling Department. We are hoping to meet the pupil today, Nkambule said.

He said they relied on the Guidance and Counselling Department a lot, as they were well trained and capable of investigating, adding that their skills at times resulted in the changing of the first report by the head teacher completely, as they did a thorough job. Meanwhile, the teenagers mother was also called and she requested not to comment on the matter, which she said it was being handled by the Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (DCS) Unit under the Royal Eswatini Police Service.
Funding focuses on training primary care providers to meet patients geriatric needs, including caring for patients with Alzheimers disease and related dementias, supporting family members and other caregivers

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced more than $200 million to support 42 programs across the country aimed at improving care for older Americans, including those experiencing Alzheimers disease and related dementias.

HRSAs Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program will train primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and other health care clinicians to provide age-friendly and dementia-friendly care for older adults. The program also focuses on providing families and other caregivers of older adults with the knowledge and skills to help them best support their loved ones.

For the Biden-Harris Administration, meeting the health care needs of older adults is a top priority, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. Thats why we are helping to build the health care workforce needed to care for our friends and family members as they age. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to support the caregivers and family members who are essential to the well-being of older adults.

Specifically, this workforce initiative integrates geriatric training into primary care to ensure that health care providers are prepared to identify and address the needs of older patients. Primary care providers are the usual source of care for many older individuals. It is important that these care providers have the capacity to respond to patients growing needs as they age. Grantees also will work in the community to help family members and other caregivers understand the changing needs of those they support.

Among the most trusted people in the lives of older adults are their family members and their caregivers, including their primary care provider, said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are committed to supporting the clinicians that older patients trust to care for them as they age, especially those with Alzheimers disease and related dementias.

Todays announcement supports HHS Secretary Xavier Becerras Health Workforce Initiative through which he has made supporting, strengthening, and growing the health workforce a signature priority. HHS Initiative includes a coordinated Department-wide effort to identify opportunities to improve health workforce recruitment, retention, and career advancement. It aims to help to elevate workforce programs and activities across the Department, engage with stakeholders, and identify opportunities to further advance federal efforts to support the workforce. It also advances HHS work to fulfill the National Plan to Address Alzheimers Disease: building a workforce with the skills to provide high-quality care to people with dementia is a key strategy to better support the more than six million Americans currently living with Alzheimers disease, as well as their caregivers.

For a full list of award recipients, visit: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-grant/gwep-awardees.
Settlement with Heritage Valley Health System marks OCRs third ransomware settlement as the agency sees 264% increase in large ransomware breaches since 2018

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with Heritage Valley Health System (Heritage Valley), which provides care in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, concerning potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule, following a ransomware attack. Ransomware and hacking are the primary cyber-threats in health care. Since 2018, there has been a 264% increase in large breaches reported to OCR involving ransomware attacks.

Hacking and ransomware are the most common type of cyberattacks within the health care sector. Failure to implement the HIPAA Security Rule requirements leaves health care entities vulnerable and makes them attractive targets to cyber criminals, said OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer. Safeguarding patient protected health information protects privacy and ensures continuity of care, which is our top priority. We remind and urge health care entities to protect their records systems and patients from cyberattacks.

OCR enforces the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, which sets forth the requirements that covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses, and most health care providers), and business associates must follow to protect the privacy and security of protected health information. The settlement resolves OCRs investigation concerning Heritage Valleys compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule.

OCRs investigation revealed multiple potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule, including failures by Heritage Valley to: conduct a compliant risk analysis to determine the potential risks and vulnerabilities to electronic protected health information in its systems; implement a contingency plan to respond to emergencies, like a ransomware attack, that damage systems that contain electronic protected health information; and implement policies and procedures to allow only authorized users access to electronic protected health information.

Under the terms of the resolution agreement, Heritage Valley agreed to pay $950,000 and implement a corrective action plan that will be monitored by OCR for three years. Under the plan Heritage Valley will take a number of steps to resolve potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule and protect the security of electronic protected health information, including:

Conduct an accurate and thorough risk analysis to determine the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its electronic protected health information;

Implement a risk management plan to address and mitigate security risks and vulnerabilities identified in their risk analysis;

Review and develop, maintain, and revise, as necessary its written policies and procedures to comply with the HIPAA Rules; and

Train their workforce on their HIPAA policies and procedures.

OCR recommends health care providers, health plans, clearinghouses, and business associates that are covered by HIPAA take the following steps to mitigate or prevent cyber-threats:

Review all vendor and contractor relationships to ensure business associate agreements are in place as appropriate and address breach/security incident obligations.

Integrate risk analysis and risk management into business processes; conducted regularly and when new technologies and business operations are planned.

Ensure audit controls are in place to record and examine information system activity.

Implement regular review of information system activity.

Utilize multi-factor authentication to ensure only authorized users are accessing electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Encrypt ePHI to guard against unauthorized access to ePHI.

Incorporate lessons learned from incidents into the overall security management process.

Provide training specific to organization and job responsibilities and on regular basis; reinforce workforce members critical role in protecting privacy and security.

The resolution agreement and corrective action plan may be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/hvhs-ra-cap/index.html

The HHS Breach Portal: Notice to the Secretary of HHS Breach of Unsecured Protected Health Information may be found at: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf

OCR is committed to enforcing the HIPAA Rules that protect the privacy and security of peoples health information. Guidance about the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rules can also be found on OCRs website.

If you believe that your or another persons health information privacy or civil rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with OCR at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html.
The Congress poor show in Karnataka during the general elections and the lack of accountability despite a growing clamour for correcting lapses are at the heart of the demand for multiple deputy chief ministers in the state, party leaders have said.

The Congress scored a measly nine out of twenty-eight Lok Sabha seats in the state as opposed to the healthy double-digit that was promised by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar, the current and only deputy to the chief minister Siddaramaiah.

There is dissonance in the party today for multiple reasons. After the serious loss in the Lok Sabha election, DK Shivakumar has not called for a joint review yet and instead asked each constituency to reflect on its result. He has neither requested the MLAs whose children were given tickets to speak up about the losses nor has Siddaramaiah addressed the issue of having lost all seats in his bastion Mysore - Karnataka, said a senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named.

Seven of the nine seats the party won in the state are from the Kalyana Karnataka or north Karnataka region, the region to which All-India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge belongs. Additionally, the constituencies were overseen by the current Minister of the Public Works Department (PWD) Satish Jarkiholi, who has now emerged as a new power centre within the party and state.

The Congress party in charge of Karnataka and one of the national general secretaries Randeep Surjewala said that three changes would be made after the general election - that the PCC chief would be changed, that concerns raised by senior party members addressed, and the issue of additional deputy CMs be considered. It is only valid that we ask for these changes to be implemented, Jarkiholi said.

Caste-based demands for the deputy chief ministers post

The below-par performance in the Lok Sabha election has widened cracks at multiple levels in the Congress party. Appeals for equitable representation from caste leaders have left the Congress high command perturbed. Data from the election results revealed that the Lingayats and Vokkaligas pledged their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This has left Shivakumars position compromised in the party with his brother DK Suresh losing to CN Manjunath, former prime minister HD Devegowdas son-in-law, who fought on a BJP ticket.

At the other end, Siddaramaiahs hold over the party and his cabinet seems to have weakened with his ministers questioning the lack of support of the other backward classes (OBCs) during the elections. Except for Kurubas, the subsect of the OBCs that the CM belongs to, the remaining 16 categories of OBCs voted largely either for the BJP or the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS), data from the election commission showed.

Naturally, the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and the Muslims, who voted for the Congress in big numbers are the ones making demands for the three deputy CM posts. Leading the pack is Jarkiholi, a senior ST leader who is not just a minister but among the handful of ministers whose daughter won the election from Chikkodi.

Shivakumar gave 14 of the 28 tickets to the kin of sitting ministers who supposedly guaranteed victory ensuring that voters would be wooed with money and other promises.

With Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar unable to consolidate their position, there is a strained relationship not just between the two of them but also the among leaders in the party. For DKS camp, there is a fear of Siddaramaiah not keeping his word. Among those siding with the CM, there are insecurities about the high command giving in to DKS money power and undermining the CMs position, said A Narayana, Prof of Politics at the Azim Premji University, Bangalore.

"But our DK Shivakumar has not become chief minister yet," he said, adding that Siddaramaiah has already been in power and he should make way for Shivakumar said Channagiri Congress MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga to media persons last week.

Unlike Siddaramaiahs previous five-year term, which was uninterrupted by intra-party disruptions, he has been targeted for unexpected quarters in this term. Minister for cooperation KN Rajanna, from the ST community, and housing minister BZ Zameer Ahmed have thrown their hat in the ring to be deputy CMs. Besides, about a dozen party leaders who were denied MP tickets have openly made their intentions clear about being chairpersons for state-run institutions.

Accountability and Action

Now that the elections are over, the fault lines are out in the open. Congress party leader, Rahul Gandhi, during his last visit to Karnataka, asked for a separate report on the election performance. Surjewalas absence in the state after the election was also questioned by the party. Two sets of politicians within the Congress are demanding a course correction: The MPs who were denied tickets by Shivakumar, G Parameswara, home minister, and Siddaramaiah, and the second set, the MLAs-in waiting, who are waiting to replace the legislators whose kin have lost the election.

The Congress congenital ability to manage its perception has never been bad. They have handed over management of state finances to the Boston Consulting Group; they perhaps need a perception managing firm as well, said Narayana.

Other analysts who have watched Congress performance said the party and government are at risk of losing face after the momentum it gained for the guarantees assured ahead of the polls. They feel the intra-party dissonance is taking the focus off the states finances, which are in questionable shape. Sri Kumar Kannan, a senior poll watcher believes that the Siddaramaiah is a chief minister with strong administrative experience and is perhaps the strongest CM the Congress has had, one better than even former chief minister SM Krishna.

But the high command is so consumed by the power struggle that it is unable to look at the finances and health issues plaguing the state, said Kannan. Kannan said that Karnatakas political and economic stability is crucial for South India as well given that it is the highest GST contributor among the five southern states.

Deepika Amirapu is a freelance journalist based in Hyderabad. Each week, Southern Lights examines the big story from one of the five states of South India.
BlackRock Inc. will acquire private capital database provider Preqin for 2.55 billion ($3.2 billion) in cash, as the worlds largest money manager accelerates its push to become a major player in alternative assets. The BlackRock logo is pictured outside their headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, US. (Reuters)

The acquisition deepens BlackRocks ability to oversee risks and analyze data across fast-growing markets for private assets, and also expands its Aladdin technology systems, the New York-based firm said in a statement on Sunday.

We see data powering the industry across technology, capital formation, investing and risk management, Rob Goldstein, BlackRock chief operating officer, said in the statement.

Bloomberg News reported earlier on Sunday that BlackRock was nearing a deal to acquire Preqin.

Preqin covers 190,000 funds, 60,000 fund managers and 30,000 private markets investors, according to the statement. Its used by money managers, insurers, pensions and wealth managers, among others, and has grown approximately 20% per year in the past three years.

The transaction is expected to close before the end of the year, subject to regulatory and other necessary approvals.

For BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink, the deal would be a second major acquisition this year to expand into the fast-growing world of private markets investing. The firm announced a deal in January to acquire Global Infrastructure Partners for about $12.5 billion, a landmark move to expand its offerings beyond primarily stocks and bonds.

BlackRock, with $10.5 trillion in client assets at the end of March, also acquired Kreos Capital last year to expand in private debt. In recent years, the firm has been building out its technology and risk-management businesses. In 2019, BlackRock acquired eFront, a software provider enabling investors to assess private market assets.
Indian citizens, over the past year, have spent significantly more on overseas travel, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. With an increase in the number of Indians travelling abroad, the outward foreign exchange remittance jumped to $1.42 billion (around 12,500 crore) a month on an average in 2023-24, as compared to just $400 million in 2018-19. Indians saw a significant bump in their overseas travel expenses (HT PHOTO)

According to RBI data, Indians took out a total of $17 billion ( 1,41,800 crore) in 2023-24 for overseas travel under the central bank's liberalised remittance scheme (LRS), a 24.4 per cent bump compared to last year.

Under LRS, all resident individuals, including minors, can remit up to US $250,000 (approximately 2.08 crore) abroad a year without prior approval from the RBI.

Foreign travel for Indians accounted for over 53 per cent of the total outflows in FY2024, emerging as the country's primary source of remittance outflow. In 2013-14, this stood at just 1.5 per cent; in 2018-19, the outflow was 35 per cent.

The heightened interest in foreign travel among Indians can be linked to the increase in disposable income and the growth of the middle class. There was also a spike in foreign travel after the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted worldwide.

Notably, international travel expenses had plummeted to just $3.2 billion in FY2021 due to travel restrictions amid the pandemic.

The share of maintenance of close relatives has remained around 15 per cent over the last 10 years. However, there has been a sharp decline in the share of gifts and education in this period, reported the Indian Express, quoting a Bank of Baroda report.

Indians made significantly more foreign investments this year, not just foreign travel. Resident Indians invested $100 million abroad per month on average in 2023-24, showed the RBI data. Remittances for maintenance of close relatives abroad were $4.61 billion and studies abroad were $3.47 billion in 2023-24.
Sagility India Ltd, a technology-enabled services provider in the healthcare services space, has filed preliminary papers with markets regulator Sebi to float an initial public offering. Sagility India IPO: The offer includes a reservation for subscription by eligible employees.

The Bengaluru-based company's proposed IPO is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) of 98.44 crore shares by promoter Sagility B.V, according to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP).

The offer includes a reservation for subscription by eligible employees.

Since it is an OFS, the company will not receive any proceeds from the public issue, and the entire fund will go to the selling shareholders.

The company, in its draft papers filed on Friday, said that the objective of the initial share sale is to gain the advantages of listing the equity shares on the stock exchanges.

Additionally, the company anticipates that listing the equity shares will boost its visibility and brand image, provide liquidity to its shareholders, and establish a public market for the equity shares.

The company provides technology-driven services to both payers (US health insurance companies, which finance and reimburse the cost of health services), and providers (primarily hospitals, physicians, and diagnostic and medical devices companies).

In March 2024, Sagility acquired BirchAI, a healthcare technology firm specialising in cloud-based generative AI technology. This acquisition is expected to enhance member and provider engagement and reduce clients' operational costs through AI-powered customer support solutions using speech-to-text and large language models (LLMs) integrated with Sagility's engagement solutions.

As of March 31, 2024, Sagility had 35,044 employees  60.52 per cent of them women  up from 30,830 a year earlier.

Sagility India's revenue from operations during the fiscal year 2024 increased 12.7 per cent to 4,753.56 crore against 4,218.41 crore a year ago. Its profit after tax soared 50 per cent to 228.27 crore for FY2024 from 143.57 crore in the preceding year.

ICICI Securities, IIFL Securities, Jefferies India, and J.P. Morgan India are the book-running lead managers to the issue. The company's equity shares are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Monday reported its best-ever monthly sales at 27,474 units in June. Toyota's total dispatches to dealers increased by 40 per cent last month to 27,474 units, as compared to 19,608 units in June 2023.(AFP)

The company's total dispatches to dealers increased by 40 per cent last month to 27,474 units, as compared to 19,608 units in June 2023.

Last month, the company's domestic wholesales stood at 25,752 units, while exports accounted for 1,722 units.

"Our SUV and MPV segments continue to lead our impressive sales surge thus reflecting a strong consumer preference for these versatile and reliable vehicles," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Sabari Manohar said in a statement.

Beyond strong presence in major cities, the automaker has strategically increased its focus on rural areas, broadening customer base and driving significant momentum, he added.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that the change of leadership in the state is in the control of the high command and that he cannot discuss this in public. After a Vokkaliga seer voiced his opinion and batted for DK Shivakumar as the chief minister of the state, the discussion of the new chief minister appeared in political circles. Cant be discussed in public': Siddaramaiah about stepping down as Karnataka CM

Also Read - Vokkaliga seer publicly appeals to CM Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for Shivakumar

In response to the question about the plan of changing the chief minister, CM Siddaramaiah said, Congress is a national party, and the decision comes from the high command. We do not discuss such topics in public. The two-time chief minister also said he does not want to comment on the Vokkaliga seers opinion. Last week, Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji publicly urged Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for his deputy D K Shivakumar as the new chief minister of Karnataka.

While addressing the gathering at Kempegowda Jayanthi, Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji said, Everyone has become Chief Minister and has enjoyed power, but our D K Shivakumar has not become the Chief Minister. So, the request is that Siddaramaiah, who has experienced the post, please give up the power to our D K Shivakumar in the future and bless him well.

Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar said that the seers words cannot be taken seriously. He said, Swamiji has those things out of passion, it cannot be taken seriously. In politics, people speak out of admiration, but we will abide by the party's decision.

After Congress won the mandate in the Karnataka assembly elections in 2023, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar competed for the chief minister post. They toured New Delhi and held discussions with the Congress high command for the top chair. However, Congress declared Siddaramaiah the chief minister for the second time, and DK Shivakumar had to settle down for the deputy CM post. There were rumours that a power-sharing agreement was reached between the two leaders, but the party has never substantially confirmed the idea of power-sharing.
With barely a week left for campaigning for the Jalandhar West assembly bypoll, the political parties have intensified the electioneering to woo the voters. Top leaders of the parties are camping in the city, making their poll strategies and overseeing the campaigns. Congress Punjab president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring during a poll canvassing in Jalandhar.

As chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recently shifted to his rented accommodation in Jalandhar, the bypoll appears to be a prestige battle for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as its former MLA from the constituency Sheetal Angural quit in March, a day after joining the BJP, thus necessitating the fresh bypoll. His resignation was accepted by Punjab assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 30. Angural has been fielded by the BJP.

Almost every party has been going door to door besides organising small public street meetings.

Since shifting to Jalandhar, CM Mann has been a key poll manager and strategist for AAP candidate Mohinder Bhagat. Mann has held multiple meetings with employees unions, which have been protesting against the state government. One of the senior leaders said the CM has been gathered feedback from MLAs, MPs and chairpersons of different departments on a daily basis regarding the campaigning and mood of the public.

There are instructions from top leaders to highlight the development works done by the state government in the past two and a half years. We want to win the elections at any cost, a leader, wishing not to be named, said.

For the Congress, though Charanjit Singh Channi defeated BJPs Sushil Kumar Rinku in Jalandhar in the Lok Sabha elections on June 4 by an impressive margin of 1.75 lakh votes, the party had got a meagre lead of 1,557 votes over his rival in the Jalandhar West assembly segment. This has worried the party.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, leader of opposition in the state assembly Partap Singh Bajwa and Charanjit Singh Channi are holding the fort for party candidate Surinder Kaur, a five-time municipal councillor.

Accompanied by workers, the Congress incumbent and former MLAs and MPs are campaigning door to door in this reserved constituency. A special war room has been created by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee here to monitor the electioneering activities.

For BJP candidate Sheetal Angural, senior leaders Gajendra Shekhawat, Anurag Thakur, Vijay Rupani, Ravneet Bittu and former Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur are going to join the partys campaign soon. BJP state president Sunil Jakhar is the key poll strategist for the party.

Challenges galore for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate, Surjit Kaur, as the party, after fielding her, withdrew support and extended support to BSP candidate Bhinder Singh Lakha. Her campaign is being managed by the rebel group of SAD, led by Jagir Kaur and former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala. On the other hand, no senior Akali leader has openly come for Lakhas support.

The electioneering will end on July 8, polling will be held on July 10 and results will be out on July 13.
Beijing Forestry University establishes Institute of Environmental Art

Global Times) 13:42, July 01, 2024

Attended representatives pose for a group photo. (Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Forestry University)

On Thursday, Beijing Forestry University held an unveiling and appointment ceremony for its new Institute of Environmental Art at the school.

The event was attended by faculty, department heads, and student representatives from the School of Art and Design, as well as other representatives.

University President An Lizhe congratulated the university on the establishment of the institute and commended the preliminary preparations and construction efforts. He emphasized that the formation of the Institute of Environmental Art is a pioneering initiative and a significant step toward implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress and promoting green development.

Leveraging the universitys academic strengths and distinctive development direction, the institute has set three research focuses: the archive of Chinese environmental art, carbon-neutral landscapes and public art, and future museums, according to An.

It has already reached cooperation agreements with several companies and organizations, paving the way for a new landscape and broad perspectives. This initiative is expected to enhance the academic standards, reputation, and social impact of the School of Art and Design, said An.

The afternoon session featured a symposium titled Chinese Environmental Art Archives and New Quality Design Trends. Experts unanimously agreed that the institute, as a newly established school-level research platform, should capitalize on the interdisciplinary strengths within and outside the university. By deeply integrating art and science, the institute aims to contribute uniquely to the national goal of ecological civilization through the practice of design.

Additionally, the foundational theoretical work of the institute will focus on the research and organization of historical documents, images, and significant manuscripts. This extensive, long-term, and multi-dimensional project should fully utilize and integrate the strengths of industry associations, regional universities, and enterprises to achieve collective progress.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan)
MBABANE  Chaos almost erupted at the Matsapha Maximum Prison when former MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza reportedly mobilised inmates to riot.

The former Hosea Member of Parliament (MP) is alleged to have accused Correctional officers of feeding inmates unpleasant food and started chanting political slogans.

Other inmates, according to the source, responded in like manner. Mabuza also reportedly tried to attack a senior Correctional officer. It is said the situation was so tense such that the prison authorities had to call for reinforcement from recruits at the Correctional Services College, to quell the situation, which was seemingly getting out of hand. Meanwhile, the inmates are said to have been ordered to go back to their cells with immediate effect.

Obeyed

The source said some inmates obeyed the order while others remained behind. However, according to the source, the inmates who had remained behind followed the others into the cells after realising that they might be in trouble. In the period of two years and 11 months that he has spent in custody, Mabuza has allegedly breached Correctional laws more than 10 times.

There are, however, different versions on why Mabuza lost his cool on the fateful day. Another version was to the effect that on June 16, 2024, Mabuza wanted to use the telephone but was reportedly denied that privilege and he banged the receiver against the wall.

The officer-in-charge is said to have felt disrespected by Mabuza, such that he approached the administration, stating that the former MP had purportedly banged the receiver. It is alleged that assistance was solicited from another inmate, who is in charge of the inmates who oversee the other prisoners (tibondza) at Matsapha Maximum Prison. The inmate was allegedly supposed to hold meetings with the other tibondza from the various dormitories, so that those inmates could be influenced to assault and even purportedly kill Mabuza. Indeed the various tibondza held meetings but the inmates wanted to know what he (Mabuza) had done to deserve the assault. When he wanted to address the prisoners, he was beaten up by recruits brought in for that purpose.



The issue of the threat to his life has not been settled and he feels unsafe about it, said the source. His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) Public Relations Officer Superintendent Gugulethu Dlamini said HMCS was governed by laws on how to go about dealing with issues that they encountered while carrying out their duties and how to handle inmates. She said according to the laws in force, if anyone breached them, there were ways to deal with that individual. Dlamini stated that certain reports had been made against the former MP.

She said if there was evidence of wrongdoing on Mabuzas part, disciplinary measures would be taken. The PRO also mentioned that investigations had been instituted.

It was previously reported that Mabuza had at least faced internal disciplinary hearings on four different occasions, which compelled the HMCS to curtail his visitation rights and the use of a telephone. Meanwhile, a senior warder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, since he was not mandated to address the media, said the Correctional Services was a professional institution and was able to handle inmates like Mabuza, who allegedly caused chaos every now and then.

Problem

He is a problem every day. We know how to deal with the problem he is causing and how to execute our duties. In Matsapha (Maximum Prison), there are over 1 000 inmates, but every day its Bacede. A reasonable person would ask himself why it is always Bacede. Mind you, he was not arrested alone, but it is always him and not the other one. Why is it Bacede alone? We have other inmates such as bo-commander, (Wandile) Gina and others. So, if we had a propensity to treat inmates in the manner we are alleged to have treated Mabuza or to kill them, many of them would have been probably killed; but that is not the case. The question is; why is it always Bacede? He is not a threat but a problem. So why would we want to kill him? the senior officer wondered.

He further told this publication that in cases where there was a situation that required reinforcement, because one inmate could cause a riot, the Correctional Services had to be proactive on how to prevent that from happening. He said reinforcement could be sourced from anywhere, depending on the situation at hand. The senior warder said it was not an issue that the Correctional Services called recruits from its college to assist them. According to the senior warder, the allegations that Mabuza slapped a senior warder were not true. However, he mentioned that Mabuza, on a number of occasions, became aggressive towards the warders.



The source informed this publication that they were patient with Mabuza, because the management of the Correctional Services would speak to the wardens and advised them to understand that his living situation had changed after his arrest and he was now unable to do most of the things he did prior to his incarceration. The source said the management wanted the officers to also understand that Mabuzas arrest may have been the cause of certain things not going well for him outside of the prison, which may trigger certain behaviours in an inmate. The senior officer pointed out that Mabuza did not assault anyone on the day he is alleged to have slapped a senior warder.

Assault

He tried to assault them but was restrained from doing so. He also did not sing political songs. What he said was that the inmates were given soup to eat and also said other things, which could have caused the inmates to riot. Bacede causes problems and it is not like the warders provoke him. The riot did not happen on the day as the inmates, who were seemingly buying it, left for their cells after being ordered to do so. Those who remained followed suit to avoid trouble, said the source. Mabuza and and former Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube were found guilty of terrorism and murder by Judge Mumcy Dlamini. They are currently awaiting sentencing.
Rainfall in the district has resulted in a decrease in the attendance of students on the very first day of the schools after the summer break. This year, in the wake of rising temperatures, the state government initially changed the timings of the schools and then announced holidays from May 21 to June 30. Students during a class in a Ludhiana school. (HT Photo)

On one hand, students were excited to be back in the classes while on the other, weather did not allow many of them to attend the first day after their vacations. School heads of double shift schools informed that attendance of first shift was not affected, but with the school timings for the second shift and rainfall occurring at almost the same time, reduced the attendance by upto 50%.

Principal of PAU School Balwinder Kaur informed that the attendance for the second shift was nearly 50% of the students enrolled. We had already instructed our students a few days prior that it is mandatory for them to attend the first day after the school reopens, which is why the attendance in the first shift was more than expected but the second shift students could not make it as many of them come from far away places on bicycles, she mentioned.

A faculty member of Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Basti Jodhewal, said the attendance on the first day of the school was less than 40%. One of the major reasons for the students absence is that the road outside our school gets flooded with stagnant rainwater and students who are out of town, avoid coming back to the city as weather forecast is published on daily basis and even if there are less chances of rainfall, they skip a few days, a teacher added.

Principal of GSSS, Cemetery Road, Charanjeet Kaur Ahuja said the turnout during the second shift was nearly 49%. We made calls to students, asking them to not miss the first day, but still the number did not improve much, she said.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has moved Punjab and Haryana high court demanding resumption of four toll plazas in Punjab. The toll plazas cited affected by the agency are Usma toll in Tarn Taran on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran Harike bypass closed since June 6, Chak Bahmniya toll plaza in Jalandhar on Lambra-Shahkot-Moga highway closed since June 2, Ladhowal toll in Ludhiana on Panipat-Jalandhar highway closed since June 16 and Ghaggar toll plaza near Ambala on Panipat-Khanna highway. (HT photo)

An application moved by the NHAI claimed that disruption of toll services at these four toll plazas has led to financial losses of 113 crore to the agency.

Acting on the plea, the high court bench of justice Vinod S Bhardwaj has posted the matter for hearing for July 10 and asked Punjabs advocate general Gurminder Singh to assist the court on the adjourned date. It has also sought a response from the state government, NHAIs counsel, senior advocate Chetan Mittal said. A detailed order is awaited.

The application was moved by the NHAI in a matter of disruptions of toll services, which was disposed by the high court in 2023.

The application, filed by a NHAI project director, Lichhman Ram, said that on January 12, 2023, the court had directed Punjab and its DGP to provide adequate security and make safety arrangements in terms of the state support agreement to safeguard the property of the NHAI so that the trespassers did not take over the remaining toll plazas and normalcy might be restored.

Subsequently, the DGP (law and order) filed affidavits on February 15, 2023, and July 12, 2023, stating that directions had been issued to the field units for meticulous compliance with the high court order and that adequate safety and security arrangements be provided to safeguard the property/toll plazas of NHAI operational in Punjab. However, even as various letters were written to the authorities, they have turned a blind eye and not taken any action in the matter, thereby putting NHAI into financial losses. The applicant is facing serious problems in two toll plazas which have been encroached upon by protesters and have serious other law and other problems, it said.

The protests are being carried out by different farmers unions against the alleged hikes in the toll fee and further alleging that NHAI is hiking the toll fee at will without providing adequate facilities.

The toll plazas cited affected by the agency are Usma toll in Tarn Taran on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran Harike bypass closed since June 6, Chak Bahmniya toll plaza in Jalandhar on Lambra-Shahkot-Moga highway closed since June 2, Ladhowal toll in Ludhiana on Panipat-Jalandhar highway closed since June 16 and Ghaggar toll plaza near Ambala on Panipat-Khanna highway.

As per Mittal, there is a threat to the life and security of the personnel deputed at various toll plazas due to the ongoing protest. The personnel are unable to leave as the assets at the site could not be left unattended, he said. ...under the garb of the protests, certain anti-social elements/ miscreants are extorting money from the personnel of the toll plazas. All these facts have been brought to the notice of the district administration and the police authorities. However, no action has been taken, the plea said, seeking direction for the resumption of toll plazas in the state.
PRAYAGRAJ: A doctor and his son from the Naini area of Prayagraj are on the radar of Bihar police in connection with the recent NEET UG paper leak case. During the investigation, it has come to light that the doctor had paid four lakh to arrange a solver for his son, who is a NEET aspirant. Bihar police are conducting raids to trace the duo, but they remain at large. Investigations indicated that Raj Pandey met the solver in Kota, where he was preparing for the NEET examination. (Sourced)

Police investigations revealed that Dr. RP Pandey, a resident of ADA Colony, runs a private hospital in the Naini area. The doctors son, Raj Pandey, was a NEET aspirant. On May 5, a solver was caught appearing in place of Raj Pandey at an examination center at DAV Public School in Malighat, Muzaffarpur district, Bihar.

The solver was identified as Hukma Ram from Rajasthan, a third-year MBBS student at AIIMS-Jodhpur. Police are also investigating the role of the centers management as Hukma Ram was allowed to appear in the examination despite biometric test.

Police officials in Prayagraj said that Bihar police were searching for Raj Pandey and his father. Investigations indicated that Raj Pandey met the solver in Kota, where he was preparing for the NEET examination.
The Dhumanganj police of Prayagraj on Monday submitted a charge-sheet against slain mafiosi turned politician Atiq Ahmeds sons Umar and Ali. The duo has been charged for being involved in lawyer Umesh Pals murder outside his residence in Sulem Sarai area on February 24, 2023. For representation only (HT FIle Photo)

Umar is lodged in Lucknow Jail while Ali is in Naini Central Jail. The duo was arrested in separate cases of abduction, assault and attempt to murder in 2022.

ACP Dhumanganj Varun Kumar said Ali and Umar have confessed in their statements that they were involved in conspiracy of Umesh Pals murder. A charge-sheet has been filed against them in the case under section 120 B of IPC, he added.

This was the fourth charge-sheet filed by police in the Umesh Pal murder case. The first charge-sheet was filed against the accused Sadaqat Khan in May 2023, the second supplementary charge-sheet was filed on June 17, 2023, against Atiqs lawyer Khan Saulat Hanif, Ekhlaq Ahmad and six others. The third charge-sheet was filed in October 2023 against Atiqs lawyer Vijay Mishra.

Other accused in the case Atiqs wife Shaista Parveen, his sister Ayesha Noori, Ashrafs wife Zainab and assailants Guddu Muslim, Mohd Arman and Sabir are on the run.

Police have recorded the statements of Ali and Umar in Lucknow and Naini jails. In the case diary of the charge-sheet police has mentioned that Ali has admitted in his statement that he was aware of the conspiracy of Umesh Pals murder. He had even asked Asad not to accompany the assailants. Umar also confessed to having full knowledge of the conspiracy. Police officials said that Asad and some other assailants visited Ali and Umar in jail.

Two arrested by STF

The Lucknow STF on Monday arrested two notorious criminals who escaped from custody of Maharashtra police. The STF arrested the duo from Gaus Nagar area of Kareli where they had taken shelter in a house. The duo was wanted in a case registered against them at GRP Etawah, STF officials said.

STF officials said that a team under inspector Pramod Kumar Verma raided in Gaus Nagar area of Kareli following a tip off on Monday and arrested Rehan Faruqui and Kaleem of Pratapgarh district.

Rehan and Kaleem had been arrested by the Maharashtra police in a case of fraud registered against them at Nalasopara police station of Palghar district of Maharashtra.

They were arrested by Maharashtra police on June 16 from Pratapgarh and were being taken to Palghar on transit remand. However, the duo pushed the cops and fled when the train was nearing Etawah railway station.
Five people including four children and a woman drowned in a water body near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala on Sunday afternoon, local police confirmed. While the authorities recovered the bodies of three individuals, search operations were halted following heavy downpours and limited light at the Bhushi Dam area. As per police information, the deceased were identified as Sahista Liyaqat Ansari (36), Amima Adil Ansari (13), Umera alias Salman Adil Ansari (8), and search for missing Adnan Shabat Ansari (4), and Mariya Ansari (9) will resume on Monday morning. After the onset of the monsoon in the area, Police warned tourists to be cautious while visiting Bhushi Dam. (HT PHOTO)

On Sunday, family members of Liyaqat Ansari and Yunus Khan from Hadapsar, Pune planned a visit to Bhushi Dam. At around 3 pm, 17-18 family members reached the waterfall behind Bhushi Dam. Due to the sudden rise in water levels due to incessant rain, 10 family members were trapped in the water streams and started drowning. However, five of them managed to escape the water stream, while five went missing.

ALSO READ| Chandigarhs wait for monsoon gets longer

Considering the gravity of the situation, local police, fire brigade services, Shivdurg Mitra Mandal, Apada Mitra Maval and Vanya Jiv Rakshan Santha rushed to the spot and initiated a search operation. By the end of the day, authorities recovered three dead bodies and sent them for the post-.

After the onset of the monsoon in the area, Police warned tourists to be cautious while visiting Bhushi Dam, Ghubad Talab, Tata Dam, Tungarli Dam, Rajmachi Point, Kunegaon, Kurvande points as the area receives heavy to extreme rainfall.

Commenting on the development, Suhas Jagtap, police inspector at Lonavla city police station said, We have recovered three dead bodies and search of the other two will resume on Monday morning.

As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) updates, rainfall activity in the ghat areas in the Pune district has increased significantly. At 163 mm, Lonavala received the highest rainfall on Sunday, June 30.

Commenting about the rescue operation, Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (Rural SP) Pankaj Deshmukh said, We have recovered the bodies of a 40-year-old woman and two girls. A 9-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy were missing in the incident. It seems they are part of a family and slipped into a waterfall two kilometres away from Bhushi Dam and drowned at the reservoir downstream.

(With agency inputs)
The Union Public Service Commission, UPSC, has released the results of the Civil Service (Preliminary) Examinations 2024 today, July 1. Candidates who appeared in the exams can check their results on the official website at upsc.gov.in. UPSC CSE Prelims Results 2024 out on upsc.gov.in. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Candidates who have qualified in the Civil Services preliminary examinations will proceed to the next and crucial phase, the UPSC CSE Mains 2024, and eventually to the Interview or Personality Test round.

The commission wrote in an official statement, The candidature of these candidates is provisional. In accordance with the Rules of the Examination, all these candidates have to apply again in the Detailed Application Form-I (DAF-I) for the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024. The dates and important instructions for filling up of the DAF-I and its submission will be announced in due course on the website of the Commission.

Notably, the UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 was held on June 16 across the country at various exam centres. The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination consisted of two papers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carried a maximum of 400 marks.

The UPSC had earlier stated that it would draw a list of candidates to be qualified for the Civil Services (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies Paper-II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.

Through the UPSC Civil Services 2024 examination, 1056 vacancies in the central government services and departments will be filled. This includes the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Of the total vacancies, 40 are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category.

Steps to download UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024:
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has released the IBPS Clerk recruitment notification 2024 for CRP Clerks XIV. Eligible candidates who want to apply for CRP Clerks XIV can do so by visiting the official website of IBPS at ibpsonline.ibps.in. IBPS Clerk recruitment notification for CRP Clerks XIV released. Check direct link to apply and other details here

As per the detailed notification, registrations have begun from today and will conclude on July 21, 2024. The fee payment also has to be made during this period.

The Pre-Examination Training or PET will be conducted from August 12 to August 17, 2024.

Also read: AIAPGET 2024 advanced city intimation slip released at exams.nta.ac.in, direct link to download here

Check the important dates below:

Download of call letters for Online examination Preliminary: August, 2024

Online Examination  Preliminary: August, 2024

Result of Online examination  Preliminary: September, 2024

Download of Call letter for Online examination  Main: September/ October, 2024

Online Examination  Main: October, 2024

Provisional Allotment: April, 2025

Also read: NEET PG 2024 new date expected today or tomorrow, check details here

ELIGIBILITY:

A candidate must be either:

A citizen of India

A subject of Nepal

A subject of Bhutan or a Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Also read: CLAT 2025 advertisement releasing on July 7 at consortiumofnlus.ac.in, check important details here

AGE CRITERIA AS ON JULY 1, 2024

Minimum: 20 years

Maximum: 28 years

A candidate must have been born not earlier than July 2, 1996 and not later than July 1, 2004 (both dates inclusive).

Relaxation in upper age limit for reserved categories.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

A graduation degree in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.

The candidate must possess valid marksheet /degree certificate that he/ she is a graduate on the day he/she registers and indicate the percentage of marks obtained in graduation while registering online.

Computer Literacy: Operating and working knowledge in computer systems is mandatory. Candidates should have Certificate/Diploma/Degree in computer operations/Language/ should have studied Computer / Information Technology as one of the subjects in the High School/College/Institute.

Proficiency in the Official Language of the State/UT: The candidate knowing how to read/ write and speak the Official Language of the State/UT) for which a candidate wishes to apply is preferable.

APPLICATION FEE:

Rs. 175 (Inclusive of GST) for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM candidates.

Rs. 850 (Inclusive of GST) for all others.

STEPS TO APPLY:

Go to the official website of IBPS at ibps.in.

On the home page, click on the CRP Clerks link, and then click on the link titled CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE FOR CRP- Clerks (CRP-Clerks-XIV).

On the new page, click on CLICK HERE FOR NEW REGISTRATION to register application by entering the information asked.

Candidates should note down the provisional registration number and password displayed on the screen. An Email and SMS indicating the provisional registration number and password will also be sent.

Upload documents: Photograph, Signature, Left Thumb Impression, a hand written declaration.

Candidates will also be required to capture and upload their photograph through webcam or mobile phone during registration process.

Candidates must carefully fill in the online application themselves as no change in any of the data filled in the online application form will be possible later.

Prior to submission of the online application form, candidates should use the SAVE AND NEXT facility to verify the details in the online application form and modify the same if required.

The candidate should indicate in the online application form the state to which he/she opts for provisional allotment on selection.

After thorough verification, candidates must complete the registration.

Following this, candidates need to pay the application fee by using Debit Cards (RuPay/Visa/MasterCard/Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets/ UPI

On successful completion of the transaction, an e-receipt will be generated.

Candidates are required to take a printout of the e-receipt and online application form.

For more information, visit the official website
UPSC Prelims Result 2024 Live: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the Civil Services (Preliminary) examination results on Monday. The result have been shared with candidates on upsc.gov.in. The question papers of the test was released earlier. UPSC Civils Services Prelims results 2024 declared, direct link ...Read More

Last year, the exam was held on May 26 and the result was declared on June 12. This year, the test took place on June 16 and the result is out now.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 was conducted in two shifts for general studies paper 1 and paper 2, and for a total of 400 marks. All questions were objective-type carrying four options.

After the Prelims result, the selected candidates are eligible to appear for the Mains round, which consists of two parts  a written examination and a personality test. The UPSC CSE Mains 2024 is tentatively scheduled to be held from September 20.

Follow this live blog for the latest updates on UPSC CSE Prelims result 2024
Australia dealt a severe blow to international students on Monday by raising visa application fees by 125% to boost the integrity of its fourth-largest export and help slow overall migration. Australia has one of the biggest international education sectors in the world, worth about A$48 billion a year, or 7% of total exports.(HT File)

The increase to A$1,600 ($1,067) per application, from A$710 starting July 1, will help create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia, Home Affairs Minister Clare O Neil said in a statement. Other migration-related measures also came into effect on Monday.

Australia has one of the biggest international education sectors in the world, worth about A$48 billion a year, or 7% of total exports. International graduates account for one-third of the nations permanent skilled migrant intake, according to the Grattan Institute.

The extra revenue will be used to help implement measures including governments funding of Australian students education as well as financial support for local apprentices and employers, the government said.

Vicki Thomson, chief executive of the Group of Eight which represents Australias top universities, said the government is making a critical mistake by using international students as a scapegoat to manage a short-term spike in migration and ease housing pressure.

It is death by a thousand cuts to our most successful services export sector, Thomson said in a statement.

An influx in arrivals since borders reopened after the pandemic is running headlong into a chronic shortage of homes to accommodate them, forcing the government to limit the inflow. Migration is expected to be a key plank on which Australias 2025 election will be fought, with opposition leader Peter Dutton also promising measures to slash migrant numbers.

International student numbers have surged since the pandemic to more than 650,000, well above pre-Covid levels and nearly double where they were almost a decade ago. Australia has more three times the number of international students, per head of population, than either Canada or the UK, according to Grattan.

These previously announced migration policies also took effect:

Raising the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to A$73,150 from from A$70,000 based on annual indexation

Shortening the duration of Temporary Graduate Visas and reducing the age eligibility

Ending visa hopping by closing the loopholes that allow students and other temporary visa holders to continuously extend their stay in Australia, in some cases indefinitely

Extending the length of time temporary skilled migrants can remain in Australia between employer sponsors to 180 days from 60 days

Implementing the Strengthening Employer Compliance Bill 2023 against employers engaging in the exploitation of migrants

Introducing the Workplace Justice Visa Pilot to enable temporary visa holders to remain in Australia for a short period when pursuing workplace justice

(With assistance from Ben Westcott.)
Suraj Kumar Jha, the district programme officer (DPO) in Bihars Kishanganj was suspended by the state education department on Monday after the district development commissioner (DDC)-led inspection team detected gross irregularities in the implementation of various schemes of the government, with total disregard of the provisions laid down. The DPO of Bihar's Krishnaganj was suspended due to gross irregularities relating to the purchase of desks and benches, school renovation and construction of a pre-fab structure, setting up of ICT labs, and more. (HT Archive)

The irregularities in question relate to the purchase of desks and benches, school renovation and construction of a pre-fab structure, setting up of ICT labs, appointment of night guards, drinking water scheme, and selection of vendors for housekeeping and their payment.

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Prime facie the charges are serious and the DPO has been found guilty. The programme coordinator Md Tufail, who was also involved in the financial irregularities, has already been dismissed from service, said the notification from Subodh Kumar Choudhary, director, of administration at the Department of Education.

Notably, Bihars education department called for reports from the district magistrates last month on the ground realities in schools and the status of implementation of the government schemes after it received large-scale complaints about their functioning.

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Even after so much inspection and monitoring, there should not have been so many complaints received at the command-and-control centres of the department. This points to discrepancies in the way inspection and monitoring was done. Therefore, the need for appraisal at the level of the district magistrate is being felt. It will not include the education department officials, said the letter from Additional Chief Secretary S Siddharth to the district magistrates.

Siddharth had written that the complaints received from the citizens and stakeholders from across the state would be made available to the DMs for inspection through the nodal officers appointed by him. You are requested to appoint one nodal officer in every district for an independent inquiry, and the reports would be submitted directly to the ACS, he added.

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Poor attendance of students in the government schools of Bihar despite high enrolment and various initiatives and misutilisation of the government funds meant for infrastructure development has always been a major concern.

Surprise inspection at school reveals sad reality

On Monday, ACS S Siddharth, who is also principal secretary to the CM, got a firsthand experience of the situation after he travelled to the slums in the catchment area of a Patna school for a surprise inspection.

By the time the senior official could reach the primary school at the Adalatganj Slum in the Gardanibagh locality, barely two km distance from the corridors of power, he had to face myriad experiences about the stark reality in its periphery.

While the school was operational and teachers were present, the attendance of students was poor. Several students were absent.

Siddharth even spoke to a few students to make them understand the importance of education, However, the responses were not convincing.

Surprisingly, the school had also the gates to apparently prevent students from escaping classes, as per a teacher.

Speaking of classrooms, there were instances of a few students from two classes sitting together, while in another class, students were not wearing proper uniforms.

A teacher alleged that parents take money meant for the uniforms of their children but dont buy it.

Meanwhile, the volunteers Tola Sevaks engaged in bringing children to schools explained how they put their best foot forward and tried convincing parents to send their wards to school, but to no avail.

If the situation in Patna is such, one can well imagine the condition of schools in the interiors, where facilities are fewer and the reasons for skipping classes are too many.

A few months ago, the department triggered a controversy by getting the names of over 20 lakh students removed from the school registers as they were found habitually absent for long periods during inspections by Siddharths predecessor KK Pathak. He also criticized the Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC) and the Bihar State Educational Infrastructure Development Corporation (BSEIDC) for carrying out infrastructure development in schools mindlessly.

The problem of dropouts and absenteeism has several reasons ranging from socio-economic to falling trust in the system due to indifference of the stakeholders over a long period of time. It is the society that must take ownership of the schools where their children read. In education, it requires sustained effort for a long period of time to build trust and expect results. In education, there is no magic wand to improve things overnight, as all the stakeholders have to get involved. The initiative is good, as the officer went there with the right intent without any pomp and show and tried to instill confidence by talking to them in their language, said former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies DM Diwakar.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said a law to curb exam paper leaks will be enacted during the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that a bill will be tabled in this session itself for the enactment of the law. (File image/PTI)

Fadnavis made the announcement in the state assembly while replying to a supplementary question during the Question Hour on the issue of recruitment in government jobs.

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Congress member Balasah-eb Thorat, NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar, BJP's Ashish Shelar and Bhaskar Jadhav of the Shiv Sena (UBT) asked the government if it will enact a strong law to curb paper leaks.

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Fadnavis said a bill will be tabled in this session itself for the enactment of the law.

In the wake of the alleged leak of NEET paper and malpractices in various other exams, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Saturday said the state government must enact a strict law to curb paper leaks and punish the guilty.

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Sushmita Sen left her fans curious after she mentioned her second date of birth on her Instagram account. Now, the actor has confirmed that it is the date when she suffered a massive heart attack, saying those 45 minutes were the most challenging moments of her life. (Also read: Sushmita Sen adds second date of birth on Instagram; leaves fans wondering if it is connected to her heart attack) Sushmita Sen suffered a heart attack when she was shooting for the third season of Aarya.

Today, she is glad that the doctors didnt give up on her. She updated her birth date to February 27, 2023 last weekend. On National Doctors Day, Sushmita shared the reason behind updating her by posting a video on her Instagram.

Truth behind the second birth date

She recounted the moment in a video for Doctors Day initiative by Sun Pharma. In the clip, she said, My life is a story which I have played and lived. There was a major twist in my life story sometime back. The point was when I suffered a massive heart attack. They were the longest 45 minutes of my life. There was a moment when I thought my story was over."

But thanks to my doctors, they are the reason my story is still on. They didnt give up on me and didnt let me give up. They wrote a new story for my life and gave me a new direction. That was my second birthday. I am dedicating that day and my story to all the doctors, she added.

Full of gratitude

The actor also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the doctors who saved her life. She reflected, Today is a day of gratitude. My doctors have given me a second chance at life, and I want to thank them from the top, middle and bottom of my heart.

Sushmita got a heart attack while she was shooting for her Disney+ Hotstar show Aarya in Jaipur. After taking a break from acting, she made her comeback with the crime action-thriller series Aarya, co-created by Ram Madhavani and Sandeep Modi. It was Sushmita's debut in the OTT space. She later featured in the social biographical-drama series Taali directed by Ravi Jadhav. Sushmita portrayed the role of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in the show.
Kanye Wests recent move has raised many eyebrows, especially in the US. The American rapper is reported to have flown into Moscow, marking a potentially controversial visit. However, he has not yet made a public appearance. If confirmed, Ye would be the first major American celebrity to set foot in Russia since the war in Ukraine began. Footage has emerged of thrilled Russian fans chanting Ye's name outside the luxury hotel where he's believed to be staying. Kanye West accused of threatening to shave students' heads and build jails in school(Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)(Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Kanye West has landed in Moscow

Music producer Yana Rudkovskaya shared on social media, "Kanye West is already in Moscow! This is super news! Staying in the very heart of the capital! She expressed her hopes for a concert at Luzhniki Stadium. She also posted a short video that appears to show West's back in his usual baggy clothes as he walks into a room, followed by security.

Rudkovskaya earlier claimed that the Vultures rapper would fly to Moscow for his scheduled concert in autumn. However, there is no official confirmation as of now. According to CNN, she now said, "According to my information, tomorrow he and the team will go and see Luzhniki (stadium)." Meanwhile, the news outlet confirmed that Luzhniki Stadium has no such concert scheduled at their venue.

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The information that Kanye West may hold his concert in Moscow is hype and fake, said the general director of Talent Concert International to TASS as per CNN.

Moskvichka Showbiz, a Russia-based outlet, stated that Kanye's visit was to celebrate the birthday of Russian designer Gosha Rubchinsky, rather than for a concert. A video reportedly showing him in the Moscow subway has also surfaced.

Russian fans wait for Kanye West outside the hotel

Several videos of fans waiting outside Kanye's hotel in Moscow have flooded the internet, showing them chanting his name and waiting for almost 6 hours to catch a glimpse of Ye. While his wife Bianca Censori who mostly accompanies him on their international trips was not seen, Yes visit to the Russian capital arrives when the majority of international stars have boycotted the nation because of its current conflict with Ukraine.

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The trip to Russia comes days after reports surfaced that Kanye is facing financial trouble following major brands cutting ties with him amid growing controversies. The report also mentioned him reaching out to his ex-wife Kim Kardashian for help. Kanyes been burning through his savings at an alarming rate, and its starting to have a very real impact on his bank balance, a source told InTouch earlier.

Hes still got some money coming in, but ever since he lost that deal with Adidas, hes seen many, many zeros drop off his net worth, they added.
Nearly a month before The Umbrella Academy's fourth and final season premiere on Netflix (August 8), co-creator and showrunner Steve Blackman's name has been shrouded in upsetting allegations of toxic and bullying behaviour. The Umbrella Academy Season 4 arrives on Netflix on August 8, 2024.

According to a new Rolling Stone scoop, 12 former writers and support staffers on all four seasons of the hit Netflix series shed light on the alleged long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative and retaliatory behaviour during Blackman's time in the pilot seat at the top of The Umbrella Academy pyramid. These inflammatory accusations were reportedly addressed in a January 2023 human resources complaint filed to the NBC-owned Universal Content Productions.

The science fantasy series dripping with enthralling action sequences rose as high as the ranks of other Netflix staples such as Stranger Things and The Witcher upon its premiere in February 2019. Its success and booming popularity are reflected in the subsequent greenlight for new seasons, leading up to the upcoming final chapter.

However, the latest bombshell report has cast a dark cloud of discomfort about how things possibly unfolded behind the scenes of the beloved show starring Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castaneda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher and Justin H Min. Nearly all staff members who came forward with these claims are accustomed to the chaotic misfires of the television industry. Despite their vast experience in this world, they labelled their time on The Umbrella Academy as one of the most turbulent ones. Somebody called me, whispering basically into the phone, all freaked out, like, Dont take this job," a writer said.

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Accusations against The Umbrella Academy showrunner Steve Blackman

The January 2023 HR complaint ultimately uncovered by Rolling Stone painted Blackman as a manipulative showrunner who allegedly harboured a toxic workplace and would pit staffers against each other. The employees also accused him of creating an untrustworthy environment rife with fear.

Complaints about alleged sexist, homophobic, transphobic remarks

The list goes on as the team members went as far as holding him accountable for taking credit for other peoples work and purportedly making inappropriate remarks, which sources described as sexist, homophobic and transphobic, which becomes an increasingly perturbing thought as the shows leading poster actor, Elliot Page, is a transgender man.

Although Page spoke highly of Blackman, insisting he was supportive of showcasing his transition onscreen in Season 3, text messages shared with HR in January 2023 showed otherwise. Elliot wants to come out as trans on the show. As Ivan. Oh my fucking God. Kill me now, he allegedly wrote. (The show ultimately named Pages character Viktor instead.)

Theyre saying, Hey, write these scenes, and making all these big promises, and you pour everything you have into the job only to be discarded after. Its just devastating. If we have protections for being credited for the work we do or have somebody to go to, I think it can protect us from this type of toxic behaviour, a support staffer added.

Sources claimed to the outlet that in addition to Blackman allegedly making homophobic and transphobic comments, he remarked about peoples sexualities and anatomies. However, he spun them around cleverly, He could be very good at dropping something that starts to be transphobic or homophobic, like, Theyre a he/she, a second staffer says. But then [hell say], Its all good, I support it. Its awesome, live your best life.  He toes the line of seeing who will join in and laugh with him, and then if nobody does, really skillfully backpedals.

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His disparaging and sexist comments about female staffers breast sizes and their sexual inclinations were also detailed in the complaint.

Alleged staff eliminations addressed

Multiple sources alleged that the path to success in a series with Blackman at the helm meant pledging allegiance and demonstrating unwavering loyalty to him. I was told even prior to my first day of work, hes all about loyalty, one staffer explained. Meanwhile, a second added that it meant backing whatever his bad ideas are. They even seemed to affirm that standing up for other staffers was seen as an act of disloyalty towards him.

Along the way, some writers and employees reportedly deboarded The Umbrella Academy train. They reported that his alleged acts of retaliation or abuses werent always clear-cut, and would often make people feel like it wasnt a fit while eliminating them. Additionally, these departures would be tied to studio decisions or budget cuts.

You have to tread carefully with Steve because there have been times when people stand up to him and then their status is diminished or they are taken off the show, alleged a writer.

Co-showrunner breaks silence

The 2023 HR complaint disseminates at least five instances in which Blackman allegedly counterattacked his staffers, including Season 4 co-showrunner Jesse McKeown, who seemingly advocated for a writer entangled in a payment dispute. He allegedly iced out some others and subsequently eliminated them for voicing their opinions.

McKeown also broke his silence and told the outlet, I always sort of carried that around thinking, OK, that was clear retaliation, [but] he would never do that to me. It happened to me eventually, and a whole bunch of other people in between.

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How Steve Blackman responded to the allegations

A spring 2023 investigation pushed by UCP reportedly cleared Blackman of the accusations. However, most of the employees in question argued they were never contacted to discuss their side of the story. Eventually, a spokesperson for the showrunner also majorly denied the allegations listed in the complaint, rubbishing them as entirely untrue and completely absurd. Blackmans representative also credited Blackman for championing such a beloved series with devoted fans, enthralling stories, and a dedicated team making it all possible.

These allegations from a handful of disgruntled employees are completely false and outrageous, and in no way reflect the collaborative, respectful, and successful working environment Mr. Blackman has cultivated, they told Rolling Stone.

Blackman also maintained that he never retaliated against anyone and that no writer was ever fired during the show's four-season run. At the end of contracts, as is standard practice, a decision is made about whether to renew those contracts for an additional season Those decisions are made solely based on performance and available budget, and any allegations to the contrary are false. Mr. Blackman worked with HR on all employment matters  from hiring to contract renewals to leaves, his spokesperson said.

As for his response vis a vis the Elliot Page Season 3 arc, Blackman asserted that he was referring to the tremendous undertaking and complete rewrite that would follow despite the compressed timelines and the responsibility to handle this with sensitivity and care. Mr. Blackman commented on his stress level related to this and other responsibilities of managing a show and a large team, his spokesperson said.

Among the claims made against Blackman, UCPs investigation only substantiated one, addressing Blackman had made inappropriate and unprofessional remarks and used foul derogatory language.

Additionally, a writer-producer and two senior producers - all women - provided by Blackmans team claimed theyd never heard the boss use sexist, homophobic or transphobic language. On the contrary, a female writer agreed with the others, saying, I found it to be an incredibly sexist environment. If you were female, you were treated with hostility, or like you were stupid.
Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestant Payal Malik was evicted from the show on Sunday night after she didn't receive enough votes from the audience. Taking to Instagram, the official page of JioCinema shared a post announcing the news. Payal entered the show with her husband, Armaan Malik, and his second wife, Kritika Malik. (Also Read | Bigg Boss OTT 3: Shivani Kumari faints after punishment, Armaan Malik carries her to medical room) Payal Malik was eliminated from Bigg Boss OTT 3.

Payal evicted from Bigg Boss OTT 3

A picture of Payal was shared with the caption, "Janta ne suna diya hai apna faisla (The people have announced their verdict), Payal Malik is out of the house!" Reacting to the post, a fan said, "Not fair. What are Deepak, Munisha, Naezy, and Sana Sultan doing there? Totally unfair and biased decision. Bigg Boss should be boycotted because of their biasedness towards the contestant." A comment read, "But payal doesn't deserve this. Unfair eviction."

Fans lash out at Bigg Boss, call eviction unfair

A person wrote, "She deserves to stay, but I know the world isn't for good people. It's proved here again." "Payal came out with million fans and dignity," an Instagram user said. Another fan commented, "Nothing happens by voting; only those will be evicted whom Bigb Boss wants to evict." Another person commented, "Payal Malik is deserving; she is already a winner."

Anil Kapoor talks to contestants about elimination

Talking to the contestants, show's host Anil Kapoor said that the 'baharwala' (outsider) saved two contestants from the nominations. They were Armaan Malik and Deepak Chaurasia. Sai Ketan Rao, who was the 'baharwala' in the Bigg Boss OTT house, saved Sana Sultan from elimination during a task and ditched the 'baharwala' tag. The new 'baharwala' in the house is Lovekesh Kataria.

On Sunday, Lovekesh Kataria and Shivani Kumari were also nomintaed along with Payal. When Anil asked the contestants who would get eliminated, all of them confidently said that their fans would save them from eviction. However, Ranvir Shorey and Sai mentioned that Payal had more chances of getting evicted.

Armaan on Payal getting evicted

Anil asked Armaan what would happen if Payal got evicted. Armaan said, "I am prepared, if she gets eliminated then she will go home and take care of our four kids. And if she stays then she hasn't done anything that would get her eliminated this soon." Anil responded, "Chit bhi meri our patt bhi meri." It roughly means to have things both ways. He then announced that Payal was evicted from the show.

This is the second eviction in the first week of the show. Boxer Neeraj Goyat was eliminated from the show earlier. On the second day of the Weekend Ka Vaar, Raghav Juyal and Lakshya Lalwani came to promote their upcoming film Kill.
Poulomi Das recently lost her cool in a recent episode of Bigg Boss OTT 3. The actor was schooled by Anil Kapoor for questioning Chandrika Dixit aka Vada Pav girl' suitability for the show based on her profession. However, she called out the Fighter actor for not discussing Shivani Kumari's sexist comments about her. (Also read: Bigg Boss OTT 3: Payal Malik evicted from show, fans call it unfair and biased decision) Poulomi Das got angry at Anil Kapoor for not calling out Shivai Kumar over her sexist remarks.

Paulomi Das gets angry at Anil Kapoor

While speaking to Chandrika and Armaan Malik in the living area, Poulomi shared her views on Anil and pointed out, "He is giving his opinion but I am sorry, I do not agree with it. There has been talk about my comments regarding Chandrika outside of the show, but I don't think it's fair. I feel like no one is discussing what she (Shivani) said about me. Whenever I try to bring it up, the topic gets changed. Isn't that unfair? Her comment about "women like you" still hurts me because there are many women like me out there. I need to understand what she meant by that." She further said, Yes, I do wear a bikini, but my Instagram has more than just bikini pictures. I also wear saris and there are photos of me in a lehenga with my family. It's frustrating that no one is discussing the issue at hand but are more interested in what I said before the show. There are 16 contestants, and I didn't know any of them.

Shivani Kumar previously made sexist remarks about Poulomi's outfit and referred to her as women like you, leading to a heated exchange between them.

About Bigg Boss OTT 3

Bigg Boss OTT 3 marks the reality show debut of Anil Kapoor. Prior to him, Salman Khan hosted the celebrity reality show in the second season. In fact, Salman had replaced Karan Johar from the first season. The reality series also features Shivani Kumari, Chandrika Dixit aka Vada Pav girl, Sai Ketan Rao, Sana Makbul, Ranvir Shorey, and Deepak Chaurasia among others.

Bigg Boss OTT 3 streams on JioCinema at 9 PM.
National Doctor's Day commemorates physician and former West Bengal CM Dr Bidhan Chandra Roys birth anniversary. It also celebrates each doctor out there who dedicates their lives to treat patients, as saviours of our society. Well, over the years we have witnessed many actors take up the selfless profession onscreen as characters in their films. Today, lets revisit some of these impressive Bollywood reel-life doctors we wouldnt mind becoming patients for: Actors who played doctors onscreen

Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani in Kabir Singh

Many accused Shahid Kapoors character in Kabir Singh (2019) of being an extremely toxic, overly obsessive lover. However, he was shown to be a successful and respectable surgeon, even though he had a disturbing drinking problem. Nevertheless, you cant deny that Shahid looked really good in scrubs! Kiara Advani, his onscreen girlfriend and junior in medical college, also became a doctor later in the film

Shah Rukh Khan in Dear Zindagi

Ethical, understanding and gifted with the ability to heal there couldnt have been a better description of Shah Rukh Khans beloved character Dr. Jehangir Khan aka Jug in Dear Zindagi (2016). Not only did this film spread awareness about mental health but also explained beautifully that mental health is not a taboo topic. Its okay to ask for help! SRK was endearing as Jug the psychologist and made us wish we had someone like him in our life too. Also, his chemistry with Alia Bhatt seemed natural and effortless

Kareena Kapoor Khan in Udta Punjab and 3 Idiots

Bollywoods OG diva Kareena Kapoor Khan is not only a versatile actor but also a versatile onscreen doctor! In 3 Idiots (2009) she portrayed the role of Dr Pia Sahastrabuddhe, the daughter of the dean of a medical college. Then in 2016, Bebo played Dr Preet in Udta Punjab, who ran a rehabilitation centre and was also a social activist. We love Kareena in glam roles such as Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), but she was equally convincing and gorgeous as Pia and Preet

Katrina Kaif in Sooryavanshi

While Akshay Kumar left us in awe as DCP Veer Sooryavanshi in Rohit Shettys 2021 cop drama, Katrina Kaif won hearts as the stern but caring and convincing Dr. Ria Sooryavanshi. Her screen-time as a doctor was not enough for fans, but she did dazzle the audience each time she came onscreen. Side note: Katrina and Akshay were fire on Tip Tip Barsa Paani

Ayushmann Khurrana and Rakul Preet Singh in Doctor G

The 2022 medical comedy drama introduced us to Dr. Uday Gupta, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, who unwillingly pursues gynaecology. The film follows the story of how he loses the male touch to emerge as a responsible doctor who starts taking his duties seriously. Rakul Preet Singh played his senior Dr. Fatima Siddiqui and left audiences deeply impressed with her performance

Doctors never fail to win hearts and save lives, whether its on the silver screen or in hospitals. Today on National Doctor's Day, we salute all medical professionals for their selfless contributions.
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who shot to fame in the 2010s with her films in Telugu and Tamil, and subsequently ventured into Bollywood, recently discussed the importance of eating healthy foods on her podcast, Take20. Hours after the episode was released online, an internet user pointed out that while Samantha was talking about healthy eating habits now, she has endorsed unhealthy food and beverage brands in the past. A file photo of Samantha Ruth Prabhu(Instagram)

The comment seemingly hit Samantha hard. Responding to it, she wrote, I have made mistakes in the past when I did not know any better, but I have stopped accepting many endorsements. I believe in practicing what I preach.

Also Read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu said she was forced to go public about myositis: Given a choice, I wouldn't have announced it

Afflicted with myositisa rare autoimmune condition that results in inflammation of musclesSamantha, who took a six-month break from work to focus on her health last year, tells us that she has made health and fitness an integral part of her lifestyle and she intends to inspiring those in her zone of influence to lead healthy lifestyles.

Given how much I have learned, it is hard to now unsee things that I might have not been aware of earlier. Whether it is my choice of food or brands, my entire ethos is now focused on a healthy life, shares Samantha, who was diagnosed with myositis in 2022.

Also Read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu among the top 100 viewed Indian stars of the decade: I still feel like Im just getting started

Samantha further says that it is time for her to do what is right and with that, do better. The actor, who returned to the silver screen in 2023 with the film Kushi alongside Vijay Deverakonda, elaborates, While my choices may seem less than ideal to most, since brands do have a commercial impact on us, I am working towards ensuring that I now align with only those brands that are equally committed to life and well-being. I do my research and try to use the products myself before I endorse them."
Growing up in a home where both her parents were doctors, for Divya Dutta, the passion to pursue a career in films was unusual. She got a head start when she was only 17. This year, the 46-year-old completes 30 years in Indian cinema. Talking about her initial struggles, Dutta says she was replaced by other actors in at least 20 films at one point. A file photo of actor Divya Dutta

Divya Dutta started out in 1994 with Ishq Me Jeena Ishq Me Marna. Her first big break came with Train to Pakistan (1998). Directed by Pamela Rooks, the film was based on Khushwant Singhs book on the Partition. When the film came to her, she was not entirely sure whether to do it. I had come into films thinking I would wear chiffon sarees and dance on rain songs. I did not know if I should do the role.

Also Read: Divya Dutta: Earlier, the roles written for women were till the age of 25, or above 50s, middle age ke roles hi nahi the

A file photo of actor Divya Dutta

The film opened for her the doors to a whole range of cinemafrom films made by Shyam Benegal to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. After three decades in cinema, Dutta believes, The universe has its ways of giving you what you want. You will get what you want, but the ways can be different.

Dutta has been part of some of the most defining Indian films through the decades, playing Shabbo in Veer Zara (2004), Vindhya in Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008), Jalebi in Delhi-6 (2009), Rosy Miss in Stanley Ka Dabba (2011), Ishri Kaur in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) and Noor Khan in Sheer Qorma (2021). Last year, she came out with a Malayalam film titled Otta and a Hindi feature Aankh Micholi.

Also Read: Divya Dutta says she turned down Bhaag Milkha Bhaag initially because she had a 'huge crush' on Farhan Akhtar

A file photo of actor Divya Dutta

Talking about how she chooses her roles, Dutta says, I am very happy that I have always listened to my gut. If I dont want to do something, I say an immediate no. And if I think yes, its a yes. Somewhere around, you know you want to be part of a journey, be it because of the director or the role.

Having spent three decades in films, Dutta has had a front row seat to the transformation of Indian cinema. In the 90s, scripts were not given. You were told and narrated your role and the rest was done on the sets. There were amazing writers who would write out the dialogues and then say catch.

Also Read: Divya Dutta: Earlier people thought female directors only worked on art films, Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar changed it

Earlier, there was a certain intrigue, Dutta says. I guess now, with digital coming in and corporates coming in, all these production houses, casting directors its a different game altogether. You have bound scripts, your workshops, your look test. By the time you are on the sets, you have already done most of the work. Now you just have to go and feel the role.

Three decades in cinema, and yet Dutta gets butterflies in her stomach when she takes on a role. I wouldnt like to repeat anything that I have done. I would like to give the role a nuance. I like to see my roles as a member of the audience. If as an audience member I am enjoying it then great. If not, I have to add somethingan X factor.

Also Read: Divya Dutta says she does not look like a conventional actress: I am not tall and I am busty

A file photo of Divya Dutta

She says actors get a lot of praise and sometimes tend to become overconfident. If you ever see an overconfident actor, I bet you will start disliking that actor. But when an actor has the eagerness of a child, that nervousness, that passion, it reaches the audience, Dutta adds.

All these years under the spotlight, but Dutta has remained as far from controversies as she can be. Asked how she has managed that, she says, Genuinely, I have no idea. But it is a fact. I guess people feel like I am one of them and they sometimes let me be, she says, adding that she has drawn a very clear line between her personal and professional life.

Also Read: At 22, I bought my first mobile phone using my own money, says actor Divya Dutta

I am a total fun person and crazy sometimes and a child woman like that, Dutta says, and adds she does not like to be judged. With my personal life, I have never encouraged any kind of scrutiny.

Over the years, Dutta has worked across the boardin Punjabi, Tamil and Malayalam films. Describing her experience of working with multiple languages, Dutta says, Working in a language you are acquainted with comes with a certain sense of comfort. Because you know the language and you are thinking in the same language.

Also Read: We all lived on hope. I became a different me last year: Divya Dutta

According to Dutta, the best moment in her career so far was when she won the national award for her film Irada (2017). I love it when I am called a national award winner, she says and adds that the award helped change peoples perception of her: People said, oh, finally she got her due.

Asked what she would like to be remembered for, Dutta says, I want to be remembered very fondly and I want to have a place in everyones life. Everyone, meaning my audience, my family. I would want that place for sure. That way I am very greedy.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, claiming that Agniveers were being treated as use and throw. Lok Sabha Session LIVE: Rahul Gandhi speaks in parliament.(Sansad TV)

While addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi said, A few days back in Punjab, I met the family of an Agniveer who attained martyrdom in a landmine blast. I am calling him a martyr, but the Government of India doesnt recognise him as a martyr. Narendra Modi doesnt call him a martyr; he calls him an Agniveer.

The family wont receive a pension or compensation, nor will their son be recognised as a martyr, he said, adding that the Agniveers are treated as a 'use and throw' labourer.

He accused the Centre of creating a wedge between Indian Army personnel and Agniveers by treating them differently.

Read: Friendly banter between Jagdeep Dhankhar, Mallikarjun Kharge sparks laughter in Rajya Sabha: 'I have kept your jazba'



You give an Agniveer six months of training and put him in front of Chinese personnel who receive five years of training. Not only that, you are creating differences between a jawan and an Agniveer because of the benefits, said Rahul Gandhi.

Looking at the treasury benches, he questioned, You identify yourselves as patriots, but what kind of patriots are you?

This prompted intervention from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies in the House. The government pays a compensation of 1 crore to the family members of an Agniveer who dies in the line of duty, Singh said

Rahul Gandhi responded by saying that while Rajnath Singh has his opinion, he too has his own, but the Agniveers of the country are aware of the reality.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the House had recorded two statements, one from the Leader of the Opposition and one from the Defence Minister.

Leader of Opposition just said that one crore is not paid, and the Defence Minister has replied. The House is not a place to spread lies. Rahul Gandhi must present the factual position, and if he cant do that, he should apologise.

Rahul Gandhi promptly responded, saying he had already presented the factual position in the House, and everyone was aware of it. This led to chaos in the House with members from the treasury benches challenging Rahul Gandhis remarks.

Rahul Gandhi also added that the idea of the Agniveer scheme came from the PMO, not the Indian Army, and that it was the brainchild of the Prime Minister, similar to demonetisation.

The Defence Minister then said 158 organisations had given suggestions to implement the scheme. He added that similar schemes exist in the USA and UK and accused Rahul Gandhi of speaking without proper information, requesting the Speaker that his address be deleted from the House proceedings.

In his response, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the day their government comes to power, the Agniveer scheme will be scrapped.
New Delhi, July 1 (UNI) Slamming the Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal over a "horrific" video of a man assaulting a woman in Uttar Dinajpur district, Bharatiya Janata Party President JP Nadda said on Monday that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's state is "unsafe for women".



In a social media post on X, the BJP president said, "A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didi's West Bengal is unsafe for women".



Meanwhile, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised the "appeasement politics" of the INDIA bloc.

Appeasement politics of INDI alliance are causing them to cross every line and every law that guarantees rights to citizens all over the country, including West Bengal. Lie about protecting the constitution but do exactly the opposite?" the BJP leader posted on X.



BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya also claimed that the accused in the Uttar Dinajpur incident was closely associated with Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahaman and accused the Chief Minister of being a "curse for women.



The West Bengal Police have registered a case and arrested the accused, identified as Tajmul alias JCB, who was allegedly a local TMC leader in Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur district.



Earlier, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar formed a seven-member team to investigate the alleged assault on a BJP Minority Morcha leader in Cooch Behar.







UNI JA RC SY ARN
Union home minister Amit Shah said the first information report (FIR) registered by Delhi Police against a street vendor was not the first case under the new criminal code, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Union home minister Amit Shah addresses a press conference regarding the new criminal laws, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024.(PTI)

Earlier media reports suggested that the Delhi Police registered its first FIR under the BNS against a street vendor for allegedly obstructing a public way in Kamala Market.

However, Amit Shah clarified that the police have dismissed this case by using the provisions of review, PTI reported.

ALSO READ- New criminal laws take effect today: Top 10 changes you should know

Which was first FIR under new criminal laws?

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Effective from Monday, they are bringing far-reaching changes to India's criminal justice system.

Shah said the first case under the new laws was about a motorcycle theft registered in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh at 10 minutes past midnight.

The Congress, however, attacked the BJP-ruled Centre for the case against the street vendor. Jairam Ramesh criticised the Delhi Police FIR against the street vendor for the obstruction case, saying that he was earning his daily livelihood under a foot-over bridge of New Delhi Railway Station.

Delhi police to begin process to cancel FIR

The Delhi Police will begin the process of cancelling the FIR against the street vendor in Kamala Market. The vendor, 23-year-old Pankaj Kumar from Patna, was selling water and tobacco products from a cart, allegedly obstructing a public way at a foot-over bridge near the New Delhi Railway Station.

Police will have to inform the court to formally cancel the FIR.

ALSO READ- 3 new criminal laws come into effect: Are states, police prepared to implement them? 10 points

The FIR, filed under Section 285 of the BNS, stated that Kumar ignored a patrol officer's instructions to move his cart, leading to the registration of the case. The police will inform the court to formally cancel the FIR. The patrol officer used the e-Pramaan app to record the incident, which feeds directly into police records for further investigation.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday hailed the new criminal laws implemented across the nation from today, saying that the Indian criminal justice system is now completely swadeshi. He said that the three new criminal laws have ended the British-era system of criminal justice, and will stand as the most modern set of laws once their implementation is complete. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a press conference regarding the new criminal laws, in New Delhi (PTI photo)(PTI)

Shah said that the new set of laws prioritises women and children, and that many groups will benefit from them. Promising speedy trials and justice, he said that a conviction rate of up to 90 per cent is expected due to the new laws.

Instead of 'Dand', it is now 'Nyay'. Instead of delay, there will be speedy trials and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the police were protected, but now, victims' and complainants' rights will be protected too, the home minister said at a press conference.

"I would like to congratulate the people of the country that about 77 years after independence, our criminal justice system is becoming completely 'Swadeshi'. This will function on Indian ethos. After 75 years, these laws were contemplated upon and when these laws are in effect from today, colonial laws have been scrapped and laws made in the Indian Parliament are being brought into practice," he said.

Referring to the opposition leaders standing against the implementation of the new criminal, Amit Shah said that parties should rise above their political lines to support the new system. I am ready to meet any opposition leader who has concerns about new criminal laws, he said.

He said the three criminal laws were deliberated upon for four years, and the new laws are more victim-centric.

Shah also hit back at the INDIA bloc for alleging that the criminal laws were forcibly passed in the Parliament after 146 Opposition MPs were suspended. He said that the allegations that the bills were brought after the mass suspension was another lie.

Amit Shah said, The Bill was listed beforehand by the business advisory committee. Maybe the Opposition did not want to participate. So they resorted to activities so that presiding officers are compelled to suspend them.

The Lok Sabha debated this for nine hours twenty-nine minutes and 34 members participated. The Rajya Sabha debated it for about 7 hours and 40 members participated, the home minister added.

Three new criminal laws came into effect in the country on Monday, bringing far-reaching changes in India's criminal justice system.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
Rising water levels have impacted more than 26 per cent of the 233 forest camps at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam, an official report said on Monday. No animals deaths due to either floods of accidents while crossing the highway have not been recorded. (Photo by Biju BORO / AFP)

A total of 61 forest camps across Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve including 22 in Agoratoli range, 10 in Kaziranga, eight in Bagori, five in Burhapahar range, six in Bokakhat and 10 in Biswanath Wildlife Division are under water, according to the official report.

The inundation of the wildlife habitat has resulted in the migration of animals, crossing the National Highway-715 towards the southern direction in East Karbi Anglong district in search of higher altitudes, reported PTI.

No animal deaths due to either floods or accidents while crossing the highway have not been recorded yet.

On Sunday, the Golaghat district administration issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC to safeguard the animals crossing the NH-715.

ALSO READ | Himanta Biswa Sarma says flood situation remains grim in Assam

A set of orders to manage traffic along NH-715 passing through the national park has been issued which will be in effect from Monday.

According to the order, no commercial vehicles are allowed to pass through Kaziranga National Park.

Private vehicles however are allowed to pass through with a regulated speed during the daytime and only local private vehicles will be allowed during the night hours.

"Plying of vehicles during active flood attracts unwarranted risk and a cause for imminent threat to wild animals," said Vivek Shyam Pangyok, Golaghat District Magistrate.

The order mentions the diversion points for both commercial and private vehicles, reported PTI.

According to ANI, the flood situation in Assam has affected more than 2.62 lakh people in 12 districts as of Sunday with the death toll climbing to 34.

Nearly 23,000 people are taking shelter in 52 relief camps and distribution centres set up by the administration in the flood-hit districts, reported ANI.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Assam predicting extremely heavy rainfall till Tuesday.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the state of all support to handle this flood.

(with inputs from ANI and PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to enquire about the flood situation in the northeastern state and assured full cooperation from the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

"Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji called me a short while ago to enquire about the flood situation in Assam. I explained him that Assam is experiencing a second wave of floods this year due to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh and part of our upper Assam districts. I also briefed him about the relief measures undertaken by the state government. He assured me of full cooperation from the Government of India in this hour of crisis," Himanta Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Also read | Incessant rain lashes parts of country, flood situation remains critical in Assam

The flood situation worsened across several districts of Assam, with five major rivers, including the Brahmaputra River, flowing above the danger level mark.

Union minister of ports, shipping & waterways Sarbananda Sonowal also spoke to the Assam chief minister over phone regarding the flood situation in worst-affected districts such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and other parts of the state. Sonowal also requested Sarma to provide all necessary assistance to the flood victims.

According to the latest numbers from Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ADMA), over 2,62,000 people have been affected, and 44 died due to floods, storms, and landslides this year.

In Assam, at least 671 villages and 36 revenue circles remain affected and rescue operations are underway by different agencies like the NDRF, SDRF and the local administration.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for several northeastern states. With monsoon rains currently in its active phase, the IMD forecasted extremely heavy rainfall over the next two days over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Himalayan region of West Bengal and Sikkim.
Indias aviation industry faces a critical shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) as airlines expand their fleets, industry experts have warned, pointing to what they said has been an overlooked aspect of an industry that otherwise has a steadier pipeline of feeding pilots and cabin crew. At present, there are roughly 7,000 AMEs deployed at maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. (AFP)

Indian carriers such as the Tata Group-owned Air India and sector leader IndiGo have lined up large aircraft orders with an estimated 1,200 jets expected to be delivered over the next 10 years.

These planes will not only require a huge workforce of pilots, cabin crews and flight dispatchers, but will also of maintenance and service engineers, said a one of the experts, who has worked with one of Indias domestic carriers in the past.

At present, there are roughly 7,000 aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) deployed at maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, according to industry experts. This doesnt include AMEs in various training schools as instructors.

After Covid, air traffic is booming again and major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Akasa have placed orders for around 2,000 aircraft which will need around 14,000 AMEs in another eight to ten years, said GK Chaukiyal, professor at the Gujarat University, and an expert in aviation.

There are around 45 AME schools in India are authorised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Each engineer requires to be licensed by the regulator.

Most airlines have come to grief because they did not have a strong engineering background or setup, said a second industry expert, who asked not to be named.

This person explained that the engineering workforce too has two broad aspects --- first are made of technicians and infrastructure and the second of people handling fares and logistics.

So if you dont have a strong engineering force and infrastructure experience, a strong wind experience infrastructure, then that airline will not be able to perform at its peak, he added.

The first expert quoted above said it takes six years for an individual to complete an independent AME certification. Even after completion of a four year engineering course, an individual has to be trained under an AME for him to be allowed to take the lead and conduct the task all by himself. This is because of the poor quality of education provided in the schools, this person added.

Chaukryal concurred, saying, AME institutions must improve their quality of education and training and that the quality of intake also needs to be controlled to produce good quality engineers. Without a strong engineering setup, no airline can survive.

Rituparna Chakraborty, independent director at recruitment firm TeamLease, emphasised the need for accelerated training. Traditional AME training, typically 2 to 4 years, must be accelerated through intensive courses, on-the-job training, and advanced simulations, she said.

A proactive approach is essential to meet future demands, ensuring efficient operation and safety of expanding airline fleets, and creating job opportunities in Indias aviation sector, she added.

In response to the shortage, some companies are taking action. GMR Group, which owns Indias largest airframe MRO company, is launching an AME school in collaboration with Airbus.

GMR Aero Technic has ventured into the skill development sector by establishing the GMR School of Aviation to train a large number of engineers, said Ashok Gopinath, president and accountable manager at GMR Aero Technic.

The four-year program in Hyderabad will include two years of academic study and two years of training at GMRs MRO facility.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the 17th Lok Sabha over cash-for-query allegations, hit out at the ruling BJP saying they paid a very heavy price for throttling her voice. TMC MP Mahua Moitra speaks in the House during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024.(PTI)

"Last time I stood, I was not allowed to speak. The ruling party paid a very heavy price for throttling the voice of one MP," Mahua Moitra said in Lok Sabha, referring to her expulsion in the last session.

In their attempt to silence me, the public silenced them, causing them to lose 63 MPs... mujhko bithane ke chakkar mein janta ne aapko bitha diya, aapke 63 MPs loss kar diya, she added.

Moitra was speaking during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to a joint sitting of Parliament.

The Trinamool Congress MP also launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), accusing them of overlooking violations of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJP.

We won in spite of the EC, not because of it. Commissioners turned a deaf ear to the most egregious violations of the Model Code of Conduct by the ruling party and the prime minister, the Krishnanagar MP said.

"This election will be remembered for an eager and compliant EC turning a blind eye and a deaf ear towards the ruling party. Ultimately, the voters took charge and said 'bahut ho gaya'," she added.

Read: Mahua Moitra's warriors are back post with women MPs as 18th Lok Sabha session begins

Criticising the government's infrastructure projects, Moitra said, "You are sanctioning 1.08 lakh crore for Vande Bharat Bullet Train Project. In Balasore last year, three trains collided as there was no 'kavach'; last week, in the train accident there was no 'kavach'. With the current level of funding, it will take 50 years for 'kavach' to be installed on all trains.

'Kavach' is a Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) that provides automated train protection as well as collision prevention capabilities for the trains.

"Our aviation sector has become a domestic hazard hub, with newly constructed airports having canopies falling and the Pragati Maidan tunnel flooding. This is what happens when infrastructure is poorly planned and rushed for photo opportunities by the supreme leader," she said.
The Opposition in West Bengal has hit out at the ruling Trinamool Congress after a video clip of a brutal assault on a couple allegedly engaged in a relationship went viral. The man, who was seen in the video beating up the two with a bunch of bamboo sticks, has been identified as Tajmul alias JCB  allegedly a local TMC leader of Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district. The incident took place following a decision of a kangaroo court, news agency PTI reported. The man, allegedly a TMC leader, attacked a couple with bamboo sticks in Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

While the West Bengal Police on Sunday registered a case over the incident and arrested Tajmul, Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahaman said the woman's activities were unsocial. He, however, denied the TMC having any links with Tajmul.

Hamidul Rahaman said it was a village matter and had nothing to do with the party.

We condemn the incident. But the woman also did wrong. She left her husband, son, and daughter and became an evil beast. There is some code and justice according to Muslim rashtra. However, we do agree that what happened was a bit extreme. Now, legal action will be taken in this case, the Trinamool MLA told reporters.

While the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and CPI(M) slammed the Mamata Banerjee government for the incident, the TMC said the matter will be investigated.

Union minister and Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said statements from TMC's Hamidul Rahaman referring to a "Muslim Rashtra" and discussing punishments under 'certain rules' are deeply concerning.

Is TMC declaring West Bengal a state where Sharia law will be applied? Sukanta Majumdar posted on X.

What Bengal Police said

In a statement, Islampur Police district said, "Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The fact is, police have promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady."

The statement said the victim couple has been provided with police security.

Islampur Police superintendent Joby Thomas K earlier on Sunday said the police watched the video clip on social media and registered a case after verifying it.

The viral video clip showed the accused beating up the woman, who grimaced in pain, as a large number of people were watching. He was seen pulling her by the hair and kicking her. The accused also thrashed a man with the sticks.

How Opposition reacted

"This is the ugly face of Mamata Banerjees rule in West Bengal. The guy in the video, who is beating up a woman mercilessly... is famous for giving quick justice through his insaf sabha and is a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahaman," BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said in a post on X, sharing the video.

He claimed that there is a Sandeshkhali in every village of West Bengal and chief minister Mamata Banerjee is a "curse for women".

"There is no semblance of law and order in Bengal. Will Mamata Banerjee act against this monster or defend him like she stood up for Sheikh Shahjahan?" Amit Malviya said in the post.

Sheikh Shahjahan is an arrested TMC functionary of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, where allegations of sexual abuse and land grab have been levelled against Trinamool Congress leaders.

Hitting out at the Mamata Banerjee government, CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim said in a post on X, Not even #KangarooCourt! Summary trial and punishment handed out by d @AITCofficial goon... Literally bulldozer justice at Chopra under @MamataOfficial rule.

In a later post, Mohammed Salim shared a video in which police personnel, along with the accused, were seen entering Islampur police station.

He claimed, "As usual, the sentry guard was about to offer salute!"

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that attacks on ordinary people and the TMC's political opponents continued in West Bengal, though the Trinamool Congress won the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

"How can a woman be beaten up in this way? Attack on any woman is barbaric and deplorable, he asked.

Such incidents of violence are giving a bad name to West Bengal," Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.

TMC says couple was in 'illicit relationship'

Meanwhile, TMC district president Kaniyalal Agarwal attributed the incident to the couple's alleged illicit relationship, which "did not go down well with the villagers".

He said that the party would investigate the episode.

TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen condemned the incident but also pointed out that such kangaroo courts were common during the Left Front regime, too.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday demanded an apology from Congress lawmaker and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making disparaging remarks against Hindus and misleading claims about the Agnipath recruitment policy for the armed forces. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks in the House on Monday. (Sansad TV)

Gandhi in his speech in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address accused the BJP of cultivating communal divide and said Agniveers who die in action are not treated at par with the other recruits.

Our great men spoke about non-violence...those who call themselves Hindus talk only about hatred... aap Hindu ho hi nahin (you are not a Hindu), he said targeting the BJP.

Holding up a picture of Hindu God, Lord Shiva, he said If you look at Lord Shivas image you know Hindus can never spread fear and hatred... but the BJP spreads fear and hatred 24x7.

The BJP dubbed Gandhis comments against the party as a statement against Hindus. Party president and Union minister, JP Nadda, in a post on X said, Rahul Gandhi Ji must immediately APOLOGISE to all Hindus for terming them as violent. This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop.

Even as the Congress clarified that the statement was specifically meant for the BJP and not Hindus in general; the BJP did not relent.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Gandhi has raised questions about the armed forces, commented about the Speakers post and tore the ordinance of his own government.

He tried to mislead Parliament... he said compensation had not been paid to farmers in Ayodhya, whereas 253 crore has been paid to over 4,000 shopkeepers. The most important issue is that he insulted Hindus. In 2010, the then home mnister P Chidambaram called Hindus terrorists, in 2013 Sushilkumar Shinde said the same. In 2021, Rahul Gandhi said Hindutvavadis should be expelled, Vaishnaw said addressing the media.

Alleging that Gandhi lowered the dignity of polity to a level that is condemnable, the minister said showing picture of Gods and linking it to politics is unpardonable.

He (Gandhi) made some objectionable remarks in Parliament today. He said that martyrs wont receive compensation under the Agniveer scheme. This is a big lie. During Rahul Gandhis speech, defence minister Rajnath Singh said that martyrs under the Agniveer scheme will be given compensation of 1 crore. Congress has always made such remarks against the armed forces and tried to mislead the public, he said.

Taking potshots at Gandhi, Vaishnaw said the position of Leader of Opposition is a very responsible one but the statements he made in the House are very irresponsible.

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also slammed Gandhi and said, We have made a request to the Speaker to pass a direction that if we have made an unverified statement then we are ready to take a corrective course. But if the Leader of Opposition has lied in the House, then he will have to face the rules and regulations of the House. He (Speaker) has already assured in the House that he will give necessary and appropriate directions in this regard...

Refuting the BJPs claims, Ayodhya MP Awadhesh Prasad said Gandhi did not say anything about Hindus. ...He spoke about the mindset of the BJP and the ideology of the RSS. His statement was not for Hindus, it was for the people of BJP, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), he asserted.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, attacked the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a host of issues on Monday, including the NEET row and arrests of the Opposition's politicians. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, speaks in the Upper House of the Parliament. (PTI)

"PM Modi embarrassed India. They used to call the 'Gamandiya alliance', they used to say if there is Modi, anything is possible. But the arrogance of the BJP ended after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Kharge said while replying to the Motion of Thanks to President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the Parliament.

"Elections proved that Constitution and public weigh over everything," he added.

The BJP won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. The party had to rely on its allies to form a government at the Centre. The Congress nearly doubled its seats tally  from 52 to 99.

Kharge said there was no vision or direction in the President's address to the Parliament. He attacked the ruling party for only giving slogans and not doing development work.

He claimed there was no mention of the poor, Dalits and minorities in the President's address to the Parliament.

Kharge said while the Opposition talks about the plight of the common man, PM Modi only does 'Mann Ki Baat'.

'Mann Ki Baat' is PM Modi's monthly radio programme.

Kharge pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hasn't visited strife-torn Manipur.

Kharge also appealed to the Rajya Sabha chairman to put back statues of Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar back in their old spots.

The Congress chief also mentioned the massive NEET row in his reply, claiming the government initially denied any paper leak. He added that the government later clarified and accepted that irregularities took place.

"President has said we will work together. But the words have been confined to just speech and not in action," he added.

"This election witnessed that a major issue was protecting the Constitution. BJP said it will amend the Constitution. But the elections proved that issues keep coming and going but Constitution will thrive, democracy will survive, elections will keep happening and we will also be here," Kharge said.

"The common people supported the Opposition in this fight. They took a major step towards protecting the Constitution," he added.

He said there was no meeting before relocating the statues of national leaders in the Parliament complex.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Reacting to her brother's remark in the Lok Sabha that triggered a row, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Monday that Rahul Gandhi cannot insult Hindus. She said the Leader of the Opposition was talking about the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, not Hindus in general. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs Sonia Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Imran Pratapgarhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. (ANI)

"He cannot insult Hindus. He said it very clearly. He talked about the BJP, he talked about BJP leaders," Priyanka Gandhi said while leaving the Parliament building along with her mother Sonia Gandhi.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi today said in the Lok Sabha that those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in "violence and hate" round the clock, prompting a massive protest from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs.

"All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehood... Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus)," he said.

The Congress leader also held up a picture of Lord Shiva and said his message was about fearlessness and non-violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood up and objected to his remark.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha over 'Hindu' remark; Amit Shah demands apology

"Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," PM Modi said.

Home Minister Amit Shah sought the Congress leader's apology.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Gandhi over the comment.

"I condemn Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji for terming Hindus as a violent, hateful and untruthful community. He can't insult Hindus without any reasons, he wrote on X.

BJP leader G Kishan Reddy claimed Rahul Gandhi's speech was against Hindus.

"Rahul Gandhi and Congress are in depression. He has lied completely. We should sympathize with Rahul Gandhi because, for the last 20 years, he wanted to become the Prime Minister, but the public did not give him a chance to become the Prime Minister. That is why the speech he gave in the Parliament against Hindus. He said that Hindus are violent. The people of the country should understand this. As long as there are Hindus in the country, there will be no violence in the country," he said.

BJP MP Tejashvi Surya called Rahul Gandhi's speech "shameful".

"The extent of animosity that Rahul Gandhi has for Hindus is unbelievable. In his maiden speech as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, he insulted all Hindus by calling them practitioners of violence. Shameful," he wrote on X.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla, meanwhile, said Rahul Gandhi didn't say anything about Hindus.

"He said that the people of BJP, you call yourself Hindus but you do not follow Hinduism, we are all Hindus, we follow Hinduism. What Lord Shiv said, we follow it and you do not follow it, you do violence, you spread hatred, this is what he is saying to the people of the BJP," he said.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Police kill 124 terrorists in first 6 months of 2024 in NW Pakistan

Islamabad, July 1 (UNI) The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of police in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has killed 124 terrorists and arrested 322 others in the first six months of the ongoing year, an official statement said.

A total of 1,433 operations were conducted and the CTD officials thwarted 55 terrorist attacks across the province, the statement released by the CTD said on Sunday.

In some other operations, the CTD arrested 14 suspects involved in the smuggling of explosives from the province.
A day after taking over as Indias 30th army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday drew attention to the unique operational challenges confronting the force even as he underlined the need to remain prepared for the emerging threats and called for equipping soldiers with modern weapons and technology. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi. (PTI)

In his maiden address as army chief, he also touched upon indigenisation of military hardware, synergy among the three services and welfare measures for soldiers and their families.

The Indian Army faces unique operational challenges and to remain prepared for such threats and distinctive requirements, it is crucial that we continuously equip our soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and continue to evolve our warfighting strategies, Dwivedi said after inspecting a guard of honour.

The geopolitical landscape is changing rapidly, and technology is evolving at a very fast pace, he said.

He has assumed charge at a time when the military standoff between India and China in the Ladakh sector is now in its fifth year, steps are being taken to create theatre commands for the best use of the militarys resources to fight future wars, indigenisation of military hardware is one of the foremost priorities for the government and some National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies have called for a review of the Agnipath scheme for the short-term recruitment of soldiers.

This is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army. The glorious traditions of the army rest on the legacy of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. I pay my solemn tributes to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, he said.

Dwivedi was commissioned into 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984.

On indigenisation, he said, The Indian Army is on the path to transformation and we aspire to be Atmanirbhar (self-reliant). To achieve this, we will encourage Indigenous Initiatives and induct maximum war systems and equipment that are manufactured in our country.

India has taken a raft of measures during the last five to six years to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. Apart from a series of phased import bans, these steps include creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware, increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from 49% to 74% and improving ease of doing business.

He highlighted the significance of synergy among the three services.

It will be my endeavour to ensure that the Indian Army is always ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining complete synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders. This will ensure that Indias interests are secured, and we become a major pillar of nation building to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047, he said, adding that the army was fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges.

In a military career spanning 40 years, he has served as deputy chief in the Army Headquarters, the General Officer Commanding of the Yol-based HQs 9 Corps, director general of infantry, and Inspector General Assam Rifles in the Northeast. He also commanded his battalion in the Kashmir valley and Rajasthan.

It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and defence civilians of the Indian Army are looked after. My responsibility towards veterans, veer naris and their families is a sacred commitment and I assure this extended family my full support, Dwivedi added.

Known in the army as a decisive and innovative leader, he has a unique distinction of balanced command and staff exposure across Northern, Eastern and Western theatres, in varied operational environments.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act, the British-era laws that formed the basis of the criminal justice system of the country for over 150 years, will cease to exist from Monday, when the three new criminal laws brought by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi come into force. The government has claimed the new laws bring in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as those of Zero FIRs, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes (ANI)

Police and central agencies will start registering cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaces the IPC, from Monday and follow procedures related to arrests, filing of charge sheets, collecting of evidence, recording of statements, etc according to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). The BNSS and BSA replace the CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The government has claimed the new laws bring in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as those of Zero FIRs, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes.

The three criminal laws were introduced in Parliament on August 11 last year, and then sent to a standing committee. Some of the suggestions of the panel were incorporated and a set of new bills (labelled as second) were tabled on December 12, 2023. They were passed in the same winter session.

Union home minister Amit Shah, who piloted the laws, has said the new laws will end 475 signs of slavery and would give priority to providing justice, unlike the British-era laws that gave primacy to penal action.

These laws are made by Indians, for Indians and by an Indian Parliament and mark the end of colonial criminal justice laws, he said.

He has also said the laws were not just about changing the nomenclature but bringing about a complete overhaul. The soul, body and spirit of the new laws is Indian, he said.

According to the new laws, the judgment in criminal cases has to come within 45 days of completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing. The statement of a rape victim will be recorded by a female police officer in the presence of her guardian or relative and medical reports have to come within seven days.

Organised crimes and acts of terrorism have been defined, sedition has been replaced with treason and video recording of any search and seizure has been made mandatory.

When the government decided to change the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in 2019, it told departments to discuss all the laws made during British rule and review them in accordance with the present times and the interests of Indian society.

In August 2019, Modi wrote letters to all the judges of the Supreme Court, the chief justices of all the high courts of the country and all law universities. Subsequently, in 2020, letters were written to all the members of Parliament, chief ministers, governors and administrators of Union territories. At least 18 states, 6 Union territories, the Supreme Court, 16 high courts, 5 judicial academies, 22 law universities, 142 MPs, about 270 MLAs, Indian Police Services (IPS) officers, security agencies and the general public gave their suggestions regarding the new laws, according to officials familiar with the process.

Before the laws were introduced in August 2023, extensive discussions took place under the banner of a committee for reforms in criminal laws. Shah was present at 158 consultation meetings.

The government has said the old laws had signs of slavery as they were passed by the British Parliament. They refer to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, provincial acts, notifications by the crown representative, London gazette, jury and barristers, Lahore government, Commonwealth resolutions, United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Ireland Parliament, it said.

Besides, old laws had references to Her Majestys and by the Privy Council and were based on the copies and extracts contained in the London Gazette and in possession of the British Crown, the Court of Justice in England and Her Majestys Dominions.

Shah has said all these words have been removed in the new laws, ending 475 signs of slavery.

Some of the key changes include a provision of 20 years of punishment in gang rape cases, and if the girl is below 12 years of age, there is a provision of death penalty. For mob lynching, death penalty or seven years imprisonment or life imprisonment has been added in the new laws. For the first time, snatching of mobile phones or chains from women has been defined in the law. These cases were earlier registered as theft.

The government has for the first time also brought a provision of trial in absentia of fugitive criminals and a section which allows the right to private defence against deadly assault, for instance in the cases of a mob attack.

For police procedures, videography is now compulsory at the time of search and seizure, which will be part of the case, and charge sheets will not be considered valid without such recording. The current conviction rate in IPC crimes is around 57%.

Besides, a time limit of 90 days has been fixed for filing the charge sheet and, depending on the situation, judges will have to give a decision within 30 days of the completion of arguments. This, the government has said, will not keep the decision pending for years, and the verdict will have to be made available online within seven days.

In the run-up to the implementation of the new laws, over 565,000 police, prison, forensic, judicial and prosecution officers across the country have been trained and nearly 4 million grassroots-level functionaries have participated in webinars organised by different ministries to ensure that the citizens are aware of the new laws and the impact on their lives.

Subsequently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is continuing providing technical assistance to states and Union territories for a seamless transition to the new system, and has formed 36 support teams and call centres for review and handholding during the implementation of the new criminal laws.

To take the information about new laws to the students, the University Grants Commission has circulated informative flyers to 1,200 universities and 40,000 colleges and the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) has done that for approximately 9,000 institutions.

Public broadcasters Doordarshan and Akashvani have also organised special programmes across the country to highlight the significant provisions and benefits of the new laws.
The ruling dispensation and the opposition are set for a showdown over a raft of issues including the medical entrance exam irregularities, the Agnipath scheme for the armed forces, price rise and unemployment in the debate on the Presidents speech as well as over the election of the deputy speaker. The INDIA bloc is likely to participate in the discussions in the remaining three days of this session. (ANI)

After its protests over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, on Friday, leading to disruptions in both Houses of Parliament , the INDIA bloc has decided to participate in the discussions in the remaining three days of this session.

Government functionaries have sounded out important opposition parties for the election of the deputy speaker, a post that has been lying vacant for the past five years. The INDIA group wants to field Samajwadi Party lawmaker of Faizabad Awadhesh Prasad for the position, opposition leaders said.The INDIA bloc have conveyed to the ruling side that they want Prasad as deputy speaker, a leader said, seeking anonymity.

There was, however, no indication that the government will agree to Prasads candidature as an MP from the Telegu Desam Party (TDP), the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) biggest ally, is expected to get the deputy speakers seat. Opposition leaders have maintained that they will contest the post, just as they fought the election for the Speakers seat against the National Democratic Alliances (NDA) candidate Om Birla.

But a larger political battle between the ruling side and the opposition is expected during the debate on the Presidents speech. On Friday, the Rajya Sabha managed to start the debate amid massive protests, but the Lok Sabha had to be adjourned as the opposition tried to push an adjournment motion on the NEET-UG issue.

On Sunday, less than 24 hours before the debate resumes in Parliament, Lok Sabhas Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi issued a video message to the public. LoP is the strongest democratic tool every Indian has. I assure you, I will raise your voice by raising your problems and needs with full force in the Parliament. LoP belongs to you, he said.

For many Congress insiders, Gandhi signalled that he will not just raise peoples issues in Parliament but also compel the government to act on it. Problems of common people such as NEET, price rise, unemployment, the faulty Agnipath scheme and the (alleged) benefits given to the handpicked industrialists will be raised during the debate, a Congress leader said, seeking anonymity.

Gandhi, who became LoP for the first time, is expected to participate in the discussions on Presidents speech, his first major debate as LoP.

In the Lok Sabha, BJP member and former Union minister Anurag Thakur is set to initiate the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents address. The motion will be seconded by first-term Lok Sabha member Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of late BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj.

The oppositions demand for a debate on NEET-UG rocked both Houses of Parliament on Friday, with Rajya Sabhas Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge rushing down to the well along with all opposition floor leaders, the Biju Janata Dal (BJP) joining the protests for the first time, and adjournments in the Lok Sabha, where the INDIA bloc has 236 MPs.

Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam fainted in the Upper House during the protests and had been admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Thereafter, the entire opposition walked out of the House.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla pointed out that it had been decided not to allow Zero Hour and adjournment motions during the debate on the Presidents speech. Birla also maintained that all issues (including those around NEET-UG) can be raised during the main debate.

In the Rajya Sabha, chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar slammed the opposition. The kind of ignoble conduct will hurt every Indian, will put this institution to shame. We are here elected, get the prestige of being members of the upper house, the house of elders, he said. If in this house we conduct ourselves in this unruly manner, it is most unfortunate.
The three new criminal laws  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) are set to take effect from Monday, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act. As the Constitution marks its 75th anniversary, these new laws signify a major reform in the perception and administration of criminal laws in India. (ANI)

As the Constitution marks its 75th anniversary, these new laws signify a major reform in the perception and administration of criminal laws in India. The government has announced that while the British colonial rulers implemented these laws with an intent to inflict punishment on Indian subjects, the new laws aim to render justice to citizens by overhauling the punishment and procedures applicable for the investigation and prosecution of crimes.

Technological advancements have been integrated into these new laws, incorporating several modern aids for police investigations, court trials, and closing loopholes that previously delayed justice. This includes the introduction of offences like terrorism, repeal of sedition (replaced with acts against the country), mob lynching, organised crime, and enhanced punishment for crimes against women and children. For the first time, community service has been introduced as a punishment for petty offences under BNS.

ALSO READ| Curtains on IPC, CrPC as new criminal laws kick in

On the investigation front, the new laws enable the registration of e-FIRs, make electronic evidence a primary proof, and set timelines for the completion of trials and the pronouncement of judgments by courts.

However, the three legislations have faced criticism on several fronts. Initially introduced in August last year and referred to the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs for review, the modified versions were reintroduced and passed in Parliament in December when 97 Opposition members were under suspension in the Lok Sabha. Many Opposition MPs have expressed concerns over the bills providing unbridled powers to the police, potentially allowing the state to weaponise these powers against individuals. The new law also retains the exemption for marital rape, an issue currently pending consideration before the Supreme Court.

New penal code

The new penal code redefines crime and punishment, including terrorism for the first time with an expanded definition covering economic security and monetary stability of the country. Organized crime and mob lynching are also newly defined offences.

A terrorist act under the revised version punishes acts intending or likely to threaten Indias unity, integrity, sovereignty, security, or economic security, or acts intended or likely to strike terror among the people. For committing a terrorist act resulting in death, the code prescribes death or life imprisonment, while other terrorist acts can result in a jail term of five years to life.

Counterfeiting currency or coins now constitutes a separate offence under BNS, particularly if such acts impact Indias monetary stability, classifying them as terrorism. Section 113 of the BNS mandates that an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police decides whether to register such cases under this clause or under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Mob lynching, previously not a specific offence, is now punishable by death or life imprisonment if committed by a group of five or more persons on grounds such as race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief, or other reasons.

Organized crime, now defined and punishable under Section 111, includes a wide range of activities like kidnapping, robbery, vehicle theft, extortion, land grabbing, contract killing, economic offences, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The law also punishes petty organized crime, including chain snatching, theft, cheating, and sale of examination question papers.

The new penal code repeals sedition (Section 124A of the IPC) and replaces it with a provision involving treason, relating to acts endangering Indias sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

In crimes against women, the new law introduces provisions defining cruelty against women in marital relationships and penalizes the publication of court proceedings that could reveal the identity of a rape victim. Section 73 makes it a penal offence to print or publish such proceedings without court approval, with a maximum imprisonment of two years. Section 86 defines cruelty to include wilful conduct likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or cause grave injury, punishable by up to three years in jail.

Community service as punishment for petty offences, including criminal defamation, is a notable addition. Defined under BNSS (the new CrPC), community service benefits the community without remuneration and can be ordered by magistrates of the first and second class.

Speedy justice

To address delayed justice, the new laws introduce timelines for various procedures. BNSS requires sessions courts to frame charges within 60 days from the first hearing and deliver judgments within 30 days (extendable to 60 days) after completing arguments. Plea bargaining applications must be filed within 30 days of framing charges.

The revised BNSS mandates that medical practitioners examining rape victims submit reports within seven days to investigating officers. Victims must be informed of investigation progress within 90 days.

To avoid trial delays, BNSS allows evidence collected by retired or transferred officers to be presented by their successors. Trials can proceed in the absence of an accused declared a proclaimed offender, and judgments can be pronounced against such accused.

Technology integration includes forensic investigations for offences punishable by seven years or more, with forensic experts required to visit crime scenes and record processes. All proceedings, including trials and inquiries, are to be conducted electronically. The BSA classifies electronic records as primary evidence, enabling investigators to use information stored in electronic devices during trials.

To prevent accused individuals from manipulating police custody by getting hospitalized, BNSS allows the 15-day police custody period to be used intermittently during the initial 40 or 60 days of judicial custody.

BNSS formally introduces the zero First Information Report (FIR) concept, allowing FIRs to be filed anywhere in the country and transferred to the concerned jurisdictional police station within 15 days. The law also provides a witness protection system and extends attachment of crime proceeds to immovable property.

Scope of challenge

Last month, a vacation bench of the top court refused to entertain a petition filed by a lawyer challenging the three laws stating that it was premature as the laws were yet to come into operation. The lawyer Vishal Tiwari withdrew his plea, saving his arguments for a future date.

However, in a separate proceeding, the top court entertained a petition challenging the exception for marital rape under the BNS and other related proceedings. On May 18, a bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud sought the response of the Centre on a petition filed by All India Democratic Womens Association challenging exception 2 to section 63 (rape) of BNS which states that sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.

The notice by the court was issued as the constitutional challenge on the marital rape issue under IPC is already pending consideration in a batch of petitions. The petition also challenged the constitutional validity of section 67 which prescribes lesser punishment beginning from a minimum punishment of 2 years imprisonment to maximum sentence of 7 years. Along with it, validity of Section 221 of the BNSS that prohibits a court from taking cognizance of the offence under rape without prima facie satisfaction of the facts which constitute the offence upon a complaint by the wife.

When the revised bills were passed in Parliament, some Opposition MPs raised concerns about the new laws giving wide powers to the police and fostering a police state, particularly regarding the broad definitions of terrorism and organized crime under BNS. Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered these concerns, claiming that on many fronts, police powers have been curtailed.

During parliamentary discussions, Shiromani Akali Dals Harsimrat Kaur Badal highlighted a human rights issue in the new law, which restricts mercy petition applications on behalf of death row convicts to family members. AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi cited data showing a disproportionate number of undertrials in Indian prisons are Muslims. He argued that despite the repeal of sedition, Section 152 of BNS, dealing with secession or armed rebellion, revives it to some extent.

Shah defended the laws, emphasizing the distinction between Rajdroh (against the government) and Deshdroh (against the country), asserting that while protesting against the government is a right, speaking against the countrys interests will not be tolerated. Shah also mentioned provisions requiring police to inform relatives of arrested individuals and provide investigation updates within 90 days.

The effectiveness of these new laws will ultimately be tested on the ground. While judges, prosecutors and police are being trained on the new laws, their real impact will be seen in their implementation and enforcement. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these reforms translate into the justice delivery system and whether they fulfil their promise of rendering justice to Indian citizens.
The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing critique of the Narendra Modi-led government over what he described as a decade-long systematic attack on the Constitution and the foundational idea of India by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, replying on Motion Of Thanks To President's Address.

"I am feeling good that BJP leaders are uttering the word 'Constitution' every 2-3 minutes," Gandhi noted, with a hint of irony. For the last 10 years, there has been a systematic attack on the Constitution, on the idea of India, and on anybody who resisted the ideas being proposed by the BJP, who resisted the dilution of the Constitution.

"Many of us were personally attacked. In fact, some of our leaders are still in jail. Not only the opposition, who resisted the idea of concentration of power, of concentration of wealth, of oppression of the poor, Dalits, minorities, and tribals were crushed. People were put in jail, people were threatened, and I myself was attacked by order of the Government of India, by order obviously of the Prime Minister of India," he added.

During his address, Gandhi displayed a poster of Lord Shiva, which prompted an immediate intervention from Speaker Om Birla.

"Rules don't allow the display of placards," Birla said, urging Gandhi to adhere to parliamentary protocols.

Gandhi continued,Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred, and falsehoods.

All our great men have spoken about non-violence...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruthAap Hindu ho hi nahi, he added, pointing to the treasury benches.

Read: Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha over 'Hindu' remark; Amit Shah demands apology

Rahul Gandhi's remarks triggered a huge ruckus in the House, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter.

Gandhi, however, retorted that he was speaking about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Modi are not the entire Hindu society, he added.

The Congress leader further stressed that all religions talk about courage, citing Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism to underline the importance of fearlessness.

Gandhi also expressed his contentment at being in the opposition.

"I am happy and proud to be in the opposition. For us, there is something more than power, it is the truth," he said.

Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of creating an environment of fear not only among citizens of the country but also within the BJP.
The Indian Navy has completed field evaluation trials of the two submarines in contention for the 43,000-crore Project 75I programme, with a team visiting Spain last month to evaluate the vessel fielded by State-owned shipbuilder Navantia, people familiar with the matter said. An air independent propulsion will allow the vessels to remain submerged for longer periods of time. (Representative image)

While Germanys ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has tied up with Indias State-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the project to build six submarines with an air independent propulsion (AIP) system, Navantia has teamed with engineering major Larsen & Toubro.

The evaluation of Navantias submarine, based on its new S80 class of vessels, was conducted at a shipyard in Cartagena last week, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. The Indian Navy had evaluated the TKMS submarine at a German shipyard in March.

Navantia demonstrated the AIP system operating on the surface and its performance while submerged would be shown soon, the people said. The navy will now present its findings on both bids to the defence ministry for further action, they said.

Both TKMS and Navantia have stepped up lobbying for the project, which envisages the construction of six advanced submarines by an Indian bidder and a foreign collaborator. The AIP system will allow the vessels to remain submerged for longer periods of time. The first submarine must have a minimum of 45% indigenisation, with the indigenous content going up to 60% in the sixth.

During a visit to India last month, Navantia chairman Ricardo Dominguez Garcia-Baquero told the media that the Spanish government is willing to back his companys bid in every way. This includes expeditious export clearance [and] signing an umbrella agreement with the Indian government...like in the case of the recent Airbus deal [for supplying C-295 transport aircraft] with [Tata], he said.

He said Navantia and L&T are fully committed to meet Indias transfer of technology requirements and the stipulations for indigenous content in line with New Delhis goal of achieving self-reliance in manufacturing defence hardware.

TKMS has offered a submarine based on its Class 214 and Class 212CD designs.

The submarine deal is expected to figure when German and Spanish leaders visit India in the coming months. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit India in October for the bilateral inter-governmental consultations, while a visit by Spanish President Pedro Sanchez is expected later this year too.

Germany has taken several steps to advance defence cooperation with India in recent months, such as easing licening requirements for selling military equipment. Spanish officials have said their country is keen to enhance defence cooperation with India as part of Europes efforts to wean the country away from Russian military equipment.
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each others custody, with New Delhi calling for the early release and repatriation of 185 Indian nationals who had completed their prison terms. The ministry of external affairs said Pakistan shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed to be Indians. (ANI)

Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, the two countries exchange lists of prisoners in each others custody twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

India shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistanis, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

Similarly, Pakistan shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed to be Indians.

Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence, the statement said.

In addition, Pakistan was asked to provide immediate consular access to 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in its custody, who are believed to be Indians and have not been provided such access so far.

Pakistan was also requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation, the statement said.

The Indian government also called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistans custody.

India remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters on priority, including issues relating to prisoners and fishermen in each others country.

In this context, India urged Pakistan to expedite the process to verify the nationality of 75 believed to be Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indias custody. The repatriation of these people is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan.

As a result of the Indian governments efforts, a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners repatriated from Pakistan since 2023.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi of attacking Hindus after the Congress leader launched a no-holds-barred attack on the BJP in Lok Sabha. Taking a jibe at the politics of the Congress party, Jaishankar also referred to Rahul Gandhi's old remarks on the Indian Army and his act of tearing ordinance in the Parliament. External affairs minister S. Jaishankar attacks Rahul Gandhi over his speech in Lok Sabha.(PTI)

"This is now the Leader of Opposition. Who attacks Hindus while professing brotherhood to all. Who disparages the Indian Army's bravery, while expressing concern for their welfare. Who tears up Cabinet decisions, while preaching respect for Constitution. Welcome to the politics of the Congress Party," Jaishankar posted on X.

Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to President's address, Rahul Gandhi said that the leaders of the ruling BJP are not Hindus as they engage in "violence and hate" round the clock, triggering massive protests from the treasury benches.

"Shivji says daro mat, darao mat, shows the abhay mudra (the right hand held upright with the palm facing outwards), talks about ahimsa, but those who call themselves Hindus indulge in hatred, violence and untruths round the clock," Gandhi said, pointing towards the BJP MPs.

Read: RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha uses Panchayat web series to attack Election Commission in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened and said, This issue is very serious. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a serious issue.

Gandhi, however, hit back at Modi, saying he was speaking about the Bharatiya Janata Party and neither the ruling party nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) nor Modi represents the entire Hindu society.

"Ye theka nahi hai BJP ka," he said.

Read: You bowed to PM Modi: Rahul Gandhi on Speaker's gesture; Om Birla responds

Besides Modi, who intervened twice, at least five cabinet ministers also interjected during Gandhi's speech which lasted for about an hour and 40 minutes, with home minister Amit Shah demanding his apology for painting the Hindu community as violent.
In a stern word on judicial conduct, Supreme Court judge BR Gavai admonished certain high court judges for various lapses, including canvassing for their elevation to the apex court, and failing to adhere to punctuality and efficiency in their duties. For representational purposes only. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Speaking at the judicial academy in Kolkata on June 29, justice Gavai highlighted instances of judges not sitting in court on time, keeping judgments reserved for months and mistreating lawyers.

Some of the judges in some of the high courts do not sit on time. It is shocking to know that some of the judges, though the court timings are 10.30 am, sit at 11.30 am and get up at 12.30 pm though the court timings are up to 1.30 pm. It is more shocking to know that some of the judges do not sit in the second half, he said.

Justice Gavai expressed concerns about the integrity of the judiciary, emphasising the importance of judicial discipline and fraternity.

Some of the judges even go to the extent of canvassing their candidature for elevation to the Supreme Court. They try to prove their case as to how they are more suitable for elevation to the Supreme Court than the other senior judges of the said court, he underlined.

Such behaviour, he maintained, undermines the principle of judicial discipline and harms the reputation of the institution.

Justice Gavai, who is in line to become the chief justice of India (CJI) in May 2025, pointed out that the collegium (judges selection panel) works on a database having information of all the judges who are in the zone of consideration for elevation. Apart from that, inputs from various sources including the opinions of the consultee judges in the Supreme Court who had an occasion to examine the functioning of such judges are also taken into consideration. In my view, such canvassing by judges is injurious to the principle of discipline that we should maintain, he said.

Keeping judgments reserved for inordinate long periods, justice Gavai asserted, leads to eroding the confidence of the public in the judiciary.

The judge said that a common man still believes that the last hope available to him is the judiciary. It is our duty to enhance the faith that this common citizen has in our Institution and to ensure that we perform in a manner which not only enhances its faith but also the dignity of this great institution to which we owe everything, he said.

In his address, justice Gavai also underscored the necessity of federal contestation for Indias development. He pointed out that the Constitution allows for a balance between cooperative and uncooperative federalism, where different federal units can engage in both collaboration and contestation.

While cooperative federalism is essential for maintaining Indias unity and integrity, competition, contestation or friction between the different federal units, when exercised in a democratic and constitutional manner, is equally necessary for the countrys overall development, said the senior Supreme Court judge, explaining that such contestation furthers the principles of federalism and democracy.

According to justice Gavai, courts ought to play a pivotal role in resolving disputes between the Centre and states although Quite the Indian Constitution provides a detailed framework for the distribution of powers between the Union and the states by prescribing the union list, state list and concurrent list, delineating the subjects on which each level of government can legislate.

The courts must carefully evaluate the scope of constitutional powers allocated to both the Union and the states when adjudicating disputes. Their role is to interpret and uphold the Constitution, ensuring that the balance of power between the different levels of government is maintained and that any encroachment on the powers of one by the other is appropriately addressed, he added.

Another critical point in justice Gavais speech was the emphasis on constitutional morality. He discussed how judges have to uphold constitutional values over social or political morality.

As the custodian of the Constitution, a judge has to consciously safeguard constitutional morality over social or political morality, he noted. Justice Gavai illustrated this with landmark cases like Navtej Singh Johar Vs Union of India, in which the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality, reinforcing the principles of dignity, equality and privacy. He remarked: By striking down this section, the Court reinforced the notion that the law must evolve with changing societal norms and protect the rights of marginalised communities.

Justice Gavai also addressed the issue of judicial overreach, cautioning that while the judiciary plays a critical role in interpreting laws and bridging gaps in legislation, it must not overstep its bounds.

Even as the judge acknowledged that the courts they do act as catalysts in policymaking, justice Gavai highlighted: The ultimate framers of the law in a democracy are the legislators, and the judiciary is vigilant in not overtaking that function. He cited recent instances, such as the same-sex marriage case, where the Supreme Court recognised its limitations in making laws that fall within the legislative domain.

The Supreme Court noted its institutional limitations in including queer unions in the Special Marriage Act as it would tend to create a law that directly falls within the domain of the legislature, the judge said.

Justice Gavai pointed out that justice delivery has never been a routine mathematical function of analysing facts and applying the relevant law as it is. Judges of the constitutional courts have to adopt a dynamic role and strike down legislation or policy when it is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution. A judge is the final arbiter in determining what a law is. In doing so, they shape the countrys legal landscape by balancing the interests of the individual and the society, he said.

After justice KG Balakrishnan, justice Gavai will be the second Dalit to become the CJI. Following the retirement of justice Sanjiv Khanna on May 3, 2025, he will remain in that post till November 23, 2025.
NEW DELHI: In a scathing speech in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Leader of Opposition in the Upper House and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of fostering communal politics and blamed the government for various administrative lapses including the most recent irregularities in the conduct of examinations and alleged paper leaks. Leader Of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in the Upper House on Monday. (Sansad TV)

He cited the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the train accident, incidents of airport canopy collapses, bridge collapses in Bihar and a toll tax hike as examples of governance deficit.

Speaking in the Upper House during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address, Kharge lashed out at Modi for invoking communal sentiments during the Lok Sabha polls; and citing newspaper reports on a bunch of speeches by Modi which has communal undertones.

Kharge said during the campaign the PM tried to stoke fears about the Congress manifesto, alleging that there was a plan underfoot to take away the assets of the majority community and divide it among the minorities.

Quoting references from the PMs speeches, he read out portions where he spoke about the Congress wanting to take away assets including the Mangalsutra (accoutrement worn by married women) of Hindu women.

The government diverts the attention of the public from important issues. When the Opposition talks about farmers, Narendra Modi talks about releasing the buffaloes...When the Opposition talks about BJPs divisive thinking, Narendra Modi talks about Aurangzeb and the Mughals...While the Opposition talks of unemployment and paper leaks, Narendra Modi talks of mangalsutra .... he said.

Instead of listening to people and the Opposition, Narendra Modi starts speaking his Mann Ki Baat, he added, even as chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar objected to the references and asked the LoP to authenticate the speeches attributed to the PM.

The chairman objected to Kharges explanation that the speeches have been sourced from newspapers and said such reports cannot be used for authentication even as the Opposition rose in protest. Pointing out that he would expunge the statements, the Chairman said, It wont go on record, it is derogatory, defamatory...

Kharge also took potshots at the BJP for its slogan Ab Ki Baar 400 Paar and said the party that exuded hubris has shrunk, and it is a result of people teaching a lesson to the BJP.

This was the first election in the history of the country where the issue was protection of the Constitution. BJP had given the slogan of crossing 400. Its leaders had even talked about changing the Constitution if they crossed 400, Kharge said.

The Opposition had accused the BJP of setting a target of winning 400 of the 543 seats to be able to change the Constitution and do away with caste-based quotas; a charge that was denied by Modi and the BJP.

There are still people in the country who have a mindset contrary to social justice. This fight will be complete only when such ideology is uprooted and thrown away. The specialty of this session is that fearing the mandate, even the ruling party is discussing the Constitution, but there are people who still object to the slogan Jai Samvidhaan in Parliament, Kharge said.

Kharge also took a dig at Modis ek akela sab pe bhari remark made in the 17th Lok Sabha where he referred to be being capable of taking on the Opposition coalescing against him.

The Opposition had to constantly struggle to put forward its views in the House, because BJPs thinking was that there should be no opposition in Parliament.... Kharge said pointing out that the post of Deputy Speaker would not have been vacant in the 17th Lok Sabha.

The election results have shown that the countrys Constitution and people are more important than everything else. There is no place for arrogant slogans in democracy, he said.

Ek akela par aaj kitne log bhaari hai, election ne dikha diya ki desh ka samvidhan aur janata sab par bhaari hei. (Elections proved that Constitution and public are above all), he said.

Lashing out at the government for the paper leaks and examinations that have been deferred and scrapped, Kharge said instead of taking steps to stem the leaks, the government initially denied the irregularities.

If this keeps happening, students will stop studying...there have been 70 instances of paper leaks in the last 10 years, he said.

Kharge criticised Modi and the BJP for referring to the INDIA Bloc as Ghamandiya or arrogant and said the results have punctured the arrogance of BJP. He said the party that used to make derogatory references to alliance government has been forced to form a government with allies, having fallen short of numbers. The BJP with 240 members had to rely on allies to form the government for the third time.

In a stinging attack on the governments failure to stop violence in Manipur, Kharge said Modi, who visited 14 countries and made numerous trips across the country during campaign, chose not to visit the state even once.

He talks about women and the poor. But Manipur has been burning for a year, he has not gone there till date, Kharge said.

Referring to Agnipath, the revised scheme for employment of armed forces personnel, Kharge said the scheme should be revisited. He also alleged that the government was misusing central agencies including the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to silence the opposition and accused Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of misleading investors based on exit poll results.

On May 19, the PM said the stock market is going to move fast, so invest. Then the home minister also asked people to invest in the market. After the exit polls were released on June 3, the stock market broke all records, but after the election results were released on June 4, the stock market fell, investors suffered a loss of 30 lakh crore, Kharge said.

He also accused the government of taking an arbitrary decision to move statues of freedom fighters and relocating them. There was no meeting or prior consultation. It was done as though in authoritarian rule, he said.

Dhankar, however, said the process was carried out methodically and there should not be criticism for the sake of criticism.

In a reference to the Presidents address, Kharge said the speech had no vision or direction and ignored the poor, Dalits and minorities.

We were confident that the President would say something about the challenges to the Constitution and democracy. She would give a strong message to the most vulnerable sections. But we were deeply disappointed to find that there was nothing in it for the poor, the Dalits, the backward classes, and the minorities, he said.

Kharges repeated reference to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological fount of the BJP drew a sharp reaction from the government as well as the Chair. Dhankar asked if being a member of any organisation was a crime. RSS is an organisation that works for the country, Dhankar said and ordered statement against the organisation to be expunged from the records.
Sudanese army accuses paramilitary forces of destroying part of key bridge in Khartoum

Khartoum, July 1 (UNI) The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Monday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of destroying part of a main bridge in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

"In continuation of its systematic targeting of the country's infrastructure and capabilities, the RSF militia on Sunday evening destroyed the eastern part of the Al-Halfaya Bridge," the SAF said in a statement.

The Al-Halfaya Bridge is one of the ten bridges linking the three main cities in the capital metropolitan area, namely Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman. It is also the largest on the Nile, stretching 911 metres long and 27 metres wide.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday came down heavily on the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal over a video of a man assaulting a woman in Chopra in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur, claiming that Sandeshkhali gave Sheikh Shahjahan and north Dinajpur gave Tajmul alias "JCB  the accused. The man, Tajmul alias "JCB who is allegedly a TMC leader, attacked a couple with bamboo sticks in Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

The West Bengal Police has arrested Tajmul alias JCB, who was seen in the video beating up a couple with a bunch of bamboo sticks. The incident took place following a kangaroo court decision.

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia launched a scathing attack on the "jungle-raj" of the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal.

It won't be wrong to say 'jungle-raj kaisa hota hai? Mamata-raj jaisa hota hai. Mamata Banerjee is worried about the protection of TMC goons. Tajmul, aka JCB, is shredding the Constitution to pieces. TMC MLA Hamidul Rehman told a journalist that some laws in Muslim countries are like this. Is Hamidul Rehman taking forward your (Mamata Banerjee) mentality?...Sandeshkhali gave Shahjahan and north Dinajpur gave Tajmul, the BJP leader said.

Gaurav Bhatia further said it was a shame that Mamata Banerjee has not spoken a word on this.

"As a woman and a chief minister, she should be the first to come out and condemn this incident," Bhatia said, demanding Mamata Banerjee's resignation.

Earlier, BJP President JP Nadda said that Mamata Banerjee' state is "unsafe for women."

A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didi's West Bengal is UNSAFE for women, JP Nadda posted on X.

Facing severe criticism, the Trinamool Congress said it has a zero-tolerance policy on such crimes and attacked BJP-ruled states and the previous CPM government in Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress as a party and our government do not support what has happened in Chopra. Police have registered a case suo motu and arrested the main accused. The victim has been provided police security, and if anyone else is involved, he won't be spared, said Santanu Sen of the Trinamool Congress said.

The West Bengal police on Sunday filed a suo motu case and arrested one person in connection with the video in which a person is seen beating a woman at Chopra in the Islampur area of Uttar Dinajpur district.

"Police have arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a woman. Suo motu case filed. Victim has been provided police security. Investigation proceeds," a tweet from Islampur police district read.

In the purported video, a man is seen beating a woman and another man with bamboo sticks and the incident that took place is being witnessed by a crowd of onlookers.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar slammed the "appeasement politics" of the INDIA bloc.

"Just because INDI alliance politics is built on appeasement, that mean no laws or constitutional rights to life & liberty do not apply? Appeasement politics of INDI alliance are causing them to cross every line and every law that guarantees rights to citizens All over the country, including West Bengal. Lie about protecting the constitution but do exactly the opposite?," the BJP leader posted on X.
A Delhi court on Monday sentenced renowned social activist Medha Patkar to five months of imprisonment in a 23-year-old defamation case filed by the then president of the non-profit organisation, National Council of Civil Liberties, VK Saxena, who is currently serving as the lieutenant governor (LG) of Delhi. Both Medha Patkar and VK Saxena have been locked in a legal battle since 2000.

Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma found Patkar guilty of defamation and directed her to pay 10 lakh as compensation to Saxena for the damage caused to his reputation. The court, however, suspended her sentence under section 389(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure till August 1 to allow her to appeal against the order.

Rejecting Patkar's prayer to release her on the condition of probation, the judge said, Considering the facts...damages, age and ailment (of the accused), I am not inclined to give excessive punishment.

Why the ruling in the 23-year-old legal tussle between Medha Patkar and LG VK Saxena is a key judgment on defamation

Reacting to the court's order, Patkar said,The truth can never be defeated...We have not tried to defame anyone, we only do our work...We will challenge the court's judgement.

Patkar and Saxena have been locked in a legal tussle since 2000 after she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). The case dates back to January 2001, when Saxena alleged that Patkar issued a press release titled, True Face of Patriot, on November 25, 2000, containing false imputations intended to harm his reputation. Saxena was then the chief of the Ahmedabad-based NGO.

Example must be set: Delhi LG Vinai Saxena seeks maximum punishment for Medha Patkar

On May 24, the Delhi court convicted Patkar saying: It has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused (Patkar) published the imputations with the intent and knowledge that they would harm the reputation of the complainant and, therefore, committed an offence punishable under Section 500 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). She is hereby convicted of the same.

The offence entailed a maximum punishment of simple imprisonment of up to two years or fine or both.
Three new criminal lawsBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyamcame into effect across the country on Monday, July 1. They brought widespread changes in India's criminal justice system and ended colonial-era laws. Delhi Police personnel patrol Raisina Hill. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

The three laws replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.

The new criminal laws will bring in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes.

How states are preparing to implement new criminal laws

Delhi: The Delhi Police is all set to implement the three new criminal laws. "Proper trainings were organised to understand the new laws. Those who received the training were given handbooks to understand the new laws," a senior officer of the Delhi Police told news agency PTI. In January, a 14-member committee was constituted to study the laws and prepare the study material for the Delhi Police personnel. The committee was led by Special Commissioner of Police Chhaya Sharma and comprised DCP Joy Tirkey, additional DCP Uma Shankar and other officers. During the last 15 days, the Delhi Police personnel initiated a trial process where they registered dummy FIRs, said the officer. As per the new law, the evidence collection process at the crime scene will be mandatorily videographed to prevent evidence tampering, another police officer said. "There will be helpline numbers for the IOs to help them in understanding the law," said the police officer. Bihar: The Bihar Police is fully geared up in terms of technology, capacity building and awareness generation to implement the three new criminal laws. An awareness programme will be held at every police station in Bihar on Monday to highlight the key features of the new criminal laws, officials said. Elaborate preparations have been made to ensure successful implementation and seamless transition to the new system. The state police is fully geared up in terms of technology, capacity building and awareness generation to implement the new criminal laws from July 1, a statement issued by the Bihar Police said. The state police has carried out training of its 25,000 senior officers ahead of the new laws coming into effect and also on digital policing, it said. Tripura: The government has taken all possible steps to implement the three new criminal laws, a senior official said. "The state government has taken all possible steps to implement criminal laws... The move will bring modernisation in judiciary, speedy justice and safeguarding the interest of victims," said Tripura home secretary PK Chakravarty at a press conference. He said the home department has already completed training programmes for all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, social welfare department and law department. Mizoram: The Mizoram government has launched a series of initiatives to ensure the smooth implementation of three new criminal laws. Talking to PTI, Mizoram inspector general of police (Law and Order) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte, however, said the three new laws are not being translated into Mizo language. Arunachal Pradesh: The state will use the English and Hindi versions of the three new criminal laws since its people speak in "innumerable" dialects, an official told PTI. Officials and other people concerned are being trained on the new laws in English and Hindi, he said. English is the official language of the northeastern state. "We will use the English and Hindi versions (of the three laws). They are not being translated into any local language. We have 26 major and over 100 sub-tribes," the official said. Assam: A top official told PTI that the Assam Police was fully prepared to implement the new criminal laws. DGP GP Singh said the force has been preparing for these new laws for the last three years, since the first drafts were made public. Describing the new laws as a 'milestone event,' he added, These laws mark a shift from the colonial period to laws reflecting the free will of our country. Tamil Nadu: Expeditious training were provided to judicial and police personnel, chief minister MK Stalin said last week. Replying to legislator MH Jawahirullah (Manithaneya Makkal Katchi), who spoke on changes to criminal laws, MK Stalin said it is true that time is needed for understanding the new laws to be implemented from July 1. During its enactment itself, the DMK had staunchly opposed these new laws in Parliament. The CM recalled that he had written to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking deferment of the implementation of new laws and also urged proper consultation with states. Himachal Pradesh: The new laws embody a reformative philosophy, not retributive philosophy and will make the system transparent, strong and effective, additional director general of police (Law and Order) Abhishek Trivedi said in a statement issued. "All cases registered since midnight of July 1 will be tried as per the new criminal laws," he said during an interaction with officials. Trivedi said the preparation for moving to the new system was in full swing. The new laws, which focus on technology, will bring uniformity across the nation in filing e-FIRs, with a thrust on mobile phones and applications, the AGDP said. It added that all seizures made by the police will now have to be accompanied by videography. Odisha: The state police is prepared to implement the three new criminal laws, a senior police officer said last week. "The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has issued notifications for implementation of the three new criminal laws from July 1, and we are prepared to implement it," Odisha DGP Arun Sarangi told PTI. Odisha Police have been conducting training for police officers (for inspectors and above-rank officers). Jammu and Kashmir: The Jammu and Kashmir Police has come out with a compendium on the three new criminal justice laws containing detailed provisions regarding investigation, arrest, search, seizure and prosecution in the Urdu language. Compiled and translated by a six-member committee headed by senior superintendent of police (SSP) Mubassir Latifi, it was made public last week as chief secretary Atal Dulloo separately assessed the preparedness to implement the new laws.

The three new criminal laws  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam  will replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act of 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively.

Union home minister Amit Shah, who piloted the laws, said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the British-era laws that gave primacy to penal action.

"These laws are made by Indians, for Indians and by an Indian Parliament and marks the end of colonial criminal justice laws," he said.

According to the new laws, judgment in criminal cases has to come within 45 days of the completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.

Statement of rape victims will be recorded by a female police officer in the presence of her guardian or relative and medical reports have to come within seven days.

Organised crimes and acts of terrorism have been defined, sedition has been replaced with treason and video recording of all search and seizure have been made mandatory.

(With inputs from agencies)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday took note of the public flogging of a couple by purportedly a local TMC leader in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district. Issuing notices to the state chief secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), the statutory body called for a detailed report within a week. The man, allegedly a TMC leader, attacked a couple with bamboo sticks in Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

It should include the status of the police investigation in the matter, the health status of the victims and medical treatment if any, provided to them, the NHRC said in a release.

Criticising the TMC-led West Bengal government, the NHRC said the state authorities have not learnt any lessons neither from the shameful incidents that occurred in the past nor from the concern raised by the Commission.

Commenting on the law-and-order situation in the state, the NHRC said, "the law has been taken into hands by unruly elements, victimizing innocent people, especially women."

The rights body said it would send a team to visit the place of the incident to conduct an on-the-spot fact-finding enquiry in the matter and to submit a report to the Commission at the earliest.

Terming the flogging incident a serious issue of violation of the couple's human rights, the Commission said it would like to know the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the State government to ensure that such incidents of violation of the human rights of the citizens, by politically protected goons, do not recur.

Highlighting its role during past instances in West Bengal, the NHRC also mentioned similar incidents in Cooch Behar and Sandeshkhali.

The West Bengal police registered a case on Sunday after a video of the incident went viral on social media and was widely shared by leaders from political parties including BJP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) who condemned the incident.

Speaking to PTI on Sunday, Islampur Police Superintendent Joby Thomas K said that the police have initiated raids to arrest the culprit and will investigate the reason behind the act. On Monday, the accused Tajimul Hossain alias JCB was produced in the Islampur sub-divisional court by the police and was granted a five-day custody, reported the Indian Express.

Denying any connection with the accused, the TMC had said the incident was due to an alleged 'illicit' relationship that the villagers did not approve of.
The National Investigation Agency or NIA gave consent for jailed Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, known as Engineer Rashid, to take oath as a Lok Sabha member on July 25, ahead of the Delhi court's order on Tuesday. Additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh will pass an order on the plea on Tuesday. MP-elect from Kashmirs Baramulla seat Engineer Rashid (HT File)

Engineer Rashid could not take oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha on June 24 despite his name being called as he has been lodged in jail since 2019 after being charged by the NIA in a terror-funding case.

Engineer Rashid defeated former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah to win the Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla seat as an Independent candidate.

A Delhi court on Saturday asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond by July 1 to an application filed by Engineer Rashid, seeking interim bail to take oath as an MP.

Additional sessions judge Kiran Gupta fixed the matter for hearing on July 1 and directed the NIA to file its reply by then.

Rashid, the MP from Baramulla who has been arrested in a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case, had moved the court seeking interim bail, or custody parole in the alternative, to take oath and perform his parliamentary functions.

On Monday, the NIA's counsel said Rashid's oath-taking be subject to some conditions like not speaking to the media. He also said Rashid must complete everything within a day.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Engineer Rashid ran as an independent candidate for the Baramulla seat and defeated Omar Abdullah. He secured victory with a margin of 2,04,142 votes and received 47,2481 votes.

Radical preacher Amritpal Singh fails to take oath as MP

Another jailed MP-elect Amritpal Singh, a radical preacher, could not take oath as a member of Parliament as he is in jail in Assam, detained under the National Security Act.

Twelve other MP-elects from Punjab were administered oath in Parliament on Tuesday. Punjab has 13 Lok Sabha constituencies.

After the Congress' Gurjeet Singh Aujla took oath in Parliament, Singh's name was called out but he was not present.
At least eight people fell ill after the carbon monoxide gas leaked from the state-owned SAIL's Rourkela steel plant in Odisha on Monday. According to officials, the incident took place while maintenance work was underway in a blast furnace. Odisha: Several workers critical after poisonous gas leak in Rourkela steel plant(Representational image)

The workers who fell ill were rushed to the nearby Ispat General Hospital (IGH) for treatment. According to news agency PTI, among them are an executive, a senior supervisor, another RSP employee, and some outsourced staff.

Also read: Amidst palkhi procession toxic foam coats sacred Indrayani river

I met all of them, and they are doing fine, the steel plant's director in charge, Atanu Bhowmick, told PTI.

Meanwhile, officials have formed a committee to investigate the incident.

In another incident last month, three people, including a minor girl, died of asphyxiation while two others underwent treatment, reportedly after inhaling poisonous gas, which leaked into their toilets in their homes in Puducherrys Reddiarpalayam. According to the police, the incident came to light when one of the victims fainted after entering her toilet. Her daughter, who went in to check on her, also collapsed. Shortly afterwards, their neighbour also faced a similar incident when she entered her toilet and fainted.

Officials said that hazardous gas was suspected to have leaked into the bathroom due to a gap between the drainage lines.

Also read: Singapore technician jailed in toxic gas release that killed Indian national in Sept 2020

According to residents, no action was taken when they complained about the discharge of untreated water and sludge from the sewage treatment plant at Kanagan Eri. We have been complaining to authorities that we are at the risk of toxic gas being released here because of the plant, but they did not pay heed to us, and because of that, three lives have been lost, a resident said.

(With inputs from PTI)
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led INDIA bloc's deadlock continued on Monday, with the latter walking out of the Lok Sabha over its demand for a discussion on the raging NEET row. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the House during the ongoing Parliament session.(PTI)

The Opposition demanded a separate one-day discussion on the NEET paper leak row in the Lower House of the Parliament. On the other hand, the government wanted to continue the Motion of Thanks on the President's address to the Parliament.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla allow a discussion on the row over alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024, claiming over two crore students had been affected by the paper leaks.

"We wanted a one-day discussion on NEET. It is an important issue. More than two crore students have been affected. Paper leaks have happened on 70 occasions. We would be happy if you allow a separate discussion on the issue," Gandhi said.

Follow Live Updates on Parliament session

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's demand, defence minister Rajnath Singh said a discussion can't be allowed till the House finishes the motion of thanks.

"In my decades-long tenure as a parliamentarian, never has any other issue been taken up during the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. Other issues can be raised after passing the motion of thanks," Singh said.

Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders later demanded an assurance from the government that the NEET issue would be discussed after the debate on the Motion of Thanks.

"We can send a message from the Parliament to the students that the issue of NEET is very important for us," Gandhi said.

Speaker Om Birla said there was no convention of taking up any other discussion during the debate on the Motion of Thanks and members can give a separate notice for the discussion on NEET.

As soon as Om Birla asked BJP MP Anurag Thakur to start the discussion on the Motion of Thanks, the Opposition walked out demanding a categorical assurance from the government.

The NEET-UG medical entrance exam came under the scanner after 67 aspirants scored full marks in one of the toughest exams in the country. The law enforcement authorities in Bihar, meanwhile, arrested several people for allegedly leaking the NEET question paper.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is probing the alleged paper leak and other irregularities in the conduct of the exam.

With inputs from PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked citizens for reiterating their unwavering faith in the constitution and congratulated the Election Commission of India for smooth conduct of the recently concluded general elections, in the 111th episode of his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast that was also the first one after he assumed office for a third consecutive term. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI)

The flagship radio programme resumed on Sunday after a three-month pause in compliance with the Model Code of Conduct enforced before the 18th Lok Sabha elections. The last episode aired on February 24.

Today I also thank the countrymen for having reiterated their unwavering faith in our Constitution and the democratic systems of the country. The 2024 elections were the biggest elections in the world. An election as big as this, in which 65 crore people cast their votes, has never taken place in any other country in the world. For this, I congratulate the Election Commission and everyone involved in the voting process, Modi said.

The PM wished the very best to Indian athletes participating in the upcoming Paris Olympics and said that memories of the Tokyo Olympics are still fresh in our minds. He urged the people to encourage them with the hashtag Cheer4Bharat.

Urging people to join the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam afforestation initiative launched on the World Environment Day, the PM recalled how he planted a tree in memory of his mother.

I am immensely happy to see that the campaign to plant trees in memory of the mother or in her honour is progressing rapidly.On social media, people are sharing pictures of planting trees with their mothers or with their photographs, he said, adding that the campaign will help protect Mother Earth.

Modi further paid rich tributes to tribal freedom fighters Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu on Hul Diwas, observed on June 30 to mark the indomitable courage of Sidhu and Kanhu who led the Santhal uprising against British rule in 1855.

Bravehearts Sidhu and Kanhu united thousands of Santhal compatriots and fought the British with all their might.  in 1855. Then, in Santhal Pargana of Jharkhand, our tribal brothers and sisters took up arms against the foreign rulers, the PM said, as he played a Santhali song dedicated to Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu.

Hailing the increasing demand for Indian products across the world, Modi mentioned three products from different parts of the country  Karthumbhi umbrellas from Attappady in Kerala; Araku coffee from Alluri Sita Rama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh; and snow peas of Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir.

Karathumbhi umbrellas, he said, are made by tribal women in Kerala under the supervision of the Vattalakki Cooperative Farming Society. Karthumbi umbrellas have completed their journey from a small village in Kerala to multinational companies. What could be a better example than this of being vocal for local?

Hailing the 150,000 tribal families involved in cultivating Araku coffee, which became a hit at the G20 summit in Delhi, Modi said: Girijan cooperative has played a very important role in taking Araku coffee to new heights.  The Konda Dora tribal community has also benefited a lot from this. Along with income, they are also getting a life of dignity. I remember once I got a chance to taste this coffee in Visakhapatnam with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu Garu. And its taste! This coffee is amazing!

The first consignment of snow peas was sent from Pulwama to London in May, Modi said. Abdul Rashid Mir of Chakura village was the first to come forward for this, he said.

Modi congratulated the All India Radio on the completion of 50 years of the broadcast of its Sanskrit bulletin on June 30. He mentioned how Samashti Gubbi had started a Sanskrit Weekend in Bengalurus Cubbon Park where people talked and debated in Sanskrit.

The PM thanked the government of Kuwait for starting a weekly 30-minute radio show in Hindi on their national radio that caters to the Indian diaspora in the country. He mentioned that the president of Turkmenistan, while celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of the countrys national poet, Magtymguly Pyragy, unveiled statues of 24 famous poets from around the world, including Rabindranath Tagores.

Modi said that the Indian diaspora in Suriname celebrated the Indian Arrival Day and Pravasi Din on June 5 by the Indian diaspora while people of Indian origin in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, about six thousand in number, celebrated Indian Heritage Day on June 1.

The 10th Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21. Modi said that for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the common yoga protocol was led by a woman, Al Hanouf Saad.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked the government in Lok Sabha over the Agnipath scheme for short-term induction of soldiers, claiming that the Agniveers recruited under it were not granted the status of martyrs and were akin to use and throw labourers. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Monday. (Sansad TV)

Gandhis contention was refuted by defence minister Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah who accused him of misguiding the house with wrong facts.

LoP shouldnt mislead the House by giving wrong speeches. If an Agniveer dies during war or at border, his family gets 1 crore, said Singh.

Shah also targeted Gandhi for not giving out the facts. He should keep the factual position. Otherwise, he should apologise, said Shah.

The Agnipath model was a major departure from the militarys decades-old recruitment system that was scrapped when the NDA government announced the new scheme in June 2022. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service. Those recruited under the new scheme are called Agniveers.

Soldiers who were recruited through the legacy recruitment system serve in the armed forces for about 20 years before they retire in their late 30s with pension and other benefits.

On the other hand, Agniveers released after four years do not get any benefits that ex-servicemen are entitled to, including pension, medical care and canteen facilities.

Agniveers draw an annual salary of 4.76 lakh in the first year of service and 6.92 lakh in the fourth, get a non-contributory insurance cover of 48 lakh, and an additional ex-gratia payment of 44 lakh for death attributable to service. Those released after four years will get 11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi severance package, including 5.02 lakh contributed by them during their service. They will also have job quotas in different government organisations, paramilitary forces and other departments.

The controversial Agnipath scheme and linked employment issues likely slowed down the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections and helped the INDIA bloc make inroads in several states that are widely seen as recruitment hubs for the armed forces, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, as previously reported by HT.

The Congress party promised in its manifesto that it will scrap the Agnipath scheme and bring back the legacy recruitment model if voted to power. To be sure, the NDA government earlier indicated that it was not averse to refining the scheme to enhance its appeal. The army is constantly obtaining feedback from Agniveers to refine the recruitment model for best outcomes.
NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis speech attacking leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying they were not Hindus in the true sense rocked the Lok Sabha on Monday, leading to furious protests by BJP lawmakers including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who intervened to counter the leaders charges. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the Presidents Address (Sansad TV/ANI)

PM Modi took strong exception to Rahul Gandhis remarks that those who call themselves Hindus had engaged in violence and hate and said, To call the entire Hindu society as violent is a very serious issue.

Gandhi, who was making his first speech in the Lok Sabha after being appointed as LoP, insisted that he was speaking about the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Singh (RSS), and not the entire Hindu society.

Gandhis frontal attack on the BJP during the debate on the motion of thanks on the Presidents Address also criticised the central government for the Agniveer scheme and not ensuring that farmers got a good price for their crop, leading Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, Union home minister Amit Shah and agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to counter the Congress leaders statements and demanding his apology.

Gandhi did not budge. For the last ten years, there has been a systematic, full-scale assault on the Constitution, on the idea of India and also on those millions of people who resisted the idea of the concentration of power and wealth of the country and aggression on poor, minorities, tribals. They were crushed. I was attacked by an order of this government and the PM. 20 plus cases have been filed against me. ED interrogated me for 55 hours. I have been given a two-year jail sentence. My house has been taken away. There has been a relentless attack on media, Gandhi said in his first speech in the 18th Lok Sabha.

When you are under attack, you need ideas to defend you. To defend the idea of India, I found inspiration from Lord Shiva. I got the protection of Shiv ji, Gandhi said, holding up a poster featuring Lord Shiva.

Gandhi claimed God Shivas image manifests the idea of non-violence and that no one should fear and went on to say that in India's history, there are three foundational ideas including India is a country of non-violence and without any fear. He added it is clearly written that people have to fight for truth.

You spread fear. The oppositions response was Bharat Jodo Yatra. You have scared women through price rise. I met a family of an Agniveer. I call him a martyr. But Modi calls him Agniveer. There is no pension for him, there is no status of a martyr. Agniveer is a use-and-throw mazdoor. You are creating differences between soldiers.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh strongly refuted Gandhis claims and said, LoP shouldnt mislead the house by giving wrong speeches. If an Agniveer dies during war or at border, his family gets 1 crore. Home minister Amit Shah also rose to stress the point. He should give the factual position Otherwise, he should apologize.

Gandhi refused. I have spoken. Rajnath Singh has stated his position. The people of the country know what is the truth. His speech or my speech would not make any difference. The country knows Agniveer is not the scheme of the army it is a scheme of the PM.

Rajnath again stood up to refute Gandhis claim, 158 organizations were consulted before this scheme was launched. It is a well-planned scheme. Such schemes are there in different countries including UK and US His remarks should be expunged.

Gandhi brushed aside the protests, reiterating that when the Opposition alliance comes to power in the future, the Agniveer scheme would be scrapped.

He also attacked the BJP over J&K and Manipur. For the first time in history, you have taken away a state.. you have thrown Manipur into chaos. The PM didnt go to Manipur even once. It seems as if Manipur is not a state for PM and HM. It looks as if there is no civil war in Manipur.

Gandhi also took a swipe at Modi, saying the prime minister had said that he has a direct connection with the God which probably told him to take decisions such as demonetisation and implement a flawed GST.

MSMEs have been destroyed. Job creations backbone is broken due to demonetisation It was done for Adani, Ambani ji. IT department harasses small entrepreneurs. Even in Gujarat, small traders said, it was done for billionaires. Narendra Modi works for billionaires.

To scare farmers, you have destroyed the land law which we made. Then you brought three laws. The PM said it will benefit farmers. the truth is that it was to benefit Adani, Ambani. Farmers opposed and you called them terrorists, Gandhi said amid an uproar.

Gandhi added that NEET students spend years to prepare for exams. And the truth is NEET students dont believe in the exams and it is designed for rich people and not for meritorious people. This creates a quota for rich people. The students study but dont know if the exams will be leaked or not.

Turning to speaker Om Birla, Gandhi recalled the moments shortly after he was re-elected as presiding officer of the House. When you were going to that chair, I walked with you there. You are the final arbitrator in Lok Sabha and all these things define our democracy. There are two people: Speaker of the Indian Union and Mr. Om Birla. I saw you were straight when you shook my hands. But you bent to shake Modis hands.

Birla defended his gesture and said, My culture and traditions tell me to show respect to people who are senior to me. Also, the Prime Minister is the Leader of the House. Gandhi said he accepted Birlas stand but also told him You are the tallest leader in this House. You should never bow before anyone.
More rain is likely to lash Delhi over the next three days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday, warning of heavy rain and gusty winds in this time, a forecast that prompted authorities to ratchet up preparations, even as the national capital hobbled back onto its feet after a record spell of rain on Friday shook the citys brittle infrastructure, stunted public services and left at least 11 people dead. Pragati Maidan tunnel open for traffic on Sunday. (Arvind Yadav/HT)

The weather department has issued an orange alert for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, predicting that the week will kick off with heavy rain, it said in its forecast on Sunday, days after monsoon announced its arrival over the national capital with an explosive 234.5mm rain on Friday morning.

Mahesh Palawat, vice-president at private forecaster Skymet, concurred and said rainfall is likely to get more intense on Monday as the monsoon trough returns closer to Delhi.

Currently, the trough is south of Delhi, but it will begin to move northwards on Monday and is likely to be directly over Delhi on Monday and Tuesday. This will lead to an increase in rain intensity again, he said.

The unprecedented spell of rain on Friday gave Delhi its wettest June day since 1936 and precipitated a series of accidents, including a collapsed roof at the Indira Gandhi International Airport that crushed a taxi driver to death.

Delhi struggled to shrug off the bruising effects of Fridays showers  sanitation workers fanned across the city to clear out sludge from drains; power supply at the Delhi zoo was restored on Sunday after three days; the Wazirabad water treatment plant remained inoperational, squeezing water supply to central and north Delhi; the Okhla underpass, where a 60-year-old man died on Saturday, remained flooded; and the Pragati Maidan was reopened late on Sunday evening, even as civic staff worked to sweep out the layers of dust the floods had left behind on the key corridor.

Commuters, meanwhile, struggled with a series of detours and traffic jams. The prolonged closure of the Okhla underpass, for instance, has multiplied travel times for people who use the busy stretch in southeast Delhi.

Terminal 1 of the IGI Airport  where a canopy collapsed at the departure forecourt collapsed on Sunday, killing the taxi driver and wounding eight  remained shut, with SpiceJet and IndiGo continuing operations from terminals 2 and 3.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates IGIA, did not detail a timeline on when operations are likely to resume at T1, saying this was still in the evaluation process.

Pumping operations at the Chandrawal water treatment plant continued to remain impacted on Sunday  three days after backflow flooded the station and damaged its motors.

A June 30 report by the Delhi Jal Board said the plant supplied 41 million gallons per day (mgd) of water, against its 98mgd capacity  a 57mgd shortfall. The Delhi government directed DJB to inspect the other nine water treatment plants in the city and ensure they are not affected by similar problems.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government formed a joint emergency control room where people can register waterlogging complaints.

Meanwhile, Delhi PWD minister Atishi, while inspecting flood-prone sites, said the pump-house capacity at Minto Bridge  which flooded once again on Friday, in what has become a monsoon recurrence for Delhi  will be increased.

PWD has built an additional drainage line here. Due to heavy rains, the pumps deployed at Minto Bridge underpass took time to drain out the water. To prevent such a situation from arising again, we will increase the capacity of the pump house here and use new technologies to prevent waterlogging, she added.

A PWD official said all the waterlogging points under its jurisdiction have been dewatered and that additional pumps are being procured to increase pumping capacity at vulnerable sites.

Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi inspected the Kishanganj railway underbridge, another waterlogging hotspot, and said six pumps have been installed and two more will be set up to keep the site from inundating.

A quick reaction team has been formed to quickly act on waterlogging complaints. We have asked deputy commissioners to deploy extra sanitation workers and remove the silt from the impacted streets, she added.

At Barapullah drain, where overflow led to permanent pumps being submerged in water, MCD has installed temporary pumps and a super sucker machine to check waterlogging. In the coming days, our effort will be to ensure that such waterlogging does not reoccur in Delhi, said Oberoi.

Fridays showers also brought several parts of Lutyens Delhi to their knees, causing widespread waterlogging in VIP areas, at bungalows occupied by members of Parliament, as well as popular areas like Connaught Place, Kartavya Path and Khan Market.

A senior New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) official on Sunday said the civic body has assigned staff to oversee operations at vulnerable points to ensure timely interventions.

IMD has forecast moderate to heavy showers till July 6, issuing an orange alert for heavy rain in parts of Delhi between July 1 and 3.

The alert has been scaled down to yellow between July 4 and 6, with moderate showers expected during that period.

IMD classifies rainfall between 64.5mm and 115.5mm in 24 hours as heavy and above that threshold as very heavy.
The Rajya Sabha on Monday observed a minutes silence for the 329 victims of the deadly bombing of Air India flight 182 in 1985 by Khalistani elements, once again expressing Indias concerns about terrorism. Parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. (PTI Photo)

Vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar, the chairperson of the upper house of Parliament, referred to the bombing of the airliner on June 23, 1985, and said the day marked the anniversary of one of the darkest days in the fight against terrorism.

Two Air India aircraft flying out of Canada were targeted by terrorists [and] 329 innocent people lost their lives when Air India [flight] 182 Kanishka was blown up off Ireland on June 23, 1985, he said in the Rajya Sabha.

Two more people were killed as another major catastrophe was narrowly averted in Japan, he said, referring to the death of two ground crew as they were handling baggage from another Air India flight from Canada.

Regrettably justice was never fully served in these cases. These incidents are a grim reminder of why the world must show zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism. Such acts can never be condoned or justified or countenanced under any pretext, Dhankhar said.

Referring to the Rajya Sabha observing a minutes silence in memory of the victims of the airliner named Kanishka, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X, Justice was never fully served to the victims and their families. Lets vow zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism.

Until the 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.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar had cited the attack in a post on X on its anniversary last month and the Indian high commission in Ottawa had organised a ceremony to pay homage to the victims. These developments have come at a time when India-Canada relations are at an all-time low over New Delhis concerns at the Canadian governments perceived failure to act against pro-Khalistani elements.

The Rajya Sabha also paid homage to world leaders who died recently, including Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Tanzanias former president Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Malawis vice president Saulos Klaus Chilima. The House recalled their contributions in strengthening bilateral relations.

Dhankhar referred to the deaths of Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian and other senior officials in a helicopter crash on May 19, and said they will always be remembered for their efforts and contributions in strengthening our bilateral relationship. Dhankhar had visited Iran on May 22 to represent India at an official ceremony commemorating the two leaders and India had observed a day of national mourning on May 21.

The Rajya Sabha also expressed condolence and deep sympathy to victims of a devastating fire in a housing complex for foreign workers in Kuwait on June 12 that killed 46 Indian nationals.

Dhankhar described the incident as painful and unfortunate and said Indian authorities had taken swift action for the safe evacuation of the injured.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Monday questioned the credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI) by citing a recent pre-poll survey. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing session at the Parliament in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial remarks during the Lok Sabha election campaign, the RJD MP said he raised several complaints to the Election Commission during the first phase of polls only to receive a response just two days ago.

I received the e-mail the day before yesterday, asking for my name, address, and phone number. For what? Is this the system? Jha said during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President's address.

He cited a pre-poll survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS which said only 28 per cent of respondents were left with great trust in the Election Commission.

"Isse jyada bharosa toh Panchayat web series mein Phulera ke gram pradhan ka hai (Even the village head of Phulera in Panchayat web series has greater credibility than the Election Commission)," Jha said.

Panchayat is a popular web series in which veteran actor Raghubir Yadav has played the character of Pradhan Ji.

Read: Yogi Adityanath, union minister question Rahul Gandhi's 'maturity' after Lok Sabha speech

While more than half of the voters reported having a great amount of trust in the Election Commission in 2019, the latest survey suggested only 28 per cent of respondents had great trust. There was a marginal increase  from 27 per cent to 30 per cent  in those with 'some trust' in the poll body, according to Lokniti-CSDS survey.

The percentage of those who have little or no trust has doubled, now standing at 14 per cent and 9 per cent respectively, compared to 7 per cent and 5 per cent in 2019.

According to the survey, 17 per cent of respondents believed it was 'highly likely' that EVMs could be manipulated by the ruling party, while 28 per cent considered it 'somewhat likely'. In contrast, 27 per cent believed EVM manipulation was 'not likely', with the remaining respondents having no opinion.

The Lokniti-CSDS pre-poll survey 2024 compiled responses from 10,019 individuals across 19 states.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday rejected the oppositions criticism that the new criminal laws were a cut, copy, paste job and were rushed through without adequate discussion or debate. He insisted that there has not been a law since independence on which such a long discussion has taken place. Union home minister Amit Shah. (ANI)

Shah clarified the police can take custody of an arrested person for not more than 15 days during a 60-day investigation period. He said that misinformation was being spread in this regard. We have been consulting on the new laws for four years. I have attended 118 consultative meetings. And in Parliament, there was a 9.29-hour debate in Lok Sabha, 6.7-hour in Rajya Sabha on the new laws...34 members in Lok Sabha and 26 in Rajya Sabha participated [in the debate], Shah said at a media briefing on the day Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into effect with first case registered in Gwalior.

BNS has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC). BNSS and BSA replaced the Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act.

Opposition leaders attacked the government over the new laws saying they were implemented without proper discussion. In a post on X, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said after the political and moral shock in the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party were pretending to respect the Constitution. ...but the truth is that the three laws of the criminal justice system that are being implemented from today [Monday] were forcibly passed by suspending 146 MPs [members of Parliament].

Former Union home minister P Chidambaram said the government had taken a lazy approach and that 90-99% of the new laws are simply a cut, copy and paste job. A task that could have been completed with a few amendments to the existing three laws has been turned into a wasteful exercise. Yes, there are a few improvements in the new laws and we have welcomed them. They could have been introduced as Amendments, Chidambaram said on X.

Congress MP Manish Tewari asked Parliament to re-examine the new criminal laws, saying they pave the way for a police state.

Shah maintained most of the suggestions received for reforms in criminal laws were incorporated in the new laws except four of a political nature. He said the new laws prioritise justice in contrast to penal action in the British era laws. The criminal justice system of India is now completely indigenous. It will function on Indian ethos. After 75 years, discussions took place on changing these obsolete laws and they are coming into practice, he said.

He added the new laws emphasise on use of technology for every aspect of the justice system. Shah announced that the Union Cabinet has decided to add six more central forensic science laboratories across the country for the use of forensics in every investigation.
Chennai: Teachers and union members of Salem-based Periyar University will stage a protest on Monday against Governor RN Ravis action to extend the tenure of vice-chancellor R Jagannathan amid complaints of financial and administrative irregularities against him. The association of university teachers and Periyar university employees Union held a meeting on Sunday on campus and decided to hold a joint protest, people aware of the matter said. Teachers, Union members against Governors extension for Periyar Uni VC amidst corruption case

The extension was granted despite an assurance from the higher education minister K Ponmudi in the assembly that Jagannathans term will not be extended, the two committees pointed out. Ponmudi was replying to a question raised by ruling DMKs ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) deputy secretary Shah Navas in the assembly.

This is likely to lead to a fresh round of tussle between the state government and the governor who have been at loggerheads over several issues. Jagannathan, was to retire on June 30. However, on Saturday, the governor granted him an extension to continue in the post till May 19, 2025.

Jagannathan has been facing charges of various financial and administrative irregularities in the light of which the state government had constituted a two-member committee to probe into the matter last January. He was booked arrested last December on charges of allegedly starting a private firm inside the university campus and for misappropriating public funds. He was granted bail the following day.

We strongly condemn the extension granted to the vice-chancellor when he is facing so many charges and he is currently out on bail, the two associations said in a statement.

The state government must take immediate steps to revoke his extension. We are going to carry out massive protests on this issue from Monday, the statement added.

However, the Raj Bhavan did not issue any communication on the matter except for releasing a photo of vice-chancellor and stating the governor, who is the chancellor of Periyar University, has extended the formers tenure.

Notably, the vice-chancellor had also moved the Madras high court to quash the FIR against him. Earlier in January, the court stayed the investigation against him, noting the charges had been made with an ulterior motive. In the instant case, considering the materials placed before this court, this court finds that the criminal prosecution has been instituted with an ulterior motive, justice Anand Venkatesh had said while passing the order.

Meanwhile, the Union members also wanted the state government to take swift action against the registrar, K Thangavel, who they claimed had registered a company, Periyar University Technology Entrepreneurship and Research Foundation (PUTER FOUNDATION) along with the vice-chancellor and three others. I Elangovan of the Association of University Teachers had last year filed a complaint with the Salem police that each of the accused is shown as a director and the official address of this company is shown to be inside the varsity.

Also, a separate portion of land belonging to the university was allotted. He also alleged that this company was formed without obtaining any permission from the university and the government.
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is withdrawing the retrenchment order of 115 faculty and non-teaching staff after assurance of funds from the Tata Education Trust, the institute said in a statement on Sunday. On June 28, TISS terminated services of 115 faculty and non-teaching staff across India over lack of funds. (HT PHOTO)

On June 28, TISS terminated services of 55 teaching and 60 non-teaching staff from its campuses across India, citing paucity of funds. As many as 13 faculty members and 17 non-teaching staff were dismissed from the Guwahati campus alone, a faculty member said, declining to be named.

The sackings by the premier educational institution created a furore on social media, with questions being raised over the commitment of the Tata Group to support quality education. After discussions, the education trust has assured that resources will be made available to TISS to resolve this issue, institute registrar Narendra Mishra said.

TET has committed to releasing funds for the salaries of TET project or programme faculty and non-teaching staff. The letter issued on June 28 addressing to all concerned TET Programme faculty and non-teaching staff is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect, TISS said in its Sunday statement. They are requested to continue their work, and salaries will be released as soon as the TET Support Grant is received by the institute.

It was crucial to clarify that these individuals were engaged under programmes funded by the Tata Education Trust on a contractual basis for specific programme durations, the statement added.

After the June 28 dismissal letter, the Progressive Students Forum, a TISS students collective, stated in a social media post that the mass termination will create a significant shortage of both teaching and non-teaching staff at the institute. The students body had strongly condemned the move and called for remedial action.
The Leader of Opposition and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha, by showing posters of religious figures, including Lord Shiva - which was opposed by Speaker Om Birla. He further triggered a row by saying that those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in violence and hate. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi (Sansad TV)

Holding a picture of Lord Shiva, Gandhi began his address in the Lok Sabha with Jai Samvidhan and said that his message is about fearlessness and non-violence.

If you look at Lord Shiva's image, you would know that Hindus can never spread fear and hatred, but BJP spreads fear and hatred 24/7All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehoodAap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus), the Congress leader said.

The Congress MP also displayed placards featuring images of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, and a quote from the Quran, and reiterated that all religions, including Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism, emphasise courage and the importance of being fearless.

Gandhi, who addressed the Lok Sabha for the first time as the Leader of the Opposition, drew massive protests from the members of the treasury benches and the BJP as he triggered a row after slamming the ruling BJP with his Hindus remark.

Modi also interrupted Gandhi's speech and asserted that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a "serious matter.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought an apology from the Raebareli MP for hurting the feelings of crores of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus.

However, Gandhi retorted that he was speaking only about the BJP and not the entire Hindu society. The BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Modi are not the entire Hindu society, he said.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday hit out at the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for claiming that the leaders of the ruling party were not Hindus and questioned whether the Congress MP would speak about any other religion this way. Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad

What does he mean? There's nothing more painful than thisThat, too, coming from the Leader of the Opposition. Will he be able to speak like this about any other religion? the BJP MP told the media outside the Parliament House.

During a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to President's address, Rahul Gandhi, pointing to the treasury benches, said that those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in violence and hate, causing a massive uproar from BJP MPs. Gandhi began his address with Jai Samvidhan slogan and held a picture of Lord Shiva, saying that the message is about fearlessness and non-violence.

If you look at Lord Shiva's image, you would know that Hindus can never spread fear and hatred, but BJP spreads fear and hatred 24/7All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehoodAap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus), the Congress leader said.

He went on to display placards featuring images of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, and a quote from the Quran and reiterated that all religions, including Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, emphasise courage and the importance of being fearless.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interrupted Gandhi's speech twice and asserted that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a "serious matter.

This issue is very serious. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a serious issue, Modi said.

Gandhi retorted that Modi and BJP are not the entire Hindu society.

Besides Modi, at least five cabinet ministers also interjected during Gandhi's speech.

Union home minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Gandhi for hurting the feelings of crores of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus.
Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's 'Hindu' remark, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday called the Congress leader "immature". Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath (File)

"We thought that Rahul Gandhi would mature after becoming the Leader of the Opposition. But I feel sorry to say that only a person with an immature mind would make such remarks. Hindu is the core society of India and the soul of this country," said Yogi Adityanath.

Rahul Gandhi, speaking in the Lok Sabha, said those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in "violence and hate" round the clock, prompting a massive protest by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs.

"All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehood... Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus)," he said.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, meanwhile, attacked Gandhi, saying he kept showing Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla his back in violation of the House rules.

Om Birla told Rahul Gandhi to address the Chair, not the other members of the Lok Sabha.

Also read: Cant insult Hindus: Priyanka Gandhi defends brother amid BJP's attack

Rijiju said the government was disappointed with the way he spoke in the House.

"The PM will speak in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. We have seen Rahul Gandhi from 2004. Back then, he was not a minister but received a chance to speak in the House. Today he has become the Leader of Opposition and we hoped that he would behave maturely. However, we are disappointed with the way he spoke in the House today. He was asked not to show his back towards the Speaker. He was even told about the rules, but he kept addressing his MPs while showing his back to the Speaker," he said.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Rahul Gandhi lied about the Agniveer scheme.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha over 'Hindu' remark; Amit Shah demands apology

"He (Rahul Gandhi) made some objectionable remarks in the Parliament today. He said that martyrs won't receive compensation under the Agniveer Scheme. This is a big lie. During Rahul Gandhi's speech, defence minister Rajnath Singh busted this and said that martyrs under the Agniveer Scheme will be given a compensation of 1 crore. Congress has always made such remarks against the armed forces and tried to mislead the public," he said.

Union minister Pralhad Joshi said Gandhi revealed the Congress party's anti-Hindu mentality.

"Congress anti-Hindu mentality is still there and it has been proved today. The world watched the hatred for Hinduism inside him (Rahul Gandhi)," he added.

During Gandhi's speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood up and said the former's attempt to paint Hindus as violent was a serious matter. Union home minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from the Congress MP.

Union health minister and BJP president, JP Nadda, also lambasted Gandhi, accusing him of combining lies with hatred in his speech.

"Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility," he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her brother's remark was aimed at the BJP.

"He cannot insult Hindus. He said it very clearly. He talked about the BJP, he talked about BJP leaders," Priyanka Gandhi said.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
In a dramatic session of the Lok Sabha today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised eyebrows with his pointed remarks directed at Speaker Om Birla while emphasising the impartiality required of the position. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shaking hands with Speaker Om Birla.

"Speaker sir, when you were put on the chair, I walked with you to your chair. You are the final arbiter of Lok Sabha. What you say fundamentally defines Indian democracy," Gandhi began, setting the stage for his critical observation. "Speaker sir, there are two people sitting in the chair, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Mr. Om Birla. When I shook your hand, you stood straight and shook my hand. When Modi ji shook your hand, you bowed down."

Rahul Gandhi's fiery attack in Lok Sabha: Hinduism not about spreading hatred

This remark prompted an immediate response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who accused Gandhi of disrespecting the chair.

Speaker Om Birla then addressed Gandhi's comments directly, explaining his actions. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Leader of the House. Mera sanskar kehta hai ki jo hamse bade hain unse jhuk ke namaskar karo and barabar walo se seedhe khade hoke (My culture teaches me to bow down in front of elders and shake hands with equals by standing straight)," Birla said, referring to a cultural norm of showing respect to elders.

In a measured response, Gandhi reiterated his respect for the Speaker's words but maintained his stance on the importance of the Speaker's role. "I respect your words, but in this House, no one is bigger than the Speaker," Gandhi said.

Speaking on the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to a joint sitting of Parliament, the Congress leader held up a picture of Lord Shiva and said his message is about fearlessness and non-violence. He also cited the teachings of other religions to make a similar point.

"All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehoodAap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus)," he said.

Gandhi's dig at the BJP had the members of the treasury benches on their feet, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter.

Rahul Gandhi, however, retorted that he was speaking about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Modi are not the entire Hindu society, he added.
by Richard Farr

On a road trip once, navigating a deliberately eccentric route from Houston to El Paso, I was enjoying the emptiness  rocks, ravines, three other vehicles per hour  when I spotted something alien and odd. On a ridge to the northwest two monstrous hard-boiled eggs sat fresh-peeled and gleaming. It might have been a witty installation by Claes Oldenberg. I stood by the car in the brick-oven heat and peered at my paper map.

The ridge was part of the Davis Mountains; the eggs were the U of Ts MacDonald Observatory. I pulled into the parking lot just as a tour group emerged from a purple van. Their bumper sticker said ASTRONOMERS DO IT ALL NIGHT. They looked like extras from a movie about the glory days of the Apollo program. One of the men actually had a buzz cut, a pocket protector, and eyeglasses mended with tape; it might almost have been cosplay, but wasnt.

One of the resident gazers gave us an al fresco lecture. The astro-tourists didnt ask him which end of the telescope was which. They asked about precession, and how to collimate the mirror in a large Dobsonian, and how to get the best out of deep-sky subjects with hydrogen-alpha filtering. One of them mentioned the Veil Nebula; others nodded sagely and proffered advice on best practices for capturing the Rosette, the Tarantula, the Horsehead. They discussed how to star-hop from M-this to NGC-that as if comparing routes to Albuquerque. Our guide warmed to them, digging deeper into his expertise, tossing off references to Fraunhofer lines and Cepheid variables.

It was unexpected and strangely exhilarating to find this intense, quirky, intelligent inquiry, naive inquisitiveness in the noblest sense, in the emptiest reaches of Texas. In universities, in the urban wilderness, you sometimes meet people like this. Just for the jazz of it theyre retranslating Holderlins poetry or trying to prove Goldbachs conjecture or performing Palestrina on the original instruments.

Theyre drunk with fascination, fools for love, in mitochondrial genetics, quantum cryptography, or early Restoration drama. People like that seem to have concerns so wholly unlike those of the culture around them that they remind me of the Ionian monks on their windswept nub of rock, who held a tradition of the mind up above the waterline while the Dark Ages engulfed everything around them. Curiosity can be such a sweet disease! The people from the purple van, with their quirky zeal for the dark abyss, seemed less like humans than like visitors from a wiser, maturer world, at once more ardent and more placid.

As a small boy growing up in England I watched Patrick Moores The Sky at Night every week on the telly. His clothes were deranged, his eyebrows looked like rioting corkscrews, and he projected an enthusiasm that made nonsense of the idea that you could possibly want to waste your time with anything other than astronomy. Because of him I got a small spotting scope for my twelfth birthday. We had a rickety antique tripod acquired from my grandfather. I stood in the upstairs corridor with the window open, trying to stop the moon bouncing in and out of the field of view like a silvered yoyo. We must have done it eventually because I saw the rims of craters along the terminator. We even located the smudge that was Andromeda.

This was before pocket calculators. But I was a boy on a mission with scratch paper and time to kill. Mummy listen. The Andromeda galaxy is even larger than the Milky Way and its two and a half million light years away. Thats nine hundred and eleven million light days. Which is twenty two billion light hours. Which is one point three trillion light minutes. Which is seventy eight trillion light seconds.

Thats a lot, darling.

It means Andromeda is sixty trillion times as far away as the moon.

Well!

Sixty trillion. Thats six with thirteen zeroes after it.

Goodness.

Guess how long it would take the Apollo astronauts to get there.

I dont know.

Guess.

A long time.

Go on.

Three weeks.

Youre not trying.

Three months.

I roll my eyes. Im amazed that shes not grasping how amazed shes meant to be.

Four hundred and ninety seven billion years.

What a lot of clean underwear they would have to take.

The memory of these calculations, and of Patrick Moores commitment, makes me ashamed to admit that astronomy did not turn into a lifelong passion. Soon I drifted back to my plastic Spitfires and Messerschmitts, stealing cigarettes from the local shop, getting into pubs under age.

And the deep addiction: girls. Youre getting on with life as best you can, actually getting important calculations done using only the stub of a pencil, then one day you wake up and discover that someone has injected pepper into your blood. You can no longer concentrate for five consecutive minutes on anything. The stars didnt have a chance. Astronomy disappeared from my horizon and I didnt think about it again for years.

But that night on a camping mat in the Texas wilderness my childhood enthusiasm came back to me. Looking down into the bottomless void, I was a bat hanging upside down in the belfry of the solar system. I stared and stared, unable to get enough.

I love what I can name, and I love the names: Cassiopeia, Rigel, Mizar, Crux Australis, Perseus, Epsilon Eridani, Tau Ceti, Triangulum. They are the poetry of the sky we have made. But there are parts of the sky I cant name, and I like that too. Those regions arent biddable. They dont fall into patterns at the eyes command. In those parts there is nothing but raw flung creation. Looking there, you can imagine what its like to watch a firework without knowing what a firework is, seeing only the beauty and not the art. And this firework is everything.

Astronomy is full of gorgeous beasts: the great star cluster M13 in Hercules; Saturn and its satellites; gravitationally-lensed quasars; the star hatcheries of the Orion Nebula. But astronomy is not flower appreciation. Theres a spiritual as well as a bodily coldness in the business of deep space. No photograph has ever appealed to me and appalled me and fascinated me quite so much as the original Hubble Deep Field North. It reveals whats hidden in a tiny cinder of sky near the twin stars Alcor and Mizar in Ursa Major: at first glance, nothing more than a smeared field of yet more stars. But almost every smudge, speck, and tendril of light  scattered over the dark like steel swarf glinting up from the floor under a lathe  is a galaxy.

The shift in scale is sudden, massive, unforgiving, from something unimaginably big, as people like to say of Alaska or the Pacific, to something so many orders of magnitude vaster that you couldnt fit the zeroes into a bowl of soup. Immersed in those depths you know for certain, Fermis paradox be damned, that there are civilizations, entire worlds, that are lost to us, unknowable; that will leaf and flower and fall  and, a few billion years later, be roasted like chestnuts in the embers of a dying giant  without human eyes ever having witnessed them.

Its like going into a library and knowing there is too much to be known. Or seeing a foreign crowd on the news and knowing that these people cant be known. You want to scream and rage and rattle the bars of your own limitation. Why in Gods name so much, just beyond the tips of our fingernails? Had we but world enough, and time. That we dont can sometimes seem unbearable.

Im standing with my wife on our front step in the cold Pacific Northwest, surprised by the beauty and clarity of Aldebaran, pointing and craning, wanting (not for the first time) to find a way to make her share my awe.

She does not.

There. And look, above the trees: that ones Arcturus. You can always find Arcturus by  

Yes, I know, youve told me before. Can we go inside now? Im freezing my butt off out here, and Arcturus is several light years too far away to warm it up.

Definitely too far away. More than thirty-five light years. Though thats right next door in galactic terms and  

She shoves me through the front door into the warmth. My wedding ring glints in the light. According to one of sciences most beautiful stories  Fred Hoyles theory of stellar nucleosynthesis  its atoms were anvilled into being long before the Earth was formed, when two neutron stars embraced.
There are very few Indian chefs around the globe whose restaurants have been awarded a Michelin star and chef Manjunath Mural is one of them. For three consecutive years, The Song of India in Singapore bagged a Michelin star with executive chef Mural at its helm. On a recent trip to India, the chef, who is originally from Mumbai, did an innovative pop-up at The Leela Palaces, Chennai. As he sat down to talk to Hindustan Times, chef Mural says he loves Chennai and the people there. (Also read: Paris 2024 Olympics: 10 best places to eat in Paris) Manjunath Mural's The Song of India has been awarded the Michelin star thrice!

On par with world's best

Ask him how he felt being the first chef of Indian origin in South-East Asia whose restaurant was awarded a Michelin star and chef Mural replies, I think it was one of the proudest moments when I got the credentials saying you are on par with the worlds best. Around 2015, the perception was that Indian food in Southeast Asia was not up to that level and restaurants featured in the Michelin guide were more Western and French. When the first Michelin star was awarded to Song of India in 2016 it was a recognition not just for me and my team but Singapore as well. There was not a single Michelin star restaurant in Singapore then.

Chef Mural's food philosophy

Chef Mural has now started his own restaurant called Adda and it has been listed in the Michelin Guide Singapore. My food philosophy is refined Indian food and also combines Southeast Asian food and Indian flavours. I use Indian sauces but I refine and restrain them but the flavour is impactful. The food has to be classy and plated well. I always think that the taste is the motherhood of Indian food and I dont want to veer away from that. For instance, I have created an innovative Laksa  which is similar to a Kerala moilee sauce. People in Singapore are familiar with Laksa but this will taste different. I orchestrate the dishes in a way that its familiar to Indians as well. Presentation is the most important aspect and I present it in such a way that it doesnt look Indian but tastes Indian, he smiles.

Manjunath Mural hails from a family of doctors and grew up in Mumbai but finding that food was his true calling, worked in that space in India before he moved to Singapore in 2006. What does he think about the Indian culinary space today? There are very good restaurants I have been to like Indian Accent, Bombay Canteen and Masque. We seem to be creating Indian food with an influence and fusion of international cuisine and techniques. And I also see that there are many young chefs who are innovative and this is really good. I think in the next five years therell be a big evolution in Indian cuisine and people here seem to be enjoying this new modern trend, states Mural.

A Michelin star for India soon?

However, there is no Michelin Guide yet in India and no restaurant thus has a Michelin star. How does Mural think Indian restaurants would fare if there was? I think we need to have consistency in the quality of food and thats very important to earn your stars. The days are not far behind when theyll launch in India and I think some restaurants in Mumbai and Delhi will do well. We are on the right path but we need to create more individual restaurants which are operated by the chefs themselves. Its because the food is their vision, he designs the recipes and it is his creativity that is finally dished out, he predicts.

Though India is a vast country with a vast array of cuisines and dishes, Mural says the world only talks about North Indian or South Indian food and this has to be changed. He states, When they think North Indian, they think butter chicken and if its South Indian, its dosa. This is unfortunate. Like it is said, the food in our country is different every 100 kms you travel. I think Indian food is from five different regions and we can showcase dishes from all regions. For instance, people abroad dont know that rice hoppers are not just eaten in China or Vietnam but in India too. Recently, I did a three-week promotion of rice hoppers and stew in Singapore and people loved it.

Coming to some innovative dishes on his own menu at Adda, Mural says he has combined Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines and has, for instance, a chicken pot pie (butter chicken as a pie), a gulab jamun cheesecake, a laksa salmon (a signature dish) and desi tacos (made with theplas), on his menu. His exotic food has seen him cook not just for the former President of Singapore but also other politicians like the former Indian Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, former Maldives President, Shivaraj Patil, and actors as well. As he signs off Chef Manjunath Mural says he wants to be brand ambassador for Indian cuisine and take it to the masses. And yes, theres one person he definitely wants to cook for and he says, My dream is to cook for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Anant Ambani visited the Krishna Kali temple in Neral, Maharashtra, yesterday. The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani performed a havan ceremony at the temple, seeking blessings before his wedding with Radhika Merchant. The watch Anant wore for the occasion caught the internet's eye, and its price will blow your mind. (Also Read | Isha Ambani's best fashion moments in pics: 10 extravagant looks that prove her undying love for couture) Anant Ambani wears a rare watch for a temple visit ahead of his wedding to Radhika Merchant. (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla)

Anant Ambani wears a luxury watch during temple visit: Know its price

Anant Ambani is known for his incredible watch collection featuring rare luxurious collectables from Patek Philippe and Richard Mille. During his visit to the Krishna Kali temple, Anant chose another Richard Mille watch from his vast collection. According to the Instagram page - The Indian Horology - he accessorised his ethnic look with a red carbon Richard Mille watch (RM 12-01 Tourbillon), and it retails at a massive price of 6.91 crores (USD 828,000). It is a limited edition watch, and only 18 pieces have been produced till now.

Isha Ambani performs havan before Anant

Earlier, Isha Ambani had visited the Krishna Kali temple to seek blessings for her brother's wedding. Anand Piramal accompanied Isha to the venue, where she performed the havan ceremony. She wore a simple pink embroidered anarkali suit for the occasion and styled it with the no-makeup look, sandals, and a messy ponytail.

About Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding

Anant Ambani will marry Radhika Merchant this month. The couple will tie the knot on July 12 in a grand ceremony. The wedding festivities will continue for three days, from July 12 to July 14. The couple are childhood friends and only started dating later in life. The Ambani family kept their relationship under wraps until they were seen together at family weddings and functions, sparking rumours of their relationship.

Meanwhile, Anant and Radhika got engaged in a Gol Dhana ceremony in Mumbai on January 19, 2023. Later, in March, they hosted grand pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, which were attended by many A-listers. They even took friends and family on a luxurious cruise in Italy earlier in June.
The network of blood channels and tissues known as the blood-brain barrier, which nourishes and shields the brain from dangerous chemicals flowing in the blood, is compromised in Alzheimer's disease. Donors with higher blood SMAD3 levels had less vascular damage and better Alzheimer's disease-related outcomes, according to the researchers.(Shutterstock)

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and associates have now discovered distinct molecular markers of blood-brain barrier disruption, which may lead to novel approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

In Nature Communications, their research is published.

"These signatures have high potential to become novel biomarkers that capture brain changes in Alzheimer's disease," said senior author Nilufer Ertekin-Taner, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic and leader of the Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease and Endophenotypes Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Florida.

ALSO READ: New insights into treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Research

To conduct the study, the research team analysed human brain tissue from the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank, as well as published datasets and brain tissue samples from collaborating institutions. The study cohort included brain tissue samples from 12 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 12 healthy patients with no confirmed Alzheimer's disease.

All participants had donated their tissue for science. Using these and external datasets, the team analysed thousands of cells in more than six brain regions, making this one of the most rigorous studies of the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer's disease to date, according to the researchers.

They focused on brain vascular cells, which make up a small portion of cell types in the brain, to examine molecular changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. In particular, they looked at two cell types that play an important role in maintaining the blood-brain barrier: pericytes, the gatekeepers of the brain that maintain the integrity of blood vessels, and their support cells known as astrocytes, to determine if and how they interact.

They found Alzheimer's disease patients' samples exhibited altered communication between these cells, mediated by a pair of molecules known as VEGFA, which stimulates the growth of blood vessels, and SMAD3, which plays a key role in cellular responses to the external environment. Using cellular and zebrafish models, the researchers validated their finding that increased levels of VEGFA lead to lower levels of SMAD3 in the brain.

The team used stem cells from blood and skin samples of the Alzheimer's disease patient donors and those in the control group. They treated the cells with VEGFA to see how it affected SMAD3 levels and overall vascular health. The VEGFA treatment caused a decline in SMAD3 levels in brain pericytes, indicating an interaction between these molecules.

Donors with higher blood SMAD3 levels had less vascular damage and better Alzheimer's disease-related outcomes, according to the researchers. The team says more research is needed to determine how SMAD3 levels in the brain impact SMAD3 levels in the blood. (ANI)
NEW ORLEANS  A police station in New Orleans' French Quarter will be designated a vocational technical school in a move that will instantly outlaw gun possession in the surrounding area  including a stretch of bar-lined Bourbon Street  as a new Louisiana law eliminating the need for concealed carry firearm permits takes effect. HT Image

Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick announced the measure at a Monday news conference at the 8th District police station on the Quarter's Royal Street. However, the move may face legal challenges. The state attorney general raised doubts about the plan.

State law forbids carrying concealed weapons within 1,000 feet of such a facility, Kirkpatrick said. That radius from the station will cover a large section of the Quarter, including several blocks of Bourbon Street.

Kirkpatrick said the station includes a classroom and is used for training. She described the station as a satellite of the citys police academy.

I wouldnt call it a work-around, District Attorney Jason Williams told reporters gathered in the lobby of the two-story, 19th century building. Its using laws that have always been on the books to deal with a real and current threat to public safety.

Designating the 8th District station a school is just one way of giving police officers more leeway to stop and search people suspected of illegally carrying a weapon in the Quarter, Kirkpatrick said.

She also listed other facets of state law that could allow the arrest of someone carrying a weapon in the tourist district. They include bans on carrying a gun in a bar or by anyone with a blood alcohol level of .05%. Thats less than the .08% considered proof of intoxication in drunk-driving cases.

State lawmakers earlier this year passed legislation to make Louisiana one of the latest states to do away with a permit requirement for carrying a concealed handgun. Past efforts to do so were vetoed by former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards. But the new Republican governor, Jeff Landry, supported and signed the new law.

Twenty-eight other states have similar laws, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.

Lawmakers rejected repeated pleas from police and city officials to exempt New Orleans entirely or to carve out the French Quarter and other areas well-known for alcohol-fueled revelry. Their refusal set city officials to work finding ways to deal with a possible proliferation of guns in high-traffic areas, said City Council President Helena Moreno.

Ultimately what we realized was, You know what? What we need is a school," Moreno said.

Late Monday, Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill issued an emailed statement critical of the plan.

Im working hard to help keep New Orleans safe, but the City cannot avoid state law by unilaterally designating police stations vo-tech locations  thats just not how our community college and vocational-technical system is set up," Murrill said.

Murrill also criticized city officials' announcement that the law, which takes effect Thursday, won't be enforced in New Orleans until Aug. 1, when an existing city firearms ordinance expires. As to the delay, state law preempts municipal ordinances which conflict so the ordinance yields to state law, Murrill said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong and Macau will be able to enter mainland China more easily after Beijing eased visa rules to further integrate the semi-autonomous cities into national development plans. Children's walk at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. The summer school holidays have begun in China, and millions of tourists are expected to flood into the city during this period. Beijing eases mainland China entry with new five-year visa for Hong Kong, Macau residents (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Long-term residents who are not Chinese nationals will be eligible for a five-year permit to enter the mainland starting July 10, Chinas National Immigration Administration announced Monday. They can enter the mainland multiple times for up to 90 days per visit.

Chinese authorities said the policy is aimed at supporting the growing number of non-Chinese visitors from Hong Kong and Macau for business and leisure purposes. The measure, announced on the 27th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to Chinese rule, is also seen as a boost to the former British colonys status as a business hub.

We firmly believe that international talent of Hong Kong companies can enjoy the long-awaited clearance convenience for northbound travel with this card, Chief Executive John Lee said in a statement.

The relaxation of travel rules will benefit foreign citizens in Hong Kong and Macau who dont have a passport from one of several dozen countries entitled to visa-free entry to China.

The new five-year visa applies to permanent residents, typically foreigners who are non-Chinese citizens who have lived continuously in Hong Kong or Macau for at least seven years.

China has granted visa-free travel status to more than a dozen countries over the past year, including France, Germany, Switzerland and Australia, as it tries to boost inbound tourism.

The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, has become an increasingly popular destination for residents of the Asian financial hub owing to its affordable and growing shopping and dining options.

The emerging cross-border lifestyle could help China bring the city into its Greater Bay Area economic cluster, although Hong Kong restaurants and retailers have complained about losing business to their mainland counterparts.
On June 28, Irans snap elections for a new president ended in a run-off, with none of the three final candidates securing a majority. The surprise element was that even at a historically low voter turnout of 40%, the sole reformist candidate, Masoud Pezeshkian, maintained a lead of nearly one million votes over Saeed Jalili, a hardliner and long-time loyalist of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf  a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, former Tehran mayor, and current parliament speaker  who projected himself as the establishments choice, came a distant third in what was his fourth presidential campaign. Vehicles move past a billboard displaying the faces of the six presidential candidates (L-R) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi Alireza Zakani, Saeed Jalili, Mostafa Pourmohammadi and Masoud Pezeshkianin in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 29, 2024. Iran's sole reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili are set to go to runoffs after securing the highest number of votes in Iran's presidential election, the interior ministry said. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (AFP)

After the moderate Rouhani government was weakened by the Trump administrations unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018, the Guardian Council, the conservative-dominated vetting body, has been systematically disqualifying the majority of reformist and moderate candidates in parliamentary and presidential elections. Khamenei has backed conservative control of all branches of powers  parliament, judiciary and presidency  when the Islamic Republic is facing severe internal and external challenges and a generational change in political leadership. Protesting against disqualifications that restricted the voters choice, reformists, including former president Mohammad Khatami, boycotted recent elections. Amid the Women, Life, Freedom protests, Green Movement leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has remained under house arrest since 2011, called for a referendum on Irans political system and the drafting of a new democratic constitution. Even moderate leaders such as Rouhani and Javad Zarif have decried the rule of minority. In this context, the approval of Pezeshkian, a five-term parliamentarian from East Azerbaijan province and a prominent reformist disqualified in the 2021 presidential election, was a surprise. In a bid to attract alienated voters, Pezeshkian adopted Baraye Iran (For Iran), the anthem of the recent protests, as his campaign slogan.

While Mousavi still did not vote, Khatami, Rouhani, and Zarif supported Pezeshkians campaign. Still, the manoeuvre to bring reformists back to the political arena to counter voter apathy has largely failed to attract the grey voters  a term for reform-minded individuals who usually dont cast their ballots. The only exception was the capital, Tehran, which usually sees the worst turnout. It saw an increase of 10.6% in polling, possibly in the favour of Pezeshkian. Further, the border provinces of Kurdistan and Sistan-Baluchistan, inhabited by ethnic and Sunni minorities, recorded the lowest turnout. The non-participation of 60% of the electorate underscores the deep dissatisfaction with the political system.

Pezeshkians lead, despite the low turnout, has overturned the conventional wisdom that reformist prospects depend on high turnout. The most plausible explanation is a shift of conservative votes in his favour. Jalili and Ghalibaf together garnered 12.8 million votes, a decline of 5.2 million from the 2021 elections when Raisi emerged victorious with no serious challenger. Pezeshkian, who is an ethnic Azeri Turk and has represented Tabriz in parliament since 2008, recorded a wide lead over the conservatives in the three north-western provinces, where the majority of Azeris (comprising 16% of Irans population) live. Pezeshkians campaign focus on addressing the long-standing neglect of border areas and ensuring the inclusion of Sunni Muslims and ethnic minorities in government posts may have helped in making inroads into traditionally conservative votes in these regions.

Another notable feature of the elections was the intensive power struggle within the conservative camp. In the March 2024 parliamentary elections, a younger generation of hardline clerics such as Mahmoud Nabavian and Hamid Rasaee, at the helm of the Front of Islamic Revolution Stability (known by its Persian acronym Paydari), had carried out an anti-Ghalibaf campaign focussed on corruption allegations against him. Ghalibaf, who had secured the highest votes in Tehran in the 2020 parliament, fell to fourth place. Paydari is the most fundamentalist political group in the conservative spectrum. Unlike the pragmatic conservatives like Ghalibaf, it favours a rigid version of Islamic law and is fiercely critical of the reformist cause of social and cultural freedoms and diplomacy with the West, denouncing them as seditionists. Paydari supported Jalili, who owes his power and authority to Khamenei and is known for his uncompromising stance as Irans top nuclear negotiator under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. However, Ghalibaf, driven by personal ambition and the support of power networks he cultivated during his career spanning the IRGC, Tehran municipality, and parliament, refused to withdraw in Jalilis favour even after the pre-election surveys indicated Jalilis substantial lead over him. Even an intervention by IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmaeil Qaami failed to convince either Jalili or Ghalibaf to withdraw. Subsequently, a triangular contest made a run-off including Pezeshkian almost inevitable. After the defeat, Ghalibaf extended support to Jalili.

The Pezeshkian-Jalili run-off on July 5 will be a showdown between the two most polarising political visions for the country. The whole of the conservative apparatus, including the Basij, a million-strong volunteer paramilitary organisation that led the crackdown on the reformist Green Movement and anti-mandatory hijab protests, will mobilise for Jalil. Pezeshkians fate depends on whether he can finally move the grey voters.

Deepika Saraswat is associate fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.The views expressed are personal
In 2021, a total of 4.4 lakh Indian students left the countrys shores in search of a better education and livelihood opportunities. This number climbed to 7.5 lakh in 2022 and further in 2023. What used to be a trickle in the 1980s and 1990s has turned into a flood over the last two decades as disposable incomes in India rose meteorically. The trend has meant a substantial outflow of foreign exchange with research studies placing the amount spent on overseas studies by Indians at over US $13 billion annually.

For baby boomers (born between 1945 and 1964), the formula was one of almost unequivocal success. For a generation after  Gen X (born between 1965 and 1980), the decision to leave the country after school for higher studies and make a life for themselves in the United States worked well too. Not only did they succeed, this cohort has created wealth like few other ethnic communities have managed: those of Indian origin in the States earn double the median income of their American counterparts.

But by the time the Millennials (born between 1981 and1996) began to follow in the footsteps of the earlier generations, the tried and tested formula had begun to fray. Too many changes had taken place in the structure of the US, both economically and socially for the formula to continue without any disruptions.

But what many have missed or recognised is that there is an equal number of changes in the profile of students who were making their way out of India as well. Unlike the baby boomers who made it overseas on sheer hard work and often on scholarship, a growing number of the Millennials and Gen Z come from a background of privilege where their four-year education is funded by parents, who view this as a valuable experience that will allow their wards to see the world, provide exposure and in some cases provide a paid-for holiday before they get back to India and get down to running their own thriving businesses or in a more indulgent set: follow their passions.

A majority of baby boomers had no options like the ones these Millennials and Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) do: their lives depended on making their overseas foray a success. This no longer holds true.

Many of these youngsters, some of whom head to secure random degrees from pretty obscure colleges, are used to several comforts that life in America and the countries they typically head to fail to offer. These students say that while campus life in the US is full of academic rigour and excellence, they find it an isolating experience.

The mental makeup and resilience required to survive alone while performing well academically at the fairly impressionable age of 18 or 19 becomes quite daunting and many seek transfers within a few months to the UK (closer home) or even Canada, which until recently was perceived as more welcoming and less hostile.

An alarming consequence of this inability to cope with the environment is that some of these students return back home, sans degree and occasionally in a far more fragile state of mind. The large sum spent on the thwarted education takes a backseat as parents scramble to pick up the pieces and get their wards back on track. Before they know it, their American dream turns into a nightmare. Those who sell or mortgage assets to fund their childs overseas education are often stuck when the child fails to earn enough to repay or has to return due to visa issues. Defaults on student loans have been rising.

Parents are often then left struggling with two problems: how to ensure their ward has the stamp of a degree (still required for most jobs in India) and how to get them to shake off the mental struggles or even depression the children find themselves in.

The Covid-19 pandemic in particular took a toll on the mental stability of several Indian students who found themselves stuck overseas in particularly extenuating circumstances with parents unable to reach their wards due to the global restrictions. Anecdotally such instances have been piling up.

Two other factors have changed the dynamics of studying in the US and other countries. Besides the fact that work visas follow a lottery system and therefore many have to head back to India on this count alone, heightened racial tensions have given rise to a situation where there have been a series of targeted attacks on persons of Indian origin, a majority of which have been on students.

As per newspaper reports, in 2024, 11 Indian students have been killed in America alone. Jobs have become scarcer and this has led to a higher resentment against migrants. Such instances have occurred in Australia and Canada too. This is as much a diplomatic issue, as one that the Indian government needs to take up at the government level. A growing cohort of Indian students are now returning home jobless post even an MBA which costs an arm and a leg after they fail to get placed at any appropriate job in the countries where they earned the degree.

The culmination of these myriad changes has been that for Gen Z at least the earlier formula no longer always holds true for a host of reasons. Safety aside, not all students who land up there will chart a path as did a Satya Nadella or an Indira Nooyi in todays environment. Indian parents need to curb their tendency to follow the herd as their approach in the future holds many wider implications not only for their children but for the society and economy at large.

Anjuli Bhargava is a senior journalist who writes on governance, infrastructure and the social sector. The views expressed are personal
With the monsoon having officially made its onset in Mumbai, the focus is back on the citys real estate market, which is one of the biggest casualties as both heavy rain and waterlogging throws life out of gear in the financial capital and impacts both property values and rentals. With the monsoon having officially made its onset in Mumbai, the focus is back on the citys real estate market, which is one of the biggest casualties as both heavy rain and waterlogging throws life out of gear. (PTI)

Mumbais civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has identified around 100 waterlogging spots in the city. HT Digital looks at five micro markets that homebuyers may want to avoid investing in if they want to avoid water logging at least once a year.

Consultants point out that waterlogging is a major factor that impacts India's costliest real estate market. The areas in Mumbai where waterlogging is reported every year both the property value and rental value is 10 to 20% less when compared to areas that are not prone to it.

1 Gandhi Market (Sion)

It takes only 10 minutes of heavy rainfall in Gandhi Market in Central Mumbai to report waterlogging. The area is famous for its wholesale market.

The residential rates in and around Gandhi Market area are anywhere between 30,000 and 50,000 per square foot depending on several factors, according to local real estate brokers.

2 Hindmata (Dadar)

Like Gandhi Market, Hindmata area also takes around 15 to 20 minutes of heavy rainfall to get waterlogged. Hindmata near Dadar in Central Mumbai has several Grade A office buildings and a few swanky luxury condominiums.

Property rates in the area range between 30,000 and 50,000 per square foot. The rates may be higher for luxury projects in the area, said local real estate brokers.

3 Nana Chowk (Grant Road)

Nana Chowk in south Mumbai is one of the costliest areas in Mumbai. Nana Chowk is surrounded by Tardeo, one of the most expensive real estate markets in the financial capital. The area is walking distance from the Grant Road Railway and is surrounded by a market and old residential buildings.

Property prices in the area are in the range of 50,000 to 70,000 per sq ft, according to local real estate brokers.

4 Milan subway (Vile Parle)

Milan subway located between Vile Parle and Santacruz is in close proximity to the Mumbai International Airport, the second busiest airport in the country after Delhi. However, this does not stop Milan subway from getting water logged every year during monsoon. This is in a low lying area prone to waterlogging every year.

The per sq ft rate in the area is around 40,000 per sq ft to 70,000 per sq ft, according to local brokers.

5 Dahisar subway

Dahisar subway like Milan subway is another low lying area located on the northernmost tip of Mumbai. The vehicular subway gets waterlogged within 30 minutes of heavy rainfall.

The per sq ft rate of apartments in this area hovers between 17,000 to 25,000 per sq ft, according to local brokers.
Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia has rented a commercial property in Mumbais prime Juhu area for 18 lakh per month and mortgaged three residential units in Andheri West for 7.84 crore, property registration documents accessed through real estate data analytics platform Propstack showed. Actress Tamannaah Bhatia rents commercial property for  18 lakh per month, mortgages 3 flats in Mumbai for  7.84 crore(File photo)

The 6065-sq ft commercial property in Western Wind on Juhu Tara Road has been leased from Nanavati Construction for a period of five years at a rental of 18 lakh per month, the documents showed. In the fourth year the rent is set to increase to 20.16 lakh and subsequently to 20.96 lakh in the fifth year. It includes units on the ground floor and basement of the building premises, the documents showed.

The deal, which was registered on June 27, 2024, involved a security deposit of 72 lakh, the documents showed.

Also read: From Karishma Kapoor to Amitabh Bachchan, heres why Bollywood stars prefer to invest in commercial properties

Meanwhile, in another transaction, the three flats in a residential building on Veera Desai Road of Andheri West in Mumbai have been mortgaged to lender Indian Bank for a sum of 7.84 crore, as per details of the agreement. The transaction was registered on June 14, 2024, and involved a stamp duty of 4.7 lakh, the documents showed.

The properties, spread across an area of 2595 sq ft, are located in Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri West, the documents showed.

Bhatia did not respond to HT Digitals email query regarding the transactions. The story will be updated when a response is received.

Celebrity clientele

Real estate as an investment is preferred by several Bollywood celebrities. Some notable names include Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Manoj Bajpayee, among others. Experts credit high rental yields in commercial properties and capital appreciation of residential real estate in the financial capital, for the trend.

Also read: Kalki 2898 AD star Amitabh Bachchan buys three more commercial properties in Mumbai's Andheri suburb for 60 crore

Last month, the Bachchan family made headlines as father Amitabh Bachchan acquired two luxury apartments worth nearly 7 crore in Mumbais Borivali suburb, following son Abhishek Bachchans purchase of six residential units on the same floor for 15.42 crore.

Big B Amitabh Bachchan also purchased three office units worth nearly 60 crore in Andheri West in the same month.

Also read: After Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan buys two apartments in Mumbai's Borivali for 6.78 crore
Anand Mahindra, chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra, was recently left speechless after witnessing a 10-year-old Indian-origin girl's amazing talent. The girl, Maya Neelakantan, who appeared on the latest episode of America's Got Talent, captured the attention of the world with her jaw-dropping guitar skills. Anand Mahindra's praised a 10-year-old for her guitar playing skills, (Twitter/@anandmahindra)

"Oh my God, Maya Neelakantan is only 10 years old. 10! Yes, Simon, she's a rock Goddess. From the land of Goddesses. We have to get her back here to do her stuff at the @mahindrablues!" wrote Mahindra in his post as he shared her video. (Also Read: Anand Mahindra shares viral ingenious hands-free umbrella hack: 'Wardrobe for wetness')

The video opens to show Neelakantan standing on the stage in an orange-coloured Anarkali suit. She then starts playing the electric guitar and leaves everyone stunned within seconds. At the end of the video, all three judges can be seen praising her.

Take a look at the post here:

This post was shared on June 29. Since being posted, it has garnered more than 1.2 million views. The share also has tons of likes and comments. Many people were amazed by the girl's talent. (Also Read: Anand Mahindra shares 2 key learnings from truck driver with 1.5 million followers on YouTube)

After the post went viral, Neelakantan also took notice of it and replied by saying, "Thank you so much @anandmahindra ji! It's an honour to hear that from you! I'm very happy to see that people enjoy my version of merging Carnatic Music with Heavy Metal since I love both of them. Thank you for all the love and support! It really means a lot!

Here's how people reacted to the video:

An individual said, "Maya Neelakantan is a talented student of famous guitarist, Berklee School of Music alumni Guitarist Prasanna, an Indian- American. It's a wholesome package of India's pride!"

Another shared, "What control, focus and sheer understanding of music! This is a prime example of talent curated from a tender age and blossoming for good of public at large! An artist is a mass spreader of happiness and smiles! God bless her!"

"The prodigious talent exhibited by this 10-year-old suggests an immense reservoir of potential. My profound admiration for her abilities," commented a third.
by Mary Hrovat

In the shapeless but often suggestive scatter of stars across a dark night sky, humans have picked out patterns and woven countless tales around them, giving the brighter stars names for their place in these stories. The star names we use today can be fascinating but also bafflingwhich is not surprising, considering that theyve evolved over centuries in various languages.

Most of the traditional star names known to Western science have Arabic, Greek, or Latin roots. Some of these names have fairly straightforward meanings, although the connections are not always obvious. Orange-red Antares, for example, is named for its resemblance to Mars (the name can be translated as rival of Mars). Regulus means little king; the star has long been associated with royalty, and its in the constellation Leo, the lion (king of the beasts). Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo (the maiden); its name is derived from a Latin term for an ear of wheat, because of the constellations identification with a Greco-Roman goddess of agriculture. It has been identified with many other female deities over time.

Theres also a star in Virgo named Vindemiatrix, which translates from the Latin as grape gatherer, because in classical times, when it was named, the Sun was in Virgo during the grape harvest. A star in Lyra (the lyre) is named Sulaphat, which is derived from an Arabic word for tortoise. It puzzled me to learn this; the reason is that lyres were often made from tortoise shells. The name of Arcturus, in the constellation Bootes (the herdsman), is derived from a Greek term meaning guardian of the bear, for several possible reasons involving myths about bears.

Many of the star names derived from Arabic represent the stars location within a constellation. The star indicating the tail of Leo is named Denebola, and that representing the tail of Cygnus (the swan) is Deneb. Achernar, in the constellation Eridanus (the river) is named for its position at the rivers end. Cancer (the crab) has a star called Acubens, which is derived from the Arabic word for claws.

Humans have sorted the stars into many groupings over the millennia, and the human-named night sky is a vast palimpsest full of odd remnants of old constellations and asterisms. For example, Zubeneschamali and Zubenelgenubi (the northern and southern claws, respectively), along with Zubenelakrab, the scorpions claw, appear in the constellation Libra (the scales). The names date back to a time when the stars were considered to be part of the neighboring constellation of Scorpius. Auriga is said to represent a charioteer, but it has long been associated with goatherds as well, and its brightest star is named Capella, which translates as little she-goat. The Pleiades, a star cluster in the constellation Taurus containing hundreds of stars, is named for a group of seven sisters in Greek mythology, although only six of the stars are visible to the naked eye.

Everything Ive said above could probably be said in much finer detail, or an alternative explanation or derivation might be given. The history of star and constellation nomenclature is complex.



Even among the stars visible to the naked eye in a dark sky, most dont have proper names (or if they do, theyre not known to most Westerners). The International Astronomical Union (IAU) currently lists only 451 such stars.

For astronomical purposes, stars go by designations indicating their place in some scheme or catalog. Early in the 17th century, Johann Bayer assigned Greek letters to label the stars in each constellation approximately from brightest to dimmest (alpha to omega). Alpha Centauri may be the best-known of the Bayer designations. John Flamsteed was the first to compile a major star catalog using a telescope. The final version of his work, which was published in 1725, assigned numbers to stars within each constellation.

Beginning in the 19th century, global-scale surveys with increasingly larger telescopes produced various star catalogs. The catalog designations for stars generally consist of a brief catalog ID (for example, HD for the Henry Draper catalog assembled at Harvard College Observatory) followed by a number. There are also systems for labeling binary stars, variable stars, and novae and supernovae.

Astronomers know many stars by their designations rather than by proper names. For example, although Beta Lyrae, an active star system, has the common name Sheliak, astronomers rarely use it. Beta Lyraes main pair of stars orbit each other closely; theyre oriented almost edge-on to our line of sight, and the light we see varies as the two stars cross in front of each other. Its a prototype for that class of variable star; in addition, the stars are so close to each other that one is slowly transferring its mass to the other, making it an interesting object of study. Amateur astronomers also know Epsilon Lyrae, a multiple star system containing at least five stars. Its also known as the Double Double, because two of the pairs can be viewed using instruments available to amateurs.

Several stars that are very important in the history of astronomy go by designations rather than proper names. 61 Cygni was the first star other than the Sun to which the distance was measured. Its close enough to Earth that Friedrich Bessel was able to measure its distance using parallax (the tiny difference in position between two observations six months apart, when Earth is at opposite points in its orbit). Delta Cephei is a variable star in the constellation Cepheus. Its the prototype for Cepheid variables, which have stable periods that depend on the stars luminosity. Henrietta Swan Leavitt discovered the periodluminosity relationship, which made it possible to measure the distances to stars that are much further away than 61 Cygni.



Star names, like any proper names, become surrounded with a nimbus of associations. Vega, Deneb, and Altair make up a very well-known asterism called the Summer Triangle. For me, their names conjure up memories of heat, humidity, and mosquitos, as well as the story of the constellation Lyra (which is part of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice) and the various facts I know about the stars themselves. The winter constellation Orion calls to mind cold dry air and the crunch of snow underfoot, as well as knowledge about the Orion nebula and the fact that Betelgeuse is a red giant. However, the nomenclature I know, based largely on Greco-Roman mythology and using Greco-Roman and Arabic names, represents only one of the many starry skies humans have known. As dear and familiar as these names are to me, Id like to know how others have named the stars.

The IAUs Working Group on Star Names was established in 2016 to standardize and catalog star names and add new proper names from a broader range of cultures than most of the star names in common use in the West. These new names are being applied to stars that previously didnt have a proper name. Several lists of newly named stars have been published in recent years. In addition, in 2019, a list of new star names was published by another committee of the IAU after a public naming campaign for exoplanets and their stars.

The new names are not traditionally associated with these stars; still, they expand our view of the sky beyond the largely Western European nomenclature thats been used in scientific communication worldwide. The spirit reflected in the choices reminds me of the broad selection of global music and speech recorded on the Voyager Golden Record.

Some of the new names represent deities. Others are ancient place names, such as Lusitania, an earlier name of much of what is now Portugal. Three of the newly named stars are named for UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Citadelle, for Citadelle Laferriere in Haiti; Petra, for the ancient city in Jordan; and Titawin, for the settlement in Morocco now known as the historical district of Tetouan. Others are named for figures in mythology and literature. In a rare example of a star named for a person, Mahsati is named for a (possibly semi-legendary) female Persian poet of medieval times. Solaris is named for the novel by Polish writer Stanisaw Lem. Sterrennacht is named for van Goghs painting The Starry Night.

Some of the names represent plants, animals, or natural features. Wouri is named for a river in Cameroon, and Mpingo is named for a tree (Dalbergia melanoxylon) that grows in Tanzania and is used to make musical instruments. Ananuca is named for a wildflower endemic to central Chile (Phycella cyrtanthoides). Mazaalai is the Mongolian name for the Gobi bear (Ursus arctos gobiensis). Theres also a star newly named Axolotl.

Other new names are words related to stars or light. Funi is an Old Icelandic word for fire. Koeia is the word for star in the Taino language once spoken by the indigenous people of the Caribbean, and Noquisi is the Cherokee word for star. Naledi means star in several languages of Southern Africa. Maru is a Korean word for sky, and Koit is an Estonian word for dawn.

I especially like the new star names that represent concepts, for example, Emiw (love, in the Makhuwa language spoken in Mozambique), Gakyid (a word meaning happiness, proposed by Bhutan), Itonda (all that is beautiful, in the Myene language of Gabon), and Nikawiy (mother in the Cree language). Two stars are named for peace: Taika (Lithuanian) and Samaya (Sinhalese). I dont know whether to cheer or to cry.



Further reading:

You can browse an annotated list of the 451 proper names of stars recognized by the IAU at Star Names at the Star Facts site. This list gives information about the sources of many of the new names.

A Dictionary of Modern Star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations, by Paul Kunitzsch and Tim Smart, is a good reference for the origins of star names.

Burnhams Celestial Handbook is a three-volume set on constellations and their stars; it provides observing notes, scientific information, and literary and historical information about names and lore. The astronomical information is not up to date, but these old books are still superb for browsing.

Indigenous star maps at the Native Skywatchers site

Aboriginal Australian star maps at the Australian Indigenous Astronomy site

If you know of any other resources (especially books) about star and constellation names from non-European cultures, Id love to hear about them.



You can see more of my work at MaryHrovat.com.
A Chinese rocket, Tianlong-3 crashed on Sunday after an accidental launch during a ground test, its company Space Pioneer said in a statement, CNN reported. A Chinese rocket, Tianlong-3 crashed on Sunday after an accidental launch during a ground test, its company Space Pioneer said in a statement, CNN reported.(X(formerly Twitter))

Space Pioneer, a leading company in the commercial rocket sphere, specializes in liquid-propellant rockets.

According to CNN, the incident occurred when the first stage of the Tianlong-3 rocket detached from its launch pad due to a structural failure. The rocket landed in a hilly area of Gongyi city in central China.

In a statement, Space Pioneer explained that the connection between the rocket body and the test platform failed, causing the first-stage rocket to separate from the launch pad.

ALSO READ| Watch: SpaceX rocket lights up the sky at Horizon music festival in California

"Due to the structural failure of the connection between the rocket body and the test platform, the first-stage rocket was separated from the launch pad," Space Pioneer, also known as Beijing Tianbing Technology, said.

"After liftoff, the onboard computer was automatically shut down, and the rocket fell into the deep mountains 1.5 kilometers [0.9 miles] southwest of the test platform. The rocket body fell into the mountain and disintegrated."

As per the company's statement, there were no injuries after the crash as people in the area were evacuated in advance of the rocket test.

In April 2023, Space Pioneer successfully launched its Tianlong-2 rocket, becoming China's first commercial launch operator to send a liquid carrier rocket into orbit, according to state media, as per CNN.

Tianlong-3, the rocket that crashed on Sunday, is a large liquid carrier rocket. It was made to help construct China's satellite internet network.

Space Pioneer claims that the Tianlong-3's performance is comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, adding that it will be capable of launching the rocket over 30 times per year after the rocket's first successful flight.

The accident comes just days after China's Chang'e-6 lunar module returned to Earth from space, where it collected the first ever samples from the far side of the moon.

The mission was a key milestone in China's "eternal dream" - as articulated by Chinese leader Xi Jinping - to establish the country as a dominant space power and comes as a number of countries, including the United States, also ramp up their own lunar exploration programs.
BOGOTA, - Colombian armed group Segunda Marquetalia agrees unilateral ceasefire

Colombian armed group the Segunda Marquetalia on Sunday agreed to a unilateral ceasefire, after several days of peace talks in Caracas, which are part of President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end 60 years of unrest in his country.

The unilateral ceasefire marks a step towards finally achieving peace in the South American nation, and reducing the violence that has long plagued the country.

The Segunda Marquetalia is a dissident faction of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels whose leaders initially agreed to a 2016 peace deal, but returned to arms citing unfulfilled promises three years later.

The Colombian government announced the agreement, saying the guerrilla group agreed to hand over hostages and respect the lives of Colombian civilians and officials in the areas of the country where it still has a presence.

The ceasefire will take effect when a presidential decree is issued to "de-escalate offensive operations," the government said in a statement. The Colombian government added that a meeting to present a "de-escalation agreement" will be held no later than July 20.

The government's chief negotiator, Armando Novoa, told Reuters in mid-June that Colombia hopes to sign and begin implementing a peace agreement with the Segunda Marquetalia before the leftist Petro leaves the presidency in just over two years.

Colombia is holding separate talks with the National Liberation Army rebels and the armed group Estado Mayor Central, another former faction of the FARC, which never signed the 2016 agreement and most of whose units have rejected dialogue.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Dominos Pizza UK became the latest to join the Hawk Tuah trend, but X users are not pleased. it's Two For (Hawk) Tuahsday, the company wrote in a post, referencing the viral Hawk Tuah girl and her comments, which have taken the internet by storm. Domino's Pizza UK's viral Hawk Tuah post makes netizens cringe: Not the best advertisement for food (Photographer: Nic Antaya/Bloomberg - representational image)(Bloomberg)

The Hawk Tuah girl, whose real name is Hailey Welch, went viral after being featured in a man-on-the-street interview from creators Tim & Dee TV. She was asked in the video, Whats one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time? Her response, which made her go viral, was, You gotta give em that hawk tuah and spit on that thang.

Not the best advertisement for food

However, some social media users found Dominos post inappropriate. In the comment section, one user wrote, Oh nothing just a well respected pizza business in the UK referring to when a woman spits on a co** during sex. Totally acceptable behaviour. Inb4 the broccoli head zoomers with noodle arms and a skin tone paler than the dulux dog tell me it's 'Just a joke bro, chill', one user wrote. this is getting out of hand yall, one user said, while another wrote, You guys shouldnt be joking with hawk tuah lmao. Avoiding Dominos for some time

Ill take my pizza without the hawk tuah thanks, one user said, while another wrote, Not the best advertisement for food btw. Cringe, one user commented. Pack your bags people, Domino's ruined the meme, one user said, while another wrote, Wtf dominoes.

Very little is known about Welch, the Hawk Tuah girl, but what we do know is that her sudden fame led to her teaming up with a local Tennessee business, Fathead Threads, to sell Hawk Tuah merch. The business is run by Jason Poteete, who claimed he has known Welch for years and reached out to her after she went viral. Of course she hasnt gotten a dime from the first viral video that went out, Poteete told the Rolling Stone. "Nobody was asking permission for her to do nothing, neither. I just wanted her to get some profit off of this deal.
By Kate Abnett EU's power mix in 2024 the greenest yet, industry data show

BRUSSELS, - Three-quarters of the European Union's electricity has been generated by CO2 emissions-free sources so far this year, making it the bloc's greenest power mix to date, industry data showed on Monday.

Emissions-free sources produced 74% of EU electricity in January-June, of which 50% was from renewable sources like wind and solar, and 24% from nuclear, industry association Eurelectric said.

"The electricity generation of Europe has never had such a low-carbon profile before," Eurelectric Secretary General Kristian Ruby told Reuters.

Coal produced 9% of EU electricity and gas 13% - the lowest shares for each fossil fuel for the same period in any year to date.

The main driver of Europe's changing energy mix is the rapid installation of renewable energy capacity. The EU built 56 gigawatts of new solar power capacity in 2023 - the highest in any year to date - and 16GW of new wind capacity.

However, Europe's electricity demand has also decreased, making it easier for green sources to cover a bigger share of the overall mix. EU power demand was 5.8% lower in the first half of this year than in the same period in 2021.

European energy prices surged to record highs in 2022 after Russia slashed gas supplies to Europe. The resulting energy crisis forced industries and consumers to use less energy to curb their bills - with some industries yet to recover production to pre-crisis levels, depressing their energy consumption.

More renewable energy will help Europe meet its climate targets and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. But there are signs countries' ageing power grids are struggling to cope with the changing energy mix.

Belgian power grid operator Elia warned last month that a recent jump in Belgium's solar power capacity will cause periods of surplus cheap energy this summer, making it harder to balance the grid.

Ruby urged policymakers to invest in upgrading power grids to cope with bigger shares of renewable capacity, including by adding storage capacity to absorb cheap excess power so it doesn't go to waste.

"We need a physical build-out of the grid with quite a bit of urgency," he said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
France's National Rally surged into the lead in the first round of legislative elections, according to results released early Monday, bringing the far-right party to the brink of power and dealing a major blow to President Emmanuel Macrons centrists in an election that could set the country, and Europe, on a starkly different course. FILE PHOTO: Marine Le Pen, French far-right leader and far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party candidate, reacts on stage after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo(REUTERS)

The results confirmed polling that showed the party  with a history of racism and xenophobia and once shunned by the mainstream  is no longer taboo, confined to the fringes of French politics. There remains another torrid week of campaigning before the decisive final voting Sunday, and whether the National Rally will be able to win an outright majority and form France's first far-right government since World War II remains uncertain.

Marked by high turnout of nearly 68% that reflected the high stakes, voters handed the Marine Le Pens National Rally a strong lead, with about 33% of the vote. The number includes the votes from a group of conservative candidates of The Republicans party who had allied with the far-right party in the first round. The New Popular Front, a leftist alliance, finished second with about 28%. The presidents centrist group came third with around 20%, according to figures released by the Interior Ministry.

When Macron dissolved the National Assembly on June 9, after a stinging defeat at the hands of the National Rally in French voting for the European Parliament, the deeply unpopular and weakened president gambled that his rivals wouldn't repeat that success when the country's own fate was in the balance.

He and his allies, as well as politicians on the left, are still hoping they can head off an outright win by the National Rally, and horse-trading began Monday, with some efforts to block far-right candidates taking shape. The leftist coalition said it would withdraw its candidates in districts where they arrived in third position in order to support other politicians opposed to the far right. Macrons centrist alliance also said some of its candidates would step down before the runoff.

In Sunday's voting, 78 of the National Assembly's 577 seats were won outright, by candidates who got more than 50% of the vote in their district, according to French newspaper Liberation's analysis of the Interior Ministry data. Of those, 38 were from the National Rally, including Le Pen herself.

That triumph provided an additional boost for the far-right parties in Europe as Viktor Orbans Hungary takes over the European Unions rotating presidency for six months.

To underline her partys triumph, Le Pen said that National Rally lawmakers would meet at the parliament on Monday and symbolically claim their seats.

Addressing a jubilant crowd waving French tricolor flags of blue, white and red, Le Pen called on her supporters and voters who didn't back her party in the first round to push it over the line and give it a commanding legislative majority. That scenario would make the party's young leader, Jordan Bardella, prime minister  and force him and and Macron into an awkward power-sharing arrangement.

Macron, first elected in 2017, has said he will not step down before his second term expires in 2027.

The French have almost wiped out the Macronist bloc, Le Pen said Sunday night. The results, she added, showed voters willingness to turn the page after 7 years of contemptuous and corrosive power.

If the National Rally is able to form a government, it has promised to dismantle many of Macron's key domestic and foreign policies, including taking a more confrontational approach to the European Union and stopping French deliveries of long-range missiles to Ukraine. The National Rally has historical ties to Russia, which invaded its neighbor two years ago.

At home, the party's plans include the rollback of Macron's pension reform that raised the retirement age and promises to boost voters' spending power without clearly detailing how it would pay for the pledge that could also spook European financial markets.

National Rally opponents fear for civil liberties if it takes power. Macron himself warned that the far right could set France on a path to civil war. Its plans to boost police powers and curb immigration also alarm many, including minorities. The National Rally has long been hostile toward Frances Muslim community.
Hungary takes over the EU's rotating presidency on Monday, promising to be an "honest broker" despite widespread concerns over what critics see as an authoritarian, Russia-friendly government. Hungary takes on EU presidency amid concerns

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 aiming to transform it into an "illiberal democracy", frequently clashes with Brussels over rule-of-law and human rights issues.

He is also the only EU leader who has maintained ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Kyiv and repeatedly slammed sanctions against Moscow over the war.

Last year, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution highlighting Hungary's "backsliding" on democratic values, and questioning how it could "credibly" assume the bloc's six-month presidency.

Budapest insists it is ready to assume "the duties and responsibilities" steering the bloc of 27 countries.

"We will be honest brokers, working loyally with all member states and institutions," Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka said in mid-June as he unveiled the presidency's programme.

"At the same time, we believe Hungary has a strong mandate to pursue a strong European policy. Our work will reflect this vision of Europe," he added.

Hungary's programme slogan? "Make Europe Great Again" echoing the rallying cry of Orban's "good friend" former US president Donald Trump which already caused a stir in Brussels.

After Hungary last held the EU presidency in 2011, Orban boasted about handing out "flicks," "smacks," and "friendly slaps" to the "excitable tormentors" of the European Parliament.

This time, the nationalist leader, 61, is even more combative, having vowed to "occupy Brussels" during the campaign for European elections in early June, banking on a right-wing breakthrough.

But even though far-right parties made gains, Orban's Fidesz party currently stands isolated, unable to find a group in the European Parliament that suits it.

On Sunday, Orban announced he wanted to form his own group, together with Austria's far-right Freedom Party and the centrist ANO party of ex-Czech premier Andrej Babis.

They still need parties from at least four other countries to join them.

Last week, Orban failed to derail a deal to return Ursula von der Leyen as head of the powerful European Commission and two others from a centrist alliance taking the other top jobs.

Meanwhile, von der Leyen put off a courtesy visit to Budapest, originally planned for the presidency opening. A new date has not been set.

To garner support for Hungary's programme, Orban toured key European capitals last week.

Among the country's seven priorities for its EU presidency are stemming "illegal migration" and bringing the Western Balkans countries "one step closer" to EU membership.

Orban can use the presidency to set the agenda, but he cannot achieve results without the commission's support, Daniel Hegedus, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund told AFP.

He also noted that the Hungarian premier has limited opportunity to act as a spoiler, as the outgoing Belgian presidency and EU institutions have rushed to conclude important decisions.

Last week, the European Union adopted a fresh sanction package against Russia and formally launched "historic" accession talks with Ukraine.

"Everybody was striving to reduce instability, thus restricting the room for manoeuvre for the Hungarian presidency," Hegedus said.

But more "trolling on the communication front" is to be expected, he added.

Among Hungary's battles with Brussels, Budapest is looking to unlock billions of euros in EU funds frozen over issues including LGBTQ rights, the treatment of asylum seekers and public procurement.

ros/jza/gv

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani was set to win re-election by a comfortable margin, results from the electoral commission showed, with an official proclamation due on Monday. Mauritania's Ghazouani set to win presidential vote

Mauritanians went to the polls on Saturday to choose between seven candidates vying to lead the sprawling nation, which has largely withstood the tide of jihadism in the region and is set to become a gas producer.

After all votes were counted, the Independent National Electoral Commission said that former general Ghazouani would win the election with more than 56 percent of the vote.

That would put him well ahead of the country's main opposition leader, human rights campaigner Biram Dah Abeid, who CENI predicted would win 22 percent of the vote.

Abeid said on Sunday that he would not recognise the results of "Ghazouani's CENI".

"We will only recognise our own results, and therefore we will take to the streets" to refuse the electoral commission count, he said.

But he insisted their response would be "peaceful", calling on the army and the security forces "not to follow the orders of the regime".

Some of his supporters demonstrated in the capital Nouakchott, burning tires and disrupting traffic.

At the end of the afternoon, Abeid's campaign headquarters were surrounded by security forces, according to an AFP journalist. His campaign manager was arrested, a spokesman said.

The police presence in the capital increased significantly later in the evening.

Ghazouani's other main rival, Hamadi Ould Sid' El Moctar, who heads the Islamist Tewassoul party, came third with 12.76 percent of the vote, according to CENI.

He said he would "remain attentive" to any breach of voting regulations.

Overall turnout was estimated at 55 percent.

"The situation in the country is under control and citizens can go about their business in peace," Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine told reporters.

The ministry "hereby reaffirms that it will not tolerate any action likely to disturb the peace and tranquillity of citizens and residents living in our country", he added.

A 2019 election brought Ghazouani to power, marking the first transition between two elected presidents since independence from France in 1960 and a series of coups from 1978 to 2008.

While the Sahel has in recent years seen a string of military coups and escalating jihadism, particularly in Mali, Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011.

Ghazouani has made helping the young a key priority in a country of 4.9 million people, where almost three quarters are aged under 35.

The opposition strongly contested the legislative elections a year ago, which were won by Ghazouani's party.

The African Union sent a team of 27 short-term observers, while the European Union has sent three election experts.

The Mauritanian government has set up a national election monitoring body, which the opposition has denounced as a tool for manipulating the ballot.

hos-amt/mca/sco

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
By Gloria Dickie and Jonathan Saul LONDON, - Ships sailing through Arctic waters will no longer be able to use or carry heavy bunker fuel oil under a United Nations shipping agency regulation which took effect on Monday. Yet environmental groups say the ban does not go far enough in geographic scope or addressing dirty black carbon emissions from ships, which can darken white ice and speed up the melting wrought by climate change. The ban, adopted in 2021 by the UN's International Maritime Organization , aims to prevent heavy fuel oil spills which could have a devastating impact on the Arctic's sensitive environment and species, including walrus, polar bears, and beluga whales. "Shipping in the Arctic continues to increase - both in terms of numbers of ships and also the length of time ships are sailing in the Arctic," said Sian Prior, lead advisor of the Clean Arctic Alliance which comprises 20 environmental groups. As climate change opens up the region, the Arctic is at heightened risk of a spill. Although the ban begins on July 1, it will only come into full force in 2029 after a number of exemptions expire. But some Arctic coastal countries told Reuters they intend to take more immediate action. Heavy fuel oil is a tar-like residual waste from the oil refining process that is about 30% cheaper than alternatives. It is thicker than other fuels, making it difficult to clean up in the event of a spill. WAIVERS AND ADOPTION The regulation will result in the prohibition of nearly a third of HFO carried and 16 percent of HFO used in Arctic waters as of July 1, 2024, compared with the 2019 Arctic fleet, according to a 2020 analysis by the non-profit International Council on Clean Transportation. That is because it grants a temporary exemption to ships built since 2017 that have protected fuel tanks which lessen the likelihood of a spill. LNG tankers, bulk carriers and cargo vessels generally use the most HFO in operations. The regulation also allows Arctic coastal nations to grant waivers to ships flying the flag of the nation while operating in sovereign waters, until 2029. More than half of the 2019 Arctic fleet would meet the standards to receive a waiver, the analysis found. Five Arctic coastal nations are able to issue waivers due to their geography. Canada's transportation ministry told Reuters it would issue waivers to domestically flagged vessels involved in providing food and fuel supplies to Arctic communities until July 1, 2026. Any waiver decision would be made public, a government spokesperson said, noting Canada had not yet received any applications. Norway already has the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act which bans HFO. Earlier this month, an Irish shipping company was fined 1 million NOK for sailing through Svalbard's waters with HFO on board. Denmark's Ministry of the Environment did not respond to a request for comment on whether it would issue waivers for the waters around Greenland. The United States did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Finland has also not yet adopted the regulation, but a government spokesperson told Reuters it aimed to do so later this year. RUSSIA'S POSITION UNCLEAR It remains unclear when Russia, responsible for more than half of the Arctic coastline, will implement the ban. Russia would need to approve amendments to a maritime convention on pollution before the regulations could enter into force, Russia's mission to the IMO said in an October 2022 submission. The country's transport ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Russia's state-owned shipping group Sovcomflot "will be guided by the decisions of both international and national maritime authorities and comply with them", the company said. The impact of Western sanctions is also likely to weigh on compliance with the new HFO regulations, shipping industry sources said. Enforcement of the IMO's stringent use of high sulphur fuel oil globally, introduced in 2020, has been impacted by delayed implementation of the same regulations in Russia, as well as increasing non-compliance by the so-called shadow fleet of tankers transporting oil from countries hit by sanctions including Russia, Iran and Venezuela.

New fuel restrictions for ships in Arctic fall short, green groups say
North Korea fired a ballistic missile eastward, Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday. This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads at an undisclosed place in North Korea(AP)

The South Korean military is analysing the launch, Yonhap said.

On Sunday, North Korea criticised a joint military exercise by South Korea, Japan and the United States held last month and warned of "overwhelming response" against such drills.

North Korea said last week it had successfully conducted an important test aimed at developing missiles carrying multiple warheads, a claim rejected by South Korea as "deception" to mask a failed launch.
A new book has claimed that Meghan Markle issued an exclusion order regarding David and Victoria Beckham. The explosive claim was made by author Tom Bower in his book The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power. Shocking reason Meghan Markle once banned Prince Harry from being photographed with David Beckham (Photo by Kola SULAIMON / AFP, photo by Chris ARJOON / AFP)

Although the Beckhams attended Prince Harry and Meghans wedding in 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not in touch with them anymore due to a feud.

Bower claimed in his book that Meghan banned Harry from being photographed with David at an Invictus Games event because she was afraid it would upstage her husband. "Beckham found himself alone at the Invictus Games stadium, Tom wrote. "Arriving on the agreed day to meet Prince Harry he was perplexed [as to] why officials were playing a dance to keep him happy, but away from Harry."

"Photographs of the two together were forbidden. The royal snub was brutal. David Beckham was puzzled, Tom continued. "The exclusion order, it later transpired, was issued by Meghan.

"She did not want any competition in the media from Beckham, and especially not from his wife Victoria, he added.

Another explosive claim

Elsewhere in the book, Tom claimed Victoria gave Meghan thousands of pounds worth of clothes and accessories to promote the former Spice Girls star's brand. As part of a marketing drive, Meghan was given a "coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth 6,000" for royal Christmas festivities at Sandringham House, the book claimed.

"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, Tom wrote. "Later, Meghan wore a Beckham custom-made pregnancy outfit and a white coat and dress for a service in Westminster Abbey.

"Victoria's style also attracted Melania Trump. She wore a Victoria Beckham dress during the President's official visit to London, he added. "But the financial benefit was nil."
by David J. Lobina

So, then, is the American politician Ron DeSantis a fascist? Is former (and maybe next) US President Donald Trump a fascist? What about the Republican Party these two politicians belong to, is it a fascist party? Are some strands within the modern British Conservative party, to move to this side of the world, a case of fascism too? And is fascism also present, to now move out of the English-speaking world, in the current governments of Italy, Hungary, and Russia or the various opposition parties in France and Spain?

These are some of the questions I have alluded to here and there since my post on the use and abuse of the term fascism in current political commentary, the first of a series of on Nationalism and Fascism. It might be a bit Procrustean to claim that all these currents (and undercurrents) encompass fascism, but this is exactly what one finds in the media, especially in the English-speaking world. In fact, there have been further cases of this sort of talk since my opening salvo, including from the very people I had singled out at the time, whilst the reaction the post received, both publicly and privately, was quite interesting in itself  trebles all around for doubling down!

So, to recap post number 1. The word fascism comes from the Italian fascismo, and the political phenomenon is also Italian in origin, properly starting in the 1920s. Both the word and the politics were soon adopted in other parts of Europe, and eventually elsewhere in the world, under different conditions and often becoming, naturally enough, slightly different phenomena. Thus, whilst it is customary, and correct, to consider Mussolinis and Hitlers regimes as fascist under a certain reading, Fascism and Nazism (in capital letters) were different in rather important respects, and plenty of scholars treat them as distinct ideological and political movements. Renzo De Felice, for instance, an early and quite influential expert in fascism, did not regard Nazism as a species of Fascism at all, and he argued this was even more the case for Francos regime in Spain or Salazars in Portugal.[i]

Im sympathetic to De Felices stance, as discussed in post 1  the philosopher in me likes to delimit and properly define terms that under close inspection turn out to be distinct concepts  but Im also a linguist and thus sensitive to linguistic usage. The issue here is that the meaning of the English word fascism has widened significantly since the 1920s and this needs to be taken into account. In my original post, I did mention that the Oxford English Dictionary lists a generic connotation of fascism as an authoritarian and nationalistic system of government, and an extended (and depreciative) use as autocratic, intolerant, or oppressive, especially to enforce conformity, and this is fine as far as it goes. Maybe.

Regarding the extended use, this is more common in informal use, and God knows it is overused in social media (you would hear it all the time in the sort of demonstrations I used to go to too); I personally dislike it and see little value in using such a connotation in any context  it is simply a slur now and thus an insult, so whats the point? I also see little value in using the generic sense to refer, say, to the current governments of Hungary and Russia  it is just that: a generic use of the word fascism to describe certain governments and politicians as authoritarian and nationalistic, with all the additional connotations the word comes with, but with none of the nuances that each case requires.

With regards to lost nuances: Trump is a demagogue and a populist, but mostly a narcissist, in effect an example of what John Keane called the new despotism in 2020, and in the context of the US, this involves a kind of top-down state capitalism; the Meloni government in Italy is heir to a post-fascist party with direct connections to Mussolinis latter-day regime, but the current party is a different animal, in a way more nostalgic than fascist; Vladimir Putins regime showcases some particular features of recent Russian history, with a wink or two to Imperial Russia, all more Russian than fascist, e cosi via.

Either way, whether under a generic or extended sense, the word fascism ends up being used to refer to anything and everything: a set of practices, the banning of ideas and books, a worldwide march led by Trump, attacks on trans people, Russias war in Ukraine, and much more (Im dropping the capitalisation of fascism from now on, but the intended usage ought to be clear).

To be sure, this will be hardly news to historians. In 1944, the philosopher Benedetto Croce pointed out that the epithet fascist was being used by socialists and communists to insult liberals and Christian democrats, and by liberals and Christian democrats to insult socialists and communists. And before then, in the 1920s, various Italian politicians on the left were denounced as semi-fascists by other leftists  this happened to Giovanni Amendola, a famous opponent of fascism, and someone who was in fact murdered by real fascists.

My main point in post number 1, in any case, was that many commentators make too direct a connection between current political conditions, especially in the US, and historical fascism from the 1920-40s, and this is not a little preposterous. This particularly applies to classic Italian fascism, the blueprint for many subsequent brothers in arms, and the case study I focused on at the time. Bad analysis of the kind I highlighted then still abounds, not least from some of the very people I had mentioned in that first post.

To name but a few. Jason Stanley, in a comment to my piece, demurred and lamented that the post was rather Eurocentric (no shit, Sherlock; it was about Italian fascism), offering as a counter a link to a piece on colonial fascism; in particular, on what the author calls settler-colonial racism in the US. An interesting article that, among other things, discusses a number of important works from the 1930s (including some by WEB Du Bois, for instance), the actual connection between settler-colonialism in the US and European fascism is solely in terms of white supremacy in this article, and in a sense this relates more to Nazism than it does to (Italian) fascism  racism is not a definitional characteristic of fascism in the way that it might be for Nazism; racism, let alone antisemitism, was not a preoccupation of Mussolinis regime to begin with, only coming to the fore properly under the influence of Nazi Germany (there were many Jewish fascists in the party before the Racial Laws of 1938).[ii]

But even under such terms the nexus between settler-colonialism in the US and Nazism remains weak, centred as it is on but one feature of Nazism  a person may well be a racist without being a Nazi or a fascist. As a matter of fact, the article employs a rather wide, nay, inflated interpretation of fascism, meant to include Nazism as well as much else; the expressions racial fascism, colonial fascism, late fascism all make an appearance, and there is even a mention of Apartheid South Africa as a para-fascist regime, quite a bizarre statement (not to make too fine a point, but racism in Apartheid South Africa was quite different to the racism of Nazism; the goal of apartheid was not to eliminate the non-white population, but to oppress and exploit non-white labour; also, see endnote 3 infra).

The connection between colonialism and fascism is not a little puzzling, though it is worth noting that Stanley taught a course entitled Colonialism and Fascism in Ukraine in 2023, so at the very least we know where he was coming from with his comment. The course, curiously, hardly included any classic texts from the study of fascism in the syllabus, with the possible exception of some selections from Hitlers Mein Kampf (Stanleys stuff is of course there, but this doesnt count). Hitler is somewhat ridiculously referred to as fascisms most famous 20th century leader on the courses webpage, but Mein Kampf barely qualifies as a guide to fascism, really.[iii]

Robert Reich, for his part, continues his long series of articles in the Guardian on fascism as he sees the phenomenon, every other month a slightly different take. The best [sic] of the bunch is the one article of his which bothers to mention actual experts (not least Gentile), only to offer a potpourri of features purportedly identifying fascism  5 elements of fascism, in fact (but why 5?!)  which Reich claims to derive from the works of Gentile, Umberto Eco, and others (or so Reich says, but it is unclear where he gets these 5 from, or how), and then, only to carry out a proof by quoting exercise  to wit, and in caricature form: this is fascism characteristic number 1, and these are some quotes and actions from your favourite [sic] fascist on the topic, clearly showing that they are indeed a fascist.

The problem with such analyses  yes, it was a caricature, but a fully deserved one  is that it deals with superficialities and facile analogies, and anything or anyone can be made to look and sound in the way that is intended, and from the beginning to boot  not so much a conclusion to an argument, but a twisted proof by induction on what makes a fascist (or should I say, on what a fascist makes?).[iv]

This talk of the characteristics of fascism, along with the relevant quotes to prove adherence, is too common these days for comfort. It often makes an appearance on Twitter (X, whatever), and often in the form of 14 features. It even shows up outside of the fake world of the internet: one heckler attempted to talk about a few characteristics of fascism at the National Conservatism Conference in 2023 in the UK, the implication being that the attendees and speakers were clearly fascists, and they obviously needed to be told.[v]

As far as I can see, the popularity of this talk of the characteristics of fascism is due to the oversized legacy of one article Eco wrote about fascism, a piece that is wildly misinterpreted and its precepts too widely applied. Curiously enough, Eco did not set off to define fascism as a historical phenomenon in this article, let alone Mussolinis regime. For one reason, Eco explicitly states that classic fascism is not coming back in any form, and that the characteristics that made classic fascism were historical and therefore specific in nature, never to be repeated. Instead, Eco focused on ways of acting and talking in the piece, and on what he called eternal fascism  and he did so in a specific context. Delivered to a US audience on Liberation Day in 1995  a national holiday in Italy, celebrated on the 25th of April to commemorate Italys liberation from Nazism and Fascism  and on the back of the electoral success of the Italian Social Movement party in 1994, an actual post-fascist party founded by the remnants of Mussolinis Italian Social Republic from 1943-45, Ecos article needs to be understood with this background in mind.

But for that you will have to tune back next month for the final instalment of Lobinas long-awaited finale to this series on Fascism. In the final episode, I shall discuss Ecos article some more and argue that the notion of an eternal fascism is unhelpful, though not nonsensical; that the elaboration of a list of fascist characteristics is misguided in design; and that Ecos suggestion that fascism can coalesce from any one of his proposed features is ridiculous and nonsensical. Building upon this, I will contrast Ecos take on fascism with Gentiles more thorough analysis of the phenomenon in order to make the point that fascism is a historical phenomenon, not a way of acting or talking  it is not a temperament  and that conflating rather than separating ideas and events does not help us understand and contest contemporary political happenings that certainly require our attention, and in some cases, our activism. I will then conclude that in the majority of cases, most uses of the term fascism are the result of pisspoor scholarship; that the interpretation the term receives in much modern commentary is far too vague to be of any use; and that in the event its wide employment is manipulative.

Oh, Ill also answer the questions I posed at the beginning of this post, I will declare some self-ascribed anti-fascists posturers (with a little help from Pier Paolo Pasolini), and at some point I will make a joke about a rifle.

[i] In brief, and channelling De Felice: Fascism was revolutionary in a way that Nazism was not (e.g., fascists aimed to create a new society and a new Italian, whilst Nazis were traditionalists and looked to a German ideal past instead); Francos movement was also traditionalist and furthermore fundamentalist catholic, and thus some distance from the radical irreligiousness of fascism (Spains Falange was closer to Italian fascism, but the party was subsumed under the movement soon enough and its para-fascist character diluted well enough); and, similarly to Francos regime, Salazars Estado Novo was Portuguese catholic and far too conservative to qualify as fascist at all.

[ii] Emilio Gentile, who featured heavily on my original post, and an actual expert in fascism, has argued that Italian fascists might have got there by themselves eventually, given their obsession with italianita, but it is not obvious whether Italian Jews would have been affected without German pressure  there is of course no arguing about fascists attitude towards Ethiopians and Libyans.

[iii] More usually, it has to be said, Stanleys analysis of fascism is centred on points such as the cult of the leader, a radical nationalism, and the pernicious influence of outsiders, a general take that is certainly closer to what classic fascism involved, but a set of features that are not present in either the settler-colonialism of the 1930s US or Apartheid South Africa.

[iv] Another matter completely is this puff piece of Reichs on how the mainstream media is facilitating Trumps neo-fascism, all except the Guardian, of course. I do hope he got paid for this!

[v] It could be worse, I guess. I could have mentioned Judith Butler denouncing gender critical feminists as fascist-adjacent. But I wont do that.
Israel's national carrier El Al said Sunday its Warsaw to Tel Aviv flight was not allowed to refuel at Antalya airport after making an emergency landing to evacuate a passenger for medical reasons. Turkey airport staff refused to refuel an Israeli aircraft after it made an emergency landing at Antalya airport(REUTERS)

Turkish workers at Antalya airport refused to refuel flight LY5102 before it could take off for Israel, El Al said in a statement.

"Local workers refused to refuel the company's plane even though it was a medical case," it said, adding that the passenger was evacuated.

The plane then took off to Rhodes in Greece where "it will refuel before taking off to Israel", the airline said.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, with all direct flights between the two countries cancelled since.

Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed the plane was allowed to make an emergency landing to evacuate a sick passenger.

"Fuel was to be provided to the plane due to humanitarian considerations, but as the relevant procedure was about to be completed, the captain decided to leave of his own accord," a Turkish diplomatic source said.

Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel said the plane was on the tarmac at Antalya for several hours before it took off for Rhodes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel's blistering military campaign in Gaza, and has often expressed support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas as defenders of their homeland.

Hamas is classed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and the European Union, amongst others.

The Israel-Hamas war broke out after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 37,877 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
In a controversial statement, billionaire investor Bill Ackman claimed he no longer' blames Joe Biden for not stepping aside from the race. Instead, he has pointed to First Lady Jill Biden, attributing the declining health of the POTUS to her alleged enjoyment of wielding power. Ackman's remarks have sparked widespread debate amid ongoing political tensions surrounding the Biden administration's leadership and public perception. This follows a debate disaster where the president's inability to effectively counter his opponent, Donald Trump, did not go unnoticed. Blasting Joe Biden Bill Ackman said US Presidential election is not a family wedding where we can make light of grandpas declining faculties.(AP)

Bill Ackman slams First Lady for putting her own interests first

In a scathing attack on Sunday, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman criticised the First Lady for allegedly neglecting President Joe Biden's age and declining health. He accused her of pushing Biden to remain in the presidential race despite widespread calls for his replacement. Ackman suggested that Biden lacks the mental acuity to make crucial decisions about his own well-being.

"I no longer blame @POTUS Biden for not stepping aside. He no longer has the mental acuity to make important judgments about himself," Ackman tweeted, stressing his concerns about the president's health.

Also read: Biden to hold crucial family meeting at Camp David amid pressure to step down: Campaign end could be just days away

Nonetheless, he later accused First Lady Jill Biden of putting her own interests first, suggesting that she values her own benefits more than her husband's well-being and the country's safety. Stating that the fault lies within the first lady, he continued, "FL Jill Biden becomes irrelevant the moment her husband is no longer president," he tweeted, citing the potential loss of privileges such as "Air Force travel, glamorous life and White House engagements.

Jill Biden publicly rallied in support of her husband following a series of televised gaffes during his CNN debate with Donald Trump, but criticism has mounted against her strategy On Saturday, the First Lady declared, "Joe isn't just the right person for the job. He's the only person for the job." However, her constant presence alongside Biden, where he can often be seen relying on her support while walking or talking, has drawn scrutiny from political enthusiasts and reportedly unsettled some Democrats.

Also read: Jill Biden's ex-husband slams her for allegedly pushing Biden to run post debate setback; not the person i married

Ackman accuses Jill Biden of leveraging her position for personal power

Recognizing the stress elements that might lead to Biden's neurological deterioration, Ackman slammed the community college professor and said, "Now in public appearances, she treats him like an infant ('You answered every question!') or an old man as she walks him off the stage.

He proceeded to claim that she uses her role to gain personal authority, suggesting that she makes choices for the president. Her power has clearly grown as he gets weaker. And she likes the feeling of power. She speaks for the president when he cant or when he is napping.

Ending on a brutally critical note, he said the First Ladys actions are posing a risk to the legacies and reputations of both herself and the president, describing the situation as potentially tragic for the Biden family and harmful for national security.
While Joe Biden has been facing strong criticism to withdraw from the presidential race, his top donor has targeted two of POTUS' close allies following Thursday's debate disaster. Joe Biden discussed his rerun with his family members at Camp David over the weekend. (Bloomberg)

John Morgan has insisted that Anita Dunn, who works as the senior adviser in the White House, and her spouse, Bob Bauer, the attorney for Biden, have "grifted long enough".

Expressing his worries following the debate, the owner of the law firm Morgan and Morgan took to X and wrote: Anita Dunn and her husband need to be banished from Biden world. These two grifters have grifted long enough. She negotiated the format which was tailor made for Trump made him seem sane

Slamming Bob Bauer, Morgan stated that Biden prepared for debate with him for a week, stressing that despite all the practice debate's opening and closing was sh**.

And her husband practiced with him for 7 days no wonder he was [hoarse], fatigued, exhausted and filled with too many facts. Yet the opening and closing was sh**.

He further expressed his continuous support for Biden, asserting that character and wisdom matters. Im Irish we all have bad nights. Ive had more than one. This Irishman is sticking with the man we know, love and trust. Character matters. The most consequential president since FDR who was confined to a wheelchair chair all 4 terms. Wisdom matters.

Also Read: Jill Biden graces Vogue cover amid backlash over President Joe's debate fiasco: I tell him

John Morgan targets Ron Klain

Meanwhile, Morgan held Anita Dunn, Bob Bauer, Ron Klain, and Biden's former White House chief of staff accountable for the debacle in the debate. According to reports, Klain was also involved in the CNN presidential debate preparations that took place in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday.

"It would be like if you took a prizefighter who was going to have a title fight and put him in a sauna for 15 hours then said, 'Go fight,'" he remarked, describing Biden's predicament.

81-year-old POTUS' debate performance against Trump prompted several Democrats to seek Biden's exit as the party's presidential nominee.

Biden discusses his rerun with family

Biden discussed his rerun with his family members at Camp David over the weekend. His family encouraged him to continue fighting and staying in the race, according to The New York Times.

Citing an unnamed source, The NY Times stated neither Biden nor First Lady Jill made any personal barbs at Klain, Dunn, or Bauer during the family meet at Camp David.

On the other hand, Klain told the Times that Biden will withdraw from the race as he enjoys immense grassroot donor support. In addition, Dunn stated on Sunday on MSNBC that only Biden has the potential to defeat Trump.
Six months after a fuselage blowout threw Boeing Co. into crisis, the full weight of the legal and financial fallout from the near-catastrophic accident is bearing down on the embattled US plane maker. US aircraft manufacturer Boeing says to buy subcontractor Spirit for $4.7 billion(REUTERS)

The US Justice Department plans to charge Boeing with criminal fraud after finding the company violated a 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement tied to two previous, fatal crashes, Bloomberg News reported late on Sunday. Just hours later, Boeing announced a plan to buy back Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., a supplier it spun off two decades ago, for $4.7 billion in a bid to improve manufacturing.

The intertwined developments reveal the sheer magnitude of Boeings current troubles. The plane maker now has a few days to make a tough legal choice: plead guilty or go to trial, neither of which are without risk. The Spirit deal, meanwhile, will saddle Boeing with more debt and tie up the manufacturer with the complex task of turning around operations at a contractor thats suffered from poor workmanship for years  at a time when Boeings own facilities arent running smoothly.

Neither of Boeings legal options are particularly appealing. Pleading guilty and accepting a fine potentially locks the company out of important government contracts and might lead to higher compensation to families of victims in the two crashes. But going to court creates an uncertain legal overhang for whoever follows Chief Executive Officer Officer Dave Calhoun, who has said he will step down by year-end at the latest.

Either way, this is a terrible outcome for Boeing, Nick Cunningham, an analyst at Agency Partners in London, said of Boeings legal options. With Spirit, Boeing gains very little from this transaction and would not have chosen to do it, given that it only spun Spirit out about 20 years ago.

Boeing shares slipped 1.2% in premarket US trading, while Spirit gained 6.3%.

The US planemaker said Monday that it will pay $37.25 a share for Spirit in an all-stock deal. The total transaction value is about $8.3 billion, including Spirits last reported net debt. Arch-rival Airbus SE, meanwhile, gets to walk away with some parts of Spirit that make components for the European planemaker, and stands to get $559 million in compensation.

The purchase will close in the middle of next year, giving Boeing some financial wiggle room as the company seeks to protect an investment-grade credit rating hovering just one level above junk status. Cunningham estimates Boeing will end the second quarter with about $45 billion in debt, near the high-water point of $45.8 billion two years ago.

Boeing has been in turmoil since the mid-air blowout. The companys shares are down by almost a third this year and it has warned that its on pace to burn through about $8 billion in cash during the first half of 2024 as it deals with a production slowdown in the aftermath of the near-catastrophe on an Alaska Airlines flight. In response to the mishap, the Federal Aviation Administration capped production of the 737 Max and required Boeing to submit a sweeping plan to address the quality issues at its factories.

In the Jan. 5 mishap, a door-shaped panel that had been assembled by Spirit and removed for repairs at Boeing exploded off the fuselage of a 737 Max 9 jet during a nearly full flight. It triggered a chain reaction at Boeing, which has seen a wholesale management shakeup, federal investigations, and scrutiny from regulators.

We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly, Calhoun said in a statement.

The Boeing transaction, once completed, will reunite assets that for decades once sat under one roof, bringing together thousands of workers and decades of shared expertise. It also brings a longtime former Boeing leader back to the company as directors hunt for a new leader: Spirit CEO Pat Shanahan was a longtime Boeing executive steeped in factory operations, known for helping turn around the 787 Dreamliner program after a troubled start.

Hes considered a potential contender to succeed Calhoun in Boeings top role.

The deal struck after months of negotiations comes as Boeing approaches another milestone, a settlement with the US Justice Department that would potentially involve pleading guilty to criminal fraud in relation to two crashes involving the 737 Max aircraft that occurred in rapid succession in 2018 and 2019.

The US government plans to charge Boeing, according to people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. The department concluded in May that the company had failed to meet a requirement to implement an effective compliance program to prevent and detect violations of US fraud laws. Boeing has told the DOJ that it disagreed with the finding.

The Justice Department and Boeing declined to comment.

Bloomberg previously reported that the planemaker is in talks with the department to resolve potential charges stemming from the crashes, and that a settlement is expected to include the appointment of a corporate monitor.

A guilty plea to criminal charges would mark a low point in Boeings century-long history and a stunning development for a company that was once renowned for its cautious, straight-laced culture. It raises concerns over future US government contracts for the company at a time when Boeing needs its defense division to counteract plunging revenue at its commercial airplane business.

Between the legal troubles, the challenge of integrating Spirit and continuing scrutiny from the FAA, Boeing is probably a long, long way from putting their issues behind them, said Rob Morris, the global head of consultancy at Ascend by Cirium.
The Supreme Court on Monday decided that former US President Donald Trump may claim immunity from criminal prosecution for some of the actions he committed in the final days of his presidency. The decision will probably further postpone a trial on the federal election subversion charges that are already pending against him. Donald Trump may claim immunity from criminal prosecution for some of the actions, stated US Supreme Court,(REUTERS)

In historic 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court has reversed the outcomes of the 2020 election by rejecting a federal appeals court's February finding that ruled Trump was not immune from prosecution for crimes he may have committed during his presidency.

We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power requires that a former president have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office, stated Chief Justice John Roberts, CNN reported. At least with respect to the presidents exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute.

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law, Roberts added on his Monday opinion.

While Roberts was joined by five conservative judges, three liberal judges expressed dissent.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a scathing dissent stated that the criminal immunity granted to Trump fundamentally alters the structure of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.

In the courtroom, Sotomayor declared that the presidents' protection provided by the court is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The apex court heard arguments for over two months before rendering its final verdict of the term, which was much slower than in other significant high court cases involving the president, such as the Watergate tapes.

Also Read: Melania Trump has a deal with Donald involving Barron, leading her to scale back first lady role if he wins

All you need to know about Trump indictments and Jan 6 case

In a New York court, Trump was found guilty of a felony, making history as the first former president to do so. He was found guilty of forging business documents to conceal the fact that he had paid hush money to former adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about their alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump is facing three more indictments.

Smith is in charge of the two federal investigations into Trump that have resulted in criminal accusations. The Washington lawsuit centers on Trump's purported attempts to rig the 2020 election following his defeat by Democratic candidate Joe Biden. The mishandling of secret documents is the central theme of the Florida case. The other case, which is in Georgia, likewise centers on what Trump did following his loss in 2020.

If Trump trial in Washington does not happen before White House elections and he is not granted a further four years in office, his trial would start soon after November.

However, if he prevails, he may name an attorney general to pursue the dismissal of both this case and others federal prosecution he is facing. If he returns to the White House, he could additionally attempt to pardon himself, but not in the case of hush money conviction.
Former US President Donald Trump praised the US Supreme Court on Monday for ruling that a president has extensive protection for "official acts" during their tenure, even if he's still not quite out of the woods regarding the Capitol riots. Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate and former President, reacted on Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity.(AP)

The 78-year-old Trump had urged the Supreme Court to uphold the notion that a president has "absolute" immunity from prosecution in order to defend himself against allegations in the 2020 election subversion case.

BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! Trump stated on Truth Social following the verdict.

On Monday, the court decided by a vote of 6-3 that former presidents are protected from prosecution for acts they commit while acting in their official role under the constitution, but not for the actions taken in a private capacity.

The ruling will strengthen Trump's defense against federal accusations related to his attempts to rig the 2020 election, which President Joe Biden won. It might also have an impact on Georgia's similar state-level election meddling allegations.

What Supreme Court has to say

Chief Justice John Roberts announced the historic ruling made by court's six-justice conservative majority. The three liberal justices of the court disagreed.

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law, Roberts wrote.

The judges emphasised that immunity doesn't only apply to Trump but to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party.

On Monday, Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor vehemently disagreed with the majority's decision, contending that the decision essentially legitimizes the misuse of authority.

Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune, she wrote.

Also Read: Tucker Carlson makes big claim over Barack Obama's disingenuous tweet supporting Biden

Democrats call Supreme Court's ruling

A number of Democrats condemned the ruling of the Supreme Court. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive congresswoman, decried the decision as a "assault on American democracy."

The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control. Todays ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture, she wrote.

AOC further stated that she intend on filing articles of impeachment upon Democrats' return.

Democrats portray Trump as a danger to democracy by pointing out his attempts to rig the 2020 election, which they claim led to Capitol riots on January 6 by his supporters.

Meanwhile, US Congressman Byron Donalds backed the Supreme Court's decision, stating that US President is unable to properly serve the countrymen and defend the nation without immunity.

In todays precedent-setting, 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court did right by President Trump, they did right by the American people, and they did right by the hallowed institution of the Presidency of the United States, he wrote.

He further called Jack Smith's indictment a disgrace to our legal system and it's time that our nation turns the page on this egregious lawfare because President Trump did nothing wrong.
Hawk Tuah girl, Hailey Welch, who rose to fame in the United States after describing sexual act in an interview, has finally spoken up and revealed that she was offered $600 to spit in a jar. The Hawk Tuah girl claimed that her parents found her viral video funny since they knew she could say anything.(X@planbriuncut)

Appearing on Brianna Lapaglia on the Plan Bri Uncut podcast on Monday, the 21-year-old stated that she had received offers from her admirers to spit in a jar for as much as $600. However, Welch noted that she was afraid to be a "Hawk Tuah" girl forever.

That's revolting. That's just disgusting. Is it not, the Hawk Tuah girl during the podcast after her video went viral on social media on June 11.

Welch clarified that she has no social media account due to personal reason, adding that her viral video has nothing to do with it.

When asked about her potential social media comeback, she responded, We are working on that, hinting at her possible return.

Moving forward, Welch dispelled all the false information that was being spread about her, pointing out that she is neither a bar tender nor a teacher. She disclosed that she had stopped attending school nearly a year ago and was employed at a spring manufacturer. She also confirmed that her father is not a preacher.

Hawk Tuah girl says her parents think 'it's so funny'

After her video went viral, Welch remained isolated in her family's rural Tennessee home. In order to keep her away from the limelight, her pals and family erected a wall around her.

On being asked about her family's reaction, the Hawk Tuah girl claimed that her parents found her viral video funny since they knew she could say anything. However, Hailey disclosed that she now gets spooky texts on a regular basis. She claimed the person who created the Hawk Tuah merchandise for her received an offer to sell her spit in a jar. Welch, who now owns a team and management, stated she does not want Hawk Tuah to be associated with her.

Also Read: Hawk Tuah girl joins Zach Bryan onstage during Quittin Time tour in Nashville. Watch

Welch was questioned regarding the one move she does in bed that always drives men crazy. She then proceeded to spit, saying, Oh you have got to give it that 'Hawk Tuah' and spit on that thang, you get me?

Hawk Tuah girl reflects on career plans

Welch stated she left her job after becoming famous and that she now intends to tour the entire county to be on a show and be on a bunch of podcasts and everything else in between.

Don't worry, there's more to come, the Hawk Tuah Girl claimed.

Stating that strange males have approached her on the internet, she claimed that she has received a fair share of hate from the people. She, however, remarked that she doesn't care about it.
Joe Biden's debate debacle has pushed the Democrats and the US President to the corner with many coming out to ask him to resign. With elections due in three months Democrats are losing donors and voter support after Biden's quite evident. Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage prior to speaking at a post debate campaign rally, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)(AP)

A recent poll has revealed that Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading candidate to replace President Joe Biden if he decides to withdraw from his reelection campaign.

Biden's recent debate performance, which many found unsteady, has sparked discussions among some Democrats about the possibility of replacing him on the ballot before November.

Despite these concerns, the Biden campaign has confirmed that the president has no intention of dropping out. However, if he were to step aside, Harris, his vice president and running mate, would likely be among the top Democrats considered to take his place.

Poll picks Kamala Harris as the preferred choice

A flash poll conducted by Data for Progress on Friday surveyed 1,011 likely U.S. voters, including 387 likely Democratic voters, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The results showed Harris as the preferred choice, with 39 percent of Democratic respondents supporting her as Biden's replacement.

Previously, campaign spokesman Seth Schuster told Newsweek, "Joe Biden is not dropping out."

California Governor Gavin Newsom was the second most favoured option, with 18 percent of Democratic voters selecting him. Other candidates included Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 10 percent, Senator Cory Booker with 7 percent, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer with 6 percent. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro each received 2 percent. An additional 6 percent of respondents preferred someone not on the list, while 9 percent were undecided.

Thomas Gift, an associate professor of political science and director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, told Newsweek that replacing Biden could lead Democrats into uncertain territory. "Although there may be an alternative with a larger potential upside, a Biden replacement is just as likely to face challenges in favourability after national scrutiny," he said.

The Data for Progress poll indicated that 51 percent of Democrats and 35 percent of all likely voters believe Biden should remain the Democratic presidential candidate. Similarly, a Morning Consult poll conducted after Thursday's debate found that 47 percent of Democratic voters and 59 percent of independent voters think Biden should be replaced.

At a rally in North Carolina on Friday, Biden addressed his critics, "Folks, I don't walk as easily as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I would not be running again if I didn't believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job."

Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Democratic National Committee member, has noted that Biden could step aside before the convention in August, face challenges from others seeking to win his delegates, or withdraw after the convention, leaving the DNC to select a candidate to run against the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
A shocking video shows what appears to be a police cruiser driving by at the exact moment an illegal immigrant from Ecuador carried the limp body of a woman out of an Airbnb in Syracuse, New York. Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, 21, has been accused of killing 21-year-old Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza on her birthday. Illegal immigrant carries body of woman he killed out of Airbnb in NY exactly as police cruiser drives by (@CollinRugg/X)

Chacaguasay-Ilbis arranged to meet the victim at his Airbnb on June 18. After suffocating the woman to death, he allegedly buried her body in a shallow grave in an upstate New York park, authorities claimed, according to New York Post.

The video, shared to X by Collin Rugg, shows Chacaguasay-Ilbis hauling Toaquizas body out of the house and carrying her on his back. At the exact moment, a police cruiser drove by, without realising what was happening.

How did the victim and the suspect know each other?

It is believed that the pair attended elementary school together in Ecuador. In January 2023, Chacaguasay-Ilbis crossed the border illegally in El Paso, Texas. He was released into the US because of a lack of space to hold him.

On the other hand, Toaquiza crossed the southern border illegally into Lukeville, Arizona, in June 2023, according to Homeland Security sources. She was initially in Border Patrol custody, where she confessed that she was scared to go back to Ecuador because she was being threatened by a former romantic partner, but it is unclear if Chacaguasay-Ilbis was the person she was trying to escape. Eventually, Toaquiza was released with a future court date, following which she said she was going to Chicago.

Chacaguasay-Ilbis and Toaquiza were seen entering the Airbnb on surveillance footage.Chacaguasay-Ilbis turned himself in after Toaquizas murder. He was charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. He later appeared in Syracuse City Court and said he is unable to recall anything about the alleged murder because he was too drunk.
US First Lady Jill Biden appeared on the August edition of Vogue magazine wearing an elegant white suit. This comes days after her husband President Joe Biden featured on TIME Magazine's cover for next month with a one word headline Panic, reflecting the concerns among Democrats about his second bid following his disastrous debate performance with GOP rival Donald Trump. Now, Jill's appearance on Vogue's cover copy We will decide our future takes a whole new significance when it comes to the question if Biden should continue running for the office. Jill Biden has been urging Joe Biden to continue running for president in spite of his stumbles and mumblings during significant events and media appearances.(Vogue)

Jill has been urging Biden to continue running for president in spite of his stumbles and mumblings during significant events and media appearances. The 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief has long been the target of criticism over his mental and physical capacities.

Jill has made her way to the Vogue cover for the second time, the first appearance occurred in July 2021. The most recent piece went for publishing prior to Thursday's debate. However, the article's online version comes with an Editor's note that raises "discussions" about whether Biden should continue his campaign.

The debate on June 27 spurred a discussion about whether President Joe Biden should remain the Democratic nominee. Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady and Vogues August cover subject, has fiercely defended her husband and stood by him, the note says.

Also Read: Joe Biden finds it difficult to function outside of 6-hour window of daylight, alarming report claims

We will continue to fight, vows Jill Biden

According to Jill, Biden's four years in the office will not be defined by the 90 minutes he spent on the stage during the presidential debate last week. She has vowed to continue to fight.

As Biden's closest confidant and advocate, Jill told Vogue that her husband will always do what's best for the country." She, however, made no concrete announcements regarding the 2024 ticket.

In its report, NBC cited a source close to the Biden family, stating that Jill is the only person who has ultimate influence with him, and if she decides there should be a change of course, there will be a change of course.

The Bidens spent the weekend at Camp David, where it's said the President spoke with his family. Following this, Jill called Vogue to provide her analysis of the debate. While Jill refrained from talking to Vogue about several worries expressed about Biden's age and mental health, she expressed support for his candidacy.

Stressing that every campaign is hard, unique and important, she told Vogue: But this one, the urgency is different. We know whats at stake. Joe is asking the American people to come together to draw a line in the sand against all this vitriol.

Jill Biden: A driving force behind Joes political decisions

Jill has strong say in guiding Biden when it comes to policy issues or his reelection campaign.

I tell him what I'm hearing and what I'm seeing, and he gets it, she admitted, adding that And this is where the magic happens.

After the Thursday debate, Jill was seen guiding Biden off the stage for a scheduled rally.

Gushing over her hubby's performance in the debate, she asserted, Joe, you did such a great job! You answered every question, you knew all the facts!
by Mindy Clegg

The Cold War ended somewhere between 1989 and 1991 or if you take the disintegration of Yugoslavia into account, maybe into the 2000s. It is now seen as the end of an era, a closed loop in history. It started with the Communist revolution in 1917 and ended with the end of one-party communist rule in Eastern Europe. The dissolution of the Soviet Union especially signaled the end of the debate about the two supposedly opposing economic systems. The argument goes that communism as practiced in the second world proved unable to keep up with the productive capacity and flexibility of the western capitalist systems, which (many believed) were underpinned by truly democratic norms.

But what if its not the struggle between capitalism and communism that was really at the heart of the twentieth century, but was really a more expansive struggle within the world system that developed since the sixteenth century? What if were still in the midst of it? I argue that there was a deeper conflict rooted in the debate over who gets to decide how our societies function. This struggle reaches back to the past and shapes our present. We can see this deeper struggle within the communist-capitalist conflict, as that narrative allowed the US and the Soviet Union to double-down on various bad-faith actions with regards to either their own populations or their actions abroad. The fight is between democracy and authoritarianism, the people and the powerful. Democracy clashed with the authoritarian reactionary forces since before the age of revolutions, making the Cold War merely a part of a larger dialectical discourse of the modern world.

Beginning with the age of revolutions a phrase popularized by Eric Hobsbawm, kicked off by the American, French, and Haitian revolutions, we can see a shift in the history of political structures around the world. This was in part a byproduct of the developing capitalist economy unleashed by the brutal colonization of the Americas (and later the rest of the world) by Western Europeans. But we can see the struggle for greater freedom and democracy in the development of the Atlantic world during the eighteenth century. Historian Angela Sutton argued in her book that enslavement in North American came to look the way it did because of the British empires successful attempts to end pirate attacks on officially sanctioned slave ships. The British navys defeat of Black Bart off the west African coast in 1722 allowed the British to dominate the slave trade in the Atlantic. That meant their race-based interpretation of unfree labor became the norm for slavery in North America and later the United States. We still live with those consequences today, she correctly concluded.1 But this was also about labor on British ships, similar to how the development of the sugar trade in the Caribbean shaped labor in England, as Sidney Mintz argued.2 Pirate ships were often more diverse and even freer places compared to ships operating under official imperial flags. Joining one could be seen as voting with ones feet. We should not gloss over the violent and bloody actions of pirates, but a level of democratic practice existed in comparison to imperial ships. Many men and some women found themselves willing to give up their sanctioned labor for the pirate life, despite the obvious risks. It is important to note that these pirates also often participated in the slave trade. Yet, plenty saw their defection to piracy in terms of labor, leaving a low-paid job full of abuse, to a place that offered some opportunity for building some personal wealth.

Another example of a grassroots attempt to assert the peoples rights happened during the Luddite uprisings in the early nineteenth century. That event calls the typical teleological interpretation of the development of the modern world into question, casting the emergence of the modern, technologically driven economy as one of a fight for greater rights for working people. New technologies are not always about freeing up workers, but often about freeing up profits by devaluing labor. In Brian Merchants book about the Luddite uprising, he drew parallels between then and the computing sector today. He noted how leaders in the tech industry seek to devalue labor via automation. In doing so, Merchant explicitly argued that both are not examples of technology improving our lives, but represent an ongoing struggle for greater democracy and labor rights.3 Although in modern parlance, being a Luddite means to irrational oppose technology, the actual Luddites had a very good reason to oppose the new technologies being adopted by the wealthy factor owners. The new means of mass-producing textiles were meant to replace their deeply skilled labor with unskilled workers (women and orphans, often) who could be underpaid and abused. The uprisings were a democratic movement aimed at preserving specific rights for workers. Much of the current labor struggles continue to mirror these uprisings of the early industrial economy, including in the tech sector. Many CEOs laud the rise of AI because they feel it can replace skilled, highly paid tech workers, a point often ignored in our discussions around these LLMs. Labor struggles around technology is an important historical thread to follow.

What about the communist world? Many argue that the Soviet Union represented a much more democratic worker-run state. There is truth to that when compared to the state it replaced, which was undoubtedly an authoritarian, theocratic monarchy. Workers did make up the rank and file, as well as the leadership of the Communist party. The third Soviet premier, the irascible Nikita Khrushchev for one rose through the ranks, as he was originally a metal worker. Many of the founders of the Soviet Union were from working class backgrounds. Lenin had freed serfs in his family lineage and Stalin was the child of a working class people in Georgia. It is also true that many working class people, both from the early industrial sector and from the much larger agricultural sector in Russia, not to mention soldiers, embraced the revolution and supported its ideals. Certainly, the vast development undertaken by the government under Stalin transformed the country in a handful of years, raising millions out of abject poverty. This likely explains that, despite the harshness and human rights abuses associated with Stalin years, he still had some genuine support among the Soviet people. We should question just how democratic life was in the Soviet Union by a variety of metrics. The Soviet dominated eastern bloc were one-party states, so what many consider democratic practices were obviously missing. But were there other forms of democratic practices evident? Some historians have argued in the affirmative. One example was from historian Donna Harsh, whose work examined womens engagement with the state in East Germany. East German women found ways to make their views known and to shape party policy, despite the lack of party politics.4 Despite the lack of parliamentary politics, people found ways to practice democracy. However, the state could and did often push back against that democratic impulse, such as with Solidarity in Poland founded as a labor movement in 1980. Built on labor activism, the union gained millions of members quite quickly. Then the Polish government cracked down hard, but eventually the movement democratized the Polish state along more traditional parliamentary democracy lines. In both cases, we can see democratic impulses within these states imagined to be purely authoritarian, and how the state would either accommodate or crack down on those impulses.

This was true in the supposedly more democratic west, too, a push-pull between democratic impulses and elites using the state to retain their privileges. The long history of the Black freedom struggle in America more than illustrates the point there. The attempt to keep millions of Black Americans enslaved and then the imposition of second class citizenship after the Civil War was just that: an attempt to ensure that some retained greater rights than others. Black Americans fought for centuries to gain those rights, often met with violence from the state. Often, we think of that struggle as very liberal struggle. However, during the interwar period the Civil Rights movement had a much more radical edge, including an embrace of socialism and the Soviet Union.5 The movement for Black rights, whatever politics activists embraced, was essentially a democratic movement, in the broadest sense. It was true that the Soviets regularly employed whataboutism in their anti-American propaganda with regards to racial segregation, it was also true that the US was not a true democracy because of Jim Crow. Despite claiming the democratic moral high ground, the US failed by its own metrics. So did the Soviets.

In addition to the democratic failures at home, both sought to dominate the global economy and embraced destructive foreign policies. The war in Vietnam and the war in Afghanistan provides us some examples. The US backed an obviously unpopular set of leaders in South Vietnam rather than allow for a vote which might have brought the Communists into power democratically. The resulting decades of war not only created a generation of American veterans who struggled with their physical and mental health, it utterly destroyed large swaths of Vietnam and devestated the Vietnamese people. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 contributed to the destruction of that country. The CIA poured money into the opposition, who would eventually form into two distinct groups, the Taliban who just recently retook power there and Al-Qaeda, who carried out a series of deadly terrorist attacks over the years. Both countries contributed to a highly destructive war in Angola which did not end until 2002. Much of the Global South, in fact, became a violent battle ground during the Cold War, at the same time that many have argued was a long stretch of peace. That was true only if one looked at the Global North. Some historians, such as Odd Arne Westad, has pointed out how the Cold War struggle between the great powers destabilized the decolonizing world.6 In addition to having questionable democratic practices at home, both also undermined it abroad in order to further their particular interests. Some might claim that the choices made by both sides were necessary, because of the existential threat posed by the other. It seems clear that both had a variety of choices they could have made. During the Second World War, both the US and Soviets did make those different choices, in the face of the threat of fascism. However, after that war, they choose the path of anti-democratic actions, as it was likely seen as the easiest path. We still live with the consequences of those choices.

Ultimately, the Cold War came down a struggle between two massive, imperialist states that claimed the moral and democratic high ground, but both failed to live up to their stated ideals. But that was part of a longer history of thrashing out the divisions within the European Enlightenment. Much of the history of the twentieth century was about putting the competing ideals of that philosophical moment to the test. Recently, the language of the dark interwar years and the fascist threat has come roaring back to life. This is in part because the neoliberal economy creates economic deprivation. This allows authoritarians a way to thrive, by promising quick, easy answers to complicated problems. In a recent interview with El Pais, political scientist Steven Levitsky discussed the general anti-government mood of our current era. He puts figures like Trump in the same category as the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. The specificity of the political language they employed hardly mattered, what they did or do is key. They harnessed anti-government sentiment for their own gain while seeking less democratic structures for their countries. Figures like Trump and Chavez pretend like the answer to our shared problems rested in a singular strong man. They pit groups against each other in order to distract from how they are actually part of the problem. They are both fundamentally anti-democratic. Which brings me back to my thesis, that the Cold War itself was something of a distraction. Not to say that the conflicts werent real, because those caught in the cross-fire will attest to just how real they were. But digging into the realities of life under both the capitalist west and communist east, neither lived up to the promises made. Racism, misogyny, anti-communism and other phobic responses to difference plagued western democracies and made them less than democratic. The communist east often fell victim to an unacknowledged class system that no one was allowed to acknowledge existed. Both sought to hold the moral, democratic space, and both failed all of us. But if were to actually improve the world, we must honestly analyze weaknesses in our systems, figure out ways to address them, and center people rather than markets or mythical volks that are merely excuses for hurting marginalized groups. True democracy is built on an informed electorate, not on force and division. We must reject the easy, authoritarian, anti-democratic path for solving our shared problems. Someone like Trump cant fix it and has no interest in doing so. Only the people working together can do that.

Footnotes

1 Angela Sutton, Pirates of the Slave Trade: The Battle of Cape Lopez and the Birth of an American Institution, Essex, CN: Prometheus Books, 2023, see especially the last chapter 219-236.

2 Sidney Mintz, Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History, New York: Penguin Books, 1986.

3 Brian Merchant, Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech, New York: Little Brown and Company, 2023.

4 Donna Harsch, Revenge of the Domestic: Women, the Family, and Communism in the German Democratic Republic, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2006.

5 Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, Defying Dixie: The Radical Roots of Civil Rights 1919-1950, New York: WW Norton & Company, 2008.

6 Odd Arne Westad, The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times, Cambridge. UK: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Joe Bidens family has reportedly urged him to stay in the race and not drop out after this week's debate performance against Donald Trump. Huddling with his wife, children and grandchildren during a visit to Camp David, the president discussed how to handle Democratic anxiety, The New York Times reported. Joe Biden's family urges him to stay in race during Camp David visit as president tries to handle Democratic anxiety (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)(REUTERS)

The report stated that Bidens family and relatives very well realised how disastrous his presidential debate performance was, yet, they believe he is still fit to serve another four years. Bidens staff has been discussing how to proceed, whether they should arrange a news conference or let him get interviewed so he can defend himself, but no decision has been made yet.

A source familiar with the situation told the outlet that Hunter Biden is one of the strongest voices imploring the president to stay in the race. At least one of Bidens grandchildren has said they would like to get more involved with the campaign by talking to influencers on social media.

Joe Bidens staff under fire

Bidens performance has alarmed the Democratic Party a few months before the general election. John Morgan, a top Democratic donor who knows Bidens brother, Frank, closely, recently blamed the presidents advisers who handled the debate preparations.

Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go TODAY, he wrote on X. The grifting is gross. It was political malpractice.

In an interview later, Morgan said, It would be like if you took a prizefighter who was going to have a title fight and put him in a sauna for 15 hours then said, Go fight. I believe that the debate is solely on Ron Klain, Bob Bauer and Anita Dunn.

Bidens family members are not pleased with his staff either, including White House senior adviser Dunn, her husband Bob Bauer, and Ron Klain, the former White House chief of staff who is known to have run the preparations. But an insider said the president himself is not upset, and still trusts his staff. Another insider said Jill Biden did not criticise them either.

A White House official also dismissed claims other family members of the president were upset. Some Democrats, too, believe it is not fair to blame Bidens staff for his own failures.

Klain, meanwhile, said there was no doubt that Biden would stay in the race. He is the choice of the Democratic voters, Klain said. We are seeing record levels of support from grass-roots donors. We had a bad debate night. But you win campaigns by fighting  not quitting  in the face of adversity.

Klain recalled how a primary debate in 2019 turned out to be bad, but the president still kept going. Its a tough, close campaign and hes the person who can win it, Klain said. Big-money donors dont get to dictate the nominee of the Democratic Party.

The David Camp weekend plan was already planned by Bidens family before the debate. Their aim, in part, was to take part in a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. This was the first time the whole family gathered together after Hunters conviction.
Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle has made a major claim about the Duchess of Sussex's kids  Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet -- amidst the ongoing rift with the Royal family and King Charles' reported desire to see his grandchildren. Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle intends to spend time with his grandkids.(Alexi Lubomirski / Courtesy Archewell Foundation)

Appearing on an interview with New Zealand Woman's Weekly, Thomas said that he feels "sad" that his grandchildren are being denied a Royal lifestyle.

Thomas, who is not on good terms with Meghan, intends to spend time with his grandkids. He finds it very difficult to believe that he hasn't met his son-in-law despite living in Rosarito, Mexico, which is about 400 kilometers far away from Prince Harry and Meghan's residence.

In addition, Thomas wants to get in touch with King Charles so they may talk about how they both miss their grandkids. He felt sorry for Archie and Lilibet after seeing Prince William and Kate Middleton's children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, proudly waving to their supporters with their family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour ceremony, according to the Express.

It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harry's kids are being denied the right to know their cousins, who look like fantastic children, or take part in things like Trooping the Colour, which is their birthright, he stated in the interview.

Stressing that his Meghan and Harry's kids will gradually star asking question about their ties to Royal family as they are getting to the age, he said: 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.

When discussing his desire to spend time with his grandkids, three-year-old Lilibet and five-year-old Archie, Thomas remarked that he had never imagined himself and the King would be on the same page.

Also Read: Meghan Markle may call 'old Suits pals, Priyanka Chopra' to save new podcast after Archetypes flop

King Charles planning to travel to Montecito?

According to rumors, King Charles is eager to travel to Montecito, California, in an effort to appear as a friendly grandfather to his grandkids. Royal analyst Tom Quinn, as per The Mirror, said: He is desperate to see his them and hates the idea that Archie and Lilibet will not remember him as the warm, friendly grandfather he wants to be.

Thomas believes Meghan is still the one person I want to hear from most. As he approaches his 80th birthday on July 18, he thinks that Meghan won't get in touch with him to wish him a happy birthday. Thomas and Meghan's relationship worsened following his no-show at his daughter's wedding in 2018 and the subsequent paparazzi incident. According to reports, they haven't spoken to each other since then.
Seven people, who are believed to be Hispanic, were injured after being shot by a Nebraska man who had earlier told them to go back to where they came from and to speak English, police said. Four of those who were wounded were children. 7 shot, including 4 kids, by Nebraska man who told them to go back to where they came from (Getty Images/iStockphoto - representational image)

On Friday, June 28, 74-year-old Billy Booth opened fire at his neighbours from inside his Crete home, Nebraska State Patrol said. He then fatally shot himself.

There were about 15 people inside and outside the home when the incident took place just before 7 pm. Three of the victims were adults aged between 22 and 43. Four of them were children between the ages of 3 and 10, cops told KETV and NBC News.

While some of the victims were treated and released, one of them is still being treated in Lincoln. Two are receiving treatment at Childrens Nebraska in Omaha. None of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries.

Police arrived at the scene to find the victims with gunshot wounds outside the residence. Booth was found dead inside his own home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and a shotgun was recovered.

The incident

"Preliminary investigation shows that all rounds fired by Booth came from inside of his house," Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc said. "Investigators are still actively working this investigation to understand everything that occurred, but at this point, we don't believe there was any verbal contact between the suspect and any of the victims in the moments that led up to the shooting."

According to cops, there was possibly no dispute between Booth and victims in the moments that led up to the crime. However, in the past, the family and Booth have had quarrels over parking and other nuisances. Police also quoted someone as saying Booth told them to go back to where they came from and to speak English.

Since 2021, the Crete Police have heard several complaints in the neighbourhood. Not necessarily associated with the victims house, but cars driving too fast in the neighborhood, improper parking, nuisance properties, quality-of-life type issues, Crete Police Chief Gary Young Jr. said during a news briefing on Saturday, June 29, according to New York Post. There was a single report from the victims that the suspect had flipped them off, told them to, Go home or back to where they came from, to speak English.'

At the time, the family did not wish to take the matter forward. The situation was resolved.

Joshua Morales, a friend of one of the victims, told KETV that he believed that crime was racially motivated. He said he was aware of previous incidents involving Booth.

[Booth] was supposedly telling [the friends] parents to go back to their country, and they got into problems. And I guess until now the dude just shot the house up. I guess it was just a racist thing that happened, Morales said. So, I guess the dude that shot them was just racist cause he shot a Hispanic family and he told a Hispanic family to go back to their country.

A motive for the shooting is being investigated.
US President Joe Biden, for now has put an end to all speculation about whether he will continue the presidential race. After spending a weekend with his family following a disastrous performance 81-year-old Biden has send out a strong message. US President Joe Biden to continue in the race, sends out strong message after weekend with family at Camp David.(AFP)

Joe Biden returned and tweeted, "Folks, I know Im not a young man, but I know how to do this job. I know how to tell the truth." This tweet, along with a video highlighting Donald Trumps alleged falsehoods during the presidential debate, aims to put an end to speculations about Bidens candidature.

Despite his shaky debate performance, Biden's family urged him to stay in the race and criticized his staff's preparation for the debate, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Biden takes a call after weekend with family

Biden spent Sunday with First Lady Jill Biden, his children, and grandchildren at Camp David, originally for a scheduled photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. However, the gathering also served to address Democratic anxiety following his debate performance. While acknowledging Bidens subpar performance, his family believes he is the best person to beat Trump and can continue serving effectively as president. They questioned the staffs preparation strategy for the debate, indicating a need for better support going forward.

Post debate Biden on the backfoot

Since the debate, Biden's campaign has been working to reassure donors and supporters, facing increased scrutiny about his suitability to remain in the race. Despite calls from some party members for Biden to step aside, his close advisors, including his wife and son, encourage him to continue his campaign.

Prominent Democrats have publicly supported Biden, emphasizing his lifelong dedication to public service despite a poor debate performance. Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina and Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia echoed sentiments that Biden should continue running on his record and highlighted Trumps falsehoods during the debate.

However, concerns persist within the party about the impact of the debate. Former Senator Tom Harkin suggested that Democratic senators request Biden to release his delegates and step aside, allowing the convention to choose a new candidate. Despite these concerns, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison and Bidens campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, remain optimistic about the path forward, though some committee members feel their concerns are being overlooked.

In summary, President Bidens tweet and family support aim to quell doubts about his candidacy, while the Democratic Party grapples with the implications of his debate performance and strategizes for the upcoming election.
A former jet-setting Chicago billionaire was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for a $1 billion fraud at an advertising startup that included investors such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Illinois Governor JB Pritzkers venture capital firm. Indian-American Rishi Shah, 38, the co-founder of Outcome Health, which provided ads on TVs in doctors offices, was convicted of more than a dozen fraud and money laundering charges by a federal jury last year.(Twitter/@PaulCBrunson)

Indian-American Rishi Shah, 38, the co-founder of Outcome Health, which provided ads on TVs in doctors offices, was convicted of more than a dozen fraud and money laundering charges by a federal jury last year. He and two other Outcome executives were sentenced last week in Chicago by US District Judge Thomas Durkin, the US Attorneys Office said in a statement Monday.

Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence, describing Shah as the driving force behind a dizzying array of lies to clients, lenders, investors and an audit firm. He and the other executives were accused of lying to pharmaceutical company clients and taking money for ads that were never placed, and then misrepresenting the health of the company to investors.

Before the fraud was revealed in a 2017 Wall Street Journal article, Shah was a budding star in Democratic circles. Shah got the idea for Outcome  then known as Context Media Health  in 2006 while he was a student at Northwestern University just north of Chicago, and the companys rapid rise over the next decade boosted his public profile. Then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel declared at a company press conference, as Outcome goes, so goes Chicago.

Oversold Ads

But Outcomes claims of exponential revenue growth were driven by fraud, as the company sold more ads than it could broadcast and lied to clients like pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk A/S about the size of its network of TVs in doctors offices, according to prosecutors and securities regulators.

The companys surge in cash from ad sales and financings allowed Shah to extract hundreds of millions of dollars from Outcome to live a lavish lifestyle, with weekend trips on private yachts and jets as well as a $10 million home, the government said. After raising more money from lenders and investors based on bogus financial statements in 2016, Shahs net worth was reported at more than $4 billion, prosecutors said.

Outcomes former executives deceived their clients, their auditor, their lenders, and their investors for years, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, said in the statement. Their sentences should serve as yet another reminder that faking it until you make it is not an acceptable practice for any business.

Shah told the judge last week in a prepared statement that he was ashamed and embarrassed by his failure to properly manage the companys aggressive push for growth, which led to a number of fatal mistakes that included not tracking the delivery of ads paid for by clients.

The culture I created permissioned people on my team to think it was okay to create false data in response to client questions, he said in the statement, which was filed with the court.

All you need to know about Rishi Shah

Shah was convicted in April 2023 along with Outcome President and co-founder Shradha Agarwal and Chief Financial Officer Brad Purdy. Prosecutors had sought 10-year sentences for Agarwal, 38, and Purdy, 35. But Durkin sentenced Agarwal to three years in a half-way house and Purdy got two years and three months in prison.

A group of funds, including those owned by Goldman, Alphabet and Pritzker, were among the investors that sued Outcome in 2017, claiming fraud tied to a $487.5 million fundraising that year that led to a $225 million dividend pocketed by Shah and Agarwal.

In addition, the US Securities and Exchange Commission sued Shah, Agarwal, Purdy and former chief growth officer Ashik Desai, claiming they used false financial statements to raise cash. Desai and two other Outcome employees pleaded guilty to charges before the criminal trial against the companys top executives.
By Allison Lampert WestJet Airlines strike to continue until deal reached with mechanics, union says

MONTREAL, - A strike by WestJet Airlines' mechanics that has led to hundreds of canceled flights over Canada's long holiday weekend will continue until a deal is reached, the union's president told Reuters on Sunday.

Bret Oestreich, president of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, said the two sides will reconvene with a mediator on Sunday. The union represents around 680 workers at WestJet, including aircraft maintenance engineers, who went on strike on Friday after 97% of its members rejected a pay deal reached in May.

"All we want to do is to go back to the table," said Oestreich. "The strike will be in effect until we get an agreement."

He said the two sides are separated by a first-year economic difference of approximately 7%, or less than $8 million, on a roughly four-year contract.

WestJet Airlines said on Sunday that it had canceled an additional 410 flights overnight, for a total of more than 800 flights, as the strike entered its third day.

"WestJet is in receipt of a binding arbitration order and await urgent clarity from the government that a strike and arbitration cannot exist simultaneously," airline President Diederik Pen.

On Saturday, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech blamed the union for the disruption, arguing that leaders refused to negotiate.

"Their only purpose was to disrupt as many Canadian travelers as possible," he said.

Pen told reporters on Saturday the carrier was expecting to fly around 70,000 passengers a day during the long July 1 weekend. He said the airline can maintain minimal service with 30-50 aircraft, operating around 150 flights a day.

The strike has frustrated travelers during Canada's long weekend with passengers taking to social media to complain about canceled family holidays or being stranded.

Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has urged WestJet and the union to resolve their differences and reach an agreement.

Seeking to preemptively avert the strike, O'Regan had asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve the contract dispute through binding arbitration.

While the board agreed to arbitration, it said O'Regan's referral "does not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout."

Oestreich said the union, which is in a legal position to strike, wants a negotiated deal instead of an agreement imposed by an arbitrator.

WestJet said it has offered a 12.5% wage increase in the first year of the agreement and a compounded wage increase of 23% over the term of the agreement.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Female suicide bombers killed at least 18 people and wounded 30 others in a series of coordinated attacks at a wedding, funeral and hospital in Nigeria.



The victims included children and pregnant women, an official told reporters during a news briefing Sunday.



"The degree of injuries ranges from abdominal ruptures, skull fractures, and limb fractures," said Barkindo Saidu, director general of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Reuters reported.



The gruesome incidents took place Saturday in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, where Islamist insurgents have killed thousands of people over the past 15 years.



No one immediately claimed responsibility for the carnage.



But Boko Haram, an extremist Islamic group branded a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government, and an offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, are the most active militants in Borno, Reuters said.



Boko Haram has used women and girls as suicide bombers in the past, fueling suspicion that some were among thousands of people, including schoolchildren, kidnapped by the extremists, according to the Associated Press.



The first blast Saturday took place during a marriage celebration in the town of Gwoza, which is near the border with Cameroon, Saidu said, according to AP.



"Minutes later, another blast occurred near General Hospital," he said.



The third attack, at a funeral service, reportedly involved a bomber disguised as a mourner.



Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called the attacks "desperate acts of terror."



Officials imposed a curfew in Gwoza, which is near the border with Cameroon and about 60 miles east of Chibok, where 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped in 2014.



Nearly 100 are still being held captive, according to AP.
The editor of the New Yorker magazine publicly urged President Joe Biden to quit his reelection campaign, saying his dreadful debate performance against former President Donald Trump was "agonizing" to watch.



David Remnick joined the editorial boards of the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in saying Biden should step aside to avoid losing to Trump in November.



In a "Daily Comment" essay posted at the top of the New Yorker website Saturday, said that "watching Thursday's debate, observing Biden wander into senselessness onstage, was an agonizing experience."



"You watched it, and, on the most basic human level, you could only feel pity for the man and, more, fear for the country," he wrote.



Remnick also said it wasn't "just the political class or the commentariat who were unnerved by the debate."



"Most people with eyes to see were unnerved," he wrote. "At this point, for the Bidens to insist on defying biology, to think that a decent performance at one rally or speech can offset the indelible images of Thursday night, is folly."



Remick said there were a slew of Democrats who could replace Biden, 81, as their party's nominee.



He called Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore "just a few of the office-holders in the Party who could energize Democrats and independents, inspire more younger voters, and beat Trump."

Biden has given no indication he plans to abandon the race, and delivered a fiery campaign speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday and attended a series of fundraisers in New York and New Jersey on Saturday.
A New Jersey woman accused of drowning her two toddlers allegedly told police she committed the horrific killings for "religious purposes."

Naomi Elkins, 27, also allegedly admitted that she "counted to 50 multiple times" while holding each of the little girls, ages 1 and 3, underwater in bathtubs in their basement apartment in Lakewood, according to reports.

The younger child, who was killed first, was also stabbed in the abdomen and back with a serrated knife, according to authorities.

Elkins was arrested and charged with murder and weapon possession on June 25 after police were called to the house around 4:50 p.m. and found emergency medial personnel from Hatzolah Emergency Medical Services, a private Jewish nonprofit, trying in vain to save the kids.

Elkins told investigators that her husband was away on business and that she had spent the night before praying after having "concerning thoughts" for several days.

Elkins allegedly said that she took her daughters to her job at a day care center and that "once she was home, she believed that she needed to kill the children for religious purposes," according to an affidavit filed in court and cited in a Thursday report by NJ.com.

In a statement released by lawyer Mitchell Ansell, her family said the "sad truth" was that Elkins "has a well-documented history of severe mental illness which has absolutely played a major role in these devastating events."

Elkins was being held without bail pending a court hearing on Monday.
President Joe Biden's family strongly urged him at a meeting at Camp David to stick with his campaign despite calls that he drop out following his dismal performance last week with Donald Trump, according to several reports Monday.

First Lady Jill Biden and son Hunter were reportedly the strongest advocates at the Sunday huddle that the president stick with the race.

Family members also urged that he get rid of or demote some top campaign advisers they blamed for the disaster, Politico reported.

They complained that Biden's handlers failed to prepare him to better pivot on issues in the debate, didn't adequately prep him to present his view on a next term rather than get bogged down in defense, and that he was overworked and not well-rested for the face-off, according to Politico.

Biden's campaign, however, responded to Politico saying that the president "maintains strong confidence" in the advisers.

Family members also reportedly criticized CNN debate moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash for letting some 30 brazen lies by Trump go completely unchallenged.

Biden's surprisingly tentative, muddled appearance at the debate last Thursday called into question the president's competence and sparked talk among Democrats that Biden drop out of the race. The New Yorker, New York Times and Atlanta Journal-Constitution also urged him to step aside to make way for another candidate.

Early polls show that while Biden still had relatively the same voting support he had before the debate, an increasing number of those surveyed have doubts if he has the "mental fitness" to be president for a second term.

Former President Barack Obama rushed to Biden's defense after the debate in a social media post.

"Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know," he wrote, referring to his own disastrous debate performance to win re-election in 2012.

The race still comes down to a choice between "someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight, and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit," Obama added.

Biden is reportedly continuing to discuss the situation with confidants and assure donors, though it's still unclear if deep-pocket contributors will stay by his side. His campaign has said he's staying with the race.
People's Daily Online launches documentary on China-Kazakhstan ties

People's Daily Online) 13:42, July 01, 2024

People's Daily Online launched a documentary titled "Win-win: The Cultural Silk Road in Kazakhstan" in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, on June 29 during a sharing session where the outlet and Kazakh media presented the results of their joint coverage of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Tang Weihong, chairperson of the Supervisory Board of People's Daily Online, highlighted the crucial role media professionals play in documenting, observing, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly exchanges between China and Kazakhstan.

Tang Weihong, chairperson of the Supervisory Board of People's Daily Online, speaks at the launch ceremony of the documentary "Win-win: The Cultural Silk Road in Kazakhstan" in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, June 29, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Ren Haoyu)

She recalled that People's Daily Online launched an international media coverage of the New Silk Road in 2014, sending a team to Kazakhstan to cover the achievements of China-Kazakhstan cooperation under the BRI.

More recently, the outlet dispatched another team to Kazakhstan to produce the documentary, which captures touching moments in the relationship between the two countries.

Tang cited a Kazakh proverb, "Friendship is an inexhaustible wealth," and noted that the documentary showcases inspiring stories that reflect the deep bond between the peoples of Kazakhstan and China.

One such story is the profound friendship between Chinese composer Xian Xinghai and Kazakh composer Bakhitzhan Baykadamov, a bond cherished by both countries.

The launch ceremony of a documentary entitled "Win-win: The Cultural Silk Road in Kazakhstan," produced by People's Daily Online, is held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, June 29, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Sheng Chuyi)

The documentary also features Ismail Daurov, a young Kazakh man who gained attention for his assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic response in China's Shaanxi Province. His words, "I am a foreigner, but I am not an outsider," reflect the close bond between the peoples of Kazakhstan and China.

People's Daily Online, backed by People's Daily, is the most influential large-scale comprehensive news website in China. It publishes versions in 15 foreign languages, including Kazakh, and has 14 subsidiary companies or representative offices in 11 countries and regions. The website also operates 64 social media accounts with a total of 190 million followers.

In addition, People's Daily Online operates the Belt and Road News Network website, actively providing information services to member media outlets.

Launched in 2021, the Kazakh (Cyrillic script) version of People's Daily Online is the first and only news website in China that offers news in Kazakh. It is a vital resource for internet users in Kazakhstan and Central Asia seeking insights into China.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
The far-right National Rally (RN) party and its allies in France have secured 33% of the national popular vote in the first round of parliamentary elections but its path to power could be blocked in the next round of elections.

The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance came in second with 28% of the vote, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Together coalition garnered 20%, the Guardian reported.

This is the first time the RN has surpassed 20% in a parliamentary election, putting the party on the brink of forming France's first-ever far-right elected government.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the NFP, said the leftist alliance would withdraw all its candidates who came third in the first round, saying:

"Our guideline is simple and clear: not a single more vote for the National Rally."

President Macron called on voters in a to rally behind candidates who are "clearly republican and democratic."

The final results and parliament's exact 577-seat make-up, however, remain unclear. The RN's chances depend on political deals made by rivals before the second round on Sunday.

Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Paris and other French cities to voice their discontent with the election results and reject the far-right's victory.

Marine Le Pen's National Rally is anti-immigration. She inherited her party, then called the National Front, from her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, who has multiple convictions for racist and antisemitic hate speech, the Associated Press reported.
Grieving relatives and outraged community members are demanding answers and accountability in the fatal police shooting of a 13-year-old boy with an air gun as he was being held on the ground by a cop in upstate New York.

In a message posted on the GoFundMe website, victim Nyah Mway's sister said he was a "good kid" who'd "never gotten in trouble with law enforcement before" the deadly encounter in Utica.

Thoung Oo said body camera recordings released by the city's police department, witness accounts and the official version of events "don't add up, especially when they told my parents (who don't speak English at all) that there was a shoot out."

"We need answers," she wrote Sunday. "In the body cam, we could hear an officer saying, 'Why did he shoot?'"

Tensions also boiled over during a Sunday meeting involving city Mayor Michael Galime and more than 100 members of Utica's Karen community, which comprises about 15,000 refugees from Myanmar who speak the Karen language.

Although the 2 1/2-hour meeting in a local church was mostly peaceful, organizers had to intervene and calm several people after an outraged woman began shouting at Galime, according to the New York Times.

A video clip posted online Monday by NBC's "Today" also showed a young woman saying, "The boy was already on the ground. He was shot. Why shoot him when he was already held down on the ground?"

One of Nyah's cousins, Isabella Moo, told the Associated Press that the killing "should not have happened, and our police officers need to be trained a lot better or a lot differently."

"The city needs to be held accountable, and this should not have been done to any child," Moo said.

Another cousin, Lay Htoo, told AP that Nyah's parents want the officers involved "to be in prison forever."

Police have said the incident unfolded late Friday after Nyah and another 13-year-old were stopped because they fit the descriptions of suspects in a Thursday armed robbery nearby.

Body camera video released Saturday showed that after an officer said he needed to pat them down for weapons, Nyah ran away and appeared to point a black object, according to AP.

The cops thought was it was a handgun, police said, but it but turned out to be a BB or pellet gun that didn't have an orange band on the barrel that's often used to distinguish such items from firearms.

Officer Bryce Patterson caught up with Nyah, tackled and punched him, and as the two wrestled on the ground, Officer Patrick Husnay opened fire, AP said, citing body camera video.

A single shot hit the teen in the chest and killed him, police said.

On Sunday, state Attorney General Letitia James said she'd launched an investigation pursuant to a state law that requires the attorney general to probe all deaths caused by law enforcement officers, whether on duty or not.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor fired off a scathing dissent against Monday's Supreme Court ruling that Donald Trump has immunity for official acts, saying the decision "reshapes the presidency" by making the nation's leader a "king above the law."

With "fear for our democracy, I dissent," she wrote.

The ruling "makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above law," she noted.

"Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majority's message today," Sotomayor wrote in her heated dissent.

"Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done," she added.

"The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law ... Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune," Sotomayor chillingly emphasized.

She omitted the typical "respectfully" from her dissent.

Sotomayor was joined in her dissent by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Jackson also issued her own dissent, warning that the majority's ruling "breaks new and dangerous ground" by granting immunity "only to the most powerful official in our Government."

She accused the court of breaching the nation's "core principle" that no one is above the law.

"That core principle has long prevented our Nation from devolving into despotism," Jackson noted.

"Yet the Court now opts to let down the guardrails of the law for one extremely powerful category of citizen: any future President who has the will to flout Congress's established boundaries."

The "majority of my colleagues seems to have put their trust in our Court's ability to prevent Presidents from becoming Kings through case-by-case application of the indeterminate standards of their new Presidential accountability paradigm. I fear that they are wrong. But, for all our sakes, I hope that they are right," she wrote.

"In the meantime, because the risks (and power) the Court has now assumed are intolerable, unwarranted, and plainly antithetical to bedrock constitutional norms, I dissent."
Russia accidentally dropped dozens of powerful bombs on its own territory while launching attacks against Ukraine, according to a startling report Monday.



Most of the so-called glide bombs didn't detonate, but one that did blasted a 65-foot-wide crater in a normally busy street, the Washington Post said, citing an internal Russian document.



The document, which was intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence, said at least 38 bombs landed in Russia's Belgorod border region between April 2023 and April 2024, the Post said.



They included at least four that fell on the city of Belgorod and seven that were found in the surrounding suburbs, the Post said.



Another 11 bombs reportedly landed in the Grayvoronsky border district, but some couldn't be recovered due to the "difficult operational situation" there.



Most of the unexploded bombs were reportedly discovered by forest rangers, farmers and other civilians, and Russia's Defense Ministry didn't know when most had been launched, suggesting some weren't found for days.



The Russian government didn't respond to a request for comment on the document or accidents involving its glide bombs, the Post said.



Russia manufactures glide bombs by retrofitting Soviet-era "dumb bombs" with pop-out wings and navigation systems similar to the more-advanced U.S. Joint Direct Attack Munition kit, according to the Post.



That reportedly allows the Russian bombs to be dropped from aircraft about 40 miles from their targets, beyond the reach of most Ukrainian air defense systems.



But the Russian guidance systems often fail, resulting in bombs falling short of their marks and landing inside Russia, the Post said.



No casualties were reported as a result of the accidents detailed in the Russian document, which includes a spreadsheet and appears to have been produced by the Belgorod city emergency department, the Post said.



But several explosions in Russia since April may have been caused by its glide bombs.



They include a May 12 blast that destroyed several stories of an apartment complex in Belgorod and killed 17 people, the Post said.



Another explosion, on June 15, killed five people in the partial collapse of a five-story building in the town of Shebekino near Belgorod.



The independent Russian news outlet Astra estimates that Russia has accidentally dropped more than 100 bombs on its own territory and occupied areas of Ukraine during the past four months amid an increase in its use of glide bombs, the Post said.
A former U.S. Army doctor who threatened to "shatter" his wife's face while duct-taping her to a pole in their basement and beating her will spend the next three decades in prison.

In 2023, Dr. Drew Steiner, 61, was convicted of abduction with intent to defile, malicious wounding, and attempted rape for an attack and sexual assault attempt on his spouse at their Springfield, Virginia, home in 2020.

On Friday, Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano announced Steiner was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the crimes committed.

The victim testified she attempted to fight back while her husband beat her. As she armed herself with an aerosol can, Steiner told her, "If you use that I'm going to shatter your face, and you know that I will," WRC-TV reported

Steiner then dragged her to their basement and duct-taped her to a post. The victim broke free and ran to a neighbor's house for help.

Steiner was already serving a 10-year prison sentence for the 2020 rape and videotaping of a woman he met online.

Upon release, Steiner will be forced to register as a sex offender and will be subject to three years of supervision.
A Georgia couple was arrested after they were allegedly soliciting men to rape their 2-year-old daughter, cops say.

Ashlee Crawley, 26, is accused of creating sexually explicit content involving her children, and selling it on various online apps, including "MeetMe," according to police in Grovetown, Georgia.

The children's father, James Tripp, 29, was allegedly "making plans and seeking permission" from Crawley to "engage in intercourse with his own 2-year-old biological daughter," said police.

Police arrested the parents Wednesday after receiving an online tip and the kids were turned over to the Division of Family and Children Services.

Crawley has been charged with two counts of child molestation, and one count of computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation, according to police. Tripp was charged with criminal attempt incest and criminal attempt molestation.

Crawley and Tripp are being held at the Columbia County Jail.

It's unclear if they entered a plea to the charges.
With just 11 tents, ENVI SISINI Serengeti promises guests luxury, adventure, and quintessential African wildlife experiences in a leading safari destination.

ENVI Lodges, a pioneering luxury ecolodge brand known for its commitment to sustainability and immersive experiences in nature, has unveiled a luxury tented camp in Tanzania's world-famous Serengeti National Park.

Opening its doors today (July 1st), ENVI SISINI Serengeti is an exclusive ecolodge with a remote location. Featuring just 11 luxury tents and tented villas, it is perched on a hill in the depths of Tanzania's vibrant bushland, with magnificent savannah views and a mountainous landscape as its backdrop.

This area of the Serengeti is teeming with the indigenous animals for which East Africa is known, including lions, leopards, rhinoceros, buffalo, elephants, giraffes and zebras. With no boundaries separating the lodge from the wilderness, and a resident pride of lions close by, guests are promised a thrilling wildlife experience throughout their stay.

Luxurious tents blend seamlessly with these awe-inspiring natural surroundings, each with its own private location and uninterrupted views.

There are six elegantly furnished tented villas with one bedroom and another with two bedrooms, designed for families, each with an outdoor shower, bathtub, pool, furnished outdoor decking and cooking facilities. A personal butler service is available to guests staying in the family villa. For those seeking to fully embrace the Serengeti's spirit of adventure, the two-bedroom family tent and three one-bedroom tents are deeply immersed in the park's rugged wilderness, for an upscale camping experience.

Facilities at ENVI SISINI Serengeti, located just a one-hour drive from the park's Seronera airstrip, include a spacious open-plan reception, two restaurants serving local and international cuisine, a lounge, two bars, a wine cellar, a spa, gym, and a two-level fire pit area for intimate guest gatherings.

The lodge's team, comprising local Tanzanians, takes care of guests from the moment they land at the airstrip, providing refreshments on arrival and private air-conditioned transfers to the ecolodge, with plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities along the way. Central to the lodge experience, they curate exceptional wildlife safaris, with the chance to get close to Africa's famous 'Big Five' a big draw card.

Committed to sustainable operations, the lodge is solar powered, sources fresh produce from local villages and farms, and provides every guest with a refillable water bottle on arrival. Bathroom amenities are sourced from an all-women corporation that creates skincare products from carefully selected African-grown botanicals, oils and essences, all made by hand.

"ENVI SISINI Serengeti epitomises ENVI's dedication to creating unparalleled experiences that blend luxury, nature and adventure in a responsible way," said Paul Jordaan, Executive Director, ENVI Lodges. "Offering much more than stay, our lodge promises guests a transformative journey encompassing breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring wildlife in one of the world's top safari destinations."

ENVI Lodges is set to open two more properties in Tanzania by the end of 2025, with sustainable beachfront lodge, ENVI Paje, featuring 23 low-impact villas with private pools and ENVI Kili, located on the outskirts of Arusha - a traditional Serengeti stopover destination - offering 22 keys.

All three lodges capitalise on Tanzania's fast-growing tourism industry, identified as one of five most-improved emerging economies globally for travel and tourism development since 2019 in a new World Economic Forum (WEF) report.

The country jumped seven spots to 81st in WEF's Travel & Tourism Development Index rankings for 2024, noting Tanzania's travel sector hit a new record in 2023 with 1.8 million arrivals, up 24.3% on 1.45 million in 2022, and generating all-time-high tourism receipts of $3.36 billion 2023, compared to a pre-pandemic (2019) high of $2.6 billion.

Hotel website
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel groups, has today announced the appointment of Jesper Larsen as General Manager for upcoming property InterContinental Halong Bay Resort and Residences.

With a career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Jesper brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from across Greater China, Japan, Vietnam and Europe to his new role at this stunning resort and residences located near one of Vietnam's most iconic destinations.

"Vietnam is one of the most exciting growth destinations in Asia, and I am truly excited to open IHG's first property in Halong City. The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand is the world's first and largest international luxury hotel brand, with over 75 years of heritage and with its recent transformative brand evolution, we will be embarking on an exciting new chapter and introducing unique brand differentiators that will be tailored to the modern luxury traveller. I look forward to bringing a symphony of immersive and highly curated guest and culinary experiences coupled with the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality to our guests and residents, and supporting the tourism growth of the stunning Halong area," says Jesper Larsen. In partnership with long-time partner Ha Long Investment and Development Limited Company, a member of BIM Group, this destination debut marks IHG's expansion into the Quang Ninh province in Vietnam. It adds to the growing BIM and IHG property portfolio including Regent Phu Quoc, InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Crowne Plaza Vientiane and an upcoming Holiday Inn Vientiane, a testament to their strong decade-long relationship.

Strategically positioned at Halong City's gateway, InterContinental Halong Bay Resort and Residences draws inspiration from its beachfront location in Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site which includes more than 1,600 islands. As Halong Bay's first international luxury resort, the property sets itself apart with immersive resort facilities, complete with its very own private beach and an enviable view of Halong Bay's famous limestone karst structures.

A two-hour drive from Hanoi, the property features 174 rooms and suites at the resort, while the residences will be made up of 60 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms, and 41 villas. Facilities include five restaurant and bar outlets that will bring guests through a culinary journey across Asia and beyond, four pools, a gym, a kids club, a spa and a leading meeting space facility that can accommodate up to 500 people.

IHG has 18 open hotels in Vietnam across six brands: Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, voco hotels and Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts. It is on course to more than double its portfolio in the country within the next three years by opening at least 26 more hotels including InterContinental Halong Bay Resort and Residences.

*Numbers as of 31 March 2024
David Christiansen is the Chief Information Officer at VENZA. He is committed to providing expertise and guidance for better visibility and better defense of VENZAs clients. VENZA is the leading provider of data protection and compliance solutions for the hospitality industry. Drawing on decades of experience, VENZA provides 360-degree visibility that enables proactive risk management to mitigate vulnerabilities and keep your guests and their data safe. Know your risks and protect your enterprise with VENZA. More than 225,000 users in 100+ countries look to VENZA for tools, technology, and strategic security support. Founded in 2008, VENZA is a privately held company with regional offices in Atlanta, GA, Pensacola, FL, San Juan, PR, and The Hague, Netherlands. For more information, visit www.VENZAgroup.com.
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Foundation is proud to announce this years Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant recipients, Daniel Ruppenicker, Grace Rucker, Bailey Jacque, and Tre Wilke, and the Global Collegiate Commercial Strategy Case Competition winner, Brigham Young University, Hawaii, with honors also to Republic Polytechnic and University of Macau.

Were honored to recognize both the recipients of this years Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant and the Global Collegiate Commercial Strategy Case Competition winner, said Lori Kiel, CHDM, HSMAI Foundation Chair and Chief Commercial Officer, The Boca Raton. Its the HSMAI Foundations mission to foster professional development and drive innovation in the next generation of commercial leaders. These outstanding recipients exemplify the excellence that defines the future of the hospitality industry.

About the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant:

Established by his family, the HSMAI Foundation Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant honors Mike Dimond, a distinguished hotel marketing executive and HSMAI Hall of Fame member, to support degree-seeking students aiming for careers in hospitality. Awardees are selected through a competitive process evaluating industry work experience, personal essays, professional recommendations, and academic consistency and each benefits from a specially selected mentor for a year, coverage of application fees for HSMAI Certifications, a one-year Premium LinkedIn subscription, and complimentary registration plus a travel honorarium up to $1000 for an HSMAI Regional Strategy Conference.

The Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant Recipients are:

Daniel Ruppenicker expects to graduate from Virginia Tech in the spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in business, hospitality, and tourism management and marketing management. He has interned as a banquet captain and sales intern at Waters Edge Resort and Spa in Connecticut. At Virginia Tech, he directed operations for hospitality career fairs and led event operations for the advisory board dinner. He serves on the Deans Advisory Board of Students and the Student Senate, and he is working to start an HSMAI student chapter. Daniel, an Eagle Scout, has been hired as a media intern at Hilton Corporate. His long-term goals include law school and becoming a hospitality lawyer.

expects to graduate from Virginia Tech in the spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in business, hospitality, and tourism management and marketing management. He has interned as a banquet captain and sales intern at Waters Edge Resort and Spa in Connecticut. At Virginia Tech, he directed operations for hospitality career fairs and led event operations for the advisory board dinner. He serves on the Deans Advisory Board of Students and the Student Senate, and he is working to start an HSMAI student chapter. Daniel, an Eagle Scout, has been hired as a media intern at Hilton Corporate. His long-term goals include law school and becoming a hospitality lawyer. Grace Rucker expects to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stout in December with a double major in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management and real estate property management. She is co-president of the HSMAI UW Stout student chapter. Grace has worked at Disneys Magic Kingdom, in the deans office at the university, and at Catering By Design. She is a certified American Red Cross lifeguard and water safety instructor. She volunteered at HSMAIs Adrian Awards in New York in 2024, gaining insights into successful advertising campaigns and networking with industry leaders. She looks forward to a long and successful career in hospitality.

expects to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stout in December with a double major in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management and real estate property management. She is co-president of the HSMAI UW Stout student chapter. Grace has worked at Disneys Magic Kingdom, in the deans office at the university, and at Catering By Design. She is a certified American Red Cross lifeguard and water safety instructor. She volunteered at HSMAIs Adrian Awards in New York in 2024, gaining insights into successful advertising campaigns and networking with industry leaders. She looks forward to a long and successful career in hospitality. Bailey Jacque expects to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stout in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in real estate property management and hotel, restaurant, and tourism management. She has been on the deans list every year since 2021 and won the Outstanding Student Leader of the Year award. Bailey has interned at Weidner Apartment Homes and IDeaS Revenue Solutions and worked as a front desk attendant at Fairbridge Inn & Suites. She is co-president of the HSMAI UW Stout student chapter, a student ambassador, and a student board representative.

expects to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stout in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in real estate property management and hotel, restaurant, and tourism management. She has been on the deans list every year since 2021 and won the Outstanding Student Leader of the Year award. Bailey has interned at Weidner Apartment Homes and IDeaS Revenue Solutions and worked as a front desk attendant at Fairbridge Inn & Suites. She is co-president of the HSMAI UW Stout student chapter, a student ambassador, and a student board representative. Tre Wilke expects to receive his associate of science degree from San Diego Mesa College in May 2025. He works full time as a sales manager at Evans Hotels in San Diego and has experience as a sales coordinator, meetings concierge, and front desk supervisor. Tre aspires to become a director of sales and eventually own a hotel and resort. He is a board member of HSMAIs San Diego chapter and a member of HSMAIs Rising Sales Leaders Council.

HSMAI Foundation Board Members rated submissions based on the applicants' demonstrated interest in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management, or distribution. For more information, visit the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant page.

About the Global Collegiate Marketing Case Competition

The goal of the HSMAI Foundation Global Collegiate Case Competition is to establish a cross-institution platform for future hospitality leaders to showcase professional excellence, empower hospitality education through experiential learning, and enable industry-academia collaborations to champion future hospitality leaders.

The 2023-24 competition was case based, with a broader focus on overall commercial strategy. Entered teams across elite universities had the opportunity to work on real-world industry cases to solve practical challenges and ideate better commercial strategies at their chosen strategic level of company, brand, or property. To determine the competitions winners, a panel evaluated the submissions and selected the top three teams from the undergraduate track. The finalist teams then presented their work virtually to the HSMAI Foundation Board. For more information, visit the Global Collegiate Marketing Case Competition page.

The Undergraduate Finalists are:
Can hotels learn from an airline? Immediately, we suspect you may have said to yourself: unequivocally, no! And frankly, until a recent trip on Emirates Air, the two of us would have also been in the same camp.

A recent trip changed that. For one of us (Larry), this was a trip to South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique over this past holiday season on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which included return business class airfare to Cape Town. While many guests elect to select their airline of preference, he (Larry) allowed the cruise line to handle the details. To his pleasant surprise, they selected Emirates via Dubai.

Long admired from afar and now finally having a chance to experience ostensibly the best airline in the world, the first leg of the trip with business class seating was superior to everything we (Larry and his wife) had experienced both domestically and on par with international carrier standards. The second leg on Emirates first class (thanks to an unexpected and complimentary upgrade) was in a league of its own.

Just for perspective, a round trip in Emirates first class from Dubai to Toronto, where we call home, is roughly the price of a new Toyota Corolla. What do you get for this price? And what are the lessons learned for our Mille Club hoteliers?

As a reminder, mille is Italian for thousand, and we use it in the context of those hotels that are already charging or aspiring to charge over $1,000 per night. At this four-digit price threshold, guest expectations jump disproportionally to single-digit price moves. With Emirates charging what amounts to a Mille Club room night per hour for their first-class experience, undoubtedly with the psyche of luxury travelers there are comparisons taking place between hotels and airlines in terms of what services and amenities are offered. So, what can hotels learn?

Service that exceeds your highest expectations. There are 16 first-class cabins, and to call them seats is disrespectful. They are serviced by four personal assistants; again, to call them flight attendants would be simply too pedestrian. We were told that they could speak seven languages. Our attendant was able to describe the differences between the Chivas Royal Salute 21-year-old and the Johnny Walker Blue Label offerings, suggesting that the Blue was a better option for the start of the journey due to its hazelnut finish. This level of knowledge is on par with an expert mixologist. Service is the key to luxury. Too often, we think little of physical enhancements to our room stock or common areas, while coincidentally working to reduce labor costs, often due simply to where its presented on an income statement or P&L (opex versus capex). Yet, it is that labor pool that differentiates the premium product category. It is your people and the quintessential service with a smile that guests will remember when all is said and done.

Source: Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited Consider upgrades to your bathroom amenities. Emirates supplies their first-class passengers with a substantial amenity kit. We might add that the trip also includes an onboard shower. The products selected are recognized brands, rather than a private label of unknown quality. As a Mille Club member, consider differentiated bathroom amenities for your premium room categories. As your rates move up, so too should every aspect of your guest journey. These amenities are often inexpensive relative to the proportional increase in room rates that they can reinforce, while also providing an intimate, caring sensibility to this private space by insinuating that you have the guests hygiene and cosmetic needs covered. Providing gourmet wine options. The wines on the Emirates flight were mind-blowingly impressive. Suffice it to say that all the wines offered were Grand Cru Burgundies and Second or Third Growth Bordeaux. The port was a 40-year-old tawny. The champagne was 2013 Dom Perignon. Without getting into the details of how altitude and cabin pressure affect the palate, these offers nevertheless add a tasting element to the experience and leave an indelible mark on the memory via sensory activation. Almost every hotel cannot afford to offer wines of this nature on a complimentary basis. However, Mille Club hotels should consider adding Coravin-dispensed BTG wines to give your dining guests expanded options without having them front the bill for an entire bottle. Not to say they cannot afford the entire bottle, but that drinking less overall is de rigueur (and great for ones health), which makes sampling the way of the future. Are there pajamas in your future? With a 14-hour flight, Emirates supplied pyjamas. These were distributed once the personal assistant was able to determine an appropriate size. We still have ours and they have now survived a few washings in pretty good condition. Sometimes, as a hotelier, you must add something that differentiates your property, rising above your comp set. This could be that item, both as a souvenir and possibly create that matching pyjama social media moment.

The bottom line is that luxury hoteliers no longer just sell rooms, spa treatments or dining occasions. You sell holistic experiences. As multi-million-mile air travelers, this is the first air experience that was worthy of reporting to our hotelier-focused audience. The challenge we present to our Mille Club readers is: what can you do to make your guests talk about their experience with you? Furthermore, what can you do to enrich your experiences in a meaningful way that allows you to command higher room rates without turning guests off?

Larry Mogelonsky

Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited

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The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the hospitality sector is reshaping how hotels operate, enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiencies, and even bolstering their sustainability efforts. From smart room technology to AI-powered concierge services, the industry is witnessing a transformative shift.

Let's explore some compelling examples of hotels that have successfully harnessed the power of AI, and what this means for the future of hospitality.

Enhancing Guest Experiences with AI

Hilton's "Connie" Robot

Hilton's partnership with IBM has brought "Connie," a Watson-enabled AI robot, to its concierge desks. Connie assists guests by providing information on local attractions, hotel services, and amenities using advanced natural language processing techniques. This not only speeds up the information delivery process but also adds a futuristic touch to guest services.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas's "Rose"

"Rose" is an AI chatbot that acts as a personal concierge at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Known for her witty and playful tone, Rose handles tasks from restaurant reservations to timely delivery of towels, enhancing the guest experience through rapid and personalized service.

Marriott's AI Chatbots

Marriott International utilizes AI chatbots on platforms like Facebook Messenger and Slack to offer instant responses to guest inquiries. These bots streamline the booking process and provide local travel tips, ensuring guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience from booking to stay.

AI and Sustainability: A Greener Future

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

IHG Hotels & Resorts has taken significant strides in sustainability by implementing an AI-driven system across its Avid hotels to optimize energy use. This system uses sensors and AI algorithms to adjust heating, ventilation, and air conditioning based on real-time occupancy and environmental data, drastically reducing energy waste.

Wynn Las Vegas

At Wynn Las Vegas, AI-enhanced HVAC systems adjust the room environment based on real-time data like occupancy and individual guest preferences. This not only ensures optimal comfort for guests but also contributes to significant energy savings.

Direct Booking and Enhanced Revenues: The Quicktext Velma Case Study

Background MOXA Bucharest Boutique Hotel located in Bucharest, Romania, sought to increase its direct bookings and enhance guest engagement while reducing dependency on third-party booking platforms. They aimed to provide a more personalized booking experience and improve operational efficiency.

Implementation of Quicktext Velma Le Boutique Hotel Moxa implemented Quicktext Velma, an AI-powered communication platform designed to interact with hotel guests through natural language processing. Velma was integrated into the hotel's communication system to handle inquiries via the hotels website, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and SMS.

Features and Functions

24/7 Availability : Velma provided round-the-clock assistance, answering guest queries about room availability, amenities, and local attractions.

: Velma provided round-the-clock assistance, answering guest queries about room availability, amenities, and local attractions. Multi-language Support : Capable of interacting in multiple languages, Velma catered to a diverse international clientele, making communication seamless and efficient.

: Capable of interacting in multiple languages, Velma catered to a diverse international clientele, making communication seamless and efficient. Direct Booking Facilitation: Velma guided potential guests through the booking process directly on the hotels channels, offering room options, upselling services, and providing instant booking confirmations.

Results

Increase in Direct Bookings : Within months of implementing Velma, Le Boutique Hotel Moxa observed a significant increase in direct bookings. The AI facilitated an easy and fast booking process, which encouraged guests to book directly rather than through third-party agents.

: Within months of implementing Velma, Le Boutique Hotel Moxa observed a significant increase in direct bookings. The AI facilitated an easy and fast booking process, which encouraged guests to book directly rather than through third-party agents. Enhanced Guest Satisfaction : The immediate response and assistance provided by Velma led to an increase in guest satisfaction ratings. Guests appreciated the quick and efficient resolution of their queries.

: The immediate response and assistance provided by Velma led to an increase in guest satisfaction ratings. Guests appreciated the quick and efficient resolution of their queries. Cost Efficiency : By reducing reliance on third-party booking platforms, the hotel saved on commission costs and increased its revenue from direct bookings.

: By reducing reliance on third-party booking platforms, the hotel saved on commission costs and increased its revenue from direct bookings. Data Insights: Velma also provided valuable insights into guest preferences and behaviors, allowing the hotel to tailor its marketing strategies and improve service offerings.

The integration of Quicktext Velma at Le Boutique Hotel Moxa demonstrated how AI can transform hotel operations by boosting direct bookings, enhancing guest experiences, and providing operational efficiencies. This case exemplifies the potential of AI tools like Velma to redefine hospitality management and guest engagement in the digital age.

The Impact of AI on Hotel Operations and Employment

While AI in hospitality brings numerous efficiencies and enhanced guest services, it also poses challenges, particularly in terms of employment. AI can take over repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on more meaningful roles that require human empathy and creativity. However, this shift necessitates training and adaptation to new technologies. Hotels must manage this transition carefully to ensure that technology complements human skills rather than replaces them.

Preparing for an AI-Driven Future in Hospitality

As the hospitality industry increasingly embraces AI, hotels need to become AI-ready. This preparation involves several key stages: AI implementation, optimizing AI operations, and implementing ongoing AI evaluation. Each stage is critical to ensure that the integration of AI technologies enhances rather than disrupts the guest experience and operational efficiency.

AI Readiness in the Hospitality Industry

AI readiness is crucial for hotels aiming to stay competitive and innovative. This involves assessing current technological infrastructure, preparing staff through training and development, and establishing a strategic plan that aligns AI integration with business goals. Being AI-ready enables hotels to leverage technology effectively, ensuring a seamless transition and maximizing the benefits of AI-driven solutions.

AI Implementation

The next step for hotels is to become AI-ready by carefully planning and implementing AI solutions that align with their specific service goals. This stage involves identifying the areas where AI can deliver the greatest impact, such as guest services, operational efficiency, or energy management. A thoughtful implementation strategy should include selecting the right technology partners, training staff to work alongside AI tools, and setting clear objectives for what the AI systems need to achieve.

Optimizing AI Operations

Once AI systems are in place, the focus shifts to optimizing their operation. This involves fine-tuning the technology to better serve guests needs and operational requirements. Data collected by AI systems can provide invaluable insights into guest behavior, preferences, and operational bottlenecks. By analyzing this data, hotels can make informed decisions to enhance service delivery, streamline operations, and improve overall guest satisfaction.

Ongoing AI Evaluation

To maintain the effectiveness of AI in hospitality, continuous evaluation is crucial. This ongoing process ensures that AI tools and systems remain relevant as guest expectations evolve and new technologies emerge. Regular evaluation helps identify areas for improvement, whether in the AI applications themselves or in how staff interact with the technology. Additionally, this stage encourages innovation by highlighting opportunities to expand AI use into new areas of hotel operations.

By systematically addressing these stages, hotels not only enhance their current operations but also lay a solid foundation for future advancements. This proactive approach ensures that hotels remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry, continually improving their service offerings and operational efficiencies through the strategic use of AI.

AI Statistics for Hotels

Here are some groundbreaking AI statistics for hotels:

Guest Experience & Personalization:

Hyper-Personalization: 84% of hotel executives believe that AI will enable them to offer hyper-personalized guest experiences.

84% of hotel executives believe that AI will enable them to offer hyper-personalized guest experiences. Chatbots & Virtual Assistants: 68% of travelers prefer to use chatbots or virtual assistants for common queries, indicating a rising acceptance of AI-powered communication.

68% of travelers prefer to use chatbots or virtual assistants for common queries, indicating a rising acceptance of AI-powered communication. Recommendation Engines: 73% of hotel guests are more likely to book a stay if a hotel uses AI to personalize recommendations for rooms, amenities, or local attractions.

Operational Efficiency:

Cost Reduction: AI implementation can lead to a 15-20% reduction in operational costs for hotels through automation and optimization.

AI implementation can lead to a 15-20% reduction in operational costs for hotels through automation and optimization. Revenue Management: 76% of hotel revenue managers believe that AI-powered pricing and revenue management tools will be essential for staying competitive.

76% of hotel revenue managers believe that AI-powered pricing and revenue management tools will be essential for staying competitive. Staff Productivity: AI-powered tools can increase staff productivity by up to 30%, freeing up time for more personalized guest interactions.

Other Key Statistics:

Investment: Global investment in AI for the hospitality industry is projected to reach $6.6 billion by 2025.

Global investment in AI for the hospitality industry is projected to reach $6.6 billion by 2025. Market Growth: AI in the hospitality market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2021 to 2026.

AI in the hospitality market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2021 to 2026. Guest Satisfaction: Hotels utilizing AI have seen a 10-15% increase in guest satisfaction ratings.

More to come:

The integration of AI in the hotel industry is only going to accelerate. We can expect to see even more innovative applications in areas such as:

Facial Recognition: Streamlining check-ins and enhancing security.

Streamlining check-ins and enhancing security. Voice Assistants: Enabling hands-free control of room features and services.

Enabling hands-free control of room features and services. Predictive Analytics: Forecasting demand, optimizing pricing, and preventing maintenance issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the hospitality sector represents a paradigm shift, not just in operational efficiencies and guest services, but also in shaping future industry standards.

As hotels like Hilton, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Wynn Las Vegas demonstrate, AI technologies are not merely enhancing guest experiences and streamlining operations but are also pivotal in driving sustainability and increasing direct bookings.

The case of Le Boutique Hotel Moxa exemplifies the transformative potential of AI in boosting revenue and guest satisfaction through smart, data-driven interactions.

However, as AI continues to evolve, hotels must focus on AI readiness, ensuring a harmonious integration that enhances service delivery without displacing the human touch that remains at the heart of hospitality.

The road ahead involves a continuous cycle of implementing, optimizing, and evaluating AI tools to keep pace with technological advancements and changing guest expectations, ensuring that the hospitality industry remains at the forefront of innovation and guest satisfaction.

Let's embark on this journey together!

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The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) aimed to create a fairer online market. However, Google's recent changes to comply with the DMA have led to a significant impact on European hoteliers: a 30% drop in Google Hotel Ads traffic and a 34% decrease in bookings.

Join our free webinar to uncover the real impact of the DMA on hotel bookings and learn practical strategies to thrive in this new landscape. Whether you're already feeling the effects, targeting European guests, or curious about its global implications, this webinar is for you!

Gain insights from Triptease direct booking experts Charlie Osmond and Rosie Green, alongside leading distribution & sales specialist Robert Gratzl Daremyr from Gothia Towers & Upper House.

For more information please contact Ailish Crossan
Image Credit Marriott International

68% spending more on leisure travel with 74% respondents planning an intra-regional holiday within Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Australia is the top destination in next 12 months ahead of Japan, with 46% planning to visit

Indian HNW are driving luxury travel with 89% Indians planning to spend more in next 12 months

High-end gastronomy is the primary driver for luxury travel with 88% planning holidays around food

Three new personas of luxury traveler defined

As the Asia Pacific region continues to be the growth engine for luxury travel, a new comprehensive report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International has identified new expectations and travel preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travelers in Asia Pacific.Across the region, 68% are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months  89% among Indians - with 74% planning to travel within Asia Pacific and 88% prioritizing gastronomy as the reason to travel. One in four of all holidays planned (25%) are celebrations. Three distinct new groups of luxury traveler have emerged  the 'Venture Travelist' who seeks business opportunities when traveling, 'Experience Connoisseur' Millennials who are traveling for enrichment and 'Timeless Adventurer', over 65s who are building their own itineraries and exploring places before they become popular

"Our New Luxe Landscapes Report provides deeper behavioral insights and motivations into elite travelers from Asia and the Pacific," says Oriol Montal, Managing Director, Luxury, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. "Whether it's discovering new culinary experiences, traveling with their family or friends, or looking to forge connections with the local community, our research has identified new traveler archetypes, and provides Marriott International with new understandings in catering to this discerning traveler segment."

Deeper Extended Experiences With Their People

The research among HNW travelers in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India reveals they are traveling frequently with longer holidays especially across the Asia Pacific region. An average of six leisure trips is planned within the next 12 months while 33% of respondents are planning at least seven holidays this year. On average, a short stay comprises three nights while a long stay is two-and-a-half weeks. For many, the kinship and connection within a group enhances the richness of the travel experience, with over 70% choosing to travel with family or friends.

Australia is the destination of choice (46%), above Japan (42%) and Hong Kong, China (27%). 69% of India's HNW tourists are planning a trip to Australia and it is the top destination of choice for Indonesian, Japanese and Singaporean travelers.

Increasing Demand in India

The most active and engaged travel market, 89% of Indian HNW say they are planning to spend more on travel. Families and friends are touring together to mark key milestones, attend a private function or event, with 38% planning a trip with friends and 33% making theirs a celebratory trip.

A Fascination for Food

88% are picking their holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary experience. Acutely aware of dining trends, almost half of the respondents (49%) describe a fine dining experience as an ideal night out. Reinforcing this point, 83% will choose a destination to visit an award-winning restaurant and 35% agreed they would spend more on unique culinary experiences. When choosing a hotel, 81% of HNW travelers make their selection based on fine dining options and 83% choose a destination so they can visit a celebrated restaurant.

New Traveler Personas

With more disposable income for holidays and a growing population of ageing travelers, the research has identified three new categories of affluent travelers. These include:

i) The 'Venture Travelist'

The next-generation Bleisure tourist, the Venture Travelist prioritizes holiday destinations that will generate business opportunities. While they enjoy their vacation with their family and loved ones, they are always on the lookout to secure a deal. Entrepreneurs at heart, they explore a location, shopping for local products and antiques, and looking to forge business connections with members from the local community.

ii) The 'Experience Connoisseur'

Predominantly millennials, Experience Connoisseurs plan their leisure travel as an opportunity for personal enrichment. They travel extensively and see the experience as an investment in their mental and physical wellbeing. They want to deeply explore a destination, they value personalization and actively seek exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences.

iii) The 'Timeless Adventurer'

Debunking every stereotype of the over-65 'silver set travelers', Timeless Adventurers are keen explorers who want to immerse themselves in a destination. They're less interested in tourist attractions and more drawn to what gives the destination a sense of place, what makes it unique and memorable.

The full report is available to download.

Findings are from a research report commissioned by Marriott International Luxury Group conducted over a period from April 18, 2024, to May 13, 2024, with frequent international travelers who primarily travel for leisure. The study targeted the wealthiest 10% of residents in Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan with 200 respondents from each market.
Image Credit BWH Hotels

BWH Hotels today announced the addition of the Aruba Boutique & Art Hotel to the BW Signature Collection portfolio. The property's addition to the portfolio marks the re-entry of BWH Hotels to the Aruba market. The property opened in the heart of Palm Beach, Aruba in April 2024. As the second largest soft brand company in the world, BWH Hotels is proud to continue growing its collection of independent hotels that maintain their unique identity and character.

"We are thrilled to re-enter the Aruba market with the addition of the Aruba Boutique & Art Hotel to our BW Signature Collection portfolio," said Larry Cuculic, President & CEO of BWH Hotels. "Returning to Aruba was a top priority for our brand. This stylish property offers our guests a trusted home base to explore the island's unique culture, bask in its incredible weather, and enjoy countless activities year-round. Additionally, the hotel showcases unique and captivating artwork by well-known photographer, Steve Francees, that truly captures the essence of Aruba."

The Aruba Boutique & Art Hotel offers a distinctive contemporary design that provides a unique and immersive experience minutes from the beach. The hotel is home to a curated art gallery featuring many items from Steve Francees, a local photographer known for capturing stunning landscapes and vacation experiences for visitors. The hotel also features a casual dining experience at the on-site restaurant, Omundo, that offers an array of street food-inspired global dishes. Guests also have access to numerous amenities at the hotel, including a beach shuttle, cocktail lounge, outdoor pool, and hot tub.

"We are delighted to join BWH Hotels as part of their esteemed BW Signature Collection portfolio. We look forward to welcoming travelers to the sunniest destination in the Caribbean," said Willie Chin, President and Managing Director of Dushi Tera Management. "Guests can enjoy BWH Hotels' signature hospitality experience and our unique amenities such as our art gallery, all while being steps from one of Aruba's best beaches."

The hotel is in Palm Beach, one of the island's most popular destinations. The property provides guests convenient access to some of the island's most notable beaches, nightlife, dining, and shopping destinations. Some of the best nearby attractions include California Lighthouse, Downtown Oranjestad, Paseo Herencia Mall, De Palm Island Water Park, and Azia restaurant.
What is the best way for guests to get from Manama Bahrain Intl Airport to Elite Seef Residence And Hotel?

Getting from Manama Bahrain Intl Airport to Elite Seef Residence And Hotel can be as easy as renting a car at the airports rental desk for, on average, $49/day in Manama. Luckily, Elite Seef Residence And Hotel has parking on site for guests who choose this method of transportation. Taking a taxi or rideshare service from the nearest airport, Manama Bahrain Intl Airport, to your hotel is often the most cost effective transportation solution.
About This Property Contractors special. Unlimited potential given close proximity to Williams College, Williamstown Theater Festival, Mass MoCA, and all other cultural events.



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State Fire Marshal: Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

STOW, Mass.  Every year in Massachusetts, illegal fireworks cause fires, explosions, property damage, and serious injuries.

As we enter the weeks around July 4, when more than 60 percent of these incidents occur, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents and visitors to leave fireworks to the professionals.

"Fireworks are inherently dangerous," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "Possessing or using them in Massachusetts requires licensing and certification. They are illegal for personal use here even if purchased legally in another state. These laws work: the rate of fireworks injuries in Massachusetts is about one-fifth the national average."

Over the past five years, fireworks have caused 532 fires and explosions, about $1.5 million in property damage, and more than 200 serious injuries that required treatment in a hospital emergency department. The following incidents were reported last year alone:

On May 21, 2023, a Kingston man who was allegedly manufacturing destructive devices for use as homemade fireworks suffered life-altering injuries to his hands, chest, and face. He was MedFlighted to Brigham and Women's Hospital. Additional devices found at the scene were secured and rendered safe by the State Police Bomb Squad.

On July 3, 2023, commercial-grade fireworks caused a fire on the second-floor porch of a multi-family home in Chelsea. State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office and Chelsea officials determined that commercial-grade aerial fireworks being discharged in front of a nearby masonry business struck the rear porch and ignited combustible materials. Additional fireworks were found nearby and seized.

On July 4, 2023, a West Yarmouth man was badly injured after attempting to discharge illegal fireworks. He was transported first to Cape Cod Hospital and then to Brigham and Women's Hospital with severe injuries to his right hand and thigh.

On July 5, 2023, a teenage boy lost part of his hand and a teenage girl suffered burn injuries after igniting illegal fireworks in Hyde Park. Both were transported to the hospital for their injuries.

On July 7, 2023, a residential structure fire in Danvers displaced four residents. State Police and Danvers fire investigators determined that it was caused by the unsafe use of sparklers in the home's basement during an Independence Day party. This was the second year in a row in which sparklers caused a fire that displaced all residents from a home: in 2022, a similar fire in Dracut went to three alarms.

Massachusetts law requires police to seize any illegal fireworks they encounter in the course of their duties. People who use or possess them illegally are also subject to a fine, while the illegal sale of fireworks is an arrestable offense that carries potential jail time.

"We want everyone to have a safe, happy Fourth of July," State Fire Marshal Davine said. "Please don't risk a fire, injury, or a day in court. There are dozens of permitted municipal shows across Massachusetts this season, so leave fireworks to the professionals."

The Department of Fire Services posts a list of permitted fireworks displays and updates it each week through the summer. To view the list  and to learn more about the dangers of illegal fireworks  visit the DFS website.
Pam Wilk poses with princesses from the annual concert she organizes for the AYJ Fund. Her volunteer work got her nominated as a community hero. Bottom, Pam with her husband Mark as the Beast at the Once Upon a Time concert; right, dressed as Ursula with her friend Tammy at the Fall Foliage Parade; background, the AYJ Fund installation for LumiNAMA, the downtown holiday lights in North Adams. PreviousNext

Community Hero of the Month: Pam Wilk



The Once Upon a Time concert has grown from 10 to 35 princesses and gives little ones a chance to be a princess themselves. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Community member Pam Wilk has been nominated as June's Community Hero of the Month.

The Community Hero of the Month series recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community.

The series is in partnership with Haddad Auto and will run for the next five months. Nominate a community hero here

Wilk does not consider herself a hero but has impacted the community and inspired the next generation through her various acts of giving, such as leading fundraisers, volunteering for the AYJ Fund, providing food and companionship to a widower, or babysitting for a single mom who wants to go back to school.

"If you're lucky enough to interact, and meet her, she will change you and help you be a better person," Kathy Arabia, AYJ Fund executive director, said.

Wilk's giving nature was inspired by her mother, who would take people in who needed a place to stay.

"They lived with us. Our house was never empty. We always had somebody that needed help living with us," Wilk said.

She recollected how her mother helped take care of a boy with Down syndrome, helped a friend whose daughter had special needs, and how she and a bunch of people would walk to her house and have lunch there.

Wilk's children have followed in both their footsteps. In 8th grade, Wilk's son lost a friend to cancer and, since then, has helped fund raise or donate to those fighting cancer.

"Every year, his Christmas parties have a theme to bring a donation. It could be food for the local animals, shelter, food for the local food bank, things to mail to the soldiers, or donations for a local child fighting cancer in Illinois," Wilk said.

Her daughter also helps others, and sat in a mall to sell tickets to benefit a young child in need of a transplant.

When Wilk thinks of a hero, she thinks of nonprofit leaders like Arabia, and those who risk their lives to help others, like firefighters or police.

However, on a small scale, making a difference in someone's life is an everyday hero, she said. It is not hard to give. Give what you can, whether it is time or money. It is that simple, Wilk said.

"In any community you're in, there are people with need, and you never really know what people are going through when you interact with them throughout the community," Arabia said.

"She's someone that can find that in people and is really attuned to that, and it makes the community a better place. It truly does. She makes the community a better place. She truly does."

She doesn't seek opportunities to give; they come to her. Wilk mentioned that she gains more from the experiences it brings, like the joy on people's faces or the love from a child.

"[Wilk] has always stayed in the background, not wanting anything more than to see someone enjoy a worry-free moment and give others a little bit of fun," Wilk's nominator said

"... [Her] heart is as big as can be, and many people have benefited from her hard work and dedication to family and community."

Wilk went to school for social work and worked at the post office, where she met a lot of people who opened doors for her to get involved because of the conversations she would have with patrons.

Wilk has been a leader for families in need for years, the nominator said.

She began volunteering for community organizations in high school, tutoring others and serving as a "big sister" in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, and mentoring youth.

When Wilk retired, she saw it as an opportunity to volunteer more.

One of the most rewarding things she has been involved in is the AYJ Fund.

The AYJ Fund works to raise funds for cancer research in the hope of finding a cure. Since the nonprofit's establishment a decade ago, it has raised $1.4 million for cancer research.

"Our mission is to help children with cancer, and she really took that to heart," Arabia said.

Arabia and Wilk didn't know each other when the organization was founded but Wilk has become an important part of the nonprofit.

She is caring and compassionate with every child they help, brings ideas to the table, and runs with the events, Arabia said.

Wilk also inspires others to get involved including high school students all over the Berkshires.

In 2017, she helped institute a popular AYJ Fund fundraising event, the "Once Upon a Dream" concert, which gives kids the opportunity to dress up and meet their favorite princesses.

"When I first met Pam, she made it really easy to understand the true meaning of why we're dressing up and what the AYJ Fund is. She makes sure that nobody overlooks the true meaning, and she's really a great person," AYJ Fund volunteer Layla Brooks said.

The concert started with just 10 princesses, but it has grown to include 35 characters, and the organizers hope it will continue to grow. They now make an annual appearance in the Fall Foliage Parade.

It is Disney for a lot of kids who won't make it Disney. A lot of kids think the princesses are real and will ask the princesses what it was like to be in the movie, Wilk said.

It is evident that Wilk's work to recruit youth volunteers has a ripple effect across the community. One of Wilk's princesses, Talia Rehill, gave the AYJ Fund a check for $500 from her National Honor Society chapter.

Rehill invited Wilk to her college graduation, but she was unable to attend due to surgery.

"You have truly been the missing piece of mentorship and motherhood that I have needed. You add so much into my life and the lives of everyone around you. You inspire me every day," Rehill said in a text message to Wilk.

Seeing what the next generation does and has to offer is how Wilk knows that "most of these young adults will carry their passion to help others with them throughout life and, in turn, will touch many lives."

Wilk has also gotten her husband, Mark Wilk, and other family members involved in volunteering.

"I'm very, very blessed with the wonderful people in my life, amazing friends, [and] an incredible husband, who I could not do without. He does a lot of work to make my dreams come true," Wilk said

"And that's how it all comes about, really. It does take a village, and I have a really good village."

When the AYJ Fund designed the "Kisses from Heaven" window installation at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Gallery 51 in December, Mark Wilk made the working lights, and his father built the bench.

The installation not only drew attention to the AYJ Fund but also brought the community together  each of the snowflakes in the window had the names of a child who lost their life to cancer.

"It meant a lot to each of the parents because each time your child is remembered and honored is really special," Arabia said.

"It's not only what she does for the AJY fund, it's what she does throughout this whole community. She is always either helping somebody, or driving somebody to an appointment, or trying to figure out a way that she can make a difference, but she's always behind the scenes. ...

"You would never know that she's the inspiration behind what's being done for so many people in our community."

Wilk has also been involved in the Fresh Air Fund, which brings children from urban areas to experience the country during the summer.

"I just really loved the people that I met, and the things that we did, and to offer something for the community that we didn't already have," she said.

Wilk and her husband would house children for two or four weeks, and then she became one of the people who went out and interviewed families to find homes for the kids.
Teen Arrested in North Street Shooting

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A Savoy teen was arraigned on murder charges Monday in the June 14 shooting of two men on North Street.

Deakan Sayers, 18, charged in Pittsfield District Court with two counts each of armed assault with the intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm) and single counts of carrying a loaded firearm without a license and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.

Police officers were dispatched just after 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14, to the area of North Street at Bradford Street for a reported shooting.

According to a report, responding officers found two Pittsfield men who were shot. The men were treated at Berkshire Medical Center for their injuries and they were both eventually released.

As the investigation progressed, probable cause was established to charge Sayers with the shootings and he was arrested on Friday on Putnam Avenue by members of PPD's Anti-Crime Unit.

Anyone who wishes to provide information on this case is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).
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A significant initiative to enhance Uzbekistan's aviation safety capabilities took a significant step forward on 18 June 2024, with the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Review Board (SRB) for Uzbekistan's Country Strategic Plan of Action (COSPA) pilot programme. This targeted initiative, developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aims to improve aviation safety in this landlocked nation, which relies heavily on a safe and secure air transport network for its connectivity and economic development.





The meeting held at the ICAO European and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) Regional Office in Paris was chaired by ICAO Regional Director, Mr. Nicolas Rallo. It brought together Government officials from Uzbekistan and ICAO, along with representatives from key aviation stakeholders including:

o Frances Direction Generale de lAviation Civile (DGAC) and the Bureau dEnquetes et dAnalyses (BEA)

o United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

o Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe)

o International Air Transport Association (IATA)

o Airbus

o Boeing

o World Bank





Uzbekistan's COSPA is designed to significantly improve the State's performance in safety planning, oversight, accident and incident investigation, safety management, and operational safety. This tailored approach supports the sustainable socio-economic development of Uzbekistan by prioritizing aviation safety needs through a three-year plan.





Mr. Rallo emphasized the programme's importance: "The COSPA initiative represents a new strategic and collaborative approach, in line with ICAOs implementation support policy. By bringing together global expertise and resources, we are not just improving Uzbekistan's aviation sector  we are unlocking the potential of partnerships and are creating a model that can elevate aviation safety in other States."





Key outcomes of the meeting included:





1. Acceptance of the initial version of the COSPA

2. Endorsement of several initial actions

3. A call for action addressed to Uzbekistan, including to make the best possible use of available industry programmes

4. Unanimous recognition of COSPA's potential to enhance convergence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in capacity development activities.

To implement the programme, a technical coordination team will be formed to manage activities under a Collaborative Implementation Support Roadmap (CISRO), an online tool overseen by ICAO and COSPA Partners.





The COSPA programme welcomes additional partners, with similar initiatives expected for other States aiming to improve their aviation safety and capacity development frameworks.





For more information on the COSPA programme, or to explore involvement opportunities, interested parties can contact their corresponding Regional Office.










Monday 1 July 2024, 10:34 - Last updated: 10:41

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Rumors are becoming more insistent: Kate Middleton might be in the royal stands to watch the Wimbledon matches starting today, July 1, until the 14th. Kensington Palace has neither confirmed nor denied the news reported by all British media. After all, even on the occasion of the parade in honor of King Charles III, the announcement of her participation was made only the previous afternoon. The journalist Emily Andrews thus launched the rumor: 'Her treatment is ongoing and will last for the next few months, but I understand that she would like to go to Wimbledon.' Other Royal Family experts hope that the 'Princess of Wales can present the trophies as the club's patron, but her health and recovery are the priority. All we know is that we will work with her and give her the maximum flexibility possible,' wrote Debbie Evans in the Telegraph Sport. In previous years, Kate Middleton has always attended the major sporting event: who knows if she will be able to be there in the 2024 edition, despite cancer treatments continuing since January, when she underwent abdominal surgery and literally disappeared from the public scene to focus on her health. Kate Middleton's participation in Wimbledon is not guaranteed, and much will depend on her health condition. The Princess is battling cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. In January, she underwent abdominal surgery (it seems that an Italian team operated on her), and for many months she did not appear in public. She herself revealed what the illness was, with a sincere and touching social video. She preferred the path of privacy but is slowly trying to show herself to her subjects again, and even occasional appearances, as highlighted by Buckingham Palace on the occasion of Trooping The Colour, do not currently signify a return to public life.
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Jet Jandreau, who co-stars in Kevin Spaceys first American film since his career was derailed by sexual assault allegations, says she supports the #MeToo movement and doesnt believe the House of Cards actor is in the category of real monsters.

Speaking to The Independent, Jandreau revealed that extensive discussions took place before Spacey was cast in the independent thriller Peter Five Eight by director Michael Zaiko Hall.

When Michael and the team floated the idea of Kevin, that was something we all had to discuss and see if we were comfortable with, said Jandreau.

Hes one of the greatest actors of our time, and it was a thrill to work with him. I had a chance to talk with him and his management before filming, and my mind was put at ease.

Jandreau said that after speaking to Spacey, she came to feel that a lot of what had been said about him was blown out of proportion,

Of course, I believe and support #MeToo. Michael does as well, she said.

open image in gallery Kevin Spacey and Jet Jandreau at the premiere of Peter Five Eight' ( Invincible Films )

We support the #MeToo cases, and the convicting of real monsters. I have also been mistreated on sets before, for sure. But each situation should be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and determined through the courts.

She added: I support #MeToo, but Kevin is not in the category of real monsters. I think that needs to be said more in the press. The press likes to put out these shock articles, and then they step back. I dont think people even know that he was found innocent and vindicated. Kevin is finding his way back now, and the majority of people really do just love his performances and want to see him back.

Spacey, 64, was last year acquitted of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men in the UK to have taken place between 2001 and 2013.

Each of Spaceys accusers gave evidence in the trial, variously describing him as a vile sexual predator, slippery and atrocious, despicable, [and] disgusting.

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In response, the two-time Oscar winner described the allegations against him as madness and a stab in the back. The jury acquitted Spacey of all charges.

Peter Five Eight stars Jandreau as a real estate agent in a small mountain community who is revealed to be a troubled alcoholic with a dark secret. Spacey portrays charismatic stranger Peter who shows up out of the blue at the request of his shadowy boss. Rebecca De Mornay (Risky Business ) also stars.

Hall told The Independent that he was very aware there would be pushback on casting Spacey in the film.

Some people, which I would say is a fairly small minority in the industry, but some people dont think he should be working, said Hall.

Its kind of a transgressive act to cast him, in a sense. I should say, though, I dont think theres enough subversive and transgressive acts in filmmaking. So to me, thats not necessarily a bad thing.

Peter Five Eight is available to stream on video-on-demand in the US.
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Hundreds of workers have begun the famous clean-up operation to rid Glastonbury of the litter and debris music fans leave behind after the festival.

The annual clean-up at Worthy Farm gets underway almost as soon as the final headliner  in this case R&B star SZA  ends their set on the Pyramid Stage, and continues after revellers have left the site.

The cleanup is extremely important, Will McCullum, co-executive director of Greenpeace, told The Independent. The crew stay on for weeks until literally every last trace is picked up.

Its incredibly serious because its a working farm, you cant have a trace of a festival with a working farm. Its just impossible.

Volunteer Matt, 31, said the clean-up can go on for about six days comprising two or three different teams.

Theres a shift I probably wouldnt want to do, which is a fine-tooth comb, picking up really small bits. I heard rumours they have a tractor that picks things up with a metal detector.

open image in gallery Litter pickers get to work on Monday morning by the Pyramid Stage ( PA )

A mix of volunteers and hired hands to remove any trace of the festival, using a system of separating the waste as much as possible so that it can be properly composted and recycled.

The debris left behind can include anything from cups and cans to food boxes, camping equipment and lost phones or sets of keys.

open image in gallery Festival-goers sit amongst rubbish on the third day of the festival ( EPA )

Despite the enormous scale of the job, those working for the clean-up generally aim to have finished most of it by Monday afternoon.

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For years, Glastonbury has endeavoured to encourage attendees to help protect the environment, tackle waste and reduce its carbon footprint.

The sale of plastic bottles was banned by organisers in 2019; only compostable or reusable plates, cutlery and drinking straws are permitted.

Glastonbury is also estimated to compost more food waste than the national average, while around half of the waste it produces is either reused or recycled.

Last year, organisers also asked ticket-holders not to bring disposable vapes on to the site, as they pollute the environment and can be hazardous at waste centres.

During the festival, different stages hosted talks about the climate crisis and other environmental issues.

open image in gallery A mix of volunteers and paid workers take on the cleanup job ( PA )

McCullum told The Independent that he was frustrated by political leaders batting away questions about climate change during televised debates.

I saw the prime minister answer by saying, Green will raise your bills. That is the only answer that they have, and that is deeply depressing, he said.

He added: People understand that climate change is happening. They understand because their town has flooded, they understand because theres been a heatwave, or because theyve got relatives living in other countries where there are far more severe climate impacts.

open image in gallery Seagulls fly overhead the litter-strewn field by the festivals Pyramid Stage on Monday morning before the cleanup ( AFP/Getty )

But what they dont realise is that, if politicians dont do something about it, this isnt going to change  its only going to get worse.

McCullum said that the more festivals encourage their guests to think about their environment, inspiring them instead of promoting festivals as escapism, the more hopeful and inspired people feel when they leave the site.

Then they can go on to more activism, or to better choices, he said.
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SZA made sure to take care of fans who needed help in the crowd at her Glastonbury set on the festivals Pyramid Stage.

The R&B star, 34, closed the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset on Sunday night (30 June), following headline sets from Dua Lipa and Coldplay on Friday and Saturday.

During her performance, SZA noticed festival goers who were in distress in the crowd and paused her set to check in on them.

Dressed in a fairy costume, she went down to the barrier and made sure festival security workers knew where to go to help the people in need.

Theyre on their way, she reassuringly told fans who were looking for staff.

The Kill Bill hitmaker continued her set with a smile once she knew any problems in the audience were resolved and told festival goers, Happy Pride.

SZAs Glastonbury debut clashed with other big artists on the lineup, including Justice on the West Holts stage, James Blake on Woodsies, London Grammar on Park Stage and The National on Other Stage.

SZA closed Glastonbury 2024 with a headline set on the Pyramid Stage ( Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP )

Amid compact crowds at the Pyramid Stages barrier during SZAs performance, The Independents Louis Chilton reported a surprising number of people leaving the Worthy farm festival site ahead of her set, presumably in an attempt to beat traffic.

Some festival-goers even questioned the decision to make her a headline artist, with many claiming they had never heard of her before she was announced on the line up.

One person on X/Twitter voiced their confusion, saying, Ive looked up SZA on Spotify, shes got 70.5 mill followers and one of her songs has been streamed 1.9 billion times, I am clearly in a minority, Ive never heard her or even of her.

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SZA began her music career in 2011, after co-writing hits including Consideration for Rihannas 2016 album Anti.

The musician gained further recognition in 2017 for her critically adored debut studio album Ctrl. Her next album, SOS, topped the Billboard 200 chart and won the 2024 Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album, also leading to four sold-out shows at the O2 Arena in London last year.
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A few weeks ago, the cast and crew of House of the Dragon assembled in Leicester Square, dressed to the nines despite the driving London rain. It was the sort of premiere usually reserved for a blockbuster movie  a Star Wars, say, or a big-budget vehicle for one of Hollywoods trio of Chrises  but the hype, at least among the shows staff, seemed palpable. Is this going to be all-out war? the nights compere, Sue Perkins, asked the shows creator, Ryan Condal. Well, he replied temperately, its more about the preparation for war. The audiences sigh was visceral.

Condal, we now know, was true to his word, because House of the Dragons second season has begun to feel like a stopgap. And the latest episode  The Burning Mill  is emblematic of this: the narrative was scarcely progressed at all, the action deferred to inconsequential, verbose exchanges culminating in a scene so preposterous it will shake the already limited trust of the shows fans.

This was a criticism routinely levelled at a late-stage, terminal Game of Thrones. Journeys that had once been painstakingly endured over several episodes, reinforcing the medieval verisimilitude, suddenly occurred in a single cut. George RR Martins meticulous plotting was replaced by ludicrous sequences  like the much-maligned season seven episode in which an Avengers-style supergroup head north of the wall on a zombienapping adventure  that seemed to come from a different show. The third episode of this new series climaxed with a scene in which exiled Princess Rhaenyra (Emma DArcy) sneaks back into Kings Landing, dressed as a nun, to powwow with former bestie Alicent (Olivia Cooke). Its too late, Rhaenyra, Alicent hisses, as the two women fail to make peace.

But is it too late for this Westerosi prequel, too? Its worrying that House of the Dragon seems to be taking the wrong lessons from Thrones ignominious ending. Take last weeks battle of the twins  Ser Erryk vs Ser Arryk  which evoked the much-hyped, but hugely underwhelming, Cleganebowl from Thrones penultimate episode. There, The Hound and his brother, The Mountain, both went out in a blaze of silliness. But at least those characters were long-established fan favourites; Cargyll twins, we hardly knew ye. Showrunner Condal  whose pre-Dragon credits included dodgy Dwayne The Rock Johnson vehicles Hercules and Rampage  has been gifted the opportunity to undo the damage done by DB Weiss and David Benioff. But at present, he looks to be squandering it.

The problem with House of Dragon is not the absence of bloody set-piece battles, nor the restraint in deploying its airborne howitzers. After all, at its best, Game of Thrones was an exercise in delayed gratification, and often implicit carnage (think of the Battle on the Green Fork, which happens almost entirely off screen). But the chessboard at the start of Game of Thrones was in its opening position; the gambit arriving only when Ned Stark was sent to Kings Landing. With House of the Dragon, we find ourselves already in a civil war, a state of zugzwang where each move is disastrous for its participants. We are not seeing the whole game unfolding for us, and with things already so finely poised, each check feels wilful, almost spiteful.

Even victory might be so bloody as to be counted a loss, Rhaenyra warns Alicent. This episode was full of foreshadowing. Daemon (Matt Smith) arrives in Harrenhal to visitations that tell him he will die there, while Rhaenyra prophesies the pyrrhic victory the whole series has been building towards. But its all well and good to insinuate the violence  the drama  to come. The question is how to make these episodes, as the pawns make their slow march across the board, emotionally valuable and narratively worthwhile. At the moment, House of the Dragon feels trapped. Characters constantly refer to the coming war  Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) almost heads off to the Riverlands, and Baela (Bethany Antonia) almost turns Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) into a barbecue  but the moment never comes. And in that suggestive void, Condal seems unable to confect any real stakes.

open image in gallery Olivia Cooke as Alicent in House of the Dragon' ( HBO )

It seems clear at this point, as we enter the middle run of this second season, that we will have to wait until the trilogys closing third season for the true Dance of Dragons to begin. But House of the Dragon would do well to remember that all the flying lizards, ice zombies, and internecine politicking of A Song of Ice and Fire serve only one master: human drama. All-out war comes in many forms, and the absence of explosive visuals shouldnt preclude emotional fireworks.
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Comedian and former late-night host Amber Ruffin used the final day of Pride Month to come out as queer.

In what will come as a shock to exactly zero people, Im using the last day of PRIDE to come out! she wrote on Instagram on Sunday (June 30), alongside a carousel of pictures, including one of her wearing a tank top with the word queer written in rainbow lettering.

Be proud of who you are, little babies! I know I am! she added, quipping: And I cant wait to be discriminated against for a new reason!!

Ruffin, 45, was met with an outpouring of love by fans and fellow celebrities in the posts comment section.

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who came out as bisexual in 2022, said: Welcome baby love!! bathrooms are to the left, refreshments to the right, grab a chair. The DJ takes requests.

You are loved and seen and appreciated!!! Master of None actor Lena Waithe added.

Welcome home Amber!! Our team just keeps getting hotter and smarter!! Happy Pride, dear one, One Tree Hill star Sofia Bush, who came out as queer in April, commented.

Author and Everythings Trash alum Phoebe Robinson wrote: Happy pride, my love!!!

Yay!! Happy Pride, love!! I hope you feel so loved and supported!Queer Eyes Tan France said.

Ruffin is a longtime writer for NBCs Late Night with Seth Meyers. She previously hosted her own three-season late-night talk show, The Amber Ruffin Show, which ran from 2021 to 2022 on Peacock.

Her latest work includes writing the revised book for the current Broadway revival of The Wiz, starring Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox and newcomer Nichelle Lewis.

She was previously married to Dutch painter Jan Schiltmeijer for 13 years, before their divorce in 2023.

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Last week, Meryl Streeps daughter, The Gilded Ages Louisa Jacobson, also came out as queer in a joyful Pride post.

Blessed to be entering the Joyful New Era bb, she wrote on Instagram with a flaming red heart emoji and a Pride flag emoji. In the post, Jacobson shared a selfie of her and her girlfriend Anna Blundell.
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Pip, 17, is the sort of teenager who has never given her parents cause to worry. She doesnt drink, seems physically incapable of telling even the whitest of lies, and spends her spare time ranking Cambridge colleges based on their acceptance rates and famous alumni. In fact, its only the prospect of gaining some extra Ucas points that drags her into the messy business of investigating a killing in A Good Girls Guide to Murder, the BBCs likeable, absorbing drama based on Holly Jacksons bestselling young adult novel.

This must surely be the only mystery story that uses the Extended Project Qualification  essentially an add-on where A-level students write a mini-dissertation about a chosen subject  as a plot device. Pip, played by Wednesday star Emma Myers, decides to ditch her initial idea of writing about Gothic novels in favour of diving into the disappearance and presumed death of Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies). Andie was a popular older pupil at Pips school who went missing five years ago; her boyfriend Sal (Rahul Pattni) seemed to confess to her murder shortly afterwards, then died by suicide.

These two deaths still haunt the sleepy countryside town of Little Kilton  all thatched cottages and rows of pastel-painted shop fronts. Pips thesis is that good guys dont kill people, and Sal, she believes, was very much a good guy. Soon, she turns her bedroom wall into an evidence board covered in Instagram print-outs connected by red string, and recruits Sals younger brother Ravi (Zain Iqbal) as her fellow detective. Her mum and dad arent exactly thrilled. Anna Maxwell Martin and Gary Beadle are a delight here as the parents, bringing comic relief and, later, some emotional heft.

Pips investigation style  and in fact her character as a whole  grates a little as the series opens. She has a bracingly direct approach when it comes to interrogating her potential suspects about the case, which verges on self-righteousness. Sometimes she seems to view the case as a puzzle to be solved, an intellectual exercise rather than an awful tragedy. But as the episodes go on, she grows in self-awareness (and Myers performance becomes less mannered, more empathetic), and makes enough mistakes of her own that she stops seeing the case in such black and white terms.

open image in gallery Soon Pip has turned her bedroom wall into an investigation board as she attempts to find the killer ( BBC/Moonage Pictures/Sally Mais )

As Pip gets deeper and deeper into the case, the series takes us on a whirlwind tour of teen mystery drama tropes. Theres the spooky camping trip in a desolate wood, an attempt to speak to spirits using a very rudimentary take on an Ouija board, and even a touch of Skins-style bacchanalia when she and her friends attend a secret party in a cave (the latter feels a little bit like a CBBC version of Euphoria, with Pip improbably quizzing an allegedly dangerous drug dealer about his operations).

But although some of these component parts might feel familiar, the story is pacily told and filled with enough twists to make A Good Girls Guide to Murder moreish viewing. Think The Famous Five meets Pretty Little Liars, as told by Agatha Christie: its a combination that shouldnt really work on paper, but will have you hooked all the same.
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North Korea on Monday fired two ballistic missiles but one possibly blew up during an irregular flight, the South Korea military said, just a day after Pynongyang vowed to respond to joint military drills carried out by the US, Japan and South Korea.

The missiles were launched about 10 minutes apart in a northeasterly direction from the town of Jangyon in the countrys southeast, the South Korean military said.

The first missile flew about 600km and the second 120km, the military claimed, but didn't say where they landed.

North Korea typically fires missiles towards its eastern waters but the second missile's flight distance was too short to reach the sea as it possibly suffered an abnormal initial stage flight and blew up, raining debris inland.

Its trajectory meant the second missile may have fallen in an area close to the North's capital, Pyongyang, but the South's military spokesperson, Lee Sung-joon, said the launches were still under investigation.

The Souths military condemned the launches and said it was ready to repel any provocations by the North in conjunction with its chief military ally, the US.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's missile launch as a provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean peninsula," the military said, adding that it shared information on the missiles with the US and Japan.

"The South Korean military will maintain its capacity and posture to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation while closely monitoring North Korea's various activities under a strong South Korea-US joint defence posture."

The missile launches by the North apparently came in response to a US-Japan-South Korea multidomain exercise in the region.

In recent years, the three countries have been expanding their trilateral security partnership to better cope with the Norths evolving nuclear threats and China's increasing assertiveness in the region.

The "Freedom Edge" drill was meant to improve upon previous exercises with simultaneous air and naval drills geared towards improving joint ballistic-missile defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and other skills and capabilities.

North Korea denounced the drill, calling the trilateral partnership an Asian version of Nato.

Its foreign ministry said the drill openly destroyed the security environment on the Korean peninsula and contained a US intention to lay siege to China and exert pressure on Russia.

The statement said North Korea will "firmly defend the sovereignty, security and interests of the state and peace in the region through offensive and overwhelming countermeasures".

Mondays was likely the second failed missile launch by the North in five days. South Korea's military said the North fired what appeared to be a hypersonic missile on Wednesday but it spiralled out of control and exploded.

The first missile fired on Monday appeared to be similar to the KN-23 ballistic missile, which is believed to have been used by Russia in Ukraine.

North Korea is suspected of supplying ballistic missiles and artillery shells to Russia. Both nations have denied this despite pledges of military cooperation and a recently signed deal that includes promises of mutual military support.
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North Korea publicly executed a 22-year-old citizen for listening to and sharing K-pop music and films, according to South Korea.

The man from the Hermit Kingdom's South Hwanghae province was publicly executed in 2022 for listening to 70 South Korean songs, watching three films, and distributing them, according to testimonies published in the North Korean Human Rights report released by the South's unification ministry on Thursday.

The report  a compilation of testimonies from 649 North Korean defectors  highlights Pyongyang's brutal crackdown on Western influence and information flow into the isolated country.

The ban on K-pop to shield citizens from the "malign influence" of Western culture was further tightened under a new law that the North adopted in 2020, which prohibits "reactionary ideology and culture.

The North has rejected criticisms of the government's grave violation of human rights, calling it a part of a conspiracy to overthrow the leadership.

Other reactionary practices that are punished include perceived South Korean customs such as brides wearing white dresses, grooms carrying the bride, sunglasses, and drinking alcohol from wine glasses.

According to the report, North Koreans are routinely subjected to mobile phone inspections for contact name spellings, expressions, and slang terms.

"The government does not tolerate pluralism, bans independent media, civil society organisations and trade unions, and systematically denies all basic liberties, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and freedom of religion and belief," Human Rights Watch said about North Korea in their world report in 2023.

One of the defectors, a woman in her early 20s, said the "speed of South Korean culture influencing North Korea is seriously fast. Young people follow and copy South Korean culture, and they really love anything South Korean".

After watching Korean dramas, many young people wonder, Why do we have to live like this?  I thought Id rather die than live in North Korea, she was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

Of course, we cannot say anything bad against Kim Jong-un publicly, but among close friends, lovers or family members, we do say those words, she added.

In the past, North Korea has held executions in villages and prison camps where crowds could gather, according to right groups.

But it had increasingly avoided executions in heavily populated residential areas, where authorities had difficulty keeping track of those attending. It has also stopped holding executions near its borders and at facilities that can be easily monitored by satellites.

The South on Tuesday threatened to restart anti-Pyongyang frontline propaganda broadcasts in the latest bout of Cold War-style campaigns between the rivals after North Korea resumed its trash-carrying balloon launches.

North Korea has floated huge balloons carrying plastic bags of rubbish across the border in its fifth such campaign since late May  an apparent response to South Korean activists flying political leaflets via balloons.

The two Koreas are still technically at war since an armistice ended the 1950-1953 Korean War, not a peace treaty.
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Japan hiked the entry fees and restricted the number of visitors to tackle overcrowding on Mount Fuji as the climbing season kicked off on Monday.

The iconic mountain, Japans highest, has attracted record numbers of tourists in recent years, leading to complaints about overcrowding, pollution and unruly behaviour.

The number of climbers recovered to the pre-pandemic level last year, with about 300,000 going up, the environment ministry said.

This season, no more than 4,000 visitors will be allowed to climb the mountain each day and each will be charged a fee of 2,000 yen (9.8), nearly twice the rate last year.

The new policy kicked in 90 minutes before sunrise on Monday as a newly installed gate opened halfway up the 3,776-metre-high peak.

"I think Mount Fuji will be very happy if everyone is more conscious about the environment and things like taking rubbish home with them," said Sachiko Kan, 61, one of about 1,200 hikers on the first day of the new season.

"This is not Disneyland," said Geoffrey Kula, an overseas climber from Boston. "Having some sort of access control system to limit the amount of potential chaos is good."

Hikers walk out from the newly installed gate at Fuji Subaru Line 5th station on their way to Mount Fuji on the first day of the new climbing season at Narusawa in Yamanashi prefecture ( AFP via Getty )

Climbers will be given wristbands to access the climbing trail from 3am to 4pm, authorities said.

But visitors staying in mountain huts closer to the peak wont be subjected to the daily limit, they added.

Hikers typically start in the wee hours to make it to the top in time for sunrise.

Hikers walk past the administration centre of Fuji Subaru Line 5th station at Narusawa in Yamanashi prefecture ( AFP via Getty )

Supporting the new measures, Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki said last month that they were necessary to prevent accidents and incidents of altitude sickness, particularly among foreign "bullet climbers", or those who race up to the top.

Japan should focus on attracting "higher spending visitors" over sheer numbers of people, he added.

The climbing season lasts until 10 September.

It can get extremely cold on the mountain even in summer and going up with proper climbing gear, boots and clothing is crucial. Trekkers are also at risk of altitude sickness if they ascend too quickly.

At least four people were found dead on Mount Fuji last week, prompting a warning against scaling it before the climbing season began.

Three people were found in a state of cardiac arrest inside a crater on the summit of the mountain while a fourth died after collapsing on the north side.

A tourist poses in front of the gate of a national park near the Fuji Subaru Line 5th station, which leads to the Yoshida trail for hikers climbing Mount Fuji ( AFP via Getty )

An active stratovolcano whose last eruption was in 1707, Mount Fuji has been a site of Shinto and Buddhist worship for centuries.

Mount Fuji attracts millions of people to Japan every year.

The town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi recently erected a large black screen along a pavement to block a popular view of Mount Fuji to discourage photo-taking crowds.
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A controversial spiritual leader in Nepal known as Buddha Boy has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term on Monday for sexually assaulting a minor, court officials said.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan  believed by some to be the reincarnation of the founder of Buddhism  was also ordered to pay $3,700 in compensation to the victim by a judge at the Sarlahi District Court in southern Nepal.

The man will have 70 days to appeal against the court order, court official Sadan Adhikari said.

Police arrested Bomjan from a suburb in Nepal's capital Kathmandu in January on charges of sexual assault and suspicion of involvement in the disappearance of at least four of his followers.

Nepalese banknotes worth $227,000 and other foreign currencies amounting to $23,000 were seized from him at the time of the arrest, police said.

Last week the court found him guilty of sexually assaulting an underage girl.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan, center in white, is surrounded by Buddhist monks in Nijgadh town, south of Katmandu, Nepal ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The charges related to the disappearances of his followers are still pending trial.

Bamjan is believed by many Nepalese to be the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in southwestern Nepal some 2,600 years ago and became revered as the Buddha. Buddhist scholars have been skeptical of Bamjans claims.

Bamjan became famous in southern Nepal in 2005.

His popularity has declined amid accusations of sexual and physical assaults on his followers, but he still maintains camps in southern Nepal where thousands come to worship or live.
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Five Sri Lankan fishermen have died after drinking unknown liquids from bottles they found adrift in the sea, the South Asian nations navy said.

A group of six fishermen had sailed from the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour on a multiday trip and found the bottles floating nearly 320 nautical miles (592.64km) off the coast of Sri Lanka. They thought the bottles contained alcohol and consumed the contents, navy spokesperson Gayan Wickramasuriya said.

Four of them died shortly after drinking the liquids while another succumbed on Sunday. The sixth person took critically ill and was later evacuated to a Singaporean merchant vessel, MV Kota Camil, for treatment.

The navy dispatched a ship, SLNS Vijayabahu, with a medical team to provide medical aid and facilitate the safe return of the survivor. Mr Wickramasuriya said necessary steps were being taken for the Singaporean vessel to transfer the fisherman to SLNS Vijayabahu at sea.

The fishermen had distributed some of the bottles they found to nearby fishing trawlers, said Susantha Kahawatte, director general of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the authorities were trying to notify them against consuming the unknown liquids.

The victims were on a multiday fishing voyage aboard a trawler called Devon 5 and had set sail on 4 June. The trawler was being towed back to shore by another vessel.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan navy arrested 25 Indian fishermen and seized their four country boats during the early hours of Monday for allegedly violating the countrys maritime boundary.

In a similar operation last month, the island nations navy arrested 22 fishermen from Indias Tamil Nadu state and seized their mechanised boats.

In recent years, disagreements over fishing rights have heightened tensions between India and Sri Lanka, with Colombo arresting more than 240 Indian fishermen in 2023 alone.
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The Taliban asked Western leaders to look past its harsh edicts on Afghan women, including banning them from education and working, as they reached Doha for the first ever dialogue with the international community on Sunday.

Amid mounting criticism of its exclusion of Afghan women at the talks, the Taliban urged that the harsh conditions it has set in the country be overlooked for the sake of improving foreign relations at the contentious UN-sponsored talks.

The Taliban has repeatedly ignored concerns of the international community about violations of human rights in Afghanistan, especially of women and minorities. It is seeking restoration of ties and economic status without allowing women to be a part of its economy.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the Talibans chief spokesperson, is leading the two-day talks in Qatar which the middle-eastern nation says is an important opportunity for meaningful dialogue to address the challenges gripping war-torn Afghanistan.

There has been widespread condemnation of the UN-led dialogue for eliminating the most affected part of the Afghan population under the hardline Islamist regime.

Mr Mujahid claimed that the Taliban is upholding certain religious and cultural values, along with public aspirations, that must be acknowledged to facilitate progressive bilateral relations instead of the disputes between the group and the international community.

open image in gallery Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government speaks with Uzbekistan Presidential Envoy to Afghanistan Ismatullah Irgashev in Doha, Qatar ( AP )

Several womens rights groups and activists condemned the talks.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai said she was alarmed and disappointed that the Taliban were invited to meet UN special envoys while Afghan women and rights defenders were excluded from the main conversation.

Convening the meeting without Afghan women sent all the wrong signals that the world was willing to accommodate the Talibans demands. She added that what the Taliban were doing in Afghanistan amounted to gender apartheid.

Rsearcher Farkhondeh Akbari said: Doha III is diplomacy of gender apartheid. Discussing womens rights under Taliban regime without the presence of women perpetuates the apartheid policies. It should never be repeated. Diplomats are aware of the problems with exclusion & should adopt a principled approach.

I do not deny that some countries may have problems with some measures of the Islamic Emirate, Mr Mujahid said in his speech. I think that policy differences amid states are natural, and it is the duty of experienced diplomats to find ways of interaction and understanding rather than confrontation.

The Talibans rule in Afghanistan has erased nearly 50 million women from public spaces amid ban of girls and women from education, schools, colleges and workplaces. Women in the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are not allowed to travel without a male guardian (mehram) such as a husband or a father.

Mr Mujahid insisted the Western leaders increase their engagement with the Taliban-ruled administration in Kabul and to have a more coordinated response to the countrys issue.

The Talibans caretaker regime has not been officially recognised by any country despite its multiple attempts. The UN has said the Taliban regime will remain unrecognised till its ban on female education and employment is not struck down.

Pointing to its growing ties in Central Asia, Mr Mujahid said the Talibans status as a prohibited group due its terrorist activities has already been removed by Kazakhstan. Its other ally Russia is set to follow the trend, he said and added that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in reopening its embassy in Kabul.

He pushed for the economic sanctions by the West on the Taliban leaders to be removed and asked for the unfreezing of reserves worth billions in the countrys central bank. Stating the objectives from the Talibans side, he said: First, the removal of all restrictions and sanctions, as well as the annulment of previous resolutions that have created significant barriers for Afghanistans private sector.

Second, the unfreezing of all foreign reserves of Da Afghanistan Bank, which are the legitimate property of the Afghan people, he said. The total international reserves in the Afghan central bank are estimated to be around $9.5bn (7.5bn), according to a June 2021 DAB financial statement.

The ultra fundamentalists, who took over Kabul from US and Nato forces in August 2021, has rejected criticism of their treatment of Afghan women and girls, calling it interference. It had initially claimed to rule Afghanistan with a moderate rule but has repeated its diktats from the 1990s, including a ban on women from entering salons, national parks, public spaces and gyms.

This was the third such UN-sponsored gathering in Doha on the way forward for Afghanistan, which has been battered by unprecedented floods and droughts on top of an economic crisis and humanitarian crisis. Afghan women and children have been worst hit in multiple floods, droughts and earthquakes as they have remained indoors.

In the last such discussion in February this year, the Taliban pulled out at the last minute citing the presence of civil rights groups in the talks. They were not invited to the first meeting.

Last week, the UNs top official, Roza Otubayeva, said that the countrys needs economically need to be met and the talks will not fail to include Afghan women as the delegates will remind the Taliban to include them at the table. She insisted that demands for womens rights are certain to be raised.

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.
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A humpback whale tangled up in 800kg of fishing equipment was freed following a rescue operation off the Gippsland coast in Australia.

The whale was first seen entangled in ropes and buoys on 23 June by a commercial helicopter near Loch Sport in Central Gippsland.

The mammal disappeared until Friday when a multi-agency rescue team spotted it again and attached a tracker so they would not lose it again.

open image in gallery Whale was tangled up with ropes and buoys ( Deeca Gippsland )

The heavy ropes and fishing equipment had severely restricted the whales ability to swim.

The whale was in good spirits after the rescue team managed to cut 185 of the 200m of rope on Saturday, said Ellen Dwyer of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

She said it was difficult to approach the animal from a close distance as it was moving around a fair bit.

open image in gallery A rescue operation helped the whale return to safety ( Deeca Gippsland )

Victoria police said they used a crane to lift the heavy fishing tackle out of the water to ensure it did not become a hazard for any vessels or marine life.

Inspector James Dalton of Victorias water police said the whale appeared in distress and the search was unlike any they had undertaken before.

The whale was so tightly tangled in the ropes and it wasnt travelling very far so we knew it was in real distress, he said.

open image in gallery Rescuers cut 800kg of ropes and buoys from the whale ( Victoria Police )

To safely cut the ropes away, we needed to return the following day to ensure we could successfully remove enough of the rope that it could swim freely again. This was a huge team effort and were so happy that it had a great outcome.

Ms Dwyer said they were pleased that they were able to successfully remove a significant amount of weight and rope from the whale.
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Alcohol may be a big part of how many people socialise and celebrate, but it can have a negative impact on our lives in a range of ways, as Alcohol Awareness Week (July 1-7), coordinated by Alcohol Change UK, highlights.

However, while some of the dangers associated with excessive drinking are obvious, what about the quieter or more surprising ways alcohol could be affecting your health?

Not only is blurred vision one of the main side effects, but drinking can also cause symptoms associated with dry eye, says Stephen Hannan, clinical services director at Optical Express.

These can include red eyes as a result of swollen blood vessels in the eyes, otherwise known as a bloodshot look, itchiness, irritation or discomfort, and fluctuation in vision.

Although these are only minor issues, long-term alcohol abuse can actually permanently damage the optic nerves within our eyes, which are the connections responsible for sending visual information from the eyes to the brain, Hannan adds.

Cutting out alcohol, or drinking less, will allow your body to over time reverse and put the brakes on many of the short and long-term effects of drinking. For example, after just 24 hours of no alcohol, your blood sugar levels will normalise and blurred vision caused by alcohol intake will disappear.

open image in gallery (Alamy/PA)

Impaired immunity

Carolina Goncalves, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmica, says: Short-term alcohol consumption can hinder the activity of immune cells such as macrophages, T-cells, and B-cells, which are essential for identifying and combating pathogens. This impairment increases the bodys susceptibility to infections and diseases.

Moreover, alcohol immediately affects the gastrointestinal system, the first point of contact before entering the bloodstream. The gut microbiome, a community of microorganisms aiding in gut function and immune system maturation, is altered by alcohol.

open image in gallery (Alamy/PA)

Research shows that alcohol disrupts communication between gut microbes and the intestinal immune system, she explains. It also damages epithelial cells, T-cells, and neutrophils in the GI tract, compromising the gut barrier and allowing microbes to leak into the bloodstream.

Finally, alcohol can impact cytokine production (proteins which control inflammation), leading to an imbalanced immune response.

Menstrual cycle changes

Goncalves adds: More research has found that the ethanol in alcohol can disrupt how the pituitary gland, which produces hormones, interacts with the hypothalamus, the region of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, and the ovaries. These interactions are collectively referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

Alcohol consumption can disrupt the secretion of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both of which are part of the HPG axis. This can impact the maturation of ovarian follicles and how ovulation is triggered, resulting in hormonal and physiological changes that may cause irregularities in menstrual cycles.

Fertility problems

Dr David McLaughlan, consultant psychiatrist specialising in addiction treatment at Priory Hospital Roehampton, and co-founder of Curb, an addictive behaviour change app, says: Excess alcohol reduces testosterone production in men, as well as disrupting other hormones which in turn damages the number and quality of sperm produced by men.

In women, alcohol disrupts ovulation and implantation of the fertilised egg. A recent study by The University of Louisville showed that even a moderate alcohol intake of just three to six alcoholic drinks per week reduced the chance of falling pregnant by 44%.

Cancer risk

While cancer can potentially affect anyone and isnt always preventable, McLaughlan also notes that alcohol is a known risk factor for the disease.

People might be surprised to learn that 10% of all breast cancers are attributable to consumption of alcohol, which is one of the primary risk factors for developing the cancer, even at low volumes of consumption, he says.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer declared alcohol a group 1 carcinogen, which puts it in the same class as tobacco, radiation and asbestos.

Absorption and blood issues

Long term alcohol use also impairs absorption of vitamin B and folate, which is necessary for healthy red blood cells.

Excess alcohol [can cause] macrocytic anaemia, where the red blood cells are enlarged but ineffective and break down quicker than healthy red blood cells, says McLaughlan. Symptoms can include tiredness, loss of balance, pins and needles, mood disturbance and stomach upsets.

Low mood and anxiety

open image in gallery (Alamy/PA)

Alcohol is a depressant that can initially produce a calming effect. However, as Lisa Gunn, mental health prevention lead at Nuffield Health, explains: When this wears off, we typically see a rebound effect where anxiety levels spike. This is partly because alcohol disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters and chemical messengers in the brain.

There is also a social aspect to this. When we drink, we become inebriated and carefree, which can cause us to say and do things we wouldnt do when were sober. If we go into blackout (periods of alcohol-induced memory loss) during a period of acute intoxication, we are even more likely to wake up with feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, and dread.

Raised blood pressure

Nathan Penman, clinical manager at Nuffield Health, explains drinking alcohol can affect blood vessel too.

This can cause them to become narrower. When your blood vessels are narrower, the heart has to work harder to push blood around your body, increasing your blood pressure, says Penman. High blood pressure can increase the risk of developing heart disease, making it more likely that a person would experience a heart attack or stroke.

Sex drive changes

Alcohol may initially have a bolstering effect on hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and testosterone, which can seemingly boost our sex drive. However, over time, these levels will reduce, which lowers the amount of sexual drive a person will experience and could potentially lead to incidences of depression or anxiety, adds Penman.
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Fans have praised US First Lady Jill Bidens third cover for Vogue.

On July 1, Dr. Biden made her third appearance in Vogue as the cover star for the magazines August 2024 issue. Although she appeared on the cover of the digital Winter 2023 issue  alongside granddaughter Naomi Biden, who posed in her wedding dress  her first solo cover for Vogue was in August 2021, a few months after her husband Joe Biden began his term as US president.

In her latest photoshoot for Vogue, Dr. Biden opted for a silk, white tuxedo dress with matching buttons. She also posed with blue earrings, a gold ring, and wore pink lipstick.

On X, formerly Twitter, many fans applauded Dr. Bidens appearance on the latest cover of Vogue.

Elegant, one user wrote, while another added: She looks great.

My god she is stunning, a third person said. Her inner beauty shines through.

Others praised her outfit for the occasion, with one writing, This suit, along with three fire emojis.

In addition to the white tuxedo dress, the photoshoot also featured Dr. Biden wearing a navy blue Michael Kors shirt, paired with light blue earrings.

In her interview with Vogue, which took place earlier this year, Dr. Biden briefly opened up about her personal life. The publication noted that the photoshoot, which took place in April, was meant to be taken at her SoulCycle class. However, the plan ultimately shifted with the photoshoot being held at her home in Wilmington, Delaware, so she could spend some quality time with her husband.

Its not that often Joe and I get to have a whole morning together, just coffee, you know, talking, she explained.

In an editors note, Vogue addressed Joe Bidens debate with Donald Trump on June 27, as the televised event led to viewers thinking that the current president should not be the Democratic Partys 2024 presidential nominee.

When Vogue contacted Dr. Biden about the debate on June 30, she said that she and her husband will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president.

We will continue to fight, she said, before noting that her husband will always do whats best for the country.

On Sunday, the 81-year-old president met with his family at Camp David in Maryland to discuss his political future in the wake of his frail, confused appearance in Atlanta last week, which only heightened doubts about his cognitive ability and sparked calls for him to drop out of the race for the White House.

Bidens family reportedly encouraged him to stay the course as he spent Sunday with his wife, his children, and grandchildren, with the possibility of firing campaign advisers said to have been discussed.
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John OKeefe s title was Boston police officer, but to those who loved him, he was Johnny, J-J or affectionately, the Godfather. His girlfriend once called him the patron saint of Canton.

That girlfriend, Karen Read, is now on trial, accused of killing OKeefe in a case that has attracted national attention and called into question the integrity of a wide swath of Massachusetts' law enforcement community and even some of O'Keefe's friends.

Born and raised in suburban Braintree, OKeefe graduated from Northeastern University and earned a masters in criminal justice from the University of Massachusetts. He was 46 at the time of his death, and had been a Boston police officer for 16 years.

For much of that time, OKeefe also had been raising his niece and nephew in Canton after his sister and her husband died just months apart. He also lost his best friend, fellow Boston Officer Pat Rogers, to suicide. Rogers girlfriend was pregnant at the time, and OKeefe quickly stepped up to support her as well, acting as godfather to her son.

He was the first person in my delivery room after I gave birth, Laura Sullivan testified during the trial, describing OKeefe as a constant presence in her sons life.

Other witnesses described OKeefes devotion to his niece and nephew, who called him J-J and were just 6 and 3 when he became their guardian. OKeefes younger brother, Paul, was the first witness called by the prosecution. Asked to name his siblings, he struggled to stay composed when naming his late sister and my brother John. Everyone called him Johnny, he said, especially if you were family.

Paul O'Keefe said he had planned to see his brother the day before he died, but they canceled because of a coming snowstorm. Their last communication was in a group text with family members. John OKeefe was excited, he said, because their niece had been accepted to a private high school.
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North Korea launched a ballistic missile off its east coast on Monday, South Korea's military said, a day after the North vowed offensive and overwhelming" responses to protest a new U.S. military drill with South Korea and Japan.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was made on Monday morning, but gave no further details, including how far the weapon traveled.

The launch came two days after South Korea, the U.S. and Japan ended their new multidomain trilateral drills. The Freedom Edge drill drew a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyers, fighter jets and helicopters from the three countries, and the three countries practiced missile defense, anti-submarine and maritime interdiction drills.

On Sunday, North Korea's Foreign Ministry issued a lengthy statement strongly denouncing the U.S., South Korea and Japan over their three-way drill. It called the drill an Asian version of NATO that openly destroys the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and contained a U.S. intention to exert pressure on Russia and lay siege to China.

The North's Foreign Ministry said it will firmly defend the sovereignty, security and interests of the state and peace in the region through offensive and overwhelming countermeasures.

Monday's launch was the North's first weapons firing in five days. Last Wednesday, North Korea launched what it called a multiwarhead missile in the first known launch of a developmental, advanced weapon meant to defeat U.S. and South Korean missile defenses. North Korea said the launch was successful, but South Korea dismissed the Norths claim as deception to cover up a failed launch.

In recent weeks, North Korea has floated numerous trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea in what it has described as a tit-for-tat response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets via their own balloons.

Meanwhile, North Korea opened a key ruling party meeting Friday to determine what it called important, immediate issues related to works to further enhance Korean-style socialism. On the meetings second-day session Saturday, leader Kim Jong Un spoke about some deviations obstructing the countys efforts to improve its economic status and unspecified important tasks for resolving immediate policy issues, North Koreas state media reported Sunday.
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Just two months ago, inspectors warned that HMP Wandsworth was crumbling, overcrowded, vermin-infested  with inexperienced staff struggling to keep tabs on more than 1,500 inmates.

Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, issued an urgent notification for the medium security category B mens prison, calling for intervention to reverse systemic and cultural failures which had caused a shocking decline.

On Monday, Linda De Sousa Abreu appeared in court charged with misconduct in public office after footage emerged allegedly showing a prison officer having sex with an inmate in a cell at the southwest London jail.

The 30-year-old prison officer, from Fulham, was charged following a Metropolitan Police investigation into the alleged video which was posted on social media.

De Sousa Abreu outside Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Monday ( PA )

It is the latest in a string of scandals at the troubled prison, where terror suspect Daniel Khalife allegedly escaped custody in 2023  sparking a nationwide manhunt.

The 22-year-old former member of the Royal Signals is accused of strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery van in an escape bid. He was arrested four days later in Chiswick after he was pulled from a bicycle by a plain clothes counterterrorism officer.

Khalife is due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in October after pleading not guilty to charges over his alleged escape, as well as breaches of the Terrorism Act, Criminal Law Act, and Official Secrets Act.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor issued an urgent notification about HMP Wandsworth in May ( PA )

Despite the alleged incident last year, Mr Taylor noted there were still significant weaknesses in security measures at Wandsworth in a letter to the justice secretary on 8 May.

Wings were chaotic and staff across most units were unable to confirm where all prisoners were during the working day, he warned.

There was no reliable roll that could assure leaders that all prisoners were accounted for.

Daniel Khalife denies escaping from the Category B prison in southwest London ( PA )

His urgent notification letter came after Mr Taylor called for Wandsworth, built in 1851, and other crumbling, overcrowded Victorian prisons to be closed in The Independent last year.

In his latest letter, he said despite 10 self-inflicted deaths since the prisons last inspection in September 2021 and soaring rates of self-harm, around 40% of emergency cell bells were not answered within five minutes.

Almost seven in ten prisoners told inspectors they did not feel safe and more than half said it was easy to get illicit drugs in the prison, where the smell of cannabis was ubiquitous.

Charles Bronson was among the more infamous inmates ( PA )

In the most recent confirmed random drug test results, dating from February 2024, 44 per cent of prisoners tested positive.

The letter said the prison was badly overcrowded with most prisoners locked up for over 22 hours a day.

Living conditions were very poor, cells were cramped and ill-equipped, and the prison was still too dirty, the urgent notification letter continued. The fabric of the buildings and facilities including showers and heating still needed significant investment to bring them up to a decent standard.

Mr Taylor also warned that inexperience across every grade of operational staff was hampering much-needed improvement at the prison.

Staff were not wilfully neglectful, they simply did not understand their role and they lacked direction, training, and consistent support from leaders, he said, adding that there a degree of despondency amongst prisoners he had never come across before as an inspector.

He wrote: For this troubled prison to begin to recover, Wandsworth needs permanent experienced leaders at all levels who are invested in the long-term future of the prison to improve security, safety and guide their less experienced colleagues.

The government had 28 days to respond to Mr Taylors urgent notification warning, but the publication of their response has been delayed due to the pre-election period.
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Spanish police have been urged to accept help from British investigators in the hunt for Jay Slater in Tenerife, as a former police officer warned: Things just dont add up.

Policing expert Graham Wettone, who was in the Metropolitan Police for 30 years, said he has been pouring over the evidence in the hunt for the missing 19-year-old. He believes there were too many inconsistencies in the mystery of his disappearance and called for detectives to look more closely at the days before he vanished.

The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, vanished in Tenerife on the morning of 17 June after attending a dance music festival. He has not been seen since he was driven to an isolated AirBnB by two Britons where he spent the night following an after party in the Playa de las Americas resort.

Firefighters were involved in the search for Jay Slater (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

He is thought to have tried to make his way back to his holiday accommodation - an 11-hour walk away. But at around 8.50am he made a desperate call to his friend Lucy saying he was lost in the middle of nowhere and had just one per cent battery on his phone.

Helicopters, drones and dogs have since been combing the island for clues amid fears he may have wandered into the mountains, but the Spanish Guardia Civil announced they were calling off the search on Sunday.

However, Mr Wettone thinks police should take another look at the case and consider accepting an offer of help from Lancashire Police, where Jay lives.

A poster appealing for information about teenager Jay Slater, who went missing in Tenerife, featuring a family photo of him and a map showing where he was last seen ( PA Media )

The former police officer told Mail Online: There are so many inconsistencies in what I am seeing and reading. I think the Spanish police need to take a step back and think Why did he go missing where he did and in what circumstances?

They seem to be focusing primarily on the fact that they were told he wandered off into the mountain, but we are now [three] weeks in, and nothing has been found up there. I would even go back further to the days leading up to his disappearance, have they checked his bank accounts for anything untoward in the hours before he went missing.

Were there any patterns forming that would point to him going wandering off but the fact he is said to have done that just doesnt square with me. Was there anything sinister and untoward there, that would have made him go off with these two men, is there anything in his past that needs looking at more fully.

He said that is where assistance from Lancashire police would have been vital, as they have the resources to carefully examine his background.

Jay Slaters friend has said he could tell the teenager went off the road during one of his last phone calls ( This Morning )

Spanish police spoke to the two men said to have rented the AirBnB where the 19-year-old spent the night but they were later ruled not relevant to the case, according to reports.

Mr Slaters heartbroken family is understood to be determined to continue hunting for him after a Guardia Civil spokesperson revealed on Sunday that the search operation was over, although the case remains open.

On Friday, Mr Slaters friend Brad Hargreaves told ITVs This Morning he had been on a video call with him before his disappearance when he heard him go off the road.

He said: He was on the phone walking down a road and hed gone over a little bit - not a big drop - but a tiny little drop and he was going down, and he said Ill ring ya back, Ill ring ya back because I think someone else was ringing him.

He confirmed he could see his friends feet sliding down the hill and could hear he was walking on gravel.

But Mr Hargreaves said he and his friend were both laughing at that point.

He added: He didnt seem concerned on the phone until we knew how far away he was.

Police carried out a drone search for the young British man Jay Slater last week before they called off the search on Sunday ( REUTERS )

The last person to speak to Mr Slater was his friend Lucy Law. She said Mr Slater told her in a frantic phone call before he went missing that he was lost in the mountains, he wasnt aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%.

A GoFundMe appeal Get Jay Slater Home was set up by Ms Law and had raised more than 43,000 as the police search came to an end.

Mr Slaters mother, Debbie Duncan, travelled to the island as the search took place.

She said the money raised online would be used to support mountain rescue teams, and to cover her own accommodation and food costs.
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The search for a teenager who went missing while swimming with friends in the River Mersey has been called off.

Merseyside Police launched a search for the 14-year-old boy after he became separated from a group of friends on Sunday evening while swimming near the Seaforth Radar Tower off Crosby beach, Waterloo.

The coastguard, police, fire and rescue units, helicopters and the ambulance service were all involved in the operation overnight after emergency services were notified of the boys disappearance shortly after 7pm.

On Monday, a pathway to the tower was cordoned off while a rescue boat was sent out in the river near the tower, once used to track vessels in the shipping channel.

Just after midday on Monday, it was confirmed that the Coastguard had called off the search.

Crosby Beach, Merseyside (PA) ( PA Archive )

A HM Coastguard spokesman said: The search for a person reported missing in the Crosby Beach area on June 30 was stood down, pending further information, at about 10am on July 1.

The Coastguard was seen leaving the scene by local reporters just before 11am, while some police presence remained. The search has since been called off.

A spokesperson for the RNLI, said: A number of RNLI lifeboats were involved in a multi-agency search for a missing person in the Crosby Beach area.

This morning (1 July), New Brighton RNLIs inshore lifeboat and Lytham St Annes all-weather lifeboat were tasked at 5.15am and 5.30am.

This mornings search followed on from yesterday evening (June 30) when at approximately 6.41pm, New Brightons inshore lifeboat was requested to launch to conduct a search followed by Hoylakes all-weather lifeboat at 7.50pm.
 Close Jay Slaters father makes six-word plea to son at visit to site of search

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Jay Slaters family have been urged to use fundraising donations to hire experts to continue the search for the missing teenager.

Spanish police said the hunt for the 19-year-old from Lancashire had ended, with the case remaining open on Sunday as the gruelling search entered another week.

But his family have vowed to carry on looking for him regardless.

TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas flew out to conduct his own investigation and has urged the family to use some of the 46,000 raised to help continue the search.

He wrote on X: In light of the police search ending. I have suggested the family should use the GoFundMe money to continue the search using experts in searching.

It comes as an amateur sleuth claimed to be following an unofficial new clue.

TikTok climber Paul Arnott, who has been searching for Jay in Tenerife, said that a pair of sunglasses similar to the ones Jay was last seen wearing had been found close to where his mobile phone last pinged.
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Jay Slaters family say they are not giving up despite the official search for the teenager coming to an abrupt end.

Tenerife officials brought their gruelling 13-day search to a close on Sunday following calls for volunteers to assist in a busqueda masiva  a massive search  on Saturday.

The 19-year-old disappeared on June 17 near Buenavista del Norte, after travelling there with two men he had met at a festival around 27 miles further south on the island.

The apprentice bricklayer was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers, and his phone shows his last location as the Rural de Teno park at 8.50am that Monday morning.

Despite the efforts of mountain rescue teams, the Guardia Civil and volunteers, no trace of the Lancashire teenager has been found in the mountain region. Mr Slaters family, however, have not given up and vowed to continue their own search for him.

Mr Slaters mother Debbie Duncan (pictured with her son), who is in Tenerife alongside his father and brother, has vowed to continue searching ( Supplied )

The case captured the attention of the nation, with volunteers flying to the island and thousands donating to a fundraiser set up for Mr Slaters family.

Mr Slater attended the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas with two friends before his disappearance, and had travelled to an Airbnb in Masca during the early hours of the morning with two older men who were renting the property. A police spokesperson later said they had been ruled not relevant to the case.

The last person to speak to Jay was his friend Lucy Law, who described a frantic phone call with him. She said he 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 per cent.

Ms Law set up a GoFundMe appeal titled Get Jay Slater Home, which had raised more than 46,000 as the police search came to an end.

Members of a search and rescue team near the village of Masca in Tenerife, the last known location of British teenager Jay Slater ( PA Wire )

A Guardia Civil spokesperson said on Sunday: The search operation has now finished, although the case remains open.

TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who worked on the Nicola Bulley case, offered his services free of charge and flew to Tenerife to conduct his own investigation last week.

He urged Mr Slaters family to use the money raised to hire experts to continue the search.

He wrote on X: In light of the police search ending. I have suggested the family should use the GoFundMe money to continue the search using experts in searching.

He added on Monday he had been able to speak to important witnesses and now had a very detailed picture of Jays movements in the lead-up to his disappearance.

Jay attended the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas with two friends before his disappearance, and his last known location was the Rural de Teno park in the north of the island. ( Reuters )

Mr Slaters mother Debbie Duncan, who is in Tenerife alongside his father Warren Slater and brother, had previously said the funds would be used to cover their costs while they stay on the island.

Rachel Hargreaves, a close family friend who has joined Mr Slaters parents on the largest of the Canary Islands, told MailOnline: No one is leaving until we find Jay.

She added: We stay and we do what we need to do. Nothing has changed. We will continue to search for him.

Helicopters, drones and search dogs were all deployed in an effort to find Mr Slater, and officers were seen combing through the rugged terrain in the hope of finding the teenager.

Mr Slaters father, Warren Slater, revealed that he was disappointed that just six volunteers turned out to join in the search for his son. ( Sky News )

On Friday, the force had appealed for volunteers, such as firefighters and individual volunteers who have expertise, to assist in what was meant to be a final push in hopes of finding him.

However, Mr Slaters father Warren Slater revealed he was disappointed that just six volunteers turned up to join in the search for his son.

One volunteer was TikToker Paul Arnott, who has been assisting Mr Slaters family in continuing the search on Monday after local police cut it off.

He previously criticised the operation as being a PR exercise as he described official teams sitting in their cars rather than out searching.

Mr Arnott also claimed he was following a new lead that involved some sunglasses, which had allegedly been found by a local man.

He told MailOnline: There have been some new developments and these sunglasses could be key.
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A stark reminder of the dangers of climbing Mount Everest is being revealed as global warming is exposing more corpses than ever on the worlds tallest peak.

Five unidentified bodies have recently been removed from the mountain by Nepals army, including one skeleton, and a corpse that took 11 hours to free as it was encased in ice up to the head.

An estimated 300 people have lost their lives attempting to scale the mountain since the 1920s, and it has attracted particular controversy in recent years because of overcrowding concerns over so-called adventure tourists.

At least eight people have lost their lives on Everest this year. The mountain claimed 18 lives in 2023, the highest number ever recorded.

Everest hit the headlines in the UK in May after a cornice - an overhanging of ice - collapsed, causing British gym owner Dan Paterson and his sherpa guide to go missing after falling from a significant height.

Because of the effects of global warming, [the bodies and trash] are becoming more visible as the snow cover thins, an army officer involved in the search and cleanup operation, Aditya Karki, told AFP.

While some bodies have become trail markers on the route to the summit, still dressed in their climbing gear, others have frightened climbers as they try to make the summit.

A stark example was shared on social media last year by a climber who screamed when she saw a body sliding down the mountain.

There is a psychological effect, Karki admitted to AFP. People believe that they are entering a divine space when they climb mountains, but if they see dead bodies on the way up, it can have a negative effect.

Attempts are being made to clean up the many corpses and rubbish that litter the worlds tallest peak. ( Getty )

The process of removing corpses from Everest is a controversial one because it is so dangerous. Attempts have been made to bring down the remains of individuals including Michael Matthews, who died on his descent after becoming the youngest Brit to reach the summit at 22 in 1999.

Attempts have also been made to recover the body of Sandy Irvine, one of the first people to attempt to scale the peak.

He died in 1924 alongside his climbing partner, George Mallory, whose body was eventually found in 1999 but later disappeared.

It is believed that the discovery of Irvines body could rewrite mountaineering history if his camera is recovered and proves that the men reached the summit. As it stands, it is believed that it was not climbed successfully until 1953.

Tshiring Jangbu Sherpa, who led the armys expedition to clean up the mountain, described the process as extremely difficult.

Getting the body out is one part, bringing it down is another challenge, he said of the corpses, which can become very heavy when frozen.

We have to bring them back as much as possible. If we keep leaving them behind, our mountains will turn into a graveyard.

As well as confirming the removal of the bodies, the Nepalese army said it had removed 11 tonnes of rubbish.

The operation, which is one of a handful since 2019, took 12 military personnel and 18 climbers 55 days to complete and they were forced to use hot water on ice to free some of the bodies.

Serious concerns have been raised about the risks of overcrowding on the mountain in recent years. ( Instagram / malla.mountaineer )

At the time of Dan Patersons disappearance in May, his family and friends attempted to raise 150,000 to launch a search and rescue mission.

But the money was ultimately returned after it was deemed logistically impossible as he fell in Everests death zone, where people are not advised to stay more than 48 hours maximum, even with additional oxygen.

His partner wrote on GoFundMe: Due to the location in which Dan and his Sherpa fell, the only viable option is an aerial search on the Tibetan side. Flying from Nepal into Tibet is politically very difficult and Chinese support for this would need to be obtained. We now understand that this would be next to impossible to organise in the short window that remains.

Added to that is the fact that any recovery operation would be extremely dangerous and we do not wish to put anyone else at risk. We know that Dan would not want this.

There have been at least eight confirmed deaths on Everest this year. ( Screengrab/everester.raj )

There have now been calls to limit the number of permits sold to tourists to climb the mountain as it is believed that the queues will lead to more accidents, especially in light of the problems created by global warming.

However, with permits to climb the mountain costing $11,000 per climber, it has been argued that the Nepalese government will not want to lose the revenue.

Around 600 people are now estimated to attempt to climb the mountain every year.

The removed bodies were taken to Kathmandu, and it is believed that if they are unable to be identified, they will be cremated.

Two have been preliminary identified, it has been reported, but they are awaiting final tests.
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Amid the national fallout from the betting scandal, three local party campaigns have been left without candidates, with many constituents now wondering who to support.

As its too late to change the ballot papers, suspended candidates will still be listed with the party names while investigations by the Gambling Commission are carried out.

As The Independent has discovered, their campaigns have come to a halt, meaning significant implications not just for the party they represented but also for others vying for the now-undecided voters.

Conservative Party support has been withdrawn for Laura Saunders (Bristol North West) and Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr), while Labours Kevin Craig (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) is no longer standing as a party candidate.

If elected, they will sit as independent MPs, unless the parties restore their support following the watchdogs inquiries.

Craig Williams (left) and Laura Saunders had the support of the Tory party withdrawn, and Kevin Craig lost the backing of Labour ( PA/Supplied/YouTube )

Bristol North West

In Bristol, where Labour, Greens and the Lib Dems dominate the political landscape, the leafy suburb of Stoke Bishop pops up like a blue island on the northwestern fringe.

When the Conservative Party suffered a crushing defeat at the local elections in May, the two Tory councillors in this desirable urban village held on  and by some distance.

Bristol North West candidate Laura Saunders previously worked at Conservative Campaign HQ ( Laura Saunders/X )

The red wall can only go so far, it seems, but on Tuesday lunchtime last week, the local party suffered a blow.

Ms Saunders is being investigated by the Gambling Commission, along with her husband and party director of campaigns Tony Lee, over alleged betting on the date of the general election and has been suspended.

Any momentum towards closing in on the 5,700 majority held by Labours Darren Jones five years ago has come to a halt, and on Friday, the candidate did not show up at a hustings in the village.

Its disappointing, said John Goulandris, who has been a Conservative Stoke Bishop councillor for 14 years and was preparing to deliver party leaflets before the announcement last week.

We always go into an election optimistic and we knew we had a lot of support in Bristol North West, he said.

Mr Goulandris described Ms Saunders as a first-class candidate who connected with local people on issues important to them but said the allegations and investigation had impacted her.

Trevor Scantalebury with his partner Rosemary King outside Stoke Lodge Village Hall in Bristol North West, where Laura Saunders failed to appear at a hustings event on Friday ( The Independent )

Despite ceasing his campaign in the constituency, he urged people to still vote for her, adding that if she is cleared and elected, she could still sit as a Conservative MP with party support restored.

For some voters, the option has already passed.

Trevor Scantalebury, 82, has already voted for Ms Saunders through a postal vote and said: It is a sad reflection of the state of politics when something like this happens, whether they are proven guilty or not.

Stoke Lodge is traditionally a Conservative area ( The Independent )

Labour voter Christian Weale believed the Lib Dems could benefit from the Conservative withdrawal of support for its candidate.

This all makes me really concerned about the lack of accountability in government and how fragile our democratic pillars appear to be now, he said. Its starting to feel like people in power can do anything  and that can trickle down into society, creating division and mistrust.

Christian Weale believes the Lib Dems could pick up votes as a result of the Tories pulling support from their candidate ( The Independent )

Reform UK has a candidate for the constituency but the party was not on the lips of locals such as Jo Matthews, 76, who voted Tory last time but has previously also voted Labour.

I wouldnt vote for her [Ms Saunders] because of whats happened  it was the right decision [to remove party support], she said.

Also standing in Bristol North West are Caroline Gooch (Lib Dems), Darren Jones (Labour), Scarlett OConnor (Reform), Mary Page (Green) and Ben Smith (Social Democratic Party).

Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr

Confusion is the word that comes up among people in the Welsh constituency which Conservative Craig Williams has held since 2019.

Recent polling suggested Mr Williams, who was a close aide to prime minister Rishi Sunak, was projected to hold on to the seat with 28 per cent of the vote, ahead of Labour on 25 per cent.

But he is being investigated over a bet placed on a July election, three days before Mr Sunak announced the date, and he has lost his partys support.

Mr Williams, writing on X, has said he committed an error of judgement, not an offence.

At a hustings at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen school last week, there was an empty seat for Mr Williams, as five of the six candidates answered questions from the public.

The Conservatives withdrew their support for Craig Williams after he placed a bet on the date of the election ( PA Media )

Tory councillor Gwynfor Thomas, whose ward is Llansantffraid, said that despite Mr Williamss suspension from the party, there was still support in the area, particularly given his good track record.

But he also said there was uncertainty over voting for Mr Williams, and what it would mean.

Just speaking to people, they are confused at the moment, he said. Hes been a great MP who has balanced life in Westminister with this area very well, people recognise that and still wish to support him.

Id say hell still receive support. Well have to see what happens.

A man in Welshpool called Paul, who did not want to give his surname, believed Mr Williams would still win the seat. The 69-year-old, a member of Reform UK, said it is unlikely his party will take enough of the vote to win.

Im just hoping we can beat Labour, he said. But really, theres a lot of confusion locally about it, especially if his name will appear next to the Conservative Party on the ballot paper. We dont know how people will vote, really.

Also standing in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr are Steve Witherden (Labour), Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru), Glyn Preston (Lib Dem), Oliver Lewis (Reform UK) and Jeremy Brignell-Thorp (Green).

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich

After its creation in 1997, the constituency of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich was held by the Conservatives until former minister Dan Poulter defected to Labour in April, sending a shock wave across a rural landscape dominated by Tory councillors.

But hopes in Labour HQ of holding onto the seat were dashed when Dr Poulters Labour candidate replacement, Kevin Craig, admitted placing a bet on himself to lose the election.

Kevin Craig apologised after placing a bet against himself in the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat ( YouTube )

He apologised for the stupid error but Labour had already withdrawn its support for the candidate, who would, like Ms Saunders and Mr Williams, sit initially as an independent if he wins.

It was a blow for Labour, with the latest MRP polling suggesting Mr Craig was tied with Conservative candidate Patrick Spencer on 33 per cent.

Ipswich Labour councillor Sarah Adams said all campaigning by the party had moved to nearby constituencies.

She said: He made a silly mistake. It was a silly thing to do. We cant have support for a candidate who did such a thing. He is a really lovely chap, a good businessman, but sometimes people take their eye off the ball.

He had an incredibly tough job in what was a safe Tory seat, but any chance we had has now gone.

Also standing in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich are Patrick Spencer (Conservative), Dan Pratt (Green), Brett Mickelburgh (Lib Dem), Tony Gould (Reform UK), Charlie Caiger (Independent) and Mike Hallatt (Independent).
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A new study has found that posts from 10 bot-like X accounts spreading disinformation and hate have been viewed more than 150 million times ahead of the UK General Election.

The accounts in question have shared more than 60,000 posts on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, since May 22, with those posts estimated to have been seen 150 million times, an investigation by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Global Witness found.

Many of the posts from these 10 prolific accounts contain extreme and violent hate speech, disinformation, conspiracy theories and praise Russian President Vladimir Putin, the organisation said.

It found that posts amplified by these bot-like accounts have spread Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia and transphobia, state that climate change is a hoax, that vaccines have created a genocide, and that Mr Putin is the greatest president ever.

The investigation found the bot-like accounts by searching among hashtags on migration and climate change covering a wide spectrum of views, from #welcomerefugees to #migration and #stoptheboats.

Frequent posting is considered to be a characteristic of a bot-like account (James Manning/PA) ( PA Archive )

Global Witness, an international NGO that focuses on the environment and human rights, said it considered accounts were bot-like if they had three or more red flags.

These included posting prolifically, having handles that end in a long string of numbers, and not having a profile picture that purports to be of the person running the account.

The 10 accounts identified by Global Witness have all posted frequently, with all 10 of them having days when they have shared more than 200 posts.

Four of the accounts have had days when they have shared more than 500 posts, and together they have spread some 60,000 posts since the election was called.

The study said: The number of bot-like accounts we uncovered is also limited, but they have an extremely oversized influence given how prolifically they post and the number of people who are seeing their content.

Nine of the bot-like accounts focus on UK politics and one focuses on US politics and the UK royal family but was uncovered through searches of accounts using UK-related hashtags, Global Witness said.

Two of the three accounts investigated by the NGO that have posted #stoptheboats encourage people to vote for Reform UK and all of the five accounts using the hashtag #labourlosing promoted Reform UK.

One of the 10 accounts had MBGA (Make Britain Great Again) alongside MAGA (Make America Great Again) and anti-migrant hashtags in their bio  it reposts anti-migrant, transphobic and far-right content and supports Reform UK.

On occasion it has posted nearly 600 tweets in a day and has increased the amount it posts since the election was called by more than 50%.

Another account described itself in its bio as being pro-Palestine, the environment and the NHS, is focused on stopping votes for the Conservative Party and regularly posts anti-Nigel Farage memes.

There is no evidence that any UK political party is paying for, using or promoting bots as part of their election campaigns, Global Witness said.

Social media has become a key element of election campaigns in recent years (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Archive )

Ava Lee, campaign leader at Global Witness, said: Political discussion online is often toxic  we all know that. But when we go on social media, we believe were seeing what real people think.

While we might not agree with it, we trust that what we see are genuine views held by other voters.

When thats not true, when the conversation may have been influenced by someone who has paid for bots to spread division or to get a particular party into power, our democracy is in jeopardy.

The UK is going to the polls in under a week. The US in four months. Half the worlds population this year. X, and all social media companies, need to clean up their platforms and put our democracies before profit.

X did not respond to Global Witness or PA news agency attempts to obtain a comment on the findings.
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A Brexiteer Tory MP who used a picture of Nigel Farage on her campaign leaflet has fallen out spectacularly with his party Reform UK.

Andrea Jenkyns claimed she was wooed by a pro-Brexit businessman acting on behalf of Reform who she says offered her jobs to defect.

The MP has described a number of meetings with Arron Banks - including going to Nigel Farages birthday party as his plus 1 - as Reform under Richard Tices leadership tried to pressure her to switch parties ahead of the election.

The meetings prompted fevered speculation before the election that Ms Jenkyns might defect to Reform and led to revelations of her efforts to strike a deal between them and the Tories. Instead, she has ended up in a bitter row.

Cheers! Nigel Farage at his birthday party with Aaron Banks and Andrea Jenkyns ( Andrea Jenkyns/Twitter )

The feud has echoes of claims made by Lee Anderson, denied by Tice and Reform, that he was offered 80,000 a year to defect before he was suspended by the Tories. Another Tory MP has made the same allegation but does not want to be named.

Ms Jenkyns decided to go public after an extraordinary attack over the weekend by Mr Tice who accused her of bribing her Reform rival in Leeds South West and Morley James Kendall.

Mr Tice publicly targeted Ms Jenkyns after The Independent was given details of a conversation between her and Reform candidate Mr Kendall.

In the exchange, Mr Kendall confessed that he had wanted to stand in a different seat against pro-EU Labour MP Hilary Benn. But he said Mr Tice had forced him to stand against Ms Jenkyns to exert pressure on her to try to make her defect.

Richard Tice has made allegations of bribery ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire )

He told Ms Jenkyns: "They've (Reform) just thrown you under the bus. They're a***holes. It's horrific."

He added: "Andrea, it doesn't make f***ing sense why I'm standing against you. I've made it clear. I did not want to stand against you."

In comments made before the fallout from Reforms Clacton operation which involved a man calling Rishi Sunak a p***, he also raised the alarm on his partys volunteers, saying: "I wouldn't let some of them knock on doors!"

Mr Tice told The Independent: Turns out it is effective bribery: she offered him money with a plum job and being a key part of her team. Bet she did not tell you that? She bribed him to say these things because she is terrified of losing. She now regrets not defecting to us! She had her chance and blew it!

The recorded conversation between Ms Jenkyns and Mr Kendall included the pair discussing the possibility of creating a video and working together after the election, but there was no evidence of a job offer. Crucially, it was too late for Mr Kendall to withdraw as a Reform candidate. He is still intending to stand.

The row came after another Reform candidate for Erewash, Liam Booth-Isherwood, gave his support to the Tories because of concerns over racism in Reform.

Mr Tice doubled down on the allegations on Twitter where he included it in a post containing a number of allegations about different Tory candidates.

In a statement, Ms Jenkyns, who insists she never came close to defecting, described Mr Tices wild accusations as libellous and an attempt to deflect from his own embarrassing behaviour.

She said: Mr Tice has offered absolutely no evidence to support this utterly ridiculous claim.

"The reality is, under Mr Tice's leadership of Reform, prominent supporter Arron Banks tried to ply me with a job in his company if I defected to Reform. Naturally, I refused the outrageous offer. I have been subjected to numerous approaches from Reform since, including urging me to defect just days before the nomination papers were finalised.

By its candidates own admission, Reform has clearly been running an underhand campaign to push MPs into defecting by any means they consider necessary."

She also provided details of meetings she had with Mr Banks where she claims she was offered jobs on an MPs salary in various of his companies including one in Africa and a charity.

Mr Tice responded: Arron Banks has nothing to do with Reform and that is bull**** from her.

Mr Banks has denied Ms Jenkyns claims that her offered her a job to defect.

He said: We have spoken to many scared Conservative MPs who were thinking of defecting, What she says is nonsense. Nigel Farages late entrance caught them all out .

I do note however she put Nigel Farage and myself on her election leaflet rather than her own prime minister, says it all doesnt it!

These desperate Conservative MPs remind me of fish that have been trawled up from the ocean and gasping their last few political breaths. They can relax by Thursday it will all be over.

The Independent has approached Mr Kendall for a comment.
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Campaigners have called for the Electoral Commission to be given powers to investigate discriminatory language used in campaigns after multiple Reform UK candidates were engulfed in racism rows.

During the six week campaign Reform has been forced to ditch at least 11 parliamentary candidates over accusations they made racist comments on social media, including one prospective MP who said African people had among the lowest IQs in the world.

Last week canvasser Andrew Parker, referred to prime minister Rishi Sunak as a f***ing p*** in undercover footage from a Channel 4 investigation. Essex Police said it is urgently assessing Mr Parkers remarks to establish if there are any criminal offences. And Reform UK candidates were found to be members of a public Facebook group that regularly posts racist messages such as a post stating there should be no race mixing and that the only thing black a white woman should have is black leather.

Andrew Parker was recorded using offensive slur against the prime minister ( Channel 4 )

But despite widespread outrage, the commission says it can only investigate and sanction parties for breaches of the political finance and imprint laws.

Labours Bell Ribeiro-Addy, former MP for Streatham and who is running for Clapham and Brixton Hill, is among those calling for the watchdogs remit to be broadened.

Overseeing our democratic functions should include a responsibility to protect all citizens from racism and bigotry, she told The Independent. Discrimination is against our laws and any political party using racist, homophobic, disabilist or misogynist language should face consequences. During an election the most obvious body to police the type of hateful language we have seen used by the Reform UK campaign is the electoral commission.

The calls come as Europe experiences a surge in far right parties, including Marine Le Pens National Rally which is leading in the first round of a snap election called by Emmanuel Macron.

Femi Oluwole was removed from Reform UKs rally in Birmingham on Sunday ( Femi Oluwole )

Campaign group Grassroots Black Left said it is seeing: an alarming current surge in support for the nationalist far right in Europe, including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. All of them have achieved success by disguising their previously overt racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, xenophobia and other forms of disgusting bigotry to fool voters. The Electoral Commission needs to have the powers to intervene as a supposed regulator.

Black columnist Femi Oluwole was removed from a Reform rally by security guards over the weekend. He told The Independent that the last few years have revealed the UKs political system doesnt have anything close to the safeguards it needs.

Blatant hate speech and death threats have been used by senior politicians without lasting consequence, he said. All of this must change. The electoral commission should ban anyone who is found to have acted unlawfully in office from standing again - and we need stricter laws on hate speech from politicians.

I dont believe in arresting every citizen who says something racist. But if a politician goes on national TV and dishonesty brands almost half of British Muslims as terrorist supporters, that is implied incitement.

Mr Oluwole cited a Sky News interview last month, where Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader said: We have a growing number of young people in this country who do not subscribe to British values, (who) in fact loathe much of what we stand for.

When asked if he was talking about Muslims, Farage replied: We are.  And Im afraid I found some of the recent surveys saying that 46 per cent of British Muslims support Hamas  support a terrorist organisation that is proscribed in this country.

The survey asked British Muslims who they have more empathy for out of Hamas and Israel.

Labours Bell Ribeiro-Addy says the Electoral Commission needs to police offensive campaigning ( PA )

During a TV interview in 2017, Mr Farage said frankly, if you open your door to uncontrolled immigration from Middle Eastern countries, you are inviting in terrorism.

Concerns have been raised that such divisive rhetoric is being normalised. From Enoch Powells racist Rivers of Blood speech in 1968 to former prime minister Boris Johnson, who called burka-wearing Muslim women letterboxes, Black Lives Matter UK pointed to a history of political figures leveraging racism for their gain.

The rise of Reform UK has been deeply troubling, and it is not surprising that members of Reform UK have been caught making racist remarks while campaigning, a BLM UK spokesperson told The Independent.

While pointing out that addressing racist campaigning was not within its remit, the Electoral Commission urged those involved in political campaigns to be respectful.

Enoch Powell is notorious for his hateful "Rivers of Blood" speech

Campaigning is a vital part of our democratic process and usually carried out respectfully. However, our research has shown that harassment and abuse of candidates has become too common, a spokesperson said. Campaigning can and should take place without the use of inflammatory language or anyone experiencing abuse.

We urge campaigners to talk to their staff and volunteers about the importance of safe and respectful campaigning.

Reform UK was approached for comment.

Nigel Farage claimed Reforms bad apples have been rooted out ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Addressing a rally in Birmingham on Sunday, party leader Nigel Farage insisted that the bad apples are gone after withdrawing support for three candidates.

Look, Reform is a new organisation, he told the audience. Its a start-up and there were requests put out for candidates to stand.

Have we had a few bad apples? We have, although to my knowledge nobody involved in an organised betting ring is standing for us, which is something.

Mr Farage has suggested that Mr Parker, who is an actor, was used as a plant by Channel 4 in their undercover investigation into his campaign  a claim the broadcaster strenuously denies.
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The Conservatives have been accused of hollowing out Britains armed forces as Rishi Sunak tries to turn the focus toward defence for the final days of the general election.

After nearly 15 years of Tory rule, the British Army has lost 23 regiments, with the number of units at its lowest level since 2010, The Independent can reveal.

Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaign.

New research by Labour shows the Army has lost more than a tenth of its regiments, with cuts from the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery, Royal Medical Corps, Royal Military Police and Royal Logistics Corps.

Labour accused the Conservatives of having hollowed out Britains armed forces ( PA Wire )

Some of the cut regiments include those with historical significance. The 1st and 2nd Royal Tank Regiments (RTR) were both lost to a merger in 2014.

A predecessor of 1 RTR took part in the first-ever tank offensive in 1916. During the Second World War, the regiment also took part in the Battle of El Alamein in 1942 and the Normandy Landings of June 1944.

The cuts mean there are just 176 regular and reserve regiments remaining.

Meanwhile, separate figures seen by The Independent show the proportion of serving personnel living in the worst-graded military single-living accommodation is now nearly 40 per cent.

Official figures showed there are nearly 30,000 personnel living in accommodation that is either grade four or below, the lowest gradings given by the Ministry of Defence.

This means three times more personnel live in the worst accommodation than the best. There are no set criteria for grade four accommodation, but quarters with enough so-called deficiency points for defects such as damp and mould among other issues are graded four or below.

An independent review of armed forces housing provision by Lord Kerslake highlighted issues with insulation, damp and mould, heating and hot water, as well as with gas and electrical faults and pest infestations.

Keir Starmer described as desperate the suggestion Vladimir Putin wanted Labour to win the general election ( Getty )

The review also warned poor housing for service personnel affected the health and wellbeing of them and their families.

This in turn reduces the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces, the review found.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey said: These figures are the latest example of how Tory ministers are failing our forces daily with the dire state of military housing. The Conservatives have corroded the nations moral contract with those who serve. Personnel are living in damp and mouldy housing and morale has fallen to record lows.

Meanwhile, responding to the falling number of Army regiments, a Labour source added: The Conservatives like to talk tough on defence, but they have consistently hollowed out our armed forces at a time when threats are increasing.

It came after the prime minister sounded the alarm over national security, claiming Vladimir Putin does not want the Conservatives to be re-elected.

Putin would like nothing more than for Britain to step back, to appease his aggression rather than face it down and that is what will happen with another party in power, he told The Telegraph.

Sir Keir Starmer has previously criticised desperate Tory suggestions that Labour is a threat to national security, saying that his party has united with the government on defence matters such as support for Ukraine.

The latest Labour attacks on the Conservatives are a sign the party under Sir Keir is happy to take on the government on defence policy. Under former leader Jeremy Corbyn defence was seen as a weak spot for the party, alienating traditional Labour supporters with national security concerns.

The government is now also relying on private security guards to protect the biggest British army base in the world.

Private guards have been charged with assisting in the detection of terrorist activity, helping secure properties within the Garrison area at Catterick, detecting and preventing crime, and helping to prosecute offenders.

Under a three-year, 811,703 contract, which began in April, a Lincolnshire-based firm named Profile Security Systems has been handed responsibility for manning a CCTV centre.

Catterick Garrison, which has a population of around 13,000, was the target of a break-in in 2019, when burglars forced their way into homes on the base and stole items including cash, cameras and jewellery.

Defence secretary Grant Shapps said: We live in an increasingly uncertain world. That is why we have committed to increased defence spending, up to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.

Labour have spectacularly failed to meet this commitment.

Only the Conservatives have a plan to keep this country safe. Dont risk giving Labour an unaccountable majority that will allow Starmer to make us less safe and put up your taxes.

The Ministry of Defence was asked to comment.
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A Tory peer has been accused of profiting from the small boats crisis after a company he part-owns secured a lucrative contract tracking the vessels.

David Willetts is the director of a tech company given 3million of taxpayer cash by the Home Office to to track vessels operating in British waters.

Sirius Insight was given a contract to track small boats operating within UK inland waterways and territorial waters for 365 days per year, 24 hours per day.

Conservative peer Lord is the director of a tech company given 3m of taxpayer cash by the Home Office

The tech companys website promises to detect, verify and track small vessels and small boats at a sufficient distance to allow timely interdiction by combining specially-tuned radar with optical and thermal cameras.

The contract was tendered from the Joint Maritime Security Centre - a UK Border Force-run organisation - which monitors UK waters and coordinates UK Government responses to maritime security threats.

Lord Willetts is a Conservative member of the House of Lords and is the chair of Sirius Insights advisory board as well as a founding director of the firm.

Small boat crossings are at a record high ( PA Graphics )

As well as the positions on the companys board, Lord Willetts owns at least 100,000 worth of shares in the company, according to his register of interests.

The links mean he stands to make large sums from the contract, gaining from what critics describe as Tory failures on the small boats crisis. Sirius said Lord Willetts joined the firm in 2017, three years before small boats crossing the Channel became a major public policy issue.

The firm stressed that he joined based on his long-standing experience in and enthusiasm for science, adding that he was keen to see if he could be of help to a UK AI tech start-up. A spokesman said it could not comment on the specifics of the contract or any of its clients.

The revelation comes as 2024 has seen a record number of small boat arrivals across the English Channel. More than 13,000 people have now made the crossing this year - a record high for this point.

A Labour source said: With a record number of people arriving by small boats in the first six months of this year, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth that a Tory peer appears to be profiting from his own government's ongoing failure to tackle that problem.

Serious questions need to be answered.

Lord Willetts is the former MP for Havant and held several front bench roles before being given a peerage in 2015 by David Cameron.

Lord Willetts was contacted for comment.

In a statement, Sirius added: We would like to note that that there is a separate command in UKBF responsible for the small boats operational issues: Sirius neither act for them, nor are they one of our clients.
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Behind the scenes at the first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the buzzy atmosphere of the spin room descended into horror-struck silence within a first few minutes of the president opening his mouth. While Trump told bombastic lies in front of us, Biden struggled to recall what were obviously canned responses.

At one point, a former prominent TV commentator got up from their seat and started pacing back and forth, worriedly. Biden aides and surrogates, who had been in constant communication with each of us throughout the day, fell silent, one by one.

When the cameras stopped rolling and the debate was over, a whole team of Trump surrogates flooded onto the spin room floor. That included multiple Republicans  Ben Carson and Lindsey Graham among them  who have been vying for the ex-presidents favor as he seeks a new veep pick.

All of those Republican operators and MAGA staff members were eager to tell us reporters how Bidens performance had telegraphed weakness on the world stage. They confidently declared that Trump had won.

By contrast, the Biden surrogates were nowhere to be found.

While some of the assembled press were interested in what the Republicans had to say, the vast majority were looking for Bidens backers to defend his performance.

Finally, they came out as a group, grim-faced, to face a wave of reporters, producers and videographers at the far end of the spin room. Their sudden appearance led to a comically packed scrum, with your correspondent being crushed between an NBC reporter, a Biden spokesperson and the sitting governor of California, Gavin Newsom  who everyone had already started whispering about replacing the president.

I held up a recorder to capture their words as they recited their talking points, struggling to breathe.

Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler told us that viewers saw in the presidents performance a very clear contrast with Trump and a very clear choice in this election. He also said Trump had took the stage and lied the entire night, grew increasingly unhinged throughout the night and reminded the American people by the end of the debate exactly why they fired him in the first place four years ago.

But we all knew the real truth. And most of us also knew why.

Earlier in the week, I spoke to multiple Biden campaign strategists and former Democratic operatives about how the president was preparing for the debate at Camp David. All of them described a punishing and rigorous process during which Biden would practise hitting back at various criticisms and insults expected from Trump on the night.

Their strategy had one major flaw: it relied on memory  not the presidents strong point, at 81 years of age  and on the delivery of facts. Facts are all very well and good during a political campaign and, of course, are paramount for policy. But debates are about who you are. Trump knows that very well.

Indeed, when my colleague Eric Garcia asked Democratic representatives in Congress what they thought Biden should remember on the stage ahead of Thursday night, they kept repeating one line: Be himself.

Senator Lindsey Graham shares his post-debate views ( The Independent/Andrew Feinberg )

Yet Biden had very little space to be himself among those pre-prepared lines. He was at his best when he was being extemporaneous during the debate (for there were good moments for the president, even if they were few and far between) rather than recalling minutiae. Where he couldve projected personality, he instead exposed his own concerning downsides.

Trump, in contrast, relied on being himself, and came out looking just fine. The supposed facts he often pulls out the air may be questionable, but thats not what matters when the lights are on and the cameras are rolling.

A close confidante of the president who assisted with his debate prep for the past week replied to a query from The Independent about Bidens early stumbles by pointing out that he was starting to hit back on Trump harder than he had in the past. And its true that Biden did try that. Fifteen minutes in, he finally began landing blows, at one point hitting Trump as a sucker and loser after he claimed to have done more to help injured veterans than Biden, who earlier this year signed the largest veterans aid bill to pass Congress in decades. He also took aim at Trumps status as a convicted felon, his anti-Nato isolationism, and the ex-presidents frequent and blatant lies about the legal cases he faces in three other state and federal courts.

Rep Jasmine Crockett speaks as Senator Raphael Warnock and Gavin Newsom look on. Newsom said that he would never turn [his] back on President Biden ( The Independent/Andrew Feinberg )

But it just wasnt enough.

Gavin Newsom, who for months has been alleged to be positioning himself as waiting in the wings when Biden withdraws, echoed other surrogates talking points to reporters right after the debate wrapped up.

Im a little old-fashioned. I care about policy. I care about facts, he said.

As campaign aides shouted down reporters who attempted to ask him if hed step in as Bidens replacement if called on, Newsom said he was very proud of the presidents performance.

He also vehemently denied that he would even consider stepping in were Biden to be removed or step down.

I would never turn my back on President Biden, he said.

Whether he might help him out by taking over if called upon, however, might be another thing entirely.
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Thousands of California bars and nightclubs will now be required to offer drug test kits and put up signage to cut down on the use of date rape drugs, under a new law that took effect on Monday.

Assembly Bill 1013 requires approximately 2,400 establishments across the state with licenses to sell beer, wine, and spirits to take the new measures.

Drug testing devices could include test strips, stickers, straws or other devices that can detect the presence of controlled substances in drinks, according to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. These substances could include flunitrazepam, ketamine, and gamma hydroxybutyric acid.

The law passed unanimously this year and was authored by Josh Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach who is also a bar and restaurant owner. He said he hoped the new measures would cut down on the use of roofies and other date rape drugs at nightlife businesses.

The under-reported epidemic of drink spiking or roofying continues to plague California and the world, he wrote in a news release about the law.

California bars are required to offer drink-spiking drug test kits under new state law taking effect July 1 ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Although drink spiking can occur in almost any setting, it is more common in bars and nightclubs that serve alcoholic beverages.

In addition to the test kits, which are to be offered free or at reasonable cost, bars must also post signage reading, Dont get roofied! Drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.

Bars in California must post signage and offer drug test kits under Assembly Bill 1013, which took effect July 1, 2024. ( California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control )

Julie Kazmi, the owner of a bar in Pacific Beach, California, and a survivor of a roofying attempt told NBC San Diego she supported bars having test kits but found the language of the signage to be triggering.

The verbiage on the sign really triggered me, and I have to, by law, hang that in my bar, she said. As a 51-year-old woman, for me to see that and feel triggered, how is that going to make other women feel?

The law expires on January 1, 2027.
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A Pennsylvania woman who has recently battled her way through a breast cancer diagnosis has had her life changed yet again after she won a giant $5 million lottery prize on a scratch-off.

The 75-year-old Donna Osborne has now reached millionaire status in time for her upcoming birthday after winning the top prize on a Monopoly Own It All scratch-off ticket, the Pennsylvania Lottery said.

The winner told the Pennsylvania Lottery that she had just finished radiation treatment for breast cancer, making her lottery win bittersweet.

Osborne said that her stroke of luck was all down to her flight getting massively delayed while trying to board a plane to visit family in Florida.

I was at the airport with my daughter. We were on our way to see family in Florida when the flight got delayed. Well, it was delayed so many times, I decided to go home. My daughter stayed and flew to Florida, Osborne relayed to the Lottery.

If I didnt leave the airport, I would have never bought that ticket! she said.

While Osborne had to deal with the frustrations of typical airport setbacks, the disappointing situation with her flights ended up having a very affluent silver lining.

Osborne said she scratched off her ticket at a Speedway parking lot in Leola. The Speedway branch at 3180 Oregon Pike will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

I could not believe my eyes! she said. I went back into the store and said, Can you please check this? Is it right or wrong? Well, the clerk said, Its right!

Is this what I think it is? Osborne said to the cashier, she further recalled at her commemorative check acceptance event at the Lottery Headquarters in Pennsylvania.

She ran a check on it, and oh, lord, she says thats five million dollars. I says uh-uh. She took it over to the lottery machine and it came up real big. Five million dollars, I about fell over.

After the confirmation from the store clerk, she called her daughter, who was now in Florida, to tell her the exciting news. However, Osborne said that at first, she didnt believe her.

The lucky winner is a grandmother and great-grandmother who provides transport for the Amish community, a job she has been doing for decades.

Despite winning big on the scratch card, she told the Lottery that she doesnt plan on retiring soon.

I dont know what Id do with myself; I have to keep moving, she said. I think Ill invest some of the prize, sure, but then go to Alaska!

Pat Browne, the secretary of revenue at the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, said that Osborne told them she has been playing the lottery for a long time.

Its thanks to players like her that the PA Lottery is able to not only create millionaires but also help seniors live a good life, Browne said.

According to their website, the Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state that directs all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents.

Since 1972, they have contributed more than $35.1bn to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services, including senior centers and meals.

The PA Lottery scratch-off that Osborne won big on went on sale on December 26, 2023, and is a $50 game that can deliver a top prize of $5m.
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The home where convicted murderer Chad Daybell killed his wife and where he buried the charred remains of his new lover Lori Vallows children has now hit the market.

Sitting on a sprawling 3.75 acre lot in Rexburg, Idaho, an unassuming converted bungalow with lots of potential harbours a dark secret.

There is a very tragic situation with this home, the Realtor.com advert for the property warned in block capitals. Please have your realtor investigate for you.

Daybell, a 55-year-old self-styled prophet of a doomsday cult, was sentenced to death last month for murdering his wife Tammy Daybell and Vallows children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, 7.

Following two months of testimony, 12 jurors deliberated for just six hours in May before finding Daybell guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in connection with the 2019 deaths.

In September 2019, Vallows two children vanished. In June 2020, their bodies were found buried in a shallow grave on Daybells Rexburg property grounds among deceased pets. The remains of Vallows youngest, JJ, were found bound, charred and wrapped in rubbish bags.

The property in Rexburg, Idaho has been listed almost five years after Chad Daybells triple murder ( Realtor.com )

The four bedroom house sits on near-four acre plot of land in Rexburg, Idaho ( Realtor.com )

One month after the childrens murders, Tammy Daybell was found dead in the familys Idaho home in October 2019.

Her death was initially ruled as natural causes, but her remains were later exhumed and her cause of death was determind as homicide by asphyxiation.

Two weeks after her murder, Daybell married Vallow on a beach in Hawaii.

Now, almost five years on from the string of murders, the four-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house has hit the market with an asking price of $350,000. It boasts a sizable garage and several corrugated iron outbuildings on its land.

Daybell was sentenced to death for the triple murder of his wife and girlfriends two children ( AP )

The Realtor.com listing shows dozens of photos of inside the gloomy home which is furnished throughout with white walls, gray carpets and artex ceilings.

At their separate murder trials, jurors heard how Vallow, Daybell and Vallows brother Alex Cox were fuelled to kill, in part, by their bizarre cult beliefs. Cox died before he could face charges.

Daybell and Vallow believed that they would lead a group of 144,000 people to be saved during the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in July 2020.

Daybell claimed to be a prophet who could communicate with spirits and held an apocalyptic belief system that people could be possessed by evil spirits and turned into zombies or dark spirits.

The property is furnished with white walls and grey carpest, with a scattering of more colourful walls ( Realtor.com )

Based on their warped beliefs, the only way to save a possessed persons soul was for the body to die, his trial heard.

Prosecutors said that it was the doomsday couples desire for sex, power, and money that led to the murders. The couple did endorse and teach religious beliefs for the purpose of justifying the deaths of the children, the indictment stated.

In July last year, in the same Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Vallow also convicted of the three murders and sentenced to life in prison.

Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan ( AP )

Tammy and Chad Daybell were married in 1990. He was convicted of conspiring with Lori Vallow to kill her ( Facebook )

At Daybells trial, his defense attorney John Prior  who is the listed owner of the Rexburg property  argued that there wasnt enough evidence to tie him to the deaths and that Cox committed the crimes.

The jury disagreed and convicted him of all charges.

The Independent contacted Realtor.com about initial interest in the recently listed property, and whether it has any prospective buyers.
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An Ohio mother and her partner have been arrested over the death of an eight-year-old boy whose body was found wrapped in a garbage back in the familys attic.

Martonio Wilder, 8, was found inside a trash bag in the attic of the Milo-Grogan neighborhood home on Friday. The coroners office determined that the young boy died from deep neck compression, court records obtained by NBC4 show.

His mother, Lashanda Wilder, 32, called the Columbus Police around noon on Friday, explaining that she last saw her son on Thursday night at bedtime, the records said.

Police issued a missing persons advisory for Martonio and began a K9 search of the local neighborhood; however, court records reportedly state that Wilder became uncooperative during the search, with a police report saying that she did not want the K9 brought inside her home.

Meanwhile, Wilder and, Johnna Lowe, 33, who local outlets report as Wilders partner, left without telling police where they were going, taking Wilders two other children, aged three and nine.

Later that day, Martonios body was found, and he was pronounced dead around 6.30pm, with police briefly issuing an Amber Alert for his brothers, who have since been found safe and placed in Franklin County Childrens Services.

Eight-year-old Martonio was found dead in the attic of a family home in Ohio ( Columbus Division of Police )

Arrest warrants were issued on Saturday for both Wilder and Lowe, who eventually turned themselves in.

On Monday, the pair had arraignment hearings in Franklin County Municipal Court, where Wilder, who was not present at the hearing, was charged with murder and obstruction of justice after Martonios death was ruled a homicide, according to the outlet.

She was issued a $2m bond, while Lowe was issued a $500,000 bond after only being charged with obstruction of justice.

On Saturday evening, Martonios family, including many of his young cousins, gathered outside the scene of the crime to mourn the life of the eight-year-old by lighting candles and releasing balloons.

Im still in disbelief because how dare you; if you didnt love your son, you shouldve let him stay with people who love him, Lashanda Wilders aunt, Rachelle Knight, told WBNS.

Martonio was a bright kid. All he wanted was to be loved, she added. He wanted to be loved.

Martonios cousin, Seia Glover, also told the Columbus Dispatch that he did not see something like this coming in their family.

"Some of the minor things that were red flags but didnt really seem like they would lead to something like this of this magnitude, it caught us all off guard. She had support," Glover told the newspaper.

"Theres no excuse for this boy to be dead. Theres no reason for him to be stuffed up in the attic like he didnt matter."
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A Florida man who swam to an island after assaulting his girlfriend has been caught, police say.

Jeriel Joiner, 42, was captured on June 23 and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery by strangulation and felony battery, the Port Orange Police Department said in a post on Facebook.

Joiner allegedly struck his girlfriend, who was not been named, on the head with a handle of vodka, then choked her by wrapping his hands around her throat and then using a rope, police said.

Body cam footage shows the moment Jeriel Joiner was caught by Florida police after he fled to an island off the coast of Florida and hid inside a tent ( Port Orange Police Department )

Joiner climbs out of the tent with his hands up and surrenders to police. He has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery by strangulation and felony battery ( Port Orange Police Department )

He hit me in the eye with the bottle of vodka, Joiners girlfriend was heard telling police on body cam footage. He said he poured it out but he drank the vodka. Police said its believed her arm was broken during the struggle.

The woman managed to break free from Joiner, and bystanders who had seen him chasing her stepped in to prevent Joiner from causing more harm, and temporarily pinned him down, police said.

Joiner was able to escape and swam to an island along the Intracoastal Waterway. Police officers traveled to the island in a Florida Fish and Wildlife boat.

Joiner is in custody at Volusia County Jail in Florida ( Volusia County Jail )

After an extensive search, Joiner was found later that night inside a tent and taken into custody. Police body-cam footage shows police surrounding the tent with their guns drawn as they order Joiner to step out with his hands up.

Joiner, who had been laying down on an air mattress inside the tent, complied with police and climbed out of the tent with his hands up. He was handcuffed and taken into custody without incident.

Joiner is in the Volusia County Jail under a $17,500 bond, according to jail records. It is not clear when hes expected in court.
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Two missing Georgia firefighters were found dead in a car in Tennessee as the mystery grows over what happened in their final hours.

The bodies of Chandler Kuhbander and Reaegan Anderson were found Sunday dead in a car in Cocke County, Tennessee, according to WSB-TV . The two were firefighters in Hinesville, Georgia, which is near Savannah.

Details about how the two died have not been released.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Anderson and Kuhbander families during this incredibly difficult time, the Hinesville Police Department stated on social media after announcing the development.

The remains have been sent for an autopsy.

Kuhbanders mom, Jane, posted on social media days after her son was last seen. She claimed that Kuhbander was coerced by Anderson and that she was a danger to herself ( Hinesville police )

Authorities said Anderson was last seen on June 25 at a Liberty County Fire Service station, according to WBIR . Anderson was believed to be accompanied by Kuhbander.

Kuhbanders mom, Jane, posted on social media days after her son was last seen. She claimed that Kuhbander was coerced by Anderson and that she was a danger to herself. She also claimed that Kuhbander did not go with her willingly.

Police have not backed up those claims.

Anderson was last seen on June 25 at a Liberty County Fire Service station. Anderson was believed to be accompanied by Kuhbander ( Hinesville police )

Family had said the two were romantically involved but had broken up before they went missing.

"At 11:40 my son walks out of the building and he looks very comfortable, like he just had his workout," Jane Kuhbander told WJCL days after they went missing. "He doesnt look rushed as he walks through the parking lot. After that, we dont see him again.

You dont want to be in this position, she told the outlet, and when you see it on television, I can see how they feel. Then it hits you, like, I am that person. I do feel that way. This is terrifying and you have no answers.
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A mistrial has been declared in Karen Reads high-profile case after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision following eight weeks of testimony and five days of deliberations.

Read, 44, smiled and hugged her family as she she walked out of the courtroom on Monday afternoon.

Read was on trial after being accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe in 2022 by hitting him with her SUV and leaving him to die outside in a snowstorm, a case that drew widespread attention thanks to true crime fanatics, conspiracy theorists and Reads pink-shirted supporters.

Her two-month-long trial came to an end when the judge declared a mistrial drawing cheers from her supporters who waited in the rain outside the Massachusetts courthouse.

Prosecutors said they plan to retry the case. Judge Beverly Cannone scheduled a status conference for July 22 at Norfolk Superior Court.

First, we thank the O'Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case - to find justice for John O'Keefe, the district attorney's office said in a statement. The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.

Reads defense attorney Alan Jackson told reporters outside the courthouse that prosecutors had relied on compromised investigators and a compromised investigation.

We will not stop fighting, he said.

Read was on trial after being accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe in 2022 by striking him with her SUV ( AP )

Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone made the decision to declare the mistrial after the jury of six men and six women remained deadlocked Monday afternoon.

Our perspectives on the evidence are starkly divided, the jury wrote in a note to Judge Cannone on Monday. The deep division is not due to a lack of effort or diligence but rather a sincere adherence to our individual principles and moral convictions. To continue to deliberate would be futile.

Just before lunch, the jury claimed to be an an impasse, but the judge sent them out again and were told to continue deliberating.

Despite our commitment to the duty entrusted to us, we find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and state of mind, the first note read. The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry, ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable.

The jury deliberated all last week after receiving the case on Tuesday. By Friday, they claimed to be deadlocked in their decision as to whether or not Read was responsible for killing OKeefe.

Read was charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. She had denied the charges.

During the trial, the state argued Read ran over OKeefe, killing him after their relationship deteriorated. But the defense claimed OKeefe was killed in a fight with others and Read has been framed for the murder.

The body of 46-year-old John OKeefe, a Boston police officer, was found in the early morning hours of January 29, 2022, outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts. An autopsy found he died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma ( Boston Police Department )

Prosecutors argued that Read dropped OKeefe, 46, off at a house party in Canton hosted by fellow officer, Brian Albert, after a night of drinking, struck him while making a three-point turn and drove away, leaving him to die in the snow.

She allegedly returned hours later to find OKeefes snow-covered body in the front year and was heard repeatedly shouting I hit him, I hit him as first responders were on the scene, witnesses have testified.

But Reads defense team claimed that she was framed by someone who beat OKeefe to death at Alberts home and that he was bitten by the family dog.

They say the homeowners relationship with local and state police tainted their investigation.

Ladies and gentlemen, there was a cover-up in this case, plain and simple, Jackson said during closing arguments.

The jury of six men and six women deliberated behind closed doors in Norfolk County Superior Court, while a sidewalk jury of true crime bloggers and Read supporters gathered outside for days ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The defense also 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.

The jury of six men and six women deliberated behind closed doors in Norfolk County Superior Court, while a sidewalk jury of true crime bloggers and Read supporters gathered outside for days.

Many were drawn to the case because of an online blog run by Aidan Kearney, aka Turtleboy, who has relentlessly questioned the prosecution. He has also been accused of harassing witnesses. Kearney was charged with witness intimidation and conspiracy, which he denies.
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A Kansas mother who vanished along with her two young daughters may have been coerced to travel to a religious rehabilitation facility in Mexico, according to investigators.

Martha Unger, 23, and her daughters Madilynn Grace Unger, 2, and Haylie Faith Unger, 1, were reported missing on Friday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation wrote in a post on Facebook.

Authorities are asking the public for help in locating the young family who were last seen at their home in rural Haskell County just before 7 p.m. on Friday.

Martha Unger, 23, and her young daughters have been missing since Friday ( Kansas Bureau of Investigation )

Its believed Unger is driving a 2015 white Ford Explorer with the Kansas plate 301RJY.

Investigators said they believe Unger and her children may have been coerced to travel to Mexico to a religious rehabilitation facility with Corney and Elizabeth Klaasen, a couple who are in their fifties.

It is not clear how Unger and the couple know each other or which religious rehabilitation facility they may be traveling to. They are believed to be driving a white and black Chevy Blazer with a Mexico license plate.

Corney and Elizabeth Klaasen are believed to be driving a white and black Chevy Blazer with a Mexico license plate ( Kansas Bureau of Investigation )

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation did not provide further details, but only stated that they want to check the welfare of Martha and her children, and is asking anyone with information about their whereabouts to call 911 immediately.

Unger is described as a white female, approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall, weighing around 120 pounds. She has brown hair, and green eyes. Both of her girls have blonde hair and blue eyes.

Investigators said they believe Unger and her children may have been coerced to travel to Mexico to a religious rehabilitation facility with Corney and Elizabeth Klaasen ( Kansas Bureau of Investigation )

Corney and Elizabeth are in their fifties. Corney is a male, approximately 6 foot 2 inches tall, weighing around 200 pounds. He is clean shaven and last known wearing jeans and a button-up shirt.

A description of Elizabeth Klaasen was not shared, but a picture provided showed a woman with brown hair and glasses.

If you see the subjects or vehicles, you are asked to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Haskell County Sheriffs Office at 620-675-2289.
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A Florida woman accused of killing her boyfriend by suffocating him in a suitcase has claimed she is not the problem in a rambling 58-page letter to the judge after burning through eight defense attorneys.

Sarah Boone, 46, was arrested in February 2020 and charged with second-degree murder after her boyfriend Jorge Torres Jr, 42, was found lifeless inside a suitcase at their home after what Boone described as a game of hide-and-seek gone wrong.

She has maintained that Torres death was an accident after a night of drinking.

Since her arrest, Boone has been represented by several defense attorneys, and on June 7, during a court appearance, she argued that her eighth lawyer wasnt up to standard.

Ive never experienced anyone like Ms Cashman, Boone said of her attorney Patricia Cashman as she handed over a 58-page letter to the judge about Cashmans representation.

Sarah Boone, 46, of Winter Park, Florida, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly zipping her boyfriend Jorge Torres in a suitcase and leaving him to die ( Orange County Jail )

She will change her disposition and her attitude towards me, and it doesnt matter how dumbed-down I am to myself to try to co-exist with her.

Ive even come up with the solution to have a pretend judge in interactions with her so she would try hopefully to treat me appropriately and professionally, which she does not do.

Boones remarks repeated accusations made in the letter in which she wrote: I AM NOT THE PROBLEM EXCEPT THAT I WANT TO, AND SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY WITH RESPECT, ACTING MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THE PAID IVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 40 YEARS PROFESSIONAL.

After so long in all the experience, common courtesy, customer service and listening skills should have been acquired.

Boone added that Cashman is not including her in discussions about the case and accused her attorney of not believing in her alleged innocence.

The murder suspect went on to admit that she has walked out of meetings with Cashman due to her unwarranted, uninformative, unprofessional, snotty attitude and her untruthful answers to my questions and beyond.

How she treats me is extremely prejudiced, hostile and unconcerned, she wrote.

Despite her disagreements with Cashman, Boone said she does not wish to have her attorney replaced like the others, writing: I should feel secure, highly confident, proud in her representing my life.

I do not, and have said to her many times regarding her monumental disbelief in me and my case, which I believe contributes greatly to her inimical attitudes towards me.

I am hoping by this letter she will pick up the sword of injustice and fight alongside, not against me as so many unmotivated, overwhelmed, weak attorneys who bowed out ungracefully and crept away from the battlefield unsuccessful.

Sarah Boone, 46, during her arrest in February 2020 ( Orange County Sheriff's Office )

Four days after Boone submitted the letter, Cashman filed a motion asking to withdraw from the case and cited irreconcilable differences including, but not limited to, ethical considerations, according to Court TV.

In the motion, Cashman told an entirely different story about her time representing Boone, alleging that the 46-year-old refused to cooperate with her.

Ive spent over 20 hours going through her questions, going through her lists, Cashman told the court.

When I try to update her with regard to the depositions that I took recently, she opted to exit the jail conference.

When I tried to review some things with regard to discovery as to things I wanted to make sure she was aware of, she walked out.

She added: I cant spend all my time defending what Im doing and at the same time be effectively preparing a case for trial.

A hearing for Cashmans motion to be removed from the case has not yet been scheduled, but Boones trial is set to begin on October 7.

She has maintained her innocence after she told police that Torres died in the suitcase while the two were playing hide-and-seek after a night of drinking.

During her initial interview with a detective, Boone said she and Torres had decided together to zip him into the suitcase after she had hidden upstairs in the shower but Torres had failed to come and look for her.

Boone has admitted to zipping Jorge Torres Jr., 42, inside the suitcase ( Fox 35 Orlando )

Sarah and Jorge were both laughing that she zipped him into the suitcase, the affidavit stated.

Boone said she left two of Torres fingers sticking out of the zipper so he would be able to free himself.

She then decided to go upstairs and get into bed, while Torres was still stuck in the suitcase, thinking that he could get himself out and join her in bed, according to court documents, which added that she fell asleep before waking up the next morning when she could not find her boyfriend anywhere.

Sarah freaked out and remembered the last time she saw Jorge was when she zipped him in the suitcase, according to the arrest document.

She then unzipped the luggage and found Torres unresponsive inside. Deputies who responded to the residence said Torres had a cut on his lip, bruising around his eye, forehead, and shoulder, and nail scratches on his back and neck.

Video footage was later found on Boones phone in which Torres could be heard yelling at Boone from inside the suitcase and telling her he cannot breathe, prompting the woman to laugh at him in response.

Yeah, thats what you do when you choke me, Boone then tells her boyfriend in the video, according to an affidavit as Torres continues desperately trying to free himself from the suitcase, telling his girlfriend he could not breathe.

Thats on you. Oh, thats what I feel like when you cheat on me, Boone told him, according to the document, adding he should probably shut the f*** up.

A second video found on Boones phone shows the luggage in a different position. On that recording, Torres is heard yelling Boones name and saying, I cant f***ing breathe.

Boone later said she did not remember recording the videos, which she conceded looked bad.
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Walking back from retirement!

A 58-year-old Pennsylvania grandmother triumphantly returned to her beloved sport after two decades when she competed for a spot on the US racewalking team over the weekend.

Michelle Rohl previously competed in the Olympics in 1992, 1996 and 2000. She finished 20th in 1992, 14th in 1996 and 17th in 2000. She retired to homeschool her five kids.

My middle daughter was like, Mom, you were a really good athlete. Then you had kids, she told The Morning Call. And then we all grew up, and youre a great athlete again. I think we were the reason.

On Saturday, Rohl tried to make her fourth Olympics by competiting again - this time in her late-50s - during the US 20-kilometer Track and Field Trials in Springfield, Oregon.

Michelle Rohl, 58, competing during the Olympic trials in Oregon on Saturday. She returned to the sport after two decades in retirement ( Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports )

Rohl finished with a time of 1:42:27. That was good enough for third place, however, she did not meet the Olympic qualifying standard to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, according to the official Olympic website.

I was glad to be done, really. It would have been more rewarding if I wasnt just trying to stay up for the last two laps, Rohl said.

Rohl, who became a grandma just months ago, said she did not have any regrets about retiring from the sport.

I was ready for a break and I wanted that part of my life, she said.

Her husband, Michael, 59, who also spoke to the newspaper, said: Ive never known anyone who is as mentally tough as her.

[She] likes to run, likes to compete and its a lifestyle for both of us. It makes her happy and Im just happy to be along for the ride, Michael said. Later adding, I told her, You have to do this because you might inspire some other people to keep going. Like who does this? The answer is, no one else has. So just go do it and have fun doing it because you can.

Rohl finished with a time of 1:42:27 in the recent US trials. That was good enough for third place, however, she did not meet the Olympic qualifying standard to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics ( Getty Images )

Rohl trains every day and walks 45 miles a week at an 8-minute-a-mile pace, the outlet reported.

Paris wouldve been her fourth time competing in the sporting event. She holds multiple individual age-group running records from 800 to 10,000 meters, the outlet reported. In 2023, she set the American mile record for women in the 55 to 59 age group.

Rohl continued practicing the sport through numerous hurdles. Last year, she sustained a concussion after she tripped and hit her head on a curb as she was finishing a race. Only three weeks ago, she split her chin during a race in Toronto.

She continued practicing despite the injury, she told the newspaper. I just said, I have to stay on my feet and keep going forward.
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Relatives of a 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed by police in central New York were demanding justice as members of their immigrant community from Myanmar aimed to press local officials for accountability.

The state attorney general was investigating the shooting of Nyah Mway, whom Utica police tackled to the ground and then shot after a foot chase on Friday.

Police, who are conducting their own probe, released body camera video that showed a youth appearing to aim an object at them before they took him to the ground. The object was a BB gun that looked like an actual firearm, police said.

While the official investigations proceeded, Nyah Mway's family and outraged community members demanded accountability for the death of the teen, who was born in Myanmar and is a member of its Karen ethnic minority.

Utica residents of Karen descent planned to meet Sunday afternoon with Utica Mayor Michael P Galime, said Daniel Cribb, who works with a Karen community group. A message seeking comment was sent to the mayor's office.

At a vigil Saturday night, Nyah Mway's brother, Lah, said through an interpreter that he wouldn't be satisfied until the officers "are put in jail, Syracuse.com reported.

Others at the vigil questioned officials' account of the shooting.

None of it adds up, said Kay Klo, one of those at the gathering.

According to police, Nyah Mway and another 13-year-old boy were stopped Friday night because they fit descriptions of suspects in an armed robbery that had happened Thursday in the same area. One was also walking in the road, a violation of state traffic law.

The body camera video shows an officer saying he needs to pat them down for any weapons. Then one of the teens  identified as Nyah Mway  runs away, turns and appears to point a black item at them.

The officers believed it was a handgun, police said, but it was later determined to be a BB or pellet gun that closely resembled a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine. Police released an image showing the device did not have an orange band on the barrel that many BB gun-makers have added in recent years to distinguish their products from firearms.

Officer Bryce Patterson caught up with Nyah Mway, tackled and punched him, and as the two wrestled on the ground, officer Patrick Husnay opened fire, body camera video showed.

Utica Police chief Mark Williams said at a news conference Saturday that the single shot hit the youth in the chest.

A bystander video posted to Facebook also showed an officer tackling the teen and punching him as two other officers arrive, then a gunshot ringing out as the teen was on the ground.

Husnay, Patterson and officer Andrew Citriniti were placed on paid administrative leave as the investigations go forward.

Under New York law, the attorney general's office looks into every death at the hands of law enforcement. The Utica Police Department's probe, meanwhile, will explore whether officers followed policies and training.

The police chief called the shooting a tragic and traumatic incident for all involved.

Utica's population of 65,000 includes more than 4,200 people from Myanmar, according to The Center, a nonprofit group that helps to resettle refugees.

Karens are among groups warring with the military rulers of Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma. The army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.

Nyah Mway and his family came to the United States nine years ago, according to speakers at the vigil.

This country is supposed to be a country of freedom, a country of peace, said one speaker, Yadana Oo. Whats going on? Did we run from one persecutor to another?
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Alfred Handley leaned back in his wheelchair alongside a major Phoenix freeway as a street medicine team helped him get rehydrated with an intravenous saline solution dripping from a bag hanging on a pole.

Cars whooshed by under the blazing 96-degree morning sun as the 59-year-old homeless man with a nearly toothless smile got the help he needed through a new program run by the nonprofit Circle the City.

Its a lot better than going to the hospital, Handley said of the team that provides health care to homeless people. He's been treated poorly at traditional clinics and hospitals, he said, more than six years after being struck by a car while he sat on a wall, leaving him in a wheelchair.

Circle the City introduced its IV rehydration program as a way to protect homeless people from life-threatening heat illness as temperatures regularly hit the triple-digits in America's hottest metro. Homeless people accounted for nearly half of the record 645 heat-related deaths last year in Maricopa County, which encompasses metro Phoenix.

Dr. Liz Frye, vice chair of the Street Medicine Institute that provides training to hundreds of health care teams worldwide, said she didn't know of groups other than Circle the City administering IVs on the street.

"But if thats what needs to happen to keep somebody from dying, Im all about it, Frye said.

Alfred Handley watches an intravenous saline solution drip administered by the Circle The City medical team, Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Phoenix ( AP )

As summers grow warmer, health providers from San Diego to New York are being challenged to better protect homeless patients.

Even the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, featured in last year's book, Rough Sleepers," now sees patients with mild heat exhaustion in the summer after decades of treating people with frostbite and hypothermia during the winter, said Dr. Dave Munson, the street team's medical director.

It's certainly something to worry about, said Munson, noting that temperatures in Boston hit 100 degrees with 70 percent humidity during June's heat wave. Homeless people, he said, are vulnerable to very hot and very cold weather not only because they live outside, but they often can't regulate body temperature due to medication for mental illness or high blood pressure, or because of street substance use.

The Phoenix team searches for patients in homeless encampments in dry riverbeds, sweltering alleys and along the canals that bring water to the Phoenix area. About 15 percent are dehydrated enough for a saline drip.

We go out every day and find them, said nurse practitioner Perla Puebla. We do their wound care, medication refills for diabetes, antibiotics, high blood pressure.

Pueblas street team ran across Handley and 36-year-old Phoenix native Phillip Enriquez near an overpass in an area frequented by homeless people because its near a facility offering free meals. Across the road was an encampment of tents and lean-tos along a chain-link fence.

Phillip Enriquez, left, and Alfred Handley receive intravenous saline solution from a Circle The City mobile clinic, Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Phoenix ( AP )

Enriquez sat on a patch of dirt as Puebla started a drip for him. She also gave him a prescription for antibiotics and a referral to a dentist for his dental infection.

Living outside in Arizonas broiling sun is hard, especially for people who may be mentally ill or use sedating drugs like fentanyl that make them less aware of surroundings. Stimulants like methamphetamine contribute to dehydration, which can be fatal.

Temperatures this year have reached 115 degrees (45 Celsius) in metro Phoenix, where six heat-related deaths have been confirmed through June 22. Another 111 are under investigation.

The number of patients with heat illnesses is increasing every year, said Dr. Aneesh Narang, assistant medical director of emergency medicine at Banner Medical Center-Phoenix, which treats many homeless people with heat stroke.

Narang's staff works frequently with Circle the City, whose core mission is providing respite care, with 100 beds for homeless people not well enough to return to the streets after a hospital stay.

Extreme heat worldwide requires a dramatic response, said physician assistant Lindsay Fox, who cares for homeless people in Albuquerque, New Mexico, through an initiative run by the University of New Mexicos School of Medicine.

Highs in Albuquerque can hit the 90s and don't fall enough for people living outside to cool off overnight, she said.

Homeless people gather outside one of five Circle The City mobile clinics stationed outside a soup kitchen, Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Phoenix ( AP )

Serious heat stroke is far more common in metro Phoenix, where Circle the City is now among scores of health programs for the homeless in cities like New York, San Diego and Spokane, Washington.

Circle the City, founded in 2012 by Sister Adele OSullivan, a physician and member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, now has 260 employees, including 15 doctors, 13 physician assistants and 11 nurse practitioners. It annually sees 9,000 patients.
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Red Roof Inn, one of the largest budget hotel chains in America, is set to face lawsuits from hundreds of sex trafficking victims who claim the company turned a blind eye and profited from their abuse for years.

An investigation by The Independent has found that at least 42 federal lawsuits are underway against the hotel chain and its franchisees. Hundreds more victims are in the process of filing legal action, according to attorneys working on their cases.

The victims, some of whom were underage at the time, accuse the company of allowing its rooms to be rented on a grand scale to sex traffickers who forced them into commercial sex work and controlled nearly every aspect of their lives.

They claim the signs of their trafficking were so obvious they could not have been missed by the company. The lawsuits are littered with references to malnourished and underage girls and women under the control of pimps who conducted their business in front of hotel staff, renting numerous hotel rooms where male customers came and went, night after night.

The lawsuits, and those yet to be filed, span the length and breadth of the country, across 39 states and at least 117 Red Roof Inn hotels. As part of this investigation, The Independent has plotted those locations on a map to show the scale and spread of the alleged incidents.

The lawsuits also revealed that a senior Red Roof Inn employee joked about the presence of pimps and hos at one of the hotels under his management.

Steven Babin, an attorney who is representing close to 1,000 sex trafficking victims in cases involving Red Roof Inn, told The Independent that sex trafficking had reached an epidemic level across the hotel chain, and estimated the true number of victims to be in the many thousands.

Sex trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce another individual to sell sex.

Red Roof Inn intentionally ignored the problem of human sex trafficking in its hotels and completely failed to put any meaningful policies and procedures in place. Instead, their focus was on one thing: money, he claimed.

Red Roof Inn is only one hotel chain among many facing similar allegations, but a trial in which the company is defending itself against 11 alleged victims of sex trafficking in Atlanta, Georgia, made history last month as the first of its kind against a national hotel chain. That trial offered a rare and disturbing close-up view of how trafficking operations were run from two Red Roof Inn hotels in the city, and precisely what the company knew.

I still have scars

The Atlanta courtroom fell silent as Tiffeny entered. She was visibly pregnant and nervous as she took her seat in the witness box. Over the course of the next hour, she described in detail how she was brutally trafficked at a Red Roof Inn hotel when she was 17 by two men named Bless and Bags, between December 2010 and May 2011.

We had to take customers morning, lunch, dinner, midnight, after club hours, she told the court, at times breaking into tears. It was just around the clock. We had to make a quota of a minimum $1,000 a day if we wanted to eat.

Tiffeny and the rest of the plaintiffs filed their lawsuits under a 2008 law that allows victims of sex trafficking to seek civil damages against any entity or individual that knowingly profited from the trafficking activities. Her testimony was historic: She is the first victim of sex trafficking to ever testify at a trial seeking damages from a national hotel chain accused of profiting from the crime.

They were told about it, their employees knew about it, the front desk people knew about it, housekeeping, everybody knew about it Jonathan Tonge, attorney for the 11 plaintiffs in the Atlanta case

Eight days into the trial, Red Roof Inn agreed to an undisclosed settlement with the victims. But even though the trial was cut short, the testimony shone a light on what sex trafficking conducted from hotels really looks like.

Tiffeny described how the pimps would travel in groups and gather in the parking lot of the hotel to coordinate customers while the women worked inside the rooms. Her trafficker would decide when she slept and when she ate, although she said she didnt remember much eating. If she refused to see a customer or disobeyed him she would be choked or beaten.

Throughout this time, she said no Red Roof Inn employees ever asked if she needed help.

Should they have? the attorney for the plaintiffs asked during the trial.

I think its just pretty suspicious to see teenage girls dressed in club wear at 9:00, 10:00 in the morning paying for a hotel room during the week, she replied.

The harrowing court testimony continued with Melissa, who was trafficked in 2015 and 2016 after dropping out of college. She described being forced to have sex with eight men a day, for days at a time at the Red Roof Inn. She spoke about witnessing a pregnant woman being beaten to a bloody pulp by her trafficker in the bathroom and how housekeeping staff came each morning to remove garbage cans filled with condoms and bloody towels.

Its hard to explain because I had to be so numb to the experience, she said. Having random people inside of me every single day, and the pain that my body had to go through of having sex every  it never stopped. It did not stop.

Alexa was 17 years old and in a relationship with her trafficker before he threatened her family with violence if she did not obey him. She has scars on her forehead and her midsection from violence meted out against her by him. She testified that she was forced to get a tattoo of an eye on her leg  a brand her trafficker used to claim ownership of her.

The Red Roof Inn was chosen by the trafficker because of its lax attitude towards what was going on," she said. If things were slow, she could go out into the parking lot to find dates and bring them back to her room.

The Smyrna Red Roof Inn, where some of the plaintiffs in the Atlanta trial say they were trafficked. ( Google )

Each of the victims who testified that day told a similar story. The trafficking was so blatant, they argued, that Red Roof Inn employees could not have missed it.

Dozens of lawsuits filed against Red Roof Inn across the US and reviewed by The Independent tell a similar story. In each of the cases, women were allegedly lured or pressured into a situation where traffickers controlled every aspect of their lives, where they were abused and trafficked for months at a time.

In one lawsuit centered on a Red Roof Inn in Kentucky, a 16-year-old girl said she was forced to have sex with at least 10-12 paying customers a day at the hotel, while enduring brutal physical abuse, rape, exploitation, psychological torment, kidnapping, and imprisonment.

If these girls and women are being trafficked at a hotel, you will see the malnourished body, the way that they are dressed, the demeanor in which they walk, the lack of eye contact Anique Whitmore, expert witness at the Atlanta trial

Another victim was trafficked for three years at Red Roof Inn hotels in Washington, DC, and Maryland, where she claimed staff witnessed her physically and verbally abused by her captors in public areas of the hotel.

Yet another woman, who was trafficked for three years at a Red Roof Inn in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, said in her lawsuit that she encountered many of the same hotel staff repeatedly. Those employees witnessed her trafficker being frequently violent with her and loud sounds of abuse could often be heard from the room, the lawsuit alleges.

The hotel chain, which has some 624 properties across the US, has repeatedly denied that it ignored sex trafficking at its hotels. In some of the cases, Red Roof Inn cast doubt on victims claims that they had been trafficked at all. During cross-examination in the Atlanta trial, the defense team highlighted instances where they argued that the women were able to escape from their traffickers and subsequently went back to them.

The warning signs

The testimonies of the plaintiffs in the Atlanta case, and in lawsuits across the country, leave little doubt that sex trafficking took place at Red Roof Inn hotels. But the question at the center of all of these lawsuits is whether the hotel chain should be held liable for it  especially when the location in question was owned by a franchisee.

Red Roof Inn has been moving further towards the franchise model in recent years by reducing the number of properties it owns directly. Because no cases had gone to trial, it was unclear how that might impact liability.

But in denying a summary judgment motion in the Atlanta trial, the judge agreed with an earlier court ruling that said the evidence shows that the Red Roof Defendants and their employees were aware that they were profiting from renting rooms to those pimps and prostitutes, and that even after the Atlanta location in question was sold to a franchisee, there is evidence that the Red Roof Defendants continued to participate in this venture, although to a lesser degree.

Red Roof Inn contends that trafficking is by its very nature an illicit activity, conducted in secret. For that reason, the company has argued that it could not be expected to identify it, and therefore should not be held responsible.

But experts in the Atlanta case testified that although much of the control exerted over sex trafficking victims is psychological, there are clear red flags.

Anique Whitmore, an expert witness in the Atlanta trial who has trained police departments across Georgia on how to recognize trafficking, said the crime is often clear enough so that you can see it with a naked eye.

These are women, men, children who are being forced into selling their bodies for sex. That money is handed over to somebody, and you receive zero. Your compensation might be some french fries the next day, she told the court.

If girls and women are being trafficked at a hotel, you will see the malnourished body, the way that they are dressed, the demeanor in which they walk, the lack of eye contact  the inability to have their own voice and speak without permission, she said.

To be frank, youd be quite ignorant if you didnt see it, she added.

The victims lawyers contend that the scale of prostitution was so great across Red Roof Inn properties that by turning a blind eye, the company created the conditions for sex trafficking to take place.

Anyone who set foot on the Smyrna and Buckhead Red Roof Inn properties witnessed an open-air prostitution market, the Atlanta lawsuit claimed. It added that those hotels did not just tolerate prostitution, they knowingly chose to profit from it.

my pimps and hos love them some snacks to go with their smokes Jay Moyer, then-regional vice president of operations for Red Roof Inn

Alan Borowsky, an attorney who has taken on dozens of cases relating to sex trafficking at Red Roof Inn, told The Independent that the scale and signs of prostitution were so obvious that the law required action to be taken. Even if you have an instance where sex trafficking may not be outwardly distinguishable from non-coerced sex work, you still have situations where clearly there is some type of commercial sex venture, and it can be discovered through the course of reasonable expectations of observation and investigation that a sex trafficking venture is afoot, he said.

And thats where the liability comes in, he said.

Tonge, the lawyer in the Atlanta case, put it succinctly: If you get rid of all prostitution, then you get rid of all sex trafficking. So just do that.

The claims of widespread prostitution are supported by testimony from former staff and reviews of the hotels posted online by customers.

An analysis of customer reviews of Red Roof Inn hotels by The Independent found that customers mentioned prostitution at 176 properties. This information is publicly available, and evidence presented in the trial showed that Red Roof Inn employed an outside company to monitor reviews.

The reviews, the content of which could not be verified by The Independent, show that customers saw visible signs of prostitution at Red Roof Inn locations across the country for years.

Aaron, a former night manager at several Red Roof Inn hotels, told The Independent prostitution was heavy at the locations where he worked.

While I was with Red Roof, all three of the properties had problems with prostitution, he said in a phone interview.

Aaron said he didnt knowingly witness any sex trafficking, but the scenes he described fit the description of a sex trafficking operation.

They would bring girls in, he said, referring to the men who were managing the operation. Theyd be there two weeks, sometimes. And then theyd send those girls away and bring in some more.

Aaron added that the men who appeared to be running the operation would sometimes pay for the rooms, rather than the girls themselves.

Like other employees who were cited in the lawsuits, he said he received no training on how to identify sex trafficking from Red Roof Inn and that the company prioritized profits over everything else.

Its heads in beds, he said. They want every door sold. They dont care how you do it. Your manager has that pressure of having to do that consistently, so if you can get prostitutes and drug dealers to come in there and keep them in order, youre selling out.

My pimps and hos

It wasnt just the hotel staff that knew about the sex trafficking, but all the way up the Red Roof Inn corporate management chain, according to the lawsuits. The Atlanta lawsuits contained depositions and internal communications between hotel staff and corporate Red Roof Inn employees that attorneys for the plaintiffs argue show a clear awareness that sex trafficking was taking place.

In one email, Jay Moyer, the then-regional vice president of operations responsible for both Atlanta hotels, joked about a vending machine being introduced to one of the properties, writing that my pimps and hos love them some snacks to go with their smokes.

Moyer claimed in a deposition that he was quoting customer reviews, but lawyers for the plaintiffs said that even if that were true, the email confirms that he was aware that the [...] property regularly rented rooms to suspected prostitutes and pimps, which would also indicate knowledge of sex trafficking.

Numerous former Red Roof Inn employees testified in depositions that they passed their concerns about prostitution and sex trafficking to Moyer and other managers.

The law says you dont have to be Superman, you dont have to go rescue trafficking victims to follow the law, you dont have to send traffickers to jail. You just need to exercise reasonable diligence to not make money from human trafficking Steven Babin, an attorney with hundreds of clients who claim to have been victims of sex trafficking at Red Roof Inn

Vanessa Cole, a general manager at one of the hotels between 2011 and 2012, said in her deposition that prostitution was a consistent problem that she reported up the chain, including to Moyer. She said Moyer responded by saying: yes, we understand we have to, you know, clean up the place, but we also need to sell rooms.

Another former employee, Michael Thomas, testified that Moyer told him to book suspected sex workers in the back of the hotel, where they would be less visible to other guests.

On at least one occasion, reports of sex trafficking made their way to the president of the company, Andy Alexander. In December 2015, a former board member of an international anti-trafficking organization, Michele Sarkisian, called Alexander to tell him a known sex trafficker was trafficking women at one of the Atlanta hotels, according to the Atlanta lawsuit. Red Roof Inn did not disclose what action they took in response.

Employees at both Atlanta hotels testified that they did not receive any training on safety and security, prostitution or sex trafficking during the time in question. The company introduced sex trafficking training in August 2014, but it was only for general managers.

A lot of people dont have the power to stop trafficking, but when youre a multi-million dollar corporation with control or at least significant influence over the place where people are being trafficked, you can, and should, be held liable if you consciously disregard the safety of others Emma Hetherington, director of the Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) Clinic

Jonathan Tonge, an attorney for the 11 victims in the Atlanta case, told The Independent that the entire company knew women were being trafficked.

What we accuse them of doing is just blatantly allowing not just prostitution, but sex trafficking. They were told about it, their employees knew about it, the front desk people knew about it, housekeeping, everybody knew about it, he said.

And because of that our clients got hurt. Our clients were trafficked there because Red Roof allowed sex trafficking, he alleged.

According to Babin, Red Roof Inn had significant knowledge of sex trafficking at its properties, and what they did with that knowledge is the key question here.

The law says you dont have to be Superman, you dont have to go rescue trafficking victims to follow the law, you dont have to send traffickers to jail. You just need to exercise reasonable diligence to not make money from human trafficking, he said.

A reckoning

The rise of the internet moved prostitution, and with it sex trafficking, from the streets to hotels  and behind closed doors. An estimated 80 percent of sex trafficking takes place at hotels today.

Anti-trafficking signs with phone numbers for hotlines for people to report suspected trafficking are now routinely hung up in hotel rooms.

Red Roof Inn itself conceded during the trial that hotels are on the frontline of combating sex trafficking, but it didnt introduce training for years after the problem was widespread.

Following the settlement in the Atlanta case, Red Roof Inn said in a statement that it denies all allegations and condemns prostitution and sex trafficking in all forms. It also claimed to have taken steps to mitigate criminal activity at Red Roof properties, without clarifying further.

Emma Hetherington, director of the Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) Clinic and an associate professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, attended the Atlanta trial for seven days and concluded that the company failed to respond in a reasonable or appropriate manner to the many reports of sex trafficking.

A sign displaying the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline on the back of a door at a New York City hotel. ( Richard Hall / The Independent )

A lot of people dont have the power to stop trafficking, but when youre a multimillion-dollar corporation with control or at least significant influence over the place where people are being trafficked, you can, and should, be held liable if you consciously disregard the safety of others, she added.

A verdict in the trial would have answered key questions about the legal liability of national hotel chains and sex trafficking. Although the exact terms of the settlement in the Atlanta case are confidential, Hetherington said the very fact it got to trial is a step forward for the 11 victims who testified.

Most survivors never get their day in court, Hetherington said. Several of the survivors described feeling relieved after testifying, being able to get a good nights sleep for the first time in years, and feeling free for the first time. Civil lawsuits can be a powerful vehicle for healing and can provide a sense of empowerment for people whose autonomy and self-worth were stolen from them.

Babin, the Ohio lawyer with almost 1,000 cases, also believes the trial demonstrated progress.

Trials  no matter what  will help you determine the value of a case. Trials win, lose or draw  show that the cases have facts that are sufficient to get to trial, he said.

Babin said he foresees a reckoning for the hotel industry for its involvement in sex trafficking.

The industry has stuck their head in the sand for a very, very long time. They knew that this was gonna come. At conferences, way before any cases were filed, they were alluding to the fact that they might one day actually have to take responsibility for whats going on in these hotels, he said.

One of the big hotel chains will end up going bankrupt as a result of this litigation. And they deserve way worse.

This article was made possible by the generosity of our readers. If you would like to support future special reports and investigations, please make a contribution.

If you or someone you know is experiencing human trafficking and is in need of support, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888, by texting 233733, or online via webchat at humantraffickinghotline.org . The hotline operates 24/7 and help is available in 200 languages. All calls are confidential.
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A man has been left in critical condition after he was bitten by a shark while fishing off the coast of Florida  the state with the highest number of recorded shark attacks.

The Nassau County Sheriffs Office (NCSO) marine unit was out patrolling the waters around Fernandina Beach when it received an emergency radio distress call at 11.15am on Friday.

The call reported a man had suffered a severe shark bite to his right forearm, NCSO said.

The man, who is in his 40s, was on board a boat and fishing at the time of the attack, an NCSO spokesperson told ABC News. It remains unclear how the shark managed to get hold of the mans arm while he was in the vessel.

He lost a lot of blood, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said. He was bleeding pretty bad.

When deputies arrived, they found the victim with a critical injury, prompting them to immediately board the vessel and apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from his arm.

The deputy then took control of the vessel and sailed it back to a boat ramp, where Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue was waiting.

A deputy from the Nassau County Sheriffs Office can be seen applying a tourniquet to the victims arm ( Nassau County Sheriffs Office )

The victim was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital and has been listed in critical condition; however, police say he is expected to recover.

The deputy was a hero when he arrived and made sure he took care of the situation, Leeper said of the unnamed deputy.

The Independent has contacted the Nassau County Sheriffs Office for further information.

This latest incident comes off the back of two separate shark attacks in the Gulf Coast of Florida earlier in June that left three people injured.

In the first incident, a 45-year-old woman was left with significant trauma to her midsection and had part of her left lower arm amputated after being attacked in Walton County.

The victim was airlifted to hospital and is expected to recover ( Nassau County Sheriffs Office )

In the second attack, only an hour and a half later, two teenage girls aged 15 and 17, were injured four miles away near Seacrest Beach while swimming.

One girl had serious injuries, with wounds to one upper and one lower extremity, and was rushed to a trauma center for treatment.

Florida is considered the shark attack capital of the United States, having a total of 928 attacks on its coastline since 1837; the state is also a contender for the worldwide spot, according to The International Shark Attack File for 2023.

The file investigated 120 alleged shark-human interactions worldwide last year and found that 69 of those were unprovoked.

Police were out patrolling on Friday when they received the distress call ( Nassau County Sheriffs Office )

The United States came out on top as the country where most interactions happened, with 36 cases representing 52 per cent of the worldwide total.

Florida was home to 16 of the 36 unprovoked attacks in the US last year.

Volusia County had the most shark bites in Florida with eight, representing 50 per cent of the states total, making it 2023s shark attack capital of the world, according to the research.

Elsewhere in the United States, a well-known surfer who appeared in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie died after he was attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii on June 23.

Surfer Tamayo Perry, 49, was found with several shark bites after the attack at Malaekahana Beach on Oahu, Honolulu. He was brought to shore by lifeguards on a jet ski before being pronounced dead at the scene.
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A beloved educator was killed in a horrific crash at a Texas McDonalds when he was run over by a car backing out of a parking spot, police say.

George Stepp, 81, was at the McDonalds in Lewisville, Texas, around 9.30 a.m. Saturday, according to Fox 4 .

A red Toyota truck was backing out of a parking spot when it accelerated and hit Stepp, who was walking out of the fast-food restaurant, according to the report. Stepp was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are investigating to determine if the trucks driver had a medical emergency causing them to suddenly accelerate, the report noted.

George Stepp (right) was killed in a freak crash in a McDonalds parking lot in Texas. He served as superintendent of school in Fairfax, Virginia, 1996-2007 and is seen with one of his successors, Phyllis Pajardo, outside the schools office ( City of Fairfax Schools )

Its unclear if any charges have been filed in the case.

Stepp was a longtime educator and served as superintendent of Fairfax School in Virginia, according to Patch . He led the district between 1996-2007 and worked a total of 27 years in Fairfax.

He also served as a teacher and administrator.

Police investigating the McDonalds crash are looking if the driver had a medical emergency causing them to accelerate and his Stepp ( Google Earth )

Stepp graduated from Morehead State University and then attended the doctoral program in education at Vanderbilt University.

"George Stepp was a big man with a big, big heart and an amazing school superintendent, Former Fairfax school board member Janie Miller said, according to Patch. He cared deeply about our school children, teachers, and staff. He was committed to excellence and the best opportunities for ALL our kiddos. He is gone but will not be forgotten."

Current Fairfax schools superintendent Jeff Platenberg was quick to praise Stepp.

His vision and dedication were instrumental in renovating all our City schools and the successful consolidation of our elementary schools, Platenberg said. His legacy of commitment to educational excellence will continue to inspire us and benefit our community for future generations.
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Joe Biden met his family at Camp David on Sunday to discuss his political future after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump revived doubts about his cognitive ability and renewed calls for him to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

The presidents family reportedly encouraged him to stay the course as he spent the day with first lady Jill Biden, his children and grandchildren.

Mr Biden appeared frail and his voice was soft and rasped during the first debate of the 2024 presidential race with Mr Trump last week. His performance sent top Democrats into crisis talks and led to speculation that the party would try and replace him with another candidate.

But Mr Bidens family maintained that he was the best Democratic candidate to defeat Mr Trump, people privy to the internal discussions told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

They also expressed confidence in his ability to serve as president for another four years.

His wife Jill Biden and son Hunter Biden were reportedly the most vocal in rallying behind Mr Biden. They argued that the president should not bow out when hes down and believed that he could come back from what they saw as one subpar performance.

The family also analysed their preparation of Mr Biden for the debate and wondered if they could have done better, the Associated Press reported.

Hunter Biden wanted the people to see the version of his father that he knew for being in command of facts, family sources told the New York Times.

The entire family is united, one source said about the discussion. You get up and keep fighting.

Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden walk to board Air Force One at Francis S Gabreski airport in New York ( AFP via Getty )

In the 72 hours since the debate, a chorus of supporters and donors have urged Mr Biden to quit the race, as has The New York Times editorial board.

The president appeared on Thursday night as the shadow of a great public servant, the paper opined on Friday. He struggled to explain what he would accomplish in a second term.

He struggled to respond to Mr Trumps provocations. He struggled to hold Mr Trump accountable for his lies, his failures and his chilling plans, it continued. More than once, he struggled to make it to the end of a sentence.

A poll of 1,130 registered voters conducted by CBS and YouGov after the debate showed that less than 30 per cent thought Mr Biden should be in the 2024 presidential race.

Asked why they thought Mr Biden should not be running for another term, 86 per cent of the respondents cited his age while 59 per cent said they had concerns about his ability to campaign.

More than half of the respondents also said Mr Trump should not be running for president, with nearly 91 per cent referring to his felony conviction as a reason.
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Top contributors to President Joe Bidens re-election bid are inquiring about having their campaign donations refunded after the 81-year-old chief executive delivered a meandering and tottering performance at his first 2024 election debate with Donald Trump last week.

During the 90-minute session at CNNs studios in Atlanta last week, Biden had trouble forming coherent answers to questions at times and on several occasions lost his train of thought. In doing so, he realized the worst fears of allies and supporters who have, until now, pushed back on allegations that the oldest man to ever serve as president is simply too old to serve another four-year term.

Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez told donors in a private campaign call over the weekend that over $33 million had been raised in the days since the debate, with hundreds of new applications from potential volunteers coming in as well.

According to NBC News, one participant on the donor call said many of those who dialed in are frightened in the wake of Bidens disappointing performance.

There were some tough comments from those on the call. Some were upset that they are just hearing campaign talking points, the participant said.

They added that some Biden donors have gone so far as to ask about getting their money back.

Over the weekend, calls for Biden to stand down have come from top newspapers and some prominent supporters of the 46th president.

But Chavez has advised donors that were Biden to step aside, only Vice President Kamala Harris could make use of the millions in the Biden-Harris campaign war chest, leaving it unclear how Democrats could move ahead with any ticket that doesnt include the sitting vice president.

Biden has been cloistered at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Thurmont, Maryland, since returning from a campaign and fundraising swing to North Carolina and New York in the immediate aftermath of the debate.

A White House source says the confab with relatives has been long-planned and included a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Annie Liebovitz.

Thus far, the Biden campaign has indicated that the president will stay in the race.
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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has warned that PresidentJoe Bidens chances of winning the state are now over following his dismal debate performance last week.

Biden had hoped to silence critics who have questioned his age and mental sharpness when he took on Donald Trump on stage during the first televised debate of the 2024 election on Thursday evening.

But instead of putting concerns to rest, the 81-year-old reinforced the stereotype with a bumbling, stumbling performance that is said to have left members of his party divided on whether he is the right candidate to run for the White House.

Despite burgeoning support for Whitmer to potentially take the Democrats ticket for presidential candidate, the former senator was quick to quash the notion she would run for office and deny that she was behind the growing push.

Sources with knowledge of the matter, who remain anonymous, told Politico that, in a call between Whitmer and Biden campaign chair Jennifer OMalley Dillon, the Democrat expressed her growing frustrations and said she hated being named as a potential Biden replacement.

In the call, Whitmer doubled down on her support for Bidens re-election campaign.

Michigan governer Gretchen Whitmer reportedly said Biden will not be able to win her state after the CNN debate ( AFP via Getty Images )

But despite her loyalty, another source said that Whitmer gave Biden a damning warning: that her state is no longer winnable for the president due to his debate performance.

As a swing state, Michigan has played a crucial role in determining the outcome of the past two presidential elections and could prove vital for Biden as he seeks a second term.

The state flipped blue in 2020 and Whitmer then sailed to a second term in 2022, scoring a 10-point victory over her Republican rival.

Bidens loss of the state to presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump this November would be a devastating blow for Democrats.

While the lawmaker seemingly rejected that shed take on the sitting president, her former aide Mark Burton told The Telegraph that he thinks she believes she could beat Trump, if the pair were to thrash it out for the Oval Office.

Biden has faced a swathe of criticsm following the first televised debate of the 2024 election last week ( Getty )

While Whitmer garners support, Vice President Kamala Harris remains the most popular choice to replace Biden if he drops out of the race, according to a recent Date for Progress poll. Taking an average of recent polls, Trump would lead Harris by six points in a race for office.

If Biden doesnt step down, there are two ways he could be replaced ahead of Novembers election.

Democrats could invoke the 25th Amendment and try to replace Biden with Harris. Or delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago could revolt and vote for somebody other than Biden on the floor in August.

Whitmers continued support for Biden has been mirrored by other prominent Democrats including former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and former House majority whip James Clyburn.

But other party members have been more scathing in their criticism towards Biden.

Minnesotas Democrat congressman Dean Phillips delivered a scathing nine-word X post seemingly aimed at Biden last week. Speak only if it improves upon the silence  Gandhi, he wrote on X.
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A growing number of editorial boards for major newspapers have called on Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 election in the wake of his disastrous performance at the first debate against Donald Trump.

The day after the debate, The New York Times editorial board suggested that the president should leave the race to serve his country, based on his own argument that Trump presents a serious threat to American democracy.

At Thursdays debate, the president needed to convince the American public that he was equal to the formidable demands of the office he is seeking to hold for another term, the board wrote. Voters, however, cannot be expected to ignore what was instead plain to see: Mr Biden is not the man he was four years ago.

Writing for The New Yorker, editor David Remnick wrote that Biden would be performing an act of patriotism by leaving the race, while remaining would be an act not only of self-delusion but of national endangerment.

He added: There is no shame in growing old. There is honor in recognizing the hard demands of the moment.

Tonya Morris, from Cincinnati, reacts during the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on June 27. The face-off was widely seen as a disastrous moment for the Biden campaign ( AP )

The Economists editorial board wrote that Biden leaving the race would help rescue America from an emergency.

The board, which suggested in 2022 that Biden should not run for a second term, wrote that Biden is now befuddled and incoherent  too infirm, frankly, to cope with another four years in the worlds hardest job.

The Chicago Tribunes editorial board wrote enough.

Both candidates are two gnarly old men and clowns, while the Democratic Party has been covering up a reality that they must have seen but clearly wished were otherwise, the board wrote.

The president should announce that he is a single-term president who has seen the light when it comes to his own capabilities in the face of the singular demands of being the president of the United States, the board continued.

He can do so with honor, but he is the only person who can do so. Certainly, his family can help. But, again, he is the only one.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that it is time for Biden to pass the torch.

The Georgia newspapers editorial board invoked George Washingtons farewell address, noting that every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.

The shade of retirement is now necessary for President Biden, the board said.

Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden leave the CNN presidential debate stage on June 27 ( REUTERS )

The debate  and the insulting excuse that Biden merely had a cold  confirmed the worst fears of some of Bidens most ardent supporters  that after 36 years in the US Senate, eight more as vice president and a term in the White House, age has finally caught up to him, according to the Georgia newspapers board.

Bidens candidacy was grounded in his incumbency and the belief of Democratic leaders and pollsters that he stood the best chance of defeating Trump in November, it continued. That is no longer the case.

The Philadelphia Inquirers editorial board took a different approach by urging Trump to drop out of the race.

Lost in the hand wringing over Bidens performance was Donald Trumps usual bombastic litany of lies, hyperbole, bigotry, ignorance, and fear mongering. His performance demonstrated once again that he is a danger to democracy and unfit for office, the board wrote.

Trump  an unserious carnival barker who is a danger to democracy  reminded voters of what another four years of Trump would look like, according to the newspaper. More lies, grievance, narcissism, and hate. Supporters say they like Trump because he says whatever he thinks. But he mainly spews raw sewage.

Biden, on the other hand, must show that he is up to the job, the board wrote.

This much is clear: He has a substantive record of real accomplishments, fighting the pandemic, combating climate change, investing in infrastructure, and supporting working families and the most vulnerable, the newspaper added. There was only one person at the debate who does not deserve to be running for president. The sooner Trump exits the stage, the better off the country will be.
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Joe Bidens family has blamed the presidents campaign team for his disastrous debate performance, questioning whether top advisers should be fired while insisting he should remain in the White House race, according to reports.

First Lady Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden and the presidents grandchildren convened at Camp David on Sunday to rally behind the president amid calls for him to wind down his re-election campaign.

It marks the first time that the entire family has gathered together since the Biden and Donald Trumps first televised debate of the 2024 election on Thursday evening, which saw the 81-year-old stumbling over his words, losing his train of thought and, at points, freezing altogether. Democrats immediately went into panic mode, with party members left divided on whether Biden was the right person to run for office.

Following his lacklustre performance, in an exercise of damage limitation, his family were said to have shifted blame onto his campaign team, with questions being raised about whether some of his senior staff should be ousted, an advisor told CNN. Currently, it does not appear that the president  who is known for being loyal to his aides  has made any major staffing changes.

During the family discussions, Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal gun charges in early June, was unwavering in his support for his fathers bid for the White House and maintained that he is shrewd and in command of facts, a source informed with Sundays discussions told The New York Times.

Joe Biden and his wife Jill convened with their children and grandchildren at Camp David on Sunday ( AFP via Getty Images )

Jill Biden was also said to voice support for her husband, dispelling the notion that Thursdays debate was a nail-in-coffin moment for his re-election bid. The Bidens expressed confidence in his ability to serve as president for a second consecutive term.

The entire family is united, one source said about the discussion. You get up and keep fighting, they added.

Disdain towards Bidens senior advisers has radiated wider than just within his family. Top Democratic donor, John Morgan, publicly called out and demanded the resignation of three senior staff: Ron Klain, Anita Dunn and Bob Bauer.

[Bidens] advisers failed him, he wrote on X on Sunday. Format was a disaster for him and a plus for Trump. He over practiced and was drained who wouldnt be.

Meanwhile, Bidens campaign team has been quick to downplay Sundays visit to Camp David, pointing out that it was planned in advance to Thursdays debate and denying that it was something of a last-ditch crisis meeting. The family had planned to participate in a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump took to stage for the first debate of the 2024 election on Thursday ( EPA )

Bidens age and mental fitness had already been a top concern, with Thursdays debate meant to be the presidents shot to silence dissenters. But just hours after Biden left the CNN debate stage in Atalanta, Georgia, a slew of critics  including those within his own party  questioned whether the president should step aside from the race.

Former Democratic senator Claire McCaskill questioned whether things can be done to fix this, after being bested by a more coherent Trump, she told MSNBC.

A snap poll conducted by CBS and YouGov after the debate also showed that less than 30 per cent thought Mr Biden should be in the 2024 presidential race. Eighty-six per cent of respondents cited Bidens age while 59 per cent said they had concerns about his ability to campaign when asked why they thought the president should not be running for another term.
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Donald Trump and his allies are celebrating after the Supreme Court ruled that he may have some immunity from prosecution.

In a 6-3 decision released on Monday, the court ruled that former presidents have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions, meaning that Trump could dodge some charges for his alleged plot to overturn the result of the 2020 election.

However, the court conceded that not everything the President does is official and that the President is not above the law.

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law. But Congress may not criminalize the Presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.

Such an immunity is required to safeguard the independence and effective functioning of the Executive Branch, and to enable the President to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution, Roberts added.

The ruling means it is unlikely that Trump will face trial for the conspiracy charges, levied against him by Special Counsel Jack Smith, before Election Day or even after the presidential inauguration in January 2025.

Following the ruling, Trump and his MAGA allies celebrated on social media, with the former president describing it as a big win.

BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Donald Trump and his allies are celebrating after the Supreme Court ruled that he may have some immunity from prosecution ( REUTERS )

The former presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., also joined in on the celebrations. Solid SCOTUS ruling today. Im sure the corrupt prosecutors and DC judge will work overtime to continue their lawfare. Its all they have left, he wrote on X, referencing baseless claims that the charges against his father were politically motivated.

A massive win, not just for Trump but the rule of law. Im still digesting but this may well destroy all of Jack Smiths case against the president, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance added.

MAGA firebrand congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also chimed in, telling NBC News that the Supreme Court made the right decision in Trumps immunity case. She also said special counsel Jack Smith should be defunded.

But while Republicans celebrated the ruling, Democrats despaired, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer quoting Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jacksons dissenting opinion from what he described as the undemocratic ruling.

Because our constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent, the justices wrote.

Faithful to our Founding Fathers idealsthis is from Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jacksons blistering dissent from this MAGA SCOTUS undemocratic ruling, Schumer said.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added that Justice Sotomayors dissent should be a warning to every single American.

We are a nation founded on the idea that no one is above the law, not even the president. But this MAGA SCOTUS refuses to hold Donald Trump accountable for his actions to undermine our democracy, she said.

New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she plans to file articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control. Todays ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture. I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return, she wrote on X.

Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights in connection with an alleged pressure campaign against Mike Pence and state officials to reverse the 2020 election results, which culminated in a mobs violent breach of the Capitol to stop Joe Bidens victory from being certified by Congress.

Lawyers for Trump appealed the indictment, claiming the former president was acting within his official duties as president and therefore should be immune from criminal prosecution.

Trump claimed he has absolute immunity, largely based on the 1982 Supreme Court case Nixon v Fitzgerald, in which the court found that presidents cannot be sued in civil cases for actions they conducted while in office.

During oral arguments in April, John Sauer, Trumps attorney, persuaded the justices that the prospect of charges, trial and imprisonment could distort the presidents decision-making, precisely when bold and fearless action is most needed.

Sauer said that without protections, the president cannot effectively do his job.

Smith said differently, believing neither Trump  nor any president  is above the law.

Meanwhile, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon reported to federal prison authorities today for a four-month sentence after he was convicted of contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas to give evidence to the House select committee investigating the January 6 riot on the Capitol.

Outside federal prison he said: When we investigate [January 6], youre going see that Donald John Trump was not just completely innocent. He was the one individual that wanted to protect the Capitol and wanted to protect Washington, D.C.

He also described himself as a political prisoner of Nancy Pelosi, Merrick Garland and Joe Biden.
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Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney fired back at Donald Trump after the former president shared an image on his Truth Social page saying she was guilty of treason and should be tried during televised military tribunals.

Donald  This is the type of thing that demonstrates yet again that you are not a stable adult, she wrote on X, and are not fit for office.

The former Wyoming congresswoman was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach the former president after the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

She also was a co-chair and one of only two Republicans on the House select committee that investigated the events surrounding and leading up to the attack, launched by a mob of Trumps supporters to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

A meme on Truth Social included a photograph of Cheney and the text Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is guilty of treason and Retruth if you want televised military tribunals.

Trumps account reposted the image on Sunday.

Trump has repeatedly targeted Cheney in his attempts to undermine the select committees reporting, which determined that Trump and his campaign supported a multi-part conspiracy to reverse his election loss, while he failed to stop a mob of his supporters from launching an assault inside the halls of Congress to do it by force.

He has called for its members to face criminal prosecution, and his House Republican allies have pressed federal courts and the Supreme Court to withdraw its findings.

Trumps latest attack arrived as his former White House adviser Steve Bannon reported to prison for defying subpoenas to provide evidence and testimony to the committee. He was found in contempt of Congress and sentenced to four months in prison.

He is the second official from Trumps orbit to go to prison for crimes connected to the Capitol attack. Former adviser Peter Navarro similarly defied congressional subpoenas and is serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress.
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Majorie Taylor Greene was greeted by a sign with her newest moniker as she joined Steve Bannon moments before he was whisked away to prison for defying a congressional subpoena.

Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Body the sign read behind the congresswoman as she spoke on Real Americas Voice.

The sign was a reference to the description Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, gave to the Georgia Republican during a heated argument. Crockett has gone on to promote the nickname against Greene in fundraising efforts .

On Monday, Bannon reported to federal prison FCI Danbury to serve a four-month sentence for not complying with the subpoena by the congressional subcommittee investigating the Jan. 6 riot.

Bannon used several appeals to try and delay his reporting, but none were successful .

Majorie Taylor Greene speaks outside a Danbury, Connecticut, prison as Steve Bannon turns himself in. A protestor held up a sign mocking the Georgia representative during her TV appearance ( Real America's Voice )

A small crowd of supporters and Greene gathered outside the prison Monday as Bannon turned himself in.

There are thousands of people going into jail, theyre in prison, they are spending years in prison. Some of them did nothing wrong, they just walked in the Capitol and walked out, Greene said in an interview on Real Americas Voice - a far-right podcast and TV network - about those convicted of January 6 offenses.

As she spoke, a protestor yelled and held the sign reading Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Body behind her.

Security quickly stepped in and escorted the protester from behind Greene and the live shot for TV. However, they could be heard screaming as Greene continued to speak.

Then theres Steve Bannon going to prison, Peter Navarro is in prison right now, and we still have Jack Smith and many more people to come with this two-tier justice system, Greene said.

Greene, a longtime Trump backer , has called for federal prosecutor Jack Smith to be prosecuted for pushing charges against Trump for his alleged election interference.

Bannon speaks outside FCI Danbury on July 1 and referred to himself as a political prisoner as he turned himself in for defying a congressional subpoena ( Screenshot / Real Americas Voice )

Bannon called himself a political prisoner and said Trump was very supportive of him. He also slammed Democrats and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

I am proud of going to prison, Bannon said, adding he was standing up to the Garland corrupt DOJ.

As Bannon spoke, he hugged Greene who smiled in support of the soon-to-be-inmate.

Until we stop em, theyre not gonna stop, Bannon said. The way you stop em is say Hey if youre going to send me to prison its not going to matter if we take this fight and take it up to the next level, OK?

The Associated Press contributed to this Report
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Political commentator Meghan McCain began her most recent podcast episode with an angry monologue laying out her relationship with the Biden family and calling President Joe Biden a disaster.

The episode of Citizen McCain, hosted by the daughter of the late Arizona Republican Senator and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain, was published on 28 June  the day after Bidens dismal debate performance against former President Donald Trump.

McCain, 39, began by addressing her listeners and some of their criticism of her for her comments slamming Biden.

She said she wanted to address something that has been popping up very intensely in our comments on social media. I am getting chastised a lot by a lot of you on Instagram for criticizing Joe Biden.

She went on to say that its her job to comment on the politics of the nation.

Yes, President Biden was friends with my father when he was alive and still continues to be friends with my mother, she added. But I think there has been a narrative put in place in no small part by ... the Biden campaign, that President Biden, his family, were best friends with my family.

Meghan McCain addressed criticism against her for blasting Joe Biden ( Getty Images for TIME )

I didnt even meet Joe Biden until I was 30, she said, noting that she knew the late Democratic and later independent Senator Joe Liebermann as well as current South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham from a young age.

I used to know Ted Kennedy when I was much younger, she added of the late Democrat.

McCain went on to claim that there was a point in time that President Biden was not friendly with my family because of politics, saying that her relationship with the Bidens is fractured.

She said: That is my choice. It is not my mother.

I do not like the kind of person President Biden has turned out to be as a leader and ... in his personal life, she argued, referencing her guest on the program Lunden Roberts who had a child with Hunter Biden, but the first family didnt initially recognize the child.

I also think the Biden family has proven to be incredibly political, and I have felt ... retribution for not endorsing him when he was originally running for president, McCain said.

She added: President Biden has been a really bad president so far, which is why his approval ratings are the lowest theyve ever been.

I really rooted for him to be successful. He has been a disaster and Trump is a disaster. And thats the situation were all sitting in.

McCain went on to say that she hasnt spoken to Biden since his staff asked me to endorse him at the election in 2020 and I refused to do it.

She said she was no longer politically useful to Biden and his campaign which is why he hasnt contacted me.

As Ive said many times before, I look forward to a time in my adult life where neither Biden nor Trump will be in power, she added.

She also blasted the notion that her father was a raging liberal who would have backed Biden.

You dont become the nominee for president for the Republican Party if youre a raging liberal. And the idea that he would be out here supporting President Biden, particularly after his pullout in Afghanistan, knowing how hawkish and the proponent my dad was of the war in Afghanistan, McCain said.

I recoil at any association I ever had with the Republican Party. Its a wasteland now, she added.
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One of the presidents most influential allies in the House of Representatives, Jamie Raskin, was the first elected Democrat to admit to a news program on the record this weekend that his party is having serious conversations about whether Joe Biden would continue on as the Democrats nominee.

Raskin appeared for an interview with Ali Velshi on MSNBC and explained that the party would be unified in the fall  whether it was behind Biden, or another nominee he indicated the party could possibly choose before then. Democrats are reeling in the wake of Thursdays debate between Biden and Donald Trump, which was punctuated by moments when the president appeared confused or losing track of his points.

"Obviously, there was a big problem with Joe Biden's debate performance. And there's also just a tremendous reservoir of affection and love for Joe Biden in our party. So this makes it a difficult situation for everybody, but there are very honest and serious, rigorous, conversations taking place at every level of our party, said Raskin.

One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified... And so whether he's the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention, he will be the figure that we rally around to move forward and beat the forces of authoritarianism and reaction in the country, he continued.

WATCH: Rep. Jamie Raskin Hints at the 'Serious' Democrat Conversations Taking Place About Joe Biden |



"Obviously, there was a big problem with Joe Biden's debate performance and there's also just a tremendous reservoir of affection and love for Joe Biden in our party. So this pic.twitter.com/teiFTLsu58  Overton (@OvertonLive) June 30, 2024

The Maryland congressman is the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, one of the most powerful committees in the lower chamber.

Polling currently shows the incumbent president trailing his 2020 opponent, Donald Trump, in several key battleground states. He retains a fundraising lead over Trump, but it has yet to bear fruit in the field. The presidents campaign says it saw another fundraising surge in their favor following the debate  by Sunday, the campaign said it had raised more than $33m.

Its a familiar story: Following Thursday nights debate, the beltway class is counting Joe Biden out. The data in the battleground states, though, tells a different story, campaign manager Jen OMalley Dixon added in a memo to supporters this weekend.

Our team knows a thing or two about putting our heads down and doing the work to win hard races, she continued. This will be a very close election. It was always going to be...Thats what our campaign has been planning for.

Trump and Biden on television during their presidential nominee debate last week ( AP )

Bidens debate performance, as many of his public remarks in recent years, was halting and at times provoked agonizing reactions as the president appeared unable to finish his thoughts  a cold, which presented itself in his hoarse voice, did him no favors either.

The president huddled with members of his family at Camp David on Sunday as reactions to the debate continued to pour in on social media in the form of cable news hits, polling samples and angry tweets from left-leaning pundits and commentators. The trip was planned in advance of the debate, and Biden aides rejected the implication that this was a moment where the Biden family was considering some tough choices about the future.

Democrats are due to nominate the incumbent president to run again at their nomination convention in August. The party held a primary earlier this year, but no prominent members competed for the nomination and no debates were held with those who did run for the nomination. As a result, Biden won the vast majority of delegates whose votes will determine the nomination at the convention.

He reportedly remains resolved to continue running in the presidential race and participating in a second debate this September. Down-ballot Democrats, meanwhile, have fretted to reporters that this makes their races even harder to run.
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Steve Bannon is going to prison.

The far-right media strategist and Donald Trumps former White House adviser was ordered to report to federal prison on July 1 after he was convicted of contempt of Congress.

He arrived at FCI Danbury in Connecticut on Monday but not before broadcasting live on Real Americas Voice as part of his War Room podcast.

In a makeshift studio near the prison, Bannon lauded the success of the far-right nationalist party, National Rally, in the first round of the French parliamentary elections. Comparing the results to the 2016 Brexit vote, Bannon said the success of the French far-right was a precursor to what he expects to be a victory for Trump in November.

He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a bad 72 hours with Joe Bidens dismal debate performance and the French election results. Bannon also celebrated the polling prowess of Nigel Farages Reform UK party ahead of the British election on 4 July.

Steve Bannon speaks outside the federal prison in Danbury on July 1, accompanied my Marjorie Taylor Greene ( Screenshot / Real Americas Voice )

Outside of the prison in Danbury, Bannon was met by supporters, including Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, and made a number of baseless claims.

I'm a political prisoner of Nancy Pelosi. I'm a political prisoner of Merrick Garland. I'm a political prisoner of Joe Biden and the corrupt Biden establishment, he said.

I am proud to go to prison ... This is what it takes to stand up to tyranny and this is what it takes to stand up to the Garland corrupt criminal DOJ ... this what it takes to stand up to Nancy Pelosi. This is what it takes to stand up to Joe Biden ... I'm proud to do it.

Protesters who turned up at the prison chanted traitor while Bannon spoke.

Danbury, sometimes referred to as Club Fed, is a low-security prison with a small population of about 800 inmates, opening in 1940 to house both male and female prisoners.

During World War II, it held conscientious objectors such as poet Robert Lowell and civil rights activist James Peck.

The fictional Litchfield Prison in the Netflix show Orange is the New Black is partly based on the prison. Author Piper Kerman spent just over a year at Danbury in the mid-2000s and her memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Womens Prison, was adapted to make the program.

On Friday, Bannon failed to convince the Supreme Court to let him stay out of jail while he appealed his four-month sentence. The former Trump advisor was found in contempt of Congress after defying subpoenas to give evidence to the House committee investigating his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

His prison sentence mirrors the one handed down to former Trump aide Peter Navarro, who became the first Trumpworld figure to go to jail in connection with the Capitol attack. Navarro had similarly refused to comply with a subpoena from the congressional committee that investigated January 6 and the responses from Trump and his allies.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene addresses the media at the Federal Correctional Institution Danbury on July 1 as Steven Bannons four-month prison sentence gets underway ( Getty Images )

Bannon was sentenced in October 2022 but it was put on hold pending his appeal. That conviction was upheld in May, and a federal judge who ordered him to prison last month agreed with prosecutors who argued that there was no legal basis to let him avoid it.

Several House Republicans  who have tried to rewrite the narrative of the Capitol attack and undermine the convictions of hundreds of people in connection with the assault  pressed federal courts to intervene in Bannons case.

At least one House Republican filed a brief directly to the Supreme Court, claiming that the House select committees entire process was tainted and must be dismissed as a matter of law.

Bannon will now join half a dozen Trump allies who have served time for obstruction, campaign finance violations, fraud, and other charges surrounding the former presidents 2016 campaign, his real estate empire, and attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

In 2020, Bannon and three others were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in connection with a fundraising campaign to build a US-Mexico border wall. While still in the White House, Trump pardoned Bannon, sparing him a federal trial.

But Bannon faces similar fraud charges connected to the We Build the Wall scheme in New York, where he is scheduled to go on trial in September.
Domestically made reusable rocket model fails maiden test flight, causing no casualties

Global Times) 13:49, July 01, 2024

Rockets and rocket engines on display in Wuhan on Wednesday. (Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT)

A new domestically designed and manufactured large liquid-propellent reusable rocket model failed its maiden test flight and fell into the mountain area in Gongyi, Central Chinas Henan Province, on Sunday, reportedly causing no casualties as of Sunday evening as nearby residents had been evacuated before the flight.

Videos posted online by local residents showed a rocket emitting black smoke before falling into the mountain and catching fire on Sunday afternoon.

According to media reports, the fallen rocket was related to the rocket test conducted by Space Pioneer, a Chinese private rocket company founded in 2019.

In March, the company revealed the maiden flight scheduled for its new large liquid-propellent reusable rocket model TL-3, also known as the Chinese Falcon 9 equivalent for its matching powerful design.

The videos uploaded online show that a cylindrical object on fire traced a parabola through the sky before crashing onto the ground, immediately followed by the sound of a huge explosion.

The citys emergency management bureau said the explosion caused no casualties as of Sunday afternoon, according to Jimu News.

A local villager told Jimu News that the launch site was just 500 meters away from her home. Local authorities had evacuated all the nearby residents as of 10 am on Sunday morning and the residents had to wait for further notice about the time for their return.

Space Pioneer issued a statement on Sunday afternoon, explaining the condition of the test flight of its new large liquid-propellent reusable rocket model TL-3 carried out on Sunday afternoon, according to cls.cn.

During the test flight, a first-stage rocket ignited normally. However, due to structural failure at the connection point between the rocket body and the test stand, the rocket crashed in the deep mountains 1.5 kilometers southwest of the test pad, where the rocket body disintegrated upon impact.

Specially designed for Chinas low-orbit satellite internet constellation construction, the TL-3 rocket has a diameter of 3.8 meters, a total length of 71 meters, and a liftoff mass of 590 tons. It is capable of sending a payload of 17 tons to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 14 tons to the sun-synchronous orbit, according to the company.

The test flight of the rocket with a nine-engine parallel configuration is the most powerful propulsion system of Chinas current carrier rocket, two times the previous maximum thrust test in Chinas aerospace.

The company promised to quickly rectify the fault and organize the production and testing of new products.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan)
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The Supreme Courts three liberal justices have warned that their conservative colleagues have turned the president into a king above the law after they granted Donald Trump some immunity from criminal prosecution.

Mondays decision radically and dangerously reshapes the presidency and makes a mockery of the Constitution and the idea that no man is above the law, according to a furious dissenting opinion from Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law, she wrote. Moving forward, however, all former Presidents will be cloaked in such immunity. If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop.

The monumental decision could shield Trump from ever going to trial for his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and will have stark long-term consequences, according to Sotomayor.

The court effectively creates a law-free zone around the president, upsetting the status quo that has existed since the founding, Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Protesters demonstrate outside of the Supreme Court on July 1. The Supreme Court granted Donald Trump some immunity from criminal prosecution on Monday ( AP )

Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune, she wrote, referencing a violent hypothetical that was introduced during an appeals court hearing in the case.

Organizes a military exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the president and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably.

Sotomayor noted that the conservative majoritys troubling decision to single out actions in Trumps case that should be considered official  immune from prosecution or even being used as evidence  but did not identify other actions that could still be prosecuted.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Washington DC before a mob stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Supreme Court on July 1 granted Trump some immunity from prosecution in a criminal election interference case. ( REUTERS )

The court declined to rule out whether Trump is immune from prosecution for his role in organizing so-called fake electors; pressuring state officials to toss out results; and failing to stop a mob of his supporters that stormed the Capitol.

Having now cast the shadow of doubt over when  if ever  a former President will be subject to criminal liability for any criminal conduct he engages in while on duty, the majority incentivizes all future Presidents to cross the line of criminality while in office, Justice Jackson wrote in a separate dissent.

Presidents alone are now free to commit crimes when they are on the job, while all other Americans must follow the law in all aspects of their lives, whether personal or professional.

The official-versus-unofficial act distinction also seems both arbitrary and irrational, for it suggests that the unofficial criminal acts of a President are the only ones worthy of prosecution.

The Supreme Court, not the law itself, will now decide what happens when criminality emanates from the Oval Office in the future, Jackson added.

The potential for great harm to American institutions and Americans themselves is obvious.
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Justice Clarence Thomas joined the Supreme Courts five other conservatives to grant Donald Trump and other presidents unprecedented immunity from criminal prosecution.

But he also wrote his own opinion taking aim at the special counsel handling the election interference case at the center of the ruling  days after Trumps attorneys made the same arguments in a Florida courtroom.

Thomas went so far as to say that the federal judge overseeing Trumps election interference case should reconsider whether Jack Smith was even lawfully appointed to the job, giving Trump and the judge presiding over Trumps classified documents case more legal ammunition in his favor.

If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people, Justice Thomas wrote. The lower courts should thus answer these essential questions concerning the Special Counsels appointment before proceeding.

Over seven pages, he goes on to argue against the appointment of special counsels, laying the groundwork for more challenges to Smiths authority while Trump and his allies undermine his office in court and in Congress.

In two days of hearings in the Mar-a-Lago case last month, Trumps attorneys and allies argued that Smith was unconstitutionally appointed and that his office is unlawfully funded.

In a rare move, Judge Aileen Cannon  the Trump-appointed judge overseeing the Mar-a-Lago case  allowed nonparties in the case to argue on Trumps behalf, including attorneys with right-wing legal groups.

The groups claimed that the Supreme Court will take a keen interest in the judges decision, signaling that a challenge at the nations highest court could follow, further prolonging a trial over Trumps allegedly unlawful retention of classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago compound.

As evidence, they pointed to questions from Justice Thomas during oral arguments in Trumps immunity case.

Did you, in this litigation, challenge the appointment of special counsel? Thomas asked during the oral arguments in April.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion in Donald Trumps immunity case that takes aim at special counsel Jack Smith. ( REUTERS )

Thomas  writing for himself, in an opinion that wasnt joined by any other justices  argued that there are serious questions whether Attorney General Merrick Garland violated the separation of powers by creating an office of the Special Counsel that has not been established by law.

Those questions must be answered before this prosecution can proceed, he added. We must respect the Constitutions separation of powers in all its forms, else we risk rendering its protection of liberty a parchment guarantee.

Demonstrator Nadine Seiler wears a headband with images of special counsel Jack Smith while waiting outside the Supreme Court on July 1. ( Getty Images )

In court filings, attorneys with the special counsels office have called arguments from Trumps team unsound. The attorney general has exclusive authority (except as otherwise provided by law) to direct the conduct of litigation on behalf of the United States, they wrote.

The Special Counsels investigation is lawfully funded through an appropriation that has been used repeatedly to pay similar special and independent counsels, according to prosecutors, and the lawfulness of this practice is confirmed by statutory text, history, and longstanding practice (including funding for a special counsel appointed during Trumps administration).

The Supreme Courts decision on whether Trump is immune from some criminal prosecution will likely continue to delay a trial on charges surrounding his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Trump also faces 40 separate charges stemming from allegations that he withheld hundreds of classified documents after leaving the White House for his private Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida, then conspired to obstruct government attempts to retrieve them.

He has pleaded not guilty.
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The Supreme Courts monumental decision on whether Donald Trump is shielded from criminal prosecution for his actions in office will likely derail his election interference trial.

On Monday, the courts conservative majority ruled in a 6-3 decision that Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts performed as president, as outlined in the indictment against him.

It will now be up to the lower federal court judge overseeing the case to hold hearings on whether the allegations  including Trumps alleged conspiracy to overturn Joe Bidens victory and a pressure campaign aimed at his vice president and state officials  constitute official or unofficial acts.

The Supreme Court flatly stated that there is no immunity for unofficial acts under the presidency.

But the outer perimeter of the presidents duties must be granted some immunity, the majority wrote. Trumps communications with his Department of Justice and other White House officials to allegedly plot his attempt to stay in power are off limits to prosecutors, and cant even be used as evidence, under the ruling.

The case will be sent back to the district court in Washington DC, where Judge Tanya Chutkan will be tasked with determining whether the actions listed in Trumps indictment are official.

That likely protracted legal battle will continue to delay a trial and diminish prospects that it will begin before Election Day, or even after the presidential inauguration in January 2025.

Protesters gather outside the Supreme Court on July 1 as justices grant Donald Trump partial immunity from prosecution in his election interference case ( AFP via Getty Images )

The ruling  and the courts decision to wait until the final day of its session to release it  ensures that voters will cast ballots later this year without finding out if Trump unlawfully conspired to overturn the last election.

Trumps contacts with people outside the White House and federal government  including Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, whom Trump pressured to find votes that would overturn his loss in the state  will be reviewed.

That also means that the fake electors scheme and Trumps alleged state-level pressure campaign to reverse results can still be considered unofficial acts.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the president has broad power to speak on matters of public concern  including about elections. But the president plays no role in the certifying of elections by states, leaving it up to Chutkan to perform a close analysis of the indictment to consider if Trumps actions are protected.

Certain allegations  such as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney General  are readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, according to the courts majority.

Other allegations  such as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general public  present more difficult questions, the ruling added. Although we identify several considerations pertinent to classifying those allegations and determining whether they are subject to immunity, that analysis ultimately is best left to the lower courts to perform in the first instance.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Washington DC on January 6, 2021, before a mob stormed the Capitol to stop the certification of Joe Bidens victory  actions at the center of the election interference case against the former president ( REUTERS )

Prosecutors with special counsel Jack Smiths office also will have a chance to dissect whether Trumps contacts with Mike Pence and other officials can be protected.

A grand jury voted to indict Trump for conspiracy and obstruction in August 2023. Two months later, the former presidents attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that he should be entitled to absolute immunity so that presidents can make decisions unhesitatingly, without fear of future prosecution by their political opponents.

With Trumps immunity question moving through appeals courts, Judge Chutkan has effectively paused the pretrial clock in the election interference case.

Now, with the case returned back to her court, parties will still have more than two months to prepare their cases before a trial can begin. But proceedings on whether the acts listed in the indictment are official acts are expected to eat up the calendar, making a trial before November exceedingly unlikely.

That will effectively be a mini trial with fact-finding and evidence, including, potentially, in-court testimony from Trump, according to Matthew Seligman, constitutional scholar and lawyer who argued in support of Jack Smiths gag order request in the Mar-a-Lago case.

Its a poor, poor substitute for an actual trial that puts on the issue of guilt and innocence, he told reporters on Monday, but it is an opportunity to bring much of this evidence to light so the American people can see some of the former presidents crimes.

Trumps attorneys have also filed a motion to dismiss his election interference case in Georgia, which mirrors the federal case against him. The judge overseeing that state-level case was waiting on the Supreme Courts decision before issuing a decision.

But the case is currently in the hands of a state appeals court, pending a review of a decision to keep Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on the case.

The appeals court is not expected to take up that case until October, and a decision may not arrive until 2025, at which point the case will then head back to the lower court.

Trump also argues that he is immune from prosecution in his classified documents case. Prosecutors argue that the charges have nothing to do with actions while in office  they involve Trumps possession of classified materials after he left the White House, and his alleged attempts to evade law enforcement trying to get them back.

It doesnt involve presidential conduct so it couldnt be official conduct and immune, according to John Dean, former White House counsel under Richard Nixon and a key witness in the Watergate scandal.

Its post-presidential  the indictment doesnt deal with how the documents got there, he said. Rather, its the retaining of documents he had no right to retain, and the resistance and obstruction when asked for the documents.

But Trump will obviously try to somehow cast this as immune behavior, he told reporters on Monday.

The former president has already baselessly asserted that the verdicts and court decisions in several New York cases should be tossed out based on the Supreme Courts decision, including his 34 guilty verdicts in his hush money trial.

If Trump makes those challenges in court, they will likely be rejected, according to Norm Eisen, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a co-counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during Trumps first impeachment.

The Supreme Courts decision substitutes Trumps demand for absolute immunity with a startling expansion of presidential immunity that goes beyond, far beyond, anything weve ever seen or contemplated in American history, that weve never needed  and that as the dissent properly point out, is dangerous and contrary to the American idea that no one is above the law, according to Eisen.

The courts majority has placed American presidents, to some extent, above the law, he said.
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The Supreme Court is expected to rule imminently on whether Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

His defense has already been shot down by the federal judge overseeing the election interference case against him as well as a unanimous panel of appeals court judges, who wrote that Trumps attempts to stay in power were an unprecedented assault on the structure of our government.

The question is now in the hands of the nations highest court.

An answer  expected on July 1  could have profound consequences for holding former presidents accountable for crimes committed while in office.

But the courts decision to take up the case  and wait until the final day of its current session to issue a ruling  ensures that voters will not see a verdict in the trial to determine if he unlawfully conspired to overturn an election before they cast their ballots in the next one this November.

How did the case get to the Supreme Court?

A federal investigation into Trumps efforts to subvert the 2020 election are detailed in a 45-page indictment outlining three alleged criminal conspiracies and the obstruction of Joe Bidens victory, culminating in a mobs violent breach of the Capitol to stop it.

After months of evidence and witness testimony under an investigation helmed by special counsel Jack Smith, a grand jury voted to indict Trump in August 2023.

Two months later, Trumps attorneys argued that the case should be dismissed because he was acting within his official duties as president. Smiths office then asked the Supreme Court to step in and settle the question to keep the case moving swiftly, and avoid a trial in the middle of  or after  the 2024 election.

A mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump claims he is immune from federal criminal charges accusing him of failing to stop the mob ( REUTERS )

Prosecutors feared that Trump, if elected president again, would pressure the Department of Justice to throw out criminal cases against him.

The Supreme Court denied that request and didnt agree to consider the case until February.

Instead of affirming the lower-court decisions that rejected the immunity claim, justices scheduled oral arguments in April on the final day of the courts term.

What did other judges say?

In December, District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote that Trumps 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.

The office does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass, she wrote in her 48-page ruling.

Granting the immunity Defendant seeks would also break with longstanding legal precedent that all government officials  even those immune from civil claims  may be held to criminal account, she added.

A federal appeals court panel affirmed Judge Chutkans ruling, stating that for the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant.

But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as president no longer protects him against this prosecution, the judges wrote.

How will the court rule?

Supreme Court justices are extremely unlikely to agree that presidents are immune from prosecutions for ordering the assassination of a political rival  a wild hypothetical that Trumps attorneys suggested during an appeals court hearing that he could be protected against.

During oral arguments, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson grilled Trumps attorneys to draw out what, in their position, would prevent the Oval Office from turning into the seat of criminality in this country.

Its more likely that justices will try to take aim at how to prosecute private conduct performed in office, and carve out some immunity for certain official actions.

The question becomes  about how to segregate private from official conduct that may or may not enjoy some immunity, Justice Neil Gorsuch said during arguments.

Protesters outside the Supreme Court blast both conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who rejected calls to recuse himself from Trump-related cases, and Trumps defense that his attempts to overturn election results were official acts as president ( Getty Images )

Justices already heard another Trump-related case this term, on whether he should be disqualified from presidential election ballots under the text of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits candidates who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office.

On March 4, the day that Trumps federal election interference trial was initially scheduled to begin, the court unanimously agreed that Trump can stay on Colorado ballots, and that only Congress  not states  has the authority to disqualify federal candidates.

The courts three liberal justices sharply disagreed that only Congress can act, writing that the courts conservative majority was attempting to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office.

Will a ruling derail his other criminal cases?

Trump has pursued an immunity defense in nearly all criminal and civil cases against him, and nearly all have failed. If the Supreme Court sides with Trump, even in a narrow ruling, courts could revisit some of those decisions.

In the unlikely event that the Supreme Court sides with Trump entirely  granting him broad criminal immunity  his legal team is expected to aggressively appeal his criminal conviction in New York.

Donald Trump addressed supporters outside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Prosecutors have said that his immunity has no bearing in his classified documents case. Those charges largely revolve around his attempts to evade the government retrieving documents that he allegedly unlawfully kept after he left the White House.

With Trumps immunity question moving through appeals courts, Judge Chutkan has effectively paused the pretrial clock in his election interference case. After the Supreme Court reaches a decision, and if that clock starts ticking again, parties will have more than two months to prepare their cases before a trial can begin.

That will put the special counsel in the uncomfortable position of deciding whether to prosecute the Republican nominee for the presidency just days before Election Day.

Trumps attorneys have also filed a motion to dismiss his election interference case in Georgia. The judge overseeing that state-level case is waiting on the Supreme Courts decision.

This story was first published on June 26 and was updated with developments
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Former presidents have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday  extending the delay in the criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, and all but ending prospects he could be tried before the November election.

In a 6-3 decision released on Monday, the court rejected Trumps suggestion of total immunity but said some of the actions laid out in the federal election interference indictment related to his official acts and are protected.

The president enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the president does is official. The president is not above the law. But Congress may not criminalize the presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch under the constitution, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.

The courts conservative majority granted him presumptive immunity for actions that the former president claims were in the outer perimeter of his official duties.

Such an immunity is required to safeguard the independence and effective functioning of the executive branch, and to enable the president to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution, the justices wrote.

But there is no immunity from unofficial acts, which the judge overseeing his federal election interference case must now determine, according to the ruling.

Trumps alleged pressure campaign against Mike Pence and state officials to reverse election results, among other acts outlined in the indictment against him, present more difficult questions when it comes to immunity from prosecution, according to the justices.

The ruling, the last decision issued on the final day of the Supreme Courts term, will delay the federal trial against the former president, as a lower court will now have to determine which of Trumps acts were made in an official capacity. That likely protracted legal proceeding will diminish prospects that the trial can get underway before Election Day or even before the presidential inauguration in January 2025.

Trump talks to reporters after the second day of jury selection for his criminal trial at the New York State Supreme Court in New York on 16 April 2024 ( EPA )

The case stems from Trumps appeal in his federal election interference indictment brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith last year.

Federal prosecutors accused him of a lie-filled campaign to thwart the 2020 presidential election results, culminating in a mobs violent breach of the Capitol to stop Joe Bidens victory from being certified by Congress.

Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

But lawyers for Trump appealed the indictment, claiming the former president was acting within his official duties as president and therefore should be immune from criminal prosecution.

Trump claimed he has absolute immunity, largely based on the 1982 Supreme Court case Nixon v Fitzgerald, in which the court found that presidents cannot be sued in civil cases for actions they conducted while in office.

Anti-Trump protesters outside the US Supreme Court after Mondays ruling ( AFP/Getty )

During oral arguments in April, John Sauer, Trumps attorney, persuaded the justices that the prospect of charges, trial and imprisonment could distort the presidents decision-making, precisely when bold and fearless action is most needed.

Sauer said that without protections, the president cannot effectively do his job.

Smith said differently, believing neither Trump  nor any president  is above the law.

In his brief to the court, Smith cited the landmark 1974 Supreme Court case Nixon v United States, which decided that presidential privilege does not make the president immune from the judicial process.

The last time the United States considered prosecuting a president was Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal. While the court did weigh in on whether a president had to participate in the judicial process, Nixon was never criminally prosecuted.

Most of the conservative male justices seemed poised to award Trump some immunity from criminal charges. Nearly all of them raised concerns about political opponents unfairly prosecuting the president.

Protesters began gathering early morning in Washington ( AP )

But the liberal wing of the court, joined by conservative Justice Barrett, raised concerns about future presidents being emboldened to commit crimes in office knowing they have protections against prosecution.

In the Monday ruling, liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, warning against the conservative courts dangerous precedent for democracy.

Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency, Justice Sotomayor wrote in her dissent. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.

She said the majoritys decision relied on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for bold and unhesitating action by the president.

With fear for our democracy, I dissent, she wrote.

The case will be sent back to the district court in Washington, DC, where judge Tanya Chutkan will be tasked with determining whether the actions listed in Trumps indictment are official or unofficial.

The courts decision to wait until the final day of its current session to issue a ruling ensures that voters will not see a verdict in the trial to determine if Trump unlawfully conspired to overturn an election before they cast their ballots in the next one this November.

Trump v United States asked if a president can be criminally prosecuted for crimes that were committed in office as part of official acts. It is the second case Trump brought to the Supreme Court this term.
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Anti-immigration ideas pushed by the far-right in France are contributing to a rise in racism across the country, a report from the nations human rights commission has found.

Following Hamass attack on Israel on 7 October last year, the report found there has been a 284 per cent spike in antisemitic attacks, while tolerance is declining towards all minorities.

Published ahead of the first round of crunch elections at the weekend, that saw the far-right National Rally (RN) take the lead, the report warned of a European trend towards more extreme right-wing politics at the expense of equality, fraternity and freedom.

The snap elections were called by French president Emmanuel Macron after RN earned more than 30 per cent of the vote in European parliamentary elections at the start of June, soundly beating Mr Macrons centrist alliance. Exit polls on Sunday showed that the National Rally won 34.5 per cent of the vote.

RN, with its figurehead Marine Le Pen, are running on a platform that proposes restricting the rights of immigrants in France. Among their policies is the national preference plan, which would afford priority to those born in France when seeking employment or social benefits.

Following the reports publication, Marine Le Pens far right party took the first round in voting ( EPA )

Though the human rights commission report found that 69 per cent of those polled do not support the RNs national preference plan, they added that wider support for RN has allowed their more extreme policies to influence legislation. The report claimed that an immigration law proposed by the government in February 2023 contained echoes of the national preference, adding that the debates surrounding it amplified this xenophobic trend.

The national preference policy, they say, is in frontal opposition to the principles of equality, fraternity and freedom enshrined in the French constitution and will embolden racist opinions.

According to the report, 51 per cent of survey respondents from the general population said they dont feel at home in France anymore, compared to 43 per cent of French citizens last year. The commission said they believed this increase was linked to a rejection of immigration worsened by the prominence of the far-right. Support for this sentiment rises to 91 per cent among RN supporters, the report found.

When asked what was causing national insecurity, the reports authors found that 43 per cent of French residents blamed immigration, compared to 83 per cent of RN supporters.

The partys 28-year-old leader Jordan Bardella pledged to restore faith in France and its greatness in a recent public speech, suggesting that a cultural battle is necessary to achieve this.

Bardella, right, is a rising star of the right in France ( AP )

Ms Le Pen told regional newspaper Le Telegramme de Brest in an interview published last Thursday: Immigration is the elephant in the room. We dont know how much it costs.

Should RN become the single largest party in parliament in the wake of this election, taking place over two rounds of voting on 30 June and 7 July, Mr Bardella could assume the role of French prime minister in a power-sharing agreement known as cohabitation with Mr Macron. France has had three periods of cohabitation  when the president and government were from opposite political camps  in its post-war history.

On the choice of prime minister, the president has understood he doesnt have much of a choice, as Jordan Bardella will have a mandate from the French people, Ms Le Pen told Le Telegramme de Brest.

Opinion polls consistently suggest the anti-immigrant, eurosceptic RN has a comfortable lead, with a left-wing coalition in second place and Mr Macrons centrists in third. However, the big unknown is whether the RN can win an absolute majority of 289 seats or more in the National Assembly. The latest poll, published on Wednesday by Ifop, projected it and its allies would get 220 to 260 seats.

Ms Le Pen predicted Mr Macron would find this uncomfortable, even hinting that she thought he may throw in the towel early.

I dont know what his reaction will be. Given his arrogance, will he put up with it for long? she said.

Ms Le Pen also appeared to suggest Mr Bardella, as prime minister, will also take over at least some decisions on Frances defence and its armed forces. For the president, being head of the military is an honorific title as its the prime minister who holds the purse strings, she said.

Defence minister Sebastien Lecornu, hit back. The constitution is not honorific, he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, going on to quote a 1962 address by then president Charles de Gaulle on the head of states extensive powers.

Deputy foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the TV channel TF: How arrogant of Marine Le Pen to consider that the RN has already won the election.

Reuters contributed to this report
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One person was killed and five others were wounded after masked gunmen opened fire at a Turkish wedding in northeast France over the weekend.

Three gunmen barged into the reception hall in Thionville on Saturday night and started shooting at the guests, who numbered around 100.

The shooting was linked to a conflict between drug traffickers in Moselle, French newspaper Le Figaro reported, citing sources in the local police.

The victim, reportedly a man in his 30s, was not named.

Three of the injured, aged between 25 and 50, were in critical condition at the nearby Bel-Air hospital. They included a pregnant woman.

The other two suffered minor injuries, mainly from shards of glass flying around, the local prosecutor's office said.

"At a quarter past one in the morning, a group of people went outside to smoke in front of the hall, and then three heavily armed men arrived and opened fire in their direction," a police source was quoted as saying by AFP.

The attackers used automatic weapons and shotguns to fire several rounds at the guests. "The wedding was not targeted as such, it was people who were at the wedding," the source said.

"All participants come from the urban area of Metz and none from Thionville, Pierre Cuny, the mayor of Thionville, said in a post on Facebook.

Mr Cuny said he would make "no further comments in view of the electoral context" and offered "moral support to the victims and newlyweds".

In 2023, a shooting involving two rival gangs in the neighbouring town of Villerupt left five people injured.
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A British tourist has died in Greece while diving at a well-known shipwreck in rough seas.

The 33-year-old man was reportedly pulled from the water at Epanomi Shipwreck, a popular diving spot around a 50 minute drive from Thessaloniki in northern Greece over the weekend.

Local media reported the unnamed man had died after diving into rough water following bad weather.

Other people on the beach notified local authorities once they realised he was in danger and he was pulled from the water by another swimmer.

Emergency services including an ambulance and a lifeguard boat rushed to the scene but efforts to resuscitate him failed.

Emergency services including an ambulance and a lifeguard boat rushed to the scene but efforts to resuscitate him failed ( Google Maps )

The Port Authority of Michaniona is investigating the incident, local media reports, and a postmortem will be carried out at the nearby Hippocrates Hospital.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.

A coastguard official told The Sun: He was swimming when the weather turned and it began to rain. A rescue boat and an ambulance were immediately sent but by the time they arrived he had been pulled out of the water unconscious.

Epanomi Shipwreck is frequently visited by divers wanting to catch a glimpse of the remains of the ship, which sank in the winter of 1970 when it was transporting soil. It lies just off the shore of one of the most popular beaches near Thessaloniki in northern Greece  a hotspot for international tourists.

It is the latest in a string of recent tourist deaths in Greece and on Greek islands.

Earlier this month, TV doctor Michael Mosely died after going missing while walking back to his accommodation on the island of Symi.

At least six more have since died or gone missing since his death.
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Ismail Kadare, the acclaimed Albanian novelist and playwright who defied his countrys communist rulers through his writing, has died in a Tirana hospital after having a heart attack. He was 88.

Prime minister Edi Rama paid tribute to the writer as a monument of Albanian culture.

Kadare became internationally recognized after his novel The General of the Dead Army was published in 1963 under the regime of dictator Enver Hoxha.

He received numerous global awards, including the Man Booker International Prize in 2005, the Prince of Asturias Prize for the Arts in 2009, the Jerusalem Prize in 2015 and the America Award in Literature for a lifetime contribution to international writing in 2023.

Ismail Kadare in the Playfair Library in Edinburgh in 2005 ( Reuters )

He also produced poems, essays and screenplays, and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 15 times, once saying that media reports tipping him as a potential winner meant many people think that Ive already won it.

In 1975, after publishing a satirical poem called The Red Pasha, which took aim at Albanias communist bureaucracy, Kadare was sent to do manual labour in a remote village in central Albania.

Three of his books fell foul of Albanian censors, and in 1990 he sought political asylum in France after receiving threats following his criticism of the government and calls for democracy. Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron named him as a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor during a visit to Tirana.

Albania and Albanians lost their genius of letters, their spiritual emancipator, the Balkans (lost) the poet of its myths, Europe and the world (lost) one of the most renowned representatives of modern literature, Albanian president Bajram Begaj said in a statement.
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Jordan Bardella has been credited with the success of Frances far-right National Rally (RN) party as it surges in the polls.

Charismatic Bardella, the son of immigrants, was brought up in high-rise flats in a run-down suburb of Paris by a single mother. The 28-year-old could be prime minister of France in a matter of weeks after Emmanuel Macron shocked the nation by calling a snap election in the wake of his partys thrashing at the ballot box.

Bardella, president of RN, inflicted a serious blow to President Macron and his Renaissance party, taking more than 30 per cent of the vote at in the EU parliamentary elections earlier this month. Alongside Marine Le Pen, Bardella will be the face of RN as it tries to win a majority in parliament. On Sunday, RN took the lead in the first round of voting in the snap election, polling 34 per cent of the vote.

Marine Le Pen had called her protege Jordan Bardella the lion cub  now the lion ( AFP/Getty )

The decision by Macron to dissolve Frances parliament and let the sovereign people have their say could hand major political power to the far right after years on the sidelines.

Bardella was quickly identified as a rising star in the party he joined as a teenager and he took over as president of RN in 2022. He is not affected by the taboo that surrounds the National Front vote, Le Pen has previously said, adding: Hes part of a new generation.

An effective communicator with a carefully crafted public image and more than 1.2 million followers on TikTok, Bardella has made much of his background, raised in a tower block in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis by his mother, an Italian immigrant. Bardella attended a private school, the Lycee Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-la-Salle, where the fees were reportedly paid by his father.

Having dropped out of a geography course at Paris-Sorbonne University to focus on politics, Bardella has sought to paint the suburb of his youth as violent and unpredictable  contrasting himself with the political elite while taking aim at the suburbs high concentration of migrants and refugees.

Bardella was elected president of the National Rally in 2022 ( AP )

In a speech to enthusiastic Tricolore-waving supporters at a Paris arena last week, Bardella claimed Frances civilisation could die ... because it will be submerged in migrants who will have changed our customs, culture and way of life irreversibly. It is this kind of rhetoric that Macron is calling on France to come together to stamp out.

Bardella has toed a more cautious line on certain international policy questions than Le Pen, condemning Russias war in Ukraine while abstaining on a vote over military aid for Kyiv. And in March, he told Politico that NR would only pursue its policy of leaving Natos integrated command once hostilities had ceased, saying: You dont change treaties in wartime.

His popularity in France is clear  and among voters of all ages  with Bardella emerging as the only politician on a list compiled by the newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche of the 50 most popular figures in France. Ipsos polling had suggested around a third of 18- to 24-year-olds would vote for him during the European parliamentary elections.

He has spoken of an aspiration to replace the European Union with a Europe of Nations. The Europe of 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum, is not the same Europe as it is today, he said recently. And I hope that with this Europe of Nations that we intend to build, the British will be able to return to the table.

Bardella wants to replace the EU ( AP )

At the Marseille launch of RNs European Union election campaign in March, the loudest cheers came not for Le Pen  but for her protege, whom she formerly affectionately dubbed her lion cub, now the lion, and who is reportedly dating her niece Nolwenn Olivier.

However, for his critics, Bardella offers more style than substance.

Hes attracting a maximum of voters by not taking a clear stance on anything, said Francois-Xavier Bellamy, European leader of the conservative Les Republicains, who suffered their worst defeat in the ballots history last week. I quickly saw his convictions were very malleable, Le Pens former deputy Florian Philippot told Politico.

And Pascal Humeau, RNs former communications chief who gave Bardella intensive media training, has described him as originally repeating Le Pens formulas, an empty shell, very controlled, but knowing little of what was happening in France or the world.

In terms of depth, he was pretty limited, Humeau told the documentary Complement denquete. His ease, his enthusiasm, that you can feel today, we had to work on it for months and months.

Bardella has proven popular with French voters ( REUTERS )

Bardella had been relatively free from scandal until earlier this year when broadcaster France 2 alleged that he had used an anonymous Twitter account to share racist messages between 2015 and 2017. He has denied the account was his, while his party threatened legal action against the channels owners.

Despite his growing profile increasingly being viewed as threatening her own position, Le Pen has remained fiercely defensive of her protege, reportedly pushing NRs vice-president against a wall in the National Assembly and threatening his expulsion over complaints he had made about Bardella.

I can get hit by a truck tomorrow, Le Pen told broadcasters in March, adding that Bardella would have the political status and confidence to replace her.

The pair continued to paint a united front on Sunday, with Bardella  who has offered to act as Macrons prime minister if NR were to secure victory  standing alongside Le Pen as she declared her party would put an end to this painful epoch of globalism, adding: Were ready to exercise power.

Describing him as the media beast of today who scares his opponents, Humeau told The New York Times: He has had one objective since the age of 17  to become prime minister and president. And I dont think anyone can derail him.
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Violent protests have erupted in Paris against Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally, which made historic gains in France's parliamentary election.

Thousands of people gathered in the Place de la Republique after first-round legislative elections on Sunday saw National Rally (RN) win.

Footage of the protests showed fireworks being shot in the direction of police who responded by firing tear gas, while windows were smashed amidst the turmoil.

Barricades designed to keep crowds under control were torched as protesters vented their anger at the far-right RN party.

Some people carried cardboard signs saying: Bardella [RN candidate for prime minister] out, while young people were photographed in tears.

Barricades designed to keep crowds under control were torched ( REUTERS )

Similar street demonstrations also took place in cities including Strasbourg, Lyon, Nantes and Lille.

The RN and allies won 33 per cent of the vote, followed by a leftwing bloc with 28 per cent and President Emmanuel Macron's centrists with just 20 per cent.

This is a huge setback for Mr Macron who called the snap election after his party suffered a crushing defeat by Ms Le Pens outfit in European Parliament elections last month.

People gather at Republique square to protest the far-right National Rally ( AP )

At Ms Le Pen's Henin-Beaumont constituency in northern France, supporters waved French flags and sung the Marseillaise.

"The French have shown their willingness to turn the page on a contemptuous and corrosive power," she told the cheering crowd.

The RN, a longtime political pariah in France, is now closer to power than it has ever been.

Ms Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for racism and antisemitism, a tactic that has worked amid voter anger at Macron, the high cost of living and growing concerns over immigration.

The far-right party stands a good chance of winning a majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time, but the outcome remains uncertain amid the complex voting system and political tactics.

The RN, a longtime political pariah in France, is now closer to power than it has ever been ( REUTERS )

Dozens of candidates who won at least 50 per cent of Sunday's vote were elected outright. All the other races head to a second round on 7 July involving two or three top candidates.

Polling projections suggest the National Rally will have the most seats in the next National Assembly, but it is unclear whether it will get an absolute majority of 289 of the 577 seats.

RN lawmakers have urged centre-right politicians in the Republicans (LR) party, which received less than 7 per cent of the first-round vote, to withdraw from districts where such a move would work in RN's favour.

Gabriel Attal, the prime minister and a Macron ally, has urged for tactical voting amid the chaos.

He said not one single vote should go to the National Rally. The stakes are clear: to prevent the National Rally from having an absolute majority, Mr Attal added.

Macron's centrist alliance also said some of its candidates would step down before the runoff to try to block the National Rally.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard left France Unbowed party, said the left alliance would withdraw all its candidates who came third in the first round, adding: Our guideline is simple and clear: not a single more vote for the National Rally.

The tactic has previously worked after Mr Macron defeated RNs Marine Le Pen twice in 2017 and 2022.

Mr Bardella, who could become prime minister if his party wins the majority of the seats, said he intends "to be a cohabitation prime minister who is respectful of the Constitution and of the President of the Republic's role but uncompromising about the policies we will implement."
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Russian troops are forging through Ukraine's outgunned and undermanned defenses in a relentless onslaught, prompting the West to push for new weapons and strategies to shore up Kyiv.

That, in turn, has brought new threats by President Vladimir Putin to retaliate against the West  either directly or indirectly.

The moves by the West to blunt the offensive and the potential Kremlin response could lead to a dangerous escalation as the war drags through its third year  one that further raises the peril of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

Russia took advantage of its edge in firepower amid delays in U.S. aid to scale up attacks in several areas along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front. Relatively small units are probing Ukrainian defenses for weak spots, potentially setting the stage for a more ambitious push.

Russia's offensive near Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, that began in May and worried Kyivs Western allies has apparently lost momentum after the Ukrainian army bolstered its forces in the area by redeploying troops from other sectors.

Meanwhile, Russia has made incremental but steady advances in the Donetsk region, including around the strategic hilltop town of Chasiv Yar, a gateway to parts of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control. Analysts say the fall of Chasiv Yar would threaten the key military hubs of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

Putin declared that Moscow wasnt seeking quick gains and would stick to the current strategy of advancing slowly.

Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute said that by stretching Ukrainian forces along a wide front, Russia is overcoming the limitations of its military that lacks the size and training for a major offensive.

The breadth of the strikes has forced Ukraine to spread out its artillery, "expending munitions to break up successive Russian attacks, he said in an analysis. Russias aim is not to achieve a grand breakthrough but rather to convince Ukraine that it can keep up an inexorable advance, kilometer by kilometer, along the front.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors in Moscow, Russia, on June 24, 2023 ( Sputnik )

Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment said Russia's apparent goal is to maintain pressure and try to stretch out Ukraine's forces. He noted that even though Ukraine managed to stabilize the front line, it had to use reserves intended to be deployed elsewhere.

It will take more and more time to actually regenerate Ukraines combat strength because of that, he said in a recent podcast.

Moscow also has stepped up airstrikes on Ukraines energy facilities and other vital infrastructure with waves of missiles and drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country had lost about 80% of its thermal power and one-third of its hydroelectric power in the strikes.

This will be a growing problem when we talk about the future Ukraines economic viability, Kofman said.

Watling said the shortage of air defenses is giving Ukraine a difficult choice between concentrating them to safeguard critical infrastructure, or protecting troops on the front.

The persistence of Russias long-range strike campaign means that not only is the front being stretched laterally, but it is also being extended in its depth, he said.

Washington and some NATO allies have responded to the offensive by allowing Kyiv to use Western weapons for limited strikes inside Russia. The U.S. has allowed Ukraine to use American weapons against military targets in Russia near Kharkiv and elsewhere near the border, but, to Kyiv's dismay, Washington so far hasnt given permission for strikes deeper in Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron and some other Western officials argue that Kyiv has the right to use their equipment to attack military assets anywhere in Russia. There also has been talk by Macron and the leaders of NATO's Baltic members  but not the U.S.  of deploying troops to Ukraine.

Putin warns that this would be a major escalation, and he threatened to retaliate by providing weapons to Western adversaries elsewhere in the world.

He reinforced that argument by signing a mutual defense pact with North Korea in June and holding the door open for arms supplies to Pyongyang.

He declared that just as the West says Ukraine can decide how to use Western weapons, Moscow could provide arms to North Korea and similarly say that we supply something to somebody but have no control over what happens afterward  an apparent hint at Pyongyangs role as arms trader.

Ukrainian soldiers ride in a combat vehicle near the front line in the Kharkiv region ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russias Security Council, noted Moscow could arm anyone who considers the U.S. and its allies their enemies, regardless of their political beliefs and international recognition.

Another threat of escalation followed a Ukrainian attack with U.S.-made ATACMS missiles that killed four and injured over 150 in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Russia's Defense Ministry warned it could take unspecified measures against U.S. drones over the Black Sea that provide intelligence to Ukraine.

The nuclear threat

Putin said it was wrong for NATO to assume that Russia won't use its nuclear arsenal, reaffirming it will use all means if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.

He also warned that Moscow was pondering possible changes to its doctrine that specifies when it resorts to nuclear weapons.

Underscoring that, Russia held military drills with battlefield nuclear weapons involving Belarus. Last year, Moscow deployed some of those weapons to Belarus to try to discourage Western military support for Ukraine.

A military defeat in Ukraine, Putin said, would deal a deadly blow to Russian statehood, and he vowed to press his goals to the end.

He declared that for Russia to halt the fighting, Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the four regions that Moscow annexed in 2022, an idea Kyiv and its allies dismissed. He also said Ukraine must abandon its bid to join NATO.

Hawkish Russian commentators criticized Putin for failing to respond forcefully to NATO ramping up support for Kyiv and allowing the West to continuously push back Russias red lines. Some argued that if the damage grows from Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia with longer-range Western missiles, Moscow should hit NATO assets.

Vasily Kashin, a Moscow-based defense analyst, noted that while Ukraine already had used Western weapons to inflict limited damage, Putin will have to do something if there are cruise missile strikes deep inside Russian territory resulting in significant casualties.

Russia could respond by targeting Western drones or U.S. spy satellites, or also strike some NATO countries assets in overseas territories to minimize triggering an all-out conflict with the alliance, Kashin said.

Other Russian commentators argued, however, that such action fraught with triggering a direct conflict with NATO isnt in Moscows interests.

Moscow-based security analyst Sergei Poletaev said the Kremlin aims to steadily drain Ukrainian resources to force Kyiv into accepting a peace deal on Russia's terms.

While nothing spectacular is happening on the front line, he said, "constant dropping wears away a stone.

Moscows military advantage allows it to maintain pressure along the entire front line and make new advances while waiting for Ukraine to break down, he said in a commentary

Lacking the resources for a major offensive, the Kremlin has opted for slow advances, aiming to keep pressure on Ukraine while warding off the West from direct involvement in hostilities, Poletaev said.

We must walk the razor's edge between our victory and a nuclear war, he said.
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Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia fired more than 800 glide bombs at Ukraine in just the last week, as Moscow continues to use the modified Soviet-era explosives to kill both soldiers and civilians.

The bombs, which have been retrofitted with precision guidance systems and can be launched from aircraft flying out of range of Ukrainian air defences, have proved pivotal for Moscow in its effort to regain the initiative on the front line in recent months.

The bombs can weigh more than a tonne, and are capable of reducing entire multistorey buildings to rubble.

Residents of Kharkiv, one of the most frequently targeted civilian-populated areas in Ukraine, described the use of the bombs as a type of psychological torture, as even bomb shelters fail to protect against explosives that create such deep craters.

This week alone, Russia has used more than 800 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, Mr Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Against our cities and communities, against our people, against everything that makes life normal.

Ukraine needs the necessary means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, including Russian combat aircraft, wherever they are. This step is essential.

Clear decisions are needed to help protect our people. Long-range strikes and modern air defence are the foundation for stopping the daily Russian terror. I thank all our partners who understand this.

Ukrainians say the most effective means  and in most circumstances, the only means  of stopping this aerial threat is to deploy US-made F-16 fighter jets. But Kyivs partners have only recently overcome their hesitation in sending these aircraft to Ukraine, having previously considered such weapons too offensive in nature. The first batch of around 80 that have been pledged are due to arrive later this year.

But the bombs retrofitted navigation means Russian fighter jets can launch the bombs from well out of range of Ukrainian air defences, which are in short supply anyway, while longer-range missiles supplied by Kyivs partners cannot engage airborne, mobile targets.

Kyiv maintains that the provision of F-16s will allow them to take on Russian fighter jets while they are in the air, destroying the bombs before they have been released.

Dozens of Ukrainians, including an eight-month-old infant, have been injured in Russian aerial strikes over the past 24 hours.

Local residents stand next to an apartment building damaged during a Russian missile strike in Kyiv ( Reuters )

On Sunday, one person was killed and nine others, including the infant, were injured in a strike on a post office in Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv.

The head of Kharkivs regional administration, Oleg Synegubov, said the strike had damaged a post office in the city, killing one of the employees.

Through Sunday night and into Monday morning, strikes in the capital, Kyiv, and further southeast in Dnipro, injured at least 13 people, including two teenagers.

Meanwhile, the governor of Russias Belgorod region claimed in a statement that a civilian had been killed during the shelling of an agricultural facility.

Moscow says Belgorod, which borders Ukraines Kharkiv region, has come under regular attack from Ukrainian forces.

Russias defence ministry also claimed that its forces had taken control of two villages in eastern Ukraine. The ministry said in a statement that the Russian army was now in control of the settlement of Stepova Novoselivka in the Kharkiv region, and of Novopokrovske in Donetsk.

However, Ukrainian war tracker DeepState, known to have close ties to the military, reported that both towns were still under Ukrainian control.
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You can put an end to this and start a new life, said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You wont succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.

At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear the army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia.

Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russias full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the countrys prison population.

Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward.

A Ukrainian military instructor of Arey Battalion demonstrates to convict prisoners who have joined the Ukrainian army how to use a grenade luncher on a rifle during training at the polygon, in the Dnipropetrovsk region ( AP )

More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press.

About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates.

A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison, Vysotska said.

Ernest Volvach, 27, wants to take up the offer. He's serving a two-year sentence for robbery, at the penal colony in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. He works in the kitchen, ladling dollops of food into tin bowls.

Its stupid to sit here doing nothing," Volvach said, adding that since the start of the war he's wanted to do something for Ukraine and have the opportunity to enlist. Now it's appeared.

Russia Ukraine War Recruiting Convicts ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Ukrainian soldiers on active duty are typically identified only by their first name, or a call sign, for security reasons. Many of the inmates at the Dnipropetrovsk penal colony also asked to be identified only by their first names to avoid difficulties if they enlist.

Another inmate, 30, who gave his name only as Volodymyr, makes rivets at a penal colony workshop. He said he plans to volunteer after his sentence ends in one year, but wouldn't do so now because there's effectively no home leave under the parole program.

Prisoners can get the conditional release after an interview, medical exam, and a review of their conviction. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murdering two or more people or crimes against Ukraine's national security aren't eligible.

A convict prisoner who has joined the Ukrainian Arey Battalion fires from RPG-7 during training at the polygon ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Ukrainian officials are keen to draw a distinction between their program and recruitment in Russia of convicts to serve in the notorious Wagner mercenary group. Those fighters typically have been funneled to the deadliest battles, the officials say, but the Ukrainian program aims to integrate the inmates into regular Ukrainian frontline units.

The country has a prison population of some 42,000, according to figures forwarded by the government to the European Union.

While recent reforms have reduced the number of prisoners and are credited with improving conditions at some facilities, the U.S. State Department noted credible reports of degrading treatment or punishment by prison authorities in its annual report on human rights last year.

After screening, paroled inmates are rushed to basic training at camps where they learn how to handle weapons and other combat fundamentals. Training is completed later once they join the individual units.

Russia Ukraine War Recruiting Convicts ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Paroled inmate Mykhailo joined an assault course and said it was hard to keep up with the physical demands after months of relative inactivity in prison  clambering in and out of armed personnel carriers and running through obstacle courses.

I decided to sign up for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army because I have a family at home, children, parents, the 29-year-old said, speaking over the noise of gunfire at a shooting range. I will be more useful in the war.

Vysotska, the deputy justice minister, said interest in the military parole program has exceeded early expectations, and that it could provide as many as 5,000 new recruits. That would definitely help, she said.
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Scientists in China have built a robot capable of performing critical tasks using an artificial brain grown from human stem cells.

The brain-on-chip was able to learn basic tasks, such as moving its limbs, avoiding obstacles and grasping objects, according to the researchers, while exhibiting some intelligence functions of a biological brain.

A team from Tianjin University and the Southern University of Science and Technology fitted the lab-grown brain with a brain-computer interface that allowed it to communicate with the outside world.

The brain-computer interface on a chip is a technology that uses an in vitro cultured brain  such as brain organoids  coupled with an electrode chip to achieve information interaction with the outside world through encoding and decoding and stimulation-feedback, said Ming Dong, an executive director at the Haihe Laboratory for Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Computer Integration at Tianjin University.

In order to function, the brain organoids have similar needs to a human brain, including fluid, nutrient lines, temperature control and protective casing.

The researchers claimed the emerging field of brain-on-chip technology would have a revolutionary impact by helping develop hybrid intelligence.

The latest breakthrough comes just days after scientists in Japan revealed that they had grafted living human skin onto the face of a humanoid robot in an effort to give it a more lifelike appearance.

The team from the University of Tokyo were able to make the robot smile by fitting the engineered skin tissue with skin-ligament structures.

Beyond displaying human-like emotions, the researchers said the living skin could bring improved sensing capabilities and the ability to self-heal if injured.
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Vatican City is set to become the eighth country in the world to generate 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy after Pope Francis announced plans to build a solar plant.

In an apostolic letter, the pontiff said the project will be constructed on Vatican-owned property outside of Rome that spans 424 hectares, adding capacity to existing solar panel installations in the city state.

We need to make a transition towards a sustainable development model that reduces greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, setting the objective of climate neutrality, Pope Francis wrote in the letter, titled Fratello Sole, or Brother Sun.

Humanity has the technological means necessary to face this environmental transformation and its pernicious ethical, social, economic and political consequences, and solar energy plays a fundamental role.

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The endeavour will make the smallest country by land mass entirely energy independent, with all of its electricity needs met by solar power.

Once completed, Vatican City will join Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Ethiopia, Iceland and Congo as countries that generate more than 99.7 per cent of their electricity from renewables, according to data compiled by Stanford University Professor Mark Z. Jacobson earlier this year.

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A further 40 countries generate at least 50 per cent of their electricity from renewable energy technologies like geothermal, hydro, solar or wind.

We dont need miracle technologies, Professor Jacobson told The Independent in April. We need to stop emissions by electrifying everything and providing the electricity with Wind, Water and Solar (WWS), which includes onshore wind, solar photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, geothermal electricity, small hydroelectricity, and large hydroelectricity.

The environment has been a central focus to Pope Franciss papacy, having stated in 2015 that human-induced climate change was one of his main concerns about the future of the planet.

Vatican City joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2022, which aims to address dangerous human interference with the climate system.

In May, the Pope claimed the climate crisis had gotten to the point of no return, describing its current trajectory as a road to death.

In an interview with CBS News, he said: It is very difficult to create an awareness of this. [World leaders] hold a conference, everybody is in agreement, they all sign, and then bye-bye. But we have to be very clear, global warming is alarming.
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Most trips to Bavaria start in Munich  and rightly so. The culturally rich city is easy to reach by train or plane, and has traditions known around the world. However, Germanys southern state is also home to a number of other fantastic cities. Smaller and quieter, they vary significantly according to their historical roots, geographical surroundings and neighbouring influences, but all make a great addition to a holiday itinerary.

Remain in Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria), the region surrounding Munich, for a continuation of the same theme: maypoles, blue-and-white flags and beer served by the litre. Venture just beyond the boundaries and youll discover laid-back Augsburg and medieval Regensburg. Then, for something completely different, head north to the region of Franconia. Here popular cliches are replaced by a distinct cuisine, local wines, different flags and people who are fiercely Franconian, rather than Bavarian. Here are some suggestions of places to try.

Rosenheim

The laid-back town of Rosenheim is perfect for relaxing with a beer or coffee ( Getty )

Found about half-way between Munich and Salzburg, the humble student city of Rosenheim is centred around a pedestrianised market square with grand town houses and fine arcades. There are modern cafes and restaurants here, as well as Bavarian pubs serving beer from nearby breweries. The cultural stand-out is the Lokschuppen, a former locomotive depot which now hosts a series of changing exhibitions. Thanks to its location, Rosenheim also makes a good base for exploring the nearby Alps and surrounding countryside, starting with Bavarias biggest lake, Chiemsee.

Read more on Germany travel:

Augsburg

Around 30 miles west of Munich, Augsburg has been charming travellers for centuries ( Getty )

Founded in 15BC on the orders of Roman Emperor Augustus, this attractive city is one of the oldest in the country. Top sights include the double-towered town hall and the 70-metre tower (Perlachturm) in the main square, along with the ivy-covered buildings in the Fuggerei, a social housing complex which dates back to 1521. Still in use today, with the rent fixed for over five centuries, the Fuggerei is open to the public and has a museum in one of the houses showing how residents used to live. Next door, restaurant Die Tafeldecker has tapas-style dishes inspired by Bavarian and Swabian cuisine.

Regensburg

Weave your way down the medieval streets of Regensburg ( Getty )

This city on the banks of the Danube is said to be one of the best-preserved in Germany, left almost unscathed during the war. Explore the maze of medieval streets, visit the skyline-dominating cathedral and dont miss the Porta Praetoria, one of just two remaining Roman gates north of the Alps. Crossing the river is an impressive stone bridge, construction of which began in 1135, that connects the old town to the village-like Stadtamhof district. Collectively, these parts of town are recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site.

Nuremberg

The old town in Nuremberg displays a distinctive Bavarian charm ( Getty )

Nuremberg is the unofficial capital of Franconia, and Bavarias second biggest city. Here a castle sits atop a sandstone rock and overlooks the half-timbered buildings in the old town (both extensively rebuilt after the war), while reminders of Nazi history can be found at the former rally grounds or the information centre in the courtroom where the war crimes trials were held. Other notable museums include the Albrecht Durer Haus and the German Railway Museum. When it comes to food, start with the Nurnberger Rostbratwurste (sausages), available in sandwich form from street vendors, or served fresh from a wood-fired grill in one of the citys smoky sausage houses.

Wurzburg

Head to Wurzburg to experience Franconian culture ( Getty/iStock )

For more Franconian hospitality, head to beautifully Baroque Wurzburg on the river Main. The first stop on the Romantic Road, a popular scenic byway through southern Germany, this city is surrounded by vineyards growing varieties such as Silvaner and Bacchus. Despite being an historic place, it retains a young vibe thanks in part to its student population. Spend a day exploring sites such as the splendid Unesco-listed Residence and the Marienberg Fortress, before heading to one of the citys bars to try delicate white wines. Better still, time your visit to coincide with a vino-focused festival.

Read more on under-the-radar destinations to visit in Europe
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A week in silence may sound like a dream to anyone drained by the constant stimulation of modern life. But the reality of a silent retreat can be far from what you might imagine.

Beyond the immediate peace, youre left without distraction  without any escape. As you sit in meditation day in, day out, thoughts and feelings (physical and emotional) that might normally go unnoticed or even be pushed aside are suddenly given a chance to bubble up to the surface.

With nowhere to run, youve got no choice but to face them head-on. A challenge that might terrify many  but could ultimately be a benefit. Plenty of people find this particular form of sensory deprivation offers a transformative experience that moves them so much they go back for more.

Engaging in prolonged periods of silence has been one of my most profound experiences says Dr Aimon Kopera, a trailblazing authority in exploratory medicine and author of The Exploratory Mind: Rewiring Sentience.

Silent meditation allows the body and mind to rest and reset, fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and enhancing self-awareness and insight. Its a restorative process thats not just about quieting external noise, but also about silencing internal chatter. This leads to a state of mental clarity and physical healing that can be deeply rejuvenating.

Read more on wellness travel:

But this is by no means your average getaway. It can be tough. After all, when was the last time you sat in an extended period of total silence, if ever? They are suitable for most people, though, with the caveat of individuals with psychiatric problems or physical pain that would prevent them from being able to stay seated all day.

In the case of the world-renowned Dhamma Retreat, held in Herefordshire in the UK but found in centres all over the world, youll need to be prepared to sit in Vipassana  one of Indias most ancient techniques of meditation  from 4am until 9pm each day.

Other than aches and pains, this can present unique challenges, including the phenomenon known as monkey mind where thoughts incessantly jump from one to another, explains Kopera.

open image in gallery Silent retreats are made up of various activities ( Aleenta )

Sometimes this leads to the resurfacing of emotional upheaval, but when managed properly this can be a healing process. Ive even observed patients with chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions deriving positive benefits from this practice.

While you can attend courses that take you full monk-mode, like the Dhamma retreats, there are luxury options that offer a softer experience. The Deep Meditation at Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, is based on the same Buddhist practice of Vipassana as the Dhamma courses. But here, the approach is personalised to meet your needs and experience level over three, five or seven days in a five-star resort in the Thai spiritual heartland. While the lite option creates an accessible path to the transformative power of mindfulness, the second provides more rigorous training of the mind and includes meditation practice at nearby the nearby Wat Ram Peong temple.

A silent retreat closer to a holiday might sound more appealing, but the pared back, fairly gruelling 10-day Dhamma Vipassana Meditation remains an incredibly popular choice. Not only do participants commonly refer to these residential courses as life changing, but they also operate on a pay what you can afford system. If youre really hard up, youre not even required to cover the cost of food and accommodation. Unsurprisingly, you do need to sign up fast when dates are released in order to secure a place.

open image in gallery Chiang Mai is a place where contemporary culture meets ancient tradition ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

The benefits to be gained from spending time in silent meditation are more than just anecdotal. Studies have shown that Vipassana, which has been used as a spiritual and healing modality for over 5,000 years, has the potential to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Research exploring the effects of a seven-day Zen meditation retreat also found that meditators had increased focus after the course, and enhanced neuroplasticity (the brains ability to adapt and grow new pathways).

But how does this translate to real-life? Shannon Brown, co-founder of wellness retreat space CAIM in Scotland, signed up for the 10-day Dhamma Dipa Vipassana meditation course in Herefordshire after feeling drawn to it for years.

I practice yoga and meditation on and off, so I didnt do much to prepare myself. But three days in I really wished I had, says Shannon. The first couple of days I battled through irritation and I struggled to still my mind. I actually almost quit a few times because it was such a challenge to surrender to the experience.

But by the fifth day I started to feel rage rise up inside me. Im normally a very calm, happy person, so this took me by surprise. It was so overwhelming I felt like I wanted to turn tables over and scream.

open image in gallery Shannon Brown found a sense of clarity, peace and gratitude in her silent meditation ( Supplied )

It almost got too much for Shannon, as happens to many participants who brave the long haul, but through sheer willpower, she was able to refocus and navigate the challenges she was facing, alone.

It was really tough. Ive taken part in ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru, and amazingly this was just as intense, recalls Shannon.

But once I managed to break through the emotional and physical discomfort I had come up for me, I felt amazing. Day five was the hardest of all, but by day six I felt blissful despite the challenge. It was almost as though the sedentary sludge Id had lying deep down in my foundations had been stirred up and thrown out. I gained such a beautiful sense of clarity, peace and gratitude.

You dont have to be Buddhist to take part in a silent retreat. And you dont have to opt for the long or stripped-back courses right away (or ever) to quiet your mind and refocus your energy on harmony and happiness  which is really the ultimate goal. But to make the most of this new, yet ancient, trend, you do need to be willing to breathe, dissolve your rigid thought patterns and meet yourself. To face off with your innermost thoughts. To move through anger, sadness and negativity, to finally find liberation on the other side.

How to do it

Aleenta

The retreat starts from THB 17,000 per night (380) single occupancy and THB 25,000 per night (560) double occupancy and includes accommodation, airport transfers, two daily meditation sessions, up to two movement classes per day, wellness cuisine, integrated health diagnostics and one spa treatment for each night of the booking. Aleenta.com

Dhamma

Dhamma courses are held all over the world and operate on a pay what you can afford system. In the UK, you can visit the Dhamma Dipa, an 11-acre property set in rolling farmland between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye. Accommodation is shared and food is included. Returning students wanting to try the long course (20 days) can visit the Dhamma Padhana, Herefordshire, where each student lives and meditates separately with single en-suite accommodation and a small private meditation room. There are also two-day courses designed for children (aged 8 to 11) and teenagers (aged 12-18).

Read more: A weekend trip to this Bucharest wellness retreat costs the same as a day pass to a London spa
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Embattled aircraft manufacturer Boeing is close to reaching a deal with the Department of Justice to plead guilty to criminal charges over two deadly 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.

The aerospace giant is accused of violating a 2021 settlement related to the two fatal crashes, which took place within five months of each other and killed a total of 346 people  first in Indonesia in October 2018 and then in Ethiopia in 2019.

The DOJ first brought charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States against Boeing in January 2021, alleging it misled the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) during its evaluation of the 737 MAX aircraft.

At the time, the company entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ, agreeing to pay fines of $243.7m, $1.77bn compensation to airline customers and $500m to the crash victims beneficiaries.

Boeing was also forced to disclose any allegations of fraud, cooperate with the government and avoid committing any felony offense. Under these conditions, the DOJ agreed to defer criminal prosecution for three years.

However, this May the DOJ said that Boeing  which is in turmoil over a string of safety scandals  had failed to live up to its obligations under the agreement.

Now, the DOJ is proposing a new deal that would see the company plead guilty to conspiracy charges but avoid criminal trial, attorneys for the families of the crash victims told ABC News.

open image in gallery Boeing is nearing a deal with the Department of Justice to plead guilty to criminal charges ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The company must also agree to the appointment of an external corporate monitor, pay a fine of about $200m and remain on probation for three years, the lawyers told ABC News. Under the deal, the company would also avoid going to trial.

The company would be absolutely brutalized in a highly public trial, Mark Lindquist, another attorney for crash victims families, told ABC News. Boeing has way too much dirty laundry to risk the bright spotlight of a trial.

Lindquist said Boeing has until July 7 to accept the deal. If Boeing rejects the terms, the DOJ can pursue criminal prosecution.

It is unclear if Boeing plans to accept the deal. The company previously disputed the DOJs findings that it had violated the 2021 agreement, saying that it had honored the terms of the 2021 settlement 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.

Families of the crash victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the DOJ deal, arguing that it contains no accountability and no admission that Boeings alleged conspiracy caused the deaths of 346 people. The victims families have been pushing the DOJ to take the company to trial and to impose fines upwards of $20bn.

I dont understand why theyre offering the plea deal. They dont need to, Nadia Milleron, mother of Samya Rose Stumo, 24, a Massachusetts native who died in the Boeing Max crash in Ethiopia in 2019, told ABC News.

They should just take them to trial.

The proposed deal comes one day after Boeing announced plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7bn in an all-stock transaction. Boeing previously owned Spirit and the aerospace company said bringing the supplier back into the Boeing fold would improve plane quality and safety.

open image in gallery A door plug fell off a Boeing 737-9 MAX, pictured, in January 2024. Following the incident, several whistleblowers came forward with safety concerns about the company ( Getty Images )

Boeing continues to face increasing scrutiny from regulators, Congress and airlines after a door panel blew off a 737 MAX plane mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Several passengers on board were injured in the incident, which grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 9s and prompted investigations by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, into the aircraft manufacturer and Spirit AeroSystems, which made the door plug.

Reports released since have suggested the plane did not have the critical bolts it needed to keep the door plug in place when it left the factory.

Meanwhile, the company has been fighting a string of allegations from whistleblowers in recent months regarding the companys manufacturing process.

Boeing CEO David Calhoun appeared in front of a Senate hearing last month, where he was questioned about production inspection processes and whistleblower safety.

During the hearing, Calhoun 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.
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Boeing has agreed to buy its longtime supplier Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7bn in a deal struck at a time when the embattled aerospace giant has been plagued by safety scandals and the Department of Justice is poised to offer a plea deal for criminal charges connected to two deadly crashes.

The two companies announced the acquisition in a statement late on Sunday.

We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly, Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun said in the statement.

The total value of the deal, which includes Spirits last reported net debt, is around $8.3bn, Boeing said.

Spirit also manufactures and supplies key parts for Boeing aircraft. The aerospace giant previously owned Spirit before spinning out the company in 2005 as part of plans to make Boeing a large-scale systems integrator of work largely done by suppliers through aggressive outsourcing and divestments.

However, such an approach would later come under scrutiny after a faulty door panel, manufactured by Spirit, blew off a Boeing 737 MAX plane mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

Several passengers on board were injured in the incident, which grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 9s and prompted investigations by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board into the aircraft manufacturer and Spirit AeroSystems.

open image in gallery Boeing has agreed to buy its longtime supplier Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7bn ( Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Reports released since have suggested the plane did not have the critical bolts it needed to keep the door plug in place when it left the factory. Meanwhile, several whistleblowers have also come forward with safety concerns about Boeing.

Amid the safety scandal and the subsequent increased scrutiny from regulators, Congress and airlines, Boeing said bringing the supplier back into the fold would improve plane quality and safety.

By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our Safety and Quality Management Systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes  centered on safety and quality, Calhoun said.

The agreement comes as it emerged that the Department of Justice is poised to offer Boeing a deal to plead guilty to criminal charges over two deadly 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 which killed a total of 346 people.

The aerospace giant is accused of violating a 2021 settlement related to the two fatal crashes  first in Indonesia in October 2018 and then in Ethiopia in 2019.

The DOJ first brought conspiracy charges against Boeing in January 2021, alleging it misled the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) during its evaluation of the 737 MAX aircraft.

open image in gallery A door plug fell off a Boeing 737-9 MAX, pictured, in January 2024. Following the incident, several whistleblowers came forward with safety concerns about the company ( National Transportation Safety Board, )

At the time, the company entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ, agreeing to pay fines of $243.7m, $1.77bn compensation to airline customers and $500m to the crash victims beneficiaries.

Boeing was also forced to disclose any allegations of fraud, cooperate with the government and avoid committing any felony offense. Under these conditions, the DOJ agreed to defer criminal prosecution for three years.

However, this May the DOJ said that Boeing had failed to live up to its obligations under the agreement.

Now, the DOJ is proposing a new deal that would see the company plead guilty to conspiracy charges but avoid criminal trial, attorneys for the families of the crash victims told ABC News.

The company must also agree to the appointment of an external corporate monitor, pay a fine of about $200m and remain on probation for three years, the lawyers told ABC News. Under the deal, the company would also avoid going to trial.

The company would be absolutely brutalized in a highly public trial, Mark Lindquist, another attorney for crash victims families, told ABC News. Boeing has way too much dirty laundry to risk the bright spotlight of a trial.

Lindquist said Boeing has until July 7 to accept the deal. If Boeing rejects the terms, the DOJ can pursue criminal prosecution.

It is unclear if Boeing plans to accept the deal. The company previously disputed the DOJs findings that it had violated the 2021 agreement, saying that it had honored the terms of the 2021 settlement 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.

Calhoun apologized to the families of the crash victims during a Senate hearing last month, where he also said the embattled company was totally committed to future aircraft safety. He has announced he will resign from his role at the end of the year.
Young Britons holidaying in Tenerife say the disappearance of teenager Jay Slater has made them take extra safety precautions.

The 19-year-old disappeared after attending a music festival with friends two weeks ago.

Spanish police have now said the hunt for Mr Slater had ended with the case remaining open.

Young holidaymakers heading to Tenerife spoke to Sky News about their fears on Monday (1 July).

One person said: We are more cautious and aware. We have got our own locations on. We wouldnt have considered that when we booked it.

Another added: I am a little more scared, so made sure we have got each others locations on.
This is the moment a paedophile headteacher is arrested at a school in North Wales.

Bodycam footage, released by North Wales Police, shows the moment officers arrested 66-year-old Neil Foden.

The former high school headteacher who had a sexual obsession with young girls has today (1 July) been jailed for 17 years.

Foden was convicted following a trial in May of 19 offences involving the abuse of four girls over a four-year period.

Sentencing him at Mold Crown Court on Monday, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: Your behaviour was born out of your arrogant sense of your self-worth, such that you believed no-one would stand up to you.
With the general election just days away, we delve into the premierships of the last five Conservative prime ministers, and rank them from best to worst.

From David Camerons Brexit miscalculation to Liz Trusss disastrous mini-budget, join The Independents Chief Political Commentator John Rentoul and Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin as they discuss the last 14 years of Tory rule.

Who navigated the complexities of governance most effectively? Who left a lasting positive legacy? Find out who (if any) comes out on top.
Buyers of new homes and those building their own home can get support under the First Home Scheme. Photo: Getty

More people are expected to qualify for the State home-buyer scheme that aims to help new buyers fund the price of a new home.

This is because the price ceiling that properties qualify for inclusion in the First Home scheme has been increased in 14 counties.

The shared-equity scheme, which is for new properties and self-builds, is a 480m fund set up to help first-time buyers to bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home.

Under the scheme, the State provides interest-free equity stake for a six-year period for a stake of up to 30pc in the home.

There are maximum property price ceilings for each local authority area. Now those price ceilings have increased by 25,000 in 14 counties, reflecting strong growth in property prices.

All new homes in Ireland worth up to 350,000 were now eligible for the scheme irrespective of location, with higher price ceilings of up to 500,000 in areas of greatest demand, First Home Scheme said.

It said the increase in price ceilings would address viability issues in some counties, which would ncrease the supply of new homes for first-time buyers.

This extension follows the latest of the schemes scheduled twice-yearly reviews of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes.

The ceiling in Limerick city and county will increase by 25,000 to 425,000 for houses, including self-build homes. The ceiling for apartments in Limerick remains at 450,000.

The other 13 counties ceilings are increasing by 25,000 to 350,000 for houses, including self-build homes and apartments.

The 14 counties that are increasing are Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary and Wexford.

House price ceilings in each council.

The scheme is a joint venture between the State and three banks, currently AIB (including EBS and Haven), Bank of Ireland and PTSB, with an ability for other authorised mortgage lenders in the Irish market to join the scheme.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said changes announced would extend the reach of the First Home Scheme and make it easier for more people to avail of the scheme.

The scheme has been a big success in making home ownership a reality for people who would have been unable to bridge the affordability gap otherwise and just recently Government and our partner banks committed further funding to the scheme.

Critics have accused the scheme of inflating property prices.

Under the scheme, no payments are due to the First Home Scheme if the equity stake is bought out in the first five years of ownership.

After that period, scheme participants will be liable for a service charge starting at 1.75pc of the euro value of the original equity provided by the First Home scheme.

First Homes Scheme has no income limits for those who apply for it.
Department of Agriculture officials were pressured by the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee to explain why the strict traceability system in the beef industry is not imposed on the equine sector.
Airlines chief corporate affairs officer Donal Moriarty said company will review the cancellation programme later this week Ialpas Mark Tighe said the union moved on its initial pay claim of 24pc but claimed the airline would not compromise at all

Aer Lingus pilots have warned that they will be back looking at an escalation of industrial action if an intervention by the Labour Court fails today.

Speaking on the way to a meeting with the court at Lansdowne House in Dublin this afternoon, president of the Irish Air Line Pilots Association (Ialpa), Mark Tighe said he could not see what else could happen beyond todays meeting.

The court is due to carry out a comprehensive review of the long-running pay row that has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

If this fails today, we are back looking at an escalation, said Mr Tighe.

There is nothing that I can see beyond the Labour Court and its extensive experience, as I mentioned before, so in recognition of that we didnt escalate. But if this doesnt work, there is not much of another option on the table.

He said there would be more industrial action and more withdrawal of service if todays intervention fails.

However, he would not give any details of what form action would take and whether it would mean further days of strikes, responding that this would be a tactical discussion.

He said he is always hopeful there could be a solution, but two parties have to come to that solution.

Ialpa wants pay rises worth just under 24pc over a period of three years.

It is understood that it lowered its claim to around 22pc at face to face talks with airline management last week.

Ialpa did make a move, he said. He said it felt it had been invited to a meeting by the company in the belief that there was a possible solution on the table.

He claimed that the company stated that it was not moving at all, which ended the talks.

Mr Tighe said there is a difference of around 5m a year between the parties, and the company made 225m in profits last year.

He said Ialpa has been talking for 22 months and attempted to find a solution, but claimed the company has not. That should say a lot to people, he added

The airlines chief corporate affairs officer Donal Moriarty said the airline will review the cancellation programme later this week.

This dispute is causing significant financial and reputational damage to Aer Lingus and its impacting negatively on everyone connected with the company, including our passengers, he said.

He said he has no doubt but todays engagement will be challenging but the airline is willing to engage in meaningful discussions.

When asked if he is concerned about the impact of the dispute on Aer Lingus future, he said the repercussions for everyone connected with the airline are serious.

He said he is hopeful some progress can be made.

Both parties were invited to attend a Labour Court meeting in an invite issued on Friday, which was issued while Ialpas disputes committee considered an escalation after talks broke down last week.

It comes after an estimated 122 flight cancellations are expected this week, as the pay dispute rumbles on.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he is concerned about bad blood between the parties.

Speaking to Newstalk radio, he also reminded management and pilots: Theres people whove been saving all year, putting a few bob aside to bring the kids on a summer holiday.

Most Irish people are decent and full of common sense.

They want to see this resolved and they believe people should, instead of bringing the planes out of the sky and not allowing people to go on their summer holidays, they should lock themselves in a room and not leave the room until they sort this out.

Both sides need to dig deeper, there is absolutely zero public support for this action. Thats not, by the way, me letting the employer off the hook.

However, a pilots source claimed the Irish public are behind the pilots, saying: From what I hear, the public response is understanding. There doesnt seem to be much anger. Maybe that will change if this goes on.

They admitted the gap between the parties is still considerable before the Labour Court talks. But they added: Dont underestimate the Labour Court and its skills when it comes to solving the dispute.

Speaking ahead of the talks over the weekend, Mr Tighe said: Were in a very strong position. There are elements within Aer Lingus executive management, who want to remake the airline in their own image. But our airline is incredibly profitable, its a great airline the customers are of great value to us as pilots.

Mr Tighe warned if talks are a failure, then the strike is not complete.

The pilots are not going to back down, he said.

Theyre not going to say to management, Go ahead and do what you want to do with our airline, that were all part of.

Were giving the Labour Court an opportunity to apply its experience to the situation. But ultimately if the company doesnt accede to what is a reasonable cumulative claim, the pilots will continue fighting.

Were here for our careers. This is an opportunity, a crucial intervention, but if it fails there will be dire consequences.

While Mr Tighe said it was hoped the Labour Court would be a successful tool, he could not rule out what might take place if talks break down.

He said negotiations had been ongoing for 22 months and now management had backed themselves into a corner, and they cannot change position without saying they got it wrong.

The pilots are seeking a 24pc pay rise, which they have said is in line with inflation since their last pay increase in 2019.

On Saturday, hundreds of Aer Lingus pilots marched around Dublin Airport during an eight-hour strike.

The pilots source said: The longer a dispute goes on, the longer industrial action continues, the pressure will build from the public on management.

The Irish Independent contacted Aer Lingus for comment.
Barry Collins sons were playing in the match

A Cork company director made an absolute show of himself when he viciously assaulted his ex-wifes new partner at a GAA match in which his own sons were playing, a court heard.

Barry Collins (48) of Breaghna, Enniskeane, Co. Cork, pleaded guilty to assaulting Matthew ODonovan in an unprovoked attack at St Oliver Plunketts GAA Club, Ahiohill, west Cork, on the evening of June 30, 2023.

Collins is the director of a tarmac company which sponsors St Oliver Plunketts, who were playing an under-20s match that evening.

Mr ODonovan suffered a broken nose and two black eyes in the attack, which a judge described as nothing short of outrageous.

Its not good enough for people to be going to a match and be carrying on like this, Mr Donovan told the Sunday World this week. In front of strangers is one thing, but he did it in front of his sons and ex-wife. She was crying for days over it.

Mr ODonovan said that Collins and his ex-wife Katherine split up years ago and both started new relationships.

Mr ODonovan has been in a relationship with Collinss ex-wife for seven years and he believes that his attacker holds a grudge, even though he is in his own new relationship for years.

Barry Collins launched an unprovoked attack on his ex-wifes partner

On the day of the incident Mr ODonovan and his partner Katherine were watching two of her sons play in a match at the club.

Collins had been drinking and when he spotted Mr ODonovan he launched what Judge Marie Keane described as a cowardly attack on his victim.

We were down first flight of steps against the railing watching the game and your man must have pulled up, got out of the car and ran up from behind and hit me as hard as he could in the back of the head, Mr ODonovan told the Sunday World.

He launched himself off the first flight and landed on Katherines back. My glasses flew off. I got such a dig I was stunned and he got a few more in and fractured my nose.

Collins punched him multiple times in the back and front of the head in the unprovoked attack as his sons watched on from the pitch.

I wasnt expecting it and he hit me as hard as he could and must have been running and launched himself in the air. Hes about 20 stone.

When he landed on top and got a few more [punches] in and I turned around and he got a couple more in. By the time I realised, my head took time to clear, I pushed him away.

I said you may as well have a few more now there are plenty of witnesses and Ill call the guards.

Bizarrely, despite there being dozens of witnesses present, Collins initially tried to deny carrying out the unprovoked attacked.

He made out like it was in self-defence but everyone saw I didnt put one hand on him. I didnt see him coming at all.

Judge Marie Keane said that Mr Collins behaviour was nothing short of outrageous and the court could only form the view that it was a premeditated assault.

She said that the assault was beyond cowardly and that Mr Collins had made an absolute show of himself in front of his own children, their mother and half the parish.

The court heard his sons stopped speaking to him after the incident. The judge added that he had humiliated his boys by his actions and that a letter of apology handed in was minimal and the compensation of 1,500 that he offered was derisory.

She told Mr Collins he would need to apologise to the teams and management at the GAA club and bound him to keep the peace for 12 months on his own bond of 100. She also ordered him to pay Mr ODonovan 3,000 in compensation.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said SNAs had 'borne brunt' of assaults in schools. Photo: PA

There has been a sharp increase in the number of teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) forced to miss work as a result of being assaulted in schools.

New figures provided by the Department of Education show the total number of teachers and SNAs who have had to take leave from work due to being assaulted has almost trebled in the past five years.

The figures also highlight how each violent incident in schools last year led to a member of teaching staff taking an average of 18 days off work.

Last year, a total of 412 teaching staff availed of a special scheme operated by the department for teachers and SNAs unable to perform their duties because of physical injuries from an assault at work.

The figures also show that violent incidents in schools predominantly affect SNAs at primary level.

Teaching staff forced to take leave last year consisted of 301 SNAs and 111 teachers, with all but eight assaults happening to staff in primary school.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st

The level of assaults on teaching staff last year was up 58pc on the 260 cases recorded the previous year and almost treble the pre-pandemic total in 2019 of 144. The figures, which exclude any assaults in schools operated by Education and Training Boards, were provided in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.

The Cork South-West TD said she was alarmed at the worrying rise in assaults on teachers and SNAs, particularly over the last five years.

The figures also highlighted an associated rise in the number of days off work taken by teaching staff who had been assaulted in school.

A total of 7,454 days were missed by teachers and SNAs who were assaulted last year  up from 5,859 in 2022 and 3,451 in 2019.

Ms Cairns said SNAs had borne the brunt of assaults in schools.

This is another reminder of the pressures that school staff face on a daily basis, Ms Cairns said.

The figure may not even tell the full story as they do not include undocumented absences due to assaults.

Ms Cairns expressed concern that the issue of assaults on teaching staff was adding to problems caused by ongoing understaffing of schools.

She pointed out the teacher vacancy rate stands at 28pc, while there is a continuing shortage of SNAs and special education teachers in classrooms around the country.

The Social Democrats leader said there was a need to properly quantify the level of need of supports in schools in the interest of the welfare of both children and teachers.

She called on Education Minister Norma Foley to outline what steps she would take to improve the safety of teaching staff and to ensure schools were adequately funded to meet the everyday reality of working in a classroom.

Separately, Ms Foley said the Department of Education would be carrying out a review of the Leave of Absence Following Assault Scheme as part of a review of all circulars in response to a call to make a distinction for assaults carried out by children with special needs.

Sinn Fein TD Paul Donnelly urged the minister to change the terminology in cases where teachers were injured by a pupil in a special school.

The children do not intend to harm and the current terminology is upsetting for the children and their parents, the Dublin West TD said.
Five more countries will be designated as safe places of origin under plans by Justice Minister Helen McEntee that may reduce the number of asylum-seeker applications.

It follows an extensive review, although the five extra countries have not yet been publicly named by the minister.

If a nation is listed as a safe country, then it does not mean a person is unable to apply for international protection. However, it means a person on Irish soil has more onus to demonstrate why they are, by way of exception, in need of such protection.

It is a part of a government project to reduce the rising rates of migration.

Applicants from countries deemed safe by the State will receive their interview date the day they apply for international protection and usually have their demands processed in 90 days or fewer.

Speaking in January this year, Ms McEntee said: My priority is that those who are in need of international protection receive it quickly, and those who are not entitled to it are removed from the system quickly too. This is the hallmark of a robust and rules-based immigration system.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st

At present, 10 countries are designated as safe: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and South Africa.

Figures from the International Protection Office revealed that the number of applications from those countries has dropped 50pc since the designation was introduced in November 2022.

Notably, since applications to Botswana and Algeria were added to the list in January and February, applications from these counties have fallen by 71pc.

Although Nigeria remains the country with the most applications, the number of Nigerian citizens asking for asylum has dropped by 65pc since accelerated processing was introduced.

The Department of Justice said: The list of safe countries is kept under review by the minister having regard to the profile of applications being received.

The criteria to deem a country safe is outlined in section 72 of the International Protection Act 2015. It says: The minister may make an order on the basis that it can be shown that there is generally and consistently no persecution, no torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and no threat by reason of indiscriminate violence on situations of international or internal armed conflict.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service said that supplies across some blood groups had fallen to just three-days reserve over recent weeks.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urgently appealing for blood donors as some blood groups have fallen in stock.

They are seeking an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to help the national blood supply.

It is due to some blood groups falling to under three days of stock while the IBTS aims to have a seven-day supply.

"Current levels including O negative and B negative are at just two days supply, and O positive which relates to nearly half the total population is at just over three days, Director of Donor Services and Logistics Paul McKinney has said.

Mr McKinney has said there has been a consistently high hospital demand for blood since the June bank holiday weekend.

"We need to boost our collections by nearly 500 donations per week in the above blood groups to meet that demand.

"The start of summer holiday travel and high sickness levels in the community has also had an impact on donor availability.

We are asking regular donors who are texted over the next few weeks to make an extra effort to attend their nearest clinic, especially in Dublin and Cork where we have clinic availability every week.

"This is vital to address the current increased demand from hospitals," he added.

It comes as new donor attendances have not recovered fully since pre-Covid.

The IBTS also urges donors to consider giving blood if they're eligible before they head on their holidays this summer.

Potential blood donors can check their availability online on the IBTS website.

"We would particularly encourage new donors of African Heritage to join the National blood donor panel to help us diversify the donor base and get better blood type matches for patients.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st

A pre-amber alert letter was issued to all hospitals on June 25, restricting issues of O negative blood and hospitals have been asked to reduce their stock holding.

"This enables the IBTS to manage the limited blood supply available more effectively across the health service.

"If the IBTS has to issue an amber alert letter which is the next escalation level of the blood shortage plan, it would have an immediate implication for hospitals and for elective surgical procedures requiring blood support, he added.

The IBTS needs to collect more than 3,000 units of blood every week to maintain the national blood supply.

It comes as only 3pc of the eligible population are blood donors but it is estimated that one in four people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives.

However, approximately 8pc of these donors are O negative. This blood can be transfused to patients of all groups, therefore issues of this blood group to hospitals are frequently greater than 15pc thus requiring more frequent calls on donors of this group.
Rescue crews said search now in its sixth day will continue

The extensive search for a missing hiker in Mount Brandon has been underway for a week as volunteer rescue groups and the Coastguard helicopter continue their searches of the area.

Polish man Sebastian Jaworski (46), who is based in Cork, has been missing since Sunday, June 23. He was last seen on the summit of Mount Brandon on that afternoon according to information gathered in recent days.

Frank Heidtke from the Irish Coastguard, who is conducting the search, confirmed Mr Jaworski was seen hiking up Cnoc Bhreanainn and was met by some people at the top of the mountain.

While speaking to RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland, he said: "He was talking to some people, some witnesses that saw him, he was in good form and health. The weather was quite poor that afternoon and it deteriorated."

A Polish walker was notified as missing on Tuesday afternoon by friends after he failed to return from a hike in Dingle. His car was located in Faha car park close to Mount Brandon on Tuesday.

Since then, a major search operation is underway with Kerry Mountain Rescue, Dingle Coastguard and the Coastguard Helicopter. They are also being assisted by the Search and Rescue dog unit.

"The search is continuing, we had a big day there yesterday with a lot of agencies and resources coming into it," Mr Heidtke said.

"There were over 50 people on the mountain yesterday between the Coast Guard teams and Mountain Rescue teams that travelled from all over the country.

"There were six drone teams on the mountain yesterday. Conditions were moderate yesterday up high. This morning, visibility is very poor.

"We have to reassess, we have given six days searching up on the mountain, so we have to reassess today and see what the weather brings because, obviously, even for drones or aircraft to fly, you need good conditions," he added.

Mount Brandon is the second highest peak in Ireland, after Carrauntoohil in Co Kerry.

"While it is a reasonably moderate walk if you stay to the tracks, there are several routes up the mountain from two directions," Mr Heidtke said.

"There are options that could be taken by people and people can go astray and finish up in territory that is very challenging, very steep. You could have crags, gullies, crevasses, so it is extremely steep.

"It's very craggy. It is very mountainous, very steep, and quite dangerous in a lot of places," he added.

Mr Heidtke also confirmed that Mr Jaworki hasn't used his phone to call for help, making it even more difficult to locate him.

A mobile phone reception on Mount Brendan is "reasonably good" but it is "patchy", he said.

"You could not rely on it. We believe he carried a phone just to make calls if there was difficulty. But unfortunately, that phone has not been used to call for help.

"At the moment, it is not helping us to locate him. Because in order to locate somebody you need to make that call."

Extensive air and ground searches have been undertaken in the last few days according to Kerry Mountain Rescue but tragically the man has not been located.

Weather conditions last week have hampered the search given the rain and wind.

The rescue crews renew searching last Friday, June 28, with volunteers and emergency services looking for the Polish man during the weekend.

Kerry Mountain Rescue have sought the assistance of the public and are appealing to anyone who may have seen him on the mountain to make contact with Dingle Garda Station.

Kerry Mountain Rescue have also praised the huge support of the local community in Cloghane and Brandon who have supported the rescue crews and provided refreshments.

The search will continue over the coming days.

Information on the man has been circulated amongst hiking groups and on social media in a bid to help locate the missing walker. A picture has also been circulated for assistance.

He is described as being fit and in his mid 40s approximately 5ft 4 inches in height.
Cara, her mother Tonya, sister Fiadh and father Colin. Cara suffers from spina bifida and has had operations cancelled several times over the years, including once when she had been prepped and had fasted overnight, only for it to be called off at the last minute
Male model, Mensa member and British spy: the many lives of Detective Garda Patrick Crinnion

New book claims Crinnion was garda intelligence officer moonlighting as a British agent who exposed explosive details of what culminated in the Arms Trial of 1970

Patrick Crinnion was a Garda intelligence officer who worked for MI6 in the 1960s and early 1970s.

John Downing Mon 1 Jul 2024 at 03:30

Patrick Crinnion was not the stereotypical guard of the 1960s and 1970s. A gifted intellect saw him pass the tests for Mensa and he was also a part-time model.
After a stellar weekend of live music in the capital, Taylor Swift finished her last Dublin show on her sold-out Eras Tour last night.

About 150,000 Swifties attended the three shows at the Aviva stadium between Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Famous faces spotted at last nights show included Julia Roberts, Stevie Nicks and Bridgerton actress Florence Hunt. The stars were spotted in the crowd mingling with fans and exchanging friendship bracelets.

Addressing the crowd at the start of the show, Swift said: Night one and night two were only warm-up shows for tonight.

On Friday, she performed a stripped-back medley of hoax and Sweet Nothing, where she mentions Co Wicklow, and proved that her power resides in her understanding of her audience.

Its been over five years since Ive played a gig in Dublin and you know this already but nobody does it like you, she told the crowd.

Several moments from the weekend will remain memorable, notably one of her dancers saying pog mo thoin during her performance of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

Joy as couple get engaged during Taylor Swift The Eras Tour

As she rounded up her Lover era and moved into Fearless, unbeknownst to her, two of her fans, Aaron Hogan (25) and Alan Corley (26), were getting engaged.

The minute I knelt down, everything went quiet and it was like this kind of static in the back of my head, Mr Corley said.

Im very much an introvert, but for some reason I was never nervous about the idea of doing it in public at a Taylor Swift concert because I know the type of people that Swifties are.

Theyre just so supportive and full of love. I knew it was going to be just a really lovely moment and Aaron has always said that he hates the idea of public proposals except at Taylor Swift concerts.

He took what I told him and ran with it, Mr Hogan added.

On Saturday night, Swift appeared to be caught off guard by the actually crazy reaction from Irish fans to her show, saying she would remember it for the rest of her life.

She was treated to fans chanting ole, ole, ole for a lengthy period during the show, and Swift seemed surprised by the reaction.

She told the audience: Oh my god, heres the thing, weve done, like, I dunno, weve done like 110 shows on this tour, something like that and like this... this is the first time like, I really dont know what to say, my band and I are just looking at each other with our mouths hanging open.

That was actually crazy, like were trying to be prepared, but were not prepared for the level that youre on, Dublin.

Saturday nights surprise tracks were an acoustic mash-up of This Love and Ours paired with The Albatross and Dancing With Our Hands Tied.

She is heading to Amsterdams Johan Cruyff Arena for her next three shows, running from Thursday to Saturday.

Swift will then continue her tour as she play dates in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Austria before returning to the UK in August for five nights at Wembley Stadium in London.
Mum-of-one and sunbed user Katie opens up about her fears after melanoma ordeal at just 24

Katie McVeigh with her two scars after surgery

Katie after the first procedure to remove her mole

Young mum Katie McVeigh was just 16 when she went on a sunbed for the first time.

She says it was so normal to have a base tan that everybody was doing it and she had no idea of the risks involved.

Eight years later, aged just 24 and with a young daughter, Katie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st

Now, as she finishes a year of treatment, she wants to warn other sunbed users of the risks involved.

I want people to know what skin cancer looks like and what it means, says Katie (25), from Lisburn.

Cigarette packets carry warnings  theres photos of people with lung cancer.

But you dont walk into a sunbed shop and see posters showing people with skin cancer."

Katie after the first procedure to remove her mole

Its illegal for tanning shops, beauty salons and other commercial premises to allow anyone under the age of 18 to use a sunbed in Northern Ireland, but Katie says her age was never checked.

Nobody ever asked my age, she says. My mum went, my friends went, my aunts and cousins went. It was just normal.

One day when I was 16 my mum asked if I wanted to go with her.

My first session was three minutes and afterwards I felt great, like I was glowing.

Katie McVeigh with her two scars after surgery

Katie, who grew up in west Belfast, started tanning regularly, saying she felt like it gave her skin a base and also made her feel more confident about her appearance.

I left school at 16 and went into hairdressing and, of course, thats all about beauty too, she explains. You got your nails done, you got your hair done and you got a tan.

She was 20 when she fell pregnant with her daughter Connie (4), and during her pregnancy she didnt go near sunbeds.

But as a busy young mum, she returned to the tanning shops, saying a sunbed session felt like a bit of me time.

It was a wee treat to myself and it was quicker than getting my hair or nails done, so it was easier to fit around childcare, she explains. It was a way to give myself a boost.

In summer 2022, Katie noticed a black mole was growing on her right cheek.

She recalls: Im quite a moley person so at first I wasnt too worried, but then it started looking different to my other moles.

It kept scabbing over, dropping off and then growing back again.

Katie sent photos to her GP, who didnt think it looked dangerous but referred her to a dermatologist to be on the safe side.

At the Orthoderm clinic in Hillsborough, the mole was removed and sent away to be biopsied.

The clinic called me and invited me to go in for my results, says Katie.

I asked them why I couldnt get them over the phone because it was awkward to arrange childcare.

They said I needed to go in-person and told me to bring someone with me. That was the red flag.

Katie McVeigh

Katie was told she had stage 2 melanoma and was referred to the Ulster Hospital to have a larger section of tissue on her face  where the mole had been  removed.

She underwent the surgery in February 2023 and also woke up with a scar on her neck where an associated lymph node had been removed.

Waiting for the next set of results, Katie says six weeks felt like six years.

I was crying a lot, although of course I tried to hide my upset from Connie, she remembers.

I just told her mummy was poorly and needed to go to hospital to get better.

When the results showed the melanoma had spread to Katies lymph nodes, her cancer was upgraded to stage 3 and she was referred to Belfast City Hospitals Cancer Centre for MRI and CT scans to check it hadnt spread anywhere else.

Thats when it really began to sink in that I had cancer, she says. People think if they get a bad mole it will just be removed and thats that, but melanoma means cancer.

They also found I had a genetic mutation that made it more likely the disease would return.

Katie underwent a year of targeted immunotherapy treatment, which finishes this month.

Katie McVeigh aged 20 as an expectant mum

She will then begin five years of monitoring scans every six months and mole-mapping, where every mole on her body is measured and photographed.

My mum and other family members have stopped using sunbeds now, she says. A lot of my friends have stopped too  but people still think it wont happen to them.

Thats what I thought until it happened to me.

I wasnt even a continuous user. I might have had two or three sessions a week before a holiday or night out, but then gone months without tanning at all. When I said that to a nurse at the hospital, she told me thats still a form of abusing sunbeds  like if you dont drink during the week and then binge drink at weekends.

Getting sunburnt is another risk factor for developing skin cancer.

Katie remembers she and her sister Emma (23) burning on family holidays.

One year in Egypt was particularly bad, my shoulders really blistered, she says. I remember mum getting Greek yoghurt from the hotel bar to cool our skin.

Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, says: The proliferation of sunbed use across the UK is alarmingly high and its shocking that so many people dont realise how dangerous they are.

Melanoma skin cancer rates are rising in the UK and its an increasingly serious health concern.

Katie says if she could travel back in time, she would tell her younger self that having a tan is just not worth it.

Her biggest fear now is not being around to see Connie grow up.

Im a mum  she needs me, Katie adds. Ive seen other people my age, with the same diagnosis, tragically pass away. This is very real and skin cancer needs to be taken more seriously.
The meteoric rise of Jack Chambers within the Fianna Fail ranks is the clearest signal yet that Micheal Martins thoughts are turning to stepping down and possibly tilting at the Aras next year.

The Dublin West TDs appointment as finance minister was a shock to many, but it has the potential to be transformative to the partys medium-term fortunes. Of course, the 33-year-old Chambers is largely untried  and making a hash of things cant be ruled out  but he has been quietly sure-footed so far.

On his election eight years ago, he focused on nursing his constituency and largely kept his head down. Since then, he has been minister for sport  always an opportunity for burnishing a profile  and chief whip and local election supremo, where he could just as easily have tarnished it.

He side-stepped controversy as chief whip, and ultimately delivered in the local elections, so Micheal Martin made his well-planned move.

The new Finance Minister Jack Chambers. Photo: Collins

However, for the vast majority of voters, Chambers has risen without trace. Many will scratch their heads when they see his unfamiliar face.

His public persona is of a gangling overgrown teenager, hiding a keen intelligence. I always likened him to the teenager nervously ringing the doorbell on the evening of the debs, flowers concealed behind his back and limo idling behind him, fervently praying he wont have to make small talk with the parents.

Since then, he has grown politically, but Finance is a big jump. He has a lot to prove, not least to those FF ministers who will grumble about the elevation of a colleague whom some regard as little more than a teachers pet.

They are in no doubt about its significance, though.

Thats the end of OCallaghan, one of them told me, referring to Dublin Bay Souths Jim OCallaghan, who undoubtedly sees any imperial ambitions thwarted, possibly permanently, by Chambers promotion.

Who knows wholl succeed Eamon Ryan? You can see shortcomings in the offerings of Pippa Hackett and Roderic OGorman

The staggered double whammy of his promotions  first to deputy leader and then to Finance  underlines Martins mastery of his party by maximising the impact of decisions that were probably masterminded by the peerless political operator that is Deirdre Gillane, his loyal chief of staff.

It does not deliver the leadership to Chambers when Martin chooses to go. Far from it: there are too many ambitious hopefuls who fancy their chances, but it signals that the competition will be an open one.

To my mind, the Chambers move is a sign that the next leader will be from the Dublin area, going toe to toe with Harris, McDonald and perhaps Roderic OGorman, Chambers constituency colleague.

When you survey the party leaders who will be facing off in the TV debates in less than five months (Im firmly in the November election camp), the massive sea change that has washed over the Government in the last six months is plain to see.

Simon Harris still impresses with his fizzing energy, even if his alacrity to bash the Defence Forces last week highlighted the flip side of that  an impetuosity and eagerness to board the latest bandwagon without too much reflection.

Micheal Martin still also has plenty left in the tank, even if he has been around for ever. His longevity at the top, of course, can be a drawback, one he hopes will be counter-balanced by the new appointment.

Who knows wholl succeed Eamon Ryan? You can see shortcomings in the offerings of Pippa Hackett and Roderic OGorman, but as the saying goes, nothing succeeds like a successor.

The Social Democrats' Cian O'Callaghan and Holly Cairns

Turning to the opposition, Holly Cairns has youth and gender on her side, and would superficially be an attractive partner in any future FF/FG hook up. She is, however, a woeful communicator, and could struggle with the twin challenges of debating with vastly more experienced leaders and tending her far-flung constituency where her seat is far from safe.

Her pregnancy is great news for the 34-year-old, but it will present her with a big decision as she ponders whether to pause maternity leave should a general election intervene. Leaving the reins to stand-in leader Cian OCallaghan is an unpalatable option, but running a national campaign, nursing a constituency in west Cork while preparing to nurse a new arrival would be a huge challenge.

A party that once seemed bound for office has lost all the poll gains it made since its triumphant 2019 election

The contrast between the new arrivals and the Sinn Fein and Labour leadership is stark. In the case of Labour, the unfathomable decision to ditch Alan Kelly in favour of Ivana Bacik has been a huge setback. It has paid no dividends, and left the party demoralised from top to toe under a listless and directionless leadership.

Repeated appeals for a debate about a hook-up with the Social Democrats, buoyed by their own success in the local elections, have the whiff of desperation and serve no political purpose.

For Sinn Fein, the problems are obviously more profound. A party that once seemed bound for office has lost all the poll gains it made since its triumphant 2019 election. Mary Lou MacDonald has had her own health issues, from which she has thankfully made a recovery, it seems.

Mary Lou McDonald's depleted energy levels were painfully exposed in the recent local election campaign

But her depleted energy levels were painfully exposed in the local election campaign, where she was scarcely visible.

Sinn Fein has neither an obvious succession policy nor an obvious successor who could challenge the new guard at the top of its rivals. I have no doubt this issue is under detailed scrutiny, particularly in Belfast, where these decisions tend to be made.

Equally, Sinn Fein has never shown itself to be nimble when responding to political challenges  and time is not on its side at the moment.

With fresh teams at the helm, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will want a presidential election, pitching energy and achievement against tired rhetoric and lacklustre leadership. That will suit the SocDems too, and the Greens to a degree.

But it will pose a challenge for Mary Lou and her party  at a time when it is least able to meet it.
Today nearly 300 million people in 73 countries around the world will need humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflicts, climate emergencies and hunger. At a time when two concurrent famines are unfolding on our watch, in Sudan and Gaza, when southern Africa is grappling with the devastating effects of El Nino-induced droughts, and when protracted conflicts are widespread, the widening gap between global funding and humanitarian needs is at a record level.

Rising poverty and hunger levels are set against a backdrop of mounting debt burdens and increasingly frequent climate shocks, and the need for collective action and scaled investment to urgently address these challenges has rarely been more acute. However, despite this, the EU is veering towards a more closed stance focused on competition and not collaboration, driven by short-term economic self-interest.

Earlier this year, the European Council decided to cut at least 2bn in funding to Global Europe  the principal tool for the EUs international co-operation  mainly to fund Ukraine and internal migration. With these measures, hopes of an increase to aid budgets to meet the ever-growing humanitarian and development needs were dashed. Not only are we not keeping pace with the funding needed, a 10pc reduction of the international co-operation budget was announced last week, with cuts across the different programmes and thematic areas including human rights, peace-building and civil-society space, primarily in Africa.

These cuts could have devastating consequences to the people who need help the most, in particular those living in fragile contexts  almost a quarter of the worlds population.

Crises are becoming more complex, recurrent and protracted. Humanitarian action alone cannot be the solution. Development actors have a key role to play in these contexts at the earliest stage  to build resilience and prevent situations from spiralling into humanitarian disasters. In a time of increasing global crises and inequalities, it is those in fragile countries that require even greater support.

These cuts are a clear warning sign of things to come. The recent leaking of the briefing book for the incoming International Partnerships EU Commissioner reflects a pattern that has been evident for the last few years. The EUs international co-operation budget is being used as an instrument to advance geopolitical and primarily foreign policy objectives.

We are concerned that the EU specifically deprioritises programmes in countries where the EU has a weak relationship with the national authorities. Yet, it is precisely in the most fragile and difficult contexts that engagement and aid must be maintained. It is the communities who are most vulnerable, and are unable to access basic services, who will suffer most. It is important now more than ever that we look to global co-operation and solidarity, rather than self-interest.

The leaked European Commission briefing book suggested a first mover agenda-setting for a harder approach among some EU policy-makers. However, we believe Ireland can play a key role in pushing back on this agenda.

Ireland has a strong credible voice in Brussels. We have a reputation of being forward-looking and not inward-looking. With the convening power we have, we should build a coalition of the willing to defend development and international climate action in the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework budget, which will form a key part of the lead-up to Irelands EU presidency.

The Irish Government must work to ensure that the integrity and long-term objectives of EU development co-operation are in line with Irish foreign policy values as well as the EUs legal and political commitment to humanitarian and sustainable development. We must put the well-being of people and the planet in the centre of decision-making for sustainable development that is aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

Today, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen visits Dublin. The Irish Government must, in the strongest terms, ensure that our foreign policy values, and principled approach to development and humanitarian assistance are reflected in the EUs Development Co-operation instrument.

Jane-Ann McKenna is the CEO of Dochas, the Irish Network for International Development and Humanitarian Organisations
The first ever televised US presidential debate was between Republican Richard Nixon and a relatively unknown Democratic hopeful called John F Kennedy.

The studio lights were not kind to Nixon. He looked old. He perspired. The young challenger went on to narrowly win the 1960 election.

The most recent TV debate last week could prove every bit as decisive in shaping the narrative of the election to come.

Donald Trump was unimpressive. He lied constantly. His answers went walkabout. He was, as ever, a hot mess of self-pity and braggadocio.

None of that mattered. Trump had a triumphant night anyway, because the 81-year-old Joe Bidens cognitive and physical decline was so pitifully on display from the start.

Biden was a confused shadow of his former self and his worst moments have already been chopped up into car-crash clips that will be replayed ad nauseam between now and November.

Forced to choose between the two men, many Americans will still opt for Bidens decency over the multiple degeneracies of a convicted felon.

But whether Biden makes it that far has to now be seriously in doubt.

Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters after the debate. Photo: Getty

Its surely just cruel at this stage to keep pretending he can endure a bruising presidential campaign for the next four months, much less govern for the next four years.

Thats why this newspaper, while strongly supporting Joe Biden as president, grasped the nettle around his condition back in February to urge that he bow out gracefully while there is time.

The time for doing so gracefully may have passed, but those difficult conversations are now, at least and at last, being had in the open.

It is slightly unedifying to see these powerful financial donors and strategists, who kept silent for so long about Bidens frailty with the complicity of elements of the media, all suddenly turn on him like wolves on the ailing leader of a pack.

But sentiment has no place in what looks set to be dangerous times ahead for the world.

Removing Biden is not a gimme. There is no mechanism in his party to replace him, risking a damaging standoff should the presidents family and backers defy calls to step in, as they might.

The ticket thats being talked about is Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer

Even if that hurdle is overcome, who will take his place, given that vice president Kamala Harris is grimly unpopular with voters?

The ticket thats being talked about is Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, respectively governors of California and Michigan. Both have all the pieces of a putative campaign in place and together could well represent the best hope of stopping a second Trump term.

Biden stepped up to the plate in 2020 because he was convinced he was the only candidate at that time who could beat Donald Trump.

If it turns out he is now the one person who can hand the White House back to Trump, it would be a sad stain on his commendable legacy of public service and personal integrity.

Those who truly respect what Biden has done since coming into office when his country was reeling from the January 6 riots that Trump had disgracefully inflamed are the very ones who should most want to protect him now that hes so agonisingly vulnerable.

In a way, its not even about politics any more, but basic human dignity. Enough is enough.
Michael and Lindy Chamberlain at the 1990 launch of Mrs Chamberlain's book about the disappearance of their baby daughter Azaria (AP)

In August 1980, a pastor, his wife and their three children left their home in a yellow hatchback car bound for a holiday in central Australia. A few days later, they arrived at Ayres Rock, where they pitched a tent at a family campsite. It was the perfect holiday for Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, until one evening changed everything.

The family were enjoying an evening by a fire with other campers while their nine-week-old baby, Azaria, slept in a nearby tent. After hearing a baby cry, Lindy went to check on her daughter and that's when she screamed: A dingo's got my baby.

The case of what happened to baby Azaria shocked and divided Australia, as the unthinkable question was asked of her mother: did you kill your child?

Today on the Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Malcolm Brown, who reported on the dingo baby case for the Sydney Morning Herald, to discuss how the story became a global sensation.
Warm tributes were paid to the outgoing Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn at the recent annual general meeting of Cork County Council.

Cllr OFlynn recently served a 12 month term as the County Mayor before he was succeeded by his party colleague Cllr Joe Carroll (FF).

Many plaudits and sincere tributes were paid to the outgoing County Mayor on his last day as the first citizen of Cork County.

Leader of the Fianna Fail party in Cork County Council Seamus McGrath said Cllr OFlynn stepped up to the plate. I want to congratulate you and your family on an exceptional year. We all know it is a team effort. It does take everybody pulling together to do what you did over the last 12 months. I never doubted that you would have been an exceptional mayor, but you certainly exceeded what we envisaged.

Cllr McGrath continued: You represented us with decency, integrity and energy at a county level, national level and at an international level. Your energy levels are the stuff of legend. We dont know where you get the energy from. Irrespective of age you are somebody who displays unbelievable levels of energy, motivation and determination. You are a leader to all of us in terms of your work load and what you put into your role as a public representative.

You as leader of the chamber led us through a very heavy workload over the past 12 months. For us as members you were always accessible and available. You worked with all of us across the chamber. That is great testament to the way you approached the role. The county is a better place for your 12 months as mayor, he added.

You portrayed huge ability and energy for the last 12 months, said Fine Gael councillor John Paul OShea. Thank you for your 12 months of workmanship and leadership in the council. We were worried about you at the start. You did great. You really represented us with aplomb. You were inclusive of all in this chamber. Im sure it is not a good thing for Mary to have you back full time. She has been a great support to you. I want to wish you well.

Independent councillor Alan Coleman said he never doubted that it would be a great year with Cllr OFlynn as the mayor and he lived up to all expectations.

Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins was also very complimentary of Cllr OFlynns tenure as mayor. When I handed over the chain to you last year I knew I was handing it over to a good man. A man who loves his county, his country and his own area of Fermoy. You have represented the county with charisma, style and panache.

Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen said the mayor was very fair and easy to deal with.

The chief executive of Cork County Council, Ms Moira Murrell thanked Cllr OFlynn on behalf of all the staff and management. You had an exceptionally good year as mayor. The thing I have been hearing about you is your work ethic, your availability and how well you represented Cork County Council. On behalf of the management team and the staff generally I want to say thank you for your representation and your engagement. I look forward to working with you for the term ahead.

Cllr OFlynn thanked his colleagues for their kind words before poignantly taking the opportunity to reflect on his good friend, the late Cllr Gerard Murphy. The day is tinged with sadness. A colleague of ours passed away a few weeks before the election. A good friend of mine for many years. We always met him on the way home from Listowel Races Cllr Gerard Murphy. We shouldnt let today go without thinking of Gerard.

He has a special place in our heart. He was always very good to me. Gerard always saw the best ways of getting the best result. I will miss his friendship, advice and help. Trish thank you for being with us. We look forward to working with you, he added.
Orangutan Riona and Asian elephant Avani have died due to unrelated illnesses at Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo has announced the deaths two of its animals due to unrelated illnesses overnight.

The zoo said it is awaiting the results of post-mortem reports following the deaths of Avani, an eight-year-old female Asian elephant, and Riona, a 28-year-old Bornean orangutan.

Both beloved animals passed away overnight on June 30 from unrelated illnesses. We are currently awaiting the results of post-mortem reports, a statement from Dublin Zoo said.

Riona, a 28-year-old Bornean orangutan

The entire Dublin Zoo team is devastated by this loss. Avani was an integral part of the Asian elephant herd at and was adored by the animal care team who worked with her.

Riona, who was born to parents Leonie and Sibu in 1996, was a very clever and gentle orangutan. She will be greatly missed by the generations of Dublin zookeepers who cared for her over the past 28 years.

People took to Facebook to recall their memories of both animals.

I remember when Riona was only a baby in nappies, and I watched her grow over the years when I worked in the zoo and later when I visited with my family, one said.

Avani, an eight-year-old female Asian elephant

Another added: Riona was particularly special to us in the early years of her life. Thank you Riona for the joy and magic you gave to my young nieces and I back then.

A third posted: Sad news to hear and devastating for the keepers involved in their care. Keep your hearts positive, you do great work.

In May of this year, a hippopotamus named Ernie died less than two weeks after arriving in Dublin Zoo from a safari park in the UK.

In February, Dublin Zoos iconic Bornean orangutan Sibu died of age-related health issues having been with the zoo for around 40 years.
The project will form part of a new craft festival in South Kerry

Lila Fenton who will make reusable sanitary products to help female refugees as part of a workshop and demonstration at the new Festival of Wool and Cloth in Waterville from July 4-7.

Women in South Kerry are coming together to make reusable sanitary projects to send to female refugees across the world.

The Pachamama Project is a UK based charity, which partners with charities in places like Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, as well as the US to distribute reusable sanitary pads to women refugees.

Each woman receives 8 of these reusable pads and its calculated that it will last them for 5 years and women from South Kerry are now being invited to play a part in this important project by making the products.

"Women need to have dignity and if don't have sanitary products you dont have dignity, says Lila Fenton.

She said this project will raise awareness of Craftivism  a gentle form of protest, using craft to make a quiet, but powerful statement about issues that count.

"Its a a nice thing to do collectively. You see so many things on the news and feel helpless about it, so its good to be able to actually do something constructive which helps other women."

The women will comet together on July 5 to make the products as part of the new Festival of Wool and Cloth taking place in Tech Amergin in Waterville from July 4-7 in Waterville and will showcase local craft-makers including weavers.

The festival has founded by a group of friends in Waterville, Maureen Shean, Lila Fenton, Maria McCollum, assisted by some volunteers.

The festival include two days of workshops and demonstrations followed by a Fair on the closing day where hand-made crafted items will be available including crocheted items and knitting amongst a host of other wonderful items. The Kerry Hospice Foundation and Comfort for Chemo are charity partners for the event.

On Saturday, July 6, there will be a documentary screening and discussion on craftivism followed by an opportunity to play a part in the The Pachamama Project. The charity provides a template for you to use and you cut the cloth from their pattern and then sew all the layers together.

Also highlighting their work is another leading Kerry project The Wise Wool project which aims to re-use sheeps wool. This is more than often left lying in shed as a waste product and the Wise Wool initiative by Kerry Walker and Lisa Sandow aims to showcase more uses for this product.

"It costs the farmer more to shear the sheep, than the wool itself is worth on market. In the 2020 census, the Republic of Ireland clipped around 7 thousand tonnes (7 million kgs) of wool, most of this wool went unused. Wool is considered a category 3 waste product in Ireland, says Lisa.

Also displaying another craft is weaver Kirsten Fern Carstensen who will be weaving on a loom from the 1760's and spinner Jeanette Cullen will also showcase her work.

Hand-crafted products from Waterville Craft Guild and there will be needlefelt, slow stitching, Aran jumper cabling and knitting demonstrations and workshops as well as a show and tell of Irish Wools and breeds.

Full details of the festival are on Facebook and ticket are available from Eventbrite or Tech Amergin.
Waterford Gardai are appealing for information concerning a spate of incidents involving damage to cars across the county. Gardai have also issued a warning about protecting your home from burglars this summer.

Overnight on Tuesday, June 25, into Wednesday morning, June 26, two vehicles in Dungarvan were broken into in the Sycamores area and Monksfield area of Dungarvan.

Gardai have commenced an investigation and have obtained some CCTV footage but if you live in either of these areas and have video doorbell footage or dashcam that may be relevant, please contact Dungarvan Gardai on 051 48600, said Sergeant Deirdre ONeill.

On Saturday night, June 28, into Sunday, June 29, a number of vehicles had their wing mirrors broken while the cars were parked overnight in Lismore. The cars were parked on Chapel Street, East Main Street and South Mall in Lismore. Members of the public who have any information are asked to contact Gardai at Tallow or Dungarvan Garda Station.

On June 24, a car which was parked on Francis Street in Waterford city centre overnight, was significantly damaged. Three of the tyres were slashed and there was damage to the paintwork on one side.

We would ask people to check their video doorbells or CCTV if you live in this area and contact Unit C at Waterford Station on 051 390620 if you have any information, said Sergeant ONeill.

Just a reminder that if you observe a crime being committed please phone 112/999. If you have any information you can also use the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Full details are are available on www.Garda.ie and the Garda Siochana Waterford Facebook Page.

Follow Independent Waterford on Facebook

Burglary warning

Waterford Gardai have issued a warning about burglaries this summer. Domestic burglary is a criminal offence that all European countries are fighting to eliminate, said a spokesperson.

It not only robs victims of their possessions, it can also rob people of their sense of security at home, a place where everyone should feel most safe, and have lasting negative effects on individuals and communities.

Turn on some lights, LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. Use timer switches, motion detectors, and smart lights to turn on lights via phone or timer settings.

Use motion detectors or sensor lights outside, make sure the lights emanating from them covers the door and not just the area near the door.

Lock all doors and windows as part of your regular routine. Burglars can commonly target back doors, back windows and front windows, with numerous cases involving a burglar getting access through an unsecured door or window. Use an alarm, get it serviced and ensure battery pack is working. Dont keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the house.

Store keys away from windows, doors and letterboxes. The removes the opportunity for fishing to take place - where keys are fished through a letterbox by burglars.

Record details of valuables. See the Garda Property App to make this easy.

Gardai advise that if your home is going to be vacant during the summer period, then ask a trusted friend, neighbour or family member to conduct frequent checks of the property at different times of the day to note any signs of trespassing or interference.

Ensure the house alarm is set. Check all doors and windows are secure  use deadbolt locks if the property is to be vacant for long periods.

Install timers on internal lights and motion detectors on external lights to make the house appear occupied and offer natural surveillance of the property. Ensure that the building doesn't look neglected. Cut the grass, and trim hedges.

Ask a trusted friend, neighbour or family member to collect post or if you are going to be away for longer periods or arrange a mail minder service with An Post to retain post for collection and place a No Junk Mail sign on letter-box.

Inform the local Garda station about the premises being vacant to afford passing attention on patrols. Ask a trusted friend, neighbour or family member to park their vehicle in your driveway if you are away. If you are going on holiday and your home is going to be vacant, be mindful of what you post on social media.

Even if you have enabled strict privacy settings, your holiday plans could be shared without your knowledge. Don't post status updates about your holidays while you are still away. Don't post pictures while you are away. Respect other peoples privacy, don't tag others while you and they are on holidays.

Avoid posting upcoming travel plans. Consider turning off the location sharing setting of your phone's camera app.
See all the photos in the gallery below

Presentations were made to three volunteers Ted Howlin, Nuala Byrne and Eleanor White on the occasion of their 50 years' service at the annual Wexford Festival Opera Volunteer's BBQ in Whites Hotel on Thursday evening. (l to r)- Bernadette Honohan, Ted Howlin, Nuala Byrne, Paul Cleary, Eleanor White, Nicky Kehoe and Edel Fitzmaurice. Pic: Jim Campbell

It was the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhaur who penned the phrase music is the food of the soul so it was fitting that the powers that be at Wexford Festival Opera and the National Opera House should thank their near 400 volunteers with just that  food.

The annual barbeque to give thanks to almost 400 volunteers who give their time during the year and Festival time took place last week at Clayton Whites Hotel. The volunteers are legendary for taking on roles which are far reaching in their variety and would make the Festival near impossible to stage if not for their time and dedication.

For three volunteers in particular, it was an extra-special evening. Ted Howlin, Nuala Byrne and Eleanor White were all honoured for 50 years of exemplary service to Wexford Festival Opera. Paul Cleary, chairman of Wexford Festival Trust, made presentations on the night to each of the three volunteers.

For over 10 years now Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland have sponsored the Wexford Festival Opera Volunteer Programme and will again this year sponsor the Ecclesiastical/ Wexford Festival Opera Volunteer of the Year Award, the recipient of which will be announced in October.
Holland & Barrett will move to a new home at 16 North Main Street.

Holland & Barrett is set to move from its current home at 83 North Main Street

Health food shop Holland & Barrett is set to move its Wexford town operation in the coming weeks, although the international chain wont be moving far.

Set to close up shop at 83 North Main Street where it has operated for a number of years, Holland & Barrett will instead relocate to 16 North Main Street.

Holland & Barrett will move to a new home at 16 North Main Street.

Major renovations are ongoing at the new location, formerly Cullens, which is next to New Look and management will be hoping to increase footfall with the short move.

The soon-to-be vacated property at 83 North Main Street is now available to rent from 35,000 per year through Sherry Fitzgerald Radford, while Kehoe & Associates handled the deal to see the health food shop move to its new location, having been listed at 42,000 per year.

The new premises is also marginally bigger at 191sqm, compared to the 142sqm at the old premises.
Wexford writers are being asked to reflect on the past 50 years of the countys history as part of an annual festival of theatre. Presented by the Wexford Arts Centre, the One Voice Festival, now in its fourth year, features short ten minute plays written and performed by writers and performers resident in Co Wexford.

The One Voice Festival supports local writing and performing talent in Wexford and showcases new stories set in the county. The festival will run at the Wexford Arts Centre from Thursday, August 29 to to Sunday, August 31 and from Thursday, September 5 to Saturday, September 7 at 8 p.m. nightly.

This year four short plays from open call submissions will be selected and judges are interested to hear from new voices. We wish to include diverse voices from all communities in Wexford, said executive director at the Arts Centre, Elizabeth Whyte. We encourage and welcome submissions from people of all genders, nationalities, races, cultural backgrounds, ages, religions, languages, abilities, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses.

The short plays should be themed around Wexford Reflections 1974-2024. This has been chosen to relate to Wexford Arts Centre celebrating its 50th anniversary as the oldest regional arts centre in Ireland.

In addition, Elizabeth stressed that the play be no longer than ten minutes long and be written for one voice/actor to perform. All genres are welcomed and a fee of 150 will be paid for each short play chosen for the festival programme.

Submissions can be emailed to elizabeth@wexfordartscentre.ie. Deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday, July 12 at 5 p.m.
Katie Piper was left blind in one eye during the attack in March 2008 (Ian West/PA)

The man behind the acid attack on TV presenter Katie Piper is up for parole.

Daniel Lynch, a martial arts expert who is a former boyfriend of Piper, was convicted five years ago of arranging for Stefan Sylvestre to throw the corrosive liquid at the former model in March 2008, leaving her blind in one eye.

Lynch was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years in May 2009 at Londons Wood Green Crown Court for the rape of Piper and for telling Sylvestre to throw acid on her.

Daniel Lynch, who was jailed for life after an assault on Katie Piper and then arranging for acid to be thrown in her face (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Sylvestre was given a life sentence, with a minimum term of six years, in 2009 and released on licence in 2018.

In 2022, he was recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions, with police issuing an arrest warrant after it was thought he had left the UK.

A spokeswoman for the Parole Board confirmed on Sunday that there will be a private hearing for Lynch on July 23 and 24.

A parole hearing is granted when there is a realistic prospect of release, or to consider a move to an open prison, in the case of fairness or because they need more information from the person convicted.

Victims can send in personal statements and the decision can be challenged.

Lynch, who had a previous conviction for pouring boiling water over a man, was said to have become obsessively jealous after briefly dating Piper before the steroid-fuelled attack.

He and Sylvestre were told by Judge Nicholas Browne QC they planned and then executed an act of pure, calculated and deliberate evil.

Following the trial, Piper, now 40, waived her right to anonymity as a rape victim, and her recovery featured in a Channel 4 documentary.

She went on to found the Katie Piper Foundation to support burns victims.

Piper, who has undergone more than 250 operations over the past decade, hosts a podcast, Katie Pipers Extraordinary People, is a panellist on Loose Women and presents Katie Pipers Breakfast Show, both on ITV.
Britain

Mother recounts biggest mistake of my life allowing daughter (15) to go out the night her ex murdered her
Russia dropped 800 bombs on Ukraine in last week, Volodymyr Zelensky says

President appeals to West to relax restrictions on use of weapons

Firefighters work at a site of a Russian missile strike in the town of Vilniansk in the Zaporizhzhia region. Photo: Reuters

Vasilisa Stepanenko and Eveniy Maloletka Mon 1 Jul 2024 at 03:30







Drone footage from Ukraines military released yesterday has shown what appears to be bodies in a civilian area in the embattled town of Toretsk in the east of the country.
Thieves caught with one ton of crucifixes stolen from Spanish graves

2,000 crosses believed to have been removed from cemeteries

Spanish police say hundreds of statuettes were smashed off gravestones and family tombs to be melted down for scrap metal. File photo: Getty

James Badcock Telegraph.co.uk Mon 1 Jul 2024 at 16:36







A gang of thieves has been arrested after being caught with a ton of crucifixes stolen from graves in Spain.
Why Joe Biden is going nowhere despite Democrats post-debate panic

No sign president is reconsidering his decision to run after poor showing

Biden concedes debate fumbles but declares he will defend democracy

Toluse Olorunnipa and Matt Viser Washington Post Mon 1 Jul 2024 at 03:30

US president Joe Bidens decision to pursue a second term crystallised during Thanksgiving 2022, as he gathered on Nantucket island with his large family to discuss his political future.
India, U.S Extend Equalization Levy Deadline on E-Commerce Transactions

India-US agreement on extending the digital equalization levy

India and the United States agreed to extend the 2 percent equalization levy, or digital tax, on e-commerce transactions until June 30. The announcement was made by Indias Ministry of Finance and the U.S. Treasury on June 28, 2024. Originally, the levy was set to expire on March 31, 2024. US digital companies operating in India will need to furnish tax for this period.



Reports indicate that this extension addresses the taxation issue for the first quarter (Q1) of FY 202425, with final guidelines for Q2 FY 2025 and beyond to be provided in the upcoming July union budget.

Background

On October 8, 2021, India and the US agreed to a two-pillar solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitization of the economy, joining 134 other members of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (including Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK) in a significant reform of the international tax system.

In the following month, India and the United States reached a deal allowing New Delhi to impose the 2 percent levy until March 31, 2024, or until the implementation of Pillar 1 of the OECD agreement on taxing multinationals and cross-border digital transactions.

Chapter VIII (Section 160 to 177) of the Finance Act, 2016 deals with the equalization levy in India. It specifies that if the taxpayer fails to deduct or deposit the equalization levy by the deadline, interest on the outstanding amount will be assessed at the rate of 1 percent every month or portion of the month.

Understanding the equalization levy (also commonly known as digital tax)

Given the rapid annual growth of the Indian digital economy, surpassing that of the global economy, the taxation of digital transactions has become a significant issue. E-commerce giants like Google and Facebook generate substantial revenue from sources outside their home countries through their operational expansion. Before 2016, these multinational companies were exempt from paying taxes in India because their services were not provided within the country, and they did not have a permanent establishment (PE) here. However, in 2016, the Ministry of Finance addressed this issue by introducing a new digital equalization levy in the union budget.

There are two conditions to be met to be liable for the equalization levy in India:

The payment should be made by a non-resident service provider. The annual payment made to the service provider exceeds INR 100,000 (US$1,198) in one financial year.

India expanded the scope of the equalization levy effective April 1, 2020 (Finance Act 2020). The equalization levy was expanded in scope to introduce a tax on e-commerce supply or services equal to 2 percent of gross income facilitated by a non-resident e-commerce operator.

Exclusion from the equalization levy

If the non-resident service provider has a PE in India and the service requested is connected to that office, it will be excluded from the equalization levy.

In addition, if the total amount paid for the service is less than INR 100,000 (US$1,198), and the service is not intended for professional or work-related use, it may be exempt from the equalization levy. Under Section 10(50) of the India Income Tax Act, income accruing to a non-resident from supplying specified services on which an equalization levy under Section 165 is levied shall be exempt for the purpose of calculating taxable income for the purpose of paying income tax. Income considered as fees or royalties for technical services is not included for equalization levy purposes.

What is the OECDs two-pillar approach?

Since 2019, the outline for the OECD proposal has been under review. The proposal suggests that large companies should pay less tax in countries where their headquarters, workforce, and operations are located, and more tax in the countries where they have customers. Additionally, the deal establishes a 15 percent worldwide minimum tax, increasing taxes for businesses with earnings in low-tax areas.

In recent years, the OECD has been developing a more long-term and practical plan to reduce tax planning by multinational corporations and to reform tax regulations for major companies. Its Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) aims to reach a consensus on a two-pronged strategy to combat tax evasion, ensure the consistency of international tax laws, and ultimately create a more transparent tax environment. Pillar One seeks to change the tax jurisdictions in which corporations pay their taxes, while Pillar Two aims to establish a worldwide minimum tax.

Revising the OCEDs Pillar Two approach

In January 2024, the OECD revised its estimates for the global minimum tax revenue. It now predicts that the tax will generate US$155192 billion annually worldwide, accounting for 6.58.1 percent of global corporate income tax revenues. This is a decrease from the earlier estimate of US$220 billion in additional annual global tax revenue.

In 2022, after extensive negotiations, the European Union (EU) unanimously agreed to implement Pillar Two. The EU Directive required member countries to incorporate this into their national laws by the end of 2023. From January 1, 2024, companies with an annual turnover of at least 750 million, including entirely domestic groups meeting the revenue threshold, will be subject to the 15 percent minimum tax rate.

As of January 12, 2024, 37 countries have either introduced draft legislation or finalized laws to incorporate Pillar Twos model rules. An additional 13 jurisdictions plan to implement Pillar Two, though they have yet to propose legislation.

(US$1 = INR 83.45)
Photo courtesy: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata Melinda Pavek, whose warm, often informal, socio-cultural engagement endeared her to a cross section of people in the eastern region, is set to depart from this part of India soon. Ahead of her departure, IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh speaks to Pavek on her stay in India, the shared goals of the two biggest democracies, the Indian students' pursuit of higher education in the US and her magical connect with the City of Joy

Q. How would you describe your term as the U.S. Consul General in Kolkata?

A. It was more than magical. I arrived here during the phase when Covid-19 pandemic was subsiding but still everyone was very uncertain and I remember, the Omicron wave came. In the first nine months, I had an opportunity to get out and engage with small groups of people. But it was still very much pandemic. People were nervous but at the same time, excited to connect. I think that was very nice. It meant that people's perspective of the world and the interaction with the world and what they value was changing based on what they had gone through with the pandemic.

I think it gave me a new perspective and an opportunity to connect with people more directly. And building on that, I had the chance to travel through all the 11 states of East and NorthEast, at least once and understand the different languages that are spoken. I got to see the Hornbill Festival and various tribes that live in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. I had a chance to go to the Losar Festival in Sikkim and Shanghai Festival in Manipur.

In Bihar, I had the opportunity to sort of understand and meditate under the tree where Buddha attained enlightenment and see the ancient University of Nalanda and understand how thousands of years ago, people were already connecting across lands and cultures around shared philosophies. We can still feel that magical presence when we visit those places even now.

"But one of the weirdness of the Immigration Law has always been that in order to process the immigrant visa, one has to return to their home country or to another country and go through the immigration visa process, which takes time. " | Photo courtesy: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

Q. What are the hits and misses for you if you analyse your own tenure?

A. We had a lot of hits, I would say. For more than a decade, we have worked on trying to raise awareness on human trafficking and how it hurts population and people and how bad it is, so one of our hits was actually taking the programme here in our states to other parts of India and all the way to New Delhi, where we had the first National Conclave on human trafficking. Representatives from the central governments and all the states came to talk about ways to communicate more effectively across state boundaries in order to make sure that both domestic and international human trafficking victims are treated with respect, that their wishes are understood, that they are restored to a place where they can live with dignity.

It was really an honour to work with Kailash Satyarthi and have him here in Kolkata just to hear some of the stories that he has gathered from children who have been in these situations which were heartbreaking but help people to change. So we have to raise those stories so that people would understand that it's not just an economic reality but also a human reality that needs to change.

I won't say we have had misses but I still think there are still some of the works that we are doing which are going to grow. We have been working on anti-human trafficking for more than a decade. We start planting seeds and then the seeds of relationships and ideas grow and then over time, they will grow into something that we are trying to achieve. I think some of the seeds I have tried to plant are related to inclusion and accessibility. Some of the areas are working on down syndrome, mental health of people post pandemic to list a few.

"Indian parents want what is best for their children. They want to be able to invest in their children and know that their children are gonna get the best education they can get. " | Photo courtesy: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

Q. You visited IIM Shillong recently. How was it? If you can elaborate on that tour.

A. I have actually been to IIM Shillong twice. The first time I was in Shillong, I visited a couple of other universities. We ended up at IIM Shillong but just for a short period of time. I had a chance to meet the Director of the institution there and he encouraged me to go back. He asked me to visit IIM Shillong for a longer programme next time. I was doing more educational outreach at IIM Shillong the last time I went.

Q. Why do you think Indian students are migrating to the U.S. in large numbers in recent years as compared to previous decades?

A. I think the numbers are bigger. Last year, we issued 140,000 student visas and that meant there were about 270,000 Indian students in the United States last year. This year, we are on track to probably do a comparable number or may be even more. I have not done the analytics on this but it would be an interesting research to compare the number of Indian students moved to the U.S. in the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s, per-capita based on the population of the middle class.

I think one of the reasons behind the increase in the numbers is simply the Indian middle class is growing and there is not enough space in India's higher educational institutions to educate all of the Indians who are seeking an education. Indian parents want what is best for their children.

They want to be able to invest in their children and know that their children are gonna get the best education they can get. Therefore, they are looking for the best investment they can make if they are unable to get that education locally. And the U.S. education is incredibly well renowned for not only giving a great education but also giving opportunities to do either one or three years of optional practical training after the degree is finished. So I think it's not only one who is getting a very practical high quality degree but also an opportunity to prove one's skills in very high quality companies and then if one chooses to come back to India, his/her resume is even stronger.

"It was really an honour to work with Kailash Satyarthi and have him here in Kolkata just to hear some of the stories that he has gathered from children who have been in these situations which were heartbreaking but help people to change." | Photo courtesy: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

Even if one chooses to stay in the United States, one will have time to make a reputation in a company and then have the opportunity to get an H-1B visa and other types of visa that allows one to stay as an employee. So I think in some ways, it's a win-win situation. However, there is a huge number of Indian diaspora from the United States who are coming back to Kolkata. It has got a lot to do with the awareness during the pandemic period. Folks, who have been in the United States, recognise they want to spend time with their family. So they have built their resumes, recognised the strength of the Indian economy and they are coming back to start their own company, or do consulting or build family businesses or other things. I think that's actually a really interesting story as well. It's not just a one-way trip but very much a constant flow of people back and forth which I think is really good for the long term stability and strengthening of our relationship.

Q. You have raised concern over students mortgaging land and house to study in the U.S. Do you think this trend is on the rise?

A. I said that as an example and partly as a cautionary tale. It is because we too hear stories of students whose parents are pulling together every money they can come up with in order to send their children for a better opportunity and a future. And I think it is really admirable but one has to recognise that the value of an education comes with its completion. If the family is able to come up with the money for one year but not the full programme, unfortunately it's not a positive thing. They won't end up with that degree. The value of the programme comes upon getting the degree. So that's what I was trying to emphasise.

I think the U.S. education is a wonderful opportunity but students and parents have to be realistic about the costs involved and need to look at the whole range of schools. There are a lot of students and parents who only look at the top schools but the reality is, there are more than 4,000 U.S. institutions of higher education and everywhere there are community colleges which are very reasonably priced for two years to get an associate degree and then maybe get into a university at a cheaper price point and still have a really great education. One of the things that I was trying to emphasise is that there is no 'one size fits all'.

And the U.S.-India education foundation exists specifically so that students and their parents can go and get advice.

We have a lot of students in the United States who do degrees, have students' loans that they come out with and they find those loans can be a little overwhelming once they graduate. So I think students of today really need to think about what is the investment they are making and the return they are hoping to get.

"I think the U.S. education is a wonderful opportunity but students and parents have to be realistic about the costs involved and need to look at the whole range of schools." | Photo courtesy: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

Q. India has returned to the coalition format of government in 2024. How do you see this will impact the bilateral relationship between India and the U.S.? Also the U.S. delegation's unprecedented meeting with the Dalai Lama happened.

A. The U.S.-India bilateral relationship is robust, multi-faceted, respectful and getting stronger. So I think like any bilateral relationship, domestic politics plays a role in some of the messaging that happens, may be domestically by the individual governments, but when it comes to international relations, the most important thing is the shared foreign policy goals. India and the U.S. are both democracies, so the rule of law, free and open Indo-Pacific, all of those topics are not only talking points by one U.S. political party but both because they are part of our values, governments and at the same time, India has a coalition government that has the same values.

Now what happens domestically and which domestic policy might move forward is going to be interesting to watch on both sides but when it comes to our shared foreign policy interests, those don't change based on domestic elections or even leadership. They change based on the assessment of what are the threats, opportunities and what are the pacts the two countries can bring together.

Q. How do you see the Biden government's declaration of steps to address the pleas of certain non-citizens' spouses who seek to attain lawful residency in the U.S. without leaving the country?

A. It is interesting because one of the biggest driving forces behind the U.S. Immigration Policy, as long as I have known it, is all about family reunification and so of course that's one of the things that there is no cap in the number of family members in certain categories that can immigrate to the United States as a spouse or a child under a certain age and because that's all about family reunification. We value the importance of family and being able to be near each other.

But one of the weirdness of the Immigration Law has always been that in order to process the immigrant visa, one has to return to their home country or to another country and go through the immigration visa process, which takes time. So I think this seems a really smart approach to maintaining family unification. It also reflects the fact that the U.S. Immigration Law allows for an unlimited number of people who are spouses or children under a certain age to immigrate to the United States. It'll be really interesting to see how it just logistically works. Since it's relatively a new announcement, I think it'll be very interesting to see what are the requirements in order to qualify. It's important.

"Even if one chooses to stay in the United States, one will have time to make a reputation in a company and then have the opportunity to get an H-1B visa and other types of visa that allows one to stay as an employee. So I think in some ways, it's a win-win situation." | Photo courtesy: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

Q. What are the areas you would suggest your successor to focus on immediately?

A. One of the things is the Integrated Country Strategy that has high level themes within which we have the opportunity to shape our directions. One of the things my team and I have tried to do is understand what kind of programmes are helpful in our district and supporting those. I have emphasised combating climate change which I think will continue to be a critically important topic, women's entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in general, importance of English language education specifically to groups that may not have access to any sort of educational curriculum in English.

I think my successor, who also comes from teaching English as a second language background, shall probably share some topics there. I am going to be giving her some tips but ultimately she will also be focussing on the programmes or topics that she really finds important. She is currently serving at the U.S. mission to NATO in a public affairs officer's position, so she has some very different experiences and backgrounds than I do. So it would be really interesting to see how she brings some of the experiences that she has had in the defence partnerships.

"I think the warmth of people whom I have known in Kolkata, the opportunity to do so many addas (chat) about different topics, ideas, the chance to observe and really learn from different forms of arts, music, dance, culture, history. " | Malinda Pavek at International Kolkata Book Fair in 2024 | Photo courtesy: IBNS File

Q. What memories are you taking back from India?

A. There are so many memories I am taking back from India. I have been reflecting on them over the last couple of weeks. I think the warmth of people whom I have known in Kolkata, the opportunity to do so many addas (chat) about different topics, ideas, the chance to observe and really learn from different forms of arts, music, dance, culture, history. I think it all comes back to one thing, which is people. People-to-people ties are what make bilateral relationships between countries work. I will definitely be taking with me the warm hugs, be it verbal or physical or social media, of the people I have had the chance to meet once or multiple times or become deep friends with. It has really made being here very special.

(Images: U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata, IBNS File)
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee citing the alleged collapse of law and order in the state after a video showing a woman and a man being assaulted publicly by one close to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) went viral on social media.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia has accused Mamata of having no faith in the Constitution and said, "She has given freehands to her party goons to implement the Sharia law and Taliban rule.

Repeating the party's attack on the TMC over the alleged appeasement politics, Bhatia said, "Is this a message indulging in appeasement politics to your vote bank that now West Bengal believes in Sharia law and the Taliban law and not the Constitution of India and the criminal laws of the country?

"Mamata Banerjee should also answer why she is protecting the accused Tajemul aka JCB?.. The criminals are not afraid of the laws and the citizens are afraid of the TMC goons. Such is the plight of the citizens of West Bengal."

"Mamata Banerjee also holds the portfolio of Home Ministry. Therefore, she is the one who is guilty because law and order has completely collapsed in the state of West Bengal. She should resign forthwith as she is not able to ensure that law and order prevails in the state of West Bengal..," he added.

BJP National Spokesperson Shri @gauravbhatiabjp addresses a press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi. https://t.co/eZktCVnUbh  BJP (@BJP4India) July 1, 2024

Bhatia has also questioned INDIA bloc's silence over the incident.

"Where is Mallikarjun Kharge-ji, Sonia Gandhi-ji, Rahul Gandhi-ji, Akhilesh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal? No one has made any statement condemning the ghastly incident.

"Such is their belief in the Constitution of India or rather we say such is their belief in the Taliban rule of law which has been imposed by Mamata Banerjee on the citizens of West Bengal," the BJP spokesperson said.

The incident occurred in Lakshmipur area of Chopra block in North Dinajpur where the woman was beaten up by a man in public as a crowd that gathered watched the assault without protest.

The incident reportedly occurred at an "arbitration meeting" and the opposition BJP and the Left alleged that the assailant is local strongman named Tajemul who has TMC connections and is known for such acts with impunity. The accused is now under arrest.

Instead of involving police the Trinamool Congress strongman reportedly decided to serve "instant justice" and beat up the woman mercilessly kicking her and pulling her by her hair. While the woman screamed for help, no one came forward to rescue her.

The perpetrator also attacked a man along with the woman as he beat up both with a stick. The cause of the assault is not yet known.

In response to the incident, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta said as quoted by NDTV, "What the BJP is saying is immaterial because they are politically bankrupt, they will say whatever they want to say. It's a heinous crime.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: Training his guns at the Modi government over the alleged paperleak in NEET , Leader of Opposition and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday called the examination "commercial" saying it has been "designed for rich people".

In the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address to Parliament, Gandhi said, "NEET is not a professional exam but a commercial exam. In NEET, a student can be topper or excellent but can't go to medical college if they do not have money."

"The examination has been designed and centralised for rich people and not poor and meritorious. Thousands of crores of money are being profited. We have seen 70 paper leaks in the last 7 years.

"It's an institutional failure. We wanted to help the government but they don't want discussion," he added.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last Thursday carried out the first arrests in the NEET-UG paper leak case in Bihar, detaining two accused from Patna named Manish Kumar and Ashutosh.

According to CBI sources, Manish Kumar allegedly transported students in his car and arranged accommodation for about two dozen students implicated in the scandal, while Ashutosh is accused of providing lodging for the students at his home, reported NDTV.

The controversy arose when 67 students achieved perfect scores of 720 in the NEET-UG exam.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) said this happened as some candidates were awarded grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical delays in paper distribution at some centers.

However, a Bihar Police investigation revealed that the exam paper had been leaked to a select group of candidates.

The NEET-UG exam, taken by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical students, was held on May 5, and the results were released on June 4.

Despite the NTA's efforts to manage the situation, allegations of a widespread leak continued with protests and legal actions nationwide.

The Supreme Court also got involved, slamming the NTA for its handling of the issue.
Photo Courtesy: S Jaishankar X page

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Qatar on Sunday when he met Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and reviewed the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

S Jaishankar posted on X: " Delighted to meet PM and FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_in Doha this afternoon. Conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of PM@narendramodi to H.H. The Amir and him."

Delighted to meet PM and FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_ in Doha this afternoon. Conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of PM @narendramodi to H.H. The Amir and him.



Reviewed our bilateral relationship focusing on political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people pic.twitter.com/GXuFYNukx7  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 30, 2024

"Reviewed our bilateral relationship focusing on political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people to people ties," he said.

Jaishankar said he appreciated the PM's insight on the ongoing Gaza situation.

Also read: S Jaishankar to visit Qatar tomorrow, meet PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani

"Exchanged views on regional and global issues,"Jaishankar said.

Gaza has been witnessing violence ever since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

Israel launched a campaign in Gaza following the attack.

Jaishankar further said: " Look forward to the further enhancement of India-Qatar relations and continued dialogue on issues of mutual interest."

Jaishankar visited Qatar on June 30.
Representative image/ courtesy: Wallpapercave

New Delhi/IBNS: The brother of a Congress leader was shot dead in Haryana's Faridabad on Sunday night over an alleged land dispute, media reports said.

CCTV footage showed some men approaching the victim, Kunal Bhadana, and arguing with him when suddenly a shot was fired.

The next frame shows Bhadana collapsing to the ground and the accused fleeing the scene.

Kunal was the brother of local Congress leader Jyotender Bhadana. He had an argument over some issue with a person named Vijay over the phone after which Vijay along with his brother, Billu, and two other companions murdered him, Kunal's friend who was with him during the incident told police.

According to reports, Kunal was standing near Masjid Chowk with a friend when Vijay, Billu and two others reached there and started arguing with him.

A First Information Report or FIR was registered against Vijay, Billu and two others under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as the Arms Act at Dabua police station on Monday, the police said.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Kolkata/IBNS: As the recent incident of mob lynching surfaced, where a woman was beaten up by a man in full public view, it has come to the fore that 12 such incidents took place in West Bengal in a span of just a week, media reports said.

In the recent incident that occurred in the Lakshmipur area of Chopra block in North Dinajpur, a woman was beaten up by a man in public as a crowd that gathered watched the assault without protest.

The incident reportedly occurred at an "arbitration meeting" and the opposition BJP and the Left alleged that the assailant is a local strongman named Tajemul who has TMC connections and is known for such acts with impunity. The accused is now under arrest.

Instead of involving police the Trinamool Congress strongman reportedly decided to serve "instant justice" and beat up the woman mercilessly kicking her and pulling her by her hair. While the woman screamed for help, no one came forward to rescue her.

The perpetrator also attacked a man along with the woman as he beat up both with a stick. The cause of the assault is not yet known.

North Dinajpur June 22

It came on the heels of a similar attack on two men in North Dinajpur, a video of which went viral and stirred a loud political debate.

Two young men, Sourav Shaw and his friend, were allegedly beaten by a mob on suspicion of theft in the Jamboni area on June 22 in Jhargram district. Sourav succumbed to his injuries after nine days in the hospital, while his friend remains in critical condition.

Police intervened upon receiving information and rescued the injured youths and they were taken to hospital. Sourav died during the treatment.

"A complaint was received against unknown persons six days after the incident. Two people --Mahendra Mittal and Dactar Soren-- have been arrested so far," Jhargram SP, Arijit Sinha, informed India Today.

Referring to the North Dimapur incident, Union Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda targeted the Mamata Banerjee government, saying, "A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act".

Bengal has been witnessing a rise in mob violence incidents over the past week. At least 12 such incidents, including some resulting in fatalities, have been reported.

Hooghly, June 30

A young man, Ashish Baul Das, was beaten to death in the Hooghly district on June 30. According to reports, the incident occurred following an altercation between the victim and a group of men over a minor bike accident.

Eyewitnesses stated that Ashish's bike hit the vehicle of another man who was in a drunken state. According to locals, there was already tension between the two groups over playing loud music. After the bike accident, a few drunken men started beating Ashish Baul Das.

He was rescued and taken to the hospital by locals. However, he died on Saturday night.

Kolkata, June 29

A man was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of mobile theft in Kolkatas Salt Lake area. The victim has been identified as Prasenjit Mondal. Police arrested three people, including one Bangladeshi national, in connection with this incident. The deceased was taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead. The hospital authorities informed the police about the incident.

North Dinajpur, June 28

A couple was allegedly beaten up by local Trinamool Congress strongman Tajmul Haque, also known as JCB, in the North Dinajpur district on June 28.

In a viral video, a man is seen thrashing the couple with a bamboo stick while the woman is seen writhing in pain. The Trinamool leader was arrested after the video went viral.

Kolkata, June 28

A TV mechanic in Kolkata was beaten to death by a group of students on suspicion of being a mobile thief. The incident took place at Udayan Hostel in the Bowbazar area, where a mobile theft had been reported.

The deceased was seen roaming aimlessly around the hostel, prompting the students to question and then beat him. He was rescued by the police and taken to the hospital, where he later died. Kolkata police have arrested a total of 14 students in connection with this incident.

Coochbehar, June 27

West Bengal Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that a woman worker of BJP's minority Morcha was dragged for a kilometre and thrashed by goons of the state ruling party in Coochbehar. However, police dismissed the political angle, stating that the incident occurred due to a grudge within her family. Three women have been arrested in connection with the incident.

North 24 Parganas

At least six incidents of mob violence have been reported from the North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. All incidents occurred over suspicions of child lifting.

For the past eight days, rumours of child lifting have spread across the district, leading to mob attacks in areas such as Barasat, Gopalnagar, Gaighata, Bongaon, Barrackpore, and Ashoknagar. Police rescued all the victims and transported them to hospitals for treatment. During one of the rescues, a police vehicle was vandalised by the mob.

BJP attacks Mamata Banerjee:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee citing the alleged collapse of law and order in the state after a video showing a woman and a man being assaulted publicly by one close to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) went viral on social media.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia has accused Mamata of having no faith in the Constitution and said, "She has given freehands to her party goons to implement the Sharia law and Taliban rule.

Repeating the party's attack on the TMC over the alleged appeasement politics, Bhatia said, "Is this a message indulging in appeasement politics to your vote bank that now West Bengal believes in Sharia law and the Taliban law and not the Constitution of India and the criminal laws of the country?

"Mamata Banerjee should also answer why she is protecting the accused Tajemul aka JCB?.. The criminals are not afraid of the laws and the citizens are afraid of the TMC goons. Such is the plight of the citizens of West Bengal."

"Mamata Banerjee also holds the portfolio of Home Ministry. Therefore, she is the one who is guilty because law and order has completely collapsed in the state of West Bengal. She should resign forthwith as she is not able to ensure that law and order prevails in the state of West Bengal..," he added.
Given Emmanuel Macron a blow, France's far-right is currently in a poll position following the first round of parliamentary elections.

The result showed their dominance and brought the outfit to the verge of gaining political power in the country.

Supporters of Marine Le Pens anti-immigration National Rally (RN) cheered as she was quoted as saying by BBC that the presidents Macronist bloc has been all but wiped out.

The initial results showed RN was on course of clinching 32 per cent of the votes.

The left-wing alliance was trailing behind with 28.1 percent vote while Macron's outfit managed 21 percent.

I aim to be prime minister for all the French people, if the French give us their votes, 28-year-old RN party leader Jordan Bardella was quoted as saying by BBC.

This was the first time the French right-wing was dominating the first round of parliamentary polls.

Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella are now aiming to win the absolute majority of 289 seats.

France has a 577-seat National Assembly.

Some media reports claim RN may not touch the absolute majority figure and the country may head towards a hung parliament.

Projections show that, after the second round of voting next Sunday, the RN would win between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat lower house  a staggering rise from its count of 88 in the outgoing parliament. The NFP was projected to secure between 125 and 165 seats, with Ensemble trailing with between 70 and 100 seats, CNN reported.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

An acid attack at a cafe in West Germany's Bochum city has left several people injured.

A man entered the cafe at around 3.25 p.m. and poured an acidic liquid over a guest sitting at a table in the outdoor area leaving the victim seriously injured, local police said in press release as quoted by CNN.

During the operation, four police officers and two firefighters who came into contact with the liquid also sustained injuries, police told the American news channel.

The suspect initially fled the scene and was later arrested.

The motive behind the attack is still not known.

An investigation is currently underway.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

South Korea claimed one of the missile launches possibly failed and fell inland within the country.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told Yonhap news agency one short-range ballistic missile was launched from the Jangyon area in South Hwanghae Province at about 5:05 a.m. and flew about 600 kilometers, landing in waters off the North's northeastern city of Chongjin.

Another ballistic missile was launched from the same area at around 5:15 a.m. and flew only about 120 kilometers, before its trail disappeared from radar, the South Korean news agency reported.

Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson of the JCS, told a briefing the second missile may have flown abnormally during the early stage of its flight and that if it exploded in midair, its debris could have fallen inland.

"We are conducting a comprehensive analysis on various possibilities," Lee was quoted as saying by Yonhap, when asked if the missile had exploded or fallen inland.

A JCS official said the missile, which failed, probably fell towards Pyongyang city.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash/Pixabay

Family members of those individuals allegedly abducted by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) from Shaban, Quetta, on Saturday protested outside the Balochistan Assembly to demand their immediate release.

The protesters, including women and children, hold placards in their hands to protest against the abduction.

During the protest, Balochistans Interior Minister Ziaullah Langove and Livestock and Dairy Development Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar met with the families, assuring them of the governments commitment to rescuing the abductees, The Balochistan Post.

Langove told the families that Kakar had been designated as the government focal person to communicate with the families of the detainees.

He said the family members are trying to ensure the return of the abducted individuals.

When asked about the possibility of negotiating a prisoner exchange with the BLA, which the group has offered, Langove did not give a positive reply but implied that the government might resort to using force.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Citizens of Lyari, including women and children, who were joined by Edhi Foundations Faisal Edhi, recently demonstrated in Pakistan's Karachi city against prolonged loadshedding in the old areas on Sunday.

The rally started from Ath Chowk amid scorching heat at 2pm and after passing through different routes reached the Karachi Press Club (KPC), reported Dawn News.

Faisal Edhi joined the demonstration briefly in Lyari.

Speaking to the media on this occasion, Edhi was quoted as saying by Dawn News that several people had died of suspected heatstroke in the metropolis as the Edhi Foundations mortuaries were filled with bodies.

However, the government was saying that only 12 to 13 people had died, which was a misrepresentation of facts, he added.


The only times we genuinely respect labour in India is when we are abroad. The kind of support and friendly staff we get while travelling, checking to hotels, picking luggage and other help in India is a rare sight outside India. If you are travelling to a place like Greece and other areas of Europe which has a lot of stairs, no help, you regret pulling and pushing your heavy suitcases.

Traveling light can enhance your experience on long trips especially abroad, reducing stress and enabling more flexibility. Here are 8 effective tips and hacks to help you pack efficiently, travel comfortably basically make your life and walking easier.

1. Plan timely

Research your destination and the weather conditions to pack appropriate clothing and essentials. Make a packing list to prioritize items you truly need.

2. Choose the Right Luggage

Opt for lightweight, durable luggage with wheels and a comfortable handle. Consider using a backpack or a versatile carry-on bag that meets airline size regulations.

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3. Packing Techniques

Roll your clothes instead of folding to save space and minimize wrinkles. Use packing cubes or compression bags to organize and compact your belongings efficiently.

4. Mix and Match Outfits

Pack versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched for different outfits. Choose neutral colors and layering pieces to create multiple looks with fewer items.

5. Essentials Only

Pack only essential toiletries and consider travel-sized containers to save space. Many accommodations provide basic toiletries or have stores nearby where you can purchase necessities.

6. Wear Your Bulkiest Items

Wear your heaviest or bulkiest items, such as jackets, boots, or sweaters, while traveling to save space in your luggage.

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7. Minimize Shoes

Limit the number of shoes you pack by choosing versatile pairs that can be worn for different activities and occasions.

8. Evaluate Necessities

Before packing, evaluate each item's necessity. Ask yourself if you will truly use it or if it can be easily replaced or purchased at your destination if needed.


From Martin Luther King Jr. to Mahatma Gandhi to the Wright Brothers, these remarkable individuals may have led vastly different lives, but one thing unites them: their unparalleled success. Drawing inspiration from such icons, one man, who dedicated 12 years to studying the communication styles of the world's most successful and influential figures, is now sharing his invaluable observations.

Noah Zandan, now the CEO of Quantified, a company that combines behavioral science, AI, and experiential learning technolAogy to help people improve their interactions, started his career on Wall Street.



Noah Zandan/ Forbes

There, he dealt with vast amounts of data to facilitate billion-dollar deals. Over time, he realised a crucial element missing in the models: effective communication.



The idea was straightforwardif leaders could clearly communicate their vision, deals were more likely to succeed.

To explore this, he analysed 200 videos of the world's top visionaries, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., the Wright Brothers, and Amelia Earhart.

Martin Luther King Jr./ Britannica

He included TED Talks on innovation, famous speeches from global thought leaders, and rankings of top visionaries. He compared these with videos of 250,000 professionals.



Finally, he was able to identify three key communication strategies used by visionary leaders, as highlighted by CNBC MakeIt:

1. They speak in the present tense

Successful leaders use the present tense 15% more and the future tense 14% less than average communicators.

For instance, instead of saying, "We will achieve these results," they say, "We are achieving these results now."

Greta Thunberg exemplified this in her 2019 speech at the World Economic Forum, addressing the climate crisis with urgency: "I don't want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act."

Greta Thunberg/ Forbes

2. They use simple language



Visionaries avoid overly complex or theoretical language. They use fewer syllables per word, fewer words per sentence, and clear cause-and-effect language.

For example, Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world," is straightforward and impactful, without overexplaining or justifying.

Mahatma Gandhi

Also read: Mahatma Gandhi: Must-Read Unique Books That Shed Light On His Life & Philosophies



3. They invite their audience in



Visionaries frequently use second-person pronouns like "you" and "your," and language related to the senses, making their communication immediate and immersive.

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.






The world of cosmetic treatments exists in a grey area. For some, it is a blessing, offering beauty enhancements to those who are terminally ill and seeking a boost in confidence. However, for others, it can be linked to deeper psychological issues. In rare cases, individuals may become addicted to these procedures, revealing a side of cosmetic treatments that is far from glamorous.

"I am 100% addicted to filler and Botox," says Fetisch Barbie, a woman in her late twenties from Vienna who has undergone numerous cosmetic surgeries.

With her plumped-up cheekbones and overly-filled lips, she explained in an IGV interview that she used to have a more gothic look before starting her plastic surgery journey.

Fetisch Barbie/ Instagram

On an episode of "Hooked on the Look," Fetisch Barbie describes her appearance as hyper-feminine, with big hair, big lips, and long nails.



She gets her lips done every three months because she always wants to maintain that fresh, plumped-up look and has spent between 30k and 50k on fillers.

Despite loving her look, some of her friends worry she might ruin her appearance if she continues with more treatments.

They warn, "If you do too much, it can be a problem in the future." Barbie also receives a lot of negative comments online, with people calling her "weird," but she doesn't let the haters get to her.

Barbie plans to make her lips even bigger in the future and wants to maintain her current appearance.

She supports the body positivity movement and wants to be included in it, stating, "I am all for the body positive thing, but I want to be included."

In a May 2024 interview with IGV, Fetisch Barbie revealed that her interest in beauty treatments began when she was 12 years old.

Fetisch Barbie before her cosmetic treatments/ Media Drum

Despite various influences, she always had a clear vision of how she wanted to look and now uses minimally invasive treatments to achieve it.



"I was never aiming to look like anyone else but me, just more plastic," she told IGV.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Ratan Tata is one of the most loved entrepreneurs. He gets the love and respect from people all around the world. Books can be written about his humility and philanthropy. The man has once again won hearts of the country by stepping in and saving the jobs of 115 employees.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) had laid off 115 of its employees on June 28 which included 55 faculty members and 60 non-teaching staff.

Why did TISS terminate its employees?

TATA Motors' Journey To The Top: How Did TATA Motors Become India's Biggest Automobile Company?

TISS terminated employees due to a lack of funding from the Tata Education Trust for their salaries. The administration had been pursuing funding continuation from the Trust for the past six months without success, making it challenging to sustain operations.

Those terminated were working on projects funded by the Trust, while permanent faculty members at TISS campuses are paid by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Established in 1936 as the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, TISS was renamed Tata Institute of Social Sciences in 1944. In 1964, it achieved a significant milestone by being recognized as a Deemed University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act (UGC), 1956.

Since its founding, TISS has strived for excellence in higher education and gained renown for its research in developmental studies, with a particular emphasis on promoting equality, social justice, and human rights.

Also Read: From Jamsetji Tata To Ratan Tata: Know All About The Tata Members

How did Ratan Tata help in saving the jobs of these 115 people?

x

TISS recently announced the suspension of the termination of 55 faculty members and 60 non-teaching staff, following an agreement by the Tata Education Trust (TET), led by Ratan Tata, to provide additional financial grants.



"Ongoing discussions with Tata Education Trust have ensured commitment towards resolving this issue. TET has pledged to release funds for the salaries of project, programme faculty, and non-teaching staff," TISS stated.

Additionally, the staff have been requested to resume their duties, with assurances that their salaries will be disbursed once the institute receives the TET Support Grant.

Also Read: The tycoon with a heart of gold: Ratan Tatas 8 most touching acts of kindness and humility proved that he is a true gentleman
Greek firefighters are battling at least two new wildfires near Athens, hours after containing blazes in other parts of the country.

Over the weekend, strong winds largely hampered firefighting efforts as crews battled the flames.

Dozens of firefighters, clad in full gear and supported by

23 water-dropping aircraft, fought with hoses to control a blaze in a sparsely populated area near the town of Keratea , approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Athens . Authorities ordered evacuations, including those of summer camps in the area, as flames from burning pine and olive trees threatened houses.

Strong winds largely hampered firefighting efforts as crews battled the flames over the weekend.

North of the capital, firefighters were battling another fire that erupted in the community of Stamata, burning through a lush pine forest and sending smoke plumes billowing over parts of the city. The fire did not pose an immediate threat to homes.

Hot and windy conditions across much of Greece have fueled numerous wildfires over the weekend. Officials have urged residents to stay away from forested areas to minimise the risk of additional ignitions.

Meanwhile, authorities said late Sunday they had arrested a foreign national in Nea Makri on charges of arson.

His details were not revealed but authorities said they apprehended him as he was setting ire to a grassy area near a stream in Rafina, northeast of Athens.

It is not the first time the individual has faced charges related to arson. On June 16, 2024, the suspect was arrested for the same offence and received a suspended sentence.

   iefimerida.gr
Katrinis said his goal is for PASOK to respond to the mature request of progressive citizens for an alternative proposal for government . A proposal that can inspire, compose and conquer.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, urged the Federal Government not to allow the North-East region return to a state of terrorism and extreme violence.

This is as he condemned the suicide bomb attacks carried out at a wedding and burial ceremony in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday.

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Recall that seven people were said to have been killed as disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region.

Reacting via X, Atiku said such an attack was due to the governments lacklustre posture to hold firmly on the frontline.

He wrote: It is a sad development that the ugly incidents of terrorism are resurfacing and, indeed, metastasising in the North-East.

The reported attack by suicide bombers at a wedding reception, funeral procession, and a hospital on Saturday stands condemned.

It is unfortunate that much of the pushback that had been achieved against the Boko Haram terror sect is being cancelled, owing mainly to the governments lacklustre posture to hold firmly on the frontline.

READ ALSO: Borno: Seven Killed, Scores Injured As Suicide Bombers Attack Wedding, Burial Ceremony

It is thus important to call on the federal authorities to wake up to their responsibility and to make sure that the North-East does not slide back into a theatre of terrorism and extreme violence.

My condolences go to the families of victims of these attacks, and it is my prayer that God grants a peaceful repose to the souls of the departed. -AA

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who decried the sad incident said the attacks were indications of the pressure mounted against terrorists, and the success recorded in degrading their capacity to launch offensives.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson read: The President declares that the purveyors of wanton violence shall have a certain encounter with justice, and that these cowardly attacks are only but an isolated episode as his government will not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.

The President states that his administration is taking necessary measures to secure citizens, emphasizing that efforts will be redoubled to ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.

President Tinubu condoles with the victims of the attacks, the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Borno State.
Former Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Okoi Obono-Obla, has disclosed that the loot recovered by his panel under former President Muhammadu Buhari was returned to the looters.

Okoi added that the Buhari led administration failed to fight corruption people thought he would.

The former aide who was appointed by the Ex-President, made the allegation on Saturday while speaking on the Mic On Podcast.

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According to Okoi, his efforts to bring many looters to justice in the country were frustrated by officials in the same administration, including former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

He said: Some of the things I recovered were returned to the looters. For instance, there was this case of someone from whom I recovered over 80 brand new X-class Mercedes Benz cars (armoured plated) from in Jabi, Abuja.

RRAD MORE: Insecurity Worse Under Buhari Than Tinubu  Shehu Sani

I wrote to the DG, Customs to ask if the person paid customs duties of the vehicles, he said No, they didnt pay.

I wrote to the Federal Inland Revenue Services to know if the person paid tax on the vehicles; he also said No and that they dont have the records.

We went to court to get an order of interim forfeiture, and it was granted pending the hearing of the case. So, I sent a memo to Malami to brief him on what we were doing, only for him to tell me that he never mandated me to do things I investigated.

Another one is the case of a senator who was then in his sitting status and later became the President of the Senate. I found his story in the Panama Papers, which stated that he had property in offshore islands; I didnt have the power to investigate him because it was overseas, so I went to the DG, NIA, and sought his help to work together.

They conducted an investigation and sent the report to me. The report confirmed that this senator has over 200 million worth of property in the offshore islands; I sent a copy to the president and one to the Attorney General. Till today, nothing happened.
The family of the late former Chief Executive of popular online store, Konga, Nick Imudia, has refuted reports that he killed himself, stating that investigations have commenced to determine the cause of his death.

Recall that Imudia, who was until his death, the CEO of D.light International, reportedly died by suicide at his residence in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday.

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Hundeyin said: Yes, it is true. He allegedly committed the act on June 25. An investigation has commenced at the homicide section, SCID, Yaba.

But in a statement obtained by the Leadership newspaper on Sunday, signed by Dr. Anthony N. Imudia on behalf of the family of the deceased, dismissed reports that Imudia had made farewell calls to his brother and daughter, leaving instructions before his passing, describing the claims as untrue.

The statement reads: The family of Nick Imudia is unhappy with the unprofessional manner the media has wrongly characterised the reporting of Nick Imudias death as suicide.

READ MORE: Former Konga CEO Kills Self In Lagos Home

This is also supported by the Lagos State Commissioner of Polices office that has vowed to investigate the sudden death of Nick.

Neither did Nick call his brother in America with instructions on how to distribute his wealth, nor placed a call to his daughter with any instructions.

How come the news was reported so hastily (less than 3 hours from his death) before his family members even knew about it and the medical team was still trying to resuscitate him at the hospital! The Imudia family wonders!

Nick never showed any sign of stress and he was not diagnosed as depressed at any point. The thought of suicide in the manner portrayed and hastily reported by the news media is suspect.

Speaking further, the family disclosed that Nick was a lively person, adding that his relatives are still in shock over thr report of his death.

The statement reads: Nick was full of life and people that worked closely with him or met him in the last hours prior to the incident surrounding his death were shocked with the media attributing his death to suicide.

At his prime age and the level of his achievements, people who knew Nick well are all shocked and do not accept the characterisation of his death as suicide.

Members of Nicks family do request the media and the general public to allow them to grief their loved one without any unfounded rumour of the circumstances surrounding his death.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says over 71,459 Nigerians obtained Canadian citizenship between 2005 and 2024.

The number places Nigeria in the 10th position on the list of new Canadian citizens by country of birth.

This is however different from the number of Nigerians that currently live, study or work in Canada but are not yet qualified to apply for citizenship.

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IRCC is a department of the government of Canada responsible for matters relating to immigration to the North American country, refugees, and Canadian citizenship.

The data released by the immigration office shows that while new Canadians come from at least 196 countries and territories, the top 10 places account for nearly half of all new citizens.

IRCC said the data highlights the diversity of Canadas new citizen population.

Irene Bloemraad, political sociologist and migration expert, told CTVNews that high levels of citizenship are good.

The expertsaid research shows a correlation between holding citizenship and better economic outcomes.

Canada stands out among other immigrant-receiving countries in the very high level of citizenship among immigrants in the country.

READ ALSO: I Wanted To Bleach My Skin In Canada Because Of Racism  Linda Osifo

High levels of citizenship are a good thing: research shows a correlation between holding citizenship and better economic outcomes, a greater sense of belonging to Canada and, of course, the ability to participate in elections and have a say in policy, Bloemraad said.

The IRCC data reveals India as the leading source of new Canadians since 2005, with 536,279 individuals obtaining citizenship.

The Philippines follows closely behind with 395,694 new citizens, and China takes third place with 292,325.

Beyond these top three, a diverse range of countries contribute significantly to Canadas growing citizen population.

Pakistan comes in fourth with 180,999 new citizens, followed by Iran (130,998), the United States (99,652), the United Kingdom (98,837), Syria (72,706), South Korea (71,939), and Nigeria with 71,459 new citizens rounding out the top 10.

Canada, in November 2023,announced a new immigration-level plan for skilled workers, caregivers, families, and other classes.

In a statement released by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the North American country will target the admission of 485,000 new immigrants.

In 2025 and 2026, Canada will look to welcome 500,000 new immigrants in each year, CIC added.

The Canadian government said the immigration plans will be for economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian classes.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the fundamental human rights suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu against the Federal Government.

The Presiding Judge, James Omotosho, on Monday, held that Kaanu failed to provide credible evidence to back the alleged violation of his fundamental rights by the defendants.

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Kanu, in the suit, is seeking N1 billion in damages from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), for alleged right violation.

In the suit, marked: FHC/CS/1633/2023, he claimed that the DSS and its Director-General violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him where he is being detained, in preparation for his defence in his criminal trial.

Omotosho however held that the applicant failed to prove that his lawyers were stopped from taking notes at meetings held with him during visitation, and further held that there was no evidence before him showing that he was denied a fair hearing as claimed in his suit.

On this note, the judge dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

Kanu, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, in an originating motion dated and filed December 4, 2023, sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) the AGF, the DSS, and its DG, as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.

Kanu, in the suit, demanded the enforcement of his fundamental rights while in detention at the DSS.

The suit was filed under Order II, Rules 1 & 2 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, among others.

In the motion, Kanu prayed for a declaration that the respondents act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents about facilitating the preparation of his defence which were brought to him at the respondents detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to a denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice.

He also sought a declaration that the respondents act of refusing or preventing his counsel from taking notes of details of the counsels professional discussions/consultations with him at DSS detention is unlawful and amounts to a denial of his right to be given adequate facilities for the preparation of his defence by legal practitioners of his own choice.

He further sought a declaration that the respondents act of eavesdropping on his confidential consultations or conversations with his lawyers amounted to denial of his right, among others.

READ ALSO: Theres No Proof Nigerians Received Tinubus N4.3 Trillion Palliatives  Labour Party

Kanu, on this note, sought an order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to him at the detention facility by his lawyers.

He also sought an order mandating the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of N1billion as damages for mental, emotional, psychological and other damages he suffered as a result of his rights breach, among others.

The FRN and the AGF, in a counter affidavit, urged the court to dismiss the suit for being an abuse of court process.

The DSS, in a counter affidavit dated and filed March 12, 2024, denied the allegations levelled against it by Kanu.

In the application deposed to by staff in the services legal department, Yamuje Benye argued that 11 paragraphs in Kanus affidavit were untrue.

The deponent averred that Kanu was in safe and secured custody of the DSS and that he was not detained in solitary confinement.

According to him, Kanu, alongside his counsel, was permitted to consult and interact on visiting days in one of the best interview facilities of the DSS to ensure maximum comfort of the applicant and his visitor(s).

He argued that there is no basis for eavesdropping and recording of Kanus conversations.

Benye said, in line with the Service Standard Operation Procedure of the State Security Service, all visitors to her facility are subjected to normal routine security checks and items in their possession are scanned.

This, he said, is to avoid unauthorised materials making their way into the facility.

Benye said the instant suit was an abuse of the court process, adding that Kanu, had previously argued the same issues before Justice Nyako.

He added that Justice Nyako, who is presiding over Kanus criminal trial, has always maintained that visits to him should always be under supervision, as it is the best practice all over the world.

He said Kanu has always been allowed access to his family members and team of lawyers on his visiting days without any hindrance, and at no time did any DSS personnel seize or confiscate documents brought to Kanu by his lawyers or any other person.

Their personnel, he noted, never denied Kanus lawyers the professional liberty to perform their lawful duty of discussing, consulting, and interacting with him.

Applicants counsels are allowed to moderate size notes or pads for the visit, but the exchange of materials that promote the IPOB ideals (subject matter of applicants criminal trial) were strongly resisted and refused, he said.
Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central Senator, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to repeat the error of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari in the area of appointments.

Unlike Buhari, Sani said Tinubus appointments should be based on competence.

Speaking on Channels Televisions Sunday Politics, the former lawmaker accused Buhari of nepotism while in office.

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Stressing that nepotism was at its peak, Sani wondered why some Ministers were in office for eight years under Buhari.

His words: I will advise President Tinubu to be careful not to make the mistakes of President Buhari, and I believe he is experienced to understand this.

READ ALSO: 71,459 Nigerians Obtained Canadian Citizenship Within 19 Years  Data Reveals

Under President Buhari, you have ministers that were appointed into office for the whole of eight years; they were with him for the first tenure and the second tenure, and there was no cabinet reshuffle, no removal.

Even if there was a removal, it takes three to four months to replace a minister. That was the way the country was governed.

Under Buhari, we have seen nepotism at its peak where people were appointed into office and left there even if they did nothing.

Service chiefs were retained in office despite their failures, and by retaining them, you destroyed the careers of those behind them. For many years, many officers were retired to appoint one person.


The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has asked the Federal Government to provide a detailed breakdown on the utilisation of borrowed funds.

Obis request via X on Monday stems from his concern on the alarming accumulation of debt in Nigeria.

He said the governments borrowing reached a staggering N121.86 trillion at the end of the first quarter (Q1), warning that if the current trend persists, the total amount borrowed could exceed N150 trillion by the end of the year.

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I have consistently maintained that borrowing is not inherently problematic, as long as it is utilized for productive purposes that drive economic growth and development.

The recent report at the end of the first quarter indicates a significant increase in our governments borrowing, reaching a staggering N121.86 trillion.

This rapid accumulation of debt is alarming, and if this borrowing trend continues at the current rate, we can expect the total to surpass N150 trillion by the end of the year.

As I recall, the law governing borrowing is explicit, requiring detailed explanations of the intended use, timing, and other relevant parameters.

It is essential to ensure that borrowed funds are allocated efficiently and effectively to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the standard of living of the majority of our citizens.

READ ALSO: Court Dismisses Kanus N1bn Suit Against FG

I respectfully request same for accountability for the massive borrowings, which have burdened our nations future.

For the sake of our children and unborn generations, transparency and good governance, a detailed breakdown of how these funds have been utilized and demonstrate their tangible impact on our countrys growth and development should be provided, he wrote.

The borrowing of several trillions in just three months, he said, shows the urgent need for prudent financial management.

The former Anambra State Governor said if the borrowed funds are spent on consumption or misallocated, the nations economic situation will worsen, sustaining a cycle of debt and impeding its ability to achieve sustainable economic growth and development.

He, however, said directing the funds towards productive ventures like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship would yield beneficial outcomes for the economy and citizens in the long run.

The politician further urged policymakers and stakeholders to exercise caution and prudence in managing the nations debt and ensure that borrowing is utilised for productive purposes that benefit the economy and citizens.

This, he said, would foster sustainable economic growth, development, and prosperity for all Nigerians in the future.

Obi added that the nations stability and prosperity depend on the prudent management of resources.
A group of travelers was ambushed by gunmen on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway on Sunday evening, resulting in the abduction of at least 20 people and the shooting of one victim in the knee.

According to reports, the gunmen ambushed the travellers between Sagamu Area Command of the Nigeria Police and Ilisan township.

The Chairman of the Ilisan Development Council, Wemmy Osude, verified this to PUNCH Online.

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Osude stated that one of the attack victims, an Ilisan Remo resident, was already receiving medical attention at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

READ MORE: Navy Seizes 12,000 Litres Of Illegally Refined Diesel, Arrests Two Suspects

He said, Information reaching me right now confirmed a kidnapping incident between the Area Command and Ilisan City Gate (formerly Delabo).

A resident of Ilisan (name unconfirmed) was reportedly shot in the knee and is receiving medical attention at Babcock Teaching Hospital.

Other victims were taken into the bush. While waiting for additional information, please contact your loved ones who may be plying that road at about this time to be cautious.

Osude said that he had spoken to the resident of the town who was being treated at Babcock University Teaching Hospital and he was said to be in stable condition.

He added, I have spoken to the Sagamu Area Commander about this incident, and hopefully, we trust that all the security agents will go after these criminals and rescue these people.

Attempts to contact the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, were fruitless because calls to her line did not connect.


The United States of America (USA) and the United Nations (UN) have condemned recent suicide bomb attacks that targeted civilians in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

Suicide bombers had attacked a wedding and funeral ceremony on Saturday, killing scores and leaving many injured.

The attack sparked wide condemnation from within the country, and across political divides, with notable Nigerians calling for a rejig in the countrys security architecture.

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The US and United Nations, in a separate statement, however condemned in the strongest possible terms the June 29 horrific attacks.

According to a statement by the US Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, the reprehensible acts of violence show a cruel and heartless disregard for human life.

We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wish a full recovery to the injured.

These abhorrent attacks are a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in the region.

READ ALSO: Buhari Failed To Fight Corruption, Stolen Funds Recovered Under Him Were Returned To Looters  Ex-Presidential Aide

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria is committed to our partnership with Nigeria as it works to defeat terrorism and bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice.

Meanwhile, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, in a Sunday statement, expressed his horror and condemnation.

I am horrified by this attack on civilian populations and condemn such acts in the strongest terms. I stand in solidarity with the Government of Nigeria and the families and communities of all those affected, he stated.

Fall also reminded all parties involved in the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.

He emphasised the United Nations commitment to supporting the victims of the attacks and conveyed his condolences to the Borno State Government.

I have reached out to the Borno State Government to express my condolences and offer any support that the United Nations and the humanitarian community can provide to aid the victims of the attack, he added.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has however vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Martins Otse, a Nigerian activist known as Verydarkman, has spoken out after being released from police custody.

The news of the activists arrest went viral on Sunday, but he was subsequently released.

Following his release, he took to his Instagram page to recount the events that led to his arrest.

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According to him, police officials raided his residence on Sunday to arrest him for defaming a man who allegedly scammed someone of all his savings.

He stated that he was taken to the police station, where he submitted a statement about his allegations and supplied documentation to back up his claim.

READ MORE: VeryDarkMan Only Invited For Questioning, Wasnt Arrested  FCT Police Clarifies After His Release

Verydarkman mentioned that several powerful solicitors had stepped up to support him, and he made contact with other powerful men to make sure he was given bail and wasnt detained overnight.

Captioning the video, he wrote;

The painful part of this whole thing is that I cant stop and sadly they will keep arresting me  ATI LO ATI DE (RATEL) ALUTA CONTINUA VITORIA ASCERTA.

SEE POST:
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT wont return to the National Assembly in 2027.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Wikes statement is coming, after he was criticized by Kingibe on Arise TV, on Monday.

The lawmaker was heard, criticizing the former Rivers State governor, adding that FCT residents are unimpressed with his performance.

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Reacting to Kingibe statement, at the Mabushi Bus Terminal flag-off in Abuja, on Monday, Wike said that he wasnt in office to please the senator, claiming that he had achieved significant progress in his short tenure.

READ MORE: Wike Wont Have Been Gov, Minister Without Our Struggle For Democracy  Shehu Sani Insists

He said: I overheard somebody on Arise TV this morning. Unfortunately, I hear the person is a member of the National Assembly and it is unfortunate I say so, he said.

You said there are no hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sector?

I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, 2027, come and run under Abuja, we will fail you. Do you think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. So that is my territory and Im not afraid.

So, people should be able to come out and be able to accept the truth. We are not begging for anybody to become our friend; we have so many friends that we cannot even carry along.

Wike noted that he will not beg anyone to become his friend, adding that they are yet to see more mouth watering performance under his ministry.

He said: So how can we go and beg people to become our friends? We are not interested in that. If you are angry that people are praising us, by next year your BP level will go very high because the praises you would see would be too much.
As part of efforts to end insecurity challenges facing the country, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor, has said that it is time for Nigeria to embrace state police.

The retired AIG, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, on Sunday in Benin, the Edo State capital, opined that the failure of the centralised police system to end insecurity in the last 15 years necessitated the need for decentralised policing.

He said: It is time to embrace state police; the debate whether or not Nigeria should go for state police has been raging with many Nigerians urging the government to embrace it.

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The question now is why are many people clamouring for state police? It is principally due to the failure of the federal police.

READ MORE: State Police Bill Must Look Into Fear Of Abuse By Governors  Opeyemi Bamidele

Ambrose added that Nigeria is ripe enough to operate state policing, due to constant changes in security.

He said: Due to the new dynamics in security, the centre can no longer hold (water). The security situation in the country is getting worse on a daily basis.

When is Nigeria going to be ripe for state police? The main argument is that state governors will misuse the outfit but police are susceptible to misuse at every level of government.

So many civilised countries are practising multilevel policing. There are always safeguards for checks and balances.

When you look at what we are having now, most of the police requirements are already being borne by the various state governments.

Apart from salaries and allowances which the federal government is responsible for, other logistics needs of the police are being handled by governors.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that many stakeholders have been calling for the implementation of state police to curb insecurity challenges such banditry, Boko Haram, unknown gunmen attacks in the country.

Some believed that many state governors would use it to rig election or torment opposition groups.
Nicholas Amos, a 30-year-old security guard, wrongly accused of car theft has regained freedom after being imprisoned for four years.

The victim, as sighted in a video on X, said he was accused just three days after getting the security job.

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Having been in captivity in Agodi Prison, Oyo State, he is finally cleared of all charges.

According to him, he had left Ilorin, Kogi State to search for greener pastures in Ibadan, Oyo State until the unfortunate development.

READ ALSO: Two EFCC Officials To Face Disciplinary Action Over Assault On Female Hotel Employee

Asked by onlookers where he was headed, he stated hed be going back to Ilorin as he isnt familiar with the current terrain.

Information Nigeria reports that many Nigerians have suffered and are still suffering the hard consequences of a broken justice system.

Scores of innocent people have even been killed around the world for a crime they never committed.


Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), on Monday, denied the proposed plan to put Ekiti and Ondo States in blackout for nine hours daily for two months, effective from July 1.

Recall that TCN and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) had in notices announced on Sunday that the schedule to carry out maintenance work on the 132kV Akure Osogbo transmission line would involve installation of Optical Ground Wire and other activities requiring outage on the affected network for safe working space.

Debunking the notice in a statement titled: RE: OUTAGE ON OSOGBO/AKURE -ADO-EKITI 132kV LINE, TCN stressed that no such outage request has been approved by its management.

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The statement via X read: A publication by the BEDC regarding a proposed outage on Osogbo-Akure-Ado-Ekiti 132kV line for the purpose of installing OPGW commencing on 1st July, 2024 has been brought to the notice of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN.

READ ALSO: Ondo, Ekiti To Experience Two Months Power Outage

TCN Management hereby informs the general public that no such outage request has been approved, the statement, signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Ndidi Mbah, added.



Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government rejected the proposed plan saying it amounts to unacceptable economic, financial and social price to be paid by the citizens.

Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utility, Prof Bolaji Aluko, said the government was not informed or was approval sought and obtained from the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, saddled by law with the authority to regulate the electricity industry.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, revealed it would, on Monday, July 1, 2024, begin inquiry of two of its officers seen in a viral video assaulting a female staff of Regional Hotel, Ojo, Lagos.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said this followed the establishment of a joint disciplinary panel by the chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, to investigate into the situation.

The EFCC chairman had previously ordered the two officers arrests shortly after the video went viral on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

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The statement stated that the team would conduct an investigation and propose appropriate disciplinary action against the officers.

READ MORE: Navy Seizes 12,000 Litres Of Illegally Refined Diesel, Arrests Two Suspects

The statement reads in parts: Olukoyede ordered the arrest of the two officers and has directed them to appear before a joint disciplinary team comprising the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee and the Department of Ethics and Integrity.

They are billed to appear before the team on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission, Abuja.

Olukoyede stressed that no stone will be left unturned in getting the officers to account for their unprofessional conduct.

SEE BELOW:
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said that he has no regret in the last seven and a half years of leading the state.

Obaseki who made this known while addressing newsmen in Benin, the state capital on Sunday, disclosed that his government has delivered and surpassed all electioneering promises he made to the people.

He added that he would be remembered as the governor who changed the course of education in the state and led a number of reforms and programmes that have placed the State on the path of prosperity.

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READ MORE: Edo Guber: PDP, Obaseki Will Be Kicked Out  Akpabio Confident Of APCs Victory

He said: As Edo State Governor in these last few years, I dont have any regrets. In fact, when I look at my manifesto, Ive surpassed everything I said I will do.

I have exceeded everything I said I will do and there was not one area I mentioned, that I talked about that I didnt have a kind of impact on.

The Governor also noted that he has laid foundation for his successor to take over, adding that one administration cant do it all.

He said: Im a realistic person. One administration or one governor cannot do it all.

What I have done is to lay a foundation and by the grace of God, we have a successor who will continue to build on that, in the direction that I started with and someone who shares the same values of service to the people.

Democracy is not a destination in itself; it is a process. It will always be better; things will always be better than when you met them.
Former Kaduna State federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has insisted that without him and some other political activists in Nigeria, Nyesom Wike wont be a minister or governor of Rivers State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Sanis statement is coming, following a recent criticism from the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Wike by emphasising the importance of the former Senators role in Nigerian politics and hinting at future engagements.

Recall that Sani, while speaking at the Nigeria Annual Lecture and Gold Prize Award, 2024, an event organised to celebrate Nigerias 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wake up and do what is right to end hardship.

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Wike, in his swift reaction, queried the former lawmaker for making such statement, asking him to tell Nigerians his achievements in all the years he spent at the national assembly as a Senator.

READ MORE: You Defend Election Riggers, Takes Brief From Them  Wike Slams Ozekhome

Reacting on Channels Televisions Sunday Politics program, Sani asked the former governors whereabout when he was locked up in Port Harcourt prison during the military junta.

He said: Nobody can demean the struggle that we did to free Nigeria from military dictatorship, Mike Ozoekhome was a patriot.

If not for the struggle which we did to de-establish military dictatorship and establish democracy in Nigeria, people like Wike wouldnt have become local government Chairman, governor, or minister today.

Hes a beneficiary of the struggle, the sweat, and all we have invested in it. And at a certain time, I was in Port Harcourt prison as a political prisoner; where was he then? He is a beneficiary of the struggle to which Nigerians have dedicated and committed their time to.
Salus University president Michael Mittelman and Drexel University president John Fry shake hands after signing documents for the merger at the Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery on June 13, 2023. Read more

Drexel Universitys proposed merger with Salus University, a small, private health sciences university based in Elkins Park, has been approved by the institutions accrediting agency, Drexels president said Monday.

As of July 1, Salus academic units  with the exception of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, which will remain a standalone college  will begin the transition process to fully merge into Drexels colleges by next summer, John Fry wrote in a message to both campus communities, announcing the decision by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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With the move, 1,187 Salus students, 362 faculty and professional staff, and more than 14,000 alumni will become part of Drexel, Fry said.

 READ MORE: Drexel and Salus Universities have decided to proceed with a merger

The approval of the merger comes as Fry, 64, who has led Drexel for 14 years, prepares to leave the school and become the next president of Temple University. Fry is the leading finalist for the job and the unanimous choice of the selection committee, and Temples board is expected to vote soon on his candidacy, according to multiple sources.

Mergers like this have become more frequent locally and nationally as the higher education landscape grapples with lower enrollment and challenging economic conditions. Just last month, Temple University started talks to acquire University of the Arts after the 150-year-old school abruptly closed due to an urgent financial crisis.

Drexel and Salus still are awaiting approvals from the U.S. Department of Education for the combined entities to participate in federal financial aid programs, which is expected next June. Until then, Salus will continue to run its student programs, courses, registration, billing, and financial aid systems, Fry wrote.

Fry highlighted the importance of both institutions.

This merger brings together the strengths of both institutions in graduate health sciences, including Drexels medical, biomedical, public health, nursing and health professions, and Salus optometry, audiology, biomedicine, blindness and low vision studies, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and orthotics and prosthetics programs, he said.

The only overlap in programming is the physician assistant program, and the plan is to keep both programs, Fry said. Salus campus in Elkins Park will continue on as well.

Salus president Mike Mittelman will join Drexels board of trustees and continue on to help with the transition, Fry said. Three Salus trustees will join the Drexel board.

The two universities announced a year ago that they would proceed with a merger and seek the necessary approvals. They had announced in April 2023 that they were exploring a merger.

Salus was founded in 1919 as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and both Fry and Mittelman said that legacy and name will be preserved.

Drexel isnt new to affiliations. In 2011, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the oldest natural history museum in the nation, became a part of Drexel.
Theres a dead-simple snack that chef Alexis Tellez, of North Phillys Sor Ynez, remembers eating as a kid in Estado de Mexico, not far from Mexico City. Its called taco de sal, or a salt taco: Sprinkle salt on a hot-off-the-press corn tortilla, then roll it up tight, pinwheel-style. Its all you need, Tellez says. It tastes like home.

Tellez bid a yearslong farewell to the salt taco when, at age 8, he moved to New Hope. There he encountered his first store-bought tortillas: At a friends taco night, the family was using those thin tortillas where youre supposed to fry them, Tellez says, grimacing at the memory. Even if you try heating those up, it just becomes dry.

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As a chef in Philadelphia, Tellez can once again find masa and fresh corn tortillas: Theyre sold by Italian Market vendors like Tortilleria San Roman and Masa Cooperativa, where Sor Ynez initially sourced its masa. But it is a hassle going across the city, he says. Last spring, Sor Ynez began making masa in-house for its tamales, tostadas, tacos, tlacoyos, and more. Starting last month, it began packaging fresh masa and fresh-griddled tortillas to sell to the public four days a week, making its masa the most readily available in Philly.

It can be hard to comprehend the difference between shelf-stable tortillas and those made with fresh masa  the supple dough made from grinding corn kernels that have been nixtamalized, or soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution  if youve never experienced it. A mass-produced tortilla is often a near-flavorless vessel, handy for getting a grip on a filling, and not much else. A just-pressed, still-warm corn tortilla is a single-ingredient stunner all by itself: a starchy, cushiony, chewy round that packs vibrant corn flavor with a hint of salt.

Corn tortillas dominate Philadelphias Puebla-inflected Mexican restaurant scene, and several spots make them from scratch, including El Molino Tortilleria, Casa Mexico, Condesa, LMNO, and Mission Taqueria. But none sell masa straight to consumers, and Masa Cooperativa only sells masa and fresh tortillas to the public from 8 to 11 a.m. on Sundays. (For handmade flour tortillas, head to Taco Heart.)

Sor Ynezs masa initiative came about last December, when it offered a special menu of tamales to offset the slow holiday season. The restaurant initially used Maseca  the widely available, well-regarded corn flour  for the Tamal Project, but decided to test a batch with its own masa. We couldnt believe the difference. You forget it when you dont have it for a long time, Tellez says. The kitchen staff, most of whom hail from Mexico, was so happy.

Tellez and his team now want more people to know how transcendent a fresh corn tortilla can be. People see it as a shell, Tellez says. To me, the masa itself is a star.

Making the masa

Every Tuesday, prep cook Sandra Pantoja comes into Sor Ynez to ready 100 to 150 kilos of masa. She combines white corn with equal parts water and a dose of cal  calcium hydroxide or slaked lime  in a 60-quart stockpot.

The corn, chalqueno from Tlaxcala, Mexico, is important. The tooth-sized kernels are thoroughly dried and starchy, not sweet like local corn. But the most transformative element in this equation is the cal: Through the nixtamalization process, the alkaline softens the kernel, loosens its hull, breaks down the starch in the corn, and makes it more digestible.

Pantoja will simmer the mixture of corn, water, and cal gently for an hour or so  not too hot or it runs the risk of getting slimy  then let it sit overnight. Once drained and rinsed, the cooked corn is called nixtamal.

From there, its onto the mill, or molino. As a kid in Mexico, Tellez remembers hand-grinding nixtamal on a molino that attached to the kitchen table. He also remembers visiting relatives in Tlaxcala who grew, harvested, and dried their own corn; on certain occasions, they would drive an hour away to a molino station, where a mechanical molino as big as an oven would crank out enough masa to last a week or two. That was if you had a big family or maybe a big event like a quinceanera or a birthday, Tellez says.

Sor Ynez has a Molinito, an electric tabletop mill that can grind 50 kilos of nixtamal in hour. Its equipped with two 5-inch basalt grindstones cut with grooves and ridges that turn cooked corn kernels into a pliant dough. Tellez gradually feeds cooked corn into a funnel just above the grindstones. Hundreds of flecks of dough come out the other side, bonding together like kinetic sand, or Play-Doh put through the finest holes of a cheese grater. Tellez vigilantly monitors the machines output, adding a little water if the dough is too dry, pushing through more corn if its too wet. Theres no recipe to it, he says. You kinda just have to know.

Into tortillas

Tellez gathers the masa together as it accumulates, kneading it by hand, and portions out 45-gram hunks of dough for tortillas. If its too wet, he says, the heat in your hands will help the water evaporate. (Pantoja usually completes this step with a large stand mixer to even out the moisture and consistency  otherwise the 220-pound batch would take hours to get through.)

Sor Ynez opens Thursday through Sunday, so the cooked corn is usually ground into masa on Wednesdays, then allowed to rest in the walk-in refrigerator for one day, so that the tortillas can be fresh-pressed for service. The masa is brought out and comes to room temperature before its turned into tortillas. (A cold, raw tortilla will stick to the plancha and crack.)

Pantoja takes it from here. When she settles in behind the line  with a sheet pan stacked with dozens of masa balls and a tortilla press on one side, and a plancha (or flattop griddle) on the other  she is in her element: She places each ball in the center of the press, lined with a thin sheet of plastic, then smushes it into a disc. She snatches up the delicate round, turns it over, slaps it back down, and squashes it again.

The goal is that you want it nice and flat, thin as you can, Tellez says as Pantoja transfers the rounds to the hot plancha. There tortillas go from pancake-flat and stark white to pale yellow and wrinkly. She flips each one by hand a few times, shifting them to cooler spots on the plancha as she goes. In the two minutes it takes to cook through each tortilla, Pantoja constantly switches back and forth between the press and the plancha.

Youll see some of them will rise a little bit, Tellez points out, referencing big and small air pockets that bubble up as the tortilla cooks through. He explains that if a tortilla doesnt puff, it means the dough was too dry. If you seal it properly, the steam will create on the inside and then itll separate it in two so theyll stay nice and light.

Pantoja cooks 20 tortillas at a time when shes in full swing. As theyre done, she uses tongs to arrange them into a tidy stack to cool. Theyre deployed within hours, for tacos, or served alongside barbacoa or carnitas. Leftover tortillas are used for making tostadas and enchiladas the next day.

By the kilo

This month, about a year into making masa in-house, Sor Ynezs staff began setting aside masa and tortillas for retail sales. Tellez says the kilos of masa ($6/kilo) has been selling more slowly, but the tortillas ($8/12-pack) have been moving at a rapid clip.

Increasing masa output is more work, but Tellez thinks its well worth it. Hes hoping to partner with other restaurants to supply them with fresh tortillas and masa, but hes also excited to offer it to everyday customers  especially those who know what theyre missing.

Its like bringing those memories back from your childhood, he says. To be able to share that with the whole community, especially the Hispanic community  its pretty cool.

Sor Ynez,1800 N. American St. Unit G, Philadelphia, PA 19122,  215-309-2582,  sorynez.com
Former President Donald Trump talks to supporters during a campaign rally at Temple University on June 22. Read more

The Supreme Courts landmark ruling Monday that former President Donald Trump is shielded from prosecution for some actions he took in his push to overturn the 2020 presidential election complicated the outlook for the remaining criminal cases against him and all but foreclosed the possibility he will stand trial again before Election Day.

But the courts 6-3 decision, which split along ideological lines, left open the prospect that the former president could still end up facing a jury.

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Heres what to know about the historic decision:

How did we get here?

The case before the justices was an election subversion case filed by special counsel Jack Smith in Washington, D.C., alleging that Trump broke several federal laws as he sought to stay in power in 2020.

Prosecutors have accused Trump of actions including assembling slates of fraudulent presidential electors, enlisting the Justice Department to legitimize his false claims of voter fraud, and pressuring state officials and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn President Joe Bidens victory.

 READ MORE: Trump indictment: Charges feature former presidents effort to subvert Pennsylvania election results

Trump argued that many of the steps he took were part of his official duties to ensure the integrity of elections and that, as a former president, he is entitled to absolute immunity for all actions taken while in office.

Smith, meanwhile, maintained that granting Trump such blanket immunity would run counter to the principles on which the nation was founded and essentially elevate presidents above the law.

What did the Supreme Court say?

The courts decision Monday granted Trump substantial  but not absolute  immunity from criminal charges, noting the threat of future prosecution could chill a presidents ability to do the job.

In writing for the majority, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said the justices were less concerned with the charges Trump is facing in this moment than they were with the impact their decision would have on the office of the presidency.

In his opinion, Roberts stressed the importance of safeguarding an energetic, independent executive and ruled that courts should afford presidents at least the presumption of immunity for all official acts they take while in office.

 READ MORE: Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial

The president therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts, Roberts wrote. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy or party.

Private conduct, however, is another matter, Roberts said. For instance, criminal actions a president might take while acting as a candidate for reelection could warrant criminal charges, under the courts reasoning.

What does the ruling mean for Trumps case?

The justices largely stopped short of deciding whether the charges lodged against Trump can move forward. Instead, they sent the case back to a lower court to determine how much of the conduct detailed in the indictment falls into the category of officials acts of the presidency vs. how much should be considered private actions by Trump while he held the office.

Roberts was clear, however, on one element of the indictment: Trump is immune from charges stemming from what the prosecutors have described as his push to squeeze Justice Department officials to back up his false claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020.

 READ MORE: Who is Jeffrey Clark, the Philly native who Trump almost named AG, in an effort to stay in power

Because one of the duties of presidency is overseeing the Justice Department, Roberts reasoned, any actions Trump took to do so  no matter how wrong they may appear in hindsight  should be shielded from prosecution.

As for the indictments other allegations against Trump, Roberts said more fact-finding is needed.

He instructed the judge presiding over the case to determine whether the two other central planks of the indictment  Trumps efforts to organize false slates of presidential electors in battleground states and to pressure Pence and lawmakers in key battleground states to assist him in undermining public confidence in the results  came as part of Trumps exercising his official duties as president or if they were acts undertaken solely in his private role as a presidential candidate.

This process is bound to be contentious and protracted as Trump and the Special Counsels Office are likely to have very different answers to those questions. And any ruling made in the lower courts will almost certainly be appealed, possibly bringing the matter back to the Supreme Court again.

Does the Supreme Courts ruling affect Trumps other charges?

Trump faces two other pending sets of charges  one in Georgia, for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election in that state, and another in Florida involving his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office.

The same questions that now hang over the election subversion case in Washington are likely to also bedevil the Georgia case, which was brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Trumps lawyers will almost certainly argue that some of the charges against him in that indictment should be thrown out under the presidential immunity standard the Supreme Court established Monday.

 READ MORE: Who is Mike Roman, the Philly campaign operative charged in Georgia with helping Trump efforts to overturn the 2020 election?

The Florida case, which concerns scores of classified and sensitive documents found at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, is largely focused on his conduct after he left office, which would likely fall under the Supreme Courts description of private acts that would be subject to prosecution.

Mondays ruling is not expected to affect Trumps conviction in Manhattan on May 30 on a fourth set of charges involving his role in a conspiracy to pay hush money to the porn actress Stormy Daniels, with whom he allegedly had an affair. The cover-up at the heart of that case had nothing to do with Trumps duties as the president.

He faces sentencing on those charges next week.

 READ MORE: Donald Trump conviction: Will he go to prison? Can he still run for president? What happens now?

Will Trumps trials happen before the election?

As a result of the Supreme Courts decision Monday, the chances that Trump will stand trial again before Election Day are now vanishingly small.

And that ultimately plays in his favor.

The additional fact-finding the justices ordered in the election subversion case in Washington could take months  and subsequent appeals could drag that process out even longer.

If Trump wins election in November, he could, after his January swearing in, order the Justice Department to abandon the case as well as his classified documents case in Florida, both of which consist of federal charges.

He would have no such authority over the Georgia case, which was brought by state prosecutors. But those proceedings are currently stalled while the states Court of Appeals reviews a judges decision to allow Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, to remain on the case despite a romantic relationship she had with a special prosecutor she hired to try the case in court.

If Trump were to win election before that case were ready for trial, it would likely be stayed by a court until after he completes his term in office.

How are people reacting to the Supreme Court ruling?

Trump was quick to declare victory on Monday.

BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY, he posted on his social media platform Truth Social shortly after the release of the courts decision. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

The courts liberal justices, however, characterized their colleagues decision a travesty that grants presidents license to abuse the powers of their office with impunity.

Todays decision  reshapes the institution of the presidency, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a scathing dissent. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.

Bidens campaign, meanwhile, questioned not only the ruling but also the integrity of justices who made it.

Donald Trump wants to be a dictator. He wants unchecked power, deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks told reporters Monday afternoon. He put justices on the court who ripped away freedoms from Americans and then gave him the freedom to do whatever he wants today.

Staff writer Nick Vadala contributed to this article.
New protections put forth by President Joe Bidens administration could help remove a barrier undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens face in trying to obtain legal status. Read more

Foday Turay learned he was undocumented when he tried to get his drivers permit. He asked his mother for the necessary paperwork but she told him he had none.

His mother fled Sierra Leone when he was young, receiving refugee status in the United States. Turay stayed behind with his grandmother until he was about 6, and his mother decided to bring him to her, even without the right paperwork. That decision would hang over Turay like a dark cloud into adulthood.

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In theory, the now 27-year-old assistant district attorney in Philadelphia has a pathway to lawful permanent residence through his marriage to a U.S. citizen, but quirks in the process have made it practically impossible. Mainly, hed have to leave the country to apply for his green card.

New protections put forth by President Joe Bidens administration, however, could help Turay and an estimated half a million people like him by removing one of the biggest obstacles in their path to lawful permanent residence. They wouldnt have to leave the country to advance the permanent residency process. Its the most sweeping immigration program in more than a decade.

Nothing is guaranteed and that has been one of the most depressing factors for me, Turay said. The idea that Im living in this reality where my time with my son is limited based on policy, based on a court system, based on what an administration feels that I deserve.

Though its too early to know just how many people could benefit from the change in the Philadelphia region, immigration advocates and attorneys say the policy change could be life-changing for families such as Turays.

Even in Philadelphia, a city with a reputation as a friendly environment for undocumented immigrants, the threat of deportation is still a possibility.

Marrying a citizen doesnt address the countrys reentry bans

Rochelle, who asked to keep her last name private fearing deportation from Philadelphia, arrived in the United States 20 years ago, searching for work that would allow her to support her ailing mother back in the Philippines. She fell in love, married a U.S. citizen, and had four children.

She, too, has a pathway to citizenship through marriage but shed have to leave the country. And going back to the Philippines wouldnt mean an expedited return.

People who stay in the country without documentation for an extended period face three- and 10-year reentry bans. A waiver exists, but theres a yearslong backlog, and undocumented immigrants who are deported can also face bans, sometimes permanently.

I was really afraid to go back to my country without a 100% guarantee that Im gonna come back here because Im gonna leave my husband and my children without anybody, said Rochelle.

The Biden protections expand on an existing program referred to as parole in place. People who enter the country without authorization and have relatives in the military can avoid the bans and stay in the United States for a period of time while they seek work authorization, as well as permanent legal status.

Ricky Palladino, an immigration attorney at Palladino, Isbell & Casazza, LLC in Center City, said hes seen a surge in calls from immigrants who could benefit from the change.

This really helps a lot of people who have family ties in the [United States] and have the money and wherewithal to move ahead with it, he said.

When you marry you depend on each other

Still, the new spousal program has its cutoffs.

An oft-quoted estimate from immigration advocacy organization FWD.us places about 1.1 million undocumented people in marriages with citizens.

Yet to be eligible, applicants need to have been continuously in the country for at least 10 years, married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, and have no criminal record. Ultimately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will decide whether they can apply for a green card.

Though the more granular details of when and how people can apply to this new program have not been released, the broad restrictions laid out by the Biden administration mean thousands of families could be excluded, including Allyson Batista, a U.S. citizen in Philadelphia championing her husband and mixed-status families such as hers since 2010. She welcomes the policy change and the relief it will provide for thousands of families, but is concerned that her husband might not benefit, because of his immigration history.

While she tries to focus on the construction business she runs with her husband and other accomplishments, her spouses legal status rears its head in small and big ways. She worries about life insurance for her husband, getting older with a safety net available only to her.

These are crazy scenarios, but its the truth, she said. If anything happened to him, he has no Social Security built up. I have no security other than my own stuff from the time I worked, but when you marry you depend on each other.

Most recently, a glitch in the federal student aid application for one of her children wouldnt let Batista move forward without a social security number for her husband.

The biggest change since DACA

Allowing people such as Rochelle and Turay to wait in place while their green card applications move forward is considered one of the most consequential reforms in the immigration system since the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which helped shield immigrants brought to the United States as kids from deportation and gave them a way to seek work authorization for two-year intervals.

The program famously didnt offer a pathway to citizenship. Though Turay is grateful for the protections offered by the program, he calls it a two-year subscription plan that leaves him unable to plan for the long term.

Adding to his stress are past efforts to dismantle DACA. The program has not taken new applicants since 2017 and while participants such as Turay can continue to renew their protection, DACAs legality remains under scrutiny, expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court in coming years.

The legal battles ahead

The spousal program comes as the Biden administration tries to walk the line of securing the border while appearing humane, in an election year when immigration is a hot-button issue even in Pennsylvania, far from the border.

 READ MORE: Biden is struggling in Pa.  even with his base  as voters prefer Trump on major issues.

Earlier in June, Biden announced plans to bar migrants who cross the southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum whenever the border is overwhelmed. The American Civil Liberties Union and other immigrant rights groups filed a legal challenge and immigration critics are expected to challenge Bidens plan to aid mixed-status families.

In addition to undocumented spouses, protections could extend to an estimated 50,000 noncitizen children under age 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.

Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has called for the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. In Thursdays presidential debate, Trump vilified immigrants but did not answer questions about the deportations and whether they would include spouses of citizens whod been here for decades and had jobs.

For now, people such as Rochelle are trying to focus on the present. She is saving so she is financially prepared for when the application is unveiled in late summer.

Though she is not trying to get ahead of herself, shes dreaming of getting health insurance, being able to travel freely, and for the first time, planning for the future.
A Parking Authority officer outside the Academy at Palumbo Liberal Arts High School in February 2023. Read more

Worried about getting fined for parking in a school zone this summer? Dont open your wallets just yet.

If you get caught parking in a school zone between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the school year, youll likely have to dig in your pockets for some cash to pay a ticket. But what about during the summer when Philadelphia schools are not in session?

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That is what one reader asked through Curious Philly, The Inquirers forum for answering questions about the city and region.

Will I get a ticket for parking in a school zone during the summer?

You shouldnt, unless a school has summer programming. Parking fines apply only if school is in session. Philadelphia schools must notify the Philadelphia Parking Authority if they are in session, which includes summer programs or classes, said PPA spokesperson Marty ORourke. If a school has active programs or classes in the summer, drivers must abide by parking enforcements.

How do you know if school is in session in the summer?

The Philadelphia School District offers summer programs, including summer school for 9th through 12th graders who failed a previous course. This year, summer school began on June 25 and will run until Aug. 2. Start and end dates may be different depending on the program.

The regular school year typically runs from the end of August to the beginning of June.

The PPA does not announce what schools are in session on its website. Drivers are expected to figure out if schools are in session on their own. The Philadelphia School District lists locations for summer school and programs on its website.

What will happen during Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers extended-day, extended-year pilot?

Twenty district schools and five charter schools will be part of the pilot program that starts this fall. Schools included in the pilot will notify the PPA to enforce parking rules, but that doesnt start until the 2024-25 school year opens.

How much is the parking fine?

Drivers have to pay $36 for a parking violation. You can pay a parking ticket by mail, over the phone, or in person.
A Bucks County ballot drop-off location in Doylestown gets some use on Oct. 30, 2023. Pennsylvania voters have options on how to return their completed mail-in or absentee ballot by mail, at a drop box, at their county election board, or other officially designated location. Under Pennsylvania law, voters must return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot. Voted ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2023. Read more

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center are suing to force a Southwest Pennsylvania county to alert voters if their mail ballot is invalid, setting up a fight that could impact election offices across the state and, ultimately, help shape which ballots get counted in the 2024 election.

The suit is the latest in a string of more than a dozen ongoing challenges to Pennsylvanias election system, nearly all of which aim to have an impact in November. In recent elections, the swing state has been decided by margins smaller than 2% of the vote, meaning any change to which votes are counted carries weight.

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The lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of seven Washington County voters, the countys local NAACP, and the Center for Coalfield Justice, argues that Washington County violated Pennsylvanias constitution and denied voters due process by refusing to alert them ahead of Aprils primary election that their mail ballots could not be counted because of errors with the date, signature, or privacy envelope.

While the suit is directed specifically at Washington County, an eventual ruling could send a signal to county election boards statewide and set new legal precedent over whether counties are obligated to alert voters if their ballot is invalid.

We very much hope that this case will have statewide implications. Obviously we are in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas at the moment but experience tells us one way or another this case will go up on appeal, said Mimi McKenzie, legal director at the Public Interest Law Center, which focuses on civil rights law.

A spokesperson for the Washington County Board of Elections did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The states election system is also facing challenges from the right. A far-right legal group filed a lawsuit last month challenging Pennsylvanias voter registration system with false claims of election fraud and making other allegations without proof. Former Delaware County Council Candidate Joy Schwartz, a Republican, filed a lawsuit last month demanding all votes in the suburban county be hand-counted.

Why is the ACLU suing Washington County?

According to the ACLU and Law Centers suit, Washington County in 2023 alerted voters if their ballots were invalid and helped them remedy the issue, but the county election board changed course this year when it voted against continuing the policy.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleged the election board directed county officials to mark incorrect ballots as received in the statewide voter system, rather than following the advice of the Pennsylvania Department of State to mark them with pending or canceled  which can notify the voter, political parties and voting rights groups of ballot issues.

The break from state guidance meant voters had no way to know their ballots wouldnt be counted.

Furthermore, the suit said, Washington County was the only county in the state that refused to tell voters who called the office that their ballot was invalid.

Bruce Jacobs, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said he only learned his vote hadnt counted when the Law Center contacted him months later.

I would have done everything I could have done to rectify that error, Jacobs said. I joined this case because county officials have eroded peoples rights and the dignity of our elections.

Statewide, nearly 8,000 ballots were rejected in Aprils primary because of issues with the date, signature or privacy envelope. Voting rights advocates, including the ACLU, have pushed counties across the state to adopt notice and cure policies to help voters remedy those issues before Election Day  and reduce the number of people disenfranchised due to errors.

The ACLU and Law Center have been involved in numerous other similar suits challenging the state law which requires voters to write the date on their mail ballot and individual county practices regarding which mail ballots are counted.

The suits have generally sought to limit the potential for a voter to make a minor error that ultimately invalidates their ballot. The civil rights groups are arguing in state court that the date requirement should be thrown out, the ACLU is involved in a similar case alongside the NAACP in federal court.

This isnt about gaming the system. This is about ensuring that every eligible qualified voter who submits a timely ballot is able to vote and have that voted counted, said Witold J. Walczak, legal director of the ALCU of Pennsylvania. Our goal is to get a decision on all of these issues before voting starts in mid-September. This is about clearing away barriers to voting.

During a news conference Monday, Marian Schneider, senior policy counsel for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said she wasnt aware of any other counties that have taken the same approach as Washington County. The ACLU has submitted several right-to-know requests to gain a better understanding of invalid ballot practices statewide.

Counties have historically taken varying approaches, often based on the advice of their own attorneys. Pennsylvanias election code grants significant power to county officials, and the 2019 law that allowed Pennsylvanians to vote by mail without an excuse left several details open to interpretation.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid to delay a prison sentence for longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon as he appeals his conviction for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Bannon filed an emergency appeal after a judge ordered him to report to prison July 1 for a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. The court previously denied a similar request from another Trump aide.

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The appeal was originally directed to Chief Justice John Roberts, who oversees such requests from Washington. He referred it to the full court.

The court rejected it without explanation, as is typical. There were no noted dissents.

Defense attorneys have argued the case raises issues that should be examined by the Supreme Court, including Bannons previous lawyers belief that the subpoena was invalid because former President Donald Trump had asserted executive privilege. Prosecutors, though, say Bannon had left the White House years before and Trump had never invoked executive privilege in front of the committee.

A jury found Bannon guilty nearly two years ago of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition with the Jan. 6 House Committee and a second for refusing to provide documents related to his involvement in the Republican ex-presidents efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols allowed Bannon to stay free while he appealed but recently ordered him to report to prison after an appeals court panel upheld his contempt of Congress convictions. The panel later rejected Bannons bid to avoid reporting to prison.

Bannon is expected to appeal his conviction to the full appeals court, and Republican House leaders have put their support behind stepping in to assert the Jan. 6 committee was improperly created, effectively trying to deem the subpoena Bannon received as illegitimate.

Another Trump aide, trade adviser Peter Navarro, has also been convicted of contempt of Congress. He reported to prison in March to serve his four-month sentence after the Supreme Court refused his bid to delay the sentence.

Bannon is also facing criminal charges in New York state court alleging he duped donors who gave money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges, and that trial has been postponed until at least the end of September.
Former City Councilmember Donna Reed Miller celebrates her victory in the 2011 election. Read more

Donna Reed Miller, a former City Council member who for 16 years represented much of Northwest Philadelphia, died last week at 77.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who got her start in the same Black political circles in the Northwest, said she was grateful for the support and encouragement that [Councilmember Miller] provided me on my journey to become your mayor.

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Councilmember Reed Miller came from a long line of community organizing greats  who fought for social, racial and economic justice before it was a popular thing to do, Parker said in a statement.

Councilmember Miller fought for gun control legislation and authored a ban the box bill, which aimed to increase job opportunities for formerly incarcerated Philadelphians by preventing employers from inquiring about applicants criminal histories.

She was a protege of the late state Rep. David P. Richardson, a leader of the storied Black political organization known as the Northwest Coalition. A Democrat, she started working as an aide for Richardson in 1987, around the time she lost her 20-year-old daughter to cancer.

Richardson convinced her to run for Council in 1995, and she defeated incumbent Al Stewart. Richardson died months later.

We didnt have the endorsement of the Democratic Party, but we had the support of the community, she said at the time.

Councilmember Miller enjoyed strong support in the southern end of her district, which included poorer Black neighborhoods in Nicetown and Germantown, where she lived. And she sometimes clashed with neighborhood leaders in the wealthier, whiter northern reaches of her district, which included Chestnut Hill.

On Council, she kept a low profile and largely focused on issues in her district, and she was part of a bloc of lawmakers aligned with Mayor John F. Street. She battled Type 2 diabetes for much of her time in office.

Councilmember Miller proved herself to be a political survivor by beating back repeated Democratic primary challengers and avoiding fallout from two controversies in which members of her staff were accused of corruption.

In 2005, her former chief of staff, Steven A. Vaughn, was convicted of fraud in a case tied to the high-profile corruption investigation of Streets administration.

Three years later, her former aide Theresa Pinkett was accused of accepting bribes and pleaded guilty to extortion for actions she took while working for Councilmember Miller and for the city controllers office.

Councilmember Miller was also a prominent supporter of Emmanuel Freemans leadership of Germantown Settlement, a social services and housing nonprofit founded in the 1880s that crumbled amid accusations of misconduct under Freeman before going bankrupt in 2010.

Councilmember Miller declined to run for reelection in 2011, and was succeeded by Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Former Councilmember Derek S. Green, who is also a product of the Northwest Coalition, said Councilmember Miller was a staunch advocate for her community.

She cared deeply about making sure that those constituents that she represented and citizens across the city got the services and the benefits that they deserved, he said. I will miss her conversations and her leadership.

Funeral arrangements were pending.
Commentary: Washington needs to take historical responsibility for war-torn Afghanistan

14:48, July 01, 2024 By Zhao Jiasong, Zou Xuemian ( Xinhua

KABUL, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Washington can't shake off its responsibility of amending the damage it had caused to Afghanistan, a call made by the Afghan public and the international community for the participating parties at the third round of UN-convened talks on Afghanistan being held in Doha, the Qatari capital.

At the end of August 2021, the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan after two decades of war, leaving a war-battered and even more impoverished country behind.

"We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build. And it's the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run their country." That's what U.S. President Joe Biden has claimed on the U.S. army's withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2021.

As irony would have it, Washington, as the president's remarks suggested, was blatant to assume moral high ground after 20 years of chaos and bloodshed. The reality of the violent history won't be altered as the war killed 174,000 Afghans, including more than 30,000 civilians, and displaced nearly one-third of the population.

The United States has a "moral obligation" to Afghanistan and a responsibility to contribute to its economic reconstruction, said Jalal Bazwan, an expert in international relations at Kabul-based Kardan University.

An exploded bomb killed four children, who had mistaken it for a toy, in north Afghanistan's Faryab Province on June 16. Such tragic incidents, occurring with alarming frequency, underscore the lingering peril posed by the 1,228 cluster bombs with 248,056 bomblets dropped by U.S. forces in 2001 and 2002, according to the Cluster Munition Coalition.

Over 20 percent of the bombs do not explode on impact and remain active on the ground, being the source of civilian casualties, said medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders. The International Committee of the Red Cross pointed out that children are the most vulnerable victims of unexploded ordnance, noting in its report that 640 children were killed or injured in 541 incidents involving landmine explosions and explosive remnants between January 2022 and June 2023.

Unexploded bombs have led to grave consequences for Afghanistan's agriculture, on which the landlocked country's economy is mainly dependent, said Sadiq Shinwari, an Afghan military expert.

Afghanistan, among many countries, is bearing the brunt of coercive financial statecraft. The United States should stop exacerbating Afghansitan's predicament by freezing some 7 billion U.S. dollars' worth of assets of Afghanistan's central bank and imposing sanctions. These measures have further destabilized the Afghan economy, driving price rises and reducing international assistance.

An estimated 23.7 million Afghans require humanitarian aid in 2024 -- more than half of the country's population, with a staggering nine out of 10 people living in poverty. The Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024 necessitates 3.06 billion U.S. dollars to 17.3 million Afghans targeted for assistance, but it had only received 16.2 percent of the required funds as of May 15.

Natural calamities, including last year's earthquake in the western Herat province and recent floods in the north, claimed nearly 3,000 lives, leading to an even direr humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Yet, U.S.-induced disaster is equally devastating. The war-ravaged infrastructure doubled the time required for aid to reach disaster zones. Sanctions on the banking system restricted withdrawals, leaving victims unable to access enough relief funds in time.

The U.S.-initiated sanctions imposed on the Afghan caretaker government have undermined vital humanitarian aid supply to the war-torn country, said Martin Schuepp, director of operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "It is key that all sanctions have humanitarian exemptions, which allows humanitarian organizations such as the ICRC to operate and to be able to reach the people in need."

"It's time to accept that past policies have failed and that the United States and its allies must change course and commit to greater engagement," a New York Times opinion article said early this year.

Washington should realize that its old-fashioned wily evasion of responsibility has led to everlasting hardship and unrest in Afghanistan. It is time for Uncle Sam to engage with the international community to take the first solid step in Doha and set the stage for Afghanistan's stability and prosperity.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Karl Marx-Hof is an enormous public housing complex in Vienna, and the most famous of many such developments in the city. Read more

For progressive politicians and policymakers, the Austrian capital of Vienna has long been a housing policy touchstone.

Thats because Vienna, despite its history as an imperial metropolis studded with ornamented palaces, is one of the most affordable major cities in Europe. Over the last century, the city government built 220,000 affordable apartments and funded a further 200,000 cooperative units.

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Councilmember Jamie Gauthier went to Vienna earlier this year to learn more about how Viennas government has ensured rental homes remain attainable for everyone, even as the population grows and other European capitals grow ever more unaffordable.

I was impressed by the amount of money they invest in social housing, by their existing stock, and by the amount of units theyre producing every year, Gauthier said. These arent people that are just walking around saying housing is a human right. Theyre doing things to actually embody that principle.

Gauthier is the head of City Councils housing committee and has carved out a name for herself as a proponent of affordable housing policy. She went to Vienna and Berlin earlier this year as part of a trip sponsored by Local Progress, an organization for left-leaning elected officials, as did Working Families Party Councilmember Kendra Brooks and a cohort of politicians from Chicago.

Gauthier believes there are lessons Philadelphia could learn from Vienna, although she acknowledges vast differences between the two cities.

Consistency in housing support and funding

Viennas commitment to municipally owned housing dates to the end of World War I, which transformed the city from the center of an ancient empire to the capital of a small nation. Following the war, a Social Democratic government took power and raised taxes on elites  who had nowhere else to go  and used it to buy up land across the city at huge discounts. The government proceeded to build tens of thousands of public housing units, which still exist today.

Gauthier toured the monumental Karl Marx-Hof, an apartment complex three-quarters of a mile in length completed in 1930 that includes plenty of green space, rich amenities, and excellent transit access. The so-called Red Vienna government was socialist, hence the name of this project, but also democratic so they named another complex after George Washington.

Although [Karl Marx-Hof] is one of the first social housing developments, they are still pretty nice and well-maintained, Gauthier said. Even their oldest forms of municipal-owned housing are in good condition, even as they continue to build.

The Social Democratic Party has remained in charge of Vienna for much of its recent history, with the large exception of a Fascist coup in 1934 (where the socialist leaders were shelled in Karl Marx-Hof) and the Nazi annexation in 1938 followed by World War II. Even as social housing construction expanded, the city government ensured it remained mixed-income by means-testing people only when they first arrived and by keeping the income threshold relatively high.

In more recent decades, Viennas policy has depended more on municipal subsidy for limited-profit housing developments. These arent run by the government but are set up to ensure that profits spun off go back to the city to subsidize future housing. Similar models on a far smaller scale are being pursued in New York City and Montgomery County, Md.

Viennas historic commitment to housing compounds on itself. The city governments huge and long-standing ownership and subsidy of affordable units means it is known as a reliable and transparent actor. That makes private-sector actors comfortable helping to fund the projects.

Theres a consistency in knowing this housing is going to be funded and supported, said Vincent Reina, a professor of urban planning and housing at the University of Pennsylvania. Thats really important, not just for the residents but also for financial markets feeling confident about the viability of this housing stock.

Prioritizing vacant land for affordable housing

So what, exactly, can American municipal policymakers learn here?

For one, Gauthier notes that Vienna reserves a large amount of vacant land, including recently a shuttered airport, for the development of these social housing projects. She has long advocated that Philadelphias Land Bank reserve more land for affordable housing projects.

They are prioritizing their use of vacant land, Gauthier said. In our city, we just want to get the land out the door. They are focused on saving their publicly owned lands for housing developments to make sure that people are housing secure.

Critics of reserving more units strictly for affordable development, usually by nonprofit actors, have long noted that there isnt enough subsidy to redevelop all Philadelphias empty lots. But Gauthier says thats another policy lesson from Vienna: The public sector needs to prioritize expanding the affordable housing supply.

To solve the citys housing crisis would take a lot of money, but its important so we should wrap our mind around that and make it happen, said Gauthier, who noted the $1.25 billion bond for affordable housing the Chicagos progressive mayor recently passed.

We passed the [$400 million] Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, and theres no reason why we cant invest even more because housing is such a high priority and touches all kinds of other areas, said Gauthier.

No American city is in a position like Vienna where the local government controls, or at least has a stake in, the ownership and construction of homes where a majority of the population lives. But Reina agrees with Gauthier that Philadelphias large amount of vacant land, combined with innovative funding policies, could begin to make a difference.

Philadelphia is really uniquely positioned in that theres actually a fair amount of land that still can be disposed of, Reina said. Low cost land, low cost financing, and really strategic thought about long-term mixed income housing that has real affordable components is a real opportunity.
In the Philadelphia metropolitan area, just 35% of renter households make enough money to pay $1,948 a month, the median price of an apartment for rent this spring, according to an analysis by Redfin. Read more

The typical Philadelphia-area renter household makes about $22,300 less than needed to afford the typical asking rent for an apartment, according to a report by the online real estate brokerage Redfin.

In the Philadelphia metropolitan area, just 35% of renter households make enough money  $77,900  to pay $1,948 a month, the median price of an apartment for rent this spring. Nationwide, 39% of renter households make enough money, according to a report Redfin published last month.

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The analysis looked at asking rents in March, April, and May for newly listed apartments in buildings with five or more units. Redfin considered rents affordable if a renter household would spend no more than 30% of its monthly income on rent, a widely used measure of affordability.

 READ MORE: See how high Philly ranked among the best renting destinations in the country

Nationally, the typical renter household makes about $54,700 a year. But theyd need to make roughly $11,400 more to afford the typical asking rent of $1,653. The necessary income for affordability is the highest its been since October 2022. Asking rents from March, April, and May were up 23% from the same time period before the pandemic, according to Redfin.

Renters can afford median asking rents in only five of the 33 major metropolitan areas that Redfin analyzed.

Sheharyar Bokhari, senior economist at Redfin, said that although many U.S. renters will remain burdened by housing costs, asking rents should get a bit more affordable because rents arent rising like they once were.

Demand for apartments is strong, thanks in part to households that continue renting because they cant afford to buy a home. But newly built apartments are capping rent growth.

Rents are growing at a snails pace compared to the rapid increases we saw during the pandemic and are unlikely to soar again anytime soon, Bokhari said in a statement. As a result, wage growth should continue to outpace rent growth in the coming months, as it has been doing since 2022.

The biggest gap between renter incomes and whats needed for asking rents is in the New York metro, one of the countrys most expensive rental markets. Rents jumped 9% from a year earlier, which was one of the largest increases in the country.

Renter households make about $67,400 but need to make roughly $119,100. The median asking rent this spring was $2,978.

 READ MORE: Households in the Philly area would need six-figure down payments to comfortably afford a typical home

Next in the least-affordable list is the Miami metro, where the typical renter household makes about $57,500 but needs roughly $99,400 to pay the median asking rent of $2,486.

The Austin, Texas, metro area is the most affordable place for renters out of the 33 major metro areas Redfin analyzed. There, the typical renter household makes about $10,500 more than needed to afford the typical asking rent.

Washington also made the list of five metros where renters can afford typical asking rents. Thats because its got lots of high-income renters. The typical renter household makes about $2,700 more than needed to afford asking rents. But those rents are up 11% from a year earlier, so that gap is shrinking. Last year, the typical Washington renter households made about $6,500 more than needed.
weakness in their hands and grip

slurred speech

weakness in their legs, and a tendency to trip

weakness of their shoulder, making lifting difficult

cramps and muscles twitching

The exact cause of MND is not known. You can't catch MND from somebody, stated Health Direct. Generally, MND is believed to be caused because of a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Most cases of MND develop without an obvious cause.
I am not aware of any other industry that has given back COVID-19 savings in the same transparent, accountable, and substantive way as health insurers. It is something consumers can take heart and confidence in. Equally, it is something that the more than 85,300 people whose jobs are directly related to the 24 Members Health funds can take enormous pride in, he said.
Manned by more than 110 people across six locations throughout Florida, Keyes Coverage has been in operation since 1975. Its CEO has been at the helm for two years, after previously doubling the size of the agency during his time as vice president for commercial lines.
Under the new law, insurers must notify the insurance commissioner within three days of discovering a cybersecurity event if it requires notification to any government body, self-regulatory agency, or other supervisory body under state or federal law. Insurers must also notify the commissioner if a cyber event is likely to harm Rhode Island consumers or hinder the carriers ability to operate in the state.
With over 35 years in the Japanese insurance market, we are delighted to have Shinkai-san join us, said Ron Whyte, head of Asia at Miller. He is well respected in the industry and brings deep knowledge and experience that will be highly relevant as we seek to broaden our footprint and strengthen our capabilities in Japan. We remain excited by the opportunities and potential we see for Miller in both Japan and Asia.
In the midst of COVID-19, WINT Water Intelligence was approached by the Munich Re, one of the largest global insurance groups in the world. The insurers technology innovation team were asking to take a look at WINTs technology. In the five years WINT has been in operation, it attracted a lot of attention for its cutting-edge solution. It made sense that Munich Re, early adapters of insurance technology who remain at the forefront of InsurTech advancement, setting the market standard when it comes to quality of product and dedication to transforming the industry through technological solutions, were drawn to WINTs capabilities. In a nutshell, WINT provides an AI-based solution that uses real time water flow analysis to detect leaks and then shut off the water to prevent further damage.
A minivan slammed into a Long Island nail salon Friday, killing four and injuring nine people inside the business at the time, a Suffolk County fire official said.

The vehicle came to a stop at the back of the Hawaii Nail & Spa store in Deer Park about 4:40 p.m.

There were people trapped, assistant Chief Dominic Albanese of the Deer Park Fire Department told reporters at the scene. We extricated them and transported them to area hospitals.

The driver was semiconscious and taken to a hospital, Albanese said. It was not immediately clear whether the crash was accidental or intentional, officials said. Suffolk County Police Department major case unit detectives were investigating, a police spokesperson said.

Photos from the scene showed a gaping hole in the storefront, which is in a strip mall.

Eric Perez told Newsday he was loading groceries into his car across from the accident scene when he heard a speeding car and then a noise that sounded like shattering.

It was a sound that I never heard before, he said.

As he and his wife were leaving the parking lot, he said, he saw emergency crews removing victims from the scene.

We saw the ambulance and emergency workers pulling one body out, he said. And I saw two women I think worked there come out on stretchers.

About 150 firefighters and medical personnel responded to the crash, Albanese said.

Its horrible. Its going to be tough for the community, tough for the volunteer fire department, he said. But were going to get through it.

Photo: Emergency personnel respond to a scene after a vehicle drove into Hawaii Nail & Spa, killing and injuring multiple people Friday, June 28, 2024, in Deer Park, N.Y. (Steve Pfost/Newsday via AP)

Related: No Workers Comp for Virginia Employee Injured When Vehicle Crashed Into Office

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
BOSTON (AP)  Drivers for Uber and Lyft will earn a minimum pay standard of $32.50 per hour and will be eligible for occupational accident insurance paid by the companies for up to $1 million for work-related injuries under a settlement announced Thursday by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

The two companies will also be required to pay a combined $175 million to the state to resolve allegations that the companies violated Massachusetts wage and hour laws, a substantial majority of which will be distributed to current and former drivers.

Campbell said the settlement resolves her offices yearslong litigation against the two companies and stops the threat of their attempt to rewrite state employment law by a proposed 2024 ballot initiative.

That question would have resulted in drivers receiving inadequate protections and an earnings standard that would not guarantee minimum wage, she said.

For years, these companies have underpaid their drivers and denied them basic benefits, Campbell said in a written statement. Todays agreement holds Uber and Lyft accountable, and provides their drivers, for the very first time in Massachusetts, guaranteed minimum pay, paid sick leave, occupational accident insurance, and health care stipends.

Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the settlement delivers historic wages and benefits to right the wrongs of the past and ensure drivers are paid fairly going forward.

In a statement Lyft said the agreement resolves a lawsuit that recently went to trial, and avoids the need for the ballot initiative campaign this November.

More importantly, it is a major victory in a multiyear campaign by Bay State drivers to secure their right to remain independent, while gaining access to new benefits, the company said.

Uber also released a statement calling the agreement an example of what independent, flexible work with dignity should look like in the 21st century.

In taking this opportunity, weve resolved historical liabilities by constructing a new operating model that balances both flexibility and benefits, the company said. This allows both Uber and Massachusetts to move forward in a way that reflects what drivers want and demonstrates to other states whats possible to achieve.

The companies were pushing a ballot question that would classify drivers as independent contractors eligible for some benefits, but Campbell said the settlement stops the threat of the ballot question. A competing ballot question seeks to give drivers the right to unionize in Massachusetts.

Drivers will now earn one hour of sick day pay for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year. As part of the agreement, Uber and Lyft must update their driver applications so drivers are able to view and claim their sick leave directly in the app. Drivers will also receive a stipend to buy into the states paid family and medical leave program.

Under the deal, Uber and Lyft will also allow drivers to pool together their hours driving for the two companies to obtain access to a health insurance stipend. Anyone who drives for more than 15 hours per week  for either or both companies  will be able to earn a health insurance stipend to pay for a plan on the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Drivers will be eligible for occupational accident insurance paid by the companies for up to $1 million in coverage for work-related injuries.

The agreement also requires the companies to provide drivers with key information  about the length of a trip, the destination and expected earnings  before they are expected to accept a ride.

The companies are barred from discriminating against drivers based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other protected identities  and cant retaliate against drivers who have filed a complaint about the companies with the Attorney Generals Office.

The deal also requires the companies to provide drivers in-app chat support with a live person in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French and must provide drivers with information about why they have been deactivated and create an appeals process.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at HDI Global and AXA XL.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

HDI Global Canada Promotes Navarrete to Managing Director

HDI Global Canada announced the appointment of Klaus Navarrete as the new overall managing director, effective July 1, 2024.

Navarrete has been with HDI for more than 10 years. He joined in 2013 from Hannover Re, serving as managing director of HDI Global Canada since. Retaining that role, he will now be fully responsible for both Commercial and Specialty business.

Derek Spafford, currently managing director HDI Global Specialty Canada, will continue to drive the growth of the Canadian specialty book as head of Specialty Lines and Delegated Authority.

The new appointment is subject to approval by the relevant local authorities.

This step represents a significant progression for HDI in Canada, enabling us to combine the strengths of Commercial and Specialty business sectors even more, commented Navarrete.

He went on to say that the new setup empowers the company to provide comprehensive services for brokers and clients, serving as their trusted and preferred partner in Transformation.

HDI Global SE is the Industrial Lines Division of the Talanx Group. Approximately 5,000 employees in this division generated insurance revenue (gross) of approximately 9.1 billion in the year 2023 (according to IFRS 17).

***

AXA XL Appoints Kuklinski as Regional Mgr. for Northern Europe and Germanys Country Mgr.

AXA XL has appointed Kai Kuklinski as regional manager, Northern Europe, and country manager for Germany (branch manager of XL Insurance Co. SEs German branch), effective Aug. 1, subject to regulatory approvals.

Kuklinski will oversee AXA XLs operations in Northern Europe, which covers Switzerland, Benelux, Nordics and Austria as well as CSEE (Central and South-Eastern Europe). Additionally, as branch manager of XL Insurance Co.s German branch, he will lead the team in Germany to implement the companys strategy and strengthen relationships with clients, brokers and strategic partners.

Kuklinski is currently a member of the Executive Committee of AXA Germany (AXA Konzern AG) and serves as chief distribution officer for Property & Casualty, Health, and Life & Savings. Before joining AXA Germany, he was the chief executive officer of AXA Art.

Germany hosts some of the largest companies in the world. The country ranks fourth in terms of the number of businesses among the worlds largest 500. This positions it as a strategic market for commercial insurance and one of the most advanced and sophisticated in Europe, commented Xavier Veyry, chief executive officer, APAC & Europe at AXA XL.

Topics Talent Europe Canada Human Resources AXA XL Germany
DETROIT (AP)  The city of Detroit has agreed to pay $300,000 to a man who was wrongly accused of shoplifting and also change how police use facial recognition technology to solve crimes.

The conditions are part of a lawsuit settlement with Robert Williams. His drivers license photo was incorrectly flagged as a likely match to a man seen on security video at a Shinola watch store in 2018.

We are extremely excited that going forward there will be more safeguards on the use of this technology with our hope being to live in a better world because of it, Williams told reporters, even though what we would like for them to do is not use it at all.

The agreement was announced Friday by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at University of Michigan law school. They argue that the technology is flawed and racially biased. Williams is Black.

Detroit police will be prohibited from arresting people based solely on facial recognition results and wont make arrests based on photo lineups generated from a facial recognition search, the ACLU said.

They can get a facial recognition lead and then they can go out and do old-fashioned police work and see if theres actually any reason to believe that the person who was identified  might have committed a crime, said Phil Mayor, an ACLU attorney.

There was no immediate comment from Detroit police on the settlement. Last August, while the litigation was still active, Chief James White announced new policies about the technology. The move came after a woman who was eight months pregnant said she was wrongly charged with carjacking.

White at that time said there must be other evidence, outside the technology, for police to believe a suspect had the means, ability and opportunity to commit the crime.

The agreement with Williams says Detroit police will go back and look at cases from 2017 to 2023 in which facial recognition was used. A prosecutor will be notified if police learn that an arrest was made without independent evidence.

When someone is arrested and charged based on a facial recognition scan and a lineup result, they often face significant pressure to plead guilty, Mayor said. That is all the more true if the individual  unlike Mr. Williams  has a criminal record and thus faces longer sentences and more suspicious police and prosecutors.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., a Columbus, Ohio-based telecommunications company, resolved a charge of disability discrimination filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agencys Cleveland Field Office announced.

During the EEOCs investigation, the agency found that Pearl Interactive Network discriminated against an employee when it denied her a reasonable accommodation, unlawfully placed her on unpaid leave due to her disability, and improperly disclosed her medical information. Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Following a reasonable-cause finding after the investigation, the EEOC, Pearl Interactive Network and the employee engaged in pre-litigation conciliation, which resulted in a conciliation agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will pay the employee $3,212 in back pay and interest, as well as $20,000 in compensatory damages. The company also agreed to provide a neutral job reference for the employee.

The agreement also includes substantial injunctive relief measures. Pearl Interactive Network will conduct comprehensive ADA training for managerial and human resources employees, focusing on the interactive process for accommodation requests.

Additionally, the company will review and redistribute its anti-discrimination policy to all employees, emphasizing the confidentiality of medical information, its accommodation processes, and its procedure for reporting complaints of alleged discrimination. Furthermore, the company will post a notice informing employees of their rights in prominent and accessible places on all bulletin boards where notices to employees are customarily maintained.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Ohio
A federal judge on Friday rejected a bid by a group of cancer victims to block Johnson & Johnson from pursuing a proposed bankruptcy settlement of tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging the companys baby powder and other talc products contain cancer-causing asbestos.

The cancer victims sought a preliminary order in New Jersey on June 11 to preventing J&J from filing for bankruptcy outside the state, which would have effectively foiled the $6.48 billion settlement plan. The motion was part of a class action lawsuit brought by plaintiffs lawyers opposed to the plan.

But U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp on Friday said he could not grant the motion because any harm to the victims was strictly hypothetical. He said he had no jurisdiction to resolve a dispute over events that have not, and may never, occur.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment late on Friday.

J&J hopes to garner support from 75% of claimants as part of the prepackaged bankruptcy plan. It has set a July 26 voting deadline.

The healthcare conglomerate faces lawsuits from more than 61,000 plaintiffs alleging its talc caused ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, a deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

J&J maintains its talc is safe, asbestos-free and does not cause cancer. The company contends a bankruptcy settlement pays claimants fairly and equitably, as opposed to the civil justice system in which most plaintiffs receive nothing while some win outsized awards.

Plaintiffs attorneys opposing the plan say it is a fraudulent attempt to put billions of dollars of the companys assets out of plaintiffs reach, preventing them from getting the compensation they deserve.

J&J has failed twice to execute a bankruptcy maneuver aimed at ending current and future talc lawsuits.

The strategy, known as a Texas two-step, involves creating a subsidiary to absorb J&Js talc liability, which then declares bankruptcy to resolve cases. Two courts previously found J&Js subsidiary lacked the financial distress necessary to legitimize a bankruptcy filing.

J&Js plan focuses on resolving claims in bankruptcy from women with ovarian and other gynecological cancers allegedly linked to talc. It has settled most mesothelioma cases outside of bankruptcy, and this month finalized a separate $700 million agreement to resolve claims from state attorneys general.
Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. said company founder, chairman and chief executive Patrick G. Ryan will move to an executive chairman role and Timothy W. Turner will take over as will become CEO.

Turner is currently president of Ryan Specialty and chairman and CEO of RT Specialty.

As part of the plan, Jeremiah R. Bickham, chief financial officer, will become president and Janice M. Hamilton, chief accounting officer, will take over as CFO. The moves will take effect October 1.

Pat Ryan, 87, formed Chicago-based, specialty-focused wholesale brokerage and managing underwriter Ryan Specialty in 2010 after founding Aon Corp. in the mid-1980s and serving as its chairman and CEO for about four decades, retiring in 2008.

With clear positive momentum underway and a deep roster of proven leaders, now is the right time to implement this carefully planned leadership succession, Ryan said in a statement. Tim joined me at Ryan Specialty at its founding in 2010 and has been an invaluable and integral partner in our success to date, marked by our ambitious M&A strategy, commitment to constant innovation, and ongoing investment in talent. The board and I believe he is the right leader to guide Ryan Specialty in its next chapter and expect this will be a seamless transition.

Turner, who is credited with developing RT SPecialty into a top wholesale specialty-insurance distributor, will continue to serve on the board. Before joining Ryan Specialty in 2010, Turner was president of CRC Insurance Services, Inc. He joined the Crump Group in 1990 as a casualty broker and was named president of the Chicago office. He began his insurance career as a casualty broker with A.J. Renner & Associates in 1987.

Ryan Specialty said Bickman has served as CFO of Ryan Specialty since 2021. Before that, Bickman was treasurer of Ryan Specialty for nearly six years and was also head of corporate development. He joined Ryan Specialty in 2011 from KPMG, where he was a research analyst.

Hamilton has been chief accounting officer for Ryan Specialty since 2021 and was the companys controller from 2018 to 2022. Prior to her time at Ryan Specialty, Hamilton was CFO for AmTrust International.

Ryan said the appointments reflect the depth of talent we have deliberately built at Ryan Specialty and he expects to be an active member of the companys executive team as executive chairman.

Topics New Markets
Microsoft Corp. has told more than a dozen state agencies and public universities in Texas that Russian state-sponsored hackers accessed emails between them and the software giant.

The attackers were able to gain access to the communications through a breach of Microsoft, disclosed in January, in which they stole emails from some of the companys executives. The agencies that Microsoft warned of exposure in the attack include the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Texas General Land Office and the Texas State Securities Board, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because they werent authorized to discuss it.

Microsoft has blamed a hacking group it calls Midnight Blizzard, which is tied to Russian intelligence services, for the attack.

Read More: More Microsoft Customers Learn Russian Hackers Saw Their Emails

The state and Microsoft are still examining the effect of the breach. An official with the Texas cybersecurity agency, Steve Pier, acknowledged on Friday the exposure of state emails, but said that so far they appear to be only routine administrative communications.

News of the Texas agencies being impacted by the Microsoft hack offers a fuller view of the range of the compromise, and it raises concerns about a US adversary potentially accessing sensitive information about employees, financial matters or critical infrastructure in one of the countrys most populous and economically important states.

To be clear, the state of Texas was not breached. Microsoft was breached, which has involved some state of Texas emails, Pier, of the Texas Department of Information Resources, said in a statement. He said his agency first heard about the exposures from Microsoft this week and is still assessing the number of affected entities.

Microsoft declined to say which customers were receiving notices about the attack. We will continue to coordinate, support and assist our customers in taking mitigating measures, a company spokesperson said Friday.

Microsoft told the General Land Office on Monday that the hackers got hold of 11 of its emails to the technology giant, according to Kimberly Hubbard, a spokesperson for the Texas agency, who said the messages were mostly about technical support.

There was nothing in those emails that contained sensitive or confidential information or information that a threat actor could leverage to attack us, Hubbard said. We have not seen any signs of system access or subsequent attacks to our network related to this Microsoft incident.

A spokesperson for the Workforce Commission, Sarah Fischer, said Microsoft told the agency on Wednesday that its email systems were impacted but didnt say what the hackers may have accessed.

Representatives of the Department of Transportation and Securities Board didnt respond Friday to requests for comment. A Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson declined to comment.

In January, Microsoft announced that hackers had stolen senior leaders emails that they were using to try to break into customers communications, including those of government agencies. The company this week told additional customers that their emails were accessed by the hackers, and began providing previously notified clients with details of what was taken.

The company pinned the breach on a group that US and UK authorities have said is part of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. Midnight Blizzard is also referred to as APT 29 and Cozy Bear.

Read More: Low-Profile Cozy Bear Tied to Hacks on Covid Vaccine Research

It remains unclear how many other Microsoft clients were exposed. In April, US federal agencies were ordered to analyze emails, reset compromised credentials and work to secure Microsoft cloud accounts amid concerns that the hackers may have accessed correspondence.

Read More: Microsoft Pledges to Overhaul Cybersecurity After Massive Hacks

The fallout from the breach is coming into fuller view as the Redmond, Washington-based company is facing a series of high-profile and damaging security failures that have drawn strong condemnation from the US government.

In April, a government review board issued a scathing report that criticized Microsoft for having an inadequate security culture and cited Midnight Blizzard as evidence that the company hadnt yet fixed the problem. Microsoft is now in the middle of its biggest security overhaul in decades.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Texas Agencies Russia
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Katy, Texas-based Zayla Partners, LLC (Zayla). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Zayla is an executive compensation strategy firm that serves clients across a variety of sizes and industries. Chris Crawford, Ian Keas and their team will remain in their current locations in Texas and Colorado under the direction of Steve Coco, Global Human Resources & Compensation Consulting Managing Director for Gallaghers employee benefits consulting and brokerage operations.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Texas A.J. Gallagher
Florida regulators effort to enforce a 2002 state law and keep insolvent insurers officers out of carrier leadership roles appears to be a reason behind a significant shakeup at St. Petersburg-based American Coastal Insurance Corp.

An official with Floridas Office of Insurance Regulation said Thursday that several officers and directors with American Coastal, the surviving subsidiary that was rebranded after United Property & Casualty Insurance was deemed insolvent in 2023, have been removed or reassigned. The insurer appeared to confirm that  obliquely  in a news release this week.

OIR in 2023 notified 12 people at the publicly traded company  more officers than at any other Florida carrier  that they needed to explain why they should be allowed to stay in office despite the law that appears to forbid it, or they should take new positions. All of the officers and directors had been in key positions at United before it went under.

But removing all 12 people at once would have been too disruptive for the carrier, so OIR recently granted a second extension, for 90 days, to fully comply with Statute 624.4073, explained Samantha Bequer, communications director for OIR.

They have replaced about half the people on that list or at least they moved them to different positions, Bequer said Thursday about American Coastal.

More information will be provided next week about the status of American Coastal and other insurers that have officers and directors on the OIRs so-called no-fly list, she said.

In its June 25 news release, American Coastal officials said only that the board of directors had been reduced from 10 members to five. It also seemed to suggest that the company has a new person at the top. Christopher Griffith, formerly the chief information officer and chief operating officer at AmCoastal, is now president of the company, according to the news release. The release, however, also referred to Brad Martz, who has been in the job for the last few years, as president.

Martz and Griffith have both received letters from OIR about potentially being disqualified because of their time at United P&C.

The AmCoastal press statement, seen here, did not indicate the reason for the recent changes, and company leaders did not respond to Insurance Journal phone calls and emails seeking information. But at least five of the previous board members are on the OIR list and are no longer on the board of directors. These include: Alec Poitevint II, Greg Branch, Kent Whittemore, Kern Davis, Michael Hogan and William Hood III. All of them were once with UPC.

The new board members are: Sherrill Hudson, Patrick Maroney, James Andy Gray, Deirdre Brown, and Cathy Swanson. New officers include Svetlana Castle as chief financial officersf, and Andy Gray as chief compliance and risk officer, AmCoastal said.

The status of Dan Peed, the chair and CEO of AmCoastal, and Brooke Adler, the general counsel, both of whom were on the no-fly list, was not mentioned.

The state law focuses on officers that were with a troubled insurer in the two years before it became insolvent. So its possible that some of AmCoastals current officials had left UPC before that window closed and can remain at the corporation.

The AmCoastal statement did give some information about the two new board members, who must be approved by regulators before taking office: Cathy Swanson has 40 years in the banking industry and is with Cogent Bank in the St. Petersburg area. Deirdre Brown is a certified public account who led a number of departments at TECO Energy, based in Tampa.

The American Coastal news release last week noted that the insurer has extended its managing general agency contract with AmRisk, through 2028, pending regulatory approval. AmRisc is the industry leader in commercial property insurance, and we are thrilled with the long-term extension of our partnership that has been mutually beneficial since 2007, Martz said in the statement. American Coastal held 22,848 homeowners, condominium and other property policies at the end of 2023, its annual report shows. About 4,200 of those were in Florida.

Its the latest development in OIRs no-fly enforcement actions, now involving at least 20 officers at more than 10 Florida insurers. Some in the industry have said the 22-year-old law should be enforced and that Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky is doing his part to stop a revolving door of executives in Floridas long-stressed insurance industry.

But others said the law, rarely enforced until last year, is poorly written and enforcing it blames individuals for an industry-wide problem brought on by hurricanes, out-of-control claims litigation and spiking reinsurance prices.

These were not bad actors. They were doing their best to run a successful insurance company, said Melissa Burt DeVriese, president of Security First Insurance, based in Ormond Beach. No one was seeking to fail.

Security First received one letter from OIR in December, about an officer that was previously with Lighthouse Insurance Co., which was declared insolvent in 2022. That employee now works with Security Firsts managing general agent, not with the insurance company, company executives have said. In hopes of bringing him on board Security First, the carrier months ago had asked for an OIR review of the matter.

As of Friday, the officer and the carrier were still waiting to hear from regulators about his status.

Its really not fair to those individuals and their families to keep their careers and their livelihoods in limbo, DeVriese said. Most of the 10 Florida insolvencies came more than two years ago, and state lawmakers have taken steps to reduce the likelihood of more litigation-induced financial troubles.

Read More About the No-Fly List.

Topics Florida
An insurer cannot rescind a workers compensation policy, even in the case of a material misrepresentation that could led to millions of dollars in benefits payments, the Mississippi Supreme Court decided last week.

The Mississippi Workers Compensation Act governs all workers comp matters and it simply does not provide for rescinding or voiding policies as it does cancellations and nonrenewals.

We conclude that the legislature, by not expressly providing for the remedy of rescission based on an employers material misrepresentation, did not intend to permit insurers to void a policy ab initio and thus cut off an injured employees legitimate right to benefits, Justice James Maxwell wrote for the majority of the court in American Compensation Insurance Co. (ACIC) vs. Hector Ruiz, Jesco et al. The opinion was handed down June 27.

Ruiz and his Los Primoz Construction firm was a subcontractor for Jesco Inc. on a project in northeast Mississippi in 2018. His employee, Raul Arpacio, fell 15 feet and was severely injured. A claim was filed with Ruiz workers comp insurer, ACIC, and the insurer quickly began paying benefits, the court explained.

But with Arpacio needing extensive, frequent care, ACIC soon found that it had paid more than $250,000 in medical and indemnity benefits and was on track to pay much more, the court noted. Thats when the insurer investigated a little deeper and decided that Ruiz, the employer, had not properly disclosed in his insurance application that employees would be working so high off the ground. ACIC representatives said the company would not have issued the policy had they known.

The Supreme Court noted there was some question about that, and a previous policy had covered work at heights. The employer contended that his insurance agent was the one who made the misrepresentation and had obtained the comp policy without his consent.

ACIC, a subsidiary of RTW Inc., moved to rescind the policy altogether. But Jesco, a large industrial construction firm and stadium builder based in Mississippi  and the general contractor on the 2018 project  objected. It would have been stuck with covering Arpacios benefits and would have seen a much higher experience modification for future compensation coverage.

Jesco asked the federal court for the Northern District of Mississippi to declare that ACIC was not entitled to voiding the policy.

The district court agreed with Jesco that the state workers comp law does not provide for rescission of policies, a retroactive move that would leave the worker unprotected. ACIC appealed to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The insurer argued that, precisely because the comp statute does not mention rescinding of policies, common law must prevail. Other types of insurance disputes have been guided by common law and rescission of policies has been allowed in some cases, the insurer posited.

The 5th Circuit judges, instead of making an educated guess about what a state court would decide, as the lower federal court had done, formally asked the Mississippi Supreme Court to give a definitive answer.

The high court agreed with Jesco.

The Mississippi Workers Compensation Act (MWCA) represents a wide departure from common law,' the justices wrote, quoting from a 1979 Mississippi court decision.

The opinion also underscores the fundamental principles of the U.S. workers compensation system.

As the Fifth Circuit has rightly observed, under the MWCA, the duty of the carrier to pay benefits is owed by the carrier to the injured employeenot simply the employer, the Supreme Court opinion reads.

The justices noted that this particular circumstance had never been addressed by Mississippi courts. But they cited New York and New Jersey court decisions that have held that similar rescissions were not allowed. And American Compensations argument about common law and other types of insurance does not apply.

Section 71-3-77(1) makes clear that workers compensation insurance policies differ from other insurance policies in an important waynamely, workers compensation insurance policies are governed by the MWCA and cannot provide for any remedy inconsistent with the compensation act, the justices wrote.

The sole question is whether the MWCA permits the remedy of voiding a policy based on an employers material misrepresentation. And to this question, we answer no, it does not, Justice Maxwell concluded.

The decision does not mean that ACIC cannot seek other remedies to address the misrepresentation, the court pointed out.

Justice Josiah Coleman dissented. He wrote that Mississippi has long recognized a robust common-law of contracts, predating the workers comp act. And because the workers compensation statute lacks clarity on this matter, common law should govern, he argued.

Topics Carriers Workers' Compensation Mississippi
Californias Workplace Violence Prevention Senate Bill 553, which is now in effect (July 1), requires businesses with exposure in the state to implement robust workplace violence prevention plans. SB 553, which modifies an existing California labor code, gives the states Division of Occupational Safety and Health the authority to enforce legislation addressing workplace violence planning, prevention and response.

SB553 goes into effect during a time of heightened risk. Political violence in the U.S. is at its highest point since the 1970s, and this years presidential election could trigger further violence. It is certainly an opportune time for businesses to acknowledge and prepare for the potential for violence in the workplace. But despite placing a clear responsibility on employers to develop these plans, the bill stops short of detailing what the plans should look like, and many businesses may find themselves unprepared as a result. With the deadline fast approaching, employers cant afford to wait any longer to figure this out.

What Does SB 553 Mean for California Businesses?



The bill requires California employers, across most industries, with 10 or more employees to develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention plan providing for, among other things: hazard identification, reporting, investigation and analysis; incident response (before, during and after); employee training; and identification of persons responsible for developing and implementing the plan.

There are a few exceptions to these requirements. For example, healthcare facilities are exempt because they are already covered under an existing requirement. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees also need not comply  unless their workplaces are publicly accessible (retail stores, for example), in which case they also need to be SB 553 compliant.

Finally, SB 553 does not apply to the settings in which remote employees work, as long as those settings are not selected or controlled by the business, such as a home office. But by and large, most California employers will be required to develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention plan.

While California is the first state to enact such a broad workplace violence prevention law, other states are considering similar legislation. There were more than 100 workplace violence bills introduced last year across 27 states, with a quarter of those bills enacted and half still pending, according to LexisNexis State Net Insights. Employers in all those states should also be watching the rollout of SB 553 closely, as they may soon find themselves with similar requirements.

What Are The Consequences of SB 553 Non-Compliance?

Well-timed to the political risk landscape though the bill may be, many businesses lack the expertise and resources to address SB 553. Cal/OSHA has released a model written workplace violence prevention plan, however this document only details what to do, not how to do it. The detail can be overwhelming, and businesses may decide that what they have in place is already robust enough, or they may opt to wait and see if they will get an extension. But non-compliance comes with some costly risks.

Indeed, fines under the law can be steep: up to $15,873 for General and Regulatory violations; up to $25,000 for serious violations; and up to $158,727 for willful and repeat violations. In addition, non-compliance could result in enhanced litigation risk as plaintiffs use the law as the basis for novel theories of workplace safety liability.

This enhanced legal exposure comes on top of the severe impact of workplace violence generally, which can be multifacetedwith far-reaching financial, reputational, and sometimes legal, consequences for impacted businesses.

What Can Businesses Do to Help Mitigate the Risks?

A workplace violence incident can have far-reaching impact, but it doesnt have to. Insurance companies, in addition to providing key coverages such as Deadly Weapons Protection and directors & officers, can help businesses bridge the knowledge gap when it comes to building a safer and more resilient workplace.

One way they can do this is by pairing expert risk management services alongside their insurance covers. Such services can provide businesses with access to valuable knowledge, insights, and resources as they develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs, including those required by SB 553. Given the stakes, businesses should work with their brokers to explore the insurance and risk management resources available to them.

Straker is U.S. focus group leader, political violence & deadly weapons protection, at Beazley. She is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Straker joined Beazley in 2014 to start up the U.S. stand-alone terrorism book.

Rizzo is product leader  U.S. D&O at Beazley. He is based in New York. Rizzo joined Beazley in 2010, with a specialty in D&O and employment practices liability for publicly traded and large private companies.

Topics California Commercial Lines Business Insurance
As we move into the second half of 2024, the markets lens has shifted from central banks to politics for now, with two pivotal elections taking place in the UK and France this week.

While polls suggest the UK election will yield a resounding victory for Labour, the outcome of the French election remains uncertain, with French president Emmanuel Macrons party trailing both left and right blocks after the first round.

Thus, political events could bring increased volatility on European markets in the coming week. In the run-up to the election, the French 10-year bond spread to the German bund, a measure of relative risk of French public debt, widened to the highest level since 2012.

However, this has fallen in the aftermath of the first round, and the euro has gained ground against the dollar, as initial analysis suggests the far-right will not win a majority in the run-off, with tactical voting possibly coming into play.

With a hung parliament a live possibility, the French political system could be set for a period of deadlock and instability, with neither block able to elect a prime minister immediately. In this scenario, Mr Macron may be able to form a government with elements of the centre-right and left, but this could come at the cost of unwinding of some of his signature policies, including the recent pension age reform.

Whatever the outcome, the next governments hands will be tied on fiscal policy.

Alongside six other countries, France has now entered an excessive deficit procedure (EDP) with the European Commission, which will require the Government to present a four-year plan to bring its deficit down.

At 5.5% of GDP in 2023 and forecast to decline only marginally in the coming years, the budget deficit is among the highest in the EU, while public debt is now above 110% of GDP.

Analysis of election manifestos suggests the economic plans both left and right would expand this deficit further, but markets would likely curtail excessive deficit spending. The Liz Truss mini budget highlights the limits of investor appetite to fund fiscal deficits underpinned by incoherent fiscal policy.

Amid the political noise, the past week has also been marked by relatively dovish commentary from European Central Bank members, including Bank of France governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau stating the disinflation process is on track despite a bumpy inflation profile.

Elsewhere, the Bank of Japan is coming under increasing pressure to hike rates further, as the yen broke through a 38-year low against the dollar last week, well beyond the levels which spurred a recent currency intervention.
His slicked-back hair, leather jacket and the cigarette dangling from his lips certainly help things along, but Hardy, 46, is something of a motorbike aficionado himself, with an impressive collection to his name.

Despite his comfort in the saddle, the relationship the fictional Vandals MC, the Chicago motorcycle club his character leads, has with their bikes is a world apart from Hardys.

I ride, and I can appreciate that world  Im competent enough to ride a bike, and I have bikes, says the Peaky Blinders actor.

But what it means to these gentlemen and women is quite different. I think its a completely different study for them, and a lifestyle  And then the lifestyle goes on its own journey from fun to hell.

In The Bikeriders, Hardy stars alongside Elviss Austin Butler and Killing Eves Jodie Comer to paint an intimate portrait of the rise and fall of Americas notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs.

Set in 1960s Chicago, the film follows Butlers Benny, the newest member of the Vandals, and Comers Kathy, who finds herself inexplicably drawn to Benny after a chance meeting in a bar.

With the enigmatic Johnny at the helm, we watch as the motorcycle club begins to evolve from a gathering place for local outsiders and bike enthusiasts to a fearsome, violent criminal gang.

Kathy tells her story of her time alongside the Vandals to Danny Lyon  played by Challengers star Mike Faist  a photographer who, in real life, spent several years as a member of the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club and documented them in his 1968 photobook The Bikeriders, which inspired filmmaker Nichols.

In order to paint an immersive picture of the world of mid-century Midwest motorcycle clubs, which existed during a time of tumultuous political, economic and social change in America, Nichols says it was essential to source motorbikes that were period correct  no mean feat.

The first part was just getting the bikes, collecting them  theres not a bike in this movie, Im very proud to say, that isnt period correct to the moment, says the 45-year-old writer-director, who also directed 2011s Take Shelter starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain. But there are sacrifices you make as a result of that, he adds.

And there are things that you ask of your actors as a result of that  to Toms credit, hes sitting on a bike that doesnt have real brakes, in front of 40 other bikes that dont have real brakes.

Each one is about 60-plus years old, isnt it? says Hardy.

So, already, youre troubleshooting  You need to understand how it works, really, to get it back up and running. So at a very basic level, if it stops, then youre kind of out of the shot.

And then with the setups, if I might speak on your sort of world, he nods to Nichols, you have to make sure that you have small bite-sized chunks and enough time in the schedule allocated to get as many of these things out.

But its not all roaring engines and motorcycle set pieces  The Bikeriders is also a character story, exploring how Benny, Johnny and the rest of the Vandals react when mercenary interlopers involve the club in drug trafficking, gambling, murder for hire and open warfare with rival gangs.

Thrill-seeking Benny is everything that both Johnny and Kathy want, albeit for different reasons: Kathy and Benny marry quickly, and while she needs him to quit the biker life, Johnny  whom he sees as something of a father figure  wants him to take over the gang as leader.

With Johnny edging towards something of an epiphany about the trajectory of his life, and of the clubs, Hardy reflects on the times when films and media have opened his eyes to new approaches and ways of thinking.

I steal from people all the time! he admits. Like, thats part of the job. I dont think anythings original, there isnt an original story. So of course, Im a collage. My work is a collage of opinions, people, places and things that I just throw up on myself.

Ive had epiphanies like that, adds Nichols. A few times in my life. But I think the biggest was (watching) the David Lean film Lawrence of Arabia. It got released when I was in fourth grade, and I got to see a seven millimetre print of it. I didnt know what was going on in the movie, necessarily, but I knew something was happening. And it kind of changed the trajectory of things for me.

Its clear how the sensation of experiencing a movie, of letting it wash over you and take you along for the ride, has influenced Nichols approach to creating The Bikeriders.

By its very nature, being based on a series of photographs, the film is designed to be visually tactile, immersing audiences in the world of 1960s motorcycle clubs.

As Nichols says: Its a feeling. Ive spent three months doing press trying to explain it to people, but I just made a movie, and I should just tell them to watch it! he says. Its nostalgic. Its cool. Its dangerous. Its infuriating, frustrating, hilarious  all these emotions came out. Because Danny really captured a pretty wide breadth of humanity in this book, so I just wanted to do it justice.

The Bikeriders is in cinemas now.
Legendary musician Stevie Nicks, Oscar winner Julia Roberts and Swift's boyfriend Kanas City Chief star Travis Kelce were among those in the crowd for Taylor Swift's third and final concert at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday evening.

Swift dedicated her performance of 'Clara Bow', a track she performed live for the first time in Dublin on Sunday to the Fleetwood Mac superstar who she called her 'hero'.

"The reason I want to play this tonight is because a friend of mine is here who is watching the show and who has really been one of the reasons why I or any female artist gets to do what we get to do. She's paved the way for us. And she's mentored so many artists. Swift said Nicks has been a guiding hand to artists.

I can't tell you how rare that is, she added.

She's a hero of mine and also someone that I can tell her any secret and she would never tell anybody. She's really helped me through so much over the years.

 | Stevie Nicks and Julia Roberts are at the show! #DublinTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/pCkpBhKZrt  Taylor Swift Updates (@TSwiftLA) June 30, 2024

Julia Roberts was also seen in the VIP tent exchanging friendship bracelets with fans, while Travis Kelce was jamming out to the second half of Swift's show, getting a special mention on the closing song 'Karma'.

"Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me."

Swift told fans tonight's show meant The Eras Tour was the first tour to ever sell out the Aviva Stadium venue three nights in a row.

The 34-year-old went on to say that far from being tired on the third night, nights one and two were just warm-up shows for you.

Ireland embraced the excitement of the stars visit with a beach transformed into a large-scale artwork reading Ireland (Taylors version) as a nod to her ongoing re-recordings of her albums.

Even Taoiseach Simon Harris appeared to flirt with Swiftmania, joking he had a bone to pick with Swift over the lyrics of her Sweet Nothings hit  which mention lifting a pebble from a beach in his home county Wicklow.

Travis Kelce and Julia Roberts in atendence at Sunday's Taylor Swift concert in the Aviva.

He also shared on Instagram on Saturday that he had received his first Swiftie friendship bracelet at a service station in Ballinaleck.

Thousands of fans filled the Aviva for three sold-out concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There was also a nod to Ireland during a rendition of her chart-topper We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, when her dancer Kameron N Saunders jumped in to quip bleedin eejit.

On Friday night, Saunders said Pog mo thoin  a cheeky Irish-language phrase meaning kiss my ass, and on Saturday he said The Neck of Ye, where Swift would usually say Like Ever in the recorded edition of the hit. For tonight's show, it was 'Bleeding eejit'.

Swift later in the concert pondered which of her Eras was the most Irish, continuing the she believes it is her album Folklore.

She recalled starting to write the song two days into the pandemic; when she created an imaginary world living in a cabin in a really green and mossy landscape, very Irish, adding the album is all about story telling and you guys are gifted story tellers.
One lucky Cork girl was chosen to receive a very special gift at the Eras tour on Sunday night  a signed hat worn by Taylor Swift herself.

Eight-year-old Clara OSullivan, from Ladysbridge, attended the sold-out show in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with her family after she was given the tickets for her Holy Communion.

Her aunt Stephanie Skierka told 96FMs PJ Coogan that they were all going crazy during the show when a woman on Swifts team approached them and asked Clara to come with her.

Clara was like, Where are we going? and she was like, Well see. And they literally took her up to the stage.

Her favourite song came on and she got the hat. It was such an incredible experience for her, and for us.

Clara was chosen to join a small cohort of children who are brought right up to the stage during Swifts performance of her hit song '22', from the 2012 album Red. The hat is signed by the singer for each performance, with her name, the location and the year.

As well as receiving the hat, Clara also received a big hug from the star and a high five - and she even got to give the superstar one of her friendship bracelets.

Stephanie and Clara say they have no idea how she was chosen out of the thousands of other fans in attendance.

Stephanie Skierka and Clara O'Sullivan after the lucky girl was chosen to receive Taylor Swift's hat at Sunday's show

Were kind of starstruck even now til this morning. It was the most randomest [sic] picking ever but shes just so grateful, Stephanie said.

She was going crazy, to be fair. She was giving it her all through the whole concert. Clara told PJ they were dancing their heads off when she was approached but had no clue what was happening.

Then everyone was screaming and I just got the hat, she said.

The eight-year-old said the hat would not be going into a glass case and that she would be wearing it around the town to show all her friends.

Sunday night was the last of three sold-out shows by the American popstar in Ireland, who now brings her Eras tour to the Netherlands, before moving on to other dates in Europe and finishing up in Canada.
Women aged between 32 - 35 will now be able to access free contraception following an announcement by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

It comes amid the expansion of the Free Contraception Scheme which is now set to include women between the ages of 17 - 35.

The service also covers the cost of consultations with GPs, family planning, student health and primary care centres. Women can also avail of prescriptions for a range of contraceptive options on the HSE Re-Imbursement List.

The scheme is open to women, girls, and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors.

There has been a high level of demand for the scheme since it was initially introduced in September 2022 for women aged between 17 - 25. The scheme has subsequently been expanded in phases to include women up to 35.

Mr Donnelly welcomed the expansion of the initiative.

Almost 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies offer services under the scheme, with more than 189,000 women accessing these services in 2023. Supported by approximately 48m in funding for 2024, were now in a position to extend these services to women aged 32 - 35.

"We know that many women in this age group may be planning to start families, with 33 years being the average age to give birth. However, it is important that we continue to support women in providing equitable access to services that allow them to control their reproductive health, avoid unintended pregnancies, and to use hormonal contraceptives to treat adverse symptoms of periods.

Further information regarding both free prescription contraception and the National Condom Distribution Service is available on the website www.sexualwellbeing.ie. Information on the site is regularly updated and provides full details of how to access the scheme.
The Defence Forces upper management is to be overhauled by Government in a move that will see the army, air corps, and naval service become separate services.

New plans from Tanaiste Micheal Martin will see the creation of a new Chief of Defence role to oversee all three newly-separate branches of the Defence Forces at a strategic level.

It is understood the plan could go to Cabinet as early as Tuesday, with the proposals first due to be raised at a meeting on Monday between Mr Martin, Taoiseach Simon Harris, and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan.

The radical overhaul was first proposed in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, published in 2023, but comes at a time when the services are under renewed scrutiny following the case of Cathal Crotty, who received a suspended sentence for an attack on Limerick woman Natasha OBrien.

The new Chief of Defence would replace the existing Chief of Staff position and be supported by a Vice Chief of Defence within a new Defence Forces headquarters.

The army, air corps, and naval service will each have their own headquarters, with an individual service chief running each branch.

It is understood the memo details that the main focus of the plan is to ensure transparency and accountability in the Defence Forces, with the reforms due to bring the military more in line with forces of other democracies.

Under the proposals, the new Chief of Defence would be required to prepare and submit an annual defence plan detailing how the forces are implementing the Governments priorities on defence matters.

The Council of Defence will be abolished as part of the new legislation, as it has not been convened since the 1980s. Currently, the junior defence minister is a member, but they have no delegated roles on defence matters.

The new Chief of Defence will be directly accountable to the minister for defence, and there will be no structural changes at the existing department.

Government sources insisted the plan was not in response to the Crotty sentencing or other incidents involving members of the Defence Forces that have come to light, and that the seeds were sown after the recommendations within the commission.

Mr Martin said on Friday that his proposals would help bring about the cultural change in the Defence Forces.

The Tanaiste also confirmed last week that any serving member of the Defence Forces would be taken off active service if accused of sexual assault or rape.

It comes after he received a report from Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, which showed that 68 serving members of the Defence Forces have been convicted of a crime in the last three years or are currently before the courts.

Less than a third of these cases have concluded, and most are still before the courts. Suffice to say that some of the cases are very grave and serious, he said.

Mr Martin has appointed senior counsel Peter Ward to undertake an independent examination of the administration of such cases by the Defence Forces.
The family of Irishman Mick Ryan, who died in a Boeing 737 MAX crash along with 156 others, has vigorously condemned the US government which looks set to offer the global plane maker another sweetheart plea deal.

The terms of a new deal, which include a fine, three years probation, and independent safety audits, were outlined during a briefing call with the US Department of Justice on Sunday night.

Words cannot express how devastating this plea deal is for our family and for all the victims families, Mick Ryans wife, Naoise Connolly Ryan, and his mother, Christine Ryan, said in a joint statement.

They accused the US Department of Justice of gaslighting them over the last three and a half years. They said:

They first told us we were not crime victims and we had no rights. We fought them in court and we won.

Ever since Mick Ryan, deputy chief engineer at the UN World Food Programme, was killed in March 2019, his family has been looking for justice. But his widow and mother say their efforts have been blocked every step of the way, not only by Boeing but by those at the US justice department.

They now tell us that the 346 lives lost  in two fatal crashes six month apart  are not relevant to this case and therefore there is no accountability for their deaths, they told the Irish Examiner.

They call all of this justice. This is not justice, this is just an extension of the secret sweetheart deal that Boeing got in 2021 under the Trump administration.

Under that deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, Boeing was exempted from criminal charges as long as it fulfilled its commitment to safety. However, it was found to be in breach of that agreement after a narrowly averted disaster last January when a door plug on an Air Alaska 737 MAX blew out mid-air.

In May, relatives said they had renewed hope when the US justice department found Boeing had breached the deal. It informed the company that it could face criminal charges.

After Sunday nights briefing call with the department, however, Naoise Connolly Ryan said it was clear that Boeing would, again, be let off the hook:

This is an attempt by Bidens Department of Justice to whitewash what was a blatant miscarriage of justice in the first place and to wash their hands of any wrongdoing.

"But we will not give up on our fight for justice, she said.

Boeing has until Friday to accept the deal and plead guilty, or face criminal charges.

Meanwhile, Erin Applebaum, a US attorney who represents 34 families who lost loved ones on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, said relatives vigorously opposed the shameful new sweetheart deal between Boeing and the Department of Justice.

While falsely depicting itself as a punishment for Boeing since it includes a guilty plea, the deal levies a negligible fine, imposes a monitor for just three years, allows Boeing to hand-select that monitor, and most egregiously, completely fails to mention or recognise the dignity of the 346 people murdered by Boeings negligence, Applebaum said.

UN World Food Programme worker Mick Ryan died in a Boeing crash along with 156 others in March 2019. His wife Naoise Connolly Ryan and mother, Christine Ryan, say the US has effectively extended a sweetheart deal brokered under the Trump administration.

When there is inevitably another Boeing crash and the Department of Justice seeks to assign blame, they will have nowhere else to look but in the mirror, she said.

There was no comment from Boeing or the US Department of Justice.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said Tanaiste Micheal Martin had engaged with the US Government on a number of occasions to request that the rights of victims be upheld and that full accountability is demonstrated, most recently last month.

"The Tanaiste continues to monitor the latest developments in this legal case," the spokesperson said.
A Government decision on extra State funding for the Cork event centre is due very soon, the former finance minister Michael McGrath has said.

It is understood that with the Dail rising for the summer recess on July 11, a decision could be announced within the next two weeks.

There are suggestions that an additional 30m in state funding could be required.

Following Mr McGraths nomination to the EU Commission last week, and Simon Coveneys decision to step down from Cabinet earlier this year, Tanaiste Micheal Martin is the last Cork-based senior cabinet member with a role in the decision on whether to approve additional funding for the long-stalled project, which had its sod turned in 2016 but where construction has yet to start.

Speaking at the opening of a new education centre in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork on Friday, Mr McGrath confirmed that a decision on the extra funding is imminent.

Extensive contact

The file is still being actively managed, he said.

We have had extensive contact with Cork City Council because they have been the party doing the negotiations with Bam and Live Nation.

It sits within the department of housing at the moment, at Government level.

They have carried out their own due diligence and need to be satisfied in relation to certain aspects of the project and ensure it is fully compliant with all of the normal rules and procedures that you would expect.

I am very confident that Government will make a decision very shortly.

I do expect a decision in the next few weeks  I would anticipate in July.

Asked if any penalties could be applied to contractors who overrun on the time allocated for large state-funded capital projects, he said each contract is a standalone contractual arrangement.

The site of the proposed Cork Event Centre on South Main Street, Cork stills remains undeveloped even though the sod-turning happened back in 2016. Picture: Larry Cummins

There are EU and national rules when it comes to procurement and there are circumstances where you are allowed to take into account track record, where track record has been demonstrably verified, he said.

That is a complex and quite a legalistic area.

But in general, each contract is dealt with on its own terms.

This arrangement involving Bam, Live Nation, Cork City Council and the Government is one that has developed over a long number of years.

It is a complex arrangement.

One of the concept designs for the event centre. Picture: Populous

Financial commitment

There will, subject to a Government decision, need to be formal agreements entered into and signed, including with a very significant financial commitment.

The government wants to see the project happen.

We are very much supportive of it, but we have to ensure when you are spending public money that you do so in the proper manner.

Its more than eight years since the sod was turned on the event centre site on the former Beamish and Crawford land on South Main St, just weeks before the 2016 general election.

Building work on the proposed 6,000-capacity venue has yet to start.

An initial 20m state aid package was on offer, but that has increased over the years to 57m by last year.

Following a detailed design process by Bam last year, Cork City Council prepared and submitted a detailed report for the department of housing on the additional costs required to build the venue.

Bam and Live Nation are also expected to increase their investment in the project.
At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole.

In return, they must join the fight against Russia.

You can put an end to this and start a new life, said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion.

The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You wont succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.

A Ukrainian military instructor of Arey Battalion checks weapons of convict prisoners (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Ukraine is expanding conscription to cope with acute battlefield shortages, more than two years into fighting against Russias full-scale invasion.

Its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the countrys prison population.

Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems, as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward.

More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilisation bill last month, Ukrainian deputy justice minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press.

About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new programme, according to justice ministry estimates.

A military instructor demonstrates how to use a grenade launcher on a rifle (Evgeniy Maloletka)

A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison, Ms Vysotska said.

Ernest Volvach, 27, wants to take up the offer. He is serving a two-year sentence for robbery, at the penal colony in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region. He works in the kitchen, ladling of food into tin bowls.

Its stupid to sit here doing nothing, he said, adding that since the start of the war he has wanted to do something for Ukraine and have the opportunity to enlist. Now its appeared.

Ukrainian soldiers on active duty are typically identified only by their first name, or a call sign, for security reasons. Many of the inmates at the Dnipropetrovsk penal colony also asked to be identified only by their first names to avoid difficulties if they enlist.

Another inmate, 30, who gave his name only as Volodymyr, makes rivets at a penal colony workshop. He said he plans to volunteer after his sentence ends in one year, but would not do so now because there is effectively no home leave under the parole programme.

Prisoners in the Dnipropetrovsk region (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Prisoners can get the conditional release after an interview, medical exam, and a review of their conviction. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murdering two or more people or crimes against Ukraines national security are not eligible.

Ukrainian officials are keen to draw a distinction between their programme and recruitment in Russia of convicts to serve in the notorious Wagner mercenary group.

Those fighters typically have been funnelled to the deadliest battles, the officials say, but the Ukrainian programme aims to integrate the inmates into regular Ukrainian frontline units.

The country has a prison population of some 42,000, according to figures forwarded by the government to the European Union.

After screening, paroled inmates are rushed to basic training at camps where they learn how to handle weapons and other combat fundamentals. Training is completed later once they join the individual units.

Paroled inmate Mykhailo, 29, joined an assault course and said it was hard to keep up with the physical demands after months of relative inactivity in prison  clambering in and out of armed personnel carriers and running through obstacle courses.

I decided to sign up for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army because I have a family at home, children, parents, he said, speaking over the noise of gunfire at a shooting range. I will be more useful in the war.

Ms Vysotska said interest in the military parole programme has exceeded early expectations, and that it could provide as many as 5,000 new recruits. That would definitely help, she said.
The Supreme Courts ruling on Monday in former US president Donald Trumps 2020 election interference case makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington ahead of the November election.

In a 6-3 ruling, the justices said former presidents are shielded from prosecution for official acts but do not have immunity for unofficial acts.

The Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court to determine whether core aspects of the indictment are unofficial versus official, and therefore potentially shielded from prosecution.

Here is what to know about the ruling and what comes next:

 The opinion

In the courts majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that while the president is not above the law he also may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers. Therefore, Mr Trump is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts, Mr Roberts wrote.

The ruling means that special counsel Jack Smith cannot proceed with core allegations in the indictment  or must at least defend their use in future proceedings before the trial judge.

Members of the Supreme Court sit for a group portrait in Washington (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

The justices, for instance, wiped out Mr Smiths use of allegations that Mr Trump sought to leverage the investigative power of the Justice Department by ordering investigations into claims of voter fraud.

It does not matter, the justices said, if the requested investigations were based on sham allegations or based on an improper purpose. At the end of the day, the court said, the president cannot be prosecuted for conduct within his exclusive constitutional authority.

The justices said the lower court must carefully analyse whether other allegations involve official conduct for which the president would be immune from prosecution.

Among the issues for further analysis is Mr Trumps relentless badgering of then-vice president Mike Pence not to certify the electoral votes on January 6 2021. The justices said it was ultimately the governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity in Mr Trumps interactions with Mr Pence and sent the question back to US district court judge Tanya Chutkan.

 The fake electors scheme

The justices also directed additional fact-finding on one of the more stunning allegations in the indictment  that Mr Trump had participated in a scheme orchestrated by allies to enlist fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden who would falsely attest that Mr had won in those states.

The Trump team had argued that the selection of alternate electors was in keeping with Mr Trumps presidential interest in the integrity and administration of the federal elections and cited as precedent an episode from 1876 in which the president Ulysses Grant sent federal troops to Louisiana and Mississippi to ensure that Republican electors got certified in those two cases.

The Smith team, by contrast, portrayed the fake elector scheme as a purely private action that implied no presidential duty.

The conservative justices in their majority opinion did not answer the question as to which side was right, instead saying that determining whose characterisation may be correct, and with respect to which conduct, requires a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations.

Unlike Mr Trumps interactions with the Justice Department, the justices said, this alleged conduct cannot be neatly categorised as falling within a particular presidential function. The necessary analysis is instead fact specific, requiring assessment of numerous alleged interactions with a wide variety of state officials and private persons.

People protest outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on Monday (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

 Trial timing

The ruling makes it nearly impossible that a trial could be held before voters decide whether to send Mr Trump back to the White House.

No pre-trial preparations have taken place for more than six months since Judge Chutkan put the case on hold in December to allow Mr Trump to pursue his appeal. Judge Chutkan had indicated she is likely to give the two sides at least three months to get ready for trial once the case returns to her court.

That had left the door open to the case potentially going to trial before the election if the Supreme Court  like the lower courts  had ruled that Mr Trump was not immune from prosecution.

With the Supreme Courts ruling, however, the case could be tied up for months with legal wrangling over whether Mr Trumps conduct was official or unofficial.

 The dissenters

The three liberal justices  Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson  sharply criticised the majoritys opinion in scathing dissents. In her minority opinion, Ms Sotomayor expressed fear for our democracy and said the ruling wrongly insulates presidents as a king above the law.

The dissenting justices said the majority decision makes presidents immune from prosecution for acts such as ordering Navy seals to assassinate a political rival, organising a military coup to hold on to power or accepting a bribe in exchange for a pardon.

Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the president and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law, Ms Sotomayor wrote.

In a separate dissenting opinion,Ms Jackson said the majoritys ruling breaks new and dangerous ground.

Stated simply: The court has now declared for the first time in history that the most powerful official in the United States can (under circumstances yet to be fully determined) become a law unto himself, Ms Jackson wrote.

Special counsel Jack Smith (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

 Trumps other cases

Mr Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts in his hush money trial in New York and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. Each count of falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars, but there is no guarantee he will get prison time. Other possibilities include fines or probation.

It seems almost certain that Mr Trumps two other criminal cases will not go to trial before the election.

An appeals court recently halted Mr Trumps Georgia 2020 election interference case while it reviews the lower court judges ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case. No trial date had been set in that case.

Mr Trump was supposed to go to trial in May in the other case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, over classified documents found at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House. But US district judge Aileen Cannon cancelled the trial date as the case got bogged down with legal issues. She has yet to schedule a new one.
The outcome of the election is not a forgone conclusion and the decision of a small number of voters could swing it away from a huge Labour majority, Rishi Sunak is to say.

The British Prime Minister will urge wavering Tory voters to stick with his party in a speech during the final 48 hours of the General Election campaign.

Multiple opinion polls have suggested the Labour party is on course for a huge majority in Parliament following the election.

The Conservatives have dubbed this an unaccountable supermajority, in a bid to dissuade voters who would usually back them from switching to rival political parties.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talked to staff during a visit to Well Healthcare Supplies a pharmaceutical packing and distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Speaking in Oxfordshire, the Prime Minister will say: The outcome of this election is not a foregone conclusion. If just 130,000 people switch their vote and lend us their support, we can deny Starmer that supermajority.

Mr Sunaks reference to those switching away from Labour refers to an analysis by the Times newspaper of a YouGov poll, which highlights the partys wide but shallow voter coalition.

He added: Just think about that: you have the power to use your vote to prevent an unchecked Labour government.

So, we must redouble our efforts in these final days and deliver the strongest Conservative voice in the next parliament.

We are fighting for the future of our country and every door we knock on, every leaflet we deliver and every call we do will make a difference.

You have the power to use your vote to prevent an unchecked Labour government

The British Prime Minister is expected to claim that Conservative MPs will act as local champions for their constituents, who can be your voice, represent your values and stand up for you.

He will also say more Tory MPs would help to prevent Labour from rewriting the rules so that they can stay in power for decades, pointing to Labours proposals to extend the voting franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds as among the moves which could entrench the partys voter base.

Mr Sunak will add: 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.

Between now and Thursday, we have got to get the message out to people that we Conservatives will stand up for you and make sure your voice is heard, your values represented.

A Labour spokesperson said: A vote for anyone but Labour risks the British public waking up to desperate Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister on July 5.

If people are fed up of the chaos, division, and decline under the Tories, Thursday is their chance to reject it and embrace a decade of national renewal with Keir Starmer.

The choice at this election is clear: five more years of Conservative chaos with 4,800 more on your mortgage, or the chance to rebuild Britain with a changed Labour Party.

Change with Labour will only happen if people vote for it on Thursday July 4.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu once again rejected the Biden peace deal on Sunday, vowing complete victory. After Bidens performance in the debate last Thursday, Netanyahu is apparently more assured than ever that he can defy Biden without facing any consequences. The woolly-mindedness of the president in turn perhaps helps account for Bidens strange passivity and insouciance in the face of Israels war crimes, and in the face of Netanyahus impudence toward his superpower patron, given that Bibi rebuffed Bidens plan without hesitation from the beginning.

Despite Netanyahus bluster, and no one is better at bluster than he, there isnt any evidence that his goals are realistic, as the Israeli army spokesman recently admitted.

The Israeli military has pummeled the Gaza Strip since last October, subjecting it to heavy air strikes and artillery fire. It has destroyed the majority of domiciles and inflicted heavy damage on civilian infrastructure.

The Israeli military is now involved in a land invasion of North Gaza, from which troops had withdrawn, declaring Hamas defeated there. Hamas has not been defeated there.

The Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports a truly remarkable statistic: Various areas of the Gaza Strip witnessed intense battles, inasmuch as violent clashes broke out between brigades of the Resistance [Hamas] and the forces of the Israeli army in pivotal points of the attack. The Resistance has implemented during the past 24 hours 4 operations involving entering into clashes, and bombarding [with rocket and mortar fire?] assemblages of military equipment and Israeli forces.

If the Israeli military is still fighting intense battles with Hamas in North Gaza after nearly 9 months and if Hamas is still able to pull off 4 operations in 24 hours, it underlines how unrealistic Netanyahus objective of wiping out Hamas by planes and tanks really is.

Actually, Hamas leaders have said they would disband if a Palestinian state were granted. That should be easy. A Palestinian state was granted by the terms of Oslo in 1993. Israel would just have to stop reneging on all the pledges it made then.

The story on Sunday was Israels intensification of its bombardment of the Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza City, which lies east of the city center and once had a population of some 100,000 people (about the size of Fayetteville, Arkansas) and was the site of the Strips biggest market for clothing and household goods. Israeli warplanes launched several strikes on the neighborhood.

Al Jazeera English Video: Israeli assault on Gazas Shujayea continues as civilians remain trapped in panic

Woman in Shujaiya: The Israeli soldiers stormed our home and threw gas bombs all over the ground floor and stun grenades. They smashed the door and opened fire on us. We kept screaming that we are all women and children. We raised white flags but no response. The Israeli soldiers kept shooting and shouting at us nonstop.  Al Jazeera.

Likewise, Israeli armor pummeled Tel al-Sultan in the west of Rafah, as well as two districts in the east of Khan Younis. Some 48 corpses and 111 wounded were received by hospitals in a 24 hour period.

Since, as Biden admitted, Netanyahu has personal reasons for wanting to prolong the Gaza war, and since on the evidence of his performance last Thursday, Biden can probably no longer understand the geopolitical damage being done to the United States by Israels Gaza campaign, there is little hope that the intense bombardment of the Strip will cease any time soon, or that the aftermath will be wisely arranged (Netanyahu refuses to give specifics of the day after lest doing so lead to further pressure to end the campaign).
Liberia's president may be moving to get a long-awaited war crimes court up and running but he already faces criticism over his choice for a key post at the tribunal.

The row is a fresh reminder that justice for victims of the country's civil wars remains still a long way off.

President Joseph Boakai signed a decree on May 2 creating an office responsible for setting up the court to judge war crimes, after years of international and domestic pressure.

But in late June, he appointed lawyer Jonathan Massaquoi to head up the process.

It was Massaquoi who represented former president Charles Taylor's ex-wife against war crimes accusations.

And when Agnes Reeves Taylor sued defenders of the victims of war crimes for defamation, he was also her lawyer in that case.

Massaquoi also defended former rebel commander Gibril Massaquoi, a Sierra Leonean with no relation jailed by a Swiss court for 20 years in 2023 for a string of murders, rapes and acts of torture that he or rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) carried out in Liberia between 1999 and 2003.

- Charged, then released -

The West African nation's two civil wars left an estimated 250,000 people dead between 1989 and 2003 and resulted in massacres, mutilation, rape and cannibalism.

Reeves Taylor was arrested in Britain, where she was living, in 2017.

She was charged there with torture for her alleged participation in atrocities committed by Charles Taylor's group, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), during the first civil war.

But she was released in 2019 after a court decided to dismiss the charges against her.

Among the rights activists Reeves Taylor targeted in her defamation action was Hassan Bility, director of the NGO Global Justice and Research.

He told AFP the case had yet to be resolved. Asked about Massaquoi's appointment to the tribunal, he said: "We do not think that the pains of the victims should be commercialised in any way or form."

Peterson Sonyah, head of the Liberian Massacre Survivors Association, was also unhappy.

"It hurts me to see those who fought against us war victims in court going to spearhead a position at the war crimes special court of Liberia," he said. "We feel hurt."

It showed a complete lack of respect for the activists who had pushed so hard over the years to get the tribunal set up.

Massaquoi did not respond to requests for comment from AFP.

- Convictions abroad -

President Boakai has said the process would bring "justice and closure to the scars and memories" from the "senseless" conflicts.

But rights groups, while welcoming recent moves to get the tribunal off the ground, have stressed in a report to the UN that much remains to be done.

They have pointed out, for example, that Boakai has so far made no provision for the awarding of reparations to victims.

While no trials have taken place within Liberia, a number of convictions have been secured abroad.

Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in neighbouring Sierra Leone, and is serving his sentence in the United Kingdom.

But he has not been prosecuted for his actions in Liberia.

A number of accused warlords remain influential in their communities.

One of the most prominent of these is the senator Prince Johnson, once filmed in a video sipping beer while his men tortured then-president Samuel Doe to death in 1990.

The country's Vice-President Jeremiah Koung is a known ally of Prince Johnson.

Johnson in April endorsed a parliamentary resolution in favour of a court, which he had previously opposed.

But he quickly backtracked, warning that enforcing the establishment of such a court was "looking for trouble in the country".
On June 25 the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian defence minister, and leading Russian general Valery Gerasimov, for war crimes and crimes against humanity for directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine. This move follows two earlier arrest warrant applications for other senior Russian commanders for the same allegations, more specifically attacks against the power grid. It's part of the larger puzzle that this [ICC] prosecutor isn't focusing on low-hanging fruit, says Janina Dill, professor of global security at Oxford university. He's going after conduct of hostilities and he's going after the top of the chain of command.

Judges found there were "reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure" between October 10, 2022, and at least March 9, 2023. Russia has repeatedly said Ukraine's energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target and denies targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. But according to ICC judges, there were reasonable grounds to believe the strikes targeted mostly civilian objects.

Lidiia Volkova, a lead legal adviser at Global Rights Compliance (GRC), an NGO working in Ukraine alongside the office of the prosecutor general, says most of the attacks took place in cold season, when the civilian population generally is more dependent on electricity supply. According to her, some cases reviewed by GRC specialists contained information according to which energy supply at least in certain power plants was used only by civilians.

Civilian vs military objects

If they can show that these electrical facilities were civilian objects, that they weren't being used for military purposes at all, then it should be relatively straightforward that it would violate the principle in international humanitarian law of distinction, says Adil Haque, professor of international law at Rutgers University. Haque notes that ICC prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking warrants both for directing attacks against civilian objects, which is a violation of distinction, and, barring that, disproportionate attacks. This means Khan intends to show that these were not dual use [military and civilian] objects, that these electrical facilities were not contributing in an effective and significant way to Ukraine's war effort and damaging or destroying them would not have yielded definite military advantage. But if necessary the prosecutor has an argument in the alternative, which is that even if some of these facilities were military objectives, the foreseeable harm to civilians would have rendered the attacks excessive.

ICC judges have indeed considered that "for those installations that may have qualified as military objectives at the relevant time, the expected incidental civilian harm and damage would have been clearly excessive to the anticipated military advantage", making the attacks war crimes. Volkova points out that in different regions of Ukraine civilians were left without electricity from several hours to days, which also affected water and heating supplies, public transportation, as well as the work of health services.

What proves proportionality?

This is where it gets tough, explains Dill. For these dual targets, Khan needs to establish that these attacks criminally violated the principle of proportionality. He would then have to engage in a quite difficult task of saying: what is the reasonably anticipated military advantage from this strike? And what is the reasonably anticipated civilian harm? For civilian harm, particularly when it comes to power plants, it raises another very interesting question, because it may not be that these civilian casualties from the strike itself are clearly excessive. But that in order to come to a judgement of a clearly excessive, anticipated civilian harm, you have to take into account a sort of second order effect of the strike, Dill says. For instance, for a power plant in the middle of winter, such effect would be that vulnerable civilians will die because they can't heat their rooms, because hospitals are out of power, etc.

One relevant element Volkova says the judges may consider is that the Russian Federation was targeting power generation as well as its distribution networks all over the territory of Ukraine and, usually, very far from the frontlines. Therefore, she says, it can be deduced that the main goals of the attacks were to cause damage to civilian infrastructure, energy distribution, and diminish public morale.

No successful legal precedent

The UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) set up in the 1990s also had some cases on conduct of hostilities. But none alleging excessive civilian harm held up on appeal. Never before has an international court actually laid out precisely what is a proportional amount of incidental civilian harm. We have actually no judgement on proportionality that has withstood appeal, Dill reckons, because of the difficulty of determining that civilian harm is clearly excessive to the military advantage.

In short, proportionality is hard to prove, says Eitan Diamond, manager and senior legal expert at the International Humanitarian Law Centre, in Jerusalem. In order to be able to assert that somebody committed those crimes, you have to know what they knew about the target they wanted to attack, he explains.

Dill agrees that there's this idea that certain [war] crimes are harder to prosecute than others. For example she says for some actions during a war, there isn't any context in which that conduct is ever legal: like sexual violence, hostage-taking, abusing a prisoner. So these seem to be easier to prosecute than, for instance, conduct of hostilities crimes where the conduct itself is usually an attack and an attack itself isn't illegal. Proportionality particularly falls in that category. In order to establish an illegality, never mind criminality, you need a lot of contextual information.

Clearly disproportionate

There is a fair bit of consensus on what an illegal, disproportionate attack looks like, but that extra question of what is it that actually makes it criminally disproportionate, we just really don't know, says Dill.

The ICC itself is governed by the Rome Statute which also added the word clearly when describing what constitutes a criminally disproportionate attack. And so there's even a question whether we should understand that as meaning there's a higher bar under the Rome Statute to qualify a disproportionate attack compared to customary international law or the ICTY, Dills continues. The fact that the prosecutor is going for these conduct of hostility crimes first means that he is not shying away from prosecuting that which is supposedly hard to prosecute. But in some sense, there's a lot of room for him to develop the doctrine and our understanding of what it actually looks like to wage war in a manner that is illegal and criminal, particularly what an attack where the anticipated collateral damage is clearly excessive in relation to the military advantage looks like.

Implications on the Israel/Palestine situation

So far in the Israel/Palestine investigation, also at the ICC, the prosecutor has focused on other crimes: hostage-taking by Hamas and starvation by the Israeli side. But the Ukraine arrest warrants could also serve as templates for further charges against senior Hamas or Israeli officials. Haque cautions of some obstacles though. Again, it's not enough to see the consequences on the ground. You need to be able to attribute conduct to a particular party in the armed conflict, and then up the chain of command to a defendant who is worth going after. So even if a rocket falls within Israel, the prosecutor still needs to know if it was fired by Hamas or Islamic Jihad or some other group and then work up the chain of command.

Diamond speculates that there could also be more evidence coming from soldiers to speak out about what they did. He believes that it won't be possible to build a comprehensive case in relation to the vast majority of the attacks but that there will be some significant evidence that the decision to attack certain civilian objects had clear ramifications for civilians that should have been foreseen, and that it suggested that there was a disregard for these basic principles that are supposed to regulate the conduct of hostilities. He is specifically mentioning reports on the artificial intelligence supplied targeting systems, which have been denied by the Israeli authorities. If they are true, that the system was designed in such a way that it would identify as a target an individual in circumstances where it was foreseen that it would also kill tens of people around that individual, if those kinds of incidents arent recognised as a violation of the principle of proportionality, then I really don't understand what the principle is.

We may still expect more to come for Israel-Palestine, believes Dill. At minimum, we know that the ICC prosecutor doesn't think conduct hostility crimes are too difficult to prosecute. That is actually clear at this point.
Netflix introduced the intriguing political K-drama "The Whirlwind," headlined by award-winning stars Kim Hee Ae and Sol Kyung Gu, as they depict the conflict between the country's top leaders.

The 12-episode K-drama highlights South Korea's Prime Minister Park Dong Ho (Sol Kyung Gu), who wants to punish President Jang Il Jun (Kim Hong Pa) for his corruption involving powerful conglomerates run by chaebols.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Jung Soo Jin (Kim Hee Ae) is determined to stop Dong Ho from putting an end to the collaboration between the president and family-owned conglomerates by seizing his power.

Released exclusively on Netflix, viewers get to see the intense confrontations between the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Jung Soo Jin on the political battlefield.

'The Whirlwind' Episode 1: Did Prime Minister Park Dong Ho Succeed in His Assassination Plan?

Episode 1 showcased the interaction between the prime minister and the president at the Blue House.

It was a flashback hours before the assassination and the arrest of Prime Minister Park Dong Ho, who was accused of accepting bribes worth millions from an individual named Mr. Choi.

During their meeting, it was revealed that Dong Ho, who has been loyal to Jang Il Jun, was framed by the president to cover up the crime and take the fall of his son, making the prime minister the sacrificial lamb.

The episode also revealed that Park Dong Ho once saved the life of the president during a cardiac arrest.

However, as for Prime Minister Park, he takes revenge instead of pleading for mercy.

He came prepared and began the assassination by switching the president's vape to a substance that would cause him an immediate cardiac arrest.

As the Prime Minister returned to his office, his secretary, Seo Jeong Yeon, who knew about the plan, expressed her concern regarding the assassination.

Meanwhile, the president was immediately rushed to the hospital, which caused alarm, especially for the Deputy Prime Minister Jung Soo Jin, because of their involvement with the Daejin group.

She is afraid that she and Daejin's Vice President, Kang Sang Un, will end up in prison if the president dies.

Amid the whirlwind of events, the doctors announced in a press conference that the president's surgery went well, but they are telling the public and the media that he is in a coma.

As for the prime minister, he assured the public that he would take over the reins until the president returned to office.

'The Whirlwind' Episode 2: Prime Minister Park Dong Ho's Tactic Against Daejin's VP

The second episode starts with a flashback during the president's and the first lady's return from an international trip. As the Blue House offers a warm welcome to the first family, Prime Minister Park Dong Ho seemed hesitant due to the case against Assemblyman Seo Gi Ta.

As his secretary rushes to him, the prime minister receives devastating news that the assemblyman, who was the brother of his secretary, was found dead and the ruling was suicide.

The scene pans to the president, who smiles back at Park Dong Ho.

At the present time, Prime Minister Park held a cabinet meeting, and the first step that he took as the person in charge was to drop Jung Soo Jin as the Deputy Prime Minister, effective immediately.

As she leaves the vicinity, he gets a call from her secretary notifying him that the attack was an assassination attempt, and he suspects that someone from the outside gave it to him.

She immediately tells Kang Sang Un to make it their bullet against the Prime Minister if everything goes south.

However, Kim Sang Un uses this in hopes of taming the Prime Minister and making sure he has the upper hand over him.

Prior to this, Soo Jin warned Sang In that Park Dong Ho is like a wild dog that can't be tamed, but he didn't listen.

He sets up a meeting, hoping that the prime minister will agree to his proposal.

However, he saw Park Dong Ho's reflection putting a substance on his liquor.

Just when he thought that he outsmarted him, the prime minister drank the glass with poison and framed Sang Un for it. He was the one arrested for a planned assassination against the prime minister.

IN CASE YOU MISSED : Kim Hee Ae Reveals Doing THIS After Having Difficult Scene

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Written by Geca Flores
Veteran actress Sung Byung Seok caught everyone's attention by praising Byeon Woo Seok and her friendship with him.

Want to know what she said about the "Lovely Runner" co-star? Then read on!

'Lovely Runner' Star Sung Byung Seok Surprises Many With Her Friendship With Byeon Woo Seok

On the 606th episode of MBN's "Dongchimi" aired on June 29, seasoned actress Sung Byung Seok made her guest appearance. Many are familiar with her as she starred in multiple dramas already.

Her latest screen work was tvN's megahit rom-com series "Lovely Runner," where she played the role of Jung Mal Ja, Im Sol's (Kim Hye Yoon) grandmother.

During the interview, she mentioned Byeon Woo Seok, with whom she worked in the popular drama. The host asked if people would ask her more about "Lovely Runner" since it has hit Korea by storm.

Sung Byung Seok responded:

"In particular, women in their twenties and thirties stick to me like gum and ask me all sorts of questions."

Then MC Park Soo Hong asked if she is friends with the lead actor Byeon Woo Seok, to which the veteran actress proudly said:

"Of course."

Everyone in the studio could not hide their surprise and envy when photos of Sung Byung Seok and Byeon Woo Seok being affectionately taken on set were flashed on the screen, showing their close friendship.

Sung Byung Seok Praises Byeon Woo Seok's Personality

The host asked if they were close, Sung Byung Seok smiled and said, "Yes."

Then she started talking and praised Byeon Woo Seok.

"He's so kind, sweet, and gentle, so I understand why people are crazy about Ryu Sun Jae in the drama and why young women like him so much and their hearts flutter."

Sung Byung Seok shot some scenes with Byeon Woo Seok in "Lovely Runner" and one of the fans' favorites was at the finale episode of the series. It was when Jung Mal Ja approached Sun Jae to thank him for coming into Im Sol's life.

Byeon Woo Seok, who was not supposed to cry at that scene, got emotional and ended up crying. Many speculated that he remembered his late grandmother to Sung Byung Seok, making the viewers emotional.

Sung Byung Seok also appeared in some of the acclaimed dramas and movies such as "Misaeng: Incomplete Life," "Angel's Last Mission: Love," "Doctor Cha," "The Uncanny Counter Season 2," "Goodbye Earth," "Black Money," "Badland Hunters," "Wonderland," and more.

What can you say about Sung Byung Seok and Byeon Woo Seok's adorable friendship? 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.
"Miss Night and Day" continues to captivate viewers as Jung Eun Ji and Lee Jung Eun continue to live as two completely different people.

However, things between them started to get out of hand after Choi Jin Hyuk almost discovered their secret.

After two weeks since the successful premiere, "Miss Night and Day" Episode 5 raised speculations about who the real target behind the acid attack attempt.

And what was the reason behind Lee Mi Jin's curse?

'Miss Night and Day' Cast: Meet the Actors

A mystery rom-com K-drama, Jung Eun Ji takes on the character of a 20-ish job seeker named Lee Mi Jin who struggles to land a decent job.

Despite her experience working in various part-time jobs, she finds it challenging to enter the workforce, especially as a government employee.

However, one day, she woke up as a new and completely different person. She becomes a 50-year-old ajumma named Lim Sun (Lee Jung Eun) by day and changes into her old self by night.

Amid her chaotic transformation, she meets the cold and uptight prosecutor, Gye Ji Ung (Choi Jin Hyuk).

'Miss Night and Day' Episode 5 Recap: How Will Lee Mi Jin Escape Being Busted by Prosecutor Gye?

The 5th episode continued with Lee Mi Jin getting caught up in a buy-bust after she tried to take evidence in a drug-related incident at a bar.

Gye Ji Ung thought that she was still Lim Sun, but after she entered the bar, she transformed into Lee Mi Jin.

As the prosecutor tried to find his secretary, he saw a familiar face being attacked by a bar security guard. It turned out that it was Lee Mi Jin.

Being Lim Sun at the same time, she made the excuse that she left early because she wasn't feeling well.

As for Lee Mi Jin, she told the prosecutor that she was just hanging out at the bar and got involved in a commotion.

The next day, Prosecutor Gye worked on Ko Won's case and the attempted acid attack.

The suspect, Ji Dong Kwon, was imprisoned due to the incident; however, Gye Ji Ung was still baffled about the reason behind it and whether his target is really the K-pop star.

During his interview with Dong Kwon, he despises the old lady who saved Ko Won. He was referring to Lim Sun, who prevented the acid attack. But the prosecutor encouraged the suspect to reveal the person behind it, but Don't Know refused.

The following day, the prosecutor found out that Dong Kwon was dead. Before his death, he complained about stomach pain and was brought to the infirmary, but Gye Ji Ung found it suspicious.

At the office, Lim Sun learned about Dong Kwon's death through a phone call. It was Ko Won who surprised him with coffee. However, he got curious about her reaction during the phone call and asked about it.

Lim Sun then revealed to him that the acid attacker died at the infirmary, but the news brought guilt to Ko Won, and he thought he was the reason behind it.

Prosecutor Gye got furious over the situation, knowing that it would affect Ko Won and the case.

Gye Ji Ung couldn't help but throw painful words towards Lim Sun, which made her heartbroken and questioned why she was in a 50-year-old woman's body.

Because of this, she got drunk and accidentally went to Gye Ji Ung's place as Lee Mi Jin.

Unfortunately, because of the broken lock, Mi Jin couldn't get out of his place. She was worried that he would discover her secret as soon as the sun appears

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

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Written by Geca Flores
Byeon Woo Seok continues to reap the rewards of his hard work as he remains one of the most sought-after South Korean celebrities right now.

Following the huge success of the rom-com K-drama "Lovely Runner," the actor continues to enjoy his fame locally and internationally.

Interestingly, Byeon Woo Seok stumbles upon another achievement.

With the new generation of K-drama heartthrobs, fans are excited to see more top stars like Cha Eun Woo, Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Jong Suk, Park Seo Joon, and more.

In a report, global fandom platform UPICK released a list of male celebrities who are active in Korean dramas and movies.

 [ #UPICK #Vote winner ]

HOT CHARACTER AWARDS



Congratulations # #BYEONWOOSEOK



Please refer to image below and send the advertisement draft to by 7/1 

Drafts that do not meet the specifications will be excluded without notification, https://t.co/RHeGndCAlI pic.twitter.com/yDR3S7GAYq  UPICK  (@UPICK_twt) June 28, 2024

Dubbed the "Hot Character Awards," the rankings are based on the poll conducted from June 17 to 28.

Surprisingly, Byeon Woo Seok got the most, taking first place with 16,720,207 votes. He surpassed K-drama royalties Kim Soo Hyun and Cha Eun Woo, who hold the second and third ranks, respectively.

What's Next for Byeon Woo Seok?

Playing the lead role in "Lovely Runner" has opened a lot of opportunities for him to showcase more of his talent as an actor. As a way to give back and appreciate the support of fans, Byeon Woo Seok kicked off his first meet and greet.

His Asian fan meeting tour "Summer Letter" in Taipei, Taiwan, last June was followed by several cities, like Bangkok, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Manila.

He will wrap up the event with a 2-day fan meet in Seoul on July 6-7.

During Byeon Woo Seok's fan meet in Manila, he revealed that having an event like a meet and greet was "a surprising dream" for him.

As the South Korean star entertained his fans with surprising numbers and interaction through games and interviews, he expressed his gratitude by thanking everyone who came to see him.

"I was worried I wouldn't be able to fully enjoy this moment with you because of my health," he said, as obtained by a news outlet, adding, "Your energy helped me enjoy the fan meeting, even though I felt emotional and overwhelmed."

As Byeon Woo Seok wraps up his fan meet, the South Korean star is also gaining huge fame in the international scene, particularly in the field of fashion.

The model-actor made heads turn with his amazing visuals at the Prada Fashion Show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025.

With his attention-grabbing looks, there's no doubt why influencer marketing platform Lefty named Byeon Woo Seok as one of the top influencers who made an impact during the fashion event.

According to the report, the "Lovely Runner" star garnered a media value (EMV) of $5.47 million as a celebrity and influencer.

In addition to this, his social media engagement lands at 29.6%, which is an impressive figure.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

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Written by Geca Flores
In a heartwarming Instagram post that has captured the attention and admiration of fans, beloved actor Lee Ki Woo shared a rare glimpse into his personal life by revealing his non-celebrity wife to the world.

The photo, shared on Lee Ki Woo's official Instagram account, showcases the couple radiating pure happiness and contentment, drawing praise and awe from netizens.

The actor, known for his roles in hit K-Dramas such as "Agency," "My Liberation Notes," and "Knight Flower," took to social media to express his love and appreciation for his wife.

Encapsulating the profound significance of his partner in his life, Lee Ki Woo simply wrote in his caption:

"My world. Saw a random mirror on a refreshing hiking trail."

Fans and followers flooded the comments' section with messages of support and admiration for the actor and his beautiful family.

Many remarked on the couple's evident happiness and the genuine bond they share, resonating with the joy portrayed in the photo.

Meanwhile, Lee Ki Woo starred in hit dramas "My Liberation Notes," alongside Kim Ji Won, Son Seok Koo, and more. He also appeared in the slice-of-life series "18 Again" with Kim Ha Neul and Lee Do Hyun.

In 2024, he co-starred with Lee Honey in the hit fantasy K-drama "Knight Flower."

He is set to star in the forthcoming thriller film "Exposure," alongside Kim Min Ha.

Read also: THIS Top Star Reveals Living in a Hotel for a Year While Filming His Hollywood Debut

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Written by Joan Cabigas.
A UBCO professor is asking Canadians how they feel about their country and what it means to be a Canadian.




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa was on Saturday forced to mobilise goons to ensure the angry Gen Zs do not disrupt his rally.

Barasa has been a target of the Ge Zs after he voted in favour of President William Rutos punitive Finance Bill which has since been rejected after the deadly protests by the young people.

Things started getting out of hand after the legislator started pointing out how he was pushing for his constituents interests in various ways. As this was happening, a group of disgruntled youth disrupted the rally.

Seeking to avoid a full-blown confrontation, Barasa's supporters who had graced the event started running away.

Please come back. There is nothing to worry about. I have enough youth with me who can tackle that, he implored residents who were running away.

Barasa dismissed the youth who wanted to invade his rally as criminals with nothing better to do.

After much pleading, the audience agreed to come back as the other opposing group appeared subdued by the youth accompanying Barasa.

When Barasa announced he would hold a rally in Kimilili, an online campaign was started with youth encouraged to disrupt his event.

However, Barasa remarked that Kimilili residents had nothing to be worried about after President Ruto rejected the Bill on Wednesday.

He claimed that despite Ruto calling for austerity measures, Kimilili had already received funds for socioeconomic development.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that he had been declared persona non grata in his own government.

Speaking during a Sunday service at Deliverance Church International Kaplong in Sotik, Bomet County yesterday, Gachagua revealed that some individuals in President William Rutos government don't want him there because of his political stand.

However, the DP reiterated he would never stop speaking truth to power since he was Rutos principal assistant.

I always stand by what is true. A few people in government are uncomfortable with the truth and they normally have a slight problem with me, the DP stated.

But there is nothing they can do because I cannot change.

Explaining that he was not a pushover, Gachagua remarked that there were people he trounced from the Mt Kenya region to become Rutos running mate and subsequently the nations second Deputy President.

With rumours of an impending impeachment motion, Gachagua told Sotik residents that he would stick with President Ruto through his political term.

Gachagua who had recently alleged that President Ruto was not receiving timely advice promised to always speak to the Head of State on key issues affecting the nation.

One of the ways I will help him is by advising on what Kenyans are saying so that we can serve them, he explained.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024  Another UDA legislator has slammed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for running away when things got hotter over the controversial Finance Bill.

In a statement, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale criticized Gachagua for abandoning President William Ruto.

The lawmaker observed that Gachagua opted to fly to Mombasa when Ruto was under sharp criticism in the heat of the anti-finance bill protests.

According to Khalwale, it was irrational for the deputy president to play populist politics when he was needed at the National Executive to help in decision-making.

Khalwale also laid blame on Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi for failing to counsel the president.

"When the finance bill came to parliament, I had questions for three people: the deputy president, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ulah. 

When things became chaotic in Nairobi, the deputy president hid in Mombasa, where he released a statement purporting to advise the president.

 Why did he rush to Mombasa? When he had advice, why didn't he give it to the president before the protesters erupted?

"He should stop pretending. He sits with the president and, therefore, should advise him in time," said Khalwale.

Khalwale's onslaught on the deputy president came days after that of Public Service CS Moses Kuria and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah accused Gachagua of being the one who endorsed the punitive bill even before Ruto.

At the same time, Kuria slammed Gachagua after the latter called for the resignation of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji after he claimed that the NIS boss misled Ruto, leading to deadly demos by the Gen Zs.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Renowned Nairobi lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has urged President William Ruto to disband his government and form a government of national unity.

In his X platform, Ahmednasir said for the sake of the country's prosperity, Ruto should dismantle his government and invite all Kenyans into a fresh government.

President @WilliamsRuto needs to dismiss his UDA government and form a GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY, accommodating all Kenyans, Ahmednasir stated.

Ahmednasir spoke as President William Ruto accepted dialogue with Gen Z, who are calling for his resignation over bad governance.

"I hear the young people are saying they dont want a multisectoral forum.

"Maybe we should have an engagement with the President on X.

"Im open to having an engagement with the young people on a forum they are comfortable with.

"If they want me to engage with them on X, I will be there," Ruto declared on Sunday during a roundtable in the media.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - CNN journalist Larry Madowo has exposed police officers for using excessive force against the protesters during last Tuesdays anti-finance bill protests that turned deadly.

Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya, 25, was among the protesters shot dead outside Parliament.

Earlier in the day, he had been filmed dancing in white overalls as he was exercising his democratic rights.

According to Ericssons mother, he worked in a butchery.

He left his workplace and joined other protesters to exercise his democratic rights, not knowing that a rogue police officer would cut short his life.

He bled to death after being shot in the back outside Parliament.

CNN watched as Kenyan security forces shot dead at least 3 protesters outside the Kenyan parliament on Tuesday.

"I saw Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya, 25 dancing in white overalls.

"Shots rang out shortly after that and I saw his body. He wasn't the only one, Larry tweeted.

President William Ruto defended police for using excessive force against protesters and claimed that the protests had been infiltrated by criminals.

Speaking in a roundtable interview with journalists at State House, Ruto said the police did their best to quell the protests despite using live bullets to shoot some of the protesters, leaving 25 people dead and scores injured.

Watch CNNs footage.

EXCLUSIVE: CNN watched as Kenyan security forces shot dead at least 3 protesters outside the Kenyan parliament on Tuesday.



I saw Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya, 25 dancing in white overalls. Shots rang out shortly after that and I saw his body. He wasn't the only one pic.twitter.com/zu0Tw1qR8O  Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) July 1, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Monday, July 1, 2024 - President William Rutos spanner boy, Dennis Itumbi, has a daughter called Keysha, whom he has neglected since birth.

Itumbis baby mama, Irene Karimi, took him to court some time back and demanded child support.

She asked the court to compel Itumbi to provide interim monthly maintenance for the minor pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

She claimed that Itumbi deserted the minor from birth and had refused to provide any form of maintenance whatsoever knowing full well that she is an orphan and had to stop working before delivering the minor.

She demanded monthly child support of Sh50,000 from Itumbi to cater for food, clothing, medicine, and a house help's salary.

She also wanted Itumbi to provide his national identity so that his name could be included in the minors certificate of birth.

The woman stated that Itumbi unsuccessfully tried to convince her to get rid of the pregnancy.

Subsequently, on October 26, 2018, Itumbi invited the woman for a meeting where he again tried to convince her to get rid of the pregnancy.

He allegedly served her a drink and immediately after she left the meeting, she started bleeding.

She rushed to Jacaranda maternity hospital where a medical doctor asked if she was trying to ab@rt the foetus, her lawyer told the court.

This made her suspicious of the drink Itumbi had earlier served her as she had not eaten anything after the meeting.

The little girl is now 5 years old.

She is a carbon copy of Itumbi.

See her photos below.













































The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, July 1, 2024  Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has indirectly accused President William Ruto of being hard-headed and insensitive to the plight of Kenyans.

Speaking on the recent Gen Z-led protests, Gachagua accused several leaders, including the Head of State, of not listening to young people and Kenyans in general, sparking a deadly revolution by the youth.

According to the DP, it was not right to have a majority of Kenyans complaining and the government does not listen to their grievances, instead, creating an environment for politicians to start looking for scapegoats.

Gachagua reasoned that Rutos administration must address issues that were making Kenyans uncomfortable with the Kenya Kwanza regime.

That is where a deputy must come in to assist his boss and I can assure you that between me and Ruto we will do whatever it is to address the few challenges in the country, he stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lauded Gen Z from the Mt Kenya region for listening to him and halting protests on Thursday last week.

Speaking in Mombasa last Wednesday, Gachagua urged young people to stop protesting and listen to President William Ruto, who expressed readiness to dialogue with Gen Z.

He said the youths heard his message, and there were no demonstrations in the Mt. Kenya region on Thursday.

''I am thankful, at least when I made an address and asked our young people to stop protests and violence after the president rejected the Finance Bill, they listened to me, and especially in our Mount Kenya region there were no issues,'' Gachagua said.

"I want again to all Kenyans while here in Murang'a now that the president has agreed for dialogue, let us cool down and bring our issues to the table," Gachagua added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - A rogue police officer who was pictured shooting at protesters in Parliament last Tuesday during the anti-finance bill protests has been unmasked.

His name is Geoffrey Kigen, a former army officer and a member of Rutos killer squad.

Kigen retired from the army in 2014 and joined Kenya Power as a security manager.

He is always involved in bar brawls and at one time, he shot a reveller at a club in Langata.

Kigen was also deployed to Kisumu during the 2017 post-election violence where he killed a lot of Raila Odingas youthful supporters during protests.

According to prominent lawyer Miguna Miguna, Ruto deployed Kigen and other cops believed to be members of his killer squad to unleash terror on protesters.




















Monday, July 1, 2024 - Former Nandi Hills Member of Parliament, Alfred Keter, has revealed the questions police were asking him when they arrested him on Sunday.

Keter was abducted by men believed to be Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) officers on his way from church on Sunday.

Addressing the press, Keter, who has since been released, stated that he was asked about his relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The former lawmaker said detectives also quizzed him whether he played any role in trafficking arms to Congo as law enforcement authorities suspected him of doing.

When I was arrested, I was asked about my relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and my relationship with the current Deputy President, Keter stated.

However, Keter was adamant that the reason behind his dramatic arrest was his stand on the anti-Finance Bill protests that have been taking place in the country.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024  The fallout between President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, became evident yesterday after Rift Valley leaders refused to attend the DPs event in Bomet.

Addressing the congregation, Bomet Governor Hillary Bachok revealed that no MP in the county attended the event that was graced by Gachagua.

Gachagua had travelled to Bomet County where he was the chief guest at a fundraising event at Deliverance Church International in Kaplong.

According to Barchok, none of the lawmakers showed up yet he only received an apology from Linet Chepkorir Toto, Bomet Woman Representative, for failing to attend.

"I am sorry Your Excellency, I only received one apology from Toto, Woman Rep, I don't see my MPs.

"I don't know whether they have been instructed not to associate with the Deputy President or not," he told the congregation of which Gachagua was a member.

"I want to start by saying that if you want to unite the country, let us embrace everybody even if we have different opinions."

However, Barchok told the second in command that he held a meeting with the youth before arriving at the church and spelled out some of their demands, especially from Generation Z.

"It is beyond the finance bill. Actually, the Finance Bill gave them an avenue to air out their issues and we support the youth forum that the President put in place," he stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Controversial lawyer and barrister, Miguna Miguna, has urged Kenyans to come out in large numbers on Tuesday and demonstrate in Nairobis Central Business District(CBD) to oust President William Ruto from power.

The general, as he is known by Gen Zs, urged 10 million Kenyans to gather at Nairobi CBD and oust Ruto from power.

We finish the job on Tuesday and Thursday. Lets make it 10 million strong.

"Dont listen to anyone selling you fear.

"This is the time. No army can or will shoot at 10 million peaceful protestors. #RutoMustGoNow #RutoMustGo, Miguna wrote on X

Anyone who doesnt use the hashtag #RutoMustGoNow and #RutoMustGo with his entire regime in their posts isnt genuine and is likely an NIS agent.

"All patriotic revolutionaries of ALL GENERATIONS must use these hashtags and march in our millions until victory! Miguna added.

The youthful Kenyan protestors are expected to demonstrate in Nairobi on Tuesday to compel President William Ruto to resign over bad governance and corruption.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed how his two sons tried to convince him not to support William Rutos presidential quest in 2022.

Speaking in Bomet on Sunday, Gachagua said his sons' request followed the tribulations he faced for supporting Ruto's presidential bid.

He said the sons were afraid that they would lose their property and family because Ruto, who was then the Deputy President, was going against a sitting president at the time.

"When we were helping President William Ruto to become President of the Republic of Kenya, we had a lot of problems because we were going against what the President in power wanted and we had a lot of trouble with the government," Gachagua narrated.

"My sons saw that I was suffering and our affairs and the family could be destroyed."

He said that his two sons then called a meeting that included their mother, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, during which they told him that his political affiliation was going to destroy the family.

Gachagua said that he made his case to the sons and stood firm in his support for Ruto and he was backed by his wife.

The DP added that they then took a vote on who to support and it was a tie.

But as the head of the home and meeting, Gachagua said he decided they would as a family support Ruto.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Kipkorir Sing'oei, has blasted President William Ruto and his government over the arbitrary arrests reported since the commencement of the Finance Bill, 2024 protests.

Reacting to a video showing how former Nandi Hill MP Alfred Keter was abducted in broad daylight in front of his wife and children while leaving the church yesterday, Singoei cautioned Ruto and his government against the use of extra-judicial means to arrest individuals regardless of the circumstances at hand.

He further stated that even though the arrests were effected for legitimate objectives, the means were crude and failed to uphold constitutional guidelines.

There is a procedure for effecting an arrest. This is not one of them.

"We must resist the temptation to adopt extra-legal means even in the pursuit of legitimate objectives, stated Kipkorir.

In the viral video that prompted the PS to make the comments, the former legislator was forcefully ejected from his vehicle by a group of hooded men.

The group approached Keters vehicle, in Lavington, Nairobi County where they drew him out amid the ex-MPs cries for help.

He was later bundled into a pick-up truck which drove away leaving the legislators family in his vehicle.

"Abducted, headed to an unknown destination," a social media account associated with Keter posted moments after the incident.

The former legislator has recently been in the limelight for criticising the Kenya Kwanza government.

Following these critiques, several individuals have since claimed that the government was involved in the kidnappings.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, July 1, 2024 - Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi has announced that he is contemplating quitting politics altogether.

Speaking in a selfie video he shared, the outspoken lawmaker hinted that quitting politics would be beneficial to him since he spent more in politics than he did on his personal life.

He further noted that after coming under fire for his lavish contributions to harambees and churches, he will be taking a 2-year break from such events to regroup.

His utterance was a direct response to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who questioned the source of the Ksh20 million the Kapsaret lawmaker contributed at a church.

"Khalwale, I am on leave because of noises and jealous people... I am one of the believers that we should ban these harambees because many people do not know how we look for Harambee money.

"They do know how we stress our friends and our businesses in order to participate in the harambees," he explained.

"I am even thinking about quitting politics because I am doing much more in politics than what I am doing for myself.

"I am going on leave for about 1 year or two years and If God helps me clear my thoughts, I will start by uplifting the church you (Khalwale) were in."

Khalwale had earlier advised President William Ruto to look within his circle of politicians and scrutinize their source of wealth.

He explained that the recently witnessed protests by the Gen Zs were not just a result of the Finance Bill but also noted that people were affected by politicians' flagrant display of opulence and wealth.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - Veronica Kerubo, a successful businesswoman in Kisii town, was shot dead by her boyfriend on Friday night after he suspected that she was cheating on him.

Veronicas boyfriend, Vincent Mosioma, reportedly snooped through her phone and found messages of her flirting with another man on Facebook.

He confronted her while armed with a gun and shot her multiple times, before turning the same gun on himself.

Kerubo was running a successful glassmart business in Kisii town and she was full of life.

According to one of her friends, she was planning to travel abroad to further her studies.

However, her plans were cut short by her killer boyfriend.





See her photos below.





































The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - President William Ruto has dismissed claims that his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is frustrated in terms of logistical support.

This follows claims that Gachagua had on several occasions been denied a chopper to attend official events.

Clarifying the matter, Ruto stated that he had provided two police choppers for his deputy.

Ruto further revealed that he was not accorded the same privilege by former President Uhuru Kenyatta when he served as his deputy.

I made sure my deputy whenever he needs transport and it is available, he is facilitated, he explained.

In fact, what I have done is that I have repaired and made available two police choppers the same size as mine that I use from the military for my deputy to use.

Ruto explained that at times, Gachagua uses the presidential chopper when his assigned helicopters are in use.

Gachagua had on some occasions arrived events late on claims that the military had denied him a chopper.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, July 1, 2024 - A 30-year-old businessman shot dead his girlfriend in Kisii town on Friday night before turning the gun on himself.

According to a police report, Vincent Mosioma shot Veronica Kerubo using a Berrera Pistol which was recovered at the scene with 13 rounds of ammunition and two spent cartridges.

He shot himself in the head using the same gun and was rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, less than 100 meters away but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kasses confirmed the incident saying the firearm used has been kept as an exhibit awaiting further analysis.

We will confirm if the private firearm holder was licensed, he said.

According to family members, Kerubo was running a successful glassmart business in the town

Victor reportedly killed his girlfriend after finding suggestive messages in her phone.

She was reportedly flirting with another man and when he confronted her, an argument ensued, leading to the fatal shooting.

Victors friend said he called him on the fateful day and he could feel the pain in his voice as they were speaking on the phone.

He hung up and promised to call him later, only to learn he had committed the heinous act.

























The Kenyan DAILY POST.
I read in a dusty novel that a famous pirate said there are no legacies in this life. Our lives, he said, float atop a fickle sea, and when we die, nothing remains. Many hands work the decks and, in the process, are worn, discarded, and forgotten. The sea gives, and eventually, she flushes the flotsam, leaving no monuments to souls and their adventures.

Well, this is not entirely true. And, I did not actually read this in an ancient book but rather heard it recently in a tawdry Netflix movie. The captain who uttered these poetic lines was giving advice to the quartermaster, but somehow, he spoke to me. He was far too handsome to be a piratelets be honestand yet, from a chair in the living room, the captains wisdom resonated with me. What could this possibly mean?

I am at present charting a course as far away as one can sail from the pirate life. I dont rob and rape but rather give generously from my provisions. I dont burn ships and drink rum in a Nassau shanty, though I must say that part has some obvious appeal. And, given my annual bout of compassion fatigue and primary care burnoutwho knewpirate advice is apparently what I need this summer.

I now understand that I have my own experiences of staring wistfully, not across the sea but down the hallway. If my ship is The BMC (Berkeley Medical Center), then my ocean is health care andmy goddoes she take it all away. The dark water around me is full of unheralded triumphs, small battles, and characters worthy of songs and poems. Deaths, various mutinies, and a tattered map from my ports of call used to swirl inside me, mostly forgotten, flotsam somewhere on the vast expanse.

I share a strange kinship with Captain Flint as I have spent years reflecting on the unmarked moments in my doctor voyage. What is the enduring meaning of it all? For decades, people died under my care, and there were really no monuments to their lives. Sure, there were Facebook posts or similar, but this was ephemeral. A lack of memorial never sat right with me, and I never knew what to do about it. I had so much inside of me, and because I had no tools to build an edifice, in the end, these intentions simply sank.

A few years ago, in the professional storm of my life, I crashed onto the rocks of writing and, in doing so, discovered a way to chronicle the touchpoints. Funny enough, I called my electronic journal The Captains Log, a name which was previously cheeky but suddenly is auspicious. Does inspiration from handsome Netflix pirates make me a moron, a genius, or something else?

Im not interested in answering that question because my heart tells me that inspiration and wisdom, wherever they come from, are real and true. I have sailed and seen, and thats why I know if we dont write the songs and verses, then, yes, Captain, these lives will be forgotten. I used to do just this, but that was because I had no skills to dress the wound in my chest, the one that caused me to shed tears even as I sailed forward, often on an unknown course. Like a pirate, I found reverie and rum did not help and maybe made things worse.

In my writing, I cant get it right as there is no way to describetrulya hospital room where the spirits descend as someone is taking their last breaths. The family gathers, and when hard realities settle in, sometimes the storm clouds gather. And other times, they miraculously part. The powers I have witnessed are ancient and real, transcendent and tangible, though maybe impossible to describe. It is electricity and love, dead reckoning and resplendent. I have seen angels in the room and demons and the powers of hell. I have witnessed things that will bring you to Jesus and moments when families blessed assalamu alaikum upon me, wishing me every good thing in this world, whether I deserved it or not.

If this sounds like pirate voodoo, maybe it is, but this is the reality on the health care sea. I can never paint a proper picture of distant shores; my stomach is often in knots from my patients suffering and my inability to make it stop. But, the recognition that every captain needs a log, those who sail need to put experiences and coordinates into words, this is how monuments are erected to the souls and spirits we have seen. In this regard, I disagree with Captain Flint. He decided long ago that he would not place memorial plaques on a quayside. I, on the other hand, have come to believe that these words are a testament to the fact that no ones life is flotsam.

Ryan McCarthy is an internal medicine physician.
Amended company law helps modern enterprise system construction

Global Times) 14:51, July 01, 2024

China's amended Company Law comes into effect on July 1. Analysts said its implementation will bring about extensive enterprise reforms, enhance the operational safety of market entities, and promote the healthy development of China's capital market amid the economic transformation.

The revision, passed by China's NPC Standing Committee on December 28, aims to adapt to the country's new economic development environment, and is expected to lay a robust legal foundation to enhance the modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics, and drive high-quality development of the Chinese economy, the lawmakers said.

Chinese experts emphasize the new Company Law's role in standardizing corporate organizational behavior, reinforcing the responsibilities of all market entities, and enhancing market operation safety to ensure China's economic high-quality development.

The new law will improve the corporate registration system for limited liability companies and add punishments for fraud concerning registered capital and company information, aiming to strengthen transaction security on the market and protect creditors' lawful interests.

The evolution of the Company Law reflects the government's considerations for market access and operational security, Hu Qimu, deputy secretary-general of the Digital-Real Economies Integration Forum 50, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Hu noted that transitioning from paid-up capital to subscribed capital through policy adjustments would lower costs for establishing companies. The change will help foster diversified development among market entities, boosting their healthy expansion and their market competitiveness.

In addition, the registered capital system acts as a market filter, challenging companies that inflate their scale with minimal subscribed capital, Hu said.

"Previously, the registered capital directly impacts the operation of business entities, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to participate in government tenders and other market activities, which was disadvantageous for them," Hu said, noting the new policies will support MSMEs' development.

The new Company Law encompasses a series of institutional innovations and measures aimed at addressing issues such as how to optimize corporate governance, strengthen the protection of the shareholders' legitimate rights, and enhance executive accountability, among others.

PwC commented on Friday that the implementation of the new Company Law plays a significant role in advancing reforms in state-owned enterprises, refining China's distinctive modern corporate system, and strengthening China's capital market performance, according to media reports.

Chinese experts stressed that the healthy development of the Chinese economy requires the establishment of mechanisms to prevent significant risks at the enterprise level. This is crucial not only for national economic security but also ensures business resilience amid a highly volatile global landscape.

China's Company Law was enacted in 1993 and has undergone multiple revisions, including a major revision in 2005. Each of its revisions or amendments has been closely tied to the macroeconomic conditions and market trends, experts said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan)
Miriam O'Callaghan's husband is among two newly announced senior hires at RTE

Steve Carson - who has been married to RTE star O'Callaghan for the past 24 years - will join RTE's Leadership Team as Director of Video following a public competition.

Carson, who was formerly the Director of Programmes for RTE and Head of Productions at BBC Northern Ireland, currently leads all the BBC's TV, radio and online teams across Scotland as Director of BBC Scotland.

He joins Patricia Monahan (Director of Audio) as one of the new faces hired by Director-General of RTE, Kevin Bakhurst.

Speaking today (July 1), Bakhurst said, "The Director of Video, along with the Director of Audio, will be two pivotal positions in the reshaping and transformation of RTE."

Bakhurst praised Carson's "exceptional experience" and "track record of creativity", stating, "Steves proven skills will help us to craft and execute a comprehensive editorial strategy across all of RTEs television stations and RTE Player.

"Compelling content, sustainably produced, is at the heart of RTEs new strategy, and Steves shrewd editorial judgment, honed through his many senior leadership roles in editorial, production and content delivery, will position Public Service principles at the heart of everything we make in RTE and with our partners in the independent production sector."

Speaking about his new role, Carson said, "Im excited to be joining Kevins new leadership team in RTE this autumn. I have been blessed to work with a brilliant team in BBC Scotland, helping to support programme-makers to make great work for our audiences.

"Im looking forward to doing the same with the world class creative talent that we have in Ireland as we focus on delivering the ambitious New Direction strategy."

Monahan will take responsibility for the development and editorial management of RTEs audio and digital-audio services, including the programming of our four FM radio stations RTE Radio 1, RTE 2fm, RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta and RTE lyric fm, alongside digital, online, and podcasting services.

Bakhurst described her as "an invaluable addition" to the team thanks to her "unique ability to interpret audience insights".
A rise in measles cases in Ireland has prompted the HSE to open vaccination catch-up clinics across several counties.

The HSE has confirmed that due to a rise in measles cases in Ireland, the UK and continental Europe, the HSE has set up Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) catch-up clinics, which will be open each week in venues across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary this summer for five year olds to 46 year olds.

The HSE has advised that the MMR Vaccine is the only protection against measles.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

Children in the under five year old age bracket are being vaccinated by their GP.

Kate Cassidy, General Manager, Vaccinations, HSE South East Community Healthcare said: Two doses of MMR Vaccine in your lifetime are needed to give full protection.

The MMR catch-up campaign is focusing on delivering the vaccine to key groups who may have missed their vaccines in the past, for example, children, young adults and health and care workers. Those eligible are those born in Ireland since the 1st January 1978 and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines, or if they were born outside of Ireland and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines at any age.

MMR vaccines are available free of charge. A list of Vaccination Clinics is available here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/

All clinics are walk-in or you can book an appointment by visiting: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/book-an-appointment/

The HSE will also provide targeted clinics for specific groups including students and young people in education settings and underserved groups, Ms Cassidy said.

We are also appealing to people who are bringing their families on holidays outside of Ireland this summer to go to their GPs to have their babies between six and 11 months vaccinated. They will then get their next dose as normal by their GP at 12 months and their final dose in junior infants.
A stalwart of Kilkennys amateur theatre stage will take to the stage later this month to perform in the hilarious and much-loved comedic classic, Shirley Valentine.

Claire Gibbs is well known in theatrical circles in the South-East and was involved in New Theatre Group, the Kilkenny Pantomime Society, the Kilkenny Musical Society and KATS.

Shirley Valentine by Lake Productions and directed by Mary Craddock will run at the Barn at the Home Rule Club from July 24 to 27 at 7.30pm.

I am very excited about taking on the role of Shirley Valentine, it is a great challenge and working with Mary Craddock is incredible, she is a great director, she said.

Feeling trapped in a world of domesticity, Shirley (Clare Gibbs), a housewife from Liverpool, England, needs a change in her life before she has another conversation with the walls. When her friend Jane (Alison Steadman) invites her on a trip to a Greek island, Shirley jumps at the chance. Upon landing, Jane ditches Shirley for a fling, which means Shirley is left to her own devices. Shirley wanders the island, meets a tavern owner and begins to find the joy in life again. First premiered in London by Bob Swash at the Vaudeville theatre on 21 January 1988 with Pauline Collins as Shirley.

Founded in 2018, Lake Productions have to date, produced almost thirty productions. These include stage work, radio documentaries and poetry books.

Their adopted home of Thomastown Community Hall has seen productions such as The Kings of the Kilburn High Road, Moll, and Da.

In 2024, Community Radio Kilkenny city will broadcast four radio documentaries produced by Lake.

Written and directed by Lake Productions, the series of Documentaries, titled Writers in profile, will feature such writers as John B Keane, WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney and Patrick Kavanagh.

More recently, Lake Productions, in association with The Recovery college South East, and The Involvement Centre produced a book of poetry  White Twine and old suitcases that featured over 60 writers.
A reader writes:

Important video, I believe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKcErPWhtMA with 3 key elements and possible angles for Kiwiblog. I couldnt think of anyone else better to cover this stuff.

Nigel Farage/Reform is a political phenom

As you know, the latest polls suggest they have overtaken Conservatives on 19-20% into 2ndplace. Its not inconceivable that Reform could get to 25%, or more, by election day. I believe this could be the prototype for how to take political duopolies down everywhere.

FPP vs MMP

Despite that support, the talk is that Farage/Reform might only get 1-5 seats out of 650 in the House of Commons! The UK is one of the few remaining First Past the Post systems in the west due to this representation flaw. That said, MMP is far from perfect either, e.g. Winston putting Jacinda in ahead of National. Race-based seats make our system even worse. Our 5% threshold is arbitrary and highly contested, too. Then, we have the French snap election always just a week or so away with representation done via a two-round system. This would also make a great and timely story. Representative media coverage

At 1.30 in that video is a key point. UK broadcasting, especially state-owned, allocates coverage mostly on the previous election results, not current polling. I believe it is deeply flawed. As Nigel says, theyre polling 19% but getting 8% of the media coverage. Theyre polling 3x higher than the Greens, but getting the same media coverage. I believe media coverage should be based primarily on current polling popularity. Win the people = win more coverage. Lose the people = get less coverage.

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By Park Jin-hai

This summer, a cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) exhibition is bringing the famous yet fire-damaged Notre-Dame de Paris to life in Seoul.

Titled "Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition: 850 Years of History and Resilience at Your Fingertips," the touring exhibition celebrating the highly anticipated December reopening of the French landmark, which suffered extensive damage in a 2019 fire, will be held at the National Palace Museum of Korea (NPMK) in central Seoul from Tuesday to Sept. 1.

The free exhibition, with the help of Samsung Galaxy tablets, will transport visitors through time and space, showcasing the cathedral's rich heritage spanning over 850 years, from its cornerstone laying in 1163 to the ongoing restoration efforts following the 2019 fire.

Bruno de Sa Moreira, CEO and co-founder of Histovery, the French tech startup that curated and produced the AR exhibition, said, "Seoul is special," highlighting the Korean capital's significance on the exhibition's world tour.

"(What) we celebrate here together is a worldwide heritage that has no frontier. So we feel a very special connection to be here to share 1,000 years of history," he said at a press conference at the museum in central Seoul, Monday.

"Thanks to the generous donations all over the world, including from Korea, it was possible to rebuild the cathedral," he said, recognizing Korea's contribution to the five-year restoration effort for the French cultural heritage.

According to the NPMK, Histovery proposed Seoul as a stop on the exhibition's world tour last July, making it the second Asian city after Shanghai to host the exhibition. The tour has already traveled 12 cities around the world, including Washington, Montreal and Dubai, attracting around 500,000 visitors.

Visitors can use tablets to scan 21 time portals and journey through key historical moments of Notre-Dame, as if playing a video game. The tour starts at the 2019 fire scene and makes stops at key moments, such as the construction of the Gothic choir stalls and the coronation of Napoleon I, where visitors can encounter the main historical figures involved.

"The position of the firemen, trucks, the direction of the wind, everything is documented, and everything is (based on) reality," de Sa Moreira explained, demonstrating how to use the tablets at the fire scene that shows timeline.

The exhibition space is designed to enhance visitor immersion, featuring large photo panels, 3D models and even life-size chimera statues alongside a carpet replicating the cathedral floor, stained glass-style windows and ambient sounds of organ and bells.

Jeong Yong-jae, the director of NPMK, said the AR exhibit is in line with the museum's commitment to "promote royal cultural heritage in Korea and abroad."

"This exhibition aims to highlight the history of Notre-Dame de Paris  a cultural heritage site significant in both France and globally  and to reflect on the meaning and value of our shared cultural heritage," Jeong said.

The museum, along with the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, will co-host an international academic conference themed "Restoration of Damaged Cultural Heritage around the World and Related Challenges" on July 10. The conference will bring together experts to discuss the restoration of cultural heritage sites that have suffered significant damage, such as Sungnyemun Gate in Korea, Notre-Dame de Paris and Shurijo Castle in Okinawa, Japan.
By Lee Yeon-woo

For Moon Joon, COO of Hirediversity, the administrative discomforts foreign nationals face in Korea have always been a pain point. Why can't they use the services they once used in their home countries, just because they moved to Korea? Why are there so many convenient services in Korea that they cannot access?

So he partnered with his high school friend, Shim Hwa-yong, to found a startup in 2020, which has now become Hirediversity.

"During 2018 and 2019, when we were preparing to launch the startup, this market had never taken center stage. When we said we wanted to do business for foreign nationals, many questioned its profitability and scale," Hirediversity COO Moon said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

"Nowadays, the government assures the public that the solution for the low birthrate lies in immigration policies, and markets for labor and consumption are being reorganized around foreign nationals. But even I did not expect that everything would change this fast."

By cooperating with universities and local governments, Hirediversity handles complex administration processes such as visa issuance and residence card applications on behalf of international students.

"A lot of documents are needed to get a job in Korea, both from employees and firms. The immigration office requires documents that could be sensitive for some firms, such as financial statements. For individuals, it's also difficult to request 10 or 20 kinds of documents from a firm they are newly-employed by. We handle that on their behalf by making a partnership with the firm," Moon said.

Such assistances are offered during their stay in Korea as well. For instance, when foreign nationals move to new dwellings, they must register a change of address with the immigration office within 14 days or face penalties. The procedures can be difficult for non-Korean speakers, and the office can be quite crowded when visited.

"If an individual registers through our app, we assist them step by step in dealing with many administration procedures," Moon added. "Most Koreans aren't aware of these challenges."

The journey started in 2018 when Shim was doing his MBA at Sungkyunkwan University. Half of the students were foreign nationals. For over half of a year, Shim did voluntary work, connecting students with employers in Korea. During the process, Shim often had to ask for personal information, such as residential addresses. This experience led Shim and Moon to realize foreign nationals' discomfort in the country and the potential of a business that solves those challenges.

Four years after its establishment, 30,000 foreign nationals are using the service. Even though the service currently only extends to people attending universities and companies under cooperation agreements, it will be expanded to individual users starting in the first half of 2025, according to Moon.

Moon said that Hirediversity will continue to forge partnerships with companies in many sectors, including banks, insurance, real estate, telecommunications and mobility.

"At first, customers come to us for residence card applications, for instance. After that, they can also be assisted with other tasks within the app, which have been considered difficult, such as opening bank accounts," Moon said. "Becoming a Toss or Kakao for foreign nationals is among our goals."

Moon also emphasized the importance of shifting immigration policies from focusing on quantity to quality.

"Everywhere we go, from MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) businesses to universities and local governments, we see projects trying to attract more foreign talent," Moon said. "The speed itself is not a problem. Yet, simply meeting the targeted number won't be enough. We should also care about the quality of these initiatives."
By Yoon Ja-young

Kyobo Life Insurance Chairman and CEO Shin Chang-jae received an international award for his more than 20 years of ethical management, the insurer announced Monday.

Shin received the Global Ethics & Stakeholder Commitment Award at the 2024 Geneve Entrepreneurship Forum held at the Geneva headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO), June 27.

Organized by international organizations such as the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), the ILO, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development and the International Trade Centre, the forum recognizes global entrepreneurs who pursue social justice, which the ILO has named a new priority, through ethical and stakeholder-centered operations. Shin was selected as the inaugural winner after an evaluation of candidates recommended from various countries.

Winslow Sargeant, head of the judging panel who previously served as chair of the ICSB board, called Shin a pioneer in stakeholder-centered management. He pointed out that Shin has led Kyobo Life Insurance with a global standard of ethical management philosophy over the past 24 years, thereby achieving co-development among customers, insurance agents, employees, shareholders, local communities and governments alike.

Shin said that he came to focus on ethical management as he started pushing for customer-oriented management since becoming head of the insurer in 2000. He said there is still more to achieve, stressing that ethical management should go beyond mere compliance with laws and regulations to benefit all stakeholders, ultimately leading to bigger success.

The Kyobo chairman has a unique background, transforming from a medical school professor assisting in births to CEO of an insurance company. He took over the control tower of the insurer in 2000 when it was suffering from the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis and improper business practices in the industry. He launched an ethical charter as the starting point for ethical management.

His commitment to ethical management has garnered high praise from government agencies and industry leaders, as well as from overseas, including being named Insurance Hall of Fame Laureate in 2023 for his contributions to the global insurance industry.
Korea's exports extended on-year gains to the ninth straight month in June on the back of record performance of semiconductors, data showed Monday.

Outbound shipments rose 5.1 percent on-year to $57 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Imports shed 7.5 percent on-year to $49 billion last month, resulting in a trade surplus of $8 billion. South Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 13 consecutive months.

By sector, exports of semiconductors, the backbone of Asia's No. 4 economy, shot up 50.9 percent over the period to $13.4 billion. This marked eight consecutive months of on-year growth.

Exports of displays, computers and mobile devices also increased by 26.1 percent, 58.8 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, on-year in June.

Outbound shipments of automobiles, on the other hand, edged down 0.4 percent to $6.2 billion due to fewer business days.

By destination, exports to the United States increased by 14.7 percent to $11 billion, the highest for any June. Exports to the world's top economy have been reporting fresh monthly highs since August last year.

Exports to China also gained 1.8 percent to $10.7 billion on-year, maintaining growth for four consecutive months.

Over the first six months of 2024, exports gained 9.1 percent from the previous year to $334.8 billion, while imports dropped 6.5 percent to $311.7 billion. The trade surplus came to $23.1 billion in the first half, marking the highest amount since $31.1 billion posted during the same period in 2018.

Outbound shipments decreased 7.4 percent on-year in 2023 amid the sluggish performance of chips coupled with global economic uncertainties. (Yonhap)
A plenary Central Committee meeting of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) has continued for the third day in a row, state media reported Monday, amid attention being paid to whether it would announce follow-up measures to implement a new partnership treaty with Russia.

The third day of the 10th plenary meeting of the WPK's 8th Central Committee was held Sunday "to work out detailed and practical measures for successfully fulfilling the tasks for 2024," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"The participants are intensifying the discussion while conducting an in-depth study of the draft resolutions to be submitted to the plenary meeting and thoroughly exploring ways to carry out the tasks for the second half of the year entrusted to their sectors and units," the KCNA said in an English dispatch.

The plenary meeting began Friday, with five agenda items approved by all members of the WPK Central Committee, the KCNA said, without further disclosing other details.

On the second day, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the meeting to "discuss and decide on a series of important immediate issues arising in maintaining the upturn in the comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism," it said.

North Korea usually holds a party plenary meeting for a few days in June. But this year's meeting has drawn more attention due to the possibility that it could discuss detailed measures to expand cooperation with Russia following its signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Moscow.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Pyongyang on June 19 and clinched the treaty that calls for providing military assistance to each other without delay if either side comes under an armed attack. (Yonhap)
North Korea fires 2 ballistic missile toward East Sea; 1 may have fallen on land near Pyongyang

By Lee Hyo-jin

North Korea launched two ballistic missiles Monday, marking its latest military provocation as the reclusive regime continues to escalate cross-border tensions, now with Russia as its main backer.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Pyongyang launched two short-range ballistic missiles in the morning from the Jangyon area in South Hwanghae Province. The missiles were fired northeastward, with one launched around 5:05 a.m. and the other around 5:15 a.m.

The first missile flew about 600 kilometers before landing in the sea off the North's eastern coast, according to the JCS, while the second one flew about 120 kilometers, sparking speculation that it may have fallen on land near Pyongyang.

It was North Korea's eighth ballistic missile test so this year amid diversifying provocations, including the launch of trash-filled balloons, with the latest one occurring Wednesday.

Monday's missile launch occurred five days after Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea, claiming it was a successful test launch of a multiple warhead missile. The South Korean military refuted this claim, describing it as "deception," asserting that the missile exploded in the early stage of flight.

There was also speculation that the latest missile test could have been a demonstration to increase the chances of missile exports to Russia amid enhanced military cooperation following a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 19.

Russia, which has emerged as North Korea's primary supporter in the field of defense, has strengthened its backing following the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Putin and Kim during their summit. Internationally, Moscow has been advocating for a review of the United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed on Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile tests.

"The right thing to do would be to call for a revision of the sanctions regime on North Korea if all member states of the UNSC are truly interested in easing tensions," Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said last week, echoing the Russian leader's remarks made during the meeting with Kim.

During the summit, Putin called for a review of the UNSC sanctions, criticizing them as an "indefinite restrictive regime led by the United States and its allies." He also described these sanctions as inhumane to the North Korean people, drawing parallels to the suffering of the Russians during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II.

Meanwhile, the North commenced a major plenary session of the Workers' Party of Korea on Friday, according to its state media, Korean Central News Agency. While the specific agendas were not disclosed, the multiday mid-year plenum is expected to review economic goals and discuss potential follow-up measures from the Kim-Putin summit.

Inter-Korean relations could also be among the topics of discussion. In the previous plenum in December 2023, the Kim regime abandoned the goal of unification on the Korean Peninsula and reclassified South Korea as its primary enemy state.
North Korea has switched the transmission of state TV broadcasts to a Russian satellite from a Chinese one, South Korea's unification ministry said on Monday, making the monitoring of such broadcasts a challenge for the South's government agencies and media.

Signals from North Korea's Korean Central Television were carried by a Russian satellite, Express 103, from June 29 instead of the ChinaSat 12 satellite, a South Korean satellite dish service provider told Reuters.

It declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The satellite change follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea in June, during which he met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and signed a treaty to deepen cooperation in all areas including a mutual defense pledge.

While it remains possible to watch North Korean TV online, the quality may be delayed or of low quality.

South Korean government agencies and media monitor North Korean state media as a limited source of information from inside the reclusive state, despite its highly politicized and choreographed content.

"North Korea stopped using an existing Chinese satellite and began transmitting broadcasts through a Russian satellite, and reception of satellite broadcasts is being restricted in some areas on our side," a unification ministry official said, adding the ministry was looking to resolve the technical issue.

Authorized entities in the South need access to satellite service to watch North Korean broadcasts, and the general public is banned from accessing the North's media.

Reuters has been unable to receive North Korean TV signals since Monday morning.

While Russia and North Korea have made dramatic overtures showcasing deepening ties and vowed to resist the U.S.-led West, China has avoided any trilateral arrangement that might complicate its relations with other countries. (Reuters)
North Korea has test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a super-large warhead, state media reported Tuesday, a day after South Korea said the North fired two missiles and one of them could have failed.

North Korea successfully launched the Hwasong-11Da-4.5 missile capable of carrying a 4.5 ton-class super-large warhead Monday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"The test-fire was conducted with a missile tipped with a simulated heavy warhead to verify flight stability and hit accuracy at the maximum range of 500 kilometers and the minimum range of 90 km," the KCNA said.

It added that the country will conduct another test of the missile in July to "verify flight characteristics, hit accuracy and explosion power of super-large warhead at the medium range of 250 km."

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday that North Korea fired two ballistic missiles in a northeastern direction from a western region. One of them flew about 600 kilometers before landing in the East Sea, but the other traversed only about 120 km before its trail disappeared from radar.

The JCS said the second missile appears to have flown abnormally during the early stage of its flight and that if it exploded in midair, its debris could have fallen inland.

A super-large warhead is among a list of high-tech weapons that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to develop at a party congress in 2021, including a spy military satellite and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Despite its claimed success, North Korea's state media did not publish related photos, nor did the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper targeting the domestic audience, carry related reports.

The latest launch came less than a week after North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea.

Pyongyang claimed it had successfully conducted a multiple warhead missile test, but South Korea's military dismissed it as "deception," saying the launch ended in failure as the missile exploded in midair.

North Korea's latest provocation also came after South Korea, the United States and Japan wrapped up the three-day multi-domain "Freedom Edge" exercise Saturday, involving a U.S. aircraft carrier and fighter jets.

North Korea denounced the drills Sunday, vowing to take "offensive and overwhelming" countermeasures against what it called an attempt to strengthen a military bloc.

The North's leader Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin held summit talks in Pyongyang on June 19 and signed a new partnership treaty that calls for the two nations to offer military assistance "without delay" if either comes under attack.

Experts raised speculation that the latest missile launch could possibly be a test of missiles intended to be exported to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine. (Yonhap)
By KTimes

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo traveled to Calgary, Canada, on Friday to promote the establishment of the Global Innopolis Alliance, Daejeon city government said in a statement Monday.

During his visit, Lee met with Calgary Deputy Mayor Dan McLean, inviting the city to participate in the alliance's opening ceremony, which will be held in Daejeon this September.

The alliance is aimed at strengthening exchanges and cooperation among member cities in the fields of the economy, science and other key industries. He proposed specific initiatives for economic exchange projects to be pursued within the alliance.

Daejeon and Calgary are actively discussing the development of programs aimed at startup support, scaling up businesses and entering the North American market.

In addition, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Calgary and Daejeon. Lee emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation through the Global Innopolis Alliance, commemorating the milestone.

To date, five cities and one county, including Calgary, Dortmund in Germany, Seattle in the United States, Montgomery County in the U.S., Malaga in Spain and Taiwan's Hsinchu, have agreed to join the alliance. Representatives and their delegations are expected to visit Daejeon for the founding ceremony.

"The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of our sister city relationship. I propose high-level staff exchanges between our cities. Let's collaborate for the future of our planet through the World Economic Science City Alliance," Lee said.

The mayor also highlighted the alliance's goal of establishing comprehensive cooperation in economics, science, industry, academia and research institutions. "Through the alliance, we aim to create opportunities for participating cities to grow together," he said.

Following these meetings, the Daejeon delegation met with representatives from Calgary Economic Development, Biohubx, Innovate Calgary and other organizations to discuss practical business exchanges and other initiatives to be pursued within the alliance.
Medical professors at three Korea University-affiliated hospitals vowed Monday to start an indefinite voluntary walkout later this month, amid a prolonged standoff between doctors and the government over its medical reform plan.

The emergency committee of the professors serving as senior doctors at the university announced the walkout starting July 12, excluding the operation of emergency rooms and intensive care units, calling for the government to "withdraw its pressure on medical students and trainee doctors" and engage in dialogue.

"The medical community sought to launch a dialogue by offering solutions and compromises, but the government has flatly ignored all and abused its administrative orders," the committee said in a statement.

The announcement came after professors at Severance Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital and Yongin Severance Hospital also began suspending the treatment of outpatients, nonemergency surgeries and other services starting Thursday last week.

Senior doctors at Asan Medical Center are anticipated to launch a one-week walkout starting Thursday as well.

Despite strong opposition from doctors, the government finalized an admissions quota hike of some 1,500 students for medical schools in May in an effort to address the shortage of doctors.

Last month, the government asked hospitals to swiftly accept the resignations of trainee doctors who have left their worksites in protest of the government's medical reform, in an apparent move to appease the junior doctors.

About 12,000 trainee doctors have walked off their jobs since late February to protest against a hike in the number of medical students. In a punitive step, the government ordered hospitals not to accept the resignations of trainee doctors to prevent them from seeking jobs at other clinics.

Last week, a committee formed by the medical community to navigate joint responses to its monthslong standoff with the government over the medical reform plan decided to convene a nationwide debate on July 26 regarding the government's medical reform. (Yonhap)
Police have additionally booked about 100 doctors suspected of receiving illegal kickbacks from a drugmaker, a senior police official said Monday.

The investigation began after allegations arose that as many as 1,000 doctors received kickbacks in cash and other rewards from Korean Drug and 22 people had already been booked for investigation, including 14 doctors and eight Korean Drug officials.

"The number of doctors booked could go up as the investigation proceeds," the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, adding they have questioned about 70 people, including Korean Drug officials and salesmen, as witnesses so far.

Police launched the investigation following a request from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and have since raided the headquarters of the pharmaceutical company in April and obtained a computer file, named "BM," or black money, which details kickback offerings.

Police are expanding their investigation into the broader medical circles and raided a general hospital in Anyang, south of Seoul, last month. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is also investigating six similar kickback cases at the request of the health ministry.

The Korea Medical Association (KMA), the country's largest doctors' association, has claimed the probe was part of retaliatory measures against the ongoing collective action by trainee doctors, but the police official dismissed it as a "completely separate" matter. (Yonhap)
Korea's industry ministry said Monday it has hosted a business forum with Vietnam to seek new opportunities for partnerships in chips, artificial intelligence and other areas.

Around 500 government and business officials from both countries attended the event, which took place during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Seoul, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The Vietnamese prime minister started his four-day trip to South Korea the previous day.

"Among the 146 countries investing in Vietnam, Korea stands as the largest, with investment exceeding $87 billion on around 10,000 projects. We highly appreciate Korean businesses' contributions to Vietnam's economy and society," the Vietnamese prime minister said.

During the event, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun expressed hope to expand trade and investment ties with the Southeast Asian country and to collaborate in other economic areas, including supply chains.

"The two governments plan to make proactive efforts to cooperate in expanding trade and investment, maintaining a stable supply chain and addressing energy sectors, including climate change and nuclear reactors," Ahn added.

The two countries also signed 23 memoranda of understanding in biotechnology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, education and health care, among other fields, during the forum, the ministry added.

"The forum has paved new grounds to diversify and elevate the economic cooperation between Korea and Vietnam," the ministry said in a statement, adding the government will continue to support businesses to help them maintain stable business activities in Vietnam. (Yonhap)
By Jon Dunbar

It's always tough loving foreign music acts in Korea, because someone inevitably leaves the country. The local underground music scene's latest casualty is Lucy Valentine, whose lead guitarist and vocalist Jenn is moving back to the United States in a couple weeks.

"Korea has been my home for the past three years," Jenn told The Korea Times. "I moved just after I finished school, and Im grateful for the experiences that Ive had, but I want to try living and working in the States. Its been a lot of fun, and Ive gotten the chance to try a lot of new things."

The band has one final Korea show on Saturday and may even release another mini-album in time.

Jenn first appeared on the stage here when she joined the oi! punk band Oily Rag. She also played in the band Sour Mango before starting Lucy Valentine in 2022, shortly after the first Block Party festival. They recorded a demo at the Phillies Basement prior to its closing and relocating to a new building without a good basement. Jenn also joined the hardcore band Polluter briefly last year, playing at IT'S A FEST! 2023 before the band broke up.

Jenn made a strong impression in her few years here, and Lucy Valentine became known for its dreamy, gothy, shoegazy sound, which the band's Instagram profile describes as "fever dream background music." Its current lineup includes Ali on bass and Mati on drums.

She recalled Lucy Valentine playing a Halloween show at Docking Around, a bar run by Echo and the Machine and Goth Korea. And in January, the burlesque performer Vendetta Van Doll used Jenn as a "victim" during a House of Hex performance.

"It felt liberating to perform an identity that Im ordinarily encouraged to obscure and be praised for it," she said of the experience. "I think theres a lot of value in allowing yourself to spiral and feel the outer extremities of your emotional range."

The band has had a good run of shows in the last few months, playing in venues across Korea in Incheon, Suwon and Busan, where their bassist lives.

Lucy Valentine, and its mesmerising frontwoman, have been described frequently as goth, which isn't the worst label although it also isn't something the members claim hard.

"I like trad goth stuff like Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Cure as well as more recent groups like Boy Harsher, She Past Away and Molchat Doma," Jenn said. "But I think it would be hard to classify me as goth specifically because I love rock and heavy music. I love Boris, Swans and Chelsea Wolfe, and I learned how to play guitar from playing along to Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains."

After this final show, Lucy Valentine may still continue. Jenn is the heart of Lucy Valentine, and it goes where she goes.

"Last summer, I visited San Diego to see my friends Lucas and Aaron, and we played a few shows as Lucy Valentine," she said. "We played someones house party. They set us up on this gigantic balcony high up off the ground, overlooking the hills. The women on the balcony behind us told us they were witches. We managed to get through almost all the songs in the set before the host was like, 'This music is a little weird. Could you play Led Zeppelin instead?' We were like, 'No, we cant,' and stopped the set. Later on the trip, we decided we wanted to play in the desert, so we just drove out with all our gear and set up among the huge rocks. We played as the sun set behind us and wandered around in the darkness."

Jenn made it clear that this visit was instrumental in calling her back to her homeland. It also seems likely she'll resume her Stateside lineup for Lucy Valentine, and she's already thinking about ideas for the next chapter.

"I would love to take a heavier direction with Lucy Valentine and make songs a little more similar to what I was making just before I moved to Korea," she said. "I remember explaining to my friend Lucas the vibe I wanted for the song we were making, like, 'Play like slime is dripping down the walls. Slowly and ominously.' Im gifting him a double pedal when we play together again. A metal band left one at my parents house when I threw a house show in high school. I can dig through my graveyard of shredded bass bows and broken pedals to find it."

Lucy Valentine's final show starts this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the newly opened venue Baby Doll in western Seoul's Sinchon. Entry costs 10,000 won. Also playing are electronic/post-rock band Cloud Underground and stoner/desert rock band Peju. Visit lucyvalentine.bandcamp.com to listen, and follow @lucyvalentineband on Instagram.
A noncommissioned officer has been detained for a police investigation on charges of installing a camera in a women's restroom at an Army unit for new conscripts, the military said Monday.

The soldier is suspected of illegally filming some 10 women, including soldiers and civilians, according to the Army.

The case was referred to civilian police after the Army conducted an internal probe in response to complaints filed in February. The officer was detained in late May.

An official said the Army will sternly deal with the case in accordance with relevant laws and regulations after the police investigation concludes. (Yonhap)
The government plans to announce measures to strengthen industrial safety for foreign workers later this month following last week's deadly fire at a battery plant that claimed 23 lives, including 18 foreigners, the labor minister said Monday.

17 Chinese nationals and one from Laos were killed in the fire that gutted lithium battery maker Aricell's plant in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, on June 24. Many workers there said later they had never received any safety training.

Labor Minister Lee Jeong-sik said the government will expand and strengthen safety training for foreign workers and increase support to reduce workplace risk factors.

"The government will reinforce support and inspections for vulnerable industrial fields that employ a large number of foreign workers, such as the construction sector," Lee said at a government meeting on the Hwaseong blaze.

He said the government will come up with measures to improve industrial safety for foreign workers based on a sufficient field survey and opinions from workers, industrial associations and other groups, noting they will be announced in July. (Yonhap)
Oh hints at amending controversial plan for 100-meter-tall flagpole

By Jun Ji-hye

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon vowed to bring small but significant changes to the daily lives of citizens during his remaining two years in office.

At a press conference marking the second anniversary of his term, Monday, Oh called the initiative a daily life revolution, highlighting that improvements to the quality of life are day-to-day changes, rather than large-scale projects or establishments.

Software revolution brings changes to everyday life that can be enjoyed by anyone, Oh said. I think this can change peoples lives and help them grow.

As an example of a daily life revolution, the mayor cited self-driving nighttime buses that will be put into full-fledged operation in October.

Those buses will change the daily lives of cleaning workers who leave their homes as early as 4 a.m., Oh said, noting that the bus service is just one case showing the citys policy philosophy.

He also stressed the achievement of the all-inclusive monthly transit pass, called the Climate Card, which has proven successful during a trial run that began in January in an effort to reduce transportation fees and address climate change.

The pass exceeded 1 million cumulative sales in just 70 days of its launch, becoming one of the citys landmark policies, and will go into full-fledged operation next month with more diverse choices, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

With regard to his plan to set up a 100-meter-tall pole flying a giant Korean national flag, the Taegeukgi, in Gwanghwamun Square, the mayor said, I am a rational person who reacts to reasonable criticisms. I will keep my ears open.

The mayor announced the controversial plan during a meeting with Korean War veterans on June 25. But the proposal has faced growing doubts that the tall pole may end up as an outdated exhibition of nationalism.

His latest comments were construed as signaling his willingness to amend the plan.

There will be another opportunity soon to explain the plan more, he said.

The mayor said the city government will give more efforts to address inequality by reducing the gap in income, education, leisure culture activities and health to eliminate discrimination that hinders the happiness of citizens.

He also vowed to fight record-low birthrate faced by the country as well as the capital.

I will put the top priority on housing stability for newlyweds and offer the largest-ever quantity of long-term rental housing for them, he said.

As he is categorized as a heavyweight of the ruling People Power Party, he was also asked about his intention to run in the 2027 presidential election. Regarding this, he drew the line, saying, Citizens voted for me to serve as the mayor. It would be inappropriate to mention the presidential election in the middle of my term.
Gov't puts abolishing gender equality ministry on hold

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea will create a deputy prime minister-level ministry tasked with tackling the low birthrate and aging population as the country faces a demographic crisis, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced Monday.

The government said the new ministry, tentatively named the Ministry of Population Strategy Planning, will serve as a control tower for demographic issues, including the low birthrate, aging population, workforce and immigration.

The ministry will draw up population policies and medium- to long-term strategies, taking over the tasks currently managed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It will coordinate and oversee policies encompassing all related matters such as education, labor and welfare. It will also be tasked with allocating and coordinating budgets for combating low birthrates across various related ministries.

So far, matters involving the low birthrate have been handled by several different ministries, including the health, gender equality and education ministries. The Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy has served as a control tower, but its role was rather symbolic because, like other committees, it is not authorized to implement policies.

The newly formed ministry will aim to strengthen the nations workforce policy as we are currently experiencing declining births and a shrinking population. There is a mismatch between labor demand and labor supply in each sector. In order to avoid this, greater attention should be given to strengthening the overall social fabric and ensuring a workforce for older adults and foreign workers, the ministry official said during a press briefing.

The government will propose a related bill in July for the launch of the ministry. President Yoon Suk Yeol asked the opposition parties, which control the 22nd National Assembly, to cooperate in revising the Government Organization Act for the establishment of the new ministry.

Meanwhile, the plan to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was omitted in the reform plan following a high-level meeting between the government and the ruling People Power Party.

During the internal review process, we have decided to focus on more pressing issues considering that the ruling and opposition parties have reached a certain level of consensus on tackling the low birthrate, the official said. We will further discuss the dissolution of the gender equality ministry in the new Assembly at a later date.

Yoon has been pushing to dismantle the gender equality ministry, but the bill was scrapped at the 21st National Assembly due to opposition from other parties. The ministerial position has been vacant since February.

Korea has the worlds lowest birthrate, being the only country to have its total fertility rate below 1 among the 38 OECD members as of 2021.

According to Statistics Korea, the nations total fertility rate last year was 0.72, down from 0.78 the previous year. Statistics Korea estimated that the countrys population would decrease to 36.22 million in 2072 from 51.44 million in 2023 and that more than half of the population would be aged 60 or older.
A national trauma treatment center began operations Monday for victims of state violence in the southwestern city of Gwangju, the site of the bloody crackdown on a 1980 pro-democracy uprising.

The establishment of the state violence trauma treatment center follows four years of pilot projects conducted since 2020, aimed at supporting victims of atrocities committed by state entities.

Gwangju has been selected to host the treatment center due to its symbolic significance as the site of the bloody crackdown on the pro-democracy uprising in 1980, which left hundreds of residents dead.

Also on Monday, a regional branch of the center opened on the southern island of Jeju, where residents rose up in the 1940s against U.S. military-led rule, resulting in the massacre of more than 14,000 civilians.

With a 13-member staff, the Gwangju center will provide mental and psychological treatment, counseling and other relief programs for victims of national violence, as well as assaults by anti-state forces and international terrorism, and their families.

"The national trauma treatment center was established in Gwangju to console and relieve the wounds and pain experienced by residents during the May 18 (uprising)," Vice Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong said at an opening ceremony.

"The government will strive for the unity of our society by paying attention to not just the mental but also social treatment of victims," Ko said. (Yonhap)
The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol will create the position of political affairs minister at the top office in an effort to strengthen communication with the National Assembly, Yoon's chief of staff said Monday.

Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk made the remark during a parliamentary steering committee meeting amid calls for Yoon's office to make greater efforts to reach out to the opposition-controlled parliament to better take care of state affairs and move its agenda forward.

"We will create the position of political affairs minister so as to strengthen effective and practical communication between the government and the National Assembly," Chung said. "We will heed sufficiently to the opinions of lawmakers, offer sufficient explanations and conduct consultations continuously."

The government plans to propose a revision to the Government Organization Act to create the new post.

During the session, Chung vowed to work with the National Assembly to establish a new ministry tasked with tackling the country's low birth rate, tentatively named the Ministry of Population Strategy Planning.

"We will closely communicate with the National Assembly in the course of discussions on legislation and budget aimed at reversing the low birth rate trend to address the issue at the pangovernment level," he said.

The latest move comes as rival parties are expected to engage in debates in the coming weeks, with opposition parties considering reintroducing contentious bills that Yoon had vetoed.

The main opposition Democratic Party, which holds 171 seats out of the 300-member National Assembly, is preparing to propose a bill calling for a special counsel probe into alleged state interference in a Marine Corps investigation into the cause of a young Marine's death during a rescue operation last year.

Additionally, bills concerning media boardrooms and the impeachment of the chief of the broadcasting watchdog, Korea Communications Commission, are likely to be put to a vote. (Yonhap)
Rival parties clashed Monday over a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death last year.

The parliamentary House Steering Committee held a plenary meeting and questioned Chung Jin-suk, the presidential chief of staff, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo and other officials about the Marine's death.

Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) reiterated their calls for a special probe bill surrounding the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023, accusing the presidential office of exerting external influence on the probe and attempting to destroy evidence.

The bill calls for a special counsel to look into allegations that the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the Marine's investigation into Chae's death.

A similar opposition-led bill was scrapped during the previous National Assembly after President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed it. The DPK proposed it again after the new National Assembly came into office in late May.

"(The president) should veto any bill that is believed to be unconstitutional," Chung said during the meeting. "If the president does not exercise his right to demand reconsideration when the unconstitutionality (of the bill) is clear, it would be a neglect of duty."

Chung also stressed that the special probe bill should be passed after bipartisan agreement.

DPK lawmakers also questioned whether Yoon had burst into rage when briefed during a meeting with his aides on July 31 last year.

"President Yoon has never been furious during a meeting of the National Security Council," Kim said in response to a question by Rep. Ko Min-jung, who accused Yoon of flying into a rage and calling former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup to express his anger about the probe that day.

Kim denied that the Marine's death was reported to Yoon during the July 31 meeting.

Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party stressed the need to wait for the results of an ongoing probe by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials.

Monday's meeting marked the first time presidential aides were questioned by lawmakers of the 22nd National Assembly. (Yonhap)
Presidential chief of staff calls special counsel probe 'unconstitutional'

By Nam Hyun-woo

Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) slammed aides to President Yoon Suk Yeol over suspicions that his office had influenced the militarys investigation into the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun last year, during a National Assemblys House Steering Committee meeting, Monday.

The meeting, the first for the steering committee in the DPK-controlled 22nd Assembly, garnered attention as it marked the inaugural instance of new DPK lawmakers questioning presidential aides, including presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk and other senior secretaries.

During the meeting, DPK lawmakers zeroed in on suspicions that Yoon ordered the military to scale down its investigation into the death. Chae died on July 19 during a search and rescue operation after floods. The main opposition party has insisted that related suspicions should be addressed through a special counsel probe. Yoon rejected a bill to launch the probe by using his presidential veto power.

DPK Reps. Choo Mi-ae, Ko Min-jung, Noh Jong-myun and Kwak Sang-eon questioned whether Yoon said, Marine commanders should not be punished for such an incident, during a meeting with his senior secretaries at 11 a.m. on July 31, 2023, and then ordered the Marines investigation team to retrieve its investigation reports previously handed over to police.

There are reports that Yoon flew into a rage during the July 31 meeting saying who will serve as (Marines) commander if one gets punished for such an incident and ordered his staff to call then-Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup. Phone records show Lee received a call at 11:54 a.m., from the number 02-800-7070, which appears to be one of the phone numbers of the presidential office, Choo said.

We need to confirm whether this number was used by the presidential office, because confirming whether the president outrageously made those remarks is the first step toward addressing the whole suspicions.

Reps. Ko, Kwak and Noh grilled the chief of staff, First Deputy Director of National Security Kim Tae-hyo and other presidential secretaries to confirm whether the phone number was used by the presidential office and whether the president actually made those remarks.

Ko raised allegations that the phone lines of the presidential office was reorganized later, and said,If confirmed, it will be equivalent to the destruction of evidence.

Noh also described other phone records pointing to presidential aides and government officials during the period, but the chief of staff said, It is very natural for the two sides to communicate when national security matters are pending.

Despite the DPKs suspicions, Chung and other presidential aides denied the president made such comments during that meeting, and refused to confirm the number citing national security concerns. The deputy first director of national security, who was present at the July 31 meeting, said he does not recall any occasion of Yoon getting angry about the case.

If a bill appears to be unconstitutional, it is the presidents obligation and responsibility to veto it, Chung said referring to the special counsel probe bill. A special counsel probe should be launched through agreements between the main rival parties, and this bill, which would only allow the opposition to recommend the special counsel, goes against the principle of separating powers.

Chung reiterated Yoons earlier remarks that the special counsel probe should come only after related investigations are deemed insufficient, and added, If the special counsel probe is launched, the authorities investigating this case have to hand over their investigative rights to the special counsel probe.

Yoon returned the special counsel probe bill to the Assembly for a re-vote on May 21. A presidential veto can be overridden with the approval of two-thirds of lawmakers, but the bill was scrapped as the DPK failed to secure enough approvals before the previous 21st Assembly ended on May 29.

The DPK has tabled a similar special counsel probe bill at the current 22nd Assembly which opened on May 30 and plans to pass it during a plenary session this week. The DPK now holds 175 out of 300 seats in the Assembly, allowing the party to unilaterally pass the bill.

If Yoon returns the bill to the Assembly again, it would require the approval of 200 lawmakers in a re-vote to override his veto. Since the ruling People Power Party (PPP) holds 108 seats and minor opposition parties are endorsing the special counsel probe, approvals from only eight PPP lawmakers would virtually strip Yoon of his veto power.

Meanwhile, the chief of staff said during the meeting that the Yoon administration will create a new ministerial post for political affairs to improve communication with the Assembly.
Prosecutors on Monday questioned the director of the National Hangeul Museum (NHM) for questioning over allegations surrounding a luxury jacket worn by former President Moon Jae-in's wife, Kim Jung-sook, during a visit to France in 2018.

Kim Il-hwan, the director of the NHM, underwent questioning as a witness at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, which has been investigating the suspicion that Kim did not return the Korean alphabet-themed jacket that she rented from Chanel and wore during her trip to France in October 2018.

Prosecutors reportedly asked the NHM director about the circumstances leading to Chanel's donation of the jacket to the museum. They also called in another NHM official as a witness.

Moon's office said previously that the jacket was returned in March 2022 and Chanel donated it to the NHM for public display.

But critics said later that the jacket donated to the NHM was different from the one worn by Kim and then Chanel changed its previous position, saying the company donated a separate jacket at the request of the NHM.

Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city councilor affiliated with the ruling People Power Party, filed a complaint with the prosecution in January this year, raising suspicion that Kim may have kept the jacket instead of returning it. (Yonhap)
Seoul should prepare for shift in US presidential race

The U.S. presidential race has entered a phase of increased unpredictability following the first debate between President Joe Biden and his rival, Donald Trump. The televised debate on Thursday saw both candidates exchanging fiery rhetoric on a range of issues including diplomacy and the economy.

Many U.S. media outlets declared the 81-year-old incumbent as the presumed loser in the debate, emphasizing ongoing concerns about his age and performance. Consequently, there is a growing chorus among Democrats and Biden supporters for a change in the presidential candidate. Major news organizations are now examining potential scenarios and alternative candidates in case Biden decides to withdraw from the race.

With only four months left until the November presidential election, the race has become more complicated. Given the profound implications of the U.S. election outcome for the global community, recent developments signal a significant impact on the international stage.

Currently, Biden is resisting calls to step down and abandon his candidacy, with many Democrats urging him to stay in the race, arguing that a change may not necessarily ensure victory in the presidential vote. The controversy surrounding his candidacy is unlikely to diminish soon.

The growing uncertainty in the U.S. presidential competition is stoking anxiety among U.S. allies such as South Korea. If Trump maintains the advantage, Seoul will need to prepare for a potential second term under his administration. Biden has been emphasizing strengthened relations with allies, whereas Trump favors transactional relationships.

A new Trump administration will significantly alter U.S. relations with the European Union, and its Asian allies such as South Korea and Japan. Diplomatic authorities should engage in proactive measures, leveraging extensive networks while remaining mindful of potential changes in future administrations.

Despite Trump and his associates indicating a commitment to strengthening trilateral relations, uncertainty persists. Trump has underscored the necessity of withdrawing or reducing the number of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea. In an interview with Time in April, he reiterated a demand to Seoul that could significantly increase the costs of hosting U.S. troops in South Korea from the current 1.2 trillion won ($870 million).

Many research institutes also predict that Trump will adopt a tougher stance toward Asian allies, especially Seoul. His hard-line policies may increase calls for South Korea to pursue nuclear armament. This demand has gained momentum due to warming relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, in addition to North Korea's ongoing military provocations and nuclear buildup campaigns.

Under Trump's leadership, there is a strong likelihood that negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. will resume, which have been stalled since the collapse of the summit in Hanoi in 2019. Recently, Trump aides have suggested the importance of engaging in dialogue with North Korea if there are indications that Pyongyang might halt its nuclear weapons program, even if complete denuclearization is not achieved. This situation poses an increased security risk for South Korea.

It is challenging to accurately predict the potential impact of the U.S. election on the Korean Peninsula. President Yoon Suk Yeol and his security and diplomatic aides should intensify efforts to prepare for various possible scenarios.

Regardless of the election outcome, there is a growing imperative to strengthen the alliance with the U.S. and enhance extended deterrence against potential North Korean provocations. The Yoon administration should initiate negotiations with the U.S. to revise the nuclear agreement and secure increased nuclear capabilities for Seoul. In the economic realm, efforts should focus on bolstering bilateral cooperation, particularly technological alliances spanning industries such as semiconductors, AI, batteries, and aerospace. Additionally, measures should be taken to safeguard Korean companies investing in the U.S. from potential discriminatory treatment under new protectionist policies by a new U.S. administration.
Renault Korea Motors, the Korean unit of French auto group Renault S.A., has apologized following an online backlash over purported misandry imagery contained in the company's YouTube videos.

On Saturday, Renault Korea blocked public access to videos that have been available on Renault Inside, one of its corporate YouTube channels, after it was learned that multiple videos showed footage of a female employee doing a finger-pinching hand gesture, widely seen as a dog whistle among radical feminists for misandry  or hatred of men  in Korea.

"We sincerely apologize once again to everyone who felt discomfort due to our recent internal promotional content," Renault Korea wrote on the YouTube channel's community bulletin board.

The company said it has launched an internal investigative committee and is also preparing measures to improve the content production and review process to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

"Based on the findings of the investigation, we will take appropriate follow-up actions. Until the committee reaches its conclusion, the individual in question has been suspended from her duties," Renault Korea added.

The employee in question posted a personal statement on the YouTube channel's community bulletin board over the weekend, saying that she "was aware that a certain hand gesture was considered problematic and seen as a hateful move."

She also said she did not realize the hand gesture she used in the video she herself created could be interpreted in that way. The worker's statement was later removed.

Renault Korea is not the first company in Korea to become mired in a controversy involving the particular imagery.

In 2021, convenience store franchise GS25 came under public scrutiny for using the finger-pinching image in a promotional poster. Last year, large game companies, including Nexon and Kakao Games, also faced backlash for using similar imagery in promotional materials.

The public relations debacle could not have come at a more inconvenient time for Renault Korea

The company just last week unveiled the Grand Koleos, Renault Korea's ambitious new hybrid SUV, the company's first new model in four years, as it aims to overcome its prolonged sales slump in South Korea.

The company has remained in fifth, and last, place in terms of market share among automakers with domestic manufacturing bases since April 2022. Between January and May of this year, its market share stood at 1.8 percent.

Despite Renault Korea's apology, Korean netizens have expressed frustration over the controversy, with some even calling for a boycott of the company's products.

"The hand gesture made by the person presumed to be an internal employee was enough to provoke a significant amount of anger from many people," one person wrote on the social media platform X. "Strong action from Renault Korea is necessary." (Yonhap)
Unions demand wage hikes, larger welfare benefits amid shipbuilding boom

By Park Jae-hyuk

Labor-management conflict at domestic shipyards has been heightened, as unionized workers call for higher salaries and improved welfare benefits amid an ongoing shipbuilding boom, according to industry officials, Monday.

Given that Korean shipyards have struggled with labor shortages in recent years, unions are expected to flex their muscles further against company management at their workplaces.

Last Thursday, unionized workers at Hanwha Oceans shipyard on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province, clashed physically with their managers, as the workers tried to block a car claimed to have been carrying Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan.

Strikebreakers injured multiple union leaders, causing two of them be hospitalized, the Hanwha Ocean union said. Hanwhas gangster-style management philosophy is destroying our labor-management relations.

Workers claimed that Kim ignored their request for talks on payments for restricted stock units (RSUs). An RSU refers to stock-based employee compensation that is not fully transferable until certain conditions are met. Last year, Hanwha Ocean promised to give its shipyard workers RSUs equivalent to 300 percent of their wages, but the company did not follow through earlier this year, after it failed to turn a profit for 2023.

"Workers blocked a car not carrying Kim, and many managers were also injured in the brawl," a Hanwha Ocean spokesperson said. "One of our executives told the workers that he would convey their requests to the vice chairman."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is facing difficulties in reaching an agreement with its union during this years collective bargaining, as the workers have urged the company to extend the retirement age to 65 from 60 and to permit its members to decline being promoted to positions that are ineligible for union membership.

Its labor and management are also at odds over facial recognition machines installed to check whether subcontracted workers arrive for work.

Expectations are great for the shipbuilding industry boom, but the result depends on how well we do this year, HD HHI CEO Lee Sang-kyun said during the first meeting for this years wage talks on June 4.

Unionized shipyard workers at Samsung Heavy Industries, who organized their union last year, have yet to make their voice heard this year. However, subcontracted workers at the companys shipyard have complained about overdue wages.

Unionized shipyard workers will continue seeking benefits from the recent improvement in earnings of major shipbuilders, a shipbuilding industry official said. However, companies will likely remain cautious about increasing wages and enhancing welfare benefits, because not all shipbuilders started off making profits.
Backlash grows over employees 'misandrist' hand gestures

By Lee Min-hyung

Renault Korea is feared to suffer a sales fall, as more customers are moving to boycott new vehicles from the carmaker after one of its employees was seen making "misandrist" hand gestures in a promotional video uploaded on its official website, according to company officials, Monday.

The controversy is showing no signs of abating, even after the carmaker issued public apologies. Customers are taking issue with the now-deleted video clips in which a female employee makes repeated hand gestures that resemble the logo of Megalian, a notorious Korean feminist website that is said to symbolize women's hatred directed at men.

The unexpected scandal has hampered the carmakers corporate image at a critical time when it has to rev up decreasing sales with the much-awaited launch of its latest vehicle for the first time in four years.

Industry officials said the scandal will end up affecting its sales for the newly launched Grand Koleos premium SUV.

Renault Korea is already showing sluggish sales performance, so the firm should have paid extra attention not to get involved in any controversies that will end up further weakening its footing here, an official from a carmaker here said.

The lack of new vehicles has always been pointed to as one of the major hurdles for Renault Koreas potential rebound, but the company is now mired in another dispute shortly after the launch of the new model. This will do little good to boost the firms sales. The company is urged to come up with specific measures to stop such scandals from happening again.

According to data from the company, Renault Koreas combined sales figure reached merely 9,172 for the first five months, down 13.1 percent from the previous year. This is the lowest figure among the firms major rivals  such as KG Mobility and General Motors Korea  during the same period.

Renault Korea said it has launched an internal probe into the matter to get the facts straight.

We feel a strong sense of concern and responsibility for causing the controversy regarding our promotional content, an official from the company said. Renault Korea sincerely apologizes to those who have felt uncomfortable due to the latest incident.

The carmaker also pledged to launch an investigation committee by teaming up with external experts.

The committee members will consist of not just internal human resource and legal team members, but external experts, so as to find objective and clear facts, the official said. We have also suspended the staff member from performing any duties until we reach a conclusion in the ongoing investigation.
By Park Jae-hyuk

SK On and Lotte Chemical will take more severe cost-cutting measures to cope with their cumulative losses, which have even had negative impacts on their respective affiliates, both companies said Monday.

The battery manufacturing unit of SK Group decided to freeze the annual pay rates of all executives until it starts making a profit. The company has not turned any profit since its establishment in 2021, unlike the battery subsidiaries of LG and Samsung, both of which started posting operating profits several years ago.

SK On also abolished a chief administration officers seat and the position of chief commercial officer, which had been assumed until last month by former Hanon Systems CEO Sung Min-suk, who was dismissed only 10 months after his appointment.

The company's board has been tasked with the decision on whether to allow C-level executives to retain their posts.

In addition, the company ordered its employees to stop working from home, citing the issue of efficiency in its decision-making process.

These measures came two days after SK Group wrapped up its management strategy conference, which was held on Friday and Saturday to discuss the restructuring of the groups underperforming affiliates.

Even before the conference, SK On had already obliged its executives to fly economy class when traveling overseas on business and to come to the office by 7 a.m., amid the decelerating global demand for electric vehicles and snowballing losses that affected its parent, SK Innovation, and the groups other affiliates.

All our executives and employees should know that there is no place to retreat and they must join forces for the best performance, SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee told company employees after declaring a state of emergency during an executive meeting.

Lotte Chemical also entered emergency mode, Monday, as the petrochemical firm has been suffering operating losses since 2022 and its credit risks have begun to affect the groups holding firm.

The company decided to ban its employees from using mobile messenger services for private purposes and from leaving their stations to smoke from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Read More Korea's conglomerates cut costs amid economic uncertainty

In addition, it plans to rely more on teleconferences and limit the number of employees going on each business trip to two, to reduce its budget for business trips by 20 percent. Its executives have also been ordered to choose lower-class plane seats when traveling on business, if their flights are less than 10 hours in duration.
By Lee Min-hyung

Businesses and the governments of Korea and Vietnam pledged to boost partnerships in energy, supply chain and digital transformation, Monday.

They reached the agreement at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, hosted in Seoul by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) during the visit of Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Seoul.

A group of 500 ranking government officials and businesspeople from both sides attended the event to deepen their business relationships.

Both sides clinched 23 memoranda of understanding (MOU) focusing on the three core fields, which laid the foundation for more ties in other promising growth areas, the KCCI said.

For Korea, the strategic importance of Vietnam is rapidly increasing, as the Southeast Asian country establishes itself as a significant production hub amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

Korea and Vietnam are strategic partners which have to jointly overcome any changes in global economic circumstances, Cho Hyun-sang, vice chairman of HS Hyosung, said in his opening remarks at the forum. We expect the forum to generate wise solutions that can help both sides create synergies in digital transformation, energy transition and supply chain-side cooperation.

Some 350 businesspeople from major Korean conglomerates, such as Samsung and SK, participated in the forum to boost their ties with Vietnam. They included SK Supex Council Chairman Chey Chang-won, Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon and Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee.

It marks the 32nd anniversary since Korea and Vietnam forged diplomatic relations, and now is the time for both sides to brace for the next three decades, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun said. Governments from the two countries will expand bilateral investments and trade, build networks for supply chain cooperation and proactively collaborate in energy areas amid climate change.

In a speech, the Vietnamese prime minister cited the role of Korean companies in helping drive economic development in Vietnam.

We want to speak highly of Korean firms contributions to developing Vietnams economy and society, he said. Korea has invested more than $87 billion (120.18 trillion won) in around 10,000 projects in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government will do its best to streamline administrative procedures for Korean firms to expand investments in cutting-edge technologies and new renewable energies, so both countries bilateral trade volume tops $100 billion.

Both sides also agreed on the sidelines of the forum to strengthen their ties in a variety of other areas, such as steelmaking, biotechnology, smart factories and artificial intelligence, according to KCCI.

The Vietnamese prime minister is scheduled to meet with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and a group of other top-ranking businesspeople from SK and Hyosung during his four-day stay here.
Kia, Korea's second-largest automaker by sales, said Monday its June sales fell 3.9 percent last month due to fewer working days and a production plant conversion project.

Kia, a smaller affiliate of Hyundai Motor, sold 267,536 vehicles in June, down from 278,359 units a year ago, due mainly to lower domestic demand for its models, the company said in a statement.

The company said domestic sales fell 13.7 percent mainly due to last month having fewer working days as well as customers waiting for the release of the improved K8 sedan model.

Overseas sales dropped 1.7 percent due to a decrease in sales of small models, such as the Morning and Rio, affected by the electrification conversion work at the company's plant in Gwangmyeong, south of Seoul.

In terms of overseas sales, Kia's Sportage became the company's best-selling model, with 43,105 units sold. Seltos followed with 21,824 units, and the K3 came in third with 20,315 units sold.

For the January-June period, the company said it sold 1.55 million vehicles, down 1.4 percent from the same period in 2023. (Yonhap)
South Korea's data protection watchdog is nearing the completion of its probe into the Chinese e-commerce firms AliExpress and Temu over consumer data protection and will likely take actions soon upon its results, its chief said Monday.

The investigation into the two companies "has been completed," Ko Hak-soo, the chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission, said during a regular briefing at the National Assembly.

The investigation was prompted by growing concerns over data protection measures employed by Chinese online platforms, as their usage among South Koreans has been steadily increasing.

"We will present our findings at the next general meeting where a decision will be made," he said. Initially, the commission had planned to conclude the investigation by mid-year. Ko said the delay was attributed to procedural reasons.

He also mentioned the challenges faced during the investigation due to the short history of their operations in Korea and the limited records related to their business activities.

In April, the watchdog requested AliExpress, Temu and about eight other Chinese internet firms to faithfully comply with the South Korean law on personal data protection, as Chinese e-commerce firms have rapidly emerged as major players in South Korea. (Yonhap)
Unionized workers of Samsung Electronics said Monday they will stage a three-day general strike as their negotiations with the management over wages and working conditions fell through.

The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), the biggest labor union with 28,000 members, declared the strike will start next Monday for three days.

The number accounts for approximately 22 percent of Samsung Electronics' total workforce of about 125,000. The actual number of union workers participating in the strike remains uncertain, and the likelihood of major production disruptions could be low.

"We will fight with a full strike, without pay and without work, until our demands are met," said Son Woo-mok, president of the NSEU.

Since January, the two sides have held several rounds of talks, but have been unable to narrow their differences over the wage increase rate, vacation system and bonuses.

The union has demanded a one-day vacation for all employees and a significant salary raise for the 855 members who did not sign the 2024 salary negotiation agreement.

Also, the union demanded the company offer more paid leave and compensate for economic losses incurred during unpaid strikes.

In June, unionized workers at Samsung Electronics went on a one-day strike, marking the first labor walkout at the company. (Yonhap)
Thousands of Jewish ultra-Orthodox men clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday during a protest against a Supreme Court order for them to begin enlisting for military service.

The landmark decision last week ordering the government to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition as Israel wages war in Gaza .

Tens of thousands of men rallied in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood to protest the order. But after nightfall, the crowd made its way toward central Jerusalem and turned violent.

Israeli police said protesters threw rocks and attacked the car of an ultra-Orthodox Cabinet minister, pelting it with stones. Water cannons filled with skunk-scented water and police mounted on horses were used to disperse the crowd. But the demonstration was still not under control late Sunday.

Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel. But politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won exemptions for their followers to skip military service and instead study in religious seminaries.

The long-standing arrangement has bred resentment among the broader public, a sentiment that has grown stronger during the eight-month war against Hamas. Over 600 soldiers have been killed in fighting, and tens of thousands of reservists have been activated, upending careers, businesses and lives.

Ultra-Orthodox parties and their followers say forcing their men to serve in the army will destroy their generations-old way of life. Earlier Sunday, thousands of men crowded a square and joined in mass prayers. Many held signs criticizing the government, with one saying not even one male should be drafted.

The ultra-Orthodox parties are key members of Netanyahus governing coalition and could potentially force new elections if they decide to leave the government in protest.

Party leaders have not said whether they will leave the government. Doing so could be risky, with Netanyahu's coalition's popularity lagging since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war. (AP)
While President Joe Biden was out of sight at Camp David Sunday spending time with family, prominent Democrats rallied with a public show of unwavering support for his campaign following his unsteady debate performance and growing anxiety over whether he should remain in the White House race.

I do not believe that Joe Biden has a problem leading for the next four years, said one close ally, Democratic Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina. "Joe Biden should continue to run on his record. Yet the stark illustration of the Democratic angst was seen in words from former Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, who served for more than two decades with Biden in the Senate and called the debate a disaster from which Biden cannot recover.

Biden's allies blanketed the Sunday talk shows and conceded that the president's showing against Republican Donald Trump on Thursday night had ranged from subpar to bad. They encouraged voters to see past the moment, look at Biden's long-term record and focus on Trump's myriad falsehoods during the 90-minute debate.

Privately, though, Biden's campaign has been working to tamp down concerns over the debate on CNN where Biden sounded raspy and at times was unable to finish sentences. The campaign has spent the days since then working to keep donors and surrogates on board.

After a New York fundraising event Saturday, Biden traveled with his family to Camp David, the presidential retreat outside Washington. The previously planned trip was also being used to take family photographs for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

Even before the debate, the age of the 81-year-old Democratic president has been a liability with voters , and the prime-time faceoff appeared to reinforce the publics deep-seated concerns before perhaps the largest audience he will garner in the four months until Election Day. CNN said more than 51 million people watched the debate.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat and Baptist minister, said there had been more than a few Sundays when I wish I had preached a better sermon, relating the experience to Bidens debate performance.

But after the sermon was over it was my job to embody the message, to show up for the people that I serve. And thats what Joe Biden has been doing his entire life, Warnock said, echoing the message from other supporters that Biden had a bad debate, but a lifetime of good governance.

Warnock, like Clyburn and others, pivoted to Trump's many falsehoods during the debate  falsehoods Biden and the debate moderators often failed to fact check from the stage  including about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, immigration and the outcome of the 2020 election.

Whenever his mouth was moving, he was lying, Warnock said of Trump.

Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., dodged questions about Trump's false claims and praised Trump's performance while accusing the national news media of hiding a debilitating condition.

Trump was strong. He was clear. He was coherent, Graham said.

He called Biden compromised" and said "the media is covering it up.

Behind closed doors, a sense of concern was simmering among some Democrats that Biden's campaign and the Democratic National Committee were not taking seriously enough the impact of Biden's performance.

The DNC chairman, Jaime Harrison, and Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, held a Saturday afternoon call with dozens of committee members across the country  a group of some of the most influential members of the party  where they offered rosy assessment of the path forward and no opportunity for others on the call to respond with questions.

Multiple committee members on the call, most granted anonymity to talk about the private discussion, described feeling like they were being asked to ignore a serious predicament.

There were a number of things that could have been said in addressing the situation. But we didnt get that. We were being gaslit," said Joe Salazar, an elected DNC member from Colorado, who was on the call. Gaslit is a term for being manipulated or misled.

Harkin suggested that Democratic senators in pivotal races and maybe all incumbent Democratic Senators should pen a letter to Biden asking him to release his delegates and step aside so the convention can choose a new candidate," according to an email to supporters that was obtained by The Associated Press and referenced first in Iowa journalist Julie Gammack's column on Saturday, Iowa Potluck.

This is a perilous time, and is more important than the ego or desires of Joe Biden to stay as President, Harkin concluded.

And Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. described very honest, serious and rigorous conversations taking place at every level of our party ... about what to do.

Advocates such as Clyburn, whose support was critical to Biden's South Carolina primary win in 2020, pointed to the president's North Carolina rally on Friday when he appeared energized and animated, a sharp pivot from the night before.

I know Im not a young man  to state the obvious, Biden said at the rally. Folks, I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to.

But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. And I know like millions of Americans know: When you get knocked down, you get back up," he said to rousing cheers.

Biden's team has reported that the campaign amassed over $33 million since Thursday, $26 million from smaller dollar donations, including roughly half from first-time donors this cycle. The campaign said Thursday had been its best grassroots fundraising day, while Friday, the day after the debate, was its second best.

Trump aides reported that the Republican had raised more than $8 million Thursday evening alone.

Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler said there had been no internal conversations whatsoever about Biden stepping aside, although he, too, acknowledged that the president had a bad night on stage.

Clyburn and Graham were on CNN's State of the Union and Warnock appeared on NBC's  Meet the Press. Raskin spoke to MSNBC. (AP)
Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party scored historic gains to win the first round of France's parliamentary election on Sunday, exit polls showed, but the final result will depend on days of horsetrading before next week's run-off.

The RN was seen winning around 34 percent of the vote, exit polls from Ipsos, Ifop, OpinionWay and Elabe showed, in a huge setback for President Emmanuel Macron who had called the snap election after his ticket was trounced by the RN in European Parliament elections earlier this month.

The RN's share of the vote was comfortably ahead of leftist and centrist rivals, including Macron's Together alliance, whose bloc was seen winning 20.5 percent to 23 percent. The New Popular Front (NFP), a hastily assembled left-wing coalition, was projected to win around 29 percent of the vote, the exit polls showed.

The exit polls were in line with opinion surveys ahead of the election, and were met with jubilation by Le Pen's supporters. However, they provided little clarity on whether the anti-immigrant, eurosceptic RN will be able to form a government to "cohabit" with the pro-EU Macron after next Sunday's run-off.

A longtime pariah for many in France, the RN is now closer to power than it has ever been. Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for racism and antisemitism, a tactic that has worked amid voter anger at Macron, the high cost of living and growing concerns over immigration.

At Le Pen's Henin-Beaumont constituency in northern France, supporters waved French flags and sung the Marseillaise.

"The French have shown their willingness to turn the page on a contemptuous and corrosive power," Le Pen told the cheering crowd.

The RN's chances of winning power next week will depend on the political dealmaking made by its rivals over the coming days. In the past, centre-right and centre-left parties have teamed up to keep the RN from power, but that dynamic, known as the "republican front," is less certain than ever.

If no candidate reaches 50 percent in the first round, the top two contenders automatically qualify for the second round, as well as all those with 12.5 percent of registered voters. In the run-off, whoever wins the most votes take the constituency.

High turnout on Sunday suggests France is heading for a record number of three-way run-offs. These generally benefit the RN much more than two-way contests, experts say.

The horsetrading began almost immediately on Sunday night.

Macron called on voters to rally behind candidates who are "clearly republican and democratic," which, based on his recent declarations, would exclude candidates from the RN and from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party.

Political leaders from the centre-left and far-left all called on their third-placed candidates to drop out.

"Our guideline is simple and clear: not a single more vote for the National Rally," France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said.

However, the centre-right Republicans party, which split ahead of the vote with a small number of its lawmakers joining the RN, gave no guidance.

Possible prime minister

Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old RN party president, said he was ready to be prime minister  if his party wins an absolute majority. He has ruled out trying to form a minority government and neither Macron nor the NFP leftist group will form an alliance with him.

"I will be a 'cohabitation' Prime Minister, respectful of the constitution and of the office of President of the Republic, but uncompromising about the policies we will implement," he said.

The mood was gloomy at the Republique square in Paris, where a few thousand anti-RN protesters gathered at a rally of the leftist alliance on Sunday night.

Najiya Khaldi, a 33-year-old teacher, said she felt "disgust, sadness and fear" at the RN's strong results.

"I am not used to demonstrating," she said. "I think I came to reassure myself, to not feel alone."

Market reaction to Sunday's result was muted, with the euro gaining around 0.23 percent in early Asia-Pacific trading. Fiona Cincotta, senior markets analyst at London's City Index, described relief that the result yielded "no surprises."

"Le Pen had a slightly smaller margin than some of the polls had pointed to, which may have helped the euro a little bit higher on the open," she said. "Attention now is on July 7 to see whether the second round supports an absolute majority or not. So it does feel like we're a little bit in limbo."

Complex calculus

The RN was seen winning the most seats in the National Assembly, but only one of the pollsters  Elabe  had the party winning an absolute majority of 289 seats in the run-off.

Experts say seat projections after first-round votes can be highly inaccurate, and especially so in this election.

No nationwide official results were available on Sunday evening, but they were expected in the coming hours. Exit polls in France have tended to be highly accurate.

Voter participation was high compared with previous parliamentary elections, illustrating the political fervour Macron aroused with his stunning and politically risky decision to call a parliamentary vote.

At 1500 GMT, turnout was nearly 60 percent, compared with 39.42 percent two years ago  the highest comparable turnout figures since the 1986 legislative vote, Ipsos France's research director Mathieu Gallard said. It was unclear when the official turnout figure would be updated. (Reuters)
A posthumous book by Victoria Amelina, the Ukrainian author killed last year during a Russian missile strike , will be published in February upon the war's third anniversary.

Looking at Women Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary, which draws upon Amelina's interviews with 11 women who had been documenting war crimes since the Russian invasion, was left unfinished. Her husband, Oleksandr Amelin, was among those who helped edit and complete the book, which will include a foreword by Margaret Atwood .

A powerful testament to the courage and determination of women at war, the book follows the paths of female journalists, writers, human rights defenders, lawyers, and volunteers who document war crimes in Ukraine while the war is still ongoing, according to St. Martin's Press, which announced the project Monday, exactly a year since Amelinas death.

It is also a personal war journal that chronicles the authors transformation from novelist and mother into a war crimes researcher."

The 37-year-old Amelina was the author of two novels and a childrens book. She traveled to areas liberated from the Russians and recorded survivors' testimony. At the time of Amelinas death, Columbia University had awarded her a residency in Paris that would enable her to work on her book. Her interview subjects included Oleksandra Matviichuk, the human rights lawyer and the winner in 2022 of a Nobel Peace Prize .

Amelina was a member of PEN International, the literary and free expression organization.

This book is the voice of Ukraine fighting for its freedom and future, Tetyana Teren, executive director of PEN Ukraine, said in a statement. This book is the voice of a writer who, in the most difficult time for her country, chose the role of testifying about the war crimes of the Russians and seeking punishment for the perpetrators." (AP)
In a dazzling display of talent and creativity, the members of aespa stunned fans at their recent Seoul concert of the "2024 aespa LIVE TOUR - SYNK: PARALLEL LINE" by unveiling brand new solo songs, each uniquely crafted and personally penned by the members themselves.

The concert, held at a packed venue in Seoul, saw all four members of aespa (Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning) taking center stage to debut their solo tracks, much to the delight and surprise of their dedicated fanbase.

What set these performances apart was not just their individuality but also the personal touch each member brought through their involvement in the songwriting process.

Giselle, known for her soulful vocals and magnetic stage presence, captivated the audience with her R&B track titled "Dopamine."

Not only did she deliver a mesmerizing performance, but she also showcased her versatility as an artist by contributing to both the composition and lyrics of the song.

Equally impressive was Karina's dynamic rendition of "Up", a vibrant hip-hop track that highlighted her powerful rap skills.

READ MORE: Karina Gets Compared to Bae Suzy, Jennie Following Recent CF: 'She's Not As Pretty...'

The song, which resonated with the audience for its catchy beats and energetic vibe, featured lyrics penned entirely by Karina herself, showcasing her growing confidence and creative prowess.

Ningning, known for her velvety vocals and charismatic aura, took a more introspective route with her solo track "Bored."

The song, characterized by its sensual melodies and poignant lyrics, was entirely written by Ningning, offering fans a glimpse into her personal thoughts and emotions.

Winter, known for her expressive vocals and stage presence, electrified the audience with her EDM track "Spark."

The song, which seamlessly blended infectious beats with Winter's own lyrics and composition, underscored her role as not just a performer but also a skilled songwriter.

The unveiling of these solo songs not only highlighted aespa's musical diversity but also deepened the connection between the members and their fans.

Our main rapper singing her self-written solo song 'keep goin' i always love to see GISELLE's moment expressing her thoughts in a song & with her beautiful warm voice

She made a huge mark with her self-written rap 'SYNK, GISELLE'

WINTER YOU ARE EVERYTHING

Like mother like daughterrrr damnnnnn the be really giving same song title to them. QUEENS

OH THIS IS GOLDEN!!! SM RELEASE NOW

With each member contributing creatively to their respective tracks, the concert was not just a performance but a celebration of aespa's growth as artists.

ALSO READ: aespa Giselle Shocks K-pop Community With Controversial 'Porn Star' Outfit + MYs Condemn Group's Stylist

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
In a recent post on the popular online community theqoo, a netizen has sparked a heated debate surrounding NewJeans' latest collaboration with renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.

The controversy revolves around the cover art of their Japanese release album, titled "Supernatural," which prominently features Murakami's iconic "Smiling Flower" motif.

Murakami, known for his vibrant and often whimsical art style, created the "Smiling Flower" as a symbol with deeper historical connotations.

According to the post, the flower is not merely a cheerful design but is rooted in the artist's reflection on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It symbolizes the juxtaposition of smiling faces hiding deep-seated despair and trauma among the Japanese people affected by these tragic events.

The netizen's explanation included details that in English-speaking countries, the flower is known as the 'Happy Flower' or 'Murakami Flower,' while in Korea, it is referred to as the 'Rainbow Flower' or 'Smiling Flower.'

NewJeans Supernatural POP-UP  



 ,   

    .



2024.6.26 - 2024.7.10 KST

  

  (26 11:00AM (KST) )



NewJeans x MURAKAMI M/L,  pic.twitter.com/wEot2EP8gL  LINE FRIENDS SQUARE (@LINEFRIENDSinfo) June 19, 2024

The post emphasized that Murakami's art consistently touches upon themes related to Japan's historical trauma, making the use of such imagery a sensitive and controversial choice.

READ MORE: NewJeans Hanni Draws Mixed Reaction for 'Too Revealing' Outfit: 'Looks Unsophisticated'

Responses from other netizens flooded the comments section, expressing a spectrum of reactions.

Many admitted they were unaware of the flower's deeper meaning until now, highlighting a perceived oversight in cultural sensitivity by NewJeans and those involved in the collaboration.

Some compared this situation to past controversies where groups have faced backlash for insensitive use of imagery related to historical tragedies.

"I didn't know that the smiling flower has such a meaning."

"Some other groups even apologized for wearing T-shirts with bomb images. NewJeans and Min Hee Jin should apologize, too."

"You need to check very carefully whatever you do in Japan. That's why I hate Japan."

"If it were another group, the collaboration would have received a lot of criticism."

"Didn't Min Hee Jin plan this? Whoever planned this, shouldn't you have researched more carefully? I have nothing to say."

"Are there any positive articles about NewJeans lately?"

"Oh... I didn't know this. I hope Korean groups can check the information more carefully when doing promotions in Japan. That's disappointing."

The comments reflect a mixture of surprise, disappointment, and calls for accountability, with some questioning the oversight in research and planning that led to the use of such culturally significant imagery without full understanding or acknowledgment of its implications.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: NewJeans' Dramatic Drop in Brand Reputation Rankings Raises Brows

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
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DeSoto District Court Judge Amy Burford McCartney (left) administers the oath to new Clerk of Court Lisa Lobrano Burson, who was joined by her husband, Jason, and son, Maverick.
Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], July 1 (ANI): Meghalaya Frontier Headquarters of the Border Security Force (BSF) is hosting 'Inspectors General BSF-Region Commanders BGB Level Border Co-Ordination Conference' from July 1 to July 4 at Umpling, Shillong.

The conference is held bi-annually between the two border guarding forces to discuss various issues of mutual interest for effective border management including joint efforts against cross-border crime, pending development works in the border region and measures to prevent illegal cross-border movement will be discussed between the two forces, Meghalaya Frontier BSF stated in a press release.

Also Read | Salary Hike for Government Employees: Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Announces Salary Hike of 119,861 Employees by 8%; Check Details, Eligibility.

"On 1st July 2024, the delegation of Border Guard Bangladesh was warmly welcomed by a senior officer of BSF at ICP Dawki and further the delegation reached at Umpling BSF campus, Shillong in connection with 4 days Co-ordination Conference," it stated.

The BGB delegation consisting of 13 members is headed by Md Shazedur Rahman, Additional Director General, Region Commander of South East Region, Chattogram.

Also Read | Maharashtra MLC Election 2024 Result: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Anil Parab Wins Legislative Council Polls From Mumbai Graduates Seat by Defeating BJP's Kiran Shelar (Watch Video).

"From BSF, the Indian delegation is headed by Patel Piyush Purusottam Das, IPS IG BSF Tripura Frontier along with 12 members from Meghalaya, Silchar and Tripura Frontiers of BSF and representatives of MHA, MEA and NCB will also attend the conference," it added.

The conference will culminate on July 4 with the signing of a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD) by the leaders of both delegations. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh on Monday slammed the opposition in Lok Sabha, saying the Congress and the Gandhi family should not talk about protecting the Constitution as they "destroyed" the statute and imprisoned many leaders during the Emergency.

"I declare the Congress party as anti-Constitution," Singh, whose JD (U) in part of the ruling NDA, said while intervening in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address.

Also Read | Maharashtra MLC Election 2024 Result: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Anil Parab Wins Legislative Council Polls From Mumbai Graduates Seat by Defeating BJP's Kiran Shelar (Watch Video).

He said the name of the Gandhi family would be mentioned in the "black chapter" of Indian history.

Singh that many opposition members came to the House with a copy of the Constitution even though it was the Congress that "shattered and tarnished" it.

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"They do not have any right to discuss the Constitution and also hold it in their hands... You people have nothing to do with the Constitution," Singh said.

Targeting the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, he alleged his address was similar to his election campaign speeches and accused him of misleading people and attacking constitutional institutions.

He also said that the SP and the DMK should not support a party that has "destroyed" the Constitution.

"I urge you (SP and DMK) not to support the Congress," Singh said adding that the people have rejected the opposition in the just concluded general elections.

Further, he said, that the opposition raised questions over the election process and EVMs (electronic voting machines), but "if the machines are not good, how did the TMC form its government in West Bengal and the Congress in Himachal Pradesh".

"The threat to the Constitution is from the Congress party, not from Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the JD (U) leader said.

He said that people voted for Modi for the third consecutive term to continue the fight against corruption and the work for the uplift of the poor and farmers.

It is Modi's resolution to make India a developed nation and the third largest economy of the world, Singh said.

The Munger (Bihar) MP added that the Modi government has taken and is taking steps to help farmers and push the country's economic growth.

Participating in the discussions, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant urged the President to intervene whenever something wrong is done.

"You (President) also have the right to pull ears, you did not pull ears," the Mumbai (South) MP said.

He also criticised the use of words by Prime Minister Modi during the election campaign.

Referring to ruling party members talking about Emergency, Sawant urged the treasury benches not to talk about "old wounds".

He said that the NDA government is not against corruption as they formed the government in Maharashtra with the help of people who were called corrupt by the prime minister himself.

He lamented that nobody is bothered and ready to discuss the alleged Rs 30 lakh crore "scam" of the stock market where retail investors lost their savings.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP from Shirur Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, Amol Kolhe, said that the government is talking about the Indian economy being the 5th largest in the world but not about borrowings.

"When and how are we going to repay that," he asked.

He said that despite providing free food grains to 80 crore poor people, "India's rank in the hunger index is 111 out of 125".

Kolhe also demanded a cut in the GST rates on agri equipment.

He alleged that by imposing an export ban on onion, the NDA government supported Pakistani onion farmers.

Referring to man-leopard conflicts in his constituency, he said the government should consider leopard reproduction control.

He also suggested extending the reservation to Marathas without affecting the OBC quota.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 1: A 30-year-old man was fatally attacked with an iron rod and stabbed with a scissor allegedly by a grocery shop-owner and his sons for not purchasing from their store in northwest Delhi's Shakurpur, police said on Monday.

According to police, the incident took place on June 30. The deceased was identified as Vikram Kumar. Police said accused Lokesh Gupta and his two sons -- Priyansh and Harsh -- were arrested and booked for murder. "Gupta runs a grocery shop. Vikram's family was his old regular customer. Delhi Shocker: Girl Reportedly Attacked on Face With Blade on Premises of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya School; Disturbing Video Surfaces.

Around a month ago, the family stopped buying food items from Gupta's shop due to some issues between them. This enraged them. A fight broke out between them on Sunday around 10 pm," a senior police officer said. The officer further said that during the fight, Gupta and his sons hit Vikarm on his head with an iron rod and stabbed him in his neck, due to which died.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar, Jul 1 (PTI) The three new criminal laws that came into effect on Monday will ensure timely delivery of justice, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) have replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Also Read | Maharashtra MLC Election 2024 Result: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Anil Parab Wins Legislative Council Polls From Mumbai Graduates Seat by Defeating BJP's Kiran Shelar (Watch Video).

Speaking to the media, Harichandan said there was a national demand to reform the British-era criminal laws. "The country's legal system faced several challenges under these colonial laws. With the new laws, the legal system is expected to overcome these issues, ensuring that justice is delivered without delays, as a set time limit has been established," he said.

The minister said the new laws will help minimise case pendency in various courts.

Also Read | 'Anupamaa': Gaurav Khanna Aka Anuj Kapadia's New Look Goes Viral? Top Plot Twists To Expect.

Senior BJD leader Pratap Keshari Deb raised concerns about the implementation of the new laws and emphasised the complexities involved in implementing it.

Odisha DGP Arun Sarangi said master trainers and investigating officers in the state have received training on the new criminal laws through both offline and online modes.

"Additional training programmes will be conducted in future. The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) platform has been upgraded to support the new laws, and the software at all police stations across the state has been updated. A help desk has been set up at the State Crime Records Bureau to assist officials, and several SOPs have been issued to field-level police officers, which will be updated as needed," he added.

The Sakhya App, developed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), will enroll investigating officials to make videographies of crime scenes, he added.

Meanwhile, Odisha Police registered its first FIR under the new criminal code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, against a person for allegedly threatening a private firm employee.

The FIR was registered at Laxmisagar police station in Bhubaneswar under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 109, 118(1), and 3(5) of the BNS, based on a complaint by the victim's son, Rudra Prasad Das.

The FIR stated that three persons attacked Rudra's father, Gouranga Charan Das, with a blade near Chintamaniswar temple on June 29. Inspector in charge of Laxmisagar police station, P. Shyam Sundar Rao, registered the case (No. 370/24) and assigned SI G. Saha to investigate.

According to Rao, the accused had been threatening Gouranga for several days and attacked him on June 29. The complainant said the miscreants again threatened Gouranga on Monday, leading him to file the FIR.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BRI helps Africa build infrastructure, create much-needed jobs: Nigerian FM

14:57, July 01, 2024 By Yin Yeping ( Global Times

Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. (Photo: Yin Yeping/GT)

China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) builds roads, provides electricity, and creates much-needed jobs for Nigeria, the country's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said in a recent exclusive interview with the Global Times during the Summer Davos in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Tuggar refuted Western media narrative of BRI causing "debt trap" in developed countries, and China's attempt to influence Africa through BRI, calling it "an insult" to African countries. He noted the positive impact of BRI on Nigeria and expressed his expectations for deeper ties with China.

There are quite a few BRI projects underway in Nigeria, which help build roads, bridges, and power generators in his country, Tuggar said.

And, infrastructure projects have created many jobs for Nigeria, a country with a huge population, he said.

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. Nigeria has 223.8 million people, according to Statista.

"By 2050, we're going to have 400 million people, so we're in a race against time to create jobs," Tuggar said.

"Infrastructure helps to take people out of poverty, which is also what we want to do. That's why BRI is very important to us. We want to make sure it is done in a sustainable manner," said the foreign minister.

Nigeria has achieved strong economic development driven by BRI projects, especially in railways and telecommunication sectors such as optical fibers, according to media reports.

Talking about the changes that Chinese projects have brought to the African country, the minister said they have been "immense," giving the example of the Chinese-built Lekki Deep Sea Port, the first of its kind in Nigeria. The multi-purpose deep sea port began commercial operations in April 2023, with a design capacity for handling 1.2 million standard containers annually.

However, some Western media and politicians have kept hyping the "debt trap" narrative, with some claiming that China is using BRI to influence African countries. In a response, Tuggar said that it is "an insult to African countries."

"It implies that an African country doesn't know what is good for them," he said, noting that "nobody is going to pull wool over our eyes. We know exactly what we're doing."

Development is a matter of life and death as people need electricity, roads, and sustainable development such as green transformation, the foreign minister said, adding that these things cannot be done without building infrastructure.

Tuggar said: "If we borrow (money and expertise) to bring benefits to people to improve their standards of living, there's nothing wrong with that. Actually, every country is doing that (borrowing money for development) and there is no country that does not have debt."

"What we need is development and not to keep on saying we're not going to invest because there's a risk. This so-called risk is exaggerated," Tuggar said.

The Nigerian foreign minister expressed his expectations of deepening relations with China. In addition to traditional fields such as infrastructure, Nigeria also wants to expand cooperation in other areas such as electric vehicles (EV), in which China has the competitive advantage.

"We see Chinese companies investing in lithium processing in our country, which is exactly what we need - we want to create an entire supply chain ranging from mining to processing to final EV plants," Tuggar said, adding that "Nigeria sets no limit in its cooperation with China."

Tuggar also responded to intensified protectionism by some Western countries targeting China, saying that "globalization has already happened, reversing the trend is not going to work."

"We're never in favor of protectionism. We're moving from a bipolar to a multipolar world and we should come to terms with that," he said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan)
Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 1 (ANI): Various social organisations have called for a Reasi Bandh.

Visuals from the Reasi bus stand on Monday morning showed people burning tyres and protesting on the streets.

Also Read | LPG Cylinder Price Cut: INR 30-31 Reduction Announced in Prices of Commercial LPG Cylinders, No Chance in Domestic Gas Cylinder Prices; Check Slashed Rates in Metro Cities.

Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Police detained 12 suspects in connection with the vandalization of a religious place in the Dharmadi area of Arnas in the Reasi district.

An FIR has been registered under section 295 of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) by the Reasi police.

Also Read | Tejmul Aka JCB Arrested: West Bengal Police Arrest TMC Worker Accused of Assaulting Couple Over Extra-Marital Affair in Chopra (Disturbing Video) .

As per information from the police, the teams swung into action and rounded up three suspects during the night hours. A series of raids were continued during the daytime and around nine more suspects were apprehended by the team of the Police station in Arnas for questioning the case.

Sensing the gravity of the case, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Sharing the details, SSP Reasi conveyed that around 12 suspects were rounded up and apprehended in the case until now for questioning and further investigation in the case is underway.

The SSP further appealed to the people of Reasi to remain calm and maintain peace and communal harmony in the area.

Reasi Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Iftekhar said that the anti-elements who want to disturb the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood would be caught.

"Yesterday at 7:30 p.m. in the Dharmadi area, an incident was reported in which an unknown person entered and tried to vandalise a temple. The police have registered a case and around three suspects have been rounded up. Many more people have been identified. The police teams are on the job. The anti-social elements who want to harm the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood will be caught soon," he said.

"The SSP has also formed a Special Investigation Team, looking at the sensitivity of the matter. DSP-level officers will look into the matter. The Reasi police are trying to identify the culprit as soon as possible and punish them under the law so that peace can be maintained," the ASP added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) Delhi Women and Child Development minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday said women helpline 181 will now be run by his department rather than the DCW, and the number will be closed for a few days for transition.

He said the central government plans to make it mandatory for the women helpline to be run by the Department of Women and Child Development rather than the Delhi Commission for Women.

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The post of the DCW chief has been lying vacant since Swati Maliwal was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Last year, Maliwal had said the DCW's 181 helpline received more than 6.3 lakh calls between July 2022 and June 2023.

Gahlot said the transition from the DCW to the Department of Women and Child Development is expected to be completed within two days. It includes comprehensive arrangements to ensure seamless service. In the interim, calls for assistance can be made to 112, with measures in place to inform the public about the change, he said.

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The current service provider has been requested to run a statement during this buffer period on their IVR, stating, "Women Helpline-181 is currently in a transition phase, please call 112 for any assistance."

"Women Helpline No. 181 was operational till yesterday 30.06.2024 and was being run by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). But now the Government of India plans to make it mandatory for the helpline to be run by the Women and Child Development Department. Keeping this in mind, all preparations have been completed by the department," Gahlot said in a post in Hindi on X.

Line transfer will take a day or two in the transition phase, the minister added.

"I am hopeful that women helpline number 181 will be operational again in a few days. At present, calls can be made on helpline number 112. All women-related calls received on helpline number 112 will be forwarded to the department," Gahlot said.

In a statement issued by the government, Gahlot was quoted as saying, "We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of women in Delhi. We aim to provide a more integrated and efficient response to the needs of women in distress. Our department has made all necessary arrangements to handle calls effectively and provide timely assistance. I am confident that the Women Helpline number 181 will be operational again within a few days."

This transition occurred following the directive from the central government which instructed the Department of Women and Child Development to manage 181 as per a letter to the Chief Secretary dated May 4 last year.

According to an official, the Centre government's guidelines mandate that the helpline should be run by the Women and Child Development department of the state government but here it was being run by the DCW. The government was also not releasing grants for the helpline.

The 181 helpline receives approximately 40,000 calls each month. It is a toll-free, 24-hour telecom service providing support and information to women seeking assistance.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bern [Switzerland], July 1 (ANI): At least four people have died and one is missing in the flooding in southern Switzerland, reported CNN, citing local police and Swiss state media.

Three people, however, have been killed in a landslide in the Maggia Valley, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.

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Switzerland's Valais canton police said that another man was found dead in a hotel in Saas-Grund, adding that initial findings suggested he could have been taken by surprise by the rapidly rising waters, as reported by CNN.

Moreover, a search has been going on for a 52-year-old man who has been missing in the village of Binn since Saturday evening, Valais Cantonal Police said in a press release Sunday.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Indian-Origin Professor at University of Birmingham in UK Uday Reddy Booked for Inciting Ethnic Tensions in Imphal Through Social Media.

The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the case of the missing man in Binn and the man found dead in Saas-Grund, police added.

The floods are a result of a rapid increase in water levels of several rivers, including the Rhone, caused by storms and melting snow, the police stated in the press release.

They further said that the flooding has also caused debris flows and numerous road closures, CNN reported.

The river Rhone overflowed in several places causing hundreds of people in the Canton of Valais to be evacuated, according to a local government statement.

The statement further read that "major damage" had also been reported in the valleys near the Rhone River in Upper Valais.

Following the flooding, the Valais canton said that it called on the army to provide further support.

Meanwhile, in France, the department of Haute-Saone, which is near the border with Switzerland, was also hit with strong storms overnight.

"Last night, Haute-Saone was hit by violent storms with intense rainfall and strong gusts of wind," the local government said in a post on X. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Jul 1 (AP) As President Joe Biden attempts to reassure supporters following his widely panned debate performance on Thursday, Democrats still worried about having him at the top of the ticket in November have few realistic options at their disposal, at least as far as party rules and historical precedent are concerned.

Those fretting over Biden as the Democratic nominee have some alternative, albeit unlikely, scenarios to consider: One involves Biden stepping aside voluntarily, the other, and by far the least likely, involves an 11th-hour effort to defeat him at the convention by winning over pledged delegates he has won in the nominations contests, who are technically obligated to support him only by good conscience in the party's rules.

Also Read | Israel-Palestine Conflict: IDF Releases Around 50 Gazan Detainees, Including Al-Shifa Hospital Director Mohammed Abu Selmia.

Challenges to the presumptive nominee can occur, but there are significant hurdles, according to Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert in the party's nominating process.

It has been tried, and it usually fails, said Kamarck, who is a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee.

Also Read | Hurricane Beryl Update: Dangerous and Extremely Powerful Beryl Makes Landfall As Category 4 Hurricane on Caribbean Island of Carriacou.

You would need a strong and persuasive alternative to Biden, and right now there isn't one," she added.

The path to picking a new standard-bearer would be clearer if Biden were to step aside voluntarily, which he's given no indication that he's considering.

For some Democrats, the idea that Biden won't be the nominee remains a ludicrous hypothetical scenario. It's typical Democratic overreacting, said Bill DeMora, the convention director for the Ohio Democratic Party.

Are delegates required to support the candidate to whom they are pledged?

Under the Democratic presidential nomination process, candidates are entitled to a share of delegates in each state in rough proportion to the votes they received in that state's primary or caucus. The candidate who receives a majority of delegate votes wins the party's nomination.

In 2024, Biden swept all but one primary or caucus and the vast majority of delegates at stake in those contests. Those delegates are considered to be pledged to Biden, which means they were selected to fill delegate slots that Biden won as a result of his vote performances in various primaries and caucuses. However, under party rules, that pledge is more of a strong expectation rather than an iron-clad, legal obligation.

DNC rules encourage but don't specifically require delegates to vote for the candidate they're pledged to support. Instead, the rules say, All delegates to the National Convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.

In other words, the thousands of delegates Biden won during the primary season are bound only by their consciences to actually cast their votes for Biden when it comes time to select a nominee, although it would be unprecedented for delegates on a wide scale to support a candidate other than the one they were pledged to support.

One feature of the party's rules that makes a delegate revolt against the presumptive nominee unlikely is that the candidate has the right to review and make changes to their slate of delegates in each state, ensuring that delegate slots are filled by supporters loyal to the candidate.

What's the origin of the good conscience rule?

The DNC adopted the good conscience language in 1982 after multiple rounds of reforms to its presidential nomination process.

In 1980, the Democratic National Convention adopted a rule requiring delegates to vote for the candidate that they were selected to support. The rule was an effort by supporters of then-President Jimmy Carter to bolster his reelection campaign against the insurgent candidacy of Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. Kennedy supporters dubbed the measure the robot rule, in that it would not allow delegates to exercise their own discretion when casting their votes at the convention.

After Carter's defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan, the party passed additional reforms in 1982 in an effort chaired by then-North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt. The Hunt Commission repealed the robot rule and replaced it with the good conscience language, loosening the party's grip over its pledged delegates, though leaving in place the expectation that they will follow the will of primary and caucus voters in their states.

The Commission also created unpledged delegate slots for certain party leaders and elected officials, positions that have been informally called superdelegates.

What happens to delegates pledged to Biden if he withdraws?

The 2024 convention rules don't directly address what happens if the candidate with the most pledged delegates drops out before the convention. However, there's a general understanding that if a candidate drops out, the delegates pledged to that candidate are free to support another candidate of their choice. That's how Democrats interpreted the rules when Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota ended his presidential primary bid in March; Phillips said he would encourage delegates that he won to vote for Biden instead.

There are not always rules for things that aren't likely to happen, like the leading candidate dropping out," said Hans Noel, an associate professor at Georgetown University's Department of Government.

Under this circumstance, a withdrawal speech would be likely in which a candidate may or may not signal his preference for someone to replace him, Kamarck said. That would not bind the delegates but would obviously carry a lot of weight.

What happens if Biden withdraws after the convention?

If a Democratic nominee withdraws after the convention, the party rules are clearer. If the nominee resigns, dies or is otherwise unable to run for president, the DNC  conferring with Democratic leadership in Congress and the Democratic Governors Association  fills the vacancy. But withdrawing from the race after the convention could pose different challenges. For starters, Democrats could bump up against ballot access deadlines similar to the one in Ohio that prompted the party to plan to nominate Biden virtually before the convention, although Ohio lawmakers subsequently moved their deadline. Also, a postconvention withdrawal would leave any new nominee very little time to organize a campaign, while allowing the hand-wringing over Biden to drag on for another two months.

Is there any historical precedent for a last-minute change in the party's nominee?

There's no exact precedent for replacing a presidential nominee or presumptive nominee. The last president who voluntarily chose not to run for another term in office was Lyndon Johnson, who dropped out of the 1968 race after the primaries had already begun but before officially receiving the nomination. Then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey didn't participate in the primaries but was still chosen by a large majority of delegates at the convention. The backlash to the process that resulted in Humphrey's nomination prompted the party to change its rules, resulting in today's primary system that rewards candidates based on their performance on primary and caucus ballots.

Four years later, Democratic vice presidential nominee Thomas Eagleton of Missouri withdrew from the ticket following his disclosure that he had once undergone psychiatric treatment. The DNC met the following week and held a vote selecting Sargent Shriver, brother-in-law to the late President John F. Kennedy, to replace him.

Both Presidents Gerald Ford, a Republican, and Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, faced strong challenges at their conventions when they each ran for another term in 1976 and 1980, respectively, although those challenges emerged much earlier in the calendar. In both elections, the president won the nomination but lost in the general election.

Could all of this change before the convention?

The procedures for the party nomination are set by the state party, which has leeway to change its rules at any time. In the weeks before the convention, the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee could vote to implement new rules addressing what happens if a leading nominee withdraws before the convention  or if it wished to, more tightly binding delegates to the presumptive nominee.

The RNC and DNC both write their own rules, Noel said. And they can change them when they see a need. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 1: Meta-owned WhatsApp on Monday said it banned more than 66 lakh accounts in India in the month of May for violating the laws of the land. Out of 6,620,000 banned WhatsApp accounts, 1,255,000 were proactively blocked, before any reports from users, the social media company said in a statement. The popular mobile messaging platform, which has more than 550 million users in India, received 13,367 grievances from the country, and the records "actioned" were just 31.

The account "Actioned" means complaints where WhatsApp took remedial action. WhatsApp also received 11 orders from the Grievance Appellate Committee in the country and complied with both, according to its monthly compliance report as per the new Indian IT Rules 2021. WhatsApp To Stop Working on These Smartphones From Apple, Samsung and Other Brands by End of 2024; Check Complete List.

"We will continue with transparency to our work and include information about our efforts in future reports," said the company. For April, the Meta-owned platform banned more than 71 lakh accounts in the country. The platform received a record 10,554 complaint reports in March, and the records "actioned" were 11. WhatsApp New Feature Update: Meta-Owned Platform Rolls Out New Events Feature; Check Details and Know How To Use It in Groups.

The company employs a team of engineers, data scientists, analysts, researchers, and experts in law enforcement, online safety, and technology developments to oversee these efforts. "We enable users to block contacts and to report problematic content and contacts to us from inside the app. We pay close attention to user feedback and engage with specialists in stemming misinformation, promoting cybersecurity, and preserving election integrity," said WhatsApp.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 01, 2024 06:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon's effort to avoid prison while appealing his contempt of Congress conviction.

The court issued a brief order with no noted dissents, according to CNN.

Bannon, a conservative podcast host and former Trump strategist, had requested a pause on his prison sentence.

Still, a federal judge ordered him to turn himself in by July 1 for a four-month sentence.

Bannon must report to federal prison on Monday after the Supreme Court dismissed his last-ditch petition to delay his sentence while challenging his conviction for defying a House committee subpoena investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

In July 2022, Bannon was found guilty of ignoring the subpoena and sentenced to four months in prison, initially allowed to remain free during his appeals process.

However, last month, a federal appeals court upheld his conviction, and Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered him to begin serving his sentence.

Bannon's lawyers argued that he would serve his entire sentence before the Supreme Court could hear his appeal.

The court's term ends on Monday, and Bannon is not expected to be released until just before the November election.

READ NEXT: Steve Bannon, Trump Ally, Ordered to Surrender by July 1

Bannon's Prison Conditions and Pending Trials

Steve Bannon will serve his four-month sentence at a low-security federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, instead of the minimum-security camp he sought.

His conviction stems from refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Bannon argued he was following his lawyer's advice, who claimed executive privilege invoked by then-President Trump, but courts ruled no privilege existed since Trump had left office.

Bannon, assigned inmate number 05635-509, is expected to surrender on Monday with the help of his prison consultant, Sam Mangel, The Daily Beast reports.

Unlike Peter Navarro, who began his sentence in March, Bannon will face a stricter schedule with less freedom and more dangerous inmates.

Additionally, Bannon's separate criminal detainer requires him to report to a low-level facility due to his upcoming trial in Manhattan for allegedly defrauding supporters of the "We Build the Wall" movement.

Legal Battles Intensify for Trump Allies

Steve Bannon's conviction parallels the case of Peter Navarro, another former Trump adviser, who is nearing the end of his four-month prison term in Miami.

Both faced contempt of Congress charges for refusing to cooperate with the House panel investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, the New York Times noted.

The committee wanted to question Bannon and Navarro about their coordination with Republican members to challenge the election results and Bannon's remarks predicting chaos on January 5, 2021.

Bannon was found in contempt in October 2021 and later blamed his lawyer for advising him to defy the panel.

Bannon, a staunch Trump ally and vocal supporter of his reelection bid, argued he relied on his attorneys' advice regarding Trump's claims of executive privilege.

However, the Justice Department stated Bannon showed "total noncompliance" with the subpoena.

Steve Bannon faces an upcoming trial in Manhattan for allegedly misusing funds raised for Donald Trump's border wall initiative, further complicating his legal battles.

His case highlights the broader legal challenges that Trump's former aides and advisers face, emphasizing the serious consequences of defying congressional subpoenas.

As Bannon prepares for prison, more trials and potential convictions loom, reflecting the judicial system's stringent approach to contempt charges.

READ MORE: Trump's Gag Order Win Could Backfire, Warns Ex-Prosecutor Glenn Kirschner

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Steve Bannon makes longshot request to Supreme Court to avoid prison - From CNN
Former President Donald Trump seized upon what he described as a decisive victory in Thursday's presidential debate against President Joe Biden, energizing supporters in Virginia and questioning Biden's fitness for office.

Trump's sharp rebuke centered on Biden's perceived incompetence and underscored his campaign's growing momentum, according to The Hill.

Trump ridiculed Biden's preparation efforts, claiming they fell short despite Biden securing favorable debate conditions.

The former president also dismissed speculation within Democratic circles about replacing Biden on the ticket, citing internal polling that favors Biden over other potential contenders such as Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama.

READ NEXT: 2024 First Presidential Debate: Trump Spreads Misinformation, Biden Fumbles

Donald Trump's Rally in Democratic-leaning Virginia

Donald Trump strategically leveraged his debate performance into a spirited campaign Virginia rally in Chesapeake, highlighting his confidence in turning traditionally Democratic states in his favor.

He reiterated criticisms of Joe Biden's leadership, framing the election as a stark choice between strength and weakness, competence and incompetence.

The Virginia rally, strategically positioned near the North Carolina border, aimed to galvanize support in crucial battlegrounds where Trump currently holds a polling advantage.

The event featured a notable appearance by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who enthusiastically endorsed Trump and praised the former president's accomplishments in office.

During his extended 90-minute speech, Trump addressed many issues, including economic policies, public safety, and national security, Politico reports.

He also appealed to his base by advocating for releasing individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol breach, aligning with his broader stance on law and order.

Trump's rhetoric included promises to secure the nation's borders and revive what he termed as the fading American dream, contrasting his pledges with what he portrayed as Biden's failures.

The former president simultaneously encouraged early and mail-in voting while casting doubt on the integrity of these methods, a recurring theme in his campaign strategy.

Biden's Response and Campaign Strategy

In stark contrast to Donald Trump's jubilant rally, President Joe Biden acknowledged his debate shortcomings during a Raleigh, North Carolina rally, emphasizing his experience and unwavering commitment to truth and effective governance.

Biden addressed concerns about his age and debate performance, asserting his resilience and leadership readiness.

The president's remarks aimed to reassure supporters and counter Trump's narrative of his debate performance, CBS News noted.

Biden's campaign mobilizes voters and addresses criticisms head-on, striving to maintain momentum in a fiercely competitive electoral environment.

Beyond critiquing Biden, Trump took aim at potential Democratic alternatives, notably Vice President Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama.

He dismissed Harris as an unpopular choice and criticized Michelle Obama's polling numbers, reinforcing his belief that Biden remains the Democrats' strongest contender despite debate setbacks.

Donald Trump's comments underscored his strategic approach of highlighting perceived vulnerabilities among Democratic contenders while bolstering his leadership credentials and policy agenda.

The former president's remarks reflect ongoing efforts to shape the electoral narrative leading up to the 2024 election, positioning himself as a formidable candidate against a fractured Democratic field.

READ MORE: Donald Trump's Gag Order Eased Before Presidential Debate

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Trump holds a campaign rally in Virginia - From The National Desk
After facing a coup from one of his country's top generals, Bolivia President Luis Arce is now denying rumors that he was the one actually behind the coup so that he could boost his declining popularity as the country's economic woes begin to bite.

"We were never informed about his intentions," he told reporters during a press conference in the capital, La Paz. "We were surprised."

The coup happened Wednesday as a group of soldiers tried to batter down the doors of the government palace in an effort to remove Arce from power. The coup was led by the then-chief of the Army, Juan Jose Zuniga, who was soon confronted by Arce himself and was ordered to stand down. He eventually did and ordered his troops to leave after they became surrounded by pro-government forces, as well as Arce's civilian supporters.

Zuniga was soon arrested, along with the chief of Bolivia's Navy. Before he was arrested, however, the general told reporters that the coup was the idea of President Arce, whose popularity was declining amid Bolivia's declining economy and facing a serious challenge for his re-election.

In his statement before he was arrested, Zuniga told local media that three days before the coup, Arce had authorized him to mobilize the armored vehicles "with the objective of controlling the situation of conflicts in the country."

Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said during an interview that the government received reports of "destabilization attempts," but they did not have any more information about this during that time. The public itself is also divided on whether Zuniga was just casting doubt into the case or if Arce is really behind the coup to rally the public behind him.

Bolivia President Luis Arce Thanks Supporters for Helping Repel Coup

It was not just pro-Arce forces that helped repel the coup, as a large contingent of civilians with Bolivian flags came to the square near the government palace and helped in making Zuniga's soldiers withdraw. Arce soon thanked them.

"Many thanks to the Bolivian people," said the president. "Long live democracy."

READ MORE: Bolivia Coup: General and Admiral Behind the Coup Arrested

Despite Arce getting a boost in popularity thanks to the coup, it did not solve his country's other problems, as the economy is still on a dive, while he is facing a tough re-election against former President Evo Morales, a former ally.

Families of 21 Bolivia Coup Suspects Plead Government for Mercy

Aside from the two top military officials being detained, there are a total of 21 military personnel were also detained for their role in the attempted coup. Their families are now begging the government for mercy for them and that they were just "tricked" into following Zuniga.

"They call us, they say that if we do anything, say anything, they're going to disappear us. They threaten not just us, but our children too," Gimena Silva, wife of one of the coup plotters told the Associated Press. Her husband, Luis Domingo Balanza, an Army major, was among the 21 people arrested.

"How are we going to feed our family?" asked another loved one. "I can't think of the future, what future can someone who has been implicated, who has been treated like this," the mother of one of the coup plotters added. "My son isn't a villain ... he's just a subordinate. He safeguarded his patrimony and they took advantage of him."

READ MORE: Bolivia: Coup Fails as President Luis Arce Mobilizes Citizens Against Military

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Why the Bolivia coup attempt may not be what it seems - CBC News
For the first time ever, a federal court in Buenos Aires, Argentina is hearing accusations of crimes against humanity against current Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who is also facing a crimes against humanity investigation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The trial comes as Venezuelans, frustrated by the limits of the laboriously slow International Criminal Court proceedings, brought the case to Argentina, which is 3,000 miles from Venezuela. For two days, victims of the Maduro regime testified against the current president and dictator and talked about the abuses made by the government under his rule.

This came after Argentine prosecutors moved to revive a criminal complaint that was filed back in 2003 earlier this year. It was filed by the Clooney Foundation for Justice on behalf of survivors and the family members whose loved ones were killed under Maduro's "systematic plan" to crush any form of dissent happening in Venezuela.

Many of the crimes were made by the Venezuelan National Guard, and the Argentine prosecutors declared that the crimes they committed were of "extreme seriousness" and required an immediate investigation.

Several people even flew in from Venezuela for the first pre-trial hearing on Thursday, with Yasmine Chubin, legal advocacy director at the Clooney Foundation, a nonprofit founded by George and Amal Clooney, telling the Associated Press, "Those testifying are people who have sought justice in Venezuela for a very long time, and have reached the end of where they can go."

"They're continuing to fight to hold those responsible to account, and that led to us filing this case," she added.

Under the Maduro regime, Venezuelan security forces used harsh tactics to clamp down on mass anti-government protests, leading to the arresting, torturing, and killing of those suspected of dissent. This led to the deaths of at least 43 people on both sides. In addition, Maduro has held a firm grip on power, installing loyalists in the Supreme Court and electoral body to ensure he stays president.

READ MORE: Colombia Gives Legal Status to 540,000 Migrants from Venezuela

Venezuela Holds Mock Elections Ahead of Crucial July Vote

Back in Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro is heading for re-election but is using his usual tactics to repress the opposition and make sure he wins. This includes a mock election held last Sunday so that he and his party could gauge its voter-mobilizing powers ahead of the July 28 vote.

Those who participated in the mock election were mostly party supporters and public employees. It was done so that they could familiarize themselves with the fingerprint readers and electronic voting machines that are going to be used in the national election.

Venezuela Opposition Holds Massive Rally One Month Before Big Vote

Meanwhile, the opposition is trying to rally Venezuelans who are tired of the constant problems under the Maduro regime with a massive rally led by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who used to be the election's frontrunner before the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court upheld her disqualification.

The rally was held in the Venezuelan city of San Cristobal as Machado called for Venezuelans to vote for her lesser-known replacement, diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who is currently leading Maduro in the polls by a wide margin.

READ MORE: Venezuela Troop Build-Up Near Border Violates International Law, Warns Guyana

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: How Maduro Has Clung Onto Power In Venezuela (HBO) - VICE News
Florida Republican congressman and accused pedophile and sex trafficker Matt Gaetz has admitted to cooking up a way to keep convicted former Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon out of jail as Bannon's July 1 deadline to show up in prison for incarceration nears.

During his appearance on "The Tim Pool Daily Show," Gaetz, who is battling a House Ethics inquiry into his sex trafficking and drug use activities, claimed that Bannon could be kept out of jail legally.

"I believe the only way Steve Bannon does not go to jail is if there is a vote at an entity called 'BLAG," he told the right-wing podcast host. This is a reference to the "Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group," an entity that "speaks for, and articulates the institutional position of, the House in all litigation matters," according to MSN.

In his scheme, he stated that Republicans currently hold a slim 3-2 majority in the House leadership, which is made up of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), the Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and the Minority Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA).

Bannon is currently fighting to keep out of jail as he requested emergency relief from the United States Court of Appeals in Washington. The court is expected to move to file legal documents and have this group of 5 House leaders determine that the January 6 Committee "was illegitimate" and thereby free Steve Bannon.

"It was illegitimately formed, it was a runaway committee, it did not have a proper minority member and whether it's Peter Navarro or Steve Bannon - nobody, nobody should be sitting in a jail cell because they would not comply with the absurd musings of a committee unlike any be before in our nation's history," Gaetz claimed.

The alleged pedophile added that he believes the group of House leaders, which has a Republican majority, will succeed by making it the "official view of the House of Representatives that the January 6 Committee was illegitimate."

READ MORE: Matt Gaetz Pedophile Scandal: Witness Told House Ethics Committee Florida Republican Paid Her for Sex

Matt Gaetz Supporting Challengers to Incumbent GOP Congressmen Critical of Him

Meanwhile, Matt Gaetz is not just cooking up schemes to keep a convicted criminal out of jail while battling a House Ethics Committee inquiry, but he is also actively endorsing Republican challengers to incumbent Republican representatives in the House.

However, as Yahoo! News pointed out, this move is so far falling flat as his endorsement of a hard-right challenger to incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois has failed, as his endorsed candidate, Darren Bailey, just lost to Bost last Tuesday.

Gaetz has also endorsed other candidates to run against what he calls RINOs or "Republicans in Name Only, such as challengers to Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) and other known critics.

Matt Gaetz Slammed for 'Law' Defense of Former President Donald Trump

Gaetz has also been actively defending former president and convicted felon Donald Trump after the Florida lawmaker told Attorney General Merrick Garland at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, "I am saddened by it because, like you, I have given my life to the law, I care deeply about the law."

Given that Gaetz is accused of sex trafficking a minor across state lines, MSNBC's Chris Hayes blasted the accused pedophile as he suggested that the Republican was casting himself as a "savior," and pointed out the hypocrisy of this as the lawmaker is accused of having sex with an underage girl and paying her for it, as well as having a former close friend cooperating into the investigation.

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: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz under investigation: New details on House ethics probe - ABC News
Haiti's interim Prime Minister Garry Conille vowed to reclaim the country from heavily armed gangs with the help of 200 newly arrived Kenyan officers.

Conille, alongside police chief Rameau Normil and the head of the Kenyan-led force, pledged to retake control neighborhood by neighborhood, according to the Miami Herald.

The mission, backed by the UN, faces high stakes as Haiti gangs control over 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Hours after Conille's warning, the 400 Mawozo gang set fire to a town hall near the Kenyans' base.

The mission's success remains uncertain, with more Kenyan officers expected soon.

The year-long, $600 million mission has only $21 million in a UN trust fund, with the Biden administration contributing over $300 million.

Keith Mines from the US Institute of Peace enthusiastically acknowledged the challenge ahead.

READ NEXT: Haiti PM Garry Conille Vows to Reclaim Nation with Arrival of Kenyan Police

US Expands Support for Haitians

Haiti's security mission faces challenges beyond funding.

Though the force aims to reach 2,500, the current base holds only 450, limiting troop presence.

Despite this, Prime Minister Garry Conille's outreach efforts show positive momentum.

Keith Mines from the US Institute of Peace warns of potential risks, like a catastrophic incident or civilian casualties.

The Biden administration announced expanded deportation relief and work permits for 309,000 Haitians in the US, extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through February 2026 due to ongoing violence in Haiti, Reuters noted.

This extension covers 264,000 Haitians who are already enrolled and adds new eligibility.

President Biden, balancing immigration policy, faces criticism from former President Trump over illegal immigration.

Haiti's gang wars have displaced over half a million people and caused severe food insecurity.

Armed groups control most of the capital, forming alliances and committing widespread violence.

TPS, offering deportation relief and work permits, will now be available to Haitians in the US on or before June 3.

This program, subject to regular renewals, has faced political challenges, with former President Trump attempting to end it but being blocked by courts.

Haitian migrant crossings have decreased as legal pathways to the US have increased.

The Human Cost of Gang Violence

Haiti gangs' violence is dire, with over one person killed or injured every hour in early 2024.

Nearly 600,000 people are displaced; many seek refuge in schools and police stations. Haiti's 9,000 police officers are up against approximately 8,000 gang members, both sides wielding similar firepower.

Colombia's President accused his military of smuggling arms into Haiti, BBC reports.

Despite facing domestic opposition and legal challenges, Kenya's President Ruto pledged Kenya police to assist, emphasizing shared responsibility for Haiti's security.

Kenya, now a major non-NATO ally, trained its officers in French and Haitian Creole.

The mission's success is uncertain, given Haiti's history of failed peacekeeping efforts.

Concerns about Kenyan police brutality persist, with recent allegations of excessive force against protesters.

Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille hopes for a different outcome from past missions, which included significant UN deployments in 1994 and 2004.

READ MORE: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez Faces 45-Year Sentence for Drug Trafficking

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Haiti crisis in numbers - BBC Africa - From BBC News Africa
Accusations that Bolivia President Luis Arce orchestrated a coup to boost his popularity have intensified despite the president denying those accusations recently. This time, his predecessor and former ally, former President Evo Morales, who will be running against Arce in next year's election, has joined the fray.

Morales has now accused Arce of deceiving Bolivians by staging a "self-coup" last week, as his ally-turned-rival has been declining in popularity amid Bolivia's continued economic woes. Morales initially condemned the coup but has since gone on to attack his predecessor over it.

On Sunday, Morales joined others who doubted the authenticity of the Bolivian coup d'etat and stated that the incident was merely Arce's attempt to win the sympathy of Bolivians at a time when his popularity is extremely low, according to the Associated Press.

Morales claimed that his successor "disrespected the truth, deceived us, lied, not only to the Bolivian people but to the whole world." Soon after, the former president then called for an independent investigation into the failed coup on X, formerly Twitter.

The coup was led by former Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga, who was then the chief of the Army. However, before he was arrested, the former general threw the authenticity of the coup into doubt when he claimed, "The president told me: 'The situation is very screwed up, very critical. It is necessary to prepare something to raise my popularity."

Presidential Minister Maria Nela Prada shot back at Evo Morales, stating that he should not "become a puppet, a marionette and an instrument of imperialism that intends to plunder our country," adding that the "fascist right" wanted to "distort history."

"What I condemn even more is that from people like Evo Morales, who claim to be leftists, there is ideological fluctuation around what are coups d'etat and failed coups d'etat in our country," she stated on state TV.

READ MORE: Bolivia Coup: President Luis Arce Denies Rumors He Planned Coup To Help Sagging Popularity

Multiple High-Ranking Bolivia Military Officials Arrested After Failed Coup D'etat

After the arrest of former army chief Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga and former navy commander Gen. Juan Arnez, a massive round-up of other high-ranking Bolivian military officials began, leading to the arrests of over a dozen alleged coup plotters.

Bolivia defense minister Edmundo Novillo stated that after the arrests, the government had regained "total and absolute control" over its military and added, "We urge the population that everything goes back to normal."

According to CNN, investigations into the coup will continue until all the "participants" are identified. They are also reportedly investigating the country's Air Force commander's involvement in the failed coup, but his name did not appear on any list of those who were arrested.

Bolivia Coup Leader Transferred to Maximum Security Prison

Meanwhile, according to Jurist news, General Juan Jose Zuniga has already been transferred to the maximum security El Abra Prison after his attempted coup to out President Luis Arce from office. The transfer came after prisoners, where he was previously held, had targeted the former military leader.

The move also came after the Fifth Anti-Corruption Court ruled that Zuniga, as well as former Navy commander Juan Arnez and former commander of the Army's Mechanized Brigade Edison Irahola, would be remanded to prison for six months while investigations are ongoing.

READ MORE: Bolivia: Coup Fails as President Luis Arce Mobilizes Citizens Against Military

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Bolivian general arrested after failed coup  FRANCE 24 English
Florida shark attack on the northeast coast has left a man critically injured after he was bitten on the right arm while aboard a boat on Friday morning.

Authorities responded swiftly to the incident, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by shark encounters in state waters, WPTV reports.

The Nassau County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit arrived at the scene around 11:15 AM local time following a distress call, finding the victim in a critical state with severe bleeding from the shark bite.

READ NEXT: Surfer and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Actor Tamayo Perry Dies After Shark Attack in Hawaii

Details of the Shark Attack and Response

According to Alicia Tarancon, spokesperson for the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred in the Amelia River near Fernandina Beach, approximately 35 miles north of Jacksonville.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was fishing when he encountered the Florida shark attack.

Responding deputies quickly boarded the vessel and applied a tourniquet to the victim's right arm to staunch the bleeding.

The deputy then navigated the boat to the Dee Dee Bartels boat ramp, where Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue awaited, according to Fox News.

From there, the Florida man was airlifted to a local hospital for emergency treatment.

Despite his critical condition upon arrival, officials have expressed optimism about his recovery prospects.

Context and Recent Incidents

This recent attack marks the third shark-related incident in Florida waters alone in June.

Earlier incidents in the Florida panhandle resulted in injuries and prompted temporary beach closures in Walton County.

Beyond Florida, shark encounters have been reported elsewhere in the US, including Southern California and Hawaii, where one tragic incident resulted in a fatality.

The death of Tamayo Perry, a well-known surfer and lifeguard in Hawaii, has underscored the dangers associated with shark encounters in popular coastal regions.

Stephen Kajiura, a professor of biological sciences specializing in sharks at Florida Atlantic University, attributes the recent spike in incidents to increased human activity in coastal waters during the summer months.

Warmer waters and seasonal migrations of shark populations also contribute to higher encounter rates.

Kajiura emphasized that while shark encounters are more frequent under these conditions, fatalities remain rare, AP News noted.

Florida, known for its coastal attractions, leads global statistics in unprovoked shark bites, though most incidents are non-fatal.

To mitigate risks, Kajiura advises beachgoers to exercise caution by avoiding swimming alone or in areas where schools of fish are present, as these can attract sharks.

He also recommends refraining from wearing shiny jewelry that might resemble fish scales and encourages swimming in groups and where lifeguards are present.

Despite the recent incidents, Kajiura reassures the public that most shark encounters are non-threatening and urges continued vigilance rather than avoidance of coastal waters.

As authorities continue to monitor and respond to shark-related incidents across coastal regions, the safety of beachgoers remains a priority.

The ongoing awareness and proactive measures by local officials and experts aim to balance public enjoyment of the coastline with the inherent risks posed by marine wildlife.

The Florida shark attack serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of marine environments and the importance of informed, cautious behavior when enjoying recreational activities along the coastlines of Florida and beyond.

READ MORE: Florida Teen Fatally Shoots Parents, Injures Deputy, Then Takes Own Life

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Shark attacks man while he's fishing in Florida - From ABC 7 Chicago
Here is a look at some government and other community news across the Lehigh Valley region for the week beginning Monday, July 1:

Monday, July 1

With the addition effective Monday, July 1, 2024, of the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, Greater Valley YMCA serves members and participants from Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Hunterdon County in New Jersey.Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com

DOYLESTOWN | Effective Monday, the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties will officially come together with Greater Valley YMCA, becoming River Crossing YMCA. As a result, the Y says members and participants from Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Hunterdon County in New Jersey will benefit from the facility amenities and specialized programming offered at all 12 member branches. As one YMCA, we truly are stronger together, committed to building upon the excellence of over 100 years of service to our local communities, Zane Moore, president/CEO of River Crossing YMCA, said in a statement.

EMMAUS / BETHLEHEM | UGI Utilities Inc. announced the start of gas main replacements on Monday in Emmaus and Bethlehem. The company says both projects are part of its commitment to provide safe and reliable service, and can represent opportunities for some homes and businesses along the project route to convert to natural gas. Drivers, residents and business owners may experience road closures, detours, parking restrictions and traffic delays during construction hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and there will be some interruptions to natural gas service. Click the links above or visit ugi.reportablenews.com to learn more.

Tuesday, July 2

BETHLEHEM | Bethlehem City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., with a full agenda that includes directing spending of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grants. City council live-streams its meetings on YouTube.

PEN ARGYL | Pen Argyl Borough Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Borough Hall, 11 N. Robinson Ave., to consider approval of Ordinance No. 732 as a new law prohibiting the discharge of any weapon within the borough, and establishing such violation as a summary offense, according to a legal advertisement.

Wednesday, July 3

EASTON | The Easton Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the third-floor City Council Chambers of City Hall, 123 S. Third St. The agenda includes the review of plans to convert an office building into eight apartments at 831 Lehigh St. in the West Ward. There are also plans up for review to create seven new lots in the 100 block of Phillips Street on South Side, for the proposed development of new single-family homes.

Thursday, July 4

Happy Independence Day! Most local and state government entities are closed Thursday, including all Pennsylvania Department of Transportation driver license and photo centers. Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores will be open from their regularly scheduled start time through 5 p.m. Thursday.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A new proposal to Phillipsburg Town Council could reshape the future of one segment of the areas most fabled waterway.

A spokesperson for the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Council told the town lawmakers on June 26 that they could be reconsidered for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act if the officials agree to support the groups other efforts.

One of the groups goals is to see Phillipsburg and Eastons segments designated as a National River, volunteer Tara Mezzanotte said.

If local officials choose to accept a management councils invitation, then the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Council would administer a framework plan to the town to encourage best practices and uses around the river, influencing any further development along Phillipsburgs shoreline.

You can get as much or as little out of this as you want, Mezzanotte said.

Easton passed a resolution in support of a wild and scenic designation, but Phillipsburg did not support the designation 24 years ago. Both municipalities were among a select few areas initially determined to be ineligible for the federal designation in 2000.

Without local support on both sides of the river, neither Phillipsburg nor Easton will be considered for the designation, Mezzanotte said.

If the officials accept the offer, a representative would need to be assigned to the management council to represent the city and the town.

On the surface, the Lopatcong Creek has the pieces to qualify for the designation, Mezzanotte said. Its looking good (but) the federal law requires local government support from both sides of the river.

The portion of the Delaware River called the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River extends from south of the Delaware Water Gap near the northern borders of Upper Mount Bethel Township in Pennsylvanias Northampton County and Knowlton Township in Warren County, New Jersey, to the area near Washington Crossing near Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, and Hopewell Township, New Jersey.

According to the 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act selected rivers that possess remarkable scenic, recreational, historical and other similar values are eligible to be part of the program established by the National Park Service.

The goal of the act is to protect the rivers and their immediate surrounding environment, documents say.

A designation in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System does not put any land under federal control, does not require public access to private land, does not create any changes for land use or local decision making, does not create any new federal permits or regulations and does not affect any hunting or fishing laws.

The act prohibits large scale development in some places and require municipalities to collaborate in order to change the character of the river, according to the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River website.

According to the 1968 law, protected areas distinguished as wild are defined as free from obstruction, and in possession of unpolluted waters, generally inaccessible except by trail. Areas designated as scenic must be largely underdeveloped, but may still be accessible by roads.

A recreation designation would allow sections that are readily accessible to have some shoreline development, or past diversions or damming.

As of June 2024, tributaries linking 22 municipalities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the Delaware River are designated wild and scenic, including Lopatcong, Harmony and Upper Mount Bethel Townships.

Easton and Phillipsburg could still be considered ineligible by the federal government because of the amount of development along that section and prior water quality issues, according to a study by the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Council.

But a preliminary analysis of Lopatcong Creek and an area called Phillipsburg Bluffs, which contains some of the regions rarer plants, as well as cliffs, and wildlife in the area could qualify the Phillipsburg area for re-designation, said Mezzanotte, who came from Columbia in Knowlton to give her presentation.

Opponents of a developers plans to transform a tract of land on Howard Street see this proposal and a decision by the town of Phillipsburg to settle a lawsuit filed by residents in 2021 as a sign of hope.

Leaders of the coalition of concerned town residents delivered some 140 signatures by folks who would be close to a warehouse proposed in the neighborhood known as The Flats to council on June 13.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

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Laois Gardai have issued further advice to prevent elderly homeowners falling victim to fake Garda house callers, after a spate of incidents were reported in Emo, Ballybrittas and Ballyroan.

Last Saturday evening, June 29, a man driving a black car, called to homes in the three villages, claiming to be a Garda, which is in itself a criminal offence.

Gardai say they are "following a definite line of enquiry" over the incidents, but appeal to anybody who records CCTV footage to check it and contact them if anything suspicious shows up.

A spokesperson told the Leinster Express / Laois Live more.

"We are investigating a number of incidents where people were approached by someone asking questions around money.

"The message we want to get out, is that Gardai will not ask you to show them your money.

"We make contact in advance, we do not cold call to houses. We only call for other legitimate reasons.

"Unfortunately the people being targeted don't engage online (on social media) to see our advice. We ask neighbours of older people to advise them not to engage with strangers.

"Do not keep large amounts of cash in your house. If you are suspicious, don't engage, don't open your door. Ring the station and we will confirm if it is a genuine Garda," the spokesperson said.

Anyone wishing to get advice can contact Sgt Graham Kavanagh, Laois Offaly Crime Prevention Officer, via any Garda station.
A group of rural Laois residents in fear of a network of multiple electrical and renewable industrial structures across their landscape, have this week appealed plans for a solar farm to An Bord Pleanala.

Ratheniska, Timahoe and Spink Substation Action Group (RTS), has appealed against the approval of an electrical connection by East Laois Solar Farm Ltd to a new planned electrical substation in Coolnabacky, Timahoe, given by Laois County Council.

It is the residents latest effort in a 13 year battle to protect their rural area from what they claim will be visual and environmental damage as well as a risk to their water supply.

That fight began in 2011 when residents lodged some 600 objections to a plan by Ireland's national electrical grid manager EirGrid, to build a high voltage substation and new powerlines, as part of an upgraded electrical connection between Kilkenny and Portlaoise.

Our contention was that this substation would become part of a huge scale project with multiple lines connecting renewables and other power plants, the RTS residents say in an explanatory letter with their new appeal.

This was denied by EirGrid and they  stated The Laois Kilkenny Reinforcement Project elements are not being developed, whether in whole or in part, to facilitate the connection of renewable generation.

We now have a situation where renewable generation companies are looking to connect to the Coolanabacky substation in complete contravention to the commitments given by EirGrid.

There is simply no point in our or any community in this country attending an Oral Hearing if none of the commitments given are enforced by An Bord Pleanala, the RTS group say.

Their objection is on several grounds, including lack of landowners permission by ESB, lack of permission to connect by EirGrid, the cumulative effect of multiple projects, and risk of electrical fires and pollution at the substation by the added connection.

They say a complete new planning application is required by EirGrid for their substation if it is now to connect to renewable energy.

Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd got planning permission from Laois County Council back in 2017 to build a photovoltaic solar farm in Bigbog, Coolnabacky south of Portlaoise.

It was granted despite multiple local objections over the large size of the farm.

They got permission for a Distribution Network Operator substation, transformers and storage batteries along with the ground mounted solar panels.

Now called East Laois Solar Farm Ltd, the recent planning approval was for an underground cable to the new substation, changing the plans for their own substation and other equipment.

The substations construction was planned to start last spring, with EirGrid claiming its purpose is to secure future electrical supply in the region.

The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanala by October 21, 2024.
Maynooth University (MU) has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Aga Khan University. The strategic partnership, the first of its kind between an Irish university and The Aga Khan University, will foster collaboration in the coming years across several areas including research collaboration, student and staff mobility, and knowledge exchange in areas of mutual expertise and development.

The agreement was signed at an event held at Maynooth University, where Princess Zahra Aga Khan and The Aga Khan University President Sulaiman Shahabuddin joined Maynooth University President Professor Eeva Leinonen.

It is envisaged that the strategic partnership will focus initially on the following areas of mutual interest:

Health  healthy ageing, nursing, medicine more broadly, community health and data science

Climate  climate change impacts and mitigation, adaptation, societal resilience and data science

Teacher education, including early childhood education

Additional areas of interest will be explored, such as community and societal development and inclusion, arts and sciences, and library and archive services.

The partnership will facilitate the pursuit of joint research funding proposals in key areas of mutual interest from European and international funding bodies. It will give structure to explore opportunities for networking, research exchange, field study, sharing of facilities and equipment and joint research and teaching programmes.

It will also support student and staff mobility, both short-term and postgraduate, and boost research capacity by partnering on joint funding proposals.

The agreement will facilitate knowledge exchange, information sharing and institutional development that reflect both universities strategic objectives, and will also open doors to affiliate organisations, including Maynooth University partners.

The relationship first began in 2008, when MU conferred an honorary degree on His Highness the Aga Khan, for his outstanding contributions to the elimination of global poverty, the advancement of women, the promotion of Islamic culture, and the furthering of pluralistic values for society. The Aga Khan has longstanding ties to County Kildare through his equestrian activities.

Commenting on the partnership, Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, said: "We are delighted to formalise this partnership with The Aga Khan University, which builds on our shared values and long-standing relationship. This collaboration is driven by our shared belief in the transformative power of education, and our commitment to global cooperation and sustainable development. By working together, we can enhance our international impact, addressing critical global challenges in health, climate, and education, as well as exploring new areas of mutual interest."

The world has never been more interconnected than it is today, Princess Zahra Aga Khan said. That means problems are more complex, but also that there are unprecedented opportunities for collaboration across borders. I look forward to seeing AKU and Maynooth University help one another to address the health, education, climate and other challenges facing the people they serve in creative new ways.

Today, two universities that are committed to achieving excellence, changing the lives of their students, and positively impacting society are coming together to pursue mutually beneficial opportunities for cooperation, AKU President Sulaiman Shahabuddin said. We are thrilled to have Maynooth University as a partner, and we cant wait to begin working with it to open new horizons for inquiry and learning for faculty, staff, and students from both universities.
A Senator for Kildare South has welcomed the government's expansion of free contraception to women aged 32 to 35.

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O'Loughlin has welcomed confirmation by her party colleague, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, that the free contraception scheme has been expanded to include women aged 32 to 35.

This means that all women aged 17 to 35 inclusive, are now covered under the scheme.

The service covers the cost of consultations with GPs, family planning, student health and primary care centres, and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the Health Service Executive (HSE) Re-Imbursement List.

Commenting on the expansion, Senator O'Loughlin said: "Im delighted to see the free contraception scheme has been expanded to include women aged 32 to 35 years old.

"The scheme has been a great success so far and its really positive to see this further expansion."

She continued: "The goal remains to provide free contraception for women of all ages and this is a further step on that path."

"Fianna Fail are championing womens health in government and will continue to remove financial barriers to womens healthcare," Senator O'Loughlin added.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin (File photograph).
Kildare County Council is to explore the possibility of a twinning arrangement with a town in Gaza - to support the redevelopment of that town and to explore cultural links.

There was overwhelming support for a motion from two Fianna Fail councillors - Naoise O Cearuil and Brian Dooley.

Members of the Kildare Palestine Solidarity Campaign were in the public gallery for the debate at a KCC meeting and they held aloft the Palestinian flag.

Cllr Dooley said he wanted Kildare to be a local authority leader on this.

He said the council should show its support because people there have been subjected to absolute devastation while Ireland has done nothing in practice.

Read more Kildare news

He also said funding is available from the European Union to pursue this.

And he expressed disappointment with KCCs initial response that this would not be done because consideration must be given to common interests like geographical location, population size, economic and tourism activities including exploratory visits to confirm if the twinning arrangement is compatible.

KCC official Marian Higgins said an independent community-led committee would need to be formed to manage the twinning proposal. She added if this committee wished to explore the issue then a presentation would have to follow, along with exploratory visits to confirm if the twinning arrangement is compatible. She pointed out that the advice of the government was not to travel there.

Cllr O Cearuil said exploratory work could be done virtually without the need for a physical visit. He pointed out that Kildare County Council is already twinned with Lexington in the US and Deauville, France.

Cllr Bill Clear said 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel and small steps make a big difference.

Cllr Suzanne Doyle questioned the merit of the proposal because we have little control over it and Im not certain its the business of Kildare County Council.

Cllr Doyle added: We cant do our own business effectively.
The 36th annual Gerard Manley Hopkins International Literary Festival will return to County Kildare later this month.

A summary for the Festival, which was written by the organisers, reads as follows: "Gerard Manley Hopkins is universally acknowledged as one of the great poets of the English language.

"Some of his best mature poems, many of them literary masterpieces, were written in Dublin, Clongowes Wood College, Monasterevin, County Kildare and Rahan, County Offaly."

The organisers continued:

"He came to Ireland in 1884 to teach classics in University College Dublin.

"His associations with Ireland, Dublin & County Kildare are well identified by Hopkins biographers.

"On June 8, 1889, Hopkins contracted typhoid fever and died in Newman House, St Stephens Green, Dublin. He is buried in the Jesuit plot, Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.

"His poetry and writings were unknown until published by Robert Bridges in 1918 when he was finally revealed as one of the most innovative writers in poetic language and rhythm and a powerful and profound poet of religion and nature."

The organisers further said: "Since 1987, Irish poet Desmond Egan and a team of dedicated professionals have been hosting the Gerard Manley Hopkins International Literary Festival.

"Now in its 36th year and based in Newbridge College Theatre celebrating the writings of Gerard Manley Hopkins, his links with Ireland and his interests: poetry; art; music, philosophy and conservation.

"Our main objective as a Society is to provide artistic and cultural fulfilment."

"The final programme is now available on www.gerardmanleyhopkins.org and news of various events and photos on our Facebook page: Gerard Manley Hopkins International Literary Festival.

'AN ENRICHING CREATIVE HUB'

"This year, international participants will travel from: The USA; Canada, Japan; South Korea, Germany; France; Belgium; Wales, Poland; Sweden, Netherlands; Finland; Cyprus, The UK and Ireland especially for the event.

"They form an enriching creative hub; it is quite literally a feast of all that aspires to uplift the human spirit.

"It has been described by the Editor of the Oxford Companion to Irish Literature as 'the best literary festival in Ireland' and incorporates a highly regarded Literary Conference, Creative Writing Workshop, Music Workshop, Translation Workshop, Art Exhibition, Classical and Irish concerts, International Poetry Readings, a Field Trip of cultural interest, and nightly Festival Club.

"The annual Art Exhibition features Desmond Morris; better known for presenting Zootime on BBC TV and even more so from the amazing success of his book 'The Naked Ape' (20 million copies sold worldwide), Morris is also a surrealist painter of note Since he exhibited with Joan Miro in 1950.

"Morris has been recognised as an artist of real quality probably the foremost exponent of Surrealism in Britain and beyond.

"The exhibition is open to the public and continues for the duration of the festival."

In addition, the organisers said that a classical concert will be performed on Saturday, July 19 at 8pm by distinguished Swedish pianist Hans Palsson, who will include works by Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven in his concerts.

The organisers also said: "A highly successful Youth Programme runs parallel to the main programme under the direction of Derek Egan.

"This year, more than 30 pre-Leaving Certificate honours students will attend."

"The festivals events are open to the public, so do take time out and join us in Newbridge College Theatre for it!" the organisers concluded.

The Gerard Manley Hopkins International Liteary Festival will run from July 19 to July 25.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) is calling on the Government to invest 5.5 million in dementia supports and services to address inequity of access across the country.

The organisation is highlighting the vital need for increased care services, social protection, research resources and workforce planning to meet the growing needs of thousands of people across the country.

The recommendations are contained in The ASIs Pre-Budget Submission 2025 titled 'Equal Dementia Supports, Building on Momentum in 2025'  and calls for additional State investment to address a rising demand for dementia services.

The submission asks Government to build on the momentum of the past four years with an investment of 5.5m, alongside tangible policy solutions to address:

Ongoing geographical inequity in dementia services and supports (including Day Care, Day Care at Home, Weekend Activity Clubs, Dementia Advisers, Clinical Nurse Specialists in Dementia).

Financial struggles of family carers.

Mental health needs of people living with dementia and those who care and support them.

A sustainable dementia workforce.

Support for Irish dementia research.

The ASIs Head of Advocacy, Research and Public Affairs, Cormac Cahill said there are 29 Dementia Advisers working across Ireland who are consistently in demand.

"In 2023, the service worked with 4,607 new clients, a 12 percent increase on 2022. In 2024, demand for the first four months of the year for the service is already 6 percent ahead of 2023  showing an 18 percent increase since the start of 2023.

"Providing greater access to the Dementia Adviser Service will support more people living with dementia and their families to navigate services and supports and receive personalised and timely information about dementia, which has been identified as a significant challenge.

"Our services throughout the country such as Day Care and Day Care at home have waiting lists and ongoing capacity challenges. We are ambitious for the lives of people with dementia, and those who care for, and support them. The actions in this submission have the power to be life-enhancing and life-changing.

"We appreciate the support from this Government, particularly Minister Mary Butler and her continued understanding and funding of much-needed dementia services. This support has led to considerable improvement in the level of dementia supports in Ireland.

"Given the rising need and the immense challenges faced by people impacted by dementia, what we are proposing in Budget 2025 can build on the investment in recent years and help to address these challenges," Cormac concluded.

This inequity in services was highlighted by Kathleen Farrell, who lives with Lewy Body Dementia, and said: "We should be able to stay in our own homes if that is what we want. Everybody should be entitled to the same support no matter where they live in the country.

"Time is not our friend; we cannot wait for a service sometime in the future."

The ASI has highlighted the urgent need for a Dementia Registry to quantify the number of people diagnosed with dementia in Ireland and where they live.

Dr Laura OPhilbin, Research and Policy Manager with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland said: "The lack of hard data on the number of people living with dementia in Ireland and where they live makes our estimations just that, estimations on prevalence rather than evidence-based facts.

"A Dementia Registry is essential for planning equitable and responsive service provision, ensuring that limited resources are used in the most optimal was possible."

The organisation has also outlined the need for investment in Dementia Research. Quality research and innovation lead to better outcomes for people with dementia and their families. Ireland has developed a solid foundation in dementia research.

Continued investment is vital to capitalise on expertise and knowledge while facilitating a more cohesive research focus across all disciplines.

Nuala Paleys husband Gerry was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's Disease in 2017 at the age of 63, Nuala retired from the Civil Service to become his fulltime carer.

Gerry and Nuala are active members of The Irish Dementia Working Group and the Dementia Carers Campaign Network, helping to raise awareness of issues affecting people and families with dementia in Ireland.

They have recently availed of the innovative Day Care at Home service and are now joining the call by The ASI for increased funding to ensure others can access this vital support.

Nuala said the situation faced by people living with dementia and those who support and care for them is serious and urgent: "I meet other carers at meetings, and I know how desperate some people feel. The Day Care at Home service has made a huge difference to me and Gerry.

"It gets rid of a lot of stress and worry, even just to know that theres someone around; its great and it gives us both a bit of independence. I love seeing Gerry heading off for coffee or playing a game of scrabble with Lorna from The Alzheimer Society, it brings him so much joy.

"Thats what we want for other people affected by dementia. Support to help them live their lives and do what they like doing every day."

Carol Molloy Regional Operations Manager The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Deputy Marian Harkin pictured at the launch of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Pre-Budget Submission.

Summary of submission details

I n Budget 2025, The ASI is calling on the Irish Government to invest 5.5m to include:

1m for Dementia Specific Day Care at Home Services by to bring the service to 250 more families.

600,000 to expand Day Centres outside of major cities.

300,000 year on year for Weekend and Activity Clubs for people with Young Onset Dementia.

1.8m in 22 Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dementia Roles in acute settings.

608,000 in eight new Dementia Adviser Roles and three new Regional Leads.

1m in Dementia Research Network Ireland.

59,000 to support people affected by dementia to participate in quality dementia research.

62,000 to develop a framework for a dementia-specific counselling service.

The organisation is also recommending:

Increase the Carers Allowance to 325.

Make the Carers Allowance a Qualifying Payment for the Fuel Allowance.

Rollout a National Dementia Registry to ensure accurate and responsive service planning.

Ensure Pay Parity for Section 39 organisations who provide vital dementia services and standardise rates of pay for critical Home Care Workers.

The ASIs Submission Equal Dementia Supports, Building on Momentum in 2025 can be downloaded at this link. The campaign can be supported online at #EqualDementiaSupports #Budget2025.
A woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her 76-year-old mother in her home on the northside of Dublin over two years ago by reason of insanity.

Moire Bergin (47), with an address at Seville Place in Dublin 1 is charged with murdering her elderly mother Mary Bergin in her home at First Avenue, Seville Place in Dublin 1 on April 13, 2022.

Ms Bergin was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today (MON) on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked her how she was pleading, Ms Bergin replied: Not guilty by reason of insanity".

Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury panel that Mary Bergin was the mother of Moire Bergin and that the issue in the case concerned the state of mind of Moire Bergin at the time her mother was killed.

The judge said the issue the jury would have to determine related to the state of mind of Moire Bergin at the time of these events.

Mr Justice McDermott said the case would be "presented in short form as much of the facts of what happened are agreed as to how Mary Bergin came to meet her death".

He said Detective Sergeant John Brady from Store Street Garda Station would give an outline of the facts of the case during the trial. The judge said the jury would also hear evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists; namely Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Paul O'Connell.

A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin tomorrow before Mr Justice McDermott and is expected to last up to two days.
Transforming Healthcare with AI: YiduTech's Gong Rujing at Summer Davos





DALIAN, China, June 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "AI in healthcare is extremely challenging. For companies, it requires not only solving scientific problems but also understanding AI technology and respecting the complexity of the healthcare industry." At the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, in Dalian, Ms. Gong Rujing (Yingying), Chairwoman and Founder of Yidu Tech, was invited as a distinguished representative of the healthcare technology sector. She shared her unique insights into the future of AI in healthcare during the thematic dialogue on "Healthcare Analytics, Not Moving Fast Enough."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Yidu Tech and Ms. Gong Rujing's decade-long dedication to the healthcare industry. "I will continue this mission for decades to come and strive to do even better," she stated. From the inception of her entrepreneurial journey 10 years ago, she has been driven by the mission to leverage the power of technology to deliver precise healthcare to every individual.

Ms. Gong described the past decade as a journey filled with miracles and achievements. During this period, Yidu Tech has progressively established close collaborations with key stakeholders in the healthcare industry, including government agencies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, insurance firms, experts, and clinicians. As of March 31, 2024, Yidu Tech's "AI Medical Brain" YiduCore has been authorized to process and analyze over 5 billion medical records, covering more than 2,500 hospitals. Leveraging YiduCore's accumulated understanding of AI technology and medical knowledge, Yidu Tech and its partners are jointly driving innovation and progress in the healthcare field.

In regional population health management, Yidu Tech has assisted in constructing urban "health brains," with several benchmark projects implemented in cities such as Beijing and Ningbo. In AI-powered clinical research, Yidu Tech has supported researchers and clinicians in producing over 240 high-level papers, accelerating the application of research outcomes. Additionally, Yidu Tech provides clinical trial services to globally renowned pharmaceutical companies, helping them optimize trial processes, reduce costs, and bring new drugs to market more swiftly, ultimately benefiting patients. In healthcare management, Yidu Tech's AI technology plays a crucial role by analyzing vast amounts of medical data to provide comprehensive decision support to healthcare administrators, helping them optimize resource allocation and improve service efficiency. The number of active users on Yidu Tech's health management platform, each completing at least one transaction, has reached nearly 27.6 million. "These achievements are all empowered by medical data analysis and AI technology."

"We are now entering a new era of AI technology." The development of large language model technologies has opened up new possibilities across various industries. Yidu Tech has independently developed a large model specific to the medical field and is advancing its application across the entire healthcare industry chain, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and patients. The goal is to promote further progress and innovation through new AI technologies. However, Ms. Gong also emphasized that the healthcare industry is professional, complex, and sensitive, and the application of new technologies must address challenges such as data security, privacy protection, and ethics.

"Data security and privacy protection are fundamental to the development of AI technology and medical big data technology. We must ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied with compliance, security, accessibility, and privacy protection." She illustrated this point with a vivid example: "If a patient is in a coma and in critical condition, unable to express their wishes, should the doctor immediately access their medical records without the patient's consent? This requires deep consideration and balance."

"AI technology still has a long way to go." She called on policymakers, healthcare institutions, and technology companies to work together to realize the immense potential of healthcare data. Ms. Gong highlighted that building trust is key, and enhancing data operability is essential to fully unleash the power of data. "It's not just about better data quality; it's about a better future for health."

Joining Ms. Gong in the dialogue were Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore; Dr. Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit; and Dr. Angela Wang Nan, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Neusoft Group, and Chairman and President of Neusoft Europe.

SOURCE Yidu Tech

30 june 2024 at 22:06

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Paving the Way for More Inclusive and Equitable Education for the World's Most Marginalised Students





NEW YORK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) and the Aga Khan Foundation ( AKF ) announce an expanded three-year partnership that will improve holistic quality learning outcomes and quality learning environments for crisis-affected learners in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda. The new US$375,000 ECW Acceleration Facility grant to Schools2030 , the AKF-led global movement for holistic education and teacher leadership, builds on two years of collaboration to improve teaching and learning in countries impacted by emergencies and protracted crises.

Through the development of concrete tools and pathways, this latest grant will support ECW's Multi-Year Resilience Programmes to ensure that holistic learning outcomes are improved through inclusive, gender-responsive teaching and learning approaches.?

"Education Cannot Wait and the Aga Khan Foundation enjoy a solid partnership and are delighted to extend it through Schools2030. Together, we strengthen our shared commitment to a whole-of-child approach and focus on crisis-affected children and youth left furthest behind in wars, refuge and climate disasters. The new grant is aligned with ECW's strategic priorities ? emphasizing gender-sensitive and inclusive quality education in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda, and then scaling this crucial partnership and joint work globally," said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations.

With portfolios focused on gender equality, mental health and psychosocial support, inclusivity and ? most crucially ? a holistic approach to education, ECW and AKF could not be more aligned in values and more in agreement on the approach needed to tackle the various forms of crises impacting education systems the world over.

"We are delighted to expand AKF's strategic partnership with the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, Education Cannot Wait, to continue advancing holistic quality education in and through the Schools2030 programme across crisis-affected contexts. With ECW's support, Schools2030's unique ten-year commitment to local schools and communities offers what learners and educators need the most in times of uncertainty ? long-term, flexible, and responsive resources that ensure quality teaching and learning can continue against all odds. Together with ECW, we look forward to co-creating new tools, resources and evidence that will support the most effective approaches to best support the world's 224 million crisis-impacted school-aged children today," said Michael Kocher, General Manager of the Aga Khan Foundation.

ECW and Schools2030 recognise that addressing the global learning crisis and serving crisis-affected children requires an unambiguous focus on holistic skills, which have been proven to increase academic achievement, support holistic child development, and improve future livelihoods. The new grant supports going beyond measuring success only through academic achievements by emphasising the importance of assessing additional 21st century skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.

The initial partnership between ECW and Schools2030, which began in 2022, helped pioneer holistic assessment tools that enable teachers to assess both the quality of their classroom environment and the learning levels of their students for specific, country-selected holistic learning domains, with a vision towards using this assessment data to improve learning.

Building on this strong foundation, over the next three years, Schools2030 will ensure that its flagship Three-Step-Model (Assess, Innovate, Showcase) integrates the needs of crisis-affected learners and teachers, and strengthens connections between school-driven innovation and system-level change. Additionally, the initiative will ensure quality assessment data is collected and analysed across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda ? to support improved learning, development and dissemination as a global public good.

This latest grant will support nationally contextualized assessment tools that can be used by teachers who not only understand the importance of these skills, but also how to measure them in their students, and strengthen evidence around learning in crisis contexts, thereby filling a gap identified in the three countries.

Localization and community participation are at the heart of this initiative, resonating with ECW and Schools2030's strategic priorities, and ensuring sustainable and context-driven approaches. The extensive history and operational presence of AKF (and the wider Aga Khan Development Network) is a testament to this commitment, with the majority of its staff originating in, living and working within the communities they serve.

Ultimately, this collaboration is not just about addressing the immediate crises in each country ? it is about paving the way towards a more equitable and inclusive education ecosystem, responsive to the needs of marginalised children, and resilient to external shocks. The grant will be implemented in coordination with national governments, local communities, teachers and learners themselves to make quality education a reality for every child in the generations to come.

ECW's? Acceleration Facility ?funding mechanism is dedicated to supporting the creation of global public goods and resources for the education in emergencies and protracted crises sector. The funding window is a key part of ?ECW's Strategic Plan ?to mobilize US$1.5 billion over the next three years to reach 20 million crisis-affected children and adolescents worldwide.

Additional Information:

The Acceleration Facility grant will support Schools2030 to:

Ensure that Schools2030's Three-Step-Model (Assess, Innovate, Showcase) integrates the needs of crisis-affected learners both through its Human-Centred Design process, but also through ensuring Schools2030's holistic assessment tools are useful and usable for educators in emergency and crisis contexts and that they support improved learning and inclusion for all learners (especially those excluded through disability or through multiple forms of marginalisation);

Strengthen the connections between school-driven innovation and system-level change for crisis-affected learners by integrating learners in crisis-affected settings into the Schools2030 showcasing workstream, and through avenues for joint advocacy on best practices for delivering quality education in emergencies and protracted crises;?

Ensure quality assessment datasets across these countries are collected, analysed, and visualised to support improved learning, programme development and disseminated as a global public good for the wider education sector.

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1 july 2024 at 01:00

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Babcock & Wilcox Announces Agreement to Sell its Denmark-Based Renewable Parts and Services Subsidiary





Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. ("B&W" or the "Company") (NYSE: BW) announced today that it has sold its Denmark-based Babcock & Wilcox Renewable Service A/S (BWRS) subsidiary to Zurich, Switzerland-based Hitachi Zosen Inova AG (HZI) for $87 million, subject to customary fees and adjustments.

BWRS, which employs more than 160 people and provides aftermarket parts and services for waste-to-energy plants in northern Europe and the UK, was transferred to HZI upon closing on Friday, June 28, 2024.

"This transaction aligns with our previously announced intention to strategically sell certain non-core businesses and assets, and proceeds will be used to reduce our debt, increase our liquidity and support working capital," Kenneth Young, B&W Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said.

"Energy demand in the utility and industrial sector is rapidly increasing, which is reflected in our higher bookings and full-year outlook within our segments and businesses as we move forward. Accordingly, we are reiterating our previously stated Full Year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA target range of $105 to $115 million, excluding BrightLoop and ClimateBright expenses."

"B&W is a leader in technologies that provide clean, renewable energy from waste, and we will continue to leverage our core technologies, including our advanced DynaGrate combustion grate, state-of-the-art boilers, fuel and ash handling systems and emissions control technologies in the European and global markets to support new build and large upgrade projects," Young added. "We're excited about the robust pipeline of opportunities we're currently pursuing and the opportunity to continue to work closely with customers in these markets well into the future."

About Babcock & Wilcox

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. is a leader in energy and environmental products and services for power and industrial markets worldwide. Follow us on LinkedIn and learn more at babcock.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

B&W cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to the sale of its Babcock & Wilcox Renewable Service A/S subsidiary to Hitachi Zosen Inova AG, as well as its reiteration of its full year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA target. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For a more complete discussion of these risk factors, see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. If one or more of these risks or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

1 july 2024 at 06:35

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Independent Study Finds Sprinklr Social Delivered 327% ROI





Sprinklr (NYSE: CXM), the unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform for modern enterprises, today released the results of a 2024 commissioned Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact (TEI) Study, examining the potential return on investment (ROI) for customers using Sprinklr Social.

The independent analysis from Forrester found that Sprinklr Social delivered a three-year, risk-adjusted ROI of 327% for a composite organization representative of interviewed customers.

"We created the category for enterprise social media management and have been the leader for more than a decade," said Sprinklr Founder and Co-CEO, Ragy Thomas. "Many of the world's largest enterprises trust Sprinklr Social for its in-depth listening, extensive channel coverage, and enterprise-grade configurability. With industry-defining AI, Sprinklr Social is a truly all-in-one social media solution helping our customers create great customer experiences on social, no matter the scale."

Key findings of the study include:

Time savings from social content creation of $5.2 million. Unifying the digital asset lifecycle helps increase the productivity of social media teams.

Paid media savings enabled by employee advocacy program of $1.38 million. Sprinklr Social employee advocacy solutions encourage greater employee participation, generating paid media savings.

Reporting and analytics productivity gains in preparing monthly reports by over 50%, saving $1.28 million. Sprinklr Social's unified dashboards allow social media teams to generate and share reports with just a few clicks, freeing up time for more value-added work.

Reduced customer churn among disaffected customers enabled by social media monitoring, saving $728,000. Sprinklr Social reduced the response time taken to identify and engage customers with potential to churn due to negative experiences by close to 80%.

Drove incremental profit of $516,000 through social commerce. Sprinklr Social enables the delivery of a social commerce experience that improved purchase abandonment rates by 10% and increased average order values by 15%.

Customers interviewed for the study cited benefits including time savings, improved collaboration, AI-assisted conversation monitoring and engagement, and improved social selling and e-commerce. Excerpts include:

"The number one benefit of Sprinklr Social is that we can tag and categorize everything. We can report on the reasons why people are coming into our accounts, pages, and handles." ? Social media cx manager, automotive manufacturing.

"Global teams now have a greater visibility of what regional teams are doing. They don't have to chase 50 country leads for metrics across various social media platforms anymore." ? consultant, global corporate affairs/pr, technology.

"Sprinklr Social's AI-powered categorization of messages determines which interactions are engageable and which aren't. Now we don't even have to sort through most of the volume and we can focus on the customers that really need a response or additional support." ? social media cx manager, automotive manufacturing.

"Sprinklr Social's AI-powered recommendations and responses allow our social media agents to become better at selling." ? global consumer experience director, retail cosmetics.

To read the full study or request a demo visit https://www.sprinklr.com/unified-social-media-management-forrester-tei-report/.

About Sprinklr

Sprinklr is a leading enterprise software company for all customer-facing functions. With advanced AI, Sprinklr's unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform helps companies deliver human experiences to every customer, every time, across any modern channel. Headquartered in New York City with employees around the world, Sprinklr works with more than 1,700 valuable enterprises ? global brands like Microsoft, P&G, Samsung, and more than 60% of the Fortune 100. Sprinklr's value to the enterprise is simple: We un-silo teams to make customers happier.

1 july 2024 at 08:05

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Garrett Installs More Than 160 Paragons in Memphis Schools





GARLAND, Texas, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas-based Garrett Metal Detectors ? in partnership with DVS Solutions ? announced that its new Paragon walk-through metal detector (released 2023) attained a significant competitive victory in a bid for security upgrades for Memphis Shelby County Schools. More than 160 Paragons were installed across 100 or more ISD locations over the last month.

Garrett's best-in-class 66-zone Paragon security detector achieved the win due to rigorous analysis by district security. "After extensive side-by-side comparison with multiple [competitor] systems, we felt the Paragon was the best system to meet our needs," said Carolyn Jackson, the Memphis Shelby County Schools Chief of Safety and Security.

"Paragon will match and exceed the competition for power and flexibility," added US Security Sales Director Chris Parker. "Weapons detectors need to be able to catch the threats that schools care about if they want to sell to schools. Paragon can go the distance, catching the threats our competitors can't at half the cost or less."

Paragon is the first of Garrett's walkthroughs to come with 4 distinct screening programs specialized for school applications, and its industry-exclusive Ambiscan feature and Zero Touch NFC capability make it a market leader for ease-of-use in the ever-changing world of school security.

About Garrett Metal Detectors

Garrett Metal Detectors, co-founded by electrical engineer Charles Garrett and fifth generation educator Eleanor Smith Garrett, is the global leader of advanced metal detection products for security, sport, and countermine applications worldwide. Garrett is an International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2015 certified company.

Related Link:

Paragon Walk-Through Metal Detector | Garrett Metal Detectors

SOURCE Garrett Metal Detectors

1 july 2024 at 08:15

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CDB Aviation Leases Three A320neo Aircraft to Colorful Guizhou Airlines





CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ("CDB Leasing"), announced the delivery of the first of three Airbus A320neo aircraft to a new Chinese airline customer, Colorful Guizhou Airlines Co., Ltd. ("Colorful Guizhou Airlines").

The Guiyang-based carrier received the A320-251N aircraft during a delivery ceremony held in Tianjin, China, on June 14, 2024, which coincided with the ninth anniversary of the airline's establishment. The aircraft is configured with four business and 168 economy class seats. The remaining two aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the airline before 2025.

"This new partnership with Colorful Guizhou Airlines demonstrates our ongoing commitment to building and cultivating long-term relationships with airlines in all key aviation markets," commented Jie Chen, CDB Aviation's Chief Executive Officer. "We are confident that this new modern, fuel-efficient aircraft will greatly benefit Colorful Guizhou Airlines' operations in support of the airline's fleet expansion plans."

"We are pleased to have successfully introduced our tenth A320neo aircraft. Not only is this an important milestone in the development of Colorful Guizhou Airlines, but also a crucial step towards our future. The newly joined aircraft will further enhance our capacity and operational efficiency," commented Fanyu Liu, Colorful Guizhou Airlines' Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee. "We are delighted to establish a good cooperative relationship with CDB Aviation, and we hope to continue to deepen communication, explore new cooperation opportunities, and jointly promote innovative development in the future."

"I would like to share my true appreciation for both the Colorful Guizhou Airlines and internal CDB Aviation teams for their outstanding collaboration on structuring and executing this transaction from our orderbook, facilitating our platform's first delivery to the newest customer in China," added Chen.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including with respect to CDB Aviation's business, financial condition, results of operations or plans. CDB Aviation cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "may," "will," "seek," "continue," "aim," "anticipate," "target," "projected," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "believe," "achieve" or other terminology or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of CDB Aviation's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Colorful Guizhou Airlines

As the only local airline in Guizhou Province, Colorful Guizhou Airlines has always adhered to the development concept of "Rooted in Guizhou, Embracing China, and Aspiring to the World." After 9 years of continuous development, its fleet size has reached to 19 aircraft (10 x A320 + 9 x E190), fly to 47 cities with 52 routes. The routes cover important node cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Central China, Northwest China, and Northeast China, and have initially formed a route network "to develop an extensive national network, with a focus on trunk routes, supplemented by regional routes." In the future, the company will continuously optimize its route network, strengthen regional coordination, and comprehensively promote intelligent operation. The airline will also continuously optimize their official website, WeChat, mini programs, and other all media platforms, improve its information technology, strengthen digital technology innovation, and enhance the digital security. Continuously empowering important areas, such as: safety production, aviation services, and green development through digitization. www.cgzair.com

About CDB Aviation

CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ("CDB Leasing") a 39-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moody's (A2), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world's largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating.

CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China's leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business ? listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero

1 july 2024 at 10:10

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The transfer of immigration administrative responsibilities to a government department is set to free up more gardai for frontline duties in Limerick.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee has announced that from July 8, responsibility for immigration administrative functions in Limerick will transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Registration Office of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice.

These functions include first-time registrations and renewals of Irish immigration residence permission for non EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals residing in Limerick and Cork

From July 8, registrations for individuals living in these counties will be registered at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin.

Applications for renewal of permission can be submitted using the Immigration Service Delivery online renewal portal, removing the requirement for individuals to attend in-person appointments.

Welcoming this announcement, Minister McEntee said she is committed to pursuing all opportunities to civilianise administrative functions within An Garda Siochana, in line with the recommendation contained in the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report."

READ ALSO: Resilient boy with leukaemia has Limerick hurlers in his corner

Nationwide, over 100 Gardai have been assigned to immigration duties, including registration. Civilianising registration functions releases valuable garda hours to focus on operational and enforcement matters, such as deportations and investigations. The transfer of registration functions for counties Cork and Limerick represents an important step forward in this effort, added Ms McEntee.

Approximately 80% of all national registrations and renewals have now transferred from An Garda Siochana to the Department of Justice.

The GNIB will continue to undertake these responsibilities for people living outside of Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick until the final transfers of registration responsibilities to the Department of Justice take place.

This is anticipated to be completed in early 2025.
FOR the best part of 50 years auctioneer Danny Deady always got the best prices for cattle in the ring and that has continued even after he has retired.

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The committee of Dromcollogher Mart held a function and presentation for the popular Bruree man where six calves were auctioned for Milford Care Centre. They sold for 2,620, over a 1,000 more than their normal value.

Danny is well-known among the local farming community for selling at marts in Abbeyfeale, Dromcolloger, Kilmallock and Rathkeale for half a century. However, it all started for Mr Deady in 1975 when he was just 16 and working in a bar in Kilmallock.

I left school after the Inter Cert and was working over in the 41 which was owned by my aunt. It is owned by Mike Houlihan now. The manager of Kilmallock Mart at the time was Tom Foley.

He might be in on a Saturday night when it was busy and he might call five or six drinks. I never used the till. I just added it up in my head and charged him whatever. He came in one day and he said, Danny, I notice you never use the till.

I said, When we're busy, there's no point - I'm good at maths. He said, Any chance you would come up to the mart and do some clerking on a Monday? I just went up, did a bit of clerking and four or five years after that I started selling, around 1980, recalled Danny.

READ ALSO: Massive new arena planned for Limerick

The late and great auctioneer Phil Purcell took him under his wing.

Phil Purcell used to say to me, Danny, if you can sell in the calf ring in Kilmallock, you can handle any ring in Ireland, said Danny.

He could handle it and went on to become a top class auctioneer. Danny is highly respected among the farming community for always doing his very best to get the best prices for farmers. I was very lucky to fall into something that I loved doing, he summed up.

Danny lists off names that influenced him and is very thankful to during his decades with GVM - the aforementioned Mr Foley and Mr Purcell, Tom Nelligan, John Flynn, the late Peter ODea and in more recent times Maurice Lyons. Danny wishes to thank each and everyone in GVM he worked with down the years.

He also thanked Dromcollogher Mart committee for the function, presentation, donation of calves for charity and the buyers who bid them up over the odds for Milford.
ONE OF the citys highest honours is to be bestowed on Natasha OBrien, who has become a vocal voice for change in the justice system after her assailant walked free from court.

Ms OBrien, aged 24, was punched to the point of unconsciousness by Irish soldier Cathal Crotty, aged 22, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha in 2022.

Hours later the soldier boasted about the attack on social media. Mr Crotty was given a fully suspended sentence.

Cllr Kieran O'Hanlon, who on Friday was elected metropolitan district leader, has pledged to bestow one of the city's highest honours on Ms O'Brien. He wants the metropolitan district to give her the honour of the special reception.

Cllr O'Hanlon described Ms OBrien as a "great, courageous lady" and said what happened to her was "deplorable".

"She has shone a light on what is unacceptable behaviour from any individual," he said.

READ MORE: Physical abuse concerns at special care unit for children in Limerick city

Ms OBrien also met with the new mayor John Moran following a protest outside Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street last Wednesday.

It was one of a number of protests organised across the country by the socialist feminist movement ROSA. Last Wednesday was due to be the presiding judge, Tom O'Donnell's last court sitting before his retirement after 50 years of service, with a number of speeches expected to take place inside the court chamber to mark the event.

However, the Leader learned two days earlier the judge would not be in the Mulgrave Street court on Wednesday and planned speeches would not go ahead. There were low-key speeches and tributes to Judge O'Donnell in the courthouse on Tuesday instead.

After the meeting with Ms OBrien, Mayor Moran said Ms O'Brien is a national symbol of courage.

Ms O'Brien also spoke at Dublin Pride on Saturday where she called for new hate crime laws. Are we going to put up with hate crime and violence and injustice? she asked.
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has lodged an appeal against the sentence of Irish soldier Cathal Crotty, who is based in Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick.

The Courts Services have confirmed to Limerick Live that it will be an appeal for "undue leniency" of a sentence.

Cathal Crotty, who is 22-years-old, of Park Row Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty in Limerick Circuit Court to one count of assault causing harm to Natasha O'Brien, on O'Connell Street in Limerick City on May 29, 2022, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act of 1997.

On June 19, now retired Judge Tom O'Donnell, imposed a three-year sentence, which he suspended in full.

In Limerick courthouse on Mulgrave Street, the presiding judge described it as one of the most outrageous cases he has come across in recent times.

"It was absolutely appalling - assaulting a female in the most egregious fashion and continuing while she lay on the ground defenceless. It was a cowardly, unprovoked, vicious and totally unnecessary assault," Mr O'Donnell said.

READ MORE: Pledge to bestow civic honour on Natasha OBrien in Limerick

In her victim impact statement, Natasha O'Brien, who has been outspoken looking for change since the court hearing, said that: "the memory of that vicious, sinister look in his eyes as he approached me will haunt me forever."

She added: "I didn't feel human as I laid in a foetal position losing consciousness. He continued his relentless beating. My last conscious thought was, he's not stopping, I'm going to die."

Ms O'Brien believes she passed out during the assault, in which she suffered a broken nose, concussion, swelling and bruising.

A spokesperson for the Courts Services said "there is no date yet for an initial hearing in the appeal."
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Stocks Today - Spirit Aero to be broken up as Boeing agrees $4.7 billion stock deal 01-07-2024 02:15



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Mumbai: Reliance Capital's administrator has said that the Hinduja Group-owned IndusInd International Holdings Ltd's bid to unilaterally seek extension of the deadline to implement its resolution plan for the bankrupt company creates 'reasonable apprehension' about its willingness to honour the resolution plan.

In a submission before the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday, administrator Nageswara Rao Y. said that any such extension without the consent of the lenders is impermissible. IIHL cannot be permitted to seek unconditional extension as the same would be tantamount to rewriting the plan, the administrator said in his submission, a copy of which Mint has reviewed.

Also read | Lenders move NCLT against 90-day extension for IIHL to complete RCap resolution The administrator's submissions came in response to IIHLs application seeking a 90-day extension for implementing the approved resolution plan to take over Reliance Capital (RCap). The NCLT in February approved IIHLs 9,861-crore resolution plan which was mandated to be implemented by 27 May.

Emails sent to the administrator remained unanswered.

The proposal includes 7,300 crore in the form of borrowing from lenders, 2,500 crore via equity infusion by IndusInd International from outside India, and another equity infusion of 250 crore by Cyqure India (a Hinduja Group associate).

The administrator also charged that IIHL has not shown its bonafides in seeking extension of time by paying interest or by depositing the amount of equity contribution of 2,750 crore in an escrow account.

Also read | RCaps administrator moves NCLT for faster payments from Hindujas IIHL Earlier, IIHL in its meeting with the monitoring committee of the lenders had sought an extension till 30 June. However, in its application before the NCLT, it sought an extension of 90 days, much beyond 30 June. Interestingly, in its oral arguments, IIHL sought an extension till 31 July 2024.

This demonstrates utter lack of clarity and creates reasonable apprehension about IIHLs readiness and willingness to abide with the resolution plan, the administrator contended.

It was also submitted before the bench that the grounds made by IIHL for seeking an extension were misleading. For seeking an extension, IIHL claimed that there were certain government approvals which are pending and which are required for implementation of the resolution plan, the administrator said. These include IIHL's application for RBI approval to raise 8,000 crore by pledging 100% shares of Reliance Capital.

Way Forward Furthermore, India's foreign direct investment policy states that overseas investment in a Core Investment Company (CIC)in this case RCapwould require prior government approval, the administrator stated.

Also read | Implementation of RCap resolution plan by 31 March deadline untenable: IIHL IIHL, however, believed the automatic route would apply, and no prior government approval would be required, until they were informed by the RBI on 29 April that prior approval would be required. IIHL proceeded assuming it had a correct understanding of the law, the administrator said in its submissions.

IIHL subsequently decided to file an application for government approval just 13 days ahead of the 27 May deadline to implement the resolution plan.
Boeing agreed on Sunday to acquire Spirit AeroSystems for more than $4 billion, two people familiar with the matter said, ending months of talks over a deal the U.S. planemaker hopes will help ease a spiralling safety crisis.

Boeing will pay $37.25 per share for Spirit Aero, in an all-stock deal, the two people said. The boards of Boeing and Spirit met on Sunday and agreed to terms, and an official announcement is likely early on Monday, they said.

The acquisition values Spirit at around $4.7 billion, according to one of the sources.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, would result in the breakup of Spirit, with some of the Kansas-based supplier's assets going to French planemaker Airbus .

Airbus, Spirit and Boeing declined to comment.

Boeing is trying to move past a year of difficulties sparked by a Jan. 5 mid-air blowout of a door plug on a new 737 MAX 9 jet that exposed myriad safety and quality problems. Those issues have led to a substantial slowdown in output at Boeing - rippling across the global commercial aviation industry.

Spirit, the manufacturer of the door plug, was spun off from Boeing in 2005 in one of a series of moves that critics say were emblematic of a focus on cost-cutting over quality.

Boeing made the decision to buy back Spirit in the aftermath of the Jan. 5 incident, which took place on an Alaska Airlines-operated flight, as part of an effort to reform its safety problems and shore up its production line.

The terms of a parallel deal for Spirit to sell its Europe-focused operations to Airbus were not immediately clear.

People familiar said both deals were set to be announced in tandem early on Monday. The twin moves amount to a transatlantic breakup of the world's largest independent aerostructures maker, which has branched out to make parts for Airbus and others since being spun off by Boeing nearly two decades ago.

Productions Cap Following the January incident, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a cap on production of Boeing's best-selling MAX jets, and U.S. Department of Justice officials are threatening criminal prosecution if they determine the planemaker violated an agreement following the fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Buying Spirit Aero will not immediately resolve Boeing's issues. The iconic U.S. company has been losing market share to Airbus for years, and it is still dealing with the aftermath of twin crashes that killed nearly 350 people and forced a grounding of the 737 MAX.

Those crashes led to the appointment of current CEO Dave Calhoun, who was brought in to resolve the problems at the manufacturer, but who will leave later this year with the company under greater regulatory scrutiny and with a reputation that has taken a beating.

Also Read | Joe Biden to withdraw from 2024 Presidential race amid criticism over debate?

U.S. senators on June 18 sharply criticized Calhoun for the planemaker's safety issues and repeatedly questioned him about his salary. Some airlines have vented their frustration with Boeing publicly and privately due to delivery delays and the company's ongoing issues.
(Bloomberg) -- The Wall Street professionals that underwrite blue-chip US corporate bond sales are bracing for a busy summer, instead of the usual slowdown in July and August.

Investment-grade corporations have relatively high levels of debt maturing next year that theyre looking to refinance now. Borrowing is comparatively cheap by the standards of the last year, after yields have broadly fallen since April amid hopes the Federal Reserve will start cutting rates this year, according to syndicate professionals and investors.

While companies may hesitate to sell bonds over the summer, when more investors are on vacation, waiting could be even riskier. The upcoming US elections may create uncertainty in Treasury markets in at least October and November, pushing yields in unexpected directions. Concerns about the election have helped push sales volume higher all year. Investment-grade US companies borrowed $867 billion in the first half of the year, the second largest haul, behind only 2020 toward the beginning of the pandemic, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

While issuance will eventually slow down, it will probably happen sometime after the summer, according to Maureen OConnor, global head of high-grade debt syndicate at Wells Fargo & Co.

Its going to be more about the corporates in late July and early August that are going to drive issuance in the near term, she said in an interview. There are still plenty of tailwinds for issuance in the US. But I do think this is the first year you are going to see a more meaningful shift around the election than years in the past.

Amid the heavy bond sale activity, some banks have changed their end-of-year issuance outlooks. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their forecast to $1.45 trillion from $1.3 trillion. Toronto-Dominion Bank increased its year-end expectations to $1.35 trillion from $1.28 trillion.

Potentially heavy issuance in the next few months is in part because of looming maturities. Roughly $975 billion of debt is due in 2025, 19% more than this year, according to JPMorgan. This maturity profile is likely to keep supply active all year, and issuers could come back to the market after the election and a rate cut by the Federal Reserve, analysts led by Eric Beinstein wrote in a late June note.

Robert Tipp, chief investment strategist and head of global bonds for PGIM Fixed Income, echoes the sentiment.

As an issuer, you will not be faulted for borrowing now, he said in a phone interview. There are expectations that spreads on corporate bonds can only go one way. They are at what people see as historic tights.

While theres a broadly held expectation in the market that issuance will taper off, Tipp is less convinced of that.

The growth of supply has been incredible, Tipp said.

--With assistance from Michael Gambale.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Bengaluru: Premji Invest-backed convenience foods maker iD Fresh is looking to set up four new manufacturing plants in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh by the end of the current financial year, in a bid to diversify its audience in smaller cities, a top executive told Mint in an interview.

The Bengaluru-based firm, which already has four plants in the major metro cities, is expecting tier 2 and tier 3 towns to drive growth going forward, as consumers are increasingly adopting quick and hassle-free meal options across the country, Rajat Diwaker, CEO of iD Freshs India business, said.

The firm already gets half its business from tier 2 cities like Jaipur, Chandigarh and Lucknow, and is hoping to increase the share over the next few years. Two of its strongest productsidli-dosa batter and parottaare making waves in tier 2 and tier 3 cities as well, thanks to its consistent quality and lack of strong competition, according to the executive.

We are looking to double our business in the next three years. Expanding the manufacturing capacity is guided by this vision," Diwaker told Mint.

Without sharing specifics, Diwaker added that the company is planning to invest significantly" in its manufacturing plants.

Founded in 2005 by P.C. Musthafa and Abdul Naser, iD Fresh shot to fame on the back of the growing demand for ready-to-cook products among young professionals who lived away from home and desired quick meals.

iD Fresh made revenue of 554 crore in FY24 and grew five times the industry numbers, according to Diwaker. While the executive did not disclose absolute figures, he said that the margins in the bottomline were in high single digits.

In FY23, it earned an operating revenue of 480 crore, while losses narrowed 53% year-on-year to 328 crore.

It has raised upwards of $120 million from investors such as Premji Invest and New Quest Capital Partners.

Building a supply chain

Drawing inspiration from the West, the convenience foods category made its way to India more than a decade ago with players like ITC Foods and MTR Foods introducing options like chapatis and curry paste premixes that simply need to be heated before eating.

The ready-to-cook market share in India is expected to increase by $451 million from 2021 to 2026, as per estimates by market research firm Technavio.

But the category is tough to crack, given Indias love for fresh and home-cooked meals. Moreover, the convenience of ordering food online through Swiggy and Zomato has made these meal options an afterthought.

iD Fresh, however, has managed to carve its niche in a tough market, driven by the success of its idli-dosa batter. Now, the company is looking to replicate the playbook for new products.

While we expect the idli-dosa batter to continue to be the bestseller, we are constantly looking to introduce three new products including tender coconut in the fresh category over the next four to five months," Diwaker said.

Products having a long shelf-life, like clean-label spices, is also part of the company's pipeline for this year.

According to an early-stage investor looking closely at the consumer sector, the success of one single product has created immense brand recall and loyalty for iD Fresh. However, it could be tough to recreate the popularity among its other brands, given the rising competition in the space by large and small players like ITC Foods, Tata Sampann, Haldirams and MOM.

The firms distribution capabilities have been scaled up in a big way over the last few years, According to Diwaker, according to Diwaker. The lack of intermediaries has helped it seek control of quality and improve margins.

Quick commerce, too, seems to be a major growth driver for the firm from which it receives a third of its sales.

Owning the entire supply chain makes sense for us. Idli-dosa batter and parottas are high-velocity categories in retail outlets which means it brings high turnover," the executive said.

Also read: Advertising brings a new revenue stream to quick commerce companies
New Delhi: Kapil Wadhawan, the former promoter of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DHFL), has moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to challenge the initiation of personal insolvency proceedings against him by Union Bank of India for a 3,958-crore default.

The NCLAT heard the case briefly on Monday before it deferred the matter to 18 July without issuing a notice.

On 2 April, the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) accepted Union Bank's application to begin insolvency resolution proceedings against Wadhawan. On 20 March, the NCLT had admitted a similar application against his brother and co-promoter Dheeraj Wadhawan.

DHFL had taken various term loans exceeding 4,000 crore and working-capital loans worth 450 crore. Kapil Wadhawan had provided unconditional and irrevocable guarantees for these loans from Union Bank and other lenders.

Also read: Personal guarantors in the crosshairs as lenders step up heat to receover dues

In response to the banks insolvency plea, Wadhawan argued he had signed a joint deed of guarantee in favour of Catalyst Trusteeship Ltd, a trustee that had been appointed by a consortium of 29 banks. Wadhawan contended that because the security trustee was designated by the consortium to accept securities and secure loans for DHFL, individual lenders within the consortium did not have the authority to approach the tribunal directly. The trustee held these securities in trust for the consortium's benefit, he argued, and questioned the individual lender's ability to independently initiate legal proceedings.

However, the tribunal disregarded this argument, noting that the term 'banks' should be interpreted broadly to encompass individual financial institutions as well. The tribunal added that to enforce the guarantee, a specific bank could pursue the guarantor as if he were the primary debtor

Increased scrutiny on personal guarantors The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took control of DHFL on 20 November 2019 and appointed R Subramaniakumar as the company's administrator. Then in September 2021, Piramal Capital acquired DHFL for 34,250 crore, merging it with its operations.

This case highlights the increasing scrutiny on personal guarantors following a Supreme Court ruling on 9 November 2023 that upheld crucial provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The court denied relief to a group of personal guarantors, including those challenging sections 95 to 100 of the IBC, reinforcing their accountability for defaulted debts.

Also read: What the Subhash Chandra case means for personal guarantors
Private equity giant KKR on Monday scooped up a controlling stake in Kerala-based Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH), doubling down on India's healthcare sector where it has made a series of investments in the recent past.

Financial details of the acquisition were not revealed; however, a person familiar with the deal said KKR's KKR's Asian Fund IV bought 70% stake in BMH for 2,000 crore, valuing the multi-specialty hospital chain at  2,500 crore.

The investment will help the hospital chain's pan-India expansion and medical infrastructure, the private equity firm said.

The deal is part of KKRs effort to increase its exposure to Indias growing healthcare sector after making several investments in the space including healthcare revenue solutions provider Infinx and injectables company Gland Pharma. The US private equity fund's India portfolio also includes drugmaker JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, health tech firm Infinx, and PHC. Recently, KKR acquired a controlling stake in medical device maker Healthium.

According to the Bain India Private Equity Report 2024, healthcare investments in India hit a record $5.5 billion in 2023, with 20% of the capital raised for healthcare allocated to single-specialty hospitals.

More Here: Blackstone breaks into Indian healthcare; bites into Kims Health, Care Hospitals Founded in 1987 by K.G. Alexander, BMH operates 1,000 beds across Kozhikode and Kannur in Kerala, offering a range of services from cardiology to orthopaedic care.

Akshay Tanna, KKR's head of India private equity, emphasized the firm's strategic focus on India's healthcare, aiming to extend BMH's reach to more patients across the country.

We are pleased to be strategic partners with Dr K. G. Alexander and family through this investment, which will aid BMH in expanding its network of hospitals and continuing to invest in medical infrastructure so that its medical services can reach more patients in India, Tanna added.

KKR had sold its Max Healthcare stake in 2022 for around 9,400 crore, marking its largest exit from an Indian firm.

KKR has also made investments in the consumer sector in India, with a nearly 1.42% stake in Reliance Retail in September 2023. Other notable India investments include supply chain firm LEAP India and renewable energy firm Serentica.

In November last year, the private equity firm had collected $2.8 billion for its second global impact fund dedicated to advance sustainability and social equity.

Also Read: Why Tata Capital Healthcare Fund is wary of healthtech bets KKR's Kerala hospital deal comes amid a surge of major investments in India's healthcare sector by leading global funds.

Last year, Blackstone, the worlds largest private equity firm, completed a $1 billion acquisition of Care Hospitals and KIMS Health. Singapore's state investment firm Temasek secured a controlling stake in Manipal Hospitals, while Swedish buyout firm EQT acquired Indira IVF. This year, General Atlantic followed suit by acquiring the hospital chain Ujala Cygnus. Last month, private equity firm Olympus reportedly sold a 10% stake in Aster DM Healthcare
(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macron hasnt been seen since the president and his wife, Brigitte, were spotted strolling the streets of the French coastal town of Le Touquet in dark sunglasses and leather bomber jackets a few hours before the scale of his defeat in legislative elections became known.

That spontaneous sighting  which led some on social media to comment whether he was trying to channel Tom Cruise in Top Gun  was the last time he was out in public. His Renaissance party got trounced by Marine Le Pens National Rally on Sunday night in a vote he called three weeks ago.

In the lead-up the campaign, his aides wanted him to keep a low profile given the depth of his unpopularity. But the president, known from his loquaciousness, couldnt help himself. He went on a two-hour podcast interview warning France faced civil war if his rivals won.

If the country is on edge, its largely down to his decision  which many, including his closest allies considered reckless  to dissolve the National Assembly in response to losing to Le Pen in the European Parliament elections.

His no-show comes as his entourage is trying to carve a path out of political obliteration. The president has hunkered down inside the Elysee palace and chaired a cabinet meeting on Monday at midday.

Many ministers left that meeting grim-faced. A visibly shaken Prime Minister Gabriel Attal walked down the palace stairs. Agriculture minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher was seen anxiously gesticulating while talking to someone. At one point she was spotted facepalming.

In that gathering, Macron said he believed the far right was close to winning outright, and that he wouldnt have been elected president in 2017 and 2022 without left-wing votes, according to a participant who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Whether Le Pen achieves an absolute or a relative majority hinges on the ability of the French to maintain the so-called Republican front  a tactic of rallying around the highest-placed candidate to block the far-right in the runoff.

This strategy successfully stopped the far right in the past, notably in the 2002 presidential election against Jean-Marie Le Pen. However, it is losing its effectiveness as some of Macrons allies refuse to withdraw in favor of candidates from the left-wing New Popular Front, which includes far-left party France Unbowed.

The president, whose group garnered only 20% of the votes nationwide, has yet to provide clear guidance. On Sunday night, in a short written statement, Macron called for a large democratic and Republican alliance against Le Pens National Rally.

However, it was unclear if this grouping would include all France Unbowed candidates, at whom he has leveled accusations of antisemitism over their support for Gaza following the October Hamas attacks.

Macron aides didnt return requests for clarification. A person familiar with the governments thinking said the decisions would probably be made on a case-by-case basis.

So far, Macron has left the speaking to his 35-year-old premier Attal, who barely six months into the job is more popular than his boss. He is scheduled to appear on television at 8 pm, essentially acting as a stand-in for the president.

As for Macron, what happened to the leader who famously struck a combative pose, emulating Raging Bull in a black-and-white photo? His supporters will be looking for that fighter to show his face.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Argentine President Javier Milei is finally making his first visit to Brazil, his nations largest trading partner. But instead of meeting President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the libertarian will rally with his leftist counterparts biggest rival.

Milei decided against attending next Mondays summit of Mercosur nations in Paraguay, where he would have crossed paths with Lula, due to a busy agenda, spokesman Manuel Adorni said Monday. He will, however, attend CPAC Brasil  an offshoot of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in the US that Jair Bolsonaro is also scheduled to take part in  this weekend, Adorni said.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of the right-wing former presidents sons and a CPAC Brasil organizer, said in a social media post Monday that his father and Milei would meet during the event, which will take place Saturday and Sunday in southern Brazil. Adorni had earlier declined to confirm that the meeting would take place.

Lulas government declined to comment on Mileis plans. But the Argentines decision to choose the conservative event over Mercosur  the customs union of which both Argentina and Brazil are members  nevertheless threatens to further dent an already-troubled relationship. The pair of neighboring leaders have traded public insults since Lula deployed a team of advisers to campaign against Milei and the libertarian labeled his counterpart a communist with whom he wouldnt work last year.

It is the latest in a series of provocative foreign policy moves from Milei, who has prioritized ties to ideological allies like Elon Musk and Donald Trump over traditional relations with counterparts like Joe Biden and Spains Pedro Sanchez.

That strategy has helped turn him into a burgeoning superstar of the global right, a status that an appearance at CPAC Brasil will likely further bolster. But it has irritated other leaders, including Argentinas allies.

His endorsement of Trump on the sidelines of CPAC earlier this year came during a trip in which Milei did not schedule meetings with Biden or other top administration officials. Sanchezs socialist government, meanwhile, yanked its ambassador from Buenos Aires after Mileis appearance at a far-right Vox party rally in Madrid in May, plunging the historic allies into their worst diplomatic crisis in memory.

Brazil, however, is considerably more important to Argentinas limping economy than either Spain or the US: It is its neighbors chief customer for agricultural commodities and other exports, and has often backed Argentinas efforts to win financing and economic assistance from global institutions like the International Monetary Fund.

So far, the frosty relations  which have continued in recent weeks with Lulas demand for an apology Milei doesnt believe he owes  have had little impact on the two nations, with long-standing trade and business ties proving immune to the sort of ideological differences that have become common between them in recent years.

The Mercosur summit appeared to offer them the chance to mend fences after they refused to do so at last months Group of 7 gathering in Italy, where Lula and Milei not only failed to meet but went so far as to stand on opposite sides of the official photo.

Brazil and Argentina are the blocs two largest members, and both have sought to finalize the groups long-elusive trade deal with the European Union, an issue that will again feature prominently on the agenda in Asuncion, Paraguay next week.

--With assistance from Daniel Carvalho and Simone Iglesias.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Ola Electric, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is set to proceed with its initial public offering (IPO) later this year, confirmed Chairman and Managing Director Bhavish Aggarwal in an interview with CNBC-TV18. Aggarwal emphasized that the exact timing of the IPO would hinge on ongoing processes.

"We are working through these observations and still have a few processes to complete over the next few weeks or months," he told CNBC-TV18.

In June 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved Ola Electric's IPO, comprising a primary issuance of 5,500 crore and a secondary sale of 1,750 crore. This approval marks Ola Electric as the first EV startup to receive such clearance from the market regulator.

The EV company applied for a draft red herring prospectus in December 2023 to raise 5,500 crore. Additionally, it has proposed an offer to sell 95.12 million equity shares at a face value of 10.

The company, backed by SoftBank and Temasek, has engaged in discussions with investors, focusing on growth and scale rather than valuation.

"Our conversations are not about the valuation per se but the business we are building and the scale," Aggarwal said.

Also Read | Ola Electric, Emcure Pharmaceuticals get SEBI nod for IPO launch

Aggarwal, however, did not comment on the company's valuation but said the investors' response has been very encouraging. He said that the gross margins have improved in the last 2 to 3 years.

"From June last year, for which financials are disclosed in the DRHP, to now, you can see our sales on the Vahan platform," Aggarwal told CNBC-TV18.

Also Read | Ola Electric expects to use in-house batteries in its products from early 2025

There were rumours that another related company, Ola Cabs, might launch an IPO. According to a Reuters report, Ola Cabs is planning to go for a $500 million IPO. Aggarwal, however, did not share any details on that.
Omnichannel beauty and personal care products platform Purplle Group has raised 1,000 crore in a funding round led by an arm of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), along with participation from other marquee investors.

Cumulatively, the start-up has now raised more than $500 million, while its pre-money valuation has increased to $1.25 billion in the latest funding round, from the $1.1-billion valuation it had received in its previous funding round.

Purplle, in a statement on Monday, said that the latest funding round includes a combination of primary and secondary shares.

In increasing its shareholding in Purplle, ADIA has continued to support us as we pursue our vision of building a sustainable and profitable business, said Manish Taneja, co-founder and CEO of Purplle.

Mint had reported on talks of the funding round in April and said that the company plans to open more offline stores this year, as it seeks to keep up with the changing preferences of customers looking for more hybrid modes of shopping.

A growing vision Founded in 2012 by Taneja and Rahul Dash, Purplle sells a wide range of beauty and personal care products, typically catering to households with an annual income of 5-30 lakh.

Most of its target market resides in tier 2 and tier 3 towns, and it gets about half of its revenues from more than 78 cities, such as Mysore, Coimbatore, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Siliguri.

It is our mission to democratise beauty and make it accessible to all, and while we have reached many beauty enthusiasts across India, we still have a long way to go, said Taneja.

We will constantly innovate and leverage our technology and data capabilities to provide our customers with the best omnichannel experience, he added.

Taneja had told Mint in April that the company, which has just two offline stores currently, plans to open 5-10 more in the next few months.

Also Read: Purplle plans offline push, may see $100 mln infusion from ADIA Purplle has also announced its largest employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) liquidity program and will offer equity worth 50 crore to its employees, after this funding round.

The beauty platform has granted ESOPs to 320 employees to date, and 85 of them have liquidated their ESOPs worth 75 crore over three previous buyback programs.

While the company is operationally profitable, according to its statement announcing the latest funding round, it expects to grow its online platform faster than the industry, while scaling offline stores and improving profitability.
New Delhi: In what is one of the worlds largest carbon-free green energy supply contract, state-run SJVN's green energy arm will supply 4.5 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy to AM Green Ammonia Holdings.

The company, promoted by Greenko Group founders Mahesh Kolli and Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, is in the process of setting up one of the world's largest green ammonia production facilities, which will begin with the production of one million tonnes of green ammonia per annum in the first phase, and ramp it up to five million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in the second, set to be completed by 2030.

Five million tonnes of green ammonia is equivalent to about one million tonnes of green hydrogen.

Under the agreement signed on 26 June, SJVN Green Energy (SGEL) will supply 4.5 GW of renewable energy to AM Greens upcoming green ammonia facilities, said a company statement.

Also Read: Tata Power Renewable Energy signs pact with SJVN for 460 MW clean energy project SGEL, a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN, will set up the required solar and wind capacities, while AM Green will integrate it with pumped hydro storage to ensure a steady supply of green energy to its production facilities.

SJVN plans to execute the project in three phases, with the first phase expected to deliver 1,500 MW within two years.

Mahesh Kolli, founder, Greenko Group and AM Green, said: We are delighted to partner with SJVN on one of the worlds largest carbon-free, renewable energy supply contracts. This partnership demonstrates AM Greens emerging leadership position as a global clean energy transition solutions platform while contributing to Indias ambition of emerging as an exporter of reliable, sustainable and lowest-cost green molecules and its derivatives accelerating industrial decarbonisation globally.

AM Green's target of producing five mtpa of green ammonia represents a fifth of Indias target for green hydrogen production under the countrys National Green Hydrogen Mission and 10% of Europes target for green hydrogen imports by 2030.

Ajay Singh, chief executive of SGEL, noted that the project marks SJVNs foray into supplying power to private sector entities.

"With our ambitious capacity addition targets, SJVN is actively pursuing opportunities across the spectrum and is keen to take forward this arrangement with AM Green, Singh added.

In October 2023, Malasiya-based Gentari Sdn Bhd, through its wholly owned subsidiary Gentari International Renewables Pte Ltd, had signed a deal with AM Green to jointly invest in AM Green Ammonia Holdings BV (AMG Ammonia), in phases. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, is also an investor in AM Green.

Gentari Sdn Bhd, a unit of Malaysias state-run oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd or Petronas, has a 30% stake in AM Green.

Further, the company has a robust pipeline of power offtake agreements, including from NTPC Renewables and Gentari, to support its green hydrogen ambitions.

Also Read: AM Green partners Envision Energy for wind turbines, green hydrogen projects With these agreements in place, AM Green, which is on the fast track to a final investment decision (FID) for its first 2-mtpa green ammonia project early this year, has positioned itself ahead of competitors aiming for green ammonia capacity addition in India and globally.

In May, Greenko ZeroCthe green ammonia production arm of AM Greensecured a deal to supply renewable ammonia to Norways Yara Clean Ammonia, the worlds largest trader and distributor of ammonia.

Further back in January this year, AM Green, which specializes in green hydrogen and green ammonia production, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Envision Energy International for the manufacturing of wind turbines for its needs.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  A United Nations-led meeting held in Qatar with the Taliban on increasing engagement with Afghanistan does not translate into a recognition of their government, a U.N. official said Monday.

The gathering on Sunday and Monday in Qatar's capital of Doha with envoys from some two dozen countries was the first time that representatives of the Afghan Taliban administration attended such a U.N.-sponsored meeting.

The Taliban were not invited to the first meeting, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second one, in February, including demands that Afghan civil society members be excluded from the talks and that the Taliban be treated as the countrys legitimate rulers.

Ahead of Doha, representatives of Afghan women were excluded from attending, paving the way for the Taliban to send their envoys  though the organizers insisted that demands for womens rights would be raised.

I would like to emphasize that this meeting and this process of engagement does not mean normalization or recognition, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, a U.N. official for political and peacebuilding affairs said Monday.

My hope is that the constructive exchanges on the various issues over the last two days have moved us a little closer to resolving some of the problems that are having such a devastating impact on the Afghan people, she added.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief Taliban government spokesman who headed the delegation to Doha, said there was opportunity for them to meet with representatives of various countries on the sidelines of the gathering.

He added that the messages from the Taliban reached all participating countries at the meeting. Afghanistan needs cooperation with the private sector and in the fight against drugs, he also said. Most countries expressed their willingness to cooperate in these areas.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 as United States and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their pullout from Afghanistan following two decades of war. No country officially recognizes the Taliban and the U.N. has said that recognition remains practically impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place.

However, some participants, including Canada, expressed disappointment over the exclusion of women and civil society representatives.

"Canada is extremely disappointed that the U.N. organizers have excluded non-Taliban Afghan participants, including womens advocates, religious and ethnic minorities, and human rights groups from participating in the meetings main sessions, David Sproule, Canadas special representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement.
In what has come as a surprise to industry watchers, Nandan Nilekani faced stiff opposition from public shareholders in his reappointment as director of Infosys.

Conversations Mint had with some shareholders point to the dissent likely being a reaction to the Infosys chairman's absence from some board meetings, his profile of a non-independent director, and the absence of a tenure as director.

According to an exchange filing by Infosys, 35% of retail shareholders and 15% of public institutions opposed Nilekani's reappointment at the Bengaluru-based company's 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) on 26 June.

In contrast, his earlier reappointments in 2019 and 2022 faced less than 1% opposition from public institutions and non-institutions.

The opposition to his re-appointment is surprising," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern Research Services.

However, Nilekani's candidature sailed through despite the dissent as he secured 86% of the overall votes. The co-founder of Infosys does not have a fixed tenure at the company, and seeks reappointment every two-odd years.

The reason he still secured a majority is because his attendance in board meetings has been more than 75% in the last three years, which is what all proxy advisory firms and investors demand," added Subramanian. "However, we have made a note of his absence."

Retail shareholders and non-institutions own almost a fourth of Infosys's total shares; public institutions own 62%, while promoters own 13%.

An email sent to Infosys seeking responses went unanswered.

Why the opposition?

The resistance to Nilekani's candidature at Infosys comes after 40% of large shareholders of Reliance Industries Ltd rejected the appointment of Saudi Arabian businessman Yasir Al-Rumayyan as an independent director as he skipped about 25% of the company's board meetings.

Nilekani, too, missed one-third of the companys board meetings in the 12 months through March 2024. The companys board met six times (excluding the AGM) and Nilekani attended four of them.

"We are voting against this director for missing more than 25 per cent of scheduled meetings without a satisfactory reason," reasoned British Columbia Investment Management Corp. (BCI), a large Canadian pension fund that manages $200 billion in assets, when it voted on the resolution. We are voting against the non-independent Chair as we support the separation of board and management with an independent Chair."

Also read | Infosys completes 25 years to US listing, here are its hits and misses

Royal London Asset Management, which has $210 billion in assets, also said the chairman is not independent and we would prefer to see the appointment of a fully independent chairman to the board".

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), which has about $500 billion in assets under management (AUM and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which manages $640 billion of assets, were the two other large investors that opposed Nilekani's reappointment.

Further, an analysis by Mint reveals that his attendance at board meetings had decreased over the past two years.

Nilekani regularly attended the company's board meetings until March 2022 but attended only four out of six last year, despite the company having had the fewest annual board meetings since he took over as chairman in 2017.

While Infosys's governing body met eight times as part of board meetings in the past four years, save the year ended March 2021, it met only six times last year.

What's the tenure?

One retail shareholder of Infosys told Mint that he voted against the resolution as Nilekani does not have a stated tenure.

"Good corporate governance demands board members to disclose their tenure," said the Bengaluru-based shareholder, who claims to have owned Infosys shares for the past two decades.

For Infosys, only about two directors are non-independent," said Subramanian of InGovern. "Every year, at least one-third of non-independent directors need to stand for re-elections, which can probably explain why Nilekani stands for re-election to the board every two years or so."

Nilekani is the only director among all large listed companies who has not disclosed how long he will continue at Infosys.

"I plan to be here as long as necessary, and I will not be here as soon as I am not necessary," Nilekani told analysts in his first interaction on 25 August 2017 when asked how long he planned to stay.

The background

Nilekani is one of the seven co-founders of Infosys and served as its CEO from 31 March 2002 to 21 June 2007. He left Infosys in 2009 to build the now-ubiquitous universal ID, Aadhaar.

Nilekani returned reluctantly in August 2017 to rescue the company he and his six friends co-founded in 1981.

Seven years ago, Infosys was in chaos after the then-CEO Vishal Sikka resigned after a long-running stream of criticism from another co-founder, N.R. Narayana Murthy.

Infosys's share price plunged 10% even as employee morale was close to its lowest ebb. Nilekani's returnl, which coincided with then-chair R. Seshasayee and two other board members stepping aside, marked a gradual recovery in the company's fortunes.

Also read | Gen AI takes centre stage at AGM of TCS and Infosys

In less than 100 days, Nilekani and the board got Salil Parekh, a former executive at Capgemini S.E., as the new CEO.

With Parekh focused on running the business and winning back clients' trust, Nilekani got to work on restructuring the board.

Simply put, Parekh and Nilekani's jugalbandi has helped Infosys regain its mojo and retain the tag of I.T. bellwether.

From the time Nilekani was appointed on the Infosys board till today, the stocks of Infosys, TCS, and HCL Technologies, the country's top three IT services companies, jumped more than three-fold, with Infosys's stock growing the most. The benchmark BSE30 index gained more than two-fold in this span.

In terms of revenue growth, Infosys grew the fastest among its peers in two of the past five years. However, the company's performance slipped last year, when it recorded 1.9% growth to end with $18.6 billion in revenue.

TCS's revenues grew 4.1% to end with $29.1 billion in FY24, while HCL Technologies grew 5.4% to end with $13.3 billion.
New Delhi: Indias manufacturing activities, which had slipped to a three-month low in May, recovered during June, supported by an increase in new orders, output, and a record upturn in employment.

The HSBC final India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, stood at 58.3 in June, 57.5 in May, and 58.8 in April.

The June reading was slightly lower than S&Ps flash projection of 58.5 last month. However, the index has remained above its long-run average and the 50-mark, which separates contraction from expansion, for nearly three years.

June data showed that buoyant demand conditions spurred the expansions in new orders, output and buying levels. Concurrently, firms raised employment at the fastest rate seen in more than 19 years of data collection, the survey said.

Cost pressures receded from May, but were nevertheless among the highest over the past two years. As a result, companies lifted selling prices to the greatest extent since May 2022, it added.

Strong demand, moderating costs The June report highlighted that the underlying demand remained favourable and new business continued to flow in.

The performance of the consumer goods industry was especially strong, although substantial increases were also noted in the intermediate and investment goods categories.

Maitreyi Das, Global Economist at HSBC, said that while input buying activity also rose during June, input costs moderated slightly but remained at elevated levels.

Also read | Cost pressures cast shadow over Asias fledgling manufacturing recovery

The Indian manufacturing sector ended the June quarter on a stronger footing. The headline manufacturing PMI rose by 0.8 percentage points to 58.3 in June, supported by increased new orders and output. Consequently, firms increased their hiring at the fastest pace in over 19 years, Das said.

While the overall outlook for the manufacturing sector remains positive, the future output index receded to a three-month low, albeit it remains above the historical average, Das added.

Incidentally, Indias infrastructure output, which accounts for about two-fifths of the countrys industrial production, rose 6.3% year-on-year in May, decelerating from Aprils 6.7% expansion.

The sector was hurt by a contraction in cement and crude oil and a slowdown in refinery products and steel, according to the provisional data from the ministry of commerce and industry released last week.

The latest core sector data showed that five of the eight core industries reported a rise in production, while output in crude oil, fertilisers and cement sectors contracted during May.

Policy uncertainty, positive outlook The Reserve Bank of India expects real GDP growth to be 7% in FY25.

The projections of a normal monsoon bode well for agriculture output growth, with the governments robust capital expenditure, strong investment demand, and upbeat consumer and business sentiment making the Indian economy resilient.

However, geopolitical tensions and the divergence of monetary easing paths of major central banks pose policy uncertainty.

Also read | India continues to shine among emerging market peers

The latest HSBC PMI-manufacturing survey, however, expects the outlook for India's manufacturing sector to remain positive, with nearly 29% of panellists expecting output growth over the coming year.

A demand environment conducive to growth allowed manufacturers in India to share additional cost burdens with their clients (during June). Selling charges were raised to the greatest extent in over two years, the survey said.
New Delhi: Central and state governments collected 1.74 trillion in Goods and Services Tax (GST) receipts in June, 7.74% more than the proceeds from the indirect tax a year ago, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

To be sure, June's GST proceeds were lower than the record GST collection of 2.1 trillion reported in April. But they were in line with the trend of robust GST revenue receipts.

GST collections during May stood at 1.73 trillion.

Against expectations GST revenue in May and June, representing transactions in the first two months of the new financial year (FY25), was expected to come down from Aprils highthe outcome of year-end sales by companies.

As part of the settlement of taxes on account of inter-state sales, the Central government collected 39,586 crore while states collected 33,548 crore in June, the person mentioned above added, under the condition of anonymity.

Also Read | Online gaming firms likely to be left in the lurch at GST Council meet

During the April-June 2024 period (Q1, FY25), gross GST collection stood at 5.57 trillion, up from 5.06 trillion during the year-ago period.

A finance ministry spokesperson didn't immediately respond to emailed queries.

"Overall GST collections have shown an encouraging trend over last few months," Pratik Jain, Partner, PwC India.

"The industry hopes that the trend will enable the GST council to reinitiate the rate rationalisation exercise as indicated in the last council meeting," Jain added.

The GST proceeds for June came from sales in the previous month, May.

"An (over) seven per cent growth from June collections of last year, coupled with a consistent average monthly collection of 1.75 trillion, reinstates consistency in growth of the economy," said Abhishek Jain, Indirect Tax Head & Partner, KPMG.

Manufacturing activity slips Indias manufacturing activity slipped to a three-month low in May as intense heatwaves reduced working hours, impacting volumes, and thus impacting GST collections.

The HSBC final India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, eased to 57.5 in May from 58.8 in April and 59.1 in March.

On an annual basis, GST collections have steadily risen since its inception in FY18, with more businesses becoming compliant and entering the formal sectors.

Gross GST collections have nearly tripled annually from 7.41 trillion in FY18 to 20.18 trillion in FY24.
CLAT 2025: The Consortium of National Law Universities is scheduled to release the notification for theCommon Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 on July 7, 2024. Aspiring candidates seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating institutes can apply for CLAT 2025 after the registration dates for the CLAT 2025 shared by the consortium at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. in the notification.

As per the consortium schedule, CLAT 2025 will be held on December 1. The law entrance exam will be conducted from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Also Read | UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024 out at upsc.gov.in. Direct link

The CLAT 2025 advertisement is scheduled to be released in print and electronic media on July 7, 2024 read the official website.

CLAT 2025: Eligibility CLAT-UG 2025 Candidates must secure the following minimum percentage of marks in their qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2 or an equivalent examination): Forty-five per cent (45%) marks or its equivalent grade in case of candidates belonging to General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI categories while forty per cent (40%) marks or equivalent in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories.

There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing for the UG Programme through the CLAT 2025.

Also Read | Australia doubles student visa fees, likely to impact Indians

CLAT-PG 2025 An LL.B. Degree or an equivalent examination with a minimum of fifty per cent (50%) marks or its equivalent grade in case of candidates belonging to General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI categories and forty-five per cent (45%) marks or its equivalent grade in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories.

There is no upper age limit for appearing for the CLAT 2024.

CLAT 2025: How to apply Go to the official CLAT website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

Click on the CLAT 2025 registration link available on the homepage

To register, enter your required details and submit them.

After registration, log in to your account by entering your credentials

Fill out the application form

Pay the application fee

Click on the submit button

Download a copy confirmation page

Save and print a copy of the application for future reference

CLAT 2025: Exam Pattern The CLAT UG exam will be a 2-hour test, with 120 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each. There will be a negative mark of 0.25 for every wrong answer. The CLAT UG paper will have questions on the English language and current affairs, including general knowledge, logical reasoning, legal reasoning, and quantitative techniques, while the CLAT PG question paper will comprise questions on constitutional law and other areas of law, including jurisprudence, family law, criminal law, property law, administrative law, law of contract, torts, company law, public international law, tax law, environmental law and labour and industrial law.
The National Testing Agency on June 30 released the result for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024 retest, which was conducted only for 1,563 candidates after the grace marks and paper leak issues. Students who appeared for the NEET UG 2024 retest can check their marks on NTA's official website  exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/.

The NTA conducted a re-examination on June 23 for 1,563 candidates who were previously awarded grace marks in the NEET UG exam due to a 'loss of time' and was later scrapped by the honourable Supreme Court, giving candidates the choice to opt for a re-test or to retain the original scores excluding the grace marks.

Also Read | NEET PG 2024 revised dates likely to be announced by July 1 or 2

NEET UG 2024 re-exam: Steps to download scorecard Step 1: Go to the official website of NEET UG 2024: exams.nta.ac.in/NEET

Step 2: Click on the ' NEET UG re-exam results 2024' tab available on the homepage

Step 3: Enter login credentials such as Application Number, DOB and Security PIN

Step 4: A new window will open, and the scorecard will be reflected on the screen

Step 5: Download the scorecard and save

Step 6: Print the NEET UG 2024 scorecard for future reference.

Candidates must ensure their scorecard includes their photo and barcode or re-download it if it is missing. Only 813 of the 1,563 candidates took the re-exam. The remaining 48% of candidates opted for their original scores, excluding the grace marks.

It is important to note that Haryanas Jhajjar centre, which came under scrutiny due to several top rankers emerging from there, 287 out of the 494 candidatesrepresenting approximately 58% appeared for the NEET UG 2024 re-exam.

After the re-exam results, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will begin the counselling process, likely starting on July 6.

NEET UG 2024 row The NEET UG exam 2024 was held on May 5, with more than 24 lakh candidates taking the exam. The NTA declared the results on June 4, 2024, with 67 students securing a perfect score of 720.

Six out of 67 perfect scorers were from Haryanas Jhajjar centre, which created suspicions of possible irregularities. The NEET-UG 2024 is under scrutiny due to paper leaks and other irregularities. After a review, the Ministry of Education has handed over the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation.
UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the results of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examinations 2024. Candidates who appeared for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam can check their results on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.

The UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examinations 2024 were conducted across the nation on June 16 at various exam centres. Over 13.4 lakh candidates appeared for the exam in two shifts, covering General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi seeks discussion on NEET-UG row in Lok Sabha

General Studies (Paper I) included Indian polity, Geography, History, Indian economy, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology, and International relations. Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper 2) included reasoning and analytical questions, reading comprehension questions, and decision-making questions.

The examination comprised objective-type questions offering four options and carried a total of 400 marks. Successful candidates will be eligible to appear in the next phase, i.e. UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Exam 2024, followed by the Interview or Personality Test.

UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024: Websites to check the results Candidates can check their results at the following websites

upsc.gov.in.

upsconline.nic.in.

UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024: How to check the results Go to the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in.

Click on the "UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Result 2024" link available on the homepage

A new page will appear; enter the required details such as UPSC CSE Roll Number/Registration Number, and Date of Birth (DOB)

Click on "submit" and the result will be displayed on your screen

Check and download the UPSC CSE Prelims Results 2024

Take a printout, and keep a hard copy for future reference. UPSC Prelims Results 2024: Prelims passing criteria To clear the UPSC CSE Prelims examination, a candidate must score a minimum of 33% in General Studies Paper 2 and meet the overall qualifying marks in General Studies Paper 1.

According to the UPSC calendar, the commission will conduct the Civil Services (Mains) Exam 2024 in September 2024. The Commission will not release the UPSC cutoff and answer key with the result; they will be released after the final result is declared.

Also Read | New criminal laws protect rights of victims: Amit Shah
Palestinian militants fired one of the largest barrages toward Israel in weeks on Monday while Israeli forces reengaged with Hamas fighters in a Gaza City neighborhood they had previously invaded, signs the conflict risks becoming a protracted war of attrition as militants regroup and rearm.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad said it fired rockets at southern Israel, an attack the Israeli military said was largely intercepted, caused no damage and consisted of 20 projectiles that came from the area of Khan Younis, where Israel carried out a monthslong operation against militant groups that ended in early April.

The barrage reinforced the challenge for Israel as it seeks to pursue a counterinsurgency campaign against militants who retain rocket and mortar firing capabilities almost nine months into the Israeli campaign to destroy them.

The Israeli militarys incursion into Gaza Citys Shujaiyya neighborhood, which began last week and sent Palestinian families running for their lives, also demonstrates how hard it is proving for Israel to achieve the governments stated war aim of eradicating Hamas from the enclave.

The operation in Shujaiyya is the latest in a series of raids in which Israeli forces had to return to an area from which they had withdrawn, because Hamas had regrouped and reasserted some control.

Hamas says that it is fighting back in Shujaiyya. On Sunday the group released a video that it said showed its forces launching mortar rounds at Israeli forces in the area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wont end the war without total victory" over Hamas. The Israeli military said publicly last month that the groups total destruction is an unachievable aim.

Israeli forces have returned to a number of areas they had earlier invaded in Gaza, including Jabalia in the north of the enclave, as well as the strips largest hospital, Al-Shifa, which the military accused of being a Hamas command-and-control center. Security analysts say that Israel is at risk of sinking into a long-term conflict with Hamas, which has demonstrated an ability to survive as an insurgent group, drawing on some support from the broader population in Gaza.

Its a quagmire. Its going to be a low-intensity conflict for a long time," said Joost Hiltermann, the program director for the Middle East and North Africa at International Crisis Group.

You can use military operations to push Hamas into various pockets of Gaza but eventually they filter back through the tunnel system or overland," he said. They are gaining new recruits every day. Young people who have lost their families, theyre going to sign up."

The fighting in Shujaiyya, a large neighborhood of Gaza City that the Israeli military invaded earlier in the war, also comes as Israeli military officials have signaled that they are nearing an end to major combat operations in the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, that Israel said was Hamass last redoubt. Netanyahu said in recent months that the Rafah operation was essential to his vision of total victory. After Rafah, the military is expected to shift to a new stage of lower-intensity fighting consisting of intelligence-based raids.

Israel launched its invasion of northern Gaza in October in response to Hamass Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, in which 1,200 Israelismostly civilianswere killed and some 250 people were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The war in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Palestinian authorities that dont say how many were combatants, while Israeli bombing has reduced much of the enclave to rubble.

A senior military official told The Wall Street Journal that the military operation in Shujaiyya was aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping there. The Israeli military says that dozens of militants have been killed so far in Shujaiyya and that it has located weapons, raided booby-trapped compounds and dismantled weapons storage and manufacturing facilities.

We will maneuver again and again wherever we see that there is an attempt to regroup or an attempt to try and regovern or an attempt to bring in all kinds of weapons," said the official from inside Shujaiyya.

The official said that Hamas was trying to attack Israel from there by firing mortars and rockets from aboveground but also from underground through attack tunnels. We are not going to allow that to happen," he said.

The official said that the latest raid was based on intelligence. I wouldnt have gone in if I didnt have information," he said.

The Israeli military also says it aims to eliminate tunnels, especially those that could be used for attacks into Israel, and aboveground compounds that Hamas has taken over in Shujaiyya.

The current Israeli raid in Gaza City has brought Israeli forces back to areas of the strip that were largely destroyed in the initial invasion and bombing campaign last year. In October, the military urged more than a million residents of northern Gaza to leave their homes, triggering a mass flight to the southern end of the strip, though some remained in the north.

Mohammad Assaf, a father of four, said he and his family fled Shujaiyya hours after the strikes hit close to his building on Friday. We were being told that the tanks that advanced in recent days are coming in, so we ran with only the clothes we were wearing," he said. My biggest dream is to get water now for my family."

Assaf and his family, like others fleeing Shujaiyya, headed for western areas of Gaza City such as Rimal, a high-end Gaza City neighborhood that is now largely destroyed.

The military on June 27 issued warnings urging Palestinians in eastern Gaza City to leave for their safety. Some 60,000 to 80,000 people were displaced on that day from areas east and northeast of Gaza City, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Shujaiyya saw intense fighting earlier in the war and was the location of one of the deadliest incidents on the Israeli side when nine soldiers were killed in December in an ambush by militants. Hostages were also held in the area. On Dec. 15, the Israeli military mistakenly shot and killed three hostages thinking they were militants.

The Israeli military says that it has killed around 14,000 militants in the enclave, about half the Hamas fighters it believes were operating in Gaza at the start of the war, but Hamas is still able to recruit fighters.

Military analysts say that Hamas has shifted its armed forces from place to place, often avoiding a direct clash with the Israeli army to survive and wage a guerrilla campaign using hit-and-run tactics.

I dont believe that Hamas is looking for a wide, pitched battle where all its forces are in the field waiting for us to finish them," said Brig. Gen. Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli general.

They move around and they avoid contact in a wide sense because they work on force preservation," he said.

Fatima AbdulKarim contributed to this article.

Write to Jared Malsin at jared.malsin@wsj.com and Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com
New Delhi: The Netherlands, with its developed transit ports, continues to be the top destination for Indias petroleum exports, with shipments to Europe accounting for $4.4 billion during April-May 2024, up from $2.8 billion in the same period of the previous year.

India, a key Asian refining hub with an installed capacity of nearly 250 million tonnes per annum across 23 refineries, has expanded the export market for refined petroleum products by continuing to buy cheap crude from sanctions-hit Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine war, processing it and exporting a large chunk of it.

According to data from the commerce ministry, petroleum exports to the Netherlands have picked up pace during the early months of FY25.

During April-May 2024, India exported petroleum products worth $3.9 billion to the Netherlands. It sold petroleum products worth $14.29 billion to the Netherlands during FY24.

In November 2022, Mint reported the Netherlands has emerged as the top destination for Indias petroleum product exports, such as petrol and diesel, resulting in the country becoming one of the biggest markets for Indian exports.

The Netherlands accounted for nearly 25% of Indias total petroleum product exports during April 2024 at 1.74 billion, a growth of 73.6% over the corresponding period last year.

India's other top export destinations India's top export destinations for its petroleum products also include the UAE, Singapore, South Africa, the US and Malaysia.

Indian exports of diesel and ATF (aviation turbine fuel) to the Netherlands has jumped 1152.5% and 480.6% respectively between FY2021 and FY 2024, which coincides with the West's sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine in February 2022, said Ajay Srivastava, a former Indian Trade Service official and founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

The Netherlands has a well-developed port infrastructure and logistics network, making it a prime location for storing and re-distributing petroleum products to other European countries. Indian refiners use the Netherlands as a hub to reach other European markets, he said.

India has been buying discounted Russian crude oil and refining it into usable products. Since India can't directly sell these products to some European countries due to sanctions, the Netherlands might be acting as an intermediary, he added.

The prices of Brent crude has increased nearly 14% since January. The September contract of Brent on the Intercontinental Exchange ended at $85 per barrel on 28 June.

According to data from the governments Niryat portal, India's export value of petroleum products stood at $12.87 billion in April-May 2024, up 7.6% from $11.96 billion in the year-ago period.

Petroleum exports to Europe, and ASEAN regions rose, while exports to South America, Africa, North East Asia and Oceania saw a decline in value terms.

Emailed queries sent to the commerce and petroleum ministries remained unanswered.

Meanwhile, Russia continued to be the top oil supplier to India, followed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia during May.
With an aim to grow India's pharmaceutical industry's size to $120-$130 billion by 2030, while increasing its global market share to 7% by then, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has sought more incentives from the government to increase its investments in the research and development (R&D) of pharmaceuticals in the country.

The Indian pharma industry aims to grow not only in its export markets, but also become self-reliant in the long run.

The focus needs to be on creating an ecosystem and a set of policies that are conducive for the industry to invest more in R&D and innovation, enhance quality standards to increase its market accessibility in export markets and become self-reliant in the years to come, stated Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, in his expectations from the upcoming Budget 2024.

This will strengthen Indias position as the top producer by volume and one of the top three by (market) value by 2047.

Also Read: Govt sanctions  700 crore for setting up pharma and med tech centres The knowledge-driven industry is currently valued at $50 billion, with a global market share of 3.6% by market value. According to data from Statista, revenue from the domestic pharmaceuticals market is expected to reach $13.16 billion in 2024. Further, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, it is expected to reach $16.56 billion by 2029.

A global opportunity India is the largest producer of generic drugs globally, supplying 20% of the total global generics volume to over 200 countries. It also supplies around 60% of the total global vaccine requirement, contributing 40% to 70% of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) demand.

The industry further contributes about 2% to Indias gross domestic product (GDP), while creating employment for around 3.5 million people in the country.

Industry body Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which represents various global research-based pharma firms in India, is optimistic about continued reforms in policies aimed at bolstering innovation in the industry and streamlining its regulatory processes.

Suggesting the need to accelerate R&D and innovation in the country, the industry bodies have continued to push the government to explore various methods to incentivize R&D investments, such as deductions on R&D expenses, research-linked incentives for MNCs, and corporate tax concessions.

Recognizing the high-risk, long-gestation nature of R&D, we suggest extending the scope of section 115BAB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, to companies solely engaged in pharmaceutical research and development and providing a 200% deduction rate on R&D expenditures, said Anil Matai, director general of OPPI.

This would significantly boost our ability to undertake essential research and development, including clinical trials and patent registration.

Also Read: Centre plans to restructure drug pricing committee Furthermore, Matai also pitched for establishing an effective intellectual property (IP) rights regime, which is critical for driving growth and encouraging research-based pharma companies, both global and Indian, to introduce innovative therapies in India towards addressing unmet medical needs.

OPPI had made representations to the finance ministry during consultations for the Budget 2024.

An intelligent IP regime Indian pharma firms concur with the introduction of an IP rights regime. "One key area of focus is strengthening the framework for intellectual property. A robust IP system will incentivize companies to invest in groundbreaking research and development, leading to the discovery of new life-saving drugs, said Nikhil Chopra, CEO and whole-time director of JB Pharma.

The budget, Chopra added, could explore initiatives that encourage the development and production of value-added generics, along with increasing the governments support in skill development, which will be crucial for the industry.

Experts believe the Indian pharma industry has a vital role to play in achieving the aim of patient welfare and it also provides India with leverage in world affairs.

To maintain its position as a world-class supplier of affordable, quality-assured drugs, it is paramount for India to make bold strategic forays into innovation, newer markets, products and technologies.

The new Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments support in the form of policy measures and regulatory interventions will remain integral to driving this growth for India, industry experts said.

Support much needed Over the past few years, the central government has taken several initiatives to help India become self-sufficient in active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and key starting materials (KSM), by launching production linked incentive schemes (PLI 1.0 & PLI 2.0).

Further, the government has also notified the revised Schedule M under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, to improve the quality practices of pharmaceutical manufacturing. It has also launched the scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) as a tool to encourage R&D in the sector.

The Department of Pharmaceutical (DoP) aims to foster innovation and transformation in the med-tech sector through the PRIP.

Also Read: Pharma department seeks report on drug misuse, eyes NDPS Act inclusion Dr Arunish Chawla, secretary, DoP, in a recent pharma event, revealed that the DoP is setting up an internal project monitoring unit to identify projects that have a proof of concept and can be eligible for disbursement under the PRIP scheme to boost research and innovation in the industry.

The Meditech industry is growing in double digits. We have started exporting imaging devices like X-ray machines, CT scans, and ultrasounds; we have started exporting body implants and you will see that going forward this part of the industry will grow in lockstep, meaning growing equally strong, Chawla said.

Five years down the line, you will see that we have largely narrowed down the gap between the exports and the imports, and this industry will also become export-oriented, he added.
Tech companies scouring the country for electricity supplies have zeroed in on a key target: Americas nuclear-power plants.

The owners of roughly a third of U.S. nuclear-power plants are in talks with tech companies to provide electricity to new data centers needed to meet the demands of an artificial-intelligence boom.

Among them, Amazon Web Services is nearing a deal for electricity supplied directly from a nuclear plant on the East Coast with Constellation Energy, the largest owner of U.S. nuclear-power plants, according to people familiar with the matter. In a separate deal in March, the Amazon.com subsidiary purchased a nuclear-powered data center in Pennsylvania for $650 million.

The discussions have the potential to remove stable power generation from the grid while reliability concerns are rising across much of the U.S. and new kinds of electricity usersincluding AI, manufacturing and transportationare significantly increasing the demand for electricity in pockets of the country.

Nuclear-powered data centers would match the grids highest-reliability workhorse with a wealthy customer that wants 24-7 carbon-free power, likely speeding the addition of data centers needed in the global AI race.

But instead of adding new green energy to meet their soaring power needs, tech companies would be effectively diverting existing electricity resources. That could raise prices for other customers and hold back emission-cutting goals.

Even if tech companies were to offset nuclear-power deals by funding the addition of renewable energy, experts say the likely result is more reliance on natural gas to replace diverted nuclear power. Natural gas-fired plants produce carbon emissions but, unlike renewables, can provide round-the-clock power and are cheaper and more practical to build than new nuclear plants.

The nuclear-tech marriage is fueling tensions over economic development, grid reliability, cost and climate goals in states including Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Amazons deal in Pennsylvania set off alarm bells for Patrick Cicero, the states consumer advocate. Cicero said he is concerned about cost and reliability if massive consumers of energy kind of get first dibs." It is unclear if the state currently has the regulatory authority to intervene in such deals, he said.

Never before could anyone say to a nuclear-power plant, well take all the energy you can give us," said Cicero.

To supplement our wind- and solar-energy projects, which depend on weather conditions to generate energy, were also exploring new innovations and technologies, and investing in other sources of clean, carbon-free energy," an Amazon spokeswoman said.

A new arrangement

The data center that Amazon purchased in Pennsylvania can receive up to 960 megawatts of electricity, enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. The acquisition accelerated interest in so-called behind-the-meter deals, in which a large customer receives power directly from a plant.

The relatively new arrangements mean data centers can be built years faster because little to no new grid infrastructure is needed. Data centers could also avoid transmission and distribution charges that make up a large share of utility bills.

The new interest in nuclear power is part of a reversal of fortune for companies that own power plants in competitive power markets. That business has been difficult for two decades following overbuilding in the 1990s. Nuclear plants struggled to compete with wind, solar and natural gas, prompting a wave of closures.

But tech companies willing to pay a premium for nearly uninterrupted, carbon-free power could make good on climate-change pledges while powering AI.

Shares of Vistra, the largest competitive power generator in the U.S., have more than doubled this year. The company has been in talks for behind-the-meter deals at both nuclear and gas plants.

In this case, the customer has come to us and come to many in the industry and said I need as much power as you can make available," said Vistra Chief Executive Jim Burke.

Constellation Energy, which owns 14 U.S. nuclear-power plants and produces more than a fifth of the nations nuclear power, has seen its shares rise more than 70% this year.

Constellations president and CEO, Joseph Dominguez, said there are still many places, including a swath from Pennsylvania to Illinois, with an oversupply of power. That leaves room for data centers, he said.

Contracts with data centers willing to pay a premium would cover the cost of re-licensing, he said, extending plant life another 20 years and supporting investments that could boost nuclear-power output.

If we dont have those things, were going to lose the nukes again," Dominguez said. Were going to go back to where we were."

Lots of talks, and controversy

It is too early to know just how much power data centers will need. Estimates range from around 4% of power consumed last year in the U.S. to something between 4.6% and 9% by 2030, according to the Electric Power Research Institute.

In Connecticut, state Sen. Norm Needleman never envisioned taking existing power off the grid when he supported economic incentives for data centers a few years ago. Then a developer proposed connecting a data center to the Millstone nuclear plant.

If we lose a carbon-free resource, what are we going to replace it with?" asked Needleman, whose bill to require a study of such projects didnt pass this year.

Daniel OKeefe, commissioner for Connecticuts Department of Economic and Community Development, said the proposal could work if it is done in a thoughtful way. Neighboring states are adding data centers, with needed grid improvements shared by all New England customers, so Connecticut ought to receive some economic benefits, he said.

Our constituents are paying for these data centers regardless of whether theyre inside Connecticut," OKeefe said.

In New Jersey, Public Service Enterprise Group CEO Ralph LaRossa has said the company has been in talks with data centers, including for direct power sales, which could support New Jerseys economic-development efforts to create an AI hub.

About 40% of the states power comes from nuclear power, including plants owned by PSEG.

New Jersey customers have spent about $300 million a year during the past six years to help keep its plants operating, plus hundreds of millions before that, said Brian Lipman, director for the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel.

What happened to that investment?" asked Lipman.

New Jersey is also targeting 100% clean-energy generation by 2035, which Lipman said would be impossible without nuclear power. PSEG declined to comment.

Energy needs

Many of the negotiations are happening within the PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization and electricity market serving Washington, D.C., and 13 states from Virginia to Illinois. It said it would work with both plant and transmission owners, and conduct analyses to avoid reliability issues and other problems.

Last week, utilities American Electric Power and Exelon requested a hearing at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about Amazons deal in Pennsylvania, arguing that as much as $140 million in costs could shift to other customers and that the data center should not be allowed to operate as a free rider," benefiting from a transmission system others pay for.

Talen Energy, which built the data center and operates the nuclear plant, called the request a misguided attempt to stifle this innovation."

It is unclear whether and how much data centers located at nuclear plants would need to depend on grid power. Nuclear plants are far more reliable than other kinds of power generation but have outages, too.

Before Amazon purchased the Pennsylvania data center, a Talen nuclear reactor had an outage last fall and the data-center campus had to pull power from the grid, according to people familiar with the incident. The need for grid power was unexpected, and additional system protections have been put in place since then to avoid a repeat, the people said.

Talen and grid operator PJM declined to comment on the incident.

Write to Jennifer Hiller at jennifer.hiller@wsj.com and Sebastian Herrera at sebastian.herrera@wsj.com
The Indian equity market finished June on a strong footing, with investors' confidence remaining resilient, driving stocks towards new record highs. This positive momentum not only surpassed previous benchmarks but also exceeded analysts' estimates, showcasing the market's robust performance.

Despite weak global sentiment, including heightened tensions in the Middle East, a surge in crude oil prices, a strengthening dollar, and diminishing hopes for Fed rate cuts, investors remain optimistic about the Indian equity market. The country's strong fundamentals have effectively outpaced these global concerns, bolstering investor confidence.

The month began with significant volatility, but steady participation from private banks, IT, and auto stocks helped stabilise the market. This resilience, coupled with a strong rally in FMCG stocks, contributed to the frontline indices recording their best monthly performance in 2024 so far.

Broad-based gains were observed across various sectors, with the Nifty 500 index experiencing its largest monthly gain since December 2023, growing by 6.90%. The first half of the current year saw an impressive 16.11% increase, driven by notable performances from PSU, capital goods, real estate, and railway-related stocks.

Also Read: Nifty Auto achieves eighth consecutive monthly gain in June

Looking at the benchmark indices, both the Nifty 50 and Sensex ended June with record performances. The Nifty 50 gained 6.60%, marking its largest monthly gain since December 2023, while the Sensex also posted its highest monthly gain in seven months, finishing June with a 7% increase.

Defence stocks continue to attract investors Among the 500 stocks comprising the Nifty 500, 13 stocks have gained between 100% and 230%, with defence stocks leading the way. Shares of Cochin Shipyard emerged as the top performer, generating a return of 230% as they finished 5 out of 6 months in positive territory, with April and May alone generating returns of 50%.

Defence stocks have become investors' hot picks due to the government's emphasis on the sector by increasing capital expenditure and setting notable targets, such as achieving 70% self-sufficiency in weaponry by 2027, making the sector highly attractive.

Similarly, Garden Reach Shipbuilders delivered a massive return of 140% during the first half of the current year.

On the other hand, the capital goods sector has also garnered significant attention from investors. This sector, encompassing industries that manufacture machinery and equipment used for industrial production, construction, and infrastructure, has shown remarkable performance, with stock returns ranging from 100% to 140%.

Shares of Hitachi Energy India, Schneider Electric Infrastructure, and Cummins India have rallied 140%, 111.5%, and 102%, respectively, during the first half of the current year.

As the BJP-led NDA formed the government at the center, investor expectations regarding policy continuity towards housing and railways have driven a strong rally in these stocks in June, propelling them to register strong gains in H1 2024.

Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam, HUDCO, and Jupiter Wagons have delivered returns of 130%, 123.3%, and 116%, respectively. Other stocks, such as Aegis Logistics, Oracle Financial Services, Hindustan Zinc, Sobha, and Amara Raja, have gained between 100% and 148%.

Overall, 110 stocks from the Nifty 500 index concluded the first half of the current year with returns exceeding 40%.
Buy or sell stocks for today: After showing upside movement in the first four sessions last week, the Indian stock market slipped into the profit-booking zone on Friday. The nifty 50 index went off 33 points and closed at 24,010, whereas the BSE Sensex shed 210 points and finished at 79,032. The Bank Nifty index ended 469 points lower at 52,342. However, the broad market outperformed the frontline indices and finished positively. The small-cap index ended 0.56 percent higher while the mid-cap index finished 0.41 percent higher on the previous session.

Vaishali Parekh's stocks to buy today Vaishali Parekh, Vice PresidentTechnical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes that the overall Indian stock market sentiment is optimistic, as the Nifty 50 index gained around 800 points last week. The Prabhudas Lilladher expert said that the 50-stock index has crucial support at 23,500, whereas the frontline index is not heading for the next target of 24,500.

Regarding stocks to buy today, Vaishali Parekh recommended buying these three buy or sell stocks on Monday  Balkrishna Industries, Steel Authority of India Limited or SAIL, and KPIT Technologies.

Stock market today On the outlook for the Nifty today, Vaishali Parekh said, "Nifty has witnessed a decent rally during the week, gaining almost 800 points to end on a high note above the 24,000 zone with bias maintained strong and overall sentiment remaining optimistic. The index has got the next near-term target of 24,500 levels as mentioned earlier, and 23,500 would be maintained as the important support as of now."

"The Bank Nifty index gained strength breaching the 52,000 zones during the week to scale above the 53,000 landmarks creating history and has the overall bias maintained positive as long as the 51,000 level is sustained having next upside targets of 53,500 and 55100 levels visible in the coming days," said Parekh.

Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations today 1] Balkrishna Industries: Buy at 3229, target 3360, stop loss 3160;

2] SAIL: Buy at 148.65, target 156, stop loss 145; and

3] KPIT Technologies: Buy at 1634.75, target 1700, stop loss 1600.
New Delhi: A lot of financial history is people saying, No one could have seen this coming" about things that have occurred regularly for the last 500 years.

Morgan Housel

The end of the Second World War marked the beginning of an over two-decade-long bull run on Wall Street. As is the case with all bull markets, this one too had its blue-eyed sectorairlines.

Air-transport stocks were all the rage back then, with investors scrambling to scoop up as many shares as possible. Aeronautical Securities and the Missiles-Rockets-Jets and Automation Fund were among the hottest mutual funds of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Aviation ticked all the boxes of what fund managers considered the ideal sectora scorching pace of growth, extraordinary technological advancements and seemingly inexhaustible demand.

What could go wrong? As it turned out, a lot.

Thanks to factors like heightened competitive intensity, overcapacity and rapid technological obsolescence, which in turn necessitated steadily rising capital expenditure, airlines soon started haemorrhaging money. Despite burgeoning air traffic volumes, airlines found the path to profitability riddled with turbulence, leading to a string of bankruptcies. Such was its predicament that in 1970, this once sunrise sector delivered a cumulative loss of some $200 million for its shareholdersa mind-numbing figure those days.

It is now a commonly accepted truism that the airline industry, over its entire history, has lost more money than it made. But this was not so evident back then.

Benjamin Graham, the father of security analysis, said that experts do not have any sure-shot way of identifying the most promising companies in the most promising industries.

The easiest job in finance is to be right in retrospect, but even at the height of the aviation mania, there were some courageous voices of dissent. Chief among them was Benjamin Graham, the father of security analysis.

In his masterpiece The Intelligent Investor, which practically gave birth to value investing, Graham pointed out that just because a sector looks promising doesnt mean investors will make money. Obvious prospects for physical growth in a business do not translate into obvious profits for investors," he wrote.

For good measure, he also said experts do not have any sure-shot way of identifying the most promising companies in the most promising industries. The lesson he was trying to drive home was not that you should never buy airline stocks, but that investors cannot afford to be lulled into complacency after investing in cant-miss sectors.

More than seven decades later, is it time to revisit these maxims?

Forward March

Defence stocks have been one of the star performers of the Indian equity markets current bull run. Since its launch on 19 January 2022, the Nifty India Defence Index has shot up nearly 400%, far outpacing not only the benchmark Nifty (up 31%) but also other current market darlings like realty (up 125%), auto (110%) as well as small- and mid-cap indices, which have gained up to 75% during the period.

Some individual defence stocks have simply gone ballistic, delivering 5x and even 10x returns, leaving their investors almost airborne with delight.

What explains this boundless optimism?

Purely from a market size perspective, the opportunity is undoubtedly immense. With over 1.4 million active personnel, India has the second-largest military force in the world, as well as the largest volunteer army. It is also the worlds fourth biggest military spender. As per data by global security think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the largest military spenders in 2023 were the US ($916 billion), China ($296 billion), Russia ($109 billion) and India ($84 billion).

For the period 2019-23, India was the worlds top arms importer, accounting for almost 10% of global arms imports.

Not just that, India also exports defence equipment to over 85 countries. Indias defence exports reached an all-time high of 21,000 crore (about $2.63 billion) in 2023-24, up 32.5% year-on-year and a whopping 31 times as compared to 2013-14.

In the interim budget presented in February, Indias defence budget stood at 6.21 trillion for 2024-25, accounting for 13% of the overall budget expenditure of the government. Out of this, the capital allocation for new procurements was 1.72 trillion, 5.78% higher than the Budget Estimates of last year.

The government in 2021 announced its target to spend $130 billion for the modernization of the armed forces in the next seven to eight years, with a focus on majority procurement from domestic industry. Concurrently, it has rolled out multiple initiatives to give a fillip to the sector, including the Make in India policy which seeks to reduce import dependence and promote domestic manufacturing. It also encourages participation from Indian companies including public sector undertakings (PSUs), private firms, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Indias defence offset policy requires foreign vendors to source at least 30% of the contract value (above 2,000 crore) domestically, which spurs investment as well as technology transfer in defence. The government has also set up two industrial corridors to attract investments of 20,000 crore by 2024-25.

That apart, in 2020, the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the defence sector was increased from 49% to 74% through the automatic route and 100% through government approval.

India is not only striving to become self-reliant in meeting its defence needs but is also exploring substantial export opportunities in the sector. India is already exporting defence equipment to countries like Vietnam, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and many others," Prashant Rao, director and head of equity capital markets, Anand Rathi Investment Banking, told Mint. Investors believe that the sector will be a key focus area for the government, driving further growth and development," he added.

The skyrocketing stock prices, in turn, have led to some pretty frothy valuations.

Anirudh Garg, partner and fund manager at Invasset, a portfolio management service provider, said while the defence sector has seen remarkable growth, it is important to acknowledge the high valuations many defence stocks are currently trading at.

However, we believe that these valuations reflect strong future growth potential supported by robust government policies and ongoing modernization projects," he said.

Companies with significant order books and strategic partnerships are well-positioned to maintain their growth trajectory. Therefore, rather than viewing the space as overheated, we see it as an opportunity of the decade, underpinned by solid fundamentals and extensive growth prospects," he added.

However, he was quick to point out that investors should focus on companies with a proven track record, strong fundamentals and substantial government contracts.

Key players like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) stand out due to their significant involvement in crucial defence projects and strategic international partnerships. Companies that are investing heavily in R&D and those that are part of government-supported initiatives like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) are also poised for long-term success," he pointed out.

These factors might account for the rally, but what explains the euphoria?

Hows the Josh?

View Full Image Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation conducts a flight test of the new generation Akash missile at Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, on 12 January. (PTI)

To say that the defence segment has become overheated would be flirting dangerously with understatement. Public sector stocks like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) are trading at price-to-earnings (PE) multiplesthe ratio of the share price of a stock to its earnings per shareof around 50. Cochin Shipyard commands a PE of 72. Some private sector players have escaped the Earths gravitational pull altogether. Explosives manufacturer Solar Industries is trading at a PE ratio of above 100, while that of Paras Defence is at a head-spinning 185.

The market is seeing the continuity in government and expects it to keep defence expenditure at elevated levels. But our sense is that we cannot assume the budgetary allocation to grow at substantially higher rates than the nominal GDP," George Thomas, fund managerequity at Quantum AMC, told Mint.

The other feature of this sector is that the government itself is the single largest buyer in many cases. In such sectors, there is a high chance of regulatory interventions, which can limit the return on equity (RoE) of companies to 14-15% at best. At some point, the RoEs of some of these companies could normalise. The current valuations do not offer any margin of safety," he further said. The sector as a whole looks quite expensive to us. At some point, the reality could kick in and investors can see large drawdowns," he added.

We cannot assume the budgetary allocation to grow at substantially higher rates than the nominal GDP. George Thomas

Thomas acknowledged that Indias geopolitical situation necessitates continued investments in defence modernization, so in that sense the sector has a long runway for growth. But when companies are trading at PE multiples of 90 and 100, even under the most optimistic assumptions, further upside looks limited."

Contrapoint

However, some experts suggest taking a granular look at the numbers rather than being intimidated by the PE ratios.

We must look at company-specific reasons for the increase (in PE) but generally, the stock prices are reflecting the strong order book these companies are having. For example, HAL is sitting on an order book of 96,000 crore, Bharat Electronics has an order book of 76,000 crore, Bharat Dynamics is at 20,000 crore (as of 31 March 2024). These are very impressive numbers," Anand Rathis Prashant Rao said.

Furthermore, the Indian manufacturing sector has shown high development in the last few years and is showing tremendous growth potential for the coming years. Similarly, defence companies are also benefiting from the governments goal to increase manufacturing in the country.

Some of the companies in defence might be trading at a P/E of more than 100 but you will find majority trading at valuations which are reasonable. This is because the defence industry has a large variety of segments in which some companies manufacture critical value-added products requiring multiple approvals and expensive technology. Also, not only are these companies showing strong order books right now but are also poised to grow and are presenting revenue visibility for the next three-five years," he added.

Hope vs Experience

Few investors can resist the temptation to be macroeconomic experts while evaluating the investment landscape. When it comes to the defence sector, theres the added thrill of dishing out geopolitical hot-takes. While discussing the Russia-Ukraine war or Chinas belligerence might make for interesting dinner table conversations, they are tangential to the primary objective of stock selection.

View Full Image With over 14 lakh active personnel, India has the second-largest military force in the world. (AFP)

Discerning investors can identify strong contenders by focusing on several key metrics. Firstly, prioritize companies with a diversified product portfolio encompassing various defence segments. This diversification mitigates risk by reducing dependence on the performance of a single product category, said Sonam Srivastava, founder and fund manager at Wright Research, an investment services firm.

Secondly, a proven track record of innovation and technological advancements is crucial. Companies consistently at the forefront of defence technology development are well-positioned for future contracts," Srivastava added.

Thirdly, prioritize companies demonstrating sound financial health, focusing on profitability and maintaining manageable debt levels. Finally, seek out companies with a clear competitive advantage and a strong position within their specific niche of the defence market," she further said.

However, as market veterans know too well, it is very difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, that too at the peak of a hype cycle.

P/E ratios exceeding 100 for some companies suggest that the market anticipates significant future earnings, but sustaining current order book growth at these elevated levels for extended periods might be challenging. Its important to consider the cyclical nature of defence spending, which can fluctuate based on geopolitical situations. Therefore, a cautious approach is warranted, as future growth might not always match current market expectations," she noted.

Its important to consider the cyclical nature of defence spending, which can fluctuate based on geopolitical situations. Sonam Srivastava

While the consensus view is that the defence industry has considerable headroom for growth, the bubble-territory valuations have left the Street divided. The optimists (as well as momentum investors) see no harm in chasing the uptrend, but many others advise caution.

For those who missed the initial rally, entering the market now may not guarantee similar returns. A more measured approach, such as investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, can be beneficial as this will allow investors to acquire shares at various price points, potentially mitigating the risk of buying at a peak. Diversification across different defence companies and even exploring defence ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) can further manage risk and provide broader exposure to the sectors growth," Srivastava added.

Overall, a long-term investment horizon can be the most potent weapon in an investors arsenal. After all, thats what Ben Graham advocated as well.
JK Tyre share price: Shares of JK Tyre & Industries continued witnessing strong buying interest for the second consecutive session, rising over 5 per cent in intraday trade on the NSE on Monday, July 1. After witnessing a surge of over 9 per cent in the previous session, JK Tyre's share price opened over a per cent higher at 435 against its previous close of 429.75 and rose 5.4 per cent to an intraday high of 453. The stock traded 4.35 per cent higher at 448.45 around 12:55 pm, while the equity benchmark Nifty 50 was 0.47 per cent up at 24,123.

Considering today's high, JK Tyre share price has risen 15 per cent in the last two sessions. For the year so far, the stock has moved broadly in sync with the benchmark, gaining 14 per cent against an 11 per cent gain in the Nifty 50.

JK Tyre shares hit their 52-week high of 553.95 on February 5 this year. At the current market price of 453, they are down over 18 per cent from their one-year peak.

Ready to take a leap? Experts are positive about JK Tyre as they see multiple fundamental tailwinds at play, making the stock poised for high growth.

Emkay Global Financial Services has a buy call on the stock with a target price of 700, valuing the stock at 15 times FY26E price-to-earnings ratio and an unchanged FY24-26E EPS (earnings per share) CAGR of 21 per cent.

The target price implies a nearly 63 per cent upside potential in the stock from its previous closing price of 429.75.

Emkay pointed out that the trucking industry fundamentals and sentiments are healthy. The brokerage firm expects the CV (commercial vehicle) industry to enter an upcycle from FY26E, which is positive for companies such as JK Tyre.

Emkay observed that Indian tyre companies continue to close the gap with MNCs and with the domestic leader across parameters like quality, performance, and positioning.

Moreover, improving demand and premiumisation have enabled players, including JK Tyre, to offset rising raw material (RM) and extended producer responsibility (EPR)-related costs via price hikes, with further hikes expected during the year if RM costs see more spike, Emkay said.

Emkay believes JK Tyre continues to offer strong risk-reward at eight times FY26E price-to-earnings ratio versus the 16 times peer average.

Technical indicators are also favouring the stock at the current juncture.

Mandar Bhojane, an equity research analyst at Choice Broking, pointed out that the stock recently broke out of a daily trendline with a significant increase in trading volume, indicating a strong bullish trend.

Bhojane believes if the price halves above the 450 level, it may reach short-term targets of 526 and 550. Immediate support levels are located at 424 and 415, which can be considered opportunities to buy on dips.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently stands at 67 and is trending upward, indicating increasing buying momentum.

"To prudently manage risk, it is advisable to set a stop loss at 394. This precaution will help protect your investment in case of an unexpected market reversal. Considering the technical analysis and the current market conditions, JK Tyre appears to present an appealing buying opportunity for those aiming for a 526 and 550 price target, provided that appropriate risk management measures are in place," said Bhojane.

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Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts, and brokerage firms, not Mint. We advise investors to consult certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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Sohail Raufs excellent Blasphear is a novel thats equal parts tragedy and whodunit. A reluctant cop, sub-inspector Waqas Mahmood, investigates the apparent suicide of teenager Hasan, who may or may not have been a part of a recent, blasphemy-related mob lynching of a young Hindu man in his neighbourhood. The case is especially significant to Waqas because, as a boy, he saw his father being lynched for accidentally burning a few pages of the Holy Quran.

The resemblance to current events is eerie: earlier this month, a Pakistani tourist was lynched (in police custody, no less) in the countrys Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after allegedly burning pages of the Quran. The dead mans mother made a statement disowning him, in a bid to protect her other children. In the novel, Hasans family keeps nudging Waqas to close the case for much the same reason.

Written with restraint and empathy, Blasphear seldom attempts formal pyrotechnics on the page. Every chapter is a point-of-view (PoV) chapter, narrated by one of three characters: Hasans friend Furqan, Hasans sister Lubna or Waqas himself. Even when the narrators are undergoing emotional turmoil, nobody has a breakdown in real time and everybody keeps their wits long enough to get important plot details out of the way. Its all very neat and edited scrupulously, sometimes to within an inch of its life.

The descriptive prose is designed to be a kind of sociological variant on the hardboiled genre, with short and clipped sentences being the norm. The sociology bit usually kicks in when the first victim, a Hindu lecturer named Mohan, enters the fray. Through Furqans PoV flashback chapters, we see how Mohan and his brother Ram entered the lives of Hasan and Furqan. A mentor and a bit of a Renaissance man, Mohan has both scientific and fine arts degrees. He educates the teenaged boys in poetry, philosophy and anything else that catches their fancy. Finally, he begins to teach at the boys college, with a mandate to develop a fine arts programmethe tipping point that places him in the crosshairs of the Talaba, the powerful student wing of the Deen-e-Kamil, the dominant theocratic organisation of the region.

'Blasphear', By Sohail Rauf, Penguin Random House India, 320 pages,  399

In Orhan Pamuks My Name is Red, the question of Western-style portraiture being un-Islamic was a source of dramatic tension. Something similar plays out here with Mohan and the Talaba, with the latter insisting his classes are corrupting young Muslim minds. They dont like that Mohan questions everything, and theyre even more annoyed that Mohan usually responds to threats with polite smiles and measured ripostes.

The dynamic between Lubna and Mohan is enjoyable. In the flashback sequences, its obvious that theres a spark between them (shes part of the fine arts class he has started to teach). They dont act on it because they recognise the dangers of a Hindu-Muslim romance. This fear, of course, proves to be prophetic. However, Lubna and Mohan do not hesitate when it comes to developing an intellectual romance: charming and old-fashioned, conducted via post-it notes exchanged on the pages of the book of poems they are both reading and analysing.

Rauf isnt always free from stereotypes when it comes to writing his women characters. For example, the feminist woman among the group (Waqass college sweetheart) is introduced to the reader by having her crack a sex joke straight off the bat. Waqass wife (a homemaker) is introduced in a scene where he makes a gesture of physical affection, and she rebuffs it by saying the kids will walk in on them. But he gets it absolutely right on other occasions, like Lubnas equation with her brother Hasan. She is slightly older than him and, as it so often happens with teenagers, one day they wake up and realise that they have become strangers. As Lubna grows closer to Mohan, Hasan begins to grow suspicious of his former mentor and, at the same time, begins to hang out with the Talaba men and grow his beard out.

Blasphear is a highly entertaining novel, but its pleasures arent cheap thrills. They are more like sombre realisations that couldnt have arrived a day too soon, especially given the recent turn of events. Pakistans blasphemy laws may be the focus here, but theres no doubt that large swathes of the subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and, increasingly, Nepal as well) have surrendered their societies to organised religion. This trend leaves us vulnerable to tiny theocratic organisations that then hold us all hostage in the name of God. But as sub-inspector Waqass adventures show us, anybody who claims to be Gods special envoy should be met with dogged scepticism at the very least.

Aditya Mani Jha is a writer based in Delhi.

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A recent survey conducted by Axis Mutual Fund nationwide showed an increasing number of women assuming control of their financial futures. This shift is significant because historically, investment decisions were predominantly male-dominated. The surveys findings indicate a rising trend towards greater financial independence among women.

The survey also highlights that women prefer mutual funds, which can serve as an effective strategy for accumulating wealth towards long-term objectives. The survey findings clearly illustrate womens strong inclination towards long-term and forward-thinking investment strategies. Their preference for longer investment durations resonates with the potential for stable returns enabled by compound interest.

What do Axis MF customers say? Axis Mutual Fund examined data from more than 10 million customers for their 2024 Women Investment Behavior Report. Given the large number of participants, the results are expected to be reflective of the wider population of female mutual fund investors across India.

The surveys emphasis on existing customers indicates a narrower scope primarily within Axis Mutual Funds customer base, which may restrict its applicability to all female investors in India. Nevertheless, it offers valuable insights into the investment behavior of a significant cohort of actively involved women.

Addressing the significance of the study, B Gopkumar, MD & CEO, Axis AMC asserted, The mutual fund industry is undergoing a dynamic shift as more people, particularly women, embrace investing in mutual funds as part of their financial strategy. Our research into the investment patterns of Axis MF investors reveals that women constitute 30% of the Axis Mutual Fund customer base and hold 35% of the total AUM. Understanding the evolving investor landscape, especially regarding womens preferences, is crucial for continued growth and our report aims to shed light on this aspect. By analysing their distinct needs and investment behaviour, Axis AMC aims to refine our offerings to empower their financial journeys. This is fuelled by innovative digital tools and comprehensive education programs.

Also Read | Heeramandi actress Richa Chadha reveals how a mutual fund helped pay for wedding

The main finding from the survey is that 72% of women investors are making decisions independently, signalling a notable shift towards financial autonomy among women.

The report underscores two primary trends:

Increased average investments : Women, on average, are investing 37% more in mutual funds, demonstrating a robust dedication to wealth accumulation. This trend may stem from factors such as long-term financial planning or potentially greater risk tolerance.

: Women, on average, are investing 37% more in mutual funds, demonstrating a robust dedication to wealth accumulation. This trend may stem from factors such as long-term financial planning or potentially greater risk tolerance. Emphasis on long-term goals: According to the report, women show a preference for long-term investment strategies, which align effectively with mutual funds designed for objectives such as retirement planning and wealth creation. This approach stands to benefit from the compounding effect over time. These findings challenge conventional stereotypes suggesting that women are inherently more risk-averse when it comes to investing.

Womens investing behaviour Additionally, additional insights from the survey further substantiate the trend of women as resilient and strategic investors. Heres an analysis of what this reveals:

Increased investment and endurance : Women not only demonstrate a higher average investment rate (37%) but also exhibit a longer-term commitment, staying invested for extended periods (22% longer over a five-year timeframe). This persistence underscores their disciplined approach and dedication to achieving long-term objectives.

: Women not only demonstrate a higher average investment rate (37%) but also exhibit a longer-term commitment, staying invested for extended periods (22% longer over a five-year timeframe). This persistence underscores their disciplined approach and dedication to achieving long-term objectives. Opportunity for enhanced returns : Extended investment periods can significantly leverage compound interest. By maintaining longer-term investments, women have the potential to achieve greater returns on their investments.

: Extended investment periods can significantly leverage compound interest. By maintaining longer-term investments, women have the potential to achieve greater returns on their investments. Digital integration : The rapid increase in women utilizing fintech platforms (rising from 14% to 55% in just five years) demonstrates their enthusiastic adoption of digital tools for financial management. This trend augurs well for advancing financial inclusivity and underscores the tech proficiency of women investors.

: The rapid increase in women utilizing fintech platforms (rising from 14% to 55% in just five years) demonstrates their enthusiastic adoption of digital tools for financial management. This trend augurs well for advancing financial inclusivity and underscores the tech proficiency of women investors. Investment education : According to the report, these platforms are complemented by educational programs, empowering women with the necessary knowledge to invest with confidence.

: According to the report, these platforms are complemented by educational programs, empowering women with the necessary knowledge to invest with confidence. Risk tolerance differs across geographical regions : Women residing in B30 cities may prioritize security, opting for traditional, lower-risk investments such as fixed deposits and gold. In contrast, those in T30 cities might exhibit a higher comfort level with risk, exploring growth-oriented options such as stocks and startups.

: Women residing in B30 cities may prioritize security, opting for traditional, lower-risk investments such as fixed deposits and gold. In contrast, those in T30 cities might exhibit a higher comfort level with risk, exploring growth-oriented options such as stocks and startups. Financial literacy: In all likelihood, women in T30 cities benefit from increased access to financial education or investment guidance, which could contribute to their greater comfort with exploring newer investment avenues. The insights from the report challenge the stereotype that women are less adept in technology or finance. It suggests that women are actively pursuing financial literacy and leveraging digital tools to make informed investment decisions.

Also Read | Income Tax: 4 tax saving investment options for women investors

Ashish Gupta, CIO, Axis AMC further added, The findings of our Women Investment Behaviour Report 2024 paint a truly inspiring picture. Women participation in the investor base is rapidly rising with demonstrably high independence and increasing sophistication. They have a data-driven approach and have quickly adopted digital tools for their investing. Their focus on long-term goals and consistency is driving impressive investment outcomes for them. The fact that our 2.2 million women investors have made an average gain of over Rs. 80,000 speaks volumes about their growing financial acumen.
Axis Bank and Piramal Finance have partnered to establish a co-lending business aimed at extending loans to underserved segments in India. This partnership aims to reach middle and low-income borrowers who lack access to traditional banking services, as well as to expand financial inclusion into rural and semi-urban areas beyond major cities.

The newly established partnership will facilitate reaching middle and low-income borrowers in rural and semi-urban areas who are either new to credit or have not been served by larger institutions before.

Jairam Sridharan, Managing Director, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance said, We are pleased to announce our co-lending partnership with Axis Bank, a leading financial institution in the nation. This collaboration underscores our mutual commitment to providing credit to underserved markets. By leveraging Axis Banks expansive network and Piramal Finances deep reach, we are well positioned to penetrate deeper geographies across Bharat. Together, our shared goal is to enhance accessibility to formal credit, drive growth, and realize the aspirations of customers across Bharat.

Also Read | Axis Bank acquires additional stake in Max Life Insurance subsidiary for 336 cr

The partnership will capitalise on the strengths of both financial institutions: Axis Bank brings deep expertise in credit assessment, while Piramal Finance provides advanced loan processing technology for efficient application processing.

The partnership between Axis Bank and Piramal Finance targets customers in the informal sector, such as self-employed individuals or salaried workers with limited access to credit due to insufficient income documentation. By leveraging their strengths, including extensive customer reach and robust credit underwriting tools, the collaboration aims to bridge the credit gap for MSMEs and home loan seekers. Piramal Finances extensive customer base underscores its dedication to affordable housing finance, as demonstrated by this partnership with Axis Bank.

Also Read | Goldman Sachs raises $20 billion for private lending
Banks will remain closed for 12 days in July on account of various regional and national holidays. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated July 3, 6, 8, 9, 16, and 17 as bank holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The Negotiable Instruments Act deals with the issuance of cheques and promissory notes. Transactions involving these instruments will not be available during the holidays.

Also Read | 8 banks exempted from third-party app credit card payment restrictions from July

Here is the list of bank holidays in July to consider before planning your bank visit. Please note that holidays may vary by region across India.

Date Day Reason for the Holiday Region July 3, 2024 Wednesday Beh Dienkhlam Meghalaya July 6, 2024 Saturday MHIP Day Mizoram July 8, 2024 Monday Kang (Rathajatra) Manipur July 9, 2024 Tuesday Drukpa Tshe-zi Sikkim July 16, 2024 Tuesday Harela Uttarakhand July 17, 2024 Wednesday Muharram/Ashoora/U Tirot Sing Day All over India except Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Odisha, Chandigarh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Itanagar, Kerala, Nagaland and Goa.

July 3, 2024: BehDienkhlam is a festival celebrated by the Pnar community in Meghalaya. It is a dance festival of the Jaintia people. People seek blessings for a bumper harvest and to ward off evil spirits. It is held annually in the month of July.

July 6, 2024: Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl, or MHIP Day, is the celebration of Mizorams largest women's organisation. MHIP literally translates to binding women together.

July 8, 2024: Kang is the Rath Yatra of Manipur, celebrated for ten days in July. Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a vehicle called Kang in Manipur, pulled by devotees in his honour.

July 9, 2024: Drukpa Tshe-zi is a Buddhist festival celebrated in Sikkim. It celebrates Gautam Buddhas first sermon, known as setting the wheel of Dharma in motion. This sermon introduced the Four Noble Truths, which lay the foundation for the Buddhist faith.

July 16, 2024: Harela is a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand to mark the arrival of the monsoon and the beginning of the new agricultural season. It is mainly celebrated in the Kumaon region, while variations such as Mol-Sankranti or Rai-Sagarant are celebrated in the Garhwal region.

July 17, 2024: Muharram/Ashura is observed on the 10th day of the first month according to the Islamic calendar. It is a solemn occasion for Muslims to honour the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims mark this day with mourning processions (tazias) and rituals that symbolise sacrifice.

July 17, 2024: U Tirot Sing Day is celebrated in Meghalaya to recognise the courage and resistance of U Tirot Sing, a freedom fighter who opposed British colonial rule in the region. In addition to the national and regional holidays mandated by the RBI in July, banks in India will also be closed on the following days.

Banks are closed on Sundays. The four Sundays in July are July 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Banks are also closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month except January and December. The second and fourth Saturdays fall on July 13 and 27.

Also Read | RBIs financial stability report is not exactly worry free
The finance ministry plans to impose higher taxes on futures & options (F&O) transactions in the upcoming Union Budget, as per recent reports. Proposed changes include reclassifying these transactions as speculative income from non-speculative business income and potentially introducing TDS on them. This news has unsettled the trader community. Let us understand why.

Derivatives are financial contracts that derive value from underlying assets. These are trades that are executed within a day without physical delivery. Even if income is derived from the sale of securities, due to the unique nature of these trades, there exist specific provisions for its classification and taxability.

Firstly, unlike the sale of shares that are classified as income from capital gains, transactions of futures and options are income from business profits.

This key distinction sets it apart from other securities, making profits taxable at the slab rate of the individual, irrespective of the holding period.

Further, unlike capital gains, in which only expenses wholly and exclusively incurred in connection with the transfer are allowed as a deduction, all expenses attributable to the business of trading are allowed as a deduction under business income. So, traders enjoy a lower tax rate and higher expense deductions, which makes F&O trading more attractive than retail investment.

Also Read: Sebi tweaks stocks F&O norms, curbs use of finfluencers

Any losses from these instruments can be used to set off against other business income of the assessment year, or carried forward, and set off against business income for the subsequent eight years. This provision has provided a cushion for traders against the volatile nature of the F&O market.

F&O traders rely on trend analysis and probability computations that require years of experience and knowledge about markets and trends. The proposal of the finance ministry stems from its concern for retail investors, whose participation in the derivatives market has seen a significant increase.

The strategy being to take the appeal of lower tax rates and higher deductions away from these instruments and increase the applicable taxes.

What the Budget may propose

The ministry is reportedly considering:

Classifying profits from F&O trades under income from speculative business. This would limit the set-off of losses to income from speculative business and not all business profits.

Applying a higher tax rate of 30% to such profits, replacing the current slab rate applicability.

Introducing a nominal TDS to better track these transactions.

The proposed reclassification of F&O income as speculative income will significantly impact traders.

Firstly, the ability to offset losses from F&O transactions against other business income would be curtailed. This change would result in higher tax liabilities for traders, particularly those who use losses in one segment to offset gains in another, balancing their overall tax obligations. With the new classification, only profits and losses within the speculative category can be offset against each other, which can lead to higher taxable income and consequently, higher taxes.

Secondly, the imposition of a flat 30% tax rate on F&O profits would eliminate the benefit of the slab rates, which currently provide a lower tax burden for individuals in the lower-income brackets. This change would predominantly impact small and retail traders who may not have substantial profits but will face a significantly higher tax rate on their gains.

The introduction of TDS on F&O transactions adds another layer of complexity. While the primary objective is to track transactions more effectively and ensure tax compliance, it will also increase the immediate tax burden on traders. TDS would require traders to have more liquidity on hand to meet tax obligations upfront, reducing the capital available for trading.

Related Read | Mint Explainer: Why Sebi wants retail investors to stay away from derivatives

The overall market could face stress due to these changes. Higher taxation and stricter loss set-off rules might discourage retail participation in the F&O segment, leading to reduced liquidity and higher volatility. Institutional investors may also reassess their strategies, potentially withdrawing from the market or seeking alternative instruments with more favorable tax treatments.

In conclusion, while the finance ministry's proposal aims to protect retail investors and increase tax collections, it may have unintended consequences for traders and the broader market.

The reclassification of F&O income as speculative, the imposition of a higher tax rate, and the introduction of TDS could create a more challenging environment for traders.

Policymakers must carefully consider these impacts to strike a balance between safeguarding investors and maintaining market stability.

Neeraj Agarwala is partner, Nangia Andersen India. Neetu Brahma, director, and Nangia Andersen India also contributed to this column.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra attacked the BJP-led NDA government on Monday for suspending her in the last Lok Sabha session. She said that the saffron party paid a very heavy price for throttling her voice, which led to the loss of 63 BJP MPs in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Moitrawho represents the Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal said the BJP would not be able to treat the opposition the way they treated them during the last session.

Last time I stood, I was not allowed to speak. The ruling party paid a very heavy price for throttling the voice of one MP, PTI quoted the TMC MP. Moitra was referring to her suspension in the last session.

In their attempt to silence me, the public silenced them, causing them to lose 63 MPsmujhko bithane ke chakkar mein janta ne aapko 63 seats par permanently baitha diya, Moitra began, setting a defiant tone.

Moitra condemned the installation of the Sengol in Parliament, calling it a symbol of monarchy with no place in a democracy.

Moitra also asserted that the government, due to the BJP's minority status, is not stable and because of its dependency on allies, it can collapse any day.

The BJP's 'raj tantra' has been reduced by the 'lok tantra' of this country. This is not a stable government. It depends on multiple allies who have a history of U-turns. We are 234 warriors this time, having walked on fire. You will not be able to treat us like last time, she said.

Omission of critical issues Referring to the President's speech, Moitra criticised the Modi government for omission of critical issues.

"There are six themes in the President's address. The budget for the North-East has increased four times, yet the word Manipur is nowhere in the speech.

The Prime Minister mentioned 'Muslim', 'madrassa', 'mutton', 'machhli' and 'mujra' but not 'Manipur' once during the campaigning. We don't need you to look East or act East. We need you to work East and, most importantly, embrace East, she said.

Women empowerment Challenging the government's claims on women empowerment, Moitra said, "This is a complete untruth. You delayed reservation in Parliament because you fear naari shakti."

She said there are just 74 women MPs this time, with the BJP having only 30 out of 240.

In contrast, the TMC had 37% women MPs last time and 38% this time, she noted.

While we have empowered three lakh 'lakhpati didis', the BJP seems focused on creating 'arabpati dadas', Moitra said.

On Kashmir The TMC MP questioned the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

If abrogating it was such a good idea, why did the BJP not field candidates in Baramulla, Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri? You downgraded Ladakh, and five years later, they are still waiting for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. As a result, the Ladakhis relegated you to the third place, she said.

Infrastructure projects Criticising the government's infrastructure projects, Moitra said, "You are sanctioning 1.08 lakh crore for Vande Bharat Bullet Train Project. In Balasore last year, three trains collided as there was no kavach; last week, in the train accident, there was no kavach. With the current level of funding, it will take 50 years for kavach to be installed on all trains.

Also Read | Activist Medha Patkar gets 5 month jail for defaming Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena

'Kavach' is a Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) that provides automated train protection as well as collision prevention capabilities for the trains.
Attention all pani puri lovers! Food safety officials have found cancer causing chemicals in your favourite street snack.

According to food safety officials, 22 per cent of the Pani Puri samples they collected in Karnataka did not meet the safety standards. Out of 260 samples they collected, artificial colours and carcinogenic agents that cause cancer were found in 41 samples.

Other 18 samples were found to be unfit for human consumption, the report said.

Commissioner Srinivas K told Deccan Herald that the food safety department received several complaints about the quality of pani puri served in streets across Karnataka.

"We collected samples from roadside stalls to decent restaurants from all over the state. Many samples were found in a stale state and unfit for human consumption, he said.

Srinivas also said chemicals like brilliant blue, sunset yellow and tartrazine were found in Pani Puri samples "which can potentially cause various health issues".

Rhodamine-B banned in Karnataka Earlier this year, Karnataka government banned the food colouring agent Rhodamine-B. Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had said stringent action will be taken if sellers use such chemicals in their restaurants.

Food safety in the state is our priority, and we will be inspecting more dishes to find out what colouring agents are being used in them," Roa had said.

Also Read | Karnataka health department bans use of artificial food colours in kebabs

He had also tried to warn people to be aware of what kind of food item they are consuming and what goes into it.

"The restaurant owners must also be responsible enough to maintain hygiene. Otherwise, strict action will be taken, the health minister had added.

What is Rhodamine-B? Rhodamine-B is commonly used as a tracer dye in water to determine flow rates and directions. It fluoresces, making it detectable with fluorometers.

However, studies have suggested that Rhodamine B can cause cell death and damage tissues (cerebellum, brainstem, kidney, liver), and is considered a carcinogen, thus, it is toxic to the human body.
Delhi High Court on Monday, July 1, dismissed the plea seeking bail for BRS leader K Kavitha in the cases registered against her by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who on May 28 reserved the order on Kavitha's two bail pleas, rejected the petitions.

BRS leader and daughter of former Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao, K Kavitha, challenged the trial court's May 6 order dismissing her bail applications in the CBI's corruption case and the ED's money-laundering case.

Kavitha's lawyer had submitted that out of the 50 accused in the excise matter, she is the lone woman and urged the court to consider granting her bail as the law keeps women on a different pedestal.

Also Read | Delhi Excise Case: Court extends judicial custody of K Kavitha till July 3

The CBI and ED opposed Kavitha's bail pleas, saying she was highly influential and powerful enough to influence witnesses.

Countering the submission made on behalf of Kavitha that she, being a woman, be released on bail, the probe agencies had contended that it was the woman who was playing the main role in the conspiracy here. She was an active politician and a member of the legislative council and could not seek parity with vulnerable women.

Also Read | CBI arrests BRS leader K Kavitha in Delhi excise policy scam case

The CBI's counsel argued that Kavitha was not just a woman but a very influential woman and was powerful enough to influence witnesses, as one of the witnesses has even stated that he was threatened by her.

The ED's counsel also contended that Kavitha was a co-conspirator and beneficiary of the excise scam and that the proceeds of the crime were directly going to her.

It had claimed that the politician, who was accused of a white-collar crime, was involved in the destruction of evidence and coercing people to retract their statements.

The ED, in its reply to the bail plea, opposed the bail plea, saying that Kavitha's release would adversely affect further investigation to unearth the "deep-rooted, multi-layered conspiracy."

It contended that the Telangana lawmaker is a "highly influential" individual and stands accused of having committed a grave economic offence. It said she has the potential to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.

"K Kavitha has conspired with other people and actively involved in payment of kickbacks to the tune of 100 crore and then in establishing the money laundering ecosystem, that is, M/s Indo Spirits through her proxy which generated proceeds of crime of 192.8 crore. By such acts, K Kavitha is involved in various processes and activities relating to proceeds of crime (POC) to the tune of 292.8 crore," the probe agency said in its counter affidavit.

The ED said there is ample evidence to link her to the offence of money laundering.

Kavitha is in judicial custody in the two cases the ED and the CBI lodged in the alleged scam.

The "scam" pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and implementing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.

The ED arrested Kavitha (46) from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15, and the CBI arrested her from Tihar jail.
Launching a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, JP NaddaLeader of the House in Rajya Sabha on Monday, said the former Congress chief lied in the Parliament on many counts, including matters that concern the countrys "hardworking farmers and brave armed forces".

Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the BJP national president said in a series of tweets, First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility.

Demanding immediate apologies to all Hindus for terming them as violent, the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha said, This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop.

"The LoP BLATANTLY LIED on many counts, including matters that concern our hardworking farmers and brave armed forces," Nadda added.

Sharing counters by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on MSP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Agniveer scheme, the union minister said, "He was duly fact-checked by Union Ministers for FALSE claims on MSP and Agniveer. For his own cheap politics, he won't even spare our farmers and security forces," he said.

Nadda said discussion on the President's Speech is about a "healthy debate" but the Opposition, in its "misplaced triumphalism", continues to be destructive, not constructive.

"Never in the last 60 years has an opposition been rejected 3 times consecutively. The way they are going, they will beat their own record in the coming times, he said.

"The Leader of the Opposition is now a 5-time MP but he has not learnt parliamentary norms and neither does he understand civility. Time and again, he reduces the levels of discourse. His utterances towards the Chair today were in very poor taste. He owes an apology to the Chair for casting unsubstantiated aspersions on his integrity and personality," the BJP chief said.

Flaying Gandhi for his remarks, Union Minister S. Jaishankar said, This is now the Leader of Opposition.

Who attacks Hindus while professing brotherhood to all. Who disparages the Indian Armys bravery, while expressing concern for their welfare. Who tears up Cabinet decisions while preaching respect for the Constitution. Welcome to the politics of the Congress Party.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also slammed former Congress president and alleged that the appeasement politics of the Congress and Gandhi "starts and ends with Hindu hate".
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notices to the Union Labour Ministry and the Tamil Nadu government over reports of gender discrimination in jobs by Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple devices, at its iPhone assembly plant in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur.

The human rights watchdog issued the notices after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports that Foxconn has systematically excluded married women from jobs at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

A former human resource executive at Foxconn had alleged that verbal directions were given to the recruitment agencies in this regard.

Citing reports, the NHRC said the company does not hire married women because of cultural issues and societal pressure.

According to a report by news agency PTI citing sources, Foxconn had informed the government that 25 per cent of its new hires are married women and its safety protocol, which requires all employees to avoid wearing metal irrespective of gender or religion, is not discriminatory.

The content of the media reports, if true, raises a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity, said the NHRC in its statement.

Also Read | Foxconn bias: Govt asks TN for report on discrimination against married women

Seeking a detailed report within one week, the Commission has issued notices to the secretary, Union ministry of labour and employment, and the chief Secretary, government of Tamil Nadu.

As per media reports carried on June 26, a number of job seekers in the company were spoken to during the period January 2023 to May 2024 and the candidate information pamphlet of the company was examined, it said.

It was revealed that only unmarried women were eligible for assembly job while there was no mention in this regard in the advertisements made by the company. A WhatsApp chat between a married candidate and the hiring agency of the company was also quoted in the news report stating that when the candidate asked about the salary and childcare facility offered by the company, the response was 'married not allowed'. The company, reportedly, refuted the allegations of discrimination in employment based on marital status, gender, religion or any other form, the statement said.

Also Read | Dixon is becoming Indias Foxconn

The NHRC also noted that gender equality is not only required in the Indian Constitution, but the international treaties and covenants, viz., International Covenant Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights also provide non-discrimination on the ground of gender in any form of employment.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said in Parliament on Monday that there has been a systematic and full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution.

His remarks came during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to a joint sitting of Parliament.

Gandhi said many of the Opposition leaders were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed.

He said, I was attacked by the order of the government of India, by the order of the prime minister of India...The most enjoyable part was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...

Also Read | New criminal laws protect rights of victims: Amit Shah

"The PM says that (Mahatma) Gandhi is dead and Gandhi was revived by a movie. Can you understand the ignorance? Another thing I noticed is that it is not just one religion that talks about courage. All religions talk about courage," the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha said.

Gandhi said all religions talk about courage, citing Islam, Sikhism to underline one should be fearless.
Three new criminal laws came into effect today, July 1, across the country, changing India's criminal justice system and ending colonial-era laws.

These new lawsBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc) and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The passage of these three criminal laws in Parliament last year happened when 97 MPs were suspended from the Parliament.

There has been a flurry of criticisms about the new laws, with many legal experts opposing its implementation and saying more discussions should have taken place before the new criminal laws were enforced.

Former Union Law Minister and senior advocate Ashwini Kumar, talking to ANI, criticised the government's approach, stating, The way the government rushed to bring these laws in Parliament and the way implementation is sought to be rushed through is not desirable in a democracy. These laws were neither adequately discussed in the Parliament committee nor extensively discussed in the House, even no consultation held with the stakeholders.

Advocate Sumit Gehlot from Fidelegal Advocates told ANI that the new criminal laws have given law enforcement agencies immense power without checks and balances, and there is a potential for violations of civil liberties. He also added that the sedition law has been made draconian.

Reforms were required in the existing criminal colonial laws through specific amendments and more deliberation with all stakeholders, but not in this manner. Notably, these laws were passed arbitrarily, in haste, and without even proper debate in the Lower House and Upper House of Parliament, advocate Gehlot added.

Dr Adish Aggarwala, senior advocate and chairman of All India Bar Association and outgoing President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said, The implementation of provisions addressing current challenges, such as the classification of mob lynchings as a distinct crime, including hate crimes on the basis of race, caste or community, gender, language or place of origin, and implementing and supporting victims, will be indispensable."

Geeta Luthra, senior advocate, Supreme Court of India, said that a summary of many Supreme Court decisions has been put into these new laws, addressing criticisms of delays in the legal system. "A solution was required to solve this, she added.

Former Union Law Secretary PK Malhotra pointed out that the laws were passed hastily and needed more consultation with various stakeholders. He said that this would have given the government the opportunity to rectify some of the deficiencies, which are now becoming a cause of concern.

P K Malhotra added, If any State wants modifications in any of these statutes, the Legislature of the State can pass a modification law. However, it can be enforced if the changes made by the state legislature are approved by the President.

Senior advocate Pinki Anand, former Additional Solicitor General (ASG), remarked on the judiciary's ongoing efforts to tackle pending cases. She said, This is an exercise of giving our criminal statute the thrust of democratic legitimacy. Previously, our criminal statutes drafted in 1860, 1872, and 1973 were products of their time. And to keep them relevant, it required an extensive exercise of judicial interpretation."

Also Read | First case under new penal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita registered in Delhi

Former LG of Puducherry and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi praised the reforms as an opportunity to retrain police for accountability, transparency, technology, victims' rights, speedy trials in courts, accused's rights.

N S Nappinai, senior advocate, Supreme Court, shared her opinion on the issue and emphasised the importance of adapting to the new laws, saying the new criminal laws are here to stay."

She added, There are many procedures that are a welcome addition. In particular, the use of technology is important in the investigative process. Not addressing existing loopholes in the law, be it on procedure or substantive law, is an unfortunate miss. A lot more to ensure a safer India, including in the cyber domain, could have been achieved through effective additions to the new laws. Retention of a slightly modified version of proving electronic evidence is a grave error, which is despite explicit directions from the Supreme Court to the legislature to address.

Also Read | SC recommends changes to Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita days after CJIs praise

Advocate Aishwarya Kaushiq, BTG Advaya, raised concerns about procedural irregularities in passing the three bills in Parliament in December 2023 and its broad implications. He added, "The legal fraternity fears these changes could lead to increased litigation as existing cases may need re-evaluation under the new laws, adding to the judiciary's backlog.

On June 26, the Bar Council of India (BCI) passed a resolution acknowledging numerous protests from bar associations and state bar councils nationwide against the newly introduced criminal laws. The BCI urged all bar associations to refrain from protests based on assurance from the Home Minister of the potential amendments.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) came into force on Monday, 1 July, drawing the curtain on the British-era Indian Penal Code. Four cases were registered across India under the new criminal laws: in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, Delhi, Odisha, and Maharashtra's Sawantwadi.

On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a press conference, said the first case under the new criminal laws was registered in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. It was a case of theft. Someone's motorcycle was stolen, the home minister said.

Also Read | New criminal laws protect rights of victims: Amit Shah

"The case was registered at 12.10 am. As far as the case against a vendor (registered at a police station in Delhi) is concerned, there were provisions for the same earlier, too, and it is not a new provision. Police used the provision to review it and dismissed that case," Shah added.

The case mentioned by Amit Shah, registered by the Delhi Police on Monday, was its inaugural FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This action targeted a street vendor accused of obstructing a public way with a cart at Kamala Market in central Delhi. The vendor allegedly sold water and tobacco products from the cart, prompting law enforcement action.

Also Read | New criminal laws come into effect today: What experts think

In Maharashtra, the Sawantwadi police in Sindhudurg district registered the state's inaugural FIR under the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced. The deputy CM did not disclose the details of the case.

A fourth case was also reportedly registered in Odisha. The case was registered at Laxminagar police station in Bhubaneswar.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita comes into effect Three new criminal laws took effect on Monday, bringing far-reaching changes to India's criminal justice system. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita introduces 358 sections, fewer than the IPC's 511, with 20 new offences and enhanced imprisonment terms for 33 crimes. This update aims to strengthen legal frameworks and impose stricter penalties where needed.

Opposition flags' bulldozer justice' Opposition parties, including the Congress, criticised the swift implementation of new criminal laws, alleging they were passed hastily without sufficient parliamentary discussion and debate.

"After the political and moral shock in the elections, Modi ji and the BJP are pretending to respect the Constitution, but the truth is that the three laws of the criminal justice system that are being implemented from today were forcibly passed by suspending 146 MPs," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said in a social media post.

Also Read | Three new criminal laws come into force today | 10 points

"INDIA will no longer allow this 'Bulldozer Justice' to run on the Parliamentary system," he asserted.

Taking to his X handle, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said, 90-99 per cent of the so-called new laws is a cut, copy and paste job. A task that could have been completed with a few amendments to the existing three laws has been turned into a wasteful exercise.

Also Read | Bar Council of Delhi urges Amit Shah to delay oppressive 3 new criminal laws

Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose also expressed concerns about the new laws. "The BNS, BNSS and BSA laws replacing the Indian Penal Code come into effect today. 1) The offence of 'Sedition' has made a backdoor entrydangerous 2) `Terrorism' has been defined for the 1st time and made a part of day-to-day criminal offencesVERY dangerous 3) Intrusion into privacy by making "deceit" an offence on promises of marriage by a man to a woman. The new laws are vaguely worded leaving huge scope for the government to snatch away citizens' lives and liberty. The National Disaster Alliance government led by the "non biological" brings in yet another disaster."
Congress President and the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that the last 10 years of his rule were just a trailer and picture abhi baaki hai.

Speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Kharge said the third term of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has seen exam paper leaks, terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, train accidents, airport canopy collapse, bridge cave-ins and toll tax hikes.

"The presidents statement should have included a vision and advice on dealing with challenges. There was no mention of how to tackle challenges, it should have been there, any content related to that is missing, Kharge said.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi seeks discussion on NEET-UG row in Lok Sabha

The House immediately burst into laughter after the Congress president thanked the vice president, Jagdeep Dhankar. Kharge further mentioned how the President is the most important part of Parliament, and the members abide by it.

Dalits, and minority missing Kharge, however, noted that President Droupadi Murmus address did not mention anything about Dalits, minority sections and the backward classes. Like the last time, it was just about full of words of appreciation for the govt," the Congress president said.

No place for acche vichar The president gave her first address in January and the second one in June. While the one in January mentioned elections, the second was a copy of it, said Mallikarjun Kharge. He further took a dig at the Narendra Modi-led government by stating that the BJP-RSS have hijacked the education system in India, leaving no room for people with  achche vichaar! (good thoughts)

By the rules of the House, any topic that does not concern the government is not to be discussed. As a result, a heated argument followed between JP Nadda, the leader of the house, Dhankar, and Kharge.

RSS propped Godse to kill Gandhi Everyone knows, RSS propped Godse to kill Mahatma Gandhi, further said Kharge, till vice president Jagdeep Dhankar intervened to tell that these parts would go off the record.

You are bashing an organisation which is working for the nation! Nothing on record, Dhankar told Mallikarjun Kharge.

Devastating speech In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh lauded Kharge for giving a devastating speech" in Parliament today.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab defeated the BJP's Kiran Shelar in the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls on Monday, winning the Mumbai Graduates constituency.

Parab received 44,784 votes, while Shelar got 18,772 votes.

Also Read | Delhi court to hear Arvind Kejriwals plea against arrest on Tuesday

A total of 67,644 voters had exercised their franchise in the polling on June 26.

Out of the total votes polled, 64,222 were held valid, and the quota for winning was 32,112 votes.

Parab polled 44,784 in the first preference voting and was declared elected.

Meanwhile, Congress today re-nominated MLC Pradnya Satav as its candidate for the July 12 biennial elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the MLA quota.

Tuesday (July 2) is the last date of filing nominations for elections to 11 seats in the Upper House of the state legislature.

Also Read | Indian team stuck in Barbados: Airport shut down due to Hurricane Beryl

These elections are being held to fill 11 seats that will become vacant on July 27, when sitting members retire.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will vote in the polls.

Two of the 11 retiring MLCs are from the Congress. However, given the Congress's current strength in the assembly, the opposition party can elect only one candidate to the Upper House.

Also Read | US top court says Trump immune from prosecution for official acts as president

Pradnya Satav is the wife of late Congress MP Rajeev Satav. She was elected unopposed to the council in 2021 when a by-poll was necessitated after the death of sitting Congress MLC Sharad Ranpise.

The ruling BJP has fielded five candidates, including former state minister Pankaja Munde, who lost the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections from Beed in central Maharashtra.

Also Read | BJP names candidates for Maha Legislative Council, Pankaja Munde to contest

The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), an ally of the Congress, has declared support to Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) candidate Jayant Patil.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Investors in GameStop have for now withdrawn their lawsuit accusing Keith Gill, who is known as "Roaring Kitty" and helped spur the meme stock mania of 2021, of defrauding them through a "pump-and-dump" scheme for the videogame retailer.

A proposed class action accusing Gill of securities fraud was filed on Friday in the Brooklyn, New York, federal court, but voluntarily withdrawn on Monday without explanation. The lawsuit can be refiled, according to the filing.

Lawyers at the Pomerantz law firm, which represents the investors, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Investors led by Martin Radev, who lives in the Las Vegas area, said Gill manipulated GameStop securities between May 13 and June 13 by quietly accumulating large quantities of stock and call options, then dumping some holdings after emerging from a three-year social media hiatus.

They said Gill's activities caused GameStop's share price to gyrate wildly, generating "millions of dollars" in profit for him at their expense.

"Defendant still enjoys celebrity status and commands a following of millions through his social media accounts," the complaint said. "Accordingly, Defendant was well aware of his ability to manipulate the market for GameStop securities, as well as the benefits he could reap."

Gill did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

On May 12, he posted a cryptic meme on the social media platform X that was widely seen as a bullish signal for GameStop, whose stock he cheerleaded in 2021.

GameStop's share price more than tripled over the next two days, then gave back nearly all the gains by May 24.

On June 2, Gill revealed that he owned 5 million GameStop shares and 120,000 call options, and on June 13 revealed he had shed the call options but owned 9 million GameStop shares.

Investors said the truth about Gill's investing became known on June 3 when the Wall Street Journal wrote about the timing of his options trades and said the online brokerage E*Trade considered kicking him off its platform.

The meme stock mania was fueled in part by investors stuck at home during the pandemic, and led to a "short squeeze" that caused losses for hedge funds betting stock prices would fall.

On Monday, trading in Chewy shares became volatile after Gill revealed a 6.6% stake in the pet products retailer.
Top news today: On 1 July, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business. Indian stock market benchmarks- the Sensex and the Nifty 50 - ended with healthy gains. Brainbees Solutions Limited, the operator of FirstCry, has received Sebi's approval for its proposed IPO. Delhi Saket Court grants 5 month simple imprisonment to activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by the Delhi L-G.

FirstCry IPO: Brainbees Solutions receives Sebi approval for its public issue Brainbees Solutions Limited, the operator of FirstCry, has received the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) approval for its proposed initial public offering (IPO). According to Sebi disclosure, the market regulator received FirstCry's final observation letter on 25 June, which means the companies have clearance to list on the bourses. Read more

Stock market today: Nifty 50, Sensex end higher; mid, smallcaps outperform; investors earn about  4 lakh crore in a day Indian stock market benchmarks- the Sensex and the Nifty 50 - ended with healthy gains on Monday, July 1, on gains led by select financial and IT heavyweights amid largely positive global cues. Major European markets traded in the green when the Sensex closed. France's CAC 40 jumped nearly 3 per cent briefly during the session as political uncertainty eased to a fair extent after the far-right party led in the first-round legislative elections. Read more

PM Modi hits back at LoP Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha: Calling Hindus violent is Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, after the latter took a swipe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha on Monday, saying those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in violence and hate round the clock. PM Modi reacted to Rahul Gandhi's attack and said, Calling the entire Hindu community violent is very serious. Read more

Activist Medha Patkar gets 5 month jail for defaming Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, asked to pay him  10 lakh Delhi Saket Court grants 5 month simple imprisonment to activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena for defaming him by issuing a press release against him with the intention to lower his credit in the eyes of the public. The court also directed her to pay Rs10 lakhs as compensation to LG for the harm to his reputation. Read more

RBI's  2,000 note withdrawal reaches 97.87%; banknotes worth  7,581 crore remain in circulation The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday, July 1, said the withdrawal of 2,000 denomination banknotes reached 97.87 per cent as of June 28. On May 19, 2023, the central bank announced the withdrawal of the 2,000 currency note denomination. According to a central bank release, the total amount floating in the said denomination in the country at that time was 3.56 lakh crore. Read more
Experts doubt if Prince Harry will ever reconcile with the Royal Family, despite rumours of his return to the UK. He has missed several key events, including Trooping the Colour, a meeting with King Charles and the Duke of Westminster's wedding, casting doubt on his efforts.

The latest doubt comes from Royal Family expert Jennie Bond. She wonders if Harry really wants to return to his family.

Also Read | Prince Harry doesnt feel his family is safe in UK

"If Harry had really wanted to confront his family and patch things up, he would surely have allotted more time to his recent visits so that his father at least could make arrangements to see him," The Daily Express quoted Bond as saying.

Bond also spoke about the possibility of Prince William reaching out to his brother to make peace.

"I don't think there's any chance of William wanting to do so, particularly with all he has on his plate right now. So, I'll believe this when I see it, but it will be lovely if he could indeed spend some time, perhaps at Balmoral, during the summer and make peace with his father," she added.

A source has informed Closer magazine that the Duke of Sussex is shocked by the challenging situation the Royal Family is going through, with King Charles and Kate Middleton battling cancer. However, Harry feels heartbroken and confused by how they treat him even though he refuses to be ignored and cast aside.

Harry gets no health update An insider says Harry is not getting any health updates about Charles and the Princess of Wales, and even basic communications are not possible. Harry once shared great chemistry with his "beloved" sister-in-law. However, now, he is struggling to regain the warmth.
While President Joe Biden was away at Camp David for a long-planned family gathering, key US Democratic leaders firmly supported him, rejecting calls for him to end his 2024 re-election campaign despite his faltering debate performance last week against former President Donald Trump, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

Biden's Democratic supporters acknowledged the 81-year-old president's shortcomings during the nationally televised 90-minute debate. Biden struggled to complete sentences and mistakenly claimed to have ended Medicare, the government's health insurance program for older Americans in the debate.

Also Read | On this day: Key events on July 1

A recent CBS-YouGov poll revealed that 72% of Americans believe Biden lacks the "mental and cognitive health to serve as president," a seven-point decline from three weeks ago. However, national polling still shows a tight race between Biden and Trump.

Prominent Democratic officials dismissed suggestions from some party members and editorials in The New York Times and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Biden should step aside for a younger candidate. "The unfortunate truth is that Biden should withdraw from the race, for the good of the nation he has served so admirably for half a century," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated.

Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock countered on NBC's "Meet the Press," saying, "Bad debates happen. The question is, 'Who has Donald Trump ever shown up for other than himself and people like himself?' I'm with Joe Biden, and it's our assignment to make sure that he gets over the finish line come November."

Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a prominent Biden supporter, told CNN's "State of the Union," "I do not believe that Joe Biden has a problem leading for the next four years because he's done a great job of leading for the last three-and-a-half years. I always say that the best predictor of future behavior is past performance." He attributed Biden's debate performance to "preparation overload."

Maryland Governor Wes Moore commented on CBS's "Face the Nation" that "the president had a difficult night just like every single one of us do" but argued it should not force him out of the race. "Joe Biden is not going to take himself out of this race, nor should he," he asserted.

Biden's campaign echoed this sentiment in a fundraising appeal, warning that replacing him would lead to chaos before the August national party convention and jeopardize the election. Kate Bedingfield, a former Biden White House communications aide, told CNN that the campaign had raised $33 million since the debate.

However, some Republicans saw Biden's continued candidacy as problematic. Reince Priebus, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, described Biden staying in the race as "just all downside for Joe Biden," calling his debate performance "an incoherent, almost impossible mess." Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, stated, "He's a decent man. He's a failed president. He is compromised. That's the storyline here."

Also Read | Cement: Too early for the consolidation party
The US sees momentum toward war between Israel and Hezbollah despite efforts to head off a conflict, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at an event that was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

As demonstrators shouted outside the venue hall, the top US diplomat said Israel has lost sovereignty in the north because of repeated attacks that have displaced some 60,000 of its citizens. He said the cross-border violence must stop and called for a diplomatic resolution that includes a pullback of forces.

You have a paradox in this moment, which is that at least in our judgment, none of the main actors actually want a war, Blinken told an audience at the Brookings Institution. On the one hand, no one actually wants a war. On the other hand, you have forces, momentum, that may be leading in that direction and which we are determined to try to arrest.

Israel and Hezbollah Lurch Closer to Full-Blown War in Lebanon

The Biden administration has been working furiously in recent weeks to tamp down the possibility of a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has warned of stepped-up operations against the US-designated terrorist group.

Blinken again called for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza given that wars link to the Hezbollah fighting. Hamas fighters killed some 1,200 Israelis and captured 240 hostages in an Oct. 7 raid, triggering an Israeli campaign that has killed more than 37,000 people.

So much of this is tied to Gaza, Blinken said. And I think it underscores why its clearly in the strategic interests of Israel as well to effectively bring this to a close.

As Blinken spoke, protesters outside the event space chanted criticism of his support for Israel in the war against Hamas, with some calling him secretary of genocide. Their chants were clearly heard throughout the event, and protesters shouting at attendees as they left the venue at the end.
Russian attack submarines have conducted missions around the Irish Sea twice since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, three people familiar with the matter said, an unprecedented move by the Kremlin that forced the UK military to take steps to protect British and Irish waters.

The first deployment of a Russian Kilo-class submarine close to the Irish Sea, which separates the island of Ireland from Great Britain, happened around 18 months ago, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private assessments. The second occurrence took place more recently. They were the first times that Moscow had undertaken such a move, they added.

Two of the people said US officials were aware of the sub movements. The UKs Ministry of Defence said it doesnt comment on operations. The US monitors Russian naval activity, a senior Biden administration official said. White House spokespeople declined to comment, and Russias Defense Ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Kilo-class submarine is a diesel-electric attack submarine capable of firing Russias Kalibr cruise missiles, as well as torpedoes and naval mines. Last month, Russian state media reported that Russian naval vessels, including the Yasen-class Kazan submarine, conducted simulated drills on the Atlantic Ocean ahead of a visit to Cuba.

The deployment of Russian submarines in waters surrounding Britain and western Ireland during the Ukraine war was already known, though it has not previously been reported that they traveled toward the Irish Sea. In 2023, Irish media reported that a British helicopter and warship chased off a Russian submarine outside Cork Harbour, in the south-west of Ireland, acting because the Irish military didnt have the capabilities to counter underwater threats.

Russian Warships Hold Drills in Atlantic Ahead of Visit to Cuba

And last month, the BBC reported that a Russian submarine had been spotted off the coast of Scotland. It then traveled to Cuba.

A spokesperson for Irelands Department of Defence said the agency doesnt comment on the operations of other countries armed forces. Without linking it to the reports about the Russian submarines, the spokesperson said air and naval assets are conducting enhanced maritime patrolling near offshore energy infrastructure in the Irish Sea.

Cork is also the landing point for an undersea cable, the EXA Atlantic, that also connects to Canada and the UK. The defense spokesperson said government agencies are also engaging with each other on the protection of the countrys data cables.

Russia deployment of submarines around the UK and Ireland could be an attempt to identify potential weaknesses in British and Irish Sea defenses, or to try to intimidate the UK in response to its support for Ukraine, the people said.

It would be challenging for a Russian submarine to successfully navigate the Irish Sea in full without breaching international law, due to the complexity of claims to territorial waters, one of the people said. Submarines legally have to transit on the surface of territorial waters. The varying depths of the Irish Sea would make it difficult for a Russian vessel to travel in the waters submerged, the person said.

The US Naval Institute describes the Kilo program as one of the most successful naval programs in modern history. More than 60 Kilo-class submarines remain in service, according to the institute. They have been used in the Black Sea to attack targets in Ukraine.

Kilo-class submarines have a top speed of 17 knots surfaced, or 20 knots submerged, according to a fact-sheet on the US Naval Institute website.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was proud to support President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, pushing back against suggestions that there was tension between her team and the Biden campaign following his struggles in the debate last week.

I am proud to support Joe Biden as our nominee and I am behind him 100% in the fight to defeat Donald Trump, Whitmer said in a statement Monday.

Whitmer made the comments following a Politico report that the governor suggested Michigan was no longer winnable for Biden in a call with campaign chairwoman Jen OMalley Dillon. The governor acknowledged that Bidens performance wont help in what will be a tight race, said a source with knowledge of the matter, but never said he couldnt win the state.

Not only do I believe Joe can win Michigan, I know he can because hes got the receipts: hes lowered health care costs, brought back manufacturing jobs and is committed to restoring the reproductive freedom women lost under Donald Trump, Whitmer said in her statement.

Whitmer also denied the report in a profane post on X.

The relationship between Biden and the countrys most prominent Democrats, including Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris is under scrutiny in the aftermath of the debate, when Biden stumbled over answers, heightening fears that he will lose to former President Donald Trump in the fall.

Some activists and media commentators have demanded Biden step aside, but the President has made clear hes determined to stay in the race, and aides have insisted there is no conversation underway about a possible replacement.

Whitmer, whos raised money for Biden, has ramped up her own fund raising and public appearances in support of a new memoir this year, and some Democratic donors have openly lobbied for her consideration on the ticket.

A person familiar with the situation downplayed the idea of disagreement, saying senior staff on the Biden campaign werent upset with Whitmer. The tense conversation was between lower level aides and reflected more the high-stress hours in the aftermath of the debate than a lasting issue, the person said.

Bidens campaign wants the Michigan governor to show strong support for the President, which she has done more aggressively on social media over the past weekend.
PARISDeep divisions in France over antisemitism and the Gaza war have left Marine Le Pens opponents at odds on whether to band together to stop her party from winning a majority of seats in the final round of parliamentary elections.

The discord was already apparent the morning after Le Pens first-round victory, with leaders of President Emmanuel Macrons party accusing some far-left candidates of antisemitism and refusing to endorse them. Persuading third-place candidates to step aside and provide an endorsement is a crucial step this week if Le Pens opponents want to impede her party from winning control of the 577-seat National Assembly after the second round of the elections on Sunday. Such an outcome would compel Macron to pick a prime minister from her ranks.

The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in Israel and the war in Gaza have inflamed French politics, making antisemitism and criticism of Israel key wedge issues in the elections. The far-left France Unbowed party has stridently criticized Israel, drawing accusations from Macrons government that its rhetoric is fueling a sharp increase in antisemitic acts in France.

Le Pen and other National Rally leaders joined the attack against the far left and defended Israel, with the party seizing the moment to press its case that it has renounced its history of antisemitism that long made it radioactive in French politics. France is home to Europes biggest Jewish community and one of its biggest Muslim minorities.

The move appeared to pay dividends on Sunday, helping push the National Rally to one of the best election showings in French politics in the past 20 years. Turnout was high, and the party won more than 9.3 million votes, the most of any party in the first round of French legislative elections since 2007 when Frances center-right party won more than 10 million. National Rally and its allies captured 33% of votes cast, compared with the partys 19% share in the first round just two years ago.

Le Pens political ambitions, however, have been thwarted in previous elections by Frances two-round voting system, which encourages voters to coalesce around mainstream candidates rather than ones at the far end of the political spectrum. With accusations of antisemitism now rising against far-left candidates and fading for Le Pen, voters are having a hard time deciding which side is more extreme.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, the fiery leader of France Unbowed, said candidates of the leftist alliance in districts where they came in third should drop out, creating a head-to-head matchup in those cases between the National Rally and Macrons party.

Our order is simple, direct and clear: Not one vote, not one seat more for the National Rally," Melenchon said at a rally on Sunday night.

The leaders of Macrons party werent prepared to do the same. They said some members of France Unbowed have crossed the line into antisemitism with their comments about Israel since Oct. 7.

I will not today endorse this extremist fringe of France Unbowed," Yael Braun-Pivet, a lawmaker from Macrons party who until recently was president of the National Assembly, said on Monday morning.

Melenchon gave his speech standing next to Rima Hassan, a controversial figure in France Unbowed who is under investigation for remarks after Oct. 7 that allegedly condoned terrorism, a crime in France. Hassan, who was elected to the European Parliament in May, responded true" when asked whether Hamass actions were legitimate.

It was a provocation," Braun-Pivet said when asked about Hassans appearance at last nights rally.

Sunday nights results suggest France is drifting toward the nationalist, anti-immigrant sentiment that has swept the West in recent years, including Brexit, the 2016 election of Donald Trump, and the election victory of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

What is holding National Rally back is the historical stigma many French voters still attach to the party. The party was founded by Le Pens father Jean-Marie, who called the Nazi gas chambers a detail" of World War II history, and Pierre Bousquet, a former member of the French division of the Waffen-SS.

Marine Le Pen has spent years distancing the party from its founders. Recently its leaders have been among the most outspoken defenders of Israel in French politics. Many French Jews say they wouldnt hesitate to vote for her party if the alternative were a candidate from the leftist alliance. That sentiment has helped lift the stigma around her party.

Meanwhile, the public has drifted toward its sharp stance against immigration. National Rally campaigned on restricting the rights of foreign residents living legally in France and tightening access to citizenship, welfare and housing. It also aims to rewrite parts of the French constitution, abolishing the right to citizenship for the children of foreigners who are born in France. The party wants to bar women from wearing Muslim headscarves in any public spaceincluding the sidewalks of Paristhough National Rallys president, Jordan Bardella, has recently said the stance wont be a priority.

Write to Matthew Dalton at Matthew.Dalton@wsj.com
KHARKIV, UkraineAs Russias invasion of Ukraine enters a third summer, the 700-mile front line is the site of a bloody chess match, with each side moving pieces around in search of an advantage without conceding ground elsewhere.

Ukraines army, which recently blunted a dangerous Russian offensive that ran short on troops, is counterattacking in villages on its northeastern border.

Meanwhile, 200 miles to the southeast, Russian forces are squeezing toward a crucial supply road that helps sustain Ukraines defense of besieged cities in that area.

The war here is settling in for a brutal season during which thousands will likely die on both sides but neither appears poised to muster a decisive breakthrough.

For Ukraine, after last summers failed counteroffensive, the task for now is to use fresh Western weapons to hold on to positions.

Russia appears likely to continue its grinding approach, sacrificing large numbers of troops for small gains, said a senior Ukrainian security official.

They dont have enough troops" for a major advance in Kharkiv, the official said. Moving troops there would make other parts of the front weaker."

Long-range strikes

With the front line largely static, both sides are trying to use deep strikes to gain an advantage ahead of winter. Russia has targeted power stations and other infrastructure using missiles and explosive drones, knocking out half of Ukraines power-generation capacity and causing rolling blackouts in many cities. Russia has pummeled Ukrainian defensive positions with glide bombs launched from warplanes, and in June dropped a 3-ton version for the first time.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is using long-range missiles provided by the U.S. and its allies in an effort to cut off Crimea, the southern peninsula that Russia seized in 2014 and remains a weak spot given its geographical isolation from the Russian mainland.

While Russia still makes some incremental battlefield gains, the sense is that the Ukrainians have been pretty strategic in some of their strikes and movements, and are holding their own," said a senior U.S. Defense Department official.

Russias thrust across the border into the Kharkiv region, launched at the end of May, appears to have caught Ukrainian forces off guard. Russian troops, advancing in two directions, quickly seized a few villages and the northern part of the city of Vovchansk.

Ukraine rushed in reinforcements and soon halted the Russians progress. Russia said it was seeking to create a buffer zone. After the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to target enemy positions inside Russia that Moscow was using to launch attacks, the buffer zones value to Russia declined, said a senior Western intelligence official.

Ukrainian officials and military analysts say Russia also wanted to pull Ukrainian units from elsewhere on its defensive line and to bring Kharkiv, Ukraines second city, into range of Russias artillery guns. Now, after Ukrainian defenders halted the Russian advances, they are struggling to field enough troops to advance further.

The drones of Yasni Ochi

A Ukrainian reconnaissance drone streamed footage of a Russian dugout on the edge of the village of Starytsya to the northeast of Kharkiv one recent morning. At a house in a nearby village, a dispatcher concluded after three visits that the Russians had abandoned the position. Ukrainian units in the area are seeking to clear the Russians out, while the invaders are seeking to dig in using excavators.

Drone teams here like one dubbed Yasni Ochi," or Clear Eyes, have employed dronesfrom small explosive craft the size of a dinner plate to larger vehicles that can carry bombs weighing several poundsto hit Russian positions with precision.

Yasni Ochi had been in the east, but was sent northward to the Kharkiv region recently to reinforce defenses. The team has quickly set up a system to observe and strike Russian infantry and vehicles.

In a typical strike in June, a drone team dropped a bomb on a house with a half-dozen Russians inside, causing the ammunition stored there to explode and killing the troops.

We are holding well," said Heorhiy Volkov, the units commander. Our system holds it."

Some Ukrainian soldiers and opposition politicians had complained that defensive lines in the area were poorly constructed or nonexistent before Russias incursion, but the attack appears to have sped up preparations.

Northeast of Kharkiv, close to Russia, a Wall Street Journal team saw soldiers placing antitank mines into shallow holes in fields, part of at least two lines of trenches, dugouts and antitank traps apparently nearing completion.

Reinforced Ukrainian defenses with infantry trenches protected by explosive drone teams, and artillery guns soon to be boosted by additional ammunition approved by the U.S., are sapping Russian strength.

Russian forces inch forward

Russia has been able to replace its losses through recruitment, according to the officials, but the heavy attrition has made any advances plodding and predictable.

Still, Russians are edging forward in the eastern Donetsk region, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has given priority to and claimed as part of his country.

Russian forces in June infiltrated the eastern edge of the city of Chasiv Yar, a high point in the area, after earlier taking it then being flushed out. They are pushing northwest from the city of Avdiivka, Moscows only major conquest this year, toward a road that supplies Chasiv Yar.

The gains are devouring resources. Moscow suffered roughly 1,500 casualties on a single day, May 14, which was Russias worst day since the start of the war, according to a Western assessment of Ukrainian and other intelligence.

Russias gains have come at a pretty grisly cost," said the Western intelligence official.

Whether Russia will attempt a large-scale assault during the summer remains a vexing question for Ukrainian strategists and their Western advisers. Kyiv has quite good intelligence about the battlefield situation and can spot Russian forces massing for a potential attack, said the intelligence official.

Taking strategic intent from that can be quite difficult," the official said, noting that Russia has launched attacks throughout the war that standard military doctrine wouldnt foresee.

Ukraine has been able to generate enough forces to replace losses and some reserves, the security official said, but would need several times more to launch any kind of major offensive.

Ukraine targets Crimea

With little prospect of achieving much more than holding the front line in the coming months, Ukraine is targeting Crimea with long-range missiles provided by the U.S.

The U.S. has barred Kyiv from using the longer-range ATACMS, which stands for the Army Tactical Missile System, on Russian territory, but Crimea is recognized by most countries as Ukraines, making it fair game.

Ukraine has in recent weeks destroyed launchers and radars of several advanced air-defense systems and two Russian ferries that transport military hardware. The rail-and-road bridge from Russia to Crimea, the main link to the peninsula, hasnt been used for nearly a year for heavy military equipment since Ukraine severely damaged it with two explosive naval drones, according to Ukrainian officials.

Russian officials said five people on a beach were killed last week by shrapnel from ATACMS. The Kremlin blamed the U.S. and threatened unspecified consequences. Open-source intelligence analysts said debris appeared to be from Russian interceptors and not U.S. weapons.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, said Crimea was a large military camp and warehouse, with hundreds of direct military targets," making attacks there legitimate.

Write to James Marson at james.marson@wsj.com and Daniel Michaels at Dan.Michaels@wsj.com
President Joe Biden's performance in his presidential debate against Donald Trump on June 27th called his continued candidacy into question. In the days since, however, the campaign has tried to save Mr Biden, and has succeeded for now. Privately, Mr Bidens surrogates worked to quell the anxieties of donors worried about throwing good money after bad, and down-ballot candidates worried about their own political survival. Publicly, they came up with a remarkable number of explanations for the presidents display: it was just a cold, a sore throat, a single bad night, a senior momentwell, 90 senior minutes, sure, but dont you realise that Mr Trump is an existential threat to democracy?

June 28th, the day after, was the most vulnerable of Mr Bidens campaignthe one that the history writers will examine in detail. Within hours the mainstays of the centre-left American media issued calls for Mr Biden to renounce his re-election bid. They were some of the presidents favourites: Joe Scarborough, the MSNBC host whose programme the president watches closely; the Atlantic, where Mr Biden wrote an article announcing his reasons for his candidacy in 2020, published at least a half-dozen arguments from its columnists beseeching the president to step down; Tom Friedman, a foreign-policy columnist whom Mr Biden meets wrote that the debate made me weep" because he could not remember a more heartbreaking moment in American presidential campaign politics"; the editorial board of the New York Times followed that evening.

Because Mr Biden has already captured his partys nomination, he would need to be convinced that his candidacy was untenable. If a rebellion had broken out among his fellow Democrats, that could have happened. Yet, among the Democrats in Congress and in various governors mansions, the omerta held. Not even lone backbenchers dared to come out and say publicly what they were privately fretting about.

The elder statesmen of the party rallied around Mr Biden. Perhaps most important of all, Barack Obama released a public statement of support saying that Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know." Bill Clinton said he would leave the debate rating to the pundits". Nancy Pelosi rallied to his cause; so did Jim Clyburn, the South Carolina congressman who is a close ally of the president, calling it merely strike one". A rally in North Carolina where Mr Biden delivered a speech (aided by a teleprompter) with verve was greeted by Democrats with the jubilance of a family discovering a proof-of-life video.

Having survived one day, Mr Biden is likely to survive one week, and then until the Democratic convention, which will be held in August in Chicago. Mr Biden and his campaigns defiance has increased steadily since the debate. Rather than a disaster, the debate was transformed in their minds into a victory. I didnt have a great night," Mr Biden admitted at a fundraiser in East Hampton on Saturday. Voters had a different reaction. Since the debate, the polls show a little movement, moved us up actually," he said. The big takeaway were his [Mr Trumps] lies," the president argued, wishfully. People remembered how bad things were during his presidency, how much they disliked him."

The campaign decided that the problem was not the presidents performanceit was how the media reported it. Jen OMalley Dillon, the presidents campaign manager, released a memo on Saturday night stating that, in a familiar storythe beltway class is counting Joe Biden out". She touted fundraising success, claiming $27m in donations in the 24 hours after the debate; argued that their internal polls showed no movement against Mr Biden; and warned that any ensuing polling deficits would not be their mans fault anyway. If we do see changes in polling in the coming weeks, it will not be the first time that overblown media narratives have driven temporary dips in the polls," she argued, before noting that our team knows a thing or two about putting our heads down and doing the work to win hard races."

Even the old lines about the president being some kind of Ubermensch when the cameras are off returned. Not only does the President perform around the clock, but he maintains a schedule that tires younger aides, including foreign trips into active war zones," a White House spokesperson told Axios, an American news outlet. If the one-bad-night argument were true, Mr Biden could sit down for unscripted interviews with journalists to prove it. He wont.

Despite Ms Dillons pre-emptive dismissals, there could yet be a deterioration in Mr Bidens polling numbers, as surveys fielded after the debate are released. But the static and polarised state of American public opinionwhich had for weeks been harming the president by keeping him at a consistent deficit to Mr Trumpmay now prove helpful. A poll released on Sunday by CBS News and YouGov found that 45% of registered Democratic voters said the president should step aside. Partisanship means they are unlikely to change their voting intention if he demurs.

Down-ballot Democrats have also been polling better than the unpopular president, particularly in the marquee Senate races. If their numbers slipped, private discontent might go public. A second way in which the campaign could feel pressure is if donations fall. Already the campaign-fundraising advantage that the Biden campaign held over Mr Trumps has evaporated as a result of a strong few months for the Republican campaign (particularly after his conviction on 34 felonies by a New York court). This will not be the last time the White House has to defend the presidents fitness. Any small missteps will be harder to argue away. Another moment like the debate would probably prove fatal (in theory, he is committed to another debate in September). That means the campaign will try even harder to keep the candidate out of harms way.

It therefore remains likely that Mr Biden will run at the top of the Democratic ticket. Unlike in parliamentary systems, there is no real mechanism to dethrone him. Mr Biden and his surrogates have realised that the fear of division if he stepped aside is enough, for now, to keep the party in line. In that way the president seems to have learned a lesson from his nemesis, Mr Trump, who realised that if he simply ignored calls from his party to step aside in moments of crisis, they would all eventually fall in line. Right now, the Democratic Party is paralysed by the sunk costs of the presidents re-election bid, the lack of a charismatic vice-president, and, above all, a fear that disagreement only benefits Mr Trumps chances. It will probably work in cowing the presidents own party. But it is a flawed strategy for convincing voters.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Leader of the Opposition for Calling the entire Hindu community violent is very serious. During his address, Rahul Gandhi took on the BJP and said, Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred and falsehoods.

Rahul Gandhi cited Islam and Sikhism to underline that one should be fearless.

PM Modi says that (Mahatma) Gandhi is dead and Gandhi was revived by a movie. Can you understand the ignorance? Another thing I noticed is that it is not just one religion that talks about courage. All religions talk about courage, Rahul Gandhi stated.

The Congress MP's words drew massive protests from the members of the treasury benches. Rahul Gandhi's dig at the BJP that it does not represent all Hindus and the jab at the ruling party by citing the essence of different religions had the members of the treasury benches on their feet.

Rahul Gandhi, however, retorted that he was speaking about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Modi are not the entire Hindu society, he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also rallied behind Modi's statement and said, Rahul Gandhi must apologise for his remarks painting all Hindus as violent. The BJP MP invoked the Emergency, 1984 anti-Sikh riots to assert that Rahul Gandhi has no right to talk about non-violence.

Rahul Gandhi also alleged that he was attacked following the prime minister's instruction, the order of the Government of India. He accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and India's fundamental ideas, noting that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi seeks discussion on NEET-UG row in Lok Sabha
Three new criminal lawsBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)were rolled out on Monday, marking a significant legal overhaul 77 years after Independence. According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, these new criminal laws, which replace 'justice' with 'punishment,' draw a curtain on the British-era criminal laws.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita introduces 358 sections, fewer than the IPC's 511, with 20 new offences and increased imprisonment terms for 33 crimes. However, it lacks provisions for gender-neutral penalisation of rape, posing a notable gap in the new criminal law.

Also Read | New criminal laws protect rights of victims: Amit Shah

There are some grey areas that the revamped criminal laws brought forth by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government fail to address despite a 'renewed' outlook.

Here's taking a look

From Rajdrohi to Deshdrohi A significant overhaul in the new criminal laws includes the removal of the controversial sedition act, which has been in place since colonial rule and was recently halted by the Supreme Court of India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted this change, emphasising the elimination of sedition provisions under the updated legal framework.

However, does it?

The sedition act pertains to criminal offences that endanger sovereignty, unity, and integrity in India.

Also Read | New criminal laws come into effect today: What experts think

On 11 May 2022, the Supreme Court stayed Section 124A, which was criticised for its misuse and broad interpretation. The court, led by then-CJI NV Ramana, highlighted its historical context of British colonial rule in prosecuting freedom fighters under colonial rule and suspended its application until further orders were issued.

In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 150 defines sedition as "subversive activities". The term "subversive" refers to tending or intending to overthrow, destroy, or undermine an established or existing system, especially a legally constituted government or a set of beliefs.

Also Read | Three new criminal laws come into force today | 10 points

Despite opposition, PM Modi-led government did introduce the bill with a broader definition- Whoever, purposely or knowingly, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or by electronic communication or by use of financial mean, or otherwise, excites or attempts to excite, secession or armed rebellion or subversive activities, or encourages feelings of separatist activities or endangers sovereignty or unity and integrity of India; or indulges in or commits any such act shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.

Also Read | Bar Council of Delhi urges Amit Shah to delay oppressive 3 new criminal laws

While in English, the term 'subversive activities' replaces 'sedition', in Hindi, the law carries out a simple name change  from Rajdroh (rebellion against the king) to Deshdroh (rebellion against the nation).

Male, transgender rape victims unsafe As the new criminal laws are implemented, concerns arise over the exclusion of penal provisions for rape involving male or transgender victims in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Additionally, the law omits Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalises "carnal intercourse against the order of nature."

In 2018, the Supreme Court of India significantly altered Section 377 of the IPC through its landmark Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India ruling. The apex court's decision decriminalised consensual sexual relations among adults, including those of the same sex.
India and Iran plan to fastrack the development of a new rail connectivity route between the Chabahar port and Zahedan city to leverage the strategically located Iranian port as the gateway to the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC), two officials aware of the development said.

The INSTC project aims to provide the main trade channel for Central Asian and Eurasian countries located on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea and Afghanistan

They said accelerated progress of the new rail link is being considered now as port operations have now become viable with a pickup in the movement of both container and dry bulk cargo and Chabahar becoming a major trading channel for India.

Also Read: Why Iran's Chabahar Port is vital to India's interests This year, the port is expected to handle a substantial volume of cargo, reaching up to 80,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) and 3 million tonnes in bulk cargo.

The Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port, whose operations have been taken over by IPGL (India Ports Global Ltd), under the ports ministry has seen a 600% rise in container traffic in FY24 at 64,245 TEUs from just 9,126 TEUs in the previous fiscal.

The container traffic at Chabahar in the first two months of FY25 has already reached 9,973 TEUs. Besides, the port handled 2.12 million tonnes (mt) of bulk cargo in FY24 and 2.08 mt in FY23.

Gateway for INSTC corridor With its strategic geographical location, Chabahar port can be positioned as a gateway for INSTC corridor. The port is presently connected to the hinterland through road network. Feasibility of connecting Chabahar to Zahedan and further to the existing railway network of Iran was examined by Iran, in consultation with other stakeholders. With the likely increase in traffic, as projected by various global agencies, seamless road and rail connectivity from Chabahar port to facilitate transportation of cargo will become very important. Focus of the INSTC member states, including Iran and India, is therefore on strengthening the connectivity of the Port with the hinterland, said the first of the two officials quoted earlier.

Also Read: India to import Russian coking coal via Iran's Chabahar port Work on the 700-km Chabahar-Zahedan railway line has not moved forward even though an MoU was signed between Indian Railways IRCON and Iranian Railways Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company (CDTIC) in 2016.

When contacted, shipping secretary T K Ramachandran said that the long-term contract between India and Iran signed in May this year provides for mechanization and operation of the terminals at the port and that India is committed to providing facilities as per the agreement.

The second official quoted above said that with its geographical advantage, being located just outside the Strait of Hormuz, the Chabahar port offers financial and operational benefits to the Central Asian and Eurasian Countries located on the eastern side of the Caspian sea and Afghanistan. Therefore, efforts for improving rail connectivity for Chabahar port towards the eastern side are on to make the port the preferred link among traders.

This official added that India may again get involved in construction of this railway line that would provide Chabahar with all forms of transportation links including road and rail.

Queries sent to the ministry of ports, shipping and waterway, ministry of external affairs, and the Iranian embassy in New Delhi remained unanswered till press time.

India and Iran in May signed a long-term contract for the development of Chabahar port after years of protracted negotiations. IPGL has taken over operations of Shahid Beheshti terminals at Chabahar. The facility comprises container terminal and a multi cargo berth.

The facility is operational and is already providing services for bulk and container cargoes, both for gateway and transshipment, and a number of concessions are being offered by IPGL to promote use of Chabahar port including discounts, longer free storage times for cargo etc.

Also This: India, Iran sign long-term contract for Chabahar Port after years of talks The port has a deep draft that can handle larger vessels and those calling at Chabahar avoid traffic congestion and waiting time at anchorage, being outside the Strait of Hormuz. The road to Zahedan and onwards to Zaranj in Afghanistan provides seamless connectivity for movement of humanitarian aid from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar port.

The port handles a diverse range of products such as automobile spare parts, agricultural products, iron ore, clinkers etc. and efforts are on to increase the product basket handling at the port.

Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on Irans south western coast, the Chabahar port is an important point on Arabian Sea with easy access from Indias west coast. Kandla port in Gujarat is the closest to the Chabahar port at 550 Nautical Miles while the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 786 Nautical Miles. Since 2019, it has handled container traffic of more than 80,000 TEUs and Bulk and General Cargo of more than 8 million tonne.

The port's integration with a special free zone augments its appeal, while India's incentives, such as concessions on vessel-related charges and cargo charges, bolster trade flows through Chabahar, fostering economic growth and cooperation.

Chabahar is envisaged as a crucial link in the eastern route of the INSTC corridor, facilitating the movement of goods between India and Central Asian countries. This collaboration between India and Iran on developing infrastructure and logistics along the 7,200=km INSTC aims to reduce transportation costs and time, thereby promoting trade between these regions.

In 2003, India agreed to help Iran develop the port as well as accompanying infrastructure links during Iranian President Khatamis visit to India. New Delhis interest in Chabahar came from the ports value as a gateway for Indian goods to reach markets in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

However, matters progressed slowly thereafter. In 2013, India committed to providing $100 million for the development of Chabahar. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development of Chabahar Port by India was signed in May 2015. Thereafter, the contract was executed on 23rd May, 2016 at Tehran (Iran) during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Iran for the development of an international trade corridor, which included Chabahar as a central transit point. India agreed to invest $ 85 million in the development of Chabahars Shahid Behesti terminal. However, the reimposition of sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program hampered Indias ability to develop the port.

This present agreement aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade, particularly between India, Iran and Afghanistan. The India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), a subsidiary of IPGL, facilitated the first consignment of exports from Afghanistan to India in 2019. The operations continued through short-term contracts while negotiations on the long-term agreement peaked with the visit of Sonowal to Chabahar in August, 2022.

Negotiations on the long-term contract were held up over disagreements on arbitration clauses. Mint had earlier reported that the two sides have reached an accommodation which will allow arbitration under rules framed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

The deal is also significant as it comes at a time of geopolitical disruption in West Asia. This year, Iran and Israel have clashed militarily after Tehran accused Tel Aviv of launching an air strike against an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria earlier in April. Iran also launched a barrage of missile and drone attacks on Israel.

India has expressed concern as tensions rise in the region. It has also maintained a diplomatic dialogue with Iran on issues of concern, such as attacks on India-linked ships by Yemens Houthi rebels, who are believed to have links with Iran.

Investment in the Iranian port facility is a first by India in such an infrastructure overseas. The capacity of the port for cargo handling is currently 8mt and India proposes to expand it to 18 mt in the next phase of its expansion and additional investment.

India is looking to strengthen its presence in key infrastructure along the route passing through the Persian Guld region. India's Adani Group is already operating Haifa post in Israel and more port deals are expected in the region by Indian entities that will strengthen country's presence on this strategic route that is the main gateway for shipments moving from the Indian subcontinent to Europe.
New Delhi: The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) is working on increasing the recovery from its corporate insolvency process under the insolvency and bankruptcy code, said MCA secretary Manoj Govil at an event in New Delhi on Monday.

This aligns with the government's plan to increase ease of doing business, Govil said. Ease of doing business includes setting up operations, conducting business, and winding up efficiently, he said.

The recovery rate in a corporate insolvency process refers to the amount of money recovered by creditors. An August 2023 analysis of 542 corporate insolvency procedures completed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) showed the recovery rate was 30.8%.

Govil said the MCA is also working on creating new accounting standards for limited liability partnerships (LLPs). He said MCA had reduced the insolvency resolution period to nearly three months on an average. Previously, a corporate insolvency procedure would take as much as two years, he said.

Economic Growth Govil was speaking at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India's (ICAI) 75th anniversary event. Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari was also present.

Gadkari highlighted the growth in the auto sector in India in his address. "When I first became the road transport and highways minister in 2014, India's auto sector was worth 7.5 trillion. Today, ten years later, it is worth 15 trillion," he said. "And all of you have a huge contribution in this growth," he said to the chartered accounts in attendance.

The ICAI focused on explaining the drive for digitisation and incorporating new technologies in the profession at the event. It introduced a generative artificial intelligence (AI) feature for practising chartered accountants. ICAI president Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal said the organisation's stance aligns with the government's plan to make India a developed nation by 2047.
"A just cause finds great support": Xi Jinping and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

08:06, July 01, 2024 By He Fei ( Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other leaders and guests ahead of the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

"A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far."

BEIJING/ASTANA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- On June 15, 2001, then heads of state of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Shanghai. Together, they announced the creation of a new regional group on the Eurasian continent -- the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The SCO is the only inter-governmental organization named after a Chinese city. It has become a key venue for China to bolster its cooperation with countries in Central Asia and the broader Eurasian landmass.

Over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping has attended every SCO head-of-state summit, including through video conferences during the COVID period. He shared at this multilateral platform his thoughts and proposals with other world leaders on ensuring regional stability, achieving more robust common development and contributing to a better world.

"A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far." In Xi's eyes, the development of the SCO, which represents about half of the world's population and a quarter of the global economy, accords with the trend of the times and goes along with the direction of human progress.

"WITH PEACE, A COUNTRY ENJOYS PROSPERITY"

"The 'Three evil forces,' drug trafficking and transnational organized crime are serious threats to regional security and stability." When Xi first addressed the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek in 2013, he opened his speech with a clear and concise assessment of the security situation facing SCO members.

The SCO was born primarily for security reasons. Its predecessor, the "Shanghai Five," was formed to manage border security issues after the end of the Cold War. Terrorism, separatism and extremism, known as the "three evil forces," have for decades hung over Central Asia, becoming increasingly acute following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the so-called Arab Spring.

As Xi debuted on the SCO stage, the region was facing a much more complicated security situation. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria caused a spillover of terrorist and extremist elements into Central Asia back then, resulting in more pressure for China and its SCO partners to forge strong security ties.

A representative of Chinese troops receives medals in the closing ceremony of the "Peace Mission 2021" counter-terrorism military drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, at the Donguz training range in Russia's Orenburg Region on Sept. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Mei Shixiong)

The Chinese leader stressed security cooperation at every summit and mentioned "security" more than 120 times in his 11 SCO speeches. For the Chinese leader, security is the bedrock of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperity.

"With peace, a country enjoys prosperity, just as with rain, the land can flourish." Xi once quoted this Uzbekistan proverb to explain his understanding of the relationship between security and development when attending the 2022 SCO Samarkand summit.

Xi pledged "zero tolerance" towards the "three evil forces" and underscored concerted efforts to eradicate them. He also urged the SCO members to help Afghanistan regain peace and push forward cooperation in tackling drug trafficking, organized crime, and nontraditional security sectors like cyberspace and outer space.

With the consistent push by Xi and his fellow SCO leaders, the SCO has, over the years, organized joint drills and cracked down on drug smuggling to cut terrorism financing. Those efforts have paid off. From 2013 to 2017, SCO member states foiled more than 600 terrorist crimes, captured some 2,000 terrorists and destroyed over 500 terrorist boot camps. Security mechanisms have improved, and joint drills have extended to cyberspace.

The SCO has also been a platform on which Xi expounded his new security vision for Asia -- a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

The world today remains gripped by war and conflict. Xi has always been concerned with preventing war and achieving lasting peace. In 2022, he proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), a global public good provided by China to advance global security governance.

The guiding principle of the GSI is consistent with his security vision, offering China's solution to the question of the times.

MODERN SILK ROAD

The SCO is naturally connected to Xi's signature proposal, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). All six initial SCO members were along the ancient bustling trade route between the East and the West, and the Chinese leader has further strengthened that connection.

During a state visit to Kazakhstan in September 2013, Xi proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt, an essential component of the BRI. Days later, when addressing the Bishkek SCO summit, Xi called on member countries to carry forward the Silk Road spirit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, Sept. 7, 2013. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Over the decade, Xi has used the BRI as a key driver to promote China's practical cooperation with the SCO countries and to accelerate development. By aligning their respective development strategies, China and the SCO members have witnessed fruitful results in boosting infrastructure, trade and financial connectivity.

Earlier this month via video link, Xi, along with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, hailed the signing of an inter-governmental agreement in Beijing on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The railway, as planned, will begin in Kashgar, a city in China's western Xinjiang, and enter the territory of Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. In the future, it can reach West Asia and South Asia, becoming a main transport artery across the Asian continent.

In his video message, Xi described the railway as a strategic project of connectivity between China and Central Asia and a landmark project of the three countries' cooperation efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Located in the heartland of the Asian continent, Central Asia's development has long been constrained by a lack of ports. Once completed, the railway will shorten the time needed to transport Central Asian products to major global markets and facilitate the integration of Central Asia with the global industrial and supply chains, thus boosting regional development.

The railway project was first proposed in the 1990s. Over the years, Xi has paid close attention to the project. In his interactions with leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, both SCO members, he repeatedly called for a joint drive to restart this transformative railway project.

A railway staff member examines the first train of a new international multimodal transport route departing from Langfang City, north China's Hebei Province, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Jia Jun/Xinhua)

Former SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov hailed the BRI as "an important platform for multilateral cooperation" that benefits landlocked Central Asian countries, including his home country of Uzbekistan. The BRI has provided "the chance to go freely to the world market."

The railway is just one facet of China's booming cooperation with SCO members. Thanks to increased connectivity, trade is flourishing. Over the past year, trade between China and the five Central Asian countries hit a record high of about 90 billion U.S. dollars, up over 27 percent year-on-year.

STRONGER BOND

When it was China's turn to hold the SCO summit in 2018, Xi chose to host his colleagues in Qingdao, a coastal city in China's eastern Shandong Province. The choice has rich cultural implications.

Shandong is home to Confucius and Mencius, two Chinese sages, and the cradle of Confucianism. This ancient Chinese philosophy has significantly influenced many Asian cultures and has profoundly impacted the lives of the Chinese people and their way of thinking.

Xi welcomed the SCO leaders by quoting a famous line from Confucius: "What a joy to have friends coming from afar!"

Xi has long advocated for mutual learning among different cultures and civilizations. Since becoming China's president, he has made cultural interaction a trademark of his diplomacy. For him, the diversity of civilizations sustains human progress. In Qingdao, he first defined his outlook on civilization as comprised of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness.

On many occasions, the Chinese leader also stressed the preservation of traditional culture and inheritance of cultural heritage. In his eyes, historical and cultural heritage is a precious resource that is not renewable.

This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows the historical sites in the ancient city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

During the trip to Uzbekistan in 2013, Xi launched a joint project with the Uzbek side to restore historical mosques and Islamic schools to their glory of yore in the ancient city of Khiva, which was widely hailed as a shining pearl of civilization along the ancient Silk Road. With Xi's continuous attention and support, the project was completed in 2019.

When he visited the Central Asian country again in 2022, Xi presented Uzbek President Mirziyoyev with a miniature of the ancient city as a state gift in celebration of the two countries' joint efforts to restore the cultural heritage of the Silk Road.

Xi regards each civilization as unique, with none being superior to any other. "We should promote mutual learning between our civilizations and enhance good-neighborliness and friendship between our countries. This allows us to enhance public support for the SCO's long-term development."

SHARED HOME

"The SCO is our shared home," Xi once said. From time to time, the Chinese leader would describe the SCO's growing membership as a "big family."

Whether a shared home or a big family, the SCO is always open and inclusive. It features non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party. That starkly contrasts with exclusive clubs of nations driven by ideological bloc confrontation.

In recent years, the SCO has incorporated new members who recognize the Shanghai Spirit, which is defined by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

Now, with nine member states, three observer states and 14 dialogue partners, the SCO is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographical scale and population.

For Xi, mankind, living in the same global village, are increasingly becoming a community with a shared future in which everyone's interest is closely interlinked. Thus, he proposed the building of an SCO community with a shared future at the Qingdao summit.

A lights and fireworks show takes place in Qingdao, the host city of the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, in east China's Shandong Province, June 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a witness to the establishment of "the Shanghai Five" in 1996 as a senior Kazakh official, has been involved in the SCO activities from the beginning.

He expressed "a huge respect" for Xi and support for his visions. "I have no doubts about their positive impacts on developing the world, which must be free of discrimination, of sanctions, of pressure."

Xi's proposals are playing a very crucial role in building mutual trust and benefit among countries in a world characterized by growing instability, uncertainty and unpredictability, said Sheradil Baktygulov, a foreign affairs consultant with the Kyrgyz National Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank.

"The thoughts of President Xi show the way for building a close SCO community," said Baktygulov, "and a bright future for the Eurasian continent."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
AI technologies open new prospects for elderly care in China

16:23, July 01, 2024 By Wang Aihua ( Xinhua

BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yunbo, a 65-year-old resident of Beijing, wholeheartedly embraces his "smart" lifestyle.

"When I switch on the TV at home, a personalized list of my favorite channels appears on the screen. The smart band on my wrist displays my daily blood pressure levels and heart rates, reminding me to take my medication. When I take the bus, my mobile phone can automatically identify my location, and the payment code pops up," he explained with satisfaction.

For Wang and the nearly 300 million Chinese citizens aged 60 or above, many of whom lack constant companionship and struggle with using electronic devices, AI technologies are increasingly being integrated to simplify and enrich their lives in the digital age.

Official figures show that by the end of 2023, over 490,000 Chinese companies, both state-owned and private, were engaged in elderly care business, focusing primarily on smart health, health-centered tourism, financing, and anti-aging sectors.

Wang Haotian, a researcher at the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission, noted that new technologies and business models have emerged in recent years to meet the more personalized, diversified, and quality-focused consumption demands of seniors.

According to the National Health Commission, China is expected to have over 400 million people aged 60 or above by 2033, with the number approaching 500 million by around 2050, accounting for nearly 35 percent of the total population. About 90 percent of this population lives at home, seven percent rely on community support, and the remaining rely on commercial institutions for daily care. Thus, meeting the demands of those living at home is a priority.

Feng Wenmeng, a researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council, said new smart and digital technologies have created more specialized, secure, and comfortable products for seniors. These include devices that monitor health conditions, shoes with positioning systems, and clothes with built-in sensors and inflatable airbags that deploy upon detecting a fall, cushioning the impact and reducing the risk of injury.

A Shanghai resident surnamed Liu, in her seventies, has even developed a bond with her robot "nanny." She talks to the robot every day and relies on its help for housework and health advice. "I almost can't live without it now," she said.

However, experts point out that Chinese companies currently apply AI technologies primarily to basic elderly care services, not yet effectively meeting diverse needs such as remote medical services, leaving significant room for further development.

Last year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with 16 other government departments, issued an action plan to further incorporate robots into various elderly care scenarios to enhance the intelligence level of these services.

Experts foresee deeper integration of AI technologies in the coming years, particularly in smart household products, wearable devices, and robots, using 5G, big data, cloud computing and other advanced techniques to achieve higher accuracy and interaction between humans and robots.

The Bank of Shanghai, the largest agency for pension payment in the city, partnered with SenseTime, a leading AI software company, to develop lifelike AI employees offering voice services on its mobile app. This initiative followed feedback that many mobile banking users still had to visit branches due to technical difficulties. With this service, an 82-year-old user, surnamed Xu, found out his pension account balance on his phone by following the voice directions of the AI employees.

The International Telecommunication Union recently selected this case among the first batch of 40 "AI for Good" cases worldwide. SenseTime plans to further optimize the AI employees by enhancing their emotional responses and adjusting their images to be more compatible with different phone models.

However, as the elderly care industry rapidly grows with increased AI presence, concerns have arisen. Some seniors find AI products too expensive and sometimes unreliable, while their families worry about privacy infringement and fraud risks targeting vulnerable groups.

Hu Zuquan, a researcher with the State Information Center, suggested that China could learn from the experience of countries like the Netherlands, Japan, and the United Kingdom in developing its gray hair economy with the help of AI.

Justine Coulson, the United Nations Population Fund representative to China, expressed hope that China's exploration of the gray hair economy in the coming decade would serve as valuable examples for other emerging economies.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The highly anticipated Oppo Reno 12 5G series is gearing up for its India release, with the launch potentially happening as soon as next week. While Oppo has yet to confirm the exact date, reports suggest that July 12 could be the big day for the launch of these new devices. The series, which recently made its global debut, will include the Oppo Reno 12 5G and the Oppo Reno 12 Pro 5G, both featuring MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy chipsets.

Launch Details and Configurations

According to a report by Techoutlook, the Oppo Reno 12 5G will be available in an 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant in India. Meanwhile, the Oppo Reno 12 Pro 5G is expected to come in two configurations: 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 512GB storage.

Globally, the base model is sold with a 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option, priced at EUR 499.99 (approximately Rs. 44,700). The Pro model is offered in a 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant for EUR 599.99 (around Rs. 53,700).

India Launch and Features

While the official launch date in India is still under wraps, teasers from both Flipkart and Oppo India suggest that the new series will hit the market soon. The Indian variants are expected to include several AI-powered features such as AI Record Summary, AI Clear Voice, and AI Writer.

Specifications Overview

In China, the Oppo Reno 12 and Reno 12 Pro are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8250 Star Speed Edition and Dimensity 9200+ Star Speed Edition chipsets, respectively. However, the global models, including those heading to India, will feature the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy SoCs.

Both phones boast triple rear camera setups, including two 50MP cameras and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, along with a 50MP front camera. Additionally, they are equipped with 5,000mAh batteries that support 80W SuperVOOC fast charging.

The Oppo Reno 12 5G series promises to bring advanced features and powerful performance to the Indian market, continuing Oppo's legacy of innovative smartphone technology.

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Korean giant Samsung is on the brink of unveiling its highly anticipated wearable device, the Galaxy Ring. This innovative product has been the subject of much speculation and excitement, with its design and rumored features making waves in the tech community. Although the official launch date remains unconfirmed, many believe Samsung will introduce the Galaxy Ring at their upcoming Unpacked event on July 10. However, there are also whispers that the launch might be postponed until August.

Recently, a report by Android Authority has shed light on the health features expected to be included in the Galaxy Ring. The publication gained access to the upcoming Samsung Health app user interface, revealing some of the cutting-edge health monitoring capabilities of the device. The smart ring is anticipated to measure basic health metrics such as heart rate and stress levels. Additionally, it might be equipped to monitor skin or body temperature and predict menstrual cycles.

Beyond these basic functions, the Galaxy Ring is set to offer advanced health tracking, including detailed analysis of users' snoring patterns. This feature will likely utilize audio recording to detect snoring, provided the users smartphone is kept nearby to enable the Samsung Health app to record snoring and heavy breathing. This functionality, already present in the Galaxy Watch, will now potentially be available in the Galaxy Ring as well.

Earlier leaks have hinted that the Galaxy Ring will be available in nine different sizes and three color variants: gold, silver, and black. The ring is expected to be lightweight, with a weight ranging between 2.3g and 2.9g. Battery life is rumored to be impressive, lasting between 5 to 9 days on a single charge, thanks to a battery capacity of 14.5mAh to 21.5mAh.

In addition to its health monitoring capabilities, the Galaxy Ring is expected to feature sleep tracking, fertility tracking, blood flow measurement, wireless payments, and more. While these features are yet to be officially confirmed, they promise to position the Galaxy Ring as a formidable competitor in the wearable tech market.

As the tech world eagerly awaits the official announcement, Samsungs Galaxy Ring is poised to set a new standard for health-focused wearable devices, blending advanced technology with sleek design.

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You've probably heard of CRISPR, a fairly new tool for gene editing. But how does the technology work?

CRISPR, short for CRISPR-Cas9, is a genome-editing tool that allows scientists to precisely cut and modify DNA sequences. It has revolutionized the study of genes, helped to enhance crops and improved health care.

The gene-editing system was originally discovered in bacteria , where it limits infections by clipping viral DNA. Then, in Nobel prize-winning work, this bacterial defense apparatus was co-opted by scientists to devise a new approach to genome editing.

"It's really the simplicity, the cost and the ease of use" that democratized this editing tool, Alison Van Eenennaam , a livestock geneticist at the University of California, Davis who uses CRISPR to alter the genetics of farm animals, told Live Science.

Recently, CRISPR has been approved to treat two blood disorders, and early-stage trials reveal its potential to treat inherited blindness. Here's everything you need to know about the groundbreaking technology.

Related: CRISPR 'will provide cures for genetic diseases that were incurable before,' says renowned biochemist Virginijus Siksnys

What is CRISPR?

The CRISPR system includes the following major components:

CRISPR: "CRISPR" stands for "clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats." This unwieldy name describes a pattern of DNA sequences found in bacterial genomes that helps the bacteria fend off viruses .

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"Short palindromic repeats" refers to sequences that read the same forward and backward, like the words "kayak" and "racecar." DNA consists of two paired strands twisted around each other in a helix. A DNA palindrome thus refers to a string of DNA letters, or bases  A (adenine), C (cytosine), G guanine) and T (thymine)  that are the same when read forward on one strand and read backward on the other.

For example, if one strand reads "GATC" in one direction, these DNA bases will pair up with "CTAG" on the opposite strand because G always pairs with C and A always pairs with T. When read backward, CTAG becomes the original sequence, GATC.

These repeats are "regularly interspaced," meaning that these CRISPR regions in the genome contain an alternating pattern of palindromes with "spacer" sequences wedged between them. Bacteria co-opt the spacer sequences from the DNA of invading viruses and store them in their CRISPR regions to fight future infections.

This system is often likened to the human adaptive immune system , which similarly stores a "memory" of previous infections in order to stave off repeat encounters. Rather than using immune cells, like humans do, bacteria use CRISPR.

CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and Cas9: CRISPR DNA serves as a permanent record of past infections, but for bacteria to use these sequences to thwart viruses, they must convert them into DNA's cousin, RNA . Through a process called transcription, bacteria first copy one of the two CRISPR DNA strands into a single complementary strand of RNA; the strand is complementary in that it matches the original DNA code, except it replaces T with U (uracil). Then, the microbes chop the lengthy strand into shorter crRNA snippets, each carrying one repeat and one spacer.

The bacteria also make a second RNA molecule, called " trans-activating crRNA ," or tracrRNA. This RNA contains a reversed version of the palindromic repeat on the crRNA molecule, allowing the two RNAs to bind together.

The resulting complex can then latch onto viral DNA carrying the spacer sequence, calling forth an enzyme that cuts and disables that DNA. The enzyme, called "CRISPR-associated protein 9," or Cas9, is essentially a pair of molecular scissors.

There are also other types of Cas enzymes that can be utilized in gene editing. For example, one called Cas12a produces staggered cuts in DNA, in which one strand is longer than the other at each end. DNA sequences can then be paired with the overhanging strand. Cas14 makes cuts in RNA , instead of DNA, and could be useful for temporarily altering what proteins a cell makes without making permanent edits to its genome.

Related: Meet 'Fanzor,' the 1st CRISPR-like system found in complex life

CRISPR gene-editing systems work by guiding Cas enzymes to a specific place in the genome that they then cut through. (Image credit: Trinset via Getty Images)

How does CRISPR edit DNA?

Researchers have taken advantage of the CRISPR system's ability to make precise cuts in DNA. By adapting CRISPR to make desirable genome edits in any cell type, researchers can alter genes or DNA sequences that regulate genes' activity, changing their function or expression.

To simplify the system, scientists combined the crRNA and tracrRNA molecules described in the previous section into a single molecule called "guide RNA."

"All you need to do to target a new sequence is alter the guide," Van Eenennaam said, which is cheap and quick to do. In contrast, other genome-editing techniques require the time-consuming and expensive design of a lab-made protein that targets a sequence of interest.

The guide RNA is paired with a Cas9 enzyme to make edits in the genome. Once the RNA binds to the desired sequence, the enzyme swoops in and cuts both strands of DNA. In response, the cell attempts to glue the strands back together, but it uses a fault-ridden process that often introduces mutations. For instance, it may add a few extra letters. This change often deactivates the gene, making CRISPR editing a simple strategy to switch off genes.

Scientists have also modified the Cas9 enzyme to make other types of edits. By disabling Cas9's genetic scissors and then fusing this "dead Cas9" to another enzyme, they can rig the machinery to alter single bases , converting a C into a T, for example. This CRISPR formulation is called " base editing ," and it allows researchers to make fine changes that alter the structure of the product encoded by the gene, whether that's a protein or RNA.

Dead Cas9 has also been paired with enzymes that activate or silence genes to tune their activity. Dead Cas9 has also been fused to fluorescent proteins , which light up when the guide RNA binds to a specific stretch of DNA, essentially revealing its post code in the cell.

Related: Could CRISPR cure HIV someday?

Who discovered CRISPR?

CRISPR's history goes back to 1987, when Yoshizumi Ishino and colleagues at Osaka University in Japan first reported the unusually repetitive sequences in Escherichia coli , a well-known bacterium. At the time, the scientists didn't know how these clusters were related to bacterial defense.

In the 1990s, these clusters drew the attention of more scientists when Francisco Mojica (who coined the term "CRISPR" ) and his team at the University of Alicante in Spain spotted them in 20 other bacterial genomes , suggesting they had widespread importance in bacteria.

In 2005, Alexander Bolotin and colleagues at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research came across genes for Cas enzymes located near the CRISPR region of a genome. Shortly after, Eugene Koonin's group at the National Institutes of Health revealed that the spacer sequences matched viral DNA , leading researchers to connect CRISPR with bacterial immunity.

Emmanuelle Charpentier , of the Max Planck Institute in Germany, and Jennifer Doudna , of the University of California, Berkeley, later adapted CRISPR for genome editing. Their work led them to share the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry .

Shortly after the groundbreaking publication of Charpentier's and Doudna's work, Virginijus Siksnys of the Vilnius University Institute of Biotechnology and his colleagues also demonstrated how CRISPR could be used in gene editing. Feng Zhang's group at the Broad Institute later developed other CRISPR systems into gene-editing tools, including an RNA-editing system involving an enzyme called Cas13 .

Emmanuelle Charpentier (left) and Jennifer Doudna received a Nobel Prize for their pioneering work with CRISPR. (Image credit: MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

How has CRISPR been used in people? What about in plants and animals?

CRISPR has been used to correct genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and cataracts , in laboratory-grown cells and in lab animals. It has also shown recent success as a treatment for other conditions in human trials. Notably, the U.K. and the U.S. have both approved a CRISPR-based gene therapy called Casgevy for two blood disorders: sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. This is the first CRISPR-based therapy to ever be approved.

Casgevy works by cutting and disabling the gene BCL11A , which controls the switch from fetal hemoglobin to adult hemoglobin shortly after birth.

The fetal version binds more strongly to oxygen , allowing a fetus to gather enough oxygen from its mother's bloodstream. The adult version normally takes over after birth, once oxygen can be obtained through breathing. However, in sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia, people have faulty versions of the adult gene. Casgevy reverses the switch to adult hemoglobin so that patients can continue using their fetal hemoglobin gene instead.

One form of inherited blindness may be among the next disorders treated using CRISPR. An early-stage trial tested injecting CRISPR components into the eye and suggested the approach to be safe and effective mode. The base-editing form of CRISPR also showed promising results in lowering cholesterol levels during a small trial.

Beyond health care, CRISPR editing has been used to enhance at least 41 food crops , including rice and wheat, by improving their palatability, nutritional value and resistance to disease. It's also been used to edit the genes of pigs whose organs are then harvested for human transplant operations.

In addition, Van Eenennaam uses CRISPR in proof-of-concept experiments to endow farmed animals with desirable traits. For example, she enhances meat yields in cattle so farmers can rear fewer livestock and thus limit their environmental impact.

What are potential dangers and downsides of CRISPR?

This is what the CRISPR system looks like as it slices through DNA. (Image credit: ARTUR PLAWGO / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images)

CRISPR is a versatile and powerful genome editing tool, but at this juncture, it has some limitations and risks and also raises ethical quandaries.

For instance, in regards to treating genetic disorders, some people embrace their conditions and don't regard them as disorders , Van Eenennaam said. For instance, "should you 'cure' hereditary deafness in the offspring of a deaf couple who don't believe deafness is a bad thing?" she questioned.

Regarding CRISPR's limitations, it can introduce "off-target effects" if the Cas9 enzyme cuts DNA at unintended places in the genome. This might occur if researchers don't customize the guide RNA sequence for a unique DNA target but instead target a common sequence found in a family of genes. Such off-target effects could have negative outcomes on health. For example, if the guide RNA matches a gene that suppresses tumor growth, there is a risk that disabling it could turn the cell cancerous.

Another issue is that CRISPR editing is not 100% efficient , so only a proportion of the targeted cells undergo the desired genetic change. This means that, in some scenarios, unedited cells might avoid harmful off-target effects and thus fare better than edited cells and eventually outnumber them. Researchers recently found that edited blood stem cells can die out overtime , suggesting blood-disorder treatments may become less effective in the long haul.

These risks also pose ethical considerations regarding the use of CRISPR in livestock. Van Eenennaam typically uses " germ-line editing " in livestock, which involves targeting sex cells, like eggs and sperm, or fertilized eggs. This makes CRISPR edits heritable between an animal and its offspring. Van Eenennaam's group doesn't insert newly engineered genes into cattle, but rather, they transfer existing, desirable genes from one cow into another.

Related: Gene therapy: What is it and how does it work?

There is a chance that off-target edits could impair the animals' health. But Van Eenennaam argues these concerns are often exaggerated. "There are going to be literally millions of genetic variations between two bulls" arising from natural mutations, so off-target effects are just a drop in the ocean, she explained.

Still, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says genome-editing of farmed animals requires ample oversight , in part because other DNA sequences often accompany the new gene inserted into the genome. These carryovers should be scrutinized to ensure they aren't hazardous to the animal or to human consumers, the FDA says. If the agency deems an edited animal to be low-risk, they can grant " enforcement discretion " that allows it and its descendants to be commercialized, Van Eenennaam noted.

This type of germ-line editing has rarely been applied to humans , except in the controversial case in which a Chinese scientist infamously generated "CRISPR babies" in violation of regulations. One big reason human germ-line editing has been avoided is that future generations cannot consent to receiving a CRISPR treatment.

Future generations also cannot consent to the possibility of harmful off-target effects, such as mutations that could predispose one to cancer. Nita Farahany , a bioethicist at Duke University, told the New York Times that editing embryos would be unethical "until we can figure out what the off-target effects are, and how we can control for them."

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine laid out criteria that should be met for germline editing clinical trials to go forward. The group advises restricting human germ-line editing to only genes whose mutations can lead to serious disease for which there are no other therapies.

Currently, gene therapies mainly use a technique called " somatic editing ." This applies to Casgevy, for example. Somatic editing works by targeting a subset of non-sex cells in the body and thus doesn't pass any alterations down to additional generations.

"The benefit clearly outweighs any hypothetical risk" in these contexts, Van Eenennaam said, so somatic CRISPR editing is a "no-brainer" when it comes to gene therapy.

Editor's note: A new version of this article was published on July 1, 2024. The previous version had last been updated in March 2023.
Tyler Harris was first brought to the Better Business Bureau's attention in 2017. At the time, he was running a business called Nooga Door Company and the BBB received several complaints about work being paid for but was incomplete.
Aaron White is accused of killing two men last month in Grainger County.
A well established feature of every local and general election is the proliferation of posters by candidates in the run-up to polling day.



However, in South Longford, there was a pushback in the run up to the recent Local and European Elections.

Ballymahon Tidy Towns Committee requested each candidate in the elections to refrain from putting up posters in the town.

The initiative worked well, as Vice-Chairperson of the committee, Derek Healy, told the Leader.



Our Secretary, David McGrane, emailed each candidate and asked them not to put up any posters in our town. That included entrances to the town, he explained.

There were no issues with our request and all candidates complied, he added.



The thinking behind the initiative was two fold. It was for aesthetic reasons and also to reduce waste, Derek explained.

It was refreshing that people were not bombarded with posters in the town, he stated.

Our secretary, David, had the onerous task of emailing the candidates. The candidates did not have to comply with our request, but they all did, he explained.



The Ballymahon Tidy Towns Committee is chaired by Liam Natton, who Derek describes as a stalwart of the committee.

Derek and his fellow committee members want to keep the initiative going for the forthcoming General Election.

We will be taking the same approach for the General Election. The bottom line is that this works, Derek commented.
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Last Sunday night, June 23, Cooneys hotel June 23, Cooneys hotel Ballymahon, hosted a 70th birthday party with a difference for Tangs renowned fiddle player Geraldine Mc Lynn.

The party started at 9.30pm when musicians from Tanglewood, also her own branch of Ballymore Comhaltas, with pupils and past pupils of Geraldine, as well as a number of musicians from Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath arrived in Cooneys for a rousing music session.

The hotel was dressed with celebratory banners and balloons. The room soon filled up with friends, parents and the local community who had come to join her in celebrating her 70th birthday. Many of Geraldines friends had travelled long distances to be with her to celebrate this special occasion.

There were photos of Geraldine down through the years displayed on a video loop on a screen. There was a dress up basket for anyone who wanted to don wigs or hats.

Fun and frolics were happening all over the place as the party goers exchanged stories of Geraldines life and career. There was a lovely sense of fun, combined with a huge respect for all that Geraldine had done for the community in promoting our culture, and by introducing new young musicians to a unique cultural style. Geraldine teaches fiddle to pupils of every age from four to eighty. Food was passed around, and a beautiful birthday cake was brought out while everyone sang Happy birthday.

An email from Catherine Martin, minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was then read out. Minister Martin thanked Geraldine for all she had done to promote traditional Irish music and add to the fabric of our cultural heritage. She wished Geraldine a very happy birthday and thanked her for bringing so much joy to the community.

Next a letter was read out from no less a personage than An tUachtaran himself President Michael D Higgins. President Higgins said he had been told that Geraldine was having a 70th birthday celebration. He said that these milestones in life are very important as they are times when we remember and appreciate the people who have been part of our life s journey to date. He wished to join with her family and friends in wishing Geraldine a very happy and enjoyable birthday. There was huge applause for this,

There followed a series of video clips on screen, of people throughout the world who were thinking of Geraldine on the night, and wanted to be with her but couldnt, so were sending messages. There was an eclectic mix of messages from places such as Vietnam, Laos, Vancouver, Glasgow, London, New York, Munich and Sydney among many others,

Messages came from many famous musicians such as James Keane, Oisin Mac Diarmada, Daithi Gormley and Elaine Reilly, Mick Foster and his wife Dr. Moyra Fraser, Frank and Alison Mc Lynn and Geraldines sister Ann Burgess and niece Kim in Australia.

The evening continued with more tunes from our many musicians, and the party concluded around twelve o clock, I know we can say without fear of contradiction that a great night was had by all.

We join with all Geraldines many friends in wishing her continued success in her career, and a long and happy life.
An average of 44,000 new housing units are needed every year to keep up with population growth, new research shows.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (Esri) published a report, funded by the Department of Housing, which estimates the number of housing units needed based on projected population growth at a local authority level.

The research presents a range of scenarios for future structural (demographic) housing demand.

The report considers a range of population projections based on mortality, fertility and various international migration assumptions.

It then estimates future housing demand based on these population projections, as well as a range of assumptions regarding Irelands typical household size and the obsolescence rate of the housing stock.

The authors of the report said the total housing demand includes the structural element as well as what is referred to as pent-up demand.

Taking the average over all 12 scenarios, structural housing demand is projected to be around 44,000 per year from 2023-2030, and around 40,000 per year over the 2030-2040 period.

This is well above the Governments housing target to build 33,450 units this year, 36,100 units in 2025 and 36,900 in 2026.

In the baseline population scenario, estimated structural housing demand in the period 2023-2030 ranges from around 38,000 to 50,000 per year depending on assumptions around household size and obsolescence rates.

The Department of Housing will consider the research when revising Irelands housing targets.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said: The research published today is a valuable contribution to our understanding of future housing demand, the findings of which are based on data from Census 2022 and international trends.

It does not include latent demand and that is why my department will now take this piece of work, and having regard to analysis already undertaken and the forthcoming update to the National Planning Framework, provide an overall average housing delivery target which will take effect from next year.

Preliminary estimates put this figure at approximately 50,000 but as committed to, we will publish this and our revised Housing for All targets in the autumn.

As international migration is the key driver of population growth in Ireland, additional scenarios are also explored that incorporate higher and lower international migration assumptions than in the baseline scenario.

In a high migration scenario, the estimates range from around 41,000 to 53,000 per year.

In a low migration scenario, the estimates range from 35,000 to 47,000 per year.

In the baseline population scenario, the population is expected to increase by 922,000 between 2022 and 2040, resulting in a total population of more than 6.1 million people by the end of the period.

This implies significant overall population growth of 1% on an annual average basis, according to the report.

In the near term, in the baseline population scenario, the population is expected to increase by 516,000 between 2022 and 2030 or to grow by 1.3% per annum.

In a high international migration scenario, the population grows by an average of 1.2% per year, reaching 6.3 million by 2040.

In contrast, under a low international migration scenario, the population grows by 0.8% per year, resulting in a population of around 5.9 million by 2040.

While population growth is anticipated in all regions, the Eastern and Midland region is expected to see comparatively higher population growth concentrated in Dublin and the Mid-East, while the Northern and Western, and Southern regions are anticipated to see comparatively lower growth.

The research also found that 46.4% of the housing demand over the 2023-2030 period will come from Dublin, across Dublin City, Fingal, Dublin-South and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, as well as Cork City and county.

Housing demand for Clare, Donegal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway County, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford is higher than the population share in those regions, although the differences are small.

Adele Bergin, an author of the report and an associate research professor at Esri, said: Housing demand, both now and in the future, has significant implications for housing policy in terms of the number of housing units required and the areas they are needed.

Our research shows that, on average, across a range of scenarios, around 44,000 new units a year are necessary to keep up with population growth.

Paul Egan, another author of the report and a research officer at ESRI, said: Projections of structural housing demand are sensitive to assumptions including international migration, household size and the obsolescence rate of the housing stock.

Owing to the uncertainty in any projection exercise, the research considers a range of assumptions.

It should also be noted that all scenarios relate to future demographic housing demand and do not factor in current pent-up demand.

Mr OBrien added: The targets we have under Housing for All have only ever provided a base of which to work from, theyve never been a limitation to our ambition as has been proven twice now with overall targets being surpassed in both 2022 and 2023.

The Government has always been very forthright about capacity constraints and more importantly what we intend to do about them. The largest overhaul of the planning system is proceeding through the Oireachtas at present, a recruitment drive for workers is underway, the draft revised NPF will soon be published and avenues for private finance are being explored.

Regardless of what our targets are, this Government will continue using every tool available to us to reach and exceed them where possible.
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By Long Island Published: July 01 2024

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Department of Labor has recovered over $63 million in stolen wages for nearly 65,000 workers in the past two years, including over $1 million for more ...

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that in the two years since she announced a major crackdown on wage theft, the New York State Department of Labor has investigated and recovered more than $63 million in stolen wages for nearly 65,000 workers across New York State. As part of the announcement, the Governor also celebrated the investigation and recovery of over $1 million in unpaid wages for more than 20,000 Chipotle restaurant workers across 207 locations statewide. Individual recoveries for workers ranged from $10 to over $3,600, highlighting the States unwavering commitment to ensuring fair compensation and combating wage theft.

In the two years since I pledged to crack down on wage theft, weve put millions of dollars in wages back in the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers, Governor Hochul said. Wage theft is stealing, plain and simple. It not only cheats workers out of a days pay  it violates our laws and my administration is committed to ensuring that workers receive every cent that theyre owed.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, Ensuring that workers are paid every cent they are owed is a fundamental right and we are dedicated to holding employers accountable. This significant recovery for Chipotle workers demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting workers' rights and fostering fair workplaces across New York State. At the same time, we are committed to working with businesses to help them achieve compliance with labor standards. I am grateful for Governor Hochuls support, which enables us to continue these efforts to safeguard the rights of New York's workers.

New York State Department of Labors $1 Million Wage Recovery From Chipotle

The significant $1 million wage recovery from Chipotle stems from a thorough investigation by NYSDOLs Division of Labor Standards. After a tip from the Workers Compensation Board, NYSDOL investigated and found wage issues related to the correct minimum wage rate for fast-food workers, which is higher than the regular minimum wage. Investigators also found wage issues for spread-of-hours pay, which requires employers to pay additional time to workers whose shifts span more than ten hours in any one day. After these discoveries, NYSDOL asked Chipotle to review their pay records from December 2018 to September 2022.

During this review, NYSDOL received an additional complaint alleging that Chipotle had stopped paying certain required wages. Chipotle attributed this to a system error and conducted another records review spanning August 2021 to July 2023. This review revealed more pay issues. As a result, the combined investigations led to significant money due. Chipotle directly paid all active employees and provided the funds to NYSDOL to pay former employees the money owed.

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, "Every worker deserves to be paid what they have rightfully earned, and cracking down on those stealing wages sends a strong message that wage theft will not be tolerated in New York State. I applaud the dedicated union staff at the Department of Labor for all their hard work and commend Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to protecting working New Yorkers and their families.

President of the New York State Building Trades Gary LaBarbera said, Far too often, unscrupulous and greedy private employers look to take advantage of their workers by withholding wages, overtime, and benefits, but it has become clear that through the mobilization of its wage theft crackdown, the State has stepped up to protect hourly workers from further exploitation. Honest work should result in honest pay and accountability for these unlawful practices is imperative. We applaud Governor Hochul for these successful efforts and her continued commitment to being an advocate for hard working New Yorkers and their families and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Executive Chamber and the Department of Labor to ensure all workers, including our tradesmen and tradeswomen, are being compensated properly statewide.

Governor Hochuls Continued Crackdown on Wage Theft

Governor Hochul has maintained a strong commitment to addressing wage theft, a pressing issue affecting workers across New York State. Two years ago, Governor Hochul announced a comprehensive initiative to combat this illegal practice, which included the implementation of a wage theft hotline developing a state-of-the-art online wage theft reporting system. Since the Governor launched the statewide crackdown, NYSDOLs Division of Worker Protection has recovered $63.5 million in wages and damages for nearly 65,000 workers. Over the past decade, NYSDOL had recovered and disbursed more than $360 million in stolen wages, identified over a million misclassified workers, and assessed over $400 million owed in unemployment insurance contributions through both criminal cases and civil enforcement.

As part of NYSDOLs Worker Protection Division, the Division of Labor Standards utilizes a variety of enforcement strategies to accomplish its mission and carry out program priorities to uphold labor standards in a variety of industries statewide. This allows for the needed flexibility to perform core mission work while implementing new rules and laws. Self-audits allow cooperative employers to quickly identify amounts owed to workers and rectify monetary violations quickly. The Division of Labor Standards units carry out several specialized functions:

Field District Offices routinely conduct on-site investigations to review records, interview witnesses, verify compliance and expand investigations beyond the original complaint if necessary. They work closely with employers to ensure compliance and collect restitution for workers.

The Mediation Unit provides opportunities for employees and employers to reach fair and speedy resolution to conflicts regarding allegations of labor rights violations. Mediation takes place before or during an investigation and before formal notices are issued. This provides both sides with an opportunity to be heard, to be educated about the States labor laws, and to resolve underlying issues in an expeditious manner.

The Central Investigations Unit investigates basic wage or wage supplement claims received using an expedited approach. A demand letter is sent to employers within 48 hours of case creation, allowing the Division to be able to accept a high volume of smaller claims from individual workers owed wages.

The Department is also the lead agency in Governor Hochuls Wage Theft Task Force, a collaborative interagency effort with law enforcement partners to share information and coordinate efforts. Victims are encouraged to file a wage complaint and can email labor.sm.ls.ask@labor. ny.gov for assistance. For more information on claiming unpaid wages, visit the Division of Labor Standards webpage.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 01 2024

Interagency Plan Advances Governors State of the State Directive To Address Extreme Heat Impacts on Disadvantaged Communities and New Yorkers at Increased Risk of Harmful Health Effects.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the release of the States Extreme Heat Action Plan, fulfilling a 2022 State of the State commitment to help plan for and address the dangers and impacts of extreme heat on New Yorkers, particularly those in disadvantaged communities who are most likely to experience extreme heats harmful health effects. Development of the plan, led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, focused on coordinating interagency efforts and mitigating local impacts of increasingly frequent and severe extreme heat events, while also helping ensure State investments prioritize disadvantaged communities on the front lines of heat exposure.

As New Yorkers witnessed this past week, extreme heat weather events will only increase with climate change threatening the lives and livelihoods of many New Yorkers, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and communities of color, Governor Hochul said. This multi-agency Extreme Heat Action Plan helps address a full spectrum of heat exposure and risks, and builds upon our continued efforts to protect our most vulnerable residents.

In 2022, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop the Extreme Heat Action Plan (EHAP) in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events caused by climate change. The EHAP Work Group convened more than 25 State agencies to collaborate with community partners, planners, adaptation practitioners, local government leaders, and academic experts on immediate- and long-term steps that address exposure to extreme heat, with a focus on alleviating inequities in disadvantaged communities. To help ensure the plan is evidence-based and prioritizes equitable adaptation, DEC and NYSERDA convened a Community Advisory Panel and a Scientific Advisory Panel to incorporate the perspectives of impacted communities and academia.

Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, Climate change is not only impacting our environment, but also contributing to severe public health consequences, particularly in communities historically overburdened by environmental pollution. Under the direction of Governor Hochul, DEC worked with NYSERDA and dozens of State agencies and engaged stakeholders to develop extreme heat strategies and solutions. With the Extreme Heat Action Plan, DEC looks forward to working with our local and State partners, the Legislature, and other key stakeholders to continue addressing extreme heat and the climate crisis while identifying strategies to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, The Extreme Heat Action Plan shows that through strategic collaborations, New York is able to make more resources available to vulnerable New Yorkers impacted by the increasing number of unbearably hot days due to climate change. NYSERDA has been proud to work with Department of Environmental Conservation and other sister agencies on developing the Governor's interagency action plan to ensure pathways for increased community resiliency and access to cooling centers while reducing costs of energy and cooling equipment, particularly in underserved areas.

The EHAP identifies 49 State-led actions and recommendations to address the structural drivers of heat vulnerability and its disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Populations identified in the plan as those most vulnerable to extreme heat include residents of low income and communities of color, Indigenous Peoples, certain indoor and outdoor workers, older adults and young children, expecting mothers, people with certain pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, people with disabilities, users of certain drugs and medication, justice-involved individuals, immigrants, people facing language barriers and people experiencing housing insecurity.

The plan prioritizes equity in adaptation by advancing solutions that provide technical assistance to local communities, scaling implementation of nature-based solutions to address inequities and reduce the urban heat island effect and enhancing equitable access to cooling at home and in public spaces. The plan can be found on DECs extreme heat website here.

Recommendations are grouped into four action tracks to help communities adapt to extreme heat:

Action Track 1: Adaptation Planning and Implementation supports communities in their work-planning for extreme heat impacts and in coordinating adaptation activities. This track aims to empower local communities to equitably adapt by strengthening, promoting, and supporting a communitys capacity, or ability, to address health and environmental issues. This is achieved through support of additional regional planning and coordination, developing regional community resiliency networks, and deepening collaborations with frontline communities, schools, Indigenous Peoples, and other impacted populations, among other actions.

Action Track 2: Preparedness, Communication, and Workers Safety ensures that the people of New York are informed and protected before and during heat events, including workers. This track promotes a communitys whole health, well-being, and resilience through actions that include the additional development of local and regional heat emergency plans, increased access to cooling centers, safe swimming, emergency shelters and clearer public messaging, among other measures.

Action Track 3: Built Environment, Infrastructure, and Managed Spaces supports resilient and safe infrastructure and other built spaces. The goal of this track is to create built environments and strengthen community lifeline infrastructures that can provide relief from high temperatures and combat the urban heat island effect. This action supports prioritizing equitable access to indoor and outdoor thermal comfort such as reducing costs of energy and cooling equipment, and promoting thermal resilience, weatherization and decarbonization of buildings, among other actions.

Action Track 4: Ecosystem-Based Adaptation prioritizes adaptation to heat by protecting and strengthening ecosystem service benefits and advancing nature-based solutions. This track safeguards and preserves ecosystems, biodiversity, and helps ensure that all New Yorkers have access to and equitably benefit from these life-sustaining benefits. Actions support urban and community forestry, develop best practices for maximizing ecosystem- and community-adaptation benefits of green infrastructure, and fund the training of arborists, foresters, and others to scale up the production of heat-adapted trees and seeds.

Implementation of the plan involves effective communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, state, and local partners. State agencies and authorities participating in the EHAP Work Group are establishing an implementation committee that will meet regularly to coordinate implementation and support state agencies and authorities, as well as to receive, consider and incorporate public feedback on an ongoing basis.

DEC and NYSERDA will host two webinars to present and receive questions about the Extreme Heat Action Plan on July 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. and July 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. The webinars will include presentations from DEC and NYSERDA, along with other state agencies including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the State Department of Health, that highlight the plan and provide additional information about relevant State initiatives and heat-health efforts.

The public will have ongoing opportunities to provide input on the Extreme Heat Action Plan. For additional information, visit DECs website.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, Last week, New York State saw several consecutive days of extreme heat and we fully expect that this will now be the norm during summer. Governor Hochul was forward-thinking in directing the creation of this plan and our emergency operations are already incorporating its recommendations. Extreme heat is the number one weather related cause of death in the United States and it is critical that people begin to take action to prepare for its impacts just as they get ready for other emergencies like hurricanes, flooding and winter storms.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 01 2024

Situated near the LIRR station, the five-story, 48-unit building is the vision of Rev. Isaiah Moultrie, Sr., a retired U.S. Marine.

Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages (D  Valley Stream) joined with the Inwood community on Wednesday, June 26 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new residential building geared toward veterans and first responders.

Situated near the Long Island Rail Road station at the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Russell Place, the five-story, 48-unit building is the vision of Rev. Isaiah Moultrie, Sr., a retired U.S. Marine, and the construction is being spearheaded by his son, Isaiah Jr., a developer. The 11.7-acre site where the complex is being developed formerly housed Rev. Moultries church prior to his retirement.
Bill is joined by his colleague Bradley Bowman to talk about a new FDD monograph edited by Brad, Cognitive Combat: China, Russia, and Irans Information War Against Americans. They discuss ways in which Americas adversaries are waging information warfare against it, how the U.S. can defend itself in the information domain  and how it can go on the offensive.

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Bradley Bowman is the senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.
Israel Defense Forces soldiers train in northern Israel in June. (IDF photo)

Hezbollah carried out a kamikaze drone attack on June 30 targeting Israeli forces in the northern Golan Heights, severely injuring one IDF soldier and lightly injuring 17 other soldiers. It is the latest drone attack carried out by Hezbollah after four days of escalation by the Iranian-backed group. The IDF said that the wounded soldiers were evacuated to receive medical treatment, and Israeli aircraft responded to the attack with airstrikes.

Over the past few hours, the Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah terror targets in southern Lebanon, including a Hezbollah observation post in the area of Markaba and a launcher in the area of Ayta ash Shab from which a projectile was fired today toward northern Israel, the IDF said on the evening of June 30.

Israeli artillery also responded, targeting Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. The IDF often responds proportionately with air strikes and artillery to Hezbollah attacks. Hezbollah has carried out more than 5,000 rocket, drone, and missile attacks on Israel since October 7, 2023, when it chose to support Hamas.

Hezbollah claimed that its attacks targeted the headquarters of the IDFs 91st Division, according to a statement from Hezbollah published at the groups Al-Manar media and on Iranian state media. The Iranian-backed terrorist group claimed it used a Burkan missile, a short-range munition with a large warhead that Hezbollah has increasingly employed over the last eight months.

It is not the first time Hezbollah has targeted the 91st Division, the IDF unit responsible for the northern Israeli border with Lebanon. Hezbollah has hit the same location and unit numerous times. Hezbollah also claimed it used a Falaq missile to strike an IDF post near Beit Hillel in the Huleh Valley near Kiryat Shmona.

Hezbollah attacks set off alarms throughout the day in northern Israeli communities. The IDF later categorized some of the alarms as false, which is also a common occurrence.

However, another group of sirens in the afternoon in northern Israel were the result of drone attacks. Following the sirens that sounded in the area of Merom Golan in northern Israel at 16:08, a number of suspicious aerial targets were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israel territory. An explosive UAV was identified falling in the area, the IDF said.

The IDF also targeted a terrorist operating in southern Lebanons Kfarkela. Shortly afterward, the forces struck the structure in which the terrorist was operating, the IDF said. It was unclear if the terrorist was eliminated or only the structure. Hezbollah has lost more than 300 personnel in clashes with Israel since October 7.

The drone attacks on June 30 follow several days of Hezbollah escalation in the north. The group has entered into a routine of escalation followed by de-escalation over the last several weeks of June. On June 27, Hezbollah fired a large rocket barrage just before sunset, and footage showed more than a dozen Israeli interceptions. On June 28, Hezbollah launched another 25 rockets toward areas in northern Israel. In response to both days attacks, the Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah sites near Zibqin, Khiam, Houla, Taybeh, Rab El Thalathine, Markaba, Ayta ash Shab, and Odaisseh between June 27 and June 30.

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).


Yesterday, Shabaab, al Qaedas branch in East Africa, took responsibility for a suicide car bombing targeting Djiboutian and Somali troops at a military base in central Somalia. The blast was the 14th suicide bombing conducted by Shabaab so far this year.

The suicide car bombing targeted the Beledweyne headquarters of Djiboutian troops attached to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in the central Somali region of Hiraan. The base was in the process of being transferred to Somali government control when Shabaab struck the site.

At least four people, including three civilians and one Somali soldier, were killed in the blast. It is not immediately clear if any Djiboutian troops were among the casualties. Shabaab claimed to have killed and wounded over 29 people, though it often inflates casualty numbers for its attacks.

ATMIS troops are currently withdrawing additional troops as part of the African Unions plan to end ATMIS mandate by the end of the year. Ethiopian troops also handed over another base in Hiraan in recent days, while Kenyan troops transitioned another base in southern Somalia.

Striking the ATMIS base as it was being handed over to the Somali National Army (SNA) sends obvious signals about the strength Shabaab still maintains in central Somalia despite two years of constant military pressure in the area. Additionally, the strike demonstrates the fragility of the ATMIS drawdown.

Yesterdays suicide bombing is yet another harbinger of the future Somalia faces in a post-ATMIS space. The African Union, for its part, recognizes this threat and is actively working to produce a successor mission to ATMIS to continue providing much-needed security buffers to the Somali government in Mogadishu.

According to data compiled by FDDs Long War Journal, yesterdays blast marks at least the 14th suicide bombing conducted by Shabaab this year. This total is exactly half the number of suicide bombings Shabaab conducted by this time last year, indicating a sharp decline in such operations.

This total, however, is still on par for other years on record, particularly from 2016 to 2021, where Shabaab averaged around 30 suicide bombings a year.

Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.
IDF soldiers operate in central Gaza. (IDF photo)

On July 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that operations in central Gaza have led to the discovery of a tunnel used by terrorists and the elimination of around 100 terrorists. The operations were carried out by the IDFs 99th Division, which controls the Netzarim Corridor south of Gaza City.

Israeli forces seized this area in late October 2023 during the first phase of ground operations, and it has become one of the only areas continuously controlled by the IDF since October. The corridor stretches from Israel to the Mediterranean.

Soldiers located the tunnel near the Mediterranean, according to an aerial photo distributed by the IDF, in a neighborhood called Wahsh. It is just south of Zaytun, where the IDF has frequently conducted raids to prevent terrorists from returning and rebuilding infrastructure.

In cooperation with the Yahalom Unit, the troops destroyed a terrorist tunnel one kilometer in length. The tunnel included branches which were used by terrorists to move between different locations underground. In addition, the troops operated against a booby-trapped mosque that was used as a hideout for terrorists in the area. Secondary explosions were detected after the strike, indicating the presence of large quantities of weapons stored at the site, the IDF said on July 1.

The 99th Division has controlled the Netzarim Corridor for several months, and units have rotated in and out of the corridor. For instance, the 8th Armored Brigade and Alexandroni Infantry Brigade have operated in the area recently. These two units, which often train together and are made up of IDF Reservists, were deployed in northern Israel in the first months of the war. The IDF estimates that soldiers have eliminated approximately 100 terrorists and destroyed more than 100 terrorist structures, weapons storage facilities, observation posts, launch pits and underground tunnel routes.

The destruction of more terrorist infrastructure in central Gaza comes amid several developments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment with the IDF on June 30 to discuss developments in Gaza. According to a statement from the Prime Ministers Office, the meetings included Israels defense minister, the head of IDF Southern Command, and other key officers from the Israeli Air Force and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). COGAT is responsible for humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

At the same time, the IDF has called for civilians in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate westward toward a humanitarian zone. Usually, these statements come before the IDF operates in an area, suggesting it may send units into Khan Younis.

On June 30, around 20 rockets were launched at Israel from Khan Younis. This was the largest barrage from the city in months, illustrating that terrorists had returned to this area. The IDF responded to the rocket fire on the same day with artillery fire. Now, it appears the IDF will respond with more force to the threat.

Khan Younis was cleared of terrorists in operations between December and April. The IDF also continues to operate in Rafah in southern Gaza along the border with Egypt and in Shejaiya, a neighborhood in northern Gaza. In Rafah, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket-manufacturing site was uncovered, the IDF said on July 1.

If a raid is launched in Khan Younis, it would mean the IDF is operating with three prongs in Gaza: one in northern and central Gaza with the 99th and 98 Divisions, one in Rafah with the 162nd Division, and possibly in Khan Younis, as well.

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).
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

Copy that

Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery, but I dont advise readers to rely on that defense in court. Not even if youre one of the biggest technology companies in the world.

It remains to be seen, admittedly, whether Samsung is about to find itself in court. But lets just say that the signs arent promising. As one Twitter wag has pointed out, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Samsung Buds 3 are so close to their Apple equivalents that its hard to believe the whole thing is a coincidence.

Apple Watch & Samsung Watch



Apple Airpod & Samsung Buds 3 Pro



I need to know what Samsung is smoking.  Because this is just pic.twitter.com/4lMNA1EXgF  Dillon Horsfall (@citruswink) June 28, 2024

Weve been here before. Between 2011 and 2018 Apple and Samsung fought bitterly in courts around the world, accusing one another of violating smartphone patents. Apple pointed out that Samsung phones (namely the i9000 model of the Galaxy S) looked quite a lot like its own phones (namely the iPhone 3GS) and asked for action to be taken. Seven years and a small fortune in lawyers fees later it felt like very little had been resolved, but I suppose a point of sorts had been made: copy our designs and at the very least youll be dragged through a long and costly legal process.

Amid that case, incidentally, I got to make my one and only appearance on national TV when expert analysis was required on a news show. Its possible that the bookers had overestimated my ability to explain copyright law to a teatime audience, but I did have some success with an analogy between smartphones and microwaves. (I always say that a good analogy is like a friend whos better at explaining things.) Microwave ovens all look the same, I argued, because that devices evolution arrived at an optimal design and there was no longer anything to gain by changing the fundamentals. At some point, smartphones will reach that point too, and they may have done so already. The legal system will need to be able to account for that, or well just be forcing some of the companies to make worse handsets for the sake of it.

But that was then, and this is now, and it must be admitted that the latest case of imitation/flattery feels more blatant than the case of the Galaxy S and the iPhone 3GS. Based on leaked images, the Samsung Buds 3 Pro dont just look like they copied the fundamentals of a pleasing rival designthey look exactly like a pair of AirPods. They look, in fact, like one of those scam products designed to trick you into thinking youre holding the real thing, right up until you notice theyre called AirPro Pods and cost $11.99. As for the band and the squarish rugged look of the Galaxy Watch Ultra lets just say that using a slightly different shade of orange doesnt count as designing your own product. I mean, even the back and the band-swapping mechanism appear to be carbon copies of the Apple Watch Ultra.

In a different time, the Cupertino legal team would be currently assembling, like Voltron in expensive shoes, and gearing up for another epic battle. And perhaps they are. But such a battle wont achieve anything except cost both companies a great deal of money and give tech websites something to talk about. But maybe, on some level, Tim Cook can just smile about the whole thing. For a rival company to be driven to this level of desperate mimicry, the AirPods and the Apple Watch must be truly great products, or at least products that every consumer wants to own. And maybe theres something to that old saying about imitation and flattery after all.

Foundry Foundry Foundry

Trending: Top stories

AI is a mess and Apple is here to clean it up.

Arm race: How Apples M3 squares off against the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite.

Is an Apple Vision SE the key to spatial computings success?

Apples HomePod speakers arent as smart as we thought.

Podcast of the week

Whats going on with Apples next phone, the iPhone 16? Thats in this episode of the Macworld Podcast!

You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site.

Reviews corner

The rumor mill

Apple Watch Series 10 leak shows off an Ultra-sized screen in a slim body.

Apples struggles to cut the price of Vision Pros successor could mean key features are lost.

Reports of an Apple/Meta AI team-up might have been exaggerated.

Heres how your conversations with Android users will look in iOS 18.

Apple just updated all of its AirPods and once again we dont know why.

Gamers rejoice! macOS Sequoia makes it easier to install large apps.

And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.
Over the past few years, Apple has overhauled its entire product range, including transitioning the Mac from Intel to its own processors, introducing the tough Apple Watch Ultra, adding a new Plus model to the iPhone lineup, and revealing a brand-new product category (the yet-to-launch Vision Pro).

In this article, we take a look at what we expect Apple to launch before the end of 2024, in 2025, and beyond. We have investigated every rumor and trend we could find to bring you our predictions. Read on to find out what could be in store.

New iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watches launched at an Apple event on September 9. Read our Apples Glowtime event live blog from the event.

What new Apple products are coming in 2024?

So far in 2024 Apple has released the following new products:

We still havent seen an M3 or M3 Pro Mac mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro (despite the M3 becoming available and the M4 arriving with the iPad Pro). What else can we expect to see in 2024?

In the sections below weve split products into categories including Mac, iPad, iPhone and some new product categories. Read on to find out what to expect at Apple next event, throughout the rest of the year, and in 2025.

Apple Apple Apple

New Macs

With the update for the Mac Pro at WWDC in June 2023 Apple finished transitioning all its Macs from Intel processors to its own silicon. Apple launched the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips at the end of October 2023. The M3 MacBook Air launched since, but the rest of the Mac range has been silent this year, despite the M4 arriving in the iPad! We can expect the following updates soon:

Mac mini & Mac mini Pro

Now that the iMac has an M3 chip, and the MacBook Pro an M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chip, the arrival of those chips in the Max mini is long over due. Except that the rumors indicate that the Mac mini update is going to feature an M4 chip, and we may see it before the end of 2024. However, there are also rumors that the Mac mini is getting a new, smaller design, in which case the wait could be a little longer.

Read: New Mac mini rumors.

When? October 2024

Mac Studio

The next on the list for update will be the Mac Studio, also likely to bypass the M3 and jump straight to the M4 Max and M4 Ultra.

Read: M3 Mac Studio rumors.

When? October 2024

Mac Pro

If the Mac Studio is getting an update with the M4 Max and M4 Ultra you can rest assured that the Mac Pro will too.

Read: Mac Pro 2024 rumors.

When? October 2024

iMac Pro

There is a new iMac with M3 chip, but its still got a 24-inch screen. What people want is a return of a more professional iMac with a bigger screen.

Apple is said to be working on a Pro version of the iMac, a return of the 27-inch iMac Pro perhaps. It sounds like an M4 Pro iMac might happen, but we could be waiting a little longer for that one.

Read: Larger iMac Pro rumors

When? 2025

New iPads

The iPad Pro The iPad Pro Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG The iPad Pro Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG

No iPads were updated in 2023  the first time a year passed without an iPad update. There was one iPad that wasnt even updated in 2022the iPad miniso that looks the most likely for an imminent update. But the whole range is probably headed for a refresh this year, and that process started on May 7, when we got new Airs and Pros.

iPad mini

A new iPad mini (7th generation) could be coming soon.

Read: iPad mini 7th gen rumors

When? October 2024

11th-gen iPad

The latest standard iPad joined the lineup as long ago as October 2022 so a new model can be expected in 2024. Note that the 9th-gen model was retired on May 7, with the 10th-gen model remaining on sale at a lower price. Wed expect the 11th-gen iPad to roughly match its predecessors old price when it launches.

When? October 2024

New iPhones

A new set of iPhones arrived at Apples 2024 iPhone event on September 9, but what of the iPhone SE?

iPhone SE

Dont expect to see this in September, but there have been a few rumors about the iPhone SE. A supposed leak revealed a bigger screen, notch and Face ID, for example.

This isnt the first weve heard of a bigger version of the iPhone SE. The question is, will it still feature the Home button? Read about the iPhone SE Plus.

Read: iPhone SE rumors.

When? Spring 2025

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro

The iPhone 17 wont arrive until September 2025, but there are already rumors about it.

Read: iPhone 17 rumors

When? September 2025

New AirPods

The AirPods Max and AirPods Pro have had the odd update since they launched a few years ago, but the next generation is yet to materialize. Will they get a full update in 2025?

The wait for new AirPods Pro could stretch beyond 2025. They could offer new health-related features when they arrive. As for the AirPods Max, now that Apples refreshed the colors its unlikely to do anything else for a while.

Read: New AirPods rumors.

When? 2025

New Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Series 10 arrived in September 2024, with a larger screen, but there was no generational update for the Apple Watch Ultra or the Apple Watch SE. Expect bigger things for Apple Watch Ultra in 2025.

New product categories

If Apple was never to innovate away from the products it makes right now it could be left behind as technology progresses. Its no surprise therefore that the company is working on various new areas. We dont expect these to land in 2023, but rumors suggest that some of them still could arrive sooner rather than later.

HomePod with screen

We do hope there is some truth in the rumors that Apple is working on a HomePod with a screen. Weve always said that a screen would make the HomePod infinitely more usable, but perhaps we are the only ones who hate having to talk to our speaker and control the HomePod via an iPhone (which can be a drain on the battery).

A screen would extend the uses of the HomePod beyond audio into visual  so you could watch podcasts and news reports and YouTube videos, but most usefully communicate via FaceTime.

So far all Apple has done is brought back the full-size HomePod that it removed from sale.

Read: HomePod with screen rumours.

When? 2025

An HomePod that combines the screen of an iPad could be on the cards. An HomePod that combines the screen of an iPad could be on the cards. Foundry An HomePod that combines the screen of an iPad could be on the cards. Foundry Foundry

Vision Pro successor

The Vision Pro is pricy and a little cumbersome, but Apple is said to be at work on two updated models: a less-expensive version, and another high-end model. Perhaps Vision Pro 2 and Vision Air?

Dont expect them soon, though. Rumors vary, but none of them say that new Vision hardware is due until at least 2025, maybe even 2026.

We do hope to get news as to when Apple will release the current Vision Pro around the world soon. Read our When will the Vision Pro launch outside the US.

When? 2025 or later

What Apple released in 2023

Apple hit the ground running in 2023 with new Macs and a new HomePod in January. Then at WWDC in June the company launched no less than three new Macs and a brand new device  the Vision Pro  alongside revealing its plans for macOS 14 Sonoma, iOS 17 and watchOS 10. Finally (maybe) Apple launched the new iPhone 15 series and the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at an event in September and then made macOS Sonoma and iOS 17 available for customers to download later that month. Then at an Apple event on October 30 the company unveiled new MacBook Pro and iMac models.

What Apple released in 2022

What Apple released in 2021

HomePod mini in new colors

MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max

AirPods (3rd generation)

Apple Watch Series 7

iPhone 13-series

iPad mini (6th generation)

iPad (9th generation)

iMac M1

iPad Pro M1(3rd and 5th generation)

Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)

AirTag

What Apple released in 2020

AirPods Max

MacBook Air M1

13-inch MacBook Pro M1

Mac mini M1

iPhone 12-series

HomePod mini

iPad Air (4th generation)

Apple Watch SE

iPad (8th generation)

Apple Watch Series 6

27-inch iMac (Intel)

13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel)

iPhone SE

MacBook Air (Intel)

iPad Pro (2nd and 4th generation)

For information about what Apple launched in the decade before that read:

Best Apple products of the decade (2010-2019)
At WWDC24 last month, Apple revealed the new features to its operating systems that will ship later this fall. However, technology is always about moving forward and as Bloombergs Mark Gurman reports, Apple has formally begun work on 2025s major operating systems, even before the OSes that the company just revealed havent shipped yet.

Gurman states that the OSes that Apple is working on have the following code names:

iOS 19/iPadOS 19: Luck

macOS 16: Cheer

watchOS 12: Nepali

visionOS 3: Discovery

(Notably missing from the list is tvOS 19, but that doesnt mean that Apple isnt working on it. It likely means Gurman didnt find out that code name.)

Sometimes code names have a hidden meaning. For example, Mac OS System 7.5 was code-named Capone (presumably referring to gangster Al Capone) in response to the code name for Windows 95, which was Chicago. And often, companies pick a theme for their code names, such as colors, historical places, or countries. But Apples code names for next years OSes seem random.

But then again maybe not. Apple will likely expand on Apple Intelligence features, so maybe theres an AI connection with Luck and Cheertheyll work so well that youll cheer each time you use them, and youll feel lucky to have them! Discovery, well, that could mean a lot of things. Maybe Apple is going to do a big deal with the Discovery channel to make their content a major part of visionOSor maybe itll have a bunch of features thatll make you feel like youre an astronaut!

Nepali for watchOS 12 is interesting because its been reported that Apple uses the names of beaches for its watchOS code names. Lighthouse was the code name for watchOS 10 and there are Lighthouse beaches in California and Florida. watchOS 11s code name was Moonstone, and there are a few beaches with the same name. I havent been able to find a beach named Nepali, but theres Napili Beach in Hawaii, though Apple could be referring to Ngapali (pronounced Napally) Beach in Myanmar.

In all seriousness, we just dont know what or even if theres any meaning behind these code names. Tying them thematically to their features seems like a possibility, but as Gurman notes, Its far too early to tell what the actual features will be. Well just have to wait until June 2025 to find out.
Jesper Boqvist, who was a regular in the Bruins lineup in the final months of the regular season, is unlikely to be back for a second tour in Boston.

The 25-year-old center from Sweden, who was a restricted free agent was not tendered a qualifying offer by Sundays deadline making him a free agent and available to sign with anyone when free agency begins on Monday.

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Boston could still re-sign him, but if they didnt want him at the qualifying number  just over $800K  its unlikely theyd come to an agreement.

The Bruins announced Sunday that restricted free agents Michael Callahan, Marc McLaughlin, Alec Regula and Jeremy Swayman were each given qualifying offers. Boqvist, Joey Abate and Curtis Hall were all non-tendered. Abate will remain with the Providence Bruins for the 2024-25 season on an AHL deal.

Boqvist had six goals and eight assists in 47 games for the Bruins after signing with Boston last year in the offseason. The former Devils second-round pick played four seasons in New Jersey before signing in Boston.
Derek Forbort has found a new team after spending the last three seasons with the Boston Bruins.

The veteran defenseman is in agreement to sign with the Vancouver Canucks, DailyFaceoffs Frank Seravalli reported on Monday. The terms of the contract are not yet known.

The Bruins signed Forbort ahead of the 2021-22 season. He was strong on the penalty kill, but struggled last season between injuries and inconsistent play on the ice. When he returned from long-term injured reserve in February, Forbort couldnt quite find his groove, but still remained in the lineup.

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The defenseman then dealt with two other injuries that sidelined him until the second round of the playoffs against the Florida Panthers. After the Bruins were eliminated, Forbort revealed he had surgery on both of his groins and on his thumb to repair a torn ligament prior to his playoff return.

In 35 games for Boston last season, Forbort amassed only four assists.

Forbort became the latest former Bruin to find a new home on Day 1 of free agency. Jake DeBrusk also signed with the Canucks and Pat Maroon signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Bruins had a busy first day of free agency on Monday which included signing center Elias Lindholm to a seven-year deal. The 29-year-old admitted it was an easy decision to sign with Boston once the organization came into the picture.

And while Lindholm stressed that he wasnt comparing himself to former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, hes ready to bring some of what the star did to the organization during his two-decade career.

I think its a good fit, Lindholm said during his introductory press conference Monday. Playing in the league for a long time and trying to look at Bergeron as much as possible. I dont want to compare myself or anything like that. But I think I can bring a little bit of what he did and try to come there and bring my game and come back to the player I know I can be, and help this team achieve the Stanley Cup.

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Looking at their playoff series against Florida, theyre pretty much right there, he added.

After both Bergeron and David Krejci retired last summer, the Bruins never quite found a replacement at center. Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha filled in nicely and took on a bigger workload, but it was clear the center position was a need for Boston this offseason.

Lindholm not only fills the positional need, but also is strong at winning faceoffs. Hes won at least 50% of his faceoffs taken in six straight seasons.

The center was traded to the Vancouver Canucks by the Calgary Flames in January. The rumors surrounding him affected his play, Lindholm admitted, and is now excited to settle down in Boston with his family and contribute to the Original Six franchise.

And a change of scenery, plus playing alongside players like David Pastrnak, could be exactly what Lindholm needs in order to get back to the player he knows he can be.
Like the Bruins a year ago, the Maple Leafs wont have enough cap space to bring back Tyler Bertuzzi for a second season.

According to TSNs Darren Dreger, Bertuzzi will head elsewhere. He tweeted:

Tyler Bertuzzi wont be returning to the Maple Leafs. His value has out priced Toronto. He will land a deal elsewhere in the 4 year and over $5 mil per territory.

NHL free agency opens Monday. Boston figures to at least inquire about bringing Bertuzzi back.

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Bertuzzi was a good fit in Boston after the Bruins acquired him from Detroit at the trade deadline. He was expected to be one of the more sought-after free agents last summer and the Bruins had almost no cap space. By the time it was clear that a greater market for Bertuzzi wasnt going to develop, the Bruins had spent what little cap space they had elsewhere.

Bertuzzi signed a one-year deal for $5.5 million with Toronto in hopes that hed get more a year later when the NHLs salary cap expanded. After a slow start, Bertuzzi had a solid, but unspectacular year in Toronto (21 goals, 22 assists) as he heads into free agency again. As Dreger suggested, hes likely to command a mid-tier salary.

He showed excellent chemistry with David Pastrnak during his brief stint in Boston and was very good offensively in the playoffs.

The Bruins were always clear that they liked him and were disappointed not to be able to keep him. Now Boston has ample cap space and needs top six forwards. Bertuzzi could be an effective replacement for Jake DeBrusk if he signs elsewhere as expected.

But hes not the only player, whod fit Bostons need for an offensive forward and might not be their first choice. The Bruins are expected to sign at least one center and at least one other top-nine forward.
Peter Collins, a British record producer who worked with some of the biggest names in rock music, has died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 73, NME reported.

Some of Collins biggest album credits include Rushs Power Windows, Bon Jovis These Days, Queensryches Operation: Mindcrime, Alice Coopers Hey Stoopid, Gary Moores After the War, Jewels Spirit, and Rick Astleys Portrait.

Rush paid tribute to Collins in an Instagram post on June 29.

Peter Collins was our beloved producer for 4 albums. First on Power Windows (85), then Hold Your Fire (87), Counterparts (93) and Test For Echo (96), the bands post reads. We loved seeing him in Nashville when we came through on tour. He had a mischievous, beaming smile and great sense of humour. He will be so missed. RIP Mr. Big.

Geddy Lee, the vocalist and bassist for Rush, also shared his own tribute to Collins on Instagram, calling the producer a dear, dear friend.

He truly was our Mr. Big  with his ever-present cigar and constant good humour, Lee wrote. After hitting the record button, I can still hear him say OK boys, from the topping  no stopping! We love ya B, rest in peace and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Born in London on Jan. 15, 1951, Collins started playing guitar as a teenager. His uncle helped him get a deal with Decca Records where Collins released one album, according to the producers AllMusic biography.

Afterwards, Magnet Records hired Collins as their producer, and in 1985, Collins moved to Canada to produce albums for Rush, including Power Windows (1985) and Hold Your Fire (1987).

Collins expansive production discography includes more than 50 other albums. Collins also produced the hit singles Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins, Always, by Bon Jovi, Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth and They Dont Know by Tracy Ullman.
Two Massachusetts teens were arrested and face multiple charges after the Ludlow Police Department said the teens had a gun at an elementary school playground in May.

Around 8:15 p.m. on May 15, there were several 911 calls made regarding teenagers with a gun at the Harris Brook Elementary Schools playground, according to the police department. The callers warned that the teenagers were leaving on bicycles.

About 15 minutes later, three teenage boys were found on bikes matching the description in War Memorial Park, according to police.

Police said they found an unloaded .380-caliber pistol on a 15-year-old boy. He was arrested and bail was set at $25,000. He was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity firearm, improper storage of a large capacity firearm and carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds.

A 17-year-old boy was also charged in connection with the incident. He was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds and carrying a firearm without a license.

Our officers did excellent work responding to this emergency and finding the suspects, Ludlow Chief Daniel Valadas said. Luckily, no one fired the gun or got hurt. These boys put themselves and others in serious danger.

Both teens will appear in Juvenile Court at the Palmer District Court, officials said.
A 28-year-old Massachusetts woman got lost on a Mount Major trail in New Hampshire after losing her glasses over the edge of a cliff, New Hampshire Fish and Game said.

Around 6 p.m. on Saturday, officials were notified that a hiker was in distress and was off trail on Mount Major. Using GPS coordinates, rescue personnel were sent to find the woman. About an hour later, they found the 28-year-old, identified as Grace Diehl, of Cambridge, in the woods about 400 feet away from the Blue Trail.

Officials said Diehls glasses had fallen off the edge of a cliff. When she scrambled down to get them, she couldnt find them. She then attempted to get back on the trail but realized she was suddenly on a different trail. At that point, officials said, she called for help.

New Hampshire Fish and Game would like to remind hikers to always be prepared and plan for the unexpected, officials said in a statement.
On Monday morning, jurors in the Karen Read murder trial told the presiding judge for a second time that deliberations were at an impasse.

We find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and our state of mind, the jury note read. The divergence in our views are not rooted in our lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable.

Prior to the judge reading the note, Norfolk prosecutor Adam Lally said that he did not believe that jurors had completed due and thorough deliberations yet.

Yannetti told the judge that the defense believed she should give jurors additional instruction.

He said they the jury is essentially hopelessly deadlocked and its not a matter of jurors not understanding the evidence, but fundamental disagreements about what the evidence means.

The judge read jurors an instruction, known as Tuey-Rodriguez instructions, which is essentially a last ditch effort to get the jury to come back with a verdict, according to Northeastern University law professor Daniel Medwed.

Tuey-Rodriguez instruction is given when a jury isnt able to come to a verdict, Medwed told MassLive on Monday. It can be given more than once but has been seen as coercive by some, according to Medwed.

When a judge feels as though a jury is genuinely deadlocked, Massachusetts allows the judge to issue a special instruction that sometimes is called a dynamite instruction. Its designed to unlock the deadlock, and it basically urges the jury to go back, really listen to the other side, be mindful of the fact that youre just as well positioned as any future jury would be to make this decision, Medwed said.

The charge also asks jurors to consider that no other jury would be assembled who are more intelligent, more impartial, or more competent to decide it than you are, or that more or clearer evidence will be produced on one side or the other.

The jury previously sent a note on Friday telling the judge that they reached an impasse in deliberations. The judge sent them back to continue after lunch and to clear their heads.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of John OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.

Juliet Schulman-Hall contributed to this report.
After the 12 jurors deliberating in the murder trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, told Judge Beverly Cannone they remained at an impasse Monday morning, Cannone, a judge for 15 years, lauded their efforts.

Jurors sent a note to Cannone informing them of their deadlock Monday morning, saying in part they were deeply divided and that consensus is unattainable.

Cannone, the presiding judge in Norfolk Superior Court, said she had never seen a note like the one passed up Monday.

I think this has been an extraordinary jury, she said.

Former Gov. Deval Patrick nominated Cannone to the superior court in April 2014, after five years as a district court judge, according to Ballotpedia. Her appointment was confirmed a month later, meaning Cannone has spent more than a decade on the bench in the states highest criminal court.

Before Cannone read the note, Norfolk prosecutor Adam Lally said that he did not believe that jurors had completed due and thorough deliberations yet.

Yannetti told the judge that the defense believed she should give jurors additional instruction.

He said the jury is essentially hopelessly deadlocked and its not a matter of jurors not understanding the evidence, but fundamental disagreements about what the evidence means.

The judge read jurors an instruction, known as Tuey-Rodriguez instructions, which is essentially a last ditch effort to get the jury to come back with a verdict, according to Northeastern University law professor Daniel Medwed.

Tuey-Rodriguez instruction is given when a jury isnt able to come to a verdict, Medwed said Monday. It can be given more than once but has been seen as coercive by some, according to Medwed.

Monday marked the second time jurors have told Cannone they were at an impasse in as many days. On Friday, Cannone sent jurors back to deliberations without reading the instructions.

Jury deliberations in Reads trial were in their fifth day on Monday, and deliberations resumed at 9 a.m. Typically, jurors return to the courtroom around 3:30 p.m. each day.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of John OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death. Her attorneys have argued she is the victim of a law-enforcement cover-up and that others are responsible for OKeefes death.
Gas prices in the Northeast are on the rise as people across Massachusetts are headed on vacation for Fourth of July, according to AAA Northeast. But there are a few gas stations where gas is cheaper.

Crude oil prices, environmental regulations and summers seasonal demands tend to contribute to the fluctuation of gas prices, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Now that schools out and the summer driving season is in full swing, gas prices are trending up on the expectation of stronger demand ahead of the July 4 holiday, said Mark Schieldrop, the senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. Summer got off to a slow start with low gas demand, but with a record 60 million travelers expected to take road trips for the holiday, higher oil prices and lower regional inventories, prices could continue climb in the short term.

The average gas price in Massachusetts went up three cents over the past week, averaging $3.46 per gallon. Compared to Mondays price, this average is five cents lower than a month ago ($3.51) and nine cents lower than this day last year ($3.55), according to AAA Northeast.

Still, Massachusettss average gas price is three cents lower than the national average, according to AAA Northeast.

For those looking to save money, here are the top 10 places to find cheap gas in Massachusetts, according to Gas Buddy. All prices are for regular gasoline.

10. Express Fuel Food in Fitchburg, located at 2 Boulder Dr., is $3.07 per gallon.

9. AL Prime Energy in Fitchburg, located at 237 Lunenburg St., is $3.07 per gallon.

8. Unified Petroleum in Fitchburg, located at 249 Kimball St., is $3.04 per gallon.

7. BJs Gas in Leominster, located at 115 Erdman Way, is $2.99 per gallon.

6. East Coast Gas in Reading, located at 1462 Main St., is $2.99 per gallon.

5. Unbranded in Pembroke, located at 226 Church St., is $2.99 per gallon.

4. Prime Energy in Leominster, located at 527 North Main St., is $2.97 per gallon.

3. Conway Petro in Leominster, located at 344 North Main St., is $2.97 per gallon.

2. Express Fuel Food in Fitchburg, located at 656 Water St., is $2.95 per gallon.

1. Speedway in Leominster, located at 482 Main St., is $2.91 per gallon.
As Judge Beverley Cannone began reading a note from the 12 jurors who ultimately failed to reach a decision in the murder trial of Karen Read, a crowd of Read supporters who had gathered outside the downtown Dedham courthouse held their breath.

And when Cannone told jurors their service was complete and that she was declaring a mistrial, cheers and chants of free Karen Read reverberated so loudly that reporters inside the courthouse reported hearing it.

Inside the courthouse, Read could be seen hugging her parents, who were in attendance for much of the trial, and her attorney, Alan Jackson, embraced her father.

But, for friends and family of John OKeefe, the Boston police officer who Read was dating and was later charged with killing, it appeared to be a somber moment. OKeefes mother was visibly emotional inside the courthouse.

The family did not speak to reporters as they exited.

John O'Keefe's mother cries in court as a mistrial is declared in the murder trial of Karen Read. (Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

To her supporters, the mistrial represented a mixed bag for a woman they believe has been accused of something she did not do.

A hung jury... in the end, is a victory for her, said Dan Gibson, 67, of Lowell, outside the Dedham courthouse on Monday. Its not a guilty finding.

But, Gail White, 69, of Canton, said it was a disappointing end.

To me, the evidence just seems so in favor of Karen Read, she said.

Jackson, Reads attorney, seemed to declare victory during a brief press conference as rain poured outside the courthouse.

Folks, this is what it looks like when you bring false charges against an innocent person, Jackson said. The Commonwealth did their worst. They brought the weight of the state based on spurious charges, based on a compromised investigation and investigators and compromised witnesses.

At about the same time, a spokesperson for Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrisseys office issued a statement saying they intend to pursue a retrial of Read.

Jackson said the defense team will continue to fight the charges.

They failed miserably and theyll continue to fail no matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting, Jackson said.

But, when asked, Jackson did not say if he would continue to represent Read.

Defense attorney David Yannetti chimed in and said hes in awe of the strength and courage of Read and he sent a message of gratitude to all of Reads supporters whove shown up to her pre-trial hearings dating back to summer 2023 and who were at every day since the trial began mid-April.

Your support was invaluable; we are touched, said Yannetti, who has represented Read since she was first charged. We ask for your continued support.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.

Norfolk prosecutors and Reads defense team will return to court on July 22 at 2 p.m. to decide on the next steps.
On the steps of Dedhams Norfolk County Superior Court on Monday afternoon, only moments after a judge declared a mistrial nearly 11 weeks after the start of the Karen Read murder trial, her attorneys said they would continue to fight.

Folks, this is what it looks like when you bring false charges against an innocent person, Alan Jackson, an attorney for Read, told a large group of supporters whove remained steadfastly present for the duration of the trial.

The Commonwealth did their worst, Jackson continued. They brought the weight of the state based on spurious charges, based on a compromised investigation and investigators and compromised witnesses.

At about the same time, a spokesperson for the Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrisseys office issued a statement saying they intend to pursue a retrial of Read.

Jackson said the defense team will continue to fight the charges.

They failed miserably and theyll continue to fail no matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting, Jackson said. We have no quit.

Defense attorney David Yannetti chimed in and said hes in awe of the strength and courage of Read and he sent a message of gratitude to all of Reads supporters whove shown up to her pre-trial hearings dating back to summer 2023 and who were at every day since the trial began mid-April.

Your support was invaluable, we are touched, Yannetti said. We ask for your continued support.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.

Norfolk prosecutors and Reads defense team will return to court on July 22 at 2 p.m. to decide on the next steps.
In the days after the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, new polling show that former President Donald Trump has widened his lead.

Over 44% of registered voters plan to vote for Trump compared to less than 41% who plan to vote for incumbent President Joe Biden, according to Patriot Polling in a polling update on June 29. These results show that the former president and presumptive Republican nominee has doubled his lead since the pollsters last election poll in February.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has earned over 11% of the national vote, likely as a result of dissatisfaction among voters with Biden and Trump, according to the poll.

Of those polled, 76% of voters said Trump won Thursdays debate as Bidens approval rating dropped to 29% from 33% in February.

Bidens numbers remain in a precarious position for an incumbent seeking re-election, pollsters said.

The poll was conducted among 1,029 registered voters between June 27 and 29, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

That margin looks much closer between Trump and Biden in FiveThirtyEights latest aggregate polling, with Trump ahead at 42% and Biden at 40%.

In the wake of the debate, pundits and newspaper editorial boards, from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to The New York Times, have called for Biden to step aside after what was called a disastrous debate due to his performance and age.

However, more polling suggests that even if Biden were swapped out with a different candidate at the Democratic National Convention, there would still be room for Trump to win in November.

Polling from Data For Progress suggests that if Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris ran against Trump, the former president would still have 48% of voters support. Biden and Harris both would have 45% of voters support in their respective polls against Trump.

Other Democratic leaders whose names have been floated as potential replacements were Biden to step out of the race, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, dont bode well for the party, according to the poll. Trump holds a similar advantage over them and other Democrats who could replace the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Following the debate, Data For Progress found that voters watched or read about the debate, on average, prefer Trumps performance. Among Democrats, 24% strongly approved of Bidens performance while 5% of independents strongly approved of how the president performed.

Trump saw strong approval of his debate performance among 22% of independents, while he saw 61% of strong approval from Republicans.

In the days after Thursdays debate, reports suggested that a meeting between Biden and his family could dictate the future of his campaign. Instead, the presidents family criticized his senior advisor, the presidents attorney and former chief of staff, according to Politico.

Biden will continue his run at the behest of First Lady Jill Biden and son Hunter Biden, the loudest voices urging the president to stay in the 2024 contest, Politico wrote.
UPDATE: Norfolk prosecutors to re-try Karen Read murder case, spokesperson says

A Norfolk County judge declared a mistrial on Monday afternoon after a jury could not come to a unanimous verdict in the murder trial of Karen Read, who was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe.

Norfolk prosecutors signaled their intent to pursue a retrial of Read in a statement issued by a district attorney spokesperson. Reads trial began with jury selection in April and ended Monday with a hung jury.

The jury is at an impasse, Presiding Judge Beverly Cannone told the court at about 2:35 p.m., the second time that the jury said they were deadlocked on Monday.

Despite our rigorous efforts, we continue to find ourselves at an impasse, the jurys note read.

The jury wrote that they were starkly divided and that some believed that the evidence surpassed the prosecutors burden of reasonable doubt, others on the jury found the evidence failed to meet the standard and does not sufficiently establish the necessary elements of the charges.

The deep division is not due to a lack of effort or diligence, but rather a sincere adherence to our individual principles and moral convictions, the jurors note read. To deliberate would be futile and only serve to force us to compromise these deeply held beliefs.

Cannone said she would not force jurors to compromise and declared a mistrial.

Your service is complete, Cannone told jurors.

Read and her attorneys David Yannetti and Alan Jackson turned around after the judges decision and hugged Reads family.

Norfolk prosecutors and Reads defense team will return to court on July 22 at 2 p.m. to decide on the next steps.

The jury wrote a note earlier on Monday morning informing the judge that fundamental differences between the 12 jurors prevented them from agreeing.

We find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and our state of mind, the jury note read. The divergence in our views are not rooted in our lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable.

Presiding Judge Beverly Cannone said shes never seen a note like this reporting to be at an impasse and read the jury an instruction known as a Tuey-Rodriguez charge to encourage jurors to continue their deliberations.

Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone is presiding over Karen Read's murder trial. (Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

The charge asks jurors to consider that no other jury would be assembled who are more intelligent, more impartial, or more competent to decide it than you are, or that more or clearer evidence will be produced on one side or the other.

On Friday, jurors told Cannone that after an exhaustive review of evidence, they were unable to break the deadlock.

The trial began with jury selection in mid-April and closing arguments took place last Tuesday.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.

The prosecution spent eight weeks arguing its case, calling on first responders from Canton and friends of OKeefe and Read who went out drinking together the night before OKeefes death in the early weeks of the trial.

Jurors heard from more than 60 of the prosecutions witnesses throughout May and June, but at every step, Reads defense team questioned their testimony and often sought to point out inconsistencies.

Since opening statements, Reads defense team criticized the investigation into OKeefes death.

Canton police testified about collecting blood samples in Solo cups at the scene during the second week of the trial.

Weeks later, text messages from Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor showed he blamed Read for OKeefes death within hours of starting his investigation and made lewd and dehumanizing comments about Reads appearance and medical conditions.

In the end, the defenses case lasted less than two full days. They called six witnesses in total, with two medical experts telling jurors that they believed OKeefes injuries were consistent with a dog attack and inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle.

The final two witnesses of the trial  a pair of accident reconstructionists hired by the Department of Justice for its independent investigation  put the largest dent in the states theory of the case.

The two expert witnesses testified that the damage to Reads vehicle was inconsistent with hitting a pedestrian and that OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Scientifically speaking, the two witnesses concluded, that the evidence did not support that Reads vehicle struck OKeefe.

During closing arguments, Reads attorney Alan Jackson asked jurors to do justice and find Read not guilty.

He told jurors they were lied to by investigators time and time again throughout the trial and presented the defense team as the ones delivering jurors the truth.

Norfolk prosecutor Adam Lally emphasized what investigators described as Reads motive, saying that the couple argued consistently in the weeks and months before OKeefes death and that his injuries were the result of Read backing her car into him.
Jurors returned on Monday in an attempt to reach a verdict in the murder trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged with the murder of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe.

The jury was sent out by Judge Beverly Cannone at 9 a.m. on Monday to resume deliberations.

The judge asked the jury the same three questions shes asked every day of the trial: did they refrain from discussing the case with anyone, refrain from independent research, and did anyone see or read anything about the case?

All jurors said they had not.

Supporters of Read, known as the Free Karen Read movement, continued to gather outside the courthouse, many of them dressed in pink.

It is the fifth day of deliberations since closing arguments last Tuesday. The jury has deliberated for nearly 20 hours since then and Friday they indicated to the judge in a written note that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Cannone found that more deliberations were needed and called for the jury to resume its work.

The length of the trial, the length of the deliberations ... we heard from 74 witnesses, there are 657 exhibits. Very complex issues in this case. Im not prepared to find that there have been due and thorough deliberations at this point, Cannone said.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of John OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.
With jurors at an impasse Monday morning for a second time in the murder trial of Karen Read, the likelihood of a hung jury or mistrial is now a distinct possibility, according to Northeastern University law professor Daniel Medwed.

Because now weve had two moments where the jury has come back and said that theyre at an impasse. The language of this (second) note, fundamental disagreement, suggests that people might be really entrenched in their views, Medwed said.

The note on Monday from the jury said they have found themselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and our state of mind.

The divergence in our views are not rooted in our lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable, the note said.

Judge Beverly Cannone read jurors an instruction, known as Tuey-Rodriguez instructions on Monday.

Medwed said the instructions are given when a jury isnt able to come to a verdict as a last ditch effort and is also usually a precursor to a hung jury.

When a judge feels as though a jury is genuinely deadlocked, Massachusetts allows the judge to issue a special instruction that sometimes is called a dynamite instruction. Its designed to unlock the deadlock, and it basically urges the jury to go back, really listen to the other side, be mindful of the fact that youre just as well positioned as any future jury would be to make this decision, Medwed said.

If jurors arent able to come to a verdict after instructions are given, the instruction can be given again, Medwed said.

At a certain point, the judge determines whether to give the instruction or declare a mistrial.

According to Medwed, there isnt a statute saying how many times instructions can be given. However, he said it can be seen as coercive to do it more than once.

If a mistrial is declared then jurors must be dismissed and it is up to the prosecution to determine whether to retry the case  which would involve a new jury.

The controversy with this type of jury instruction is that some people think its coercive. That youre basically pushing the jury to unlock. And that maybe some jurors will be swayed by the pressure to try to please the judge. So some states dont even have this type of instruction, Medwed said.

Medwed said this type of instruction has been in Massachusetts since 1851 and it was amended in 1973.

Attorney David Yannetti, who is representing Read, said on Friday that jurors should be allowed to end their deliberations and be read the instructions.

He pointed to the word exhaustive in the jurys note which said that the jury hadnt come to a unanimous verdict after their exhaustive review of the evidence and our diligent consideration of all disputed evidence.

The word exhaustive is the word thats prominent here. Theyre communicating to the court that they exhausted all manner of compromise, all manner of persuasion and theyre at an impasse, Yanetti said.

Theyve only really asked one question  which was to try to get a report that they werent able to get. And I think the message has been received that the evidence is closed and they wont be getting anything more. Theyve been working essentially non-stop over the last three, four days, Yanetti later added.

Jurors have spent more than 20 hours discussing the case since closing arguments on Tuesday.

Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorney, Yannetti, said during the trials opening statements that her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death.
A Massachusetts man is facing multiple charges, including intimidation of a witness, after stealing a moped, threatening the owner and pushing an officer, the Boston Police Department said.

The suspect, Micheal Williams, 38, of Dorchester had three active warrants before he was arrested on Saturday, June 29, authorities said in a press release.

Officers responded to a report of a person with a knife on Warren Street in Roxbury, around 4:37 p.m. on June 29, according to a release. A man told officers his moped was stolen and he was able to track its location.

Read more: Mashpee man pleads guilty to artificially inflating Getty Images stock price

Police were told that when the owner tried to take the moped back, a man threatened him with a knife.

Williams was found sleeping in a box truck where authorities told him to exit the vehicle, police said. Williams pushed one of the officers before being arrested, according to the release. Police were able to confiscate the knife.

Williams was arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, receiving stolen property over $1,200, and intimidation of a witness, according to a release.
A Hyde Park man was found dangerous and held on $10,000 bail after more than 100 rounds of ammunition and drugs were found in his car, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Haydens office announced.

Arn Jones, 46, was charged on June 25 with distributing a class B substance, possession to distribute a class A, D, and B substance (subsequent offense), carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license (second offense), carrying a loaded firearm without a license, two counts of possession of ammunition without an FID card (subsequent offense), four counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device and a firearm violation with three prior violent or drug crimes.

In Boston Municipal Court in Roxbury, Judge David Poole found Jones dangerous and ordered him held on $10,000 and home confinement with GPS monitoring if released, Haydens office said.

Jones is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause hearing on July 29.

On June 24, officers with the Boston Police Departments Drug Control Unit were on patrol in the area of Gerard and Island streets, Haydens office said. They saw a drug purchase between Jones and another person.

Police intercepted and recovered 38 plastic bags of cocaine, three bags of fentanyl, cannabis and $233 in cash from Jones, the district attorneys office said. Officers then seized Jones car as part of an ongoing investigation. They found a loaded Glock firearm with one round in the chamber and five in the magazine, two large-capacity feeding devices with eight rounds each, an ammunition box containing 40 rounds, and a clear plastic bag containing 22 rounds.

A safe found in the trunk contained two more large-capacity feeding devices, one loaded with 31 rounds and the other loaded with 28 rounds, Haydens office said. Inside Jones car, a knife, a gun holster, a handcuff holster, two laser sights, 12 grams of cocaine, eight glass jars and four plastic bags of marijuana and $275 in cash were also found.

This much ammunition and this many large-capacity magazines presented an imminent threat to our neighborhoods, Hayden said in the statement. Getting them off the street increased our collective safety in an instant. This is the type of urban weaponry police encounter all too often. Police and prosecutors will take a responsible approach on this case, as with all similar cases, but the larger answer rests with fashioning an effective national approach to illegal firearms.
A Massachusetts resident nearly lost $21,000 after they were told it was needed to reclaim their account, the Blackstone Police Department said.

The person got a message on their tablet stating they needed to call customer support. While on the phone with what they believed was customer support, they were told their account was compromised and that they needed to take out as much money as possible to reclaim their account, police said.

The person on the phone then told him to meet with a special agent to pay the money, police said.

They set up the time and removed about $21,000 from their account.

But the Massachusetts resident began to have second thoughts and called police around 7:52 a.m. Friday.

The police department set up surveillance where the resident and caller were scheduled to meet. They then arrested a 37-year-old man, police said, adding that the Massachusetts resident didnt lose any of their money.

Police did not release the 37-year-olds name.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime to wit larceny by false pretense, attempt to commit a crime to wit larceny by false pretense, attempt to commit crime to wit larceny from a person, attempt to commit a crime to wit elder abuse by financial exploitation.

The 37-year-old is expected to be arraigned in Uxbridge District Court on Monday.
Only minutes after a judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Mansfield woman Karen Read, the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office of Michael Morrissey announced they intend to re-try the case.

Presiding Judge Beverly Cannone announced Monday afternoon that the jury had sent a second note stating that they continued to be at an impasse and that jurors were starkly divided.

While Reads supporters celebrated the decision and defense attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti hugged Reads father after the hung jury, the Norfolk district attorneys office issued a statement.

"First, we thank the OKeefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case  to find justice for John OKeefe, spokesperson David Traub wrote. The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.

Norfolk prosecutors and Reads defense team will return to court on July 22 at 2 p.m. to decide on the next steps.
The murder trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, ended in a mistrial Monday after five days of deliberations. But, Norfolk County prosecutors say they intend to retry Read.

A spokesman for the district attorneys office said Monday afternoon that Judge Beverly Cannone could set a new trial date as soon as a status conference scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, July 22.

If a retrial is ordered, it must begin within a year of that date, explained David Traub, the Norfolk District Attorneys spokesman, citing Rule 36D of the Rules of Criminal Procedure in Massachusetts. Traub also explained that in a new trial, there would be no blanket exclusion of new or different evidence.

Dan Conley, a former Suffolk district attorney who is now a partner at Mintz, said he feels it would not be unreasonable for Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrisseys office to retry Read.

Read more: Judge declares mistrial in Karen Read murder trial

Conley said one of the key factors influencing his decision on whether to do so would be the jury split, adding he expects jurors in this case will speak publicly about their reasoning for believing Read was guilty or innocent.

The jurys members remained unknown as of Monday evening, and a clerk at the Dedham courthouse where Read was on trial said a list of jurors would not be made available because the case ended in a mistrial.

But, Conley said there is a chance prosecutors change their mind  particularly with regard to the exact charges they bring against Read, who was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death.

A lot of thats going to probably play out in the next several months, Conley said in an interview Monday evening.

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone hears from Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally, standing right, and defense attorney David Yannetti, at Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham on July 1, 2024. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)(Photo by Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)

Maureen Boyle, a professor at Stonehill College and a veteran crime reporter, said she believed Read was overcharged.

The facts dont substantiate the second-degree murder charge brought against Read, Boyle said.

Ahead of the status conference later this month, its up to the district attorneys office to determine if it still has a good faith belief that the evidence can convince a jury that Read killed OKeefe.

Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern University, said mistrials are pretty rare and it is natural for the prosecution to vow to retry the defendant, especially if they feel as though justice wasnt served.

Once some of the emotions recede and time passes, then the key issue is theyll have to look in the mirror and say, Hey, is this a wise use of our resources? What would we do differently to secure a conviction? Do we honestly think that the result the next time around could be different? Medwed said.

Medwed said that prosecutors could continue to investigate the case and find new evidence in addition to doing an exhaustive review of the evidence presented at trial.

I think their reaction today, we should take it with a little bit of grain of salt because its a natural reaction after an event like this. But well really have to see over time whether they sing that same tune, Medwed said.

As for the exact timing of Reads new trial, Conley said a number of factors would influence when it would begin, including whether Judge Beverly Cannone presses for a speedy retrial and if Reads defense attorneys ask for an extension of time.

The Commonwealth is under an obligation to move forward expeditiously, Medwed said. But oftentimes its the defense who says slow it down a little bit here.

Read more: Read what jurors wrote that led to a mistrial in the Karen Read murder trial

Cannone declared the mistrial the third time jurors sent her a note telling her they were at an impasse. Each of the previous two times, she sent them back to deliberations, though the second time she did so after reading what is known as Tuey-Rodriguez instruction, often seen as a last resort when jurors are stuck, according to Medwed.

In their final note Monday, jurors said some felt prosecutors had met their burden to prove Reads guilt beyond a reasonable doubt while others felt they had not. Cannone told jurors they were dismissed of their service, which spanned 29 days of testimony and five days of deliberations.

Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of John OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.
Jurors are at an impasse Monday morning for the second time in the murder trial of Karen Read.

However, unlike Friday  when Judge Beverly Cannone asked jurors to go back to deliberations after taking a lunch break  she read jurors Tuey-Rodriguez instructions.

Tuey-Rodriguez instructions are given when a jury isnt able to come to a verdict as a last-ditch effort and is also usually a precursor to a hung jury, according to Northeastern law professor Daniel Medwed.

When a judge feels as though a jury is genuinely deadlocked, Massachusetts allows the judge to issue a special instruction that sometimes is called a dynamite instruction. Its designed to unlock the deadlock, and it basically urges the jury to go back, really listen to the other side, be mindful of the fact that youre just as well positioned as any future jury would be to make this decision, Medwed said.

If jurors arent able to come to a verdict after instructions are given, the instructions can be given again, Medwed said.

At a certain point, the judge determines whether to give the instruction or declare a mistrial.

According to Medwed, there isnt a statute saying how many times instructions can be given. However, he said it can be seen as coercive to do it more than once.

The controversy with this type of jury instruction is that some people think its coercive. That youre basically pushing the jury to unlock. And that maybe some jurors will be swayed by the pressure to try to please the judge. So some states dont even have this type of instruction, Medwed said.

If a mistrial is declared, jurors must be dismissed and it is up to the prosecution to determine whether to retry the case  which would require a new jury.

Medwed said Tuey-Rodriguez-type instructions have been in Massachusetts since 1851 and it was amended in 1973.

The instructions increase the likelihood of a hung jury or mistrial, Medwed said.

Because now weve had two moments where the jury has come back and said that theyre at an impasse. The language of this (second) note, fundamental disagreement, suggests that people might be really entrenched in their views, Medwed said.

The note on Monday from the jury said they have found themselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and our state of mind.

The divergence in our views are not rooted in our lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable, the note said.

Attorney David Yannetti, who is representing Read, said on Friday that jurors should be allowed to end their deliberations and be read the instructions.

He pointed to the word exhaustive in the jurys note, which said that the jury hadnt come to a unanimous verdict after their exhaustive review of the evidence and our diligent consideration of all disputed evidence.

The word exhaustive is the word thats prominent here. Theyre communicating to the court that they exhausted all manner of compromise, all manner of persuasion and theyre at an impasse, Yannetti said.

Theyve only really asked one question  which was to try to get a report that they werent able to get. And I think the message has been received that the evidence is closed and they wont be getting anything more. Theyve been working essentially non-stop over the last three, four days, Yannetti later added.

Jurors have spent more than 20 hours discussing the case since closing arguments on Tuesday.

Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorney, Yannetti, said during the trials opening statements that her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death.
SPRINGFELD  City Councilors are urging the state to do a better job maintaining their property around the city, pointing out overground brush, trees blocking an on-ramp sign and a badly rusted bridge.

The Plainfield Street Bridge on Route 20 serves as an entrance to the city, said City Councilor Sean Curran, but it is rusted, sprayed with graffiti and just plain ugly. He said its an example of how the state Department of Transportation needs to make regular improvements to its property in Western Massachusetts.
WESTFIELD  Greater Westfield residents and officials had mixed opinions on Jupiter Powers proposed North Side battery bank.

I agree 100% with renewable energy, but I just dont think thats the right site for a storage facility, said Montgomery resident Nancy Skowyra at a June 26 open house hosted by the company at the Elks Lodge in Westfield.
TABS International will host a fundraiser in Mayo this weekend.

The charity is raising funds for eight locals who will climb Mount Kenya this August, with an end goal of building a secondary school in a Kenyan slum.

The UK-based charity, founded by the mother of Mayo resident Ellen Sanders, will present a music session this Saturday, July 6, at The Clock Tavern in Westport.

Kicking off at 5pm with African drumming, the stage will be open to all between 6 and 8pm.

The music night takes place this weekend

Supporting a school in a slum called Kiandutu on the outskirts of Thika, Ms Sanders described the families and children they work with to The Mayo News as the poorest of the poor.

Already providing primary education to 500 Kenyan students, as well as feeding them, without the charity, these children would not have access to education.

If we weren't in there delivering our project, those children just wouldn't be going to school. So that's 500 plus children that wouldn't be at school, wouldn't be eating a regular meal, so we're talking about real basic needs being met, said Ms Sanders.

Donations on the night can be made with cash or via GoFundMe.

If everybody just did a little something positive, I think for you personally, you feel better. You don't feel so overwhelmed about how difficult things are in the world, but every single cent helps, explained Ms Sanders.

It really does make a difference, the money goes very far in Kenya, as well as it does in other Third World countries, what we think is of a little bit can be a really massive support and help over there, she concluded.

For more information, see TABS Internationals Facebook page.
Mayo County Council are delighted to announce that it has been selected as one of 20 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for 2024-2025.

This prestigious designation recognises Mayo County Councils commitment to achieving a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all.

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly welcomed the announcement, and said they were delighted to be chosen.

Becoming an SDG Champion reflects Mayo County Council's aspiration to be a leader in sustainable development and is central to making Mayo, sustainable, inclusive, prosperous, and proud for current and future generations, he added.

The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, are a set of 17 interconnected objectives adopted by the United Nations in 2015. They aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.

Mayo County Council has a commitment to the sustainable development of Mayo and as an SDG Champion, will act to advocate, incorporate, and promote the Sustainable Development Goals into our work both internally and externally.

Launch of the SDG Champions Programme 2024-2025

Mr Kelly continued: We are excited to work collaboratively with our staff and the wider community to advance the SDGs. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for Mayo.

The SDG Champions programme is run by the Department of the Environment, Climate and

Communications. Announcing the 20 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions

selected for 2024-2025.

Minister Eamon Ryan explained that over 90 organisations applied to take part in the programme this year, and said this demonstrates the growing commitment of Irish society to live up to and promote their goals, naming equality, access to basic rights and climate justice as a few.

Sometimes, international goals can seem daunting or removed from our everyday experiences. However, international goals come down to improving peoples lives and outcomes locally. The SDG Champions through their work help show that the SDGs belong to everyone, in every community, in every country across the world and that everyone can play a role, concluded Minister Ryan.

For more information, see the councils website.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, June 28, 2024

The IAB Tech Labs Privacy Sandbox Task Force issued its final report of the Fit Gap Analysis, and its conclusions were no more reassuring for the digital media industry or Google than when it released its report in February.

The task force assembled to analyze the implementation still believe that Privacy Sandbox will restrict the digital media industry's ability to deliver relevant, effective advertising, placing smaller media companies and brands at significant risk. The lack of functionality will throttle their ability to compete, ultimately impacting the industrys growth.

Anthony Katsur, CEO of IAB Tech Lab, in January called the endeavor a massive sea-change, and a radical departure from the past three decades in the way the media industry serves and targets advertisements to consumers.

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All this as Emarketer estimates global digital ad spend will reach $767.12 billion next year.

The Fit Gap analysis originally opened for public comment in February 6, 2024 and closed March 22, 2024. The changes were documented.

We are encouraged that the Tech Lab is turning its Privacy Sandbox focus toward discussing new capabilities and sharing integration guidance with the industry, with input from Chrome, said a Google spokesperson. The Chrome team remains committed to its goal of collaborating with the industry, including many IAB and Tech Lab members, who are working to create innovative solutions using the building blocks provided by Privacy Sandbox."

The Google spokesperson said companies are building with Privacy Sandbox and other privacy technologies, but its not possible to predict publisher performance based on effectiveness of one buying platform, as publishers typically work with dozens of demand sources.

We expect performance numbers to evolve, and they currently dont reflect how the overall ecosystem will perform in a true marketplace - which wont exist until adoption expands alongside third-party cookieless traffic, the spokesperson said.

Criteo CPO Todd Parsons in a blog post shared details on the testing results and recommendations.

We believe the Privacy Sandbox has the potential to be a sustainable alternative to third-party cookies, provided our requests are satisfied, a disciplined rollout schedule is maintained, and a clear roadmap is provided, he wrote, saying that the company remains committed to continue helping Google close the gaps.

Criteos Privacy Sandbox Market Testing, the basis for the company's final report to the CMA, was conducted over eight consecutive weeks between March 18, and May 12. Prior to testing, Criteo adapted its entire advertising infrastructure to operate in this new environment, which enabled analysts to understand the impact to publisher ad revenue if third-party cookies were deprecated today.

Three groups were tested, and the company highlights four key findings:

If third-party cookies were deprecated today and the Privacy Sandbox released in its current state, Criteo expects publisher revenue to decrease by an average of 60% for those that have fully integrated the Privacy Sandbox. Publisher adoption overall remains below 55%.

The current version of the Privacy Sandbox also creates an advantage for Google's advertising business. Testing showed that Google Ad Manager (GAM) captured the majority of spend in the treatment population, an increase in market share of 360%: from 23% to 83%. This demonstrates a significant increase in publisher reliance on Google for ad revenue.

Criteo observed a median increase of more than 100% latency in publisher ad rendering on Privacy Sandbox traffic. Latency negatively impacts consumer experience due to long page load times. Publisher revenue is likewise impacted due to degraded viewability, click-through rates and price per ad slot.

Results from various industry participants may vary as testing methodologies differ between companies. Criteo also identified four potential biases that, if not mitigated, may distort test results to erroneously show more favorable performance of the Privacy Sandbox.

Complications have repeatedly delayed Google's industrywide rollouts, despite the company providing tools such as Topics, which assigns an interest group to individuals without identifying them, and sidetracking the implementation to 1% of Chrome users globally.

U.K. regulators also had warned not to implement the tools until anticompetitive concerns have been resolved.

Privacy Sandbox also provides a way for consumers to opt-out similar to what Apple developed for iOS.

In April, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority released its quarterly report on Privacy Sandbox, detailing further information about Google's plans for third-party cookie deprecation.

It detailed many issues in the 99-page report, listing about 80 issues that it believes must be resolved.

Most were technical, and involve functions of specific Sandbox APIs and how Google had planned to reduce its competitive advantage based on its processes and platforms. Around that time, Google had announced another delay. The timeline has changed many times.

The IAB Tech Lab working group's report and full analysis states that while the Privacy Sandbox removes many Chrome and Android features which have been leveraged by publishers and advertisers to build a thriving content monetization ecosystem, it introduces a new set of features aimed to fill the gap in functionality that could create new challenges.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, June 28, 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday issued an opinion that poses a threat to a broad array of federal regulations, including the Federal Communications Commission's recently passed net neutrality rules.

The 6-3 decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, overturned a 40-year-old precedent that broadly required judges to defer to federal agencies' reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes.

That principle, known as Chevron deference, conflicts with the federal Administrative Procedures Act (which governs federal agencies' rulemaking procedures), according to Roberts.

Chevron is overruled, he wrote. Courts must exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority.

The ruling will affect regulations on matters as diverse as food safety, labor, the environment and broadband access.

From this day forward, no consumer protection is safe, Harold Feld, senior vice president at the watchdog Public Knowledge stated Friday.

Even if Congress can write with such specificity that a court cannot dispute its plain meaning, Congress will need to change the law for every new technology and every change in business practice, he added.

Broadband organizations that are suing over net neutrality regulations will almost certainly argue that Friday's decision weighs heavily against the new rules. Those regulations -- first passed during the Obama administration, repealed during the Trump era, and then passed again this year -- reclassified broadband as a telecommunications service and imposed bans on blocking or throttling content, and charging higher fees for prioritized delivery.

In the past, the Supreme Court relied on Chevron deference to uphold a Republican-led FCC's decision to classify broadband as an information service; that categorization meant broadband carriers didn't have to follow the same common carrier rules that prohibit telephone companies from blocking calls based on content.

The FCC's decision was challenged in court, and in 2005 the Supreme Court upheld the agency's move by a 6-3 vote.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority that the decision in Chevron requires a federal court to accept the agencys construction of the statute, even if the agencys reading differs from what the court believes is the best statutory interpretation.

Justice Antonin Scalia authored a dissent in that case, writing that the FCC's interpretation of the Telecommunications Act was implausible.

Now that the Supreme Court has scrapped Chevron, judges who are tasked with deciding the validity of the net neutrality rules won't be able to defer to the agency's expertise. While the FCC could still ultimately convince judges to uphold those rules, doing so could prove more difficult without Chevron.
by Ray Schultz , June 30, 2024

Former British prime minister Gordon Brown is demanding that the police investigate the conduct of Will Lewis, now the CEO of The Washington Post, during his tenure at Rupert Murdochs News International.

Brown also insisted Lewiss then boss, Rebekah Brooks, be investigated.

Rebekah Brooks and William Lewis were involved in the destruction of millions of emails vital to the criminal investigation into phone hacking, said Brown, according to a candid story in The Washington Post.

In addition, Brown charged that Murdoch executives who were handling the cleanup, may have instead been engaged in a coverup.

In response, Murdochs company, News UK, accused Brown of relying on a one-sided and incomplete picture of the evidence and of having enmity toward the company.

However, the revelations have put Lewiss behavior more into the light and observers wonder if this will impact his position at the Post.

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Brown himself was a victim of the alleged hacking operation.

The Post story continues that Patty Stonesifer, the former interim publisher and an adviser to Post owner Jeff Bezos, claimed that she and a search firm completed a detailed review of Wills career, background and references.

The result: I can assure you of our deep consideration and complete alignment on Wills leadership, Stonesifer said, according to the Post.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 1, 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to definitively rule on First Amendment challenges to sweeping Florida and Texas laws that restrict tech companies' ability to moderate content.

Instead, the court vacated rulings that had been issued in 2022 by the 11th Circuit (which blocked the bulk of Florida's law as unconstitutional) and the 5th Circuit (which upheld the Texas law) and returned both cases to the lower court judges so they could more completely evaluate the state laws.

Justice Elena Kagan, who authored the majority opinion, essentially said the cases reached the Supreme Court prematurely because lower court judges blocked the statutes without establishing their full scope.

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But Kagan also emphasized in the opinion that social media platforms have First Amendment rights to wield control over content on their platforms.

The First Amendment does not go on leave when social media are involved, Kagan wrote.

This Court has many times held, in many contexts, that it is no job for government to decide what counts as the right balance of private expression -- to 'un-bias' what it thinks biased, rather than to leave such judgments to speakers and their audiences, she wrote. That principle works for social-media platforms as it does for others.

The statutes in Florida and Texas broadly prohibited tech companies from suppressing speech in certain circumstances. In both cases, the measures were championed by Republican lawmakers who claimed that tech companies were disproportionately quashing conservative ideas.

Among other provisions, the Florida law subjects social media companies to fines of $250,000 per day for deplatforming candidates for statewide office, and $25,000 per day for other offices. (The bill defines deplatforming as suspending for more than 14 days or banning.) It also bans large social media platforms from suppressing posts by journalistic enterprises based on content.

The Texas measure includes provisions prohibiting social media platforms with at least 50 million users from removing or suppressing lawful posts based on viewpoint.

NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association challenged both laws, arguing that private companies have the right to decide what speech to carry -- including the right to suppress objectionable content, such as posts by anti-vaxxers, or posts advocating racism.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau backed the challenge, arguing that businesses don't want to advertise next to offensive posts.

At oral arguments in February, some judges questioned the scope of the laws -- including whether they could apply to a broader range of services than social media. For instance, some of the judges questioned whether the Florida law would apply to services beyond social networking -- like Gmail or Uber.

U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who argued that the laws should be blocked, acknowledged that the Florida's law sweep was unclear.

We think there's a lot of ambiguity about what the state law requires, Prelogar said.

Kagan noted those ambiguities in her opinion, writing that the first step in analyzing the laws is to evaluate their scope -- including whether they would apply to direct messaging, reviews on Etsy or payment platforms like Venmo. The next step, she wrote, is to figure out which of the law's applications would violate the First Amendment.

The parties have not briefed the critical issues here, and the record is underdeveloped, she wrote, adding that the court was returning both cases to the lower courts so they could consider the scope of the laws applications, and weigh the unconstitutional as against the constitutional ones.

Even though the ultimate ruling wasn't definitive, digital rights groups that opposed the Texas and Florida laws praised the language in Kagan's opinion.

I would have preferred to see the court strike down the Florida and Texas laws outright, but the principles that Justice Kagan outlined are a win for free expression, Kate Ruane, director of the Center for Democracy & Technology's Free Expression Project, said Monday.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 1, 2024

Temu has made inroads into the United States in less than two years, but some believe the Chinese ecommerce company is a bigger threat to U.S. consumers than ByteDances subsidiary TikTok.

Chinas ecommerce upstart Temu now attracts more repeat shoppers than eBay, Bloomberg reports.

Amazon has stepped up plans to launch a discount shopping section on its site to appeal to mainland Chinese suppliers.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin last week made claims about Temus app, accusing the company in a lawsuit of violating state law against deceptive trade practices.

Though it is known as an ecommerce platform, Temu is functionally malware and spyware, Griffin wrote in a news release posted to the AG Arkansass website. It is purposefully designed to gain unrestricted access to a users phone operating system. It can override data privacy settings on users devices, and it monetizes this unauthorized collection of data.

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A Temu spokesperson said "we are surprised and disappointed by the Arkansas Attorney General's Office for filing the lawsuit without any independent fact-finding. The allegations in the lawsuit are based on misinformation circulated online, primarily from a short-seller, and are totally unfounded."

Other analysts agree with the AG in Arkansas. Temus sister company is PDD or Pinduoduo, a Chinese social ecommerce company founded in 2015.

It has a business model based on advertising revenue, and differentiates itself from competitors by taking a smaller cut of each sale and outsourcing fulfillment to express delivery companies.

Even in September 2023, analysts threw up a red flag saying that Temu displays the aggressive characteristics of an app that downloads malware and spyware.

We engaged numerous independent data security experts to decompile and analyze Temu apps code, integrated with experts of our own staff, and analysts who have written independently in the public domain, Grizzly Research reported. Contributing to the danger of mass data exfiltration is the fast uptake rate of the Temu app: over 100 million app downloads in the last 9 months, all in U.S. and Europe.

A Temu spokesperson said Grizzly's allegations in the report are completely baseless and issued by a "small short-selling firm with a poor track record." The spokesperson said report was published with the intent to create panic and to drive down stock prices, enabling the firm to profit from short-selling decisions.

Temu is not the only alleged trojan horse allegedly sent from China, but advertisers and influencers seem to have set aside concerns that TikTok and its parent company pose a national security threat to U.S. user data.

"Ive been thinking about how brands and creators would adapt to a missing platform, Amrapali Gan, the founder of Hoxton agency and former CEO of OnlyFans. If you remember Vine, when that folded communities of creators actually came together and started taking similar content and putting it on other platforms.

There is no shortage of TikTok alternatives, its really about what platform is going to be the most authentic for the creators, she said, adding that newer platforms will find these opportunities tailored to niche audiences.

Others also agree that TikTok alternatives will fill the gap for creators and businesses if the U.S. government bans the platform.

Marty Weintraub, founder of Aimclear -- an agency focused on search and social media -- says the agency takes two views. Although he says channels come and go -- and has asked the same question each time a channel crashes, such as MySpace, Digg, StumbleUpon, and Flickr -- he says audiences will go somewhere. Agencies and brands will find them.

Social channel users are like balloons, Weintraub says. Squeeze them, let out the air, and they will go somewhere. What makes this situation unique --theres a possibility that a channel burning strong could be shut down while still jamming. Sort of like a car crash and airbag deployment.

And then theres the popular revolt that will take place among TikTok users will become as important to follow than the shutdown itself.

A forced TikTok sale in January 2025 initially caused some concern, but brands agencies seem more optimistic that everything will work out.

The spend on TikTok that were seeing lately from clients has risen a couple of percentage points, says Simon Poulton, executive vice president of Innovation at the independent large agency Tinuiti. Year-over-year, however, its up 50%.

Poulton says TikTok has diversified and that successful brands see advancements coming mostly from Search Ads and its ecommerce site TikTok Shop.

Those new opportunities have dominated discussions, Poulton says. The platform has moved from being a social platform or social graph.

Gen Z is coming to TikTok to search, he said. Now with commerce, they drive transactions within their walls.

Despite concerns over Chinas growing U.S. presence -- from collecting U.S. consumer data and being the first to mine minerals on the dark side of the moon to buying farmland in the U.S. -- Poulton finds it difficult to believe the U.S. government will ban the platform.

Oracle in 2020 confirmed a deal with TikTok to house its data, and then in June 2022 became TikToks data center for all new U.S. user data.

Discussions took more than a year to solidify, but it seemed to have only temporarily solved security and regulatory concerns about data integrity and the Chinese government.

It would require a lot of untangling, he said. For one reason, there are so many jobs tied to the company.

An Oxford Economics study underwritten by TikTok and released in March estimates the company is tied to 224,000 American jobs and 7,000 small businesses, contributing more than $24 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2023.

Some creators on TikToks platform are looking to expand their presence -- realizing they need to expand to other platforms beyond TikTok such as YouTube and Meta.

Poulton says Meta had made major investments in its algorithm to support optimization and content recommendations tied to AI, with the intent of taking market share from TikTok.

Colin Kirkland contributed to this story.

Update: The article was updated with comments from a Temu spokesperson.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 1, 2024

Boston-based Hill Holliday has been selected by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as its new ad agency.

The agency is tasked with developing and implementing a new marketing campaign called Made Possible.

advertisement advertisement The campaign will be designed to showcase tourist attractions and also pitch the state as a great place to live, work and raise a family.

The campaign builds off of the administrations Massachusetts For Us All" campaign, which ran in the summer of 2023. The new effort will also showcase investments the state is making in arts, culture and tourism.

Our state is full of go-getters and change-makers, each with an amazing story to tell and invaluable contributions to make in our diverse communities, said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. Everyone is welcome here, and we proudly showcase this on a global scale. The Made Possible campaign will engage a new generation of travelers and future residents and demonstrate that anything is possible here in Massachusetts.

The campaign will emphasize digital and social engagement and aim to increase tourism to Massachusetts many historic, cultural, and natural destinations, including Boston, Berkshires, Provincetown and Plymouth.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed the NDA governments commitment to enhancing the countrys health infrastructure ().The PM said this while extending greetings on National Doctors Day.The PM posted on X, "Greetings on #DoctorsDay. This is a day to honour the incredible dedication and compassion of our healthcare heroes. They can navigate the most challenging complexities with remarkable skill. Our Government is fully committed to improving the health infrastructure in India and ensuring doctors get the widespread respect they deserve."Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda said the doctors continue to inspire people with their expertise and humanitarian spirit and called them saviours."Heartiest greetings to all doctors on National Doctors Day. It wont be wrong to say that doctors are truly a reincarnation of God. Countless times, doctors have emerged as life saviors. The world has witnessed the caliber and excellence of Indian doctors and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic . I extend my best wishes to all the doctors, who continue to inspire us with their expertise and humanitarian spirit."The tradition of National Doctors Day in India began on this day in 1991 in honour of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a distinguished physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.Source-IANS
The emphasis placed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on supporting Greek language learning and promoting Greek culture internationally was underlined by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Kotsiras, in his address delivered yesterday, Thursday, at the opening of the conference on "Modern Greek language teaching in universities abroad: challenges and perspectives". The Modern Greek Language Teaching Center of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the European Society of Modern Greek Studies are organizing the conference in Athens.



As Mr. Kotsiras noted, "our starting point is the Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad and the Strategic Plan for Public Diplomacy, two plans with a four-year horizon, the key pillars of which include, inter alia, the promotion of the Greek language and history, as well as the promotion of the country's cultural capital, with emphasis on the use of new technological tools".



In this regard, the Deputy Minister pointed out recent actions including the upgrade of the Greek language teaching platform staellinika.com and the cooperation with Study in Greece agency, which aim to strengthen Greece's presence in the international academic scene and provide opportunities for foreign and Greek Diaspora students to gain a deeper understanding of our language, history, and culture. Mr. Kotsiras made special reference to the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Athens. The Deputy Minister emphasized the "crucial role" played by the University of Athens in promoting the Greek language, which is a "constituent and existential component for the entire Hellenism".




Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, will be the keynote speaker at the event titled "Geopolitical Conflicts: What are the preconditions for sustainable peace?" of the 28th Annual Economist Government Roundtable to be held tomorrow, Tuesday, 2 July, at 1:00 pm.
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of Foreign Ministry's ST2 Directorate for Telecommunications and Information Technologies
Histon Sweet Spreads Ltd (part of the Hain Daniels Group) produces some of the countrys best known preserve brands, including such staples of the British breakfast table as Robertsons Golden Shred marmalade and Hartleys jam.

The companys production facility in Cambridgeshire is in operation 24/7 and some one million cases  or 1500 tonnes  of product is manufactured at the site each and every week.

With residential property bordering the busy operation Histon Sweet Spreads go to great lengths to minimise the amount of noise generated by arriving and departing delivery vehicles and other essential activities that might disturb or disrupt their neighbours.

A certain amount of noise from commercial or industrial premises is to be expected but we have always been very aware of the fact that excessive or unreasonable sound could constitute a problem for the people that live in the houses nearby, especially if the noise continues through the night, explains Danny Ivatt, Histon Sweet Spreads Site Services and FLT Supervisor.

When a resident of one of the domestic properties that adjoin the production sites boundary drew Histons attention to the noise created by a lift truck that uses an unmade road to shuttle between different areas of the site, Histon Sweet Spreads immediately set about finding a way to nullify the problem.

The company consulted its long-term materials handling equipment provider Toyota Material Handling (UK) for a solution.

Studies undertaken by Toyota highlighted that it took the lift truck six minutes to cover the distance between the sites jelly line and the finished goods warehouse. Once a pallet of jelly had been deposited within the finished goods store, the forklift made the return journey  which involved another six minutes of travel time.

With loads coming off of the jelly line at a rate of 5 or 6 per hour the lift trucks 12 minute return trip to the storage unit and back via the rough surface of the road often meant the truck operator was up against the clock.

Toyota recommended replacing the forklift with a tow tractor. Because a tow tractor fitted with a trailer allows several loads to be transported by one vehicle, the number of journeys between the jelly line and the finished goods store has been cut to one every hour, instead of the five or six 12 minute forklift trips that had previously been necessary.

Furthermore, an immediate noise reduction dividend comes courtesy of the elimination of the sound produced when the forklifts mast is raised or lowered, due to the simple fact that a tow tractor doesnt have a mast!

The tow tractor supplied is a Simai 4-wheel sit-in model with an 8-tonne capacity. The electric-powered machines robust design is better suited to the terrain of the unmade link road than the fork truck, which means Histons monthly service costs have been reduced.

And, because the tow tractor is only required to make one return trip per hour, it is also being used to manage the movement of waste and empty raw material barrels around the site. This has allowed Histon to cut the number of hours each of the six trucks in its gas-powered counterbalanced forklift fleet has to work in and around the yard area - further reducing noise pollution.

Toyota report that, driven by changing manufacturing trends, sales of tow tractors are increasing across its business.

Many manufacturing companies are reconfiguring their internal logistics systems to maximise efficiency of lineside parts delivery processes, says Toyota Material Handling Senior Sales Executive, Ronnie Finney.

He continues: In a lot of cases, manufacturers are adopting the milk run principle as the most efficient way of getting parts to the production line. This involves delivery of parts on a defined route around the factory, often to a set timetable.

In simple terms, tow tractors leave the warehouse with a full load of parts. They drop off a full SKU of parts at the production line and take-away an empty SKU for replenishment. This system was first used in the automotive sector but is being adopted by smaller companies across a range of industries as the scheduled parts delivery service approach gives greater structure to the production process.
China presents "pockets of opportunities" for PepsiCo's growth, as the US multinational food and beverages company has been stepping up investments in the domestic market, a top executive said on Thursday. Anne Tse, CEO of PepsiCo Greater China Region and chief consumer officer of PepsiCo Asia-Pacific, said China is one of the most important markets for PepsiCo, as proven over the past few years, and is also one of fastest growing markets globally. "It is also a market that, because of its dynamic nature, has proven itself to be a source of inspiration for a lot of innovations, which present pockets of opportunities for multinationals like PepsiCo," Tse said in an exclusive interview with China Daily during the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, that concluded in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on Thursday. Amid a global economic slowdown, Tse said the company still sees China as a huge, single market that is highly unified, and the company "remains committed" to the Chinese market. "The temporary economic cycle that we are facing won't change the company's confidence and commitment here. Instead, we have accelerated our growth pace in the past couple of years in China," she noted. Tse said that over the past five years, PepsiCo has stepped up investments in the Chinese market, "with a record of five new plants over five years". Earlier this month, the US food and beverages giant broke ground on its first food production base in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, with a projected total investment of $180 million. It is also PepsiCo's 10th food plant in China. The facility is designed to meet international "net-zero emission "standards and is expected to begin trial operations in September 2025, with an anticipated production capacity of around 25,000 metric tons to cater to growing market demand in Northwest China. "Not only that, we are investing behind the brands, including our capability in consumer insights, research and development, and talent to really drive product and brand experience here in China," she added. As for opportunities, Tse said that the silver economy is pronounced in China, which represents a huge market for multinational firms. Currently, China's demographic development has entered a "new normal" of moderate population aging. According to data from the United Nations, the proportion of Chinese people aged 65 and above will reach 21 percent by 2034. She added that the rate at which the silver economy group will get into the market and their needs will be very different in China than their counterparts in other markets. "So, these pockets of opportunities in China are waiting to be disrupted and waiting to be innovative, which will naturally present opportunities for companies like us to better develop ourselves," she said.
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...
A two-star Air Force general has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a subordinate officer by a court-martial jury in Texas and will ultimately avoid jail time after pleading guilty to lesser charges.

A panel of eight officers found Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart not guilty of sexual assault on Saturday, following nearly two weeks of court proceedings at Joint Base San Antonio. The former commander of the 19th Air Force was found guilty of other charges, including conduct unbecoming an officer and one specification of dereliction of duty; prior to the trial, he pleaded guilty to the other specification, as well as an adultery charge.

A military judge sentenced Stewart to a formal reprimand, restriction to Joint Base San Antonio for two months and forfeiture of $10,000 worth of pay every month for six months, the base said in a press release. It is possible that Stewart could also be reduced in rank under the Air Force secretary's authority in the future due to the convictions and reprimand now on his record.

Read Next: Air Force Veteran Accused of Disclosing Classified Data on Aircraft, Weapons in Latest Military Leak Case

"It's hard to think about life outside the service," Stewart told the judge during sentencing, according to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. "I am so much more than this. I apologize for letting the Air Force down."

The sentence was relatively light compared to the range of punishments he had faced. If Stewart had been found guilty of all charges, the two-star general would have been dismissed from the service, forced to forfeit all pay and could have been jailed for 63 years. Just under the charges he pleaded guilty to, he could have faced a possible two and a half years in jail.

It wasn't easy seating a jury panel, which had to consist of officers of equal or higher rank than Stewart. Ultimately, eight jurors -- six men and two women -- were seated to judge Stewart's fate, Stars and Stripes reported. A unanimous verdict is not necessary in a court-martial proceeding.

"During the trial, 12 witnesses testified, spanning from the victim, airmen, family members and friends to experts in digital forensics," the base said in a news release. "Stewart has the right to appeal, if an automatic appeal is not triggered."

Sherilyn Bunn, Stewart's senior defense counsel, praised the panel for finding the two-star general not guilty of sexual assault.

"From the beginning, Maj. Gen. Stewart maintained his innocence, confident that the truth would emerge," Bunn said. "This case has highlighted the need for a careful and respectful approach to allegations of sexual assault."

Stewart's case marked the first time an Air Force general has faced a jury over an alleged sexual crime.

In 2022, former Maj. Gen. William Cooley, previously the head of the Air Force Research Laboratory, was the first Air Force general to be tried for sexual crimes by a court-martial, but he chose a bench trial, in which a judge renders a verdict instead of a jury.

Cooley was ultimately convicted of abusive sexual contact. In a punishment similar to Stewart's, he received a reprimand letter and forfeited pay. Cooley was later demoted to colonel.

Editor's note: This story was updated to correct Cooley's former position.

Related: 2-Star Air Force General Pleads Guilty to Unprofessional Relationship, Adultery as Sexual Assault Trial Begins
Two NASA astronauts will stay longer at the International Space Station as engineers troubleshoot problems on Boeings new space capsule that cropped up on the trip there.

NASA on Friday did not set a return date until testing on the ground was complete and said the astronauts were safe.

Were not in any rush to come home, said NASAs commercial crew program manager Steve Stich.

Veteran NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams blasted off aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule for the orbiting laboratory on June 5. It was the first astronaut launch for Boeing after years of delays and setbacks.

The test flight was expected to last a week or so, enough time for Wilmore and Williams to check out the capsule while docked at the station. But problems with the capsule's propulsion system, used to maneuver the spacecraft, prompted NASA and Boeing to delay the flight home several times while they analyzed the trouble.

They also wanted to avoid conflicting with spacewalks by station astronauts. But a spacewalk this week was canceled after water leaked from an astronauts spacesuit. The issue hasn't been resolved and the planned spacewalk next week was postponed.

As Starliner closed in on the space station a day after launch, last-minute thruster failures almost derailed the docking. Five of the capsules 28 thrusters went down during docking; all but one thruster was restarted.

Starliner already had one small helium leak when it rocketed into orbit and several more leaks sprung up during the flight. Helium is used to pressurize fuel for the thrusters. Boeing said this week that the two problems arent a concern for the return trip.

In delaying the astronauts' return, NASA and Boeing said they needed more time to collect information about the thruster trouble and leaks while the capsule was docked. Both are in the service module, a unit attached to the capsule that burns up during reentry.

NASA initially said the Starliner could stay docked at the space station for up to 45 days due to battery limits. But in-flight tests have shown that limit can be extended, Stich said.

Officials said they wont set a return date while they do ground tests of capsule thrusters in the New Mexico desert, which were expected to last a couple of weeks. They want to try to replicate the situation that occurred during docking.

I want to make it very clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space," said Stich, adding that Starliner is designed for a mission of up to 210 days.

Stich said the astronauts could return to Earth in Starliner in the case of a space station emergency.

After the space shuttle fleet retired, NASA turned over astronaut rides to private companies. Elon Musks SpaceX has made nine taxi flights for NASA since 2020. NASA plans to alternate between SpaceX and Boeing in ferrying crews to and from the space station.

___

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A Marine attack helicopter struck and sank a mock ship in the Pacific last week using a new air-to-ground missile, the service said Friday.

An AH-1Z Viper crew attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 fired the live missile in the Philippine Sea near Okinawa on Wednesday as a vessel towed a mock ship, sinking it into the ocean.

The missile, which has been in development for years, is called the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, or JAGM, and is meant to be used by helicopters, drones and fixed-wing platforms to "destroy high-value, stationary and moving, land and maritime targets," according to the Navy.

Read Next: Jury Finds Air Force General Not Guilty of Sexual Assault, But Lesser Charges Lead to Loss of Pay, Reprimand

According to the Marine Corps, the first successful live-fire of the missile proved to be a boon for the service's ability to defend maritime terrain as it continues to reorganize itself for a fight in the Pacific. And it was the first use of the live ordnance in the Pacific.

"The success of this expeditionary strike demonstrates the 31st MEU's capability to deliver precision strikes at sea and safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific," Capt. Pawel Puczko, director of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's communications office, said in the press release announcing the successful test on Friday.

The JAGM replaced the legendary Hellfire missile, which saw decades of service in the military at a reliability rate of 97%, according to Lockheed Martin, which developed both ordnance. Using sensors and radar, the JAGM was approved for full production in 2022 and can also be used on Army AH-64E Apache helicopters.

In Wednesday's demonstration, the Viper was accompanied by a UH-1Y Huey during a forward arming and refueling operation, or FARP, which resupplies and rearms the aircraft at various objectives -- a necessity for Marine expeditionary units looking to embark on long-range missions in the vast Pacific region.

"There it goes, cool," one of the operators said as the Viper launched the JAGM last week, according to a video posted on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, or DVIDS. The mock vessel exploded, fragments flying, as it sank into the ocean.

"Direct hit," the operator said. Helicopter door gunners in what appeared to be the Huey then strafed another target moving in the water.

The missile failed to achieve its desired effects on a target in 2020, according to Defense News. Since then, the services and Lockheed have worked to improve the missile, including by extending its original range of five miles to nearly 10 in 2022.

Editor's note: This article was updated to clarify which helicopter was carrying the door gunners.

Related: How Marines Took an Airfield in the Philippines in a Show Against China
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The Giants passed first baseman Trenton Brooks and lefty Raymond Burgos through waivers unclaimed, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. Both were designated for assignment over the weekend, and both have now been assigned outright to Triple-A Sacramento.

Brooks, acquired last August in the trade sending Sean Newcomb across the bay to Oakland, made his MLB debut as a 28-year-old rookie this season. He went 3-for-25 (all singles), punched out six times and drew four walks.

That debut hardly turned many heads, but Brooks has clobbered Triple-A pitching this season and walked more often than hes struck out in the process. Through 177 plate appearances, hes hitting .308/.426/.462 with a 17.5% walk rate against a 15.3% strikeout rate. Hes homered four times and swiped six bases. This is Brooks fourth season of action at the Triple-A level, and hes a career .277/.377/.471 hitter in 1365 trips to the plate there. That solid track record wasnt enough to convince another club to claim him, so hell remain with the River Cats and give the Giants a depth option in the event that they need a left-handed bat or some help at first base and/or in the outfield corners.

Burgos, 25, also made his big league debut with the Giants recently. It lasted just one inning, and Burgos yielded a run on three hits and a walk with one punchout in that brief debut showing. The former Cleveland farmhand signed a minor league deal with San Francisco two offseasons ago and did so again earlier this year after very briefly pitching in Mexico. While he had lackluster results in Triple-A last year, Burgos has been excellent in Sacramento this time around. In 22 innings, Burgos boasts a 1.64 earned run average with a 27.4% strikeout rate against a comically low 2.4% walk rate.

As with Brooks, Burgos will remain in the organization as a depth option in Sacramento. Taylor Rogers and Erik Miller are the only healthy left-handers on the Giants 40-man roster at the moment, so Burgos could quickly find himself back in the mix for a big league role if anything happens to either southpaw.
ELBERTA, MI - Your mom always told you to eat your veggies. But have you ever pondered how much freshly-grilled cabbage - seasoned with salt and pepper - you could pack away in four minutes?

Lucky for us, there will be an answer to that question on Wednesday, July 3 when The Cabbage Shed hosts its fourth annual cabbage-eating competition. The prize is bragging rights, some cash, and an iconic green belt for winners in all three divisions.

Its so much fun, said Beth Roethler, who runs the popular restaurant and bar on Betsie Lake with her husband, Tony. Its a wild and crazy afternoon with lots of laughs and good, clean fun.

The competition gets underway at 3 p.m. this Wednesday. As always, theres a cause reaping the benefits of this leafy contest. This year, donations are being collected to support the local Elberta Farmers Market.

Heres how the event will break down:

The Kids Cabbage Eating Competition will kick off the day in the battle for the Lil Shedhead Belt and $50.

Then the adults will step up and dig in. There will be a mens division and a womens division.

First place wins $150, their name on the Cabbage Belt of Champions and bragging rights for the year.

After all the cruciferous consumption wraps up, The Sheds own DJ TJ will be spinning vinyl records for the regular Vinyl Vednesday fun.

The building was a grocery store and post office before it was used by a farmers' fruit co-op, and later as a place to stash cabbages waiting for a ride out of town. Photo by Tanda Gmiter | MLive

And the cabbage-eating competition looks to be stiff this year. Word on the streets of Elberta is that last years champion, Raul El Repollo Torres, will be back chomping in the mens division. And Aubrey Jawbs Parker, who packed away more than 2 pounds of the green stuff last year, will tuck in again to claim her ladys belt of champions.

And repping the littles, Ainsley Myers is going for her third childrens champion title. To add to the festive atmosphere, each competitor will get to walk out to their own song and introduce themselves to the crowd with their own cabbage-eating moniker.

Picture WWE wrestling, meets competitive eating, sprinkled with some Elberta magic, Roethler said.

More than 90 types of whiskey are waiting for guests at The Cabbage Shed in Elberta. Photo courtesy of Beth Roethler.

Not up for all that roughage? Most of the crowd at The Cabbage Shed will be there to cheer on the competitors. And of course to order some really good food and sample the vast Irish Whiskey collection this spot is known for.

To see all the competitors and follow along with the fun, check out The Sheds Facebook page here.
DETROIT  A baby girl who was found abandoned Sunday morning in Detroit has been reunited with her family, FOX 2 Detroit reports.

She was found in the 3200 block of Virginia Park early Sunday, Detroit police told the TV station.

Police are investigating who left the child there and why, the report said. Its unclear how the baby was found and reunited with her family.
FLINT, MI -- The two leaders of the states Flint water crisis prosecution team are mounting a defense similar to Attorney General Dana Nessel to a lawsuit that claims the three violated the constitutional rights of a top aide to former Gov. Rick Snyder.

Former Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammound and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Friday, June 28, joined Neseel in asking Judge Terrence G. Berg to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them by Richard Baird, the states former transformation manager, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

One day earlier, Nessel -- who appointed Hammoud and Worthy to investigate and prosecute Flint water crimes -- had asked Berg to dismiss the case against her because of prosecutorial and qualified immunity.

The attorney general also said Bairds case against her could be dismissed because she was not directly involved in her offices attempt to prosecute Baird for alleged Flint water crisis crimes.

Nessel has said she was never involved directly in the prosecutions after she erected a conflict wall that put Flint water prosecutors on one side of the wall and civil investigations led by herself on the other.

In their joint motion to dismiss, Hammoud and Worthy also said they are entitled to absolute immunity because they acted within the scope of their duties in initiating and pursuing the case against Baird, which was ultimately dismissed -- as were eight other criminal prosecutions of government officials with ties to the water crisis.

Worthy and Hammoud also say in their joint motion that they are immune from the lawsuit because of qualified immunity that protects government officials unless they violate a clearly established federal right.

Baird alleges conduct squarely tied to prosecutorial duties, and he fails to identify any clearly established law guaranteeing a federal right to a preliminary examination, their motion says.

Bairds lawsuit, filed in May, alleges Nessel, Hammoud and Worthy ran roughshod over his constitutional rights when they pursued criminal charges, including perjury and extortion, against him.

The Flint native said in his lawsuit that he suffered damages of $2.8 million and is also owed roughly $800,000 he was forced to spend defending himself in the criminal case.

Criminal charges against Baird and other Flint water defendants were dismissed in federal court after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in June 2022 that the states one-man grand juror statute did not allow them to be indicted without a preliminary hearing.

Hammoud and Worthy say the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has ruled that there is no federal right to a preliminary examination and that Baird has no federal constitutional right to challenge the reliability or competence of the evidence supporting a grand jurys finding of probable cause.

The motion says Bairds claim also must be dismissed under state law because he cannot show a violation of his federal statutory or constitutional rights.

Despite the state Supreme Courts ruling that led to dismissal of charges against Baird, his lawsuit was filed more than a year after water prosecutors utilized the one-man grand jury procedure. The motion from Hammoud and Worthy says that means the right to a preliminary exam had not been clearly established by the states highest court.

Baird was indicted by the one-man grand jury in January 2021. He was charged with perjury, extortion, obstruction of justice, and felony misconduct in office.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  The felony case against a former Grass Lake Community Schools teacher accused of sending inappropriate sexual images to students is one step closer to trial.

Jackson County District Judge Daniel Goostrey bound over Aaron Christopher Ames on June 27 to the Jackson County Circuit Court after Amess preliminary examination concluded, court records show.

Ames, 31, is charged with two counts each of child sexually abusive material commercial activity, using a computer to commit a crime and distributing child sexually abusive material.

He is also charged with one count each of accosting a child for immoral purposes and aggravated indecent exposure.

Related: Former Grass Lake teacher arraigned for allegedly sending sexual images to students

Ames allegedly shared inappropriate sexual images with at least two students at Grass Lake High School where he was teaching at the time, according to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office which investigated the case.

Police said the school contacted them after a short internal investigation March 19, the same day they were made aware of the allegation.

Amess personnel file, obtained by MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows the district placed him on paid administrative leave March 19 and ordered him not to interact with any students or participate in any school activities.

On April 4, Ames submitted a letter of resignation that said nothing more than he was resigning from his position, effective immediately, records show.

Ames was hired in Grass Lake in summer 2021 and he worked as a high school English and language arts teacher until his resignation.

Ames is currently free on $25,000 bond. No future court dates have been publicly posted as of yet.

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JACKSON COUNTY, MI  Mention you need an oil change? Done.

A friend of the family is giving away a queen mattress? It is at your house before you even decide you want it.

Your cars brakes arent working so well and you need to make an appointment to have them fixed? Richard Haire is in your driveway, ready to repair them.

Whatever the task, Haire, 75, was already on it.

He was always helpful and working on something, his son Eddie Haire, 43, said. It didnt matter what it was. He would get things done and get it done now. He didnt like to sit around and wait.

Haire was fixing a family members motorcycle June 24 when he went on a test ride on Howard Road near Eckert Road in Pulaski Township, his family said.

The bike went off the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office.

Related: 75-year-old man dies in motorcycle crash in Jackson County

Police said Haire was not wearing a helmet, which his family said was unlike him.

He would yell at us if we didnt wear a helmet. It was important to him, Haires stepdaughter Stacie Rokita, 48, said. There was one time when his bike was (at my house) he literally drove his car back home to get his helmet just to come back, put it on and ride out to get a bucket of popcorn for the grandkids. Who does that?

Haire was a Marine who served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1974. After his service he got a job in manufacturing at Kelsey Hayes in Jackson, where he worked for 30 years.

After his retirement, he spent most of his time either working on vehicles or attending school events for any one of his 14 grandchildren or 11 great grandchildren.

When he wasnt helping his friends and family, he served on both the Jackson County American Legion Ritual Team and as a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 109, volunteering for whatever task they had.

The family created a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses. The page has collected more than $4,500 as of July 1.

Visitation is set for 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at Burden & Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home located at 1806 E. Michigan Ave. in Jackson, where Haire will receive military honors.

Funeral services are at noon Wednesday, July 3, at the funeral home.

Haire is survived by his sons Richard C. Haire and Edward Haire; and stepchildren Gary Rokita, Steve Rokita, and Stacie Rokita.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.
BAY CITY, MI  Two years ago, law enforcement brought down a crew that was bringing dozens of kilos of cocaine into the Saginaw area from Mexico. Officials had been investigating the group for a while but were forced to move on them earlier than anticipated when they overheard the crew plotting a murder on their tapped cellphones.

While one of the illicit enterprises two people accepted a plea deal that will result in him spending a decade in prison, his cohort opted to take his case to a jury.
Two of the premier free agents that hit the market Monday, players the Detroit Red Wings were pursuing, signed with Nashville.

Steven Stamkos signed a four-year deal with the Predators valued at $8 million per season.

If that wasnt a big enough splash for Nashville, Jonatan Marchessault inked a five-year contract with the Predators for average annual value of $5.5 million.

Stamkos had spent his entire 16-year career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The team captain tallied 40 goals and 41 assists last season and has produced 555 goals and 1,137 points overall.

The Lightning opted to sign the younger Jake Guentzel, 29, for seven years at $63 million.

Marchessault, 33, was an original Vegas Golden Knight, the franchises all-time leader in goals and points and the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Hes coming off his most productive season (42 goals, 69 points in 82 games). Vegas had virtually no cap space, however.
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"A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far." by Xinhua writer He Fei BEIJING/ASTANA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- On June 15, 2001, then heads of state of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Shanghai. Together, they announced the creation of a new regional group on the Eurasian continent -- the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO is the only inter-governmental organization named after a Chinese city. It has become a key venue for China to bolster its cooperation with countries in Central Asia and the broader Eurasian landmass. Over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping has attended every SCO head-of-state summit, including through video conferences during the COVID period. He shared at this multilateral platform his thoughts and proposals with other world leaders on ensuring regional stability, achieving more robust common development and contributing to a better world. "A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far." In Xi's eyes, the development of the SCO, which represents about half of the world's population and a quarter of the global economy, accords with the trend of the times and goes along with the direction of human progress. "WITH PEACE, A COUNTRY ENJOYS PROSPERITY" "The 'Three evil forces,' drug trafficking and transnational organized crime are serious threats to regional security and stability." When Xi first addressed the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek in 2013, he opened his speech with a clear and concise assessment of the security situation facing SCO members. The SCO was born primarily for security reasons. Its predecessor, the "Shanghai Five," was formed to manage border security issues after the end of the Cold War. Terrorism, separatism and extremism, known as the "three evil forces," have for decades hung over Central Asia, becoming increasingly acute following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the so-called Arab Spring. As Xi debuted on the SCO stage, the region was facing a much more complicated security situation. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria caused a spillover of terrorist and extremist elements into Central Asia back then, resulting in more pressure for China and its SCO partners to forge strong security ties. The Chinese leader stressed security cooperation at every summit and mentioned "security" more than 120 times in his 11 SCO speeches. For the Chinese leader, security is the bedrock of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperity. "With peace, a country enjoys prosperity, just as with rain, the land can flourish." Xi once quoted this Uzbekistan proverb to explain his understanding of the relationship between security and development when attending the 2022 SCO Samarkand summit. Xi pledged "zero tolerance" towards the "three evil forces" and underscored concerted efforts to eradicate them. He also urged the SCO members to help Afghanistan regain peace and push forward cooperation in tackling drug trafficking, organized crime, and nontraditional security sectors like cyberspace and outer space. With the consistent push by Xi and his fellow SCO leaders, the SCO has, over the years, organized joint drills and cracked down on drug smuggling to cut terrorism financing. Those efforts have paid off. From 2013 to 2017, SCO member states foiled more than 600 terrorist crimes, captured some 2,000 terrorists and destroyed over 500 terrorist boot camps. Security mechanisms have improved, and joint drills have extended to cyberspace. The SCO has also been a platform on which Xi expounded his new security vision for Asia -- a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. The world today remains gripped by war and conflict. Xi has always been concerned with preventing war and achieving lasting peace. In 2022, he proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), a global public good provided by China to advance global security governance. The guiding principle of the GSI is consistent with his security vision, offering China's solution to the question of the times. MODERN SILK ROAD The SCO is naturally connected to Xi's signature proposal, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). All six initial SCO members were along the ancient bustling trade route between the East and the West, and the Chinese leader has further strengthened that connection. During a state visit to Kazakhstan in September 2013, Xi proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt, an essential component of the BRI. Days later, when addressing the Bishkek SCO summit, Xi called on member countries to carry forward the Silk Road spirit. Over the decade, Xi has used the BRI as a key driver to promote China's practical cooperation with the SCO countries and to accelerate development. By aligning their respective development strategies, China and the SCO members have witnessed fruitful results in boosting infrastructure, trade and financial connectivity. Earlier this month via video link, Xi, along with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, hailed the signing of an inter-governmental agreement in Beijing on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. The railway, as planned, will begin in Kashgar, a city in China's western Xinjiang, and enter the territory of Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. In the future, it can reach West Asia and South Asia, becoming a main transport artery across the Asian continent. In his video message, Xi described the railway as a strategic project of connectivity between China and Central Asia and a landmark project of the three countries' cooperation efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative. Located in the heartland of the Asian continent, Central Asia's development has long been constrained by a lack of ports. Once completed, the railway will shorten the time needed to transport Central Asian products to major global markets and facilitate the integration of Central Asia with the global industrial and supply chains, thus boosting regional development. The railway project was first proposed in the 1990s. Over the years, Xi has paid close attention to the project. In his interactions with leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, both SCO members, he repeatedly called for a joint drive to restart this transformative railway project. Former SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov hailed the BRI as "an important platform for multilateral cooperation" that benefits landlocked Central Asian countries, including his home country of Uzbekistan. The BRI has provided "the chance to go freely to the world market." The railway is just one facet of China's booming cooperation with SCO members. Thanks to increased connectivity, trade is flourishing. Over the past year, trade between China and the five Central Asian countries hit a record high of about 90 billion U.S. dollars, up over 27 percent year-on-year. STRONGER BOND When it was China's turn to hold the SCO summit in 2018, Xi chose to host his colleagues in Qingdao, a coastal city in China's eastern Shandong Province. The choice has rich cultural implications. Shandong is home to Confucius and Mencius, two Chinese sages, and the cradle of Confucianism. This ancient Chinese philosophy has significantly influenced many Asian cultures and has profoundly impacted the lives of the Chinese people and their way of thinking. Xi welcomed the SCO leaders by quoting a famous line from Confucius: "What a joy to have friends coming from afar!" Xi has long advocated for mutual learning among different cultures and civilizations. Since becoming China's president, he has made cultural interaction a trademark of his diplomacy. For him, the diversity of civilizations sustains human progress. In Qingdao, he first defined his outlook on civilization as comprised of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness. On many occasions, the Chinese leader also stressed the preservation of traditional culture and inheritance of cultural heritage. In his eyes, historical and cultural heritage is a precious resource that is not renewable. During the trip to Uzbekistan in 2013, Xi launched a joint project with the Uzbek side to restore historical mosques and Islamic schools to their glory of yore in the ancient city of Khiva, which was widely hailed as a shining pearl of civilization along the ancient Silk Road. With Xi's continuous attention and support, the project was completed in 2019. When he visited the Central Asian country again in 2022, Xi presented Uzbek President Mirziyoyev with a miniature of the ancient city as a state gift in celebration of the two countries' joint efforts to restore the cultural heritage of the Silk Road. Xi regards each civilization as unique, with none being superior to any other. "We should promote mutual learning between our civilizations and enhance good-neighborliness and friendship between our countries. This allows us to enhance public support for the SCO's long-term development." SHARED HOME "The SCO is our shared home," Xi once said. From time to time, the Chinese leader would describe the SCO's growing membership as a "big family." Whether a shared home or a big family, the SCO is always open and inclusive. It features non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party. That starkly contrasts with exclusive clubs of nations driven by ideological bloc confrontation. In recent years, the SCO has incorporated new members who recognize the Shanghai Spirit, which is defined by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. Now, with nine member states, three observer states and 14 dialogue partners, the SCO is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographical scale and population. For Xi, mankind, living in the same global village, are increasingly becoming a community with a shared future in which everyone's interest is closely interlinked. Thus, he proposed the building of an SCO community with a shared future at the Qingdao summit. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a witness to the establishment of "the Shanghai Five" in 1996 as a senior Kazakh official, has been involved in the SCO activities from the beginning. He expressed "a huge respect" for Xi and support for his visions. "I have no doubts about their positive impacts on developing the world, which must be free of discrimination, of sanctions, of pressure." Xi's proposals are playing a very crucial role in building mutual trust and benefit among countries in a world characterized by growing instability, uncertainty and unpredictability, said Sheradil Baktygulov, a foreign affairs consultant with the Kyrgyz National Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank. "The thoughts of President Xi show the way for building a close SCO community," said Baktygulov, "and a bright future for the Eurasian continent."
Conor here: The title of this piece mentions pushing out homeless people, but push them out to where? To sea? Its hard to know after the Supreme Court effectively allowed for the criminalization of homelessness.

At last check, there are roughly 653,100 unhoused people in the US, although that is likely an undercount. About a third of them are in California where a report from the University of California, San Francisco released last year  the largest representative study of homelessness in the state in thirty years  found that economic factors were the main driver of homelessness, including low wages, a sudden unaffordable expense, and the rising cost of housing.

You could lock up all the homeless for camping tomorrow and that still wouldnt effectively hide the problem. Thats because healthcare costs, low wages, rental housing cartels, etc make sure that for every homeless individual helped back into stable housing there are even more taking their place.

By Robert Rosenberger, currently serving as President of the Society for Philosophy and Technology. His research in the philosophy of technology explores the habitual relationships people develop with everyday devices, with applications in design and policy. Originally published at The Conversation.

If you have no shelter and are arrested for sleeping outside, are you being punished for something you did  or for being homeless?

On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court decided 6-3 that the Oregon city of Grants Pass may prohibit camping, even if there are no free shelter beds in the area. Critics have argued that this policy was a form of cruel and unusual punishment, in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A lower court agreed, saying it is unconstitutional to arrest people for a normal and necessary human behavior  sleeping  if there is nowhere else to go.

But Fridays decision reversed that ruling. Such laws do not qualify as cruel, the court found, because they are not designed to inflict terror, pain, or disgrace. Nor are they uncommon. And they criminalize an action, the majority note, not the status of experiencing homelessness.

Advocates for unhoused people, however, argue these kinds of anti-camping laws effectively make homelessness a crime  and feared that a Supreme Court decision to overturn the ruling could intensify cities efforts to treat the unhoused as criminals.

As a professor of philosophy who studies homelessness, I believe it is important to understand camping bans as part of wider efforts to displace unhoused people. Cities do many things to assist people experiencing homelessness, providing everything from shelters to food pantries. Yet cities also use a variety of tactics to push unhoused people out of public view.

Perhaps the most revealing is hostile architecture, a focus of my research. This term is often used for public spaces designed in ways that discriminate against specific vulnerable populations. The most common examples are objects that present a physical barrier to everyday activities for people without housing.

Hostile Design

One common example are spikes added to ledges to deter people from leaning or sitting. Since spikes are often quite noticeable, however, and their purpose is obvious, they occasionally elicit controversy.

Another pervasive but less attention-grabbing form of hostile architecture are benches that have been redesigned to make them difficult or impossible to use as sleeping spaces. This is accomplished through a variety of design schemes that prevent people from lying down, from bucket seating or seat dividers to armrests.

Any number of other hostile physical obstructions can be found. Garbage cans are often fitted with hood designs, as well as external cases with built-in locks, to deter trash-picking.

Other designs alter the landscape itself. Bollards or boulders can be brought in to break up potential camping spaces. Fencing can be used to block off sheltered areas such as highway underpasses.

Hostile design isnt always about objects; sometimes it involves actions, too.

Businesses and churches have been accused of regularly spraying water on potential sleeping spaces, sometimes via automatic sprinkler systems. Noise pollution can be another strategy, blasting loud music or annoying sounds to clear potential loitering places. Such was the case of a park in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the cloying childrens song Baby Shark was played along with other kids tunes each night.

Legal scholar Sarah Schindler argues that these kinds of hostile designs should be recognized as a form of regulation. As she puts it, Regulation through architecture is just as powerful as law, but it is less explicit, less identifiable, and less familiar to courts, legislators, and the general public.

Like the law, hostile architecture can have the effect of regulating peoples behaviors. But unlike the law, instances of hostile architecture are not subject to any kind of official oversight and often go unnoticed.

Whats There  and Whats Not

Once you learn about hostile architecture, you start to see examples everywhere. But perhaps even more importantly, you also begin to notice the absence of certain items and services in public spaces.

Rather than add armrests to a bench, the bench can be simply taken away. Trees can be removed to prevent loitering in the shade. Whole regions of cities are devoid of public restrooms, with options in private establishments available to paying customers only. Public space researcher Cara Chellew has come to refer to these conspicuously absent expected things as ghost amenities.

Hostile architecture, however, is only the tip of the iceberg. Just below the surface are the variety of laws that target particular behaviors: storing personal items in public space, loitering, panhandling and vagrancy. There are laws against sitting or lying down in public  so-called sit/lie laws. Anti-camping laws often apply not just to tents but to using any kind of covering at all, such as a blanket.

Even giving food to unhoused people is outlawed in some cities, if the individual or organization does not have a permit.

The National Homelessness Law Center has been charting the increase in these kinds of laws across the United States. In a review of 187 cities from 2006-2019, the center found a 78% increase in sit/lie laws and a 103% increase in laws against vagrancy, loafing and loitering. There was also a 92% increase in camping bans.

Informal policies can also serve as de facto bans on homelessness, such as when police pressure unhoused people to move along.

Many shelters, where they exist, are not open during daytime hours, leaving people without housing no choice but to loiter or continue moving throughout the day.

At times, shelters themselves present roadblocks that discourage people from using their services, such as patterns of discrimination against LGBTQ+ patrons or policies that ban pets.

Stakes at SCOTUS

On their own, many of these laws or objects may seem unobjectionable, or at least not a big deal. How much should we care about a bench with armrests, or a park with rules prohibiting sleeping?

When taken in the aggregate, however, these things can function together to exclude the unhoused from public space entirely. None of them literally make homelessness a crime  but in critics eyes, these laws and patterns of design have the same effect.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of three to dissent from the majoritys decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, raised a similar idea. The citys camping ban punishes people for experiencing homelessness, she argued, leaving the most vulnerable in our society with an impossible choice: Either stay awake or be arrested.
The media is in the If it bleeds, it leads business. As a result, many pressing social problems and promising initiatives get short shift. Incarcerated populations, such as prisoners and patients of mental health institutions, and the de facto incarcerated, such as the Alzheimers wings of nursing homes, wind up being nearly invisible. Yet the US has a prison population of over 1.2 million as of year end 2022. And here we are the clear world leaders. Our jailbirds represent 20% of the world total.

A new story, Inside Americas least probably prison experiment at the Financial Times opens a window into this world and also winds up highlighting the contradictions in US policy towards inmates. The piece is about the charity Puppies Behind Bars. I know Puppies Behind Bars because I gave to it for a few years after its creation in 1997. Originally, it was to train puppies as service dogs for the blind.1 The logic of using prisoners was that they could give the puppies the considerable attention they needed to become good seeing-eye dogs; its a 24 hour a day job when done properly. Not all candidates make it even with superb training. And of course a second set of reasons involved the prisoners: they would learn to care for another creature and then give it up when it graduated.

The article revolves around how the founder of Puppies Behind Bars, Gloria Stoga, had resolved to bring Puppies Behind Bars to one of the toughest facilities in the US, Green Haven, where half the population is serving life sentences. Puppies Behind Bars has tough standards for screening inmates: they must never have attacked prison staff or tried to escape, must have been free of infractions for a year, and mush not have been charged with sex crimes or violence against children or animals. An earlier story reports they are screened further, among other things, for willingness to handle dog poop and fluids. Oh, and they must have at least three years of prison time remaining.

The Financial Times story does not clearly indicate, as earlier descriptions of Puppies Behind Bars did, that the prisoners who care for these dogs are moved into a separate wing. This was the training model as of 2004, per The Smithsonian:

Two raisersa primary caretaker and a backupare assigned to each puppy. The inmates, who live with their pups in a housing unit separate from the general prison population, take the dogs most everywhere, from prison jobs to dental appointments. Theres a six-hour training session once a week. The raisers learn how to teach their charges to climb stairs, come when called and to neither bark nor beg. One inmate, whose pup was destined for a guide dog school in France, learned to give commands in French.

The reason for Stoga being interested in such a hard-core prison population, as the article demonstrates long-form, is training these puppies is very hard and exacting work. Those with long sentences, if they make the grade, can be trainers for many years. So even though, as this article also demonstrates, the failure rate among the Green Haven inmates chosen for the program (so far) is high, the ones that make it will have comparatively long tenures as trainers. And since this seems to be the toughest population Stoga has taken on, presumably she and her fellow Puppies Behind Bars staffers will get better at screening this type of population, and if that proved to be true, at successfully enlisting other maximum security prisons to participate (the article mentions that Puppies Behind Bars has operated in other maximum security facilities but hints that Green Haven is more difficult, for reasons that seem to have to do with more than just its size).

The prison superintendant Mark Miller is a firm backer:

Miller arrived at Green Haven in 2021 determined to bring PBB into the prison. He had heard about a dog that was sent by the programme to help the widow of a fallen police officer. The gesture got to him. Im not a bleeding-heart liberal, he says. My whole thought was, where are these dogs going, and who are they helping who really needs it? There was an operational case as well. Boredom is at the root of much of the worst behaviour in prisons. Miller saw that having programmes such as college in Green Haven kept the men occupied and engaged, and reduced violence, suicides and drug abuse. In the US, the internal management argument that programmes improve the behaviour of prisoners and, therefore, improve the working conditions for staff remains the most politically potent. It is also still considered progressive in a country where many believe violent offenders are not entitled to anything beyond a cell.

Note the article steers clear of a possible additional justification for Puppies Behind Bars, that of rehabilitation. The older Smithsonian story dwells on the fact that the small number of inmates as trainers neverhteless had a disproportionate effect on the entire facility:

Since November 1998, Jim Hayden has watched the puppies work their magic at Fishkill Correctional Facility, a prison that houses 1,750 men in Beacon, New York. Though only 25 of the inmates are raisers, the dogs have had a calming, humanizing effect on the entire staff, me included, says Hayden, who is assistant deputy superintendent of programs. Theyve broken these inmates down, taken their hard shells and cracked them open. Their level of love for and commitment to these dogs is something I never expected to see. A 20-month analysis sponsored by the pet food company Iams, which donates food for PBB, supports Haydens observations. Prisoners who raised puppies reported greater overall well-being than a group of inmates who hadnt worked with the dogs. The PBB inmates proved more compassionate and responsible, and believed they could turn their lives around. Tony Garcia, 42, raised four PBB dogs before being released from Fishkill last January after serving 16 years for armed robbery. He now supports a wife and four children by painting apartments and has applied for a full-time job as a case worker for an organization that aids ex-convicts. The patience and hope I have, and my willingness to work hard, says Garcia, I got from being in that program. Jake Charest, 27, who is serving his ninth year of a 7-to-21- year sentence for attempted murder, is raising his second dog, Skip. All of us in the program are sorry for what weve done, but instead of just saying it, which is easy, were showing it, he says. These dogs make time here almost bearable.

The Smithsonian does point out that the Puppies Behind Bars program did not reduce recidivism.at Fishkill overall, which given the small number of participants, seems like a wildly unreasonable expectation.

Your humble blogger must confess to having perilous little knowledge of this world. I can count the number of people I know personally who went to prison on one hand and have fingers left over. Two were very well off, one pretty well off, so all three came out not needing to worry about not having enough money to pay for shelter, food and transportation. Only one had a history of violence: an absolutely terrific all around workman who I hired for many odd tasks as I was getting my mothers house ready for sale. He had a very bad temper (which I never saw), was prone to bar fights, and didnt mind being in jail.

Given that American prisons are not in the business of rehabilitation, it is not hard to see why so many wind up back in the slammer after release. Even the ones who dont have sociopathic tendencies are likely to find it difficult to settle into a normal life, particularly the finding regular paid work part. If they were in or on the periphery of gangs or drug dealing, its not hard to see them falling back into it even if they had resolved not to, if they are finding it hard to earn income the law abiding way.

I urge you to read this piece in full. It is beautifully written and the author has clearly wrestled with the purpose of punishment and whether rehabilitation and redemption are possible. For instance:

Being in prison skews your convictions, like trying to see something clearly through water. Ill never know the truth of these men. But I have come to believe that no one is only equal to the worst thing theyve ever done. No one is as good as the best thing theyve done, either. This is something dogs never need to be taught.

_____

1 I have to confess I stopped donating after I returned from Australia. This story does not go far enough back in time to cover the shift in mission from dogs for the blind to dogs for vets and law-enforcement related roles. But it isnt hard to infer from the author mentioning that a lot of prison wardens and the guards themselves resenting the program as giving criminals the opportunity to play with dogs, and thus opposing it, that Stoga found it necessary to appeal to the gatekeepers by training dogs for roles that were seen as serving the broader police community.
DANGER LURKING: Homeland Security warns 50 illegals brought into the U.S. by ISIS-connected smuggling ring are still unaccounted for

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have revealed that approximately 50 out of around 400 illegal immigrants brought into the United States by a human smuggling network linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) remain unaccounted for

According to DHS officials, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been internally tracking and arresting hundreds of migrants smuggled into the U.S. through this ISIS-linked network for several months now. These migrants were released into the U.S. after being encountered by border officials at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In defense of their action, the three DHS officials stated that the 400 illegal immigrants were initially released into the U.S. as they were not on the federal terrorism watch list. They also claimed that there was no immediate information available linking them to the ISIS smuggling group at that time. But when the DHS officials discovered that they had some specific and troubling connections to ISIS, they immediately tracked and arrested these people.

But to date, of the 400 known migrants  mostly from the Muslim-majority nations of Central Asia  smuggled in, around 150 have already been deported or have left the country voluntarily. Around another 200 have already been arrested, while the whereabouts of the remaining 50 are still unknown.

The DHS officials clarified that despite numerous arrests and deportations, none of the individuals have been charged with terrorism or terror-related offenses so far. The charges have primarily focused on immigration violations. Hence, two federal officials assured the public that the administration of President Joe Biden is not in a state of panic over the missing migrants but is merely prioritizing their arrests.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"In this case, it was the information that suggested a potential tie to ISIS because of some of the individuals involved that led us to want to take extra care," a senior Biden administration official said. "Out of an abundance of caution, [we made] sure that we exercised our authority in the most expansive and appropriate way to mitigate risk because of this potential connection being made."

Terrorist networks taking advantage of open borders to smuggle people in

The DHS announcement follows the arrest of eight men from the Central Asian country of Tajikistan with suspected links to ISIS in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles earlier this June.

According to anonymous sources, these individuals had entered the U.S. via the southern border last spring and successfully passed the screening process. Initial vetting showed no indication of ties to ISIS at that time, but concerns later arose about their presence. This led to the close monitoring of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force and the arrest by ICE, which is now handling the deportation process.

Additionally, reports indicate that the group that brought these men to the U.S. has ties to the same network that brought a group of Uzbekistani nationals to Maryland in April. (Related: 8 Tajikistan nationals with suspected ISIS ties ARRESTED after crossing southern border.)

"I think what [the incident with the Uzbekistani nationals] did last summer was suggest Central Asians are potentially a population of concern, given what we know about the global ISIS network right now," a senior U.S. official said.

These incidents have prompted a backlash among Republicans as they validate their national security concerns.

"We know for a fact that dangerous cartels and gangs have used our broken borders as a means to enter the United States. Now, we have confirmation that terrorist-related networks are using similar tactics to smuggle people into our country," U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) said.

"Every light is blinking red. We cannot continue to put border security on the back burner. That goes for both the Biden administration and Congress."

Read more stories about the illegals entering the U.S. through the southern border at InvasionUSA.news.

Watch this clip from the "Worldview Report" as host Brannon Howse interviews Anni Cyrus about the extremist smugglers helping illegals cross the border.

This video is from the Worldview Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

ISIS-linked migrant was living in the U.S. for more than two years before his arrest.

ISIS-affiliated smuggler helped migrants illegally enter the U.S. via Mexico.

Senator Cornyn raises alarm regarding terror threat on U.S. soil as ISIS-linked network helps more illegal immigrants cross border.

Record-high 12,600 illegal migrants break into America in one day while government officials snooze away.

Venezuelan illegal immigrant paroled by Biden ARRESTED by ICE in Chicago for allegedly FUNDING TERRORISM.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

CNN.com

MSN.com

Reuters.com
Hunger worse than bombings in starved-out Gaza: people dizzy and weak

Survivors in the Gaza Strip are scavenging whatever they can find to feed their families amid an ongoing food crisis that was brought about by Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

According to reports, food in Gaza is extremely scarce these days. What little makes it across the border is often spoiled, reports indicate, assuming any can even be found at all.

"My family, the kids, all of them wait for me to come and say 'there is food' or 'I brought vegetables,'" a Palestinian man named Ali who lives in northern Gaza told Middle East Eye, adding that most days he comes back sad and empty-handed.

"We stopped talking about 'When will the war be over?' and started talking about 'When will the food come in?'"

Gaza's starvation crisis is worsening by the day, Ali and other Gaza residents confirmed, as Israel continues to block delivery for basic life-saving resources like food and medical supplies.

(Related: Did you know that the U.S. military just wasted $230 million of your tax dollars building a "humanitarian aid pier" in Gaza that will very soon get disassembled?)

Pray for the people of Gaza

In Gaza City, a woman named Rania says she, too, visits the market daily in search of food. What she typically finds is either too expensive for her family to afford or extremely limited in range.

"There are no vegetables, fruits, or milk in the markets  nothing that has any nutritional value," Rania said.

A little over a month ago, Rania received a food basket from the United Nations' World Food Programme that contained halva, beans, peas, hummus and cold cuts. Rania says she is keeping these items for safekeeping and using them sparingly.

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.

"I've been rationing them because if I run out, I will have nothing to eat," Rania added. "I feel dizzy and weak. My face is pale and I've lost a lot of weight."

Rania and Ali are just two among hundreds of thousands of other Gazans who are in the same predicament. Israel refuses to let food and other supplies enter the Palestinian enclave, so the crisis is worsening.

Israel's collective punishment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza is of course a massively outsized response to the events of Oct. 7. IDF is responsible for probably half of all the Israeli casualties from that day, and yet men, women and children in Gaza are being relentlessly punished by the Netanyahu regime with no end in sight.

Back in March, it was reported that the hunger crisis got so bad in Gaza that residents were eating grass to try to stay alive. Meanwhile, IDF soldiers are bombing and shooting aid relief workers who try to help the people of Gaza survive.

In response to growing international pressure to stop committing genocide, Israel "slightly" improved food access in some areas of Gaza. The situation is still dire, though, as life-saving food deliveries are still not happening as they are supposed to because of the IDF occupation.

The UN's hunger monitoring system, known as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, released a report this past week stating that there is a "high risk of famine (that) persists across the whole Gaza Strip."

"The humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip continues to shrink and the ability to safely deliver assistance to populations is dwindling," the report further states.

Several delivery routes into Gaza remain blocked ever since IDF launched a ground invasion on Rafah. As a result, more than half of all households have no food to eat in the house, with 20 percent having to go entire days and nights without eating.

Keep the suffering people of Gaza in your prayers. More related news can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
Hunter Bidens law license suspended in D.C.

Hunter Biden s law license has been suspended in Washington, D.C.

(Article by Anthony T republished from WLTReport.com)

In a new order, the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled Hunter Bidens law license will be suspended immediately.

The court also directed D.C. Bars Board on Professional Responsibility to begin a proceeding to decide the nature of the offense and whether it involves moral turpitude.

Hunter Bidens license suspension comes due to being convicted on federal gun charges.

? JUST IN: Hunter Bidens law license has officially been SUSPENDED in DC I personally cant believe this guy was ever a lawyer in the first place. pic.twitter.com/H0qiem6jrN  Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 25, 2024

BREAKING: Hunter Biden's DC law license is finally suspended Hunter still holds a Connecticut bar license pic.twitter.com/56xcGOM0Gm  Wendell Huseb (@WendellHusebo) June 25, 2024

Heres what The Hill reported:

Hunter Bidens license to practice law in Washington, D.C. was suspended Tuesday following his conviction on federal gun charges earlier this month. In a terse order, the D.C. Court of Appeals said that President Bidens son is suspended immediately from practicing law in the nations capital. It also directed the D.C. Bars Board on Professional Responsibility to conduct a formal proceeding to determine the nature of the offense and whether it involves moral turpitude. Under D.C. law, lawyers must be disbarred if convicted of such crimes. Hunter Bidens license will likely remain suspended until a final judgment of conviction has been certified, after which he could lose his law license for good. A jury of 12 Delaware residents convicted Hunter Biden of three felony counts earlier this month, each stemming 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 revolved largely around Hunter Bidens well-documented addiction to crack cocaine and featured testimony from his daughter, ex-wife and late brother Beau Bidens widow, with whom he had a brief relationship.

? BREAKING: Hunter Biden's law license has officially been SUSPENDED in Washington D.C. About. Damn. Time. ??? pic.twitter.com/znEcbf2Niy  Proud Elephant ??? (@ProudElephantUS) June 25, 2024

Per Fox News:

Hunter Bidens license to practice law in the District of Columbia was suspended following a jury finding him guilty in his criminal gun trial earlier this month. As of Tuesday morning, Biden is suspended immediately from the practice of law in Washington, D.C., pending a formal proceeding that will determine whether to uphold the suspension. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals E-filing system shows the order was filed on Tuesday. The Office of the Disciplinary Counsel in Washington, D.C., sent a letter to the D.C. Court of Appeals last week seeking to suspend Bidens license after his guilty verdict on June 11. The suspension only affects his ability to practice law in Washington, D.C.

Read more at: WLTReport.com
IDF says murder is okay after statistics show that Israel killed 75% of all journalists who died in 2023 while covering conflict zones

An investigation by(United Kingdom) found that Israel's military considers media outlets affiliated with the resistance to its genocide in Gaza to be legitimate military targets.

Part of the so-called Gaza Project, an effort by the France-based Forbidden Stories NGO to analyze the killing of journalists in Gaza by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the investigation determined that at least 103 journalists have died in the Gaza Strip since October 7. Roughly 30 percent of them worked for media outlets affiliated with Hamas.

At least 23 of the dead journalists worked for Al-Aqsa, which is considered to be the largest Hamas-linked media outlet. According to Israel, Hamas-linked journalists are the equivalent of Hamas militants, so their lives must be ended.

A senior Israeli army spokesman commented that there is "no difference" between working for a Hamas-linked media outlet and being a member of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

"It's a shocking statement ... a complete misunderstanding or just a willful disregard for international law," said Adil Haque, a professor of law at Rutgers University in New Jersey, about Israel's callous disregard for human life.

(Related: Did you know that Western media sources are claiming without evidence that Hezbollah is "storing missiles and explosives at Lebanon's main airport" in order to justify Israel's apparently planned bombing of Beirut primary international transit hub?)

Israel has been bombing Al-Aqsa offices since long before October 7

Israel's aggression against opposition journalists is not something new since October 7. It has been going on since at least 2019 when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an order designating the network as a terrorist organization.

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.

Whenever Israel decides it does not like something and wants it destroyed, it simply brands its targets as "terrorists." When women, children and other innocents end up dying in large numbers, Israel simply uses the "human shield" excuse to disregard their lives as well.

By painting Al-Aqsa with the broad brush of terrorism, Netanyahu created "a blank check," to quote legal experts who looked into the declaration, for IDF militants to indiscriminately murder journalists affiliated with the network.

At the start of the current Israeli genocide in Gaza back on October 7, Al-Aqsa's offices were evacuated almost immediately because it was recognized that Israel would surely target the facility for bombings.

One Israeli source admitted to investigators that there has been "a permissive approach to targeting across" the Army when it comes to who is permissible to shoot or bomb as an "enemy."

Another source who is privy to the legal advice given to IDF militants concerning who is a legitimate target during wartime also said that journalists affiliated with Hamas exist within a "grey zone" due to a "problematic view" within the Israeli military that "whenever there's someone getting a salary ultimately from Hamas," they become a legitimate target.

The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) learned that more than 75 percent of all journalists who died in 2023 as a whole were killed by the Israeli military in Gaza. No other country behaves as savagely against its opposition than Israel, in other words.

It turns out that many of the journalists who were murdered by Israel in 2023 did not even have anything to do with Hamas. One of them, Hamza Dahdouh, the son of Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael Dahdouh, was bombed to death in an IDF airstrike on January 7.

Dahdouh died alongside fellow journalist Mustafa Thuraya as the two were reporting on the damage caused by IDF militants on a residential area between the southern Gaza cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah.

The latest news about the Israeli military can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

NaturalNews.com
Injured Amazon workers turn to crowdfunding to pay bills as company denies their requests for compensation and disability benefits

Amazon workers left unable to work due to on-the-job injuries have resorted to online fundraising campaigns to cover their bills as they struggle to obtain compensation and disability benefits from their company.

According to the interviews of Amazon employees who were injured while working in the tech giant's warehouses, the company has been ignoring their concerns about the physical strains of warehouse work, denying requests for compensation or benefits after injuries and prioritizing productivity above all else.

Keith Williams, a worker at Amazon's SWF1 warehouse in Rock Tavern, New York, was loading containers by himself when a computer desk fell on him, striking the back of his head in August 2023. Feeling nauseous and dizzy, Williams sought help at Amcare, Amazon's in-house medical service, where he received aspirin and ice. However, he was unsatisfied with the care, so he visited urgent care on his own. The next day, he was put on light duty but was frequently questioned by managers about his productivity.

In February 2024, Williams was injured again while lifting heavy packages repeatedly without being rotated to less intense departments. This time, a sharp pain in his wrist and elbow left him unable to lift the package. The injury resulted in unemployment and disability with long-term consequences, including being evicted from his home two months after the incident.

Now, Williams and his family are living in a motel and have started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the financial impact of his injury.

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.

Similarly, in August 2021, Christine Manno, who worked as a picker and stower at Amazon's STL8 warehouse near St. Louis, Missouri for two years, began experiencing severe carpal tunnel symptoms due to the repetitive motions of her job. Despite undergoing two surgeries, she returned to full duty shortly after the second one. Because she was not given sufficient time to recover, her symptoms worsened, leading to another major injury in May 2022 while at work. (Related: Amazon workers FORCED to work amid rising coronavirus cases, decry workplace as "living hell.")

Amazon denied her requests for further accommodation and treatment, despite working with restrictions and undergoing ineffective physical therapy. By July 2023, Amazon had repeatedly refused to accommodate her permanent restrictions and denied a referral to a pain management specialist. Since then, Manno has started a GoFundMe campaign due to having exhausted her short-term disability benefits.

Amazon claims it strives to create "Earth's safest place to work"

Amazon, one of the world's largest employers with 1.5 million staff globally, has long been criticized for the working and safety conditions in its warehouses.

Over the years, hundreds of workers like Williams and Manno have shared troubling accounts of injuries sustained on the job; being sent back to work while still recovering by Amcare; and facing prolonged battles and delays in securing workers' compensation, medical care, accommodations and disability benefits.

Despite all this, the company has asserted that it is striving to be "best in class" on safety as part of its goal to create "Earth's safest place to work."

In response to the accounts of Williams and Manno, Maureen Lynch Vogel, a spokesperson from Amazon, stated: "Our employees' safety and health is our top priority. While we usually don't comment on employees' individual circumstances, these individuals have unfortunately chosen to share a lot of inaccurate information. Each of these claims have been thoroughly investigated, and  in the few cases where we found issues  our team has worked to address their concerns and accommodate their needs as appropriate."

Vogel, however, did not clarify which information was inaccurate or what issues had been found and resolved.

Visit JeffBezosWatch.com for more stories about Amazon.

Watch the following video about Amazon workers across Europe walking out on Black Friday to protest pay and working conditions.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Amazon's "AI grocery store" is actually run by 1,000 Indian employees watching customers through video feeds.

Amazon prepares army of 750,000 ROBOTS to eliminate HUMAN workers.

Amazon to begin testing Digit  a six-foot-tall humanoid robot that might end up REPLACING human warehouse workers.

Amazon workers forced to use pee bottles out of fear of being punished for going to the restroom.

Amazon workers now living, sleeping in tent ghettos outside the warehouse.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

TechTimes.com

Brighteon.com
by Jonathan Edward, Wang Yi, Mao Pengfei KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Xinhua) -- As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, Malaysia expects more Chinese companies to bring experience and technology, promote Malaysia's industrial upgrading, and facilitate closer economic and trade cooperation in the future, a Malaysian official told Xinhua in a recent interview. Citing his recent visit to China, Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong said he was impressed by China's cutting-edge technologies. In the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen, he visited high-tech enterprises and their automated production lines. "I can see how technology has taken root and how technology has propelled exponential growth in Shenzhen particularly. Shenzhen is an experience that is very worthy of learning for us," said Liew. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and is also one of the major sources of foreign investment for Malaysia. In recent years, Malaysia has introduced a series of policies to promote the upgrading of traditional industries and expand high-value manufacturing industries, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in the global value chain. China-Malaysia cooperation in emerging industries such as digital economy, new energy, and e-commerce has gradually strengthened. For future bilateral relations, Liew has many expectations. He hopes more Chinese companies will help drive technology development in Malaysia, especially help Malaysia's manufacturing industry achieve automation and digital development, reduce the manufacturing industry's dependence on labor, and increase added value. Liew said Malaysia's areas of interest also include the green economy, in which China commands a huge lead, especially in electric vehicles and other aspects of mobility including public transport. "China has a lot of experience in mobility. We're happy to work with China on different fronts, and we hope to see that we can really do green transition," he stressed. Speaking of Malaysia's advantages, Liew noted that Malaysia occupies a middle position in the regional and global industrial chain, upholds neutrality, enjoys a superior geographical location, and is committed to increasing the number of middle-class people in the future. He believes that the economies of Malaysia and China can be complementary and achieve win-win cooperation. He also expressed hopes that Chinese firms will establish their regional headquarters in Malaysia and in doing so empower Malaysia in its development efforts. "From there, we can build high-end services as well as high-end manufacturing to work together," he said. In Liew's view, China not only has a sufficient market, but also is a source of new technologies and investments, which will benefit Malaysia's development.
Israel launching sinister Zionist plot to erase the First Amendment in the name of stopping antisemitism

The Zionist lobby is dumping lots of cash into a nationwide effort to redefine "antisemitism" in United States law and make it illegal for Americans to oppose Israel.

In response to rising anti-war protests across America, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli was summoned by the Knesset  the Israeli parliament  to brief lawmakers about what they can try to do to stop Americans, and especially those at college and university campuses, from speaking out against the genocide in Gaza.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again now that I think we should, especially in the United States, be on the offensive," Chikli said.

Even though he is not an American citizen and has never been elected by any Americans to represent them, Chikli and others in the Israeli government feel as though they have a "God"-given right to push the world around in order to suit their own interests.

Chikli assured the room full of Israeli politicians that Israel has "new money" in its budget to launch a pushback campaign against Americans who vocally and publicly oppose Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Israel already produces propaganda for the U.S. market that is designed to deter people from criticizing Israel, one of their arguments being that God will "curse" those who "curse Israel," this being a verse from the Old Testament taken out of context. There are 80 different public relations programs in total, at least that we know about, that Israel is using to push its agenda in the United States.

(Related: Did you know that Donald Trump once said that the death penalty is a proper punishment for "antisemitism" in America?)

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Israel's "Kela Shlomo" campaign involves "mass consciousness activities" targeted at America and Europe

Chikli stated about 80 some-odd Israeli government propaganda programs that they are "to be done in the 'Concert' way," Concert referring to the relaunch of a controversial Israeli program designed to unleash "mass consciousness activities" primarily in the U.S. and Europe.

Concert, which has since been renamed as Voices of Israel, previously worked with groups spearheading a campaign to pass new state laws penalizes Americans for boycotting or otherwise protesting Israel, even though boycotts and protests are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.

Israel does not have a First Amendment and apparently cannot stand the one that protects Americans from overt Israeli tyranny, so Chikli and others are scheming behind the curtain new ways to curtail free speech by labeling it "antisemitism."

Never mind the fact that the dark-skinned Palestinians in Gaza likely have more Semitic blood than the likes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government is insistent that it represents "Israel" and "Semitism" and must be protected at all costs from any kind of public scrutiny over its murderous actions.

Israeli is particularly upset that college and university students disapprove of its genocide. According to reports, Chikli has overseen the government spending of at least 32 million shekels, or around $8.5 million, to reframe the public conversation about the genocide.

That money has already influenced a spate of Republican politicians in the U.S. to speak out against "antisemitism" as they call for new laws and restrictions on free speech. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, for instance, notoriously sent in mobs of statist law enforcement officers to persecute students and faculty at The University of Texas at Austin over the spring  and there is more where that came from if Republicans and their Zionist puppet masters in Israel get their way.

If Americans let them, the Zionist lobby will eventually erase the Constitution entirely and impose a new tyrannical system of self-righteous, theocratic authoritarianism. Learn more at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGuardian.com

NaturalNews.com
Israeli military investigation reveals many Oct. 7 Israeli casualties were caused by IDF rather than Hamas

Israel has used the events of October 7 to justify a lengthy and very bloody war in Gaza that has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. On that date, Hamas terrorists entered southern Israel, where they reportedly killed more than 1,100 people and took 251 hostages.

However, it turns out that some of the Israeli deaths on that day came not at the hands of Hamas but instead as the result of friendly fire from the Israeli military. This is something that Hamas has been claiming for some time now, and many media reports about it were quickly dismissed as disinformation.

Now, however, leaks from a report compiled by the Israeli military itself confirm that a lot of the October 7 casualties were the result of friendly fire.

According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, a military investigation revealed that friendly fires led to the deaths and injuries of an unspecified number of Israeli soldiers. In addition, IDF forces were deployed in a chaotic manner.

A full official report is expected to be released next month, and it will essentially be an official admission that numerous Israelis were killed by the IDF and not Hamas. The IDF has not denied the information that has been leaked so far despite being aggressive about denying other leaks and failures.

Reports indicate Israel enacted the Hannibal Directive

Israel has also been accused of directing soldiers to kill hostages instead of letting Hamas use them as bargaining chips in a practice known as the Hannibal Directive. Although the IDFs review seems to indicate that the so-called friendly fire incidents were more a matter of incompetence than intentional killings, a separate investigation conducted by the Israeli media outlet Ynet found that Israel did direct troops to kill hostages.

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 Jerusalem Post noted: According to the report, the probe will find numerous cases of friendly fire errors leading to tragic deaths, groups of IDF soldiers who were too hesitant to confront Hamas invaders (as still others rushed to fight without being formally summoned)...; the publication also reported that some commanders struggled to manage complex battlefield situations involving hostages.

Israel has publicly denied using the Hannibal Directive, but there is some evidence indicating that Israeli forces fired on homes where they knew civilians were present, including one incident at Kibbutz Beeri that led to the deaths of a dozen Israelis who were being held hostage by Palestinian Hamas gunmen.

The full official report is expected to take a long-term view of not only October 7 but the situation with Gaza dating back several years. In early August, a report on what took place in Israel the day before the attacks that includes specific warnings, actions and failures to act will be published; it is expected to shed light on a significant intelligence failure on the part of a country that was once known for its impressive intelligence capabilities.

Earlier this month, a report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry exposed numerous incidents involving the Israeli army using the Hannibal Directive on October 7. It also confirmed a statement made by an Israeli tank crew that they had applied the Hannibal Directive by shooting at a vehicle which they suspected was transporting abducted [Israeli] soldiers."

Other situations it documented included a woman being killed by Israeli helicopter fire as she was being abducted by Hamas militants from Nir Oz to Gaza and the Beeri incident.

Last month, IDF tanks killed five of their own soldiers and wounded seven in a friendly fire incident that took place in Jabalya in northern Gaza.

Sources for this article include:

TheGrayZone.com

JPost.com

MiddleEastEye.net

UN.org
NATO offers Ukraine a new HQ in Germany  a bridge to Kyivs eventual membership

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will offer a "bridge" to Ukraine's eventual membership in the group  in the form of a new headquarters in Germany to manage military assistance to Kyiv.

Officials from NATO and the U.S. confirmed the move, adding that the headquarters will be formally announced at the group's upcoming 75th anniversary summit, to be held in Washington, D.C. from July 9 to July 11. The mission will be known as the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and will work to "reduce duplications and complications from the various kinds of weaponry sent to Ukraine.

According to DNYUZ, the NSATU will be based at a U.S. military facility in the city of Wiesbaden in Germany's Hesse state. It will be headed by a three-star general  likely an American  reporting to Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the head of the U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

NSATU will bring under one umbrella the activities of the current "capabilities coalition" of countries that provide various aspects of military aid to Ukraine like air defenses, artillery, F-16 fighter jets, arms and training. The U.S. and NATO officials who spoke on condition of anonymity added that the NSATU will also coordinate the training of Ukrainian military personnel in allied countries and the longer-term bilateral security agreements that different countries have signed with Ukraine.

Former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Ivo Daalder explained that putting the NSATU under Cavoli's NATO hat will protect it from any political change in Washington. Because the mission will be under NATO's auspices, it is designed to function even if former U.S. President Donald Trump wins the November presidential elections and returns to the White House.

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.

"It's an effort at Trump-proofing, and a deliberate effort to bring Ukraine and NATO closer together to support Ukraine today  as well as into the future," said Daalder, now the president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs think tank.

NSATU initiative sure to infuriate Russia

The Biden administration has not commented publicly on the NSATU initiative's details. But U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that NATO's 75th anniversary summit would show that allies are taking "concrete steps" to bring Ukraine closer. He added that it would also ensure that Kyiv has a "bridge to eventual membership."

According to DNYUZ, the Biden administration and NATO officials came up with the idea as a way to give something solid to Kyiv at the summit  even as they maintain the time is not right for Ukraine to join. The hope is that the mission and the commitment it represents will satisfy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and lead to a smoother summit. (Related: The outcome of Ukraine's war with Russia will determine whether it achieves NATO membership.)

Last year, Zelensky and other Central European nations fervently hoped that NATO would offer Ukraine membership negotiations during the 2023 NATO summit held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. But the alliance refused to offer Ukraine a fixed timeline and clear path to membership or to allow negotiations on membership to begin, driving Zelensky to voice out his displeasure.

All NATO member countries are on board the NSATU's establishment. However, according to Daalder, Germany objected to calling it a "mission" to avoid the implication that NATO was at war with Russia. While the group has yet to declare war with Moscow, its assistance of Ukraine makes it a party to the conflict.

Outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vaguely touched on the NSATU initiative at a June 14 news conference, which followed a meeting of NATO defense ministers on the same day. He called the new mission a "key summit deliverable" and a further step "on Ukraine's path to NATO membership."

Stoltenberg reiterated that the initiative would "put our support to Ukraine on a firmer footing for years to come." He added: "These efforts do not make NATO a party to the conflict, but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defense."

But ultimately, the NSATU will surely infuriate Russia and further derail potential peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has imposed two requirements before talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war could begin  Ukraine must pull out all its troops in territories annexed by Russia and must abandon its intent to join NATO.

Listen to the Health Ranger Mike Adams explaining that the U.S. and NATO have already decided to take the American people to war below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.S., Ukraine sign 10-year bilateral security agreement backed by nothing.

NATO to overstep Russia's red line as it mulls sending troops to train Ukrainian armed forces.

NATO chief calls for annual contribution of 40 BILLION EUROS for Ukraine until Russia is defeated.

Sources include:

DNYUZ.com

Brighteon.com
North Korea suspected of conducting HYPERSONIC MISSILE test

North Korea is suspected of test-launching a hypersonic missile on June 26, escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the launch occurred from an area near Pyongyang at approximately 5:30 am local time on June 26.

Seoul believes the missile, likely aimed at the waters off North Korea's eastern coast, was a hypersonic missile that failed its test, as it exploded after traveling around 155 miles. A statement from the Japanese Ministry of Defense confirmed the launch and noted that the missile reached an altitude of about 62 miles before falling in the Sea of Japan, right outside the country's exclusive economic zone. (Related: Gearing up for WWIII? Putin suggests sending missiles to North Korea.)

The South Korean military suspects that the missile used solid fuel rather than liquid propellants, a feature that would enable North Korea to launch missiles more quickly and make them harder to detect.

North Korea first claimed to have successfully launched a hypersonic missile in 2021. In April, under the supervision of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un, Pyongyang claimed to have tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile also powered by solid fuel.

Hypersonic missiles pose a significant threat due to their speed, making them harder to detect and intercept. The U.S. Russia and China are also known to be testing these weapons. Hypersonic missiles typically travel at more than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound at around 3,850 miles per hour, often at relatively low altitudes.

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Despite their name, analysts say the main feature of hypersonic weapons is not speed  which can sometimes be matched or exceeded by traditional ballistic missile warheads  but maneuverability.

The suspected launch came just days after Pyongyang threatened an "overwhelming, new demonstration of deterrence" following the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt for military drills with South Korea and Japan.

North Korea has been testing hypersonic missile technology for years

North Korea's first hypersonic missile test in 2021 featured a glider-shaped warhead, while a 2022 launch used what South Korean military officials and analysts identified as a conical maneuverable reentry vehicle, a ballistic missile warhead capable of maneuvering to hit a target. State media reported that the North's latest test aimed to perfect an arsenal for "rapidly, accurately, and powerfully striking any target worldwide."

Combining a glide vehicle with a missile that can launch it partially into orbit  a so-called fractional orbital bombardment system  could further reduce adversaries' reaction time and compromise traditional defense mechanisms. By contrast, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) carry nuclear warheads on ballistic trajectories that travel into space but never reach orbit.

In February, Russia fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile against Ukraine for the first time. President Vladimir Putin has touted the weapon as part of a new generation, and Moscow has also tested it from a submarine and a frigate. In 2021, China launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle that flew through space, circled the globe, and cruised toward its target, missing by about two dozen miles.

In September 2021, the U.S tested an air-breathing hypersonic weapon  meaning it flies on its own through the atmosphere like a cruise missile  in the first successful test of that class of weapon since 2013.

At a January 2021 meeting of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, Kim set securing hypersonic weapons as one of five key objectives of a five-year plan to boost military power, alongside developing solid-fuel ICBMs and a nuclear submarine.

Watch this clip of North Korea unveiling a hypersonic missile that can allegedly reach any part of the U.S. within minutes.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

North Korea sending troops to Ukraine as WWIII approaches.

North Korean troops could join Russia's war action against Ukraine.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Russia's Vladimir Putin sign mutual defense treaty.

North Korea fires several cruise missiles off its west coast in latest "weapons test."

North Korea tests solid-fuel missile with HYPERSONIC warhead in newest display of power.

Sources include:

Express.co.uk

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Norway to stockpile 82,500 tons of grain to prepare for famine and war

Norway is taking major steps to prepare for potential war and famine as the country kicks off a plan to stockpile grain.

Yesterday, Norway's finance minister, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, and Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad signed a deal with four private companies to store 30,000 tons of grain in 2024 and 2025.

The companies involved will reportedly store the grain in existing facilities throughout the country, but it will be the property of the Norwegian government.

In a statement, the Agriculture and Food Ministry noted: The building up of a contingency stock of food grains is about being prepared for the unthinkable.

The government stated that the companies are free to invest in new facilities and decide for themselves where they want to store the emergency grain, but they must make the grain available to the state if needed.

They are apparently anticipating a potentially prolonged war or famine as they intend to sign additional stockpiling contracts that will help them reach their goal of stockpiling 82,500 tons of grain for their population of 5.6 million by the end of this decade. Pollestad said the idea is to have enough grain for three months consumption by Norways population in a crisis situation that may arise.

When announcing their intention to ramp up their stockpiling efforts last year, Pollestad told the Norwegian news agency NTB: In a situation with extreme prices on the world market, it will still be possible to buy grain, but if we have done our job, we will not be so dependent on the highest bidder at auction. We can help keep prices down.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

This is not the first time the country has stockpiled grain; they previously stored it in the 1950s and maintained some level of stock before shutting down storage sites in 2003 when they determined that it was no longer necessary to keep so much grain on hand.

However, the Ukraine-Russia conflict appears to have given them a change of heart. A commission they established to analyze their emergency preparedness system recommended stockpiling grain again.

Is Norway a target for Russia?

Norway has been supporting Ukraine, which may make it a target for Russia, a situation that is made even more complicated by Norways oil supply. Although Russia may not openly attack Norway, there have been concerns that they could attack its energy infrastructure to essentially force Europe to buy natural gas and oil from Russia.

The defense company Kongsberg recently opened up a new missile facility in Norway, just months after the country announced it would nearly double defense spending in the years to come in response to threats from Russia.

Some analysts believe that Norways demilitarized Svalbard Archipelago could be a target given its ambiguous NATO status, which means that an attack might not necessarily trigger the NATO collective defense clause. The area is part of the western entrance to the Northern Sea Route and has significant amounts of coal.

Svalbard is also home to the worlds biggest seed storage site, known as the Global Seed Vault, where more than a million samples of different types of seeds have been deposited by organizations throughout the world to serve as a doomsday backup to their own collections in case they are compromised in some way.

In February, Norwegian defense minister Bjorn Arild Gram said that the country must be prepared for a potential conflict with Russia even after the Ukraine situation ends due to concerns over retaliation in response to Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

We must be able to respond in a timely manner and together with allies, he cautioned.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

Bloomberg.com
Tommy Robinson of Rebel News ARRESTED, then released, for immigration offenses during podcast tour

Canadian authorities took aim this week at podcaster Tommy Robinson, who was arrested by police for "immigration offenses," only to be released not long afterwards.

The 41-year-old conservative activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon was touring Calvary when both undercover and uniformed police officers found, swarmed and detained him, throwing him in the back of a large police SUV  watch the video footage below:

Before being released, Robinson was reportedly forced to hand over his passport to Canadian authorities and agree to stay in southern Alberta. Robinson remains prohibited from leaving Canada.

"Ok I'm FREE, well sort of, none of this makes sense," Robinson tweeted following the incident.

"I'm now detained in Calgary, prevented from leaving the city, these conditions stop me from continuing my tour of Canada and meeting with guests for podcasts. I'm not even allowed to leave to travel home."

Watch the video below of Robinson speaking to a reporter about his release:

(Related: Check out our earlier report about Robinson's incarceration, the "Deep State," the QAnon phenomenon and more.)

Tommy Robinson gets a lawyer

The irony is that Robinson was visiting Canada to participate in a podcast talk with Rebel News that was scheduled to take place in front of 150 people. The subject matter involved "freedom of speech," the government's "lawfare" agenda and Robinson's own personal battles with British police.

Before being arrested and prohibited from speaking any further, Robinson was scheduled to make two additional appearances in Edmonton and Toronto as part of a "three-city tour."

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.

"I asked them, 'What if I just want to go home?'" Robinson further told reporters about his interactions with Canadian police following his arrest. "And they said, 'You're not allowed to.'"

In another video of himself that he shared on X, Robinson asked publicly the reason for his detention.

"This is absolutely insane," he said. "Get me a lawyer? Can you not tell me what I'm under arrest for?"

This is Justin Trudeau's Canada, by the way. Things were not like this in Canada before Trudeau's reign of terror, which has all but completely destroyed freedom of speech within the boundaries of our neighbor to the north.

We have learned that Robinson now has a lawyer  watch below:

More information about the situation can be found TommyTrial.com.

"I want to know what the charge is and the reason for it first," one commenter wrote about Robinson's arrest. "If the charge is bogus in my opinion, then I wish I was his lawyer."

Others noted that Robinson's opposition to mass migration is more than likely one of the things, if not the thing, that landed him in the crosshairs of Canadian law enforcement.

While he remains under lockdown in Alberta, Robinson must check in three times a week at a local federal building. He has no court date or any further information about his status, either, which means his imprisonment in Alberta is apparently indefinite.

"Trudeau's state security police brings back memories of the East German Stasi and Soviet KGB," another commenter wrote.

"I did have a bad feeling when I heard Tommy had gone to Canada," wrote another. "Trudeau is the one who should be in prison!"

"I have no respect left for this nation as long as Trudeau is prime minister," said another, a Canadian resident. "We have sunk so low. Our freedoms are all but gone."

The government is scared to death of people like Robinson who speak out and have a following. Learn more at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

Independent.co.uk

RebelNews.com

RebelNews.com

NaturalNews.com

TommyTrial.com
SPEECH POLICE: Ukrainian NGO exposes list of U.S. citizens who echo key messages of Russian propaganda

A Ukrainian NGO has compiled a database of influential American citizens, accusing them of holding positions that "mirror" those of Moscow. Among those blacklisted is billionaire Elon Musk, who has called for the organization to be designated as a terrorist group.

The NGO, Texty.org.ua, has released a comprehensive report outlining an alleged "ecosystem" of U.S. citizens and organizations whose narratives "echo key messages of Russian propaganda" regarding the Ukraine conflict.

In response, Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee added a provision to the markup of the State Department's 2025 budget, banning Texty from receiving U.S. funding. Musk reacted on X, stating: "It's a good first step. They should be added to the list of sanctioned terrorist organizations."

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), who was also targeted by the Ukrainian NGO, led the push for the prohibition. "Federal bureaucrats should not support or partner with foreign groups that attempt to intimidate and silence U.S. citizens and lawmakers," he said. Banks highlighted a connection between the department and Anatoly Bondarenko, a co-founder of Texty.

Texty.org.ua defended its report as "data journalism" and described itself as the victim of "an attack on freedom of speech and a display of chauvinism against the citizens of Ukraine." The group argued, "Our critics believe that we do not have the right to investigate the streams of false information they produce about our country and us, simply because they are U.S. citizens and we are not."

The original report labeled individuals on its list as "forces in the U.S. impeding aid to Ukraine," spanning "from Trumpists to Communists." Highlighted in the report were the renowned anti-war group CODEPINK, organizations funded by billionaire Charles Koch, popular conservative speaker Jordan Peterson and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

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.

Musk accused of allowing Russian propaganda on X

Texty targeted Musk for allegedly allowing Russian propaganda on X, which he owns and for promoting a "highly skeptical view of the United States' financial support for Ukraine." Businessman Peter Thiel was criticized for investing in Rumble, a free speech video-sharing website that, unlike major platforms operated by U.S. tech giants, allows RT content.

Despite acknowledging that both Musk and Thiel had contributed to Kyiv's war effort against Russia through Musk's Starlink satellite internet system and Thiel's Palantir big-data analysis platform, the report still placed them on its blacklist. (Related: Ukrainian intelligence claims Russian hackers are targeting Elon Musks Starlink network.)

Reports in February showed Russian troops in Ukraine increasingly accessing Starlink, Musk's private satellite internet network, which Ukraine's military heavily relies on for battlefield communications.

This raises concerns about Kyiv's secure command communications amid weaponry and ammunition shortages, as Russian forces press offensives along the 1,200-kilometer front line, particularly in Avdiivka.

Ukraine's military intelligence reported that Russian forces systematically use Starlink terminals, supported by intercepted communications. Units like Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade are reportedly using the system.

Despite Starlink's claim of not selling to Russia, evidence suggests terminals are acquired through various Russian vendors and resellers. For instance, a Russian website, Topmachines.ru, advertised a Starlink set for 220,000 rubles (about $2,200) with a $100 monthly subscription fee.

Starlink's technology appears unable to precisely restrict signal access, complicating efforts to limit Russian use without affecting Ukrainian operations. Vendors in Moscow sell terminals at high prices, with lax oversight of customer data, allowing purchases with random European identities and valid bank cards.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Starlink is not officially supplied or used in Russia, despite reports indicating otherwise.

Follow WWIII.news for more stories like this.

Watch this clip featuring the Russian Armed Forces using radio-controlled kamikaze drones to destroy a Starlink satellite system communications kit utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Musk slams Zelenskys refusal to hold elections as he extends his rule by martial law.

Elon Musk offers Starlink satellite network to support internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.

Elon Musk announces Starlink will service international aid organizations in Gaza after Israel SEVERS all Palestinian telecommunications.

Sources include:

RT.com

RFERL.org
TWISTED: Woman to serve longer prison time for offending migrant men who gang-raped a minor

Germany's twisted justice system is currently on the world's radar as a 20-year-old woman was sentenced to a longer prison term than a group of men who were convicted of gang-raping a 14-year-old girl in Hamburg.

Last week, the woman was sentenced in the Wandsbek district court for "insult and threat" due to a message she left one of the rapists, calling him a "dishonorable rapist pig" and a "disgusting miscarriage" and also asking him: "Aren't you ashamed when you look in the mirror?" The woman did not know the perpetrator but saw his number circulating on the web after it was leaked by internet sleuths trying to mete out extrajudicial justice in the wake of the lenient verdict.

Due to the conviction, the woman was forced to spend a weekend in prison, which was more prison time than any of the foreign perpetrators received.

The brutal gang rape happened back in 2020 when the teenager was assaulted by nine men in Stadtpark, a place that was a popular spot for teens to hang out during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns. When the men isolated her from any other people in the park, the first group of four men raped her. They also robbed the girl of her phone and wallet. After that, the second group took over. The men then invited other groups of men via group chats, explaining where the girl was and that there were no witnesses near the defenseless victim. In addition, the rapists began sharing videos of their sexual assault, which the police were unable to recover, but which witnesses later described in court.

Two men came and raped her too then a single man arrived and did the same. The teen's ordeal still was not finished as a fourth group consisting of three men arrived and raped her as well. The child managed to break away and ran, though pursued by her rapists. Eventually, she came across people who recognized her traumatized state and immediately called the police.

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.

Eleven were initially arrested but the police were only able to identify sperm from nine of the men using their DNA samples to confirm their identities. According to the police, the convicted men were from an extremely "multicultural" background, including Egyptian, Afghani, Syrian, Kuwaiti, Libyan, Pole, Armenian and Montenegrin.

Some had German citizenship but a foreign background and all were represented by 20 different lawyers. Except for one convicted rapist, all were given suspended sentences and did not receive any prison time. The only man who served any prison time was a 19-year-old Iranian who was given two years and nine months; however, he will serve his time in a juvenile center. The trial ended up being extremely expensive, courtesy of the German taxpayers.

The girl now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to sources. During the trial, she testified about the attacks where according to German media, the rapists "showed no signs of remorse." One even reportedly nearly fell asleep. Videos of the first and third rapes had been recorded and shared by the assailants to contacts through WhatsApp, but the videos were deleted before the case could be heard in court.

Remix News reported that gang rapes carried out by foreign men have become common in Germany, a fact that Chancellor Angela Merkels former federal government has consistently overlooked when claiming that Germany's migration story has been a success. In August, data contained in a report released by Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) revealed that an average of two women or girls are gang-raped in the country each day, with foreigners making up roughly half of the suspected perpetrators. Despite making up just 13.7 percent of Germany's population, aliens were involved in approximately half of all gang rape cases. (Related: Illegal alien who entered the country undetected has been arrested, charged with CHILD RAPE in Massachusetts.)

Elon Musk: This is messed up

The fact that the woman who gave "threats and insults" to the evil sex offenders will get an even higher sentence, is so messed up. Big Tech mogul Elon Musk said as he caught the news on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Imposing guilt upon people for things that happened before they were even born is not right. It needs to stop," he tweeted.

Wow, this is messed up. Imposing guilt upon people for things that happened before they were even born is not right. It needs to stop. https://t.co/ryX7IcLGBz  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 24, 2024

More proof Germany's justice system has become messed up was when Alternative for Germany (AfD) politician Marie-Therese Kaiser was convicted earlier this year for publishing gang rape statistics in response to news that Afghan migrants would be moved to her district. The 27-year-old was found guilty in the Verden regional court in Lower Saxony for "inciting hatred" against local Afghan workers and ordered to pay a fine of 6,000 ($6417) and slapped with a criminal record.

The case relates back to a social media post from August 2021, in which she wrote: "Afghanistan refugees; Hamburg SPD mayor for 'unbureaucratic' admission; welcoming culture for gang rape?"

She linked an article showing that Afghans in Germany feature particularly high levels of gang rape activity. Kaiser was responding in 2021 to Hamburg's First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD), who announced that 200 Afghan workers would be arriving in Hamburg. Kaiser protested this decision with her statistics, saying she was concerned about immigration and the potential for rape from "culturally alien masses."

Check out Twisted.news for stories related to this.

Sources for this article include:

RMX.news 1

ThePublica.com

RMX.news 2
Most biologists view South America as the continent with the highest biodiversity of animal species.

This is attributed to the unique combination of topography and climatic conditions such as the Andes mountains containing varied microclimates or four tree story strata available for use by animals in the Amazon rainforest.

Biodiversity Hotspot

Scientists have been tracking and geolocating organisms all across the world for hundreds of years.

According to Vitor Piacentini, an ornithologist at the Federal University of Mato Grosso in Brazil, prior to the digital era the majority of our knowledge regarding the distribution of species came from museum collections. Today, this quest is supported by the society as a whole.

In the last two decades, there has been a "revolution" in citizen science, which entails that scientists now use the information collected by citizens to bridge existing information gaps. Such information helps scientists determine where species of organisms can be found anywhere on earth.

Scientist Norman Myers first used the term "biodiversity hotspot" in the late 1980s to describe areas that have a remarkably high species diversity relative to their surface area. The majority of the 36 hotspots known to exist today are found on equatorial continents, where the temperature is warm and humid. This is due to a factor that involves both plants and animals.

A researcher at Stanford University, Barnabas Daru, who studies applied ecology has said that plants are what all other kinds come from and this makes it possible for other organisms reliant on such plants to increase in number in regions with many different kinds of them.

Despite the presence of several plant species, predominantly they prefer warm moistness. Moistness is caused by the entrapment of water in warm air resulting in humidity when combined with water. Warmth is also desired by many microorganisms especially the decomposers of dead things that are made use of by plants for their food supply.

However, Piancentini pointed out that there are additional variables involved. A continent needs to provide both tropical temperatures and a range of ecosystems in order to support a large number of species.

He also added that areas with significant biodiversity offer a multitude of possible niches for animals to fill. To prevent competition for the same resources or habitat, tall trees or high mountains, for instance, create vertical differences in temperature, sun exposure, and topography, allowing many creatures to coexist.

Read Also: Invasive Mosquito Species From South America Now in Florida

Threaten Biodiversity

The biodiversity of South America could not have always been as rich as it is today. More than ever, South America's wildlife are under danger due to deforestation, mercury mining, and climate change.

Aside from Brazil's Amazon jungle, deforestation has increased strain on the second-largest forest on the continent, the Gran Chaco. Over a million kilometers across Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia make up the semi-arid indigenous forest. Since 1985, more than one-fifth of the forest has disappeared.

The Natural Resources Defence Council estimates that the widespread loss of forests affects between 27 and 43 percent of the area in Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

However experts said there's still time to lessen the harm.

"We will certainly lose a lot of species but every effort that we make to reduce our impact will save us a lot as well," Piacentini said.

Related Article: Unknown Dinosaur Species and Dinosaur Lineage Discovered in South America: Paleontologists Say
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Alibabas cloud computing unit, otherwise known as Alibaba Cloud or Aliyun, has decided to cease data center operations in India and Australia.

As part of Alibaba Clouds infrastructure strategy update, following careful assessment, we have decided to cease operations at our data centers in Australia and India while enhancing our investment in the Southeast Asia and Mexico, a notice shared by the company on its portal read.

The data centers in these two countries, located in Mumbai and Sydney, are expected to shut by July and September respectively. While the Mumbai data centers will cease operations by July 15, Australian data centers will become inactive after September 30.
Punjab's luscious litchis hit Britain markets

I

n a first, luscious litchis from Punjab's sub-mountainous districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur have been exported to Britain, state Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra said on Sunday.

He virtually flagged off the first shipment of litchi, exported by the Horticulture Department in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

He said the litchi cultivation in Punjab covers 3,250 hectares, with a production of approximately 13,000 metric tonnes.

"Due to the favorable climate in Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts, the litchi produced has a naturally deep red colour and sweetness superior to those from other states."

Jouramajra said through the state government's initiatives, litchi growers will be able to earn higher profits through exports.

"In the coming days, efforts will be made to export other horticultural crops as well, in collaboration with the Horticulture Department and APEDA," said the Horticulture Minister.

He said the litchi produce of progressive farmer Rakesh Dadwal from village Muradpur in Pathankot has been sent for export to Britain from Amritsar.

"The day is not far away when Punjab's fruits will put the state's name on the map in important foreign markets, and litchi growers will gain recognition internationally," he added.

 Punjab's luscious litchis hit Britain markets

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French parliamentary polls close with high turnout, exit poll indicates far-right tops vote share

S

nap polls to the 577-member French National Assembly on Sunday witnessed a heavy turnout in the first round, surpassing the voting percentage of previous elections over the past four decades, while exit polls indicated the far-right, fresh from its European Parliament election triumph, is forecast to gain the most votes overall and President Emmanuel Macron's party comes third.

While final figures were awaited, at 5 p.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT) - three hours before the official close of polls in the cities (polling in rural areas ended at 6 p.m.), nearly 60 per cent (59.39 per cent) of the electorate had exercised their franchise, as per figures from the Ministry of the Interior. In 2022, the turnout at the same time was just 39.4 per cent, the BBC reported.

As per exit poll projections for the key poll, whose results will not only impact the political fate of President Macron, but also the course of the country and the European Union, the far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le-Pen, with the 28-year-old Jordan Bardella its PM face, has secured 34 per cent of the votes.

As per the exit poll, conducted by Ipsos-Talan for France Televisions and Radio France, the New Popular Front alliance of various Left parties was second with 28.1 per cent, while Macron's own centrist Ensemble Alliance trailed in the third place with just over a fifth of the vote, at 20.3 per cent.

However, the story is not yet over, despite Le-Pen, in her address after the polling ended and exit poll predictions were released, exulting in the "wipe-out" of the Macron camp.

"Democracy has spoken and the French have put the RN and its allies at the top, practically wiping out the Macron camp," she said, adding that people clearly want to "turn the page after seven years of scornful and corrosive rule", the BBC reported.

She urged people to vote for the RN again next Sunday in the second round so that Bardella can be appointed Prime Minister.

While 289 seats are required to win a majority, the French political system is slightly complex and will go to a second round, in which candidates, whose support did not reach 12.5 per cent of all locally registered voters, are eliminated. Only those who secure 50 per cent of the vote with a turnout of at least one-fourth of the local electorate win automatically in the first round.

The run-off will be taking place in a weeks time - on next Sunday (July 7).

The elections - which were not due till 2027 - were called in a surprise announcement by Macron on June 9 - after the National Rally party decisively defeated his alliance in the European Parliament elections.

While the decision was seen as a gamble, Macron had no option as he failed to win a majority for his party in the previous (2022) elections, held soon after his own re-election, and was hamstrung in passing new laws or reforms.

The prospect of either the far-right or the left gaining power is seen as leading to a "civil war" - as Macron himself warned recently, a poll published on Friday indicated that 40 per cent each of respondents fear this eventuality in case of either party from the extremes of the political spectrum gain power, the BBC reported.

However, Macron has announced that even if his party loses, he will not quit as President before 2027 when his term ends. Dealing with political opponents controlling the legislature will be tough, as the parliament cannot be dismissed for another election for at least a year.

 French parliamentary polls close with high turnout, exit poll indicates far-right tops vote share

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Indian Army on path of transformation, aspires to be Atmanirbhar: Gen Upendra Dwivedi

T

he Indian Army is on the path of transformation and aspires to be 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) as it is ready and capable of facing all current and future security challenges, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Monday, a day after he assumed charge.

General Dwivedi took over the charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on Sunday from General Pande, who retired on June 30 after more than four decades of service to the nation.

The new Army Chief received a Guard of Honour at the South Block here and later in his address to the media, emphasised his commitment to evolving the Indian Army's war-fighting strategies and ensuring the well-being of all ranks, Veer Naris (war widows), and veterans.

He expressed immense pride and honour in leading the Indian Army, highlighting its legacy of valour and sacrifice.

"It is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army. The glorious traditions of the Indian Army are based on the legacy of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. On this occasion, I pay solemn tributes to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty," he said.

General Dwivedi acknowledged the rapidly changing political landscape and technological advancements, noting the unique operational challenges faced by the Indian Army. He stressed the importance of continuously equipping soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and evolving war-fighting strategies.

"The Indian Army is on the path of transformation, and we aspire to be 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant). To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war system equipment that is manufactured in our country," he stated.

General Dwivedi pledged to ensure the Indian Army's readiness to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and other stakeholders. He highlighted the importance of securing India's interests and contributing to nation-building towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

"It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and civilians of the Indian Army are looked after. My responsibilities to our veterans, Veer Naris, and their families are my sacred commitment, and I assure this extended family my full support. I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me, and I ensure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges," he added.

General Upendra Dwivedi, an accomplished military leader, has served in the Armed Forces for 40 years. An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), he was commissioned into the Regiment of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in 1984.

 Indian Army on path of transformation, aspires to be Atmanirbhar: Gen Upendra Dwivedi

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Right turn in education: DUs alignment for educational excellence with Modi 3.0

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s Bharat enters a new era under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, commonly referred to as Modi 3.0, the education sector stands at the cusp of transformative change.

Delhi University (DU), one of Bharat's premier institutions of higher learning, is at the forefront of this educational revolution under the dynamic leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh. Delhi University is poised to work with the government's vision, contributing significantly to the nation's educational growth and development.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a flagship initiative of the Modi government, represents a paradigm shift in India's approach to education. Prof. Singh has been a vocal advocate for the policy's implementation, recognising its potential to revolutionise the Bharatiya education system.

He has proactively aligned its curriculum and pedagogical approaches with the NEP's core principles. One of the critical aspects of this alignment is the introduction of multidisciplinary and holistic education.

DU has begun restructuring its undergraduate programs to offer greater flexibility and choice to students. The university is moving away from rigid disciplinary boundaries, encouraging students to explore diverse subjects and develop a well-rounded skill set.

This approach resonates with the NEP's emphasis on cultivating critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability among learners.

Furthermore, DU is working on integrating vocational education into its mainstream offerings. This aligns with the government's focus on skill development and employability. By blending academic knowledge with practical skills, the university aims to produce graduates who are well-versed in their chosen fields and industry-ready.

Digital Transformation and Online Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in education, which aligns well with Modi 3.0's vision of a Digital India. Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh has been at the forefront of driving DU's digital transformation, recognising that technology is not just a stopgap measure but a long-term solution for expanding access to quality education.

Under his leadership, DU has significantly enhanced its digital infrastructure, investing in robust learning management systems, online libraries, and virtual laboratories. The university has also effectively trained its faculty to use digital teaching and assessment tools.

This digital push is expected to continue and intensify in the coming years, with plans for more blended learning programs and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

The university's efforts in this direction complement the government's initiatives like SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) and the National Digital Library. By leveraging these platforms and contributing resources, DU is poised to play a crucial role in democratising access to higher education, reaching students in remote areas and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Research and innovation are critical pillars of Modi 3.0's vision for Bharat's growth and global competitiveness. Prof. Singh has prioritised enhancing DU's research output and fostering a culture of innovation within the university. This aligns perfectly with the government's emphasis on developing Bharat as a knowledge superpower.

DU is strengthening its research infrastructure, establishing new centres of excellence, and forging partnerships with industry and international institutions. The university also encourages interdisciplinary research, recognizing that many of the world's most pressing challenges require collaborative solutions from multiple fields of study.

DU is working on creating a more robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship to support this research drive. Incubation centres, startup accelerators, and industry-academia collaborations are being scaled up. These initiatives contribute to the government's vision of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) and position DU as a significant player in driving innovation-led growth.

Internationalisation and Global Partnerships

Modi 3.0 envisions Bharat as a Viswa Guru, and education plays a crucial role in this aspiration. Delhi University also recognises the importance of internationalization in enhancing the quality and relevance of education at DU.

Under his guidance, the university is actively pursuing collaborations with leading international institutions, promoting student and faculty exchanges, and working towards attracting more international students to its campus.

While introducing the Universitys plan to utilise the nation G20 Presidency for the Internationalisation of Education, Prof. Singh said: As the nation takes the presidency of the G20, there are several educational activities we would like to present. We have formed a committee that is deliberating and working towards a plan. We want to showcase our university.

These efforts align with the government's 'Study in India' initiative, which positions the nation as a preferred destination for higher education. DU's reputation and location in the national capital make it an ideal ambassador for Bharatiya higher education globally.

Moreover, DU is working on internationalizing its curriculum, incorporating global perspectives and best practices. This enhances the quality of teaching and prepares students for the increasingly interconnected global job market.

Skill Development, Employability, and access to Inclusivity

Modi 3.0 focuses on employing Bharatiya youth and using the demographic dividend. The university has made skill development and employability core to its purpose, recognising that education's ultimate objective is to educate students for successful professions and significant contributions to society.

Career services at DU are being revamped, industry links are being strengthened, and internships and practical training are being added. The university is also creating new courses and programs in AI, data science, and sustainable development to meet the government's future-ready skills needs. Student soft skills and entrepreneurial attitudes are also stressed at DU. This comprehensive skill development method supports the government's goal of developing job searchers and creators.

Modi 3.0 and Delhi University prioritise excellent education for everyone. Prof. Singh has advocated for DU's inclusion, making it more accessible to economically disadvantaged, rural, and marginalized students. More scholarships, outreach, and inclusive campus improvements are underway at DU. The institution also uses technology to reach students who cannot attend courses, democratising excellent higher education.

These activities support the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir students and Economically Weaker Sections reservation.

Since education quality relies on teachers, Modi 3.0 and DU have prioritised teacher training and development. Prof. Singh's proactive leadership is improving DU's teacher education programs and faculty professional development.

Technology and experiential learning are being investigated for teacher preparation at the institution. These activities support the government's initiative Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching. DU celebrates and promotes cultural diversity on its campuses as a microcosm of India.

The university's curriculum includes cultural exchange programmes, regional languages, and varied cultural viewpoints. These activities align with the government's 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' and cultural diversity initiatives.

Promoting Indigenous Knowledge and Entrepreneurship in Curriculum

Modi 3.0 has emphasised preserving and promoting Bharatiya's rich cultural and intellectual heritage. Prof. Singh shares this vision and has been working on integrating Indian knowledge systems into DU's curriculum and research initiatives. The university is developing new courses and research programs from ancient Indian texts, philosophies, and scientific traditions.

The Centre for Hindu Studies is correct in its interdisciplinary approach, which recognizes that Hindutva is not merely a religious tradition but a complex cultural, social, and philosophical phenomenon. This helps preserve India's cultural heritage and provides students with alternative perspectives and approaches to modern challenges.

DU's efforts in this direction align with the government's initiatives like the SHODH (Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills) program and the emphasis on promoting Indian languages in higher education.

In line with Modi 3.0's vision of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among India's youth, DU emphasides entrepreneurship education and support. The university is expanding its incubation facilities, offering mentorship programs, and integrating entrepreneurship courses into various disciplines. These initiatives complement government schemes like Startup India and Atal Innovation Mission, creating a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country.

As we look towards the future of higher education under Modi 3.0, Delhi University emerges as a key player in realising the government's vision for educational growth and excellence. The alignment between DU's initiatives and the government's priorities is precise, from curriculum reform and digital transformation to research, innovation, and skill development.

However, this alignment is not about mere compliance with government directives. Instead, it represents a shared vision for transforming higher education to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. DUs proactive approach to implementing reforms and driving innovation positions it as a model for other institutions to emulate.

As the nation stands at the threshold of what promises to be a transformative era in its educational landscape, the synergy between Delhi University and Modi 3.0's vision offers a promising blueprint for progress. It demonstrates how a premier educational institution can align with national goals while maintaining its academic autonomy and pursuit of excellence.

The success of this alignment will ultimately be measured not just in rankings or research output but in the quality of graduates DU produces and their contributions to Bharats growth statistics.

Even VC Prof. Singh often emphasises that the accurate measure of a university's success lies in its ability to create responsible, innovative, and socially conscious citizens who can drive the nation forward.

Thus, this alignment between DU and the Government represents a confluence of vision, resources, and determination to elevate higher education to new heights. It means a sign of catalysing a broader revolution in Bharatiya education, positioning the country as a true leader in the global knowledge economy.

Its success could set the template for a new era of collaboration between higher education institutions and the government, working together to realize the dream of an educated, skilled, and prosperous Bharat.

(Views expressed are personal. Dr. Barthwal teaches in Sri Aurobindo College at Delhi University)

 Right turn in education: DUs alignment for educational excellence with Modi 3.0

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India's retail market attracts investors, funding for startups rose by 32 pc

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ndia's consumption story has been attracting investors. In the first half of 2024, retail startups in the country raised 32 per cent more funds as compared to the same period last year.

Data intelligence firm Tracxn report said that funding for the retail sector has increased by 32 per cent to $1.63 billion in the first half of 2024, which was $1.23 billion in the first half of 2023.

The report further states that right of the total funding rounds in the first half of 2024 have raised more than $100 million.

Flipkart has raised $350 million, Apollo 24/7 has raised $297 million and Meeso has raised $275 million, which shows investors are very optimistic about the retail sector growth.

India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

In FY 2023-24 GDP growth rate was 8.2 per cent which is estimated to be 7.2 per cent in the current financial year.

Due to the economic growth, consumption in India is also increasing rapidly.

According to a UBS report, consumption in India has almost doubled in the last decade. Last year it was at $2.1 trillion.

India plans to become the world's third-largest economy by 2026.

Last year, consumption in India grew faster than other major economies of the world such as China, US, and Germany.

According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, since 2011-12, spending in rural areas has increased by 164 per cent and in urban areas by 146 per cent.

The survey said that in monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) 2022-23, compared to 2011-12, the expenditure in rural areas has increased by 164 per cent to Rs 3,773 and the expenditure in urban areas has increased by 146 per cent to Rs 6,459.

 India's retail market attracts investors, funding for startups rose by 32 pc

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In 1954, Radiometer launched the worlds first commercially available blood gas analyzer. This event catapulted a small Danish company that produced devices for the radio industry into the foray of acute care diagnostics.

Image Credit: Radiometer Medical

With the Astrup Apparatus we entered the health care industry and the space of acute care diagnostics, says Francis Van Parys, President and CEO of Radiometer. Little did we know that this device would come to transform the health care industry forever. That it would impact millions of lives around the world.



He continues. We started our venture in the blood gas industry by helping the aid of polio patients. Now, critically ill patients are the center of everything we do, and that work continues to this day, impacting around 24 million patients each year.

Today, Radiometer products and solutions are developed and delivered through a united effort of more than 4400 Radiometer associates and used in hospitals, clinics, and labs in more than 120 countries.

At Radiometer, we are committed to providing diagnostic solutions to support caregivers, says Jose Antunes, Vice President and GM, Acute Care Diagnostics.

As we address the growing and aging population and the need for efficiency at hospitals globally, we see ourselves playing a role in a transformation towards personalized and preventive diagnostics. Developing clinically superior solutions requires partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with industry leaders to tackle challenges in healthcare together."

Here's to 70 more years in acute care diagnostics, 70 years of partnerships, 70 years of innovation and 70 more years of continued support of healthcare professionals in making diagnostic decisions that save lives.

For more information about the 70-year anniversary, explore our Legacy of Innovation page.

ABOUT RADIOMETER

Whatever comes next, we make sure life comes first.

Radiometer products and solutions are used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories in over 130 countries, providing information on critical parameters in acute care diagnostics.

If you ever wondered whats within you, theres no better time to find out. Check out our current job openings.
Scientists behind a new type of immunotherapy are demonstrating significant effects in laboratory experiments in cell samples from patients with the aggressive form of skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma.

An international research team has demonstrated a method to identify the cells in the immune system that can recognize and fight cancer cells in samples from 9 out of 10 patients affected by the rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma. The results of the research have been published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation and may eventually open up new forms of immunotherapy in the treatment of people with Merkel cell cancer.

The research project was conducted by an international team of researchers from universities and hospitals in the US, Germany, and Denmark and was led by Professor Sine Reker Hadrup from DTU.

The researchers have identified the elements in Merkel cell polyomavirus, known as epitopes, that can be recognized by the immune system's T cells. Merkel cell polyomavirus is directly implicated in the development of Merkel cell cancer. Normally, the immune system is able to recognize and defeat these epitopes, but in elderly and immunocompromised patients in particular, this response is impaired. In trials, researchers have shown that patients' ability to mount an immune response against these elements determines how effective immunotherapy is in treating their skin cancer.

Building on previous treatment trials, the researchers are now working to further boost the immune response in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, and they have shown that they are able to generate large numbers of the desired T cells - even in patients who normally have none.

In the trials, the researchers used a known treatment principle of blocking a channel in the immune system, known as immune checkpoint blockade. The treatment principle was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2018 and is now a widely used treatment strategy for many cancers. The treatment involves blocking the so-called PD1 receptor - a structure that normally slows down the immune system's T cells after an infection in the body.

Boosting the body's immune system

In the laboratory experiments, the researchers take T cells from patients and mix them with a nanostructure that they have designed to stimulate the immune system's T cells against the very elements of the Merkel cell polyomavirus that are involved in cancer formation. In this way, the researchers can create a large number of the T cells that are capable of killing cancer cells. The method is based on a DTU-patented technology - an expansion strategy for T cells - developed by Sine Reker Hadrup.

In the trial, we show that the expansion strategy for immune cells that can fight Merkel cell cancer is relevant for people with this type of cancer. We have designed some molecular structures that contain a number of different molecules that can activate the reaction in the immune system that can defeat the cancer cells." Professor Sine Reker Hadrup from DTU

Sine Reker Hadrup believes that the next step in the research is to conduct a larger study and then use the results in a trial treatment with patients. In the longer term, the research results open up the possibility of developing the treatment into a new type of immunotherapy for patients with Merkel cell cancer.

Facts

Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer caused by Merkel cell polyomavirus and/or UV radiation. It is also known as Merkel cell carcinoma and is treated with surgery, radiation, immunotherapy or chemotherapy.



Merkel cell carcinoma is mainly found in the head and neck area and on the arms and legs, where the skin gets the most sun.



It usually appears as a firm reddish/purple bump on the skin that is not tender but grows rapidly. To make a diagnosis, a tissue sample is taken. The disease usually affects people over the age of 70 - and women are affected slightly more often than men. In about a third, the disease has spread by the time of diagnosis. This type of cancer is very rare. In Denmark, approximately 26 people are affected annually, and the number has increased in recent years.
Bank Holidays in July 2024: According to the 2024 bank holiday calendar released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks across India will observe 12 holidays in July. The central bank has issued the complete list of bank holidays for the year, considering factors such as national and state holidays, cultural or religious observances, operational needs, government announcements, and coordination with other banks.

These holidays encompass regional holidays, state-specific holidays, as well as the usual second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays. Despite the closure on these specific days, customers can still access banking services via net banking, ATMs, mobile applications, and bank websites.

The RBI communicates this information through official channels, including its website and notifications to banks and other financial institutions.

Bank Holidays In July 2024 In India

July 03, 2024: Banks in Shillong, Meghalaya, remain closed on 3 July 2024 on the occasion of BehDienkhlam.

July 06, 2024: Banks will remain closed in Aizawl on this day on the occasion of MHIP Day.

July 07, 2024: Due to it being Sunday, there will be a holiday in all the banks across the country.

July 08, 2024: Banks are closed in Imphal on the occasion of Kang Rathajatra on 8 July.

July 09, 2024: Banks in Gangtok are closed on the occasion of Drukpa Tshe-zi.

July 13, 2024: Due to it being the second Saturday, there will be a holiday in all the banks.

July 14, 2024: Being Sunday, it is a weekly bank holiday.

July 16, 2024: Banks of Dehradun will remain closed on the occasion of Harela.

July 17, 2024: There will be a holiday in banks in many states of the country on the occasion of Muharram.

According to the RBI list, Agartala, Aizawl, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad Telangana, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Delhi, Patna, Ranchi, Raipur, Shillong, Shimla and Srinagar, there will be a holiday for banks.

Banks of Panaji, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kohima, Itanagar, Imphal, Dehradun, Gangtok, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad will remain open.

July 21, 2024: Due to it being Sunday, all the banks in the country will remain closed.

July 27, 2024: Due to it being the fourth Saturday, there will be a holiday in all the banks

July 28, 2024: Since this day is the last Sunday of July, banks will remain closed across the country.

Customers should plan their bank visits accordingly to avoid inconvenience.

You can still conduct transactions and manage other banking tasks despite bank holidays through online banking and ATMs. These facilities will not be affected by the bank closures. During this period, you can perform many mobile or net banking activities, as all online services will remain fully operational.
Petrol, and Diesel Prices On July 1, 2024: Oil marketing companies have announced updated petrol and diesel prices on Monday, July 1. The countrys Petrol and diesel prices depend on crude oil prices internationally. Fluctuations in crude oil prices lead to changes in fuel prices in India. Check the latest petrol, and diesel prices to know if there is an increase in the amount customers will have to shell out for a litre.

Government oil marketing companies release the latest petrol and diesel prices daily at 6 am in the country.

The prices have remained unchanged in most parts of the country since March 2024 when the central government cut petrol prices by Rs 2. Before that, the fuel prices remained steady since May 2022, following a reduction in fuel taxes by the central government and several states.

Companies like Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Indian Oil Corporation of India release the prices of petrol and diesel on their websites. Let us know the latest fuel prices.

Petrol Diesel Price Today In India (Check city-wise rate table below)

Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on July 1;

City Petrol Price (Rs/litre) Diesel Price (Rs/litre) Delhi 94.72 87.62 Mumbai 103.44 89.97 Chennai 100.85 92.44 Kolkata 103.94 90.76 Noida 94.66 87.76 Lucknow 94.65 87.76 Bengaluru 102.86 88.94 Hyderabad 107.41 95.65 Jaipur 104.88 90.36 Trivandrum 107.62 96.43 Bhubaneswar 101.06 92.91

Factors Affecting Petrol And Diesel Prices In India

Crude oil price: The primary raw material for the production of petrol and diesel is crude oil; as such, its price directly influences the ultimate cost of these fuels.

The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar: As a major importer of crude oil, Indias petrol and diesel prices are also influenced by the exchange rate between the Indian and US dollar.

Tax: Various taxes on petrol and diesel are imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes may differ across states, exerting a notable influence on the ultimate prices of petrol and diesel.

The cost of refining:

The final price of petrol and diesel is additionally influenced by the expenses incurred in refining crude oil into these fuels. The refining process can be costly, and the refining expenses may fluctuate based on factors like the type of crude oil utilised and the refinerys efficiency.

The demand for petrol and diesel: The demand for petrol and diesel can also affect their prices. If demand for these fuels increases, it can lead to higher prices.

Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS

You can also find out the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122.
Even as the RBIs June 30 deadline on the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) has passed, users are still able to make their credit card bill payments through third-party platforms like Cred and PhonePe. These fintech players are allowing credit card bill payments for non-compliant banks also using alternative methods like IMPS, NEFT and UPI, but Paytm is not supporting it.

The Reserve Bank of India earlier directed that all credit card payments must be processed through the centralised payment system Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) after June 30.

According to industry players, for non-compliant banks such as HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, Cred and PhonePe are using alternative methods like IMPS, NEFT, and UPI to process payments. For banks that have activated BBPS, such as SBI and Kotak Mahindra Bank, these fintech platforms are routing payments through the centralised billing network.

So far, among major banks, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank have not activated BBPS. Contacted by news18.com, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank did not respond despite multiple follow-ups.

ICICI Bank has activated BBPS today, bringing the total to 12 banks that have now activated BBPS.

Lenders are all getting on board pretty fast, said an industry player.

The lenders who have activated BBPS include SBI Card, BoB Card, IndusInd Bank, Federal Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The reports that customers would not be able to make payments through fintech platforms like Cred after June 30 are completely untrue. Users can still make credit card bill payments for any bank. It is business as usual. For those lenders who have not complied with the BBPS directive, third-party apps are using alternative methods like IMPS, NEFT, and UPI. However, the fintech companies are using BBPS for those lenders who have already activated it, an industry player explained.

While Cred and PhonePe are allowing credit card payments for non-compliant banks, Paytm is not supporting it. From July 1, 2024, we support credit card bill payments only for banks registered on the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). We will update you once this bank is supported, read a pop-up on Paytm while attempting to pay an HDFC Bank credit card bill on July 1.

Credit Card Bill Payments Via Third-Party Apps: User Experience

A user paid his HDFC credit card bill today via Cred. Since the lender has not yet activated BBPS, the payment was routed through IMPS. The SMS received by the HDFC Bank credit card user after the bill payment read: DEAR HDFCBANK CARDMEMBER, PAYMENT OF Rs. XXX RECEIVED TOWARDS YOUR CREDIT CARD ENDING XXXX THROUGH IMPS ON 1-7-2024. YOUR AVAILABLE LIMIT IS RS. XXXXXX.

Another payment made by an SBI credit card user via Cred read: We have received payment of Rs.7,328.00 via BBPS & the same has been credited to your SBI Credit Card.

Why Has RBI Mandated Centralised Payment of Credit Cards?

Industry players said that the RBI aims to gain better visibility on payment trends and improve the ability to track and resolve fraudulent transactions through the centralised payment system.
Government appointment selection panel Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) on Saturday selected senior-most managing director Challa Sreenivasulu Setty for the position of Chairman of the countrys largest lender State Bank of India (SBI).

Who Is Challa Sreenivasulu Setty?

Setty, who was appointed managing director in January 2020, currently looks after SBIs International Banking, Global Markets and Technology verticals.

He will succeed Dinesh Kumar Khara, who will be superannuating on August 28, when he turns 63, the upper age limit for the position of SBI Chairman.

Setty, who also headed various task forces/committees formed by the Government of India, had earlier looked after the retail and digital banking portfolio of the bank.

A Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and also, a Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers, he started his career with SBI in 1988 as a Probationary Officer.

Across a career spanning over three decades, he has rich experience in corporate credit, retail, digital and international banking and banking in developed markets.

Setty has held key assignments in SBI, including Deputy Managing Director  Stressed Assets Resolution Group, Chief General Manager and General Manager in Corporate Accounts Group, Deputy General Manager in Commercial Branch, Indore and VP & Head (Syndications) in SBI, New York Branch.

Who Appoints Chairman Of SBI? What Is FSIB?

FSIB, the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions, interviewed three candidates on June 29, 2024 for the position.

Keeping in view their performance in the interface, their overall experience and the extant parameters, the Bureau recommends Challa Sreenivasulu Setty for the position of Chairman in SBI, FSIB said in a statement.

As per the convention, the chairman is appointed from a pool of serving managing directors of SBI. Usually, the senior-most managing director becomes chairman of the bank.

The final decision on FSIB recommendation would be taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

FSIB is headed by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, former secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

The members of the government-appointed selection panel are the Financial Services Secretary, the Department of Public Enterprises Secretary and an RBI Deputy Governor.

Other members of the headhunter are Animesh Chauhan, former chairman and MD of erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce, RBIs ex-executive director Deepak Singhal, and Shailendra Bhandari, former MD of erstwhile ING Vysya Bank.
Raising the NEET problem in Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Monday referred to the medical entrance exam as a commercial exam rather than a professional one. NEET exam is a commercial exam and not a professional exam. NEET exam is meant only for rich kids, Gandhi stated. Gandhi further criticised what he referred to as an institutional failure to address these discrepancies. He also asked for a debate on this matter and sought help.

As soon as the Lok Sabha convened for the day, Rahul Gandhi brought up the discrepancies in NEET. This prompted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to argue that a separate discussion cannot take place until the House concludes its motion of thanks on the presidents speech. The opposition staged a walkout after demanding a specific promise from the administration on the matter.

We wanted a one day discussion on NEET. It is an important issue. More than two crore students have been affected. Paper leaks have happened on 70 occasions. We would be happy if you allow a separate discussion on the issue, Gandhi remarked, according to PTI.

We can send a message from Parliament to the students that the issue of NEET is very important for us, Gandhi told the audience.

A separate notice for the NEET discussion can be given by members, according to Speaker Om Birla, who stated that it is not customary to address any other topic during the motion of thanks debate, according to PTI.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan stated on June 29 that the Congress does not want a debate on the NEET UG 2024 issue; instead, they want disruption and barriers to parliaments functioning. The statement comes after the Lok Sabha session was deferred at noon on June 28 as the Opposition requested a debate on the alleged anomalies in the medical entrance test.

 with PTI Inputs

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
Emmanuel Macron is facing a hard time after his rival Marine Le Pen from the far-right National Rally party has won the first round in Frances snap parliamentary elections. Macron has called two rounds of elections on June 30 and July 7 after a defeat in the recently held European Parliament elections.

Paris is already witnessing unrest, with protesters taking to the streets and setting shops on fire and engaging in violence ahead of the Olympics 2024. The Daily Mail reported the scale of violence with protesters climbing the Place de la Republique.

Why did Macron Hold Snap Elections?

Macron had no need to announce early elections for at least another three years. But after his Renew alliance was faced a rout in the European Union election by far-right National Rally party of Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen on June 9, the French president went on TV to say he couldnt act as if nothing had happened as reported by the BBC.

Macron has pledged to see his final presidential term, which runs until 2027, but he now faces the prospect of having to appoint a prime minister from an opposition party  in a rare arrangement known as cohabitation.

Macron wanted to break the logjam after his party failed to secure an absolute majority in the National Assembly in June 2022. He had to force through pension reforms without a vote while tougher immigration laws required National Rally support. France needs a clear majority if it is to act in serenity and harmony, he had said.

His centrist Ensemble alliance of Renaissance, Horizons and MoDem is languishing in the polls, behind a swiftly formed left-wing New Popular Front, made up of Socialists, Greens, Communists and the far-left France Unbowed (LFI).

How Do French Elections Work?

There are 577 seats in the National Assembly, including 13 overseas districts and 11 constituencies that represent French citizens abroad. For an absolute majority a party needs 289.

The Macron alliance had only 250 seats in the outgoing Assembly and had to build support from other parties every time to pass a law.

The first round eliminates all candidates who fail to win the support of 12.5% of locally registered voters. Anyone who scores more than 50% of the vote with a turnout of at least a quarter of the local electorate wins automatically.

The second round is a series of run-offs fought either by two, three or sometimes four candidates.

Why Are the Elections Significant?

For the first time, National Rally could win power. The party is led by 28-year-old Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen in Parliament. Pen has fought for the presidency three times and lost each time.

She is also eyeing the next presidential election in three years time.

What was the Outcome of the First Round?

The far-right National Rally party, led by Pen, emerged victorious in the first round of the snap parliamentary elections on June 30. They secured around 34% of the vote, ahead of the left-wing alliance in second with 28.1%, while Macrons party trails in a distant third with 20.3%.

Further, the projections suggested that after the second round of voting on July 7, the National Rally would win between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, falling short of the 289 required for an absolute majority, as reported by CNN.

The results put RN in a position where it can think of forming a government. However, forces across the rest of the political spectrum have suggested they will cooperate to block the far-right party in the second round.

What are the Implications of RNs Win?

A National Rally victory could lead to a period of cohabitation where the far-right party governs alongside President Macon, implementing policies that diverge from Macrons centrist agenda. It would be the first time a far-right force has taken power in France since World War II.

What Does It Mean for Macron?

Macron called for a broad alliance against the far right in the second round, which will see run-off votes between two or three candidates where there was no outright winner in the first round.

Macron said the high turnout in the first round spoke of the importance of this vote for all our compatriots and the desire to clarify the political situation.

He also underestimated the extent to which his own political capital has diminished after seven years in power.

His depiction of the election as a tussle between his moderate camp and extremists on the left and right ultimately failed to sway voters, leaving his bloc as the weakest of three forces now vying to govern France, reported France24.

When Has Cohabitation Taken Place in France?

The parliamentary elections come hard on the heels of the presidential votes, with voting preferences largely remaining the same in the last 20 years. Cohabitation happened three times in France:

1997-2002: Socialist Lionel Jospin was prime minister under centre-right President Jacques Chirac.

1993-95: Centre-right Prime Minister Edouard Balladour worked with Socialist President Francois Mitterrand during his second term.

1986-88: Jacques Chirac was prime minister under President Francois Mitterrand.

But nothing has prepared France for the kind of cohabitation that could occur after July 7.

What Happens if No Party Wins an Absolute Majority?

According to the Constitution, the president appoints the prime minister. So, Macron is expected to offer the job to the leading party. If no party wins an absolute majority, a caretaker government would run the basic affairs. However, Macron would have to navigate a complex political period.
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the Army is ready and capable to face all current and future security challenges facing India and that he would focus on continuing to equip the force with the latest weapons and technology.

A day after he assumed charge of the 1.3 million-strong force, Gen Dwivedi said the Army is facing unique operational challenges and that the geo-political landscape is changing rapidly with technology evolving at a very fast pace.

The Army chiefs remarks came amid Indias dragging border conflict with China in eastern Ladakh and the challenge of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.

I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me and I assure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges, he told reporters after inspecting a guard of honour at the South Block in the Raisina hills.

The newly-appointed Army chief, with extensive operational expertise, also said that he would encourage the induction of indigenously built military hardware into the force to boost self-reliance in defence.

The geo-political landscape is changing rapidly and technology is evolving at a very fast pace, he said.

The Indian Army faces unique operational challenges and to remain prepared for such threats and distinctive requirements, it is crucial that we continuously equip our soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and continue to evolve our warfighting strategies, he added.

Gen Dwivedi, who assumed charge as the 30th Chief of the Indian Army on Sunday, said he would focus on ensuring that the Army is ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict.

I will endeavour to ensure that the Indian Army is always ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining complete synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders, he said.

This will ensure that Indias interests are secured and we become a major pillar of nation-building to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047, Gen Dwivedi said.

The defence ministry is in the process of implementing the much-awaited theaterisation model under which it seeks to integrate the capabilities of the Army, Air Force and Navy and optimally utilise their resources for wars and operations.

Gen Dwivedi said the Indian Army is on the path to transformation and it aspires to be Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in defence.

To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war systems and equipment that are manufactured in our country, he said.

The Army chief said it is a matter of immense pride for him to lead the force.

This is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army, he said The glorious traditions of the Indian Army rest on the legacy of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. On this occasion, I pay my solemn tributes to the Bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, he added.

The Army chief said he was fully committed to protecting the interests of all the personnel in the force and to extending full support to ex-servicemen and their families.

It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and defence civilians of the Indian Army are looked after, he said.

My responsibility towards veterans, veer naris and their families is a sacred commitment and I assure this extended family, my full support, he said.

The Army chief briefly spoke to a group of religious leaders ahead of the ceremonial welcome at the South Block.

Gen Dwivedi has been serving as the Vice Chief of the Army since February 19.

Before becoming the Vice Chief, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.

An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into the regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984.

He has a unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern and Western theatres in varied operational environments.

In his long and distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments.

The command appointments of Gen Dwivedi include command of the regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps.

He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
India officially overhauled archaic British-era criminal statutes on Monday by replacing them with three new laws to help expedite judicial processes, enhance victim rights, and advance investigative methods. Here are 10 key points on the three new criminal laws that take effect today:

Legal Reform : The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 will comprehensively replace the outdated Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, ushering in a new era of legal clarity and efficiency starting July 1.

: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 will comprehensively replace the outdated Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, ushering in a new era of legal clarity and efficiency starting July 1. Key Highlights : Noteworthy provisions include the ability to file a Zero FIR at any police station, online registration of police complaints, electronic serving of summons, and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes. These measures aim to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility within the criminal justice system.

: Noteworthy provisions include the ability to file a Zero FIR at any police station, online registration of police complaints, electronic serving of summons, and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes. These measures aim to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility within the criminal justice system. Training and Capacity Building : The Union Home Ministry has undertaken extensive training programs for over 40 lakh grassroots functionaries to ensure widespread awareness and effective implementation of the new laws, particularly emphasizing their impact on women and children.

: The Union Home Ministry has undertaken extensive training programs for over 40 lakh grassroots functionaries to ensure widespread awareness and effective implementation of the new laws, particularly emphasizing their impact on women and children. Professional Training : More than 5.65 lakh police, prison, forensic, judicial, and prosecution officials have received specialized training on the new legal provisions through 250 courses, webinars, and seminars organized by the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).

: More than 5.65 lakh police, prison, forensic, judicial, and prosecution officials have received specialized training on the new legal provisions through 250 courses, webinars, and seminars organized by the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D). Victim-Centric Approach : Under the new laws, victims will receive a free copy of the FIR and have the right to inform a chosen person of their situation upon arrest. This ensures immediate support and transparency in legal proceedings.

: Under the new laws, victims will receive a free copy of the FIR and have the right to inform a chosen person of their situation upon arrest. This ensures immediate support and transparency in legal proceedings. Enhanced Forensic Procedures : The legislation mandates forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offenses and collect evidence, which will be videographed to prevent tampering. These stringent measures aim to bolster the reliability and fairness of criminal investigations.

: The legislation mandates forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offenses and collect evidence, which will be videographed to prevent tampering. These stringent measures aim to bolster the reliability and fairness of criminal investigations. Expedited Justice for Specific Offenses : Crimes against women and children will be prioritized, with investigations required to conclude within two months of information recording. Victims will also receive regular updates on case progress within 90 days, ensuring transparency and accountability.

: Crimes against women and children will be prioritized, with investigations required to conclude within two months of information recording. Victims will also receive regular updates on case progress within 90 days, ensuring transparency and accountability. Inclusive and Progressive Measures : The new laws expand definitions to include transgender individuals, promote gender inclusivity, and introduce streamlined court procedures for efficient legal proceedings. These measures reflect Indias commitment to upholding human rights and equality before the law.

: The new laws expand definitions to include transgender individuals, promote gender inclusivity, and introduce streamlined court procedures for efficient legal proceedings. These measures reflect Indias commitment to upholding human rights and equality before the law. Public Awareness : To coincide with the rollout, police stations nationwide will host awareness events involving diverse stakeholders such as women, youth, students, senior citizens, and local committees. These events aim to educate the public about the key features and benefits of the new criminal laws.

: To coincide with the rollout, police stations nationwide will host awareness events involving diverse stakeholders such as women, youth, students, senior citizens, and local committees. These events aim to educate the public about the key features and benefits of the new criminal laws. Educational Institution: Higher education institutions under bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will organize day-long activities on July 1. These will include group discussions, workshops, and seminars focusing on various provisions of the new laws, fostering widespread understanding among students and faculties.
Expanding the definition of cruelty within the context of marriage, the Telangana High Court has ruled that any act damaging the reputation, social standing, or work prospects of one spouse by the other qualifies as cruelty. Furthermore, the court noted that depriving a spouse from being on Facebook and Instagram may also amount to cruelty.

A division bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice MG Priyadarshini, made the observations while allowing an appeal filed by a husband seeking a divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA). The appeal arose from an order dated November 2, 2021, passed by the learned Principal Senior Civil Judge at Mahabubnagar, which had dismissed the appellants petition for divorce under Section 13 (1) (i-a) and (i-b) of the HMA, 1955.

The Court overturned the previous decision, granting a divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. It underscored that marriage cannot be enforced upon individuals, emphasising that its role should not be to coerce parties into remaining in a loveless marriage. The Court has a limited role in the whole affair and should not act as an executioner (in the sense of a hangman) or a counsellor to compel the parties to continue living as wife and husband, particularly where the meeting of minds between them has become irrevocably ended, stated the judgment.

The appellant (husband) and respondent (wife) were married on December 1, 2010, as per Hindu rites. The couple faced marital issues from December 4, 2010, leading to the wife leaving the matrimonial home on November 1, 2011. The couple had a child on September 13, 2011. The wife filed a complaint on July 11, 2012, and the husband and his family obtained anticipatory bail on August 25, 2012. Although the appellant initially filed for divorce in 2012, he did not pursue the case. The respondent subsequently filed five criminal cases against the appellant, including allegations under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code. Despite a brief reunion in May 2015, the respondent continued to file criminal complaints against the appellant.

In November 2021, the Trial Court dismissed the husbands petition for divorce, stating that he had failed to establish a case of cruelty. The husband then appealed to the High Court, arguing that his wifes repeated filing of criminal cases constituted both physical and mental cruelty. He also claimed that she had deserted him by leaving the matrimonial home in 2011 and only returned briefly in 2015 before filing more cases.

The court found that the respondents actions, including filing seven proceedings against the appellant, constituted mental cruelty. The appellants loss of employment and the prolonged separation since 2011 further demonstrated that the marriage had irretrievably broken down. The court noted that, Marriage is much more than an exchange of vows or a single ceremony. It requires building of a shared home brick-by- brick cemented by a continuing wish to live a life together. Every marriage has a core and a foundation holding the union of two persons together. The bedrock of the union disintegrates when the married persons intend to break away from the union. It would be unnatural to reject a petition for divorce where the evidence led by both the parties show that the core of the marriage has crumbled beyond restoration.

What is evident from the decisions cited is that cruelty is just one of the splinters of a collapsing structure where the substratum of the marriage has broken down in a way in which the structure cannot be preserved or re-built. Cruelty, desertion, insanity are but a few of the grounds which may form the reason for a step in that direction. The Courts should put a quietus to such matters, the court added.

The court concluded that, Since the very foundation of the marriage has fallen apart, the Court cannot force the parties to reconcile and live together as husband and wife.

We have no doubt that the appellant is entitled to a decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty and of the marriage having broken down beyond repair. There is no chance of the parties resuming their matrimonial life, the court remarked.

The trial courts reasoning that the brief reunion in 2015 indicated forgiveness was, thus, rejected.
A 45-year-old man died when a roadside tree fell on him while he was walking in Mumbais Worli area on Monday morning, a civic official said.

The incident took place at around 9.30 am in Jambori Maidan lane near a chawl (row tenement), he said.

Pedestrian Amit Jagtap received serious injuries when a roadside tree suddenly fell on him, said the official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Jagtap was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead at around 5.40 pm, he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making one bold statement after another in his third term in office. Modi is all set to visit Russia on July 8 to meet President Vladimir Putin. This would be his first bilateral visit since his electoral victory in June and his first visit to Russia since the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

It has been more than two years since the war in Ukraine. Russia is dominating the war, while Ukraine keeps up its defences with complete dependence on Western help. Peace remains elusive. But the situation is changing financing two wars at once has been getting difficult for the US  the Israel-Gaza War and the Russia-Ukraine war is tearing a hole into the USAs finances, so the West is tacitly pushing for a peace plan. Meanwhile, Putin has been making every possible move to garner leverage and return to the mainstream. Plus, the USAs mild reaction to Putin visiting Vietnam recently is a potential sign of backdoor outreach to the Russian leader. In the middle of all this, an India-Russia leaders summit in Moscow can make a huge difference, given Indias potential to act as a bridge between the two sides.

This will be Modis first visit to Russia in five years. The last time he was there was in 2019 for the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The tradition of annual summits between India and Russia began in October 2000 during President Vladimir Putins visit to India. The two countries have never looked back since. The last annual summit took place in December 2021 when President Putin met PM Modi in New Delhi. Since then it has been Modis turn to visit Moscow for the summit, but that had not happened so far. 2021 was a different year  the world was just emerging out of the Covid pandemic and no one knew that Putins war on Ukraine was just weeks away. In the wake of Putins so-called special operation in Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi called for peace and settlement through diplomacy, not war, which is a stand India maintains till this day.

Its worth noting that in 2014, Modis first bilaterals were within the Himalayas with Nepal and Bhutan. After his victory in 2019, his focus shifted to the Indian Ocean with his first bilateral visits to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

This time around, he is charting a different path. He first called leaders of neighbouring countries including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh to his oath-taking ceremony. He then flew to Italy for the G7 Summit, where he engaged with Western leaders including the USAs Joe Biden. Then he hosted an American delegation essentially seeking autonomy for Tibet from China. Moreover, Modi will not be attending the SCO summit in Kazakhstan next month  a snub aimed at the China-centric leaning of the grouping. Instead, he will be heading straight to Russia.

This is a signal to the West that India would continue building upon its ties with the West. But naturally, a defining trait of Indian foreign policy is its strong bent on strategic autonomy and that means a continuation of enhanced ties with Russia. In recent years, India has refused to end ties with Russia and join in on the sanctions against it. In fact, during a global oil crisis triggered by Western sanctions on Russian oil, India stepped up its imports of the very same oil from Russia at a discount making it one of Indias biggest oil exporters. Moreover, India continues to cherish its longstanding military ties with Russia which forms the core of their relationship.

This visit is a reaffirmation of strong ties between the two nations. India considers its friendship with Russia a crucial asset especially in the context of tensions with China. Despite ever so close relations with Beijing, Russia seeks to hedge against China and India helps as a counterweight.

Several matters will need to be ironed out when the two leaders meet. Given the top-down approach of the Russian administration, a Modi-Putin summit holds significant potential for accomplishments, making a bilateral meeting particularly worthwhile.

The most pressing issue is that of trade. India-Russia trade volumes have inflated to $65 billion in 2023 with most of it involving Russias oil exports. Meanwhile, Indias exports to Russia stand at only about $4 billion and India is not pleased with this trade imbalance. It is this wide trade deficit that New Delhi wants to address by pushing Russia to increase Indian imports. With a large part of oil payments done in the rupee, the two countries are looking for ways in which Russia can put the Indian currency to use whether it is by increasing Indian imports or investing in the Indian economy.

Moreover, India and Russia are all old defence partners. India has bought the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems among various other purchases of Russian arms. Russia is now pushing for a logistics pact with India which would allow their navy to use each others ports for logistical support. In fact, Russia has published information on this Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), which was in the pipeline for years, on its legal info website showing that the pact is just a few signatures away. There is much more to gain for Russia here than India at the moment but it adds a strategic advantage for India in view of the increasing importance of Arctic sea routes.

Thirdly, Ukraine will definitely feature at the top of the meeting agenda. It is very obvious that a call for peace in Ukraine will be raised by PM Modi who has long maintained that this is not an era of war and differences can be settled through diplomacy and negotiations. PM Modi even met Ukrainian President Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. At a recent summit for peace hosted by Switzerland, India declined on signing the joint communique stating that it required a dialogue between all parties, which basically means that the peace negotiations should have involved Russia.

Meanwhile, this is a boost for Putin as well whose foreign trips had been restricted to post-Soviet Central Asian countries and China since the war. His recent trips to North Korea and Vietnam have brought more variety, with Vietnam being the only nation visited by him so far to have balanced ties with the US. Moreover, Russia is hosting the BRICS summit later this year, and it cannot afford to have a no show. Having skipped the BRICS summit in South Africa and the G20 Summit in New Delhi last year, it is crucial for Putin to make a comeback on the world stage.

Modis visit lends more legitimacy to Putins global stature, and it is certain that Russia will leverage this summit to garner the worlds attention and perhaps take a dig or two at the West. Indias objectives are clear, however. With Russia moving closer to China, India must offer a counterbalance, regardless of its growing ties with the West.
The bodies of a 27-year-old farmer, his 25-year-old wife, and three children aged 9, 7 and 5, were found in their house in a village in Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday, police said.

The deceased, identified as Rakesh Dodwa, his wife, Lalita Dodwa and their sons, Prakash (7), and Akshay (5), were found hanging next to each other from the ceiling of their mud house with rope. The body of their daughter Laxmi (9) was found lying on the floor of their house in Ravdi village, police noted.

Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide, an official noted. However, no suicide note was found at the spot.

The information about the death of five people at Ravdi village in Sondwa tehsil was received at 9.20 AM on Monday, the police official said.

A team headed by the Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) of Alirajpur was constituted to probe the incident.

Reportedly, the incident occurred between 7 pm on Sunday and 6 am on Sunday.

According to police, Rakesh Dodwa was a farmer. He also used to work as a mason in Gujarat.

A dog squad and a forensic team reached the spot and collected fingerprints. A forensic team from Indore is also reaching the spot, police said, adding that the postmortem of bodies will be videographer.

Delhis Burari Case

At least 10 members of a family were found hanging from an iron mesh in the ceiling of their house in North Delhis Burari, while the body of Narayan Devi, 77, the head of the family, was lying on the floor in another room on the morning of July 1, 2018.

(With PTI inputs)
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that the Speaker has no control over the microphones of the Members of Parliament in both Houses. Birla said this after the Opposition alleged that the microphone of Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was turned off.

Addressing the MPs, the Lok Sabha speaker said, Outside the House, some MPs level allegations that the Speaker switches off the mic. The control of the mic is not in the hands of the one who sits on the Chair.

#WATCH | Amid Opposition protest in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla says, Outside the House, some MPs level allegations that the Speaker switches off the mic. The control of the mic is not in the hands of the one who sits on the Chair. pic.twitter.com/hAjCZsNxJg ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Even on Monday, during his Lok Sabha speech, Rahul Gandhi claimed that that his mic was switched off briefly when he was speaking on Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, the opposition staged a walkout in Lok Sabha over the pre-medical entrance examination, NEET issue. The members of opposition parties walked out of the Lok Sabha despite assurance from the Centre.

Earlier today, the members of the opposition parties staged a protest on the Parliament premises on Monday against the central governments misuse of central agencies including the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Joseph Cyril Bamford, the British businessman who founded J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited or the JCB in 1945, must be turning in his grave with the discussion around a brand name he founded nearly a century ago. For, it is also the alias of Tajimul Islam, who was arrested on Sunday, after an alleged video of him whipping a woman and a man surfaced on social media.

The video of the incident, posted by CPIM West Bengal Chief on X, has been watched 1.8 million times and widely shared even by his political rivals. The incident took place in West Bengals North Dinajpurs Dighalgaon village in Lakhipur gram panchayat, where a Salishi Sabha  a Bengali term for a gathering to address disputes  turned into a virtual Kangaroo Court presided over by Tajimul.

At the meet, it was decided that the duo, alleged to be in an illicit relationship, should be thrashed.

Episode 2 of Street Justice.Featuring TMC Leader Tajimul alias JCB as Judge, Jury & Executioner. Just another day in Mamata Banerjees Bengal, where conventions of Muslim Rashtra are followed at will:- pic.twitter.com/3SvvVCQIh5  Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) July 1, 2024

WHY JCB?

JCB, a heavy construction equipment manufacturer, is a major player in the Indian backhoe loader or the bulldozer market. It had a market share of 78% in 2022. In many parts of India, and even Bengal, the two terms  bulldozer and JCB  are used interchangeably.

With the Modi governments rising expenditure on infrastructure, the construction equipment industry has been witnessing a surge in demand for excavators, which led to a 4x growth in seven-eight years. It simply meant more visibility of such heavy machines which translated into JCB becoming a widely seen brand.

Tajimul earned this name for acting like a JCB, by bulldozing his way, much before the viral video. The people of the area recount many tales that hardly made it to vernacular or national headlines.

Soon after his arrest, more old videos start to tumble out showing the alleged involvement of JCB of Bengal. In one video, JCB seemed to be purportedly dragging a young duo while tying them with ropes in the darkness of night. In another video, a man is seen to be beaten up by a man wearing a lungi who is alleged to be JCB. News18 hasnt independently verified the authenticity of these videos.

But it is claimed that in all these cases, he was delivering justice  the JCB style.

JCB is not alone, say opposition leaders in Bengal, citing examples of Shahjahan Sheikhs dominance in the Sandeshkhali area to Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Anubrata Mandal, often known as the last word of Birbhum district, but currently lodged in Delhis Tihar Jail. They all capitalise on peoples fear, with many even calling the malaise of dadagiri as an inheritance from the left front regime.

A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies.To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didis West Bengal is UNSAFE for  Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 1, 2024

HIS POLITICAL CONNECTIONS

The video has sparked widespread anger with BJP President JP Nadda calling it horrific, while state President Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday calling it medieval.

But could Tajimul become JCB without political patronage?

Md Salim has accused JCB of being the main accused in the murder of Mansur Alam. Salim was referring to a 2023 incident of pre-panchayat poll violence where Alam sustained fatal gunshot injuries while he was on his way to file nomination papers for the panchayat polls in North Dinajpurs Chopra area. Mansoor later died in a nursing home. The TMC won all seats uncontested in all three tiers of the panchayat across the block.

The Islampur Police on Monday took to X to claim, Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The fact is police has promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady. However, it didnt elaborate on the kind of misinformation and the unnamed one person is Tajimul Islam alias JCB.

Now infamous JCB is perpetuating such crime and running the extortion racket at Chopra and @WBPolice is pretending to be innocent onlookers.#Chopra #TMCgundaRaj pic.twitter.com/wWElFgziJ5 Md Salim (@salimdotcomrade) July 1, 2024

Majumder rubbished this arrest saying, Whats the point of this arrest? He is close to Hamidul. Hamidul is indirectly supporting him. They should arrest Hamidul. The BJP leader was referring to TMC MLA Hamidul Rahman who seemingly justified kangaroo courts while indulging in victim shaming. Rahman asked, Has the lady complained? So why are you (reporters) going after it incessantly. The lady indulged in anti-social activities, without her husband.

The TMC MLA accepted the aggressive beating was a wee bit wrong, but went on to defend saying it wasnt forced.

Many pointed to the confident body language of JCB when he entered the police station after being arrested  an uncanny resemblance to that of Sheikh when he was first arrested after being on the run.
Acai bowls, vibrant and nutrient-rich, are a Brazilian delicacy blending frozen acai berries with toppings like fresh fruits, granola, and honey. Their unique appeal lies in their customizable nature, allowing for creative combinations of superfoods, nuts, and seeds, making each bowl a delightful, health-boosting experience. Lets take you through the best acai bowls in Mumbai:

Tropicool

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tropicool India (@tropicool_india)

Tropicool has arrived in India with the most authentic and original acai, offering a delightful range of acai-based foods and beverages. Visit Tropicool to enjoy The Original Brazilian Bowl with Banana, strawberry or kiwi, granola or the Go Nuts Bowl with Banana, mixed nuts, peanut butter. Experience the health benefits and unique flavors of real acai at this innovative cafe.

Location: Bandra

Sequel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sequel (@sequelmumbai)

Dive into Sequels Heavenly Acai Bowl: A tantalizing blend of creamy acai pudding topped with juicy blueberries, crunchy nuts, vibrant pomegranate, and decadent dark chocolate chips

Location: Bandra & Kala Ghoda

Breve Cafe

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Breve  Cafe & Cyclery (@brevebombay)

A cafe well known to gather cyclists and opens at 7am daily is serving a delicious Acai Berry Smoothie which is power packed with acai, strawberry, blueberry, banana, Greek yogurt, vanilla bean, coconut milk. Ride to the cafe and enjoy your smoothie.

Location: Bandra

Silver Beach Cafe

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SILVER BEACH CAFE (@silverbeachcafe)

Start your day with a healthy note with Silver Beaches Acai Protein Bowl.

Location: Juhu

Bay Leaf Cafe

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bayleaf Cafe Juhu (@bayleafcafejuhu)

A cafe focused on sustainability and nutrition is serving a bowl of purple Acai Berry which Is a feast and packed with nuts, fruits, chia seeds and granola.

Location: Juhu
HAPPY NATIONAL DOCTORS DAY WISHES FOR 2024 IMAGES, SMS, SAYINGS, STATUS UPDATES, AND MORE: National Doctors Day is observed annually on July 1. This day is recognised for the excellent contributions made by doctors and other healthcare professionals who play an important role in guiding us toward a healthy and happy life. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician, who served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

ALSO READ: Why India Celebrates National Doctors Day on July 1? History, Significance and 2024 Theme Explained

The theme for this years National Doctor Day is Healing Hands, Caring Hearts. On this Doctors Day, we have created a list of messages, greetings, wishes, and quotes that you can share with your favourite doctor!

National Doctors Day 2024 Wishes, Messages and Greetings

Happy Doctors Day to the superheroes in white coats who tirelessly work to keep us healthy.

I wish you a very happy Doctors Day for your commitment to healing and saving billions of lives.

Happy National Doctors Day! Thank you for your immense dedication and sacrifices to improve global health.

Sending heartfelt wishes to all the doctors who work hard to keep us healthy. Thank you for being our healthcare heroes. Happy Doctors Day!

Happy Doctors Day to our favourite healer! Thank you for providing exceptional care.

Happy Doctors Day to the brilliant minds who bring healing, hope, happiness, and comfort to their patients!

On this Doctors Day, we would like to honour the incredible men and women who wear stethoscopes and devote their lives to treating patients. Thank you for making a positive difference in countless lives.

Salute to all the compassionate healers for their excellent service. Happy Doctors Day!

Happy Doctors Day to all the caring and dedicated physicians who provide comfort to those in need!

A doctor is the ultimate hope for patients. Sending warm wishes on this Doctors Day to my wonderful doctor!

ALSO READ: National Doctors Day 2024: 6 Essential Foods for a Doctors Daily Diet!

We truly appreciate your dedication to keeping our lives healthy and hearty. Happy National Doctors Day!

Only a doctor is blessed with the magical hands to treat life and uplift our spirits when we have lost our hopes. Happy Doctors Day!

Thank you for always being there and serving us with happiness. Happy Doctors Day!

Thank you for fighting every day for the health of your patients. Happy Doctors Day!

God has blessed me with the best doctor for my health. Happy Doctors Day to our favourite family doctor!

National Doctors Day 2024 Quotes

Medicine cures diseases, but only doctors can cure patients.  Carl Jung.

The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.  Voltaire.

The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.  William Osler.

People pay the doctor for his trouble; for his kindness, they remain in his debt.  Seneca

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.-Albert Einstein.

National Doctors Day 2024 WhatsApp and Facebook Status

Happy National Doctors Day to all the superheroes in scrubs! Thank you for your dedication and care.

Sending a heartfelt thank you to the doctors who tirelessly work to keep us healthy. You are truly appreciated.

Today, we celebrate the healing hands and caring hearts of doctors.

My deepest gratitude to the doctors who go above and beyond for their patients.

Doctors: You are the light in the darkness, the hope in despair.

To all the doctors who inspire us with their resilience: Happy National Doctors Day!

On this National Doctors Day, lets not forget the nurses, technicians, and all healthcare heroes. Thank you!

Cheers to the doctors who make a difference in countless lives every day!

Feeling grateful for the doctors who put their patients first, always.

May your stethoscopes be light and your spirits high.

Heres to the doctors who diagnose with wisdom and treat with compassion.

Thank you, doctors, for shouldering the weight of health and well-being. We appreciate you!

Sending virtual hugs to all the amazing doctors out there!

Today, and every day, we celebrate the invaluable role of doctors in our lives.

Heres to good health and a well-deserved day of appreciation for doctors everywhere.

Happy National Doctors Day! You are the reason we smile.

Thank you, doctors, for bringing comfort and healing.

A doctors dedication is truly heard in the beat of a healthy heart.

Celebrating teamwork and the incredible healthcare community!

A doctor is not just a healer, but a friend and confidant.: Happy National Doctors Day to those who go beyond their duties!

Thank you, doctors, for the gift of life and health.

Thank you for holding our hands through thick and thin.

The art of healing comes from nature, but the doctor is natures helper.  Hippocrates.

Thank you for making even the littlest patients feel safe.

Celebrating victories big and small! Happy National Doctors Day.

Sending a bouquet of gratitude to all the amazing doctors!

A good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.  William Osler

Thank you, doctors, for your global impact on health and well-being.

Even doctors need a laugh sometimes! Happy National Doctors Day!

National Doctors Day In India FAQs

When is National Doctors Day celebrated in India?

National Doctors Day in India is celebrated on July 1st every year.

Why is National Doctors Day celebrated on July 1?

It is celebrated on this day to honor the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Who was Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy?

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was a distinguished physician and a prominent political leader who made significant contributions to the field of medicine in India.

What is the significance of National Doctors Day?

National Doctors Day is a day to recognize the invaluable contributions of doctors and healthcare professionals to society. It is a time to appreciate their dedication, hard work, and compassion in caring for patients.

What is the theme for National Doctors Day 2024?

The theme for National Doctors Day 2024 is Healing Hands, Caring Hearts. This theme highlights the importance of both medical expertise and empathy in the medical profession.

How can I celebrate National Doctors Day?

There are many ways to celebrate National Doctors Day. Here are a few ideas:
Conversations around anxiety, depression, and stress have become increasingly prevalent, fostering an environment where individuals feel more comfortable discussing their mental well-being. However, there remains an area that is often overlooked in conversations  mens mental health. Dr Shyam Bhat, Psychiatrist, and Chairperson, LiveLoveLaugh explains why is it important to talk about mens mental health issues:

High rates of suicide and underdiagnosis

Statistics show that men die by suicide 2.5 times compared to women, according to a 2021 study, as compared to twice as common as women in 2014, which shows that there is an increasing number of male suicides.

While there are more suicide attempts in women, there is less death by suicide. Which points to a couple of things  the suicide method used by men was more extreme and the intent was higher. Also, perhaps it suggests that, in some cases, suicidal behavior also could be a way of reaching out for help, whereas with men what we find is that many times, there are no prior signals that they were depressed.

In fact, studies show that 50% of men who die by suicide, do not have a diagnosable mental illness according to the current DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria, which begs the question, is it an absence of mental illness? or is it the fact that the system fails to capture mens mental illness?

Biological and societal influences

Extensive research proves that different hormone levels do create alterations in various functions. One obvious effect of testosterone is increased muscle mass and increased aggression. Additionally, there are other changes that contribute to the situation where men process things differently.

Further, in more patriarchal societies, the emphasis has been on the man being a stoic emotionless person who does not display feelings and cannot seek emotional support, which worsens the situation. This is even more true when they are going through difficult times in which case many men tend to isolate themselves or numb themselves.

Hesitation in seeking support

Due to these reasons, men often cannot connect with their feelings, express them, or seek support. This results in numbness or denial and isolation, which exacerbates the problem, because often what the man does experience, is either a sense of numbness or emptiness, and of course, use substances to mitigate that.

All of this then amplifies the isolation, the anger, etc. Women who are suffering because they were able to cry and show vulnerability actually get support. Contrary to that, many men at the time, who need greater support, find themselves misunderstood and isolated. This then contributes deeply to the risk of suicide.

How to help the situation

Number one, forming, having a good circle of friends and support, outside their primary relationship. Often, men tend to get emotionally dependent on their partners, and in a happy relationship, a mutual interdependence is good.

However, its important for men to also have other sources of connection, such as their friends. Its also good to stay connected with hobbies and interests outside work so that they feel a more holistic sense of themselves.

Men would be helped by getting in touch with their feminine side, which means the side of them that is more empathic, softer, able to be vulnerable, accepting that there is this side to them can help ease a lot of anger, despair, and allow people into their lives as well as feel a greater sense of ease with themselves.

Opening up to receiving nurturing, and being nurturing is a virtuous cycle in relationships, which can help them manage their mental health, as with all genders, the basic principles of mental health remain the same, which are regular sleep, adequate exercise, balanced nutrition, good interpersonal relationships and support and a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Taking proactive steps for mental wellbeing

We live in a culture where people are facing emotional challenges. And, therefore, in that sense, people are more aware that there is nothing wrong with seeking help, and we are seeing changes. This is a positive change in both women and men in recent years, as we continue to build a society where we talk more openly and acknowledge that.

As a man, taking proactive steps towards your mental health is crucial. Here are some ways you can help yourself:
Filmmakers have approached the film chamber to register titles for a movie based on the Renukaswamy murder case, involving Kannada actor Darshan. However, as per reports, these titles have been turned down as the case is still ongoing.

As per a Times of India report, filmmakers have sought to register titles like D-Gang, Pattanagere Shed, and Khaidi No 6106. D-Gang refers to Darshans title D-Boss and Pattanagere Shed where the murder allegedly took place. Khaidi No 6106 is the under-trial prisoner number assigned to Darshan in Parappana Agrahara Prison. However, the report mentioned that the film chamber has turned down these requests.

Filmmaker Rocky Somli, who sought to register D-Gang was quoted in the report as saying, We had zeroed in on this title 2 years ago, and I even have a song composed on similar lines. All this was done way before Darshan was arrested. In fact, it has nothing to do with the ongoing case. After Darshans arrest, I saw many news channels running programmes with similar titles, and that is when it struck us to register the title before anybody else does. But the film chamber has refused to approve it. We hope we get the title because it was planned 2 years ago and we have enough proof to show that.

For the unversed, Darshan is being probed in connection to the Renuka Swamy murder case. Swamy was found dead in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024. He used to reportedly work at an Apollo Pharmacy branch in Chitradurga. It has been alleged that Renuka used to send vulgar messages to Kannada actress Pavithra Gowad, a friend of Darshan. Angry about this, Renuka Swamy was murdered and his dead body was allegedly thrown in a canal at Kamaksshipalya, Bengaluru in front of Darshan. Reportedly, eight of the accused have implicated Darshan, claiming his presence during Renuka Swamys assault. The Kannada actor was arrested on June 11.

Meanwhile, Darshan Thoogudeepas wife, Vijayalakshmi issued her first statement ever since his arrest in the Renuka Swamy murder case. On Wednesday, Vijayalakshmi shared a fan art on her Instagram handle which featured Darshans fans forming a human chain to reach a hilltop where a flag reads D Boss. Vijayalakshmi penned down a long note as she hoped for justice.

Vijayalakshmi talked about her meeting with Darshan in jail recently and claimed that he has asked his fans to stay calm. Call for all our Celebrities  You all know how much Darshan loves you. It is sad that we are in this situation today and that we have to stay at a distance from him. I have spoken to him in detail about the situation outside and it has touched his heart. He has urged all his celebrities to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds and he is sure that he will be part of your prayers, Vijayalakshmi wrote in Kannada as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Bollywood is a land of the brightest stars with the brightest friendships. Just like the tender relationship between Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, as the latter considers him an older brother. A sweet little anecdote about the two actors came to light, which is sure to make each of their fans smile with adoration.

Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan share a relationship of that of an older brother and younger brother. As per the reports, the two actors are so close that Sanjay refused to take money for a film which starred Sohail Khan, Salmans younger brother. If the reports are to be believed, after the release of the film, Salman Khan gifted a car to Sanjay Dutt for his appearance in his brothers film, and this is what he did.

Sohail Khan made his debut in Bollywood with the film Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, in which Sanjay Dutt appeared in a supporting role. In an earlier conversation with India TV, Salman Khan revealed that Sohail told Sanjay that his role is a guest appearance. The Munna Bhai MBBS actor agreed to play the role, saying, Needless to say. I will.

So, when Sanjay Dutt visited Salmans house for a party, after completing the film, he gifted him a new BMW M5 car. Salman Khan parked the vehicle outside his house and brought out Sanjay to show it to him. Salman told Sanjay that it was the first piece in India and he wanted him to keep the car.

He handed over the car keys to the older actor, who said, Thank you, bro, and threw away the keys in the sea. Salman revealed further that it was the only key he had. So, he had to hire help to find the keys and after four days, it was finally found. When Sanjay came to know about the keys, he was furious with Salman. He reportedly asked him, Do you want to give me this gift and give me money for the film? Since then, their friendship has remained one of the closest in the industry.
Yash Chopras Darr marked a pivotal moment in Shah Rukh Khans career. Released back in 1993, it thrust him into a negative character, a departure from his usual romantic hero roles. Playing the role of the obsessive lover Rahul Mehra, Khan delivered an intense and memorable performance. The iconic dialogue I love you K-Kiran remains etched in our memories, symbolizing his character from the movie. This portrayal not only showcased SRKs versatility as an actor in handling intricate characters but also played a crucial role in propelling him to stardom in Bollywood.

Juhi Chawla, who co-starred with Shah Rukh Khan in Darr, shared an intriguing insight during a recent event at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She revealed that the famous stammering dialogue in the movie, where the actor had to repeat Kiran was inspired by Yash Chopras own speech impediment. Juhi mentioned that Shah Rukh had noticed this detail, highlighting Yash Jis slight stutter. Shah Rukh then proposed incorporating it into the film, stating, I am going to use it in the film. Juhi reminisced about this incident, emphasizing how Shah Rukh initiated the iconic dialogue, and the rest is history. The duo, who worked together in several other films like Yes Boss, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, and Duplicate, shared a great rapport on screen.

Juhi Chawla stated, Maine yeh notice nahin kiya tha but Shah Rukh was observant. Yash ji thoda haklate the aur Shah Rukh ne bataya ki unhone woh wahan se pick kiya tha (Shah Rukh once revealed that he picked up K-K-K-Kiran from Yash Chopra who used to stammer a little. He said, I am going to use it in the film and wahan se unhone woh shuru kiya and thank God for that!

In the docuseries The Romantics on Netflix, Shah Rukh Khan delved into the intricacies of his performance in the 1993 blockbuster Darr. He shared insights into his portrayal of the villainous character Rahul Mehra and disclosed some unconventional methods he employed to perfect his stammer for the role, I had a classmate who had a stammer. And then we did some little study, some BBC documentary or something where they talked about that peoples minds become aware to one sound, and its like a sharp current. So, you cant say the word. I told Yashji (Yash Chopra) that I would like to use this aspect with the character. And then Adi (Aditya Chopra) suggested that because you become aware of a sound, lets make him aware of the woman he loves the most, her name. So, I only stammer on the word Kiran. It was just for that one word because hes so aware of her, he revealed.
Kartik Aaryan, who starred in Satyaprem Ki Katha, joined co-star Gajraj Rao at the wedding of director Sameer Vidwans and assistant director Juilee Sonalkar. Kartik posted photos from the wedding on Instagram, including shots of him with the couple, a group selfie with the bride, groom, and guests, moments from the wedding ceremony of Sameer and Juilee, and Kartik seated with Gajraj Rao at a dining table.

In the caption, he wrote, A love story which we literally saw blooming in front of us on the sets of Satyaprem Ki Katha so happy to be part of your beautiful journey. Congratulations Sameer Vidwans sir and Juilee Sonalkar.

The newlyweds thanked Kartik for his warmth and love. Sameer Vidwans wrote, Thank you sooooo much and dropped red hearts. Juilee Sonalkar took to the comments section and wrote, Thank you sooooo much for this warmth and love!

Kiara Advani, who played the lead opposite Kartik in the film, skipped the wedding.

Meanwhile, Kartiks highly anticipated Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is all set to hit the theatres this year. The makers are going all out to promise their fans, a fun-filled entertainer. After wrapping a couple of schedules, the crew has now headed to Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to kickstart the third leg of shoot. Earlier this morning, Kartik along with his co-stars Triptii Dimri and Madhur Dixit were spotted jetting off from Mumbai.

Kartiks character- Rooh Baba, loved by all ages, takes center stage as he propels Bollywoods biggest franchise to new heights. Whereas Vidya Balan, who previously won hearts as the OG Manjulika is set to take the horror thrill a notch higher. Kartik Aaryans Chandu Champion is currently playing in the theatres.Jointly Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, Chandu Champion was released on June 14, 2024.
Amazon Prime Videos highly-awaited crime thriller series, Mirzapur, is set to return with its third season in July this year. With actors Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya and Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit ready to set the screen on fire, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the power struggles, revenge drama and complex family dynamics deepen in the next part. Ahead of the shows premiere, actor Ali Fazal opened up about his character, revealing that this season has taken a different route. Earlier, he even teased that the viewers would see a more intriguing and remarkable performance from his side.

In a conversation with The Free Press Journal, Ali acknowledged that his character in the Mirzapur franchise turned out to be a career-defining role, holding significance for the industry. He also admitted that the show gave him more opportunities and expanded his horizons, further explaining that its impact was very different from typical shows, affecting the trajectory of his Hollywood journey.

Whats In For Guddu Bhaiya In Mirzapur 3?

Spilling beans on the upcoming season of Mirzapur, the actor shared that it has taken a different route with more grip on drama. Interestingly, we have introduced hand combat. We lose some important characters, but we gain some new ones. I underwent a different kind of preparation, which was fun, he added.

Alis response will definitely please all those fans who were not satisfied with his minimal time in season 2. Earlier, he said that his character (Guddu) was doing the wait-and-patience game and is now ready to come back with a true sense of fire in season 3. The makers have definitely amped this season up, and Guddu has a very exciting arc he goes through and is back in action, he said as quoted by Bollywood Life.

For more on Mirzapur Season 3, it will start streaming on Amazon Prime Video on July 5. Besides Tripathi and Ali Fazal, the series also stars Shweta Tripathi, Isha Talwar, Anjum Sharma, Harshita Shekhar Gaur, Priyanshu Painyulu, Sheeba Chadha and Meghna Malik in prominent roles.

The trailer for the show was recently unveiled, promising more drama, blood and power play. It features Guddu Bhaiya striving to impose his influence over Purvanchal, while Rasika Duggals character switches sides to join him.
Lakshmi Manchu recently revealed that she is part of a WhatsApp group with 142 other actors, including Ram Charan, Rana Daggubatti and Allu Arjun. She said that the group was made to facilitate a sense of family in the Telugu film industry so that actors can help each other promote their films and latest projects.

Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Lakshmi said, Theyre all actors. So, what we do is, when somebody has a movie, somebody has a teaser, somebody has a trailer, they send it to the group. Its a given that we all have to post it, we all have to do a shoutout. Thats why we created this group saying, Enough of this animosity.'

Actress Manchu Lakshmi says they have WhatsApp group among artists including #RamCharan , Rana and 142 othersAa WhatsApp group lo active vunnava anna @AlwaysRamCharan #RamCharan #GameChanger pic.twitter.com/vfe1yJCvuC  Joker (@JokerSpeakz) June 30, 2024

She added, I hold this group really close. So, yeah. What are you talking about Rana, Ram Charan? We all grew up together, that clique will always be that clique. But we enhanced it and made it bigger so Im very proud of it.

Lakshmi is one of the few actresses in the Telugu industry who comes from a film family. She is the daughter of veteran actor Mohan Babu. In the same chat, she spoke about how her friendship with Ram Charan and Rana Daggubatti impacted her move to Mumbai.

Speaking about moving to Mumbai, she said, I used to stay at my best friend Rakul Preet Singhs house. She always insisted that I move to Mumbai. I chatted with Rana (Daggubati), and he told me that I cannot stay in Hyderabad forever. She revealed that she also stayed at Ram Charans house but told no one. She also told Ram Charan to not tell people that she was staying at his Mumbai home.

Lakshmi worked in the US for a while and acted in TV series like Las Vegas, Boston Legal and Desperate Housewives, besides films like The Ode and Dead Air. She returned to India and made her debut in Tollywood in 2011, where she went on to act in films like Gundello Godari and W/O Ram. She recently made her debut in Malayalam cinema with the 2022 Mohanlal-starrer Monster. This year, she played the lead role in the Disney+ Hotstar series Yakshini.
Shatrughan Sinha has been hospitalised at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Mumbai for a routine check-up. The veteran actor tripped in his dining room, as per Times Now, injuring his ribs. Reportedly, the incident happened on Monday, June 25, in his favourite spot at home where he relaxes. His daughter Sonakshi, recently acclaimed for her acting in Heeramandi and newly married, was nearby and swiftly offered help to prevent a more serious fall. The actors son, Luv Sinha, had earlier told indianexpress.com, Dad had viral fever and weakness the last couple of days so we decided to admit him to the hospital.

And now, Luv has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that the veteran actor had fever, In regard to my fathers health Id like to clarify that there was no surgical procedure, and one shouldnt believe unverified news. We took my father to the hospital for his annual checkup, and because he had a strong fever. Thank you to everyone who has been concerned, he wrote.

In regard to my fathers health Id like to clarify that there was no surgical procedure, and one shouldnt believe unverified news. We took my father to the hospital for his annual checkup, and because he had a strong fever. Thank you to everyone who has been concerned. Luv S Sinha (@LuvSinha) July 1, 2024

Earlier, a source had revealed to Times Now, You will find Shatru most of the time on the same sofa at the same spot. He loves to sit there and see news on TV. Most of his interviews too are conducted there only. Sonakshis uncle, Pahlaj Nihalani also confirmed that the veteran actor is in the hospital. Yes, Shatruji is in the hospital. But he is absolutely fine now. He should be back home by tomorrow evening, he had told Times Now.

This come,days after Sonakshi Sinha tied the knot with Zaheer Iqbal. After dating for over seven years, the duo got married in Mumbai last week.
The renowned actor and founder of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), Thalapathy Vijay, continued his tradition of honouring the Class 10 and 12 meritorious students on Friday, June 28. The facilitation ceremony took place at a Convention Centre in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

The results for Tamil Nadu Board Examinations of Intermediate and High School were released on May 6 and May 10 respectively. Last year, Thalapathy Vijay honoured the students who secured the top three positions in the class 10th and 12th Board examinations. After announcing the launch of a political party, anticipation also increased as actor Vijay presented the award this year as the president of the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam.

The award ceremony was announced in two phases. 800 students along with their parents and siblings who secured the top positions in the Class 10 and 12 examinations in 21 districts and assembly constituencies were invited. Thalapathy Vijay was given a grand welcome as he arrived at the facilitation venue.

The actor sat near Chinnadurai, a student who passed the intermediate examination while suffering from caste violence in Nellai. Vijay discussed with Chinnadurai and took a photo with him.

One of the honoured students expressed his gratitude and said that it is motivating to him and his family. During the event, the actor shared a heartfelt note while addressing the gathered students and their families. He asked students to consider becoming leaders after acquiring an education. Dont you want an educated person to become your leader? asked Thalapathy Vijay. He advised the students to choose their favourite department and work with full commitment. He also encouraged them to take politics as a future opportunity.

Following this, he started giving awards to the students who achieved excellence. 12th class meritorious students named Pratiksha from Kolathur, Mahalakshmi from Tirupur, Tambaram Toshitha Lakshmi were facilitated with incentives and awards at the ceremony. Similarly, from the 10th class, meritorious Devadarshini from Dharmapuri district, Sandhya from Oddanchatram city in Dindigul district, Kavya Sri from Erode and Gopika from Ramanthapuram district were awarded awards for their excellence by Thalapathy Vijay.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Actor Vijay felicitates the top three toppers of Class 10 and 12 board examinations of the state, in Chennai pic.twitter.com/dS2aAeoojO ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

Thalapathy Vijay suggested students perceive success and failure as equal. The actor will be next seen in the film GOAT.
In the last decade, Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi has made a name as one of the most versatile actors in the country. With films like Vikram Vedha, Master, the award-winning Maamanithan and Vikram, he has established himself as one of the top actors in Tamil cinema. He entered Bollywood through the film Mumbaikar. Following this, he portrayed the antagonist in Shahrukh Khans Jawan, a blockbuster that grossed over Rs 760 crore. He also starred alongside Katrina Kaif in Merry Christmas Recently, his movie Maharaja hit theatres and has received acclaim for his performance. Interestingly, before pursuing acting, he worked as an accountant but always harboured dreams of becoming an actor.

Initially working as an accountant in Dubai, Vijay Sethupathi then joined a theatre company as an accountant according to a report in Variety. Sethupathi explained, I thought that by working as an accountant, I could watch actors every day, be with them, talk to them, and understand the art of acting. Every moment, even lunchtime, was a learning experience for me. Being around actors was like attending a constant class.

The actor reflected on his journey from being a junior artist to becoming a leading man, recalling how he shot his first scene as a lead in the same auditorium where he had once worked as an extra. I never imagined that this circle would complete like this, Vijay Sethupathi mused. There are many such circles in my life. His breakthrough came with the 2012 horror film Pizza.

Vijay Sethupathi stressed talking openly with his children regarding his career. The actor said that he has always talked to his children about his work. He said, Whenever I go to shoot a film, and there is an interesting scene, I always share it with my children. He says that he feels a sense of responsibility for the selection of scripts and he takes his childrens suggestions seriously. He further said, I never present myself as a father to them when I ask their opinion, rather I sometimes become a child myself.
American anthropologist James Scott, an expert in South-East Asian regions, in his famous book The Art of not being Governed has analysed the various conflicts happening in the highlands of Myanmar and euphemistically called them as efforts to bypass the sovereignty of the state. Now, coming from a standard Marxist perspective, where the State is categorised in a certain fashion, his analysis and sympathy for the underdog seem unproblematic and in line with the Marxian understanding.

However, one of the main arguments of this book seems inadequate or out of place, and that is about the justification of the conversion of these hilly communities involved in fighting into Christianity. As per Scott, Christianity, being monotheistic and a religion of the book, psychologically emancipates or alleviates the oppressed against an oppressor whose official religion is Buddhism, which is also monotheistic and gives the hilly people a semblance of equality in their fight against the state.

If culture is the rationale for the hilly indigenous communities to remain outside the domain of the state, then their conversion and the justification by the author serve no purpose other than an alibi for incessant fighting. The reasons must be lying somewhere, which the author has either bypassed or is not interested in probing.

Some things are neither openly accepted nor categorically rejected but only tacitly practised, like those involved in the domain of power politics affirm to the saying that in politics, only the paranoid survive. Now, this is as true at the individual level as at the collective level, like state and geopolitics. The above arguments might appear romanticisation of the peoples violence by the anthropologists but when we look at the larger picture or to say become paranoid enough, we can connect the dots which otherwise remain unnoticed.

After the recently concluded Bangladesh elections, where the ruling party under Sheikh Hasina has secured comfortable victory, she stumped the world by revealing that the US proposed to make her re-election easier if she was ready to cede some space for a separate country on the lines of East Timor, comprising of the parts of Bangladesh, and highlands of Myanmar. She said, Like East Timor, they will carve out a Christian country, taking parts of Bangladesh (Chattogram) and Myanmar with a base in the Bay of Bengal.

This revelation made all the sense since world powers have historically been interested in that part of the region for reasons best known and which unofficially is referred to as the Golden Triangle. With the recent flare-up in the Northeast region of India, especially Manipur, which is adjoining these conflicting zones, it would be unwise on our part to think of these recent flare-ups as isolated events given the geo-strategic significance of these regions and also the permeable nature of the borders and peoples movement in these regions.

If we, the common people, can see and sense the larger game at play; we are sure the policymakers of India must be acquainted with the dynamic and fragile character of these regions, given much information and resources at their disposal. Our main concern is to expose how Western scholars and academia have willingly or unwillingly become one of the tools to drive away a suitable narrative camouflaging as analysis. The uncritical acceptability of Scotts thesis vis-a-vis armed conflicts in Myanmar sets up the tone, precedent and direction for further extending this way of looking at matters related to Northeast India and Southeast Asia. It is this uncritical acceptance of theories about culture and politics in Northeast frontier regions of India that has to be challenged and examined for their shortcomings. With this aim, we propose the creation of specific institutes dedicated fully to holistically study these strategic regions, which are also known for their cultural and ecological diversity.

There has been an increasing emphasis on both policy and research agenda to Look East. i.e. build bridges with neighbouring regions such as Southeast Asia. However, the knowledge of the borderlands within the country is lacking. Therefore, it is imperative to further study Northeast India, which is the primary gateway to Southeast Asia. Northeast India is home to different languages, ethno-cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems and has also seen its share of inter-indigenous community conflicts and bloodshed, a legacy of colonial rule and their administrative practices. It is high time that we take cognisance of the ways through which public opinion is moulded by destabilising forces, including influencing academia and scholarship and putting forward a scientific and balanced counter-view.

Colonial administrators and anthropologists had taken a keen interest in the Northeast regions of India and, over a period of more than 100 years, produced a vast plethora of published and unpublished records pertaining to the culture, geography, ethnicity and socio-political organisation of the communities living in the Northeast hills. Along with the data, a lot of cultural artefacts were collected or appropriated from these places and were housed in distant museums in Europe and America.

In countries like Germany, England and the US, there are more number of museums and centres/institutes on Northeast than they are in India and have served as default centres for any knowledge (sensitive or otherwise) about the communities living in this region, with very little scope either for repatriation or for free sharing of knowledge with the new generation of scholars coming from India.

In the absence of any nodal institute of North-Eastern studies, we are still unable to keep track of the movements of scholars who are coming to study these regions from abroad nor have any mechanism to develop the inventory of artefacts that are in circulation outside India. Its competitive to have established scholars, irrespective of their citizenship, to work here, but these foreign institutes training the required Indian manpower in the last 200 years would have been welcome. These challenges can only be addressed if we have an institute of national and strategic importance, such as the Indian Institute of Northeast Indian Studies in India.

Dr. Alok Kumar Kanungo has spent decades in the interiors of the Northeast and in institutes of (with department/centre) South Asian Studies, and museums with northeast Indian collections across Europe, UK and US, besides India for his research and analysis interests. Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh Martanda is a post-doctoral research fellow with an interest in anthropological theory. Both of them have rich, long-term experience working with indigenous communities and cultural representations of India and, at present, working in the interdisciplinary HSS department of IIT Gandhinagar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
June 4, 2024, took everyone by surprise, from pollsters to markets to chai-shop Chanakyas, and maybe even Professor Sabyasachi Das. Remember his accusations? Last year, Professor Das of Ashoka University published a paper on the 2019 general elections, highlighting how the BJP won most of the close seats they contested, especially in NDA-ruled states, and insinuated that it was due to electoral manipulation. Well, those allegations amounted to nothing, as this time, the BJP drew the short end of the stick.

INC: Fortunate, BJP: Unfortunate

In 2019, BJPs strike rate on close seats (seats with a victory margin of < 2 per cent) was 74 per cent, a remarkably high number that raised a few eyebrows. Was this suspicion justified? If you compare the BJPs strike rate on close seats to its overall strike rate of 69 per cent in the 2019 elections, there seems to have been no cause for alarm. The BJP was almost as likely to win a close seat as it was to win the average seat.

This trend did not hold in the 2024 elections. BJPs strike rate on close seats fell drastically to 43 per cent. It lost 20 out of the 35 such seats where it was in contention. Indian National Congress (INC), on the other hand, was a contender in 21 such seats and won 15 of those with an impressive strike rate of 71 per cent. Even the largest ally of the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, saw success, winning 6 out of the 10 close seats where it was in contention.

Contrary to the 2019 elections, the BJPs 43 per cent strike rate in close contests this time around was significantly less than their overall strike rate of 54 per cent. In contrast, the INCs 71 per cent strike rate on such seats was more than double their overall strike rate of 31 per cent. Had those strike rates on close seats been swapped, the BJP would have added 10 more seats to their national tally and the INC would have lost 6 from the 99 they won. It seems, more than electoral manipulation, the last two elections for the BJP are a classic case of you win some, you lose some.

BJP fared worse in NDA ruled states

Professor Das paper highlighted the BJPs over-performance in close seats in NDA-ruled states during the previous election. However, this trend did not continue in the 2024 elections. In NDA-ruled states or Union Territories, the BJP lost nearly 60 per cent of close seats, while the INC won nearly 67 per cent. In non-NDA ruled states, the BJP won as many as they lost, whereas the INC won a remarkable 78 per cent of all the closely contested seats in which they were contenders.

While I will not accuse them of electoral manipulation, a natural question arises: If the BJP rigged the elections in NDA-ruled states to win most of the closely contested seats in 2019, why didnt they do the same in 2024 when they were targeting 400 seats?

INDIAs Top 2 Are Vulnerable

If you ask an average Indian who they think will win the 2029 elections, chances are most would say INDIA. Yet, if the Congress and Samajwadi Party analysed the margins of victory and defeat in the 2024 elections, they would realise that they are vulnerable, and while the BJP may be weakened, it is far from being defeated.

The INC lost 219 out of the 318 seats they contested in. Only 11 of these defeats came with a margin of less than 30,000. In other words, nearly 95 per cent of the INCs defeats werent even close. If you compare this to the BJP, almost 15 per cent of their defeats were by less than 30,000 votes.

If we consider more than 1 lakh votes to be a safe margin, the BJP won 150 seats  representing 62 per cent of their total seats  with a safe margin. Of these, 95 wins were by a margin of over 2 lakh votes, which is 4 less than the INCs overall tally. In contrast, only 46 of the INCs 99 victories were won with a safe margin.

Akhilesh Yadav emerged as the hero of the 2024 election, as the Samajwadi Party won more seats than the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, a state that was beginning to look like a BJP bastion. Their victory, especially in Ayodhya, would have tasted sweet. But the devils in the details, and if theyd looked closely enough, theyd have found a few.

Only 35 per cent (13) of their seats were won by a safe margin by the SP. Only 2 victories came with a margin of more than 2 lakh votes. In fact, almost one-third of all SPs victories came with a margin of less than 50,000 votes. This is significant in a state like Uttar Pradesh with a large population and essentially a bipolar contest on most seats.

The Congress and its largest ally in the Lok Sabha are on shaky ground even in their moment of joy, with many of their seats being vulnerable, while the BJP, amid its decline, remains dominant and statistically has a better chance of turning things around.

Another group that is on shaky ground after June 4 is the conspiracy theorists. However, I am more confident in their ability to turn things around than I am in the BJPs. The BJP would need a strong campaign, a solid track record, the benefits of incumbency, and a significant number of votes. All conspiracy theorists need is a BJP victory in a state election (or perhaps not even that) to start alleging EVM hacking or mass-scale election rigging once again.

Nitish Singh focuses on providing data-driven commentary on Indian politics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Maharashtra BJP on Monday announced the candidatures of OBC leader and former minister Pankaja Munde and four others for the upcoming polls to the state legislative council.

The biennial elections for 11 seats of the Upper House of the state legislature will be held on July 12.

The party, in a release, named Munde, former MLA Yogesh Tilekar, Parinay Phuke, Amit Gorkhe and Sadabhau Khot as its candidates.

Munde, the partys national general secretary, lost the state assembly polls in 2019 and the recently held Lok Sabha elections from Beed against NCP (SP)s Bajrang Sonawane.

Among other candidates, Tilekar hails from Pune, Khot is from Sangli, and Gorkhe is a BJP functionary from Pimpri Chinchwad and belongs to the Matang community, one of the backward classes in the state.

Phuke is from Nagpur and known to be close to BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The six-year term in office of 11 MLCs, elected by the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), is due to end on July 27 on their retirement.

The biennial election to the upper house of the state legislature is being held just months ahead of assembly polls, which are due in October.

With 14 vacancies in the 288-member house, the electoral college is 274, and the quota for the winning candidate is 23.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has 41 MLAs, the Eknath Shinde-led Sena has 40, and the BJP has 103. The Congress has 37, Shiv Sena (UBT) has 13 and NCP (SP) has 15.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a bid to strengthen opposition unity, has proposed the name of Faizabad MP and Samajwadi Party leader Awadhesh Prasad for the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament, sources have told CNN-News18.

Banerjee raised the request to the Congress and SP via TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee last week and party sources said the latter held talks with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. They added that the Grand Old Party has agreed to the proposal.

The sources said Banerjees decision to back Prasad stemmed from the fact that he had won from Faizabad in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Ayodhya falls under this constituency and the BJP had projected Ram Mandir as a poll plank. However, despite the high-decibel campaign, Prasad defeated BJPs candidate by over 50,000 votes. The TMC chief is of the view that Prasad as Deputy Speaker will rub salt on BJPs wounds.

Apart from this, Prasads close association with Chaudhury Charan Singh  the first non-Congress chief minister of Uttar Pradesh  is expected to earn the INDIA bloc the support of farmers.

Though there were skirmishes between Congress and TMC as the Grand Old Party  without consulting Trinamool  fielded K Suresh for the Speakers post in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav resolved the issue and now, all parties seem to be on track about backing Prasad.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) won the Mumbai Graduates and Mumbai Teachers constituencies while the BJP emerged victorious on the Konkan Graduates seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls, results of which were announced on Monday.

Polls to the Mumbai Graduates, Konkan Graduates, Mumbai Teachers and Nashik Teachers constituencies were held on June 26, with as many as 1,43,297 voters exercising their franchise, of which 1,32,071 votes were deemed valid.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab on Monday won the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls from the Mumbai Graduates constituency by defeating the BJPs Kiran Shelar.

Parab received 44,784 votes while Shelar got 18,772 votes.

Out of the total votes polled, 64,222 were held valid, and the quota for winning was 32,112 votes. Parab polled 44,784 in the first preference voting and was declared elected.

In the Konkan Graduates constituency, Bharatiya Janata Partys Niranjan Davkhare defeated Ramesh Keer of the Congress.

Davkhare got 1,00,719 votes against Keers 28,585.

Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate JM Abhyankar won from the Mumbai Teachers seat. He polled 4,083 of the 11,598 valid votes.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reassured the public that the three new criminal laws, which replaced colonial-era statutes on Monday, would focus on providing justice instead of punishment and criticised the Opposition parties for politicising the issue.

From July 1 onwards, the new laws  the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)  replaced the British-era IPC, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Addressing the media at the Parliament Library, Shah said the reform would help boost the pace of the judicial process and make Indias criminal justice system completely Swadeshi.

Colonial Laws

friends in the Opposition are saying different things before the media. 9.29 hours of discussions were held in Lok Sabha and 34 members participated in that. In Rajya Sabha, over 6 hours of discussions were held. 40 members participated in the discussions. It is also being falsely said that the Bill was brought after the members were sent out (suspended). Bill was already listed before the Business Advisory Committee, the minister said in response to allegations of Congress and other opposition parties.

#WATCH | While speaking on new criminal laws, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, For these new laws, a few friends in the Opposition are saying different things before the mediaI would like to tell you all that 9.29 hours of discussions were held in Lok Sabha and 34 members pic.twitter.com/kGnOmS0yMx ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

After 75 years of the countrys independence, Shah said these new laws were contemplated and subsequently colonial laws were scrapped. Instead of Dand, it is now Nyay. Instead of delay, there will be speedy trial and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the Police were protected but now, victims and complainants rights will be protected too, he added. During the press conference, Shah said the priority of sections and chapters in the new criminal laws is in line with the spirit of the Indian Constitution.

The first priority has been given to (the chapters on) crimes against women and children. I believe that this needed to be done much earlier. An entire chapter with 35 sections and 13 provisions has been added. Now, gangrape will attract 20-year imprisonment or life imprisonment, rape of a minor will attract the death penalty, a separate crime has been defined for sexual exploitation by hiding ones identity or making false promises, he said.

Symbol of Indias progress

He added, A provision has been made to record the statement of the victim at her home in the presence of women officers and her own family. Besides this, the facility of online FIR has been provided too. We believe that a lot of women can be saved from embarrassment this way. The BJP earlier today said that the new criminal laws are a symbol of Indias progress and resilience, positioning the country for a more just and secure future.

Responding to a question in a press conference, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Indian Evidence Act, originating from 1860 and 1872, respectively, were outdated and ill-equipped to address contemporary issues. Today is a historic day in the annals of our free country, India. An evolving society needs laws that cater to its needs and demands, protecting its rights, he said. Bhatia called the new laws a symbol of Indias progress and resilience, positioning the country for a more just and secure future.

Highlighting the comprehensive nature of the new legislation, he underlined several key changes. In the earlier laws, terrorism had no definition, making it difficult for the prosecution and the police to file charges or prove a case. The new laws have defined terrorism, Bhatia said. This clarity, he said will strengthen Indias resolve to eradicate terrorism. Bhatia also emphasised the inclusion of mob lynching as a specific offence with the potential for death penalty. He also pointed out the special focus on the rights of women and children.

Crimes against women, children

There is a separate chapter for crimes against women and children, ensuring specificity and deterring criminals from committing these crimes, the BJP spokesperson said. The new laws also aim to expedite the delivery of justice, he added. A judgment, if reserved in criminal cases, has to be delivered within 45 days, Bhatia said. He pointed out that this provision addresses delays caused by judicial retirements and reconstitution of benches, ensuring timely justice for all.

Addressing broader societal implications, Bhatia said the new laws are symbolic of the fact that a new, resilient India is ready to embrace laws duly enacted by our legislators. He positioned this legal transformation as part of a larger narrative of national progress and modernisation. Hitting out at the opposition, Bhatia said, I am sure they have not even read the three laws, just like they hold the Constitution in their hand but dont care to read it. He asserted that the entire nation has come forward to embrace and welcome the new criminal laws.
After a Vokkaliga seers demand to make DK Shivakumar the new chief minister of Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah on Monday said he would abide by Congresss high commands decision on the issue of leadership change.

The leader was responding to a question about a political tussle within the party that sparked speculations about a possible leadership change in the southern state. Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah said that the decision lay with the party heads and he couldnt discuss the issue in public.

It is not a matter to be discussed in public. Whatever decision the High Command takes, we will go by it, Siddaramaiah told reporters

This comes after a Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Mutt seer Chandrashekhara Swami last week publicly requested Siddaramaiah to step down and make his deputy D K Shivakumar the new chief minister of the state.

On being asked about the seers public appeal, Siddaramaiah said, I dont want to comment on what Swamiji says. Ours is a national party. There is a high command.

Meanwhile, amid reports of infighting, Shivakumar warned his party leaders not to issue public statements on the matter of leadership change and the creation of multiple posts of Deputy Chief Minister.

If anyone crosses the limit, the party will take a decision, Shivakumar said.

There have also been demands by some Ministers perceived to be close to Siddaramaiah to create more posts of Deputy Chief Minister and give them to leaders from Lingayat, SC, ST, and minority communities.

Shivakumar, a member of the Vokkaliga community, is currently the only Deputy Chief Minister in the Siddaramaiah government.

At the time of the Karnataka Assembly Elections, there was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Ministers post after the declaration results. However, the Congress leadership had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a rotational chief minister formula, according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
In a bold expression of his religious ideals, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi displayed a picture of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ in the Lok Sabha while explaining that the opposition follows the values taught by them.

Gandhis actions, however, were met with strong objection by Speaker Om Birla who cited the exhibition of any placard or sign, as a violation of the rules of the House. In his speech, Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, known for its pro-Hindu narrative and asserted that Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred and falsehoods but about non-violence and resilience.

His remarks came during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Presidents address to a joint sitting of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened during Gandhis speech, stating that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious issue. Gandhi retorted, saying The BJP and the RSS are not the entire Hindu society.

Gandhi Displays Images Of All Religious Leaders

After Lord Shiva, who Gandhi called his protector, he also displayed pictures of religious leader and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak, and Jesus Christ. He said the purpose of showcasing these pictures was to reiterate that the opposition and the entire country believe in their ideals.

The reason I displayed this picture is because Lord Shiva is our protector, the entire country knows about this image and we present this here today because this image propagates some ideals that we believe in, Gandhi said while addressing the Lok Sabha. The first idea that we defend is the confrontation of our fears, that idea is represented by this image that you are not allowing me to show, he added.

The Congress leader further emphasised that all religions talk about courage, citing Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism to underline the importance of fearlessness. Gandhi reiterated that all religions, including Islam and Sikhism, emphasise courage and the importance of being fearless.

Speaker Om Birla Raises Objection

Speaker Om Birla objected to Gandhis act of displaying posters with images of religious figures urging him to stick to the rules of Parliament and refrain from displaying any placards on the floor of the House. You asked a question, your colleagues from the opposition cited Rule 353, 352, which is against any display of placards or symbols inside the House. Your leaders urged that the House run on these rules.

Later, Gandhi also accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India, noting that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party.
It was a charged Monday in Parliament that had the Opposition gunning for the government over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak issue and the new criminal laws  till Congress MP Rahul Gandhi decided to add fuel to Opposition fire, prompting two rare interventions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a fiery speech in the Lower House, Gandhi  armed with a copy of the Constitution and pictures of religious icons  launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP. An irate prime minister interjected the Congress MP and said his statement had hurt Hindu sentiments. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter, he said.

Continuing his attack, the Congress accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India, noting that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party. The Congress MPs diatribe triggered a massive uproar in the House as MPs of both sides raised slogans and many, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanded an apology from Gandhi.

He doesnt know that crores of Indians in this country called themselves Hindu with pride. Is he trying to say that each one of them speaks about violence? You cannot associate violence with any religion. I demand he apologises. Shah also spoke of the Emergency and 1984 anti-Sikhs riots to hit back at Gandhi, saying he has no right to talk about non-violence when the Congress had spread terror in the country.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also trained her guns on Gandhi. Taking to social networking site X, she said: Sheer audacity of LoP @RahulGandhi to call everyone who calls himself Hindu as hinsak/violent shows @INCIndias hatred and contempt towards Hindus. Also consistent with Hindu hate of his INDI Alliance partners. Hypocrisy in claiming Mohabbat ki Dukaan exposed.

Union minister G Kishan Reddy also slammed Gandhi on X. The self-proclaimed defender of the Constitution and the electoral Hindu has revealed his true colours. His statement, labeling Hindus as a violent community, exposes Rahul Gandhis and Congress anti-Hindu agenda. This is not the first time Congress has insulted Hindus; earlier, they insulted Sanatana Dharma, and now, a direct attack on Hindus. This is uttrerly shameful, disgraceful and demeaning. I strongly condemn the statement of Rahul Gandhi and he should apologize to the entire Hindu community.
Google is extending the use of its AI models for practical features and offering 110 new languages that will work through Translate. This is the biggest update that Translate has gotten in a long time and the company is thanking the PaLM 2 large language model for making it possible.

The company claims that with the new AI-powered Translate support, it now caters to more than half a billion people for their languages. For those living in India, Google Translate works for most languages but for a country as big as ours, the new update brings support for a host of native languages as well.

Google Translate AI-Powered Update In India  New Languages Supported

India is a big part of Googles product focus and Translate is no different with the vast area of geography that caters to thousands of languages. The new AI update for Translate is now supporting the following languages from the country:

 Awadhi

 Bodo

 Khasi

 Kokborok

 Marwadi

 Santali

 Tulu

You can use Google Translate on the web, Android or iOS devices to start using the feature to translate to-and-from these languages.

How Google Uses AI To Power Translate

Google has always preferred supporting languages that are widely used but with the list slowly coming down, it is now eyeing the less popular but very powerful languages.

Languages have an immense amount of variation: regional varieties, dialects, different spelling standards. In fact, many languages have no one standard form, so its impossible to pick a right variety. Our approach has been to prioritise the most commonly used varieties of each language, Google explains in this post.

So, how did AI help the company improve or change the dynamics of this process, especially for the native languages? PaLM 2 was a key piece to the puzzle, helping Translate more efficiently learn languages that are closely related to each other, including languages close to Hindi, like Awadhi and Marwadi.

It feels like the company is now eyeing the more fruitful base of users by these updates, which helps Google increase its overall Android user base across the globe.
Motorola has officially stepped into the wireless tracking device segment with the launch of its tracking tag this week. The tech giant has rolled out the new Moto Tag as a Bluetooth tracker for Android devices with an ultra-wideband (UWB) chip for precise tracking capabilities. In addition to that, it comes equipped with Googles newly upgraded Find My Device network. The Moto Tag features a circular, Apple AirTag-like design to track valuables like wallets, keys, luggage, and more.

Moto Tag Price

As per a report by The Verge, the Moto Tag is priced at $29 (approximately Rs 2,423), while a pack of four will be available for $99 (around Rs 8,273). The company is set to launch the tracker in the US starting on August 2.

Moto Tag Features

The newly announced AirTag will provide precise location-tracking capabilities when paired with a UWB-supported smartphone such as the Google Pixel 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, claimed Motorola. The tracker features a dedicated multi-function button, which the company says can ping the smartphone to locate it. The multifunction button can also be used as a remote captureshutter to take photos on your Motorola smartphone.In case you are unable to find your phone, pressing a button on the Moto Tag will ring your phone and help you find it.

The tracker also supports Google Fast Pair to simplify the setup process. Users can change the name of the tag, adjust the alert volume, and check battery life with the standalone Moto Tag app. For durability, it comes with an IP67 rating, enabling it to withstand immersion in water for up to 30 minutes.It is powered by a CR2032 coin-cell battery, which is said to last a year on a single charge.

The tech giants new tracker also supports automatic unknown tracker alerts on both Android and iOS platforms. This means users will be alerted if any unwanted tracker attempts to track their location. In addition to that, users can run a manual scan to check for unwanted trackers following them.

Furthermore, Motorola claimed that its Bluetooth tracker protects the users privacy by offering end-to-end encryption of their location, which means only the owner of the Moto Tag and those with whom the location is shared can locate it. It also seems that the Moto Tag is designed specifically to fit perfectly with most third-party accessories in the market so that users can easily attach it to all their valuables, according to Motorolas press release.

Meanwhile, location trackers like Tile and Apple have been around for years to allow people to locate lost or stolen items easily through their smartphones. While Apples AirTag is only compatible with Apple devices, Tile offers multiple location-tracking solutions for Android. To make a mark in this segment, Motorolas new Moto Tag has to compete with Tile.
At the start of the new academic year, an educational imbalance has come to light in Sagar, Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh. About 45 schools in the district lack even a single teacher, a school in Jinda village, situated approximately 4 km from Sagar town, employs eight teachers for just nine students.

The Jinda village has two schools which despite recommendations for closure five years ago due to low student numbers, continue to operate. The primary school here has three teachers for six students, and the nearby secondary school has five teachers for merely three students.

The existing regulations from the Education Inspectorate mandate the closure of schools with fewer than 20 students, directing that these students be integrated into nearby schools. However, contrary to consolidating resources, four new teaching positions were recently added. The financial implication of this staffing is substantial, with annual salaries amounting to between Rs 60-70 lakh. Moreover, local preference for private schooling has led to no new enrollments in the past two years.

Across the Sagar district, the allocation of teaching staff shows further inconsistencies as 13 teachers cater to merely 10 students, while many schools with no teachers rely solely on 2,870 guest teachers brought in last year. Despite these numbers, the district still has 1,446 supernumerary teachers assigned unnecessarily.

In response to these revelations, Sagar District Education Officer Arvind Jain acknowledged the issue and assured that immediate corrective measures are underway. Schools falling below enrollment thresholds will be closed, and resources, including students and staff, will be reallocated to optimise educational delivery.

In Telangana, angry over the shortage of teachers, students and parents of Zilla Parishad High School in Shalipeta village of Chinna Shankarampet Mandal took to the streets on Friday.

The students staged a rasta roko, blocking traffic on the busy Ramaaympet road for a few hours. The students said that the number of students in the high school has come down to 144 this year, while it was more than 300 a few years ago, due to lack of teachers.
In India, there are several laws to prohibit the practice of dowry including the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 and IPC 1860. Several NGOs and activists also work to curb the practice of dowry in the nation. However, it is also true that real change comes from oneself rather than the laws written in the Constitution. Testament to this belief, a groom named Jai Narayan Jakhar of Danta Ramgarh in Sikar district in Rajasthan took a bold step in not accepting the dowry from the bride. He also asked his wife to send her hard-earned income to her parents after getting a job. This dowry-free marriage is being appreciated all over the state.

The groom Jay Narayan Jakhar is employed as a Junior Engineer (JE) in the Public Welfare Department and the bride Anita Verma is a postgraduate. The groom said that Anitas parents had brought her up so well and helped her in becoming a postgraduate. He said that acquiring an education is no less than wealth in todays time.

Jay Narayan Jakhar, a JE in PWD, got married with just one rupee and a coconut. While talking to Local18, Anita said that the grooms family was the first to propose a dowry-free marriage. The groom said that his grandfather always raised his voice against social evils and so did his father.

Inspired by my grandfather and father, I decided to marry without a dowry to end this evil practice prevalent in society. My family members fully supported me in this decision, said Narayan.

Anita is said to be preparing for a government job after post-graduation. The grooms family has promised the bride that if she gets a government job then she can give her salary to her parents for a year so that they can reap the rewards of educating and the sacrifice they made to make their daughter capable.

This unique wedding is being praised in Sikar and Jaipur as well as all over Rajasthan. Danta Ramgarh MLA Virendra Singh has also praised this decision of the bride and groom. The MLA himself attended their wedding and called it a good step to eradicate the evil practice of dowry prevalent in society.
Concerns over US President Joe Bidens cognitive state are intensifying following a recent poll indicating that 72% of registered voters doubt his mental fitness for office. The doubts over his mental health have worsened by his performance during the Atlanta debate with his Republican rival Donald Trump.

Behind closed doors, White House aides have reportedly prepared strategies to minimise public exposure to situations where Bidens cognitive weaknesses could become apparent. According to US-based news outlet Axios, the 81-year-old president is prone to absent-minded gaffes and fatigue, particularly outside his peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm and during international trips.

Efforts to safeguard Biden include modifications such as shorter stairs on Air Force One and careful monitoring during outings to prevent any appearance of disorientation. Former White House officials have voiced concerns privately, the New York Post reported. Critics argue that Bidens mental acuity is insufficient for the demands of the presidency, prompting a strong response from the White House.

Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates asserts that Biden maintains an arduous schedule, even outperforming expectations with achievements like NATO expansion and economic negotiations. In addition to cognitive concerns, Biden has reportedly addressed physical issues such as wearing orthopedic shoes and undergoing therapy for stiffness following a fall. Recent post-debate footage showed Biden being assisted offstage by his wife, further fueling speculation about his condition.

The Biden administrations handling of press access has also drawn scrutiny, with Biden holding fewer solo press conferences than his predecessors amidst pressing national issues. Critics allege a deliberate effort to shield Biden from unscripted interactions that could expose his vulnerabilities. Despite efforts to downplay concerns, the fallout from Bidens public appearances continues to reverberate. Polling data indicates widespread doubt about his ability to serve as president, with significant skepticism even among Democratic voters.
Manpreet Kaur, an Indian-origin woman from Australias Melbourne, died on an international Qantas flight shortly after she boarded the flight to fly home to Punjab via New Delhi on June 20. It was the first time in four years that Manpreet was travelling home to see her family.

She did not make it as she died minutes after boarding the plane. Reports by Australian media outlets said that she died while she was fastening her seatbelt.

Her friends told Australian media outlets that 24-year-old Manpreet felt unwell hours before arriving at the airport but managed to board the flight but she fell to the floor and died on the spot as she was fastening her seatbelt.

Her flight was still attached to the boarding gate in the Melbourne airport which allowed cabin crews and emergencies to reach her but they could not save her. The reports said that Manpreet was suffering from tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mostly affects the lungs and could have likely died due to a complication that arose from the disease.

She was studying to become a chef and was working for the Australia Post. When she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on. Just before her flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot, her friend Gurdip Grewal told the Herald Sun. Her friend said Manpreet first moved to Australia in March 2020.
Eighteen inmates, including some on death row, have escaped from a prison in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after overpowering a guard with a pistol, officials said on Monday.

Local police chief Riaz Mughal said one of the prisoners was shot and killed in the breakout from Rawalakot prison the previous day.

A massive search has been launched to trace and arrest all those inmates who fled the prison, Mughal said, and authorities opened an investigation into what led up to the prison break.

The prisons chief and some other officers have already been dismissed from their post while some officials had been arrested for questioning, he said.

Mughal said six of the prisoners were on death row, while another three were serving life sentences. Such jailbreaks are rare in Pakistan, he said.

Officials say one of the inmates had a pistol that was used to overpower a guard and snatch the keys to the prison cells.

(with inputs from Associated Press)
Steve Bannon, a prominent right-wing figure in American politics and former senior advisor to Donald Trump, reported to prison Monday to begin a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress.

He was convicted of defying a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

Bannon, 70, spoke defiantly as he showed up at a federal prison in Connecticut.

Im proud of going to prison today, Bannon said, if its what it takes to stand up to Joe Biden.

Bannon and others argue that legal proceedings stemming from the January 6 insurrection against the seat of US democracy amount to political persecution designed to thwart Trumps bid for reelection in November.

A cluster of people waving Trump 2024 flags greeted Bannon outside the prison, as did Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fiercely pro-Trump lawmaker from Georgia who is one of the new faces of the Republican Party tightly controlled by the former president.

One of the masterminds behind Trumps successful 2016 presidential campaign, Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison in October 2022, but remained free until now while appealing his conviction.

A federal appeals court upheld the conviction in May, and District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, revoked Bannons bail at a court hearing early this month, ordering him to report to prison by July 1.

Bannon no longer works officially for Trump but reiterated his support for him Monday and promised to use all his influence to get him back in the White House, mainly through his podcast The War Room, which will continue albeit without Bannon.

Before reporting for prison Monday Bannon used that podium to welcome the strong showing of the far-right in Frances first round legislative election and in other countries in European parliament voting.

This is the momentum of our movement, Bannon said on his podcast.

Pardoned

Bannon served in the White House as chief strategist for the first seven months of Trumps term, leaving reportedly due to conflicts with other top staffers.

In 2020, he was charged with wire fraud and money laundering for taking for personal use millions of dollars contributed by donors for the construction of a border wall with Mexico.

While others were found guilty in the scheme, Trump issued a blanket pardon to Bannon before leaving office in January 2021, leading to the dismissal of the charges against him.

On the day of the capital riot, as thousands of pro-Trump people overran the congress building to block certification of Bidens win over Trump, Bannon spoke by telephone with the then president. So congressional investigators wanted to question Bannon about his role in those events.

Bannon entered prison the same day that the conservative-dominated Supreme Court effectively delayed even further the possibility of Trump being tried in federal court for trying to overturn the 2020 election.

Another former Trump adviser, Peter Navarro, is serving a four-month prison term, also for defying a congressional subpoena to testify about January 6.
A prominent donor to Joe Biden has slammed three of the US presidents closest advisors following what many described as a disastrous debate performance in the US city of Atlanta. Millions watched as Biden appeared weak and hoarse opposite Donald Trump, prompting concerns about his campaigns direction.

Over the weekend, the Biden family convened at Camp David for urgent discussions about the presidents slipping poll numbers and the effectiveness of his campaign team. Despite outward displays of solidarity, questions lingered about the advisors who had prepared Biden for the debate.

John Morgan, a key Democratic donor aligned with Bidens brother, Frank, openly condemned what he termed as grifters among Bidens advisors, singling out former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, senior advisor Anita Dunn, and Bidens attorney, Bob Bauer.

WATCH: Biden, 81, Stumbles During US Presidential Debate; Trump Mocks Him For Rambling Answers

This is a great point. Biden looked tan in NC the next day but like a corpse the night before.Did Anita Dunce ever have him stand in front of the camera BEFORE THE DEBATE? To see what he looked like. Did he have makeup which everyone needs for TV? https://t.co/TyDILDQWTZ  John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) June 30, 2024

Title fight

Morgan took to social media to lambast the handling of Bidens debate preparations, particularly the chosen format as disastrous and advantageous to Trump. He accused Dunn and Bauer of misleading the US president, calling their influence gross and alleging political malpractice.

READ MORE: How Democrats Could Replace Biden As US Presidential Candidate Before Nov Election

In an interview with the New York Times, Morgan drew a stark comparison, likening Bidens debate readiness to a fighter forced into a sauna before a title bout. He squarely blamed Klain, Bauer, and Dunn for the debates shortcomings. It would be like if you took a prizefighter who was going to have a title fight and put him in a sauna for 15 hours then said, Go fight, he was quoted as saying by NYT. I believe that the debate is solely on Ron Klain, Bob Bauer and Anita Dunn.

Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go TODAYThe grifting is gross. It was political malpractice. Cc/ @JoeNBC @maggieNYT @Messina2012 @katierogers  John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) June 30, 2024

READ MORE: Behind Closed Doors: How Do White House Staffers Shield Biden From Cognitive Slips?

Despite internal criticism, Biden himself reportedly retains trust in his advisors, including those directly implicated in the debate fallout. His wife, Jill Biden, has emerged as a staunch advocate for his continued candidacy, reassuring donors in New York that despite the debates optics, the election campaign would continue.

The debate performance, marked by Bidens faltering delivery and perceived cognitive lapses, sparked panic within Democratic ranks and prompted speculation about alternative nominees. However, at a subsequent rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, Biden rallied, admitting shortcomings in his debate performance but reaffirming his commitment to the race amid cheers from supporters.

READ MORE: Top Democrats Rule Out Replacing Biden Amid Calls For Him To Quit 2024 Race

Jill Bidens unwavering support has been pivotal, publicly dismissing doubts about her husbands fitness for office and affirming his capability to lead. Despite increasing scrutiny over Bidens cognitive abilities, including a poll indicating widespread skepticism about his fitness for another term, the Bidens remain resolute in their campaign stance. Meanwhile, top Democrats also backed Biden as they ruled out the possibility of replacing him as the Democratic nominee.
The US Supreme Court on Monday ruled that former US president Donald Trump is partially immune from prosecution for official actions taken while he was in the White House, UK broadcaster BBC said.

The American apex court decided that Trump is immune from prosecution for official presidential duties.

The BBC report said the ruling makes it harder for prosecutors to pursue charges against Trump with respect to the January 6 Capitol Hill riots and claims of alleged election rigging.

This also reduces the chance that Trump could be tried before the November election. The justices returned Trumps case to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump.

BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, a social media site he owns.

Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court.

Roberts was joined by the other five conservative justices. The three liberal justices. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented.

Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law," Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a scathing dissent.

The justices knocked out one aspect of the indictment. The opinion found Trump is absolutely immune" from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.

Trump is also at least presumptively immune" from allegations that he tried to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certification of Democrat Joe Bidens electoral vote win on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors can try to make the case that Trumps pressure on Pence still can be part of the case against him, Roberts wrote.

Facing four criminal cases, Trump has been doing everything in his power to delay the trials at least until after the election.

On May 30, a New York court convicted Trump on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal in the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, making Trump the first former US president ever convicted of a crime.

The case against Trump related to the Capitol riot and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results is heading back to a lower court for further proceedings.

The lower court will also decide whether two actions taken by Donald Trump were unofficial acts. The justices have decided that a lower court will review whether Trumps efforts to allegedly alter state electoral votes and his creation of false electors" lists were unofficial acts rather than part of his presidential role.

These issues are part of the conspiracy charges Trump and 18 others face in Georgia over the 2020 election results, which they deny.
As Florida's ban on "lab-grown" meat is set to go into effect, one manufacturer hosted a last hurrahat least for nowwith a cultivated-meat tasting party in Miami, the AP reports. California-based Upside Foods hosted dozens of guests Thursday evening at a rooftop reception in the city's Wynwood neighborhood, known for its street art, breweries, nightclubs, and trendy restaurants. "This is delicious meat," Upside Foods CEO and founder Uma Valeti said. "And we just fundamentally believe that people should have a choice to choose what they want to put on their plate." So-called "cell-cultivated" products are grown in steel tanks using cells from a living animal, a fertilized egg, or a storage bank. The cells are fed with special blends of water, sugar, fats, and vitamins. Once they've grown, they're formed into cutlets, nuggets, and other shapes.

The US approved the sale of "cell-cultivated" or "cell-cultured" meat for the first time in June 2023, allowing Upside Foods and another California company, Good Meat, to sell cultivated chicken. Earlier this year, however, Florida and Alabama banned such sales, and other states and federal lawmakers also are looking to restrict it, arguing the product could hurt farmers and pose a safety risk to the public. "It's pretty clear to us that the governor and the government have been misinformed," Valeti said. "And all we're asking for is a chance to have a direct conversation and say, 'this is proven science, this is proven safety.'" He says cultivated meat addresses ethical, health, and environmental issues surrounding the meat industry. (Guests at the tasting party had good things to say.)
At least a dozen Navy SEALs took their own lives over the past decade, while still on active duty or soon after leaving the military. The brains of eight of those troops were analyzed in a lab, and every one fit the same mold: They were all found to have suffered traumatic injuries from in-the-field blasts, "a stunning pattern with important implications for how SEALs train and fight," per the New York Times. The paper notes "the vast majority" of exposures to blasts experienced by Navy SEALs came from firing their own weapons, not from enemy attacks. And, perhaps most alarmingly, the US Navy says it had no idea about the suicides being tied to brain damage from blasts until the Times informed it. Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, head of brain injury rehab at Harvard Medical School, tells the paper that waves from blasts can kill brain cells subtly, not leading to any immediate symptoms.
Last week federal prosecutors recommended the Justice Department bring criminal charges against Boeing over its failure to keep the terms of an agreement sparing the company from legal action in 737 Max crashes that killed a combined 346 people. A lawyer for the families of those crash victims say what's in the works is a "sweetheart plea deal."

Reuters reports the DOJ plans to criminally charge Boeing, with sources saying the company can go to trial or take the deal, which is said to include a $487.2 million fine (Boeing would be credited for a previous settlement and only pay half) and the assignment of an independent monitor to audit the company's safety practices for a three-year period. The DOJ is said to have briefed victims' relatives on Sunday. More:

Standout lines: "The memory of 346 innocents killed by Boeing demands more justice than this," victims' lawyer Paul Cassell tells the BBC, saying the "families will strenuously object to this plea deal." He adds, "The deal will not acknowledge, in any way, that Boeing's crime killed 346 people. It also appears to rest on the idea that Boeing did not harm any victim."

"The memory of 346 innocents killed by Boeing demands more justice than this," victims' lawyer Paul Cassell tells the BBC, saying the "families will strenuously object to this plea deal." He adds, "The deal will not acknowledge, in any way, that Boeing's crime killed 346 people. It also appears to rest on the idea that Boeing did not harm any victim." What the families want: Per a letter Cassell sent to the DOJ in June, the families of victims of the October 2018 Lion Air and March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes wanted to see Boeing's then-top executives prosecuted and a $24.8 billion fine levied.

Per a letter Cassell sent to the DOJ in June, the families of victims of the October 2018 Lion Air and March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes wanted to see Boeing's then-top executives prosecuted and a $24.8 billion fine levied. Next steps: USA Today reports that should Boeing accept the plea offer, US District Judge Reed O'Connor of Texas will be the one to decide whether to accept the plea agreement in the public interest. Lawyers say victims' families plan to fly in from around the world to attend any hearing and voice their opposition.

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The timeline: CNN explains that the DOJ in June let Boeing know that the safety failures it has racked up lately put the company in breach of the 2021 agreement through which Boeing avoided criminal charges (specifically, criminal conspiracy charge to commit fraud) related to the 737 Max crashes. The DOJ said that meant Boeing is subject to criminal prosecution, but it had not announced whether it planned to prosecute the case. The DOJ has a July 7 deadline to file charges, so Boeing will have until week's end to decide whether to accept the plea deal.

CNN explains that the DOJ in June let Boeing know that the safety failures it has racked up lately put the company in breach of the 2021 agreement through which Boeing avoided criminal charges (specifically, criminal conspiracy charge to commit fraud) related to the 737 Max crashes. The DOJ said that meant Boeing is subject to criminal prosecution, but it had not announced whether it planned to prosecute the case. The DOJ has a July 7 deadline to file charges, so Boeing will have until week's end to decide whether to accept the plea deal. Side note: Reuters reports it's atypical for the DOJ to loop in third parties (in this case, the victims' families) about its plans prior to alerting the company it intends to charge. Reuters sees the shift as a reaction to the relatives' outcry over the original 2021 agreement, which they learned about after it had been reached.

Reuters reports it's atypical for the DOJ to loop in third parties (in this case, the victims' families) about its plans prior to alerting the company it intends to charge. Reuters sees the shift as a reaction to the relatives' outcry over the original 2021 agreement, which they learned about after it had been reached. The anger: The Guardian reports that "on a conference call on Sunday, one official is said to have been asked by a family member how he sleeps at night."

(More Boeing stories.)
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans want to see their president impeached for "the omnishambles that South Korea is facing," reports the Korea Times . And they're showing up in droves at an online petition calling for that very thing. Time reports the parliamentary website that hosts the petition hasn't been able to withstand the crowds, with error messages indicating at least 30,000 people were trying to get to the site at the same time and site visitors experiencing up to four-hour delays. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on Sunday vowed to get the technical issues fixed.

Despite the issues, more than 811,000 people have signed the petition since June 20, reports Reuters. (The country is home to about 52 million people.) Under South Korean law, petitions that garner at least 50,000 signatures must be sent to a committee that will decide whether it should go to a parliamentary vote. In this case, signees want parliament to introduce a bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, who petitioners allege is upping the chance of war with the North, is exposing South Koreans to health risks from water released by the Fukushima nuclear power plant, and is corrupt.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, took office in May 2022 and has suffered from approval ratings of just 25% in recent months. South Korea has impeached two presidents to date: Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 (he was later reinstated by the Constitutional Court) and Park Geun-hye in 2016. (She was later imprisoned.)
The Supreme Court on Monday kept a hold on efforts in Texas and Florida to limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users. The justices returned the cases to lower courts in challenges from trade associations for the companies, reports the AP . While the details vary, both laws aimed to address conservative complaints that the social media companies were liberal-leaning and censored users based on their viewpoints, especially on the political right. The cases are among several this term in which the justices are wrestling with standards for free speech in the digital age.

The Florida and Texas laws were signed by Republican governors in the months following decisions by Facebook and Twitter, now X, to cut then-President Trump off over his posts related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Trade associations representing the companies sued, claiming the laws violated the platforms' speech rights. One federal appeals court struck down Florida's statute, while another upheld the Texas law. Both were on hold pending the outcome at the Supreme Court. When Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Texas law, he said it was needed to protect free speech in what he termed the new public square. Social media platforms "are a place for healthy public debate where information should be able to flow freelybut there is a dangerous movement by social media companies to silence conservative viewpoints and ideas," Abbott said.

But much has changed since. Elon Musk purchased Twitter and eliminated teams focused on content moderation, welcomed back users previously banned for hate speech, and used the site to spread conspiracy theories. President Biden's administration sided with the challengers, though it cautioned the court to seek a narrow ruling that maintained the government's ability to impose regulations to ensure competition, preserve data privacy, and protect consumer interests.

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During arguments in February, the justices seemed inclined to prevent the laws from taking effect. Several justices suggested that they viewed the platforms as akin to newspapers that have broad free-speech protections, rather than like telephone companies, known as common carriers, that are susceptible to broader regulation. But two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, appeared more ready to embrace the states' arguments. Thomas raised the idea that the companies are seeking constitutional protection for "censoring other speech." (More US Supreme Court stories.)
Positioning itself as the "beacon of democracy" and labelling its adversaries as anti-democratic has been a long-standing practice of Washington. BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- One of George Orwell's most famous works, "Animal Farm," was first published in 1945. Orwell died in 1950, at the beginning of the Cold War, unaware that a few years later, an animated film adaptation of the novel would significantly alter his story to serve as a tool for Washington's anti-communist propaganda. Following Orwell's death, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) persuaded his widow to sell the rights to the novel and funded the production of the above-mentioned film that drastically changed the plot to align with American "universal values." The CIA-funded film adaptation of "Animal Farm" premiered in 1954, spreading the anti-communist message of "democracy vs. totalitarianism" under the guise of universal values. This covert manipulation was not exposed until 1974, revealing the extent of U.S. efforts to propagate its ideology. Seventy years later, Washington continues its manipulative tactics. FALSE NARRATIVE At the opening ceremony of the so-called third "Summit for Democracy" in March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed that "this is a turning point for our world toward greater freedom, greater dignity, and greater democracy." Positioning itself as the "beacon of democracy" and labelling its adversaries as anti-democratic has been a long-standing practice of Washington. In his classic work "Propaganda Technique in the World War," published in 1927, Harold Lasswell pointed out that experienced political leaders know that "more can be won by illusion than coercion." Over the past two centuries, significant American political figures have described the United States as the "empire of liberty," the "city upon a hill," the "last best hope on earth," the "leader of the free world," and the "indispensable nation," among other titles. The concept of "American exceptionalism" has been deeply embedded in America's political discourse. Take the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which contrasted the "republican, democratic" Americas with the "autocratic, decaying" old Europe to control Latin America as an example. During the Cold War, "democracy" became a core tenet of U.S. foreign policy used to rally other nations against the Soviet Union and the socialist bloc. More recently, Washington has been framing the narrative of "democracy vs. authoritarianism" to label certain countries as "authoritarian" and cobbling together a so-called "democratic alliance." Many expressions of "American exceptionalism" assume that American values, political systems, and history are unique and universally worthy of reverence, which implies that the United States is destined to play a role as a moral leader on the world stage. Nevertheless, as Stephen Walt, a columnist at Foreign Policy and the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University, has pointed out, the only thing wrong with this self-congratulatory portrait of America's global role is its primarily mythical nature. It was during the early Cold War that U.S. political elites of that time were more candid in their discussions about their actual views on democracy than their successors now. John Dulles, secretary of state under U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower's administration and a Republican, once told former French President Charles de Gaulle: "In every society a minority always dominated. The question was how to do it. If the minority affronted the majority, it lost influence. If discretely exercised ... the minority influence could be effective and desirable." Dean Acheson, secretary of state under U.S. President Harry Truman's administration and a Democrat, had an even sharper view of democracy. He once said, "You all start with the premise that democracy is some good. I don't think it's worth a damn ... People say, 'If the Congress were more representative of the people it would be better.' I say the Congress is too damn representative. It's just as stupid as the people are; just as uneducated, just as dumb, just as selfish." DIVISIVE AGENDA Under the guise of democracy, Washington engages in interference, subversion, and aggression, severely undermining global stability and development. The instrumentalization and weaponization of democracy contradict the spirit of democracy itself. Moreover, Washington has never truly adhered to democratic principles in international relations, often using the cloak of democracy to create divisions and provoke confrontations, fully exposing its hypocrisy and double standards. After the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, the United States has repeatedly promoted the claim that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO's) eastward expansion is the "defense of Western democracy against Russian authoritarianism." In reality, after the end of the Cold War, Russia once leaned towards the West, adopting radical reforms for a Western-style economy and even seeking to join NATO. However, the United States, aiming to maintain NATO's existence after the Cold War and ensure its continued control over Europe, was not interested in turning Russia from a foe into a friend. Instead, it continued to view Russia as a potential threat and increased its geopolitical encirclement. Washington not only pushed for NATO's continuous eastward expansion, bringing the military alliance's borders closer to Russian territory, but also orchestrated "color revolutions" in neighboring countries, using the narrative of "democracy" to sow discord between Russia and its neighbors. The specific tactics employed by the United States include funding non-governmental organizations, fostering pro-American sentiments, penetrating target countries, cultivating pro-American leadership, supporting opposition movements, exploiting systemic shortcomings, influencing the media to highlight political corruption, and creating negative perceptions of these countries' political systems. Following the "color revolutions" in 2004 and 2014, the relationship between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated further, eventually leading to armed conflicts. After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, John Mearsheimer, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, pointed out that "the United States is principally responsible for causing the Ukraine crisis." "My key point, however, is that the United States has pushed forward policies toward Ukraine that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his colleagues see as an existential threat to their country -- a point they have made repeatedly for many years," wrote Mearsheimer in an article entitled "The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine War." "The taproot of the crisis is the American-led effort to make Ukraine a Western bulwark on Russia's borders. That strategy has three prongs: integrating Ukraine into the EU, turning Ukraine into a pro-Western liberal democracy and most importantly, incorporating Ukraine into NATO," he wrote. By organizing the "Summit for Democracy," planning NATO's expansion into Asia, and promoting "decoupling and supply chain disruption," Washington, under the false narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism," seeks to divide the world along ideological lines.
This past year, 'A' names clearly were a popular choice for both boys/tama and girls/kotiro, with Ariki/Te Ariki and Aroha/Te Aroha snagging the number one spots respectively. Of the names/ingoa registered with Te Tari Taiwhenua between July 10, 2023 and June 30, 2024, 164 were Aroha/Te Aroha and 111 were Ariki/Te Ariki.

The aforementioned dates for this year's registration period are linked to the Tangaroa lunar calendar and align with the advice provided by the Matariki Advisory Committee.

The origins of each Maori name are thoroughly evaluated by both internal advisors and the kaumatua group Te Atamira Taiwhenua, the department said on Monday. The chosen names are then sent to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, the Maori Language Commission, for a final review.

The process includes developing an initial list by extracting all the names from the birth registration data that contain vowels limited to I, e, a, o, u (and their long forms); consonants limited to p, t, k, m, n, ng, wh, r, h, w; and end in a vowel.

All names also must either appear in an authoritative Maori dictionary either as a full word, or in the case of compound names (e.g., Hineteuru), the component parts should appear; or, if the name has been written with a macron, it is likely to be intended as a Maori name and should be "tested" against the guidelines.

The list is then discussed with kaumatua, and the recommendations are checked with the Maori Language Commission.
A chemical that leaked from a truck in south Auckland on Monday afternoon has not yet been revealed by emergency services.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) were deployed to contain the chemical spill in the Auckland suburb of East Tamaki, with the report of the leaking truck received shortly after 1:20pm.

Six fire trucks and specialist appliances were at the scene, while fire officers wearing hazmat suits were seen trying to contain the spill. A section of Neales Rd at the intersection with Bruce Roderick Dr had been cordoned off.

FENZ has yet to confirm what the chemical was, but those nearby said it had a very strong smell.



Watch footage from the scene above.
A New Zealand soldier has pleaded guilty to four of the eight charges he is facing.

The young man, who has interim name suppression, is being trialled at a Court Martial at Linton Military Camp in Manawatu.

The alleged offending took place at an event held at the military camp's onsite bar on August 1, 2022, against three civilian women who were staff working there.

In her opening statement, Crown Prosecutor Lieutenant Letitia Smith said the soldier was drunk and "became intoxicated... the civilian bartender refused to serve him any more alcohol she cut him off", she said.

The eight charges include five charges of indecent assault, two charges of intimidation, and one charge of insubordinate behaviour.
He was given prednisone and a "back pocket" prescription for antibiotics in case his symptoms flared up again and told to see his GP or visit the emergency department if his shortness of breath worsened.

The man's daughter said her father was unable to walk unassisted when he left the hospital and needed help from members of the public to move him from a wheelchair to the car.

She then struggled to get him up the three flights of stairs into his home, and he died about five minutes after arriving.

Commissioner Carolyn Cooper found the Taranaki District Health Board (now Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Taranaki) breached the patients' code by not providing services of an appropriate standard.

The discharge was "unsafe" due to "a lack of critical thinking and communication", she said.

Hospital staff did not record key information about the man's functional ability and what post-discharge advice and support was provided.

"The discharge checklist includes important information such as whether the patient is likely to have any difficulties with self-care on discharge whether they are concerned about returning home, the level of support services they currently receive, and their arrangements for transport on discharge. None of this information was included."

Cooper said the man's safe discharge "depended on all members of the multidisciplinary team agreeing that he was ready for discharge, which did not occur".

There was also no evidence recorded about him receiving physical or occupational therapy during his hospital stay, and there were no referrals made for him to get this treatment post-discharge.

The report noted that since the man's death, "Health NZ Taranaki has trained a senior ward registered nurse to undertake the role of complex discharge coordinator to ensure this service is always available on the acute medical ward during work hours".

The commissioner made several recommendations, including that Health NZ formally apologise to the man's family, audit the completion of admission documentation for the past six months, update training on discharge planning, and review and update its discharge planning procedure.
According to a witness's account that has been shared on social media, the victim, said to be 16 years old, had five of his teeth knocked out with an iron bar during the attack.

"I realised that the boy's mouth was covered in blood, his face was covered in blood, his front teeth were knocked out and he was shivering in pain," the witness said.

The witness, a 75-year-old man, said he locked the woman's neck while the victim tried to prise the bar off her.

"I continued to call out to the passengers in the back of the car to help, but they still did not move.

"All I could do was to lock my left hand around the woman's neck and hit her on the head with my mobile phone with my right hand, and finally the boy grabbed the iron rod.

"At this point, the bus stopped at a bus stop just before the Panmure train station, and the woman who committed the attack immediately fled the bus in a panic."
It includes $400m a year over three years, with $300m each year in capital spending and $100m a year in operating. Initial Budget documents suggested it would focus on projects of between $1m and $50m.

From today, groups with infrastructure projects that improve regions' ability to handle shocks, or support growth through productivity or connectivity, can apply for funding.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones told RNZ that while some grants would be made available, he expected they would make up only about a quarter of the funding doled out.

"The focus very much is on enticing, incentivising enterprises and other entities to spend their own money as well.

"After all, investment is going to unlock potential in the regions with the fast-track legislation. I'm confident we'll see more investment but there will be a case from time to time to try and accelerate investment through this fund, as well as shore up our regional infrastructure."

Instead, the majority of the funding would be for loans and equity investments, granting the government some way of recouping at least some of the money.

Jones said it was a move from "co-governance to co-investment".

"Co-investment means that one and one can equal three. Now, some of the co-investment will be private sector from time to time, some may even be regional and local government - that's going to depend on the priorities of the regions.

He said the different approach was a result of challenging economic circumstances.

"This fund is operating in a set of economic circumstances that are quite challenging," he said.

"We need to both harness and unlock other sources of capital. There's over a trillion dollars' worth of capital in various private sources in New Zealand. And if we can entice some of that into the new generation of wealth-creating job-rich enterprises in regional New Zealand, that'll be a fantastic outcome."

Jones said there was no shortage of interest in the fund, and the focus was on "where we can harness the power of the market, but we may need to de-risk an element of the development question".

When asked about what that de-risking would refer to, he said the previous Provincial Growth Fund had dedicated funding to mining, and "that funding has since been paid back by the gold miners - that may or may not happen again. There are other projects: in the food sector, in the aquaculture sector, in the infrastructure sector".

About half the $200m set aside for flood protection is going towards 42 projects identified in the combined regional councils' Before the Deluge 2.0 report, falling short of the $200m investment and 80 projects the councils requested co-investment on.

Jones said the money was to "address the egregious cases of flood vulnerability" reflected in the list provided by the Regional Councils of New Zealand, and it was about addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

"I personally have had enough of the shrillness and the uncosted hysteria coming from various quarters about climate change. We need money to cope with adaptation.

"The first major allocation of the 1.2 billion is an investment in adaptation, as we deal with more volatile weather. And obviously this is an ongoing challenge as our weather situation continues to challenge communities, local and regional government, and this is a practical response."

He rebuffed the suggestion there was also a case for mitigation, however.

"This is not a fund that is dedicated to climate mitigation. I'm a politician who's predominantly interested in adaptation. Until the rest of the world reduces their emissions, the capacity of New Zealand to influence the global emissions profile is somewhere near zero," he said.

"None of us are unmoved by the images we see in the media about the effects of the weather in the Tai Rawhiti, broader area Wairoa, parts of Heretaunga, parts of Tai Tokerau. But just complaining about it, and just joining a chorus of fearfulness is not going to change anything.

"I only hope and pray that we do get various proposals forward, that will lead to us increasing the adaptive responses that New Zealand has to make."

- RNZ
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is a key player in fostering global and regional ties, said MP Dr. Maryam Al Dhaen, Vice-Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Highlighting Bahrain's active participation in international conferences, Dr. Al Dhaen praised these engagements for building strong communication channels and cooperation with other parliaments.

This approach, she said, has solidified Bahrain's reputation as a leader in parliamentary practices and democratic governance. Dr. Al Dhaen went on to highlight the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting understanding, sharing successful governance models, and fostering cultural exchange.

Pointing to Bahrain's recent hosting of a major Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting, Dr. Al Dhaen emphasized how this event showcased the country's standing on the world stage. It not only affirmed Bahrain's regional leadership but also underscored its commitment to transparency and international collaboration, she said.

Dr. Al Dhaen expressed pride in Bahrain's role as a host for prestigious parliamentary events. She reiterated the government's dedication to strengthening the role of parliament in foreign policy. Bahrain's active participation in global forums, she said, serves as a platform to highlight the country's democratic achievements and its advanced societal model.

Looking ahead, Dr. Al Dhaen emphasized the government's commitment to further enhancing Bahrain's global influence and contributing positively to international relations through continued engagement in parliamentary diplomacy.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, presided over the regular weekly assembly of the Cabinet today at Gudaibiya Palace.

Commencing the proceedings, the Cabinet extended its highest congratulations and blessings to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the occasion of the approaching new Hijri year 1446, asking God Almighty to make it a year of benevolence and prosperity upon Bahrain and its citizens, and security and safety for the Arab and Islamic nations.

In adherence to the royal decree issued by His Majesty the King, aimed at formulating a strategy to safeguard the historical and cultural essence of Bahrain's buildings, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has mandated the initiation of a comprehensive scheme to rejuvenate the historic Manama Souq area. The objective is to maintain its historical and cultural identity whilst addressing the infrastructural requirements of the local community.

Within the framework of the high directives of His Majesty the King, and the presidency of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the thirty-third Arab Summit, to follow up on unfolding developments and the military escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, the Council stressed the necessity of avoiding the broadening of the conflict, thus safeguarding the security of fraternal Lebanon and striving towards peace and stability in the region.

Subsequently, the Cabinet directed the importance of the concerned authorities sustaining their endeavours to combat human trafficking, thereby reinforcing Bahrains status as a leader in safeguarding the rights of workers and employers. This is further evidenced by Bahrain's consistent Tier 1 ranking in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the seventh consecutive year.

This accolade mirrors the vision and aspirations of His Majesty the King, and the directives of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in their quest to establish justice and protect the rights of all parties within the labour market.
AFP | Muzaffarabad, Pakistan

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Twenty detainees, some accused of terrorism, staged a prison break in Pakistan-administered Kashmir yesterday, officials told AFP, adding that one was "killed in the crossfire" during the escape.

"The inmates had a revolver that they used to hold a sentry hostage," said Badar Munir, an official with the regional ministry of interior.

"It is unclear whether they seized it (the weapon) from jail officials or if it was brought in from outside," Munir added.

The incident took place at the Poonch district jail in Rawalakot city, about 110 kilometres (68 miles) south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. "In total, 20 people escaped from the prison.

One was killed in the crossfire, while 19 others remain at large," the inspector general of Kashmir prisons, Waheed Ali Gillani, told AFP.

A senior local police official, Riaz Mughal, told AFP that police had blocked the entry and exit points of Rawalakot, and a search operation was currently under way to locate the escapees.

Prisons in Pakistan are notorious for overcrowding, poor conditions, corruption and human rights violations. Additionally, slow judicial processes contribute to prolonged stays for prisoners.

Militant groups have organised several mass jailbreaks in Pakistan in the past, including one in the northwestern town of Bannu in 2012 that sprung 400 prisoners.
A pair of top state lawmakers and a state education advocacy group issued vigorous calls Monday for a statewide investigation into the College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS) network, following an investigation by NJ Advance Media last week that revealed top officials at College Achieve Asbury Park have used a family business to produce thousands of dollars of apparel for the school.

State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, described the investigation as very disturbing. And state Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, said the state Department of Education, and any other applicable agency, needs to investigate College Achieve to the fullest extent.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, the states leading advocacy group for publicly funded charter schools, said that, if true, the allegations in the NJ Advance Media report were indefensible.
The official July 4th holiday falls on a Thursday in 2024, setting the stage for fireworks, parades, concerts and special events throughout New Jersey this weekend and into next week.

From small town celebrations to the massive fireworks displays in New York and Philadelphia visible from New Jersey, scores of events are planned to celebrate Independence Day.

NJ Advance Media has combed through events scheduled throughout all 21 counties to provide our readers with this list. Many towns have celebrations scheduled for multiple days. (Have an event we should add? Send the information to press@njnpublishing.com.)
A Gloucester County zoning board is being sued for discriminating against recovering addicts by blocking a recovery home from operating in a residential neighborhood.

The five-bedroom home, located in Washington Township and run by the organization Rising Sun Recovery, opened last year to help men recover from addiction and alcoholism, according to a lawsuit filed in New Jersey federal court last month.

It houses up to eight recovering addicts who live under rules with a house manager and share costs such as rent, utilities and food, the lawsuit says.

In the complaint, Rising Sun Recovery claims that Washington Townships Zoning Board refused to recognize their recovery home as a family unit under local laws, despite the men living and supporting each other like a family.

Township officials argued that the home doesnt belong in a residential neighborhood, pointing out another zoning area in town where it could be located, court documents say.

Washington Township officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

After about a month of the home being used as a sober living residence for men in recovery, the township issued a summons to the owners in September 2023.

The summons said that a proper zoning permit was not given for the recovery home on Whitman Drive in Turnersville and alleged that it is being wrongfully used for commercial purposes in a residential neighborhood.

However, Rising Sun argues that their residents live and support the house like a family and therefore, should be considered as such under the townships zoning laws, according to the lawsuit.

The organization then asked the zoning board to recognize the residents in the home as a family in order to continue operating the facility.

That request was denied by the townships zoning board at a hearing on April 8, according to court documents.

Before the decision was made, Shane Hanscom, the owner of the recovery home, who has also been in addiction recovery for over 12 years, testified on behalf of the organization.

According to Hanscom, Rising Suns mission is to provide a family environment for people seeking recovery out of treatment or just trying to stop using drugs and alcohol and starting a new way of life, the lawsuit said.

He also explained that the house is not a treatment or rehab facility, but a cooperative sober living residence, under state law.

Residents hold each other accountable, shop together and attend support group meetings, Hanscom said. Each person is interviewed before being approved to live in the home, must sign a move-in contract and undergoes random drug tests throughout the week, court documents say.

There are about 20 similar sober living homes in Gloucester County, but the one on Whitman Drive is the only one located in Washington Township, according to the lawsuit.

At the hearing, members of the public expressed their views on the property being run in the residential neighborhood. Many took a not in my backyard stance and voiced concerns about safety, according to the lawsuit.

Others acknowledged the homes necessity but argued it should not be located in residential neighborhoods.

Rising Sun also requested a use variance from the board  permission to run the property in a neighborhood where such use is not typically allowed.

The board denied this request, which Rising Sun claims discriminates against recovering alcoholics and addicts, the lawsuit said.

(The board is) enforcing ordinances that have the effect of denying housing to persons in recovery from drugs and alcohol, the Rising Sun Recovery said in the lawsuit.

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Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com.
In case you missed it, the Supreme Court just handed down a ringing endorsement of the way New Jersey politicians have done business for decades, siding with a local mayor who accepted a $13,000 bribe.

Thats right: In a ruling that would have delighted Tony Soprano, the high court just gave its blessing to bribery in Snyder v. United States.
The U.S. district court judge presiding over New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendezs second federal corruption trial says he has had enough of the drama.

Youre not only making it a soap opera, youre making it a bad soap opera, Judge Sidney Stein reproached lawyers for the defense and prosecution as the case crawled into its eighth week Monday.

Menendez is accused, alongside his wife Nadine, of accepting bribes from a trio of New Jersey businessmen, who have also been charged with crimes.

Its a sprawling, complicated case, and jurors so far have seen evidence of bags of cash and heard from U.S. diplomats and a New York City jeweler who were called as witnesses.

But the trial was nearly brought to a halt Monday as the defense and prosecution squabbled over which private details of the Menendez couples relationship the jury would hear.

Its an abuse of the court system, Stein said before the jury entered the courtroom, complaining of a tsunami of submissions received over the weekend in the evidence dispute.

New Jerseys senior U.S. senator, Menendez is now facing his second federal corruption trial, accused of bribery, fraud, extortion, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent of Egypt.

Both he and his wife have pleaded not guilty, but Nadines trial has been postponed while she recovers from breast cancer surgery.

Absent from the courtroom, her presence has loomed large as the senators attorneys cast blame on her, claiming Nadine kept her husband in the dark about her financial troubles as well as gifts and other payments she took from their wealthy friends.

The couple began dating in 2018, marrying in 2020.

Now at issue is how much the jury will hear about Nadines tumultuous relationship with an ex-boyfriend, including the details of a restraining order she obtained and alleged emotional and physical abuse.

The senators attorneys also want to submit texts showing Bob and Nadine briefly broke up during the time the alleged bribes occurred because Nadine was still seeing her ex.

Judge Stein warned on Friday that the case was not going to be Days of Our Lives, strictly limiting which sensitive details the jury would hear.

The case is now behind schedule as the senators defense team and federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York engage in near-daily disputes over minute details.

On Monday morning, Stein said he would need at least a day without the jury to sort through the legal arguments.

Im tempted to tell the jurors its the parties fault, he said, before adding: Im not going to do that.

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S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X.
Sometimes you leave a restaurant ready to talk about the whole experience, and sometimes the story comes down to one dish you really want to h
There are two reasons why Venezia Restaurant rarely sells dessert. One is the size of the servings at this Creole-Italian classic.

The other reason is its neighbor.

Angelo Brocato Ice Cream & Confectionary, the citys oldest gelato parlor and Italian bakery, is just four doors down the street, or about 80 eager steps away.

In the evening, the sidewalk between them is lit by their respective neon signs and busy with diners from Venezia shuttling over to Angelo Brocato, a pairing thats become as intuitive as spaghetti and meatballs and tricolor spumoni.

"You don't even think to do anything different," said Ryan Wise, while she and her husband, Oliver, ushered their three children along that familiar route. "It's just a natural."
PORTAGE  A masked gunman escaped capture after opening fire on vehicles reserved for management staff in the AmeriPlex at the Port business park on the city's far north side, police said.

Portage police said they responded shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday to the 6700 block of Daniel Burnham Drive in reference to a report of shots fired in a business parking lot.

UPDATE: Valpo man, woman identified as deceased in Valpo-area motorcycle crash One of the people on the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead, according to police.

"Upon arrival, officers determined that no one was injured but two vehicles were struck by gunfire," police said. "Witnesses reported a lone male wearing an orange safety vest and a black mask entered into the parking lot on foot before firing several rounds from a handgun toward the vehicles parked in an area reserved for management."

The gunman was last seen fleeing northbound on foot, police said. He escaped capture despite a large-scale search effort involving several police agencies, a drone and police dogs, according to Portage police.

Police ask that anyone with information about the shooting, including witnessing a vehicle in the area at the time, contact detective Trent Howard at 219-764-5675.
WINFIELD  The Winfield Town Council has agreed to a significant increase in money paid for the town's fire protection and emergency services.

The town council at its last meeting signed a two year contractual agreement with the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force.

In the agreement, which LOFS Fire Force Chief Kevin Heerema called a "huge bump," the council approved a 77% increase from 2024 to its 2025 contractual agreement and a 33% increase from 2025 to 2026.

The town's contractual agreement with the fire force was $253,000 in 2024 and will be $450,000 in 2025 and $600,000 in 2026.

"This bridges the gap," Heerema said following approval by the town council.

Town Councilman Zack Beaver, who serves as a liaison between the town and the fire department, was praised by Town Council President Tim Clayton for working on the agreement with Heerema and other firefighters.

"Zack has held the reins on this," Clayton said.

Beaver said the increase was substantial but fair based on the town's continued growth and the fact that at least half of the calls made by the fire service are in the town of Winfield.

"We're playing catch up. The town has grown so fast and money didn't follow and we're fixing that," Beaver said.

Heerema said the increase in the budget would allow the department to add a 24-hour, third part-time firefighter/EMS person.

Presently the department has two part-time firefighter/EMS individuals and a third person who works a day shift, or 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Heerema said his fire force previously penned a contract for 2025 in late April with the Winfield Township Board.

Under that agreement, the fire force will receive $497,800 in 2025 for firefighting and EMS services.

That's a 23% increase over the previous year, Winfield Township Trustee Cody J. Reynolds said.

The 2025 money from the township will be earmarked to address three issues including increasing part-time EMS staffing, continued education and training and bolstering of recruitment and retention of volunteers, Reynolds said.

A contract with the West Porter Township Board still hadn't been reached as of last week, Heerema said.

Heerema said he hasn't given up on plans to pursue a proposal to form a new fire territory to protect those in the volunteer fire department's area which entails the town of Winfield and both West Porter and Winfield townships.

That proposal to form a fire territory could go forward at the earliest in 2026 and would have to include all the hearings and steps taken previously, he said.

A proposal earlier this spring to form a new fire territory to protect those in West Porter and Winfield townships was defeated at a public hearing to put the plan in motion.

The proposal, which would have turned the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force into a fully staffed department covering the fire territory, failed to pass after it was read during a joint meeting by the Winfield Township Board and the West Porter Fire Protection District Board.

The volunteer fire force, formed in 1969 as a bucket brigade, currently includes as its coverage area both the Porter and Lake county sides of the Lakes of the Four Seasons community, as well as the town of Winfield and unincorporated Winfield and West Porter townships, for a total of around 19,000 residents.

The town of Winfield, although previously involved in discussion on formation of the fire territory, had not signed on to be part of the defeated proposal.

Beaver said it became clear to the town during the fire territory talks the town needed to step up.

"We're trying to take care of the firefighters and the residents to make sure they are covered. The funding hasn't always taken care of growth," Beaver said.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week Close out of the historic Little Calumet River Flood Damage Reduction Project Close out of the historic Little Calumet River Flood Damage Reduction Project Close out of the historic Little Calumet River Flood Damage Reduction Project Ed Roviaro Forensic Investigation Summer Camp Forensic Investigation Summer Camp IUN's annual Pride Walk IUN's annual Pride Walk IUN's annual Pride Walk CCSJ Shakespeare camp CCSJ Shakespeare camp Outdoor STEM camp Outdoor STEM camp Circle of Love Walk to End Gun Violence Circle of Love Walk to End Gun Violence Circle of Love Walk to End Gun Violence
A federal judge has prohibited Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita from enforcing Indiana's age verification mandate for adult-oriented websites shortly before the new law was set to take effect Monday.

U.S. District Senior Judge Richard Young determined Senate Enrolled Act 17 (2024) likely violates the 1st Amendment rights of Hoosier adults in its zeal to prevent individuals younger than 18 years old from accessing adult-oriented content online.

The statute, which is on hold indefinitely pending further litigation, preemptively prohibited adult-oriented websites from publishing their content in Indiana unless the site employed a rigorous age verification system to prevent minors from accessing the website.

Young said, in accordance with the Constitution and prior U.S. Supreme Court rulings, any law infringing on protected speech, including adult-oriented content, must advance a compelling government interest and be narrowly tailored to that interest so there are no less restrictive alternatives.

The Indiana law, he said, "is not close"  "The attorney general has not submitted any evidence suggesting age verification would prohibit a single minor from viewing harmful materials, even though he bears the burden of demonstrating the effectiveness of the statute."

Specifically, Young observed that minors based in Indiana still could access adult-oriented websites because the method of determining a website user's home state is not reliable, and it easily can be hidden or altered using a free virtual private network (VPN) connection.

The law also specifically excludes from the age-verification mandate internet search engines and social media sites, such as Reddit and Facebook, among others, that make available plenty of adult-oriented videos and photos with just a single click, Young said.

"The attorney general asserts an interest in protecting minors from the harmful effects of pornography as the interest justifying the intrusion upon adults' 1st Amendment rights. To be sure, protecting minors from viewing obscene material is a compelling interest; the act just fails to further that interest in the constitutionally required way because it is wildly underinclusive when judged against that interest," Young said.

"In sum, the act does not sufficiently advance the government's interests in protecting minors from harmful obscene speech because minors can easily circumvent the law using technology or searching for websites not covered by the act."

Moreover, Young noted, a less restrictive alternative is available in the form of filtering and blocking software that Hoosier parents could install or activate on their children's computers and mobile devices to prevent them from accessing adult-oriented content online.

"The Supreme Court reached the same conclusion. In (2004), the Supreme Court explained that the effectiveness of filtering and blocking software  which has only become more effective in the intervening 20 years  meant age verification requirements were not narrowly tailored," Young said.

"Indiana's Legislature chose an ineffective and more broad method to protect minors from harmful materials than other alternatives. The 1st Amendment does not allow such imprecision."

As a result, Young explained a statewide preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the statute is warranted because the loss of 1st Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.

"Ultimately, the act places burdens on and chills an adult's ability to engage with, view, transmit and receive a significant amount of constitutionally protected speech," Young said. "Indiana's age verification requirements are likely unconstitutional."

Rokita has yet to release a public statement responding to the ruling even though it was issued Friday.

A legal challenge to the statute seemingly was inevitable because, as Young noted, the Supreme Court has twice previously rejected the attorney general's arguments in favor of the law.

In March, state Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, the sponsor of the law, shrugged off any legal challenge and said he looked forward to Indiana setting an example for other states to follow.

"We have an obligation to protect children from harmful content on the internet. Putting restrictions on pornographic content online would prevent children from accessing it easily, but still allow adults to access it with proper age verification," Bohacek said.

However, the Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties pointed out in the history of the Internet no one in the United States has been required to provide official identification merely to visit a website.

"We knew that Indiana's intrusive online age verification law undermined Hoosiers' free speech and privacy rights  and now a federal judge agrees," the Indiana ACLU said.

Gallery: Get to know these new Indiana laws that took effect July 1 Beekeeping Biomarker testing Bobcat hunting Boundary marker Contraceptives Digital currency Dog sales Drink server Driver safety Drones Food and beverage tax Foreigner land acquisition Gary gun lawsuit Green alert Guardian ad litem Happy hour Intellectual diversity Lake Michigan Mixed beverages Penal facilities Phones in schools Psilocybin Public access counselor Reading Regional planning Religious instruction Sanctuary cities State superintendent Thirteenth check Virtual revenge porn Website age verification Wetlands Xylazine
Five members of the same family who had been traveling for a baseball tournament were killed when their small plane crashed in upstate New York on Sunday afternoon, the authorities said.

The plane, a single-engine Piper PA-46, crashed around 2 p.m. in a rural area in Delaware County, near Sidney, about 40 miles northeast of Binghamton, the Federal Aviation Administration said, killing all onboard. The plane wreckage was discovered Sunday night, the F.A.A. reported.

There were five people on the plane, state police said: Roger Beggs, 76; Laura VanEpps, 43; Ryan VanEpps, 42; James R. VanEpps, 12; and Harrison VanEpps, 10.

The passengers were from Georgia and were in Cooperstown, N.Y., for a baseball tournament, state police said.
More than 100 residents of Utica, N.Y., grieving the death of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a police officer there last week, gathered at a church on Sunday afternoon to demand accountability for his killing.

The boy, Nyah Mway, was walking in the city with another boy on Friday night when they were stopped by three police officers. When one officer asked to pat them down, Nyah fled, footage from officers body-worn cameras shows.

The police said in a statement that Nyah had displayed what appeared to be a handgun as he ran. In footage that has been slowed down, it appears that he turns while holding something that looks like a handgun, before he is tackled, held to the ground and shot.

The police later determined that he had been holding a pellet gun.

On Sunday, the mayor of Utica, Michael P. Galime, answered questions from residents who filled the auditorium at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Police officials were not in attendance.
Soma Golden Behr, a longtime senior editor at The New York Times who was a centrifuge of story ideas  they flew out of her in all directions  and whose journalistic passions were poverty, race and class, which led to reporting that won Pulitzer Prizes, died on Sunday in Manhattan. She was 84.

Her husband, William A. Behr, said her death, in the palliative care unit of Mount Sinai Hospital, came after breast cancer had spread to other organs.

Ms. Golden Behr, whose economics degree from Radcliffe led to a lifetime interest in issues involving inequality, was instrumental in overseeing several major series for The Times that examined class and racial divides. Each enlisted squads of reporters, photographers and editors for intensive, sometimes yearlong assignments.

How Race Is Lived in America, overseen with Gerald M. Boyd, who would become The Timess first Black managing editor, peeled away the conventional wisdom that the country at the turn of the 21st century had become post-racial. Its deep dives into an integrated church, the military, a slaughterhouse and elsewhere won the paper the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting in 2001.
If Chicago, St. Louis and Rio de Janeiro all have annual festivals celebrating tap dancing, shouldnt New York City? Thats the question Tony Waag asked in 2001, before he founded the New York City Tap Festival, or Tap City. And its the question he is asking again after deciding to cancel this years edition.

For almost 25 years, Tap City has been an important gathering each summer, a hub on a circuit of festivals that combine performances with classes. These festivals have been pivotal to the passing on of a tradition, largely left behind in popular and commercial culture, that might otherwise have been lost. For a major art lacking major institutions, festivals have served as the next best thing.

Tap City has been an incubator of talent, crucial to the early careers of now-prominent artists like Michelle Dorrance, Chloe Arnold and Caleb Teicher. It deserves some credit for the recent flourishing of tap in New York theaters like City Center and the Joyce, where Dorrances company returns this month. And it has maintained a footprint for the art in a town central enough to its history to warrant the title of Tap City.

Is Tap City dead? It might be, Waag, 66, said recently at the American Tap Dance Center, a training and rehearsal space that he opened in the West Village in 2009  and closed on June 30. Along with the cancellation of the festival, this is a worrisome downsizing of his American Tap Dance Foundation. While never robust, it is not just the biggest such institution in the city, but the only one.
On a recent Friday, Shania Twain rode a horse through rural terrain in Alberta, Canada, helping a neighbor relocate a herd of Angus cattle. As cows mooed loudly around her, the country-pop star multitasked, chatting on the phone about prepping for an appearance on a famous field an ocean away.

Twain recalled how she started to perform at age 8 in smoky bars where drunk men would sometimes heckle her. As a result, she developed stage fright and hated being in the spotlight until she was about 50, she said, so the idea of performing for more than 200,000 revelers at Britains biggest music festival would have been anxiety inducing.
Ismail Kadare, the most celebrated Albanian author in a generation, was a prolific writer who often found ways to criticize the countrys totalitarian state, despite the risks involved. Frequently, he veiled his contempt in myth and parable.

As his work was translated, into French and many other languages, Kadare offered the West a glimpse of life in what was for years a very closed society, and the last country in Europe to ditch Communism. He died on Monday in Tirana, Albanias capital, at 88.

Kadare rose to international fame during one of Albanias darkest chapters: the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, the Communist tyrant who died in 1985. For decades, Kadare lived in fear. He walked a careful line, alternately criticizing and placating the regime.

Sometimes, he was celebrated. Sometimes, he was banished. In the mid 1980s, he had to smuggle his manuscripts out of the country.
Frances far right surges in the polls

The National Rally party won a crushing victory in the first round of voting for the French National Assembly, according to early projections, bringing its long-taboo brand of nationalist, anti-immigrant politics to the brink of power. Final results from the Interior Ministry are expected to be released today.

Pollster projections, which are normally reliable, suggested that the far-right party would take about 34 percent of the vote, ahead of a coalition of left-wing parties, which was projected to take about 29 percent of the vote, and President Emmanuel Macrons centrist Renaissance party and its allies, which was in third place with about 22 percent.

Turnout was high at about 67 percent, compared with 47.5 percent in the first round of the last parliamentary election in 2022. The two-round election will be completed with a runoff this coming Sunday between the leading parties in each constituency. The National Rally now looks very likely to be the largest force in the lower house, if not necessarily with an absolute majority.

Whats next: If a new majority of lawmakers opposed to Macron is ushered in, he will be forced to appoint a political adversary as prime minister. If no clear majority emerges, the country could be headed for months of political turmoil. Here are takeaways from the vote.
Its unclear how far along the talks between IAC and National Amusements are. Others have also expressed interest in acquiring National Amusements, including the media and finance executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Steven Paul, the Hollywood executive best known for his work on the Baby Geniuses franchise.

A bid to take control of Paramount would be a coda of sorts for Mr. Diller, 82, who tried to acquire Paramount Pictures in the early 90s. He was outbid by Sumner Redstone, the bellicose media mogul whose daughter, Shari, now controls the company.

Mr. Diller was named head of Paramount Pictures in 1974 at the age of 32. He was credited with rejuvenating the studio, developing a cadre of talented lieutenants, like the future Disney chief executive Michael Eisner and the studio wunderkind Jeffrey Katzenberg, that became known as the Killer Dillers.

After Mr. Redstone outbid him for the company, Mr. Diller set his sights on continuing to build his new media empire, striking a series of audacious deals to expand IAC.

They won, Mr. Diller said in a statement after losing out to Mr. Redstone. We lost. Next.

National Amusements began exploring potential deals last year. As part of its talks with Skydance, Shari Redstone, the largest shareholder at National Amusements, would sell the company to Skydance, while Paramount would merge with Skydance through a separate transaction. That deal was scuttled after they could not agree on noneconomic terms after significant shareholder pushback.
When Meta introduced a subscription option last year that would allow users in the European Union to pay for an advertising-free experience of Instagram and Facebook, it was meant to fix regulatory problems the company faced in the region.

The plan created new legal headaches instead.

On Monday, European Union regulators said Metas subscription, which costs up to 12.99 euros a month, amounted to a pay or consent scheme that required users to choose between paying a fee or handing over more personal data to Meta to use for targeted advertising.

Meta introduced the subscription last year as a way to address regulatory and legal scrutiny of its advertising-based business model. Of most concern was the companys combination of data collected about users across its different platforms  including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp  along with information pulled from other websites and apps.

Meta argued that by offering a subscription, users had a fair alternative.

But regulators on Monday said the system was no choice at all, forcing users to pay for privacy. The authorities said Metas policy violated the Digital Markets Act, a new law aimed at reining in the power of the biggest tech companies.
Terence Samuel, the editor in chief of USA Today, is leaving the role after a year, the newsroom was told on Monday.

Mr. Samuel, a veteran journalist, joined USA Today last July from National Public Radio, where he was a top executive in charge of all news gathering across the broadcaster. Neither Mr. Samuel nor the publication gave a reason for his departure.

In an email to the newsroom viewed by The New York Times, Monica Richardson, senior vice president of USA Today, said Mr. Samuel would leave his job effective today. Caren Bohan, the executive editor of politics, will serve as interim editor in chief while the publication conducts a national search for our newsroom leader, Ms. Richardson wrote in the email.

Mr. Samuel said in an interview on Monday that his departure was sudden but that he could not talk about why he was leaving the newspaper.
The C.P.S.C. had recently proposed a rule effectively requiring that all new table saws sold in the United States come equipped with a high-tech safety feature that stops and retracts the saws spinning blade within milliseconds of its making contact with flesh. The finger-saving technology has been likened to airbags in cars  a straightforward but ingenious safety solution  but many of Gluesenkamp Perezs friends didnt see it that way. They were worried that a government mandate would increase the cost of a new table saw by hundreds of dollars, while also giving SawStop, the company that developed the technology, an effective monopoly.

What may seem like a minor regulatory hiccup is to Gluesenkamp Perez emblematic of the disconnect between government and the governed that she has dedicated her short time in office to addressing. Too often, she believes, policymakers are not only disrespectful to people who work with their hands, but also ignorant of the reality of their day-to-day lives. If the commission had had somebody who has worked in construction in the body, they would know that if you raise the cost of a table saw by $400, people are just going to put a circ saw on a sheet of plywood  and more people are going to lose their fingers, she says. In April, she introduced legislation that would prohibit the commission from implementing the rule until five years after SawStops patent expires. (SawStops chief executive, Matt Howard, said that the company has promised not to enforce its patent once the rule is implemented.)
With a defiant flurry of speechifying, Stephen K. Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald J. Trump, reported to prison on Monday to begin a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, days after the Supreme Court rejected his last-ditch effort to avoid incarceration.

Mr. Bannon arrived outside the federal lockup in Danbury, Conn.  a low-security facility about 60 miles north of Manhattan  before noon, and used his last moments of freedom to host a loud rally and live-streamed news conference, surrounded by supporters waving flags and ringing cowbells.

Standing alongside Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the far-right congresswoman from Georgia, and Bernard B. Kerik, the former New York police commissioner who spent three years imprisoned on fraud charges, Mr. Bannon predicted big victories for Republicans in this years election. He slammed what he called the ruling elite in America.

Victory or death, Mr. Bannon said, just before being blessed by a priest. We either win or were going to have the death of a constitutional republic.
Donald J. Trump began an effort on Monday to throw out his recent criminal conviction in Manhattan and postpone his upcoming sentencing, citing a new Supreme Court ruling that granted him broad immunity from prosecution for official actions he took as president, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

In a letter to the judge overseeing the case, Mr. Trumps lawyers sought permission to file a motion to set aside the verdict, doing so just hours after the Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling involving one of Mr. Trumps other criminal cases. The letter will not be public until Tuesday at the earliest, after which prosecutors will have a chance to respond.

The move from Mr. Trumps lawyers came 10 days before the judge was set to sentence the former president for his crimes in Manhattan, where a jury convicted him on 34 felony counts related to his cover-up of a sex scandal in the run-up to the 2016 election. Mr. Trumps lawyers asked the judge, Juan M. Merchan, to postpone the July 11 sentencing while the judge weighs whether the Supreme Court ruling affects the conviction.

The effort to set aside the conviction might be a long shot. The Manhattan case centers on acts Mr. Trump took as a candidate, not a president.
Ismail Kadare, the Albanian novelist and poet who single-handedly wrote his isolated Balkan homeland onto the map of world literature, creating often dark, allegorical works that obliquely criticized the countrys totalitarian state, died on Monday in Tirana, the Albanian capital. He was 88.

His death was confirmed by Bujar Hudhri, the head of Onufri Publishing House, who was his editor and publisher in Albania. He said that Mr. Kadare went into cardiac arrest at his home and died at a hospital.
The 100-percent tariffs on Chinese EVs are a product of a complex interplay of economic, political, and environmental considerations. by Yilun Zhang Tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) have reached a pivotal moment over the past month. Following months of misleading overcapacity claims, the United States announced a sharp increase in its Section 301 tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25 percent to 100 percent. Within a month, the EU also revealed a plan to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs, albeit through a more tailored approach. The debate between China and the West over alleged overcapacity and unfair trade practices will continue in the foreseeable future as the West refuses to accept China's repeated explanation that the dominant EV power's competitiveness stems from its "unique comparative advantage" -- its large domestic EV market that enables scaled production. It has almost become a cliche to compare China's EV adoption rate with that of the West to highlight their differing development stages, a view the West, especially the United States, refuses to accept. The White House claims that the tariffs are necessary measures to protect and develop a "robust" U.S. EV market, if that exists in the first place. But is that really the case? For the United States, the decision to impose a universal 100-percent tariff on all Chinese EVs does not belong to a larger plan to develop the U.S. EV industry. Quite the opposite: Although the Biden administration claims that the EV tariffs aim to support the American EV industry, the tariffs build on the rationale that is fundamentally anti-competition and anti-EV industry. The Biden administration claims to incentivize the development of the U.S. EV market. From an industry perspective, however, there is no substantial U.S. EV market to protect in the first place. Blocking Chinese EVs will further isolate U.S. customers from the globally popular EV concept, counteracting the administration's stated objectives. The U.S. EV adoption rate is less than 10 percent, despite the Biden administration's ambitious target for EVs to make up half of the new cars in the United States by 2030. Tesla, the world's best-selling EV manufacturer, sells more EVs abroad than domestically. Unlike other auto markets, the U.S. market prefers pickup trucks and CR-Vs, which are technically difficult to convert to electric power. Traditional American automakers such as General Motors and Ford are struggling to develop mature EV models for U.S. consumers. Recent reports suggest they are pulling back from EV development to explore hybrid CR-Vs and pickup trucks instead. Even though the United States leads in AI research that would be critical to the next-generation model of smart cars, a small domestic EV market and the counterproductive China tariffs would prevent the United States from converting that technological leadership into industrial competitiveness. Without Chinese competitors in the U.S. market, there will be less incentive to innovate, further delaying efforts to advance the U.S. EV industry. Moreover, the 100-percent EV tariffs against China will make it even harder for the United States to achieve its green agenda. The transportation sector constitutes 36 percent of the entire U.S. energy consumption. For the United States to shift towards renewable energy, changes must begin in the transportation sector. By blocking Chinese EV imports through 100-percent universal EV tariffs, the Biden administration also misses an opportunity to use market forces to reform American energy consumption by adopting more affordable EVs. Despite the Biden administration's repeated calls to transform the U.S. automobile industry towards a cleaner future, the country continues to lack definitive motivation for a costly transition. The U.S. energy landscape remains diverse, with significant reliance on fossil fuels. Since 2019, when U.S. energy production exceeded its consumption, Texas, New Mexico, and North Dakota have remained major producers of oil and natural gas, granting traditional energy groups strong lobbying power over U.S. energy policies. As of 2023, petroleum and natural gas together accounted for over 60 percent of the country's total energy consumption, with renewables, including electricity, making up a modest 12 percent. Given that the U.S. energy strategy still primarily favors fossil fuels, the development of the EV industry is more a matter of jobs and taxes than energy security or climate change. With domestic politics and a partisan divide on climate issues, developing the EV industry in the United States faces numerous obstacles, regardless of the White House's ambition. Politics, both domestic and international, further complicate the impact of the 100-percent EV tariffs. The Biden administration must prioritize job creation promises, a matter closely tied to the U.S. presidential election, where blue-collar auto workers' votes are crucial. While the 100-percent EV tariffs may protect some less competitive U.S. auto jobs, the harsh stance towards Chinese EV makers, coupled with intensifying U.S.-China relations, makes it very difficult for Chinese EV makers to help build U.S. EV capacity through investments and building plants in the United States. Unlike Japanese automakers in the 1980s, Chinese EV makers will be extremely discouraged. The tariffs, coupled with increasing regulatory scrutiny and a Congress increasingly obsessed with Chinese economic influence, create an unprecedentedly high barrier. The 100-percent tariffs on Chinese EVs are a product of a complex interplay of economic, political, and environmental considerations. Beyond their immediate economic impact, these tariffs reflect a broader ambivalence towards developing the EV industry within the Biden administration. While rhetoric may emphasize support for U.S. jobs and a "cleaner future," such punitive, rash, and untailored tariffs reveal Washington's lack of confidence about the future of the American EV industry and the U.S. energy transition. This disconnect undermines not only U.S. leadership in global climate cooperation but also the efforts to build strength in the U.S. domestic industries. Through the 100-percent EV tariffs, the Biden administration is, in fact, betraying the U.S. auto industry and its own commitment to "worker-centric" trade policy. Editor's note: Yilun Zhang is a Research Associate and the manager of the Trade 'n Technology program at the Institute for China-America Studies. The views expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency.
Emmanuel Frimpong, 32, is a cocoa farmer in Ghana, mostly by default. He has a university education but couldnt find another job so he works on the family farm. Why not? he told me. Im willing to do the job. His literacy and English skills help him serve as a liaison between his fellow farmers and the government, which is the primary price-setter for cocoa beans in Ghana.

The exorbitant prices paid for cocoa beans and chocolate products in the United States and other nations barely touch the lives of Frimpong and those around him. The living conditions are very poor, he told me. The water system is very poor. The governments payments for cocoa beans are a little bit low and its support for the farmers  for example, a pesticide sprayer that must be shared by more than 100 families  is woefully inadequate, he said.

The poverty of cocoa farmers is sometimes seen as a moral failing of chocolate buyers or sellers, but above all its a market failure. In a healthy market, price spikes are self-correcting: When the price rises, production increases to take advantage of the extra profit opportunity. But farmers in Ghana and neighboring Ivory Coast, the worlds No. 2 and No. 1 cocoa-producing nations, arent feeling the love. Most live in poverty. They dont have the funds for long-term investment in new cacao trees, which are the source of cocoa beans, or for adequate fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation and labor-intensive pruning.

Some farmers put more land under cultivation to compensate for falling yields, which involves cutting down primary forests. Many put children to work. Some are giving up on cocoa and turning to growing maize or rubber or selling their land for illegal, environmentally destructive open-pit gold mining.
I felt as if I were talking with Leon Trotsky in the years before the Russian Revolution.

I was sitting in Steve Bannons Washington living room in 2019. His stint in Donald Trumps White House had ended ingloriously, but he had resumed his self-appointed role as populisms grand strategist, its propagandist, its bad-boy visionary. He sat there that day sketching out his plans for how MAGA-type movements could take over the world.

By then populists had already racked up some big wins  Brexit in Britain, Trumps victory in 2016. Right-wing populists were in power in Hungary and Poland, Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party was surging and populists were rising across Latin America. Bannon knew I opposed him in every particular and abhorred much of what he said, but he laid out his grand vision cheerfully, confidently. He didnt seem concerned about old-fashioned conservatives, moderates and classical liberals like me; we were destined for the ash heap of history.

I decided to check in with Bannon again about a week ago. This year, populists have scored yet another string of triumphs, and a second Trump victory is possible or even probable this November. I found Bannon, currently the host of the podcast War Room, to be embroiled and embattled as usual. Hes going to prison on Monday to begin serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress. If anything, he is more confident than ever.

What follows is a transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity and length  and to remove the F-bombs that Bannon dropped with machine gun regularity. I should emphasize that I wasnt trying to debate Bannon or rebut his beliefs; I wanted to understand how he sees the current moment. I wanted to understand the global populist surge from the inside. What he told me now seems doubly terrifying, given Joe Bidens performance at the first presidential debate.
In a stunning finale to its term on Monday morning, the Supreme Court delivered a gift of inestimable worth to Donald Trump and all future presidents who intend to violate the law and their oaths to the Constitution. In a 6-to-3 ruling, the courts conservative majority said that official acts that are central to the presidency are given absolute immunity from prosecution. Other acts, even those that reach to the outer edge of a presidents official duties, are presumptively immune, the court said, making them much harder to be prosecuted.

The immediate effect of the decision  one of the most consequential ever produced by the court on the subject of presidential powers and constitutional government  was to delay indefinitely the prosecution of Mr. Trump for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. The vote this fall will now almost certainly move forward with no legal accountability for that act. But the long-term danger to the Constitution and the American government is even more serious, particularly given the real possibility that Mr. Trump, whose recent criminal conviction in New York is only the latest demonstration of his contempt for legal boundaries, could be returned to office in just a few months.

As of Monday, the bedrock principle that no one is above the law has been set aside. In the very week that the nation celebrates its founding, the court undermined the reason for the American Revolution by giving presidents what one dissenting justice called a law-free zone in which to act, taking a step toward restoring the monarchy that the Declaration of Independence rejected. Presidents can still be impeached for their crimes in office, but it is hard to see how they can ever be prosecuted. They can take once-unimaginable actions, like encouraging an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, with no fear of later going to jail or being held legally accountable.

As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a blistering dissent along with the other two liberal justices, the ruling creates a series of nightmare scenarios for what a president is now allowed to do. Orders the Navys SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.
Bright and early on the first Saturday in January, Tomas Rokicki and a few hundred fellow enthusiasts gathered in a vast lecture hall at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. A big math conference was underway and Dr. Rokicki, a retired programmer based in Palo Alto, Calif., had helped organize a two-day special session about serious recreational mathematics celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Rubiks Cube. Erno Rubik, the Cubes inventor, was top of the show at 8 a.m., via videoconference from the south of Spain.

Mr. Rubik, a Hungarian architect, designer, sculptor and retired professor, took part in a question-and-answer session with Dr. Rokicki and his co-organizers, Erik Demaine, a computer scientist at M.I.T., and Robert Hearn, a retired computer scientist, of Portola Valley, Calif.

Dr. Rokicki asked Mr. Rubik about the first time he solved the Cube: Did you solve corners-first?

These days, new cubers learn on YouTube, watching tutorials at 1.5x speed. Dr. Rokicki instead recommends the old-fashioned strategy: Set out on a lone path and discover a solving method, even if it takes weeks or months. (It took the computer scientist Donald Knuth less than 12 hours, starting at his dining table in the evening and working straight through to the morning.) Corners-first is a common route, since once the corners are solved, the edges can be slotted in with relative ease. Mr. Rubik said that, yes, he indeed did corners-first. Mr. Rubik, who is known to take a philosophical approach to cubology and to life in general, added: My method was understanding.

Cubitus magikia
A hunk of metal found on a remote trail in a luxury camping resort in North Carolina came from a SpaceX Dragon capsule, NASA said, confirming that the mystery object was yet another piece of space junk that has recently landed on Earth.

The debris came from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that had re-entered Earths atmosphere after traveling to the International Space Station, NASA said in an emailed statement. NASA is unaware of any structural damage or injuries resulting from these findings, the space agency said.

Space debris is equipment left in space by humans and can include objects such as satellites that no longer work or small hardware from spacecraft. In recent months, a family in Florida sued NASA because a fixture from one of the space agencys flights landed on their home. Separately, SpaceX workers traveled to a Canadian farm to retrieve debris found there.

The North Carolina object was found in the mountains about 23 miles west of Asheville, N.C., at a resort called the Glamping Collective. The private property has about five miles of private hiking trails, and its guests stay in geodesic domes and cabins.
Theater critics can be masochistic creatures. On Saturday, the Spanish provocateur Angelica Liddell opened the Avignon Festival in France, one of Europes most prestigious theater events, with a no-holds-barred diatribe against them. She quoted, and taunted, several writers who were in the audience.

The response from the rows of journalists in attendance, and the nearly 2,000 attendees? A standing ovation.

Bizarre and grating as it was, Liddells Damon: El Funeral de Bergman (Demons: Bergmans Funeral) brought a level of electricity to the Avignon Festival, which runs through July 21, that few have matched in recent years. Its most prized venue, the open-air Cour dHonneur of Avignons Palais des Papes, or papal palace, tends to foil even the most experienced artists. Not so Liddell and her visceral monologues.

She spent long stretches of Damon: El Funeral de Bergman alone on the vast, blood-red stage. Pacing back and forth, she vociferated as if she were possessed. At regular intervals, she took her cue from the intense, misanthropic writings of the Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, one of her idols. I am Ingmar Bergman, she declared at one point, before returning to her favorite themes: death, guilt, sex and excrement.
The 1998 John Waters film Pecker ends with an unlikely crowd carousing in a seedy basement bar/impromptu photo gallery in Baltimore. Strippers and one busty, enthusiastic art collector dance on tables as a talking Virgin Mary icon watches. Its a jubilant, chaotic and naughty party open to anyone with a sense of humor, just the way the director likes it.

Mr. Waters, 78, gained a cult following in the 1970s with delightfully shocking films like Multiple Maniacs, Female Trouble and, of course, the raunchy Pink Flamingos before breaking big with Hairspray, in 1988.

Since then, Mr. Waters has built an empire of camp, now comprising more than a dozen films, spoken-word shows and numerous books, including his 2022 debut novel, Liarmouth, which has been optioned for a movie that Mr. Waters hopes will star Aubrey Plaza.

Mr. Waters, a Baltimore native, grew up in Lutherville, Md., a suburb he described in a recent phone interview as upper-middle-class everything. Yearning for escape, he had his mom drop him off at a Baltimore beatnik hangout called Marticks, even though he was underage. She said, Maybe youll meet your people here, he recalled.
An A.I. platform named Ed was supposed to be an educational friend to half a million students in Los Angeles public schools. In typed chats, Ed would direct students toward academic and mental health resources, or tell parents whether their children had attended class that day, and provide their latest test scores. Ed would even be able to detect and respond to emotions such as hostility, happiness and sadness.

Alberto Carvalho, the districts superintendent, spoke about Ed in bold terms. In an April speech promoting the software, he promised it would democratize and transform education. In response to skeptics of A.I., he asked, Why not allow this edutainment approach to capture and captivate their attention, be the motivator?

One seventh-grade girl who tested the chatbot  personified by a smiling, animated sun  had reported, I think Ed likes me, Mr. Carvalho said.

Los Angeles agreed to pay a start-up company, AllHere, up to $6 million to develop Ed, a small part of the districts $18 billion annual budget. But just two months after Mr. Carvalhos April presentation at a glittery tech conference, AllHeres founder and chief executive left her role, and the company furloughed most of its staff. AllHere posted on its website that the furloughs were because of our current financial position.
A judge in Massachusetts declared a mistrial on Monday in the high-profile murder case against Karen Read, the suburban woman who was accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, after a night out drinking.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the boyfriend, John OKeefe, during a blizzard in 2022 became an obsession for people in the Boston region and a global audience of true-crime fanatics, as well as conspiracy theorists who are certain that Ms. Read has been framed.

The jurors began deliberating early last week, and twice signaled to the court that they were having trouble reaching a unanimous verdict. In a note to Judge Beverly J. Cannone of Norfolk Superior Court on Monday morning, they wrote that they had fundamental differences in our opinions, and that consensus is unattainable.

The judge then read them last-ditch instructions about the importance of reaching a verdict. But hours later, the 12 jurors declared themselves deadlocked, and Judge Cannone declared a mistrial. Prosecutors said in a statement that they intended to try the case again.
In the aftermath of Thursdays presidential debate, as Jill Biden led President Biden off the stage, former Senator Claire McCaskill, the Missouri Democrat, raised what she called a hard and heartbreaking question.

You have to ask, she said on MSNBC, how did we get here?

Barely seven weeks before Democrats gather in Chicago to formally nominate Mr. Biden for a second term, the Democratic Party is in crisis. Many party leaders, donors, activists and ordinary voters, stunned by the presidents faltering debate appearance, now fear he will lose to former President Donald J. Trump and drag Democrats to devastating defeats in congressional and state elections.

The answer to Ms. McCaskills question is a complicated mix of historical circumstance and structural deficiencies, a party struggling with ideological and generational fissures, and an aging Democratic president who spent his life battling for this job.

Mr. Biden is surrounded by a tight circle of longtime aides and family members who have encouraged his desire to seek a second term. But interviews with top party strategists, office holders and people close to Democrats seen as possible presidential hopefuls suggest that, just as crucially, party leaders were lulled into complacency or pressed to step in line at crucial moments when they might have persuaded Mr. Biden to step aside.
Most of the Supreme Courts decision on Monday about executive immunity was focused like a laser on former President Donald J. Trumps indictment on charges of plotting to subvert the 2020 election.

But a small part was also relevant to the other federal case that Mr. Trump is facing  the one in Florida in which he stands accused of illegally holding on to a highly sensitive trove of classified documents after he left office and then obstructing efforts to retrieve them.

In a brief concurrence to the immunity opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said he was joining the majoritys position that Mr. Trump enjoyed a substantial amount of protection from criminal prosecution. But he advanced his own reason for making that decision: He suggested that the special counsel, Jack Smith, who is handling the two federal matters against Mr. Trump, was given his job without a legal basis.

That same question is currently being considered by Judge Aileen M. Cannon, who is presiding over the classified documents case in Federal District Court in Fort Pierce, Fla. Not much more than a week ago, Judge Cannon held two days of unusual hearings in Fort Pierce specifically to discuss the issue of whether Mr. Smith had been properly funded and appointed as special counsel.
In reactions mirroring the ideological split of the Supreme Court justices in their ruling granting presidents immunity for official actions, Republicans expressed triumph on Monday and Democrats dismay.

Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio was the first of former President Donald J. Trumps top running-mate contenders to weigh in, calling the decision a massive win, not just for Trump but the rule of law.

Other Republicans also praised the ruling as a rejection of what they characterized as Democrats using the government against Mr. Trump for political purposes.

Senator Steve Daines of Montana, who leads Republicans Senate campaign arm, said the Supreme Court had ended a sad chapter of Joe Bidens weaponization of the Justice Department. Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser, called the decision another setback for the Democrat Partys illegal and unconstitutional crusade to outlaw dissent, jail the opposition leader, impose authoritarian rule, replace democracy with the deep state and liberty with leftwing oligarchy.
Hurricane Beryl was barreling west toward Jamaica as a Category 4 storm on Tuesday, a day after it carved a trail of destruction across the southeast Caribbean and killed at least four people, officials said.

Beryl strengthened into a Category 5 storm late Monday, meaning it had maximum sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center of the United States. It was forecast to bring hurricane conditions to Jamaica on Wednesday.

Major Atlantic hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of 111 m.p.h. or higher on a five-tier scale that was developed in the 1970s. By Tuesday morning, Beryl had sustained winds near 165 m.p.h., the National Hurricane Center said.
Nine people were killed when a car crashed into pedestrians near a busy intersection in central Seoul on Monday, officials said.

Four others were injured in the incident in front of city hall, but their wounds were not life-threatening, said Kim Chun-soo, a senior fire department official.

The driver of the car claimed that he lost control of it when it suddenly accelerated, local news media reported. Kim Seong-hak, a public safety official at the Jung-gu district in central Seoul, said the authorities could not immediately confirm the reports, adding that the police were investigating the driver.

He also said officials were investigating whether the driver was drunk or on drugs.
President Emmanuel Macrons risky decision to call snap legislative elections in France has backfired badly, enabling the far right to dominate the first round of voting held last weekend.

But the French will return to the polls on Sunday for a second round of voting to choose their representatives in the 577-seat National Assembly, the countrys lower and more prominent house of Parliament.

France is in unpredictable territory, with the future of Mr. Macrons second term at stake. The nationalist, anti-immigrant National Rally, led by Jordan Bardella, has never been closer to potentially governing the country.

Polling institutes expect that it will be hard, though not impossible, for the National Rally and its allies to reach an absolute majority of 289 seats. Most French pollsters predict 175 to 240 seats for the party and its allies.
A new week of frenetic campaigning started in France on Monday, a day after the far-right National Rally party dominated the first round of legislative elections that attracted an unusually high number of voters and dealt a stinging blow to President Emmanuel Macron.

Voters are being asked to choose their representatives in the 577-seat National Assembly, the countrys lower and more prominent house of Parliament. They will return to the polls on Sunday for the second round of voting.

If a new majority of lawmakers opposed to Mr. Macron is ushered in, he will be forced to appoint a political adversary as prime minister, substantially shifting Frances domestic policy and muddling its foreign policy. That will be especially so if he is forced to govern alongside Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old president of the National Rally who the party wants to become prime minister.

If no clear majority emerges, the country could be headed for months of political deadlock or turmoil. Mr. Macron, who has ruled out resigning, cannot call new legislative elections for another year.
Israel released the director of Gazas largest hospital on Monday after more than seven months of detention, Palestinian health officials said, a move that drew an immediate outcry in Israel even though no charges against him have been made public.

Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, was taken into custody in late November during an Israeli military raid on the facility, an early focus of its invasion of Gaza. Human rights groups have said his prolonged detention was a sign of Israeli mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners, while some Israeli officials on Monday denounced the decision to release him as an example of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus mismanagement of the war.

Speaking at a news conference after his release, Dr. Abu Salmiya, visibly frail, said that he had been released and returned to Gaza along with nearly 50 other Palestinian detainees, including other doctors and health ministry staff members.

We were subjected to extreme torture, said Dr. Abu Salmiya, adding that his finger had been broken and that he had been beaten over the head repeatedly. The Israeli Prison Service, which operates the Nafha Prison where he was last held, said in a statement that it was not aware of Dr. Abu Salmiyas claims, and that all prisoners are detained according to the law.

Dr. Abu Salmiya told reporters that he had been taken in for three or four legal proceedings but that no charges had been brought against him.

He was detained while traveling with a United Nations convoy of ambulances evacuating patients from the hospital to southern Gaza, and was stopped at an Israeli checkpoint, the Gaza health ministry and the Palestine Red Crescent Society said.
I cant tell you the number of families who say their kids are anxious or depressed  and theyre little ones, 4 or 5.

I had some kids who went on to kindergarten who still did not know a triangle.

Theyre coming in and they dont know how to play.

Teachers this year saw the effects of the pandemics stress and isolation on young students: Some can barely speak, sit still or even hold a pencil.

The Youngest Pandemic Children Are Now in School, and Struggling

The pandemics babies, toddlers and preschoolers are now school-age, and the impact on them is becoming increasingly clear: Many are showing signs of being academically and developmentally behind.

Interviews with more than two dozen teachers, pediatricians and early childhood experts depicted a generation less likely to have age-appropriate skills  to be able to hold a pencil, communicate their needs, identify shapes and letters, manage their emotions or solve problems with peers.

A variety of scientific evidence has also found that the pandemic seems to have affected some young childrens early development. Boys were more affected than girls, studies have found.

I definitely think children born then have had developmental challenges compared to prior years, said Dr. Jaime Peterson, a pediatrician at Oregon Health and Science University, whose research is on kindergarten readiness. We asked them to wear masks, not see adults, not play with kids. We really severed those interactions, and you dont get that time back for kids.

The pandemics effect on older children  who were sent home during school closures, and lost significant ground in math and reading  has been well documented. But the impact on the youngest children is in some ways surprising: They were not in formal school when the pandemic began, and at an age when children spend a lot of time at home anyway.

The early years, though, are most critical for brain development. Researchers said several aspects of the pandemic affected young children  parental stress, less exposure to people, lower preschool attendance, more time on screens and less time playing.

Yet because their brains are developing so rapidly, they are also well positioned to catch up, experts said.

The youngest children represent a pandemic tsunami headed for the American education system, said Joel Ryan, who works with a network of Head Start and state preschool centers in Washington State, where he has seen an increase in speech delays and behavioral problems.

Not every young child is showing delays. Children at schools that are mostly Black or Hispanic or where most families have lower incomes are the most behind, according to data released Monday by Curriculum Associates, whose tests are given in thousands of U.S. schools. Students from higher-income families are more on pace with historical trends.

But most, if not all, young students were impacted academically to some degree, said Kristen Huff, vice president for assessment and research at Curriculum Associates.

Recovery is possible, experts said, though young children have not been a main focus of $122 billion in federal aid distributed to school districts to help students recover.

We 100 percent have the tools to help kids and families recover, said Catherine Monk, a clinical psychologist and professor at Columbia, and a chair of a research project on mothers and babies in the pandemic. But do we know how to distribute, in a fair way, access to the services they need?

Whats different now?

I spent a long time just teaching kids to sit still on the carpet for one book. Thats something I didnt need to do before. David Feldman, kindergarten teacher, St. Petersburg, Fla. We are talking 4- and 5-year-olds who are throwing chairs, biting, hitting, without the self-regulation. Tommy Sheridan, deputy director, National Head Start Association

Brook Allen, in Martin, Tenn., has taught kindergarten for 11 years. This year, for the first time, she said, several students could barely speak, several were not toilet trained, and several did not have the fine motor skills to hold a pencil.

Children dont engage in imaginative play or seek out other children the way they used to, said Michaela Frederick, a pre-K teacher for students with learning delays in Sharon, Tenn. Shes had to replace small building materials in her classroom with big soft blocks because students fine motor skills werent developed enough to manipulate them.

Michaela Frederick, a pre-K teacher in Sharon, Tenn., playing a stacking game with a student. Aaron Hardin for The New York Times

Preschoolers do not have the same fine motor skills as they did prepandemic, Ms. Frederick said. Aaron Hardin for The New York Times

Perhaps the biggest difference Lissa ORourke has noticed among her preschoolers in St. Augustine, Fla., has been their inability to regulate their emotions: It was knocking over chairs, it was throwing things, it was hitting their peers, hitting their teachers.

Data from schools underscores what early childhood professionals have noticed.

Children who just finished second grade, who were as young as 3 or 4 when the pandemic began, remain behind children the same age prepandemic, particularly in math, according to the new Curriculum Associates data. Of particular concern, the students who are the furthest behind are making the least progress catching up.

The youngest students performance is in stark contrast to older elementary school children, who have caught up much more, the researchers said. The new analysis examined testing data from about four million children, with cohorts before and after the pandemic.

Data from Cincinnati Public Schools is another example: Just 28 percent of kindergarten students began this school year prepared, down from 36 percent before the pandemic, according to research from Cincinnati Childrens Hospital.

How did this happen?

They dont have the muscle strength because everything they are doing at home is screen time. They are just swiping. Sarrah Hovis, preschool teacher, Roseville, Mich. I have more kids in kindergarten who have never been in school. Terrance Anfield, kindergarten teacher, Indianapolis

One explanation for young childrens struggles, childhood development experts say, is parental stress during the pandemic.

A baby who is exposed to more stress will show more activation on brain imaging scans in the parts of that babys brain that focus on fear and focus on aggression, said Rahil D. Briggs, a child psychologist with Zero to Three, a nonprofit that focuses on early childhood. That leaves less energy for parts of the brain focused on language, exploration and learning, she said.

During lockdowns, children also spent less time overhearing adult interactions that exposed them to new language, like at the grocery store or the library. And they spent less time playing with other children.

Kelsey Schnur, 32, of Sharpsville, Pa., pulled her daughter, Finley, from child care during the pandemic. Finley, then a toddler, colored, did puzzles and read books at home.

But when she finally enrolled in preschool, she struggled to adjust, her mother said. She was diagnosed with separation anxiety and selective mutism.

It was very eye-opening to see, said Ms. Schnur, who works in early childhood education. They can have all of the education experiences and knowledge, but that socialization is so key.

Preschool attendance can significantly boost kindergarten preparedness, research has found. But in many states, preschool attendance is still below prepandemic levels. Survey data suggests low-income families have not returned at the same rate as higher-income families.

I have never had such a small class, said Analilia Sanchez, who had nine children in her preschool class in El Paso this year. She typically has at least 16. I think they got used to having them at home  that fear of being around the other kids, the germs.

Time on screens also spiked during the pandemic  as parents juggled work and children cooped up at home  and screen time stayed up after lockdowns ended. Many teachers and early childhood experts believe this affected childrens attention spans and fine motor skills. Long periods of screen time have been associated with developmental delays.

Heidi Tringali, an occupational therapist in Charlotte, N.C., playing with a patient. Travis Dove for The New York Times

Children are showing effects of spending time on screens, Ms. Tringali said, including shorter attention spans, less core strength and delayed social skills. Travis Dove for The New York Times

Heidi Tringali, a pediatric occupational therapist in Charlotte, N.C., said she and her colleagues are seeing many more families contact them with children who dont fit into typical diagnoses.

She is seeing visual problems, core strength, social skills, attention  all the deficits, she said. We really see the difference in them not being out playing.

Can children catch up?

Im actually happy with the majority of their growth. Michael LoMedico, second-grade teacher, Yonkers, N.Y. They just crave consistency that they didnt get. Emily Sampley, substitute teacher, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Its too early to know whether young children will experience long-term effects from the pandemic, but researchers say there are reasons to be optimistic.

It is absolutely possible to catch up, if we catch things early, said Dr. Dani Dumitriu, a pediatrician and neuroscientist at Columbia and chair of the study on pandemic newborns. There is nothing deterministic about a brain at six months.

There may also have been benefits to being young in the pandemic, she and others said, like increased resiliency and more time with family.

Some places have invested in programs to support young children, like a Tennessee district that is doubling the number of teaching assistants in kindergarten classrooms next school year and adding a preschool class for students needing extra support.

Oregon used some federal pandemic aid money to start a program to help prepare children and parents for kindergarten the summer before.

For many students, simply being in school is the first step.

Sarrah Hovis, a preschool teacher in Roseville, Mich., has seen plenty of the pandemics impact in her classroom. Some children cant open a bag of chips, because they lack finger strength. More of her students are missing many days of school, a national problem since the pandemic.

But she has also seen great progress. By the end of this year, some of her students were counting to 100, and even adding and subtracting.

If the kids come to school, she said, they do learn.


Las Cruces Plans to Hire Travel PR Partner Wed., Oct. 9, 2024 Visit Las Cruces, which is the convention and visitors bureau of New Mexicos second largest city, wants a PR firm to help position it as a premiere tourism destination.
Parke Chapman

Connect Creative, a creative services agency focused on the commercial real estate sector, brings on Parke Chapman as VP of its eastern region. Chapman was previously a VP at Rubenstein, where he spearheaded strategic campaigns for major CRE-focused clients. Before joining Rubenstein in 2011, he worked for Marino. Based in New York, Chapman will work to expand the firm's roster of CRE clients headquartered in the region. His responsibilities will include driving new business development and fostering client relationships. "His vast experience and strategic vision will undoubtedly drive continued growth and innovation within Connect Creative, further enhancing our ability to serve the evolving needs of our clients in New York City and across the Eastern region," said Connect Media CEO Daniel Ceniceros.

Nikos Bartzoulianos

Electrolux Group, a global appliance company, names Nikos Bartzoulianos group chief marketing officer, effective Aug. 23. He will also take on the role of head of sustainability for Europe and APAC. Bartzoulianos comes to the company from Samsung, where he was most recently VP, brand marketing, Europe. He has also served as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble and previously worked at McKinsey & Company. With his strong background, he will add value and new insights to our business, leveraging the power and opportunities we have with our brands and all the important launches ahead of us, said Electrolux Group CEO of business area Europe and APAC MEA Anna Ohlsson-Leijon.

Siobhan

Stocks-Lyons

Marino promotes Siobhan Stocks-Lyons to VP. Stocks-Lyons has been with the agency since 2019, most recently serving as an account director. At Marino, she has worked with such real estate and construction brands as Jamestown, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Douglaston Development, Skanska USA, Moinian and BRP Companies. In her new position, Stocks-Lyons will continue to provide strategic guidance to the agencys roster of real estate brands within its real estate & property innovation practice, while also furthering business development efforts on the West Coast and key markets across the US. From day one, we knew that Siobhan would have an immediate positive impact on our Real Estate & Property Innovation team, our clients, and the agency, said Marino president John Marino. Her work ethic, dedication to her clients success, and the time and interest she takes in ensuring teammates are continuously learning and growing epitomize our values.
An Offaly primary school has celebrated 150 years of providing education to the children in the community.

Seir Kierans NS, Clareen celebrated the incredible milestone and Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory, Bishop Niall Coll, led the celebration of Mass on the school grounds, starting with Mass at 7pm in the evening.

Following the Mass, the school launched its book Then and Now 1874-2024, a celebration of the past 150 years of primary education in Seir Kierans NS.

The large gathering present then came back up to the Parish Hall and the school, where light refreshments were served, as well as providing everyone with the opportunity to view photographs, old roll books and projects, all celebrating this special event.

Principal of the school, Jonathan Dunne, extended a warm welcome to all past pupils, past staff as well as all those who are in the community, who were attending the celebration. 150 years is a special milestone for any school to reach and we wanted to mark the occasion in a special way.

Bishop Coll said Seir Kieran is an island parish and is an extremely important parish in the Diocese of Ossory because of its important monastery founded about 1,500 years ago.

He spoke about the vital importance of the monastic spirit in Christianity, an impulse which originated in dissatisfaction with the Church's direction and a desire to follow a more rigorous path. This impulse led to the foundation of remote monasteries in the desert. Irish monks were often driven by this impulse as well (as we can see in places like Skellig Michael and Tory Island).

They wanted to live a special life, away from the comforts and temptations of society, said the Bishop.

The Bishop added that since the foundation of Seir Kieran there have been about 50 generations of Christians in the region. Today we are celebrating 150 years of the school. We are also honouring all those who have been part of the school for the last century and a half and we are honouring all the good Christians who have lived here for the last 1,500 years. Most of them lived a life which wasn't as materially rich as ours. Things are difficult today but in reality we live better than most who have gone before us.

Fr Michael Reddan said he settled in the parish four years ago and I have loved it. The priests in the Ossory Diocese have been very friendly and supportive. Prior to that I enjoyed 14 happy years in the Diocese of Killaloe. The Greek philosopher Socrates described education as 'the kindling of a flame and not the filling of a vessel.'

"Thankfully the days of rote learning, dull repetition and the dreaded stick have long been removed from the classroom and have been replaced by enquiry and fun, discovery and affirmation. Today our beautiful school echoes to the sound of enthusiastic chatter and singing and laughter and that is how it should be. This school has mapped the journey from the misery of a post famine country to the bright vibrant Ireland of today.

"Many good people, teachers and pupils alike, have been part of that journey. Where once there were clay floors, rattling windows, hungry, unkempt children and slates to write on, there are now warm carpeted rooms, double glazed windows and happy, well cared for children. The crude writing slates of long ago have been replaced with colourful text books and the very latest in computer technology and digital learning aids.

The Principal Jonathan Dunne welcomed the Bishop, the priests, public representatives, staff members present and past, and the pupils and parents. This is a day when we can be justly proud of our school and what has been achieved. We are mindful of the extraordinary and fruitful journey that has been travelled over the last century and a half.

Since Fr John Purcell started in 1874 we have been so fortunate with our priests who came and served in our parish. One of them was Fr Collier who was very popular and served here for over thirty years. We have also been fortunate with our excellent Boards of Management who have served with distinction since 1975.

This school has always benefited greatly from the spirit of volunteerism and good people stepping up to the plate to do what had to be done. There is no National School in the land which would survive without this crucial spirit of volunteerism; without those who stepped up and served on the Boards of Management. We are very grateful to the successive Boards because without them we wouldn't be the successful school that we are today.

It is very good to see former staff members here this evening.

Much-loved staff members over the years included the late Sean O'Neill who worked in the school for 42 years. Whoever worked here felt a sense of pride in being here.

We are also blessed with the quality of people who live in the parish. In the parish we have lost our shop, our post office. Now we have the GAA, the Church and this school. This school is essential to the heartbeat of the local community. We have a number of excellent groups in the parish, including the Active Retirement Group, who raised money for the school; a water scheme; the parish choir. All in all we are truly blessed with our community.

"We are truly blessed with our children. They are a gift. A school is nothing without the children who attend it. Over the past 150 years, we have been truly blessed with the children, who have passed through our gates. Testimony from the current staff and past staff supports me in recognising the decency of the children who have attended and who continue to attend Seir Kieran's NS.

There is also a common thread about the character of the people who have been educated in Seir Kieran's. It is an innate decency. This comes from the message of Jesus which is at the heart of our school. This message is about love, respect and tolerance for others.

Here's hoping that future generations will carry on all the proud traditions of Seir Keiran's NS and when it comes to the 200th year anniversary those present then can reflect back with the same sense of pride as we feel today, on our 150th year anniversary.

He praised the current staff members Sinead Murphy, Mariosa Kennedy, Fiona Birmingham, Edel Kealey, Leanne Kelly, Maria Harding, Gerardine Kealey, Brendan Collins and Gill Dunne.

He also recognised the efforts of those who put together the book St Kieran's National School Then and Now to mark the birthday. The Principal pointed out that a lot of the work had already been done by those who compiled the compilation celebrating the school's 135th anniversary. In this publication we have simply sought to build upon their excellent work.
A man has been handed a jail sentence for stealing clothes from a Penneys in the Midlands.

Dean Keane (22) with an address at 48 Lacey Avenue, Templemore, Co Tipperary admitted stealing clothing valued at 109 from Penneys in Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise on October 21, 2022.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant took the items and proceeded to leave the shop without payment. The man had 16 previous convictions, including four for theft, he told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client appreciated that he had an appalling record but he has struggled with addiction to tablets, cannabis and heroin.

He is trying to make some effort to deal with these difficulties, said Mr Meagher.

READ NEXT: Penneys confirms opening date of newest shop in Ireland

Mr Meagher explained that his client had been stopped as he was leaving the shop.

He simply would have sold the items at a nominal price, Mr Meagher said. He explained that the money would have been used to feed his addiction.

Judge Nicola Andrews sentenced the man to one month in prison and backdated the sentence to June 19, when the man was arrested. She granted legal aid to Mr Meagher.
I. The Ruins of Treaties

Collapses/cancellations/abrogations since 2017

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (a/k/a the "Iran Nuclear Deal"), the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and the Open Skies Treaty. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty of 2011 (NewSTART) expires February 2026 and Russia refuses to negotiate to extend

II. Impunity: A Cynical NPT Interpretation Boomerangs

Russian government in 2024 began to install tactical ("battlefield-usable" or "theater") nuclear weapons in underground bunkers in Belarus; does that violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

NATO maintains about 180 B-61 series nuclear bombs under Air Force guard at six airbases in five European countries, to load onto fighter-bomber planes to targets co-selected by nuclear weapons states US, Britain, and France, and nonweapons states Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey

NATO claims no nuclear sharing occurs only at the time the bombs are loaded onto bombers, "unlocked" by U.S. military and readied for a mission; at that point of arming the NPT is deemed void and no longer restrains use of bombs

This interpretation appears to violate unambiguous wording of Articles I and II of the NPT

The U.S. circulated its interpretation to only a handful of other nations in 1968; it is not binding and became publicly known only during the 1968 U.S. Senate hearings to ratify the NPT

III. More Impunity: 'Thinkable' Nuclear War

There is a longstanding belief among U.S. war planners that nuclear war is thinkable.

Recent Biden administration permission to Ukraine to allow Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided rocket systems into Russia.

2019 Pentagon "Nuclear Operations" policy explains that US plan is to design control structures to survive enemy attacks and convince potential aggressors that, in any scenario, sufficient US capability will remain to deliver a retaliatory strike."

There is a question whether so-called "nonstrategic" or "tactical" nuclear weapons such as the 1000 B61 gravity bombs and air-launched low-yield missiles of the U.S., and the 2000 Russian "tactical" weapons are covered by any treaty at all. Pentagon says any nuclear weapon, regardless of yield, is "strategic" but they possess unknowns and contribute to uncertainty of deterrence

IV. Nonenforcement of Key U.S. Nuclear Proliferation Curb

Israel is presently violating, and has for at least 47 years violated, the "Glenn Amendment" 22 U.S.C. 2799aa-1(b)(1)(B), part of the Arms Control Export Act, which makes cutoff of military aid mandatory if a country refusing to sign the NPT either "receives a nuclear explosive device, or . . . detonates a nuclear explosive device . . ."

Israel is believed to possess from 90 to 200 nuclear warheads and is capable of delivering a nuclear blast from 4000 miles away. Israel acquired its weapons wholly outside of international legal controls. Its rogue nuclear weapons state status is of grave concern as it prosecutes a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip and openly considers invasion of Lebanon.

Considerable public domain evidence shows Israel produced nuclear weapons as long ago as the late 1960s and performed a test detonation on a South African atoll in the Indian Ocean in 1979

In the 1980's, now Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly was directly involved in an Israeli international smuggling ring that resulted in the theft of 800 nuclear weapons trigger components from a U.S. firm.

There is serious talk of a "limited" invasion of Lebanon by Israel, which could begin within days.

Domestic American politics are preventing President Biden from invoking the option of using Israel's noncompliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to curb its military ambitions.

V. The Return of Nuclear Arms Races With China and Russia

China has been engaged in a dramatic expansion of its nuclear weapons production capacity and plans to have 700 strategic nuclear warheads by 2027 and 1,000 by 2030

Russia has raised the specter of nuclear weapons use several times during the Russo-Ukraine war and has demonstrated its ability to successfully destroy in-space satellites

China, Russia and the U.S. are all preparing to resume more intrusive nuclear weapons tests at remote sites within their countries. None of it is legal under the NPT

VI. Next-Generation Reactors Are Proliferation Machines

So-called "small modular reactors," also called "advanced reactors," are being designed and marketed in multiple countries. SMRs range from less than 10 megawatts electric (MWe) up to 300 MWe and are fission reactors that can use a range of possible coolants including light water, liquid metal or molten salt. There are more than 80 SMR designs at different stages of development across 18 countries

Many of the designs are nuclear weapons proliferation factories or require a complex that amounts to such. The National Academies of Science worry about the weapons proliferation potential of some of the designs

On June 18, 2024 Congress passed the "Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy" (ADVANCE) Act, which departs from 50 years of U.S. nuclear power regulation where public safety and health were the mission priority. Congress added the requirement that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission must not "unnecessarily limit (1) the civilian use of radioactive materials and deployment of nuclear energy; or (2) the benefits of civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy technology to society."

The ADVANCE Act also eases restrictions on export transfers and sales of nuclear technology to expand global sales of SMRs

Globalized sales of SMRs will bring nuclear weapons proliferation within the reach of authoritarians and autocratic governmental leaders. Saudi Arabia is close to completion of an experimental reactor and is considering building its first SMR. The United Arab Emirates has a four-unit reactor complex nearing completion with 3 units connected to the grid.

VII. Conclusions

Nuclear power generation is recognized as a right of nations under the NPT and the 2021 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

Nuclear weapons nonproliferation is not the same as disarmament. In 1996, the International Court of Justice issued a much-heralded advisory opinion mandating all nations to work immediately toward complete abolition of nuclear weapons, yet abolition remains almost completely absent from mainstream policymaking and there has been no progress in disarmament for the past decade amid many formal U.S. retreats

Pervasive U.S. cynicism is retarding the renegotiation of treaties to replace the abandonments of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and the Iran nuclear deal. There is astonishing U.S. naivete and arrogance about the genuine prospects of nuclear war posed by Russia and Israel. Having more and better less-regulated nuclear power plant systems, nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons delivery systems available is a suicidal outlook

There are ways to move the world away from possible nuclear conflict and toward serious discussions about disarmament. "Jaw, jaw is better than war, war."




The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge partially reopened Sunday afternoon, three days after a semitruck caused severe damage when its cargo hit an overhead bridge support.

Traffic is currently limited to passenger vehicles, according to the Port of Hood River, which operates the span. It remains closed to commercial trucks, to prevent another accidental strike, on the advice of civil engineers who inspected the structure. River traffic can still pass underneath.
The true crime podcast, Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy, has been telling the story of a notorious murder case that drew national attention. In 2018, Daniel Brophy, an instructor at the now-closed Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland, was found dead at the Southwest Portland cooking school.

Brophys wife, Nancy Crampton Brophy, eventually emerged as a suspect, and the fact that she once wrote an online essay titled, How to Murder Your Husband, helped propel the case to national attention.

Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy, from Wondery and The Oregonian/OregonLive, brings listeners inside the sensational case, thanks to interviews, including with investigators and those who knew Crampton Brophy, who was found guilty of the crime in 2022.

Related: Hear the full tapes from Nancy Brophys interactions with Portland detectives after husbands murder

The newest episode of Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy drops today. The episode is titled Rabbit Holes, and features podcast host Heidi Joy Tretheway -- who was acquainted with Crampton Brophy -- in conversation with three special guests, fellow romance writer Carolyn Zane, who shares personal stories about Crampton Brophy; Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Zane Sparling, who discusses parts of the case that werent included in the podcast series; and therapist and podcast host Dr. Kirk Honda, who talks about how Crampton Brophys fiction might have crossed over into her life.

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.

As of today, Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy is No. 6 in Apple podcast charts True Crime category, behind Drowning Creek, Dateline NBC, Crime Junkie, Morbid and 20/20.

 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
Editors note: This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

By Susan Ferriss

On June 18, President Joe Biden unveiled a plan to allow an estimated 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for parole in place. This would provide them with work permits, protection from deportation and a chance to avoid a harsh punishment: exile from the United States, usually for 10 years or even more before they can become eligible for legal resident green cards.

Its a bold order that may finally end the nightmares many families have lived through for more than two decades.

Bidens move also triggered a flood of thoughts and memories for me.

Ive long been familiar with how political opposition has blocked U.S. citizen spouses from doing what these Americans call the right thing. In real life, when they step up to officially sponsor a wife or husband, the punishment of exile is a high risk.

As expected, immigration hardliners, including Donald Trump, howled in protest when Biden announced his executive action. But for American mixed status couples, this is the moment theyve been waiting for since the turn of the century.

The system doesnt have a heart. And it doesnt have a brain.

I know because thats how long Ive been interviewing them as a reporter specializing in immigration.

Over the last 20 years, Americans married to undocumented people have told me they blame a federal rule dating from 1996 for needlessly undermining family stability and their childrens welfare. The rule has done nothing, they say, to deter migrants from crossing the border. Nor has it addressed the root causes of those unauthorized crossings.

Approved by Congress, the 1996 rule requires U.S. immigration officers to impose a bar  or exile  on undocumented spouses whove lived in the United States for more than a year before they can become eligible for green cards.

The policy has forced American spouses to make brutal choices: They can forget about stepping forward to seek a green card, and hope that their spouses are not discovered and deported; follow the spouse into exile; or remain home, struggling to raise kids alone and cope with separation.

Collateral damage

Back in 2007, I interviewed Jerald Peterson of Oklahoma about this dilemma. A staunch Republican, he was a retired CIA station chief whod served in Mexico, among other countries.

His daughter had met and married an undocumented man who was her co-worker at a plant nursery in Oklahoma. When her husband applied for a green card and was barred from eligibility, she moved to Mexico with their baby to keep the family together. Peterson sent a letter of protest to President George W. Bush.

For years, the U.S. turned a blind eye to Mexicans illegally entering the U.S. ... to satisfy a demand for workers, Peterson wrote.

Peterson said that he thought 9/11 necessitated focusing on border security generally. But he didnt see how turning Americans in loving, stable relationships into collateral damage served national security.

The myth persists that marrying a U.S. citizen guarantees a green card and protection from deportation. But the risks of having an undocumented spouse apply for a green card are more commonly known today than when Peterson spoke to me.

In the early 2000s, the exile policy was still relatively new. Many Americans assumed that theyd have to pay fines, fees and that their spouse would have to pass a background check to secure a green card. The 1996 law made the bars mandatory for undocumented people who came in illegally and stayed beyond one year. Bars can be longer for people who entered illegally more than once. If people have crossed illegally more than once, which has been fairly common for many migrants, or accused of being untruthful, their exile can be longer than 10 years or even for life, as I described in a story I wrote in 2012 for the Center for Public Integrity.

Notably, in practice, the bars kick in if an undocumented spouse leaves the United States. The Catch-22 is that the spouses must leave at some point to attend green card interviews with U.S. consular officials back in their home countries. Many couples told me in the early 2000s that their immigrant spouses only learned that theyd be barred when visa officials explained it to them at the interviews.

Back in 2012, toddler Alana communicated with her father, Issac Hernandez, who was exiled from the U.S. for life. Her mother, Amanda Seyer, had to move the family from Missouri to Mexico to be with her husband. Photo courtesy of Seyer-Hernandez family/Center for Public IntegrityPalabra

A new hope

If Bidens plan isnt blocked by a legal challenge, half a million undocumented spouses  if theyve been here for at least 10 years  wont have to return to their countries for the green card process. Instead, they will first apply for parole in place, an interim status that also allows them to get legal work permits. Later they can apply for green cards and do their interviews on U.S. soil. An estimated 50,000 minor stepchildren of U.S. citizens could also benefit.

Some people I interviewed years ago told me that even today they have trouble convincing friends that they couldnt smoothly obtain green cards for their spouses. Before they learned the hard way, they also thought that since theirs were honest marriages  often with children  that U.S. officials would certainly show them mercy.

They were wrong.

In 2007, when I spoke to former CIA station chief Jerald Peterson, I was covering immigration at the Sacramento Bee newspaper in California. Calls started coming in from people whose spouses had been forced out.

One of those stunned by the severity of the 1996 rule was Jose Luis Negrete, a U.S. Marine combat veteran whod served in the Gulf War and Somalia. His undocumented wife was already into her fourth year of exile in Mexico. He showed me his military uniform and photos of his wife and children. He was struggling, raising two little boys on his own while working and maintaining households in two different countries.

I dont deserve this, Negrete told me. He lived in a rural area in California where agribusiness is utterly dependent on Mexican immigrant workers. His two sons desperately missed their mother.

One of them cries himself to sleep every night. I hear him, Negrete said. They think were getting divorced. They dont understand this immigration stuff.

Since 2013, immigration rules have included more discretion for spouses of military service members and veterans.

Another Californian, Genero Martinez, told me that his wife had been barred since 2002 and was in her native El Salvador with their 4-year-old child. Their 8-year-old had returned to live with him because he became sick too frequently. He was sleeping in a room with 10 people, and had to go to the bathroom in a hole in the ground, Martinez said.

Martinez had given up a good-paying job with health insurance because the hours were too long and he was unable to spend enough time with his sons. He had also declined to enroll his son in public health insurance because he feared it could jeopardize his wifes return one day.

Oblivious lawmakers

By 2006, Americans whod been hurt by this exile policy formed an advocacy group, American Families United. They took their crisis and their cause to the politicians, hoping it would generate change.

But bills that would have instituted reforms similar to Bidens plan languished in Congress. Still, the spouses kept trying. Even when the unsympathetic Donald Trump was president they gathered to lobby in Washington, D.C. I met up with them once for a story. They tried to remain upbeat but were dismayed that some legislators were oblivious to the 1996 rule that threatened their family unity.

In 2012, I profiled families for Separated by Law. Couples were on a rollercoaster of emotion as proposals to approve a path to legal status generally fizzled in Congress. Republicans fought over how harsh their stances on immigration should be.

That same year, Chris Xitco, a Los Angeles native, told me about meeting his Mexican wife at work at a produce packing company. Hed learned Spanish surfing in Mexico and theyd hit it off. After they married, he took his wife to a federal building and casually asked where they could go to fill out papers to obtain a green card. A security guard turned the couple around and told them to look at a government website to apply.

By the time Xitcos wife was interviewed in Mexico, the couple had a 16-month-old daughter. His wife was given a minimum 10-year bar, sending Xitco into shock.

Elisa Xitco, 6 at the time, the daughter of U.S. citizen Chris Xitco, stood behind the iron gate at her home in Rosarito, Mexico, where she lived with her Mexican mother. Her mother was barred from entering the U.S. at least until 2018 due to legislation imposing exile on undocumented immigrants who apply for legal status based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. Photo by Susan Ferriss/Center for Public IntegrityPalabra

The system doesnt have a heart. And it doesnt have a brain, he told me in 2012.

The couple found a home near Tijuana where the mom and the baby would have to live. Xitco began years of grueling weekend drives over the border to visit. To cut costs, he slept on a bed in a warehouse in L.A. during weekdays. A second child was born. Xitco worried constantly about his familys safety. He had no idea then when the ordeal would be over.

His wife was allowed to return five years ago, after 11 years of exile. That was just in time for her to help nurse Xitcos parents in their final days.

They fell in love with her, Xitco told me recently. Who wouldnt?

It is most definitely time to take a good, hard look at this section of the law.

Another U.S. citizen who spoke to me in 2012 was a San Diego software engineer whose wife had been dumped, at night, over the border into Tijuana after shed lost a bid for asylum. A mom with two children, shed been stopped by local police for driving too slowly and was turned over to immigration officers. The couple thought that her escape from violence in Mexico years earlier, if not their marriage, might help her win asylum.

It didnt.

Separated from her 10-year-old and her husband, the engineers wife spent the early days of her 10-year bar sobbing while standing at night on a pedestrian bridge separating Tijuana and San Diego.

And, Anita Mann, a North Carolina native, tried to uproot herself and live with her barred husband and their three young children in Mexico. It proved too hard. After more than 10 years and three interviews, the husband was finally let back in. But the familys lost years cant be restored.

My kids basically grew up without their father around, Mann recently told me.

Punishment that fits the offense?

In 2012, I also spoke with Jessica Vaughan, then an adviser and now policy director of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, D.C. The center advises politicians and has pushed for hardline measures against the undocumented and rollbacks on legal immigration.

Back in 2012, Vaughan conceded that the punishing bars likely hadnt made a dent in illegal migration, as supporters suggested it would because of the harsh consequences. While she believed the punishment was proportionate to the offense of entering illegally, Vaughan also told me: It is most definitely time to take a good, hard look at this section of the law.

Today, however, the center has joined a hardline chorus attacking Bidens plan for spouses, calling it a de facto amnesty beyond his power.

Critics also attacked President Barack Obama in 2013 when he authorized a tweak to allow certain couples a chance to try to avoid lengthy separation.

The plan has allowed couples to apply for a provisional waiver from exile before leaving for an interview abroad. Before then, waivers could only be sought after an undocumented spouse had been interviewed and barred.

The Obama tweak has allowed some to find out if they have a good shot at a waiver before they return to home countries for an interview. But there are no guarantees that provisional approvals will hold.

Lawyers who are best at helping families with this application can be expensive. And entering the United States illegally multiple times can still be a disqualifier. The basis for a waiver also has to be demonstrably beyond the American spouses expected heartbreak and financial hardship of separation. Couples have told me, for example, that the misfortune of a U.S. spouse suffering a debilitating health condition has been crucial.

Bethany Gonzalez, a Denison, Iowa, resident told me in 2012 that her emotional and financial distress were not enough to bring her husband back. Her husband had worked in Iowas meatpacking industry. Gonzalez sought help from her congressman at the time, the immigration hardliner Steve King. He bluntly said her option was to take her two sons and go live in Mexico if she wanted her family to be together.

Jimi Gonzalez, left, took sons Fernando and Jaden, 12 and 9 at the time, on a hunting trip during a 2011 visit in Campeche, Mexico. Photo courtesy of the Gonzalez family/Center for Public IntegrityPalabra

Most of the people Ive spoken with over the years are intensely private and only reluctantly talked openly about their crises. Some have been reunited now and dont want to relive details publicly. Some were unable to make their marriages work. Some couples whove been separated, or who are living abroad in exile, are anxious to know if there might be action that helps them.

The first story I did about mixed-status couples in crisis was a collaboration in 2004 with my former colleague Juan Castillo at the Austin American-Statesman newspaper in Texas. Juan had heard about a young Austin couple upset because the husband was stuck in Mexico serving out a bar of at least 10 years.

They had a 2-year-old son.

Juan interviewed the American wife, Courtney. I was the Mexico City correspondent, so I interviewed the husband, Fernando, in a small rural village. He was basically in mourning. He was doing ranch work, earning a fraction of what he had made managing restaurant kitchens in Austin.

I would trust him with anything, the owner of a restaurant told Juan, vouching for Fernando. He had been Courtneys co-worker at the restaurant.

Fernando sadly gazed at photos of his wife and son. Theyd tried to live in Mexico, but it was impossible to earn enough money and the baby fell ill. How could he go to school here, Fernando said of his boy, and then go back to Austin and try to fit in?

As Juan reported in 2018, the couples marriage didnt survive.

Susan Ferriss is a senior editor at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. In more than four decades of reporting, shes won awards from the Overseas Press Club, the Inter American Press Association, and numerous other honors for the coverage of immigration and Latin America. In 1997 she co-authored the biography The Fight In The Fields: Cesar Chavez And The Farmworkers Movement. @susanferriss
The Biden administration announced Monday it has awarded $6.7 million to Rogue Valley Microdevices, a Medford electronics manufacturer, to help finance a small factory in Florida.

The money comes from the $52 billion CHIPS Act, which Congress passed in 2022 to boost the domestic semiconductor industry. Intel won $8.5 billion in subsidies from the same pool of funds earlier this year, partly to expand its Hillsboro operations, and many other Oregon chip manufacturers are pursuing awards to boost their local production, too.
Summer starts July 5 is a saying youve likely heard before. And this summer well be seeing it in action as cloudy skies and even rain took over the weekend, but a building ridge of high pressure may usher in temps in the high 90s or even 100s by the end of the week.

But before all that happens, weve got Monday, and temperatures to kick off the work week will be about average for the first day of July with clouds to start the day, then clearing. High temps will reach near 80 degrees.

The National Weather Service says some areas along the coast are starting with foggy conditions Monday and parts of the southern Willamette Valley could also see some fog to start the week.

Tuesday will be a sunny day, but cooler, with highs reaching about 76 degrees. If thats the perfect temp for you, enjoy the day. Tuesday will likely be the last day with temps below 80 degrees at least through the weekend.

By mid-week well be done with the morning clouds, and skies will be sunny all day. Wednesdays high will be about 81 degrees and winds will be calm.

The weather service warns of a strengthening high pressure ridge that will be forming with a thermally induced trough along the Oregon coastline later in the week. The ridge is expected to grow larger into the weekend and bring a steady warming trend leading to several days of intense heat.

This means the metro area will see highs in the low 90s on the Fourth of July, and into the mid 90s by Friday. The good news is that overnight lows will still cool to the low 60s or even high 50s through the weekend, giving residents some relief from the heat late at night and early in the mornings.

The extreme heat will also increase fire danger, and on the most fire-prone holiday of the year. All fire agencies within Washington County have enacted a high-fire danger burn ban beginning Monday and continuing until the ban is lifted.

The ban prohibits these activities:

Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.).

Agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, etc.).

Any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris or controlled burning.

It does not include outdoor cooking fires or recreational fires, but those should be closely monitored and fully extinguished when youre finished with them.

Visit this page for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue to get more information: tvfr.com/431/High-Fire-Danger-Burn-Ban-Rules or contact your local fire agency.
A 13-year-old boy was shot by the Utica Police after mistakenly identifying the teen carrying a replica handgun during a police chase.

The situation occurred at approximately 10 p.m. in upstate New York City, when police officers, conducting a standard inquiry, tried to interrogate two adolescents. While chasing one of the teenagers who ran away, the police officers saw what looked like a gun in his hand.

Police Chief Mark Williams mentioned that the officer shot his gun during a physical altercation on the ground, hitting the individual known as Nyah Mway, an Asian male, who was later identified.

Police Shoots 13-Year-Old Boy With Pellet Gun

The conflict started when Utica police detained two minors as a part of a continuing investigation. While officers were questioning the teens, one of them ran away, resulting in a pursuit on foot.

Chief Williams stated that officers witnessed an object they believed to be a handgun, leading to one officer firing his gun. After the 13-year-old boy was seen injured, he was immediately rescued by police and given first aid.

The authorities quickly rushed the boy to the nearest hospital, where he later died. Following the incident, authorities found a pellet gun that looked like a Glock 17 pistol and had a removable magazine.

Chief Williams confirmed that this imitation firearm was eventually discovered to be a pellet gun. The police officer in question The officer who was part of the shooting has not been named to the public and has been put on paid administrative leave while an investigation is ongoing.

13-Year-Old Boy's Death Enraged Community in Utica

The event has caused much anger in the community, resulting in a tense press conference on Saturday morning. More than 100 members of the community, including Nyah Mway's family, were present at the conference held at Utica City Hall.

Strong emotions were felt as the police chief outlined the sequence of events, with numerous individuals in the crowd showing their frustration and sadness.

Utica Mayor Michael Galime urged for tranquility and guaranteed the public full openness. Galime stated that they acknowledge the importance of this situation and aim to make sure that every aspect is comprehended. The Mayor added that the shooting is now under investigation by the Attorney General's office in New York.

Utica police are currently conducting an internal investigation and will be sharing relevant materials in the upcoming days, such as a critical incident summary and complete body cam recordings.

Officials have confirmed the existence of a video of the event being shared on social media, stating that it only shows part of what happened.

Refugee Community in Utica

Utica is home to a noticeable number of refugees, with a large portion coming from different regions of Asia. The 13-year-old boy, Nyah Mway, belonged to the Karen community, which is an ethnic minority group hailing from Myanmar.

In recent years, Utica has received a significant influx of refugees, altering the demographics of the city. The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees stated that over 20% of Utica's population consists of immigrants at present.

Dr. Kathleen Davis, the interim superintendent of Utica City School District, conveyed sadness about the incident, emphasizing that the incident highlights the difficult obstacles that their community, especially the law enforcement partners, constantly work to overcome in order to keep our streets safe.

City officials have assured that transparency and objectivity will be maintained as the investigations progress.

Mayor Galime promised the community that they would be kept informed as soon as new information is obtained, recognizing the extensive and intricate process of these investigations.

Galime declared that both our office and police department will function with maximum efficiency and transparency. He also emphasized the significance of providing support to the mourning family and community amidst this challenging period.
A Nebraska man shot seven people, including four children, all assumed to be Hispanic, after formerly telling them to "go back to where they came from" and to "speak English," according to police.

7 Wounded Including 4 Children in Nebraska Shooting

Billy Booth, 74, opened fire on his neighbors from inside his Crete home around 4:30 p.m. on Friday before taking his own life, the Nebraska State Patrol reported.

Around 15 people were at the locations, with most casualties outside when the shooting happened.

The victims included three adults aged 22 to 43 and four kids aged 3 to 10, according to the police. Some casualties have been cured and discharged, while one is getting care in Lincoln and two children are at Children's Nebraska in Omaha.

None of the wounded are life-threatening. All casualties are believed to be Hispanic, as per police declarations.

Upon arrival, police found the casualties with gunshot injuries outside the home and the suspect inside his home. A firearm was found nearby.

Authorities signified there was no immediate dispute before the shooting, but Booth had a history of conflicts with the family, including complaints about parking and other nuisances.

There were also reports that Booth had previously told them to "go back to where they came from" and to "speak English."

Crete Police Chief Gary Young Jr. noted that since 2021, police had responded to several neighborhood complaints, mostly from Booth about issues like driving behavior and parking.

Young explained, "Not necessarily related to the victim's house, but about cars driving too fast in the neighborhood, improper parking, nuisance properties, and quality-of-life issues."

There was a single report from the victims that Booth had made derogatory comments, but the family chose not to pursue the matter further, and it was resolved at the time.

Alleged of Hate Crime Motive Surface Amidst Tragic Shooting

Joshua Morales, a friend of one of the victims, said he was aware of previous incidents with Booth and believed the shooting was racially motivated. "[Booth] was supposedly telling [the friend's] parents to go back to their country, and they had problems."

He guessed it escalated to the point where he shot up the house. "It seems it was a racist act," Morales said. He added that the shooter shot his friend and his friend's mother, who was hit four times in the back.

Officers heard a single gunshot from Booth's house, where they found him deceased. Two firearms were discovered, but only one shotgun was used in the incident. Booth had legal permission to own a firearm.

The gunfire originated from Booth's home at 1810 Parkland Street. Investigators believe Booth acted alone and are still determining the motive.

Crete Police, Saline County deputies, Nebraska State Troopers, and other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. The Nebraska State Police SWAT Team breached Booth's home around 6:40 p.m. No police officers discharged their firearms.

Captain Caradori assured the public that the situation was resolved and there was no ongoing threat.
Current high school graduate Suborno Isaac Bari, aged 12, plans to begin studies in mathematics and physics at New York University later this year. Despite his youth, he is already setting visionary goals, aiming to start a doctoral program shortly.

Suborno Isaac Bari Youngest Graduate from Long Island High School

Suborno expressed his goal to graduate from college by spring 2026, at the age of 14. He recently achieved the distinction of being the youngest graduate from his Long Island high school.

Suborno discussed his future academic goals, noting that while he may consider pursuing a second Ph.D. in physics, his primary focus remains on mathematics.

Suborno was recognized for his exceptional abilities from a young age-he memorized the periodic table at 2 and has been lecturing at colleges in India since age 7-celebrated his graduation from Malverne High School in Nassau County, New York, just recently.

Skipping to the 12th grade after completing ninth grade, Suborno has set records as the youngest-ever graduate from his high school.

Reflecting on his academic accomplishments, Suborno mentioned that his high school employs a 100-point GPA scale. He maintained around a 96 GPA in his first year and a 98 in his second and final year.

During his 12th-grade year, Suborno engaged in non-degree courses at several New York universities, including NYU, Stony Brook University, the City University of New York, and Brooklyn College. He described this experience as a significant challenge due to the increased workload and condensed schedule compared to traditional schooling.

Beyond academics, Suborno is also proficient in painting, debate, and playing the piano, demonstrating a diverse range of talents.

Read Also : Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Law Banning Most Abortions After 6 Weeks

12-Year-Old Gifted Teen Eyes Historic on Admission to NYU

As he prepares to embark on his bachelor of science degree journey at NYU, Suborno could potentially make history as one of the youngest students admitted to the university, according to information shared by a university spokesperson.

Suborno's early introduction to education by his parents, Rashidul and Shaheda Bari, both educators themselves, played a crucial role in nurturing his intellectual development.

Suborno explained that his parents recognized his talent at an early age. His father, teaching physics, and his mother, an elementary school teacher, noticed his abilities from a young age.

Suborno's academic journey began with basic math lessons from his mother, leading to early displays of advanced mathematical understanding that caught the attention of educators and peers alike.

His father recounted, "In 2014, my wife, who was his teacher at the time, noticed his exceptional abilities. It started with basic math, and he quickly progressed to abstract concepts."

President Barack Obama even recognized Suborno's achievements with a letter in 2016, when he was just 7 years old. Since then, he has been invited to teach college-level courses in India multiple times a year.

Looking ahead, Suborno plans to continue his family's tradition of teaching by becoming a professor of mathematics and physics, driven by his fascination with uncovering the mysteries of the universe.

As he prepares for the challenges and opportunities at NYU, Suborno eagerly anticipates engaging with fellow students who share his passion for math and science.
This is what the anti-Catholic Calvinist James Swan claims in his article, How Accurate was Exsurge Domine in Refuting Martin Luther? (Boors All, 4-24-10). Martin Luthers words will be in blue, Hans Hillerbrands in green, and Pope Leo Xs in purple. Swan wrote:

Im going to explain why youre not alone if youre not sure what was going on in the Ninety Five Theses or what exactly Luther was saying at the time that so infuriated Rome. It appears Rome wasnt sure either what exactly Luther was saying in some instances. The Roman Church issued a document explaining why they rejected Luthers teaching: Exsurge Domine, . . . Despite being a papal document, I would argue Exsurge Domine isnt really any sort of help. . . . I would also point out that Romes sharpest minds didnt quite know what was going on either when they put Exsurge Domine together.

Swan then refers to

Hans Hillerbrand, Martin Luther and the Bull Exsurge Domine (Theological Studies 30:108-112). . . . a fascinating short article, documenting how imprecisely Romes theologians quoted and understood Luthers writings . . . Hillerbrand lists a number of mistakes made in Exsurge Domine when it attempted to document Luthers errors.

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His link to this is no longer valid (it didnt even work on the Wayback Machine; drats!), but Swan cited a good chunk of it, with which I will interact:

Proposition 25, which pertains to the primacy of the Roman pontiff, cannot be located in any of Luthers writings prior to 1520.

25. The Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter, is not the vicar of Christ over all the churches of the entire world, instituted by Christ Himself in blessed Peter.

Exsurge Domine didnt claim to be making direct quotations from Luthers writings. Rather, it stated, Some of these errors we have decided to include in the present document; their substance is as follows:. Is Proposition 25 present in Luthers writings before 1520? Well, whether it was written down by this time or not, Luthers words in the Leipzig Disputation with Johann Eck, from July 1519, certainly express this notion:

I grant by all means that there is a monarchy in the church militant, and that its head is not a man but Christ himself, and this on divine authority in 1 Corinthians 15 [25]: He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. And a little earlier: Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every earthly power. St. Augustine in the last chapter of his first book on the Trinity speaks about the reign of Christ in the present: So it is clear that Christ, the head of the church, will transform us, who are his kingdom, to his image.

So Matthew says in his final chapter: Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Likewise in Acts 9 [4], where Paul heard a voice from heaven  Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?  Augustine says again that the head is speaking for its members. Therefore one must not listen to those who drive Christ out of the church militant into the church triumphant, that is, the kingdom of faith. The point is this, that we do not see our head, yet we have him. Psalm 122 says, He sits in judgment over the House of David. Surely there are many seats on which Christ alone sits. We see the seats, not the occupant, or the king.

Coming then to the authorities of the gentleman, where he asserts that in the church militant there is one head, established by divine law and by Christ, he speaks for himself, but he proves nothing. For, in my opinion, he contradicts himself by his first authority, that of Paul in Ephesians 4 [15], since Paul speaks there most certainly about the church militant and he calls Christ its head. The same idea, contradictory to him, is to be found in 1 Corinthians 3 [5, together with 1:13]: Who then is Apollos? Who is Cephas? Who is Paul? Is Christ divided? and so on. Here he clearly forbids any other head than Christ. (Leipzig Disputation between Martin Luther and Johann Eck (1519), in German History Intersections, November 28, 2023)

Proposition 4took two of the 95 Theses (Thesis 14, Imperfecta  magnum timorem, and Thesis 15, Hie timor et horror satis est se solo facere poenam purgatorii), and added, as a final clause, a passage from the Resolutions which read horror ipse mortis etiam se solo impedit introitum regni. It would seem that the new sentence does not precisely agree with Luthers own formulations.

4. To one on the point of death imperfect charity necessarily brings with it great fear, which in itself alone is enough to produce the punishment of purgatory, and impedes entrance into the kingdom.

substance of Luthers errors, as opposed to direct quotations, this is what we call in the field of logic a Since, as I have explained, the bull was presenting theof Luthers errors, as opposed to direct quotations, this is what we call in the field of logic a non sequitur

*

Proposition 5 confined itself to a quotation of the opinion of others.

*

5. That there are three parts to penance: contrition, confession, and satisfaction, has no foundation in Sacred Scripture nor in the ancient sacred Christian doctors.

*

Luther only had to deny any one of the three components of the sacrament of penance, to deny the Catholic doctrine that it consisted of three parts. He did this for sure in The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (published less than four months later, on 6 October 1520):

*

they believe they can with works make satisfaction for sin to God, when he can be satisfied only by the faith of a contrite heart! (in Three Treatises, taken from Luthers Works, revised edition, 1970, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 216-217).

*

This word [repentance, from #1] cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.

*

He wrote his treatise, The Sacrament of Penance, in October 1519. It appears in L uthers Works, Volume 25, pp. 9-22. I quote: Luther possibly rejected satisfaction earlier, in #2 of his 95 Theses (posted on 31 October 1517):[repentance, from #1]

*

The sacrament removes sin, not because it takes place, but because it is believed. . . . the forgiveness of guilt . . . is granted to no one on account of the worthiness of his contrition over his sins, nor on account of his works of satisfaction, but only on account of his faith . . . Although contrition and good works are not to be neglected, one is nevertheless in no case to build upon them, but only upon the sure words of Christ . . . Your contrition and works may deceive you . . . But Christ, your God, will not lie to you . . . (pp. 11-12)

*

[T]his sacrament does not depend . . . on your own actions . . . (p. 16)

*

Just so no one becomes so bold in the sight of God that he claims to have sufficient contrition. Such an attitude is presumptuous and fabricated, for no one has sufficient contrition for his sin. (p. 18)

*

In proposition 30 Luther was incorrectly quoted.



30. Some articles of John Hus, condemned in the Council of Constance, are most Christian, wholly true and evangelical; these the universal Church could not condemn.

*

I dont see how this misrepresents Luther. Again in the Leipzig Disputation, Luther is recorded as having stated that many of Jan Hus propositions were most Christian and evangelical (see, Among the articles of John Hus, I find many which are plainly Christian and evangelical, which the universal Church cannot condemn. I dont see how this misrepresents Luther. Again in the Leipzig Disputation, Luther is recorded as having stated that many of Jan Hus propositions were(see, Leipzig Debate, 8-20-19, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, New Jersey District). Again, Roland Bainton, in the most famous biography in English of Luther, Here I Stand ( pp. 115-116 ), cited Luther from this Disputation as saying,

*

How, exactly, then, did Pope Leo X supposedly misrepresent Luther on this score? If he did, then by the same token, so did the Protestant admirer of Luther, Roland Bainton.

*

I wanted to reply to other examples from Hillerbrand, but I couldnt determine exactly what he was referring to in Luther, that Pope Leo X allegedly misrepresented.

*

*

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At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Amazing battery life

Beautiful OLED screen

Great pricing on RAM and storage upgrades Cons No headphone jack or USB-A port

Windows on Arm app compatibility isnt perfect

Yoga name is misleading as this isnt a 2-in-1

Copilot+ PC AI features are half-baked Our Verdict This Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptop combines a beautiful 14.5-inch OLED display with long battery life. But Snapdragon laptops without an OLED screen will get even longer battery life, and application compatibility still isnt perfect on these new Arm PCs.

Price When Reviewed

1.399 Euro

Best Prices Today: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is one of the first Copilot+ PCs. While Microsoft is talking up AI features, the real story here is the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite hardware inside this PC. Microsoft has been releasing Arm-based Windows PCs since the Surface RT, but this is the first time that Arm-based Windows PCs have finally become seriously competitive.

Yes, this Snapdragon X Elite-powered 14.5-inch laptop delivers extremely long battery life with snappy performance and cool and quiet operation in day-to-day use. The experience with day-to-day productivity applications is beautiful  just like the OLED display this machine has. (Despite the Yoga name, however, this is not a 2-in-1 laptop).

Of course, the Windows on Arm experience isnt perfect. Microsofts Prism translation software offers much improved compatibility with traditional x86 apps. Most existing x86 applications just work, but not everything just works at the moment. And, while gaming performance is decent thanks to both the Prism translation layer and the impressive integrated GPU, this cant deliver as much graphical horsepower as a discrete Nvidia or AMD GPU in a more traditional gaming laptop.

Looking for more options? Check out PCWorlds roundup of the best laptops available today.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Specs

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is part of the first wave of Copilot+ PCs, and it includes an Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip. All Snapdragon X Elite chips include a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS) as well as a Qualcomm Adreno GPU. This particular machine has Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 hardware.

There are four Snapdragon X packages at launch, from lowest-end to highest-end:

The Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 avoids the Elite name and only has 10 cores.

The Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 in this machine includes 12 cores.

The Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 has 12 cores as well, but it gains a Dual Core Boost feature that can go up to 4.0 GHz for extra power when the CPU needs it.

The Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 has 12 cores, but its Dual Core boost goes up to 4.2 GHz. It also offers faster multi-threaded CPU performance and a high-performance Qualcomm Adreno GPU.

Its unclear how much the differences between these chips will matter in the real world until we see more reviews and have a chance to benchmark more laptops with the different models ourselves.

Qualcomm Qualcomm Qualcomm

There arent a lot of other hardware options when configuring this $1,199 machine. Our review model came with 16 GB of LPDDR5X-8448MHz RAM, but you can get this machine with 32 GB of RAM for an extra $69. Like many modern PCs, the RAM is soldered. You have to make your decision when buying the machine  you cant upgrade it later.

Additionally, our system included a 512 GB PCIe Gen4 SSD for storage. You can upgrade to a 1 TB SSD for an extra $45. Those are very reasonable prices for the upgrades. At that price, Id recommend it.

This machine has a neural processing unit (NPU) that can deliver 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of performance. That means it gets access to a variety of Copilot+ PC AI features. Unfortunately, with the splashy and controversial Recall feature delayed, the AI features on Copilot+ PCs arent particularly compelling at launch. They may become compelling in the future, especially when Recall launches, or if third-party application developers start using the NPU to power AI features in their Windows applications.

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5X-8448MHz

16 GB LPDDR5X-8448MHz Graphics/GPU: Qualcomm Adreno

Qualcomm Adreno Display: 29441840 OLED with 90Hz refresh rate and touch screen

29441840 OLED with 90Hz refresh rate and touch screen Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD

512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD Webcam: 1080p camera with shutter switch

1080p camera with shutter switch Connectivity: 3x USB-C Full-Function ports (USB4 Gen 3, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4)

3x USB-C Full-Function ports (USB4 Gen 3, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4) Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 (with Bluetooth 5.4 capable hardware)

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 (with Bluetooth 5.4 capable hardware) Biometrics: IR camera for Windows Hello

IR camera for Windows Hello Battery capacity: 70 Watt-hours

70 Watt-hours Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.86 x 0.51 inches

12.8 x 8.86 x 0.51 inches Weight: 2.82 pounds

2.82 pounds MSRP: $1,199 as tested

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Design and build quality

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

While there are transformational changes under the hood, Lenovo didnt reinvent the wheel with the Lenovo Slim 7xs design. The chassis is a spitting image of the Lenovo Slim 7 14 we reviewed just a few months ago.

Like that laptop, this machine is made of aluminum and has a nice smooth metallic finish with lots of rounded edges and a small bezel around the display. Lenovo calls this laptops color scheme Cosmic Blue. Its a nice, dark, professional-looking metallic finish. It has the communications bar at the top of the laptops display. That bar gives the webcam and IR camera a place to live, letting Lenovo shrink the bezel around the screen  and giving you a convenient handhold when opening the laptop.

While this machine bears the Yoga name, it doesnt have a 360-degree hinge. This laptop does have a touch screen, but its not a convertible 2 in 1. In fact, the screen doesnt even lie flat. Thats fine, but I do think its a little confusing considering what the Yoga name has meant in the past. I showed this machine to another person who expected it to be a 2-in-1 thanks to the Yoga name. Lenovo says that its moving forward with using the Yoga name for more laptops in the US and that its already been using the name in this way internationally. Once again, thats fine  just dont be misled by the name.

At 2.82 pounds, this is a nice light laptop. The build quality feels nice and premium  the laptop is solid and doesnt flex in any strange ways. The hinge action feels great. Lenovo says this durable aluminum design is tested to MIL-STD 810H military-grade standards, and it feels solid and sturdy while remaining lightweight.

Software-wise, this is a familiar Lenovo laptop experience. Bloatware is very restrained, but Lenovo does install a trial of McAfee antivirus, which will show you popups with a welcome offer.

Unlike Microsofts Surface Laptop, however, which omits the stickers below the keyboard, Lenovo chose to stick a variety of stickers to the left of the touchpad. It would be nice to see manufacturers move on from those stickers, but maybe well be stuck with them going forward.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7xs keyboard feels very nice to type on. The specs sheet says it has 1.5mm of key travel, which is nice for a laptop  especially one this thin. With plenty of travel, the keys are enjoyable to type on. Theyre pleasantly snappy. This is no surprise as we spoke positively about this keyboard in our Lenovo Slim 7 14 review, too. The keyboard also has a nice white backlight.

The touchpad here is good. Its a fairly standard touchpad with a reasonable size, accurate tracking, a good click, and solid palm rejection. These days, a standard touchpad on a PC laptop is pretty good. Lenovo hasnt gone above and beyond the average ultrabook when it comes to the touchpad  but that makes sense, as this is a pretty good price. In addition to the touchpad, this machine also has a touch screen.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Display and speakers

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7xs display is the star here. Lenovo included a 14.5-inch 29441840 OLED display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 90Hz refresh rate, and a touch screen. Its a bright, beautiful display. An OLED display means deep dark blacks and vivid colors, and youre getting that here.

Really, it bears repeating: That display is one of the big reasons youd pick this machine out of the first Copilot+ PC lineup. Microsofts Surface Laptop isnt available with an OLED display, so you have to go for a Surface Pro tablet or a laptop from another manufacturer.

In our review of the Intel Core Ultra-powered Lenovo Slim 7 14 from earlier this year, we noted that its 19201200 OLED display was a step behind the competition. The upgraded display is awesome. And, thanks to the Snapdragon X Elite hardware here, Lenovo managed to deliver a higher-resolution OLED display and longer battery life versus than the Intel-powered Lenovo Slim 7 14.

The OLED display is a little on the glossy side and can pick up reflections, as youll notice in some of the photos in this review. But its bright enough that it was plenty readable even in the direct sunlight outdoors, which is a worst-case scenario for any laptop.

The speakers here are similar to that Intel-powered model. There are upward-firing speakers on each side of the keyboard. In our review of the Slim 7 14, we said that the speakers were typical for a laptop of this size and price range, saying that they provide acceptable audio with good volume and clarity, but they lack the depth and complexity available in Lenovos more expensive laptops and 2-in-1s. Thats a spot-on description of this laptops speakers, too.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x includes a 1080p webcam, which is on the communications bar that juts out a tiny bit above the display. Its a nice webcam, and the quality seems a touch better than some other 1080p webcams Ive used recently. Itll be great for video meetings.

This machine has a physical webcam switch on its right side. Flip the switch and the webcam will be cut off. You might prefer a physical shutter that covers the laptops webcam if youre a fan of webcam privacy tricks, but thats often a more expensive feature for higher-end business laptops.

This machine has an IR camera for Windows Hello logins. It works very well: You can open your laptop, and it sees your face and signs you in. But this machine goes beyond that with an interesting presence sensor. If you activate the presence sensor, it will notice when you get up and walk away from your laptop, locking the laptop  which is great for both security and battery life. And, when you sit down in front of the laptop, the presence sensor will activate the laptop and sign you back in with Windows Hello. Its a nice feature, and its something Microsofts Surface Laptop doesnt offer.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Connectivity

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7xs selection of ports feels simultaneously generous and skimpy.

If youre looking for USB-C ports, its generous: Youre getting three USB-C ports, two on the left side of the laptop and one on the right side. Theyre all USB-C Full-Function ports with USB4 Gen 3, Power Delivery 3.1, and DisplayPort 1.4. You will have to plug the charger into one of them to charge this machine, but you still have two USB-C ports to play with while its charging before you even have to think about a dongle.

Thats it, though. There are no other ports here: Not even a traditional audio jack or single USB-A port, and certainly not a microSD card reader or an HDMI port.

Thats fine if youre willing to go all-in on USB-C! But its worth noting that some of these Snapdragon X Elite-powered Copilot+ laptops do offer more ports, so you do have the option of getting them along with this new Arm hardware. Asuss larger Asus Vivobook S 15, for example, includes USB Type-A, an audio jack, HDMI out, and a microSD card reader.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x includes Wi-Fi 7 support along with Bluetooth 5.4-capable hardware. The laptops Wi-Fi performed well, although I dont have a Wi-Fi 7 network to test the latest standard on yet.

Lenovo lists Bluetooth 5.3 on this laptops spec sheet, but a Lenovo representative tells me that the company is a little conservative  other companies may list Bluetooth 5.4 as the hardware is capable of it, even though Windows doesnt yet deliver it. Rest assured this laptop has just as much Bluetooth 5.4 capability as any other Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptop.

What about application compatibility?

Windows on Arms application compatibility is now very good  but not perfect. Remember: Were talking about a major architectural shift for Windows here. These Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops are Windows on Arm PCs that can run traditional x86 Windows applications through a Prism translation layer.

For the most part, applications just work  either because they have a native Arm version already available or because the x86 version runs through Prism. If it does just work, you dont have to think about it.

But not everything works. Some applications will show errors and refuse to install. For example, the official Google Drive sync tool doesnt work on these machines. It has to integrate with File Explorer, and it cant do that through the Prism translation layer. Google hasnt ported it to Windows on Arm yet.

Applications that need low-level access will be a problem in general. If you have a very old printer lying around that needs a manufacturer printer driver, for example, that traditional printer driver was likely created only for x86 versions of Windows. It likely wont work on an Arm-powered laptop.

While PC gaming has been a focus of Qualcomms marketing, Microsoft says productivity applications will work better than PC games. The Windows on Arm Ready Software website attempts to catalog PC game compatibility, and it notes that Fortnite doesnt run at all on these machines thanks to anti-cheat support. Thats just one example: Wide game compatibility isnt here yet.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x delivered very snappy day-to-day performance while running on battery power in typical desktop applications, including web browsers like Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, as well as popular productivity applications like the Microsoft Office suite and Slack. While this laptop has fans for active cooling, it stayed cool and quiet in normal use.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a great laptop for day-to-day use with typical desktop applications.

We ran the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x through our standard benchmarks to see how it performs.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

First, we ran a CPU benchmark with Geekbench 6. We normally run PCMark 10, but it doesnt run on Arm computers like this one. Geekbench 6 runs natively on ARM, so we can get an idea of this machines CPU performance when running native Arm code without Microsofts Prism translation layer involved.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x delivered an excellent score of 14013 in the multi-threaded CPU benchmark, beating both the Snapdragon X Elite-powered Microsoft Surface laptop and the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED with its Ryzen hardware. You can see the huge improvement from the older Arm-based Microsoft SQ3 processors in the Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

The fans stayed nice and quiet while this benchmark was running.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run Cinebench R24. Cinebench R24 has a native Arm version, which means it isnt running through the Prism translation layer. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. Its a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isnt a factor. But, since its heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x delivered a score of 1023 in the multi-threaded benchmark, beating all the older machines we compared it to. Its faster than recent Intel Meteor Lake CPUs here  in fact, its even noticeably faster than Microsofts Surface Pro 2-in-1.

The fans spun up while this multi-threaded benchmark was running  they kick in to provide extra cooling for intensive workloads like this one. (I didnt notice them running much at all during day-to-day application use.) While Snapdragon X Elite laptops deliver cool and quiet operation in day-to-day use, they will run hotter and louder while performing CPU-intensive tasks.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run a graphical benchmark. Despite Qualcomm talking a lot about gaming performance, this isnt really a gaming laptop. Its a laptop that can run some games in a pinch, but Microsoft says compatibility will be better with productivity applications than games. As always, we run 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance. We also run 3DMark Night Raid.

Time Spy is running through the Prism translation layer, while Night Raid is running natively on Arm. The pair of results shows the difference between x86 code translated with Prism and native Arm code.

The Yoga Slim 7x delivered a score of 1902 in the Time Spy benchmark. Thats faster than the Surface Laptop, once again. Its noticeably slower than recent Intel and AMD chips. While Qualcomm is talking up gaming performance of existing PC games that havent been ported to ARM, one of the tricks it depends on is Auto Super Resolution, which uses the NPU to upgrade the image. That trick isnt available to this laptop in this benchmark.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

When we ran the Night Raid benchmark, which runs natively on Arm, the Qualcomm Adreno GPU shot past the Intel Arc graphics in the Lenovo Slim 7 14, coming a close second to the AMD Radeon 780M graphics. While Prism works well, its clear these machines will perform best when running native Arm code.

While these graphical benchmarks hit the Yoga Slim 7xs Qualcomm Adreno GPU hard, the laptops fans werent especially loud while they were running. The GPU can deliver its performance without a lot of noise or heat.

Overall, the performance was impressive. Its exactly what Id hoped to see: Nice snappy performance in desktop applications with competitive performance in traditional x86 applications running through the Prism translation layer. This machine also delivered slightly better performance than the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro across our benchmarks.

However, despite all the hype about gaming performance, I wouldnt buy a Snapdragon X Elite with gaming in mind. Not all games run  and I was surprised to see that even Microsofts own Game Pass service for PCs wont let you install PC games on these computers. It only offers the ability to stream Xbox games from the cloud. If these machines are great at running games, Microsofts Xbox team certainly hasnt gotten the message yet.

For now, youll want a more traditional gaming laptop for maximum compatibility and maximum performance.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Battery life

The entire industry has been talking up the battery life of these Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops. Lenovo says the Yoga Slim 7x has multiday battery life, which the company describes as two 8-hour workdays of mixed workloads. Additionally, Lenovo says this machine has Rapid Charge Express technology and can get up to 3 hours of runtime in 15 minutes of charging time, and it seemed to charge nice and fast.

With a battery-sipping Snapdragon X Elite chip and a 70 Watt-hour battery, it should get pretty good battery life. We saw incredible battery life for a laptop with an OLED screen, although its not as much battery life as Microsofts Surface Laptop with its more energy-efficient display.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Media Player app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks, and its worth noting that OLED laptops have a bit of an advantage, as OLED screens use less power to display the black bars around the video. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x lasted for an average of 951 minutes, which is a tad under 16 hours. Thats a truly incredible number for a laptop with an OLED display. In real use, too, the laptop delivered snappy performance in day-to-day computer usage  applications like Chrome, Edge, video meetings, Microsoft Office, and Slack  while the battery level dropped much slower than it would on the typical Intel or AMD laptop Ive been reviewing.

Of course, that 14.5-inch OLED display is draining the battery a bit faster. Microsofts Surface Laptop beat this laptop in our benchmarks with an extra four hours of battery life  all while having a smaller 54 Watt-hour battery. If youre looking for the longest possible battery life, youll likely want to look elsewhere. But youll be getting a less vibrant display. The trade-off is up to you  but, with battery life this good, sacrificing a little bit of it for a more beautiful OLED display feels like a reasonable move.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x: Conclusion

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a great laptop for day-to-day use with typical desktop applications. It offers nice, snappy performance even on battery power. Thanks to the incredible energy efficiency of the Snapdragon X Elite hardware and the reasonably large 70 Watt-hour battery in this machine, this PC gets great battery life  even though it has a high-resolution OLED display.

If youre interested in this machine, youre likely in one of two situations:

First, you may be curious about Snapdragon X Elite PCs in general. If so, you should probably do some research to see whether the applications you depend on run on Snapdragon X Elite PCs in general. The lack of Google Drive will be a big deal for some people  and thats just one example. PC game compatibility isnt perfect, either. Intels Lunar Lake may deliver an experience more like this one with full x86 compatibility later this year. But, if the applications you do rely on work on this hardware and youre interested in the excellent day-to-day performance with long battery life without waiting to see Intels next hardware release, I think youll be happy with one.

Second, you might be comparing the various Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PCs available now. Compared to a Surface Laptop, for example, this machine trades some of that battery life for a big and beautiful OLED display. And it offers a good deal if you want more RAM and storage, too. If maximum battery life is all thats important to you, look elsewhere  like the Surface Laptop. If you want more ports (like a USB-A port, HDMI port, or headphone jack, this also isnt the machine for you.

Ultimately, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a beautiful machine. Its main problems are with software: Windows on Arm still doesnt have perfect software compatibility, and these Copilot+ PC AI features arent all theyre hyped up to be at launch. But I cant help but love this kind of performance and battery life combined with a vivid OLED display.
Stephen Armah, Director of Sustainability at the Supervision Department of the Bank of Ghana, has encouraged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices into their business models to promote sustainable growth.



Speaking at Absa Bank's SME Business Development Clinic in commemoration of this years World SME Day, Mr Armah emphasized the importance of integrating ESG into the businesses of SMEs, as it helps build trust and transparency.



He further highlighted the importance and benefits of integrating ESG practices into the operations of SMEs.



"SMEs must take the ESG into consideration to ensure sustainability. ESG can enhance SMEs' resilience. Avoid operating as a 'one-man show' if you want your business to continue and thrive, and instead, focus on ESG practices. It's important to recognize that SMEs must grow and be sustainable to support the economy" he averred.



The interim Managing Director of Absa Bank, Adolph Kpegah on his part, mentioned that 7000 SMEs have already been trained He assured SMEs that the bank will continue to provide more avenues to share ideas to improve their businesses.



"SMEs are pivotal in our economy...We believe in empowering you not just financially but also offer advice to help you grow and become sustainable" he added.



Absa Business Development Clinic



This event themed "Adopting ESG Practices for Business Growth" was held by Absa Bank Ghana LTD, in collaboration with the World Bank.

It's part of Absas ongoing commitment to fostering business resilience and community development as well as promoting sustainable business practices within the SME sector.



It is to educate and inspire SMEs on the benefits of adopting ESG practices, thereby enhancing their competitiveness, attracting investments, and ensuring long-term sustainability.













The clinic aimed to educate SME owners on the





The keynote address was delivered by Kobina Otu Okyne, an Environmental Specialist with the World Bank, who shared insights on the strategic value of ESG.

Source: Rebeca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com









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Vivo Energy Ghana, the marketer and distributor of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants is excited to announce the appointment of Jean-Michel Arlandis as its new Managing Director following the end-of-term for Kader Maiga.



According to the Executive Vice President, of West Region, Franck Konan-Yahaut, this change underscores Vivo Energys commitment to strengthen its international operations and leverage leadership capabilities to drive growth and innovation across its markets. He thanked Kader Maiga for his remarkable performance and expressed confidence for business continuity in the new leadership.



Jean-Michel has over 30 years of experience in the energy and retail sector and has a deep knowledge of Africa and emerging markets.



Before joining Vivo Energy Ghana, Jean-Michel was the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Malawi. He transformed the business to position the company as one of the top-ranking oil marketing companies in Malawi. He was a former Head of Internal Audit for Decathlon, a leading global sporting brand, a Partner at both Deloitte and Ernst &Young and the Head of Corporate at Everton Group, an international investment company in Africa.



In 2017, Jean Michel joined Vivo Energy Mauritius as Head of Finance where he created a formidable Finance team to support business growth. He after that transferred to Vivo Energy Ghana as the Head of Finance replicating the Mauritius success story.



Commenting on his appointment, Jean Michel commended the outgoing Managing Director for his exceptional leadership in building a solid team and a resilient business and pledged his commitment to delivering exceptional value to customers and stakeholders. Together we will continue to provide innovative products and exceptional services to our customers, and drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders, he said.



On people, Jean-Michel expressed his excitement to work with a dedicated team of employees to drive optimal growth and explore new opportunities for the company.



Jean-Michel is ambitious, goal-oriented and diligent. He has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in the industry.

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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At least 18 people have been killed and 30 injured in a series of deadly blasts in Nigeria thought to have been carried out by female suicide bombers.



One of the bombings is reported to have killed six people and injured others at a wedding ceremony on Saturday, in the northeastern Borno state.



The state's emergency management agency said the co-ordinated attacks targeted a wedding, the victims' subsequent funeral and a hospital in the town of Gwoza, close to the border of Cameroon.



President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks calling them "desperate acts of terror".



He vowed stern action against those responsible for the killings in the town of Gwoza and insisted that the incident had not undermined recent gains made against jihadists.



"The president declares that the purveyors of wanton violence shall have a certain encounter with justice and that these cowardly attacks are only but an isolated episode as his government will not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood," a statement issued by his spokesperson on Facebook said.



No one has admitted to carrying out the attacks, but the Nigeria-centred Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have previously claimed deadly bombings in Borno.



Authorities said 18 deaths had been confirmed on Saturday, a toll that included children, adults and pregnant women.



Some local media have reported a much higher toll - Nigeria's Vanguard and This Day newspapers said at least 30 had been killed in the blasts.



The degree of injuries ranges from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.



A curfew has been imposed by the military.



Amnesty International Nigeria called for an end to assaults on civilians in Borno.



"These deplorable attacks that took place at a time people were mourning demonstrate complete disregard for human life," it said.



The US Mission in Nigeria also described the attack as "horrific".



These reprehensible acts of violence show a cruel and heartless disregard for human lifethese abhorrent attacks are a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in the region."



In the last four months, attackers have twice targeted people through suicide and improvised explosive devices in Borno state.



Borno state has been at the centre of a 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram Islamist militants, which has displaced more than two million people and killed more than 40,000.



Boko Haram gained international notoriety in April 2014 when it kidnapped more than 270 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok, also in Borno state.



Shortly after the kidnapping, the group carried out an attack in June and used their first female suicide bomber.



This was only three years after it deployed its first male suicide bomber.



Since then, there have been speculations that some of the female suicide bombers may be the missing Chibok school girls.



A study found that Boko Haram has utilised more women as suicide bombers than any other group in history.



Recent numbers suggest that over half of all suicide bombers used by Boko Haram are female.



Many suggest that their mode of dressing (usually in hijab  a covering from the head to the feet) offers adequate means for hiding explosives.



Gwoza was seized by Boko Haram in 2014, and taken back by the Nigerian forces in 2015 - but the group has since continued to carry out attacks and kidnappings near the town.



The Gwoza suicide attacks have reignited suspicions that jihadist groups may be trying to reinvent themselves and show that they still have the capacity to do damage.



Last November, 20 people were killed by Boko Haram insurgents while returning from a funeral service in neighbouring Yobe state.



The attack happened a day after militants killed 17 people in a raid on Gurokayeya village, after villagers refused to pay a so-called harvest tax, police said.

Source: BBC









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Professor George Kofi Amoako, a renowned leading marketing guru and consultant has sounded a clarion call for Corporate Entities, Public Sector Agencies(PSA), and Multinational Enterprises(MNEs) to use their CSR Dimensions to contribute significantly to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all members of the United Nations in 2015.



According to Professor George Amoako, most companies are implementing CSR and CSI activities without paying any significant attention to the protection and preservation of the Environment, and the Sustainable Development Goals. This has created a huge gap that demands the attention of all stakeholders in the corporate world, Industries, Professional bodies and the academia.



Prof. Amoako stated that, if multi-national enterprises and Public Sector Agencies(PSA) do not align their respective CSR and CSI activities it would be extremely difficult to achieve all the 17 World Sustainable Development Goals by the deadline of 2030.



Prof. George Kofi Amoako recently led a team of renowned researchers from April 2023 to May 2024 to conduct a research into the Corporate Social Responsibility and brand performance in Ghana with a sample size of 1106. The findings of the research or the results from the data collected from 1106 distributing, wholesaling, retailing and vending firms involved in the telecommunications activities in Ghana revealed that, brand knowledge positively impacts organizational brand value. Further, the Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility, and Ethical Corporate Social Responsibility were positively related to brand knowledge and brand loyalty. Also Social CSR was positively related to brand knowledge and organizational brand value. The research was very helpful in understanding how CSR Dimensions significantly affect brand performance across multiple industries.



Prof Amoako urges Corporate Ghana to offer cutting edge training programmes for their employees on CSR and CSI so that they would be well informed, thereby utilizing their acquired skills and knowledge to help the respective institutions and corporate entities to re-align their Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) activities or Corporate Social Investments to be in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals.



According to Professor Amoako, if all the Corporate Entities, Public Sector Agencies and Multinational Enterprises are able to utilized fully the CSR Dimensions, they would greatly enhance their brand performance, attract and retain more customers/consumers, improve their revenue generation capabilities while at the same time helping society to preserve and protect the environment.



Before joining the academia, Prof. George Amoako worked in the industry for several years. He has over 30 years of multi- experience in industry, consulting, and teaching at the University level. He previously worked with prestigious Mechanical Lloyd and Fan Milk Ghana Limited.



In the area of consultancy and training services, Prof. George Kofi Amoako has consults and done training for many public and private multi-national companies and organizations such as Bank of Ghana, Ghana Insurance Commission, Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, British Council and several others.



Professor George Kofi Amoako is a Full Professor of Marketing, and currently, the Director of Research, Innovation and Consultancy at the Ghana Communication Technology University. He has a proven expertise and track record in consultancy services, corporate training, delivering and implementing marketing strategies, and projects.



Professor George Kofi Amoako was awarded Top Africa CSR Award in 2015 in Mauritius for his publications in Corporate Social Responsibility. Professor Amoako is ranked amongst the Top 4 Marketing Scholars in Ghana and Top 3% in Africa according to the AD Scientific Index for 2024.



In 2023, Durban University of Technology in South Africa conferred Honoray Full Professor in Marketing on Professor George Kofi Amoako for his strategic marketing brilliance and significant impact in the field of marketing in Africa and beyond.



The main research focus areas of Prof. George Kofi Amoako are Sustainability, Marketing, Branding, Business Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Conservation.



He has done over 30 national assignments for Ghana Tertiary Education Commission(GTEC) over the past five years.



Professor George Kofi Amoako finally urges Corporate Ghana especially the Mining and Petroleum Industry to significantly review and re-align their respective CSR and CSI activities so that collectively we can protect and preserve the Environment and the social well-being of the people.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Police Service has debunked media reports stating that the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, has reportedly been asked to proceed on leave and to hand over his duties to his second-in-command, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.



In a press statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, dated June 30th, the public has been urged to disregard the reports.



The statement added that the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, remains committed to his patriotic duty of leading the Ghana Police Service as per the mandate given to him by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



Background



The dailyguidenetwork.com reported on June 30, 2024, that the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, has reportedly been asked to proceed on leave and to hand over his duties to his second-in-command, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.



According to Daily Guide, the decision to ask the IGP to proceed on leave could be linked to the 2023 leaked tape scandal, which was investigated by a parliamentary committee chaired by Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta Akyea.



The pro-NPP government news portal also stated that, although the findings of the Atta Akyea Committee exonerated IGP Dampare, it was revealed that the IGP had close contact with Bugri Naabu, the former NPP Northern Regional Chairman.



"His call logs indicated communication with Daniel Bugri Naabu, but he openly denied any contact with the former NPP Northern Regional Chairman," the portal reported.



This is not the first time rumours have surfaced about a potential plot to remove the current IGP.



In July 2023, the then Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, was compelled to publicly state that there were no plans to remove the IGP after rumours suggested that the NPP government was considering a change in the leadership of the Police Service.



"I think that you should dismiss it with the contempt it deserves. There is no plot to remove anyone; I am unaware of any such plans. As far as I am concerned, he is performing his duties," Ambrose Dery declared at the time.

Source: ghanaweb









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

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi West, Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, has been appointed to chair Parliaments newly formed Economy Committee.



The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, disclosed this in the House yesterday, stating that the Obuasi West MP is capable of confronting the opposition on economic issues.



According to him, Mr. Kwarteng will also function as the Majoritys spokesperson on the economy, while pushing the Minority bench to do the same.



And so, we are challenging you to come up with your spokesperson on the economy. You have not said so officially, but we are going to make sure we have a spokesperson on the economy to challenge your Adongo. Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng is going to face him directly on the economy, he posited.



Mr. Afenyo-Markin pointed out that even though the Economy Committee is new, it will be one of the most significant committees in the House.



I am letting them know some of the proactive steps we have taken on this side of the House to throw a serious challenge that, it is not just about governance. We have a new Economy Committee and it is going to be the most important Committee in this House, he stressed.



Mr. Kwarteng holds a Master of Arts Degree in Economic Policy Management (Macroeconomics) from the University of Ghana.



He served as the Government of Ghana spokesperson on finance from 2006 to 2009 in the erstwhile John Agyekum Kufuor administration.



Until his appointment, Mr. Kwarteng was the Chairman of the Finance Committee, a position he has held since 2021.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has promised to build low-cost houses across the country as part of his plans to tackle Ghana's housing deficit when voted into office as President in the upcoming December polls.



The former President made the pledge when the leadership of the National Tenant Union paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Accra.



Mr Mahama who shared some aspects of their deliberations on social media on Friday, June 28, 2024, acknowledged the importance of housing in Ghana's socio-economic drive.



"Housing is a crucial need, and my government will work tirelessly to develop SOCIAL HOUSING that is truly affordable and accessible for ordinary Ghanaians. That will be one of my legacies as President," he said.



The NDC flag bearer also said his government will "push for the Rent Control Bill to be passed into law to prevent tenants from being unfairly burdened with paying more than one year's rent in advance."



He added, "I deeply empathise with the 19 million people in Ghana who are renting and committed to building a brighter future for all Ghanaians, with housing being a pivotal aspect of that."





Source: graphiconline.com









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Dauphin County Judge William Tully handed down one of the more unusual orders of his career at a Monday afternoon hearing.

Cole Goodman, who resigned Friday from his job as Dauphin Countys first deputy clerk of courts, will have to pay the tab for incorrectly entering the verdict for an environmental activist whom a jury found guilty of obstructing the entrance to a downtown Harrisburg restaurant.

How much will he have to pay?

Unknown, because Goodman did not, as Tully expected, assess those fines following a June 6 hearing.

Tully ordered the Dauphin County Acting Clerk of Courts to calculate the actual fines and costs Bagdes-Canning should have paid, and then ordered Goodman to pay the amount still owed.

Tully said that amount would satisfy what would otherwise be seen as contempt of court for not providing the actual amount since the June 6 hearing.

A Dauphin County jury convicted Bagdes-Canning of illegally blocking the entrance to a restuarant that was hosting a state senators fundraiser last year on April 17. Tully sentenced him to 90 days of unsupervised release, a $200 fine and ordered Bagdes-Canning to pay court costs.

Bagdes-Canning promptly paid those court costs after his April 17 trial. But prosecutors soon discovered he should have been assessed a larger amount.

Thats because Goodman incorrectly recorded that Bagdes-Canning pleaded guilty April 17, when hed actually been found guilty after a jury trial.

Defendants paying court costs for jury trials have to pay much higher costs than those who plead guilty and forego a trial.

Goodman testified at the June 6 hearing that he made the mistake.

Before I excuse Mr. Goodman, can you answer that question for me? Tully asked at the end of the June 6 hearing. What fines and costs does he owe after adjusting the guilty plea to a jury trial?

I would have to look at the specific docket your honor, Goodman said.

Landa Porter, a prosecutor with the district attorneys office, and Judge Tully, interpreted that exchange to constitute an order of the court for Goodman to procure the total amount that Bagdes-Canning owed.

I didnt understand that to be an order that this needs to be fixed immediately, Goodman said.

So when Goodman showed up to court Monday  the first business day after having resigned his position at the Clerk of Courts Office  Tully dropped the bill on him.

Goodman said Monday that the order was fair. He attributed the error to inadequate training on the computer system used to enter court costs and fees.

Goodman is one of three top officials in the Clerk of Courts office -- including the elected Clerk of Courts, Bridget Whitley -- who left their positions last week following months of chaos in the office. Following the resignations, the county president judge on Monday appointed former staffer Patti Sites as acting clerk.

Editors note: Cole Goodman is the son of PennLive Outreach and Opinion Editor Joyce Davis.
By Emily Bloch, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Nara Smith, the TikToker best known for her tradwife lifestyle videos where she makes elaborate recipes from scratch, has enraged a new subset of viewers: dermatologists.

The model and content creator is known to raise an eyebrow or two when she makes her own Cinnamon Toast Crunch for her kids or boils fresh bagels for her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, in elaborate outfits. Still, the content creator has found success, with more than 8 million TikTok followers and a devoted base of both fans and hate watchers.

But in a post on Wednesday, Smith pivoted from making homemade lollipops or boba tea to sunscreen. And people are heated. Heres what went down.

What happened in the video?

Weve been spending a lot of time outside by the pool and I realized that we ran out of sunscreen, Nara says in a voiceover while her husband stands in front of a butcher block with a metal bowl in front of him. I asked Lucky to make me some.

The TikTok, which was viewed more than 13 million times in less than 24 hours, shows the couple combining coconut oil, shea butter, zinc oxide powder, and other ingredients before refrigerating the white concoction in a jar.

Smith ends the video by saying, It went on so smooth and didnt leave a white cast, while cutting the segment before showing the sunscreen on anyones skin.

Who is Nara Smith?

Nara Smith, 22, is a popular lifestyle blogger and TikToker living in Dallas. Her social media presence took off around late 2023 as the tradwife movement, highlighting women who embrace traditional homemaker roles, picked up steam.

Shes best known for her DIY videos, where shell make intricate scratch-made recipes for her husband and children, ranging from bubblegum to toothpaste.

She was born in South Africa, raised in Germany, and later moved to California to pursue her modeling career. She is married to Lucky Blue Smith, who is Mormon  a sticking point in rumors where viewers have raised concerns over Smiths level of autonomy and if shes pushing Morman propaganda.

Smith has addressed those concerns in past videos, saying that cooking is her love language and is still exploring her own relationship with religion.

She is also known for her high-fashion outfits and her childrens eccentric names: Rumble Honey, Slim Easy, and Whimsy Lou

How was the homemade sunscreen TikTok received?

The video was viewed with mixed reactions, with most viewers suggesting the Smiths had taken things too far. Homemade sunscreen is wild, said several comments.

Still, at one point skincare company Kiehls weighed in, commenting we love to see it. Following several comments pushing back on Kiehls, suggesting the TikTok was potentially dangerous, the brand appeared to delete its comment but hasnt commented publicly. Kiehls couldnt be reached for comment.

Whats wrong with DIY sunscreens?

The homemade sunscreen TikTok has been stitched dozens of times by dermatologists and other health-care professionals on the platform.

Every sunscreen on the market undergoes rigorous testing and thats to make sure its actually protecting you from UV rays and most importantly its stopping you from burning, said Aamna Adel, a London-based dermatologist, in a response on TikTok. Adel added that making a DIY sunscreen means consumers have no idea how much protection the product is providing.

Other dermatologists have also weighed in, saying that there wouldnt be a way to ensure the homemade products efficacy meets the same standards as FDA-approved sunscreens on the market.

The concerns come amid recent extreme heat, including in Philadelphia, and a time where skin cancer  the most common cancer in the country  remains on the rise, with one in five Americans being diagnosed in their lifetime.

A survey this year from the American Academy of Dermatology found that nearly 30% of adults ages 18 to 26 are more concerned about their tan than preventing skin cancer.

Still, Smiths video is the latest in a rising trend of wellness influencers driving consumers away from Western medicine and toward holistic alternatives instead. Medical experts caution against allowing TikTokers to drive important personal health decisions.

What sunscreen should I use instead?

There are tons of different sunscreens on the market depending on usage needs.

Dermatologists recommend purchasing one that contains a minimum of SPF 30, contains broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, and is water resistant.
Things just keep getting uglier as country music star Billy Ray Cyrus and his estranged wife, Firerose, exchange barbs on their way to divorce.

They have accused each other of abuse, and in the latest round, Firerose called Cyrus an evil man in a recent interview.

The 37-year-old also claimed that the 62-year-old Cyrus had strict rules for her during their brief, seven-month, marriage.

I didnt have a car, she told Page Six. I was only allowed to go to the local chiropractor and allowed once a month to get my nails done  it was systematic isolation, and I couldnt find the courage to leave.

She also claimed that she had to ask Cyrus for permission to send text messages and emails.

Just last week Cyrus responded to other accusations of abuse from Firerose by claiming that she, in fact, was abusive to him.

He denied her claims of extreme abuse while reportedly admitting that he was certainly vocal, frustrated and angry. However, in court filings, he reportedly claimed that it is the Plaintiff who, in fact, has been abused.

Cyrus reportedly claimed that he was verbally, emotionally and physically abused by Firerose.

He also reportedly countered Fireroses claims of abuse by arguing that if true it would be mindboggling to try and explain why, upon vacating (Billy Rays) premarital residence, (Firerose) would leave (Billy Ray) a handwritten note and then send him a text message stating in her word, I am sorry and please give me a chance to make this right. I can explain everything but I need you on my side.

Firerose, again, has denied the claims.

The only individuals backing his false claims are those on his payroll, whose credibility is questionable, her rep told InTouch.

Its just another ugly chapter in the former couples split.

According to People Magazine, Firerose claims that Cyrus filed for divorce last month just a day before she was set to have a preventative double mastectomy. The site said she made the filing in Tennessee on June 14.

People said that the 36-year-old discovered she had the BRCA1 gene mutation which gave her an increased chance of getting breast cancer, and in March doctors highly recommended she have the procedure done to prevent that from happening.

But she reportedly said in her filing that chaos ensued at home as her surgery date grew near and that Cyrus continually launched verbal attacks against her. People said it reached out to Cyrus representatives, but they had no comment.

When Wife would attempt to voice certain concerns, Husband would often call her a selfish (expletive) and continually alleged that she was using him, the filing said per People. With Wifes major surgery date looming, she was reasonably afraid to leave or seek any type of help because she feared hat Husband would interfere with her surgery or her lengthy recovery at home.

The report said she also accused Cyrus of extreme verbal, emotional and psychological abuse. It said she also accused him of having substance abuse issues and that causes him to be unpredictable and volatile.

Cyrus filed for divorce on May 23. Firerose said she was scheduled for surgery on May 24.

In his request for an emergency restraining order recently, Cyrus sought to stop Firerose from unauthorized use of his credit cards and bank accounts.

People reported that Cyrus claimed that Firerose ran up $96,986 in unauthorized charges on his business account. The site reported that Cyrus claims $70,665 of that went to payments for her lawyers. Cyrus claimed that the charges made him concerned that she may make other fraudulent, unauthorized charges to my business and personal credit cards and accounts.

When he filed for divorce, Cyrus listed irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct as his reason, per People. The couple was reportedly married for just seven months.

Through her attorneys, Firerose has denied that she made any fraudulent charges, according to People.

Throughout the divorce proceedings, the parties are to live as per the status quo during the marriage, her lawyers reportedly argued. Wife was simply living as she has since October 10, 2023, and Husband has no right to cut her off.

People did report that Cyrus and Firerose did agree when he filed for divorce that she would move out of his home immediately, and that he would provide financial support for her for 90 days or until the dissolution of the marriage, whichever comes first.
In yet another update, Mamie Laverocks mother shared news of her 19-year-old daughters recovery after the actress was placed on life support following a tragic fall from a five-story hospital balcony late last month.

In a post shared to Laverocks official Facebook page on Wednesday, June 26, Nicole Rockmann thanked supporters for their well wishes.

Thank you for your healing messages for Mamie, the post began. Mamie survived her injuries, however, her road to recovery will be long. I will be setting up a mailbox for all of your cards and well wishes shortly.

Warmth, Nicole, the message concluded.

A Facebook post previously shared on June 7 said that the young actress was still recovering in the hospital after her May 26 fall. The tragic incident left her in critical condition.

That post was accompanied by a picture of Laverocks hand with an IV cannula and holding a teddy bear in a hospital bed and gown. The post had no caption.

As previously reported, Laverock had been released from surgery on May 30, per a family member who confirmed the news to People.

That same day, Rockmann also shared an update with the Los Angeles Times that the actress had opened her eyes for the first time since the huge dive.

Lets just hope this is the turnaround and shes going to get through this now, she said. I couldnt be happier that people reached out and cared. The story will be told.

There was also rampant speculation that the fall was a suicide attempt. Rockmann said her daughters fall was not intentional. The family places blame on St. Paul Hospital in Vancouver, where the fall took place.

As previously reported, the accident occurred when Laverock was being escorted around the healthcare facility.

This is an absolute miracle and there will be accountability, Rockmann shared. All we care about is that Mamie can make a recovery and that shes alive and that shes fighting and that shes strong. Its unbelievable that shes with us.

A spokesperson for Providence Health Care, which operates St. Pauls hospital, told People it does not comment on patient-related matters due to privacy and confidentiality policies. However, a representative for Providence Health Care said, In cases related to patient safety, an internal critical incident review is conducted to determine exactly what happened and to make recommendations for improved patient safety.

Our hearts go out to the patient, family, and all affected by this event, and offer our best wishes for a full recovery, the spokesperson added.

Even though the extent of Laverocks injuries is unclear, the family has shared that she shattered her body, has been in tremendous pain and has since undergone a number of surgeries.

Laverock is best known for her role as Rosaleen Sullivan in the Hallmark Channels series, When the Heart Calls.
Actor and model Renauld White, who broke racial barriers as the second Black model to appear on the cover of GQ, and spent two years starring on the soap opera Guiding Light, died on June 26 at age 80.

The star had been in hospice care at Lennox Hill Hospital in Manhattan at the time of his death.

Whites friend, fashion designer Jeffrey Banks, shared the sad news with Womens Wear Daily, but additional information regarding Whites cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Throughout his historic career, White pushed for greater representation in the fashion industry.

In November 1979, White became the second Black model to appear on the cover of GQ, following Urs Althaus cover in 1977. White worked with many top designers including Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen.

Banks described White as a groundbreaker to Womens Wear Daily.

There were very few Black models at the time. He really broke barriers. When they had a party for him in Newark for his 50-year anniversary in the fashion industry, he was very proud of the progress and how he opened the doors for other people, he shared.

The two were first introduced in 1971 at a fitting for Ralph Lauren, where Banks worked.

He was the perfect gentleman. He was kind and he was helpful. I think thats why his death has been such a shock to people, because he was such a good person, Banks said.

Back in 1987, in an interview with The Morning Call, White said his love of fashion was entirely due to his father.

Actually, I got a feeling for clothes from my Dad  he always was an elegant man and a grand dresser. Hes a truck driver with a taste for the finer things in life, he said at the time.

White also appeared in films and off-Broadway productions. After scoring the role of Willian on The Guiding Light, he took a hiatus from modeling in 1985.

I must admit I was nervous at the beginning of the showings here at MFA, having missed the past two years because of my acting commitment with The Guiding Light, he said during the Morning Call interview. Actually I had to ask to be written out of the soap for the week so that I could attend this weeks showings. Coming back after two years, I was a little out of sync for a while.

White was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, and attended Rutgers University. His modeling career began after he was signed by Zoli Modeling Agency.

His funeral will be held on July 12 at 11 a.m. at the Whigham Funeral Home in his hometown of Newark.
Scientists have unearthed more than 300 tombs containing mummies in what they now call the City of the Dead.

These tombs have been dug up over a period of five years, and the team behind the dig plans on studying each mummy that has been found.

The Science Times reports how archaeologists first stumbled upon these tombs in the City of Aswan, Egypt, in 2019 when they dug up a grave which contained four mummies in it.

Since then the archaeologists have continued to find tombs containing multiple remains, with the last to have been observed to date around 600 B.C. and 200 or 300 A.D, explains The Science Times.

According to NDTV, the archaeologists have learned over the course of digging through this vast City of the Dead  which spans nearly 270,000 feet on the hill near the east bank of the Nile River that those buried there through its 900 years in use were done so according to their class.

This is not to be confused with the Cairo Necropolis  also called the City of the Dead  a historic district that is now considered a slum in the region.

This was a really spectacular find, very unique in Egypt, tells archaeologist at the University of Milan, Patrizia Piacentini, to DailyMail.com.

The New York Post explains that Aswan  which used to go by the name Swenett, then Swan  was once a bustling commercial center which saw travelers and settlers come far and wide. In fact, its population included the Ancient Persians, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and other African nationalities.

This is their resting place, says Piacentini. We uncover their story and then we put them back and close the tomb. For me, it was important from the beginning.
For some people, its dating protocol to have a friend call you at a key time in order to have an easy out should this date be going awry.

This woman, though, appears to have a more, shall we say, extreme tactic.

The New York Post reports how 18-year-old Sumaya Thomas of North Liberty, Iowa, was getting ready to meet someone she had swiped right on a couple of weeks ago when she got cold feet.

According to the same New York Post article, Thomas  instead of simply canceling with your run-of-the-mill excuse  thought the best way to get out of the date was by calling the cops and claiming she was pregnant with the mans child. It was because of this, she told them, that he was on his way to hit, punch, kick and stab her after sending her threatening messages.

Law & Crime continues to report how police confronted the man as he was leaving Thomass house, presumably after realizing their date wasnt happening. It was then that the man informed cops how he had started speaking with Thomas just that week, verifying his claims with texts.

The conversation showed he was being honest and really just meet this female, concludes an affidavit concerning the incident.

After a third interview with the above defendant [Thomas] she stopped lying and admitted to making these false reports because she got cold feet on meeting him and no longer wanted to, the affidavit adds. She advised she didnt think officers would help she made up this call and the events that she described.

Law & Crime confirms how Thomas ended up being the one booked  and later released  from the Johnson County Jail as a result of the call. She faces two misdemeanor charges of false reporting.
Joan L. Specter, a former member of the Philadelphia City Council and the wife of the late Sen. Arlen Specter, died on Saturday at age 90.

The cause of death was due to complications from dementia. She died at her home in Haverford, according to her obituary.

While she was best known as the wife of Arlen Specter, who served as a U.S. Senator for 30 years before his death in 2012, she also spent 16 years  or four 4-year terms  as a member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1980-1996.

She had a remarkably varied and successful career, her son Shanin said to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She was good at everything she did, whether it was the culinary arts or business or government, she was very talented.

Before being elected to the city council, Specter studied under the famous chef James Beard in New York, as well as at the Cordon Bleu in London and the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

She went on to found several cooking schools, called La Petite Ecole, which she operated for 13 years. She also she hosted a radio program and wrote a weekly food column for The Philadelphia Bulletin for 11 years.

She also created Joan Specters Desserts, a pie-baking business that was eventually distributed in 20 states and billed as, Americas first gourmet frozen pies which require no baking, decorating or special preparations.

After her time on city council, she worked as director of leadership gifts for the National Constitution Center, and was on the board of trustees at the Hazel K. Goddess Fund for Stroke Research and the Childrens Literacy Initiative.

In addition to Shanin, Specter is survived by another son, Steve; a brother, Barry Levy; and four granddaughters.
$127k Blackjack Jackpot Denied at MGM Grand Detroit

Sam Coyle Senior Casino & Gaming Manager Copy link

A woman from Michigan is suing the MGM Grand Casino, Detroit, after alleging that she has been 'unlawfully' denied a $127,000 jackpot by the casino.

Denise Ezell, 65, is seeking damages of $75,000 plus the original jackpot amount from the MGM Grand, via the US District Court Eastern District of Michigan after making the complaint following a game of blackjack at the casino.

As originally reported in the Detroit Free Press, on October 30 2023, Ms. Ezell won the $127,000 jackpot playing progressive blackjack at the tables of the MGM Grand. She made a side bet during her game, and was dealt a straight flush with a Jack and King of Spades. This won against the dealers Ace and Queen of Spades, and she was congratulated by both the dealer and the other players at the table.

However, this is where the tale turns. Despite her win, Ms. Ezell was informed by the casino that she were trespassing at the venue, and therefore she wasn't entitled to her winnings.

Those Who Trespass Against the MGM Grand

The historic trespassing allegation stems from an incident in 2015, and despite Ms. Ezell regularly gambling at the casino in the eight years that followed, according to her, it hadn't been raised with her prior to her big win.

Do you think I would have gone down there and spent my money for eight years, knowing I was trespassing?

Denize Ezell, jackpot winner. 1

A pit boss at the MGM Grand Detroit informed Denise that she wasn't being paid her jackpot winnings due to the trespassing allegations, which followed an altercation with casino security earlier the same night.

Denise was gambling with her cousin, and following a disagreement about sharing stake money, she was told by a security guard to "stop bothering patrons" and that there 'was no "panhandling' allowed in the casino".

Blackjack Side Bets and a Side of Trouble

The incident at the center of the lawsuit occurred around 2:30 AM at the casino. Ms. Ezell, who was an avid player of progressive blackjack, would always play a side bet during her games, and it was one of these side bets which saw her win her jackpot.

Blackjack side bets are placed during a standard game of blackjack, and are additional bets that aim to predict which cards the player, and sometimes the dealer will receive.

These additional wagers are made prior to any cards being dealt, and so are entirely based on chance, although some players allege they can count cards to gain the edge when making a side bet.

During her last bet of the blackjack session, Denise placed a side bet and had a Jack and King of Spades. The dealer showed an Ace and Queen of Spades, and therefore, Denise had beat the house.

After three months of attempting to get her jackpot winnings, Denise filed suit against the casino. A casino employee had allegedly informed her that she would be paid her winnings, but this came to nothing, and so she resorted to legal routes to attempt to get her jackpot.

Ivan Land, the attorney representing Ms. Ezell, argues that the casino acted improperly by not informing her of any ban and for continuing to take her gambling money for eight years since the original trespassing incident.

The case is yet to be heard, but is one all casinos will surely be paying close attention to.

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The Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas hosted Day 2 of Event #73: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) today, and it saw plenty of high-stakes four-card action being played out on the felt.

A total of 151 players made it through Day 1, and they were joined by 111 more who late registered during the first two levels of play, which brought the total number of entries to 476. That total eclipses the 449 that entered the event last year where Hong Kong's Ka Kwan Lau emerged victorious for $2,294,756.

As Day 2 reached its conclusion, only 34 players remained in contention, with none other than Brian Rast topping the counts after he amassed 4,785,000 chips, most of which came when he eliminated Elie Nakache during Level 19.

End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Brian Rast United States 4,785,000 96 2 Maxi Lehmanski Germany 4,500,000 90 3 Billy Tarango United States 4,400,000 88 4 Eelis Parssinen Finland 3,795,000 76 5 David Eldridge United States 3,700,000 74 6 Michael Moncek United States 3,670,000 73 7 Tyler Stafman United States 3,635,000 73 8 Joni Jouhkimainen Finland 3,255,000 65 9 Erick Lindgren United States 3,235,000 65 10 Matthew Kolibas United States 3,080,000 62

Germany's Maxi Lehmanski sits in second with a stack of 4,500,000. He started gaining momentum in Level 20 when he doubled up against Arie Ori Miller in a set-over-set situation. In the closing level, Lehmanski also picked off the bluff of Cong Pham which boosted his stack towards the top end of the counts.

Billy Tarango rounds out the top three stacks with 4,400,000 and was responsible for the elimination of eleven-time bracelet winner Phil Ivey.

With 72 spots being paid, play tightened as the day went on with a min-cash of $50,211 up for grabs for those who could survive the bubble. The last player that didn't manage to achieve such a feat was Gabriel Andrade who got unlucky to bubble at the hands of Tom Dwan.

Tom Dwan

Finland's Eelis Parssinen was involved in countless pots today and took an early chip lead after scooping a huge pot against Day 1 chip leader Conrad De Armas. More chips soon found their way into Parssinen's stack after his pocket aces held up in a pot against Krasimir Yankov, which sent the Bulgarian player to the rail.

Some notables to make it into the money but fall short of Day 3 were the aforementioned Ivey (38th - $60,672), Stephen Chidwick (41st - $52,722), Nakache (48th - $50,211), Nick Schulman (52nd - $50,211), Benny Glaser (57th - $50,211), Fernando Habegger (69th - $50,211), and Gus Hansen (71st - $50,211).

A few of the notables that made it through to Day 3 were Michael Moncek (3,670,000), Erick Lindgren (3,235,000), Kahle Burns (2,480,000), Dwan (2,240,000), Christian Harder (2,180,000), Joao Vieira (1,515,000), Sean Winter (700,000), and Viktor Blom (580,000).

Those returning tomorrow are all guaranteed a payout of at least $60,672, but they will all have their eyes firmly locked on the top prize of $2,246,728.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize (USD) Place Prize (USD) 1 $2,246,728 8 $215,563 2 $1,497,824 9 $166,224 3 $1,038,097 10-11 $130,629 4 $731,819 12-15 $104,659 5 $524,911 16-23 $85,519 6 $383,191 24-31 $71,297 7 $284,794 32-34 $60,672

Play begins on Monday, July 1st, at 1 p.m. in the Horseshoe Event Center with the plan of playing down to the final five players. The blinds will start at Level 21, 25,000/50,000/50,000, with an average stack of 2,100,000 chips.

Be sure to tune into PokerNews for all the latest action from the felt at the 2024 World Series of Poker for expert coverage of all remaining bracelet events.
In a surprise move, SCOTUS has made the upcoming 2024 presidential election about choosing the United States first essential King. A president with King-like powers, basically. A democracy in name, only.

This is how democracies die, not in darkness run by a sketchy British overlord at the Washington Post, but thats not helping. But through the weaponization of the law. One need only look at Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, from whom U.S. Republicans take instruction , on how to overthrow a democracy without a violent revolution, via a 12 point plan to attack democracy and consolidate power.

Its called soft fascism or soft authoritarianism. Its done by changing the law. Its done by taking over the media.

And those two things are happening right now and have been happening for a while now. Our two legacy papers have evolved into pushing an oligarchy of the 1%, and many local papers and TV have been taken over by wealthy conservatives. This is not meant as an indictment on or even a reflection of the excellent journalists at these establishments, but solely upon the leadership. (Please do not yell at journalists; direct your righteous anger at their overlords and stop supporting their businesses.)

The exceptionally corrupt conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court appears to have handed the presidency the powers of a King. This is antithetical to the founders intentions, as the Revolutionary War against the rule of Britain under King George III proved. George Washington did not rule as a King.

But if the next election is about installing a president who will act as a King, or have the powers of a King  which the court has just ruled that President Biden has right now, knowing as they must that Joe Biden would never abuse that power (something his team might need to rethink)  then everyone must choose carefully.

The first U.S. King:

1. Must campaign on using their King powers to re-establish the separation of powers and use the power of the King to dismantle those same powers.

2. Must use their King powers to root out corruption at the Supreme Court, getting rid of all 6 Republicans and installing 6 fair minded people with track records of fierce loyalty to freedom and independence who have the courage to hold the powerful accountable and believe the law applies to everyone.

Might I be so bold as to suggest former President Barack Obama be one of them? Yes, I might.

Fani Willis should be added to the list as a potential Supreme Court justice to be installed by King Biden, especially because conservatives confirmed not one, but two alleged sexual predators to the highest court on the land who then set about taking away womens rights. Fani Willis is a fighter for democracy who is not afraid to take on the powerful. In light of what the U.S. is up against, a tyrannical overtaking of democracy and remaking it into an autocracy, I dont really care about Willis inappropriate and stupid but CONSENSUAL affair.

There are plenty more to choose from, but these are two options who offer the two qualities most necessary to save our democratic republic: In the form of Obama, the highest integrity and in the form of Willis, the steel will needed to right this country. Alvin Bragg should be added to the list for willingness to hold power accountable.

Congressional candidates, because people need to vote all the way down the ticket, including local elections which is where the people who end up with tremendous power start out:

1. Must include in their platform a vow to immediately pass ethical rules and term limits for SCOTUS and to add two-three seats to the court.

2. If already elected, they should propose a constitutional amendment to overturn this ruling.

If you are electing the first King, that means this is the last real election unless you choose wisely.

Indeed, Im afraid the time has come to call it as loath as I am to spread fear: This will be the last real election in the United States of America unless people get their friends and families to turn out to vote in record numbers for the only candidate who wont abuse this power.

It is telling that way too much of our media has called for President Biden to step down because he was low energy in his debate, while they havent called for ex-president Trump to step down from his candidacy for the same office even after he was convicted of 34 felonies, incited an insurrection against his own country, was determined to be an adjudicated rapist and con artist, and refused to say he would honor the results of the upcoming election.

The takeover has been ongoing, but we are at the end stage now. The five alarm stage. The get out the vote like our lives depend upon it, because for too many, they do. Anyone who displeases Donald Trump will be subject to his Henry the VIII type whims.
The Republican majority on the Supreme Court really seem to despise the principles upon which the United States was founded. Today, for example, Chief Justice Roberts appears to enshrine the end of the independence of the Department of Justice.

Chief Justice Roberts decrees the end of DOJ independence in an offhanded sentence on page 20. pic.twitter.com/IC0xFc6k35  southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) July 1, 2024

If youre reading this, it means you probably follow politics enough to have heard the screeching outrage of the Right about the DOJ even knowing about various investigations into Donald Trump and his criminal cohorts.

Just a reminder that Fox News spent 2019 and 2020 going ballistic over news that Obama knew about the ongoing probes into Trump, Flynn, etc in 2016, Bradley Moss pointed out.

But now they have decreed the END to the separation of those powers. The President may now discuss even POTENTIAL investigations and prosecutions with his Attorney General.

Its almost as if this court is doing the work of Project 2025 ahead of time. Project 2025 is a Heritage Foundation effort along with a team of Trumpers to prepare to dismantle the U.S. government and give Trump ultimate powers. Like most felons who face even more charges, Donald Trump wants to control the Justice Department and the FBI.

Some of Donald Trumps allies are assembling proposals to curtail the Justice Departments independence and turn the nations top law enforcement body into an attack dog for conservative causes, nine people involved in the effort told Reuters.

The only sane response to this is for President King Biden to make Alvin Bragg his Attorney General while getting rid of the 6 Republican Supreme Court justices and replacing them with Barack Obama, Merrick Garland, Fani Willis, Liz Cheney, etc. People with a fierce love for this country.

But I fear that an inherent trait of Democrats is a reticence to use the power given to them by the voters, let alone power no president should have, but this outrageously corrupt court is giving to what are now essentially Kings. I have written against expansion of presidential powers under Democratic presidents precisely because these powers are so easy to abuse and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

But given that Republicans are making the next election about choosing a King, that makes the stakes very clear. King Trump or King Biden?

Trump is after all the man who reportedly wanted to execute Mark Milley and has consistently expressed a penchant for killing those who do not obey him.

Who will be the first King of the United States? Choose wisely.
Interview and Photos by Jordan Edwards

On Friday (June 28), The Warning released Keep Me Fed. Led by the singles More and S!CK, it could be the album that propels the band to the front of rocks new wave.Raised in Monterrey, Mexico, The Warning is made up of sisters Daniela (guitar/lead vocals), Alejandra (bass/vocals), and Paulina (drums/vocals) Villarreal. After a cover of Metallicas Enter Sandman went viral in 2014, they appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. This boosted their audience on YouTube and led to more opportunities in the United States. Theyve spent the last 10 years shaping their sound, which has evolved into a mashup of 90s and 2000s hard rock styles.Although theyve been playing together as a band for more than a decade, their popularity has soared over the last few years. Riding the recent rock resurgence, the sisters have gained a huge multigenerational following. They recently notched their first top 10 rock single (S!CK), and last week, they performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (watch below).Theyre not just gaining fans, theyre earning respect. The sisters have played shows with legendary acts like Guns N Roses, Foo Fighters, and Muse. Within the online drumming community, Paulina is considered a rising star. Last year, Drumeo named her Rock Drummer of the Year. We met up with The Warning in Los Angeles to talk about their music and family bond.

Your new album Keep Me Fed is out. What was it like to record?Paulina: The process of recording this album was very different from our prior albums. For starters, we did it at a studio in Monterrey, Mexico, which is our hometown. Our producer traveled several times from LA, in between our tours as we had time, so it was a more relaxed experience recording it at home.

The cover is amazing. How was it made?Alejandra: Paulina had this idea of the eccentric abundant table to portray excess and overconsumption. We are on top of that table disrupting this scene, and we were able to bring it to life thanks to an amazing photographer, Marco Reynoso, who captured our idea perfectly. All of the items on the table were real, and we included some hidden clues about each song on it.

Earlier in your career, you had a more straightforward hard rock sound. Some of your newer songs have an alternative metal/Queens of the Stone Age vibe. How has your music evolved over the years?Paulina: As we evolve and grow up as individuals, our music does too. We started our careers as kids, so obviously we grew! Not only as people but as musicians too. Each album is a representation of the growth weve had. We are constantly experimenting with sounds and lyrics. This time around, the evolving sound is a reflection of what we are living through and inspired by now.What were your favorite bands growing up?Daniela: We grew up in a very musical environment with parents who are music lovers. As a result, we were deeply influenced by their musical taste. Some of the bands we grew up listening to are Muse, Queen, Elton John, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and more.

Jordan Edwards/Popdust

How early did you start making music together? Do you remember the first songs you wrote?Daniela: Pau has been writing songs since she was tiny, maybe 8 or 9 years old, but the first thing we wrote together was our first EP, Escape the Mind, which really was our internal songwriting experiment and first experience recording songs in a studio.At what point did you realize that being in a band together could be a career?Alejandra: Even though we started playing together in a very casual way, weve always taken this very seriously. The moment we realized that we were meant to be a band together was when we released our first album.How did your parents support your dreams?Daniela: They have always been by our side since day one and have believed in our dreams without fail. Today, they are part of our management team. Our dad is still in charge of all the equipment and tech stuff, and mom helps us as a personal manager. They have cared for us in every way and have supported our decisions.How much have you focused on making it in the States? How important has that been to you?Paulina: We want to take our music everywhere  every corner of the world, if possible. So a huge part of that is obviously the USA, but every country is important for us. In the US, we have a significant bond with our US fans, and have been welcomed by the rock community in a very special way.Which sister got in trouble the most when you were kids?Paulina: Probably me, Im just very active haha.How would you describe your bond as sisters? Alejandra: We definitely have a super special bond. We have a special communication bond, as only sisters can, and our relationship is our first priority. We are completely honest, and I think that gets reflected in our music and in our live shows. We enjoy what we do and are blessed that we get to do it as a family who love each other very much. We wouldnt be able to do it any other way!

The Warning  Automatic Sun (Live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! / 2024)

For more from The Warning, follow them on Instagram and TikTok.
The Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center, Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust and Old Santee Canal Park hosted the 3rd annual Colonial Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner. The event offered a deep dive into Berkeley Countys Revolutionary War history, br Read moreBerkeley Countys role in American Revolution highlighted at Colonial Day
COLUMBIA  An Arizona man claimed his ammunition exploded while he was loading a shotgun he purchased from Palmetto State Armory, leaving him with severe burns, cuts and hearing loss.

According to a federal lawsuit filed in Arizona, Jeffrey Howell purchased a Rock Island Armory pump-action shotgun from the Palmetto State Armory website in March 2022. On May 3, 2022, Howell claims he loaded five rounds into the magazine of the 5+1 capacity shotgun, but when he "racked the slide to move a round into the chamber with the intent of loading a 6th round ... the ammunition suddenly and violently exploded in the shotgun."

Howell is suing Palmetto State Armory, which sold the shotgun, along with the gun's manufacturer, Rock Island Armory. The lawsuit also names the online retailer from whom Howell says he bought the shells and Blackwater Worldwide, the manufacturer of the ammunition.

Palmetto State Armory is one of the largest online gun stores in the country. The company produces guns but also sells other companies' products.

Julian Wilson, one of the owners of Palmetto State Armory, said the company hasn't been served with a complaint yet and has not seen any evidence that suggests it is liable.

"Neither the firearm nor the ammunition was manufactured by Palmetto State Armory, and we will vigorously defend against any claims made against us," Wilson said.

Attorneys for Freedom, the group representing Howell, did not have additional comment on the case.

Blackwater Worldwide posted a voluntary recall of the ammunition in late 2022, according to the lawsuit. The company said on their website that they were aware of two incidents where the ammunition detonated in the magazine tube of a tube-fed shotgun and encouraged customers to take steps to return unused product for a refund.
COLUMBIA  Half a century after its formation, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ceased to exist July 1, a year after the governor signed a bill breaking up the far-reaching state agency.

The department, which employs more than 3,500 South Carolinians, is set to be split into two new agencies  the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Services.

Other functions of DHEC will be allocated to the existing state Department of Agriculture.

Were convinced we can and we will make South Carolina the healthiest state in the nation. A new day is dawning for public health in South Carolina and were looking forward to making this a great state for people to live, Dr. Edward Simmer, the acting director of the health department, said at a press conference June 24.

The move to break up the agency was years in the making, a concerted effort by lawmakers exasperated by the department's COVID-19 response. As a part of the bill to split up DHEC, lawmakers commissioned a $3.2 million analysis of the agency, which revealed South Carolinas public health system was one of the most inefficient in the nation  paying more money for worse results than anywhere else.

That report recommended that the state combine its fragmented system into one agency, was set to be tackled during this year's general session before lawmakers in the South Carolina House Freedom Caucus used a basic procedural move to kill the bill to consolidate the agencies.

South Carolina ranks 38th out of 50 states in overall public health, according to a report from Americas Health Rankings. The state has high rates of infant and maternal mortality and large numbers of people living with chronic illnesses like diabetes.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-02 00:50:12

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COMMERCE CITY, CO / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Access Limited, a firm leading in limited-access and steep slope services, welcomes three new hires with expertise in the energy market: Jon Irvine as Key Account Manager, Power and Utilities; Chad Earhart, Professional Development Engineer (PDE), Power; and Jody Kuhn, Senior Pursuit Engineer."Access Limited is committed to providing a comprehensive, value-based portfolio of difficult access drilling, rockfall and steep slope solutions for customers across the United States," said Gina Hinman-Trulli, Chief People Officer, Access Limited. "A commitment made possible because of the dedication and expertise of our team. We're thrilled to continue to grow our team within the energy sector, expanding our technical know-how and industry perspectives to provide customized solutions and unmatched customer experience." As Key Account Manager - Power and Utilities, Jon Irvine builds and maintains strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders within the energy market. As part of Access Limited's client management team, Irvine is responsible for identifying and pursuing prospective projects across the industry, from lead generation to conversion. With a background in Project Management and transmission engineering, Irvine previously worked at Exponent, an engineering and scientific consulting firm, Pro Energy Services Group LLC, and Dashiel Corporation.As a PDE - Power, Chad Earhart supports key contractors and consultants within the energy market. As part of the role, Chad identifies and pursues prospective projects and develops long-term solutions for customers within the industry. Earhart comes to Access Limited with more than a decade of diverse experience within the power and utilities industry. Throughout his professional journey, he has demonstrated value in various capacities, including Transmission Line Engineering Supervisor, Project Engineer, Field Engineer, and consultant.As Senior Pursuit Engineer, Jody Kuhn is responsible for project and site assessment, providing engineering expertise, offering technical assistance, and facilitating project development. With more than 30 years of Geotechnical engineering experience, Kuhn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His previous work includes with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), where he specialized in slope stability, engineering geology, and landslide and rock slope mitigation. Following his tenure at NCDOT, Kuhn continued his work as a consultant for DOTs in North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee.Access Limited is the leading provider of rockfall mitigation and steep slope stabilization in the United States, with the largest fleet of spider excavators in North America. The team of geologists, geotechnical engineers, equipment operators, and rockfall technicians are strategically decentralized, allowing for regional expertise and rapid response to emergency sites.About Access LimitedWith more than 100 years of experience, Access Limited specializes in complex projects that demand expertise and innovation, and opportunities to test our limits. The Access Limited team is inspired by the thrill of challenging environments and delivering unparalleled results in remote and rugged terrains - and with the largest fleet of spider excavators in North America is redefining the standards of the industry. Access Limited is a trusted partner committed to safety, quality, and professionalism. Visit us www.accesslimited.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Media Contact: Madeline Riggs, GeoStabilization International, mriggspr@ gmail.com SOURCE: Access Limited
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 15:00:31

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LEHI, UT / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /ADDAX Overland, known for creating the world's most rugged, reliable, and trailblazing overlanding products, announces a strategic $2.5 million investment of capital and resources from Philo Venture's Studio; and the appointment of Marshall Smith as CEO.Gladiator Overlanding Camper by ADDAX The new strategic investment from Philo will enable ADDAX to further invest in innovation, manufacturing, and R&D, ensuring that production of the company's premier overlanding equipment keeps up with the growing demand.ADDAX CEO Marshall Smith is a seasoned chief executive, having co-led two successful e-commerce companies to over 300% growth. The former president of Manly Bands and COO of Taft, Smith comes to ADDAX with a wealth of operational and manufacturing experience to fuel growth and product expansion, such as bringing the company's new Gladiator Overlanding Cap and Camper to market late this summer."As an overland enthusiast myself, I'm excited to be a part of ADDAX - a company that excels in designing rugged and capable products that complement overlanders' different preferences and styles," said Smith. "ADDAX's commitment to exceeding customers' expectations is a big part of its success. A top priority will be to scale up manufacturing to keep pace with the surging demand for our outstanding overlanding products." "We invested in ADDAX Overland because we see a thriving market with overland enthusiasts seeking high-quality, durable products," said Chad Staheli, CEO and Managing Partner of Philo Ventures. "The overlanding industry aligns perfectly with our passion to support businesses that encourage individuals and families to enjoy the great outdoors." With Philo's $2.5 million investment, ADDAX will expedite manufacturing and production for its trailers and campers, and continue R&D to expand its offering of overlanding equipment. In addition to the cash injections, Philo will also provide robust operational resources and expertise across strategy, sales, and operations.About ADDAX OverlandBuilt upon a combined 60 years of off-road industry chops, ADDAX Overland is proud to create the world's most rugged, reliable, and trailblazing overlanding products from its pioneering overland truck cap and camper to its military-grade trailer. ADDAX's thirst for open-air freedom drives an uncompromising pursuit of the ultimate in overlanding performance. Headquartered in Utah, ADDAX tests all of its products on the rugged trails of Moab, a top destination for overlanding. For more information, visit addaxoverland.com About Philo VenturesPhilo Ventures is a Utah-based venture group, driving innovation and economic growth through its startup studio, venture fund, and real estate development group. Led by serial entrepreneurs Chad Staheli, Cory Cozzens and Greg Whitehead, Philo's diverse portfolio includes aerospace tech, AI software for healthcare, B2B SaaS, insurtech, hospitality, and innovative land development projects. Notable Utah business leaders, such as Christian Gardner and Dan Shaw, serve as advisory and capital partners. For more information, visit philo.ventures Contact InformationSuzanne CampbellContent & Communications Leadsuzanne@ philo.ventures Related ImagesGladiator Overlanding Camper by ADDAXADDAX Overland Trailer ADDAX Overland Trailer Off-Roading in Moab SOURCE: Philo VenturesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 14:01:31

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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Alpine Macro, a Montreal-based independent investment research firm, announced today the appointment of Nick Giorgi as Chief Equity Strategist, effective immediately. In this role, Nick will provide Alpine Macro clients with actionable sector research and strategy based on themes derived from the firm's top-down investment research.Nick Giorgi, CFA-Chief Equity Strategist Prior to joining Alpine Macro, Nick was Senior Equity Strategist at J.P. Morgan, formerly First Republic Investment Management, where he led equity strategy and served on the firm's Asset Allocation Committee. In addition, he was a managing member on a suite of JPMAM long-only equity strategies. Previously, Nick was Director and Investment Strategist in the Chief Investment Office at Bank of America. Nick holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, an MBA from Georgetown University, and is a CFA charterholder.Chen Zhao, Alpine Macro's Chief Global Strategist, noted: "We are thrilled to welcome Nick as our Chief Equity Strategist. His extensive experience and expertise in equity sector research will significantly enhance our research capabilities and provide our clients with critical strategies and actionable recommendations. I am confident that Nick's contributions will greatly benefit our clients by improving their investment performance." Arun Kumar, CEO of Alpine Macro, stated, "In recent years, we have made significant investments in top-tier talent to enhance and expand our research capabilities. With Nick at the helm of our Equity Strategy service, Alpine Macro now provides the most comprehensive investment research in its history, with the most experienced strategists in the world. As always, Alpine Macro is striving to provide clients with a quality, cohesive, single-house view with high conviction." Nick Giorgi commented on his new role: "I am incredibly excited to join Alpine Macro. As a long-time admirer and consumer of Alpine Macro's research in my previous roles, I firmly believe that our Team is uniquely positioned to generate provocative, unique, and profitable investment insights for our clients." About Alpine Macro Founded in 2017 and based in Montreal, Canada, Alpine Macro stands at the forefront of independent global investment research. We focus on top-down thematic analysis, meticulously dissecting major secular and cyclical trends within the global economy and financial markets. Our robust and growing team of over 40 professionals, including 10 strategists with a combined experience of more than 100 years in analyzing financial markets, forms the backbone of our distinctive, internally developed approach. We are dedicated to delivering market forecasts on major assets, complemented by recommendations on asset allocation and investment strategy tailored for professional investors in more than 60 countries.Contact Information Arun KumarChief Executive Officerinfo@ alpinemacro.com 514-558-1414SOURCE: Alpine MacroView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 14:54:44

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2024 / Alta Copper Corp. (TSX:ATCU)(OTCQX:ATCUF)(BVL:ATCU) ("Alta Copper" or "the Company") announces voting results for its Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on Friday, June 28, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia.A total of 45,215,379 common shares, representing 53.71% of the Company's outstanding shares were represented at the Meeting and all motions put forward were passed.The following sets forth a summary of the Annual General Meeting voting results:Appointment of AuditorKreston GTA LLP were appointed as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the Directors.Votes For: 97.69 %Votes Withheld: 2.31 %Adoption of New Omnibus Equity Incentive PlanThe adoption of a new 10% rolling Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, was ratified and approved.Votes For: 95.97 %Votes Against: 4.03 %Number of DirectorsThe number of Directors was set at seven.Votes For: 97.29 %Votes Against: 2.71 %Election of DirectorsThe following nominees were elected as Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or until their successors are elected or appointed.DirectorsVotes ForVotes WithheldGiulio T. Bonifacio41,503,766 (93.44%)2,913,338 (6.56%)Joanne C. Freeze18,081,575 (40.71%)26,335,529 (59.29%)Andrew Hamilton40,487,565 (91.15%)3,929,539 (8.85%)Miguel Inchaustegui15,097,943 (33.99%)29,319,161 (66.01%)Steven Latimer15,391,687 (34,65%)29,025,417 (65.35%)Christine Nicolau40,301,785 (90.74%)4,115,319 (9.27%)Sean I. Waller14,503,286 (32.65%)29,913,818 (67.35%)In accordance with the Company's Majority Voting Policy, the Company anticipates that each of Joanne C. Freeze, Miguel Inchaustegui, Steven Latimer and Sean I. Waller, will offer their resignation as a Director of the Company, as each of these persons received a greater number of votes withheld than votes in favor of their election as a Director. Following the Company's receipt of these resignations, the Company's Board of Directors will determine whether or not to accept the resignations in accordance with the Majority Voting Policy, with each of the Directors who have offered their resignation abstaining from the decision-making process.For each of the Withheld Vote Directors, between 87% to 99% of the Withheld Votes were cast by Nascent Exploration Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Ltd. ("Fortescue"). In accordance with the Company's Majority Voting Policy, Fortescue's reasons for the Withheld Votes and the views of other Company stakeholders will be considered by the Board in determining whether to accept the resignations. The Company will provide a further update once the Board has consulted with all parties. The Board intends to complete this process as promptly as possible, and within the 90 days required pursuant to Toronto Stock Exchange Policies.The Company's Executive Chair, Giulio Bonifacio, is currently in discussions with Fortescue regarding the Withheld Votes. Fortescue has advised that it believes a reconstituted Board would prove beneficial for the Company and will result in the further accelerated development of the Canariaco Project. The Company is encouraged by Fortescue's desire to take a more active role and welcomes the opportunity to work with Fortescue as we further advance the Canariaco Project. "The Canariaco Project is a large scale, robust copper project and the involvement of Fortescue, a global mining company with deep experience in the development and operation of large scale base metal mines can only be seen as positive - we look forward to our discussions with Fortescue over the coming weeks", commented Mr. Bonifacio.About Alta CopperAlta Copper is focused on the development of its 100% owned Canariaco advanced staged copper project. Canariaco comprises 97 square km of highly prospective land located 102 km northeast of the City of Chiclayo, Peru, which includes the advanced stage Canariaco Norte deposit, Canariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, all within a 4 km NE-SW trend in northern Peru's prolific mining district. Canariaco is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not held by a major.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the effective date of the consolidation and name change of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.On behalf of the Board of Alta Copper Corp."Giulio T. Bonifacio", Executive Chair and DirectorFor further information please contact:Giulio T. Bonifacio, Executive Chair and Director gtbonifacio@ altacopper.com +1 604 318 6760orJoanne C. Freeze, President, CEO and Director jfreeze@ altacopper.com +1 604 512 3359Email:info@ altacopper.comWebsite:www.altacopper.comTwitter:https://twitter.com/Alta_CopperLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/altacopper/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AltaCopperCorpInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/altacopper/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@AltaCopper SOURCE: Alta Coppe
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 04:30:12

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George Burton elevated to Director of Legal at Investment Gateway, showcasing his outstanding regulatory expertise and commitment to legal excellence in financial services.MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2024 / Investment Gateway , a leading wealth management firm headquartered in Melbourne, is pleased to announce the promotion of George Burton to the role of Director of Legal. This appointment comes as a recognition of Burton's exemplary dedication and expertise in navigating the complex legal landscape of financial services.George Burton joinedInvestment Gatewayfive years ago as a Legal Associate, quickly establishing himself as a pivotal member of the legal team. His deep understanding of regulatory compliance, coupled with a proactive approach to legal challenges, has significantly contributed to the company's operational efficiency and compliance strategies.Arthur Berkshaw, Chief Executive Officer ofInvestment Gateway , expressed confidence in Burton's ability to lead the legal department through its next phase of growth. "George Burton has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of our industry's legal intricacies and has been instrumental in ensuring that Investment Gateway operates with the highest standards of legal compliance and integrity," said Berkshaw. "His promotion to Director of Legal is well-deserved, and we look forward to his continued contributions in this expanded role." In his new role, George Burton will oversee all legal affairs for Investment Gateway, including regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, and legal risk management. His leadership will be crucial as the firm continues to innovate and expand its service offerings in the competitive wealth management sector.Brett Williams, Senior Advisor, highlighted Burton's commitment to excellence. "George has consistently impressed us with his ability to navigate complex legal issues with clarity and precision," said Williams. "His promotion is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the values of Investment Gateway. We are confident that under his leadership, our legal team will continue to thrive." Prior to joining Investment Gateway, George Burton gained valuable experience in financial services law through various roles in the industry. His comprehensive knowledge and strategic mindset have made him a trusted advisor within the organisation."I am honored and excited to take on this new challenge as Director of Legal at Investment Gateway," said George Burton. "I look forward to working closely with our talented legal team to uphold our commitment to regulatory compliance and legal excellence. Together, we will continue to support Investment Gateway's mission of providing exceptional service and value to our clients." George Burton's promotion to Director of Legal is effective immediately. Investment Gateway remains committed to fostering talent from within the organisation and empowering its team members to achieve their full potential.About Investment GatewayInvestment Gatewayis an independent wealth management organisation located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. With a rich history of evolution and growth, we have established ourselves as a market leader in the financial industry. Our firm is dedicated to providing an extensive array of high-quality services designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients.Media EnquiriesClaire RobertsonE:info@ investmentgateway.comT: +61 3 7066 9331SOURCE: Investment Gateway
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-02 00:40:27

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AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Codie Sanchez, one of the leading voices on Small Business investing in the US, is making a bet on the trades and home services.The deal will make her co-owner intoResiBrandsand their painting, window cleaning and garage installation franchise businesses.Taking Main Street Back: Ownership in the Trades is Now Cool AgainCodie Sanchez is excited to announce her new role as co-owner of Resibrands, which includes prominent brands like That 1 Painter and Pinks Window Washing. With this strategic investment, Codie aims to champion the trades industry, making it attractive to the younger generation and reinvigorating local communities.ResiBrands is committed to building the world's greatest home service brands. One of its flagship brands, That 1 Painter, has achieved notable success, being the Runner Up for the FBA Franchise of the Year in 2023. That 1 Painter has also become the largest painting franchise by territories sold in the country and is one of the fastest-growing franchises, having sold over 300 units in the last 12 months.ResiBrands prides itself on being a privately owned franchise, built right in Texas. The company was founded by Steven Montgomery, who began his career as a painter, dedicating 11 years to the trade before founding ResiBrands. His journey from painter to founder is a testament to the opportunities and growth within the trades industry.Trade Industry FactsThe trades industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage, with 40% of employers reporting difficulties in finding new hires to fill vacant positions. Despite this, nearly 90% of skilled tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, and general contractors, report being highly satisfied with their careers. This high level of satisfaction underscores the value and fulfillment that a career in the trades can offer.While AI is increasingly making some jobs obsolete, the trades industry remains resilient and essential. Codie Sanchez's investment in ResiBrands is aimed at addressing these labor shortages and highlighting the importance of the trades in the modern economy.Codie Sanchez on a Mission"I believe that trades are becoming cool again. This generation doesn't want to be confined to cubicles and fluorescent lights. They want to enjoy a bit of vitamin D, calluses on their fingers, and a sense of community," says Codie Sanchez. "Investing in ResiBrands is my way of supporting this shift and helping clean up America, repainting it with That 1 Painter, and launching new brands that prioritize quality and community." Codie Sanchez is a prominent figure in the investment and entrepreneurial world, known for her strategic investments and her mission to revitalize Main Street by supporting small businesses and trades. Her involvement with ResiBrands is a significant step towards making trades an attractive career choice for younger generations and ensuring the sustainability of these essential services.Connect with Codie SanchezStay connected with Codie Sanchez and follow her journey in supporting the trades industry on her social media platforms:Codie Sanchez onXCodie Sanchez onInstagramJoin the MovementStay tuned for more updates on how Resibrands is transforming the trades industry and bringing new opportunities to communities across America. For more information about ResiBrands and Codie Sanchez's investment, visit resibrands.com Media Details:Company Name: ResiBrandsMedia Contact: Ulyses Osuna Email:ulyses@ influencerpress.com Website: https://resibrands.com/ SOURCE: ResiBrands
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 18:02:20

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Concierge Care Advisors, Washington's premier senior living and care resource agency, today announced its Physician Advisory Board.SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / "Concierge Care Advisors is proud to announce the formation of its new Physician Advisory Board, a significant milestone that underscores our commitment to delivering unparalleled guidance in healthcare decisions. This esteemed panel, composed of distinguished medical professionals, will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the forefront of our operations, ensuring that our Senior Care and Transition services remain at the cutting edge of quality and care," says Marc Lilly, Co-Founder and CEO. "The Physicians Advisory Board will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Concierge Care Advisors as it continues to provide tailored Senior living and care solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. With this development, Concierge Care Advisors reaffirms its dedication to excellence and innovation in the Senior advisory sector." The Advisory Board consists of Doctor Brian Ferris and Doctor Alex De MoraesDr. Ferris attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine. To become a Vascular Surgeon, he attended Oregon Health Sciences University for his Residency in General Surgery and followed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at the University of Arizona. In 2003, he joined Lake Washington Vascular with privileges at Overlake Hospital, Evergreen Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Washington, and Providence Swedish Medical Center in the Seattle metropolitan area:"As a surgeon, practicing both Vascular and General surgery, I have long recognized the paramount importance of family and social influences that contribute to a great outcome for a patient and our aging parents, family members and neighbors. The irreplaceable support that can be provided helps ease the pathway to healing, aging, and inevitable changes we all face. The opportunity for Concierge Care Advisors to coordinate, convey and collaborate these needs is unique, and I'm thrilled at the opportunity to provide medical advisory. It's the medicine we all need." Dr. Alex De Moraes is a UC Davis graduate and retired U.S. Air Force Reserve flight surgeon. Dr. De Moraes practiced in Napa, CA, from 2006 to 2010 in roles at the Queen of the Valley, Clinic Ole, The Meadows, and in private practice. Professional opportunity took him to Bellevue, WA, where he served as Associate Medical Director at the Overlake Medical Center:"I am a Family Medicine Physician who cares for patients through the entire spectrum of life. While working as a nursing home medical director I have advocated for improved quality of life and care in independent, assisted and nursing home facilities but found that an independent voice influenced little change. It's with the help of organizations like Concierge Care Advisors that we can make a difference in the lives of everyone as we age. We need to invest time and money in the most important asset we have - our senior community." About Concierge Care AdvisorsConcierge Care Advisors introduces seniors, veterans and their families to the finest in-home care or senior housing options, at no cost to the family. By working with HIPAA and CCA-certified experts, seniors and their families receive exceptional guidance through options in senior care, housing, retirement communities, assisted living, dementia care, nursing homes, veteran's benefits and more. To learn more about Concierge Care Advisors services, and how the company is helping improve the safety and security of seniors at every level, visit www.conciergecareadvisors.com , follow on Twitter @CareAdvisors or visit our Facebook page.Contact InformationHeather SouveGeneral managerheather@ conciergecareadvisors.com (855) 444-7364SOURCE: Concierge Care AdvisorsView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 14:01:40

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Company earns special invitation from esteemed chairman and founder, Roger Campos, to join exclusive nonprofit organization.SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /Dalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB:DFCO), ("Dalrada," "the Company"), announced today that it had accepted a formal invitation to join Minority Business RoundTable ("MBRT"), gaining further and exclusive access to unique business opportunities within the public, private, and government sectors.Dalrada's admittance to the prestigious organization allows the company to work directly with MBRT Chairman and Founder, Roger Campos, and provides strategic opportunities within state and federal governments. This engagement demonstrates Dalrada's continued effort to create impactful engagement while expanding its influence and reach within local, regional, and global communities. Additionally, Dalrada's gold-level sponsorship represents a commitment to an ongoing relationship with MBRT."Our membership with MBRT will certainly grow awareness of our company and our leading innovations that have the power to change lives, whether it be our climate technology or our healthcare solutions," said Dalrada CEO Brian Bonar. "Joining the organization will also give us instant credibility among legislators and other important figures in Washington, D.C."Campos personally invited Bonar and Dalrada to join the recognized nonprofit organization. Speaking of its newest member, he said, "MBRT is pleased to have business leaders like CEO Brian Bonar join our national organization who want to engage policy makers, along with giving back to local communities while expanding business opportunities. It's international companies like Dalrada who are job creators with innovative technologies and solutions that benefit America and the global economy." Campos' public service career is extensive, and he previously served four years in the White House-in the Executive Office of the President and the Office of Management and Budget. He also served as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Energy and as a Special Consultant to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.More recently, Campos was appointed by Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, as his Business Ombudsman during his first term and later, Assistant Secretary for Business Development and Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal & Enterprise) for the state's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), serving from 2015 until last year.Campos' organization, MBRT, empowers businesses to achieve growth and prosperity through active participation in public and private programs and initiatives. The organization also assists in navigating complex government contracting and procurement processes to win more opportunities for select businesses."We're very pleased to forge a dedicated working relationship with Roger Campos and MBRT and we anticipate great things to come," Bonar added.About Dalrada Financial CorporationDalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB:DFCO) is a multi-national holding company that develops, manufactures, and sells a robust suite of products and services in the Clean Energy and Health Care sectors. Dalrada's core segments include Dalrada Climate Technology, which offers cutting-edge heat pump technology for industrial and residential applications, and Genefic Specialty Pharmacy, which provides end-to-end prescription services as well as patient advocacy and support.Dalrada Financial Corporation consistently drives innovation that delivers maximum impact, bringing increased value to its shareholders.For more information, please visit www.dalrada.com , and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.About Minority Business RoundTableMinority Business RoundTable (MBRT) is a national, 501c3 nonprofit organization originally founded for CEOs and top-tier entrepreneurs of small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses from various industry sectors with the goal of empowering them to achieve growth and prosperity.The organization works with corporate and government leaders to help formulate effective policies that improve programs, services, and introduce new initiatives dealing in an ever-challenging economic environment that impact minority and underserved businesses the most.MBRT collaborates with companies and government agencies to foster economic opportunities for all entrepreneurs. Membership is by invitation only.Forward-Looking StatementsStatements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, particularly statements relating to cost reductions and the anticipated pre-tax savings from the cost reduction program, restructuring costs, footprint rationalization, simplifying and streamlining our operations, reducing complexity, enhancing the speed of decision-making, leveraging our sourcing capabilities and the timing of implementation and completion of the cost reduction program, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of many events outside the Company's control and actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that may impact the Company's success are more fully disclosed in the Company's most recent public filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its annual report on Form 10-K.Media contact: Michael Eslinger (meslinger@ dalrada.com) SOURCE: Dalrada Financial Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 19:00:47

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PORT RICHEY, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Dixie Belle Paint Company is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. This partnership underscores Dixie Belle's commitment to community support and animal welfare, reflecting their shared values and missions.Mollie the Collie Decoupage Paper Jean jacket with a dogAbout North Shore Animal League America:North Shore Animal League America has been a pioneer in the no-kill movement since its founding in 1944. Their mission is to Rescue, Nurture, Adopt, and Educate, working towards a future where all companion animals find responsible, loving homes, free from abuse, hunger, fear, and loneliness. The organization values the inherent worth of all companion animals, the human-animal bond, humane education through their Mutt-i-grees Curriculum, and their global network of rescue partners. With the support of generous friends and donors, North Shore Animal League America continues to make a significant impact in the world of animal rescue.About Dixie Belle Paint Company:Founded in 2014, Dixie Belle Paint Company combines the charm of Southern hospitality with exceptional paint and DIY products. Dedicated to handcrafting paints, waxes, and more in small batches, Dixie Belle ensures each product meets the highest standards of quality and care. Their mission extends beyond creating beautiful colors; they aim to foster a sense of community, teamwork, and support among employees and customers. As a thought leader in the industry, Dixie Belle champions the efforts of over 1,500 small businesses worldwide and strives to inspire creativity and artistic expression through their innovative products.The Collaboration:This exciting collaboration involves the introduction of the new "Rainbow Kitty" and "Mollie the Collie" decoupage paper as well as our "Paws for a Cause" mylar stencil by Dixie Belle. For every one of these items sold, Dixie Belle will donate $1 to North Shore Animal League America. This initiative not only supports the vital work of North Shore Animal League America but also promotes the joy of creativity and artistic expression among Dixie Belle's customers."Dixie Belle Paint Company is proud to partner with North Shore Animal League America," said Teri Ronk, CMO of Dixie Belle. "Their dedication to rescuing, nurturing, and finding loving homes for animals aligns perfectly with our values. We are excited to support their mission and make a positive impact in the lives of animals in need." Conclusion:This collaboration highlights the power of community and the positive change that can be achieved when businesses and organizations come together with a shared purpose. Dixie Belle Paint Company and North Shore Animal League America invite everyone to join them in this effort to rescue, nurture, adopt, and educate, ensuring a brighter future for companion animals.For more information about this collaboration and to purchase the Rainbow Kitty or Mollie the Collie decoupage paper or the Pause for a Cause stencil, please visit Dixie Belle Paint.Contact InformationTeri RonkChief Marketing Officerteri@ dixiebellepaint.com 8139091962Natalia NobleMarketing Managernatalia@ dixiebellepaint.com 8139091962SOURCE: Dixie Belle Paint CompanyView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 08:00:49

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Acquisition of royalty over the Phalaborwa rare earths projectLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Ecora (LSE:ECOR)(TSX:ECOR) announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 0.85% Gross Revenue Royalty ("GRR") over the Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project ("Phalaborwa" or the "Project") located in South Africa for a total cash consideration of US$8.5 million.In connection with the royalty acquisition and in addition to the cash consideration, Ecora has subscribed for 10,442,427 new ordinary shares in Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd ("Rainbow"), the majority owner of the Phalaborwa project, for US$1.5 million in cash. Rainbow is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: RBW).The investment represents Ecora's first rare earth exposure, and is in-line with the Group's stated strategy of further diversifying and growing its portfolio of future facing commodity royalties over high quality operations and projects.Marc Bishop Lafleche, Chief Executive Officer of Ecora, commented:"We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Rainbow Rare Earths team on the Phalaborwa project. This project stands out as one of the lowest-cost prospective producers of rare earths outside of China. Notably, production will be principally weighted to rare earth elements essential in the production of permanent magnets, key components in renewable wind power turbines and electric vehicle motors."The transaction provides Rainbow with a non-dilutive means of securing the funding to move the project forward towards the completion of a DFS and subsequently a final investment decision. It also provides Ecora with a counter-cyclical entry point to further diversify our commodity exposure to include rare earth elements whose end markets are forecast to see sustained demand growth over the coming decades." Highlights Amongst the highest quality rare earth projects globally with a 16-year estimated mine life1 - expected to generate strong cashflows throughout the commodity price cycle Located on brownfield site treating phosphogypsum stacks generated as a by-product of historical fertilizer productiono No primary mining, crushing or grinding costso Operation to fully rehabilitate site Phalaborwa project product mix heavily weighted to permanent magnet end-markets which account for over 90% of global rare earth consumption by value4 and underpinned by strong long-term demand growth fundamentalso Life of mine average annual production1: 1,750t of neodymium/praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, 60t of dysprosium (Dy) oxide and 20t of terbium (Tb) oxide Attractive cyclical entry point for rare earths with spot prices for Phalaborwa's commodity basket trading near three-year market lows of $64/kg versus a three-year high of $221/kg (and a three-year average of $121/kg) Proceeds to primarily fund the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") targeted for release in 2025o Pilot plant operations underway to test the flowsheet at DFS level and produce product samples Rainbow targeting first Phalaborwa production in 2027, with protections for Ecora in the event of delayso Ecora royalty entitlement of 0.85% at transaction closeo Royalty rate increases to 0.95% if commercial production does not occur prior to 1 October 2027o Royalty rate increases to 1.1% if commercial production does not occur prior to 1 July 2028 High quality management team with rare earths experience, combined with prior project development and operation experience at large mining companies High quality shareholder base including backing from the U. S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) which has the option to invest US$50 million into the Project via TechMet Transaction to be funded through a combination of cash on hand and the Group's revolving credit facilityThe Phalaborwa Project1Phalaborwa is located in the Limpopo region of South Africa and is 85% owned by Rainbow, who have the right to acquire 100% ownership of the Project. It has a total JORC compliant MRE2 of 30.4Mt at 0.44% TREO contained within phosphogypsum in two unconsolidated stacks derived from historic phosphate hard rock mining. High value neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, critical elements used in permanent magnets, represent c. 75% of the magnet rare earth basket by value, with economic dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) oxide credits enhancing the overall value of the rare earth basket.Phalaborwa's Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), published in October 2022, establishes a post-tax base case NPV10% of US$627 million, an IRR of 40%, an average EBITDA operating margin of 75% and a payback period of only two years. Capital costs of the project were estimated at c. US$296 million. The PEA was based on processing 2.2 million tonnes per annum of phosphogypsum over a 14-year project life (subsequently extended to 16-years3 to deliver 26,208 tonnes of separated magnet rare earth oxides at an average cost of US$33.86/kg.A process flowsheet to extract rare earth elements efficiently from the phosphogypsum stacks has been developed in collaboration with K-Technologies, Inc., USA ("K-Tech"), following extensive test work carried out at ANSTO Minerals, Australia, and at K-Tech's facilities in Florida, U.S.A.Rare earths overview and market dynamics4Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 elements which mostly occur naturally but rarely in concentrated forms that are commercial to extract. Due to their similar chemical properties, they can be challenging to split into individual elements with current producers often using harsh solvents to aid separation. China produced over 90% of refined rare earth products in 2023, with 66% of feedstock sourced from domestic production.Rare earth magnets, or permanent magnets is the largest demand sector accounting for 90% of total market value in 2023. Neodymium (Nd) and praseodynium (Pr), the main rare earth elements at Phalaborwa, are a core component in NdFeB magnets, whilst small additions of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) can further enhance magnet performance by improving temperature resistance.Permanent magnets are used in wind turbines, electric vehicle motors and many consumer electronics. A key growth area is their use in electric vehicles where they can significantly improve performance with minimal additional cost. The added efficiency of using permanent magnets allows EV manufacturers to reduce the size and cost of their battery packs whilst maintaining performance.The REE market is positioned to experience significant growth over the coming decade, with the industry valued at US$7.4 billion in 2023 forecast to grow to c. $10 billion by
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 15:35:32

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Update on Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.ALLEN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Enzolytics, Inc. (OTC PINK:ENZC) (" enzolytics.com") (the "Company") announced today that the Company is entering into a worldwide exclusive licensing agreement for US Patent # 8067531-B2, "Inactivated pepsin fragments for modulating immune system activity against human malignant tumor cells," applying Immunotherapy Treatment to the global fight against cancer. ENZC continues to explore therapeutic applications of the patent, and is preparing to commence Federal Drug Administration ("FDA") in-vitro studies. ENZC has developed a Statement of Work with a major university in Texas to further this effort.In the interim, the Company will pursue various regulatory paths under "Right to Try Laws" for application to terminally ill stage four cancer patients. This could be achieved by approval of an individual IND to help prolong lives. Immune treatment, such as ITP-immune therapeutic protein, does not substitute for existing chemo therapy treatments.Additionally, Dr. Lachezar Ivanov, Director of ENZC and member of the Bulgarian Senate, is negotiating the acquisition of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Bulgaria which meets the Good Manufacturing Process ("GMP") standard required by the European Medicine Association ("EMA"). The manufacturing facility will be an integral part of the ENZC portfolio of products for the nutraceutical market as well as the manufacturing and distribution of its other licensed immunotherapy treatments.Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. ("SAGA") has provided the Company with an update on multiple efforts including its application with OTC Markets. Currently, SAGA has secured funding for completion of the necessary audits required for the next steps toward completion of its application for membership on the OTC board and has engaged a PCAOB auditor.Operationally, SAGA has filed two new patent applications, one for its Multiple Sclerosis immunotherapy treatment, for which a provisional application was previously filed, and the other for the Peptide Complex modulation of the immune system. A worldwide license will be awarded by the patent owner for both treatments to SAGA. Progress is being made to move forward with clinical trials in Europe to assess the effects of ITV-1 on diabetic patients. Additionally, progress continues to be made on the permitting of ITV-1 for treatment of HIV/Aids with the EMA.SAGA and ENZC are coordinating the dividend approval process of the shares issued in association with the sale by ENZC of Virogentics, Inc. to SAGA in September of last year. The make-whole provision will apply to all shares distributed to ENZC shareholders.Harry Zhabilov, Chief Science Officer of ENZC and SAGA, stated, "Enzolytics' licensing of the Cancer immunotherapy treatment is an expansion of its cutting edge portfolio of technology IP and products. The continued growth of the product base of the Company and Saga will give us the opportunity to utilize the skills, experience and expertise of our management team and partners." Steve Sharabura, the CEO of Enzolytics commented, "In addition to the exciting progress on intellectual property, we will continue to build a robust IP portfolio going forward. We are also enthusiastic about moving forward on our ETC Marketing initiative, with an initial focus on consumer sales of nutraceutical products. With the current explosion of online communities, we appreciate the value of digital marketing and the power of social media augmented by AI. As we expand our consumer engagement through ETC Marketing, we will also use these tools to increase engagement with our investors and expand awareness and education related to our well-being therapies." Barry Kostiner, the CEO of Sagaliam commented, "We are looking forward to regaining compliance and getting SAGA listed on OTC. Historically, Enzolytics' valuation has exceeded $500M, reflecting the value of the ITV-1 intellectual property embedded in Virogentics. Once the SAGA OTC listing is in place, we will be able to issue the dividend of SAGA shares to Enzolytics, and complete the funding needed to move forward on clinical trials and bring ITV-1 to market. Our technology has been well established, and we have only a few regulatory steps needed to bring value to SAGA and ENZC shareholders and make significant contributions to global health. The application to HIV in Europe and Africa will be well on its way within 6 months of completing the SAGA OTC listing, and work on applications to diabetes and cancer would commence within another 6 months.About Enzolytics, Inc.Enzolytics, Inc. is transitioning from a drug development company committed to commercializing its proprietary proteins and monoclonal antibodies to treat debilitating infectious diseases to a sales, marketing and distribution entity focusing on medical devices, medical testing and nutraceutical products.Forward Looking StatementsThe disclosure herein includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity and expectations, Company's ability to enter into a definitive business combination agreement and Company's ability to obtain the financing necessary to consummate the potential business combination transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: Company's ability to enter into a definitive
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 11:00:31

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Globe Life Inc. ("Globe Life" or "the Company") (NYSE:GL) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Globe Life securities between May 8, 2019 and April 10, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/GL Case Details:According to the Complaint, Globe Life is an insurance company headquartered in McKinney, Texas, that offers a wide range of insurance products, including life insurance, mortgage protections, and supplemental health insurance. Globe Life operates five wholly owned insurance subsidiaries. The largest, by both premiums collected and number of sales agents employed, is American Income Life Insurance Company ("AIL").Throughout the Class Period, according to the Complaint, Globe Life touted its consistent revenue growth, particularly from AIL, which accounted for 50% of the Company's profits in 2022 and 2023. During the Class Period, Globe Life reported consistent premium revenue growth at the Company, led by consistent premium revenue growth at AIL. The Company also represented that its employees adhered to a Code of Conduct that expressly prohibited various forms of misconduct, and which required that all Globe Life employees comply with relevant laws and regulations, purportedly ensuring that the Company would maintain a workplace free from violence, threatening behavior, and illegal drugs.The Complaint alleges that as a result of Defendants' misrepresentations, shares of Globe Life common stock traded at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period.The truth emerged on April 11, 2024, when, according to the Complaint, investment research firm Fuzzy Panda published a report alleging that Globe Life had engaged in wide-spread insurance fraud, while permitting a culture of unchecked sexual harassment. Specifically, the report alleged that several Globe Life subsidiaries were underwriting policies for dead and fictitious people, as well as adding policies to existing users' accounts without their consent. In addition, the investment research firm uncovered evidence that the subsidiaries maintained a hostile workplace where sexual harassment, drug use, and sexual assault went unchecked - conduct that violated the Company's Code of Conduct.As a result of these disclosures, according to the Complaint, the price of Globe Life common stock declined $55.76, or 53%, from a closing price of $104.93 per share on April 10, 2024, to a closing price of $49.17 per share on April 11, 2024.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/GL or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Globe Life you have until July 1, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Harbor Diversified, Inc. ("Harbor Diversified" or "the Company") (OTC PINK:HRBR) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Harbor Diversified securities between May 10, 2022 and March 29, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/HRBR Case Details:According to the Complaint, Harbor Diversified describes itself as "a non-operating holding company that is the parent of a consolidated group of subsidiaries, including AWAC Aviation, Inc. (AWAC'), which is the sole member of Air Wisconsin Airlines LLC (Air Wisconsin'), a regional air carrier. Harbor is also the direct parent of three other subsidiaries: (1) Lotus Aviation Leasing, LLC (Lotus'), which leases flight equipment to Air Wisconsin, (2) Air Wisconsin Funding LLC (AWF'), which provides flight equipment financing to Air Wisconsin, and (3) Harbor Therapeutics, Inc. (Therapeutics'), which is a non-operating entity with no material assets." The Complaint alleges that Harbor Diversified made materially false and/or misleading statements because the Company misrepresented and failed to disclose the following adverse facts pertaining to the Company's business, operations, and prospects, which were known to Defendants or recklessly disregarded by them. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) Harbor Diversified's financial statements from May 9, 2022 to the present were misstated due to improper revenue recognition;(2) Harbor Diversified lacked adequate internal controls; and(3) as a result, Harbor Diversified's statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times.The truth began to emerge, according to the Complaint, on March 29, 2024, when Harbor Diversified filed with the SEC a current report on Form 8-K in which it announced that certain of its previously-issued financial statements would need to be restated as a result of improper revenue recognition. Further, Harbor Diversified disclosed a material weakness in its internal controls that has the company's management evaluating "appropriate remediation actions." On this news, according to the Complaint, the price of Harbor Diversified stock fell by $0.28 per share, or14.25% , to close at $1.73 on April 1, 2024.Therefore, the Complaint further alleges that as a result of Defendants' wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the Harbor Diversified's common shares, investors have suffered significant losses and damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/HRBR or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Harbor Diversified you have until July 8, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller 332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 18:16:29

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (Lurie Children's) has disclosed a data breach affecting personal information of its patients and other individuals. The breach impacted over 791,000 individuals, exposing sensitive personal information including full names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, health insurance information and medical information.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Compensation may be available for Lurie Children's patients and individuals who received notice that their personal information was impacted by the data breach.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 Lurie Children's, you are affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected customers are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to 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
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TUKWILA, WA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / The Lawrence Kahn Law Group PS is proud to present an Open House event, Friday, July 26, 2024, showcasing its newly constructed state-of-the-art courtroom, a cutting-edge facility designed to serve the legal community. This modern courtroom is now available to all Plaintiff Attorneys seeking a venue to hone their litigation skills.Courtroom Lawrence Kahn Law Group PS - Courtroom A Commitment to Excellence in Legal Practice The Lawrence Kahn Law Group PS, a leader in personal injury law, has long been committed to fostering the growth and development of legal professionals. With the establishment of this new courtroom, the firm extends its dedication to the legal community, providing a space where attorneys can practice and perfect their craft.An Arena for Growth and Learning Larry Kahn, the founding member of the Lawrence Kahn Law Group, PS, envisions the courtroom as an ideal environment for young attorneys, those with limited trial experience, and seasoned practitioners looking to refine their abilities. "Like all important endeavors, practice is the key to perfection," says Kahn. "We are excited to offer this resource to attorneys who are eager to learn and grow." State-of-the-Art Features The courtroom is equipped with the latest technology, ensuring a realistic and immersive experience for all users. From high-fidelity audio systems to advanced video capabilities, every aspect of the courtroom is designed to simulate the actual trial environment, providing an invaluable tool for trial preparation.Open House Event Details The Open House will take place on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., at the Lawrence Kahn Law Group PS headquarters, located at 14240 Interurban Ave S Ste B132, Tukwila, WA 98168. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the facility, participate in demonstrations, and discuss the benefits of the courtroom with the Lawrence Kahn Law Group team.About Lawrence Kahn Law Group The Lawrence Kahn Law Group PS has been a pillar of justice in the community for over 30 years, specializing in personal injury cases and advocating for the rights of those injured due to negligence. The firm's commitment to their clients and the pursuit of justice is unwavering, as is their dedication to contributing positively to the legal profession.For more information about the Open House or to RSVP, please contact Max Elijah at 425-453-5679 or max@ lklegal.com Contact: Lawrence Kahn Law Group 14240 Interurban Ave S Ste B132 Tukwila, WA 98168 Phone: (425) 453-5679 Email: staff@ lklegal.com Contact InformationMax ElijahExecutive Directormax@ lklegal.com 425-453-5679SOURCE: Lawrence Kahn Law Group PSView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-01 16:16:29

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CHANDLER, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / The construction estimating and digital takeoff leader for electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors, McCormick Systems, was recently named one of the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona. McCormick Systems is a part of Foundation Software's family of best-in-class construction software and services.This annual award was created to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the state based on their company culture and business influence. To be considered for participation companies must have a facility in Arizona, have at least 15 eligible employees and have been in business for a minimum of one year."Our team at McCormick has worked hard for this award and truly deserve it," said Foundation Software CEO Mike Ode. "This recognition reflects the values we expect from a Foundation Software company and I'm proud of McCormick for this achievement." Based in Chandler, Arizona, McCormick has been a staple for estimators in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades since 1979. The company prioritizes top-notch customer support, ease of use and cutting-edge features."We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona," said McCormick Systems President Paul Wheaton. "We strive to create a supportive and engaging workplace where our employees can thrive, and this award is a testament to that - as well as the hard work and dedication of our entire team." To receive the award, McCormick was evaluated based on workplace policies, practices and philosophies. Then, there was an employee survey distributed to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined McCormick's final rankings at the top of the leaderboard.Moving forward, Wheaton emphasized the company's commitment to maintaining a healthy work environment, "Our priorities will always revolve around the satisfaction of our clients and our employees." For more information on McCormick, visit https://www.mccormicksys.com About McCormick SystemsMcCormick is an all-in-one estimating and digital takeoff for the electrical, plumbing and mechanical and trades. McCormick features Design Estimating Pro - a digital takeoff tool where users can design-build in one program - built-in change order tracking and unlimited change order management. For information, call (800) 444-4890 or email msi@ mccormicksys.com Foundation Software, LLCFoundation Software delivers job cost accounting, estimating and takeoff, project management, safety management, HR management, mobile field apps and payroll services to help contractors run the business side of construction. For information, call (800) 246-0800, visit www.foundationsoft.com or email info@ foundationsoft.com Contact InformationTracie KuczkowskiVP of Marketingtak@ foundationsoft.com (800) 246-0800SOURCE: Foundation SoftwareView the original press release on newswire.com
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ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Moses & Rooth, a leading criminal defense firm in Orlando, is taking proactive steps to ensure community safety. The firm, renowned for its defense strategies & commitment to community well-being, proudly announces its sponsorship of the Independence Day Sober Rides Campaign. This initiative aims to prevent accidents and promote responsible celebrations by offering free sober rides to those who have been smoking, vaping, drinking, or consuming any substance.Moses & Rooth has built a strong reputation for their unique approach to criminal defense, leveraging their attorneys' extensive prosecution experience. With an unwavering commitment to making communities safer, the firm recognizes the importance of providing practical solutions during times of increased risk, such as holiday celebrations.To participate in the Independence Day Sober Rides Campaign, individuals are urged to book a ride through a taxi or ride-sharing service of their choice. After completing the journey & paying the driver, participants need to mail their receipt, along with their PayPal-associated email address, to:Attn: Sober Rides 115 Granada CourtOrlando, FL 32803Upon receipt, Moses & Rooth will promptly reimburse the individual via PayPal. This program is valid for one, one-way ride to a safe destination and is available exclusively from July 3, 2024, to July 5, 2024. Participants must be of legal drinking age (21 & over), & both the start and end points of the ride must be within the state of Florida."We are thrilled to sponsor the Independence Day Sober Rides Campaign," said partner Andrew Moses. "Having worked on both sides of criminal litigation, we've seen the consequences of impaired driving firsthand. Our goal is to prevent accidents and protect our community by offering a safe alternative to driving under the influence." Important details for the campaign include:Reimbursements are limited to $20, including a 10% tip. Any tip exceeding 10% will not be eligible for reimbursement. The program will cover the first 100 requests. All reimbursement requests must be received within 7 days of the campaign's end date.Moses & Rooth encourages individuals in Orlando & surrounding areas to take advantage of this opportunity to prioritize safety during the Fourth of July celebrations. By providing free sober rides, the firm hopes to significantly reduce the risks associated with impaired driving, keeping roads safer for everyone.For more information about the Independence Day Sober Rides Campaign & to access the reimbursement form, please visit the event page at https://www.mosesandrooth.com/free-sober-rides-campaign/ About Moses & Rooth: Moses & Rooth, a top criminal defense firm in Orlando, Florida, boasts a team of skilled attorneys with unique defense strategies. They handle various criminal charges, including drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, theft, fraud, and probation violations. Renowned for client advocacy and community involvement, Moses & Rooth is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of those facing criminal charges in Central Florida.Contact InformationAndrew Moses Attorneymosesandroothpa@ gmail.com (407) 377-0150SOURCE: Moses & RoothView the original press release on newswire.com
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He will remain with the bank, in a part time position, as Strategic Lending Relationship OfficerEVP Deputy Chief Lending Officer, Greg Sousa to assume CLO roleMIDDLETOWN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Orange Bank & Trust Company announced today that Michael Coulter will retire from the role of Chief Lending Officer (CLO), effective July 1, 2024. He will continue as an Executive of the Bank, in a part-time position, as Strategic Lending Relationship Officer, managing top client relationships as well as business development in the Mid-Hudson Valley market."Michael has played the lead role in the bank's nearly $1 Billion growth in loans as the bank has expanded throughout the mid and lower Hudson Valley," said Michael Gilfeather, President and CEO. "We are tremendously grateful for his sound judgement over the last seven years, and we are happy to have him continue with us on a part-time basis." Coulter joined Orange Bank & Trust in 2017 as Senior Vice President and CLO, overseeing all aspects of loan strategy, product and policy. In 2019, he was promoted to Executive Vice President.Fortunately, the impact of this transition will be softened by the Bank's leadership succession plan, with Greg Sousa, EVP Deputy CLO, assuming the role. Sousa joined Orange Bank & Trust in 2015 as Vice President developing deposit and lending businesses as the Bank built out its Rockland and Westchester markets. In 2017, he was promoted to 1st Vice President and given the added responsibility of leading business development efforts for all Orange and Rockland branches. In recognition of his impact on both fronts, he was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2018 and EVP in 2020.About Orange Bank & Trust CompanyOrange Bank & Trust Company is an independent bank that began with the vision of 14 founders over 130 years ago. It has grown through ongoing innovation and an unwavering commitment to its community and business clientele to more than $2.0 billion in total assets.Contact Information:Candice VaretoniAVP Marketing OfficerOrange Bank & Trust Company cvaretoni@ orangebanktrust.com SOURCE: Orange County Bancorp, Inc.
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Orosur Mining Inc - Colombia updateLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /Orosur Mining Inc. ("Orosur" or the "Company") (TSXV:OMI)(AIM:OMI), provides an update on the progress of the previously announced transaction that would see Orosur return to 100% ownership interest in its flagship Anza gold project ("Project") in Colombia.The Project is the subject of an Exploration Agreement with Venture Option ("Exploration Agreement") with Colombian company Minera Monte Aguila SAS ("MMA"). MMA is itself a 50/50 joint venture between Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico") and is the Colombian vehicle by which these two companies jointly exercise their rights and obligations under the Exploration Agreement in respect of the Project. MMA is the current operator of the Project.As announced on March 25th, 2024, Orosur entered into a non-binding letter of intent ("LOI") with MMA and affiliates of Newmont and Agnico, that provided for the acquisition of MMA, resulting in Orosur acquiring, indirectly, a 100% legal and beneficial ownership of the Project ("Acquisition"). The proposed consideration for the Acquisition is a 1.5% net smelter royalty and deferred cash payments which are all wholly contingent on future production.The parties continue to work in good faith to finalise the details of the share purchase agreement and the negotiation of ancillary agreements that form the basis of the proposed transaction. There are no material changes to the terms of the transaction as set out in the LOI. However, finalisation of details and determination of the need for approvals will continue in July.In the meantime, the Company has largely completed most preparations for its resumption of ownership and operational control of the Project and stands ready to commence exploration as soon as the transaction is completed.For further information, visit www.orosur.ca , follow on X @orosurm or please contact:Orosur Mining IncLouis Castro, ChairmanBrad George, CEO info@ orosur.ca Tel: +1 (778) 373-0100SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP - Nomad & BrokerJeff Keating / Caroline Rowe / Kasia BrzozowskaTel: +44 (0) 20 3 470 0470Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Ltd - Joint BrokerAndy Thacker/James PopeTel: +44 (0)20 3657 0050Flagstaff CommunicationsTim ThompsonMark EdwardsFergus Mellon orosur@ flagstaffcomms.com Tel: +44 (0)207 129 1474The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ('MAR') which has been incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service ('RIS'), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.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 the Anza ProjectAnza is a gold exploration project, comprising three exploration licences, four exploration licence applications, and a small exploitation permit, totalling in aggregate 207.5km2 in the prolific Mid-Cauca belt of Colombia.Orosur's interest in the Anza Project is currently held via its subsidiary, Minera Anza S.A.The project is located 50km west of Medellin and is easily accessible by all-weather roads and boasts excellent infrastructure including water, power, communications and large exploration camp.The Anza Project is subject to an Exploration Agreement with Venture Option dated September 7th, 2018, as announced on September 10th, 2018, between Orosur's 100% subsidiary Minera Anza S.A ("Minera Anza") and Minera Monte Aguila SAS ("Monte Aguila"), a 50/50 joint venture between Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico").Forward Looking StatementsAll statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on expectations estimates and projections as of the date of this news release.Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the exploration plans in Colombia and the funding of those plans, finalisation and execution of definitive agreements relating to the Acquisition; completion of the acquisition to re-assume 100% of the Anza Project, and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. The Company's continuance as a going concern is also dependent upon its ability to obtain adequate financing, to reach profitable levels of operations and to reach a satisfactory implementation of the Creditors Agreement in Uruguay. These material uncertainties may cast significant doubt upon the Company's ability to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business and accordingly the appropriateness of the use of accounting principles applicable to a going concern. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, successful negotiation and execution of definitive documents relating to the Acquisition, approval of the TSXV, reliance on exemptions from shareholder approval of the Acquisition, and those other risks and uncertainties described in Section "Risks Factors" of the Company's MD&A for the year ended May 31, 2023. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ lseg.com or visit www.rns.com SOURCE: Orosur Mining Inc.
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Patriot Software is giving away 6 months of free software from July 1 - July 31 in honor of Independence Day.CANTON, OH / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / In an unprecedented move, Patriot Software offers American businesses an incredible 6 months of free software to new customer signups in honor of Independence Day. The 6-month promotion applies to all Patriot Software products, including accounting, payroll, time and attendance, and HR software.According to Mike Kappel, Patriot Software's Founder, "Entrepreneurs and business owners are the unsung heroes of America. They help so many people! And against all odds, they're keeping the American Dream alive. But they rarely get recognized for their contributions. Well, we applaud them and admire them. To show our support for our country and these American businesses, we will give 6 months free to any new customer that signs up with promo code 1776 during our country's independence month of July. As the saying goes, it's an offer they can't refuse." Patriot Software is dedicated to helping American business owners achieve financial freedom through affordable accounting and payroll software - without sacrificing quality. Patriot boasts an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on review site Trustpilot, a testament to customers' satisfaction.Businesses that sign up for Patriot Software can use the software for free for 6 months, making Patriot Software's Independence Day Sale the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs to experience the software dubbed " Best Value ."New customers can take advantage of Patriot's Independence Day offer from July 1 through July 31, 2024.For more information about Patriot Software and to sign up for the Independence Day offer, visitPatriot's website here .###About Patriot Software:Patriot Software is disrupting theaccountingandpayrollindustries with its low prices, highest customer reviews, and award-winning software. Patriot offers cloud-based accounting, payroll, HR, and time & attendance solutions that help American businesses with up to 500 employees simplify their administrative tasks. Patriot's USA-based customer support team provides a personal touch that most software companies lack today. The company has been serving tens of thousands of businesses nationwide since 2002.For more information, please contact:Rachel Blakely-GrayContent Manager marketing@ patriotsoftware.com SOURCE: PATRIOT SOFTWARE LLC
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The show connects top global leaders and offers more than 170 education sessions.LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /ISSA Show North America, the largest and most comprehensive event dedicated to the worldwide industrial, commercial and residential cleaning and facilities industries, opens registration for the upcoming annual gathering (November 17-21 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas).ISSA Show North America, organized by Informa Markets and sponsored by ISSA, convenes over 600 exhibitors from across the entire cleaning ecosystem to showcase the newest products, tools, equipment and technologies. The event addresses the critical need to enhance safety, sustainability and efficiency in global sectors including food and dining, hospitality, healthcare and more.The annual gathering, held in conjunction with the Building Service Contractors Association International's (BSCAI) Contracting Success Conference, will bring a projected more than 14,000 registered professionals from over 80 countries, with first-time attendance expected to near 30 percent as observed at the 2023 event. The expansive reach and continued growth underscores ISSA Show North America as a vital touchpoint to gain hands-on experience and education on new innovations, trends and regulations in one of the most critical and indispensable industries in the world to better utilize resources to advance cleanliness."One of ISSA Show North America's greatest values to the market is the ability to deliver highly qualified business opportunities across a variety of market sectors every year," remarks Ed Nichols, Show Director of ISSA Show North America. "Our industry partnerships allow us to bring a unique blend of distributors, suppliers and trusted brands together to utilize the most science-backed technology, research and data, to source all kinds of solutions to regulatory, labor, sustainability and operational efficiency challenges." North America has become the world's largest cleaning industry market, significantly contributing to the international market, which is forecasted to reach USD 729.47 billion worldwide by 2033. As this space expands, software continues to optimize automated processes to meet demand. New technologies showcased at the ISSA Show North America, such as artificial intelligence (AI) assisted clean tech, autonomous AI-integrated service robots and automated maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) programs, are enhancing performance.The surplus 170 educational sessions, covering business development, sustainability, career development and facility operations and management will provide valuable insights for the hospitality, healthcare, residential, commercial and industrial cleaning sectors. These sessions will share best practices, solutions and success strategies to deliver high-quality services, tailored to each sector. Specialized courses for facility service professionals, housekeeping management, facility supply sales and residential cleaners will also address labor law compliance, informing the industry about regulations impacting cleaning companies, improving the quality and safety of cleaning services."ISSA Show North America is the single most important event in the cleaning and facility solutions industry," said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. "We're excited to build on last year's successful show and welcome back the entire industry to the fantastic Mandalay Bay Convention Center this November to elevate their knowledge, expand their network and explore the latest innovative cleaning products and solutions." Top-tier leading brands confirmed to attend include 3M Commercial Solutions Division, AmerCare Royal, Aztec Products, Bissell BigGreen Commercial, Clorox Pro, Ecolab Inc., Georgia-Pacific Pro, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Nilfisk, Procter & Gamble Professional, Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc., Sanitaire, SC Johnson Professional, Sofidel Group, Spartan Chemical Co. Inc., Sunbelt Rentals and Tork, an Essity brand.ISSA Show North America registration is open now. To attend the much-anticipated show this November, please registerat www.issashow.com About ISSA Show North AmericaIn partnership with ISSA trade association, ISSA Show North America offers an unmatched conference program featuring over 100+ education sessions, workshops, panels, training and certification courses over four days. The event and the association are committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line.For more information about ISSA Show North America, visit www.issashow.com. Follow ISSA Show North America on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.About ISSAWith more than 10,500 members-including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members-ISSA is the world's leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.About Informa MarketsInforma Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com Media Contact: Informa Markets Infrastructure and Construction PR ConstructionPR@inform
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ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / As the tax season has started, Form 941 for the second quarter of the 2024 tax year is now available for IRS e-filing. Employers are encouraged to stay ahead of their payroll tax deadlines by submitting accurate filings promptly. The deadline to file Form 941 for Q2 of 2024 is July 31, 2024.TaxBandits, a trusted e-file service provider of payroll and employment tax forms, offers a simple and efficient solution to help businesses and tax professionals of all sizes meet their deadlines.As the summer kicks off, Form 941 for the second quarter of 2024 is now available for IRS e-filing. Employers are encouraged to stay ahead of their payroll tax deadlines by submitting accurate filings promptly. The deadline to file Form 941 for Q2 of 2024 is July 31, 2024.TaxBandits, a trusted e-file service provider of payroll and employment tax forms, offers a simple and efficient solution to help businesses and tax professionals of all sizes meet their deadlines. Ensure compliance and a smooth 941 filing process by choosing TaxBandits this quarter.IRS Form 941: An OverviewForm 941 , also known as the Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, is a crucial IRS payroll tax form. It ensures compliance with tax regulations by documenting the withholding of Medicare, Social Security, and Federal income taxes from employees' paychecks. This form also verifies that these withholdings have been deposited with the IRS throughout the quarter.Businesses that make semi-weekly deposits must useSchedule Bto detail their tax liability for each quarter day. Additionally, Schedule R is required for certified professional employer organizations (CPEOs), aggregate filers, and section 3504 reporting agents to report aggregated Form 941 information for their clients for the second quarter of 2024.TaxBandits' Solution: Form 941 for Q2 of 2024The IRS is now accepting submissions for Form 941 for Q2, 2024. Employers are encouraged tofile Form 941early to ensure accuracy and streamline the process. TaxBandits simplifies this process with its efficient application. Early filing with TaxBandits not only allows for thorough review and verification of information but also fosters trust and confidence in the Form941 filingprocess.Updates to Form 941 for Q2, 2024AlthoughForm 941 for 2024does not have major changes, the IRS has updated new business rules validation and schema changes for Q2, 2024. TaxBandits has updated its application to seamlessly accommodate these changes, ensuring a smooth and efficient filing process.TaxBandits: Simplified E-filing Solution for 941 FilingTaxBandits offers advanced features to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of filing Form 941, including:The copy return feature allows TaxBandits clients to copy information from their Q1, 2024 filed with TaxBandits, into the current quarter (Q2, 2024). This feature is also applicable toForm 941 (sp) .Bulk upload Form data using 941 Excel templates.Supports Form 941 Schedule B for semi-weekly depositors.Supports Form 941 Schedule R for PEOs, CPEOs, and other 3504 agents.Volume-based prepaid credits for high-volume filers.Built-in 941 Worksheets.Automatic tax calculations.Error checks using the IRS Business Rules.Easy e-signature options ( Online Signature PINorForm 8453-EMP ).Includes Form 8974 (Qualified Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Research Activities).Automate Form 941 with TaxBandits API for Q2, 2024As businesses expand and develop, the need for efficient, reliable, and automated solutions becomes increasingly important. Automation can significantly relieve the burden on businesses, especially when it comes to filing Form 941 for Q2 2024.TaxBandits offers a developer-friendly API that allows businesses and software providers to seamlessly automate 941 forms directly from their portal or application. With TaxBandits 941 API integration, clients can streamline every aspect of the filing process, from form generation to e-signing.When asked about second quarter 941 filings, Agie Sundaram, CEO and Co-founder of SPAN Enterprises (the parent company of TaxBandits) responded with complete confidence, stating, "TaxBandits leads as an IRS-authorized e-file service provider, offering advanced features and exceptional customer support to streamline the e-filing process. Whether for one business or multiple clients, TaxBandits simplifies and makes Form 941 filing affordable." Additional TaxBandits Solutions: Comprehensive BOI ReportingTaxBandits is a trusted e-file provider for businesses and tax professionals, offering solutions to ensure tax compliance. Starting in 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has mandatedBOI reporting . TaxBandits provides a streamlined solution to help businesses meet these FinCEN requirements.Clients can easily prepare and submit various BOI reports using TaxBandits' user-friendly software, including Initial, Corrected, Updated, and Newly Exempt Entity reports. Additionally, clients whofile their BOI reportthrough TaxBandits can make free corrections or updates within one week of the original submission date.TaxBandits offers exclusivePRO features for tax professionalshandling BOI reporting:BanditConnect: Ensures secure client communication with file sharing and customizable branding options.BanditCollab: Optimizes workflow with role assignments, secure access credentials, and centralized oversight for supervisors, ensuring efficient BOI reporting management.About TaxBandits:TaxBanditsis a SOC 2 Certified, IRS-authorized e-file provider specializing inForm 1099 ,Form W-2 ,Form 1095-C ,Form 1095-B ,Form 940 , Form 941, and Fillable W-9. Serving businesses, service providers, and tax professionals, TaxBandits offers a comprehensive solution for year-end filings.Software providers and other high-volume filers can take advantage of TaxBandits API. The integration allows them to add client value and expand monetization efforts. TaxBandits API enables seamless preparation and e-filing of 1099, W-2, 941, 940, and ACA 1095 forms. Software providers can also use the developer-friendly 1099 API to request W-9s and automate 1099 filings efficiently.Join the thousands of business owners and tax professionals filing Form 941 for Q2, 2024 with TaxBandits! Create a free account at TaxBandits.com , which also supports filing for prior quarters.About SPAN Enterprises:Headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, SPAN Enterprises has developed industry-leading software tools for e-filing and business management for over a decade. The SPAN Enterprises portfolio includes Tax 990, ACAwise, ExpressExtension, 123PayStubs, and TruckLogics.For media inquiries, please reach o
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minimalist phone, the #1 app for screen time management and focus, is designed to help users manage their smartphone use more effectively.MUNICH, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / In today's digital age, achieving a healthy balance between real-life and digital interactions is more crucial than ever. The minimalist phone app aims to inspire users globally to reclaim their time and focus, enabling them to lead more productive, balanced, and fulfilling lives. A recent study conducted by Daniel Bisaha highlights the significant benefits of reducing screen time for enhancing productivity, focus, and mental well-being, with the minimalist phone app serving as the key tool in this pursuit.minimalist phone app users experience significant mental health improvements after four weeks of usage, according to the study. The research, which was carried out by the University of Exeter, found that participants who used the minimalist phone app for four weeks experienced a reduction in dopamine depletion, fatigue, and decreased motivation. The minimalist phone app, which has already been downloaded by over 5 million users worldwide, helps users to shift to oxytocin-centric activities, fostering long-term satisfaction and emotional well-being."Our vision at minimalist phone is to empower users to reclaim their time and focus, enabling them to lead more productive, balanced, and fulfilling lives," said Martin Moravek, CEO of minimalist phone. "We are thrilled with the results of this study, which confirm the positive impact of our app on reducing screen time and enhancing the overall well-being of our users globally." On average, participants who used the minimalist phone app saw a reduction in screen time by approximately 20-30%, totaling over 10.5 hours per week alone (source: Bisaha, D. (2024). The Effect of Digital Detox Application on Positive and Negative Aspects of Inner Experience and User Behavior in Young People: An Experiment).The app effectively reduced habitual smartphone use by 50% and above, leading to more mindful smartphone usage. Along with reducing unnecessary screen time, participants saw improvements in their productivity and social connectivity.Additionally, features like app blocking, hiding, and in-app time reminders increased users' awareness of their smartphone habits and improved focus on tasks by a high percentage.About minimalist phoneminimalist phone is the #1 app for screen time management and focus, helping users manage their smartphone use more effectively. With features like app blocking, hiding, in-app time reminders, mindful launch delays, and an icon-free organized interface, minimalist phone is paving the path to a better digital wellness across the globe. "The aim remains to empower individuals worldwide to take control of their digital lives," added minimalist phone's CEO, Martin Moravek.Download the minimalist phone app here.Contact InformationZaaina Fatima JavedGrowth Marketing Managerhello@ minimalistphone.com SOURCE: minimalist phoneView the original press release on newswire.com
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /Suralink, the leading client interaction platform for professional services firms, today announced that it has been honored with a Gold award as the Fastest Growing Tech Company at the 9th Annual 2024 Globee Awards for American Business. This prestigious award recognizes Suralink's commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry.Globee Awards Gold Winner Globee Awards Gold WinnerThe Globee Awards, known for celebrating outstanding achievements across various sectors, have recognized Suralink for its significant year over year growth. Suralink was selected from a highly competitive pool of entries, highlighting its dedication to excellence and commitment to delivering exceptional value to its clients and stakeholders."We are incredibly proud to receive this award," said Evan Fitzpatrick, CEO at Suralink. "This recognition underscores the hard work and dedication of our team. Suralink has an incredible track record of growth, and this award is additional validation that we are providing clients with the innovation and value they have come to expect from Suralink." About Suralink Suralink provides professional services firms with a single, secure platform to collaborate with clients, exchange documents at scale, and track the progress of engagements. With enterprise-grade security and an easy-to-use interface, Suralink's award-winning client interaction portal helps firms increase efficiency and improve their relationships with their clients.Suralink's open platform is leveraged by more than 600,000 users worldwide.About the Globee Awards Globee Awards are conferred in ten programs and competitions: the Globee Awards for American Business, Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence, Globee Awards for Business, Globee Awards for Customer Excellence, Globee Awards for Cybersecurity, Globee Awards for Disruptors, Golden Bridge Awards, Globee Awards for Leadership, Globee Awards for Technology, and the Globee Awards for Women In Business. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com # # #ContactMeghan MittonVP, MarketingSuralink meghan.mitton@suralink.com Contact InformationMeghan MittonVP, Marketingmeghan.mitton@suralink.com 801-203-0002SOURCE: Surailnk, Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
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VIENNA, AUSTRIA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / In today's rapidly evolving financial world, innovation and sustainability are key. One groundbreaking development at the intersection of these values is the fusion of blockchain technology and tokenized real estate investments. This combination not only enhances the efficiency and transparency of real estate investments but also makes them more sustainable. By tokenizing real estate, investment opportunities become accessible on a global scale, facilitating the flow of capital to sustainable projects and conserving resources.Pioneering companies like Rocksolid Estate AG recognize the immense potential of this technology. They are leveraging it to realize sustainable real estate projects, optimizing the investment process and lowering barriers for investors. This innovative approach paves the way for a greener and more equitable future, merging the benefits of sustainability with cutting-edge financial technology.Democratizing the Real Estate Market: Rocksolid Estate AG's Revolutionary ApproachTokenizing real estate opens the market to a wider audience, bringing numerous benefits by simplifying the acquisition of real estate shares. This democratization allows investors to participate with as little as 100, something previously unthinkable due to high entry barriers and costs. Rocksolid Estate AG stands out in this innovative landscape with its revolutionary strategies, using blockchain technology to streamline investments and reduce costs for investors.The ROC Token offered by Rocksolid Estate AG provides participation in all the company's properties, offering extensive risk diversification and monthly profit distributions. This innovation is transforming the real estate market, making it more accessible and attractive to a diverse range of investors.An Interview with Co-Founder and CEO Sebastian ArnezederSebastian Arnezeder, Co-Founder and CEO of Rocksolid Estate AG, sheds light on the company's vision and challenges:"At Rocksolid Estate AG, we tokenize real estate investments and democratize access to them. Unlike other real estate companies, we offer a single token, the ROC Token, which entitles you to a stake in all our properties. Additionally, there are monthly rental distributions and the potential for the ROC Token's value to appreciate. This innovation opens up real estate investment to everyone, regardless of budget." Arnezeder sees significant potential in real estate tokenization: "It allows for fractional ownership, providing the same earning opportunities as large investors. This is now possible for everyone and opens up many opportunities for investors worldwide." Rocksolid Estate AG focuses on commercial real estate such as hotels, office buildings, and logistics spaces, as well as sustainable energy projects. By investing exclusively in fully developed properties that yield returns from day one, the company offers a secure investment opportunity. Their partnership with Engel & Volkers Commercial Vienna grants access to high-quality properties, which are thoroughly vetted before becoming part of the ROC Token.Official Recognition and Trust from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA)A significant milestone for Rocksolid Estate AG was the approval of their prospectus by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA). This approval confirms that all legal requirements are met and that the information provided to investors is clear and fair. It enhances investor confidence and allows Rocksolid Estate AG to publicly offer the innovative ROC Token.Dr. Oliver Volkel, LL.M., a founding partner at Stadler Volkel Attorneys and an expert in banking, capital market law, and digital assets, who helped Rocksolid with their prospectus, comments, "A Security Token Offering (STO) connects the traditional capital markets with blockchain technology. Instead of physical paper certificates, tokens are used, which allow for a clear assignment of rights to specific individuals. For those wishing to enable their investors to share in the company's profits and losses, the instrument of a participation right can be chosen. If the company makes profits, a portion goes to the investor; if it incurs losses, the investor receives no payments." The Future of Real Estate InvestmentsThe integration of blockchain technology and real estate investments holds the potential to fundamentally change the market. Tokenization makes the real estate market more accessible, transparent, and efficient. Rocksolid Estate AG is at the forefront of this development, providing investors worldwide with the opportunity to benefit from this revolutionary technology.Learn more about the transformative power of tokenization and the innovative approaches of Rocksolid Estate AG at rocksolidestate.com Media Details Company Name: Rocksolid Estate AktiengesellschaftCity & Country: Wien, AustriaMail: office@ rocksolidestate.com Website: www.rocksolidestate.com SOURCE: Rocksolid Estate Aktiengesellschaft
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FLAGSTAFF, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /The College of Nursing at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Afforai, a leading AI technology company, have joined forces in an unprecedented collaboration. This transformative partnership introduces an AI-powered research assistant designed to enhance the academic capabilities of both students and faculty. By leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence, this collaboration aims to revolutionize the way research is conducted across disciplines.The collaboration commenced with Dr. Delaney La Rosa, Associate Dean of Academic and Inclusive Excellence at NAU's College of Nursing, who personally utilized Afforai and witnessed its substantial advantages. Impressed by its capabilities, Dr. La Rosa engaged in discussions with Alec, the co-founder and CEO of Afforai, in early 2024 to explore potential collaboration. Their ongoing dialogue and feedback sessions significantly contributed to enhancing Afforai's features for better academic support.Driven by the goal of seamlessly integrating this cutting-edge technology into the academic landscape, Dr. La Rosa initiated the implementation of a targeted pilot program within the College of Nursing. Initially accessible to a carefully curated cohort of faculty, staff, and students, this program aims to tailor the AI tool to address the unique requirements of academic research and education.The integration of Afforai's advanced AI capabilities into the college's academic ecosystem promises to elevate scholarly pursuits. Students and faculty will benefit from streamlined workflows, data-driven insights, and personalized support. The research assistant, powered by state-of-the-art algorithms, will assist in literature reviews, data analysis, and hypothesis testing, allowing researchers to focus on critical aspects of their work."Afforai is the catalyst to what's next in research. In my practice as a professor and researcher, it's my thinking partner, source finder, fact-checker, and efficiency accelerator. With Afforai, I can design course material and conduct and expand research at a pace I never thought possible." - said Dr. Delaney La Rosa, Associate Dean of Academic and Inclusive Excellence, College of Nursing."We started Afforai with a mission to create tools that enhance researchers in the age of AI, not to replace them. I am proud of this partnership with the nursing college, and I believe it's just the beginning of what we can achieve together." - said Alec Nguyen, Co-Founder & CEO of Afforai.Readers are encourage to visit the partnership page: https://afforai.com/nau About Northern Arizona University:Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a distinguished public university known for its commitment to academic excellence, student-centered approaches, and providing a quality, accessible education at great value. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, NAU offers a wide range of programs and is renowned for its unique labs, exclusive experiential learning opportunities, and robust student support and resources.About AfforaiAfforai is a trailblazing AI technology company dedicated to empowering organizations with transformative solutions. With a focus on research, education, and innovation, Afforai aims to bridge the gap between human expertise and artificial intelligence.Media Contact Details:Northern Arizona UniversityDelaney W. La Rosa, EdD, MSN Ed, RN Associate Dean of Academic and Inclusive Excellence, College of NursingDelaney.La-Rosa@nau.edu AfforaiAlec NguyenAfforai team@ afforai.com SOURCE: Northern Arizona University
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Ubisense Appoints Felix Buehner as Chief Revenue Officer to Drive Growth and InnovationCAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Ubisense, a leader in enterprise location intelligence solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Felix Buehner as its new Chief Revenue Officer. This strategic hire comes at a time of significant growth and innovation for the company.Felix Buehner Felix Buehner brings over a decade of experience in sales and management, most recently serving as Global Director Automotive & Mobility at Spryker. In this role, he led the global team and go-to-market strategy, supporting companies in their transformation to sophisticated transactional business models and building customer-centric ecosystems. Prior to this, Felix held positions at Salesforce, where he was responsible for account strategy and customer experience transformation in the automotive and logistics sectors.Felix's past achievements include driving sales growth, developing strategic partnerships, and implementing innovative digital strategies. His expertise in team management, SaaS, and new business development will be instrumental in advancing Ubisense's objectives and market presence."I am thrilled to join Ubisense as Chief Revenue Officer. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an innovative and dynamic team alongside Chris and the rest of the ExCo. Ubisense is at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry, and I am excited to contribute to our momentum and success and helping our customers create spatial awareness and achieve the vision of an operations 360. I am committed to driving significant growth and making a meaningful impact alongside this talented team. Together, we will achieve remarkable milestones and continue to lead in our industry," said Felix Buehner.Chris Shannon, CEO of Ubisense, commented, "We're really excited to have Felix's experience and leadership joining our Team at Ubisense. Felix's appointment completes a comprehensive realignment of our business to support our customers' desire to expand the reach of SmartSpace Solutions, bringing further efficiencies and insight to their operations." For more information about Ubisense and its SmartSpace solutions, please click here.About UbisenseUbisense is a leading provider of enterprise location intelligence solutions, delivering innovative technologies that help organizations achieve greater operational efficiency. Specializing in real-time location systems (RTLS), Ubisense's solutions enable precise tracking and management of assets and people in various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace.Media contact:Berkeley Communications Ubisense@ berkeleypr.com 01189 090909Contact InformationVicky HaydenAccount Director - Berkeley Communicationsubisense@ berkeleypr.com 01189 090909SOURCE: UbisenseView the original press release on newswire.com
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Personal Connection Drives Doug Hammond's Efforts to Support Alzheimer's PatientsBRYN MAWR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 /Visiting Angels, the nation's leading provider of in-home senior care, is proud to celebrate the special honor Michigan franchise owner Doug Hammond has received from the Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter. The 2024 Advocate of the Year award recognizes Hammond, independent owner and operator of Visiting Angels Great Lakes Bay Region, for advocacy efforts for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.Hammond's passion for volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association is deeply personal. His mother, Karen Martin, was a nurse when she opened the Visiting Angels Great Lakes Bay Region office nearly 25 years ago. In 2017, Martin was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and passed away three years later."I don't volunteer to earn awards. I do it for my mom, my family, and all the families we care for," said Hammond. "We have a long way to go with improving Alzheimer's care and finding a cure, but seeing things happen, such as increased research funding and a dementia unit in Michigan, is why I keep doing this. I know I'm making my mom proud." In his 13 years of volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association, Hammond has participated in the annual Saginaw Walk to End Alzheimer's, held countless district meetings, traveled to Lansing and Washington, D.C. multiple times to meet with legislators, and testified before the Michigan State Legislature."We're proud of Doug and his tireless efforts to advocate for those battling this terrible disease," said Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels. "Not only is he continuing his mother's legacy but also making a significant impact on the lives of countless families affected by Alzheimer's."Visiting Angels has more than 600 locations that provide compassionate Alzheimer's and dementia care to seniors. Dedicated caregivers perform a variety of tasks, including housekeeping, medication reminders, and hygiene assistance to help seniors age at home and offer peace of mind to their families.To learn more about Visiting Angels, visit https://www.visitingangels.com/ Media Contact:Nancy Bostrom919.459.8163 nbostrom@919 marketing.com About Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, Inc.Visiting Angels began franchising in 1998 in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area. Today, Visiting Angels has over 600 private-duty agencies throughout the United States. Visiting Angels is America's Choice in Home Care. Our professional and dedicated caregivers proudly help older adults live comfortably, independently, and safely in their own homes. For more information on Visiting Angels or to find a location near you, please visit www.visitingangels.com SOURCE: Visiting Angels
Three years after twin suicide attacks by female Boko Haram jihadists killed at least three and injured 13 worshippers in a mosque on the outskirts of Gwoza, Borno State, four women suspected to be members of the group, on Saturday, killed more than 20 persons in the area.

Within three hours on 29 June, the women detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at various locations in Mararaban Gwoza and Pulka. A factional Boko Haram leader, Ali Ngulde, controls the territories from his Mandara Mountain camp.

The Director-General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Barkindo Saidu, confirmed the attacks in an official statement but estimated the deaths at 18.

So far, we have 18 deaths, comprising children, adult male, females, and pregnant women, while the 19 persons that are seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances, Mr Saidu said on Saturday.

He said 23 survivors were waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS).

I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza, Mr Saidu said late on Saturday.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, gathered that the death toll increased to 21 on Sunday. Locals who spoke to our correspondent said the attacks were staged despite the presence of military operatives.

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She came as a beggar

It was around 3 p.m. and more than 50 wedding guests were gathered in an open space for a reception at Central Area, close to Central Primary School in Mararaban Gwoza, when a woman with a girl child walked in and detonated an explosive that killed at least four persons and injured many others.

The explosive also killed the little girl she came with.

She came as a beggar, said Musa Umar, a shop owner in the area.

Mr Umar said he had planned to attend the event.

I wanted to go to the reception after they returned from Fathias wedding Fathia, but something came up, he said. I was in my shop when I heard a loud explosion from the axis. When we got there, I saw a lot of bodies, including minors killed and injured by the bomb.

Those who witnessed the incident said she came as a beggar with a girl child, Mr Umar continued, adding the suicide bomber threw herself to the ground for the IED to explode.

Those killed in the first attacks were identified as Mallam Abba, a petrol attendant at a local fuel station; Musa Leader, a teacher at Government Girls Secondary School, Gwoza; Hamisu Umar, a recent university graduate, and a humanitarian aid worker, Danjuma Garawa.

An amateur video taken after the attack shows the shredded remains of the suicide bomber and the minor girl. At least five other victims could be seen lying helplessly in their own blood.

The second, third and fourth attacks

Another resident, who asked not to be identified for security reasons, narrated how the second suicide bomber attacked security operatives enforcing a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government.

They were asking her where she was going but she ran towards them and blew herself up, the source said, adding the incidents claimed the lives of four civilians as well as a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The third attack was recorded close to a shopping mall in Mararaban Gwoza and the fourth one at a funeral [janaza] prayer for some of those killed in the first attack.

Hamisu Haruna, a resident of Hausari Street along Mararaban Gwoza, said his cousin [Harisu Umar] died in the first attack.

In our area, Hausari, we lost three minors and an adult. Two among the minors, a male and female both aged 13 and another female aged 17, Mr Haruna told our reporter. The other adult, a male, aged about 19.

According to Mr Haruna, a total of 21 people were buried in the town. Some people died while being conveyed to Maiduguri for medical treatment, he said.

Why Boko Haram should be blamed for the attacks

Although no terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack, PREMIUM TIMES understands that such operational tactics are mostly deployed by Boko Haram, otherwise known as Jamatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad (JAS).

It has to be JAS, Vincent Foucher, a leading terrorism expert and researcher studying patterns of insurgency in North-east Nigeria, told PREMIUM TIMES, saying they had not carried out such attacks for a while.

Mr Foucher further explained in an X post that JAS may not claim responsibility because it is much weaker at claiming (responsibility) than its rival group, Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), a franchise of Islamic States (IS) in West Africa.

ISWAP has NEVER used female suicide bombers, Mr Foucher clarified, noting that Boko Haram is just a few kilometres from Gwoza, up the hills.

Previous incidents, including circumstances that led to factional splits in Boko Haram, are pointers that the group was responsible for the recent attacks.

Our correspondent understands that the use of women for suicide attacks was one of the reasons Islamic State (IS) fell out with the late Abubakar Shekau, a former Boko Haram leader.

In one of his research works that focused on analysing Mr Shekaus last audio released before his death, Mr Foucher said one of the factors that influenced the 2016 split was because the idiosyncratic terror leader refused to follow the guidance of the IS  allowing suicide attacks

Mr Shekau, who hitherto received monetary and other support from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and IS, exploited abducted women and children to carry out suicide attacks at the height of the insurgency in the North-east region.

A 2017 research work published by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point revealed that Boko Haram used more than 200 female suicide bombers between 2014 and 2017.

Of the 434 total number of Boko Harams suicide bombers, 244 of the bombers are identified as female  a rate of at least 56% of bombers in total and 72.2% of bombers with an identified gender, the authors stated.

Two female suicide bombers arrested?

A few hours after President Bola Tinubu vowed to deal with the perpetrators of the bomb attacks, it was reported that two suspected female suicide bombers were arrested. Various news outlets that published the report attributed the claim to a local government official.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Borno State, Nahum Kenneth, said the command had not received any report about the arrest. He advised that the military be contacted for confirmation.

However, Ajemasu Jingina, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Army in Borno, could not be reached.

Mr Jingina, a lieutenant-colonel, did not respond to calls and an SMS sent to him.

However, a Borno-based terrorism researcher who wished not to be named told PREMIUM TIMES that there are always scapegoats in situations like this.

The researcher, not disputing the arrests, explained that the women arrested may be innocents because there is no way you can arrest somebody with an IED vest without an explosion.

He said many times, people had been wrongly arrested for similar offences and later released after thorough investigations.

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed, on Monday, a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Kanu filed the suit alleging that the State Security Service (SSS), which has held him in custody since June 2021, undermined his defence regarding his ongoing trial before the Federal High Court.

However, delivering judgement on the matter, the judge, James Omotosho, ruled on Monday that Mr Kanu failed to substantiate his allegations and violations of his rights for which he sought N1 billion compensation.

The judgement comes less than two weeks after Mr Kanu declared his intention to negotiate with the Nigerian government to drop the treasonable felony charges against him.

The SSS is holding Mr Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, over charges of treasonable felony arising from his separatist campaigns for the secession of independent Biafra from Nigeria.

His trial started in 2015 and stalled after he fled the country on being granted bail in 2017.

He was re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 to continue his trial. The trial judge, Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, ordered his remand in SSS custody throughout his trial.

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Kanus grievances in N1 billion suit

However, on 4 December 2023, the IPOB leader filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Mr Omotosho, accusing SSS operatives of hindering his preparation for his defence in custody.

Mr Kanu, whose bail applications have been repeatedly turned down by the trial court, accused SSS operatives of eavesdropping on the discussions of his defence with his lawyers.

He also accused the SSS operatives of preventing his lawyers from taking notes while meeting with him, sometimes outrightly preventing them from meeting him.

According to him, the SSS operatives also seized and photocopied sensitive documents meant for his defence.

He said these actions impaired his defence for his ongoing trial and amounted to violating his rights.

No evidence

However, the trial judge, Mr Omotosho, ruled in his judgement on Monday that Mr Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to back the alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

Mr Omotosho held that Mr Kanu failed to substantiate with evidence his claims that SSS operatives denied him unhindered access to his lawyers.

He also ruled that the plaintiff failed to prove his claim that SSS officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers in preparation for his defence.

Kanus suit, prayers

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IPOB leader, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the SSS and its director-general as 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.

He sought a declaration that the respondents act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents pertaining to facilitating the preparation of his defence, which were brought to him at the respondents detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to a denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice.

He also sought a declaration that the respondents act of refusing or preventing his counsel from taking notes of details of counsels professional discussions/consultations with him at SSS detention, with said discussions/consultations relating to the preparation of his defence amounted to a denial of his right to be given adequate facilities for the preparation of his defence by legal practitioners of his own choice.

A declaration that the respondents act of eavesdropping on his confidential consultations/conversations with his lawyers on matters relating to the preparation of his defence during the lawyers visitations amounted to a denial of the applicants right to be given adequate facilities for the preparation of his defence and to be. defended by legal practitioners of his own choice.

He described the acts as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and constituted an infringement of his fundamental right to fair hearing as enshrined and guaranteed under Section 36(6)(b) & (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7(1)(c) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

Mr Kanu, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to him at the detention facility by his lawyers.

An order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of refusing or preventing the applicants counsel from taking notes of details of counsels professional discussions/consultations with the applicant during the counsels visitation with the applicant at the premises of respondents detention facility.

An order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of eavesdropping on the applicants confidential consultations/conversations with his lawyers on matters relating to the preparation of the applicants defence during the lawyers visitations with the applicant at the detention facility.

Mr Kanu sought an order compelling the respondents to issue an official letter of apology to him for the infringement of his fundamental right to a fair hearing.

He also sought an order mandating the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of N1 billion as damages for the mental, emotional, psychological and other damages he suffered as a result of his rights breach.

The trial of Mr Kanu on charges of treasonable felony recently resumed before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Bintang Nyako, following a Supreme Court order.

SSS opposition

However, the SSS denied Mr Kanus allegations and claims in a counter-affidavit filed on 12 March.

Yamuje Benye, a staff member of the SSS legal department who deposed to the counter-affidavit, pointed out 11 paragraphs that he claimed were untrue in Mr Kanus affidavit.

He averred that Mr Kanu was in safe and secure SSS custody and not detained in solitary confinement.

According to Mr Benye, the applicant (Kanu) was allowed access to his family members and team of lawyers on his visiting days without any hindrance whatsoever.

He said the IPOB leader was permitted to interact and consult with his lawyers on his visiting days without any interference.

He said at no time did any SSS personnel seize or confiscate documents brought to Mr Kanu by his lawyers or any other person.

He added that SSS personnel never denied Mr Kanus lawyers the professional liberty to perform their lawful duty of discussing, consulting and interacting with him.

Applicants lawyers are allowed to moderate size notes or pads for the visit, but the exchange of materials that promotes the IPOB ideals (subject matter of applicants criminal trial) were strongly resisted and refused.

Applicant has consistently requested that various prayer books and religious materials be brought to him as part of his fundamental human right, the deponent wrote.

Mr Benye also said another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja overseeing Mr Kanus trial, Binta Nyako, had always maintained that visits to him should always be under supervision in line with best practices all over the world.

According to him, the applicant (Kanu), along with his counsel, was permitted to consult and interact on visiting days in one of the best interview facilities of the SSS to ensure maximum comfort of the applicant and his visitor(s).

The official, who denied allegations that the personnel usually record their interaction during visits, said there is no basis for eavesdropping and recording of their conversations.

He said that in line with the Service Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) of SSS, all visitors to her facility were subjected to regular routine security checks and that items in their possession were scanned.

According to him, the measure was put in place to prevent unauthorised materials from making their way into the facility.

He said Mr Kanu had argued the same issues before the judge handling his trial, Nyako, and the matter was already reserved for judgment.

Mr Benye, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the instant suit because it constituted an abuse of the court process.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the AGF similarly urged the court to dismiss the suit for being an abuse of court process.

(NAN)

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The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down about 100 shops in Ogbete Main Market in Enugu State.

Ogbete is the biggest market in the South-eastern state.

NAFDACs Director in the South-east, Martins Iluyomade, said the shops were shut down because the owners were allegedly dealing in suspected fake alcoholic beverages.

Mr Iluyomade, a pharmacist, said the agency shut down the shops when its officials raided the market Monday.

He said that during the raid, the agency also confiscated a truckload of adulterated products and arrested four traders suspected of selling fake beverages.

We stormed the popular Ogbete Main Market, Enugu in Enugu State since Friday and have shut down 100 shops which have been identified for selling fake alcoholic beverages.

Arrests were made and the suspects are currently in custody, Mr Iluyomade said.

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This fake wine and alcoholic beverages are being sold to unsuspected customers and the general public but we are determined to rid the market of these unwholesome products, he stated.

Prosecution

Mr Iluyomade said the arrested suspects would be charged to court at the end of their ongoing investigation.

The NAFDAC chief explained that the raid was in furtherance to the agencys mandate to safeguard the health of Nigerians and rid the South-east of unwholesome, substandard, fake and adulterated products.

He said the operation was conducted in collaboration with the personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, State Security Service and the Nigerian Army.

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The police have arrested a boy for allegedly stabbing his friend to death in a dispute over a mobile phone set.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mohammed Isah stabbed Nurudeen Nuhu in the stomach with a kitchen knife at the Abattoir area, Kwata Tayi village in Minna, the Niger State capital.

The incident occurred Sunday morning, with reports saying Mr Nuhu was rushed to hospital but was later confirmed dead.

The police spokesperson in Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.

It was reported at GRA Division that there was a fight between Mohammed Isah of Angwan-Biri and Nurudeen Nuhu of Angwan-Daji at the Abattoir area, Kwata Tayi village, over a handset issue.

During the fight, Mohammed Isah allegedly stabbed Nurudeen with a knife in the stomach. Police operatives attached to the Division moved to the scene and rushed the victim to the General Hospital, where he gave up the ghost and was confirmed dead, he added.

Mohammed Isah was arrested, and a preliminary investigation is ongoing. He will soon be transferred to SCID for further investigation and prosecution.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set up a disciplinary panel to investigate two operatives accused of assaulting a woman during their teams raid on a hotel in Lagos last week.

A press statement by the commission on Sunday said the chairperson of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede, raised the committee to look into the case which happened at Regional Hotel, Ojo, Lagos, on Thursday.

Olukoyede ordered the arrest of the two officers and has directed them to appear before a joint Disciplinary Team comprising the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, APDC and the Department of Ethics and Integrity, said the statement signed by EFCCs Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

The press statement, like the previous ones from commission about the incident since Thursday, did not reveal the identities of the two officers.

The commission repeated on Sunday that the officers were caught on camera assaulting the woman during the operation at the Lagos hotel.

The two officers are billed to appear before the dsciplinary panel at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 1 July, the commission said on Sunday.

It added that the disciplinary panel is expected to investigate the allegations against the officers and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken against them.

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Mr Olukoyede stressed that no stone will be left unturned in getting the officers to account for their unprofessional conduct, the statement said further.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the EFCC chair ordered the arrest of the the two officers captured on camera assaulting a woman in a hotel room in Lagos on Thursday.

Video clip

A video clip which went viral online on Thursday showed about five EFCC operatives in tactical vests break into a room through the door. As soon as they entered the room, one of them began to slap repeatedly a woman they met seated on the bed.

The woman did not try to fight back or struggle with the operatives.

EFCC described the woman as a staff member of the hotel.

Social media commentators, who also shared different video clips capturing scenes from the EFCC operation, said both the staff and guests of the hotel were assaulted by the commissions operatives.

ALSO READ: EFCC chairman orders arrest of officers for assaulting woman during hotel raid

The operatives led the woman out of the room after the short scene. Two of the operatives could be seen inspecting the drawer of a table in the room. One of them picked up something, which was not clear in the video clip reviewed by our reporter, before leaving the room.

This operation led to the arrest of a sizable number of suspects who are currently being profiled, the statement said.

Arrests

Meanwhile, the commission announced the arrest of 117 suspected internet fraudsters at the hotel in a later statement on Thursday.

The suspects were arrested at Regional Hotel, Iyana- Ishasi, Lagos in a sting operation, following verified intelligence about their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud, the statement stated.

The statement said operatives recovered items, including mobile phones, laptops and four cars from the suspects a the point of arrest on Thursday.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, the statement added.

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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has mourned one of his predecessors, Ibrahim Ogohi, who died Sunday morning in Abuja after a brief illness.

Mr Musa, an army general, described the deceased as an elder statesman, a core patriot and a naval officer who continued to provide his wealth of experience to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) even after retirement from active service two decades ago.

Mr Ogohi, who died at the age of 75, served as the CDS between 1999 and 2003.

The deceaseds journey to becoming a CDS

Mr Musa, in a statement signed by Tukur Gusau, a brigadier general and the acting Director Defence Information, gave a brief profile of the deceased naval officer.

Mr Ogohi, according to the statement, was born in Lafia, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, on 14 November 1948.

In 1967, he enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of 4th Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1970.

He was a Principal Warfare Specialist Officer who majored in Under Water Warfare. He started his military training as a Midshipman in the United Kingdom in 1971 and attended the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India in 1972.

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He also attended his Staff and Defence courses at the United States Naval War College in 1980 and 1991 respectively, it added.

The late CDS served in various capacities including as the Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship YOLA  1976  1977, Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ships OTOBO and DORINA  1980, Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship EKUN  1982.

Mr Ogohi became the Naval Provost Marshall in 1982 and commanded Nigerian Navy Ship ANANSA from 1985  1986.

In addition, The late CDS served as the Director of Administration Nigerian Defence Academy between 1986 and 1987. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Directing Staff at the National War College (now National Defence College) between 1992 and 1993.

In 1995, he was appointed Chief of Policy and Plans at the Naval Headquarters and became Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, in May 1996, the statement continued. He was promoted Rear Admiral in July 1996 and promoted Vice Admiral in June 2000.

Mr Ogohi was appointed as a CDS in 1999 and retired as an admiral in 2003 after 33 years of distinguished service to the nation.

While in the Service, Mr Ogohi was decorated with the Forces Service Star, passed staff course, fellow of the United States War College and Distinguished Fellow of the National War College.

He was subsequently conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Even though members of the National Assembly spent the larger part of last week on holiday, it turned out to be an eventful weekfrom a tragic incident in the committee room to boos and cheers in the chamber over the 2023 budgets. Here is a recap of events in the Green Chamber in the last week.

Tragedy in the Committee Room

In the past couple of years, the walls of the committee rooms of the National Assembly have witnessed a number of dramas, from the  off-your-mic saga to the collapse of Daniel Pondei, a former NDDC Managing Director. If only walls could talk.

On Tuesday, an actual tragedy occurred. Andrew Essien, a deputy comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), collapsed during an interaction with lawmakers and was later pronounced dead by the doctors at the National Assembly Clinic.

Mr Essien, who was in charge of revenue in the NCSs Account Unit, was answering questions about customs revenue when he coughed and requested water.

The final moments of the officer were surreal. Sir, I might need to take some water, Mr Essien said while struggling to open a bottle of water in front of him.

Before he could be helped to open the bottle by his colleague, the officer collapsed and was rushed to the National Assembly Clinic, but he did not come out of that clinic, unlike Mr Pondei, who walked out alive.

Rowdy Session over extension of 2023 budgets

On Thursday, the lawmakers cut short their holiday to amend the 2023 Appropriations Act and the 2023 supplementary budget. President Bola Tinubu transmitted the executive bills to allow the full implementation of the capital components of the two budgets.

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The request for the extension ordinarily would have been treated casually, considering that the House had earlier approved requests for extension twicein December and March.

However, PREMIUM TIMES had, on the eve of the emergency session, reported that the extension could create a situation where the country is running four budgets concurrently in light of the plans by Mr Tinubus government to introduce a 2024 supplementary budget.

During the debate on the general principle of the bills, several lawmakers raised concerns about the possibility of running four concurrent budgets.

The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), led the opposition to the bill and was surprisingly backed by former Majority Leader Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano).

Many lawmakers supported the debate with boos and cheers. Those who spoke in favour of the bill got boos, while those who spoke against it got cheers.

To avoid what could have become a political embarrassment, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called for an executive session to deliberate on the request. After the 30-minute closed session, the move by the speaker worked as the lawmakers speedily passed bills.

Abia Lawmaker in Daura over Nnamdi Kanu

On Saturday, Obi Aguocha, the House of Representatives member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura over the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr Aguocha, in a statement he released, said his visit to Mr Buhari was to seek his intervention and support for political dialogue and constructive engagement that could engender a resolution of the issues surrounding the continued detention and trial of Mr Kanu, and that could lead to his release on pragmatic national reconciliation considerations.

For the missteps, utterances, and ill gestures of the past, especially on the part of my constituent and brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I am deeply sorry, he said in the statement.

Mr Aguocha is one of the 50 lawmakers who wrote a letter to President Tinubu seeking the release of the separatist leader.

Meanwhile, it appears Mr Aguocha has changed his strategy on the demand for the release of Mr Kanu. He once said Mr Kanu was incarcerated because of Mr Buharis hatred for the people of the South-east.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a victim of President Buharis ill will and hatred against the Dot people, he said in response to a book by Femi Adesina.

Mr Adesina, a former spokesperson for the ex-president, in his book published recently, had quoted the former president as saying bringing Mr Kanu back to face trial in Nigeria was a favour.

Mr Adesina, in the book titled Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023), narrated how a group known as Highly-Respected Igbo Greats, led by Mbazulike Ameachi, a First Republic Minister of Aviation, pleaded with the former president to release Mr Kanu.

In an excerpt from the book, Mr Buhari was quoted to have told his guests that incarcerating Mr Kanu was a favour compared to the alternative.

I feel it is a favour to give him (Kanu) that opportunity. The government could have mobilised to eliminate him where he was, but we did not do that.

Mr Kanu was first arrested in 2015 during the administration of the former president.

The IPOB leader is being tried for alleged terrorism, among other charges.

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Nigerian broadcaster Arise TV has won a defamation suit brought against it in the United States by a Nigerian pastor, Adetunmbi Adewami.

The US District Court in Maryland dismissed the suit on Tuesday, holding that it lacked jurisdiction over the television station.

Judge Peter Messite held that the fact that the news article complained of by the plaintiff was accessible through the internet in Maryland did not automatically empower the court to hear the matter.

He maintained that the defendant, Arise TV, must have sufficient contact with Maryland to activate the courts jurisdiction to hear the case.

Merely broadcasting a news article that became accessible on the internet in the state is not sufficient to show a defendants own contacts with the state, Mr Massite ruled.

Plaintiffs grievance

The lead pastor of Christ Royal Assembly for All Nations International, headquartered in Maryland, USA, filed the case against Arise TV, through its parent company, Arise Media Inc.(Nigeria), on 20 April 2023.

He alleged in the suit that a news article, titled, Pastor charges N310k for heaven, which Arise TV aired and published on the internet on 27 April 2022, caused him harm and resulted in severe and serious emotional distress.

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He said the article falsely used his picture and maliciously claimed that he charged congregants N310,000 to enable them to fly to heaven.

The pastor said this false and offensive broadcast was aired and disseminated to a global audience through the internet and to the thousands of people who live in Maryland.

For this reason, Mr Adewami said the circulation of that broadcast damaged his reputation as a cleric, pastor, and Christian missionary to the point that he lost congregation members.

He further claimed that this reputational harm resulted in severe and serious emotional distress which he experienced in the state of Maryland.

He said the online publication by Arise TV amounted to both libel and libel per se, false light invasion of privacy, infliction of emotional distress (both intentional and negligent), and common-law misappropriation of his image and likeness.

Call for default judgement

Court documents show that Arise TV was served with the complaint on 9 May 2023, and proof of service was filed with the court by 15 June 2023, as Arise TV did not respond within the requisite period.

On 1 July 2023, Mr Adewami moved for entry of default judgement against Arise TV. Two months later, in September, the clerk of the court issued an order of default against Arise TV.

Courts findings

After reviewing the submitted materials, the court found that no hearing was necessary and, therefore, the case must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Accordingly, the motion for default judgement is moot, the court ruled, implying that the motion was not worth considering.

The court held that any judgement entered against a defendant over whom the court does not have personal jurisdiction is void.

The court concluded that it lacked jurisdiction over Arise TV because Arise is not incorporated in Maryland and has no explicit affiliation with Maryland.

Having reviewed the broadcast, which is accessible online, the court found that Arise TV did not broadcast the news article about Mr Adewami with the intent to target the Maryland audience.

The mere fact that information is available on the internet is not sufficient to demonstrate targeting, the court ruled.

The court held that, although the news article about Mr Adewami was accessible online in Maryland and that the plaintiff complained of suffering various injuries in Maryland because of it, that is insufficient to establish specific personal jurisdiction.

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The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), Edward Asante, has called on the ECOWAS Parliament to ensure that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger rescind their threat to exit the bloc.

Justice Asante stated this in a goodwill message at the formal opening of the first 2024 ordinary session of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three Sahel countries officially communicated their decision to quit ECOWAS earlier in January after they were hit with sanctions over military takeovers.

Mr Asante said he was aware that the parliament had been engaging high-level officials of those states through its members to ensure their return to ECOWAS.

He described the effort as a noble initiative that the parliament should be commended for and which should be sustained under the 6th legislature.

This should continue until the realisation of the objective that informed the decision in the spirit of solidarity and complementarity, which is at the foundation of the community.

This is so that we can continue our relentless march towards the development of our region by leveraging our rich human and material resources.

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I can assure you that the court remains available to provide whatever support that is necessary in furtherance of this and other initiatives that will preoccupy the members during the sixth legislature through its standing, joint and ad hoc committees, Mr Asante said.

The CCJ President noted that the sessions inauguration coincided with a period of seismic political developments in the region, which if not appropriately managed, have grave implications for the region.

According to him, these can potentially hamper the blocs efforts at democratic consolidation, regional cohesion and the integration of the region.

These relate to the resurgence of military coups in the region and the avowed intention of the member states that have, despite our entreaties, refused to return to the Community, he said.

Mr Asante recalled that the court had sought to draw attention to the scourge by providing the platform of its 2023 international conference in Banjul to discuss these threats to the regions struggle to entrench democracy in the region.

I am hopeful that the presentation by the President of the Commission on the Community Work programme during this session will enable members of parliament have further insight into the regional efforts to reintegrate the affected states into the ECOWAS family, he added

(NAN)

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The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has said the Nigeria Police Force was not properly structured to fight security challenges.

Mr Bamidele, the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, maintained that effective policing would not be achieved in the country until fundamental changes in the police structure were made.

The senate leader stated this on Monday at the 2024 Distinguished Personality Lecture Series jointly organised by the Department of Political Science and Institute of Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

I maintain that the police have not been set up properly to succeed in this nation. Effective policing in Nigeria is almost impossible unless there are fundamental changes, he said.

Mr Bamidele lamented incessant unprofessional conduct of police officers and failure of its leadership to check misconduct among the officers.

Indeed, the constraints faced by the police are used as excuses for various misconducts and unprofessional behaviours by many officers of the force.

Despite many attempts by its leadership of the Nigeria Police to enforce discipline and even sack bad eggs, operational misconduct is still prevalent in the ranks of police operatives, and this undermines their capacity to decisively respond to pervasive insecurity nationwide he added.

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Solution

Mr Bamidele proposed state police as a major solution to the insecurity challenges in the country.

It is self-evident that the establishment of state police will go a long way in mitigating Nigerias current security challenges, especially if the proper control mechanisms are put in place, he said.

The lawmaker also recommended the establishment of an Independent Police Service Commission to guarantee the autonomy of the state police at federal and state levels in matters of appointment, discipline, promotions and accountability.

He added that the commission should be patterned after the National Judicial Council (NJC) to prevent politicians from interference.

The senate leader also expressed concerns about the establishment of local security agencies by some state governments without a legal framework.

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Here are the highlights of the top stories that made headlines in South-east Nigeria within the past week:

ASUU-Otti disagreement over salary payment

On Sunday 23 June, we brought you a report of disagreement between Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and members of the Abia State University (ABSU) Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Mr Otti earlier claimed that his administration has continued to pay workers salaries as at when due and was not owing any civil servant in the state.

But in a statement jointly signed by the ABSU-ASUUs Chairperson, Chidi Mbah and its Secretary, Victor Obisike, the union said contrary to Mr Ottis claims, only a handful of staff have received their April salary and fewer have received their May salary, as of 22 June.

The union said some of its members received their April or May salary, and not for the two months.

It pointed out that some members in the category also experienced unexplained deductions ranging from N8,000 to N50,000 from the paid one month salary.

Peter Obi visits family of LP governorship candidate abducted three years ago

Last Monday, we reported that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, visited the family of Obiora Agbasimalo, the abducted 2021 LP governorship candidate in Anambra State.

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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.

He has not been seen since his abduction.

Eucharia Agbasimalo, wife of the abducted LP candidate, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Obi visited the family at their residence in Lagos State on 16 June.

Relevant authorities, including the leadership of the LP, are yet to speak up on Mr Agbasimalos abduction.

Nigerian community invokes deities to stop frequent theft in hospital

We also brought a strange report about a Nigerian community which 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 Enugu 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.

A video clip, which has now gone viral, showed some members of the community invoking the deities in front of the hospital.

The incident happened in June.

Alleged police extortion of N810,000 from a Nigerian

The cases of extortion by Nigerian police continued last Friday when police operatives from Anambra State allegedly extorted N810, 000 from a resident in the state.

A human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, drew the attention of the Nigerian police to the alleged extortion via a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

Mr Gwamnishu uploaded on the X handle a voice note of the unidentified man and screenshot of his transaction receipt indicating that the N810,000 was withdrawn from his bank account.

In the voice note, the victim narrated how the operatives allegedly flagged down his vehicle at Upper Iweka Onitsha and forced him to withdraw the money.

The operatives who were from the Area Command Onitsha, according to the victim, subsequently planted a pack of marijuana in his vehicle, which they planned to use to incriminate him.

He said the operatives also accused him of being an internet fraudster and forced him to handle the pack of marijuana while they filmed him, apparently to manufacture evidence against him.

After the attention of police authorities were drawn to the development by the human rights activist, the operatives returned the money to the Nigerian.

Extortion of students in Nigerian university by lecturers

In a related development, Rufai Oseni, a programme anchor at Arise TV, on Tuesday, shared a post on his X handle from an unidentified student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka alleging that there were ongoing cases of extortion of post-graduate students in the department of political science at the university.

The unidentified student alleged that some lecturers- mainly the departments head and the coordinator of the universitys postgraduate programme  were extorting between N35,000 and N500,000 from post-graduate students

The student, according to the X post, was pursuing a doctorate degree in the department.

In response to the X post, the university management said they would investigate the allegations against the lecturers.

Five killed as gunmen attack police facility in Ebonyi, raze vehicles

It was a sad day in Ebonyi State on Wednesday when gunmen attacked Ishieke Divisional Police Headquarters in the state.

Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen invaded the police facility at about 9:30 p.m. and started firing sporadic shots.

Five of the gunmen were later confirmed killed by troops of the Nigerian army who repelled the attack.

The attack showed that insecurity in the South-east has not slowed down.

Killing of a resident by police operative

On Thursday, we brought you a report of how a police officer allegedly killed a resident at a recreational centre along Echara Road in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The incident happened when the operative fired sporadic shots to disperse a crowd which had gathered during a scuffle between the manager of the centre and another operative accused of sexually assaulting a suspected commercial sex worker at the centre.

The slain victim has been identified as Chinedu Edeh.

The police in Enugu State said they had ordered an investigation into the killing.

Gunmen kill six in another attack in South-east Nigeria

Hours before the attack in Ebonyi, gunmen wreaked havoc in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State where they killed six people.

The gunmen who carried out the attack were suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing, Eastern Security Network.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aboki Danjuma, vowed that the police in the state will track down the killers. He appealed to residents to support police operatives with information about the attackers.

Killing of two police operatives in Abia

The deadly attacks and killings in the South-east continued on Friday when gunmen killed two police operatives and injured two others in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

The gunmen were said to have attacked the operatives at their checkpoint at about 5:30 p.m.

The latest attack occurred barely a month after gunmen killed five soldiers in the state on 30 May.

The Abia State Governor, Mr Otti, later visited families of the slain operatives and vowed to stop attacks on security operatives in the state.

IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the south-east and some parts of the south-south Nigeria, has been linked to the frequent attacks and killings in the regions.

But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

Peter Obi calls for Nnamdi Kanus release

Like several others, Mr Obi, last Saturday, continued his call for the release of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had made a similar call in March 2017.

Mr Kanu, who faces terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been in detention since he was rearrested in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria from Kenya under controversial circumstances.

The LP candidate, speaking to reporters on Saturday in Onitsha suggested that there was no reason for the continuous detention of the IPOB leader considering that a Nigerian court earlier acquitted him.

PREMIUM TIMES conducted a fact-check on his claim and found it to be incorrect given that the ruling which initially discharged and acquitted Mr Kanu was later overturned by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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The recent video of a lady who narrated her terrible experience at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport made embarrassed Nigerians cover their faces in shame. The lady was scandalised that every other airport worker or law enforcement agent she encountered was either a beggar (Didnt you bring anything for me?) or an extortionist who would waste your time with stupid questions and merry-go-rounds until you wisened up and greased his palms.

Nobody gets a second chance to make a first impression. If you go to the river for a swim and, in your very first attempt at testing the depth, a crocodile attempts to snatch your foot, would you still dive in and give the croc a hearty breakfast?

That is exactly how tourism functions. There are no sentiments. You travel to countries that are likely to give you the treasures of good memories. At times you take a chance, even after being warned by the plethora of consular and travel agency sites. If you make an enquiry about Nigeria on the Canadian site, it would tell you, Avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.

Travel Advisories

The United States, on its part, advises that Nigerias threat position is Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs.

If those are the only threats a foreign visitor would be expected to cope with, perhaps some could still venture here. Indeed many still do because they have to. Dont believe the baloney that Nigeria is broke. Go to the major airports and see the hundreds of foreigners begging to be allowed to experience our inhospitable airport setup and procedures on a daily basis.

But soon, pretty soon, many will have to damn the consequences and look elsewhere for their fortunes, rather than continue to expose themselves to the embarrassment and indignities guaranteed to be served to arriving passengers at our airports.

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The recent video of a lady who narrated her terrible experience at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport made embarrassed Nigerians cover their faces in shame. The lady was scandalised that every other airport worker or law enforcement agent she encountered was either a beggar (Didnt you bring anything for me?) or an extortionist who would waste your time with stupid questions and merry-go-rounds until you wisened up and greased his palms.

We see these things every day but they no longer make any impression on our psyche. We have failed to heed Tai Solarins admonition that we must confront evil at every turn or risk the affliction of being unshockable. We tolerate bad behaviour among public officials manning the gateway to our country, thereby poisoning the stream of first impression from source.

Shakedowns

There are levels to the programmed stress on offer at our international airports. The immigration officer may simply ask stupid personal questions for a prolonged length of time, just to appear friendly, before begging for alms. Experienced visitors to Nigeria simply squeeze a $50 bill into the hands of the official to cut the crap.

With Customs, the style is different. Even when you pass through the Nothing To Declare lane, their hawks will still swoop on you and insist that you open your suitcase. In other countries, once your luggage passes through the scanner and theres nothing suspicious in it, you are free to exit the airport. But here, Customs officials rifle their dirty hands with the same gloves theyve been wearing for ages, in search of items they can beg you to dash them.

Then, there is the horde of NDLEA officers, Port Health Quarantine Services, airport security, and several unidentified characters wearing reflective jackets. Many of them are piercing arriving passengers with hungry eyes, thinking up stratagems to make hay. By the time the passenger finally scales the Arrival hurdle, he needs to relieve himself. He makes for the restroom only to be confronted by another Nigerian invention  toilet mendicancy.

Airport users, Nigerians and foreigners alike, dont care whose business it is to rid our airports of the multiple leeches infesting them. They just want to be able to use our airports without hassle as they do in other climes  and that cant be too much to ask.

I drew attention to this embarrassing development in a column I wrote for the Daily Trust in 2016. Titled, Amaechi and Sirika Must Read This!, the article told the story of the embarrassment passengers were being subjected to by alms-seeking cleaners in the restrooms.

Toilet Beggars

A throwback: Good morning sir; welcome! said the young man in a cleaners uniform in the restroom of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The passenger answers grudgingly. There is solicitation for alms written all over the cleaner and the passenger was not in the mood for such a game, more so as it was just 6.30 a.m. The cleaner follows the passenger to the urinal as if the traveller needed assistance to unzip.

My friend, can I have some privacy, please? Why would you be following me like this?

The cleaner backed off and moved over to the wash-hand basin. As soon as the passenger was done, the cleaner was ready with liquid soap and tissue paper to assist him in washing his hands.

The passenger was exasperated: Please put the soap and toilet paper where they should be. Nobody needs your assistance to put soap in their hands and dry them after washing.

Sorry, sir, Im only trying to help.

The passenger ignored him and washed his hands. As he brought out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his hands, the cleaners face fell as if he had just been bereaved. But he wasnt done yet.

Journey mercies, sir. I am just like your child. Have a nice day, sir. The passenger understood that code. It was the airport equivalent of the police greeting at checkpoints: Happy weekend, my Oga; your boys are greeting you!

Beggars, beggars, everywhere!

It is bad enough that foreigners have to contend with negative advisories discouraging them from visiting Nigeria; what really rankles is having them discover that the advertised banditry and stylised robbery actually starts from the international gateway.

The Arrival Terminal at the international airport is similarly rigged to shake down passengers. An excellent expose on the scandalous state of affairs was made by Premium Times Oladeinde Olawoyin in his November 2018 report titled, INVESTIGATION: At Lagos airport, officials still extort travellers.

I was surprised last week at the surprise expressed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the prevalence of touts and extortionists at the countrys international airports. Where has he been all this while? And his attempt to exculpate his ministry did not gain any traction. Just to set the records straight, most of the agencies involved in this menace are not under the control of the Aviation Ministry, though they are stationed at our airports.

Airport users, Nigerians and foreigners alike, dont care whose business it is to rid our airports of the multiple leeches infesting them. They just want to be able to use our airports without hassle as they do in other climes  and that cant be too much to ask.

Nothing less than the image of Nigeria is at stake.

Edun, Tunji-Ojo, Keyamo

The three ministers in charge of the parent ministries supervising the Customs, Immigration and FAAN, respectively, are Wale Edun of Finance, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of Interior and Festus Keyamo of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Between these three gentlemen, it should be possible to retrieve whatever is left of our national pride and for once cleanse our airports of uniformed beggars and other supplicants in mufti. We are not the only country with poor people in the world (and how poor is an official who already has a job)? What is at play at our airports is not caused by poverty but by greed, shamelessness, lack of self esteem and habitual impunity. Corrupt officials know that they will not be sanctioned for bad behaviour because sleaze has become an accepted way of life. Aviation watchers are convinced that nothing short of a massive overhaul of the personnel (replace with only the best), and re-introduction of electronic gadgets (CCTVs and scanners) will do the trick.

It is bad enough that foreigners have to contend with negative advisories discouraging them from visiting Nigeria; what really rankles is having them discover that the advertised banditry and stylised robbery actually starts from the international gateway.

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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Journalism from Hell has now become a major pandemic in the church, the body of Christ. Satan seems to have offered permanent employments to many misguided believers to stand as adversaries to the body in their unending quest to, correct the body  an assignment that is only within the purview of the Holy Spirit. Like I have always reiterated, no man can change another man. The Bible is so clear, no man can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

You can actually be on the payroll of Hell and not know. Hell is super structured, and probably even more structured than our world. I have a revelation from God on the journalism department of Hell, from where people, and even carnal believers, are recruited to help Satan propagate information on the earth. Its part of the Faculty of Accusation in Hell that the Bible clearly talks about in Revelations 12:10. We now have a generation of believers whose primary assignment is to dig into the lives of genuine servants of God and even fellow believers for fault-finding missions, even to the point of going back in history to as far back as the last thirty, forty, and even fifty years of a brothers life.

Ultimately, the agenda is to destroy these men, rubbish their integrity, take them off the stage of ministry, and lead millions of young people away from the church. This is not the ways of God, but the agenda of Satan. Dont accept any role in the Department of Journalism, under the Faculty of Accusation. We should correct errors, when necessary, but must do so with discretion, wisdom, and the love of God.

Over the last ten years, the internet and social media have become a cesspool of accusatory contents, videos, and articles from many of our brothers and sisters in the body, who claim to have been sent by God to expose evil in the church. For the most part, many of the people who took up this assignment as a full time work or ministry, ended up shooting themselves out of the way of truth, with most of them either becoming atheists or even much worse in moral standards, than the people they claimed to be correcting. The error here is that we think that by shouting the sins and errors of others on social media, the guilty would repent, which is sadly not true, but rather a counterproductive strategy that makes people more rebellious, bitter, and arrogant.

The Lord did not tell you to broadcast the sins or weaknesses of your fellow brother from the rooftop. The spirit thats motivating you to do this is from Hell. I am focusing on genuine brothers and sisters, and on genuine ministers of God who fall into errors or sins, either intentionally or mistakenly. My focus here is on the genuine members of the body. You will know a genuine man of God by most of his fruits.

Another rationale for doing this is premised on the need to rescue the members of churches whose pastors have been found to be error merchants or false leaders. While this may be seen as a strategy for opening the eyes of the innocent under perceived false ministers, empirical evidence has shown that many of these false leaders never lose their large followerships or mammoth memberships. The followers are supremely loyal to them, regardless of any negative thing put out there about them. It then follows that the best way to change people is to expose them to the light of the truth through sound teachings, while leaving them to God to do His perfect work of convictions. You cant help God by becoming like the devil. If Gods ways are not sufficient to solve a problem, then Satans ways are eternally unsuitable. 

The Lord did not tell you to broadcast the sins or weaknesses of your fellow brother from the rooftop. The spirit thats motivating you to do this is from Hell. I am focusing on genuine brothers and sisters, and on genuine ministers of God who fall into errors or sins, either intentionally or mistakenly. My focus here is on the genuine members of the body. You will know a genuine man of God by most of his fruits.

The striking truth here is that a lot of our brethren who are doing this are actually on the payroll of Hell without knowing this. Journalism from Hell has now become a major pandemic in the church, the body of Christ. Satan seems to have offered permanent employments to many misguided believers to stand as adversaries to the body in their unending quest to, correct the body  an assignment that is only within the purview of the Holy Spirit. Like I have always reiterated, no man can change another man. The Bible is so clear, no man can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The scriptures are very clear, there is a Satanic ministry of the accuser of the brethren, which sadly, many of our brothers and sisters in the name of blogging have embraced. It is still the same thing  journalism from Hell.

Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

The scriptures are very clear, there is a Satanic ministry of the accuser of the brethren, which sadly, many of our brothers and sisters in the name of blogging have embraced. It is still the same thing  journalism from Hell. To be continued.

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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Politics in Rivers State has been too mucky since October 2023, over who controls its soul. This surreal situation has spawned tumultuous occurrences, dangers to lives, and, in some instances, deaths that tend to discredit the praxis of democracy.

The chaos was triggered by the falling apart of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather, Nyesom Wike, less than five months after the former assumed office on 29 May, 2023. As it has been the case since 2007, many outgoing governors anoint and install their successors, largely with state resources.

This doesnt happen without a huge cost: a governor so bred becomes a puppet, or loses his executive powers to the godfather, who decides how the state cabinet is formed; and how other crucial matters of governance are carried out  with his approval. But more often than not, the honeymoon is short-lived, as the governor begins to assert his independence. In the Wike-Fubara tango, only the duo can exactly say what is amiss between them. What is clear to all, however, is that their disagreement has split the government down the middle.

Nowhere is this animus more evident than in the State House of Assembly, with 27 of its members being acolytes of Mr Wike, who have been trying to impeach the governor since October last year. Three out of the four state legislators who are on the side of the governor, now constitute the legislature, and they have been holding legislative sessions inside the Government House. In the cabinet, not less than five pro-Wike commissioners have resigned, been reinstated, before resigning again; just as the 27 belligerent lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Last year, a presidential intervention temporarily secured the peace of the grave yard.

Wike has accused the governor of attempting to tamper with the political structure he erected, which brought the governor into office. Again, he said, You cannot work and people will begin to fight and bring (in) enemies; those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that. This can hardly be an altruistic and justifiable reason for the 27 lawmakers to have initiated an impeachment proceeding against the governor.

Ahead of the consummation of the plot then, the legislative complex, which was venue of their sittings, was mysteriously bombed. Observers attributed that bizarre incident to the executive arm of government, which had allegedly acted pre-emptively over the bid to sack the governor. Subsequently, the building was bulldozed and the governor approved N19.6 billion for its reconstruction last month. This is a colossal waste of public funds that should have been better deployed towards the provision of social services to the people. On Tuesday last week, an improvised explosive device (IED) that almost reduced the state owned five-star, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, was freakishly set off.

Members of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, who were on a visit to Port Harcourt, were lodged in the hotel. It is quite scary contemplating what Governor Fubara allegedly told the lawmakers, that the idea behind the bombing that missed the target was to create grounds for the National Assembly to declare a state of emergency in the state. This would have eased him out of power while it lasted.

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One of the issues in the power struggle between the governor and his alienated godfather was the expected continuation in office of chairpersons of local government areas, whose tenures had expired on 17 June, after three-year electoral mandates. The 27 pro-Wike lawmakers had extended the tenure of these LGAs helmsmen by six months, amid the non-conduct of local council polls, while the governor appointed caretaker chairpersons to oversee the councils pending fresh elections. Both the extended tenures and caretaker appointments are alien to the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Rivers States noxious fumes are not exactly new in our democratic practice. In Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Zamfara, Enugu, Kano, Sokoto and Delta states, imprints of godfatherism in gubernatorial successions in this Fourth Republic are pretty much in evidence. In some cases, the tussles have ultimately reduced the godfathers to political turncoats. But its expansiveness or corrosive effect in the oil-rich Rivers State is now enough reason to instigate a national conversation on how to defang it before it causes incurable damage to this democracy.

In retrospect, the First and Second Republics had Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo as political godfathers. They were leaders who had visions and missions, with a coterie of proteges who later held the banners of their parties and ideologies loftily. Not this notorious dimension that it has taken, which incubates impunity and destroys democratic filaments, as encapsulated in internal party democracy, inclusivity in decision-making, and the rule of law.

After 24 years of unbroken democratic rule, despite its frailties, the ownership of political parties and their structures should not be allowed to turn to fiefdoms, no matter how strong they may be. Therefore, PREMIUM TIMES advocates a well-structured legal framework that forestalls the hijacking or appropriation of political parties, even by a president, governors, or powerful individual members. As elections in the US and UK always exemplify, the emergence of party flag-bearers is a members-driven recruitment process. When dictators or emperors, masquerading as democrats, snatch the process here without resistance, it puts democracy to the sword.

This monstrosity took firm roots in 2007 in the country, when presidential front runners for the PDP ticket, as Ken Nnamani, a former president of the Senate, put it in his book, were hounded out of the way or convinced to withdraw by the powers that be, for the anointed late Umaru YarAdua to emerge as the PDP candidate. Many governors, who were serving out their terms followed suit in relation to their successors.

Unfortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari equally sought to embrace this malevolent culture, with his reminder to the APC governors in May 2022 that it was a payback time as he had given them the privilege of promoting (choosing) their successors. Therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023. But he was ultimately outfoxed by Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A sustainable democracy is wishful thinking if it is allowed to remain within the grip of centrifugal elements at whatever level in the country. It is the height of democratic absurdity. Therefore, the festering sore of Rivers State politics should not be allowed to continue by all its stakeholders.

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Suspected terrorists have killed five mobile police officers in an ambush in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Residents said the attack occurred Sunday morning as the officers travelled to Jibia, the council headquarters, from their base in Zandam village.

Four of the officers reportedly died at the scene of the attack, which occurred around 6 a.m., while the other died while receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina.

The terrorists reportedly stole five AK-47 rifles after killing the officers.

The police spokesperson in the state, Abubakar Aliyu, briefly said he would communicate later with our reporter but did not do so as of the time of filing this report.

However, a security report seen by PREMIUM TIMES confirmed the incident.

The security report rated the location of the attack as a high risk area and cautioned police personnel against using the highway.

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Attacks by terrorists are frequent in the Jibia area of Katsina and adjoining areas in neighbouring Kaduna and Zamfara States.

Terrorists have turned Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger States into a war zone and made lives difficult for residents, mostly agrarian farmers, with impudent attacks on roads, farms and homes.

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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed 5 October for the conduct of local elections in the state.

The Chairperson of the election commission, Adolphus Enebeli, announced this at a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday, Channels Television reported.

Mr Enebeli, at the meeting, said that it was time to respond to calls for the conduct of local elections following the expiration of the tenure of the former elected council chairpersons and councillors.

The announcement of the election date came less than two weeks after Governor Siminalayi Fubara inaugurated caretaker committees for the 23 local councils in the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former officials.

Contending issues

Who runs the affairs of the local councils in the oil-rich state has been one of the contending issues between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT minister.

Messrs Fubara and Wike are battling each other over the control of the political structure in the state, particularly at the grassroots.

The 23 former chairpersons of the local councils in the state whose tenure expired last month were elected during Mr Wikes administration. And 21 out of the 23 of them are loyal to minister.

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To ensure that Mr Wike retains control of the political structure at the local level in Rivers, the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the state legislature amended the Local Government Administration Law and extended the tenure of the elected officials by six months, in a situation where the Rivers State Government failed to conduct local elections.

The amended law did not receive Governor Fubaras assent and was later set aside by a Rivers State High Court. The court also set aside all the resolutions made by pro-Wike lawmakers from last December that their seats were declared vacant following their defection from the PDP to the APC.

The court also restrained the lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers House of Assembly.

Dissatisfied with the court order, the pro-Wike lawmakers filed an appeal, but the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, declined to reverse the decision of the lower court.

The Court of Appeal, instead, ordered both the pro-Wike lawmakers and the Fubara-backed three-person Rivers assembly to maintain the present status quo pending the determination of the appeal.

Relying on the order of the Court of Appeal, the former council chairpersons refused to vacate their office, a development that triggered violent clashes between supporters of Governor Fubara and that of Mr Wike, leading to the death of two persons, including a police officer.

The inspector general of police, to prevent a breakdown of law and order, ordered the police to take over the 23 council secretariats in the state, pending when the Court of Appeal deliver judgment in the matter.

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Comptroller-General, Nigeria Custom Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has narrated how 844 units of assorted rifles, 112,500 pieces of live ammunition among other contraband were intercepted at the Onne Port, Rivers State, South-south Nigeria.

Mr Adeniyi narrated this on Monday at a media briefing at Onne, Area 2 Command, organised to declare the seized items and hand them over to appropriate authority.

Based on intelligence sharing, a 40-footer container with No MAEU-165396 which originated from Turkey was tracked based on some risk factors associated with its importation.

The container laden with rifles and ammunition concealed in various items such as dolls, furniture and plumbing fittings was intercepted at a bonded terminal of the Onne Port on 21 June, 2024.

The intercepted container laden with rifles and ammunition has a duty paid value of more than N4 billion.

In connection with this seizure, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of Justice.

A thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure that all culprits involved in this nefarious business face the full weight of the law, he said.

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Mr Adeniyi said that the rifles and ammunition would be handed to the National Coordinator of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Johnson Kokumo, a retired deputy inspector general of police, who was also present during the declaration.

The customs boss also declared another 80 by 40 container with duty paid value of N9.6 billion laden with Tramadol, codeine and other illicit drugs as well as 720 bales of second hand clothing with duty paid value of N144 million

He assured that the agency would not allow its friendly-trade facilitation process to be compromised.

Meanwhile, Mr Kokumo has commended the NCS for the milestone in the struggle for safety and security, adding that the success was an indication of togetherness among sister agencies.

READ ALSO: NAFDAC seizes illegal drugs worth N107 million in Abuja motor parks

We are here to witness the taking over of small arms and light weapons intercepted by the vigilant and diligent customs officers at Onne port.

This is an indication that we can achieve remarkable results when we work together, he said.

Ribadu speaks on seizure

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, expressed concerns over the reoccurring proliferation of small arms and light weapons, illicit drugs and money laundering across the country.

Represented by Adamu Laka, a major-general and national coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Mr Ribadu noted that the menace had continued to fuel criminal activities in different parts of the country.

He assured of the federal governments readiness to continually commit needed resources to ensure a peaceful, stable and more prosperous country.

(NAN)

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The Nigerian army says its troops have killed a suspected kingpin of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State, South-east Nigeria.

The army, in a statement on its Facebook page on Monday, said the troops killed the kingpin and arrested two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids of IPOB hideouts in the state.

It said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The statement, however, did not identify the security operatives who took part in the operations.

Killing of the kingpin

The army said one of the operations was conducted at a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.

It said the operation was targeted at the suspected IPOB kingpin identified as Chinemerem, popularly known as Bam Bam in the community.

The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices, it said without giving details of the arrested accomplices.

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A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.

The statement said the troops subsequently intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles, it said.

Seventy-two rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (special), three rounds of 5.56mm, one FN rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret were recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army.

The arrest of two other notorious terrorists.

The army said another operation was conducted in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, which targeted two other notorious kingpins, Izuchukwu Emejuru, otherwise known as Kingkong, and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as Onyema.

The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol, it said.

The statement indicated that some valuables reportedly belonging to Ugonna Iriele, the traditional ruler of Ogberuru in the Orlu Council Area, were recovered by the troops.

Mr Irieles palace was razed by gunmen who attacked the area in September 2023.

IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the regions.

But, the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

More arrest

The army, in a related development, said its troops tracked down and arrested a suspected terrorist, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, north-central Nigeria.

It added that the operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and ammunition.

The statement did not indicate when the multiple operations took place.

These operations underscore the synergy and commitment of the security forces in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorist groups and criminals, it said.

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After building his house in the Lekki area of Lagos State, Emmanuel Ometoruwa decided he would not invest in real estate in the metropolitan city again. But that was until he met a realtor offering a friendly real estate deal.

Mr Ometoruwa, an engineer who lives abroad but visits Nigeria regularly, decided to tag along with the realtor.

Sarah Olawoye was more than a realtor to him. She lived rent-free in his house in Lekki. It did not end there; Miss Olawoye and Mr Ometoruwa belonged to the same Christian denomination and worshipped in the same church.

Mr Ometoruwa met Miss Olawoye through his wife. He was looking for someone to occupy and help maintain his house since he is not living in Nigeria. On the other hand, Miss Olawoye, who was living on Lagos Mainland, desperately needed a place on the Island to ease commuting to work there.

Mr Ometoruwa offered her accommodation, a relationship cemented by their religious affiliation.

Not quite long, Miss Olawoye convinced Mr Ometoruwa to acquire plots of land from a real estate company she worked for as a realtor and canvasser. The companys managing director told PREMIUM TIMES she has since left the organisation.

Engagement with West Spring Estate Limited

Convinced by the proposal of his then-tenant and churchmate, Mr Ometoruwa formally approached West Spring Estate Limited in December 2022 to purchase two commercial plots of land.

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West Spring Estate Limited, whose office is on the 5th Floor, Royal Cedar Building, Km 25, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajiwe, Ajah, Lagos, claims on its Facebook page that it is committed to bringing affordable landed property to real estate investors in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State.

David Amoye is the real estate agents managing director and lead promoter. He co-owns the company with his wife. He also owns another real estate company, Whitegate Homes, which, he said, has a corporate governance structure in place.

The two commercial plots of land titled B1 and B2, located in Hacienda Estate in Orofun Community in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state, cost Mr Ometoruwa N45 million, he told PREMIUM TIMES. Documents and receipts reviewed by this newspaper also confirmed the payments.

In its contractual agreement with Mr Ometoruwa, the company said he must complete the payment of the total sum on or before 30 October 2023 to acquire the plots. He completed the payments in April of the same year.

The company issued him an electronic receipt dated 14 April 2023 upon completion of the payments.

He paid the first instalment of N10 million on 30 December 2022 via a Zenith Bank account belonging to the company. Other subsequent payments were made in eight tranches to complete the payment based on the evidence of payment sighted by this newspaper.

Besides the sum of N45 million for the two commercial plots, Mr Ometoruwa also paid the sum of N100,000 for the deed of assignment, N1.6 million for the survey of the plots and N3 million as an estate development fee, which brought the total sum to approximately N50 million.

I was made to understand that the Lagos State Government approved the title of the land, Mr Ometoruwa told this newspaper, saying he had already begun to arrange for the purchase of two residential plots in the estate until something told him to pause.

Where are the plots of land?

More than a year after fulfilling West Spring Estate Limiteds requirements for acquiring the two commercial plots of land, Mr Ometoruwa has yet to lay his hands on them. There has yet to be an allocation.

Mr Ometoruwa said he had already imported all the construction materials for the project on the plots into the country. They now lay in waste in Lagos as he has yet to take possession of the plots for the building project. According to him, he has also paid millions of naira for the building plan, yet there is no land in sight to erect the proposed structures.

There is more to the land. When Mr Ometoruwa took the survey plan of the plots of land he received from Mr Amoye to the Land Registry Office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, he realised that no such title existed.

Responding to Mr Ometoruwas finding that the land title was not genuine, Mr Amoye said, A government gazette covers the land.

A real estate agent, Wale Ogeleyinbo, explained to PREMIUM TIMES that the land being under government gazette only means that the land is free from government encumbrances and that whoever is interested in it can acquire it and process the Certificate of Occupancy for it.

Mr Amoye acknowledged that Mr Ometoruwa bought and duly paid for the two commercial plots of land, along with other relevant fees for the survey, deed of assignment and estate development. Mr Ometoruwa has the survey of the land, in addition to the deed of assignment and the contract of sale, in his possession. But he does not have a land allocation letter.

Again, when PREMIUM TIMES asked Mr Amoye why Mr Ometoruwa could not begin construction on the plots he duly paid for, he said, The land has been allocated, but you cannot build now until we complete what we are doing. You can do a corner piece and then do a dwarf fence, which is the prototype approved for the estate.

He said one of the terms of the agreement for the sale of the plots is that the buyer will have to wait for the place to open for construction or development to start building on them.

By this, Mr Amoye means that sand filling of the road network and construction of drainages, alongside other major infrastructures, including the perimeter fencing of the estate, must have been done before buyers can take possession and develop their plots. He did not provide the timeframe for the completion of the site preparation.

He, however, said the realtor who marketed the land to Mr Ometoruwa probably left out the subscribers guidelines while briefing him about the transaction out eagerness to close the deal and get their own commission.

Such a term does not exist in the Contract of Sales and Deed of Assignment between West Spring Estate Limited and Mr Ometoruwa, which this newspaper reviewed.

But Mr Amoye said a document called subscribers development and construction terms and guidelines, stipulating the conditions for starting construction on individual plots in the estate, was issued to prospective clients.

All subscribers to our estates are given a copy of this document to go through before subscribing to our estates. His representative (Sarah Olawoye) is aware of this document, and I believe the same was communicated to him, Mr Amoye said. Asked to Mr Amoyes claim of issuance of a subscribers guidelines, Mr said, There was nothing like that.

This newspaper made several efforts to speak to Miss Olawoye, the realtor who marketed the plots of land to Mr Ometoruwa through her last known telephone number. The telephone line was switched off. The text message sent to the phone number also returned unsent. All efforts to contact her via her Facebook also proved futile.

Client should officially demand a refund

There has been so much back-and-forth over the land transaction, according to Mr Amoye, including the arrest of some staff members of West Spring Estate Limited and an alleged invasion of his residence somewhere in Lekki by operatives of the Delta State Police Command, Asaba, at the instance of Mr Ometoruwa.

He also said his bank accounts, that of his wife and a former business partner, were frozen by the police. He said he obtained a court order unfreezing his accounts and sued the police for assault and harassment.

Mr Amoye said since, from all indications, Mr Ometoruwa has lost interest in the transaction, he should write to the company to demand a refund rather than go through third parties.

Once he communicates officially to us, we will respond and then make payment, which can either be a one-off thing or instalments, he told this newspaper.

Mr Ometoruwa, however, said he would not write any official letter demanding a refund. He said Mr Amoye knows the account through which he made the transfers to West Spring Estate Limited, saying he should credit him immediately, without any delay.

He is expected to refund my money, Mr Ometoruwa said, adding, If he has allocated the land, we should by now have built a small fencing around it to take possession.

I cannot write a letter to him. He needs to come to the police station when invited and agree on the mode and time of refunding my N50 million and the additional costs I have incurred for all materials imported, building structure plan etc. up to N20 million. He will refund N70 million immediately to me in one transaction, he said.

Like West Spring Estate, Mr Amoyes Whitegate Homes is also enmeshed in another land sale controversy with one Adetoun Adeojo, who has yet to acquire her plot of land, which she paid N35 million for in 2022. She has yet to get a refund either, according to a report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Mr Ometoruwas case is similar to Mrs Adeojos. They both paid for plots of land to companies owned and promoted by Mr Amoye. Neither of them has gotten the allocation for one reason or another, and the company is not forthcoming with a refund.

Fraud and real estate in Lagos

Controversies like this are rampant in the real estate business across many Nigerian cities.

Many prospective land buyers have lost vast sums of money and even developed property on disputed land to scams.

Mr Ogeleyinbo, who operates in the Lagos real estate ecosystem, warned prospective clients to always conduct due diligence before entering into any land acquisition transaction or property purchase in the state.

Many real estate agents, including those with registered companies, often defraud buyers by selling plots of land with fake or forged documents.

Some sell the same piece of land to as many buyers as they can dupe, while some, especially some real estate companies, lack genuine transfer of ownership documents from the actual landowners to sell.

In a publication by Nairametrics in May, the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Agency (LASRERA) said it had received 1,702 real estate fraud cases since it was founded four years ago by the Lagos State Government.

LASRERA, established in 2020 to regulate real estate practice in the state, said it had recovered N478.13 million and 18 properties from fraudulent real estate practitioners, returning them to their rightful owners over the past four years.

The Commissioner for Housing in the state, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, urged residents to be vigilant to avoid falling victim to fake and fraudulent estate agents. He admonished them to patronise only registered real estate companies and agents for their real estate needs.

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Carlson has held leadership roles at the Ohio Department of Aging and

The Ohio State University Office of Health Sciences

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenny Carlson, a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in federal and state government and education, has been named State Director for AARP in Ohio, effective immediately, announced Sarah Jennings, AARP Regional Vice President.

Jenny Carlson, New Director AARP Ohio

"Jenny is a proven leader in the areas most important to the work we do at AARPsocial services, health care, and government," Jennings said. "She brings to this role deep expertise and strong relationships that are essential to achieving our goals. Her leadership will help us live up to the promises we make to AARP Ohio members and advocating effectively on their behalf."

In her new role, Carlson will oversee AARP Ohio's advocacy, communications, and community outreach work to 1.5 million members across the state. She will lead a dedicated team of staff and volunteers committed to improving the lives of older Ohioans.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to join the AARP team in Ohio," Carlson said. "Advocating for the most vulnerable citizens, driving policy and advancing programs that make Ohio a great place to live, work, and age has been a constant in my career. Caregiving, housing and health security, financial resilience, and personal fulfillment for older Ohioans are top priorities. My experience as a family caregiver has reinforced my dedication to AARP's mission and strengthened my resolve to advocate for policies supporting older adults and their families."

Carlson most recently was the Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Aging, where she managed operations and developed and oversaw innovative policy and programs to improve the health, wellness and safety of older Ohioans. Prior to that, she was Associate Vice President for Government Affairs at The Ohio State University Office of Health Sciences. In this role, she managed policy and government relations for the health system, including Wexner Medical Center, the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and the Richard J. Solove Research Institute, seven health science colleges, and health-related research centers.

Early in her career, Carlson was Chief of Staff to former Ohio Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor. In this role, she also served as executive assistant over five cabinet agencies for former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft. She was Executive Director of Ohio's first Blue Ribbon Commission to Reform Medicaid, and she was Director of Federal Relations and Health Policy for former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery. Further, she worked for former state Senator Karen Gillmor and Congressman Paul Gillmor.

"Jenny was a tremendous asset to the Ohio Department of Aging as our assistant director, and I know she will continue to bring her wealth of knowledge and a strong compassion for Ohio's aging population to this new role with AARP Ohio," said Ursel McElroy, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "Her career has been dedicated to serving Ohioans, and that dedication will shine through in everything she does for AARP."

A graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in business, Carlson serves on multiple nonprofit boards. She resides in Blacklick, Ohio, with her husband and mother, and has two adult children.

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, http://www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

SOURCE AARP Ohio
TAIPEI, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anbogen Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage company dedicated to developing breakthrough cancer therapies, has announced the successful closing of a USD 7.3M oversubscribed A+ round financing, which is a direct continuation of the USD 12.5 Million Series A on 1st February, 2024, bringing the total raised to USD 19.8M. The funds from the A+ round will be specifically used to advance the Phase II clinical trial of ABT-301. The financing round was led by KGI Venture Capital and both new and existing investors.

The capital raised in the A+ round will primarily be used to support the Phase II clinical trial of ABT-301 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors for treating microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer, which accounts for 95% of the metastatic colorectal cancer population that does not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Previous preclinical studies have repeatedly showed that ABT-301, when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, exhibits remarkable synergistic therapeutic effects in various solid tumor models, including subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic models of colorectal cancer, liver cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and head and neck cancer.

Given these promising results, Anbogen decided to proceed with the A+ round of financing to secure the necessary funds for ABT-301's clinical trial, without impacting the ongoing Phase II development of ABT-101.

Leveraging ABT-301's compelling immunomodulatory and synergistic effect combined with PD-1 treatment that Anbogen has observed, we have successfully engaged pharmaceutical companies who will agree to enter PD-1 drug-supply agreement with Anbogen. This collaboration will enable Anbogen to optimize its resource allocation and underscores the strong recognition of both ABT-301 and Anbogen.

"We are deeply grateful to our investors for their continued support and confidence in our mission," says Dr. Tsu-An Hsu, CEO of Anbogen Therapeutics. "This funding is crucial for the advancement of ABT-301 combo with immune checkpoint inhibitors treating solid tumors, and it validates our ongoing efforts to bring effective cancer treatments to patients in need."

About Anbogen:

Anbogen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing precision anti-cancer drugs and is committed to R&D innovations to improve the lives of cancer patients around the world. The company was founded by Dr. Joe Shih, in response to the national science and technology policy. The team has years of experience in new drug development while working at the National Health Research Institutes or biopharma companies.

Two of its drugs, ABT-101 for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with HER2 exon20 insertion mutations and ABT-301(combine with immune checkpoint inhibitors) for metastatic colorectal cancer, are currently in human clinical trials. For more information, please visit Anbogen's official website (www.anbogen.com).

SOURCE Anbogen Therapeutics
HOUSTON, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus is launching a suite of indexes based on polyethylene transactions in the US. These aim to increase market transparency in the domestic markets.

The US polyethylene industry has evolved in recent years, and exports now account for 45-50% of production. Domestic contract prices are heavily influenced by spot market transactions. These spot deals are a strong leading indicator for the domestic contract prices negotiated monthly between producers and buyers in the US.

The Argus Polyethylene Transaction Index (PTI) is a set of calculated polyethylene prices based on domestic and export trading activities. Published on the first business day of each month, the PTI covers the three main polyethylene resin families: high-density blow-moulding (HDBM), linear low-density butene film (LLDPEC4), and general-purpose low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

The methodology for the PTI was designed in consultation with participants across the whole polyethylene value chain. It reflects prior month spot export polyethylene prices, weighted to account for the balance between export and domestic sales volumes as reported by the American Chemistry Council. The index excludes discounts or other price adjustment factors and represents the value of domestic sales of prime resin to large volume buyers in railcar quantities.

Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "We are pleased to bring new and timely price transparency to the US polyethylene contract market settlements. Our methodology has been validated by participant feedback and shown to avoid the uneven price adjustments arising from bilateral rebate discounts and price settlement delays that have characterised and caused problems for this important market."

Argus contact information

London: Seana Lanigan

+44 20 7780 4200

Email Seana

Houston: Matt Oatway

+1 713 968 0000

Email Matt

Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto

+65 6496 9960

Email Tomoko

About Argus Media

Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. We offer essential price assessments, news, analytics, consulting services, data science tools and industry conferences to illuminate complex and opaque commodity markets.

Headquartered in London with over 1,400 staff, Argus is an independent media organisation with 30 offices in the world's principal commodity trading hubs.

Companies, trading firms and governments in 160 countries around the world trust Argus data to make decisions, analyse situations, manage risk, facilitate trading and for long-term planning. Argus prices are used as trusted benchmarks around the world for pricing transportation, commodities and energy.

Founded in 1970, Argus remains a privately held UK-registered company owned by employee shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic.

Trademark notices

ARGUS, the ARGUS logo, ARGUS MEDIA, ARGUS DIRECT, ARGUS OPEN MARKETS, AOM, FMB, DEWITT, JIM JORDAN & ASSOCIATES, JJ&A, FUNDALYTICS, METAL-PAGES, METALPRICES.COM, INTEGER, Argus publication titles and Argus index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited.

SOURCE Argus Media
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Rancho Cucamonga, California-based Cornerstone Commercial & Personal Insurance Services, Inc. (Cornerstone). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Cornerstone is a retail insurance agency serving commercial and personal clients primarily in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with a focus on commercial real estate, construction and homeowners associations. Phil Hakopian, Allison Hakopian and their team will remain in their current location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallagher's Southwest region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

"Cornerstone is a highly regarded agency whose expertise in the homeowners association niche will enhance our capabilities in the region," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO. "I am delighted to welcome Phil, Allison and their associates to Gallagher."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella, VP - Investor Relations Media: Paul Day, Communications Manager 630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-5946/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
BANGALORE, India, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial Reef Market is Segmented by Type (Concrete Reef, Resin Reef), by Application (Marine Conservation, Scientific Research, Tourism and Recreation).

The Global Artificial Reef Market was valued at USD 1936.91 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 3023.17 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.70 % during the forecast period 2024-2030.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Artificial Reef Market:

The market for artificial reefs is expanding mainly due to growing concerns about the preservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Artificial reefs are being funded by governments and environmental groups in an effort to maintain fish populations and rehabilitate maritime environments. Artificial reefs also enhance local tourism and economy by providing recreational possibilities for fishermen and divers. Technological developments in reef building materials and techniques also support market growth. Additionally, when coastal development projects increase, artificial reefs must be built to lessen their negative effects on the environment, which will only accelerate market expansion.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE ARTIFICIAL REEF MARKET

The artificial reef market is expanding thanks in large part to the tourist and recreation sectors. Divers, snorkelers, and other marine enthusiasts are drawn to artificial reefs, which promote ecotourism. Tourists may have one-of-a-kind experiences thanks to these structures, which provide intriguing new underwater landscapes. Investments in artificial reef projects are encouraged by the economic advantages brought about by an increase in tourist and leisure time activities. The creation of artificial reefs becomes a desirable alternative as travel locations want to improve their allure and draw more tourists, which drives industry expansion.

The artificial reef industry is driven by concrete reefs, which are essential to marine conservation efforts because they offer strong and practical structures for restoring habitat. These reefs provide a solid platform for marine organisms to settle on, imitating natural reef systems. They are perfect for promoting coral development and marine biodiversity in damaged regions because of their durability and toughness. By preventing habitat loss and coral bleaching, the usage of concrete reefs supports the development of healthier marine ecosystems. As a result, the market for concrete artificial reefs is greatly increased by the growing emphasis on marine conservation and restoration initiatives.

The market for artificial reefs is seeing a rise in popularity for resin reefs because of its improved environmental compatibility and customisable designs. These reefs, which are made of environmentally benign resin materials, may be shaped to closely resemble natural reef structures, offering the perfect environments for marine life. Resin's adaptability makes it possible to create elaborate and sophisticated patterns that promote the colonization of a variety of marine species. Resin reefs are robust choices for long-term marine conservation efforts since they also resist chemical deterioration and biofouling. Resin reefs are becoming more and more popular in artificial reef projects due to their ability to support marine biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

The desire to promote sustainable fishing methods and improve fisheries is another factor driving the artificial reef sector. Fish populations locally increase and fishing yields are enhanced when artificial reefs are built, as they provide new homes for fish. These reefs aid in the replenishment of fish supplies that have been reduced as a result of overfishing and habitat degradation by offering more breeding grounds and cover. In addition to helping the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, improved fisheries also increase food security. Artificial reef deployment is motivated by the benefits to fish populations and fishing possibilities.

One of the main factors propelling the artificial reef market is environmental rehabilitation initiatives. Artificial reefs are essential to these initiatives, which seek to restore or preserve deteriorated marine ecosystems. Artificial reefs assist in restoring ecological balance in impacted regions by fostering biodiversity and creating new habitats. To stop environmental deterioration, restoration initiatives are receiving more funding from public and corporate sectors as well as non-profits. Market demand is driven by the dedication to restore marine habitats and the understanding that artificial reefs are useful instruments in these attempts.

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ARTIFICIAL REEF MARKET SHARE

Government funding and strong marine conservation initiatives are driving the artificial reef sector in North America. Many artificial reef projects are being undertaken, mostly in the United States, with the goal of promoting marine biodiversity and bolstering leisure pursuits like fishing and diving. Leading the way in the installation of artificial reefs to save shorelines and enhance local economies through tourism are coastal states like Florida and California. North America is a major participant in the artificial reef market because of the region's cutting-edge research institutes and stringent environmental laws.

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Key Companies:

Cybe Construction

Custom Aquariums

SOI

Oceana

Reefmaker

Reef Innovations

Reef Ball Foundation

Ocean Habitats

Reef Design Lab

Atlantic Reefmaker

IntelliReefs

Reef Cells

Leaf Global

MadOverFish

RocknReefs

SAMS Enterprise

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DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

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- Reef Aquariums market is projected to grow from USD 1041.2 Million in 2023 to USD 1214.6 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.6% during the forecast period.

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CLEVELAND, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Austin Powder (the "Company" or "Austin"), a leading provider of industrial explosives and engineered blasting solutions, announced today that it has received a strategic investment from American Industrial Partners ("AIP") to support and enhance the Company's growth strategy in partnership with Austin's existing long term ownership group and management team.

Operating in a safety critical and technical industry, Austin Powder has nearly 200 years of industry expertise that has enabled it to build a suite of integrated products and services for the blasting process. The Company has only had four owners in its history, and the current ownership and management team has successfully expanded Austin over the past 40 years into a leading global operator. AIP's financial and operational support and resources will help position Austin Powder for continued growth and success over the next decade.

"We had been deliberately seeking an investor that would expand our ability to provide world-class explosive products and services, accelerate innovations, facilitate expansion into new territories, and preserve our heritage and unique culture. Equally important was finding a partner that shared our values of safety, customer service, family and respect," said Austin Powder President and CEO John D. Rathbun. "We believe American Industrial Partners is an ideal partner for Austin as we move forward. We look forward to working with the AIP team as we continue to grow and differentiate our business globally. The partnership with AIP will support our efforts to continue to earn the privilege to serve our customers."

"Austin Powder's unique heritage and inspiring culture has stewarded the business to great heights while maintaining a strong core of safety, customer focus and family. We look forward to building upon Austin Powder's tremendous legacy, investing in the growth opportunity ahead of us, and enabling the company to continue delivering on its worthy and important mission," said AIP Partner Justin Fish. "We look forward to partnering closely with the Austin Powder management team and the family of shareholders to chart the company's third century of growth and success."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc. acted as financial advisors to the Company. Ropes & Gray LLP and Baker Botts LLC acted as legal advisors to AIP. Jones Day acted as legal advisor to Austin Powder.

About Austin Powder

Founded in 1833, Austin Powder is a leader in the manufacture, distribution, and application of industrial explosives for quarrying, surface mining, underground mining, oil and gas, seismic, and construction markets. The company's mission is to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Austin Powder provides a broad range of highly engineered solutions all of which are developed to advance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of breaking rock. It has more than 4,800 employees and operations in 27 countries around the world. www.austinpowder.com

About American Industrial Partners

American Industrial Partners ("AIP") is a global industrials investor, with approximately $16 billion in assets under management. AIP is distinctively focused on industrial businesses across a broad range of end markets that include: aerospace and defense, automotive, building products, capital goods, chemicals, industrial services, industrial technology, logistics, metals & mining, and transportation, among others. AIP looks to generate differentiated returns by investing in quality industrial businesses with strong management teams and working with those teams to implement comprehensive operating agendas to build long-term value. Current AIP portfolio companies generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $25 billion and employ approximately 65,000 employees as of March 31, 2024. In October 2023, AIP closed its eighth fund at $5.1 billion. www.americanindustrial.com

Contact:

Austin Powder, [email protected]

American Industrial Partners, [email protected]

SOURCE American Industrial Partners
Fry Fans Can Also Receive Free Fully Loaded Fries with Any Purchase, 7/12-7/14

TAMPA, Fla., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Checkers & Rally's, an iconic drive-thru restaurant chain known for flavorful craveable food at a great value, is celebrating National French Fry Day in a fully loaded wayliterally. Starting today, July 1st through July 12th, fry-fanatics will have a chance to win a Fully Loaded Fry Pass that includes free Fully Loaded Fries for a year. One hundred winners will be selected, and the prize includes one regular size Fully Loaded Fries each week for 52 weeks. For more information, and to enter, visit www.frygiveaway.com.

Checkers & Rally's, an iconic drive-thru restaurant chain known for flavorful craveable food at a great value, is celebrating National French Fry Day. Starting July 1st through July 12th, fry-fanatics will have a chance to win a Fully Loaded Fry Pass that includes free Fully Loaded Fries for a year. One hundred winners will be selected, and the prize includes one regular size Fully Loaded Fries each week for 52 weeks. For more information, and to enter, visit www.frygiveaway.com

Additionally, in honor of Checkers & Rally's officially moving National French Fry Day to always be on a Friday, fry fans can get a free regular size Fully Loaded Fries with any purchase in the Checkers & Rally's Rewards app starting Fryday, July 12th: The REAL Fry Day through Sunday July 14th. Must be a member of the Checkers & Rally's Rewards Program to get the app-based offer.

"Checkers and Rally's Famous Seasoned Fries have long been recognized as the #1 Most Craveable Fries in America," said Frances Allen, President & CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. "And this year, we are celebrating National French Fry Day in a big way by offering free Fully Loaded Fries topped with cheese, ranch and crispy bacon for not just one day, but three full days and a chance for our fry loving family to win Fully Loaded Fries for an entire year."

For anyone not already a Checkers and Rally's rewards member, they can receive their first reward as soon as the simple signup is complete. New Checkers and Rally's reward members can quickly create an account on the Checkers and Rally's app available for download on the App Store and Google Play or online at www.Checkers.com/Rewards and get 250 points after first purchase, which is more than halfway to a $5 Reward. Members will then be able to receive and redeem their free Fully Loaded French Fries with purchase reward.

For more information, hours of operation or to find participating Checkers or Rally's locations, please visit Checkers.com. Also, get connected to Checkers & Rally's across social media by following @checkersrallys on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

Based in Tampa, Fla., Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., an iconic and innovative drive-thru restaurant chain known for its bold, craveable food, famous fries, exceptional value, and people-first attitude, operates and franchises both Checkers and Rally's restaurants. With almost 800 restaurants and room to grow, Checkers & Rally's is a proven brand with flexible building formats that is aggressively expanding across the country. Checkers & Rally's is dedicated to being a place where franchisees and employees who work hard can create opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. In recent years, the brand has earned several of the industry's most prestigious awards including: "#1 Most Craveable Fries" by Restaurant Business 2020 and 2018; Best Franchise Deal and "Best Drive-Thru in America" by QSR Magazine; Top Food and Beverage Franchise by Franchise Business Review; the "Hot! Again" award from Nation's Restaurant News and has consistently been ranked on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500.

SOURCE Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
The acquisition accelerates the marketplace of offerings and insights available to church leaders in finance, tax, law and compensation management

BOULDER, Colo., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem and releasing its collective might, announced the acquisition of two trusted ministry-serving organizations, Church Law & Tax and ChurchSalary , from their previous owner, Christianity Today International (CT). The transaction underscores the Gloo commitment to equipping ministry leaders with innovative technology solutions and expert thought leadership across a variety of ministry functions.

Stewarding a church is an extraordinary responsibility, and these brands have helped countless pastors, elders, and other leaders make wise decisions that lead to healthy churches, said Tim Dalrymple, Christianity Today CEO and President. Gloo is perfectly positioned to accelerate the growth of Church Law & Tax and ChurchSalary with their best-in-class technology platform for churches. Christianity Today will double down on our global storytelling and thought leadership, while supporting these brands in their transition in every way we can.

With the mission of equipping church leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate complex legal and financial landscapes, Church Law & Tax serves a range of church leaders from executive pastors to financial administrators. In addition to a rich library of resources on ChurchLawandTax.com, it offers expert guidance including well-known resources like its annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide , Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition , and Church Finance, Second Edition .

"For decades, Church Law & Tax has provided leaders with legal, financial and tax knowledge they need to navigate complexities and challenges they often face in their roles," said Matt Branaugh, business owner of Church Law & Tax. "Through the Gloo platform, our tools will assist even more pastors and leaders for decades to come, helping them lead their congregations with confidence."

ChurchSalary empowers church and ministry leaders to make informed decisions about salary and compensation for their unique ministry contexts. The platform offers comprehensive salary reports and calculators along with expert-led training resources. By providing up-to-date insights and information, ChurchSalary helps leaders navigate toward fair and competitive salaries that reflect their own unique needs and circumstances.

"Compensation is a crucial aspect of church management and financial stewardship," said Aaron Hill, business owner of ChurchSalary. "In six short years, we have become the ministry standard for providing accurate and actionable salary information. Joining the Gloo platform will enable us to serve more churches, make a greater impact on pastoral and staff compensation, and innovate new features and tools that will ultimately foster a healthier and more equitable work environment for ministry leaders."

Collectively, both organizations serve over 100,000 church leaders with free and premium resources and are considered the trusted sources for tools and ongoing guidance in church legal and administration matters.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome both Church Law & Tax and ChurchSalary into the Gloo family of brands," said Brad Hill, chief solutions officer at Gloo. "Both organizations have a proven track record of delivering exceptional value to church leaders. By integrating their capabilities into the Gloo portfolio of offerings, we can serve more church leaders in even more comprehensive ways, ultimately helping their organizations thrive."

As Gloo continues to expand its portfolio of technology, services and resources to over 200,000 church leaders, it seeks to better connect the full spectrum of ministry leaders  from pastors and executive pastors to children's ministry leaders and small group leaders  with the resources they need to thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.

Gloo is the trusted platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. As a leading technology innovator, Gloo is a tech platform that connects ministry leaders to resources, people, data and insights and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Church Law & Tax delivers a variety of high-value, high-impact content and products designed to equip churches and church leaders to tackle today's most challenging tax, law, finance and risk management issues.

ChurchSalary positively impacts the finances of servant leaders in the church through world-class compensation tools supported by educational, inspirational and empowering resources. The goal of ChurchSalary is to foster truthful, gospel-centered conversations about pay, reduce the stigma surrounding church pay and finances, encourage dialogue around human resource-related topics within the church, and promote a culture of generosity within church leadership circles.

SOURCE Gloo
HONG KONG, June 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) announces today that the first green design oilfield in offshore China - Wushi 23-5 Oilfields Development Project has commenced production.

The project is located in the Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea, with an average water depth of approximately 28 meters. The main production facilities include 2 new wellhead platforms, and the renovated Wushi terminal. 43 development wells are planned to be brought on-stream, including 28 oil wells and 15 water-injection wells. The project is expected to achieve a peak production of approximately 18,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026, and the oil property is light crude.

In developing the first full-scale green design oilfield in offshore China, the Company pursued efficient and low-carbon development throughout the whole process of design, construction and production. It is the first oilfield in the South China Sea supplied with power from shore. The project will realize full-process recovery and utilization of the associated gas through integrated natural gas treatment. The commissioning of the project will further promote the green and low-carbon development of CNOOC Limited.

CNOOC Limited holds 100% interest in this project and acts as the operator.

 End 

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com .

*** *** *** ***

This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environmental policies, the Company's price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws and regulations.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Cui Liu

Media & Public Relations

CNOOC Limited

Tel: +86-10-8452-6641

Fax: +86-10-8452-1441

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Bunny Lee

Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group

Tel: +852 3150 6707

Fax: +852 3150 6728

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CNOOC Limited
NEW YORK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global commercial kitchen market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.00 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 7.47% during the forecast period. Increased investment in r and d for new technology development is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing demand for energy-efficient products. However, slower adoption rate among end-users poses a challenge. Key market players include Captive Aire Systems Inc., Carroll Manufacturing International, Climecon Oy, CS Ventilation, Daikin Industries Ltd., Dover Corp., Greenheck Fan Corp., HANIL HOLDINGS CO. LTD., HCE, Illinois Tool Works Inc., Loren Cook Co., Melink Corp., Halton Group Oy Ltd, Revac Systems, RevLight Solutions Pte Ltd., Spring Air Systems, Systemair AB, The Middleby Corp., Thermotek, and Weather Control Solutions India Pvt. Ltd..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global commercial kitchen market 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - Click for the snapshot of this report

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Type (Type I hood and Type II hood), Product (Wall-mounted canopy hoods, Proximity hoods, and Island canopy hoods), and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Captive Aire Systems Inc., Carroll Manufacturing International, Climecon Oy, CS Ventilation, Daikin Industries Ltd., Dover Corp., Greenheck Fan Corp., HANIL HOLDINGS CO. LTD., HCE, Illinois Tool Works Inc., Loren Cook Co., Melink Corp., Halton Group Oy Ltd, Revac Systems, RevLight Solutions Pte Ltd., Spring Air Systems, Systemair AB, The Middleby Corp., Thermotek, and Weather Control Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The foodservice equipment sector, specifically ventilation systems, is witnessing significant innovation driven by sustainability. Energy efficiency is a top priority, leading to the increased development and sale of Energy Star certified ventilation systems. Product education and technical support are on the rise, encouraging operators to adopt energy-efficient solutions. Manufacturers are incorporating new technologies, standards, and design improvements to make sustainability more accessible and cost-effective. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends methods like placing temperature sensors closer to cooking appliances, using optical or infrra-red sensors, and communicating directly with cooking appliances to enhance system responsiveness and save energy. Britannia's Cheetah energy control technology is an example of this trend, reducing fan energy consumption by 94% at 40% operating speed. The focus on sustainability will continue to fuel market growth in the forecast period.

The commercial kitchen market is experiencing significant growth, with various trends shaping the industry. Advanced filtration systems, energy-efficient appliances, and smart technology are becoming essential components in modern kitchens. Carbon monoxide detectors and fire suppression systems are crucial safety features. Sustainability is a key trend, with an increasing focus on using renewable resources and reducing waste. Additionally, the use of automation and robotics is gaining popularity to improve efficiency and productivity. Overall, the commercial kitchen market is evolving to meet the demands of the foodservice industry for safer, more efficient, and sustainable kitchen solutions.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

The commercial kitchen market faces challenges in adoption due to high installation costs, reluctance to adopt technology, and the prevalence of non-certified products in developing regions. Wall-mounted canopy hoods cost between USD200 and USD6,850 , while island hoods range from USD300 to USD3,000 , with average labor costs of USD85 per hour. Small restaurants find these costs prohibitive, leading to a slow market growth. The complexity of modern ventilation systems and the extensive presence of the unorganized sector further hinder adoption.

and , while island hoods range from to , with average labor costs of per hour. Small restaurants find these costs prohibitive, leading to a slow market growth. The complexity of modern ventilation systems and the extensive presence of the unorganized sector further hinder adoption. The commercial kitchen market faces several challenges in today's business environment. These include the need for energy efficiency and cost-effective solutions, the importance of food safety and hygiene, and the increasing demand for flexible and customizable kitchen designs. Additionally, the use of advanced technology, such as automation and IoT, is becoming essential to improve operational efficiency and reduce labor costs. Furthermore, the trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly practices is gaining momentum, with a focus on reducing waste and minimizing the carbon footprint of commercial kitchens. Overall, the commercial kitchen market requires innovative and practical solutions to address these challenges and meet the evolving needs of the foodservice industry.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

This commercial kitchen market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Type

1.1 Type I hood

1.2 Type II hood

Product

2.1 Wall-mounted canopy hoods

2.2 Proximity hoods

2.3 Island canopy hoods

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 Europe

3.3 North America

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Type I hood- Commercial kitchens require Type I ventilation hoods to manage grease, smoke, and heat generated from cooking equipment. These hoods, also known as grease hoods, are essential above cooktops, wok ranges, open-flame stoves, deep fryers, and solid fuel applications. Wall-mounted canopy hoods are suitable for equipment against walls, while single- or double-island hoods are installed on ceilings for open layouts. Despite increased airflow, the global market for commercial kitchen ventilation systems continues to expand due to the necessity of these hoods.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Commercial Kitchen Market encompasses various industries such as Hospitality, Foodservice, Restaurants, Hospitals, Corporate Offices, and Hospitality. These establishments require efficient HVAC systems, including Demand Controlled Ventilation, to ensure effective cooking environments and prevent fire hazards. Replacement air facilities, like Wall-Mounted Canopy Hoods, Proximity Hoods, and Island Canopy Hoods, are crucial for managing airborne impurities, including grease, smoke, and other airborne contaminants. Energy-efficient technology, such as Demand-Controlled Kitchen Ventilation and Energy-Efficient Products, plays a significant role in reducing energy consumption and adhering to Environmental and Safety laws. IOT and Smart Features are increasingly being integrated into commercial kitchens to optimize operations and improve overall performance. Vacuum industrial furnaces are also used in some commercial kitchens for specific cooking processes.

Learn and explore more about Technavio's in-depth research reports

The global market landscape includes thriving sectors like Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) Windows, Business Process Management as a Service (BPMaaS), and Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings. UPVC Windows continue to see robust demand driven by their durability and energy efficiency. BPMaaS solutions are reshaping business operations with scalable, cloud-based process management tools. Meanwhile, the Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings market grows alongside urbanization and infrastructure developments worldwide, emphasizing water conservation and design innovations.

Market Research Overview

The Commercial Kitchen Market encompasses solutions and technologies designed for food preparation and service in professional settings. These include equipment for cooking, refrigeration, dishwashing, and food storage. The market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for convenience food and growing number of restaurants and hotels. Innovations in technology, such as energy efficiency and automation, are also shaping the market. Additionally, the trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is influencing the design and production of commercial kitchen equipment. The market is segmented by product type, application, and region.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Type

Type I Hood



Type II Hood

Product

Wall-mounted Canopy Hoods



Proximity Hoods



Island Canopy Hoods

Geography

APAC



Europe



North America



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
BEIJING, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 103-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) demonstrates strong resilience as a flourishing organization, with the number of CPC members reaching 99.185 million, the latest data showed on Sunday, a day ahead of the CPC's 103rd founding anniversary.

The number of CPC members reached 99.185 million as of the end of 2023, up 1.2 percent year-on-year. Among the 2.408 million new members in 2023, 53 percent hold a junior college degree or higher while 82.4 percent are aged 35 or younger, according to a CPC statistical report.

In its early years, the CPC had only over 50 members and over the course of 103 years of its development, that number has increased to 99.185 million members, showcasing its resilience as a flourishing organization, Zhang Xixian, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Zhang credited the increasingly robust organizational growth to its alignment with the demands of China's development and its embodiment of the core tenets of Marxist theory.

Zhang continued to say that the reason why the CPC has grown from strength to strength, why it has won the support of the people, and why it has overcome various risks and tests and won victory after victory is ultimately because the CPC is an advanced political party.

The newest data also proves this point. Throughout 2023, 2.408 million new Party members were recruited, of which 1.276 million are frontline workers, accounting for 53 percent.

Among the new members, 53 percent hold a junior college degree or higher, totaling 1.28 million, while 82.4 percent are aged 35 or younger, amounting to 1.983 million in total.

Among the entire 99.185 million members, there are 55.786 million with a junior college degree or above, accounting for 56.2 percent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. Workers and farmers remain the main body of the Party, accounting for 33 percent of the total.

The structure of the Party continues to be optimized, with more than half of the Party members having received junior college education or above. The optimized structure empowers the Party organization to maintain its vitality and better adapts to the development tasks of the times, Zhuang Deshui, a deputy director of the Research Center for Government Integrity-Building at Peking University, told the Global Times.

CPC organizations at the primary level continued to improve in 2023. At the end of the year, there were 298,000 Party committees, 325,000 general Party branches and about 4.6 million Party branches at the primary level in China, the report showed.

Building a close bond with the masses through the CPC organizations at the grassroots level is essential for the organization to maintain an advanced nature. It solves the real problems facing the people, and promotes the continuous improvement of people's happiness, Zhuang said.

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on the missions and tasks of the CPC on the new journey of the new era will be published on Monday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The article by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year's 13th issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

The article is part of a report delivered by Xi to the 20th CPC National Congress on October 16, 2022.

The article describes the central task of the CPC after the 20th National Congress as leading the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

"Today, we are closer, more confident, and more capable than ever of reaching the goal of rejuvenating the Chinese nation. At the same time, we must be prepared to work even harder to get there," says the article.

The entire Party must forge ahead with confidence and determination; proactively identify, respond to, and steer changes and prevent and defuse risks; and keep on striving to secure new successes in building a modern socialist China in all respects, the article adds.

Zhuang told the Global Times in the face of changing international and domestic situations, the CPC must and will play a crucial role as a stabilizing force. This role reflects its ability to withstand any challenges, as well as unite and lead the entire nation.

SOURCE Global Times
FONTANA, Calif., June 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Hbada was awarded the Silver Award at the London Design Awards, hosted by the global creative platform DRIVENxDESIGN. The Hbada E3 Ergonomic Office Chair features a professional ergonomic design: it breaks through with an innovative T-shaped support system, diverse functional adjustments, and ergonomic support for comfort, among other advantages. This award proves Hbada's boundless creativity in the field of ergonomics. Hbada possesses innovative ergonomic designs, leading the industry trend with creativity and courage. It embodies the courage and creativity to forge ahead.

T-Shape Support System

Addressing the prevalent issues of lower back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain due to prolonged sitting, Hbada invested heavily in research and development. It innovatively introduced a T-shaped support structure that significantly improves support habits for the lumbar, shoulder, and cervical vertebrae. This design alleviates bodily soreness.

Three-zone Elastic Lumbar Support

To address industry concerns about lower back pain solutions, the Hbada E3 Ergonomic Office Chair uses floating wing wrapping technology on the sides of the waist, providing soft support. In the middle, mesh support forms a firm central support zone. The three-zone support fully envelops the lumbar spine and side muscles, adding external assistance to the waist and better support to protect the lumbar spine.

The pelvis and lumbar region serve as the core support area, bearing the upper body's weight during prolonged sitting. Prolonged sitting primarily affects the lumbar spine, and the 8-way precise adjustment of this lumbar support ensures it conforms perfectly to the waist, offering segmented support and protection suitable for office workers who sit for extended periods. This support prevents excessive lordosis of the lumbar spine and muscle strain.

4D Headrest

The neck pillow of the Hbada E3 Ergonomic Office Chair features a 4D adjustable design, offering a broader range of adjustments compared to standard headrest designs. It adjusts vertically, horizontally, and rotates on dual axes, ensuring support for different body types. It accommodates various scenarios such as upright office work and reclining relaxation, maintaining appropriate support positions to significantly improve neck strain during prolonged sitting.

6D mechanical armrest

The armrest features a 6-dimensional adjustable design. In addition to traditional up-and-down adjustments, it includes two innovative designs: it can flip upwards and synchronize with the reclining backrest. Combined with front-back, left-right, and rotation adjustments, this multidimensional adjustment increases the freedom of armrest adjustment. It relaxes shoulder and arm muscles, alleviating the soreness associated with prolonged sitting.

Purchase Link: https://hbada.com/products/hbada-e3-wpa-ergonomic-chair-white

Product Purchase Price: $549.99 (Regular Price $899.99)

Product Dimensions: 27.6" Depth x 27.6" Width x 44.5-47.6" Height

Product Weight: 69 lbs

Quality Assurance, Defining Industry Sedentary Health

Since its inception, Hbada has continuously deepened its technical expertise in ergonomics, aiming to establish itself as a leading global health home brand, dedicated to human health. Currently, Hbada operates in over 30 countries and regions worldwide with over 10 million users. Hbada also ensures quality with numerous international certifications, including Germany's EU certification, the US BIFMA certification, and Germany's TUV certification. In May of this year, it also won the London Design Award, steadily increasing its international reputation as its quality and technology continue to be recognized. The Hbada E3 Ergonomic Office Chair features core innovative T-shaped support system design, comprehensive ergonomic chair adjustment advantages, absolute support and comfort, and is affordable, making it a viable alternative to Herman Miller. Highly recommended!

SOURCE HBADA
NEW YORK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global human capital management solutions market size is estimated to grow by USD 13.92 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of about 9.52% during the forecast period. Demand for automated recruitment processes is driving market growth, with a trend towards emergence of cloud-computing services. However, threat from open-source software poses a challenge. Key market players include Asure Software Inc., Automatic Data Processing Inc., Cegid SA, Ceridian HCM Holding Inc., Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., EmployWise, Inplenion, Koch Industries Inc., Kronos Inc., OnePoint Human Capital Management, Oracle Corp., PeopleStrategy Corp., Ramco Systems Ltd., Safeguard World International LLC, SAP SE, SolutionDot, Talentia Software Group, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Workday Inc., and WorkForce Software LLC.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global human capital management solutions market 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - Click for the snapshot of this report

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Application (Core HR, Talent, and Workforce), Component (Solution and Service), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Asure Software Inc., Automatic Data Processing Inc., Cegid SA, Ceridian HCM Holding Inc., Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., EmployWise, Inplenion, Koch Industries Inc., Kronos Inc., OnePoint Human Capital Management, Oracle Corp., PeopleStrategy Corp., Ramco Systems Ltd., Safeguard World International LLC, SAP SE, SolutionDot, Talentia Software Group, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Workday Inc., and WorkForce Software LLC

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions are increasingly utilizing cloud computing technologies to offer cost-effective and efficient services. Cloud storage enables centralized control over resources and HR activities, eliminating the need for users to manage IT infrastructure. Service level agreements ensure reliable delivery and maintenance. Cloud technologies also provide access to Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings, allowing remote access without installation or management. The integration of cloud with HCM solutions enhances collaboration with other software like ERP, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Therefore, the adoption of cloud computing is driving the growth of the HCM solutions market.

The Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions market is currently witnessing significant trends. Companies are focusing on implementing advanced technologies such as cloud, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to streamline their HR processes. These solutions enable organizations to manage their workforce more effectively, from recruitment to retirement. Data-driven decision making is becoming increasingly important, and HCM solutions provide insights into employee performance and engagement. Compliance with regulations is another key trend, with solutions offering features to ensure adherence to labor laws and tax regulations. Overall, HCM solutions are helping businesses optimize their human resources and improve operational efficiency.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

The global Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions market faces significant competition from open-source software solutions. Companies like Sapplica offer HRMS software, such as Sentrifugo, with features including human resource management, performance appraisal, analytics, and more. Open-source software's availability and affordability pose a challenge for HCM market growth, particularly for small-scale enterprises. Separate software offerings for HR functions also add to this competition.

The Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions market faces several challenges in implementing and optimizing technology for organizations. These include the complexity of integrating various systems, ensuring data security, and providing user-friendly interfaces for employees. Additionally, keeping up with the latest trends and technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, can be a challenge for smaller businesses. Procuring and implementing HCM solutions requires a significant investment of time and resources, making it essential for organizations to carefully consider their needs and goals before making a decision. Ultimately, the success of an HCM solution depends on its ability to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall employee experience.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

This human capital management solutions market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Application

1.1 Core HR

1.2 Talent

1.3 Workforce

Component

2.1 Solution

2.2 Service

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Core HR- Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions have become essential for organizations to manage their workforce efficiently. Core HR functions such as recruitment, training, payroll, scheduling, benefits administration, internal relations, and safety and compliance can be effectively managed using HCM applications. The adoption of digital technologies and the need for cost reduction have increased the demand for these solutions. Oracle, SAP, and Workday offer HR functional software solutions to help manage employee data and process information. While HRIS and HRMS were once popular, HCM solutions have gained prominence due to their advanced capabilities. Organizations are expected to increasingly adopt HCM solutions for core HR applications during the forecast period.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Human Capital Management Solutions (HCM) market encompasses a range of offerings designed to enhance business productivity through effective HR Management. These solutions include updated HR Information Systems (HRIS) software and Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), which address data security concerns by ensuring secure storage and access to sensitive employee information. Emerging vendors and established providers offer various solutions to extend beyond traditional HR functions, such as Strategic Sourcing, Talent Management, and Staff Experiences. Manual labor intensive processes are being replaced with automated product lines, making HCM solutions increasingly essential for businesses seeking to optimize their workforce and improve overall organizational efficiency.

Market Research Overview

The Human Capital Management Solutions (HCMS) market encompasses a range of technologies and services designed to optimize workforce management. These solutions cater to various aspects of HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning and development, compensation, benefits administration, and succession planning. HCMS enables organizations to streamline HR processes, reduce manual work, ensure compliance with regulations, and enhance employee engagement. With advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud technologies, HCMS solutions offer more personalized, data-driven, and integrated HR experiences. They help businesses of all sizes and industries to effectively manage their workforce, improve operational efficiency, and drive business growth.

Learn and explore more about Technavio's in-depth research reports

The global Data Visualization Tools Market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for effective data interpretation and strategic decision-making. Concurrently, the global Industrial Automation Device Manager Software Market is expanding as industries seek advanced solutions for efficient device management and automation. Additionally, the global Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) Platform Market is on the rise, propelled by the growing need for robust compliance frameworks and risk management strategies. These markets reflect the broader trend towards leveraging technology for enhanced operational efficiency, regulatory adherence, and informed business strategies.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Application

Core HR



Talent



Workforce

Component

Solution



Service

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, invests in Extell's new world-class office and retail tower.

Image by KPF.

NEW YORK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingka Investments, the investments arm of Ingka Group, which owns the majority of IKEA stores worldwide, announced today a real estate investment on New York City's iconic Fifth Avenue. The investment in 570 Fifth Avenue will be part of the real estate portfolio of Ingka Investments and marks a significant step in Ingka Group's long-term strategy to enhance its city center retail presence. The new Class-A retail and office tower is being developed by Extell Development Company, one of the nation's premier development firms. The building is scheduled for tenant delivery in 2028.

This strategic alliance between two industry leaders marks the largest development on Fifth Avenue in more than 60 years. Located at the intersection of the Plaza and Grand Central Districts, 570 Fifth Avenue will be a 1,000,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial building, with an outstanding address, exceptional access to transportation, world-class architecture, and next level services and amenities. A new IKEA customer meeting point will be located in the building's prime retail space of 80,000 sq ft arranged over two large cellar levels with a corner entrance on Fifth Avenue. With a focus on sustainability and wellness, the tower is targeting a minimum LEED Gold certification and will exemplify high sustainability standards and low carbon operation principles.

Peter van der Poel, Managing Director of Ingka Investments: "We are excited to share the news of this major investment that boosts our growth strategy across the U.S., a vital market for Ingka Group. Investing in Fifth Avenue goes beyond just growing our footprint; it's about changing the way we engage with consumers and playing a part in creating strong, sustainable economies and business communities."

The investment is another step in Ingka Group's strategy to evolve its retail operations by adapting to urban growth and changing consumer shopping preferences. This initiative involves introducing innovative retail formats in city centers, enhancing accessibility and convenience for customers. Located just a three-minute walk from Grand Central Station and Bryant Park, the new development benefits from unmatched accessibility, tapping into the vibrant energy of Manhattan.

Javier Quinones, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA U.S.: "This next phase of our investment and expansion in the U.S. signals our commitment to bring IKEA closer to people in city centers. While we are in the very early stages of planning for the IKEA location, we can promise to deliver an experience that is full of inspiration and designed to meet the home furnishing dreams of the many New Yorkers."

Since 2019 Ingka Group has opened stores and shops in major cities, including Tokyo, Madrid, Paris and London, as well as planning studios in Vienna, Barcelona, Berlin and Prague  bringing the IKEA home furnishing offer to many more people, as well as the company's latest innovations within the digital customer experience.

Gary Barnett, Founder & Chairman, Extell Development Company: "We have been working on assembling this project for almost two decades and Ingka Investments' substantial commitment allows us to move forward with the construction and leasing of the best new office building in New York. This will be the first office tower to begin construction in the city post pandemic and it is a great sign of New York's resilience. We are thankful to the Ingka Group team for their confidence in the project and New York's future and look forward to a rewarding partnership. We are also thankful to our lenders, Meritz Securities and IGIS, for their continued commitment to the project."

Ingka Investments will hold a one-third stake in the project alongside preferred equity components and full ownership of the prime retail space where the IKEA customer meeting point will be located. Extell will hold a two-thirds stake in the project.

About Ingka Group

With IKEA retail operations in 31 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents about 90% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centers.

About Ingka Investments

Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, supports the long-term growth and financial strength of Ingka Group and IKEA. Ingka Investments focuses on investing in core inner city real estate and as well as large distribution and logistics parks in major cities important to IKEA Retail. As the retail industry continues to evolve, real estate investments play a central role in supporting the global expansion strategy of IKEA Retail  bringing IKEA closer to customers. Through long-term ownership in real estate, IKEA Retail is able to reduce operating costs and invest in its business.

Read more at www.Ingka.com.

About Extell Development Company

Founded and headed by Gary Barnett, Extell Development Company is a nationally acclaimed real estate developer of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use properties, operating primarily in New York City, Utah, and other premier locations across the nation. In collaboration with world-class architects and design professionals, Extell creates properties distinguished by sophisticated design, gracious floor plans and first-class amenities.

Extell pioneered Manhattan's Billionaires' Row, having developed some of city's ultra-luxury properties along 57th Street, including Central Park Tower, the tallest residential building in the world located above Nordstrom's flagship Manhattan store and One57, the record-breaking glass tower which includes condominiums above Park Hyatt's five-star flagship hotel. Additional completed projects include One Manhattan Square, the largest condominium building on Manhattan's Lower East Side waterfront; Brooklyn Point in Downtown Brooklyn, and The Lofts Pier Village, a luxury oceanfront condominium at the Jersey Shore with resort-style amenities, as well as the W Hotel in Times Square and the Boston Intercontinental Hotel.

Read more at www.extell.com.

SOURCE IKEA
Firm elects two new partners, promotes four to special counsel

NEW YORK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is pleased to announce the election of two new partners  Rebecca Durrant and Beth Johnson  effective July 1, 2024. In addition, the firm has promoted Beth Chun, Alison Frimmel, Ken Kanzawa, and Alex Schneider to special counsel.

"This group of attorneys has demonstrated exceptional skill in their respective practices and a commitment to developing strong relationships with clients and colleagues," said Dana Rosenfeld, firm managing partner. "Their promotions are a testament to their outstanding performance and consistently excellent client service. By nurturing and advancing talent from within, Kelley Drye supports the continued growth and success of talented lawyers that will benefit our clients now and in future years."

These attorney advancements come from several of the firm's key practice areas. Kelley Drye's newest partners are:

Rebecca Durrant (Litigation): Rebecca supports clients through all stages of complex commercial litigation and has extensive experience practicing in federal and state courts, as well as before arbitration tribunals. She represents clients in class actions, arbitrations, complex contractual disputes, and general commercial disputes. Rebecca creates solutions that lead to favorable outcomes for firm clients at all stagesfrom informal dispute resolution and early motion practice to discovery, class decertification, summary judgment, and trial. Rebecca is a member of the California and New York Bars.

Beth Johnson (International Trade): Beth has more than 15 years' experience representing clients before federal courts and agencies. With a specific focus on international trade issuesespecially antidumping and countervailing duty investigations and reviewsBeth also counsels clients on U.S. customs-related matters. Beth has navigated numerous complex issues for major International Trade clients in trade remedy proceedings. In addition to her international trade work, Beth has also represented clients in commercial litigation and federal litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act. Beth is a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia Bars.

The firm's new special counsel are:

Beth Chun (Advertising and Marketing): Beth focuses her practice on responding to State Attorneys General investigations and advising on State AG priorities and consumer protection compliance. Beth assists clients with Attorney General office consumer complaints, inquiries, civil investigative demands, and subpoenas. She navigates complex individual state and multistate consumer protection investigations involving marketing and advertising, privacy, and other consumer protection matters. Beth also has extensive experience in automatic renewal law compliance and investigations. Prior to joining Kelley Drye, Beth worked at the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. She is a member of the Texas and District of Columbia Bars.

Alison Frimmel (Labor and Employment): Representing and counseling clients in all aspects of labor and employment law, Alison handles matters before federal and state courts and administrative agencies in defense of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, wage and hour, breach of contract, and tort claims. Alison counsels clients on a wide array of employment matters, including developments in applicable laws, workplace accommodation requests, policy development, and she also conducts workplace investigations. Alison served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kimberly Espinales-Maloney in the Superior Court of New Jersey. She is a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars.

Ken Kanzawa (Government Contracts): Ken's practice focuses on government contracts litigation and counseling. Formerly a lawyer for NASA, Ken brings an insider's perspective to a variety of matters, including bid protests, contract disputes, subcontract negotiation and teaming agreements, domestic sourcing restrictions, small business contracting, GSA schedule, debarment and suspension, and other compliance issues. He appears regularly before the U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and Boards of Contract Appeals. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia Bars.

Alex Schneider (Privacy and Information Security): Alex advises clients on information privacy and security, advertising and marketing, and consumer protection law, particularly relating to market entry, rollout of new initiatives, ongoing due diligence, and corporate transactions. He is experienced in the negotiation and drafting of cloud service, data processing, data integration, and e-commerce agreements. Alex represents clients before the Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General in investigations and inquiries into marketing, data privacy, communications, and cybersecurity issues. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Massachusetts Bars.

SOURCE Kelley Drye and Warren LLP
Newly Designed Machines, Next-Generation CNC Control, Multiple Automation Systems, Intelligent Technologies, World-Class Services, Sustainable Initiatives, & More to be Featured

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The leadership team at Okuma America Corporation, a global leader and single-source builder of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, controls, and automation systems, is excited to announce the company's exhibition plans for the 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to be held in Chicago, Illinois, from September 9 to 14, 2024.

Within its 17,000 square-foot booth, the company plans to showcase a comprehensive offering for the metalworking industry featuring newly designed CNC machine tools, a next-generation CNC control, a robust line of automation systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, a myriad of world-class services, and more. Okuma America Corporation will host a media event in the South Hall (Booth #338500) on Tuesday, September 10, at 2:00 pm. During this event, participants will have the opportunity to be part of an exclusive booth tour to learn more about the company's IMTS offerings and hear insights from the Okuma leadership team.

New & Notable

NEW Okuma Booth Experience

At IMTS 2024, Okuma will debut a newly redesigned booth and customer experience, including the theme of 'Open Possibilities'. This direction was chosen as the company strongly believes when end users partner with Okuma they are able to 'Open Possibilities' for not only their shop floor but also their employees and their communities at large.

As part of the enhanced customer experience, guests will have the opportunity to engage directly with the latest CNC machine tools and automation technologies. Additionally, they can explore various interactive experiences throughout the booth. Technical experts from Okuma, Okuma distributors, and Okuma's Partners in Technology network will be onsite to provide consultation and expertise to visitors based on application needs.

Three New CNC Machine Debuts

Okuma will unveil three new CNC machine tools at IMTS 2024, all of which are first-time debuts in the Americas. All three machines will be presented with Okuma's newly optimized sleek machine design and equipped with Okuma's new OSP-P500 CNC control:

NEW - Okuma MA-4000H Horizontal Machining Center

- Okuma MA-4000H Horizontal Machining Center NEW - Okuma LB2000 EX III-MYW Horizontal Lathe

- Okuma LB2000 EX III-MYW Horizontal Lathe NEW - Okuma LB4000 EX III-MYW Horizontal Lathe

Vintage Okuma Machine

On display within Okuma's IMTS booth will be an early 1900s lathe that was manufactured at the global headquarters in Nagoya, Japan. This lathe is being showcased to highlight Okuma's storied history of innovation which dates back to 1898.

NEW Next-generation CNC Machine Control

Twelve of the 14 Okuma machines on display will feature the all-new Okuma OSP-P500 CNC control, an advanced open architecture system designed exclusively for Okuma machines. This next-generation control system enables numerous market-leading intelligent machining technologies, which will be showcased at the event, including:

Greater processing power with dual-core computer processors

Embedded, robust cyber-security features to protect operations and data

On-board energy management green machining capabilities

Windows-based, open-architecture platform for easy integration to applications on the Okuma App Store and beyond

Full-color touchscreen in two sizes: 15" screen or 21.5" screen, based on machine model

Combination of user-friendly hard and soft keys; QWERTY keyboard

Space-saving, modern design with ergonomic tilt and swivel capabilities; pulse handle options also available

The Okuma OSP suite of machine controls offers various technologies that support intelligent manufacturing processes. Several of these technologies will be on display at IMTS, including:

Okuma Connect Plan machine status and performance monitoring software

Collision avoidance systems

Energy management capabilities with on-board Thermo-Friendly Concept & ECO suite plus functionality

Automation

Okuma will present a comprehensive lineup of automation systems developed by the Okuma Factory Automation (OFA) Division, along with best-in-class solutions from its industry partners, all of which seamlessly integrate with Okuma machines. The company is pleased to announce that 11 of its 14 IMTS 2024 CNC machine tools will be paired with automation systems, including three solutions making their debut in the Americas:

NEW  Okuma SmarTwinCELL  an entire manufacturing cell managed by Okuma technologies

 Okuma SmarTwinCELL  an entire manufacturing cell managed by Okuma technologies NEW  Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)  a mobile robot designed to shuttle workpieces between processing stations

 Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)  a mobile robot designed to shuttle workpieces between processing stations NEW  Okuma Robot Loader (ORL)  an easy-to-integrate robot designed to load and unload workpieces from machines

NEW Global Services & Repair Facility to Support Customer for Life Mission

Okuma is excited to announce plans to open a new global service and repair facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2025 to support Okuma users worldwide. This investment aligns with the company's mission of 'Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life'. Further details about the new facility will be shared at IMTS 2024.

Okuma Machines in Partner Booths

Okuma machine tools will also be present in others' IMTS 2024 booths. Several of our distinguished members of Partners in Technology will have the following machines on working display:

Blum-Novotest, Booth #134710  Okuma GENOS M460V-5AX with new Okuma OSP-P500 control

Renishaw, Booth #134314  Okuma LB3000 EX III with new Okuma OSP-P500 control

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Booth #236700  Okuma MU-4000V with automation and additive demonstration

Comprehensive Lineup

Okuma will showcase 14 CNC machine tools at the show, representing a wide range of the company's core product lines. Among these, three are new products. Additionally, nine unique automation systems will be on display, including three proprietary innovations from Okuma Factory Automation. The next-generation OSP-P500 control system will be featured on 12 of the 14 CNC machines in the booth, as well as on free-standing interactive simulators. Okuma will also highlight key components of its world-class service and support program.

Okuma's complete IMTS 2024 machine, control, and automation lineup includes:

Okuma Machining Centers CNC Machine Control Paired Automation System MA-4000H - NEW NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma Automatic Pallet Changer (APC) MA-600HIII NEW  OSP-P500 Automatic Pallet Changer (APC) MU-6300V-L NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma Tower Automatic Pallet Changer MB-46VE II NEW  OSP-P500 FANUC Cobot GENOS M560-V (covers removed)



GENOS M560V-5AX (5-axis) NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma Robot Loader & Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) MU-4000V (5-axis) NEW  OSP-P500 EROWA ERC80 Robot Lathes CNC Machine Control Paired Automation System LB2000 EX III-MYW NEW NEW  OSP-P500

LB3000 EX III-MYW NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma SmarTwinCELL LB4000 EX III-MYW NEW NEW  OSP-P500

LU3000 EX NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma Gantry Loader (OGL) Multitasking Lathes CNC Machine Control Paired Automation System MULTUS B300II NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) & Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) MULTUS U3000 NEW  OSP-P500 Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) & Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)

Grinder CNC Machine Control Paired Automation System GA26W OSP-P300 Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)

Other Highlights

Sustainability Initiatives

At Okuma, we're working together to build a better machine tool and a better future. All Okuma CNC machines are equipped with Okuma's "Green Smart Machine" technology, a series of combined technologies that harmonize high-performance machining with intelligent energy management controls. Specifically, these technologies include Okuma's proprietary ECO suite plus and Thermo-Friendly Concept, both of which will be displayed at IMTS 2024.

Okuma Best-in-Class Distributor Network

In support of Okuma's mission of 'Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life', Okuma has created strategic relationships with 10 best-in-class distributorships to support customer needs within their local regions of operation. Representatives from each of Okuma's distributors within the Americas will be onsite at IMTS 2024.

Okuma Partners in Technology

Okuma's Partners in Technology network brings together 45+ companies that represent best-in-class manufacturing solutions and technologies that pair perfectly with Okuma CNC machine tools. We're pleased to introduce the newest member of the network, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, at IMTS 2024.

For more information on Okuma's IMTS offering, visit www.okuma.com/imts.

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry's only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool's functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store , the industry's only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content at that time. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X .

SOURCE Okuma America Corporation
NEW YORK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) and the Aga Khan Foundation ( AKF ) announce an expanded three-year partnership that will improve holistic quality learning outcomes and quality learning environments for crisis-affected learners in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda. The new US$375,000 ECW Acceleration Facility grant to Schools2030 , the AKF-led global movement for holistic education and teacher leadership, builds on two years of collaboration to improve teaching and learning in countries impacted by emergencies and protracted crises.

Education Cannot Wait and the Aga Khan Foundation commit to three more years of working together through new Acceleration Facility grant for Schools2030, with a focus on improved teaching and learning in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda.

Through the development of concrete tools and pathways, this latest grant will support ECW's Multi-Year Resilience Programmes to ensure that holistic learning outcomes are improved through inclusive, gender-responsive teaching and learning approaches.

"Education Cannot Wait and the Aga Khan Foundation enjoy a solid partnership and are delighted to extend it through Schools2030. Together, we strengthen our shared commitment to a whole-of-child approach and focus on crisis-affected children and youth left furthest behind in wars, refuge and climate disasters. The new grant is aligned with ECW's strategic priorities  emphasizing gender-sensitive and inclusive quality education in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda, and then scaling this crucial partnership and joint work globally," said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations.

With portfolios focused on gender equality, mental health and psychosocial support, inclusivity and  most crucially  a holistic approach to education, ECW and AKF could not be more aligned in values and more in agreement on the approach needed to tackle the various forms of crises impacting education systems the world over.

"We are delighted to expand AKF's strategic partnership with the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, Education Cannot Wait, to continue advancing holistic quality education in and through the Schools2030 programme across crisis-affected contexts. With ECW's support, Schools2030's unique ten-year commitment to local schools and communities offers what learners and educators need the most in times of uncertainty  long-term, flexible, and responsive resources that ensure quality teaching and learning can continue against all odds. Together with ECW, we look forward to co-creating new tools, resources and evidence that will support the most effective approaches to best support the world's 224 million crisis-impacted school-aged children today," said Michael Kocher, General Manager of the Aga Khan Foundation.

ECW and Schools2030 recognise that addressing the global learning crisis and serving crisis-affected children requires an unambiguous focus on holistic skills, which have been proven to increase academic achievement, support holistic child development, and improve future livelihoods. The new grant supports going beyond measuring success only through academic achievements by emphasising the importance of assessing additional 21st century skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.

The initial partnership between ECW and Schools2030, which began in 2022, helped pioneer holistic assessment tools that enable teachers to assess both the quality of their classroom environment and the learning levels of their students for specific, country-selected holistic learning domains, with a vision towards using this assessment data to improve learning.

Building on this strong foundation, over the next three years, Schools2030 will ensure that its flagship Three-Step-Model (Assess, Innovate, Showcase) integrates the needs of crisis-affected learners and teachers, and strengthens connections between school-driven innovation and system-level change. Additionally, the initiative will ensure quality assessment data is collected and analysed across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uganda  to support improved learning, development and dissemination as a global public good.

This latest grant will support nationally contextualized assessment tools that can be used by teachers who not only understand the importance of these skills, but also how to measure them in their students, and strengthen evidence around learning in crisis contexts, thereby filling a gap identified in the three countries.

Localization and community participation are at the heart of this initiative, resonating with ECW and Schools2030's strategic priorities, and ensuring sustainable and context-driven approaches. The extensive history and operational presence of AKF (and the wider Aga Khan Development Network) is a testament to this commitment, with the majority of its staff originating in, living and working within the communities they serve.

Ultimately, this collaboration is not just about addressing the immediate crises in each country  it is about paving the way towards a more equitable and inclusive education ecosystem, responsive to the needs of marginalised children, and resilient to external shocks. The grant will be implemented in coordination with national governments, local communities, teachers and learners themselves to make quality education a reality for every child in the generations to come.

ECW's Acceleration Facility funding mechanism is dedicated to supporting the creation of global public goods and resources for the education in emergencies and protracted crises sector. The funding window is a key part of ECW's Strategic Plan to mobilize US$1.5 billion over the next three years to reach 20 million crisis-affected children and adolescents worldwide.

Additional Information:

The Acceleration Facility grant will support Schools2030 to:

Ensure that Schools2030's Three-Step-Model (Assess, Innovate, Showcase) integrates the needs of crisis-affected learners both through its Human-Centred Design process, but also through ensuring Schools2030's holistic assessment tools are useful and usable for educators in emergency and crisis contexts and that they support improved learning and inclusion for all learners (especially those excluded through disability or through multiple forms of marginalisation);

Strengthen the connections between school-driven innovation and system-level change for crisis-affected learners by integrating learners in crisis-affected settings into the Schools2030 showcasing workstream, and through avenues for joint advocacy on best practices for delivering quality education in emergencies and protracted crises;

Ensure quality assessment datasets across these countries are collected, analysed, and visualised to support improved learning, programme development and disseminated as a global public good for the wider education sector.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2451317/Uganda_Education_Cannot_Wait.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg
As PG&E staff meteorologists closely track the weather, the company is reaching out to customers with resources to stay safe and cool.

OAKLAND, Calif., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Fourth of July holiday just days away, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meteorologists are monitoring weather models that forecast a heat wave that will affect millions of Californians. Above-average temperatures are expected to begin on Tuesday and Wednesday and last through the July 4 holiday and weekend. In preparation for the heat event, PG&E has activated its Emergency Operations Center and all regional and local emergency centers; additionally, it is asking customers to have a plan for possible power outages and to take steps to stay safe during the long and brutal heat wave.

According to PG&E's in-house meteorologists, who are tracking this week's heat event from PG&E's Emergency Operations Center, a strong high-pressure system will begin building today, resulting in triple-digit heat mid-week across the interior valleys, especially the Sacramento Valley, as the week continues. Along the coast, the marine layer will weaken, driving temperatures into the mid-90s and low 100s in coastal valleys and 80s in the Bay.

"Widespread heat waves such as the one forecast for the July 4 week mean all hands on deck for PG&E. You will see crews and PG&E trucks throughout your hometown if the heat affects our equipment, and we'll be working around the clock to restore customers safely and as quickly as possible," said Rod Robinson, Vice President of Electric System Operations.

Our outage prediction models help determine potential timing, location and number of heat-related power outages to assign troubleworkers (PG&E first responders), crews and other resources to areas that need support. PG&E has pre-positioned crews and equipment, such as transformers, expected to be affected by heat-related outages and will mobilize equipment to other areas, as needed, based on real-time impacts.

During extended periods of high temperatures, energy use increases and electric grid equipment gets hotter. Equipment such as transformers need time to cool down during a heat wave. This usually happens overnight when temperatures and energy usage drop. Heat events with high overnight temperatures can put additional stress on equipment and cause heat-related outages.

"We are closely monitoring areas where abnormally high heat is forecasted and demand on the grid will be elevated, such as the Santa Clara Valley and other interior Bay valleys. This is in addition to the entire Central Valley where temperatures are projected to be the hottest," said Scott Strenfel, Senior Director of Meteorology and Fire Science at PG&E.

Potential Targeted Public Safety Power Shutoff

PG&E Meteorology is also monitoring the potential for breezy to locally gusty winds from Monday night through Wednesday morning, peaking on Tuesday. While a strong wind event is not currently expected, wind gusts could reach up to 40 mph in the Northern and Western Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills. This, combined with high temperatures and low humidity, has increased the wildfire risk.

As a result, PG&E has informed approximately 12,000 customers that we may need to proactively turn off their power for safety starting on Tuesday morning. The customers potentially affected by the PSPS event are in targeted portions of the following ten counties: Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa, Lake, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Butte and Solano. A PSPS is a safety precaution of last resort to reduce the risk of wildfires during the forecasted high wind event.

Customers have been notified via text, email and automated phone calls prior to potential shutoffs. If customers enrolled in PG&E's Medical Baseline Program do not verify that they have received these important safety communications, PG&E employees will conduct individual, in-person visits, when possible, with a primary focus on customers who rely on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment.

Customers can look up their address online to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at pge.com/pspsupdates.

Support for PG&E customers

We understand that being without power is difficult for our customers  especially in areas impacted by the heat wave. Numerous Community Resource Centers (CRC) will be available within the affected counties. To accommodate the heat, CRCs will be receiving additional ice to provide for customers. Additionally, each center offers ADA-accessible restrooms, device charging, Wi-Fi, blankets, air conditioning and bottled water, snacks and other supplies. Customers can find a CRC near them by visiting www.pge.com/crc.

If called, this would be the first PSPS event of 2024.

In case of heat-related outages, PG&E offers the following safety tips:

Use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire.

Customers with generators should make sure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area.

Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling.

Customers can get updates on outages in their neighborhood through a variety of channels. Contact PG&E's outage information line at 1-800-743-5002 Access the Electric Outage Map online at online outage center Customers can also log-in to their account through pge.com and sign up to receive proactive outage alerts through email, text or phone



PG&E reminds customers to update their contact information at www.pge.com/mywildfirealerts.

About PG&E



Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
DALLAS, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Risepoint, a leading education technology company, is the recipient of a Best Places to Work Award for Best Leadership Team award from the workplace culture site, Comparably. Risepoint earned this recognition based on anonymous feedback from current employees who rated their executive team and managers highly for outstanding leadership.

Risepoint is Recognized as one of Comparablys Best Places to Work

Risepoint was recognized with the Best Leadership Team award to honor their excellence across their company's leadership team and the impact they make on their most important asset, their employees. This award is evidence of Risepoint's commitment to empowering employees and ensuring their leadership team is reflective of their employee base, mission, and values.

Comparably's Best Leadership Teams award is based on sentiment feedback from over 20 million employee ratings across 70,000 companies. These ratings are gathered over 12 months and focus on employees' feedback related to their company's executive leaders and direct managers.

In Comparably's announcement of their 2024 Best Leadership Teams, they shared "being a visionary and servant leader that keeps internal stakeholders like employees happy while meeting the demands of external forcesis no easy feat, but still an important one for talent acquisition and retention" and Risepoint is proud to prioritize our employees and their experience.

"We are grateful to Comparably for recognizing our team and their impact. At Risepoint, we always aim for excellence and that starts with our leadership team," said Fernando Bleichmar, Risepoint CEO. "We are dedicated to our mission and to the team that makes our mission a reality. Thank you to all of our employees for this great honor  we are proud to serve you."

Risepoint is actively recruiting for a variety of rewarding roles across the company. To learn more about our open opportunities, please visit the Risepoint careers page, here.

About Comparably

Comparably, now a ZoomInfo company, is a leading workplace culture and corporate brand reputation platform with 20 million anonymous employee ratings on 70,000 U.S. & Canadian-based companies. With the most comprehensive data on large and SMB organizations in nearly 20 different workplace categories  based on gender, ethnicity, age, experience, industry, location, education  it's one of the most used SaaS platforms for employer branding and a trusted third party site for workplace culture and compensation. For more information on Comparably and its annual Best Places to Work series, visit www.comparably.com.

About Risepoint

Risepoint (formerly Academic Partnerships) is an education technology company that provides world-class support and trusted expertise to more than 125 universities and colleges. We primarily work with regional universities, helping them develop and grow their high-ROI, workforce-focused online degree programs in critical areas such as nursing, teaching, business, and public service. Risepoint is dedicated to increasing access to affordable education so that more students, especially working adults, can improve their careers and meet employer and community needs. Learn more at www.risepoint.com .

SOURCE Risepoint
MILWAUKEE, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating Spirit (NYSE: SPR) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with Boeing.

Click here to learn how to join our investigation https://www.ademilaw.com/case/spirit-aerosystems-holdings-inc or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Spirit stockholders will receive Boeing common stock equal to an exchange ratio calculated as $37.25 divided by the volume weighted average share price of Boeing common stock over the 15-trading-day period ending on the second trading day prior to the closing, subject to a floor of $149.00 per share of Boeing common stock and a ceiling of $206.94 per share of Boeing common stock. Spirit stockholders will receive 0.25 shares of Boeing common stock for each of their shares of Spirit common stock if the closing price is at or below $149.00, and 0.18 shares of Boeing common stock for each of their shares of Spirit common stock if the closing price is at or above $206.94. At $37.25 per share, this represents an equity value of approximately $4.7 billion and an enterprise value of approximately $8.3 billion including Spirit's last reported net debt.

The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing transactions for Spirit by imposing a significant penalty if Spirit accepts a competing bid. Spirit insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements.

We are investigating the conduct of Spirit's board of directors, and whether they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders.

If you own Spirit common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/spirit-aerosystems-holdings-inc.

We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts

Ademi LLP

Guri Ademi

Toll Free: (866) 264-3995

Fax: (414) 482-8001

SOURCE Ademi LLP
Park Square Capital joins GI Partners in backing leading integrated software and payments platform to fuel next chapter of growth

ATLANTA, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Togetherwork, a leading provider of mission-critical, integrated software and payment solutions to groups and organizations, announced today that Park Square Capital ("Park Square") has made a significant minority investment in the company, joining GI Partners as investors. This investment will support Togetherwork in building its comprehensive group management, member engagement, and financial solutions that enable organizations across multiple verticals to grow revenue, streamline operations, increase efficiency, and build stronger communities.

"Togetherwork's mission is to help the communities we serve thrive, prosper, and grow. Our comprehensive suite of integrated software and payments solutions enable this for our customers," said Neil Platt, Chief Executive Officer of Togetherwork. "Growing membership and revenue, streamlining operations, enhancing communications, and simplifying payments are core to what we do and to the communities we serve. We have a great partnership with GI Partners and will continue to rely upon their guidance, and with the addition of Park Square, one of the world's leading investors in high-quality companies for over two decades. We look forward to furthering our aspirations and enhancing our abilities as we begin the next leg of our journey."

Martino Ghezzi and Adam Kornbluh, Partners at Park Square, commented, "Togetherwork is the type of high-quality company which we like to partner with: it's a defensible, market-leading software provider with a significant runway for continued growth. Its software solutions help various organizations address the challenges of efficiently operating a community and elevating its purpose. We are excited to partner with GI Partners and the Togetherwork team in supporting the future growth of the business."

"Togetherwork has increased its revenue approximately fourfold since our original investment in 2018 and we are energized by the growth opportunities for the company to serve its customers with market leading technology," said Travis Pearson and Sendil Rajendran, GI Partners' Managing Directors. "We look forward to this new partnership with the Park Square team and are excited about the direction the Togetherwork leadership is taking the company."

Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor, and William Blair acted as financial advisor, to GI Partners and Togetherwork, and Fried Frank served as legal counsel to Park Square.

About Togetherwork

Togetherwork is a leader in software and payments for member-based organizations, helping them grow, become more efficient, increase revenues, and provide excellent service to their members and constituents. To learn more about us, please visit: www.togetherwork.com .

About Park Square Capital

Park Square Capital is a leading private credit manager, providing senior debt, mid-market direct loans, junior debt, and structured equity to private equity-backed companies in Europe and the US. The firm has a selective, long-term and flexible investment approach, aimed at delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns across market cycles. Park Square has invested more than $25 billion since 2004, and currently manages $15.7 billion of capital on behalf of its investors, which include global public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, family offices, and asset managers. Park Square has more than 120 staff, with nine offices including London, New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm, Seoul, and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit www.parksquarecapital.com .

About GI Partners

Founded in 2001, GI Partners is a private investment firm with over 170 employees and offices in San Francisco, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Greenwich, Scottsdale, and London. The firm has raised more than $43 billion in capital and invests on behalf of leading institutional investors around the world through its private equity, real estate, and data infrastructure strategies. The private equity strategy invests primarily in companies in the healthcare, services, and software sectors. The real estate strategy focuses primarily on technology and life sciences properties as well as other specialized types of real estate. The data infrastructure strategy invests primarily in hard asset infrastructure businesses underpinning the digital economy. For more information, please visit www.gipartners.com .

Media Contacts

For Togetherwork

Jake Fabbri

[email protected]

For GI Partners

Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations

914-834-4334

[email protected]

Gretchen Robinson

Investor Relations

[email protected]

For Park Square Capital

Bree Taylor

Teresa Berezowski

Greenbrook

[email protected]

SOURCE GI Partners
MADRID, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinasolar has announced the signing of a long-term collaboration agreement with the Institute of Solar Energy at Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (IES-UPM). The agreement, signed on June 26, is a milestone in Trinasolar's involvement with leading universities, highlighting the commitment of all concerned to education, research and innovation in solar energy.

Helena Li and Ignacio Anton Hernandez at signing ceremony.

The agreement was signed on the campus of IES-UPM, with Helena Li, Executive President of Trinasolar, and Ignacio Anton Hernandez, Director of IES-UPM, attending. Through this partnership Trinasolar and IES-UPM will pool their expertise to advance research in photovoltaic sciences and technologies. The collaboration aims to innovate in areas such as solar panel efficiency, the resilience and robustness of solar trackers and improving solar energy management.

With 27 years' experience in solar, Trinasolar regards research and development as critical to the industry's progress. Last year the company allocated $768 million to R&D, 19.7% more than in 2022, and Trinasolar's R&D teams work closely with research institutes and universities worldwide.

IES-UPM, the world's oldest active institution in PV research, was founded in 1979. The institution is a pioneer in solar energy research, dedicated to looking into the fundamentals and practical applications of photovoltaics, especially in exploring new strategies to optimize the efficiency and performance of photovoltaic plants, drawing on scientific data and practical experience.

"Signing this agreement with IES-UPM is a major step forward for Trinasolar's work with universities in Europe, and it plays a crucial role in Trina's global collaboration with innovative partners," Helena Li, Executive President of Trinasolar said. "This partnership will enable our R&D team to work closely with European academic talent, maintain our core competence, and provide more localized energy solutions to European market."

Beyond the joint research project, Trinasolar will establish a state-of-the-art training center at IES-UPM, providing the latest solar products and systems. The center will be equipped with solar technologies, including solar modules, trackers and possibly storage systems soon. This initiative is Trina's first in conjunction with a university in Spain, the aim being to support solar energy development in the region.

"We greatly appreciate this collaboration with Trinasolar for the long-term joint research program," said Ignacio Anton Hernandez, Director of IES-UPM. "Trinasolar is a world-renowned solar company whose achievements in technology R&D and project experience can provide us with strong research backing. This agreement will not only benefit our students by providing access to the latest technologies but will also contribute to the advance of sustainable energy solutions."

SOURCE Trinasolar
MURFREESBORO, Tenn., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United Dental Corporation ("UDC"), a rapidly growing Dental Service Organization (DSO), announced the appointment of Allan Weinstein to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024. "We are excited to welcome Allan Weinstein to the UDC Board," said Amit Chokshi, President of UDC. "Allan's deep experience in private equity, with a specific emphasis on building and scaling middle market companies, will be invaluable to UDC as we grow and pursue our mission to serve dental patients."

Mr. Weinstein is the Managing Partner of Gainline Capital Partners ("Gainline"), a Stamford, CT based middle market private equity firm. Prior to co-founding Gainline in 2015, he was a Managing Partner of CAI Private Equity ("CAI"), which he joined in 2012. While at CAI, Allan served on the firm's Investment Committee and was a partner in CAI's management company. Before joining CAI, Allan was a Managing Director at Lincolnshire Management, Inc. There, he served for nearly 18 years and had significant responsibility for successful investments in numerous sectors, including business services, specialty manufacturing, financial technology, transportation, logistics and reverse logistics, direct marketing and consumer products. Among other responsibilities at Lincolnshire, he served as interim Chief Financial Officer of a portfolio company and led a transaction that in 2007 won Private Equity Deal of the Year from the Los Angeles Venture Association. Allan began his career with Fleet Bank, where he completed a management and credit training program. He serves and has served as a director or officer of numerous companies, including Galaxy Universal, Core Health and Fitness, Source Advisors, CSAT Solutions, Prince Sports, Bankruptcy Management Solutions and Shred-Tech Corporation. He also previously served on the Board of Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. He received a B.A. in History and Economics from Vassar College.

About UDC

UDC is a rapidly growing DSO exclusively partnering with growth-oriented, entrepreneurial dentists producing $2MM to $5MM in annual collections from a single location. The Company adheres to a Private Practice at Scale philosophy, seeking out practices with a blend of fee for service and payor revenue streams with the goal of maximizing patient outcomes under a practice environment that preserves clinical autonomy. UDC supports dentists with accounting and financial reporting, payroll, recruiting, technology, compliance, growth strategies, advanced data and analytics, and procurement. Visit us at www.udc.dental.

SOURCE United Dental Corporation
$3.1M in Capital Grant Funding from NYS Office of Mental Health to Further Support the Project

New Unit Will Serve as a Model to Address Unmet Behavioral and Mental Health Needs of Children and Adolescents in the Bronx

BRONX, N.Y., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently announced plans for the Montefiore Einstein Center for Children's Mental Health of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM), to be located within the New York City Children's Center (NYCCC), received unanimous approval from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) and the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council (BHSAC). Additionally, $3.1M in capital grant funding from the NYS OMH has been secured to further support the project.

Rendering of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Childrens Mental Health of the Childrens Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM)

"Thanks to support from state leaders, Montefiore has taken a crucial step toward expanding access and care for our young Bronx patients, reaffirming our long-standing commitment to youth mental health," said Jonathan E. Alpert, M.D., Ph.D., Silverman University Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "Expanding services for Bronx children and adolescents in crisis will strengthen not only their chances of leading healthier and more fulfilling lives, but also contribute to the health and vitality of their families and the community as a whole, and we look forward to opening this center soon."

Recognizing that inpatient child and adolescent services are sorely needed, NYSDOH and NYSOMH reviewed and approved the project expeditiously, and praised Montefiore for its initiative.

An additional $3.1M in funding, part of a $30 million investment made by Governor Kathy Hochul to add 109 new inpatient psychiatric beds statewide, will also support this project. Administered by NYSOMH, these awards will cover design, property acquisition, and construction costs associated with adding 21 new inpatient beds in the Bronx.

"Building greater inpatient capacity for psychiatric care is a component in our efforts to strengthen our state's mental health care system and ensure all New Yorkers have the support they need to live and thrive. We are proud to partner with Montefiore on this project, which will provide additional beds to serve children and adolescents living with mental illness in the Bronx. Governor Hochul's continued focus and commitment toward bolstering youth mental health supports statewide is helping projects like this one become a reality," said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan.

Announced earlier this year, the Montefiore Einstein Center for Children's Mental Health of CHAM will provide best-in-class intensive treatment for youth with serious behavioral health conditions including severe depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts, psychosis and other acute psychiatric conditions. A large portion of the funding was already provided by a nearly $6 million capital appropriation spearheaded by New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Member Michael Benedetto. Additionally, $1M in capital private philanthropy was secured by Montefiore. This new unit will:

Greatly expand inpatient psychiatry services for Bronx youth and adolescents, making it easier for patients and their families to access treatment and foster equitable care in the community;

youth and adolescents, making it easier for patients and their families to access treatment and foster equitable care in the community; Improve continuity of care for Montefiore and Bronx patients through state-of-the-art treatments and compassionate inpatient services in a developmentally appropriate, culturally attuned, and inclusive environment;

patients through state-of-the-art treatments and compassionate inpatient services in a developmentally appropriate, culturally attuned, and inclusive environment; Create a seamless continuity of care within the Montefiore system, facilitating a smooth transition to further Bronx -based outpatient care, as appropriate;

-based outpatient care, as appropriate; Develop a pipeline for multidisciplinary staff to include social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists and more in this critical area; and

Offer enriched training for medical students and other health professionals.

Plans for this unit come on the heels of several initiatives across the Montefiore Health System to significantly expand psychiatric consultation, education, and services. This year, Montefiore was named a New York State Office of Mental Health Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and was awarded a $7 million grant to add extended observation beds for adults in need of emergency care, open an intensive partial hospitalization program for adults, expand care management for individuals discharged from emergency and inpatient settings, and launch a new child outpatient psychiatry clinic in the South Bronx.

The project is slated to begin Q3/Q4 2024 with the inpatient program expected open before the end of Q3 2025.

About Montefiore Health System

Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic health systems. It is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. It comprises ten hospitals, including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, and over two hundred outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information, please visit www.montefiore.org . Follow us on Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn , or view us on Facebook and YouTube .

SOURCE Montefiore Health System
DUBAI, UAE, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XRP Healthcare has announced a new initiative aimed at supporting individuals living with HIV and AIDS by enabling increased access to the XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card through promotions and marketing of the same, focusing on its powerful free tool that offers substantial discounts on essential medications, helping to alleviate the financial burden of managing chronic health conditions.

XRP Healthcare: Helping to Transform HIV and AIDS Care with Innovative Prescription Savings Solutions

XRP Healthcare has announced a new initiative aimed at supporting individuals living with HIV and AIDS by providing them with access to the XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card. This powerful tool offers substantial discounts on essential medications, helping to alleviate the financial burden of managing chronic health conditions.

Supporting People Living with HIV and AIDS

HIV and AIDS continue to be significant global health challenges, with millions of individuals requiring daily medication to manage their condition. In the United States, an estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV, with approximately 38,000 new diagnoses each year. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for reducing viral load, maintaining immune function, and preventing the transmission of HIV. However, the cost of these medications can be prohibitive for many, with average monthly costs ranging from $1,200 to $4,000 depending on the specific regimen and insurance coverage.

Key Features of the XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card

1. Substantial Cost Reduction: The card offers up to 80% discounts on prescription medications, making life-saving drugs more affordable and accessible to those in need.

2. Wide Accessibility: Usable at over 68,000 pharmacies across all states in America, including major chains such as Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, the card ensures that individuals nationwide can benefit from these savings.

3. Part of the XRPH App Wallet: The Prescription Savings Card is integrated into the revolutionary XRPH App Wallet, available for free download from Google Play or the Apple Store within seconds. Each card has its own individual number attached.

4. Earn XRPH with Every Use: Each time the Prescription Savings Card is used, $1 of XRPH is credited to the owner's XRPH Wallet, providing additional value and encouraging continued use.

5. Support for Consistent Treatment: By lowering the financial barrier, the savings card helps ensure that individuals can maintain their daily ART regimen without interruption, which is critical for effective HIV management.

6. Ease of Use: Simple and convenient, individuals can present the card at participating pharmacies when they fill their prescriptions to receive the discount.

7. Community and Charitable Support: Particularly beneficial for community organizations and charities, the card can help support large numbers of individuals requiring consistent medication access.

High Profile Charities Benefiting from XRP Healthcare

Several high-profile charities, such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research), and the Global Fund, could greatly benefit from the XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card. These organizations work tirelessly to support those living with HIV and AIDS, and the savings card can provide their members with substantial financial relief on necessary medications.

Kain Roomes, Founder and CEO of XRP Healthcare, emphasized the company's progress and future focus: "Our Prescription Savings Card has already made a tangible difference for many individuals. The month of July sees an increased focus on partnering with more charities and community organizations. By introducing the card to their members, considerable savings on prescriptions and medications can be provided, making a real impact on their financial well-being."

Laban Roomes, Co-founder and Business Development Officer, highlighted the broader reach of their efforts: "To date, significant uptake and success have been seen with the Prescription Savings Card. In July, efforts to double down on partnerships with charities and societies will be intensified. By doing so, more communities will have access to the savings the card provides, easing the financial burden of medication costs for countless individuals."

Whitney Lynn, Chairman of XRP Healthcare, discussed the company's collaborative vision: "Progress so far has been remarkable, but the journey is just beginning. This July, efforts to collaborate with more charitable organizations and societies will be increased. The goal is to integrate the XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card into their support systems, offering substantial financial relief to their communities. Together, a significant difference can be made."

Partner with XRP Healthcare

If any organizations, charities, or societies are interested in partnering with XRP Healthcare, comprehensive support is offered including sponsorship, marketing, and promotion of the XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card to your community. To explore partnership opportunities, please get in touch with Benjamin at [email protected].

Transforming Healthcare Through Innovation

XRP Healthcare's innovative approach is not limited to the blockchain; it extends to real-world impact. The company's Prescription Savings Card, integrated into the XRPH App Wallet, is a testament to its commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability. By integrating this card into their healthcare plan, individuals living with HIV can better manage their condition both medically and financially.

Addressing a Global Need

HIV and AIDS are still considered to be an epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), requiring sustained and coordinated efforts to ensure individuals have access to the medications they need. In Africa, a continent significantly affected by HIV, XRP Healthcare's expansion efforts are poised to address critical healthcare challenges and capture substantial market share. With the African healthcare market estimated to be worth USD 259 billion by 2030, the company's strategic moves are set to make a significant impact.

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.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2451513/XRP_Healthcare.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2365357/XRP_Healthcare_Logo.jpg

SOURCE XRP Healthcare
HONG KONG, June 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yidu Tech Inc. ("Yidu Tech" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, the "Group", HKEX: 2158) announced its annual results for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2024 ("FY2024" or the "Reporting Period"). The management provided detailed explanations on the key performance highlights, development strategies, and future outlook. Owing to the Company's "Focus" strategy, Yidu Tech has seen further improvements in operational efficiency, profitability, and business competitiveness.

The Company's total revenue in FY2024 was recorded at RMB 807.1 million, and gross profit margin increased to 42.1% from 34.1% year-on-year ("YoY"), representing an increase of 8.0 percentage points, hitting an all-time high. Adjusted net loss narrowed from RMB448.7 million to RMB158.1 million, down 64.8% YoY, and cash flow continued to be optimized. During the reporting period, the Company continued to invest in AI technology, especially in the development and commercialization of its proprietary large language model in the medical vertical field to maintain a leading position in the opportunities of the large language model era.

During the results conference, Yidu Tech's management stated that excluding strategic investments in proprietary large language model, non-cash items, and non-operating items, the adjusted EBITDA for our current business has achieved profitability, moving from a RMB 327 million loss to a profit of RMB 31.1 million for the first time this fiscal year. "It further elaborated that this could be largely attributed to the effects of the Company's timely adoption of the 'Focus' strategy. In the face of new opportunities for technological innovation and industrial upgrading driven by generative AI technology, the Company seeks to further play a leading role in innovation, accelerate the commercialization of large language models in healthcare, and provide safer, more inclusive, and more precise intelligent solutions for the entire medical ecosystem, in order to create long-lasting value for investors."

Yidu Tech's management commented during the results conference that the Company's operating cash outflow continues to improve, and that it is no longer spending extensively on its operations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Company's net operating cash outflow has decreased consecutively each year. In FY2022, the figure was recorded at RMB 639 million, in FY2023, it decreased to RMB 463 million, and in FY2024, it further dropped to RMB 230 million. If this trend continues, cash flow is expected to break even in the new fiscal year.

Management added that as of market close on June 27, the Company's P/B ratio has decreased to 1.06. Not including the valuation of its domestic and international businesses, its market value is still lower than its fund reserves on hand. As such, management believes that the Company's share price is still severely undervalued. Notably, renowned sovereign fund BIA has continually increased its shareholding of Yidu Tech by 21.50% over the past two months. The management is confident in the Company's long-term growth potential and hopes to continually create innovative technologies and increase returns to its shareholders.

Continuous Upgrade of the "AI Medical Brain", Breakthroughs in "Technology + Application"

Over the past year, the Company has continued to upgrade and iterate YiduCore, its "AI Medical Brain", comprehensively strengthening its functions in processing efficiency, comprehension and reasoning capabilities, as well as precise adaptation to complex application scenarios. During the reporting period, the Company has continued the development and training of large language model in the medical vertical field based on 500 billion fine-trained Tokens, with model training for 6B, 13B, and 70B parameters completed. Yidu Tech's proprietary large language model has passed the deep synthesis service algorithm filings of Cyberspace Administration of China.

In terms of data, YiduCore has cumulatively processed and analyzed more than 5 billion authorized medical records from over 1 billion patients, covering over 2,500 hospitals.

In terms of algorithms, in May 2024, in the MedBench evaluation, an authoritative evaluation platform launched by Shanghai AI Laboratory and Shanghai Digital Medicine Innovation Center, Yidu Tech's large language model ranked first in each of the three key dimensions of medical knowledge Q&A, medical language understanding, and medical safety and ethics, and achieved the highest overall score.

In addition to technological breakthroughs, YiduCore's commercial applications have also continuously expanding. By leveraging Yidu Tech's large language model, the Company has enhanced project sustainability and provided 24/7 health management services to over 5 million users.

Large Language Model Empowering a Comprehensive Healthcare Ecosystem Solution, Three Major Segments Progressing in Synergy

Driven by the core technologies of YiduCore, the Company's three major business segments are progressing in synergy, further solidifying its prominent market position.

During the reporting period, the revenue of the Company's Big Data Platform and Solutions segment reached RMB 313.6 million, representing a YoY increase of 41.4%. As of 31 March 2024, the total number of the Company's top hospital clients increased by 14 to 102 as compared to the same period last year, while the number of regulator and policymaker clients increased by 9 to 43.

Revenue from the Company's Life Sciences Solutions segment amounted to RMB 324.0 million, representing a YoY increase of 28.1%, with gross margin increasing by 14.6 percentage points to a historical high of 32.1%. As of 31 March 2024, the Company achieved a 151.1% revenue retention rate for its top 10 clients in terms of revenue, with average transaction value of customers increasing by 75.4% YoY. Among 20 of the top multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs), 16 of them constitute the Company's clients. In terms of clinical research, the Company has performed 321 clinical research cases, including clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and investigator-initiated trials, as well as 246 prospective and retrospective real world studies (RWS).

Finally, revenue from the Health Management Platform and Solutions segment was recorded at RMB 169.5 million, with gross profit margin hitting 58.1%, up 17.4 percentage points YoY. During the reporting period, the Company continued to increase its market penetration rate of the government's supplemental Medicare program, Hui Min Bao (), as well as cumulatively winning bids and serving 4 provinces and 12 cities, including Jiangsu Province, Beijing, Shenzhen etc. As of 31 March 2024, the number of active users who have completed at least one transaction on Yidu Tech's health management platform increased to nearly 27.6 million.

The arrival of the large language model era has accelerated the popularization and penetration of artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry. As a leading company in China's AI medical industry, Yidu Tech strives to seize any relevant market opportunities created by generative AI and large language models by firmly investing and innovating in this domain. At the same time, the Company will also continue to consolidate its business model, improve operational efficiency, and achieve sustainable improvements in profitability and growth, in order to generate increasing long-term, high-quality value to stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

SOURCE Yidu Tech
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Ramallah, July 1 : The Palestinian presidency has rejected any foreign presence on Palestinian lands, in response to Israeli statements calling for the handover of the Gaza Strip to international forces.

In a declaration carried by the official news agency WAFA, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for the presidency, said on Sunday that "there is no legitimacy for any foreign presence on Palestinian lands, and only the Palestinian people can decide who governs and manages their affairs".

He stressed that the Israeli government "is delusional if it thinks it can decide the fate of the Palestinian people and cement the occupation by bringing in foreign forces" as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The Spokesperson called the Palestine Liberation Organisation the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, which "has legal authority over all of Palestine's territory, including Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem".

He emphasised that "the Palestine issue is about land and statehood, not just humanitarian aid; it is a sacred issue and the central cause for Arabs".

On Friday, Israeli public radio Kan reported that Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the transitional phase plan for Gaza during his visit to the US days ago.

The plan would be overseen by a steering committee led by the US and involving moderate Arab countries, according to the radio.

The international forces, possibly including soldiers from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco, would oversee security in Gaza while the American side would handle leadership and logistics from outside the strip, likely in Egypt, it reported.

The plan will be implemented in stages from north to south Gaza and aims for the gradual transfer of local security responsibilities to Palestinian forces, the report said.

It noted that the plan assumes that Hamas's military capabilities have been sufficiently reduced, rendering the group unable to conduct large-scale attacks.

Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said last Tuesday during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya that "the post-war plan for Hamas and Gaza has been prepared in recent weeks, and we will soon see practical steps towards this".

He added, "We do not have to wait for Hamas to disappear, as it is a long process," explaining, "We cannot eliminate Hamas as an idea; we need an alternative idea."

Hanegbi believes that establishing an alternative to replace Hamas is essential for achieving long-term victory, saying that the alternative should be a government supported by local residents who wish to live alongside Israel, with backing from moderate Arab countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had faced widespread criticism from within and outside Israel for not presenting a clear post-war plan for Gaza.

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.
Gaza, July 1 : Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), has released a video showing its members preparing explosive devices for use against Israeli military vehicles that penetrate Gaza Strip cities.

The 40-second video showed the group's members painting the devices and placing them in portable bags inside a covered area with black cloth inscribed with the phrases: "He who seeks my demise is chasing a mirage" and "(Operation) Al-Aqsa Flood".

Al-Qassam also announced the use of the "Fedayeen Operations" device for the first time during the ongoing war with Israeli forces in Gaza since last October, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

This came as both Al-Qassam and the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, claimed on Sunday targeting Israeli vehicles and soldiers in the Shujaiya neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City and the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood in the south of the city.

Al-Qassam said in a statement that its members "destroyed an Israeli Namer APC (armoured personnel carrier) with a Yassin 105 rocket, killing and injuring its crew" south of Tal al-Hawa.

In a separate statement, the brigades mentioned that its members also targeted "a Shezaret APC and a D9 military bulldozer" in Tal al-Hawa.

In addition, it said in another press release that its members "targeted the gathering of Israeli forces in Shujaiya with mortar shells".

The Al-Quds Brigades announced in a statement that its members are "engaged in fierce clashes" with Israeli soldiers using machine guns and anti-personnel weapons east of Shujaiya.

The brigades mentioned in a separate statement that its members "bombarded Israeli army gatherings" in the Shujaiya neighbourhood "with a barrage of mortar shells".

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.
Seoul, July 1 : A plenary Central Committee meeting of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) has continued for the third day in a row, state media reported on Monday, amid attention being paid to whether it would announce follow-up measures to implement a new partnership treaty with Russia.

The third day of the 10th plenary meeting of the WPK's eighth Central Committee was held on Sunday "to work out detailed and practical measures for successfully fulfilling the tasks for 2024," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"The participants are intensifying the discussion while conducting an in-depth study of the draft resolutions to be submitted to the plenary meeting and thoroughly exploring ways to carry out the tasks for the second half of the year entrusted to their sectors and units," the KCNA said as reported by Yonhap news agency.

The plenary meeting began on Friday, with five agenda items approved by all members of the WPK Central Committee, the KCNA said, without further disclosing other details.

On the second day, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the meeting to "discuss and decide on a series of important immediate issues arising in maintaining the upturn in the comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism," it said.

North Korea usually holds a party plenary meeting for a few days in June. But this year's meeting has drawn more attention due to the possibility that it could discuss detailed measures to expand cooperation with Russia following its signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Moscow.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Pyongyang on June 19 and clinched the treaty that calls for providing military assistance to each other without delay if either side comes under an armed attack.
Seoul, July 1 : North Korea fired two ballistic missiles in an eastward direction on Monday, South Korea's military said, after warning of countermeasures against a joint military exercise held by South Korea, the US and Japan.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said one short-range ballistic missile was launched from the Jangyon area in South Hwanghae province at about 5:05 a.m. in a northeastern direction. Another unidentified ballistic missile was launched at around 5:15 a.m.

It did not provide further details, such as how far the missiles flew, Yonhap news agency reported.

"While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance against additional launches, our military is maintaining a full-readiness posture while sharing North Korean ballistic missile data with US and Japanese authorities," the JCS told the media.

On Sunday, North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the three-day multi-domain "Freedom Shield" exercise, saying the country would take "offensive and overwhelming" countermeasures against what it called an attempt to strengthen a military bloc.

The drills, which ended on Saturday, involved fighter jets and warships, including a US aircraft carrier.

The latest launch came five days after North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Wednesday.

North Korea claimed the next day to have successfully conducted a multiple warhead missile test, but South Korea has dismissed the claim as "deception", saying the launch failed as the missile exploded in midair.

North Korea has ratcheted up cross-border tensions in recent weeks, launching trash-carrying balloons to South Korea in a tit-for-tat move against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea.

The latest launch also took place amid growing concerns over deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty during a summit last month in Pyongyang.

The pact includes a pledge for the two countries to come to each other's aid if attacked.
New Delhi, July 1 : The Indian Army is on the path of transformation and aspires to be 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) as it is ready and capable of facing all current and future security challenges, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Monday, a day after he assumed charge.

General Dwivedi took over the charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on Sunday from General Pande, who retired on June 30 after more than four decades of service to the nation.

The new Army Chief received a Guard of Honour at the South Block here and later in his address to the media, emphasised his commitment to evolving the Indian Army's war-fighting strategies and ensuring the well-being of all ranks, Veer Naris (war widows), and veterans.

He expressed immense pride and honour in leading the Indian Army, highlighting its legacy of valour and sacrifice.

"It is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army. The glorious traditions of the Indian Army are based on the legacy of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. On this occasion, I pay solemn tributes to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty," he said.

General Dwivedi acknowledged the rapidly changing political landscape and technological advancements, noting the unique operational challenges faced by the Indian Army. He stressed the importance of continuously equipping soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and evolving war-fighting strategies.

"The Indian Army is on the path of transformation, and we aspire to be 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant). To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war system equipment that is manufactured in our country," he stated.

General Dwivedi pledged to ensure the Indian Army's readiness to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and other stakeholders. He highlighted the importance of securing India's interests and contributing to nation-building towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

"It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and civilians of the Indian Army are looked after. My responsibilities to our veterans, Veer Naris, and their families are my sacred commitment, and I assure this extended family my full support. I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me, and I ensure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges," he added.

General Upendra Dwivedi, an accomplished military leader, has served in the Armed Forces for 40 years. An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), he was commissioned into the Regiment of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in 1984.
New Delhi, July 1 : Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday gave a notice seeking adjournment of the business in the Lok Sabha listed for the day.

The MP is seeking to discuss a "matter of urgent importance" involving cases of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC NET, in the House.

"I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance," the MP said in the notice.

Tagore added that the House does suspend all listed business of the day to discuss the unprecedented cases of paper leaks in the conduct of exams, including NEET-UG and UGC NET and the failure of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made an appeal to the government to initiate a debate on the National Eligibility and Entrance Examination (NEET) and also over the paper leak controversy, to assuage the concerns and anxiety of lakhs of candidates and their families.

Notably, the NEET (UG) 2024 examinations were conducted on May 5 in around 570 cities, including 14 cities abroad. Over 23 lakh students and medical aspirants appeared for the examinations.

However, it got marred by the paper leak controversy, thereby putting the future of many students in peril.

The June cycle UGC-NET exam was earlier held on June 18 but was cancelled the very next day, citing unavoidable circumstances.
New Delhi, July 1 : The UN on Monday released proposals to share the use of "digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI)" -- the DNA sequences of plants, animals and microbes -- to support communities supporting nature.

The documents are published six weeks before nations meet in Montreal, Canada, from August 12-16 for final negotiations within the DSI intergovernmental negotiating group before the matter comes up for decision at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) in October in Colombia, US.

The goal is to equitably share revenues from products such as drugs, cosmetics, and agricultural biotechnology. However, agreement is needed on several questions, including which industrial sectors using DSI should share its benefits.

According to Co-Chairs of the negotiations, Mphatso Kalemba of Malawi and William Lockhart of the UK, the sectors that depend most on DSI generate from "one to a few trillion dollars annually;" just 0.1 per cent of US $1 trillion would yield $1 billion for the global fund; 1 per cent would amount to $10 billion.

The funds will support the conservation and sustainable use of nature, including related activities of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and building capacity worldwide to generate and use DSI.

"The world has been presented with an opportunity to mobilise additional resources for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use whilst enhancing benefits from the use of DSI through this mechanism and its fund. I hope that delegates will work hard in Montreal to unpack that solution to the world," Kalemba said.
Los Angeles, July 1 : Hollywood star Idris Elba's wife Sabrina Elba has revealed what her award-winning husband smells like.

Los Angeles, July 1 (IANS) Hollywood star Idris Elbaas wife Sabrina Elba has revealed what her award-winning husband smells like.

"Idris has a musk that he uses as a body oil, and anyone that knows him knows that's his smell," she said of Elba, who is the former PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive.

"I love it. It embodies him to me."

The couple first met at a party in Vancouver while the actor was filming for the 2017 movie 'The Mountain Between Us' directed by Hany Abu-Assad. They got married during a three-day wedding in April 2019, reports people.com.

According to Sabrina, Idris also has a unique sense of style.

"Idris for sure is effortless, timeless and sexy to me. He doesn't even have to lift a finger," she said.

"He just walks out the door, this confident sexy guy. He can be in a pair of flip-flops and sweats and I'm just like, 'Wow, you're going to make best-dressed lists.' And he always does. He's effortless."

Idris, for his part, said of his wife: "I think Sabrina is fresh because she loves the newest and coolest. And she's elegant no matter what she puts on, whether it's sweatpants or a ball gown, she looks elegant."

When it comes to the couple's red carpet fashion, Sabrina said: "If we could match and wear matching colours, I'd actually love it."

"Idris not so much. I love the idea of couple dressing and when couples do it, I just think it's the cutest thing ever. Idris doesn't love it."

Defending himself, Idris said: "When it's all matching, matching and you look like twins, I'm like, 'Oh man.' "
Istanbul, July 1 : A natural gas explosion in Turkiye's western province of Izmir killed five people and injured at least 60 others.

According to state-run TRT broadcaster, the explosion occurred at 2:43 p.m. local time (1143 GMT) on Sunday at a business on the ground floor of a building in Torbali district.

At least 10 of the injured are in critical condition, reports Xinhua news agency.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban told TRT that the explosion damaged 11 buildings in the vicinity.

"As a precautionary measure, the gas supply has been cut off, and the area is being evacuated. Our security forces have taken necessary actions," Elban said.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X that an investigation has been launched into the explosion, with the coordination of two public prosecutors.
Hyderabad, July 1 : Use of Artificial Intelligence (IA) for self-diagnosis and prescription poses significant risk to human life, warn healthcare professionals.

On Doctors' Day, they voiced concern over the growing trend of patients depending on Internet search results even for serious ailments.

They believe that while there are many advantages of using the Internet, there are no less problems impacting everyday lives because of it.

Ease in life and potential risks, both multiplied over the last couple of years, if not more, with the entry of AI and Machine Learning (ML), which are fast overtaking our lives, say doctors.

According to them, the Internet has emerged as a primary source of health information, fuelling a rise in unsupervised self-medication practices.

AI has introduced a new facet to this trend, which poses significant risks to human life.

Engaging in such unchecked behaviour presents grave threats and may result in fatal consequences if incorrect medications are consumed due to misjudgement.

Potential dangers of self-medication include inaccurate self-diagnosis and the misuse of medications, leading to potentially hazardous drug interactions or incorrect dosages, they said.

AI works based on data input, and in healthcare data has to be accurate to the last decimal to ensure perfect diagnosis of the ailment to provide best medication or treatment.

Hundred per cent accuracy is certainly not possible when it comes to providing data by non-healthcare practitioners.

"The Internet, especially AI, is developed and dominated by the western world, especially the US. Basic information available on AI platforms could be those associated with the geography and demography of the West.

"Such information may or may not be suitable to people in India, because the information available will only be to the closest and not the most accurate," Dr. Gayatri Kamineni, COO, Kamineni Hospitals told IANS.

"Dosages matter to ensure best treatment for any ailment, and if that input is wrongly provided, the result could be disastrous, even leading to fatalities in certain cases.

"The Internet in general and AI in particular must be seen as a support function and not as a judgment to trust blindly," she said.

Dr B Kishore Reddy, Chief Ortho Oncologist and Managing Director, Amor Hospital believes that when someone takes medication without consulting a doctor or medical professional, he might be choosing the wrong drug.

"Additionally, self-medication increases your risk of taking an incorrect dose or using drugs for longer than necessary. And if you take a substance for a prolonged period, your body may become dependent and need this substance to continue functioning correctly. "Sometimes patients may feel some short-term relief and may think taking medication to alleviate symptoms is beneficial. But there is a likely possibility that such medication could mask symptoms of an underlying medical condition, and if proper medical guidance is not sought, that underlying condition could worsen and become dangerous over time.

"Misusing or overusing medication can also increase the risk of severe medical complications, causing harmful symptoms, including nausea, convulsions and even death."

"Internet, especially Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have eased the lives of healthcare practitioners. We have access to the most advanced treatment protocols, and due to the ease in communication, the risk of making mistakes has reduced a great deal in a hospital setting.

"However, this advancement is controlled and monitored by experts who have decades of experience in providing best care. It is the combination of experience, expertise, and Internet, which delivers the best outcome for patients.

"Depending on the Internet alone, without the experience and the expertise is not advisable at all," observed Dr. C. Mallikarjuna, Chief Urologist and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU).
Seoul, July 1 : Medical professors at three South Korea University-affiliated hospitals vowed on Monday to start an indefinite voluntary walkout later this month, amid a prolonged standoff between doctors and the government over its medical reform plan.

The emergency committee of the professors serving as senior doctors at the university announced the walkout starting July 12, excluding the operation of emergency rooms and intensive care units, calling for the government to "withdraw its pressure on medical students and trainee doctors" and engage in dialogue, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The medical community sought to launch a dialogue by offering solutions and compromises, but the government has flatly ignored all and abused its administrative orders," the committee said in a statement.

The announcement came after professors at Severance Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital and Yongin Severance Hospital also began suspending the treatment of outpatients, non-emergency surgeries, and other services from Thursday last week.

Senior doctors at Asan Medical Center are also anticipated to launch a one-week walkout starting Thursday.

Despite strong opposition from doctors, the government finalised an admissions quota hike of some 1,500 students for medical schools in May to address the shortage of doctors.

Last month, the government asked hospitals to swiftly accept the resignations of trainee doctors who have left their worksites in protest of the government's medical reform, in an apparent move to appease the junior doctors.

About 12,000 trainee doctors have left their jobs since late February to protest against a hike in the number of medical students. In a punitive step, the government ordered hospitals not to accept the resignations of trainee doctors to prevent them from seeking jobs at other clinics.

Last week, a committee formed by the medical community to navigate joint responses to its monthslong standoff with the government over the medical reform plan, decided to convene a nationwide debate on July 26 regarding the government's medical reform.
Mumbai, July 1 : Amid raging controversy over NEET results and paper leaks of various examinations, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that the government will bring in legislation against the paper leak menace.

"The government will bring in legislation against paper leaks before the end of the monsoon session," the Deputy Chief Minister announced in the ongoing session of the Assembly.

Ruling and opposition party members expressed serious concerns over the paper leaks affecting the future of lakhs of job aspirants and they insisted that the government should enact legislation against the paper leaks in the state.

Congress legislator Balasaheb Thorat and BJP legislator Ashish Shelar were among the legislators who made a strong case for a special law.

The Deputy Chief Minister's announcement is crucial as the committee, headed by the former Chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, has already prepared a draft legislation against the paper leak menace.

The committee has submitted its report to the state government for further action.

Earlier, opposition at the entrance of the Vidhan Bhavan staged protests and shouted slogans demanding a comprehensive law against paper leak menace in the state.
Kolkata, July 1 : Trinamool Congress has started distancing itself from Tejemul a.k.a. JCB, the main accused of publicly beating up a woman at a Kangaroo Court in Chopra in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district after BJP launched a scathing attack against the ruling party.

On Monday, BJP's national president J.P. Nadda posted a strongly worded protest on his official X handle accusing the ruling party and their MLAs of justifying the event.

"A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didi's West Bengal is UNSAFE for women," Nadda's X message read.

Soon after Nadda's post, Trinamool Congress legislator from Chopra Hamidul Rahman, who has been accused by the opposition of being the 'virtual guardian' of the accused, jumped into damage control.

"I accept that what has happened was totally unfortunate. In certain areas, if a caste-related problem arises there are attempts to solve that through mediation meetings. But I personally as well as my party do not support such moves. The opposition is wrongly trying to interpret that I have tried to justify the act. The opposition leaders are unnecessarily maligning me," Rahman said.

JCB, who was arrested on Sunday evening, will be presented at a district court on Monday afternoon.

Former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Dr Santanu Sen said the state government always follows the "zero tolerance" policy on such issues.

"The accused has been promptly arrested by police and proceedings against him have already started. Such things are quite common in BJP-ruled states. But the difference is that in West Bengal the state administration does not hesitate to take action against any offender even if he is an associate of the ruling party," Sen said.
Mumbai/Pune : , July 1 (IANS) A day after five persons including a woman and four kinds were washed away in a waterfall at the Lonavala hill station, Maharashtra Minister for Relief & Rehabilitation Anil Patil called upon the people to be extremely cautious while going out on monsoon picnics to major tourism spots, here on Monday.

The Minister's warning came even though rescue agencies were engaged in a major operation to trace the bodies of two minor boys - among the five victims who were suddenly washed away while frolicking in a waterfall upstream of the Bhushi Dam  a popular tourist attraction during monsoon.

Patil said that people in their thrill for adventure enter the waters without realising the possible danger lurking there and such tragedies occur.

On Sunday afternoon, around 18 persons from the Khan and Ansari families of Syed Nagar in Hadapsar who had gone for a picnic to Lonavali, had unknowingly ventured into the cool waterfalls gushing in an isolated jungle area upstream of the Bhushi Dam.

At least 10 persons of the two families were swept away due to a sudden increase in the water owing to heavy rains lashing the regions for the past three days.

While five persons were saved with ropes, the other five perished, of which the bodies of three victims have been recovered so far.

Patil said that the state Chief Secretary will contact the Collectors in all the districts in the state to take suitable measures to prevent such incidents and if needed, ban entry to such accident-prone spots.

Raising the matter in the Legislature, state Congress President Nana F. Patole slammed the government for not taking adequate steps to prevent such tragedies and improve the facilities at such tourism locations.

"There have been many similar incidents in the past yet the government ignores them. What measures the government has taken to avoid such recurrences, except making promises," demanded Patole.

Last night, the Lonavala Police and town authorities issued an appeal to the hordes of tourists, thronging there to enjoy the dam waters not to risk their lives by venturing into uncharted areas.

The authorities especially cautioned against the Bhushi Dam backwaters and upstream, the Ghubad Lake, Tata Dam, Rajmachi Point, Khandala, Kunegaon, Kurwande, Tungarli Dam and other potentially dangerous spots that attract large numbers of tourists, especially on weekends.
New Delhi, July 1 : Terming it as one of the darkest days in the fight against terrorism, both Houses of Parliament observed a moment of silence on Monday in memory of the 329 victims of Air India 182 'Kanishka' terrorist attack that took place on June 23, 1985.

"The incident is a grim reminder of why the world must adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism and violent extremism. Such acts can never be condoned or justified," said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

In one of the worst acts of terrorism, the AI-182 plane was blown up mid-air off the coast of Ireland by Sikh terrorists not long after it took off from Montreal en route to India, killing all passengers and crew members -- a majority of them being Canadian nationals of Indian origin.

"Regrettably, justice was never fully served...," said Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Upper House observed a moment of silence.

The Members of Parliament also expressed their condolence and deep sympathy to the victims of the Kuwait fire tragedy that took place on June 12, 2024.

The tragic incident claimed several precious lives and left many injured.

"Remembering the friends of India", the MPs also paid homage to the leaders of Iran, Malawi and Tanzania who recently passed away.

The leaders include President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian of Iran; Former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania; and Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima of Malawi.

The House recalled their contributions in strengthening bilateral relations.
Kolkata, July 1 : The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) will now adopt a strategy of equal distance from both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal, a line similar to the CPI(M).

A decision on this count was taken at the two-day state committee meeting of the CPI(M) in Kolkata that ended late on Sunday evening.

This new strategy is reflected in the party's game plan for the forthcoming bypolls for four Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, with the CPI(ML) leadership directly appealing to the people to vote for the Congress-Left Front alliance candidates there.

CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has made it clear that the decision to keep equal distance from the BJP and the Trinamool Congress is mainly on the issue of corruption as there is no reason to have different perspectives for the two parties.

In fact, CPI(ML) insiders said that in the state committee meeting detailed discussions were held on how the party will organise parallel movements against the BJP at the central level and Trinamool Congress at the state level.

Insiders said that it has been decided the two issues on which the party will stress against Trinamool Congress in West Bengal will be corruption and highhandedness of a section of the ruling party.

In the meeting stress has also been given on a coordinated movement along with other leftist and democratic forces in the state.

Incidentally, the new line of the party as regards to equal distance from the BJP and Trinamool Congress is contrary to CPI(M)'s line in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, where the party leadership gave a call for "no vote to BJP" but did not issue an appeal for voting for any particular anti-BJP force.

Rather, their appeal to people was to vote for any party capable of defeating the BJP.
New Delhi, July 1 : In a major boost to India's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, mobile phone exports from the country gained much ground in FY24 as manufacturing giants like China and Vietnam fell behind.

Railways, I&B and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X on Monday that "Bharat's focus on manufacturing with 'Make in India' and PLI scheme is showing good results."

As tech giants like Apple continue to shift iPhone manufacturing to India amid political stability and friendly government policies, India captured almost half of the lost market (40.5 per cent) from China and Vietnam in the last fiscal year.

Mobile phone exports from China went down from $136.3 billion in FY23 to $132.5 billion in FY24.

On the other hand, Vietnam saw a drop from $31.9 billion in FY23 to $26.27 billion in the last fiscal year, according to the latest industry data.

India, on the other hand, became a natural choice for mobile phone manufacturers owing to the PLI scheme.

Mobile phone exports from the country touched nearly $16 billion in FY24 from $11 billion in FY23.

Mobile phone production surged from Rs 18,900 crore in 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 4.10 lakh crore in FY24, registering an increase of 2,000 per cent, as per top electronics industry body India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).

The overall electronic manufacturing in the country is expected to reach around $250 billion in the next five years.

At present, the electronic exports of the country stand at around $125 to $130 billion. More than 12 lakh new jobs have been created in the electronics manufacturing system in the country.

According to Prabhu Ram, Head, the Industry Intelligence Group at market intelligence firm CMR, expanding the PLI scheme to electronic components manufacturing is a strategic move to address a critical bottleneck in India's domestic electronics ecosystem.

By incentivising local production, the policy will aim to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities and create a more resilient end-to-end electronics value chain.
New Delhi, July 1 : The green energy sector in India has taken off well under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and Australian companies, with their top-notch technologies and research and development (R&D) expertise, can seamlessly fit into the Indian green supply chain and help it grow at scale, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, said on Monday.

Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the 'India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2024' event in the national capital, Philip Green said Australian firms are well aware of the Indian opportunity in the green energy sector and are taking big notice of the overall growth.

"The Indian economy is growing very fast, which means a huge demand for new energy, and a large amount will have to be found from renewable sources," said the Australian envoy.

"We are the producers of some of the most important minerals and metals for the green energy supply chain. Particularly, Australia is one of the biggest producers of critical minerals on the planet," he told IANS.

The High Commissioner to India also said there is a growing synergy between the two countries, especially in the area of green energy supply chain.

PM Modi has set a target to install 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Abundant solar energy and local technology are aiding in achieving this target while reducing carbon emissions, according to the government.

Australia and India have joined forces to accelerate the production and deployment of renewable energy technologies that will create new economic opportunities, diversify global clean energy supply chains, and help reduce global emissions.

The focus is on scaling up the manufacturing and deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, and clean hydrogen technologies, including electrolysers.

On May 24, 2023, India and Australia reiterated a shared ambition on green hydrogen with the exchange of the agreed terms of reference for the India-Australia Green Hydrogen Taskforce.

(Satyam Kaushik can be reached at satyam.k@ians.in)
Patna, July 1 : A daring heist took place at an Axis Bank branch at Sri Krishna Chowk in Sheikhpura District of Bihar on Monday, where the robbers made off with Rs 50 lakh.

According to police reports, around 12 criminals assembled outside the bank before it opened for the day.

As soon as the bank opened, the criminals entered the premises, held the bank employees at gunpoint, and proceeded to execute the robbery.

They reportedly confined the employees to a single location within the bank during the robbery.

The criminals also snatched a bag belonging to a female customer before fleeing.

Police are scrutinising CCTV footage from the bank premises to gather evidence and identify the perpetrators.

Efforts are underway to nab the robbers and recover the looted funds from them.
New Delhi, July 1 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the country's criminal justice system has turned completely 'swadeshi' after 75 years of Independence, as the British-era laws have ceased to exist with new laws coming into force.

Amit Shah, addressing a press conference on the three criminal laws, said that the new laws represent the 'Indian ethos and soul' and have been developed and customised as per the country's requirements and also modern-age challenges have been factored in for 'inclusive' justice delivery.

Congratulating the citizens on rollout of new laws, the Home Minister said: "Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Instead of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), instead of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), there will be Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and in place Indian Evidence Act, there will be Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)."

The Home Minister listed out many positive aspects of the law and informed how 'Nyay' will replace 'dand' under the new laws and how justice delivery will get expedited.

"Earlier, only the rights of policemen were protected, under the new laws, the rights of victims and complainants will also be of paramount importance. The new laws will plug the loopholes and ensure speedy trial and speedy justice," Amit Shah said.

Shedding light on punishment in cases against gang rape and mob lynching, the Home Minister said that the laws have been made stricter and harsher for convicts in such cases to serve as a strong deterrent.

He said that top priority has been given to laws relating to crime against women and children in the new laws.

"An entire chapter with 35 sections and 13 provisions have been added," he said while lamenting that such laws were being introduced after 75 years of Independence.

He informed that gang rape will invite harsher punishment i.e. 20 years jail term of life imprisonment, rape of a minor will attract the death penalty while sexual exploitation of the victim by hiding one's identity or making fake promises will be treated as a separate crime.

Complainants can file FIR online too, while provisions have been made to record the statement of rape survivors from home which will save them from embarrassment.

"There was no law against mob lynching, now it will invite strict punishment ranging from seven years imprisonment to life imprisonment," said the Home Minister.

The Home Minister also impressed upon the deadlines introduced into the criminal justice system for speedy trial and justice.

Case filing in three days, investigative report in 60 days, charge sheet filing in 90 days are some of the key thrusts of new criminal laws which are likely to expedite the justice delivery mechanism while ensuring that the cases are done away with in a limited and time-bound manner.

Videography has also been made compulsory during police raids and seizure exercises to ensure that cops don't go overboard and resort to excesses in such situations.
Nagpur, July 1 : Thousands of Dalits trooped to the famed Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur - where Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and over 4 lakh of his followers had embraced Buddhish 58 years ago - to stage a protest against a proposed underground parking lot being constructed there on Monday.

Nagpur, July 1 (IANS) Thousands of Dalits trooped to the famed Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur  where Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and over 4 lakh of his followers had embraced Buddhish 58 years ago  to stage a protest against a proposed underground parking lot being constructed there on Monday.

The protesters, including many women, rushed there and targeted the steel reinforcing bars, several cement-concrete pillars, the temporary boundaries erected there and set fire to some other wooden and scaffolding materials, taking the authorities by surprise.

Even as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders slammed the government, the Nagpur Police and Riot Control Police rushed forces to the spot, issued appeals to maintain peace on mega-phones, and urged the protesters to disperse from the spot, but few paid heed.

Rattled by the possible political fallouts in the upcoming Assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a stay on the parking lot project in the legislature on Monday afternoon.

Fadnavis said that though the Deekshabhoomi Trust had approved the proposal and it was cleared by the state government along with the necessary funds, in view of the public sentiments, the project has been stayed till all viewpoints are taken into account.

A final decision would be taken following unanimity of all the stakeholders, he added.

Top MVA leaders, including Congress' Nitin Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aditya Thackeray and Sushma Andhare, Nationalist Congress Party (SP)'s Jitendra Awhad, and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi President Prakash Ambedkar, have attacked the state government for pushing ahead the proposal without taking the Dalits and other stakeholders into confidence.

Prakash Ambedkar said that despite repeated objections raised for a long time, some of the trustees were adamant about going ahead with the project though there were no demands for an underground parking lot, adding that there could be commercial interests linked to it.

Aditya Thackeray said whenever there are mega events, such underground facilities are closed for security reasons.

Raut and Awhad urged the government and the trustees "not to disturb the sacred monument" or play with Dalit sentiments as there are apprehensions that the new parking lot could damage the foundation of the massive dome of Deekshabhoomi.

Local Dalit leaders expressed apprehensions that the construction activities and digging works could have a bearing on the stability of the dome structure (stupa) at the historic monument, which they would not allow.

On October 14, 1956, B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, along with over 4 lakh Dalits embraced Buddhism at this venue, where the world's biggest hollow stupa was later unveiled in December 2011 by then President K.R. Narayanan.
Jaipur, July 1 : As the three new criminal laws came into force from Sunday midnight Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Monday that victims will get justice soon with the implementation of these laws.

The new criminal laws -- Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) -- have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

"The new laws have come into force in the entire state from Monday. The interests of the common people are linked to these new laws and the victim will get justice soon with the new laws. Police should keep informing the common people about the new laws from time to time. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that the victim gets the benefit of the new laws," Sharma said.

"The old laws were made by Britishers to ensure they continue ruling India and there was no empathy or sensitivity for these laws. They did not bother about delivering justice to people, but their aim was to rule Indians," he said and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for freeing India from signs of slavery in the form of these colonial laws.

Sharma was addressing the Rajasthan Police, CLG members, Police Mitra and Suraksha Sakhis via video conference on Monday.

As per the changes, crimes that will be registered after 12 midnight of June 30 will now be registered under the new laws.

For murder, Section 103 of the Indian Judicial Code will be applied instead of IPC Section 302. The laws which were in place since the British era have been abolished after 163 years.

If caught stealing less than Rs 5000, the court can punish the accused by making him do community service. E-FIR can now be registered on mobile, Whatsapp and via email.
New Delhi, July 1 : Rahul Gandhi's maiden speech as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha was marked by huge pandemonium and uproar in the Lower House on Monday.

Starting off his speech, the Congress MP waved a copy of the Constitution and also the photo of Lord Shiva while launching a broadside at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Rahul's reference to 'Hindus' drew strong protest from the BJP MPs and also a rare intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from the Congress MP for 'linking' the BJP with violence.

PM Modi stood up to interject the Congress MP and said, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter."

Home Minister Amit Shah also took strong exception to Rahul Gandhi's analogy of 'violent Hindus' with the BJP and demanded that the Congress leader tender an apology.

"He doesn't know that crores of Indians in this country call themselves Hindu with pride. Does he want to say that each one of them talks violence? You cannot associate violence with any religion. I demand that he apologise," Amit Shah said.

The trigger for chaos and uproar in the house was Rahul's pointed attack on the ruling party, whom he accused of invoking violence and hatred for furthering its political interests.

Addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi said: "All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fearBut, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not even Hindu)"
Lucknow, July 1 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in Uttar Pradesh, has started gearing up for assembly by-elections on 10 seats.

The BJP has appointed senior ministers to oversee the by-elections in eight of the 10 assembly segments where polls are due.

It is noteworthy that of the 10 Assembly seats bound for the upcoming by-polls, five were won by the SP in the 2022 elections, three by the BJP and one each by its NDA allies NISHAD party and RLD (an SP partner in 2022).

According to the BJP spokesman, the party has appointed two ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Ashish Patel (Apna Dal-S) for the Katehri assembly by-elections.

The Katehri assembly seat in Ambedkar Nagar district was declared vacant after its sitting SP MLA Lalji Verma got elected to the Lok Sabha from Ambedkar Nagar.

This seat has been either with the BSP or the SP since the nineties. While the BSP has a strong presence in this area, its candidate was pushed to third place in the Lok Sabha elections.

This has given an edge to the SP in the by-election now. The SP is again hoping to attract the votes of a significant section of the Scheduled Castes with support from the Congress, which was seen in the Lok Sabha polls too.

For the Karhal assembly seat, the BJP has appointed Minister Jaiveer Singh. Jaiveer Singh was defeated in the recent Lok Sabha elections from Mainpuri, of which Karhal is an assembly segment.

The Karhal seat in Mainpuri district was won by Akhilesh Yadav in the 2022 polls. Karhal has been a stronghold of the SP, which has been winning it since the early 1990s.

In the Milkipur assembly seat -- a part of the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat -- UP Minister Surya Pratap Shahi has been appointed to ensure the victory of the BJP after its defeat here in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Milkipur Assembly seat in Ayodhya district has fallen vacant as its SP MLA Awadhesh Prasad, has been elected as the Faizabad (Ayodhya) MP in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Milkipur by-poll is thus set to be a prestige fight between the BJP and the SP, which has been going all-out now to promote Avadhesh Prasad, who belongs to the Pasi (Dalit) community.

The BJP has already started working on its plan to wrest the seat in a bid to re-establish its dominance in the crucial belt.

UP minister Anil Kumar has been given charge of the Meerapur assembly seat in Muzaffarnagar district which comes under the Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency.

In 2022, RLDas Chandan Chauhan won the seat in a close fight with the BJPas Prashant Chaudhary. In the 2017 and 2012 assembly elections, the seat was won by the BJP and the BSP candidates respectively.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, RLD MLA Chandan Chauhan won from the Bijnor Lok Sabha seat, defeating Deepak Saini of the SP by about 37,000 votes. While the Congress is eyeing Meerapur, the SP is also making a claim on this seat in light of its recent performance but the BJP is determined to retain the seat, though the RLD is also eyeing the same.

Senior UP minister Suresh Khanna has been given charge of the Sishamau seat in Kanpur district that has been vacated following the disqualification of its SP MLA Irfan Solanki after he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in an arson case.

The Kanpur Lok Sabha constituency has been won by the BJP in a close contest with the Congress. This has given hope to the Congress to make its claim on the Sishamau seat. On its part, the BJP, which has a strong footprint in the region, has also been looking to clinch the assembly by-poll on the seat.

In Phulpur, the BJP has appointed senior minister Rakesh Sachan as in-charge.

The sitting BJP MLA from the Phulpur seat in Prayagraj district, Praveen Patel, has now been elected on the BJP ticket from the Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency.

SP candidate Amarnath Maurya lost to Praveen in the Lok Sabha elections by just about 4,000 votes. The SP is keen to cover lost ground while the BJP is confident to retain this seat.

UP minister Anil Rajbhar has been given charge of the Manjhwa seat in Mirzapur district.

The Manjhwa seat in Mirzapur district has been vacated as its sitting MLA from the Nishad party, Vinod Kumar Bind, has now won from the Bhadohi Lok Sabha constituency on the BJP ticket.

The BJP is determined to win this seat.

UP minister Sunil Sharma has been appointed in charge of the Ghaziabad seat that was declared vacant after its sitting MLA from the BJP, Atul Garg, got elected from the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency on the partyas ticket.

Atul has won the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency defeating Dolly Sharma of the Congress. The constituency has been a BJP bastion as it had been won by Rajnath Singh and V K Singh in the past.

While the BJP is scaling up attempts to retain Ghaziabad Sadar, the Congress is hoping to get the seat allotted by the SP for its candidate, pointing to its support base here.

The BJP is yet to appoint ministers in charge of the Khair assembly seat in Aligarh and Kundarki in the Sambhal district.

The Khair assembly seat became vacant after UP minister Anoop Valmiki won the Hapur Lok Sabha seat. The Kundarki seat is facing bypolls because its MLA Zia-ur-Rehman Barq is now a Lok Sabha member from Sambhal.
Hyderabad, July 1 : Hyderabad Police on Monday arrested BRS MLA P. Rajeshwar Reddy and other leaders when they reached Gandhi Hospital to meet a student leader, who is on a hunger strike demanding the state government to fulfil its assurances to the unemployed over job recruitments.

Tension prevailed at Gandhi Hospital as BRS leaders and members of various student groups reached there to meet Motilal Naik, the leader of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (JAC) who has been on hunger strike for the last eight days.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Rajeshwar Reddy, A. Rakesh Reddy and other leaders were arrested by the police. They were shifted to various police stations.

Rajeshwar Reddy was talking to media persons when police forcibly took him, Rakesh Reddy and others into custody and whisked them away in police vehicles.

The BRS leaders took strong exception to the police action and asked if this was the peopleas rule of the Congress government. The protestors raised slogans against the government and the police.

Meanwhile, a group of student leaders tried to barge into the hospital but were stopped and arrested by the police.

Unemployed youth and job aspirants have been gathering at the hospital for the last couple of days in solidarity with Naik.

Leaders of BRS and BJP have also met Naik during the last couple of days to support his demands.

BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao had called on Naik on Sunday and appealed to him to end the strike.

The BRS leader reminded the Congress party of its promise to provide two lakh jobs in the first year after coming to power and asked why it failed to issue even one notification for recruitment even after seven months.

Meanwhile, students also held protests at Osmania University in support of Motilal Naik. They staged a sit-in at Arts College.

They alleged that the government betrayed them after making several promises including increasing Group a" II and III posts during the Assembly elections.

They demanded the Congress government to immediately fulfil its poll promises including selection of candidates for Group a" I Main exam in 1:100 ratio and increasing Group -I and II posts.

They want the government to keep the promise of adding 2,000 jobs to Group-2 and 3,000 jobs to Group-3 and ensure a two-month gap between exams.

The unemployed and students are demanding the identification of vacant posts and the release of a job calendar regularly.

They also wanted the state government to issue a mega DSC notification to appoint 25,000 teachers.
Mumbai, July 1 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday announced that the state government will take a decision within three months regarding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for teachers.

During the Question Hour, Ajit Pawar said the teaching and non-teaching staff working in semi-government and aided institutions of Maharashtra who joined service after the notification was issued would be provided relief.

Pawar responded to questions raised by BJP members Sanjay Kelkar, Ashish Shelar, and Congress member Balasaheb Thorat.

As per the governmentas decision, those opting for OPS will have to contribute 10 per cent while 14 per cent will be added by the state.

Pawar said that the government recently decided to give an option of the OPS to government employees whose posts were advertised before November 1, 2005 but who joined service after that.

In this decision, the option has been given to apply for the provisions of the Maharashtra Civil Services Retirement Rules 1982, Maharashtra Civil Services Retirement Pension Scheme 1984, and General Provident Fund Rules for managing retirement funds, exclusively to government officials and employees under the jurisdiction of the Central government.

He told the House that the decision was not implemented in respect of teachers and non-teaching staff working in semi-government and aided institutions as the case was sub judice.

Ajit Pawar said that considering the economic situation of the country and states, the Central government decided to discontinue the OPS and start a new one.

Subsequently, various state government officials and employees demanded the implementation of the OPS, to which the Central government has responded positively.

State governments have also sought information from the Central government regarding this matter.

Ajit Pawar also said the state government had formed a committee of retired officials to understand their demands.

"Discussions have been held with the associations of government officials and employees in this regard. A request was made in the Nagpur winter session regarding the state government's stance on implementing the old pension.

aSome states have also sought information regarding decisions taken in this regard. The current government is pro-employee, so they will not be left in the lurch. Proper justice will be given in this matter," Pawar assured.
Ulan Bator, July 1 : Mongolia's General Election Commission (GEC) handed over identification cards to newly elected members of parliament at the State House here on Monday.

Voting in Mongolia's parliamentary elections took place on Friday across approximately 2,200 polling stations nationwide. A total of 1,341 candidates from 19 political parties, two coalitions, and 42 independents competed in the elections, reported Xinhua news agency.

The ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) secured a narrow majority in parliament, capturing 68 out of 126 seats. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party secured 42 seats. The Hun Party, meaning "person" in Mongolian, obtained eight seats. Additionally, the Civil Will-Green Party and the National Coalition, consisting of the Mongolian National Democratic Party and the Mongolian Green Party, each secured four seats.

Voter turnout in the ninth parliamentary elections of the Asian country was estimated to be around 70 per cent, slightly lower than the 73.65 per cent recorded in the previous elections in 2020, according to the GEC.

The first session of the new parliament is expected to convene on Tuesday.

In May 2023, the State Great Khural passed amendments increasing the number of legislators from 76 to 126. The elections were conducted under a mixed electoral system, with 78 legislators elected through majority representation and 48 through proportional representation.

Mongolia's parliament operates under a unicameral system with a four-year term.
Findings on Indian-origin cop's bias claims to be submitted to Singapore minister: Police. Image Source: IANS News

Singapore, July 1 : Singapore police blocked 40 suspicious bank accounts and seized over 1.28 million Singapore dollars (945,000 U.S. dollars) during an operation between June 20 and June 27, according to the latest statement from the police.

Acting on information provided by DBS Bank, the police arrested three suspects for involvement in scam-related activities, reported Xinhua news agency.

Another 37 suspects are assisting investigations for allowing scammers to open bank accounts with their identities.

The investigation is underway.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar take stock of the precautionary measures taken near open drains and low-lying areas ahead of the onset of the monsoon. Image Source: IANS News

Ballary, : July 1 (IANS) The tussle within the Karnataka Congress over the Chief Minister's post is escalating.

Congress MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj stated on Monday that Deputy CM and State Congress President, DK Shivakumar should become the Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters in Kottur, Ballary District, MLA Basavaraj said, "Shivakumar built the party from scratch, and he should become the Chief Minister. He is the reason for the Congress party's victory and winning nine seats in the General Election from just one seat in 2019. It's certain that Shivakumar will be the CM. Once he becomes CM, a dozen Dy CMs can be appointed."

Basavaraj added that it's a Congress tradition for the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to become the CM, however, after the Assembly elections the high command made Siddaramaiah the CM for some reason.

He said that Shivakumar, as KPCC President, has strengthened the party from the ground level.

When asked about Minister KN Rajanna's demands for more Dy CM posts, Basavaraj said those interested should discuss it with the high command.

"Senior leaders like Rajanna should be role models for junior leaders like us. Despite Shivakumar's warning, he continues to make statements," he said.

Regarding the Vokkaliga pontiff's appeal to CM Siddaramaiah to vacate the seat, Basavaraj said it reflects the people's and devotees' sentiments.

"The BJP is carrying out a propaganda to come to power from the backdoor. The BJP should stop daydreaming about attaining power, the Congress is going to complete its five-year term," he stated.

Reacting to questions about the CM's post and additional Dy CM posts, CM Siddaramaiah stated in Bengaluru, "It's not a matter for public discussion. We will follow the high command's decision."
New Delhi, July 1 : India on Monday called for an early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, including fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody.

As both countries exchanged - through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad - the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentence,

India has shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian.

Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and on July 1.

"In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far. Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India," mentioned a MEA statement.

"India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 75 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India's custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," it added.

The MEA detailed that, as a result of sustained efforts by the government, as many as 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date.
Srinagar, July 1 : J&K L-G Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the new laws will free the criminal justice system from the colonial mindset.

"Three new criminal laws would liberate the country's criminal justice system from the colonial-era mindset. These new laws, which come into effect nationwide today, will bring widespread changes to India's criminal justice system by ending colonial-era statutes," Sinha said was speaking at the implementation ceremony of the new laws.

He said that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) have been implemented following consultations with stakeholders over the past four years.

"In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed a review of the criminal laws. In August 2019, states, High Courts, the Supreme Court, and MPs were asked for suggestions. Between 2020 and 2021, consultations were held and the government received 3,200 suggestions. Home Minister, Amit Shah participated in 58 meetings," he said.

Sinha also interacted with social workers and police officers from other districts to gather feedback about the new laws.

The three new laws received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and they were published in the official gazette on the same day.
New Delhi, July 1 : Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bansuri Swaraj, speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, listed many achievements of the BJP-led NDA government in the past 10 years and also mentioned how the nation is poised for the golden times of 'Viksit Bharat'.

Bansuri Swaraj said that the welfare schemes of the Narendra Modi government and `his vision of Viksit Bharat have earned the public's trust, resulting in a clear mandate for the NDA government for the third consecutive time.

She said that the Modi government fulfils every promise it makes and cited the examples of Article 370 abrogation, the Ram Temple consecration, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), One Rank, One Pension, and Make in India.

Highlighting the robust economic growth under the NDA government, she said, "In the last ten years, India has risen to the fifth largest economy in the world from the 11th rank, all in the times of global instability. Now, it is on its way to becoming the third largest economy in the world."

Stressing on the vision of Viksit Bharat, she said, "PM Modi has taken the resolution of Viksit Bharat 2047, with focus on four main pillars --- youth, women, farmers and the poor."

The New Delhi MP also highlighted the Standup India and Startup India program of the Centre and said that this has made Indian youth a "job creator, instead of job seeker, "and now, the youth is moving towards "wealth creation," leading India to become the third-largest Startup ecosystem in the world.

She hailed the new initiatives of the Central government benefitting the youth, including the Mudra Yojana, Digital India, the chip manufacturing and semiconductor industry, Make in India, and Startup India for encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of the youth.

She spoke about several programs for women's emancipation and empowerment, including the Ujjwala Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, the Lakhpati Didi program, and the Namo Drone Didi scheme.

"Over 50 crore bank accounts were opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana initiative, out of which 56 per cent were of women. Our Prime Minister also ensured that women also have financial support for their businesses under the Mudra Yojana, under which 59 per cent of the loans were sanctioned to women. Similarly, under Standup India, 89 per cent of the loans were sanctioned to women," she said.

Swaraj mentioned that PM Modi's Garib Kalyan Yojana has been recognised as the largest welfare development scheme in the world, recounting the government's focus on the development of the poor. She also mentioned the free ration scheme, claiming that the government is allocating free ration to more than 81 crore people to ensure food and nutrient security.

The BJP MP emphasised the achievements of the PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM Swarn Nidhi program, adding that this has extensively benefitted the poor.

She also praised the new criminal laws, stating that they replaced the colonial-era "suppressive" laws and focused solely on "justice," unlike foreign governance, which aimed to suppress people. She argued that these transformative initiatives are why India has voted for the NDA again.

Drawing parallels with the Mahabharata, she said that Lord Krishna will always support those who perform 'Karma' (deeds), referring to PM Modi, and slammed the opposition for imposing an Emergency and trying to destroy the Constitution and democracy.

She accused the AAP of deliberately creating a "constitutional crisis" in the national capital, where people are yearning for water.
New Delhi, July 1 : Actress Nia Sharma agrees that with the digital booming, the small screen has faced the brunt. She said that Target Rating Points (TRP) have gone down by leaps and bounds, which is not a good sign for television.

With a growing love for the digital space, the small screen is paying the price, does she agree?

"Of course, I agree, the TRPs are the major factor determining the fate of television today and literally no show is kind of working. TRPs have gone down majorly with leaps and bounds and it is not a good sign for television," Nia told IANS.

"I am sure the makers and producers are trying their best to put their best foot forward to bring the audience's love back," she added.

Nia is currently seen playing a "witch" in a supernatural show, a genre which is not new to her as she has previously worked in the show "Naagin."

What attracts you to the supernatural genre, pat came the reply: "It's not for me to choose my work. It just so happened that after four years I stumbled upon a fantasy thriller show again. It was not a conscious choice that I immediately said yes to a show like this but going forward and knowing the character more I realised that this was a tailor-made role for me.

"More than me, the makers wanted me to do it. They showed their immense faith in me. It was respectful."

The actress took a hiatus from the small screen for a few years before saying yes to "Suhagan Chudail", which airs on Colors.

"I take pride in telling everyone that I have done enough work on television. Anything that came in the last three years, was really not my cup of tea and really did not see myself associating with those shows."

She revealed the reason behind why she chose to stay away from the small screen, despite a lot of work coming her way.

Nia said: "Not that I wasn't being a lot of show, yes I was but it didn't kind of interest me and I didn't want to take it up. I wanted to experiment with web shows more and few were on the radar but they did not take off"

"That process took three years and I also kept away from the fiction genre but this show, like the makers, said it was made for me."
Ulaanbaatar, July 1 : Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Monday urged political parties and a coalition that won seats in parliamentary elections to forget disputes and divisions arising during the elections and to unite and work together for the national interests of the country.

Four parties, the ruling Mongolian People's Party, the Democratic Party, the Hun Party and the Civil Will-Green Party, and a coalition, the National Coalition, consisting of the Mongolian National Democratic Party and the Mongolian Green Party, won seats in the State Great Khural, the country's parliament, reports Xinhua news agency.

Khurelsukh made this call during a meeting with leaders of the parties and the coalition.

"You all should prioritise mutual understanding and look ahead to ensure and protect Mongolia's independence, security and national unity," he said.

Meanwhile, the Mongolian President issued a decree to schedule the first session of the new parliament on Tuesday.
Baghdad, July 1 : A Shiite militia group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, in an online statement on Monday, said that it launched a drone attack in the morning on a "vital site" in Israel's southern port city of Eilat.

The militia claimed the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," pledging more targeting of "the enemy's strongholds."

The statement did not provide additional details about the targeted site or any casualties, reports Xinhua news agency.

There is no response from the Israeli side on the alleged attack.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and US bases in the region, claiming to support the Palestinians in Gaza.
Bhubaneswar, July 1 : The first case under one of the three new criminal laws that came into effect in India on Monday, was registered at Laxmisagar Police Station in Odisha.

The case (370/24) was registered under different Sections including 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 109 (attempt to murder), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapon) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police registered the case on the basis of a complaint lodged by one Rudra Pratap Das, whose father was attacked by three bike-borne miscreants at Chintamaniswar in Laxmisagar area on June 29 evening.

"The introduction of the new laws will ensure no delay in giving justice to the people. The process has already begun for the adoption of the new laws in the entire legal system. We are taking the issue of sensitisation very seriously and the honourable High Court will also take the necessary steps in this regard," said Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.

He also said that the new law will ensure fast justice and solve the problems faced by the common man regarding the non-receipt of FIRs by the police.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police, Arun Kumar Sarangi while speaking to media persons asserted that Odisha Police was fully prepared to implement the new criminal laws.

He stated that all the master trainers as well as the Investigating Officers of the state have been imparted training in both offline and online mode regarding all the new criminal laws.

The Odisha Police has also collaborated with the National Law University for training of senior officers, said Sarangi.

Similarly, police officers have been trained in the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), the platform through which FIRs are registered and charge sheets are submitted by police.

This apart, Sarangi noted that the system and software of all police stations across the state had also been updated.

The police have also set up a help desk at the State Crime Records Bureau to help officials.

The Investigating officials will be enrolled and trained in use of the Sakhya App used for digital recording of search and seizure.
Guwahati/Agartala/Imphal, July 1 : After numerous events and awareness campaigns, the three new criminal laws came into force in the northeastern states on Monday along with the rest of the country replacing the British-era laws to accelerate justice.

The home departments, district and police officials of the northeastern states on Monday highlighted the significance of the new laws and what are the differences and positive aspects of these laws compared to the old criminal laws.

According to officials, over 15,000 police personnel, judicial and other officials and staff in seven northeastern states have received training while thousands more security officers of different ranks would be trained in the execution of the three new criminal laws.

The new laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), enacted last year, replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, from Monday.

Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga attended a function on Monday in Serchhip District, marking the introduction of the three new laws.

He noted that the changes in the criminal laws are crucial in the ongoing fight against crime, benefiting both Mizoram and the entire nation.

"The new laws mark the beginning of a new process and a significant chapter in our legal system," said Sapdanga and pointed out that the old laws, some of which were over a century old and enacted by the British government, are now being replaced to better suit the current technological and societal landscape.

Addressing a function at the Palace Auditorium in Imphal, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that the new criminal laws have replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Citing that under the new laws, there are provisions for a maximum of two adjournments in court cases and filing zero-FIR at any police station the Chief Minister said that these laws will be of great help to the people.

He noted that under the new laws, FIRs can be filed in one's own dialect.

If those implementing agencies including security officers, lawyers are not sincere then the laws will not serve their purpose, he said and appealed to all to work with sincerity and with conviction to help in delivering justice to the people.

Singh said that the Central government's introduction of these laws stems from the observation that the existing laws were inadequate to address the technological advancements and societal shifts over the past few decades.

The CM stated that there are provisions against mob justice and appealed to the people against mob justice and to bring understanding through dialogue and more peaceful ways.

He said other major changes include revisions in the punishment for a few crimes, and addressing issues such as the jurisdiction, backlog of cases, insufficient human resources and infrastructure, inadequate investigation and prosecution, and outdated laws and procedures.

The Chief Minister highlighted certain key features of the three new laws and said that under the BNS 2023, in the corporate context, the penal sections of law mostly relate to cases of Cheating, Criminal misappropriation, Breach of trust, Forgery and use of forged documents.

He also highlighted the key feature of BNSS, 2023 and said it defines additional types of electronic evidence, empowers courts and police officers to issue summons in cases where digital evidence is involved, clarifies jurisdictions in cheating cases involving electronic modes of deception and empowers Courts to ask for electronic filings in cases where documents are voluminous.

The BSA, 2023 has expanded definition of 'document' to include electronic and digital records and includes examples of such records, expanded definition of documentary evidence to include electronic/digital records, classified electronic evidence as primary evidence when produced from 'proper custody' and broadened the definition of 'Experts' to include more areas of expertise.

Terming it a watershed moment in India's criminal justice system, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the BNS, BNSS and the BSA have come into force replacing 164-year-old colonial legislations.

He said on X: "With this, our republic has entered into a new system pivoted around modern technology and citizen-centric services. These laws place utmost primacy to the safety of women, children and the underprivileged."

"Over the last many months Team Assam has made extensive preparations towards the effective implementation of the new laws. It is my sincere appeal to all stakeholders including the police, civil servants, citizens, lawyers, civil society, and members of the judiciary at large to cooperate with us so we can collectively ensure these laws give effect to its very foundational purpose," Sarma said.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also termed the three new laws as watershed moments in India's judicial history, and said that the BNS, BNSS and the BSA would transform the country's criminal justice system.

Taking to social media platform X, Khandu said : "It's a farsighted move towards ensuring political, economic, and social justice to all by ensuring timely completion of investigation.

Registration of FIRs has been made much easier. The new Sanhitas are more sensible towards handling crimes against women. Gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and Hon'ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji for completely transforming the country's criminal justice system."
Mumbai, July 1 : Darrsh Clarke, who is currently in the Top 6 on the ongoing 16th season of culinary-based reality show "Masterchef Australia", said that he had an amazing experience visiting India when he was a teenager.

Mumbai, July 1 (IANS) Darrsh Clarke, who is currently in the Top 6 on the ongoing 16th season of culinary-based reality show "Masterchef Australia", said that he had an amazing experience visiting India when he was a teenager.

Reminiscing about his trip from his childhood days, Darrsh, who has a blend of Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, said: "I visited India when I was 14 or 15."

"My dad and I, we went around the world, and I remember he said, 'We are going to India, we have to go to India, you have to see India,' because it's another world, right? You know, when you grow up in Australia, you think this is the world."

The visit was an unforgettable experience for Darrsh.

"But really, India was such an amazing experience - to see how a billion people live, and just the noise and the hustle and bustle and being around so many people that look like you, sound like you. It was pretty special."

The contestant said that he first went to Chennai and then to Puducherry.

"So we were in Chennai and then we went to Pondicherry, which was very nice. We loved it. And then we went across to Kerala as well. I haven't been to North India. I would love to go there. But yeah, we stayed around the South, so that was probably 2 weeks all up," he said.

Darrsh remarked on his future plans with co-contestant Savindri Perera.

"I think I would love to go again. Sav and I are planning a trip to Sri Lanka later in the year, and then will probably go to India as well because there is so much to see, particularly in the North."

"MasterChef Australia" Season 16 is airing on Disney+ Hotstar in India.
New Delhi, July 1 : Digital India symbolises an empowered country which boosts 'Ease of Living' and transparency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

The Prime Minister lauded the successful completion of nine years of the 'Digital India initiative', which was launched on July 1, 2015.

Sharing a thread on X by MyGovIndia, the Prime Minister wrote: "A Digital India is an empowered India, boosting 'Ease of Living' and transparency. This thread gives a glimpse of the strides made in a decade thanks to the effective usage of technology."

MyGovIndia said in a post that from revolutionising digital payments to becoming the fastest-growing digital economy, India's journey in the past nine years has been nothing short of extraordinary.

"The 'Digital India' initiative, spearheaded by the PM Modi government, has transformed the nation's digital landscape.

"India's trajectory exemplifies that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a fundamental driver of social transformation and progress," MyGovIndia posted.

The country has become a leading global fintech ecosystem thanks to robust digital public infrastructure (DPI) models like unified payments interface (UPI).

Several countries are ready to embrace the 'India Stack' solutions to empower the masses, PM Modi told IANS in May.

The Prime Minister said that when he kicked off the 'Digital India' movement, opposition parties made allegations that this was being done to serve the needs of the service providers.

"They could not understand how big this area is and the 21st century is a technology-driven century. Moreover, technology today is driven by artificial intelligence (AI)," PM Modi had told IANS.

The digital revolution, driven by UPI and QR-code-based payments, has shown to the world that DPIs like UPI, Aadhaar, and DigiLocker can transform millions of lives.
New Delhi, July 1 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making a controversial statement on Hindus during his maiden speech as the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi said: "Those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred and untruth..."

Reacting strongly, Home Minister Amit Shah said that by saying that Hindus commit violence, lie and spread hatred, Rahul Gandhi has "insulted crores of Hindus" and he should apologise for making the comment.

BJP National President J.P. Nadda, in a series of posts on X, severely criticised Rahul Gandhi, asserting that the Leader of the Opposition, now a five-time MP, has "not learnt Parliamentary norms" and neither "understands civility".

"First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility," said J.P. Nadda.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare added: "This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop... Time and again, he reduces the levels of discourse. His utterances towards the Chair today were in very poor taste. He owes an apology to the Chair for casting unsubstantiated aspersions on his integrity and personality."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused Rahul Gandhi of indulging in hypocrisy and said that his 'mohabbat ki dukaan' is now exposed.

"Sheer audacity of LoP Rahul Gandhi to call everyone who calls himself Hindu as 'hinsak'/violent shows INC India's hatred and contempt towards Hindus. Also consistent with Hindu hate of his INDI Alliance partners."

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also said that Rahul Gandhi calling Hindus violent in the House is an insult to crores of Hindus.

"I strongly condemn such controversial and extremely shameful statement which violates the dignity of the Leader of the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the Hindu society for this," he said.

Union Minister For Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy labelled Rahul Gandhi's statement as "utterly shameful, disgraceful and demeaning" and said that the Congress leader should apologise to the entire Hindu community.

"The self-proclaimed defender of the Constitution and the electoral Hindu has revealed his true colours. His statement, labeling Hindus as a violent community, exposes Rahul Gandhi's and Congress' anti-Hindu agenda. This is not the first time Congress has insulted Hindus; earlier, they insulted Sanatana Dharma, and now, a direct attack on Hindus," he posted on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the proceedings of the Parliament are conducted on the basis of some rules and procedures besides also some healthy traditions.

"Whenever the President's address is discussed, on the basis of what I have seen in my long parliamentary life, I can say that no other topic is discussed at that time. I would also like to request all the respected members of the opposition that whatever topic you want to discuss, you may discuss it but only after the motion of thanks to the President has been passed in the Parliament," Rajnath Singh highlighted.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi's remarks.

"I condemn Rahul Gandhi Ji for terming Hindus as violent, hateful and untruthful community. He can't insult Hindus without any reasons," said Rijiju, who is also the Minister of Minority Affairs.
Gurugram, July 1 : A 9-year-old girl was strangled and burnt to death here allegedly by a 16-year-old neighbour in a failed theft attempt following which the accused was arrested, police said.

The victim succumbed to burn injuries on Monday, DCP (west), Karan Goyal said.

According to the police they received a call around 10.45 am that the victim was assaulted on Monday by a minor boy who resides in her neighbourhood, in a society located in Sector-107 area under the Rajendra Park police station jurisdiction.

The minor suspect visited the victim's home while the victim's mother along with her son was at the suspect's home for some work.

During his visit, the victim girl went to the toilet while the suspect minor allegedly tried to steal jewellery from the victim's home and when the victim girl caught the suspect during the act she shouted.

The suspect then allegedly pushed the girl onto the bed and strangled her before setting her on fire with the help of white naphthalene balls, an officer privy to the case said.

However, after hearing the screams of the girl the neighbours reached the spot but by then the victim had reportedly succumbed to her injuries.

"We have arrested a minor in connection with the matter. The stolen jewellery has also been recovered from outside the flat. The matter is under investigation," Goyal said.
Mumbai, July 1 : BJP for the biennial election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council slated for July 12 has nominated former minister Pankaja Munde, who lost the Lok Sabha elections from Beed, former minister of state Parihar Fuke, former minister of state Sadabhau Khot, former legislator Yogesh Tilekar and party functionary Amit Gorkhe.

The BJP, in the wake of its dismal performance in the General Elections, has made a serious attempt to strike a balance by giving representation to Marathas, OBCs and the Dalit community ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections likely in September-October.

The biennial election is slated for July 12 for 11 seats. These five leaders will file their nominations on July 2 which is the last date for it.

The BJPas decision to rehabilitate Munde, who hails from the Vanjari community, is to lure back the OBC community, especially in the wake of ongoing protests over Maratha and OBC reservations.

Munde, who was the Cabinet minister for women and child welfare in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in 2014 and 2019, is likely to be inducted into the state Cabinet in the run-up to the Assembly poll.

Munde lost to NCP(SP) nominee Bajrang Sonawane from Beed constituency amid a widening rift between the Maratha and OBC communities and increasing caste divide which played a crucial role in the just-concluded General Elections.

Mundeas rehabilitation has also sent a signal to the BJPas ally, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP that it would not interfere in the Parli constituency which is represented by the partyas Dhananjay Munde in the state Assembly.

Incidentally, Dhananjay Munde had defeated Pankaja Munde in the Parli constituency in the state Assembly elections in 2019. Both are cousins and now together in the Mahayuti.

Fuke, who is a former minister and a close confidant of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, comes from the Kunbi community. His nomination is to regain the party's hold and consolidate its position in the politically-important Kunbi community from Vidarbha region where the party suffered badly in the Lok Sabha elections.

Of the 10 seats, the Mahayuti won only three seats as the other seven seats were bagged by the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Tilekar, who is the former legislator from Pune District, comes from the Mali community. His nomination is also aimed to reach out to the Mali and other OBC community members.

Gorkhe, who hails from the Dalit community, is the state BJP Secretary.

Moreover, Khot, who was minister of state in the Fadnavis-led government, comes from the Maratha community from Sangli District. His nomination is to lure not just the Marathas but also the farming community which is in distress due to internal and external factors.

Considering the present strength of 103 legislators from the state Assembly, the BJP has fielded five nominees, while Shiv Sena can nominate 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 Maha Vikas Aghadi together can field one nominee based on Congress partyas excess votes and also with the support of 16 legislators of Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP(SPas) 13 legislators.

Meanwhile, the NCP has nominated party General Secretary Shivajirao Garje and party functionary Rajesh Vitekar. Garje hails from Vanjari community while Vitekar is Maratha. Both were given commitment by the partyas National President Ajit Pawar.

Garje and Vitekar will file nominations on Tuesday.

Garje is a former government officer and he has been associated with the NCP since it was formed in 1999.

After Ajit Pawar deserted his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar in July 2023, Garje sided with the former.

In the case of Vitekar, his nomination is aimed at his rehabilitation.

Vitekar was to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Parbhani District but he could not do so after the NCP left the seat to ally Rashtriya Samaj Paksha founder Mahadev Jankar. Vitekaras nomination is also to woo the Maratha community from Marathwada.
New Delhi, July 1 : When Rahul Gandhi rose to make his first speech as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha at 2 p.m. on Monday on the motion of thanks on President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, it was anticipated that the alleged NEET paper leak issue would find primacy in his address.

After all, Rahul Gandhi, his party Congress, and its allies have been raising this issue for over a fortnight now.

However, the Congress MP prioritised it differently as the issue figured for a few minutes in his speech at about 3.25 p.m., 85 minutes after he began speaking.

What ironically found focus in his speech was a philosophical narration of Lord Shiva's sitting position, the 'Abhay Mudra', preaching of Islam, Christianity, Guru Nanak Dev, Lord Buddha, and Mahavir.

He also displayed a poster of Lord Shiva despite opposition from Speaker Om Birla.

The centrality of raising these points was Rahul Gandhi connecting them with his own position, which he claimed was the opposition's stand -- "don't scare, don't get scared".

He spoke on these issues for about half an hour at the beginning of his speech and again referred to them towards the end of his address.

This, incidentally, became the most contentious part of his 110-minute speech, including interruptions and clarifications from the treasury benches.

Rahul Gandhi did arouse passion in the opposition benches, but his entire speech also gave the impression that he cares less, at times completely ignores facts, but goes on hammering the half-truths despite repeated clarifications and presentation of official facts from the government side.

His statement that those who call themselves 'Hindu' talk of violence and unleash violence came in for strong objection from no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister asked how could the Leader of Opposition paint the entire Hindu community as violence-prone, something that was beyond comprehension.

The Prime Minister later added that constitutionality and parliamentary practices have taught him that he should take the Leader of Opposition in all seriousness to stress the point that Rahul Gandhi was digressing from the established norms and practices.

The Congress leader found his defence in what RJD chief Lalu Yadav had said  that the BJP members were not Hindus, least of all protectors of Hinduism.

In fact, Home Minister Amit Shah rose twice to correct the facts and urge Speaker Om Birla to consider if parliamentary rules, norms, and practices had been given a waiver for a certain member of the House.

Amit Shah also said that Rahul Gandhi should speak to the SGPC and Islamic scholars on what they have to say about 'Abhay Mudra'.

Rahul Gandhi, however, remained unfazed and continued without mending his ways.

His next flash point with the government was on the Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of Agniveers in the armed forces.

He claimed that Agniveers were "use and throw labourers" who were not given martyr status or compensation if they died in action during service.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh countered him twice, saying if an Agniveer dies during action, the government gives a compensation of Rs 1 crore to his family.

But Rahul Gandhi chose not to correct himself, and instead called it Rajnath Singh's 'opinion', adding that the Army and the Agniveers know the facts.

Home Minister Shah again had to intervene in the matter.

Similarly, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had to intervene to correct Rahul Gandhi when the latter said MSP was not being paid to the farmers, and during farmers' agitation, the BJP called them terrorists.

The Congress MP later corrected himself by saying that he was talking about legal guarantees for farm produce.

It must be one of the rarest occasions in Indian parliamentary history when the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister, and some other senior ministers had to intervene to object to and correct the Leader of Opposition, that too during his very first speech after assuming the post.
Bengaluru, July 1 : Jailed Kannada superstar Darshan's mother, brother, wife and son, who had not visited him till date, met him at the Central Prison of the Parappana Agrahara on the outskirts of Bengaluru city on Monday.

Bengaluru, July 1 (IANS) Jailed Kannada superstar Darshanas mother, brother, wife and son, who had not visited him till date, met him at the Central Prison of the Parappana Agrahara on the outskirts of Bengaluru city on Monday.

Police sources confirmed that Darshan's mother Meena, brother Dinakar, wife Vijayalakshmi and son Vineesh visited him on Monday morning.

Both Darshan and his mother Meena turned emotional at the meeting and the actoras brother consoled them both.

However, the preferential treatment given to Darshan in terms of allowing visits of family members has stirred a row in Karnataka.

Significantly, Darshanas family had not visited him while he was in police custody and after he was shifted to the prison also.

Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others have been arrested on charges of murdering 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, whose wife is pregnant with the coupleas first child.

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 in judicial custody until July 4.
New Delhi, July 1 : Rahul Gandhi, in his maiden speech as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha on Monday, made a frontal attack on the Centre on an array of issues including Agnipath scheme, NEET exams and also accused the ruling party of 'practising' violent form of Hinduism.

Rahul's observation on Agniveers, however, looks more like a 'fabricated and motivated' charge while he tried to step up the heat on the BJP-led NDA government. The facts, which have begun to surface, show that the Agnipath scheme has provisions for martyr status to the fallen soldiers and also adequate compensation, in case of death.

Addressing the House, LoP Rahul Gandhi said: "A few days ago, I met a family of Agniveer in Punjab who attained martyrdom in a landmine blast. I am calling him a martyr, but the Government of India doesn't acknowledge him as a martyr."

"The family won't receive a pension or compensation, nor will their son be recognized as a martyr," he added while claiming that the Agniveers are merely treated as 'use and throw' labourers," the LoP said.

This drew quick intervention from the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who accused him of spreading lies in the House.

"The government pays a compensation of 1 crore to the family members of an Agniveer who dies in the line of duty," the Defence Minister pointed out.

Rahul Gandhi, in his fierce speech, also accused the Centre of driving a wedge between the regular Army personnel and the Agniveers by giving them differential treatment.

"You give an Agniveer six months of training and put him in front of Chinese personnel who receive five years of training. Not only that, you are creating differences between a jawan and an Agniveer because of the benefits," the LoP said.

He also claimed that the Agnipath scheme was imposed on the Army by the PMO and it didn't have enough acceptance in the Armed forces.

The Defence Minister, in a strong rebuttal to LoP's charges, informed the House that the government held direct consultations with at least 158 organisations before rolling out the project and added that their views and suggestions were factored in.

The Defence Minister also asked the LoP to refrain from misleading the House and making statements on Agniveers, only after corroborating the facts.

"LoP must understand the scheme first," the Defence Minister said and also demanded that Rahul's references to Agniveers be expunged from the house proceedings.

Modi government introduced the Agnipath scheme in the second term to recruit youth aged 17.5-21 as soldiers for four years.

The initiative is aimed at modernising the military, fostering a younger force while alleviating financial burdens from pensions and benefits.
Bhopal, July 1 : The first FIR in Madhya Pradesh under the new criminal law was registered in Bhopal on Monday.

Bhopal's Hanumanganj police station registered the first FIR under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) at 12.16 a.m. (intervening night of Sunday-Monday), a senior police official said.

Around 10 FIRs were registered in the very first hour after the new criminal laws were introduced. Overall more than 60 FIRs were registered across Madhya Pradesh till 3 p.m. on Monday.

Additional Director General (ADG-Law and Order) of Police Jaydeep Prashad told IANS that the first two FIRs were registered in Bhopal's two police stations.

"The new criminal laws were implemented at midnight on Sunday and the first FIR was lodged 16 minutes later at Hanumanganj police station in Bhopal. We are yet to collect the entire data from across Madhya Pradesh, but overall 60 FIRs were registered (till 3p.m.)," Prashad said.

When asked that Union Home Minister Minister Amit Shah has said that the first FIR under the new criminal law was registered in Gwalior, Jaydeep Prashad said, "I can't comment on the Home Minister's statement, as I am not aware of it, but, MP police's data suggests that the first FIR was registered in Bhopal."

He said that the Madhya Pradesh police has prepared for the new criminal laws. "MP police will try it's best to give better results to provide justice to the victims under the new criminal laws," Prashad added.

The new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, with effect from July 1.
New Delhi, July 1 : The European Union on Monday informed Meta (formerly Facebook) of its preliminary findings that its "pay or consent" advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

In the European Commission's preliminary view, "this binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them with a less personalised but equivalent version of Meta's social networks".

DMA was introduced by the EU's commission to give back to the users the power to decide how their data is used and ensure innovative companies can compete on equal footing with tech giants on data access.

In response to regulatory changes in the EU, Meta introduced in November 2023 a binary 'pay or consent' offer whereby EU users of Facebook and Instagram have to choose between -- 'the subscription for a monthly fee to an ads-free version of these social networks' or 'the free-of-charge access to a version of these social networks with personalised ads'.

"The commission takes the preliminary view that Meta's 'pay or consent' advertising model is not compliant with the DMA as it does not meet the necessary requirements set out under Article 5(2)," the commission said in a statement.

Under Article 5(2) of the DMA, gatekeepers must seek users' consent for combining their personal data between designated core platform services and other services, and if a user refuses such consent, they should have access to a less personalised but equivalent alternative.

"Our preliminary view is that Metaas advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act. And we want to empower citizens to be able to take control over their own data and choose a less personalised ads experience," said Margrethe Vestager, Executive VP in charge of competition policy.

In case of non-compliance, the commission mentioned that it can impose fines of up to 10 per cent of the gatekeeper's total worldwide turnover. Such fines can go up to 20 per cent in case of repeated infringement.
Cadarache : , July 1 (IANS) After two decades of design, production, fabrication and assembly on three continents, the historic, multinational ITER fusion energy project, to which India is one of the partner nations, on Monday celebrated the completion and delivery of its massive toroidal field coils from Japan and Europe.

Masahito Moriyama, Japan's Minister of Science and Technology, and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy's Minister of Environment and Energy Security, attended the ceremony with officials from other ITER members.

Nineteen gigantic toroidal field coils have been delivered to southern France. They will be key components in ITER, the experimental fusion mega-project that will use magnetic confinement to imitate the process that powers the sun and stars and gives earth light and warmth.

Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, abundant, and environmentally-responsible energy source.

The ITER is a collaboration of more than 30 partner countries: the European Union, China, Japan, Korea, Russia and the US, besides India. Most of ITER's funding is in the form of contributed components. This arrangement drives companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, ASG Superconductors, Toshiba Energy Systems, SIMIC, CNIM, and many more to expand their expertise in the cutting-edge technologies needed for fusion.

The ITER is the first-of-a-kind global collaboration coming up in Saint-Paul-les-Durance, some 35 km north of Aix-en-Provence in southern France.

The D-shaped toroidal field coils will be placed around the ITER vacuum vessel, a donut-shaped chamber called a tokamak. Inside the vessel, light atomic nuclei will be fused together to form heavier ones, releasing enormous energy from the fusion reaction.

The fuel for this fusion reaction is two forms of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium (DT). This fuel will be injected as a gas into the tokamak. By running an electrical current through the gas, it becomes an ionized plasma -- the fourth state of matter, a cloud of nuclei and electrons.

The plasma will be heated to 150 million degrees, 10 times hotter than the core of the sun. At this temperature, the velocity of the light atomic nuclei is high enough for them to collide and fuse. To shape, confine, and control this extremely hot plasma, the ITER tokamak must generate an invisible magnetic cage, precisely conformed to the shape of the metal vacuum vessel.

The ITER uses niobium-tin and niobium-titanium as the material for its giant coils. When energized with electricity, the coils become electromagnets. When cooled with liquid helium to minus 269 degrees Celsius (4 kelvin), they become superconducting.

To create the precise magnetic fields required, ITER employs three different arrays of magnets. The 18 D-shaped toroidal field magnets confine the plasma inside the vessel. The poloidal field magnets, a stacked set of six rings that circle the tokamak horizontally, control the position and shape of the plasma.

At the centre of the tokamak, the cylindrical central solenoid uses a pulse of energy to generate a powerful current in the plasma. At 15 million amperes, ITER's plasma current will be far more powerful than anything possible in current or previous tokamaks.

Ten coils were manufactured in Europe, under the auspices of ITER's European Domestic Agency, Fusion for Energy (F4E). Eight coils plus one spare were made in Japan, managed by ITER Japan, part of the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST).

Each completed coil is huge: 17 metres tall and nine metres across, and weighing about 360 tons.

The toroidal field coils will operate together, in effect, as a single magnet: the most powerful magnet ever made.

They will generate a total magnetic energy of 41 gigajoules. ITER's magnetic field will be about 250,000 times stronger than that of the earth.

"The completion and delivery of the 19 ITER toroidal field coils is a monumental achievement," said Pietro Barabaschi, ITER Director-General. "We congratulate the member governments, the ITER domestic agencies, the companies involved, and the many individuals who dedicated countless hours to this remarkable endeavour."

The plant at ITER will produce about 500 megawatts of thermal power. If operated continuously and connected to the electric grid, that would translate to about 200 megawatts of electric power, enough for about 200,000 homes.

A commercial fusion plant will be designed with a slightly larger plasma chamber, for 10-15 times more electrical power. A 2,000 megawatt fusion power plant, for example, would supply electricity for 2 million homes.

India contributes through the Gujarat-based Institute for Plasma Research by manufacturing major components of the plasma chamber where the fusion reactions are going to take place for the first time in 2025.

Fusion power plants are carbon-free; they release no CO2.
Panaji, July 1 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant demanded an apology from the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi for his remark over 'Hindus'.

"This is INC's Nafarat ki Dukan! calling Hindus 'Hinsak' is a brazen insult, disrespect towards Hindus. LoP Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the House and crores of Hindus all over the world," Sawant said.

He said that the arrogance, the audacity of Congress and "INDI" leaders to mock the Santana dharma and Hindus is highly condemnable.

Addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi said: "All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fearBut, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not even Hindu)"

Starting off his speech, the Congress MP waved a copy of the Constitution and also the photo of Lord Shiva while launching a broadside at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

LoP Rahul Gandhi's reference to 'Hindus' drew strong protest from the BJP MPs and also a rare intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patna, July 1 : A female doctor allegedly chopped off the private part of her boyfriend in Bihar's Saran district on Monday.

Police have arrested the doctor under the relevant sections of attempt to murder.

The victim, a councillor of Ward No. 12 in Madhaura block, has been admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment.

The accused claimed that she had an affair with the victim for the last five years but he was refusing to marry her. She somehow convinced him for a registered marriage in court. Accordingly, she reached the court for the marriage but the victim did not turn up.

After this, she called the victim to her house, and when he reached there, she allegedly chopped off his private part. On hearing the councillor's cry, the neighbours informed the police who found him lying on a bed in a pool of blood.

"The woman is a 25-year-old unmarried doctor from Hajipur. She was doing practice in Madhaura. The victim is also unmarried," said the SHO of Madhaura police station in Saran district.

"We have arrested the accused and further investigation is underway," he added.
Agartala, July 1 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that dignity of women is completely lost under the 'Taliban regime' of Trinamool in West Bengal.

The Tripura Chief Minister, while reacting after a video clip on the brutal assault on a couple allegedly engaged in an 'extra-marital relationship' went viral, sparking widespread outrage, said that every village in West Bengal has become Sandeshkhali.

The incidents of atrocities in Sandeshkhali was a major poll plank of the opposition parties during the recent Lok Sabha elections after alleged atrocities by the Trinamool Congress leaders on the villagers.

The man who was seen in the video torturing the couple publicly with a bamboo stick was allegedly a local ruling Trinamool Congress leader of Chopra in North Dinajpur district where the incident occurred following the decision of a 'kangaroo court'.

The police later arrested the Trinamool Congress leader Tajemul a.k.a. JCB.

The Tripura Chief Minister, taking to X, said: "Today, the dignity of women is completely lost under the Taliban regime of Trinamool in West Bengal."

"Today, every village in Bengal has become Sandeshkhali! Such diabolical torture of women by the notorious Trinamool-sponsored miscreant Tajemul in broad daylight under the rule of a woman Chief Minister is absolutely unacceptable. I strongly condemn this incident and demand strict punishment for the culprits," Saha said.

The ruling BJP in the state also strongly condemned the Chopra incident.

BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee said that heinous atrocities on the people specially on the women which are taking place almost everyday in Trinamool Congress-ruled Bengal, does not take place in the world.

"If the people could cast their votes in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Bengal, the results have been otherwise," Bhattacharjee, who was in Bengal during the Parliamentary polls, told the media on Monday.

He alleged that the Trinamool Congress goons are openly torturing women in almost all districts of Bengal and the police remain a spectator.
Amritsar, July 1 : A rebel group of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday submitted a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar in the Golden Temple complex here, seeking an apology for incidents during the party's 10-year stint in Punjab from 2007.

The incidents comprise hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community by self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by allegedly performing an imitation of Guru Gobind Singh at the sect's dera in 2007, sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 and appointment of Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Saini.

The rebels, comprising former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, and former minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, appealed to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh that they "are ready to face any punishment that the Akal Takht may deem appropriate."

In a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar, they "admitted guilt" over "mistakes committed" by the party leadership that have "hurt" the Sikh Panth.

The letter claimed that Sukhbir Badal, now Akali Dal Chief, allegedly used his influence to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case.

"You can call the then jathedar of Sri Akal Takht and seek his clarification," reads the letter.

"But the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani committee had to withdraw this decision keeping in mind the anger and resentment of the Sikh panth," it added.

The Akal Takht had pardoned the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief in the blasphemy case in a written apology in 2015.

The President of the Akali Dal and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on December 15, 2023, expressed his regret while speaking at the 103rd foundation day of the party for the failure to apprehend the individuals responsible for the sacrilege incidents.

Meanwhile, the Istri Akali Dal on Monday expressed faith in the leadership of Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Badal and said he was best suited to lead the party at this juncture.

The entire rank and file of the Istri Akali Dal said party president Sukhbir Badal had provided inspiring leadership to lead an effective campaign in the form of the Punjab Bachao Yatra.

The members said the Istri Akali Dal had reached out to the women and a concerted effort in Bathinda by its president Hargobind Kaur had paid dividends with party candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal winning the seat with a handsome margin.

Speaking on the occasion, the SAD President said the party had chalked out a plan to expand the Istri Akali Dal and ensure it reached every village and booth in the State.

"We have decided to ensure the election of booth, village, circle and constituency level committees headed by their respective presidents. We will also ensure election of district-level committees of the Istri Akali Dal".

Sukhbir Badal said the party would also create an effective women leadership in the party so that strong candidates could be fielded for block samiti and zila parishad polls for seats reserved for women candidates.
Agartala, July 1 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that dignity of women is completely lost under the 'Taliban regime' of Trinamool in West Bengal.

The Tripura Chief Minister, while reacting after a video clip on the brutal assault on a couple allegedly engaged in an 'extra-marital relationship' went viral, sparking widespread outrage, said that every village in West Bengal has become Sandeshkhali.

The incidents of atrocities in Sandeshkhali was a major poll plank of the opposition parties during the recent Lok Sabha elections after alleged atrocities by the Trinamool Congress leaders on the villagers.

The man who was seen in the video torturing the couple publicly with a bamboo stick was allegedly a local ruling Trinamool Congress leader of Chopra in North Dinajpur district where the incident occurred following the decision of a 'kangaroo court'.

The police later arrested the Trinamool Congress leader Tajemul a.k.a. JCB.

The Tripura Chief Minister, taking to X, said: "Today, the dignity of women is completely lost under the Taliban regime of Trinamool in West Bengal."

"Today, every village in Bengal has become Sandeshkhali! Such diabolical torture of women by the notorious Trinamool-sponsored miscreant Tajemul in broad daylight under the rule of a woman Chief Minister is absolutely unacceptable. I strongly condemn this incident and demand strict punishment for the culprits," Saha said.

BJP Tripura state President Rajib Bhattacharjee said that a "Taliban regime" has been prevailing in West Bengal and lawlessness became day to day affairs in the state.

"I urge the INDIA bloc leaders in Tripura to go to West Bengal to witness the murder of democracy and women's rights in that Trinamool Congress-ruled state," Bhattacharjee told the media.

The ruling BJP in the state also strongly condemned the Chopra incident.

BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee said that heinous atrocities on the people specially on the women which are taking place almost everyday in Trinamool Congress-ruled Bengal, does not take place in the world.

"If the people could cast their votes in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Bengal, the results have been otherwise," Bhattacharjee, who was in Bengal during the Parliamentary polls, told the media on Monday.

He alleged that the Trinamool Congress goons are openly torturing women in almost all districts of Bengal and the police remain a spectator.
Gurugram, July 1 : Four members of a family, including three women, died in an accident on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway on Monday, the police said.

The deceased have been identified as Brijesh Kaushik (52), his wife Sunita (48), his mother Kamla Devi (74), and his brotheras wife Kiran Kaushik (46), all residents of Neem Ka Thana in Rajasthan's in Sikar district.

According to the police, the victims were returning from Garh Ganga in Uttar Pradesh after performing the last rites of a family member when their car rammed into a canter from behind near the Farrukhnagar exit point.

While four of them died on the spot, two others are battling for life at the Gurugram Civil Hospital.

The police said the initial investigation suggests that the car driver was trying to overtake the canter when it rammed into it from behind and overturned.
New Delhi, July 1 : India's criminal justice system underwent a significant transformation with the implementation of three new laws -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

These laws, which came into force on Monday, replaced the longstanding British-era statutes: the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.

All across the country, new FIRs were registered under these modernised laws, marking a departure from the previous legal frameworks. However, cases filed before July 1 will continue under the old laws until they reach their final conclusion.

The journey towards these reforms began six months ago when the laws were enacted, following extensive consultations with key stakeholders such as Supreme Court judges, governors, civil servants, police officers, and lawmakers.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah played a pivotal role, conducting 158 meetings and incorporating around 3,200 suggestions into the drafting process.

The laws were scrutinised by a Parliamentary committee, with most recommendations being accepted before being presented to Parliament for approval. The consultation process took four years before enactment of the laws six months ago.

Key features of the new laws include:

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been streamlined to 358 sections, down from 511 in the IPC, incorporating 21 new crimes, increased penalties for 82 offences, and introducing minimum punishments for 25 crimes.

Duration of imprisonment has been extended in 41 crimes.

Moreover, community service has been introduced as a penalty in six crimes. Around 19 sections have been removed.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) now comprises 531 sections, with modifications to 177 sections, including additions of nine new sections and 39 sub-sections, and deletions of 14 sections.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaces the Indian Evidence Act (166 sections) with 170 sections, making changes to 24 sections and adding two new sub-sections while removing six sections.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had articulated the ethos behind these reforms as "citizen first, dignity first, and justice first," emphasising a shift from traditional policing methods ('danda') to modern data-driven approaches.

The new laws also prioritise swift justice for crimes against women and children, ensuring completion of investigations within two months of filing. Victims are entitled to regular updates on their cases within 90 days, and courts are empowered to limit adjournments to expedite proceedings.

In Parliament, Amit Shah underscored that the focus of these reforms is on enhancing justice delivery while safeguarding the rights of both victims and accused individuals, moving away from punitive measures alone.

The overhaul aims to rid the legal system of colonial-era vestiges and enable online reporting of crimes, allowing for more accessible and transparent law enforcement.

These legislative changes mark a significant step towards modernising India's criminal justice system, aligning it with contemporary needs and global standards.
Mumbai, July 1 : Industries Minister Uday Samant on Monday announced in the state assembly that a policy on erecting hoardings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will be released soon and a structural audit will be conducted against hoardings.

The hoarding policy will be unveiled after the election code of conduct for the Mumbai legislative council polls ends following the declaration of the results of the graduates' and teachers' constituencies.

However, during his reply to a calling attention motion on hoarding collapse in Ghatkopar, the Assembly witnessed a verbal duel between the ruling and opposition members after the name of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was mentioned by BJP legislators.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam claimed that the accused in the Ghatkopar hoarding incident Bhavesh Bhinde was a close aide of former CM Uddhav Thackeray.

"The hoarding was cleared during the COVID period. Bhinde met Thackeray when not even an MLA was allowed to meet him. There is a photograph of Bhinde and Thackeray which shows how close they are. I urge the state government to probe this angle as well," he said.

Shiv Sena - UBT MLA Ajay Chaudhary said that the ruling MLAs should not use Thackeray's name for the sake of publicity.

BJP MLA Nitesh Rane claimed that opposition MLA Sunil Raut was a sleeping partner of Bhinde and should also be probed.

Raut claimed that if Rane could prove my association with Bhinde, then I would resign right away. "But it should be probed as to who was the BJP leader who called Bhinde four times when he was absconding. Wasn't he the former BJP MP from Mumbai?" asked Raut.

Samant also announced an inquiry into the decisions taken by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government regarding hoardings during the COVID-19 period. The probe will be conducted by the inquiry committee headed by Justice (Retired) Dilip Bhosale that is investigating the Ghatkopar hoarding incident. This issue was raised by BJP legislator Ashish Shelar.
New Delhi, July 1 : The coal stocks at domestic coal-based Thermal Power Plants is currently at 44.46 million tonnes (MT) which is sufficient to meet the requirements for 18.5 days as per the present level of consumption, the Ministry of Coal said on Monday.

This stock position is 33 per cent higher than what it was at the same time last year, while the production of coal during the April-June quarter of this year has recorded a robust double-digit growth of 10.58 per cent.

The Coal Ministry said that keeping in view the monsoon effect on coal production, as much as 98.67 MT stock availability has been ensured at the pithead of mines (including coal in transit) as of 30th June 2024 which is 33.5 per cent higher over last yearas position.

Currently, the stock availability at the thermal power plants is 68 per cent of the normative requirement which was about 50 per cent during the same period of last year. During FY 23-24, too, there was no scarcity of coal at the domestic coal-based plants.

As on June 29, there is also an increase in the number of rakes/days by 10.54 per cent over the same period of last year, it is thus evident that adequate stock is available to meet the monsoon requirements of all domestic coal-based thermal plants.

Further Coal, Railways and Power ministries are closely coordinating to ensure adequate availability of coal.
Patna, July 1 : Two persons were killed while two others sustained grievous injuries in Bihar's Rohtas district, after a car they were travelling in, attempted to overtake a truck but ended up in a tragic mishap.

Patna, July 1 (IANS) Two persons were killed while two others sustained grievous injuries in Biharas Rohtas district, after a car they were travelling in, attempted to overtake a truck but ended up in a tragic mishap.

The deceased have been identified as Virendra Pandey and his wife Indra Devi, residents of Pararia village under Baghela police station, and Guddu Sah, a resident of Khudnu under Agarer police station.

The critically injured, driver and another woman, have been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Virendra Pandey and Indra Devi were returning to their village from Jamuhar Medical College Sasaram after receiving treatment. Guddu Kumar, who worked as an ANM at the medical college, was also in the car.

The officers of the Mufassil police station have sent the bodies of the deceased to Sadar Hospital Sasaram for postmortem.
Bengaluru, July 1 : Karnataka Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has once again warned that if anyone crosses the line while making statements about creating more Dy CM's posts or changing the Chief Minister, the party will take action.

Speaking to the media after an office bearers' meeting in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, "I don't need support from any legislator or seer. We need to build the party now. If anyone crosses the limits, the party will make its own decision."

He announced that a fact-finding committee would be formed to investigate the reasons for the setback in the general election. "The Lok Sabha election result in Karnataka is not satisfactory. We expected to win more than 15 seats, but that didn't happen. The committee will find out why the party suffered a setback in other regions of the state, except Kalyana Karnataka region," he stated.

The study will be conducted in every assembly constituency. New faces and six women candidates were given opportunities, and two of them won. The media predicted that the Congress would win only two seats, but the party won nine MP seats, but it is not satisfactory. The party could have won four to five more seats, Shivakumar said.

The fact-finding committee will analyse where the party went wrong and why people didn't support it despite implementing all the schemes. There was no Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave in the state, and unlike the BJP there was no infighting within the Congress; the leaders worked unitedly, Shivakumar claimed.

Zone-wise meetings will be held by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and himself, Shivakumar stated. The fact-finding committee of the All India Congress Committee will visit every state, but as they can't visit all the constituencies, the state Congress will give a report to them.

Shivakumar informed that three teams have been formed to strategize for the by-polls in three assembly constituencies. "We have already received a report about the Shiggaon assembly seat. After July 3, a report on the Sandur seat will be submitted, and Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy will submit the Mandya assembly segment's report," he stated.

Additionally, a letter has been written to the central government to increase medical seats to assist NRI students in Karnataka, and steps will be taken in favour of NRI students in 20 government-run engineering colleges, he added.
Kolkata, July 1 : It is high time West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose ends the 'fuss and confusion' over the swearing-in ceremony of two newly-elected Trinamool Congress legislators, Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Houssen Sarkar, Assembly Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay said on Monday.

"I had requested the Governor to come to the Assembly and administer oath to the two Trinamool MLAs. I will personally receive him at the gate of the Assembly. If he has any problem in coming to the Assembly, as per the convention, he should allow the Speaker of the House to do the needful," Bandopadhyay told mediapersons.

The Speaker also said that Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Houssen Sarkar once again sent a written request to him on Monday, seeking completion of the oath ceremony at the earliest so that they can participate in the proceedings of the House as elected MLAs.

"They are members of the Assembly. So ideally their oath ceremony should take place in the Assembly. There is a precedent of the Governor coming to the Assembly and administering oath to the new MLAs. Current Vice President Jadeep Dhankhar did the same when he was the Governor of West Bengal. There is no question of ego here," Bandopadhyay said.

Meanwhile, Sayantika Banerjee and Reyat Houssen Sarkar continued their sit-in demonstration in the Vidhan Sabha premises on Monday, insisting that the Governor should come to the Assembly and preside over the oath ceremony.
Hyderabad, July 1 : Telangana High Court Judge Justice K. Surender has said that the implementation of three new criminal laws is a much sought-after initiative for an effective criminal justice system in tune with the changed crime scenario.

He feels that there are many new additions in Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), in tune with the changes in society.

Addressing a workshop, 'New Criminal Major Acts' by the Forum for the Nationalist Thinkers, he noted that the new criminal laws replaced the 150-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC).

He underlined the need for the legal community, particularly advocates, to integrate themselves with the challenges.

Justice Surender mentioned that unlike the IPC, sedition is no longer an offence under the BNS.

Instead, an offence under BNS is treason, which is covered in Section 152 as acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

Causing death by negligence used to get two years' punishment earlier but now it will be five to 10 years under BNS.

The High Court judge feels that it is still not the end of the day for IPC.

He suggested to lawyers, law students and other stakeholders not to throw away books or material of old laws as they would be required to know the old laws also till all cases registered under those laws were adjudicated.

Speaking on Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Justice Madhavi Devi noted that it was imperative to introduce electronic communication as evidence in the backdrop of information technology becoming an integral part of even personal lives of people.

She said though amendments were made to the IE Act in the past, Covid-19 created situations where people could depend only on IT to execute certain tasks.

Additional Solicitor General B. Narasimha Sharma pointed out that 18 states had given their inputs on Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act before they were amended but there was criticism in the media that no debate was held on the matter.

He said it was an example of transition from an accused-centric approach to victim-participative and society-reformative stand in the criminal justice system.

The definition of organised crime was not adequate to cover the offences being indulged by gangs; hence, separate sections were included in the BNS, he said.

Asserting that 48 per cent of hit-and-run cases had resulted in fatalities, he said the punishment under such cases has been increased as per new laws to control the menace.

The punishment for such cases is reduced if the offender informs the police and takes the victim for treatment.

The ASG also noted the new laws took serious note of the offences against women and children.

The offences like mob-lynching have been included as grave crimes.

The punishment for organised crimes like economic offences and terrorist offences, which act against sovereignty and integrity of the country, have been increased as per new criminal laws.

Telangana Bar Council chairman A. Narasimha Reddy said the drastic change in the crime graph and its character has necessitated the introduction of three new criminal laws.

He claimed that these laws consider the implementation of justice through a victim-centric approach, increasing focus on national security and introducing digital, electronic evidence reviews.
Jammu, July 1 : A special court in Jammu on Monday extended the police custody of senior Kashmiri advocate Mian Qayoom by 6 days.

Mian Qayoom, who was associated with the separatist Hurriyat Conference, was arrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) in Srinagar on June 25 for his alleged involvement in the murder conspiracy of advocate Babar Qadri in 2020.

Qadri was fatally shot at his residence in the Hawal area of Srinagar in September 2020.

During the court proceedings, the NIA court judge noted that the investigation is still at an initial stage and further remand of the accused is necessary for the progress of the case.

"After considering the rival submissions of the parties, a perusal of the latest entries in the case diary and giving thoughtful consideration to the matter, it is noticed that the investigation of the case is still at an initial stage. Therefore, his further detention in the custody of the police is imperative as the investigation agency is required to be afforded an opportunity to elicit all the possible information from the accused for further progress of the investigation," Third Additional District and Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA), Jatinder Singh Jamwal said in his two-page order.

Qayoom pleaded his own case and opposed the extension of his police remand, citing his health condition and stating that he requires regular medical care, including insulin dosage.

Despite his pleas, the court granted the extension of his police remand until July 6 directing adequate medical care for the accused.

The prosecution had argued that the accused is not cooperating fully with the investigation and further detention is essential to gather more information related to the case.

The accused was brought to Jammu immediately after his arrest and produced before the court. The case was transferred from Srinagar to Jammu earlier this year.

Before his murder, Qadri used to frequently appear on television debates. He said before his death that Mian Qayoom was planning his murder. After his murder, police conducted searches at Mian Qayoom's residences and two other lawyers in Srinagar, seizing various digital devices, bank statements and documents, as part of the ongoing probe.

Last September, the SIA announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to a solution to Qadri's murder. The police alleged the involvement of Saqib Manzoor, a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, in Qadri's killing. That LeT commander was killed during a police encounter in Srinagar along with another militant commander in 2022.
Srinagar, July 1 : Jammu & Kashmir DGP, R.R. Swain said on Monday that the new criminal procedure code called the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provides a clear legal mandate to tackle cross-border terrorism in the union territory.

Addressing the implementation ceremony of the three criminal laws at the police headquarters here on Monday, the police chief said that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the context of Jammu and Kashmir provides a helpful definition of terrorism as it categorically and explicitly provides a legal mandate to tackle terrorism emanating from beyond the international borders.

He said that Nyaya Sanhita has a dedicated section to combat organised crime, ensuring that there is no room for unlawful activities orchestrated by syndicates that pose a grave threat to the internal security of the country.

"We are deeply aware that the responsibility now lies with us to ensure that these reforms achieve their full potential. It casts an onerous responsibility on the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which have been fighting terrorism for the last 35 years," the senior police officer said.

Emphasising the importance of a stable environment for effective law-enforcement, the DGP said that ensuring public peace, security, and order through the rule of law presupposes that there shall be a semblance of peace and order so that investigators, witnesses, prosecutors, and trial courts are able to do their duty free from fear.

He added that it is in J&K where the new laws have become a booster and a set of great enablers in addition to investing heavily in quality training of our investigating officers. We have started to prioritise good investigations and have begun ranking districts on various law enforcement parameters to boost healthy competition.

"The new laws demand more from our existing resources, requiring the strengthening of our verticals, primarily through embedding law officers in our core investigative framework.

"We have requested the home department to strengthen us with 321 law officers at various levels," he said, while explaining the need for additional resources and support.

The DGP said that while giving a clear mandate to deal with terrorism, the new laws have put greater responsibility, particularly in the utilisation of CCTVs, which now features real-time capabilities.

"It is now obligatory to maintain records of the arrested persons with grounds of arrest at both the police stations and district levels. These records must be digitally displayed, reinforcing transparency and accountability in law enforcement procedures. The new arrangement requires addressing challenges such as infrastructure investment, data security, and preventing technology misuse.

"Senior police officers are convinced that quality training of police personnel, such as in forensics, is inescapable. We would sincerely require to strengthen and add to our pool of personnel integral to our police station setup who would be forensic experts for handling digital evidence and devices," he added.

Addressing Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha, and Chief Secretary, Atul Dulloo, who were present during the ceremony, the police chief said: "I am indebted to all of you for the constant support and guidance given to us in fulfilling our requirements for the implementation of these laws.

"These new laws symbolise a paradigm shift in our approach to justice. They embody the country's commitment to a system that is efficient and effective, and yet fair and transparent, reflective of the aspirations of a rising and aspiring India," the police chief said.
Kolkata, July 1 : The proceedings in the Calcutta High Court were hampered after a large section of lawyers close to the ruling Trinamool Congress boycotted hearings in protest against the three new criminal laws that came into force on Monday.

The new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, with effect from July 1.

Proceedings could not be conducted in many cases in the high court as a number of lawyers close to the ruling party remained absent when their cases came up for hearing.

In many cases, only the advocate representing one side was present in the court at the time of the hearing.

Even the proceedings under the division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya were affected as many cases could not be heard because of the absence of the advocates concerned.

Certain cases where the state government is a party could not be heard as the counsel supposed to represent the state was absent when the matters came up for hearing.

The boycotting lawyers close to the Trinamool Congress said they are opposed to the three new criminal laws as their implementation does not reflect the opinions of the legal fraternity at large.

They also said that the boycott was a symbolic protest and they will continue opposing the three new laws in the days to come.

However, advocates known to be close to the CPI(M) said that boycotting hearings is not a solution as it causes undue harassment to the petitioners.
New Delhi, July 1 : Chinese coast guards engaged in a confrontation with Filipino sailors in waters controlled by the Philippines while these boats were transporting daily supplies to the Philippine military. According to visuals released by the Philippine military, the behaviour of the Chinese coast guards resembled that of non-state actors such as pirates rather than a state military.

The disturbing footage shows three Chinese boats aggressively attempting to overtake the Filipino vessel. During the ensuing scuffle, Chinese coast guards brandished knives and used strobe lights to obscure the cameras recording the aggression.

They rammed the Filipino boat, seizing and destroying essential supplies meant for the troops. One Filipino sailor lost his thumb in the attack.

These visuals are reminiscent of Chinese aggression in disputed territories, similar to the Galwan Valley clash during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and 40 Chinese soldiers.

At the core of this dispute are Chinaas erratic claims over the South China Sea.

What is at the heart of the Dispute

The South China Sea, located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is a shared maritime area involving China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian nations. China arbitrarily claims the largest portion of this maritime space.

The South China Sea is globally significant, with around $3 trillion of international trade passing through it annually.

Additionally, it is rich in natural resources, including substantial oil and gas reserves.

As China ascended to economic power, it began asserting its erratic claims over territories already historically demarcated by other South-East Asian states.

In 2016, due to these contentious claims, the Philippines initiated an international arbitration action against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, finding no legal basis for China's claims.

China, however, responded negatively to the arbitration ruling and refused to accept the binding decision. In response to China's aggressive stance in the region, major Southeast Asian powers, including the ten ASEAN members, Japan, India, Australia, and the US, have attempted to establish mechanisms for a free and open Indo-Pacific, which China opposes.

The recent confrontation between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea is not an isolated incident.

To strengthen its claim, the Philippines positioned a World War II-era ship, the Sierra Madre, on the partially submerged Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, stationing marines on it.

Over the past 25 years, the Philippines has consistently supplied essentials to the ship.

In 2021, China typically deployed only one ship during these resupply missions, but by 2023, this number had increased to an average of 14 ships. In one operation in December of last year, researchers identified at least 46 Chinese ships monitoring the second Thomas Shoal.

China continually provoking Philippines

The June 2024 incident is one of many aggressive acts by China in recent years, each escalating in provocation.

For instance, on April 30 this year, near the contentious Scarborough Shoal, Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol boats. Philippine officials indicated that water cannons could damage their ship engines or even capsize smaller vessels.

A similar incident occurred in March when Chinese coast guards fired water cannons near Philippine boats, injuring several crew members.

The Philippines has a longstanding security treaty with the US, one of the oldest such agreements between the US and its Asian allies.

This treaty stipulates that the US will assist the Philippines in the event of an attack or war-like situation. The Philippines has clarified that this protection extends to attacks on its coast guard.

Experts suggest that China's provocative actions in the South China Sea are not only acts of aggression but also attempts to drag the US to the brink of war.

In his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this year, Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. declared that any fatalities resulting from the ongoing standoff with Beijing in the South China Sea would be "very, very close to... an act of war".

Responding to a question on US-Philippines mutual defense, he asserted that "we would have crossed the Rubicon" in such a scenario.

Conclusion

China has actively provoked nearly all of its neighbours, with the exception of Russia. Central to its aggression is the desire for hegemonic and authoritarian dominance in Asia.

China has consistently antagonised its neighbours, including India, Japan, Vietnam, and now the Philippines.

This pattern has intensified since Xi Jinping ascended to power. Experts describe this behaviour as 'bluff brinkmanship', where China's grey zone military maneouvers, whether in the Galwan Valley or the South China Sea, have jeopardised regional security to assert its dominance.

Similar tactics were evident in the recent clash involving knives and fists between China and the Philippines.

Should a soldier use a lethal weapon next time, it could escalate into full-scale war.

Notably, post-pandemic, China's economy is faltering, causing anxiety for Xi Jinping's authoritarian regime, which may explain the surge in skirmishes over the past decade.

The international community must address China's ongoing military escalation, while the threatened powers need to develop a collective strategy to counter its aggression.
New Delhi, July 1 : Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in his fiery speech on Monday, pulled all punches in attacking the government and even went a step ahead to train guns on Speaker Om Birla, eliciting condemnation and angry protests from the Treasury benches.

Speaker Om Birla also did not hold back, when the Congress MP taunted him over 'bowing down' before the Prime Minister. The verbal exchanges between the duo grabbed headlines.

The BJP was quick enough to call out Congress' 'adventurism' in the house and dug out an episode from the past to show how democracy and house proceedings were treated as 'secondary' to the then ruling party's high command.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala posted a 2012 incident on his X account and claimed that the chair 'bowed' before the then dispensation.

According to information shared by BJP spokesperson, Rajiv Shukla, the Parliamentary Affairs minister in UPA II advised the newly elected Rajya Sabha deputy chairman and Congress MP P.J. Kurien to adjourn the proceedings of the Upper House, because of repeated disruptions.

The whispers into Kurien's ears got recorded in cameras and stirred a major controversy.

In Lok Sabha on Monday, Rahul Gandhi told Speaker Om Birla that he stood straight when shaking hands with him but bowed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the day of his election to the post.

"I noticed something when you (Speaker Om Birla) shook my hand. When you shook my hand, you were standing upright. But when you shook PM Modi's hand, you bowed down to him," Rahul Gandhi said.

Opposition MPs cheered on Rahul's statement but the Treasury benches protested.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the LoP was making baseless allegations against the chair.

Replying to Rahul's charges, Om Birla said that the difference in his conduct with the LoP and PM Modi was because of his 'sanskar and sanskriti' and he will continue to uphold those values.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the leader of the House. My culture and upbringing tells me to bow down in front of the elders and treat those who are my age or junior to me as equals," replied the LS Speaker.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 1 : Two of Kerala's exclusive delicacies - the hugely popular 'Palada payasam' and tender coconut ice cream - will now be available for all.

These were launched by the Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), known by the brand Milma, as part of its market outreach initiative, 'Repositioning Milma', along with its three regional cooperative milk producersa unions.

While Milma's Palada payasam is a KCMMF initiative with support from Malabar Milma, the tender coconut ice cream is a product of Milmaas Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producersa Union (ERCMPU).

Milma Chairman K.S. Mani said the Palada payasam with a year-long shelf life will enable the traditional sweet dish to be available abroad as well.

"Since it takes time to prepare at home, our product will come in handy for families anywhere in the world," he said.

Tagging its tender coconut ice cream as a premium-range product, ERCMPU Chairman M.T. Jayan said: "We are in the process of exploring new flavours in the ice cream segment, which is anyway a craze among the younger generation."

The Palada payasam is made using the aseptic Microwave-Assisted Thermal Sterilisation (MATS) technology giving the product a one-year shelf-life. Manufactured by Tata Smart Foods in the Sri City of Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh, the high-quality product maintains its traditional Kerala flavour and taste.

Each 400 gm Milma Palada payasam packet, prepared without adding any preservatives, is priced at Rs 150 and serves four people.
Jaipur, July 1 : The first FIR in Rajasthan under the new criminal law was registered at the Sadari police station in Pali on Monday.

The new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, with effect from July 1.

Director General of Police (Cybercrime and State Crime Record Bureau), Hemant Priyadarshi, said the FIR was registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Byay Sanhita on charges of assault and causing damage to property.

An official from the Sadari police station said that Madanlal, a resident of Morkha, said in his complaint that he plows people's fields on rent. On Sunday, he was supposed to plow the field of a person named Sardar Singh, but when the tractor was passing through an adjacent field owned by Sumer Singh, the latter got angry.

Sumer Singh reportedly stopped Madanlal midway and bashed him, leaving him injured.

The incident was reported at 7.30 a.m. on Monday.
Jaipur, July 1 : Lt General Manjinder Singh took over the reins of Jaipur-based South Western ('Sapta Shakti Command') on Monday with a solemn ceremony at the Prerna Sthal at the Jaipur Military Station, where he paid tribute to bravehearts.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Madras Regiment in December 1986.

In his distinguished and illustrious military career spanning 37 years, he has the distinction of holding important and challenging command and staff appointments in Jammu & Kashmir and on the Western Front.

Lt Gen Singh commanded his battalion in an intense counter-insurgency environment in Jammu & Kashmir, an infantry brigade at the Line of Control, an infantry division as part of the Desert Strike Corps and a corps deployed along the Line of Control in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir.

His staff appointments include Colonel, General Staff (IW) in a corps deployed in an intense counter-insurgency environment in Jammu & Kashmir and Colonel, General Staff (Ops/ Air), Brigadier, General Staff (Ops), Major General, General Staff (Ops) and Chief of Staff in a Command HQs.

He was the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy, Planning & Force Development) till November 30, 2022, and took over as the head of the Army Training Command on December 1, 2023.

His instructional appointments include Instructor, Cl at the Indian Military Academy and Directing Staff, Coordination at the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), Bhutan. For his exemplary leadership and devotion to duty towards the nation, he was decorated with the Yudh Seva Medal in 2015, the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2019 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024.

He is the Colonel of the Madras Regiment since January 1, 2021.

On assuming command, Lt Gen Singh extended warm greetings to all ranks, Veer Naris, veterans, defence civilian employees and families of the Sapta Shakti Command.
Mumbai, July 1 : The Nationalist Congress Party-SP on Monday called for a wider debate and discussions on the new laws which came into effect from July 1, beginning a new era in the country's criminal justice system.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860, while the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) comes in place of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

NCP-SP President Sharad Pawar said that the laws were changed after suspending nearly 150 opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha last year after a ruckus.

"No one can deny the fact that the laws were changed by suspending the 150 MPs of the opposition parties from the Parliament last yeara This shows a lack of discussion and suggestions," he said.

NCP-SP Working President Supriya Sule said that the new laws were railroaded in the Parliament without any discussion and they have unfortunately come into effect from Monday, posing "a significant threat to civil liberties and democratic freedoms".

The Maratha strongman pointed out that although change is necessary with time, more concrete steps could have been taken by holding wide-ranging discussions to ensure more transparency. "But it would be wrong to expect a discussion from the rulers who are possessed by the mindset of implementing a one-point programme," Pawar said.

"By expanding police authority, extending remand periods, permitting solitary confinement and diminishing judicial oversight, the government is establishing a repressive police state," Sule added.

She said that the "soul of Indian democracy is at stake" and "we cannot afford to remain silent", as she urged the new Lok Sabha to urgently reconsider these criminal laws to ensure that they align with the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

NCP-SP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said that while certain laws need to be reviewed, reworked and implemented as per the needs of time, in the new laws, there are things that could pose a threat to civil liberties and democratic freedom. He cited the examples of the extension of remand period, and solitary confinement which could potentially give undue advantage to an entity, as he said that the 18th Lok Sabha must ensure a review of the whole thing.
Moscow, July 1 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be chairing two of the three central events to be held under his country's monthly presidency of the UN Security Council which began on Monday.

Russia has planned open ministerial debates on "Multilateral cooperation in the interests of creating a more just, democratic and sustainable world order" (July 16), on the situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian issue (July 17), and on UN cooperation with the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO (July 19).

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the first two events will be chaired by Lavrov as, in accordance with the UN Charter, the Presidency has primary responsibility for finding effective responses to threats to international peace and security.

Meetings will also be held on the situation in Haiti, Congo, West Africa and the Sahel region, Yemen, Cyprus, Colombia, Lebanon and Syria, as well as on the activities of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

"The Russian Federation, as a permanent member of the Council and a responsible participant in the international community, will traditionally make every effort to ensure the coordinated and efficient work of this body. In this regard, Russia will encourage its colleagues in the Security Council to seek common denominators while carefully considering the interests of all interested parties," asserted Moscow on Monday.
Hyderabad, July 1 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Monday challenged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to have the six MLAs of his party who joined the Congress resign and get re-elected.

He reminded Revanth Reddy of his own words when he was in the opposition, claiming there would be no defections if Congress came to power. The BRS leader also recalled Revanth Reddy's statement that defectors should be stoned if they change the party they were elected from.

KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, questioned who should face the public's anger in the current scenario a" Revanth Reddy, the defectors from BRS, or Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a meeting of party workers in Jagtial, he highlighted that Gandhi had previously demanded that if an elected representative switches parties, their membership should be automatically cancelled. He pointed out that the Congress had assured the same in its manifesto.

KTR urged people to recognise the contradiction between what Gandhi and Revanth Reddy promised and what they are currently doing.

He mentioned that even Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy criticised his own party over the defections from the BRS to the Congress, ignoring its electoral manifesto assurance. He said that the Congress started the practice of defections under (late Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi's regime and continued it in united Andhra Pradesh. He recalled that Congress made 10 TRS (now BRS) MLAs defect after the 2004 elections.

The BRS leader claimed that despite the defections, the BRS would not become weaker because the lakhs of the party cadre remain loyal. He alleged Jagtial MLA Sanjay Kumar who joined Congress of doing so under the pretence of development. He called on the people of Jagtial to fight against the immoral defection of their MLA to the Congress.

KTR accused the Congress government of diverting attention from its failures and unfulfilled electoral promises by enticing BRS MLAs to join its ranks. He criticized Revanth Reddy for delaying the implementation of doubling the welfare pensions, increasing the financial assistance under the Rythu Bandhu scheme to Rs 15,000, and providing Rs 2,500 for women and many other promises.
Beirut, July 1 : Lebanon's state security forces arrested 30 Syrian nationals in the northern town of Berkayel on Monday for illegally entering the country, the media reported.

The Syrians were apprehended along with a Lebanese driver who allegedly smuggled them across the border, reported Xinhua news agency.

The driver is under investigation, while the detainees will be transferred to the relevant authorities for potential deportation back to Syria, following approval from the judiciary.

The arrest comes amid heightened Lebanese efforts to curb unauthorised crossings from Syria.

Over the past year, the Lebanese army has reportedly thwarted attempts by thousands of Syrians to enter the country.

Lebanon currently hosts the highest number of refugees per capita globally, with the government estimating nearly 1.5 million Syrians seeking refuge in the country.
Agartala, July 1 : Eleven Bangladeshi nationals, including six women, were arrested from the Agartala railway station for illegally entering India without valid documents, the police said on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel arrested the Bangladeshi nationals, aged between 20 and 40 years, from the railway station on Sunday night.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the Bangladeshi nationals were planning to go to Delhi and other Indian cities from Tripura in search of jobs.

With the latest arrests, 22 Bangladeshi nationals have been held from the Agartala railway station in the last three days, while over 81 citizens from the neighbouring country have been arrested in Tripura in the last two months.

All the Bangladeshi nationals had entered Tripura through a clandestine route, intending to go to other states of the country in search of jobs.
Dhaka, July 2 : India and Bangladesh on Monday vowed to enhance maritime cooperation keeping in view New Delhi's Act East policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh Tripathi discussed various areas of further cooperation during a meeting with his counterpart, Admiral M. Nazmul Hassan held at the Bangladesh Naval Headquarters in Dhaka.

"The two Principals discussed longstanding and robust ties between the two nations and navies; initiatives for enhancing maritime cooperation, avenues for capacity building and capability enhancement, including coordinated ops towards bolstering interoperability in the maritime domain," the Indian Navy said on Monday.

Earlier, Admiral Tripathi began his four-day visit -- first as a CNS -- to Bangladesh by paying tribute to the bravehearts of the Bangladesh Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 Liberation War at the Shikha Anirban (eternal flame).

The CNS is also scheduled to review the Passing Out Parade at Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) in Chittagong on July 4, address participants at the National Defence College in Dhaka and visit a few key defence facilities in the country.

Besides Admiral Hassan, the Indian Navy chief would hold bilateral discussions with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Lt. General Mizanur Rahman Shameem (Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division) and senior leadership of the Bangladesh government.

"Naval cooperation between India and Bangladesh has been traditionally strong, encompassing a wide span which includes operational interactions through port calls, bilateral Naval exercises, along with capacity building, capability enhancement and training initiatives," the Indian Defence Ministry stated on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy Destroyer INS Ranvir has also arrived in Chattogram for a week-long visit that coincides with the visit of Admiral Tripathi.

The Guided Missile Destroyer forms part of the front line combatant fleet of the Indian Navy on Eastern Seaboard.

Earlier this month, India and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further consolidate cooperation between the two countries in the field of military education during the state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.

The MoU was signed between Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) Wellington and the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) located in Dhaka's Mirpur.

Both colleges impart training to officers of tri-services, preparing them for higher staff and command responsibilities.
Patna July 2 : JD(U) MLA Hari Narayan Singh was hospitalised after his health condition deteriorated during a disaster committee meeting in Bihar's Nalanda district on Monday.

Singh, who represents the Harnaut Assembly constituency, fainted as soon as he reached the Hardev Bhawan in Nalanda for the meeting. He was rushed to the Sadar Hospital for treatment, from where he was referred to the Medanta Hospital in Patna.

Many JD(U) leaders and workers, including its Legislative Councilor representative Akhlaq Ahmed, gathered at the hospital following the incident. Ahmed said Singh's health condition worsened as soon as he entered the auditorium for the meeting.

"Singh felt dizzy on his way to the meeting, leading to his hospitalisation. He was already undergoing treatment at the Medanta Hospital in Patna, which is why he was referred there for further treatment," said Nalanda DM Shashank Shubhankar.
Dusseldorf, July 2 : An unfortunate late own goal by Jan Vertonghen proved decisive as France edged past neighbours Belgium and into the quarterfinals of UEFA Euro 2024. Playing at the Dusseldorf Arena, France faced a tough fight from Belgium, but they rode their luck to seal a place in the last-eight stage.

France started the match as the favourite but the first real frisson came at the other end. Belgium had fallen into a pattern of waiting for counters, but it was from a dead ball that they nearly took the lead. Kevin De Bruyne arced a free-kick into the France box that evaded everyone and forced Mike Maignan a" seeing the ball late a" to scramble a save with his feet.

That presaged a positive spell from the Red Devils, who were nonetheless fortunate to end the first half level, Marcus Thuram heading narrowly wide from a Jules Kounde cross before AurAlien Tchouameni blazed over. Tchouameni had the first bite after the interval too, his shot from the edge of the area deflected by Wout Faes and batted away by Koen Casteels.

France were building pressure, but their attempts were mostly wayward and off-target. Thuram, Tchouameni, and Kylian Mbappe all sent efforts over and William Saliba screwed a shot wide after Romelu Lukaku had at least found the target for Belgium. The Roma forward tested Maignan with a fierce strike, and the France keeper was likewise equal to a De Bruyne drive.

The Red Devils looked like they might make France pay for their spurned chances a" until the breakthrough finally came. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani was the instigator, turning in the area and beating Casteels with a shot that took a crucial deflection off Jan Vertonghen. Tough on Belgium, perhaps, but France had long threatened to strike and they can now look forward to the quarterfinals.
United Nations, July 2 : "Serious messages" will come out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow next week and relations between the two countries will "blossom further", Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday.

United Nations, July 2 (IANS) "Serious messages" will come out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow next week and relations between the two countries will "blossom further", Russiaas Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday.

"We have relations of special privilege, strategic partnership with India, longtime friend of Russia," he said speaking to reporters after his country assumed the presidency of the Security Council for this month.

"There will be substantive conversations on the whole range of issues that our countries cooperate on" and "there will be serious messages coming out of it and I presume in the form of joint documents," he added.

"I expect Russian-Indian relations to blossom even better," he said.

The visit announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov is expected next Monday and has special significance as it will be Prime Minister Modi's first foreign trip after his election for a third term.

There have been no high-level bilateral visits between the two countries since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Prime Minister Modi last visited Russia in 2019 when he attended the fifth Eastern Economic Forum Summit in Vladivostok.

The last official visit to Moscow was in 2015.

Putin's last visit to India was in 2021, but he skipped the G20 Summit presided over by Modi last year in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, PM Modi visited the US in 2021 and in 2023, when he was received by President Joe Biden during a state visit.

India has avoided a public denunciation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but has subtly expressed its displeasure when PM Modi told Putin directly during a meeting in Uzbekistan in 2022, "I know that today's era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this."

India has continued pushing for a diplomatic solution to end the Ukraine war and PM Modi has also been in contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Defying the West, New Delhi has continued economic and defence ties with Moscow, particularly in energy.

Asked about former US President Donald Trump's claim that he would be able to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, Nebenzia said, "The Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day."

About the UN-sponsored talks with Afghanistan that began in Doha on Monday, he said it was "useful" but was sceptical of its outcome.

"Everybody wishes well to Afghanistan, but the roadmap how to do it is different from country to country and the devil is in the details," he said.

The West prioritised human rights and "genuine rights" of women and girls in dealing with the Taliban regime, he added.

"We also are saying that, of course, the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan should be observed and that the government of Afghanistan should be inclusive, inclusive, not just by nationalities but by... the political spectrum that exists to represent the country fully," he said.

But the "Taliban is de-facto authorities within Afghanistan and we've been saying consistently that you have to recognise this fact," Nebenzia added.

"Deal with them as such, because whether you like it or not, this movement is running the country now," he said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Khartoum, July 2 : At least nine children were killed and 11 others injured in an air raid by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State in western Sudan, a local resistance committee said.

"An RSF drone threw projectiles at the Al-Hijra Mosque in the Al-Tijaniya neighbourhood in El-Fasher, killing nine children and injuring 11 others," the resistance committee in El Fasher, a non-governmental group, said on Monday in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Tribune news portal reported that the targeted site contained a voluntary kitchen providing food to the displaced, Xinhua news agency reported.

The RSF has yet to respond to the report.

Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging in El Fasher, the latest escalation of the larger conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces across the country since April 15, 2023.

The deadly clashes have so far claimed 16,650 lives, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an update last month.

The UN International Organisation for Migration estimated in early June that at least 7.3 million people in Sudan are internally displaced in the current conflict.
More than 13,000 attendees gathered in the San Diego Convention Center on June 28 for the official start of the American Library Associations Annual Conference and Exhibition. After remarks from ALA leadership and an opening keynote by entertainer and author Trevor Noah, the crowd participated in a Rally for the Right to Read.

At the opening event, ALA president Emily Drabinski welcomed a cheering crowd and cut a red ribbon to inaugurate the show. Drabinski noted that this years attendees also included 340 international participants from 51 countries, as well as 42 exhibitors from 12 countries, with Korean Library Association president Seung Jin Kwak, for instance, bringing a delegation of 22 librarians to the show. In addition, more than 450 student members are in attendance at 2024s meeting, and Drabinski greeted them warmly: You are our future, and we know it.

Drabinski also reminded librarians of the value of the work we do in the face of continued adversity. In her year as president, she said, she watched librarians step up to speak at state legislatures and work to make libraries physical spaces and tools more accessible to, and safe for, all patrons. Reflecting on the increase in organized censorship on ALA members, Drabinski noted that, as an out and open and proud-to-the-bone queer leader of ALA, I have been subject to some of these attacks, as so many of you have been. But despite continuing challenges, she added, we did it, all of uswe fought for what we know is right.

ALA interim executive director Leslie Burger, whos been in the temporary role for seven months, said the association is right on track to appoint a new ED this fall. My seven months on the job have been an eye opener, Burger said. Since I took the position as interim, I knew I wanted to move quickly and nimbly to set the new executive director up for success. A strong ALA is the best way we can make libraries better, as they support democracy and the freedom to read.

Opening night also presented Californias library community with an opportunity to tout their successes to fellow librarians from across the nation. California Library Association president Sean Thrasher, whose beachy flowered shirt and board shorts were a humorous salute to the West Coast, said he was stoked to be here today, cheering the 20.7 million library cards and 74 million checkouts of physical and digital material that CLA members make possible: California libraries are golden indeed. San Diego Public Library director Misty Jones wished members a productive meeting that inspires passion and creativity.

The presenters named several initiatives that will be touted during the gathering, including I Love My Librarian awards of $5,000 each, which will go to as many as 10 nominated public, school, or academic librarians; a strategy and implementation plan for the climate-focused Sustainable Libraries Initiative; the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedoms ongoing partnership with United Against Book Bans; and the Reader. Voter. Ready. campaign, an ALA partnership with the League of Women Voters to inform visitors about voting in an intense election year.

Trevor Noah Brings Main Character Energy

Former Daily Show host and comedian Trevor Noah, who has emceed the Grammy Awards for the past four years and creates the Spotify podcast What Now? with Trevor Noah, warmed up the crowd as ALAs opening keynote speaker. ALA past president Lessa Kananiopua Pelayo-Losada, assistant director of library, arts, and culture for Glendale, Calif., introduced and led a conversation with Noah, whose picture book Into the Uncut Grass, illustrated by Sabina Hahn, is forthcoming from One World in October. Noah became a library favorite with his general audience memoir Born a Crime: Stories of a South African Childhood and an adaptation for young readers, Its Trevor Noah: Born a Crime.

The book is powerful, but the library is the energy behind that power, Noah said. He recalled his childhood library as a quiet, well-kept, organized haven within walking distance of his home, and spoke about the continuing importance of libraries to communities facing tight finances and to children seeking information on the world theyre inevitably going to come up against. An anti-censorship crusader, whose Born a Crime has faced banning efforts, Noah championed the analog book format, telling a receptive audience that theres no clickbait in a book and theres no algorithm in the library.

Noah reflected on his work as an all-ages author, joking that I borrowed heavily from me when creating the inquisitive lead character of Into the Uncut Grassa boy who asks questions and pushes back on authority. Noah said that both his memoir and picture book required trying to find the throughline between his memories and how others remembered living through the same experiences, and that it reminded him that everyone feels like a main character with their own unique perspective. I always thought my mom was the side character in my life, he joked. And then I was like, wait a minute, Im the side character.

Composing a picture book, Noah said, kindled his imaginationits like a plant that doesnt need much wateringand made him more respectful in his interactions with children. Kids have a list of to-dos that are just as important as yours, he told the crowd, and adults themselves are not that far removed from their younger selves: The tantrum you throw in the office is the same one you threw when you were five years old.

Pelayo-Losada described Noahs books as a platform for creativity and the freedom to read, and Noah agreed that his storytelling is an effort to stimulate reading comprehension and critical thinking at all ages. Im writing it for me now, remembering me then, he said of his picture book. Im trying to write a book that applies to both the acorn and the oak tree itll grow into.
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VACATION VILLAGE IN THE BERKSHIREHancock, MA There is a romantic mysticism about the Berkshires, and you can soak it all in at Vacation Village in the Berkshires. Spread out in your suite, all of which feature a living room, dining room, kitchen, and furnished patio or balcony). Biking and hiking trails, fishing and swimming are all nearby. During ski season, Jiminy Peak provides an array of slopes to entice any level of skier. The Norman Rockwell Museum as well as many other cultural and histor...

Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Missouri Property Address: 276 Brodie Mountain Rd, Hancock, MA Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 Zip/Postal Code: 01237 City: Hancock State/Province: Massachusetts Location: 658**, Springfield, Missouri

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Another Great Vacation Ownership available from Buy & Sell TimesharesName of Resort:Wilderness Presidential Resort Buyers First Year of Usage:2024Usage:Annual - Free Closing & Usage Unit Info: Annual usage is a RV site for 90 days per year. Every five years the buyer can reserve a cabin to use one year. Float Cabin Unit 2 bed 2 bath, sleeps 6, Full Kitchen Week info: Float Week#1-19 & 40-52 Friday-Sunday Check in Estimated Maintenance fees & Taxes: $680.00 - Due Yearly December 1stProperty Ta...

Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Montana Type: Attractions Property Address: 9220 Plank Rd, Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 Zip/Postal Code: 22553 City: Spotsylvania State/Province: Virginia Location: 225**, Spotsylvania, Virginia

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Caramel Frappuccinos are the downfall of modern civilization. This drink proves how far we have gone down the wrong path; is this even coffee anymore?

The addition of so many options that it takes 20 minutes just to figure out what kind of milk you want is not what coffee is supposed to be. There was a time when black and scalding hot was the only choice of brew. People received fourth degree burns from the coffee of my childhood; todays coffee wouldnt hurt a fly.

All of the extra froth on top has degraded the cup ojoe to a drink safe for all ages. This used to be strictly business, a harsh drink for harsh times. Todays coffee is more dessert than jitter juice  57 different milks and 14 kinds of sugar are no way to go through life.

Giving customers unlimited extras is great in theory but it can have adverse effects. The choices become more about fluff than necessity. This is the definition of first world problems.

This thought process has spilled over into the firearms industry.

There are so many variations, and its hard to tell them apart. There has been a push to build a better fighting rifle, but most cant beat a quality-built AR-15 or AK-47. These icons have earned their place in history by slowly evolving into the refined fighting machines of today. They do have their shortcomings but, despite them, are hard to beat.

Arguments can be made that the direct impingement system of the AR is a weakness, and the AK has been described as an unrefined peasants rifle, fit only for orcs who drink their borscht from a straw boot.

Cherry-picking features from these iconic rifles is common practice. The combination of ergonomics from the AR mixed with the beefy reliability of the AK is where many rifles try to find success, but most end up looking like an AR-15 with an extra chromosome.

Basic field stripping is dirt simple, and as this is a piston gun, theres no need to pull the carrier apart for simple cleaning. The carrier looks ACR-ish, counterwound, the nested recoil springs arent.

To fit a piston system under the hood of an AR, most opt for a short stroke system. For those unlettered in the piston system game, there is short and long stroke. The AK-47 is a long stroke system, meaning the piston is directly attached to the bolt carrier and it travels the entire length of the cycle.

Whereas a short stroke system relies on the inertia of the piston hitting the bolt carrier, in turn helping the cycle along and thereby creating a shorter stroke. The long stroke system tends to be simple and beefier, while the short stroke is more refined, with less recoil. Either way, a piston system nets a cleaner action and increased reliability.

EXPORTING THE BEANS

Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI) has thrown their hat in the ring for the title of top fighting rifle. IWI started life out as the small arms branch of the now defunct Israeli Military industries LTD. IWI has gained momentum with the Masada pistol and the Tavor rifle in addition to the classic Uzi and Galil rifle. The Carmel rifle is their latest offering.

The Carmel started life off as a short stroke, piston driven, 7.6239 military contract gun. The contract got scrapped, and the Carmel was put on a shelf. Later, the gun was resurrected but chambered in the NATO standard 5.5645, presumably to make it more appealing for export. At this point, the Carmel was still in the advanced prototype phase, as the gun was never put into production. Denied again and again. Fast-forward a few years and the Carmel caught the attention of the U.S. IWI team.

The proposition was that there might be a market for this gun in the private sector, specifically the good ole U.S. of A. More than a decade of trying to gain traction has passed, but the Carmel finally made it to the production line with the bonus of modernization and updated parts.

The fire control system is a curious hybrid of AR and AK  owners of the earliest generation of Robinson XCR might get a flashback. The lower receiver started out accepting 7.6239, so theres no reason conversion kits might be a problem.

The Carmel rifle is similar in operation and aesthetics to the CZ Bren 2, the FN Scar, and Bushmaster ACR, with the main selling point of these rifles to provide a military grade rifle in a foldable package. This is the one place in which these guns have a leg up on the AR, but it hasnt been enough to overthrow the champ. The Carmel is the latest attempt to get this recipe right, and the Israelis pride themselves on making arms to fight in the harshest of conditions. They put their guns through the grinder  we wont be so hard.

THE INGREDIENTS

The Carmel features a pencil profile 16-inch barrel with a muzzle brake (that should be ditched for a suppressor mount if you have any culture at all). The free-floating barrel is cold hammer forged and features a 1:7 twist.

The adjustable gas block offers two settings, namely regular and suppressed. The aluminum handguard features two stories of M-LOK rails and a Piccatiny rail running the length of the handguard. Theres probably enough room for an espresso machine, should you wish to bolt one up.

One of the guns more interesting features is the charging handle, being non-reciprocating and able to be moved to the opposite side without tools. Lock the bolt back, find the notch for the charging handle, and push it to the other side. Pretty simple, but most ingenious innovations usually are.

The Carmel is tall on controls. All of the switches and levers are ambidextrous. The oversized ping pong paddle bolt release and ambi magazine release are easy to find and activate as they would in the standard AR-15 positions. The ejection port is about the only feature thats not ambidextrous  ejection is right-side only. Theres no forward assist, but there is a notch cut into the carrier to push rounds into battery with your finger, should you need to close the bolt quietly.

The C&H ERD-1 is a large window 2-MOA red dot with shake-awake and a claimed 50,000-hour battery life. Well be trying to kill it in the upcoming months.

The trigger is a proprietary affair, so what you get is what you get. The two-stage trigger breaks clean at about 4 pounds and is by no means a hair trigger but, it does break nicely for a freshly engineered trigger with no aftermarket options.

The ambidextrous safeties only need 45 degrees to activate and dont interfere with the shooting hand as some designs do. The Carmel uses standard AR-15-style magazines, and its magwell is flared for those sloppy magazine changes. The B5 systems grip comes standard and is a quality piece, but you can swap it for any AR-style grip you fancy. There are a couple of QD mounts integrated toward the back of the receiver to accept the sling of your choice.

The stocks folding latch is fairly stiff, and ours had to be slammed into the locked position. The fully adjustable butt stock is a well-thought-out piece that does the task extremely well. We wouldnt mind seeing this as a stand-alone part for other platforms, and hope IWI releases it as its own SKU.

TASTING THE BREW

The first shots with the Carmel left us with a bad taste in our mouth. The rifle didnt make it past a few rounds without failures to extract (also a stuck case that had to be extracted at home). This was with steel-cased plinking ammo, and everyone knows that steel expands and contracts differently than brass. Once we filled the mags with brass-cased ammo, it ran like a champ. After sorting out the ammo, we got the ball rolling on some accuracy testing. The gun was benched, and targets placed at 100 yards.

We used 55-grain Independence, 55-grain steel-cased Wolf, 55-grain Hornady V-Max, 69-grain Federal, and 75-grain Hornady ammo as our test media. Accuracy was perfectly adequate for a fighting rifle.

In its folded position, the stock prevents the dust cover from opening fully.

The tightest group was made by the 69-grain Federal ammo, right at an inch. The 75 grainers came in at 1.2 inches and 1.4 inches with the Independence. It didnt like the Wolf ammo at all (about 3 inches). Its not uncommon for a gun not to like a particular ammo, so we just racked it up to a bad combination. In the grand scheme of things, 3 MOA at 100 yards will still do the job. Just make sure you check your ammo and gun combo before you bet your life on it.

As far as recoil impulse goes, the Carmel is on the softer side of piston guns. Running the gun and all-around manipulation is a bit of an acquired taste, as this gun is a chunky boy. Oddly, the gun doesnt feel as big as it looks, and its ergonomics are close enough to an AR that it isnt completely foreign.

If youre already wedded to one system, it should only take a little adjusting to get squared away on the platform. Adding a vertical grip or any kind of handstop to the double decker handguard might be a bit much.

Possibly a character flaw or at least a place for attention, firing the Carmel with a folded stock and a closed dust cover can cause malfunctions. The cheek riser doesnt allow the dust cover to open completely, and depending on the height you set the cheek riser this could cause a failure to eject. Its not likely that you will do much shooting with the stock folded, but its something to be aware of and make adjustments in your training.

AFTERTASTE

The short stroke piston system has its merits. They are very clean running, reliable when you find the right recipe, and make for great suppressor hosts. Bringing a new platform to market is difficult. Everyone wants to see what the new kid on the block is like. Every angle is under the microscope, and any shortcomings are shown no mercy. You have to be head and shoulders above the rest if you want to make a splash.

Low reciprocating mass means less sight disturbance and faster follow-up shots. The aluminum handguard needs M-LOK covers, as it heats up quickly during mag dumps.

Obviously, innovations are a good thing, but if the coffee isnt worth the squeeze why change? This is definitely not an AR or AK, but its not trying to be. The Carmel is its own man. We admit it would be a more refreshing drink without the hiccups and character flaw. These are small details, but our job is to point them out, and as such we cant see this taking over as our go-to rifle.

The Carmel makes a strong case but just doesnt have the oomph to get it over the top. It does some things well and others well enough, but it doesnt seem to cross into the great category. But in a gun store full of the usual, a fresh take on the fighting rifle might be a welcome choice, and if youre just looking for something different, this might be your cup of tea.

IWI Carmel

Caliber: 5.56 NATO

Barrel Length: 16 inches

Overall Length: 26.75 inches collapsed | 37.25 inches extended

Weight: 8 pounds, 2 ounces

MSRP: $1,799
In March 2021, Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal was seen surveying an empty 500-acre land surrounded by shoe factories, temples, bakery shops, coconut trees and dusty roads in Pochampalli town of Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.

Photograph: Courtesy, Olaelectric/future-factory

Many excavators and workers were busy at the construction site to build the Ola Futurefactory for electric vehicles.

Among them was Aggarwal, who like other workers was wearing safety boots, a hard hat, a reflective vest and sunglasses.

Playing the Punjabi hip-hop song Satisfya, Aggarwal was testing a black prototype of Olas electric scooter. A lot has changed since then.

The Ola Futurefactory has become the largest integrated and automated electric two-wheeler manufacturing plant in India.

The facility, built in eight months, achieved an installed capacity of one million units per year by October last year.

Theres a lot of opportunity to build the future of energy here in India.

"There are companies like Tesla which are doing a lot in the Western world.

"But the world can't achieve its sustainable aspiration without India building a sustainable future as the country is about 20 per cent of the world population, said Aggarwal.

He added, Our vision at Ola Electric is to make India a core part of the global energy revolution.

"There is an opportunity for the whole industry. The solutions that need to be built for India are relevant for the Global South.

"Very few people buy luxury cars in this region.

"The opportunity is to accelerate the electric transition in India and become global leaders in this space.

At a time when global players, including American electric vehicle giant Tesla, are potentially seeking local partners to establish operations in India, Aggarwal welcomed them and said this is going to help the Indian EV ecosystem.

He said, The more global companies come and make in India, it is better for them and the country, said Aggarwal.

He said, At an industry level, India should attract investments, cutting-edge technology and talent.

"Leading global products should be made in the country, for India and the world.

It takes over three hours of driving and more than 130 km from tech hub Bengaluru to reach the women-only Futurefactory in Krishnagiri.

Ola Electric Mobility manufactures EVs and core EV components such as battery packs, motors, and vehicle frames at the Futurefactory.

It is being expanded to become the largest two-wheeler factory in the world with an annual production capacity of 10 million units.

Inside, senior executive Jose Pinheiro, a former General Motors veteran, gave a tour of the hangar-like building, which reverberates with grinding metallic sounds as robots work alongside humans.

The Futurefactory is a fully automated plant.

The facility is built on Industry 4.0 principles. SoftBank-backed Ola said it uses proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) for optimal performance.

One can see many robots moving autonomously, carrying loads from one location to another on the factory floor.

There are also robots working on key manufacturing process lines like painting and welding, as well as battery and motor assembly.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven quality management systems ensure dimensional accuracy and detect visual defects, used in battery manufacturing and weld lines.

Scaling up Gigafactory

A few kilometres away from the Futurefactory is Olas newly-set up Gigafactory.

It is the first of its kind for Li-ion cell manufacturing in India, with an initial capacity of 5 gigawatt hours (GWh).

It will be further scaled up in phases to 100 GWh at full capacity, according to the sources.

The facility is operational and is being expanded.

The firm plans to power its EVs with its lithium-ion battery cells by early next year.

This would help reduce reliance on imports and lower electric vehicle production costs, according to industry experts.

Indias EV makers currently depend on lithium-ion battery cells from countries such as South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan.

We have begun trial production. Globally, only a few countries have gigafactories, and within them, only a few companies have this level of advanced cell technology.

"Our focus is on doing all the steps required to build a good-quality cell.

"We have been able to set up a world-class laboratory and develop our intellectual property, said Aggarwal.

He added, In terms of timeline, early next year is when you can expect to see our cells in our products.

"We are well on our way and are in the final stages of the process.

Aggarwal said the firm has already invested about $100 million for phase-1 of the gigafactory expansion.

Last year in February, Ola signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government committing investments of Rs 7,614 crore for manufacturing EVs and lithium cells gigafactory in the state.

Battery innovation centre

About 115 km away from the Futurefactory is Olas battery innovation centre (BIC) in Electronic City, Bengaluru. It is equipped with unique and cutting-edge laboratory equipment to cover all aspects of cell-related research and development (R&D).

The BIC focuses on developing cell and battery technology and manufacturing processes for the forthcoming cell manufacturing at the Ola Gigafactory.
Three years after India declared its goal to become a net-zero economy by 2070, the policy design for achieving the target has begun, with the NITI Aayog forming dedicated multi-sectoral committees to prepare a transition plan.

In 2021, India joined a select group of nations that set a target year for becoming net-zero carbon economy.

At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a five-pronged Panchamitra climate action target for India and committed to a net-zero target by 2070, joining nations like the US, the UK, and China.

A memorandum by the NITI Aayog in April noted: Keeping in view Indias commitments on climate change at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, its development needs, and the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the following working groups have been created to identify issues, develop pathways, and suggest policy action on various aspects of climate change.

The memo, titled Formulation of interministerial working groups to develop pathways for meeting national commitments on net zero and to propose strategies and interventions for achieving the same, includes representation from current and former government officials, sector regulators, financiers, sector experts, academicians, and industry representatives.

India's five targets included 500 gigawatt of non-fossil capacity and 50 per cent of energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2030, a projected carbon emission reduction of 1 billion tonnes, and an overall carbon inventory reduction of 45 per cent.

While significant progress has been made on the other four targets of the Panchamitra, this is the first time a policy-level intervention has been initiated towards the net-zero goal.

The NITI Aayog has formed six working groups to devise policy formats, working models, and transition pathways for core sectors.

The six sectoral working groups are focused on macroeconomic implications of transition, climate finance, critical minerals  research & development, domestic manufacturing, supply chains, social aspects of energy transition, policy synthesis, and sectoral committees on transport, industry, buildings, power, and agriculture.

The reports by these groups will be collated by the NITI Aayog, which will prepare a consolidated report.

The deadline for all groups to submit their action plans is October 2024.

The NITI Aayog report is expected to become a policy handbook for all central ministries for drafting climate-resilient and adaptive policies, said official sources.

The macroeconomic working group will examine the implications of net-zero pathways on macroeconomic indicators like gross domestic product, current account deficit, fiscal deficit, employment, and tax revenues, and suggest monetary and fiscal policies that align with sustainable development goals.

This group is chaired by Arvind Virmani, member of the NITI Aayog, and includes participants from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as representatives from Icrier, McKinsey, Teri, IIM-Ahmedabad, IRADe, and CEEW.

The climate finance group will estimate Indias climate-finance needs in both mitigation and adaptation to enable transition across various sectors.

The group will estimate the likely sources of finance, both domestic and international, and the role of innovative finance instruments, said the notice.

This is chaired by Suman Bery, vice-chair of the NITI Aayog, and includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance and leading multilateral financing agencies like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and rating agencies like Moodys.

The sectoral working group is further divided into five sub-groups focusing on power, industry, buildings, agriculture, and transport.

The line ministries of these sectors, their sector regulators, and independent experts form part of this group.

Their scope of work will range from green fuels, green energy, sustainable infrastructure, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and the green transition of fossil fuel-dependent industries.

According to sources, the first meetings of the power, transport, and industry working groups have already happened, with the groups discussing scopes and further action materials.

The power group is looking to balance the energy demand of the country with the need to induce more green energy every passing year.

"We aim to prepare sustainable models which can be replicated across the power supply chain.

"There is also an idea to have some pilot projects.

"The deliberations going forward will shape our task further, said a member of the power group.

The transport and industry working groups have had similar meetings and finalised their scope of action and research.

The transport group, led by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board chairman A K Jain, has divided the task between stakeholder consultation, government policy, and modelling agencies.

According to the Net Zero Tracker web portal, 148 countries have declared a net-zero target year. However, only 27 of them have given it a legal status, and 15 have a policy document.

India currently does not have any legislation on net zero or an energy transition strategy for the country.
The government is expediting visa-related issues to bring technicians to India from any country, not just China, as and when required, to ensure the smooth implementation of the flagship production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing.

If those under the PLI scheme need to get their equipment installed, we try to expedite the ability to get technicians into India from any country, whichever it may be, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told Business Standard in an interview.

Goyals response comes against the backdrop of the industry seeking government intervention in resolving visa-processing delays related to Chinese vendors involved in manufacturing projects.

Companies have been facing productivity issues due to visa hurdles in areas ranging from component manufacturing to installation or repair of machinery, especially under the PLI scheme.

Several ministries and government departments have been addressing the outstanding visa-related issues pertaining to experts and technicians from China with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has also been coordinating matters with the external affairs ministry.

Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been working towards finalising a standard operating procedure to streamline the process to apply for Indian business visas under PLI schemes.

The scheme covers 14 sectors, including mobile phones, drones, white goods, telecommunications, textiles, automotive, pharmaceutical drugs, among others.

Delays in visa-related issues have affected the PLI scheme in sectors such as solar PV modules, speciality steel, and white goods.

With the Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme, the Centre aims to make India a manufacturing powerhouse, improve the cost competitiveness of locally produced goods, create employment opportunities, and curb cheap imports.

Other issues

As far as the 100-day agenda of the National Democratic Alliance-led governments third term is concerned, Goyal said the commerce department and DPIIT were still working on it and it was a work in progress.

As it gets finalised, we will be sharing it with you, he said, adding that the signing of free trade agreements (FTAs) was not a part of any agenda since it was an ongoing process.

"India is currently negotiating an FTA with a bunch of nations, including Oman, Peru, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

As I said earlier, we never put in those bracketed timelines.

"They allow it to be discussed, negotiated properly at length, and we never input any timeline to negotiations, Goyal said.

Regarding the long-pending e-commerce policy, the minister said the government had not yet got down to looking at this issue specifically.

As far as quick commerce is concerned, unless theyre breaking or flouting any FDI laws, I dont think the government has any reason to look at that.

"It is only when somebody is not adhering to the letter and spirit of the law that we take a look at it, he added.
Passenger vehicle wholesales saw a marginal growth of 4 per cent in June on account of high base effect and muted demand due to severe heatwave conditions in several parts of the country.

Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Overall passenger vehicle dispatches last month stood at 340,784 units, a growth of 3.67 per cent compared with 328,710 units in June 2023.

Market leader Maruti Suzuki India said its total domestic passenger vehicle sales stood at 137,160 units last month compared to 133,027 units in the year-ago month, a growth of 3 per cent.

Sales of mini-segment cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, declined to 9,395 units from 14,054 units in June 2023.

Sales of compact cars, including Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis, Swift, Tour S and WagonR, stood at 64,049 units against 64,471 units in the year-ago month.

Utility vehicles, consisting Brezza, Grand Vitara, Ertiga and XL6 clocked sales of 52,373 units last month compared to 43,404 units a year earlier.

The company currently has a network stock of 37-38 days spread across the country, Maruti Suzuki India senior executive officer (marketing & sales) Partho Banerjee said.

Rival Hyundai Motor India said its domestic sales remained flat at 50,103 units last month as compared to 50,001 units in the year-ago period.

Tata Motors said sales of passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles, in the domestic market, were lower by 8 per cent at 43,624 units in June as compared with 47,359 units in the year-ago month.

"After a boost in demand in the first half of April due to festivities in some parts of the country, the passenger vehicle industry saw a decline in retails (registrations) in the months of May and June, influenced by the general elections and heat waves across the country," Tata Motors passenger vehicles managing director Shailesh Chandra said.

Going forward, the company foresees recovery of demand, as enquiries have remained strong despite low retails in the past two months, he added.

This strong enquiry pipeline, in addition to the onset of the festive season from August, augurs well for the industry, Chandra said.

Mahindra & Mahindra said its passenger vehicle sales in the domestic market rose 23 per cent to 40,022 units last month against 32,588 units in June last year.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor reported its best-ever monthly sales at 27,474 units in June.

The company's total dispatches to dealers increased by 40 per cent last month to 27,474 units, as compared to 19,608 units in June 2023.

JSW MG Motor India reported a 9 per cent year-on-year decline in retail sales at 4,644 units in June.

The automaker had retailed 5,125 units in June 2023.

In the two-wheeler space, Bajaj Auto said its total domestic sales rose 8 per cent to 216,451 units in the last month compared to 199,983 units sold in the same month last year.

TVS Motor Company said its domestic two-wheeler wholesales grew 8 per cent year on year from 235,833 units in June 2023 to 255,734 units in June 2024.

Suzuki Motorcycle India reported 13 per cent year-on-year growth in domestic sales at 71,086 units in June.
'Mayawatiji no more controls the bahujan vote in UP.'

'In this election more than 40 per cent of the BSP's core voters blessed the SP without the SP even asking for it.'

IMAGE: Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati with her nephew and political heir Akash Anand at the BSP office in Lucknow. Photograph: ANI Photo

R K Chaudhary, a four time former Bahujan Samaj Party, who switched allegiance to Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, won the Mohanlalganj Lok Sabha seat by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party candidated and former Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Kaushal Kishore by more than 70,000 votes.

"2024 elections in a way is a watershed moment given the way how the PDAs have moved towards the SP," Chaudhary tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

What's the reason behind the SP's and Congress's spectacular performance in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

Our 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh was no doubt a landslide for the SP. In Uttar Pradesh we reinvented ourselves by following in the footsteps of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Kanshi Ramji.

By forging the PDA (Peechda meaning backward; Dalit and Alpsankhyak meaning the minorities) alliance in the state, the SP has underlined that the underprivileged, the backward and the minorities, which have till now been systemically deprived of their just rights because of the opportunities enjoyed by the upper castes and upper classes, will now demand and get their just rights.

The PDA formation will ensure that the strata of Indian society that have been kept away from levers of powers and the fruits of development that such power structures get entitled to will also start participating and claiming their just and Constitutional rights on these power structures.

Now that the INDIA bloc, which fought the 2024 election on the plank of saving the Constitution, on the issue of justice for the PDA, which combined together forms the majority of India's population, and has tasted electoral success, these entrenched power structures will definitely be challenged and those who have been systemically kept away from it will start getting their dues.

When Kanshi Ramji was alive the slogan we (R K Chaudhary is one of the founding members of the Bahujan Samaj Party founded by the late Kanshi Ram) gave was 'Jo bahujan ki baat karega, woh desh pe raj karega (those who talk about the rights of the backwards and the oppressed will be the rightful choice of the people to rule India)'.

Now that Kanshi Ramji is no more, the slogan that is winning the hearts of the people is: 'Jo PDA ki baat karega, woh desh pe raj karega (those who talk about the rights of the Peechda, Dalits and Alpsankhyak, that is the PDA, will be the rightful choice of the people to rule India).'

The other slogan we gave then was 'Baba (Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar) tera mission adhura, Kanshi Ram karenge poora (Kanshi Ram, the Dalit leader who founded the BSP will complete Dr Ambedkar's incomplete mission of an India where the Dalits, minorities, the tribals and the oppressed would get their due rights). The slogan we give now, and which appealed to the PDA in this election is, 'Baba (Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar) tera mission adhura, Akhilesh karenge poora.'

This turn, this change in sentiment of the people of UP played a significant role in the SP emerging as the largest single party in the state.

The hope that the INDIA bloc and the issues it raised during the elections for the benefit of the PDA sections is totally responsible for the success of the SP and Congress in UP in 2024.

Why did BSP perform abysmally in the 2024 Lok Sabha election? From 10 MPs in 2019, why did the BSP fail to win even one seat in the state where it had been in power for four times?

After Babasaheb Ambedkar (after his death), his followers could not organise the Dalits as a singular political entity to win political mandate of the people; likewise, while Kanshi Ramji succeeded in uniting the Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, after his death, his followers (Mayawati and her Bahujan Samaj Party) too could not unite the Dalits and work for their progress and betterment.

Mayawatiji had in fact made Kanshi Ramji give it to her in writing that after him (Kanshi Ram's death) the mantle of Dalit leadership would be hers for the taking; that she would be the political and legal heir to Kanshi Ramji's legacy.

Now, the BSP is not somebody's private property (for Mayawati to get herself declared as Kanshi Ram's political heir); people's following (support of the Dalits) is a different thing but to get oneself anointed as a political heir didn't pass muster with the backward castes in the state for long.

She did get a lot of support based on which she managed to become UP's CM four times but that did not last permanently as somewhere she was seen to be diluting the interests of the bahujan samaj.

When the core voter of the BSP saw this compromise, this dilution of their rights it took its time to move away from the BSP and in this election a huge section -- I would say more than 40 per cent -- of the BSP's core voters blessed the SP without the SP even asking for it.

Mayawatiji no more controls the bahujan vote in UP. This section of the bahujans in UP has started abandoning Mayawatiji and it is only a matter of time that a huge section of the bahujans will start looking up to Akhilesh Yadav as their saviour.

2024 elections in a way is a watershed moment given the way how the PDAs have moved towards the SP.

Also, Mayawatiji's surgical strike against her nephew Akash Anand, who she gave the status of a national leader, and stripped him of his responsibilities immediately after he started speaking against the BJP was the last straw that sank the BSP's ship in UP.

The bahujans of UP are far foresighted than perhaps any other caste groupings and voted smartly to defeat the party which they were convinced was all set to finish their Constitutional powers if they were voted back to power with more than 400 seats.

People of UP understood the lip service paid (by Mayawati) by showering flowers on the statues of Dr Ambedkar. Offering flowers is the easiest thing to do but following in the footsteps of Dr Ambedkar and Kanshi Ramji requires another level of honesty and integrity.

IMAGE: Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, right, and SP candidate from the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, Awadhesh Prasad, centre, during an election campaign rally in Ayodhya, May 15, 2024.

Awadhesh Prasad defeated the BJP's Lallu Singh by a margin of 54,567 votes. Photograph: ANI Photo

What plans does the SP now have to retain the support of a large section of PDAs which have moved away from the BSP and towards your party, which till now supposedly and traditionally derived its strength from the Yadavs and Muslims?

This section of India society has suffered oppression and injustice since many centuries and today these people are not begging for their just rights; they are demanding them and rightly so.

They just don't want love and affection; today they are asking for their just share.

The SP will ensure that it supports these sections in their fight for their share so that they too can enjoy their just rights in a dignified manner.

The PDAs want their just share and the SP will be in the forefront of this fight in UP. It is our duty, our Constitutional obligation to ensure that each and every person belonging to the PDA gets their just rights not by trampling upon the rights of others but by getting what is due to them constitutionally and with dignity.

Can we see more office bearers in the SP now who belong to the PDA sections in UP? Will we see an organisational power shift among the office bearers of the SP in UP?

The SP today is dramatically and materially different from what it was 20 years ago. The SP today is marching in the state with a new leadership, a new thinking which is nothing but a combination of ideologies espoused by Dr Ambedkar, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Kanshi Ram.
A Mumbai court has granted bail to local businessman Mauris Noronha's bodyguard, whose pistol was allegedly used in the murder of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Abhishek Ghosalkar here nearly five months ago, noting his complicity in the commission of the crime was "highly doubtful".

IMAGE: Mauris Noronha and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Abhishek Ghosalkar during a 'Facebook Live'. Photograph: Courtesy FB

The bail plea of the accused bodyguard, Amarendra Singh, was allowed by additional sessions court judge V M Pathade on June 26.

The court, in the order made available on Monday, observed it didn't find any material collected by police "which would reasonably suggest" Singh's complicity in acts leading to the death of the Sena-UBT leader and Noronha, who committed suicide after allegedly killing Ghosalkar during a Facebook live in suburban Borivali (West).

Singh had sought bail for a second time after filing of a chargesheet by the Mumbai police.

In his plea, Noronha's bodyguard sought relief claiming the police document doesn't say that he hatched any conspiracy leading to the crime.

Singh, whose pistol was allegedly used in the murder of the Sena-UBT leader, was arrested and booked under IPC Section 302 (murder), relevant provisions of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

The bail order said it doesn't appear from the FIR that at the relevant time Singh was present at the crime spot.

"There is no acceptable material which would demonstrate presence of the accused at or near the place of incident so as to infer his complicity in the incident which ultimately resulted in the death of Ghosalkar and Mauris," the judge noted.

The court stressed that if Singh was a part of any criminal conspiracy to kill Ghosalkar, it would not have resulted in the death of Noronha, a Mumbai-based businessman and social worker.

The judge said he did not find any "material collected by the investigating agency which would reasonably suggest Singh's complicity "in the acts which caused the death of Ghosalkar and Mauris", except the facts that at the relevant time he was an armed bodyguard of Mauris and his firearm was used in the killing and the subsequent suicide.

The court noted Singh is under detention for more than last four-and-a-half months, and "his complicity in the commission of offence punishable under IPC Section 302 (murder) is highly doubtful".

Noronha fatally shot Ghosalkar during Facebook Live in February and then killed himself. Noronha, who faced many criminal cases, was earlier arrested in a rape case and spent nearly five months in jail.

While there was a tussle between Ghosalkar (40) and Noronha, who had political aspirations, the latter suspected the former had implicated him in the rape case, his wife had told the police after the incident
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday gave its consent for jailed Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, to take oath as MP on July 5. Additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh will pass an order on the plea on Tuesday.

Rashid, an Independent MP from Baramulla who has been arrested in a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case, had moved the court seeking interim bail, or custody parole in the alternative, to take oath and perform his parliamentary functions. On June 22, a special court in New Delhi had adjourned the matter and asked the NIA to file its response.

On Monday, the NIA's counsel said Rashid's oath taking be subject to some conditions like not speaking to the media. He also said Rashid, who is in Tihar Jail, must complete everything within a day.

Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was charged by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in a terror funding case.

The former MLA's name cropped up during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, arrested by the NIA had arrested for allegedly funding terrorist groups and separatists in the Kashmir valley.

The NIA had filed a chargesheet against several individuals, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin in the case. Malik was awarded life imprisonment by a trial court in 2022 after he pleaded guilty to the charges.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra hit out at the ruling party for expelling her in the last Lok Sabha session, saying they paid a very heavy price for throttling her voice which led to loss of 63 Bharatiya Janata Party MPs.

IMAGE: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra speaks during the ongoing Lok Sabha session, in New Delhi, July 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo/Sansad TV

Speaking during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to a joint sitting of Parliament, she said the BJP will not be able to treat the Opposition the way they treated them during the last session.

"Last time I stood, I was not allowed to speak. The ruling party paid a very heavy price for throttling the voice of one MP," she said, referring to her expulsion from 17th Lok Sabha in December 2023 over the 'cash-for-query' case.

"In their attempt to silence me, the public silenced them, causing them to lose 63 MPs... mujhko bithane ke chakkar mein janta ne aapko bitha diya, aapke 63 MPs loss kar diya," Moitra began, setting a defiant tone.

Moitra condemned the installation of the Sengol in Parliament, calling it a symbol of monarchy with no place in a democracy.

"The BJP's 'raj tantra' has been reduced by the 'lok tantra' of this country. This is not a stable government. It depends on multiple allies who have a history of U-turns. We are 234 warriors this time, having walked on fire. You will not be able to treat us like last time," she said referring to the President's speech, Moitra criticised the omission of critical issues.

"There are six themes in the President's address. The budget for the North-East has increased four times, yet the word 'Manipur' is nowhere in the speech.

"The Prime Minister mentioned 'Muslim', 'madrassa', 'mutton', 'machhli' and 'mujra' but not 'Manipur' once during the campaigning. We don't need you to look East or act East. We need you to work East and, most importantly, embrace East," she said.

Moitra challenged the government's claims of women empowerment.

"This is a complete untruth. You delayed reservation in Parliament because you fear 'naari shakti'," she said.

There are just 74 women MPs this time, with the BJP having only 30 out of 240.

In contrast, the TMC had 37 percent women MPs last time and 38 percent this time, she noted.

"While we have empowered three lakh lakhpati didis, the BJP seems focused on creating arabpati dadas," Moitra said.

On Kashmir, the TMC MP questioned the abrogation of Article 370.

"If abrogating it was such a good idea, why did the BJP not field candidates in Baramulla, Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri? You downgraded Ladakh, and five years later, they are still waiting for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. As a result, the Ladakhis relegated you to the third place" she said.

Moitra also took aim at the Election Commission, accusing it of bias.

"We won in spite of the EC, not because of it. Commissioners turned a deaf ear to the most egregious violations of the Model Code of Conduct by the ruling party and the prime minister.

"This election will be remembered for an eager and compliant EC turning a blind eye and a deaf ear towards the ruling party. Ultimately, the voters took charge and said 'bahut ho gaya'," she said.

Criticising the government's infrastructure projects, Moitra said, "You are sanctioning Rs 1.08 lakh crore for Vande Bharat Bullet Train Project. In Balasore last year, three trains collided as there was no 'kavach'; last week, in the train accident there was no 'kavach'. With the current level of funding, it will take 50 years for 'kavach' to be installed on all trains.

'Kavach' is a Train Collision Avoidance System that provides automated train protection as well as collision prevention capabilities for the trains.

"Our aviation sector has become a domestic hazard hub, with newly constructed airports having canopies falling and the Pragati Maidan tunnel flooding.

This is what happens when infrastructure is poorly planned and rushed for photo opportunities by the supreme leader," she said.

Moitra concluded with a poignant reflection on her personal sacrifices and the broader political landscape.

"People would tell me, 'Mahua, you lost so much. You lost your membership, your house.' I also lost my uterus, but you know what I gained? I gained freedom from fear," she said.

Moitra underwent a hysterectomy last year around the time she was asked to vacate her house after suspension from the Lok Sabha.
India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, the ministry of external affairs said and added that 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014 as a result of New Delhi's sustained efforts.

IMAGE: Indian fishermen, who were released by Pakistan, entering India via the Attari-Wagah border, in Punjab, November 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1, the MEA said in a statement.

"India and Pakistan today (Monday) exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody," it said.

India has shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or are believed-to-be-Pakistani.

Similarly, Pakistan has shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian, the MEA added.

The government of India has called for "early release and repatriation" of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody, the ministry said.

"Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far," the statement said.

Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India, it said.

The MEA said India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country.

"In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 75 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India's custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," the statement said.

"As a result of sustained efforts by the government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date," it added.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that the last 10 years of his rule was just a trailer and picture abhi baaki hai, saying the third term of National Democratic Alliance has seen exam paper leaks, terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, train accident, airport canopy collapse, bridges cave-ins and toll tax hike.

IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in Rajya Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. Photograph: Screen grab/Sansad TV

The Leader of Opposition also criticised the Prime Minister for his poll speeches and also levelled allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, but most of his remarks were expunged by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Rajya Sabha, he said the prime minister during the Lok Sabha election campaign stated many times that pichle 10 saal toh bas trailer tha, abhi asli picture baaki hai (last ten years was just a trailer, the real picture is yet to come).

"How the PM's picture would be, we have been able to imagine in the last one month," Kharge quipped.

Listing out many recent incidents, Kharge pointed out that there have been exam paper leaks, cancellation of many examinations, train accident, three terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, leakages in Ram temple, the collapse of canopy at three airports, an increase in toll taxes and depreciation of the rupee.

Kharge said the future of 30 lakh students has been affected due to recent paper leaks.

"If this keeps happening, students will stop their studies," he said

In the last seven years, there have been paper leaks 70 times, Kharge said, adding that this has affected the future of 2 crore students.

The Leader of Opposition in the upper house further said that the government was not doing anything on this matter and blamed opposition parties for raising the issue in Parliament.

He asked the government to improve the examination system in the country and demanded that the investigation be held under the watch of the Supreme Court.

Expressing dismay at the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament last week, he said the speech did not make any mention of the Manipur situation.

Kharge said the PM did not visit Manipur, which has been burning since the last one year.

While expunging Kharge's remarks on RSS, Dhankhar also defended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, calling it an organisation engaged in working for the nation.

During his speech, Congress chief Kharge mentioned comments made by Modi in his election rallies and presented statistics showing the number of times the prime minister referred to minorities and Pakistan.

The Rajya Sabha chairman asked him to authenticate his assertions and refused to accept newspaper clippings that the Congress leader showed to buttress his points.

Kharge was backed by his party colleague and former finance minister P Chidambaram, who asked how an opposition MP could authenticate what the prime minister has said other than by citing news reports.

The Chair, however, did not accept the arguments and expunged the remarks made by Kharge from the records.

Kharge insisted that he was only seeking to highlight the divisive nature of the speeches delivered by the prime minister. He also said no other prime minister before Modi had ever made such comments.

In his nearly 90-minute speech, which also saw several disruptions by the treasury benches and intervention by the Chair, Kharge repeatedly referred to the RSS and personalities associated with it.

Talking about the education system in the country, Kharge made certain allegations regarding the RSS.

Dhankhar said the comments stood expunged as it was not fair to level allegations against the RSS, an organisation engaged in nationalistic activities.

"Is it a crime to be a member of an organisation? You are saying a particular person is a member of the RSS, is that in itself a crime? The RSS is an organisation working for the nation. They have a lot of intelligent people," Dhankhar added.

Kharge cited a remark by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Manipur but that too was expunged, with Dhankar saying the Congress leader was contradicting himself.

Leader of the House and BJP president JP Nadda too objected to the remarks made by Kharge. He said the Congress leader had no knowledge about the RSS and whatever Kharge was saying about the organisation was regrettable.

"You are bashing an organisation, which is working tirelessly for the nation," Dhankhar said.

Later, Dhankhar emphasised that when the Chairman during the course of a debate deletes a portion, the reporting of that part becomes contempt of the House.

"It is a breach of privilege of the House. While the Leader of the Opposition was making his address to the house, I had from this chair deleted certain portions. It is unfortunate that from the official handle of his party, there is the propagation of the deleted portion," he said and asked the Leader of the Opposition and his party to take note of it.

Congress leader Kharge also raised the issue of relocation of statutes of prominent personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji from the Parliament premises.

In his speech, Kharge also demanded the scrapping of the Agniveer scheme and criticised the government for improper implementation of the 'one rank one pension' scheme for retired defence personnel.

Further, he attacked the government for atrocities against Dalits and women.

Dhankhar also informed the House that Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan was administered oath of office in the Chairman's chamber.
Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was sentenced to five months simple imprisonment on Monday by a Delhi court in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena 23 years ago when he headed an NGO in Gujarat.

IMAGE: Social Activist Medha Patkar along with others stage a protest over various issues, in Thane, Maharashtra, October 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Observing that false allegations made by a person of Patkar's stature aggravated the offence, metropolitan magistrate Raghav Sharma also imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on her and asked her to pay the amount to Saxena.

The court, however, suspended the sentence for a period of one month to enable Patkar, 70, to move an appellate court against the judgment.

The court also said that Patkar's age and ailments do not absolve her of the "serious" offence as Saxena experienced "profound damage to his reputation, trustworthiness, and social standing".

Reacting to the court's verdict, the septuagenarian activist said that her lawyers will challenge the order.

"Truth cannot be defeated. Whatever work we are doing is for the poor, tribals and Dalits... We do not want destruction and displacement in the name of development.

"We do not have any desire to defame anyone. My lawyers will take further legal recourse... We will challenge it (court order)," she said outside the courtroom.

In its eight-page order, the magisterial court said, "While the convict is a distinguished social activist with numerous awards, this status makes her actions even more reprehensible and her respected position in society brings with it a responsibility to uphold the truth and act with integrity."

"The fact that someone of her stature made such false and damaging allegations aggravates her liability, as it undermines public trust and sets a negative example," the court added.

It said while Patkar's age and medical condition were factors that necessitated a balanced approach, these did not "absolve her of the serious nature of her offence".

"The aim is to impose a punishment that is both just and humane. A longer term of imprisonment of one or two years could be disproportionately harsh considering her age and health, and too short a term of one or two months would leave the complainant without justice," the court said.

"Therefore, a sentence of five months simple imprisonment is appropriate, ensuring that the punishment is significant yet not excessively severe given her circumstances," it added.

The judge orally observed that the sentence be suspended for one month to enable Patkar to file an appeal against the order.

The court said that the imposition of a Rs 10 lakh fine would be a "compensatory measure" for Saxena, besides being a "tangible acknowledgement of his pain and distress".

It said that the fine also acknowledged "the extensive harm and prolonged suffering" that Saxena endured over the 23-24 years of legal battle.

Underlining that sentencing must reflect the seriousness of the offence, the need for deterrence, and the protection of societal values, the judge quoted

Lord Denning who had said that "punishment is the way in which society expresses its denunciation of wrongdoing; and in order to maintain respect for the law, it is essential that punishment should be adequate and effective".

The court said that the unfounded accusations, such as Saxena's "involvement in hawala transactions and compromising the interests of Gujarat's people for foreign entities were designed to ruin the complainant's public image and credibility".

The court rejected Patkar's plea for a grant of the benefit of probation, saying the relief was generally considered for first-time offenders or for offences where the impact on the victim was minimal, and in cases where the offender showed genuine remorse and potential for rehabilitation.

In the present case, however, Patkar's actions exhibited a high degree of severity and intentionality, clearly aimed at inflicting significant reputational harm on the complainant and there was no indication of remorse or acceptance of responsibility for the damage inflicted on the complainant, the court said.

It said that granting probation would undermine the gravity of the offence and the suffering endured by the complainant and a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offence was necessary to deter similar malicious actions in the future.

Also, allowing probation in this case would be contrary to the principles of justice, the court added.

Advocates Gajinder Kumar and Kiran Jai, appearing for Saxena, requested the court that the fine amount be given to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority to which the court said that upon receiving the compensation, they could dispense the amount as per their volition.

The offence entailed a maximum punishment of simple imprisonment of up to two years or fine or both.

Saxena had filed the case as president of the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council of Civil Liberties against Patkar for her defamatory press release against him, issued on November 24, 2000.

On May 24 this year, the court had observed that Patkar's statements calling Saxena a "coward" and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions were not only defamatory per se but also crafted to incite negative perceptions about him.

Also, the accusation that the complainant was "mortgaging" the people of Gujarat and their resources to foreign interests was a direct attack on his integrity and public service, it had said.

The arguments on sentencing were completed on May 30, following which the judgment on the quantum of sentence was reserved on June 7.

Patkar and Saxena have been locked in a legal tussle since 2000 after she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Saxena had also filed two cases against Patkar in 2001 for making derogatory remarks against him on a TV channel and issuing a defamatory press statement.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Monday approved a bill providing for seizing vehicles involved in the transportation of cows for slaughter and also gave its nod to another proposed legislation under which state ministers will henceforth have to pay their income tax.

IMAGE: Madhya Pradesh assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar (right) being greeted by state CM Mohan Yadav on the first day of the monsoon session of the state assembly, in Bhopal, July 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The cabinet approved another bill that seeks to impose penalty on owners for not filling or plugging open borewells, a move that comes in the backdrop of several incidents of children falling in open borewells and dying in the state.

A cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, was held in the assembly campus in Bhopal where several important decisions were taken.

It approved a bill for amending the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, and giving right to district collectors to confiscate vehicles involved in transporting cows for slaughter, an official said.

Under the Act, illegal transportation of beef and cows is banned in Madhya Pradesh.

Chief Minister Yadav, in a statement, said on several occasions vehicles caught while illegally transporting cows get released on court orders.

"We have decided that vehicles involved in cow slaughter will be confiscated and will not get released," the CM said.

According to the official, the cabinet also a nod to a bill to prevent incidents of children felling in open borewells.

Under the proposed law, if an open borewell is found not plugged, penalty will be levied on its owner, the official said, adding the public health engineering department is authorised to take action in this regard.

Yadav cited several incidents of children falling into open borewells and loss of lives in such tragedies.

The law has been proposed to take action in cases related to open borewells. Carelessness and negligence will not be allowed in this regard, the CM warned and appealed to owners to plug open borewells.

The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to amend the Madhya Pradesh Minister (Salary and Allowance) Amendment Bill, 2024, and make a provision for state ministers to deposit their income tax instead of the government bearing such burden.

A decision in this regard, which ended a 52-year-old rule, was taken in the previous cabinet meeting and the bill was approved on Monday, the official said.

The state government had been depositing income tax of ministers on their salaries and allowances since 1972.

If the bill is approved by the assembly and becomes a law, ministers themselves will have to pay their income tax.

The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal for modernisation and renovation of Vallabh Bhawan, one of the state secretariat buildings, at a cost of Rs 107.27 crore.
The first case under the new criminal justice laws that came into effect on Monday was registered for a motorcycle theft in Gwalior, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, as he asserted that the new laws will give primacy to justice over punishment.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, July 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

As he appealed to opposition parties not to do politics over the new code that replaces the British-era penal statutes, Shah said India would now have the most modern criminal justice system in the world. Justice would be delivered up to the level of the Supreme Court in all cases within three years of registering the First Information Report, he added.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam that replaced the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act respectively brought far-reaching changes in the criminal justice system taking into account some of the current social realities and modern-day crimes.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party dubbed the new criminal laws as a symbol of India's progress and resilience, positioning the country for a more just and secure future, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said it was another case of "bulldozing" existing laws and replacing them with three new bills without adequate discussion and debate.

"Justice can be received up to the level of the Supreme Court within three years of the registration of the FIR," Shah told a news conference, as he expressed hope of a reduction of crime in future as 90 percent conviction was expected under the new laws.

Shah said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action, and made reporting of crimes even easier by recognising e-FIR, Zero FIR and electronic or digital evidence.

He said the first case registered under the new laws related to a motorcycle theft in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh at 10 minutes past midnight.

Earlier, it was believed that the first FIR was filed under the provisions of the criminal code BNS against a street vendor selling water and tobacco products from a cart under a foot overbridge near the New Delhi railway station for alleged obstruction to a public way.

Several states also reported registering the first case under BNS provisions. The cases related to theft, cheating, assault, wrongful restraint, rash and negligent driving among other offences, according to reports from state capitals.

In his media interaction, Shah said the Delhi case was not the first FIR registered in the country under the new laws.

He also said the Delhi Police "dismissed" the case filed against the street vendor after an investigation. "By using the provisions of review, police have dismissed this case."

Delhi police sources said they will have to inform a court for formally cancelling the FIR.

The police said 23-year-old Pankaj Kumar, a native of Patna, was found selling water, bidi and cigarettes from a cart around 12:15 am.

Shah rejected opposition criticism that the new laws were draconian and repressive. He said they were modern, protects the rights of the victims, and fixes accountability on police forces. "One word sums up the new criminal laws: DRACONIAN!," the All India Trinamool Congress posted on X.

These are parochial and jaded arguments, aimed at misleading the people. These laws were passed after debates in both the Houses and scrutinised by a parliamentary committee, Shah said, adding that most of the suggestions given by the opposition members in the panel were accepted except those with political colour.

"I am ready to meet anyone who wants. We will meet and also review. But please do not do politics," he said replying to questions about protests from Opposition leaders.

In a post in Hindi on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "After the political and moral shock in the elections, Modi ji and the BJP are pretending to respect the Constitution, but the truth is that the three laws of the criminal justice system which are being implemented from today, were passed forcibly after suspension of 146 MPs."

"INDIA will no longer allow this 'bulldozer justice' to prevail in the parliamentary system."

A section of lawyers at the Calcutta High Court and district courts in West Bengal abstained from judicial work on a protest call by the state's Bar Council against the new criminal laws.

Elaborating on the roll out of the new laws, Shah said the judicial process would now be time bound and the new laws set time limits for the judicial system, ending long delays.

"The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes.

Shah said the new statutes were made more sensitive by adding a chapter on crimes against children and women and the inquiry report in such cases were to be filed within seven days.

He said according to the new laws, judgment in criminal cases had to come within 45 days of completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of first hearing.

The home minister said organised crime, acts of terrorism and mob lynching had been defined, sedition was replaced with treason and video recording of all search and seizures made mandatory.

He said a new chapter on crimes against women and children was added, buying and selling of any child made a heinous crime and a provision for death sentence or life imprisonment for gang rape of a minor included.

Officials said under the new laws, overlapping sections were merged and simplified, with only 358 sections against 511 in the IPC.

For example, definitions scattered from sections 6 to 52 have been brought under one section.

Instances of false promise of marriage, gang rape of minors, mob lynching and chain snatching, among others, are reported but the IPC did not have specific provisions for dealing with such incidents.

These have been addressed in the BNS, the officials said.

A new provision has been made for cases such as abandonment of women after making sexual relations on the false promise of marriage.

The three laws were based on justice, transparency and fairness, the officials said.

Under the new laws, a person can now report incidents by electronic communication, without the need to physically visit a police station.

This allows for easier and quicker reporting, facilitating prompt action by the police.

With the introduction of Zero FIR, a person can file an FIR at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction.

The new laws also evoked mixed reactions from legal luminaries with some hailing them as "significant step" towards modernising the criminal justice system and others terming them as "draconian" and "cosmetic".
A family outing turned tragic when a woman and two girls drowned at a waterfall close to Bhushi Dam in Pune's Lonavala area on Sunday. Two children in the 4-9 age group remain missing.

A heart-wrenching video of the incident shows a group of people, including those who lost their lives, being swept away by gushing water caused by intense rainfall in the region.

According to the police, 16-17 members of a family from Sayyad Nagar in Pune's Hadapsar area had hired a private bus to visit the scenic spot near Lonavala for a picnic on the rain-soaked day.

Inspector Suhas Jagtap of Lonavala police station said about 10 people were swept away around 12.30 pm due to sudden flooding. While some of them managed to escape, one girl was rescued by other revellers.

Police identified the deceased as Shahista Liaqat Ansari (36), Amima Adil Ansari (13), and Umera Adil Ansari (8). A search team recovered their bodies from the reservoir downstream. Adnan Sabhahat Ansari (4) and Mariya Aqil Ansari (9) are still missing, the official said.

Volunteers from Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval, the Shivdurg rescue team, and divers from the Navy conducted search operations to locate the missing children.

Members of the Ansari family went to see the waterfall close to the Bhushi dam but were taken unawares when the water flow rose due to intense rain in the area and were swept away, he said.

A relative said some of their relatives had travelled from Mumbai for a wedding a couple of days ago. On Sunday, more than 15 members hired a bus to go to Lonavala for a picnic, he said.

As the monsoon season begins, thousands of visitors are flocking to the Bhushi and Pavana dam regions, often disregarding warnings from the police and local authorities to avoid unknown areas.

A police officer estimated that over 50,000 people visited Lonavala on Sunday.

It's a tragic incident. Despite numerous warnings, people continue to venture into hazardous areas in the hilly terrain upstream of Bhushi Dam. Today, many revellers were under the waterfalls in the Bhushi Dam region, ignoring the warnings," he said.

He added that as the monsoon season progresses, the number of visitors is expected to swell.

Pune Rural Police Superintendent Pankaj Deshmukh urged the public not to risk their lives by exploring unfamiliar areas in Lonavala, Khandala, and the Pavana Dam region.

"The area where the incident occurred, as well as the surroundings of Bhushi Dam, fall under the jurisdiction of the Indian Railways and the Forest Department. We will convene a meeting with all stakeholders to develop measures to prevent such incidents," Deshmukh said.

Meanwhile, the serene surroundings of the Pavana Dam in Lonavala have also been marred by a series of tragic drownings, prompting urgent calls for enhanced safety measures in the region

Local authorities, including the police and the irrigation department, have expressed concerns over tourists ignoring warning signs and venturing into dangerous waters.

According to the Lonavala Rural Police, four persons have drowned in the Pavana Dam since January 2024.

The rescue organisation Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval reported recovering 27 bodies from various water bodies in Maval tehsil between March and May this year.
Lawyers have pointed out that the new laws increase police powers by extending the maximum limit of police custody from 15 days to 60 days or 90 days.

Kindly note the photograph has been posted only for representational reasons. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Three new criminal laws will be implemented nationwide from Monday, July 1, 2024, amid the Centre's reassurances that the criminal justice system is prepared to deal with the changes.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively.

Some of the highlights of the new laws include allowing people to report incidents by electronic communication without the need to physically visit a police station, 'zero' FIR at any police station regardless of jurisdiction, and a free copy of the FIR to the victim (all under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) and an individual has the right to inform a person of his choice if he or she is arrested (Section 36 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).

Some stakeholders have expressed reservations about the 'hurried' rollout of the laws. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra D Modi suggesting a parliamentary review of the laws, which parties in the Opposition INDIA bloc, including the Congress, have echoed.

In a resolution passed on June 26, the Bar Council of India acknowledged the representations it has received from Bar Associations and state Bar Councils from across the country, where they protested the rollout of the new laws and demanded thorough discussions before their rollout.

The Bar Council of India requested them to refrain from any form of agitation or protest at this juncture.

However, the Centre has maintained that the implementation of the new laws is a move for the better.

In her address to the joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu said that during the British regime, 'there was the mindset to punish the subjects' and 'unfortunately' the same penal system of the colonial era continued after Independence.

Murmu said the idea that this should be changed had been discussed for several decades, but the current National Democratic Alliance showed the 'courage to do it'. 'Now, justice will get priority over punishment, which also conforms to the spirit of our Constitution,' Murmu said.

In the run-up to the rollout of the new laws, the Centre has held meetings with Union ministries, chief secretaries in states and Union Territories, and police chiefs.

The National Crime Records Bureau, Bureau of Police Research & Development and the National Informatics Centre have conducted training programmes and launched applications, such as eSakshya, NyayShruti, and eSummon to facilitate videography, photography of crime scenes and to facilitate delivery of court summons electronically.

Official sources said 4 million grassroots-level functionaries have been trained, as well as half a million police, prison, forensics, judicial, and prosecution officials.

NCRB's 36 teams, one for each state and UT, are providing technical assistance to help with the transition to the new system. The new laws make it compulsory for forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offences and collect evidence, which will be mandatorily videographed to prevent tampering with evidence (Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).

The new laws prioritise the investigations of crimes against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information (Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).

Summons can now be served electronically (Sections 64, 70, 71 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).

Courts grant a maximum of two adjournments to avoid unnecessary delays in case hearings (Section 346 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).

The new laws mandate all state governments to implement the Witness Protection Scheme (Section 398 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).

A new chapter has been added in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita specifically to address offences against women and children (Chapter V of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and the introduction of community service for minor offences (Sections 4, 202, 209, 226, 303, 355, 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

However, in their dissent notes to the parliamentary committee on home, Opposition members, such as the Congress' P Chidambaram, the Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien, and others, had pointed out some of the problems with the new laws, including the fact that 75 per cent of existing provisions have been retained verbatim.

Lawyers and Opposition parties have pointed out that the new laws increase police powers by extending the maximum limit of police custody from 15 days to 60 days or 90 days (Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).
Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal leaders on Monday appeared before the jathedar of the Akal Takht and apologised for the "mistakes" committed when their party was in power in the state.

IMAGE: Shiromani Akali Dal supporters celebrate after holding a press conference in support of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, in Patiala, Punjab, June 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

They handed the apology letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh at the Akal Takht Secretariat at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Akal Takht is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs.

In the letter, the leaders sought forgiveness for the "four mistakes" during the former SAD regime between 2007 and 2017, including the failure to punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents, and pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2007 blasphemy case.

They also held SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was the deputy chief minister at that time, responsible for the "mistakes".

The rebel leaders said the Sikh panth and the people of Punjab drifted away from the Akali Dal over these "mistakes" while asserting that they were ready to face any punishment in accordance with the Sikh tenets.

Because of this, the SAD faced "failures" not only on the religious front but also suffered people's apathy in the political field, the rebel leaders said while acknowledging that they also remained part of the party leadership as these events unfolded.

Reacting to Badal's 2023 apology for not being able to catch the culprits involved in the sacrilege incidents, the rebel leaders had recently said the forgiveness sought by the SAD chief was neither from the Akal Takht nor followed the rites and rituals of the Sikh tenets.

A section of senior party leaders have revolted against Badal, demanding that he step down as the party chief following its debacle in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.

Recently, the rebel leaders had decided to launch the 'Akali Dal Bachao Lehar' and sought Sukhbir Badal's ouster as SAD president.

Among the prominent leaders who have raised a banner of revolt are former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, former Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and party leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur, all of whom presented themselves before the Akal Takht jathedar.

The letter also referred to the 2015 sacrilege incidents, saying the then Akali government could not ensure punishment to the guilty in these cases. The sacrilege incidents caused outrage in the Sikh panth, said the letter.

But the (then) Shiromani Akali Dal government and the then Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and president Shiromani Akali Dal, neither got this matter probed in a timely manner nor succeeded in getting the culprits punished, it said.

As a result, the situation worsened in Punjab and tragic incidents took place at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan, it said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal government could not hold any official accountable for these incidents, it said.

The incidents related to the theft of a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, putting up handwritten sacrilegious posters, and torn pages of the holy book being found scattered at Bargari, had taken place in Faridkot in 2015.

These incidents had led to protests in Faridkot. In the police firing at the protesters in October 2015, two persons were killed in Behbal Kalan while some persons were injured at Kotkapura in Faridkot.

The letter also mentioned the 2007 blasphemy case which was registered against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly imitating the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh at Salabatpura in 2007.

"Instead of taking further action to punish the person, the SAD government withdrew this case," stated the letter.

In 2021, Badal claimed that the SAD government had never withdrawn the blasphemy case against the Dera chief, who is at present lodged in a jail in Haryana. Ram Rahim has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for raping two disciples.

The letter also claimed that Badal allegedly used his influence to ensure that the Dera chief was pardoned in the blasphemy case.

"But the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Committee had to withdraw from this decision keeping in mind the anger and resentment of the Sikh Panth," it said.

In 2015, the Akal Takht pardoned the Dera chief in the blasphemy case based on a written apology. However, bowing to pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners, it annulled its decision.

The rebel leaders also slammed the then Akali government for appointing Sumedh Singh Saini as the director general of police and accused it of failing to keep its promise of forming a commission to probe "fake police encounters".

"Because of this and many other similar developments, the Sikh panth got angry and became disappointed with the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

As a result of which, its position in the political and religious fields got weakened," said the letter.

"We also acknowledge that we failed to stop the wrong approach of the leadership of Akali Dal and the SGPC, even though we repeatedly raised these painful issues within the party," it added.

The leaders claimed they had urged the senior leadership of the party to appear before the Akal Takht, repent for their "mistakes" and express remorse as per the 'Gurmat maryada' (religious code of ethics). But their appeal was rejected.

"Being a part of the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal at that time, we have a burden on our minds. That is why we have come to you to apologise for the mistakes through this letter," the leaders said.

"We are ready to accept any punishment given by the Akal Takht according to the 'Gurmat' tradition for these mistakes so that we can be relieved from this burden," it added.

After the meeting with the jathedar, the leaders offered prayers by standing in front of the Akal Takht and sought forgiveness.

Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, the rebel leaders expressed their commitment to revive the SAD and serve the panth.

On Monday morning, some rebel leaders went to the Amritsar home of Khadoor Sahib MP-elect Amritpal Singh and met his parents.

The radical preacher Amritpal is yet to take the oath as he is lodged in jail in Assam, detained under the National Security Act.
The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray won the Mumbai Graduates and Mumbai Teachers constituencies while the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious on the Konkan Graduates seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls, results of which were announced on Monday.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anil Parab won from Mumbai Graduates constituency, July 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Polls to the Mumbai Graduates, Konkan Graduates, Mumbai Teachers and Nashik Teachers constituencies were held on June 26, with as many as 1,43,297 voters exercising their franchise, of which 1,32,071 votes were deemed valid.

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anil Parab on Monday won the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls from Mumbai Graduates constituency by defeating the BJP's Kiran Shelar.

Parab received 44,784 votes while Shelar got 18,772 votes.

Out of the total votes polled, 64,222 were held valid, and the quota for winning was 32,112 votes. Parab polled 44,784 in the first preference voting and was declared elected.

In the Konkan Graduates constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party's Niranjan Davkhare defeated Ramesh Keer of the Congress.

Davkhare got 1,00,719 votes against Keer's 28,585.

Shiv Sena-UBT candidate JM Abhyankar won from the Mumbai Teachers seat. He polled 4,083 of the 11,598 valid votes.
Are faulty design, hurried construction and private ownership to be blamed for the incidents of airport roofs crashing?

IMAGE: A view of the T1 terminal at the Indira Gandhi international airport, where a portion of the roof collapsed in New Delhi on Friday, June 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Indian aviation took a hit on June 28, 2024, with the collapse of a canopy and a huge metal beam at Terminal 1 at the Indira Gandhi international airport in Delhi during heavy rain.

The same day, a roof canopy at Jabalpur's Dumna airport collapsed after heavy rains, damaging a car. Shockingly, the next day, a canopy outside Rajkot airport also collapsed amid heavy rain.

Ironically, these incidents happened even as news reports proclaimed that the Indian aviation sector had surpassed Brazil and Indonesia to become the third largest domestic aviation market.

The government has earmarked around $11 billion to build new airports and refurbish others to have some 200 airports within five years, but the question is how solid are these structures?

Videos of cars crushed at Delhi airport under the huge beam were horrifying.

The terminal had recently been expanded to reach a capacity of 40 million passengers annually. So why should a building collapse when aerodromes are meant to weather many storms for many years?

Even more ironic was the fact that Skytrax's World's Top Airports of 2024, voted by customers globally, gave Delhi the award for the best airports in India/South Asia 2024.

Skytrax is a reputed international air transport rating organisation in London, but the Delhi incident has led critics to question its credibility too.

IMAGE: The roof at Terminal 1 at the Delhi airport collapses on cars amid heavy rains. Photograph: ANI Photo/X

Collapsing roofs at Indian airports are not new. Guwahati airport and the Veer Savarkar international airport in Port Blair too have had similar incidents.

While allegations of corruption are hurled between political parties over them, former aviation minister Praful Patel said that the Delhi structure built under his watch was 'made by one of the best construction companies in the country, possibly the world'.

Then why did it collapse on the first day of the monsoon season? Patel added: 'See... now talking about a structure that was built 15 years ago... and which has seen such extensive usage...'

However, Jose Kurian, a veteran structural engineer and project adviser, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, and Chairman, Civil Engineering Division Council of BIS, Delhi, said that in India, public structures should be designed to last 75 years.

"I was involved in the building of Signature Bridge in Delhi and it is designed to last 100 years. We had engaged competent structural engineers and third party quality auditors in its construction," says Kurian.

"Lajpat Nagar Flyover and the underpass, which too I was involved in, were done with a design life of 75 years using Indian Standards and have systems provided for proper drainage for heavy monsoons. It goes without any doubt that they have to be maintained and audited periodically by the operating agencies," Kurian added.

IMAGE: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visits the T1 terminal at the Indira Gandhi international airport where a portion of the roof collapsed, killing one unfortunate taxi driver. Photograph: ANI Photo

Kurian said the handing over of government structures, such as airports, primarily to avoid delays and improve operational efficiency to the private sector have, however, relaxed oversight by independent agencies.

"In the government, there are multiple oversights and audits, which are often missing in the private sector. Secondly, speed is of the essence and corners are cut and eyes closed over deficiencies. Thirdly, maintenance is often neglected in a bid to save money," Kurian said.

Kurian guesses that at T1, the canopy could have collapsed suddenly due to accumulation of water because of the heavy downpour, leading to the beam falling without any warning signs.

Fabrication could also be the culprit. "Welders too need to be qualified. A forensic audit should be done of the airport by an independent agency. In general, the engineering profession should be regulated through compulsory registration just like lawyers and doctors," he added.

IMAGE: Besides the roof sheet, the support beams collapsed, damaging the cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal. Photograph: ANI Photo/X

India is not alone as far as airport calamities go. On January 26, 2022, following a blizzard, an airport cargo warehouse roof in Istanbul collapsed. Thousands were left stranded as flights were cancelled.

In many cases, it is faulty design to blame. Take the March 23, 2004, incident at the Charles De Gaulle airport's Terminal 2E in Paris, which killed four and injured three.

Here, the ceiling cracked and crashed. Mark Finlay and Tatenda Karuwa write in Simple Flying that engineers speculated that the terminal's futuristic design, lacking internal roof supports, contributed to the collapse.

A year later, a final report cited the following flaws: Lack of redundant supports, poorly spaced reinforced steel, weak concrete support beams and low resilience to temperature.

The terminal was demolished and rebuilt using a more traditional glass and steel structure, and opened on March 30, 2008.

IMAGE: A portion of a fabric canopy at the Rajkot international airport collapsed, June 28, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy X

There have been other airport design flaws. A June 2022 paper on Critical Analysis of Existing Airports' Designs by Armand Brzosko, a design engineer and a commercial pilot, said that certain particularities of aviation cause noticeable competence gap by the designers.

'Architects act within a space defined by building codes and standards... and are specialists only for narrow sections of it, and often not capable of reaching out to the neighbouring section,' he said.

'As a result, by the design of the airport terminal, a building wall becomes an interface where the architect ends his function, relaying -- with relief -- the function to the aerodrome designer, who -- in turn -- is less familiar with intricacies of floors, beams, stairs, slabs, etc,' wrote Brzoska.

He reveals defects in different parts of airports. Take aerobridges. They often bear all traits of a palliative, temporary, makeshift solution -- more or less comparable to a board thrown across the stream.

They serve only one of a few aircraft doors; they are costly and ugly; unfitting to any architectural style, Brzoska said.

Similarly, almost no terminal floor has heights capable of solving the relatively simple problem of delivering passengers from/to various floors.

'As a result, we have terminals with exceedingly high, cathedral range ceilings in departure halls, e.g. 60 m in one newly built airport. This is contrasted with claustrophobically low arrival halls,' he wrote.

Aerodromes are built for hundred years and therefore, architects and engineers 'require an out-of-the-box, cross-field approach,' Broska concluded.

With IIT-Delhi structural engineers now being roped in by the government, it waits to been seen what their findings will be for the GMR-led Delhi airport.

Curtis W Fentress, founder and principal in charge of Design of Fentress Architects, wrote in Building Enclosure, a Web site, that most futuristic terminals will be multi-layered hyperspaces designed to create a unique sense of place in their location.

One of the airports Fentress designed was Denver international airport's Jeppesen terminal, which has the world's largest structurally integrated tensile membrane roof.

The double-layer fabric roof is composed of an outer waterproof membrane of Teflon PTFE-coated fibreglass, and an interior one of uncoated fibreglass.

The fibreglass increases durability for high-wind applications and reduces construction and maintenance costs.

While most conventional roofing systems are replaced every 10 to 15 years, the proven service life of a PTFE fibreglass roof is over 30 years, he said.

Perhaps India can learn from these airport designs to lessen airport accidents from heavy rain and wind.

Shobha John is a senior journalist.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
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Zon Eastes officially launched his campaign to represent Vernon and Guilford in the Vermont House of Representatives with a kickoff celebration on June 20.
The University of Waikato is deepening its relationship with Spark, sealing a deal with Spark Health to support the development of a future-focused health workforce.

Three months after inking a data centre partnership, a new memorandum of understanding will see the two organisations explore opportunities in health innovation.

The universitys pro vice-chancellor of health, Professor Jo Lane, said technology was an increasingly important part of healthcare delivery and the university was committed to ensuring its graduates were well prepared for the modern work environment.

Were particularly interested in exploring the role technology could play in enhancing our students learning, enabling health education in regional and rural communities, Lane said.

Technology could reduce barriers to healthcare access, particularly in remote areas, he said. It could also reduce barriers for those studying health education programmes.

Equitable adoption of health technology is top of mind for us, both from a patient and workforce development perspective, he said.
Laos decision gives the false impression that Taiwan is part of China, says Taiwans foreign ministry.

The handover ceremony of the high-speed rail project linking the Chinese southwestern city of Kunming with Vientiane, in Vientiane, Laos, Dec. 3, 2021.

A decision by Laos to include Taiwan in a policy to attract more Chinese tourists was made under pressure from Beijing and is aimed at giving the false impression that Taiwan is part of China, said Taiwans foreign ministry.

The Lao government announced on Wednesday that Chinese nationals may visit without a visa for up to 15 days as part of a group tour. It also provided an itinerary approved by its Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

The policy, valid from July 1 to Dec. 31, also applies to tourists from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, the government said in its announcement.

Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Taiwan and China were not subordinate to each other and Laos should not collaborate with China to undermine Taiwans sovereignty and international standing.

Taiwan had shared its position regarding the issue with the Lao government through Taiwans representative office in Vietnam, it added.

The ministry explained that there has been no change to a rule requiring Taiwanese tourists traveling to Laos to obtain an electronic or on-arrival visa.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. Since separating from mainland China in 1949, Taiwan has been self-governing.

Tensions have increased since the administration of the islands then-president, Tsai Ing-wen, took power in 2016, refusing to acknowledge the one China principle.

During a January presidential election in Taiwan, China took various actions, including floating balloons through Taiwanese airspace and deploying aircraft carriers in the Taiwan Strait, exacerbating tensions and increasing public unease.

China has convinced several of Taiwans diplomatic allies to switch their recognition to Beijing in recent years, leaving only 12 countries maintaining official relations with Taiwan.

Chinese influence on Laos

In recent years, China has sought to increase its influence in Laos mostly rural economy.

China has created a political and economic strategy to persuade Laos to sign agreements for important infrastructure. This plan, known as the Ten-Year Long-Term Program (2016-2025), aims to connect major cities in Laos, maintain a growth rate of at least 7.5%, and reduce poverty to less than 10% of the population.

But partly as a result of the major infrastructure projects, Laos has become burdened with debt of about US$12.2 billion, equal to 64.8% of its gross domestic product..

In its political and economic strategy for Laos, China emphasizes the importance of expanding trade by strengthening market relations and establishing special economic zones.

China exports primarily high-tech goods like computers, cars, and insulated wires to Laos, with an aim, analysts say, of increasing Laos dependence on Chinese technologies.

Edited by Mike Firn.
Camps for people displaced by war have also been evacuated, residents said.

Rivers in northern Myanmar swollen by torrential rain have burst their banks, forcing about 10,000 people, including many displaced by war, to flee, while many others have been trapped on their roofs by the rising waters, relief workers told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

Heavy rain in Kachin state has led to floods in four townships along the banks of the Irrawaddy and Nmai rivers, forcing residents to seek shelter in monasteries and elsewhere on higher ground.

"Every neighborhood is flooded. It could be worse than the record set in 2004, said one relief worker in the state capital, Myitkyina, referring to the last severe flooding in Myanmars northernmost state 20 years ago.

There are lots of people affected, said the aid worker, who declined to be identified in fear of reprisals by the military authorities for speaking to the media.

RFA called Kachin states junta spokesperson, Moe Min Thein, for information on rescue efforts but calls went unanswered. A junta-backed newspaper, The Global New Light of Myanmar, reported that relief operations were underway and nine evacuation facilities had opened in Kachin state since Sunday.

Overflowing rivers forced residents from their homes in Tanai, Waimaw, Chipwi townships, and parts of Myitkyina, which is on the west bank of the Irrawaddy.

Collapse at notorious Myanmar rare earth mine kills 15 people

At Myanmar camp for displaced hundreds struggle as rainy season looms

Five dead, 20 missing in Myanmar landslide

Camps for people displaced by weeks of fighting between the autonomy-seeking Kachin Independence Army insurgent group and junta forces in Waingmaw, Chipwi and Myitkyina townships were also flooded, with their inhabitants forced to find higher ground, witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of deaths in the latest flooding but landslides, partly triggered by the heavy rain, have recently killed at least 35 people in rare earth mines in Chipwi township.

By 9:30 a.m. on Monday, the Irrawaddy river had risen four feet (1.2 meters) above its critical level, and was still rising by about three inches every hour, Naing Linn Htwe, chief of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, said in a statement.

Some residents of Myitkyina have taken refuge from the swirling, murky waters on the roofs of their homes.

"Were trapped, one resident stuck on a roof told RFA. The water is almost as deep as the height of a man.

In my household, there are three kids and two elderly people and rescue hasn't come yet, but they said they would. They said theyd run into some difficulties on the way.

To the south, residents in river-side communities in the Sagaing, Magway and Ayeyarwady regions, which are also on the Irrawaddy, are fretting that the inundation will soon reach them.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
The carrier was spotted near Luzon island as the U.S.-led RIMPAC military exercise kicked off.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong cruises in the South China Sea about 370 km (230 miles) from the Philippine island of Luzon in a satellite image posted to Weibo on June 30, 2024 by MizarVision.

Chinas aircraft carrier the Shandong sailed near the main Philippine island of Luzon late last week in what one analyst said was a show of Chinas resolve amid tensions with Manila in the South China Sea.

Satellite images obtained by MizarVision, a technology firm based in Shanghai, and several open source analysts show that the Shandong was spotted in the waters about 200 nautical miles (370 km) from Luzon, which is the extent of the Philippines exclusive economic zone, since last Wednesday.

The carrier appeared to be nearest to the Philippine mainland on Friday before heading northwest. This would be the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier has come that close to Philippine shores.

On Sunday it appeared to be back in the waters near Hainan, China, some 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Sanya.

The South China Morning Post newspaper quoted Ni Lexiong, defense professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, as saying that the carriers passage was intended to send a message of deterrence to Manila and Washington and underline Chinas determination to protect territorial sea sovereignty amid tension over the Second Thomas Shoal.

Last month saw escalating confrontations between the Chinese and Philippine coast guards near the shoal, where Manila maintains an outpost on an old warship. On June 17, Chinese coast guard personnel rammed and boarded a Philippine boat, severely injuring a Filipino sailor

The Philippines has not confirmed the sighting of the Shandong.

Named after the Chinese province of Shandong, it is Chinas second aircraft carrier but its first that was domestically built.

While sending a message of deterrence, Chinas aircraft carrier fleet, though expanding, still lags far behind that of the U.S. in terms of technology and power projection.

The Shandong was commissioned in 2019, seven years after the first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, joined the navys fleet. Both carriers use a ski jump-style launch system called STOBAR, considered much less advanced than U.S. carriers which use electromagnetic catapults.

The Shandong cannot accommodate J-35s, Chinas fifth-generation fighters, as they require catapults for take-off.

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Show of force

Ni, the Shanghai-based professor, was quoted in the Hong Kong newspaper as saying that the Chinese carriers deployment might also be a response to the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific exercise, which started on Thursday.

The exercise, widely known as RIMPAC, is held every two years and is in its 29th iteration this year.

The U.S. and 28 partner countries have sent 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel to take part in the drills that are expected to last until Aug. 1 in and around Hawaii.

A Super Hornet fighter jet takes off from U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt in the South China Sea, June 28, 2024. (Rashan Jefferson/U.S. Navy via AP)





U.S. Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier the Carl Vinson arrived in Pearl Harbor on June 25 to participate in RIMPAC 2024.

The U.S, Navy said in a statement that the exercise this year would include multi-domain warfare in a range of scenarios from anti-submarine warfare, multi-ship surface warfare, multinational amphibious landings, and multi-axis defense of the carrier strike group against live forces.

U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported that one of the drills will be the sinking of a decommissioned amphibious assault ship  the USS Tarawa  as a target.

At 40,000 tons, the ship is roughly the same size as Chinas new Type 075 amphibious assault ships that it is believed to have developed in case of conflict in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Military analyst Fu Qianshao told Chinas Global Times newspaper that using an amphibious assault ship of similar size as a target could simulate an attack on a Chinese amphibious assault ship, as well as on an aircraft carrier.

When asked about RIMPAC 2024, Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said, The U.S. is trying to frighten the Chinese military through the so-called military exercise, which is a completely impossible task.

Edited by Mike Firn.






Barefoot monks younger brother tells Vietnamese police in a letter that the family is worried and confused.

An independent Buddhist monk whose barefoot pilgrimage across Vietnam became an internet sensation hasnt contacted relatives in almost three weeks, and family members have asked police for help in locating him.

The younger brother of Thich Minh Tue sent a letter on Monday to police in Gia Lai province in Vietnams Central Highlands saying that the family is worried and confused because they have received no information about Tue and his mental and physical health for nearly 20 days.

Tue, whose real name is Le Anh Tu, drew a wide following on social media in May when influencers documented his journey across Vietnam on TikTok and other social media platforms. Supporters were drawn to his simple lifestyle and humble demeanor.

In early June, police detained Tue and several of his followers during a raid in a forest in Thua Thien Hue province in central Vietnam.

More than a week later, he was staying in Gia Lai provinces Ia Grai district, where many of his relatives live. Police officers accompanied him as he begged for food near his parents home.

Thich Minh Tue, center, in a screen grab from a May 24, 2024, video posted to YouTube. (Spiderum via Youtube)





According to Tues young brother, Tue told family members on June 12 that someone from an unknown agency or organization had asked him to temporarily move to another place for five to seven days.

Tue told relatives that authorities believed that his growing number of followers was becoming a threat to public security and order, the younger brother, Le Anh Thin, said in Mondays letter.

Additionally, according to Thin, Tue asked Thin and his wife to build some fencing to protect trees near Tues shelter  an indication that he really intended to return.

Precarious fate

But since June 12, there has been no word from Tue, Thin wrote.

Our family in particular, and many Buddhists at home and abroad who are fond of Thich Minh Tue, are very worried and confused, he wrote.

Several Vietnamese language YouTube channels posted interviews with Thin on Monday in which he confirmed the letter and its content.

Tue, 43, looks and behaves like a monk, but is not recognized as one by the state-sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, or VBS. In fact, he has not claimed to be a monk, but rather an individual trying to follow Buddhas teachings.

The VBS said in an announcement in May that Tue is not a Buddhist monk, which would technically mean he cant openly practice Buddhism. Although freedom of religion is enshrined in Vietnams constitution, religious groups or individuals require official recognition to practice.

A Buddhism observer from Vietnam, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told Radio Free Asia that he believed that the fate of Tue and his fellow monks was precarious.

Many international human rights and policy organizations are watching what Vietnam is going to do with these independent religious practitioners, he said.

RFA contacted the Gia Lai provincial polices criminal division, but when a police officer was asked about Tues whereabouts, the officer only said I cant hear you clearly, and then hung up. Subsequent calls went unanswered.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have made more progress in ongoing negotiations on the delimitation of their border, the Armenian government said on July 1.

"Negotiations continue constructively," a short statement released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian said.

It said that the Armenian and Azerbaijani government commissions on border delimitation have proposed to each other draft regulations for their joint work and should work out a relevant common document "soon."

The two sides had set July 1 as the deadline for reaching agreement on the draft regulation.

The Azerbaijani government issued a statement similar to the Armenian government statement. Neither side elaborated on why the deadline wasn't met or what problems arose in negotiations thus far.

At a think-tank event in Washington on July 1, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he saw a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan as "really within reach."

"There is an extraordinary opportunity potential to realize a peace agreement between the countries," Blinken said in response to a question about the situation in the Caucasus.

The border-delimitation commissions representing the two countries pledged to agree on the regulations by July 1 when they announced on April 19 the start of the delimitation process that took the form of Armenian territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.

In the following weeks, Baku gained control of disputed border areas that used to be occupied by four Azerbaijani villages captured by Armenian forces in 1991-92.

For its part, the Azerbaijani Army had occupied at the time large swathes of nearby land belonging to several villages in Armenias Tavush Province. It has not withdrawn from that land in return for the Armenian concessions. Baku has also refused to withdraw from Armenian territory seized by its troops in 2021 and 2022.

The land transfer was strongly condemned by the Armenian opposition and sparked angry protests in Tavush border villages seriously affected by it.

The protests were led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian, the head of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. After failing to scuttle preparations for the handover, Galstanian took his campaign to Yerevan, where he held a series of big rallies in May and June in a bid to oust Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Pashinian has repeatedly defended his unilateral concessions, saying that they will lay the groundwork for Azerbaijan's recognition of Armenian territorial integrity.

He said that this "positive experience" will be used in the border delimitation and demarcation process that will supposedly be based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration signed by newly independent ex-Soviet republics.

Earlier on July 1, Pashinian refused to answer a question about the process when he was approached by an RFE/RL correspondent in Yerevan.

Grigorian also refused to answer a question on why it was not possible to agree on the regulations according to the established schedule.

The 1991 declaration committed Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other ex-Soviet state to recognizing each other's Soviet-era borders. But it does not contain a detailed description of those borders.

Yerevan until recently insisted that the two South Caucasus states should use Soviet military maps drawn in the 1970s as a basis for the border delimitation. Baku has rejected this.
Armenias top film festival has sparked controversy by inviting as its guest of honor Kevin Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner who has been shunned by Hollywood since 2017 after facing a flood of allegations of sexual abuse, including of children.

The Golden Apricot Film Festival made the announcement on June 25, calling Spacey one of the greatest artists of both stage and screen not only of his generation, but, according to many, of all times.

The news immediately drew broad criticism that the July 7-14 festival, the most prestigious in the region, was allowing Spacey to rehabilitate his image at its expense.

This is outrageous! wrote Lara Aharonian, a feminist activist in Yerevan, on X. What kind of message is [the festival] sending to sexual assault survivors? Harmful and raises ethical questions about values and principles of the organizers.

Sparking further controversy was news that the city government of Yerevan had helped fund Spaceys visit. Hayk Kostanian, the press secretary to the mayor of Yerevan, wrote on Facebook that the municipality has provided financial supportresulting in my favorite actor being in the capital.

Advocates have argued that the invitation is especially inappropriate in a country that is struggling to better protect victims of sexual abuse. Spaceys forthcoming appearance in Yerevan serves as an example that normalizes this sort of behavior and tacitly encourages people to again victimize victims of gender-based violence, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women wrote in a statement. This behavior, perhaps unwittingly, diminishes the acts of brave individuals who have not been afraid to share their stories in the hope that justice will bring an end to years of painful and silent suffering.

Spacey was once one of Hollywoods biggest stars, winning two Oscars: for best supporting actor for The Usual Suspects and for best actor for American Beauty. In 2017, however, he began to face a flood of accusations that he had sexually harassed and assaulted men and boys, some as young as 14. More than 50 accusers came forward, detailing alleged abuse over a span of decades.

Soon after the allegations came out, he was written out of the hit television series he had been starring in, House Of Cards; other projects he had been working on were canceled or rewritten to eliminate his role.

His appearance in Yerevan is part of a gentle return to the public spotlight for Spacey.

In 2022 and 2023, Spacey was legally exonerated of the abuse charges in two separate court cases, and he has sought to again start working.

There are people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges, he told a German magazine two weeks before the 2023 trial concluded. The second that happens, theyre ready to move forward.

Spacey has begun making forays back into the acting world. In the last two years, he has appeared in a handful of low-budget European films, including portraying Croatias first postindependence president, Franjo Tudjman, in Once Upon A Time In Croatia, a 2022 docudrama that attempted to burnish the image of the nationalist leader.

He has also been giving interviews to the media, particularly right-leaning outlets, in which he has expressed contrition for his actions.

I got the memo and I will never, ever, ever behave in those ways again, he told the Lex Fridman Podcast in June. But he also has denied committing any crimes and has said many of the allegations against him are false.

Thats so cool, wrote one Facebook user under the Golden Apricot Facebook post announcing Spaceys invitation. And especially cool that none of the wrong accusations were proven. Woke nonsense ended bad for the great actor.

Organizers of the event defended their decision to invite Spacey.

Of course, there has been some concern, and many factors have been taken into account, first of all, the acquittal verdicts at the United States and United Kingdom courts, his own attitude towards what happened, his willingness to appear not symbolically as a celebrity, but to conduct a professional workshop, Karen Avetisian, the festivals artistic director, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service in a statement.

In a subsequent Facebook post, Avetisian acknowledged that what he called inappropriate flirting styles and abusive expressions of passion were common in Armenia but strove to separate Spaceys morals from his art.

Golden Apricot is not a humanitarian organization but a film festival where we, being deeply convinced that it is a myth that a good artist is the same as a virtuous man, honor not the worthy, but the worthy artists, and we judge not the man but his art, he said.
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.
6

Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the festivities. Many supporters contend that Tsikhanouskaya was the actual winner of the 2020 presidential vote after she ran in place of her husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, who was imprisoned inin Belarus."Let me thank the organizers for making it possible to feel and participate in Belarusian traditions even while being in another country," Tsikhanouskaya said.
France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, has secured a clear victory in the first round of parliamentary elections. If the party wins an absolute majority in the July 7 runoff, France would have a far-right government for the first time since World War II.

This result marks another big setback for beleaguered French President Emmanuel Macron, who dissolved parliament and called for snap elections in an attempt to halt the far-right's progress after RN's record gains in the June 6-9 European Parliament elections.

So, What Happens Now?

Even if the second round doesn't lead to a National Rally government, this is perhaps the biggest political turmoil to engulf France in decades.

The key question is whether the RN can secure an absolute majority in the second round in the 577-seat National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament.

Efforts are already under way to form "Republican fronts" -- anti-Le Pen alliances aimed at preventing the RN from gaining a majority. Macron has urged voters who supported his centrist Ensemble alliance, which trailed in third place with about 20 percent, to back "clearly republican and democratic" candidates in constituencies where his party finished third.

Similarly, Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed, part of the second-placed New Popular Front coalition, announced that his alliance would withdraw candidates who finished third in the first round to consolidate the anti-Le Pen vote.

Eric Maurice, a policy analyst at the European Policy Center, said "all will depend on whether the left and center agree to remove candidates who came third and qualified for the second round. The more this happens, the less RN will be able to obtain an absolute majority."

What Are The Possible Outcomes?

Perhaps the most likely outcome, especially given the strong anti-Le Pen campaign, would be RN winning but unable to achieve an absolute majority, resulting in a hung parliament and political gridlock. This scenario would pit the far-right against the left in parliament, making it difficult to pass legislation.

If RN did win an absolute majority, it would have the opportunity to impose its nationalist, nativist, and conservative agenda and, according to Maurice, "could jeopardize rule of law in France."

Another scenario could be a government led by Ensemble, the coalition centered around Macron's party. However, RFE/RL's Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak says he is not sure Macron can "muster some sort of government of unity with a technocratic prime minister, as some are hoping for. And if he does, it will be an unstable one that can be voted down quite easily."

What Would An RN Victory Mean For France?

The RN's strong election performance shows the effectiveness of Marine Le Pen's drive to detoxify the party of her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, making it more appealing to the average voter in multicultural France.

After taking over the leadership in 2011, Marine Le Pen has changed the party's name from the National Front and tried to purge it of its neo-Nazi and anti-Semitic elements. She even expelled her own father, who has a history of inflammatory language against immigrants, and who once said the Nazi concentration camps were a "detail of history."

However, even if the RN did win the second round, there would still be constraints on the party. France has a semi-presidential system, in which the president and the prime minister share power. The prime minister and cabinet are responsible for managing daily government operations and domestic policy, whereas the president dominates national security and foreign policy and represents the country on the world stage.

Jordan Bardella, the RN's untested co-leader, would become prime minister, awkwardly -- and likely ineffectively -- sharing power with Macron.

And What Would It Mean For The European Union?

For the far right, it could be an opportune moment to influence the European Union. Hungary, led by Viktor Orban's national-conservative Fidesz party for more than a decade, has just begun its six-month stint as holder of the bloc's rotating presidency. Additionally, far-right parties made significant gains in the June 6-9 European Parliament elections, a sign of the growing nationalist and populist sentiments across the 27 countries of the EU.

The RN's influence could test aspects of the EU's Green Deal, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate pollution, and support sustainable industry. The RN has campaigned against EU environmental regulations, arguing that they harm jobs and French industry.

Immigration remains the RN's primary focus. The party advocates for stricter controls and aims to implement policies that prioritize French nationals for social benefits, housing, and jobs -- measures that are currently illegal under EU law.

It is here, according to Philippe Marliere, a professor of French and European politics at University College London, where RN distinguishes itself from other rightist parties in the EU, for example Orban's Fidesz party.

"Political scientists in France call it far right because it really is far right. If you study its program, it's the unreconstructed far right," he says. "Obsessively nativist, anti-immigration, and also obsessively discussing what is it to be French."

RFE/RL Europe Editor Jozwiak says that the EU is already heading in Le Pen's direction on immigration.

"Walls and barbed wire are commonplace along the EUs border, and deals are being struck with third countries to send back asylum seekers and to hold them back from coming in the first place," he says.

Significantly, the RN victory in the first round could induce a tactical shift among right-wing parties in the EU. Le Pen's party has moderated its stance on the EU in recent years. Rather than advocating for "Frexit," it now aims to reform the EU from within, aligning the bloc more closely with its right-wing views. Given the RN's success, other right-wing parties across the EU may follow suit.

How Could It Affect The War In Ukraine?

Le Pen is a professed admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, praising him as a defender of traditional European values against globalization and U.S. influence. In 2014, Le Pen supported Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. And, if it wins power, the RN has promised to halt French deliveries of long-range missiles to Ukraine.

However, Le Pen's position has softened in recent years, condemning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and proclaiming her support for the Ukrainian people -- all while taking care not to escalate the situation with Russia.

Mark Galeotti, a political analyst and honorary professor at University College London's School of Slavonic and East European Studies, told RFE/RL that it's unlikely that a France dominated by Le Pen "is going to suddenly break with the mainstream and say, 'We're not going to be supporting Ukraine anymore.'"

However, he adds, that "anything that clips Emmanuel Macron's wings is good news for the Kremlin" in its war against Ukraine, "because Macron has at the moment been trying to present himself as the hawkiest of hawks in Europe, talking about sending ground troops."

And, in Brussels, foot-dragging can sometimes be as effective as outright opposition. UCL professor Marliere says that a French far-right government wouldn't actually need to come out against Ukraine outright to have an affect on EU policy.

The drive for Ukraine entering the bloc would essentially be on on ice.

"You just drag your feet. You make it difficult. You waste time," he says. "And, of course, time is of the essence for Ukraine. They need weapons now and they need support now, so expect something much more messy, much more difficult for Europe."

With contributions from Dragan Stavljanin and Tony Wesolowsky
The European Union is bracing for Hungary to take over the EU's rotating presidency, which starts on July 1. It could be an awkward six months for the EU leadership given that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been on a collision course with Brussels, watering down EU sanctions on Russia, preventing military and financial aid for Ukraine, and questioning Kyiv's EU aspirations.

Hungary, a self-styled "illiberal democracy," has been penalized for what officials in Brussels see as backsliding on democracy, with the EU freezing 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion) of funds meant for the Central European country.



Yet despite the thorny relationship Hungary's six months' stint as president in the second half of 2024 may not be as dramatic and problematic as some may fear.



The rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, one of the main decision-making bodies of the bloc that comprises government ministers from the member states, is alternately held for a period of six months by each of the member states. Under this arrangement, each member state has the opportunity to shape the council's agenda.



According to several sources in Brussels with knowledge of the issue, the Hungarian presidency isn't causing too many sleepless nights. This is largely due to two factors: the actual role of the presidency and the quirks of the political calendar.



Diminished Role



Let's start with the first. The presidencies of the EU Council are not what they used to be. There was a time when the country at the helm really did control the agenda, holding proper summits in their capitals, and their diplomats ran the show behind the scenes.

This changed in 2004, when it was decided that all important summits should be held in the Belgian capital. The changes went deeper in 2009 with the advent of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, designed to improve the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the EU, which created a number of new functions and essentially concentrated power in Brussels.

The Lisbon Treaty created a permanent president of the European Council, which mainly consists of the heads of state or government of the member states. The post is currently held by Belgian politician Charles Michel, who serves a five-year term and chairs all summits.



The council also has a much-expanded and powerful secretariat staffed by EU officials with expertise across all the policy fields. The Lisbon Treaty also created an EU foreign policy chief, currently held by Spanish politician Josep Borrell, and a diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service, to give the foreign policy position some heft. The main task of this person is to prepare and chair the monthly EU foreign affairs council where the bloc's foreign ministers meet to make decisions.



How does this affect the Hungarian presidency? Well, it lessens the influence of the two most Brussels-bashing members of Hungary's national-conservative government, Orban and his foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto.



Budapest can, of course, still influence the conversation, as seen with the unveiling of their Donald Trump-inspired Make Europe Great Again (MEGA) slogan for the presidency last week. Hungary's bold move was dismissed as "trolling" by many in Brussels, with the feeling there would be more of that type of thing to come.

While the two men will still preside over informal ministerial meetings and even a summit in Budapest in November, their role will be fairly superficial. Notably, they will also have to face questions at press conferences and from foreign media, which they normally tend to shun.

What is concretely left for Hungary to do? Their other ministers, such as those responsible for agriculture or justice, will still chair council meetings in their fields, and Hungarian diplomats will do the same in preparatory working groups. The whole idea of the rotating presidency is that the incumbents are expected to be honest brokers, seeking consensus among member states.



Rather than causing trouble, Hungary might also decide to play nice. Speaking to officials from various member states, some have pointed out that while Hungary most certainly has an agenda -- and one that is often at odds with the consensus -- Hungarian officials have behaved professionally in the run-up to the presidency, underlining that everything will be done by the book.



Political Calendar



The second factor that could curtail Hungarian ambitions to impose its agenda is the political calendar. The reality is that in the next six months, little will happen in Brussels in terms of new legislation.



That's because the EU capital will be busy with appointing a new European Commission, the bloc's executive and proposer of new laws, a process that includes time-consuming hearings in the European Parliament to approve new commissioners (one from each member state). That process is expected to take up almost the entire fall, and Hungary has no role to play in the decision-making.

There has also been a frantic and largely successful attempt by the current Belgian presidency to clear the decks before Hungary assumed the role. That has meant signing off on a raft of new initiatives and policies. Another round of sanctions on Russia was passed on June 24; restrictive measures targeting Belarus are also expected to be agreed on June 26.

A green light was also given to Ukraine and Moldova to start accession talks on June 25. The process of screening the two EU candidates' various policy accession chapters is expected to take well over six months, and it's likely Budapest won't have to deal with Kyiv's EU accession at all and that it will be the next president of the EU Council, Poland, that will deal with this in 2025.



While Hungary has spoken out against Ukraine's readiness to join the EU, one of Budapest's priorities for the presidency is to advance the membership prospects of Albania and Serbia and possibly even those of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Georgia. (There probably won't be enough support from the member states to green light the latter two.)



Ahead of Hungary's presidency, the EU even managed to send 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) worth of military aid to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russia. This money comes from the profits from Russian assets frozen in the EU, and Brussels got around the Budapest veto on this measure by noting that Hungary abstained from the original decision to set aside this money, so legally it didn't have a say in how that money would be used.



This is a good illustration of how the Hungarian presidency might well play out. During the discussions in Brussels on this issue last week, the Hungarian representative stayed silent the whole time, essentially waving through the measure, whereas Szijjarto posted an angry rant on Facebook about the legality of the move to freeze Hungary out. This could be Hungary's game plan: being constructive and compliant in Brussels while screaming bloody murder to its audience at home.



Then there is the question of money and those frozen EU funds earmarked for Hungary. While the 1.4 billion euros for Ukraine was passed, a Hungarian veto is still hanging over seven other tranches of military aid, worth nearly 7 billion euros, for the war-torn country.



Hungary is used to bargaining with Brussels and could attempt to link its support for further military aid to Ukraine to the 6 billion euros of EU funds it wants Brussels to release. If Budapest doesn't comply with the EU's rule of law requirements by the end of the year, Hungary will permanently lose 1 billion euros. That's one deal that the Hungarians will be keen on making.
One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history.

In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group.

Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war.

RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack?



Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences.

There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings.

Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good.

RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis?



Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months.



RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices?



Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other.

People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term."

So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire.

Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home?

One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective.

RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families?



Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular.

At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families.

Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen.

RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas?

Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk.

It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important.

Why? For a couple of reasons.

First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005.

RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future?



Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent.

I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term.
High Court reporters

Kerry GAA has gone to the High Court amid fears of a potential loss of millions in donations already committed to the redevelopment of FitzGerald Stadium in Killarney.

The organisation has launched a High Court challenge against a refusal by the Minister for Justice to include its application in the now defunct Immigrant Investor Programme.

In its proceedings, Kerry GAA claims the refusal to include it in the scheme, where non-EEA citizens who invested in certain programmes were given visas allowing them to reside in Ireland, will result in the potential loss of at least 27 million in donations already committed towards the redevelopment of FitzGearld Stadium in Killarney.

It further claims that an additional 11.6 million of new donations Kerry GAA has identified have also been placed in jeopardy by the Minister's decision.

The investor programme, which is also known as the Golden Visa Scheme, was scrapped in February 2023.

Kerry GAA's judicial review action is one of several similar actions brought by voluntary bodies that are pending before the court.

In its submissions, Kerry GAA said that before the scheme was scrapped it had submitted proposals in two parts, for administrative purposes, regarding its plans to develop a Centre of Excellence and to redevelop FitzGerald Stadium.

It claims it has been working on this overall project since 2022.

The application for the Centre of Excellence was submitted before the Government announced that it was ending the scheme.

Kerry GAA said that, in relation to the application regarding the stadium, it had secured a lead investor to donate to a project, under what is known as an Endowment, involved in either the arts, culture, sports, or education in Ireland.

Kerry GAA claims that following the Government's decision regarding the scheme, it had to rush to submit the second part of its plan, on February 15th, 2023.

Its lead investor, it claims, was part of another project, but was happy to be the lead investor in relation to the stadium.

'Moved the goalposts'

Last January, Kerry GAA said its application regarding the stadium was refused by the Minister on the grounds that "no valid investor application was submitted" and that application could not be progressed any further.

The Minister's decision also stated that an investor in the programme "must be new" rather than someone "already connected to another project who wishes to transfer projects".

Transfers of investors between projects can only occur when there is at least one investor already in place in relation to the receiving project, the decision further added.

It claims that the decision was flawed and should be set aside. It claims that it is unreasonable, unfair and in breach of its legitimate expectations that the application would be accepted.

Kerry GAA claims in its action that the Minister "moved the goalposts" as that this was the first time in the history of the scheme that such a ground was used by the Minister as a basis for refusing to include an applicant in the scheme.

In its action, against the Minister, Ireland and the Attorney General, Kerry GAA seeks various orders and reliefs, including an order quashing the decision of January 24th last that its application was not deemed eligible.

It also seeks declarations including that the decision was made without lawful authority, without jurisdiction, was unreasonable, was contrary to Constitutional rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights regarding Kerry GAA's right to legitimate expectation.

Kerry GAA further seeks damages to reflect the donations and expenses it incurred which it claims it has lost because of the Minister's decision.

The matter came before Mr Justice Garrett Simons on Monday, who said he had some concerns regarding the application.

Adjourning the application, the judge told Kerry GAA's lawyers to provide further documentation in support of the application when the matter returns before the court later this month.
This years Connacht Fleadh is underway in Strokestown, and the local community has been working hard over the last few months to have the town prepared for the event.

John Keane, Chairperson of the Connacht Fleadh 2024 committee in Strokestown explained that a huge amount of preparation had gone into getting Strokestown ready for the Fleadh.

In excess of 2,000 competitors will be here over the three days, from the dancing on the Friday to senior competitions on the Sunday. Its become a huge event, the provincial Fleadh, he told the Roscommon Herald.

Theres a very small committee from the local Strokestown Comhaltas branch, whove done a huge amount of work in getting venues ready and finding accommodation and making sure all of our visiting judges and people from Connacht Comhaltas, and Comhaltas at a national level, stewards and other people are looked after over the three days of the competitions, he added.

Were hoping that as many people in County Roscommon and beyond will support the different events that are on every evening during the week, said John.

Obviously accommodation is a big challenge, but were really grateful for the support from the different premises and people around Strokestown that have been able to help us out and make sure we have accommodation. Mr Keane praised Scoil Mhuire secondary school and the Strokestown Community Centre committee for help in making the Fleadh happen. It wouldnt happen without them in terms of venues for the competitions. Strokestown House is also a fantastic venue for the community element of the fleadh. Its great working with the local publicans as well, to make sure that anyone that is staying in Strokestown will have the chance to hear top class Irish music from the west of Ireland. Mr Keane also thanked Roscommon County Council and the elected members of the council for their support in making the Fleadh a possibility.

Meanwhile, Senator Eugene Murphy said that for the third week in a row County Roscommon will play host to a live music bonanza.

The Scramogue native noted that this week and particularly the coming weekend would see Strokestown come alive with a fantastic programme of traditional live music.

Following the recent Shannonside/Northern Sound Day with the Stars in Roscommon Town, the Night and Day Festival in Boyle and now the Connacht Fleadh heading for Strokestown, the economy of County Roscommon is benefiting massively from the music scene, he said.

Senator Murphy paid tribute to the Strokestown Comhaltas group who had done enormous work to make the Connacht Fleadh a massive success and more importantly an enjoyable event for the region.

There are a lot of free events and some amazing concerts organised and this is great news for the public, he said.

I know the town of Strokestown and the surrounding area will give a big welcome to all visitors to the town. People are looking forward to good music and good weather.

It will definitely bring visitors to the area. When you get to Strokestown, there is lots to do such as visit Strokestown Park House, hill walking on Sliabh Bawn, and visit the areas of Elphin and Tulsk where there is significant attractions such as Rathcroghan and the Elphin Windmill, he advised.

I look forward to a very positive weekend once again for the economy of County Roscommon, this time the Strokestown area the beneficiary, he said.
A ground breaking website has been launched which offers a new approach to family mental health recovery.

Last Friday, June 28th, the website, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, was launched at the Atlantic Technological University in Castlebar.

The site is designed to provide much-needed support to families and friends who are aiding a loved one through mental health challenges. Recognising that mental health challenges affect not just the individual but also their support network, the Health Service Executive (HSE), in collaboration with Mental Health Ireland (MHI), now employs ten Family Peer Support Workers (FPSWs) within the Adult Mental Health services who utilise their lived experience to support others family members.

Dr Grainne Fadden, who was a keynote speaker at this event, has worked tirelessly with families and knows how important it is for families to be supported and that they have much to offer others in similar circumstances.

In the Connacht region, the Family Peer Support Service is currently available in Counties Roscommon, Galway, and Mayo.

This website embodies the essence of true collaboration as it has been co-produced by Family Peer Support Workers, family members who have used or are using the service, and health professionals from both public and community services.

This new website will provide crucial support and resources for these families and friends, ensuring they do not feel alone in their journey.

For further details on the Family Peer Support Service and to explore the resources available, please visit the new website.
Alison O'Riordan

A woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her 76-year-old mother in her home on the northside of Dublin over two years ago by reason of insanity.

Moire Bergin (47), with an address at Seville Place, Dublin 1, is charged with the murder of her mother, Mary Bergin, in her home on First Avenue, Seville Place on April 13th, 2022.

Ms Bergin was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked her how she was pleading, Ms Bergin replied: "Not guilty by reason of insanity."

Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury panel that Mary Bergin was the mother of Moire Bergin, and that the issue in the case concerned the state of mind of Moire Bergin at the time her mother was killed.

The judge said the issue the jury would have to determine related to the state of mind of Moire Bergin at the time of those events.

Mr Justice McDermott said the case would be "presented in short form as much of the facts of what happened are agreed as to how Mary Bergin came to meet her death".

He said Detective Sergeant John Brady from Store Street Garda station would give an outline of the facts of the case during the trial.

The judge said the jury would also hear evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists; Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Paul O'Connell.

A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin on Tuesday before Mr Justice McDermott.

The trial is expected to last up to two days.
What is new criminal law? Know what's changed

The overhaul of the criminal justice system is designed to offer a more efficient and victim-focused approach

What is new criminal law? Criminal law is an area of the law that concerns crimes and laws applied to those who commit them. There are two main types of criminal law offenses: felonies and misdemeanors. The most serious crimes are felonies, which include offenses like murder, robbery, and arson.

On July 1, three new criminal lawsBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)will be implemented. These statutes will take the place of the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act.

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The overhaul of the criminal justice system is designed to offer a more efficient and victim-focused approach, updating the legal framework to provide enhanced protection and justice for the populace.

Some changes in the laws include:

1. In order to strengthen the investigation of criminal cases, provisions such as allowing the registration of FIRs at any police station or Zero FIR and mandatory videography of crime scenes for heinous offenses.

2. The new laws mandate that judgments in criminal cases must be delivered in 45 days of the trial's completion and the charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.

3. There is also a provision to inform the victims about the progress of the investigation within 90 days. It also includes online filing of complaints, electronic summons via SMS, and swift sharing of evidence.

4. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the amount of fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes.

5. The BNS has a new chapter on crimes against women and children to deal with sexual crimes.

6. There is a provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in all cases of gang rape and the new crime category of gang rape of a woman under 18 years of age.

7. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also addresses crimes like false promises of marriage, mob lynching, and chain snatching, which were not mentioned in the IPC.

8. Terrorism has also been defined in Section 113 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. As per the BNS, terrorist acts are punishable with either the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.

9. BNS Section 113 (1) mentions that "whoever, with intent to endanger or is likely to endanger the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security or economic security or sovereignty of India or to cause or spread terror amongst the public or any section of the public in India or in any foreign country, commits any act using bombs, dynamite, explosive substances, poisonous gases, nuclear with intent to cause death to any person or persons, damage to property, or manufacture or smuggling of currency or so, he commits terrorist acts".

10. It is also mentioned that destroying public facilities or private property is a crime. Acts that cause 'widespread loss by reason of damage or destruction of critical infrastructure' have also been covered in this section.
400 flights canceled in Canada, 49 thousand passengers affected

Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association members began strike Friday evening because of airline's unwillingness to negotiate with union.

Canada flights cancelation news, 49 thousand Indian passengers affected: WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, cancelled more than 400 flights after its maintenance workers union announced a strike.

This has affected over 49,000 passengers.

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The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said its members began the strike Friday evening because of the airline's unwillingness to negotiate with the union.

International and domestic flights were affected due to this. WestJet aircraft maintenance engineer Sean McVay, who is picketing at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, said the workers' strike is an effort to force the airline to negotiate respectfully.

McVay said the union regrets any inconvenience caused to passengers.

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(For more news apart from Canada flights cancelation news 49 thousand Indian passengers affected, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
What is Hurricane Beryl? Know About Category 4 Storm Threatening Windward Islands

Unprecedented June hurricane intensifies rapidly, prompting urgent preparations across the southeastern Caribbean.

What is Hurricane Beryl? Hurricane Beryl refers to several tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean that have been named Beryl. The most notable one was Hurricane Beryl in July 2018, which was the first hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. Despite being a small and relatively short-lived storm, it was notable for reaching hurricane strength in early July, which is somewhat unusual. Beryl weakened to a tropical storm before affecting the Lesser Antilles with rain and gusty winds. Other instances of storms named Beryl occurred in different years, each varying in intensity and impact.

Hurricane Beryl, rapidly intensifying into a Category 4 storm, poses an immediate threat to the Windward Islands in the southeastern Caribbean. It currently boasts sustained winds of 130 mph and is moving westward at 20 mph, making it a formidable force expected to bring severe winds and potentially devastating storm surges. Hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago, urging residents to take urgent precautions.

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This early-season hurricane's swift strengthening is unprecedented for June, marking a historic event in Atlantic hurricane history. Such rapid intensification is rare, highlighting the unpredictability and severity of Beryl's impact. Unusually warm ocean temperatures, the highest on record for this time of year, are providing the energy needed for its rapid development.

Preparations are underway across the region, with long lines forming at gas stations and grocery stores as people gather essential supplies. Government leaders, including Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley and St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, have issued stark warnings, emphasizing the potential for devastating consequences. Shelters are opening, emergency services are on high alert, and contingency plans are being activated to minimize the storm's impact on vulnerable communities.

The National Hurricane Center underscores the seriousness of the situation, specifically citing the potential for storm surges reaching up to 9 feet in some areas and significant rainfall of up to 6 inches. As Beryl continues its westward path through the Caribbean, concerns persist about its trajectory and the potential impact on nearby islands and coastal areas.

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With the hurricane season just beginning, Beryl's unexpected power serves as a stark reminder of the variability of tropical weather systems and the critical need for proactive disaster preparedness in regions at risk.

(For more news apart from What is Hurricane Beryl? stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
The Sunday Show  June 30, 2024

A special installment of the Sunday Show, devoted to the anniversaries of two cultural institutions in Romania.

Listen to RRI in English

Ana-Maria Popescu, 30.06.2024, 14:10

A special instalment of the Sunday Show, devoted to two anniversaries.

First, we talk to Julien Chiappone-Lucchesi, the head of the French Institute in Romania, an institution which in 2024 celebrates 100 years of existence.

And next, we discuss the 10-year anniversary of KineDok, a programme affiliated to One World Romania which organizes documentary screenings in alternative venues.
President Emmanuel Macron's decision to hold a snap poll only helped throw himself out of power, results from the first round of France's parliamentary elections show.

Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party is leading with 33.15 percent of the votes polled in Sunday's parliamentary elections, followed by left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition with 28 percent, according to results declared by the Interior Ministry on Monday.

Macron's ruling centrist Ensemble alliance is far behind in third place having secured 20.76 percent votes.

If no clear winner is decided in the second round of voting next Sunday, it will be a hung parliament, and France may be heading towards political uncertainty, reports say.

The anti-immigration National Rally needs 289 seats for an absolute majority to form a government in the 577-member National Assembly.

RN leader Le Pen, who ran for the French presidency in 2012, 2017, and 2022, said, "Macronist bloc has been all but wiped out."

"The vote taking place next Sunday is one of the most decisive in the entire history of the Fifth Republic," said young RN party leader Jordan Bardella.

After his centrist alliance faced setback in the European parliamentary elections, Macron declared elections on June 9 with three years left for the parliament to complete its term.

Rising support for the far right was reflected in the European elections, held across the EU's 27 member states.

Macron has three years remaining in his presidential term.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Three Mexican illegal migrants died in scorching heat in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona near the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The migrants are suspected to be smuggled by transnational criminal organizations for money, CBP said.

CBP agents in Ajo, Arizona, found the bodies of two men and a girl in an area called Sheep Mountain in the desert early Wednesday after they were alerted to an activation of a Rescue Beacon.

A surviving member of the migrant group was rescued.

The bodies were taken to the Pima County Medical Examiners by Pima County Sheriff's Department. CBP said it notified the Mexican Consulate about the incident.

Tucson Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre warned against soliciting the services of smuggling organizations to enter the United States illegally along the Southern border.

Smugglers encourage migrants to cross the border claiming it is safe, and abandon them in remote and dangerous areas. Many people who tried to cross the border to the the United States through desert regions with the help of criminal organizations have died of dehydration and heat stroke.

"The terrain along the border is extreme, the relentless summer heat is severe, and remote areas where smugglers bring migrants is unforgiving," Torre said.

He warned that the borders are not open to irregular migration, and people should not attempt to make the dangerous journey.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Kia Sonet stood as the companys best-selling model in June 2024 with 9,816 units sold

Kia India has seen sales growth in June 2024. The company recorded sales of 21,300 units in the past month, a YoY growth of 9.8% over 19,391 units sold in June 2023. It was also a MoM growth of 9.23% over 19,500 units sold in May 2024. On a Year-to-date (YTD basis), sales also grew by 6% to 1,26,137 units in H1 of 2024 when compared to sales in the same 6 month period last year.

Kia India Sales June 2024

Kia India offers a portfolio that includes the Sonet, Seltos, Carens and EV6. They had the Sonet as its best-selling model in June 2024 with 9,816 units sold, which is 46% of total sales. Kia India Exports in the past month stood at 3,206 units.

Kia Indias year to date sales also improved significantly to 126,137 unit sales in H1 2024. Even in this, it was the Sonet as a leading contributor with a 43% share in total sales. It was followed by the Seltos with a 32% share and Carens with a 25% share, driving up sales for the company by significant numbers. Exports during the 6 month period stood at 12,026 units.

Kias Achievements and New Launches

In recent times, Kia India has surpassed 2.5 lakh export milestone. The company conducts its exports to over 100 markets from its Anantapur plant. Till date, the company has completed 1.2 million vehicle dispatches from this plant which includes 9.8 lakh units in domestic markets while 2.5 lakh units have been exported. Kia India operates via 588 sales touch points spread over 265 cities in India.

Kia is working on many new products for India. One of them is the new gen luxury MPV which will be a successor to the Carnival MPV. It has already been spied on test and launch is likely to take place ahead of the festive season this year. Another Kia India car that has been spied is a compact SUV, which is rumoured to be launched as Clavis. It will be offered in ICE as well as EV version.

Another Kia car planned for launch is the Carens EV. It is planned for launch in 2025. Ahead of that, first spy shots of the Carens EV have also surfaced in India. Carens petrol and diesel options will also get a facelift, sometime later this year or next year.
Top 2 motorcycles in the list, Bajaj Pulsar and TVS Apache dominate the segment with close to 50% market share in May 2024

Sales of 150cc to 200cc motorcycles witnessed a significant surge in May 2024, registering a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 34.15%. This rise indicates a strong demand for mid-range motorcycles in the market, with total sales reaching 171,981 units compared to 128,197 units in May 2023.

Top 10 Motorcycles (150cc to 200cc) May 2024  YoY Comparison

Leading the segment, Bajaj Pulsar sold 47,301 units, marking a substantial increase of 34.42% from the previous year and securing a 27.50% market share. Despite being the second highest seller with 37,906 units, TVS Apache saw a decline of 9.65% YoY, holding a 22.04% market share. At no 3 is Honda Unicorn with 24,740 units, capturing a 14.39% market share.

Yamaha MT 15 posted an impressive growth of 104.19%, with sales doubling from 7,156 units in May 2023 to 14,612 units this year, commanding an 8.50% share. Yamaha FZ sold 14,359 units, experiencing a decline of 15.13% from the previous year, holding an 8.35% market share. Yamaha R15 Registered sales of 10,435 units, marking a 7.49% decrease compared to May 2023, with a 6.07% market share. Honda SP 160 a strong new entrant with 9,939 units sold, securing a 5.78% market share.

Hero XPulse 200 faced a decline of 17.46%, selling 3,433 units compared to 4,159 units in May 2023, holding a 2.00% share. KTM 200 showed a 13.81% increase in sales, with 2,645 units sold, capturing a 1.54% market share. Honda Hornet 2.0 registered 2,505 units and held a 1.46% market share. Hero Xtreme 160R / 200 experienced a significant drop of 65.46%, selling 1,228 units compared to 3,555 units in May 2023, with a 0.71% share.

Suzuki Gixxer faced the sharpest decline at 70.87%, with sales dropping to 1,168 units from 4,009 units, holding a 0.68% share. Bajaj Avenger recorded a 29.03% decrease in sales, with 1,144 units sold, capturing a 0.67% market share. Honda CB200X registered 512 units. Kawasaki W175 showed notable improvement with a 38.46% increase in sales, albeit with a modest volume of 54 units, maintaining a minimal 0.03% market share.

Top 10 Motorcycles (150cc to 200cc) May 2024  MoM Comparison

Taking a look at the month on month performance, sales have declined by 5%. Bajaj Pulsar sold 47,301 units in May, a decrease of 6.78% from Aprils 50,739 units. TVS Apache saw a notable decline of 16.73%, with May sales at 37,906 units compared to Aprils 45,520 units. Honda Unicorn experienced a 4.44% decrease, selling 24,740 units in May, down from 25,889 units in April.

Yamaha MT 15 bucked the downward trend with a 9.38% increase in sales, rising from 13,359 units in April to 14,612 units in May. Yamaha FZ Increased its sales by 4.22%, with May sales at 14,359 units, up from 13,778 units in April. Yamaha R15 faced a 6.38% decline, with sales dropping from 11,146 units in April to 10,435 units in May.

Honda SP 160 noted a significant growth of 20.33%, with sales rising to 9,939 units in May from 8,260 units in April. Hero Xpulse 200 registered a remarkable increase of 77.69%, with sales jumping from 1,932 units in April to 3,433 units in May. KTM 200 saw a decline of 11.33%, with May sales at 2,645 units, down from 2,983 units in April.

Honda Hornet 2.0 posted a modest growth of 5.52%, with sales increasing to 2,505 units in May from 2,374 units in April. Hero Xtreme 160R / 200 experienced a 15.13% decrease, with May sales at 1,228 units compared to 1,447 units in April. Suzuki Gixxer faced a 16.87% decline, with sales dropping from 1,405 units in April to 1,168 units in May.

Bajaj Avenger saw a decrease of 22.91%, with May sales at 1,144 units, down from 1,484 units in April. Honda CB200X experienced an 18.99% decline, with sales dropping from 632 units in April to 512 units in May. Kawasaki W175 noted the steepest decline of 65.82%, with May sales at 54 units, down from 158 units in April.
Made by Bajaj in India, the Triumph 40cc range of motorcycles have achieved a new sales milestone today

Bajaj Auto Ltd and Triumph Motorcycles are celebrating a major milestonethe first anniversary of the made in India Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, with over 50,000 bikes sold in 50 countries worldwide. Manufactured at Bajajs state-of-the-art Chakan plant in Pune, these motorcycles have captured the hearts of riders globally.

Triumph 400cc Global Success and Craftsmanship

Unveiled on 27th June 2023 in London, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X were launched in India in July 2023. The response was overwhelming, with 10,000 bookings within the first ten days. The motorcycles have since become favorites among enthusiasts, thanks to their exceptional performance, agile handling, and classic British design.

To mark this significant achievement, Triumph and Bajaj are offering a special Rs. 10,000 discount on the ex-showroom prices of both models until 31st July 2024. The Speed 400 is now priced at Rs. 2.24 lacs, and the Scrambler 400X at Rs. 2.54 lacs ex-showroom (Delhi). Bajaj Auto has expanded its Triumph dealership network in India from 15 to over 90 dedicated showrooms across 70 cities, making these bikes more accessible to Indian consumers.

Triumph 400 range of motorcycles is powered by a 398cc single-cylinder DOHC 4-valve liquid-cooled engine, delivering approximately 40 bhp and 38 Nm of torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Both the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X offer an exceptional price-to-performance ratio in their respective segments.

Management Speak

Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd. commented, Its been an action-packed year for Triumph motorcycles in India ever since the launch of the 400 twins in July last year. We have expanded the network significantly with best-in-class showrooms, and a very active engagement program with customers has commenced, which showcases what it means to experience the world of Triumph. The category of Modern Classics is being steadily established which holds a lot of promise of great biking for those who like to combine style and performance! We are also delighted that the products from our joint collaboration are being appreciated across the world from emerging to developed markets.

Mr Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles, UK, commented, The collaboration with Bajaj Auto has enabled us to bring the Triumph brand to many more riders across the world. Together, we manufacture Triumph motorcycles at a scale and pace that has not been achieved before while maintaining the high quality, premium finish, and attention to detail that Triumph is renowned for. This combination has been one of many reasons for the success weve seen in India and in all our markets around the world.

New 400cc Triumphs Incoming

In an interview earlier this year, Rajiv Bajaj said, There will be at least one more Triumph introduced later this year, with several others in development. This likely refers to the Thruxton 400. The Triumph Thruxton 400, a semi-faired motorcycle, has already been spotted during testing. It features the iconic Thruxton R design, including a bikini fairing, and will be built on the same 400cc platform as the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. This bike will capture the classic charm of the Cafe Racer genre, offering a unique proposition.

Rajiv Bajaj has hinted at the development of several other Triumph models. These new motorcycles will cater to various genres, potentially expanding the lineup to include a Bobber (possibly named Bonneville or Speedmaster), a fully-faired machine (likely under the Daytona name), and a capable ADV (possibly branded as Tiger Sport).
AFRICA

Central African Republic

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council is expected to vote to extend the sanctions imposed on the Central African Republic (CAR), which expire at the end of the month, and renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee, which expires on 31 August.

Key Recent Developments

On 27 June, Special Representative for CAR and Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSCA) Valentine Rugwabiza briefed the Council on the Secretary-Generals latest report on MINUSCA and recent developments in the CAR. She highlighted some of the political developments in the CAR following the adoption of the 2023 constitution and progress in the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR. Rugwabiza referred to MINUSCAs support to the decentralisation of the peace process through the involvement of prefectural implementation mechanisms. She also mentioned the missions support for the first high-level national conference on peaceful and prosperous transhumance held on 13 May to develop strategies for reducing seasonal transhumance-related violence. The CAR has been affected by increasing intercommunal conflict as a result of transhumance-related activities, and the conference agreed, among other things, to strengthen the security of transhumance corridors and promote cross-border dialogue.

The CAR is preparing to hold local elections in October for the first time since 1988. A budget shortfall remains an ongoing challenge, despite recent financial commitments to support the election made by some partners, such as the EU, through the UN Development Programme basket fund. The Secretary-Generals report also mentions the CAR governments formal request to the UN to provide electoral assistance to the countrys presidential and legislative elections, set to be held in 2025-2026. The CAR government seeks MINUSCAs support in mobilising resources and providing continued technical, operational, logistical, and security support for the local, presidential, and legislative elections.

With the increased military activities of armed groups, particularly along the border, the security situation in the CAR remains volatile. The Secretary-Generals report particularly notes the efforts by armed groups to gain control of mining sites and transhumance corridors. MINUSCA continues to support the extension of state authority in the CAR. Its joint patrols with the CAR armed forces (FACA) are intended to reinforce the states presence in conflict-affected areas in order to protect civilians and support local reconciliation efforts.

The restrictions imposed by the CAR authorities on the use of uncrewed aerial vehicles remain in effect, undermining MINUSCAs freedom of movement. The Secretary-Generals report notes the impact of these restrictions on the implementation of the missions mandate, hindering its ability to acquire critical information and develop comprehensive security analyses for operational planning. It also mentions the risk to the safety and security of peacekeepers, as well as the protection of the missions installations. MINUSCA has been engaging with the CAR authorities to resolve the issue.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 27 June, Siobhan Mullally, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, presented her report (A/HRC/56/60/Add.2) to the Human Rights Council on her country visit to the CAR from 24 to 30 November 2023. The Special Rapporteur highlighted that trafficking in persons, especially women and children, persists with impunity against the backdrop of continuing conflict and violence in the country. She underscored the importance of achieving peace, justice, and accountability in combating the trafficking of persons in the CAR. The Special Rapporteur also called for implementing an inclusive, gender-sensitive, and effective disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration process.

Sanctions-Related Developments

Following the extension of the CAR sanctions regime and the Panel of Experts mandate in July 2023, four of the five panel members were appointed in January after Russia lifted its hold on their appointment during the last week of December 2023. On 30 May, the Secretary-General appointed Fiona Magnan (Ireland) as the natural resources/finance expert. On 3 June, the panel briefed the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee on its final report, which described the spillover effects of the conflict in Sudan and its impact on the activities of armed groups in the CAR. The report noted the presence of Sudanese conflict parties crossing into Central African Republic territory, with confirmed reports of Sudanese Armed Forces air raids in and around border areas. It also indicated that [t]he Rapid Support Forces of the Sudan have recruited from among armed groups in the Central African Republic and move between the two countries easily through a long-standing network. Additionally, the report highlighted the humanitarian situation in the CAR, which has been exacerbated by the influx of Sudanese refugees. It also stated concerns about the increasing tensions between local communities and refugees, with armed groups infiltrating refugee camps and engaging in forced recruitment, use of child soldiers, and attacks based on religious and ethnic grounds. The panel recommended, among other things, the need to control the surge in arms trafficking from neighbouring countries and the infiltration of foreign fighters into the CAR. It also underscored the need to enhance regional cooperation to address security challenges. On 15 May, the Secretary-General submitted his report on the CAR authorities progress towards the key benchmarks that could guide the Security Council in reviewing the arms embargo measures imposed under the 2127 CAR sanctions regime, pursuant to resolution 2693 of 27 July 2023 by which the regime was renewed. These benchmarks relate to security sector reform; the disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation process; and weapons and ammunition management. The report notes the steady incremental progress in implementing these benchmarks and, among other things, calls on the CAR authorities to make further progress in addressing the illicit transfer of arms and ammunition to armed groups operating in the country, including explosive ordnance.

Key Issues and Options

The key issue for Council members in July is the renewal of the 2127 CAR sanctions regime and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the sanctions committee. In light of the CAR authorities request for the total lifting of the arms embargo, which is supported by some Council members, the upcoming negotiations are expected to be contentious. In particular, it might prove difficult to maintain the arms embargo despite the complex regional security dynamics and the surge in arms trafficking described in the panels final report.

The panels own mandate is also likely to be contentious. Last year, Russia was critical of the panel, whose 18 May 2023 report said that the CAR authorities did not provide clarity on weapons and aircraft that were transferred from Russia without advance notification to the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee. The report also noted other cases in which advance notification was given about the transfer of Russian military vehicles that were then used at mining sites, contrary to what was stated in the notification.

One option would be to renew the sanctions (that is, the arms embargo, the assets freeze, and travel bans) and the mandate of the panel of experts. Given the views of some Council members, another option for Council members would be to try to achieve a compromise by lifting the arms embargo while renewing the panels mandate so it can continue to report on the implementation of the sanctions regime.

Council Dynamics

Last year, the Council renewed the 2127 CAR sanctions regime and the Panel of Experts mandate with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions (China and Russia). The Council also lifted the arms embargo imposed on the CAR government, while maintaining all other sanctions measures, including the obligation for bilateral and multilateral partners to notify the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee, except for deliveries to the CAR government.

Russia and China called for the complete lifting of the arms embargo. Russia, in particular, argued in its explanation of vote that armed groups have been acquiring arms for the 10 years during which the sanctions regime has been in place, and maintaining those restrictions will have no impact on the problem. China also maintained that the arms embargo no longer meets the countrys needs, given its situation, and impedes its efforts to enhance its security capacity and to maintain its national security and stability.

The US, however, argued that the sanctions regime does not prevent the CAR government from acquiring weapons or training and that the Council should not lift the arms embargo until the country makes further efforts to strengthen its stockpile management and address cross-border arms and natural resource smuggling. Additionally, the US expressed alarm about reports that man-portable air defence systems had been transported through the CAR into Sudan by the Wagner Group, a Russian private security company recently renamed the Africa Corps, and underscored the need for oversight of those weapons to monitor the security situation in the CAR and the broader region.

France is the penholder on the CAR, and Ambassador Amar Bendjama (Algeria) chairs the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee.

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AMERICAS

Colombia

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council is expected to receive a briefing from Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu on recent developments in Colombia and the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report on the mission, which was circulated to Council members on 26 June.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego is expected to represent his country at the meeting for the first time since taking office in August 2022. An ex-combatant from the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) is expected to participate in person at the meeting, also for the first time. This is in line with a request made by Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia at the Councils previous quarterly meeting on Colombia, held on 9 April, that peace signatories be invited to participate periodically in Council meetings.

The verification missions mandate expires on 31 October 2024.

Key Recent Developments

The past quarter witnessed increased rhetoric from Colombian officials about challenges in implementing the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace signed in 2016 between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group FARC-EP. In a 14 May speech, Petro announced that he would go to the UN to warn that the State of Colombia does not want to comply with the peace agreement it signed. In a subsequent post on X (formerly Twitter), Petro argued that there are three axes to the peace agreement that, if left unfulfilled, would spell the states failure in complying with the peace agreement: agrarian reform, the transformation of the territories, and promoting judicial truth. On the last point, the president has accused the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP)the judicial component of the transitional justice system established by the 2016 agreementof fragmenting the truth by not allowing paramilitaries to appear before the court. (In accordance with the 2016 agreement, the SJP does not have jurisdiction over crimes committed by paramilitary groups.)

The Colombian president has previously highlighted these issues, including during Council members 7-11 February visiting mission to Colombia, while lamenting lack of cooperation from certain state ministries and failure by previous administrations to implement the agreement. Petro and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Alvaro Leyva Duran have criticised the SJP on several occasions, including in quarterly Council meetings and in a 19 October 2023 letter sent to the Council. Signatories to the agreement have also raised concerns about the SJPs work, including the issues of pending amnesties for former combatants and the courts decision to prosecute middle-ranking former guerrillas.

Rhetoric on the implementation of the 2016 agreement has overlapped with discussions of the presidents initiative, announced in mid-March, to convene a constituent assembly in Colombia, which has been politically contentious. In a 25 May interview, Leyva argued that the 2016 agreement contains provisions allowing the convening of a constituent assembly without requiring Congressional approval and appeared to suggest that denouncing the states non-compliance with the agreement before the Security Council could set this process in motion. Several Colombian actors, including members of the Comunes partywhich is comprised of former FARC-EP membersand constitutional experts have rejected these claims, and some have urged a focus on concrete implementation actions rather than on rhetoric.

On 6 June, Murillo met informally with Security Council members in New York, and reportedly assured them that his government will not request the Council to endorse a constituent assembly in Colombia. The foreign minister also announced that in the upcoming Council session Petro will present a strategic report on the implementation of the peace agreement during the period 2016-2024. It was confirmed on 20 June that the government will present the report jointly with members of the Comunes party.

Recent months have witnessed both progress and setbacks in the governments dialogue efforts with armed groups operating in the country, carried out as part of Petros total peace policy. On 5 February, the government and the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) announced the extension of their bilateral ceasefire for another six months, until 3 August, and the guerrilla group committed to cease kidnapping for ransom. Shortly thereafter, however, the governments decision to hold a regional dialogue with one of the ELNs regional fronts led the groups central command to suspend the dialogue with the government and, on 6 May, to announce that it had lifted its suspension of ransom kidnappings. This move has been condemned by many, including in a statement by the countries accompanying the negotiations (Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland). The Secretary-Generals report says that despite these challenges, the parties have broadly respected the terms of the ceasefire.

Regarding the governments dialogue with the dissident group of the former FARC-EP that identifies itself as the Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (EMC FARC-EP), Petro suspended the ceasefire with the group from 20 March in the departments of Cauca, Narino, and Valle del Cauca after the EMC had carried out attacks against indigenous communities in Cauca. Subsequently, several EMC factions announced that they would no longer participate in the dialogue process and have since carried out attacks in Cauca targeting police and military forces, which have also harmed civilians, in an apparent attempt to pressure the government to resume the suspended ceasefires. (The factions that chose to remain in the dialogue process reportedly represent around 40 percent of the dissident group.) A 17 June statement by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern about the heightened levels of violence, as well as reports of child recruitment in several departments.

Between 24 and 28 June, the government held in Caracas, Venezuela, its first round of dialogue with the armed group Segunda Marquetalia, which consists of former FARC-EP dissidents who signed the 2016 agreement but took up arms again. The government reportedly hopes to sign and implement a peace deal with the group within two years, before Petros term in office ends.

On 26 June, it was reported that ex-combatants from the former territorial area for training and reintegration (TATR) of Miravalle in the Caqueta department are being displaced due to security threats by an EMC FARC-EP faction that is still participating in the peace process with the government, against the backdrop of the factions dispute with the Segunda Marquetalia. This development was criticised by many national and international interlocutors, including Ruiz Massieu.

Human Rights-Related Developments Following a ten-day visit to Colombia, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent issued a statement on 24 May, urging the Colombian government to address through structural reforms the systemic and institutional racism people of African descent have endured for centuries. The experts noted that, despite having adopted legal provisions to protect human rights and address violations, the Colombian government still lacks effective action to transform the daily lives of people of African descent by alleviating poverty and ensuring their rights to security, education, housing, employment, and participation in political affairs. Testimony from people of African descent, including women, youth, human rights defenders, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons, revealed violence such as kidnappings, brutal killings by armed groups, forced recruitment of children into armed groups, forced displacement, and sexual violence, among others. The working group urged Colombia to ensure meaningful participation of people of African descent in all relevant processes, including the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement. It will also present a report on its visit to the Human Rights Council at its 57th session in September 2025. In a report published on 20 May, Siobhan Mullally, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, addressed various forms of trafficking in persons in Colombia based on her 22-31 May 2023 visit to the country. Mullally highlighted the potential connections and overlapping activities between criminal organisations engaged in trafficking in persons and non-state armed groups involved in related activities, including potentially illegal mining and deforestation, coca production, sale and supply, sexual exploitation of women and girls, and the recruitment and use of children. In this regard, she called for progress in implementing the public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups and criminal organisations. Among other recommendations, the Special Rapporteur urged the Colombian government to strengthen measures to implement the ethnic chapter of the 2016 peace agreement and to prevent conflict-related trafficking, in particular among Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities; strengthen the civilian authorities in border zones to prevent trafficking in migrants and refugees; strengthen the Colombian Family Welfare Institute to ensure the best interests of all children without discrimination; and take adequate measures to prevent trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation, including in the tourism industry. Women, Peace and Security Marcela Sanchez Buitrago, Executive Director of Colombia Diversa, briefed the Security Council during the 9 April meeting on Colombia. This was the first time that a civil society representative provided a briefing on LGBTQ-related issues in a formal country-specific Council meeting. Focusing on the impact of the conflict on LGBTQ persons in Colombia, Sanchez Buitrago said that armed actors actively targeted, disappeared or killed LGBTQ persons, particularly Afro-Colombians and adolescents. She noted that, as at March, 6,000 crimes had been recorded against LGBTQ persons during the conflict. The violence has included forced displacement, exile, sexual violence and killings, according to estimates by Colombias Truth Commission. She added that the full extent of the violations may never be known due to social stigma, lack of documentation, and fear of reprisals. Sanchez Buitrago said that Colombia is one of the deadliest countries in the world for human rights defenders and referenced the killings of eight LGBTQ human rights defenders in 2023, noting that in about half such killings, evidence suggests that those defenders were attacked for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Sanchez Buitrago urged the Council to demand the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and LGBTQ persons in the implementation of the 2016 agreement, and in negotiations with other actors in Colombia. Among other recommendations, she urged the Council to call for an end to attacks against LGBTQ persons and defenders, to call for all perpetrators to be held accountable, and to request the verification mission to regularly report to the Council about the situation of human rights defenders, including LGBTQ activists.

Key Issues and Options

The overarching priority for the Council is supporting the full implementation of the 2016 peace agreement. Although Council members welcome the governments expression of political will to do so, they have increasingly emphasised, as some members noted at the latest quarterly meeting, that 2024 should be the year of implementation. The presidents participation in the upcoming quarterly session, which comes as Petro reaches the half-way mark of his term, and the expected report on the implementation of the agreement during 2016-2024 provide opportunities to discuss ways to overcome challenges to implementation. Council members apparently expect to interact informally with Murillo a day before the quarterly meeting; this could help clear up confusion about recent rhetoric on failure by the state to implement the peace accord and apprehension about attempts to have the Security Council take sides in politically contentious domestic processes such as a constituent assembly.

Supporting transitional justice efforts in the country is a longstanding priority for the Council. Members have regularly emphasised the importance of upholding the SJPs autonomy. They apparently also wish to see addressed concerns by signatories to the peace agreement. Members could reiterate these messages in their statements.

The situation of children in Colombia is another matter of concern. According to the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict, dated 3 June, 262 children were recruited and used in 2023, nearly double the number in 2022, including by former FARC-EP dissident groups (186) and the ELN (41). Council members could emphasise that measures relating to the protection of children can serve as an early confidence-building measure in peace negotiations and call on parties to include such considerations in their dialogues.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in their support for the peace process in Colombia and for the verification missions work.

Council members have different views, however, about the appropriate level of Council support for the governments dialogue efforts with armed groups operating in the country. Some members, such as the US, apparently feel that a cautious approach is needed in discussing a possible UN role in such dialogue efforts. Many members have often expressed concern about violence perpetrated by these armed groups, calling on them to cease such acts to demonstrate good faith in the negotiations. Other members would apparently like to see a more proactive approach from the Council in support of the dialogue processes. Council member Switzerland is an accompanying country in the dialogue process with the ELN and a guarantor country in the process with the EMC.

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SECURITY COUNCIL AND WIDER UN STRUCTURE

Cooperation between the UN and Regional Organisations

Expected Council Action

In July, the Council is expected to hold a meeting on the cooperation between the UN and regional organisations with a focus on the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Background

The CSTO was established in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Currently, it is composed of six members: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. The CSTO was created to ensure national and collective security among its members and to foster military and political cooperation. It has sought to combat regional threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal migration.

Formed in 2001, the SCO currently has nine members: China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In September 2022, Belarus initiated its accession to the organisation. The SCO aims to enhance economic, political, social, transportation, and cultural ties among its members. Lately, it has prioritised peace, stability, and humanitarian cooperation. The SCOs security agenda emphasises countering extremism, terrorism, and separatism.

The CIS was formed in 1991 and currently has nine members: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The CIS promotes political, economic, human rights, cultural, and environmental cooperation. The CIS also coordinates member activities on counter-terrorism.

Key Recent Developments

Strengthening cooperation with regional and sub-regional organisationsas envisioned in Chapter VIII of the UN Charterhas become an increasingly prominent theme for the Security Council. The AU, the EU, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are some of the organisations that have developed more institutionalised relations with the Council.

Russia has sought to promote greater cooperation between the UN and regional organisations operating in the Eurasian region. During its October 2016 presidency of the Council, Russia organised the first Council meeting on cooperation between the UN and the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS. The objective of that debate was to draw the Councils attention to the contribution these organisations have made in countering threats to peace and security in the region and to encourage their further cooperation with the UN, including the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

In September 2019, Russia organised a ministerial-level debate that centred on the roles played by the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS in countering terrorist threats. During its presidency in February 2022, Russia convened another meeting to discuss cooperation between the UN and these three organisations, focused on enhancing cooperation in the areas of peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and drug trafficking.

In May 2018, representatives of the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS formalised their cooperation on counter-terrorism by signing a memorandum of understanding committing them to enhancing collaboration and information-sharing. New areas of cooperation, including information and biological security, are also steadily evolving.

Given their shared objectives in the Central Asian region, these organisations maintain regular contact with the Councils Counter-Terrorism Committee and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The situation in Afghanistan, in particular, has been a common concern because of its implications for regional security, including terrorism and cross-border drug trafficking.

On 22 March, Russia experienced one of its deadliest terrorist attacks in recent decades when four gunmen conducted a mass shooting at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Moscow. The incident resulted in hundreds of casualties, with over 130 people killed. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, and Western intelligence has suggested the involvement of IS Khorasan Province, a regional branch of IS active in South-Central Asia, including Afghanistan. The suspects were identified as nationals of Tajikistan, a member of the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS. On 18 April, Russia and Tajikistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan, conducted joint military drills aimed at preparing for potential cross-border incursions by militants or illegal armed groups. Additionally, the CSTO is reportedly working on a draft resolution to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border.

The Secretary-Generals latest biennial report on Cooperation between the UN and regional and other organizations, issued on 8 August 2022, underscored continued strengthening of cooperation between the UN on the one hand and the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS, on the other. This includes regular exchanges of information, visits, conferences, and joint training exercises. The report highlighted their joint efforts on preventive measures in the region, including through UNRCCA, the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, and initiatives related to sustainable development.

On 22 February, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia had frozen its participation in the CSTO and was reviewing its membership in the organisation. Pashinyan has voiced dissatisfaction with Armenias long-standing alliance with Russia, contending that Armenia can no longer depend on Russia for its defence. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalated following Azerbaijani military actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023. (For more information, see our 20 September 2023 Whats in Blue story.)

Authorities in Moldova have also expressed dissatisfaction with their countrys membership in the CIS. Tensions between Chisinau and Moscow escalated following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and in early 2023, the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity announced its intention to annul significant agreements related to the CIS. In February 2023, Chisinau recalled its representative from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.

Russia has downplayed the significance of these developments. During a 14 December 2023 press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moldovas CIS membership does not create much added value, clarifying that Russia was not pushing anyone out of the organisation. Regarding Armenia and its memberships in the CIS and the CSTO, Putin suggested that complex processes underway in Armenias domestic politics were contributing to its approach, emphasising his belief that withdrawing from the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, or the CSTO would not be in Armenias best interests.

Council and Wider Dynamics

Russia has maintained that the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS share common objectives with the UN and has advocated for enhanced cooperation between the UN and these organisations. During the October 2016 meeting, Russia said that there was a lack of general understanding of these organisations activities and that some Council members had tried to downplay their role. The P3 members (France, the UK, and the US) have been generally critical of these organisations, viewing them as a vehicle for a few of their most dominant members to enhance their influence in the region. The division among Council members in the perception of these organisations has been evident in the context of the Councils considerations of UNRCCA.

Until early 2015, Council members issued a press statement following each briefing on UNRCCA, encouraging increased cooperation and coordination among the Central Asian countries, UNRCCA, and relevant regional organisations. In recent years, however, Russia, the penholder on UNRCCA, proposed including specific references to the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS in addition to the OSCE and the EU. The P3 has opposed these additions, and a press statement on the UNRCCA has not been issued since January 2018.

The July meeting will be the first on the cooperation between the UN and the CSTO, the SCO, and the CIS since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, tensions between Russia and Western countries have deepened. Discussions in the General Assembly regarding cooperation between the UN and regional organisations, previously non-controversial, have become increasingly contentious. An illustrative example occurred in November 2022 when the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/19 on cooperation between the UN and the Central European Initiative (CEI). This resolution included an operative paragraph acknowledging the contribution of the CEI to alleviate the serious consequences, caused by the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Russia voted against the resolution and criticised what it saw as unnecessary politicisation of regional organisations mandates, cautioning against setting a precedent that could extend to similar resolutions in the future.

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EUROPE

Cyprus

Expected Council Action

In July, Security Council members are expected to receive a briefing in consultations on the situation in Cyprus. Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Colin Stewart is expected to brief.

UNFICYPs mandate expires on 31 January 2025.

Key Recent Developments

Over the past six months, there has been no meaningful progress on the political front and no direct formal engagement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders in the context of unification talks, which have been stalled since the collapse of negotiations in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in July 2017. The two sides have maintained alternative positions on the appropriate framework for resolving the Cyprus issue: the Greek Cypriots remain firmly committed to a settlement based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation (BBF) with political equality, as stipulated in previous Security Council resolutions, while Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar insists on a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

On 5 January, the Secretary-General announced the appointment of Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, a former Colombian foreign affairs minister, as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, responsible for assuming a good offices role to search for common ground on the way forward and to advise [Guterres] on the Cyprus issue. In a press release issued the same day, Turkiyes Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Turkiye and the Turkish Cypriot side had given their consent to the Personal Envoys appointment on two conditions: that the envoys mandate be limited to exploring whether common ground exists or not between the two sidesfor the start of new, formal settlement negotiations and that it not exceed six months.

According to media reports, Holguin Cuellars mandate was expected to be extended by three months. However, in a 7 June statement, Tatars office claimed that the reports of Holguin Cuellars mandate extension were untrue, adding that Tatar would continue to work constructively with the Personal Envoy in the remaining 1 month of her mandate.

Resolution 2723 of 30 January, which renewed UNFICYPs mandate for another year, welcomed the Secretary-Generals appointment of a Personal Envoy on Cyprus and urged the sides to seize the opportunity presented by this development. It also encouraged the two sides to engage constructively with the envoy in the search for common ground with the goal of returning to formal negotiations for a lasting settlement in Cyprus.

Holguin Cuellar has engaged in extensive shuttle diplomacy since taking office in January. She made her inaugural visit to Cyprus in late January, meeting with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Nikos Christodoulides and Tatar, respectively. During her stay, she also engaged with local actors and civil society organisations, including women and youth groups. Subsequently, on 6 February, she held meetings in Athens, Greece, followed by engagements in Ankara, Turkiye, on 8 February. On 7 and 8 March, Holguin Cuellar visited London for meetings with UK officials, thereby concluding her visits to the three guarantor powers (Greece, Turkiye, and the UK) under the 1960 treaty guaranteeing the independence, territorial integrity, and security of Cyprus.

On 11 March, Holguin Cuellar returned to the island for a second round of meetings with Christodoulides, Tatar, political parties, civil society, and religious representatives from both communities.

On 29 April, she visited Brussels for meetings with high-level EU officials, including European Council President Charles Michel.

She conducted her third trip to Cyprus, in addition to visiting Ankara and Athens, from 7 to 14 May. According to media reports, Holguin Cuellar proposed a trilateral meeting with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders. However, on 8 May, Tatar announced that he had rejected the proposal.

On 5 April, Tatar met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, after which he reiterated his scepticism regarding the Personal Envoys mandate, saying he did not believe Holguin Cuellar could find common ground between the two sides. Tatar urged all parties to recognise the existence of two peoples, two democratic states, two authorities and also warned against flare-ups of tensions on the island, saying how little misunderstanding[s] such as an accidental shooting of Turkish soldiers could turn the situation [in Cyprus] into a new Gaza. The following day, Nicosia described Tatars remarks as incompatible with the future of their mutual homeland.

Key Issues and Options

Since the collapse of the 2017 unification talks in Crans-Montana, the key issue for the Security Council has been the lack of meaningful progress on the political front and the need to reinvigorate prospects for a political settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Given the current deadlock, the Council could take several actions to revive the peace process. It could encourage the parties to approach negotiations on the basis of engagement without recognition and undertake significant confidence-building measures, which could help facilitate the resumption of negotiations. It could also consider taking a more proactive approach to stimulate the process by exploring a change in UNFICYPs mandate, including seeking options for downsizing and for a possible exit strategy.

Council members may wish to pursue a presidential statement expressing support for the renewal of Holguin Cuellars mandate in search of common ground with the goal of returning to formal negotiations. The Council could also consider holding a private meeting with Holguin Cuellar to discuss the prospects for progress on the political track.

Council Dynamics

Cyprus remains a low-intensity issue on the Councils agenda. Council members with a vested interest in Cyprus include France, Russia, and the UK, which also serves as the penholder on the issue. Greece, which was elected on 6 June to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council from 2025 to 2026, is a key stakeholder in relation to UNFICYP and one of the three guarantor powers.

While the Council is united in its support for UNFICYP and a political process based on a BBF with political equality, members diverge on the conditions and timeframe for the unification talks. Some members have previously supported a comprehensive strategic review of the mission and timed benchmarks for an exit strategy tied to the political process. Russia remains adamant that there be no external interference or attempts to impose solutions or timelines that might influence the peace talks.

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AFRICA

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The anticipated briefer is the Special Representative and Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), Bintou Keita.

MONUSCOs mandate expires on 20 December.

Key Recent Developments

MONUSCO ceased its operations in South Kivu in April in accordance with the disengagement plan agreed with the Congolese government and endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 2717 of 19 December 2023. According to the missions 30 April press release, [o]nly uniformed personnel necessary to ensure the security of UN personnel, facilities, convoys, and equipment will be maintained there until withdrawal activities are completed. MONUSCO also indicated that all uniformed personnel will be repatriated from South Kivu by the end of June, with only a residual team of civilian personnel remaining to work on the transition.

At the time of writing, the Congolese government and the UN were expected to submit an update to the Security Council, due by 30 June, on the implementation of the disengagement plan, including proposals for the next steps in MONUSCOs gradual, responsible, and sustainable withdrawal, pursuant to resolution 2717 of 19 December 2023. Council members were also expecting to receive another report by the Secretary-General, also due by 30 June, on possible UN logistical and operational support for regional forces present in the DRC.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed its force, known as the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC), in eastern DRC in December 2023 and requested logistical and operational support from the UN. In an 8 May letter to the President of the Security Council, the DRC supported SADCs request. Earlier, in its 4 March communique, the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) had endorsed the deployment of the force and asked the Security Council to provide the required material and financial resources to enable SAMIDRC to effectively discharge its mandate. The Chair of the AUPSC formally communicated its decision to the President of the Security Council in a 13 March letter, expressing the hope that the AUPSCs request would be favourably considered. (For more on possible options that the Council could consider in July following the presentation of the Secretary-Generals report, see our In Hindsight in the April 2024 Monthly Forecast.)

The security situation in North Kivu continued to escalate with intensified fighting between the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), supported by allied militias known locally as Wazalendo, and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23). A confidential note circulated to Council members on 9 June regarding the situation in North Kivu described heavy fighting between FARDC and M23 in Kanyabayonga, 80 kilometres from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. Projectiles and mortars fired from M23-controlled territories landed in or near the MONUSCO Permanent Operating Base (POB) in the area, injuring a peacekeeper from Malawi and forcing humanitarian actors to suspend their operations, the note said. It also mentioned the joint offensive operation by the FARDC and SAMIDRC against the M23 in Sake, 20 kilometres from Goma, and added that the small-arms rounds fired by SAMIDRC impacted the MONUSCO POB in the area, including its surveillance cameras.

In a 20 June press statement, Council members condemned the recent series of attacks by the M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in North Kivu. Council members expressed their deep concern over the worsening security and humanitarian situation, with the displacement of 350,000 people in the previous week. The members of the Security Council also condemned the threats and pressure by the M23 aimed at MONUSCO and the use of heavy weapons in the vicinity of UN peacekeepers bases.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 19 June, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, issued a statement expressing alarm at the increasing targeting of human rights defenders in the DRC. According to the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC, from June 2023 to April 2024, incidents of intimidation, threats of physical violence, attacks, and acts of reprisals perpetrated by both State agents and armed groups targeted 387 human rights defenders and 67 journalists. The Special Rapporteur called upon authorities in the DRC to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe working space and protection for human rights defenders, as well as to guarantee the exercise of their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in an 18 June statement to the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, said that during his visit to the country in April, he felt the immense suffering of civilians in the east, including those living in camps for internally displaced people with continued attacks by armed groups. He also called upon the Congolese government and regional and international actors to focus on bringing about peace, security, and trust.

Sanctions-Related Developments

The Group of Experts assisting the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee submitted its final report (S/2024/432) in late April which, among other things, described the escalating security situation in eastern DRC and noted that RDF [Rwandan Defense Forces] military interventions and operationsextended beyond mere support for M23 operations to direct and decisive involvement, allowing RDF and M23 to achieve military dominance in several areas of North Kivu. It also explained how the deployment of advanced military technology affected the conflict dynamics, forcing all FARDC military air assets to be grounded. On the other hand, the report noted that the Congolese government continued to use Wazalendo groups and FDLR [Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda] as proxies in the fight against M23 and RDF. It added that [t]he instructions of the FARDC chief of staff to end collaboration with FDLR were not heeded and that the FDLR remained an important factor in the conflict despite coming under pressure. Additionally, the report described the support provided to FARDC by the Burundi National Defence Forces deployed in eastern DRC as part of a bilateral arrangement, by private military companies, and by SAMIDRC. On 24 May, the Group of Experts briefed the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee on the report, including its findings and recommendations. However, there does not appear to be a consensus among members on some of these recommendations. On 27 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2738 extending the 1533 Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime until 1 July 2025 and the mandate of the Group of Experts assisting the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee until 1 August 2025. (For more, see our 26 July Whats in Blue story.)

Women, Peace and Security

The Secretary-Generals annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), distributed on 4 April, said that MONUSCO documented 733 cases of CRSV in the DRC in 2023, with 88 of these cases having occurred in previous years. Of the total number of incidents, 556 were attributed to non-state armed groups, while state actors were implicated in 177 cases. The report said that sexual violence in the DRC was frequently perpetrated during village raids as retaliation for perceived collaboration with rival armed groups or state forces. The report also referred to a recent visit to the DRC by Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten, during which she drew attention to the surge in sexual violence in and around displacement sites in the country. In a 30 May update, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) stressed that the escalating conflict in the DRC has not only exacerbated displacement, with women and children constituting the majority of the displaced, but has also led to increasing food insecurity and record rates of gender-based violence (GBV). Limited humanitarian aid and livelihood opportunities have pushed many women and girls into survival sex, with 37 percent of girls estimated to be forcibly married before age 18, according to UN sources. The update also noted that healthcare services for survivors of CRSV, such as sexual and reproductive health care and GBV referral pathways, are severely lacking for communities of internally displaced persons (IDPs). In the update, the NGO Working Group on WPS called on the members of the Security Council to urge the DRC authorities and all armed groups to stop all threats, violence and reprisals against civilians, including IDPs, women human rights defenders, and peacebuilders. The NGO Working Group on WPS also stressed that, in the context of MONUSCOs transition and disengagement plans, it is imperative that protection of civilians, sustained humanitarian access, increased humanitarian funding and respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law be prioritised.

Key Issues and Options

One of the key issues for Council members in July is to assess progress in the MONUSCO disengagement process based on updates provided by the Congolese government and the UN to decide on the next steps for the missions gradual, responsible, and sustainable withdrawal. At this stage, it does not seem feasible for the mission to withdraw from North Kivu and Ituri, the two remaining provinces in eastern DRC, given the current security situation and the prevailing protection challenges. The Council is likely to address this issue in December when MONUSCOs mandate is up for renewal.

The other key issue for Council members in July is how to support regional forces operating in eastern DRC. Their discussion will be informed by the Secretary-Generals report, including its recommendations. The most feasible option seems to be to authorise MONUSCO to provide logistical and operational support to SAMIDRC within existing resources in line with resolution 2717. France, the penholder on DRC, is likely to propose a Council product to decide the matter.

Council Dynamics

Council members remain seriously concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC. They all seem to agree that the solution to this long-standing issue is political, and they continue to support regional efforts. Some Council members continue to call for external actors to stop supporting armed groups in eastern DRC. In particular, the US, France, Switzerland, and Slovenia remain vocal on the issue and continue to mention Rwandas role in the region.

Council members continue to stress that the MONUSCO disengagement process must be implemented in a gradual, conditions-based, and responsible manner. At the last Council meeting on MONUSCO in March, some Council members underscored the need to avoid leaving a security vacuum and called on the Congolese government to assume its security responsibilities to protect civilians. Several Council members drew attention to the safety and security of peacekeepers, given the increasing number of attacks against MONUSCO.

Council members reiterated the need for regional forces to coordinate their operations with MONUSCO. The A3+1 members (currently Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Guyana) supported the AUs call for support to SAMIDRC.

France is the penholder on the DRC. Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone) chairs the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee.

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AMERICAS

Haiti

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) prior to its 15 July expiration.

In addition, the Council will receive its regular quarterly briefing from Special Representative and Head of BINUH Maria Isabel Salvador on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and on the Secretary-Generals latest report on BINUH.

Key Recent Developments

Haiti continues to face a multidimensional security, humanitarian, and human rights crisis as a result of extreme gang violence, which has surged since late February when an alliance of the main gangs in the capital Port-au-Prince conducted a series of coordinated attacks that targeted state institutions and critical infrastructure. Gang leaders said that their goal was to instigate a civil war to force the resignation of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who had travelled to Kenya to sign a bilateral agreement facilitating the deployment of a multinational security support (MSS) mission. The Council had authorised the mission under Kenyas leadership through resolution 2699 of 2 October 2023 to help Haiti combat gang activity and restore security.

In response to the surge in violence, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened Haitian stakeholders for a high-level meeting on 11 March in Kingston, Jamaica, that resulted in an outcome declaration announcing two key commitments: the parties agreed to establish a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) that would facilitate a peaceful transition of power by organising free and fair elections, and Henry committed to stepping down upon the formation of the TPC and its appointment of a new interim prime minister.

The TPC was formally installed on 25 April. It comprises seven voting members representing political parties and the private sector as well as two non-voting observers drawn from civil society and the religious community. The council was charged with selecting a new interim prime minister, with whom it appointed a new cabinet; establishing a provisional electoral council and national security council; and collaborating with the international community to accelerate the deployment of the MSS mission. A political agreement signed by members of the council specified key tenets of the transition, emphasising security, constitutional reform, and elections as their main priorities and outlining a 22-month transitional period leading to the swearing-in of a new president in February 2026nearly a decade after the countrys last elections.

On 29 May, following protracted negotiations, the TPC announced the appointment of Garry Conille as interim prime minister. Conille is a former physician and UN official who previously served a brief term as prime minister from 2011 to 2012. Most recently, he served as UNICEFs regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

On 12 June, Conille and the TPC presented a new government cabinet. It includes former head of the Port-au-Prince bar association Carlos Hercule as minister of justice, former UNESCO ambassador Dominique Dupuy as minister of foreign affairs, and former World Bank and International Monetary Fund official Ketleen Florestal as minister of finance and planning. Like Henry before him, Conille will oversee the ministry of interior affairs, which is responsible for organising elections and preparing for the MSS mission.

On 25 June, the MSS missions first contingent of 200 police officers arrived in Haiti from Kenya. The officers had initially been scheduled to arrive in February, but that timeline had been postponed for several reasons, including a judicial challenge in Kenya, Haitis political transition, and a lack of funding. Speaking at a press conference in Port-au-Prince after the arrival of the officers, Conille reportedly said that they would actively deploy within the next few days, but he did not provide details on their initial assignment. When asked about recent comments from a prominent gang leader about the need to resolve Haitis unrest through dialogue, Conille called on the gangs to put down the guns and recognize the authority of the state, and then we will see where we go from there.

The MSS mission is expected to comprise up to 2,500 officers, deployed in phases, at an annual cost of approximately $600 million. According to the latest available information from the UN, eight countriesthe Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, and Kenyahave formally notified the Secretary-General of their intention to contribute personnel to the MSS mission, while additional countries have expressed interest in doing so but have not yet provided official notification to that effect. As at late April, the UN-administered trust fund for the mission had received $18 million in contributions from Canada, France, and the US. The US is the missions main financial backer and has pledged a total of $300 million in financial, logistical, and material support, but the release of most of these funds has been held up in the US Congress; on 19 June, media reported that the administration of President Joe Biden would override the congressional hold and release $109 million for the mission.

While Haitis gang violence appears to have receded from its peak earlier this year, the countrys security situation remains dire. According to the Secretary-Generals most recent report on BINUH, which was circulated to Council members on 26 June, the mission recorded 3,252 homicides between January and May, up from 2,453 during the previous reporting period (August-December 2023), mainly perpetrated by gang members operating in metropolitan Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite department. The report also notes that 20 police officers have been killed since the beginning of the year. On 14 June, Conilles office announced the dismissal of HNP chief Frantz Elbe, whom Haitis police unions had reportedly criticised for an inadequate response to the gang violence. Elbe will be replaced by former police chief Normil Rameau, who held the post from 2019 to 2020.

The acute security situation continues to have severe humanitarian consequences. From March to June, the number of displaced persons in Haiti increased by 60 percent from 362,000 to more than 578,000, according to the International Organization for Migration. In their latest outlook report covering the period from June to October, the World Food Programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organization designated Haiti a famine hotspot of highest concern, with an estimated 1.6 million people facing emergency-level acute food insecurity as a result of gang violence, displacement, restricted humanitarian access, and extreme weather conditions. Additionally, the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict, covering developments in 2023, recorded 383 grave violations against 307 children in Haiti. (The six grave violations, as determined by the Security Council, are child recruitment and use; killing and maiming; rape and other forms of sexual violence; attacks on schools and hospitals; abductions; and the denial of humanitarian access.)

Women, Peace and Security

Distributed on 4 April, the Secretary-Generals annual report on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) said that in 2023 armed gangs in Haiti continued to consolidate their territorial control through the deliberate use of killings, kidnapping and sexual violence, facilitated by ready access to military-grade weapons and ammunition trafficked from abroad. In this context, the report notes that [b]rutal patterns of gang-related violence, including mass rape, which were previously concentrated in Port-au-Prince, spread in 2023 to other departments, with the Panel of Experts on Haiti observing that the use of sexual and gender-based violence is a pervasive tactic among most gangs in Haiti. Similarly, the Secretary-Generals most recent report on BINUH notes that gang members continue to perpetrate sexual violence against women and girls as a tactic to spread fear, extort money, gain control of power and to punish the population. In his annual report on CRSV, the Secretary-General urgently called on the international community to strengthen its support for the humanitarian and development responses in Haiti, focusing on protection needs, including of women and girls displaced by gang violence, while also addressing the structural root causes of instability. The Secretary-General also urged the international community to support the Haitian authorities in the provision of multisectoral assistance to all survivors and to monitor and investigate sexual violence perpetrated by gangs.

Key Issues and Options

The central task for the Security Council in July is to renew BINUHs mandate. In light of Haitis political transition, Council members could consider requesting BINUH to develop a strategy on how to support the countrys new interim government to organise elections and restore democratic governance. Additionally, to help Haitis police, judiciary, and correctional services prepare for the expected impact of the MSS mission, Council members could strengthen the missions advisory and capacity-building mandate in these sectors. The Secretary-General made this suggestion in his 14 August 2023 report outlining support options the UN could provide to enhance the security situation in Haiti, requested by resolution 2692 of 14 July 2023, which most recently renewed BINUHs mandate.

Another task for the Council is to review recommendations on possible adjustments to the MSS missions mandate, which resolution 2699 requested the Secretary-General to provide as part of his regular reporting on BINUH no later than nine months after the adoption of that resolution. The MSS missions current mandate expires on 2 October.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in their concern about Haitis multidimensional crisis, including the most recent wave of violence, and generally agree on the need for a Haitian-led political solution that addresses both security and socioeconomic challenges.

Views vary, however, on appropriate actions by the international community to support this process. While most Council members support the 11 March agreement and CARICOMs mediation role that facilitated the deal, Russia has questioned the inclusivity of the process, specifically criticising a provision of the agreement that requires members of the TPC to support the MSS mission as interference in Haitis domestic affairs. Both China and Russia have also expressed reservations about the lack of operational detail regarding the missions terms of reference and exit strategy, concerns that complicated negotiations on both resolution 2692 and resolution 2699, although both were ultimately adopted unanimously. (For more information on those negotiations, see our 13 July 2023 and 2 October 2023 Whats in Blue stories.)

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MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon

Expected Council Action

In July, Council members expect to receive a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1701. Adopted in 2006, resolution 1701 called for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The Secretary-Generals report, which is due on 10 July, will cover the period from 21 February to 20 June. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaertwhose appointment was announced on 20 May and who succeeds Joanna Wroneckaand Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix are the expected briefers.

Key Recent Developments

Near-daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Israel and Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon have continued since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas on 7 October 2023. (Established by the UN in 2000 to confirm Israels withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the Blue Line does not represent an international border but acts in practice as a boundary between Lebanon and Israel in the absence of an agreed border between the two states. For background on the war in Gaza, see the brief The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question in our July Monthly Forecast.)

The exchanges of fire have resulted in casualties among combatants and civilians on both sides of the Blue Line. According to figures cited on 18 June by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, the hostilities have resulted in 25 Israeli fatalities and the reported killing in Lebanon of 401 people, including paramedics and journalists. The exchanges of fire have displaced over 90,000 people in Lebanon and over 60,000 in Israel. The violence has also caused destruction of property and fires on both sides of the Blue Line, with a 5 June Human Rights Watch report warning that Israels widespread use of white phosphorus in south Lebanon is putting civilians at grave risk and contributing to civilian displacement.

The intensification of strikes and bellicose rhetoric by Israeli and Hezbollah officials in June have raised serious concerns about the possibility of an all-out war. On 11 June, Taleb Abdallah, a senior Hezbollah commander, was killed together with three other Hezbollah members in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah retaliated on 12 and 13 June, launching a large number of rockets and weaponised drones across the border, with Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine reportedly saying at Abdallahs funeral on 12 June that Hezbollah would increase the intensity, strength, quantity and quality of its attacks. Abdallah has been identified in media reports as Hezbollahs most senior member to have been killed since the current round of hostilities began in October 2023, and Hezbollahs 12 June attack was reportedly one of the heaviest during the war.

On 18 June, Hezbollah released a drone video showing military and civilian locations in and around the Israeli city of Haifa. Responding to the video, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz said on X, formerly Twitter, that [i]n an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be severely hit. On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon had been approved and validated. In a 19 June speech, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah reportedly said that, in the event of a broader war, there will be no place safe from our missiles and our drones in Israel, and claimed to be in possession of a bank of targets in the country. In an unusual development, Nasrallah also addressed Cyprus, saying that opening Cypriot airports and bases to Israel to attack Lebanon will result in Cyprus becoming part of the war. (Located about 200 kilometers from Lebanon, Cyprus has held joint military exercises with Israel since 2014, according to media reports). In a 28 June post on X, formerly Twitter, the Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN in New York said that should Israel attack Lebanon with a full scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue.

On 15 June, Hennis-Plasschaert and UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Head of Mission and Force Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro issued a joint statement warning about the risk of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflict and urging all actors along the Blue Line to lay down their weapons and commit to peace. Similarly, on 21 June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that miscalculation could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, adding that the people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Against this backdrop, UNIFIL has continued to implement its mandate, including through armed vehicle patrols along the Blue Line and counter-rocket-launching patrols, and working to de-escalate tensions, prevent miscalculation and support communities in southern Lebanon.

Diplomatic initiatives by France and the US focusing on de-escalation and on bringing the parties to a negotiation process have continued. Proposals have reportedly revolved around re-establishing a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, having Hezbollah and other armed groups withdraw several kilometres north of the Blue Line with a simultaneous scaled-up presence in the border area of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and launching a negotiation process over disputed areas along the Blue Line.

On 13 June, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a trilateral contact group composed of the US, France, and Israel to advance a French proposal for de-escalation, adding that there would be a similar engagement with the Lebanese authorities. The following day, however, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant rejected the French proposal, stating that Israel would not participate in the trilateral framework.

Hezbollah has said on several occasions that until the war in Gaza ends, it will not take part in any negotiations, and the Lebanese front will remain active. But in a 24 June interview discussing a recent visit to Israel and Lebanon by Deputy Assistant to the US President Amos Hochstein, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is also the President of the Amal Movement, an ally of Hezbollah, said that, in the context of a US proposal that Hezbollah withdraws 8 kilometres north of the Blue Line, the IDF should withdraw by the same distance. He added that he had not received a response to his proposal during Hochsteins visit, however.

Lebanon has been without a president for almost two years since Michel Aouns term ended on 31 October 2022, with opposing politico-sectarian blocks unable to agree on a candidate. National and international initiatives to overcome the impasse on the election of the next Lebanese President have yet to generate any tangible result. The presidential vacuum is compounded by the fact that, over two years since the 15 May 2022 legislative elections, Lebanons government remains in caretaker status.

Anti-refugee sentiment, measures, and incidents continue to be a source of concern in Lebanon, which hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world. In a 16 May letter, seven non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International, urged Lebanon to immediately halt forced deportations of Syrian refugees and reverse a set of unprecedented and draconian measures recently adopted. The letter notes that about a fifth of the one billion Euro financial assistance package to Lebanon announced on 2 May by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is designated to support the Lebanese army and security services border management and migration control and that, since the announcement, Lebanese authorities have adopted new policies that would push even more refugees to flee the country.

Key issues and options

The escalating exchanges of fire across the Blue Line in clear violation of resolution 1701, the risk of a full-scale war in Lebanon, and a possible connected regional conflagration are key issues for the Security Council.

An option for Council members is to issue a presidential statement calling on all relevant parties immediately to cease fire and recommit to, and implement, Security Council resolution 1701. The presidential statement could also demand that the parties respect international law and stress that civilians and civilian objects must never be targeted.

A ceasefire in Gazahowever remote the possibility currently appearsmight contribute to quietening the situation along the Blue Line, possibly opening a space for progress in the indirect talks between Lebanon and Israel. The presidential statement could urge all relevant actors to engage constructively and with flexibility with the diplomatic efforts underway.

UNIFILs mandate expires on 31 August. Speaking at a 30 May press briefing, Lacroix said that should there be a cessation of hostilities and the implementation of some of the proposals that are put forward by some of our member states to both Israel and Lebanon, should there be progress towards the implementation of resolution 1701, then UNIFIL is expected to play a role by both sides, [and] we would certainly need to adapt to these new circumstances.

In July, Council members may begin to direct their attention to UNIFILs upcoming mandate renewal negotiations and consider whether the current situation requires any adjustment to the mandate. In this context, Council members are likely to follow closely any development across the Blue Line, including on the French and US initiatives for de-escalation.

Council Dynamics

There continues to be broad consensus among Council members in support of Lebanons sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. Council members also agree that a full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah must be avoided, with several membersincluding China, France, Japan, and Sloveniaexpressing concern about the risk of escalation at the 25 June Council meeting on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Sharp differences among Council members persist over Hezbollah. Some members distinguish between Hezbollahs political and military wings and have designated only its military wing as a terrorist organisation. Other members, including the UK and the US, have listed Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organisation. In contrast, Russia sees Hezbollah as a legitimate sociopolitical force.

France is the penholder on Lebanon.

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THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Multilateral Cooperation in the Interest of a More Just, Democratic and Sustainable World Order

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council will hold a ministerial-level open debate on Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable work order. This is one of the signature events of the Russian presidency. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to chair the meeting. No briefers are anticipated.

Key Recent Developments

The Security Council convened an open debate at the initiative of Russia during its April 2023 Council presidency on Effective multilateralism through the defence of the principles of the UN Charter. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefed during the meeting, which was chaired by Lavrov. Guterres called multilateral cooperation the beating heart of the United Nations. He said that many of the successes of the UN system had resulted from multilateral cooperation, including, for example, preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, disarmament and non-proliferation, and a worldwide humanitarian system coordinated by the world body. He warned, however, that the multilateral system was under significant stress, especially given the tensions among the major powers. He argued that global challenges such as climate change, the resistance to human rights and gender equality, terrorism, and others could be solved only through respect for international law, adherence to global commitments and the adoption of appropriate frameworks of multilateral governance.

The Council has discussed the UN Charter and the multilateral system on several other occasions in recent years. Previous meetings on the same or similar topics have included open debates on:

New orientation for reformed multilateralism, organised by India, on 14 December 2022;

Upholding multilateralism and the UN-centred international system, convened by China on 7 May 2021; and

Upholding the UN Charter, initiated by Viet Nam on 9 January 2020.

During the open debate hosted by Viet Nam, the Council adopted a presidential statement that reaffirm[ed] its commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations and recognised the critical importance of the Charter to the maintenance of international peace and security and development of international law.

The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations released a communique in connection with the Security Councils 12 June meeting on the human rights situation in the Democratic Peoples Republic of North Korea (DPRK). In the communique, the Group of Friends rejected the holding of meetings that address country-specific human rights situations. It maintained that the promotion and protection of human rights are strengthened on the basis of dialogue and cooperation, declared that human rights shall not be weaponized or used to either advance political agendas or to meddle into the internal affairs of other States, and expressed concern that the Council is encroaching on issues that fall beyond its mandate, as clearly defined in theCharter of the United Nations.

Current members of the Group of Friends include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, China, Cuba, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Mali, Nicaragua, the State of Palestine, the Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Initiated in July 2021, the Group believes that multilateralism, which is at the core of the Charter, is currently under an unprecedented attack, which, in turn, threatens global peace and security. It further asserts that the world is seeing a growing resort to unilateralism, marked by isolationist and arbitrary actions, including the imposition of unilateral coercive measures or the withdrawal from landmark agreements and multilateral institutions, as well as by attempts to undermine critical efforts to tackle common and global challenges.

Key Issues and Options

An overarching issue is how Council members can find common ground in resolving threats to international peace and security and reconciling different views of the world order and interpretations of the UN Charter. This is especially challenging given global tensionswhich have been exacerbated by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Another key issue is how to strengthen multilateralism to meet current challenges and threats to international peace and security. An important factor in this respect is how the Council can most effectively cooperate with other UN bodies, member states, regional organisations, and civil society to address global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity, and transnational organised crime. Ideally, discussions in the Council meeting could feed into deliberations on the Pact for the Future currently being negotiated by member states and expected to be adopted in September.

More strategic use of certain UN Charter articles could enhance the Councils ability to address issues of peace and security. For example, urging the Secretary-General to make more frequent and explicit use of his Article 99 powers might be a constructive step in the current difficult climate. A deeper and more systematic exploration of the scope of Chapter VIII, on regional arrangements, could also be timely.

In the future, the Council could also consider holding a private meeting with representatives of the General Assemblys Special Committee on the Charter of the UN and the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization to discuss the committees activities and to consider potential ideas for strengthening the Councils work.

Council Dynamics

Council members recognise the contributions of the multilateral system to the promotion of international peace and security and appreciate the value of the UN Charter as a cornerstone of international law. There are, however, contrasting views regarding which countries adhere to multilateral norms and the values of the Charter, and these are likely to be on display at this months meeting.

China and Russia have maintained that the rules-based international order that Western countries refer to is a facade for the selfish pursuit of their strategic interests. They maintain that the US and other Western states adhere to international law only when it is convenient and beneficial for them to do so. US support for the Israeli military operation in Gazawhich has been widely criticised within the UN system for violating international lawhas fuelled such criticisms, which have resonated among the wider membership, particularly in the developing world.

At the same time, many member states continue to see Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict there as a violation of a core tenet of the UN Charter, the non-use of force against the territorial integrity of states, as outlined in Article 2 (4). In this regard, 82 states and six organisations have supported the communique of the 15-16 June Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Burgenstock, Switzerlandincluding Council members Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. The communique affirms that the United Nations Charter, including the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, can and will serve as a basis in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

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Overview

In July, Russia will hold the presidency of the Security Council.

Russia plans to organise two signature events. The first is a ministerial-level open debate on Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order under the Maintenance of international peace and security agenda item. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to chair the meeting. No briefers are anticipated.

Russia also plans to convene a debate on the cooperation between the UN and regional organisations that will focus on the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

In July, Russia intends to hold the quarterly open debate on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question at ministerial level. Lavrov is expected to chair the meeting. This month, the Council will also receive a briefing from Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator (SHRC) for Gaza Sigrid Kaag in line with resolution 2720 of 22 December 2023. Additional meetings on this file may be convened depending on developments in Israel and Gaza.

African issues on the programme of work in July are:

West Africa , briefing and consultations on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS);

Central African Republic (CAR) , renewal of the CAR sanctions regime and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee; and

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) , briefing and consultations on the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Middle Eastern issues on the programme include:

Syria , monthly meeting on the political and humanitarian tracks;

Yemen , monthly meeting on developments and renewal of the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA); and

Lebanon , consultations on the Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1701 . (Adopted in 2006, resolution 1701 called for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.)

Regarding European issues, the Council is expected to hold consultations on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Council may also hold one or more meetings on Ukraine in July.

The only Asian issue anticipated this month will be the biannual consultations on the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

On the Americas, the Security Council will hold its quarterly meeting on Colombia. The Council is also expected to hold a meeting on the situation in Haiti and to renew the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

Other issues could be raised in July depending on developments.
Status Update since our June Forecast

Iraq (UNITAD)

On 5 June, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.9645) on the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh/ISIL in Iraq (UNITAD). Acting Special Adviser and Head of UNITAD Ana Peyro Llopis presented UNITADs 12th and final biannual report (S/2024/408) before the expiration of the teams final mandate on 17 September.

Ukraine

On 7 June, the Security Council held a briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine (S/PV.9647). France requested the meeting in light of the intensification of Russian attacks against the north-eastern Kharkiv region. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya briefed the Council.

On 18 June, the Council convened for an open briefing on Ukraine (S/PV.9660). Slovenia and the US, the co-penholders on political issues in Ukraine, requested the meeting to discuss recent developments, including the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which Switzerland hosted on 15 and 16 June at Ukraines request. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed.

UNOCA (Central Africa)

On 10 June, the Security Council held a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-Generals semi-annual report on the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the implementation of the UNs regional strategy to combat the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) (S/PV.9648). Special Representative and Head of UNOCA Abdou Abarry and the President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission, Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, briefed.

Counter-Terrorism

On 10 June, the Council adopted resolution 2734 on the 1267/1989/2253 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime. Among other matters, the resolution extended the mandates of the 1267/1988 Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team and the Office of the Ombudsperson. It received 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Russia).

DPRK (North Korea)

On 12 June, the Council convened an open briefing on the human rights situation in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) under the agenda item The situation in the DPRK (S/PV.9653). The meeting was requested by Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the UK, and the US. The briefers were: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK Elizabeth Salmon, and Gumhyok Kim, a refugee from the DPRK. China and Russia objected to the provisional agenda for the meeting and requested a procedural vote on its adoption. The provisional agenda was subsequently adopted with 12 votes in favour, two against (China and Russia), and one abstention (Mozambique).

On 28 June, the Council convened for a meeting on the DPRK under the Non-proliferation/DPRK agenda item (S/PV.9676). France, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the UK, and the US requested the session following a 19 June meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang, where the two leaders signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu and Jonah Leff, Director of Operations at Conflict Armament Research, briefed.

Arria-formula Meeting on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict

On 12 June, there was an Arria-formula meeting titled Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: prevent and respond to persons going missing across the globe. Switzerland convened the meeting together with The Global Alliance for the Missing, a coalition of 13 member states seeking to raise awareness about the issue of missing persons and separated families and to mobilise action to address it. The briefers were Ambassador Tareq Albanai, Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN; Dr. Luz Janeth Forero Martinez, Director of the Unit for the Search for Persons Deemed as Missing in Colombia; Florence Anselmo, Head of the ICRCs Central Tracing Agency; and Ram Kumar Bhandari, Founder and Director of Network of Families of the Disappeared in Nepal.

Sudan

On 13 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2736, demanding that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, halt the siege of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, and calling for an immediate halt to the fighting and for de-escalation in and around El Fasher. The resolution further demanded that all parties to the conflict ensure the protection of civilians (including by allowing civilians to move within and out of El Fasher to safer areas) and recalled that all civilians must be protected in accordance with international law. The resolution was adopted with 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Russia).

On 18 June, the Security Council held a briefing and consultations on the situation in Sudan (S/PV.9659), pursuant to resolution 2715 of 1 December 2023, which terminated the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Director of OCHAs Operations and Advocacy Division Edem Wosornu, and Senior Programme Director of the Sudan Family Planning Association Limiaa Ahmed briefed in the open chamber. Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra briefed during the closed consultations. Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure.

UNDOF (Golan)

Council members held consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on 13 June. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed. On 27 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2737, renewing the UNDOF mandate until 31 December 2024.

Implementation of Resolution 2686 on Tolerance and International Peace and Security

On 14 June, the Security Council received a briefing on the implementation of resolution 2686 of 14 June 2023 on tolerance and international peace and security from Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu (S/PV.9657). Resolution 2686 requested the Secretary-General to provide an oral briefing to the Council by 14 June 2024 on the resolutions implementation in the context of situations throughout the peace continuum which are on the agenda of the Council, utilizing information from available United Nations sources, including country teams, peacekeeping operations, and other United Nations personnel.

Libya

On 19 June, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.9661) followed by closed consultations on Libya. Deputy Special Representative and Political Officer in Charge of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury briefed the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country. Libya participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure.

The chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki (Japan), was also scheduled to brief the Council on his periodic report on the committees activities. This briefing was not held, however, because of an apparent lack of consensus on the chairs report. It seems that one elected member had requested the report to reflect that another member had opposed its request for archived information predating its Council term. The other member had apparently argued that such requests required discussion in the Informal Working Group on Working Methods.

Cybersecurity

On 20 June, the Republic of Korea (ROK) convened a high-level open debate on cybersecurity as a signature event of its June presidency (S/PV.9662). The ROKs Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Tae-yul, chaired the meeting. The briefers were: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; Stephane Duguin, the CEO of the CyberPeace Institute, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides cybersecurity assistance to non-governmental organisations and other critical sectors; and Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, Professor of Law and Technology at Leeds Beckett University and Vice Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Experts Group.

Afghanistan

On 21 June, the Council convened for an open briefing on Afghanistan (S/PV.9663). The briefers were: Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva, OCHAs Director for Financing and Partnerships Lisa Doughten, and Manizha Wafeq, Co-founder of the Afghanistan Womens Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Closed consultations followed the open briefing.

Somalia

On 24 June, the Security Council held a briefing and consultations on the situation in Somalia (S/PV.9665). The briefers were Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) James Swan and Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Mohamed El-Amine Souef. Somalia participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. On 28 June, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2741, extending the authorisation of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) until 12 August 2024.

Iran

On 24 June, the Security Council held its biannual briefing (S/PV.9666) on the implementation of resolution 2231 of 20 July 2015, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Irans nuclear programme. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest report (S/2024/471) on the implementation of resolution 2231. In addition, the Councils facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231, Ambassador Vanessa Frazier (Malta), reported on the Councils work regarding resolution 2231, and the head of the EU delegation to the UN, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, briefed on the work of the JCPOAs Joint Commission. Germany and Iran participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure.

Children and Armed Conflict

On 26 June, the Council held its annual open debate on children and armed conflict (S/PV.9669). Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba briefed on the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict, dated 3 June (S/2024/384). The Council was also briefed by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations Ted Chaiban, former UN Secretary-General and Deputy Chair of the Elders Ban Ki-moon, and a child civil society representative from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

International Criminal Tribunals

On 27 June, the Council adopted resolution 2740 on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The vote was 14 in favour, none against and one abstention (Russia). Among other matters, the resolution reappointed Serge Brammertz as Chief Prosecutor for another two years, until 30 June 2026.
MIDDLE EAST

Syria

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council will hold a meeting on the political process and the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Key Recent Developments

On 30 May, Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths briefed the Council on the political and humanitarian tracks in Syria, respectively. Griffiths provided an overview of the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in the country and the devastating consequences of the persisting insecurity on civilians. He apprised members of a recent uptick in hostilities in Deir-ez-Zor governorate in eastern Syria, particularly near the UN humanitarian hub, which damaged humanitarian assets and led to the temporary suspension of humanitarian operations. He also spoke about the situation of women and girls in the country, noting that they continue to be exposed to appalling levels of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse. Griffiths called on relevant parties to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief while taking note of the lack of progress in cross-line delivery of aidthat is, across domestic conflict lines from Syrian government-held areas into areas outside government control. Lack of necessary approvals and security guarantees, among other things, continue to impede the cross-line delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Cross-border humanitarian operations have continued from Turkiye into north-west Syria. The Syrian governments authorisation for the use of the Bab al-Salam and Al Raee border crossings is scheduled to expire on 13 August, while permission for the Bab al-Hawa crossing is set to expire on 13 July. At the time of writing, according to OCHA, a total of 246 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies from seven UN agencies had crossed into north-west Syria from Turkiye since the beginning of this year, through the Bab al-Hawa (214 trucks) and Bab al-Salam (32 trucks) crossings.

Despite the rising humanitarian needs across the country, securing funding has been a challenge for the UN and partner agencies. At the time of writing, Syrias 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, requiring $4.07 billion, was only 13.6 percent funded.

In his remarks at the 30 May meeting, Pedersen said that there was no clear path emerging to implementing resolution 2254 of 18 December 2015, which focused on finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis, including through the reconvening of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. Efforts to resume the Constitutional Committee remain stalled. He underlined the importance of preparing for a new and more comprehensive approach, noting that there must be a political horizon to resolve complex conflicts instead of managing or containing them in perpetuity. Highlighting the lack of trust among the stakeholders, he said that only concrete engagement, coordination and action could bring reciprocal and verifiable progress. The absence of a way forward threatens to cause prolonged division and despair. (For background and more information, see our Syria brief in the June Monthly Forecast and 24 June Whats in Blue story.)

Pedersen also described the ongoing hostilities and persisting security tensions within Syria, including insurgent activities by some tribal elements against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a primarily Kurdish group opposing the Syrian government; the violent crackdown on protestors in Idlib by the Security Council-listed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham; and ongoing protests in al-Sweida governorate, which started in August 2023 against the backdrop of the deteriorating economic situation in the country. He stressed the need for urgent de-escalation across all the frontlines within Syria and in the region, starting with a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. He also took note of the upcoming parliamentary elections in government-controlled areas, scheduled for July, adding that these elections cannot be a substitute for an inclusive political process, as envisioned in resolution 2254.

Over the past few months, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) has increased its attacks in Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)a UK-based monitoring group with a presence in the countrythe Syrian government and its allied forces, with support from Russia, launched joint operations in early June against ISIL positions across various locations in the Syrian desert. As at 23 June, the SOHR reported that ISIL attacks and pro-government military operations in the Syrian desert had resulted in 437 fatalities since the beginning of this year, including 365 government-backed forces, 29 ISIL members and 43 civilians.

On 16 June, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had conducted an airstrike in Syria in which Usamah Jamal Muhammad Ibrahim al-Janabi, a senior ISIL leader, had been killed.

Airstrikes, allegedly by Israel, continue to target sites in Syria. According to media reports, airstrikes on 3 June hit multiple locations near the city of Aleppo, killing several people, including one Iranian military adviser, Saeed Abiyar. This was reportedly the first attack attributed to Israel that resulted in the death of an Iranian military personnel since the 1 April bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus. On 19 June, airstrikes in Quneitra and Daraa provinces resulted in the death of a Syrian soldier. While Israel has not commented on these strikes, it has historically targeted sites associated with Iranian forces and affiliated militants in Syria.

In his annual report on children and armed conflict, dated 3 June, the Secretary-General expressed concern about the high number of grave violations against children in Syria, particularly incidents of recruitment and use and killing and maiming. The Secretary-General reported 1,574 verified grave violations against 1,549 children in Syria, including 1,385 boys and 118 girls. At the end of 2023, the report said, over 800 children, including foreign children, remained in detention for alleged association with armed groups, mainly Daesh, and approximately 29,000 children with suspected family ties to Daesh continued to be deprived of liberty in al-Hol and al-Roj refugee camps in north-eastern Syria.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for Council members is the ongoing hostilities in Syria. Continuing violence and the lack of accountability threaten to destabilise the country further. ISIL remains one of the key security threats in Syria. The deteriorating socioeconomic conditions in the country are also of concern. Determining how the Council can address the spillover effects of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and de-escalate rising tensions in the region, including in Syria, is an important issue for the Council.

One option would be for the co-chairs of the Informal Expert Group on the Protection of Civilians (Switzerland and the UK) to hold a meeting on the situation in Syria to receive briefings from relevant UN entities about the impact of the conflict on civilians.

Another important issue for the Council is maintaining international attention to the situation in Syria when the focus has largely shifted to other crises, such as those in Gaza and Ukraine.

As well, a key issue is how to alleviate the growing humanitarian needs throughout the country. Council members could consider adopting a press statement calling on the international community to scale up the humanitarian response in Syria.

The need to break the underlying political impasse in the country and support the Special Envoys work in this regard is another key issue. The Council could consider holding a private meeting with relevant stakeholders to discuss the impediments to the resumption of the Constitutional Committee, including the issue of venue, and support Pedersens efforts to reinvigorate the political process. (A private meeting is a closed, formal meeting format; unlike closed consultations, non-Council member states are allowed to participate in this format.)

Council Dynamics

Over the years, Syria has been one of the most divisive files on the Councils agenda. China and Russia are supportive of the Syrian government, emphasising the need to respect the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity and drawing connections between unilateral coercive measures on Syria and the challenging humanitarian and economic situations in the country. In contrast, the P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded members criticise the government for violating international humanitarian law and human rights law, arbitrarily detaining people, not engaging meaningfully in political dialogue, and not creating conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees.

Russia has consistently criticised the presence of US forces in Syria, accusing them of destabilising the country. The US maintains that its deployment of forces in the country remains focused on fighting Daesh and has blamed Damascus for allowing Iranian-backed militias to operate in the country.

Council members also have diverging views on normalising ties with the Syrian government. While the US and like-minded members continue to oppose engagement with the government, China and Russia have voiced support for the normalisation of ties. During the 30 May Council briefing, the US said that [w]e remain sceptical that the Arab Leagues engagement with the Syrian regime will accomplish its objectives[and] urge[d] those engaging with the regime to do so in pursuit of the objectives of resolution 2254.

Switzerland is the penholder on the Syria humanitarian file.

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The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

Expected Council Action

On 2 July, the Security Council expects to receive a briefing from Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator (SHRC) for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag. Resolution 2720 of 22 December 2023 mandated the SHRC to report to the Security Council within 20 days of her appointment and thereafter every 90 days until 30 September.

In July, the Security Council also expects to hold its quarterly open debate on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland is the anticipated briefer. It appears that Russia, Julys Council president, has elected to hold the open debate at ministerial level.

Council members may convene additional meetings during the month depending on developments.

Key Recent Developments

On 10 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2735, which was authored by the US and welcomes the three-phase ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden on 31 May in the context of the war between Israel and Hamas. As outlined in the resolution, the first phase includes, among other things, an immediate, full, and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages including women, the elderly and the wounded, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the populated areas in Gaza. The resolution notes that the first phase entails the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout the Gaza Strip. The second phase consists of a permanent end to hostilities in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while the third phase entails the start of a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza. (For background, see our 10 June Whats in Blue story.)

In public messages, the US has framed the deal as being an Israeli proposal and the text of resolution 2735 says that Israel has accepted it. But Israeli authorities have sent contradictory messages regarding their support for the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 24 June that he was ready to make a partial deal to secure the release of some hostages, but that the war would continue after a pause, in order to complete the goal of eliminating Hamas. For its part, Hamas suggested several amendments to the proposed deal, which reportedly included the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Reacting to Hamas proposal on 12 June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that some of Hamas requests were workable, but others were not. At the time of writing, the fate of the ceasefire deal remains uncertain, with some media outlets reporting on 29 June that the US had recently put forward a revised version of the deal.

According to figures provided by Israeli authorities cited by OCHA, over 1,514 Israelis have been killed since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks in Israel, the vast majority on 7 October 2023. As at 28 June, an estimated 120 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza. Figures provided by Palestinian officials in Gaza cited by OCHA indicate that, as at 27 June, at least 37,765 Palestinians had been killed during Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza.

Analysts have identified Israels offensive in Gaza as one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history. Large areas of Gaza, including critical infrastructure, have been bombed to the ground, with about 55 percent of the total structures in the Gaza Strip estimated to be destroyed, damaged or possibly damaged, according to the UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT). Up to 1.7 million people are estimated to be displaced across the Gaza Strip, with Save the Children estimating that up to 21,000 children are missing in Gaza, many trapped beneath rubble, detained, buried in unmarked graves, or lost from their families, and Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini saying that, on average, every day ten children in Gaza lose one or both legs.

The Secretary-Generals latest annual report on children and armed conflict, dated 3 June, included in its annexwhich lists parties that have committed grave violations against childrenthe Israeli armed and security forces for killing and maiming children as well as for attacks against schools and hospitals, while Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and affiliated factions and the Palestinian Islamic Jihads Al-Quds Brigades are listed for killing and maiming children and abduction. The report says that the UN verified grave violations against 4,247 Palestinian children and 113 Israeli children.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains abysmal. A 25 June Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report found that a high risk of famine persists in the Gaza Strip, with over 495,000 people facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity known as IPC Phase 5, which means that households experience an extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion of coping capacities.

In a 21 June statement, Lazzarini said that humanitarian aid delivery continues to be constrained in Gaza. Restrictions he identified included Israeli forces military operations and Palestinian armed groups activities; the limited number of open crossing points into Gaza; the near total breakdown of law and order leading to regular looting, threats and assaults against truck drivers; and regular denials and delays by the Israeli forces for coordinated movement and convoys. UN officials have noted that, as the occupying power, it is incumbent on Israel to restore public order and safety as far as possible and facilitate safe humanitarian access to Gaza.

Attacks on humanitarian aid workers and health facilities in Gaza have continued; the lack of security for humanitarian workers and installations being another factor identified by Lazzarini as contributing to aid not reaching Palestinians in need. A recent report by Human Rights Watch said that Israeli forces have carried out at least eight strikes on aid workers convoys and premises in Gaza since October 2023, even though aid groups had provided their coordinates to the Israeli authorities to ensure their protection.

Following the start of Israels offensive on Rafah, Gazas southernmost governorate, on 7 May and South Africas request for provisional measures, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 24 May ordered Israel, among other measures, to [i]mmediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. This was the third order issued by the ICJ concerning South Africas proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations in the Gaza Strip of obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The two previous orders were issued on 26 January and 28 March.

On 20 May, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, filed applications for warrants of arrest for three Hamas leaders, including for the Head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, and two Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on various counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Regarding the situation in the West Bank, the latest Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (S/2024/480), which covers the period between 19 March and 10 June, recorded alarming levels of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Israeli security forces killed 95 Palestinians in the West Bank during search-and-arrest operations, armed exchanges, airstrikes, demonstrations and other incidents, while settlers killed one Palestinian and four others died either at the hands of settlers or of Israeli forces. The report notes that, in the same period, Israeli sources said that Palestinians killed six Israelis in Israel and in the West Bank. Among other violent incidents, the report also refers to a 9 May incident during which a group of Israelis set fire to the perimeter of UNRWAs compound in East Jerusalem as a crowd accompanied by armed men chanted burn down the United Nations.

The report notes that settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continued, as did demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures. Presenting the report at the 25 June Council meeting on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Wennesland referred to the recent transfer of authority to a newly appointed Israeli civilian official for oversight of many areas of land management and development, planning, and day-to-day life in Area C of the occupied West Bank. Wennesland noted with concern that this development is expected, among other things, to expedite Israeli settlement expansion and that it undermines the prospects for a two-state solution.

Human-Rights Related Developments

On 27 May, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, and Israel, issued a report examining violations of international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL), as well as possible international crimes committed by all parties between 7 October and 31 December 2023. The report found that during the 7 October 2023 attack, members of Hamas military wing, members of the military wings of other Palestinian armed groups and Palestinian civilians committed war crimes, as well as violations and abuses of IHL and IHRL. These included intentionally directing attacks against civilians and murder or wilful killing; torture; inhuman or cruel treatment; taking hostages, in most cases together with outrages on personal dignity and inhumane treatment, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The report also found that acts of sexual violence were committed in several locations in Israel.

The report also found that Israeli authorities and members of the Israeli security forces committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of IHL and IHRL. These included starvation as a method of warfare, collective punishment, murder or wilful killing, intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, forcible transfer, sexual violence, outrages upon personal dignity, and SGBV amounting to torture or inhuman and cruel treatment. The report also says that while the Commission found it foreseeable that civilians would be present in the areas targeted, the Israeli security forces intentionally proceeded to direct attacks against the civilian population and civilian objects. The report further found that the crimes against humanity of extermination, murder, gender persecution targeting Palestinian men and boys, forcible transfer, and torture and inhuman and cruel treatment were committed.

Women, Peace and Security

A 10 June update issued by UN Women on Palestinian Women-Led-Organisations (WLOs) in humanitarian efforts in the OPT said that Palestinian women, and the organisations they lead, were at the heart of the current humanitarian response. A rapid assessment study conducted by UN Women on 25 WLOs operating in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, of which 18 are headquartered or have a presence in Gaza, showed that 89 percent of WLOs surveyed sustained damage to their offices in Gaza, with 35 percent of these having sustained complete damage to all their offices. The alert said that most of the responding organisations have expanded or shifted their priorities towards life-saving assistance and emergency relief, adapting and readjusting their work overnight. It noted, however, that 56 percent of the surveyed WLOs reported a decrease in funding since October 2023, and that 88 percent were facing significant funding challenges that impact their ability and capacity to deliver life-saving services. Among other measures, UN Women recommended providing access and space for WLOs to participate in humanitarian coordination structures and in humanitarian needs assessments and planning efforts. UN Women also called for the prioritisation of flexible funding for WLOs in Gaza and the West Bank.

Key Issues and Options

The continuation of the war, the lack of implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, and the Councils inability to more effectively and concertedly act to protect the viability of the two-state solution are key issues for the Security Council. That aid at scale is not reaching Palestinians in Gaza is a further issue of concern for Council members.

Council members could evaluate the space for imposing measures not involving the use of force under Article 41 of the Charter to protect the two-state solution and advance the implementation of the Councils resolutions.

In a 20 June statement, over 30 UN independent experts said that transferring weapons and ammunition to Israel may constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws, risking state complicity in international crimes, possibly including genocide. The statement also calls directly on arms manufacturers supplying Israel to stop transfers. Although any agreement on a Council product on this issue is unlikely, given that the US remains the largest arms exporter to Israel, an option could be for Council members to invite some of the experts who issued the statement to brief the Council on the legal consequences of weapons and ammunition transfer when there is a clear risk that such weapons may be used in violation of international law.

A further issue for the Security Council is avoiding the regionalisation of the war in Gaza. The intensification of strikes and bellicose rhetoric by Israeli and Hezbollah officials in June have raised concerns about the possibility of an all-out war in Lebanon, which could lead to an even wider conflagration. (For more on this issue, see our Lebanon brief in the July Monthly Forecast.)

Council Dynamics

Before 7 October 2023, Council dynamics precluded effective action in response to the non-implementation of Security Council resolutions as well as a shared strategy to restart a political process between Palestinians and Israelis, with the US maintaining that the circumstances were not ripe for the reignition of such a process.

Not surprisingly, difficult dynamics have characterised the Councils response to the war, which has been marked by contentious and prolonged negotiations, with multiple failed adoptions. Council negotiations on this file have shown that it is not possible for the Council to adopt an outcome on the crisis that the US, which has provided Israel with political and military backing throughout the war, does not largely support. The position of the US on the war in Gaza has led to accusations of double standards in comparison to its position on the war in Ukraine, further deepening the divide among some members in the Council.

Thus far, the US has vetoed three draft resolutions on the crisis proposed respectively by Brazil, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Algeria. In April, the US also vetoed a draft resolution that would have recommended that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the UN. China and Russia vetoed two US-proposed draft resolutions on the war, in both cases being accompanied by the negative vote of the Arab member of the Council, which was the UAE in 2023 and Algeria in 2024.

The adoption of resolution 2735 broadly followed these trends, with Russia abstaining, citing the Arab Groups support for the draft resolution, even while expressing concern with aspects of the text.

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The Military Staff Committee: Striving for Relevance in a Changing Era

The Military Staff Committee (MSC) is the oldest subsidiary body of the Security Council, with its role explicitly mentioned in the UN Charter. It is to advise and assist the Security Council on all military requirements for maintaining international peace and security. However, for most of its life, the MSC has been dormant and unable to fulfill this responsibility.

Despite being marginalisedand recommended for deletion from the Charter by the 2004 High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Changethe MSC continued to meet regularly. Since last year, the MSC has taken several steps to revitalise its work. This article highlights the MSCs recent efforts, including enhanced visibility, better working methods, and engagement with regional counterparts.

Institutionalising the MSCs relationship with the Security Council

The MSC is a prime example of an under-utilised aspect of the UN Charter. Under Article 47, the MSC is to advise and assist the Council on all questions relating to the Security Councils military requirements for the maintenance of international peace and security, the employment and command of forces placed at its disposal, the regulation of armaments, and possible disarmament. Moreover, it shall be responsible under the Security Council for the strategic direction of any armed forces placed at the disposal of the Security Council. Finally, with appropriate consultations, it may establish regional sub-committees.

Despite its Charter mandate, persistent lack of an institutionalised relationship between the MSC and the Security Council hindered the MSC from discharging an effective advisory role. Consequently, its military advice has been conveyed informally through the members permanent missions in New York.

Lately, the MSC has begun exploring steps to formalise its interaction with the Security Council. One such option is to provide an annual briefing to the Security Council at year-end, covering its activities, assessments, and lessons learned, which it has never done. This is akin to the annual briefing to the Council by outgoing chairs of sanctions committees and working groups, initiated in 2002, which has helped to promote transparency in the work of these entities.

Over the years, the MSC has created working groups as needed. It added a new working group in December 2023 to enhance its visibility and promote the Security Councils recognition of its role. The MSC is also trying to strengthen its engagements with intergovernmental committees of the UN General Assembly, such as the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) and the Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters. The peacekeeping budget and the effective implementation of mandates are a key focus of discussions in the MSC.

Improving Working Methods

The MSCs working methods have evolved, always guided by its 1946 provisional Revised Rules of Procedure and Statute. Its Working Methods Handbook was first published in 2012. It is similar to the Security Councils Note 507a comprehensive compendium of agreed working methods. The most recent edition of the MSC Working Methods Handbook was published in October 2021 (MS/2021/56).

The MSC consists of the Chiefs of Staff of the Security Councils permanent members, or their representatives, as specified in Article 47(2) of the UN Charter. The Charter makes no provision for the participation of elected members, who have since 2010 attended MSC meetings regularly but always by invitation. Even then, elected members would join only part of the MSCs meetings. This two-tier system created a clear distinction between the roles of permanent and elected members.

MSC meetings typically began with consultations among the permanent members, after which the elected members were invited to join. Towards the end of the meeting, the elected members would be asked to leave, allowing the permanent members to resume their consultations and conclude the meeting.

This practice had apparently been a source of discomfort for the elected members, leading the MSCunder the French chairmanship in February 2024to adopt a new practice that allows elected members to participate in all meetings from start to finish. This has been continued by subsequent chairswhich rotate monthlysignificantly enhancing elected members interaction with the MSC. Technically, elected members still attend by invitation, as a formal amendment to the UN Charter would be required to change the MSC membership. It appears that elected members now have access to the same information provided to permanent members. Additionally, newly elected members are allowed to observe MSC meetings from October before taking their seats in January.

The MSC now encourages not only military attaches but also diplomats to participate in its meetings as observers. This initiativealso new since February 2024responds to the significant challenge in the MSC-Security Council relationship of limited collaboration between military advisors and diplomats. Not all missions engage their advisors in the substantive work of the Council, nor do all elected members have military advisors, such as Albania, which served on the Council in 2022-2023. While it is too soon to assess impact, this initiative is also projected to help improve some members weak capital-level coordination between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence on foreign policy matters.

While the ten elected members (E10) of the Security Council have developed more coherence as a group in recent years, they seem less inclined to present a unified identity within the MSC. Perhaps this is part of an effort of all MSC members, permanent and elected alike, to unite in strengthening the MSCs advisory role. Nonetheless, the three African members, known as the A3, are apparently enhancing their collaboration within the MSC and occasionally presenting a unified stance in its meetings.

MSC Meetings

According to its Revised Rules of Procedure, MSC meetings are to be held at least once every 14 days. Accordingly, it is expected to meet at least 26 times annually. Last year, the MSC had 33 meetings and discussed 39 topics, according to its annual report submitted to the Security Council (S/2023/1009). These discussions covered current UN peacekeeping operations, Special Political Missions, and a range of thematic topics.

Topics discussed in recent years have included cooperation with host states and the implementation of Status of Forces Agreements, the safety and security of peacekeepers, peacekeeping performance and accountability, mis- and disinformation, the drawdown and exit of UN peace operations, and the implementation of the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping. In the February 2024 meeting, the MSC discussed the disengagement process of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), underscoring the need for UN peace operations to develop contingency plans for accelerated drawdown and liquidation of missions.

The MSC sent a 28 February letter to the President of the Security Council offering its advice on peacekeeping transitions, pointing out that the United Nations Secretariat and its subordinate entities both in New York and in the field should be fully engaged in prioritized, in-depth, integrated, and continuous contingency planning across the United Nations 11 peacekeeping operations, focused on the potential requirement for accelerated drawdown and liquidation, but to also consider other foreseeable and high-risk scenarios.[1] The MSCs advice aligns with the recommendations of SCRs December 2023 research report, titled UN Transitions in a Fractured Multilateral Environment.

Field Missions

The MSC has conducted field missions since 2014, starting with Haiti. There were no such trips between 2018 and 2021, due primarily to host country visa issues complicating Russias participation and, later, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although that complication remains, the field missions have resumed, with MSC members visiting UN peacekeeping operations in Abyei, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, and South Sudan in the past two years.[2] The MSC produces a report on each such visit, but because of the need for concurrence by all Council members it has not formally released these reports since 2018Russia has withheld support as it did not take part in these visits. (The last official report released by the MSC was on its field mission to UNMOGIP, the UN Military Observer Group to India and Pakistan, in 2018.)

In the past, only the permanent members participated in the field missions, but this too has changed since 2018 with the MSC inviting the elected members to join. According to Clause 69 of the MSC Handbook, a limited number of elected members are so invited, subject to an unwritten rule that the elected members participating not outnumber the permanent members. This seems intended to minimise the logistical footprint of deploying the MSC delegation to remote areas.

The MSC conducted a field mission to the DRC and Uganda in April 2024. Notably, this marked the first involvement in an MSC visiting mission of members of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) Military Staff Committee, established under Article 13 (8) of the 2002 AUPSC Protocol. This committee, consisting of senior military officers from AUPSC member states, provides advice and support to the AUPSC on military and security matters to promote and maintain peace and security in Africa.

Informal contacts between some MSC and AUPSC MSC members paved the way for two AUPSC MSC members to join this trip. It appears that the MSC shared the draft mission report with them for comments. Discussions seem to be underway to conduct another MSC field mission in Africa with the involvement of AUPSC counterparts towards the end of the year.

This cooperation between the two committees is particularly noteworthy, given that the Security Council proper and the AUPSC have yet to organise joint field missions, despite an agreement in principle. In the past, invitations were extended to the Chair of the AUPSC to join Security Council field missions in Africa, but this did not materialise, partly as both Councils must agree on the modalities for joint missions.

Partnership with Other Regional Counterparts

During meetings, the MSC receives briefings from relevant UN Secretariat departments. Its annual briefing on the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is provided by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Seeking more information about the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the MSC officially requested a briefing from the AU last year, setting in motion the MSCs engagement with its AUPSC counterparts. A virtual joint meeting of the two committees in April 2023 offered an opportunity to discuss the role of ATMIS, with a briefing by Zinurine Alghali, then-Acting Head of the AU Peace Support Operations Division.[3]

This initial engagement was followed by the first in-person informal meeting between the two committees, in Addis Ababa in October 2023, after the annual consultation between the Security Council and the AUPSC. These meetings enabled the committees to develop a mutual understanding of their respective mandates and identify priority areas for potential cooperation. They decided to hold informal interactions twice a year to align their work programs and to conduct joint field missions. In this context, the MSC invited a delegation from the AUPSC MSC to participate in its April field mission to the DRC and Uganda.[4]

Deepened UN-AU partnership is also the context for the informal engagement of the two committees, notably the signing on 19 April 2017 of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. Resolution 2719 of 21 December 2023 on the financing of AU-led peace support operations from UN assessed contributions has given renewed impetus to this partnership, and its implementation is likely to shape the two organisations engagements, particularly in the area of peacekeeping. Both committees now have an opening to offer military advice to their respective Councils on the implementation of the resolution, and the MSC devoted one of its sessions in February to discussing the implementation of resolution 2719. The MSC has had follow-up engagements on this issue with UN departments and AUPSC counterparts in June.

Way Ahead

MSC members recognise the difficulties in reactivating their role as envisioned in the UN Charter, aware that pushing boundaries may face resistance. Nonetheless, they remain committed to maintaining the MSCs relevance in this changing era through incremental steps. Amid current challenges to UN peacekeeping and the growing need for collaboration with regional organisations like the AU, MSC members see a crucial role in supporting the Security Council with professional military advice on the planning and deployment of UN peace operationsas well as on their drawdown, reconfiguration, and exit. They also believe they can contribute to implementing resolution 2719, including discussing potential test cases for the Security Council and providing input on mission concepts for future AUPSOs. Additionally, they are eager to enhance their engagement with AUPSC counterparts, sharing their experiences on UN peacekeeping standards and practices in light of the future role of AUPSOs under resolution 2719. All in all, current developments seem set to prime the MSC for greater influence on the Councils work.

[1] Military Staff Committee, Letter from the Chair of the UN Military Staff Committee addressed to the President of the Security Council (28 February 2024).

[2] Military Staff Committee, Letter from the Chair of the UN Military Staff Committee addressed to the President of the Security Council (19 December 2023). Military Staff Committee, Letter from the Chair of the UN Military Staff Committee addressed to the President of the Security Council (16 January 2023).

[3] Military Staff Committee, Letter from the Chair of the UN Military Staff Committee addressed to the President of the Security Council (19 December 2023).

[4] Military Staff Committee. Letter from the Chair of the UN Military Staff Committee addressed to the President of the Security Council (8 November 2023).
ASIA

UNRCCA (Central Asia)

Expected Council Action

In July, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Kaha Imnadze, is expected to brief Security Council members on the UNRCCAs work in closed consultations.

Key Recent Developments

Imnadze last briefed Council members in closed consultations on 30 January. Among other matters, he provided an update on the UNRCCAs activities pertaining to counter-terrorism, transboundary water management, and the women, peace and security and youth, peace and security agendas. Imnadze also discussed the border negotiations between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on Central Asia, and the effects of climate change in the region.

Since Imnadzes last briefing, officials from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have continued negotiations regarding the demarcation of their border. Kyrgyz and Tajik officials have now preliminarily resolved more than 90 percent of the disputed parts of the border, with Tajik state media reporting in early February that the two countries had reached agreement regarding a further 3.71 kilometres of the contested boundary. The most recent round of negotiations took place in Bishkek from 19 to 25 May. On 8 May, the Kyrgyz and Tajik government agencies responsible for the border reportedly issued a joint statement after Tajik shepherds and Kyrgyz border guards exchanged gunfire.

China, Russia, and the US have continued to jostle for influence in Central Asia, with several analysts noting that the war in Ukraine may have sparked increased diplomatic competition in the region. From 23 to 25 January, Uzbek President Shakvat Mirziyoyev visited Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. During the visit, China and Uzbekistan announced that they had elevated diplomatic ties and formed an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. On 8 February, the US hosted the inaugural meeting of the C5+1 critical minerals dialogue, which was attended by officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to a statement issued by the US Department of State following the meeting, attendees discussed investment opportunities in critical minerals and underscored the benefit of working together. On 27 May, Russia and Uzbekistan signed an agreement while Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Tashkent to meet with Mirziyoyev. Under the terms of the agreement, Russia will reportedly assist Uzbekistan with the construction of a nuclear power plant and increase gas deliveries to the country. China and Tajikistan also pledged to expand bilateral cooperation during an 18 May meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Several Central Asian states also appear to be preparing to develop closer trade and economic relations with the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. During a 3 June meeting of parliamentary speakers from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member states, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev explained that Kazakhstan had removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations based on the importance of developing trade and economic cooperation with modern Afghanistan and the understanding that this regime is a long-term factor. While visiting Kabul in March, an Uzbek delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Taliban officials to discuss boosting economic ties. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also travelled to Turkmenistan in February to discuss business and economic relations and possible investment in Afghanistan.

In early April, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a law targeting non-governmental organisations that receive foreign funding. The bill had been criticised by human rights groups on the basis that it would curb the work of civil society organisations in the country. Analysts have expressed concern about the erosion of democracy in Kyrgyzstan since Japarov became president in late 2020. Human rights groups have also raised concerns regarding new mass media legislation in Kazakhstan.

From 9 to 10 April, the UNRCCA organised a regional workshop on fostering cooperation and information-sharing on preventing and combatting the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their supply to terrorists. The workshop was organised in partnership with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Regional Anti-Terrorist structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). On 27 February, the UNRCCA participated in the Regional Meeting on Enhancing Womens Participation in the Peacebuilding Processes in the Ferghana Valley. The UNRCCAs briefing focused on its activities relating to women, peace and security and the work of the Central Asian Women Leaders Caucus. Imnadze has also travelled throughout the region and abroad during the first half of the year, including visits to each Central Asian country, Washington, DC, and Moscow.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to travel to the region in early July when he will attend an SCO summit in Astana and visit each Central Asian state.

Key Issues and Options

One of the main issues for the Council is how to make the best use of the UNRCCAs expertise and whether there is anything the Council can do to support the UNRCCAs efforts to facilitate preventive diplomacy and regional cooperation. The Council could choose to hold an open briefing on the UNRCCA, which would allow members to express support for its work and raise awareness of its activities. This open briefing could be followed by closed consultations to allow for a more frank and detailed exchange with Imnadze. The Council could also choose to hold a debate to give the Central Asian states an opportunity to discuss the work of the UNRCCA in public.

The situation in Afghanistan and its impact on Central Asia is another issue for the Council. The Council could consider inviting a representative of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to participate in the meeting and provide information regarding developments in the country that might affect the wider region.

Council Dynamics

Council members are generally supportive of the UNRCCA and view it as an important tool in promoting cooperation in Central Asia. Prior to mid-2018, Council members often issued press statements expressing support for the UNRCCA and its work and encouraging increased cooperation and coordination among the Central Asian countries, the UNRCCA, and relevant regional organisations. However, Council members have been unable to agree on a press statement on the UNRCCA since then, owing to disagreements among the permanent members about including references to specific regional organisations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, and the SCO.

Press elements commending then-Special Representative and Head of the UNRCCA Natalia Gherman for her efforts and expressing support for UNRCCAs work were read out following the UNRCCA consultations in January 2023.

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AFRICA

West Africa and the Sahel

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council will hold its biannual briefing on West Africa and the Sahel. The Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simao, is expected to brief.

Key Recent Developments

The security situation remains dire in parts of the Sahel, particularly the Liptako-Gourma tri-border region of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The three countries, led by military juntas that came to power through coups detat, created the Alliance of Sahel States or lAlliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) in September 2023. In November 2023, Burkina Faso and Niger quit the Group of Five for the Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S), which they had formed in 2017 with Chad, Mali, and Mauritania to combat terrorism and organised crime; Mali withdrew from the G5 Sahel in June 2022. The three AES countries later announced on 7 March that they were creating a new joint force to fight terrorist groups.

AES countries announced on 28 January that they were withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the decision reflected deteriorating relations between the three countries and ECOWAS in recent years as the regional bloc sought to pressure military authorities to restore constitutional order. At a 24 February ECOWAS summit, West African leaders lifted economic sanctions that the regional bloc had imposed on Niger after its July 2023 coup detat and eased sanctions on Mali, saying that it would seek to convince the three countries to remain in the organisation.

At the same time, Russia has continued to increase its military cooperation with AES states. About 100 personnel of Africa Corpsthe successor entity to the private Russian security firm the Wagner Groupdeployed to Burkina Faso on 24 January. After Niger requested that US forces leave the country on 16 March, Russian forces arrived in Niamey on 10 April.

Burkina Faso is the epicentre of jihadist violence afflicting the region. Roughly half of its territory is outside the authorities control, and over two million people are displaced. Last year, more than 8,000 people were killed in the fighting, double the number of people killed in 2022, according to the US-based crisis-monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. On 11 June, militants attacked an army base in the town of Mansila, killing over 100 soldiers and capturing others. An Al-Qaida affiliate, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), claimed responsibility. A day after the attack, rumours surfaced of an attempted mutiny following reports of a rocket hitting the parking area of state TV Radiotelevision Burkinabe in the capital, Ouagadougou. Subsequently, 80 to 120 Malian and Russian soldiers arrived in Burkina Faso from Gao, Mali. Reports suggest that they may have been deployed to protect transition president Captain Ibrahim Traore from a possible coup attempt. Earlier on 25 May, participants in a national forumwhich most political parties boycottedsigned a charter extending Burkina Fasos transition by an additional five years, starting on 2 July 2024.

On 25 January, Malian authorities announced the immediate termination of the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. In its place, they established an inter-Malian dialogue for peace and national reconciliation. The dialogue, boycotted by much of the countrys opposition, concluded on 10 May. It recommended that Malis transition be extended by another three years, until 2027. On the security front, it advised the authorities to consider talks with Islamist armed groups and to engage with all Malian armed movements. Meanwhile, authorities have cracked down further on domestic criticism. This includes the banning in April of political parties and activities, followed by a ban on media coverage of political activities.

Benin and Niger have been in a dispute ever since ECOWAS lifted sanctions on Niger. In retaliation for supporting closed borders, Niger refused to open its borders with Benin, depriving the country of transit revenue. Benin is one of several coastal countriesalong with Togo and Cote dIvoirethat have come under attack from Sahel-based jihadist groups in their northern border region with Burkina Faso. On 4 June, militants killed seven Beninese soldiers in Pendjari National Park. In response to the terrorism threat to coastal countries, ECOWAS heads of state at the 24 February summit expressed their aspiration to make the Accra Initiative and its multinational joint task force fully operational and reiterated their intention to deploy the ECOWAS Standby Force.

In other developments, Senegal held its presidential election on 24 March. Controversy marred the run-up to the election amid concerns that outgoing President Macky Sall would seek a third term or try to prolong his stay in office. After a backlash against the governments postponing the race from February until December, authorities moved up the date of the election, which saw Bassirou Diomaye Faye defeat Salls ruling party candidate. Faye named Ousmane Sonko prime minister; Sonkos disqualification from the race had been another source of tension.

On 24 May, the Security Council adopted a presidential statement on West Africa and the Sahel. It was the Councils first presidential statement on the region since August 2021, as negotiations stalled for more than two years over language on the link between climate change and security. The presidential statement highlighted the importance of addressing the underlying conditions conducive to terrorism; reaffirmed that states must ensure that counter-terrorism measures comply with all their obligations under international law; and underscored the importance of timely, nationally owned transition processes and the restoration of constitutional order in concerned countries. (For more information on the statement, see our 23 May Whats in Blue story.)

On 19 June, Sierra Leone convened an Arria-formula meeting on Combating the Rise of Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, which sought to spotlight the terrorism threat in the Sahel and the increasing risks to coastal West African states. Discussion included focusing on how to intensify efforts to address the root causes that make the region vulnerable to terrorism, such as poverty, the marginalisation of different groups, and poor governance.

Key Issues and Options

The terrorism threat to West Africa and the Sahel region remains a key issue. This includes the risk that Sahel-based terrorist groups will expand into coastal West African states. How the Council might support other counter-terrorism security mechanismssuch as the AES, the Accra Initiative, and the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad basinto counter this threat are key issues.

The political transitions and restoration of constitutional order in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger is another key issue, as is the regions surge in attempted coups.

Addressing structural conflict drivers in the Sahel, such as poor governance, under-development, and climate change, through the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) or other avenues remains a key issue. The humanitarian situation in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin and violations against civilians by Sahel countries militaries also remain significant concerns.

An ongoing issue for the Council is how it can maintain sufficient attention on the region following the ending last year of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the Mali sanctions regime, and the Secretary-Generals November 2023 recommendation to end the Secretariats reporting requirement on the FC-G5S. Despite the volatile security situation, the biannual UNOWAS reports are now the Councils main opportunity to consider regional developments. Council members could send a letter to the Secretary-General taking note of his recommendation to end his reporting obligation on the FC-G5S and request that UNOWAS provide an additional third annual report with a focus on the Sahel. Another option is for members to request ad hoc briefings when developments in the Sahel warrant Council attention.

Council Dynamics

Council discussion on West Africa and the Sahel has grown polarised in recent years. The US and European members are concerned about Russias growing influence in the region and ties with the military juntas, while Russia supports the views of the AES states in the Council. This has made it difficult for the Council to support ECOWAS positions, of which Sierra Leone is a proponent. As a West African country, Sierra Leone is also among those Council members that believe it is important for the Council to maintain attention to the region, including how it might support regional efforts to prevent terrorist violence from expanding into coastal countries. Elected member Algeria, which brokered the 2015 Mali Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, also known as the Algiers Accord, was seen as a potential bridge between the UN and Mali amid the tensions last year that led Malis transitional authorities to demand the end of MINUSMA. Algerias relations with Mali have soured, however. Nigers military authorities also rebuffed Algerian efforts last year to mediate a political transition agreement in that country.

Sierra Leone and Switzerland are co-penholders on UNOWAS.

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MIDDLE EAST

Yemen

Expected Council Action

In July, the Security Council will hold its monthly briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and a representative of OCHA are expected to brief during the public session. The Head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, is expected to brief during the consultations.

The Council is also expected to renew the mandate of UNMHA, which expires on 14 July.

Key Recent Developments

The Houthi rebel group continues to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea region, which it started in November 2023 to pressure Israel to end the war that it launched in the Gaza Strip after the 7 October 2023 attacks led by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Combined with US-led strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response, the situation has frozen Yemen peace talks. On 30 May, joint UK-US strikes in Hodeidah governorate killed at least 16 people and wounded 42, according to the Houthis. This was the highest publicly announced death toll in the US-led operation since it started in January.

On 7 June, the UN said that the Houthis had detained 11 of its Yemeni national staff, as well as personnel of other aid organisations, in four governorates: Amran, Hodeidah, Saada, and Sanaa. Six of the UN personnel are affiliated with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). They also include one staff member from each of the following: the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP); and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The UN subsequently updated the number, reporting that in total, 13 national staff members had been detained in addition to five Yemeni staff of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and many more from national NGOs and civil society.

On 11 June, the head of the Houthis intelligence agency, Major General Abdulhakim al-Khayewani, announced that the staff of the UN and other humanitarian organisations had been arrested for belonging to a US-Israeli spy ring that used the cover of international and UN organizations. The Houthis previously detained four other UN staffers from OHCHR and UNESCOtwo in 2021 and another two in 2023whom the rebel group continues to hold, and in October 2021, they arrested dozens of Yemeni national staff employed by the US embassy, 11 of whom are still detained, according to reports.

On 11 June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN personnel. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk made a similar call while categorically rejecting the outrageous allegations against UN staff.

At the Councils 13 June briefing on Yemen, both Grundberg and OCHA Director of Operations and Advocacy Division Edem Wosornu echoed the Secretary-Generals demand for the immediate release of the UN staff. Grundberg added, Such arbitrary detentions are not the expected signal of an actor who is seeking a mediated solution to conflict.

Grundberg and Wosornu also raised concerns about the Houthis and the Yemeni governments intensification of economic measures against one another. Grundberg said it represented the zero-sum mindset that the parties had reverted to in recent months instead of respecting their commitments to an inter-Yemeni political process. He noted that the parties had yet to respond to his invitation to mediate talks for resolving the economic tensions. According to Wosornu, the potential that Sanaa-based banks will be excluded from using the SWIFT banking system for their failure to comply with a government directive to relocate their headquarters to Aden could have catastrophic ramifications. It risks undermining the private sectors ability to conduct financial transactions to import food and other essential goods and making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to pay staff salaries and for the services that their operations use.

Ahead of the meeting, UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward read a statement at the stakeout on behalf of 11 Council members, Yemen, 27 other member states, and the EU, which condemned the latest detentions and demanded the release of the detainees.

On 17 June, the US announced new sanctions on three individuals and six entities that have facilitated weapons procurement for the Houthis and that have enabled the group to generate revenue, including in China and Oman. A vessel owned by one of the designated entities was also identified as blocked property, according to the US announcement.

On 19 June, the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned and -operated bulk carrier, the Tutor, sank in the Red Sea. A Houthi bomb-laden boat had struck the vessel one week earlier, in an attack which killed a Philippine crew member. The Council extended the monthly reporting requirement of the Secretary-General on Houthi attacks against commercial and merchant vesselsfirst established in resolution 2722 of 10 Januaryuntil 15 January 2025, when it adopted resolution 2739 on 27 June.

Human Rights Developments

According to OHCHRs press briefing notes from 14 June, the six UN Human Rights Office staff members, including two women, have not had contact with their families since their detention. The UN has also been unable to access them or receive individual confirmation of their detention. OHCHR stressed that the targeting of human rights and humanitarian workers must cease immediately, and efforts should instead be stepped up to serve the needs of the 18.2 million people in Yemen who currently require humanitarian aid and protection.

Key Issues and Options

Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and US-led strikes on Houthi targets in response are a key issue. A related key issue is preserving the progress made prior to the Gaza crisis in the now-stalled Omani-facilitated talks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia to reach a peace agreement and Grundbergs efforts to develop a road map for a ceasefire and an inter-Yemeni political process.

Members are likely to monitor developments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and encourage the parties to engage with the Special Envoy to protect the gains made to date in peace talks. Members could reiterate the need to resume an inter-Yemeni peace process and encourage the parties to continue engagement with the Special Envoy on his roadmap. They could also encourage the parties to accept the Special Envoys offer to oversee talks to defuse economic tensions.

The mandate renewal of UNMHA is a key issue. The Council is likely to renew its mandate, which includes monitoring the ceasefire in Hodeidah governorate that the December 2018 Stockholm Agreement established. The Secretary-Generals annual review of the mission, dated 11 June, noted the persistence of hindrances to UNMHAs freedom of movement, including independent patrols of Houthi-held ports, and an increase in rhetoric from government officials, blaming the 2018 Stockholm Agreement for the current Red Sea crisis. In renewing the mandate, the Council could reiterate that the parties are to ensure UNMHAs unhindered access, including unimpeded patrols of Hodeidah ports and frontlines under government control.

The humanitarian situation in Yemen, where 18.2 million people require assistance and protection services, remains a key issue. The main drivers of humanitarian need remain Yemens deteriorated economy, lack of public services, and protracted conflict-induced displacement. Insecurity and access restraints have been long-standing impediments to relief efforts. The detention of humanitarian staff could further undermine the ability of the UN and other partners to provide assistance. The Yemen sanctions designation criteria include the obstruction or impediment of humanitarian assistance. Council members could consider expanding sanctions designations on Houthi officials if they do not release the detained personnel.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in their support for the various mediation efforts. They have welcomed the Houthi-Saudi talks and stress the ultimate need for an inclusive Yemeni political process under UN auspices to achieve a sustainable resolution of the conflict. Members have also condemned the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and are concerned about their consequences on maritime security, freedom of navigation, and Yemens peace process.

Nonetheless, there have been some notable divisions on the Yemen file as a result of the Red Sea crisis. Recently, this manifested itself in the inability of Council members to issue a proposed press statement on the detention of UN staff. China and Russia, in objecting to a UK-proposed text, apparently contended that there was a need for additional information, while Russia also objected to condemning the detentions and proposed replacing calls for the immediate release of the detained personnel with calls to provide access to them. Traditionally, Russia seeks to streamline references to the Houthis and is reluctant to single them out in Council products. The UK organised the 13 June stakeout on the detentions because members could not agree on the press statement.

Algeria, China, and Russia abstained in the vote adopting resolution 2739. In their explanations of votes, they indicated that this decision was consistent with their abstentions on resolution 2722 because of their concerns over that resolutions language, particularly wording on the right of states to defend their merchant vessels from attacks, which was not drawn from existing international law, and how resolution 2722 was subsequently interpreted by some member states and implemented. They also reiterated, as they often do, the need to end the war in Gaza for resolving the crisis in the Red Sea.

The UK is the penholder on Yemen. The US and Japan have served as co-penholders on the Red Sea crisis. Ambassador Joonkook Hwang (Republic of Korea) chairs the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee.

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Introduction to Cannazo India and its Mission

In 2021, the global market was valued to be around 5.7 billion US dollars while the CAGR of the global hemp market is estimated to be 14.04% from 2023 to 2030, showing tremendous growth. In 2023, the Asia-Pacific region (which includes India) contributed to 33% of the global hemp market.

Many companies have emerged which have tapped into the medical and nutritional properties of hemp, also known as medical cannabis. One such company is Cannazo India, which also appeared on Shark India Season 3.

Cannazo India is an Ayurvedic healthcare company based in India that uses medicinal cannabis to address various conditions. They aim to integrate the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern-day science and technology to formulate a range of hemp-based medicinal products for pain management, palliative care, and neurological and autoimmune disorders.

Medical Cannabis: A Revolutionary Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune disorder causing damage to the spinal cord and brain. The immune system attacks the neurons which decreases the transmission speed of nerve signals, leading to reduced mobility and memory.

Medical cannabis (MC) consists of over 140 cannabinoids with research still going on. Two of these compounds are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). FDA has approved two medications already and in India, MC (known as Vijaya) is partly regulated by the AYUSH Ministry.

They interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the body, consisting of cannabinoid (CB) receptors, CB1 and CB2.

CBD interacts with CB2 receptors of the ECS and serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A) receptors of the nervous system to cause various pharmacological effects like decreased inflammation, decreased pain, reduced muscle spasticity, improved mobility, reduced stress and anxiety and improvement in sleep quality.

The Breakthrough Solution: Cannazo India's Innovative Product

Cannazo India makes numerous products for general wellness and health for specific diseases. These products range from full-spectrum CBD oils like Vijaya Ambrosia, Cannaronil and Muscle Aid which may help in decreasing MS symptoms like pain, numbness and muscle spasticity.

They also offer general wellness products like Astaxanthin softgels with potent antioxidant properties, Gut Health Tablets to relieve bloating and constipation, and Intensive Hair Repair oil to promote blood circulation to the scalp.

The Shark Tank India Experience

Cannazo India was the first medical cannabis company featured on Shark Tank India Season 3. Shark Tank provided Cannazo India with a national platform to highlight the importance of medical cannabis for medical and nutritional use.

By being featured on Shark Tank India, Cannazo Indias founders, Sukkrit Goel, Arzoo Puri and Kartik Sharma, raised awareness about the benefits of medical cannabis and the availability of CBD-based products which may help in the treatment of neurological disorders like epilepsy, and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis.

Moreover, Shark India has helped Cannazo India reach a much wider audience. Merely 20 minutes after Cannazo Indias episode was aired, their website crashed despite having a cloud plan. Not only that, but the number of orders also increased by 4 to 5 times.

Impact on Patients and Healthcare Industry

Cannazo India has published numerous case reports testing the efficacy of their products for various conditions.

The research team recently published a case series on The effect of full-spectrum cannabis leaf extract on pain, inflammation, and quality of sleep: Case series in the Journal of Integrative Medicine and Research showcasing medical cannabis extracts effectiveness in managing pain and inflammation by studying its effect on c-reactive protein (CRP) levels, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Ashworth Scale, and Regensburg Insomnia Scale .

A 54-year-old woman with persistent lower back pain reported that her pain became more manageable while doing daily activities after two weeks of using Cannazo Indias Full-Spectrum Tincture. Moreover, a 42-year-old female patient undergoing chemotherapy reported less nausea and vomiting upon using Cannazo Indias Cannaronil as an adjunctive therapy.

Cannazo India not only aims to improve patient health but also to increase awareness about the use of medical cannabis for numerous health conditions like asthma and chronic pain along with general health and well-being.

Future Plans and Research

Cannazo India is driven to conduct more research on medical cannabis to unleash its full potential for the management of different health issues.

Head on to their blog which highlights the use of medical cannabis for the treatment of various health conditions like asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Medical cannabis leaf extract-based consumption medicines are Schedule E and, therefore prescribed through a network of registered medical practitioners. Cannazo India believes in educating the medical fraternity to create awareness about the efficacy and usage of medical cannabis for health issues and how it can be integrated with conventional medicine.

They have served as a pioneer in educating the medical fraternity and consumers via conducting continuing medical education (CMEs) and plan to reach an even wider audience in the near future.

Regulatory and Market Perspectives

When thinking of medical cannabis, people usually assume that it is psychoactive, i.e., it will cause hallucinations. However, that is true for only certain parts of medical cannabis.

In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 banned the use of flowering tops of cannabis, however, AYUSH approved the use of its leaves and seeds for medicinal use. In 2018, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved the medical use of cannabis.

Cannazo Indias products are made from leaves that are approved by the government. Moreover, their products also pass through stringent third-party laboratory testing to approve their quality. This ensures that their products are of the highest quality and safe for consumption while delivering maximum efficacy.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Cannazo India has partnered with numerous institutions and bodies to increase awareness about the medical benefits of medical cannabis. Some of these parties include the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI) and Panjab University.

CSIR has always lent Cannazo India a guiding hand in the pharmaceutical industry, and their recent collaboration with the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Panjab University is to conduct medical research.

They have also collaborated with Dr. Sudhakar Nataranjan from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to conduct animal studies for osteoarthritis/hip dysplasia in dogs using Cannazo Indias CBD pet oil.

Conclusion

A growing body of scientific evidence has introduced an alternative treatment option, offering new hope to people suffering from various medical conditions. Cannazo India, the first medical cannabis company to be featured on Shark Tank India, has raised national awareness about the use of medical cannabis for managing conditions such as chronic pain, asthma, arthritis, and anxiety.

As an Indian startup, they constantly strive to produce the best products while collaborating with institutes like CSIR-CDRI to bring Ayurvedic, plant-based healthcare options to the public.
Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, emphasized the burgeoning investment prospects for Australian 'green companies' in India, noting the increasing recognition of India as a favorable destination for investments from Australia.

Speaking to IANS during the India Energy Storage Week 2024, Green highlighted the active engagement of Australian investors in India's hydrogen and solar panel sectors. "As India's economy expands, Australia's perception of India as an attractive investment hub is also growing", Green affirmed.

Leading the Australian delegation at the event, Green underscored the pivotal role of India in Australia's strategy for supply chain resilience, particularly in the domain of green energy. "It's paramount for Australia to collaborate with India across the green energy supply chain", he stated, expressing delight at the robust participation of 41 Australian companies at the conference.

Highlighting recent developments, Green mentioned an increasing number of Australian firms investing in solar, wind, and other green energy sectors in India. He described India as an 'indispensable partner' and a crucial contributor to Australia's diversification agenda and supply chain resilience.

electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels, affirming India's pivotal role in Australia's economic strategy. Green praised India's capacity to scale up production ofand solar panels, affirming India's pivotal role in Australia's economic strategy.

The India Energy Storage Week 2024 continues to serve as a significant platform for bilateral engagements aimed at fostering sustainable energy solutions and strengthening economic ties between Australia and India.
India is rapidly narrowing the gap with China and Vietnam in mobile phone exports, with a notable surge in FY24. According to global trade data, while China and Vietnam experienced declines of 2.78% and 17.6% respectively in their mobile phone exports, Indias exports soared by 40.5%.

India has captured nearly 50% of the reduction in mobile phone exports from China and Vietnam, indicating a significant shift in the global supply chain. Officials attribute this success to the country's smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which was designed to capitalize on the supply chain shift from China. The smartphone PLI scheme was announced with an objective to capture supply chain shifts from China. The results are beginning to show now, an official stated on condition of anonymity. Although China remains the leading exporter of mobile phones, India is making substantial progress.

Data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) reveals that Chinese mobile phone exports decreased from $136.3 billion in FY23 to $132.5 billion in FY24, reflecting a $3.8 billion decline. Similarly, Vietnams mobile phone exports dropped from $31.9 billion in FY23 to $26.27 billion in FY24, a $5.6 billion decrease. The combined reduction in exports from these two countries totaled $9.4 billion.

Conversely, Indias mobile phone exports surged from $11.1 billion in FY23 to $15.6 billion in FY24, an increase of $4.5 billion. The data implies that India captured nearly 50% of the total decline in mobile exports from China and Vietnam, another official noted.

The rise in India's mobile phone exports is seen as a significant achievement for the government, especially amid geopolitical tensions with China. The Indian government has been strategically attracting companies adopting the China+1 approach to diversify their supply chains and manufacturing operations.

The smartphone PLI scheme has notably benefitted Apple, which has established India as its second base for iPhone manufacturing after China. Since the PLI scheme's inception in 2020, Apple has ramped up its production and exports from India. Apples vendors, including Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now owned by Tata), have set up factories in the country under the scheme. Production by Apples vendors increased from $7 billion in FY23 to $14 billion in FY24, while exports rose from $5 billion to over $10 billion in the same period. iPhone exports now account for 65% of Indias mobile phone exports and over one-third of Indias electronics exports, which surpassed $29 billion in FY24.

Samsung is also poised to expand its mobile phone exports from India. The South Korean company, a beneficiary of the PLI scheme, exported approximately $3.5 billion worth of mobile phones from India in FY24, a figure that is expected to grow. Samsung is currently the largest exporter of mobile phones from Vietnam, having invested $20 billion in the country by late 2023, according to a report by the Vietnam News Agency. Over 50% of Samsungs global sales come from products made in Vietnam.
The Indian Army has inducted its first-ever indigenous chip-based 4G mobile base station, procured from Bangalore-based firm Signaltron via the government e-marketplace portal. According to a top company official, Signaltron's founder Himamshu Khasnis informed that the chip used in the Sahyadri LTE base stations was developed by Signalchip.

In 2010, Khasnis and his team founded Signalchip, a fabless semiconductor company, to develop chips for 4G and 5G networks. "Signaltron has built the entire system indigenously using India's first chips for 4G and 5G networks developed by Signalchip. This is the first time an Indian system running on an Indian chip for complex communication technology has been inducted into the army. Using indigenous chips gives a high degree of control on the security of the system in its operation", Khasnis said.

He mentioned that the Indian Army had placed a bid on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) for the supply of a 4G LTE NIB (Network In a Box) solution last year. "Signaltron proposed the Sahyadri NIB solution and came out successful in stringent technical trials. Subsequently, Signaltron also won the competitive bid to supply the equipment. Weighing just 7 kgs, Sahyadri Network In a Box (NIB) systems provide high-quality secure wireless communication for audio, video and data applications", Khasnis said.

He mentioned that the Sahyadri NIB can operate in both standalone and cellular modes, and can seamlessly interoperate with legacy analogue and IP telephony systems. Most base stations deployed in India are not manufactured domestically, and even those that are made in India typically lack indigenous chips, which are the most strategic and crucial components of modern electronic devices and equipment.

Signaltron has provided 20 units to the military, and the positioning of the base stations depends on their strategic needs, Khasnis explained. "We have supplied 20 units to the army. The Army takes its own call on when and where to deploy base station. Since they are light and mobile units, it gives them the flexibility to change the location as per their requirement", he added.

Currently, India lacks a fabrication facility for modern semiconductor chips. Signalchip has designed the chip in-house and owns the entire technology delivered by the chips. Following a model similar to leading semiconductor companies such as Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Mediatek, Signalchip outsources the fabrication of its chips to third-party wafer fabs.

Khasnis mentioned that the Indian base station market is projected to reach approximately USD 24 billion by 2029. "With the use of indigenous systems, there could be significant savings to forex and also boost GDP. There are sizeable market volumes available in India and worldwide. Modernization targets of different sectors like defense, railways, etc., are excellent opportunities for Indigenous solutions", he said.
Stocks to Watch, Monday, July 1, 2024: Indian equity markets are expected to have a slow start on Monday following multiple record-breaking sessions last week. At 7:45 AM, GIFT Nifty futures were up by 6 points, reaching 24,127 levels. Globally, Asian markets were quiet, with Nikkei up by 0.3 percent, while Kospi, Hang Seng, and Shanghai Composite remained flat. ASX200, however, was down by 0.3 percent.

Bharat Electronics: Bharat Electronics (BEL) has signed a contract worth Rs 3,172 crore with Armoured Vehicles Nigam (AVNL) on June 28, 2024. The contract involves supplying and installing an advanced, indigenous sighting and fire control system (FCS) for the upgrade of BMP 2/2K Tanks of the Indian Army, along with a comprehensive engineering support package.

IREDA: In its first quarter update, IREDA reported that sanctioned loans amounted to Rs 9,136 crore, with loan disbursements increasing by 67% to Rs 5,320 crore.

ITC: Consumers spent Rs 32,500 crore on Kolkata-based ITCs fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), excluding cigarettes, in the financial year 2023-24, as noted in the company's annual report released on Friday. This reflects a 12% growth compared to the previous year (FY23) when consumer spending on FMCG products was Rs 29,000 crore, marking a 21% increase year-on-year. The company attributed the modest rise in consumer spending to weak demand and competitive intensity in FY24.

Tata Steel: Tata Steel UK has initiated legal action against an employees union, terming a decision to strike as unilateral and warned potential early shutdown of operations at the Port Talbot facility. The union, Unite, called for a strike on July 8 in response to Tata Steels plans to shut blast furnaces three months earlier than planned. Unite described this move as the latest in a long line of threats and asserted that it would not deter them.

Future Retail: US-based technology consulting company Palguntech has made an offer of Rs 560 crore to acquire the stake and assets of Future Retail (FRL). They have also expressed their willingness to take over all the legal cases pending against FRL promoters. However, this offer is subject to discussions with the Committee of Creditors (CoC) and the approval of the lenders, as stated in a letter sent by Palguntech to the administrator.

Telecom Companies: Consumers should be prepared to pay higher phone bills more often, as telecom operators have recently increased tariffs by up to 25%. Reliance Jio raised tariffs by 12-25% on Thursday, while Bharti Airtel increased theirs by 10-21%, followed by Vodafone Idea's 10-23% increase on Friday.

Cochin Shipyard: Udupi Cochin Shipyard, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard, secured an international order for the construction of eight 6300 TDW (total dry weight) Dry Cargo Vessels. The order worth Rs 1,100 crores was placed by Wilson ASA, a Norway-based company. The contract includes the design and construction of four vessels, with an agreement for an additional four vessels to be formally contracted by September 19, 2024.

Godrej Properties: Godrej Properties has acquired the leasehold rights to an 11-acre plot of land in Pune. According to a stock exchange filing, the company plans to develop a residential and commercial project with an expected revenue of approximately Rs 1,800 crore.

Jindal Stainless: Jindal Stainless has finalized the acquisition of Sulawesi Nickel Processing Industries Holdings Pte., a Singapore-based company. This will enable the establishment of a joint venture in Indonesia focused on investing in, developing, constructing, and operating a stainless steel melt shop.

JSW Infrastructure: JSW Infrastructure Ltd stated that it is still interested in the mega Tajpur deep sea port in West Bengal and remains open to re-evaluate its strategy for the project.

Stanley Lifestyles: Leading investment and brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has acquired 370,000 shares in Stanley Lifestyles for about Rs 16.7 crore. The company made its debut on the stock exchange on Friday.

SAMHI Hotels: SAMHI Hotels witnessed significant block deals on Friday, as Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore Pte and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) bought shares worth almost Rs 58 crore and Rs 21 crore, respectively.

Bank Of Baroda: The board of Bank Of Baroda will meet on July 5 to consider a capital plan for FY25 by way of raising funds through additional tier 1 and tier 2 debt capital instruments with an interchangeability option.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Thanks to rising sea levels driven by climate change, Staten Island and New York City could be underwater by the year 2100.

Where have we heard that one before?

A new interactive map shows the coastal areas that are likely to be most impacted as polar ice caps and glaciers melt and water levels rise because of increased carbon emissions and other factors.

Based on 2022 emission levels, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that sea levels could rise by two feet by 2100.

You can check the interactive map to see how your neighborhood would fare. The news isnt great for Staten Islanders, who live in a coastal community.

If sea levels rise by two feet by 2100, Oakwood Beach and the Gulfport area would be inundated. Other communities would also suffer significant land loss to the sea.

Sound familiar? It should. Scientists rang the same warning bell back in 1983, with the prediction even more apocalyptic.

A front-page story in the Sunday Advance on Oct. 30 of that year was headlined: Global warming could find Island under the ocean.

If anything, 1983s prediction was even more dire.

Imagine a Staten Island where a good portion of the present land mass is under water, including almost everything west of the West Shore Expressway and almost everything east of Hylan Boulevard, the Advance said.

The story warned of a time of food, water and energy shortages amidst a struggle to adapt to a drastically changed environment.

While saying it wasnt time to panic yet, the article cited studies by the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Academy of Sciences that warned of the impact of the burning of fossil fuels; the cutting down of forests; increases in carbon dioxide, and the greenhouse effect.

Temperatures were expected to rise 4.6 degrees by 2040 (thats just 16 years from now) and possibly 9 degrees by 2100. That could cause sea levels to rise four to seven feet by 2100, much more than the current 2 feet called for.

Areas of the Island less than 10 feet above sea level would be under threat, including everything east of Hylan Boulevard and low-lying West Shore areas like Howland Hook, the Goethals Community Mobile Home Park and everything west of the West Shore Expressway.

Temperature changes would affect rainfall and food production, altering all humanitys way of life, the Advance reported. Some people would be flooded out of their homes, while farms would become less productive as the Midwest grew hotter and drier.

New York City, already a heat sink because of heat absorption by asphalt and concrete, was predicated to become as hot as many tropical cities.

But others at the time said the warming problem was not as bad as predicted, pointing to concerns about the depletion of the ozone layer that turned out to have been overstated.

And not every doomsday scenario comes to pass.

In 1970, the Advance ran an article that said that smog blocking the sun could eventually kick off a new Ice Age.

Surface temperatures, the article said, could drop by 40 to 60 degrees. Temperature drops of just 3 to 4 degrees would start a major cooling trend.

The article said that the planet had undergone a heating trend until 1940 but that the temperature had dropped one degree since then and that a cooling trend was already underway.

An article from 1971 said that if the cooling trend lasted another two decades, until 1991, Europe would be covered with the glaciers of a new Ice Age by the turn of the century. That was 24 years ago.

The article quoted one scientist as saying that based on the examination of ice cores, he didnt expect to see another global warming trend until 2015.

A 1975 article in the Advance said the Artic ice and snow cap had expanded 12% and that global temperatures had grown gradually cooler for 30 years.

Expansion of the circumpolar vortex, icy winds that sweep from west to east at the top and bottom of the planet, were to blame.

Scientists said that the planet could undergo a series of little Ice Ages like those that plagued Europe from the Middle Ages until the 1800s. They said, without a doubt, colder climate would come.

But even amid that new Ice Age reporting, other scientists were warning of carbon dioxide emissions possibly heating up the planet, and said that attention had to be paid to humankinds effect on the global climate.

Later in 1975, the Advance ran an article headlined: Weather scientists say arrival of new Ice Age appears remote.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Mayor Eric Adams three-pronged City of Yes plan for carbon neutrality, economic opportunity and housing is his effort to move the city into the 21st Century.

In simplest terms, the plan is a mass rewrite of the city zoning code, first written in 1961, with each of the three prongs needing approval from the City Council.
Hi Neighbor,

Four days. Thats all it took.

Forget all that balance and separation of power nonsense, and the three branches of government.

It took just four days in 2024 for him to eventually be crowned King Donald on January 20, 2025.

Thank the United States Supreme Courts immunity ruling Monday and a Joe Biden debate meltdown last Thursday.

In the event youve been away, the courts conservative majority, joined by the chief justice who wrote the opinion, ruled that Donald Trump has full immunity for official acts that he took while in office.

Whats an official act? Thats now up to lower courts to decide. But were talking January 6th and those kinds of things.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, of the more liberal minority, suggested that when a president uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution.

Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? she wrote. Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Those on the other side of the political divide have suggested that the Trump-controlled Republican Party is totally dysfunctional.

Guess what.

The Democrats are just as dysfunctional.

They are proving it after the very sad, and very pathetic display, by Joe Biden during the first presidential debate Thursday evening.

Bad debate nights happen, Barack Obama told us. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Last night didnt change that, and its why so much is at stake in November.

Thursday night did change that, Mr. Obama. It wasnt just a bad debate. It was 90-minute display of a man who has lost his fast ball  by a mile.

Joe Biden might have fought for ordinary folks his entire life, but Thursdays performance proved he is no longer capable of fighting. Its painful to say, but its doubtful hes capable of putting together coherent thoughts.

Yet Democrats are still saying -- at least publicly -- Joes their guy.

Minutes after the debate ended, sending aghast cable news pundits into a tizzy, as were most Americans who watched, the Biden team blanketed the country with fundraising texts.

To suggest they were tone deaf doesnt come close. Extraordinary hubris is more like it.

And then the president himself went on the defensive the next day.

I know Im not a young man, to state the obvious, he said. I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. And I know like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down you get back up.

At the point youre labeled a senior citizen, on every birthday, you hear the same thing:

Age is just a number.

I suppose it is. More important is a seniors mental acuity. I doubt most Americans care if their president has arthritis or needs a hip replacement.

This election should not be so much about age as it should be about cognitive ability. Thursday evening was not the first time we have seen Joe Biden stumble through speeches, often lost in his thoughts, making little sense.

I was a kid during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but over the years Ive admired the strength and leadership shown by Jack Kennedy as he confronted Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

Put the Joe Biden you witnessed Thursday night confronting someone on the debate stage far less formidable than a Nikita Khrushchev. Will you be comfortable that President Biden will be on the job, any time night or day, in a situation akin to a Cuban Missile Crisis?

If the Democratic Party cannot convince Joe Biden to step aside before their convention in mid-August, we wont have an inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Well have a coronation of a monarch.

Brian
Chobani, it can be argued, is the nations favourite yoghurt. Eaten by 2.3 million Australians every month, it is the leading brand of plain and flavoured yoghurt, according to Roy Morgan. Reached for by gym junkies, children and health-conscious consumers, the Greek yoghurt pots, squeezy pouches and flip tubs are a staple on the shelves of the dominant supermarkets as well as Aldi and Costco.

But Scott Hadley, the freshly minted managing director of Chobanis Australian and New Zealand operations, is not satisfied.

Chobani ANZ chief executive officer Scott Hadley.

Were in those major retailers. Where I think the opportunity is is to broaden our availability and into more independent retail, into the corner store, petrol and convenience, to be available everywhere, he said.

Were starting to develop a new aspiration that theres a Chobani product in every fridge everywhere, every day.
Australias workplace regulator is asking more organisations to step up in the crackdown against employers advertising jobs for illegally low pay while warning employers can expect to be fined and monitored for underpayment if caught.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth has written to Seek, Gumtree, Indeed and Chinese media platform yeeyi after issuing 151 penalties totalling more than $89,000 to wrongdoing employers without prior warning to send a strong message about the unlawful behaviour.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth is bringing more organisations into the fight against unlawful job ads. Credit: Peter Rae

In one instance, the regulator received a tip-off about a job listing for full-time and part-time bar staff roles at $7 to $10.50 an hour, which Booth described as brazen underpayment and totally unacceptable.

We needed to make a big point of this, Booth said. In this case, because we are looking to deter employers from doing this, we have decided to take a strict approach and fine those people who are clearly in contravention.
Glastonbury, the UKs largest music festival, has officially wrapped up after five days of non-stop music, celebrity sightings and the general revelry of 200,000 people partying at one of the worlds biggest live events.

As revellers packed up their tents and cradled their hangovers, the festivals best moments made rounds on the internet. There was SZA riding a giant ant, Shania Twain leading a massive line dance and Gollum (aka Andy Serkis) playing the saxophone. But, believe it or not, this was just the start of the antics.

Glastonbury has delivered another five days of stunning sets, surprise appearances and general merriment. Credit: Getty Images

Dua Lipas alleged miming act

Her set was filled with fireworks, five outfits changes and leather-clad back-up dancers, but the thing that got everyone talking was whether Dua Lipa was actually singing.
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Review Eating outSydney Fine dining meets fusion at this slightly otherworldly Circular Quay showpiece Former Aria chef Daeun Kangs fusion of French and Japanese cooking plays out on every plate at luxurious harbourside restaurant Oborozuki. Terry Durack July 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 12 Oborozukis location is hard to beat, overlooking the ferry end of Circular Quay. Louie Douvis 2 / 12 Daeun Kangs food is delicate, refined and high in technique. Louie Douvis 3 / 12 Sake sommelier Donggeon Kim. Louie Douvis 4 / 12 A white-gloved sommelier selects a glass from Japans famous Kagami Crystal. Louie Douvis 5 / 12 Go-to dish: Maremma duck, purple carrot, blackberry, madeira, macadamia. Louie Douvis 6 / 12 OConnor beef tartare with fermented chilli and toasted brioche dusted with cured egg yolk. Louie Douvis 7 / 12 Louie Douvis 8 / 12 Glacier 51 toothfish, fennel and celeriac terrine. Louie Douvis 9 / 12 Louie Douvis 10 / 12 Coral trout, wasabi, katsuobushi, Kaviari Kristal caviar. Louie Douvis 11 / 12 Sake baba, sudachi curd, citrus cells, marigold. Louie Douvis 12 / 12 Teppanyaki chef Felix Zheng. Louie Douvis Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Japanese$$$$ Its probably a difficult time to be a luxurious fine-dining restaurant; especially one designed as a shrine to the fusion of Japanese and French cuisines. (Havent we done this before, and fused already?) But if it is, Oborozuki isnt showing it. Instead, its showing off. There are sommeliers for sake and wine, and I have just been presented with a huge leather-bound Louis Vuitton trunk. Inside are 40 individual glasses from Japans famous Kagami Crystal, backlit and glowing like cut emeralds and rubies. I select one, and a white-gloved somm fills it with Hananomai Abysse ($23 for 100ml), an unpasteurised sparkling sake brewed using a process similar to champagne that leaves it zippy and fresh.

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Its a flourish, a ritual, that is almost sacramental. As I am to learn, this is the Oborozuki way. A white-gloved sommelier selects a glass from Japans famous Kagami Crystal. Louie Douvis The Tong Sheng Group (behind Panda Yum Cha and 678 Korean BBQ) has pulled out all the stops with its first upscale restaurant in Australia. The location is hard to beat, overlooking the ferry end of Circular Quay. A magnificent spiral staircase (bait for influencers) leads to a golden-hued double-height cathedral-like room. Above, a second level of three private dining rooms is the domain of dedicated head teppanyaki chef Felix Zheng. Oborozuki started as high-end omakase, but appointed a la carte head chef Daeun Kang in late 2023, fresh from seven years at Aria, to ring in some changes. Her food is delicate, refined and high in technique. The expense of the menu ($180/$220 a head) is lightened by the generosity, as not one but three appetisers land on the table, followed by Sonoma bread and seaweed butter. Fingers of maki roll have the bite of mustard greens, capped with avocado and saltbush. An impossibly thin tartlet (made from gyoza wrapper) holds oyster cream, diced kingfish and crisp apple, with a bunch of sea grapes reclining on top like a seal. A smoked mussel sits atop a cushy doughnut with a bright sudachi aioli.

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Coral trout, wasabi, katsuobushi, Kaviari Kristal caviar. Louie Douvis Oh my, this food. Overlapping slices of raw coral trout nestled with tangy furls of daikon, huddles of Kaviari Kristal sturgeon caviar and tiny white blossoms are so white-on-white, its almost bridal. Chawan-mushi is bathed in a scallop consomme, carrying wonderfully toasty scallops, sea urchin and Jerusalem artichoke crisps, paired with a seriously umami-rific Gassan Tokubetsu Junmai sake ($36 for 120ml). The fusion of French and Japanese plays out on every plate, and my drinks pairing ($95) flows from wine to sake and back, with Donggeon Kim on duty to guide our sake experience, and Harold Clouet and Romain Bouquet for wine (what a brilliant surname for a sommelier). Go-to dish: Maremma duck, purple carrot, blackberry, madeira, macadamia. Louie Douvis

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OConnor beef tartare is nubbly and rich, warm with fermented chilli and capped with a disc of toasted brioche dusted with cured egg yolk. Some dishes owe inspiration to Kangs years at Aria. The Maremma duck is one; dry-aged for seven days, brushed with red wine and maltose, roasted, rested, carved and char-grilled. Accompaniments are precise and pointed; a pretty gathering of jube-like purple carrot with blackberries, and a curl of macadamia cream. The duck is a star; ruby-red and as giving as high-marble-score beef, paired with a velvety 2019 E. Guigal Crozes Hermitage. Its slightly otherworldly, like being in a Japanese restaurant in Paris or a French fine diner in Tokyo. A word: agree to the same number of courses among yourselves, or you may get out of step at the end, with one brought fish and the other dessert; something best avoided. Sake takes on the role of rum for a gorgeous little baba layered with sudachi curd, citrus cells and citrus granita, with freeze-dried mandarin showered from above at the table.

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The theatrics and staged rituals at Oborozuki are reminiscent of high-end Vue de Monde in Melbourne, but theres generosity here, with a sense that everything possible is done for the diner, not for the kitchen. Its slightly otherworldly, like being in a Japanese restaurant in Paris or a French fine diner in Tokyo. But instead, were here in Sydney, where bringing them together feels like a glimpse of the future. The low-down Vibe: Lavish harbourside French-Japanese, shaped with craft Go-to dish: Maremma duck, purple carrot, blackberry, madeira, macadamia Drinks: Sake is given equal billing to wine, with its own sommelier, bespoke glassware and style Cost: Three courses a la carte $180 a head, four courses $220, plus drinks

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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Coming soon: 16 hot new Sydney restaurants still to open this year As well as the glitzy four-in-one hospitality venture soon to open in North Sydney, these are the places were seriously excited to try. Scott Bolles July 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 11 An inside peek at the new four-in-one hospitality venture at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney. Steven Woodburn 2 / 11 Steven Woodburn 3 / 11 Chef Rhys Connell is executive chef of the four-in-one hospitality venture from Etymon Projects opening at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney. Steven Woodburn 4 / 11 Steven Woodburn 5 / 11 Steven Woodburn 6 / 11 Left to right: Rhiann Mead, head of pastry at Genzo, Sol, and Soluna; Rhys Connell, executive chef at Genzo, Sol, Soluna, and Una; Tuan Colombo, head chef at Genzo; Hiroyuki Takehira, sous chef at Genzo. Steven Woodburn 7 / 11 Steven Woodburn 8 / 11 Steven Woodburn 9 / 11 Steven Woodburn 10 / 11 Steven Woodburn 11 / 11 Steven Woodburn Previous Slide Next Slide On Tuesday, July 9, the curtain drops at a new hospitality mega-venue in North Sydney with a contemporary restaurant, separate bakery-wine bar, a providore and a glitzy Japanese restaurant. If you thought Sydney restaurant expansion would slow due to tough trading conditions, think again. Nothing gets in the way of the harbour city and a restaurant launch. Hatted chef Rhys Connell (ex The Gantry, Sepia) is executive chef of the four-in-one beast opening at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney. The Walker Street precinct is the latest venue from Etymon Projects, the group behind The Charles restaurant in the Sydney CBD. Connell has ex-Nobu London chef Tuan Colombo heading the kitchen at Japanese restaurant Genzo, and a palette of freshly minted interiors. At the 200-seat Soluna restaurant, Connell will lean in on a produce-driven menu hes calling Australian lifestyle cuisine, where mains will mostly sit between $40-$50 and a couple of dishes below that price spread. Chef Rhys Connell is executive chef at the Walker Street precinct. Steven Woodburn

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The four venues havent landed in North Sydney by chance. Connell explains they are on the same block as the upcoming Victoria Cross metro station, which will put Sydney CBD diners less than a 10-minute trip away. Connell wants to create a community hub for the area and the incoming 386 apartments in the Aura by Aqualand development above them. Locals will be able to pick up charcuterie at providore outlet Una or grab freshly bread in the morning at bakery Sol Bread and Wine, which morphs into a wine bar in the afternoon. Back over the Harbour Bridge, there are plenty of upcoming openings to get excited about. Neptunes Grotto, the incoming Italian eatery in the subterranean space beneath sibling restaurant Clam Bar, will unveil chefs Dan Pepperell and Mikey Clifts riff of northern Italian in August/September. A few blocks south, the $60 million facelift of the iconic Wentworth hotel site on Phillip Street, will unveil four yet-to-be-named restaurants from the crew behind Lana and Grana restaurants in the CBD in spring. House Made Hospitality will open a seafood grill in the lobby of the 1960s hotel, and up on the prized horseshoe terrace, therell be a rooftop bar that holds 250 people, with a French-Vietnamese restaurant behind it. The fourth venue, a 90-seat bar area, will offer a range of Australian whiskies and an antique spirits collection. The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth will welcome four yet-to-be-named restaurants. Supplied Redfern has become a rich source of restaurant openings, too. In July, Attenzione!, a Euro-style eatery and wine bar from a team who cut their teeth at Love Tilly and Bentley Group establishments, will open its doors.

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A few suburbs away in Paddington, Josh and Julie Nilands launch of Saint Peter at The Grand National Hotel, is also edging closer, as is the Paddo branch of Jimmys Falafel on Oxford Street. The new, yet-to-be-monikered European restaurant from the owners of The Apollo at Potts Point will also open before the end of 2024 (across the road in the old Paper Bird restaurant site). In late August, Neil Perrys two new Double Bay venues will touch down: Song Bird, a sprawling multi-level Asian restaurant, and Bobbies, a collaboration with Australian-born bar tsar Linden Pride, of New Yorks award-winning Dante. From Cronulla to Bankstown, Sydney is lighting up the runway for new venues. Chase Kojima, the former executive chef at hatted Pyrmont restaurant Sokyo, has chosen a new direction in his food journey, opening Tokyo Samba, a halal, alcohol-free Japanese with a Brazilian twist in the heart of Bankstown. Kojima is aiming for a mid-August launch. The former One Penny Red site will reopen after an old-school cosmetic renovation. Supplied

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The suburbs have become hot expansion turf for high-profile chefs. Alessandro Pavoni, the chef behind aMare restaurant at Crown Sydney, this year snapped up the former Summer Hill post office building where hatted inner west favourite One Penny Red traded until late last year. In mid-August, Pavoni will open an Italian restaurant Postino Osteria in the space before turning his expansionist gaze to Manly, where he will swing open the doors at Cibaria, on the oceanfront in early summer. The sprawling Cibaria will include bakery, pastry, grill and pasta outlets under the one roof. A northern beaches resident, Pavoni isnt the only hospitality gun opening in his own backyard. Alex Cameron cut his teeth as group general manager of hatted Sydney venues Franca and Parlar, but the eastern beaches resident has chosen Bronte for his first solo venture. He snapped up the site of 23-year-old restaurant stalwart Wet Paint, which hell reboot as Table Manners in August, with a southern-European leaning menu and dishes such as brioche and spanner crab. Also opening in August, a Cronulla spin-off from Pinos Vino e Cucina in Alexandria. Owner Matteo Margiotta confirmed hes nabbed a historic 1908 building on Surf Road, where hell open Pinos Vino e Cucina al Mare. Margiotta says he moved to the shire during the pandemic, where hes now an entrenched local. After nine years were taking this leap of faith. Its a tough climate, everyone says Im crazy, but we lived in Alexandria when we first opened, and I like doing things [in my own community]. Our eight favourite new Sydney restaurants and bars of the year (so far)

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Eating outComing soon TV chef Manu Feildel back in the restaurant game with new bistro at popular inner west pub The 196-year-old Red Lion Hotel on Darling Street in Rozelle is the new home of the My Kitchen Rules presenters latest venue. Scott Bolles July 2, 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 classic Sydney pubs all done up collection. See all stories .

1 / 10 Manu Feildel with Laundy Hotels group executive chef Jamie Gannon. Kitti Gould 2 / 10 The 196-year-old Red Lion Hotel on Darling Street. Kitti Gould 3 / 10 Kitti Gould 4 / 10 Manu Feildel will focus on delicious, approachable food at his new venue. Kitti Gould 5 / 10 Egg mayo dish. Kitti Gould 6 / 10 Crispy school prawns. Kitti Gould 7 / 10 Kitti Gould 8 / 10 Kitti Gould 9 / 10 Kitti Gould 10 / 10 Kitti Gould Previous Slide Next Slide TV food presenter Manu Feildel is jumping back on the horse that has thrown him more than once, opening a Sydney restaurant on Friday, July 12. The veteran chef says his new Rozelle eatery will profit from his previous ventures. Im not doing it for the accolades or [chasing] hats any more, he says. Im definitely more mature, I just want to cook good food, not push to reinvent the wheel. Im happy in my own skin. In November, Good Food revealed Feildel was tipped to take the first-floor restaurant space at the 196-year-old Red Lion Hotel, near the former site of Tetsuyas on Darling Street. The chef says Bistro Red Lion by Manu is a collaboration with the pubs owner, the deep-pocketed Laundy Hotels. The 196-year-old Red Lion Hotel on Darling Street. Kitti Gould

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In 2021, Feildel said a lot of things would need to change in Australia to get him back in the business, following a string of closures. Aperitif in Kings Cross shut in 2011, Paddington bistro Letoile followed in 2014, and Duck In Duck Out, at World Square, closed in 2018. The veteran chef concedes trading conditions have worsened since 2021, but was lured to the project by his long-standing friendship with Jamie Gannon, Laundy Hotels group executive chef, with whom hell co-steer the bistro. Feildel maintains Sydney diners are more focused on good food and service and people dont care so much about the surrounds, (although the Red Lion has had a snazzy revamp). Manu Feildel will focus on delicious, approachable food at his new venue. Kitti Gould With his long-standing role as presenter on My Kitchen Rules, its easy to forget Feildel ran one of Sydney best brigades at high-end Sydney restaurant of the day, Bilsons. At Bistro Red Lion by Manu, he says hell skip high-wire dining for delicious, approachable food.

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The sixth-generation chef will use his fathers recipe for French country-style pate served with prune and Armagnac jam, and deliver a menu that hops from scallop gratinee to a fish stew of Murray cod and mussels, double-baked cheese souffle and a chargrilled pork tomahawk with braised fennel and mustard sauce. Feildel might be playing it a little safer, but theres still room for a little showtime. Hes fine-tuning a flambe dessert that combines crepes Suzette with affogato. Well serve it in a Marie Antoinette champagne glass, he says. Open Thu dinner; Fri-Sun lunch and dinner from Friday, July 12 726 Darling Street, Rozelle, redlionrozelle.com.au

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Di Maloney has lost her latest battle over legal fees.

A wealthy Point Piper woman who says she has spent $15 million on legal fees over recent years has lost the latest in a series of court battles against a succession of her own lawyers over costs.

Diane Maloney was last month ordered by the Supreme Court of NSW to pay $153,550.84 to her former lawyer Ryan Walker, a decision she intends to appeal. She received a similar judgment ordering her to pay her other lawyers $200,000 in costs six months ago.

Maloney, who described herself as a lawyer although she no longer practises, is the former wife of Sydney pub baron Kim Maloney, whose company operates some of the citys largest venues including the Bondi Hotel, Gold Coasts Clock Hotel and the Shark Bar in the CBD.

Walker was retained by Maloney to handle a complicated personal legal matter in late 2022, but he declined to comment when approached about the judgment.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following story contains an image of a deceased person.

Four and a half years after she was shot in the stomach by a WA police officer, troubled Indigenous woman JC will be the focus of a two-week coronial inquest that will ask questions about the medical care she received prior to her death, as well as whether the police response on the night of her death was justified.

Yamatji woman, JC. This photo has been published with the permission of her family.

The inquest, which began on Monday in Geraldton, will hear from multiple witnesses including constable Brent Wyndham who was arrested and charged  and then later acquitted  of murder.

Wyndham pleaded not guilty to murder after he shot the 29-year-old Yamatji woman in the stomach. He went on trial over the matter but was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter and walked free causing national outcry and protests.
Rogue senator Fatima Payman is on the brink of splitting with Labor after Anthony Albanese asked her to consider her position as an MP, deepening a political crisis and jeopardising the governments legislative agenda.

A day after the prime minister summoned her to The Lodge to suspend her from Labors caucus, the 29-year-old claimed she had been intimidated by colleagues furious she had broken party convention by crossing the floor over the war in Gaza.

Banned indefinitely from Labors caucus meetings, she said she would not vote on any bills this week except on matters close to her heart, such as Palestinian recognition.

Senator Fatima Payman arrives for question time on Monday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

I have been exiled, she said on Monday afternoon. These actions lead me to believe that some members are attempting to intimidate me into resigning from the Senate. I will use this time to reflect on my future and the best way to represent the people of Western Australia.
At a time when heavyweight clubs are seeking more influence over the AFL Commission, the naked self-interest of clubs has underscored why the game still needs a wholly independent commission to judge what is genuinely in the best interests of the game rather than in the interests of particular clubs.

Unfortunately, on certain issues, the AFLs review has given voice to an orgy of self-interest, point-scoring and whingeing.

The AFLs attempt to seek the input of clubs into what the league called the competitive balance review has distilled the genuine geographic and economic divisions that exist in the competition.

This does not mean the commission is fully functional, but it reminds us that the clubs will always act in accordance with Jack Langs maxim.

That said, a fair portion of the ideas proposed are sober and intelligent. The Lions travel suggestions, aired in this masthead on the weekend, are thoughtful and considered. Some are simply self-interested and a handful are theatrical attempts to make noise and gain the attention of the media, thereby getting the AFL to jump, or to protect ones patch.

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans, coach Damien Hardwick and chairman Bob East. Credit: Getty Images

If there were medals for the most self-interested suggestions, the Swans would certainly be on the podium with their idea of turning the grand final into a best-of-three series. It is noteworthy that this reality defiant idea  fully ventilated in the media by the Sydney leadership  did not form part of the clubs official submission to the AFL.

Not to be outdone, Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans went on the record with the far-fetched concept of playing the entire first week of the finals out of Victoria, irrespective of ladder position. Again, this was not a serious suggestion and was really about pushing back against those who wanted the Suns to lose their academy bid discount in the draft or other concessions.
Scone will host a provincial meeting on Tuesday with most of Sydneys top stables represented.

Annabel Neasham will take a number of runners to the spacious track and has engaged jockey Alysha Collett to partner her leading contenders. Collett and Neasham will link up in the opening event of the day when Bella Corazon contests the Hahn 3.5 2YO Maiden Handicap.

The Annabel Neasham stable will go up against the Kris Lees camp in the Hunter on Monday. Credit: Getty

Bella Corazon ran well in a Blue Diamond Preview for fillies earlier in the year on debut, and since resuming from a spell has finished third in two runs at Canterbury and on the Kensington track.

Neasham and Collett will again combine when final field favourite Vivezza lines up in the Nova Coast Services 3YO Maiden Handicap (1600m), the same event in which stablemate Fire Island is engaged to start with Heavelon Van Der Hoven in the saddle.
In recent weeks, Greece has experienced two back-to-back heatwaves, with temperatures reaching beyond 40 degrees. Schools shut down and the culture ministry was forced to close the Acropolis and other archaeological sites to visitors. Red Cross volunteers handed out thousands of free bottles of water and Athens town hall has set up cooling stations. But paths on the islands, by their very nature wild and uncontrolled, remained completely unregulated. Authorities typically issue warnings to older locals to stay indoors and to keep hydrated, and yet warnings are not issued to tourists about the dangers of hiking. For locals who live on the islands, the recent deaths are tragic but also, they say, sadly avoidable. Mosleys death has trained a spotlight on hiking in the islands, but lost and often ill-equipped tourists have always been a problem there. Usually, tourists are found in time or re-orientate themselves before their energetic intentions become tragic. Sometimes they are never found. The weather in all such cases of tourist hikers getting lost is always hot  often tourists are seen on trails without hats, which baffles locals  but this year, say experts and locals, it is the combination of unusual heat and hiking that has proved especially deadly.

One local on the island of Antiparos, who did not wish to be named, said: It is usually OK to hike on the islands in June, but this year we have seen an unusual and prolonged heatwave. I believe that when Michael Mosley went missing, for instance, rescuers were looking for him in 40 degrees. It is just uncharacteristically hot. The woman, from England, now lives in Athens but travels to Antiparos regularly. She adds that very few tourists realise that many of the islands, particularly towards southern Greece, have their own micro-climate. There is often little shade and no trees. Sometimes the much-longed-for breeze on a Greek island can lead to dangerous decision making: it masks the heat, tricking tourists into thinking activity such as hiking is safer than it actually is. Walking on the islands is often tempting because the views are so exceptional and because often the smallest, craggiest paths can lead to the best coves or views. But the local woman cautions that those small paths are often confusing and once lost on them, it can be difficult for a walker to get back on the right route, as was the case with Mosley: I do think the rescue teams try their best, but these hikers are often lost in very remote areas, or on donkey trails where there are just monasteries and abandoned farms. There is also often no phone signal and they are incredibly tough conditions in which to search for someone. I have hiked before in June, early in the morning and with a group, but really people should not hike alone when it is this hot.

Another local, who lives in Parga, a coastal town off the Ionian sea on mainland Greece, adds: It has of course been hotter than ever. But I think this is cumulative. Weve had so many forest fires in recent years, they have destroyed any greenery and made the islands more prone to being bone dry and also flooding. It is very dangerous to hike out here in the summer. None of these missing people are Greek. The locals know of the dangers, but we dont really understand why others dont see it. Loading Of course, it should also be noted that the number of tourists who came to Greece last year was well over 30 million. So although the deaths are tragic they are a tiny number. The meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos told the TV channel ERT: This heatwave will go down in history. In the 20th century, we never had one before June 19.

This months searches are in stark contrast to the attempt, five years ago, to find John Tossell, a 78-year-old from Bridgend, Wales, who went missing on a walk while on holiday in Zakynthos. In a case that echoes Mosleys to the point of being chilling, the last confirmed sighting of him was captured on CCTV footage, in his case passing a hotel, heading out of town towards Vassilikos. The Greek authorities called off the search after five days, forcing his daughter Katy to launch her own fundraising campaign. Tossells son, Gary, has since said he was disappointed by the rescue teams efforts back then: They just went out walking. It was like a walk in the park for them. There was no intensity to their efforts. They said a team was coming from Athens with dogs and specialists but for some reason that got turned off at the last minute. After five days they stopped entirely. They said he must have left the island but he had 10 ($16) and a bottle of water. Katy Tossell raised 7000 ($13,300) herself, which she used to bring a Welsh rescue team to Zakynthos to keep looking, but they too called off the search after seven days and the family have yet to find answers. Mosleys case, on the other hand, attracted international media coverage. He was a high-profile UK television personality. Could this be why the search was so different from that for John Tossell? Or perhaps the Greek authorities had learned a lesson from too many near fatalities?

When I read the story, its like a cut and paste of my father, Tossells son Gary told Sky News after Mosleys disappearance. He went for a walk and he vanished into thin air. Its the same story but a different person. John Tossells family suspect foul play. Though he was 10 years older than Mosley and could have died of natural causes, they remain mystified as to why his body has never been found. In Mosleys case, the search involved patrol boats, divers, helicopters, firefighters, police, drones and a sniffer dog, and yet it still took five days before the body of the 67-year-old was discovered. The search operation in Samos for the 74-year-old Dutch national was also extensive: a rescue team, four drones, a sniffer dog brought from Athens and an EU border agency helicopter. Loading Dimitris Katatzis, who headed that team, described a common hazard that mirrored Mosleys error: walkers veering off track. Mosley died within hours of setting off, on the very first day he went missing. The Telegraph, London
BONAIRE:--- This day serves to remember the painful chapter in our untold history and honor the resilience and strength of our ancestors who endured so much. However, today crucial questions arise: Was the Dutch apology for slavery sincere? How can they apologize while still controlling Bonaire and the other Antilles islands without considering reparations?

Today, on July 1, 2024, our people, the descendants, remain colonized by the same Dutch government, still striving for equality and justice. The Dutch apology by the then Prime Minister Rutte and King Willem-Alexander, is insincere and merely propaganda. Its purpose is to patronize and distract Caribbean leaders seeking reparatory justice for historical atrocities, colonialism and their lasting impact. The apology is a tactic to undermine the CARICOM reparations movement rather than a genuine acknowledgment of past wrongs.

The apology is hypocritical, as the Dutch government continues its colonial agenda by depopulating and ethnically cleansing Bonaire. The native Bonerian population has dramatically been reduced from a majority in 2010 to under 32% in 2024. Unilaterally, the Dutch Parliament embedded Bonaire into the Dutch Constitution under unequal rights, disregarding the wishes of the Bonerian people, who overwhelmingly rejected the current constitutional status, with 66% voting against it in the December 18, 2015, referendum. These actions violate fundamental rights and systematically infringe upon several international legal instruments, including the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Decolonization Declaration, and various international covenants on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Today, we also reflect on the division and dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on October 10, 2010. The islands of Curacao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten (CAS islands) remained autonomous, operating under a mutually agreed Kingdom Charter. They have their own parliaments, governments, and prime ministers and participate alongside the Dutch government in the UN General Assembly. In contrast, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands) were expelled from the Kingdom Charter and annexed into the Dutch Constitution with unequal rights. The BES islands were given the status of "territorial public entity," not the "special municipality," often used as a propaganda tool. Devoid of autonomy, their local governments are directly subordinated to multiple undemocratic decision-making institutions based in The Hague. This situation is perceived as continued colonization, perpetuating acts that the United Nations has declared as colonialism as crimes against humanity.

The Dutch have no intention of providing reparations. In response to James Finies' question at the October 2023 meeting in Sint Maarten regarding the distribution of the promised $200 million Slavery Past one-time compensation, which turned out to be about $5 million hush money for each island, Dutch State Secretary van Huffelen declared that the Dutch government would not consider reparations.

Additionally, while the Dutch formally apologized to their former colonies like the Netherlands Antilles islands and Suriname, they did not apologize to other colonized and enslaved territories like Guyana (British), which the Dutch colonized for over 200 years before passing it to the British only about 30 years before the abolition of slavery in British Guyana.

Conclusion: The Netherlands' apology for slavery and similar propaganda actions aim to preserve their international image as a philanthropic nation that respects human rights, symbolized by the presence of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. However, these actions serve as a smokescreen to divert attention from the BHRO and James Finies' relentless international campaign to raise awareness about the Bonaire case. Since February 2022, this campaign has spanned over 600 days, making significant strides in Latin America, the Caribbean, the United Nations in New York, and across Europe. Despite efforts to mask the reality, the persistent advocacy by the BHRO and James Finies has successfully highlighted ongoing human rights issues, challenging the Netherlands' carefully curated global image. This continued dedication underscores the importance of genuine action over superficial gestures in the fight for human rights and justice, giving the people of Bonaire hope for a better future built on the principles of freedom and dignity for all.

James Finies

Bonaire Human Rights Organization

Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar 26

Kralendijk, Bonaire
Xi sends congratulatory letter on opening of Shenzhen-Zhongshan cross-sea passage

Xinhua) 08:09, July 01, 2024

SHENZHEN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a congratulatory letter as a cross-sea passage opened, linking the cities of Shenzhen and Zhongshan in southern China's Guangdong Province.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is another large-scale transportation project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The project managed to overcome multiple world-class technical challenges and set multiple world records.

All participants, through their hard work and unwavering determination, have successfully completed the project with high quality, Xi said.

"This fully illustrates that Chinese modernization can only be achieved through solid work, as all great causes are accomplished through concrete actions," he said.

Xi underscored efforts to manage and make good use of the passage, and promote infrastructure connectivity and alignment of rules and mechanisms to facilitate the building of an integrated market in the Greater Bay Area.

Spanning 24 km, the passage cuts travel time between the city of Zhongshan and the technology hub of Shenzhen -- situated on opposite sides of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong Province -- from two hours to approximately 30 minutes.

The construction of the project began in February 2017. The new link marks the world's first cross-sea cluster project that features two bridges, two artificial islands, and an underwater tunnel.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Grand Case:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association is delighted to announce the success of their 2023 book program. The goal of the annual program is to create educational books about the island of St. Martin and give them to students, teachers, and the public. In 2023, the program met several key milestones and reached new heights.

In 2023, we were able to distribute at least one book to every single student and teacher in all the public schools on the French side, from preschool through high school, which is really groundbreaking! said association President Jenn Yerkes. We distributed over 15,000 books in total last year.

To date, the all-volunteer association has published over 40 books about St. Martin nature, heritage, and culture. Books have been developed for every age group, allowing children to receive a different book every year they are in school from age 3-18.

If you want to give kids a book every school year, then you need a different book for each year, said association co-founder Mark Yokoyama. Developing quality books for every age group has been a huge task for the association. But we now have at least one book available for every grade, so thats a major milestone for us!

Books developed for this program include coloring and activity books, books about nature and heritage, collections of oral histories, and poetry and literature. In addition to the books developed by association members, there are four books by St. Martin authors, and two collections of oral history interviews with St. Martiners. All of the books are about this island, and all are available in English and French. Many are quadrilingual, with text also in Spanish and Dutch.

The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from teachers, students, and parents. Some of the new books developed for the program came from ideas suggested by teachers and students.

The 2023 book program was supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivite de Saint-Martin, the Vie Associative service of Saint-Martin, the Cite Educative de Saint-Martin, a grant from the Office francais de la biodiversite, and the Fonds pour le Developpement de la Vie Associative. The book program was also supported by private donations and the help of dozens of dedicated volunteers.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is currently working on their 2024 book program. New books are in development to cover more aspects of St. Martins culture and heritage and target new areas of learning. The association also hopes to build towards covering all students and teachers on both sides of the island. Local businesses or individuals interested in supporting the program are encouraged to contact the association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information about the program, and free downloads of the books, visit lesfruitsdemer.com.
Meta risks fines over 'pay for privacy' model breaking EU rules



Brussels, Belgium, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



The EU accused Facebook owner Meta on Monday of breaching the bloc's digital rules, paving the way for potential fines worth billions of euros.

The charges against the US tech titan follow a finding last week against Apple that marked the first time Brussels had levelled formal accusations under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The latest case focuses on Meta's new ad-free subscription model for Facebook and Instagram, which has sparked multiple complaints over privacy concerns.

Meta's "pay or consent" system means users have to pay to avoid data collection, or agree to share their data with Facebook and Instagram to keep using the platforms for free.

The European Commission said it informed Meta of its "preliminary view" that the model the company launched last year "fails to comply" with the DMA.

"This binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them a less personalised but equivalent version of Meta's social networks," the EU's powerful antitrust regulator said in a statement.

The findings come after the commission kickstarted a probe into Meta in March under the DMA, which forces the world's biggest tech companies to comply with EU rules designed to give European users more choice online.

Meta insisted its model "complies with the DMA".

"We look forward to further constructive dialogue with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close," a Meta spokesperson said.

Meta can now reply to the findings and avoid a fine if it changes the model to address the EU's concerns.

If the commission's view is confirmed however, it can slap fines of up to 10 percent of Meta's total global turnover under the DMA. This can rise to up to 20 percent for repeat offenders.

Meta's total revenue last year stood at around $135 billion (125 billion euros).

The EU also has the right to break up firms, but only as a last resort.



- In EU's crosshairs -



Under the DMA, the EU labels Meta and other companies, including Apple, as "gatekeepers" and prevents them forcing users in the bloc to consent to have access to a service or certain functionalities.

The commission said Meta's model did not allow users to "freely consent" to their data being shared between Facebook and Instagram with Meta's ads services.

"The DMA is there to give back to the users the power to decide how their data is used and ensure innovative companies can compete on equal footing with tech giants on data access," the EU's top tech enforcer, commissioner Thierry Breton, said.

The commission will adopt a decision on whether Meta's model is DMA compliant or not by late March 2025.

The EU has shown it is serious about making big online companies change their ways.

The commission told Apple last week its App Store rules were hindering developers from freely pointing consumers to alternative channels for offers.

The EU is also probing Google over similar concerns on its Google Play marketplace.

Apple and Meta are not the only companies coming under the scope of the DMA. Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance must also comply.

Online travel giant Booking.com will need to adhere to the rules later this year.



- Privacy complaints -



Meta has made billions from harvesting users' data to serve up highly targeted ads. But it has faced an avalanche of complaints over its data processing in recent years.

The European data regulator in April has also said the 'pay or consent' model is at odds with the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which upholds the privacy of users' information.

Ireland -- a major hub for online tech giants operating in the 27-nation bloc -- has slapped Meta with massive fines for violating the GDPR.

The latest complaint by privacy groups forced Meta last month to pause its plans to use personal data to train its artificial intelligence technology in Europe.

raz/rmb

Meta

Apple

GOOGLE

Alphabet Inc.

Amazon.com

MICROSOFT
N.Korea fires two ballistic missiles: S.Korea military



Seoul, June 30 (AFP) Jun 30, 2024



North Korea on Monday launched two ballistic missiles, South Korea's military confirmed -- the latest in a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang that have soured relations with Seoul.

A short-range ballistic missile was launched in the early morning hours, the South's military Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. About 10 minutes later, a second missile, this one as yet unidentified, was detected, it added.

"Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches," the JCS said, adding it had shared information about the incidents with the United States and Japan.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not offer immediate confirmation of the launches.

Last week, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a multiple warhead missile, but the South said that launch ended in a mid-air explosion.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years, with the North ramping up weapons testing while bombarding the South with balloons full of trash.

Pyongyang says those missives are in retaliation for balloons loaded with anti-regime propaganda leaflets sent northwards by activists in the South.

In response to the North's repeated launches, South Korea has fully suspended a tension-reducing military treaty. It also resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and live-fire drills near the border.

South Korea also has grown anxious over the North's warming relations with its isolated neighbour Russia.

North Korea is accused of breaching arms control measures by supplying weapons to Russia to use in its war in Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit with leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June in a show of unity.

On Sunday, Pyongyang condemned joint military drills by South Korea, Japan and the United States, calling them an "Asian version of NATO" and warning of "fatal consequences".

The three-day "Freedom Edge" exercises included preparation in ballistic missile and air defences, anti-submarine warfare and defensive cyber training.

Pyongyang has always decried similar combined exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, but Seoul said Sunday the latest exercises were a continuation of defensive drills held regularly for years.
UK govt, British Airways sued over 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis



London, June 30 (AFP) Jun 30, 2024



Passengers and crew of a British Airways flight who were taken hostage in Kuwait in 1990 have launched legal action against the UK government and the airline, a law firm said Monday.

People on BA flight 149 were taken off the Kuala Lumpur-bound plane when it landed in the Gulf state on August 2 that year, hours after Iraq's then leader Saddam Hussein invaded the country.

Some of the 367 passengers and crew spent more than four months in captivity, including as human shields against Western attacks on the Iraqi dictator's troops during the first Gulf war.

Ninety-four of them have filed a civil claim at the High Court in London, accusing Britain's government and BA of "deliberately endangering" civilians, said McCue Jury & Partners.

"All of the claimants suffered severe physical and psychiatric harm during their ordeal, the consequences of which are still felt today," the law firm added.

The action claims that the UK government and the airline "knew the invasion had started" but allowed the flight to land anyway.

They did so because the flight was used to "insert a covert special ops team into occupied Kuwait", the firm added.

"We were not treated as citizens but as expendable pawns for commercial and political gain," said Barry Manners, who was on the flight and is taking part in the claim.

"A victory over years of cover-up and bare-faced denial will help restore trust in our political and judicial process," he added.

British government files released in November 2021 revealed that the UK ambassador to Kuwait informed London about reports of an Iraqi incursion before the flight landed but the message was not passed on to BA.

There have also been claims, denied by the government, that London knowingly put passengers at risk by using the flight to deploy undercover operatives and delayed take-off to allow them to board.

The UK government refused to comment on ongoing legal matters.

British Airways has always denied accusations of negligence, conspiracy and a cover-up.

The airline did not respond to a request for comment from AFP but said last year that the records released in 2021 "confirmed British Airways was not warned about the invasion".

McCue Jury & Partners had announced in September its intention to file the suit, saying then that the hostages "may claim an estimated average of pound170,000 ($213,000) each in damages".

In 2003, a French court ordered BA to pay 1.67 million euros to the flight's French hostages, saying it had "seriously failed in its obligations" to them by landing the plane.

spe-pdh/gv
Finland approves defence treaty with the United States



Helsinki, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



The Finnish Parliament on Monday unanimously approved a defence pact with the United States, which will allow enhanced US military presence and storage of defence material in Finland.

The Defence Cooperation Agreement(DCA) had been signed by the Finnish government in December.

Aimed to strengthen Finland's security and defence capabilities, the agreement comes after the Nordic country joined NATO in April 2023, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Finland's relations with neighbouring Russia, with whom it shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border, have become increasingly tense after Finland joined the alliance last year.

The deal gives the United States access to 15 military bases in Finland and enables the presence and training of US forces, and prepositioning of defence material in Finnish territory.

It also strengthens cooperation between the two countries in crisis situations.

When Sweden adopted its DCA-agreement on June 18, the vote was preceded by a heated debate with critics saying the treaty opened a door to the deployment of nuclear weapons in the country.

While also a controversial topic in Finland, lawmakers ensured that the treaty applies national law to nuclear weapons, whose import and transit is prohibited on Finnish territory.

The defence agreement is based on respect for Finland's sovereignty, legislation and obligations under international law, says both the government and foreign affairs committee which submitted its report on the treaty last week.

The Foreign Affairs Committee's chairperson, MP Kimmo Kiljunen (Social Democratic Party) described the adoption of the DCA-agreement as a "historic moment" at the plenary session on Monday.

"The task of this agreement is just as the task of NATO membership was, to strengthen the security of Finland and the Finnish people," he said.

The US has concluded similar DCA-agreements with 11 other NATO countries, including Finland's Nordic neighbours Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Iraqi police arrest 3 militants for arson in Kurdistan



Baghdad, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



Iraqi police announced on Monday the arrest of three suspected members of a militant group accused of arson attacks in the country's north.

The announcement comes at a time of heightened tension in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, where the Turkish army is conducting operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a "terrorist" group by Ankara and several Western allies.

The fires in 2023 and 2024 struck markets and shopping centres in the cities of Kirkuk, Arbil and Dohuk, Iraqi ministry of interior spokesman Moqdad Miri said during a press conference on Monday, saying that the suspects made "confessions".

One suspect was arrested at the end of May and "chemical products" used to start fires were found in his vehicle, Miri said.

"The entity responsible for execution... is the PKK organisation, a banned organisation," he added.

The objective was to "harm the commercial interests of a country with which they are in direct opposition," as well as "to impact the security and economic situation" of the autonomous region, he added.

The PKK, which has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state, has a presence in northern Iraq, as does Turkey, which has operated from several dozen military bases there against the PKK.

Turkey's military operations, which sometimes take place deep inside Iraqi territory, have frequently strained bilateral ties.

During the joint conference, a senior official from Kurdistan's interior ministry, Hemin Mirany, revealed the identity of two of the suspects, saying that one belonged to the local Peshmerga armed forces.

The other suspect was an "officer in the anti-terrorist services of Sulaimaniyah", Kurdistan's second city, Mirany said.

The Kurdish official said the two men were "recruited" by the PKK and were "trained by fighters coming from Turkey and Syria in particular".

The three suspects were presented at the conference wearing yellow prison outfits, kneeling, blindfolded and handcuffed with their hands behind their backs.

Officials in both Turkey and Arbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, have accused the PKK of benefitting from support within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a major political party which holds power and controls the security services in Sulaimaniyah.

In March, following a visit by senior Turkish officials to Iraq, Baghdad quietly listed the PKK as a "banned organisation" -- though Ankara demands that the Iraqi government do more in the fight against the militant group.

The PUK parliamentary bloc recently condemned "a resumption of Turkish army operations" in the Kurdistan region, noting "damages" inflicted on agricultural land and property, and criticising Baghdad and Arbil's "silence" around Turkey's military presence in the country.
Blinken sees NATO support regardless of far-right gains in Europe



Washington, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday he expected European allies to keep up strong support for NATO despite a far-right victory in the first round of French elections.

Blinken steered clear of commenting directly when asked about the triumph of Marine Le Pen's National Rally party but pointed more broadly to NATO's strengthening since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The alliance is moving to make sure that we have the right defenses across the alliance where they're needed, where they matter," Blinken said at the Brookings Institution.

"This has been a clear trajectory for the last three and a half years. I don't actually see that changing irrespective of the politics of the moment in Europe," he said.

"We have very strong allies, very strong partners," he said, pointing in particular to Italy -- led by its most right-wing leader since World War II, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has bucked some of her political allies by supporting Ukraine.

Since Russia's invasion, NATO has added two new members -- Finland and Sweden -- taking its total to 32, and 23 of them now meet a goal set a decade ago of spending two percent of GDP on defense.

France's National Rally has long been tainted by its relationship with Russia but its leader Jordan Bardella, who could become the next prime minister, said in a recent debate that he would not let Russia "absorb an allied state like Ukraine."

NATO holds a 75th anniversary summit in Washington next week which comes in the shadow of criticism of the alliance from Republican presidential contender Donald Trump.




While Louis is explaining what he is going through, Daniel is setting up Armand and pointing out some inconsistencies in the story. We see smug Santiago now as coven leader and Armand lets Louis out who has gone insane. Had Armand let Louis out because he cared or because he could not stand to be outsmarted by Santiago is a question I am not sure of the answer. Louis' rage had risen and followed closely behind by his madness.





We see Louis in the crypt collecting bodies and planning his revenge for the death of Madeleine his fledgling but of course more so for Claudia who he loved wholeheartedly. Jacob was brilliant in those scenes. Fans of the books or those who saw the film, knew what was coming next. Louis burns down the theater and has a final showdown with Santiago.





"And That's The End of It. There's Nothing Else  INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, Pictured: Jacob Anderson as Louis De Point Du Lac. Photo: Larry Horricks/AMC 2024. All Rights Reserved



Louis was definitely on the hunt, he taunted Santiago with his past and his failings as a man. Santiago got his licks in too. However, Louis knew how to play on Santiagos insecurities and it worked as Santiago emerged from the sewers after fleeing the theater fire and Louis takes his head off in one swing of his machete. The musical score playing during his revenge scene accompanied the madness quite brilliantly.





Louis has Armand take him to Lestat who is still in Paris, staying in Magnus lair. Lestat is surprised to see them together but they have such an intriguing interaction. Louis says he came to kill him and lights fire in his hand. Lestat points out that he has the blood of Magnus in him and Armand also lights his hand pointing out Mangus burns. Lestat lets Armand know that he has the blood of the Akasha in him and cannot be killed. Louis does not know that name, Armand and the audience do. Book readers and movie watchers must be jumping for joy at the mention of her name as I know I was. Louis tells Lestat his punishment is knowing that Louis will spend the rest of his life with Armand. How weak must Armand be to be in a relationship with someone that is only with him out of spite?





Back in the present we see Rashid bring Daniel his request from the Talamasca, the script from the Trial play. Daniel starts plainly calling out the inconsistencies in Louis retelling. He asks Louis how many soldiers were in his home that he forced Lestat to make leave. Louis says 30 and Daniel says couldnt it have been Lestat that saved him that night. He hands Louis the script with Armands notes on them. Louis starts to remember, Lestat made the audience say banishment not Armand. Armand has been lying the whole time. We see a flashback of him directing the play and him being unguarded (sometimes) watching. Louis was supposed to die that night and Armand was fine with it. One moment that stuck out was Lestat letting Armand know he had no idea of Claudias strength which was a very true statement.





"And That's The End of It. There's Nothing Else  INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, Pictured: Assad Zaman as Armand. Photo: Larry Horricks/AMC 2024. All Rights Reserved

The Talamasca sends Daniel a message to get out now (Rashid already escaped) and Louis and Armand have a fight off camera where Louis wounds Armand who tried in vain to explain his actions. Louis tells Armand he is leaving and when he comes back Armand is to be gone and he is to not harm Daniel or Louis will kill him. Louis then returns to New Orleans,he hears a story about the party he and Claudia threw before noticing a vampire hunting rats. He follows him to Lestat and they have a beautiful conversation where they forgive each other for everything they have done. Lestat cannot get Claudia out of his mind and shows true love for her after all. A masterclass in acting from Jacob and Sam.





We jump ahead to see that Daniel has published his book and is now a vampire having been turned by Armand. He calls out to Louis who apologizes that he was turned out of spite. Daniel warns him to leave Dubai as we hear the other vampires are coming for him after reading the book and knowing Louis broke the Great Laws. Louis quiets them and offers them an invitation to try and kill because he owns the night.





"And That's The End of It. There's Nothing Else  INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, Pictured: Jacob Anderson as Louis De Point Du Lac. Photo: Larry Horricks/AMC 2024. All Rights Reserved

I am saddened that this season is over. I believe Interview With the Vampire is one of the best shows on television right now and gave us a perfect season. From the casting, acting, direction, editing, cinematography, everything has been amazing. It has the heart and soul of the book and even the film but offers a fresh perspective. The show has been renewed for a third season with the focus being on rockstar Lestat. The easter eggs dropped in this episode gives hope to the appearance of Akasha. Louis' fate is up in the air however. He is meant to return but will he perish in his fight with the vampires; it is uncertain as the show does not follow the books exactly.





I give this season a 10/10 with no notes. What did you think of the episode? Leave a comment and remember to connect with me on X @jereereviews to discuss more.

Interview With The Vampire gives us another fangtastic episode. Weve come to the conclusion of the interview with Daniel Molloy. Claudia is dead, Madeleine is dead, Lestat and Armand played a part in it and Louis is buried, left to starve to death. The moans and cries of Louis are so hard to take in.
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copy, paste and tweak from plans I witnessed Boris Johnson signing off two years ago for Great British Nuclear. His came with a specific commitment to eight new reactors by the end of the decade, but I cant see Sir Keir pushing the pace. Back then 44 per cent of civil servants regularly worked from the office in Whitehall, something the team I was part of had started to clamp down on. In Labour-run Welsh government, only 10 per cent turned up then and Sir Keir has told us repeatedly that Wales is the blueprint. I wont go on but you will notice that Im yet to mention the legislative programme for the Kings speech, nor Rachel Reevess first budget. None of this might bother you if the change youre voting for is basically the colour of the rosette or you simply want to vent your frustration with recent Conservative governments. You might well mutter partygate as you put your cross in the box, and think youre drawing a line. If so, ponder this.
Benedetti, who is the director of the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), said: It is a responsibility for government, unless you begin to think that arts, culture  and by that I mean all the activities that fall into the general psychological, mental, emotional wellbeing and health of the nation, of society and individuals, everything that falls into that category I would relate to a civic pillar you can call culture  if as a nation we start to believe that thats not one of the civic pillars that we hold ourselves to, we are essentially changing our goalposts and our identity.
Swift paid tribute to Nicks at the start of her acoustic set close to the end of her performance. She described a friend of hers watching the show, going on to say mentors are the reasons why many can do what they do, but added they can be rare.
European companies don't cope with global competition with China and America because, in Europe, energy is more expensive, the level of regulation is higher, the market is more fragmented and European industrial policy has big, general objectives and few resources, said the executive director of the Concordia Employers' Confederation, Radu Burnete, at the BusinessEurope meeting of member confederations in Budapest.

"The message of European companies is simple. They do not cope with global competition with China and America because, in Europe, energy is more expensive, the level of regulation is higher, the market is more fragmented and European industrial policy has big, general objectives and few resources. We need more Europe, not less, but more Europe in a different way than before. If we do not radically change direction and do not make the European Union once again an attractive destination to develop business, in five years it will be too late to catch up in global competition," Burnete said, as quoted in a Concordia press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson said it was the time to activate the new European Competitiveness Pact, which would ensure that the European Union remained the choice of successful companies capable of creating quality jobs as part of the transition to a sustainable and digital economy, EU policies needing to be relaunched focusing on reducing over-regulation, open EU strategy, ambitious industrial strategy meant to complete Green Deal.

The Concordia Employers' Confederation participated, last week in Budapest, in the BusinessEurope member confederations' meeting, where the priorities of the business environment for the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union were discussed.

Concordia is a nationally representative social partner, bringing together companies with over 350,000 employees in 17 key industries for the economy, accounting for more than a quarter of Romania's GDP.

AGERPRES
The chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Nicolae Ciuca, highlighted on Monday that, following the analysis of the results of the European Parliament and local elections made in the meeting of the National Political Bureau, the conclusion drawn reveals that the PNL is "the strongest right-wing political structure" in Romania, with a score of 30 percent in the June 9 poll.

"The first topic of the meeting of the National Political Bureau of the PNL was the analysis of the results of the local and European Parliament elections. We had a very obvious conclusion: at the PNL level, a score of over 30 percent was obtained both in terms of the political score in the councils in counties, in the number of mayors, in the number of county councilors and in the number of local councilors. It is very important that 2,500,000 Romanians opted for PNL, they voted for it, which still gives us the status of the strongest right-wing political structure in Romania. I thank the Romanians once again who have faith in the National Liberal Party," said Ciuca after the meeting of the National Political Bureau of the party.

AGERPRES
National Liberal Party (PNL) will have its own candidate in the presidential election, Liberal Deputy Raluca Turcan stated on Monday, in front of the Political Bureau of the same party.

"PNL will have its own candidate. I believe everyone will think this is only normal for the largest right wing party in Romania," she said.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Monday and Tuesday holds consultations with the political parties on the topic of the calendar for the presidential and parliamentary elections this year.

AGERPRES
The Ministry of Finance (MF) borrowed, on Monday, over 2.249 billion RON from banks, through two issues, one of state bonds and one of discount treasury certificates, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR).

Thus, the MF attracted 1.306 billion RON through an issue of treasury certificates with a discount, with a residual maturity of 12 months, at an average yield of 6.01% per year. The nominal value of the issue was 800 million RON, and the banks subscribed 1.655 billion RON.

Also, the ministry attracted 943.22 billion RON through a state bond issue, with a residual maturity of 112 months, at an average yield of 6.87% per year. The nominal value of the issue was 300 million RON, and the banks subscribed 1.108 billion RON.

An additional auction is scheduled for Tuesday, through which the state wants to attract another 45 million RON at the yield set on Monday for the bonds.

The Ministry of Finance (MF) has planned, in July 2024, loans from commercial banks worth 6 billion RON, to which the amount of 585 million RON can be added through additional sessions of non-competitive offers, related to bond auctions.

The total amount, of 6.585 billion RON, is 365 million RON less than the one that was scheduled in June 2024, of 6.95 billion RON, and will be intended for refinancing the public debt and financing the budget deficit.

AGERPRES
The National Liberal Party will fulfill its "duty" to continue governing alongside the Social Democrats, the party leader, Nicolae Ciuca, said on Monday after the meeting of the National Political Bureau.

Asked whether the PNL will remain in government under the current conditions, Ciuca replied: "The National Liberal Party has always shown its responsibility".

"We will fulfill this duty, to continue to ensure the government of Romania, taking into account, once again, all the challenges and threats that are all around us," he added.

Nicolae Ciuca was asked whether, between the first and second rounds of the presidential elections, depending on the result, it is possible to "revive" the tandem of the PNL and the Social Democratic Party (PSD). "I don't think so", replied the Liberal leader.

AGERPRES
Romania feels the dangers of hybrid war that takes different forms amidst Russia's war against Ukraine, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday, at a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the General Defence Intelligence Directorate with the Ministry of National Defence (MApN).

"The war in Ukraine has made us all more aware of the dangers of hybrid warfare that extends beyond the borders of physical warfare. Romania also feels the dangers of hybrid war that takes different forms. Given the context, the role of intelligence departments is all the more important. We must remain vigilant to defend the values we believe in, to guarantee security, the economy and our citizens. In this fight for good, a vital role is played by the military intelligence organisations, and the work of the defence intelligence personnel is the basis for demolishing all the challenges, threats and risks that threaten the Romanian state and its citizens," said the prime minister.

He added that the missions of the Romanian military in the intelligence organisations had a remarkable contribution to Romania's security and to the major foreign policy projects of the country.

"In the 20 years after joining NATO, Romania has strengthened its profile as a responsible ally, actively involved in promoting democratic values and principles, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic space and beyond. Our service people have valuable contributions to the NATO actions, to ensure the security of Romania, the entire region and all NATO member states."

Ciolacu went on to say that within the NATO framework, Romania enjoys the most comprehensive security guarantee.

"Through the actions of the Romanian state, of our military, it is imperative to maintain the confidence of Romanian citizens in the Alliance's ability to defend," said Ciolacu.

AGERPRES
Well, that was awkward.

The first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign has just ended in Atlanta, and it felt like a disservice to the public. Donald Trump lied and rambled nonstop without correction. And President Joe Biden was simply not able to keep up with Trumps torrent of falsehoods.

It was the first time in history a convicted criminal took part in a presidential debate, but it was 40 minutes into the discussion before the subject came up. It was as if it were completely normal for a twice-impeached, quadruple-indicted, convicted felon awaiting sentencing, who also incited a deadly insurrection, to be considered a serious candidate for the most powerful job in the world.

Trump walked past

Trump blithely walked past his own history of housing discrimination in the 1970s, the lynch mob he led against the now-exonerated Central Park Five in the 1980s, and the birtherism lie he peddled about President Barack Obama for nearly six years.

But the spectacle likely did nothing to move the needle: Bidens shaky performance did not allay concerns about his age, and Trumps nonsensical tirades did not allay concerns about his mental or moral fitness to hold office.

RELATED: With a Trump Win, Republican Judges Will Rule the Courtsand Our Lives

After the first half hour, Biden finally had a few good moments, attacking Trump as a criminal, condemning him for having sex with a porn star while your wife was pregnant, and accusing him of having the morals of an alley cat.

But Trump is a master at denying the truth, dodging questions, inflating his own record, and lying about other people as he pivoted to his favorite talking points.

Asked about Black voters, Trump blamed immigrants for taking what he called Black jobs. First of all, thats not true, but second: what, exactly, are Black jobs?

In the same round, Biden missed a golden opportunity to sell his own record on Black issues: lower Black unemployment, lower Black poverty, more Black businesses, more HBCU funding, more Black judges, less student loan debt, and historic appointments to his cabinet.

Trump blithely walked past his own history of housing discrimination in the 1970s, the lynch mob he led against the now-exonerated Central Park Five in the 1980s, and the birtherism lie he peddled about President Barack Obama for nearly six years. Biden did cite a few examples of what hes done for Black voters, but he let Trump put him on the defensive on an issue where Trumps own record is abysmal.

This is especially true in Atlanta, the predominantly-Black city that Donald Trump attacked before and after he lost the 2020 election, and tried to invalidate the votes of Black residents. Trump even targeted Fulton County election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, both Black women.

But there was no mention of that in the debate  in Atlanta. Trump was not forced to answer for his bigoted attacks on the late Rep. John Lewis  a civil rights icon  and current Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

It didnt stop there.

Asked about child care, Trump avoided the question, rambled off into immigration lies, and spoke about how he fires people. Not one word about child care. And no one held him accountable.

Asked about the opioid crisis, Trump went on and on about irrelevant issues and again failed to provide a single substantive idea, much less give a coherent answer. Asked a second time about the opioid crisis, Trump brought up Vladimir Putin releasing hostages.

Asked about a Palestinian state, Trump did not even pretend to answer the question. He just launched into a rant about NATO.

And after all that, Trump still refused to say he would accept the election results this November.

President Biden should have mopped the floor with Trump tonight, but he did not. Then, after the debate, Biden showed up at a rally and looked like a different person  refreshed and energized in a way that he was not during the debate.

I dont know what just happened, but its going to be a long four months, and an even longer four years if things keep going in this direction.

Black Vote, Black Power, a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and whats at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

St. Louis native Keith Boykin is a New York Timesbestselling author, TV and film producer and former CNN political commentator.
JEFFERSON COUNTY  A 3-year-old boy was killed early Sunday when the car he was in drove off the road and struck a tree in Jefferson County.

The child was in a Kia Forte with two adults and a 1-year-old at about 4:40 a.m., Missouri Highway Patrol said. They were driving north on I-55 about six miles south of Festus.

The Kia drove off the side of the road and struck a tree, police said. The 3-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The other three people in the car  a 1-year-old boy, a 23-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man  were seriously injured.

All four live in Memphis, Tennessee, police said.
A hearing on a motion to release Sandra Sandy Hemme, who was declared innocent by a judge more than two weeks ago, was canceled Monday.

The 64-year-old woman remains imprisoned at Chillicothe Correctional Center, about 90 minutes northwest of Kansas City.

On June 14, Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman ruled there is clear and convincing evidence that Hemme is innocent. She was convicted in a 1980 murder in St. Joseph and has been behind bars for more than 43 years.

In recent cases, defendants who were declared innocent have been released swiftly. When a judge found Ricky Kidd innocent in August 2019, he was released the next day. A judge in November 2021 granted Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Bakers motion to exonerate Kevin Strickland and he was released later that day. In April 2022, the Missouri Supreme Court set aside the convictions of Keith Carnes and two days later, prosecutors said they would not re-file charges. He was released four days later.

An evidentiary hearing in Hemmes case was held in January before Horsman.

Following his ruling last month, Hemmes attorneys immediately filed a motion to release her.

The office of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has asked the state Court of Appeals to review Horsmans order. According to the clerks office, the hearing Monday was canceled because of the pending appellate case.

Hemmes attorneys now plan to file a motion for her release with the Court of Appeals.

Hemme was convicted in the killing of Patricia Jeschke more than four decades ago.

But evidence points to Michael Holman, a former St. Joseph police officer who later went to prison for another crime and died in 2015. He was questioned once in Jeschkes death.

Holmans truck was seen in the area the day of the murder, his alibi could not be corroborated, and he used Jeschkes credit card after he said he found it in a purse in a ditch. A pair of gold horseshoe-shaped earrings identified by Jeschkes father was also found in Holmans possession.

The judge said in his order that Holmans links to the murder are substantial and objective.

No forensic evidence connected Hemme to Jeschkes death.

A detective admitted that Hemme, who was on anti-psychotic medication and sedatives when she was questioned by police, was not totally cognizant of what was going on. Over a series of interviews while she was hospitalized, she told conflicting stories. At one point, she said a man who picked her up from the hospital was the killer. Investigators discovered he was in a locked detox facility in Kansas at the time of the murder and the capital murder charge against him was dropped.

This court can thus reach the merits of Ms. Hemmes claims because she is the victim of a manifest injustice, Horsman wrote in his 118-page order.

Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson has 30 days from the June 14 ruling to decide whether to re-try Hemme or dismiss the charges. Davidson did not immediately respond to an email or voicemail.
The Project Magellan crew exits a KC-46A at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the worlds first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (Paula Arce/U.S. Air Force)

An Air Force 22nd Air Refueling Wing Boeing KC-46A Pegasus flew the worlds first westbound global circumnavigation using the aircraft, starting Saturday and ending Monday. The flight began and ended at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas.

The KC-46A is the Air Mobility Commands newest tanker aircraft, designed to carry fuel and refuel other aircraft. It can carry a large amount of fuel, supplies and personnel across the world as fast as possible, according to a service news release.

The plane took off and traveled west, over the Pacific Ocean, Asia, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean before returning to the U.S in 43 hours. It stayed in the air throughout, aided by in-air refueling from other KC-46 aircraft. It also refueled other planes, including B-2 Spirit bombers, C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, F-15E Strike Eagles and another KC-46 tanker.

The operation was conducted as a Maximum Endurance Operation, which is all about overcoming the tyranny of distance. With a 48-hour day, you can literally fly across the world, said Capt. Cody Donahue, 22nd Operations group executive officer.

Project Magellan crew members pose in front of a KC-46A at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the worlds first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (Paula Arce/U.S. Air Force) A KC-46A Pegasus lands on the flight line at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the worlds first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (Paula Arce/U.S. Air Force) The KC-46A aircraft that successfully circumnavigated the world without stopping is refueled by a 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker over the United Kingdom on July 1, 2024. The KC-46A completed the trip around the world in 43 hours. (Gavin Hameed/U.S. Air Force)

The operation was completed with help from refueling aircraft that took off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom.

Four pilots operated the round-the-world flight  Col. Brenth Toth, Capt. Cody Donahue, Capt. Daison Batangan and Capt. T.J. Buckley  alongside two boom operators (responsible for facilitating in-air refueling), Master Sgt. Patrick Murray and Capt. Jacob Heyrend. They took turns working and sleeping on bunk beds. Also aboard: Capt. Jacob Heyrend, flight surgeon; Staff Sgt. Alejandro Melendez, flying crew chief; and Staff Sgt Dustin Shaffer, flying crew chief.

This mission was a true test of our capabilities and a shining example of the critical role our tankers play in providing fuel and support to the Joint Force. Im incredibly proud of our teams achievement in pushing the boundaries of what our tankers and their crews can do, said Col. Cory Damon, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander.
The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane renders honors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial as the cutter returns to homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, April 9, 2024. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard)

The Coast Guard is slated to continue solidifying its Pacific footprint with new funds from Congress as the service plays an increasingly prominent role in Washingtons regional strategy.

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations in June approved measures funding federal homeland security and foreign affairs programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2025. That includes $2.1 billion for the U.S. governments Indo-Pacific Strategy and $175 million for assistance specifically for Pacific island countries.

The Coast Guard was the only military service mentioned by name in the White Houses Indo-Pacific strategy, which is largely aimed at challenging China as Beijing and Washington compete for influence.

The Coast Guard is the only U.S. military branch to be part of the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense  though it is integrated into the Navys chain of command in times of war. Officials view the service  with its mixture of military, law enforcement, environmental and public safety missions  as an ideal emissary to win and maintain friends in the Pacific.

The current draft legislation includes $60 million to allow the Coast Guard to base another Medium Endurance Cutter in District 14  the area of operations that includes the Pacific islands and is headquartered in Honolulu  as well as other funds set aside for the Coast Guards expanded presence in the Pacific islands region.

The Coast Guard in 2023 reassigned the Medium Endurance Cutter CGC Harriet Lane from Virginia to Honolulu to serve as the services first Indo-Pacific Support Cutter devoted to Oceania, with a major emphasis on helping Pacific island nations protect their waters from illegal fishing.

The Medium Endurance Cutters  known as 270s to Coast Guardsmen for their 270-foot length  are new to the region. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D- Hawaii, pushed for the Lanes reassignment to Honolulu for Pacific operations and has advocated for increased Coast Guard funding across the board.

The current draft of the spending legislation also includes $3 million to increase the presence of regional Coast Guard advisers as well as $1.2 million for the Coast Guards Indo-Pacific Workforce Support Project, which includes funds to increase housing, medical and child care access and capacity in Hawaii and Guam to support the services Pacific operations. It also calls for the service to acquire a new pier at its Sand Island base, expand facilities and come up with a report on infrastructure at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.

However, while the legislation included many provisions Case fought for, he ultimately voted against it.

House Republicans also included provisions that slashed several diplomatic and aid programs  including prohibitions against funding to several United Nations agencies  and put heavy restrictions on immigration that Case said supports a one-sided approach to immigration policy and does not secure the border by failing to invest in sustainable and critical immigration reform that would both strengthen border security and benefit American families and businesses.

Unfortunately, even with these proposed resources for Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific, I could not support the overall measure in its current form because of the areas in which it underfunds critical operations, Case said. As we continue to focus on the growing influence of China in the Indo-Pacific, our national security interests must also include diplomatic engagement and assistance to promote peace and diplomacy in the region.  I am committed to fixing these problems as we work through the legislative process toward final versions of these bills that can correct these deficiencies, secure bipartisan support and be signed into law.

However, the Coast Guard has continued to receive broadly bipartisan support. Its Pacific shift began ramping up under the presidency of Donald Trump, and since 2020 it has boosted its presence with several new fast-response cutters homeported both in Hawaii and Guam. Those relatively small and nimble vessels can enter smaller island harbors that larger vessels cant fit inside, but their small size also limits how far and how long they can operate at sea.

The Coast Guard is turning to the Medium Endurance Cutters, or 270s, for more sustained operations. The Harriet Lane did its first patrol in its new role from January to April on a 79-day deployment that took the cutter and its crew to port calls in American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and the Marshall Islands. Over the course of the patrol, the Lanes crew participated in 27 vessel boardings and documented a dozen violations of fishery laws in partnership with authorities from across the region.

In February 2023, Rear Adm. Michael Ryan, Coast Guard deputy commandant for operations and policy, told military news outlet Defense One that the service intends to triple its deployments in the Pacific in coming years. But by December, shortfalls in retaining and recruiting Coast Guardsmen in part forced the service to shut down several facilities and vessels.

Now, as demand for the Coast Guard in the Pacific continues unabated, the service has been feeling the strain as it fights for funding and resources. At 43, 000 active-duty members, it used to be the smallest branch before the creation of the newly formed Space Force, which counts just over 4, 000. But the Space Forces proposed budget next fiscal year of roughly $29.4 billion dwarfs the roughly $14.2 billion the Coast Guard is slated to receive.

During an embedding by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser aboard the Harriet Lane during its first Pacific deployment, the ships crew was open about the struggles of working in a force thats undermanned. A fully staffed Medium Endurance Cutter has a crew of about 100, but low recruitment and retention mean Lane has relied on a revolving door of crew members and personnel on temporary-duty assignments to keep it running.

The 270s are also old ships. The Harriet Lane is 40 years old and arrived in Hawaii in December after over a years worth of renovations at a Baltimore shipyard. Even after the overhaul, several crew members said that maintenance and getting spare parts to keep the Harriet Lane running all the way in the Pacific have posed significant challenges.

The Harriet Lanes captain, Cmdr. Nicole Tesoniero, said that ultimately the vessel serves as a stopgap  until the service can bring a newer, better medium-size cutter to the Pacific, telling the Star-Advertiser, Its great that a 40-year-old ship can do it, (but) I think thats 100 % on the backs of the crew, because of their desire to keep the ship in the condition that it is.

That newer, better ship is supposed to be the Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutter. But so far, of the 11 planned, none have entered service. Originally set to enter service in 2021, the program has lagged along with other shipbuilding projects across the United States as aging American shipyards struggle to keep up with both maintenance and construction demands. The first of the Heritage-class cutters expected to enter service is the CGC Argus, with a projected commissioning in September. It is expected to be stationed in San Pedro, Calif.

The Harriet Lane is already on its next patrol. The vessel is currently home-ported alongside Navy ships at Pearl Harbor rather than with other Coast Guard cutters at Sand Island due to lack of pier space and support resources. As it left it made space for international warships that are in Pearl Harbor for Exercise Rim of the Pacific, the worlds largest recurring naval warfare exercise.

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Marines disembark Amphibious Combat Vehicles at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, June 29, 2024. (Alyssa Chuluda/U.S. Marine Corps)

The Marine Corps received a shipment of new Amphibious Combat Vehicles or ACVs, eight-wheeled armored personnel carriers designed to move troops from ship to shore, at an Okinawa port over the weekend.

The ACVs arrived Sunday at the Naha Military Port for the III Marine Expeditionary Force, according to a Marine Corps news release on Sunday. Twelve new ACVs rolled into the port, 3rd Division spokesman Gunnery Sgt. Steve Cushman told Stars and Stripes by email Monday.

Marines of 4th Marines, 3rd Division offloaded the state-of-the-art combat vehicles, which replace an aging fleet of assault amphibious vehicles.

III Marine Expeditionary Force is a modern, ready force, III MEF commander Lt. Gen. Roger Turner said in the release.

The ACVs arrival realizes a long-projected update to the current armed ship-to-shore connection and ground combat capabilities of the assault amphibious vehicles, the release said.

Their arrival on Okinawa for III MEF coincides with the Corps emphasis on retooling to meet the rising power in the region, China. The Pentagon defines China as its contemporary pacing challenge. The Marine strategy focuses on seizing and holding islands within the range of enemy fire and denying its forces access to key maritime straits.

Upgrading our fleet with amphibious combat vehicles capable of supporting sea denial and maritime operations will further bolster our ability to support deterrence efforts and respond to contingencies in the Indo-Pacific, Turner said.

The amphibious vehicles will be transported to Camp Schwab over the next several days, the release said.

The amphibious combat vehicle replaced the Corps amphibious assault vehicles after the accidental deaths of nine Marines off the Southern California coast in July 2020. BAE Systems of York, Pa., developed the ACV under a $67 million contract in June 2019. The following year, the company received a $184 million contract for the vehicles full production.

Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit on June 25 made the first transfer of Marines and sailors from a ship, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry, to the shore at White Beach Naval Facility on Okinawa during an egress training exercise.

The new vehicles first deployed for an operation in May in the Philippines during the Balikatan exercise.

The III MEF will field the ACV responsibly and safely as Marines train and evolve to respond to potential crises, the release said.
Naha District Court on Okinawa, Japan. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Japanese officials lodged multiple complaints with U.S. authorities after a Marine was indicted for attempted sexual assault on Okinawa last month.

Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 21, was indicted June 17 by the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office on charges of nonconsensual sex resulting in injury, according to the indictment.

Claytons indictment follows the March 27 indictment of another U.S. service member that came to light June 24. Brennon R. E. Washington, 25, an Air Force member assigned to Kadena Air Base, was accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in December. Local police and prosecutors did not immediately publicly disclose either incident, citing the need to protect the privacy of the woman and the girl they identified as victims.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, who complained that Tokyo authorities kept his administration in the dark about the Washington case, repeated his claim Friday about this second case.

The case against Clayton was unhumanitarian and contemptible and not only causes strong concern to the locals but also violates womens dignity, a spokeswoman for the prefectures Military Base Affairs Division told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

Tamaki said the rules on information sharing between the prefecture, Okinawa Defense Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the prefectural police, should be reviewed.

Prosecutors allege Clayton choked a woman May 26 in Yomitan village, unbuttoned her pants and attempted to sexually assault her but failed when she resisted, according to the indictment.

The unidentified woman suffered injuries to her eyes and mouth, the indictment states.

Clayton fled the scene but was arrested outside a military base the same day after the woman reported the incident, a prefectural police spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Clayton is still in police custody and no date has been set for his trial, the spokesman said.

This latest incident involving a U.S. service member on Okinawa is very regretful, Japans Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara told reporters Friday.

Crimes and accidents committed by U.S. service members cause strong anxiety to the local citizens; these must not happen, he said.

The ministrys Bureau of Local Cooperation filed a protest with U.S. Forces Japan commander Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp and requested the enforcement of discipline and rigorous efforts to prevent the reoccurrence, Kihara said Friday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi refrained Friday from directly commenting about the latest incident, citing the ongoing case. He also described the incident as very regretful.

Hayashi said that Masataka Okano, Japans vice-minister for foreign affairs, filed another protest with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, to whom Okano had also protested the December incident.

Marine Corps Installations Pacific did not respond to an email seeking comment on Monday.
An F-35 Lightning II of the Vermont Air National Guards 158th Fighter Wing takes off from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 2023. The F-35, despite its technological advances and price tag, has more criticism than accolades, with one analyst describing it as a part-time fighter jet. Hence, there is a demand to develop a new warplane for the Air Force that is more trustworthy and reliable. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

At a time of acute global disorder, with Americas adversaries investing heavily in their air forces, developing and procuring Americas next generation of aircraft is vital for our national security. The recent comments by the U.S. Air Forces leadership signaling that the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program appears to be in peril is a troubling development at a particularly inopportune time.

Production of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft is well underway, and the U.S. military is already considering the next generation of combat aircraft to replace the aging fleet of F-22 Raptors. NGAD is that program.

At the Air & Space Forces Association meeting in mid-June, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said, Well, were going to have to make those choices, make those decisions across the landscape, in response to a question about the program. He added, Thats going to probably play out in the next couple of years  by this 26 Program Objective Memorandum cycle  so that is, those are things in work. The less than straightforward support for the NGAD is concerning, particularly as the Air Force was supposed to commence soliciting proposals this year.

Allvin was not reluctant to support the NGAD program because of any design problems or prototypes that have been developed. The actual reason comes down to dollars and cents.

It is very alarming that the reason why NGAD is in jeopardy comes down to budgetary constraints by Congress 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act. The U.S. Air Force needs to be constantly developing new systems and platforms to carry out missions successfully in an increasingly fragmented and violent global disorder.

The F-35 warplane, despite its technological advances and price tag, has more criticism than accolades, with one analyst describing it as a part-time fighter jet. Hence, there is a demand to develop a new warplane for the Air Force that is more trustworthy and reliable. If modifications need to occur to current designs, that is perfectly acceptable, but NGAD cannot be scrapped and begin from zero to make bean counters in Congress happy.

The Air Force wants up to 200 NGAD aircraft, which are expected to start replacing the F22s by 2030. This makes NGAD the most expensive and visible program in the Air Force for the second half of the decade.

The price of a single F-35 varies by model, with the conventional F-35A at around $82 million. The sixth-generation NGAD could cost as much as $300 million each, with the service already budgeting $28.48 billion for 2025-2029 for the development and initial production of the NGAD. Perhaps the expensive blunders and delays regarding the F-35 make policymakers hesitant to endorse and pay for NGAD.

In a May 2023 service news release, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall explained, The NGAD Platform is a vital element of the Air Dominance family of systems, which represents a generational leap in technology over the F-22, which it will replace.

The service has ambitious goals for NGAD, including a loyal wingman drone flying with the aircraft, called the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The Air Force wants it to fly alongside the warplane, which can be artificial intelligence or human-controlled.

To put the situation in the global context, other militaries and defense industries are already working on their sixth-generation fighters  allies and adversaries alike. The U.K. Ministry of Defence and British defense companies like BAE Systems and Leonardo are developing the Tempest Future Combat Air System (FCAS) aircraft, which is expected to enter service by the mid-2030s. The project differs from the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which teams up with industries from the U.K., Italy and Japan to develop a fighter by 2035.

Mainland European countries and their defense companies have their own version of the FCAS. Defense giants Airbus, Indra and other companies across France, Germany and Spain are developing a next-generation warplane. This system of systems, crewed warplanes will work together with Unmanned Remote Carriers  all connected to other systems via the Combat Cloud.

Meanwhile, China is developing its own aircraft, which, according to the state-run Global Times, will have open architecture that allows fast development, fast production and fast upgrades like [their fifth generation] J-20 fighter.

Moscow is also keen to demonstrate that its aerospace industry remains robust after two years of war and international sanctions. Russian defense companies are developing the Mikoyan MiG-41 sixth-generation fighter to replace the Mikoyan MiG-31. The programs current status is unclear, though media reports explain that the design is already completed, and realistically, production could start by the end of the decade. However, that schedule could change depending on the future of the war in Ukraine.

During the lengthy conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. military enjoyed complete air superiority and control of the air space. However, the war in Ukraine (at least in the early stages of the conflict) saw several dogfights between Ukrainian and Russian fighter jets. After years without air-to-air combat in global conflicts, military commanders and analysts alike are micro-analyzing Ukraine to learn the future of air warfare, potentially for a conflict between the U.S. and China or between NATO and Russia.

The future of NGAD will require timely decisions about the program to resolve budgetary issues, strategic posture and whether some savings can be made by cutting orders or upgrades on the unpopular F-35. To keep flying high, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. government need a long-term strategic vision, not narrow-minded short-term budget hawkery.

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez is a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who monitors defense and security, geopolitical, and trade issues across the Western Hemisphere, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, displays a bat insignia during a flight at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 11, 2024. (Chloe Johnson/U.S. Marine Corps)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan  The flagship stealth fighter at this base south of Hiroshima is sporting a new look, one to make Batman envious.

The F-35B Lightning II assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 appeared over the base June 11 with outgoing commander Lt. Col. Alexander Mellman on his final flight and the end of his 20-year career. It bore the noteworthy insignia of the squadrons namesake mascot.

This paint scheme emphasizes the agility and stealth of the F-35B, Col. Kyle Shoop, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commander, told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.

The squadron, also known as The Bats, unveiled the newly painted F-35B aircraft to showcase the new squadron logo, a black bat on the aircraft topside, group spokesman Gunnery Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.

The Bats have a proud heritage in Marine Corps aviation and continue that legacy as one of two permanently forward-based F-35B squadrons in the Indo-Pacific, Shoop said.

Marine Lt. Col. Alexander Mellman of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, is hosed down in an F-35B Lightning II aircraft after his final flight at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 11, 2024. (Chloe Johnson/U.S. Marine Corps)

Photos of the F-35 with the bat insignia taken by a tail spotter circulated on social media, including Facebook and X, creating a frenzy of interest.

Its good to see fighter aircraft getting art again, Larry Oliver commented on a Facebook post June 22.

Ive thought the F-35 has always been ugly. Turns out all it needed was a bad ass paint job, Mitchell Adams commented on Facebook on June 23.

Several comments aired concerns with the paint job impeding the aircrafts stealth characteristics.

The stealth fighter was painted in accordance with service regulations and the new paint does not affect operational capability of the aircraft, Rusavskiy said.

Asked if the new insignia is a temporary or permanent addition, Rusavskiy did not respond.

snyder.jonathan@stripes.com @Jon_E_Snyder
An F-22 Raptor fighter assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, lands at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, on Sept. 1, 2022. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighters and Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors are scheduled to fly with aircraft of 21 other nations in Australias largest-ever modern airpower exercise this month.

Exercise Pitch Black runs from July 12 to Aug. 2 in the east coast state of Queensland and the Northern Territory, the Australian Defence Force said in a statement June 19.

This will be the biggest single air exercise that we have hosted in the modern Air Force, with approximately 140 aircraft and more than 4400 personnel participating, Australian Air Commodore Peter Robinson, who will lead the drills, said in the statement.

Pitch Black will involve the most advanced air combat capabilities in the world, and include air-to-air refueling, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and airlift, the statement said.

For the first time the exercise will include aircraft from Italy, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Spain. Embedded personnel from Brunei and Fiji will participate for the first time, according to the statement.

The Air Force F-22s will fly out of Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal in the Northern Territory during the drill, according to the Australian air forces official website.

The fifth-generation fighters were practicing dynamic force employment at Tindal in 2022 for the last Pitch Black exercise.

The concept, laid out in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, means putting a major combat force into a fight while keeping options available to counter emerging threats. It also means being strategically predictable but operationally unpredictable.

Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii did not respond Sunday to questions about the number of Raptors and the unit going to Pitch Black.

Meanwhile the Marines MV-22s will fly from RAAF Darwin, also in the Northern Territory, according to the Australian website.

Ten Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), based at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, arrived in Darwin last month to join the annual six-month training rotation of about 2,000 Marines.

During Pitch Black the American aircraft will join a fleet of fighters and support aircraft that includes Lightning IIs from Australia and Italy and Typhoon fighters from Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, according to the air force website.

India is sending its Russian-made Su-30MKI Flanker fighter while other nations are sending a variety of fighters, fuelers and transport planes to the drills, the website states.

The size of this exercise will enable cooperation that will go beyond what was possible at any previous Pitch Black, from engaging with our immediate regional partners through to welcoming allies and partners from around the globe, Robinson said in the statement.

The drills will utilize new infrastructure and more Australian bases and facilities than in past years, the statement said.

Well use Defence Accommodation Precinct Darwin at Howard Springs for the first time, housing thousands of Australian and multinational participants throughout the exercise, Robinson said.

RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland will take on an increased role in the exercise compared to 2022, with a greater number of tankers and transport aircraft operating from there, he said.

Missions will require complex planning and coordination across hundreds of Australian and international aircrew and thousands of support personnel, the statement said.

Aircraft will fly over thousands of kilometers of Australian outback in precisely controlled airspace, overcoming dynamic threats by day and night, the statement said.
In this photo taken from video released by Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkovs Telegram channel on Sunday, May 12, 2024, Russian emergency services work at the scene of a partially collapsed block of flats authorities said was hit during an attack by Ukrainian shelling, in Belgorod, Russia. (Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov Telegram channel)

The powerful glide-bombs that Russia has used to such great effect to pound Ukrainian cities into rubble have also been falling on its own territory, an internal Russian document has revealed.

At least 38 of the bombs, which have been credited with helping drive Russias recent territorial advances, crashed into the Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine between April 2023 and April 2024, according to the document obtained by The Washington Post, though most did not detonate.

Roughly comparable to the more advanced American JDAM guided bombs, these glide bombs are large Soviet-era munitions retrofitted with guidance systems that experts say often fail  resulting in impacts on Russian territory.

The majority of the bombs were discovered by civilians  forest rangers, farmers or residents of villages surrounding the city. In most cases, the Defense Ministry didnt know when the bombs had been launched, indicating that some of them could have been there for days.

According to the document, at least four bombs fell on the city of Belgorod itself, a regional hub with a population of about 400,000 people. An additional seven were found in the surrounding suburbs. The most, 11, fell in the Graivoron border region where some could not be recovered because of the difficult operational situation.

The document, originally intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence and passed on to The Post, includes a spreadsheet of incidents citing emergency decrees on bomb cleanup and evacuation and appears to be a product of the Belgorod city emergency department.

Astra, an independent Russian media outlet, verified that many of the incidents in the document matched those it had collected from local governments and reports in local news media. People mentioned as witnesses have been confirmed as residents.

While the bombs usually fail to detonate, one of the first recorded hitting Belgorod in April 2023 did explode when it crashed into a normally busy street, creating a crater 65 feet wide, shattering windows, and hurling parked cars onto roofs of buildings. The impact happened at night, however, and no casualties were reported. A day later a second, unexploded bomb was found buried 23 feet into the ground.

Russian military acknowledged at the time that the accidental release of aircraft munition from a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber was behind the explosion. The document later confirmed it was FAB-500, a glide bomb, carrying a 500 kilogram, or 1,100 pound, payload.

Local authorities generally remain quiet about the incidents, only reporting accidents, blaming Ukrainian shelling or just not reporting the various explosions rattling the area, particularly more recently.

On May 4  after the period covered by the document  another bomb fell on Belgorod, injuring seven people and damaging more than 30 houses in a small community. Citing a source in the emergency services, the Astra media outlet reported it was also a FAB-500.

Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said only that an explosion happened.

The governor always reports what exactly caused the explosion, but this time he decided not to disclose it, independent local outlet Pepel noted at the time. This indirectly confirms that the explosion was caused by a Russian air bomb that fell on the house during the bombing. The nature of the destruction also indicates this.

On May 12, another blast destroyed several stories of an apartment block in Belgorod, killing 17 people. The Russian military blamed a Ukrainian missile, while the Conflict Intelligence Team, a Russian research group specializing in open-source investigations, said video from the scene indicated it was the result of another accidental FAB-500 bombing or a rogue antiaircraft missile fired by a Russian defense system.

On June 15, an explosion took place in the town of Shebekino, near Belgorod, and part of a five-story building collapsed, killing at least five, likely another glide bomb mishap.

According to its own tallies, Astra estimated that Russia has accidentally dropped more than a hundred bombs on its own territory as well as occupied areas in eastern Ukraine over the past four months  the same period that has seen a major increase in the use of glide bombs.

The Russian government has not responded to a request for comment on the document or reports of failed glide bombs.

The glide bombs are a Soviet relic hailing from the Cold War, designed as dumb bombs to be dropped on a target. Russia adapted this large inventory of unguided bombs to modern warfare by retrofitting them with guidance systems known as UMPK kits  cheap pop-out wings and navigation systems.

This allows Russian Su-34 and Su-35 jets to launch them from a distance of about 40 miles, which is out of reach for most Ukrainian air defense systems.

A certain percentage of Russian bombs is defective. This problem has existed since they started using these UMPK kits and its not being fundamentally solved. We think these accidental releases are caused by the unreliability of these kits, something that does not seem to bother the Air Force, Ruslan Leviev, a military expert with the Conflict Intelligence Group that has been tracking Russian military activities in Ukraine since 2014, said in a recent front line update.

According to our estimates, only a fraction of these bombs fail, so it doesnt affect the practical effectiveness of this weapon, no matter how cynical that may sound, Leviev said. Unlike Western high-precision bombs, the UMPK kits are produced relatively cheaply and in large quantities, using civilian electronics, where reliability requirements are much lower.

Based on statements from the Ukrainians about the numbers of bombs launched and the tallies from Astra about misfires, the CIT estimated a failure rate of 4 to 6 percent.

Under normal conditions, such a system would need to be improved, at a minimum, to avoid falls on populated areas on our territory, which we have already seen and which also led to casualties, the group said to The Post in response to queries on the misfires. We dont know whether the Russian Federation is currently spending resources on this. Perhaps they are quite happy with this situation.

The fact that most of the bombs whose guidance systems fail and fall on Russian territory dont detonate suggests there is some kind of fail-safe system to keep them from exploding in such cases, the CIT added.

Glide bombs are also not as precise as cruise missiles, and often miss the target, but because of sheer explosive power they still do significant damage.

The glide bombs have put added pressure on Ukraines ground-based air defenses and have been instrumental in Russias demolition of Avdiivka, which its troops conquered in mid-February, marking its most significant gain since the capture of Bakhmut a year ago.

Those weapons allow Russia to supplement an inadequate inventory of tactical air-launched missiles and to avoid using free-fall bombs that expose pilots to a greater risk of being shot down, according to recent analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Ukraines best defense against them is the U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile that can destroy a Russian aircraft before it approaches to release the bomb, but the systems are in short supply.

In late March, the Defense Ministry announced the development of a new, heavier version of the glide bomb, the FAB-3000, weighing twice as much as the next-biggest model. The number corresponds to the weight in kilograms, making it more than 6,000 pounds. It was finally deployed June 21 against the Ukrainian village of Liptsy.

The ministry also said the production of the lighter FAB-500 and FAB-1500 had been drastically increased.

The misfires for the enormous new FAB-3000s are already being reported. On June 29 one crashed into an empty field near Shebekino and exploded, but there were no casualties, according to Astra.
Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney stand watch in the ships combat information center during an operation to defeat a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. (Aaron Lau/U.S. Navy)

U.S. Central Command reported U.S. forces in the Red Sea in a self-defense engagement destroyed three Houthi unmanned surface vehicles Sunday.

The vehicles, which the command did not describe further, presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region, according to a Central Command news release that day.

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 release states.

Central Command provided no further details on the attack, including who destroyed the unmanned vehicles or how.

The Houthis have used one-way, unmanned attack boats to target shipping in the regions sea lanes since at least January.

The U.S. Navy and other partners, including the Royal Navy, have patrolled the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden this year to counter attempts by Houthi insurgents in Yemen to interrupt commercial shipping.

The Houthi campaign was launched in sympathy with the Palestinian territory of Gaza following the Israeli army invasion of the territory, which has killed more than 24,000 people.

The Israelis began the invasion following an Oct. 7 attack on their territory by Hamas militants that killed approximately 1,200 people.
Irene Hosking was made an honorary member of Aleda E. Lutz Medical Centers nurse honor guard. The Bay City, Mich., facility celebrated the centenarian during the Marine Corps leagues meeting on the USS Edson on June 26, 2024. (USS Edson/Facebook)

(Tribune News Service)  Irene Hosking was just 24 years old when she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps on May 15, 1942. Her dedication to service members didnt end when World War II did, however, and she was recently celebrated for her lifetime of achievements.

When we say lifetime, were not just throwing that word around. Now 106 years old, Hosking was made an honorary member of Aleda E. Lutz Medical Centers nurse honor guard. The Bay City, Mich., facility feted the centenarian during the Marine Corps leagues meeting on the USS Edson last week.

Shes a trailblazer, Thomas Linabury, commandant of the Edson Kline VanSlyke Marine Corps League, told news outlet WNEM 5. Shes the first female to do certain things back in her time. And her story and the story she tells are just wonderful.

During her service, Hosking was one of the first female nurses to give anesthesia to an injured soldier in the Pacific Theater. She was stationed in Australia. (I can recall) how they were able to endure the pain of getting their dressings done, Hosking told VFW magazine last year. Those are the things I remember the most. I am very, very happy that I was a registered nurse. I was able to help them.

Despite that, she  like all women at that time  was denied entry into her local Veterans of Foreign Wars council when she came back home in 1946. Following decades of effort, though, she not only joined the VFW, she became the first female commander of Michigans Shiawassee VFW County Council in 1995.

I definitely know that she served her veterans as we do as well and wanted her to be a part of every event going forward, Kristine Rodgers, a VA nurse at Lutz, told the news outlet.

I think it really highlights the importance of serving our country and serving our veterans going forward and the importance of nursing in general, Rogers said. We need nurses out there nationwide.

The veteran said her longevity can be credited to healthy eating, as well as drinking a little tequila every New Years Eve.

The things that she did for all of us, our country, and the sacrifices that she made as a nurse, and a nurse anesthetist back in those days, and just the fact that shes she is who she is. Shes a wonderful person, Linabury added.

Hosking said she was honored by last weeks acknowledgement and she would continue to honor the enlisted men that had to go out and get shot at.

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Visit at ajc.com.

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Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22) are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge in the Finglas area

Two brothers accused of discharging assault rifles in a Dublin residential area will indicate later this month if they want to go to trial having withdrawn their bail applications today.

Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22) are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge on dates in January 2022 in the Finglas area of north Dublin.

One charge alleges that Mr O'Driscoll was in possession of a military submachine gun.

They were due to apply for bail this afternoon at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court, but lawyers for both men said they wanted to withdraw those applications.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said he would give the accused men and their legal teams "time to think about what you want to do". He said a trial date is available in November "if you want one" and gave them until later this month to update the court.

Mr Ward, who has an address in Finglas, is charged that on January 1, 2022 at Ratoath Drive in Finglas he had in his possession or control a .223 Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose.

He is also charged that on the same date and at the same location he discharged a firearm, being reckless as to whether any person would be injured.

Mr O'Driscoll, also of Finglas, faces two charges identical to those against Mr Ward plus three further charges.

Two relate to the alleged possession of a .223 Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive on January 9, 2022.

Another alleges that on the same date he had in his possession or under his control a .380 ACP calibre military armament corporation make Ingram M11 submachine gun in circumstances giving rise to the reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose.

The alleged offences are contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964.
The court heard the victims were traumatised; three of them were attacked in their homes, and the former carer warned one, "We'll be back".

"Lock them up for a long time because they are evil," were the words of one of six vulnerable pensioners preyed on by their former carer for 34,000 and violent burglaries in Athlone, Co. Westmeath last year.

Precious Moyo, 38, was aided by a knife-armed college student, Yamen Alhamada, who claimed that he went along with her because she was "into black magic called juju, and he would be protected if he did what she said."

Moyo, originally from Zimbabwe, but who lived at the Athlone Accommodation Center at Lissywollen, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and 19-year-old Alhamada, from Syria but with an address at Warren Grove, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated burglary offences.

Judge Keenan Johnson said the crimes were nasty and described the effects on the six elderly men and women, aged 73 to 89, as heartbreaking.

Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court heard that Moyo, a mother of two, had worked for a home help agency for a year, where she developed "intimate" knowledge about their households.

Her accomplice Alhamada, who had come to Ireland with family to escape war in his country, completed the Leaving Certificate and got a place in college. However, he started abusing alcohol and drugs and helped Moyo after she was let go from an agency due to client complaints.

Moyo, who is pregnant, had her bail discontinued after the evidence was given in an emotionally charged hearing.

Neither defendant addressed the court before being remanded in custody pending sentencing in November.

Prosecuting counsel John Hayden said four of the incidents occurred in housing estates in Athlone and another at a house about five kilometres outside the town between June 14 and September 8 last year. Most of the money stolen was a funeral fund for two sisters.

Judge Johnson said he could not express his horror at the pair's actions, and he praised the "massive" and "painstaking" Garda investigation that led to their arrest.

The probe involved harvesting crucial CCTV footage from various locations to track their movements around the town and analysing fingerprints and DNA.

One piece of video footage showed Moyo holding wads of money in a shop.

Garda Detectives Niall Cogavin and Kenneth Nerney outlined the evidence against the pair.

The court heard the victims were traumatised; three of them were attacked in their homes, and the former carer warned one, "We'll be back".

The first incident took place at the house of a woman aged 73.

Moyo, wearing a high-vis top and covid facemask, hung around her home for two hours before sneaking and taking a handbag containing 24,000.

Moyo, who claims to have been a social worker before she came to Ireland in 2019, jogged to a taxi and went home.

The court heard Moyo "put the fear of God into her"; her victim constantly locks her house now, and her life changed dramatically.

Her sister stated that she had to move in full-time because the victim was now "so afraid".

"This money was to be used for our funerals. My sister's heart and my own heart are now broken; now we are so worried as to how we will pay for our funerals."

Just 2,250 of the missing money was recovered.

A niece told the court the financial loss and psychological effects were huge. Her aunt, she said, was vulnerable but had a good quality of life before this, collecting her pension and going to the shops, but now "is effectively a prisoner in her own home."

On August 30, Moyo drove Alhamada to the house of another woman, aged 89, with advanced dementia.

He knocked and told her he was looking for a missing person. She let him check the house, believing he was a garda, but he stole her handbag, which contained over 200, and bank cards.

The youth fled and was picked up by Moyo.

The victim's son represented her in court. He provided an impact statement saying she already had money stolen by a carer, and this breach of trust added to her vulnerability and insecurity.

Two days later, at 7 pm, Moyo, wearing a wig, surgical gloves and mask, drove Alhamada in her Nissan Qashqai to the home of another former client.

In a hard hat and wearing a COVID face mask, the student tricked a 76-year-old widow into thinking he needed to check for a leak. He was let in, but a lodger disturbed him when he went upstairs, and he fled empty-handed.

The court heard that after losing her husband previously, that victim had cancer treatment and took in a lodger because she was lonely. The incident frightened her, leaving her constantly checking if anyone was at the door, and she got rid of her home carers.

She said, "I've lost trust in people and am suspicious of people"

At around 5 am on September 2, they drove out of the town to the home of an 80-year-old man with mobility issues who lives alone. He awoke to the sound of glass breaking; Moyo had a wheel jack to smash their way in. The two intruders entered his bedroom and started shouting at him to hand over his money.

Detective Garda Cogavin said, "He was held by his arms by Yamen Alhamada, who pulled off his panic alarm from around his wrist. He was then pulled onto the ground and held down there".

He tried to get up, but Alhamada hit him with an unknown object, and he started bleeding heavily from his nose.

The court heard Alhamada "pierced his arms a number of times with what he believed to have been a needle concealed in his glove."

Moyo and Alhamada stayed in the house for about 30 minutes "and went through my deceased wife's things".

They left with 200 from a wallet and also took some jewellery that had belonged to the pensioner's late wife and "her [Moyo's] last words were we'll be back".

The victim, who has COPD, needs to take 12 tablets a day and has balance problems. He was bleeding but managed to get next door to alert relatives, but due to his condition, it took a while to get there. Doorbell video footage showed him distraught and gasping as he said, "I've been broken into".

Gardai confirmed his home was ransacked, and there were "pools of blood on the bedroom floor".

Medical reports confirmed he had injuries on his arms, including large bruises, two cuts five to six centimetres long on his arms, and a nasal bridge wound.

In his victim impact statement, he spoke about being "constantly afraid someone will break in" to the house he built 50 years ago to raise his family.

Since then, he has had a high-tech alarm system installed, but "I don't know how to use it, and I set it off regularly, and my son and daughter arrive, and I feel bad for bringing them out."

He implored the judge to "Lock them up for a long time because they are evil".

The final incident happened on September 8 when a man with dementia and his partner, in their 80s, had 10,000 violently stolen by the two defendants who broke into their home in the town.

Alhamada was armed with a five-inch flick knife, and Moyo showed "intimate knowledge" of the layout of the house, the occupants and their possessions.

The teenager, disguised in a wig, mask and dress, grabbed the elderly woman by her throat and dragged her to the floor, resulting in a cut to the side of her ear as he shouted, "Where's the money?".

Meanwhile, Moyo put her hand over the man's mouth, restricting his breathing, and directed the teenager to remove a wrist alarm from the woman.

In her impact statement, the senior citizen revealed that she and her partner lost trust, fearing it would happen again. The woman and her partner had since moved to separate nursing homes, she said, "and I miss him dearly".

Following the arrest, Alhamada confessed to gardai that he earned 2,500 from the crimes, which he spent on "weed" and a pellet gun.

The court heard he earned a place in college in Athlone, but he had been abusing drink, cocaine and cannabis at the time.

He told the investigation team, "Precious Moyo was into black magic called juju, and he would protected if he did what she said." He said Moyo made him use the knife, and he was afraid of her. The court heard she had told him they would not get caught because she would have a dream about a dog if gardai were coming for them.

In her interviews, Moyo "made no admissions".

One of the victims could come to court, with the rest represented by close family members who addressed the judge.

Some wept, but they comforted each other in the public gallery at the end of the hearing and after delivering moving victim impact statements.

However, the defendants showed no emotion and avoided looking in their direction.

The court heard that all the victims were clients of the same care agency. Moyo had worked there for a year and provided home help services to the victims from April to June 2023.

Gardai accepted that cannabis addict Alhamada was the "junior partner".

Judge Johnson described the crimes as horrific and nasty and said he could see their profound effect. He told the relatives to express his deepest sympathies to the five victims who could not come to the hearing.

He added that he could not express his horror at what had happened to their loved ones.

Judge Johnson said the effects were heartbreaking and he added that the pair showed gross contempt and were an absolute disgrace.

Probation reports on the duo, who had no prior convictions, have been requested for their sentence hearing.
Mr Harford, a takeaway worker with an address at Rathmore Green, Lusk, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to theft of clothing and criminal damage.

A father of one stole clothes belonging to his ex-partner and burned them after they had an argument while at a childrens hospital with their sick baby.

Kevin Harford (20) took the clothes from Temple Street, brought them home and set fire to them after something his ex said triggered him, a court heard.

Adjourning the case at Dublin District Court, Judge Michael Connellan said he would strike the charges out if Mr Harford paid compensation for the 200 damage.

Mr Harford, a takeaway worker with an address at Rathmore Green, Lusk, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to theft of clothing and criminal damage.

Garda Sergeant Tony Flanagan said Mr Harford attended Temple Street Childrens Hospital with his ex-partner and their child on February 25.

They had an argument and Mr Harford was asked to leave by nursing staff.

Mr Harford took 200 worth of clothing items belonging to his ex-partner and her new boyfriend without their permission, then returned home to set fire to the clothing.

He had no previous convictions.

It was a very tragic story, defence solicitor Evan Moore said.

The accused and his ex-partner had a baby who was sick on the day and they were attending the hospital.

The accused had been very depressed and when he told his ex-partner about this, she said something that was very triggering for him, Mr Moore said.

Mr Harford was suffering severely with his mental health at the time.

He was sorry for what happened and was seeking time to get the money to compensate the victims, Mr Moore said.

Judge Connellan remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear in court again on a date in September.

He said if the compensation was paid he would strike the charges out, leaving Mr Harford without a criminal record.

If not, he would be convicted and fined 500 in default.

This behaviour cannot happen again, he wont get the same response again from the court, the judge warned.
Andrei Dobra, with an address at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road in Ratoath is charged with murdering his partner Ioana Mihaela Pacala (30)

A 36-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his fiancee at their home in Co Meath nearly two years ago by reason of insanity.

Andrei Dobra, with an address at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road in Ratoath is charged with murdering his partner Ioana Mihaela Pacala (30) in their flat at that address on or about November 12, 2022.

Wearing a pink shirt and dark trousers, Mr Dobra was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: "Not guilty" and then "I can't be responsible".

Addressing the jury panel at this point, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said that "for the record that is a not guilty by reason of insanity plea".

Andrei Dobra at Trim District Court

The judge informed the potential jurors that Mr Dobra and Ms Pacala were partners, who were due to be married and that they had shared a home together.

He also told the jury panel that both individuals were Romanian nationals.

Mr Justice McDermott said there was a mental health issue in the case in relation to the accused man.

"That will be the subject of professional evidence in relation to his mental state at the time and whether he suffered from a mental disorder," he added.

The judge told the jury panel that they would be invited to assess the facts of the case, which he said was mainly medical evidence in relation to Mr Dobra's state of mind at the time of Ms Pacala's death.

Mr Justice McDermott said consultant psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright will testify for the prosecution and that psychiatrist Dr Patricia Casey will give evidence for the defence.

A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin tomorrow before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and is expected to last up to five days.
The man is accused of touching the woman outside her clothing while they were at a party last summer.

A partygoer sexually assaulted a woman by touching her bottom while they were socialising in west Dublin, it is alleged.

The man is accused of touching the woman outside her clothing while they were at a party last summer.

The case was adjourned at Blanchardstown District Court for the accused to decide how he intends to plead to the charge.

The accused, in his 40s, is charged with sexual assault on the woman on a date in June, 2023.

The charge is under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990.

A garda sergeant told Judge David McHugh the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with at district court level subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered.

Judge McHugh asked for an outline of the proposed evidence.

The sergeant said the complainant came to a garda station in the west of the city and said she had been attending a party between 2.30am and 3am on the date in question.

Its alleged that the accused touched the injured party on her buttock, outside her clothing, the sergeant said.

Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court. He ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence and adjourned the case to a date in September for compliance with that order.

The judge also granted free legal aid after an application was made by the accuseds barrister, Ciaran MacLoughlin, who filed a statement of the mans financial means. The barrister said he was requesting legal aid given the mans income and the nature of the charge.

The accused has not yet indicated how he intends to plead.
Derek McKendry (62) and 63-year-old Stephen Cross confirmed their identities and that they understood the charges against them

Fire crews douse the burning boat, and (right) accused Derek McKendry before and after the clash

TWO men appeared in court today charged in connection with an allegedly sectarian incident at Portballintrae Boat Club last month.

Standing side by side in the dock at Coleraine Magistrates Court, Derek Leonard McKendry (62) and 63-year-old Stephen Cross confirmed their identities and that they understood the charges against them.

McKendry whose address on court papers was listed as Quarry Road, Carrickmore, County Tyrone, was accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and using disorderly behaviour in a public place, namely Portballintrae Boat Club at Beach Road, Portballintrae, on 3 June this year.

Amaranthe after it had docked at Portballantrae harbour

Cross, from the Castlecat Road in Bushmills, faces charges of common assault of another alleged victim, stealing his mobile phone worth around 300 and using disorderly behaviour on the same date.

A police officer gave evidence that she believed she could connect the defendants to their respective charges and although none of the alleged facts surrounding the charges were opened in court, it was reported at the time they were arrested after a boat displaying an Irish tricolour was torched in what police have said was a sectarian attack.

Derek McKendry, 63, one of two men charged in relation to an incident at Portballantrae Boat Club

The incident, in which one person was hospitalised for injuries, saw a fight break out after the boat docked at Portballintrae pier and officers were alerted to the incident at around 7.45pm.

Police said an altercation occurred over the flag being displayed on the vessel which was later set alight and extensively damaged.

Appealing for information in the aftermath of the incident, a police spokesperson said: We are treating this report as a sectarian-motivated hate crime and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed what happened.

Anyone with any information or who may have mobile, CCTV or other footage can contact police on 101 quoting reference 1651 03/06/24.

In court today District Judge Peter King described the charges as significant and releasing the pair on their own bail of 500, adjourned the case until 5 August for a prosecution update.

Both defendants were told they would be excused from attending that hearing.
She had been charged with entering four pharmacies on different dates with duly issued prescriptions which had been altered with intent to deceive.

A nurse who altered prescriptions to feed a drug addiction has avoided a possible career-ending conviction after a judge said a probation report on her case had been very positive.

Deirdre Payne appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Tullamore District Court, Co. Offaly, on Wednesday of last week.

The 54-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to a series of offences relating to altered prescriptions.

She had been charged with entering four pharmacies on different dates with duly issued prescriptions which had been altered with intent to deceive.

Deirdre Payne outside court

The incidents took place at Ryans Chemist on Main Street in Daingean, on November 22, 2022; Medical Hall, JKL Street, Edenderry on September 23, 2022; Tedders Chemist, JKL Street, Edenderry on September 8, 2022; and Quinns Pharmacy, Granary Court, Edenderry on September 7, 2022.

The court had previously heard that Payne, with an address at Riverdale, Clonmore, Edenderry, Co. Offaly, had altered the prescriptions as she didnt think her doctor would give her any more of a certain drug because she was addicted to it.

Appearing on behalf of Payne at Wednesdays hearing, her counsel asked that a comment made by the prosecution at a previous hearing be withdrawn.

He said it had been put forward by the prosecution that there had been an utterance from the defence to the effect that Xanax dispensed to Ms Payne had resulted in as loss to one of the pharmacies.

He said there was no loss to the pharmacy.

The prosecution agreed to withdraw the remark and confirmed no such monetary loss had occurred.

Previously, Paynes barrister Suzanne Dooner had told the court her client was very ashamed and embarrassed and said the matter had resulted in a significant impact on her.

She had an alcohol addiction and had attended the Rutland Centre.

She had also attended St John of God and was doing well.

In addition, the court heard Payne attended AA and completed a course in Cuan Mhuire in 2023.

The court was informed at a previous sitting in March that Payne had been currently suspended from her work, adding this will have a significant impact on her life going forward.

Ms Dooner said she was supported by her husband, who accompanied her in court.

She said she had allowed her mental health condition to get the better of her.

Addressing Payne, Judge Cody said he had read the report prepared by the Probation Service and described it as very positive.

She has engaged well with all the services available to her, he said.

Despite this, Judge Cody continued, the four charges before the court concerned the forging of prescriptions by an individual who worked as a nurse.

He said, for this reason, he could not simply strike them out.

Instead, he said, he would impose section 1.1 of the Probation Act.

Under this section, where the court thinks a charge is proved but having regard to the particular circumstances feels it is unjust to impose a punishment, the court may without proceeding to conviction dismiss a charge.
Patrick Porters badly decomposed body was found in a van at the Camac Valley Caravan & Camping Park in Clondalkin

The body of a serial sex offender from Donegal that was discovered at a caravan and camping park in Dublin two years ago had to be identified through DNA, an inquest has heard.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court into the death of Patrick Porter (46) of Grange, Inch Island, Burnfoot, Co Donegal heard his badly decomposed body was found in a van at the Camac Valley Caravan & Camping Park in Clondalkin, Dublin on July 27, 2022.

The coroner, Crona Gallagher, was informed that a DNA sample from the body was matched with a sample taken from the deceaseds father at his home in Co Donegal.

Dr Gallagher noted that a visual identity of the body had not been possible due to its advanced state of decomposition when it was discovered.

However, the coroner said she was satisfied that Reg Porter was the biological father of the deceased as a result of a forensic analysis which matched their DNA samples.

The site manager at Camac Valley, James Keogh, told the inquest on Monday that he had noticed a bad smell on a part of the site when he began work on the morning of July 27, 2022.

However, Mr Keogh said he believed at the time that the odour had been coming from litter bins, although he had also noticed flies around a white van parked under a tree.

He recalled how he was approached a short time later by some French tourists who also complained about a bad smell in the area.

Mr Keogh said he asked them if they had seen anyone near or in the van but they had not.

The witness said he rang the phone number associated with the vehicle when it had checked into the caravan park a number of times and sensed something was wrong when he got no answer.

When he returned to the vehicle Mr Keogh said a pile of rubbish fell out on the ground when he opened the back door before he noticed the decomposed body of a male under a duvet.

In reply to questions from the coroner, Mr Keogh said Mr Porter had stayed at Camac Valley a few times in his Volkswagen Caddy van that he parked in a spot on a communal grass area.

He was in and out usually for 3-4 days at a time, Mr Keogh recalled.

However, he was uncertain exactly when the deceased had last checked in or when he had last been seen by staff at Camac Valley.

Garda Erica Fleming said she was informed by a paramedic that Mr Porter had probably been dead for a number of weeks by the time his body was discovered.

Garda Fleming said the deceased, who had been lying fully-clothed on a mattress under a duvet, was formally pronounced dead at 11.55am on July 27, 2022.

The inquest heard the Caddy van had been traced to the deceaseds mother, who was its registered owner.

Although no direct reference was made to Mr Porters criminal background, Garda Fleming said, in reply to questions from the coroner, that he had had interactions with gardai which were not positive.

She understood that the deceased, who was a welder by trade, had also been living intermittently in Co Donegal.

Garda Fleming said gardai had been unable to establish when he had last been seen alive and also noted that he had a bit of an estranged relationship with his family.

She confirmed that gardai had no concerns that there was anything suspicious in relation to Mr Porters death.

Garda Fleming observed that Garda files showed he had a history of drug use, alcohol addiction and mental health problems.

The inquest heard a postmortem had found traces of heroin, cocaine and some prescription drugs in the deceaseds body.

Dr Gallagher recorded the cause of death as multiple drug toxicity but noted that it had been impossible to determine the quantity of the various drugs in his body.

The coroner said chronic liver disease and scarring of the heart tissue detected in the autopsy on Mr Porters body were also contributory factors.

Based on the evidence, Dr Gallagher said there was no evidence that the deceased had intended to harm himself and she returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

Offering condolences to Mr Porters family, who did not attend the inquest, the coroner said the death of a relatively young man who had become isolated was very tragic.

Porter, who had a series of convictions for lewd behaviour and other sex offences going back as far as 2011, had served prison sentences in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

He has served jail sentences from a number of incidents both here and in the North.

Porter was jailed for 14 months at Derry Magistrates Court in 2015 when pleaded guilty to committing an act outraging public decency.

On that occasion he leaned over a seat on a sleeping woman on a bus traveling from Dublin to Derry and masturbated beside her while she slept.

In 2016 he was given a six month suspended jail sentence for exposing himself to two women from a flat on the Strand Road in Derry.

In February, 2021 Porter was due to appear again at Letterkenny District Court charged with performing a lewd act on Aileach Road in Buncrana on May 11th, 2017.

Porter could not appear because he was already serving a sentence for similar offences in Northern Ireland.
I'll never forget that face and the look in his eyes when he came towards me

Natasha OBrien, the victim of an assault whose case generated huge controversy after her attacker received a fully suspended sentence, has told how she identified him on social media.

Ms OBrien (24) said it took her and her friend weeks going through social media profiles to find Defence Forces member Cathal Crotty, who punched her unconscious in the attack.

The victim was coming from work with her friend Shauna Daly when she was assaulted by Crotty (22) after she denounced his use of homophobic slurs.

The case has mobilised the public in protest after Limerick Circuit Criminal Court Judge Tom ODonnell handed Crotty a three-year suspended sentence. He also ordered the man to pay 3,000 to Ms OBrien.

During an appearance on the Left on Read podcast, Ms OBrien revealed how she was able to identify Crotty on social media.

Myself and my friend Shauna Daly spent weeks going through any profile that was of similar age. We were non-stop looking through pictures and pictures. I'll never forget that face and the look in his eyes when he came towards me and started roaring at me, she said.

That's not something you'd ever forget, it's something that stays with you. So the second I saw his face I knew immediately.

She said she became speechless after seeing him standing there in his uniform on the social media platform VSCO.

Now I know. It made so much sense...no wonder he did so much damage, he had special combat training, said Ms OBrien.

Soldier Cathal Crotty was given a suspended sentence for his assault on Natasha O'Brien

The Limerick woman told hosts Brenda Dennehy and Julie Haynes that the podcast was her first time explaining the full breakdown of events since it was announced that Crottys three-year sentence would be fully suspended.

Defence Forces Commandant Paul Togher, Crottys superior, provided the court with a character reference of the accused and described the attack as very out of character.

The sentencing prompted mass demonstrations in Dublin, Limerick and Galway on June 22.

Speaking in Limerick, Ms OBrien was joined by more than 1,000 people and said: We all deserve change and we all deserve better. The victims deserve better and it's not fair it had to get to this. We shouldn't have to have the support of the people because I should have had the support of the Department of Justice and the Defence Forces or I wouldn't have been here.

Natasha OBrien tells Dublin rally she feels a little bit hopeful after receiving so much support

Last weekend she addressed the crowd gathering for Dublin Pride in Merrion Square as the guest of honour.

Do I look like someone who is going to put up with hate crime and violence and injustice? she asked them.

Alone I am just one voice asking for change, but together we are an entire army screaming for what we all deserve as human beings.

Your constant support and your constant outrage is what continues to fuel me to fight for whats right. Make hate crime laws now.
We confront OHare at post office to ask if the witness who put him in jail has anything to fear

Our reporter asks Dessie OHare if witness Martin Byrne has anything to fear

Our reporter asks Dessie OHare if witness Martin Byrne has anything to fear

This is the moment the Sunday World confronted former INLA terror boss, kidnapper and torturer Dessie OHare over his horrific crimes.

We cornered the Border Fox outside a post office in Portlaoise on Thursday to ask whether State witness Martin Byrne, whose evidence landed OHare in prison for six years, must continue to live in fear of him.

But the 67-year-old, who had been released from his sentence less than an hour earlier, refused to offer any comfort to brave Mr Byrne  whom he was convicted of falsely imprisoning during a brutal attack eight years ago.

Does Martin Byrne have anything to fear from you? our reporter asked, after identifying himself to OHare outside the post office.

Our reporter asks Dessie OHare if witness Martin Byrne has anything to fear

Stopping for an instant as if in brief consideration of a response, OHare gave our reporter a cold stare before he ultimately chose not to give one.

The 67-year-old then turned his back and hopped back inside the black Mercedes that had earlier picked him up outside the prison.

The events, which led to one of the countrys most notorious terrorists being sent back to prison six years ago, and in which in which disgraced businessman and Kinahan cartel money-launderer Jim Mansfield Jnr played a key role, occurred on June 9, 2015.

Innocent victim Martin Byrne, who had worked for the Mansfields for more than 20 years and who resided in two of their family units in the Towers in Citywest, had been targeted for eviction by Jim Mansfield Jnr.

To resolve the dispute, the Special Criminal Court heard Mansfield Jnr asked Mr Byrne to go with him to a meeting at Keatings Business Park in Saggart in May 2015 to see if they could reacquire his interest in The Towers.

Dessie O'Hare

When Mr Byrne arrived at the meeting, two former INLA men, whom he recognised instantly as violent kidnapper Dessie OHare and convicted murderer Declan Whacker Duffy, were waiting for him.

Mr Byrne refused to participate in the meeting, leading to relations between the familys faithful employee and Mansfield Jnr deteriorating further, the court heard.

Mansfield Jnr contacted Mr Byrne again and asked him to attend a second meeting in Keatings Business Park the following day.

At this meeting, OHare and Duffy were again lying in wait but this time Mr Byrne was not given the option of leaving, with Duffy telling him he wouldnt be as brave now.

Mansfield Jnr turned around and walked out the door.

The Border Fox walking from Portlaoise Prison

OHare then told Mr Byrne that he and his family were going to be evicted.

Mr Byrne was beaten, bundled into a vehicle, beaten again in the car and driven back to The Towers, while OHare followed in a second car.

A security guard at the complex, John Roche, recognised OHare and Duffy refused to allow them access and ran away.

But once inside the complex, he was pulled out of his home next door to Martin Byrnes before being punched, kicked, stamped on and beaten to the ground.

Jim Mansfield Jr

While this was happening, Dessie OHare could be seen on camera directing operations and kicking Mr Roche four times.

Neighbours who witnessed the sickening attack alerted gardai, who rushed to the scene.

OHare, who earned his nickname the Border Fox over his uncanny ability to evade gardai, escaped and made it across the Border.

However, after the State initiated extradition proceedings, he returned of his own volition.

OHare was sent for trial to the Special Criminal Court.

Such was the level of threat in the run-up to the trial, Mr Byrne had to be placed in the Witness Protection Programme for his own safety.

OHare in 1987 after kidnapping John OGrady

OHare ultimately pleaded guilty to assault and false imprisonment.

He was jailed for seven years.

Whacker Duffy was jailed for six years and while Jim Mansfield was found not guilty in relation to the kidnap, he was convicted and jailed for attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the assault.

During OHares sentencing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt specifically identified Dessie OHares reputation as a significant factor in the case.

OHares most notorious crime was the 1987 kidnapping of Dublin dentist John OGrady.

The dentist was held for 23 days and when a IR1.5 million ransom was not forthcoming OHare hacked off John OGradys two little fingers with a chisel.

The gang was ultimately traced to a house in Cabra where John OGrady was rescued. OHare fled and was on the run for three weeks before he was arrested. He was sentenced to 40 years for the crime.
Ajaray had previously been arrested as part of operation Desert Light in 2022 aimed at cracking down on the so-called supercartel.

A SENIOR figure in key Kinahan Cartel partner mob the Maroc Mafia has been sentenced to 15 years in prison but is still free in Dubai.

Hoesny Hitler Ajaray was also ordered to pay a 400,000 fine while 8 million in assets were confiscated at a court in Belgium last week.

Ajaray had previously been arrested as part of operation Desert Light in 2022 aimed at cracking down on the so-called supercartel.

The operation which saw his arrest in Dubai, targeted a cocaine smuggling operation through Panama and Spain.

He has been connected to the supercartel that includes Dutch drug boss Ridouan Taghi, the Bosnian Edin Gacanin, the Italian Camorra boss Raffaele Imperiale and the Kinahans.

Until then he had been virtually unknown despite being one of the biggest drug dealer shipping cocaine through the Belgian port of Antwerp.

According to the Public Prosecutor in Antwerp, Ajaray controlled his network of drug couriers and money launderers from Dubai.

Two trusted lieutenants controlled the shipments through the port while two others kept track of the finances.

The other seven defendants are errand boys who drove around with drugs and cash and who arranged mobile phones, trackers and weapons."

Much of the evidence against the gang came to light as a result of the Sky ECC hack in which messages were intercepted from the encrypted system.

They used the service to openly communicate about drug shipments and money drops, according to newspaper NBvL.

The messages also provided an insight into the violent tactics used by the gang to maintain tight control.

One of the lower level gang members who fell foul of the organisation was kidnapped, tortured and left for dead.

A photo of the seriously injured Antwerp gang member was sent to other gang members through Sky ECC.

Several Dutch 'business partners' who were cutting cocaine in a warehouse were also robbed and taken hostage.

The court also ordered the immediate arrest of Hoesny Arajay, who, like many other fugitive drug dealers, is in Dubai.

One of those is Kinahan Cartel partner, Balkans mob boss Edin Gacanin, who was sentenced to seven years by a Dutch last December

It was reported he had cut a deal with Dutch prosecutors who wanted him for smuggling 2,400 kilos of cocaine and was also fined 1 million.

Gacanin was one of the super cartel members at Daniel Kinahans wedding in 2017 at the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai along with mob-bosses Raffaele Imperiale and Ridouan Taghi.

He had been arrested in November 2022 in Dubai after his extradition was requested by The Netherlands but released some months later when the bid failed.

Last year Gacanin was described as "one of the worlds most prolific drug traffickers in an announcement by the US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control.

He is the head of a Bosnian-Dutch gang  known as the Tito and Dino cartel  who are involved in smuggling cocaine from South America into Europe.

Meanwhile Christy Kinahan sr and his two sons Daniel and Christy jr remain at large despite being want by the US authorities for two years.

Cartel member Sean McGovern who is wanted in Ireland on murder charge is also believed to be still in Dubai.
The appeal, which could take up to a year to be heard, was lodged on Friday

The Director of Public Prosecutions has lodged an appeal against the controversial three-year suspended sentence received by soldier Cathal Crotty for beating a woman unconscious in a random attack.

The appeal is being taken on the basis the sentence handed down by Judge Tom ODonnell was unduly lenient.

The soldier beat his victim Natasha OBrien unconscious after she took him to task for making homophobic remarks.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge ODonnell noted the impact a custodial sentence could have on Mr Crottys career in the Defence Forces.

But the leniency of the sentence has attracted much criticism.

Natasha O'Brien was attacked by soldier Cathal Crotty. Inset: after the attack

Crotty (22), of Park row Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay 3,000 in compensation for assaulted Ms OBrien in Limerick on May 29, 2022.

Ms OBrien was on her way home from work when she heard Mr Crotty shouting homophobic slurs at a passer-by and asked him to stop.

Crotty responded by assaulting 24-year-old Ms OBrien. The young woman suffered serious injuries as a result, losing consciousness.

In the hours after the attack, Crotty took to social media to boast about the attack. Two to put her down, two to put her out, Crotty wrote on Snapchat.

Reacting today, Ms OBrien said she was buoyed by the news that the DPP is to appeal Crottys suspended three years sentence, for his vicious assault on her, on the grounds that the sentence was overly lenient.

Thank god the right thing is being done now, Ms OBrien said.

However, the 24-year old Limerick woman said many more victims of crime, particularly violent crime, do not get the opportunity.

This is a step forward, but I am still at the bottom of a big mountain so Im going to keep going, Ms OBrien said.

The amount of victims that have come forward to me with sentencing horror stories, and their convicted (abusers) walking free, with no hope of an appeal, is quite frightening.

Ms OBrien said she has been advised that it can be quite difficult for the DPP to pursue an appeal, sometimes they don't have the grounds, which is very sad.

I am almost certain that there are a far greater number of unduly lenient sentences that dont get to that point.

Ms OBrien said she believed that speaking out in public about Crottys suspended sentence had helped bring an appeal against his sentence.

I know the DPP is impartial to public opinion and government opinion, however I have no doubt there would not have been an appeal had their not been a national uproar, she said.

It is legislation and sentencing guidelines that need to change to allow for more of this, when judges are not - in my opinion - conducting fair sentences, that this process isnt so impossible and that it is more accessible for others, Ms OBrien said.

Ms OBrien said she had been advised that the appeal before the three-judge court of appeal would not be heard until October/November. She said she had been invited to attend the appeal hearing and that a transcript from Crottys sentencing hearing would be made available to the court.

Ms OBrien said she has experienced two crazy weeks since she spoke out publicly about her disgust at the sentence imposed on Crotty by judge Tom ODonnell at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

There have been so many highs and so many lows, she said.

Ms OBrien said she was concerned at some of the reaction to her publicly expressing her disappointment at both the sentence handed to Crotty and at her wider campaigning.

Ive been receiving an outrageous amount of backlash this past weekend, in regards to people saying would she give it a rest - two (punches) to put her down, how many to shut her up, she deserved it, shes mouthy.

That is really frightening, this is a societal issue and people are getting frustrated that I am continuing to speak out about this? I wont be giving it a rest, because we, as a society, are only at the start - we are moving forward but it is nowhere where we need to be, Ms OBrien said

To any of those commentators - their hate is my motivation to keep going.
The male prisoner allegedly threatened a female staff member as she was getting into her car at the end of her shift

Muckamore had been due to close at the end of the month

An investigation has been launched after a convicted sex offender was able to leave a secure hospital unaccompanied.

The incident took place recently at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Co Antrim, which has a special unit for housing offenders with learning disabilities considered unsuitable for the general prison system.

It is understood the male prisoner was able to walk around the grounds of the hospital on his own and allegedly threatened a female staff member as she was getting into her car at the end of her shift.

Other staff arrived on the scene and the prisoner was taken back to a secure ward.

The woman was said to have been badly shaken by the incident.

A spokesperson for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT), which runs Muckamore Hospital, said they were looking into what happened.

We are aware of an incident that took place recently in the grounds of Muckamore Abbey Hospital involving a patient and a member of staff which is currently being investigated, said the spokesperson.

The Trust takes the safety of our patients and staff very seriously.

Staff at Muckamore hospital claim the recent incident highlights the difficult working conditions they are having to endure.

As well as a small number of convicted prisoners, Muckamore provides in-patient services for adults with learning difficulties.

However, the hospital is the subject of a long-running criminal investigation and an ongoing public inquiry into the abuse of some patients.

Muckamore had been due to close at the end of this month.

However, earlier this month Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the closure date had been put back because suitable community placements had not been found for the remaining in-patients.

An employee at Muckmore hospital this week told the Sunday World that staff at the hospital have been treated terribly during the run-up to the proposed closure.

So many promises have been made and then broken, claimed the employee, who said they were speaking on behalf of many other colleagues.

For example, when we were first told about the closure, staff were told they could relocate to new posts in the Belfast Trust or Northern Trust areas. Now, we have been told staff can only move to posts in the Belfast Trust.

When staff are leaving, the Muckamore employee claimed they had been warned by the Belfast Trust not to share any details on social media.

Some of the staff that have already moved to new jobs have been here for 30 to 35 years.

However, weve been told we cant put any messages about them on social media because of the ongoing abuse investigation and inquiry.

Thats basically tarring us all with the same brush. There were only a small number of staff involved in the abuse allegations but it feels like were all being blamed. Morale among the staff is so low and we feel we have been treated terribly by the Trust.

As it stands, we still dont even know when the hospital will close for good.

The BHSCT spokesperson said they were aware of the issues at the hospital.

We value all of our colleagues who work at Muckamore Abbey Hospital and we understand that the planned closure of Muckamore has created uncertainty for some staff, said the spokesperson.

Further discussions with hospital staff will take place in the coming weeks to provide greater certainty about their roles and the options available to them.

As part of our engagement with all key groups and individuals, we have facilitated more than 130 individual meetings for staff to provide opportunities to discuss the proposed future service model and roles that might be suitable to them within the new model or in other areas of the Trust.

The spokesperson said they take the concerns of staff extremely seriously.

We encourage staff to raise any concerns and we will take the necessary steps to ensure the issue is addressed appropriately.

We are fully committed to supporting patients, families, and staff in the months ahead and will do our utmost to ensure care remains safe in Muckamore and during the transition from the hospital to community.

We understand this has been a challenging period for our staff and would encourage staff to engage with staff care or the onsite counsellor, or approach any of the collective leadership team for any support they need.

In relation to the claims staff have been told not to share anything on social media about departing colleagues, the Trusts spokesperson said: Belfast Trust has a social media policy which all staff are asked to adhere to.
Back home in Dundalk, Shannon was unaware that her daughter was the luckiest Swiftie in Ireland

Mia Green from Marlmount Dundalk who was presented with the famous '22' hat by Taylor Swift

Superstar Taylor Swift gave her famous 22 hat to seven-year old Louth fan Mia Green during her Eras concert on Saturday night in the Avivia Stadium.

Mia was with her aunt and her mums friend, singing and dancing, during the sold-out gig, when she was picked out to receive the hat.

"They were in the upper level and during the song Love Story, one of the staff and three security people tapped my sister on the back and brought her and Mia down to the pitch and then Mia waited at the front of the stage.

Louth fan receives Taylor Swifts hat at Saturdays gig

Mias mum Shannon Green from Marlmount, Dundalk had given her own ticket to her daughter, whom she describes as such a big Swiftie

"She went with my sister Sarah Durnin and friend Aishling Dunne. We had bought the tickets so that the three of us could go but in the meantime, Mia became a huge Taylor fan so I ended up giving her my ticket. She is such a big Swiftie and loves all her songs.

Taylor, who was wearing a black designer

Mia Green from Marlmount Dundalk was picked to get Taylor Swift's famous '22' hat

fedora from Gladys Tamez and a white T-shirt with the words This is not Taylors version, knelt down and thanked Mia for going to the show.

She then asked the lucky fan if she could give her a hug before placing the hat on her head.

The hat is similar to the one Taylor wore in the music video for 22 and it has become a tradition for her to give it to a young fan during her live shows.

After miming taking a photograph of her, the megastar then high-fived Mia before continuing with her show.

As a delighted Mia returned to her seat, all the other young fans around her wanted to get their photos taken with her and to swap friendship bracelets.

Back home in Dundalk, Shannon was unaware that her daughter was the luckiest Swiftie in Ireland that day until she got a message from a friend saying I cant believe that just happened.

Sarah then sent me a picture of Mia with the hat and then all the other messages started coming through.

"Mia was overwhelmed as she was not expecting that at all, said Shannon, who had stayed at home minding two-year-old Gracie. She was on cloud nine and was going around showing the hat to everyone on Sunday.

Mia Green

As people reached out to her sharing videos and photos from the concert, Shannon said, Weve been completely overwhelmed all day with all the amazing videos and pictures that people managed to get last night. The excitement in our house has been unimaginable and all the lovely messages and comments from people who dont even know Mia, make it so much more special.
Healthline's doctor services and specific Covid-19 helpline have come to an end.

Both were set up by the Ministry of Health as part of the country's Covid-19 response, and run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa New Zealand Telehealth Services.

They later came under Health NZ Te Whatu Ora upon its formation in 2022.

Funding for the services finished on June 30.

Health NZ's Martin Hefford says the public health system is changing the way it responds to Covid-19.

Covid will be managed as "business as usual" and treated in a similar way to other communicable diseases, like SARS, he says.

"From July 1, there will be no Healthline doctor support, but Healthline nurses and paramedics will continue to provide expert, trusted health advice, treatment, and information," Telehealth Services chief operating officer Brian O'Connell says.

"Callers seeking a prescription or other doctor support, will instead be told to contact their GP, a pharmacist, or a virtual doctor service."

Hefford says the change will allow Health NZ to refocus on other parts of the health system.

Regular doctor's practice fees would also be reinstated for Covid-19 healthcare visits for people aged 14 and over from July 1.

However, Covid-19 vaccines and rapid antigen tests (RATs) remained free for everyone over five years old.

Anyone needing Covid health advice or support could call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

-RNZ.
As snowfall increases across the motu, avalanche forecasting is underway and NZ Mountain Safety Council is encouraging backcountry users to get #AvalancheReady.

New Zealand's official backcountry avalanche forecasting service, the NZ Avalanche Advisory, powered by MSC, has begun its forecasting for the winter season across all 13 alpine regions.

The NZAA provides vital information to help backcountry users plan their trip and make safe decisions in avalanche terrain.

Our team of forecasters are starting regional forecasting to ensure that backcountry skiers and snowboarders can begin building a picture of the conditions in the backcountry, which will help them venture out safely, says MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley.

Southwesterlies across New Zealand have contributed to the coldest May since 2009, setting up most of New Zealand's alpine regions with good levels of snow for the beginning of the snow season.

With recent snowfall, slopes are accumulating enough snow to reach threshold, meaning avalanches are possible, says Mike.

For those planning to head out into the backcountry this winter, now is the time to make sure you are prepared.

Before you go into the backcountry, ensure you have checked the avalanche forecast on the NZAA website, youve got the training through an avalanche skills course, and you're equipped with the essential gear and know how to use it. This includes an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Staying safe in the backcountry requires considered planning, having the right skills and informed decision-making.
The Coastguard in the Bay of Plenty is looking for new talent to fill 10 available positions so it can continue its life-saving work.

It takes a crew to save a life, with more than 2000 highly trained and skilled Coastguard volunteers ready to respond to calls for help day or night, says an appeal for volunteers from the marine organisation.

Coastguard Tautiaki Moana Volunteer Manager Jacqui Arnold says it doesnt matter whether youre a seasoned boatie who ventures out every weekend or someone who wants to stick closer to shore, there is a role for you with Coastguard.

Across diverse roles, backgrounds, and communities, our volunteers come together as one inclusive whanau, reflecting the Aotearoa we know and love, she says.

Volunteering for Coastguard is more than just our on-water assistance. We have amazing shore crews from our radio operators to training coordinators whose efforts enable us to bring people home safely.

Over the last year, Coastguard volunteers in Bay of Plenty contributed a massive 41,972 hours, with 3340 hours exclusively dedicated just to incidents.

They responded to 281 incidents and assisted 652 people to get back home safely.

Our volunteers embody compassion and camaraderie, willingly exchanging the comfort of home or paid jobs to lend a helping hand when it's needed most, says Jacqui.

This year, in the Bay of Plenty region, units are seeking:

Tauranga:

Rescue Vessel Volunteer

Unit Radio Operator

Opotiki:

Shore Crew Volunteer

Rescue Vessel Volunteer

Maketu:

Rescue Vessel Volunteer

Waihi Beach:

Unit Radio Operator

Whakatane:

Rescue Vessel Volunteer

Unit Radio Operator

Whangamata:

Unit Radio Operator

Rescue Vessel Volunteer

To learn more about volunteering with Coastguard and to apply to your local Unit, check out our dedicated volunteer website - https://volunteers.coastguard.nz
Attempts to exort high school students via online communications is prompting police to issue a warning to parents and guardians of young people.

Police are investigating a recent report of an individual targeting Dunedin high school students by posing as someone else online and attempting to extort them.

While the case is not a local one, it is a timely reminder for parents and guardians in the Bay of Plenty to make sure young people are being safe while online.

A quick and easy way to avoid being a victim of child exploitation and sextortion, is to ensure you verify the people you are communicating with online, says a statement from police.

"When instances of sextortion occur, the offending generally begins with a direct message on social media to the victim," says a police spokesperson.

"They are then asked to continue chatting on a different app, and gradually the conversation becomes sexualised, although in some cases not obvious to our high school aged children.

"From here, the victim is coerced into sharing photos and/or videos of themselves, their school friends or their family.

"In time, these photos can be used as blackmail in threatening to post online, or share them with people close to the victim.

"In some instances, photos are reportedly doctored by the offender to make the victim appear to be in even more compromising positions.

"Offenders can also capture compromising images of the young person from video files, which can then be traded across the internet."

If you are a victim to Sextortion:

Avoid sending anymore images or videos  even if they are threatening you.

Remember  once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again.

Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots/screen recordings.

"This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather, says police.

"Block the profile and report the content to the platform i.e the social media or website they contacted you on, or the content has been sent or posted on and request the content is removed."

To report this type of offending, please contact Police on 105, or an online report through Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz/report.

Netsafe also provides resources for both young people and adults regarding sextortion at netsafe.org.nz/sextortion/
Update, 8.30pm: MetService has issued a road snowfall warning for State Highway 1/Desert Road.

"Snow showers may affect the summit of the Desert Road, where 1 cm or less of snow could accumulate," says a MetService spokesperson.

The road snowfall warning is valid for six hours from 1pm - 7pm, Tuesday, July 2.

Earlier, 8.10pm: MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning with heavy rain forecast for the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty and inland Gisborne/Tairawhiti.



"An active front, preceded by strong northwesterlies, moves eastwards across the northeast of the North Island tonight - Monday - and overnight," says a MetService spokesperson.

"This front is bringing a burst of heavy rain to the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty and inland ranges of Gisborne/Tairawhiti, where a Heavy Rain Watch is in force."

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty and the inland ranges of Gisborne/Tairawhiti. This is valid for either hours from 7pm Monday, July 1, to 3am, Tuesday, July 2.

"[Expect] a period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria."

Watches no longer in Force:

The Heavy Rain Watch has been lifted for The Tararua Range. Heavy rain has eased.

The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Wairarapa south of Carterton. Northwest gales have eased.

The Heavy Snow Watch has been lifted for Central Otago from Lake Wanaka northwards, also the Mackenzie Basin. Heavy snow is no longer expected.

Warnings no longer in Force:

The Strong Wind Warning has been lifted for South Taranaki, Taihape and inland Whanganui. Northerly gales have eased.

The Heavy Rain Warning has been lifted for Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Maunga. Heavy rain has eased.

The Strong Wind Warning has been lifted for Wellington. Severe northwest gales are no longer expected.
What is now the modern Plaza de la Axarquia was the birthplace of this town more than 500 years ago.

Javier Almellones Torre del Mar Monday, 1 July 2024, 18:16 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Torre del Mar is one of the best-known tourist destinations in the Axarquia on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol. Its beaches and promenade are among the most popular in Malaga province and the town is an ideal place for those looking for excellent facilities and restaurants on the beach.

However, not many decades ago the town was quite different from the bustling seaside town it is today. Fishing and agriculture were the main industries in Torre del Mar, which was independent during a short period in the 19th century, but today belongs to the municipality of Velez-Malaga.

Zoom Lookout. It is hidden between buildings, but both it and one of its lighthouse keepers have a place in history. J. A.

The coastal town is home to not one, but three lighthouses. Towards the west of the long promenade are two of them: the modern, taller blue and white striped one which stands next to the second-oldest and somewhat shorter one. However, the town's first lighthouse, which is nearly one hundred years old, is set back from the beach and hidden among the residential buildings just off Avenida Tore Tore, which were built during the town's tourist and urban development boom of the 1960s.

This 1931 building and above all the lighthouse keeper who occupied it have a place in history because of what happened during a particularly dark chapter of Spain's Civil War, known as La Desbanda.

The man in charge of the lighthouse during that time, Anselmo Vilar, is today considered a hero for disobeying the order to switch on the light during the 'Desbanda' as thousands of people from Malaga, mainly women, children and the elderly, attempted to flee to Almeria as Franco's troops invaded the city.

Vilar did so in an attempt to stop the Italian air force and the 'Canarias' and 'Almirante Cervera' ships from bombing the thousands of 'Malaguenos' as they passed through Torre del Mar on their way to Almeria. However, his heroic actions to try to save the lives of thousands of civilians ended in his own life being taken with his execution by firing squad just a few days later.

Today Anselmo Vilar's name is remembered on the square where the original lighthouse still stands, as well as in books and other documents detailing the Desbanda.

It is more difficult to find the old castle of Torre del Mar. Today only a few walls remain in the area around the newly reformed Plaza de la Axarquia. It is well-concealed, but remembered by an information board in Spanish and English, describing the history of the fortress.

Zoom Inside the old sugar mill you can see pieces like this one. J. A.

Although many are disappointed not to find in intact castle, it must be remembered that the place had an eventful past. It played a vital role in the surveillance of the area in very turbulent times since its origin in the 15th century, when it was called Torre del Mar, which is where the town gets its name.

Significant dates in the history of this castle include the Battle of Velez-Malaga, the most famous episode of the War of Spanish Succession, when Spanish-French and Anglo-Dutch fleets clashed without a clear winner.

Not far from there, on Paseo de Larios, the wide pedestrian avenue that connects the town's San Andres church with the beach, stands Villa Mercedes, a late 19th century manor house which forms part of Torre del Mar's rich industrial legacy, linked to the 'Azucarera' or sugar cane factory.

Known as the Antigua Fabrica de Azucar Nuestra Senora del Carmen, the factory was one of the most important 'azucarers' in Malaga province in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today it houses an exhibition of some of the machinery that was used when it was a functioning factory.

Today the space is used to host temporary and permanent exhibitions, including one that explains the history of Torre del Mar, with information detailing its industrial and agricultural splendour.

For nature-lovers Torre del Mar is also home to a riverside bird sanctuary. At the mouth of the River Velez, to the west of the town on the border with neighbouring Almayate, the area has become popular among ornithology enthusiasts who go to spot a wide range of birdlife, especially during migration periods.
Ignacio Lillo Monday, 1 July 2024, 10:23 | Updated 17:29h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Since its public launch on 10 June, just after the European elections, the SUR online petition calling for a coastal railway line from Malaga to Marbella, Estepona and beyond has surpassed 25,000 signatures.

This level of support, after just three weeks, underlines the resounding support of locals and foreign residents (who can also sign up with their NIE or passport number) and tourists for this infrastructure, which is of vital importance to ensure the sustainable development of the Costa del Sol.

Signing the petition The form, in Spanish, will ask you for your name, surname, ID number (DNI/NIE/passport), email address and location. It offers you the option to authorise that your support be made visible to others and to receive information on other campaigns and events organised by SUR. Finally it asks you to fill in the numbers visible in an image before you can click on the red Firmar Peticion at the foot of the page.

The petition has been promoted on social media throughout this time, where it continues to be shared and supported daily by hundreds of active users concerned about the lack of rail transport along the coast of Malaga province.

The petition shows the publics' commitment to the future of a province where a large part of the population, both registered and floating, does not have access to high-capacity public transport. The campaign reminds us that the coastal strip of the Costa del Sol has become a large conurbation with one and a half million registered inhabitants, to which must be added the fourteen million tourists who visit each year, and the tens of thousands of temporary residents, both nationals and foreigners.

Population continues to grow

This large metropolitan area is already one of the areas in Europe with the greatest growth potential, having established itself as one of the best places in the world to live and work. It is no coincidence that Spain's national statistics institute (INE) forecasts that in 2031 Malaga will overtake Seville in terms of census population. This situation has led to a series of demands in terms of sustainability and infrastructures, which must be resolved and addressed by all public administrations.

Along with employment and access to housing, mobility is the main challenge facing the province at a key historical moment. It is necessary to reduce road traffic congestion and pollutant gas emissions, an objective that cannot be achieved without a public transport network that matches the population density, tourist flow and economic activity of the territories. Malaga is historically lacking in its rail network, a deficit that requires decisive action and investment.

The initiative for a coastal train should serve not only to connect the main towns of the Costa del Sol, from Nerja to Estepona, but also plan its extension to the Campo de Gibraltar.

Petition to the government

The aim is to convey to both the Spanish Government, which has the powers to make this great plan possible, and to the other administrations, the clamour of the people of Malaga for the necessary and urgent construction of the coastal train, after decades of neglect on the part of politicians and institutions of all colours.

Once the petition achieves massive support from the public, as is to be expected given the level of support that has already been achieved and that is to be expected in the near future, all the signatures will be sent to the heads of the central government and the Ministry of Transport, as well as to the rest of the administrations, so that they are fully aware of the social clamour that this demand represents for the people of Malaga.

Now, the Spanish Government and the rest of the public administrations, whatever their political colour, must listen to the collective desire of Malaga. And our public representatives must take this public demand as their own, put aside their political differences and join forces to achieve the goal of a better, more sustainable, more supportive and fairer Malaga.
Rafael Rodriguez Malaga Monday, 1 July 2024, 16:33 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Malaga city's famous Calle Larios will be coated in salt on Saturday 13 July for the extraordinary procession of the Virgin of Peace. The Brotherhood of the Holy Supper is in its final preparations as it prepares for the special day, which marks the centenary of its foundation.

On the planned route between the Cofradia del Rocio, where the procession will depart with the effigy of Luis Alvarez Duarte on its Easter throne, and the headquarters of the brotherhood, in Calle Compania, there will be several points of interest. Some streets will be decorated, including Calle Larios, where a large carpet of salt will be laid. This will cover the stretch between Calle Strachan and Plaza de la Constitucion.

On the coating of white salt will be different motifs, made with salt dyed in different colours, with many of them red, which represents the blood of Christ. Some will also be blue to represent the Virgin, as well as ochre and gold.

The making of the salt carpet will be an offering by the Brotherhood of the Holy Supper, together with the young brotherhoods of Malaga, to the Virgin of Peace, "in prayer for the end of wars in the world and in solidarity and support for the children and young people who are suffering", said the elder brother of the Holy Thursday brotherhood, Rafael Lopez Taza. "The volunteers who will work on the carpet will be the boys and girls who form part of the youth groups of the different brotherhoods of Malaga. All of them, working together, will contribute their grain of salt for this cause," he added.

Zoom Design of the salt carpet for the Virgen de la Paz. SUR

The design of the 'carpet', inspired by Marian ornamental motifs, is the work of David Calleja, fourth deputy mayor and councillor of El Puerto de Santa Maria town hall. He is in charge of drawing the work that is laid out each year in this town in Cadiz to honour its patron saint (Virgen de los Milagros).

"In an act of generosity, the company Chalupa, from El Puerto de Santa Maria, will donate salt from Salinas Santa Maria. Some 6,000 kilos of salt will be used to make the carpet," said Lopez Taza, who pointed out the work of Vicente Rodriguez, a creative and multi-faceted artist specialising in decorations and stage design, as well as the head of the festivities service, Jose Luis Sara, both from El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Emergency vehicle access

Work on the salt carpet on Calle Larios will start on Saturday 13 July at 8am and will last until approximately 12.30pm. The carpet will be 115 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, allowing emergency vehicles and access to the surrounding streets. A route will be established around the carpet. "This carpet of salt has never before been seen in Calle Larios or in any other street of our city with these dimensions," Lopez Taza added.

The passage of the procession through this area, about 12.15am on Sunday 14 July, will be very special, as the throne of the Virgin will be rocked and will not descend from the start of the carpet until the end.

Lopez Taza is appealing for help to carry out the salt project. "We need all the help we can get and, of course, the help of Malaga city council is essential. For now, we have the support of the department of festivities and of district council number 1, in terms of coordination and facilitation of the work. And we also have, for now, the collaboration of the hotel AC Malaga Palacio," he said.

Transfer of the Virgin

Although the procession of the Virgin of Peace will be held on Saturday 13 July, the brotherhood has made public the itinerary for the transfer of the Virgin from the parish church of Santo Domingo to La Victoria, where it will be on display until Thursday 11 July, the day set aside for the brothers to take their patron saint, at 9pm, to the brotherhood house of the Cofradia del Rocio. From here, in the Plaza Parroco Ruiz Forest, the procession will start on Saturday evening at 7pm.

A week earlier, on Sunday 7 July, the processional transfer of the Virgin will take place. After entering the Plaza Fray Alonso de Santo Tomas, in the heart of the Perchel neighbourhood, the procession will continue along Pasillo de Santo Domingo, Pasillo de Guimbarda, Puente de la Aurora, Avenida de la Rosaleda, Postigo de Arance, Carreteria (10am), Alamos, Carcer, Plaza Jeronimo Cuervo (11am), Ramos Marin, Pasaje del Escultor Perez Hidalgo, Cobertizo del Conde, Lagunillas (11am), Plaza de la Victoria (11.30am), Victoria (12pm), Compas de la Victoria, San Patricio, Fernando el Catolico, Plazuela del Cristo del Amor and the Sanctuary of La Victoria (12.45pm).
Antonio M. Romero Malaga Monday, 1 July 2024, 10:43 | Updated 11:29h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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More than 15,000 people took to the streets of Malaga city and demanded action against the current housing crisis on Saturday 29 June.

Under the slogan, 'Malaga to live, not to survive', demonstrators protested against the high demand for homes to purchase or rent, the lack of houses available on the market and criticised governments for their inaction. The situation has worsened in recent years, affecting people of different generations and from various socio-economic backgrounds, even resulting in some people deciding to leave the city.

During the protest, dubbed 29J (29 June), people also criticised mass-tourism in the city, with anger directed at city mayor Francisco de la Torre and Junta president Juanma Moreno.

The march exceeded the expectations of the organisers, Malaga Tenants' Union. They started preparing for the protest months ago, which involved neighbourhood meetings and the participation of almost 50 organisations such as Greenpeace, the Professional Association of Social Work in Malaga, the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid, the Diocesan Delegation of Migration, Doctors of the World and Malaga Acoge. The organisers said in a statement that 29J "had not only been a resounding success, but is already a milestone. The first milestone of a new cycle of neighbourhood and urban struggles to recover the city in which we live and work".

Plaza de la Merced was the starting point of the demonstration, then at the nearby Plaza de Maria Guerrero, a group of ultra-right-wing activists burst into the march chanting slogans such as "social housing for the nationals", and were booed by demonstrators who shouted: "fascists out of our neighbourhoods".

Slogans

During the march, one of the most chanted slogans asked where the city mayor was: "Where is Paquito, where is Paquito, where is he? Paquito is selling what is left of the city". Demonstrators also chanted: "Mass tourism, neighbourhoods without neighbours".

There were also numerous banners with slogans referring to the housing situation and the current tourism model: "I want to live, not survive", "Malaga for the neighbours", "I live off tourism, but tourism doesn't let me live", "It's not tourism-phobia, it's Malagaphilia".

Manifesto

The manifesto read out during the protest criticised the current housing situation as "tourist collapse and scavenger renting" and that residents have been replaced by visitors to the city. "We say loud and clear that it's over, that we will not allow them to expel us from the city and continue to exploit us. We are staying. We will not allow the city to be an amusement park emptied of residents, we will not allow shops to be replaced by franchises, pavements by terraces, and rents by eviction letters".

"We send out a cry to the whole city and a warning to those who govern us: this has only just begun. We will defend to the end the social function of housing, the right to the city and everything that they are trying to take away from us: the city of our neighbours, our neighbourhoods, our homes, our lives," concluded the manifesto.

Along with the public, the march was attended by the national secretary general of Podemos Ione Belarra, her counterpart in Andalucia Martina Velarde and city councillor Nico Sguiglia. Provincial secretary of the Socialists party in Malaga Dani Perez also attended the protest, as well as regional MPs Isabel Aguilera and Alicia Murillo, national MP Ignacio Lopez; general coordinator of IU and councillor Toni Morillas, his Andalusian counterpart Toni Valero and spokesperson for Adelante Andalucia in Malaga Luis Rodrigo.

Political criticism

Before the protest, Belarra accused Moreno of "acting like a real salesman for the real estate bosses", considering he "works for the big landowners and not for the residents", and called for "forceful" measures to tackle mass-tourism.

"The problem of mass-tourism is a very profound problem that makes housing more expensive, drives up its price, also makes the working conditions of the people who work in this sector very difficult and harms the environment. It generates so many problems that we need strong, courageous measures," he said, while calling for a moratorium on tourist housing and "a drastic reduction in the amount of tourist housing that currently exists.

Dani Perez claimed "an insensitive mayor" is throwing families out of their homes. "Housing is a right, not a business," he said. "Thousands of people from Malaga have taken to the streets to protest against the housing situation. It is impossible to rent or buy a decent home. Malaga is where the price of renting and buying has risen the most and the situation is unbearable," Paco de la Torre said.

MP Ignacio Lopez said: "Enough of this PP model that expels the people of Malaga from Malaga". Meanwhile, Toni Valero demanded the president of the Junta comply with the housing law, and that he declare densely-populated areas in capitals and large cities to regulate rents and lower the price of housing, and promote the construction of public housing.

Following the protest Morillas said: "Today marks the beginning of a change of direction for the city of Malaga, from today these transformations begin so that we can turn the city model around".
Weighing the cork, fresh from being cut from the trees and carried to the weigh-station by mule.

Vanessa Melgar Ronda Monday, 1 July 2024, 09:44 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Ronda town hall expects to earn around half a million euros this year from the sale of the cork that is now being harvested from its forests, located in the municipality of Cortes de la Frontera, in the Malaga province part of Andlaucia's Los Alcornocales Natural Park.

The councillor responsible for Forestry, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, visited the area last week. He explained that the work is being carried out in an area of around 300 hectares, in Diego Duro, a plot of land "that was left untouched last year due to the drought."

This year's harvest is being carried out by the company awarded the contract - from Jimena de la Frontera - until mid-July, with an estimated 345,000 kilos and the equivalent of 600 days of work for one labourer.

It should be noted that this year the quality of the cork is generally good due to the recent rains, but the sector is concerned about the selling prices, as these have fallen considerably.

Zoom
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Monday, 1 July 2024, 11:57 | Updated 18:48h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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A coastal railway extended along the length of the Costa del Sol, as well as a motorway that is free to travel on, has been set out in an important Junta de Andalucia planning document.

These were established in the Spatial Development Plan (POT) of the Costa del Sol at a meeting last week, attended by regional minister for development Rocio Diaz, as well as representatives from nine town councils. However, there was no representation from the Spanish government.

The document - which addresses the future needs of nine municipalities in the province: Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola, Mijas, Benahavis, Manilva, Ojen, Istan and Casares - outlined three main interconnected axes: the Costa del Sol railway, the scrapping of the tolls on the AP-7 motorway which then allows for the third aspect, to transform the A-7 into a long metropolitan avenue.

The document specified the extension of the railway as far as Estepona, but options are open to extend it even further. "What is important for the Junta from a land-use planning policy point of view is the definition of the infrastructures and the key elements through which it must pass," said Jose Andres Moreno, director general of urban planning.

Moreno said the central government in Madrid is responsible for executing the rail project "and it is an issue that is under debate". "The important thing for regional planning is to contemplate the key points of this connection. There will be a subsequent debate, which we hope to have with the ministry, on exactly what the key points of this infrastructure are going to be, but what is clear is that it is a very necessary demand," Moreno added.

"Residents along the coast are demanding it"

The minister of public works pointed out the document includes the coastal train and the elimination of the motorway toll because "all the people of Malaga and residents along the coast are demanding it". "We ask the government of Pedro Sanchez to listen to the people of Malaga, the coastal train must provide a transport solution to all the municipalities of the coast, to Marbella, Estepona and Algeciras, and it must be addressed. There is a transport problem, we all agree, the debate is in the street, that is why the plan includes the free motorway, because we have taken into account the submissions."

The final document includes the submissions received and responded to. In total, there were 64 documents, with 295 requests, and 60% of them have been accepted, especially those from the town councils. "Their requests have been taken into account, we have listened to the region and the citizens". The POT is expected to be finally approved within a year.

Silence from the central government

On this point, Rocio Diaz said that during the recent European election campaign, the government announced a round table with Costa del Sol municipalities and the Junta to address the railway project. "They told us that they were going to contact us, but we have not received any kind of communication from them: the Andalusian government has not received any appointment to deal with this vitally important issue, and we believe that it is once again an electoral announcement that has come to nothing," the councillor said.

"It is advisable that they [central government] get into listening mode, that we sit down, evaluate with studies and papers, and we can decide what we are going to do with the municipalities involved and with the Diputacion." Diaz added: "We have an opportunity to improve mobility in the province and on the Costa del Sol and we can't waste it".

The third mobility suggestion in the POT is to divert most of the long-distance private traffic to a future toll motorway, so the current A-7 motorway can be converted into a more urban and metropolitan corridor.

Declared null and void

The drafting committee of the Western Costa del Sol Spatial Development Plan unanimously approved the report. The final version of the plan will be assessed for its environmental sustainability prior to final approval.

The previous POT of the Western Costa del Sol, approved in 2006, was declared null and void by the Supreme Court in 2015, leaving a large part of Malaga province without spatial planning coverage. At the beginning of the last legislature, the Junta resumed the drafting of the plan together with the town councils.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The public will get another month to comment on Micron Technologys plans to cover over more than 200 acres of wetlands to build a massive chipmaking plant in the town of Clay.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees federally designated wetlands, has extended the public comment period on Microns proposal to July 31. The deadline had originally been today.

Microns construction of four fabrication plants, or fabs, at Route 31 and Caughdenoy Road would permanently destroy more than 200 acres of wetlands and 6,716 feet of stream banks, the corps said in a public notice. (See maps below.)

Micron would need approval of the Army Corps to fill in those wetlands and streams. The company would be obligated to buy or create wetlands property nearby to offset the losses caused by construction of the complex. Micron is working with the nonprofit Wetland Trust, in Ithaca, to find and set aside wetlands, the corps said.

Micron would avoid building on about half of the wetlands on the 1,400-acre White Pine Commerce Park, the corps said.

The decision to approve or deny this permit request will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact, including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest, the Army corps said its original public notice. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources.

The summary of Microns application can be found on the website of the agencys Buffalo office.

Micron plans to start construction in 2025 and open the first fab in 2028. The fourth fab would be done in 2041.

About 40% of the $48 billion cost for the first two fabs will be subsidized by taxpayers.

The company said it could spend $100 billion on the complex, which could employ 9,000 people. It would be the largest private investment ever in New York state and could spur the creation of tens of thousands of other jobs.

Comments on the wetlands can be submitted via email and by regular mail. Direct comments to Margaret Crawford and include the application number, LRB-2000-02198.

Heres the mail address:

US Army Corps of Engineers

Buffalo District

Attn: Margaret Crawford

7413 County House Road

Auburn, New York 13021

Wetlands on Micron Technology site

This map shows wetlands (blue) in White Pine Commerce Park, in Clay, (outlined in red) where Micron Technology plans to build and fill in more than 200 acres of wetlands. The construction is largely to the southwest corner of the site, avoiding most of the big extent of wetlands to the north.

Micron would destroy 200 acres of wetlands

This map shows the site plan for Micron Technologys planned semiconductor complex superimposed over wetlands (in light green) that would be destroyed by the construction. The black dotted line shows the area that would be disturbed in building the four fabs and accompanying buildings.
Hey Wegmaniacs: It looks like Wegmans Food Markets is planning to open a third store in New York City.

According to the Democrat & Chronicle, signs with official Wegmans branding have started appearing over the windows of a vacant storefront on Manhattans Upper West Side. Photos published by the West Side Rag show Wegmans website address posted with images of groceries at a former Bed Bath & Beyond located at 1932 Broadway, between Lincoln Center and Central Park South.

The New York Post reported in February that Wegmans chairman Danny Wegman had bought the 58,874-square-foot space, but a company spokesperson said at the time it was a personal investment and there were no plans to open a store there.

But now the writings on the wall, literally, for what will soon be Wegmans third location in NYC.

Wegmans previously opened a supermarket in Brooklyns Navy Yard in 2019 and in Manhattans East Village in October 2023. A company spokesperson told the D&C that Wegmans was looking at the 1932 Broadway location before committing to the Manhattan store at Astor Place, and when it became available the timing wasnt right because we were focused on getting our Astor location designed, permitted, and open to the public.

The Upper West Side location is expected to feature a vertical transportation system with elevators and a escalator-like conveyor for moving shopping carts between floors. The store would occupy the lower levels of a luxury apartment building called the Grand Tier, which features a fitness center, pool, and a 24-hour doorman service.

The company has not officially announced the new store or said when it is expected to open.

Wegmans, headquartered in Rochester, operates more than 100 stores in eight states and Washington, D.C. For 27 years in a row, the family-owned supermarket chain has made Fortunes list of the Best Companies to Work For, ranking No. 6 in April.

RELATED:

Wegmans asks to rezone big piece of land behind store near Micron site for future development

Wegmans, others stole ideas from local shop to open NYC fish market, lawsuit alleges
Syracuse, N.Y.  Three men in two cars have been arrested after police say they chased down a vehicle, rammed it and shot at it in DeWitt last week, police said.

Two cars chased a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo on North Midler Avenue, near the CSX bridge around 12:22 p.m. Tuesday, DeWitt Police said. The chase occurred due to an argument that happened earlier in Syracuse, they said.

Miguel Marrero Rosario, 27 of DeWitt, was driving a blue Chrysler sedan with James Rosario, 20 of Syracuse, in the passenger seat, police said. James Rosario shot at the Jeep from the passenger side with a .9mm handgun, hitting the car, they said.

The shot hit the back of the Jeep, but no one was injured.

After the shooting, Jose Rosario-Otero, 30, of DeWitt, intentionally collided his Chevy Malibu into the Jeeps drivers side, they said.

All three men fled the scene after incident, they said.

Police announced Monday the three men were arrested Wednesday:

James Rosario, a passenger in the Chrysler, was charged with 1st degree reckless endangerment and 2nd degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court and held on $7,500 bail and a $15,000 bond.

Miguel Rosario, driver of the Chrysler, was charged with 1st-degree reckless endangerment. He was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

Rosario-Otero, driver of the Malibu, were charged with 2nd degree reckless endangerment and 3rd degree criminal mischief. He was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Cour and released.

Syracuse police took photos of an apparent bullet hole in a car involved in a road rage incident on North Midler Avenue on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.Timia Cobb | Syracuse.com

Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
Pound Town and Get It Sexyy rapper Sexyy Red announced her Sexyy Red 4 President Tour in support of her 2024 mixtape In Sexyy We Trust.

WE POPPING OUT AND TURNING TF UP! Sexyy wrote in the Instagram announcement.

The 26-stop tour kicks off on August 22 in Seattle, WA and will include stops in nearby cities Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and New Haven before concluding on October 5 in a city thats yet to be announced.

Shell be joined by special guests Hunxho, Loe Shimmy, BlakeIANA and a special TBA surprise guest.

See where to buy tickets and the full tour schedule below.

Where to buy Sexyy Red tour tickets

Tickets on Ticketmaster went on sale to the general public on Friday, June 28.

You can often find greater availability and deals on secondary market ticketing platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub.

At the time of publishing, tickets can be purchased for as low as $53.

8/22  Seattle, WA - WAMU Theater (TICKETS)

8/23  Portland, OR - Moda Center (TICKETS)

8/26  Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena (TICKETS)

8/27  San Diego, CA - Pechanga Arena (TICKETS)

8/30  Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena (TICKETS)

9/1  Cedar Park, TX - HEB Center (TICKETS)

9/3  Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre (TICKETS)

9/5  Lincoln, NE - Pinnacle Bank Arena (TICKETS)

9/6  Bonner Springs, KS - Azura Amphitheater (TICKETS)

9/7  Minneapolis, MN - Armory (TICKETS)

9/9  Milwaukee, WI -Fiserv Forum (TICKETS)

9/10  Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena (TICKETS)

9/13  St. Louis, MO - Enterprise Center (TICKETS)

9/14  Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena (TICKETS)

9/15  Pittsburgh, PA - Petersen Events Center (TICKETS)

9/17  Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center (TICKETS)

9/20  Philadelphia, PA - Liacouras Center (TICKETS)

9/21  New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl (TICKETS)

9/25  Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena (TICKETS)

9/26  Orlando, FL - Addition Financial Arena (TICKETS)

9/29  New Orleans, LA - Champions Square (TICKETS)

9/30  Birmingham, AL - Legacy Arena (TICKETS)

10/1  Nashville, TN - Nashville Municipal Auditorium (TICKETS)

Sexyy rose to fame after her 2023 single with Tay Keither, Pound Town, went viral. That same year, she collaborated with Nicki Minaj on Pound Town 2, her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

One of the latest singles, Get It Sexyy, debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her highest-charting solo entry. Stream the song and the rest of her discography, including hits like Rich Baby Daddy and SkeeYee on Apple Music (free trial).

This is Sexyys second headlining tour, following her 2023 Hood Hottest Princess Tour. The rapper also opened tours last year for Moneybagg Yos Larger than Life Tour and Drake and 21 Savages Its All a Blur Tour.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Syracuse Common Councils attempt in April to take more control of the citys police watchdog is officially dead, but they will continue efforts at making the agency operate more effectively.

Lawmakers never voted in the 30-day period available to override Mayor Ben Walshs May 30 veto of a proposed law councilors narrowly approved in April to take more control of the Syracuse Citizen Review Board.
Clarksville, N.Y.  A man trapped in a popular cave was freed in an hours-long rescue Sunday evening in Upstate New York.

The 20-year-old man was exploring Clarksville cave in Albany County with a group from Queensbury when he got stuck while trying to exit, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple Sr. said in a news release. The Queensbury man became trapped in a narrow part of the cave, the sheriff told the Times Union.

Clarksville cave is a wild, undeveloped cave just outside of Clarksville, a hamlet in Albany County. The horizontal cave boasts three entrances and about 4,800 feet worth of passages, according to the Northeastern Cave Conservancy.

Clarksville is surely the best-known and most-visited wild cave in the Northeast, the conservancy said in the organizations informational page about the cave.

The sheriffs search and rescue team worked with firefighters to set up pulley systems inside the cave, Apple said. After five hours, crews freed the trapped man and pulled him out of the Clarksville cave, the sheriff said.

The man suffered very minor injuries, Apples said, and was evaluated by Albany Medical Center doctors.

Awesome job! Apple said. Training equals success!

Rocks at the caves entrance became loose during the rescue, Apple told the Times Union. Until the rocks are secured, Clarksville cave will be closed, he said.

In addition to the sheriffs office and doctors from AMC, crews from the Onesquethaw Fire Department, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the Slingerlands Fire Department assisted with the rescue.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday extended the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices said for the first time that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for their official acts and no immunity for unofficial acts. But rather than do it themselves, the justices ordered lower courts to figure out precisely how to apply the decision to Trumps case.

The outcome means additional delay before Trump could face trial in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, a Central New York native.

The courts decision in a second major Trump case this term, along with its ruling rejecting efforts to bar him from the ballot because of his actions following the 2020 election, underscores the direct and possibly uncomfortable role the justices are playing in the November election.

Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.

Roberts was joined by the other five conservative justices. The three liberal justices dissented.

Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a scathing dissent.

Sotomayor, who read a summary of her dissent aloud in the courtroom, said the protection afforded presidents by the court is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The ruling was the last of the term and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including the Watergate tapes case.

The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.

In May, Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to a porn actor who says she had sex with him, which he denies. He still faces three other indictments.

Smith is leading the two federal probes of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. The other case, in Georgia, also turns on Trumps actions after his defeat in 2020.

If Trumps Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter.

But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.

The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Trump  Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh  and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.

Justice Clarence Thomas wife, Ginni, attended the rally near the White House where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when a mob of Trump supporters attacked it soon after. Following the 2020 election, she called it a heist and exchanged messages with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud.

Justice Samuel Alito said there was no reason for him to step aside from the cases following reports by The New York Times that flags similar to those carried by the Jan. 6 rioters flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore. His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the Appeal to Heaven banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic lawmakers responding to their recusal demands.

Trumps trial had been scheduled to begin March 4, but that was before he sought court-sanctioned delays and a full review of the issue by the nations highest court.

Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Trump can be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to Jan. 6.

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 appeals court wrote in February. But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who would preside over the trial in Washington, ruled against Trumps immunity claim in December. In her ruling, Chutkan said the office of the president does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass.

Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability, Chutkan wrote. Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.
HPC Warfare: The Pentagon is augmenting its high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities by turning its supercomputers into a cloud service. After two years of prototyping, two commercial vendors will now turn their technology into a proper commercial venture.

The DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), launched in 2015, has been described as the Pentagon's "innovation experiment" to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology. The DIU partners with the High PerformanceComputing Modernization Program (HPCMP), which manages DoD's supercomputing assets, to promote significant innovation regarding how the US military leverages its HPC machines.

The groups now want to turn US supercomputers into a cloud service that could be accessed remotely for scientific research and data analysis. Several commercial vendors joined the project through DIU's Commercial Solutions Opening process in 2022. The Defense Department ultimately awarded two prototype contracts to build the new HPC-cloud capability.

The DIU chose Rescale and Parallel Works to do the work. The two companies have experience relocating supercomputing to the cloud. The vendors enhanced the HPCMP's computing power without significantly increasing hardware costs and requirements.

The new cloud-based supercomputer will merge HPCMP's supercomputing resource centers and multiple cloud service providers. The results should be a robust and secure network that Pentagon analysts and researchers can use for remote supercomputing, AI, and machine learning tasks. The network will act as a "single coherent ecosystem."

The DIU explicitly states that the new cloud super-network will augment DoD researchers for their on-premise HPC resources, which isn't currently possible. No one has yet discussed using a theoretical cloud supercomputer in active military operations. However, US combatants with enough tech skills would likely put this new resource to good use.

After successfully competing in the prototype phase, Rescale and Parallel Works will soon transition to production contracts with the HPCMP. According to DIU program manager Navy Lieutenant Commander Al Williams, combining DoD's HPC assets with cloud-based services is a job better suited for the commercial sector.

Chief Technology Officer Benjamin Parsons with the HPCMP was also pleased with the final results of the Commercial Solutions Opening Initiative. He said the new capabilities under development by Rescale and Parallel Works are essential to meeting today's needs of the scientific and research community within the DoD.
The Philippines has upgraded its ability to detect "dark" vessels-ships not using automatic identification systems-within its territorial waters using Canada's advanced satellite tracking system, according to an analyst.



This development comes as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently disclosed the movements of China's imposing 12,000-ton Coast Guard 5901 ship during its contentious voyage through hotspots in the West Philippine Sea, as reported by ABS-CBN news.

Canada's Dark Vessel Tech Boosts Philippine Military Capability

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, confirmed that Manila utilized Canada's "Dark Vessel Technology" to monitor the vessel, nicknamed "The Monster," over 10 days.



Dr. Chester Cabalza, director and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation, praised Canada's state-of-the-art tracking system for its capability to identify ships even when their AIS is deactivated. Cabalza emphasized that this technology enhances Manila's deterrence capability, providing a more scientific and transparent basis for interpreting and analyzing maritime activities.



Colin Townson, departing Director of Political and Public Affairs of the Embassy of Canada to the Philippines, emphasized Ottawa's sympathy with Manila amid rising South China Sea tensions during a PCG reception. He emphasized Canada's commitment to the rules-based international order and supporting the Philippines' sovereignty and marine interests.



Echoing sentiments similar to those of the United States, Cabalza highlighted Canada's strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in promoting freedom of navigation and maritime stability.



Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano underlined the Philippines' commitment to bolster defenses in response to China's aggressive moves in Philippine seas.



Last Week, China's Coast Guard vessel 5901, among the world's largest coast guard ships, was recently tracked entering Malaysia and Brunei's EEZs in addition to intruding into Philippine waters in the West Philippine Sea. According to the Philippine News Agency, the vessel's movements were closely monitored using Canada's advanced tracking technology, revealing its activities near Kagitingan Reef and other Philippine-occupied features.

Read Also : TeamViewer Blames State-Sponsored Russian Hackers for Corporate Network Hack

Escalating West Philippine Sea Tensions

In 2023, tensions in the South China Sea escalated sharply as Chinese aggression intensified, particularly focusing on the Philippines, per the East Asia Forum. This surge prompted increased patrols and assertive responses from the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy.



Concurrently, the Philippines ramped up its defense collaboration with the United States and allied nations, including joint military drills and expanded access to new bases. Diplomatic efforts were also bolstered with Australia and regional partners to strengthen defense capabilities and deter further Chinese provocations.



Many Filipino netizens welcome Canada's support. On ABS-CBN News' Facebook page, user Ricx Roxas Robles thanked Canada for its "new tech detectors" that could help protect members of the Philippine Navy from China's "water Cannon boys."



However, some were skeptical. User Louis Andre had doubts if Canada's tech could really help the Philippines address China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea. He asked what Canadian forces do if they tracked Chinese military forces in the disputed waters.



"Once you track the Chinese military ships, are you going to approach them? Are you going to send them away or warn them? What if they do not, are you going to shoot them?," the user commented in Filipino.
In the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence (AI), many tech companies are racing to create the most advanced AI. However, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has raised concerns about this trend.

His views encourage us to consider how AI development should focus on serving everyone rather than aiming for one all-powerful AI.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Criticizing Pursuit Of Single, Super-Intelligent AI

Mark Zuckerberg has voiced his disapproval of the tech industry's pursuit of developing a single, super-intelligent artificial general intelligence (AGI) that surpasses human capabilities.

During a recent interview with YouTuber Kane Sutter, Zuckerberg expressed his concerns, describing the goal of creating "one true AI" as unrealistic and comparing it to an effort to "create God." He noted that this idea is impractical because it doesn't account for people's varied needs and interests.

Zuckerberg has called for creating various AIs designed to handle different tasks and address a range of interests. He criticized the use of closed AI platforms and highlighted the advantages of open-source AI.

He believes that open-source tools are valuable because they offer broader access and encourage people to develop different AIs to meet their own needs or those of others.

Challenges, Optimism in AI Journey of Meta

Meta has faced several challenges in its AI journey, such as Apple's refusal to incorporate Meta's AI systems and an influx of AI-generated content on Facebook.

Despite these setbacks, Mark Zuckerberg remains hopeful about AI's potential to boost productivity and creativity. He is determined to establish Meta as a frontrunner in the AI technology race.

Industry leaders are split on the future of AGI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes AGI could emerge in the "reasonably close-ish future," while IBM's Grady Booch doubts it will ever happen. Amid these differing opinions, Zuckerberg argued that AGI should not be dominated by a single company or limited to one AI model.

For Meta, Zuckerberg said they are currently developing Llama 3, an open-source large language model (LLM) designed to be a foundation for developers, researchers, and businesses to create their own AI tools.

Zuckerberg asserted that AI's impact on jobs and creativity should be positive and emphasized the need for continuous learning and adaptability. He cited AI's potential to boost productivity, especially among creators like social media influencers.

Meta aims to develop tools that empower a broader range of individuals, expanding creative possibilities with advanced technology. Zuckerberg's stance on the development of artificial intelligence reflects a broader call for diversity and accessibility in the tech industry.

By advocating for multiple, task-specific AIs and promoting open-source platforms, he highlighted the importance of catering to society's diverse needs rather than pursuing a singular, all-powerful AGI.

Despite facing challenges, Zuckerberg remained optimistic about AI's potential to enhance productivity and creativity, striving to position Meta as a leader in this rapidly evolving field.

As industry leaders continue to debate AGI, Zuckerberg's vision underscored the need for responsible innovation and inclusive technological advancement.
Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., is reportedly looking to close the Israel operations of its health data company, Verily Life Sciences. The company clarified that the decision was not related to the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel. Launched in 2021, Verily's Israel development facility employs 25 people in Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Prof. Ehud Rivlin, who oversees Verily's operations in Israel, is a computer science professor at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and formerly worked at Google Health. Verily is closing its facilities in Israel in October. The company primarily focuses on computers for imaging and minimally invasive surgery.

The firm informed sources that Verily's decision to abandon the company's activities involving the Israel center had nothing to do with the closure, the economic climate in Israel, or the Gaza War.

Verily had laid off employees before this year. The corporation reportedly let go of 15% of its workforce in a general round of layoffs in January, and it shut down a molecular biology development facility in the US in March.

Google Lays Off Employees

Alphabet Inc. companies continue to undergo layoffs indirectly concerning Israel. Recently, after demonstrations over Google's alleged role in supplying technology to the Israeli government throughout the Gaza War, the corporation fired 28 workers.

Nine workers were detained during protests held at the Google offices in Sunnyvale, California, and New York, leading to their dismissal.

The protests concern "Project Nimbus," a $1.2 billion deal that Google and Amazon signed in 2021 requiring them to deliver cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities to Israel.

Despite Google's insistence that Nimbus is free of armaments and intelligence gatherings, the demonstrations, primarily spearheaded by No Tech For Apartheid, challenge Google's role in the project.

No Tech For Apartheid reacted by claiming that Google was distorting the events and that the sit-in was widely supported by non-participating staff and was nonviolent. The group objected to Google for prioritizing the rights of its employees over its $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government.

Occasionally, Google workers have held rallies to demonstrate their discontent with the company's numerous initiatives and the moral issues surrounding its development of artificial intelligence.

One such example happened in 2018 when Google's dissatisfied workforce forced the company to end its contract with the US military for a program called "Project Maven," which involves helping the military analyze war video footage.

Alphabet's Success Despite Layoffs

Google has maintained its success despite internal misgivings about its business practices. Thanks to its well-known search engine, digital advertising accounts for most of the company's income.

Google's parent firm, Alphabet Inc., announced a $74 billion profit for the prior year. The corporation now employs over 182,000 people worldwide, up about 83,000 since it ended Project Maven in 2018. The company's workforce has also grown.
From black and white to technicolor, there is undeniable magic in film-related technological advancements. The automation and mechanization of processes have given rise to 3D film, 4D film, and even virtual and augmented reality. Truly, the possibilities in this industry are infiniteplus one.

The fusion of tradition and technology reshapes the narrative, offering new avenues for creative expression and storytelling. From virtual production to artificial intelligence (AI)-driven post-production tools, these advancements shake up every aspect of filmmaking, heralding a new age of cinema. Joining the ranks of gifted filmmakers, Xingyu "Harry" Chen points his camera in the direction of change. "The arrival of AI and the heated discussion about its impact on the industry have allowed me to take a second look at what we have achieved over the past decades with technology," shares Chen. "Needless to say, with Digital Intermediate (DI) becoming an almost indispensable process of post-production nowadays, filmmaking has already been intertwined with the development of technology."

Technology has set the bar high in terms of what it takes for a movie to keep people invested from the opening sequence down to the credits. This is where Chen thrives in his element.

Take One: Behind the Scenes with Harry Chen

As a renowned film authority, Chen sees multiple angles of the movie-making processnot just from a camera lens. Chen's mastery of filmmaking spans directing, writing, and editing. With years of background in post-production, Chen also works as a colorist and a digital imaging technician (DIT), making him highly proficient with technology and technically well-versed in post-production.

While the film aficionado has numerous projects under his belt, there is no denying that he has put his name on the map with "Attached," a critically acclaimed film released in 2023. Selected by the Academy-Award Qualifying Urbanworld Film Festival in 2022 and now streaming on Omeleto with 4 million subscribers across the platform, the genre-bending narrative was defined by its thought-provoking themes related to technologyA college student who cannot risk failing his final exam, struggles with a horrific side-effect of his cell phone obsession: His hand and phone are growing into each other and becoming one. Enveloped in a splash of body horror and some dark humour, "Attached" lived up to its name and anchored its frames into people's heartsand possibly nightmares.

"Directly inspired by David Cronenberg's 80s body horror classic Videodrome, which coincided with the popularization of television, the theme of Attached inevitably makes people think of AI, as we are literally at the dawn of AI," says Chen. "But I created the film as a mirror of myselfbased on my own cell-phone-obsession during the pandemic. Attached is ultimately about addiction and obsession. It's almost saying that despite the benefits of technology and AI, without proper regulation, or if you over consume technology, it will end up consuming you."

It was not long before another one of Chen's films, "Flatulence: The Origin," which he also wrote, directed, and colored, was recognized by prestigious film festivals like the LA Shorts International Film Festival and Mammoth Film Festival 2024. It continues to receive accolades as it remains in its festival run. "As a filmmaker and horror film lover, I'd always start my creative process with moments or reflections from my own life and expand them with nightmarish imaginations. In the case of Flatulence, the horrific expansion turned into something very funnya corporate worker who can generate lethal fartsas I realized there's a thin line between horror and comedy," states Chen, expressing his love for his craft. "Building the world wasn't an easy task: Seven full production days with some 70+ cast and crew members, countless hours spent in pre-production and post-production, not to mention all the unexpected incidents that happened on set," Chen emphasizes. "Maybe in the near future, AI will dramatically simplify the process of making films, but it will never replace the immense joy of collaborating with the extraordinary people behind the scenes, nor the fact that unpredictable events and sometimes even mistakes can lead to something magical on screen."

A Cinematic Reset in the Making

Blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds can create immersive tales that resonate deeply with audiences. Chen's ultimate goal is to use technological advancements to upgrade the movie experience to expansive levels. One such innovation is virtual production, popularized by series like The Mandalorian (2019Present) and movies like The Batman (2022). Virtual production, which involves giant LED volumes with background plates paired with sophisticated camera tracking, has elevated in-studio cinematography and simplified VFX. "The magic is not just the realistic background as real-time projection, but also the LED screens themselves as a self-emitting light source," Chen shares. "LED volumes naturally illuminate subjects and create realistic reflections on shiny surfacessomething blue or green screens can't achieve. With blue or green screens, light spill from the screens can be a pain to deal with in post-production, requiring meticulous on-set lighting to manage."

Despite the operational complexity and high cost of virtual production, making it currently hard for independent productions to access such technology, it has inspired filmmakers like Chen to achieve their goals using alternative methods. In Chen's most recent music video for artist T-Seals, Night Vibe, where night driving scenes took up more than half of the film and the crew operated under a tight budget, Chen opted for background projections from projectors instead of shooting on location with a process trailer or using expensive LED screens. "The technique, often nicknamed the 'Poor Man's Process,' involves a non-moving car with a manipulated background paired with camera movement and lighting, and has actually been around since before the digital camera era," Chen explains. "My DP, Ricky Jhou, and I shot hours of realistic moving background plates around LA weeks before the shoot to match the style of the music video. I then colored them to match the overall tone of the desired initial look. On set, we projected them through two projectors onto white or grey backdrops. Paired with Gojaks (car dollies) that shake the car, matched lighting, and camera movement, this technique allowed us to film all of the driving scenes entirely on a soundstage, while adding tons of creative options where we could choose either realistic or completely surreal effects to add." Chen continues, "As a working colorist, I refined the look in post-production, using heavy film print emulation and adding artificial lens blurs and background blurs to further sell the illusion." Night Vibe will be a part of Dances with Films 2024 this year, showing at Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theater.

The baton is now in the hands of artistically progressive moviemakers like Xingyu "Harry" Chen to change the screen from silver to gold. Capping things off, he imparts words of wisdom, "We truly live in an era full of possibilities. Technology and AI are tools that, when used thoughtfully, can elevate our storytelling to unprecedented heights. But we must ensure they serve to enhance human creativity, not replace it."

Watch "Attached" Now

Website: xingyu-chen.com

Instagram: @stareo.xy
NASA has reportedly given Elon Musk's SpaceX the go-ahead to destroy and crash the International Space Station (ISS) into the ocean by 2030 after the agreement for its continued operations is set to end the same year.

Since 1998, the US, Russia, Japan, Europe, and Canada have maintained different portions of the ISS. The agreements to co-manage the space station heralded a new era of post-Cold War international cooperation.

However, when those agreements expire, the space station will need to be removed from orbit, necessitating the $843 million SpaceX-NASA contract. The business will construct a vehicle to tow the space station through the atmosphere, where it will catastrophically disintegrate.

After that, it and the SpaceX vehicle will crash into the ocean far from populated regions. NASA will assume ownership of the deorbit spacecraft after it has been developed and run it for its mission, but SpaceX will create it.

Read Also: SpaceX Tests Mechazilla's 'Chopsticks' to Catch Super Heavy Booster in Future Missions

SpaceX and NASA Operations

An increasing number of cooperation between SpaceX and NASA continues to be disclosed. The newest weather satellite from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was successfully launched by NASA and SpaceX most recently, offering extensive monitoring of weather conditions throughout the Western Hemisphere.

On Tuesday, June 25, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Launch Complex 39A saw the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-U) launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. With this launch, NOAA's fleet of advanced weather satellites ends.

It went on the expedition at 5:26 p.m. EDT, and at 10:18 p.m., mission managers verified that the spaceship's solar panels had been successfully deployed and that it was running on its energy.

According to NASA, GOES-U is essential for continuously monitoring weather patterns and environmental conditions throughout the Western Hemisphere. Satellites like GOES-U are crucial for real-time weather monitoring, according to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, particularly as communities around the globe become more affected by extreme weather.

Advanced technology is installed on GOES-U, including the Compact Coronagraph-1, a new space weather instrument. By obstructing the sun's intense light, this device allows scientists to investigate the sun's atmosphere and understand solar activity and its possible effects on satellite communications and systems on Earth.

NASA's GOES-U

The usefulness of GOES-U data in daily life was highlighted by NASA's Science Mission Directorate associate administrator Nicky Fox. The capabilities of GOES-U are anticipated to expand our knowledge of Earth's processes and strengthen our capacity to address environmental issues, from climate monitoring to catastrophe preparedness.

GOES-U will become known as GOES-19 once it reaches geostationary orbit, about 22,200 miles above the surface of the Earth. Its systems and instruments will undergo a rigorous testing phase before GOES-19 takes on its operating duty.
As Florida prepares to implement its ban on "lab-grown" meat next week, Upside Foods, a California-based company, held a farewell tasting event in Miami.

Dozens of guests gathered Thursday evening at a rooftop venue in Wynwood, a vibrant city known for its street art, breweries, nightlife, and popular dining spots.

Upside Foods Celebrates 'Lab-Grown' Meat in Florida

Florida's impending prohibition on "lab-grown" or cultured meat prompted a final celebration by Upside Foods, which hosted a cultivated meat-tasting event in Miami.

The Associated Press reported that the California-based "lab-grown" meat maker welcomed numerous guests at the event in Wynwood. Upside Foods CEO and founder Uma Valeti expressed satisfaction with the taste of their product while emphasizing the importance of consumer choice in food selection.

In June last year, the US approved the sale of "cell-cultivated" or "cell-cultured" meat, marking a milestone for companies like Upside Foods and Good Meat in offering cultivated chicken to consumers.

Chef Mika Leon, who owns Caja Caliente in Coral Gables, prepared the cultivated chicken served at the event. This gathering aimed to introduce cultivated meat to Florida residents before the upcoming ban takes effect on July 1.

Leon crafted chicken tostadas garnished with avocado, chipotle crema, and beet sprouts, providing attendees with a unique tasting experience.

Read Also : Tufts Researchers Slash Lab-Grown Meat Costs with Innovative Technique

'Lab-Grown' Meat Companies Face State Bans

Earlier this year, Florida and Alabama enacted bans on selling cultivated meat and seafood derived from animal cells. Concerns have arisen among lawmakers in various states and at the federal level, who argue that these products could adversely affect traditional farmers and pose potential safety risks to consumers.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by local cattle ranchers in May when he signed the ban into law. However, Valeti expressed disappointment that his company was not consulted before the legislation was passed.

Valeti emphasized the need for direct communication to clarify the benefits and safety of their technology, which he believes policymakers have misunderstood.

Cultivated products are produced in stainless steel tanks using cells from living animals, fertilized eggs, or cell banks. These cells are nourished with a unique blend of water, sugar, vitamins, and fats.

Once fully grown, they are molded into various forms, such as cutlets and nuggets. Despite concerns about animal welfare, Valeti noted that cultivated meat addresses numerous health and environmental issues associated with traditional meat production, such as deforestation, pollution, and disease transmission.

He noted that their meat is produced in facilities resembling breweries or dairy processing plants, where healthy animal cells grow in controlled environments, not from lab experiments or confined animals. However, despite efforts to scale production and reduce costs, cultivated meat and seafood remain prohibitively expensive for widespread market adoption.

While a few upscale US restaurants briefly offered these products, they have yet to appear in grocery stores nationwide. In response to recent bans, companies are considering legal challenges and petitioning for policy changes to facilitate their entry into the market.

Sean Edgett, the chief legal officer at Upside Foods, noted that the company underwent an extensive process with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to gain approval. He argued that these federal regulations should take precedence over state bans, which he views as unconstitutional.
Caribbean braces for powerful Hurricane Beryl



Bridgetown, Barbados, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



Hurricane Beryl plowed toward the southeast Caribbean early Monday as officials warned residents to seek shelter ahead of powerful winds and swells expected from the Category 3 storm.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned in its latest update that Beryl "is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as its core moves through the Windward Islands into the eastern Caribbean".

Its maximum sustained wind speed was hovering around 120 miles per hour (195 kilometers per hour) with higher gusts, said NHC.

Beryl was at one point rated Category 4, and experts said such a powerful storm forming this early in the Atlantic hurricane season -- which runs from early June to late November -- is extremely rare.

"Only five major (Category 3+) hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic before the first week of July," hurricane expert Michael Lowry posted on social media platform X.

"Beryl would be the sixth and earliest this far east in the tropical Atlantic."

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Grenada were at the highest risk of being at the center of the storm's core beginning early Monday, the NHC said, adding that "potentially catastrophic wind damage is expected".

Those two locales, plus Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Tobago were all under hurricane warnings, the NHC said, while tropical storm warnings or watches were in effect for Martinique, Trinidad, and southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

A state of emergency was declared in Tobago, the smaller of the two islands that make up Trinidad and Tobago, with schools ordered closed on Monday, top official Farley Augustine said.

Grenada's disaster management agency said "rapidly" moving Beryl was expected to make landfall between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm on Monday.

Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell urged citizens to quickly seek shelter and to respect an island-wide curfew ordered for 7:00 pm to 7:00 am Tuesday morning.

A meeting this week in Grenada of the Caribbean regional bloc CARICOM was postponed due to the hurricane.

In the Barbadian capital of Bridgetown, cars were seen lined up at gas stations, while supermarkets and grocery stores were crowded with shoppers buying food, water and other supplies. Some households were already boarding up their properties.



- Devastating wind damage -



Beryl became the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season early Saturday morning and quickly strengthened to Category 4, the first ever to reach that level in June, according to NHC records.

A Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale is considered a major hurricane, and a Category 4 storm packs sustained winds of at least 130 miles per hour (209 kilometers per hour).

Beryl is expected to remain powerful as it moves across the Caribbean, the NHC said, warning residents and officials in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the rest of the northwestern Caribbean to carefully monitor its progress.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in late May that it expects this year to be an "extraordinary" hurricane season, with up to seven storms of Category 3 or higher.

The agency cited warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures and conditions related to the weather phenomenon La Nina in the Pacific for the expected increase in storms.

Extreme weather events including hurricanes have become more frequent and more devastating in recent years as a result of climate change.
Hope for Mekong dolphins as Cambodia numbers increase: minister



Phnom Penh, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



The number of Mekong dolphins has risen to more than 100 in Cambodia, the agriculture minister said Monday, raising a glimmer of hope for the endangered mammals.

Irrawaddy dolphins -- small, shy creatures with domed foreheads and short beaks -- once swam through much of the mighty Mekong, all the way to the delta in Vietnam.

But their population in the river has dwindled from 200, when the first census was taken in 1997, to just 89 in 2020, largely due to illegal fishing, habitat loss and plastic waste.

"Currently, we have some 105 dolphins," Agriculture Minister Dith Tina said during a ceremony to mark National Fisheries Day.

In the first six months of this year, eight new dolphin calves were recorded, but there were also two deaths, the agricultural ministry said.

The boost to numbers follows the birth of eight dolphins last year, a ministry statement said, while 2023 also saw five deaths recorded.

"The ministry has strongly taken measures against fishing offences and the making and distributing of destructive fishing tools that seriously damage marine resources," Dith Tina said.

Last year Cambodia's then leader Hun Sen U-turned on a law to protect the species, saying "dolphins keep dying" while the fishing industry suffered from the conservation legislation.

Irrawaddy dolphins feature on the "Red List" of endangered wildlife by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Adding to concerns about their survival, around 70 percent of the population is now too old to breed.

The dolphins' habitat has also been reduced by upstream dams in Laos and China and climate change, which have had a major impact on water levels in the river.
Court denies amnesty for Catalan separatist on embezzlement charge



Madrid, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



Spain's Supreme Court refused Monday to grant an amnesty to Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on a charge of misusing public funds, maintaining arrest warrants over his failed 2017 secession attempt.

Spanish MPs in May passed an amnesty law aimed at drawing a line under years of efforts to prosecute those involved in the botched secession bid that triggered Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

Blocking the amnesty for Puigdemont could complicate life for Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who relied on Catalan parties to secure a new term in office in November.

The law is expected to affect some 400 people, first and foremost Puigdemont, regional leader at the time of the independence bid, who fled Spain to avoid prosecution.

In a statement, the court said judge Pablo Llarena, who is in charge of the case, "issued an order declaring the amnesty is not applicable to the crime of misuse of public funds".

It said it agreed to keep in place "the arrest warrants" against him.

Any appeal must be made within three days.



- Disobedience, embezzlement charges -



Sanchez agreed to push through the measure in exchange for the parliamentary support of the Catalan separatist parties for him to serve a new four-year term in office.

After parliament voted to approve the amnesty law on May 30, judges were given two months to apply the law by annulling the charges and cancelling any arrest warrants against the separatists.

But the courts must apply the amnesty on a case-by-case basis, making it a long and drawn-out process.

Last year, the Supreme Court dropped the sedition charges against Puigdemont and two others following a controversial criminal code reform.

Prosecutors filed fresh charges against them of misuse of public funds and disobedience in connection with the independence bid.

In February, the court also opened a "terrorism" probe into Puigdemont over a string of mass street protests by a group called Democratic Tsunami. Spain jailed 13 pro-independence leaders in 2019 over the protests.

In his decision, Llarena said the amnesty law was applicable to the crime of disobedience, but could not be applied in the case of misappropriation of public funds because of two exceptions.

The law allows the amnesty to be applied if the funds were used to finance the pro-independence process, but not if the money was taken for personal gain or if it involved European Union funds.

For that reason, the arrest warrant for Puigdemont would remain in place "for the offence of misuse of public funds but not for disobedience," the judge wrote.



- Separate 'terrorism' charge -



The other case against Puigdemont involving so-called street "terrorism" is being handled separately.

Shortly after the announcement, Puigdemont posted a brief message on X, formerly Twitter, referring to "La Toga Nostra" -- comparing the robe-clad judges to Sicily's Costa Nostra mafia.

Last month, Llarena informed police that the arrest warrant for Puigdemont would remain in force until a decision were made about whether amnesty can be applied in his case or not.

Many judges have expressed opposition to the amnesty law. Spain's right-wing and far-right opposition has staged months of protests against it, some of which have turned violent.

It has also caused deep rifts within Spanish society and even within Sanchez's own ruling Socialist party.

bur-hmw/rlp
Greek fires near Athens brought under control: firefighters



Athens, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



Forest fires that raged in the outer suburbs of the Greek capital over the weekend have been brought under control, firefighters said Monday.

Fanned by strong winds of up to 70 kilometres (43 miles) per hour and dry conditions, two fires broke out Sunday in the seaside resort of Keratea, east of Athens, and the wooded suburb of Stamata.

Authorities evacuated residents and a 45-year-old man died of cardiac arrest while trying to flee the flames in Stamata, police said.

The flames destroyed several houses and cars.

By Monday, firefighters had brought most of the flames under control, said fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis.

"There is no longer an active front," he said.

"The fires were contained by firefighters, supported on Sunday by water bombers and helicopters, who fought in very dangerous conditions."

He added that the easing of the winds had helped control most of the fires across the country.

A wildfire which ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha -- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was brought under control Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters.

Greece, a tourist hotspot, faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in June.

Praising the fire service's work, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the Mount Parnitha and Stamata blazes had burnt fewer than 100 hectares (247 acres).

But he warned that the Mediterranean country had "now entered the heart of the fire season", calling on Greeks to do their bit to prevent blazes.

"The fight against fires will continue... it will certainly not be won without the help of citizens," Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting.

Scientists warn that fossil fuel emissions caused by humans are worsening the length and intensity of heatwaves around the world.

Rising temperatures are leading to extended wildfire seasons and increasing the area burnt by the blazes, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Court denies amnesty for Catalan separatist on embezzlement charge



Madrid, July 1 (AFP) Jul 01, 2024



Spain's Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an amnesty to Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on a charge of misusing public funds, maintaining arrest warrants over his failed 2017 secession attempt.

The move came just over a month after MPs passed an amnesty law aimed at drawing a line under years of efforts to prosecute those involved in the botched secession bid that triggered Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

But blocking the amnesty for Puigdemont could complicate life for Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who relied on Catalan parties to secure a new term in office in November.

In a statement, the Supreme Court said judge Pablo Llarena "issued an order declaring the amnesty is not applicable to the crime of misuse of public funds".

It said it agreed to keep in place "the arrest warrants" against him.

Any appeal must be made within three days.

The amnesty law is expected to affect some 400 people, first and foremost Puigdemont, the regional leader at the time of the independence bid who fled Spain to avoid prosecution.



- Disobedience, embezzlement charges -



Sanchez agreed to push through the measure in exchange for the parliamentary support of the Catalan separatist parties that would allow him to serve a new four-year term in office.

After parliament voted to approve the amnesty law on May 30, judges were given two months to apply the law by annulling the charges and cancelling any arrest warrants against the separatists.

But the courts must apply the amnesty on a case-by-case basis, making it a long and drawn-out process.

Last year, the Supreme Court dropped the sedition charges against Puigdemont and two others following a controversial criminal code reform.

Prosecutors filed fresh charges against them for misuse of public funds and disobedience in connection with the independence bid.

In February, the court also opened a "terrorism" probe into Puigdemont over a string of mass street protests by a group called Democratic Tsunami. Spain jailed 13 pro-independence leaders in 2019 over the protests.

In his decision, Llarena said the amnesty law was applicable to the crime of disobedience, but could not be applied in the case of misappropriation of public funds because of two exceptions.

The law allows the amnesty to be applied if the funds were used to finance the pro-independence process, but not if the money was taken for personal gain or if it involved European Union funds.

For that reason, the arrest warrant for Puigdemont would remain in place "for the offence of misuse of public funds but not for disobedience", the judge wrote.

The other case against Puigdemont involving so-called street "terrorism" is being handled separately.



- Court acting as 'vigilante' -



Jordi Turull, secretary general of Puigdemont's hardline separatist JxCat party, said it was "a very serious decision that violates the rule of law" and put the judiciary at odds with the wishes of the state.

"The Supreme Court is bypassing the amnesty law in order to keep acting as a vigilante against the separatists," he wrote on X, describing it as "a clearly political decision".

And Puigdemont himself reacted on X with a three-word post saying: "La Toga Nostra" -- comparing Spain's robe-clad judges to Sicily's Cosa Nostra mafia.

Last month, Llarena informed police that the arrest warrant for Puigdemont would remain in force until a decision were made about whether amnesty could be applied in his case or not.

Many judges have expressed opposition to the amnesty law. Spain's right-wing and far-right opposition has staged months of protests against it, some of which have turned violent.

It has also caused deep rifts within Spanish society and even within Sanchez's own ruling Socialist party.

bur-hmw/bc
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Eating outComing soon Coming soon: 10 new, genre-busting Melbourne restaurants we cant wait to try Being a restaurant is no longer enough. These new kids on the block come with cocktail bars, delis and even an art gallery bolted on, as restaurateurs get savvy at creating go-to destinations for all hours of the day. Emma Breheny July 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Melbourne has lost a few beloved restaurants so far in 2024, but the tough outlook hasnt dampened the ambitions of a new crop of restaurateurs who are pushing their creativity to the limits. Theyre opening multi-hyphenate venues that plan to serve guests their first coffee of the day and a speedy lunch (probably on focaccia), through to dinner and then a nightcap. It could be a bulletproof model, capturing diners no matter what their budget is that day. Tom Sarafians signature hummus topped with prawn and spanner crab. Kristoffer Paulsen Tom Sarafians long-awaited debut restaurant, Zareh, will open in central Melbourne this winter serving dishes from Armenia, Lebanon, North Africa and more, cooked over a wood-burning grill. But the ex-Bar Saracen chefs not stopping there. Zareh will be followed by a delicatessen and daytime venue named Sarafian. The location of each venue is yet to be revealed. Chris Lucas has two openings slated for 2024. Eamon Gallagher

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Chef Alejandro Saravia at his Sydney restaurant Morena, which hes bringing to Melbourne. James Brickwood Alejandro Saravia (Farmers Daughters) is expanding his square footage in the 80 Collins precinct this spring, opening a Melbourne version of his new hatted Sydney restaurant, Morena. Here, the menu will spotlight more obscure ingredients and dishes from Saravias native Peru, plus Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Venezuela. Joining the upmarket two-level restaurant is the more casual Morena Barra, celebrating Latin American bar culture (71 Collins Street, Melbourne). Exclusive Forget the Paris end, the top of Collins Street is becoming a high-end Latin American hotspot Two-storey city venue Circl (22 Punch Lane, Melbourne) will tread the line between bar and restaurant, offering 150 wines by the glass and opening a rare bottle every week to share it with more people. A dream of former Ten Minutes by Tractor sommelier Xavier Vigier, its supposed to be a welcoming environment for anyone curious about wine. It opens in the second half of July.

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The high-end restaurants opening more casual, more affordable, just as delicious bars next door Pace-setting restaurateur Con Christopoulos (Kafeneion, The European) is tapping the superpowers of chef Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook) to open a polished sushi train, Bossa Nova Sushi, with Japanese and Brazilian influences (70 Bourke Street, Melbourne). Drawing on Brazils significant Japanese food scene, quality sushi and izakaya-style hot food will be served to a soundtrack of tropicalia. Itll be open by early August. Veteran chef-restaurateur Michael Lambie (Stokehouse, Circa, Taxi Dining Room) is working on a new restaurant in the CBD called Juni (136 Exhibition Street). Opening in late 2024, it will serve a contemporary Asian menu  something Lambie last did at Lucy Liu, which hes no longer involved with. Aanyas lamb rogan josh with smoked hay and anchovy. Mark Ng Fine-diner Aanya (368 Smith Street, Collingwood) is the debut from chefs Nishant Arora and Janos Roman (ex-Society), anchored by a chefs table for 16 people. The pairs high-wire contemporary Indian cooking will be in the spotlight from August, with creations such as cuttlefish cured in the style of guanciale (pork cheek) and a mango lassi dessert.

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Peru-born Alejandro Saravia recently opened Latin American restaurant Morena in Sydney. Now, hes bringing the brand home to Melbourne  with some twists.

Following the well-received opening of Latin American diner Morena in Sydney  which earned a hat  Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia has announced hes bringing Morena to Melbourne, where hes based. But it wont be a copy-paste of the Sydney original.

This spring, the executive chef of Melbournes hatted Farmers Daughters, and Victoria by Farmers Daughters, will open two new neighbouring venues in the 80 Collins precinct: the upmarket two-level Morena Restaurant and the more casual Morena Barra.

Im going back to my roots, says Saravia, and showing that Latin American cuisine can be presented in a more elevated way than the popular street food and food trucks.

Alejandro Saravia will explore Latin American flavours at Morena, opening in Melbourne this year. Simon Schluter

While the restaurants menu will present similarly to Sydneys  each dish listed alongside an airline code that denotes its country of origin  the team is feverishly researching lesser-seen ingredients and more intricate flavours to bring to the table, not only from Saravias native Peru but also Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Venezuela.
Bob Katter has dressed as a pig to highlight profiteering during the cost-of-living crisis and the Grim Reaper to mark the closure of Australias last Holden factory. Now all eyes will be on what he might wear to pose for a portrait.

Parliaments little known House Memorials Committee convened in person on Tuesday for the first time in nearly half a century to discuss the weighty matter of commissioning a portrait of the colourful crossbencher.

The names Katter. Credit: James Brickwood

The man who once declared he was in favour of letting a thousand blossoms bloom in the nations bedrooms but voted no to marriage equality might be soon peering down on parliamentarians scurrying through the corridors to vote for years to come.

The memorials committee, founded before WWI, is composed of the prime minister and opposition leader of the day, plus the presiding and other officers of the two houses.

In May, the house speaker, Milton Dick, wrote to the prime minister requesting approval to commission a one-off portrait of Katter, the committee said.

Bob Katter dressed in a pig outfit in February. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

So much has changed over the decades in this parliament  one of the rare constants has been Bob Katters presence, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Its hard to imagine this place without him, and commissioning his portrait is a way to ensure he will always be a visible and colourful part of Australias parliament.

Portraits that have been commissioned by the committee as one-offs include those of Nova Peris, the first female Indigenous parliamentarian, and Linda Burney, the first female Indigenous member of the House of Representatives.

Bob Katter dressed as the Grim Reaper during a press conference in 2020 to discuss a motion supporting the re-establishment of an Australian car manufacturing industry. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The member for Kennedy, who started Katters Australian Party, has not made his views known about the intentions of the Canberra establishment, but they could possibly be gleaned from past utterances.

There seems to be a complete vacuum on intelligence in Canberra, but youd expect that from a town that has legalised marijuana, the big-hat-wearing MP said last year.

AAP
Body-worn cameras will be strapped to staff during their shifts at public hospitals across the state in a bid to crack down on rising rates of violent assaults.

There are now about 18 physical attacks a week in the states hospitals, while three homicides took place in the 12 months to March 2024, according to Bureau of Crime Statistics figures.

In a 12-month trial, up to 300 cameras will be used by security guards in at least nine hospitals to test whether they are an effective tool for deterring and de-escalating violent incidents.

The government is working out exactly how to balance the use of the cameras with patient privacy. Under the plans, security guards will hit the record button only if they believe there is a risk of harm to staff or patients.
Unpaid debts led the Queensland government to suspend the licences of 131,533 drivers in the financial year to June 24.

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The State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER), run from an office in the Treasury, includes licence suspensions among the options for dealing with people who are unable or unwilling to pay their debts.

The to-date figure for last financial year was lower than 2022-23, when 190,704 debtors had their licence suspended. Individuals can have their licences suspended more than once.

In 2021-22, the government suspended the licences of 256,166 debtors, although that number was inflated due to a previous COVID-related reduction in enforcement action.

Treasurer Cameron Dick used the latest state budget to invest in areas he hopes can return an extra $970 million in fines and debts to the government over the next four years.
A former principal and semi-retired teacher has died after falling through a school roof in Melbournes inner west last week.

Paul Hogan was rushed to hospital with critical injuries on Thursday after he fell through a roof at St Margaret Marys Primary School in Spotswood.

Paul Hogan died on Friday after falling through a skylight at a school.

According to WorkSafe, the 61-year-old was collecting balls from the roof when he fell three metres to the ground through a school buildings skylight about 2.30pm.

He died on Friday.
The overwhelmingly positive response to the pictures of Julian Assange stepping back onto Australian soil and hugging his wife speaks to the very human story at the core of this 14-year saga.

Its a good news story for him, for his family, and now it seems weve acknowledged, for the country. Australia was able to stand up for its citizen, against one of the most powerful countries in the world, and bring him home.

Lawyer Jennifer Robinson watches on as Julian Assange is greeted by his wife Stella upon his return to Australia last week. Credit: Getty Images

While Assanges return is a win after a long battle for freedom, there are many publishers and journalists across the world who remain imprisoned. The Committee to Protect Journalists has warned that in the past two years, a record-breaking number of journalists have been jailed, a disturbing barometer of the vitriol of repressive regimes determined to stifle independent voices.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlights the Asia-Pacific region as one of the worlds most dangerous regions to practice journalism.
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakmans hold on the top job will be tested as senior Liberals resist any push to split the Coalition after firebrand Nationals MP Wes Fang sparked an internal war over a rogue Facebook post.

Speakman has summoned his Liberals MPs to a meeting on Tuesday as Nationals leader Dugald Saunders continued to back Fang despite repeated cases of bad behaviour from the upper house MP, including against his own side.

NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders (left) and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman (right). Credit: Kate Geraghty

The latest was a social media post by Fang in which he slammed Speakman for visiting his hometown of Wagga Wagga without prior warning and said his leadership was under threat.

Speakman sacked Fang from his shadow cabinet for his comments, but Saunders returned serve and refused to accept the demotion, prompting a bitter divide between the two Coalition leaders.
The lights were flashing in the rearview mirror, as they had done for a good few kilometres. I turned to my wife in the passenger seat and said: Do you think hes forgotten to turn them off?

Utahs Highway 12 is one of the most spectacular drives on the planet. It passes through strikingly stark, epic landscapes, combining desert colours and mountain contours. Its very easy to get wrapped up in the scenery, tootling along in awe and not paying all that much attention to the police car behind you.

Watch your speed while youre watching the scenery in Utah. Credit: Visit Utah

The carefree joy of life on the open road, it seems, can lead to a series of poor decisions. The first was assuming the police car might just be warning of something coming up behind. Or chasing a criminal. Or just testing the lights.

It took a good 10 minutes before I realised those relentlessly flashing lights were for my attention, and that Id probably been a bit of a naughty boy. Eventually, I pulled over, and the traffic cop came walking towards our car.
Absolut celebrates once-lost Warhol painting

40 years after Absoluts first collaboration with artist Andy Warhol for Absolut Warhol, the vodka brand has revealed a second design once thought lost.

Released in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the limited-edition bottle features an Absolut blue painting by Warhol. Absolut commissioned Warhol to create an artwork inspired by its bottle in 1985, resulting in the original Absolut Warhol bottle. A second commissioned piece, rumoured but lost, was rediscovered in 2020. The painting will go on display at the Spritmuseum in Stockholm in October.

Absolut Warhol Blue launches today exclusively in global travel retail. The release is marked by a pop-up at Amsterdam airport. Further activations and promotional activity will follow worldwide.

Deb Dasgupta, VP global marketing for Absolut Vodka, said: We are thrilled to collaborate with the Andy Warhol Foundation to reintroduce this timeless Absolut Warhol artwork to the public. Embracing our values of inclusivity and a commitment to fostering a culture of boundless creative expression, we aim to unite diverse voices and spark meaningful conversations to inspire positive change through the transformative power of art. With the limited-edition bottle, we are excited to offer consumers everywhere a chance to become part of the Absolut Warhol legacy and to own their own piece of artwork.

Michael Dayton Hermann, director of licensing, marketing, and sales at the Andy Warhol Foundation, added: Our collaboration with Absolut Vodka celebrates Warhols enduring artistic legacy and cultural influence through his belief in the power of art to provoke thought and inspire change. We are thrilled to see this dynamic campaign come to life, inviting new generations to engage with his legacy in a fresh and dynamic way.

Proceeds from this impactful collaboration will generously support the philanthropic work of The Andy Warhol Foundation in fulfilling its mission to advance the visual arts and projects that challenge the status quo.

The bottle features elements of Warhols design on its interior and exterior. Also included is Warhols image and signature, and a QR code leading to a Warhol-inspired cocktail recipe.

Absolut Warhol limited-edition 1L bottles will retail for US$24. They will be available for sale exclusively for two months in global travel retail before being rolled out in more than 50 global markets from September 2024.

1 July 2024 - Lucy Schofield
10 things PM Modi spoke about in Mann Ki Baat





NEW DELHI :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi resumed the broadcast of Mann Ki Baat with its 111th episode on Sunday. From Keralas Karthumbi umbrellas to Andhra Pradeshs Araku coffee to Kashmirs snow peas, he spoke extensively about the contributions of various communities among other things to celebrate in India. Mann Ki Baat resumed after a gap of three months in the light of the Model Code of Conduct enforced before the 18th Lok Sabha election. The Prime Minister congratulated 65 crore voters of India and all others associated with the poll process for keeping faith in democracy and executing the worlds largest election this year. IANS condenses 10 things PM Modi specifically spoke about in his Mann Ki Baat address. 1. Beginning with commemorating June 30 as Hul Diwas, the Prime Minister recounted the sacrifice of the brave Murmu brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu, who in the Santhal Rebellion of 1855, rebelled against the foreign (British) rule.

This had happened before the popularly believed earliest Revolt of 1857 against British rule. The PM dedicated a Santhali song in honour of these bravehearts. 2. Invoking the emotion of attachment to ones mother, PM Modi initiated #PLANT4MOTHER: plant a tree dedicated mother as a gesture of acknowledging the unpayable debt to her. He encouraged citizens to share their picture of planting a tree with their mother or her picture as a mark of respect to her and Mother Earth. 3. Further, in the view of monsoon, PM Modi spotlighted Karthumbi umbrellas made in Attappadi in Kerala. These umbrellas are made by tribal women and are sold online under the supervision of Vattalakki Cooperative Farming Society, headed and led by tribal women of Attappadi. They have also established a bamboo handicraft unit. With the aim of introducing their culture to the world, they will open a retail outlet and a cafe. 4. Speaking about the Paris Olympics that will take place next week, he wished the Indian contingent the best for the upcoming games. Refreshing memories of the Tokyo Olympics when athletes won medals and did India proud, he mentioned that these athletes have participated in about 900 international competitions. Paris Olympics will have some firsts from India. He cheered for them with #CHEER4BHARAT. 5.

Subsequently, with an audio clip (in Hindi) from a Kuwaiti radio broadcast, he said that the Government of Kuwait has started a half-hour programme in Hindi on its national radio every Sunday. This show will be about the vibrant Indian culture, films, and art that is popular among Indian community there, as well as among Kuwaiti natives. He thanked their Government for this initiative. 6. Speaking about the popularity and respect commanded by Indian culture across the globe, PM Modi mentioned that Turkmenistan celebrated in May 300th birth anniversary of their national poet. Their President unveiled statues of 24 poets of world, including Rabindranath Tagorean honour for both Gurudev and India. 7. Likewise, Indian communities in two Caribbean countries celebrated their Indian heritage with fervour: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on June 1 and Surinam on June 5. Along with Hindi, Bhojpuri is a popular language here. 8. PM Modi also spoke about the 10th International Day of Yoga observed across the world on June 21. He said: Several records have been created across the globe.

For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi woman instructed the main Yoga session. A photo of a Yoga session conducted on beaches of Red Sea at the bank of Nile River in Egypt has gone viral. The PM also mentioned the special Yoga sessions conducted in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, US and Bhutan. He also advised people to include Yoga in their daily routine to bring positive changes in life. PM Modi, this year, had celebrated Yoga Day in J&Ks Srinagar. 9. Talking about Kashmir, the PM said that the first consignment of snow peas was dispatched from Pulwama to London last month, putting the regions exotic vegetable on the world map. An inspired Abdul Rashid Mir of Chakura village consolidated land and began growing snow peas. This pursuit has ushered prosperity for many people in J&K. 10. Stating that there is no dearth of unique products in India, and in a bid to promote Vocal for Local initiative, PM Modi spotlighted Araku coffee produced in Andhra Pradeshs Alluri Sitharama Raju district on a large scale. This coffee is known for its rich flavour and aroma.
General Upendra Dwivedi takes charge of 1.3 mn-strong Army



General Upendra Dwivedi takes over as the 30th Chief of the

Army Staff (COAS) from General Manoj Pande. (PTI)

NEW DELHI :

GENERAL Upendra Dwivedi, who has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan, on Sunday assumed charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff at a time India is facing myriad security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). General Dwivedi succeeds General Manoj Pande who superannuated after more than four decades of service. General Dwivedi brings with him, a wealth of experience and a proven track record, of effectively planning and executing for the unexpected, the Army said. He was serving as the Vice Chief of the Army since February 19. Before becoming the Vice Chief, he was serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.

An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, General Dwivedi was commissioned into a regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984. He has a unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern and Western theatres in varied operational environments. The Army said General Dwivedis impetus would be to augment the infusion of critical technologies by leveraging the nations vibrant, capable and productive technology eco-system to enhance the forces overall capability. He takes over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at a time when the global geo-strategic environment remains dynamic, with the challenges in the security domain becoming more pronounced due to technological advancements and the ever-changing character of modern warfare, it said. General Dwivedi has taken charge of the 1.3 million-strong Army at a time India is facing various security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. As the Chief of Army Staff, he will also have to coordinate with the Navy and the Indian Air Force on the Governments ambitious plan to roll out theatre commands.

The Army said operational preparedness to counter security threats to a rising nation would figure prominently as a key focus area for the COAS. Concurrently, a focused response strategy, to myriad non-traditional security challenges, too shall be a priority, towards augmenting the nations defence, it said. General Dwivedi has tenanted critical appointments and played a pivotal role in combating grey zone manifestations in the national security canvas, it said in a release. The Army said the officer has a deep understanding of modern and emerging technologies in the security domain and possesses a thoughtful approach to harnessing and integrating cutting-edge technologies into military systems to enhance operational effectiveness.

This vision finds congruence to the ongoing pursuit of the Indian Army to fulfil its modernisation and capability development needs through Atmanirbharta, it said. A firm believer and follower of the Chetwode Motto, the General will also focus on promoting a culture of trust, empowerment of junior Officers, well-being of the soldiers and welfare of veterans and Veer Naris, it said. In his long and distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff, instructional and foreign appointments. The command appointments of Gen Dwivedi include command of regiment (18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), Brigade (26 Sector Assam Rifles), Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) and 9 Corps. He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.

As Northern Army commander, Gen Dwivedi provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for the planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern and western borders, besides orchestrating the dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. During this period, the General officer was actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations with China to resolve the vexed border issue, they said. He was also involved in the modernisation and equipping of the largest Army command of the Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
Girl kidnapped, raped





LUCKNOW :

A 10-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped in Banthara area in Lucknow, the police said. The main accused is absconding but the police said that two persons have been detained for questioning. In an FIR lodged in this connection, the girls mother said that her husband, a guard, was on duty near their house when the girl stepped out to call him but did not return. After waiting for a long time and failing to contact her on mobile phone, the family went out in search of her but could not locate her.

The victims mother said that a youth, who lives in their village, often called her daughter on her mobile phone and tried to engage in inappropriate conversations. The family visited the youths house but his family members refused to provide any information about the girl. Around 11:15 pm, the police and some villagers entered the house of the accused where they found the girl confined in a room, with her hands and feet tied with clothes. The accused, who was also present in the same room, managed to flee the spot.
Sai reacts sharply against Sorens remarks on tribal leadership





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Sai emphasized that the people of Jharkhand are increasingly disillusioned with Soren and his party, especially in light of allegations that they have enriched themselves at the expense of the public

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has taken a strong stance against former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren over his remarks about tribal leadership. In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Sai condemned Sorens comments, describing them as baseless and insulting to the tribal and backward communities across India. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai highlighted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been providing capable tribal leadership across the country like never before.

He argued that Hemant Sorens criticism of tribal chief ministers within the BJP is not only unfounded but also a direct insult to the entire tribal and backward society. Sai further condemned the actions of the Soren family, accusing them of defaming the tribal community throughout their lives. Sai emphasised that the people of Jharkhand are increasingly disillusioned with Soren and his party, especially in light of allegations that they have enriched themselves at the expense of the public. He suggested that the upcoming assembly elections will see the people of Jharkhand express their dissatisfaction and teach Soren and his party a lesson for their alleged misconduct.

Sai also referenced the publics memory of the bribery scandals involving the Soren family, arguing that these past actions were not forgotten. Chief Minister Sai reminded Soren that obtaining bail is not exoneration, and the final verdict on his legal troubles is yet to be decided. He suggested that Sorens remarks stem from the INDI alliances fear of the BJPs growing popularity among tribals, scheduled castes, other backward classes, women, and youth. Sai asserted that the public will not tolerate any statement that insults the society and will respond appropriately. The controversy began when Hemant Soren, after being released on bail, made statements regarding the tribal chief ministers in BJP, claiming they were merely rubber stamps. These remarks have sparked significant backlash, with many seeing them as derogatory towards tribal leaders promoted by the BJP.
Shooter Shukla changed mobile numbers weekly while on the run





Vinay Poonekar

Staff Reporter :

While on the run for nearly five months, shooter Hemant Shukla continuously changed his mobile phone number by purchasing SIM cards under different names. After his arrest on Wednesday for the murder of photographer Vinay alias Bablu Poonekar, Sadar Police recovered six mobile phones and nine SIM cards from his possession. Police suspect that Shukla changed his number more than 20 times while on the run. An official stated that Shukla befriended strangers to help him acquire SIM cards and succeeded in purchasing more than 20 over the past five months. He changed his mobile number every week to avoid police tracking his location.

Given Shuklas criminal record, he was well-versed in police procedures. Often, he kept his mobile phone in flight mode. Following the murder on February 23, Shukla immediately headed to Nagpur Railway Station and traveled to Raipur, where he met a relative before boarding a train to Bilaspur. His journey spanned Nagpur - Raipur - Bilaspur - Maihar - Satna - Delhi - Ayodhya - Sonipat - Panipat - Jaipur - Mumbai - Raipur - Bilaspur - Paudi - Kaimur - Satna - Ayodhya and Ludhiana. During this period, Shukla faced financial difficulties and traveled without tickets on trains. On one occasion, a Ticket Examiner (TTE) asked for his ticket, but he threatened the TTE. Shukla took up various odd jobs, including working as a gym instructor in Ludhiana. However, he was arrested on his first day on the job by Nagpur police.

Shukla gave fitness lessons to RRR actors

Shooter Hemant Shukla gave fitness lessons to the actors of the film RRR, the information came to light during the police investigation. Shukla is in police custody until July 2. Police are interrogating him thoroughly. As a gym trainer, Shukla participated in many bodybuilding competitions, through which he became acquainted with filmmakers and actors. He was called in to give lessons to the actors during the production of the film RRR. Police sources have informed that he was with these actors for about six months.
Solar Industries develops performance explosives for Indian Navy





(Left) Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, ADC, the Chief of Naval Staff, and Satyanarayan Nuwal, CMD of Solar Group, holding the compliance certificate.

Business Reporter :

Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL), a 100% subsidiary of Solar Industries, Nagpur, is credited with development of three new explosive formulations SEBEX 2, SITBEX-1 and SIMEX-4 that will prove to be game changer for the armed forces. The new explosive is going to enhance of firepower and explosive effect thereby boosting the resources of Indian Navy. Notably, the development effort by EEL is 100% indigenous in terms of both technology as well as material. This was made possible due to the push towards Atmanirbharta in Ministry of Defence, which worked closely with Director General of Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI) of the Indian Navy. SEBEX 2 is a new explosive formulation that provides a much more powerful blast effect than any currently available solid explosive with the forces. The performance of any explosive is measured in terms of TNT equivalence. Explosives with higher TNT equivalence have more lethality and destructive power. Conventional explosives, like DENTEX/TORPEX, used in conventional warheads, aerial bombs and many other ammunitions world-wide have the TNT equivalence of 1.25-1.30. SEBEX 2 has TNT quivalence of 2.01, giving it an edge over others.

Another existing powerful explosive HEMEX, used for filling the Brahmos warhead (under development), has a TNT equivalence of about -1.50. This is a major breakthrough and EEL has developed SEBEX 2, an HMX-based castable composition, that has a TNT equivalence of 2.01. Also, SEBEX 2 will be a game changer for improving the lethality of warheads, aerial bombs, artillery shells and other munitions which utilise the blast and fragmentation effects to inflict damage to the targets, said the company officials while detailing the specification of the new ammunition for the armed forces. After successfully evaluating this composition, the Board of Officers appointed by DGNAI issued a compliance certificate on June 25, 2024 under the Defence Export Promotion Scheme, said the company release issued here.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to further enhance the TNT equivalence to 2.3 which will most likely be developed within next six months by EEL, said a confident company officials. Another new addition is going to be Thermobaric Polymer-bonded Explosive - SITBEX-1. Solid thermobaric explosives, also known as fuel-rich explosives, represent a specialised class of explosives designed to deliver a distinct destructive effect compared to conventional high explosives. While traditional explosives focus on a single, powerful detonation, solid thermobaric explosives prioritise a prolonged blast duration and intense heat generation. This unique characteristic makes them particularly effective against fortified positions. enclosed spaces and personnel. EEL has developed the Thermobaric Polymer-bonded Explosive, SITBEX-1, which has a substantially high blast impulse, fireball temperature and fireball diameter compared to conventional explosives. In a live demonstration trial to the Board of Officers appointed by DGNAI from the Indian Navy, the fireball temperature, fireball diameter and blast impulse of SITBEX-1 were found to be higher by 20%, 35% and 28%, respectively, compared to the conventional RDX/TNT (60/40) explosive composition.

A certificate of compliance for the same was issued on June 25, 2024. This formulation will be an ideal choice for filling in air bombs, missiles and other warhead systems intended for the destruction of tunnels, bunkers or other fortified structures. The third new addition is going to be New Insensitive Explosive Formulation - SIMEX-4. Technological advances in the development of insensitive explosive compositions and their packaging inside the shells or warheads are making possible the development of a range of munitions termed Insensitive Munitions (IM), which are safe during storage, transportation and operation without affecting their intended applications. EEL, Nagpur, has developed a new insensitive explosive formulation, SIMEX-4, to be used in naval warheads. The explosive was characterised through the measurement of shock sensitivity and critical diameter, which are two important parameters used to estimate the insensitivity of the explosive composition.

During the trials, the shock sensitivity of SIMEX-4 was found to be more than 110 kbar and the critical diameter was above 75 mm. In comparison, the present insensitive explosive composition, which is being used in the warhead of VARUNASTRA, has shock sensitivity of around 45-47 kbar and critical diameter of about 43 mm. Hence, SIMEX-4 is a highly promising insensitive explosive for developing IM systems for naval, aerial or any other weapon platforms where the safety of the onboard weapon or ammunition is highly prioritised. Solar Group and its associated companies are scaling new heights in indegenisation of weapons production under stellar leadership of its Chairman Satyanaryan Nuval.
Georgian Dream plans to adopt an amnesty law to reduce the prison population, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a parliamentary session. The legislative initiative will be introduced soon, with the first reading expected in July.Kobakhidze highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of Justice in drafting the law. "A list of relevant articles and clauses from the Criminal Code of Georgia, which may be related to the release of persons under the amnesty rule, has already been compiled," he said.The Prime Minister stressed the need to reduce the current prison population of nearly 10,000 inmates. "It is important that the number of prisoners is seriously reduced to bring it closer to the optimal European rate. Reducing the number of prisoners by at least one-third would be desirable, and we believe the amnesty law will make a significant contribution."The amnesty law is set to be discussed at an extraordinary session in July and adopted in three readings by September.Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and head of the Georgian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, addressed the Political Affairs and Security Committee during the 31st annual session in Bucharest.In his speech, Samkharadze outlined the significant security challenges facing Georgia. He emphasized that 20% of Georgia's territory remains occupied by Russia, displacing up to 300,000 people. Samkharadze criticized some OSCE member states for not using the term "occupation" to describe this situation."Negotiations have been ongoing for years in the Geneva International Discussions format, including under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE, but the peace process still cannot be regulated," Samkharadze stated.He concluded his address by calling on the international community to intensify its efforts to resolve the issue.
From Moses to Joshua: Charting the course of Bahamian development
Alert: Flood warning issued

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IMPHAL, Jul 1: Incessant rainfall today has swollen major rivers in Imphal, prompting Imphal West District Magistrate to issue a flood warning in the evening.

The advisory, the district Magistrate issued said water in major rivers have touched the Warning Level in lmphal area and about to touch the Flood Level.

Even as the India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Manipur for next 5 days, the catchment areas of the major rivers like Imphal River and Nambul River are reported to be receiving continuous rainfall, it said.

It said the public in general and the people in the river fronts, river banks or close to the river course should stay alert for any possible breach of the river banks or embankments or overflows. The public are also requested to be vigilant and inform any Government authority (including DC Office or police stations or Water Resource Department or any other office) for immediate intervention of the Govt so that life and property can be protected, it said.


Clear cut stand from the Nagas Politics of homeland

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The Nagas took note of the political ambitions of the Kukis much before the Meiteis did and the Separate Administration call is nothing but the earlier muted call for a Kukiland or a Zalengam. If the Meiteis today have risen as one to oppose tooth and nail the call for a Separate Administration that may come in the form of a Union Territory, the Nagas had earlier woken up to this impending threat and this perhaps may explain the quit notice served on the Kuki settlements located in what the Nagas say are their ancestral lands. Anyone who has studied and followed the politics of homeland in the last four or five decades of Manipur will understand the stand adopted by the three major communities of the State and for different reasons. Politically educated and conscious Kuki leaders must know that the first and foremost opposition to the Separate Administration demand will come from the Nagas, for the Kukiland Map that has gone viral on the social media contradicts the understanding of a Greater Lim, a demand put forth by the NSCN (IM) and with which the Government of India has been engaged in a political dialogue since 1997. The call for a Kukiland too could have been there on the agenda in the course of the negotiation held under the SoO pact since 2008. It is only after the May 3, 2023 conflagration that this agenda has been vocalised to the extent that it is today and it is only now that the Meiteis as a community have woken up to this. The politics of homeland and while the demand of the Kukis at the moment seems to not have crossed the Union Territory mark, Delhi is not that naive to believe that it will stop there, for the writings on the wall are clear and it could well be a case of first asking for 25 paise before going in for 50 paise and then to one rupee. This should be understood in the context of upping the demand from UT to Statehood to ultimately Zalengam, a composite geographical entity comprising parts of Myanmar, Manipur, Mizoram and Bangladesh. The politics of homeland would surely not have blown over the heads of the mandarins at New Delhi but this is no reason for Manipur to sleep over the matter. It should be clear that in as much as the Nagas would oppose the Separate Administration demand of the Kukis on the ground that it affects the ancestral lands of the Nagas, it should be clear that this is not exactly batting for the geo-political reality called Manipur. This is the reality and a point which should register in the consciousness of every Meitei and anyone who believes that Manipur is a geo-political reality and an entity which merged with India in 1949 with the existing geographical boundary. The Merger Agreement of 1949 covered the whole of Manipur and not only the valley. A point which should not be lost on anyone.

It was in August 2023 that the Nagas of Manipur under the aegis of the United Naga Council lodged a strong stand against the Separate Administration call from the Kuki hardliners. The stand of the Nagas is simple enough to understand. Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts were carved out of Naga lands-Senapati and Chandel in the winter of 2016 and any move to give away the ancestral lands of the Nagas to the Kukis under the Separate Administration arrangement would be opposed tooth and nail. Manipur must still remember the record breaking 139 days economic blockade imposed by the UNC against the district creation move. To the UNC and the Nagas, the decision to create Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi was not less than giving away the ancestral land of the Nagas to the Kukis and herein lies a long, long tale. Now with the ten Naga MLAs coming together to oppose the Separate Administration demand, one wonders how the latest development would be taken by the Government of India. Manipur should also understand the stand of the ten Naga MLAs and see the walk that can be taken together. And perhaps the first should be for Manipur to acknowledge that the politics of the Kukis dawned on the Nagas much earlier, for ultimately it was in the hills that the Kukis first settled and expanded, thanks to the unchecked infiltration as refugees, as way back as 1967, a point which a certain Paolienlal Haokip had highlighted in a written article back in 2002.
Tejemul a.k.a. JCB, a local Trinamool Congress worker accused of beating up a couple over an alleged extra-marital affair in West Bengals Chopra block was arrested by police on late Sunday evening.

Police officials said that he was arrested from Chopra and brought to the Islampur police station.

Earlier, a video had gone viral in which JCB was seen beating up a couple mercilessly at a Kangaroo Court in the open streets at Chopra block in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

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Locals claimed that the victim woman was summoned by JCB over allegations that she was in an extra-marital relationship.

The youth, with whom the victim woman has been accused of having a relation, was also mercilessly beaten up by JCB at the same Kangaroo Court.

Trinamool Congress District President Kanhaiyalal Agarwal has called the incident unfortunate.

CPI-M State Secretary Mohammed Salim has alleged that ruling activists torturing people has become a trend in West Bengal.

BJPs Rajya Sabha member and state Spokesman Samik Bhattacharya said that the Chopra beating incident is not new for the people of West Bengal.
Cooch Behar district Police in West Bengal recorded the statement of the BJP woman activist on Sunday five days after she was allegedly assaulted by Trinamool Congress women activists.

The victim was accompanied by BJPs Cooch Behar District Vice President Deepa Chakraborty and District General Secretary Biraj Bose to the Cooch Behar police station.

On Saturday, the BJP legislator Agnimitra Paul visited Cooch Behar and accused the police of delaying the process of recording the victims statement.

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Also, the National Commission for Women (NCW) member Delina Khondup is in Cooch Behar to meet the victim and record her statement.

NCW has already directed the state police to invoke relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code in the FIR filed in the case.

The accused must be arrested promptly and the victim provided free medical treatment. A fair, time-bound investigation is required, with a detailed action taken report to be submitted to the Commission within three days, said NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma.

BJP legislators have also called for a sit-in demonstration within the state assembly premises from Monday to protest against the assault.

As per the complaint filed by the woman at Ghoksadanga Police Station in Mathabhanga of Cooch Behar District, on June 25, she was surrounded by some women activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress and beaten.

She alleged that the Trinamool women activists took off her sari and dragged her for nearly a kilometre.
BJP IT Chief and the partys Central Observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya said that there is a Sandeshkhali in every village of the state, after a video of a couple beaten by a local Trinamool Congress worker Tejemul aka JCB, went viral on Sunday.

There is a #Sandeshkhali in every village and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a curse for women. There is no semblance of law and order in Bengal. Will Mamata Banerjee act against this monster or defend him like she stood up for Sheikh Shahjahan? Malviya wrote on X.

Earlier, a video had gone viral in which JCB was seen beating up a couple mercilessly at a Kangaroo Court in the open streets at Chopra block in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

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Malviya also claimed that the accused is a close associate of the Trinamool Congress legislator from Chopra Hamidul Rahman.

Locals claimed that the victim woman was summoned by JCB over allegations that she was in an extra-marital relationship.

The youth, with whom the victim woman has been accused of having a relation, was also mercilessly beaten up by JCB at the same Kangaroo Court.

Trinamool Congress District President Kanhaiyalal Agarwal has called the incident unfortunate. Police have been informed and the cops are looking into the matter, Agarwal told media persons.

Chopra legislator Hamidul Rahman said that he has already summoned JCB to know what actually happened. The inspector-in-charge of Chopra Police Station Amaresh Singh confirmed police have taken up the case and the investigation is going on.
The board of Patanjali Foods Limited (PFL) on Monday approved the proposal of Patanjali Ayurved Limited to acquire its Home and Personal Care (HPC) business, accelerating the companys transition into a leading FMCG firm.

The transfer of the HPC business has been mutually negotiated between the Company and PAL for a lump sum consideration of Rs 11,00,00,00,000 (Rupees Eleven Hundred Crores only) which shall be subject to customary closing date adjustments and on such other terms as set out in the business transfer agreement to be executed between the Company and PAL, Patanjali Foods said.

Separately, a 20-year licensing arrangement for a 3 % turnover based fee along with other conditions has been agreed between the Company and PAL.

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The Home and Personal Care business of Patanjali Ayurved presently caters to four key segments being dental care, skin care, home care, and hair care.

This strategic initiative for acquisition of HPC business shall strengthen the companys existing FMCG product portfolio with an array of marquee brands and also contribute to the growth in terms of revenue and EBITDA, Patanjali Foods said in a statement.

PFL prepares to acquire the entire HPC Business of PAL on a going concern basis, and includes all the assets and liabilities attributable to the business, relevant employees, distribution network, contracts, licenses, permits, consents, and approvals integral to this operation.

The company also acknowledges the value of the intellectual properties of the HPC Business product portfolio and its market importance.

Accordingly, the company and PAL have also agreed to enter into a licensing agreement permitting the company to use the trademarks and associated intellectual property rights, owned by PAL, that relate to the product portfolio of the HPC Business.

The acquisition will lead to a consolidation of Patanjali brand FMCG products portfolio. The acquisition will bring along with it multiple key synergies in terms of brand equity and enhancements, product innovations, cost optimisation, infrastructure & operational efficiencies and positive impact on market share.

With this acquisition, the company also informed that it has reaffirmed its position to be a strong FMCG company in its journey towards becoming a major player in the FMCG space as committed to its shareholders at the time of its maiden FPO.

Pursuant to the approval of the Board of PFL, the Company shall now take necessary steps to execute the definite agreements in connection with the acquisition as well as apply for necessary approvals integral to the transaction.
The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha Universitys School of Law and Legal Studies organised a panel discussion on the three new criminal laws that have come into force from Monday  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor of the University Padma Prof. (Dr) Mahesh Verma called it a revolutionary step of the government. He said that these three laws have evolved the judicial system from the colonial era to match the requirements of adhunik bharat. He added that these will help in building a meaningful, empathetic and just society.

He also said that there is a need to make the people aware about these laws and also train those who will implement them. He enumerated the various activities being planned by the University to play a key role in this area.

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He further added that in these new laws, the word Nyay has been used in place of Dand and community work has also been included as a punishment for minor crimes. He concluded by saying that this is an unprecedented change in the Indian judicial system, which will benefit every section of the society.

Former District and Sessions Judge H S Sharma said that the most important thing about the changes made in these laws is that maximum attention has been given to those who seek justice. Full provision has been made to ensure that their plea is heard carefully at every level.

Special Secretary of National Security Council Secretariat, Praveen Sinha said that the changes made in these laws are quite progressive and are focused on the interests of the citizens. Their benefits will be reflected in the near future.

He said that many old provisions have been removed and new provisions have been added in view of the requirements of our contemporary society. He also said that among these changes, special care has been taken to ensure that the dignity of women and the rights of children are upheld.

Former Judge of Delhi High Court, Justice Talwant Singh said that a lot of emphasis has been laid on digital evidence in the new laws. This will increase digital intervention in the judicial process and the demand for forensic science professionals will increase. He also said that by setting a time limit for the judicial process, legal benefits will reach a greater number of people.

Former judge of Delhi High Court, Justice M L Mehta said that it is inappropriate to oppose these new laws without reading and understanding them properly. The changes brought in these laws have been made keeping in mind the interests of the people. He said that the new changes will speed up the judicial process and increase access of justice to the common man.

Dean of University School of Law and Legal Studies Prof. Queeny Pradhan said that about eight hundred students and staff participated in this discussion. Nodal officer of the program Dr. Upma Gautam said that many such programs will be organized by the University in the future to increase awareness about the new laws.

In his vote of thanks, the University Registrar, Dr Kamal Pathak said that in a democratic country, the police, doctors and lawyers play a very important role. While extending his best wishes for Doctors Day, he said that getting justice at the right time is as important as getting timely treatment.
Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Atishi, on Monday, asked the officials concerned to adopt short- and long-term measures to prevent drains from overflowing in the city.

The direction was issued by the minister after inspecting Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) drain no 12 at ITO.

MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and senior officials from MCD, PWD, Urban Development, and Flood and Irrigation Control Departments, who accompanied Atishi, highlighted the administrations relentless efforts to combat monsoon woes.

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It may be mentioned here that MCDs drain No. 12 carries water from Central Delhi to Yamuna. On 28 June, Delhi received rainfall of 228 mm in just 24 hours against 800 mm rainfall the city normally receives in the entire monsoon season. This time around, almost a quarter of the entire monsoon rainfall was recorded in just 24 hours. This unexpected rainfall caused the drain to overflow resulting in waterlogging around ITO Chowk.

During the inspection, the PWD minister instructed the officials to find short-term solutions to prevent drain number 12 from overflowing in the upcoming rainy season while trying to find a permanent solution to the problem so that the issue of waterlogging does not arise in future to the relief of the people.

Later in a post on X, Atishi wrote, Water from Central Delhi flows into the Yamuna through drain no 12 near ITO. On 28 June, when 228mm of rain fell, this drain overflowed and waterlogging occurred in the surrounding areas. Today along with Mayor Shelly Oberoi ji and senior officials, inspected this drain and gave instructions for short term and long term solutions to stop the overflow.

Mayor Shelly Oberoi also said ITO Chowk and the roads around it are among the most important routes of Delhi. To prevent waterlogging here, we will work together with the departments of the Delhi government and take every necessary step to prevent waterlogging, she asserted.
Veteran Bollywood actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, who has been admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai, underwent minor surgery.

A source told IANS that the senior actor had a hectic schedule recently due to the polling campaign and his daughter Sonakshi Sinhas wedding.

Earlier, when Sonakshi visited the hospital with her husband, Zaheer Iqbal, it raised speculations about her pregnancy.

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However, the source confirmed that the actress went to the hospital to see her father.

While theres no clarity on how soon Shatrughan will be discharged from the hospital, it is said that the actor is currently stable and under observation.

This comes as a bit of a downer for the Sinha family after the double celebrations of Shatrughans Lok Sabha win and Sonakshis wedding.

Shatrughan recently won from West Bengals Asansol constituency in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections and expressed his gratitude to the people of Asansol.

The actor won by a margin of 59,564 votes against BJP candidate Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia.

Meanwhile, Sonakshi and Zaheer tied the knot on June 23 in Mumbai after seven years of dating.

The couple first met at a party hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.

Interestingly, both Sonakshi and Zaheer started their careers with Salman.

Sonakshi made her debut opposite Salman in the box-office phenomenon Dabangg, while Zaheer made his debut with Salman Khans home production Notebook.
Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who is gearing up for her upcoming horror-comedy movie Stree 2, is feeling a bit under the weather.

The actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram on Sunday and shared a picture of herself from her flight to Lucknow.

In the picture, Shraddha can be seen wearing an orange top and a turquoise jacket.

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The actress is also wearing a surgical face mask as part of health protocols in the post-pandemic world. She completed her look with a pair of transparent glasses.

Shraddha wrote on the picture: Tabiyat down lekin Lucknow aana hai toh aana hai (feeling unwell, but if I have to come to Lucknow, I have to come).

The actress headed to Lucknow for a brand event.

Earlier, Shraddha spent her holiday in the mountains and shared glimpses from the trip.

The actress also recently confirmed her relationship with writer Rahul Mody.

On the work front, Shraddha, who was last seen in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar opposite Ranbir Kapoor, will next be seen reprising her role as a mysterious woman in the upcoming horror-comedy franchise Stree 2.

The film is a sequel to the 2018 runaway hit Stree, which starred Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee.

The original film narrated the story of the spirit of a female ghost who abducts men at night when they are alone, leaving only their clothes behind in the town of Chanderi. It was inspired by the urban legend of Nalle Baa.
New chief of Army Staff, Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday asserted that his force is ready and capable to deal with all current and future security challenges facing the country.

Gen Dwivedi, who assumed charge of the Army on Sunday, inspected a guard of honour at the South Block Morning morning. His family members and the top brass of the Indian Army were present.

In a brief interaction with the media later, Gen Dwivedi said the Army is facing unique operational challenges and it is the forces duty to remain prepared for such threats. Therefore, it is crucial to continue equipping the soldiers with the latest weapons.

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I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me and I assure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges, he said.

He also stated that working towards ensuring synergy among the Army, Air Force and the Navy would be one of his priorities.

The Army chief said he will encourage induction of indigenously-built military hardware into the force to boost self-reliance in defence.

The Indian Army faces unique operational challenges and to remain prepared for such threats and distinctive requirements, it is crucial that we continuously equip our soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and continue to evolve our war-fighting strategies, he added.

Gen Dwivedi said the Indian Army is on the path to transformation and it aspires to be Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in defence.

To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war systems and equipment that are manufactured in our country, he said.

Gen Dwivedi said he would focus on ensuring that the Army is ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict.

It will be my endeavour to ensure that the Indian Army is always ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining complete synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders, he said.
Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajiv Bindal on Monday accused the Congress government of giving protection to all kinds of mafia, saying the incidents of crime in Devbhoomi Himachal have shaken the state.

Himachal Pradesh is in the grip of mining, scrap, chitta, liquor mafia, all these mafias are being protected by the Congress government. The criminals are fearless. There is no fear of the government in the entire state, only the common man, employees, shopkeepers are afraid, he alleged while addressing media persons here on Monday.

The firing incident in Baddi-Brotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) has got a new twist which was done under the protection of the scrap mafia. There have been more than five firing incidents in the state in one month. This is enough to raise alarm bells for the state, said Bindal.

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Referring to the firing incident in Bilaspur, he claimed that Bilaspur MLA Trilok Jamwal and Doon MLA and CPS had brought it to the notice of Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of the district that people with illegal arms were seen roaming in the area. However, the administration did not take any action on the information.

This shows that the state government is providing full protection to these people who are roaming fearlessly, he charged.

Bindal pointed out that there have been 20 incidents wherein local people, foreign nationals, taxi drivers, businessmen, women were killed between June 1 and 30 June.

Opening a front against the government, he said that the government has been sitting idle for one and a half years and the situation in Himachal has become terrible and fearful.

Do we want to make Nalagarh a mafia den, he questioned.

Accusing the government machinery of playing with the lives of the people of Himachal Pradesh, he slammed the government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

The government has deployed food, excise, labour inspectors to spread terror by issuing challans in Dehra, Nalagarh, Hamirpur where the by-polls are to be held on July 10. The government of friends is transferring the relatives of the Pradhans, BDC members. This government wants to hijack the elections by force, he alleged.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday spoke on President Droupadi Murmus address to Parliament and said the BJP-led government in the last 10 years, had committed a systematic attack on the Constitution and the idea of India, creating fear among farmers and the common people.

In his first speech as the Leader of the Opposition in the House, Mr Gandhi said the BJPs government was characterized by concentration of power and whoever resisted BJPs ideas and the attack on the Constitution, was put in jail. There was aggression on Dalits, poor and minorities and he himself had to undergo 55 hours of interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and some other Ministers objected to Mr Gandhis observations that the BJP did not represent the true spirit of Hinduism as it talked of violence and tried to create fear among people.

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Mr Modi said this is a serious matter, Mr Gandhi is calling the whole Hindu society violent. Mr Gandhi said The BJP does not represent the whole Hindu society; RSS too cannot claim to represent all Hindus.

The Congress leader said his partys symbol Hand represented the abhaya mudra (hand posture dispelling fear) which was also observed in the images of divine figures in all religions. Mr Gandhi said all religions want their followers to be fearless and not spread fear.

The Home Minister said crores of people are proud to be Hindus and the Leader of the Opposition calls them violent. It is not fair to link any religion with violence, he said. Mr Shah said how can a Congress leader talk of fear in the country when his party imposed the Emergency and the nation was in fear, and there were killings of Sikhs during the Congress rule.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded to Mr Gandhis charge that the Agniveer jawans getting killed in action were not cared for. The Defence Minister said the government gave Rs 1 crore compensation to families of the Agniveers dying in action.

As Mr Gandhi continued to attack the government on various issues, Speaker Om Birla had to intervene repeatedly because of frequent interruptions from the Treasury Benches. Mr Birla agreed to the governments request that Mr Gandhis claims be verified.

The Leader of the Opposition said the Hindus do not spread fear while the BJP does so 24 hours and its leaders created fear in the party also. He said Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama, had given the message to the BJP by rejecting its candidate for the Lok Sabha.

Mr Gandhi said the Ayodhyas Samajwadi Party MP Ayodhya Prasad, who sat by him, had told him the people of the constituency rejected the BJP because the party had created fear among people there by acquiring their land, and demolishing shops, without giving any compensation.

During his Bharat Jodi Yatra, he said, he had found women were living in fear because of price-rise, and getting beaten up by their husbands because they had no food to serve them because of price-rise. Fear was sought to be created among farmers through three farm laws. Mr Gandhi said they are still agitating for legally-guaranteed MSP for crops.

Students are financially and emotionally drained and have lost all hope because the professional exam NEET had been made commercial, enabling only the rich to get medical seats, he said. This has created a fear in the country. Manipur is forgotten.

Mr Gandhi said families of Agniveers also lived in fear and if his government came to power, it would end the Agniveer scheme. He said the government brought schemes suddenly like demonetization which destroyed small industry and jobs. The government should not consider the Opposition enemy, he said.

The motion of thanks to the Presidents address was moved by BJP leader Anurag Thakur and seconded by Ms Bansuri Swaraj (BJP) and the two referred to numerous achievements of the BJP government which brought a mandate to Prime Minister Narendra for the third consecutive term.
The BJP on Monday sought apology from Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Hindu community made in the Lower House of Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha today that the BJP is not the entire Hindu society.

Narendra Modi is not the entire Hindu society. BJP is not the entire Hindu society; RSS is not the entire society; this is not BJPs contract, the Congress MP said in the Lok Sabha.

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Criticising Rahul Gandhi for his remarks, Union Health Minister and BJP president JP Nadda in a post on X said: Rahul Gandhi Ji must immediately APOLOGISE to all Hindus for terming them as violent. This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop.

First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility, Nadda said in another post on X.

The BJP president also slammed Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Agniveer scheme.

The LoP BLATANTLY LIED on many counts including matters that concern our hardworking farmers and brave armed forces. He was duly fact checked by Union Ministers for FALSE claims on MSP and Agniveer. For his own cheap politics, he wont even spare our farmers and security forces, Nadda said in another post on X.

The Leader of the Opposition is now a 5 time MP but he has not learnt Parliamentary norms and neither does he understand civility. Time and again, he reduces the levels of discourse. His utterances towards the Chair today were in very poor taste. He owes an apology to the Chair for casting unsubstantiated aspersions on his integrity and personality, the BJP president said in another post on X.

Meanwhile, while addressing a press conference this evening, Information and Broadcasting Minister and BJP leader Ashwini Vaishnaw said the grand old party leader has taken up a position of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha for the first time and has made very irresponsible statements thus bringing the level of politics down.

Vaishnaw said: Today Rahul Gandhi insulted the entire Hindu community.

The most concerning issue is that today Rahul Gandhi labelled the entire Hindu community as violent and gravely insulted Hindu society. This is an old habit of Congress. In 2010, P Chidambaram called Hindus terrorists. In 2013, Sushil Shinde also said the same. In 2021, Rahul Gandhi said that Hindutvavadis should be expelled from the country, the Union Minister said.

Rahul has degraded the position of LoP and brought the level of politics down so much. This statement deserves condemnation in the strongest terms, he added.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister further said Rahul Gandhi has degraded the position of the Leader of Opposition, which was once handled by prominent leaders.

The position of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is a highly responsible one. Leaders like Atal Ji, Advani Ji, and Sushma Ji have handled this responsibility with great care. Today, Rahul Gandhi has taken up a position for the first time and has made very irresponsible statements. Rahul said that no compensation is given to the martyrs under the Agniveer scheme. This is the biggest lie. Today, the Defence Minister clearly stated in Parliament that martyrs under the Agniveer scheme receive a compensation of Rs 1 crore. Rahul Ji should check his facts before making such statements. Congress has always raised such questions about the army and tried to mislead the country, Vaishnaw said.

Rahul Gandhi insulted the constitutional position of the Speaker. This is not the first time; remember when Rahul Gandhi tore up his own governments ordinance. During the UPA government, the constitutional position of the Prime Minister was undermined by the unconstitutional body called the National Advisory Council (NAC), which was run by Sonia Gandhi, he added.

Further, the BJP leader added that the Congress has always aimed to weaken constitutional structures.

Vaishnaw also mentioned that compensation in Ayodhya has been given to the affected people.

What does Rahul know about culture? Today, he made another misleading statement regarding compensation in Ayodhya. The state government and administration have already provided clear figures on this. A compensation of Rs 1253 crore has been given to 4215 affected shopkeepers, and relocation has been carried out by the administration, he added.
In a sharp attack on the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal over a horrific video of a man assaulting a woman in Chopra town of Uttar Dinajpur district, BJP president JP Nadda on Monday said Didis West Bengal is unsafe for women.

In a post on X, Nadda said, A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur or many other places, Didis West Bengal is UNSAFE for women.

The West Bengal police on Sunday filed a suo motu case and arrested one person in connection with the video in which a person is seen beating a woman at Chopra in the Islampur area of Uttar Dinajpur district.

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Police have arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a woman. Suo motu case filed. Victim has been provided police security. Investigation proceeds, a tweet from Islampur police district said.

According to the police, the arrested accused, identified as Tajmul Haque alias JCB, will be produced before the ACJM court in Islampur today.

Islampur Police District further said on X that Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The fact is, police have promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady.

Suo moto case started by the police. Victim has been provided police security. Investigation proceeds, the tweet said.

In the purported video, a man is seen beating a woman and another man with bamboo sticks and the incident that took place is being witnessed by a crowd of onlookers.
Leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest on the Parliament premises here on Tuesday against alleged misuse of Central investigative agencies.

The Opposition leaders held a demonstration in front of the Makar Dwar at the new Parliament building shouting slogans against the Narendra Modi Government and holding aloft placards reading, End the reign of fear. Stop ED, Income Tax, CBI misuse; respect Opposition, stop intimidation.

The INDIA bloc has been accusing the ruling dispensation of misusing agencies to target prominent leaders of the Opposition alliance. They have become vocal in their criticism of the government on the alleged misuse of the Central agencies after the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren by the ED.

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Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is currently lodged in Delhis Tihar Jail. He was initially arrested by the ED in March in a liquor policy case before being formally arrested by the CBI after a local court issued a bail order in his favour on June 26.

It may be mentioned here that in March, at the Save Democracy mega rally organised by the INDIA bloc at the Ramlila Maidan, Opposition leaders vociferously demanded the release of Kejriwal and Soren.

While Soren, who was arrested by the ED in an alleged land scam case, has been released from jail last week after the Jharkhand High Court granted him bail, Kejriwal is still incarcerated with his bail plea pending a hearing in the Supreme Court.

Notably, the protest on Monday came close on the heels of a demonstration by the INDIA bloc at Parliament last week alleging an attack on the Constitution under the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government.
The stand-off between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the Congress-led INDIA bloc continued on Monday with the opposition staging a walk-out from the Lok Sabha over its demand for a discussion on the NEET row.

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, called for a review of the entire education system under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

Speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Presidents Address in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge said, Not just NEET or the National Testing Agency, the entire education system must be reviewed under Supreme Court.

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The Congress chief also demanded that the Agnipath Scheme be scrapped.

The morale of the youth has been shattered by bringing an unplanned and tughlaqi scheme like AgniveerI demand that Agniveer scheme should be scrapped, he said.

Kharge termed the Presidents address to the joint sitting of both the Houses a copy of the January address and asserted it lacked both vision and direction.

The President is the most important part of Parliament, we respect the President. This year, the Presidents first address was in January and second in June. The first address was for elections and the second was a copy of it. There was nothing for Dalits, minority sections and the backward classes in her address. There was neither vision nor direction in the Presidents address. Like the last time, it was just about full of words of appreciation for the government, Kharge added.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also witnessed a heated exchange between the Opposition and the Government over the issue of NEET exams.

Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, Rahul Gandhi, demanded a separate one day discussion on the NEET-UG issue, saying more than two crore students have been affected.

We wanted a one-day discussion on NEET. It is an important issue. More than two crore students have been affected. Paper leaks have happened on 70 occasions. We would be happy if you allow a separate discussion on the issue, Gandhi said.

However, the Centre Opposed the separate discussion on the issue, saying no other issue was taken up during the Motion of Thanks on Presidents address.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intervened, saying that a discussion cant be allowed till the House finishes the debate on Motion of Thanks.

In my decades-long tenure as a parliamentarian, never has any other issue been taken up during the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents address. Other issues can be raised after passing the motion of thanks, Singh said.

Speaker Om Birla said there was no convention of taking up any other discussion during the debate on the Motion of Thanks and members can give a separate notice for the discussion on NEET.

As soon as Birla asked BJP MP Anurag Thakur to initiate the discussion on the Motion of Thanks, the Opposition staged a walk-out from the Lok Sabha demanding assurance of a debate from the government on the issue.
Commenting on the three new criminal laws that came into effect on Monday, Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) Chief National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar alleged that the legislation had been passed without discussion when more than 140 MPs were under suspension.

The senior AAP leader said if read carefully, 10 per cent of these laws, 90 per cent of which are old, give sweeping powers to the police. From today on, the burden on the countrys courts is going to increase as they have to deal with two types of criminal laws.

As regards the previous laws, she said in 1973, six law commissions sat on discussion on them for 13 years. All the laws that reflected the colonial past, through which police brutality was put into practice by the erstwhile British rule, had been removed, she pointed out.

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She said in the Supreme Court too, after long amendments, like in the information where a cognizable offence is clearly reflected, it had been made necessary for the police to register FIR. If you approach the police with a complaint of kidnapping or theft, the cops have to file an FIR and begin the probe, she added.

The AAP leader predicted that the changes made in the laws would again take things back to older times and foresaw a rise in police brutality with these laws.

She also questioned the need for notifying these laws in such a hurry, that too, without proper discussion.

Citing an example, she said with these laws the police can now confiscate a persons property without obtaining a court order.

Taking to social media platform X, Kakkar requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a threadbare discussion on the new laws. @AmitShah sir, just heard your interview. You said you are open for a discussion on new criminal laws and will give time to anyone who is desirous of a discussion of the same. It is requested that you pls provide time for a discussion on the aforementioned subject. In anticipation of a positive response, AAP chief national spokesperson wrote.
The Congress-led UDF Opposition walked out of the Kerala Assembly on Monday in protest against the governments refusal to discuss the alarming high rate of suicide among policemen and address the acute staff shortage in the police force that has created physical and mental stress among policemen.

Congress MLA PC Vishnunath moved a notice for an adjournment debate on the alarming high rate of suicide among policemen. He said 88 policemen had committed suicide in the last five years due to the huge workload and stress on them. The governments reluctance to recruit adequate police personnel and thereby imposing huge workload on policemen is a state-sponsored atrocity and also a human rights violation, Vishnunath said.

He further said overwork, extraneous political influence, including in postings and transfers, harsh workplace conditions and toxic office atmosphere were some causes of the malaise.

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Vishnunath said around 118 policemen were needed on an average for a police station to function effectively. However, in many police stations, only 44 policemen on an average are handling the workload of 118 policemen, he added.

He rebuked the government for prescribing yoga as a panacea for all the ills that plagued the police force.

Most officers staffing police stations put in more than 14 hours daily. Instead of increasing their numbers and limiting duty time to eight hours and giving scope for officers to meet their social and familial commitments, the government has cynically prescribed yoga for officers who work their fingers to the bone daily, Vishnunath said.

Replying to the notice for adjournment motion, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government is taking various steps to reduce the workload. He listed many initiatives the government has launched to reduce the workload and stress of policemen.

The LDF government has created 5,670 new posts in the police force till March 31 this year. The government is taking steps to increase the staff strength and utilise technology to reduce the workload in the police force, the CM said.

Stating that the work-related stress of policemen cannot be totally avoided, the chief minister said yet,the government will take all steps possible to reduce it. The government has directed the (Home) department to address the circumstances leading to suicide among policemen, the Chief Minister added.

Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan accused the Chief Minister of trying to trivialise a serious issue. Satheesan said that the mental stress of the policeman is even affecting law and order. He alleged that district police chiefs are influenced by CPI-M district secretaries and that Station House Officers (SHOs) are managed by the Area Committee, suggesting that the party exerts control over the state police.

In protest against the denial of permission for the adjournment motion to discuss the serious issue being faced by policemen, the Opposition walked out of the Assembly.
Renting a shop at the airport and smuggling the yellow metal with ease was the modus operandi of a Sri Lankan syndicate engaged in massive gold smuggling. The gang from the island nation, which had successfully smuggled a whopping 267 kg gold worth Rs 167 crore in just two months through a souvenir shop rented by a local YouTuber, was busted recently.

The owner of the Airhub shop, Sabir Ali, and eight others including sales executives of the shop and a Sri Lankan transit passenger from the Gulf were arrested and remanded to custody. The shop was a mask and the youtuber was a conduit.

Selling gift articles, toys and souvenirs, the shop was at the departure lounge of the Anna International Airport and the Sri Lankan syndicate had rented it through Sabir Ali. All the seven other employees are nationals of the island nation, trained in smuggling the yellow metal in paste hidden through their rectum.

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The Air Customs sleuths stumbled upon the racket when a sales executive of Airhub was apprehended concealing in his rectum 850 gm of gold paste in three bundles, valued at Rs 1.6 crore, and attempting to take it out of the airport. It was found that he had received the gold paste from a Sri Lankan passenger who had arrived from Abu Dhabi. The latter had brought it for the Lankan syndicate.

Sri Lankan passengers on transit normally had 16 to 23 hours at the airport here and those operating for the smuggling gang would leave the contraband either at the toilet or at the Airhub shop of the YouTuber.

From there, the employees of the shop would take it, hiding it in their rectum, outside the airport and hand it over to the receiver. In this manner, the syndicate had smuggled gold paste in bundles worth Rs 167 crore, custom officials maintained.

Initial investigations have revealed that Sabir Ali and his employees of the shop have made a fortune of a few crores of rupees as commission. Further probe is on to ascertain the role of others, locals or Sri Lankan nationals, in this racket.
Jammu and Kashmir Police along with security forces have arrested a terrorist associate at Sopore in north Kashmirs Baramulla district and recovered incriminating Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials and arms and ammunition from his possession, the police said on Sunday.

At about 7:40 p.m., Sopore Police along with Army (22 Rashtriya Rifles) and CRPF (179 Battalion) established a joint Naka at Machipora, Bomai. During checking, a vehicle (white coloured Maruti Swift) bearing registration number JK01AK-4452 coming from Bomai towards Machipora was intercepted, the police added.

The driver of the vehicle tried to flee from the spot but the alert party apprehended him.

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He has been identified as Waheed-ul-Zahoor.

Police said during the search, two Turkish pistols, three Turkish pistol magazines, 41 pistol rounds, two Chinese grenades, one Turkish pistol silencer, incriminating IED materials and other materials were recovered from the vehicle.

Police have registered an FIR and further investigation is underway.
The three new criminal laws  the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam  came into effect on Monday, replacing the colonial-era laws, including the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Ahead of their nation-wide implementation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the criminal justice system needs to be two generations ahead of criminals.

Three laws of the British era were governing the Indian judicial system, they have been changed with the concept of speedy justice and justice to all, Shah said last week during the MoU signing event between the Haryana government and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar in Panchkula.

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In the new laws, importance has been given to forensic science in investigation, prosecution and judicial process, this is going to open huge avenues for the youth, the home minister added.

The new criminal laws enable any person to file a Zero FIR at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. Police complaints can now be registered online and summons will be served through SMS or other electronic means.

The new laws will also help fast-track the justice delivery system as court judgments will now have to be passed within 45 days of trials completion. Moreover, charges will now be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.

The new laws have also accorded priority to investigation for offences against women and children to ensure timely completion of cases.

Another important aspect of the legislation is that the new laws will make it mandatory for forensic experts to visit crime scenes in case of serious offences that invite punishment of seven years or more.

Police departments across the country organised extensive training sessions to ensure effective implementation of the new criminal laws.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has urged the government to refrain from implementing the new criminals laws. Several Opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have called for a parliamentary review of the new laws.

The main Opposition Congress alleged that there are several retrograde provisions in the new laws, which are prima facie unconstitutional.
In a historic moment for Maharashtra, Senior IAS officer Sujata Saunik assumed the role of Chief Secretary on Sunday, marking the first time a woman has held this prestigious position in the states 64-year history. Sujata Saunik, a distinguished officer from the 1987 IAS batch, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in public service.

Born on June 15, 1965, Sujata Sauniks career spans over three decades, during which she has held numerous significant positions. Before her latest appointment, she served as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Maharashtra.

She also held the roles of Principal Secretary of Public Health and Financial Reform within the state. Sauniks diverse experience covers crucial areas such as healthcare, finance, education, disaster management, and peacekeeping, both at the district and state levels, and through her work with international organizations, including the United Nations.

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Saunik steps into the shoes of Nitin Kareer, who retired as the chief secretary. Kareer ceremoniously handed over the reins to Saunik at a ceremony held at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai. Her tenure as Chief Secretary is set to last for a year, concluding with her retirement in June next year.

Sujata Sauniks appointment is not just a professional achievement but also a significant milestone for gender equality in the states administration. Her husband, Manoj Saunik, a former state chief secretary, shares a similar legacy of public service, adding another layer of distinction to her career.

Throughout her career, Saunik has demonstrated a profound commitment to public service and governance. Her extensive experience in healthcare and financial reform has been particularly noteworthy. As the Additional Chief Secretary in the state home department, she played a critical role in shaping policies and implementing reforms that have had a lasting impact on the states development.

Sauniks rise to the top administrative post in Maharashtra underscores her exceptional capabilities and the trust placed in her leadership. Her tenure is bringing fresh perspectives and continued progress in the states administration.
The coup attempt in Bolivia serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy, particularly in regions beset by economic and political turmoil. The swift rise and fall of this rebellion, led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, underscores the volatile nature of Bolivian politics and the deep divisions within its government. Yet, it also highlights a critical resilience among the Bolivian people and their institutions in defending democratic norms. President Luis Arces firm response to the insurrection was crucial. His quick decision to appoint new military leadership and command the troops to stand down was a decisive move that likely prevented a prolonged conflict.

This incident, though alarming, demonstrates the importance of strong, decisive leadership in times of crisis. Mr Arces actions in the face of such a direct threat to his presidency reinforced his commitment to democracy and stability. The underlying tensions that led to this coup attempt cannot be ignored. Bolivias political landscape has been marred by infighting, particularly within the Movement for Socialism (MAS), the party that has dominated the countrys politics for years. The rift between Mr Arce and his predecessor, Mr Evo Morales, has paralysed efforts to address Bolivias economic crisis, which has seen the countrys economy plummet from being one of the fastest-growing in the region to one of its most beleaguered. This internal conflict has hindered crucial policy-making and exacerbated public discontent, creating a fertile ground for extreme actions like those taken by General Zuniga.

The generals justification for his actions ~ claiming to restore democracy and addressing the publics cries for change ~ reflects a dangerous narrative. While his concerns about political paralysis and economic decline resonate with many, his method of addressing these issues was fundamentally undemocratic. True democracy cannot be restored or upheld through military force; it must come from within the framework of constitutional and lawful processes. General Zunigas actions, therefore, were a direct attack on the democratic fabric of Bolivia, regardless of his purported intentions. The international response to the coup attempt has been swift and condemnatory, which is encouraging. Regional leaders and organisations have rightly emphasised the need to maintain constitutional order and support democratic governance.

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This solidarity is crucial in sending a clear message that coups and military interventions are unacceptable in the modern political era. For Bolivia, the path forward must involve addressing the root causes of its political and economic crises. This includes reconciling the divisions within MAS, fostering a more inclusive political dialogue, and implementing effective economic policies to stabilise the country. The government must also work to regain the trust of its people, who are understandably wary after years of political instability and economic hardship. Bolivians quick mobilisation in support of democracy following the coup attempt is a hopeful sign. It shows a populace that is not only aware of its rights but also willing to defend them actively
Deep state, as popularly understood, is a secret and unauthorized network of power, operating independently of a states political leadership, and in pursuit of its own agenda and goals. Many national leaders have invoked fears of the deep state to spread misinformation and/ or elicit sympathy. Donald Trump has done it often; in 2017, Trump patronised a website 4chan, which promoted the idea that Trump was waging a secret war against a cabal of satanic cannibalistic paedophiles within Hollywood, the Democratic Party, and the so-called deep state within the United States government.

This theory, expanding in content and geographic reach, resulted in several protests, as well as some violent criminal incidents. Trump, as President, used the term deep state, to denounce whistle-blowers and leakers from the US intelligence community. Addressing an election rally in March 2023, Trump said: Either the deep state destroys America or we destroy the deep state. One of Trumps electioneve promises is to dismantle the deep state by stripping thousands of federal employees of their civil service protections, allowing them to be fired at will. In UK, the Civil Service has been called the deep state, pursuing its own policies, regardless of the Government.

Tony Blair, former PM reportedly said: You cannot underestimate how much they believe its their job to actually run the country and to resist the changes put forward by people they dismiss as here today, gone tomorrow politicians. For Pakistan, the deep state is the army which calls the shots in all important matters, including starting a war in Kargil, without informing the civilian leadership. Other countries, like Turkey, where the term deep state originated, have differing definitions of the term. Rahul Gandhi, speaking at the Ideas for India Conference in UK, posited that the deep state, in partnership with the CBI and ED were intent on chewing the Indian state. During the recent elections social media liberally blamed the deep state for a number of fiascos.

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It is fashionable to blame the deep state for inexplicable instances of disturbances, violence and even murders, authorship of which cannot be attributed to any of the usual suspects. Thus, after the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, Pakistan President Asif Zardari was quick to lay the blame on non-State actors, though later it was conclusively proved that the cowardly attack took place at the behest of Pakistans ISI. This is a general trend; the American public could not reconcile the official narrative of a purely defensive foreign policy with the frequent mounting of secret offensive operations, once they became aware of the reality of the US Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961, and American intervention in Guatemala. Politicians, then, conveniently blamed secretive intelligence officers, who purportedly kept elected public representatives in the dark, while carrying out their nefarious activities.

But in the information age, when nothing can be kept secret for long, it has emerged that the deep state was a bogey ~ a convenient shield for a countrys pursuit of realpolitik. Politicians, often change their positions, according to prevailing circumstances, and their promises and assertions cannot be taken as gospel truth. For example, after declassification of the US Intelligence Report titled Assessing the Saudi Governments Role in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi, which unequivocally stated: We assess that Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the US Senates unanimous resolution, holding Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman personally responsible for the murder of Khashoggi, and public demands for strict action against Salman, Joe Biden, as a presidential candidate, promised to make the Saudis pay a price for their role in Jamal Khashoggis murder, and also to redefine the US-Saudi relationship.

However, after Biden was elected President, the White House started insisting that punishment of Mohammed bin Salman was never on the table, and to drive home the obvious, Biden even made a State visit to Saudi Arabia. The gullible would attribute this U-turn to the deep state, forgetting the fact that no US President would like to antagonise Saudi Arabia, a country with almost unlimited oil resources, and a US client of long standing, over a moral issue. There are many precedents of the US ignoring domestic sentiments to preserve its relations with Saudi Arabia.

Inquiries into the 9/11 attack on New York had revealed that all 19 hijackers were Saudi Arabian nationals and there was some evidence of direct involvement of Saudi officials in the attack. Yet, President Bush went only after Afghanistan which was pounded into dust. A Joint Congressional Committee conducting an inquiry into the performance of US Intelligence agencies vis-a-vis the 9/11 bombings, touched upon the possible involvement of Saudi Arabian government officials. The 832-page report of the Committee was released in December 2002. However, the US administration ensured that 28 pages of the Committees report were never published.

The redacted pages and the unanswered question of Saudi involvement left the victims families fuming and demanding an independent inquiry. Contrarily, the US attacked Iraq on its fictional possession of weapons of mass destruction. Here again realpolitik triumphed over morality in international relations. The lesson is that most countries, including the US, which lectures the rest of the world on a rulesbased order, are avid practitioners of realpolitik, which puts national interest first ~ ahead of morality, or anything else. Reports released by the human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders (110 Overseas: Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild, September 2022 and Patrol and Persuade: A follow-up investigation to 110 Overseas, December 2022) reveal that four Chinese public security bureaus established 102 overseas police service stations in 53 countries across the world, with the aim of interference in the internal affairs of host countries, and intimidation of overseas critics.

Investigations launched by the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, and 10 other countries revealed that such stations were targeting domestic persona non grata, like activists, human rights lawyers, protesters, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and students. Inter alia, such police stations armtwisted overseas Chinese to return to face trial. According to Safeguard Defenders, 230,000 people suspected of fraud and telecom fraud, were successfully persuaded to return to China. On questioning, China has officially denied the existence of any overseas police station, insisting that these were service centres to help overseas Chinese renew residency cards, drivers licenses, and national ID cards.

During Vladimir Putins 24-year rule, more than twenty Kremlin critics, journalists and defected spies have died mysteriously ~ most of them abroad. In many cases, rare poisons that all but defied identification were used. Israel has been more direct, killing targets abroad by laserguided missiles, helicopters, drones or assassins armed with guns. Hundreds of Palestinians and Iranians have been killed, with the Israeli Supreme Court condoning such killings. Recently, in separate incidents, more than 20 Khalistani activists met gory ends in Pakistan, some few in UK, and at least one, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Then, there was an alleged plot to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, another Khalistani activist, in the USA. During elections, senior leaders including the defence minister, seemed to suggest that India had a policy of killing terrorists, shielded by Pakistan.

But what was clearly election rhetoric was taken as State policy by the West, which extrapolated it to the Nijjar and Pannun cases. In a provocative act, the Canadian Parliament paid homage to Nijjar, observing a minutes silence. Similarly, a number of US Senators are pushing the US Government to act against India in the Pannun case. Significantly, Pannun is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

At a time when International Law has become almost toothless, and relations between nations have become entirely transactional, and respect for the other countrys sovereignty is observed more in the breach, no one should fault India on its response to those who indulge in terrorism on Indian soil, and attack Indian diplomatic establishments and Indian citizens abroad. Probably the much-hyped response from the US and Canada is only to warn India that it is not powerful enough to disturb Western hegemony. Finally, behind the courtly gestures and the silver tongues of diplomats, it is only national interest that powers international relations. As Lord Palmerston, the British PM had said more than one hundred and fifty years ago: We have no eternal allies, and we have not perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.

(The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax)
Unorthodox operations have been an integral part of military warfare. Concomitant to conventional operations, the unconventional/guerrilla operations or shall I say out of the box kind of missions had been planned and executed by various countries in the past. Unfolding historical annals, the first such instance that comes to mind is laying the Chakra Vyuh (a kind of battle formation) from the Mahabharata.

The famous Chariot War between Egypt and Turkey, popularly known as the Battle of Kadesh was fought in 1274 BCE. The Hittites Army (Turkey) in a wily fox response fed the wrong intelligence through planted agents, trapped and succeeded in routing a sizable column of the Ramesses (Egypt). Now, let us fast forward the timeline from BCE to CE and history is replete with a number of successful unconventional operations. The great Shiva ji has been acknowledged as the pioneer of guerrilla warfare; he evolved a concept called the Shiv Sutra or Ganimi Kawa (in Marathi  stealth operations) encompassing the cumulative manifestation of the hit and run strategy and cutting off the supply lines of the enemy.

Up north, this concept was hugely pursued in Punjab by various armed Sikh groups, who during broad daylight used to attack the retreating Muslim invaders, to not only inflict massive losses but also to retrieve the booty and the loot they were carrying along with them. Coming closer, during the last two centennials, unconventional operations perhaps were tried during the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), wherein the Boers, instead of giving a direct fight to 180,000 strong British Expeditioners took to the hills and launched a series of successful hit-andrun attacks and ambushes for two years. Later, greatly influenced by this success, it was tried during the Second World War.

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In one such action in June 1940, the British Forces  the Number 11 Independent Company launched  Op COLLAR- a special mission under Major Ronnie Tod to raid a coastal establishment off the French Coast. Ironically, bereft of any designated title, such military maneuvers were still being conducted under various garbs such as raids, ambushes or guerilla war. However, in 1941, Col DW Clarke, a protagonist of the Boer Guerilla Militia, taking a cue from the Latin word Commendare (meaning commend or entrust) and a Dutch word Kommando (implying command or order) coined the Commando for special mission units and redefined their role as, troops or units trained and organised as Shock troops, particularly for Hit and Run raids.

Later, this word was added to the dictionary and described it as a Soldier specially trained to make attacks on enemy areas that are very dangerous or difficult to attack. While World War II was on, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was greatly influenced by this novel concept, ordered the raising of Commando units. By the end of the war, it had become a potent force of 25,000 and rechristened as the 3 Commando Brigade comprising the Royal Marine Para Regiments, the Special Air Service (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS). In 1984, Maurice Jugwell, a veteran of the British Special Military Operations yet again revamped Commando Operations as small scale, clandestine, covert or overt operations of unorthodox and high risk nature to achieve the military objectives.

Post World War II, other countries too went in for raising commando units. In 1952, the US raised the 10th Special Forces (SF) Group under the Psychological Warfare Division. Colloquially known as Green Berets, and subsequently emboldened with the raising of other units such as the 1st SF Operational Detachment (Delta Force), the Navy, Air and Land Teams (SEAL), the Naval Specialist warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), the Army Rangers, the Marine Raiders and so on. Incidentally, the US preferred the designation of SF to Commando, based on the logic that commando operations were of tactical nature while the SF operations had wider scope with strategic ramifications. Two operations successfully accomplished by our Armed Forces could be used as examples to buttress the American argument  first, postUri, the retaliatory operation across the Line of Control (LOC) by our SF Para Units in September 2016 and second, the 2019 air strike at Balakot.

The former could be termed as a commando operation while the latter was of wider scope having long term implications. Barring the mobile Strike Unit comprising four battalions of Gurkha Rifles, there is no evidence of any commando/SF units of the Indian Army which had participated in World War II. Similarly, no such operations were carried out during the 1947-48 Indo-Pak conflict in J&K and the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Interestingly, the genesis of commando operations has a fortuitous background. During the 1965 War, in order to speed up operations, Major Megh Singh, an Infanteer, posted in HQ Western Command, volunteered to infiltrate and operate behind the enemys defences.

Sensing his courage and confidence, General Harbakash Singh, the then Western Army Commander and a maverick General, got impressed with this novel initiative and gave him the goahead. Thus an ad hoc outfit  the Meghdoot Force, named after the Major was born and deployed in the Poonch Sector. It successfully captured the tactically crucial areas of Neza Pir and Ari Dhok posts that facilitated our advance and led to establishing the vital Uri-Poonch Link. Eventually, the Meghdoot Force was acknowledged as the AvantGarde force and Major Megh Singh as the Au Fait of Commando Operations in the Indian Armed Forces. A momentous development followed, when in 1966 it attained official recognition and was reorganised as the first Commando Unit of the Indian Army as 9 PARA (Commando), with Lt Col Megh Singh as its first Commanding Officer (CO).

In order to further enhance our capabilities, in the following year it was carved up to raise the second Unit  the 10 PARA (Commando). Realising the importance of such operations as also to enhance the operational capabilities of the Infantry, though not authorised, the infantry battalions had also started raising commando platoons for special mission tasks. Incidentally these platoons proved their mettle in Unit/ Formation level operations during the 1971 War and the subsequent operations. In 1978 the Indian army formally added 1 PARA Battalion and re-labeled the three Units as the Special Force (sobriquet of Commando) Battalions. This led to conversion of more Para Units into this fold.

In order to make them professionally more dexterous and a cohesive organisation, the HQ Special Forces (SF) was created in July 1987. Later, the Army SF were blessed with two siblings  the Naval Marine Commandos (MARCOS) in 1987 followed by Air Force GARUD Commandos in 2004. In between, the Infantry Commando Platoons were redesignated as Ghatak (lethal, killer). Militarily, the Commando concept is synonymous and tenable with the Armed Forces, but one gets disgustedly surprised by the rat race amongst the non-military organisations to borrow the title Commando. There is a misplaced belief that merely sporting a maroon beret and the black fatigues would make one a Commando.

With the exception of the Special Action Groups (SAGs) of the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Special Frontier Force (SFF), this misnomer has not only led to dilution of this elite concept but also pushed an unabated race amongst various agencies. Prevailing geo-political unrest, particularly the Russo- Ukraine War, the military actions in the Black Sea and the Middle East have underscored the importance of a small force debilitating the larger conventional force. However, with a view to meeting on-going and future challenges, they need to be correspondingly better equipped and more mobile so as to be regionally and globally available in a given time.

Our threat perceptions hinge around hostile neighbours who have repeatedly conveyed their resolve to pursue the policy of terrorism and keeping the borders alive. Although the Naxalites hegemony is fast shrinking, they still remain a cogent threat. The political developments in Maldives have complicated our maritime challenges. In order to strengthen our SF capabilities, there is a need to enhance and integrate all SF resources under one command. In fact, this point was mooted in the early 1990s but was not pursued. And now, under the prevailing security challenges, it needs serious consideration. (The writer is a retired Colonel of the Indian Army.)
A pin featuring the solitary portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was officially seen for the first time Sunday, signalling an accelerated effort to glorify the third generation of the Kim family.

The pin was seen attached to the suit jackets of all of the North Korean officials who attended a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers Party of Koreas 8th Central Committee on Friday, a photo by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed Sunday.

The photo was also published in the Rodong Sinmun, North Koreas official newspaper, reports Yonhap news agency.

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It marked the first confirmation of the use of pins featuring the sole portrait of Kim Jong-un.

During inter-Korean working-level talks in 2013, North Korean officials confirmed to South Korean reporters that a pin featuring the portrait of Kim Jong-un was created in early 2012, available in two shapes: round and square.

A portrait pin, a key symbol of the Kim familys cult of personality, must be worn by everyone in North Korea, from ordinary citizens to top officials.

The pin featuring Kim Il-sung, North Koreas founder, began production and distribution in November 1970, while his successor Kim Jong-ils pin started being produced in February 1992 for his 50th birthday celebration.

Since Kim Jong-ils death in December 2011, pins with dual portraits of both leaders have been widely distributed to the public.

The recent appearance of Kim Jong-uns pin with his solitary portrait in official meeting venues indicates an intensified effort in idolisation, Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told Yonhap News Agency on Sunday.

Pyongyang appeared to have entered a phase of intensified idolisation of Kim Jong-un, he said, which suggests that such efforts could potentially extend to other aspects of North Koreas governance, including possible future changes to its constitution and party rules, to further solidify Kims status.
North Korea vowed Sunday to take offensive and overwhelming countermeasures to protect its sovereignty as it condemned South Korea, the United States and Japan for their recent joint military exercises.

The move came amid a growing North Korea-Russia alignment after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that calls for providing military assistance to each other without delay if either side comes under an armed attack.

North Korea will never overlook the moves of the US and its followers to strengthen the military bloc  but firmly defend the sovereignty, security and interests of the state and peace in the region through offensive and overwhelming countermeasures, North Koreas foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the countrys official Korean Central News Agency.

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The ministry did not elaborate on what it meant by countermeasures, reported Yonhap news agency.

On Saturday, South Korea, the US and Japan wrapped up their first, three-day trilateral multi-domain military exercise, titled Freedom Edge, aimed at strengthening their deterrence against North Korean threats.

The three nations have had combined maritime and aerial exercises before, but Freedom Edge was the first trilateral exercise held across multiple domains, including air, maritime, underwater and cyber.

South Koreas defence ministry said the trilateral exercise is defensive in nature.

Our military will firmly respond to any threat or provocation from North Korea that destroys peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula based on the overwhelming South Korea-U.S. combined defence posture, the ministry said.


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Miss Lucille was a sweet little pullet (young hen), who found a cozy home in the chicken coop of Kristi Allen's (not her real name) Powder Springs, Georgia, backyard. Initially, things appeared to be status quo with the young exchequer leghorn cross.

After observing her for a time, however, Allen noticed Miss Lucille was growing a comb. Although both sexes of the breed can have them, Allen's instincts told her that perhaps something wasn't quite standard, so she sought the help of a local farmer. Allen recalls:

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"The farmer did all of the checks to confirm Miss Lucille was a 'miss.' She had no long saddle feathers [pointy feathers at the base of the tail], no aggression, didn't jump or react in the presence of all the hens and roosters, and when she was laid back in the farmer's hand, she stuck her legs out straight and just laid there. All are old timers' tricks to identifying adult roosters since there's no definitive way to tell until they mount another chicken or crow, aside from lab testing."

Miss Lucille had "failed" the rooster test. However, later on, Allen arrived home to a mess of feathers in the backyard, an unusual event because female chickens don't usually molt until around 18 months. She also started exhibiting more aggressive behavior.

" " Miss Lucille (center) before her transition. Kristi Allen

"She began acting more temperamental, but I attributed that to her molting, as it can be quite uncomfortable for chickens," she says. "I was worried about her health."

Growing Saddle Feathers

Although strange things were certainly afoot in Miss Lucille's world, none of them were health-threatening. When her feathers grew back, they were pointed saddle feathers, signaling a transition to an adult male chicken. Her hackles and tail feathers had also undergone some major changes.

"She went from being your typical hen to a rooster with beautiful, long tail feathers and pointy hackles. Her gait changed, and she was definitely at the top of the pecking order," Allen says.

Further consultation advised a wait-and-see approach. One farmer told her, "Just because she now looked like a rooster didn't mean she was one. I needed to wait until she crowed or mounted one of the hens."

Ironically, Miss Lucille became more mellow and friendly. "But then her comb kept getting bigger and redder. For every indicator she might still be a 'she,' there was another for her being a 'he,'" she says.

" " Mr. Lucille as a full-fledged rooster with a large comb and tail feathers. Kristi Allen

Finally, the irrefutable proof came at around 5 months of age: The rooster literally crowed. "Every day the crow grew louder and stronger. It was official that Miss Lucille was now Mr. Lucille," Allen says.

"And to his credit, he assumed the role wonderfully. If the girls were low on water, he'd crow and let me know to get on it. He'd lead the charge up to roost at night. He'd wake us up with his song early each morning."
The highly anticpated sequel to Robert Pattinson's 'The Batman', 'The Penguin', created by Lauren LeFranc and season two of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' are ready to grace the OTT platforms this week.
The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) was introduced by the Union government to improve the education system in the country. It proposes massive changes in Indias schools and higher education sector so as our system and practices are at par with global education standards. Before NEP 2020, the first National Education Policy was introduced in the year 1968 followed by a second one in 1986. Considering Indias population, quality education to its people is of utmost importance to create global citizens. NEP 2020 is designed to make India a knowledge superpower by making education more experimental and futuristic. India's heritage as well as its scientific contributions will be taken into account while designing the curriculum. It also aims to increase the gross enrolment ratio of schools and higher education institutions.

The NEP proposes profound and positive changes in the existing framework, pedagogy and also in its multidisciplinary approach. It is designed to benefit students immensely through its student-centric approach. It aims at achieving specific learning outcomes, such as critical thinking, creativity and practical skills over rote memorisation. It offers flexibility to the student in terms of choice of course, according to learners interest and aptitude as well as in the pace of course completion.

The NEP also promotes to enhance collaboration between institutions, with student and faculty exchanges and it plans to bring global perspectives into the curriculum. The Central government has sanctioned the worlds top universities to operate in India.

The outcome-based education (OBE) aligns with the goals of NEP since it encourages critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. There is no single specified style of teaching and the role of faculty adapts into instructor, trainer, facilitator and/or mentor.

The United States has an OBE programme in place since 1994 that has been adapted over the years. As of 2017, more than 18 countries are signatories in OBE, including India. The framework and OBE curriculum of the proposed NEP is the same as that is followed in the US. A comparison with the US higher education system in this context will be helpful to identify the scope and challenges of the NEP in India.

Higher education system in India

As India is poised to become a $5 trillion economy in the next five years, it is crucial for the country to have a talent pool of skilled and trained young Indians, especially to have an edge in the global knowledge economy. Yet, the existing state of human resource development, while not entirely dismal, leaves considerable scope for improvement. Multiple studies have revealed that India needs to up its game in the field of higher education, if it is to make significant strides towards national progress. In this regard, the NEP endeavours to offer a solid foundation, by employing a multidisciplinary and holistic approach in revamping the entire undergraduate education system.

While reforming the higher education system may sound like an uphill task, one should keep in mind that India has always had a civilisational edge as far as education is concerned. Right from the Vedic era, India had an educational system which was the envy of the world. The Buddhist and Jain knowledge systems were built on that foundation. In fact, India could boast of renowned universities like Nalanda and Takshashila much before the world became familiar with comparable systems of higher education. Nalanda, set up in 427 CE, is believed to be the first residential university in the world. Up until the 1700s, India had three distinct traditions of advanced learning, the Hindu gurukul tradition, the Buddhist vihara tradition and the Islamic madrassa tradition.

The Indian system met with an entirely new system of education after British rule was established in India in the 18th century. It saw a complete revamp of the Indian system, which was clearly witnessing some disintegration by that time. Britain, which was keen to rule India as a colony, wanted trained manpower to retain its control of the length and breadth of the subcontinent and subsequently decided to draft bright young Indians to man the project. This led to the introduction of Western-style education in India, which began formally with the establishment of Hindu College in Calcutta in 1813. The process got a fillip with the establishment of the first three universities in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras in 1857. These institutions served as an assembly line for producing graduates who would take up the job of assisting the British in extending their dominance all over the Indian subcontinent. Only the elites, who were willing to serve the British could find a spot in these universities, at least in the early days. Although subsequently, many nationalists, too, were able to make use of these facilities.

An important point to be noted is that the British system was skewed towards churning out generalistsindividuals proficient in various skills, but lacking expertise in a specific domain. Their aim was to provide a steady hand to the British administrative system, unfortunately, while many of them turned out to be able administrators, they often lacked specialised skills. This general blueprint provided by the colonial rule still pervades the Indian higher education system as the focus in largely on producing generalists, whose skill sets were divided into highly compartmentalised specialties such as arts, science and commerce.

And the entire educational system remained in the hands of the government. Most of the schools and colleges were either run by the government directly or by the private sector, utilising funds provided by the governmentknown as grant-in-aid (GIA) institutions or private-aided institutions. But as more and more Indians started attending colleges and universities with their rising economic profile, the facilities turned out to be inadequate, prompting the opening up of the sector for private players. And thus came private colleges and universities, self-financing programmes offered by government and aided institutions and also foreign universities. While the number of institutions has gone up, only a few can claim to be offering a world-class learning experience to their students. The quality of education in many institutions is inadequate.

The continued focus on the generalist system of education, the absence of imagination in offering specialisations, inadequate opportunities for research and the continuing tendency of centralisation thwart progress in the higher education system. The inflexible nature of the syllabus, failure to attract top talent, inevitable red-tapism associated with the affiliated system, lack of sufficient opportunities for teachers to reskill themselves and a clear failure in imparting employable skills for students are all hurting the higher education system. The difficulty of finding a job after finishing a regular undergraduate degree is among the key reasons why many students try to go abroad despite the heavy financial burden involved.

Transition to NEP 2020

NEP is being implemented across the country. For instance, it will be fully implemented in the higher education sector in Kerala this year. The scope of NEP 2020 is limitless as it allows interdisciplinary creative combinations of study, demanding specialisation in a particular subject. The inclusion of credit-based projects in the areas of specialisation offers the scientific temper needed for furthering research. The project-based credit system can also be done in community engagement and service, environmental education, and value-based education which can promote social, physical, emotional, ethical and moral values in an integrated manner as envisaged. The lateral entry options and academic bank of credits(ABC) can help increase the enrolment and graduation rates.

As per NEP 2020, all undergraduate programmes will be for four years with each academic calendar being split into two semesters. It offers multiple entry and exit points as well as lateral entry options. There are multiple certification options such as: a UG certificate after completing one year, a UG Diploma after two years, a Bachelors degree after three years and a four-year Bachelors degree with honours after eight semesters of study. In order to improve the employability of the students, they are to be provided with internship opportunities in local industries, businesses or research internships with faculty researchers. For the postgraduate programme, there may be a two-year programme with the second year devoted entirely to research for those who have completed the three-year bachelors programme. For students who completed a four-year bachelors programme with Honours, there could be a one-year masters programme. There can be an integrated five-year bachelors/masters programme as well. Both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offer flexibility to move from one discipline of study to another. An important benefit of achieving the four-year international uniformity in education is, the better prospects for Indian students seeking higher education opportunities in western universities.

Higher education in India and US

The existing higher education systems in India and in the US are modelled largely on the British Oxbridge system and the language of instruction in both countries is English. Government regulations, too, have been similar in both countries, at least to an extent. But the US has a well-developed private university system, while in India, the major universities are all run by the state. In the US, for instance, most famous universities, like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and Columbia, are privately run. In India, the top universities such as JNU, Delhi University, Jamia and BHU are all owned and operated by Central and state governments. The US universities are also more independent, focused more on research, better administered, the funding more liberal yet streamlined and tied with industries much more advanced. However, in their basic nature, historical evolution, influence of government regulations and medium of instruction, the Indian higher education system shares multiple traits with the US system.

The undergraduate degree in the US is a four-year programme, with 120-128 credits. After completing two years, students can get an associate/intermediate degree (these are also offered by community colleges and students can transfer these credits to a college/university). The final two years are spent fulfilling requirements for the major and for completing a project wherever applicable. Students can move to a graduate (masters) programme or a professional course after finishing their undergraduate degree.

The US follows the OBE curriculum using Bloom's Taxonomy, a system developed to provide a common language for teachers to discuss and exchange learning and assessment methods. It was developed in 1956 by Benjamin Bloom, a US educational psychologist, who proposed that learning fits into one of the three psychological domains: cognitive (processing knowledge, information and mental skills), affective (attitudes and feelings) and psychomotor (manipulative, manual or physical skills). The NEP will also make use of OBE and as the US is presently the world leader in higher education, industry and science and technology, India can hope that the new system will help it embark upon a journey towards progress.

The US has major investments in higher education and there is a selection procedure for admission to higher education. The student needs to qualify the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and have a good GPA to be admitted to college. The student will select the programme, but the program also selects the student based on Statement Of Purpose (SOP), GPA and other qualifications. But in India, except for a few public universities the selection procedure to higher education is almost nothing. The fees charged for attending college in a public institution is very minimal and are funded for the most part by state governments and the central government. While this accessibility is beneficial, it introduces challenges like diminished enthusiasm and decreased productivity. Therefore, students lacking genuine interest find themselves in colleges, and the rigid traditional education system hinders their ability to switch majors once chosen. Granting scholarships, based on performance could enhance academic attainment to certain extent.

As of 2021, India has about 1100 universities, 11,000 stand-alone institutions and 44,000 colleges. However, in 2022, 68 per cent more Indian students went abroad for higher education than in 2021. Eligible students from developing countries are seeking higher education from developed nations like the US and this is expected to continue in the coming years. Strategic human resource management of students in schools and higher education systems can revive the economy and enhance the employability of graduates.

In an affiliated system of education, the syllabus is usually set by the board of studies in a university, comprising a few numbers of faculty members, however, the transaction of the syllabus is done by someone else. The system also suffers when exams are composed of questions randomly selected from a question bank created by various faculty members. For evaluating the answer sheets the traditional method is followed; experts of a particular subject/topic are assigned the task of checking answer sheets. The evaluators gather at a central location (typically the universitys central location/ hub) to complete the process. This scheme protects the anonymity of the student in order to prevent any bias to any institution in the affiliated colleges. This is not as proposed in the NEP, where the same person has to design the syllabus, do the transaction, conduct the examination and evaluate it and give grades to the student.

Experts across the world are unanimous in agreeing that the 21st century economy will be a knowledge-based economy and the countries that are better equipped with a world-class educational system will reap its benefits. With the growth of artificial intelligence and allied technologies, the education sector is expected to experience a boom and India needs to make the most of it with the help of the biggest advantage in its arsenalthe demographic dividend. To make full use of this potential, India needs to thoroughly revamp its higher education sector so that its young citizens will be effective stakeholders in the global knowledge economy and the NEP is a step in this direction.

(Dr Joseph is assistant professor, department of physics, Kuriakose Elias College, Mannanam, Kottayam, and Dr Chakraborty is chair, department of computer technology, engineering and physics, Community College of Aurora, Denver, Colorado, USA).
A brown and red Bulbul perches on a mammoth green leaf, against the backdrop of the blue sky. This enamouring frame, on display at Kochi's Durbar Hall last week, had an interesting caption: A heart bubbling with joy and a restless tongue'.

What makes this stunning frame even more interesting is the beautiful bird picture clicked by none other than Malayalam superstar Mammootty. This picture was auctioned for Rs 3 lakh for the Induchoodan Foundation. It will now grace a five-star hotel owned by industrialist Achu Ullattil, who heads the Leena Group of businesses, in Kerala's Kozhikode.



Besides the bulbul picture, 60 other images were on display at the exhibition titled 'Padiparakkunna Malayalam' held as part of the birth centenary celebrations of the late Indian ornithologist and writer K K Neelakantan, better known as Induchoodan.



From Oriental Honey Buzzard to the Malabar Trogon, the exhibits include snaps of 62 different species of birds, clicked by bird photographers like Dijumon K.P, Jainy Kuriakose, Dr Mahesh K and Rajeev Kuttettan Munnar.



The exhibits also include excerpts from Induchoodan's book.

The event hosted by the Induchoodan Foundation exhibits these photographs to promote Induchoodans book 'Keralathile Pakshikal' (Birds of Kerala). The Induchoodan Foundation dedicates the work to bring awareness to Induchoodans work and his writings.



Actor V.K Sreeraman, who graced the event, said Induchoodans way of writing even influenced his bird-watching hobby.



Dijumon K P, whose work was on display, said the photographs were the results of his tremendous skill and patience. Some birds in this exhibition are rarely caught on camera, he added.



According to M. Ramachandran, one of the curators of the foundation, the idea was to elevate the idea of photography as a professional medium of art. "The event promotes the writing and culture of Induchoodan and it is achieved through the lenses of 23 photographers," he added.


Equity benchmark indices climbed in early trade on Monday amid buying in blue-chip stocks like Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel along with a rally in Asian markets.

The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 69.63 points to 79,102.36 in early trade. The Nifty went up by 37.85 points to 24,048.45.

Among the Sensex pack, Maruti, JSW Steel, Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra, Infosys and Nestle were the biggest gainers. NTPC, Power Grid, ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai were quoting higher. US markets ended lower on Friday.

"Despite high valuations the market is likely to remain resilient. The healthy trend in the recent rally, which has pushed Nifty by 6.5 per cent in June, is that it is being led by fundamentally strong largecaps like RIL, leading private sector banks and Bharti Airtel," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude rose 0.52 per cent to USD 85.44 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 23.09 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

The BSE benchmark declined 210.45 points or 0.27 per cent to settle at 79,032.73 on Friday. During the day, it jumped 428.4 points or 0.54 per cent to hit a fresh record peak of 79,671.58.

The Nifty went lower by 33.90 points or 0.14 per cent to 24,010.60. During the day, it climbed 129.5 points or 0.53 per cent to hit a new lifetime high of 24,174.
Automakers including Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and Kia India saw a surge in their June sales while others like Hyundai Motor India and Audi India witnessed a dip in their figures.

Toyota

Toyota announced on Monday that June 2024 saw a 40 per cent increase in its sales  its best-ever monthly figures  at 27,474 units as compared to 19,608 units in the same month last year. The latest figures include domestic wholesale of 25,752 units and export of 1,722 units.

Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki reported a rise of 12 per cent in its total wholesale figures by dispatching 1,79,228 units to dealers last month compared to 1,59,418 units in June 2023. The company sold 1,37,160 units of domestic passenger vehicles June 2024 compared to 1,33,027 units in the year-ago month, which is a growth of 3 per cent. It also exported 31,033 units last month compared to 19,770 units in the same month of 2023.



Mini-segment cars, including Alto and S-Presso, saw a plunge in sales from 14,054 units in June 2023 to 9,395 units last month. Sales of compact cars, which include Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis, Swift, Tour S and WagonR, was recorded at 64,049 units last month compared to 64,471 units in the June before.



Brezza, Ertiga, S-Cross and XL6 in the utility vehicle segment saw sales of 52,373 units in compared to 43,404 units in the same month last year while Eeco sales were reported at 10,771 units in June 2024 compared to 9,354 units in the year-ago June. Sales of light commercial vehicle Super Carry dipped from 2,992 units in June 2023 to 2,758 units last month.

Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra said its wholesales increased 11 per cent year on year to 69,397 units in June from 62,429 units in the year-ago month.

Its domestic passenger vehicle sales soared 23 per cent to 40,022 units last month against 32,588 units in June last year while total exports climbed 4 per cent to 2,597 units last month from 2,505 units in the same month last year.

Kia India

Kia India announced that it dispatched 21,300 units to dealers last month, which a 10 per cent hike from the year-ago month's sales of 19,391 units .

It also reported that its sold 1,26,137 units in the first half of 2024, which marks a 6 per cent growth over the year-ago period.

Bajaj Auto

Bajaj Auto revealed on Monday that its total vehicle wholesales saw a 5 per cent year-on-year growth at 3,58,477 units in June compared to sale of 3,40,981 two-wheelers and commercial vehicles in the year-ago June.

It said the total domestic sales rose 8 per cent to 2,16,451 units last month against 1,99,983 units in June 2023 while exports rose 1 per cent to 1,42,026 units from 1,40,998 vehicles.

Hyundai Motor India

Hyundai Motor India reported a slump of 1 per cent in its total wholesales, from 65,601 units in June 2023 to 64,803 units last month. Domestic sales remained flat with 50,103 units being sold in June 2024 against 50,001 units in the year-ago June. Exports plummeted by 6 per cent from 15,600 units in June 2023 to 14,700 units last month.

The total sales figures was recorded at 3,85,772 units for the January-June period compared to 3,65,030 units in the corresponding period last year.

Audi India

Audi India saw 6 per cent decline in its retail sales with 1,431 units being sold during the June quarter ending June 2024 against 1,524 units sold in the year-ago quarter.


National Doctors Day is observed on July 1 every year to honour the contributions of doctors and celebrate their service to the society. This year's theme is 'Healing Hands, Caring Hearts'.

Why is National Doctors Day honouring Dr B.C. Roy?

National Doctors Day on July 1 was first celebrated in 1991 to pay tribute to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy aka B.C. Roy, the first chief minister of West Bengal. July 1 marks both his birth and death anniversary. He was born on July 1, 1882, in Patna and died on July 1, 1962, in erstwhile Calcutta at the age of 80.

Roy was instrumental in setting up the Indian Medical Association and the Medical Council of India.

Roy was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honours in the country, on February 4, 1961. The B.C. Roy National Award, which was instituted in 1962 to honour him, has been awarded annually since 1976 to recognise feats in medicine, politics, science, philosophy, literature and arts.

Who was B.C. Roy?

Roy completed his Intermediate Arts degree from Presidency College in Calcutta and his BA degree with honours in mathematics from Patna College. He then enrolled in Calcutta Medical College in 1901, followed by which he studied at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. He became a member of Royal College of Physicians and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1911.

After returning home, he joined the Provincial Health Service and taught at the Calcutta Medical College. Subsequently, he taught at the Campbell Medical School (now known as NRS Medical College) and the Carmichael Medical College (now RG Kar Medical College).

Roy who was the first president of Cardiological Society of India from 1948 to 1950, was also Mahatma Gandhi's personal doctor.

He became the second and last Premier of West Bengal in January 23, 1948 and continued in the post until India became a republic. On January 26, 1950, Roy took oath as West Bengal chief minister.
Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the Lok Sabha on Monday and said the NEET is not a professional examination but a commercial exam. He charged the Modi government treats Agniveers as use-and-throw labour.



Addressing in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks for the presidents address, Rahul Gandhi said, Agnipath scheme is brainchild of PM Modi not of armed forces. When our government is formed, we will scrap the Agnipath scheme because we think it is against armed forces, patriots.

Gandhi charged an Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a 'martyr'. Agniveer' is use-and-throw labour, the opposition leader said. Gandhi charged Agniveers do not receive any compensation.

However, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opposed Gandhis comments and said the Opposition leader was misleading the House. "He should not try to mislead the House by making wrong statements. Financial assistance of Rs 1 crore is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting our borders or during war, Singh said.

On NEET examinations, Gandhi charged it had been designed to benefit rich students. Truth is NEET students do not believe in the exam, they think it's designed for rich students and not the meritorious, he said.

Gandhi added, NEET students spend years preparing for their exam. Their family supports them financially, and emotionally. I have met several NEET students. Every single one of them tells me that the exam is designed to create a quota for rich people and to create a passage for them into the system and is designed not to help poor students.

During the address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened when Gandhi said those who call themselves Hindus are engaged in violence and hate round the clock. All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehood, he said. However, Modi said calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter.

Home Minister Amit Shah sought the Opposition leaders apologies for his comments against Hindus.
New Indian Army chief Upendra Dwivedi said the Indian Army faces unique operational challenges and the force is fully capable of facing any. General Dwivedi added that the Army aspires to become Aatmanirbhar.



General Dwivedi assumed charge as the new Army chief on Sunday and inspected guard of honour at South Block on Monday. Addressing presspersons, Dwivedi said, This is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army. Indian Army faces unique operational challenges and to remain prepared for such threats and destructive requirements it is crucial that we continuously equip our soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and also continue to evolve our war-fighting strategies. He assured that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges.

The Army chief added the force aspires to become Aatmanirbhar and they encourage indigenous initiatives. The Indian Army is on the path to transformation and we aspire to be Aatmanirbhar. To achieve this, we will encourage Indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war systems and equipment that are manufactured in our country, he said.

General Dwivedi said working towards ensuring synergy among the Army, Air Force and the Navy would be one of his priorities. Dwivedi added he would focus on ensuring that the Army is ready to operate in the "full spectrum of conflict". "It will be my endeavour to ensure that the Indian Army is always ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining complete synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders," he said.

The Army Chief said he was fully committed to protect interests of all the personnel in the force and to extend full support to ex-servicemen and their families. "It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and defence civilians of the Indian Army are looked after. My responsibility towards veterans, 'veer naris' and their families is a sacred commitment and I assure this extended family, my full support," he said.

General Dwivedi was serving as the Vice-Chief of the Army since February 19. Before becoming the Vice-Chief, he was serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022-2024.

An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984. He has a unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern and Western theatres in varied operational environment.

-with inputs from agencies.
Delhi court on Monday sentenced activist Medha Patkar to five months imprisonment in the defamation case lodged against her by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. She was also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh by Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma.

The 23-year-old defamation case was filed against her when Saxena headed an NGO in Gujarat.

The court ruled a simple sentence considering the evidence and in fact that the case was over two decades old.

The court suspended the sentence for one month to enable Patkar to file an appeal against the order.

"Considering the facts...damages, age and ailment (of the accused), I am not inclined to give excessive punishment," said the judge while rejecting Patkar's plea to release her on probation.

The offence entails a maximum punishment of up to two years or a fine or both.

Earlier in May, the court had observed that Patkars coward remark against Saxena and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions were not only defamatory but also crafted to incite negative perceptions about him.

The court had observed that the remarks against him had caused potential damage to his reputation.

Also, the accusation that the complainant was "mortgaging" the people of Gujarat and their resources to foreign interests was a direct attack on his integrity and public service, it had said.

The legal tussle between Patkar and Saxena began in 2000 after she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

Saxena, who then headed an Ahmedabad-based NGO named 'Council for Civil Liberties', had also filed two cases against Patkar in 2001 for making derogatory remarks against him on a TV channel and issuing a defamatory press statement.

(With PTI inputs)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the first criminal case as per the new laws was registered in Madhya Pradesh and not in Delhi. Shah added Delhi police dismissed the case after reviewing it as per new provisions.

Addressing presspersons, Shah said, The first case as per the new laws has been registered at a police station in Gwalior. It was a case of theft, someone's motorcycle was stolen. The case was registered at 12.10am, he said. Shah added, As far as the case against a vendor (registered at a police station in Delhi) is concerned, there were provisions for the same earlier too and it is not a new provision. Police used the provision to review it and dismissed that case, ANI reported.

The new criminal laws came into effect on Monday. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, from Monday. Earlier, it was reported that the first case as per new laws was registered in Delhi, against a street vendor for blocking a foot bridge.

Amit Shah said justice will be delivered up to the level of the Supreme Court in all cases registered under the new criminal laws within three years of the registration of an FIR. "Justice can be received up to the Supreme Court within three years of the registration of the FIR," he said.

The home minister said with the implementation of the three criminal laws, India would have the most modern criminal justice system in the world. "The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes," he said.

He said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action. Shah expressed hope of a reduction of crime in future as 90 per cent conviction was expected under the new laws.
Keralites, here is a law trivia question for years to come. The first case under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which came into force on Monday, was registered in the state in Malappuram district. According to reports, the said case was registered in Malappuram's Kondotty police station against a youth who rode a two-wheeler sans a helmet.

Kondotty police station SHO Deepakumar told Manorama Online that the youngster was booked at 12:19 AM on Monday. Later, district police chief Sasidharan.S IPS confirmed that it was the first case to be booked under the BNS in Kerala.

The accused in the case was identified as Muhammed Shafi, a native of Madikeri in Karnataka. He was stopped at Kolathoor while travelling from Palakkad to Kozhikode, the report added. He was let go after serving notice, the police officials said.

Three new criminal codes -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam -- were passed by Parliament last year. They have replaced the IPC, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

At the national level, the first case under the new criminal justice laws was registered for a motorcycle theft in Gwalior, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday, as he asserted that the new laws will give primacy to justice over punishment.

He said the first case registered under the new laws related to a motorcycle theft in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh at 10 minutes past midnight. Earlier, it was believed that the first FIR was filed under the provisions of the criminal code BNS against a street vendor selling water and tobacco products from a cart under a foot overbridge near the New Delhi railway station for alleged obstruction to a public way.

Several states also reported registering the first case under BNS provisions. The cases related to theft, cheating, assault, wrongful restraint, rash and negligent driving among other offences, according to reports from state capitals.

At his media interaction, Shah said the Delhi case was not the first FIR registered in the country under the new laws.

He also said the Delhi Police "dismissed" the case filed against the street vendor after an investigation. "By using the provisions of review, police have dismissed this case."

Delhi Police sources said they will have to inform a court for formally cancelling the FIR.

Police said 23-year-old Pankaj Kumar, a native of Patna, was found selling water, bidi and cigarettes from a cart around 12:15 am.

- With PTI inputs
Members of the Opposition staged a walk out from the Parliament on Monday after the Speaker denied permission to discuss the NEET issue adjourning house proceedings. BJP MP Anurag Thakur moved the motion of thanks on the Presidents address in Lok Sabha on Monday.



Earlier, addressing the House, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said, "A message is disseminated to the country, from Parliament. We want to give a message to students that the NEET issue is important for the Parliament. So, to send this message we want the Parliament to discuss this, ANI reported.

However, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said any issue can be taken for discussion only after discussion on motion of thanks. "Parliament proceedings are carried out based on some rules and traditions. I request the Opposition that any discussion should be done only after the Motion of thanks on President's address, Singh said.

Following the denial of permission to discuss the issue, opposition members staged a walkout from the house. Earlier, on allegations that the Speaker turned off Rahul Gandhis mic while addressing the House on Friday, Speaker Om Birla said he doesnt have control over it. Outside the House, some MPs level allegations that the Speaker switches off the mic. The control of the mic is not in the hands of the one who sits on the Chair, Birla said.

Outside the parliament, opposition MPs protested against the Centre alleging misuse of central probe agencies against opposition leaders. The oppositions protest comes following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by CBI in the liquor policy case.

-with inputs from agencies.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the President's address during the Motion of thanks in Rajya Sabha, stating that there was neither vision nor direction in it.

Kharge added: "The President is the most important part of the Parliament, we respect the President. This year the Presidents first address was in January and second in June. The first address was for elections and the second was a copy of it. There was nothing for Dalits, minority sections and the backward classes in her address. There was neither vision nor direction in the President's address. Like the last time, it was just about full of words of appreciation for the government, "Kharge said.



The Congress leader also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that while opposition parties talk about the common man, PM Modi only does his 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Kharge said the Prime Minister's was an expert at giving slogans and had not visited Manipur, which has been burning from the last one year. He also accused Modi of trying to divide society through his speeches during the polls, stating that o prime minister has done this before.

He also appealed to the Rajya Sabha chairman to put back statues of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar and that of other leaders in their original places in Parliament complex.

The Congress chief also raised the issue of alleged NEET irregularities and the airport roof collapse incident.
Three new criminal laws came into effect in the country on Monday, a move decried by the Opposition parties as 'bulldozer justice'.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) will replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, from Monday.

Incidentally, the first case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was against a street vendor in the Kamala Market area for enchroachment.

The FIR was registered under Section 285 of the BNS which states, "Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000."

The police said an incident was reported at 12:15 am against a street vendor, who allegedly obstructed a public way to sell goods at a foot overbridge near the New Delhi station. After instructions to move went unheeded, a patrol officer registered a case at 1:30 am.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who piloted the laws, said the new laws intend to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave prioritised penal action. "These laws are made by Indians, for Indians and by an Indian Parliament and marks the end of colonial criminal justice laws," he had said.

Shah had further said the laws were not just about changing the nomenclature but bringing about a complete overhaul. "Soul, body and spirit" of the new laws is Indian," he had said.



Though official sources claim the new laws will address some of the current social realities and crimes and provide a mechanism to effectively deal with these, legal luminaries believe the new laws will pose big challenges ahead for law-enforcing agencies, judicial officers, and legal professionals.



However, the opposition has targetted the government for the "forceful" implementation of the law. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said the new criminal laws were passed "forcibly" after suspending 146 MPs in the last Lok Sabha. He asserted that the INDIA bloc would not allow such "bulldozer justice" to prevail in the country's parliamentary system.



In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "After the political and moral shock in the elections, Modi ji and the BJP are pretending to respect the Constitution, but the truth is that the three laws of the criminal justice system which are being implemented from today, were passed forcibly after suspension of 146 MPs."



"INDIA will no longer allow this 'bulldozer justice' to prevail in the parliamentary system," he asserted.



The Congress is also likely to raise the issue during the current Parliament session. Congress MP Manish Tewari moves adjournment motion on new criminal laws seeking discussion over the three new criminal laws kicking in today. He sent a notice ahead of the Lok Sabha sitting at 11 am this morning.



Congress leader and former Finance Minister Chidambaram said "90-99 per cent of the so-called new laws were a cut, copy and paste job."



"A task that could have been completed with a few amendments to the existing three laws has been turned into a wasteful exercise. "Yes, there are a few improvements in the new laws and we have welcomed them. They could have been introduced as amendments. On the other hand, there are several retrograde provisions. Some changes are prima facie unconstitutional," he said.



He also accused the government of not rebutting or answering any of the criticism. "MPs who were members of the standing committee pored over the provisions and wrote detailed dissent notes to the three bills," the senior leader said. "Law scholars, bar associations, judges and lawyers have in numerous articles and seminars pointed out the grave deficiencies in the three new laws. No one in government has cared to answer the questions," he said.



"It is another case of bulldozing three existing laws and replace them with three new Bills without adequate discussion and debate," Chidambaram said.



The initial impact will be to throw the administration of criminal justice into disarray, he said. "In the medium term, numerous challenges to the laws will be instituted in various courts. In the long term, further changes must be made to the three laws to bring them in conformity with the Constitution and the modern principles of criminal jurisprudence," Chidambaram said.


Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's much-anticipated speech in the Lok Sabha in reply to the motion of thanks to the President's address was an action-packed affair. Lasting nearly two hours, its themes were carefully chosen and vigorously articulated to rile the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



At the very outset, Rahul raised the hackles of the BJP by showing a poster of Lord Shiva and talking about what the deity stood for. When the BJP MPs were up on their feet, protesting, he expressed his amusement at the party opposing depiction of Lord Shiva in the house. When Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla objected, he kept it aside, but went on to display posters depicting the deities and messages of other religions such as Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Jainism. Rahul said the message of all religions was not to be afraid and to not be violent. He said the BJP, which called itself Hindu, on the contrary, preached and practiced violence.

This resulted in PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rising to object to Rahul's comments and claim that he was insulting Hindus. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious charge, Modi got up and said. Rahul was ready with his response. He asserted: PM Modi, BJP-RSS are not the entire Hindu community.

Rahul's speech, which saw numerous interjections and members on both sides of the aisle making references to the rule book, included all the themes that the Congress and the INDIA alliance have highlighted in the Lok Sabha elections, such as the misuse of investigating agencies to target opposition leaders, the farmers' plight, the Agniveer scheme and the NEET issue.

There were numerous occasions when Rahul made potshots at Modi. He referred to Modi's parmatma remark made in a TV interview. He also claimed that the PM had initially planned to contest from Ayodhya, but he received survey inputs from the constituency which said he would be defeated there and hence he contested from Varanasi. At this point, he turned to Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad, and said he had asked him when it became clear to him that he was going to win and Prasad had said he knew from the very beginning that the BJP would lose the seat.

PM Modi got up twice to interject. Several ministers objected to various comments made by Rahul. The LoP also made a reference to the opposition's perception that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla deferred to the ruling BJP, especially the Prime Minister. He referred to the occasion when both he and Modi escorted Birla to the Speaker's chair upon his election to the post. He said while Birla stood upright while shaking hands with him, he bowed before Modi. Birla did retort, saying he was followed the Indian tradition of deferring to elders when he bowed before the Prime Minister.

There was a back-handed compliment too for the BJP as he congratulated the party for winning 240 seats. At least accept my congratulations, he said to the ruling party MPs. Rahul also spoke about representing not just the Congress but the entire opposition and made an effort to project the INDIA alliance as a united force.
The stick was used by an Indigenous healer and hadn't been moved since the day it fell at the end of the last ice age.

An ancient tool used to create a curse 12,000 years ago has been unearthed in an Australian cave. It was one of two ritual sticks which are believed to have sat undisturbed since they fell at the end of the last ice age.

Testing led by Monash University has revealed the casuarina wooden stems were trimmed, and smeared in either human or animal fat. They were then placed on a miniature fire lined with grasses by a medicine healer from one of Victorias Indigenous communities  the Krowathunkooloong clan of the Gunaikurnai nation.

The sticks would have stood in a small flame and then the mulla-mullung sang the song of the person who needed to be harmed. And when the stick fell, the charm was cast, Elder Uncle Russell Mullett told Yahoo News.

It's a bit like other tribes using a pointy bone. Its a similar type of spell.

Related: Mission to recover mysterious Indigenous item stolen in 'violent act'

What's it like inside the Indigenous healer's cave?

There is a written account of the ritual from the late-19th Century by European explorer Alfred Howitt, who referred to the mulla-mullung as sorcerers, wizards or medicine men and women.

But its the first time physical evidence of the practice has been found. And that's likely because wood normally degrades into the soil.

Cloggs Cave, where the murrawan sticks were buried, is near the East Gippsland town of Buchan. It sits inside a cliff along the Snowy River gorge.

An 11,000-year-old and 12,000-year-old ritual stick were found inside the cave. Source: Monash University

The cave, which Mullett describes it a "calming place", is just 30 metres deep, and it was used only for healing and medicinal purposes. Its believed the items survived because its dry, it was never used as living quarters, and its narrow entrance prevented animals from entering.

A previous excavation of the cave in the 1970s did not engage Indigenous custodians, and despite the dig occurring nearby, they found no evidence of the murrawan. When Monash University proposed a fresh look inside in 2019 they wanted to do things differently and work with Indigenous custodians.

The scientific team was led by Monash Indigenous Studies Centre archaeologist Professor Bruno David, who worked in partnership with the GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

We were instructed by the community every step of the way. I never touched the materials with my hands, always with gloves, David told Yahoo.

One of the elders said to me at a meeting that the process is at least as important as the results.

Crystal dust hints at another ritual to warn about a creature entering cave

The murrawan were dug up in a tiny 50 cm x 50 cm section of the cave. The first of them was around 20 cm long and it was inside a fireplace no bigger than the palm of a human hand.

In another part of the cave, around 100 crystals that were used by the mulla-mullung in rituals were also discovered during the dig. Crystalline white dust could be seen sprinkled on the floor as a way to tell if a creature known as the Nargun had set inside.

Although items were removed from the cave so they could be studied, the plan is now to return them where they belong.

Theyve come out of country. They need to go back in country. We've captured the story. There are image images of it, there are videos of it, and it should go back with the ancestral spirits who have shown us these items, Mullett said.

The findings have been published this week in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.

Professor Bruno David from the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre (left) and GunaiKurnai Elder Uncle Russell Mullett (right) worked on the Cloggs Cave excavation site together. Source: Monash University

Ritual stick find reaffirms importance of oral traditions

By dating the two sticks to 12,000 and 11,000 years old, and confirming the ritual they were used in was still being practised in the 1800s, its understood the ritual they were used in was practised by at least 500 generations.

It implies the transmission of cultural information from one generation to the next. Its remarkable. Its not something people in Western society are used to, David said.

I was born in France, and theres virtually no social memory beyond two or three generations.

Mullett said the discovery highlights the importance of oral tradition among First Nations people. The most significant Indigenous cultural knowledge is often kept within a community and only shared with the initiated, and this makes it hard to communicate a sites importance to outsiders.

A Western society has a problem dealing with our oral history, Mullett said before pointing out that this creates problems when courts demand written proof during Native Title claims.

Reclamation of a culture decimated by European settlement

In the case of the mulla-mullung ritual, it only survives because of Howitts account from the 1800s, and there is speculation the locals were tricked into revealing the knowledge.

European settlers arrived in the area in the 1830s, and Indigenous communities there were quickly decimated. In just 30 years they had been pushed off their traditional country and were forced to abandon cultural practices.

The practice was severed when people were pushed off country and into mission stations. But were still aware of it through historical records and also the continued superstitions of our people, Mullet said.

Because through that period of 100 years, some of our traditions were still maintained. Now its about getting the young people back on country and reconnecting and relearning.

Reclamation of our culture is something we need to continue to do.

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The viral video showing a woman being thrashed in public by a local TMC leader in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal has triggered a political slugfest with the BJP stating the footage revealed the "ugly face of Mamata Banerjee's rule in West Bengal."

The video from Cooch Behar showed a man, identified as Tajmul aka 'JCB' violently thrashing a woman and another man with a bamboo stick following a decision of a kangaroo court. The woman was seen grimacing in pain as people watched her being attacked.



The man was later arrested by the Islampur Police. The police had also issued a statement against the "misinformation being spread about the incident."



However, the opposition BJP attacked the ruling TMC, stating the incident revealed the ugly face of Mamata Banerjee's rule in West Bengal. "The guy in the video, who is beating up a woman mercilessly... is famous for giving quick justice through his 'insaf' sabha and is a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahaman," BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said in a post on X, sharing the video.



He claimed that there is a Sandeshkhali in every village of West Bengal and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a "curse for women". "There is no semblance of law and order in Bengal. Will Mamata Banerjee act against this monster or defend him like she stood up for Sheikh Shahjahan?" Malviya said in the post.



The BJP has also constituted a seven-member team to investigate the alleged incident of assault on a minority woman in Cooch Behar.



The CPI(M) and the Congress also slammed the TMC government. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary called the incident 'unacceptable and said nobody had the right to assault women. "Attacks on women, irrespective of their caste, are unacceptable. Elections have been held, results have been declared, and the ruling party has won the maximum seats in the state, so why is the government resorting to violence in the state?" Chowdhury asked. "Nowhere in the country are we seeing such cases as are seen in Bengal after the elections. No one has the right to exercise violence against women," he said.

Attacking the Mamata Banerjee government, CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim said in a post on X: "Not even #KangarooCourt! Summary trial and punishment handed out by d ?@AITCofficial? goon... Literally bulldozer justice at Chopra under ?@MamataOfficial? rule.



In a later post, Salim shared a video in which police personnel, along with the accused, were seen entering Islampur police station. He claimed, "As usual, the sentry guard was about to offer salute!"



Local TMC MLA Hamidur Rahman, however, denied he has any connection with the accused and distanced himself from the incident. He said it was a village matter and not related to the party.



TMC district president Kaniyalal Agarwal attributed the incident to the couple's alleged illicit relationship, which "did not go down well with the villagers". He said that the party would investigate the episode.



TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen condemned the incident but also pointed out that such kangaroo courts were common during the Left Front regime too.



(With PTI inputs)
Days after Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) triggered global outrage for forcing an injured Palestinian man onto the bonnet of an army vehicle, more Palestinians have come out with similar accounts of how they too had the same experience.

Last week, a video went viral showing a Palestinian detainee tied up on the hood of an IDF vehicle. The footage showed a wounded man, identified as Mujahed Azmi, lying on the bonnet of a jeep as it drove past two ambulances in Jenin. The incident happened in the West Bank city of Jenin.

Israel defended itself stating that the action was against protocol and that the incident was being investigated. "The conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to the values of the IDF [military]," it added.

However, an investigation by the BBC revealed that two other persons had to endure the same treatment from the IDF during the operation in Jabariyat, on the outskirts of Jenin, last Saturday.

The BBC report identified one of the victims as 25-year-old Samir Dabaya, now in a hospital in Jenin. He alleged that he was shot in the back by Israeli forces during the Jabariyat operation, and lay face-down and bleeding for hours until soldiers came to assess him.

Samir added that the IDF soldiers, on finding him alive, beat him with a gun before carrying him to the jeep and throwing him on the hood. "They took off my [trousers]. I wanted to hold onto the car, but [one soldier] hit my face and told me not to. Then he started driving," he said. "I was waiting for death." A video of Samir, semi-naked, lying on the hood of a speeding jeep, marked with number 1, was verified by BBC.

Another Palestinian man, Hesham Isleit, too claimed to have been shot twice during the operation in Jabariyat before being forced onto the same military jeep, marked with the number 1. "They ordered us to stand up, and undressed us, then they asked us to get onto the front of the jeep.

The car was so hot, it felt like fire," Hesham told BBC. He added that though he tried to put his hand on the jeep, he couldn't as it was burning hot.

Meanwhile, Mujahed, who survived the assault, is recuperating in the hospital. He told the BBC that he hadnt expected to survive the experience, and was saying his final prayers as he lay on the moving vehicle.

Mujahed added that he was beaten up violently before being tied to the bonnet. He was picked up by his wrist and ankles before being swung right and left. Though he fell to the ground, he was picked up and swung again, before being thrown onto the jeep.

The incident triggered international fury, with many equating it to the use of a human shield by Israeli forces from the Second Intifada, when Israeli troops were criticised for tying Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, to the front of an army vehicle. The use of human shields is prohibited by international law.
The United States Supreme Court on Monday ruled that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution. The SC said former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office but have no immunity for unofficial ones.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices returned Trump's case to the lower court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smith's indictment of Trump. This has again delayed the trial.

Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court.

Roberts was joined by the other five conservative justices. The three liberal justices dissented.

The dissenting judges--Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson--pointed out that the court's decision allows a president to use official powers to be insulated from prosecution. "Today's decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency, wrote Sotomayor.

Reacting to the ruling Trump said it was a "big win for our constitution.

"BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" Trump posted on his social media network.

Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May. He was found guilty of falsifying business records in the hush money case involving porn star Stormy Daniels. However, Trump has denied all allegations against him.

He still faces three other indictments.

Smith is leading the two federal probes of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges.

The Washington case focuses on Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents.

The Joe-Bidens re-election campaign in a statement said that the Supreme Court ruling does not change the facts of what happened on January 6, 2021.

"Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election," the campaign said in a statement, reiterating a major point Biden is trying to make to voters - that Trump is a danger to democracy.

Trump "thinks hes above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself," the statement added.

(With agencies inputs)
Mumbai, Jul 1 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices climbed in early trade on Monday amid buying in blue-chip stocks like Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel along with a rally in Asian markets.

The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 69.63 points to 79,102.36 in early trade. The Nifty went up by 37.85 points to 24,048.45.

Among the Sensex pack, Maruti, JSW Steel, Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra, Infosys and Nestle were the biggest gainers.

NTPC, Power Grid, ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai were quoting higher.

US markets ended lower on Friday.

"Despite high valuations the market is likely to remain resilient. The healthy trend in the recent rally, which has pushed Nifty by 6.5 per cent in June, is that it is being led by fundamentally strong largecaps like RIL, leading private sector banks and Bharti Airtel," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude rose 0.52 per cent to USD 85.44 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 23.09 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

The BSE benchmark declined 210.45 points or 0.27 per cent to settle at 79,032.73 on Friday. During the day, it jumped 428.4 points or 0.54 per cent to hit a fresh record peak of 79,671.58.

The Nifty went lower by 33.90 points or 0.14 per cent to 24,010.60. During the day, it climbed 129.5 points or 0.53 per cent to hit a new lifetime high of 24,174.
Colombo, Jul 1 (PTI) R Sampanthan, a veteran Sri Lankan politician and a moderate Tamil leader, passed away last night while receiving treatment in a hospital, the Tamil National Alliance has announced.

Sampanthan, 91, led the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from 2004 and became only the second Tamil to become the main opposition leader in the Sinhala-majority country.

He was ailing for a long time and was missing the current parliamentary sessions for a long time.

He was a moderate Tamil who had been leading the political movement to achieve a negotiated political settlement to the Tamil demand for political autonomy.

The Tamils put forward their demand for autonomy since gaining independence from Britain in 1948, which, from the mid-70s, turned into a bloody armed conflict.

He took office as the leader of the opposition in 2015 and was actively involved in the process of drafting a new Constitution until 2019.

A brilliant lawyer, Sampanthan entered Parliament for the first time in 1977 from the eastern port district of Trincomalee.
A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of possessing a semi-automatic weapon while heading to the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, just weeks after Swedens intelligence agency warned of Iranian plots to attack Israeli interests in the country.

The boy was arrested on May 16 when police stopped a taxi in the Tyreso suburb, en route to the Israeli embassy. He was carrying the gun in his jacket and claimed he was unaware of the weapons presence until he was on his way to pick it up. The boy stated he was ordered to collect an item and believed it to be drugs, only discovering it was a gun en route.

Despite his claims, the court found the boy guilty, sentencing him to 11 months of juvenile supervision. Prosecutors presented evidence from his smartphone showing he had looked up the route to the embassy, indicating he knew the destination. The court ruled that the weapons presence en route to the embassy suggested a criminal intent, although the exact plans for that night remain unknown.

A separate investigation is ongoing into a shooting near the Israeli embassy the following night, involving a 14-year-old boy.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A high-profile politician in the far-right Alternative for Germany party was convicted for the second time Monday of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at a political event.

Bjorn Hocke, who plans to run for governor in the eastern state of Thuringia in September, was fined for using the banned Nazi slogan Everything for Germany.

The Halle Regional Court found the 52-year-old guilty of using signs of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations and sentenced him to a fine of 130 daily rates of 130 euros each  or 16,900 euros ($18,000)  German news agency dpa reported.

An appeal against the ruling is possible. The conviction wont block him from running in the election.

The charge of using symbols of an unconstitutional organization can carry a fine or up to three years in prison.

Hocke was already fined 13,000 euros in May, also for using symbols of an unconstitutional organization, a verdict that his lawyers are appealing.

The earlier case centered on a speech in Merseburg in May 2021 in which Hocke used the phrase Everything for Germany! Judges last month agreed with prosecutors argument that the former history teacher was aware of its origin as a slogan of the Nazis SA stormtroopers.

In the current case, prosecutors alleged that he repeated the offense at an Alternative for Germany, or AfD, event in Gera in December, in certain knowledge that using the slogan is a criminal offense.

They alleged that Hocke said Everything for  and encouraged the audience to shout Germany!

Hocke again insisted that he did nothing wrong, dpa reported.

I am also completely innocent in this case, he said. I know I will be convicted. But that doesnt feel fair to me.

Hocke questioned whether using the phrase of such everyday words constitutes a criminal offense.

In his ruling on Monday, Judge Jan Stengel said a video of the speech in Gera showed Hockes mimic approval  meaning he had wanted people in the audience to complete the banned slogan, dpa reported.

Alternative for Germany has built a strong core of support, particularly in the formerly communist east  including Thuringia. The partys strength in that region helped propel it to a second-place finish in the European Parliament election earlier this month, taking 15.9% of the vote despite recent scandals and setbacks.

(AP)
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced on Thursday the imposition of additional sanctions on seven individuals and five entities linked to extremist settler activities in the West Bank. The sanctions aim to hold accountable those facilitating, supporting, or financing violence against Palestinian civilians and their property.

According to the Foreign Ministry, extremist settler violence has resulted in loss of life, property damage, forced displacement, and insecurity for both Palestinians and Israelis. These attacks undermine Palestinian human rights, prospects for a two-state solution, and pose significant risks to regional security, according to the Canadian government.

The sanctioned individuals include Ben Zion Gopstein, Daniella Weiss, Einan Ben-Nir Amram Tanjil, Elisha Yered, Ely Federman, Meir Mordechai Ettinger, and Shalom Zicherman. The five entities listed are Amana, Hilltop Youth, Lehava, Moshes Farm, and Zvis Farm.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Hussam Badran, a top Hamas official, is calling on West Bank Palestinians  including members of the Palestinian Authority security forces  to carry out attacks against Israelis. Badran, a former leader of Hamass military wing in the northern West Bank, said, We are working to expand the resistance in the West Bank. I ask every person in the West Bank who carries a weapon, officially or unofficially, to fulfill his responsibility, because every person with a weapon in the West Bank can make a difference and have a qualitative impact.

A Palestinian today does not need an order or decision by any party to act, and must take the initiative on his own, the murderous terrorist added. He claimed that resistance is a legitimate right of Hamas, despite acknowledging the groups lower military capabilities compared to Israel.

The Hamas official also accused Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of obstructing plans for a unity government and insisted that the Islamist group cannot be sidelined or forced to make concessions. He criticized the PA, saying it has contributed to weakening the resistance in the West Bank due to its security coordination with Israel.

Badrans comments come as reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah, the two main Palestinian factions, were delayed with no new date set. The talks, initially scheduled for mid-June in China, aimed to address the formation of a national consensus government and preparations for elections throughout the Palestinian territories.

In the interview, Badran reiterated Hamass demands, claiming they represent the whole Palestinian people. He also emphasized the groups refusal to discuss post-war arrangements in the Gaza Strip, stating, We will not allow anyone to dictate to it the arrangement of the Palestinian house.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
CCTV: To follow up on yesterdays announcement that President Xi Jinping will attend the SCO summit in Kazakhstan, what will be the topics of discussion between President Xi and other leaders at the summit, and whats Chinas expectation for the summit? Besides, China will take over the rotating presidency of the SCO after the Astana summit. Can you brief us on what will be the main focus of Chinas presidency?



Mao Ning: Over the past 23 years since the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), member states have upheld the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, jointly promoted solidarity and mutual trust, engaged in multilateral coordination and successfully built the SCO into a shield of security, a bridge of cooperation, a bond of friendship and a constructive force in the region. The SCO has become a fine example of a new type of international relations and regional cooperation. The upcoming Astana summit will be the most important SCO event this year. During the summit, President Xi Jinping will have in-depth exchange of views with leaders of participating countries on deepening cooperation across the board under the new circumstances and on major international and regional issues of the day, and plan for the future development of the SCO. China believes that this summit will help build more consensus, open up a new chapter of cooperation and contribute to the security, stability, development and prosperity of all countries and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

After the Astana summit, China will assume the rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025, seven years since China was the SCO chair last time. China attaches great importance to the presidency and has fully begun preparations. We stand ready to work with all parties to follow the Shanghai Spirit, further deepen political, security, economic and people-to-people and cultural cooperation, advance high-quality development of the SCO and build a closer SCO community with a shared future, so as to bring more benefits to the people in the region and contribute more to lasting peace and common prosperity in the world.

Xinhua News Agency: President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Could you share with us the program and Chinas expectation of the growth of China-Kazakhstan and China-Tajikistan relations?



Mao Ning: Kazakhstan is Chinas friendly neighbor and permanent comprehensive strategic partner. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 32 years ago, China-Kazakhstan relations have grown with a sound and steady momentum, and cooperation in areas such as trade and economy, investment, connectivity, energy, and cultural and people-to-people exchange has had numerous highlights. Our two countries have set a good example of good-neighborliness, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between neighboring countries. Last year, President Xi Jinping met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev twice in Xian and Beijing. The two presidents drew a new blueprint for China-Kazakhstan relations, and have guided China-Kazakhstan cooperation into a golden period of fast growth.

This will be President Xis fifth visit to Kazakhstan. During the visit, President Xi will have talks with President Tokayev and have an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral relations, cooperation in key areas, and the regional and international landscape. President Xi will attend state events, such as the welcoming ceremony, the signing ceremony and the welcoming banquet, and other side events. We believe that President Xis visit will further upgrade the bilateral relations, enrich our high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhance the wellbeing of our two peoples.

Tajikistan is Chinas friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Emomali Rahmon, China-Tajikistan relations have maintained a sound momentum, and the two countries have consolidated political mutual trust, had fruitful Belt and Road cooperation, deepened cultural and people-to-people exchange, and had close cooperation in regional and international affairs. In May last year, the two presidents announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit.

This will be President Xis second state visit to Tajikistan after five years. During the visit, President Xi will have talks with President Emomali Rahmon to have an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral relations, cooperation in key areas, and the regional and international landscape, and make new plans for the growth of China-Tajikistan relations. The two presidents will jointly attend various side events. China looks forward to working with Tajikistan through this visit to further enhance political mutual trust, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, bring peoples hearts closer, inject new impetus to the growth of bilateral relations, and elevate our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

AFP: Italian customs said today they had seized synthetic drugs from China worth EUR 630 million. Italian customs also said that two Chinese nationals related to the case were arrested in the Netherlands. Did the Foreign Ministry notice this? Can you give us some details about the case?



Mao Ning: Im not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. Let me say broadly that China remains tough on drug-related crimes and engages in international cooperation on this front.

China Daily: We noted that after the commemorative events marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, China issued the Beijing Declaration of the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Can you share more details with us?



Mao Ning: The commemorative events marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were held in Beijing on June 28. President Xi Jinping delivered an important address. As the host of the commemorative events, China issued the Beijing Declaration of the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence after the events to reflect the key viewpoints of the participants.

The participants believe that the issuance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence has had an epoch-making significance. Over the past seventy years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have shown everlasting relevance. Informed by Asian wisdom, they have become open, inclusive, and universally applicable basic norms for international relations and fundamental principles of international law. They have made indelible historic contributions to the cause of human progress.

The participants believe that building a community with a shared future for mankind is a natural step for carrying forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under the new circumstances. The Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind carries forward the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, builds on them, and enriches the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with the imperatives of the new era. The participants echoed the six-point proposal made by President Xi Jinping in his important address at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. They reaffirmed the importance of upholding sovereign equality and mutual respect, staying committed to the path of peaceful development, pursuing win-win cooperation, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and embracing an open and inclusive mindset.

The participants believe that the Global South is a key force that advocates and practices the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It should be the staunch force for peace, the core driving force for open development, the construction team of global governance, and the advocates for exchange among civilizations. It can make a greater contribution to South-South and North-South cooperation as well as human progress. The participants commended the announcements by China for supporting Global South cooperation.

China stands ready to work with the participants to turn into reality the wide-ranging consensus reached at the commemorative events, champion the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and build a community with a shared future for mankind in order to create a better future for human society.

NHK: In the 2023 International Religious Freedom Report released last week, the US State Department said that the Chinese government is conducting surveillance and repression on Muslims in Xinjiang Autonomous Region and criticized the Chinese government for its genocide against Uyghurs. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: The USs so-called report has no factual basis. It is filled with lies and disinformation and reeks of ideological bias. It is a distortion of Chinas religious policy. China opposes it.

The Chinese government protects the citizens freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law. People of all ethnic groups in China are fully entitled to the freedom of religious belief as prescribed by law. In China, there are close to 200 million religious believers, over 380,000 clerical personnel, about 5,500 religious groups and over 140,000 places registered for religious activities. The facts are there for all to see and should not be distorted or denied.

The so-called genocide allegation is nothing but a lie propagated by the US side. From the first population census in 1953 to the seventh in 2020, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang has grown from 3.6076 million to 11.6243 million. The increase outnumbers not only that of the total population in Xinjiang, but also that of ethnic minorities in China as a whole. It was also significantly higher than the increase of the local Han population. Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development, ethnic solidarity, religious harmony and rising living standards. The US, however, ignores those facts and keeps peddling the lies and disinformation. Its real aim is to create a pretext to keep China down.

Speaking of religion, the US itself is fraught with politicization of religion, scandals involving clerical personnel, religious cults and various other issues. Religious discrimination and persecution is commonplace and religious freedom is severely eroded. The US is in no position to lecture other countries or point its fingers at their religious situation.

We urge the US to respect the facts, correct its wrongdoings, and stop using so-called religious issues to meddle in Chinas internal affairs.

AFP: Zhang Zhijie, a 17-year-old Chinese badminton player, died on Sunday night during a match in Indonesia. Can the Foreign Ministry provide more information or comment on that?



Mao Ning: We also learned about this sad news. After being informed of the incident, our Consulate-General in Surabaya immediately contacted and coordinated with Indonesia to make every effort to save the athlete, and sent personnel there to help in anyway they can. We mourn and feel deeply regrettable for his passing and extend our sympathies to his family.

The Foreign Ministry will continue to direct our Consulate-General in Surabaya to exercise its duty in handling the incident.

Global Times: NASAs spokesperson Faith McKie said on June 28 that China worked with France, Italy, Pakistan and the European Space Agency on a mission that retrieved samples from the far side of the moon, but NASA wasnt invited to take part in it. China welcomed scientists from other countries to study the moon rocks, but NASA didnt get any direct invitation. Whats your comment?



Mao Ning: The Chinese government is open to having space exchanges and cooperation with the US. China published the Announcement of Opportunities for the Change-6 Mission, which was available to the entire world. We also welcome countries around the world to take part in the study of lunar samples. The US side seems to have forgotten to mention their domestic legislation such as the Wolf Amendment. The real question is whether the US scientists and institutions are allowed by their own government to participate in exchanges and cooperation with China.
Some believe it's a lose-lose situation for drivers in busy Aussie suburbs who have 'no choice' but to park in their driveway.

The resident's parking has divided Aussies, with some blasting it as 'inconsiderate' while others say there is no other choice. Source: Facebook

A driver has been accused of being "inconsiderate" for parking in their own driveway which some argue could pose problems for people trying to pass along the footpath. However, others say the issue highlights another problem in the area.

The resident was spotted parked at their property in Manly, Sydney over the weekend, and while in their driveway, the back of their vehicle was sticking out onto the footpath and appeared to be obstructing it, making it difficult for people to continue along the path.

One walker snapped a picture of the car and called out the driver on social media for not thinking about the implications of those trying to use the footpath.

"To the people who park across the public footpath. Do you ever stop to think how a person in a wheelchair will go around your car? Or a parent with a pram or a kid on a bike?" the walker wrote on Facebook. "The public footpath is not an extension of your driveway or garage."

"And to those who will explain 'but theres heaps of room to go around'. There isnt always room. Sometimes to go around means going onto the road or down the driveway or onto the grass."

Drivers can cop hefty fine for parking act

Despite the driver being parked on their own driveway, which is perfectly legal, issues arise when their parking obstructs a pathway or pedestrians  which is when it becomes illegal.

In NSW drivers can be handed a $302 fine for doing this, and while the amount varies across Australia, it's illegal nationwide. Last month a Canberra driver was fined $132 for doing the same thing on his driveway.

Online some Aussies called the walker a "great whinger", yet others argued it is a real issue for them.

"Everyone disagreeing with this hasnt been in a wheelchair. If you were, youd know that inclines are dangerous, its not that hard to be considerate to others who need more space or the path with better conditions," one wrote online, while another simply called it "illegal".

Parking shines light on other issue faced by Aussies

However, many pointed out how difficult it is to find a parking spot in densely populated Aussie suburbs such as Manly, suggesting residents are left with no other choice but to squeeze their car back onto their driveway.

"What if you don't have enough room in your driveway to fit the car in and council won't provide a street parking permit?" one pointed out, while another said there is "no other choice" on the "mean streets of Manly".

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israels support for the hostage release deal presented by US President Joe Biden on May 31 during the weekly government meeting. Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas is the sole obstacle to the release of Israeli hostages.

The Prime Ministers Office issued a statement reiterating Israels commitment to the May 31 terms, following reports that the US is attempting to modify some of the terms to reach an agreement. Netanyahu argued that a combination of political and military pressure, with military pressure being the most important, would result in the return of all 120 hostages in Gaza.

There is no change in Israels position on the release outline that President Biden has welcomed. Today, everyone knows a simple truth: Hamas is the only obstacle to the release of our hostages. With the combination of diplomatic and military pressure, the latter first and foremost, we will return them all  all 120 hostages, the living and the deceased, Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu pledged that Israel would achieve all of its war objectives, stating, To anyone who doubts the achievement of these goals, I repeat: there is no substitute for victory. Our warriors did not fall in vain. We will not end the war until we achieve all our goals.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli military forces have carried out a targeted operation in Gaza Citys Shejaiya neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 Hamas operatives, according to an assessment by the IDF.

The operation, which began on Thursday, was launched in response to intelligence indicating a regrouping of Hamas members in the area, alongside newly identified infrastructure belonging to the terror group. The IDFs 98th Division, supported by the 7th Armored Brigade and Paratroopers Brigade, spearheaded the raid.

Shejaiya, a focal point in previous ground offensives against Hamas, saw significant activity during the initial months of the conflict, culminating in the dismantling of Hamas local battalion by December. The area was revisited in April as part of a strategic shift towards intelligence-driven, targeted operations within Gaza.

According to military sources, surviving Hamas operatives in northern Gaza have consolidated in Shejaiya, bolstering their ranks with new recruits. The recent IDF operation uncovered previously undisclosed tunnel networks and Hamas facilities, leveraging intelligence gathered from prior engagements across Gaza.

Thursdays operation commenced with an assault on a school complex reportedly converted into a combat complex by Hamas, where troops discovered and seized a long-range rocket launcher within 40 minutes of deployment. This site, previously inaccessible to Israeli forces, yielded valuable insights into Hamas operational tactics, military officials affirmed.

The incursion encountered fierce resistance from Hamas forces, including RPG fire, explosive devices, sniper attacks, and close-quarters combat. Tragically, two Israeli soldiers lost their lives in separate incidents over the weekend, with two others sustaining serious injuries.

Israeli military authorities anticipate that the Shejaiya operation will conclude within a few weeks, mirroring the timeframe of previous pinpoint raids in the northern Gaza Strip aimed at neutralizing Hamas threats.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
There was widespread outrage among the Israeli public, including government ministers when Palestinian media reported on Monday morning that the director of Shifa Hospital, where hostages were held and even murdered, was released from Israeli prison, along with 54 other Gazan prisoners, and returned to Gaza.

Shifa Director Muhammed Abu Salmiya was arrested in November for carrying out extensive terror activities for Hamas in the hospital under his management.

The hospital served as a haven for terrorists, Israeli hostages were transferred there, and hostage Noa Marciano, Hyd, was murdered there.

Upon his release on Monday, Abu Salmiya immediately began inciting against Israel, claiming that Israel is starving prisoners. The enemy is committing crimes against medical staff. Hundreds of doctors, nurses and technicians are imprisoned, he said. He also posted a video encouraging resistance and called for the release of all prisoners from Israeli prisons, calling on human rights organizations worldwide to visit the prisoners and see their tragic conditions. Prisoners have lost weight, at least 25 kilograms. Everyone is suffering, he said.

According to reports, many detained terrorists have been quietly released and sent back to Gaza in recent months due to a lack of prison space in Israel.

Government ministers responded with outrage. Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Leiberman stated: We discovered that the director of Shifa is not a doctor  hes Dr. Mengele  and the decision to release him is a moral outrage and abandonment of security.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: Releasing the director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza along with dozens of other terrorists is a security breach. Its time for the Prime Minister to stop Gallant and the head of the Shin Bet from conducting an independent policy contrary to the position of the Cabinet and the government. Ben-Gvir also wrote in the government ministers Whatsapp group: Its time to send the Shin Bet chief home. He and Gallant do whatever they want.

The Tikva Forum for Hostages Families stated: While our loved ones are held captive by Hamas, Israel released a murderer and Hamas operative who directed Shifa Hospital  the one who hid Hamas terror nests, including weapons and bunkers, where Israeli hostages were murdered in front of his eyes. Instead of using him as a bargaining chip, Israel is releasing him together with dozens of other uninvolved people. The decision is a moral outrage, a sign of the continuation of the conceptiza before October 7th, and spits in the face of the hostages families.

Muhammed Abu Salmiya after his release.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Following the widespread condemnation of the Shin Bet for the release of the director of Shifa Hospital on Monday, the Shin Bet released a statement trying to place the blame for the release on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Recently, the Shin Bet wrote, a decision was made to change the designation of the Sdeh Teiman facility so that detainees will be held there for short periods only. Accordingly, the Shin Bet and the IDF, following the discussions held under the chairmanship of the National Security Council, were required to act to release dozens of prisoners in order to free up prison cells. For about a year now, the Shin Bet has been warning in every possible forum, in writing and orally, about the prison crisis and the need to increase the number of prison cells in light of the need to arrest terrorists in Israel and the Gaza Strip. The prison crisis leads to the daily cancellation of arrests of terror suspects and causes direct harm to state security. Arrests were even canceled last night, including the arrest of wanted suspects planning terror activity against Israeli citizens.

Unfortunately, these requests, written and verbal, which were forwarded to all the relevant parties, first and foremost the national security minister, who is in charge of this, were not addressed, and in practice, the number of prison cells did not increase as needed.

Following this, the Shin Bet objected to the release of Palestinian detainees from Yehudah and Shomron, from whom there is an immediate danger, and Nukhbah terrorists involved in fighting and harming Israeli civilians. Therefore, in light of the states need, as determined by the National Security Council, it was decided to release a certain number of prisoners from the Strip, who pose a lesser danger, and this after examining the danger posed by all the prisoners.

Despite the fact that the director of the Shifa hospital meets all the requirements regarding the level of danger he poses compared to other prisoners  the incident will be investigated. Without a choice, without an immediate solution to the prison crisis, arrests will continue to be canceled and detainees will continue to be released, the Shin Bet warned.

The Israel Prison Services (IPS) then hit back, releasing a statement that the release of the Shifa Hospital director was approved by the IDF and Shin Bet and was not due to the prison crisis.

The statement read: Unfortunately, due to false publications, we are forced to reveal the release order of the director of Shifa Hospital. Contrary to the false claims that have been published in recent hours, those who made the decision to release the Shifa Hospital director were the IDF and the Shin Bet  and not IPS. IPS does not make decisions on its own to release prisoners of any kind but is only entrusted with incarcerating prisoners. In addition, the director of the hospital was not released due to the prison crisis; he was released from his cell at Nafha prison.

In turn, Ben-Gvir then accused the Shin Bet of wanting to improve the conditions of terrorists prison sentences.

In a video statement, Ben-Gvir said: My dispute with the Shin Bet is not whether there is room in the prison or there is no room in prison. The Shin Bet wants to improve the conditions of the terrorists we reduced, and if not  to release them.

And I say, Ben-Gvir added: it will not happen under any circumstances. While we have hostages hungry for bread in Gaza, the terrorists will not enjoy deluxe conditions.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed that he was unaware of the release of the Shifa director, saying that the release of security prisoners is under the jurisdiction of the Shin Bet and Israel Prison Services and is not subject to the approval of the defense minister.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Following the launch of 20 rockets at southern Israel from Khan Younis on Monday morning, the IDF on Monday evening ordered Gazans in eastern Khan Younis to evacuate the area.

The IDFs Arabic spokesperson published the announcement on social media, including a map of the zones that must be evacuated.

The IDF already completed operations in Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza, but based on the rocket barrage and the evacuation orders, Hamas has retaken control of the city.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Am I allowed to make egg and onion on Shabbos?

How to choose a shirt from a pile of clothing and not transgress borer on Shabbos?

Can you put food in the oven on Shabbos?

Numerous Shabbos questions are impossible to answer without thorough knowledge of its laws. Shabbos comes once a week, so if a person is not well-versed in its intricacies, then it is inevitable that transgressions will take place.

The many books of basic laws are wonderful, but to really understand the halachos and to apply them, it is essential to learn and remember hilchos Shabbos with the background discussion. What is the challenge we face? It takes several years for a full-time advanced Torah learner to cover the laws of Shabbos in depth. Kinyan Hilchos Shabbos for men offered a solution. World famous Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel, HaRav Hagaon Yitzchak Berkovits shlita used his vast knowledge to arrange all the Gemaras with the commentators on each area of hilchos Shabbos and presented it in the form of source sheets that cover material from the Gemara until practical halacha. This enables one to cover the main opinions in each topic and gain a deep understanding of the halacha without being overwhelmed with a lot of information.

Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen, a close talmid of Rav Berkovits who spent eight years as a Rosh Chaburah in Rav Berkovitss famous Jerusalem Kollel, with the Ravs endorsement, took on the monumental task of adaptng the Hebrew sheets into English to make the program available for busy professionals.

After successfully running the Hilchos Shabbos program for several years, Rabbi Gefen joined forces with Rabbi Dr. Yakov Pesah, also a musmach of Rabbi Berkovits, and together they co-founded Kinyan Hilchos Shabbos program for men and launched it online. It became an instant success worldwide.

During the launches of the Hilchos Shabbos course for men, it became crystal clear that a course especially tailored for Jewish women was necessary. The program received many emails asking for a womens cohort of this important and highly relevant series. Women, just as much as men, require practical knowledge on how to keep the myriad halachos of Shabbos. Indeed, they may even be faced with more scenarios than men. Therefore, Rabbi Gefen, in consultation with Rabbi Berkovits has adapted the original curriculum to be uniquely tailored to Torah observant women, as an online program in Hilchos Shabbos (www.HilchosShabbosforWomen.com), accessible to motvated women worldwide. It empowers women to know the laws of Shabbos that are so relevant to their lives.

Participants in each online chabura receive source sheets with explanations in English. In addition to the weekly online Zoom shiur with Rabbi Gefen, he is available for questions. There are tests in each section, and the option of a signed certificate of completion from Rav Berkovits.

While this course for women is in Hilchos Shabbos, several months ago, Rabbi Gefen has also launched another online program for women in Hilchos Bein Adam LChaveiro. This program is based on a curriculum of Kollel Linas Hatzedek / Center for Jewish Values, a premier international Bein Adam LChaveiro resource, whom we thank for their permission. The Bein Adam LChaveiro online program for women taught by Rabbi Gefen became very successful already in its first launch.

As women, we are required to learn halacha in order to fulfill it properly. Says Dr. Shoshana Snyder from Los Angeles. Rabbi Gefens course  provides women with a level of knowledge and understanding of the halacha from the primary sources to the halacha lmaasei. The depth of the learning is gratifying. Participating in this program has raised my awareness of the need to apply the halacha in situations that would have escaped my notice in the past. The shiurim are clear and there is plenty of opportunity for questions. Rabbi Gefen is available for questions via email in between shiurim as well. I am not aware of any other opportunity available for women to learn halacha at this level. I look forward to receiving the sources and hearing the shiur every week!

Its been a real pleasure to be part of the  program. I look forward to the source sheets and shiur every week. I have an increased appreciation of the halachos and how to apply them in daily life. The material has abundant sources with varying opinions and a halacha lmaaseh sectionI highly recommend the program!  says Basya Gutmann from Clifton, New Jersey.

Over 1000 of our past and present participants in our programs come from six continents and range in skill level from beginner to advanced, adds Rabbi Dr. Pesah. Our vision is to enable everyone to learn halacha in a structured way and make it doable for every motivated person.

Mrs. Batya Eshel from Safed in Israel shares her experience: The shiur is well focused in general, and of course the more prepared I am the more I get out of it. Questions from the participants are handled well, and we all get a lot out of the shiur. Using Zoom allows us access to a shiur that we wouldnt be able to access in person.

Says Rabbi Berkovits: Imagine never getting stuck again on Shabbos not knowing what to do!

The program begins on Sunday, July 14th.

For more information, tuition, and to apply go to: www.HilchosShabbosforWomen.com
British financial data firm Preqin has agreed to a 2.55billion all-cash takeover by the world's biggest fund manager, BlackRock.

Blackrock, which has more than $10trillion in assets under management, is understood to have beaten rival bidders including London Stock Exchange Group and rating agency S&P Global, according to Reuters, after Preqin put itself up for sale.

The takeover marks the US investment giant's expansion into alternative investments as it attempts to cash-in on booming investor demand for assets like private equity, property and infrastructure.

BlackRock beat out rival bidders including London Stock Exchange Group and rating agency S&P Global, according to Reuters,

BlackRock followed similar deals completed by rival asset managers with the $12.5billion takeover of Global Infrastructure Partners in January.

Similarly the demand for financial data and research has sparked a wave of dealmaking in recent years.

S&P Global's $44billion all-stock purchase of IHS Markit in 2022 marked one of the most significant examples.

BlackRock said the acquisition of Preqin would complement its portfolio management software business Aladdin by bringing together data, research, and investment process for fund managers.

Global head of Aladdin Sudhir Nair said: 'Together with Preqin, we can make private markets investing easier and more accessible while building a better-connected platform for investors and fund managers.'

Preqin, which is expected to generate about $240million of recurring revenue in 2024 and has grown approximately 20 per cent per year in the last three years, will also continue to be offered as a standalone solution, the company said.

Founded in 2003, London-based Preqin specialises in data about the alternative investment industry. The UK-based company has subscribers in more than 90 countries, according to Companies House.

Its founder Mark O'Hare will join BlackRock as a vice chair after the close of the transaction.

O'Hare said: 'BlackRock is known for excellence in both investment management and financial technology, and together we can accelerate our efforts to deliver better private markets data and analytics to all of our clients at scale.'

Preqin chief executive Christoph Knaack added: 'Private markets continue to evolve and so is Preqin.

'I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this next phase of growth, together with BlackRock, promises our customers and our employees.'
Harland & Wolff shares have been suspended from trading on the London Stock Exchange after the shipbuilder failed to publish its annual results on time.

The Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic more than a century ago told investors on Monday that audited accounts were delayed due to ongoing talks with its auditors over how to account for revenues of some of its 'multi-year and complex' contracts.

Harland & Wolff was therefore unable to meet the 30 June deadline for publication and, as a result, trading of its shares has been temporarily suspended on the Aim market.

The group hopes to publish results next week at which point its shares' suspension should end

The group said: 'Given the multi-year and complex nature of some of the contracts under which the company is working, the company has been in extensive discussions with its auditors to agree the method of accounting for revenues throughout the duration of a build programme.'

Harland & Wolff hopes to publish its results next week, at which the point the shares suspension is expected to be lifted, as it has recently agreed on the treatment of revenues with its auditors.

In unaudited financial results for 2023, also released on Monday, Harland & Wolff posted a pre-tax loss of 43.1million, narrowed from losses of 70.8million in 2022, as revenues more than trebled to 86.9million.

Group chief finance officer Arun Raman said: 'I am highly encouraged by the growth in revenues from 2022 to 2023 as we seek to achieve the critical mass required to get to cash break-even.

'Our financing costs are high, exacerbated by the rises in the base rate in 2023, and it is crucial to close the UKEF (UK Export Finance) facility as soon as possible in order to provide the stable long-term working capital needed for securing large, multi-year contracts.

'Our engagement with UK Government continues in order to bring this deal to closure.'
A planned strike at Port Talbot steelworks because its Indian owner threatened to shut the plant early has been suspended.

Members of the Unite union have been taking industrial action such as banning overtime and planned to stage an all-out strike from Monday next week.

The union is embroiled in a dispute with Tata Group over plans to close the two blast furnaces at its plant in South Wales and switch to greener steel production with fewer workers  costing 2,800 jobs.

Strike threat: Port Talbot's Indian owner Tata wants to close the plant's two blast furnaces and switch to greener steel production with fewer workers  costing 2,800 jobs

But the union said the industrial action and next weeks strike have been suspended.

Unite said Tata has agreed to enter talks about future investment for its operations and not just redundancies in South Wales.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: This is a significant development in the battle to protect jobs.

Tata last week threatened to shut the Port Talbot steelworks as soon as this week. It has been given a 500million government bailout to shift to electric arc furnaces.

Some 2,800 steelworkers face redundancy due to the proposals but Tata claimed the alternative was the closure of the site with the loss of 8,000 jobs.
Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has admitted dragging a woman by the hair and stomping on her head.

The 31-year-old faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday via video link, pleading guilty to repeatedly assaulting the woman in March.

He was bailed on April 22 on the condition he undergo a court-ordered mental health assessment but he absconded from the hospital the next morning.

A warrant was issued for his arrest but he continued to evade police until he was remanded in custody on April 25.

Pledger appeared on Home and Away between 2016 and 2019.

Orpheus Pledger.

Shortly after midnight on March 1, Pledger kicked and punched the victim in the face after she raised concerns about his drug use and declining mental health.

He then assaulted the same woman about 1.35am on March 25, dragging her by the hair and stomping on her face.

The victim had called triple zero when he arrived at the property and police reached the house at 1.50am to find her lying on the floor in pain.

She was taken to hospital with multiple bruises and cuts to her face and neck, with the marks matching the sole of Pledger's shoe.

There were no excuses for his actions but Pledger's mental health had declined and use of methamphetamine increased after he was rejected from a role in the US television series The 100, Pledger's lawyer Jasper MacCuspie said.

His lack of work strained his relationship with the woman and led to the assaults, the lawyer said.

"He certainly feels terrible about what has happened and the impact it has had on (the woman)," Mr MacCuspie told the court.

Read more here.

- AAP
The Queensland man said his incredible $3.7 million win in the weekends Saturday Gold Lotto left him questioning his sanity.

A dad from the Brisbane suburb of Forest Lake scored a $3.7 million win in the weekends Saturday Gold Lotto. Source: The Lott

An Aussie lotto winner is thanking his lucky stars after scoring two incredible million-dollar jackpots in a year. The man from the Brisbane suburb of Forest Lake scored a $3.7 million win in the weekends Saturday Gold Lotto.

Remarkably, the dad landed a $2.8 million prize less than 12 months ago. The case of deja vu has left the man questioning his sanity, The Lott said.

Spokesperson Anna Hobdell described his incredible luck in such a short period of time as remarkable to Yahoo News on Monday.

The chances of winning division one in Saturday Gold Lotto with a single standard game are 1 in 8,145,060, and remarkably, this Forest Lake man managed to defy the odds twice, she said.

It just goes to show anything can happen, and you just need an entry to be in it with a chance to win!

Brisbane dad kept playing lotto to 'help out family'

The Brisbane man gasped when he was contacted by officials with The Lott.

I cant believe its happened again, he said. Wow! Thank you so much. I had a double-take when I checked it this morning.

I just thought to myself, Wow, this is unbelievable. Winning twice is magical.

The dad said after revealing the news to his siblings, they questioned if the news was real.

My brother rang up all of his friends and they got together to celebrate, he said. Some might question why I continue to play but I thought Id give it another shot to continue to help out my family. Were all so shocked.

The white-collar worker told The Lott he plans on splashing some of his lotto winnings on travel and property. Source: Getty

Lotto winner plans on buying property, travelling the world

The white-collar worker told The Lott he now plans on splashing some of the cash on himself.

Last time, I used most of the win to help set up my family, he said. Now, Ill be able to donate to a lot of charities, buy myself a property and travel the world! This really gives me the freedom to travel everywhere. I want to see all of the world!

Im still working. I love what I do. I work in the medical sector, and I really enjoy giving back to those less fortunate.

A mum from South East Queensland also held one of the eight division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4481  each of which took home $3.7 million.

The woman who admitted she didnt play often said she was going to use the prize to help set up [her] daughter for the future. Shes still so young and this will go a long way, she said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Caption for photo above: The cast and backstage crew of Its Now or Never pictured outside Greenhill Nursing Home in Carrick From Left: Tudor Artisan Hub founder Linda Fahy, who was the project director, producer, editor and sound engineer; cast members Neill Bourke, Sheenagh Raggett, Aileen OKeeffe and Enda ODriscoll, Director Mary McGrath, drama consultant Maria Clancy and drama project partner Paula ODwyer.

A new play about four young people on a night out at a Carrick-on-Suir dance hall in the 1960s has been created with the help of the shared memories of 20 senior citizens who lived through that period.

Its Now or Never, named after the famous Elvis song, is an original social history drama produced by the Tudor Artisan Hub artists collective in Carrick-on-Suir to celebrate the 2024 Bealtaine Festival.

The play was first staged for the residents of Greenhill and Sonas Nursing Homes in Carrick-on-Suir and also performed twice at Carrick-on-Suir's Sean Healy Library during the Bealtaine Festival at the end of May. There are plans to stage it again in the town later this summer.

It's Now or Never is a fictional drama written by Mary McGrath, Joe Whelan, John Corcoran, and Heather Comerford, who are all members of the Writing Changes Lives Writers' Collective.

Its recent performances were directed by Mary McGrath with support from drama consultant Maria Clancy.

The drama projects director, producer, editor and sound engineer Linda Fahy of the Tudor Artisan Hub said the play is infused with a rich tapestry of social history and generational anecdotes from the collective memory and experiences of older people attending Carrick-on-Suir Day Care Centre and living at Greenhill and Sonas Nursing Homes in the town.

They were interviewed earlier this year and generously shared memories of a time when they were young, free, and single in the late 1950s/60s. The interviews were recorded and carefully transcribed, she explained.

The transcriptions were then handed over to the four writers to craft a drama centred on the story line of four young people enjoying a night out dancing at the Ormond Dance Hall in Carrick in the 1960s.

The plays two female characters are Tess Comerford, a glamorous but nosey town telephone operator full of notions and everyone elses business and her sister Pearl, who is bold, fearless and defies authority.

The two male characters are Indian Flynn, a Flash Harry type, who is back from England for the first time since emigrating and John Joe Ryan, the only son of a domineering father who is restless and yearns for change from farming life.

Linda said the finished script was workshopped for both stage and radio. A cast of four renowned local actors  Sheenagh Raggett, Aileen OKeeffe, Neill Bourke and Enda ODriscoll - with the support of directors Mary McGrath and Maria Clancy were invited to perform the play both for radio and stage.

After several weeks of rehearsals in the Tudor Artisan Hub, Its Now or Never was first staged in Greenhill and Sonas Nursing Homes where it was watched by the residents, who inspired its creation, and their families.

An audience of 90 people watched the plays performances in the Library. An audio play was also produced and launched for a global reach.

Linda said It's Now or Never' has received a great response from audiences who have seen the play.

People who watched the play have reported back that it was wonderfully entertaining and captured their lives when they were young going to dances back in the 50s and 60s.

Linda said creating and bringing It's Now or Never to the stage for the recent Bealtaine Festival was one of the most rewarding projects the Tudor Artisan Hub has worked on over the past decade.

Everyone has a story to tell, and sometimes the most amazing stories come from those who have been around the longest.

Older adults in the community have witnessed history and often made history themselves, their lives full of rich and diverse experiences, she said.

This isnt the first time the Tudor Artisan Hubs has spearheaded the creation of new plays using the real life stories of older people as source material.

During the Covid pandemic, the Hub produced three new radio plays inspired by the memories of residents in nursing homes in Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel. Due to pandemic restrictions, the nursing home residents reminiscences were recorded virtually using mobile phones, Zoom and professional recording devices.

We were delighted on this occasion to be able to meet the storytellers in person, to experience the passion of their storytelling, said Linda.

The dramatised stories captivated and engaged audiences of all ages. They provided insight into the young, free and single lives of those in our community who have lived through significant historical events, social and cultural changes, and technological advancement.

Linda thanked all the nursing home residents and day care centre clients who shared memories of their youth for the project, the writers, actors, director and storytelling consultants Peg Power and Walter Dunphy of Brewery Lane Theatre.

She also paid tribute to the activity co-ordinators and managers in Carrick Day Care Centre, Sonas and Greenhill Nursing Homes, the staff of Sean Healy Memorial Library, her drama project partners actress Paula ODwyer and writer Margaret OBrien of Writing Changes Lives, care home liaison Liz Martin and photographer Noreen Duggan.

Linda pointed out the drama project was supported by Tipperary Arts Office and Creative Ireland programme.

Caption for photo below: Aileen OKeeffe, Sheenagh Raggett and Neill Bourke performing in 'It's Now or Never' at Greenhill Nursing Home.
A 36-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his fiancee at their home in Co Meath nearly two years ago by reason of insanity.

Andrei Dobra, with an address at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road in Ratoath, is charged with murdering his partner Ioana Mihaela Pacala (30) in their flat at that address on or about November 12, 2022.

Wearing a pink shirt and dark trousers, Mr Dobra was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today (Monday July1) on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: "Not guilty" and then "I can't be responsible".

Addressing the jury panel at this point, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said that "for the record that is a not guilty by reason of insanity plea".

The judge informed the potential jurors that Mr Dobra and Ms Pacala were partners, who were due to be married and that they had shared a home together. He also told the jury panel that both individuals were Romanian nationals.

Mr Justice McDermott said there was a mental health issue in the case in relation to the accused man.

"That will be the subject of professional evidence in relation to his mental state at the time and whether he suffered from a mental disorder," he added. The judge told the jury panel that they would be invited to assess the facts of the case, which he said was mainly medical evidence in relation to Mr Dobra's state of mind at the time of Ms Pacala's death.

Mr Justice McDermott said consultant psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright will testify for the prosecution and that psychiatrist Dr Patricia Casey will give evidence for the defence.

A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin tomorrow before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and is expected to last up to five days.
Over 900,000 euro worth of drugs, cash and paraphernalia have been seized after raids in Dublin at the weekend.

Two men have since been charged and appeared in court on Monday in relation to the seizures.

On Saturday, a vehicle in Tallaght was stopped and searched by gardai attached to the Serious Crime unit in Tallaght.

During the search, cannabis herb and 800 euro in cash was seized.

A man aged in his late 30s was arrested at the scene and detained at a Garda station in Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

During follow-up searches, two premises were searched under warrant in Tallaght and Lucan.

Cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cannabis plants worth around 900,000 euro, as well as drugs paraphernalia, were seized.

During the follow-up searches, a man aged in his late 40s was arrested and detained at a Dublin Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act.

All drugs are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.
Ocean acidification will change the entire structure of the world's reefs, leaving fish nowhere to escape.

Fish will have nowhere to flee and nowhere to hide as an invisible force steadily alters the worlds oceans. Whats causing the problem is increasing water acidity, a phenomenon triggered by increased absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

While the issue is not yet dire, by the end of the century it will be. To understand whats in store, a leading Australian marine ecologist travelled to a remote Papuan New Guinean coral reef to study its unique conditions.

University of Adelaides Professor Ivan Nagelkerken donned his wetsuit and diving gear and set up cameras around an underwater volcano system that naturally spews carbon dioxide into the ocean. This environment gives an insight to how the worlds oceans could look in 75 years if the burning of fossil fuels is not stopped.

Those areas are extremely useful as what we call natural laboratories, Nagelkerken told Yahoo News.

What happens is the CO2 comes from the ocean beds and dissolves in the water, acidifying it. It's exactly the same process as happens with human carbon dioxide emissions.

Related: Popular restaurant fish set to disappear from menus

Wild varieties of fish that are commonly eaten could disappear from menus if ocean acidification worsens. Source: Getty

'Simple concept' reveals why fish prefer complex habitats

Around 30 per cent of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean, and this changes the pH. In some reef landscapes it kills off coral, while in others it alters its appearance, with the structures becoming less branched and less appealing as habitat to many fish species.

Structure provides critical habitat for almost all species on Earth. If you don't have structure, you don't see any animals, Nagelkerken said.

Look at a grassy lawn and compare it to a forest. Why don't you see many species on a lawn? There's very little diversity in your habitat, and there's hardly any habitat. It's a very simple concept.

If under future conditions our diversity of habitats decreases, and they become less complex, making them flatter with fewer shelter holes, you will find that the whole animal community, not only fish will decrease.

University of Adelaides Professor Ivan Nagelkerken (pictured) set up cameras underwater to study how increased carbon dioxide impacts fish. Source: Ivan Nagelkerken

How climate change is changing your world

'No escape' for fish as acidification impacts planet

The study began in 2019 and was published in the Journal of Animal Ecology this week. It focused on five types of damselfish and examined how they could be impacted by habitat change caused by ocean acidification.

If the problem continues to worsen, species including those targeted by recreational and commercial anglers could be killed off.

Because the problem affects the entire ocean, it could reshuffle ecological communities across the planet. Not all fish species will be severely impacted as they will be able to adapt, but others will not survive.

It's different from ocean warming, where for example, if the tropics get warm fish can slowly move to higher latitudes where the waters are still a bit cooler, Nagelkerken said.

As the whole ocean acidifies there's nowhere for them to flee to. There is no escape. Some fish will simply disappear. Others will show very reduced populations in a future ocean."

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The woman's next thought was that she'd spotted a rat. But when she got closer, she realised it was something she'd never seen before.

What originally looked like a rock was actually a tiny marsupial. Source: Angela Booth

Its a rock, its a rat, no its a baby wombat. They were the quick succession of thoughts a photographer had after she spotted an odd looking creature at the edge of a dam last week.

There are occasionally boulders around the edge of the water. But then it moved, Canberra woman Angela Booth told Yahoo News on Monday.

Fascinated by her strange discovery, Booth made her way towards the edge of the dam. Horses were standing nearby and she was determined not to spook them in case they ran towards the hairy little animal.

It was drinking from the dam and I thought maybe it was a rakali  a native water rat. But it didnt look quite right, she said.

When I got closer I thought thats a wombat. But its a really, really small one.

Related: Unseen photos of Tasmanian tigers spark 'wonderful' hope more could be discovered

The wombat was dehydrated and drinking copious amounts of water. Source: Angela Booth

Call for help after concerns for baby wombat

Concerned about the tiny nocturnal marsupial being alone by the waters edge during the day, Booth called for help and a small team of wombat experts arrived.

Yolandi Vermaak, who runs Wombat Rescue, gathered a group of five volunteers. But when they arrived, the 11-month-old juvenile wombat took fright.

We spread out and were walking really slowly towards it. The horses in the paddock were very curious and they started stampeding. And as soon as they did she ran into a little rabbit burrow, Vermaak recalled.

I have a suspicion something similar might have happened when she separated from her mum. The horses probably spooked mum and she bolted.

The tiny wombat was unable to open its eyes because of mange. Source: Angela Booth

Because the baby was suffering from mange, a parasitic disease spread to native wildlife from foxes, her eyes had fused shut. This made it impossible for her to find her mum again.

If you think about something like a lioness she would come back for her cubs. But with wombats, they need to stay nose-to-tail with their mums, Vermaak said.

That's the way that they survive  if mum runs they have to keep up. Mum is not going to stop and check if baby is keeping up and she wont come back.

Because the wombat was so small, Vermaak was able to patiently sit on her knees above the burrow and wait for her chance to grab her from above. While shes doing well in care, her mange is so severe its unclear if she will pull through.

We're not out of the woods yet. But I'm hopeful she will make it because she's young and strong. And very, very feisty, Vermaak said.

More fascinating stories from our natural world

The wombat that Yolandi Vermaak rescued was so small it was able to fit in a rabbit burrow. Source: Angela Booth

Mange a growing problem for wombats

Sadly mange is continuing to spread across Canberra. Clear signs of the disease are wombats venturing out during the day because they cant see, and patchy, mottled hair.

A decade ago, most wombats with mange were euthanised, but treating the infection is now possible. But doing so is time consuming and rescuers are reliant on property owners reporting its presence so they can medicate the animals.

The problem is so big. I feel quite despondent some days, Vermaak said.

We used to say 70 per cent of all wild populations were affected, but that number is slowly increasing. Its pretty rare to get a mange-free area now.

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Actually, there's a lot of work ahead and a new owner might not guarantee success.

The main problems the Plaza confronts:

- Crime

- Retail death overall by way of the Internets.

- Better & options in the suburbs.

- Mayor Q's legacy of backing "mostly peaceful" protesters over biz owners.

In fairness, here's a more optimistic outlook and preview of today's festivities . . .

During the Monday, July 1 press conference, representatives from the HP Village affiliate and Lucas plan to detail their next steps to restore the Plaza to its historical prominence.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

New Country Club Plaza owners, Kansas City leaders call press conference to share vision The new owners of the Country Club Plaza are set to discuss their vision for the future of the Kansas City landmark in a press conference next Monday with Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Bahrain's National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) has called on all VAT payers to update their contact details registered on the NBR portal to ensure they receive all important updates and notifications.

Maintaining accurate contact details will help the NBR provide the best possible service to achieve maximum transparency, while ensuring ongoing communication to facilitate smooth procedural operations for VAT payers, NBR said accoring to a Bahrain News Agency report.

The NBR clarified that the contact person should be either the owner of the entity, the authorised signatory, or an authorised employee working within the same entity. The NBR emphasised the importance of not sharing the log-in credentials with any unauthorised persons, as the VAT payer is fully responsible for any implications resulting from failing to receive or respond to communications and notifications.

To assist VAT payers in staying informed of the latest updates, the NBR will always use the registered contact details to regularly send out important announcements regarding NBR updates and notifications regarding the upcoming filing deadlines, in addition to direct communication with VAT payers to discuss all matters and provide necessary clarifications. Having the correct email address and phone number will prevent VAT payers from missing out on any vital information and allow them to take the necessary action in a timely manner, avoiding any potential consequences.

In line with facilitating procedures and ensuring the effective implementation of VAT requirements, the NBR offers the VAT agent or representative service, where the VAT payer can benefit from this service by appointing an authorised VAT agent or representative to carry out transactions related to VAT, and representing the VAT payer towards the NBR in all transactions, such as submitting VAT returns, reconsideration and appeals requests, and providing documents required by the NBR - if any - in addition to requesting the necessary clarifications and other authorisations, it said.
Taiwan recently increased its travel alert level to "orange" for Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This decision comes after reports that Taiwanese visitors to these areas have faced unlawful detentions and questioning.

The Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council advised Taiwanese people to avoid unnecessary travel there. They cited concerns about new laws related to national security in these regions, which they believe pose a risk to the safety of Taiwanese travelers.

Taiwan Travel Alert Sparks China Tension

Just last week, China introduced harsher legal penalties, including the death penalty, for severe cases involving advocates of Taiwanese independence. These guidelines aim to punish acts that could split the country or promote breaking away from it.

The Council urged people from Taiwan to steer clear of discussing sensitive topics, taking photos of military sites, or carrying certain types of books when visiting these areas.

In response, according to Jurist News, Zhu Fenglian from China's Taiwan Affairs Office criticized the travel warnings as political moves by Taiwan. Zhu argued that these warnings are not in line with the views of the Taiwanese public and could damage the relationship between Taiwan and China.

Zhu assured that the general Taiwanese population is not targeted by these laws, which are meant only for a few who push for secession.

Moreover, Zhu emphasized that Taiwanese people should feel safe traveling to China, claiming their rights will be protected under Chinese law.

This escalation in travel advisories comes at a tense time. Just last month, China conducted military exercises around Taiwan, seen as a warning against Taiwanese independence efforts.

These military actions occurred shortly after Lai Ching-te took office as President of Taiwan, signaling Beijing's displeasure with his administration.

Related Article : Holiday Travel in Taiwan Risks Disruption from EVA Air Strike

Heightened Tensions Ignite Controversy

Hong Kong has sharply criticized Taiwan after Taiwan raised its travel alert to the second-highest level for Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. This warning from Taiwan advises its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel due to the enactment of several security laws and recent changes to China's judicial guidelines that potentially threaten their personal safety.

These changes include harsh penalties, such as the death penalty, for those supporting Taiwan's independence.

As per the Hong Kong Free Press, the Hong Kong government responded strongly to Taiwan's actions, accusing it of manipulating facts and using the travel advisory to further political agendas.

Officials in Hong Kong insist that their new security laws align with international human rights standards and are similar to security legislation in other countries. They argue these laws are crucial for maintaining national security.

Recently, Hong Kong implemented its own security legislation, Article 23. This law addresses serious offenses, including treason, insurrection, and sedition. It also allows for prolonged detention without charge and restricted access to legal counsel, with some crimes punishable by life imprisonment.

Despite the government's insistence on its necessity, Article 23 has faced international criticism for being overly broad and ambiguous. Critics argue it could suppress freedoms, as it was pushed through a legislature currently devoid of any opposition.
This year, the Fourth of July holiday is set to make history with the number of people traveling. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicts they will check more than 3 million passengers on June 28 alone.

This would break last week's record of 2.99 million people checked on June 23.

Fourth of July Travel Hits Record Highs

The Fourth of July week is looking to be the busiest ever for travel. Travel Weekly reported that around 5.7 million people are planning to fly to their holiday spots, which is 7% more than last year.

The group also thinks a record-breaking 60.6 million people will drive during the Independence Day week, up 4.8% from last year.

This spike in travelers is happening during a time when gas prices are lower, and flying within the country costs about 2% less than before. These changes make traveling more appealing for many.

From June 29 to July 7, about 70.9 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes, making this Fourth of July period a super busy one.

With so many planning to hit the roads and skies, TSA's head, David Pekoske, has reassured everyone that they are ready to handle the rush. Both TSA and AAA suggest getting to the airport at least two hours before your flight to avoid any stress.

With these travel records about to be set, the Fourth of July this year is a celebration of independence and a showcase of a thriving travel season.

Related Article: United States Braces for Record Tourism Influx During Solar Eclipse

Travel Chaos Ahead

Active weather patterns across the U.S. are causing significant disruptions as we near the Fourth of July holiday. The FOX Forecast Center has highlighted a series of storm systems that are leading to major travel delays and cancellations.

These disruptions are expected to continue as the holiday weekend approaches, complicating travel plans for many.

A record 71 million people are anticipated to travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday period, according to AAA. The roads will be packed, with over 60 million choosing to drive, while more than 57 million will take flights, and nearly 5 million will travel by cruise, bus, or train.

Weather challenges are diverse across the regions. As per the report, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will face the toughest conditions on Sunday, with a strong cold front expected to cause storms and potentially damaging winds.

The forecast for Monday shows stormy weather moving into the Southeast, with threats of flash flooding in South Carolina and Georgia, while conditions are predicted to improve in the Northeast.

Tuesday will bring another wave of storms into the Midwest, stretching down to the southern Plains, as the heat spreads westward into California, where excessive heat advisories are in effect.

On Wednesday, moisture increases in the four corners area, raising the possibility of thunderstorms and flash floods, which could also heighten wildfire risks.

By the Fourth of July, attention turns to the Midwest and Ohio Valley, where afternoon thunderstorms could bring damaging winds and heavy rain, complicating airport travel from cities like Minneapolis and Chicago to New Orleans.
For the first time in 170 years, Balmoral Castle is opening its doors to the public for guided tours. Starting July 1, visitors can explore various rooms of the castle located in Aberdeenshire, including the entrance hall, the red corridor, and both the main and family dining rooms.

Balmoral Castle Opens Historical Doors

Balmoral Castle, once a private retreat for Queen Elizabeth II, holds deep historical significance as it was purchased by Prince Albert in 1852 and is best known as the place where the late queen passed away in 2022.

As mentioned in The Guardian, under the new reign of King Charles, significant changes have been introduced to the interior design of the castle. Notably, King Charles decided to replace the drawing room carpets with Hunting Stewart tartan, returning to the original style selected by Queen Victoria.

It is decorated with works by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, a Victorian artist of Queen Victoria's favorite painter, and the history is firmly underlined. Now, it functions as the King's study, although originally, it was a breakfast and lunch room for Victoria and Albert.

The organized tours, which enable the visitors to view the library, the drawing-room, and other parts of the castle pertinent to the history, are sold out in less than a day.

The report also added that the prices are 100 and 150 each, with the latter offering afternoon tea; 40 people are allowed to tour this royal house each day.

During this short period of the year before the Royals arrive for their summer stay at the castle, Balmoral Castle opens to the public, offering the ability to experience firsthand the homes of Britain's monarchs with limited frequency.

Royal Tours with Strict Rules

Starting on Monday, Balmoral Castle is opening up for special tours, but there's a big rule: no phones allowed. According to the Daily Mail, if you're one of the lucky 3,400 people who got a ticket, you will have to leave your phone at the door.

This helps keep the castle calm and private, just like it has always been for the royal family.

The castle also makes sure it stays clean for all to enjoy. Everyone must wear covers on their shoes while they walk around. This keeps the floors neat and tidy.

During the visit, groups of ten people will be taken around by a guide who knows all about the castle's history. They will see seven special rooms that are usually just for the royal family.

Balmoral Castle, a beautiful old building in Scotland, has been a quiet getaway for kings and queens for a long time. Now, for a few weeks, it's sharing its secrets with the public.

Visitors will see where the Queen liked to spend her holidays and look at rooms filled with history, without the distraction of phones.

This tour is a rare chance to see inside a royal home and peacefully learn about the past. So, remember, if you go, enjoy the moment and the quiet, because that's part of the special experience at Balmoral Castle.
Russian forces carried out 2,793 shelling attacks on the Donetsk region on June 30, damaging 49 civilian objects.

That's according to the regional police, Ukrinform reports.

"The frontline region was subjected to 2,793 enemy shelling attacks. The police documented the consequences of the strikes. [...] Forty-nine civilian objects were damaged, including 35 residential buildings, administrative buildings, an enterprise, garages, cars, and wheat fields," the report said.

Fourteen settlements were hit by Russian attacks, including Kurakhove, Lyman, Siversk, Toretsk, Niu-York, Tsukuryne, Yampil, Vovchenka, Illinivka, Izhevka, Myroliubivka, Nelipivka, Nova Poltavka, and Yurkivka.

In particular, the occupiers dropped eight KAB-250 aerial bombs on Toretsk, killing one civilian and injuring three others. Two apartment buildings, six private houses, and administrative buildings were damaged.

Russian forces also attacked Siversk with artillery, killing one person and injuring another, and damaging a private house.

The Russians dropped a KAB-500 guided bomb on Tsukuryne, injuring six civilians, including a child born in 2009. Twenty-one private houses and two cars were damaged.

Enemy shelling also injured one person in Yampil and another in Niu-York.

The police and the Security Service of Ukraine opened criminal proceedings under Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- VOYAH, the premium new energy vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor, announced it delivered 5,507 vehicles in June 2024, representing an 83% year-on-year leap.

Photo credit: VOYAH

In the first six months of this year, VOYAHs cumulative vehicle deliveries reached 30,376 vehicles, more than doubled from that of a year ago (+102% YoY).

In June, the automaker newly opened 8 stores across China, bringing its total sales network to 279 VOYAH Space stores and user centers. Notably, VOYAH also established 35 VOYAH Space stores overseas. Up to now, the automakers sales channel covers 131 cities worldwide.

Moreover, the Chinese NEV maker has been making significant strides in overseas markets. Recently, the first VOYAH showroom in the Netherlands officially opened in Alkmaar, Netherlands. On June 6, VOYAH put the VOYAH FREE and VOYAH models onto the Spainish market, and opened its first showroom in Madrid the same month.

Since 2022, VOYAH has expanded into Norway, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Italy. By the end of 2024, VOYAH plans to further penetrate European markets in Portugal, Belgium, and Germany.
The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.

AIR TERROR

On June 29-30, Russian missiles and bombs again terrorized peaceful Ukrainians. In particular, three children and four adults died in Vilniansk, Zaporizhzhia region. Another air bomb caused destruction and casualties in the centre of Kharkiv.

Russia is fighting against the civilian population of Ukraine. This is the tactic of a terrorist who chooses a weak victim and counts on a political effect.

The aggressor continues to commit crimes, relying on impunity. And as long as the murderers are beyond the reach of justice, only the Defence Forces of Ukraine can punish them.

We are grateful to our partners for strengthening our air defence, but Patriot cannot be used against KABs. Only the destruction of Russian planes will help.

Dozens of enemy planes shelling Ukraine are in the open air at airfields less than 200 km from the Ukrainian border. Lifting the ATACMS application restriction will help to destroy them.

Destroying Russian planes at air bases is a legitimate act of self-defence, as well as a warning to war criminals. There is no rational argument against using long-range missiles against them.

NUCLEAR THREATS OF OFFICIAL MINSK

The Lukashenko regime officials accuse Ukraine of concentrating troops on the border with Belarus and threaten to use nuclear weapons in the event of a threat to their independence.

Belarusian officials belatedly mentioned the threats of independence. This should have been thought about before they handed over their country to Putin's regime.

Ukraine did not plan aggression against Belarus and did not create threats to its independence. On the contrary, the true independence of Belarus is in the strategic interest of Ukraine.

Belarus should determine whether it is still a nuclear-free state and continues to fulfil its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Budapest Memorandum.

Participation in Putin's nuclear games may cost the people of Belarus dearly because the Kremlin does not care about its own people and, even more so, will not care about the security and prospects of Belarusians.

Ukrainian Defence Forces are ready to repel provocations on the Belarusian border, as well as on the border with the Russian Federation.

INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF THE AGGRESSOR STATE

On June 29, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution for the 10th anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The day before, on June 26, the PACE adopted a similar resolution Combating the Erasure of Cultural Identity During War and Peace.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Council of Europe resolutions are important documents that represent the position of the European political community and influence the adoption of practical decisions by governments and international organizations.

The documents, adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly, recognize the genocidal nature of Russian aggression and the actions of the Russian Federation to destroy Ukrainian cultural heritage and identity.

The document states the policy of Russification and erasure of the cultural identity of the indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation, and also defines the decolonization of the Russian Federation as a necessary prerequisite for establishing lasting peace.

The 2024 presidential elections in Russia are recognized as falsified and undermine the legitimacy of the entire electoral system of the Russian Federation.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly resolution calls for the de-occupation of the Ukrainian TOT, the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula, the creation of a Special Tribunal to hold the Russian Federation accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine, as well as the acceleration of the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security
Helping Ukraine in the war against the Russian invaders, well-known volunteer and combat medic from the United Kingdom Peter Fouche was killed on the front line in Ukraine.

The death of the combat medic was confirmed by the Project Konstantin charity foundation, which Fouche co-founded, Ukrinform reports.

On the shield: Peter Hasta La Vista Fouche. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder, the post reads.

It is noted that Pete's unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people have left an everlasting impact on the countless lives he touched.

The heroism of the British combat medic knew no bounds. He was actively involved in saving more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, evacuating civilians from the most dangerous frontline cities, as well as bringing humanitarian aid to people in those towns and cities.

Read also: Lithuanian volunteers come under fire in Pokrovsk

Petes bravery and selflessness in the face of danger were nothing short of extraordinary, and his actions will forever be etched in our hearts. Pete was more than a leader; he was a beacon of hope, a true hero, and a friend to all. His wisdom, compassion, and faith in God inspired us every day, the post reads.

Honouring Pete's memory, Project Konstantin added they would continue the work he was so passionate about, carrying forward his legacy of courage and kindness, of fighting for what is right, and of speaking up in the face of injustice.

As reported by Ukrinform, in March 2023 it became known about the death of former Estonian Defense Forces officer Ivo Jurak, who was killed in action near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

In September 2023, Estonian volunteer Tanel Kriggul was killed in a Russian drone attack near Lyman town in the Donetsk region.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said she is annoyed by statements from those who claim that aid to Ukraine is "charity."

She stated this in her speech at a conference on national security strategy in Berlin, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"It annoys me a little when... we now see discussions in which support for Ukraine is seen as a charitable gesture, rather than what it really is - an investment in our national security. An investment in the protection of our peace and freedom. There can be no greater national interest," Baerbock said.

At the same time, she also recalled what irritates Germany's Eastern European neighbors: the German debate about not wanting to "be dragged into this war." However, for these countries, the question is not whether they want to be dragged into the war, but the fact that Putin is nearby and will not stop at Ukraine, Baerbock said.

Read also: Germany may continue training Ukrainian army recruits in 2025

She noted that Putin's plan is to divide NATO or destroy it. But Putin did not succeed, the minister said.

"Putin wanted to weaken NATO, but instead strengthened it. NATO is stronger than ever, although, of course, it faces even more challenges than ever," Baerbock said.

She recalled that Germany currently invests more than 2% of GDP "in its own military strength and defense," but this year will be difficult, because Putin's goal is to create further challenges to Europe's security.

"Putin's Russia will remain the biggest threat to our security in Europe for the foreseeable future. And so our security measures can only be the first step. Ideologically, Putin's Russia is on the way to totalitarianism. Vladimir Putin's imperialism - as he demonstrates again and again in his speeches - does not end with Ukraine. If you look at the numbers, Russia is preparing its armed forces for a major war, with plans for a multi-year war economy," the minister warned.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

SAIC Motor sells over 93,000 new energy vehicles in June

SAIC Motor announced today it sold over 93,000 new energy vehicles in June 2024. In the first half of this year, the Shanghai-based auto group recorded a new energy vehicle sales volume of more than 460,000 units, which jumped 24% from the previous year.

IM LS6; photo credit: IM Motors

GAC AION's Thailand smart eco-factory to complete construction in mid-July

On July 1, GAC AION announced that its Thailand smart eco-factory will officially complete construction in mid-July. At the same time, the second generation of the AION V will roll off the production line.

Farasis Energy starts trial production at Guangzhou base

On June 29, the Guangzhou municipal government and China Reform Holdings Corporation Ltd. held a strategic cooperation agreement signing ceremony and the launch event for the trial production at Farasis Energy's Guangzhou base in Huangpu District, Guangzhou.

Wang Yu, Chairman of Farasis Energy, explained that the Guangzhou base is a "zero-carbon + lighthouse" super factory designed for the TWh era, based on SPS (super pouch solution) technology. It aims to achieve low-cost, green, zero-carbon PPB-level delivery through large-scale, intelligent, and digital operations. The factory uses lamination technology and soft-pack encapsulation, which can meet the manufacturing requirements for semi-solid and even fully solid-state batteries, allowing for simultaneous iteration of capacity and products.

NIO delivers over 21,000 vehicles in June 2024

NIO, a main player in China's premium smart electric vehicle market, announced impressive growth figures for June 2024. The company delivered a total of 21,209 vehicles, marking a substantial 98.1% surge compared to the same period last year. This figure includes 11,581 premium smart electric SUVs and 9,628 premium smart electric sedans.

XPENG's vehicle deliveries jump 24% YoY in June 2024

On July 1, Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG announced impressive delivery figures for June 2024. The company delivered a total of 10,668 vehicles last month, marking a year-on-year jump of 24% and a month-on-month rise of 5%.

VOYAH posts 83% YoY surge in June vehicle deliveries

VOYAH, the premium new energy vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor, announced it delivered 5,507 vehicles in June 2024, representing an 83% year-on-year leap.

Li Auto scores 46.7% YoY surge in June 2024 deliveries

Li Auto Inc., a main force in China's new energy vehicle market, delivered 47,774 vehicles in June 2024, marking a 46.7% soar year-over-year.

V2X solution developer PATEO files for IPO on Hong Kong Stock Exchange

On June 28, intelligent cockpit and V2X solution provider PATEO CONNECT Technology (Shanghai) Corporation ("PATEO") officially submitted its application for an initial public offering (IPO) to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Leapmotor puts C16 six-seater SUV onto market, starting at 155,800 yuan

On June 28, Chinese new energy vehicle maker Leapmotor released its six-seater SUV, the C16, onto the market. The model comes in both battery-electric (BEV) and range-extended (REEV) powertrains, available in six variants in total with a price range of 155,800 yuan to 185,800 yuan.

NETA L's BEV edition hits market, starting at 139,900 yuan

On June 28, NETA Auto officially put the NETA L model's battery electric vehicle (BEV) edition onto the market, with three trim levels priced between 139,900 yuan and 162,900 yuan.

Xiaomi EV delivers over 10,000 SU7 cars in June 2024

Today, Xiaomi EV announced its delivery data for June 2024, with over 10,000 units of the Xiaomi SU7 delivered. The company anticipates that July deliveries will also exceed 10,000 units.

GAC Toyota, Momenta to debut end-to-end smart driving solution on bZ3X model

On June 28, GAC Toyota and autonomous driving tech company Momenta announced their collaboration to develop an end-to-end advanced smart driving system, which will debut on the Sino-Japanese joint ventures bZ3X model.

WeRide kicks off unmanned commercialized sanitation project in Dongguan, Guangdong

On July 1, autonomous driving solution developer WeRide announced the official launch of its intelligent municipal road sanitation project in Dongguan's Binhaiwan New District.

ECARX partners with DXC Luxoft to develop intelligent automotive solutions

Mobility technology company ECARX recently announced a strategic partnership with digital strategy and software engineering firm DXC Luxoft to jointly advance the development of in-car infotainment systems, intelligent cockpits, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

China's Vehicle Inventory Alert Index in June 2024 up both YoY, MoM

On June 30, 2024, the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) released the latest "China Automobile Dealers Inventory Alert Index" (VIA), showing that in June 2024, the VIA for Chinese automobile dealers was 62.3%. This represents an 8.3 percentage point increase year-on-year and a 4.1 percentage point increase month-on-month.
Nazrin Abdul

At the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in Baku, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov invited Bulgarian transit operators and logistics companies to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the Middle Corridor, Azernews reports.

"Azerbaijan has emerged as a reliable hub in Eurasian transport and logistics. Our sea ports, airports, railways, and highways integrated into international corridors like the East-West and North-South provide significant advantages for expanding trade relations," Mammadov highlighted.

"The Middle Corridor serves as a secure link connecting Europe with Central Asia and China, offering a dependable transport route. The newly established Alat Free Economic Zone within this corridor aims to foster modern industrial enterprises and export-oriented products. I encourage investors to explore the opportunities available in economic zones both in Azerbaijan and Bulgaria," he added.

Minister Mammadov highlighted ongoing significant investments in Azerbaijan's "green energy" sector, in collaboration with foreign investors.

He emphasized Azerbaijan's pivotal role in Europe's energy security, underscoring its reputation as a reliable partner. "Our energy cooperation with Bulgaria is robust," Mammadov noted, citing recent developments such as SOCAR's office opening in Sofia and a memorandum signed under the "Ring of Solidarity" initiative, reflecting a strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties in this vital sector.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Li Auto Inc. ("Li Auto" or the "Company"), a main force in China's new energy vehicle market, delivered 47,774 vehicles in June 2024, marking a 46.7% soar year-over-year.

Photo credit: Li Auto

This monthly performance pushed the company's second-quarter deliveries to 108,581 vehicles, representing a 25.5% jump compared to the previous year. By the end of June 2024, Li Auto's cumulative deliveries reached 822,345 vehicles.

Xiang Li, chairman and chief executive officer of Li Auto, highlighted the company's robust sales momentum. "In June, our sales momentum continued to increase, with monthly deliveries exceeding 40,000 vehicles in total and surpassing 20,000 vehicles for Li L6 alone. Since the second quarter, Li Auto has reclaimed the top spot in sales among China's emerging new energy auto brands, and has become the sales champion of Chinese auto brands in the 200,000 yuan and higher NEV market, driven by the launch of our new model, Li L6, and the improvement of store efficiency."

Xiang Li also mentioned that, looking ahead, Li Auto is set to enhance its technological offerings. In early July, the company will officially roll out its NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) independent of high-definition maps to all Li AD Max users, making it available for use nationwide.

Li Auto's extensive retail and service network further underpins its growth. As of June 30, 2024, the company operates 497 retail stores across 148 cities, 421 servicing centers and Li Auto-authorized body and paint shops in 220 cities, and 614 supercharging stations equipped with 2,726 charging stalls throughout China.
In the past decade, the financial aid system for higher education has been increasingly complicated, specifically by new FAFSA guidelines. MSLF, a part of MOHELA, accepted this challenge by awarding critical funding with its Mission-Mini Grants program to help in successfully funding events around the community in an effort to increase FAFSA completion in Missouri. More than $88,600 has been awarded through these grants.

Impact of the Mission-Mini Grants

Through its Mission-Mini grants, MSLF continues to increase FAFSA completion rates across the state of Missouri by funding more than 110 community events in 70 counties. The fund enables local colleges, universities, high schools, and not-for-profits to hold information sessions and workshops designed to equip students, families, and educators with the resources and expertise needed to navigate the difficulties of submitting the FAFSA application.

According to Melissa Findley, Executive Director of MSLF, "Our Mission-Mini Grants provide essential dollars to ensure that Missouri students are knowledgeable about changes to the FAFSA." Indeed, it is not only about educating these students about the new changes; rather, it also empowers them to access critical financial assistance provided through the U.S. Department of Education through federal grants, scholarships, and loans.

READ MORE : Student Loan Reporting Glitch Doubles Debt On Credit Reports, Impacts Millions

Addressing Challenges in FAFSA Rollout

The FAFSA for the academic year 2024-2025 faced unexpected delays and technical issues. This impacted applicants statewide. Scott Giles, MOHELA's CEO, emphasized that "FAFSA completion is one of the most crucial steps in obtaining college funding." Despite these difficulties around completing FAFSA, MSLF remains firmly committed to providing critical assistance to communities as they navigate through these complexities.

Achievements and Future Directions

Since 2010, MSLF has been a leading force in promoting access to higher education for Missouri families. In the last five years alone, the Foundation has provided students with $17.5 million in scholarships and grants, alongside $24.2 million in interest-free loans. Furthermore, in the 2023-2024 academic year, statewide scholarship programs like Access Missouri and Bright Flight will be fringe-funded by $6 million from MOHELA.

Looking ahead, MSLF continues to play a huge role in raising Missouri's educational landscape, helping students in the pursuit of their academic ambitions. More initiatives and strategic linkages are taken up by MSLF to boost FAFSA completion rates further so that each eligible student in the state can tap into the required financial aid toward attaining higher education goals.

The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation represents MOHELA's huge shining rays of hope that students have while going through the rigors involved in financing higher education. With such innovative programs as the Mission-Mini Grants, the MSLF does much more than furnish short-term solutions to problems; it paves the way for success in education for the long haul in the future throughout Missouri. Through a shifting financial aid landscape, MSLF has remained true to a very informed and empowered student community, driving higher FAFSA completion rates to ensure fair access to educational opportunities statewide.

MOHELA proactively joining MSLF underscores its commitment to serving Missouri's student population by providing educational support infrastructure in the state. Through MSLF, MOHELA has been able to extend its influence on students' and families' lives all over Missouri in the pursuit of an accessible and more equitable system of higher education by funding initiatives that support FAFSA completion and increasing financial literacy for all.
A lot of focus has gone into the latest news about Rutgers University Board of Governors member William Tambussi. His ousting by a Judge's order is based on residency, not on the racketeering charges leveled against him, underpinning how tangled and problematic university governance has become.

The Residency Dispute and Legal Actions

Just at the beginning of this year, the Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty union filed a lawsuit and threatened to expose the tenureship of William Tambussi as a member of the Board of Governors at Rutgers University. The filed suit was based on claims that Tambussi no longer lives in Camden County, the area he represents. It is thus an important residency requirement, for that matter, to adequately represent the interests of the regions from which board members are picked to represent. The lawsuit from the union had alleged that Tambussi moved outside the county, in apparent violation of residency for his position.

While he is facing more sensational racketeering charges, it was this residency issue that ultimately cost Tambussi his office. To add insult to injury, the ruling did not need to add that his removal from the Board of Governors was in compliance with state residency requirements for such governors. NJ.com reached out to Tambussi for comment on the judge's ruling, but as of the date of the publication of this news report, they are yet to hear from him. The facts of his current residency and any future plans were also not made public.

READ MORE : House Republicans Rebuke University Leaders Over Handling Of Antiwar Protests And Antisemitic Incidents

The Racketeering Charges and Broader Implications

Additionally, this month, Tambussi was under indictment on racketeering charges stemming from the much larger scandal that New Jersey's attorney general has lodged against George Norcross, a very powerful Democratic power broker. According to the indictment, Tambussi was Norcross's "long-time personal attorney" and is alleged to have been directly and actively involved in a scheme where he used the government of the city of Camden to bring condemnation action against one developer. The closing court, according to the indictment, was part of a discordant many that used the government of the city of Camden in allegations of conspiracy to extort the developer about development rights and property in the city.

The pressures for the faculty union to oust Tambussi intensified with news of his indictment. The Rutgers AAUP-AFT chapter insisted on Tambussi's resignation, stating that his presence on the Board of Governors threatened the integrity of university governance. The union's stance reflects broader expectations concerning ethical and legal standards that must be upheld when holding his position amidst serious criminal allegations.

Reactions and Future Governance at Rutgers

The Rutgers AAUP-AFT chapter applauds the judge's order to remove Mr. Tambussi. The union took to social media to celebrate their success: "We demanded Tambussi's removal from the Rutgers Board of Governors, and WE SUCCEEDED." It further urged Governor Phil Murphy to appoint a new board member, one who meets a residency requirement throughout the higher mission of the university.

The case illustrates the importance of proper university governance in the preservation of institutional integrity and public trust, as well as the necessity of ensuring that there are strong monitoring and accountability measures for those in governance roles. As Rutgers looks ahead, who takes over for Tambussi will be watching, and stakeholders will be jockeying for a candidate with an impeccable ethical record and whose record of public service aligns with the true spirit of the Rutgers mission.

The ouster of William Tambussi from the Rutgers University Board of Governors raises serious questions of governance, legal accountability, and professional ethics. While the ostensible reason was residency-related issues, the underlying charges were about racketeering. That's how Rutgers will get through this period-- leadership that features transparency, accountability, and a vigorous commitment to serve the mission of the university and its diverse constituencies.
A new survey of nearly 1,000 single adults has some telling differences when it comes to dating preferences, especially regarding education and income.

Conducted by Fishpoll and reported on by Intelligent.com, it shows how modern singles navigate the perils of dating in today's world. Here are seven surprising insights from its findings, which explain these dynamics.

1. Women Care More About Education Than Men Do

One of the striking findings in this survey is that women are nearly three times more likely than men to not date a person with less education. The responses to this one included an example of 21% of women against a much lower number of 8% of men who would not date someone who did not hold a college degree. That huge difference reveals the essential role of education in women's preferences in dating.

READ MORE : 4 Steps To Cultivate An Authentic Teaching Style For Graduate Students

2. Income Matters More to Women

Another characteristic where women's preferences differ noticeably from those of men is income. Indeed, 67% of women reported that income is important to them, while only 45% of men did so. Another important consideration on this subject is that 25% of women would not date someone who earned less than them, as compared to just 7% of men. This means most women do show consideration toward financial stability when it comes to deciding on a life partner.

3. Common Values and Long-Term Objectives Are Important

Despite this, there were various qualities that both men and women settled for in a spouse: being kind, hardworking, fun, intelligent, and family-oriented. This similarity in ideas proves that while education and income are pivotal, the core issues on the ground, the values instilled at first, and the attainment of long-term objectives are very important in seeking a compatible partner.

4. Deep and Meaningful Conversations Matter

Other reasons that make education valued, as revealed by the survey, include the enabling of deep and meaningful conversations (according to 55% of the respondents), reflecting similar values and long-term goals (according to 51% of the respondents), and helping in understanding each other's perspectives better (according to 50% of respondents). The insights that emanated here testified to how education can influence the quality and depth that characterized the relationships.

5. Young Men Are Encouraged Join the Workforce Early

These findings are set against the background of an increasing gender gap at higher levels of education. For example, 58% of students enrolled in Texas colleges are women, a margin that widens even further in health-related fields. Sociologists attribute this to societal influences, such as the fact that a young man is supposed to join the workforce early, coupled with opportunities available in male-dominated career lines such as the military and trade vocations.

6. Men Are Encouraged to Take a Four Year Degree

The gender gap in education is a very complex issue. Some experts say the answer is as simple as making college free and adding more male teachers and professors to serve as role models to encourage boys and young men to get a four-year degree. Others aren't so sure. John Sharp, the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, advocates for admitting the most qualified students without exception.

7. Women Look for Financial Stability in Their Partners

Janet Gemmell, a family law attorney quoted in the same Intelligent.com article, provides wonderful advice on what really counts in relationships. While she says that many women would go looking for financial stability in their partners, it's character, shared values, and life goals that really matter in making a relationship work. She stresses self-acceptance, open lines of communication, and genuine emotional and intellectual connections rather than ticking checkboxes.

The survey's findings underscore the intricate interplay of education, income, and personal values in modern dating preferences. While significant gender disparities exist, with women placing higher importance on education and income than men, both genders ultimately prioritize kindness, shared values, and long-term compatibility in their search for a partner.

Education emerges not only as a marker of intellectual compatibility but also as a facilitator of deeper, more meaningful conversations and mutual understanding. Meanwhile, income remains a critical consideration for many women, reflecting broader societal expectations and individual financial stability concerns.

Navigating these dynamics requires a balanced approach that acknowledges the importance of educational attainment and financial stability while prioritizing emotional and intellectual connections. As Gemmell advises, fostering genuine connections based on shared values and life goals is crucial for building successful, fulfilling relationships in today's diverse dating landscape.

What Can College Students Take Away From This?

These findings teach some important lessons to students who are trying to understand the most complicated topics associated with college dating and relationships. Understanding what value has been placed on education and income may help students work through and present their goals and expectations for a companion. It may also suggest the need to invest in personal growth and career building not only toward professional success but personal fulfillment as well in relationships.

The survey shows that people still value shared values, kindness, and mutual respect in a relationship. This is a factor that does not have to revolve around the walls of education or even social class since this identifies what character kind of person one is and the emotional quotient in keeping relationships meaningful.

These findings should be valuable for students in adjusting their personal values and ideals in preparation for their future lives. The results emphasize personal growth, respect for diversifying beliefs, and developing meaningful relationships with shared values. This shall give college students an easier approach to dating by knowing precisely what matters for long-term happiness and fulfillment.
(@FahadShabbir)

An eleven-member delegation of Presidents (Vice Chancellors) from various Iranian universities on Monday visited the Government College University (GCU) Lahore to enhance academic and research collaboration

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) An eleven-member delegation of Presidents (Vice Chancellors) from various Iranian universities on Monday visited the Government College University (GCU) Lahore to enhance academic and research collaboration.

The GCU Lahore signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with five Iranian universities: University of Religions and Denominations, Hakim Sabzevari University, Quom University, Islamic Azad University, and Bu-Ali Sina University.

The formal ceremony was presided over by the GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir and attended by prominent figures, including Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood, Home Economics University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi, and GCU Dean Prof. Dr. Sultan Shah.

In her welcome address, Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir highlighted several GCU initiatives, such as the establishment of a counseling center for students. She emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing educational and research standards. She said MoUs signify a significant step towards strengthening academic and research ties between GCU and leading Iranian universities, fostering an environment of mutual growth and learning.

The Iranian delegation expressed their interest in strengthening relations with the universities of neighboring countries and reviewed the efforts in promoting women's education in Iran and Pakistan.

They also showed keen interest in collaborating on urdu language and literature, underscoring a mutual commitment to enhancing academic and research cooperation between the two nations.

Dr. Seyed Abolhassan Navab, head of the Iranian delegation, conveyed his admiration for GCU, stating, "It is an honor for me to visit the alma mater of Allama Iqbal. GCU possesses a wealth of knowledge and youth potential. Pakistan is working not only for itself but also for the world." He highlighted the robust academic ties between Pakistan and Iran and expressed a commitment to future joint endeavors.

The Iranian delegation included notable figures such as Dr. Mohammad Ali Zanganeh Asadi, President of Hakim Sabzevari University; Dr. Ali Sorouri Majd, Vice President of Islamic Azad University; and Dr. Hossein Rezvan, President of Bu-Ali Sina University.

The delegation also visited Allama Iqbal's room in the Iqbal Hostel, Autaq-e-Iran Shanasi in the Department of Persian, and the Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP).
In a groundbreaking effort to combat the escalating climate crisis, a team of scientists from North Carolina State University (NCSU), USA, joined hands with Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), to conduct a joint research project on Climate Change Impacts on Glaciers, Rivers, and Oceans

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) In a groundbreaking effort to combat the escalating climate crisis, a team of scientists from North Carolina State University (NCSU), USA, joined hands with Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), to conduct a joint research project on Climate Change Impacts on Glaciers, Rivers, and Oceans.

This initiative is a part of the project Developing the Next Generation of Female Environmentalists; Pakistani Women University Climate Change Consortium.

The project is aimed to empower female students in Pakistan by equipping them with advanced climate science knowledge

and skills. A distinguished team of seven scientists from NCSU, including Prof. Dr. Lewis Owen, Prof. Dr. Jingpu Paul Li, Prof. Dr. Walter Robinson, Dr. Carrie Thomas, Dr. Roberto Mera Velazquez, Dr. Jamila Simpson, and Ms. Lucia

Manatschal-Riedener, led the two-day project briefing event, funded by the US State Department.

Dr. Lewis Owen, Dean of the College of Sciences at NCSU, brought his extensive expertise on the glacial history of the Himalayan mountains, providing invaluable insights into the region's geomorphological changes due to climate change.

Pakistan is projected to be among the countries most affected by climate change, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. The workshop highlighted the critical role of academia in shaping national policies through scientific evidence.

Ms. Farzana Altaf Shah, the first female Director General of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak EPA), emphasized the importance of such initiatives.

"To meet the challenges of climate change in Pakistan, it is essential that the role of academia be projected at a national level for policy making because without scientific evidence such decisions cannot be made," she stated.

Prof. Dr. Rohama Gill, the Project Coordinator and event organizer, was lauded for her efforts in fostering international collaboration and training a new generation of female environmentalists. Students participated in activities involving climate modeling and simulation, gaining knowledge about advanced scientific software and the skills necessary for policy design and implementation.

At the event's conclusion, FJWU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Uzaira Rafique expressed gratitude to the entire project team.

She said, "Exchange of knowledge in such workshops paves the way for scientific development in Pakistan," and added the scientific data, information, and evidence generated from this project will be shared with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency to forecast future challenges such as rising temperatures.

This successful collaboration between NCSU and FJWU signifies a promising step towards safeguarding Pakistan against the threats posed by climate change. Continued cooperation between the scientific communities of both nations is expected to yield significant strides in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Kazakhstan for the twin Summits of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) and SCO Plus from 03-04 July 2024 in Astana

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Kazakhstan for the twin Summits of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) and SCO Plus from 03-04 July 2024 in Astana.

He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other senior members of the cabinet and senior government officials, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

At the SCO Council of Heads of Summit Meeting, the prime minister will share Pakistans perspective on important regional and global issues and underline the importance Pakistan accords to regional connectivity and cooperation with SCO member countries, it was added.

The prime minister would also address the SCO Plus Summit that brings together SCO member states as well as invited dialogue partners, observer states, guests of the chair and international organizations.

He would share Pakistans perspective on important regional and global issues and underline the importance of strengthening the organization for the benefit of the peoples of the SCO region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would also hold meetings with participating leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to undertake a two-day official visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan from July 2-3, on the invitation of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to undertake a two-day official visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan from July 2-3, on the invitation of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

During his visit, the prime minister will meet President Emomali Rahmon, Chairman of Majlisi Namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli Mahmadtoir Zoir Zokirzoda and Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, according to a Foreign Office press release.

The visit is a part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

The two sides will engage in wide-ranging discussions on areas of mutual interest to further deepen bilateral cooperation especially in the areas of regional connectivity, trade, people-to-people contacts and energy as well as cooperation on multilateral issues.

The two sides will also sign agreements and MoUs in diverse areas of cooperation.
(@FahadShabbir)

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, while noting the positive trajectory of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, emphasized the need to enhance trade and investment, besides focusing on regional connectivity and security

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, while noting the positive trajectory of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, emphasized the need to enhance trade and investment, besides focusing on regional connectivity and security.

The prime minister received Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin for a courtesy call at the Prime Minister House, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister conveyed his greetings to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and expressed his desire to strengthen the excellent bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

He said he was looking forward to his meeting with President Tokayev during his upcoming visit to Astana for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting on July 3-4.

The Kazakh ambassador conveyed the greetings of President Tokayev and briefed the prime minister on various activities and initiatives currently in progress to expand relations between the two countries.
Were already halfway through 2024, but by 2030, at least a third of vehicles sold globally are expected to wear the badge of a Chinese brand. Referencing a report from consulting firm AlixPartners, Automotive News says that individual market penetration will double in Europe and Russia, triple in South and Southeast Asia, and nearly quadruple in the Middle East and Africa. In North America, Chinese brands will command 20% of the Mexican market.

But America! Trade policies! Tariffs! Well, those only apply to made-in-China stuff as a way to protect domestic production. But any blockadesfinancially and figurativelyare merely efforts to buy time.

Getty Images

Chinese automakers have been transparent about their manufacturing plans outside of their home base. This includes battery-electric vehicle production and assembly plants in Mexico for BYD, Chery, and Great Wall. BYD and Great Wall will also add production facilities in Brazil and Europe. Chery, Geely, LeapMotor, and SAIC MG plan to build in Europe as well.

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There goes the market.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020, aims to bolster and protect homegrown businesses and goods through increased local production and free trade. If Made in China tags now read Made in Mexico, those earlier tariffs wont mean a thing. But will consumers care, especially given Chinas history of forced labor and shunning environmental protections?

If a brand-new BYD Seagull EV costs less than $11,000 versus the U.S. EV average of more than $50,000, new-car buyers might turn a blind eye. Government subsidies allow Chinese OEMs to offer these rock-bottom prices. And when a value meal at McDonalds now costs 20 bucks, people will more often than not prefer food and financial freedom over struggle meals and debt.

Time is racing toward us, but maybe its not such a terrible idea. If Chinese automakers want to build here, let them. Theyll have to follow our labor laws, for one thing. We definitely wont have kids working in plantswell, hopefully. And if it means more choice and freedom (and competition) in the car-buying space, so be it.
(@Abdulla99267510)

The working group says that the prosecution of Imran in the cipher case "lacks a grounding in law," noting that his actions did not appear to violate the Official Secrets Act.

NEW YORK: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 1st, 2024) The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on Monday declared that the detention and prosecution of PTI founder Imran Khan in the Toshakhana and cipher cases were without legal basis and politically motivated to exclude him from the political arena.

In its 99th session from March 18-27, the UN body reviewed the legal inconsistencies and irregularities in the court proceedings against Imran Khan and concluded that his detention was arbitrary and intended to disqualify him from running for political office.

The working group criticized Imran's conviction in the Toshakhana case, which involved a summary judgment delivered in absentia, and his subsequent arrest, during which law enforcement personnel allegedly broke into his residence and assaulted him and his staff.

Besides it, the working group stated that the prosecution of Imran in the cipher case "lacks a grounding in law," noting that his actions did not appear to violate the Official Secrets Act. The cipher case involved a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency alleged was never returned by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, who claimed it contained a threat from the US to topple his government.

The UN group observed that the timing of the prosecutions in multiple cases effectively prevented Imran from contesting the general election originally scheduled for November 2023. They concluded that the prosecutions aimed to remove him from the election and restrict his party's participation.

The working group emphasized that, in the absence of a rebuttal from the government, the prosecutions seemed related to Imran's leadership of the PTI and aimed at silencing him and his supporters. They concluded that his arrest and detention were arbitrary and recommended his immediate release, compensation, and an independent investigation into the circumstances of his detention.

On August 5, 2023, a trial court in Islamabad convicted Imran Khan in a case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for concealing state gifts, sentencing him to three years in prison. Punjab police arrested him later that day at his residence in Lahore. Following the conviction, the ECP disqualified him for five years, though the Islamabad High Court later suspended his three-year sentence.
Spain's Supreme Court refused Monday to grant an amnesty to Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on a charge of misusing public funds, maintaining arrest warrants over his failed 2017 secession attempt

Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) Spain's Supreme Court refused Monday to grant an amnesty to Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on a charge of misusing public funds, maintaining arrest warrants over his failed 2017 secession attempt.

Spanish MPs in May passed an amnesty law aimed at drawing a line under years of efforts to prosecute those involved in the botched secession bid that triggered Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

Blocking the amnesty for Puigdemont could complicate life for Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who relied on Catalan parties to secure a new term in office in November.

The law is expected to affect some 400 people, first and foremost Puigdemont, regional leader at the time of the independence bid, who fled Spain to avoid prosecution.

In a statement, the court said judge Pablo Llarena, who is in charge of the case, "issued an order declaring the amnesty is not applicable to the crime of misuse of public funds".

It said it agreed to keep in place "the arrest warrants" against him.

Any appeal must be made within the next three days.

- Disobedience, embezzlement charges -

Sanchez agreed to push through the measure in exchange for the parliamentary support of the Catalan separatist parties for him to serve a new four-year term in office.

After parliament voted to approve the amnesty law on May 30, judges were given two months to apply the law by annulling the charges and cancelling any arrest warrants against the separatists.

But the courts must apply the amnesty on a case-by-case basis, making it a long and drawn-out process.

Last year, the Supreme Court dropped the sedition charges against Puigdemont and two others following a controversial criminal code reform.

Prosecutors filed fresh charges against them of misuse of public funds and disobedience in connection with the independence bid.

In February, the court also opened a "terrorism" probe into Puigdemont over a string of mass street protests by a group called Democratic Tsunami. Spain jailed 13 pro-independence leaders in 2019 over the protests.

In his decision, Llarena said the amnesty law was applicable to the crime of disobedience, but could not be applied in the case of misappropriation of public funds because of two exceptions.

The law allows the amnesty to be applied if the funds were used to finance the pro-independence process, but not if the money was taken for personal gain or if it involved European Union funds.

For that reason, the arrest warrant for Puigdemont would remain in place "for the offence of misuse of public funds but not for disobedience," the judge wrote.

- Separate 'terrorism' charge -

The other case against Puigdemont involving so-called street "terrorism" is being handled separately.

Shortly after the announcement, Puigdemont posted a brief message on X, formerly Twitter, referring to "La Toga Nostra" -- comparing the robe-clad judges to Sicily's Costa Nostra mafia.

Last month, Llarena informed police that the arrest warrant for Puigdemont would remain in force until a decision were made about whether amnesty can be applied in his case or not.

Many judges have expressed opposition to the amnesty law. Spain's right-wing and far-right opposition has staged months of protests against it, some of which have turned violent.

It has also caused deep rifts within Spanish society and even within Sanchez's own ruling Socialist party.
Forest fires that raged in the outer suburbs of the Greek capital over the weekend have been brought under control, firefighters said Monday

Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) Forest fires that raged in the outer suburbs of the Greek capital over the weekend have been brought under control, firefighters said Monday.

Fanned by strong winds of up to 70 kilometres (43 miles) per hour and dry conditions, two fires broke out Sunday in the seaside resort of Keratea, east of Athens, and the wooded suburb of Stamata.

Authorities evacuated residents and a 45-year-old man died of cardiac arrest while trying to flee the flames in Stamata, police said.

The flames destroyed several houses and cars.

By Monday, firefighters had brought most of the flames under control, said fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis.

"There is no longer an active front," he said.

"The fires were contained by firefighters, supported on Sunday by water bombers and helicopters, who fought in very dangerous conditions."

He added that the easing of the winds had helped control most of the fires across the country.

A wildfire which ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha -- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was brought under control Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters.

Greece, a tourist hotspot, faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in June.

Praising the fire service's work, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the Mount Parnitha and Stamata blazes had burnt fewer than 100 hectares (247 acres).

But he warned that the Mediterranean country had "now entered the heart of the fire season", calling on Greeks to do their bit to prevent blazes.

"The fight against fires will continue... it will certainly not be won without the help of citizens," Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting.

Scientists warn that fossil fuel emissions caused by humans are worsening the length and intensity of heatwaves around the world.

Rising temperatures are leading to extended wildfire seasons and increasing the area burnt by the blazes, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Mauritania's incumbent President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has comfortably won re-election, receiving 56.12 percent of the vote in the first round of the presidential poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said Monday.

The victory gives the former army chief a second term as head of the vast desert country, seen as a rock of relative stability in Africa's volatile Sahel region and set to become a gas producer

Nouakchott, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2024) Mauritania's incumbent President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has comfortably won re-election, receiving 56.12 percent of the vote in the first round of the presidential poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said Monday.

The victory gives the former army chief a second term as head of the vast desert country, seen as a rock of relative stability in Africa's volatile Sahel region and set to become a gas producer.

Ghazouani placed well ahead of his main rivalBiram Dah Abeid, who won 22.10 percent of votes in Saturday's election, according to results announced by CENI chief Dah Ould Abdel Jelil.

Abeid said Sunday he would not recognise the results of CENI, which he accused of being manipulated by the government.

Ghazouani's other main rival, Hamadi Ould Sid' El Moctar, who heads the Islamist Tewassoul party, came third with 12.78 percent, according to CENI.

"We did everything we could to prepare the conditions for a good election and we were relatively successful. I congratulate everyone," said the head of the electoral commission.
 Read the full article on Motorious

These are enjoyed by more than just kids

Like a lot of people, you likely have fond memories of playing in the backyard with your Tonka trucks as a kid. Maybe you still do with your children or grandchildren, demonstrating the unifying nature of the iconic toys. Now theyre getting a proper tribute at the Woods' Farming and Heritage Museum.

Learn about the new Hot Wheels museum in Maryland here.

Located in Rupanyup in western Victoria, Australia, the museum recently put on display 850 Tonka trucks for patrons to enjoy. Some likely are from the 50s and 60s, while others are from the modern era. However, all the toys bring out the kid in even the oldest visitors.

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The collection was amassed by one man, Noel Funcke, a retired farmer who decided to start restoring Tonka trucks as a hobby and for some side cash. Some of the refurbished toys he would sell at swap meets, however he held on to enough over the space of a quarter century to fill up his garage.

Looking for a better storage solution, Funcke came to an agreement with the local agriculture museum to put them all on display for the public. However, the man passed away not too long after, although he was able to see the former storage area converted into a publicly-accessible room with all his beloved toys on shelves.

Funckes son Warren told Australia Broadcasting Corporation that his father had done minor fixes on his farm equipment, so fixing old Tonka trucks was just an extension of that to a degree.

For many visiting the museum, the narrow room crammed full of Tonka trucks is a way to walk back in time to when things were simple and a backyard dirt pile was full of endless possibilities.

Image via Woods' Farming and Heritage Museum

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Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on September 30. The "on-ramp" period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score.

"The end of the on-ramp period means the beginning of the potentially harsh consequences for student loan borrowers who are not able to make payments," said Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director at the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Around 43 million Americans have student loan debt, amounting to $1.5 trillion. Around eight million of those borrowers had enrolled in the SAVE plan, the newest income-driven repayment plan that extended the eligibility for borrowers to have affordable monthly student loan payments. However, this plan is currently on hold due to legal challenges.

With the on-ramp period and a separate program known as Fresh Start ending and the SAVE plan on hold, student loan borrowers who are struggling to afford their monthly payments have fewer options, added Yu. Student loan borrowers who haven't been able to afford their monthly payments must consider their options to avoid going into default.

If you have student loans, here's what you need to know.

What was the on-ramp period?

The Education Department implemented this grace period to ease the borrower's transition to make payments after a three-year payment pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year-long period, borrowers were encouraged to keep making payments since interest continued to accumulate.

"Normally, loans will default if you fall about nine months behind on making payments, but during this on-ramp period, missed payments would not move people towards defaulting and then being subject to forced collections. However, if you missed payments, you still be falling behind ultimately on repaying your loans," said Abby Shaforth, director of National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project.

Since this grace period has ended, student loan borrowers who don't make payments will go delinquent or, if their loans are not paid for nine months, go into default.

Borrowers who cannot afford to make payments can apply for deferment or forbearance, which pause payments, though interest continues to accrue.

What happens if I don't make my payments?

Borrowers who can't or don't pay risk delinquency and eventually default. That can badly hurt your credit rating and make you ineligible for additional aid and government benefits.

If a borrower missed one month's payment, they will start receiving email notifications, said Shaforth. Once the loan hasn't been paid for three months, loan servicers notify to the credit reporting agencies that the loan is delinquent, affecting your credit history. Once the borrower hasn't paid the loan for nine months, the loan goes into default.

If you're struggling to pay, advisers first encourage you to check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan, which determines your payments by looking at your expenses. You can see whether you qualify by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. If you've worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives student debt after 10 years.

What happens when a loan goes into default?

When you fall behind on a loan by 270 days  roughly nine months  the loan appears on your credit report as being in default.

Once a loan is in default, it goes into collections. This means the government can garnish wages (without a court order) to go towards paying back the loan, intercept tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks and other benefit payments.

What if I can't pay?

If your budget doesn't allow you to resume payments, it's important to know how to navigate the possibility of default and delinquency on a student loan. Both can hurt your credit rating, which would make you ineligible for additional aid.

If you're in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance  allowing you to temporarily suspend payment.

To determine whether deferment or forbearance are good options for you, you can contact your loan servicer. One thing to note: interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. Both can also impact potential loan forgiveness options. Depending on the conditions of your deferment or forbearance, it may make sense to continue paying the interest during the payment suspension.

What is an income-driven repayment plan?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of several plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

What is the latest with the SAVE program?

In August, the Supreme Court kept on hold the SAVE plan, the income-driven repayment plan that would have lowered payments for millions of borrowers, while lawsuits make their way through lower courts.

Eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in the SAVE plan don't have to pay their monthly student loan bills until the court case is resolved. Debt that already had been forgiven under the plan was unaffected.

The next court hearing about this case will be held on October 15.

What happened with the Fresh Start program?

The Fresh Start program, which gave benefits to borrowers who were delinquent prior to the pandemic payment pause, also closed on September 30. During this limited program, student loan borrowers who were in default prior to the pandemic were given the opportunity to remove their loans from default, allowing them to enroll in income-driven payment plans, or apply for deferment, among other benefits.
The United States is "determined" to prevent military conflict between Israel and Hezbollah fighters based in southern Lebanon from escalating into an all-out war, Americas top diplomat said Monday.

While acknowledging forces of momentum ... may be leading toward a war between Israel and Hezbollah, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, None of the main actors actually want a war.

I don't believe Hezbollah actually wants a war, he told an audience at the Washington-based Brookings Institution. Israel doesn't want a war, although they may well be prepared to engage in one if necessary. ...

Lebanon certainly doesn't want a war because it would be the leading victim in such a war, he added. "And I dont believe that Iran wants a war, in part because it wants to make sure that Hezbollah is not destroyed and that it can hold onto Hezbollah as a card if it needs it."

Blinkens comments come as Israel signals that a military "downshift" in Gaza would allow its forces to allocate more resources to addressing the threat posed by the Iran-backed Hezbollah on the northern front.

As Blinken spoke, pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Brookings Institution could be heard through his microphone.

Blinken renewed his call on Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, to accept a U.S.-proposed Gaza cease-fire and said Washington is determined not to be outpaced in Gaza's post-war reconstruction.

We know that there are three things that are unacceptable for Gaza's future: an Israeli occupation; Hamas perpetuating its leadership; or chaos, anarchy, lawlessness, which is what we're seeing in big parts of Gaza today.

In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Israel is advancing to the end of the phase of eliminating Hamas' military capabilities in the Gaza Strip, nearly nine months into Israels war with the militants.

Blinken also defended U.S. President Joe Biden following Thursday night's presidential debate with former president Donald Trump, which many deemed a disappointing performance by Biden. Blinken said that U.S. allies like the choices and the policies" Biden is pursuing.

China

In his foreign policy speech on Monday, Blinken also addressed China.

I think China's objectives are clear. Over time, over the coming decades, they would like to be the leading country, the dominant country in the international system, militarily, economically, diplomatically, that's clear, said Blinken.

While the U.S. has stated that its goal is to responsibly manage competition with China, the government in Beijing has refuted this, saying the relationship between the worlds two largest economies should not be defined by competition.

Chinese officials have said that major-country competition provides no answer to the problems in the U.S. or the challenges in the world.

The U.S. will host a NATO summit in Washington from July 9 to July 11, with a focus on European security amid Russias ongoing war against Ukraine.

Four countries from the Indo-Pacific region  Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand  are set to attend the summit.

Secretary Blinken warned that while China is not directly providing arms to Russia, its supply of critical materials has helped Moscow sustain its war on Ukraine, posing serious repercussions for European security. Blinken said that 70% of Russia's imported machine tools and 90% of its microelectronics come from China.

Chinese officials have rejected what they describe as Washington's "smear," asserting that Beijing regulates the export of dual-use articles in accordance with its laws and regulations.
Bulgarias Orthodox Church elected Daniil, a 52-year-old metropolitan considered to be pro-Russian, as its new leader Sunday in a vote that reflected the divisions in the church and wider society since Russia invaded Ukraine more than two years ago.

Growing divisions between pro-Russian and anti-Russian factions within the senior clergy began after some of them attempted to warm relations with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople in 2019. Russian and most other Orthodox patriarchs refused to accept the designation that formalized a split with the Russian church.

Unlike his late predecessor, who in his last prayers criticized Russias aggression in Ukraine, Daniil has taken the side of the Moscow Patriarchy in its dispute with the Ecumenical Patriarch over the independence of Ukraines Orthodox Church.

Daniil also criticized the expulsion last fall of a Russian and two Belarusian clerics accused of spying for Moscow, and in his prayers, he blamed people who called Russia an aggressor."

The 52-year-old bishop, born Atanas Nikolov, studied theology in Sofia and eventually went to serve as a monk in a monastery. He belongs to the first generation of young Bulgarians who joined the church after the fall of communism.

The bells of the golden-domed Alexander Nevski cathedral in downtown Sofia announced the election of a new patriarch by the 138 delegates at the church council.

Shortly after, council speaker Cyprian said that Vidin metropolitan Daniil was elected by the clergy and the people as Holy Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia metropolitan.

Daniil was clad in the green-and-gold patriarchal attire and put upon his head the white veil, symbol of his office.

In a tight second-round ballot, Daniil won support of 69 delegates against Grigory, the metropolitan of Vratsa, who was backed by 66 delegates. The patriarch is elected for life unless he steps down.

Daniil succeeded the soft-speaking and charismatic Patriarch Neophyte, who passed away in March aged 78 after leading the church for 11 years.

A church procession accompanied the newly elected patriarch to the cathedral, where he was enthroned in a sumptuous ceremony, attended by other Orthodox church representatives as well as Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians.

Bartholomew is considered first among equals among Eastern Orthodox patriarchs, which gives him prominence but not the power of a Catholic pope. Large portions of the Eastern Orthodox world are self-governing under their own patriarchs.

Though the church in Bulgaria is fully separate from the state, its constitution names Eastern Orthodoxy as the traditional religion, followed by some 85% of its 6.5 million people.
Canadas second largest airline, WestJet, said Sunday that it canceled more than 800 flights affecting tens of thousands of passengers as an unexpected strike by plane mechanics entered its third day.

Around 680 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to airline operations, walked off the job Friday evening, despite a directive for binding arbitration from the federal labor minister.

The strike is happening during the Canada Day long weekend, the busiest travel week of the year in the country.

Both the airline and the Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association have accused the other side of refusing to negotiate in good faith.

WestJet Airlines President Diederik Pen has stressed what he calls the continued reckless actions of a union making blatant efforts to disrupt Canadians travel plans, while the association claimed the Calgary-Alberta, based company has refused to respond to its latest counterproposal.

In an update to members Sunday, it said that mechanics were the victim of WestJets virulent PR campaign that you are scofflaws, citing calumnies against workers around their right to strike.

The job action comes after union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal from WestJet in mid-June and following two weeks of tense talks between the two

parties.

As the clock ticked down toward a Friday strike deadline, the impasse prompted Labor Minister Seamus ORegan to step in, mandating that WestJet and the union undertake binding arbitration headed by the countrys labor tribunal.

That process typically sidesteps a work stoppage. WestJet certainly thought so, stating the union had confirmed they will abide by the direction.

Given this, a strike or lockout will not occur, and the airline will no longer proceed in canceling flights, the airline said Thursday.

The mechanics took a different view. The union negotiating committee said it would comply with the ministers order and directs its members to refrain from any unlawful job action. Less than 24 hours later, workers were on the picket lines.
U.S. presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump are back on the campaign trail following their first debate last week. Bidens sometimes-struggling performance in that debate has some members of his political party looking at who might replace him as their nominee. VOA correspondent Scott Stearns has our story.
LUXEMBOURGInternational sexual health and wellness research institute Le Shaw announces that it has partnered with SWOP Behind Bars, a national social justice network dedicated to advocating for the fundamental human rights of sex workers, victims of trafficking and their communities, with a particular focus on those currently incarcerated.

SWOP Behind Bars provides resources and advocacy to incarcerated sex workers to help them navigate the criminal justice system and reintegrate into society. Le Shaw will leverage its research expertise and industry knowledge to enhance SWOP Behind Bars efforts to promote human rights and reduce stigma.

SWOP Behind Bars activities are crucial in supporting some of the most marginalized members of the sex work community, Le Shaw director Bobbi Bidochka said. "By joining forces, we can amplify our impact and promote justice and well-being for incarcerated sex workers to advocate for systemic change.

For more information about Le Shaw and its partnership with SWOP Behind Bars, contact [email protected].
Steve Bannon, a former political aide to Donald Trump, reported to federal prison Monday to serve his sentence for defying a congressional subpoena for a House committee investigation into the January 6, 2021, insurrection.

Bannon told reporters at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, that he was a political prisoner and proud of going to prison. He also blamed Democrats and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for his four-month prison sentence.

Bannon was found guilty in 2022 on two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition with the House January 6 committee and a second for refusing to provide documents related to his involvement in the Republican ex-president's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

A judge permitted Bannon to remain free for almost two years as he appealed his case, but he was ordered to begin his sentence after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld his convictions in May. The Supreme Court rejected another appeal by Bannon on Friday, not allowing him to postpone serving his sentence any further.

It is expected that Bannon will appeal to the entire D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

A group of supporters congregated Monday outside the facility to which Bannon reported. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was among those in support. On Sunday, Greene took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and referred to Bannons imprisonment as a DISGRACE to our country.

A group of protesters also arrived at the facility, shouting things such as, Traitor!

Defense attorneys believe the case should be brought before the Supreme Court, with Bannons previous lawyer arguing that the Houses subpoena wasnt valid because Trump had asserted executive privilege when he was president.

Prosecutors argue that executive privilege wasnt invoked in front of a committee and that Bannon was dismissed from the White House years prior to January 6, 2021.

Bannon was fired as Trumps chief strategist in 2017, seven months after the former president took office.

Republican House leaders are attempting to get the subpoena deemed illegitimate by claiming the House January 6 committee wasnt properly established.

Bannon is simultaneously facing criminal charges for allegedly swindling individuals who donated money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including fraud and conspiracy, in New York state court. The trial has been deferred.

Former Trump aide Peter Navarro was also issued a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress and reported to federal prison in March.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
Frances far-right has never been closer to power after winning the first round of snap legislative elections Sunday. Its a stunning result that could see the far-right taking control of the government  and a far-right prime minister ahead of the Paris Olympics  if it wins big in the second round runoff July 7.

The left and center are now calling for an alliance against extremism in one of Europes most important countries.

The far-right National Rally  and its leader, Marine Le Pen have been celebrating the latest results. She has spent years revamping the image of her anti-immigrant party from a racist fringe movement to an acceptable political alternative.

Her work appears to have paid off Sunday  the National Rally captured one-third of the vote, well ahead of President Emmanuel Macrons centrist party and its allies, which placed third, with just over 20%.

A leftist alliance called the New Popular Front came second, with roughly 28% of the vote.

Turnout was the highest in years, showing the stakes many voters place in these surprise, snap legislative elections. They were called by Macron  three years ahead of schedule  after the far-rights strong showing in last months European Parliament elections.

Analysts say Macron is gambling his party and his reform plans can somehow prevail, after years of gridlock in Frances National Assembly, or lower house.

But the far-rights platform  tough on crime and illegal immigration and focused on common worries  is resonating.

National Rally President Jordan Bardella  possibly Frances next prime minister, if his party wins the majority of seats  called on voters to rally behind his ticket in the runoff.

Not everyone is sold. At a polling center in northeastern Paris, considered a leftist stronghold, many voters are dismayed at a possible National Rally victory.

With our current government, we already had some right-wing policies, but that would only make things worse. Particularly with respect to the right to demonstrate, of the rights of minorities and everything, said Paris voter Matthieu Maguet.

Emmanuela Konan wont say how she voted  but she says a National Rally win will be difficult for the country.

Christine Pekar voted for Macrons alliance.

I think he showed political courage in pushing through all the reforms he did over the last seven years, she said.

In Paris and elsewhere in the country, people rallied against the far-right after the first results were announced.

Leftist politicians are calling for an alliance against extremism.

So is Frances ruling party  and Macrons prime minister, Gabriel Attal. To give mainstream parties a chance, he said, his alliance will pull out of runoff elections in areas where its not likely to win.

But divisions between Macron and the left are big. And, despite efforts to curb them, theres a chance the National Rally could prove unstoppable.
Frances high-stakes legislative elections propelled the far-right National Rally to a strong but not decisive lead in the first-round vote Sunday. We talk Terri E. Givens is a professor at McGill University in the Department of Political Science. Representatives of Afghanistan's Taliban government began meetings on Sunday. Hurricane Beryl strengthened into what experts called an "extremely dangerous Category 4 storm as it approaches the southeast Caribbean. And In Russia's far northeastern Yakutia region, local scientists are performing an autopsy on a wolf frozen in permafrost for around 44,000 years.
France's political forces were on Friday making final bids for votes in crunch legislative elections that could see the far right take control of the government in a historic first.

Official campaigning will end at midnight followed by a day off on Saturday, during which time political activity is forbidden ahead of voting on Sunday. Another week of campaigning will then lead up to the decisive second round on July 7.

The far-right National Rally (RN) is tipped to win the election, potentially giving the party the post of prime minister for the first time in its history in a tense "cohabitation" with centrist President Emmanuel Macron.

"Of course, I want to avoid the extremes, especially the far right, being able to win" the ballot, Macron's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told broadcaster BFMTV on Friday.

Opinion polls suggest his centrist alliance will come only third behind the RN and a broad but fragile left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front (NFP).

The RN party chief, Jordan Bardella, 28, would have a chance to lead a government as prime minister.

He has insisted he would do so only if his party wins an absolute majority of the 577 seats in the National Assembly after the second round.

Bardella was crowned France's most popular political personality in a Toluna-Harris Interactive poll published on Friday, with 40 percent of the 1,019 people surveyed trusting him -- four points higher than Macron.

But his party's path to victory could be blocked if the left and center-right join forces against the RN in the second round of voting.

Macron has caused controversy in the past two weeks by placing the left-wing coalition and the far-right on the same footing, labelling both "extremes."

Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, however, he suggested that he would support moderate leftists in a duel against the far-right.

'Serious message'

Macron also blasted the "arrogance" of the far right, which had "already allocated all the (government) jobs" before the election and questioned the president's constitutional role as military commander in chief.

"Who are they to explain what the constitution should say?" he asked.

The RN's three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen had ratcheted up tensions by saying that the president's commander-in-chief title was purely "honorific."

In the event of Macron having to share power with an RN-led government, "it's the prime minister who holds the purse strings," she warned.

In a televised debate late on Thursday, Attal said that Le Pen's remarks sent a "very serious message for the security of France."

Macron has insisted he will serve out the remainder of his second term until it expires in 2027, no matter which party emerges on top in the coming legislative contest.

Bardella sought to reassure voters about the party's foreign policy, saying in Thursday's debate that the RN, which had warm ties with Russia before its invasion of Ukraine, would "not let Russian imperialism absorb an allied state like Ukraine."

He said he was also opposed to sending longer range missiles to Ukraine that could hit Russian territory "and place France and the French in a situation of co-belligerence."

"My compass is the interest of France and the French," said Bardella.

'Real fear'

When he called the snap vote after a June 9 European Parliament election drubbing by the RN, Macron had hoped to present voters with a stark choice about whether or not to hand France to the far right.

An Opinionway poll of 1,058 people published on Friday in business daily Les Echos predicted the RN would win 37 percent of the vote, the NFP 28 percent and Macron's alliance just 20 percent.

In the second round, the RN "can not only envisage a relative majority, but we cannot exclude, far from it, an absolute majority," Brice Teinturier, deputy director of competing pollster Ipsos, told AFP.

Attal charged during Thursday's debate that 100 RN candidates standing in the election had made "racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic comments" -- claims Bardella denounced as "utterly false."

The party was dragged into further controversy on its plans to bar dual nationals from key strategic state posts.

Roger Chudeau, running for re-election in the Loire-et-Cher department in central France, called Franco-Moroccan former education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem's term a "mistake", claiming dual nationals had "divided loyalties."

Le Pen quickly disavowed the remarks after a hail of outrage, saying they ran "totally contrary to the RN's plans" and were a "personal opinion."
Hungary takes over the EU's rotating presidency on Monday, promising to be an "honest broker" despite widespread concerns over what critics see as an authoritarian, Russia-friendly government.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 aiming to transform it into an "illiberal democracy," frequently clashes with Brussels on rule-of-law and human rights issues.

He is also the only EU leader who has maintained ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Kyiv and repeatedly criticized sanctions against Moscow over the war.

Last year, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution highlighting Hungary's "backsliding" on democratic values, and questioning how it could "credibly" assume the bloc's six-month presidency.

Budapest insists it is ready to assume "the duties and responsibilities" steering the bloc of 27 countries.

"We will be honest brokers, working loyally with all member states and institutions," Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka said in mid-June as he unveiled the presidency's program.

"At the same time, we believe Hungary has a strong mandate to pursue a strong European policy. Our work will reflect this vision of Europe," he added.

Hungary's program slogan? "Make Europe Great Again"  echoing the rallying cry of Orban's "good friend" former US president Donald Trump  which already caused a stir in Brussels.

After Hungary last held the EU presidency in 2011, Orban boasted about handing out "flicks," "smacks," and "friendly slaps" to the "excitable tormentors" of the European Parliament.

This time, the nationalist leader, 61, is even more combative, having vowed to "occupy Brussels" during the campaign for European elections in early June, banking on a right-wing breakthrough.

But even though far-right parties made gains, Orban's Fidesz party currently stands isolated, unable to find a group in the European Parliament that suits it.

On Sunday, Orban announced he wanted to form his own group, together with Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) and the centrist ANO party of ex-Czech premier Andrej Babis.

They still need parties from at least four other countries to join them.

Last week, Orban failed to derail a deal to return Ursula von der Leyen as head of the powerful European Commission and two others from a centrist alliance taking the other top jobs.

Meanwhile, von der Leyen put off a courtesy visit to Budapest, originally planned for the presidency opening. A new date has not been set.

To garner support for Hungary's program, Orban toured key European capitals last week.

Among the country's seven priorities for its EU presidency are stemming "illegal migration" and bringing the Western Balkans countries "one step closer" to EU membership.

Orban can use the presidency to set the agenda, but he cannot achieve results without the commission's support, Daniel Hegedus, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund told AFP.

He also noted that the Hungarian premier has limited opportunity to act as a spoiler, as the outgoing Belgian presidency and EU institutions have rushed to conclude important decisions.

Last week, the European Union adopted a fresh sanction package against Russia and formally launched "historic" accession talks with Ukraine.
Iraqi police announced Monday the arrest of three suspected members of a militant group accused of arson attacks in the country's north.

The announcement comes at a time of heightened tension in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, where the Turkish army is conducting operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a "terrorist" group by Ankara and several Western allies.

The region is also scheduled to hold much-delayed elections in October.

The fires in 2023 and 2024 struck markets and shopping centers in the cities of Kirkuk, Irbil and Dohuk, Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesperson Moqdad Miri said during a news conference, adding that the suspects made "confessions."

One suspect was arrested at the end of May and "chemical products" used to start fires were found in his vehicle, Miri said.

"The entity responsible for execution ... is the PKK organization, a banned organization," he added.

The objective was to "harm the commercial interests of a country with which they are in direct opposition," as well as "to impact the security and economic situation" of the autonomous Kurdistan region, he added.

In a statement, the PKK's political bureau "rejected" what it said were "baseless allegations."

It called on "the Iraqi state and the ministry of the interior to act responsibly in the face of directives coming from Turkish intelligence" and to "identify the real perpetrators" of the fires.

Strained ties

The PKK, which has fought a decadeslong insurgency against the Turkish state, has a presence in northern Iraq, as does Turkey, which has operated from several dozen military bases there against the Kurdish group.

Turkey's military operations, which sometimes take place deep inside Iraqi territory, have frequently strained bilateral ties.

During the joint conference, a senior official from Kurdistan's interior ministry, Hemin Mirany, revealed the identity of two of the suspects, saying that one belonged to the local peshmerga armed forces.

The other suspect was an "officer in the anti-terrorist services of Sulaymaniyah," Kurdistan's second city, Mirany said.

The Kurdish official said the two men were "recruited" by the PKK and were "trained by fighters coming from Turkey and Syria in particular."

The three suspects were presented at the conference wearing yellow prison outfits, kneeling, blindfolded and handcuffed with their hands behind their backs.

Officials in both Turkey and Irbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, have accused the PKK of benefiting from support within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a major political party that controls the security services in Sulaymaniyah.

Responding to a request for comment, a PUK spokesperson, Saadi Ahmed Pire, told AFP the anti-terrorism officer arrested had been "immediately removed" eight months ago when federal authorities first warned them that the individual had been accused.

In March, following a visit by senior Turkish officials to Iraq, Baghdad quietly listed the PKK as a "banned organization"  though Ankara demands that the Iraqi government do more in the fight against the militant group.
Israel has issued an evacuation order for Palestinians in parts of Khan Younis and surrounding areas, an order that may indicate Israel is planning to target the southern Gaza city for another offensive, as it did earlier this year when thousands of people were displaced and much of Khan Younis was destroyed.

"It just shows, yet again, that no place is safe in Gaza, more efforts need to be made to protect civilians, said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson. "It's another stop in this deadly circle of movement that the population in Gaza has to undergo on a regular basis," added the spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

A resident who lives in the targeted evacuation zone, Ahmad Najjar, told Agence France-Presse, "Fear and extreme anxiety have gripped people after the evacuation order." He observed that there has been a large displacement of residents."

The evacuation order came amid news that Israel released the director of Gazas main hospital Monday as part of the release of dozens of Palestinians who were returned to Gaza for medical treatment

Mohammed Abu Selmia had been detained since November. He led Gazas Shifa hospital, which Israeli forces raided the same month while alleging Hamas militants were using the site as a command center.

Hospital officials denied the allegations and accused Israel of endangering patients as well as displaced Palestinians who came to the hospital to seek shelter.

Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized Abu Selmias release, saying on X the move is security abandonment.

The Israeli military reported carrying out attacks in response to militants firing 20 projectiles from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis at areas along the border.

The military said it intercepted some of the projectiles, while others fell in southern Israel.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted Hezbollah militants in several villages in southern Lebanon.

The prospect of an expanded conflict in the region, with Israel launching more extensive operations against Hezbollah, have drawn warnings from the United States and others about the need to avoid escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his vow Sunday that there is no substitute for victory, telling his Cabinet that Israel would continue its war against Hamas in Gaza until the militants are defeated and 120 Hamas-held hostages, both dead and alive, are returned.

He said the war, nearly nine months long, would continue until we achieve all our goals, including that Hamas no longer poses a threat on Israel.

Netanyahu contended, Everyone knows the simple truth: Hamas is the only obstacle to freeing our hostages, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

But there appeared to be no change in the stalemated cease-fire talks, with Israel calling for a six-week halt in the fighting and exchange of hostages and prisoners, while Hamas demanded a permanent stop to the fighting and an Israeli withdrawal of its troops.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said Saturday at a Beirut news conference, "There has been no real progress at the end of aggression negotiations, and what is quoted by the American administration is to put pressure on the (Hamas) movement, to accept the Israel (cease-fire) proposal without modification.

Once again, Hamdan said, Hamas is ready to deal positively with any proposal that secures a permanent cease-fire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a serious swap deal."

On Saturday, a senior Biden administration official said the U.S. presented new language to intermediaries Egypt and Qatar to try to jump-start the stalled Israel-Hamas negotiations.

Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has so far killed nearly 38,000 people, according to the Gazas health ministry, and left the heavily built-up coastal enclave in ruins.

Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The "Buddha Boy, thought by some to be the reincarnation of the Buddha, was sentenced by a Nepalese court to 10 years in prison Monday for sexually assaulting an underage girl, according to a court official.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan was also ordered to pay the victim around $3,700, in compensation, according to court official Sikinder Kaapar.

Bamjan attracted international attention as a teenager in 2005 when tens of thousands of people calling him the Buddha Boy visited him as he sat cross-legged, motionless in a Nepalese forest for almost 10 months without water, food or sleep.

Many believed he was the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, who was born around 2,600 years ago. Buddhist scholars remain skeptical.

Bamjan was arrested on the outskirts of Kathmandu in January and convicted last week. Dilip Kumar Jha, his lawyer, said Bamjan would appeal the sentence. He has 70 days to do so.

According to police, around $227,000 in Nepalese banknotes and $23,000 in other currencies were taken during the arrest.

Bamjan also is suspected of being involved in the disappearance of four of his followers. Those chargers are still pending.

With the sexual and physical assault accusations, Bamjans popularity has diminished, but he continues to have camps where thousands gather to worship or live.

Some material for this report is from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
After weeks of political deal-making, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the Cabinet of his new government of national unity. Ministers from different parties will now have to put political differences aside to run the country successfully.

South Africas new ministers are a diverse group  from a former armed robber to a white Afrikaner nationalist.

After the long-governing African National Congress, or ANC, lost its majority in May elections, Ramaphosa opted to form an inclusive government with 10 opposition parties that dont necessarily see eye to eye.

Ramaphosa had to divvy up Cabinet positions to keep everyone happy, with the result a somewhat bloated government of 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers.

The establishment of the government of national unity in its current form is unprecedented in the history of our democracy. We have had to consider how to form the new government in a manner that advances the national interest, that gives due consideration to the outcome of the election and that makes use of the respective capabilities within each of the parties, he said.

The ANC took 20 of the 32 Cabinet posts, while the Democratic Alliance, or DA, which came second in the elections, won six. Smaller parties took the remainder.

The DA has long been a thorn in the ANCs side, and its leader, John Steenhuisen, who was made agriculture minister, noted that the road ahead would be difficult.

Steenhuisen, however, pledged to try and make the new government work.

It is now up to all of us  including the voters who created this multi-party government  to ensure that it delivers on its promise, he said.

Experts say the ANC  which liberated South Africa from apartheid 30 years ago  only won 40% of the vote in polls in May due to a flailing economy, high unemployment, electricity and water shortages and corruption scandals.

The business-friendly DA, which captured 22% of the vote, will now head some key economic portfolios including agriculture and public works and infrastructure as well as getting deputy minister positions in the finance and trade ministries.

David Everatt, a politics professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, said the government of national unity was expected to try to give roles to all members.

However, the Cabinet has ballooned to a remarkable 75 people, ministers and deputy ministers the most ironic part of that is that the Democratic Alliance, which is a fairly conservative liberal party, has for many years lambasted the ruling African National Congress for having these very large Cabinets, giving jobs to pals, et cetera. Theyre now sitting in exactly those seats, he said.

The uMkhonto weSizwe party, led by corruption-accused former President Jacob Zuma, finished third in the voting, and the radical Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters came in fourth.

Both parties have refused to join the government of national unity, and object to the white-led DAs participation. They will now be on the opposition benches.

Other smaller parties that did join and were given portfolios include the anti-immigrant, populist Patriotic Alliance and the right-wing white nationalist Freedom Front Plus.

The Patriotic Alliances leader, Gayton McKenzie, an ex-gangster who was sentenced to 17 years in prison for robbery, is now minister for sports, arts and culture. Pieter Groenewald of the FF Plus has been made minister of correctional services.
Several recent journalistic investigations have provided statistics showing that Russias military has suffered staggering losses since launching its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In late June, independent Russian outlet Important Stories found more than 71,000 Russian men died in the war since February 2022. Based on figures compiled by the Russias State Statistics Service, the report also found that at least 45,000 Russian soldiers died in Ukraine in 2023 alone.

Earlier in June, an open-source investigation conducted by independent Russian media outlet Mediazona and the BBCs Russian-language service confirmed the names of 64,000 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. The journalists who conducted the research suggested that the number of fatalities are likely at least twice as high.

On the second anniversary of the invasion, Mediazona and Meduza, another independent Russian media outlet, jointly published a study that found an estimated 83,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in Ukraine.

Reporting on that study, The Kyiv Independent noted that Mediazona and Meduza had announced in July 2023 that they had accessed a restricted but non-classified database of inheritance cases, and compared trends to those in publicly available mortality data from Russias State Statistics Service, records from the Russian Probate Registry, and obituaries.

Last August, The New York Times quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying that up to 120,000 Russian troops had been killed and 170,000 to 180,000 wounded, compared to nearly 70,000 Ukrainian troops killed and 100,000 to 120,000 wounded.

The Kremlin does not release official statistics on miliary casualties. On Monday, The Kyiv Independent confirmed that Ukraine's General Staff is reporting that Russia has lost more than 540,000 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion  a number that includes killed and injured.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February claimed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the February 2022 invasion. He also said that he wouldnt disclose the number of Ukrainian troops that were wounded or missing.

Stats censored

Sergei Krivenko of Moscow-based Citizen Army Law, a human rights group, says Russias aggressive censoring of stats, along with virtually no remaining independent news outlets, means that the rate of casualties is unlikely to sway popular opinion about the war.

In the 90s, when the Chechen war began, there were independent media outlets that objectively discussed the military topic on their pages and told the truth about the losses, he told VOAs Russian Service. "And this had a sobering effect on society. There is the most severe censorship now, the authorities have everything under control, and for publications of this kind you can easily get a prison term."

Krivenko also noted that the majority of troops sent to Ukraine are contract soldiers  an important distinction from the Afghan and Chechen wars fought primarily by forced conscripts [that] ... were sent to slaughter, which caused tension and backlash in society, event to the point of creating social movements.

Those who voluntary sign contracts to fight in Ukraine, he added, made their own choice.

In addition, they receive a decent salary, he said. That is, ordinary people do not feel particularly sorry for them."

Krivenko said that while Russias enormous losses in Ukraine cannot be hidden, with cemeteries expanding in every [Russian] city and town, it will not force the Kremlin to change course.

They will only turn up patriotic rhetoric more intensely to explain the growing losses, he said. They will repeat that there is a war with the West, so everyone goes to the front.

Roman Dobrokhotov of The Insider, an independent investigative outlet based in Latvia, said focus groups have shown that Russians are tired of the war in Ukraine  mainly over casualties and its effect on the economy.

[W]e see from the focus groups that we have been observing for a long time that even those who previously supported the war and were generally loyal to Putin want him to end this senseless war," he said, adding that he believes Putin is aware of this growing sentiment.

Hence, there is increasing speculation that the Kremlin wants to return to peace talks, Dobrokhotov said. But it does not look like Putin is ready to return to pre-war borders. I would be surprised if the Kremlin agreed to leave, for example, Mariupol. And Ukraine will never capitulate."

Yevgeniya Chirikova, an exiled Russian environmental activist based in Estonia, said she sees no signs that Putin is ready to end the war in Ukraine.

Thats not why he went to North Korea, she told VOA. And the growing number of killed and maimed on both sides does not bother him at all. Until Russian troops receive a tough rebuff in Ukraine, no changes will happen.

But, she added: It is felt that the limit of patience on the part of Russian society is close to exhaustion.
WASHINGTONIn a win for the First Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday against two content moderation laws in Florida and Texas, ultimately blocking them from enforcement.

While the court simply returned the legal cases on these two laws to the lower courts for further review, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, on behalf of the unanimous court, argued that both of these laws violate the right to free speech, which has been intrinsically linked through case law to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

The lawsuits in question are NetChoice et al. v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice et al. Both cases involve NetChoice, a trade organization representing technology companies, and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), another trade organization.

The trade groups sued the states of Florida and Texas for adopting content moderation laws that prohibit trust and safety teams from conducting self-regulatory actions.

Far-right Republican elected officials in both states, namely Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, heralded these content moderation laws as holding large technology companies accountable for reportedly censoring controversial and extremist speech on the web.

These laws were intended to hold large technology companies accountable. Nevertheless, as NetChoice, CCIA, and dozens of civil liberties groups have argued, content moderation is a form of First Amendment-protected expression. This means that both cases have been remanded to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Todays ruling from the Supreme Court is a victory for First Amendment rights online," commented Chris Marchese, the NetChoice Litigation Center's director, in a press release. "As our cases head back to the lower courts for consideration, the Supreme Court agreed with all our First Amendment arguments. Free speech is a cornerstone of our republic."

Matt Schruers, president of CCIA, said, "There is nothing more Orwellian than government attempting to dictate what speech should be carried, whether it is a newspaper or a social media [website]."

Justice Kagan wrote, "On the spectrum of dangers to free expression, there are few greater than allowing the government to change the speech of private actors in order to achieve its own conception of speech nirvana." Such an assessment can be applied to existing free speech cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.

As it stands, the adult industry trade group Free Speech Coalition and a plaintiff class of the parent companies of the largest adult platforms in the world are awaiting a review by the high court in Free Speech Coalition et al. v. Paxton. The plaintiffs are represented by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and the American Civil Liberties Union. This case is pending a decision on its application for a writ of certiorari for the high court to review the arguments that age verification requirements on pornography sites go against the First Amendment.

A key element of the NetChoice cases is whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act can be justified to provide a safe harbor for platforms to regulate the activity of third-party users without intervention from state or federal governments.

While the Free Speech Coalition case deals with age verification, Section 230 remains one of the arguments for ruling that age verification is against the First Amendment. Adult industry stakeholders also rely on Section 230 to self-moderate potentially offensive, obscene and illegal materials. The high court's majority adds, The First Amendment offers protection when an entity engaged in compiling and curating others speech into an expressive product of its own is directed to accommodate messages it would prefer to exclude."

AVN has covered the NetChoice cases extensively.
Russias defense ministry said Monday the countrys air defenses shot down 36 Ukrainian aerial drones that were involved in attacks on Russian regions along the border with Ukraine.

The ministry said Russian forces downed 18 drones over the Bryansk region, nine over the Kursk region and nine more over Belgorod.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, reported damage to houses in two villages, and said on Telegram that several areas were without power after the attacks.

The governors of Bryansk and Kursk each said there were no reported injuries or damage in their areas.

Russia also claimed battlefield gains Monday, saying its forces had taken control of the village of Stepova Novoselivka in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region and Novopokrovka in the eastern region of Donetsk.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine about the situation in Kharkiv or Donetsk.

Ukraines air force issued missile alerts Monday in southern and eastern Ukraine, which are frequent targets of Russian drone attacks.

Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said Monday on Telegram that Russian forces attacked with missiles and artillery, with a missile strike in the city of Dnipro injuring seven people.

Lysak said Russian attacks late Sunday included artillery and kamikaze drones that damaged several buildings and a gas pipeline in Nikopol.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his calls late Sunday for countries providing military aid to Ukraine to further relax restrictions on Ukrainian forces using Western weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.

Clear decisions are needed to help protect our people, he said. Long-range strikes and modern air defense are the foundation for stopping the daily Russian terror. I thank all our partners who understand this.

Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Spain's Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant amnesty to the Catalonia regions former leader Carles Puigdemont for embezzlement charges, confirming that an arrest warrant for the separatist leader remains in effect.

The decision can be appealed and might weaken Spain's delicate Socialist-led coalition. It also has personal consequences for Puigdemont, who has been living in France since Catalonia's unsuccessful 2017 attempt to gain independence from Spain.

The court ruled a recent amnesty law doesn't apply in Puigdemonts case.

"The judge of the Supreme Court today issued an order stating the amnesty does not apply to the embezzlement charges against former president of the Generalitat Carles Puigdemont," said the court in a statement.

Generalitat is the name by which Catalonias government has been called for more than 700 years.

A law passed on May 30 aimed to pardon hundreds of separatists involved in Catalonias 2017 secession attempt in exchange for support from separatist parties for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's new term after inconclusive elections.

The pardon applied to separatists charged with public disorder, disobedience, and embezzlement. However, embezzlement cases involving personal gain or affecting the European Union's finances were exempted.

Investigating judge Pablo Llarena ruled that Puigdemont and his former deputies Antonio Comin and Lluis Puig, who held roles in Catalonia's health and culture departments, fall under these exemptions, saying they benefited personally from using regional funds for an illegal referendum, which he argued was against the public's interest.

All three insist the referendum was legal and dispute the charges.

The judge also pointed out the referendum's impact on the EU's financial interests, as Catalonia's secession could have affected Spain's tax revenues and overall economic output.

Llarena confirmed he would continue to seek the arrest of Puigdemont, Comin and Puig.

The ruling is disappointing for Puigdemont, who hoped amnesty would clear all accusations and allow him to return to Spain without fear of arrest.

Puigdemont's Junts party did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling.

If Junts withdraws support for bills like the 2025 budget, it could leave Sanchez unable to govern and prompt new elections.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Alfred Handley leaned back in his wheelchair alongside a major Phoenix freeway as a street medicine team helped him get rehydrated with an intravenous saline solution dripping from a bag hanging on a pole.

Cars whooshed by under the blazing 96-degree morning sun as the 59-year-old homeless man with a nearly toothless smile got the help he needed through a new program run by the nonprofit Circle the City.

Its a lot better than going to the hospital, Handley said of the team that provides health care to homeless people. He's been treated poorly at traditional clinics and hospitals, he said, more than six years after being struck by a car while he sat on a wall, leaving him in a wheelchair.

Circle the City introduced its IV rehydration program as a way to protect homeless people from life-threatening heat illness as temperatures regularly hit the triple-digits in America's hottest metro. Homeless people accounted for nearly half of the record 645 heat-related deaths last year in Maricopa County, which encompasses metro Phoenix.

Dr. Liz Frye, vice chair of the Street Medicine Institute that provides training to hundreds of health care teams worldwide, said she didn't know of groups other than Circle the City administering IVs on the street.

"But if thats what needs to happen to keep somebody from dying, Im all about it, Frye said.

As summers grow warmer, health providers from San Diego to New York are being challenged to better protect homeless patients.

Even the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, featured in last year's book, Rough Sleepers," now sees patients with mild heat exhaustion in the summer after decades of treating people with frostbite and hypothermia during the winter, said Dr. Dave Munson, the street team's medical director.

It's certainly something to worry about, said Munson, noting that temperatures in Boston hit 100 degrees with 70% humidity during June's heat wave. Homeless people, he said, are vulnerable to very hot and very cold weather not only because they live outside, but they often can't regulate body temperature due to medication for mental illness or high blood pressure, or because of street substance use.

The Phoenix team searches for patients in homeless encampments in dry riverbeds, sweltering alleys and along the canals that bring water to the Phoenix area. About 15% are dehydrated enough for a saline drip.

We go out every day and find them, said nurse practitioner Perla Puebla. We do their wound care, medication refills for diabetes, antibiotics, high blood pressure.

Pueblas street team ran across Handley and 36-year-old Phoenix native Phillip Enriquez near an overpass in an area frequented by homeless people because its near a facility offering free meals. Across the road was an encampment of tents and lean-tos along a chain-link fence.

Enriquez sat on a patch of dirt as Puebla started a drip for him. She also gave him a prescription for antibiotics and a referral to a dentist for his dental infection.

Living outside in Arizonas broiling sun is hard, especially for people who may be mentally ill or use sedating drugs like fentanyl that make them less aware of surroundings. Stimulants like methamphetamine contribute to dehydration, which can be fatal.

Temperatures this year have reached 115 degrees (45 Celsius) in metro Phoenix, where six heat-related deaths have been confirmed through June 22. Another 111 are under investigation.

The number of patients with heat illnesses is increasing every year, said Dr. Aneesh Narang, assistant medical director of emergency medicine at Banner Medical Center-Phoenix, which treats many homeless people with heat stroke.

Narang's staff works frequently with Circle the City, whose core mission is providing respite care, with 100 beds for homeless people not well enough to return to the streets after a hospital stay.

Extreme heat worldwide requires a dramatic response, said physician assistant Lindsay Fox, who cares for homeless people in Albuquerque, New Mexico, through an initiative run by the University of New Mexicos School of Medicine.

Three times weekly, Fox treats infections, cleans wounds and manages chronic conditions in consultation with hospital colleagues. She said the prospect of more heat illness worries her.

Highs in Albuquerque can hit the 90s and don't fall enough for people living outside to cool off overnight, she said.

If youre in an urban area thats primarily concrete, youre retaining heat, she said. We're seeing heat exposure that very quickly could go to heat stroke.

Serious heat stroke is far more common in metro Phoenix, where Circle the City is now among scores of health programs for the homeless in cities like New York, San Diego and Spokane, Washington.

Circle the City, founded in 2012 by Sister Adele OSullivan, a physician and member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, now has 260 employees, including 15 doctors, 13 physician assistants and 11 nurse practitioners. It annually sees 9,000 patients.

Grants, donations and other gifts account for about 20% of the funding. Most of the rest comes from insurance payments for services provided through Medicaid and Medicare.

Circle the City works with medical staff in seven Phoenix hospitals to help homeless patients get after-care when they no longer need hospitalization. It also staffs two outpatient clinics for follow-up.

This partnership allows us to offer the best outcomes for our patients, said Craig Orsini, social work manager at St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

Often that's a few weeks in respite care or, for less acute needs, a stay in one of a handful of medical beds at the downtown shelter for things like dressing changes for wounds. Someone who needs months to heal might go to a skilled nursing facility.

While patients recover, Circle the City works to find longer-term transitional shelter such as those for people 55 and older, or in permanent housing. About 77% of respite patients are sent somewhere other than the street or an emergency shelter.

We try to find the best fit for people, said Wendy Adams, Circle the Citys community outreach supervisor.

Circle the City medical staff distributes tens of thousands of water bottles each summer and tries to educate people about hot weather dangers, said Dr. Matt Essary, who works at one of five mobile clinics that stop outside soup kitchens and other services for homeless people.

Essary said Circle the City is also considering a blood analysis tool to detect electrolyte imbalances caused by dehydration.

You can see right away how dehydrated they have become because its so hard to draw their blood, he said. Other possible symptoms include headache, extreme thirst, dizziness and dry mouth.

We also see a lot of people with surface burns, Essary said of the wounds common in broiling Phoenix, where a medical emergency or intoxication can cause someone to fall on a sizzling sidewalk.

Rachel Belgrade waited outside Circle the City's retrofitted truck with her black-and-white puppy, Bo, for Essary to write a prescription for the blood pressure medicine she lost when a man stole her bicycle. She accepted two bottles of water to cool off as the morning heat rose.

They make all of this easier, said Belgrade, a Native American from the Gila River tribe. They dont give you a hard time.
A United Nations-led two-day conference of special envoys for Afghanistan from nearly two dozen countries kicked off Sunday in Qatar with the Taliban demanding an end to financial sanctions and expressing a desire for greater engagement with the West while dismissing curbs on women's freedom as a policy difference.

This is the first time the Taliban participated in the gathering to discuss international engagement with Afghanistan since U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres initiated what is commonly referred to as the "Doha process" a year ago.

Rosemary DiCarlo, U.N. undersecretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs is presiding over the talks.

Delegates attending the conference told VOA, the hard-line group's participation was a boon for the process, despite intense criticism from women's rights groups in and outside Afghanistan for excluding rights activists. To ensure the Taliban did not skip the meeting as they did in February because activists were invited, the U.N. decided not to bring them to the official event.

The Taliban were not invited to the first round in May last year.

Taliban's pitch

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesperson of the Taliban's interim government, is leading the Kabul delegation. Addressing the gathering, Mujahid urged unfreezing Afghan funds and lifting banking sanctions that have cut off the country from the international financial system, saying such actions were hindering the economic progress his government was aiming for.

"Afghans are questioning why the easing of sanctions on financial and trade sectors remains slow-paced? Why the government and the private sector are consistently confronting various challenges?" Mujahid asked the gathering that included representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

The U.S. froze $7 billion of Afghan central bank funds after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021. In 2022, the Biden administration put half the money in a Switzerland-based trust account called Fund for the Afghan People, which a board oversees. The remaining money is locked in the U.S.

The Taliban delegation head did not directly reference the ban on girls' education and women's employment in most sectors, or curbs on their mobility, instead hinting at them as cultural, religious and policy differences. In a recent report, U.N. special rapporteur Richard Bennet called the Taliban's hard-line practices an "attack on the entire civilian population, amounting to crimes against humanity."

"I do not deny that some countries may have problems with some measures of the Islamic Emirate," Mujahid said using the title the regime uses for itself.

"The policy differences should not escalate to the extent that powerful countries use their leverage to impose security, political, and economic pressures on our people, affecting the lives of our nation in a significant way," Mujahid added, apparently criticizing the way the United States and other western countries have been pressuring the Taliban to soften their stance. Mujahid instead called on countries to separate "Afghanistan's internal matters from foreign relations."

Referring to growing bilateral engagement with Russia, China, and others, Mujahid said the de facto rulers were keen to engage with the West.

"We hope that Western countries will also prioritize mutual bilateral interests in a similar manner," he said.

Prior to the start of formal talks Sunday, the Taliban held bilateral meetings with delegates from Russia, Saudi Arabia, India and Uzbekistan. While no country has recognized the Taliban government since the group came to power in August 2021 at the end of the 20-year, U.S.-led war, at least 16 countries have diplomatic missions in Afghanistan. Only Beijing has exchanged ambassadors with Kabul.

Response to Taliban

"Everyone stated their position. It was good. Everyone talked about engagement," Asif Durrani, Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan told media covering the summit. "The very fact that Taliban attended shows the U.N. could prevail."

Despite severe criticism by global rights group of the U.N.'s decision to exclude Afghan women from the event and their issues from the agenda, no country boycotted the gathering. Delegates from the United States, Canada, Norway, and other western countries as well as the European Union are taking part in the talks along with representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

"There is pressure to attend. There is a realization to make the best of it, to build on it," said a Western diplomat speaking on background to VOA.

They added that it was good that countries were choosing a structured process to deal with the Taliban and that despite nearly three years of Taliban rule, there was still a huge divide between the de facto rulers and the global community.

Speaking to media on the sidelines, Durrani said delegates raised the issue of women's rights during the closed-door speeches. The Taliban gave measured, "palatable" responses to issues that were difficult for them, he added.

Despite participants expressing concerns about the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil and calling out the regime for its treatment of women and girls, Mujahid seemed upbeat afterward.

"The views of all countries seems positive about Afghanistan," Mujahid said responding to a VOA question while talking to the media. "Because everyone wants to cooperate with Afghanistan. Which is good. We want to boost our relations with the countries which are already in touch with us, and those who arent, they should come and give importance to interacting with Afghanistan and cooperate with the people of Afghanistan."

More than one delegate told VOA the mood during the talks was good and a positive tone was set for similar engagement in the future.

Discussions on improving conditions for Afghanistan's private business sector, including exploring ways to collaborate on entrepreneurship, job creation, Islamic finance, and access to markets will take place Monday. This will be followed by talks regarding sustaining the Taliban's ban on opium poppy cultivation, it's impact on women, and providing alternative livelihoods to poppy farmers.

U.N. representatives and delegates from various countries plan to meet with Afghan civil society activists after the conference Tuesday. In a post on social media platform X, the Taliban foreign ministry official Zakir Jalali insisted this meeting would not mean the Taliban will be sharing the spotlight.

"If several special envoys meet with someone after the meeting of the participants, it has nothing to do with Doha-3," he said.
Russian attacks on Ukrainians cities, including the capitol Kyiv continued through the weekend. Hungary's nationalist government, which has a history of blocking or delaying funds and arms for Ukraine took its turn Monday in the rotation as president of the European Union. Campaigners in Georgia are seeking to highlight past atrocities committed by invading Russian troops. Ten Ukrainian civilians return to Kyiv after being held for years in Russia. A celebrity chef in America is becoming a hero for Ukraine.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ordered lower courts to take another look at Republican-backed laws in Florida and Texas intended to limit social media companies from blocking content they find objectionable.

The ruling was announced on the Supreme Courts final day of term.

Court justices asked lower appeals courts to reassess their decision on the laws that would permit states to regulate the way that social media platforms administer their content. Separate appeals courts reached opposite conclusions about whether the law was constitutional.

Trade groups in the tech industry originally challenged the Florida and Texas laws under the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment for reasons involving free speech.

The challenging groups were NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association. Members of the groups include Meta Platforms, Google, which owns YouTube, and Snap, the owner of TikTok and Snapchat.

The issue involved the scope of the First Amendment, probing whether social media companies are protected against the government from having to publish content against their will. Companies have argued that without a level of screening, spam, bullying, extremism and hate speech would crowd their platforms.

President Joe Bidens administration opposed the laws and supported social media companies in having editorial discretion under the First Amendment. Yet they encouraged a narrow ruling that would allow government regulation to maintain competition, ensure data privacy and protect consumers.

Republicans have argued that companies content moderation policies have been used as a guise for extinguishing conservative voices and have called the practice censorship.

Officials in Florida and Texas argued that the companies' content-moderation actions fall outside First Amendment protections because the actions are not speech themselves.

The law in Texas would prohibit large social media companies  ones with at least 50 million active users per month  from moving to censor users for their viewpoint.

The law in Florida would limit large platforms from excluding content, including banning a political candidate or journalistic enterprise.

The laws were signed by Republican governors in the months after Facebook, owned by Meta, and Twitter, now called X, removed Donald Trump from their platforms over his posts regarding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol by his followers.

Lower courts originally split on the laws, blocking important parts of the Florida law while permitting the Texas legislation. The litigation has prevented either law from going into effect.

The Supreme Court has dealt with free speech questions about the digital age this term.

It previously ruled that government officials who block social media critics can sometimes be sued and it rejected limits on how an administration can communicate with social media platforms.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Key U.S. Democratic leaders stood firmly behind President Joe Biden on Sunday, rejecting the notion that he should end his 2024 campaign for a second four-year term in the White House because of his halting, disjointed debate performance last week against former President Donald Trump.

The Democratic allies of Biden readily acknowledged the 81-year-old Bidens shortcomings in the nationally televised 90-minute debate in which he struggled at times to complete sentences and at one point mistakenly said he had killed off Medicare, the governments health insurance program for older Americans.

A new CBS-YouGov poll showed that Americans, by a 72-27% margin, do not think that Biden has the mental and cognitive health to serve as president, a reading that was seven percentage points worse on the same question compared to three weeks ago. However, national polling between Biden and Trump still showed the contest remains a dead heat.

The key Democratic officials rejected the suggestion of some rank-and-file Democrats and editorials in The New York Times and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he drop out of the race for a younger candidate.

"The unfortunate truth is that Biden should withdraw from the race, for the good of the nation he has served so admirably for half a century," said The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the leading newspaper in the key southern political battleground state of Georgia. "The shade of retirement is now necessary for President Biden."

"Oh, absolutely not," Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock told NBCs Meet the Press program. "Bad debates happen. The question is, 'Who has Donald Trump ever shown up for other than himself and people like himself?' I'm with Joe Biden, and it's our assignment to make sure that he gets over the finish line come November."

Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a prominent Biden supporter, told CNNs State of the Union show: I do not believe that Joe Biden has a problem leading for the next four years because hes done a great job of leading for the last three-and-a-half years. I always say that the best predictor of future behavior is past performance. He contended that what happened at the debate was preparation overload.

SEE ALSO:

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland said on CBSs Face the Nation, that the president had a difficult night just like every single one of us do but that it should not force him out of the November 5 election. Joe Biden is not going to take himself out of this race, nor should he.Bidens campaign, in a Saturday night fundraising appeal, says replacing him as the Democratic standard bearer would lead to weeks of chaos before the August national party convention to pick a new nominee and be a highway to losing the national election.

Kate Bedingfield, a former Biden White House communications aide, told CNN that the Biden campaign had raised $33 million since the debate.

Republican supporters of Trump balked at explanations for Bidens weak debate performance.

Reince Priebus, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee and once Trumps White House chief of staff, called Biden staying in the race just all downside for Joe Biden.

This is not a bad debate night, he said on ABCs This Week show. This was an incoherent, almost impossible mess.

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said of President Biden on CNN, Hes a decent man. Hes a failed president. He is compromised. Thats the story line here. Thats what the world saw, a compromised president.

Biden, after spending the weekend at campaign fundraising events in New York and New Jersey, went to Camp David, the presidential retreat outside Washington, for a long-planned family get-together. Biden has given no indication that he plans to drop out of the race and, in fact, voiced just the opposite.

On Friday, the day after the debate, Biden told supporters, I know Im not a young man. I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth!

Biden added that he would not be running for a second term if he did not believe "with all my heart and soul I can do this."
Photo: New York Magazine

Editors note: This story first appeared in the February 5, 1973, issue of New York. (Diane von Furstenberg later said that reading it made her realize her marriage was finished.) Were republishing it here to mark the release of the documentary Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge.

Egon and Diane von und zu Furstenberg are this weeks couple of the year, the newest darlings in what passes for high-powered social life in New York. They are a striking European duet with just the right recipe of royalty, money, charm, and a dollop of decadence. They take us beyond run-of-the-mill excess as they explore the opportunities of open marriage.

The Prince and Princess (the title derives from 15th-century Germany, the money from Egons mother, Clara Agnelli of Fiat fortune) will not remind you of Andy Hardy and his best girl or of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. Nor even, getting closer to home, of Tricia Nixon and Fast Eddie Cox. They make last years best-beloveds, Carter and Amanda, look like a pair of knock-kneed cheerleaders. But they have their moments, the Von Furstenbergs do.

They claim to be 26 years old (he looks it, she doesnt), have two children; both run talked-about fashion businesses, and they are said to ride youth-fare on their frequent Atlantic jet-crossings.

Diane, a tall, slender woman with Middle Eastern eyes and extraordinary breasts, enjoys appearing in diaphanous fabrics that show her off to best advantage, and has posed nude for fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo (Shell sue me if I give you that photo, says Scavullo). Her eyes blue-rimmed on the bottom, smoke gray on the lids, her mouth down-curved into a posture of terminal boredom, she radiates contempt and a peculiar sensuality that mocks men rather than lures them.

She designs womens wear. The clothes are based, rather closely, on the little things she buys in the European shops and brings back to mass-produce in New York. Egon sells caftans. The caftans are based, rather closely, on what several million Arabs have worn for years.

In New York they have not one but two adjoining apartments at 1050 Park Avenue, one flat for them and the other for their Italian nanny and the children, 3-year-old Alexandre and 2-year-old Tatiana.

Diane and Egon represent a contemporary version of someones American Dream: young immigrants, hard-working, raising a family, entertaining and being entertained, knowing everyone and being known.

Its a big bore to be always going out, Egon complains, but we wouldnt have the chance to meet the top people if we werent part of that scene. I can call Andre Meyer, Charles Bluhdorn, Henry Ford with a good idea, and see them the next day.

Its bloody hard work, of course, but its what youve got to do if you expect, dare, hope, to become New Yorks reigning Glory Couple.

Photo: New York Magazine

The Von Furstenbergs Manhattan Melodies: A Kiss to Build a Dream On

After a rare lunch together (Diane usually eats at her desk, Egon at the Zum Zum in the Empire State Building), they head back to their offices. It would be too easy for us to live in Europe, Diane says, where all Egon needs to do is say his name. Europe is past. We live in today, which is why I left Europe to bring up my children here. It is important to belong to your time.

I have to be independent, Diane feels. It is an extremely difficult situation between men and women now. A woman doesnt need a man anymore, but she pretends she needs his protection. Men are the big losers. They dont know how to handle the new woman. But then, the new woman doesnt know how she wants to be handled.

Photo: New York Magazine

Its Almost Like Being in Love

The morning tray comes in at eight with the Times and the News. Though they have been married for three and a half years, they have known each other since university days. We are each others family, explains Diane. He is my best friend and I am his. There is nothing of him I dont know. And besides, we dont take anything very seriously. The only way for a relationship to survive, I think, is to have no sex at all. After all, you marry for friendship, for companionship  and passion after a while  pfffft. I mean, does it excite you when your left hand touches your right?

Someday My Prince Will Come

Every morning, in true democratic fashion, Prince Egon descends from his Park Avenue castle and subways to work in his new office at the Empire State Building. It takes me only 15 minutes door to door, he shrugs, and besides, I love to look at the people. I looked at one girl for a year, and finally I met her. Egon is into his fifth career now, having started in a training program at Chase Manhattan, jumping to Lazard Freres, then a stint in real estate, then another training program, this time in marketing at Korvettes, and now the one-month-old Egon von Furstenberg, Ltd. I was very gay and had 150 ideas, he says of his days on Wall Street. I never was a good analyst. I had too much joy of living to be down there.

Silver Threads Among the Gold

Dianes fashion business is exploding, her customers growing from 30 stores to 300 in nine months, her volume, according to Egon, over $2 million for the year. It is her passion. Id rather work than do anything at home, she says. I hate to cook, hate to do housework. It is totally ungratifying. Ambition flares in her eyes. Im going to stay in business until my picture is on the cover of Fortune.

Melancholy Baby

Diane shirt-shopping at Madonna, 220 East 60th Street: Im afraid that one night Im just going to stop living. I feel a great urge to hurry to do everything. Im more secure than she is, Egon says. She relies only on herself and looks to protect herself. She worries  Oh, she worries  death worries her terribly.

Diane has her hair done twice a week at Elizabeth Ardens and is terrified now at the rate its falling out. The pressure is intense, she feels. Woman are becoming too beautiful, too strong. But theres no other way to be. What do you want me to do? Go out to lunch? Find a lover? So what. What would it bring me? But now its beginning to hurt. And I dont like to hurt.

Photo: New York Magazine

Some Enchanted Evening

Egon and his mother, Clara Nuvoletti, nee Agnelli, at Rizzoli: this gathering, tonier than the usual book party, was mostly in Italian to launch Egons stepfathers new book, Un Matrimonio Mantovano. The Von Furstenbergs go to El Morocco at least once a week, though Egon admits the music is bad, the food is awful and, of course, its boring. During the high mistletoe season in New York, they received four invitations a night, mostly from people theyd never heard of. Then there is the apartment in Paris, the house in Sardinia, not to mention summers on Fire Island and Ischia. Maybe we live a superficial life, Diane said, but in seven days I see more people than anyone. At least Ill know who to intensify with.

Tradition!

Egons father, Prince Tassilo, visited them from his home in Vienna for Christmas. At 71, Tassilo, separated 18 years from Clara Agnelli (now finally divorced), reminisces about the time when princes were princes and when the Von Furstenberg blood was pure. This is the first time in nine centuries that we have Jewish blood. he says, referring to Diane, whose Belgian mother and Russian father are Jewish. But Jews are clever and shrewd and the little boy will need that. He shook his head. I came to their wedding but not to the reception. Eddie [Egon] understood. He sent a girl to my room.

Photo: New York Magazine

A Boy for You, a Girl for Me

Downstairs in the childrens apartment, under a portrait by Richard Hird, Diane reads to the little Prince and Princess. Although they were born here, the children baby-talk in Italian, the language of their nanny. Diane and Egon speak to each other in French, the language they met in as students at the University of Geneva. And upstairs, the housekeeper is dealt with in Spanish. Alexandre is being eased into English now in afternoon classes at the International Play Group. The nanny disapproves, however, so Diane must go uptown every day to take him to school.

Photo: New York Magazine

Anything Goes

Egon is not in the least self-conscious. You just live once, he says, and I am getting the most out of it. After a while, passionyou knowcools. So a little here, a little there at three in the afternoon. What harm? Egon admits that were he to meet an attractive man, he would not be loath to experiment. But Diane is not so sure. Homosexuality is a kind of narcissism, she says. Its like making love in front of a mirror. Its a big bore. Besides, what is the point of being a woman if you have to drop yourself two stages to act like a man? Butch dykes upset me. A pretty, attractive woman? Thats different. Once in Paris we tried it with another woman, Egon said. There were three of us. But you know what? He shrugged. It was just twice as much work for me.

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Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Despite loud criticism from Pat McAfee and Mary Tillman, ESPN doesnt appear to be backing down from its decision to honor Prince Harry with The Pat Tillman Award.

Last week, ESPN announced Prince Harry would receive The Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs later this month, citing his time in the British military and his work with the Invictus Games. The announcement was met with widespread criticism, with McAfee notably accusing ESPN of trying to piss people off by giving Prince Harry the award. Similarly, Tillmans mother ripped the decision.

I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award, Mary Tillman told the Daily Mail. There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.

In response to the widespread criticism over their decision, a spokesperson for ESPN provided Awful Announcing with a statement reiterating why Harry will receive The Pat Tillman Award for Service later this month at the ESPYs.

ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world, the statement read.

The Invictus Games are an international Olympic-style competition for wounded service members, founded by Prince Harry in 2014. During McAfees rant about ESPNs decision for The Pat Tillman Award, the show appeared unaware of the Invictus Games and Harrys efforts behind the event. Its also worth noting Mary Tillman is not associated with The Pat Tillman Foundation and has never been involved in selecting a recipient for the ESPY award in honor of her son.

[ESPN]
Taraji P Henson went full Billy Crystal on the 2024 BET Awards. After Megan Thee Stallion opened the show with a medley of Hiss, Boa, and Where Them Girls At, Henson came out dressed as Kendrick Lamar at the The Pop Out: Ken and Friends. Not Like Us came over the speakers and the BET Awards audience braced itself for the 7th pop culture moment of that song. But then came the joke lyrics. As an actor, Henson came for mediocre films and nepotism more than taking any side in the Kendrick Drake international incident.

Then after Tyla won Best International Artist, Henson ran through the calendar to recap a year in foolishness. Usher was chastised for keeping his shirt on too long at the Super Bowl, as were Kendrick and Drake. Also getting called out: that Cannes security person who seemingly kept profiling women of color on the stairs. Remember her? Quel affreux!
Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done?
Mount Sion Primary School have bid a sad farewell to long-serving Principal, Michael Walsh, who is retiring after 18 years of service.

Incoming Principal, Catherine Byrne, pictured with outgoing Principal Michael Walsh.

The school community displayed their gratitude to Mr. Walsh in a surprise celebration last week, where students, teachers, parents and representatives from Mount Sion GAA spoke on Michaels unwavering dedication to the school.

Music was provided by the Mount Sion Choir and students gave impassioned speeches, which displayed how much Michael has done for them during their time at Mount Sion.

Pictured at Mount Sion Primary School for the surprise celebration to mark the retirement of Principal Michael Walsh.

This has been such an emotional week, I was very emotional when I made the announcement that I was going to retire. It was a hard decision but I think the right one, Michael said.

I love teaching because its an absolutely wonderful way to spend your life, to give to children what you would like them to be.

"Ive loved doing this job and I have loved everybody Ive come in contact with.

"I would ask all the boys to be open, be open to learning, kindness and each other because it is so special."

A guard of honour for Principal Michael Walsh.

Michael gave special appreciation to the parents and members of staff who he was worked with over the years.

He said: This wonderful job of teaching the boys here in Mount Sion is a privilege for us as teachers but we cant do it on our own, we have to do it with all of you as parents.

Principal Michael Walsh, pictured at Mount Sion Primary School for a surprise celebration to mark his retirement. All Photos: Joe Evans

"To all the parents down through the years that have trusted us with your children and trusted us to do the right thing I really applaud you. You have been such wonderful support to me and to all of us here.

I have to say a special word to all the teachers and SNAs. You have been an amazing group of people.

"I have loved coming to work every day. Being principal is such a privilege, seeing boys from preschool and growing up to the young men they are today.

Also to see teachers and SNAs grow and to have some small part in that and to enable people to be the best they can be, thats been so fulfilling and been one of the best parts of the last 18 years to me.

"Were all different and we all have different skills to bring.

New beginnings

Taking up the role of principal will be long-serving teacher at Mount Sion, Catherine Burke, who was recently elected to Waterford City & County Council, representing the Portlaw-Kilmacthomas electoral district.

Its a huge honour, she told the Waterford News & Star of stepping into the role of Principal.

Mount Sion is a fabulous place. Its the first Christian Brothers school ever, opened in 1802. Its a place of history and generations of people.

Its an absolute privilege and an honour to be selected as principal and to lead the school into 2024/25."

Catherine started teaching at the school when she was 21 years old.

"So its a hugely emotional day for me," she said.

Speaking on the influence that Michael Walsh has had on herself and the school community, Catherine added, In Michael, Im losing a friend and a mentor, as well as a principal, so its overwhelming but we wanted to mark the occasion and give him the sendoff that he deserved and I think we did that today.

I think the boys of Mount Sion really put their best foot forward and really showed Michael how much theyre going to miss him.
Sixty years after being the first to complete the entire cycle of the school, Brother Crosss Scoil Lorcain Primary class of 1964 held a reunion last week.

Over 20 past pupils gathered to reminisce on days of old and recount cherished childhood memories spent in the St. Johns Park area of the city, in the school and in the surrounding estates.

Eddie Power and Micky Hanlon, at the Scoil Lorcain Class of 1964 Reunion.

The day kicked off with the gathering of the class at the school. As the past pupils arrived one by one they chatted about childhood, their youth spent under the tutelage of Brother Cross, life and work after Scoil Lorcain and how much Waterford has changed over the years.

Current Principal of the school, Ms. Caroline Douris welcome the group into the school hall for refreshments, before guiding them on a grand tour of the school grounds. That evening, the group travelled to the Mansion House to further reconnect.

The Scoil Lorcain Class of 1964.

Organiser of the reunion is former student Michael (Micky) Hanlon, who tracked down his classmates.

It was a mammoth task the find all 54 of the students who were in the class, a task which was taken on by Michael, who said: About four months ago, I went on Facebook, the Johns Park website and a couple other places, and just started messaging people looking for help to get contacts for a reunion

When we were young, I knew where most of the boys were living so what I did was literally just knock on doors to see if they were still there, but I found that most of them were after moving so I had no addresses. But thanks to the men and women from the postal service, I was able to find a lot of the names."

From the class of 54 students, some are now living in Norway, Australia and the USA. 11 of the class have passed away.

I really thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, Michael said, It took time but I found 54 people and I was delighted to get that number. Im over the moon and I was hoping and praying that wed get the numbers we got today.

I couldnt have done this 20 years ago when there was no Facebook or none of the websites and the people in Johns Park were very good and a lot of people came back with a lot of information.

Reminiscing on his classmates, Michael said, Everybody who is here today, and everybody who isnt with us anymore, they all did well in life. So many of them who are here now, theyve changed a lot but their features and voices are all still the same. Its unreal. Its like turning back the clocks.

Brother Cross was an integral part of the boys' lives in the school and he was remembered fondly during the reunion.

Speaking on the significance of Brother Cross, Michael said, When the school opened he was principal and every time you moved class he moved with you. I dont really know what happened to him after we left, I made enquiries but nobody knows.

He was a gentleman and he was a great man for Feile na Scoileanna. Every school put on a play and you went to the Theatre Royal. One of the best ones Brother Cross ever did was Oklahoma!. It was just brilliant.

Another former pupil, Francis Flynn, said, Were all trying to figure out here today, how Brother Cross controlled 54 monkeys, because thats what we were like. He was unbelievable and he was a brilliant teacher."
The schools attended by Gilbert Collins and Avu (Avuzwa) Idris have offered sympathies to the families of the two boys who were tragically killed last week.

Gilbert, who was a student at St. Pauls Community College in Lisduggan, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, with his friend Avu, a student at De La Salle College, later dying in hospital from the injuries that he suffered in the crash. Sympathies were offered to the family and friends of Gilbert by St. Pauls Community College.

Our deepest sympathy to Gilberts family, Mam, Dad, brothers and sister. Especially to Albert, our 1st year student. Gilbert was one of our most vivacious and energetic students, who was known to all. A word and a smile for everyone as he did laps around our school. We will miss him greatly. Sleep peacefully Gilbert, from all in St. Pauls.

De La Salle College Principal Mick Walsh offered condolences to Avuza and his family.

Avuza was a sixth-year student who had just completed his Leaving Certificate examinations. He will be greatly missed by his teachers and staff in the college and his numerous friends who knew him. We have been in contact with his parents and are aware of their request that we all have an understanding of their need for privacy at this difficult time.

Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have been supporting and advising as we support members of our school community through this difficult time. The college has opened with many teachers making themselves available to help students/parents deal with this tragic event. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time. May he rest in peace. Thank you.
At the first Metropolitan Council meeting for Waterford City and County Council, it was proposed by Councillor Lola O'Sullivan that a letter be sent to the former councillors who sat at the previous Council, but had lost their seats in the local elections in June.

Three former councillors lost out on their seats, including Jody Power of the Green Party (who was Mayor of the Metropolitan area at the time of the election); also sitting for the Green Party was Cristiona Kiely, and Stephanie Keating, who represented Fianna Fail.

With conversation flowing back and forth between the recently elected Council members and their newest Mayor, Metropolitan Mayor Joe Kelly acknowledged the work of Mr Power, Ms Kiely and Ms Keating as former council members.

"I want to express my thanks as the incoming Mayor to those councillors. To Cllr Power for the way he went about his duties as Mayor, the way he ran our meetings very fairly and efficiently, and indeed Cllr Kiely who always held her side of the argument, whatever argument we were having, and did it to the very best of her ability.

"I think it's only right and proper to recognise both of them," said Mayor Kelly.

He added shortly after that Ms Keating was a third member to have not returned. "I thought she was an excellent councillor in her time here. As it went with democratic vote, she didn't quite make it, but I still think it's important that this Metropolitan AGM do mention Councillor Keating to thank her for her dedication and service to the people of Waterford."

The Mayor continued: "And fair play to Councillor O'Sullivan for suggesting that we as a body should write to them and express our thanks for their roles in those two offices."

On the back of Cllr O'Sullivan's suggestion, a council member interrupted Mayor Kelly to propose that the letter be sent to more than just those who formerly represented the Council.

"Mayor, would it be a nice gesture to send a letter to everybody who stood in the local elections, from the Council, telling them to keep it up and try again," he was asked.

The Mayor assumed at first there would be no issue, and said, "We can indeed. There's no objection to that..."

However, Councillor Mary Roche spoke up and voiced her strong opinion on the matter of sending a letter to all who contested the election in June.

"Mayor, I would object to sending a letter to some of those people in my name," she said. Councillors then began to discuss the proposal among themselves, becoming chatty in the chamber.

It was Councillor Adam Wyse who brought the attention of the room back to the matter at hand with a suggestion of "writing to the former members of the Council who weren't returned", which was agreed by all.
Michael Bolton

RTE has announced they have appointed a new Director of Audio and a new Director of Video.

Patricia Monahan is to join the organisations Leadership Team as Director of Audio, while Steve Carson will be the new Director of Video.

Ms Monahan is currently the managing editor of Newstalk.

She will take responsibility for the development and editorial management of audio and digital-audio services, including the programming of RTE Radio 1, RTE 2FM, RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta and RTE lyric fm.

Speaking on her appointment, Ms Monahan said "I look forward to joining RTE in this exciting new role and as it embarks on its ambitious new strategy of which audio is such a critical part. RTE already plays a hugely significant role as a public service broadcaster on the audio landscape in Ireland.

"I look forward to working with all my new colleagues to develop the portfolio so that it continues to fulfil that role for many generations to come.

Ground-breaking public service audio production and distribution is a cornerstone of RTE's new strategic direction, and Patricias proven leadership experience and track record in leading creative teams, her editorial experience and her unique ability to interpret audience insights, will make her an invaluable addition to our exceptionally strong Leadership Team, Bakhurst said.

Mr Carson joins from director at BBC Scotland, where he spent seven years in Scotland, and 11 years with the broadcaster.

Carson says: Im excited to be joining Kevins new leadership team in RTE this autumn. I have been blessed to work with a brilliant team in BBC Scotland, helping to support programme-makers to make great work for our audiences.

"Im looking forward to doing the same with the world class creative talent that we have in Ireland as we focus on delivering the ambitious New Direction strategy.

RTE said both appointments were made following a public competition.

The appointments come as funding of 20 million has been released to the organisation following the launch of its new strategic plan.
Last week, Airbus shares dropped by 10 per cent as the company cut its forecasts for the year. Its chief executive, Guillaume Faury, admitted that it would deliver only 770 commercial aircraft this year, down from earlier forecasts of 800. The target of producing 75 of its best-selling A320 series was pushed back from 2026 to 2027. Last week, Airbus shares dropped by 10 per cent as the company cut its forecasts for the year. Credit: iStock The problem? It has been hit by a series of supply chain snarl-ups that have made it difficult to build all the planes it would like to. Meanwhile, it took a 900 million ($1.5 billion) charge on its space unit, pushing its figures even lower. It is hardly surprising that investors are looking for the emergency exit, with the share price down by almost 20 per cent over the past month alone. Supply issues? Seriously? It is a completely lame excuse. Sure, building an aircraft has always been a complex task. An A320 has 340,000 parts, and Airbus has more than 12,000 suppliers. No one ever said the logistics would not require some careful management. And yet there is nothing new about the supply issues, and you might have expected, with so much at stake, that they would have been sorted out by now. Likewise, in a week in which the value of SpaceX, Elon Musks rocket company, went above $US200 billion ($300 billion), why is Airbus taking writedowns? Space is a booming industry and it should be making money.

In reality, Airbuss top team is looking very tired. Faury was appointed back in 2019 and in the five years since he has done very little to improve its performance. It is taking the market for granted. No one seems to be paying very much attention right now, but China is determined to become a major player in commercial aerospace. The Comac C-919 was launched into commercial service last year, and while it may look suspiciously similar to an A320, it is steadily proving itself in the market. Last week, Vietnam Airlines said it was looking at ordering the plane, given the supply issues with Boeing and Airbus. The leadership of Boeing, once one of the most formidable aerospace companies in the world, is starting to make Joe Biden look fit, alert and in control. Meanwhile, the head of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, one of the top 10 leasing companies in the world, argued that the C-919 was a perfectly fine aircraft and one that was likely to break the current duopoly. Only last month, we learned that Comac is now working on plans for the C-939, a widebody jet that will compete with the A350 and Boeing 777. The blunt truth is that Comac is determined and well financed. It will take a significant share of the industry. Likewise, Boeing will recover eventually. The company may be in big trouble right now, but it is in the too big to fail category. The US depends on it for defence, as well as for its industrial and export muscle. Its current leadership may be hopelessly inept, but sooner or later  and probably sooner  it will start to stage a recovery.

This should be the moment for Airbus to go in for the kill. It should be stepping up production to meet all the orders it can and finding new suppliers, or even taking them over itself, to make sure that it can meet all the demand. Boeings deepening issues are leaving the door open for China. Credit: Bloomberg It should be launching new models, even if they are a few years out, to make sure it has the most modern range of aircraft on the market. And it should be pressing ahead with new fuels and lower-emission planes so that airlines can keep flying at the same time as countries are struggling to meet their net zero targets. But that will take fresh management, and fresh energy. Faury has done a respectable job but he has failed to get to grips with either the opportunities that the demise of Boeing presents or the threat posed by the rise of Chinese competition.
It was a plate smashing on the kitchen floor that first alerted Catherine Bradshaw that something was amiss with her six-month-old daughter, Kirsten.

She didnt react, Bradshaw recalled.

Catherine Bradshaw with husband Jarrod Gorman and daughter Kirsten. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

The concerned family took Kirsten to a hearing clinic where she was diagnosed with profound deafness. Four months later, after Kirsten failed to meet milestones including holding up her head, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

In their quest for answers, doctors pored over Kirstens newborn blood spot screening card and discovered she was born with cytomegalovirus, or CMV, a common but poorly understood virus that causes about 400 Australian babies to be born with physical or intellectual disabilities every year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has batted away a question about embattled Labor senator Fatima Payman crossing the floor last week to support a Greens motion recognising the state of Palestine.

Taking a question in Parliament during question time after back and forth on whether it follows the standing orders, Albanese said the phrase from the river to the sea has been condemned by himself and his party.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was questioned about Fatima Payman crossing the floor on a pro-Palestine motion. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

 From the river to the sea is a statement that has been used by both supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestine, who support a single state, he said.

It is important that we take [the] temperature down in this debate, not seek  to inflame it.

I condemn unequivocally the use of the phrase from the river to sea because it speaks about a single state  the fact is that the governments position is very clear.

We support a two-state solution and last week in the Senate we moved an amendment which said this: the need for the Senate to recognise the state of Palestine as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution.

By her own actions, Senator Payman has placed herself outside the privilege that comes with participating in the federal parliamentary Labor Party caucus and I informed her of that.
This week, the government in the UK will change. It is unclear what will happen in the US election, but three days ago, Joe Bidens chances took a hit after he displayed genuinely shocking feebleness in the first presidential debate. As the Coalition, early in Question Time last week, referred to the AUKUS agreement, it was hard not to wonder (again) whether long-term defence policy based on alliances with those two nations was worth much.

That said, the far more pressing issue for the Coalition was political: how strangely defensive it sounded. The early questions it asked of Labor in the parliament revolved around nuclear, which made sense: this had been a big moment. But rather than promoting the benefits of the nuclear approach, they seemed mostly to be roundabout attempts to answer criticisms. The AUKUS references were there to counter safety and waste concerns (the logic being that if Labor doesnt mind nuclear subs then it shouldnt mind nuclear plants). To be fair, the first questions went to the costs of Labors energy plans, but the context for these was obviously criticism of Peter Duttons failure to detail his nuclear costs.

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis Credit:

It should also be said that the reason the Coalition had something to defend was because it had announced something. Still, using a forum typically devoted to attack for mounting oblique defences felt a little topsy-turvy: as though the opposition, trying to be the government, had somehow overbalanced.

Of course, it wasnt wrong of the Coalition to bring up AUKUS: both sides are committed to it. But it was a reminder of how abstract policy debates can seem when they are premised on events that may (or may not) happen decades in the future. The spectacle of an opposition perhaps years away from government attempting to justify one far-off policy (nuclear) by referring to another (AUKUS) felt anything but grounded in reality.
Good luck buying a train ticket to Arles, France, a place hard for Anglophones to pronounce. Make a sound at the ticket counter as if clearing your throat from years of Gauloises cigarettes. Or use a ticket machine to avoid speaking.

Arles - embrace the beauty around the town that inspired Vincent van Gogh.

Alight at a hideous and inconveniently located train station. After that, its all brilliant.

There are wonderful things to see in Arles. The Roman amphitheatre has survived, from its seating to its drains, and is still used for concerts and controversial bullfights. Beside it, the remains of a Roman theatre arent as eye-catching, but are still impressive.

The Museum of Ancient Art presents emperors busts with knocked-off noses, oil lamps, jewellery and a Greco-Roman barge. Most magnificent are the sarcophagi carved with congregations of figures in togas.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF-Japan) and the National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) of Peru, as WCO Vice-Chair for the Americas and the Caribbean Region and WCO Regional Customs Laboratory (RCL) Peru, held the Americas and Caribbean (AMS) Regional Train-the-Trainers Workshop for Spanish-speaking Customs Laboratory Chemists from 17 to 21 June 2024 at the Regional Customs Laboratory of Peru in Lima.

Experienced Customs chemists from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru took part of the training. One WCO Technical Officer and an expert from Tokyo Customs Laboratory led the workshop.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Gerardo Lopez Gonzalez, National Superintendent of Customs and Tax Administration, thanked the WCO, and the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund, for their invaluable support in the organization of this event, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening the capacities of Customs officials in our region.

Mr. Gonzalez noted the increasing complexity and diversity of goods crossing our borders, which pose significant challenges in ensuring consumer safety, environmental protection and compliance with national regulations. He emphasized that Customs Laboratories play a crucial role in the tariff classification of goods, essential for tax collection, customs valuation, control of prohibited and restricted goods, and the protection of society.

The main objective of the workshop was to provide Customs laboratory chemists with updated knowledge and operational skills in chemical analysis of samples for Harmonized System (HS) tariff classification purposes, focusing on recent technologies and techniques, as well as the use of advanced instruments.

During the one-week workshop, participants examined the role and needs of Customs Laboratories, studied the HS and tariff classification related to Customs Laboratory matters, the WCO Customs Laboratory Guide and other tools, and shared experiences and insights. Participants were divided into four groups, rotating through the three areas of study of the RCL of Peru(Textiles, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry) to complete various test methods. This allowed them to gain practical experience in chemical analysis, focusing on new technologies and techniques, as well as the use of sophisticated analytical equipment.

In his closing address, Mr. Fernando Nunez Jauregui, Deputy National Superintendent of Customs, expressed gratitude to the WCO and the CCF (Japan). He highlighted that this event marked a milestone as the first in-person workshop for chemists held in the region. He stressed that the skills acquired during the workshop will be fundamental in strengthening capacity for Customs laboratories in the Americas and the Caribbean and encouraged participants to share their newfound knowledge. He also emphasized the importance of the correct use and application of the HS.
The WCOs Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme and ABF/WCO Supply Chain Integrity Project recently contributed to the 21st iteration of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 18-21 June 2024, by hosting a workshop entitled Corruption in global supply chains - organized crimes deadly tactic. This contribution was a continuation of discussions initiated by the WCO A-CIP Programme through academic research and a WCO Symposium on Organized Crime and Corruption in Customs held in November last year.

The IACC brought together over 2,000 registered participants, comprising policymakers, business leaders, civil society organizations and journalists, creating various opportunities to discuss the global impact of corruption and how society can collaborate more effectively to fight it. Participants in the WCO-hosted workshop were introduced to the WCOs anti-corruption activities and a preview of the new ABF/WCO Supply Chain Integrity (SCI) Project.

The WCO A-CIP Programme and ABF/WCO SCI Project representatives were joined in a vibrant discussion by invited panellists from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) and Transparency International.

The audience was provided with real-world examples of the harmful impacts of corruption occurring with global cargo supply chains, linked particularly to organized crime, along with research findings that helped illuminate the wider impacts of these issues.

Speakers emphasized the prolific nature of insider threats and how internal conspirators (enablers) are aiding crime groups to exploit various supply chain vulnerabilities and transport illicit commodities around the globe. They also underscored the importance of anti-corruption measures within Customs administrations and other actors in the supply chain. Multistakeholder approaches were highlighted as critical in effective responses to the especially complex nature of this issue.

The WCO A-CIP Programme provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to WCO Member administrations and has been implementing integrity-related initiatives in line with the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration since 2019. The ABF/WCO SCI Project was launched earlier this year and aims to enhance the integrity and resilience of Customs-controlled supply chains while addressing the prolific issue of insider threats and those who seek to subvert routine Customs and border controls.
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A native of Ballycastle in Co Mayo will contest the British General Election this week.

Claire Tighe is running for Keir Starmers Labour Party in the Spelthorne Constituency when the British public take to the polls this Thursday, July 4 for what is set to be one of the most intriguing and anticipated elections across the pond in some time.

Claire was born in Ealing but then raised in Ballina where she attended St Marys Secondary School. Her parents, her father Martin and her late mother Ann, are from Ballycastle and members of the Tighe family still live in Ballycastle.

Claire returned to London to work in politics after attending University College Dublin. She currently plays a key role in party leader Keir Starmers office as his official liaison with the partys directly elected mayors including Londons Sadiq Khan.

Tighe was elected as a councillor for Labour in the Ealing by-election in west London in September 2021, scoring a huge win for the party, producing their best ever result in the Hobbayne ward and increasing their overall majority.

Spelthorne is traditionally a Conservative stronghold but Tighe is poised to upset the apple cart  she is presently neck and neck with the Tory candidate Lincoln Jopp at 31% each. If successful, she would be the first Labour MP elected in the Surrey constituency of Spelthorne since 1945, as well as the constituencys first female MP.

The results of Spelthorne will be known early on Friday morning.
Nazrin Abdul

During the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in Baku, Bulgarian Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov highlighted Bulgaria's pivotal role in an upcoming "green energy" export initiative from Azerbaijan to Europe, Azernews reports.

Minister Malinov underscored the potential for collaboration in developing renewable energy sources and noted Bulgaria's recent approval to participate in the joint venture for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Europe "green energy" corridor. "Bulgaria's Energy Holding and its subsidiaries will be actively involved in the project," he stated.

Malinov emphasised Bulgaria's strengths, including its advanced power transmission system, robust interconnections with neighbouring countries, well-developed electricity market, and investment opportunities in renewable energy. He highlighted the increasing regional demand for "green energy," not only within Bulgaria but across the broader area.

The minister expressed optimism about expanding cooperation between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan across various sectors, expecting the commission's 6th session to spur further dialogue and collaboration.
Fire from a burning camper damaged two Beatrice homes late Sunday night.

According to a news release, Beatrice Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the 400 block of North Fourth Street just before 10 p.m. When they arrived, they found the camper, parked between two homes, was fully involved and the fire was extending to both houses.

Crews established multiple hose lines to extinguish the fire in the camper and both homes. An investigator for the Nebraska fire marshal said the fire was caused by fireworks and was accidental.

The occupants of the two houses were able to evacuate, according to the release, but one of them, a juvenile, was taken to Beatrice Community Hospital for possible smoke inhalation. Another juvenile, a bystander, suffered a medical event and was also taken to BCH.

The American Red Cross was helping the displaced families.

Beatrice Fire personnel were back in service by 2:15 a.m. Monday after assisting the investigator and extinguishing hot spots.

Damage estimates for the camper and the two homes were not available yet.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick ODonovan TD today (July 1) officially opened the new apprenticeship training facility in Galway and Roscommon ETBs Mervue Campus.

This is a really significant investment of over 12 million by my Department in the enhancement of training facilities in the Galway area, which will greatly improve the learning experience of many apprentices across this region, said Minister ODonovan.

The building, purchased by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) and fully refurbished to provide much needed additional apprenticeship workshops, represents an investment of over 12 million on GRETBs Mervue Further Education and Training Campus.

This facility will give over 350 students access to:

- Nine fully equipped electrical apprenticeship workshops.

- Four classrooms.

- Office area.

- Canteen.

- Storage spaces.

- Toilet blocks and reception area.

Speaking at the opening, Minister ODonovan said: I am delighted to be in Galway today to officially open this training facility and to meet with people who will benefit from the learning opportunities offered by Galway and Roscommon ETB. My Department has invested more than 12m in this project. This state-of-the-art facility will make a real difference to the educational journey of apprentices attending here.

The Education and Training Facility marks a significant development for learners and communities in the Western seaboard, but also an important milestone in the evolution of Further Education and Training facilities.

David Leahy, Chief Executive, Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) said: This is an important day in the apprenticeship calendar for the West of Ireland. The significant investment required to open nine additional electrical workshops in Galway confirms Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Boards commitment to expanding apprenticeship provision in our region but also to addressing the alleviation of the waiting list for phase 2 places for electrical apprentices.

As the education and training provider for both Galway and Roscommon, we look forward to continuing to invest in and grow the provision of a wide variety of apprenticeships in both counties.
COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLINA - WESTERN PEOPLE (JUNE 25 EDITION)

There will be a strong festive vibe in the air at The Quay, Ballina on Saturday, July 6, with the return of the Summer Night Barn Dance to the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, overlooking the calm waters of the River Moy at high tide.

The Barn Dance is organised by Craoibhin Ballina and will see live music by Trevor Moyles, who begins a short Scottish tour this coming Friday.

Apart from what promises to be a lively atmosphere, there will be a raffle on the night also. The Barn Dance will run from 9pm to 11pm and the entrance fee is 10 per person.

Meanwhile, the ever-popular Afternoon Tea Dance organised by Craoibhin Ballina is on Thursday, July 4, in the same venue. Music will be performed by Padraig Moran, with patrons also enjoying refreshments and a raffle on the day. The cost is 10 per person, and the tea dance starts at 1pm, finishing at 3pm.

Everyone is welcome to both events and more information is available by contacting Craoibhin Ballina on 087-2785365.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mainly clear and diminishing winds; areas of frost, and a view of the Northern Lights may be visible..

Tonight

Mainly clear and diminishing winds; areas of frost, and a view of the Northern Lights may be visible.
SHENZHEN, June 30 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a congratulatory letter as a cross-sea passage opened, linking the cities of Shenzhen and Zhongshan in southern China's Guangdong Province.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is another large-scale transportation project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The project managed to overcome multiple world-class technical challenges and set multiple world records.

All participants, through their hard work and unwavering determination, have successfully completed the project with high quality, Xi said.

"This fully illustrates that Chinese modernization can only be achieved through solid work, as all great causes are accomplished through concrete actions," he said.

Xi underscored efforts to manage and make good use of the passage, and promote infrastructure connectivity and alignment of rules and mechanisms to facilitate the building of an integrated market in the Greater Bay Area.

Spanning 24 km, the passage cuts travel time between the city of Zhongshan and the technology hub of Shenzhen  situated on opposite sides of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong Province  from two hours to approximately 30 minutes.

The construction of the project began in February 2017. The new link marks the world's first cross-sea cluster project that features two bridges, two artificial islands, and an underwater tunnel.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
The South China Sea issue has always been the focu...
MP candidates give views on climate change affecting Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr in the future

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jul 1st, 2024

Candidates looking for your support have been invited to share their views on a range of issues.

As part of our election coverage ahead of the poll on Thursday we asked all candidates a range of questions, with a theme based collection from all candidates below. You can also read individual answers to all the questions here on our Election 24 page, plus links to party manifesto, supplied bios for candidates and links to find out where exactly your polling station is!

Question: How do you think climate change will affect Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr in the future, and what as a local MP can you do on the matter?

Wales will be one of the last countries to be directly affected. The impact for us will to begin with it becoming more expensive to import food, as the counties that we do import food from becoming too dry for production. This will start to affect much of the Mediterranean and in North Africa.

This will lead to food shortages, and of course the humanitarian issues around food and water for those living in those countries. This will in turn lead to a global refugee crisis as those populations living in these first affected countries seek somewhere habitable where they can settle.

What can a local MP do on the matter? The crisis will be global, no country will be able to avoid the consequences, so what is needed is international cooperation to come to international agreements to reduce carbon emissions and to keep to them. There need to be countries willing to lead from the front. The UK was originally taking this role but has dropped back. We may not have a very large proportion of the global carbon emissions (2%) but the UK still hold influence in the world and our action will encourage other countries to act.

So what a local MP can do is to be part of the pressure in Westminster to press whatever government we have in place to take more ambitious action.

The advantage of the UK taking the lead here is that we can be at the forefront of many of the technologies that are needed as part of the solution and the growth in these green technologies will be good for our economy going forward.

Climate change is already having an impact on Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr. We have seen massive floods in recent years followed by droughts and this is only set to get worse if we dont act. This will have a particularly devastating impact on our constituency because so much of the local economy and employment relies on agriculture and any farmer will tell you they are very worried about it.

And its not just the climate, its also about our biodiversity and natural environment. Between them Welsh Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay and Conservative Ministers in Westminster have let water companies get away with dumping raw sewage in our precious rivers for years on end. The Liberal Democrats would ban executive bonuses, introduce a tough new regulator and expand blue flag status from our beaches to our rivers.

We would also introduce an emergency insulation programme, helping people save money on their bills while also reducing emissions at the same time. This is a massive issue in Wales where houses are some of the most poorly insulated which not only means high bills, but also means high levels of illness from pneumonia, etc which also costs our NHS.

This is an area of huge concern, but it is also another area where we should not let our morale dip or our belief that we can change things for the better before its too late. Montgomeryshire currently produces 96% of all its energy from Renewables. If every part of the country could emulate this, we would be in a far firmer position to tackle this growing crisis.

Labours policy here is the implementation of the Green New Deal  we would embrace the Second Industrial Revolution, with a massive investment in solar, wind and tidal energy, by creating Great British Energy a Publicly Owned utilities company. This would: help to protect the environment from further damage; reduce rocketing energy bills by profiteering energy companies that we used to own! And reduce our dependency on unstable dictatorships, with appalling Human Rights records.

Climate change will affect everywhere. One of the main issues re climate change is energy production and our use of energy. That is why I would be pushing for

Control over the Crown estate in Wales to ensure its benefits stay in our communities

Develop Ynni Cymru as a Welsh owned energy company

With 35% of emissions coming from the housing stock and with a old stock in Wales, i would push for large scale retrofitting of housing not only to minimise emissions but also to create a warmer and healthier housing for our residents

Im afraid I take a very long view on this. Climate has always changed and always will  at some point in the future, another ice age will occur and Britain will be smothered yet again by a massive layer of ice 3-4 kilometres thick. Humanity has no control over changing climate; I really do wonder why the climate change lobby have this God-complex which suggests it does. Humans could walk from England to Denmark just 8,000 years ago or so; this is a blink of an eye in geological terms. We are in an inter-glacial warm period, and this warming began long before the industrial revolution. Thus, there is very little I can do as a local MP  or, indeed, any of us can do. What we can control and what is within our power is to protect the environment in so many other ways; protecting our forests and wetlands, and minimising plastic consumption. These are my environmental priorities.

No response to our Q&A has been received

You can read more Q&A answers here on our Election 24 page along with more election information  remember to GO VOTE ON THURSDAY!

Note: Unlike some publications Wrexham.com does not accept any political advertising. Our election pages also should be devoid of any advertising. All candidate promotion on this site has been provided for free with the same offer to every candidate. Anyone who wishes to use our election coverage content (text, video or images) please feel free, all we ask is a link back to this site if it is used online, or an equivalent prominent credit if in print or other mediums. We would also request that you use it without misrepresenting the context of candidate answers.
Wrexhams MP candidates tell you how they would sort out the NHS

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jul 1st, 2024

Candidates looking for your support have been invited to share their views on a range of issues.

As part of our election coverage ahead of the poll on Thursday we asked all candidates a range of questions, with a theme based collection from all candidates below. You can also read individual answers to all the questions here on our Election 24 page, plus links to party manifesto, supplied bios for candidates and links to find out where exactly your polling station is!

Question: Health is devolved, but there is a link to Westminster and England in many ways. People are waiting longer for GP appointments, hospital waiting times have risen, staff are poorly paid and overworked. In your opinion, how do you think the issues in the NHS need addressing?

Two things  Funding and Caring.

Firstly, the funding. Every party is urging more spending on the Health & Social Care, but I believe only The Green Party have truly admitted the size of the funding required. The Green Party propose raising more funds for Health and Social Care than the main two parties combined; paid for by redistributing from the super-rich. For Junior Doctors to be striking is simply unprecedented  they are ringing the alarm bells and The Green Party are listening.

Secondly, the caring. The Green Party manifesto talks about caring and experience. I despair when the general conversation around Health and Social care simply comes down to the number of doctors, number of nurses, number of appointments, number of scans, and number of tablets. Numbers, numbers and numbers. Having worked in the NHS for 20 years I know Health and Social Care is about more than numbers alone. It is about feeling valued, respected, cared for, and heard. We need to ensure we are creating an environment where our Health Professionals and Carers are able to really do what they do best, and care for us as individual people, not as targets.

Were suffering from staffing shortages across the NHS. The UK Government determines the numbers of training places for doctors and nurses, and in recent years they have moved the numbers up and down based on financial costs, not driven by a long-terms staff plan or the actual needs of the NHS. So Id press for an expansion in training palces for medical staff.

We also need to make sure that once we have trained doctors and nurses, that they want to stay in this country. In the last few years, weve seen staff leaving to work in places like Australia or Canada where the pay and conditions are much better. If we want to keep out highly skilled staff, we need to pay tem adequately and offer thm the chance to progress their careers within the NHS.

NHS hospitals can only function effectively if they are able to get patients out of hospital and back into their homes once their treatment is complete. Were seeing large numbers of beds occupied by people who are medically fit, but who cant return home because of a lack of suitable care. The Lib Dems support an expansion of social care to allow more people to enjoy a better quality of life in their own homes, while freeing up capacity in NHS hospitals.

Finally, the management of the local health board has left much to be desired in recent years. There has been a lot of change in senior management posts and at board level, but I would argue there is a need for a deeper review of how the NHS is delivered across North Wales.

A Labour Government in Westminster working in partnership with the Labour Government in Wales will cut waiting times for NHS care. The record of the last UK Labour government on the NHS in Wales speaks for itself  the shortest waiting times on record and the highest patient satisfaction in history.

Welsh Labour will continue to invest in and protect health and social care in Wales. They will deliver reforms that ensure faster access to new treatments, new state of the art equipment and digital technology, and move care closer to home. They are building the NHS workforce of the future with the new medical school in North Wales opening this year and we will work in collaboration with NHS staff to deliver improvements for them and patients, with the social partnership model. Long waiting times are improving, and the Welsh Government is working hard to deliver improvements across the board. NHS waiting times will be cut by targeting those who have been waiting the longest and who are in the most need, paid for by cracking down on tax avoidance and non-dom loopholes.

Social care also needs to be reformed with the establishment of a National Care and Support Service to help those that require care to live happy, independent lives as close to home as possible. Care workers already receive the Real Living Wage in Wales but we will also continue to improve the terms and conditions in the sector to improve retention and recruitment of the workforce. We must also recognise the huge contribution that unpaid carers make and ensure that they get the financial support, and wellbeing support that they need such as respite breaks.

I have addressed some of this in the first question. We need complete reform of our health care system with a more integrated approach with social care. I personally, and Plaid Cymru as a party, stand in solidarity with our healthcare workers (literally on the picket lines at times). Wage restoration pledges must be implemented as an urgent priority. The NHS is nothing without its staff and so we must show that we value and support them. This is essential for both recruitment and retention of health care professionals. Plaid Cymru would also look to recruit 500 more GPs by restoring funding to 8.7% of the Welsh health budget.

No response to our Q&A has been received.

Health is a DEVOLVED issue and is managed by the Welsh LABOUR Government in Cardiff. Since devolution began, Labour has overseen a terrible decline in the NHS in Wales. Labour is the only administration to have ever cut an NHS budget, which they now underfund by 500 million. This has resulted in the worst A&E performance, the worst ambulance response times and the worst surgery and cancer treatment waiting times in the UK. This is despite Welsh Labour receiving the largest funding settlement since devolution began.

As a nurse who returned to the wards during COVID (donating my salary to charity), I know how Labour-run health services consistently fail our community and clinicians, offering hollow promises instead of real improvements. Over the past 5 years, I have supported over 17,000 constituents with their health and social care related casework. Ive also helped secure funding for a Veterans Care Co-ordinator at the Maelor, delivered extended funding for the Metastatic Cancer Nurse at the Shooting Star unit, supported the great work of our clinicians, such as the Health Boards Thrombosis Team, the Plas Gororau project and the Pre-habitation scheme. Ive also been a constant supporter of the Wrexham Prostate Support Group and the Maelor Voluntary Service.

Theres so much more to do to overcome the Cardiff Labour decline. If re-elected, I will continue to fight for a new hospital, improved parking, and a permanent Metastatic Cancer Nurse. Im also calling for an action-focused, UK-led inquiry into our Health Board. My goal is to ensure that the Welsh Government allocates funds effectively and stops wasting money to give Wrexham the health service we deserve and pay for.

A full and transparent Royal commission for 12 months into health and social care provision for all of the UK, to feed its findings to Parliament, not one person or party has the answer to this problem.

You can read more Q&A answers here on our Election 24 page along with more election information  remember to GO VOTE ON THURSDAY!

Note: Unlike some publications Wrexham.com does not accept any political advertising. Our election pages also should be devoid of any advertising. All candidate promotion on this site has been provided for free with the same offer to every candidate. Anyone who wishes to use our election coverage content (text, video or images) please feel free, all we ask is a link back to this site if it is used online, or an equivalent prominent credit if in print or other mediums. We would also request that you use it without misrepresenting the context of candidate answers.
Welsh Government could restrict sugary food promotions, drink refills and multi-buy offers

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jul 1st, 2024

The promotion of food products high in sugar and multi-buy offers could be restricted in Wales under plans to introduce new legislation.

Eluned Morgan MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social, today launched a consultation aimed at improving the food environment in Wales.

The proposed Welsh Government legislation will seek to curb the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt in a move to help encourage healthier eating habits.

This would include restrictions on sugary drink refills  something commonly offered in major chain restaurants and also multi-buy offers, such as buy one get one free.

The sale of items would also be restricted at key selling locations, such as store entrances, checkouts and aisle ends.

According to the Welsh Government evidence shows that food products with poor nutritional value are currently disproportionately promoted more than healthier products.

In a written statement released today, Ms Morgan said that she is committed to supporting people in Wales to make the healthy choice the easy choice when food shopping and eating out.

The consultation includes a draft text of the Regulations, which outline restrictions on the location and price promotions of less healthy products, including sugary drink refills.

This legislative effort is aligned with similar regulations in England and proposed measures in Scotland, aiming for a cohesive approach across the UK.

Ms Morgan highlighted that evidence indicates that products with poor nutritional value are disproportionately promoted, significantly influencing consumer purchases.

I am determined to support the industry to increase the pace and scale of action to produce and market healthier food and drink products, she added.

The draft Regulations are expected to be laid in the Senedd before the end of 2024, with the aim of coming into force in 2025.

There will be a 12-month implementation window for businesses and enforcement bodies to adapt to the new rules.

The consultation also revisits the issue of energy drink consumption among children.

Following a 2022 consultation on restricting energy drink sales to under-16s, the government is now calling for evidence to further understand the societal impacts of energy drink consumption by children.

Ms Morgan said: Officials will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that clear and comprehensive guidance for the food industry is in place at the time any legislation is laid.
Wrexham lecturer appointed onto Law Council of Wales Executive Committee

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jul 1st, 2024

An esteemed Law Lecturer and former criminal lawyer has become the newest member on the Executive Committee of the Law Council of Wales.

Dylan Rhys Jones, Senior Lecturer and Lead of Wrexham Universitys Law department, has also been appointed as Chair of the Education and Training Group, alongside his Executive Committee role.

The Law Council for Wales was established back in 2019 to promote legal education, training and awareness in Welsh law, and to support the economic development and sustainability of the legal sector in Wales.

Speaking about his appointment, Dylan said: I consider it to be a real honour to have been invited to join the Law Council of Wales and join many eminent academics, lawyers, barristers, and judges currently serving on the Executive Committee.

As well as being appointed onto the Executive Committee, I have also been named as the Councils Chair of the Education and Training Group  so that means I will play a part in addressing issues relating to education, training and continuing professional development.

Joining the Law Council of Wales will also prove beneficial for our students here in Wrexham  from being kept up to speed on all of the latest issues in the legal sector to building up their network of contacts and connections, which is crucial, particularly when starting out in the profession.

The establishment of the Law Council for Wales was a recommendation from the independent Commission of Justice in Wales, chaired by Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd  the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales  which delivered a landmark report in 2019 setting out a vision for justice in Wales.

Prior to joining Wrexham University, Dylan was a criminal lawyer for two decades. During his career, he represented Wales most notorious serial killer, Peter Moore, the manager of a cinema in Bagillt, Flintshire, convicted of murdering four men within as many months in a killing spree in which he mutilated his victims.

The crimes shocked the nation, with Moore found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 1996, almost a year after Dylan first received the call to represent him in December 1995.

Since then, Dylan took on more high-profile cases before leaving the profession to branch out into teaching and media work. In 2022, he took up his role as Senior Lecturer of Law at the University.
YouTube :  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dzwyX8yW4M&ab_channel=

The United States, China, and the Future of the Global Order

Asia Society

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIfb7BUiqHY&t=0s&ab_channel=

Orville Schell ()  

I'd like to ask you about is China is

not just another great power it is a

Marxist leninist regime that under Xi

Jinping has become very very different

than we experienced in the 80s even in

the 90s after the 1989 uh Beijing

Massacre and demonstrations and I think

that without factoring that element into

the

equation we can't just blly say China

wants to be a great power wants to trade

with everybody everybody wants to trade

with it because there is another element

in the

equation namely what China is after as a

new kind of techno autocracy in the

world and whether other countries feel

comfortable with that now we were

talking upstairs a bit about the

Philippines I watched the Philippines

extremely carefully because I see that

as a kind of a RoR scale I mean

southeast Asia fair enough Singapore

caught in the middle doesn't want to

have to choose Malaysia I get it but uh

I think we may be approaching a point

where it's going to be at least more

difficult if not impossible to stand in

the middle and I think we see in the

Philippines flickers of that recognition

now admitt the world is always in flux

so I'm curious to know how you view the

internal political shift in China where

it is returning to a much more uh sort

of maest mode not completely so and how

other countries the Comfort levels they

feel about accepting China's hegemony in

Asia if not in the world uh are you

comfortable with this I mean Singapore

is a small little

country how do you feel about that yes

you want to keep trading but there are

other factors here I think you have to

take into consideration

:

well first of all let me uh if you don't

mind quickly comment on the point you

raised

Rory uh when you mentioned that uh

countries are also moving closer to the

United States uh you're absolutely right

uh I want to emphasize also to avoid any

misunderstanding that there are huge

reservoirs of Goodwill globally towards

the United States and the world is

actually quite happy to see a strong

United States and a strong China and to

some extent if they balance each other

that's not too bad uh for the World At

Large so it's not as though the world is

rushing to embrace China and saying

goodbye America that's not the world the

world actually most countries in the

world as you yourself said oille want to

have good ties with with both United

States and China uh now in your in your

point about uh the

internal uh political makeup of China

and isn't China becoming more Marxist

leninist or communist and are we worried

about that and I think here I want to

emphasize that there is only one country

in the world uh that passes judgments on

the internal political systems of other

country it's a very exceptional

country and I think you all know of

American exceptionalism I can tell you

that you know the UN is not too far away

from here it's a mile or two away if you

walk into the United Nations you will

find that one of the most uh sacred

principles of the UN Charter uh which is

actually uh held to very strongly by

member states of the UN is that we will

not interfere in each other's Internal

Affairs that's ens Shrine in the UN

Charter and that principle is used by

Most states when they deal with each

other so the attitude of most states in

the world is you choose your form of

government no matter what you choose we

will deal with the government uh in in

power and so whether China is more

Marxist or less Marxist or Democratic or

undemocratic we can we cannot get to

choose it's up to the Chinese at the end

of day choose what kind of government

that they have but I do think also if if

I can or will push a little bit bit uh

back at

you you

know when United States first fell in

love with

China in in

1971 can I ask you who was the leader of

China at that

point was it

maong would you call maong a great

defender of Human

Rights would you say that he is this is

a man with a liberal mind a liberal

Spirit someone you can you know develop

a kinship with

you know what I'm getting at

right so when it comes to

geopolitics it's a very cruel

business ideology can be put aside when

necessary can be brought to the four

when necessary and even today if you say

that the United States will stand

up and stand up the Communist party's

regimes

why are you cultivating

Vietnam what's the

difference I mean is isn't doesn't

Vietnam also have a Communist party in

power so I'm only saying this because

the rest of the

world when I say that the rest of the

world has changed they've become much

more

sophisticated they see through all this

they see that yes there's a serious

geopolitical contest going on between

United States and China they are very

worried about it they want to maintain

good ties with both and they won't pass

judgment and it's not just to be fair

orille it's not just Singapore I can I

can give you if you want a list of 100

countries I can give you list of 100

countries that are in that position

Orville Schell 

nine US Presidential administrations

wholeheartedly supported engagement and

I take your point that you know we we

pick and choose CH who who who we oppose

and and but I I I think the the

difference is that uh Vietnam is not has

no sort of hegemonic pretenses in the

South China Sea is not in conflict over

the Saku is not competing with the

Philippines for second Thomas scha is

not threatening to to have some sort of

a Rec reunion with a forced reunion with

Taiwan and and of course I remind you

that uh we've had a little dust up in

India of late and the entire Aon natural

Pradesh in the Northeast territories is

claimed by China they have maps with

Chinese names on places that shoe is

going to drop so it isn't that just

China's a a nice little authoritarian

country wanting to trade with the rest

of the world it seems to me that what is

agitating the situation and making it

very difficult not just for the United

States but is China's pretentions to

rejuvenate in a way that has Global

aspirations first in Asia and possibly

elsewhere we don't know so I think that

you know this is a very much more

complicated thing than just China

rejuvenating and restoring itself to a

place of greatness it is reaching out in

ways which I think are very unsettling

for Southeast Asia and when I'm in

Singapore the thing that stuns me

is I understand Singapore's

situation but actually I mean I think

you singaporeans and I use you as a kind

of a metaphor for many people in

Southeast Asia do feel rather profoundly

comfortable with Americans and actually

many people feel rather uncomfortable

with China but it is the you don't want

to express it too loudly because you

don't want to rock the boat fair enough

I get it but I I would love to hear you

address what I think some would call

China's hedonic pretentions in Asia and

the D stabilizing effect of that

throughout the entire region

:

well I can assure you that um one lesson I learned

after studying geopolitics for about 50

years is that the concept of a

benevolent great power is an

oxymoron and there's no such thing as

the benevolent great power all great

Powers with without exception and this

has only been true for 4,000 years will

pursue their own

interests and we take it you know in you

know in geopolitics they are price

makers and price takers so United States

and China today are price makers we are

price takers and if we have any kind of

Illusion that there's a nice benevolent

cuddly great power they will look after

you and sacrifice his own interest then

you're in trouble

so you in geopolitics which is a very

cruel game and the countries that don't

understand geopolitics are the one that

get sucked into conflict and get sucked

into problems and here I want to add a

very important point because I think to

some extent uh or will you being unfair

to the Southeast Asian states there are

at the end of the day 660 million people

living in Southeast Asia there's about

the population of United States of

America and this region of the world I

want to emphasize is the most diverse

region of planet Earth out of 660

million

people 250 million are Muslims 150

million are Christian 150 million are

Buddhist Mahayana Buddhist hinayana

Buddhist taist confucianists Hindus and

as I told you we have lots of Communists

also in Southeast

Asia if there was one region on planet

Earth that should be destined for war

and conflict and the British describe it

as the Balkans of Asia that was soui

Asia now can you please ask yourself a

simple

question why have there been no major

Wars in Southeast Asia since 79 that's

44 45

years there is a hidden

genius in Southeast Asia in asan

we know how to manage

geopolitics we know how to adjust adapt

be

flexible we know how to maintain good

ties with United States and we do when

President Biden invites the 10 assian

leaders they come right and when

President she invites the 10 assian

leaders they go and when Prime Minister

alberi of Australia invites tasian

leaders they go so if you want to learn

if you want to enter a world in which

different cultures and

civilizations want to learn how to live

in peace with each other and can live in

peace with each other come to

usan come to Southeast Asia please don't

be condescending towards this

region this region has accomplish some

remarkable things that the whole world

can take lessons from and let lesson

number one learn from us how to avoid

Wars

8,042 

@hongdeli6148 3

Orville Schell is the most idiotic one in the West due to his brain filled with inhuman stuff in beast concern.

@ganboonmeng5370 3

Well I am Singaporean..and most older Singaporean with some wisdom...will tell you otherwise. ..we see America as the trouble maker

3431

170 

@eng80425

3

I live in SEA and I actually am rooting for China to win and be equal to USA. USA should not be the making the decision for the world and for us any more. If required, USA should be allowed to fade... I am actually not comfortable with USA... In fact I had never comprehend why gun control is so difficult when tiktok ban can move so fast.....Strict gun control saves lives..their priorities baffles me and I cannot trust a superpower who cannot seems to figure out what is important

1351

57 

@ktleung2419

2

Orville' couldn't let go of the American exceptionalism. He was naive on world politics thinking that America means the world. Good on Kishore giving him a lecture.

209







2 

@atky7032

2

Thanks for inviting Orville to debate with Kishore. Orville's naive viewpoints have enabled Kishore to bring out the best of his wisdom when responding to ignorance. Answering questions calm and composed.

The best part: 'When 1.4 billion Chinese people decide to become prosperous, nothing can stop them.'

187







7 

@siokkimtan2020

3

I am from MELAKA, Malaysia.

Since 15th century China already trade With Melaka. They never conquered us, only trade. BUT the west Portuguese, English and Dutch came with cannons to conquer us and said we belong to them. They each stayed for years.

3416







163 

@poohbaby233

3

I am from Taiwan. My view is can US stop interfering TW and China. Leave us alone!

1163







32 

@PrimeroCanale

2

All of the problems expressed by Orville, will go away when the US stays out of it.

205







2 

@user-eu3tm2iy7r

5

Kishore Mahbuhani! WOW! What an incredible mind! The world needs more people like you.

5







1 

@bauyeung88

3

As a HKer, Im very happy seeing my country China stands up to challenge the Win/Lose strategy initiated by US. Btw, Im proud to be a Chinese.

1142







52 

@guyzer7006

3

Im amazed who has military bases surrounding Chinawho is the aggressor..Orville is so out of touch..anyway Kishore has this covered!!

1687







57 

@user-yw5wf6kz5t

2

As a Singaporean, I am very comfortable to trade with China. Orville, don't put your words in my mouth, and please stay away from destabilizing our regional peace. I want peace and prosperity, that is what China brings to our table.

145







16 

@SH-np8hz

2

I am a proud Sporean. Great respect to Mr. Kishore. Next time pls invite someone who is competent or on par with Mr Kishore. Dont waste his time. Mr. Kishore was calm and took the stage very well. Love his analogy of BOAT. Lastly, I have no problem dealing with China or any country.

82







2 

@songasalimsaleh1035

3

Is the discussion all about the evils of China?

What about the evils of the USA?



181







6 

@yanmuikam6160

3

Hi Mr. Orville you are very wrong about Singaporeans . Many of us Singaporeans feel that USA is a bully and love to " dip it's fingers into everyone's pie" so to speak. We want to trade and lead a peaceful life and not impose our wills on others . Please mind your business and may GOD bless you !

1253







23 

@alexeyzayko3464

2

I'm from Russia. Mr. Mahbubani please accept my deep respect. We have good diplomats but you outperform them evidently.

22







@godzillamothra5983

2

Indonesian here, I watched what is happening in Ukraine with trepidation. This war should not have happened. I believe that NATO should be disbanded after the end of cold war and Warsaw pact was disbanded. Instead the US keep it going and expanding into Russia border. The consequence is what we are seeing is happening in Ukraine today.

Now, I'm also seeing that the US has intention to replay what is happening in Ukraine, in Asia. Despite some Asian countries having territorial disputes with China, the region was largely at peace for decades. Today, tension is so high, and in every hot zone, you could see the US hand in it. Like the Nancy Pelosi's ill advised visit to Taiwan, that created nothing but troubles. I could see war break out in the near future as long as countries in Asia keep letting the US provocations uncheck.

12







@michaelloo8985

3

Kishore is excellent.. can't say much about Orville who went off his supposed talk but just attacked venomously at Kishore for his rational and insightful views. Kishore is calm, elegant, composed and as usual brilliant in his reponse. Well done, Kishore

667







9 

@kaimingraymondchoi9909

3

Always a great applause to Kishore. He speaks for 88% of the world population.

683







19 

@houm7571

2

This dude isn't even on kishore's level. He not only systematically dismantled him but also schooled him on every single issue. Hands down sir.

45







@VictorACYang

2

If possibleId like Dr. Kishore to be the Secretary General of the UN. Perfect fit!

73







2 

@kamwong8118

3

The scholarship and patience of Kishore put to shame the folly and bias of Orville.

831







19 

@marcs5117

3

Im comfortable with Chinas risefrom the Philippines

1078







47 

@mojazzz284

2

Schnell, a China expert without having any clue about China

45







2 

@jameshack485

2

Orville Schell is completely condescending when he speaks of China and Asia overall. He thinks with a 20th century mindset and is ill prepared for dealing with China in the 21st century. He is a caricature of the hot-headed American who acts before he thinks. A complete neocon who is overly confident of America's capabilities because our last wars have been victories against Iraq and Afghanistan. He should review America's massive failures in Asia during the Vietnam and Korean conflicts. I'm heartened to hear diplomats like Mr. Mahbubani who are much calmer and thoughtful in their speech. China is on the rise and there's not much America or the West can do about it.

92







2 

@user-ly7rp4il7m

3

We are so proud of Kishore Mahbuhani not only as Singaporeans, but as world citizens.

1090







15 

@dypk.2all

3

Why doesn't Shnell talk about Okinawa, Chagos, Gracia Diego, Hawaii? Why the US comes all the way to South East Asia to tell Asean what they should or should not do? China is the largest exporter to the world. So isn't it China's interest to safeguard the waters in the South China Sea. Why has the Us poking its nose into the affairs of countries in the Far East?

854







16 

@lasercladjoe

2

LONG LONG LIVE KISHORE MAHBUBANI

35







@seeker2118

3

Kishore Mabubani is one of the best most insightful geopolitical realist analyst. He has been predicting most of the events unfolding today.

416







8 

@gingermintrose

3

Mr.Schell exhibits Western-biased narratives about China but is not apt to debate Mr. Muhabani. Thank you, Mr. Muhabani, for your cogent and realistic analysis outside Western media.

789







7 

@TheFantomRogue

2

Kishmore is a LIVING LEGEND!!!!!!!

25







@bobl9117

2

It is stunning how little Orville Schell had to say beyond judging China with ideology and how little self reflection on the US policy toward China. As a liberal writer who is supposed to know China better, he was completely destroyed by Kishore.

23







@kpewliu4348

3

Khishor is truly an excellent diplomat. He's able to tell the Americans: "South East Asians are not stupid, you fool", in a very polite acceptable way

453







9 

@jasmineloi7345

3

As a Singaporean, I am so proud of my country and so proud of Kishore Mahbubani.

1286







23 

@vamoua4036

2

I believe that Xi is just one of the most patriotic person for his people for serving his country tirelessly since he was 18. All that he wants to do is to better his people but nothing is perfect and some people do get stepped on in the process, basically competitors.

34







@iamthemedici

2

The level of ignorance of the two Americans made me jaw drops many times

18







@LanceyOwen

3

The Orville guy is just a typical Anglo-Saxon "media" on China. Kishore is the only adult on the stage and he handled Orville beautifully.

805







25 

@wangchienlooi1288

3

I am so very impressed that KISHORE is so comprehensive, consistent and clear in his thoughts on CHINA. He has articulated his answers simply and persuasively and has DEFINITELY left his mark on the INTERNATIONAL scene as arguably one of the BEST ASIAN thinkers spanning the 20th & 21st century!!!! He has done Spore PROUD.

401







2 

@chrisseanbala

2

As a Singaporean and Asian I am proud that Kishore is providing a much more balanced perspective to this matter than the so called China expert who seems to be so clueless.

20







@bummers

2

As a Singaporean, I am very very comfortable with China and I am happy to express very loudly my dissatisfaction with US. Thanks but no thanks to US bullying Orville.

12







@mkang666

3

Seeing how this American speaks make me understand why the US is declining. Blinded by arrogance and I am quite sure what is in their mind. If America goes down, make sure all others go along.

317







6 

@rinizhang6031

3

As Singaporean , we are proud to have many leaders like Mr. Kishore. As for the west, the quality of the leader is so behind. Totally agreed with Mr Kishore.

475







11 

@kevinlin4895

2

Oh man, what a beatdown. Schell comes in like a trash talking rookie who disrespectingly ignores the customary glove bump and starts throwing a flurry of jabs based on the usual US propaganda narrative. Kishore just calmly and effortlessly brush aside all those attacks and lands some monstrous hits.. "only one country that passes judgement on other's form of government".. a beautiful and glorious smackdown.

Wolf warrior diplomacy is basically China taking off the kids gloves and stop taking sh!t from the US. He has the galls of accusing China of aggression?!? China is not the one who goes around instigating coups, fomenting unrest, carrying out assassinations, and outright overthrowing sovereign governments that refuse to kowtow to US hegemony. And they never talk about the reason why China is resorting to the strategy in the South China Seas is because the US has gone on record talking about the strategy of militarizing the island chains and cutting off China's trade routes. "Perception of US containment?" Please.. what the US is doing right now with CHIPs and forming anti-China alliances like quad and aukus is nothing short of perpetrating a cold war

22







@kttec4485

2

So proud of KISHORE. Very wisdom, well analysed and explanation.

Applause to you

10







@MKhan-sd7hu

3

No doubt Sir Kishore is a master-class.

459







5 

@Ayangku2022

3

Standing ovation for Sir Kishore Mahbubani! SE Asians are certainly not stupid

263







6 

@ashwindaftary4561

2

The questions raised by the US expert on Geopolitics very much wonderfully answered by Mr. Kishore of Asean countries.

13







@lvjinbin28

3

Americans talk about issues in China or around China, do you see Chinese talk about Black Lives Matter, Cuba, Mexico?

1712







102 

@elenadublin2

3

Mr. Kishore Mahbubani is pure style and grace. There's no contest here.

349







18 

@erickylaw

2

Does this guy know what happened to HK in 2019-2020? That is color revolution created by the USA.

20







@Michael-nt5rp

2

Professor Mahbubani is someone who combines the intellect of the West and the wisdom of the East!

21







@user-db6iy7lm1v

3

Prof. Kishore brilliant answers and rebuttal.

305







@hansweissmann_xviii6754

3

Just one question for Orville: name me a third nation other than Canada and Murica that abducted a top-level manager of a company without any charges. Murica did it to the French Alstom! Canada did it to Huawei!

What do those actions say about Canada and Murica?!

428







18 

@andycheng5639

2

It is shocking to see that Orville is being a "China expert" for decades but yet he doesn't seem to know China at all.

36







2 

@TomW-ks3gp

2

The host is great, Mz. Daniels. Mr. Mahbubani performed well. Orville Schell didnt do his job. He didnt use the chance to explain the standing, analyze the opponent, or the practical approach. He remained aggressive but unfortunately nothing more than a unprepared journalist. If USA relied on these kind of scholars for decision making, they need to rebuild the org and re-consider the decisions.

15







@user-rd8zc8sr4r

2

China was once the number one in the world like the United States is now, but in the past 4,000 years I have never seen China start a war around the world like the United States is now. From this perspective, the Chinese are the most peace-loving race. And..........I really sympathize with orville schell so much....his attitude to SouthEast Asia is full of condescending self-persuasion............

20







1 

@anandachong

3

that american guy answered none of the questions raised to him but instead keeps demonizing China and tried to push Kishore to a corner of which Kishore was able to retort so well and eloquently.

566







21 

@tianlin4027

3

Orville: Of what nation are you a citizen?

Kishore: Singapore.

Orville: Are you a citizen of another nation?

Kishore: No professor.

Orville: Have you applied a Chinese citizenship?

Kishore: Professor, I served my nation, Singapore. No, I did not.

Orville: Do you have a Singapore passport?

Kishore: Yes, professor. I served in Singapore government for more than 30 years.

Orville: Do you have any passports from other countries?

Kishore: No, professor.

410







16 

@tobyjackson1947

1

She is an excellent moderator and asks great questions.

7







@walking_luggage8105

2

Mr. Orville, please sort out your facts. The so-called Senkaku island is actually called the Diaoyu island, and it belongs to the Republic of China (AKA Taiwan), but it is occupied illegally by Japan.

29







@NZkiwihaisun

3

Orville just keeps accusing Kishore with west ignorance. He have not answered any question effectively yet. How he can be selected to have a debate with Kishore. He likes high school study pretending he knows something.

723







12 

@JamilAgrami-jh2zz

3

The more I listen to t his discussion, the more I am convinced that Orville is completely lost in space.

Thanks to Dr Kushiro for making the discussion worth watching.

268







@annafihoq72

3

So basically, he answered both of them and still came out on top. Respect, sir.... RESPECT

3







@user-fu5ng2qi2d

3

One is a intellect and the other is lost in space....floats from one anti China point to the next but does not have a comprehensive logical argument... It's really not fair to put this guy in the same room with a intellect.

889







24 

@TheTruth-88

3

Uncle Kishore always amazed me.. wise man talking.. full of knowledge, no BS, straight forward, and very informative. Every young people need to listen to him. The white old guy definitely full of BS, full of hypocrisy.

835







26 

@ciarankelly4338

2

Enjoy listening to Mr Kishore and his calm,clear demeanour,as for Mr. Schell he claims to be a expert on China,he comes across as a China critic but respect both gentlemen point of view and worked in Asia for twelve years and so glad that I did as I had a blurred view of Asia and thankfully I have a balanced view now. Greetings from Ireland!

8







1 

@Lennyjana

2

I was born in Malaysia, as an Asian and live in Germany, I respect Pr, Kishore

4







@sword7872

3

I enjoyed this episode tremendously. It was kishore at his finest. Like a masterclass of how to school an arrogant condescending know it all with how little he did know. Thanks to Asia society - one of the best videos on geopolitics!

112







@RohankrishnaB

3

I am happy to see Asian superpowers! Its always good to have a counterbalance to western narrative on global issues

350







10 

@markuskoarmani1364

2

China is a free trader and not a world conquer. The issue is USA, not China. USA makes it seem like its China issue and making conflicts between Asian nations with China as strategy. China can not have a trade with USD as it defeats the trade value on their ROI. Because China is the world exporter it needs fair trade value. That is to trade without USD for best benefit. However not using USD is the biggest threat to USA power.

6







@pauloyih1

2

Dr. Mahbubani, Thank you for your vision and your grasp of the world ----

5







@seemingen6790

3

thumbs up to Speaker Kishore Mahbubani and host Rorry Daniels.

219







@Sy-wm9wq

3

the world need more people like Kishore, listening to him can prevent war.

392







5 

@shendiyoung4044

2

Kishore is lecturing Orville ! What a wisdom man !

6







@jw7518

2

Kishore is a very educated, wisdom and respectable man! I have to say this one more time.

5







@ptan4120

3

Kishore is a gem of mankind and a beacon of humanity.

566







12 

@peacesoup1008

3

Great push back, Kishore! And backed with truth, not insinuations and propaganda

335







1 

@yjia7396

2

Mr Kishore Mahbubani's level is much more higher than Mr. Orville Schell's.

13







@bo1724

2

It is much more normal for the Chinese civilization to come back.

8







@WilliamBenedict

3

Mr. Kishore Mahbubani is very learned and speaks a lot of common sense. Thank you.

365







2 

@alvinchua9436

3

Whenever Mr Kishore Mahbubani laughed, I find it so funny. Respect to him that he tried his best to answer to "silly" questions again and again so patiently. A true gentlemen.

131







1 

@chatreal7396

2

BRAVO to Kishore provided intellectual views n great knowledge.

6







@ericwkf10

2

To America, they are the world. To the world, America is a country.

4







@joy1ess

3

kishore nailed it with the vietnam reference. if US had a problem with authoritarian regimes, why do they cozy up to saudi arabia? an absolute monarchy that has no democratically elected leadership and a country that forbids women from driving?

199







2 

@varivavariva6045

3

The talk Host is really good . Unlike many other talk hosts on Asia Society, she was even handed, let the speakers talk and did not load her questions with anti-China narratives and fake information.

97







@user-he4wk8xb2z

2

 

3







@allenng2471

2

Kishore is the most knowledgeable man in the world regarding world politics and non politics. His opponent Orville seems as a dumb political hack.

11







@anitalofblom7271

3

this American represents precisely why the world were at and are still at wars at this moment. He should not have been invited to the table. Kishore is however a speaker with great wisdom

137







2 

@dryeoh2023

3

Kishore has my highest respect for being direct and impartial.

244







2 

@elangsharp3431

2

I aspire to have such wisdom that Prof. Kishore have.. Such a great thinker..

2







@silvershsadow2045

7

Hey, I'm glad I found out, Kishore. Where has he been hiding. The world critically needs such insight and genuine, sober advisors today.

1







@user-ep7dx1fp1v

3

Prof. Kishore is the kind of person that get respect and admiration when he start talking.

194







@holymackerel6200

3

I've only watched about 30 minutes so far, but already I'm seeing what a good escape artist Orville is. When it's his turn, instead of answering the question directly put to him by the moderator, he focuses his guns on Kishore again and again. He throws his own question at Kishore without ever answering the moderator or expressing his own point of view. The art of deflection personified.

147







3 

@arienaidesho

2

Appreciate Dr Kishore so much Singapore will be stronger and stronger

6







@80sGuy.

2

The guy on the right is a 'China expert'??? I think Mr Mahbubani is either being modest, or sarcastic.

9







@hh8397

3

Applause to Dr Kishore, as a Chinese from Hong Kong, and as a citizen of SE Asian. What I (we) personally experienced of all the chaos of the riots funded and instructed by US, most of us awaken as it hurt every single families so deeply. That craziness broke us all apart yet at the same time, we all got united because we learnt that we have strong and determined leaders to protect us from enemies!

508







15 

@Mercy99.

2



14







1 

@wyphonema4024

3

I am from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Since 15th century China already trade With Melaka. They never conquered us, only trade. BUT the west Portuguese, English and Dutch came with cannons to conquer us and said we belong to them. They each stayed for years.

325







5 

@BH-2

3

It's interesting how Orville Schell avoided giving his opening position and started on the attack. Kishore Mahbubani spoke with facts, data and logic - very refreshing to hear.

1







@baaronlong5988

2

This great discuss is right as Mr. Kishore said, the US is too arrogant to deal with other countries. US always say it like or dislike some country, and if some of them are too disliked, they will try to defeat/overturn/sanction/destroy it. So obviously Orville or the USA very dislike China/Communism/Xi Jinping, and want to defeat/overturn/sanction/destroy, but unluckily they can't do by themselves, so they are pushing SEA countries to help on it. That's too obvious. These two man, one is arrogant amd stupid, one is full of wisdom and persuading.

5







@briancousins3101

3

Orville says "we know what happened in Hong Kong". He either does not know, or feigns ignorance, about the treaty with the British and the HK activities of the US Congress-funded NED & CIA.

307







3 

@Orwellian-Purple-Grapes-1984

3

I only came here for Kishore and having heard the entire discussion, it's obvious to me that he was the only one worth listening to.

122







@gnkira

2

well said prof. kishore, wishing from malaysia !

7







@JenHope883

2

Thank you prof Kishore for your valuable time in explaining the geopolitical affairs.

3







@jamessethi5792

3

It's a joy to listen to Kishore Mahubani we need people like him in power.

133







@nizicike759

3

Kishore is treasure that for mankind

416







2 

@jimmylim8369

2

I am lucky to watch this Link, have learned a lot and have myself be well informed.
In a much anticipated and deeply reactionary ruling handed down Friday, the US Supreme Court overturned a 40-year precedent so as to weaken federal regulation of corporations and banks over a broad swath of issues, including public health, worker safety, wage and hours standards, environmental policy, abortion and birth control, consumer rights, food and drug standards, and business oversight.

In deciding for the plaintiffs in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, Chief Justice John Roberts explicitly wrote that Chevron is overruled, referring to the so-called Chevron deference doctrine stemming from the 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council ruling. That decision declared that courts were obliged to defer to federal regulatory agencies in interpreting laws that Congress had left vague, acknowledging the agencies scientific expertise.

Roberts wrote: Agencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do. This is tantamount to an open invitation to corporate lobbyists and special interest groups to flood the courts with challenges to government regulations that cut across their profit interests, regardless the cost to the health and well-being of the general population. It is also intended to frustrate the implementation of new regulations by requiring that they be sanctioned by legislative and judicial review.

Roberts was joined by the rest of the six-justice right-wing supermajority on the court, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The three moderatesSonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Justice Elena Kagandissented, with Sotomayor and Brown Jackson joining the dissenting opinion drafted by Kagan.

The Supreme Court as composed June 30, 2022 to present. Front row, left to right: Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., and Associate Justice Elena Kagan. Back row, left to right: Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. [Photo: Fred Schilling, samling av USAs Hyesterett]

The court considered Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo together with a nearly identical case, Relentless v. Department of Commerce. Both cases involved a 1976 federal law that requires herring boats to carry federal observers to collect data used to prevent overfishing.

Under a 2020 regulation interpreting the law, companies that owned the boats were required not only to transport the observers, but also to pay $700 a day for their oversight. Fishing companies in New Jersey and Rhode Island sued, saying the 1976 law did not authorize the National Marine Fisheries Service to impose the fee.

The case was backed financially and ushered through the courts by two interest groups, the Cause of Action Institute and the New Civil Liberties Alliance, both of which have ties to the network of foundations and groups funded by the billionaire right-wing oil magnate Charles Koch (estimated net worth: $64.9 billion). All of the lower courts, including the D.C. Court of Appeals, basing themselves on the Chevron precedent, ruled, as expected, for the government and against the claimants. This paved the way for the right-wing majority on the Supreme Court to take the case and use it to overthrow Chevron.

According to the New York Times, Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council is one of the most cited precedents in American law, underpinning 70 Supreme Court decisions and roughly 17,000 in the lower courts. The Supreme Court has now overturned major precedents in each of the last three terms: on abortion in 2022, on affirmative action in 2023 and now on the power of administrative agencies.

The court, unelected, with appointed justices who have life-time tenure, embodies the profoundly undemocratic character of so-called American democracy. Its most openly fascistic members, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, are both deeply implicated in Donald Trumps attempted coup of January 6, 2021. They are also the most corrupt, having taken the first and third most bribes from right-wing corporate billionaires on a court that has, according to Fix the Court, received a combined $3 million in gifts over the past two decades. Thomas, the senior justice, himself accounts for $2.4 million of the total just on the basis of documented bribes.

The gutting of federal oversight of business and destruction of regulatory restraints on profit-making and the enrichment of the corporate elite are part of an ongoing and accelerating social counterrevolution. Essentially, the legal and governmental superstructure of capitalism, particularly in the United States, is being brought into line with the underlying oligarchic character of the economy. Past reforms, bound up with mass struggles of the working class and in themselves limited and highly inadequate, are being brushed aside in line with the increasingly parasitic character of the American capitalist economy and its domination by massive blocs of capital.

Driven by the loss of its global industrial supremacy and its massive indebtedness, the crisis-ridden American ruling class is turning ever more ruthlessly to global imperialist war and plunder abroad, and class war and dictatorship against its chief enemy, the American working class.

As the World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board explained in its 2024 New Year Statement:

The United States is home to the highest concentration of billionaires in the world, whose collective wealth, according to Americans for Tax Fairness, rose to $5.2 trillion in November 2023, the highest amount ever recorded. As of the third quarter of 2023, the top 10 percent of the US population owned two-thirds of total wealth, while the bottom half owned only 2.6 percent.

Even more significant is the scale of resources controlled by giant banks and financial institutions. JPMorgan Chase, the worlds largest bank, controls $3.7 trillion in assets, more than the GDP of Britain. Private equity firms Vanguard and BlackRock control a combined $17.1 trillion in assets. Behind the crumbling facade of the two-party system, the US oligarchy exercises dictatorial rule over society.

Making no attempt to cloak its enthusiasm, the Wall Street Journal reported Fridays high court ruling overturning Chevron in glowing terms:

The Supreme Court upended the federal regulatory framework in place for 40 years, expanding the power of federal judges to overturn agency decisions over environmental, consumer and workplace safety policy, among other areas Although neutral on its face, as a practical matter the decision offers another tool to business interests looking for conservative-leaning federal courts to block environmental, consumer or workplace safety regulations they consider too costly.

On the other side, the American Public Health Association and the American Cancer Society issued a joint statement Friday declaring:

We anticipate that todays ruling will cause significant disruption to publicly funded health insurance programs, to the stability of this countrys health care and food and drug review systems, and to the health and well-being of the patients and consumers we serve.

Stephen Hall, legal director of Better Markets, which pushes for tougher regulation, said:

This decision threatens to return the United States to the 1910s, when the government had very limited ability to protect the health, safety, and welfare of America.

Two other rulings handed down last week underscore the pro-corporate and anti-social agenda of the Supreme Courts assault on government regulatory powers. On Thursday, the right-wing majority overturned the ability of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enforce its rules for financial markets by means of in-house tribunals before expert administrative judges. Instead, the court ruled, the SEC had to sue accused violators in federal court before juries.

The same day, the court in a 5-4 vote put on hold an initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce smog-forming pollution from power plants and factories that blows across state lines. The court sided with states, trade associations and companies that asked for a pause on the agencys good neighbor plan while they challenge it in a lower court.
More than two years after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in which law enforcement officers stood by for 77 minutes while a gunman continued shooting students and teachers, a grand jury has indicted the former school district police chief and another former officer on multiple felony charges.

On Thursday, the grand jury handed down indictments against former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo and former school police Officer Adrian Gonzales.

Flowers and candles are placed outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, to honor the victims killed in Tuesday's shooting at the school. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]

The officers are the first to be criminally charged for the catastrophic response of the police on May 24, 2022, when 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, a former student at Robb Elementary, entered a fourth grade classroom and proceeded to kill 19 children, ages 9 and 10, and two teachers and injure 17 others.

Arredondo, 52, surrendered himself to the Uvalde Texas Rangers on Thursday and was booked on 10 counts of child endangerment and known criminal negligence. Uvalde jail officials confirmed his booking. After bail was set at $10,000 surety bond and nine $10,000 personal recognizance bonds, the former police chief posted bail and was released.

The indictment asserts that in his role as the police chief of the school district and as incident commander during the shooting, Arredondo intentionally, knowingly, recklessly and with criminal negligence placed 10 children in imminent danger of bodily injury, death, physical impairment and mental impairment.

The indictment claims the chief heard shots fired in a classroom and failed to identify the incident as an active shooter incident, failed to respond as trained to an active shooter incident, and instead called for SWAT, thereby delaying the response by law enforcement officers.

The indictment alleges that Arredondo directed law enforcement officers to evacuate the wing before confronting the shooter, failed to determine if the door to classroom 111 was locked, and failed to timely provide keys and breaching tools to enter classrooms 111 and 112.

Gonzales, 51, was booked and released from jail Friday, according to the Uvalde County Sheriffs Office. The indictment states that Gonzales was charged with 29 felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child because he allegedly placed 29 children in imminent danger of injury or death.

The indictment also states that Gonzales heard gunshots and was advised of the general location of the shooter at Robb Elementary. The indictment alleges that the officer failed to engage, distract, delay or impede the shooter until after the gunman had entered classrooms 111 and 112 and fired his weapon at children, and the officer failed to follow his active-shooting training by not moving toward the gunfire.

As several official investigations determined, although there were 376 police officers on the scene at Robb Elementary School, there was a failure of law enforcement at every level. The shooter was permitted to fire his AR-15-style assault rifle more than 100 times before police intervened and killed him.

The one fact that the investigations have chosen not to highlight about the events of that day is that the officersinstead of moving against the shooterwere preoccupied with manhandling and brutalizing parents, who had assembled outside the school, were horrified by the inaction of police and were attempting to force their way into the classroom to save their children themselves.

The indictments on Thursday were the result of an investigation mounted by the Uvalde County District Attorney that culminated in the decision to empanel a grand jury on October 25, 2022, five months after the mass shooting. It took another 20 months before the grand jury brought the indictments.

Throughout this process, parents and family members in the working class community of Uvalde have been stonewalled by school officials and local, state and federal politicians as to who would be held responsible for the horrific deaths of so many young children.

In part, the indictment of Arredondo and Gonzaleswho should be held responsible for the on-scene response to the mass shootingis an effort to blame the entirety of the failed mass shooting response on two local school district police officers while shielding others, such as officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety who were also present on that day.
On Friday, Reuters reported that the United States has sent Israel 14,000 2,000-pound bombs since October for use in the Gaza genocide. These massive bombs, among the largest in the US arsenal, are capable of destroying entire city blocks and can kill people up to 1,200 feet away.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken inspects progress of the Gaza genocide during a visit to the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Iseral and Gaza. Behind him walks Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who called the Palestinians "human animals." (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP) [AP Photo]

The Reuters report, which for the first time revealed the exact breakdown of US arms shipments to Israel, showed that the Biden administration sent Israel more 2,000-pound bombs than all other types of bombs and missiles combined.

There is only one explanation for why the US has sent so many of these vastly destructive weapons for use in a densely packed urban area: The Biden administration is consciously and deliberately seeking the complete destruction of Gaza and the massacre of as many Palestinians as possible.

Israels war in Gaza was, in fact, conceived by its architects in Washington as a war of annihilation. The systematic destruction of civilian homes, schools and hospitals is not an accidental byproduct, but the deliberate aim of US policy. The goal is not to minimize, but to maximize the civilian body count.

It is a genocide by design, planned and organized in Washington.

On July 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will come to Washington D.C. to give a progress report on the extermination of the Palestinian people to a joint session of Congress and receive further instructions on the next phase of the genocide.

The World Socialist Web Site calls on workers and young people throughout the United States to come to Washington D.C. on July 24 to demonstrate against this public glorification of genocide in the capital of world imperialism.

While the entire ruling class has backed the genocide, the working classthe social force that creates all the wealth of societymust oppose the barbaric massacre of the Palestinians and fight to protect them.

There is no time to lose. With every passing day, the population of Gaza is being systematically starved, deprived of medical care and killed by the hundreds.

By all indications, the official death toll in Gaza, which stands at 37,765, is a major undercount. Nearly four months ago, political activist Ralph Nader estimated that at least 200,000 Palestinians must have perished by now and the toll is accelerating by the hour. Since then, the deliberate starvation of the population has only deepened.

On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported the existence of a plan to relocate the population of Gaza to a series of concentration camps, in which they will be permanently displaced and imprisoned.

In an article titled, The Postwar Vision That Sees Gaza Sliced Into Security Zones, the Wall Street Journal reported a US-Israeli plan to create temporary shelter in the form of fenced-off geographic islands located next to their neighborhoods and guarded by the Israeli military.

The entire population of the Gaza Strip will either be killed or permanently imprisoned in accordance with Washingtons final solution of the Palestinian problem.

Around the world, millions of people have been shocked by the brutality of the US-Israeli genocide. Why, they ask, does a government that calls itself a democracy wish to see an entire population of two million exterminated or imprisoned?

The answer is to be found in the global policy of US imperialism. Facing the decline of its economic hegemony, the American ruling class sees its relative military advantage as the only way to maintain geopolitical dominance.

American imperialism has effectively instigated a war with Russia in Ukraine. At the same time, it is actively preparing for war with China. The Biden administration has proclaimed a decisive decade in which the US will seek to establish a new world order through the use of overwhelming military force and violence.

In seeking to create its new world order, US imperialism is making clear that it will be absolutely ruthless and there are no limits on the number of people it is willing to kill.

In a panel discussion in May, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley openly defended and legitimized the mass murder of civilians, proudly declaring that the United States killed a lot of innocent people. His fellow panelist, Palantir CEO Alex Karp, declared, [Y]ou have to be willing to be fierce, and You have to scare your adversary.

Whether consciously or not, the general and the CEO were echoing the words of Adolf Hitler to his general staff: Our strength consists in our speed and in our brutality.

American imperialism, which is rotting on its feet, sees the eruption of violence and brutality as the only way out of its historic crisis. The Third World War which it is plotting will see the unlimited use of violence on a massive scale.

Two essential conclusions follow from this reality:

First, it is impossible to oppose the Gaza genocide outside of building a mass movement, based in the working class, against the global eruption of imperialist war.

Figures such as Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have combined verbal criticisms of the Netanyahu government with open support for the escalating US war against Russia and war plans against China. In reality, the Biden administration has made clear that it is waging a single globe-spanning conflict, of which direct complicity in the Gaza genocide is a critical component.

Second, it is pointless to appeal to Biden or any faction of the political establishment to stop the genocide. Up until now, numerous protests against the genocide have sought to appeal to or pressure Biden and the Democrats to change course.

But Bidens public criticism of indiscriminate bombing by the Israeli regime is nothing more than a cover for his total support for killing as many Gazans as possible. He is, in fact, the architect and author of the genocide, with Netanyahu as his hired thug. As Biden has repeated ceaselessly during his political career, If Israel didnt exist, we would have to create it.

For these reasons, the July 24 demonstration and meeting organized by the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party will be a protest against Genocide Joe Biden and the government he heads, not an appeal to them. The rally and meeting will provide a forum for workers and youth to strategize on the way forward in the fight against the genocide in Gaza and the broader eruption of imperialist war.

After nine months of mass murder in Gaza, definite lessons must be drawn. The struggle against the Gaza genocide is the struggle against the global eruption of imperialist barbarism, which itself expresses the most essential characteristics of the capitalist system. Therefore, the fight against the Gaza genocide is necessarily the fight of the international working class against capitalism.

We urge all workers and young people who agree with these principles to join us in Washington on July 24.
25 years ago: Arrest warrants issued in Sealand Youth Training Center fire

On July 2, 1999, arrest warrants were issued for seven people in connection with a dormitory fire that killed 19 children and four adults at the Sealand Youth Training Center in South Korea the previous week.

The youth centers owner was charged with bribing council officials to obtain a construction clearance. He had been illegally operating the site as a youth centre for more than a year before obtaining approval, and had ignored official directions to correct faults in the centers electrical system.

The fire broke out just after midnight and rapidly engulfed the camps dormitory building in which 430 children were sleeping. The children were attending a two-day summer recreational program at the center overlooking the West Sea. Most of the victims were between five and seven years of age.

The six arrested Hwasong council officials and its owner were charged with violating construction laws and involuntary manslaughter. A year prior, officials approved the youth center as a structure built of reinforced concrete with a steel frame. In reality it consisted of 52 large containers covered with wood and corrugated iron that were stacked three stories high on top of a single-story concrete structure.

A grieving mother mourns her child after Sealand Fire [Photo: https://pearlita16.blogspot.com/2014/02/korea-where-there-is-no-strict-principle.html]

The building was constructed of highly flammable materials, including styrofoam ceilings, a material that is easily ignited and gives off toxic fumes when burning. There was no sprinkler system and most of the fire extinguishers did not work.

The dormitory block had only two narrow staircases as exits, making the rapid evacuation of large numbers of people all but impossible. Those who escaped the blaze claimed that they had not heard any alarm. According to police reports, council inspectors had given the center a safety clearance after carrying out two inspections that year. The access road leading to the site had been approved despite the fact that it was not wide enough for fire engines.

The Sealand fire was the latest in a string of disasters that occurred in the country over the previous decade, not restricted to small operators but including major construction companies and corporations. Four years prior the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul collapsed killing more than 500 people, the worst peacetime disaster in South Koreas history. In 1994, the Songsu Bridge, also in Seoul, caved in under the weight of rush hour traffic, claiming the lives of 32 people.

50 years ago: President of Argentina Juan Peron dies in office

On July 1, 1973, the president of Argentina, Juan Peron, died after suffering a heart attack. Peron had taken office less than one year prior, having been elected in October 1973 for the third time.

He was succeeded by his wife, Isabel Peron, who was serving as vice president. Her succession to the office made her the first woman to hold the office of president in any modern nation, though other women had previously served as prime ministers in countries with parliamentary systems.

Peron in his final public appearance, June 12, 1974

Juan Peron was first elected president in 1946 in the first open elections following over a decade of military rule. In the period of the postwar economic boom, he put forward a brand of politics that become known as Peronism that combined anti-imperialist rhetoric and populist demagoguery infused with intense nationalism and fascistic elements.

Peron initially became a popular figure by ending restrictions on trade unions, bringing them close to the state, and allowing modest gains in wages and conditions for workers, concessions made possible by the economic boom that followed World War II. These policies were most of all intended to block workers from turning to revolutionary politics. At the same time, Peron gave refuge to Nazi war criminals, with Argentina serving as the terminus of the infamous Ratline operated by Nazi sympathizers and the Catholic Church hierarchy.

During his first term, the Stalinists in the Communist Party and groups breaking with Trotskyism under the influence of Pabloite revisionism adapted themselves to Peronism and supported Perons government, backing up illusions in Peron as a friend of workers. Under the influence of arch-Pabloite Nahuel Moreno, Trotskyist organizations in Argentina dissolved themselves into the Peronist parties and unions, leaving the working class defenseless and without revolutionary leadership.

In September of 1955 Peron was overthrown in a coup and replaced by a series of military dictators who ruled until 1973. Peron was forced into exile for 18 years. During the years of the dictatorship, left-wing militant groups grew rapidly and an atmosphere of civil war developed.

In June 1973 Peron returned to Argentina after the first elections in which his Justicialist Party was allowed to run openly. He would take office as president again in October 1973 when a new election was organized specifically to allow him to run. After taking office the second time, it became clear that Peron could no longer offer the working class the limited reforms of an earlier period. Peron established the fascist Argentine Anticommunist Alliance, a faction operating in the police and military which carried out the assassination of hundreds of left-wing leaders during the years 1973-1976.

Peron used the final months of his life to prepare a massive repressive state apparatus and elevated the most right-wing and fascist elements to the highest positions, including Jose Lopez Rega, the worst of the anti-communist thugs.

As president Isabel Peron would continue the policies of her husband until 1976 when the military would remove her and once again assume direct rule of Argentina.

75 years ago: French puppet regime formally established in Vietnam

On July 2, 1949, the new state of Vietnam was formally proclaimed and rapidly granted recognition by France and other imperialist powers. In reality, the government was a puppet of French imperialism, its formation marking a deepening of the attempts of the major powers to suppress opposition to colonial rule among the Vietnamese masses.

During World War II, Indochina, of which Vietnam was the major part, had been occupied by Japanese imperialism. With the defeat of Japan in 1945, a complex scramble to establish control developed, involving France, Britain, the Chinese militarists of the Kuomintang and American imperialism, all of which deployed troops or other national-security personnel.

Despite the massive anti-colonial movement which had developed during World War II, directed against the Japanese and the French, the policies of Stalin in the Soviet Union, based on collaboration with imperialism, included a recognition of British hegemony over portions of Indochina, and provided room for the major powers to intervene.

By 1946, the intrigues had resulted in open warfare between Vietnamese liberation forces, the Viet Minh, headed by the Ho Chi Minh, and the French, who were seeking to regain control over their old possession. Previous low-level guerrilla fighting gave way to major military conflicts after the breakdown of talks between Ho and the French government, as it became clear that Paris would not grant any concessions.

While the Viet Minh retained major support, not only in the north of the country, but also in the major urban centers in the south such as Saigon, its leadership, despite having proclaimed an independent government, was compelled by French military repression to go underground.

Emperor Bao ai on his throne

The new French-backed state lacked any popular legitimacy. It was established without even a pretense of elections, and was presided over by Emperor Bao Dai, the last of the Nguyen dynasty. Bao was a hated figure, not only because of the corruption and opulence of his family, but because he had served a similar role as figurehead ruler during the brutal Japanese occupation. The declaration of the new state would be followed by an intensification of fighting that would span years, until the Vietnamese defeat of the French, and decades later, of American imperialism.

100 years ago: Philippine soldiers stage mutiny against American military

On July 6, 1924, members of the Philippine Scouts, Filipino soldiers in the US army organized in special, segregated units, stationed in Fort McKinley outside Manila, refused to leave their barracks in protest over unequal wages to white soldiers. The 380 soldiers, members of an organization called the Secret Soldiers Union, regarded their action as a strike.

The Philippine Scouts had been formed in 1901 during the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902, a brutal war of imperialist conquest, to help the US army fight nationalist insurgents after the United States annexed the Philippines in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. The Scouts originally served as guides and engaged in combat but by the 1920s were integrated into the American occupation forces in the Philippines.

A US Army photograph of the Philippine island of Luzon

In 1924, an American soldier earned $21 a month but a Filipino soldier only earned $8. Scouts were forced to supplement their incomes by putting their families to work: wives did laundry for American officers and their children worked as officers houseboys.

The American Governor-General, Leonard Wood, ran a military government in all but name. Philippine members of his cabinet had resigned as a group in 1923. Wood had been in command of Marines who murdered Filipino men, women and children in the Moro Crater Massacre of 1906.

American President Calvin Coolidge had vetoed a military spending bill on May 3 that would have provided a pay raise to the Philippine Scouts as well as other soldiers. It was after this that the Secret Soldiers Union was formed, very much under the influence of Philippine workers who had organized trade unions since the end of the war. On July 1, there had been a strike of 700 Philippine civilian employees at the Cavite Navy Yard near Manila.

As one historian notes, They were mostly young, nearly all of them privates.  They swore an oath of loyalty, and planned a demonstration for July 4, 1924, intending to gather on a hill near Fort McKinley and march five miles to downtown Manila, where they would present their demands to the commander of the Armys Philippine Department.

The demonstration was postponed until August 2, but informants notified the command, and 26 soldiers were arrested in the early morning of July 6. After that, soldiers refused to turn out for reveille. The next day striking soldiers were informed that their actions would be regarded as mutiny. Nevertheless, hundreds of Philippine Scouts again refused to report for duty.

After July 29, hundreds of the men were arrested and court-martialed. Nealy all were found guilty. Leaders were given harsh sentences of up to 20 years and others 2 to 5 years at hard labor.
On Friday night, police in the upstate New York city of Utica shot and killed 13-year-old Nyah Mway, a refugee youth. Mway had graduated from the eighth grade two days earlier.

Police stopped the youth and a friend at about 10:00 p.m. while they were investigating a spate of robberies in West Utica.

Nyah Mway, age 13, of Utica, New York. [Photo: Mway family]

Police camera video shows the cops telling the youth, amid flashing police lights, that they had stopped them because one was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. They then make Mway put his hands in the air. But when they ask to search him for weapons, he runs in fear.

The police video, which has clearly been edited, appears to show the youth holding an object, which the police allege looked to them like a gun. The police begin shouting that he is armed. Video taken by a bystander shows the police tackling Mway to the ground. At that point Officer Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran of the force, fires a single shot into Mways chest from a standing position.

The weapon recovered by the police was a pellet gun supposedly designed to look like a lethal weapon. The officer shown in the police video examining the device could not identify it correctly.

The video was taken by a bystander, apparently standing on a nearby porch. It is horrifying.

One can hear off-camera what is apparently a group of young people shouting to the police again and again to be careful and warning them that they are being videotaped. When the cop shoots Mway, cries of distress and incredulity go up from the onlookers.

Utica is a former industrial city of about 60,000 people some 240 miles north of New York City. It was a center of textile manufacturing in the early to mid-20th century and a center of abolitionism in the 19th century where it was a major stop on the Underground Railroad.

It has become impoverishednearly 30 percent of its population lives below the federal poverty linelike many of the smaller former industrial cities of New York. It is a center for refugees, who make up a quarter of the population, including particularly Bosnians and Karens. At least 43 languages are spoken in the city.

Karens are an ethnic minority from Myanmar (Burma), where they comprise about 7 percent of the population. Because of the Burmese governments efforts to suppress a Karen insurgency, hundreds of thousands of civilians have become refugees, many of them living in abominable conditions on the Thai-Burmese border.

At a press conference, Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime, a Republican, said, What happened yesterday evening in our community is an event that has become all too familiar and routine, over and over and over again. This was evidently an attempt to placate anger throughout the city.

Also on Saturday, the Utica police department issued a statement. It said, Our thoughts are with our officers involved and the family of the deceased juvenile.

The department put Husnay and the two other officers involved on paid administrative leave and promised a full investigation. The New York State Attorney Generals Office is investigating the shooting to determine if it was justified.

The killing has set off protests in Utica. On Saturday, a vigil was held for Mway comprised of people of many backgrounds, including Karen, white, African American and Latino workers.

Speakers demanded an investigation, claiming the police story did not add up. One speaker told the vigil, This country is supposed to be a country of freedom, a country of peace. Whats going on? Did we run from one persecutor to another?

After the vigil, a group of youth confronted the cops at the police station, chanting, No justice, no peace!

In a GoFundMe fundraiser, Nyahs brother, Thoung Oo, said:

My brother was an outgoing kid who loved to be outside biking and playing with his friends and family. Our parents and grandparents did not flee war and corrupt military to be persecuted by American police.

My brother was returning home from an eighth grade graduation barbecue. He has never gotten in trouble with law enforcement before. He was a good kid. The UPD video cam, the witness testimonies, and stories they told my family dont add up, especially when they told my parents (who dont speak English at all) that there was a shootout. We need answers. In the body cam, we could hear an officer saying, Why did he shoot?
President Emmanuel Macron suffered another humiliating setback yesterday in the first round of the snap elections he called after his partys defeat in the European elections. Both the neo-fascist National Rally (RN) and Jean-Luc Melenchons New Popular Front (NFP) surged in the vote, to 29 and 28 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Macrons Ensemble coalition fell to 20 percent.

French President Emmanuel Macron casts his ballot, Sunday, June 30, 2024 [AP Photo/Yara Nardi]

Projections of who will win seats in the July 7 second round are uncertain, with most showing the RN falling short of the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat Assembly. It is expected to win between 230 and 280 seats. The NFP is expected to have between 125 and 165 seats, while Ensemble will likely fall to a rump of between 70 and 100 seats. The right-wing The Republicans (Les Republicains-LR) party, which took 6.9 percent of the vote, will have 40 to 60 seats.

This is a resounding disavowal of Macron. He campaigned as a defender of French democracy against the extremes of the NFP and the RN, and advocated a deployment of ground troops to Ukraine for war with Russia. Neither of these arguments won him support.

It is well known among workers that Macron rules against the people, slashing pensions and other social programs in the face of overwhelming popular opposition, and that the war plans he and NATO are supporting pose the risk of catastrophic escalation.

Instead, on voter turnout of 66 percentthe highest in 30 years for a legislative electionvoters reduced Macrons party to a rump in the National Assembly. All projections show his party being a junior partner in whatever governmental coalition is assembled in parliament after the second round on Sunday.

Macron issued a statement last night indicating that he would likely seek a government alliance with the NFP and LR against the RN. He said:

The high voter turnout in the first round of these legislative elections shows the importance of this vote for our compatriots and their desire to clarify the political situation.

Calling for an all-party anti-RN alliance, Macron advocated against the National Rally, a broad, clearly democratic and republican coalition for the second round.

Outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called for coalitions to be formed that are capable of defeating the National Rally and with whom [Ensemble] shares the most important thing: the values of the Republic. Attal also announced he was suspending his widely unpopular plans for cuts to unemployment insurance after Ensembles defeat.

RN party leader Marine Le Pen and prime ministerial candidate Jordan Bardella both appealed to voters to give the RN an absolute majority in the second round, so it could form a government.

Le Pen said:

The French have shown their desire to turn the page after seven years of a government that was contemptuous and corrosive. We need an absolute majority. I invite you to renew your vote if you voted for us  If you made another choice, I invite you to come join the coalition of security, liberty and unity.

The presidential camp  is no longer in a position to win, Bardella said, calling his party a patriotic rampart that can make France win against the far-left threat. He said that, if elected, he would be respectful of the Constitution and the office of the President of the Republic, but intransigent on the policy we want to put into action.

For his part, NFP leader Jean-Luc Melenchon framed the second round of the snap elections as a choice between his party coalition and neo-fascism.

He said:

We are going towards a second round of exceptional intensity. The country must choose. Will it aggravate the worst of its divisions, those of social inequalities, religion, skin color, of social or geographic origin, or will it come together to form just one people without any preconditions? That is the choice in the second round.  In these conditions, we can have no other propositions or reasonable demands beyond this: the New Popular Front needs an absolute majority.

As of last night, Melenchons position within the NFP was somewhat strengthened by the election debacles facing two of his rivals inside the NFP.

Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) leader Fabien Roussel, who made virulent law-and-order criticisms of Melenchon, was eliminated outright in the first round in his Nord district.

Francois Ruffin, an aggressive promoter of the Ukraine war within LFI, was trounced and took second place to RN candidate Nathalie Ribeiro-Billet in the Somme district and is now fighting to keep his parliamentary seat.

Melenchon, who has repeatedly offered to serve as prime minister under Macron, also signaled that the NFP will support Macrons candidates against the RN. If the NFP could take away votes from an Ensemble candidate and thus allow the RN to win, he said, we will withdraw our candidates, wherever it is, in all circumstances  Not a single vote, not a single seat more for the RN. Our policy is clear, our policy is simple.

In reality, the only clear and simple element of the situation is the massive rejection by workers and youth of Macrons policies of war, austerity and police state dictatorship. The vote in France is simply one expression of the far broader rejection in the working class internationally of military escalation in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza and austerity policies that are being imposed by capitalist police states around the world.

But the French political establishment does not give expression to these sentiments of workers and youth, and the outcome of the elections still is impossible to foretell. The balance of forces in the Assembly remains unclear, as is the position that LR would take were Macron to ask it to support a coalition government between the NFP and Ensemble.

Eric Ciotti, the leading partisan inside LR of unity with the RN, issued a statement last night calling for the formation of a RN-LR government alliance.

Ciotti said:

Tonight, it is no longer possible to refuse to choose between our responsible, patriotic and Republican union and the terrifying far left danger. I call upon all The Republicans to follow the path to unity that I have opened up.

Above all, a coalition government formed between Melenchons NFP, Macrons Ensemble and possibly a faction of LR offers nothing to the working class. It would be a capitalist government based on coalitions with explicitly right-wing forces. Moreover, the NFPs program commits it to troop deployments and arms deliveries to Ukraine and a build-up of French military police and intelligence services that would make it compatible with Macrons aggressive anti-worker agenda.

Were such a coalition government to be formed, it would amount to an attempt by French finance capital to integrate the NFP and Melenchon more directly into the halls of power as instruments to pursue its imperialist interests. This government would, sooner rather than later, find itself in overt conflict with the working class.
Following their devastating defeats in the European elections, European governments are stepping up their pro-war policy. The EU summit on 27 June was dominated by the further escalation of the war in Ukraine against Russia. The more widespread the rejection of the war among the population, the more ruthlessly those in power are pushing ahead with it.

European Council in Brussels: German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz briefs the press. [Photo by Bundesregierung/Bergmann]

Especially in the two largest EU member states, Germany and France, those in power received a drubbing. In Germany, Chancellor Scholzs Social Democrats (SPD) saw their worst national election result in 127 years. The two other governing parties, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats (FDP), also suffered massive losses. In France, President Macrons electoral alliance received less than 15 percent, not even half the vote received by the far-right Rassemblement National (National RallyRN).

The rejection of the war in Ukraine played an important part in these election defeats. Far-right parties were able to capitalise on the fact that many of the supposedly left-wing parties supported the war.

The EU summit took a series of decisions to ensure that the war against Russia continues, despite its unpopularity and the political crisis in the US, even if this involves enormous costs, the deployment of EU member state troops and the risk of a nuclear escalation.

The most important topic at the summit was the appointment of EU leaders for the next five years. The heads of state and government agreed on this with only a few dissenting votes.

Ursula von der Leyen, the Conservatives lead candidate in the European elections, is to remain commission president for a further term of office. The German politician has campaigned for the EUs military buildup and the strengthening of the European defence industry and played a key role in the EU and its members becoming the leading donors and military supporters of Ukraine, ahead of the US.

The former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio da Costa is to replace the Belgian Charles Michel as president of the European Council. Political observers assume that the Social Democrat Costa will work in partnership with von der Leyen and not, like Michel, compete with her.

The most important personnel decision was the nomination of Estonian head of government Kaja Kallas as the new EU foreign policy chief. The daughter of a Stalinist functionary who became a protagonist of economic liberalisation after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kallas is an ardent opponent of Russia. Estonia, a country with just 1.3 million inhabitantsa third of whom have Russian rootsis thus recognised as having an extraordinary influence on European foreign policy and decisions on war and peace.

The three nominees still have to be confirmed by the European Parliament, where the Conservatives, Social Democrats and Liberals, who agreed on the personnel proposal, have a narrow majority. This is not guaranteed, as there is no mechanism to enforce votes along party lines in the European Parliament and is not possible due to competing national interests.

It is therefore remarkable that the Italian head of government, the fascist Giorgia Meloni, abstained from voting in favour of von der Leyens nomination, while she voted against the other two candidates. Von der Leyen and the leader of the conservative parliamentary group, Manfred Weber, have long endeavoured to work more closely with the Italian neo-fascists. It is suspected that von der Leyen has promised Melonis Fratelli dItalia (Brothers of Italy) an important post in the EU Commission if it helps her gain a majority in the parliament.

Another important personnel decision was made the day before the EU summit. Mark Rutte, the Netherlands head of government for 14 years, was officially appointed NATO secretary general. He will replace the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg at the beginning of October. Rutte is one of the most active warmongers against Russia. Hungary, the only EU member state that still maintains close relations with Russia, had blocked Ruttes appointment for months.

The escalation of the war in Ukraine also played a central role at the EU summit, which President Zelensky attended in person. The EU signed a security agreement with Ukraine the likes of which had previously only been concluded by individual states. In it, the EU undertakes to continue to provide Ukraine with all necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for as long and as intensively as necessary.

Official EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova also began at the start of the week. The pace is extraordinary. Normally, a country has to fulfill a long catalogue of conditions for years before such negotiations can start.

However, an EU representative has declared that Ukraine has made enormous progress in the area of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and also freedom of the press. This is despite the fact that Zelenskys term of office has now expired and he refuses to hold new elections, rules under a state of emergency, suppresses opposition media, and imprisons political opponents such as the socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk.

The presidential debate in the US burst into the EU summit, demonstrating to the whole world that the battle for the most powerful office in the world is being fought between a brutal fascist and a senile warmonger. The repulsive spectacle on CNN was a blow to the mendacious propaganda that the US and its allies are defending democracy and Western values in Ukraine and on other battlefields around the world.

The EU summit was a crisis summit. Heads of government like Macron and Scholz, who stand on the brink of the political abyss and have lost all connection to the reality of peoples lives, are responding with war and dictatorship.

The summit shows once again that the threat of war cannot be stopped by putting pressure on those in power and the establishment parties. What is needed is an independent offensive by the international working class against the bankrupt capitalist system.
The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday along its now familiar ideological divide that local governments can penalize and arrest unhoused people for sleeping in public, including in their own cars, even where there are no public shelters available and nowhere else to go.

A Purple Patrol security guard checks the wellbeing of a homeless man in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, July 27, 2023. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes]

There are more than 650,000 unhoused people in the United States, according to a 2023 count by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson will vacate multiple injunctions presently in effect within the jurisdiction of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses the nine western states and two Pacific territories, embracing a population of 65 million, almost double that of the next largest circuit.

Fridays ruling overturned a 2018 Ninth Circuit ruling, Martin v. City of Boise, which was itself grounded in the Supreme Courts own 1962 decision in Robinson v. California that the constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments found in the Eighth Amendment of the Bill of Rights prevents criminalizing someones statusin that case drug addictionrather than conduct. The Ninth Circuit ruled that this same principle applies equally to people compelled by circumstances beyond their control to sleep in public.

Prior to the decision Friday, courts in the Ninth Circuit interpreted Robinson and Martin to mean that the unhoused could not be arrested, their encampments cleared nor their meager possessions confiscated unless the local government could demonstrate the availability of public shelters or other realistic options.

Several federal judges, notably David O. Carter of Orange County, California, became deeply involved in working out complex and practical logistical arrangements between public officials and the unhoused by issuing and then modifying detailed injunctions. Over the last year, following Judge Carters intervention, the City of Los Angeles registered a more than two percent drop in its homeless population, the first decline since 2018.

Grants Pass, with a population around 40,000, has an estimated 600 unhoused, many of whom are long-time residents unable to find or afford a place to live, but who do not want to leave their family, work or friends. To force them out of the city limits and into nearby federal lands, in 2013 the City Council criminalized sleeping in public with any form of bedding  for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live. Penalties escalated from a $300 fine and keep-out orders to 30 days in jail.

The only alternative to sleeping in public or leaving Grants Pass was 138 beds at Gospel Rescue Mission, where stays were limited and residents were required to attend religious services.

Two residents of Grants Pass who slept in their cars sued in federal district court, which enjoined enforcement based on testimony that Grants Pass police officers rousted unhoused residents repeatedly and cited them for sleeping unless they could show they had a place to live, thus subjecting them to fines, arrests, and criminal prosecutions.

Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion for the courts fascist wing. He began with sickening crocodile tears over those experiencing homelessness, who are, supposedly, as diverse as the Nation itselfthey are young and old and belong to all races and creeds, and become homeless for a variety of reasons, too, many beyond their control.

Of course, homelessness does not affect all equally. Gorsuch ignores the class divide in US society. What the homeless share in common is extreme impoverishment in a society dominated by oligarchs with no interest whatsoever in homelessness, as long as encampments do not interfere with their privileged and sheltered life.

Writing that the Eighth Amendment was enacted to prohibit barbaric punishments such as disemboweling, quartering, public dissection, and burning alive, Gorsuch called that constitutional provision a poor foundation for the Ninth Circuit rulings protecting the unhoused. He attacked as well the Supreme Court of 60 years ago, criticizing it for reading the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause to impose a limit not just on what punishments may follow a criminal conviction but what a State may criminalize to begin with.

Public camping ordinances like those before us are nothing like the law at issue in Robinson, Gorsuch wrote, disingenuously adding:

It makes no difference whether the charged defendant is homeless, a backpacker on vacation passing through town, or a student who abandons his dorm room to camp out in protest on the lawn of a municipal building.

Setting aside Gorsuchs ominous reference to college encampments, such as the recent mass protests against the Zionist genocide in Gaza, one cannot but help but hear the echoes of poet Anatole Frances famous aphorism:

The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal loaves of bread.

Gorsuch attacked the lower court judges such as Carter who sought to balance local efforts to address homelessness with the constitutional rights of those affected, claiming without evidence that judicial efforts to alleviate the homelessness crisis may have inadvertently contributed to it.

A handful of federal judges cannot match the collective wisdom the American people when responding to a pressing social question like homelessness, Gorsuch concluded.

The last point is particularly rich, as the same six-justice right-wing bloc on the same day overruled the Chevron doctrine, thus effectively transferring control over the regulation of United States industry and finance from agencies established by the executive branch to unelected federal judges, who, as this decision illustrates, cannot act without the approval of the right-wing Supreme Court.

In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by the other two moderate justices, wrote that Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime, and for some people, sleeping outside is their only option.

Making it criminal for people to sleep anywhere in public at any time, including in their cars, if they use as little as a blanket to keep warm or a rolled-up shirt as a pillow punishes people for being homeless, in violation of the Eighth Amendment, Sotomayor concluded.

The unhoused population is not the result of local policy or misguided federal judges. It is the product of capitalist rule. A rational society based on principles of socialism would allocate resources to house the entire population, including the aged, infirm and mentally ill, and would institute humane and scientifically guided programs to minimize substance abuse.
Years of Democratic Party hacks and media figures claiming President Joe Biden was actually lucid and sharp behind closed doors exploded during Thursdays debate with ex-President Donald Trump. The visible disintegration of the 81-year-old president has provoked a major crisis within the Democratic Party, prompting normally loyal capitalist media outlets to issue several worried columns and statements demanding Biden be replaced as the partys nominee for president.

While it is unclear at this time if Biden will be removed from the ticket, the public confirmation that the president is sinking physically and mentally has exacerbated the US political crisis.

The New York Times reported that family members, at an allegedly preplanned gathering on Sunday at Camp David, urged Biden to stay in the race. More important than the counsel of his family, the newspaper pointed out, the real test of viability for Biden will come on Monday at 5:30 p.m., at which time the reelection campaign will host what could be a critical call with its national fund-raising committee.

President Joe Biden talks on the phone as he walks to board Air Force One at McGuire Air Force Base, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Burlington County, New Jersey. From left, Natalie Biden, Biden, Finnegan Biden, and first lady Jill Biden. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

Many insiders have said, the Times wrote, that preserving the donor base will be key to the president staying in the race.

There is immense concern within the Democratic Party elite that Bidens performance will scare off the base of the Democratic Party billionaire and multi-millionaire donors, all but ensuring Bidens defeat. Axios reported over the weekend that top White House officials including Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, Counselor Steven Ricchetti, and senior adviser Anita Dunn worked the phones calling donors, allies and elected officials, trying to calm nerves.

Leading up to Mondays pivotal discussion with the donors, major pro-Democratic Party media outlets have continued to unleash a barrage of columns calling on Biden to step down.

Writing in the Atlantic, Roge Karma observed, there are no plausible theories left of how Biden could win the election. Last night was the test of whether Biden was up for the job of campaigning, and he failed it. This wasnt just a weak performance The man could hardly speak. To believe that things will somehow turn around come September, when the next debate is scheduled, would be delusional.

Karmas column follows another article in the Atlantic by Mark Leibovich which likewise declared, Time to Go, Joe.

The New York Times and its editorial board, which has spearheaded the campaign to pressure Biden to withdraw, continued to pump out columns calling for Biden to quit. Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote on June 28, Joe Biden, a good man and a good president, has no business running for re-election.

On June 29, in a column headlined, The Ghastly vs. the Ghostly, Maureen Dowd wrote, Biden looked ghostly, with that trepidatious gait; he couldnt remember his rehearsed lines or numbers. He has age-related issues, and those go in only one direction. That same day, Times columnist Ross Douthat wrote in a separate column about the necessity of removing President Biden from the Democratic ticket

In a front-page editorial published Sunday, the editorial board of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) called on Biden to pass the torch in order to defeat Trump and for the good of the nation. The AJC is owned by the Cox family, estimated by Forbes to be the 10th-wealthiest family in America as of 2024, with a net worth of $26.4 billion.

The family owns media giant Cox Enterprises, which includes Cox Communications (cable television and broadband internet), Cox Media Group which owns and operates nearly 50 radio stations, Cox Automotive (Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book) and several important regional newspapers including the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio), Austin American-Statesman (Austin, Texas) and Miami News (Miami, Florida).

In a column published on Sunday, Edward Luce for the Financial Times argued It is not too late for Joe Biden to go, suggesting governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan) as potential alternatives.

As of this writing, no national elected officeholders or national Democratic Party officials have publicly called on Biden to step down. Within 24 hours of the debate, past presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton issued statements on X/Twitter supporting Biden.

Speaking to Axios, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates implausibly claimed: Not only does the President perform around the clock, but he maintains a schedule that tires younger aides, including foreign trips into active war zones, and he proves he has that capacity by delivering tangible results that pundits had declared impossible.

Speaking in support of Genocide Joe on CNN on Sunday, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said, Its not about performance in terms of a debate, its about performance in a presidency On one side of the screen you have integrity, the other side you have dishonesty.

Actually, on both sides of the debate, there was unlimited dishonesty, mental degradation and imperialist barbarism, with the danger of dictatorship and war.

On the same program, Rep. Jim Clyburn (South Carolina) opined, I do not believe that Joe Biden has a problem leading for the next four years, because hes done a great job of leading for the last three-and-a-half years.

A CBS News/YouGov poll out Sunday morning found only 55 percent of registered Democratic voters agreed Biden should continue running, with 45 percent saying he should step aside. The same poll found that only 27 percent of all registered voters agreed with the statement that Biden has the mental and cognitive health to serve as president, down from 35 percent earlier in June. Nearly three-quarters, 72 percent, said Biden does not have the mental and cognitive health to serve, an increase of 7 percentage points in the last three weeks.

While Democrats are publicly backing Biden for now, behind the scenes, intense discussions are underway about possibly replacing him. In an interview with MSNBCs Ali Veshi on Sunday, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin bluntly declared, Obviously there was a big problem with Joe Bidens debate performance.

He added,

There are very honest and serious and rigorous conversations taking place at every level of our party  so we are having a serious conversation about what to do.  And so whether he is the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention.

As the Democrats mull replacing Biden, Republicans are openly pressuring Biden cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him from office. Following the debate, Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote on X/Twitter, Weve definitely entered 25th Amendment territory.

Far-right Texas Rep. Chip Roy told reporters on Friday that he will introduce legislation urging Vice President Kamala Harris to convene the Cabinet and declare Biden unfit to carry out his duties. Asked by reporters if he would back Roys legislation, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson opined that if he was in Bidens cabinet, I would be having that discussing with my colleagues at the Cabinet level.

Whether or not Biden remains the nominee, the trajectory of the Democratic Party and US imperialism is global war. Writing on X/Twitter, WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North wrote:

Since the debate, the media has concentrated solely on Bidens senility, not his policies. It is an unquestionable given that replacing Biden will not involve any change in the Democratic Partys support for the Gaza genocide and its escalation of the war against Russia.

The capitalist two-party system, controlled entirely by the ruling US corporate-finance oligarchy, offers the politically disenfranchised public a choice between candidates committed to US imperialist hegemony and increasing the wealth of the super-rich.

Replacing Biden or Trump with other Democratic or Republican figureheads will change nothing. Whatever the tactical differences between the candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties, their policies lead to the twin catastrophes of fascism and nuclear war.
The official media and the major parties have made very little of a disturbing right-wing terrorist incident last week in Newcastle, a regional centre several hours north of Sydney.

Jordan Patten, livestreaming just before the incident [Photo: Jordan Patten]

The muted response has occurred under conditions where the very same outlets and parties are hysterically slandering peaceful pro-Palestinian activism as a potential source of politically-motivated violence.

On Wednesday afternoon, 19-year-old Jordan Patten walked into the electorate office of Newcastle state Labor MP Tim Crackanthorp. Patten was wearing a combat-style outfit and tactical equipment and had knives in his possession. He was also live streaming his activities to the Internet. Having walked into the office and paused after encountering Crackanthorps staff, Patten walked out and was later apprehended by police.

The next day, Patten was charged with one count of preparing or planning a terrorist act. The charge sheet alleges he had intended to behead Crackanthorp.

There are questions about whether others may also have been targets. Wednesday was the first time New South Wales (NSW) Labor leader Chris Minns visited Newcastle since becoming premier of the state in March 2023. It would seem a substantial coincidence that Patten chose to target Crackanthorp the very day he was in the company of Minns, who as premier of the countrys largest state is a prominent national figure.

On Friday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese briefly referenced the incident during a press conference. He described himself as having been threatened with violence in a manifesto that Patten had prepared, and appeared to become emotional.

Patten had sent the manifesto to politicians and media outlets some time before travelling to Crackanthorps office.

The manifesto is reportedly a rambling 205 pages. It features a grab bag of issues, including claims of government hypocrisy and criminality. The document is said to contain a number of standard right-wing talking points, including hostility to women and to homosexuals, agitation over purported promiscuity and claims that criminal incidents involving immigrants have been downplayed in Europe and elsewhere.

Patten reportedly describes himself as a supporter of the Liberal Party, denounces the left and discusses his plans to kill leading members of the Labor Party as well as their staff.

Most significantly, the manifesto favorably references Brenton Tarrant, the Australian-born terrorist who in March 2019 murdered 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Patten describes himself as having become fascinated by Tarrants actions.

There would appear to be copycat elements. The distribution of a manifesto and the live streaming of the incident by Patten mirrored Tarrants attack. The cover of Pattens manifesto is partially drawn from that which was distributed by Tarrant.

An X/Twitter account identified as belonging to Patten had as its profile picture a cartoon portrait of Tarrant which is widely used in fascist and Nazi circles where Tarrant is viewed as a hero. Pattens X feed was reportedly more explicit than parts of the manifesto, featuring a stream of reposted content involving common extreme-right themes of intense antisemitism and hostility to the left.

A number of issues remain unclear. It is not known, for instance, why Patten apparently aborted whatever he had been planning. Nor has there been any explanation of how he was able to walk into a political office unhindered, despite having been quite public and wearing a bizarre, combat-style outfit. The police only arrived after Patten had entered and then left Crackanthorps office of his own accord.

On Thursday, the magistrate who heard the charge against Patten referenced overtones of mental health issues. Patten was unemployed and not studying and came from an area with relatively high rates of social distress. The interaction between psychological problems, social deprivation and political motives remains to be determined. It may be that Patten is acquitted on mental health or other grounds.

There is no indication, however, that the limited interest of the media is motivated by sensitivity around such questions. Instead, it forms part of a pattern where the threat posed by far-right political violence has been systematically downplayed.

Tarrant himself is virtually never mentioned in the press or by political leaders. That is despite the fact that Tarrant was radicalised while in Australia, is one of the countrys most prolific terrorists and is revered in its Nazi and fascist milieu.

In the case of Tarrant, the blackout on his case, which extends to New Zealand, serves to cover over unexplained issues, including the extent to which he was involved with other far-right forces and why the intelligence agencies did not stop his attack.

More generally though, the role of the political establishment in cultivating an extreme and fascistic milieu is covered over. In Australia, fascist tendencies, including the explicitly Nazi National Socialist Network, whose leader attempted to recruit Tarrant in the years before his attack, emerged in conjunction with official right-wing campaigns.

For years, they fed off the demonisation of Muslims and immigrants by the official parties, including Labor, presenting themselves as Australian patriots. The far-right was promoted by the official media in racist campaigns against a purported crisis surrounding African gangs. During the first years of the pandemic, its members were very active in an anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine movement. Those right-wing mobilisations were used as justification for the corporate-driven lifting of all safety measures by governments, including Labor.

The development of far-right and fascistic tendencies is not unique to Australia. They have been promoted internationally, including with the presidency of Donald Trump in the US and the elevation of fascistic forces across Europe. That is part of a broader turn by the ruling elites towards authoritarianism directed against growing social opposition from the working class.

The growing prominence of far-right forces poses the central threat of politically-motivated violence. Whatever the exact circumstances and secondary factors, that is again underscored by the incident in Newcastle. There have been a number of other incidents where far-right and fascist forces have been accused of planning or preparing terroristic attacks. ASIO, the domestic intelligence agency, has been compelled to note a growing threat of far-right terrorism.

The major parties, however, and the media deliberately ignore this reality as they slander popular opposition, especially to the Gaza genocide.

Pattens aborted attack at a Labor electorate office came as senior Labor politicians, including Albanese, had for weeks been railing against pro-Palestinian activities. This has centrally included claims that peaceful protests at Labor electorate offices, opposing the governments complicity in the genocide, are unacceptable and an attack on democracy. Pro-Palestinian graffiti has been depicted as violence. Commentators have issued a stream of articles denouncing such actions, but have remained silent on what occurred in Newcastle.
In a fundamental shift in the countrys energy policy, Australian federal opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced that his opposition Liberal-National Coalition would build nuclear power plants if it won the next election due by May.

Australian parliamentary Opposition and Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton [Photo: Facebook/Peter Dutton]

In announcing the plan on June 19, Dutton declared that he was very happy for the election to be a referendum on energy, on nuclear, on power prices, on lights going out, on who has a sustainable pathway for our country going forward.

The plan is a direct challenge to longstanding popular opposition to uranium mining, nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Australia has no nuclear industry, and legislation at the state and federal level bans the construction of nuclear power plants.

Duttons proposal, which was short on detail, is for seven nuclear plants on the sites of former coal-fired power stations, thus taking advantage of existing transmission lines. He claimed that the first nuclear reactors could be operating as early as 2035 with the rest coming online by the 2040s. The Coalition later explained that each plant would house four nuclear reactors.

Dutton attacked the Labor government over its renewables only policy which he declared to be costly, unreliable and unviable. No other country in the world can keep the lights on 24/7 with the renewables-only policy, he said.

Dutton pointed out that Labor would not achieve its legislated target of a 43 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, saying the Coalition would overturn it. He claimed that by building nuclear plants emitting no greenhouse gases, Australia would reach zero emissions by 2050.

Coming from the right-wing, climate-change denier wing of the Liberal Party, Duttons newfound concern for emissions reduction is utterly hypocritical. As Labor was quick to point out, with the nuclear plants not beginning operation for at least a decade, the Coalition energy plan is reliant on the continued operation of coal-fired power stations. Labor, however, for all its talk of renewables, is likewise continuing to rely on coal- and gas-fired power plants and has given the green light to four new coal mines.

Dutton dismissed concerns about nuclear safety and waste disposal by pointing out that Labor has already embraced nuclear power by agreeing to the acquisition of nuclear submarines under the AUKUS military pact with the US and UK. The high-level nuclear waste from the submarines is to be disposed of in Australia even though currently no waste site exists for such material. In reality, neither Labor nor the Coalition are taking the fraught issues of nuclear waste and safety seriously as they press ahead with their nuclear agendas.

Duttons nuclear proposal is a rather desperate pitch for electoral support under conditions where both Labor and the Coalition are widely distrusted and loathed. Amid a worsening economic and social crisis, support for Labor continues to wane, with few gains for the Coalition. Polling points to the possibility that neither party will gain a majority at the next election.

The Coalition claims its polling shows majority support for nuclear plants in the regional areas where the closure of coal-fired stations has led to job losses. Even if true, that hardly constitutes a winning electoral strategysix of the seven affected seats are currently held by the Coalition, with just one held narrowly by Labor in the Hunter Valley. The Coalition has also declared that local communities will be consulted but have no veto over the building of nuclear plants in their areas.

More broadly, the Coalition is also seeking to exploit widespread discontent over skyrocketing household power bills that contribute substantially to cost-of-living pressures weighing on working people. Power costs rose by up to 6.5 percent last year alone despite Labors 2022 election pledge that cheap renewables would cut household bills by $275 a year.

Duttons nuclear pitch is a political gamble aimed at distinguishing the Coalition from Labor and portraying himself as a decisive leader, when on every major issuefrom the wars in Europe and the Middle East to the imposition of punishing austerity measures and reactionary anti-immigrant policiesthere is not a shred of difference.

The nuclear proposal, however, does not stand up to close scrutiny. The Coalition has given few details and will only outline costings following the election. Duttons claim that nuclear power will provide cheap, reliable energy at only a fraction of the cost of Labors renewable energy plan is already subject to widespread criticism, as is his time frame for building a nuclear power industry in Australia from scratch.

The countrys premier scientific agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), said the plan would cost $387 billion. The Clean Energy Council, which advocates for the renewable energy industry, said it would cost $600 billion. The huge costs point to a possible reason why Dutton, a fervent advocate of private enterprise, has declared the nuclear plants will be government-owned.

Duttons assertion that the plan could include small modular nuclear reactors that could be built off-site and produce about a third of the power of larger reactors further underscores its threadbare character. While such reactors are on the drawing boards in several countries, including the US and Britain, only two are actually in operationin Russia and China.

While some polling indicates a weakening of public opposition to nuclear power, there is no guarantee that voters, already sceptical of the promises of both parties, will swallow Duttons claims of lower power billsa decade from now! In fact, polling following the nuclear policy announcement has shown a slump in support for the Coalition.

Moreover, while Dutton has dismissed concerns about nuclear safety and waste by referring to Labors embrace of nuclear submarines, there is no reason why voters will necessarily do the same, given the scale of nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl in the Soviet Union in 1986 and Fukushima in Japan in 2011.

Whether or not the Coalition wins the next election, Dutton has squarely placed the question of nuclear power on the political agenda and has the backing of sections of big business as a result. The junior Coalition partner, the National Party, based in regional areas and representing mining and agribusiness, has long championed nuclear power.

Sections of the mining industry that have chafed at restrictions on uranium mining are keen to exploit growing global demand for yellowcakerefined uranium ore. The US in particular is looking for new sources after banning imports from Russia. Australia, with one third of the worlds known uranium reserves, is potentially the worlds largest source.

The Mining Council of Australia immediately backed Duttons nuclear plan and called for a lifting of bans on nuclear power plants, declaring that it was time to move beyond outdated anti-nuclear sentiments. The Business Council of Australia, which represents the largest Australian corporations, was more guarded but nevertheless called for nuclear power to be given the green light.

At the same time, the Coalition plan also fuelled opposition in some big business circles and even within the Liberal Party, particularly among those who are heavily invested in rolling out renewable energy. Not only does the proposal threaten the huge government subsidies to the highly profitable renewable industry, but government ownership of planned nuclear plants offers limited opportunities for private investment.

While condemning the Coalition for not releasing costings and other details, the Labor government has primarily accused it of endangering corporate investment in renewable energy. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said there was a big danger that the plan would divert investment from renewables. Major investors, including Macquarie Bank and Blackrock, have multi-billion dollar stakes in clean energy projects.

Amid the deluge of media commentary on Duttons nuclear plan, one aspect has received scant attentionits potential military implications. The AUKUS agreement with the US and UK not only provides for the Australian military to acquire American Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines but for the future construction of British-Australian nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia.

Already, AUKUS allows for the de facto basing of US and British nuclear submarines at the Stirling naval base in Western Australia and the operation of American strategic B-52 and B-2 bombers from bases in Australias Northern Territory. Under the US militarys neither confirm nor deny policy, there is no way of knowing if its submarines, warships and warplanes are armed with nuclear weapons.

In one of the few articles touching on the military implications of the nuclear power plan, the Australians right-wing foreign editor, Greg Sheridan, who is closely connected to military circles in Australia and the US, argued that a nuclear power industry was essential for AUKUS to succeed. He pointed out that it would assist in training the thousands of nuclear engineers, technicians and workers who are masters of nuclear technology in all its stages and guises necessary for AUKUS.

The US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine has already raised the spectre of the use of nuclear weapons. Amid Washingtons increasingly aggressive confrontation with Beijing, the AUKUS pact is squarely directed at preparing for war with nuclear-armed China, which US imperialism regards as the chief threat to its global hegemony.

These escalating geo-political tensions have revived the debate within strategic circles, behind the backs of the population, about the need for Australian imperialism to build its own nuclear weapons. While such an undertaking would be enormously expensive and complex, the vast expansion of nuclear expertise required for a nuclear power industry is an essential first premise.

An article published following Duttons announcement by the Lowy Institute, a strategic think tank, hinted at the closed-door discussions taking place. Entitled Nuclear subs, nuclear power  could nuclear weapons be next? its author, Daniel Flitton, pointed to the strong popular opposition that must be overcome.

Flinton suggested that a major deterioration in regional security coupled with nationalist sentiment could shift public opinion to accept what was previously unthinkable. An open discussion about acquiring nuclear weapons, however, would also inevitably provoke opposition and further fuel the anti-war sentiment that has erupted over the genocidal Israeli war in Gaza, which is precisely what the political establishment fears.
Kenyan President William Ruto has unveiled savage austerity measures amounting to billions of shillings, as the High Court upheld the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to patrol Nairobi and other urban centers to suppress mass social opposition. More nationwide protests are expected this week.

On Friday, Ruto signed into law Appropriations Bill 2024 and instructed the Treasury to immediately prepare supplementary estimates to reduce expenditure by the amount of revenue that was expected to be generated by the rejected Finance bill. The Finance Bill 2024, which Ruto withdrew last week, was meant to raise $2.7 billion through hikes in regressive taxes, including the sales tax (VAT).

Ruto plans to offset the now abandoned tax hikes with massive cuts to social expenditure, affecting education, healthcare, social welfare, housing, infrastructure, and county funding. The counties oversee devolved functions such as primary healthcare, pre-primary education, county roads, public works, and other vital services essential for local development. Forty six thousand intern teachers promised permanent positions after a three-week strike last month will be affected.

These actions show that Rutos decision to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 was a tactical pullback aimed to stem mass opposition sparked after the events of Bloody Tuesday (June 25) when police gunned down dozens of austerity protestors on the streets of Nairobi and across the country. Millions had joined protests across the country that day, cutting across tribal divisions long stoked by the ruling class.

Kenya army soldiers patrol around Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, June 27, 2024. [AP Photo/Brian Inganga]

At least 30 were killed according to Human Rights Watch, and hundreds left injured, as Ruto unleashed live bullets and tear gas on mostly peaceful protestors. The exact number of dead remains unknown as the government covers up the extent of the bloodbath, with families still searching for their missing children in city mortuaries.

The Kenyan political establishment is determined to impose the diktats of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Kenyas workers and toilers by any means necessary. The goal of the IMF is to place the full burden of Kenyas unprecedented debt crisis onto the masses. This includes further tax and levy hikes, social expenditure cuts, and privatizationsand all with the aim of repaying outstanding foreign debts and boosting corporate profits.

Ruto, supported by the bourgeois media, is attempting to portray the austerity measures as popular. The Standard stated on Sunday, The President still faces a significant challenge in winning the support of citizens. They expect him to implement further austerity measures, which may include halting planned renovations of State House, State lodges, and the deputy presidents residence and office, all of which are projected to cost billions.

Indeed, the lavish expenses of the political class, including luxury travels, $60,000 SUVs, generous per diems, and Rutos many chartered flights to meet and curry favor with imperialist leaders, are deeply resented. However, any cuts to these will represent only a tiny fraction of what the IMF demands and serve merely to provide political cover for the savage austerity measures to be imposed on workers and the rural masses.

With these measures, Ruto is trying to buy time, as he builds up the military-police state machine to suppress mass opposition. On Friday, the High Court upheld the KDFs deployment on the streets against protestors. Ruto deployed the military soon after a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and days after the European Union announced it was providing 20million ($21.4 million) in military supplies and other support to the KDF.

Following the High Court order, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale expanded the KDF deployment, announced that troops will be deployed in all 47 counties until normality is restored and army personnel empowered to arrest protestors.

Kenya is rapidly returning to its post-independence police state roots under the regimes of Jomo Kenyatta (1964-1978) and Daniel arap Moi (1978-2002). Even those regimes never deployed troops against unarmed civilian protests. Recent weeks have seen abductions of activists, use of live ammunition, rooftop snipers, internet slowdowns, social media shutdowns, and state-sanctioned armed goons intimidating protestors.

Rutos so-called dialogue initiative, announced last Wednesday and which involves the formation of a 100-member National Multi-Sectoral Forum to discuss unemployment, debt, and corruption, is a mockery. This dialogue was exposed as a cover for state repression and austerity the following day, when police gunned down 3 protestors in Rongai, including a child, and heavily armed KDF soldiers patrolled the streets of Nairobi in armoured vehicles, Humvees and military land cruisers. Anti-Finance Bill activists Alvina Wangui and Kevin Kori were abducted on Friday; their whereabouts remain unknown. On Sunday, former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter was abducted after Church in broad daylight.

Behind the scenes, the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition led by millionaire Raila Odinga is colluding with Ruto on how best to suppress opposition, while publicly professing token support for the protests.

On Saturday, Odinga covered for Ruto with whom he has long worked in previous Kenyan governments, claiming he had bad advisors. Odinga described Rutos Tuesday night speechin which he justified the massacre of unarmed protesters, denouncing them as treasonous and dangerous criminals who constituted an existential threat to our republicas a bad one, full of chest-thumping and written by bad advisors.

I told him, Odinga continued, the protests will not stop if you do not come out and talk strongly about it. We are at a delicate place as a country and anybody who is not aware is foolish.

Standing next to Odinga on Saturday, the minority leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi echoed his comments, urging Ruto to implement the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report before any new supposed popular consultation. At the end of last year, Odinga joined with Ruto to bring an end to a wave of anti-austerity protests triggered by last years budget (Finance Bill 2023), which introduced a battery of tax hikes, subsidy cuts, and other austerity measures.

For five months last year, Odinga intermittently mobilised protests with the aim of keeping the swelling mass anger under the control of the bourgeois opposition forces he leads. The Ruto government, for its part, responded with mounting repression. Protesters were shot and teargassed, resulting in some 75 deaths. Ultimately Odinga called off last years anti-austerity protests when they threatened to intersect with strikes by civil servants, doctors, and teachers, stating that issues would be resolved through NADCO, which has since predictably become a dead letter.

Unsurprisingly, Azimio has said nothing about the new IMF-dictated austerity measures. In the past, the opposition has agitated against the Ruto governments misplaced allocations, a reference to lavish expenses by top officials.

The opposition coalition have also withdrawn its brief, short-lived calls for Ruto to resign, which proved widely popular among workers and youth. Last Tuesday, after Rutos bloodbath on the streets of Nairobi, leading opposition figure Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, demanded Rutos resignation: The entire country has risen up to say Ruto must go. At this moment in time even withdrawal of that Bill will not be enough. William Ruto resign as President of the Republic of Kenya.

Sifuna has not repeated this demand, hoping that Rutos dropping of the tax hikes can be used to defuse the protests and restabilize bourgeois rule.

The Azimio la Umoja coalition has no fundamental differences with the Ruto governments economic programme and defends the same reactionary class interests. Odinga, like Ruto, is a millionaire, living streets away from each other in the affluent neighborhood of Karen in Nairobi. They are part of the 0.1 percent of the Kenyan population (8,300 people) which, according to Oxfam, owns more wealth than the bottom 99.9 percent (more than 48 million people).

The silence of the trade unions indicates that they are willing to allow Ruto to impose austerity and troops to crush protestors. The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), representing 1.5 million workers, has said nothing. Its secretary general Francis Atwoli infamously defended the Finance Bill, before the massacre on Tuesday forced him to reverse and appeal to Ruto to withdraw the bill.

He did so in the name of defending Kenyan capitalism. Kenya is a hub of economic activities in this region, and we must protect it at all costs, declared Atwoli. We must support the President and the government to ensure that this country remains peaceful.

More protests are expected this week. Middle class activists are now circulating an anonymous list of demands titled Our non-negotiable demands to dictator Ruto and his greedy government. It combines popular working class demands with middle class anti-corruption issues and calls for minor government reforms.

Poster widely circulated on social media. [Photo: WhatsApp]

Among other demands, it calls for abolishing the publicly funded offices of the 1st Lady and 2nd Lady and the redirecting of funds to employ teachers and staff; the scrapping of the housing levy; the sacking of corrupt officials; the recall of rogue (corrupt) MPs; the reduction of MPs wages to those of a doctor; the employment of more teachers and doctors; the reinstatement of the school-feeding programme; and Rutos immediate resignation for selling the country to the IMF and the West.

Notably, it calls for the recall of the Kenyan anti-terrorist police deployed to Haiti, where they have been sent as a mercenary, US-funded force to terrorise the Haitian population, so as to prevent migration to the US and prevent the crisis in Haiti from destabilising the broader Caribbean region, which Washington considers its backyard.

It also calls for a proper audit on the national debt. Workers and youth must be warned: there is nothing to be audited. Workers and youth should not sacrifice their jobs, wages and social conditions so imperialism and finance capital can keep plundering the country.

Events have proved that Ruto is imposing the dictates of imperialism and the IMF, and that the opposition is conspiring to work with him to suppress the mass opposition. The Kenyan capitalist class and its political representatives are completely incapable of addressing any of the pressing social needs of the workers and poor. No amount of pleading or pressure will cause them to give up their role as clients for the US and EU imperialist powers, to whom they look to defend their privileges, or to cede to the masses any of the profits and vast tracts of land and wealth they have looted.

The events in Kenya point to the urgency of workers and youth basing their struggle on Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution, which explains that in the former colonial and oppressed countries only the fight for power by the working class can advance the struggle against imperialism and ensure genuine national liberation and democratic and social rights for the workers and toilers. It means uniting the working class across tribal lines and across national borders in a fight for socialism.

The eruption of class struggle in Kenya is being fueled by a global capitalist crisis and part of a growing counter-offensive of the international working class. This crisis has been accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the US-led NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, and Washingtons trade war and military-strategic offensive against China, which are rapidly escalating towards a global conflict between nuclear-armed states. These conditions are fueling a powerful revolutionary movement of the working class, not only in Kenya but across Africa and the entire world.

In neighboring Tanzania, Kiswahili-speaking like Kenya, traders at Dar es Salaams Kariako district, a popular market area in the country and one of the busiest in the whole region, went on strike against increased taxes last week. On the other side of the continent, in Nigeria, oil workers are threatening an indefinite strike over wages and the privatisation plans of the countrys largest oil refinery; construction workers are threatening to strike due to the layoff of 30,000 workers; and health workers are embarking on a seven-day strike.

Social media reactions from Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and South Sudan are expressing admiration for the mass upheaval in Kenya and drawing parallels to their governments similar IMF-austerity measures, attacks on democratic rights, and use of state repression.

The key task is to provide this movement which has evolved into a full-blown insurgency with political and programmatic direction by building sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International in every country.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on June 14 that Australias Labor government is moving to establish a 200-strong cohort of highly trained Pacific police officers which could be deployed to regional hotspots under a plan to strengthen Canberras strategic position in the region.

Papua New Guinea police officers training with Australian Federal Police [Photo: Australian Federal Police website]

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has been working on the $A800 million Pacific Policing Initiative for the past two years, and will be seeking endorsement at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tonga in August.

Training will take place at a large and sophisticated facilitya designated Centre of Excellencein Pinkenba near Brisbane Airport, which will draw in rotations of police officers from Pacific countries. It will include a firing range as well as tactical response training facilities and be capable of hosting up to 50 officers at a time.

An official told the ABC the project would reinforce Australias strategic position as the Pacifics main security partner to counter Beijings efforts to strike bilateral policing deals with countries in the region. He declared the plans would be driven by the whole Pacific region and its key security priorities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already announced that Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will set up a $200 million regional police recruitment and training centre in Port Moresby that could serve as a model.

China has sent police training teams to several Pacific nations, including Solomon Islands and Kiribati, and has been seeking to do the same in other countries including PNG. Beijing has also set up a Pacific police training centre in China, where it has hosted officers from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Australias plan is part of the escalating US-led diplomatic, economic and military moves aimed at isolating and preparing for war against China. It follows threats of a regime change operation in the Solomon Islands by the US and Australia after Prime Minister Sogavare signed a security pact with China following riots in Honiara in 2021. Australia and New Zealand still have police and military units stationed there.

New Zealand TV1 Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver, who first broke the story of the policing initiative, explained that the Brisbane training and co-ordination centre is one of three pillars of the project.

It also includes a dedicated unit of Australian and Pacific Islands officers with specialised training for rapid deployment to any regional emergency. This Pacific Police Support Group would send teams of up to 75 officers to Pacific nations which request help to deal with critical situations including, but not limited to, natural disasters.

The third pillar involves establishing other centres of excellence in the Pacific. Chairman of the Pacific Chiefs of Police and Tongas Police Commissioner, Shane McLennan, said Australia will provide infrastructure, staffing and so forth to then allow [the host country] to really build upon what theyve already gotbut then deliver that capability across the Pacific.

According to the ABC, Pacific police chiefs are enthusiastic about the initiative and have already been working with Australian officers to bed down how it will work. One said the Pacific needed support and training to tackle increasingly complex criminal challenges, including the drugs trade.

McLennan explained that legislation will be needed to allow a deployable force to enter a country and have the required protections while operating under local jurisdictions. Weve got some legislation we are going to propose for our government here in Tonga, he said.

Australia and New Zealand, which exercise semi-colonial control over much of the Pacific, have for years embedded officials into the island nations, including judges, police, bureaucrats and military personnel. McLennan is an Australian who, before becoming Tongas Police Commissioner in 2022, served in the AFP for 14 years. Australia is currently involved in the Blackrock Peacekeeping Camp in Fiji and a $24 million Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program.

The imperialist powers have always used local crises to mobilise police and military to defend their geo-strategic and commercial interests. An International Deployment Group (IDG) was established within the AFP in 2004, under the pretext of the US-led war on terror, to aid military forces in the event of popular unrest in the Asia-Pacific.

The IDGs role was underscored in November 2006 when a contingent was sent to Tonga, along with Australian and New Zealand military personnel, after riots in the capital Nukualofa. From 20032017 AFP officers formed the backbone of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which took control of key aspects of the impoverished countrys administration, including the police, legal system, prisons and finance ministry.

While the Pacific Policing Initiative has been in preparation for some time, it is being launched as a new wave of popular unresttriggered by poverty, inequality and ongoing neo-colonial oppressionis exploding across the Pacific.

In January, PNG Prime Minister James Marape imposed a State of Emergency after simmering social discontent erupted after police and military personnel protested persistent underpayment. Buildings and shops were looted and torched in Port Moresby, with 22 deaths. Calls for a nationwide strike were raised.

PNGs foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, was later forced to reaffirm his governments security ties with Canberra after reports that PNG was considering a policing and security agreement with China. Beijings offer, first made last year, was repeated after the riots in which businesses owned by Chinese expatriates were looted and some owners injured.

Pacific islanders have joined the global protests against the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. While small in numbers, the rallies and vigils, often defying authoritarian local governments and churches, were widespread in Fiji, Samoa, PNG, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Micronesia, Saipan and Guam.

The most explosive opposition to colonial rule and social inequality can be seen in the French colony of New Caledonia. Rioting erupted on May 13, involving disaffected indigenous Kanak youth, after the French National Assembly voted for a constitutional change to widen rolls for local elections, reducing the relative weight of the Kanak vote.

After weeks of violent unrest, nine people have been killed and the capital Noumea and surrounding districts devastated. Hundreds have been injured and over 1,200 arrested. Damage of 1 billion is estimated with up to 500 businesses and stores looted or destroyed by arson. Paris has mobilised some 3,700 troops and police, supported by riot control vehicles, in an unsuccessful attempt to impose Republican order.

Frances crackdown has been met with outrage across the region. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, consisting of PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, bluntly blamed France for the riots and demanded it drop the electoral reform. Over two dozen NGOs condemned France for its betrayal of the Kanak population and the Macron government for its poorly hidden agenda of prolonging colonial control over the territory.

Australia and New Zealand, which sent military aircraft to evacuate their citizens, have said nothing that could be construed as criticising France, an ally in war preparations against China. Albanese said his government was monitoring the situation and evasively declared: Australia values very much our relationship with both New Caledonia and the French state.

Last year Australia supported France by abstaining on several UN decolonisation resolutions. In October Canberras UN representative objected to a call for administering powers to terminate military activities and eliminate military bases. Australia believed, she said, in the sovereign rights of nations to defend the Territories they administer.

Australia and New Zealand have been openly training for interventions to restore order in Pacific countries. Last month the NZ Army conducted Exercise Vengeance, designed to prepare troops to respond to natural disasters in the region or civil disturbances, such as when the battalion deployed troops to the Solomon Islands in 2021 to support local police, according to the New Zealand Herald.

The biennial multinational Southern Katipo war games in New Zealand, and the Talisman Sabre exercises in Australia, have also included regular rehearsals for armed incursions to quell civil unrest and impose police-military order in the Pacific.
On June 23, R. Shreeharan, a Political Committee member of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka, was interviewed by the Lets Talk Everything YouTube channel about the US-NATO-orchestrated war against Russia in Ukraine and the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals campaign for the release Bogdan Syrotiuk.

Screen shot "Lets Talk Everything" YouTube interview [Photo: YouTube/Lets Talk Everything]

The channel, which has over 23,000 subscribers and 250,000 viewers, is based in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is connected to Lets Talk History, another YouTube channel that has over 61,000 subscribers and 3.5 million viewers. Both channels are broadcast in Tamil by Gabriel Devadoss.

The English-language title of Shreeharans interview read, Is the Russia-Ukraine war spreading to other parts of the world? Its Tamil title page said, Will the Russia-Ukraine war change into a nuclear war? The ultimate target of the US is to collide with China. The 30-minute interview has been watched by 4,000 people so far with most viewers commenting positively.

Shreeharan discussed the ongoing proxy war in Ukraine against Russia, the danger of a nuclear third world war, and the detention of socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk by Ukraines Zelensky government. Syrotiuk is the secretary of Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), which is affiliated to the International Committee of Fourth International (ICFI), and a writer for the World Socialist Web Site.

Gabriel Devadoss began the interview by noting the alignment of the US-led imperialist powers one side and Russia, North Korea and China on the other.

Shreeharan responded by explaining that the US had initially promised not to cross various red lines in Ukraine but that the Biden administration, with the help of the Republicans, had crossed all these lines, providing battle tanks, missiles, billions of dollars and allowing Ukraine to attack inside Russia with US-provided long-range missiles.

NATO forces have already entered Ukraine in the name of training soldiers in the new technology provided by US. Now the US is planning to send NATO troops to Ukraine because it has suffered military debacles and the loss of half a million soldiers so far, he said.

Putin, however, cannot tolerate bombs and missiles exploding in Russian cities and will be compelled to retaliate and NATO can retaliate if any its member states is attacked. Such a scenario would trigger a world war that would be a massive human catastrophe.

There are now discussions within the US political establishment that the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war and so justify the use of nuclear weapons to end [current] wars, he added.

A question was asked about the situation facing Putin and whether he would choose to use nuclear weapons. Shreeharan explained how Putin had been provoked by the eastward expansion of NATO over decades and the encirclement of Russia by NATO forces.



Putin expected a compromise with the imperialist powers by making nuclear threats and launching a war on Ukraine. He miscalculated that the imperialist powers, fearing an all-out war, would roll back. The major powers, however, want to occupy and plunder resource-rich Russia in preparation for war against China as the next step, and ultimately domination of the world, he said.

Emphasising this point, the SEP Political Committee member quoted NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg who has stated, What happens in Europe matters for Asia. What happens in Asia matters for us. And this is clearly demonstrated in Ukraine, where Iran, North Korea and China are propping up and fuelling Russias war aggression against Ukraine.

Confronted with this sort of war situation, Shreeharan continued, Putin would be forced to launch a counter-offensive and may use nuclear weapons However, the imperialist powers themselves could use nuclear weapons which would create a catastrophe. The US needs a war to challenge the growth of China. The speaker later pointed out that some US politicians had suggested the Gaza war could be ended by using nuclear weapons.

Responding to a question about European opposition to Russias invasion of Ukraine, Shreeharan elaborated on the role played by Germany in the 2014 coup and Washingtons efforts to topple the then-elected pro-Moscow Ukraine government and replace it with a pro-US regime.

Shreeharan explained the Trotskyist movements opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, referring to an ICFI statement issued at the outset of the war which said, Putin does not stand for the Russian working class but represents the oligarchs in the country and stands for their profit interests.

Turning to the suppression of democratic rights in Ukraine and Russia, Shreeharan explained the two-month detention of YGBL leader Bogdan Syrotiuk:

As previously noted, the US in 2014 funded the overthrow of the elected Ukrainian government in a coup and now extreme-right organisations that follow the principles of Stephen Bandera, a Nazi, are very active.

The entire Zelensky regime operates as a fascist regime with no one allowed to speak out against the war and opposition parties and communists are banned. But now, under conditions where 500,000 soldiers have been killed, there is popular opposition to war. People are now being forcibly drafted into the military and put on the frontline. This is why the socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk was arrested. This is a matter of freedom of expression, Shreeharan said

Anti-war sentiment prevails in Ukraine he continued, and said the Zelensky regime was concerned that this mass opposition will be given expression through organisations such as the YGBL. There is a fear that it could become a pole of attraction for the mass opposition. Thats why they arrested Bogdan.

Bogdan is fighting to unite the Ukrainian and Russian working class, as well as the international working class, to end the war and for an international socialist program to overthrow the capitalist system. He was arrested because of this fight, he said.

Shreeharan explained that the Zelensky regime had falsely accused Bogdan of treason and subsequently banned World Socialist Web Site in Ukraine, claiming that it functioned as a Russian propaganda and information agency.

This is how the democratic rights are being brutally suppressed in Ukraine, he said and called on viewers to sign the petition and support the ICFIs campaign to release Bogdan.

Shreeharan said Putin, as a representative of the Russian oligarchy, promoted anti-migrant and right-wing movements while suppressing opposition protests.

Neither Putin nor Biden, however, can wage a war allowing democratic rights. Inevitably they are compelled to use dictatorial rule to suppress working people who are rising up against the slashing of social conditions and the imposition of the massive costs of war, he said.

The speaker noted Putins alliances with North Korea and China and warned that US-NATO war operations against Russia would escalate and expand into military conflict with China. To stop this worsening catastrophe, he said, The working class must unite and fight against their imperialist governments and fight to bring workers governments to power. This is possible.

The First World War was ended by the socialist revolution in Russia in 1917 under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky. That is why the ICFI, its sections, and the WSWS are fighting to build an anti-war movement of the international working class, Shreeharan said.

The speaker pointed to the eruption of massive protests across the US universities against the Gaza genocide, strike action by academics against police attacks on student protesters at the University of California, and ongoing demonstrations internationally against Israels war on Gaza.

Shreeharan explained that the trade unions in the US, and internationally, were sabotaging and suppressing these struggles. He called for workers to break from these organisations and pseudo-left formations that justify imperialism and war.

Workers must mobilise their political strength independently. In this way workers can take matters into their own hands by building action committees in their workplaces and creating unity among workers, that could pave the way for an international working-class solidarity.
Fatime Letifova

NATO will continue to strengthen cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, Azernews reports.

Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing Secretary General of NATO, said this in an interview with the "Yomiuri" newspaper.

"We have to make our partnership meaningful," Stoltenberg said.

According to him, it is about strengthening cooperation in areas such as arms control, technology development, and the fight against cyber attacks.

Speaking about the prospects of opening the NATO office in Tokyo, the Secretary General said that a decision will not be made at the summit of the North Atlantic Alliance to be held in July.

In recent years, Japan has been actively expanding its cooperation with NATO. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has already attended the alliance summits twice. The permanent representation of Japan operates at the headquarters of NATO in Brussels.
McDonald's is about to make fans very happyand we're Lovin' It!

This week, McDonald's U.S. President Joe Erlinger casually revealed that the McRib is making a comeback to menus for a limited time at least.

As McRib fans already know, the polarizing sandwich features seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and pickles, and all served on a toasted homestyle bun.

The McRib has been a longtime on-and-off item on McDonald's menus, and according to Erlinger, it's supposed to make a comeback at the end of the year.

"It's coming later this year. The McRib will be back," Erlinger said during a conversation with Today's Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie while promoting the fast food chain's new $5 value meal.

But it was Today weatherman Al Roker who questioned Erlinger about the McRib, which the 69-year-old TV personality is known to have a particular fondness for.

Joking that he was "asking for a friend," Roker seemed to be jazzed about the McRib news, celebrating, "The McRib's coming back!"

The McRib has already been available in Germany for a while, and it returned to Canada in January.

"Bringing the McRib back for a limited time will spur some interest and food traffic for McDonald's at a time when performance is flagging," retail expert for Global Data, Neil Saunders, told the Daily Mail this week.

But he warned, "The uplift is usually only temporary, so the chain still has work to do on areas like pricing if it wants to secure a better performance."

Still, tons of fans like Roker will likely be overjoyed about the news, and they'll surely be heading to their participating McDonalds later this year when the sandwich makes its awaited return.

Next: McDonalds Fans Going to Lose it Over New Milkshake Flavor That Tastes Like Summer
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Melania Trump is suddenly becoming a hot topic of conversation after Donald Trumps debate against President Joe Biden on Thursday, June 27. She was nowhere to be seen at the Atlanta event and shes been selective about her presidential campaign activities lately. If Donald Trump returns to the White House in 2025, what is Melanias first lady role going to look like?

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Well, an insider in the Donald Trump campaign says that Americans shouldnt expect to see much of her in Washington, D.C. It seems that Melania negotiated with Donald Trump ahead of his third run for president. Melania has made a deal with her husband that if he wins the presidency she will not have to be on first lady duty 24/7, a source claimed to Page Six. Like her first turn in the role, she is putting her son, Barron, 18, first.

Melania Trump.

Shes a hands-on mother and is already planning to spend part of every month  and potentially every week  in NYC, they divulged. That nugget of news assumes that Barron is attending New York University instead of his fathers alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. Even though her son is leaving the nest and officially an adult, Melania reportedly wants to be nearby in case he needs her. Barron has never been completely on his own before  and with the added stress of him being both a freshman in college and potentially the son of a president in a predominantly Democratic city, [Melania] wants to be close, the source noted about the added attention Barron would face.

This is the second report in a week to get the public used to the idea that Melania is going to be a part-time first lady if Donald Trump wins in November. Shes distancing herself even more from her husband and from the Washington social-political scene, said Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of Americas Modern First Ladies told Axios, I mean, she clearly hated being in Washington.

The Washington Post associate editor Mary Jordan supported Browers views by noting that Melania sees the role as unelected, not paid, so why should she put her life on hold for four years? 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, Jordan added. So, if voters cast their ballot for Donald Trump, they should understand that Melania is only along for the ride if it fits her schedule.

Before you go, click here to see the biggest presidential scandals in US History.

Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton

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Metallicas James Hetfield and Judas Priests Rob Halford Rock Out to Turnstile at Norwegian Fest: Watch

The post Metallicas James Hetfield and Judas Priests Rob Halford Rock Out to Turnstile at Norwegian Fest: Watch appeared first on Consequence.

A generational moment took place during Turnstiles performance this past Friday (June 28th) at the Tons of Rock festival in Oslo, Norway.

While the hardcore band was in the midst of its typically raucous set, a member of Turnstiles social media team captured two heavy metal legends taking in the action together from the sidestage: Metallicas James Hetfield and Judas Priests Rob Halford.

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Hetfield was particularly excited, fist pumping and shouting along to the lyrics, while Halford stood in stoic observance as he appeared to mouth the words to the song.

The clip was first posted to Turnstiles Instagram Story and was eventually reposted on Reddit and other platforms, gaining some viral traction.

Actually so sick to see some of the most iconic dudes in heavy music still appreciating the next generation, read the top comment on the post in the r/hardcore subreddit. Check out the clip of Hetfield and Halford rocking out to Turnstile below.

Given Hetfields enthusiasm during their set, we wouldnt be surprised if Metallica tapped Turnstile for a support slot on future concerts. Likewise, Halford continues to champion younger bands who have captured modern heavy music audiences, as he recently heaped praise on the mysterious and massively popular UK act Sleep Token.

Metallica are currently making their way across Europe as part of the M72 Tour. They are booked to return to the US in August (get tickets here).

Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and James Hetfield (Metallica) caught rocking out to a recent set from Turnstile!pic.twitter.com/6aYA3xBuZH  State of the Scene (@SOTSPodcast) June 29, 2024

Metallicas James Hetfield and Judas Priests Rob Halford Rock Out to Turnstile at Norwegian Fest: Watch

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Americana on display: Here are two Fourth of July celebrations

Two longstanding holiday traditions in St. Joseph County will continue later this week: Independence Day celebrations in Colon and Constantine.

Colon: Americana on display

Keith Stickley, Colon Area Chamber of Commerce president, said Fourth of July celebration organizers have put a lot of work into making the holiday an all-day and all-evening event in the Magic Capital of the World.

Stickley called the 2024 celebration the biggest and best event in Southwest Michigan.

Activities start at 11 a.m. with the downtown parade, an attraction that typically draws more than 5,000 spectators. It will follow its usual route from Colon High School, then west on State Street and south on South Blackstone.

Stickley said chamber member Cindy Conklin chairs this years parade and has indicated there is an inordinately high level of participation.

The parade draws people from border states and all over Southwest Michigan  it is the quintessential, All-American Independence Day parade. Literally, Americana on display, he said. The chamber has a lot of active folks who have really been working hard and I think that will be pretty clear to anyone who shows up.

Once the parade concludes, festivities continue with opening of the midway and food truck alley at noon on North Blackstone Avenue. Stickley and Lisa Gilman have assembled a selection of local vendors who offer something for everyone. Stickley said attendees can indulge in a variety of treats, from savory barbeque and fresh lemonade to the famous Colon Rabbit Ears  an elephant ear-like delicacy supporting the chamber-sponsored fireworks display.

Meanwhile, a craft show will run from noon to 4 p.m. just beyond the food trucks on Blackstone Avenue. The craft show features local artisans showcasing their unique creations, alongside games and activities to keep the kids entertained.

Stickley said the show is the perfect opportunity to pick up a handmade souvenir while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Prior to fireworks, a free concert by country/western artist Dewayne Spaw starts at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Colon Grange #215 and Bowers Service, the concert runs until the fireworks show starts about two hours later. Stickley suggested spectators bring a chair.

The chamber has tried really hard to make it truly, a day-long celebration in Colon, Stickley said. Its probably worth noting, too, that I believe all the magic shops are putting on shows during the afternoon as well.

The culmination of Colons July 4th celebration is the fireworks display.

Were super proud of our fireworks display, which is strictly donation-based, he said. Its always one of the best, unique waterside fireworks displays in the region and were really proud of that.

Constantine: Parade returns to Water Street

A Fourth of July staple in Constantine starts the day, as the Firecracker 4K Fun Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

Suggested donation is $5 but greater contributions are welcome. All proceeds benefit Constantine Rotary. The event starts at Sweetland Stadium and covers school property.

Lizzie Vedbraaten, village of Constantine administrative assistant, said the 2024 Independence Day parade will proceed down Water Street. The procession, she said, is a fun way for businesses to gain exposure, kids are welcome to ride decorated bicycles and any other participants are welcome to join.

Lineup starts at 10:30 a.m., the procession begins at 11 a.m.

A spot can be reserved by calling 506-9080.

Anyone looking for a cool treat after the parade can find a single-serve ice cream cone at Messiah Lutheran Church on West Fifth Street until 2 p.m. or until inventory is exhausted.

Proceeds fund community-service projects.

The Sandlot, a 1993 comedy, will be shown at 7 p.m. prior to the fireworks display. Sponsored by Smolarz Dental and Corteva, the movie will be shown at Constantine Little League field.

Fireworks will follow the conclusion of the movie. Suggested viewing is from the Little League field.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Fourth of July Colon Constantine
My electric car has been soul-destroying  I cant wait to go back to petrol

Ray Bestwisk, 62, has taken his Renault Megane E-Tech to the garage eight times over the past year - Roger Moody/Guzelian

Ray Bestwick bought an electric car last May in the hope of hassle-free motoring.

But with eight trips to the garage in little more than a year, the 62-year-old engineer cannot wait to put an end to his soul-destroying experience.

The Renault Megane E-Tech driver isnt the only electric vehicle owner to face a multitude of problems, with a host of Telegraph readers detailing their reasons for pulling the plug on green energy.

Fears over range and a lack of charging infrastructure are the main factors behind owners turning their back on EVs.

Mr Bestwick, from Derbyshire, said: My Renault is meant to have a range of 280 miles but its only ever reached over 200 twice out of about 30 times. Im lucky to get 160 out of it, so its blatantly obvious there is a problem.

Ive taken it to three different Renault garages and theyve all said theres nothing wrong and its because of my driving style.

I dont agree with that at all  Im 62 years old and drive in eco mode 90pc of the time. Im after economy, not speed.

Its soul-destroying constantly getting told its my fault when it clearly isnt.

A recent investigation by What Car magazine found that electric cars have up to a third less range in reality than advertised. The data highlighted the disparity between the results of official government tests and those that can be achieved during real-world usage.

Im at the end of the line as its ridiculous, Mr Bestwick said. Ive considered not paying the monthly lease but I dont want any trouble so Im waiting until next May when I can ditch it.

Im so glad I didnt purchase the car outright. It would have cost 38,000 then, but the values depreciate so quickly I think it would only be worth about 22,000 now.

Research from Auto Trader earlier this year found that a motorist buying a 50,000 electric car could expect to lose 24,000 in value over three years, while a similarly priced petrol car would lose only 17,000.

Im all for technology but Im going back to petrol, or Ill get a hybrid. Im not going to entertain full electric again as this has been the worst car Ive ever had, Mr Bestwick said.

Renault told The Telegraph it is sorry to hear of Mr Bestwicks concerns, but reiterated that a lack of range is likely down to driving style.

A spokesman said: Investigations by our dealers suggest the range indicated is commensurate with Mr Bestwicks driving style and car set-up.

As with all cars, no matter if they are combustion engine or electric, driving style, environmental conditions and car set-up are significant contributors to achieve range in real-world driving.

Renault said techniques such as making use of regenerative braking systems, moderating speed and the use of the heating or air-con will help boost range.

The manufacturer also said some E-Tech owners have reported surpassing the advertised 280-mile range.

'I'm at the end of the line as it's ridiculous,' says Mr Bestwick - Roger Moody/Guzelian

However, for Nigel Pullen, who owns an electric Skoda Enyaq, manufacturers will need to almost double range capabilities before British drivers welcome EVs with open arms.

Until EVs have a genuine range of 500+ plus miles, there will be a constant issue, he said.

My wife drives an electric Skoda and for local use, its fine but for the longer journeys, forget it.

Were in Cornwall and our son lives in Derbyshire so we thought with a 330-mile range, wed be able to get there. But the reality is totally different.

We can get about 250 from it, but even then, your eyes are constantly on the range.

Were going to dump it when the lease is up and have a petrol-hybrid instead.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that EV uptake is being sustained by growing demand from the fleet market, as a result of businesses offering employee benefits such as salary sacrifice to take on an electric car.

Demand from the general public is falling flat, yet Labour plans to toughen up the UK approach to EVs, forcing more people to make the switch to battery power.

The party is poised to bring forward a ban on the sale of new petrol cars from 2035 to 2030, undoing a delay announced by the Conservatives.

What readers are saying

Last week, The Telegraph reported that only 30pc of EV owners who part-exchange their car buy another electric motor  with the rest opting for either petrol, diesel or hybrid models.

Telegraph readers flooded the comments section in reaction to the data, with many highlighting their troubles with battery power.

However, some are steadfast in their view that electric is the way to go and have spoken highly of their driving experience.

Britain doesnt have the infrastructure

Reader Jane Gregory is a Tesla 3 owner who intends to trade it in at the end of the year for either a petrol or hybrid model because of range anxiety: We cannot go on any long journey without having to add time and inconvenience. It really is such a faff to charge your car anywhere else but home.

Sometimes the charging points dont work or there is a queue, etc. Britain does not have the infrastructure, but even if we did, can you imagine the queues everywhere to charge? Sorry Tesla, I do love you but itll be a goodbye.

No wonder demand is collapsing

Cliff Nicholls argues that for mass adoption of EVs to take place, a hugely intricate and costly infrastructure upgrade is required: Few really understand the complexities involved with rolling out a charging infrastructure.

Fast chargers draw huge currents, which need very thick cables, high voltage transmission upgrades and even to get home chargers at every house will need massive grid upgrades.

In a similar vein, reader Chris Chambers criticises a lack of investment by the Government: They created an artificial market by giving ridiculous incentives that the taxpayer couldnt afford. Now the incentives are being diluted, as they always had to be, and combined with the underinvestment in infrastructure it is no surprise to me that demand is collapsing.

Charging my EV is very cheap

Gareth Probert, a proud Tesla owner is happy with the affordability: I dont recognise any of the complaints about range anxiety or costs to run. The Tesla Supercharger network is fast, well developed and I charge overnight at home for 7.5p/kw hr  very cheap!

Reader Eric Moore said a great benefit for EV owners is that they are immune to fuel shortages: I remember sailing past the long lines of cars waiting for fuel in Cambridge. I felt sorry that that happened. But it shows you that petrol is vulnerable to events.

However, for reader Neal Preshner, the cost is too much: The question that needs to be asked here is, why are people being ripped off for electric charging away from their homes? If domestic suppliers are charging roughly 20p per unit why is a typical petrol station charging 75p?

Having had a plug-in hybrid on loan for a few weeks, and buying a 50-mile charge at the medium rate of 50p a unit, I calculated the car would have done the same mileage on 12 of petrol.

Imports from China mean they arent very green

One of the most promoted benefits of using EVs is their positive impact on the environment, due to less consumption of fossil fuels and a reduction of local pollution.

But reader Rupert E Beehsley questions their overall green credentials: Nobody with a brain buys an EV while the technology is rapidly developing and leading to massive depreciation on older models. Range decreases with age and batteries are exorbitant to replace.

Soon, the only affordable EVs will be Chinese, made with coal-powered electricity generation and shipped halfway round the world. Very green eh?

On the other hand, reader Barbara Manick denies the accusations of self-righteousness usually thrown at EV drivers: EV owners have no halo to polish. Their cars simply dont chuck out hideous gases into the atmosphere and they are a pleasure to drive.

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.
'You feel a little like Superman': County fair rides go airborne, among other thrills

Lisa Long, 14, and her brother Griffin Long, 13, ride the Cliff Hanger at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend.

SOUTH BEND  You feel a little like Superman on it, Griffin Long, 13, said as he stepped off the Cliff Hanger ride Saturday at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair.

For the ride, participants lie flat on their stomachs with their arms stretched forward. They are strapped into seats with gliders hanging over them. All the hang gliders are connected to a central beam and move through the air, so the ride is a bit like a carousel, but instead of sitting upright clutching a pole for security, riders cant grab onto anything for support.

'A great way to kickoff summer': Everything you need to know about the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair

The ride went surprisingly high  I felt like I was flying, said Griffins sister, Lisa Long, 14, who came from Niles, to attend the fair.

More flying thrills

The Cliff Hanger is one of many rides at the county fair that give children and adults alike a sense of thrill.

There's also Pharoahs Fury, a boat-shaped ride where passengers are rocked side to side over 43 feet in the air, and Skater, which gives riders the feeling of curving down the ramps of a skate park, except they're suspended in the air instead of rolling on concrete.

Other rides include the Starship, a space-themed ride that spins around, and Scrambler, a carousel that keeps changing the direction in which it spins and a ride where players could drive monster trucks.

People ride the ride known as Skater at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend.

Nicole Mungwari, 17, said that she and her younger siblings had come to the fair mainly for the exciting rides because they werent big fans of the food at the fair. Mungwari and her family moved to South Bend from Zimbabwe three years ago, and this year was their second one at the county fair.

I like the 1001 Nachts ride. It goes up and then side to side when youre high in the air. It was scary, but I just liked the sensation, her sister, Geraldine Mungwari, 14, said.

The 1001 Nachts ride lifts attendees high into the sky at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend.

Stephanie Nicks from Osceola, whos attended the county fair almost every year since she was a kid, also said that the 1001 Nachts ride was her favorite. Nicks brought her 10-year-old daughter, Madison Cox, to the fair for the first time last weekend and wanted her to try it out. Cox said she enjoyed getting her face painted and going on rides like the Wave Swinger, but she wasnt quite ready for the 1001 Nachts ride.

Riders spin through the air on the Wave Swinger at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend.

Im not scared of heights, but Im scared of flips, Madison said.

Toddler-friendly rides

Aurelija Fitzpatrick and her son, Lucas, 4, slide down the State Fair Slide at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend.

Aurelija Fitzpatrick, who lives in Chicago, attended the county fair for the first time with her kids because she had come to South Bend to visit her parents for the weekend. She said she enjoyed going down the State Fair Slide with her 4-year-old son, Lucas. She took Lucas on the other toddler-friendly rides, such as the Dumbo elephant carousel.

She said she was glad there were many different options for rides.

We also went on the Ferris wheel and the other roller coasters  I also have a 6-year-old son whos a bit braver, and he loved it, Fitzpatrick said.

The St. Joseph County 4-H Fair

 Where: St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds, 5117 S. Ironwood Road, South Bend

 When: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through July 6.

 Cost: Free from 7 to 9 a.m.; $5 through close; free for ages 8 and younger and police officers, firefighters, EMTs and active military members.

 For more information: Call 574-291-4870 or visit 4hfair.com.

People ride the Dumbo elephant carousel at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Rides at South Bend's St. Joseph County 4-H Fair offer thrills
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  History came to life at the Youth Museum of West Virginia on Sunday, June 30, 2024 when guests were pulled back to the late 1700s to meet Thomas Ingles, son of Mary Draper Ingles.

Different musicians perform every Friday this summer in Beckley

History Alive! is a program sponsored by the West Virginia Humanities Council in order to provide living history performances throughout the state.

With a roster of more than 10 characters, the program allows a glimpse into the past with first-person character portrayals.

Thomas Ingles journeyed to the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia in order to tell his story, one often overshadowed by his famous mother, Mary Draper Ingles.

Becky Leach, Secretary of the Raleigh County Historical Society, said these presentations are important for everyone.

Its just encouragement to keep our history alive and that it is indeed something to look forward to and to retain for the future, for the future generations. We dont need to lose all of our yesterdays simply because they are past, said Leach.

Leslie Gray-Baker, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Beckley, said they try to do two presentations each summer.

I think its so important because its such a unique way to get people involved and interested, and most of the time, the presentations we pick are of local interest to us, explained Gray-Baker.

Presentations from days past have included Francis Pierpont, the Father of West Virginia; Nellie Bly, the journalist famous for infiltrating an insane asylum to show the deplorable conditions; and Walt Disney, pioneer of the American animated film industry and Mr. Mickey Mouse.

100th Anniversary of the Wedding of the Bluefields coming up

For this presentation, Doug Wood of Hurricane portrayed Thomas Ingles.

He said he wants people to see Thomas not as black-and-white, but a real person with conflicts of his own.

Well, one of the key things I hope to portray is the conflict he had within, being raised as Shawnee. He was a Shawnee man when he came back to Virginia and he didnt speak a lick of English when he came back to Virginia, said Wood. He had to transition to become a Virginia gentleman, and then when he gets out of school, learning how to be a Virginia gentleman, he immediately goes to war against the Shawnees that he had been raised by.

The next History Alive! Presentation will feature Mary Harris Mother Jones at the Wildwood House on August 5th.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 monstera stands on a windowsill. The houseplant hotel cares for your plants when you are away. Marijan Murat/dpa

Yolanda Palmer ushers visitors throughFoliage, past towering ferns, hanging ficus, and monstera with leaves that look like Swiss cheese, to the 300-square-foot greenery hotel nestled in back of her plant boutique.

Here, close to a dozen clivia, hibiscus and succulents soak in the sun under floor-to-ceiling windows. On cloudy days, high-powered, infrared grow lights help turn stalks green and lush. Palmer repots, fertilizes, and sprays neem oil so bugs dont get too comfortable. She puts all her visiting plants on strict watering schedules  too much water is worse than too little.

Bruised leaves heal. Viruses in the soil are cured. Plants flourish. And when owners return from vacations abroad and months-long business trips, their agave trees, cacti, and snake plants are perky, healthy, and, most importantly, ready to thrive at home.

Ive always had lots of plants and lots of animals, said Palmer, who charges $75 a week for her in-store plant-hoteling services and for plant-sitting at clients homes. And when I traveled, I always wished I had someone to take care of them. 

Palmer, 52, grew up in Southwest Philly in the 80s and 90s and to keep out of trouble, her mother required she have a hobby. Caring for plants became hers.

She worked as an accountant and billing coordinator at Public Health Management Corp. for 14 years, where she became an expert in spreadsheets and balancing budgets. Palmer quit PHMC in 2019 to turn her hobby into a business and started selling plants at pop-ups. She needed a place to store her plants so she set up shop at Jerrys Corner, a flea market in Southwest Philly, selling plants three days a week.

Palmer consulted with would-be plant parents. People who travel should buy snake plants, ponytail palms, and cacti because they dont need to be watered often. Those with pets might want to buy ferns or hoyas because their leaves arent poisonous.

In 2021, when the space at 8139 Germantown Ave.  a teahouse turned antique shop  became available, she jumped.

What sets me apart is that I really help people care for their plants, Palmer said. It takes time, dedication and space, she said. And it takes a special eye because plants cant tell you what they need or want. And by the time you notice a yellowed leaf, or a brittle stem, its too late.

Everything from the wrought iron gates that separate the rooms in Foliage to the wine racks has a leaf on it. Terrariums filled with multicolored sand and succulents line the windowsills next to rows of teeny tiny plants Palmer is growing for party favors. Candles that smell like springtime and evergreens dot the store. Palmer walks through Foliage untangling hanging potted plants overflowing with dangling strings of fishhooks. She stops to braid the long, skinny leaves of a snake plant.

Cindy Boughton walked in. She moved to Philadelphia from Texas a few years ago and wasnt able to bring her beloved nearly 3-foot-tall Euphorbia  a succulent with prickly glochids that give it a cactus vibe  with her.

Boughton purchased another Euphorbia from Palmer a few weeks ago, but didnt take it home immediately because she needed to make space for it. Palmer took care of the plant until she came back. She helped Boughton load it into the car. I really missed my plant, Boughton said. She  this store  Its just so wonderful.

A steady stream of customers walked in and out of Foliage praising Palmer for her dedication and green thumb. Im just so happy I was able to turn my passion into a business, Palmer said.

Different cacti grow in a clay bowl on a windowsill. You can treat your plants to the staycation they deserve, if you are going away. Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB
For the pure spectacle of it all, the theater, the story lines, the shenanigans, the crowd, the emotion, the suspense and the drama, the VIVO Rio Pro stands out as one of the events of the year.

What the event lacked in wave quality it made up for with pure emotion and crucial storylines as top five contenders battled it out in the mens and womens with Italo Ferreira powering to a famous hometown victory in front of a delirious and unbelievably large home crowd. On the womens side, 18-year-old prodigy, Caity Simmers, used her peerless, progressive, Oceanside-honed beach break attack to claim her third event of the year and lock down a spot in the top five. But not before being pushed all the way by Brazilian wildcard, Taina Hickel, in the elimination round  the Californian getting the narrowest of victories by 0.5 before cantering to victory from thereon.

The Brazilian world tour event has long been the bane of many tour surfers' existence. Slater was famous for skipping it and the prospect of traveling halfway around the world to surf a formless, junky, city beach break hardly screams Dream Tour. Unless of course youre Brazilian. In which case it is the event you want to win more than any other. This in itself has proved a curse for the nations title contenders, namely Medina and Ferreira, who have time and time again crumbled under the pressure of hometown expectation.

Simmers, just after her victory Diz/WSL

Coming into the event, Gabriel Medina stated his intention to win the event if it was the one thing he did this year. The World No. 8 has been simmering away in the back half of the year and arrived at the event in need of a big result to rocket himself into top five contention ahead of the penultimate event at Cloudbreak. As challenging as the conditions were, junky beachbreaks have a strange ability to sort the wheat from the chaff and that was the case here in Brazil. Come quarterfinal time, the entire top eight, bar Jack Robinson (who lost out in the round of 16) lined up, creating the most intense round of competition this year. Medina drew Griffin Colapinto, a surfer in desperate need of a result to halt a slide down the rankings following a last place in Tahiti and a controversial loss to Brazilian Joao Chianca in the round of 16 in El Salvador.

Related: 2024 El Salvador Pro Recap: Next Level High Performance Surfing

Under all the pressure in the world facing a deafening home crowd, Griffin appeared calm and non plussed on the runway as the announcer introduced him and Medina. His dedication to mindfulness training was writ large as he calmly made his way into the lineup and dropped an absolute hammer first wave  a layback closeout lip line kapow  that was the rail turn of the event, netting him a 6.00, which turned out to be the only score of consequence in the slow, high-tide heat. He backed it up with a four for the win as Medina scoured the lineup unable to find anything over a 5. The result may well have been different had Medina managed to fashion an exit out of a miraculous closeout tube only to come up millimeters short handing victory and a more-than-likely top five birth to Griffin Colapinto as we head to Cloudbreak.

With one Brazilian heavyweight and top five contender down, two more remained in Italo Ferreira and Yago Dora. Yago, the defending Rio Pro champ, arrived at the event in a red hot run of form on the back of quarter final finish in Tahiti and a runner-up in El Salvador. He and Italo were responsible for every excellent heat score in Brazil, racking up two heats over the 16.00 mark a piece. Ranked 8th coming into the event, Yago needed something special to make his way into the top five and he produced, taking down World No. 1 John John Florence in the quarters, to claim revenge for their final in El Salvador, in what was one of the heats of the event. In a see-sawing affair that saw several lead changes, Yago finally closed it out with one of the highest single wave scores of the event, a 9.17, for the biggest wave of the day in which he glued a critical layback lip line hack in the pocket on a big cupped out section reminiscent of Tom Carrolls iconic Pipeline layback snap, followed by a series of grab rail hooks, critical top turns, snaps, wraps, and tail slides.

Yoga Dora, eyeing the landing strip during the 2024 Vivo Rio Pro Smorigo/WSL

On the other side of the draw, Italo was going ballistic, whooping the crowd into a frenzy with a theatrical display of turned up power hacks and signature high-velocity backside and frontside rotations. His frontside full rotation traveller into the wind against Rio Waida in the Round of 16 had the commentary booth on their feet before he closed out the heat with a nine for a Formula-One-hairpin grab rail hook in the pocket straight into a big rail tap air reverse on the end section to earn him the highest combined total of the event, a 17.5.

After getting the better of Connor OLeary in a hard fought quarterfinal contest, he met Griffin in the semis and Griffind him with a huge buttery backside over rotated air reverse right off the bat for a 9.00. To his credit, Griffin did not go away, dropping some big air reverses of his own for a pair of sevens to apply plenty of pressure to Italo but the will and determination of this iconic Brazilian battler proved too much as he backed up the 9 with a 7.6 for a critical layback hack in the pocket followed by a potentially injurious, De Souza-esque tail drop floater on a dangerous barreling section for the win.

Ferreira, on the rare occasion he wasn't launching above the lip Smorigo/WSL

An Italo vs. Yago final could not have been more fitting and pandemonium like weve seldom witnessed before reigned as the pair took to the water. Caitlin Simmers had to stop multiple times in her victorious post-event interview due to the deafening crowd as the two Brazilians put on an old fashioned air show; a clinic in Brazilian beach break acrobatics for their delirious compatriots watching on in the shore break. While it might be a bitter pill to swallow for many Australian and American surf fans, you had to admire the passion of the fans and the unique celebration of Brazilian surfing culture and identity in this final. Capoeira mixed with jinga mixed with skating, and obviously surfing - all of which Brazilians are masters of - has created a unique and undeniably dominant strain of surfing, and this was the purest form of it. Italo got the win with a signature frontside air reverse for a 7.00 followed by a series of equally signature backside snaps for a 6.67 while Yago attempted to keep pace with poppy punts and rotations.

Related: Italo Ferreira Claims 2024 Tahiti Pro, Shakes Up 'CT Rankings

With two event wins from three starts, Italo has created a dramatic change in fortunes following a dismal start to the year in which he almost missed the cut. He now finds himself 4th in the world heading into Cloudbreak, having unseated Jordy Smith from the top five. With back to back runner-ups, Yago moves up two spots to sixth in the world putting world number five Ethan Ewing under a ton of pressure as we head to Cloudbreak.

Simmers, en route to victory Smorigo/WSL

For the women, it was tough going in Brazil with not a single combined total breaching the excellent 16.00 range. A raft of poor performances from the top five, four of whom found themselves in the elimination round, and all of whom were eliminated by the quarterfinals, bar Simmers, saw the top five remain static. The exception being Johanne Defay who drops out after yet another strong performance by Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan, who defeated Molly Picklum in their high stakes quarterfinal, to claim the 5th spot heading into Fiji.

Sawyer Lindblads second runner-up this season looks set to net her WSL Rookie of the Year honors. Though all the talk heading into Fiji is about tour veteran, Tatiana Weston-Webb and her late season tilt at the top five. A semi-final finish in Rio, on the back of another semi at Teahupoo, and a host of spellbinding performances in the consequential Pacific arena, has her well poised for a solid result at Cloudbreak and a last gasp promotion to the Top Five to contest her third Showdown at Trestles.
Massillon Museum logo

The Massillon Museums beginner-friendly yoga class will meet every Friday in July.

All ages and levels are welcome to participate in restorative poses, vinyasa and a five-minute savasana. Bring a mat to the session, which will meet from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. The sessions will be held on the lawn when the weather allows.

The fee is $6 per class, or $15 for a bundle of three classes, which will continue each month. Payment is due at the beginning of the class. No registration is necessary  some attend occasionally; some participate every week.

The Massillon Museum receives operating support from the Ohio Arts Council, ArtsinStark, and the citizens of Massillon, as well as marketing support from Visit Canton. This class is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Massillon Museum is at 121 Lincoln Way East (Ohio Route 172) in downtown Massillon. Free parking is available on adjacent streets and in nearby city lots. For more information, call the museum at 330-833-4061 or visit massillonmuseum.org.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Massillon Museum sets yoga Fridays in July
Meet the mailman who is also the godfather and guardian of Utahs fabled Highway 12

Its been hailed as the most scenic road in America. A journey through time is the description on one travel website. People put it on their bucket lists. Motorcycle clubs treat it like its the holy grail.

Tracy Sidwell has another name for Utahs fabled Highway 12.

He calls it his mail route.

For the last 30 years, not long after Escalante High School gave him his diploma and sent him out into the world to find his way, Tracy looked at the highway and there it was, right out his front door.

He went to work as a contract carrier for the United States Postal Service, a job that entailed picking up the mail bags early in the morning where Highway 12 starts (and ends) in Panguitch and dropping them off at the post offices in Bryce Canyon City, Tropic, Cannonville, Henrieville and Escalante  before a final stop at the little mountain town of Boulder some 94 miles away.

Then hed pick up more bags and do the same thing on his way back to Panguitch.

Two hundred miles round trip when you throw in the Bryce Canyon jog.

Tracy insists the drive  with its pine- and aspen-covered mountains on either end bookending Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park and the shimmering Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument  has never gotten old.

I get to drive the prettiest road in the whole world every day but Sunday, he declares.

But thats not why hes put nearly 2 million miles on three different Dodge Ram diesel trucks and stayed with the same job for three decades.

In the process, hes become a beloved fixture himself.

At Head of the Rocks Overlook on Highway 12, Garfield County mailman Tracy Sidwell is flanked by the road that meanders through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. He's carried the mail over the route six days a week for the past 30 years. | Lee Benson, Deseret News

While delivering the mail six days a week, year-in, year-out, Tracy has become the godfather and guardian of Highway 12. Getting the mail from A to B is just the start of it. He wears a bunch of different hats. When needed, hes also a delivery man, a taxi cab, a mechanic and neighborhood watch: a one-man UPS, AAA, Uber and good Samaritan.

A store in Boulder is running low on Pepsi? No problem. Tracy will load a crate in with the mail. Some parents need help getting their kids to grandpas farm for the day? Sure thing. And hell bring them back. A car breaks down on the side of the highway. The mail truck stops and sees what assistance it can render (Tracys a trained auto mechanic). If people are stranded, he gives them rides.

Tracys delivered blood to clinics, tractor parts to ranchers, milk to grocery stores; hes fixed flats and given tourists directions; one time, he hauled a trailer with dirty laundry from a motel in one town, dropped it off to get washed in another town, and brought it back. Another time  true story  he and his four-wheel-drive Dodge towed the county snowplow driver in his two-wheel-drive truck so he could get to his snowplow. Sometimes people pay him for his service, or they try to, but not much more than to cover the gas.

If he can help you do something, hell do it, says Sandra Francisco, the postmaster in Bryce Canyon City, and hell do his job too. Hes never late.

In rural Garfield County, where 5,281 people live amid 5,208 square miles  an area the size of Connecticut with a per-capita density more like the moon  Tracy stands out like Highway 12s famed hogsback turns.

Ryan Crosier, the postmaster in Escalante, tells the story about the school teacher who lives in Escalante and teaches in Tropic, 44 miles away.

She was in the post office one day and she told me she had a comfort of knowing every day when she drove to work that Tracy was out there on the highway, either coming or going, says Ryan. Just knowing that gave her a sense of peace in case anything ever went wrong. And they werent even close friends, she just knew she could count on Tracy. Hes a tough, dependable, kindhearted man.

The impetus for writing about the mailman of Garfield County was because he was retiring. Or thought he was. This past April, another of his postal worker friends, Mike Lind, sent an email to the Deseret News. In it, he extolled Tracys long years of service, explained that he had plans to leave for another job at the end of May and it would be nice if he got a little recognition on his way out after 30 years on the job.

He is known county-wide and is loved by everyone, Mike wrote.

Then, as life is known to do, things changed. Tracys plan was to stop work as a mail carrier and take a job as a long-haul trucker, fulfilling a lifelong dream. But as news of his departure made its way through Garfield County (and it didnt take long), the company taking over the Highway 12 mail contract stepped in. Realizing it would be nigh on impossible to replace Tracy, they offered him a healthy raise to decide not to retire.

It was an offer I couldnt refuse, says Tracy with a wide smile.

Not only did his financial situation improve, he had the added benefit of people telling him how they feel about him because they thought he was leaving.

I think people here exaggerate a little bit, says Tracy, doing his best to deflect all the praise thats been thrown his way, and then adds, I knew I had friends, I didnt know they were more like family than friends.

Garfield County mailman Tracy Sidwell's "work" T-shirt celebrates the fabled Highway 12 hogsback. | Lee Benson, Deseret News
If you are planning on shooting off fireworks this July 4, you can stick with boring old sparklers and firecrackers, sure, but how about cutting loose with "One Bad Mother?" a 16-shot, multi-blooming display of crackling flowers with a three-shot finale, each blasting as high as 200 feet in the air and breaking up to 150 feet wide?

This 16,000-strip firecracker packet is for sale at the Daytona Beach Phantom Fireworks

If you want to stay closer to the ground, there's "Fiery Frogs" which shoots off a fountain of sparks. Or you can go with "Raging Rottweilers" which shoots off multi-colored stars followed by "awesome spinning silver tourbillions with a strobing red and green finale," according to the description.

These and other similarly named products can be found on the explosives-laden shelves at Phantom Fireworks at 1226 S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach and Big Nick's Boom Boom Sticks in Flagler Beach. Nick's is actually a roadside tent at 2751 Moody Boulevard, decked with giant letters that read, "big fireworks."

A combo package awaits purchase at the Daytona Beach Phantom Fireworks on Saturday

"The Boom Boom Stick is anything that goes 'boom boom,' which is just about every item we sell here," said Haley Ritter, sales clerk at Nick's.

Consider yourself forewarned, however. Some of these products are just a smidge below professional grade. And a mishandled firework can kill or maim you. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that in 2023, it received reports of eight deaths and an estimated 9,700 injuries involving fireworks.

And these products are not cheap. For example, "Biggen" is a fireworks assortment priced at $1,499. It boasts, among other things, a "Fire and Fury" finale-level firework with packaging that features a King Kong-style creature firing off a machine gun.

"We have anything in here from lots of mortars to some smaller cakes, larger cakes," Ritter said about the Biggen assortment. "We have a finale cake in here as well."

Big Nick's Boom Boom Sticks in Flagler County features a colorful assortment of fireworks packages.

A "cake" is a cluster of tubes linked by a fuse that fires off a series of sequential aerial explosions. These tubes can be up to 3 inches in diameter and a single cake can sometimes launch more than 1,000 shots.

The variety of effects within individual cakes is often such that they defy descriptive titles and are instead given cryptic names such as "Bermuda Triangle," "Pyro Glyphics," "Cosmic Carnival," "Emerald City," and "Molotov Cocktail," to name a few.

Haley Ritter, sales clerk at Big Nick's Boom Boom Sticks in Flagler County, describes the "Alpha Male" fireworks display on Saturday.

An example of a small cake at Nick's is the "Trash Panda," which shoots flaming balls. Its packaging features a raccoon flashing peace signs, amid a mound of trash.

There's also the hyper-masculine, scary and darkly dramatic packaging  one item at Big Nick's is called "Alpha Male" with a wolf on the front.

"These give off nine very large shots," Ritter said.

At Phantom Fireworks in Daytona Beach, patrons can nab a 16,000-strip firecracker package decked with three snarling wolves. The packaging touts its performance as "super loud" with "maximum power."

"Da Bomb" is one of Phantom Fireworks' 500-gram repeaters. It has the maximum of powder allowed below professional grade, store Manager Andrew Schroeder said.

But the most powerful fireworks in the building are on another aisle. Those are nine-shot rounds loaded with the maximum amount of powder allowed for consumer sales, Phantom Fireworks Daytona Beach Manager Andrew Schroeder said. Those include "Da Bomb!"

"All of these fireworks right here, this is the closest that you can get to the professional-grade fireworks," he said.

As for products with fun names that also pack power, Schroeder and Assistant Manager Zamari Davis showed off a stack of Whacky Tobacky packages. This product shoots "nine huge hanging gold brocades with a red strobing core," according to Phantom Fireworks. It costs about $330 in Daytona Beach.

"It goes about 250 feet into the sky and the breaks are massive," Schroeder said.

One tip from both businesses is to come in after July 4 for good deals. Nick's is open through July 5.

Schroeder urged people to read the instructions before lighting off the fireworks.

"Be safe," Davis said.

Domestic tranquility is also a factor. Phantom's biggest assortment sells for $1,499, and includes "24 hard-hitting Quest 60-gram canister artillery shells."

The name? "Grounds for Divorce."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: July 4 fireworks in Volusia, Flagler flaunt power in wild packaging
Im proud of the fact that I have a diverse group of friends, and when I recently returned to the U.S. for my fathers funeral, I was lucky to visit many of them.

My friend Scott

First, I visited my friend Scott, who recently retired after thirty years in law enforcement. Scott and his wife live in a new house in the exurbs. The grass is clipped, the deck is composite, and the TV is very large. In the massive garage, everything is neat and perfectly in place.

My friend and his wife shop at Costco, vacation in Hawaii, and have frequent barbecues in the backyard with their friends, who tend to have blue-collar jobs like theirs.

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Scott is much more than the stereotype of the exurban homeowner. But the fact is, he does fit some of the stereotypes  just like I fit a lot of the stereotypes of a digital nomad.

My friend Arial

After staying with Scott and his wife, I went to stay with my friend Arial, who lives in a large house built in 1918, right in the old town of the city center. The structure is a bit creaky, and things can be cluttered, but the old finishes are fantastic, and the patio Arial recently built out back is made from pieces of broken travertine limestone, which a neighbor abandoned and Arial reclaimed. The yard will soon be lawn-free, and the landscaping is shabby but lush, with lots of bees and butterflies.

This friend of mine shops at the local co-op, and everything in her house is organic, recycled, and composted. For years, Arial refused to own a television, but she finally bought a small one, even if I never saw it turned on.

Shes now divorced and polyamorous, and lives with her adult son and non-binary housemate, and she has barbecues too, with her many polyamorous, non-binary friends, and theres always a great vegetarian option.

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Arial is also much more than a stereotype, but, well, she too fits some of the stereotypes of people like her.

How are my friends alike?

Scott and Arial have never met, and if they did, I know theyd disagree on politics, but I suspect theyd still like each other, because theyre both so fundamentally decent  the kind of people who always welcome their visiting nomad friend with open arms.

And theyre both whip-smart, so I always enjoy hearing their takes on current events.

Me and Scott (Tim Cathersal)

One of the best parts of both visits was seeing how content both Scott and Arial seem with the lives theyve built for themselves.

Scott and Arial obviously lead very different lives, but the way they both got to where they are now is similar  and yet also different.

How are my friends different?

I met Scott in middle school. He grew up poor, one of four children of an overwhelmed single mother, who, after her divorce, survived for a time on government assistance.

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Scott didnt go to college and started working in high school. A few years later, when he told me he wanted to become a state patrol officer, I wasnt surprised. He liked structure  and, more than anything, he wanted to make some real money for the first time since his biological father had left the family in a lurch.

I also wasnt surprised when he excelled at his job, soon making detective and working in forensics. He rose ever higher in law enforcement, eventually landing in instruction and supervision. When he retired, he oversaw a staff of a hundred.

At the same time, hes been very single-minded, setting goals and working hard to achieve them. Hes been incredibly thrifty over the years, and if hes comfortable now, its because he worked his rear-end off for the forty-plus years Ive known him.

By contrast, Arial grew up in a wealthy family, the daughter of a doctor, and if her childhood was more stable than Scotts, her adult life has been more chaotic  more meandering, much less planned out. I met her in college, where she accidentally got pregnant. She gave that baby up for adoption but ended up marrying the father a few years later, and they had two more kids.

But it was a troubled marriage that eventually ended in divorce.

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When Arial told me she was polyamorous, it surprised me even less than when Scott told me he was going into the state patrol. At the time, almost fifteen ago, I was barely familiar with the concept, but once Arial explained it to me, it made perfect sense, given the person I knew her to be.

Arial faced custody issues and family blow-back when she came out at polyamorous, so Im using an alias here. (Brent Hartinger)

Arial has always had trouble staying motivated, and her personal life has been fairly rocky, but somehow this forced her to find a strange kind of self-reliance. She eventually made a nice career for herself. And when I visited her in Oregon, I confess to being somewhat shocked  but very impressed  by all the work she had single-handedly done on her old house.

Scott and Arial are both happy

More than anything, I was thrilled to see that both Scott and Arial seem truly happy with the lives theyve created for themselves.

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I look at all my close friends, and I confess to being struck by how often their lives really do seem to be almost perfect reflections of their ambitions, values, and priorities.

Of course, some people end up in unhappy, unsatisfied lives through no fault of their own. And even when it is a persons fault, it still sucks.

Most of our lives dont go exactly as planned. Even Scott went through an earlier divorce.

I'm happy too

Seven years ago, my husband Michael and I had a home in Seattle and a nice circle of friends. I had a great marriage and a modestly successful writing career. I thought of myself as happy, but I was frustrated by the ups and downs of a career in the arts, and I was upset by the political situation in America.

So Michael and I decided to become digital nomads. We sold our house and left America to travel the world.

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I hoped to like the traveling, and I truly have. What I didnt expect was how the experience would shift my own priorities. I used to live for my career, but  because I work in the arts  my degree of success was essentially out of my control.

Looking back, I see how that was a recipe for frustration.

As a nomad, my life has become much richer and more varied, so my writing career seems like a smaller part of who I am  and success now seems much less important. I suspect this also has to do with my getting older.

And  irony of ironies  by writing about travel, I also found success that had long eluded me.

The point is, it took some time, but like Scott and Arial, I also finally built a life that really works for me.

Me and Michael, somewhere in the world. (Michael Jensen)

What is the secret to happiness?

Scott, Arial, and I all lead different lives. I suspect each of us would be unhappy if we were forced to switch places.

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But eventually, we built great lives.

What was the key?

In all our cases, it was some degree of luck and good fortune.

But in Scotts case, it was also about setting goals and perseverance.

In Arials case, it was the realization that she was on her own  that if she didnt create focus in the fog of her life, no one would.

And in my case, it was a willingness to radically shake things up.

Since my father died, Ive realized theres very little you can say about life and death that hasnt been said before.

But some things are worth saying again  like the fact that while some parts of life are surely random, not everything is.

In the end, I think our lives are, in large part, what we make of them. And even if theyre not, Im really glad my friends and I have at least acted like they are.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  For the past 30 years, the Sacred Circle Spiritual Center has hosted a spirit, mind, and body fair.

But Sunday, June 30, was the first one in their new location at the West Ridge Mall. The fair was filled with vendors doing readings, massages and selling home goods, jewelry, incense and more.

We welcome everybody, Nina Beaner, president of the Sacred Circle Spiritual Center, said. There is when you come there normally someone you are drawn to that will help you spiritually and help you understand some of the spiritual path that you dont understand yourself.

If you were unable to make it out Sunday or this weekend, the next fair will take place the first weekend of November at the West Ridge Mall.

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Russian troops attacked the Volnovakha and Pokrovsk districts in Donetsk Oblast on July 1, killing one person and injuring seven others, Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor Office reported.

A 19-year-old man was hospitalized with shrapnel injuries after Russia's attack on the village of Komar in the Volnovakha district, according to prosecutors.

Presumably, Russian UMPB D-30SN bombs killed a 55-year-old woman in the town of Selydove, the prosecutors said. One man who was with her at the time was wounded.

Russian forces also struck the town of Ukrainsk in the Pokrovsk district for the second time in a day with Uragan rocket laucnhers, injuring five people  three women and two men, the prosecutors said.

Settlements in Donetsk Oblast suffer from daily Russian strikes due to their proximity to the front line. Heavy fighting continues in Donetsk Oblast as Russia seeks to occupy the entire region.

Four people were killed and 20 injured in the region over the past day, according to Governor Vadim Filashkin.

Read also: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 6, injure 41 over past day

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NARRAGANSETT  For nearly 10 years, Narragansett has wrestled with a conundrum: how to extend the towns beloved William C. ONeill Bike Path to the beach.

The path, which runs about 8 miles, from Kingston Station in South Kingstown to the community center off Mumford Road in Narragansett, is a well-known fixture of the community. Thousands of Narragansett residents and visitors from other communities  estimates of how many people use it annually range widely, from nearly 60,000 to 100,000  enjoy riding their bicycles, running, skating or taking a leisurely stroll down the path.

The only thing that would make the path better would be to extend it to nearby Narragansett Town Beach. The problem: Between the paths current terminus and the beach are three-quarters of a mile of wetlands and neighborhoods.

A sign welcomes visitors to the William C. ONeill Bike Path in Narragansett. Town officials are exploring options to extend the path to Narragansett Town Beach.

Proposals to extend the path have run into roadblocks. Some residents have balked at the idea of a bike path running through their neighborhood. Proposals to put the path on main roads have also raised safety concerns.

In May, the Town Council heard the results of a long-awaited feasibility study by DiPrete Engineering. The news was not encouraging: The recommended route, out of three possible paths, would run along busy Kingstown Road and Narragansett Avenue and would require scrapping 87 parking spots, making it a non-starter for most council members.

I was not thrilled with the three choices that we had, and I really thought we could figure out something better, said Deb Kopech, a Town Council member.

Kopech is neither an engineer nor an expert on bike paths, but that did not stop her from seeking an alternative route. She surveyed the area on foot with fellow council member Susan Cicilline-Buonanno and drew a new path that circumvents the wetlands of Canonchet Farm and the traffic of main thoroughfares.

Kopech argues that her route is more scenic and less exposed to traffic than the options presented by DiPrete Engineering. It runs behind Sprague Memorial Field and Park, hugging Canonchet Farm before veering onto Strathmore Street past the South County Museum and Anne Hoxsie Lane, which leads straight to the South Beach Pavilion.

The route is not without its hitches. Rhode Islands Department of Environmental Management  or perhaps the Coastal Resources Management Council  may have to sign off for the path to pass over Crooked Brook. Residents of Strathmore Street may also need to be convinced to let the path run along their part of the neighborhood. And Kopech does not know how much her proposed route would cost, though the town has $3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to spend on the bike path.

Bikes come to the end of the William C. O'Neill Bike Path behind Narragansett Elementary School on Mumford Road.

But she sees potential in the idea.

There's a lot of really great opportunity there to create not just a fitting terminus to the William C. O'Neill Bike Path, but also to provide public recognition of all the various kinds of recreational things that we can do at Narragansett. So to me, all of those pieces fit together beautifully, Kopech said.

At a Town Council workshop early this month, other council members expressed disappointment in DiPrete Engineerings proposal and were baffled that the engineering firm had not considered Kopechs idea in the first place. The council has asked the town manager to request that DiPrete Engineering review Kopechs proposal.

Narragansett has until 2027 to spend the $3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation earmarked for the bike path.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Proposed bike path to the beach in Narragansett hits bump in the road
14 arrested in sex trafficking sting in northwest Georgia

Officials arrested multiple people in a multi-agency sex trafficking investigation across northwest Georgia.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Operation Etowah Exploits was to combat human trafficking. Those arrested ranged in age from 22 to 59 and traveled from areas around Bartow County with the intent to purchase sex or sell sex.

Authorities said they wanted to identify and arrest pimps and human traffickers through this operation.

According to the GBI, nine sex workers were rescued.

TRENDING STORIES:

Authorities arrested and charged the following:

Lakisha Montera Watkins, 43, of Rome, GA, was charged with pimping.

Danny Williams, 59, of Hudson, FL, charged with pandering.

Kyefahn Brittain, 44, of Stockbridge, GA, was charged with pandering.

Bobby Cannon, 31, of McDonough, GA, was charged with pandering.

Nivanshu Mahajan, 22, of Cartersville, GA, was charged with pandering.

James Hallock, age 50, of Temple, GA, was charged with pandering.

James Nesta, 51, of Davidson, NC, was charged with pandering.

Brandon Treglown, 32, of Evans, GA, was charged with pandering.

Andrew Frey, 37, of Acworth, GA, was charged with pandering.

Christopher Smith, 39, of Dallas, GA, was charged with pandering.

Richie Digsby, 51, of Lindale, GA, was charged with pandering.

David Webb, 48, of Columbus, GA, was charged with pandering.

Jordyn Freeman, 31, of Cartersville, GA, was charged with violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

Aaron Sands, 51, of Cartersville, GA, was charged with a criminal attempt at child molestation.

The investigation is active and ongoing. More arrests and charges may follow.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the GBIs HEAT Unit at 404-270-8433, Bartow County Sheriffs Office Special Operations and Criminal Investigation Division at 770-607-1169, Bartow County Sheriffs Office at 770-382-5050, or the Cartersville Police Department at 770-382-2526.

Any form of human trafficking can be reported to Georgias statewide human trafficking hotline, 1-866-ENDHTGA. Help is available 24/7.

IN OTHER NEWS:
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Fourteen first-degree felony charges have been filed in the shooting death of Nico Patino, which allegedly took place at a warehouse after-party in Salt Lake City in May, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office.

Abdihakim Mohamed and Nay Blu Soe have both been charged with one count of first-degree felony murder, 13 counts of first-degree felony discharge of a firearm and one count of second-degree felony obstruction of justice.

On May 26, officers responded to a shooting at a warehouse after-party, located at 1810 West Fortune Road in Salt Lake Citys Glendale neighborhood.

MORE: Homicide suspect, 21, returns to Utah, gets arrested at Salt Lake airport

Upon arrival, police found Nico Patino, 30, in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

Video surveillance reportedly saw Patino leaving the warehouse with a woman. Patino was standing by some cars, police said, when two people  one later identified as Mohamed and another still unidentified  drove a silver car, weaving through the parking lot, toward Patino.

At the same time, Soe drove a Chrysler sedan and stopped in front of Patino. At this point, Soe, Mohamed, and the unidentified person all began shooting at Patino, police said.

All three individuals reportedly then fled in the Chrysler.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Patinos family and loved ones. The filing of these charges is a crucial step toward justice, and we hope it brings some measure of solace to those affected, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. We commend the work of the Salt Lake City Police detectives who conducted a diligent investigation to ensure these charges could be filed. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
15-Year-Old Known as 'God's Influencer' to Be First Millennial Saint After Pope Approves Canonization

Pope Francis and the College of Cardinals voted to approve Carlo Acutis' canonization on July 1

Independent Photo Agency Srl / Alamy Stock Photo Carlo Acutis.

A video game and computer-loving teenager known as "God's influencer" who died at age 15 will become the first Millennial saint.

On Monday, July 1, the College of Cardinals met with Pope Francis in the Vaticans Apostolic Palace for an Ordinary Public Consistory, where they voted to approve the canonization of Carlo Acutis, per the Vatican News.

A date when Acutis will be recognized as a saint is yet to be announced, but the outlet stated it's likely to happen during the 2025 Jubilee; an event that's celebrated by the Catholic Church every 25 years.

Per the Vatican News, the Pope previously stated that the Jubilee Year would begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St Peters Basilica on Dec. 24, 2024, and will end in churches throughout the world on Dec. 28, 2025. It will come to a close in Rome during the Solemnity of Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2026, the outlet reported.

Acutis  who was a web designer and documented Eucharistic miracles  was born in London, England on May 3, 1991, and died from leukemia on Oct. 12, 2006 in Monza, Italy. He will become the first person born between 1981 and 1996 to be recognized as a saint.

Vatican Pool/Getty Images A tapestry featuring a portrait of Carlo Acutis hangs at the St. Francis Basilica during his beatification ceremony on October 10, 2020 in Assisi, Italy.

Related: Jim Gaffigan Brought His Kids to Meet Pope Francis  and Then His Son Almost Got in Trouble at the Vatican

The late teenager's body currently lies on display in an open tomb in Assisi, Italy, where he is dressed in blue jeans and black Nike sneakers, which was reportedly one of his favorite things to wear.

In May, PEOPLE reported that Acutis was expected to become the first millennial saint before it was confirmed on Monday.

The Pope already beatified Acutis in 2020. This process is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and their capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name.

Related: Pope Francis Invites Famous Comedians to Vatican to Promote 'Love' as Hes Accused of Using Homophobic Slur Again

Vatican Pool/Getty Images People attend the beatification ceremony of Carlo Acutis at the St. Francis Basilica on October 10, 2020 in Assisi, Italy.

To be canonized as a saint, two miracles have to be attributed to the person in question. Per Catholic news site Aleteia, Acutis was attributed with his first miracle for healing a young Brazilian boy from annular pancreas, which is a rare congenital disease.

His second miracle then involved a woman named Liliana from Costa Rica whose daughter Valeria was left with severe head trauma and multiple other injuries after falling from her bicycle in Florence, where she was a university student, on July 2, 2022, the Vatican News reported.

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Per the outlet, doctors had said Valeria had a low chance of survival. Liliana's secretary then started praying to Acutis, before Liliana traveled to his tomb on July 8 of that year. Later that day, Valeria began to "breathe spontaneously."

On July 18, a scan showed her hemorrhage had disappeared after she began to regain her speech and was able to move again the day after Liliana visited Acutis' tomb. By Sept. 2, Valeria was able to make the pilgrimage to Acutis' tomb with her mother to thank him, reported the Vatican News.

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PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) released the name of the 16-year-old killed in a shooting in Suitland on Thursday evening.

PGPD responded to the 7400 block of Towne Park Road at around 6:40 p.m. for a shooting.

There, officers found two men who had been shot. The teen died at the scene, with the second individual- a man, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

The 16-year-old was identified as Juan Roach of Suitland.

Prince Georges County police: Person killed in Suitland shooting was a minor

Investigators said in a press release on Friday that they believe several people were armed leading up to the shooting and that multiple people fired weapons.

PGPD said that officers recovered one firearm outside in a courtyard area.

This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information should contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
19 more NC counties to receive expanded internet access through statewide program

19 more NC counties to receive expanded internet access through statewide program

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) announced Monday an additional $112M in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects for nineteen more counties through a statewide initiative.

The additional funds would provide thousands of households and businesses across North Carolina to expand high-speed internet access.

In a recent release, the program announced that Union County was selected among 15 other local governments to receive the grant.

An additional $112M for the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program will be funded by more than $61M from the federal American Rescue Plan awarded by NCDIT, more than $25M from counties and nearly $26M from selected broadband providers such as:

Buncombe County: Bellsouth Telecommunications, LLC (AT&T North Carolina). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 967 locations (40% of the countys 2,394 eligible locations).

Burke County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) and Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 742 locations (21% of the countys 3,469 eligible locations).

Caldwell County: Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 160 locations (9% of the countys 1,769 eligible locations).

Caswell County: Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 589 locations (38% of the countys 1,552 eligible locations).

Cumberland County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) and StarVision, Inc. These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,692 locations (74% of the countys 2,286 eligible locations).

Edgecombe County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,420 locations (64% of the countys 2,212 eligible locations).

Franklin County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 2,374 locations (50% of the countys 4,714 eligible locations).

Granville County: Roanoke Connect Holdings (Fybe). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,697 locations (40% of the countys 4,237 eligible locations).

Harnett County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,539 locations (32% of the countys 4,878 eligible locations).

Macon County: BalsamWest FiberNET, LLC. These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,163 locations (45% of the countys 2,598 eligible locations).

Martin County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 2,064 locations (95% of the countys 2,181 eligible locations).

Northampton County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) and Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 902 locations (94% of the countys 963 eligible locations).

Person County: Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,850 locations (54% of the countys 3,412 eligible locations).

Polk County: Skyrunner, Inc. This award will provide high-speed internet access to 2,680 locations (92% of the countys 2,919 eligible locations).

Rockingham County: Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 898 locations (39% of the countys 2,286 eligible locations).

Stanly County: Bellsouth Telecommunications, LLC (AT&T North Carolina) and Windstream North Carolina, LLC. These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,013 locations (22% of the countys 4,566 eligible locations).

Swain County: Zito West Holding, LLC (Zito Media). This award will provide high-speed internet access to 518 locations (32% of the countys 1,595 eligible locations).

Wake County: Bellsouth Telecommunications, LLC (AT&T North Carolina) and Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,722 locations (63% of the countys 2,751 eligible locations).

Warren County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) and Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications). These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,913 locations (66% of the countys 2,895 eligible locations).

We are excited so many counties and internet service providers have partnered with us on the CAB program, said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny. These awarded projects will help us make significant progress on closing the states digital divide.

These CAB program awards will be added in late July to NCDITs new dashboards that show details and progress on programs funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act as part of Governor Roy Coopers plan to close the digital divide.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
2 Bodies Found Near Location Where 2 Teens Disappeared at N.Y.C. Beach After Being Swept Away by Rip Tide

The discoveries come more than a week after Elyjha Chandler and Christian Perkins disappeared in the water while visiting Jacob Riis Park on June 21

AP Photo/Kathy Willens Jacob A. Riis Park

Two bodies have been found near the location of the disappearance of two teens at a New York City beach more than a week ago.

Police said an unconscious and unresponsive male was found around 9 p.m. local time on June 29 near Beach 114th Street and Ocean Promenade in Queens, according to CW affiliate WPIX and the Gothamist.

Another unconscious and unresponsive male was found near Beach 149th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard around 11 a.m. the next day. Both individuals were pronounced dead.

Authorities have yet to identify the victims. But family members told the New York Daily News they believe one is 16-year-old Elyjha Chandler, who vanished after they were swept away by a riptide at Jacob Riis Park on June 21.

Urshell Chandler, Elyjhas father, told the newspaper that he was told a person was walking their dog when they found the body washed up.

Related: Shark Bites Florida Man Leaving Him in Critical Condition with 'Severe' Injuries to His Arm

I feel relieved but still sad, Urshell explained. We got some closure in this with finding the body, now we can make proper funeral arrangements.

Christian Perkins, 17, has also been missing since June 21. A family member told the Daily News that they have not yet learned if the second body belongs to the missing teen.

Isadora Velcy did not know the teens but was on the beach when they entered the water and raced for help when she saw they were in trouble, according to NY1.

We ran for the lifeguards and there were two girls that was sitting on the, on the chair and then we had screamed and ran back and I actually went in the water to see if I can still see his body, but I had to go back because the waves were so strong, Velcy said.

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Velcy attended a vigil for Elyjha held on June 28 to mark the teens 17th birthday, NY1 reported.

Elyjha was a junior at Wingate High School and was expected to graduate in 2025, according to the Daily News.

Shawanda Chandler, Elyjhas older sister, said her brother had enough credits to graduate from high school this summer but wanted to remain with his friends, according to The New York Post. She described him as the perfect little brother who was always smiling.

It feels unfair to be alive, Shawanda said. My brother was gonna do so much stuff.

Related: Why Are Thousands of Lego Pieces Washing Up on Beaches? The Answer Lies in a 1997 Cargo Ship Spill (Exclusive)

The U.S. Coast Guard scoured 600 miles of ocean from Sandy Hook, N.J., to Long Beach, N.Y., for the boys before it suspended its search for the pair, according to a news release from the agency.

The decision to suspend a search is always difficult and weighs heavily on all involved, said Capt. Jonathan Andrechik in the June 22 release. Our crews, along with our partner agencies, have conducted an exhaustive search, and our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time.



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2 children among 5 dead after plane crashes in upstate New York: Police

Five people, including two children, were killed Sunday in a plane crash in upstate New York, police said.

The victims were family members from Georgia. They were headed back to Atlanta after a trip to Cooperstown, New York, for a baseball tournament, police said.

The victims were Roger Beggs, 76; Laura VanEpps, 43; Ryan VanEpps, 42; James R. VanEpps, 12; and Harrison VanEpps, 10, according to police.

MORE: Father, 2 siblings set to graduate from college killed after small plane crashes in Tennessee

On Sunday at approximately 2 p.m., state police said authorities were dispatched for a possible plane crash near Lake Cecil Road in Masonville, New York.

PHOTO: Piper PA-46-310P Malibu on final-approach in an undated photo. (Aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty)

Officials said the downed plane -- a single-engine aircraft called the Piper Malibu Mirage -- was discovered after a multi-agency search of the area using drones, ATVs and helicopters.

MORE: 2 people seriously injured after small plane crashes near interstate south of Denver

The plane initially departed from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York, and was traveling to West Virginia to refuel with its ultimate destination being Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, police said.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal of Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and Forensic Identification Unit are working in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Board (NTSB) on the investigation.

ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report.

2 children among 5 dead after plane crashes in upstate New York: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Three people are dead and two others hurt after a shooting near the University of Cincinnatis campus early Monday morning.

>>New information expected after 15-year-old shot, killed by Dayton police

UC Public Safety issued an emergency alert on social media at 2:54 a.m. saying officers responded to a reported emergency on Highland Avenue and E University Avenue.

The shooting happened in the 300 block of East University Avenue near UCs campus, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati.

Police told Cincinnati media outlets that five people in total were shot. The coroners office confirmed that three people had died.

Two people had non-life-threatening injuries.

Captain Mark Burns told WCPO that one person on the scene ran into a house with a weapon and there was a brief standoff. They were later taken into custody, but Burns said police are unsure if that person was the shooter.

UC Public Safety issued an All Clear at 3:51 a.m. on its X (formerly Twitter) account.

The shooting remains under investigation.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A Kern County jury has convicted two gang members of murder in the shooting death of a man outside the Hampton Inn on Oak Street in 2021.

Angel Cordero, 27, and Jerry Ortega, 23, were found guilty on Friday and face life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors say.

On June 10, 2021, Billy Anthony Avila, 40, died from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutors say Cordero and Ortega arrived at the Hampton Inn in a Nissan Altima and waited four hours for Avila to leave. As Avila began placed items in his vehicle, Cordero and Ortega opened fire from the Nissan, prosecutors say, then ran up and fired more shots.

A total of 15 rounds were fired. Eleven hit Avila.

The Nissan was found later that day, driven by a third person who was trying to get rid of it, prosecutors say. DNA evidence in the car linked Cordero to the shooting, and DNA evidence at the scene came back to Ortega, according to prosecutors. Clothing worn by them at the time of the killing was found and seized.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 men accused of shooting Gainesville 16-year-old boy in the head now face felony gang charges

Two men who were arrested and charged with the murder of a 16-year-old boy are now facing felony gang charges.

JaQuez Jeremiah Sims, 19, and Quaran Jamir Jackson, 18, are accused of shooting and killing Jaishawn Overstreet on April 27.

Gainesville police worked with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Gang Task Force to bring the new charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Both men have been charged with multiple felony counts of participation in criminal street gang activity.

Both men are charged with felony murder and felony aggravated assault.

Sims is also charged with felony malice murder.

Police said they believe Overstreet went to Ridgecrest Apartments in Gainesville on Saturday, April 27 to meet with someone to commit a crime, where he was shot in the head.

He was hospitalized in critical condition and later died from his injuries.

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The two firefighters had dated for about seven years before breaking up, according to Kuhbander's parents

Hinesville Police Department Raegan Anderson, Chandler Kuhbander

Two Georgia firefighters who used to be high school sweethearts were found dead in Tennessee on Sunday.

Hinesville Police in Georgia said in a statement Sunday the firefighters, Reagan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, were found dead in Cocke County, Tenn., just east of Gatlinburg. Officials said their bodies were recovered along with Andersons car, which police said they had been looking for since it was last spotted at a local gym last week.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Anderson and Kuhbander families during this incredibly difficult time, the Hinesville Police Department said.

Anderson and Kuhbander had dated for seven years, since they were in high school, Kuhbanders parents told local WJCL last week.



"I'm so scared," Jane Kuhbander, Chandlers mother, told the outlet amid the search for her son and his girlfriend. "I just want them home."

Kuhbanders mother told WJCL that she last spoke to her son last Monday morning when he told her that Anderson had been continuously calling him and threatening herself.

"He was telling me she was blowing up his phone, and he said that she had threatened that she was going to commit suicide," Kuhbanders mother told the outlet. "And, it's not the first time that she's done it."

Two days prior, on Saturday June 22, Anderson was reportedly arrested after allegedly keying Kuhbanders car while he was on a date with another woman. Kuhbanders mother told WJCL that Anderson posted bond after being charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.

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.

Anderson was last seen Monday morning, June 24, when she and Kuhbander were spotted by security cameras in her car together in the parking lot outside his gym. Kuhbanders parents told WJCL they reviewed the security footage.



"At 11:40 my son walks out of the building and he looks very comfortable, like he just had his workout," said Kuhbander's mother. "He doesnt look rushed as he walks through the parking lot. After that, we dont see him again.

Kuhbanders mother added: You dont want to be in this position. And when you see it on television, I can see how they feel. Then it hits you, like, I am that person. I do feel that way. This is terrifying and you have no answers.

Hinesville Police said that investigators in Tennessee are reviewing the crime scene and that details pertaining to the discovery of their bodies, vehicle and events leading to their deaths are not available at this time.

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Read the original article on People.
2 people with life-threatening injuries following overnight shooting: MEDIC

2 people with life-threatening injuries following overnight shooting: MEDIC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Two people are in the hospital with life-threatening injuries following an overnight shooting in southwest Charlotte, Medic says.

Medic says both victims were transported to Atrium CMC.

No word yet on any suspects or the condition of the victims.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Read the latest in our coverage of the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. and other issues in Tarrant County jail.

Two Tarrant County jailers indicted on murder charges in the in-custody death of Anthony Johnson Jr. were booked into North Texas jails over the weekend and released on bond.

Rafael Moreno Jr., the detention officer who is accused of kneeling on Johnsons back, causing his death by asphyxiation, turned himself in to the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office on Saturday and posted $125,000 bond, according to court records.

As part of the conditions of his bond, Moreno has been placed on house arrest with GPS monitoring, court records state.

Joel Garcia, a Tarrant County Jail supervisor who recorded cellphone video of the April 21 altercation that led to Johnsons death, turned himself in to the Parker County Sheriffs Office on Friday. He also was released on $125,000 bond after being booked at the Parker County Jail, according to jail records.

Anthony Johnson Jr., a 31-year-old Marine veteran, tried to get help when he began noticing the symptoms of a schizophrenic episode, according to his family. Johnson was turned away from mental health facility, his sister said, and was arrested later that day. He died April 21 after being pepper-sprayed and held down by officers at the Tarrant County Jail.

Arrest warrants for the two jail employees were issued after a Tarrant County grand jury returned the indictments last week.

The Texas Rangers investigated Johnsons death and turned over the results to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office, which is prosecuting the case.

As promised, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Ranger Division, conducted a thorough, impartial, and meticulous investigation of the death of Anthony Johnson, DPS Regional Director Jeremy Sherrod said in a statement Monday. ... We know that this has been a painful, and at times, a prolonged process for the family of Anthony Johnson, but now this case moves to the next step in the judicial process.
2 travelers in wheelchairs watched their plane depart without them as they waited on the tarmac

2 travelers in wheelchairs watched their plane depart without them as they waited on the tarmac

Two people in wheelchairs were left on the tarmac as their plane took off without them, reports say.

Liz Weir, an author who uses a wheelchair, said the plane left with her luggage on board.

She said she couldn't get another flight until nearly eight hours later and missed a speaking event.

Two people in wheelchairs were left on the airport tarmac as their flight took off without them, reports say.

Liz Weir, an author from Northern Ireland, was due to fly from Belfast to Edinburgh, Scotland, with easyJet last month. She told The Washington Post she arrived several hours early for the 30-minute flight  eager not to miss an event she was scheduled to speak at.

Weir, who uses a wheelchair because of a heart condition, was wheeled from the gate to the tarmac by airport staff, the Post reported. There was also another passenger in a wheelchair who was with their husband, the outlet said.

As they reached the tarmac, the jet stairs were taken away, and the passengers and staff tried to wave to get the pilots' attention before the plane taxied away and took off, the Post reported.

"You always say, 'Oh, they won't go without us,' but they actually did. They went without us and took my luggage as well," Weir told the BBC.

"I would obviously like some sort of compensation; I lost earnings last night, there's appointments there, the damage to my reputation is there," she added.

"But it's more an important point that needs to be stressed that they need to be taking better care of people with mobility issues."

Weir told the outlet that having missed her flight, the next available tickets were for a flight eight hours later, and she didn't arrive in Edinburgh until 11 p.m.

Once there, she was able to retrieve her suitcase that had taken off on the earlier flight, the Post reported.

A spokesperson for Belfast International Airport said it was a situation for the airline to comment on.

EasyJet didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

In a statement shared with the Post, the airline said there was a "misunderstanding by our ground handling team and crew on board."

It added that it was "sorry for the impact this disruption will have had" and that it would provide compensation.

Read the original article on Business Insider
20-Year-Old New York Man Rescued from Cave After Getting Trapped for Hours

The unidentified man only suffered minor injuries, according to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple

Albany County Sheriffs Office Man rescued from cave

A 20-year-old is lucky to be alive after he was stuck inside a cave he fell inside over the weekend, authorities said.

The Albany County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team rescued the Queensbury man, who remains unidentified, on Sunday, June 30, after he entered a cave in Clarksville and got trapped, said Sheriff Craig Apple in a post on X, formally known as Twitter.

Earlier this evening a group from Queensbury entered the Clarksville cave and upon exiting one subject became stuck," his post read.

What caused the man to get stuck remains unknown at this time.

Related: Arizona Cave Team Looking for Family of Late Hiker Whose Wallet Was Found: We Want to 'Give a Little Happiness'

Albany County Sheriffs Office Man rescued from cave

Apple added, "After five hours of rigging and setting up a variety of pulley systems the 20 year old from Queensbury was pulled from the cave with very minor injuries. Awesome job! Training equals success!"

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to the Times Union, during the recovery efforts, rocks at the caves entrance were loosened, and as a result, the cave will be closed to the public until the situation is resolved.

Related: 28-Year-Old Hiker Rescued After Getting Trapped Underneath Boulder the 'Size of a Refrigerator'

PEOPLE has reached out The Albany County Sheriff's Office for comment.

Caves in the Hilltowns, where Clarksville Cave is located, was where emergency workers from across the country converged last month for a rescue training, per the Times Union. The mock rescue was similar to other drills that wilderness search and rescue groups conduct to prepare for a real event.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Credit - Getty Images

More than one billion people around the world have already voted in 2024and there are many elections still to go in this history-making year.

Polls for national office have beenor will beheld in more than 60 countries (as well as the European Union), home to nearly half the people on earth.

[Click here for a previous version of this story that outlines 2024 elections by population and includes a freedom and fairness score for each country.]

And so far, a tsunami of change is sweeping ballot boxes worldwide.

But the tides are turning in different directions: elections in Europe have seen far-right parties make serious gains; meanwhile, South Koreas main liberal opposition to the ruling conservative government earned a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, and Senegals delayed presidential vote was hailed by observers as a win for democracy after it elevated a relative outsider and anti-corruption candidate, bringing a surprise end to the decades-long domination of the countrys ruling coalition.

Whats clear is that people dont want things to stay the same. Even in places where incumbent governments have retained power, theyve done so with significantly less public support than before. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was forced to form a coalition after his Bharatiya Janata Party failed to secure an outright majority in parliament for the first time in a decade. South Africas African National Congress also formed a coalition after losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid. And in countries where meaningful opposition has been curbed by ruling elites, such as Russia or Bangladesh, many have opted to spoil their votes or boycott the polls as a form of protest.

Yet more changes look to be on the horizon: the U.K.s conservative Tories are facing almost certain heavy defeat after 14 years in power; French President Emmanuel Macrons moderate alliance is faltering under challenges from an insurgent far-left and far-right; and the world is bracing for the potential tumultuous comeback of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Researchers say this widespread yearning for something differentin the various forms it can takelargely stems from a sense of hopelessness, whether about dim economic prospects, climate change, disinformation, or even the state of democracy.

Read More: The Dread Election

Hopelessness is a very powerful feeling in electoral psychology, because its the feeling that people have when they think that things are so bad, that it cant really get worse anyway, Michael Bruter, the director of the Electoral Psychology Observatory at the London School of Economics and Political Science, tells TIME. And when they think that, its very disinhibiting because people then feel that, in a way, they might decide to vote for political parties which they do not believe [are] the solutions just because they feel that the situation is so desperate that they want change at any cost.

Change becomes a value in its own right, he adds, saying that for many this sentiment isnt partisan or ideological and might reflect a deeper dissatisfaction with political institutions and systems. Its about almost resenting the very way in which democracy works and gives some people the power to govern us.

2024 has been described as a make-or-break year for democracy, as the sheer number of electionsand what they reflect or fail to reflect about the will of various peoplescould significantly shape the course of the worlds future.

Democracy around the world has been on decline in recent years, and the institution is still in a precarious position, Samuel Woolley, the project director for propaganda research at the University of Texas at Austins Center for Media Engagement, tells TIME. This year will serve as a large-scale test to an institution already strained by growing trends of authoritarianism and political extremism, and upcoming elections in leading democracies like the U.K. and the U.S., in particular, Woolley says, will serve as a bellwether of what is to come for the state of global governance.

Below are all the national elections around the world this year, with results through June, in chronological order.

(Not included in this list are indirect elections, such as Cambodia Senate, Democratic Republic of the Congo Senate, Nepal National Assembly, and Thailand Senate; places not recognized as countries by the U.N. other than Taiwan, such as Montserrat, Sint Maarten, Somaliland, and South Ossetia; and elections that have been postponed or canceled and are no longer expected in 2024, such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, North Korea, and Ukraine.)

JANUARY

Bangladesh

Type: Legislative

Date: Jan. 7

What to Know: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term as her party the Awami League, along with its allies, won 225 out of 300 National Parliament seats in a largely uncontested election after the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the polls to protest Hasinas crackdown on political dissent.

Read More: Sheikh Hasina and the Future of Democracy in Bangladesh

Bhutan

Type: Legislative

Date: Jan. 9 (second round; first round on Nov. 30, 2023)

What to Know: Economic frustrations in the landlocked kingdom of less than one million people thrust former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who led from 2013 to 2018, back into power after his Peoples Democratic Party won a majority of seats in the National Assembly in a rebuke to the previous government.

Read More: Bhutan Opposition Party Wins Elections Amid Economic Threats to Gross National Happiness

Taiwan

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Jan. 13

What to Know: In Taiwans much-watched electionlargely due to the global implications of Chinas increasing assertion of control over the self-ruled islandthe Beijing-skeptical Democratic Progressive Party maintained the presidency with the victory of former Vice President Lai Ching-te, but it lost its majority in the Legislative Yuan to the Beijing-friendly Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, which has already set out to constrain Lais government.

Read More: Taiwans Election Isnt a Disaster for Xi JinpingUnless He Makes It One

President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi Khim of the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party celebrate victory in Taiwans 2024 presidential election on Jan. 13, 2024. Alberto BuzzolaLightRocket/Getty Images

Comoros

Type: Presidential

Date: Jan. 14

What to Know: Comoros President Azali Assoumani, who came to power in a 1999 military coup, was reelected to a fourth term in an election that saw low voter turnout amid an opposition boycott. After the result, the army quelled street protests as Assoumanis opponents alleged voter fraud.

Tuvalu

Type: Legislative

Date: Jan. 26

What to Know: In the absence of formal political parties in the small Pacific island nation, all candidates for 16 parliamentary seats are independent, and the winners later select the Prime Minister. After the countrys former leader Kausea Natano, who was an outspoken supporter of Tuvalus diplomatic relationship with Taipei over Beijing, lost his seat, former Attorney General Feleti Teo was named Prime Ministerthough his new government has reaffirmed Tuvalus Taiwan ties.

FEBRUARY

El Salvador

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Feb. 4

What to Know: President Nayib Bukele, the self-described worlds coolest dictator whose hardline crackdown has been credited with bringing down the countrys crime rate, was reelected with nearly 85% of the vote, while his New Ideas Party won a legislative supermajority, signaling massive public support for Bukeles governance project despite accusations of democratic backsliding.

A man sells mugs with the image of President Nayib Bukele, in Sonsonate, El Salvador, on Jan. 27, 2024. APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images

Azerbaijan

Type: Presidential

Date: Feb. 7

What to Know: President Ilham Aliyev, who has ruled the country since 2003, secured a fifth consecutive term after winning 92% of the vote, in an election that observers described as devoid of genuine pluralism. Aliyev called a snap election amid a popularity surge after Azerbaijani troops defeated separatists in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region last September.

Pakistan

Type: Legislative

Date: Feb. 8

What to Know: Despite Pakistans powerful military brazenly rigging the contest against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, PTI-backed candidates won a plurality of parliamentary seats on an Election Day marred by violence and irregularitiesand allegations of voter fraud. Still, a military-backed coalition headed by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ultimately took power.

Read More: Pakistans Military Used Every Trick to Sideline Imran Khanand Failed. Now What?

Finland

Type: Presidential

Date: Feb. 11 (runoff; first round on Jan. 28)

What to Know: Centrist former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won 51.6% of the votes in a close runoff against independent liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto, who vied unsuccessfully for the third time to become Finlands first gay President. The campaign to become head of state, a role that takes the lead on defense and foreign policy, was dominated by issues of internationalism and national security, particularly relations with neighbor Russia. Stubb, known for his love for the spotlight, is strongly pro-Europe and a vocal supporter of cooperation with NATO, which the country joined last year in response to the war in Ukraine.

Indonesia

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Feb. 14

What to Know: Prabowo Subianto, the 72-year-old former general who was once condemned by the U.S. for alleged human rights abuses, won the Indonesian presidency after being tacitly endorsed by outgoing popular President Joko Widodo (colloquially known as Jokowi) and selecting Jokowis son as his running mate. Prabowo largely ran on a continuity platform, pledging to continue to prioritize economic development and to maintain the countrys relative neutrality on the world stage, while also campaigning on a populist nationwide free school lunch program.

Read More: What to Know About Prabowo Subianto as Uncertainty Looms for Indonesias Democracy

Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, outgoing President Joko Widodos son, wave to supporters from a car as they head to a rally after the polls closed in Jakarta on Feb. 14, 2024. Yasuyoshi ChibaAFP/Getty Images

Belarus

Type: Legislative

Date: Feb. 25

What to Know: Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Alexander Lukashenko for solidifying his rule of Belarus, after the Russia ally held its first electiondescribed as a sham by the U.S.following nationwide protests against Lukashenkos decadeslong regime in 2020. Lukashenko said hed learned his lesson from the protests and that there would be no rebellions during the 2024 parliamentary vote, in which only candidates loyal to Lukashenko were permitted to compete and the opposition called for a boycott of the polls.

MARCH

Portugal

Type: Legislative

Date: Mar. 10

What to Know: In snap legislative elections called early after the resignation last year of the center-left Socialist Party Prime Minister Antonio Costa, the center-right Democratic Alliance, led by Luis Montenegro of the Social Democratic Party, won a slim plurality in the countrys closest-ever parliamentary polls, which saw the rise of the far-right Chega party. The Democratic Alliance formed a minority government that left out Chega, whose insurgency threatens to disrupt the long two-party dominance of the Socialists and Social Democrats that have taken turns in power since Portugals revolution in 1974.

Read More: How Europes Far-Right Parties Are Winning Over Young Voters

Russia

Type: Presidential

Date: Mar. 1517

What to Know: Russian President Vladimir Putin secured a six-year fifth term after winning nearly 90% of the vote in an election that had no viable opposition and was widely considered rigged, setting him on track to become the countrys longest serving President in two centuries.

Read More: Navalny Challenges Putin from Beyond the Grave

Senegal

Type: Presidential

Date: Mar. 24

What to Know: After a controversially-delayed vote, Bassirou Diomaye Fayewho was supported by popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who Faye went on to appoint Prime Minister won 54% of the vote, over 18% more than the second-place candidate Amadou Ba, outgoing President Macky Salls preferred successor. Faye and Sonkos success, just days after their release from prison, marks a sharp break from the decades-old ruling coalition United in Hope and has been hailed by observers as a democratic success.

Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and opposition leader Ousmane Sonko celebrate at Fayes coalition headquarters as the votes are counted, in Dakar, Senegal, on March 24, 2024. Marco LongariAFP/Getty Images

APRIL

Kuwait

Type: Legislative

Date: April 4

What to Know: Opposition candidates maintained a majority in Kuwaits National Assembly, which appeared set to remain in deadlock with the countrys royal-appointed cabinet until Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who became the monarch last year, dissolved the parliament in May before it even met, and he suspended parliamentary government for up to four yearsa drastic consolidation of power that Kuwaits ruling family has only done twice before since the countrys independence in 1961. A number of former opposition parliamentarians have since been arrested and charged with challenging or insulting the authority of the Emir, who recently named his crown prince (a nomination that previously would have required parliamentary approval).

Slovakia

Type: Presidential

Date: April 6 (runoff; first round on Mar. 23)

What to Know: Peter Pellegrini, a longtime ally of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, was elected President, a largely honorary yet influential role in Slovakias government, cementing Ficos influence and rebuking the pro-Western opposition as well as the outgoing liberal presidency of Zuzana Caputova, which Pellegrini described as an opposition, opportunistic power center.

South Korea

Type: Legislative

Date: April 10

What to Know: Amid an alleged corruption scandal and dismal approval ratings, President Yoon Suk-yeols conservative People Power Party, suffered a landslide defeat to opposition parties, exacerbating stalemate in parliament as the country faces record-high suicides, record-low births, and increasing threats from North Korea.

Croatia

Type: Legislative

Date: April 17

What to Know: The pro-Ukraine, pro-West ruling center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which has been marred by corruption scandals and criticisms of growing illiberalism in recent years, won a plurality of seats and formed a coalition government with the third-place far-right nationalist Homeland Movement. HDZ leader Andrej Plenkovic secured a third term as Prime Minister, beating back a challenge by the pro-Russia, mostly-ceremonial President Zoran Milanovic, whose euroskeptic Social Democratic Party placed second.

Solomon Islands

Type: Legislative

Date: April 17

What to Know: The ruling Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) party, led by four-time Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, performed well below expectations. After Sogavare stepped down as leader of the party, which still won a plurality of 15 seats in the 50-member parliament, new OUR leader former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele was elected Prime Minister by a secret ballot among fellow legislators. Manele is expected to continue pursuing closer relations with China as Washington and Beijing compete for influence in the Pacific.

India

Type: Legislative

Date: April 19  June 1

What to Know: After a campaign defined by rampant disinformation, Narendra Modi secured a third term as Prime Minister, though his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has overseen a divisive Hindu nationalist movement, lost its outright majority in the Lok Sabha for the first time in a decade. Observers say the result likely stems from voters economic frustrations and that it may temper the BJPs domestic policy ambitions while having a smaller impact on Modis foreign policy assertiveness.

Read More: What Modi 3.0 Means for the World

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on June 4, 2024. Prakash SinghBloomberg/Getty Images

Maldives

Type: Legislative

Date: April 21

What to Know: President Mohamed Muizzus Peoples National Congress party won a shock landslide victory, cementing his power and affirming his efforts to tilt the archipelagic nation toward China and away from its traditional ally India, which recently began a tourist boycott of the popular vacation destination.

Togo

Type: Legislative

Date: April 29

What to Know: Togos parliamentary polls were overshadowed by controversial constitutional reform passed just before the election and signed just after by President Faure Gnassingbe, who has led the country since the 2005 death of his father, who ruled for 38 years, making them the longest-lasting dynasty in Africa. The reform eliminates direct presidential elections, allowing the parliamentof which Gnassingbes ruling party just won 108 of 113 seats amid a crackdown on civic and media freedomsto choose a ceremonial President who then appoints what is effectively a prime minister. Its seen as a way for Gnassingbe to skirt his upcoming presidential term limits, which hed already extended, and continue ruling indefinitely.

MAY

Panama

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: May 5

What to Know: Amid widespread discontent about the economy and corruption, Panamas ruling and largest party the center-left Democratic Revolutionary Party, led by incumbent Vice President Jose Gabriel Carrizo, suffered massive electoral defeat in the presidential and parliamentary elections, while the right-wing Realizing Goals party won a plurality in both. Jose Raul Mulino, who was initially the Realizing Goals running mate of former President Ricardo Martinelli, ended up topping the ticket and was elected President after Martinelli was convicted of money laundering and subsequently disqualified.

Chad

Type: Presidential

Date: May 6

What to Know: In the first presidential election since Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power in 2021 as interim leader after his father President Idriss Deby was killed by rebels, Deby won 61% of the vote to extend his rulethough international observers cast doubt on the elections credibility.

North Macedonia

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: May 8 (presidential runoff; first round on April 24)

What to Know: Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, defeated incumbent center-left President Stevo Pendarovski to become the countrys first female President. Meanwhile, VMRO-DPMNE won a plurality of 55 out of 120 parliamentary seats, fueled by voters anger at the countrys slow integration into the E.U., and formed a coalition government thats expected to continue the former ruling coalitions support of Ukraine against Russias invasion.

North Macedonia presidential candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova votes in Skopje on May 8, 2024. Armend NimaniAFP/Getty Images

Iran

Type: Legislative

Date: May 10 (second round; first round on Mar. 1)

What to Know: Conservative candidates won most of the seats in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Irans parliament, as well as the Assembly of Experts, a body of religious scholars who select the countrys Supreme Leaderthough the election had the lowest turnout since the countrys 1979 revolution as activists, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, called for a boycott.

Dominican Republic

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: May 19

What to Know: Domestically popular President Luis Abinader easily won a second term, as voters signaled their approval of his handling of the economy and tough stance on strife-torn neighbor Haiti, while his Modern Revolutionary Party grew its majorities in both houses of Congress.

Lithuania

Type: Presidential

Date: May 26 (runoff; first round on May 12)

What to Know: President Gitanas Nauseda was reelected to a second term with more than 74% of the vote, the highest support a presidential candidate has received since Lithuanias independence in 1990, as votersamid concerns about Russias invasion Ukraineentrusted the incumbent over Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte for a role that oversees defense and foreign policy.

Madagascar

Type: Legislative

Date: May 29

What to Know: According to provisional results by the National Electoral Commission, the ruling coalition led by President Andry Rajoelinas center-left party narrowly lost its majority, winning 80 of 163 seats in the National Assembly. But according to official results released in late June by the High Constitutional Court, the coalition retained its majority with 84 seats, amid allegations of voter fraud and a crackdown on the political opposition.

South Africa

Type: Legislative

Date: May 29

What to Know: The African National Congress, which has ruled South Africa since its first democratic elections in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became President, lost its majority in parliament for the first time. ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa was elected by the National Assembly to a second term as President after forming an uneasy coalition with white-led rival party the Democratic Alliance to create what they dubbed a national unity government, though its already been wracked by divisions.

JUNE

Iceland

Type: Presidential

Date: June 1

What to Know: Halla Tomasdottir, a businesswoman who said she would rise above all party politics, was elected to the largely ceremonial presidency after winning a plurality of 34% of the votebeating a dozen competitors, including former Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, who was viewed as too political, and arctic and energy scholar Halla Hrund Logadottir.

Mexico

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: June 2

What to Know: Claudia Sheinbaum of the populist left-wing Morena party, who positioned herself as a continuation of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, won by a landslide to become the countrys first female President. Morena and its allies also dominated in the legislative elections, winning a two-thirds supermajority in the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house), and falling just short of the same in the Senatesetting the stage for Sheinbaum to try to implement sweeping reforms and address nationwide concerns like organized crime and gender-based violence.

Read More: The Meaning of Mexicos First Female President

Supporters of presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum celebrate with her at an election night rally at the Plaza de la Constitucion in Mexico City on June 2, 2024. Gerardo VieyraNurPhoto/Getty Images

European Union Parliament

Date: June 69

What to Know: The conservative European Peoples Party won 190 out of 720 seatsthe most of any partysignifying a rightward lurch for the E.U.s lawmaking body, though incumbent European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a centrist, maintains a narrow path to another term via a liberal coalition.

Read More: This 28-Year-Old Is the New Face of Europes Far Right

Belgium

Type: Legislative

Date: June 9

What to Know: The conservative New Flemish Alliance retained its position as the biggest party in parliament after winning 25.6% of the vote, while the far-right Vlaams Belang party took 21.8%. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo tendered his resignation after a poor showing by his liberal Open VLD party, though he remains the caretaker leader until coalition talks are completed.

Bulgaria

Type: Legislative

Date: June 9

What to Know: The electionthe countrys sixth in just three years, prompted by the collapse of the ruling coalition led by the conservative GERB party and the reformist We Continue the Change partycomes in the wake of massive anti-corruption protests and a series of failed coalition governments. GERB won a plurality of 68 out of 240 seats in a fragmented parliament, but political instability looks set to continue: under a new power-sharing deal similar to the previous one that failed, We Continue the Changes Nikolay Denkov will be Prime Minister for nine months before handing over the premiership to GERBs Maria Gabriel.

San Marino

Type: Legislative

Date: June 9

What to Know: About 19,000 people in the European microstate of 34,000, where access to the E.U.s single market is the predominant political issue, turned up to vote for a new Grand and General Councilwhich later chooses the countrys key executive leaders. The election was competed mainly between a coalition of pro-European parties (Libera, the Socialist Party, and the Party of Socialists and Democrats), and a rival, more euroskeptic coalition led by the largest party the center-right Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party and the newly-formed Reformist Alliance. The latter ended up winning a plurality of 26 of 60 parliamentary seats, besting the other coalition by 8 seats, and is expected to form the government and pursue fiscal reform.

Mongolia

Type: Legislative

Date: June 28

What to Know: Amid frustrations about the economy and corruption and after a constitutional amendment increased the number of seats in the State Great Khural, the center-left ruling Mongolian Peoples Party led by Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene lost its supermajority but narrowly retained a parliamentary majoritywinning 68 of 126 seats, according to preliminary results, while observers say the strong turnout (nearly 70%) and gains made by the opposition suggests desire for some change.

Mauritania

Type: Presidential

Date: June 29

What to Know: According to provisional results, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, whose Equity Party has dominated parliament for years and who is viewed by many as bringing stability to the country despite high levels of poverty, was reelected to a second term with 56% of the votethough his opponent, activist Biram Dah Abeid who received 22% of the vote, rejected the results, citing irregularities.

JULY

United Kingdom

Type: Legislative

Date: July 4

Read More: The Man Who Wants to Fix Britain

Iran

Type: Presidential

Date: July 5 (runoff; first round on June 28)

Read More: How the Mahsa Amini Protests Loom Over Irans Presidential Election

France

Type: Legislative

Date: July 7 (second round; first round on June 30)

Read More: Macron Called an Election to Thwart the Far Right. He Resuscitated the Left Instead

A protester holds holds a sign that says national shame, as thousands of supporters of the leftist alliance New Popular Front gather at the Place de la Republique in Paris to protest the rise of the French far-right on June 30, 2024. Pierre CromGetty Images

Rwanda

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: July 15

Syria

Type: Legislative

Date: July 15

Venezuela

Type: Presidential

Date: July 28

SEPTEMBER

Algeria

Type: Presidential

Date: Sept. 7

Jordan

Type: Legislative

Date: Sept. 10

Romania

Type: Presidential

Date: Sept. 15 (potential runoff on Sept. 29)

Sri Lanka

Type: Presidential

Date: Between Sept. 17 and Oct. 16

Czechia

Type: Legislative

Date: Sept. 2021

Austria

Type: Legislative

Date: Sept. 29

OCTOBER

Mozambique

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Oct. 9

Lithuania

Type: Legislative

Date: Oct. 13

Moldova

Type: Presidential

Date: Oct. 20

Georgia

Type: Legislative

Date: Oct. 26

Uruguay

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Oct. 27

Botswana

Type: Legislative

Date: To Be Decided (TBD)

NOVEMBER

Palau

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Nov. 5

United States

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Nov. 5

Read More: Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump leaves a rally in Wisconsin on June 18, 2024. Scott OlsonGetty Images

Namibia

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Nov. 27

DECEMBER

Ghana

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Date: Dec. 7

Romania

Type: Legislative

Date: Dec. 8

Croatia

Type: Presidential

Date: TBD

South Sudan

Type: Presidential

Date: TBD

Read More: The Worlds Newest Nation Is Unraveling

TBD

Guinea Bissau

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Kiribati

Type: Presidential and Legislative

Mauritius

Type: Legislative

Tunisia

Type: Presidential

Uzbekistan

Type: Legislative

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Three Georgians have been sentenced to prison for their participation in multi-million dollar COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program fraud.

Teldrin Foster, 42, of Atlanta, John Gaines, 59, of Marietta, and Carla Jackson, 56, of Tucker, are just three of 23 people who have been convicted and sentenced in connection with the scheme.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, from April 2020 through August 2020, Foster worked with co-defendant Darrell Thomas and others to get at least 14 fraudulent loans.

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Each of the 14 businesses obtained a PPP loan between $700,000 and $850,000, totaling over $11 million.

The PPP loan applications reported that each business had between 59 and 69 employees and generated about $295,000 to $342,000 in average monthly payroll expenses.

However, the reality was that none of the businesses had employees or payroll expenses.

Foster was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

He was also ordered to pay $9,606,627 in restitution.

Gaines was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

He was ordered to pay $806,710 in restitution.

Jackson was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.

She was ordered to pay $335,238 in restitution.

TRENDING STORIES:

Foster, Gaines, and Jackson, together with 20 other defendants who have already been sentenced for their participation in this criminal scheme, took advantage of a relief program designed to keep small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, Buchanan said. These defendants have been held accountable for depriving this program of funds desperately needed by some of the most vulnerable in our society. And their sentences send a clear message that fraud against the government will not be tolerated.

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Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum sings during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nations largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years  Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan  will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

NEW YORK (AP)  For more than three decades, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum has led the nations largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement  through the AIDS crisis, the murder of Matthew Shepard, the historic civil-rights advances that included marriage equality, and most recently the backlash against transgender rights.

She is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The New York City synagogue that she led for 32 years  Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan  will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long.

Her retirement also comes at a challenging moment for the LGBTQ+-rights movement. Same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, but conservative politicians are enacting restrictions on transgender healthcare, restricting LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools, and proposing bans on the performances of drag queens.

Ive been blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to use the gifts I have, on behalf of Gods vision for the world, Kleinbaum said in an interview. Im very, very lucky that Ive been able to do this. I just feel like now is the time to make room for a younger generation.

Embraced by her congregation and left-leaning politicians, Kleinbaum, 65, taught an unapologetic progressive vision for Judaism that resonated beyond the enclave of Manhattan and liberal Judaism. When Donald Trump was elected president, Kleinbaum had the synagogue do outreach to Muslims. The congregation also built an immigration clinic to help LGBTQ+ refugees in hostile parts of the world get asylum in the U.S.

It is a religious calling to help the immigrant. I see that it is just as deeply important for (the synagogue) as it is leading Friday night services, Kleinbaum said.

Congregation Beit Simach Torah, better known as CBST, has roughly 1,000 paying members. About 4,000 Jews, from nonreligious to Orthodox, show up to the temples High Holy Day services, historically held in New Yorks Jacob Javits Convention Center on the West Side of Manhattan.

The temples regular congregants have been a Whos Who of media and LGBTQ+ historical figures. Edie Windsor, who sued and won to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, was in regular attendance while she was alive. Andy Cohen, of Real Housewives fame, is there regularly. Joan Rivers showed up for Yom Kippur. Kleinbaum's wife is Randi Weingarten, the head of the nation's biggest teachers union.

Appointed in 1992, Kleinbaum spent much of her first year burying members of her congregation, many of them dying from AIDS. The need for a salaried rabbi to provide pastoral care was among the biggest reasons for CBST to hire its first rabbi. One of her first funeral services was for a member of the search committee that hired her.

The 1990s brought the increased visibility of gay and lesbians in the public sphere, but also brought the passage of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between only a man and a woman.

She really was doing rabbinical triage work at the beginning, working with a community that ultimately saw (a third) of its members die of AIDS, said William Hibsher, a member of CBST for several decades who was there when Kleinbaum was appointed.

Hibsher was not an observant Jew in early 1990s, but he said he felt inspired by Kleinbaums work as well as the care she provided to his partner, who died from AIDS in the mid-1990s. He later became heavily involved with the synagogue, including serving on its board of directors and helping raise millions for its current location on West 30th Street.

When New York legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, Kleinbaum stood in the park across the street from the marriage bureau and performed same-sex weddings outdoors. Among the couples she married in 2014 were two men who had spent 20 months planning their wedding, which was held in a former Broadway theater.

Kleinbaum hasn't specified what she plans to do in retirement, but said she's likely to continue doing social justice work or working in Democratic politics. CBST has given her the title of senior rabbi emerita to show a level of connectedness as she steps down, but the bimah at CBST will no longer be hers.

Even people who would be considered her ideological adversaries have found common ground to collaborate with her on issues of religious freedom and human rights.

When President Joe Biden appointed Kleinbaum to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which monitors and researches freedom of religious expression worldwide, she served as a commissioner alongside Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council. The council opposes the LGBTQ+-rights movement.

Shes able to step back and see where (two with strong ideological differences) can meet on core issues, and realize heres where we can find common ground, said Fred Davie, an administrator at Union Theological Seminary and a longtime friend of Kleinbaum.

Kleinbaum served two terms on the USCIRF. Her first term ended early in 2020 when she decided to focus attention on her congregation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For her and the congregation, it was familiar territory after the AIDS crisis.

We knew immediately many of the elements that we had to deal with: isolation, loneliness, fear, Kleinbaum said. There were differences, of course, between AIDS, but many things were enough similar that it almost felt like muscle memory.

For the congregation, there seems to be a degree of uncertainty of what the synagogue will be without her. CBST, like many congregations, skews toward older members; many have been with Kleinbaum since the beginning.

The synagogue named Jason Klein as new chief rabbi earlier this year; he will start on July 1. But the consensus among members seems to be that Kleinbaum is simply irreplaceable.

I think people, in their heart of hearts, wanted to find a Kleinbaum 2.0 to replace her," Hibsher said. There's a landscape of wonderful progressive synagogues throughout Manhattan. So part of the question for the congregation will be: Is there a need for an LGBT synagogue in the year 2024? I think there is.

While Kleinbaum laid out her plans to leave CBST a year ago, there were audible gasps at Yom Kippur services last September among the attendees when it was mentioned that CBST would no longer be headed by her. Her second-to-last Shabbat service, held June 21, was a sold-out event. The keynote speaker: New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Most importantly, she has given us a space, James said, using her hands to point to the synagogue and its standing room only crowd. This space. Where we can be safe. Where we can be free.

___

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.
37 combat clashes recorded on Pokrovsk front, with 121 in total throughout front line  General Staff report

Most of the combat clashes on 1 July have taken place on the Pokrovsk front. Overall, 121 clashes have occurred along the entire front line.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook; information as of 14:29 on 1 July

Quote: "For a long time, the majority of the clashes have been taking place on the Pokrovsk front: 37 have occurred since the beginning of this day (12 of them are still ongoing). The invader [Russia] is particularly active near Novooleksandrivka, where 13 Russian assaults have already been recorded."

Details: Ukrainian defenders repelled 6 assaults on the Kharkiv front, 11 on the Kupiansk front, and 13 on the Lyman front.

There were 18 combat clashes recorded on the Siversk front. On the Kramatorsk front, Russian soldiers attempted to advance from Bakhmut in the direction of Chasiv Yar (Novy microdistrict) and Klishchiivka. Ukrainian soldiers repulsed five Russian assaults.

The Russian forces launched 13 attacks on the Toretsk front, targeting the city of Toretsk as well as the towns of Pivnichne, Pivdenne and New-York. Four combat clashes are still ongoing. The situation is under control.

On the Kurakhove front, the Ukrainian troops successfully repulsed six Russian attacks on Krasnohorivka, Kostiantynivka and Heorhiivka. The Russians also made eight assault attempts on the Vremivka front.

On practically every front, the Russians deployed guided aerial bombs extensively.

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Damnnn, son. In the same day, four Missouri prison guards got mollywopped with both murder charges and a lawsuit. For what, you ask? The cops were named in the alleged ambush and torturous death of a Black inmate during a drug raid.



The incident occurred December 8, 2023 when the Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team did a sweep of the Jefferson City Correctional Center for weapons and contraband, per a lawsuit filed Friday. Four prison guards arrived at cell of 38-year-old Othel Moore Jr. and allegedly placed a spit hood over his face, wrapped his limbs to a restraint chair and pepper-sprayed him multiple times, per a charging document also filed Friday.

A former inmate who claimed to have witnessed the scene go down told CNN Moore was being regarded as non-compliant because the officers refused to detain him with a special set of handcuffs for his medical condition and weight. He also said he heard Moore scream out that hes allergic to mace which only made him go further into panic and request medical help.

Moore was then moved to another housing unit, left in the same restraints with no attendance. Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson alleged Moore cried out multiple times that he couldnt breathe. It wasnt until 30 minutes later that he was transported to the hospital wing and pronounced dead. Moores family attorney, Andrew Stroth, said the restraints were so stressful on Moores body, he had blood coming out of his ears and nose, per The AP.

The medical examiner ruled his cause of death as a homicide from positional asphyxiation.

Read what happened to the prison guards from NBC News:

The complaint charges Justin Leggins, Jacob Case, Aaron Brown and Gregory Varner each with one count of second-degree murder and with one count of being an accessory to second-degree assault. A fifth guard, Bryanne Bradshaw, is charged with one count of accessory to involuntary manslaughter. Lawyers for Moores mother and sister filed a lawsuit Friday against the officers and the Department of Corrections. The Moore familys lawyers described the Corrections Emergency Response Team as a group that uses coercive measures to brutalize, intimidate and threaten inmates in a copy of the lawsuit provided to AP. This attack on Othel Moore, Jr. was not an isolated occurrence, but rather the manifestation of a barbarous pattern and practice, fostered by the highest-ranking members of the Missouri Department of Corrections, lawyers wrote in the lawsuit.

In response to the controversy surrounding Moores death, the Missouri Department of Corrections released a statement saying Moore died as a result of a restraint system designed to prevent injury to himself and others. The department also said they have since discontinued the use of that restraint system.

Its unclear what behavior Moore exhibited in the first place to warrant the response of the prison guards to restrain him. However, Thompson said the whole scene was caught on surveillance camera which drew him to pursue criminal charges against the officers: Justin Leggins, Jacob Case, Aaron Brown and Gregory Varner. The DOC also launched their own probes into the incident.

-the department previously conducted a separate internal investigation. As a result of the two investigations, ten people involved in the incident are no longer employed by the department or its contractors, the release said.

Moore was serving a 30-year sentence for second-degree domestic assault, possession of a controlled substance, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, and violence to an inmate or employee of the Department of Corrections.

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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - At least four people died and several others were taken to nearby hospitals when a crash on Interstate 95 was followed by a series of collisions involving five vehicles early Monday, a fire rescue official said.

A child and three adults were among those declared dead at the crash site while six others were transported to hospitals and trauma centers, said an Indian River County Fire Rescue official.

All we saw were multiple vehicles involved and multiple patients, said Assistant Fire Chief Bill Herrington.

Among those who died at the scene were a boy, 7, of Palm Bay; a woman, 40, of Palm Bay; a woman, 37, of Miami, and a man, 40, of Miami, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

At least four people died and several others were taken to hospitals following a crash and series of collisions involving five vehicles on northbound Interstate 95 south of County Road 512 in north Indian River County early July 1, 2024, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Miami residents were sole occupants of two vehicles, while six Palm Bay residents were occupants of a crossover utility vehicle.

The vehicles involved included a gray 2022 Chrysler Pacifica, a blue 2009 Toyota Camry, a green 2001 Suzuki Vitara, a gray 2012 Dodge Journey and a black 2006 Freightliner tractor trailer.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crashes, which were reported at 2:15 a.m. in the northbound lanes just south Fellsmere and County Road 512.

According to the agency, a northbound Toyota Camry driven by a Miami woman struck the rear of a Suzuki Vitara driven by a Miami man causing the two vehicles to become disabled on the interstate.

A northbound Dodge Journey struck the disabled Suzuki and also became disabled and stopped at perpendicular angle along the three-lane highway.

The drivers of the Toyota and Suzuki were outside their vehicles in the highway helping those inside the Dodge CUV, when a tractor trailer struck the left side of the Dodge, striking them and leading to further impacts with the Suzuki and Toyota.

A person inside the Dodge was thrown outside the vehicle.

The crash was followed by another collision when a Chrysler van driven by a Canadian man and woman passenger struck the rear of the Toyota Camry while swerving to avoid the wreckage.

The truck driver refused medical treatment, said Herrington, and was allowed to leave, according to the FHP.

More: Judge orders prison term for Vero Beach woman guilty in Medicare fraud scheme

More: Police identify 66-year-old man who died after vehicle crash in Port St. Lucie

More: Florida real estate: Treasure Coast homes listed reaching early COVID pandemic numbers

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Follow @coreyarwood on X, email corey.arwood@tcpalm.com or call 772-978-2246.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 4 people dead, several hospitalized following five-vehicle crash on Interstate 95
The 5 red flags a chef looks out for when dining at a high-end Italian restaurant

The 5 red flags a chef looks out for when dining at a high-end Italian restaurant

A Michelin-starred chef shared red flags to look out for when dining at a nice Italian restaurant.

Pasta shouldn't be drowning in sauce, and bread shouldn't be served with margarine.

A bad coffee service and out-of-season ingredients also deter the chef.

Stefano Secchi, chef and owner of Rezdora in New York, has many opinions when it comes to what differentiates a high-end Italian restaurant from a gimmick.

"I think this is probably a really easy topic for me," said the chef, whose restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2021.

He travels back and forth to Italy often, so he recognizes what it means to cook the way Italians do and aims to bring that ethos into his own kitchen.

To that end, he said, there are loads of places that are "not even real Italian restaurants" but come across such and charge a high price tag.

So, to help you avoid paying a lot for food that sounds authentically Italian but may not be the best you'll find, Secchi told Business Insider his top red flags for dining out.

Here's how he differentiates the fabulous from the fugazi.

It's never a good sign when a restaurant is serving out-of-season ingredients

Caprese isn't always in season. fdastudillo/Getty Images

For starters, Secchi said, an automatic red flag is if something on the menu is not in season.

Caprese salad is a good example. Although it varies by region, tomatoes typically hit their peak seasonality in the summer months.

"If they're serving tomatoes in the middle of, like, December or January, then you've probably got an issue, right? That's probably not the right place to be," he told BI.

Additionally, if the chef is serving a reduced balsamic condiment with that caprese, the restaurant is "probably even more the wrong place to be."

A real aged balsamic has some viscosity to it, but it will drip and leave a trail. You don't want a thick, goopy glaze with your caprese.

Over-saucing pasta is a big no-no

As Secchi put it: There are 20 regions in Italy, but regardless of which cuisine you're cooking, pasta shouldn't be drowning in sauce.

"That's a huge red flag," he said. "Because if you're cooking high-end Italian, you know how to sauce the pasta correctly."

It's not a good sign if a restaurant focuses more on the sauce than the pasta itself.

The chef explained, "Think about a nonna rolling out pasta for two hours, three hours, for their family, right? And she's taking forever to do this on a Sunday. She's taking her time to make the pasta, she's taking her time to roll it out, she's taking her time to cut it  so the pasta is always the most important thing."

"In Italia, we call the sauce a condiment  a condimento  that's what goes with the pasta," he added.

He said good Italian restaurants will try to show off their pasta and balance the sauce appropriately.

If the classics aren't prepared and labeled properly, the restaurant is a hard sell for Secchi

A good Italian restaurant wouldn't drown its pasta in sauce or butter. Mats Silvan/Getty Images

Secchi said he'd also ask a server about menu items because a lot of restaurants "don't know what they're doing" and incorrectly name pasta dishes.

For example, he said, it's not uncommon for restaurants to say they have a tortellini but serve something that's the size of his thumb or bigger. That's actually a tortelloni.

The kitchen is also "cheating" if it has fettuccine Alfredo or carbonara on the menu that's being made with cream instead of the traditional Parmigiano and butter.

Pay attention to the bread course

In Secchi's eyes, the presence of bread service isn't what separates the good from the great. Instead, it's the quality of the bread and what it's served with if it does come to the table.

"If there is bread service, just taste the bread," he told BI. "And taste what they serve it with because people will take shortcuts left and right with that."

If the restaurant serves crappy bread with blended olive oil instead of the real deal or with margarine instead of butter, he'd probably pass on it.

Secchi said you can tell if a restaurant is serving blended olive oil (50% olive, 50% canola) based on the flavor profile.

"It's something you can taste right away," he said. If it's dark in color but dull in flavor, it's probably blended. But it's a good sign if the oil is bursting with really rich and complex flavors and fragrances.

A quality Italian restaurant should have a proper coffee service

Coffee service is often the last chance for a restaurant to leave diners with a good impression. Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images

Secchi always orders coffee at the end of a meal. He said if a restaurant is not paying attention to its coffee, it may not be paying attention to the ritual of Italian dining.

Staff should be able to pull an espresso, coffee shouldn't be watery, and it should not be served with packet sugars.

Coffee service is a final chance to leave a good impression on guests. If there's no care taken there, Secchi said, it's a sign a restaurant won't care about the details anywhere else.

Read the original article on Business Insider
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Holden Police Department released a statement Monday regarding a fatal lightning strike that killed a man at a rodeo in Holden, Mo. Friday night.

According to officers, emergency responders were called to the Holden Chamber of Commerce Rodeo at the city park just after 11:00 p.m. on reports of a lightning strike in a parking area.

KCPD identifies man shot, killed near Power and Light in Kansas City

Police said the victim was a 53-year-old man.

As emergency responders arrived, they attempted to perform life-saving operations on the man and took him from the scene. The Holden Police Department said he later died from his injuries.

The name of the victim was not released by law enforcement. However, stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  State Troopers rescued a dog tied to a light pole on the Southern State Parkway early Monday morning, along with a note explaining the pups condition.

Officials found the 4-year-old female Mastiff around 5:30 a.m. near Exit 21 tied to a pole with a food bowl next to her, according to the New York State Police.

Good Samaritan saves, adopts dog abandoned in Westchester County: SPCA

This is Roxi, a trained American Bullmastiff. She is four years old. She has been fed and given a flea bath, she may still have issues with them. See that she gets good care, read the note found with Roxi.

State police transferred the dog to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter for evaluation, and discovered the dog is not microchipped.

New York State Police found this dog tied to a light pole on Long Island Monday. (New York State Police)

State Police is asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to call 631-756-3300.

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.
Bobby Peterson, ABC for Health founder and executive director. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

When Bobby Peterson was a law school intern in 1985, he spent a summer on a project in Barron County learning about rural residents who lacked health coverage.

The team interviewed health care providers and other institutional sources, but they were stuck on how to find uninsured people themselves  until they turned to court records. Perusing lawsuits that health care providers had filed against patients who had outstanding debts, Peterson contacted some of the defendants and asked to interview them.

A lot of these people had options  they just didnt have help, Peterson recalls. They didnt know about various benefit programs that might have been available. They also lacked an understanding of how to navigate the system and advocate for themselves.

That project was under the auspices of the Center for Public Representation, an educational legal clinic that operated at the University of Wisconsin Law School. The program director, Louise Trubek, directed Peterson to the project after he interviewed to work with the center.

Peterson grew up in a low-income home. The child of blue-collar parents who moved from Milwaukee to the suburb of Butler, he was raised by his mother after his parents divorced.

Ive always been interested in access to health care, he recalls telling Trubek. I think its shocking people go without health care in this country.

After getting his law degree, taking a break to backpack through Europe and turning down a couple of corporate law opportunities, Peterson was back in Madison and visited with Trubek. Drawing on his work in 1985, she told him, the center had proposed and been awarded a grant to help families with low and moderate incomes navigate the changing marketplace for health care.

The new program would be hiring a couple of attorneys, Peterson recalls her telling him. She said, You should apply.

Over the course of six years in the centers health benefits counseling program, Peterson says, we changed the trajectory of a lot of clients lives.

In 1994  nine years after that first summer experience in Barron County, Peterson went on his own, launching Advocacy & Benefits Counseling for Health Inc., a nonprofit public interest law firm concentrating on advocacy related to health care coverage.

Monday marks ABC for Healths 30th anniversary  a lifetime over which the organization has grown, expanding its mission while keeping its focus. Its grown to a staff of 15, most of whom counsel clients confronting medical bills they cant pay.

We look at people with medical bills and medical debt and ask, How can we fix things? Peterson says. Its like a public health version of law  we focus on prevention.

In its day-to-day work, ABC for Health counsels people for whom health care has been anything but affordable. That might be someone facing a crushing medical bill who has no way to pay, or someone who has lost a job, and with it, employer-sponsored health insurance.

The counseling could be informing someone about the Affordable Care Acts health plans  something that didnt exist until the last decade  or, if they qualify, about BadgerCare (Wisconsins name for Medicaid coverage for doctor and hospital services).

If debt is involved, ABC for Health counselors will help clients figure out if they qualify for Medicaid or other benefits programs. But they also will look back to the creditor  the health care provider.

Hospitals have financial assistance programs required by law, for example. But Peterson contends they vary widely in how they operate those programs and how hard they work to inform patients that assistance even exists before sending overdue bills to collection agencies.

Peterson would like to see hospitals routinely help direct indebted patients to Medicaid if they qualify. If hospitals point to low Medicaid reimbursement rates as a defense for not working harder to sign a debtor patient up with the program, Peterson is unsympathetic.

If you help these people with Medicaid, at least youre getting paid something, instead of tying them down and compromising their credit scores, he says.

ABC for Health counselors have also seen clients whose medical debt includes bills that demand additional payment for a treatment or procedure above what Medicaid pays. In Wisconsin, that balance billing is illegal, Peterson says. Some of that debt has no business being collected.

Beyond direct client services, the nonprofit has also been an outspoken advocate on policy.

ABC for Health researches and reports on trends in lawsuits by health care providers against patients over medical debt  a practice that Peterson contends is socially harmful and should be avoided.

The organization is one of several in Wisconsin that have called on the state to expand Medicaid eligibility in return for a federal subsidy under the Affordable Care Act. And it has been an outspoken critic of Medicaid birth-cost recovery  going to court to demand that a father whose childs birth was covered by Medicaid, but whose own income is above the limit to qualify for Medicaid, pay back what Medicaid spent.

In the years since its founding, ABC has established several subsidiaries. The first was ABC for Rural Health launched two decades ago to serve Wisconsin communities outside of the states urban areas.

HealthWatch Wisconsin is a communications, education and outreach program. Among its recent efforts were videos explaining the Medicaid Unwinding  the reinstatement of annual enrollment requirements for participants in the Medicaid program. The videos were produced by ABC for Health Chief Operating Officer Brynne McBride.

My Coverage Plan Inc. is a tech business that develops applications used by ABC for Health as well as some for public access and some for specific sorts of organizations.

Its products include a web-based calculator that people can use to establish whether their incomes fall above or below the federal poverty guideline, a benchmark that is used to determine eligibility for Medicaid and other programs.

Another program has been designed for federally qualified free and charitable health care clinics to use to help establish what benefit programs their uninsured patients might qualify for. Through June, that program in use at a small group of clinics has helped 1,025 patients and family members address more than $1.4 million in medical debt  wiping out $852,000 of that debt, Peterson said.

Over the organizations lifetime, it has helped more than 72,500 clients and family members find health coverage and services  a population with greater health needs due to poverty or low income, race or both. Peterson says as many as 20% of Wisconsins population  more than 1 million people  might benefit from some of the services ABC for Health offers.

The technological tools have helped ABC for Health increase its reach, according to Peterson, but he sees no shortage of need.

We doubled the number of people weve served from 2022 to 2023, he says, and this year, it looks like were going to double that again.

The post ABC for Health marks 30 years of benefits counseling, advocacy for vulnerable appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Protesters gather outside a Missouri clinic in 2019. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Abortion surveillance is something former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has said is up to states. But for abortion providers and advocates, surveillance and monitoring by anti-abortion activists has long been the reality. And post-Dobbs many states are actively trying to expand government surveillance.

There is a lot of confusion in our patient population  because most of them are coming from states that have banned abortion  about the legality of coming to another state, said Michele Landeau, chief operating officer of Hope Clinic in Granite City, Illinois.

Just across the border from St. Louis, Missouri, Hope Clinic serves as one of the closest abortion clinics to several banned states in the Midwest and the South. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, the clinic increased its staff and capacity to accommodate an influx of patients, more than 80% of whom are coming from outside of Illinois, Landeau told States Newsroom. She said the clinic has also seen an influx of protesters, especially on Saturdays, who can sometimes be heard shouting patients out-of-state license plates.

That can cause a lot of anxiety and fear, Landeau said. I believe the protesters know that, and thats why they do it.

Since Dobbs, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that specializes in digital civil liberties, has seen a spike in doxing of abortion providers and assistance groups, said staff attorney Lisa Femia. Another increased privacy threat since Dobbs, she said, is police sharing automated license plate reader data with police in states where abortion is not legal.

Illinois is among several states that have adopted abortion rights in the lead-up to and since Dobbs, most recently travel data privacy protections. A law that went into effect earlier this year prohibits the sharing of data from automated license plate readers with law enforcement for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a persons right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services.

But even in this abortion-haven state, Mark Lee Dicksons Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative helped pass an ordinance banning the mailing or shipping of abortion pills in Danville, a town along Illinoiss eastern border with Indiana, where abortion is not legal. The ordinance (which the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois says is unlawful and unenforceable because it violates state law) was passed the same month an anti-abortion extremist drove a car loaded with gasoline-filled containers into the building of a planned abortion clinic in Danville.

Femia said increased legal challenges have so far not upheld laws that attempt to restrict interstate abortion-related travel or information. But its still early, she said.

I think we also have to remember that in sort of the scheme of the legal system, it hasnt really been very long since Dobbs and since states have actually started implementing extremely abortion restrictive laws, Femia told States Newsroom. So were still in sort of the nascent stages of abortion prosecutions.

To fight for reproductive health privacy, Femia said the Electronic Frontier Foundation has tried to put pressure on government to enforce privacy protections on the books as well as educate the public.

This week, the nonprofit MSI Reproductive Choices launched a digital guide for safely searching abortion-related information online in partnership with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, called the Vagina Privacy Network, and as part of the launch handed out free burner phones at three different reproductive rights marches in Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Protesters gather outside a Missouri clinic in 2019. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Abortion surveillance is something former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has said is up to states. But for abortion providers and advocates, surveillance and monitoring by anti-abortion activists has long been the reality. And post-Dobbs many states are actively trying to expand government surveillance.

There is a lot of confusion in our patient population  because most of them are coming from states that have banned abortion  about the legality of coming to another state, said Michele Landeau, chief operating officer of Hope Clinic in Granite City, Illinois.

Just across the border from St. Louis, Missouri, Hope Clinic serves as one of the closest abortion clinics to several banned states in the Midwest and the South. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, the clinic increased its staff and capacity to accommodate an influx of patients, more than 80% of whom are coming from outside of Illinois, Landeau told States Newsroom. She said the clinic has also seen an influx of protesters, especially on Saturdays, who can sometimes be heard shouting patients out-of-state license plates.

That can cause a lot of anxiety and fear, Landeau said. I believe the protesters know that, and thats why they do it.

Since Dobbs, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that specializes in digital civil liberties, has seen a spike in doxing of abortion providers and assistance groups, said staff attorney Lisa Femia. Another increased privacy threat since Dobbs, she said, is police sharing automated license plate reader data with police in states where abortion is not legal.

Illinois is among several states that have adopted abortion rights in the lead-up to and since Dobbs, most recently travel data privacy protections. A law that went into effect earlier this year prohibits the sharing of data from automated license plate readers with law enforcement for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a persons right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services.

But even in this abortion-haven state, Mark Lee Dicksons Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative helped pass an ordinance banning the mailing or shipping of abortion pills in Danville, a town along Illinoiss eastern border with Indiana, where abortion is not legal. The ordinance (which the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois says is unlawful and unenforceable because it violates state law) was passed the same month an anti-abortion extremist drove a car loaded with gasoline-filled containers into the building of a planned abortion clinic in Danville.

Femia said increased legal challenges have so far not upheld laws that attempt to restrict interstate abortion-related travel or information. But its still early, she said.

I think we also have to remember that in sort of the scheme of the legal system, it hasnt really been very long since Dobbs and since states have actually started implementing extremely abortion restrictive laws, Femia told States Newsroom. So were still in sort of the nascent stages of abortion prosecutions.

To fight for reproductive health privacy, Femia said the Electronic Frontier Foundation has tried to put pressure on government to enforce privacy protections on the books as well as educate the public.

This week, the nonprofit MSI Reproductive Choices launched a digital guide for safely searching abortion-related information online in partnership with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, called the Vagina Privacy Network, and as part of the launch handed out free burner phones at three different reproductive rights marches in Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia.

The post Abortion surveillance isnt new but monitoring has increased post Dobbs, activists say appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 04: A group of demonstrators display signs during a pro-life rally outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Center on June 4, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. The fate of Missouri's lone abortion clinic could be decided today in St. Louis Circuit Court after a restraining order prohibiting Missouri from letting the clinic's license lapse was granted last week. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Abortion surveillance is something former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has said is up to states. But for abortion providers and advocates, surveillance and monitoring by anti-abortion activists has long been the reality. And post-Dobbs many states are actively trying to expand government surveillance.

There is a lot of confusion in our patient population  because most of them are coming from states that have banned abortion  about the legality of coming to another state, said Michele Landeau, chief operating officer of Hope Clinic in Granite City, Illinois.

Just across the border from St. Louis, Missouri, Hope Clinic serves as one of the closest abortion clinics to several banned states in the Midwest and the South. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, the clinic increased its staff and capacity to accommodate an influx of patients, more than 80% of whom are coming from outside of Illinois, Landeau told States Newsroom. She said the clinic has also seen an influx of protesters, especially on Saturdays, who can sometimes be heard shouting patients out-of-state license plates.

That can cause a lot of anxiety and fear, Landeau said. I believe the protesters know that, and thats why they do it.

Since Dobbs, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that specializes in digital civil liberties, has seen a spike in doxing of abortion providers and assistance groups, said staff attorney Lisa Femia. Another increased privacy threat since Dobbs, she said, is police sharing automated license plate reader data with police in states where abortion is not legal.

Illinois is among several states that have adopted abortion rights in the lead-up to and since Dobbs, most recently travel data privacy protections. A law that went into effect earlier this year prohibits the sharing of data from automated license plate readers with law enforcement for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a persons right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services.

But even in this abortion-haven state, Mark Lee Dicksons Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative helped pass an ordinance banning the mailing or shipping of abortion pills in Danville, a town along Illinoiss eastern border with Indiana, where abortion is not legal. The ordinance (which the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois says is unlawful and unenforceable because it violates state law) was passed the same month an anti-abortion extremist drove a car loaded with gasoline-filled containers into the building of a planned abortion clinic in Danville.

Femia said increased legal challenges have so far not upheld laws that attempt to restrict interstate abortion-related travel or information. But its still early, she said.

I think we also have to remember that in sort of the scheme of the legal system, it hasnt really been very long since Dobbs and since states have actually started implementing extremely abortion restrictive laws, Femia told States Newsroom. So were still in sort of the nascent stages of abortion prosecutions.

To fight for reproductive health privacy, Femia said the Electronic Frontier Foundation has tried to put pressure on government to enforce privacy protections on the books as well as educate the public.

This week, the nonprofit MSI Reproductive Choices launched a digital guide for safely searching abortion-related information online in partnership with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, called the Vagina Privacy Network, and as part of the launch handed out free burner phones at three different reproductive rights marches in Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia.

The post Abortion surveillance isnt new but monitoring has increased post Dobbs, activists say appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Nick Ramos addresses a press conference criticizing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday that grants presidents immunity for "official acts" while in office. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Donald Trumps election interference case, granting U.S. presidents broad immunity from criminal charges, prompted outrage from pro-democracy activists in Wisconsin Monday.

In the 6-3 opinion, the Court ruled that U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, and sent back to lower courts a federal case against President Donald Trump on charges connected with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Today the U.S. Supreme Court has made it loud and clear that there are certain people within the U.S.  the wealthy, the well-connected, the very powerful  that get to live above the law, said Nick Ramos, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, at a news conference held outside the federal courthouse in Madison Monday afternoon.

Its bizarre that because hes president  well, he was president  that he gets to enjoy certain privileges, certain rights, that everyday folks like us dont get to enjoy, Ramos said.

The Court decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said that a president has no immunity for unofficial acts. But it sent back to the trial court the question of whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election and conspiring to overturn the results was an unofficial act or qualified as official presidential action.

Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. Trump was indicted in August 2023 on allegations that he knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotted with co-conspirators to overturn election results in seven states and eventually worked his base into a frenzy that culminated in the violent attack on the Capitol the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

In response to the ruling, a coalition of groups, including the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the public interest law firm Law Forward held press conferences in front of the federal courthouses in Milwaukee and Madison to castigate the decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court ought to be ashamed of itself  how they handled this case and how they rendered this decision today, Ramos said. The court can try and paint this however they want to legally, but the fact is, it chose to play partisan politics instead of doing their job and doing the right thing.

Speakers at the events were flanked by supporters from SEIU and other groups, including a half-dozen who wore mock judicial robes and cloth banana tops that framed their faces.

I thought we lived in a republic, but apparently we live in a banana republic, Ramos said.

The six bananas wore placards around their necks with the last names of the six justices who concurred in the Roberts opinion. All engineered delays in this case [that] helped Trump avoid a jury verdict in his criminal conspiracy to overturn the last election before the American people can vote in the next one, Ramos said.

The Courts ruling Monday came more than four months after the justices accepted the appeal of a lower court ruling denying Trump immunity from criminal charges for his actions in attempting to thwart the transfer of power to Joe Biden, who won the 2020 election.

Ramos contrasted that delay with the courts faster action on other cases, including its ruling that overturned a Colorado decision blocking Trump from that states ballot for insurrection.

Those justices have ensured irreconcilable showdown in the fall between the ordinary operations of the criminal justice system, which would require Trumps speedy pretrial and trial proceedings, and the ordinary functioning of the presidential election system in which both nominees are free to campaign, Ramos said.

Here in America, we hold sacred, the core values of democracy: that our leaders, whether elected or appointed, must respect our will and govern in our interest, not seize power, commit crimes and rule over us, said Jeff Mandell, cofounder and general counsel of Law Forward. The concept of absolute immunity for anyone is incompatible with government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Mandell called Mondays ruling disappointing, but not surprising. He ticked off a series of decisions, including canceling the national right to abortion two years ago and, last week, shifting critical decisions about protecting health and safety from federal agencies to the courts.

Todays decision underscores the importance of holding accountable those who enabled Trumps efforts to seek to overturn the will of the people and to deter those who might seek to do so again in a future election, Mandell said. The efforts to hold Trumps co-conspirators, including those who designed and implemented the fake electoral scheme that began in Wisconsin and metastasized all across the country, are more vital now than ever.

The post Activists decry Supreme Court immunity decision as an assault on democracy appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is going to court seeking to hold Iran, North Korea and Syria responsible for its role in aiding Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The suit comes on behalf of 100 Americans or their families seeking to hold the trio of countries responsible for the deaths, physical and emotional injuries, and hostage-takings Hamas caused during its barbaric rampage.

Such suits, the group notes, are often ignored by the countries targeted in the litigation

But the effort is a potential pathway to secure compensation for victims through the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, and its also a move by the ADL to create a record of Hamas heinous brutality perpetrated with the support of these state sponsors of terrorism.

Iran is the worlds leading state sponsor of antisemitism and terror  along with Syria and North Korea, they must be held responsible for their roles in the largest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust. We are doing everything possible to hold Hamas terrorists and those who support them accountable, including putting all of ADLs weight behind this effort, Jonathan Greenblatt, the groups CEO, said in a release.

While foreign governments are generally considered beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act allows for courts to review whether countries should face civil damages in cases where theyve sponsored attacks. Iran, North Korea and Syria are all designated state sponsors of terrorism under U.S. law.

Though the foreign governments typically do not respond, judges continue to weigh whether the plaintiffs have met the legal burden associated with proving their connection with terrorist activities.

The lawsuit lays out clear, convincing evidence that Iran and Syria and North Korea all provided material support to Hamas that enabled the terrorist group to commit the atrocities that they committed on Oct. 7, including material support, tactical support, financial support, James Pasch, ADLs litigation director, told The Hill.

Its something he said is designed to also combat Oct. 7 denialism [that] began on Oct. 8.

Pasch said plaintiffs will argue Iran, North Korea and Syria provided material, financial and tactical support to Hamas. The complaint filed to the court lays out long histories between these state sponsors of terrorism and Hamas, but also more recent cooperation surrounding the Oct. 7 attack.

Theres just no doubt that these terrorist-supporting nation-states provided material support to allow the attack to happen. And the legal standard is, did you provide the support that enabled the attack? Pasch said.

Its likely to be a low bar to clear, with Iran claiming Hamas as one of its proxy groups and part of its axis of resistance.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in May hosted the head of Hamass political leadership in exile, Ismail Haniyeh, along with the heads of other proxy groups, for the funeral of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Haniyeh had earlier said Iran provided the group $70 million to help stock its missiles and weapons. The U.S. has estimated that Iran provides $100 million annually to Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.

And while the U.S. reportedly doubts that Iran had specific knowledge of Hamass Oct. 7 attack, other reporting indicated that Iran hosted hundreds of Hamas fighters for military training prior to the attack.

And the U.S. had previously confirmed Iranian financial support for Hamas. In 2019, the U.S. sanctioned individuals facilitating the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars between the Iranian government and Hamas. In November, the Treasury Department sanctioned more than 20 individuals and entities for facilitating transactions between Irans military and government to Hamas.

Where North Korea is concerned, an investigation by The Associated Press published in October said Hamas likely fired weapons produced by North Korea during its Oct. 7 assault. Pyongyang previously denied that it was linked to the attack.

The complaint also seeks to establish that North Korea advised Hamas on its extensive tunnel network, which was employed during its Oct. 7 attack and is a major target for destruction amid Israels more than nine-month military campaign to eliminate Hamas in Gaza.

Further, the complaint seeks to lay out decades of close ties between Syria and Hamas, despite a rupture over the 10-year Syrian Civil War, when Hamas sided with the opposition. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad restored ties with Hamas in 2022, with the backing of Iran and its proxy group in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

The suit points to prior court decisions indicating Syria has provided financial support for Hamas, as well as facilitated the passage of Iranian supplies through their territory.

Were confident that well be able to prove our case in court, and theyll be held responsible for their actions, Pasch said.

The suit comes at a time of uncertainty for the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, which currently does not have sufficient funding to make payments to victims who have won cases.

First established in 2015 with more than $3 billion, the fund as of December was down to $281 million, declining in January to authorize payments to victims.

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) have introduced legislation that would replenish the funds in the account.

The complaint has redacted the names of the American plaintiffs. At least 32 Americans were known to have been killed among the 1,200 deaths recorded from Hamass attack on Oct. 7. Of the more than 250 people taken hostage, at least 10 were Americans, with eight people  alive and dead  still in Hamas captivity.

Plaintiff Nahar Neta, who agreed to make her case public, joined the lawsuit on behalf of her mother Adrienne, a retired nurse, who was killed on Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7.

While nothing will ever undo the unbearable pain Hamas caused our family or recover the brutal losses weve suffered, we hope this case will bring some sense of justice, Neta said in a statement.

Its important for us to be able to tell our stories so the world can hear how Hamas has terrorized Israel, the Jewish people, and many American citizens. My mom devoted her life to caring for others regardless of race or religious beliefs. She was a peace and justice seeker who was active in many civilian efforts to bridge the gap between Jews and Arabs in Israel.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Each of the three people scammed of $62,000 in total fell victim to a similar scam, according to a press release from the Attorney Generals Office. (Getty Images)

At least three people in New Hampshire have been persuaded by scammers to put $20,000 or more in a package, tape it up, and hand it over to someone posing as a bank employee or federal official, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

It announced Monday that Rachel Chen, 25, of North Andover, Massachusetts, was indicted on multiple charges in June for her alleged role in thefts that targeted older residents. Chen worked with others, according to the Attorney Generals Office, but no one else has been charged. The case remains under investigation.

Each of the three people scammed of $62,000 in total fell victim to a similar scam, according to a press release from the Attorney Generals Office.

In one case, an individual identified only as D.L, 75, of Nashua, received an email purporting to be from Microsoft warning her that her financial account had been compromised. D.L. called the number provided and was told to put $20,000 in cash inside a taped-up box and give it to an FBI representative who would come to her house.

The purported FBI representative matched Chens description, according to the release.

A similar scam led a person identified as E.B., 87, whose address was given as Grafton County, to hand over a box with $20,000, the Attorney Generals Office said.

In that case, E.B. received an email purportedly from Apple Support telling her $20,000 had been taken from her financial account. E.B. received instructions on how to deposit $20,000 into a cryptocurrency ATM, according to the release, but ultimately handed a package with the money over to a person who appeared at her house.

That person was Chen, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

In a third case, a 60-year-old identified as J.S., of Allenstown, was told to put $22,000 in cash in a box by a man who identified himself as a bank employee, according to the Attorney Generals Office. Chen then went to J.S.s home, gave a fake name, and took the money, the office said.

Chen faces up to 7 to 14 years in prison and a $4,000 fine on each charge.

In announcing the indictments, the Attorney Generals Office urged the public to report cases of elder abuse or financial exploitation to their local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-949-0470.
Warrant officers are skilled and specialized officers who focus on their particular field. Although they can (and do) lead and hold command, the primary duty of a warrant officer is to serve as a subject matter expert and provide their guidance and expertise to a commander. When the Air Force was created in 1947, it carried over the warrant officer ranks from the Army. However, following the creation of the senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant ranks in 1958, these senior non-commissioned officers assumed the duties of warrant officers and the Air Forces Warrant Officer Corps was dissolved. After 66 years, the Air Force is bringing warrant officer back.

The announcement for the first Air Force warrant officer application (U.S. Air Force)

On June 28, 2024, the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development activated the Air Forces Warrant Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced the revival of the Warrant Officer Corps at the Air and Space Forces Associations 2024 Warfare Symposium and the service began accepting applications on April 25, 2024. The inaugural cohort of warrant officers will focus in the information technology and cyber career fields.

We need operational units with all the capabilities they need to deter and compete with our pacing challenges and ready to enter a conflict on short or no notice, Secretary Kendall said at the symposium. In those units we need the right mix of skills necessary for high-end combat and to ensure technological superiority, particularly in information technology and cyber.

Brig. Gen. Cantwell delivers remarks at the WOTS activation ceremony (U.S. Air Force)

At the time of Secretary Kendalls announcement, the Air Force reported that up to 60 candidates would be accepted into WOTS. Following the schools activation, the service announced that the inaugural WOTS class will consist of approximately 30 candidates; the second class of approximately 30 more candidates is scheduled to begin in early 2025.

The reintroduction of warrant officers to the Air Force is another example of the force adapting personnel policies to best compete in emerging security landscapes. said Holm Center commander Brig. Gen. Houston R. Cantwell in a public affairs release. The warrant officer will serve on the virtual frontlines, allowing us to stay ahead of rapidly advancing threats while safeguarding national security interests in both the information technology and cyber career fields.

Maj. Roesler assumes command of WOTS (U.S. Air Force)

At WOTS, candidates will undergo physical training, team-building exercises, and academic lessons related to leadership and communication. Through the training program, candidates will learn and develop the skills that the Air Force expects of its Warrant Officer Corps. The curriculum will concentrate on the five Warrant Officer Foundational Principles: communicate, advise, influence, innovate and integrate. We are in the business of producing Airmen, said Maj. Nathaniel Roesler, WOTS commandant. These specialists come to us with technical expertise, and our mission is to develop them to be better warfighters, advisors, and integrators, ready to fly, fight and win during Great Power Competition. We will answer that call.

The first WOTS class is expected to graduate no later than January 2025 with the Air Forces new warrants being assigned across the force based on operational requirements and individual preferences. Additional WOTS classes will be announced annually via the Air Force Personnel Centers Personnel Services Delivery Memorandum system.
A two-star Air Force general on Saturday was found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during a work trip in 2023, avoiding what could have been a decades-long prison sentence in a rare, nearly-two week-long court-martial of a high-ranking officer.

Instead, a jury of eight fellow officers found Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the services former pilot training boss, guilty on multiple charges, including adultery, conduct unbecoming of an officer and dereliction of duty, for pursuing an unprofessional relationship with the woman as well as for controlling an airplane within 12 hours of consuming alcohol  violating the so-called bottle-to-throttle rule.

Stewart will forfeit up to $60,000 in pay, the Air Force said. He also faces a reprimand and will not be allowed to leave Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, for two months.

Air Force general pleads guilty to adultery, dereliction of duty

We recognize the gravity of the charges and the profound impact these allegations have had, both on the accuser and my client, Sherilyn Bunn, Stewarts civilian attorney, said in a statement. From the beginning, Maj. Gen. Stewart maintained his innocence, confident that the truth would emerge. This case has highlighted the need for a careful and respectful approach to allegations of sexual assault.

Stewart initially pleaded not guilty on all charges during a hearing in March. But as the case moved forward last week, he pleaded guilty to charges of adultery and dereliction of duty for pursuing an unprofessional relationship with an unnamed woman between September 2022 and May 2023, according to a charge sheet obtained by Air Force Times.

He was subsequently found guilty of additional charges, including conduct unbecoming of an officer for inviting the woman to spend the night in his hotel room, and for dereliction of duty related to drinking and flying, by a jury that included eight generals who have reached at least the same rank as Stewart.

Jury selection begins in Air Force generals sexual assault trial

Stewart faced as much as two-and-a-half years in confinement for the charges of which he was convicted, and could have faced more than six decades in prison if convicted on the sexual assault charges.

The two-star allegedly penetrated the unidentified womans vulva with his mouth and penis without her consent on multiple occasions during a work trip to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, a training hub for airmen across the air mobility enterprise, during April 2023. Stewarts attorneys contended that while he did have sex with the woman, it was consensual.

The woman  an officer who was Stewarts subordinate  testified at the court-martial that though she didnt want to have sex with her boss after a night of drinking, she complied with his advances because she was dumbfounded and saw no way to escape the situation, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Stewart flew a C-17 transport plane out of Oklahoma the following morning, the woman testified.

The female officer later reported the encounter to the Air Forces Office of Special Investigations, the Express-News said.

She also said she was rattled by a text exchange in which Stewart suggested she sleep in his hotel room during a trip to an Air Force conference in Denver in March, the publication reported.

The woman added in court that she plans to retire in November rather than pursue a command position, the Express-News said.

This case has been distressing for many, and we appreciate the sensitivity and seriousness with which it was handled, Bunn said. It is our hope that this verdict reinforces the importance of a just and fair legal system that upholds the principles of justice and integrity.

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. Details of the reprimand he will face were not immediately available Monday.

Josh Connolly, senior vice president of Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for military sexual assault victims, said the case should never have gone to court-martial at all. The lesser offenses should have been handled administratively after a military judge in a preliminary hearing last year recommended that the sexual assault charges be dropped, he said.

But Robinson opted to take the case to court-martial anyway, ahead of new Pentagon rules that removes prosecution of some of the most serious criminal cases  including sexual assault  from the chain of command. Those cases are now handled by special trial counsels.

If there isnt evidence there to get a conviction, then how is that doing a service to anyone? Connolly asked.

Stewart is only the second general officer in Air Force to face court-martial on sexual misconduct charges, and the third to be arraigned on military charges in the services 77-year history. Maj. Gen. Bill Cooley, the former Air Force Research Laboratory commander, was convicted by a military judge of abusive sexual conduct in April 2022 for forcibly kissing his brothers wife.

Cooley retired as a colonel in June 2023. An appeal with the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals is pending.
A federal grand jury indicted an Air Force veteran on Thursday for unauthorized possession and dissemination of sensitive national security information, including details of the vulnerabilities of U.S. military aircraft.

Paul J. Freeman, 68, of Niceville, Florida, was charged with four counts of illegally retaining information regarding Air Force aircraft and weapon systems and five counts of sharing it with unauthorized personnel, according to a federal indictment unsealed on June 27. If convicted, Freeman would face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison per charge.

Freeman, on multiple occasions between November 2020 and March 2021, transmitted classified national defense information about United States Air Force aircraft and weapons to people not authorized to access the information, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Florida said in a statement.

Court documents argue Freeman had reason to believe [the information] could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation. Its unclear how Freeman accessed those details or with whom they were shared.

Freeman was arrested by the FBI June 27, court documents show. The case is set to head to trial Aug. 5.

The announcement comes as the U.S. military recovers from one of the largest intelligence breaches in recent history.

In March, Jack Teixeira, an airman 1st class who served as a computer technician in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, pleaded guilty in federal court to leaking classified national security documents regarding U.S. assessments of the war in Ukraine and other matters via social media platform Discord. The monthslong breach prompted an Air Force deep-dive into the security failures that enabled the leaks and led the Pentagon to update the militarys policies for handling classified information.

Fifteen people in the chain of command of the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron, in which Teixeira served, were reprimanded for their inaction that led to the leak. A Pentagon inspector general report found Teixeiras supervisors were aware that he was discussing intelligence that a person in his role did not need to know.

Teixeiras sentencing is scheduled for September. He faces more than 16 years in prison and could incur further punishments if the Air Force opts to begin a military trial as well.

The FBI in 2022 also investigated an Air Force intelligence analyst for allegedly leaking classified information in an anti-government group on Discord, according to federal court documents.

Former Staff Sgt. Jason Gray, a cyber analyst with the 381st Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, was accused of sharing a classified image in a private Discord channel that he likely obtained via his access to National Security Agency intelligence. An affidavit did not elaborate on what the image showed.

Gray is currently serving five years in federal prison for child pornography discovered during a probe of his electronics, court records show.

And David Franklin Slater, 63, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who worked as an Air Force civilian at U.S. Strategic Command in Nebraska, was arrested in March for allegedly transmitting classified intelligence in early 2022. Federal authorities claim Slater sent information about Russias war with Ukraine to a romantic interest through a foreign online dating platform.
Airbus agrees to pay $1 for Spirit AeroSystems assets in deal sparked by Boeing 737 Max blowout

Airbus agrees to pay $1 for Spirit AeroSystems assets in deal sparked by Boeing 737 Max blowout

Airbus has agreed to acquire assets of Spirit AeroSystems for $1.

Airbus said it would also be compensated with $559 million from the aviation manufacturer.

Boeing is buying the bulk of Spirit in the wake of the Alaska Airlines blowout.

Airbus has agreed to buy assets of a major aviation supplier for a symbolic $1 price tag, the planemaker announced Monday.

Spirit AeroSystems, which was part of Boeing before it was spun off in 2005, is being carved up following January's Alaska Airlines blowout.

The companies announced on Monday that Boeing would pay $4.7 billion to buy back Spirit AeroSystems.

However, the deal also requires Airbus' involvement because Spirit supplied the European planemaker with several key parts.

Airbus said it entered a binding term-sheet agreement to acquire the production of "major activities related to Airbus," including building fuselage sections for the A350 and the pylons, wings, and mid-fuselage for A220 jets.

Plus, Airbus said it would be compensated with $559 million from Spirit AeroSystems.

This isn't the first time Airbus has picked up assets on the cheap. The A220 began life as the Bombardier CSeries, but in 2018, after the CSeries program ran into financial issues, Airbus bought a 50% stake for 1 Canadian dollar. The stake was later raised to 75% in a $591 million deal.

Spirit built the fuselage of the Alaska 737 Max that lost its door plug in midair and sparked a crisis at Boeing. Weeks after the incident, Boeing began negotiations to buy back the firm in an attempt to improve its quality-control processes.

In a preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board said Spirit sent the plane to Boeing's factory with damaged rivets. The report said the door plug was then opened to solve this, but it wasn't bolted back into place before the plane was delivered to Alaska Airlines.

In the fallout, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his resignation. The Justice Department is also considering criminal charges against Boeing, which could be announced this week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
University of Alaska Anchorage students walking outside UAA Student Union on Feb. 7, 2023. The Alaska Performance Scholarship funds high-achieving students to attend secondary education in Alaska. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska lawmakers approved legislation to increase eligibility for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, a merit-based program that provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education or technical training in-state. House Bill 148 also raises the maximum award amount.

Since launching in 2011, the Alaska Performance Scholarship has funded over $122 million scholarships for Alaskan students. However, in recent years, the share of public high school graduates who are eligible has dropped significantly. In 2023, 17% of graduates were eligible, compared to 30% of graduates in 2011.

Under HB 148, students will only need either a high grade point average or test score to qualify, not both. Joe Pavia-Jones, the chair of the University of Alaskas Coalition of Student Leaders and a third-year at the University of Alaska Anchorage, received one of the scholarships. He qualified in 2020, when the testing requirement was waived.

Pavia-Jones said the waiver allowed him to receive more money, which made it possible for him to attend the university.

I got bumped up from the Level 3 up to Level 1, said Pavia-Jones, referring to the tiers of award money available through the scholarships. It made it more important to me, because I was able to get a lot more money. If test scores affected eligibility in 2020, Pavia-Jones scholarship would have been halved. That sum, he says, likely would not have been enough incentive to stay in Alaska for college; before receiving the scholarship, he was interested in attending college in the Lower 48.

The maximum Level 1 scholarship would increase nearly 50%, from $4,755 to $7,000.

One of the scholarship programs primary goals is to keep high-achieving students in Alaska  statistically, Alaskans who attend college in-state are more likely to stay in the state after graduation.

Despite this goal, the share of eligible high school graduates using the program has declined since 2016. The majority of students who are eligible do not use the scholarships, and over half of those students choose not to use it because they do not want to attend a college or vocational school in Alaska.

This disinterest in Alaska schools occurs against the backdrop of Alaskas population decline, as more people continue to leave Alaska than arrive here, which has occurred for 11 consecutive years. Students who leave Alaska for college will probably get jobs somewhere else theyll get connected somewhere else, Pavia-Jones said. They just dont come back.

By increasing the award amount, HB 148 would potentially make APS more appealing to eligible students.

The bill would also increase awareness about the scholarships among high schoolers by notifying students about the program earlier. Tatiana Petrykievicz, an administrative assistant for the UAAs student advising center and a recent graduate of the university, wasnt aware of the scholarship when she was in high school. If she had known about it, then she definitely would have been interested, she said. I think that back then I wouldve had the scores for it, she said. I dont think I was completely aware of it when I was enrolling.

A notable change to the scholarship program under HB 148 is the expansion of secondary education optionsstudents would be able to use the scholarship to attend career and technical schools. Additionally, students eligibility after graduation is extended from six years to eight years and the scholarship would also be made more accessible for part-time or graduate students. If a student raises their GPA while studying at a postsecondary institution, they would be eligible for an increased award level.

At the end of the legislative session in May, the Senate voted 20-0 for the bill. The House adopted the Senate version 39-1, with Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, voting no. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed the bill into law on Friday.

In addition to the adjustments to the scholarships, HB 148 makes more funding accessible for Head Start, a program that provides child care and early education to over 3,000 children from low-income families in Alaska. Head Start also provides health and dental screenings for children, which are often inaccessible in remote parts of the state. The federal government pays for 80% of Head Starts funding, and under HB 148, the state would match the remaining 20%, which is $5.2 million for this year. On Friday, Dunleavy reduced the amount budgeted for Head Start by $2.6 million through a line-item veto.

Russel Sampson, a researcher at UAAs Alaska Justice Information Center, said the program is important for the states future. Her daughter, a senior in high school, was recently informed about the scholarships by her adviser. Sampsons daughter wasnt previously interested in pursuing higher education in AlaskaShes kind of one of those Gen Zs that are afraid of the debt issue, said Sampson. Now, Sampson said, shes thinking about it.

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that Gov. Dunleavy signed the bill and reduced Head Start funding on Friday.

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FILE - Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare arrives at the Elysee Palace to receive the France's Legion d'Honneur medal by French President Francois Hollande, in Paris, on May 30, 2016. Renowned Albanian novelist Kadare has died after being rushed to a hospital in the Albanian capital, his publishing editor said on Monday. He was 88. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

TIRANA, Albania (AP)  Albanian novelist and poet Ismail Kadare, whose irreverent works from inside communist Albania earned him international renown and repression from the country's dictatorship, has died in Tirana, his publishing editor said Monday. He was 88.

Kadare won a number of international awards, and had long been mentioned as a possible contender for the Nobel Prize in literature.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj praised Kadare as the country's spiritual emancipator.

Albania and Albanians lost their genius of letters ... the Balkans (lost) the poet of its myths, Europe and the world (lost) one of the most renowned representatives of modern literature, Begaj said in a statement released by his office.

Albania's government declared two days of national mourning on Tuesday and Wednesday, when flags will fly at half-staff. A minute's silence will be observed nationwide Wednesday following Kadare's funeral.

Onufri Publishing House editor Bujar Hudhri said the author died Monday morning after being rushed to a hospital.

A nurse at the hospital said he was taken to the emergency room after suffering cardiac arrest. She spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to talk to the media.

Kadare became internationally recognized after his novel The General of the Dead Army  which later inspired a film starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anouk Aimee  was published in 1963. The book told the story of an Italian general who was sent to Albania to find and repatriate the bones of thousands of his compatriots killed there during World War II, and who dwells on the futility of the task and of war.

At the time, Albania was still governed by the communist government of late dictator Enver Hoxha that had turned the small, mountainous Balkan country into Europe's most isolated.

Celebrated for the delicate writing of his novels, Kadare fled to France in the fall of 1990, just a few months before the collapse of the communist regime following student protests in December. He lived in Paris and had recently returned to Tirana, the Albanian capital.

During a visit to Albania last year, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor title. France had previously also made him a foreign associate of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, as well as Commander of the Legion of Honor.

Kadare was awarded a number of international prizes, including the inaugural International Booker Prize in 2005. His works, which included more than 80 novels, plays, screenplays, poetry, essays and story collections, were translated into 45 languages.

Born on Jan. 28, 1936, in the southern Albanian city of Gjirokaster, Kadare graduated from Tirana University's History and Philology Faculty and went on to study at Moscow's Maxim Gorky Literature Institute.

But he was recalled after Hoxha split with the Soviet Union  the first of two great ruptures with major communist powers that was later to conclude with China.

Back in Albania, Kadare won a reputation as a poet and novelist, but soon fell foul of the communist regime, which banned several of his works and briefly exiled him to the provinces.

The General of the Dead Army attracted major international attention when it was translated into French and published in the West. This recognition abroad has been credited with shielding Kadare from the more violent retribution Albania's communists routinely reserved for dissidents.

After the fall of communism in Albania, Kadare resisted calls from different political parties or politicians to become the countrys president.

He is survived by his wife, Helena, also a writer, and his daughters Gresa and Besiana.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday.

___

Semini reported from Bari, Italy.
Dr. Alma Littles is named new dean of FSU College of Medicine after being interim

After serving as Florida State Universitys College of Medicine interim dean for over a year, Dr. Alma Littles has been named the new permanent dean of the evolving medical school. She begins Monday.

When I first saw the College of Medicine mission statement, it resonated with me, Littles said in a prepared statement. The colleges priorities and my goals as a physician mirror each other.

Growing up in a rural and underserved community stimulated my interest in investing my talents toward helping people whose health care needs are not easily met, she added. The college has remained dedicated in training physicians who can help to meet those needs.

Littles  a Quincy native  has served as the colleges interim dean since February 2023, replacing Dr. John P. Fogarty. He served as dean from 2008 until retiring in 2023.

At the same time, Littles continued her role as a senior associate dean for Medical Education and Academic Affairs for nearly 20 years.

More: Florida State University College of Medicine names Big Bend native as interim dean

Her former roles within the College of Medicine include serving as the acting and then founding chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health and as a president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians.

Her recent appointment as dean was announced by FSU Provost Jim Clark.

Dr. Littles has provided outstanding leadership as the interim dean, and I have heard from an impressive number of healthcare leaders across the state that they looked forward to her appointment to permanent Dean, FSU Provost Jim Clark said in the release. That day has arrived!

FSU Provost Jim Clark.

As dean, Littles will oversee the colleges research and teaching portfolio across nine regional campuses and training sites.

Littles will also be leading the College of Medicine through some of its biggest transitions since opening in 2000, and one of the university's ambitious plans through the college is FSU Health  an initiative that aims to build a health care ecosystem in North Florida.

Through the initiative, an academic health center will be built on Tallahassee Memorial HealthCares campus through a partnership between FSU and the hospital that is supported by a $125 million fund.

The future facility will offer advanced medical training and translational research for FSU faculty and TMH clinicians, and it is slated to open in fall 2026.

In addition, a health care campus in Panama City Beach is another component of the FSU Health initiative to meet the rapidly increasing need for medical care in the Florida Panhandle.

Dr. Littles is an excellent leader for this initiative, FSU President Richard McCullough said in a prepared statement. Her experience and vision will guide us toward achieving our goals with precision and compassion. I am pleased to welcome her as the new dean of the FSU College of Medicine.

FSU President Richard McCullough

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU names Dr. Alma Littles College of Medicine dean after interim role
Almost half of Democrats say Biden should step aside in new poll

Nearly half of Democratic voters in a new survey say President Biden should step aside and not accept the partys nomination to lead the ticket heading into November.

In a CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday, 45 percent of Democratic registered voters surveyed said Biden should step aside, while 55 percent said he should continue running, in response to a question asking whether Biden should be the nominee.

Asked whether Biden should be running for president, 54 percent of Democratic voters said he should  a 10-point drop from the 64 percent of Democratic voters who answered the same way in a February 2024 poll. Similarly, 46 percent of Democratic voters say he should not be running, up 10 points from February.

The poll comes after Bidens shaky performance in the Thursday debate sparked some concerns among Democrats about whether he should continue leading the ticket.

A concerted effort from the White House and the Biden campaign has sought to quell concerns, noting he had a cold during the debate. Many allies have also pointed to Bidens demeanor and remarks at subsequent events, including a watch party stop after the debate and a campaign event in North Carolina, as evidence that Biden simply had a bad night.

A majority of Democrats (59 percent) surveyed say, when asked, that Biden has the mental and cognitive health to serve as president, but that marks a significant drop from just a few weeks ago  on June 9, 2024  when 71 percent said the same.

The CBS News/YouGov poll surveyed 1,130 registered voters from June 28 to 29, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. Among Democratic registered voters, the margin of error is plus or minus 6.8 percentage points.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hagerstown Community College will implement new alternative healthcare education programs this school year to address employment gaps and increase high school dual enrollment courses.

Starting in August, eligible high school students can take electronic health records courses at South Hagerstown High School, and certified nursing assistant courses are offered at Smithsburg and Boonsboro high schools, introduced this past school year. Through these courses, students can obtain certifications in healthcare before they graduate, or can pursue a higher degree.

These courses were implemented through a partnership with Washington County Public Schools and the college. Under the Blueprint for Marylands Future, the district pays for interested students to take classes through the college at their high school.

Jim Klauber, the president of HCC, said the Washington County Public School System is currently the largest tuition payer for the college. Along with the increase in dual enrollment classes under the Maryland blueprint, Klauber said these programs will fill a gap in the field.

I think what has driven my calculus behind this is number one, the demand is huge, Klauber said.

Klauber said healthcare organizations across the state are experiencing a shortage of some healthcare workers, specifically nurses.

To address a shortage of doctors, Meritus Health is building a new medical school, Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. And Klauber said with a medical school on the way, the college is working to provide staff, including nurses, for doctors that will come out of the medical school.

Before COVID and for the longest time, you had waiting lists to get into the nursing program, Klauber said. During COVID, that radically changed.

Following the pandemic for the first time since Klauber had been at HCC, numbers fell below the 56-student enrollment cap, and there was no longer a waitlist.

To address the shortage of nursing students, the college has introduced a weekend and nights nursing program to attract students who do not have time for a typical school schedule.

Housing, arts have many links: Want a more vibrant arts community? Increase upscale housing, economist says

Expanding dual enrollment

Students can take Hagerstown Community College electronic health records courses at South Hagerstown High School, taught by teachers from the college.

The dual enrollment courses in healthcare were implemented both to allow students to pursue a career while they are still in high school, and to encourage students to join the healthcare field.

"I think that helps these high school students get kind of a taste for health care professionals now," Klauber said, referring to the courses.

Labs were built in high schools using Washington County Public School System funds, and Klauber said the college provides the instructors for the courses.

Students who take the electronic health records courses will follow the electronic health records certification track to receive their certification at the end of the dual enrollment program, said Tanda Emanuel, the program manager for health information management at the college.

Emanuel said this certification would make students eligible for dozens of different jobs, or for an advanced degree in the future.

"Most importantly, the program is going to be two years and when they get done, even when they're in the program, they will be able to apply for different healthcare jobs," Emanuel said, referring to the two years of dual enrollment courses students can take while in high school.

This program also helps students get a feel for the healthcare field. Emanuel said students may decide to pursue a degree in nursing or healthcare, but the program is designed to introduce students and help put them on a career path.

Students in these classes will learn how to use the technology that is currently being used in the field for record keeping in hospitals and doctors' offices.

Klauber said the certified nursing program, which began last year as a dual enrollment program, was also implemented in part because of a demand.

"I go and see these employers all the time and they are just on me, saying 'we need more CNAs we need more CNAs,' " Klauber said. "They are in critical need."

Klauber said courses are taught to students their junior year, and then they could sit for their certification exam. Then, students could participate in junior apprenticeship their senior year.

While the certified nursing assistant program wasn't full, Klauber said students in it were successful. It will continue next school year.

Students who wish to pursue a dual enrollment degree should contact their school counselor or administrator.

Fourth of July festivities: Fourth of July fireworks and more in Hagerstown, Franklin County and Eastern Panhandle

Alternative nursing program

The college was planning on implementing a night and weekends nursing program for students whose obligations restricted them from the typical nursing program classes starting in January of 2025. However, the program did not receive the necessary applicants, so is pushed to January of 2026.

"We started looking at this night and weekend nursing idea," Klauber said. "There's just a lot going on with nursing, which is a very, very intense degree."

Klauber and Karen Hammond, the director of nursing at the college, decided to pursue the alternative program to encourage people with busy lives to work towards a nursing degree.

While they did not have the necessary applicants to launch the program this January, Klauber said they had a lot of interest. But many interested students need to fulfill their prerequisites before they are eligible for the program. The college hopes that by 2026, students will have filled the necessary prerequisites, and the program will have enough students.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Alternative healthcare courses offered at Hagerstown Community College
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  According to the American Red Cross, seven people die in house fires, every day. Most often in homes without working smoke alarms.

However, working smoke alarms can cut the risk of house fire death in half.

Nonprofit recruits volunteers to help homebound neighbors

Thats why the Red Cross, a partner agency of the United Way of Madison County, installs smoke alarms for free for people who need them.

The Red Cross launched its Home Fire Campaign in 2014 with the goal of saving lives.

Through a program called Sound the Alarm, staff and volunteers do home visits where they install the 10-year smoke alarms at no cost to the resident.

The organization said the program has installed 2.8 million smoke alarms, saved 2,102 lives and made nearly 1.2 million households safer.

United Way spreads the word about 211 helpline

To sign up for a Red Cross home visit, free smoke alarm and free installation, click here. To create a home fire escape plan and learn other tips about fire safety, click here.

The American Red Cross Serving North Alabama is also looking for volunteers to help with Sound the Alarm, as well as other programs.

To donate your time by volunteering, 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 WHNT.com.
In March, as campus protests against the war in Gaza were surging nationwide, Will Mleczko joined a hunger strike.

The 20-year-old sophomore at the University of South Florida said he participated in the strike to get the university to stop investing in companies connected to the war in Gaza. Ultimately, the university took no action.

The hunger strike lasted 17 days. Shortly after it ended, Mleczkos name and photo appeared on a new web page about him. It described his hunger strike and said he spread hatred of Israel in the wake of Hamas terror atrocities.

That page is one of thousands like it published on a site called Canary Mission. Its stated goal is to document individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses and beyond.

Its slogan: Because the world should know.

But many pro-Palestinian activists say they see Canary Mission as the leading player in online efforts to undermine anyone who objects to Israels policies. They say the site unfairly portrays peaceful protests as hate speech and characterizes mere criticism of the Israeli government  or support for Palestinians  as hatred of Jews. It shares names, photographs and locations of protesters, setting the stage for others to target them with harassment and even violence, they say.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators confront police during demonstrations at the City College Of New York (CUNY), April 30, 2024 in New York City.

And while the site has been online for a decade, this springs protests put it back in the spotlight for the way it showcases students. It has added about 200 student listings in the most recent school year  almost all after protesters began objecting to Israels war in Gaza, launched in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

USA TODAY found that Canary Mission now profiles more than 1,500 students and nearly 900 faculty members. For many college students and new graduates, their profile web page on Canary Mission is now the top result in an online search of their names  making it the first thing a potential employer or school might see when considering an application.

Canary Mission is kind of like a cautionary tale that's told to a lot of activists, Mleczko told USA TODAY. He and others worry that if prospective employers find you on there, they will probably not hire you. You'll be blacklisted.

And students who are listed may find they have no recourse. Its unclear who runs or funds Canary Mission. No donors or leaders are listed on the website, which provides a Contact us form but did not respond to a request for an interview from USA TODAY.

Thats in stark contrast to organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, which has long published watchlists of people and groups they say engage in hateful, antisemitic activity. ADL and similar groups are transparent about their methodology, funding and leadership.

Transparency is critical to understanding antisemitism and other forms of hate  always, said Oren Segal, vice president of the ADL's Center on Extremism. Transparency is so important  especially on issues that are as controversial as this.

Canary Mission, despite its powerful search rankings, operates in apparent anonymity.

In 2018, the Jewish American newspaper The Forward identified the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco as one Canary Mission funder. In response to the article, the federation announced it would stop giving money to the group. The same article established that the Israel-based charity that nominally runs the site is based out of an abandoned commercial strip in a city west of Jerusalem.

There is no record of the group ever being sued in federal court, though it has been mentioned in numerous court cases. Some plaintiffs have cited Canary Mission in their claims that universities or other entities failed to protect them from harassment. Others who are suing pro-Palestinian groups cite Canary Mission as evidence of their opponents' activities  such as in one familys lawsuit against activist groups that it claims have ties to Hamas.

Pro-Palestinian protesters walk from Columbia University in New York City on May 6, 2024.

The website describes only one way to have a listing removed  by sending a written apology  but it does not specify how many previously listed people have been cleared.

Canary Mission doesnt focus exclusively on students. Other sections of the site list professors, professionals and organizations. Those, too, appear to take a broad brush: the organizations Canary Mission calls antisemitic include groups as varied as the group Students for Justice in Palestine, the neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer and the news network Al Jazeera.

It doesnt doxx students in the sense of publicizing their phone numbers or addresses to encourage targeted harassment or worse.

But many students told USA TODAY thats what happened to them after they were listed.

Students listed on Canary Mission: I get hundreds of death threats

Layla Saliba, a graduate student and campus organizer at New Yorks Columbia University, said she started protesting for Palestinian rights in October, when 14 members of her family were killed in the bombing of a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City by Israel.

A page in Salibas name appeared on Canary Mission in late March. It accuses her of providing support for terrorists and hatred of Israel and America.

It points to posts she made on X such as one noting that the state of Israels account was posting about her campus protests and another in which she quoted a poem that reads They will bomb your homeland / Burn your olive trees to the ground / And claim to be the greatest nation in the world.

Saliba said her posts were meant to be critical but not hateful. The characterization of her activism as racist or stereotypical has been particularly upsetting because of the deaths in her family, Saliba said.

It's honestly really hurtful to see that I'm being called antisemitic, she told USA TODAY. Especially since Ive been dealing with this grief and its been my Jewish friends that have provided me with so much love and support.

Saliba said the Canary Mission profile was just the beginning. People soon found and posted her personal information online, she said, including her cellphone number and her address.

What followed was a campaign of legitimate hate, Saliba said.

I get hundreds of death threats and rape threats, she said.

At Yale University, 22-year-old Thomas Kinservik was seen on video early in the spring protest campaign, laughing and cheering as an American flag was lowered from a flagpole. In the background of the video, students chant Viva, viva Palestina.

The video was posted on X. Within 12 hours, Kinservik said, a profile page in his name appeared on Canary Mission, accusing him of Spreading Hatred of America and Israel at Yale. The post points out that Kinservik was wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Middle Eastern headdress.

Kinservik said he didnt know who brought down the flag. He said that he found himself caught up in the moment and cheering along with the crowd, without really thinking about what he was doing, and that he regrets his actions captured in the video. But he said extrapolating from a few seconds of footage that he hates the country he was born in is unfair and absurd. He said he got days of online harassment after the video publicized by Canary Mission went viral.

Im critical of some of the things the Biden administration has done, but I dont hate America, he said.

Both students noted that their Canary Mission profiles are now easily found by a search engine, and they worry about their job prospects.

If I'm applying for a job, or I'm applying for a fellowship or scholarship, hopefully, people can see all the work that I've done and not take that at face value, Saliba said. But there are definitely people who see that stuff, and they're turned off by it.

Is Canary Mission a blacklist?

Students and demonstrators protest the war in Gaza after walking out of commencement at the DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on May 11, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

Experts told USA TODAY that students listed on the website have reason to worry about their prospects.

L. Ali Khan, a law professor at the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, who published a commentary about Canary Mission in Jurist news last November, noted tenured professors are insulated from harm to their reputations, but not students.

If youre a student, you are much more vulnerable, he said. If somehow you get on this Canary Mission list, now there is a presumption that you are mongering hatred  and thats scary.

Students also have to deal with the psychological fallout of being labeled hateful or antisemitic, Khan said.

I think the sponsors of this website, they know all this, Khan said. It hits your emotional integrity  your intellectual integrity. You begin to feel less than you were before you were labeled as a hater.

Canary Missions individual profiles arent solely about students. It also lists far-right influencers and other people who are undoubtedly antisemitic, including Holocaust deniers and neo-Nazis.

But it has drawn the most scrutiny for the way it lumps student protesters into its list.

Amid this years campus demonstrations, an overlapping mix of websites, social media accounts and influencers all contributed to efforts to identify student protesters and publish their names and contact information.

Sometimes that online doxxing happened before a Canary Mission profile went up, sometimes after. Either way, activists say, Canary Mission helps fuel the efforts to blast protesters, and its work ramped up during the past school year.

Its gone nuclear since 10-7, said Sean Malloy, a professor of history and critical race and ethnic studies at the University of California, Merced, who has been listed on Canary Mission since 2019 for demonizing Israel after co-writing a book about the Palestinian struggle.

Whenever I talk with students who are involved in any kind of organizing, I tell them about Canary Mission, Malloy said. I say, 'I don't want to stop you from doing your organizing, but  you might end up on a list.'

A Google spokesperson said people can contact the company asking for help in removing Google search links to pages that display highly personal information.

We allow people to request the removal of pages about themselves on sites with exploitative removals policies, as well as pages that include contact information alongside personal threats, a form of doxxing, the spokesperson wrote.

That effort might make the pages less easily found through online searches. But as far as Canary Mission says, there is only one way to actually remove a profile page from its site: Apologize.

Is it possible to undo Canary Mission?

A page on the site titled Ex-Canary lists dozens of people who the site claims have recanted their views and, in doing so, have had their profiles expunged.

The people listed on the Ex-Canary page have shown moral courage to recognize their earlier mistakes  despite social pressure from their peers.

We commend these individuals for their strength of character in embracing tolerance and coexistence, the site reads.

The site doesnt specify how many pages have been removed, and it generally doesnt identify those who apologized. Due to a fear of harassment, it says, Ex-Canaries (sic) identities may be removed.

Of the more than two dozen students who spoke to USA TODAY for this story, none said they were willing to apologize. All the activists said they stand behind the things they said, chanted, posted on social media or wrote in articles or blogs.

Tessa Wiley, who graduated from San Diego State University in 2018, was listed on Canary Mission when she was in college because she was involved with the local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. More than half a decade later, the negative profile is still a top search result.

But Wiley said she has shrugged off the criticism, moving on to advanced academic studies and a successful career.

I think the tides are turning, Wiley said. I feel pretty confident that if there was an employer who felt like that profile was a reason to not hire me, I would be dodging a bullet.

Contributing: Daniella Jimenez, Yoonserk Pyun and Nick Penzenstadler

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Canary Mission? Website runs profiles amid Gaza protests
(This July 1 story has been corrected to fix Wendy Barclay's affiliation in paragraph 23)

By Julie Steenhuysen and Jennifer Rigby

CHICAGO/LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists tracking the spread of bird flu are increasingly concerned that gaps in surveillance may keep them several steps behind a new pandemic, according to Reuters interviews with more than a dozen leading disease experts.

Many of them have been monitoring the new subtype of H5N1 avian flu in migratory birds since 2020. But the spread of the virus to 129 dairy herds in 12 U.S. states signals a change that could bring it closer to becoming transmissible between humans. Infections also have been found in other mammals, from alpacas to house cats.

"It almost seems like a pandemic unfolding in slow motion," said Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania. "Right now, the threat is pretty low ... but that could change in a heartbeat."

The earlier the warning of a jump to humans, the sooner global health officials can take steps to protect people by launching vaccine development, wide-scale testing and containment measures.

Federal surveillance of U.S. dairy cows is currently limited to testing herds before they cross state lines. State testing efforts are inconsistent, while testing of people exposed to sick cattle is scant, government health officials and pandemic flu experts told Reuters.

"You need to know which are the positive farms, how many of the cows are positive, how well the virus spreads, how long do these cows remain infectious, the exact transmission route," said Dutch flu virologist Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said surveillance for humans is "very, very limited."

Marrazzo described the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions human flu surveillance network as "really a passive reporting, passive presentation mechanism." The U.S. Department of Agriculture is more proactive in testing cows, but does not make public which farms are affected, she said.

Several experts said differing approaches from animal and human health agencies could hamper a quicker response.

If you were designing the system from scratch, you would have one agency," said Gigi Gronvall, a biosecurity expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "This is not the only example where we have environmental or animal problems that cause human problems.

A USDA spokesperson said the agency is working "around the clock" with CDC and other partners in a whole-of-government response," adding that ongoing research shows "Americas food supply remains safe, sick cows generally recover after a few weeks, and the risk to human health remains low.

The CDC in a statement said it, "USDA, and state and local health departments across the country have been preparing for the emergence of a novel influenza virus for nearly 2 decades and continually monitor for even the smallest changes in the virus."

'A NOTE OF CAUTION'

Some pandemics, including COVID-19, arrive with little warning. In the last flu pandemic, caused by H1N1 in 2009, the virus and its predecessors had first spread among animals for several years, Hensley said, but more surveillance would have helped health authorities prepare.

Three people in the U.S. have tested positive for H5N1 avian flu since late March after contact with cows, experiencing mild symptoms. One person in Mexico was infected with a separate H5 strain not previously seen in humans, and with no known exposure to animals. Other cases were reported in India, China and Australia, caused by different strains.

The World Health Organization says H5N1's risk to humans is low because there is no evidence of human transmission. Some tools are available if that changes, including limited amounts of existing H5N1 vaccine and antiviral medications like Tamiflu.

There are mechanisms to launch larger-scale production of tests, treatments and vaccines, if needed, said the U.N. agency's head of flu, Wenqing Zhang.

Other experts said there is sufficient concern to start preparing for potential spread in humans, although triggers for taking action differ depending on the role played in the response, said Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). His organization acted early on funding COVID vaccine development, and is now in talks with research partners about H5N1.

CEPI aims to create a library of prototype vaccines for pathogens with pandemic potential. This would help drugmakers initiate large-scale production and distribute shots where necessary within 100 days of an outbreak.

Some countries are taking steps to protect people against H5N1. The United States and Europe are securing doses of pre-pandemic flu vaccine that could be used for high-risk groups, including farm or lab workers. Finland is expected to become the first country to inoculate fur and poultry farm workers, as well as animal health response workers.

Expanding vaccine access is also complex, said the WHO's Zhang. Manufacturers of potential pandemic flu vaccines make seasonal flu shots and cannot produce both at once, she said.

Since most flu vaccines are made using virus grown in eggs, it could take up to six months to produce pandemic shots. The U.S. is in talks with Moderna to use their faster mRNA technology for pandemic flu shots.

The experts all acknowledged a need to balance acting quickly to avert a threat versus overreacting.

"We want to sound a note of caution," said Wendy Barclay, a virologist at Imperial College London who also advises the UK Health Security Agency on avian flu, "without saying the world is about to end."

(Reporting by Jennifer Rigby and Julie Steenhuysen; editing by Michele Gershberg and Bill Berkrot)
Anna Frantz has spent the past seven years working to improve the neighborhoods along Eries west bayfront.

Now Frantz is preparing to shift gears in terms of regional development as the new deputy executive director of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.

Frantz, 45, is leaving her position as executive director of Our West Bayfront on July 12. The nonprofit neighborhood organization focuses on community development in an area from Sassafras Street west to the Bayfront Parkway and from West 12th Street north to Presque Isle Bay.

She starts her new job at the Port Authority on July 15, said Julie Slomski, the Port Authority's executive director.

Our West Bayfront Executive Director Anna Frantz.

I wasnt necessarily looking for another job, Frantz said, but the opportunity came up and it seemed like a really good fit for my interests. Im really excited about being a part of whats going to happen in the future along the waterfront.

Slomski said Frantz will earn $125,000 annually as the Port Authority's deputy director.

Fortifying a neighborhood

Frantz was hired by Our West Bayfront in January 2017 and was the organizations first executive director.

The initiative was launched in 2016 as a collaboration between residents and Gannon University, Housing and Neighborhood Development Service and the Martin Luther King Center.

Our West Bayfront addressed Frantzs departure on its website late last week. The organization stated that scheduled Our West Bayfront events/programs "will continue as planned" while the group's board of directors, working with Gannon University officials, accepts applications for the executive director's position at https://gannon.peopleadmin.com/postings/12133.

The organization also mentioned some of the community improvement highlights achieved by Our West Bayfront during Frantzs tenure. They include:

Securing more than $7.2 million in grants for various initiatives.

Efforts to repair 164 properties in the Our West Bayfront target area, fueled by an investment of over $1.2 million in grants and owner contributions.

Revitalizing the West Eighth Street commercial corridor, including the restoration of 404-406 W. Eighth St., a 5,200-square-foot building constructed in 1882 that housed Howards Photography for decades. That building now houses Our West Bayfronts offices; community meeting space; roughly 1,000 square feet of retail/commercial space; and three fully-refurbished upper-floor apartments.

Renovating other abandoned/neglected properties in the organizations target area

Improvements to various public spaces such as Bayview and Gridley parks  including a 10-foot-wide, 5-foot-high, 500-pound Erie sign erected on the bluff at Bayview Park and a splash pad at Bayview  as well as sidewalk repairs and the planting of more than 100 trees.

Growing the number of family-friendly events in in the west bayfront.

A new challenge

Frantz said shes proud that Our West Bayfront was able to bring together a variety of different people and organizations, including business owners, neighbors, church leaders and many others, to play a role in neighborhood improvement. We created a structure that gives people a voice in terms of whats going on in their community.

Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority Executive Director Julie Slomski.

She also expressed confidence in Our West Bayfront's search for her successor.

"I don't have any reservations about that," Frantz said. "And sometimes it's good to have someone come in and look at a situation with a fresh set of eyes. Organizations need that sometimes."

Slmoski, the Port Authority's executive director, said she's looking forward to working with Frantz.

Anna has the experience, the urban planning skill, and the knowledge of the bayfront, Slomski said. Im excited to have the opportunity to work with her.

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at @ETNflowers.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why Anna Frantz is leaving an Erie's Our West Bayfront for a new job
Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has invested a significant share of her disclosed assets in a company owned by one of her political donors.

Luna, a conservative Republican seeking re-election to her St. Petersburg-area seat, disclosed in May that she had invested between $200,000 and $450,000 in America First Natural Resources LLC, a company created by a political supporter that aims to produce oil and gas in the United States.

While there is no prohibition against members of Congress doing business with their political supporters, ethics experts say such arrangements raise questions about whether a politician got any special treatment or could use their official position to help boost profits for the company and themselves.

Luna, an Air Force veteran who entered politics after working at the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, sits on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Oversight Committees subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy and Regulatory Affairs. It wouldnt be a conflict of interest for her to vote on issues that might benefit America First Natural Resources, so long as the legislation would benefit all domestic producers of energy, said Kedric Payne, a former attorney at the Office of Congressional Ethics and the senior director of ethics at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center.

The one thing youre looking for is any actions beyond voting, Payne said. That could be introducing legislation or lobbying the EPA or any other executive branch agency.

Even then, Payne said, such activities arent necessarily prohibited, but occupy a gray area.

It doesnt appear as though Luna has taken any such actions that would benefit the company.

Lunas office and campaign didnt respond to questions about the investment.

While the name of the energy company appears to be an homage to former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Luna in her successful 2022 run, it isnt clear whether it has any connection to the former president.

It is, however, the brainchild of one of Lunas top political supporters, Bruce Rosenthal, a St. Petersburg-area investment banker with a background in oil and gas.

Rosenthal has given more than $40,000 since 2020 to political committees supporting Luna. Hes given more than $330,000 in political donations overall in that time period, largely to Lunas fellow members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus and political groups supporting them.

The investment, which could represent more than half the value of the assets listed on her last financial disclosure form, isnt out of line with her political views  Luna campaigned on the slogan American Oil from American Soil  but any business relationship between politicians and their donors raises eyebrows, ethics experts said.

Anytime you overlay a campaign donation with financial activities of a member of congress, its a combustible cocktail, said Meredith McGehee, former executive director of Issue One, a nonprofit organization which seeks to reduce the influence of money in politics.

There has been increased scrutiny in recent years of the financial holdings of members of Congress and whether they use their inside information to benefit themselves financially.

Former North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, a Republican, was investigated by both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission over a series of what the Justice Department called well-timed stock trades that Burr made in 2020 after classified briefings he received about the emerging threat of COVID-19. Both agencies ultimately declined to charge Burr.

Several members of Congress have since introduced bills that would ban members of Congress from holding or selling stocks, though those efforts havent gained traction.

America First Natural Resources was first registered last October in Nevada. Rosenthal declined to say how much money the company has raised so far and whether any other politicians have invested in it.

Rosenthal said the energy companys goal is to develop and produce long life reserves of oil and natural gas at a low cost.

He said that the company plans to use 3D seismic technology, which uses sound waves, to identify untapped oil and gas buried under existing drilling sites and said the company has already made investments in several Texas sites on private land.

Rosenthal said that the companys financial mission aligns with his political viewpoints and that he hopes increased domestic production will eliminate the need for the U.S. to import oil and gas from geopolitical foes such as Venezuela, Iran and Russia.

If we go back to true energy dominance, theres almost nothing else we cant do, he said.
Annette Addo-Yobo of North Texas has been crowned Miss Texas 2024. The beauty pageant commenced Saturday night at the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Here's what we know about the new Miss Texas.

People are also reading: 71-year-old might not have won Miss Texas USA, but she still made history

Making history in more ways than one

Over the weekend, Annette Addo-Yobo became the first immigrant-born and the first Ghanaian to win the title of Miss Texas.

Running as Miss Southlake, Annette Addo-Yobo was crowned Miss Texas 2024

Addo-Yobo was born in Ghana but was raised in Canada and the U.S. She studied at the University of Texas at Dallas and in 2020 earned her bachelor's degree in psychology. In a "Miss Southlake" account post, she describes how she "lost out on many opportunities as a teenager and college student" due to her citizenship status. It wasn't until 2022 that she received U.S. citizenship.

In an Instagram post, Addo-Yobo says she is "humbled, honored, and grateful" to be the 87th Miss Texas and hopes to "continue making history with the Texas community and the Miss Texas class."

By winning the Miss Texas 2024 competition, Addo-Yobo will receive $20,000 in scholarship money and will represent Texas in the Miss America contest.

Addo-Yobo competed as Miss Southlake this year but previously held the title of Miss Dallas in 2023.

Annette Addo-Yobo is the first immigrant-born, as well as the first Ghanaian, to win the title of Miss Texas.

'SPARK'-ing autism awareness

Annette Addo-Yobo used the pageant's talent contest to shed light on a cause near and dear to her. Her spoken word performance was just the latest show of her commitment to promoting autism awareness  a cause which first touched her heart as a child.

I want to bring autism safety, awareness and education to the frontlines of our programming and our legislation. My younger brother Andrew was diagnosed on the spectrum when he was age four. And as an immigrant to this country, he had a large learning curve to overcome, said Addo-Yobo.

It seems winning the pageant has only boosted Addo-Yobo's motivation to use her platform, The SPARK Project, which addresses the structural inequities she has witnessed her brother Andrew face in various spaces.

"As a sibling to someone on the spectrum, I noticed the systemic inequities and lack of education and training very early," Addo-Yobo continued in her Instagram post. "It is my mission to amplify the voices of the autistic community and ensure that legislators, decision makers, and community members see us and fight for us."

Her Miss Southlake social media account documents some of her previous work, including bringing autism awareness to Capitol Hill in March as the only volunteer advocate for Autism Speaks.

Miss Texas 2024 finalists

The final winners of the 2024 Miss Texas competition are as follows:

Miss Texas: Miss Southlake, Annette Addo-Yobo

1st Runner-Up: Miss Space City, Chloe Burke

2nd Runner-Up: Miss Southeast Texas, Anyssa Mujica

3rd Runner-Up: Miss Plano, Sadie Schiermeyer

4th Runner-Up: Miss Burleson, Nicole Wingard

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Miss Texas 2024: Annette Addo-Yobo runs as Miss Southlake, wins title
An Illinois appeals court reversed a trial judges decision that sharply criticized Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxxs office and prohibited large swaths of testimony in a case against two former assistant states attorneys accused of misconduct.

The appellate courts nearly 50-page decision marks a blow to the defenses of Nicholas Trutenko, 69, and Andrew Horvat, 48, paving the way for their case to resume after a rare mid-trial appeal halted proceedings late last year.

The men are accused of wrongdoing in connection with the third trial of Jackie Wilson, whose infamous case was critical to unveiling systemic practices of torture within the Chicago Police Department.

Trutenko is accused of lying on the stand during Wilsons 2020 retrial about details and conversations surrounding a relationship with a critical witness. Trutenko at the time was represented by then-Cook County assistant states attorney Horvat.

The indictment alleged that Horvat asked a special prosecutor not to ask Trutenko about that relationship and failed to disclose that Trutenko had concealed information about it. Trutenko is charged with perjury, official misconduct, obstruction of justice and violating a records act, while Horvat is facing charges of official misconduct. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

In their recent ruling  released just 10 days after oral arguments  appellate judges described the four-decade Wilson case as a long and often regrettable chapter of local legal history. The saga traces back to the 1982 slayings of Chicago police Officers William Fahey and Richard OBrien, who were shot by Wilsons older brother Andrew during a traffic stop.

Special prosecutors handling the Trutenko and Horvat cases sought the appeal last year after Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes, who was assigned the case after the entire Cook County judiciary was recused, barred large portions of testimony from a key witness, Paul Fangman, an assistant states attorney in the offices civil actions bureau.

The special prosecutors argued Fangman did not represent Trutenko in a personal capacity, but rather was a lawyer working on behalf of Foxxs office. Attorneys for Trutenko, though, contended Fangman should be barred from certain testimony due to attorney-client privilege, which protects conversations between lawyers and their clients.

The appellate court disagreed. During oral arguments held last month, a panel of judges appeared skeptical of Shanes ruling and of the arguments by Trutenkos attorneys that claimed privilege for the longtime assistant states attorney, frequently asking about the fact that Fangman was obligated to disclose the conversations he had with Trutenko to his superiors.

Shanes did not bar Fangman from testifying, but outlined several reasons, in addition to the privilege issue, why large swaths of his testimony would not be admitted. The appellate court in its June 28 decision overturned many of those reasons, as well, saying the trial judges decision limits the states potential use of this evidence to a degree that truly hobbles its case.

And it is equally a matter of fundamental principle: a government lawyers duty is to serve the publics interests, including its compelling interest in exposing official wrongdoing, the written ruling stated. A public official may not use a government lawyer to shield evidence of his alleged wrongdoing in office from the People themselves, as represented by the criminal process.

Judges also emphasized they were not commenting on the truth of this evidence or binding the trial court to any factual findings whatsoever regarding the defendants innocence.

In a statement to the Tribune, special prosecutor Lawrence Oliver II on Monday applauded the ruling.

We are grateful for the careful consideration and thorough opinion provided by the appellate court in granting our requested relief, Oliver said. We look forward to resuming the trial court proceedings.

The appellate ruling also vindicates Foxx, who came under harsh criticism from the trial judge. In accusing Fangman of violating attorney-client privilege, Shanes in November said he was shocked by the offices actions and the situation undermined confidence in the law.

Judges did not mention Foxx by name in their ruling but they did go to great lengths to explain why her office handled the matter properly.

I think she has been vindicated. I think the offices position has been vindicated. And I think the judges critical remarks have been pretty much thrown out, said Joel Bertocchi, a private practice attorney who intervened and argued on behalf of the states attorney during the appeal.

Attorneys for Trutenko did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment. Attorney Terry Ekl, who represents Horvat, declined to comment.

Jackie Wilson, then 21, was behind the wheel of the car and was accused of being the getaway driver during the 1982 fatal traffic stop. Wilson has acknowledged fleeing the scene with his older brother, Andrew, but he has said he did not know Andrew intended to harm the officers.

Jackie Wilson was later convicted of OBriens murder and acquitted in Faheys slaying. He spent more than three decades in prison before charges were dropped at his third trial in 2020; he later received a certificate of innocence. In March, the Cook County Board voted to award him a $17 million settlement as part of his federal civil rights lawsuit.

Wilson attended much of the proceedings last year against Trutenko and Horvat. On Monday, he told the Tribune he is pleased with the appellate decision and is glad the trial will proceed.

Its a shame that the (special) prosecutors had to go before the appellate court to get justice in a situation like this, he said. The ruling shows me that there is still some justice in Illinois criminal justice system.

Chicago Tribunes Stacy St. Clair contributed.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A 30-year-old Arizona man faces a first-degree murder charge after a Saturday night stabbing in Bullhead City.

Records show Don Earl Kelso is in custody in the Mohave County jail after his uncle was found with critical stab wounds in the 1800 block of Ramar Road when police responded to a report of a weapons offense.

Kelso wasnt at the scene when police arrived, but Fort Mojave tribal police found him walking near King Street and Highway 95  about 14 miles south of the residence  on Sunday at about 6 a.m. Kelso was arrested on a temporary felony warrant from the Bullhead City Police Department.

Steven Patrick Anderson, 53, identified as Kelsos uncle, was taken to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center with stab wounds to his upper torso, abdomen and neck area on Saturday night. He died of his injuries.

Bullhead City is on the Arizona side of the Colorado River across from Laughlin, about an hour and a half south of Las Vegas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A pandemic-prompted federal program is providing $60 million for water infrastructure in Arkansas.

Officials said the money is for America Rescue Plan-listed projects approved by the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission. The funding breaks down to $55 million for water, wastewater and infrastructure projects and $5 million for Arkansas Rural Water Association projects.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders putting over $42 million into water projects including Helena-West Helena

Representatives said projects authorized to receive funding have been listed on the American Rescue Plan since December 2022. Projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2026.

Specific projects were not listed in the Monday announcement.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday that the Arkansas Legislative Council approved the expenditure.

Arkansas to get $53,099,000 from Biden Administration to upgrade water system

The funding comes on the heels of Sanders May order for a statewide water analysis plan. Governors office officials said the Sanders administration has invested over $2.5 billion in water projects in all 75 Arkansas counties.

My administration has worked with our federal partners to appropriately put money into Arkansas water infrastructure development, and this announcement adds to that commitment, Sanders said. Every Arkansan deserves safe and accessible drinking water, and with this funding, we will move closer to that goal.

US says cyberattacks against water supplies are rising, and utilities need to do more to stop them

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 was approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. The act allocated billions of dollars for economic stimulation to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A couple accused of using their position as landlords to make unwanted advances on female renters is being sued under the Arkansas Fair Housing Act.

A representative of the Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffins office said Charles and Judy Warren of Jonesboro are being sued for their alleged discrimination and harassment. The pair oversaw several houses for rent in Jonesboro.

New lawsuit claims Arkansas LEARNS Act vouchers violate state constitution

The suit alleges the sexual discrimination and harassment of female tenants began in 2019. Included in the allegations are offers of reduced rent in exchange for sex, sexual touching, exposure of genitals, sexual advances, menacing female tenants by entering their homes unannounced and without permission and threatening tenants housing if they objected or refused sexual advances.

The lawsuit includes the testimony of women who received unwanted behaviors, including touching and exposure from Charles Warren while renting a house from him. This was part of an ongoing pattern of abuse, the lawsuit states.

ACLU lawsuit claims Rose Bud ordinance restricts First Amendment rights

Griffin called the alleged behavior abhorrent.

Preying on women seeking housing for themselves and their families by subjecting them to sexual discrimination and harassment is abhorrent and a violation of state law, the attorney general said. My office will pursue all available penalties and damages against the defendants for violating the Arkansas Fair Housing Act.

ACLU lawsuit claims Rose Bud ordinance restricts First Amendment rights

The AGs office is seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, compensatory and punitive damages, monetary damages for victims and civil penalties through a jury trial.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Erie Countys investment in affordable housing continues with the awarding of $5.5 million for 11 new apartment projects. The projects are slated to add 703 apartment units at lower rental rates in Buffalo, Kenmore, Hamburg, Cheektowaga and the City of Tonawanda.

The multimillion-dollar apartment complexes, with multiple sources of funding, will offer below-market-rate rents to seniors, people with mental health needs and the general public. The projects received $500,000 each through American Rescue Plan grant money previously set aside by County Executive Mark Poloncarz. The federal stimulus funds must be spent by 2026.

Once the apartments are completed, expected within the next two years, they will be available to prospective renters with a family income that is up to 80% of the areas median income, according to the county. That ranges from an annual household income of $54,320 for a single person to $77,520 for a family of four.

Map of Erie County-funded affordable apartments. Zoom in and click on icons for more project information:

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning did not have specifics on prospective monthly rates for these units, saying there are many varying factors.

Most affordable housing programs limit the amount of rent an eligible tenant can pay to 30% of their gross household income.

175-unit apartment project planned for Highland Park development Eight years after his father started an effort to redevelop the former Central Park Plaza east of Main Street and Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo, Frank L. Ciminelli II is picking up the mantle of the proposed Highland Park neighborhood, with a $72 million affordable housing project.

The county received 26 applications for affordable multi-unit housing project funding. Castle said the 11 projects selected had not yet begun construction but were ready to go and able to be completed by 2026, when the stimulus money expires. County scorers gave priority to those that have already received funding commitments from the state or other lenders. Project location and developer experience also factored in the award scoring.

The projects, a number of which have already been reported on, include:

 Victoria Place, 45 Victoria Blvd., Kenmore, 37 apartments, former St. Pauls Catholic School.

 Hillview Commons, Dodge Drive and Gibson Street, City of Tonawanda, 52 apartments.

 875 Lafayette, 875 Lafayette St., Buffalo, 80 apartments.

 Manhattan Village, 389 Manhattan Ave., Buffalo, 66 apartments.

 Deaconess Apartments, 600 Northampton St., Buffalo, 68 apartments.

 Juniper Homes, 5355 Rogers Road, Hamburg, 65 apartments.

 273 Hickory, 273 Hickory St., Buffalo, 39 apartments, former Iroquois Brewing Co.

 1762 Main Street, 1762 Main St., Buffalo, 8 apartments.

 Lackawanna Life Center, 64 Wasson Ave., Lackawanna, 40 apartments.

 Chalmers Apartments at Highland Park, 129 Holden Ave., Buffalo, 175 apartments, the largest of all affordable apartment projects awarded county money.

 Harlem Villas, 1085 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga, 73 apartments.

Some of the projects target specific tenant groups, including those with mental health issues, seniors and the elderly, and those who struggle with homelessness, according to county-provided information.

The $5.5 million in awarded affordable housing grants for multi-unit housing projects is part of a larger affordable housing spending plan that includes a partnership between Erie County and the City of Buffalo to spend $23.5 million in rescue plan funds to build affordable, single-family homes, with most of the homes being built on vacant lots in the East Side.

Erie County, Buffalo moving forward on plans to spend $23.5M on affordable single-family homes County Executive Mark Poloncarz and officials from Cheektowaga and the Land Bank stood together in front of a grassy residential lot at 44 Long Ave., where one of five new, affordable homes is being built in the town, with groundbreaking expected by late summer.

Some county legislators questioned why so many affordable housing projects funded by the county were concentrated in a few locations, primarily cities. Castle responded that some communities dont welcome these kinds of projects.

Some of it is based on where is the need for the housing, he said. And some of it, quite frankly, is based on the willingness of a community to accept and support affordable housing projects.

Of the 26 projects applications submitted to the county, 19 came from the City of Buffalo.

The County Legislature approved grant funding for the projects last month.
Arrests at St. Louis Pride parade following disruption by protesters

ST. LOUIS  Thousands of people lined Market Street on Sunday to watch and support the St. Louis LBGTQ+ community.

But the St. Louis Grand Pride Parade got off to a rocky start when protesters shut the event down right after it began.

A group of anti-war, pro-Palestine protesters formed a chain to block Market Street. They are opposed to Boeings sponsorship of the parade, as they produce bombs and munitions used by Israel.

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St. Louis Police said they called for protesters to clear the way multiple times. When the group didnt disperse, police started making arrests. They had to cut through PVC pipe and chains that the protesters used to link arms.

In all, nineteen people were arrested: 13 women and six men. Fourteen of the protesters are from the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, while the others are from Columbia, Missouri; Evansville, Indiana; Springfield, Illinois; and Greenville, Illinois, respectively. Police do not have a confirmed residence for the remaining protester.

Charges are still pending against the protesters, including first-degree trespassing and resisting arrest.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
The state Department of Transportation is weighing options to replace the South Ashland Avenue overpass, which crosses a dormant Canadian National rail yard. The city of Green Bay hopes to buy the land for housing development.

GREEN BAY - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants to hear from you this fall about how to reconstruct the Ashland Avenue bridge in 2031.

WisDOT plans to host several public project kickoff meetings in October or November as it studies how to replace the four-lane viaduct over a 33-acre property owned by Canadian National. The state wants to gather input from residents, motorists, business owners, property owners and neighborhood stakeholders as it weighs options to rebuild the section of Ashland, also known as State 32, between Ninth Street and the Mason Street overpass.

The Ashland viaduct will be 76 years old when work is currently slated to start. At this point, it has outlasted its original purpose: To let traffic bypass a functioning rail yard.

The rail site now sits empty, idle for the last decade. Drivers and pedestrians now bypass an expanse of brush and weeds where railroad tracks, a roundhouse, and other commercial buildings that date back to the 1880s used to be.

City officials and staff have already started to contemplate the impact the once-in-a-century reconstruction project could have on the west side, especially in concert with other road construction plans and redevelopment projects. And they've turned their attention to empty rail yard below Ashland Avenue, too.

One option sure to get some attention would be to remove the overpass and reconstruct Ashland Avenue at grade, or at ground level. The technical term in this case would be to "remove the grade separation" between Ashland and the existing street network below it, according to Steve Grenier, Green Bay's director of Public Works.

The Canadian National rail yard on Green Bay's west side as seen in an aerial photo taken in 1938. Ashland Avenue would not be built over the site until 1955.

How we got here: Historic rail yard use ended after more than 100 years. Green Bay added site onto tax rolls 5 years ago

CNs rail yard has been a part of Green Bays west side for at least 135 years, according to Brown County historic maps and photos.

Brown County plat maps from 1889 indicate the property is the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad yards. The plat map included a roundhouse, an L-shaped building, and many rail lines for storing shipping cars.

The Canadian National rail yard on Green Bay's west side as seen in an aerial photo taken in 1960, five years after the Ashland Avenue viaduct was constructed.

The Ashland Avenue overpass we know today was constructed over the rail yards eastern end in 1955. Around the same time, between 1948 and 1960, the yards roundhouse was demolished. The L-shaped building was demolished in the 1990s, though you can still see its footprint on satellite images.

The site saw diminished use into the 2010s, until 2013 when CN removed the rail lines from the site, idling it. Currently, CN lists the yard as a rail development site.

The properties were tax-exempt until the city added them back onto the tax rolls in 2019. The three parcels currently have a combined assessed value of $1.8 million.

Canadian National's former rail yard is seen from Fifth Street in Green Bay. The city hopes to buy the land for housing development, while the state Department of Transportation is weighing options for replacing the Ashland Avenue overpass that crosses above the property.

CN: Rail yard not for sale; Green Bay still wants to talk

The Green Bay City Council in March hired a law firm that specializes in engaging railroads to help the city progress conversations on the acquisition of the abandoned rail yard, the council resolution read. Green Bay City Council member Brian Johnson, whose district includes the Ashland Avenue bridge and rail yard site, introduced the request. He also said its time for the Ashland Avenue viaduct to come down to grade.

That site has been idle for years. Its sat idle for that long, its time to have a conversation, Johnson said. Right now is the opportunity, given whats currently happening with the Ashland Avenue viaduct.

CN sent the following statement to the Press-Gazette in response to an interview request: "CN has met with city and is aware of their interest in the property. Unfortunately, it is not for sale."

Johnson said the city still needs to understand CNs future plans for the 33-acre property since it could have a major influence on WisDOTs construction plans and the future development of Green Bay's west side.

The reality is theres never been a lot of motivation for the railroad to communicate with us, Johnson said. Were not looking for an adversarial dialogue here. Were looking for folks who know how to talk to the right people to expedite this discussion."

The Canadian National's dormant rail yard is seen from 12th Avenue in Green Bay. The state Department of Transportation is weighing options to replace the overpass, and the city hopes to buy the land for housing development.

Ashland Avenue viaduct replacement projected to cost $11 million

Green Bay Public Works officials have inquired about the condition of the viaduct since 2012. Ashland Avenue is a state highway, but the city is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. WisDOT recently completed a condition assessment and determined the viaduct cannot be repaired again and needs to be replaced.

Grenier said the Public Works Department would support the removal of grade separation between Ashland Avenue and the street grid below "if there isn't a true need for it any longer." He said that from a maintenance standpoint, bridge spans require additional staff time and maintenance compared to an at-grade road.

"We'd support bringing Ashland Avenue back down to ground level," Grenier said. "It provides better connectivity and an opportunity for redevelopment of the CN rail yards on either side of the roadway."

An Ashland Avenue connected into the existing street grid could intersect with Fifth and Sixth streets north of the rail yard. South of the rail yard, an at-grade street could connect into Seventh and Eighth streets, too, both of which currently terminate at the base of the Ashland Avenue bridge. It could also improve traffic flow north of the bridge, which drops northbound traffic right into an intersection with Third Street and the major intersection with West Mason Street.

The Green Bay City Council on June 25 approved a revised state-municipal financing agreement between WisDOT and the city regarding the bridge/viaduct replacement project. The revised financing agreement puts the projected total project cost at $11 million with the city to pay for about $513,000 of the engineering costs.

A dormant Canadian National rail yard is seen from the Ashland Avenue overpass in Green Bay.

What's your idea for the Ashland Avenue viaduct? WisDOT wants to hear from you at fall meetings

Right now, WisDOT does not have any preferred plan, approach or idea for how to reconstruct this segment of Ashland Avenue, WisDOT spokesperson Mark Kantola said.

The department's fall public meetings and the input people provide during them will help planners and engineers decide what design the state picks for the new Ashland Avenue. The department wants to hear from nearby residents, motorists, property owners, businesses and others. Kantola said the department will soon finalize the date and location for the fall public kickoff meetings and that the public can expect an event similar to the Mason Street bridge reconstruction kickoff meeting held in November.

At the fall meeting, project managers will provide an introduction to the study, the scope of the road project, the timeline and offer attendees the chance to provide their preliminary input on how the road should be reconstructed, what bicycle and pedestrian amenities to include, how to address speeding concerns and the merge conditions the current Ashland viaduct and Mason Street bridge create for traffic.

"We need a lot of opinions on the impacts," Kantola said. "The people who use this area all the time will provide us a lot of key information."

Ashland Avenue viaduct, Mason Street bridge, Shipyard, and coal piles plans will change Green Bay's west side, even without CN rail yard

Even if the city does not make headway with CN on the rail yard properties, the reconstruction of Ashland only adds to the dramatic changes Green Bay's west side could see in the next decade.

Green Bay is developing new recreational amenities and spaces to complement private development of housing and commercial spaces. Road and bridge reconstruction projects could enhance connections between neighborhoods and reconnect street grids, perhaps even open up additional land for new development.

New Mason Street bridge : WisDOT plans to reconstruct or replace the Mason Street lift bridge, formally known as the Donald A. Tilleman Bridge, in 2032. One option under consideration is lowering the bridge's height to near ground level, which could open up road and street networks from Webster Avenue on the east side to 12th Avenue on the west side. The next public information meeting on the Mason Street bridge reconstruction is tentatively scheduled for the last week of September at the Neville Public Museum, Kantola said.

Ashland Avenue reconstruction : The Ashland Avenue viaduct project in 2031 could bring the viaduct down to grade and connect into some of the existing street grid currently beneath it. WisDOT also plans to resurface a segment of Ashland Avenue south of the viaduct to Lombardi Avenue in a separate project.

The Shipyard Redevelopment Area's activation : Located north of the Mason Street bridge, the Shipyard Redevelopment Area this year will see the first phase of public improvements completed and construction start on the first 109 units of a 225-unit riverfront apartment development. The city also is in discussions with a housing developer about building a new Green Bay Metro Fire station and housing on another blighted industrial site on South Broadway.

Coal piles relocation: Just south of the Mason Street bridge, Brown County, Green Bay and C. Reiss Coal Co. officials continue to press ahead with efforts to build a new Port of Green Bay terminal at the mouth of the Fox River and relocate the coal piles out of Green Bay's central city.

The Mason Street bridge, the Shipyard redevelopment, the coal piles, the rail yard redevelopment. These things are huge, but take decades," Johnson said.

Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ashland Avenue bridge project could reshape Green Bay's west side
(Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Attorney and former state delegate Tim Anderson has a beef with speed cameras that monitor school and work zones around the commonwealth. Anderson, whos based in Virginia Beach, has filed lawsuits in state and federal courts against the shutterbugs in Chesapeake and Suffolk.

It is completely, totally profit policing, the Republican told me.

Anderson said localities are skirting the regulations the General Assembly established when it passed legislation in 2020 allowing the cameras in highway work and school zones. Speed camera tickets are civil fines of up to $100 in Virginia. He offered mainly technical arguments against them.

On the state level, Anderson posited, camera vendors are impersonating local governments to collect the fines, so localities are breaking the law to maximize revenues. Also, alleged offenders should receive court dates immediately. If they did, the court system would be overwhelmed, forcing administrators to rethink the overall process.

With the federal suit, Anderson said, violators should have the right to question third-party vendors that regulate the cameras and oversee videos. Currently, defendants cant confront their accusers, which violates the Sixth Amendment.

Spokespersons in Chesapeake and Suffolk said their cities dont comment on pending litigation. Thats a standard response when municipalities have been sued.

I support the cameras purpose: reducing speeding scofflaws and improving safety. Thats a good thing. Ive been caught by speed cameras in the metropolitan Washington area, and I knew I was driving above the posted limits.

In Virginia, motorists have to drive at least 10 miles above the speed limit to be photographed, so theres wiggle room already. Violations occur because people dont respect traffic laws. (You can add busting through red lights and not obeying stop signs, too. But I digress.)

Plenty of cities outside Virginia, by the way, operate speed cameras in places other than school or work zones. That includes busy thoroughfares and wide boulevards. The commonwealth hasnt gone that far, though a bill to expand speed camera usage failed this year in the Assembly.

Anderson concedes hes not aware of any other attorney in Virginia whos jumped into the fray to challenge the cameras. Thats telling, because it suggests this could be a quixotic campaign. Nor is he suggesting his own clients obeyed speed limits.

More than a dozen localities in Virginia use the devices now, according to a Virginia State Police report released in February.

It feels like to me that government is picking on people, Anderson noted, adding hes handling the cases pro bono. Anderson emailed me the complaints in the state lawsuit against the city of Suffolk and the federal lawsuit against the city of Chesapeake. One plaintiff is named in each case.

Yes, localities are raking in plenty of cash, and that infuriates the Virginia Beach attorney. Critics call the violations a backdoor tax  though I dont understand why its OK for a police officer to pull over a speeding motorist, but advanced technology that catches speeders should be verboten.

The District of Columbia, by the way, can impose fines of up to $500 for speed camera violations. Thats much more expensive than here.

Chesapeake started speed camera monitoring in April 2022 and has since issued 160,000 citations, city spokesman Heath Covey told me by email. The city has raised roughly $9.8 million in revenues. Fewer violations are being issued now than since the program began, he said  suggesting more people are obeying the law.

For 2023, Suffolk collected nearly $8.7 million in school and work zone violations. Fairfax County, the states largest locality in population, reaped $800,000 in violations last year.

Jay Jones is a Norfolk Democrat and former delegate who sponsored the 2020 legislation. Hes somewhat surprised by Andersons campaign.

This is the first time Ive heard any complaints about speed-camera operations, Jones said, noting he still gets emails to his political account about various issues. The 2020 bill limited the cameras to school and work zones, he said, where you want people to slow down anyway.

Plus, many police departments have struggled to reach full strength since the pandemic and the police killing of George Floyd. The cameras help bolster law enforcement, Jones said.

Is Anderson interpreting the law correctly, and does he have a legitimate case? Darryl Brown, a University of Virginia School of Law professor, said its possible, especially on the state claims.

The plaintiff could well be correct about the violations they allege, Brown said. Although even if the city loses in this lawsuit, it ought to be able to revise the way it handles speeding violations and, with some new practices, continue to enforce the speeding law on the basis of speed camera videos.

Brown said the federal lawsuit is a stretch because the Sixth Amendment applies to criminal offenses, not civil ones. Speed camera violations are the latter.

Why havent other attorneys complained about the issue? The law stipulating rules for speed cameras didnt start yesterday. Andersons crusade is a lonely one, and rightly so.

The Washington Post recently reported streets in D.C. with speed cameras saw speeding drop sharply, citing city data. Easing up on the accelerator should be applauded.

If paying up makes speeders slow down, thats all the better.

 Roger Chesley, Virginia Mercury columnist

I dont feel sorry for people who speed  especially since the safety of schoolchildren and construction workers are at risk. Andersons arguments are novel ones, and they support people who dont respect posted speed limits.

If paying up makes speeders slow down, thats all the better.

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The post Attorneys crusade on speed cameras jeopardizes workers, schoolchildren appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
HAZELTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Gun violence and its impact on teens is the focus of an effort launched in Pennsylvania.

We have all seen and heard the tragic stories involving gun violence but how are students coping with that violence, and what can be done to help them deal with it?

This is all about hearing from students. What are their concerns? What do they think can be done by school districts to help them cope with gun violence?

Its scary and all that in your mind. You dont know whats going to go on and all that. Its just scary, said 16-year-old student Zander Jones.

Jones is a 10th grader at Wilkes-Barre Area High School.

He says that he and his classmates are aware of gun violence across the nation and state.

It means, like, I want not to go to school anymore because you dont know if people could have a gun or something and you wont know. Its scary, Jones added.

Man arrested at Frances Slocum facing stalking charges

The Pennsylvania State Attorney General Michelle Henry wanted to hear from students like Jones about the impact gun violence is having on them.

She recently met with students from high schools across the Commonwealth, including Hazleton, and issued a report called Teen-Talk.

We heard about concerns, communication, and transparency from authority. We heard about conflict resolution fear of retaliation and impact of negative school stigma, Henry explained.

Students say they wanted better communication and trust between school officials and students, additional options for mental health services, and funding and resources for social-emotional learning.

Dr. Brian Uplinger, the superintendent of the Hazleton Area School District, says they make every effort to be transparent when it comes to violence involving guns and students. Three students have been killed in gun violence in recent years.

I will put out information to them but I want to make sure I have all the facts first. If I dont have all the facts, Im not going to give them half a story or any rumors I may be hearing, Dr. Upliner. stated,

Parents tell 28/22 News they would also like to see information released much faster regarding gun violence incidents

They too say the unknown only adds to their concerns for their children.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  While many of us have watched the horror of the war between Russia and Ukraine play out on the TV and in the news, a 16-year-old Austin girl is learning about the challenges and refugees resiliency firsthand.

Liberal Arts and Science Academy Senior Sydney Jones volunteers her time with ENGin, a nonprofit partnering English speakers with Ukranians eager to learn the language.

I saw how important language could be to someones life, she said. Then through that, I started learning about how important literacy can be and how big of an issue it is all across the world.

That commitment to helping others learn caught the attention of the World Literacy Program. In June the organization selected Jones as a youth ambassador.

Courtesy: Sydney Jones

In her new role, Jones joins a group of people 15 to 25 years old from 40 countries around the world. Their goal is to help disadvantaged children become stronger readers.

Collectively at the end of the program, which spans three months, well work together to raise $30,000 for one of the foundations programs, she said.

She also plans to design a project to improve literacy rates in Central Texas.

Jones interest in language extends beyond English. Shes currently studying Spanish and Chinese intending to eventually work in a field that leverages her language skills and passion.

Statistics show a staggering need for global literacy education. According to the World Literacy Foundation, an estimated 770 million people cannot read a single word, while another two billion struggle to read a sentence.

Those outcomes disproportionally affect disadvantaged children, with an estimated 72% of children in low-income households struggling to read.

Jones said her experience with Ukrainian children has been eye-opening, and only further drives her desire to help others with their language skills.

Its such a hard situation that theyre in, she said. Their resilience and passion  to be able to get through it  is truly inspiring.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Austin police searching for 33-year-old man last seen early June

AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Police Department is asking for the publics help locating a man who has been missing for nearly a month.

APD said Austin Harrison, 33, was last seen on June 3 around noon in the 500 block of South Pleasant Valley Road. Hes known to frequent Secret Beach along the Colorado River in the area.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

According to APD, Harrison left on his own accord, but he has not made his usual contact with his family.

Harrison is described as:

White male

66

185 lbs.

Brown hair

Green eyes

Tattoo of a sun on left shoulder

Tattoos on chest and stomach

Last seen wearing: Light red button shirt, maroon shorts, and Birkenstock sandals

APD is searching for Austin Harrison, 33, who was last seen June 3 in the 500 block of South Pleasant Valley Road. (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department)

APD is searching for Austin Harrison, 33, who was last seen June 3 in the 500 block of South Pleasant Valley Road. (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department)

If you see Harrison, call 9-1-1 immediately or the APD Missing Persons Unit at 512-974-5250.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand  Travis Reddy wants to buy a Brazilian weapons manufacturer.

As the CEO of DefendTex, an Australian firm specializing in precision-guided weapons, rockets and loitering munitions, hes encouraged by a government-run program aimed at growing the domestic industrys capability to build long-range weaponry. The problem, though, is he cant get the financial backing expected from the Australian governments Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise program.

Instead, large defense contractors, especially those hailing from overseas, are receiving preferential treatment, according to a local analyst.

Theres a tendency by government to default to the primes. Everything must go through Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Thales or whatever. Lets see what SMEs [small and medium enterprises] can do in terms of things like long-range missiles, said Malcolm Davis, an expert in capability development and military technology at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Give them a chance to actually demonstrate their capabilities.

For months, DefendTex has been asking Export Finance Australia  the governments export credit agency  for a yearlong AU$70 million (U.S. $46 million) loan to acquire cash-strapped Avibras in Brazil. Reddy said hes depending on the government to assist, noting that domestic banks have refused to provide him a loan as a weapons manufacturer.

DefendTexs exclusive negotiation period with Avibras has reportedly expired, as the timetable was to last until the end of June. Already the Chinese defense industry giant NORINCO is taking steps to buy the business. To sweeten the deal, NORINCO has expressed a willingness to manufacture Chinese weapons in Brazil.

But Reddy said Australia could benefit from Avibras extensive experience with guided weapons, gain intellectual property and quickly replicate manufacturing facilities on Australian soil. We know that within 24 months wed achieve full-rate production in Australia: the full IP suite, the seeker, propulsion system, the whole box and dice.

A DefendTex-made D40 underslung grenade launcher-deployed drone flies through the air during an exercise in England on Oct. 13, 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Referring to mounting geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, Davis highlighted the governments slow response time with endeavors like the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.

At the moment it seems to be moving very much at a snails pace on a small scale, a very hesitant approach on the part of government, which I dont understand given the very adverse strategic outlook were facing, he said.

Backup plan?

The GWEO Enterprise program is the governments official vehicle to develop a sovereign capability for producing long-range strike weapons. It currently boasts about 900 personnel and was formally created in May 2023 when Air Marshal Leon Phillips was appointed its inaugural chief.

The GWEO group was established to accelerate the development of a guided weapons and explosive ordnance manufacturing industry in Australia, Phillips told Defense News.

He outlined the enterprises two main functions: to establish a manufacturing industry, and to manage the acquisition, sustainment and support of weapons. According to the Defence Departments website, the government is spending $4.1 billion to increasingly buy long-range strike systems and locally manufacture longer-range munitions.

However, Reddy said the programs lean toward American defense companies is hindering plans like his.

Indeed, the government has appointed the Australian arms of the American firms RTX and Lockheed Martin as GWEOs strategic partners.

The strategic partners and their U.S. parent companies are working with [the Department of] Defence to explore opportunities for greater partnerships and, to this end, are developing detailed, costed plans for manufacturing guided weapons and their components in Australia, Phillips said.

The department has said it will consider those costed plans in the second quarter of 2024.

Support and assistance from the U.S. is critical to the success of the GWEO Enterprise. At the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations in July 2023, the principals agreed to deepen cooperation on Australias GWEO Enterprise by collaborating on a flexible guided-weapons production capability in Australia. This cooperation is underway, and an initial batch of GMLRS [Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System] missiles will be manufactured in Australia by 2025, Phillips added, referring to a AU$37.4 million contract for Lockheed Martin Australia, announced in January 2024.

U.S. Marines fire GMLRS rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during the exercise Talisman Sabre in Queensland, Australia, on July 19, 2021. (Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun/U.S. Marine Corps)

James Heading, the director of programs at the Strategic Capabilities Office within Lockheed Martin Australias missiles and fire control division, said further developing industry is critical and that GMLRS is a good starting point for the country. International demand for GMLRS is growing, especially in Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

That doesnt necessarily mean everythings manufactured in Australia, Heading added. For example, he noted, it might be five to 10 years before Australian industry can unilaterally build missile seekers for the GMLRS.

Tenders for GMLRS production-related requirements in Australia close around the June-July time frame this year, which will lead to the assembly of GMLRS kits starting next year at the munitions storage base Defence Establishment Orchard Hills in Sydney. What will follow is the gradual introduction of domestically assembled components, before ramping up quantities, Heading said.

To be clear, Reddy said, he doesnt take issue with the Lockheed deal, but does think the government needs a backup plan.

Im not saying dont do GMLRS, dont do HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System]. Do all of that and preserve 5% of your budget [for] a plan B, he said, referring to government funding to support domestic industry acquisitions. That would be the pragmatic approach to ensuring we get the best of both worlds. So if the world goes to hell in a handbasket tomorrow, weve got something we can respond with.

He argued that the purchase of Avibras would be a very cheap insurance policy that does not detract from any long-term plans dependent on American firms.

Davis agreed that there isnt a clear path from the Lockheed deal that would lead to more locally made, sophisticated capabilities. I think its taken an inordinately long time to actually make any progress, and were only talking about assembling GMLRS components here in Australia in 2025.

People fill shells at a government explosives factory in Australia in the 1940s. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

He said the government should encourage industry to pursue the local production of longer-range weapons like the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, the extended-range variant of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, and the Tomahawk cruise missile  all of which are made by American businesses.

But the GWEO Enterprise isnt just about American-made weapons. For example, the Spike missile by Israels Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Naval Strike Missile by Norways Kongsberg are both candidates for domestic production.

GWEO is really about giving industry the opportunity to participate, Heading said, noting gaps in Australias defense industry are due to capacity rather than ability.

To overcome these issues, Davis suggested the government further prioritize the GWEO program as well as incorporate lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war.

We should actually be looking at how can we, ourselves, develop the long-range strike capabilities that can support the needs of the ADF [Australian Defence Force], the needs of our allies and partners, and offer us an export capability as well, he urged. Once again, there seems to be this lack of boldness and vision on the part of the government just to even think beyond the most minimalist application of GWEO in the near term.

I dont understand why their perception of GWEO is so constrained and so limited.

Preparing for war

Part of the problem is Australias peacetime mindset, Davis said.

We assume that nothing bad will happen in this decade, and that weve got 10 years to wait. Ironically, weve said in past defense whitepapers that we no longer have 10 years of strategic warning, but that mindset of 10-year strategic warning time is still pervasive in the defense organization and within government, he explained.

There needs to be recognition that we might have two, maybe three years to prepare for a major war, he added. So what can we do in the next two to three years in terms of mass production of capabilities? Thats going to take some risks, its going to take a bit of vision.

My concern is that those decisions wont be made and well end up going into a next war in 2027 or 2028 with what weve got  and not much to show for GWEO.

An Australian-manufactured BLU-111 detonates at the Port Wakefield testing area in South Australia. (Australian Defence Department)

To be sure, the program hasnt been idle, Philips said, noting several major achievements to date, including upgrades to infrastructure and technology at the government-owned Mulwala and Benalla munitions factories operated by Thales Australia; remediation of the Port Wilson wharf to enable large-scale imports and exports of weapons; commissioned construction of additional storage and distribution infrastructure; and domestic production of 500-pound BLU-111 bombs.

In addition to the GMLRS contract, Phillips also pointed to accelerated acquisitions of Tomahawks, JASSM-ERs, Naval Strike Missiles and sea mines from overseas.

But these foreign purchases by the government dont help with situations like Reddys.

Theyre not taking any steps to develop a domestic, sovereign alternative to the kind of weapons they need, he said. In the event of high-intensity conflict, will Australia as a nation have the ability to manufacture the ordnance that it needs to keep the Australian Defence Force capable of conducting its mission? The overwhelming answer is no.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference in Canberra, Australia, on April 13. His government more than doubled international student visa fees on Monday. File Photo by Lukas Coch/EPA-EFE

July 1 (UPI) -- Australia on Monday doubled fees for student visas amid efforts to slow down immigration, drawing ire from international student representatives.

The Australian federal government increased the fee for a visa student application to roughly $1,064 up from the previous total of about $472.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government said the increase would go to fund various initiatives, including financial support for apprenticeships and efforts to reduce the debt for graduates.

The visa increase is also seen as part of Australia's efforts to slow down migration, which reached a peak post-COVID-19 number of 528,000 in the 2022-23 academic year.

Phil Honeywood, head of the International Education Association of Australia said the increases will particularly harm Indo-Pacific students who had come to traditionally rely on Australia and the country of choice for overseas education.

"We are really in danger of losing a $48 billion a year industry," Honeywood told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. about the loss of students.

The fee opponents said Australia will simply lose students to the United States and other competitors because of the change rather than them staying and paying the increase.

"Far from restoring integrity in the international education sector, this measure will be a deterrent to international students," said Vicki Thompson, CEO of the Group of Eight, an education organization that is comprised of the country's leading research institutions, according to The Guardian.

"The recent crackdown on visa approvals has already sent a strong signal that we are not open for business. Yet again, our international students are being used as cash cows to prop up the economy, the national research effort and now to fund other government initiatives."
Australia restricts vape sales to pharmacies as new laws take effect

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New vaping regulations in Australia came into force on Monday, moving e-cigarettes behind pharmacy counters in a bid to curb youth vaping although opponents forced the government to walk back a stricter prohibition.

The laws, passed last week, will restrict vape sales to pharmacies and require customers to speak with the pharmacist before buying a vape. Those under 18 will need a prescription.

The ruling Labor party was forced to water down a broader plan that would have limited sales to those with a medical prescription after opposition from Greens senators concerned it would restrict access for those looking to quit smoking and strain the health system.

But a three-month delay to implement the last-minute compromise means customers over 18 will require a prescription until October, when that requirement will lapse.

"I think it doesn't really make that much sense, especially if they're going to be changing it again in October," Sydney resident Sarah Harris told Reuters.

"I think it's just going to make people go for black market vapes or try to get vapes through their friends or online, or whatever the other routes of purchasing them are."

The regulations are addressed at youth vaping in Australia, where about 22% of 18-24 year-olds reported using e-cigarettes or vaping devices at least once, data last year showed.

In addition to restricting sales to pharmacies, the laws also limit the concentration of nicotine in vapes and restrict the flavours to mint, menthol or tobacco.

Known for its strict anti-smoking laws and steep tobacco taxes, Australia already banned most vape imports earlier this year. Importers must now apply for licenses from the government drug control body.

While vapes are still widely available in small stores and a common sight in pubs and bars, the government says its enforcement push is taking hundreds of thousands off the streets.

In April, Health Minister Mark Butler said border police had seized more than 1.5 million illegal vapes.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Michael Perry)
Back on Track: Scranton may finally see the return of a passenger rail line to NYC

The Erie Lackawanna Railroad's "Phoebe Snow" passenger train passes the Delaware Water Gap on June 20, 1965. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law could return passenger service to the line between Scranton and New York after decades of effort. (Photo by Victor Hand, used by permission of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art)

Its been more than 50 years since passenger trains ferried travelers from Scranton to New York City, and many in Northeast Pennsylvania had given up hope that a rail line would ever return. But funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law may finally bring back passenger trains to run between the Electric City and the Big Apple.

Were at the point where its ours to lose, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8th District), told the Capital-Star.

As U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)  one of the rail lines biggest boosters campaigns in Scranton today, the chances that the region will see a return of its rail line seem brighter than ever.

When the U.S. Senate voted to pass the $1.2 trillion package in August 2021, Casey voted in favor, while then-U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) voted against it. In the lower chamber, every Democrat in Pennsylvanias U.S. House delegation, plus Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st District), voted in favor of the bill.

As Casey seeks a fourth term in office, hes often touted the passage of the infrastructure bill and the impact he believes it will have across the Keystone State during his campaign.

Given the Casey familys longtime presence in Scranton, its perhaps not surprising that Sen. Casey has been a supporter of reestablishing the rail line for several years. Back in 2008, Casey sent a letter with then-Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), and Democrats Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer of New York describing why the rail line would be crucial for the region.

There is strong interest among local residents in Binghamton and Scranton who would take advantage of this new service between the cities and also use it to ultimately gain access to New York City, the lawmakers wrote in the 2008 letter. Additionally, with this new service, more business and leisure travelers from New York City would be able to access the many assets that Binghamton and Scranton have to offer and tap into the local economy for new economic development opportunities.

Casey has spent the years since continuing to urge other lawmakers to support the project.

He sounded cautiously optimistic during a brief conversation June 17 with the Capital-Star, but noted that the project wasnt yet in the final stages of getting the funding



Were going to keep pushing it. We know the initial commitment has been made, but we still have a lot of work to do to make sure that funding is targeted for that project, Casey said. I want to see a commitment made in the next year.

But if Caseys Republican challenger David McCormick wins the election in November, the future of the Scranton rail line isnt guaranteed. McCormick said earlier this year hed vote to repeal the bipartisan infrastructure law funding the project.

On Feb. 13, McCormick participated in a roundtable discussion on trade practices in Northeast Pennsylvania. During the discussion, GOP Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak mentioned the potential impact of the train.

This is a big push with Senator Casey, is the train coming to town from New York City, Chermak said, adding he thought it would be a boost to the economy somewhat, but was concerned the train would bring New York City issues to the area.

Its going to change life as we know it here, Chermak added.

McCormick didnt directly endorse or oppose the proposed rail line, saying he didnt know the facts, the pros and cons.

And by the way, the fact that many jobs now have become more remote is incredibly advantageous to a place like Pennsylvania and this particular area, which is wonderful and beautiful and people want to live here, McCormick added.

McCormick told the Capital-Star in a June 14 email that while he wants to invest in infrastructure, he doesnt agree with the way the Biden administration has gone about it.

Im a strong supporter of investing in hard infrastructure to update our transportation networks and expand broadband access, McCormick said in a statement to the Capital-Star. Biden and Casey held these investments hostage  wrapping them up with pork to further their extreme climate agenda. This project could be accomplished without billions for EV charging stations and a Green New Deal slush fund.

Elected Democrats in the region said they have heard concerns from some constituents about the train, but ultimately the overall reaction has been positive.

Sure, change is scary, Cartwright said. But I submit that this is a change that is not very scary at all for northeastern Pennsylvania.

The rail line had already existed for 100 years between metropolitan New York City and Scranton, he noted.

State Rep. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna), who also serves on the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee, said he didnt share Chermaks concerns about the train bringing New York issues to Scranton.

There is nothing right now really stopping a good or bad influence because of that proximity, Mullins told the Capital-Star. A train will not be some new problematic artery for our region.

State Sen. Marty Flynn, Minority Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee and lifelong resident of Northeast Pennsylvania, described the concern from Chermak as very close minded, echoing a similar point from Mullins.

The Democrats also said the rail line would help alleviate traffic congestion on I-80, encourage more travel, and draw remote workers to relocate to the region.

With comparatively low costs of living, northeast Pennsylvania has become an attractive place to live for workers in New York and north Jersey. That has contributed to some of the longest commuting times in Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute is about 39 minutes in Monroe County and nearly 44 minutes in neighboring Pike County.

If the current proposal becomes reality, passengers could travel between the two cities in less than three hours at speeds of up to 110 mph.

A Super-railroad

The rail corridor from Hoboken, N.J., to Scranton was constructed as part of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroads (DL&W) 400-mile main line that continued to Buffalo, N.Y.

The stretch across rural northwest New Jersey, known as the Lackawanna Cut Off, was billed as a super-railroad when it opened, according to a history of the line by rail advocate Walsh. Completed in 1911, the rail line carried passengers and freight until the 1970s.

Using cutting-edge construction techniques to level hills and valleys and straighten curves, trains were able to run at more than 80 mph, an impressive speed for the time. It also boasted a valley-spanning viaduct that was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world.

The line last carried passengers in 1970, and after the final freight rolled through in 1979, efforts to preserve it began immediately. But restoring service on the line faced decades of economic and political hurdles.

In the 1980s, Conrail, the government-owned railroad that acquired the DL&Ws bankrupt successor, stymied efforts by the Monroe County Rail Authority to purchase the Pennsylvania section of the rail line. On the New Jersey side of the river, Conrail scrapped the tracks and sold the right-of-way to developers.

It took until 2001 for Pennsylvania and New Jersey authorities to acquire their respective sections of the railroad. That year, New Jersey Transit paid $21 million for the 28-mile right-of-way in New Jersey. The predecessors of Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority (PNRRA) had earlier purchased the 60 miles of track between Scranton and Delaware Water Gap for about $10 million.

But even with the railroad in the hands of government agencies that supported the passenger rail restoration project, progress would be slow.

The challenge has always been to obtain the funding necessary to do this, said Chuck Walsh, president of the North Jersey Rail Commuter Association, who has been an advocate of restoring passenger service on the line since the 1980s.

It was Specter who secured the first federal funding for the project in 2003, with $2 million to conduct the preliminary engineering. And although the project also drew political support from Casey and Schumer, the next major advance came in 2008, when New Jersey approved $61 million in federal and state funding to extend existing commuter rail service seven miles closer to Scranton on the Lackawanna Cut Off.

Work on that section, including the rehabilitation of a tunnel and construction of a new station is underway and New Jersey Transit service on the restored section is expected to begin in 2026.

That development has helped to overcome the psychological hurdle of believing the restoration of passenger service is possible, Walsh said.

You have to get used to the idea that you can reactivate an abandoned line, Walsh said. That is something that virtually never happens.

PNRRA President Larry Malski pressed that point as he spoke to members of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee last year and requested continued funding from the state Legislature. The federal government, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have already spent more than $94.5 million on acquisition and construction.

This is not only a shovel ready infrastructure project, but actually a shovel in the ground infrastructure project that will pay back major economic development, transportation alternative and tourism and recreation benefits to northeastern Pennsylvania and the commonwealth for many generations to come, Malski said in his prepared testimony.

Potential economic impact

A March 2023 study conducted by Amtrak projected rail service between Scranton and New York could generate $84 million in economic activity, while serving just under 475,000 riders annually.

Cartwright told the Capital-Star that the project has been his top priority since he was elected to Congress in 2012. Shortly after being sworn in, Cartwright said he had conversations with PNRRA officials Malski, Dominic Keating, and Bob Hay.

Like Casey, he also spent the following years whipping up support for the project among his colleagues, including in May 2021 when he founded the Lackawanna Cutoff Rail Restoration Caucus with inaugural members U.S. Reps. Susan Wild (D-7th District), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ).

Cartwright also credited Gov. Josh Shapiros commitment to the project. He said Shapiro agreed to provide $125 million in local-match funds, have PennDOT author the application to the Federal Railroad Administration, and co-sponsor it along with New Jersey Transit.

In December 2023, the project took another step forward with the Federal Railroad Administration (FDA) including Northeastern Pennsylvania in its Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program.

We are supremely confident that this line will get the go ahead and that sometime probably by mid to late 2028, you will see Amtrak trains turning around in Scranton, Cartwright told the Capital-Star. Therell be three round trips a day to begin with and I expect that to expand because theyre going to find out very, very rapidly that these trains will sell out.

Rob Bresnahan, Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District, holds a different point of view about the bipartisan infrastructure funding for the potential rail service.

Nearly one-quarter of all bridges in Congressman Cartwrights district are rated as structurally deficient, Bresnahan wrote in an email to the Capital-Star, citing a report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). We should address the existing infrastructure problems in our district well before any conversations about creating once-a-day train routes to midtown Manhattan.

Malski, of the PNRRA, left a corporate position with an upstate New York railroad in the mid-1980s to work for local government in northeast Pennsylvania as a consultant on preserving rail lines. In what he called dark times for railroads, he and political leaders weathered a lot of criticism for spending tax money on abandoned lines.

If you dont save them before they are completely ripped up and sold youll never have those as corridors for commerce, Malski said. The existence of freight rail service in Monroe and Lackawanna counties has resulted in 20 new manufacturing sites in the region, including a flour mill that receives shipments of grain by rail from North and South Dakota, Malski said.

Its the kind of industry that we desperately need in Pennsylvania because we lost so much, Malski said.

Passenger service would add to the regions prosperity by connecting it with one of the worlds financial capitals and by providing access for tourists to the Poconos attractions, Malski added.

When the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed  we tried to jump in as quickly as we could, Malski said, noting that Amtrak has endorsed Scranton to New York as a top choice for new service because the route is 100% publicly owned.

And despite McCormicks threats to repeal the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, Cartwright said he isnt concerned about the law being overturned noting a filibuster proof majority would be needed for it to happen.

Currently, 51 Senators caucus with the Democratic Party, while 49 Senators caucus with the Republican Party. For the law to be overturned, two-thirds of the U.S. Senate would have to agree. In 2021, 69 Senators voted in favor of the law.

Remember, this was a law that attracted good support from both sides of the aisle to begin with, Cartwright said. So to think that kind of spitefulness could take root in the next Congress and the next administration, I think thats thats fanciful.

And fears about what the rail line might bring to the area are mostly unfounded, he added.

This is not scary, Cartwright said. This is Northeastern Pennsylvania coming back.

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Baerbock says Germany must invest in security despite tight budget

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during the first anniversary of the National Security Strategy. Soeren Stache/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Germany must continue making further investments in security despite intense pressure to make cuts in difficult negotiations over the 2025 budget.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP) has demanded that the coalition government stick with strict rules against budget deficits, known as the debt brake.

But Baerbock on Monday argued that Germany must take a leading role addressing the serious threats to European peace and security, even if that means taking on debt.

"It would be more than fatal if we had to say in a few years' time: We have saved the debt brake but lost our peaceful European order," Baerbock, a Green, warned at an event organized by the Federal Academy for Security Policy in Berlin.

"That will be the question our children will be asking us in a few years' time," Baerbock added.

Baerbock said she was irritated by discussions "where support for Ukraine is treated like a charity gesture and not as what it actually is - an investment in [Germany's] own national security," she said.

She added: "There can't really be a greater national interest."

Baerbock criticized a public discourse in Germany where many people seem to welcome additional security - but have no interest in paying the cost.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during the first anniversary of the National Security Strategy. Soeren Stache/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Foreign Minister of Latvia Baiba Braze (L) attend an event to mark the first anniversary of the National Security Strategy. Soeren Stache/dpa
Delaware lawmakers returned to Dover for the final day of the 152nd General Assembly session, with both chambers collectively acting on over 50 bills, including a $98.5 million grants-in-aid bill.

The General Assembly sent bail and manufactured housing reform bills to Gov. John Carney and passed a flurry of other bills in the final hours of session Sunday.

Heres a selection of what did and didnt pass this year:

$98.5M for community groups, senior centers, first responders

The General Assembly approved a $98.5 million grants-in-aid bill, designating over half ($51.6 million) to community groups, cultural and historic entities, and various groups tackling issues like alcohol and substance abuse, and $34.5 million for government units and senior centers.

The price tag is an increase from previous grants-in-aid bills, which lawmakers pointed out before approving the legislation Sunday.

Emergency personnel, including New Castle County police and paramedics and animal welfare officers, work after a dog attack involving at least two dogs hospitalized at least two victims on Scottie Lane in Melanie Woods near New Castle about 6:45 pm Wednesday.

Senate Bill 327 includes some of the following:

$17 million for current paramedic operations in all three counties, including an additional $1 million to each county to hance those operations.

$11.6 million for fire and ambulance companies to properly maintain and ensure full operation of trucks, ambulances and rescue boats.

$10.3 million for senior center operations and organizations that provide services to those centers.

$698,000 for veterans organizations throughout Delaware.

Bail reform headed for constitutional amendments

The state House on Sunday approved two bills that aim to reduce Delawares reliance on a bail system that emphasizes a persons ability to pay for their pretrial freedom instead of their actual risk to society.

BAIL REFORM: What to expect in the final days of the Delaware General Assembly's legislative session

Senate Bill 11 and Senate Bill 12 passed by the House ensures that the legislation  which are constitutional amendments  can begin the next hurdle of approval by both chambers next year. Both bills required a two-thirds vote to pass the House and Senate and must be approved by two consecutive General Assemblies.

Delaware House blocks removal of death penalty from Constitution

The Delaware House defeated House Bill 301 on Sunday, legislation that would have begun the process of removing the death penalty from the state Constitution.

Amendments to the state's constitution require a larger majority for passage, as well as passage in two consecutive sessions of the assembly. Therefore, striking the penalty from the constitution would mean future attempts to reinstate it would have a higher bar to clear.

ELIMINATING DEATH PENALTY: Lawmakers repeal death penalty, while fate of constitutional amendment unclear

In recent days, both chambers passed House Bill 70, eliminating the death penalty in Delaware criminal statutes. That legislation now heads to Gov. John Carney for his signature.

Hospital tax now approved by both chambers

Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, institutes a 3.58% tax on hospitals net patient revenues, thereby generating more than $100 million in new Medicaid funding to Delaware.

The legislation was approved by the state Senate on May 28, and has generated broad-based support among health care institutions. The Delaware Houses approval on Sunday now sends the bill to Gov. John Carney.

Offshore wind clears last hurdle

Offshore wind in Delaware cleared its final hurdle Sunday with the House approving Senate Bill 265, laying out the process that governmental agencies will go through when contracting offshore wind projects in the state.

The Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024 was heralded by environmentalists as a major win and a big step for the state in reaching its clean energy goals, but there are still opponents who worry about its economic feasibility and potential impacts on tourism.

The bill also may pave the way for other large-scale clean energy projects that rely on sources like solar power.

Source of income, housing status protected

Senate Bill 293, which prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive government assistance to pay for rent, passed the General Assembly on Sunday.

Also approved was House Bill 439, which makes "housing status" a protected characteristic under Delaware law, prohibits the discrimination of a person based on their housing status when searching for housing and House Bill 440 prohibits the same for employment and professional activities.

Senate Bill 247, which creates a system to ensure manufactured home communities with health and safety violations and conditions that threaten the health and safety of residents cannot raise rent until these issues are addressed, also moves to Carney for his signature.

The House failed to act on House Bill 191, which would have given renters the ability to end leases when conditions in the unit threaten the life, health, or safety of the tenant or a member of the household.

MANUFACTURED HOUSING: Rising land rents create a different kind of housing crisis for mobile homeowners

The legislation has gone through many changes, most recently with the Senate changing escrow expectations  no longer requiring a renter to hold unpaid rent in escrow, but instead remedying arrears after court proceedings.

While the Senate approved the measure June 26, that chambers edits caused consternation among House representatives Sunday prompting the bills sponsor Rep. Sherry Dorsey-Walker to table it.

Other housing bills passed by the General Assembly include:

House Bill 442 creates an affordable housing task force to investigate and make findings and recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly on how to increase the production of affordable rental units and homes in Delaware.

Senate Bill 246 codifies a Housing Repair and Modification Fund that the Delaware State Housing Authority has provided funding for low-income Delawareans to make home repairs to ensure the health and safety of homes.

Oversight, accountability boosted for long-term care industry

Senate Bill 215, requiring annual inspections of long-term care facilities in Delaware, cleared the House on Sunday and now heads to the governors desk for signing.

The bill was part of a package of legislation aimed at reforming the long-term care industry and ensuring adequate oversight of assisted living and nursing homes providing services to a vulnerable population.

Efforts to improve Delawares policing of long-term care facilities were prompted after a 2023 Delaware Online/The News Journal investigation found the state has failed to police its long-term care industry over the past decade, in some cases failing to inspect assisted living facilities for years.

Senate Bill 215 joins four other bills targeting the long-term care industry awaiting Carneys signature:

Senate Bill 216: increasing civil penalties against long-term care facilities.

Senate Bill 151: mandating that facilities disclose when they provide dementia care services.

House Bill 204: allowing the Department of Health and Social Services to create regulations for operating temporary staffing agencies that staff positions at long-term care facilities.

House Bill 300: requiring DHSS to maintain a public registry of assisted living facilities that are accredited and/or certified to provide memory care services by an approved independent accrediting organization.

Meanwhile, House Bill 223  approved by the Senate on Sunday  removes a continuing education requirement for nurses working in adult gerontology to receive training for Alzheimers disease and other dementias. According to the bill, it instead mandates all nurses receive at least one hour of continuing education on recognition of sexual or physical abuse, exploitation, or domestic violence of vulnerable populations.

Reproductive options expanded in Delaware

The House also acted on outstanding bills that expand reproductive options and ensure transparency at crisis pregnancy centers.

Senate Bill 300 and Senate Bill 301, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay and approved by the House on Sunday, address transparency regarding services and medical professionals at crisis pregnancy centers and require public universities to provide access to abortion pills respectively.

Senate Bill 232, which was approved by the Senate in March, was also passed by the House on the last day of session. The bill expands contraceptive coverage laws to include over-the-counter non-emergency contraceptive bills since the Federal Drug Administration approved the same.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What crossed the finish line in Delaware General Assembly's final day?
With Ballad Health under new scrutiny, Tennessee to hold yearly hearing on monopoly agreement

Protesters gather in opposition to the closure of the neonatal intensive care unit at Holston Valley Medical Center, a Ballad Health hospital, in 2019. (Photo: Dani Cook)

Protesters gather in opposition to the closure of the neonatal intensive care unit at Holston Valley Medical Center, a Ballad Health hospital, in 2019. (Photo: Dani Cook)

Editors note: The Tennessee Department of Health pushed back the COPA hearing from July 18 to November 21. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at Northeast State Community College in Blountville.

Tennessees health department will hold its annual public hearing on Ballad Healths state-sanctioned monopoly agreement as the hospital faces a new round of eroding public support.

The hearing is the publics latest opportunity to comment on the Tri-Cities region hospital monopoly created by Tennessee and Virginia lawmakers in 2018 through a law known as the Certificate of Public Advantage, or COPA.

Ballad, formed from the merger of Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System, is a 20-hospital system headquartered in Johnson City, Tenn. Its the only hospital choice for over a million residents in a 29-county region that spans Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

In the six years since lawmakers bypassed anti-monopoly laws to allow the hospital system to exist, ER wait times for patients sick enough to be hospitalized have grown more than three times as long and now far exceed the criteria set by state officials, according to an investigation by KFF News into the dangers of hospital monopolies published over the past year.

The investigation also found Ballad failed to meet 80% of the benchmarks designed to improve quality care and has yet to fulfill nearly $148 million in charity obligations agreed to as part of the COPA agreement with lawmakers.

As ER times and quality of care have worsened, Ballad has also closed, shrunk, or removed many of the emergency, intensive, and other health care services at several of the hospitals it runs as it tries to consolidate services at its flagship facility.

Its a symptom of bad choices Ballad Health and its CEO, Alan Levine, have made, said Rep. David Hawk, a Greeneville Republican and frequent critic of the hospital.

After these hearings, they never accept that they may need to do better, Hawk added. Ballad is essentially run with very few checks and balances.

When Ballad formed, the companys leadership sold it to the public as a way to prevent hospital closures and keep local control over the system. But over the years, the hospital has closed many facilities while increasing its revenue, profits, and compensation for employees like Levine.

Ballad Health turned a combined profit of $206 million in 2021 and 2022, according to an independent analysis from S&P Global Ratings. Levine made $4.3 million in the last year reported by the hospital, doubling his salary as head of Mountain States Health Alliance before the merger.

The consolidation of hospital services is not unique to Ballad. A similar situation is happening in rural West Tennessee, as nonprofit rural hospital systems believe the best way for them to remain financially viable is through consolidation and service cuts.

Ballad officials have contended that the merger likely prevented even more closures and stopped a for-profit hospital system from entering the market, further degrading health care services.

Ballads Political Connections

Levine has deep ties to top Republican politicians across several states. He served on health care transition teams for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Florida Govs. Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott, and Jeb Bush.

Gov. Bill Lee appointed Levine to the Tennessee Charter School Commission. Since 2018, Levine, his wife, and Ballads political action committee have donated $85,500 to Lee and his inaugural fund.

But Ballads initial approval predates Lee.

Alan Levine, chair and CEO of Ballad Health, photographed at a meeting of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. (Photo: John Partipilo)

State Sen. Rusty Crowe, a Johnson City Republican, sponsored and helped navigate the COPA agreement through the Tennessee General Assembly as chairman of the Senates Health and Welfare Committee.

At the same time, Crowe was a contractor with Mountain States Health Alliance and has continued to report Ballad Health as an income source on his disclosure statement. Tennessee law doesnt require officials to report the amount of income received.

Overall, COPAs are rare, with only 10 in existence, according to information collected by The Source on Healthcare Price & Competition, a website by the University of California College of the Law-San Francisco.

In Tennessee, Ballads agreement has created a vacuum, as officials in the Health Department and Attorney Generals Office cant agree on who regulates the hospital system.

When asked who was enforcing the obligations in the COPA agreement, Tennessee Department of Health spokesperson Dean Flener told KFF News that it was the Attorney Generals Offices responsibility. But Amy Wilhite, a spokesperson for the AGs office, provided the news organization with documentation that it was the Health Departments responsibility.

The Lookout contacted a Health Department spokesperson but had not heard back by the time of publication. A Ballad Health spokesperson declined an interview request.

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Some say Bank of America garnished their money, but shouldnt have

Some have told Action 9 that Bank of America garnished their money when they shouldnt have, causing them to stress over the missing money.

The Murrays own Morrison Cleaners in SouthPark.

ALSO READ: Bank of America sends warning letters to employees failing to return to office

I tried to pay one of my employees and kept getting declined, Kemuel Murray said.

They say they checked their Bank of America account and saw a garnishment.

It was like $2,800 and something, he said.

And then theres Lauren Rorie.

I log into my bank account and $4,000 and some change ... was missing, she said. A few thousand dollars is a lot of money.

She said she also banks with BofA and also found a garnishment.

Rorie and the Murrays did some digging.

ALSO READ: Bank of America fined for junk fees, opening accounts without authorization, CFPB says

The Murrays say they discovered the State of Maryland had claimed they owed taxes and had gotten a court order for BofA to garnish the money. Turns out, they say, a business in Maryland with a similar name did owe taxes. It was a case of mistaken identity.

Murray says it was so stressful, he could not sleep. He says he and his wife fought it and eventually got their money back, but not without heartache.

Its a whole ripple effect, it doesnt make me feel easy at all, he said.

Rorie says her issue was also state-specific, that the State of California claimed she owed late fees for taxes and ordered a garnishment.

Theres not a lot that the individual consumer can do, she said.

Rorie says, she did do business in California, but that she paid her taxes on time. She says she was in the process of appealing the late fees, but that the bank garnished her money anyway. Its not clear if a bank has a duty to wait, but she argues it does.

ALSO READ: Bank of America lands on Fortunes list of Best Companies to Work For

Wrong situation, this could put someone out in dire straits you know? she said.

Rorie says she pursued it too, but didnt get very far and gave up. She assumes her $4,000 is gone forever.

I am pretty much at peace with that and know thats going to happen. This is more about the principle now, she said.

In 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Bank of America had unlawfully garnished at least 3,700 out-of-state accounts since 2011. The Bureau ordered the bank to pay $10 million in penalties, refund customers more than $590,000, and change its ways.

Action 9s Jason Stoogenke initially emailed Bank of America about the Murrays case. The bank wouldnt go into detail, but said it was resolved. Then Jason found out about Rories case and emailed about that. That was more than three weeks ago. The bank said it was gathering information, but didnt provide a statement in time for this report.

Stoogenke has advice for anyone in a similar situation:

Read the fine print of your bank agreement. Stoogenke knows most people dont, but the banks garnishment policy should be in there. It may be informative.

Do what the Murrays did: Be persistent.

But the truth is, in these cases, you may need to go to court to make the garnishment go away which means you may want to talk to a lawyer.

(WATCH BELOW: Bank of America lawsuit over pandemic fees moves forward)




Former senior Trump adviser Steve Bannon gave a list of people on Sunday that he believes former President Trump should go after if he is elected to a second term.

Bannon, who is set to report to prison Monday on contempt of Congress charges, said in an ABC This Week interview with Jonathan Karl that the media has overblown worries about retribution in a second Trump administration.

If you havent done anything, you shouldnt worry, he said, What were saying is we want justice. We want to have full investigations, and then if criminal charges come up, then criminal charges come up.

Among those Bannon put on warning: former FBI Directors Andrew McCabe and James Comey, former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, former Attorney General Bill Barr and former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.

Its justice, Bannon said of investigating the men, some of whom were members of the first Trump administration and appointed by Trump himself.

Its not retribution at all, he added, also shrugging off Trumps past promises to seek retribution for his supporters.

Like he said last night on the debate stage, his retribution is a very successful, more successful second term, Bannon said of Trump.

Bannon will serve four months in prison for dodging a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee. Bannon avoided going to prison for months, only relenting after a last-second appeal to the Supreme Court was denied Friday.

Im a political prisoner, Bannon said. It wont change me. It will not suppress my voice. My voice will not be suppressed when Im there.

He told Karl that he has no regrets for refusing the committees subpoena.

If it took me going to prison to finally get the House to start to move, to start to delegitimize the illegitimate J6 committee, then, hey, guess what, my going to prison is worth it, Bannon said.

House leaders led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced last week they will file a legal brief in support of Bannons appeal of his conviction in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The former Trump adviser was found guilty in 2022 on two counts of contempt of Congress after he refused to sit for an interview with the panel and hand over documents.

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Basin Fire in Fresno County grows to over 10,000 acres with no containment, rangers say

The Basin Fire in Sierra National Forest, started by lightning this past week, has grown to more than 10,000 acres.

As of Sunday, there was still no containment, according to the latest update. The blaze has grown to 11,047 acres.

Rangers, meanwhile, enacted temporary fire restrictions starting Sunday prohibiting campfires, welding, or smoking on all public lands managed by the Forest in non-developed campsites. Officials said campfires will only be allowed in developed campgrounds or picnic areas managed by the Forest Service or concessionaire, Vista Recreation.

We have met the conditions on the Forest that warrant implementing this measure to reduce the risks of additional wildfires, Forest Supervisor Dean Gould said.

Additionally, a heavy and volatile fuel load remains across much of the forest floor.

The fire is burning primarily in dry, dense grass within the Rough Fire scar from 2015, rangers said.

The fire is burning at 2000-4500 foot elevation, northeast of Pine Flat Lake, west of the Spanish Mountain, south of Black Rock Road and north of the South Fork of the Kings River.

Fresno June Lightning Complex

In an update Sunday night, the containment was closer on Sunday with the three large fires at 61% containment in eastern Fresno County.

Cal Fire said there was minimal fire activity throughout Saturday and fire crews continued to strengthen containment lines and work on extinguishing hot spots.

The three large fires consist of:

Flash/Bolt Fire: Palomino & Elwood Road in Wonder Valley area, 10,375 acres, 60% contained.

Hog Fire: Watts Valley & Hog Mt. Rd, 293 acres, 98% contained.

Strike Fire: 1 acre, 100% contained.

Evacuation warnings have been lifted, Cal Fire said.

Public safety crews will have a strong presence in the fire area for the next several days to ensure the protection of our residents and their property. Be aware there may be traffic flow interruptions due to fire crews and utility workers still operating in the area, Cal Fire wrote in an update.
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Evacuation orders remain in place as the Basin Fire continues to spread in the Sierra National Forest.

Fire officials say the cause of the Basin Fire remains under investigation; while many wildfires in the area have been started by lightning, there is still no substantial evidence to suggest the Basin Fire was lightning caused too.

As of Monday afternoon, the Basin Fire had burned 13,166 acres.

U.S. Forest Service officials say the fire is burning primarily in dry, dense grass within the Rough Fire scar from 2015. While officials have seen some growth along the northwest and eastern edges of the fire, they say the rate of growth is slowing.

According to fire officials, additional personnel and equipment continue to arrive daily to support firefighting operations on the Basin Fire, including:

Crews improving roads east of Sacate Ridge to gain access to the northwest corner of the fire, which will be the highest priority for aircraft support,

Structure protection crews who are working in the Balch Camp area to protect energy infrastructure, and bulldozers are continuing their work constructing a fuel break to the west and northwest of the fire,

Hotshot crews who will be inserted on the northern edge of the fire near Rodgers Ridge and will be supported by aircraft.

Firefighters are also aware of the expected warmer weather forecast between July 2 and July 6.

According to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office, evacuation orders are in place for zones K41 and K166.

There is an evacuation warning for Fresno County zones K61, K76, K29, K30, K31 and K40.

A live map from Fresno County showing the evacuation orders can be viewed below:

According to Cal OES, an evacuation warning means there is an impending danger to your life or property. An evacuation order means theres an immediate threat to your life and you need to leave right now.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
The Supreme Courts decision to sidestep key legal questions in its abortion decisions this term sets up another showdown as early as next year.

And the next wave of lawsuits around the procedure  including challenges targeting the ability of patients to cross state lines for abortions, the regulation of abortion pills, and minors ability to get an abortion without parental consent  is already moving toward the high court.

Even as President Joe Biden campaigns on a promise to protect and restore federal abortion rights and former President Donald Trump calls for leaving regulation of the procedure to states, it is the Supreme Court, as much or more than any elected official, that will shape access across the country in the years to come.

It was ridiculous when the court said two years ago that overruling Roe was going to get the court out of the business of abortion, said Leah Litman, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Law. There's an entire new frontier of abortion litigation that's going to make its way to the court no matter what happens in the election. This just isn't going anywhere.

While the court did not address the merits of either abortion case it heard this term  punting on abortion pills and the right to an emergency abortion  some justices offered clues to how they would approach future litigation. Multiple members of the courts conservative supermajority, for instance, appeared open to the argument that the 14th Amendment confers legal personhood to fetuses  a holding conservatives believe could create a national ban on abortion at any stage of pregnancy.

The court also invited new lawsuits with its Friday decision overturning the Chevron doctrine  stripping leeway federal agencies had to interpret and implement legislation and putting it in the hands of judges  and Mondays ruling lifting the statute of limitations on challenging older government rules. This could create an open season on whatever future abortion policies the next president attempts to enact as well as rules already on the books  from FDA regulation of abortion pills to the availability of abortions at VA clinics to the recent expansion of HIPAA to protect abortion data.

For somebody who doesn't like regulations that the current administration has put forward, the world is their oyster, said Andrew Twinamatsiko, director of the Health Policy and the Law Initiative at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute. Even regulations that have been there for decades could be opened up to new challenges.

He added that while the decision technically cuts both ways  allowing challenges to rules adopted by either Republican and Democratic administrations  it is likely to benefit conservatives.

If you have a judiciary that has been fundamentally reconfigured by the Trump-McConnell Twin Towers, including a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, they'll be the ones to ultimately decide policy choices masquerading as legal questions, he predicted.

The flow of patients and pills

Many cases in the judicial pipeline target the most common ways patients circumvent state abortion bans: traveling across state lines and ordering pills from another state or country.

The Supreme Court this month did not end the challenge to the recent FDA policies that made abortion pills available by telemedicine and mail delivery. It merely kicked the case back to the same district court judge who previously ruled to ban the drugs nationwide. And while the justices said the anti-abortion doctors who brought the suit lack standing, Republican officials from Idaho, Kansas and Missouri are trying to take their place.

Litman said the states standing in the case  which hinges on claims that theyve suffered economically from covering the cost of treating Medicaid patients who took abortion pills and required follow up care  is as squishy as the doctors who were turned away by the Supreme Court this term. But the Trump-appointed judges set to hear the case may still allow it to proceed.

Aside from those states not wanting people to get abortions, they don't really have a cognisable injury, she said. But because this is [Texas District Court judge Matthew] Kacsmaryk and the Fifth Circuit, I cant say its not going to happen.

There are also fresh concerns that the FDAs 2000 approval of mifepristone could be in the legal crosshairs  a challenge federal courts previously said was barred by the statute of limitations.

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that people can bring cases against federal rules that have been on the books for many years. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned in her dissent that the ruling could revive efforts to overturn the FDAs quarter-century-old approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.

Other cases moving through federal courts could either restrict or expand access to abortion pills in the years to come.

Federal cases in North Carolina and West Virginia are also testing whether states can impose restrictions on mifepristone that the FDA says are burdensome and medically unnecessary  from waiting periods and mandatory ultrasounds to outright bans.

The West Virginia case, brought by the abortion pill manufacturer GenBioPro, is at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina case may soon join it there. An additional long-dormant case in Hawaii seeking to lift the remaining restrictions on abortion pills may resume in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision to dodge the legality of restrictions on the drugs.

Mifepristone is going to be a battle to the death, said Molly Meegan, the chief legal officer for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Any possible legal challenge that can be made is going to be made.

Legal experts on both sides of the abortion fight also anticipate lawsuits testing the protective power of the so-called shield laws more than a dozen blue states have adopted, some of which allow their doctors to prescribe abortion pills via telemedicine to patients in states with bans without fear of prosecution. Anti-abortion activists and conservative officials are keen to challenge these laws as they become one of the predominant ways red state residents are able to terminate pregnancies.

A recent study by the Society of Family Planning found that in 2023, nearly 8,000 people every month in states with bans received pills via telehealth from clinicians in states with shield laws.

Whether and to what extent a pro-life state like Mississippi or Louisiana or Missouri can protect their citizens from these drugs being mailed in will depend on whether those abortionists can evade liability for their actions, said Steven Aden, the chief legal officer and general counsel at Americans United for Life. At some point, probably soon, the Supreme Court will have to decide whether a judgment obtained against an abortionist in Mississippi or another pro-life state can be enforced against that individual or against that organization in a state that has a shield law on its books, or whether that violates the federal constitution.

Other federal lawsuits in Alabama, Idaho and Texas, which may end up before the Supreme Court, focus on whether and to what extent anyone in states with bans  doctors, family members, friends  can help a patient travel to another state for an abortion.

Idahos case, currently at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, could determine whether doctors there can be criminally charged for referring people for abortions outside the state. A lower court ruling said the attorney generals threat to prosecute doctors for such referrals violates their First Amendment right to share information with patients.

The Alabama and Texas cases focus on threats from those state attorneys general to charge abortion funds and clinics in the state for aiding and abetting out-of-state abortions by offering patients resources and publicly available information.

We're seeing states trying to not only prevent people from getting abortion inside their states, but from leaving the state to get abortion care, said Jennifer Dalven, the director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. They know people have a right to travel so theyre instead saying: Nobody can help you. Nobody can give you the ride home. Nobody can help you pay for it. Nobody can watch your kids. All of those things actually prevent people from traveling to get care thats legal.

Anti-abortion leaders acknowledge these cases are challenging and say theyre more optimistic about restricting the rights of children and teenagers to cross state lines for abortions  and prosecuting those who help them do so.

Clearly, adults have a constitutional right to travel for whatever purpose, Aden said. But minors do not have a constitutional right to travel without their parents knowledge or consent.

Transgender care and parental consent

A case the Supreme Court has agreed to hear next term examines the constitutionality of Tennessees ban on certain forms of gender-affirming care for transgender minors, which doctors and the Biden administration say violates the patients right to equal protection without gender-based discrimination.

Anti-abortion leaders say the justices could use the case to determine whether minors can access a range of medical services without their parents knowledge or consent  from gender-affirming hormones to abortions.

We don't know what this Supreme Court would say about the potential conflict between the parents right to decide the medical care for their children and a minor child's desire to obtain an abortion, said Aden, adding that AUL may submit a brief to the court prompting them to make such a determination. It's a question I think the Supreme Court will have to clarify sooner or later.

Abortion-rights advocates are skeptical that the case could extend to abortion, noting that the Supreme Court did not accept a connected petition on whether the states ban violates minors due process rights, which more directly relates to abortion than the Equal Protection claim the justices will hear. Still, the ACLU and ACOG cautioned, the court has a record of reaching beyond the petitions it initially accepts  as it did in the case that overturned Roe in 2022.

I'm very worried given what happened in Dobbs, said Meegan. You may see exactly the same thing, where they say states can do what they want.

She added that Justice Brett Kavanaughs recent opinion in the mifepristone case includes clues to how he and other justices may rule in the future. He wrote in at least two different places that most questions belong in the political context and most of these issues should be decided at the state level, she said. He is setting up a clear judicial philosophy that allows much of these culture war issues to be decided at a state level and not subject to substantive due process protections.

EMTALA redux

The Supreme Courts decision to punt on whether states can restrict abortion access in medical emergencies raises the likelihood of another clash as early as next term, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador noted on a call with reporters last week.

The 9th Circuit is expected to hear arguments soon on whether Idahos ban, which only allows abortions in imminent life-threatening circumstances, violates the Reagan-era federal law, known as EMTALA, which requires hospitals to stabilize any patient that arrives in crisis. As the case plays out, a lower court ruling means Idaho hospitals must offer abortions in medical emergencies. The 5th Circuit, meanwhile, ruled to allow Texas to bar most abortions even in circumstances that the Biden administration argues infringe on EMTALA. A potential circuit split on the issue makes it highly likely that the Supreme Court will take another look.

Medical emergency exceptions are going to continue to be a huge focus in the next year in multiple suits across the country, Meegan said. The real question is: How far can a state go in limiting the choices of a person that's in danger based upon a pregnancy complication?
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic Maksat Mamytkanov, Azernews ?reports.

The ambassador presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state then had a conversation with the ambassador.

Ambassador Maksat Mamytkanov conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov to President Ilham Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the greetings and best wishes, asked the ambassador to convey his greetings to President Sadyr Japarov.

During the conversation, they hailed the development of relations at the level of strategic partnership.

Noting that bilateral relations between the two countries have significantly developed and reached a qualitatively new stage in recent years, the President of Azerbaijan highlighted the importance of reciprocal visits at the level of heads of state. President Ilham Aliyev underlined that traditional brotherly and friendly ties between the two countries have strengthened.

President Ilham Aliyev commended the fact that important projects have been implemented between the two countries in trade, economy, investment, transport and other fields.

The head of state once again expressed his gratitude to the Kyrgyz President and people for the school construction project in Aghdam district and the support to the construction process, describing it as a manifestation of fraternal relations.

Noting that there are great plans ahead for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, President Ilham Aliyev expressed his confidence that relations would continue to strengthen.

The head of state noted the mutual desire of the leadership of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan to expand economic cooperation and realize existing potential between the two fraternal countries.

Touching upon the cooperation between the two countries within the Organization of Turkic States, President Ilham Aliyev described this organization as a family.

During the conversation, they highlighted the significance of the first informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, to be held in the city of Shusha and the dialogue and discussions to be conducted by the heads of state at this event.

The President of Azerbaijan wished the ambassador success in his endeavors.

Expressing his gratitude for the kind words, Maksat Mamytkanov emphasized his confidence in the continued strengthening of bilateral relations. He mentioned that the President of Kyrgyzstan had tasked him with expanding the relations and assured that he would spare no effort in this direction.

The ambassador noted the high level of interaction between the countries, stating that Azerbaijan's substantial investments in Kyrgyzstan significantly contribute to the country's economic development.

Maksat Mamytkanov stressed the great potential for further strengthening the cooperation, adding that the relationship and efforts between the heads of state have laid the foundation for the successful development of bilateral ties.

Touching upon the significance of the state visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan this April, the ambassador highlighted that the visit was very successful and yielded positive results. He noted the importance of the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan Development Fund and its contribution to the development of cooperation between the two countries.

Maksat Mamytkanov mentioned that the construction of a five-star hotel by Azerbaijan on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan would play a significant role in the development of the country's resort sector.

The diplomat expressed his gratitude for the respect shown by Azerbaijan for the heritage and memory of the prominent Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, recalling with satisfaction the unveiling of a monument to the distinguished writer in Baku during the state visit of Sadyr Zhaparov to Azerbaijan, with the participation of the presidents of both countries.

The President of Azerbaijan noted that Chingiz Aitmatov is a son of the entire Turkic civilization and enjoys great fame worldwide.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on joint initiative opportunities between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan within the framework of COP29.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Traditional leaders in Chirumanhzu, Midlands province, have raised concerns with Local Government minister Daniel Garwe, accusing the Midlands Provincial Chiefs' Council (PCC) of unfair practices in selecting a new chief. This dispute arises following the death of Chief Chirumhanzu in 2019 and the subsequent appointment of an acting chief, Gerald Mudzengi.In a letter dated June 6, 2024, the traditional leaders detailed their grievances, alleging that the PCC's selection process was biased and favored a family not traditionally entitled to the chieftainship. They argued that historical injustices and a lack of equal representation during consultations skewed the outcome in favor of the Simba sub-house, disadvantaging the Nherera and Mutizirapi houses, which are historically legitimate claimants.The leaders emphasized the need for Minister Garwe's intervention to rectify what they perceive as an unjust process and restore fairness in the Chirumhanzu chieftainship selection. They cited the importance of respecting the family tree and historical succession patterns in appointing a substantive chief, highlighting discrepancies in the PCC's rotational system and representation during consultations.The dispute has drawn attention due to alleged political interference, with accusations involving Tourism minister Barbara Rwodzi and local officials influencing the process to favor specific candidates, including Tawanda Chipangura. Both Rwodzi and Fortunate Chimedza, Chirumhanzu district development committee coordinator, denied these allegations when approached by media.The outcome of this conflict will likely impact the future leadership and unity among Chirumhanzu people, with stakeholders advocating for transparency and adherence to traditional succession practices in selecting the next Chief Chirumhanzu.
Beginning July 1, Georgia drivers caught in illegal street racing will face serious penalties

Beginning July 1, Georgia drivers caught in illegal street racing will face serious penalties

Starting Monday, drivers in Georgia caught in illegal street racing will face some serious penalties.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

This comes after several drag racing crashes and deaths in metro Atlanta. Bryan Mims with Action News Jaxs sister station WSB-TV learned that under this new law, you dont have to be a driver to be arrested.

Its called Senate Bill 10.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

It goes after not only the drivers but people promoting the races on social media and even those using their own cars to block roads for the street races.

This law comes after a Troup County street race ended in tragedy.

Investigators say in March, a street racer lost control and crashed into an SUV with spectators inside on Antioch Road in Troup County.

Read: Tropical Storm Chris forms in the Gulf of Mexico

The driver of the racing car died along with spectator Cory Maddox.

Democratic State Sen. Emanuel Jones points to tragedies such as Maddoxs death for introducing Senate Bill 10, which cracks down harder on illegal street racing.

CLICK HERE to read the full story by WSB-TV.

Read: JSO: Man shot in front of home during drive-by shooting in Mixon Town, suspects unknown

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Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Whos behind the Arkansas Advocate and how long will it be be around

Side view of Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

As the mid-point of 2024 passes, this seems a good time to address the big questions I frequently get asked.

Folks I encounter as I attend meetings and events around Arkansas want to know where we get our funding and is it sustainable. Those are fair questions given the turmoil in the news ecosystem, what with layoffs, newspapers closing and online news startups shutting down.

Even as the news industry faces an uncertain future, the Arkansas Advocate is fortunate to be part of States Newsroom. The North Carolina-based nonprofit has obtained sustainable, recurring funding to start up newsrooms like ours in 39 states. With online news partners in 11 other states, we can truly say we have a presence in all 50 states.

Like all States Newsroom affiliates, the Advocate focuses on covering state government and public policies, informing Arkansans daily about issues of importance and matters of interest.

States Newsrooms support will ensure were around for years to come.

But your buy-in is critical if we want to continue to grow.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST

One of my goals since starting the Advocate in 2022 has been to add another reporter to our core staff so we can share even more news and commentary to enhance the conversations you have with family, friends and your elected officials.

Over nearly two years, Arkansans have shown a deep appreciation for our work. Numerous small weekly and daily newspapers have republished the Advocates stories and many of you have quoted us and directed others to our stories on social media.

Our content will always be free to read. We dont hide our best stuff behind a paywall. You wont find any advertisements or annoying pop-ups.

So, if youve liked our coverage of Arkansas first female governor, the regular and special legislative sessions and the changes in public education, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us grow. No donation is too small.

And if you cant donate now, please keep reading us and sharing us with your friends and neighbors.

Thank you reading the Arkansas Advocate.

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As President Joe Biden's campaign scrambles to calm nerves about the presidents disastrous debate performance, Democrats on Capitol Hill are growing increasingly furious at those around him and increasingly despondent about his prospects for re-election  and their own chances of winning House and Senate majorities.

Conversations about a strategy shift are already underway, with some Democratic lawmakers and many deep-pocketed donors plotting how, should Biden continue in the race, to ensure a congressional check on a second Donald Trump term.

The way Im talking to my donors is: The House is the last firewall, folks. We have to flip the House, one frontline House Democrat told Playbook last night. Ninety-nine percent of the people I talked to can't get their credit card out fast enough.

Those private discussions could eventually morph into an explicit campaign to place a Democratic check on an expected Trump presidency  much as congressional Republicans did back in 1996, when Bob Dole was on his way to a thumping.

Democrats arent there yet. Top party leaders, were told, are prepared to continue stumping for Biden as the partys best choice for November, as they did on yesterdays Sunday show circuit. Part of it is a collective action problem  no one wants to be first, and potentially the last  and part of it is that many believe that speaking out might only make Biden dig in further.

But make no mistake: The despair and frustration are real, and it is pushing upward inside the party. It has been felt acutely by frontline members  the swing-district Democrats who would be the cornerstone of any majority. Donors blew up their phones over the weekend, with some prodding them to go public with a group letter calling for a new candidate, an idea that some discussed over the weekend.

The leadership of the party should be going to the White House and knocking down the doors and saying, Times up, an adviser to top Democratic donors said. Anybody trying to prolong the inevitable here is just basically putting us on a giant fucking death march towards the end.

That sense of anger is palpable among rank-and-file congressional Democrats, many of whom blame Biden and his family for hiding the reality of his condition. The House Democrat lamented defending the president on the campaign trail despite getting political advice to run away from him, only to find out how bad things were on Thursday.

It's just his egotism and his family's enabling, the person said. Jill [Biden] of all people  she sees him every single day. She's the one person who could end this train wreck.  This should have been a one-term president.

Many senior Democrats havent given up hope that Biden will change his mind should new polling reveal mass internal bleeding. They are prepared to argue that rather than disgracing his legacy, a graceful exit would be among his greatest, most selfless acts to save democracy.

There is an enormous amount of affection and deference to the president  but nobody thinks this is sustainable, one senior Democratic aide told Playbook.

Republicans, meanwhile, are readying to paint Democrats as enablers of a feeble president.

Over the weekend, the NRSC teased a new strategy of making Democrats eat their own words in downplaying concerns about Bidens fitness for office. In Pennsylvania, Republican David McCormick went live with a new ad that ping-ponged from incumbent Sen. Bob Casey expressing confidence in Bidens leadership with the presidents halting debate performance.

Casey knew about Bidens condition, the words on the screen read.

The NRCC has compiled a similar dossier and is planning to weaponize the silence of vulnerable House Democrats  capitalizing on Bidens political collapse to expand the map and grow the House Republican majority, according to a new memo obtained by Playbook.

House Democrats have stood by and enabled this crisis due to their own fecklessness and allegiance to their party over the people of this country, the memo continues.

DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton dismissed the GOP threat, arguing that House races have always been about the strength of our candidates, combined with the fact that Democrats deliver when in charge while extreme Republicans sow chaos. He also noted that Democrats outrun their GOP opponents.

Left unsaid: They also outrun Biden considerably, as well. But if recent history is any guide, that could easily change.

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President Joe Bidens re-election campaign has shifted into a full-court press against Donald Trump in response to the incumbents disastrous debate performance last week.

On a press call Monday, Biden campaign surrogates including former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, and deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks warned that American democracy would disappear in November if Democrats and concerned Americans did not rally behind the president. The call was organized in response to the Supreme Courts decision granting Trump and all US presidents limited immunity from prosecution for official acts. It also appears to be in response to newfound concerns from his own party that Biden isnt a strong enough candidate to win the presidential election.

Notably, the Biden campaign team only took questions from four journalists on the call, only one of whom was a White House beat reporter.

Instead, the surrogates leaned in to apocalyptic language and alarmed rhetoric that posited the Supreme Courts decision as giving Trump carte blanche to commit crimes.

Dunn, who recently mounted an unsuccessful run for a Maryland House seat as a Democrat, called Trump the single greatest threat to the United States of America in a generation and warned that voters cannot allow him anywhere near the Oval Office again.

New York Representative Daniel Goldman, a former federal prosecutor, attacked the high court as compromised and conflicted and accused it of having set back our democracy dramatically by allowing someone like Donald Trump to conspire with others while utilizing ostensibly official acts as president to conspire to overturn an election.

Rep Dan Goldman speaks at a press conference outside the US Capitol (AP)

To the extent that the Biden surrogates and campaign officials on the call addressed the matter of Bidens dismal performance at last weeks debate, they did so by dismissing concerns from reporters on the call that Biden himself is now largely incapable of arguing that Trump is a threat to democracy.

They declined to say whether Biden would personally speak out on the courts ruling and asked the media to take a reality check while insinuating that journalists did not understand the true depth of the threat Trump allegedly poses to American democracy.

Campaign officials spent the weekend largely asking the same of the campaigns donors, some of whom took the drastic step of inquiring about having their financial contributions refunded in the wake of the presidents appearance on the debate stage. At the event in Atlanta, Biden sounded hoarse and appeared at times to lose his train of thought entirely, leading his opponent to attack his mental faculties onstage.

Fulks, the deputy campaign manager for Bidens re-election effort, described himself as scared as s**t by the implications of the ruling, should Biden fail to win another term.

I think Americans are scared and should be scared of what Donald Trump will do, because he has been telling us for months. And so I can reassure you that when you do see President Biden out on the trail, he will be talking about the reasons why Americans should be scared of Donald Trump, as he has been for months, and this Supreme Court opinion today just amplified that, Fulks said.

He continued: "The Supreme Court just gave Trump a permission slip to assassinate and jail whoever he wants to gain power.

President Joe Biden listens as his opponent, Donald Trump, speaks during Thursdays presidential debate (REUTERS)

"The conservative justices on the court, three of whom are only there because Donald Trump just made it easier for him to pursue a path to a dictatorship, and there's no dispute over who Donald Trump is. He is a convicted felon who encourages violence, who wants to throw out the Constitution, who wants to be a dictator and wants to use his office for revenge or retribution, he added.

The president huddled with close family over the weekend at Camp David, where he was reportedly urged to stay in the race by those around him.
Top contributors to President Joe Bidens re-election bid are inquiring about having their campaign donations refunded after the 81-year-old chief executive delivered a meandering and tottering performance at his first 2024 election debate with Donald Trump last week.

During the 90-minute session at CNNs studios in Atlanta last week, Biden had trouble forming coherent answers to questions at times and on several occasions lost his train of thought. In doing so, he realized the worst fears of allies and supporters who have, until now, pushed back on allegations that the oldest man to ever serve as president is simply too old to serve another four-year term.

Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez told donors in a private campaign call over the weekend that over $33 million had been raised in the days since the debate, with hundreds of new applications from potential volunteers coming in as well.

According to NBC News, one participant on the donor call said many of those who dialed in are frightened in the wake of Bidens disappointing performance.

There were some tough comments from those on the call. Some were upset that they are just hearing campaign talking points, the participant said.

They added that some Biden donors have gone so far as to ask about getting their money back.

Over the weekend, calls for Biden to stand down have come from top newspapers and some prominent supporters of the 46th president.

But Chavez has advised donors that were Biden to step aside, only Vice President Kamala Harris could make use of the millions in the Biden-Harris campaign war chest, leaving it unclear how Democrats could move ahead with any ticket that doesnt include the sitting vice president.

Biden has been cloistered at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Thurmont, Maryland, since returning from a campaign and fundraising swing to North Carolina and New York in the immediate aftermath of the debate.

A White House source says the confab with relatives has been long-planned and included a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Annie Liebovitz.

Thus far, the Biden campaign has indicated that the president will stay in the race.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden warned Monday that a Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity from prosecution would make an unchecked Republican Donald Trump more emboldened to do whatever he wants if he regains the White House in Novembers election.

Biden, under intense pressure after his disastrous debate performance against Trump last week, urged Americans to think carefully about their election decision and signaled he had no intention of dropping out of the race.

Criticizing the decision by the courts conservative majority  which all but guarantees Trump will not face trial in Washington ahead of the November election over his actions during the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021  Biden said it now fell to the American people to do what the courts should have been willing to do but will not.

"The American people have to render judgment about Donald Trumps behavior.

Biden's efforts to reset his campaign following the debate, which spooked donors and stirred up major Democratic anxiety, has been looking a lot like his past attempts to keep the focus squarely on Trump's misdeeds and shortcomings. During his brief remarks Monday, he made no mention of last week's debate or his performance, and did not take questions, delivering an unusually political message from the White House.

I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the three-and-a-half years, but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law, Biden said.

Biden seemed relaxed and confident, striking a clear and crisp tone and looking tanned and rested  all of which was in stark contrast to his often halting performance during last weeks debate, when his face was notably pale. The president also had the benefit of a teleprompter for his remarks about the court, something he didnt have while facing off with Trump.

There have been private discussions in Biden's camp on what more the president could do to counteract what Americans saw during the debate, when he gave convoluted answers, trailed off at times, occasionally stared blankly and sounded raspy-voiced. The talks have included questions about whether Biden should be seen more in public through town-hall-style events or interviews and press conferences, which he has generally avoided during his time in office.

But most in his orbit are waiting on more substantial polling to come back in order to assess how bad the damage was before altering course in any substantial way. That's according to four Biden advisers who were not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Biden's team may not alter anything at all. Many think  or hope  the fraught moment will pass, particularly after Biden's family encouraged him to stay in the race and keep fighting during a huddle at Camp David on Sunday.

Campaign officials said Monday they had nothing to announce on new events. They said Biden would be campaigning as he has been, hitting battleground states as he has already been doing for months.

An ad released Monday was called I Know using clips from Biden's post-debate North Carolina rally, where he said, When you get knocked down, you get back up.

Quentin Fulks, Bidens principal deputy campaign manager, put the focus on Trump in a call with reporters, saying, When you do see President Biden out on the trail, he will be talking about the reasons why Americans should be scared of Donald Trump, as he has been for months.

Even before the debate, the age of the 81-year-old Democratic president had been a liability with voters, and the prime-time faceoff put the issue front-and-center before perhaps the largest audience he will have in the four months until Election Day. CNN, which held the debate, said more than 51 million people watched.

I think his age was baked in, to a large degree, and I know he can do better than he did on Thursday night. I expected to see better. Im not sure other voters did, said Jennifer Palmieri, a White House communications director during the Obama administration and a spokesperson for Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign.

She added that, tactically, the campaign has responded by promoting Bidens strong speech in North Carolina on Friday and by continuing to post strong fundraising numbers. Palmieri also said Biden might also want to sit for more interviews to continue to show that the debate was an anomaly.

Their focus needs to be on getting him in front of voters that matter the most, and more interviews should be part of that. Dont be like Trump in your own little universe, she said. For now, were early, but what theyre doing is working."

There's a sense that voters may now be watching Biden more closely for signs that show one way or another whether his debate debacle was a blip  whether he is, as he says, capable of doing the job.

Alan Kessler, a lawyer and member of the Biden campaigns national finance team, has spent days calming jittery donors, telling them what he says he has personally witnessed when he's seen the president  that he's lucid, strong as he's always been.

To the extent its necessary, Im reassuring people, Kessler said.

Biden expressed interest in doing at least one interview. At a Saturday fundraiser in East Hampton, New York, Biden said he had spoken with the broadcaster Howard Stern, who had interviewed him in April, where he answered open-ended questions mostly about his early years.

The president told the crowd he was ready for another sit-down with Stern, saying: I had a great time on his show. And Im actually going to take a chance in going back.

Meanwhile, senior Biden campaign officials, including Fulks, Jen OMalley Dillon and others, kept up damage control, holding a Monday evening call with roughly 500 members of the campaign's National Finance Committee and other donors, according to a person familiar with the private call who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss it.

They downplayed any potential fallout from the debate, blamed the media for concerns over his popularity and reiterated that Biden was fit to serve. But the call did little to quell concerns from many of the backers, the person said.

Campaign officials have said there was no discussion whatsoever of Biden exiting the race nor of any staff shakeups following the debate.

The window of opportunity for that is shrinking anyway. The Democratic National Committee has announced that it will use a virtual roll call to formally make him the nominee before the convention begins in Chicago on Aug. 19. But when that will happen and what it will look like is still unclear.

___

Associated Press Writers Josh Boak, Michael Rubinkam in Scranton, Pa., and Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa contributed to this report.
Joe Bidens family told him Sunday to fight on after his disastrous debate performance in a verdict delivered at a Camp David gathering for an Annie Leibovitz photoshoot.

The presidents wife, children and grandchildren were at the presidential retreat as a new poll showed three out of four voters do not believe the 81-year-old should seek a second term in the wake of Thursday nights mumbling, stumbling performance.

But instead of counseling the president to announce that he would not seek a second term, the Bidens blamed his staff for failing to prepare him to take on Donald Trump, The New York Times reported.

The strongest voice came from Hunter Biden, the newspaper reported. Hunter, who was convicted of a gun crime earlier this month and could face prison time when he is sentenced, wants the version of his father which he knowsscrappy and in command of the factsto be out in public, the Times reported.

At least one of his grandchildren was reported to have voiced interest in taking a more prominent role in his re-election campaign. Biden talks to his grandchildren as often as once a day but none have yet taken an active role in his campaign.

Joe Bidens Sister Valerie Must Tell Him to Go With Dignity: Dem Insiders

The spectacle of the Bidens being photographed by Leibovitz, the renowned Vanity Fair photographer, during an existential crisis for the presidency is unlikely to convince internal doubters that the family are taking it sufficiently seriously.

But it was the blame game at Camp David which may present the gravest difficulty for Biden, who has traditionally relied on a tight inner circle and who has never been known to have had a rift between it and his immediate family. His family was said to have pointed the finger at the power couple he relies on: personal attorney Bob Bauer and White House senior adviser Anita Dunn.

Bauer played Trump during days of debate preparation at Camp David, after writing a book which explained how he had done it for the 2020 debates. Dunn is a constant presence in the West Wing. But a rift between the couple and his family is a new element of drama which will cause fresh agita for the Democratic establishment.

Other concerns have been raised about Ron Klain, Bidens former White House chief of staff, who was also part of the debate prep and has been a long-term member of the inner circle.

U.S. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, granddaughters Natalie (R) and Finnegan (2nd R),step off Air Force One upon arrival at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland enroute Camp David on June 29, 2024. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The pressure on Biden to either quit or chart a radical new course to quell doubts about his competence was raised by a CBS News/YouGov poll published Sunday which showed 72 percent of people now say he does not have the mental and cognitive health to serve as president, up from 65 percent on June 9. The same 72 percent said Biden should not be running for president.

Consistently bad polling would likely force Democrats to act on the Biden candidacy but fundraising is a more immediate barometer, and one which could turn quickly. Biden had been in the Hamptons, New York, Saturday for a fundraising swing among the areas hyper-wealthy. While Page Six reported that most who were there had been happy with his performance, one source told The Daily Beast that some who had paid for tickets did not actually attend.

One of those who did attend, former Donald Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci, wrote on X that the president was reading from a teleprompter and had done well, but added, that is not going to be enough to prove to the American people that hes up for another 4 years. Scaramucci has publicly endorsed Biden and spoken out forcefully about the need for Trump to be kept out of the White House, making his intervention a significant expression of public doubt.

Why I Told Biden to Quit, by New Yorkers David Remnick: Breakthrough Moment

Those who are running down-ballot from Biden are also concerned about cash. One senior lawmaker told Axios Sunday, every single donorand Im only calling major donorsis furious and wants him to step aside.

Underlying the anxiety is concern that Bidens elderly appearance at the Thursday debate has been an issue known to those closest to him and carefully managed since the beginning of his presidency.

Axios reported Sunday that household butlers in the White House residence had been sent home early, cutting their exposure to the president in the evenings, while a former deputy director of White House photography used Instagram to describe apparent efforts to protect the president from scrutiny.

Chandler West had been the photography aide from January 2021 to May 2022 and told Axios, The debate was not the first bad day, and its not gonna be the last. He had used Instagram Stories after the debate to say that Biden should step aside.

I know many of these people and how the White House operates. They will say he has a cold or just experienced a bad night, but for weeks and months, in private, they have all said what we saw last nightJoe is not as strong as he was just a couple of years ago, West was reported to have written.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates hit back at West, suggesting to Axios that he was an example of individuals who would prefer to spend more time with the President.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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News / Local

by Staff reporter

Zambia has called upon Sadc and the AU to intervene following President Mnangagwa's controversial remarks accusing Zambia of destabilizing the region by collaborating with the United States on security matters. Mnangagwa's comments, made during a visit to Russia, strained relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia, prompting strong reactions from Zambia's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe. Haimbe condemned Mnangagwa's remarks as an unwarranted attack on Zambia's sovereignty, urging regional bodies to decisively address the issue to preserve unity and mutual respect in regional cooperation.Historically, Zimbabwe and Zambia enjoyed cordial relations, rooted in their shared history including support during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. Zambia has also advocated for lifting Western sanctions on Zimbabwean leaders, underscoring their historical and diplomatic ties. However, recent tensions escalated amid discussions over the establishment of a US Africa Command (Africom) office in Lusaka, which some Zambian MPs and citizens fear could exacerbate regional instability despite Africom's mission to strengthen security cooperation.Further complicating matters, Mnangagwa's dissatisfaction with Zambia's stance on Zimbabwe's 2023 elections intensified bilateral friction. Zambia, through its leadership in Sadc, rejected Mnangagwa's re-election citing electoral irregularities, prompting Mnangagwa to internationalize the dispute by involving Russia. This move was seen as leveraging geopolitical tensions between the US and Russia for political gain, raising concerns about Zimbabwe's broader regional diplomacy.In response, the US Embassy in Harare refuted Mnangagwa's claims, affirming substantial bilateral aid to Zimbabwe for health, humanitarian, and development purposes. Efforts to alleviate Zimbabwe's challenges, including food insecurity exacerbated by drought, underscored US commitment despite diplomatic strains. Analysts criticized Mnangagwa's diplomatic approach, noting its potential to strain Zimbabwe's upcoming chairmanship of Sadc and further destabilize regional relations already marred by electoral disputes and differing geopolitical alignments.
The News

Donald Trumps campaign team and key supporters were sitting at long tables inside a gymnasium on Georgia Techs campus, watching on a large monitor on one wall when Joe Biden began speaking, sounding frail and unwell.

And even in that Trump war room, there was an audible gasp, a person present said.

As the evening wore on, people in the room began to joke that maybe Democrats replace Biden on the ticket  a popular notion on the right, espoused most prominently by Vivek Ramaswamy, that had long been dismissed inside the campaign as a conspiracy theory. As Trump confidants watched Biden struggle in Atlanta, though, it remained an idea that nobody actually took seriously, a second person said.

But then the headlines began rolling out, and the mood in the room seemed to shift slightly. During the last commercial break, both people said, some of Trumps campaign team members went up to the front of the room to reiterate talking points for the surrogates ahead of descending on the spin room.

One of the key points, these people told Semafor, was that it is too late for Democrats to replace Biden. Democrats had picked him as their nominee  and the Trump campaign went out fighting to keep it that way.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum told reporters on the spin room floor that Democrats would have their challenges on trying to swap out. RNC committeeman David Bossie said it was too late to replace the president. Trump advisor Jason Miller spent the weekend making the same argument: That Joe Bidens definitely going to be the Democratic nominee, as he told Fox News MediaBuzz on Sunday.

One Trump aide pointed out that, in addition to Biden being the incumbent, even if something happened to him, the next person in line would be Vice President Kamala Harris, someone who theyre already also running against. How could they skip past the VP, who is also the first Black and first female VP? the person said.

A second Trump aide maintained that, despite the campaigns stance that theyll definitely face Biden come November, the team is prepared for all eventualities. What that means specifically, however, is unclear. (In a statement, Trump campaign spokeswoman Danielle Alverez told Semafor that the campaign is prepared for victory because Trump is the nominee, and offers a stark contrast to Biden.)

What is clear? Team Trump  even as they relish in the ongoing five-alarm fire surrounding Biden, and even as calls from Democrats for Biden to step aside reach a fever pitch  still dont seem to be embracing the theory.

Shelbys view

Trumps and Bidens campaigns  weirdly enough  have an overlapping take on the Democratic nomination, with both sides listing similar reasons for why they expect Biden to remain atop the ticket: It would invite a chaotic convention, and theres no consensus alternative who polls better than Biden.

But some of Trumps allies in the party dont seem to share the sentiment  including The Heritage Foundation, which has spent millions of dollars developing Project 2025 in the hopes of aiding Trump should he take office again.

In a memo dated June 21, and highlighted in a press call to reporters after Thursdays debate, the group explained how theyre preparing possible legal challenges should Democrats swap Biden out. They said their project, commissioned roughly four months ago, dives into the laws on substituting a presidential candidate across various states.

We are monitoring the calls from across the country for President Biden to step aside, either now or before the election, and have concluded that the process for substitution and withdrawal is very complicated, Mike Howell, executive director of The Heritage Foundations Oversight Project, told Fox News. We will remain vigilant that appropriate election integrity procedures are followed.

Nikki Haley, who liked to needle Democrats during her run by predicting a Harris presidency, is also publicly urging Trump to start planning now for a replacement nominee who might have a completely different set of strengths and weaknesses than Biden.

They are going to be smart about it: theyre going to bring somebody younger, theyre going to bring somebody vibrant, theyre going to bring somebody tested, she told The Wall Street Journal after the debate. This is a time for Republicans to prepare and get ready for whats to come because there is no way that there will be a surviving Democratic Party if they allow Joe Biden to continue to be the candidate.

Many Democrats still see Bidens position as fluid, though the New York Times reports his family is urging him to tough it out. It would be ironic if Trump, of all people, made a mistake by wrongly assuming that they held Biden in higher esteem. But as someone who faced his own late calls (for very different reasons) to drop out of a presidential race that he ended up winning, maybe Trump is one of the rare people who can understand why Biden would tell his Democratic critics to buzz off.

Regardless, its clear Thursdays debate is playing to Trumps advantage, and his team is happy to let that drama percolate. As one of the people present on debate night put it? Theyre trying to make it as painful as possible as this conversation plays out.

The View From THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN

For team Biden, the message has been clear and concise: Hes not dropping out. Theyve worked quickly to squash doubts and theories that the president plans to step aside. Those efforts have included a fundraising email showing that Biden performs the best against Trump when compared to Democratic alternatives, pushing out details on their record-setting grassroots fundraising, and an all-staff meeting in which Bidens deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks maintained that nothing fundamentally changed about this election last night.

Notable

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders admitted to Semafor that the debate went poorly for the president  but pushed back on calls for him to step down, our own Dave Weigel reported from Wisconsin.

Many within the White House were surprised by Joe Bidens performance on Thursday, in part because his closest aides have long shielded him from interacting too heavily with staffers, Axios reported on Sunday.
Biden and Trump touted what theyve done for HBCUs at CNNs debate. Heres what their records show

Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump boasted about their record of support for historically Black colleges and universities at CNNs presidential debate last week.

During the debate, Trump said he got (HBCUs) all funded. CNN determined that this claim was exaggerated.

Biden also touted his investments for HBCUs, saying any Black student is capable in college in doing what any White student can do.

Here is where both presidential candidates stand on their records with HBCUs.

Biden, Trump and HBCUs

During the debate, Biden appeared to misstate the amount of investment his administration has contributed to HBCUs, but CNN previously reported that his administration has invested more than $16 billion since fiscal year 2021.

CNN reported that in September the Biden administration also demanded governors in 16 states address a more than $12 billion funding disparity between land-grant HBCUs and their non-HBCU counterparts.

During the Trump administration, relationships with HBCUs were frayed at times and Trumps own views on funding the institutions were inconsistent. In 2017, the former president questioned the constitutional basis for federal funding for HBCUs, saying, according to NPR, that it benefits schools on the basis of race.

At the time, HBCUs and Black education groups applauded the administrations restoration of year-round Pell Grants, among other efforts.

In 2019, Trump signed the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening HBCUs as well as other minority-serving institutions by providing $255 million annually.

But organizations, including the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, pressed the administration to further bolster federal funding for HBCUs, some of which have faced dire financial straits.

Candidates must understand HBCU needs

Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president for public policy and government affairs at the UNCF, told CNN that HBCUs have struggled with underfunding since inception.

HBCUs also faced financial challenges at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to concerns about how some of the institutions would weather not only budget shortfalls but also reductions in enrollment.

Philanthropic giving to many of the HBCUs increased because of the racial reckoning of 2020, Murray said. That surge in donations, in addition to federal funding, he said, helped stabilize many HBCUs.

Prior to both the Trump and Biden administrations, HBCUs experienced steep declines in federal funding from 2003 to 2015, according to a report the UNCF released in 2022.

However, funding for HBCUs increased during both the Trump and Biden administrations and, Murray said, funding measures passed during the pandemic helped HBCUs tremendously.

Congress took the lead on putting the HBCU funding in those bills and passing them. The third COVID-19 bill, passed under President Biden, included as much funding for HBCUs as both of the first two Covid-19 bills under President Trump, he said.

Marybeth Gasman, executive director of the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions, said HBCUs are strong and resilient institutions.

They are that way because of Black people, Black leaders, Black alumni, Black students. They face obstacles but continue to persevere, Gasman told CNN.

However, leaders supporting HBCUs also insisted that theres still more work to be done.

When it comes to HBCUs and the presidency, Murray said, the book has yet to be finished (on) who will offer the next chapters in terms of HBCU support. Thats whats on the ballot currently and we want to make sure that whoever wins this race understands what our needs are.

If reelected, Murray said, Biden and Trump can demonstrate their commitment to HBCUs by investing in both their infrastructure and the students.

And you have to do it at the same time. You cant do one and then the other because you cant have great buildings, but then students (can) not afford to come, he said, adding there should also be an increase in Pell Grants to help underserved students.

Proper facilities will attract strong faculty and they will attract world-class students, which HBCUs already have, but it will attract even more students, Murray said.

In a report released by the Government Accountability Office in 2018, the agency found that the HBCUs surveyed said 46 percent of their building space, on average, needs repair or replacement.

Cleveland Gary, chief business development officer for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, an organization that supports HBCUs and predominately Black institutions, encouraged both candidates to create inclusive programs to benefit the next generation of HBCU students.

Thats putting a stake in the ground, putting your money where your mouth is, and that shows that you truly care about the lifeblood of this country because they are American citizens as well, he said.

CNNs Owen Dahlkamp and Justin Gamble contributed to this report.

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President Joe Biden waged an intense weekend battle to save his reelection bid following his disastrous debate performance but has been unable to dismiss existential questions about his candidacy that are more glaring than ever.

Biden is secluded with his family at Camp David following several events at which he tried to ease panic among Democratic voters, officials and donors after the debate multiplied concerns that hes too old to beat former President Donald Trump or to serve a second term. His weak and incoherent demeanor during Thursday nights event on CNN created an extraordinary twist in the campaign and left him facing calls to cede the stage to a younger candidate just over four months from Election Day.

Bidens allies spent the weekend lashing out at critics in the media calling for him to step aside and insisting that early data showed that Bidens calamitous showing had not altered the fundamental shape of the race. Democratic Party grandees, meanwhile, crowded onto Sunday talk shows to try to put the spotlight back on Trump.

Let us not make a judgment about a presidency on one debate, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union. Lets talk about what it means to people in their lives  the difference between Joe Biden and the former president is so clear. South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, a longtime Biden supporter, admitted to Bash that his friend had a bad debate but put the blame on Biden being overloaded with facts by staffers.

The presidents family, who would be critical in any decisions on the campaigns future, currently believes Biden should stay in the race and keep fighting as they await polling data while braced for some erosion of his position, CNNs MJ Lee and Jeff Zeleny reported Sunday. Still, that view could shift if there is a downward spiral, and the president were to be convinced that leaving the race would be the best decision.

One of the presidents confidants, Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, said on CNN This Morning on Monday that Bidens blank, open-mouthed stares during the debate reflected a president who is frankly thunderstruck by just how aggressively Donald Trump is lying about everything.

I think everyones entitled to have a bad night, Coons told Kasie Hunt, but added that Biden now needs to demonstrate more unscripted and off the record moments.

However, the Democratic damage control strategy of arguing that one bad night does not detract from Bidens past successes ignores the critical question with which many voters have wrestled for months: Is Biden simply too physically and cognitively diminished to serve another four years?

Republicans are doubling down on the issue. All of America saw it. And you know who else saw it? Our adversaries saw it. Putin saw it, Xi saw it, the Ayatollah saw it, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a potential Trump vice presidential pick said on NBCs Meet the Press, referring to the leaders of Russia, China and Iran.

Top Democrats publicly back Biden

Theres so far no sign that the 81-year-old president is contemplating abandoning his campaign to make way for a hurried attempt by the party to find another candidate.

Joe Biden is not going to take himself out of this race, nor should he, Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said on CBS Face the Nation.

Since Biden is the presumptive nominee after dominating Democratic primaries, theres no realistic way for the party to move on unless the president decides its time. Some party leaders fear a new nominating contest at this point would run the risk of setting off an internal civil war that could effectively hand Trump the presidency. Biden has meanwhile repeatedly insisted hes fit to serve. And any rising-star Democrat who did step up would be accused of betrayal by many in the party and would risk their own future careers.

The president said at a fundraising event in New Jersey on Saturday night that he understood the concern, admitting he didnt have a great night in Atlanta and walks more slowly and talks less smoothly than he used to. But he vowed to fight on.

For now, Bidens team appears to have staved off the immediate danger to his campaign. His fundraising is still robust with more than $33 million raised in the days following the debate, according to his team. The heavy hitters willing to go on TV to defend him showed hes not yet lost his party  even if theres a full-grade meltdown going on behind the scenes.

But any set of bad polls showing an already-tough reelection bid was seriously damaged by the debate could trigger panic again. And no modern president or presumptive nominee has faced anything comparable to the calls from usually-friendly media commentators who are now urging Biden to announce he wont accept the Democratic nomination in Chicago in August.

CNN reported on Saturday that Democratic donors are split over whether to stick with Biden or to seek another nominee, however complicated that might be. Any sign that the president could also take down Democratic hopes of holding the Senate and winning back the House could bolster the case of those wanting change, especially after a week in which the Supreme Court has demonstrated just how fundamentally unchecked conservative rule can reshape the nation.

The top bench is due to rule Monday on Trumps claim that he enjoyed immunity for actions as president  in a case that points to his belief that he will have almost unlimited powers if he wins a second term. Biden has put claims that Trump would destroy democracy at the center of his reelection bid, but his debate debacle is only raising fresh questions about whether the threat is so grave that Democrats should turn to a safer bet.

One hint of a movement against Biden

While top party figures are publicly standing with Biden  to do anything else would be seen as treachery  many Democrats were deeply shaken by Thursday nights debate. Many people in the party spent the weekend bemoaning the situation privately, several sources said, and are now viewing Novembers election with dread.

Only one senior figure, however, has as much as hinted at movement against Biden behind the scenes. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin told MSNBC the party was having a very serious conversation about what to do. Raskin added: Regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified, and our party also needs him at the very center of our deliberations in our campaign.

Raskin continued, Whether (Biden) is a candidate or someone else is the candidate, he is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention.

Bidens campaign sent out a stream of memos, fundraising appeals and statements over the weekend, insisting he would not quit. Joe Biden is going to be the Democratic nominee, period. End of story, the campaign wrote to supporters in one email. Voters voted. He won overwhelmingly. And if he were to drop out, it would lead to weeks of chaos, internal food fighting, and a bunch of candidates who limp into a brutal floor fight at the convention, all while Donald Trump has time to speak to American voters uncontested.

Yet Bidens performance was so poor on Thursday night that he allowed Trump plenty of time to speak to voters uncontested, as the ex-president got away with a torrent of lies. Often, Biden missed chances to hammer Trump on key Democratic issues such as abortion, and turned the focus back to his own vulnerabilities, such as immigration.

The ferocious counterattack by Bidens campaign, however, is not answering fundamental questions posed in the aftermath of a debate that shattered confidence in Bidens capacity to beat Trump for many of his fellow Democrats.

The president was under extreme pressure heading into the showdown because polls have long shown majorities of voters believe he is too old to serve a second term that would end when he is 86. Biden has noticeably become more fragile in recent years and appears a much-changed figure even from when he took office in 2021.

But instead of putting such fears to rest, he exacerbated them at a pivotal moment in the campaign with over 50 million viewers watching. And while Biden bounced back with a strong performance at a scripted campaign event in North Carolina on Friday, it will be impossible to erase the painful picture of a president falling prey to the ravages of time in his televised clash with Trump. Voters saw Bidens reduced and poignant state with their own eyes.

New poll shows growing concern over Bidens age

Bidens campaign has long denied that the presidents age is disqualifying, even though its one of the first issues voters raise outside of the Washington political bubble. Efforts to shield Biden from public scrutiny now risk coming across as an attempt to hide his true condition from the public. The debate has shattered the credibility of frequent attempts by those around Biden to argue that while hes often shaky in public, behind closed doors he is a dynamic force who runs intellectual rings around young aides.

Biden campaign manager Jennifer OMalley Dillon even blamed any poor forthcoming polls on the media and not the president. If we do see changes in polling in the coming weeks, it will not be the first time that overblown media narratives have driven temporary dips in the polls, she wrote, referring to former President Barack Obamas numbers after he lost his first debate to Utah Sen. Mitt Romney in 2012. The comparison is inexact, however. Obama did perform very poorly and pitched his campaign into crisis. But there was never any question that he was not physically or mentally fit to serve another four years as president.

A new CBS/YouGov poll conducted after the debate found that 72% of registered voters now believe that Biden does not have the mental and cognitive health to serve as president. Thats seven points higher than weeks before the debate. Only 28% of voters said Biden should be running for president. Some 46% of Democratic registered voters thought he should not be.

On the one hand, these are devastating figures for a president who has seen erosion in key aspects of his coalition  among young, progressive and minority voters especially and has an increasingly narrow path through battleground states. But if theres one silver lining for Biden, its that voters have long thought hes too old to run and hes been closely matched with Trump in national polls, raising the possibility that the twice impeached convicted felon alienates so many voters that the president may still be seen as a better choice by many.

Bidens deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty raised this point in a pep talk email to Biden supporters, noting that people were reminded of what they hate about Donald Trump: that hes unhinged, out for revenge, and in it for himself.

Flaherty also took remarkable swipes at the bed wetting brigade of Democrats calling on Biden to drop out and suggested voters didnt care about cable news analysis or self-important Podcasters, an apparent reference to former Obama aides on the Pod Save America podcast who were withering in their criticism.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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First, there was the panic: Joe Biden, especially in the first half of last weeks debate, looked and sounded as old as an AI-generated deep fake of the president made be a 20-year-old groyper. Exercising none of the party discipline seen in the GOP  where it would be political suicide to describe a liar convicted of dozens of felonies as anything but an honorable statesman  Democrats indulged their anxiety, often in public, fretting about whether the leader of their party ought to be swapped out for someone (anyone) who is not 81 years old.

Then Biden reappeared at a rally the next day, looking and sounding like the man who previously allayed concerns about all the time hes spent on this earth with a strong and dynamic performance during his State of the Union address. Hes still got it, some top Democrats said, pouring cold water on fever dreams of a brokered convention and a President Gretchen Whitmer.

The other night, I saw Joe Biden reppin' for words and phrases, and even numbers that he was loaded up with, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., told CNN on Sunday, blaming Bidens lackluster performance on his aides and too much preparation. The next day, he gets to North Carolina, hes freewheeling, and he captivated the audience, Clyburn noted, arguing that it spoke to the need for Democrats to stay the course.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, D-Fla., likewise urged the Democratic faithful to move on from a bad 90 minutes and focus more on getting out than vote than clutching at pearls.

"I have never known a more resilient human being than Joe Biden," the Florida lawmaker said on MSNBC. "If there is anyone who can turn Thursday night and the aftermath of that into a motivating force going forward, to be able to rally the troops and make sure that he can be focused and make sure that we can turn our voters out, it is Joe Biden."

But these are Democrats, rightly fearful of what returning Donald Trump to the White House could mean for democracy around the globe, and Biden does not enjoy a cult of personality like his rival. That is to say: the anxiety continues over whether the incumbent president still has what it takes to again defeat someone many liberals view as the standard-bearer of American fascism.

This is what a real political party looks like and this is what a real political party does, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told MSNBC as a way of explaining why people at every level are having a serious conversation about what to do.

Obviously there was a big problem with Joe Bidens debate performance, Raskin said, and there is also just a tremendous reservoir of affection and love for Joe Biden in our party, so this makes it a difficult situation for everybody.

What Raskin did next is likely to have more impact, in terms of getting the president to consider the once unthinkable, than The New York Times editorial board, whose call for Biden to step aside 24 hours after the debate appeared only to rally rank-and-file Democrats to their leaders side: The Maryland lawmaker explained the stakes this November and how Biden can still cement his legacy even if he decides now is the time to pass the baton.

Whether hes the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention, Raskin said. He will be the figure that we rally around to move forward and beat the forces of authoritarianism and reaction in the country.

Over the weekend, Biden campaign officials made the case that the president is still the best man to bury MAGA, sharing polls that suggest the debate  while still a fiasco, one mitigated only by the other guys unhinged and incoherent performance  was not a four-alarm emergency, Biden still neck-and-neck with the only former president to ever incite an insurrection after losing an election, be convicted of felonies and found liable for rape.

But those polls also show that a large majority of voters do not believe that Biden has the physical or mental fitness to complete another four-year term in office. And while many also doubt Trumps fitness, the numbers are not particularly close, which risks making the November election a referendum on the presidents age and not Trumps criminality and desire, per Truth Social, to see his political opponents subjected to televised military tribunals and ultimately executed.

The polls, always to be taken with some grains of salt, also suggest Vice President Kamala Harris would do just as well in a head-to-head with Trump, as would a host of other, less realistic alternatives, undercutting the case for Biden or bust. Axios also reported over the weekend that the Biden people saw on the debate stage is not an unfamiliar sight to those who work with him every day; several aides said that while the president is dependably engaged every day, particularly when the sun is up, he is more likely to have verbal miscues and become fatigued when the day draws to a close.

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A president getting tired at night is not a national emergency, but it is a major political problem. Biden will not be getting any younger between now and Sept. 10, when the next debate is slated to take place. While the Biden clan, which met Sunday, reportedly believes the problem with the last performance can be addressed  by firing some of the presidents advisers, per Politico, citing sources briefed on the family conversations  the damage is arguably done: People already saw a version of the president who will at the very least pop up again in Republican attack ads (and they are unlikely to attribute it to Biden preparing too hard).

Where things go from here depends largely on polls and dollars. If Bidens numbers plummet in the coming days, speculation about how could take over the Democratic ticket will turn into actual planning. Some of the partys most important financial backers are already bringing up the possibility, having dialed in to what NBC News described as a tense call over the weekend with Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez.

But as Rodriguez explained on the call, its not that there is no alternative to Biden, its just that, realistically, there is only one  and its not a generic Midwestern governor, but Vice President Kamala Harris, who is likely the only Democrat who could inherit the Biden-Harris war chest, worth in the area of $100 million, and take over as the standard bearer without fracturing the party.

It is possible that Bidens debate performance will have as much an impact on the polls as past debates have had, historically, which is to say: just about none at all. Sitting down for some hard interviews  showing that Debate Biden was the aberration and that State of the Union Biden is still there  could also steady the ship and reassure those in the party who are currently freaking out and openly lusting after other boats.

But its also more likely that the conversation about Bidens age and acuity continues through August, when Democrats formally pick a nominee at their convention in Chicago. Biden will be the keynote speaker, but he may well be using that prime-time address to talk up his successor.
The thought of one-room schoolhouses evokes dirt floors, dusty chalkboards, and Little House on the Prairie. But Wyoming, Americas least populated state, still has 18 schools with three rooms or less.

Small schoolhouses and rural education in the Cowboy State are rooted in Wyomings constitution, which guarantees a right to an education and outlines the states funding model. Students across the state are legally entitled to equitable access to resources, regardless of geographic location.

Not every state has a constitution that even talks about education, said Barbara Hickman, assistant professor at the University of Wyomings College of Education. To have it in the constitution that there is a requirement from the people of Wyoming to appropriately fund our public education system, that matters.

More: Home on the range: inside buffalo restoration on the Wind River Indian Reservation

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The block grant funding model sets benchmarks for funding across the state. Counties that generate enough revenue to fund their schools independently are designated as recapture counties and feed their excess dollars back to the state.

The majority of the states counties are entitlement counties, which means that they rely on state funds and counties with surpluses to help cover their educational costs. Funding levels are adjusted for the states smallest districts.

Fremont County School District #6 Superintendent Troy Zickefoose helps teach a child at the Crowheart Elementary School on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Fremont County, Wyoming

"I think that the model has been put together to try to be equitable and adequate across the state. So if youre a smaller district, you get quite a bit more money per student, incoming executive director for the Wyoming Association of School Administrators Boyd Brown said.

More: Some parts of rural America are changing fast. Can higher education keep up?

This reality plays out in schools such as Park Countys Valley Elementary, built in 1918. Nestled along the South Fork River and backdropped by the Absaroka mountains, the school has eight students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. Michelle Dean has taught at Valley for eight years.

Dean and other teachers in these schools face unusual challenges In addition to grizzly bear-proof fences and brutally long winters, teachers must manage curriculums across multiple grade levels and access points for learners across grade levels.

This springs project centered around vermicomposting (composting with earthworms) and challenged students to develop their own. Students based experiments around questions like Can worms jump? Do worms like music? and Can you train worms to do tricks?

I didnt want the students just working at their desk, at their own grade levels. So I was thinking of how to bring them together and create a community of learners, Dean said.

Dean noted the challenge of multi-curricular teaching but argued that it paid off in the level of individualized education students receive and said that the students can mentor and teach each other across grade levels.

The kids of Slack Elementary in Sheridan County, Wyoming hang out with their class dog

Students have more freedom to explore their interests, if they need more time to work on a concept, they have it, Dean said. My fifth graders are super supportive of my kindergarteners, and my kindergarteners just bloom with that.

Schools like Sheridan Countys Slack Elementary, built in 1937 and tucked into the base of the Big Horn mountains, often act as anchors in some of the states most rural areas. Many students hail from ranching families and get to school on the same roads their parents took. School events, such as Slacks beginning-of-year ice cream social and Valleys annual Christmas play, are gathering places for the surrounding communities.

The community that shows up. Its not just the kids that are here, its the community that shows upnot just from the kids that are here, but anyone who lives out here, Principal Ryan Fuhrman said.

The students of Valley Elementary School in Park County, Wyoming give a big hug to retiring principal Larry Gerber

Karin Unruh has taught at Sublette Countys Bondurant Elementary for over ten years and said that one of her favorite parts of the job is being embedded in the community. She firmly stands by the quality of the education offered in Wyomings smallest communities.

I think a lot of people dont understand that rural schools can still have access to really good resources and can provide a high level of education to the students. The students can still learn a lot, have their needs met, and actually get more individualized attention than in larger schools, Unruh said.

Once the students at Bondurant, Valley, Slack, and many other small schools in Wyoming are old enough to travel alone, they will have to brave multi-hour bus rides into the nearest town. To Unruh, investing in rural schools is an investment in the communities futures.

Recess at Crowheart Elementary School on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Fremont County, Wyoming

If there arent schools in the community, its harder to bring in new families, so having a school in a community really keeps the community alive, and keeps people involved in the community, Unruh said.

While these small schoolhouses may not be the cheapest way to educate students, Larry Gerber, principal of Valley School, says their existence is grounded in the needs of the students.

If youre a five-year-old, do you want to spend four hours on a school bus? Is that whats best for you? Especially for our little guys, to be able to be on a bus for fifteen minutes versus two hours, its a dramatic difference, said Gerber. The people I always talk to are always surprised that someone would pay that much money for eight kids. What I always retort is, what if one of those eight kids was yours?

Cy Neff reports on Wyoming politics for USA TODAY. You can reach him at cneff@usatoday.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CyNeffNews

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big land, small schools: How Wyoming still has one-room schools
The Camp Creek Landslide in Pound. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

This is Part 1 of a three-part series on efforts to develop on abandoned mine lands in Southwest Virginia. Parts 2 and 3 will be published in the coming days.

POUND  Southwest Virginias bucolic scenery is easy to see: steep slopes blanketed with trees; rolling farmland with grazing cattle; closely-clustered single-story homes and places of worship nestled at the feet of continuous mountain ranges.

What can be easy to overlook and hard to find, tucked away in the hollers of the 13 counties of the states coalfield region, are landslide issues that harm waterways and threaten residents.

Cities are important. A lot of people live there, but there are a lot of people in southwestern Virginia, said Sharon Buccino, principal deputy director of the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Weve left too many other people behind, something Buccino thinks her office is changing, especially when it comes to rural communities.

Record amounts of funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enabled OSMRE to find and diversify opportunities stemming from abandoned mine lands.

Called AMLs for short, abandoned mine lands are patches of earth dug up by previously existing mining operations that werent restored when the businesses left prior to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, which stopped that practice from continuing.

Virginia Energy, the states agency tasked with finding and cleaning up the AMLs, was supercharged in 2023 with about $23 million in funding over the next 15 years. Before that, the state had received about $3 million to $4 million annually for the efforts since 1981.

We think by the end of that 15-year period we will have knocked out about 70% of our (AMLs) inventory, said Tarah Kesterson, spokeswoman for the agency. Thats huge for us.

SMCRA

The regulations governing how mining companies dig into the earth for their product and treat the land after they are done come from the Surface Mining Control And Reclamation Act, or SMCRA, often pronounced phonetically smack-ra.

SMCRA requires mining systems to return the land to what is called the Approximate Original Contour  so that its similar to the surface shape prior to mining  and supports the drainage patterns.

Another, financial-based requirement places a tax on active coal mining that flows into the AML program and is then distributed to all the states in the U.S. that produce coal.

Theres always been somewhat of a tension between the western states and the eastern states about the distribution of that abandoned mine land money because the west more recently has had more coal production, so it gets taxed more money that gets generated for the program, explained Brad Kreps, Clinch Valley Program director for The Nature Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit working with the state on remediating mine land.

But the east is where a majority of the pre-mining laws exist because thats where all the mining was through most of the 20th Century.

In addition to needs for modern equipment that improves the productivity rate of mining, the stricter environmental and worker safety protections being put in place are said to have consolidated the industry.

In 1990, Virginia produced over 46.5 million tons of coal. The transition to renewable energy sources contributed to a decline in the demand for coal to produce electricity. In 2023, just over 10 million tons of coal were produced in the commonwealth, through a combination of surface and underground mining.

AML program

The state has an inventory of about 3,000 known abandoned mine lands within its borders. It takes careful searching, and receiving tips from community members who may stumble across a coal seam where coal is embedded in the earth, to find them.

Once theyre located, the state ranks the work to reclaim them by prioritizing those that benefit the human health and safety of a community  like removing a remaining highwall, or rockwall, from surface mining operation  and then considers environmental issues.

One environmental concern that has been researched with abandoned mine lands is the pooling of water, which in one instance collected at a former mine, called Clintwood JOD, that operated from 1973 to 1976 in the town of Pound, also called The LB.

Over time water pooled and eventually pushed through a bench, a flattened area at the edge of a surface mine that creates a cliff. The water caused a landslide of trees and dirt into a stream feeding into the Pound River.

The extra dirt there creates an increased flooding opportunity for that stream, and eventually the Pound River.

Some water will run off of the coal seam, said Virginia Energy Project Manager Jon Fleming. Itll all just kind of saturate. Everything gets real loose, like jello, and just drops. Our program goes in to correct all that.

In 2020, Virginia Energy began planning the work to collect the landslide dirt during the $4 million project, but needed approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency also had to complete a three-year review from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to put in precautions for moving the endangered Big Sandy crayfish out of the worksite area downstream.

The $1.6 million from BIL funding now supports about 15 jobs wherein workers will dig out one side of the road, relocate a water line to the other side of the road and build a bridge over the stream, which can only be in place in the month of July to avoid impacts to the crayfish.

An excavator will then move onto the other side to scoop up about 30,000 yards of dirt from the incline through the end of September.

Theyre going to dig, and then it will settle. Itll dig and then settle, said Virginia Energy AML Chief Engineer Holly White. As we start getting more of this material out and finding more of the natural ground they will start to place that [buttress] material in there to keep new material from sliding [down].

The incline will be stabilized by larger sandbags at the base of the hill during the project. The collected dirt will be dumped into trucks that will be relocated to another surface mine reclamation site down the road or onto a private property nearby, before the bridge is replaced next July. During that limited window, the excavator will be driven back over the stream and the roadway then returned.

Theyll have spotters the whole time, White said. Its going to have to be very well coordinated.

Other projects that recently received BIL funding include water quality improvement initiatives in Amonate in Tazewell County and Hurley in Buchanan County. A list of several other AML projects currently underway can be found on the Virginia Energy website.

The post Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aiding Virginia Energys abandoned mine cleanup appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Everyone wants to know what Black jobs are after Donald Trump suggested that theyre on the decline during the first 2024 presidential debate.

As the countdown to the 2024 presidential election is underway, Trump and current President Joe Biden are ramping up their approach to gain support from Black voters. During the debate, one key issue that Biden and Trump honed in on was the current state of the economy, particularly the job market, The Hill reports.

The fact is that his big kill on the Black people is the millions of people that hes allowed to come in through the border, Trump said during the debate on June 27. Theyre taking Black jobs now  and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people. Theyre taking Black jobs, and theyre taking Hispanic jobs, and you havent seen it yet, but youre gonna see something thats going to be the worst in our history.

Originally, CNN anchor and debate moderator Dana Bash had asked Biden what he has done for Black voters, especially since there has been growing public disdain from the Black community toward the White House concerning the economy.

Per The Hill, Biden spoke to the historically low unemployment rates that his administration has seen since taking office in 2021. According to the White House, from September 2022 to February 2024, the Black unemployment rate had remained at or below 6 percent. By April 2024, that percentage rate was at 5.6%.

Under Trumps leadership, from 2016 to 2020, the Black unemployment rate was roughly 8%. So what exactly is a Black job? Some social media users took the moment to get off jokes, while others expressed genuine concern about what lies ahead as the nation prepares to select its next leader.

Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison posed the question, What the h-ll is a Black job?! On the other hand, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) said she wishes that the moderators, CNN anchors Jake Trapper and Bash, would have asked for clarity around what Trump meant by the phrase Black jobs.

I still dont understand the black job comment, wrote Omar in a post shared on X. It would have been nice if there was a follow up to understand what he was trying to say.

Other organizations and leaders made light of Trumps comments, with BlackPAC, an organization on a mission to build Black political power, tweeting, Well, now that the debate is over. Time for us all to get ready for bed so we can be on time to our #BlackJobs tomorrow.
(Bloomberg) -- Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria started a joint mine-hunting force in the Black Sea on Monday to increase shipping safety, particularly for Ukrainian grain exports.

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The Istanbul-led initiative, the first major joint action of Black Sea nations since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, is aimed at defusing mines drifting into specific areas of the Black Sea as a result of the war.

Russia and Ukraine are key producers of grain, and the war has threatened the safe passage of shipments. Kyiv launched its own Black Sea export route last year after the collapse of a safe-corridor deal backed by Russia, Turkey and the United Nations. That has successfully boosted exports and helped the economy grow faster than forecast but the route remains risky.

Last year, a Russian missile strike near the key Ukrainian port of Odesa hit a commercial ship, killing a pilot and injuring others. A ship hired by agricultural giant Cargill Inc. was also damaged by an explosion while sailing from a Ukrainian port in the Black Sea in November.

Ukraine said in March that exports from its Black Sea ports had almost returned to pre-war volumes, after repeated attacks and disruptions since Russias full-scale invasion. Still, ports around Odesa face frequent strikes from Russia that continue to interrupt activity.

Ukraine has exported 37.4 million tons of agrarian products from Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi since the opening of the marine corridor in August 2023, the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said on its website last week.

Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria are all part of NATO. Yet their shipping force is being handled outside of NATO, in part to avoid escalating tensions with Russia.

--With assistance from Olesia Safronova.

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The United States chief diplomat defended President Joe Bidens standing on the world stage on Monday, saying that his shaky performance at last weeks debate does not erase three and a half years of diplomatic achievements and that the U.S. president is very much fit to lead.

The comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, one of Bidens closest aides, echoed a line that has been frequently used by Biden allies since Thursday night as they have sought to dismiss the presidents disastrous debate performance: It was just one bad night.

If you look at surveys around the world  for what theyre worth  you see again and again and again that confidence in American leadership has gone up dramatically over the last three and a half years, Blinken said. That doesnt just happen. Its the product of choices, its the product of policies that we pursue, its the product of our engagement.

They see President Biden having led the way in all of those different areas, he added.



Blinkens comments during a Brookings Institution event seemed aimed at foreign leaders who are concerned about Bidens ability to serve as a global leader for the next four years.

Blinken usually refrains from commenting on domestic U.S. politics, but the fallout from the debate became impossible for him to ignore, especially as it heightened anxieties among U.S. allies who worry about the return of Donald Trump.

While global flashpoints came up in the debate  from the war in Ukraine to the American withdrawal from Afghanistan  there was little actual discussion of policy. Trump only shrugged when asked about his commitment to NATO.

And in the hours and days following the debate, Western allies have joined American voters in mostly focusing their concern on Bidens poor showing on stage.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski appeared to draw a parallel between Bidens debate performance and the end of the Roman Empire in a cryptic post on X early Friday morning, hours after the debate.

Marcus Aurelius was a great emperor but he screwed up his succession by passing the baton to his feckless son Commodus, Sikorski wrote. Its important to manage ones ride into the sunset.

During the event, Blinken was asked about the future of the transatlantic alliance after Frances far-right National Rally earned a decisive victory in the first-round of voting of the countrys parliamentary election.

Marine Le Pen, who leads the far-right alliance, previously vowed to take France out of NATOs military wing if elected president, though her party has softened its stance on NATO in more recent years.

Without specifically discussing France, Blinken insisted that he was not worried about the future of the transatlantic alliance.

The alliance is moving to make sure that we have the right defenses across the alliance where theyre needed, Blinken said. This has been a clear trajectory for the last three and a half years. I don't actually see that changing, irrespective of the politics of the moment in Europe.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Opposition senator Sengezo Tshabangu has demanded answers from the Finance Ministry on why Treasury went ahead to disburse US$9 million towards the procurement of portable toilets and vests from a South African firm long after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had tried to source for them for use in the 2023 elections.Tshabangu, who is CCC Matabeleland North province senator, was speaking in the upper house this past week during the ministers' question time.ZimLive revealed recently that ZEC ordered 2,000 non-flushable toilets on the eve of the August 2023 elections at a cost of US$7.6 million.The toilets, priced at an astronomical US$3,800 per unit when they retail for about US$300 in South Africa, were only delivered in April this year  eight months after the election.In light of the revelations, Tshabangu took it to parliament to demand answers from the minister over the botched deal."My question is, why did the Ministry of Finance settle the full invoice amounting to over US$9 million which went through their Banker CBZ on the 7th September, 2023 for the procurement of portable toilets and translucent light boxes for V11 forms that were never delivered," he asked.Tshabangu was soon to be involved in a near stand-off with Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Lovemore Matuke who tried to shoot the question down saying the allegations were unsubstantiated."The allegations are not substantial," Matuke said."We cannot deal with information which is not substantiated. What the honourable Senator is saying has no proof."I thought we could research more on that because there is nothing like that which happened. It never came in the public domain, those are simply allegations."But Tshabangu stood his ground, insisting the claims were still worth investigating."We build cases on allegations. The nature of criminal code is that you build a case from an allegation. This is on the public domain and we are a Senate, we are talking about Chapter 12 of the Constitution."If it is an allegation, it is an allegation; they should come in this House and respond to these allegations that we pose to them because they are there in the public domain."We are talking about taxpayers' money which is about US$9 million. If it is an allegation, ZEC has to respond."The Ministry of Finance has to respond beyond any reasonable doubt that this is an allegation because it is there in the public domain," he said.Deputy Minister of Justice Robert Mazungunye requested for more time to research on the allegation."As far as I am concerned, I feel that question is a specific question which might require time to go back and research more on it and may be if we do our findings, then we can properly respond to that matter. At the moment, there are still allegations which are not substantiated as has been said already but we may need to go and verify," he said.
(Bloomberg) -- The sister of US Senator Bob Menendez testified at his corruption trial that their Cuban family long held cash, bolstering his argument that he kept currency in his house and that nearly $500,000 seized by FBI agents wasnt from illegal bribes.

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Caridad Gonzalez, 80, was the first defense witness called at the trial of the New Jersey Democrat, who is accused of taking bribes of cash, 13 gold bars and a Mercedes Benz from three businessmen seeking favors. She said her father hoarded cash before leaving Havana in 1951. Her brother, who was born in New York, continued the tradition, she said.

Defense lawyers seek to offer jurors an alternate explanation for why Menendez, 70, would have so much cash and gold when FBI agents raided the house he shared with his wife, Nadine, in June 2022. Nadine Menendezs sister also testified that her family had a long tradition of storing gold bars and jewelry at home in safes or at banks.

Gonzalez said she worked as a legal secretary in the early 1980s for Menendez when he asked her to go upstairs in his home and retrieve $500. He kept it in a boot-sized box in a closet of the bedroom of his daughter, Alicia, she said.

I counted $500 in $100 bills, she said. Asked if she had a reaction to Menendez having a stack of cash in the box, she said: No, it was normal. Its a Cuban thing.

Took Everything

She said that every Cuban family that emigrated in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s repeated the pattern because Cuba took everything away from you, seizing assets that people worked hard to amass.

Their father, who manufactured neckties and bow ties, hid cash in a false bottom of a grandfather clock, she said.

On cross-examination by prosecutor Lara Pomerantz, Gonzalez said she didnt know where her brother kept cash in the house that the FBI raided in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

After she testified, Gonzalez left the courtroom with the senators daughter, Alicia Menendez, now a television anchor at MSNBC who has often attended the trial.

Bob Menendez is on trial with businessmen Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, while his wife, Nadine, will be tried separately. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty and testified as a prosecution witness. Besides bribery, Menendez is accused of acting as an agent of Egypt and other charges.

Jurors also heard from Nadine Menendezs sister, Katia Tabourian, who said their parents kept gold in Beirut, where she was born. Tabourian said her sister continued to keep gold bars and jewelry before and after divorcing her first husband.

Bad Soap Opera

In 2018, Menendez began dating Nadine Arslanian, as she was then known. Her sister said they had broken up by Election Day in November 2018, when Menendez was reelected. Tabourian said her sister had been in an unhealthy relationship with a boyfriend she had before Menendez, and she wanted to reconcile with the senator. Tabourian messaged Menendez, who replied that he could not get over her sister being with the other man.

US District Judge Sidney Stein said jurors couldnt hear evidence suggesting the relationship had been abusive and led to Nadine Arslanians hospitalization.

Outside the jurys presence, Stein told Menendezs lawyers: Youre not only making it a soap opera, youre making it a bad soap opera. Domestic abuse is too hot a topic, and its tangential to the issues here.

Tabourian testified that by early 2019, her sister had reconciled with the senator. They were married in 2020.

The case is US v. Menendez, 23-cr-490, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

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Boeing given a week to admit fraud charges amid battle to contain safety crisis

Boeing has been given a week to admit fraud charges or face a public trial over two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max planes.

In a fresh blow to the crisis-hit aerospace giant, the US Department of Justice is said to have given the company until Friday to admit wrongdoing.

The company would have to pay a $244m (192m) criminal fine and accept a three-year probation period, CBS and Bloomberg reported.

But pleading guilty to a criminal charge could also have implications for the companys work with the US military, it is feared.

It came as Boeing and Airbus reached terms to divide up Spirit AeroSystems, the fuselage and wing supplier at the centre of its latest safety crisis.

The plea offer was made on Sunday and reopens a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement struck between American prosecutors and the company.

That previous agreement  which followed fatal crashes involving two 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people  also required Boeing to pay a $244m fine, to submit to monitoring and improve its safety processes.

But prosecutors have now accused Boeing of violating the deal amid a fresh safety scandal at the company, which was plunged into crisis again in January when one of its 737 Max 9 planes flown by Alaska Airlines suffered a mid-air blowout.

The incident, where a door plug blew out at 16,000 feet, has since been chalked up to botched paperwork and safety checks at Boeings factory near Seattle, prompting the company to pledge a series of changes.

However, the fresh plea bargain being offered to Boeing has angered families of people who died in the 737 Max crashes, with lawyers branding it a sweetheart deal.

Paul Cassell, an attorney representing the families, told Bloomberg: The deal will not acknowledge, in any way, that Boeings crime killed 346 people.

The families will strenuously object to this plea deal.

In an attempt to draw a line under the crisis, Boeing has agreed to pay $4.7bn for Spirit AeroSystems, which made the door plug that blew out of the 737 Max plane in January.

Airbus will acquire assets involved predominantly in the production of its own planes for a nominal sum of $1, while receiving $559m in compensation from Spirit.

Among those parts of Spirit bound for Airbus is the former Short Brothers plant in Northern Ireland responsible for making wings for the A220 jet.

Taking Spirit in house is a key plank of Boeings bid to eliminate manufacturing defects and improve quality control as it battles to address the safety crisis around the Max and restore the reputation of its best-selling model.

Spirit was spun off from Boeing in 2005 as part of a cost-cutting drive which many in the industry blame for a loss of oversight over the production process and ultimately for Januarys near-tragedy involving the door plug on an Alaska Airlines jet.

Passengers narrowly avoided being sucked out of the Alaska Airlines jet when the door blew out mid-flight - NTSB/Handout via Reuters

Boing boss Dave Calhoun said that the deal was in the best interests of the flying public, his companys airline customers, employees and the country more broadly.

He said: By reintegrating Spirit we can fully align our commercial production systems and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcome, centred on safety and quality.

The Alaska Airlines incident occurred after Spirit supplied a Max fuselage including a door plug with improperly fitting bolts to Boeings 737 factory in Seattle.

Boeing workers detected the issue but failed to raise the required paperwork when the plug was removed for repairs, allowing the plane to continued around the assembly line and ultimately to be delivered to Alaska Air with the plug pushed back in but not secured.

The 737 remained intact for more than 100 flights before the plug blew out at 16,000 feet after it departed Portland, Oregon, with passengers seatbelts saving them from being ripped from the plane.

Max production was initially halted before being restarted at a reduced level on the instructions of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Boeing sent inspectors to Spirit, alongside officials from the FAA, revealing more manufacturing glitches, and announced that it would launch a takeover of the Wichita, Kansas-based firm in order to take full control of production.

The acquisition will be an all-stock transaction, Boeing said, and values Spirit at $37.25 per share.

The deal avoids a feared break-up of Spirits Belfast operations, with Airbus taking over both the sites A220 wing and mid-fuselage production and non-Airbus work.

The European planemaker will acquire Spirits business in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, on the same terms, and is also taking over the suppliers A350 fuselage operations in North Carolina and Saint-Nazaire, France and A220 work in Morocco and Kansas.

Airbus said the agreement, expected to close next year, will guarantee the continued supply of components for its planes on a more sustainable financial basis.

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Embattled aircraft manufacturer Boeing is close to reaching a deal with the Department of Justice to plead guilty to criminal charges over two deadly 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.

The aerospace giant is accused of violating a 2021 settlement related to the two fatal crashes, which took place within five months of each other and killed a total of 346 people  first in Indonesia in October 2018 and then in Ethiopia in 2019.

The DOJ first brought charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States against Boeing in January 2021, alleging it misled the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) during its evaluation of the 737 MAX aircraft.

At the time, the company entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ, agreeing to pay fines of $243.7m, $1.77bn compensation to airline customers and $500m to the crash victims beneficiaries.

Boeing was also forced to disclose any allegations of fraud, cooperate with the government and avoid committing any felony offense. Under these conditions, the DOJ agreed to defer criminal prosecution for three years.

However, this May the DOJ said that Boeing  which is in turmoil over a string of safety scandals  had failed to live up to its obligations under the agreement.

Now, the DOJ is proposing a new deal that would see the company plead guilty to conspiracy charges but avoid criminal trial, attorneys for the families of the crash victims told ABC News.

Boeing is nearing a deal with the Department of Justice to plead guilty to criminal charges (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The company must also agree to the appointment of an external corporate monitor, pay a fine of about $200m and remain on probation for three years, the lawyers told ABC News. Under the deal, the company would also avoid going to trial.

The company would be absolutely brutalized in a highly public trial, Mark Lindquist, another attorney for crash victims families, told ABC News. Boeing has way too much dirty laundry to risk the bright spotlight of a trial.

Lindquist said Boeing has until July 7 to accept the deal. If Boeing rejects the terms, the DOJ can pursue criminal prosecution.

It is unclear if Boeing plans to accept the deal. The company previously disputed the DOJs findings that it had violated the 2021 agreement, saying that it had honored the terms of the 2021 settlement 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.

Families of the crash victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the DOJ deal, arguing that it contains no accountability and no admission that Boeings alleged conspiracy caused the deaths of 346 people. The victims families have been pushing the DOJ to take the company to trial and to impose fines upwards of $20bn.

I dont understand why theyre offering the plea deal. They dont need to, Nadia Milleron, mother of Samya Rose Stumo, 24, a Massachusetts native who died in the Boeing Max crash in Ethiopia in 2019, told ABC News.

They should just take them to trial.

The proposed deal comes one day after Boeing announced plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7bn in an all-stock transaction. Boeing previously owned Spirit and the aerospace company said bringing the supplier back into the Boeing fold would improve plane quality and safety.

A door plug fell off a Boeing 737-9 MAX, pictured, in January 2024. Following the incident, several whistleblowers came forward with safety concerns about the company (Getty Images)

Boeing continues to face increasing scrutiny from regulators, Congress and airlines after a door panel blew off a 737 MAX plane mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Several passengers on board were injured in the incident, which grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 9s and prompted investigations by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, into the aircraft manufacturer and Spirit AeroSystems, which made the door plug.

Reports released since have suggested the plane did not have the critical bolts it needed to keep the door plug in place when it left the factory.

Meanwhile, the company has been fighting a string of allegations from whistleblowers in recent months regarding the companys manufacturing process.

Boeing CEO David Calhoun appeared in front of a Senate hearing last month, where he was questioned about production inspection processes and whistleblower safety.

During the hearing, Calhoun 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 is buying Spirit Aero  which makes the door plug that flew off the Alaska Airlines flight  in a $4.7 billion deal

Boeing is buying Spirit Aero  which makes the door plug that flew off the Alaska Airlines flight  in a $4.7 billion deal

Boeing is buying back Spirit Aero, a manufacturer of parts for its 737 and 787 planes, per Reuters.

The $4.7 billion all-stock deal was announced early Monday morning.

The deal brings Spirit Aero back into Boeing's fold and should improve the production of its aircraft.

Boeing is buying back Spirit AeroSystems, a manufacturer of parts for its 737 and 787 planes, in a $4.7 billion all-stock deal, the companies said early Monday morning.

The deal follows months of negotiations between the two aerospace companies and is intended to help address Boeing's ongoing safety crisis, Reuters reported.

"By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our Safety and Quality Management Systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes  centered on safety and quality," Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in the release.

Boeing's stock has tumbled more than 27% this year following a series of manufacturing issues that have rippled through the aviation industry. In January, a door plug on a new 737 MAX 9 jet blew out mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines plane, prompting intense scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing process.

Subsequent safety reviews of United Airlines and Alaska Airline's fleets of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes found "many" loose bolts, Business Insider previously reported.

United, in a January statement to BI, said the loose bolts were related to the door plug  which was manufactured by Spirit Aero.

Spirit Aero was a Boeing subsidiary before it was spun off in 2005. The acquisition deal brings Spirit Aero back into Boeing's fold, and is meant to improve aircraft production, Reuters reported.

The deal spins off Spirit Aero's Europe-focused operations to Airbus, a Boeing competitor. Boeing would take over the rest of the company.

Representatives for Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Airbus did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BI sent outside standard business hours.

Amid the negotiations with Spirit Aero, Boeing is also in talks with the Justice Department about a plea deal to resolve the DOJ's plans to charge Boeing with fraud. The looming charges come after officials found Boeing violated a deferred prosecution agreement related to two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Future of UK factory in doubt after Boeing deal puts 2,400 jobs at risk

The future of a major British aerospace plant is in doubt with up to 2,400 jobs at risk following a carve-up of owner Spirit AeroSystems between Boeing and Airbus.

A chunk of Spirits operations at the facility in Belfast have been left without an owner, putting the long-term future of the entire factory in danger.

Boeing is to buy Kansas-based Spirit for $4.7bn (3.7bn) in order to gain control of a key supplier to its troubled 737 Max jet, while offloading operations that provide components for Airbus to its European rival.

This means Airbus will be taking control of a part of the Belfast factory that oversees wing and fuselage production for the Airbus A220 regional jet.

Boeing said an alternative buyer is being sought for the other parts of Spirits Belfast business that neither manufacturer is prepared to take on.

But if this deal falls through, it is feared the entire facility  the biggest manufacturer in Northern Ireland  will no longer be commercially viable.

Spirit is the biggest manufacturer in Northern Ireland - Spirit AeroSystems

George Brash, regional officer for the trade union Unite, said: This deal provides no clarity whatsoever about the future of the majority of employees at Spirit Belfast.

Our fear is that there will be a dismantling of the site and that jobs will be put at risk. Were talking about a huge number of jobs in the context of Northern Ireland.

The unwanted operations, which produce fuselage and tail sections for Bombardier business jets and housings for Rolls-Royce engines, account for 40pc of Spirits business but a majority of its 3,600-strong Belfast workforce, according to Unite.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson hit out at the plan as representing only a partial solution.

He said: My preference would be to see a single buyer for the entire site. That is the best way to secure all jobs and make the site sustainable.

The threat to the Belfast plant, once the headquarters of Short Brothers, the worlds first manufacturer of commercial aircraft, was followed by news that another Northern Irish business, Titanic shipbuilder Harland & Wolff, had halted trading in its shares.

The company, which has 500 staff in Belfast, was forced into the action after auditors declined to sign off on its accounts, six weeks after the Treasury threatened to withdraw vital funding.

Northern Irish shipbuilder Harland & Wolff halted trading after auditors declined to sign off on its accounts - Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Boeing said that under the terms of its takeover of Spirit, the supplier is proposing to sell non-Airbus activities in Belfast to a third party. Sources said that represents a declaration of intent and that theres no prospect of a quick sale.

Airbus confirmed that it will take on operations including wing production in Belfast and other A220-related work in the US and Morocco, as well as manufacturing of fuselage sections for the A350 wide-body plane in the US and France.

Airbus will pay Spirit a nominal $1 while receiving $559m in compensation for assuming responsibility for the unprofitable activities.

Should a buyer not be found for a subsidiary business in Prestwick, Scotland, which makes wing slats for the A320 jet, Airbus said it would also be prepared to take that on as it works through a record order backlog for the popular single-aisle plane.

However, there is no such safety net in place for remaining operations in Northern Ireland.

Sir Michael Ryan, chairman of Spirit UK, warned in April that a break-up of the Belfast business would be extremely detrimental to its future and to the provinces wider standing in the aerospace industry.

In a letter, he said that maintaining the site as a single entity was the best option, and that vital economies of scale and technological synergies could otherwise be lost.

Spirits Belfast footprint spans six sites, including some located in the Catholic west of the city regarded as integral to the Northern Ireland peace process.

The main factory, sandwiched between Belfast City Airport and the docks, was built by Short Brothers in 1936 and produced Second World War aircraft including the Stirling bomber and Sunderland flying boat.

Shorts began trading in 1897, making hot-air balloons before switching to aircraft after the Wright Brothers first flight.

The company built six planes on the Isle of Sheppey in 1909, making it the first in the world to undertake volume aircraft production.

It was sold to Canadas Bombardier in 1989 and to Spirit in 2020.

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For Salome Mwangi, who provides Swahili interpretation at the Ada County District Court, the job sometimes starts before she even gets into the courtroom. She may try to explain to her clients what they can expect  that the judge may have limited time, for example, and need them to give brief, specific answers to questions. Or that the judge may ask for their input on their sentence, an unfamiliar concept to some coming from countries where more emphasis is placed on respect for authority.

Once inside the courtroom, she provides simultaneous interpretation  listening to the judge or lawyers speaking in English even as she begins to speak to her client in Swahili. When her client responds, she must do the same back into English. The work involves constant game-time decisions: how to best convey the idea of misdemeanor in a language that doesnt use that word, or the meaning of American idioms like, Youre a few french fries short of a Happy Meal.

Demand for services like hers has gone up tremendously in recent years, Mwangi told the Idaho Statesman in an interview, as the county grows and becomes more diverse.

The county has the bill to show for it. In a June presentation, Trial Court Administrator Sandra Barrios told county commissioners that the court spent about $330,000 on interpreters in 2023, a 72% increase from the previous year. The number of requests for interpreters has more than doubled in recent years, from about 2,000 in 2020 to over 5,000 in 2023.

Much of the rising cost, Barrios said, was driven by demand for interpretation in languages other than Spanish. In many cases, the court isnt able to find those interpreters locally, and must fly them in from out of state.

Mwangi, who estimated she does 20 hours of interpreting each week, blamed the lack of availability of local interpreters on the courts (and other government bodies) decision to treat interpreters as independent contractors, rather than hiring them into full-time roles.

The system operates like a gig economy, she said  making interpretation a side hustle without stability or benefits. This forces interpreters to find other full-time work, leaving them less available when the need for their services does arise, said Mwangi and Susan Tirima, another Swahili interpreter.

Under Idaho law, courts must provide an interpreter for any witness or party who doesnt understand or speak English, or one who has a disability that prevents them from hearing or speaking English. Interpreters are paid by the court.

The court has two full-time Spanish-language interpreters but relies on independent contractors for all other languages. The court needed interpretation for a record-breaking 50 different languages last year, Barrios told commissioners.

After Spanish, Swahili has been the most in-demand language at the court since 2020, according to data Barrios shared with the Statesman. Arabic, Kinyarwanda, French, Russian, Somali and American Sign Language also top the list.

As demands for Swahili interpretation have risen  from about 500 requests in 2020 to over 650 in 2023  the costs have risen steeply, from about $35,000 to nearly $60,000 in the same time period. (Kinyarwanda, the third-most-commonly requested language other than Spanish, trailed far behind in cost at about $23,000 last year.)

Barrios, who was previously a Spanish interpreter for the court, said the courts approach to hiring full-time interpreters and independent contractors is simply a question of demand: nearly half of all interpretation requests last year were for Spanish, she told commissioners.

At this level, we cant really justify hiring a Swahili interpreter or a Kinyarwanda interpreter, she said. But thats today, and things change constantly.

How often does Ada County Court have to provide interpreters who speak Swahili?

Police in Boise, neighboring Idaho cities need bilingual officers. Is that need being met?
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP)  The Bolivian government on Monday summoned the Argentine ambassador to address the country's claim that the attempted military coup that rattled Bolivia last week was a hoax.

Bolivia's official reprimand of its neighbor adds to the fallout from the purported foiled mutiny last Wednesday that has left the country of 12 million shocked and bewildered. Bolivian President Luis Arce faces a wave of criticism at home and abroad from those claiming he engineered the coup to make himself look like a hero  an accusation first made by General Juan Jose Zuniga before his sacking and arrest on charges of leading the armed uprising.

A string of Bolivian opposition figures have united in calling the coup a stunt, with Arce's main political rival and one-time mentor, former leftist President Evo Morales, echoing the accusation late Sunday without providing evidence. Arce has vigorously denied the allegations.

Right-wing Argentine President Javier Milei became the first head of state to join the chorus of skeptics, attacking Bolivia's history of socialist governments, which he said endangers democracy. The tale that was told was not very credible, the president's office said of Wednesday's alleged coup attempt  a dramatic reversal from Argentina's initial statement condemning the troops occupying central La Paz.

Bolivian interim foreign minister, Maria Nela Prada, denounced Milei's statement as unfriendly and reckless and misinformed and biased on Monday. Incensed over what she called Argentina's unacceptable denialism, Prada and other officials called on Milei to stay out of Bolivian internal affairs.

We have always maintained a position of respect and we will demand the same respect, said Gabriela Alcon, Bolivia's deputy minister of communication.

Milei's government only doubled down on its denial of the coup attempt in response to the outrage in La Paz, escalating the diplomatic spat between the nations that share a long border and history of trade and cooperation.

It is simply a description of the facts, an account of the different information that we are collecting, presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said in his daily news conference, defending Milei's allegations that the government faked the coup without elaborating. We are aware of the delicate institutional situation."

Various right-wing opposition figures in Bolivia, arrested and still detained over their alleged role in the 2019 mass protests that prompted then-President Morales to resign and flee, thanked Milei for his support.

Asked about the allegations of a self-coup on Monday, U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Washington hoped to see an independent investigation into last week's events in Bolivia.

We understand and have taken note of the number of viewpoints that have emerged in recent days and we welcome an independent analysis, Patel told reporters.

Last Wednesday, Zuniga and other military officials stormed the presidential palace, ramming its doors with a tank and railing against the country's politicians. In a dramatic face-to-face confrontation, Arce ordered Zuniga to back down  successfully putting a lid on the rebellion after just three chaotic hours that reverberated regionwide.

A brief outpouring of popular support for Arce has given way to a firestorm of speculation about what really happened and whether Arce played a role in the tumult. Authorities are widening their dragnet, arresting 21 soldiers and civilians over the coup attempt.

On Monday, Bolivian state TV reported that police detained an army commander in the central city of Cochabamba and who, the attorney general said, served as a sniper during the coup attempt.

Alleged ringleaders, including Zuniga, remain in custody.

Senior Cabinet member Eduardo del Castillo insisted in remarks late Sunday that the coup was no ploy by Arce but rather an alarming effort to oust the government by force. Explaining its failure, he said: Fortunately, many people were insubordinate."
A woman charged with attempted capital murder after authorities said she tried to drown a Palestinian-American child at a North Texas apartment pool is back in jail after a judge increased her bond.

Elizabeth Wolf, 42, is in the Tarrant County Jail after her bond was increased from a combined $40,000 to $1 million on the attempted capital murder charge and $15,000 on a charge of injury to a child, according to Tarrant County court records.

Wolf will remain in custody unless she is able to pay the bond. A bail bond agency usually will charge a fee of about 10% of the total amount.

Wolf was charged with attempted capital murder after police said she tried to drown a 3-year-old girl at an apartment pool in Euless on May 19. The woman, who witnesses said was intoxicated, made racist comments before trying to drown the girl, according to police and the childs mother.

Euless police have asked the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office to prosecute the case as a hate crime. The DAs Office is reviewing the case. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has also called for federal law enforcement to investigate.

We welcome the request that local prosecutors treat this alleged murder attempt targeting a Muslim child as a hate crime, CAIR said in a statement. Federal officials should take a similar action to show that allegedly bias-motivated violence targeting minority communities will never be tolerated or excused.

The 3-year-old and her 6-year-old brother were in the shallow end of the swimming pool at the apartments, watched by their mother, on May 19 when Wolf approached and asked the mother where she was from, according to police and witnesses. The mother was wearing a hijab and speaking Arabic to her children.

The mother said in a news release from CAIR that Wolf jumped into the pool and pulled the children to the deep end, where she attempted to drown both of them.

Police said in a news release that Wolf attempted to grab the 6-year-old boy but he managed to get away. The 6-year-old is the victim of the injury to a child charge, according to court records.

The mother went to help her son, but Wolf grabbed the 3-year-old girl and forced her under the water, authorities said.

Wolf is accused of kicking at the mother as she tried to get to her daughter and pulling off her hijab, hitting her with it, according to CAIR. A man jumped into the water and helped rescue the girl from Wolf.

Wolf was approached by Euless police officers as she tried to leave and placed under arrest, initially for public intoxication.

As Wolf was being handcuffed by police she shouted, I will kill her, and I will kill her whole family, a witness told CAIR.

Its unclear whether Wolf was staying at the apartment complex. Her address is listed in Grand Prairie, according to court records.

If Wolf makes bond, it will come with conditions including home confinement unless meeting with a defense attorney or making an appearance in court. She would also be required to stay at least 1,000 feet away from the apartments and cant contact the victims or their family.

Wolf would also be required to stay in Dallas or Tarrant counties, have a GPS tracker she pays for and have an alcohol monitoring device for which she would pay, in addition to either receiving in-patient care for alcohol abuse or attending 90 successful online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings within 90 days, providing proof to a pretrial services officer.

Wolfs alleged actions have received condemnation from elected leaders including District 92 Rep. Salman Bhojani of Euless and President Joe Biden.
Joshua Glover, an escaped slave from Missouri, found refuge and freedom in Wisconsin. He was captured and jailed under the 1850 Fugitive Slave act. Anti-slavery demonstrators freed Glover from the Milwaukee County Jail  which stood on present-day Cathedral Square.

A state government's elected and legal officials defy the federal government on the thorniest controversial issue of the day, battling for supremacy in the courts.

A contemporary reader might assume that's Texas or Iowa's current tussle with federal authorities over immigration.

But in the culminating chapter of legal scholar Alison L. LaCroix's new book, the state is Wisconsin, the time is the turbulent period right before the Civil War began, and the precipitating incident is a famous moment in Milwaukee history: the capture of escaped slave Joshua Glover, followed by anti-slavery demonstrators breaking him out of a Milwaukee jail in 1854.

"Between 1854 and 1861, Wisconsin was the site of one of the most remarkable confrontations among federal, state, and local levels of government in the entire interbellum period," LaCroix writes in "The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms" (Yale University Press).

"The crisis that shook Wisconsin and the nation in the 1850s was important because it involved more forceful claims of states' rights and a more effective and consequential demonstration of state nullification of federal law than any previous events in the nation's history," LaCroix writes.

The Glover events would eventually lead to the U.S. Supreme Court. In Ableman v. Booth (1859), SCOTUS ruled that federal courts had final authority over cases that grew out of the Constitution and federal statutes, and states could not overturn those decisions or nullify federal law.

LaCroix will talk about her book and Glover during a 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 appearance at Milwaukee's Boswell Books, 2559 N. Downer Ave.

Shorewood native Alison LaCroix is a professor of law at the University of Chicago.

LaCroix, a Shorewood High School graduate, is a law professor at the University of Chicago Law School as well as a member of the university's history faculty. Writing for general readers as well as scholars, LaCroix retells the Glover story in significant detail, creating a vivid picture of its tumultuous events. She also explains how Wisconsin's battle over the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 illuminates today's conflicts between state and federal governments.

Eager to embed her constitutional history and analysis in a narrative that would draw readers in, LaCroix took pains to research physical details for her book. When she presented a draft chapter, someone jokingly said to her, "I thought you were going to tell us what color the wallpaper was."

"I tried to find out as much as I could," she said. "That's important."

She spent countless hours with old Milwaukee city directories. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she was working on the Glover chapter, also meant she had time to drive to Milwaukee and walk the streets where these historic events took place, and to imagine the rescued Glover escaping from the jail over a bridge to freedom.

Breaking Joshua Glover out of captivity

After escaping a slave plantation in Missouri, Glover settled in Racine, which LaCroix notes was "famous as a stronghold of antislavery sentiment." But on March 10, 1854, a posse of white men, including his former slaveowner and two deputy U.S. marshals, arrested him after a struggle that left Glover's head bleeding. This capture was legal under the Fugitive Slave Act, even across state lines in a free state like Wisconsin. The former slaveowner had procured the required federal warrant to recapture Glover.

Fearing hostile action in Racine, Glover's captors deposited him in the Milwaukee jail. Meanwhile, Glover's friends and slavery opponents used a recent invention, the telegraph, to get word of the incident to potential allies in Milwaukee. In addition to the moral horrors of slavery, LaCroix points out that "for many observers in Wisconsin, the problem was that mere sister states  equals in the jurisdictional hierarchy  were arrogating to themselves the power to dictate their own state's internal affairs."

LaCroix writes that a delegation of 100 men, including the Racine sheriff, took a steamboat up Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, with warrants to arrest the people who had captured Glover. Meanwhile, abolitionist Sherman Booth, editor of the Milwaukee Free Democrat, was whipping up support for the captive. In a telling detail, LaCroix notes that 15 years earlier Booth, then a Yale student, may have been radicalized when he was hired to teach English to the formerly enslaved Africans of the Spanish ship Amistad, who were in a New Haven jail. Eventually, a famous Supreme Court decision freed them.

The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms. By Alison L. LaCroix

Another key detail: There was no separate federal jail in Milwaukee then, so Glover was put in the county jail. "Multiple layers of government  federal, state, and county  occupied the same physical space," creating a jurisdictional mess, LaCroix notes.

To oversimplify LaCroix's vivid account, writs were sought, handbills distributed, speeches made. The Racine delegation and Milwaukee activists converged on the jail, where they broke Glover out and fought off marshals' efforts to re-recapture him. The impromptu battering ram? A piece of timber apparently left over from the construction of the Cathedral of St. John, where more than a century later historian LaCroix would marry her husband.

Via the Underground Railroad, Glover eventually arrived in Ontario, Canada, where he lived until his death in 1888.

Booth was arrested and charged with violation of the Fugitive Slave Act for abetting Glover's escape, leading to multiple court cases with varying results until the final Supreme Court decision.

Contesting federal supremacy

LaCroix has referred to the interbellum years between the War of 1812 and the Civil War as "the flyover country of constitutional history," a pithy phrase that only a Midwesterner could have conjured. No consitutional amendments were passed during that period. But, she emphasizes, people's understanding of constitutional law continued to develop and change during those years.

"Debates about American law and politics during this period focused unceasingly on the question of what union meant  in particular, what the proper structure of governmental authority was in the adolescent American union," she writes in the introduction to her book. "The puzzle was how the system should respond to conflicts among local interests and collisions among federal, state, municipal, and other authorities."

LaCroix argues that "originalist" and "textualist" interpretations of the Constitution are "deeply ahistorical." Specifically, her book pushes back against the narrative that "constitutional law consists only of what the text of the Constitution says."

"Federal supremacy was contested, stretched, and challenged throughout the interbellum period," she said in a Project Syndicate interview earlier this year, drawing a parallel between that time and federal-state conflicts that took place during the Civil Rights era of the mid 20th century.

We tend to think today of states' rights primarily as conservative or right-wing arguments, but that is not inherent in the Constitution, LaCroix noted in a recent interview. Wisconsin's grievance about the Glover incidents and the Fugitive Slave Act was that "both the federal government and other states are invading us," and the federal government had been "captured" by "a minority group" (i.e., the pro-slavery faction), though it was a minority group that controlled Congress and the federal courts.

Author event

Alison L. LaCroix will talk about "The Interbellum Constitution" at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Boswell Books, 2559 N. Downer Ave. Register for this free event at boswellbooks.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scholar's book explores when Wisconsin defied federal government
News / National

by Staff reporter

Harare councillors are advocating for the reassignment of housing director Funny Machipisa after he reportedly resisted their demands to allocate housing stands outside their wards in upscale suburbs of the capital. The council's human resources and general purposes committee, meeting last Thursday, resolved to transfer Machipisa from his role as deputy director of housing and community services to head the city's lesser-known Department of Excellence. This decision followed several committee sessions this month aimed at downgrading Machipisa to a teaching position at Gunhill Excellence School.The move to reassign Machipisa came after he insisted on adhering to policy by allocating councillors stands within their respective wards. Allegedly, some councillors refused to accept the letters offering them stands in their wards and instead demanded allocations in low-density suburbs. Machipisa referred them to a 2020 government circular mandating that councillors receive land in their own wards, despite many having already benefited from such allocations.A forthcoming full council meeting is scheduled to finalize the minutes of the human resources committee meeting, which have been kept confidential to preserve the surprise of Machipisa's reassignment. Most opposition to Machipisa's transfer reportedly comes from members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) within the council, who argue that the move is politically motivated and could undermine the council's credibility amid corruption allegations.Committee chairperson George Mujajati, believed to be spearheading Machipisa's reassignment, indicated that the decision was part of a broader job rationalization effort. He cited Machipisa's qualifications as fitting for the Department of Excellence, deflecting allegations that he was orchestrating the return of controversial former principal housing officer Edgar Dzehonye to replace Machipisa.
The Pantanal, one of the largest inland wetlands in the world, is experiencing the highest number of forest fires in the first half of the year since records began.

There were 3,538 fire outbreaks in the first six months of this year - in 2020, which is considered the year with the worst fire season in the biome, there were 2,534 outbreaks in the same period, according to the Brazilian space institute Inpe.

This is a record figure since records began in 1999. In June alone there were 2,639 fires, while the average for this period is 154.

The wetland, which extends from Brazil to the neighbouring countries of Bolivia and Paraguay, consists of an intricate system of rivers and lakes and is a unique natural and tourist paradise.

It is unusual that there are already so many forest fires in the region in June, as the forest fire season traditionally only starts between the end of July and the beginning of August, the driest time of the winter.

According to experts, however, this period has been brought forward due to the prolonged drought in this biome. The scenario could be even more devastating than that of 2020.

"The Pantanal is facing the worst drought in 70 years, exacerbated by climate change and one of the strongest El Ninos in history," the Ministry of the Environment announced on Sunday. According to the environmental authority Ibama, some areas of the Pantanal could suffer irreversible damage.

"After disasters like this, nature returns in many areas. But in some places the loss is considerable. In some places, it could even be irreversible. We are very shocked that the Pantanal has not experienced a flooding season for the sixth year in a row," Ibama President Rodrigo Agostinho told the news portal G1.

According to the report, around 700,000 hectares have been burnt this year - that's almost 5% of the entire biome.

On Friday, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) deployed the largest aircraft manufactured in Latin America to fight the fire in the Pantanal for the first time. The navy, soldiers and fire brigade are also fighting the flames.

The Pantanal is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet and is home to rare species. Jaguars, tapirs and hyacinth macaws live there. Cattle farming is the main economic activity in the area. Farmers traditionally burn forest areas to create new grazing land. If these fires get out of control, huge wildfires can occur.

View of forest areas in the Pantanal wetland that were devastated by the flames. Marcelo Camargo/Agencia Brazil/dpa

Part of the Pantanal wetland destroyed by fire. Marcelo Camargo/Agencia Brazil/dpa
View a Yellow Springs growing facilitys inaugural crop of recreational marijuana in the video player above.

TALLMADGE, Ohio (WCMH)  One of two festivals planned on the eve of recreational marijuana sales in Ohio has been canceled, part of a dispute between organizers and local officials.

A Pennsylvania-based company, Zick Productions, said its team spent six months preparing to launch the Ohio Cannabis Festival at the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge. The event was set to run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1, but by June 11 its website had been locked down to a solitary message.

As Ross Bjork takes over at Ohio State, Gene Smith looks ahead at his next chapter

Summit County Agricultural Society has decided to cancel the upcoming Ohio Cannabis Festival contracted to be held Aug. 31  Sept. 1 in a statement received by mail to organizers, Zick Productions wrote. This breach of contract was in accordance with city and county officials direction who cited ownership of the land, our commercial speech and state law.

NBC4 reached out to SCAS, which maintains the fairgrounds, with questions about the cancellation on Thursday. An employee said over the phone that management was working on a response on Friday, but the group had not sent any statement as of Monday.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Tallmadge Mayor Carol Kilway said that while the city doesnt serve as a legal adviser for the agricultural society or have authority over them, her team was in the loop on the decision SCAS made about the Ohio Cannabis Festival.

Based on the events promotional materials, the city raised concerns regarding how the event would comply with state law, Kilway said. The event organizer was invited to address those concerns and did not respond.

Traveling with marijuana: Can you bring cannabis on a cruise?

Jeff Zick, the owner of Zick Productions, gave his perspective to NBC4 on how this exchange played out. He called the citys actions governmental pressure on SCAS and mentioned a lease issue with Summit County, the owner of the fairgrounds over the agricultural society.

The City of Tallmadge invited Summit County and SCAS to a meeting about the scheduled event on June 3 at city hall, Zick said. The SCAS cancellation letter was dated June 4.

An earlier copy of Ohio Cannabis Festivals website preserved by the Wayback Machine shows promotional materials the city officials may have looked at. On the homepage, the festival showed the three sponsors it racked up were either cannabis dispensaries or marijuana product makers:

Sauce, a cannabis brand selling vapes, gummies and pre-wrapped smoking products in multiple states

Paper And Leaf Co., a Kent dispensary claiming no prescription card is needed for orders

Supergood Cannabis Store, a dispensary chain with one in-state medical location in Ravenna

In a frequently asked questions section further down the page, however, the organizers addressed whether cannabis products would be sold at the event with the response: Vendors will only be permitted to sell products in accordance with state laws.

Gov. Mike DeWine signs bill for Ohios $4.2 billion capital budget

After getting no response from Zick, Kilway said the agricultural society made the call to cancel the Ohio Cannabis Festival. Zick Productions law firm, Thomas A. Will and Associates, told NBC4 that this was a breach of contract.

Our client did their due diligence, contracted with the appropriate authorities, invested countless hours into securing vendors, and invested substantial time, effort and resources in the preparation of the festival pursuant to the contract our client had with SCAS, the attorneys wrote. Our client intends to pursue all possible claims against SCAS, and any and all appropriate parties, for this breach.

Stargazer Cannabis Festival, organized separately by Chad Thompson, is going ahead as planned in July in Meigs County. He also had to clarify recreational marijuanas role after the event website advertised a farmers market with video of adult cannabis plants. While the festival will allow attendees to bring recreational marijuana and even allow them to use it in a joint rolling contest, the vendors will only be allowed to sell cannabis seeds and hemp-derived products.

Ohio Cannabis Festivals website said it would be issuing refunds and offering remedies, but did not specify if those would go to both ticket holders and vendors that signed on. It isnt Zicks only event, and two others remained greenlit as of Monday. His Pennsylvania Cannabis Fall Marketplace has been running annually since 2017 and will go for another round Oct. 5-6. The state neighboring Ohio only allows medical marijuana since legalizing it in a 2016 vote.

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Zicks Florida Cannabis Festival has run since 2020 in yet another medical-only state. But Florida voters will decide on a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational use, similar to Ohios Issue 2, in November.

In Ohio, the states Division of Cannabis Control plans to let medical dispensaries convert to dual-use to facilitate recreational sales. In June, the agency began letting the companies apply for provisional licenses to do so. While these dont immediately let them begin sales, the dispensaries essentially reserved a spot in line for DCC to chronologically issue a license back. DCC Public Information Officer Jamie Crawford hinted over the summer for an estimate when they could start going out, with September being named as the absolute latest sales could begin.

Some of the businesses anticipate sales will start sooner rather than later. Cresco Labs, which owns dispensaries in Ohio as well as its own Yellow Springs cannabis growing greenhouse, planted its first crop of recreational marijuana in May.

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With the UKs general election just days away, British voters have seen their TV screens, mailboxes and newsfeeds fill with color.

Just like commercial brands, political parties know that using a single, bold shade can make them easier to recognize  whether thats out on the campaign trail or checking the latest polls.

On July 4, the blue of the ruling Conservatives will go head-to-head with the red of Labour. While these are the only two parties with a realistic chance of winning the election, other smaller parties across the British political system offer a veritable kaleidoscope of differing  and sometimes duplicate  colours. The Liberal Democrats (orange), and Reform UK (turquoise) and the Green Party (you guessed it), are all vying for votes.

The Scottish National Party uses yellow, while Northern Irelands Sinn Fein and Wales Plaid Cymru are represented by nearly identical shades of green.

Although the older, established parties trace these associations back to their foundation, the importance of color in campaigning blossomed with the advent of new technology and advertising between the 1950s and 1970s, explained Dominic Wring, a professor of political communication at the UKs Loughborough University.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during Scotland's election campaign manifesto launch on June 24, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The advertising industry itself underwent a change around the introduction of color television, so, increasingly, colors and more ambitious or innovative designs became quite significant, he said in a phone interview, adding that, during this time, parties began to simplify their messaging.

Beyond simple brand recognition, certain colors have long been associated with various values and ideologies. Yellow, for instance, is often linked to liberalism, while black has traditionally represented anarchism or fascism  especially in Britain, where followers of the British Union of Fascists in the 1920s and 1930s were known as Blackshirts.

For the Labour Party, the use of red was a natural choice for a group allied with trade unions, social democrats and democratic socialists. Since the French Revolution, the color has been widely associated with left-wing politics, symbolizing the blood of workers who died in the struggle against their oppressors.

Upon Labours inception at the beginning of the 20th century, the party used a red flag as its official logo. The color is central and symbolic to the labor movement, and has been since that period, said Wring, noting that the party logo has since changed to a red rose.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during the launching of Labour Party election manifesto, in Manchester, on June 13, 2024. - Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

The Conservative Party, meanwhile, has historically adopted all the colors of the United Kingdoms flag  red white and blue  in order, perhaps, to promote itself as a defender of British values. Of those three colors, an ultramarine blue emerged as its predominant shade (though the partys current tree logo is a paler shade than some of its predecessors). Traditionally the most expensive color to produce, blue has long held connotations of wealth and conservatism.

Among the smaller parties, color choices have sometimes been relatively straightforward  the Green Party uses green, unsurprisingly, due to its obvious connections with environmentalism. Others have been more pragmatic. Take the Liberal Democrats orange, for instance, which emerged from the combination of the two parties it was created from: the Liberal Party (yellow) and the Social Democratic Party (then associated with the red of Labour, which it broke away from in the early 1980s).

Yet for the Liberal Democrats  the UKs third largest party until the 2019 election  the color orange had another benefit: it was otherwise unclaimed. With the Scottish National Party growing in prominence in the 1970s, switching from a clashing yellow made it easier for the Lib Dems to differentiate themselves.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, during an election campaign visit in Frome, UK, on May 30, 2024. - Hollie Adams/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Indeed, for recent newcomers  like the short-lived Referendum Party in the 1990s (pink), or the UK Independence Party (purple)  distinct colors may simply help them stand out in a crowded political marketplace.

And while some colors have historical links, none are indelibly tied to ideologies. Elsewhere in Europe, orange is associated with both the Christian Democrats and, in the east, post-Soviet uprisings (see Ukraines so-called Orange Revolution). In other countries, green may represent Islamic parties rather than environmental ones. And while brown has longstanding links to Nazi groups, it also features prominently in the logo of the Marijuana Party of Canada.

Even the simple idea that blue and red represent right and left-wing parties, respectively, is inconsistent. In the US, Democrats are blue while the more conservative Republicans are red (though before the 1988 presidential election, TV networks often did the opposite, and the current notion of red states and blue states did not come into common parlance until the 2000 presidential run-off).

Of course the irony, in both the US and Britain, is that despite the color-coded campaigning, when people get to the polling booths on voting day, the various shades wont be displayed for their final, crucial decision  thats because the ballot papers are printed in black and white.

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By Alistair Smout

LONDON (Reuters) - For a decade, leaving the European Union was the question that dominated British politics. These days it barely comes up. Which is clearly how Labour Party leader Keir Starmer likes it.

He has worked diligently to win back the support of working class voters, millions of whom were lured away five years ago by Conservative Boris Johnson's promise to "get Brexit done", when Labour campaigned to leave a path open to stay in the EU.

Starmer's reward is polls that now predict him sweeping into Downing Street as prime minister at the end of this week, possibly with a historic majority. But if he does get there, he won't be able to keep Brexit out of the news for long.

His mandate will be to spur economic growth. Businesses say that would require lifting some of the barriers that Britain's exit from the EU has left in the path of their trade. And that, in turn, is likely to mean reopening contentious negotiations with Brussels.

Britain finally left the EU in January 2020 under Johnson. In its determination to turn the page on Brexit, Labour has ruled out rejoining the EU single market or customs union. But it says it is still possible to remove trade barriers with the 27-nation bloc, to help companies, particularly smaller ones, which have struggled with higher costs and paperwork.

Labour does not want to "reopen the wounds of the past," said Jonathan Reynolds, the Labour lawmaker who is in line to become business secretary in a Starmer cabinet.

"Clearly, we need to get a better deal, and there are real improvements we could achieve," he said at an event on Thursday hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the business lobby group which has said parties should stop "treading on eggshells" over EU ties.

A survey by accountancy firm Menzies showed that 1 in 3 British businesses want to reopen the Brexit deal reached under Johnson, and 1 in 5 want a new government to rejoin the single market, with 20% citing barriers as a result of Brexit as a factor limiting international expansion.

'LIKE-MINDED PARTNER'

One early pledge from Labour is to seek a veterinary agreement with the EU that would reduce border checks on animal products, a hindrance for British farmers and importers. It also wants the mutual recognition of certain professional qualifications, and easier access for artists on tour.

Labour has presented these as comparitively simple gains it can make without reopening the Brexit agreement reached under Johnson.

But even such small steps would require tough choices, said an EU source, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss hypothetical future negotiations.

A veterinary agreement would require Britain to submit to resolving disputes through the European Court of Justice (ECJ) the EU source said. That is anathema to Brexit campaigners who consider it an infringement of British sovereignty.

"Working with a like-minded partner, friend and ally is what everybody wants," said the EU source. "But the idea of having the same benefits you get as a member of the club becomes a little bit trickier."

Anand Menon, a politics professor and director of the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, said Labour might be misjudging how enthusiastic the EU would be about renegotiating after years of clashing with British governments.

The bloc already has a lot on its plate, he said. And while Britain may want to improve technical issues on areas like food, Brussels would want to talk about mobility - making it easier for people to live and work in Britain, especially young people.

"I think we'll have a massive change in style, and a bit of tinkering in substance," Menon said.

The Conservatives say Labour's policies would "unravel Brexit", including by making Britain again subject to rulings from the ECJ.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a debate this week accused Labour of planning to accept a return to free movement of people under its plans to strike a better Brexit deal with the EU. Starmer said he would reject any deal with the EU that increases immigration.

Labour's Reynolds said he wanted to improve the trade situation while offering benefits to the bloc: "It's not necessarily easy, but there's a negotiation, there's a process I can see delivering those things."

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Kate Holton and Peter Graff)
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A brush fire broke out Monday near Lake Morena, sending up smoke that could be seen from Interstate 8.

The fire, dubbed the Kitchen Fire, was reported around 10:30 a.m. in the area of Old Highway 80 and Kitchen Creek Road, in the southeastern reaches of the Cleveland National Forest.

The fire had reached 25 acres by 11:45 a.m. and was growing at a moderate rate of spread, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service said on X, formerly Twitter. Shortly after 2 p.m., the fire was at 43 acres and 5% contained.

Crews are making good progress on both flanks of the fire, the department said.

By 8:45 p.m., the fire had grown to 47 acres and was 50% contained.

Hello summer: Long duration heat wave to sweep the region

Nearby Boulder Oaks Campground was evacuated as a precaution.

The Kitchen Creek Road off-ramp on eastbound I-8 was temporarily closed, Caltrans San Diego said.

Cal Fire San Diego was assisting in the firefight, which involved 13 engines, four crews and six aircraft.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Alexandra Sirota (Photo: NC Budget & Tax Center)

Ever since North Carolina Republicans took control of the state legislature in 2011, theyve pursued a sustained and aggressive effort to remake the states tax and budget systems. Repeatedly, theyve enacted big cuts to progressive levies like the personal and corporate income taxes that primarily impact the wealthy, while slashing spending on core public structures like public education. So, whats been the impact of this sea change? What impacts will the new state budget proposals currently under discussion at the General Assembly have? And what will the future hold if legislative leaders stay on the path theyve charted?

Recently NC Newsline got a chance to pose those questions to an expert whos been observing and chronicling the changes since they got underway, the executive director of the nonpartisan North Carolina Budget and Tax Center, Alexandra Sirota.

In Part One of our special extended conversation with Sirota, we took a look back at the past dozen or so years of fiscal policy changes that have been implemented by Republican legislators at the North Carolina General Assembly, and the impacts theyve had on our state tax and budget systems.

In Part Two, our conversation shifted to the details of the latest budget bills under consideration at the Legislative Building as well a new proposed state constitutional amendment that would lower the cap on the state income tax, and according to Sirota, serve only to further undermine the health of an already inadequate tax code.

The post Budget & Tax Center director Alexandra Sirota on the legislatures remake of the state tax system appeared first on NC Newsline.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Fire erupted at the residence of Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, on Friday night, following recent reports of security breaches at his property. Mnangagwa, who is the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, had reported an incident where intruders allegedly broke into his house and left empty gun cartridges near his bedroom door just days prior.Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed ongoing investigations into the fire incident, which occurred late on June 28, 2024. Earlier, Nyathi had stated that investigations were also underway regarding criminal activities reported at Mnangagwa's residence.According to reports, Mnangagwa and his wife were watching television when they heard unusual noises from the ceiling, prompting Mnangagwa to summon the police officers guarding the property. Initial inspections by the officers found nothing suspicious, but upon a second call from Mnangagwa, a bag containing his damaged possessions, including torn documents, two Apple MacBook laptops, and an iPad, was discovered on the roof. These items had reportedly been taken from Mnangagwa's bedroom.Additionally, Mnangagwa reported that his 9mm Beretta pistol, along with 15 live cartridges and US$500 cash, were missing from the bag. The intruder also vandalized Mnangagwa's parked Land Rover Defender by cutting the driver's headrest in the garage.In a separate incident on June 25, an intruder allegedly left six cartridges - three near Mnangagwa's bedroom door and three on the lawn outside his house. Police recovered the cartridges as part of their ongoing investigation into these security breaches.
(Bloomberg) -- Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissovs party proposed a government lineup on Monday in an effort to end political turmoil.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A cabinet under Premier-designate Rosen Zhelyazkov would need to secure a parliamentary majority. Borissovs party, Gerb, doesnt have enough lawmakers to rule alone, and after years of corruption scandals, most parties in parliament refuse to back it for a fourth cabinet.

Borissov, who ran three governments for more than a decade until 2021, came first in a snap election last month. Bulgaria is mired in a years-long political crisis thats hindered its efforts to join the euro area and delayed billions of euros in European Union recovery funding.

Zhelyazkov is likely to have the support of one more party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, led by Delyan Peevski, a former media mogul sanctioned by the US and the UK for graft.

If the cabinet fails to win approval, Peevskis party, which came second in last months election, will get a shot at forming a government. Three unsuccessful attempts to win the vote of confidence will lead to another election in the fall.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Burgum says hes evolved on abortion since saying women unsafe in America before Roe v. Wade

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), a leading vice presidential contender for former President Trump, said on Sunday he has evolved in his position on abortion access in the eight years since he suggested women were unsafe before Roe v. Wade.

In an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press, anchor Kristen Welker pressed Burgum about a clip she played from his 2016 gubernatorial campaign, when Burgum expressed concern about outlawing abortions.

When you outlaw the ability to terminate pregnancies and make it illegal, it just makes it unsafe for some of the most vulnerable people in the world  young women who are scared, who are afraid, who are in a spot, you know, that they dont want to be in, Burgum said in the clip from 2016. America was an unsafe place for women before Roe v. Wade.

Burgum on Sunday said his views have changes on the issue  the Supreme Court overruled the constitutional right to abortions two years ago  and sought to align his current position on abortion with the former presidents.

Welker followed the clip by asking, So, by your own standard, governor, is America unsafe for women as a result of Roe being overturned?

No, its not, Burgum responded. And, of course, this is something that should have been returned to the states.

Lets be clear, that was a comment from over eight years ago. And certainly, Ive evolved in that position, he said, explaining that he now believes abortion laws should be left up to states.

And I have been clear that Im opposed to a federal abortion ban. Im aligned with President Trump on that, and this is something that has to be left to the states, Burgum said.

Burgum dismissed a question on whether his views have evolved now that he wants to be vice president to Trump, saying instead the key difference is on the quality of maternal care.

Not at all, Burgum said, on whether his evolution is linked to his VP prospects. I think you know and everybody else knows that care has evolved during that period of time. And I think that we can accomplish both of those goals. We can make sure that were protecting and honoring life but making sure were also delivering against maternal care. And thats going to be handled best at a state-by-state level.

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Can California borrow $20 billion for climate and education? Voters will likely decide

California voters will likely decide whether to let the state borrow $20 billion to fight climate change and support schools, issues that advocates say are in need of a cash influx in light of recent budget cuts.

State lawmakers said Sunday that they reached agreements to place both a $10 billion bond to pay for climate change impacts and another $10 billion bond for school repairs.

Voter approval of borrowing is never a sure thing, even in a presidential election when turnout is high and the electorate skews more progressive. In 2020, for example, voters rejected a $15 billion schools facilities bond.

The agreements follow months of negotiating between lawmakers and climate and education advocates, who pushed for bonds after the extent of Californias dire budget picture became clear.

Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, said the climate bond will give voters an opportunity to support needed investments to protect our communities and safeguard natural resources.

We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change  more extreme heat waves, catastrophic fires and floods, coastal erosion, and severe droughts, he said in a written statement. Every part of our state is affected, and unless we take action now, the cost to address these impacts will become increasingly overwhelming.

Two years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers approved a $54.3 billion spending package to combat climate change. After two budget cycles, more than $9 billion has been cut from that commitment.

If approved by the Legislature and Newsom, the bond measure would include $3.8 billion for drinking water and groundwater upgrades, $1.5 billion for forestry and wildfire programs and $1.2 billion to address rising sea levels.

Other issues to receive millions in funding include extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and outdoor access for the public. The bond also stipulates that least 40% of the bond must help vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

Climate advocates say all this may sound expensive, but the costs of putting off these programs would likely be far higher.

We cant afford to go through these boom and bust cycles if were taking this problem seriously, said David Weiskopf, senior policy advisor at NextGen California, one of dozens of organizations that pushed for a bond. We need to find a better way to budget for climate than to just hope for another surplus.

For its part, the schools bond would pay for school facility repairs, with $8.5 million designated for new construction and modernization of K-12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges. School districts with lesser ability to raise local funds can receive a higher percentage of funds.

The funding could be used for infrastructure that would enable schools to adapt extreme heat, build new facilities such as gymnasiums and school kitchens, and repair buildings that are 75 years or older.

Safe and healthy schools are at stake with this measure. There are six million reasons to support this proposal to ensure that each public school student has equal access and opportunity to grow and thrive, said Senator Steven Glazer, D-Contra Costa, in a written statement. The children and school districts that need help the most will particularly benefit by this facility bond.

The bonds each require a two-thirds vote from both houses to reach the November ballot and will need a simple majority from voters to pass.
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

LEGISLATURE RACES TO RECESS

California lawmakers are facing a busy, tense three days before they leave Sacramento for a month-long summer recess.

By the end of Wednesday, they will need to meet a deadline to move bills out of policy committees. Theyll also likely advance two multibillion-dollar bonds to the November ballot and rally around some kind of strategy on tackling retail theft.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, said last week the Legislature was extending its June 27 deadline to add bonds to the ballot to July 3. The Secretary of States Office confirmed lawmakers could waive a portion of the California Elections Code to add measures after the statutory June 27 date.

McGuire on Sunday announced the Legislature had come to an agreement on two $10 billion bond measures. A climate change bond will ask voters for money to address safe drinking water and drought, flooding, wildfires and forest resilience, sea level rise, extreme heat and more.

A schools bond will seek funding for education facilities modernization, repair and safety at K-12 and community college campuses. Lawmakers will still need to approve the measures to send them to the ballot.

Perhaps the biggest question mark remains whether Democrats can come together on retail theft. An initiative from the California District Attorneys Association to change elements of Proposition 47 has officially qualified for the November ballot.

The 2014 voter-approved measure made certain drug and theft crimes misdemeanors and set a $950 felony threshold for shoplifting. McGuire, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, and Gov. Gavin Newsom have all said theyre against the 2024 effort to change Proposition 47.

The Legislatures alternative to the district attorneys measure  a package of bills that would increase penalties for some theft-related offenses  has stalled. Rivas and McGuire have pushed changes that would void some of the legislation if the initiative passes in November.

The issue has divided Democrats and riled Republicans. The fact that the package has not come up for final consideration in the Senate and Assembly indicates leaders may not have the votes they need.

Now it seems Newsom and legislative leaders will turn the car around and add a last-minute ballot measure to compete with the one the district attorneys are pushing. Politico and KCRA have reported the governor and lawmakers are working out a deal around an initiative that would be less stringent than the existing one.

On Sunday night, lawmakers agreement made it into legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1381, authored by Democratic senators Aisha Wahab of Hayward, Angelique Ashby of Sacramento and Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur of West Hollywood.

SB 1381 would tighten penalties on a handful of drug and theft-related crimes. It includes more stringent sentences for those who sell fentanyl that kills someone and those charged with shoplifting after previously being convicted of two or more theft-related offenses within three years.

The bill sets up a direct competition with the district attorneys ballot measure. It says a competing measure that conflicts with its provisions would be null and void if it gets more votes.

Lawmakers likely wont be able to act on the measure until later on Wednesday, meaning they will have a long day at the Capitol right before departing for the holiday and recess.

RELIGIOUS, ANTI-LGBTQ HATE CRIMES UP

California in 2023 saw a decline in hate crime events, as whole, but an uptick in offenses targeting Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ residents.

The California Department of Justice on Friday released its latest Hate Crime in California report, which showed reported hate crime events decreased about 7% from 2,120 in 2022 to 1,970 in 2023.

However, anti-Jewish bias events increased by almost 53%, from 189 in 2022 to 289 in 2023. Anti-Muslim bias events were up by 60%, from 25 in 2022 to 40 in 2023.

Anti-LGBTQ bias events went up from 81 in 2022 to 151 in 2023.

A hate crime event involves one or more criminal offenses, victims and suspects or perpetrators.

While it is heartening to see an overall decrease in hate crimes in 2023, some of our communities, including our LGBTQ+, Jewish and Muslim communities, continue to be targeted and endangered by hate at alarming rates, said Attorney General Rob Bonta in a statement. An attack against one of us is an attack against all of us  there is no place for hate in California.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Its a bad night for America when the candidate who said, I didnt have sex with a porn star gave the better showing.

- San Francisco Chronicle political writer Joe Garofoli on the debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Best of The Bee:

 Supreme Court limits obstruction charge for Jan. 6 rioters. Ruling could affect Californians, via Gillian Brassil.

 California law restricting oil wells near homes to take effect after industry drops ballot challenge, via Ari Plachta.

 Supreme Court says cities can ban homeless encampments. How it affects California, via Gillian Brassil.

 Did Gavin Newsom, Rob Bonta fail the migrants who were flown to Sacramento from Florida? via Mathew Miranda.
California is setting aside $12 million in its next budget to provide reparations to Black residents. While this could potentially be the largest reparation deal that has ever been implemented, activists were still hoping for a larger deal, the Washington Post reported.

Obviously, its not enough, Chris Lodgson, an advocate for reparation, told the Washington Post But this is the first time ever that reparations for Black people will be a line item in a state budget.

A reparations task force established in California in 2023 proposed billions in reparations. The proposal included $1.2 million for longtime Black residents who are at least 50 years old. California senator Steven Bradford applauded the state for allocating a reparation budget despite the states difficult financial situation.

In this tough economic climate, for us to find this money for reparations sends a signal not only to the state but to the nation that California is committed to addressing the harms that are the result of slavery in this country, Bradford told The Post.

California has emerged as one of the leading advocates for reparations while lawmakers around the country make plans to provide compensation for Black Americans who are descendants of enslaved people. In the District of Columbia, lawmakers have proposed a 2025 budget deal that includes $1.5 million to implement a commission to study reparations. Chicago also joined the nationwide effort when mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order to create a reparations task force in the city.

While advocates continue to fight for reparations, critics are still aiming to spoil the effort. One of the major setbacks for the movement happened recently when the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, who filed a lawsuit in an effort to get reparations.

Trevor Smith, executive director of the BLIS Collective, a nonprofit focused on bringing reparations for Black and Native Americans, applauds California for taking the lead in the effort.

In the wake of the Tulsa decision and the Evanston lawsuit, folks have been asking: Is the reparations movement really going anywhere? Smith told The Post. So the fact that California continues to lead the way is really important.
Advocates for more arts funding watch a floor vote in the House of Representatives at the Rhode Island State House on May 28, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Heres a strategy unlikely to succeed: We need this money and dont much care where it comes from.

And yet it was employed by supporters of two bills to fund arts and cultural organizations in Rhode Island in our state Legislature this spring.

Each bill authorized $18 million to be distributed to 14 identified organizations, including the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, which would redistribute some of the money through a grants program. The bills suggested the money could come from an allocation of ARPA (COVID relief) funds, or a bond, or a budgeted appropriation.

In spite of a lobbying effort, the proposed legislation did not even make it out of committee in either the House or the Senate.

Instead, the House approved budget includes an authorization for a bond to be put before the voters to borrow $10 million for a shorter list of organizations (four, to be exact) for capital expenditures only. We tend to pass bonds in this state pretty readily, so the arts and culture organizations on the list for funding might have chosen to take the win. But still, concerns and complaints continue.

I have worked for arts, cultural, social service and educational organizations exclusively over a 45-year career. I am a nonprofit advocate, and I am often confused by the disdain the field gets from hard-core capitalists, and from fiscal conservatives. You all should love us. We do essential things that help keep government smaller than it might be, and we do not compete with industry.

What we must do, however, is raise money, and generally speaking, we do compete with each other for a relatively limited number of philanthropic dollars. We are required, therefore, to be very clear about who in our communities needs us and who cares about what we do. And, when tastes or audience needs change, we must adjust how we are of service.

During the pandemic, almost everyone I know moved a great deal of programming and services into the virtual world. And as the pandemic wound down, we found that we could not return entirely to in-real-life activities. And while I can, and did, argue that nothing beats a face-to-face interaction, some portions of our audiences were not going to join us that way no matter what we did.

Figuring out how to continue to support ourselves in this new reality has not been easy. And the cultural organizations who claim that they have not come back to pre-pandemic levels of engagement, and of income, are not exaggerating.

The RI Coalition for the Arts, which was formed to advocate for a higher level of government funding for the arts and culture sector, argues additionally that in Rhode Island, the arts are a significant economic engine, and yet are often left out of support initiatives. Furthermore, bonds fund capital needs, often with required matching funds, and do nothing to assist the organizations with essential operational funding.

The problems are real. It is their solution that is flawed. In part because if the organizations need to renew their business models to adjust to changing audience habits, throwing public money at them wont fix that.

But there are other reasons. It is not long-term thinking, or predictably sustainable, to beg the Legislature to approve, and the electorate to fund, a multi-million-dollar bond every couple of years. Nor is it a sector-wide solution to have the money go to the organizations who have the political capital to make the backroom deal and get on the list. And, not for nothing, while advocates cite arts and culture, non-arts related organizations  those devoted to history and other educational activities  are often not part of the coalition and the lobbying effort.

We often hold Massachusetts up as a model for Rhode Island. While I usually disapprove, the Massachusetts Cultural Council has a regular annual budget of over $25 million, and makes grants of all kinds across the sector, including to the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences (like aquaria and zoos). If we really want to improve the health of the arts and culture sector in Rhode Island, a long term, strategic, push for a more permanent funding source for all of us could be the path. An endowment, a regular appropriation, and the thing we like least to do  a broader, more centralized effort  might get us there.

The post Calls for funding the arts and humanities in R.I. should be more focused and inclusive appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Thousands of passengers had their travel plans disrupted, and some were left stranded, after Canadas second-largest airline canceled hundreds of flights this weekend.

WestJet canceled 832 flights between last Thursday and Tuesday, over the countrys Canada Day holiday weekend.

The strike ended up grounding 130 aircraft across 13 airports in Canada, and left some passengers sleeping overnight in terminals.

It is [a] disaster, Louisa Garcia told CTV News, explaining how she and her husband had slept at Vancouver International Airport after a 14-hour flight from Manila.

The couple were supposed to catch another flight at around 8pm on Saturday to their home in Edmonton.

When we checked in for the connection  we learned that it was canceled and they did not send us an email, she said, adding that while she was then booked on another flight for the morning, that one was also canceled.

Westjet planes are seen parked at a Westjet hangar at Toronto Pearson International airport on Sunday. WestJet canceled 832 flights between last Thursday and Tuesday, over the countrys Canada Day holiday weekend. (Getty Images)

The groundings were the result of strike action by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. The strike ended on Sunday after talks between the union and airline resumed.

It was not just passengers in Canada who faced disruptions. La Carmina, a Vancouver-based travel vlogger, told Vancouver is Awesome that she was stuck in Los Cabos, Mexico.

I got an email after midnight [on Friday] saying that it was disrupted, then that there were no options for rebooking, very unhelpful, the vlogger told the outlet.

Travellers wait in a queue at a Westjet counter in Toronto Pearson International airport on Sunday after hundreds of flights were cancelled due to strike action (Getty Images)

At Winnipeg International Airport, others who had a layover in the airport on Saturday said they were fearing they would have to spend the night in the airport.

WestJet announced late on Sunday that strike action had been halted and AMFA members will return to work as scheduled to immediately start work to restore the network after a tentative agreement was reached.

The Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association urged its members to return to work immediately pending a vote on the temporary agreement.

Some 680 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to airline operations, had walked off the job on Friday evening despite a directive for binding arbitration from Canadas labor minister.

WestJet said late on Sunday that there will still be flight disruptions in the week ahead as its planes are brought back into service.

On Monday, WestJet released a statement saying that as of 12am that morning, the airline began to ramp up its operations, but full resumption of operations will take time and further cancellations will be required over the coming days.

We are grateful to be recovering our operation; however, we fully recognize the continued impact on our guests and sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding, said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer.

Across our airline, our teams are working around the clock to safely bring the 130 aircraft parked across Canada back to the skies, as efficiently as possible.
After a long journey fraught with a global pandemic and all-out invasion, Canada and Ukraine successfully revamped a free trade agreement that comes into play on July 1, expanding the relationship between Canadian and Ukrainian businesses.

The Canada Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) was initially introduced in August 2017, abolishing tariffs on 86% of Canadas exports to Ukraine. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Volodymyr Zelensky planned to update the agreement in 2019, the process was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russias full-scale invasion.

However, Ottawa and Kyiv jumped back onto the negotiation table in 2022 and agreed to new terms in record time. On Sept. 22, 2023, Trudeau and Zelensky signed the modernized CUFTA in Ottawa.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, on Sep. 22, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Canada's investment is about $14 billion in a range of supports from humanitarian to military and financial. The trade agreement is a part of that arsenal of support, Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng told the Kyiv Independent on June 27 during a visit to the capital with a Canadian business delegation.

In a sit-down interview in central Kyiv, Ng explained how the deal will bolster Ukrainian and Canadian businesses, help Ukraines economic recovery, and stressed why it's important to support women in business in Ukraine.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

The Kyiv Independent: How can the modernized CUFTA help Ukraine's economy and its reconstruction?

Mary Ng: The modernized agreement updated the chapters in the agreement. Before we used to trade in goods, that was what the last agreement covered, and now it's expanded to cover areas like trade in the digital sphere, trade in services, trade that facilitates greater collaboration.

There are elements that are hallmarks of a high-quality agreement. That includes standards for labor, for the environment, but also inclusivity; making sure that women and small and medium-sized businesses really are a part of the economy.

In my meetings with my governmental counterparts in Ukraine, one of the things they're very focused on is the continued prosperity and future growth of small and medium-sized businesses.

We hope to collaborate there and my business delegation includes a really important organization, the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce. They are a network of many Canadian businesses who wish to partner or collaborate in Ukraine.

The free trade agreement creates the right conditions and the rules that help businesses do business. Businesses always say to me that predictability and certainty is what they're looking for.

The Kyiv Independent: Who have you met with on your trip to Kyiv?

Mary Ng: On the government side, I met with Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who is my counterpart. I also had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister (Denys) Shmyhal. It's important to meet governmental counterparts, because there are some things that we as government need to understand in terms of priorities and how best to collaborate to do that.

I brought a business delegation and they convened a round table of businesses with the CEO Club and the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce. This was important because it is about businesses in Canada and Ukraine and government, as in me, exploring opportunities to invest and do business in Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent: What sectors were they from?

Mary Ng: From Canada, we have BlackBerry, defense companies like General Dynamics, and mining and industrial services that are already in Ukraine. CAE is another important aerospace and defense company as well.

The range of sectors is really important to what Ukraine is looking for in terms of its needs.

The General Dynamics Corp. booth at the Canadian Association of Defence & Security Industries (CANSEC) trade show in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. CANSEC showcases technology, products, and services for land-based, naval, aerospace and joint forces military units. (David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: Which sectors do you see as most important to support at this time?

Mary Ng: Energy security is really important, particularly recently with Russia destroying energy assets. The company Aecon and Ukrhydroenergo are working together on a project.

Defense is obviously really important. Training that companies like CAE could be doing is also really important for (Ukraine).

Read also: Russian attacks pushing Ukraines energy system toward worst-case scenario, largest private energy company says

The Kyiv Independent: Are Canadian businesses expressing interest in Ukraine now, even during the war?

Mary Ng: Yes. In fact, the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce has held Rebuild Ukraine conferences for the last couple of years.

Its a really important forum that brings together all the right people to help have that dialogue about what we could be doing together in the rebuilding effort.

The Kyiv Independent: Canada is particularly interested in supporting women in business in Ukraine: Do you see this growing in importance during the war as women are now proportionally more representative in the private sector than before?

Mary Ng: Absolutely, but I would make the following case to you, because I make this case in Canada as well. In Canada, we can add up to $150 billion to our economy by doing one thing, greater women's economic participation in the economy. Globally, its $12 trillion.

I think that Ukraine has an extraordinary opportunity here. I've met incredibly dynamic women leaders and entrepreneurs, but also government leaders. I'm looking forward to working with Ukraine there.

The Kyiv Independent: Do Ukraine's efforts on enabling a business environment make sense without war risk insurance? And how can Canada protect Canadian investments in Ukraine during the war?

Mary Ng: A couple of weeks ago, our export credit agency, Export Development Canada, signed an MOU with other export-credit agencies across the G7 on a collaboration on this very issue.

We're making really good progress and that work will continue. I do hear it from Canadian businesses, so Canada is going to work on it. We're also working with other allies on an insurance program that allows companies to operate in Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent: There's been growing pressure on private businesses in Ukraine recently from nefarious actors. How can Ukraine ensure a healthy business environment for foreigners?

Mary Ng: I'll go back to the free trade agreement. It is an excellent agreement, and what businesses always say to me is that they want to know the rules to help them plan and give certainty.

There is a chapter in the agreement on state protection for investors. Ukraine asked for that to be in this agreement. I think it's really important to have a free trade agreement that is a rules-based agreement that is a progressive and high standard. That's what businesses look for.

Having negotiated (the agreement) in record time and it coming into force on July 1, to be here with a business delegation and having the agreement is walking that talk.

Mary Ng, Canada's export promotion, international trade and economic development minister, speaks during the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) conference in Paris, France, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: In 2021, bilateral trade between Canada and Ukraine was at its highest point at $447 million. Do you expect trade to surpass these levels in the coming years?

Mary Ng: My own perspective is that we could be doing a lot more with Ukraine and I think that's what this agreement is all about.

It's about creating the conditions by modernizing it, by adding things like services and digital services and new elements to the trade agreement that will, if you expand the sectors and partnership, ultimately expand this relationship.

It is not just for the immediate. Negotiating an agreement of this nature means that we commit to each other to do more for decades to come.

The Kyiv Independent: Why is it so important to support Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses?

Mary Ng: In Canada, our small and medium-sized businesses make up 99% of our economy.

Most of Ukraines businesses are also small and medium-sized businesses and they really are the engines of resilience and growth.

It's important for us to collaborate in many sectors. For Canada, it's important to stand with Ukraine because they're fighting for their territorial integrity, they're fighting for their independence, and they're fighting for democracy.

In doing so, it's important to Canada as a democratic country with shared values to support the fight for democracy.

Read also: Canada introduces sanctions against Russian military-industrial complex, propaganda network

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
After weeks of waiting, Canadian rail workers are undeterred in their desire to initiate a work stoppage.

More than 9,300 union members at Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railways voted to reauthorize strikes at both companies Friday if negotiated settlements cannot be reached.

More from Sourcing Journal

Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) previously voted in favor of strike action on May 1, but the 60-day time limit on the vote expired.

While the initial authorization vote put forward plans for the rail workers to strike on May 22, no such action has been taken as the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) is currently reviewing whether a work stoppage would impede the countrys railroads from transporting certain essential goods. It remains unclear when the CIRB will issue a decision on the ongoing federal review, with CPKC saying in a statement Friday it is unlikely the parties will be able to initiate a legal strike or lockout before mid-July or later.

CPKC has requested that the CIRB extend the cooling-off period for 30 days after the date on which the CIRB issues its decision, CPKC said in the statement. This would help provide stability and predictability regarding the timelines for a potential work stoppage and allow all stakeholders to plan for such an eventuality.

In any event, under Canadian labor laws, a strike or lockout cannot occur unless a minimum of 72 hours notice is provided. As a result, no strike date has been announced.

Sourcing Journal reached out to CN and CPKC.

Overall, workers across both railroads voted 98.6 percent in favor of reauthorizing a strike, with an 89.5 percent overall voter turnout, according to the Teamsters.

At CN, 98.4 percent of conductors, locomotive engineers and yard workers voted to reauthorize a strike, with a 90.1 percent turnout. And at CPKC, 99.2 percent of employees across those positions agreed to keep the strike in effect, with an 88.6 percent turnout.

Rail traffic controllers at CPKC have voted 95.7 percent to reauthorize a strike, with 88.5 percent of these workers coming out to vote.

CN and CPKC are trying to force changes to our collective agreements that would move the clock back on working conditions and rail safety, said Paul Boucher, president of TCRC, in a statement. The Teamsters are trying to stop them. With this renewed strike mandate, we intend to go back to the bargaining table, work with federal mediators, and do everything in our power to reach a fair deal for our members and protect all Canadians.

In the event of a rail strike, affected ports would include those in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal and Halifax, with the delay of intermodal cargo services at Canadian container terminals further exacerbating port congestion concerns.

CPKC president and CEO Keith Creel already expressed worries of a potential strike during an April earnings call, saying it would seep into the crop harvesting season starting in July, which is when the demands for our service and the needs of the country have never been greater.

The union called the second vote an unusual step due to the delay prompted by the CIRB review.

While the two TCRC collective agreements expired on Dec. 31, 2023, they remain in effect under Canadian labor law until the parties reach new agreements.

CPKC says it has been negotiating with Canadas Teamsters since last September, while CN joined the fray in November.

Both rail companies say their offer to resolve the dispute through binding interest arbitration is still on the table. The Teamsters have declined both rail operators attempts at resolution through arbitration.

CNs most recent offer to the Teamsters includes wage increases of 3 percent in 2024 and 2.5 percent in 2025, as well as a higher pay rate for duty hours, meaning any work comprising more than 10 hours in a shift. CPKC has not revealed pay details of its most recent offering.

Workers are on the defensive in these negotiations, with both companies demanding a wide range of concessions on issues pertaining to crew scheduling, hours of work and fatigue management. The stumbling blocks are company demandsnot union proposals, the Teamsters said.

The union alleges that both CN and CPKC are trying to squeeze more availability out of train crews in the wake of staff shortages, impacting the safety of workers out on the railroads.

CPKC aims to gut the collective agreement of all safety-critical fatigue provisions, the Teamsters claim. The end result will mean train crews would be forced to stay awake even longer, increasing the risk of derailments and other accidents. CPKC has also failed to address the understaffing of rail traffic controllers.

Meanwhile, the Teamsters also say CN is targeting fewer fatigue provisions, with their offer being contingent on the acceptance of a forced relocation scheme.

Their proposal would see workers ordered to move across the country for months at a time to fill labor shortages in remote areas of Canada, the union said. CNs offer is also contingent on the union agreeing to extend workdays in all provinces west of Ontario.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A faction within the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has challenged Victor Matemadanda's credentials as a war veteran amidst intense competition for leadership roles ahead of an upcoming congress. Matemadanda, seeking to reclaim a position as the association's national chairman, is perceived as an ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, supporting efforts to extend Mnangagwa's presidency beyond 2028.Competing against Matemadanda are three other candidates backed by various interest groups within the war veterans' sector, including Moffat Marashwa, Andreas Ethan Matibela, and former chairman Chris Mutsvangwa, who leads another faction of the ZNLWVA.Matibela, heading a vocal faction, publicly questioned Matemadanda's war credentials, alleging manipulation in past leadership elections that favored certain individuals over authentic war veterans. He asserted that investigations into Matemadanda's background were necessary to ensure the integrity of the association.In response, Matemadanda dismissed these claims as false and reiterated his legitimacy as a war veteran vetted under former President Robert Mugabe's administration. He emphasized his focus on campaigning for the national chairmanship, dismissing the criticisms as political maneuvers aimed at undermining his candidacy.The dispute highlights internal divisions within the ZNLWVA as factions vie for leadership positions amidst broader political implications for Zimbabwe's future leadership and stability.
Cannabis shop proposal could force debate over Richland pot ban. Heres where it stands

Richland residents wont get a city-sponsored forum to debate the longstanding ban on cannabis sales in the near future.

A January request to authorize a cannabis store at Horn Rapids would have given residents a chance to tell the planning commission and the city council their thoughts on the matter.

But the request is on hold and there are no immediate plans to put it on a future agenda.

Fire Cannabis Co. applied to amend city codes so it could open a store at 2415 Robertson Drive in January. Co-owner Shanna Kaiser confirmed the request is on hold out of respect for the citys need to take a bigger look at the issue.

The business has stores in Omak and Yakima and is part of a larger network with stores across the state.

We are hopeful (the) city council will follow its constituency and make the right choice in proper deliberation, Kaiser said.

The city confirmed that Fire requested the hold in a statement attributed to Heather Kintzley, the citys attorney.

We will move the matter forward in and among the flow of other competing priorities, the statement said.

Would be first

If Fire Cannabis had succeeded, their store would be the first legal cannabis outlet in city limits. Residents have several options for legal cannabis or marijuana stores in Pasco and spots just outside West Richland and Kennewick.

Kintzley, the city attorney, briefed the city council about Fires request during an April workshop, ostensibly to assess what Richlands current elected leaders think about the controversial ban.

At the time, she advised that staff would recommend against the shop because the code amendment wouldnt create a full legal framework for cannabis shops to operate in the city.

The discussion prompted an informal council survey that showed a 4-3 split in favor of retaining the ban.

Councilmembers Ryan Lukson, Johanna Jones and Kurt Maier favor allowing cannabis. Mayor Theresa Richardson, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Kent and Councilmen Ryan Whitten and Shayne VanDyke indicated they dont.

Watching West Richland

Voters in neighboring West Richland will advise their elected city council about lifting that citys cannabis ban in the Aug. 6 primary election. Ballots will be mailed July 19.

Richland leaders said they arent interested in their own advisory ballot, but said theyll watch the results in West Richland with interest.

Richland banned cannabis retail sales after Washington voters legalized recreational use via Initiative 502 in 2012, which passed with 55.7% of the statewide vote.

The law took effect the following year and allowed licensed retailers to sell heavily-taxed and tested cannabis products.

Richland isnt alone. Kennewick, Pasco, West Richland and Franklin County enacted local bans, reflecting the initiatives unpopularity with Mid-Columbia voters.

Benton County enacted a ban on new businesses in 2018, after cannabis shops opened in unincorporated corners of the community, including Finley (Green2Go) and at the West Richland border (Nirvana).

Pasco eliminated its ban in 2023 on a 4-3 city council vote. Lucky Leaf and Green2Go opened last November, on Road 68 and near Road 90. Benton City and Prosser also allow cannabis sales.

While cannabis use is legal in Washington, the states deference to local control means the laws are applied haphazardly. MSRC reports 81 cities and six counties on both sides of the state prohibit cannabis.

Washington imposes a 37% excise tax on cannabis retail sales, in addition to the standard sales tax and as well as business and occupation taxes. Jurisdictions that ban cannabis receive no share of the revenue.

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CAPSLO responds to grand jury

NIMBYism, funding gaps stop SLO County from meeting homelessness goals (sanluisobispo.com, June 21)

As we navigate the complex issue of homelessness in our community, we extend our gratitude to the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury for their diligent work on the report that was released last week. We understand the challenges this issue poses and acknowledge the valid concerns of our residents.

CAPSLO, a private nonprofit serving the county for 59 years and the countys largest provider of homeless services, strives to serve all unhoused individuals while respecting the communitys needs. In addition to shelter and emergency programs, our outreach efforts have successfully assisted many unhoused individuals in finding housing, with data supporting our impact. Our Outreach Team engages with 423 individuals annually, providing nearly 5,000 unique services.

The team focuses on meeting unhoused individuals where they are, connecting them to vital resources at the 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, and guiding them on the path from street to home. The outreach efforts target the city of San Luis Obispo and coastal regions, ensuring immediate needs are identified and addressed effectively.

Furthermore, we are expanding our services by adding a number of units at our adjacent 46 property to accommodate families in need.

In addition, we want to assure the public that CAPSLO is held accountable by our federal, state, local and private grant funders through a records monitoring (inspection) process. While we do not open our records publicly to protect our client privacy, we do provide that information to our funders through a records verification process.

We are immensely thankful for the volunteers and donors who support our mission and commend our dedicated homeless services workers. We stand behind the grand jurys recommendations to stabilize staff, enhance data collection and secure stable county funding to further our efforts in combating homelessness.

Dee Lacey, President

CAPSLO Board of Directors

Opinion

Morro Bay museum in disarray

I was disturbed and saddened to visit the Morro Bay Natural History Museum today (June 21) with my grandsons.



I had not been inside since the covid pandemic, when California State Parks dismissed over 200 local volunteers. I served as a volunteer docent working with school groups and on the front desk for over 10 years. with more than 1,000 hours logged.

Today, I noticed a distinct lack of care in the facility, displays and the original, carefully prepared skeletons and bones. The outside sperm whale jaw was weathered and missing teeth. The outside balcony was closed and dirty; the minke whale had lichen growing on it.

Where there once was a back desk docent chatting with visitors, there were tables with crayons and standard coloring sheets. There were no roaming docents explaining displays and engaging with children. The lack of light in the museum made it difficult to view the display of crabs and other under-sand creatures. Other displays were absent, with blank walls asking for comments.

The midden on the way up to Whites Point was in disarray, with no signage. What a terrific loss for the Central Coast and out-of-town visitors!

Janene Cooper

Cayucos

More truth about Measure A-24

The truth about Measure A-24 (sanluisobispo.com, June 23)

Jim Gross in his letter is exactly right regarding Morro Bays Measure A-24: Its not true that it will prevent the plant from moving forward.

What It does do is allow Vistra to ask the voters if they will support building a Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Measure A-24 makes the citys voters the last local word, not the five-member City Council.

Again, Mr. Gross is correct when he says the California Energy Commission has the authority over energy projects. Where he gets it wrong is when he omits that the California Coastal Commission has authority in the coastal zone.

His other error is stating that this is precisely the type of project California wants. It may be the type of project that the governor, Legislature, and he want. However, he is not speaking for me. I dont want it, residents of San Diegos Otay Mesa dont want it and other communities across California dont want it.

Betty Winholtz

Morro Bay

Trump and tariffs

There is one word that would sink Trump. That word is tariff. He has no idea who pays the tariff. He says that China would pay, and doesnt know that consumers pay.

Robert Harway

San Luis Obispo
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Authorities say a car crashed into a building near Holland early Monday morning.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office said that around 2:30 a.m. Monday, deputies tried to stop a gray Mercedes driving recklessly, but the driver did not stop for them. The suspect crashed into a building at the intersection of Butternut Drive and Riley Street in Holland Township.

The crash caused the traffic signal to go out at the intersection. The sheriffs office said crews are working to restore power to the traffic signal.

The people inside the vehicle were all juveniles and had minor injuries, according to the sheriffs office.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
In case you missed it. Here are some of the goings-on around the Georgia Capitol last week

U.S. Supreme Court upholds statewide PSC elections

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal in a lawsuit challenging the way Georgia elects members of the state Public Service Commission (PSC).

The courts decision not to take up the case means members of the PSC will continue to be elected statewide under a new schedule adopted by the General Assembly this year.

While the five members of the commission serve as representatives of districts, each is elected statewide.

A federal lawsuit filed by four Black Fulton County residents argued that electing members of the PSC statewide diluted Black voting strength in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act, making it more difficult for Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice.

While a lower federal court agreed and ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals overturned that decision. The ruling by the Supreme Court not to hear the case upheld the appellate court, meaning statewide PSC elections that had been delayed while the lawsuit was pending now may go forward.

Under the schedule the legislature approved in March, the election for the PSCs District 2 seat now held by Commissioner Tim Echols will take place in May of next year in conjunction with municipal election primaries. The elections for districts 3 and 5  seats now held by commissioners Fitz Johnson and Tricia Pridemore  will be held in 2026.

Elections for PSC districts 1 and 4  now served by commissioners Jason Shaw and Lauren Bubba McDonald, will take place in 2028.

Georgia Gang Prosecution Unit expanding into Macon

The statewide Gang Prosecution Unit Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr created in 2022 is expanding its operations.

A newly hired prosecutor and a new investigator will oversee the units regional efforts in Macon-Bibb County. Previously, the unit was based in Atlanta, Albany, and Augusta.

The new prosecutor, Ashton Jordan, joins the state unit after serving as a senior district attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit since 2015. Criminal investigator Nathan Shoate comes to the state after serving with the Fulton County District Attorneys office since last year.

In its two years in operation, the state unit has won more than 40 convictions and indicted nearly 140 criminal suspects in 13 counties from Athens-Clarke County to Dougherty County in Southwest Georgia, including all five of metro Atlantas core counties.

In addition to Macon, the unit also plans to expand its footprint with new prosecutors and investigators in Columbus and Southeast Georgia.

Poll shows strong opposition to mining near Okefenokee

A new poll shows overwhelming public opposition to an Alabama companys plans to mine titanium near the Okefenokee Swamp.

The survey of 600 Georgia voters, conducted late last month by Washington, D.C.-based Hart Research Associates, found widespread bipartisan opposition to issuing state permits to Twin Pines Minerals for the project.

A drone photograph shows part of the Twin Pines mine site, where equipment is stationed, on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Charlton County, Georgia. The site is located less than 3 miles from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the largest U.S. refuge east of the Mississippi River. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has released draft permits to Twin Pines Minerals for a 582-acre mine that would extract titanium and other minerals from atop the ancient sand dunes on the swamps eastern border, which holds water in the refuge. (Hyosub Shin/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

More than nine of 10 poll respondents said it is important to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and its wildlife from pollution and other environmental dangers. By the same overwhelming margin, the voters surveyed said its more important to protect plants and wildlife that live in the swamp from harm, even if it might prevent economic development.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) released draft permits for the first phase of the proposed mine in February. Twin Pines executives have said the project would not harm the swamp.

But opponents cite research showing that mining titanium oxide along Trail Ridge on the Okefenokees eastern rim would threaten the swamps water levels, increase wildfire risks, harm wildlife, and release toxic contaminants into nearby surface and groundwater.

Legislation aimed at stopping the mine has been introduced in the General Assembly but has failed to win passage. The latest effort, which the state House of Representative passed on the next-to-last day of this years legislative session, called for a three-year moratorium on the type of mining being planned near the swamp. But the bill died when it failed to get a vote in the Senate.

At least 19 local governments across Georgia have passed resolutions calling for protecting the Okefenokee.

Conservation group buys properties near Ocmulgee Mounds

A nonprofit organization dedicated to land conservation has acquired two parcels of land in Middle Georgia that will support efforts to establish the Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgias first national park.

The Branson Tracts occupy 931 acres in Bibb and Twiggs counties. The Open Space Institute has acquired the properties from conservation-minded landowner Martha Bond Branson with plans to transfer them to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as additions to the 8,600-acre Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

The tracts are located a short distance from traditional Muscogee (Creek) Nation lands and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

Ocmulgee Mounds National State Park is one of the stops on the new Macon tourist attraction Georgias Trail of Legacy & Lore.

More than half a million people live near the Bond Swamp, which will allow easy public access to an outdoor recreation opportunity.

Georgias two U.S. senators, Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and U.S. Reps. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, and Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, introduced legislation into Congress last month to create a national park and preserve at the Ocmulgee Mounds.

The area is the ancestral home of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has been inhabited continuously by humans for more than 12,000 years.
Cassava Sciences forms internal panel after US probe into two employees

U.S. Justice Department seal is seen at Justice Department headquarters in Washington

By Christy Santhosh and Pratik Jain

(Reuters) -Cassava Sciences will form a committee to evaluatenew probes by U.S. regulators and investigate two senior employees, it said on Monday, days after a medical professor linked to the company was charged with fraud.

Shares of the Austin, Texas-based pharmaceutical company were down more than 8% in early trade.

They tumbled 35% on Friday after federal prosecutors charged Hoau-Yan Wang, a doctor who collaborated with Cassava, with fraud for allegedly submitting fabricated data to the National Institutes of Health related to an experimental treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Wang's laboratory conducted the final analysis for the mid-stage study evaluating the company's Alzheimer's drug, simufilam.

The company said on Monday it was engaged with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the investigations into the two employees.

The committee, consisting of independent directors, is evaluating information contained in the DOJ indictment of Wang and will oversee disclosures in filings with the SEC regarding matters at issue, said Cassava.

Cassava said it had terminated its consulting relationship with Wang prior to his indictment, adding he did not have any involvement in its ongoing late-stage trials.

However, H.C. Wainwright analyst Vernon Bernardino said it is "inescapable" that Wang is charged with fraud related to early and mid-stage study data that has been used as evidence to support a late-stage trial for simufilam.

"This controversy could be a significant long-term challenge to realizing upside in Cassava stock", Bernardino said.

Doubts concerning the drug emerged three years ago and was followed by an investigation by the SEC in November 2021.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh and Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Sriraj Kalluvila)
The 'Fast Foodies' star was arrested Friday night in St. Paul, Minn., say police

Mat Hayward/Getty Images for WarnerMedia Justin Sutherland

Celebrity chef and reality TV star Justin Sutherland is facing a criminal charge after prosecutors in Minnesota allege he threatened his girlfriend with a gun and squeezed her neck, according to court documents.

On Friday, June 28, Sutherland, 40, of St. Paul, was arrested. On Monday, July 1, he was charged with one count of felony threats of violence - reckless disregard risk, according to a statement of probable cause obtained by PEOPLE.

According to the criminal complaint, the woman, 24, allegedly told police that Sutherland pointed a gun at her and hit her in the chest with it, saying, "Don't come back here or I am going to shoot you.

The woman allegedly told police Sutherland put his hands around her neck and squeezed for approximately five to six seconds, and allegedly hit her with a gun, the complaint claims.

While he was allegedly strangling her, she said that he told her, "I could kill you," the probable cause statement claims.

An hour and a half before this alleged incident, the woman called 911 claiming her boyfriend had choked her and was trying to kick her out of the apartment, the probable cause statement says.

She did not provide Sutherland's name at the time "because she did not want to get anyone in trouble," the statement says.

She told responding officers that she and Sutherland "had a disagreement about something stupid," the statement says.

Sutherland told police the pair had a verbal disagreement and everything was fine, the statement alleges. No arrests were made at that time.



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Sutherland's attorney, John Daly, tells PEOPLE the complaint is riddled with falsehoods."

Mr. Sutherland vehemently denies all the allegations in the complaint, Daly told PEOPLE. He never threatened to shoot anyone. He did not physically assault his girlfriend. He looks forward to the truth coming out as the court process unfolds.

As for what allegedly prompted the womans claims, he added, The relationship was coming to an end.

Sutherland is the co-host of TruTV's Fast Foodies with Kristen Kish and Jeremy Ford.

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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Changed rules for Ukraine mean its F-16s will arrive when they can make a far bigger impact, military experts say

Ukraine's F-16s now look set to arrive when they can be particularly impactful.

That's because Ukraine now has permission to use weapons supplied by allies on targets in Russia.

This means Russian air defenses can be taken out, military experts say.

New rules from Ukraine's allies about how it can use weapons they've supplied could have a strong impact on its long-awaited F-16s.

The first of the US-made fighter jets are due to arrive this summer, at a time when they could be particularly impactful in the fight against Russia, military experts told Business Insider.

That's because Ukraine now has permission to use weaponry given by its allies to hit targets on Russian soil.

George Barros, a Russian-military expert at the US's Institute for the Study of War, said this would make the F-16s more effective.

He said that a month or so back, he viewed the F-16s as "sort of a mixed bag"  Ukraine needed the capabilities, but Russia had a stronger air force and a major air-defense network.

"Now, I'm actually a lot more optimistic," he told BI.

Ukraine can hit targets in Russia

Until May, Ukraine was prevented by its allies from using weapons they'd supplied to strike into Russian territory.

This was a major disadvantage, as Russia could gather troops and equipment just across the border and launch attacks from places Ukraine wasn't able to hit.

Many analysts said it meant Ukraine was fighting with one hand behind its back.

But in May, many of its allies loosened the restrictions.

Barros said the long-standing assumption that Ukraine couldn't hit into Russia meant the expected impact of the aircraft was seen as limited.

"But now I see this glimmer of hope where we're so close to getting all the pieces of the puzzle together where now we can start evaluating air power," he said, "because basically, we've written off air power for the last two years."

An F-16 fighter jet. 412th Test Wing Public Affairs/DVIDS

Peter Layton, a fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute who's a former Royal Australian Air Force officer, said for F-16s to be most effective, Russian air defenses needed to be taken out.

Being able to target air defenses stationed in Russia is, therefore, a major help.

Barros said Ukraine would probably have too few F-16s this summer to make a huge change. But over time, he said, it could "cascade into a large effect."

He added that the US removing more of its restrictions would make a bigger difference. (The US will still not let Ukraine use long-range munitions to strike deep inside Russian territory, where some of Russia's longest-range weaponry can fire at Ukraine from.)

Ukraine's president has also urged its allies to further relax restrictions on using long-range weapons to strike military targets in Russia, saying Ukraine still can't stop its deadly glide-bomb attacks.

Ukraine can fight again

Ukraine spent the first months of this year managing critical shortages of equipment and ammunition.

But the US resumed aid in April after Republicans stalled it for six months, and supplies have started reaching frontline soldiers.

That should give a boost to Ukraine's first F-16s, some experts say, though it's not clear how long US support will last compared with when further F-16s may arrive.

Layton said that "on a tactical level," the F-16s arriving alongside replenished arsenals was a boost for Ukraine, but he added that some of Ukraine's shortages might not have been so pronounced if the F-16s had arrived earlier to aid Ukraine's air defenses.

F-16s should soon arrive

Ukraine has asked for F-16s since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, but US permission to send the US-made jets didn't come until May 2023.

Russian Su-34 fighter bombers. YURI KADOBNOV/AFP via Getty Images

Experts say Ukraine's allies should have given F-16s sooner if they wanted to see the jets making a battlefield impact this year, as issues with pilot training and integrating them into Ukraine's military would probably have been fixed by now.

"If the West donated F-16s a year earlier, then most of these problems would be solved by now," Michael Clarke, a Russia and Ukraine expert and a British national security advisor, told BI.

"But as usual, we left it until the last possible moment when it would make a difference and then expected the Ukrainians to work miracles with them, which is not going to happen," he added.

Experts also say Ukraine needs more jets than what has been promised since having smaller numbers means it needs to be extra cautious with the ones it gets.

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel who's a defense-strategy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI that "the problem is that there's not going to be very many F-16s."

He said it was unfair to expect Ukraine to achieve massive breakthroughs without significantly more of the planes.

The US has such dominance in the air because it employs "hundreds of aircraft with extensive support systems on the ground," he said.

Ukraine has been promised an estimated 85 jets by Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium, but it isn't clear how many are due to arrive in the initial wave or when more will be delivered.

Clarke said that without more jets, "in terms of defending Ukrainian airspace and being able to deal all the way across the front with Russia's numbers, the F-16s are a long way from being able to do that."

He said that for the jets to be really effective, Ukraine needed at least 200, along with the support it required.

Even so, the experts say the F-16s will make a difference for Ukraine without being a total game changer on their own.

The jets are set to help replenish lost aircraft, deter Russian jets, and act as air defenses.

Tim Robinson, a military-aviation specialist at the UK's Royal Aeronautical Society, told BI the aircraft would also "make Russian pilots there a little bit more kind of wary, a little bit more careful about what they're going up against."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) hit back at former President Trump for reposting a meme that suggested Cheney committed treason.

Donald  This is the type of thing that demonstrates yet again that you are not a stable adult and are not fit for office, she wrote on social platform X.

Cheney was responding to a post from MeidasTouch, which shared a screenshot of Trump reposting a meme on his Truth Social media platform. The meme suggested that Cheney should be prosecuted in televised military tribunals, but its not clear for what.

The meme said, Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is guilty of treason and Retruth if you want televised military tribunals. Trump retruthed the meme, which was posted Sunday.

Trump previously called for Cheney to be prosecuted over allegations she and the other Jan. 6 select committee members purposely withheld testimony and details from their investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks at the Capitol. Cheney has pushed back on these calls, saying that he knows these are lies.

Cheney served as vice chair of the House Jan. 6 committee and has emerged as one of the top GOP critics of the former president. She lost her seat in 2022 following her role on the committee.

House Republicans have tried in recent months to discredit the initial findings of the Jan. 6 committee. Trump called for members of the House panel investigating Jan. 6 to be indicted last month after a federal judge ordered his longtime ally Steve Bannon to report to jail.

The unAmerican Weaponization of our Law Enforcement has reached levels of Illegality never thought possible before, Trump posted last month. INDICT THE UNSELECT J6 COMMITTEE FOR ILLEGALLY DELETING AND DESTROYING ALL OF THEIR FINDINGS!

Bannon reported to federal prison in Connecticut on Monday over his contempt of Congress charges for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the riots.

The Hill has reached out to Trumps campaign for comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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, Rhode Island. A state program for child care workers subsidizes Milas tuition. A handful of other states, including Kentucky, 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.

If every state followed Kentuckys lead, some 234,000 workers with children under age 6 could benefit, estimates a research center at the University of California, Berkeley.

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.

Rhode Island state Reps. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, left, and Grace Diaz, both Democrats, confer this month over the proposed budget, which includes funding of a program to subsidize child care for caretakers kids. (Photo by Elaine S. Povich/Stateline)

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.

Child care worker Kayla Champagne watches her son, Jaxson, 3, climb at the Little Learners Academy in Smithfield, R.I. (Photo by Elaine S. Povich/Stateline)

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.

This story is republished from Stateline, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network.

The post For child care workers, state aid for their own kids care is life-changing appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Thicker and Stickier

After boldly going to the Moon's far side, China is now in possession of more than four pounds of unprecedented lunar samples  the first ever collected in human history from that mysterious region.

The state-run China Daily newspaper reports that samples from the Chang'e 6 robotic lunar lander, which touched down back on Earth last week, brought back 1.953 kilograms (or roughly 4.3 pounds) from the side of the Moon that permanently faces away from our planet  and already, they're proving to be stranger than expected.

Ge Ping, a senior space official overseeing China's lunar programs, told reporters after an unveiling ceremony that the samples appear to be "thicker and stickier" than ones collected from the Moon's near side. He added that they contain some "lumps."

While the Chang'e 6 mission was the first ever to collect samples from the Moon's far side  sometimes referred to as its "dark" side because we never see it from the Earth, though the Sun does indeed shine upon it  it wasn't the first time a human craft has breached its mysterious territory.

That distinction also belongs to China, which in 2019 became the first country in the world to land on the Moon's mountainous far side with its Chang'e 4 rover mission. With the return of these groundbreaking samples, the country is making history yet again.

Analysis Pending

In another press statement quoted by the South China Morning Post, the deputy designer of the China National Space Administration mission to the far side of the Moon said that although the samples have yet to be analyzed, they "may have very different mineral chemical compositions" than previous samples collected before.

"In other words," said the official, Li Chunlai, "we only know about half of the moon from the samples collected in the past."

Now that the samples are back on terra firma, CNSA officials say scientists in China should be able to study them by the year's end. After that, China plans to open the samples up to the international community.

American researchers, however, likely won't be included once the international community gets access to the four pounds of unexplored Moon rocks, due to a 2011 law passed in the United States barring any government funding for direct cooperation with China.

More on Moon missions: China Finds Something Strange in Sample Retrieved From Moon
News / National

by Staff reporter

Government officials, including the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Lovemore Matuke, have dismissed persistent corruption allegations against the executive, despite reports linking unexplained expenditures to tenders awarded to allies of the ruling party.Allegations surfaced regarding the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) granting a tender to Wicknell Chivayo, a former convict and Zanu-PF member, through his South African company Ren Form CC. The tender, reportedly for supplying election materials for the 2023 plebiscite, involved payments exceeding US$40 million to Chivayo, Zanu-PF central committee member Mike Chimombe, and Moses Mpofu.In another instance, ZEC allegedly procured 2,000 non-flushable toilets valued at US$7.6 million just days before the elections, but these were delivered eight months later, raising further scrutiny over the commission's procurement practices.Minister Matuke responded to these allegations, dismissing them as unsubstantiated and lacking credible proof. He emphasized that such claims had not been publicly validated and urged further research into the matter.Similarly, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Norbert Muzungunye labeled the allegations as baseless, suggesting that more time might be needed to investigate and provide a comprehensive response.Despite denials from ZEC, Chivayo, Chimombe, and Mpofu regarding their involvement in these procurement scandals, opposition figures have called for thorough investigations into the matter to ensure transparency and accountability within the electoral process.
The News

China will send a pair of pandas to Hong Kong, an apparent show of soft diplomacy as the city marks 27 years since its return to China from British rule and the first anniversary of draconian new security laws known as Article 23.

The first time that Hong Kong received giant pandas was in 1999, to celebrate the smooth establishment of the one country, two systems policy. It received a second pair in 2007.

As the city struggles to attract foreign visitors wary of Chinas influence, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said the new pandas will be valuable tourism assets.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Asias world city struggles to appeal to tourists

Source: Hong Kong Free Press

While the flow of tourists visiting Hong Kong from mainland China has mostly returned to pre-pandemic levels, international visitor numbers have dropped precipitously. Foreign tourism stands at about 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels, as many visitors, particularly those from the UK and the US, stay away  a significant change from the past, when Hong Kong was branded as Asias world city, and seen as free from Chinas overt influence. Tourism is expected to see a 35 percent uptick in 2024 compared with last year, but the amount of money tourists are spending in the city is plummeting. Hong Kong authorities have gone so far as to tell citizens to smile more to create a welcoming environment for visitors.

Handover anniversary spotlights Hong Kongs transformation

Source: Nikkei Asia

Hong Kongs handover anniversaries were once an occasion for people to take to the streets in support of democracy, a tradition that began in 2003 when half a million people protested against earlier versions of Article 23, a set of draconian security laws that were passed this year. Since then, political exiles have had their passports canceled, while several Hong Kongers have been arrested over allegations of dissent. Some members of the foreign media and pro-democracy activists have also been denied entry visas. Former pro-democracy lawmaker Emily Lau told Nikkei Asia that as Hong Kongers grapple with the extent of the restrictions on speech and media, people feel they have been inhibited.

China is ramping up its panda diplomacy efforts

Source: BBC

San Diego, San Francisco, Madrid, Washington DC, Australia  and now Hong Kong  have either received or been promised giant pandas in 2024, a renewed effort to boost Chinas soft power on the global stage. Pandas have been used as diplomatic gifts for hundreds of years, but as the perception of Chinas military and economic might (and its ability to threaten the West) grows, these cuddly diplomatic gifts could strategically soften Chinas image somewhat, Susan Brownell, a member of the National Committee on US-China Relations, told the BBC.
(Bloomberg) -- China is likely to detain more Taiwanese people under a law that targets supporters of independence in a bid to pile pressure on the new president, senior security officials from the island said.

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A recent move by Beijing to flesh out the law amounted to weaponizing domestic legislation against Taiwan, the two officials, who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue, said at a briefing in Taipei on Friday. The officials were speaking based on assessments made by Taiwans national security apparatus, rather than any intelligence they had gathered.

There have been 15 detentions in recent years, the officials said. Taiwanese could be taken into custody in China, they added, or in places that had extradition treaties with the nation, though that scenario hasnt happened yet. Any detentions would worsen cross-strait ties, they added.

The comments signal China may be adding to its playbook for showing its displeasure with Lai, whom it sees as pushing for independence for the US-backed island it has vowed to control eventually, by force if necessary.

China resorted to a range of moves to pressure Lai since he won election in January. It peeled off one of its last diplomatic allies, Nauru, and then held its most expansive military drills in a year around Taiwan just days after Lai took office in May. China also condemned Secretary of State Antony Blinken for extending his congratulations to Lai on taking office, and hit five Taiwanese political commentators with largely symbolic sanctions because they had incited hostility and confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Last month, Taiwan hiked its travel warning for China to the second-highest level, citing Beijings decision to expand laws that threaten separatists from the island with the death penalty. It said that recent incidents of Taiwanese people being detained in China were a factor in raising the alert level.

Beijing is still holding a Taiwanese man whose boat got lost in fog in waters near China in March. The man was serving in Taiwans military when he was detained, though his family asked for and was granted his discharge, a move that may be aimed at facilitating his release.

Travel across the strait has struggled to recover since the pandemic but there is some travel between the two sides. While Taiwan sits some 100 km from China, many of the islets it controls are much closer, bringing their people into close contact.

In 2017, a Chinese court sentenced a Taiwanese democracy activist to five years in prison. Lee Ming-che was found guilty of subverting state power following a visit across the strait.

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NEW YORK  Two of Mayor Eric Adams top advisers met in spring 2022 with a businessman who had months earlier registered as an agent for Chinas government, but the executive didnt disclose the sitdown to U.S. authorities, a reporting lapse that could raise legal concerns, the New York Daily News has learned.

Robin Mui, CEO of Sing Tao, a Chinese-owned media organization with offices in New York, said in a recent interview he didnt inform the feds of his April 18, 2022, meeting with Adams advisers Ingrid Lewis-Martin and Winnie Greco because he doesnt agree with the U.S. Justice Departments determination that hes a Chinese agent.

I dont disclose any meetings. I am a newspaper man, and I meet a lot of people, said Mui. Despite his contention, Mui has been registered as a Chinese government agent since 2021, federal records show.

Steve Roberts, an expert in the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act, which imposes disclosure obligations on foreign agents, said its a big gamble for Mui to be openly defiant of the Justice Departments reporting requirements in such a way. Even if Mui disagrees with the departments determination that hes an agent, the feds consider him one and thereby expect him under the FARA law to disclose any formal meetings he holds with U.S. public officials, Roberts said.

The Justice Department does not care if you see the statute a different way. To not report activity even though you know theres an obligation would seem to fall under the knowing and willful definition, Roberts said, referring to a section in the law that says foreign agents who knowingly omit a material fact from their disclosures can face a $10,000 fine and prison.

The meeting took place at Sing Taos office on Lafayette St. in SoHo, according to Lewis-Martins detailed daily schedules obtained by The News via a Freedom of Information Law request.

Mui, whos an Adams campaign donor, described the confab as a friendly gathering and said he couldnt recall specific issues they discussed.

Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said Greco and Lewis-Martin met with Mui to talk about ethnic media engagement between Adams administration and Sing Tao, but wouldnt say whether they knew he was a foreign agent before their sitdown.

The Justice Departments FARA unit didnt return a request for comment.

Revelations about the Mui meet come after FBI agents raided Grecos two Bronx homes in February as part of a federal investigation.

Sources familiar with the matter confirmed to the Daily News this week the probe is scrutinizing trips Greco and Adams took to China that were partially paid by Chinas Communist government. The investigations reportedly also looking into Grecos role in hosting fundraisers for Adams 2021 campaign that drew contributions that have sparked straw donor concerns.

Greco didnt return a request for comment on word that the feds are looking at her trips to China with the mayor.

Adams spokesman Fabien Levy said the trips, which the mayor went on while Brooklyn borough president, was cleared by the city Conflicts of Interest Board.

The Brooklyn U.S. attorneys office, which is leading the Greco probe, declined to comment on the Mui meeting.

Neither Greco nor anyone else in the mayors orbit have been accused of wrongdoing by the feds.

Before joining Adams administration as his Asian community liaison, Greco was a consultant for New York-based influence groups that receive funding from Chinas regime.

Greco, who along with Lewis-Martin is one of Adams longest-serving advisers, returned to work at City Hall in May after going on paid sick leave following the FBI raids.

At the time of his sitdown with Lewis-Martin and Greco, Mui had been a registered Chinese agent for nearly eight months.

The Justice Department ordered Mui and Sing Tao to register in August 2021 after determining the companys U.S. operations constitute foreign government influence activity. The U.S. governments determination that Sing Taos a foreign agent came after the daughter of a billionaire member of the Chinese Communist Partys political arm bought a majority stake in the company in the summer of 2021.

Mui has other connections to Adams orbit.

Between 2015 and 2016, Mui gave $1,250 to Adams Brooklyn borough president campaign. He also gave another $3,000 to his nascent mayoral bid in 2019, $1,000 of which was returned due to contribution limits, city records show.

Mui also surfaced in the headlines this spring when Newsweek reported he and Greco are the organizers of the citys Asian-American heritage parade, which first took place in Manhattan in spring 2022 after Adams granted it status as an annual event. Several Chinese-Americans who are critical of Chinas government told the outlet they were barred from participating in the parade due to their political views.

After authorizing the parade, Adams marched in it in both 2022 and 2023 alongside Huang Ping, Chinas consul general in New York.

The Greco investigations among several law enforcement inquiries touching on Adams inner circle.

The Manhattan U.S. attorneys office is separately investigating allegations that Turkeys government funneled illegal money into Adams 2021 campaig. As part of that probe, FBI agents last November seized Adams cell phones and raided the homes of two longtime aides.

Adams hasnt been accused of wrongdoing in that investigation, either.

Among the episodes the feds are scrutinizing in the Turkey probe is Adams role in helping resolve building safety issues at the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan that threatened to delay the buildings opening in summer 2021. Adams, who was at the time the Democratic mayoral nominee, has confirmed he helped Turkish Consul General Reyhan Ozgur, but argues there was nothing untoward about that.

Lewis-Martins schedule entries show she met for dinner with Ozgur on July 7, 2022, at the Turkish Consulate on First Ave. Mamelak declined to say what they talked about, but said its common for Lewis-Martin to meet with consul generals.
Taiwanese authorities are investigating reports that a Chinese state-backed journalist has been wielding her influence behind the scenes at a Taiwanese broadcaster to push Chinese propaganda surreptitiously to Taiwanese audiences.

Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office had approached several Taiwanese broadcasters with proposals to launch political talk shows in Taiwanand to sweeten the deal, they offered to give the show preferential commercial treatment in the Chinese market, according to Liberty Times, a sister paper of the Taipei Times.

One Taiwanese broadcaster reportedly accepted the proposal, and so began the influence operation. Zhao Bo, a reporter for Xinhua, a Chinese state news agency, arrived at the broadcaster and directly edited content for the show, including scripts, according to the report. The production team wasnt told her identity or her purpose of her work, according to Taipei Times.

But she reportedly made sure that guests followed the agreed-upon scripts and held private conversations with guests in order to emphasize her point. One of the programs focused on the policies of former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and his trip to China.

But now that Taiwanese authorities have caught wind of her activities, she has reportedly fled the island back to China.

Taiwans National Communications Commission (NCC) is probing the incident, but has not identified the broadcaster. Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng confirmed in a statement that a multi-agency investigation would be launched.

The incident raises questions about just how much Chinese actors have infiltrated the information space in Taiwan as China continues to wield its influence and propaganda arms to indoctrinate the Chinese perspective in Taiwan.

If Xinhua News Agency is blatantly sending people to monitor Taiwanese media and openly intervene [in their operations], then China is manipulating what gets said in political commentary programs, which is of course illegal, said Rosalia Wu, the head of the Democratic Progressive Party caucus in Taiwans Legislative Yuan, according to Radio Free Asia.

China has historically seized the opportunity to offer financial benefits to news outlets in Taiwan in order to platform Chinese influence aimed at Taiwanese audiences, according to Scott Harold, a political scientist and Associate Director of the Center for Asia Pacific Policy at RAND.

Many of the companies that are in the media space in Taiwan have a need for advertising print media is obviously a challenged and a challenging environment in which to raise funds, Harold told The Daily Beast, adding there is a need for advertising dollars or advertising revenuesChina can provide that, and has often sought to leverage that for influence.

Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Puma Shen said Zhao Bos work is likely not an isolated incident. Shen suggested that while this incident is quite brazen, China also leans on middlemen to carry out its influence operations in Taiwan, making them harder to thwart.

China has dismissed the allegations, claiming that the entire story about Zhao Bo is fake news. Instead, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office suggested the broadcaster acted alone. They wantonly frame, intimidate and punish media outlets that hold different positions, spokesperson Zhu Fenglian told reporters.

Taiwan has dealt with alleged Chinese influence in Taiwanese news outlets before. In 2019, Want Want China Times, a media conglomerate whose chair has spouted pro-China opinions in the past, sued The Financial Times for reporting that some of its outlets were seeking approvals on stories and angles from Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, according to The Diplomat. (In this case, too, Want Want said the claims were fake news.) The NCC has fined Want Want media outlets in the past as well for allegedly inaccurate or unfair coverage.

BEHAVE, OR ELSE

News of the influence operation comes just days after Chinese authorities announced that they may go so far as to issue the death penalty for diehard Taiwan independence separatists, raising alarm bells in Taiwan about Chinese designs against Taiwans sovereignty.

Its possible that the announcement is just a flashy PR campaign to try thwarting separatist campaigns and chilling any separatist ambitions. (China doesnt have jurisdiction in Taiwan.)

But for Beijing, that may be the whole point. China has long been working to convince Taiwanese audiences that improved relations and potential unification with China have benefits. Its part of a broach approach China takes against Taiwan that isolates, coerces, and uses grey zone pressuresevery lever of power below the level of armed conflict.

And its all about warming Taiwanese audiences up to the idea that unification with China is the easiest path ahead, Harold said.

China has a holistic, whole of government effort to try to use every tool in its toolkit to woo Taiwans societyand to intimidate Taiwans societyto create an impression that Taiwan has no future apart from rejoining (or joining in many in Taiwan's view) and to conclude that you cannot hope to resist China, Harold said.

Its not just the apparent media operation. China has been ramping up its coercive campaigns targeting Taiwan since its new president Lai Ching-te was elected. China launched military drills, called Joint Sword-2024A, three days after Lai gave his inaugural address, warning that the exercises were meant to serve as strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces.

While U.S. officials have grown concerned that China may be preparing to be able to invade Taiwan by 2027, some harbor the belief that a military option is not inevitable. Invading Taiwan would not result in a swift victory for either China or the United States, if it intervenes, according to the results of a war-game executed by experts at the Center for a New American Security. And taking Taiwan by force would be incredibly difficult, with mountains, jungles, and rugged terrain, military planners note.

Complicating matters would be Chinas calculus over whether to limit its operations to Taiwan or launch preemptive strikes against U.S. and allied targets. It could opt to make way for its military operation, while running the risk of expanding and prolonging the conflict.

Rather than risk all that, China can lean on grey zone operations, with everything from cyberattacks to pressure campaigns to influence operations.

China has for years been working on sweeping efforts that appear aimed at softening independence stances in Taiwan. Just last year, China unveiled a plan to better integrate Taiwan with Fujian, a coastal province, as part of a blueprint on how China could completely reunify Taiwan with China. Rather than rely on military force, Beijings plan focused on enhancing economic and social ties between the two.

Taiwans Mainland Affair Council lambasted the plan as totally wishful thinking at the time. Polling indicates that plans like it have done little to sway Taiwanese audiences towards unification with China.

Indeed, in recent days, Taiwanese lawmakers negative reactions to Chinas apparent effort to weasel its way into Taiwanese broadcasting have been piling up. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Ting-yu has suggested that Taiwan ban Xinhua journalists in Taiwan.

The government should ban Xinhua News Agency from posting people to Taiwan, Wang said, according to Radio Free Asia. Otherwise, if they do something wrong and have to go running back [to China], they can just send someone to replace them, which is a legal loophole.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Not So Static

During what was supposed to be a static test launch, a private Chinese aerospace company accidentally launched one of its rockets, which crashed spectacularly into a nearby mountain.

As The Guardian reports, the Beijing Tianbing company, also known as Space Pioneer, admitted on its WeChat channel to the explosive error that occurred during a test of its Tianlong-3 rocket in the southwestern city of Gongyi.

In a translation of that social media statement, Space Pioneer said that the first stage of the Tianlong-3 test run had been going "normally" when the body of the reusable craft separated unexpectedly due to "structural failure."

"After liftoff, the onboard computer automatically shut down, and the rocket fell into a deep mountain 1.5 kilometers [0.93 miles] southwest of the test bench," the statement reads. "The rocket body disintegrated after falling into the mountain."

As video from Chinese news outlets and social media shows, the rocket landed in a wooded area of the hills surrounding Gongyi. Both the company and local authorities confirmed that nobody was hurt in the incident, though the rocket crash did, per the Gongyi emergency management service, cause a forest fire that has since been extinguished.

Wow. This is apparently what was supposed to be a STATIC FIRE TEST today of a Tianlong-3 first stage by China's Space Pioneer. That's catastrophic, not static. Firm was targeting an orbital launch in the coming months. https://t.co/BY9MgJeE7A pic.twitter.com/L6ronwLW1N  Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) June 30, 2024

Hot Rivalry

As Business Insider and other outlets note, the two-stage structure of the Tianlong-3 rocket is considered something of a rival to SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Both are, for instance, designed to be reusable and both can theoretically take off with a mass of roughly 600 tons  though unlike the Falcon 9, the Tianlong series hasn't been test-launched hundreds of times to make sure things like this don't happen during a legit launch.

While SpaceX keeps its test launches to less-inhabited areas of the United States, Space Pioneer chooses, as The Guardian points out, to do its testing in a city populated by 800,000 people in the middle of China.

That fact, and the entire debacle, makes it pretty lucky that the Tianlong-3 accident didn't cause more damage than a quickly-extinguished forest fire.

More on rockets: Huge Chinese Rocket Parts Fall on Village, Spewing Toxic Chemicals
Donald Trump spent years being bitterly mad at a Supreme Court majority and a conservative legal movement that did not work hard enough to help him steal the 2020 presidential election. But ahead of the 2024 election, the court seems to be making up for his troubles. The high court has issued a series of rulings boosting Trumps presidential campaign  with none more consequential than its immunity decision Monday.

Its like Christmas, a conservative attorney close to Trump tells Rolling Stone on Monday afternoon.

According to three sources familiar with the situation, the Supreme Courts landmark ruling on Trumps expansive presidential immunity arguments was a far bigger victory for Team Trump than they ever expected. But the former president and his inner circle arent content to stop at victory-lapping. Plans are already in motion to use this new, historic court decision as a legal shield to help a potential second Trump administration implement his extreme policy agenda with less concern for rules and laws, sources with knowledge of the matter say.

For months, Trump and his legal and political counselors were predicting that the court would reject Trump and his attorneys claims of absolute immunity  which Trumps lawyer claimed would apply even if the president were to order the assassination of a political rival. Still, the Trumpworld elite were banking on partial victories: They figured the case would keep his federal election-interference trial off the calendar until after the 2024 election (when, if he wins, Trumps Justice Department could make the case go away), and were hopeful that the highest court in the land would bless some level of presidential immunity from prosecution.

But on Monday, Team Trump got significantly more than they were asking for, to the point that various lawyers and other allies close to the ex-president were genuinely, pleasantly shocked, the three sources say. Many of them  including Trumps political lieutenants, lawyers, and members of his government-in-waiting  were surprised as they read the decisions rather broad interpretation of immunity for a U.S. commander in chiefs official acts, believing the John Roberts court had inched much closer to Team Trumps argument of total immunity than they had thought possible.

Others, including some Republicans who immediately began texting Trump directly about their elation over the decision, were thrilled that the Supreme Courts ruling also specifically started pulling teeth out of Special Counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6-related criminal case against Trump.

The majoritys decision established three categories of presidential activity with differing levels of legal immunity. The court held that a president enjoys absolute immunity for official acts taken within his constitutional responsibilities, presumptive immunity for all of his official acts, and no immunity for his unofficial acts.

In its decision on Monday, the court also explicitly held that Trumps efforts to have allies like Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clark in the Justice Department help to overturn the election represented official acts and thus qualify for absolute immunity.

It remains for U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to rule on whether some of Trumps actions fall within his official duties and can be subject to prosecution  including his efforts to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject the count of electoral votes, to put forward slates of fake electors in battleground states, and pressure state officials to try to stop the electoral process.

The dissent by the Supreme Courts liberals mirrored the disbelief of the Trump camp. The courts expansive vision of presidential immunity is greater than that imagined by the Founders or even President Trumps lawyers, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the three-judge minority. Sotomayor noted that Trumps attorneys had argued to the court that a president who had been successfully impeached and convicted for high crimes and misdemeanors could face criminal prosecution. Under Mondays ruling, she wrote, even a president removed from office by Congress would be entitled to at least presumptive criminal immunity for those acts.

Should we send John Roberts a muffin basket? one person close to Trump joked Monday afternoon.

Lawyers outside the Trump orbit believe he still faces some danger in the Jan 6. case, which has been remanded to Judge Chutkan.

I think that Judge Chutkan will not have a great amount of difficulty finding that most of the actions for which Donald Trump was indicted in the January 6 case were things that he did in his personal capacity, Claire Finkelstein, a law professor who directs the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at the University of Pennsylvania, tells Rolling Stone. I think most of the charges will stand at the end of the day.

But Finkelstein says that the decision to send the case back to district court is significant in the timing: The trial will not get underway until, almost certainly, until after the election, she says. And Finkelstien describes the decision as creating a sea change in the powers of the presidency that strikes at the heart of the whole idea of checks and balances, and poses a danger to the health of our democracy  particularly should Trump win reelection.

Already, the sources familiar with the situation add, lawyers and advisers to the former and perhaps future president are planning on incorporating Mondays Supreme Court decision into court arguments and documents in Trumps criminal cases brought by prosecutors in Georgia and at the Department of Justice. Trump has long argued that what hes been charged over  whether he was working to steal an election he had clearly lost, or hoarding a trove of classified government documents at his Florida club and estate after his White House term  represented official acts, and several of his lawyers and aides view the ruling as useful to their claims.

Furthermore, two of the sources familiar with the situation tell Rolling Stone, several Republicans and MAGA diehards who have been closely advising Trump on policy for a potential second administration had another reason to celebrate on Monday. In the hours after the court ruling came down, these Trump loyalists privately noted to one another how this Supreme Court-blessed interpretation of presidential immunity for official acts could be helpful to them in making a possible second Trump term as aggressive and as extreme as possible, no matter what laws there are on the books.

Trump and much of the GOP elites agenda for a second term includes prosecuting and potentially imprisoning an array of political enemies, deploying active-duty troops to Democratic-controlled cities whenever he wishes to bring order, and invading and bombing Mexico.

In a press briefing on Monday, Brookings scholar Norm Eisen, a former co-counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during Trumps first impeachment, called the decision a startling expansion of presidential immunity that goes far beyond anything weve ever seen or contemplated in American history.

Norman Ornstein, an emeritus fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, offered a stark warning in response to a reckless decision he argues goes far beyond blowing up the trial for Trumps role in Jan. 6. If Trump is elected again, Ornstein writes, he can invoke the Insurrection Act, use the military to shoot down peaceful protestors, and be immune from any penalty.

Finkelstein, the Penn law professor, tells Rolling Stone this is a real danger of presidential immunity. This is going to be a disaster for the chain of command, she says. Under the courts ruling, presidential immunity does not extend beyond the White House. That means that the troops who hes ordering will not be immune. The court has now put them in a terrible position, because if they are ordered to fire on protesters, they will be committing a crime, but he wont.

These warnings of the dangers of an unchecked Trump presidency were echoed by members of Congress. This decision has set the stage for an unchecked dictatorship by Trump in a second term, said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), warning that Trump has been transparent in his goal to weaponize the presidency to seek revenge on his political opponents.

While not offering specific warnings about a potential return to the White House by Trump, the two dissents, written by Justices Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, offer stark warnings about how a future president could escape criminal accountability for dark and violent abuses.

In every use of official power, Sotomayor writes, the president is now a king above the law. Sotomayor argues that the immunity the court has now guaranteed to presidents lies about like a loaded weapon for any chief executive to wield  to advance his own interests, his own political survival, or his own financial gain.

Worse, Jackson writes, the majority incentivizes all future presidents to cross the line of criminality while in office. Thats because a president can now commit crimes in the course of his job even under circumstances in which no one thinks he has any excuse, she writes. The law simply does not apply to him.

Jackson continues that the seeds of absolute power for presidents have been planted  with grave consequences for the rights and liberties of Americans. Indeed, the sweep of potential malevolent conduct that can no longer be prosecuted, according to the courts liberals, is astonishing. Sotomayor imagines a president who in his official capacity, hypothetically, orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Jackson underscores the threat of unaccountable presidential criminality, writing that even a president who admits to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or indisputably instigates an unsuccessful coup is now likely in possession of a get-out-of-jail free card. Sotomayor underscores the twisted irony that the president charged with faithful execution of the nations laws can break them with impunity.

Jackson warns that the majority will enable the president to become a law unto himself. Sotomayor warns that the majoritys message today is: Let the president violate the law and let him use his official power for evil ends.

The courts ruling has also prompted a series of dire warnings from senior Democratic lawmakers about the implications of the courts ruling for future presidents to evade accountability for abuses of power.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the chief Democratic whip in the Senate, warned that the majoritys opinion meant that presidents may be immune from abusing the levers of government to overturn an election or engage in other misconduct. Durbin called out the courts explicit prohibition on prosecuting Trump for his attempt to pressure the Justice Department into overturning the election as a threat to the institutions tradition of independence from politics. By granting future presidents broad immunity to pressure the department into what would otherwise be illegal acts, the court stripped the Justice Department of its valued independence and undermined its commitment to the rule of law, he said.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned that the decision will cause even greater wreckage than Bush v. Gore and that it has essentially made the president a monarch above the law.

More from Rolling Stone

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These were kids who had just spent a weekend serving their community," said the head of Georgia's Trinity Classical School

Darren Mower/Getty

A 15-year-old boy is on life support and other passengers were left injured after a driver ran a red light on a Georgia highway and crashed into their church van, authorities said.

The van, carrying nine members of River Point Community Church in Demorest, collided with the SUV at the intersection of Demorest Mt. Airy Highway and GA 365 in Habersham County at around 1:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 29, according to a Georgia State Police (GSP) news release obtained by PEOPLE.

Five of the seven teenage passengers on board were injured in the accident, including the 15-year-old, who was airlifted to Childrens Egleston Hospital in Atlanta. Three juvenile passengers sustained serious injuries and were transported by Habersham EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, GSP said.

Related: Former Alabama Teacher of the Year and Son, 8, Dead in Car Crash That Injured 6 Others

State Patrol spokesman Joshua Staff told Now Habersham.com that the 15-year-old boy is on life support.

According to the GSPs investigation, a Toyota 4Runner driven by 64-year-old Barry Clark of Hartwell was traveling east on Demorest Mt. Airy Highway when it allegedly failed to stop at the traffic light at the Georgia 365 intersection and crashed into the Ford Econoline van.

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.

Following the impact, the SUV rotated and came to a stop, while the van traveled onto the concrete median before coming to a stop.

Related: These Are the Victims of the Florida Church Van Crash, Including 5 Kids  None Older Than 14

Clark, who was also injured in the wreck, was allegedly found to be driving under the influence (DUI) and was charged accordingly, GSP said.

Frank Ciresi, 29, the driver of the church van, was uninjured in the collision.

On June 30, River Point Community Church pastor Kevin Mangum addressed the accident, which involved at least four students from Trinity Classical School in Mt. Airy.

Related: 4 Dead, at Least 9 Injured After Minivan Crashes Into Long Island Nail Salon

Yesterday was a tragic day in the life of our church, he said, and he asked for prayers for the victims.

The occupants of the van were on their way back from a two-day local community mission project, said Susan Ramsey, the head of Trinity Classical School, per Now Habersham.

These were kids who had just spent a weekend serving their community," Ramsey said. "That makes me both immensely proud of them and equally saddened that this is the way their weekend ended."



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Read the original article on People.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Victims of alleged police violence gathered in Winter Haven on Sunday to share encounters theyve had with the Lakeland Police Department.

The gathering comes after several controversial arrests, as well as videos of some of the encounters circulation on social media.

The families gathered in a local church to show what theyre calling a pattern of abuse from the Lakeland Police Department.

I aint ever eating bologna again: Man wins $1M top prize after buying $20 scratch-off

One person after another claimed the police department had used excessive force against them, alleging police misconduct. Disturbing cell phone videos capture some of the encounters.

Last month, two officers were captured on video punching a 16-year-old boy multiple times before tasing him.

But he had to fight two men who decided to punch him and tase him because of a disagreement at a swimming pool, attorney Bobby DiCello said.



In 2022, cellphone video showed Antwan Glover being beaten and tased by Lakeland police after being stopped for a seatbelt violation.

An all too familiar story is once unfolding, a speaker at the meeting said to the audience.

Both Glovers and the 16-year-olds charges were dropped.

However, attorney DiCello said that is not enough and told 8 On Your Side that he wants the department to acknowledge theres a problem.

Minimum wage workers in Florida must work nearly 100 hours a week to afford housing: report

We want a dialogue. We want these men to have a say into what happened to them. We demand a meeting with the Chief of Police of the City of Lakeland, and we demand he sits and confronts what his officers have done, DiCello said.

Community members also came forward with demands for accountability and transparency from the city.

I call on both local and state leaders to come to the table and work towards solutions to this ever-growing epidemic, an activist on the panel said.

The Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression added a list of demands for the city of Lakeland.

8 on your side reached out to Lakeland Police Department regarding the communitys demand.

Lakeland PD issued the following statement:

As a matter of common practice, Chief Sam Taylor and executive staff members meet frequently with community and religious leaders from across our city. This open dialogue and consistent direct communication over the years has built solid relationships within our neighborhoods and with the citizens we serve.

Activists from neighboring cities have also spoken with Chief Taylor and had meetings with executive staff members and City Management. The most recent meeting was held last week.

A few notes related to cases covered by news agencies:

The arrest of Antwan Glover, occurring in December of 2022, was thoroughly reviewed by two outside agencies (Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of the State Attorney, Tenth Judicial Circuit) in addition to our Office of Professional Standards. Ive attached the letter from State Attorney Brian Haas from June 2023, which concluded the actions of the officers to be lawful.

The arrest of Jahmal Hudson, occurring May of 2024, is currently under review of an internal investigation with our Office of Professional Standards. In accordance with our agencys policies and procedures, and in accordance with Florida State Statute 112. 533, we will not be able to release any other material related to this case until the administrative review is closed.

All instances where protective action is applied are reviewed by the Chain of Command and the Office of Professional Standards.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
City of the Dead archeologists have now uncovered more than 300 tombs packed with mummies

An ancient cemetery with more than 300 tombs of mummies has been unearthed in Egypt in a discovery that scientists have since dubbed the City of the Dead.

Archaeologists have spent five years digging at a site once located on the hill near the modern Mausoleum of Aga Khan III. The burial grounds reportedly span 270,000 feet and with tombs ascending up to 10 terraces.

An ancient cemetery with more than 300 tombs of mummies has been unearthed in Egypt in a discovery that scientists have since dubbed the City of the Dead. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

More recently, a team of international researchers uncovered 36 new tombs at the site which they estimated had been in use for some 900 years, between the 6th century BC and 9th century AD, with each tomb containing the remains of 30 to 40 people.

According to Ayman Ashmawy, who heads the Supreme Council of Antiquities Egyptian Antiquities Division, 30-40% of the remains belonged to infants and adolescents, many of whom died of infectious diseases and other life-threatening disorders, including anemia, tuberculosis and diseased organs.

Patrizia Piacentini, an archaeologist at the University of Milan, is leading a team of researchers to discover more about the ancient city of Aswan, once an important trade hub, granite quarry and military post on the east bank of the Nile River, founded around 4,500 years ago.

This was a really spectacular find, very unique in Egypt, Piacentini told the Daily Mail in a statement. [The people of Aswan] covered the hill with tombs. It is kind of a City of the Dead.

The burial grounds span an area of 270,000 feet and ascend 10 terraces in some places. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The city now known as Aswan was first dubbed Swenett, and later called Swan  a name that translates to market  as the commercial center saw travelers and settlers from the far reaches of Africa and Europe.

Aswan was a crossing point since forever, said Piacentini. People were coming from the east to the west. People came here because it was the border, products from the south arrived in Aswan and then dispersed everywhere else.

An estimated 30 to 40% of the mummies buried in the City of the Dead were children. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The City of the Dead was first identified in 2019 during the discovery of one tomb containing mummies of two children and, soon after, their presumed mother and father, according to CT scans. Each dig thereafter has uncovered dozens more tombs and provided more clues about an unexplored society that lived more than 2,000 years ago.

Further excavation also revealed that bodies were buried according to class, with the elites, such as the remains of Aswans general-in-chief, in tombs at the top of the hill.

Tombs of various social standings frequently contained ceremonial gifts offered to the dead, including pottery and wood carvings.

The most well-preserved remains will be prepared for museum storage while the remaining mummies will stay in their original resting places. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The most preserved mummies will be sent to museums for long-term preservation and exhibition, while the others will be studied and replaced as found.

This is their resting place, Piacentini told Daily Mail. We uncover their story and then we put them back and close the tomb. For me, it was important from the beginning.
Principal Civil Engineer Jennie Keel points to the map in which new sidewalks could be installed down North Parkway in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

If awarded the $1.1 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the southside of North Parkway is poised to receive new sidewalks stretching from Wallace Road to the Jackson-Madison County Health Department.

The City of Jackson, along with its partners at TLM Associates, have until July to submit their application for TDOT's Multimodal Access Grant. A 10% match contribution would be required of the city, totaling about $100,000.

If awarded, they will be notified in early 2025, though construction won't begin for three more years.

More: Airways Blvd to be repaired, city council approve grant match for initial phases

More: Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley announces Hwy 412 overpass complete

A public input meeting was held at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, where TLM Associates Engineer Jennie Keel presented sketches of the sidewalk strategy.

The grant would fund phase three of sidewalk construction on North Parkway, the first two of which were funded by previously awarded Multimodal Grants.

Principal Civil Engineer Jennie Keel explains the timeline in which new sidewalks could be installed down North Parkway in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Phase one is from the Jackson-Madison County Health Department to the Lynwood Kroger, with construction scheduled to begin within a year.

Phase two was funded in December 2023 for sidewalks from the Lynwood Kroger to Campbell Street.

"It's a very competitive grant," Keel said.

"We apply, everybody in the state applies, they typically only pick 15 to 20 per year, so we've gotten 'no's' in the past."

Engineering documents, blueprints, and budgets are sent to TDOT in the grant application. They fund the proposed project and establish a contract with the city.

A layout detailing the phases in which the city will install new sidewalks photographed during a public input meeting inside City Hall, Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

The end goal is to eventually have sidewalks on North Parkway from the US 45 Bypass to Campbell Street, an approximately 2-mile stretch. A lack of sidewalks along busy main streets remains a public safety concern the city is tackling.

"We're trying to create an alternate route for people that don't have transportation to get to the hospital, to the health department, to the grocery store, to get home, to get to work," Keel said.

"It's a priority for the city to be able to provide pedestrian transportation."

In the fall, plans are in place to apply for a grant that would fund sidewalk construction from the North Parkway to Skyline Drive, a nearly one-mile stretch down Highland Avenue. Keel says this potential phase of sidewalk implementation comes as the most highly requested among Jackson residents.

Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson applies for TDOT funding, North Parkway sidewalk construction
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) is calling for urgent investigations into allegations of corruption involving businessman Wicknell Chivayo and a US$40 million deal with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for supplying materials during the August 2023 elections. Reports suggest Chivayo secured the tender through dubious means, inflating prices significantly by up to 235%, according to leaked documents and audios exposing the scandal.ACT-SA emphasized the gravity of the allegations, noting the involvement of high-profile individuals and the potential societal impact if proven true. The organization urged Zimbabwean authorities to conduct thorough and swift investigations, considering the implications of corruption in undermining institutional integrity and public trust.Highlighting the legal and policy frameworks in place to combat corruption in Zimbabwe, ACT-SA stressed the importance of holding accountable not only Chivayo but also any politically exposed persons implicated in the scandal. The organization called for swift judicial action to prosecute those involved and send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated, regardless of the individuals' status or political connections.Furthermore, ACT-SA recommended that if assets such as vehicles donated by Chivayo were found to be acquired through illicit means, they should be seized and forfeited by the state. This action, according to ACT-SA, would serve as a deterrent against future corruption and demonstrate the government's commitment to recovering assets derived from criminal activities.In conclusion, ACT-SA urged Zimbabwean authorities to pursue forfeit and seize' proceedings against Chivayo and 'unexplained wealth' investigations against other implicated parties, advocating for transparent measures to combat corruption and uphold accountability in public office.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Fourth of July is just three days away and plenty of people will pack Uptown to celebrate and watch fireworks. However, in 2023, there were fights, people running through the streets scared, and others saying the violence makes them not want to return.

One group is working with police to make some changes this year, the Charlotte Center City Partners is announcing those new actions this morning.

They havent released any specifics yet, but we are learning the Mecklenburg County district attorney and CMPD chief Johnny Jennings. Last year during the 4th of July sky show, people were hiding in parking garages to get away from the crowds on the street.

Jennings said teens were out at Romare Bearden Park setting off illegal fireworks, fighting, and running through the crowd with masks on trying to create panic.

Over 30 people were arrested and four weapons were confiscated by police. Last year, one Charlotte resident told Queen City News they brought friends from Australia to the show, and it would be their first and last time watching the show in Uptown.

What kind of impression does that make on us as a city, asked Blake Justice. When we are scaring away tourists who are just trying to come down and have a good family time.

I will say perception is reality, added Jennings. Because if they dont feel safe, that means they are not going to take advantage of some of the great events that we do have.

Charlotte Center City Partners say the enhanced safety measures will hopefully change the perception of Uptown that some have.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Coalition sees future of Iowa agriculture in food diversity, not ethanol and animal feed

From left to right, Chris Schwartz, Giselle Bruskewitz, Tommy Hexter and Aaron Lehman speak July 1, 2024 outside the Iowa Capitol about a coalition called Setting the Table for All Iowans. (Photo by Jack O'Connor/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A new plan for Iowa agriculture seeks to increase the states production of food rather than ethanol and animal feed, the Iowa Food System Coalition announced at a Monday press conference.

The plan, known as Setting the Table for All Iowans, outlines the coalitions policy goals which include producing more locally grown food, getting more young people to become farmers and providing more financial assistance to farmers.

Chris Schwartz, executive director of the coalition, said the plan is an opportunity to positively impact farmers, the economy and the local community.

Theres room to grow and strengthen our agricultural tradition as well as our collective health and our economy, Schwartz said at the press conference.

Director of Grinnell Farm to Table food hub Tommy Hexter said many commodity farmers are struggling because most of the profits are going toward the middlemen like seed, equipment and marketing companies.

However, Hexter said selling produce locally cuts out most middlemen and leads to more money going into farmers pockets.

Setting the Table for All Iowans provides an opportunity to build that system where Iowas farmers and small business owners can truly thrive, Hexter said in the press conference.

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Iowa leads ethanol production

According to data from the Iowa Farm Bureau, about 50%-70% of Iowas corn production is used to make ethanol compared to the national average of about 35%-40%. Iowa alone accounts for nearly 30% of the nations ethanol production.

In 2023, Iowa produced about 4.6 billion gallons of ethanol.

The plan also focuses on how to retain and attract farming talent to Iowa through investments in obtaining refrigerated trucks, increasing the number of rural grocery stores and providing needed equipment to small businesses.

This plan provides us a pathway to collaborate and really support one another, Senior Program Director at Iowa Valley RC&D Giselle Bruskewitz said.

President of the Iowa Farmers Union Aaron Lehman, a fifth-generation family farmer, said investments like those are vital for the Iowa agriculture industry where there are more farmers above the age of 65 than below the age of 35.

We know that the oldest generation of Iowans owns over two-thirds of Iowas farmland, Lehman said. We need to invest in those opportunities for a more diverse and younger set of leadership opportunities for people in farming.

Over the past two years, the Iowa Food System Coalition has organized a Food and Farm Day at the Iowa Capitol and invited legislators and state agencies to a food policy summit.

One of the next steps for the coalition is to educate legislators about the plan so it can be used as a guide to create state policies, Schwartz said.

The post Coalition sees future of Iowa agriculture in food diversity, not ethanol and animal feed appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
A wetland in the Croatan National Forest in eastern North Carolina. Wetlands help offset the damaging effects of climate change. Credit: Lisa Sorg/Inside Climate News

A U.S. district court judge has denied a landowners attempt to prevent federal regulators from enforcing the Clean Water Act against him, the latest ruling in a set of cases involving wetlands protections in North Carolina.

Earlier this month, Robert D. White, of Elizabeth City, sat quietly in a federal courtroom while his attorneys sought a preliminary injunction against the Environmental Protection Agency. They argued its definition of protected wetlands is too broad and should not apply to Whites properties.

The EPA based its wetlands definition, now codified in a rule, on a landmark Supreme Court case issued last year. The controversial 5-4 decision in Sackett v. EPA narrowed the definition of wetlands that are protected under the Clean Water Act.

Isolated wetlandsdefined as those without a continuous surface connection to rivers, lakes and streams that are already covered by the Clean Water Actlost legal protections.

Wetlands with a continuous surface connection, so that they are indistinguishable to their adjacent surface waters, are still protected. These wetlands can still be filled in or drained, but only under stipulations in federal and state permits.

Whites attorneys with the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation also represented the Sacketts before the Supreme Courtand won.

In Whites case, the firms lawyers parsed the EPAs definition of wetlands, fixating on the word indistinguishable. The foundations attorneys argued that a wetland must be both continuously connected to a river, lake or stream and be indistinguishable in order to be protected under the Clean Water Act.

The EPA disagreed that the rule must contain the word and because waters that are continuous are by their nature indistinguishable.

Robert White says the government got it wrong when we codified the new rule, Jin Hyung Lee, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, representing the EPA, told the court. Robert White would like different words.

Wetlands are crucial to combatting the effects of climate change. They store carbon, protect communities from flooding as sea levels rise, filter pollutants and provide critical wildlife and aquatic habitats.

In North Carolina alone, 2.5 million acres of isolated wetlands are vulnerable to being drained and developed because such activities no longer require a permit.

Earlier this year, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order directing his cabinet agencies to permanently conserve and reforest wetlands on government-owned property, with a minimum goal of no net loss.

White owns more than 310 acres south of Elizabeth City, county property records show, on a low-lying peninsula bordered by the Pasquotank River, Big Flatty Creek and Albemarle Sound. There, White has operated several businesses, including a trucking company and Frog Island Seafood. He also rents his fields to farmers.

The foundations attorneys wrote in court documents that White is suffering irreparable harm and finds himself unable to improve or develop multiple properties to their best uses because of the EPAs rule.

Those proposed uses include a 49-acre sand mine that lies within a 100-year flood plain and a soft-shell crab farm. However, as Lee argued in court, White has not shared key details of these businesses, including the location of the crab farm, to prove he has been harmed by the wetlands rule.

White received a state permit for the mine in 2016, but it is not operating. The foundations attorneys told the court the government has warned White not to develop the mine because it is near wetlands and could run afoul of the Clean Water Act.

Its necessary to know where they are, replied U.S. District Court Judge Terence Boyle, who was appointed to the bench in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan. An injunction, Boyle said, has to be based on something real, not abstract.

Julie Youngman is a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. The firm represented the N.C. Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation as intervenors in the case.

Robert White doesnt want the wetlands rule to apply to him, Youngman told the court. Were concerned Robert White will feel emboldened to build large-scale developments and other property owners, who think they dont have to follow the rules either, will do it too.

Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County are flood prone. High waters from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 damaged at least 475 homes in Pasquotank County, according to state records.

State climate scientists project the frequency and intensity of high tide flooding and sea level rise will be especially acute in the northeastern part of North Carolina. By mid-century, in Duck, which is on a barrier island less than 50 miles east of Elizabeth City, relative sea level rise is expected to increase by nearly 2 feet, state documents show.

People built houses 100 yards from the shore and everybody had a good time, Judge Boyle told the attorneys in open court. Now those houses are 25 yards into the ocean.

In his ruling, issued last week, Boyle called the foundations arguments unpersuasive.

The Pacific Legal Foundation declined to comment on whether it would appeal the decision to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia.

Paige Gilliard, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, told Inside Climate News in an email, We are disappointed with the courts ruling. The Supreme Court was clear in Sackett that federal jurisdiction over wetlands requires both a continuous surface connection and indistinguishability from jurisdictional waters.

Meanwhile, White is fighting a separate civil enforcement case in which the EPA alleges he damaged 12 acres of wetlands on his property near Elizabeth City without a permit.

In 2018 a federal investigation found White had built nearly a half mile of bulkheads, without authorization, in open water and forested and marsh wetlands near the Pasquotank River and Big Flatty Creek. White then allegedly filled in protected wetlands behind the structures with sand.

The river and the creek feed the Albemarle Sound.

White allegedly refused to remove any fill material from the wetlands or to restore the areas damaged by the bulkheads, according to court documents.

White has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had received federal and state permission for the activity in 2015.

That case has yet to go to trial.

This report was first published by Inside Climate News.

The post In coastal North Carolina, a legal fight over wetlands protections appeared first on NC Newsline.
From left to right: Linda Jones, Tabitha Nahabedian, DeLisa Glaspie, and Alisa Sanders all speak in front of friends and family during an event held by mothers of cold case victims outside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.

It was November 2023, 16 months after Tabitha Nahabedian's daughter, Hayden Davis, was found shot to death, covered in a blanket on Detroits west side, when the grieving mother almost broke.

She was sitting on her bathroom floor crying, sweating profusely and in a daze. She couldnt feel the chill of her bathrooms marble tiles, she couldnt see the window in front of her or the white walls surrounding her.

All she could visualize was her daughter, lying on the ground where police found her on Fenkell Avenue.

I was in the moment of her, Nahabedian said of her 29-year-old daughter, whose killing remains unsolved. She said she wanted to feel her daughters pain.

Was she screaming my name? Was she calling out for her mom? Nahabedian wondered.

I would like to ask the killer that in court.

What kept Nahabedian from a complete breakdown that day was a call to Alisa Sanders, another mother whose childs unsolved killing has grown cold.

Nahabedian listened to Sanders talk about her day and found her breath again. Lately, its Sanders and a third mother whose childs killing hasnt been solved, DeLisa Glaspie, who have been keeping Nahabedian sane, she said.

The three met in October 2023 in a homicide support group for grieving family members in downtown Detroit. They bonded over the frustrations cold cases bring, including what they described as a lack of answers and communication from Detroit detectives, and got to work. They created an organization called Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground, and have been acting as a liaison between other families in their support group and the Detroit Police Department.

People gather outside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters during an event held by mothers of cold case victims outside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.

Glaspie lost her son, Khalil Allen, 18, in July 2023.

Sanders lost her son, Derrell "BaeBae" Rockette, 32, in December 2022.

We needed each other  I believe that God puts people where they need to be, Sanders said in her home during a March interview with the Detroit Free Press.

Glaspie nodded. Right people, right time, she chimed in.

Detroits homicide clearance rate in 2024, as of June, is 54%, according to the Detroit Police Department  meaning theres statistically just above a 50-50 chance a suspect will be charged for each killing in the city.

Its still an increase from 2020, when the national average clearance rate reached a historic low of right under 50% as murders spiked. That year, Detroits clearance rate was 42%.

Despite an improvement in Detroits rate, Nahabedian, Sanders, and Glaspie identified a gap in services when it comes to cold cases.

The organization had a hard launch with a December 2023 rally outside the Detroit Police Department to put pressure on police and highlight other cold cases. At that point, Nahabedian hadnt heard from a detective in a year. But the detective showed up at the rally, with her daughters file and flowers in hand.

That same day, Detroit Police Chief James White said right before the rally at an unrelated news conference that the department has hired social workers to act as liaisons between police and crime victims' family members to help provide comfort and transparency, although he acknowledged grieving families are not satisfied until a case is closed.

Capt. Donna McCord of Detroit's homicide unit told the Free Press that officers are working hard to improve communications with families of homicide victims. They've created a new system where automated emails are sent to detectives, reminding them to make contact with families.

And every year, the homicide unit hosts a dinner for families of homicide victims and a rally in front of the Spirit of Detroit highlighting cold and missing persons cases.

Detectives aren't losing hope, McCord said.

Were so passionate about it. Its not a job to us. A lot of us have suffered loss in the city, like myself, personally," she said.

You know the same closure, or the same closure that you didnt get, you want to give to these families. They are victims. Their loved one has been permanently taken from them."

Police Chief, James White, stands behind a podium during a press conference inside the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters in Detroit on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022., David Rodriguez Munoz, Detroit Free Press

The national homicide clearance rate in the 1980s was about 70%. Law enforcement officials have pointed to a declining number of police officers and an increase of distrust of the police that leads to uncooperative witnesses. "Most police departments have a shortage of officers," said Isaiah "Ike" McKinnon, who served as Detroit's police chief from 1993 to 1998.

"You have officers that are doing double, triple duty. The reality is, how many of these (homcides) can you solve with the amount of officers there are?"

Already, Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground says they've helped at least seven families connect with the detectives assigned to their childrens homicides.

Theyve channeled their grief into helping others. Its one way to honor their childrens legacy, Sanders said.

And, it was the only way I had to survive, Glaspie said.

Nobodys there when I wake up in the morning, and Im looking at my sons picture. And I can go two ways. I can leave out the door and go nuts and just worry about the murderer, or I can create change, Glaspie continued.

So now Im smiling.

Moms miss voices, smiles

Sanders misses her sons voice saying, Hey lady, whatchu doing, which is how hed start his near-daily phone calls with her.

Nahabedian misses her daughter's smile  It was to die for. She misses the many ways her daughter embraced who she was, the way shed poke fun at the mothers style when theyd shop together.

Glaspie misses the way her son would know when to comfort her when she came home from work with the weight of the world, and give her a big hug and a kiss.

Tabitha Nahabedian, second from left, Alisa Sanders, center, and DeLisa Glaspie, right, of Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground march with others from their group during the Church of the Messiah's annual anti-violence rally and march in Detroit on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Missing a child is one thing, the mothers said. But having no closure in their killings, not hearing from detectives for months, despite numerous attempts to reach out, you feel like nobody cares, Nahabedian said.

We just didnt want anybody else to experience that feeling. We figure if you cant fight, let us do the fighting for you.

In December 2023, at the one-year anniversary vigil for the death of Sanders' son at the Church of the Messiah on Detroit's east side, the mothers decided to create Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground. They were determined, Glaspie said, to not let another year go by without getting any answers from detectives.

They spoke on the phone until 4 a.m. that evening, laying the groundwork for the group.

We all had discussed on that phone call that this is what we want to do. We want to get with families, fathers and mothers who are not getting answers like we are, Sanders said.

Later that month, the first event was held: a rally in front of the Detroit Police Department. White, the police chief, met with the mothers after the rally, promising to read up on every one of their childrens cases, the mothers said.

The mothers have been in conversation with high-ranking officials on policy changes and have connected numerous families from their support group to their respective detectives.

Duane Hudnalls daughter, Diamond Unique Hudnall, was killed at a New Year's Eve party on Jan. 1, 2021. A suspect, or suspects, had showed up at the party and began shooting; Diamond Hudnall was shot and killed.

The 27-year-old was a mother to two children and her fathers go-to, his ace, he said.

Duane Hudnall said that, at first, the detective assigned to his case kept him informed, step-by-step. A suspect had been detained, he said, but was released due to a lack of evidence and uncooperative witnesses.

A few months after Diamond Hudnall was killed, the detective on her case left the Detroit Police Department.

Everything just shut down, Duane Hudnall said.

The detectives on the case kept changing, some were responsive, some not, he said.

I know theyre busy, but it seems to me like they put her file on the bottom, he said. Its just   he sighed. A terrible feeling.

It just hurts, it hurts so bad.

Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground was able to facilitate a phone call with Duane Hudnall and the captain of the homicide unit, he said. He started to feel better, even if it was momentary.

Hes hoping to one day sit down with the detective on his daughters case.

Shellena Burton's son, Darius "Dez" Burton, 29, was shot and killed on the Fourth of July 2019, following an altercation at a store on Seven Mile and Mound roads. Like Diamond Hudnall's case, uncooperative witnesses have prevented closure.

The detective on Burton's son's case was also responsive at first. But as the months went by, communication stalled, she said. The mother sent a picture of her son to the detective every anniversary of his death, she said.

"I think he just forgot about my son," she said.

Shellena Burton hadn't heard from a detective in over two years until Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground connected her with Detroit police in April, she said.

Both Shellena Burton and Duane Hudnall couldn't get through interviews with the Detroit Free Press without crying.

The only thing I can do is sit and wait, and hope they get that man before I die," Burton said.

Detroit police have struggled with retention and alleviating staffing shortages, although the department has seen improvements since increasing officers' salaries in September 2022, according to police officials.

McKinnon said a lack of response from detectives could be a sign of burnout from heavy caseloads.

"It's like driving a bus. At some point, you run out of gas," he said.

And McKinnon said the more the community distrusts the police, the less likely people are to come forward with information that could close a case. In all the interviews the Free Press had with mothers and fathers struggling to find closure, uncooperative witnesses have been a barrier in solving their children's killings.

McCord, too, said a major challenge for Detroit police in solving these cases is a lack of witnesses coming forward, as well as time.

The longer a case grows cold, "it can be challenging to put something new together," McCord said, although, in some cases, witnesses were more willing to come forward later on.

'See something, say something'

Sanders, Nahabedian, and Glaspie donned Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground shirts at the Church of the Messiahs 17th annual Silence the Violence rally and march on June 15. This time they ditched their usual colors  black, gray, red  for bright orange, a display of unity with others at the event fighting against gun violence.

Detroit City Council President, Mary Sheffield talks to the crowd inside of the Church of the Messiah in Detroit during the annual anti-violence rally on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

On their sleeves, the phrase: See something, Say something. And on the back of their shirts were their childrens names with the dates they were killed.

Nahabedians daughter, Hayden Davis, was shot multiple times on July 25, 2022. Her body was found on Fenkell Avenue. Her case has grown cold because there were no reported witnesses or video evidence of the killing, according to Detroit police, and because of a lack of community assistance.

Sanders son, Derrell "BaeBae" Rockette, was killed in December 2022. He was shot at a northwest Detroit home on Ashton Street. Police have asked for the communitys help with identifying the suspect, but the case hasnt been solved because of video assets challenges and delays, police told the Free Press.

And Glaspies son, Khalil Allen, was shot on July 11, 2023 and died the next day, weeks before heading off to college. He was driving to get food on Detroit's west side when he was shot nine times at the intersection of West McNichols Road and the Southfield service drive.

Holding a poster of pictures of her son Khalil Allen and before heading out to march, DeLisa Glaspie from Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground talks to others at the Church of the Messiah during the annual anti-violence rally and march in Detroit on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Over 20 women from the Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground group came to the event to call attention to and advocate the cold case murders of their sons and others killed by gun violence.

Detroit police said people of interest in Allens killing have been identified, but no one has been charged because witnesses are not coming forward with information.

Anyone with information regarding these cases and others can reach out anonymously to Detroit police's homicide unit at 313-596-2260 and can send anonymous tips for a reward to CrimeStoppers at 800-SPEAKUP or www.detroitrewards.tv.

But the mothers stood strong as they marched for their children, and all others who have lost their lives to gun violence.

In May, Mothers Keeping Boots on the Ground hosted a dinner for families who lost a loved one to homicide. Junes event at the Church of the Messiah was just the latest anti-violence work the mothers have poured themselves into.

Were just getting started, Sanders said.

Thats what we do. Were mothers. And were keeping boots on the ground.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story misspelled the first name of Duane Hudnall. Also, the day Khalil Allen was killed was listed incorrectly. He died July 12, 2023.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at asahouri@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mothers Keeping Boots on the Group liasion between families, police
Colo. Man Killed Wife and Daughter with Ax, Then Called 911 and Told Police He Didn't Regret It

Reginald Maclaren was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, Marshall's Funeral Home(2) Reginald, left, Bethany, center, and Ruth Maclaren

A Colorado man who killed his wife and daughter with an ax after losing his job was convicted of murder.

Reginald Maclaren, now 83, called 911 in March 2023 to report that his wife Bethany Maclaren, 70, and daughter, Ruth Maclaren, 35, had been murdered, police in Englewood, Colo., said at the time. Maclaren told dispatchers that he knew the suspect, according to police.

The Associated Press reported, citing court documents, that after he was arrested, police said Maclaren confessed, allegedly saying that he had lost his job and feared homelessness.

The AP reported, citing an affidavit, that Maclaren said he didnt regret killing them because he knows they are in a better place.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Related: Colo. Dad Allegedly Killed Wife and Daughter with Ax, Claimed He Lost Job and Feared Homelessness

On June 28, a jury in Arapahoe County convicted Maclaren on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of tampering with a deceased body and one count of false reporting, according to reports from 9News, KKTV and CBS Colorado.

Police previously said that Bethany and Ruths bodies were stuffed into individual trash cans and that one was dismembered with a saw.

KKTV reports that Maclaren will be sentenced on July 10.

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Read the original article on People.
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian armed group the Segunda Marquetalia on Sunday agreed to a unilateral ceasefire, after several days of peace talks in Caracas, which are part of President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end 60 years of unrest in his country.

The unilateral ceasefire marks a step towards finally achieving peace in the South American nation, and reducing the violence that has long plagued the country.

The 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 Colombian government announced the agreement, saying the guerrilla group agreed to hand over hostages and respect the lives of Colombian civilians and officials in the areas of the country where it still has a presence.

The ceasefire will take effect when a presidential decree is issued to "de-escalate offensive operations," the government said in a statement. The Colombian government added that a meeting to present a "de-escalation agreement" will be held no later than July 20.

The government's chief negotiator, Armando Novoa, told Reuters in mid-June that Colombia hopes to sign and begin implementing a peace agreement with the Segunda Marquetalia before the leftist Petro leaves the presidency in just over two years.

Colombia is holding separate talks with the National Liberation Army rebels and the armed group Estado Mayor Central, another former faction of the FARC, which never signed the 2016 agreement and most of whose units have rejected dialogue.

(Reporting by Oliver Griffin and Adriana Barrera, writing by Laura Gottesdiener; editing by Diane Craft)
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Several Colorado bills are set to go into law in July after hundreds of bills were signed during the 2024 Colorado legislative session.

Here are some of the laws signed by Gov. Jared Polis that went into effect on July 1, 2024:

Prohibit Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces

Senate Bill 24-131 bans people from knowingly carrying a firearm, both openly and concealed, in state legislative buildings, local government buildings, courthouses and their parking areas.

The bill also makes both open and concealed carry illegal within 100 feet of a ballot drop box, or any building where a polling location or central count facility is located, while an election or related activity is in progress; previously, only open carry was banned in these locations.

The bill also has a provision that allows local governments to opt out.

Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits

House Bill 24-1007 bans municipalities, cities and counties from limiting how many people can live in one residence based on whether or not theyre related. Local governments can implement occupancy limits based on affordable housing program guidelines or health and safety standards.

Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures

House Bill 24-1147 regulates the use of deepfakes in ads or other communications about political candidates. Deepfakes, or fake images of someone created using artificial intelligence, must have a clear disclosure that the content has been edited.

Job Application Fairness Act

Senate Bill 23-058 bans employers from asking a prospective employees age, date of birth and dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution on an initial job application.

Employers can request or require an applicant to provide additional materials  such as copies of certifications, transcripts and other third-party materials  as long as the applicant is notified they may redact information that identifies their age or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Gender-Related Bias-Motivated Crimes

Senate Bill 24-189 adds transgender identity to the classes identified in bias-motivated crimes and harassment.

The bill also redefines sexual orientation for purposes of bias-motivated crimes.

Regulate Sale Transfer Sodium Nitrite

House Bill 24-1081 limits the sale or transfer of any product containing a 10% or greater concentration of sodium nitrite by mass or volume to verified commercial businesses.

False Slates of Electors

House Bill 24-1150 makes it an explicit crime to serve in or create a false slate of presidential electors.

Protection of Victims of Sexual Offenses

House Bill 24-1072 expands the criminal rape shield law to prohibit the use of the victims clothing or hairstyle as evidence of consent. Under previous law, certain evidence of a witnesss or victims prior or subsequent sexual conduct was considered irrelevant, with an exception for prior or subsequent sexual conduct with the defendant; this bill eliminates that exception.

More laws that go into effect July 1, 2024:

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It was a sweltering June afternoon, too hot to sit on the front porch for too long. Michael Nieves walked next door to the Quonset hut  a community hub with picnic tables, string lights and a refreshment stand, all under a giant metal arch  and grabbed a large bag of ice to carry back to his cabin.

When he first arrived in early 2020 at the old highway department maintenance yard off U.S. 183 that would become the Esperanza Community, home was a tent on the scorched asphalt. Now, Nieves lives in a pale yellow cabin with a red door, a 10-by-12-foot space with a bed, a window air-conditioning unit and a cooler where he keeps milk and Powerades on ice.

We're homeless people, but we're not different, said Nieves, 54, known to everyone at Esperanza as Mikey. We just don't have certain (things) that everybody else has, like a job and being able to get a car or buy a house.

Michael Nieves, 54, has been living at the site that became Esperanza Community since early 2020. He now serves on the Esperanza Leadership Committee and on The Other Ones Foundation's board of directors.

Esperanza is in the business of transformation, not only helping people find their path out of homelessness, but revamping the model for homeless shelter services. Expansions planned over the next few years could make it the largest emergency shelter in Austin. If youre looking for a place to find hope after Friday's U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of camping bans that criminalize homelessness, Esperanza is a good place to start.

Laws, citations and court rulings dont end someones homelessness. Places like Esperanza can.

From asphalt lot to homeless community

Walking past the rows of tidy, single-occupancy cabins  painted shades of teal, azure, olive and cream  its hard to believe this 7-acre site began as a state-sanctioned homeless campsite, established in 2019 by Gov. Greg Abbott. Back then, the lot quickly filled with tents and other dwellings patched out of plywood, cardboard, tarps and tires.

It was a place to be safe from the homeless camp sweeps happening under highway overpasses, but it was still no place to live. More than 180 residents baked in the summer heat and suffered through winter freezes. Nieves recalled a few troublemakers and rampant theft.

When The Other Ones Foundation arrived in the summer of 2020 to manage the site, spokesman Max Moscoe told me, It quickly became apparent the situation was unsafe and undignified.

Russell Burns is shown in June 2020 at the state-sanctioned homeless campsite in Southeast Austin that later became the Esperanza Community. When The Other Ones Foundation arrived that summer and saw the conditions of people living in tents, spokesman Max Moscoe said, "It didnt take long for us to go, This isnt going to work.'"

Notably, the nonprofit conducted surveys and extensive conversations with the residents to develop plans that fit their needs. When nearly 95% said they would stay in individual cabins (compared with only 15% who would agree to stay in a large congregate shelter), the microshelter concept took root.

Thanks to a mix of government money, private dollars and in-kind donations of construction work, the cabins started going up in September 2021. By December 2022, all tents were gone. Now the site has 100 cabins, all climate-controlled and with locking doors; plus four rows of single-occupancy restrooms with showers, two community hubs and offices providing case management and peer support services.

In the coming year, the nonprofit will build an identical second phase, adding another 100 cabins. At that point, Esperanza will be larger than the city-owned ARCH shelter for men downtown (130 beds), the Eighth Street shelter for women (163 beds) and the Northbridge (125 beds) and Southbridge (145 beds) transitional housing facilities.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation recently announced it bought a neighboring 7 acres so Esperanza can double its footprint, serving people whose campsites will be displaced when crews start the massive reworking of Interstate 35.

The Other Ones is weighing what those additional acres could hold: More individual cabins? Or some other configuration of shelter options? By then, Esperanza will have its original 200 cabins built, so the expansion onto the new acreage could make the entire shelter complex larger than Austins 300-bed Marshalling Yard shelter, a temporary facility with an uncertain future past March 2025.

Dillon Brooks, 66, sits Monday on the porch of his tiny cabin at The Other Ones Foundation's Esperanza Community. Brooks, who has been homeless for 20 years, moved into the Southeast Austin shelter community after being swept from a homeless encampment in Southwest Austin a few weeks ago.

Maintaining a sense of community will be a test for The Other Ones as Esperanza expands. Clients can earn $20 an hour picking up trash, driving a shuttle around the community or doing other work, providing income and fostering a sense of shared purpose. The cabins are grouped around the Quonset hut gathering hubs, off gravel-lined pathways with names like Ripple Road, Dancing in the Street and Morning Dew Way  which, along with The Other Ones, are all references to the Grateful Deads music.

The units are sufficient but not too cozy. The goal is for people to stay an average of 4 months, get lined up with long-term housing and move on, though Moscoe is quick to add, Every journey is different.

The solution isnt up to scale

Designed with feedback from people experiencing homelessness, Esperanza reaches people who might otherwise go unhelped.

Unlike most shelters, Esperanza has no curfew, no prohibition on pets and no sobriety requirement, although staff readily connect clients with detox beds or treatment programs when they are ready, Moscoe said.

With single-occupancy cabins and restrooms, residents can be accommodated regardless of their gender identity  which is vital, considering members of the LGBTQ+ community are overrepresented in the homeless population. And Esperanza accepts couples, although they get separate neighboring cabins so that no one becomes unsheltered if the relationship sours.

Last year, The Other Ones helped 74 clients move from Esperanza cabins into longer-term housing. The nonprofit also provided one-time travel funds to help 187 people return to other communities where they could stay with relatives or a friend, exiting homelessness here. Nearly 90% remain stably housed after three months, Moscoe said.

The Esperanza Community has 100 single-occupancy cabins built, with another 100 to be built in the coming year. The nonprofit is still weighing expansion options for the additional 7 acres the state recently purchased for the shelter complex.

But heres the rub: This work requires real investment. Building Esperanzas first 200 cabins, including the site work to provide electricity and plumbing, is a $6.5 million endeavor, not to mention the cost of adding the longer-term housing elsewhere so Esperanza is a short-term stay.

Hopefully, that helps a few hundred people per year. But the solutions still dont match the scale of the problem in a city where more than 5,000 people experienced unsheltered homelessness within the past six months.

That gap becomes painfully apparent in the encampment sweeps prompted by homeless camping bans like the one the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Friday.

There are two very different timelines between walking up to somebody and saying, Hey, you have 72 hours to get out of here, and then asking the homelessness response system to find funding, build out resources and be ready to accommodate those people, Moscoe told me in March, after I reported on the abrupt clearing of some campsites in Southeast Austin. The displacement part is a lot faster than the response.

For those who can get the help, though, there is hope. After a couple of houses he was counting on fell through three months ago, Daniel Reynolds, 67, lived out of a U-Haul, then began sleeping at bus stops and on sidewalks. He was sunburned and dehydrated; his belongings soaked by sprinklers. Three weeks ago, a case manager got him a cabin at Esperanza.

When I caught up with him Friday, Reynolds was at the Quonset hut, gathering burgers for himself and his tiny brown Chihuahua, Layla. He expects to leave in another week or so, once his girlfriend from Missoula, Montana, gets the money together for another U-Haul to retrieve Reynolds and his things.

I always remembered it from the military: PMA. Positive Mental Attitude, said Reynolds, who drove trucks and handled electronics in the Army, then operated metal-finishing machinery and drove buses in the private sector.

Youve got to keep your chin up, he said. Youve got to keep going.

Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or on X at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Homeless community, Esperanza, offers shelter and hope for Austinites
News / National

by Staff reporter

Five members of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) led by Job Sikhala have been arrested in Harare in what appears to be a national crackdown on the opposition amid claims that they are attempting to cause instability in Zimbabwe.But the opposition claims that the government is attempting to cover up massive corruption linked to the ruling elite, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his inner circle.In a statement, the NDWG said it is concerned over machinations, alarmism, despondency and overzealousness of police as government becomes "increasingly paranoid following revelations of shocking levels of corruption involving very senior civil servants and elite politicians.The NDWG said its arrested members were distributing monthly food handouts to less privileged Kuwadzana residents.The arrested activists who are currently in police custody are Edmore Svinurai, Emily Mwali, Isaya Ndawana, Patience Ndoro and Regina Aniwute.The NDWG said, "The police are pressing charges of gathering without police clearance. The meeting was never a political gathering but a social justice interaction of persons who have been doing good for poor and the vulnerable at a private residence of one of its members."NDWG comprises churches, students, businesses and others.Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unreachable for comment on his mobile phone.Seventy-nine CCC activists arrested two weeks ago for attending an event in which they were commemorating International Day of the African Child are currency in remand prison facing charges of attending an illegal meeting at Jameson Timba's Harare residence.Mnangagwa and Information Minister Jenfan Muswere have come up guns blazing threatening to deal ruthlessly with political activists and non-governmental organizations said to be planning to stage anti-corruption protests.There have been several corruption incidents linked to the ruling party elite of late which have resulted in the locking up of businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe. They are facing charges of defrauding the government of 7.3 million in a poverty-alleviation program under the Presidential Goat Pass-on scheme.The two who were tasked with purchasing over 600,000 goats for rural household allegedly converted the money to their own use after buying only 4,200 low-grade goats.They are also linked with a US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission tender which has sucked in Wicknell Chivayo, a man who has been getting many government tenders and giving Zanu-PF-linked individuals top range vehicles.But Chivayo has distanced themselves from this deal allegedly reached with a South African company for the supply of election materials in last year's polls.
View a previous report on the Columbus Zoos upcoming lantern festival in the video player above.

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH)  The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced its newest elephant has arrived from its original home in Canada.

Johnson the Asian elephant arrived from African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ontario, on Friday, the Columbus Zoo announced on Canada Day. He will settle in with the help of the Canadian safaris elephant manager, who is staying with him for a few days as he adjusts to his new home.

The best places to watch Red, White & BOOM!

Born in 2001 and weighing in at 11,500 pounds, Johnson was described by his former care team as laid back, confident and gentle with other elephants. Because of his nature, the zoo said it looked forward to Johnson meeting and bonding with the herds female elephants, sisters Rudy and Sundara, and mother Phoebe. The zoo said Johnson could serve as a role model for Phoebes three-year-old son, Frankie.

(Courtesy Photo/Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

(Courtesy Photo/Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

(Courtesy Photo/Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

(Courtesy Photo/Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

(Courtesy Photo/Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

(Courtesy Photo/Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

The Columbus Zoo brought Johnson in because of a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan, which works to help the species survive with a growing, genetically diverse population in North American zoos. In partnership with Wildlife Trust of India and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission, the Columbus Zoo also recently established the Center of Species Survival for Asian Elephants.

Not long ago, elephants Connie, Hank and Sabu departed from the Columbus Zoo. The additions of Johnson and Raja  a breeding bull elephant from the Saint Louis Zoo joining the Columbus Zoos herd in 2025  will give the female elephants a greater chance of success in producing babies.

Breach of contract: Why the Ohio Cannabis Festival has been canceled

Beginning in August, the Columbus Zoo will hold its first ever lantern festival featuring LED animal figures. Featured in the display will be 60 sets of multicolored LED animal lanterns.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Confirming their joint partnership to build a communiversity in Placer County, the presidents of Sacramento State and Sierra College participated in a signing ceremony Friday, where officials from both campuses and the county gathered to celebrate.

Presidents Luke Wood of Sac State and Willy Duncan of Sierra College, a community college in Rocklin, agreed to public commitments of staffing and resources to build the Placer Center.

The west Roseville campus, which will be at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fiddyment Road, near Thunder Valley Casino Resort, is a combination of both schools. The recent partnership signing is the furthest the decades-long project has reached in planning phases.

The seed got planted in the early 2000s; it sure took a long time to sprout but now its really coming to fruition, Senior Associate Vice President for Placer Center Vajra Watson said. Weve accomplished almost more in this year than in many ways weve done in decades past.

Planning for the Placer Center goes back to meetings between Sacramento State leadership and land owner Eli Broad, in 2000, and to Sierra College and the California State University campus announcing their plans to collaborate in 2014.

Now, decades-old plans are starting to solidify, through the signing ceremony and with the CSU Board of Trustees approving the plans this past January.

At the Placer Center, students will have dual enrollment in both Sierra College and Sac State, a model coined a communiversity by the presidents and the first of its kind in California.

On paper, students would transfer from Sierra College to Sac State while taking classes at the Placer Center with professors from both institutions, but Wood said that the process would be seamless.

The idea of this model is that we have such integration and partnership that students dont know whether or not theyre with Sierra College, whether or not theyre with Sacramento State because it doesnt matter, because theyre with the Placer campus, Wood said during the ceremony.

Sacramento State President Luke Wood signs the Presidential Agreement with Sierra College President Willy Duncan to commit to building the Placer Center, a communiversity that joins both schools.

Transfer students a priority

The partnership is also designed with hopes of making the transfer process easier for students, who typically have to make sure they are taking all of the right transfer classes and apply to get into universities, having to wait and hope they get in, Duncan said.

Currently, Sac State has the fifth-highest transfer rate in the state, according to Wood, which he predicts will change with this partnership.

Im going to make a bold statement that we will be the No. 1 transfer university in the state, Wood said in an interview after the signing.

Officials also point to the high number of students from the Placer County region who commute to Sac State every day, which they estimate is close to 5,000, as part of their motivation for wanting a connecting campus.

Partnership between the two schools is nothing new, which Wood and Duncan emphasized in their speeches, but this format of collaboration is.

Duncan also hopes that the partnership will make higher education more accessible to the greater Placer County region, along with students who typically commute or transfer from Sierra College to a university.

This idea of a communiversity is something that is taking hold, Duncan said. The concept that a community college and a CSU campus can work together in this way, I think is a model that is going to be looked at in the future as the way people are going to access education.

To transition into having students enrolled at both schools, Duncan said that Sierra plans to pilot a concurrent enrollment program at their Rocklin campus with Sac State.

What else will be built near Placer Center?

Duncan added that Placer County is one of the fastest growing regions in California, which he said makes this project an important investment into the future of the community.

The campus is planned to be part of a larger community development called Placer One which is still in planning phases but is intended to house neighborhoods, a shopping center, parks and a town center.

In March 2023, officials approved a $28 million sewer line, a vital infrastructure piece necessary to build both the Placer Center and the proposed Placer One development, a 2,200-acre community.

The Placer Center will be built on land donated to the project by Broad, a longtime supporter of higher education.

Dr. Melissa Leal, the tribal liaison for Sierra College, said a land acknowledgment at the beginning of the signing ceremony, to recognize that the Placer Center is being built on Nisenan and Miwok land.

Earlier this year, Leal organized a land blessing with Elder Alan Wallace from the Nisenan tribe that occurred on the site of the future Placer Center.

Under the presidential agreement signed Friday, Sierra College agreed to use Measure E funds to catalyze construction and complete Phase 1 of the project, which will accommodate 1,500 to 2,000 students.

Ultimately, with Phase 3 of the development, the campus intends to accommodate 12,000 full-time students, or 20,000 students with 80% attending part-time.

Just what this is going to do for higher ed and for our community, the access to education in our community, being able to get a CSU presence within Placer is probably something that you dont get to work on every day, Duncan said.

Being able to think outside the box and get creative in the way we serve our students is the best part.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, pictured here in October 2023, alleged two natural gas companies unduly profited by bidding up the prices before and during a 2021 winter storm to record levels.

Pipeline and marketing companies targeted by Oklahomas attorney general for their role in the run-up in natural gas prices from a winter storm in 2021 said they did nothing wrong and want the cases dismissed or moved from Osage County.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond and outside attorneys filed separate cases in April against Energy Transfer and Symmetry Energy Solutions on behalf of the Grand River Dam Authority. Drummond alleged the companies unduly profited by bidding up the price of natural gas before and during the winter storm to record levels.

Oklahoma utility companies paid billions of dollars to buy natural gas for heating and electricity generation during a winter storm in February 2021. Their customers are repaying those costs, plus billions in interest, in monthly installments to bondholders.

In his lawsuits, Drummond said the pipeline companies and fuel marketers manipulated their parts of the intrastate pipeline system to bid up natural gas prices during the winter storm. The Oklahoma trading hub had the highest prices in the country, with natural gas prices hitting more than $1,200 per unit at times, up from about $3 per unit in the days before the storm.

In the weeks after the storm, and with consumers and utilities increasingly worried about huge bills, the Legislature quickly pushed through a law allowing ratepayer-backed bonds to pay for the natural gas bought on the pricey spot market. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission later approved separate utility applications allowing about $3 billion in bonds to pay back the fuel costs.

More: Oklahoma attorney general defends controversial immigration law as essential for public safety

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

Energy companies respond in court

In separate court filings earlier this month, Energy Transfer and Symmetry Energy offered similar reasons for Osage County District Judge Stuart Tate to either dismiss the cases or move them from Osage County.

Symmetry, a natural gas marketer, said the GRDA had no problems with its ongoing contract to supply natural gas to the public utilitys generation units before, during and after the storm. GRDA provides electricity to 24 counties, as well as several municipalities and electric cooperatives.

Instead, the Attorney General of Oklahoma invoked his statutory power to file suit on behalf of a state agency that does not appear to share his concerns, Symmetrys attorneys said in a June 14 filing.

Drummond, who announced possible lawsuits from high natural gas prices last summer, has said repeatedly that Oklahoma utilities or state-based oil and gas companies were not to blame for the historic prices in February 2021. Symmetrys filing called that a bogus distinction that ignores the realities of the energy industry. It asked the court to dismiss the case or at least move the dispute to the district court in either Mayes or Tulsa County.

Though Symmetry serves the GRDA from its Tulsa office, it fell outside the Attorney Generals blanket absolution of Oklahoma companies because it is headquartered in Houston, Texas, the filing said.

Symmetry said it turned over documents to former Attorney General Mike Hunter in 2021 after he announced an investigation into natural gas prices. His governor-appointed successor, John OConnor, then said in early 2022 that he was dropping an investigation into possible price gouging. Symmetry said the statute of limitations has expired for now-Attorney General Drummond to bring complaints over natural gas prices.

More: OG&E raising customers' bills while awaiting rate increase approval

The public record leaves no doubt that the Attorney General actually investigated the allegations of this case, and obtained evidence from Symmetry in particular but chose not to file a timely lawsuit, Symmetrys attorneys said in their motion to dismiss.

In its response, Energy Transfer said Drummond was looking for a scapegoat after Oklahoma regulators, the state Supreme Court and the states former attorney general all blamed the record prices on extreme cold weather and the resulting shortage in natural gas supplies.

Importantly, nowhere in any of the comprehensive findings of facts affirmed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court is market manipulation by defendants identified as a cause of the increase in natural gas prices, Energy Transfer attorneys said in a June 3 filing.

The attorney generals office represented consumers in the securitization cases at the Corporation Commission and agreed to their resolution. OConnor, who Drummond defeated in the GOP primary in 2022, was the attorney general at that time. In a rare rebuke, two Supreme Court justices criticized OConnor for his lack of response to objections to the winter storm bonds when they were before the court for final approval.

Energy Transfer, in its filing, said the attorney generals office could not now challenge the findings of the Corporation Commission or the Supreme Court regarding the causes of the natural gas price spike. The three-member commission approved the utility storm costs and ratepayer-backed bonds in 2-1 decisions, with Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony voting against approval and repeatedly calling them bad deals for ratepayers.

The states assertions that increased natural gas prices resulted from defendants conspiracy to exploit their alleged monopoly power, or from defendants alleged negligence in preparing for the storm, should be dismissed as inconsistent with binding prior determinations by the Commission and the Oklahoma Supreme Court that the extreme cold weather during Winter Storm Uri caused statewide supply issues and surging demand for natural gas, which were responsible for the increased prices, the filing said.

Energy Transfer said its companies fulfilled their contractual obligations to transport and deliver natural gas to GRDA during the winter storm. Both GRDA and Energy Transfer understood the contract to be outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Energy Transfer said the contract calls for any dispute to be heard in Oklahoma County district court.

In sum, GRDA voluntarily agreed to the terms that the state now alleges made it so especially vulnerable, the filing said.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has investigated possible price manipulation on interstate pipelines during the winter storm but so far has not requested any federal prosecutions. Oklahomas winter storm bonds include clawback provisions that benefit ratepayers if resolutions are reached in lawsuits or investigations about possible natural gas price manipulation.

A handful of other lawsuits related to the winter storm have been resolved. Oklahoma Natural Gas sued one of its gas suppliers, NextEra Energy Marketing LLC, in April 2021 over $6.9 million in disputed natural gas bills. The companies reached a settlement in early 2022 before going to trial.

A smaller regulated utility, Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp., won an $18 million judgment in May 2023 against global energy company BP over winter storm costs. The utility, which has 58,000 customers in eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas, said BP failed to provide the full amount of gas it had under contract during the storm. BP did not appeal the ruling in federal court.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

Paul Monies has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2017 and covers state agencies and public health. Contact him at (571) 319-3289 or pmonies@oklahomawatch.org. Follow him on Twitter @pmonies.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Natural gas companies sued by Oklahoma AG want case dismissed or moved
Vote4More is a citizen-backed campaign that wants to increase the size of the Baltimore County Coucil from seven to 11 members. Photo by John Rydell

The first of two competing proposals to expand the size of the Baltimore County Council gets its first test Monday, when the council is scheduled to vote on a plan that would add two members to the current seven-member body.

Supporters of the second proposal, a voter-backed plan that would add four members to the council, are still collecting the 10,000 signatures they will need by July 19 to put the question on the November ballot.

The nine- and 11-member council proposals differ only in the final number: Backers of both plans say the county has grown too large to still be represented by seven people. Increasing the size of the council will not only make members more responsive to a smaller number of constituents, they say, but it can help improve council diversity in the increasingly diverse county,

The nine-member proposal to be voted on Monday has sharply divided the council. Because it would require a change to the county charter, the measure needs approval by a supermajority to pass, but Council Chairman Izzy Patoka said recently that he believes he has the five votes needed for passage.

Ive always supported growing the council to nine members, said Patoka, who introduced the bill. This is a goal Im committed to, but in order to do that, I need to have five affirmative votes, not four, not three.

In order to gain five votes, I need a coalition of Democrats and Republicans, and I believe that right now, we have that coalition in place, he said.

Democratic Councilmen Pat Young, represents the southwestern county, and Mike Ertel, whose district includes parts of Towson, Parkville, Rosedale and Middle River, both said they support Patokas bill.

Young said smaller districts will result in better representation and may result in a more diverse council.

One challenge to any plan increasing the council is physical space  county facilities are currently set up for a seven-member body. Photo by John Rydell.

You might assume there would be more African-American representation and there isnt, and that has to be taken into consideration, he said.

For Ertel, the issue is district size.

When you look at the current districts, theyre very big, Ertel said. If we go to nine, its a little more manageable, putting communities that have a lot of commonalities back together.

After them, however, support gets a little shaky.

Councilman David Marks said in a Baltimore Sun opinion piece nine years ago that a nine-member council would mean more compact districts, with members focusing their time and energy on more selective priorities. But he said recently that things have changed since then.

Baltimore Countys population is shrinking for the first time in its post-war history. That has caused me to reevaluate my past support for this proposal, said Marks, a Republican. Many of the advocates of this change are strongly partisan, and to the best of my knowledge, have made little effort to engage Republicans.

Councilman Wade Kach, a Republican who represents north county, is skeptical but is keeping an open mind, a spokesperson said. Democratic Councilman Julian Jones, who represents the western county, said he is weighing all the options and looking at the cost to citizens.

One of the things I like about our council is when you have a group of seven, you all have to get along as a group, Jones said. Right now, there are four Democrats and three Republicans, about as divided as youre going to get, and I think it produces a good product.

Councilman Todd Crandell, a Republican who represents the southeastern part of the county, has consistently opposed an expansion.

County Executive John Johnny O Olszewski Jr., who does not have a vote, said it is time to expand the council  unchanged since 1956  and provide more responsive and equitable government.

A map shows how Baltimore County Council districts might look if the council was expanded from seven to nine members. Photo by John Rydell.

That was echoed by Linda Dorsey-Walker, chair of the Vote4More petition that would increase the council to 11 members if passed by voters this fall.

We have one African American on our county council, and this is at a time when the county is nearly 50% minority, she said. How do we make government more reflective of who lives here now?

Women and young people, African Americans, LGBTQ, disabled folks have all said, When do I get more of a voice or a voice for the first time? Dorsey-Walker said.

The two expansion proposals follow months of work by an 11-member county workgroup that analyzed the challenges of adding two or four seats on the council, before recommending a two-member expansion. Tony Campbell, chairman of the Baltimore County Structure Review Work Group, said there are significant fiscal and logistical challenges to expanding the council.

Adding two members of the council means youre also adding staff, youre also moving things around the courthouse because its built for seven, Campbell said. If you have to add two members, you have to create more space or move people around.

The workgroup estimated that it would cost more than $6.1 million to add two council members and $7.5 million to accommodate four more. Added costs include salaries for the members ($69,000 each) and staffs, cars for the members and the lease of district office space, as well the cost of equipment like laptops and cellphones.

Baltimore Countys population has tripled in nearly 70 years, and each council member now represents just over 122,000 residents. The 2020 Census put the countys population at 854,535, but county officials say that number has likely declined by a few thousand since then.

Voters in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties approved ballot measures in recent years that increased their councils to 11 members but both are larger than Baltimore County: Montgomery County has more than 1 million and Prince Georges population is approximately 947,000.

At a recent public hearing, some citizens voiced support for the petition drive and an 11-member council. Sparks resident Shawn McIntosh urged the council to revise its charter amendment to give voters the option of increasing the council to either nine or 11 seats.

The goal of Vote4More is to reduce district size for better, more responsive representation and to increase opportunities for a more diverse, elected body, McIntosh said. Baltimore Countys Council should look more like the community it represents.

Dorsey-Walker believes she knows why there appears to be lukewarm support among some incumbents for increasing the size of the council: They feel more powerful when they have more than when they have less.

Her group has until July 19 to submit at least 10,000 signatures to the Baltimore County Board of Elections, which then has until the end of the month to verify signatures of registered county voters to see if there are enough to put it on the ballot.

Dorsey-Walker, however, remains upbeat.

We have some challenges that remain ahead of us, but I am optimistic, she said. I think were in a good place right now.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The 8-year-old boy whose body was found before an Amber Alert was issued for his siblings Friday night died from deep neck compression, according to court records.

The boys mother, Lashanda Wilder, 32, and her girlfriend Johnna Lowe, 33, are due in Franklin County Municipal Court on Monday morning; Wilder is facing murder and obstruction of justice charges while Lowe is facing an obstruction of justice charge.

Lashanda Wilder, left, and Johnna Lowe. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police)

Man dead after Guernsey County motorcycle crash

Court records state the Franklin County Coroners office ruled on Saturday that the boys death was a homicide.

According to police, Wilder and two of her children were the subject of an Amber Alert issued Friday night. While investigating the case, Columbus police found the body of Wilders son, Martonio Wilder, in a trash bag hidden in the attic of the familys house, according to police.

Martonio Wilder

Wilders two other children were found safe with one of Lowes acquaintances later Friday night after the alert was issued. They were placed in the custody of Franklin County Children Services.

Columbus police were first called to the Wilder home at noon on Friday, where Wilder said she last saw Martonio on Thursday night, according to court records.

Babys death yields few leads one year after body found in Plain City garbage truck

Police issued a missing persons advisory for Martonio but did not elevate it to an Amber Alert. They began a K-9 search of the neighborhood, after which Wilder and Lowe left without telling police where they were going. With them were the other two children, ages 9 and 3.

When police couldnt locate Wilder, officers got a search warrant for the home, which led to the discovery of the boys body.

Arrest warrants for both Wilder and Lowe were issued early Saturday; both were in police custody by 5 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A vacationer was charged with indecent exposure Tuesday after allegedly exposing himself at a Hilton Head beach, eliciting complaints from a nearby family.

Deputies were called to Fish Haul Beach on the islands north end around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday with a complaint that a visitor was exposing himself near children. The callers led police to the man, who was in a beach chair about 100 yards west of the entrance.

A family of four was sitting behind the suspect and were getting quite the show, read an incident report from the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office. The man was reportedly lounging on his side with his blue swim trunks pulled down to expose his buttocks and scrotum through the bottom of the chair, according to department spokesperson Master Sgt. Danny Allen.

The officer approached the man and asked him to pull his pants up, identifying the man as James Michael Neubauer, a 58-year-old resident of Goodrich, Michigan. As the beachgoer stood up, a bottle of Miller Lite beer was found underneath him.

Neubauer was cited for nudity and alcohol on a beach, two violations of the Town of Hilton Head Islands code of ordinances. The deputy detained and released him on a courtesy summons, meaning he was not sent to jail but is still required to follow the charges through court, Allen said.

Allen said police werent sure if Neubauer had been exposing himself purposefully; the man told police he was just trying to relax and meant no ill or malicious intent. Fish Haul Beach is typically a less popular destination for visitors and was not crowded at the time of the incident, Allen added.

Public records indicate Neubauer has owned property on Hilton Head since at least the 80s but hadnt lived on the island full-time since 2010.

Court proceedings for Neubauers ordinance violations are scheduled for July 9 in Bluffton Magistrate Court.
Famous business consultant Peter Drucker used to say that management is about doing things right and leadership is about doing the right things. For Floridas community association leaders, the skills to do both are required now more than ever.

Changes to the laws that govern the states community associations went into effect July 1. From increasing operational and financial transparency to giving state regulators greater power to investigate complaints, state lawmakers are beginning to hold these quasi-governmental organizations to higher standards  to expect more of their leadership.

To be clear, most associations are led by board members who selflessly contribute their time for the betterment of their community and for their neighbors. They work diligently with property managers to produce well-managed communities, often while enduring high-conflict personalities and difficult challenges.

Yet, its equally true that many have found themselves in a role for which they received very little preparation and training. From the tragedy of the Champlain Towers condo building collapse in 2021 to recent, highly publicized cases of financial malfeasance and wrongdoing at some community associations, a theme of failed leadership is woven through every story.

The new rules require that new board members receive a minimum of four hours of training. Topics considered include milestone inspections, structural integrity reserve studies, elections, record-keeping, financial literacy and transparency, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements.

Seeing the need for management and leadership training among our community association board members, Florida International Universitys College of Business earlier this year launched an eight-hour online certificate course that covers issues such as conflict resolution and good communications.

Led by instructor Patrick Hohman, author of Condos Townhomes and Home Owner Associations: How to make your investment safer, a key goal of the program is to help community association boards and property managers work together productively  respecting the role of both leader and manager.

At the time we introduced the course, the state required new board members to receive only a fraction of that training. We knew that many board members would bypass our program and instead opt to simply check the box of meeting the states minimum education requirement. However, we also believed  and still do  that to develop world-class community associations, board members need to begin demanding more of themselves. They need to view education and training as an opportunity to be explored and not as a burden to be shunned.

Truth is that not even FIUs eight hours of professional development is enough to prepare individuals for the huge responsibilities and challenges they face as community association board members. Often, they are overseeing very large organizations with multi-million-dollar budgets and making decisions that impact hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

Just as it may take years to develop strong leadership and management skills, it will take time to properly develop the states governance of community associations.

Already, the new rules are producing unintended consequences. For example, they may unwittingly hurt community associations that are located at condo hotels.

But while the new community association rules are not perfect, they are a step toward progress. Our lawmakers may not have done this thing exactly right, but they most certainly are doing the right thing.

Jacqueline Bueno Sousa is the director of business operations for executive education at Florida International Universitys College of Business.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Sunday is Congolese Independence Day, and some members of the Democratic Republic of Congo community who now call Scranton home gathered together on Courthouse Square in Downtown Scranton to celebrate.

They also wanted to use this opportunity to spread awareness of what is going on back in their country and those who are refugees around the world.

History comes alive in West Pittstons First to Fall event

With a rush for these strategic minerals that are being mined there and I think in Scrantons history you saw kid and all sorts of problems happening in the mines and deaths. Thats exactly whats happening in eastern Congo right now because of the rush not only for gold and diamond but also strategic minerals like tungsten and cobalt, said Congolese Committee of Scranton President Ushu Mukelo.

He hopes his message will reach the White House.

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The commanding officer of a 2008 tour in Afghanistan that included then-U.S. Army Major Troy Nehls told The Texas Tribune that he recalls awarding the now-congressman his second Bronze Star award.

That award  which recognizes service members who show heroism in the field  has been called into question after a CBS investigation reported Nehls had been touting military decorations that did not match his service record provided by the Pentagon. In campaign ads and in his House biography, Nehls, R-Richmond, has posted pictures of him in an Army uniform wearing two Bronze Star medals. He has also worn the Combat Infantryman Badge lapel pin, awarded to soldiers for service in combat.

Texas Congressman defends military record amid combat badge scandal

The investigation found that the Pentagon reported Nehls only received one Bronze Star and that the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded in error and rescinded in 2023. Nehls, who has been publicly criticized by members of his own party amid the claims of stolen valor, said on social media that he did have two Bronze Stars. But he has since stopped wearing the CIB.

But Jason Burke, the Navy captain who led the 130-person joint task force Nehls served on during his tour, recalled awarding the medal to Nehls. Nehls received the medal at a ceremony with several other officers in the fall of 2008, shortly before Nehls finished his tour and returned to Texas, Burke told the Tribune.

Youre getting that award if youve done a good job and met the criteria, said the now-retired Burke, who is listed on the award certificate as Nehls commanding officer. He earned it, and received it.

Nehls, who represents a swath of Houston suburbs, served as Burkes second-in-command under a joint effort called Task Force Currahee. Their unit, which included both Army and Navy officers, worked on provincial reconstruction, building roads, clinics and schools in eastern Afghanistans Ghazni Province. Burke said the teams convoys regularly came under Taliban ambushes and guerilla attacks.

The Bronze Star award must be recommended by a commander, and any service member in any branch of the military working an operation involving a conflict with an opposing force of the U.S. is eligible. The CIB, by contrast, is only given to those in combat roles.

It was relatively standard during the U.S. war on terrorism, after the Sept. 11 attacks, for officers of certain ranks to receive some kind of award upon completing a tour, often a Bronze Star. Nehls first star was awarded for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, where he trained 13 staff members of an Iraqi government office to perform financial assessments, according to the certificate.

A spokesperson for Nehls declined to comment on this story, pointing to a post on X Nehls made last month defending his record and posting photos of the certificates of his two Bronze stars, and his copy of the underlying nomination forms. Burkes sign-off can be seen on the 2008 documentation, known as Form 638, along with signatures from two higher-level officials.

Congressman accuses Army of political attacks over combat badge

CBS reported the Pentagon would conduct another review of Nehls record. The most recent summary of his service and awards, provided to the Tribune by a Pentagon spokesperson on Friday, lists only one Bronze Star and no CIB.

The systems for records keeping for military awards can be difficult to navigate. Soldiers often become responsible for making sure awards paperwork is turned over to a personnel officer.

That means documentation for awards sometimes slips through the cracks, according to retired Army sergeant Anthony Anderson, who has investigated numerous instances of stolen valor.

I wouldnt say its common, but it does happen, Anderson said.

Anderson said he had previously spoken with Nehls chief of staff, encouraging them to submit documentation of the second Bronze Star to the Pentagon to be added to Nehls record.

He said he would be surprised if an officer in Nehls position hadnt received a Bronze Star.

Nehls military record has become a thorn for him in recent months. He announced that he would stop wearing the Combat Infantryman Badge last week in response to reports that the badge had been revoked in 2023.

Nehls was found to be ineligible for that badge because he had served in Afghanistan in a civil role, not as a combatant infantryman. Nehls did serve as an infantryman during his time with the Wisconsin National Guard in the 1990s, completing a tour in Bosnia.

Amid stolen valor accusations, ex-commanding officer confirms he issued Rep. Troy Nehls second Bronze Star was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Military Times has edited the original headline.

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Unrelenting wet weather battered the United Kingdom between October 2023 and March 2024. The World Weather Attribution group, cited by Sky News, detailed that it was the second-wettest such period on record for the country.

Now, consumers are starting to feel the effects on their bank accounts.

What's happening?

According to FarmingUK, that deluge of rainfall is pushing up prices for grocery shoppers. The publication detailed that extreme weather is responsible for a 40% food price increase, citing data from the Office for National Statistics analyzed by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.

It's also noted that these weather conditions have been made worse by the effects of a changing climate. Warmer temperatures increase the length and severity of extreme weather conditions like flooding and drought. It's estimated the wet winter was made 20% worse because of global heating.

In real terms, the average cost of a basket of food has increased by 10 ($12.65) to 34 ($43.02) since the start of the U.K.'s cost of living crisis.

"The basket of goods includes potatoes, rice, broccoli and coffee, and has increased from 23.73 to 33.96 in just three years," FarmingUK detailed.

As ECIU analyst Tom Lancaster told the publication, "Crops have been left rotting in flooded fields, global harvests have been hit by extreme heat and droughts, and the result is higher prices at the tills."

Why are the rising prices so concerning?

It's not just the U.K. food supply network that has been hit hard by the changing climate. Olive farmers in Spain have been contending with decreased yields that are pushing olive oil prices up. Meanwhile, cocoa farmers in Africa are dealing with drought and flooding conditions that are killing crops.

In early June, the Copernicus Climate Change Service revealed monthly global temperature records had been broken for 12 consecutive months. If this pattern continues, or if temperatures simply remain around record highs, the impact on crops could persist for years to come.

Consumers, therefore, might continue to see costs rise.

What can be done about crop damage?

Lancaster has called for more support for U.K. farmers to deal with the challenges of a changing climate.

"That means policies that rebuild soil health, expand hedges, and plant trees that help to trap and hold flood waters," he told FarmingUK.

But Lancaster also said that we need to reduce planet-warming pollution as soon as possible, with net-zero emissions being an essential goal.

Unfortunately, the food production sector is one of the world's leading polluters. Our World In Data has shared that it accounts for 26% of global planet-warming pollution. That's not to mention agriculture's requirement for land, damaging chemical pesticides, and vast amounts of freshwater.

But sustainable farming practices are being implemented. For example, agrivoltaics allows farmers to utilize livestock grazing areas for sustainable energy generation. These solar installations not only produce electricity, but the panels themselves provide shade that allows plants to retain water, which saves a vital resource.

Meanwhile, a self-driving electric tractor was developed that could replace polluting machines powered by dirty fuel.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Phophi Ramathuba's election as the first female premier of South Africa's Limpopo province has reignited discussions on Zimbabwe's socio-economic impact on neighboring countries, particularly regarding healthcare and public services. Ramathuba, known for her outspoken criticism of Zimbabwean governance failures, highlighted issues of strain on South Africa's health system due to Zimbabweans seeking medical treatment across the border.Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu emphasized that Ramathuba's election serves as a wake-up call for Zimbabwe to prioritize its own public amenities rather than burdening neighboring countries. He pointed out that her stance on these issues is unlikely to soften, especially following her election victory, which reflects local concerns over service delivery and infrastructure within South Africa.Mukundu suggested that Ramathuba's hardened position could lead to closer scrutiny of resource allocation and potentially stricter measures concerning Zimbabweans seeking assistance in South Africa. This could complicate fraternal relations between ANC and Zanu-PF and increase pressure on Zimbabwean leaders to address domestic socio-economic issues effectively.In Limpopo's Musina Municipality, concerns over the impact of undocumented immigrants on local infrastructure and services have been voiced by officials like Mayor Nkhanedzeni Godfrey Mawela. He highlighted challenges faced by municipalities in providing services meant for local populations when these are also utilized by foreign nationals.Overall, Ramathuba's election underscores broader regional dynamics and the imperative for Zimbabwean leaders to focus on improving domestic governance and service delivery to reduce reliance on neighboring countries like South Africa.
Convicted felon caught twice with guns gets federal sentence

ST. LOUIS  A previously convicted felon from St. Louis appeared in federal court on Monday to be sentenced on gun and drug possession charges.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Dawon Hennings, 40, was caught with a 9mm handgun and methamphetamine on April 12, 2022, in St. Louis County.

Officers saw Hennings driving without a front license plate and pulled him over. Hennings was arrested and later indicted. A warrant was put out for his arrest.

How to spot the newest ATM skimmers uncovered by St. Louis police

On Dec. 26, 2022, county police officers saw Hennings walking on Lookaway Drive in Glasgow Village. and took him into custody. Hennings was found in possession of a .380 caliber pistol, a baggie containing meth, and another baggie containing a mixture of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

Hennings pleaded guilty in March 2024 to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Hennings to 100 months in federal prison.

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Cops arrest man who killed his neighbor, wounded pit bull in brutal Brooklyn stabbing

Cops arrest man who killed his neighbor, wounded pit bull in brutal Brooklyn stabbing

A Brooklyn man has been accused of killing his 37-year-old neighbor and wounding a pit bull in a crazed stabbing, police and sources said Sunday.

Anthony Sabato, 37, was arrested and charged with murder, robbery and aggravated cruelty to animals in the bloody slaying of Thomas Machalchick.

Police were called to the building on Sands St. near Jay St. in downtown Brooklyn just after 8 a.m. Friday, finding the victim on the 28th floor with a stab wound to his torso and a pit bull suffering from multiple knife wounds, cops and sources said.

Meanwhile, the stabber and his girlfriend ran to a different apartment in the building, which provides long-term housing for formerly homeless people, and locked themselves inside, barricading the door, the Daily News previously reported.

The couple surrendered shortly after police arrived and were taken into custody.

Medics rushed Machalchick to New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, but he could not be saved.

The wounded dog was taken to a local animal hospital in stable condition, police said.

Sabato was charged in the disturbing bloodshed Saturday afternoon. Following an arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court, he was held without bail.

Both Machalchick and Sabato lived at the address, cops said.
Tennessee lawmakers on the Joint Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Adequacy of the Supervision, Investigation, and Release of Criminal Defendants review prison release and sentencing policies at October 6 hearing (Photo: John Partipilo)

This article was originally published by The Lever, an investigative newsroom. If you like this story, click here to get The Levers free newsletter.

As states across the country adopt harsh new sentencing laws, private prison companies are celebrating, telling investors that they soon expect more people in their prisons  and even higher profits.

From Mississippi to California , many states have taken a decided tough on crime tack over the past two years in a strengthening backlash to criminal justice reform efforts in the wake of George Floyds murder in 2020. This year, Louisiana passed a package of harsh sentencing laws that will keep some people in prison for years longer. A new parole board in Mississippi is keeping people in prison for longer terms by denying early release. In March, Washington, DC, enacted a sweeping anti-crime package .

These laws, advocates warn, threaten to reverse years of progress in the fight against mass incarceration. Instead, they would again trap people in prison for lengthy terms, ripping apart communities and exacerbating racial and socioeconomic inequality  while enriching the private firms that manage prisons and their shareholders.

Perhaps no state is more emblematic of the recent sentencing crackdown  and the private interests that stand to benefit  than Tennessee, where one of the worlds largest prison companies is headquartered.

Since 2022, lawmakers in Tennessee have fought to enact a slate of harsh sentencing laws that are expected to increase the states spending on incarceration by tens of millions of dollars annually. The key power brokers behind the legislation are also some of the top recipients of private prison company cash, The Lever found.

On May 28, Gov. Bill Lee signed the latest of these proposals into law, a bill that will end the use of so-called sentence reduction credits, which allow people incarcerated in Tennessee to serve shorter sentences as a reward for a clean record in prison. The law, which will only apply to future offenses, is projected by the state to result in a significant increase in spending on incarceration.

For the people locked up in Tennessees prison system, who are disproportionately poor and Black , this will mean, in some cases, they will spend years longer in a prison cell. Theres little evidence that longer sentences deter crime.

But the law does have at least one key beneficiary: Tennessees private prison contractor, CoreCivic, formerly the Corrections Corporation of America, one of the worlds largest prison companies, which will almost certainly see new profits as a direct result of the legislation. The company, which spends millions of dollars a year lobbying both in states and on a federal level, has begun telling its investors that harsh sentencing laws across the country will soon translate to bigger profits from the 70-plus prisons it runs nationwide.

There has been a fair amount of activity both this year, and really the last two years, within state legislatures on adjustments to sentencing reform, Damon Hininger, CoreCivics CEO, who has political aspirations in Tennessee, said in an earnings call last month .

Hininger said he expected this development to lead to pretty significant increases in prison populations  good news for the prison company, which is often paid by how many inmates are housed in prison at a given time. Already, he said, higher occupancy rates in CoreCivic-managed prisons had led to, in turn, strong financial results for investors.

Bianca Tylek, the executive director of Worth Rises, an advocacy organization that focuses on the harms of prison industries, called Hiningers comments brazen and proof that the companies dont think people are listening.

Its a real travesty that were allowing industry to shape what our carceral system looks like, she said.

Increased the sentences tremendously

David Raybin, a criminal defense attorney in Nashville, has been fighting for sentencing reform in Tennessee since the 1970s. He has witnessed decades of ebbs and flows in sentencing policies. Yet the crackdown that Tennessee lawmakers have launched over the last two years is like nothing hes ever seen before. Over time, it will have an enormous effect, he said.

In 2022, the Tennessee legislature passed a truth in sentencing bill , a sweeping law that essentially rewrote sentencing practices in the state, requiring people to serve, in some cases, up to 10 years longer for certain felony crimes .

It just absolutely increased the sentences tremendously, Raybin said.

The 2022 law was just the beginning of Tennessees draconian sentencing crackdown. Last year, lawmakers proposed a three-strike bill requiring even harsher sentences for people with prior convictions. The legislation passed a key House committee last year but did not reach the governors desk, though it has continued to move forward in the Tennessee Senate this session.

Should the three-strike bill ultimately pass, it will require an entirely new prison to be built in Tennessee to house 1,400 more inmates, costing taxpayers at least $384 million .

In May, ignoring the outcry of criminal justice advocates around the state, Lee signed a bill that will largely end early release from prison, which inmates were able to earn through participation in educational programming and maintaining a clean record in the system.

Now, people in Tennessees prisons will only be released early on parole, which in the state is rarely granted . The effect will be to keep people incarcerated longer, said Matthew Charles, a Nashville-based policy advisor with Families Against Mandatory Minimums, a nonprofit that advocates for more just sentencing reform.

Lee also signed a new law this spring that will impose adult sentences on teenagers after they have served a juvenile sentence, which criminal justice reform advocates say will have alarming repercussions for youth in the state.

It will take several years before the full impact of the laws becomes clear as new cases wend their way through the courts.

Its not immediate, said Dawn Deaner, the executive director of the Nashville organization Choosing Justice Initiative. She estimated that it would take more than five years to start to see the full effect of the new sentencing laws.

But were going to see the prison populations grow, she said.

The people that have the money

Tennessee is an important state for CoreCivic, as evidenced by the companys significant lobbying expenditures in the state. The private prison company is headquartered in Nashville, and it has long been one of the states biggest political spenders. Since 2009, the company has spent $3.7 million on lobbying and campaign donations in the state, a Lookout analysis found.

In response to a request for comment from The Lever, CoreCivic spokesperson Brian Todd wrote supports candidates and elected officials who understand the limited but important solutions our company can provide, and noted that it employs 1,200 people at its prisons in Tennessee.

Although a Tennessee law from the 1980s mandates that the state have only one privately run prison, CoreCivic has carved out a loophole after years of attempts to rewrite the law entirely. The company now runs four of the states fourteen prisons by routing contracts through counties rather than the state. Together, the value of those four contracts exceeds $200 million .

Lobbying records from last year indicate that CoreCivic has a small army of eight lobbyists working on its behalf in Tennessees state house. According to state campaign spending data aggregated by FollowTheMoney.org , Tennessees current governor has received the most money from the private prison company of any politician in the nation: $65,400 over the last two election cycles, including donations from company executives , making the company one of his largest donors.

This year, Hininger, CoreCivics CEO, who is said to be considering a run for Tennessee governor in 2026, chaired a fundraiser dinner for the state Republican Party and personally gifted each attendee a souvenir glass emblazoned with the states Republican Party logo. Hininger himself has donated more than $100,000 to politicians in Tennessee over the years.

Meanwhile, lawmakers who have pushed the slate of harsh sentencing laws in Tennessee have been rewarded.

House Republican Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth of Portland, a former county prosecutor, has spearheaded the sentencing bills in the state, championing the sweeping 2022 law and sponsoring the more recent bill that did away with early release. Hes been very active in trying to pass harsher sentencing laws, Deaner of the Choosing Justice Initiative said.

Lamberth is also one of CoreCivics biggest beneficiaries in Tennessee, receiving $8,500 from the company. So, too, are other Republican champions of the sentencing bills, including Lt. Gov. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge, who has received $7,500 from CoreCivic, House Speaker Cameron Sexton of Crossville ( $10,000 ), and Rep. Jerome Moon of Maryville. ( $3,000 ).

The money is absolutely having an impact on policy, Deaner said.

Who are the people that have the money in Tennessee? she said. Particularly in rural places, theres not a lot of wealthy donors. In the absence of other campaign funding sources, this state of affairs has allowed CoreCivic to wield an especially significant influence with state lawmakers, she said.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, center, with House Majority Leader William Lamberth at left and Republican Caucus Leader Jeremy Faison. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Driven by greed

CoreCivic regularly claims it does not lobby on sentencing-related bills  in Tennessee or elsewhere  and did so again in response to questions from The Lever. CoreCivic does not lobby or take positions on any policies, regulations or legislation that impact the basis for or duration of an individuals incarceration, Todd, the company spokesperson, wrote.

But its clear from executives statements to investors that they are, at the very least, monitoring these laws closely.

Going forward, the next three years to five years, a lot of states are looking at pretty significant increases [to prison populations] because, again, of changes, maybe, in sentencing reform, Hininger said in the May call.

For the first time in a decade , prison populations across the country are rising after a dramatic drop in 2020 during the pandemic, when court backlogs and early releases due to COVID-19 lowered the number of people in prisons. The majority of states have reported an increase in the number of people incarcerated in their prisons over the last two years, according to a study published by the U.S. Department of Justice last November. According to the report, there were currently more than 1.2 million people behind bars  raising the countrys already sky-high incarceration rate .

A significant part of this incarceration surge is the return of normal court systems as judges worked through case backlogs that had persisted through the pandemic. But tough sentencing laws, criminal justice reforms say , also appear to be playing a role.

Prison executives agree. In conclusion, Hininger said in May. The macro environment in which we operate continues to improve.

The agency found Tennessee is seeing one of the countrys sharpest increases in its prison population  a reported 8 percent surge between 2021 and 2022. Colorado, Montana, and Mississippi all reported incarceration rates growing at 8 percent or above, and another 42 states reported some growth in their prison populations.

Many of CoreCivics prison contracts, including in Tennessee, are paid on a per inmate, per day basis , meaning that these fluctuations in prison populations directly impact the companys bottom line. Many of the companys facilities, its financial statements show, are not at full occupancy levels  and laws that could change this would put money directly into the pockets of prison companies.

CoreCivics unholy alliance, in the words of one state Democratic lawmaker , with the state of Tennessee illustrates just how greatly private interests are profiting from rollbacks to criminal justice reforms  whether thats prison companies raking in cash from harsh sentencing laws or the bail industrys success in Georgia, which reimposed cash bail requirements after experimenting with bail reform , a move that will benefit bail bond agents and insurers .

This moment is revealing exactly what weve known about the carceral system, Tylek of Worth Rises said. The expansive use of incarceration as a solution to social failures is driven by greed.
The CDC is recommending that most children and adults get updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines this fall. That holds for everyone but babies 6 months and younger, no matter how recently people had their last vaccine.

Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC. Make a plan now for you and your family to get both updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall, ahead of the respiratory virus season.

New COVID-19 vaccines under development at Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax will target the recent JN1 lineage of COVID-19 variants. The lineage may have an edge against our immune system, CDC says.

The vaccines should be available around the end of August, according to Dr. David Weber, medical director of the Department of Infection Prevention at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Why do we need new vaccines?

About 75,000 people died from COVID-19 in the US in 2023. Despite this, Weber noted that its no longer in the news headlines like it once was. So out of sight, out of mind. Thats why people are not attuned to it.

What will happen in 2024? Its hard to predict what this year will do, said Weber. But we do continue seeing hospitalizations and deaths, particularly in older individuals, people with underlying medical problems.

New vaccines under development at multiple pharmaceutical companies will target the recent JN1 lineage of COVID-19 variants.

Weber noted that getting the new vaccine is important because its targeting the current strains of the coronavirus now most common in the United States, and the effects of previous vaccinations wane over time.

News of the CDCs new vaccination guidance comes after a World Health Organization (WHO) committee and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted to advise vaccine manufacturers to design new vaccines based on the JN1 lineage of variants, including FLiRT variants, for 2024-2025. Previous vaccines targeted a different variant.

Vaccines designed to target the JN1 variants will allow the body to better recognize COVID-19 and fight against it, reducing the likelihood of severe symptoms and long COVID.

Are cases rising in North Carolina?

Not yet, is the short answer.

Dr. David Wohl, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UNC, told The News & Observer that in addition to COVID-19 hospital admission rates, it is important to keep track of wastewater levels of viral particles.

Municipal wastewater can help track COVID-19 rates across a population because peoples positive tests are not always reported. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintains a dashboard tracking wastewater levels.

Wastewater levels of COVID-19 virus have been stably low in NC, Wohl said. He warns, however, that they are increasing elsewhere and it is a matter of time before we see more here too.

At least 15 states reported high levels of viral activity in wastewater.

Weber added that despite the overall low numbers in North Carolina, there is a little bit of a boost, which is not what you normally expect in the summer.

How can we protect ourselves?

The top recommendation from the CDC is to prepare to get vaccinated in the fall.

For people with impaired immune systems, there is a monoclonal antibody that has recently become available called Pemgarda, Weber noted. For a couple of years we have not had any approved monoclonals that work, so thats good, he said.

Compared to other medications like Paxlovid and Remdesivir that work fully after someone gets ill, Pemgarda adds a layer of protection to prevent instead of treat COVID-19.

If you test positive for COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you return to normal activities if your symptoms are improving and you no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours.

If you believe you may have been exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19, you can find free COVID-19 tests online close to you.
Corrections officials say they are working to address heat concerns in prisons

The Nevada Department of Corrections's current heat standards say prisons cant exceed is 85 degrees. (Photo by Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Prison advocacy groups warned they are getting frantic calls around rising temperatures inside facilities.

Corrections officials on Thursday said they are implementing measures to keep prison units under 85 degrees, the current state standard.

Nevada Department of Corrections Director James Dzurenda told the Nevada Board of Prison Commissioners, which includes Gov. Joe Lombardo, Attorney General Aaron Ford and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, that air conditioning units tend to take a strain during summer months.

NDOC is looking to replace some air conditioning compressors, which pump refrigerant into a system. Dzurenda didnt specify how long it would take to replace.

Right now I can attest that I dont feel that there are any health or safety concerns, he said.

NDOC didnt respond to requests for comment.

Several people during public comment said while they appreciated the NDOC acknowledged the problem, they were still concerned about the well being of people who are incarcerated.

Southern Nevada saw record-breaking temperatures in June. Temperatures were more than 10 degrees higher than is normally in June, according to the National Weather Service.

If we could have some transparency around what the plan is because we are getting frantic calls from the inside pretty much every day multiple times a day about the heat, said Leslie Turner, an organizer with the Mass Liberation Project. This same thing happened last summer. Its kind of alarming to me that here we are again a year later having the same conversation.

Prison officials in March warned they had seen significant increases to their utility costs. NDOC requested around $3 million from the Interim Finance Committee last month to cover projected shortfalls due to high electricity use.

During that June 13 meeting, NDOC Deputy Director Kristina Shea told lawmakers the department is working on capital improvements that would replace heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units to bring the equipment up to standard and help reduce energy costs.

Utility costs werent discussed at Thursdays prison commissioners meeting.

Dzurenda said the current heat standard prisons cant exceed is 85 degrees.

Even as the global climate crisis brings more extreme heat, the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit that researches criminal justice policy, noted in a 2018 report that many prisons lack standards around heat.

In addition to replacing compressors, Dzurenda said if cells in prison units go higher than 85 degrees, the unit will be shut down or the offenders will be moved out temporarily until the units are fixed.

He didnt specify where they would go and for how long.

The Current asked NDOC about the process of relocating people if part of prison facilities went higher than 85 degrees, but they didnt respond.

In conversations with people who are incarcerated, Turner said they have questioned whether it is actually 85 degrees inside facilities.

They are saying it feels like over 100 degrees and that makes sense, Turner said. I dont know if you ever had your AC go out at home but 85 degrees is hot.

Tina Turentine has a loved one at High Desert State Prison, which is located near Indian Springs, northwest of Las Vegas. She said she has heard people are putting wet T-shirts on their heads but they are not relieving them.

Jodi Hocking, the founder with the prison advocacy group Return Strong, said the group is also receiving calls from inmates about the heat. She said there should be an independent investigator who can go in and verify temperatures.

There are other states that have volunteer investigators that come from stakeholder groups that are able to go in and have someone see if those temperatures are really true, she said. There is a distrust between what is happening on the ground and what is said from administration.
Solar panels in Damariscotta, Maine. (Evan Houk/ Maine Morning Star)

Maine residential and business utility customers will start to see increases in their energy bills Monday. The reasons behind the hike are multifaceted but the short-term jump is part of a long-term plan that policymakers hope will reduce and stabilize energy costs as Maine transitions to clean energy.

The Public Utilities Commission approved the rate changes because of continued adjustments required under a 2019 expansion of what is called net energy billing. The policy aims to increase solar power in Maine by requiring utility companies to buy solar-generated electricity, resulting in so-called stranded costs, which are the costs that community solar projects pass on to non-subscribers through their electricity bills.

The increases  which will average roughly $5 to $15 a month  are also due, in part, to reimbursements for utilities for time spent restoring power during the multiple significant storms this winter.

Legislative Republicans blame Democrats for the price hikes, saying the law passed by the Democratic majority gives utilities and the PUC no choice but to have ratepayers pick up the tab for the energy transition. Meanwhile, Democrats argue the surcharges the PUC approved could be lower, based on a recent study of the program benefits and adjustments the Legislature made to the program that they say have yet to be fully implemented.

The PUC recently opened a docket to examine the way it recovers the benefit side of the equation, meaning future decisions could result in decreased rates.

Overall, climate justice advocates argue that rolling back clean energy gains would not shield Mainers from high rates, noting that the recent jumps are also attributed to the volatility of natural gas prices and that the transition away from fossil fuels will result in stability long-term. Though, they are urging the state to continue to find ways to alleviate the burden of energy costs on ratepayers in the interim.

What is net energy billing?

Net energy billing had been around for decades before the 2019 policy change but on a much smaller scale.

For example, someone with a small hydroelectric dam on their property could sell excess electricity to Central Maine Power or Versant, the two primary utilities in Maine, and that was considered net energy billing.

The 2019 policy changed the landscape in several ways.

For one, it meant these projects didnt have to be what is called behind the meter, meaning they didnt have to be on the customers land, explained Maine Public Advocate Bill Harwood, whose role is to represent Maine utility consumers.

You could have a net energy billing solar project 100 miles from your home or business and claim it as if it was in your backyard, Harwood explained.

The policy change also allowed utility customers to participate in solar farms up to 5 megawatts in size, incentivizing utility scale projects on acres and acres of land as opposed to solar panels on someones personal home.

(While solar projects are the most common participants in this program, hydro power is also part of the mix, according to the reports utilities file monthly with the PUC.)

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Up from 62 megawatts in 2019, Maine now has 977 megawatts of solar energy installed, with more in the pipeline, though some of those projects may not ultimately come to fruition given challenges with connecting to the grid.

Interconnection has become a key focus for Matt Cannon, state conservation and energy director for the Sierra Club, who said there hasnt been a clear path for getting solar online, in part because of disagreements over who is on the hook to pay.

Its one thing to get them built, Cannon said. But, how do we get them online? Thats a national issue, and utilities are partly responsible.

In Maine, Central Maine Power agreed to faster, cheaper hookups after Gov. Janet Mills called for an investigation into why the utility had belatedly told solar farm developers that their projects were causing voltage problems that could cost millions of dollars to fix.

Even with the difficult interconnection environment, a cost and benefit analysis commissioned by the PUC released in April found that the economic benefits of net energy billing solar outweigh the costs of the program. Specifically, the analysis found that for every dollar spent on the program, ratepayers received $1.29 in benefits.

It is both: this program is providing benefits and there is so much more that needs to be done.

 Lucy Hochschartner, climate and clean enery director at Maine Conservation Voters

Behind the rate changes

Still, ratepayers will see increases in their electric bills starting July 1, in part due to the net energy billing policy, however there is also more at play.

Stranded costs need to be reconciled by the PUC each year based on how much solar power is actually generated.

According to the Office of the Public Advocate, net energy billing will cost ratepayers $220 million a year by 2025. After the upcoming increase, the state will be roughly 60% of the way there.

However, stranded costs include more than costs related to net energy billing, said Rebecca Schultz, senior advocate for climate and clean energy at the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Theres so much misinformation out there where were lumping together and misinterpreting the cost of this program, Schultz said.

For the more than 636,000 electricity customers in central and southern Maine served by Central Maine Power, the short-term increase is mostly due to storm damage reimbursement.

According to data provided by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the average CMP bill will increase $15.56 per month, assuming use of 550 kilowatt hours per month. Of this total, $10.29 is attributed to storm damage reimbursement and $5.10 is attributed to public policy, including solar subsidies but also impacts from other long-term contracts for renewable power.

Versant customers  about 165,000 people mainly in the northern and eastern parts of the state  will not see much added to their bill due to storm reimbursements. Those customers are expected to see an average monthly increase of $6.99, with $0.36 for storm reimbursement and $5.61 from public policy costs.

Conversely, Versants Bangor Hydro Power customers  including Hancock, Piscataquis and Washington counties and most of Penobscot County  are expected to see decreases in their electric bills because of the timing of solar projects.

Lucy Hochschartner, climate and clean energy director at Maine Conservation Voters, explained that the cost increases should be considered relative to what the same future would be under natural gas and without net energy billing.

This current rate hike were seeing is going to be difficult for people who already cannot afford their utility bill, and this rate hike is not taking into account the benefits of the solar program that youre seeing elsewhere in your bill, Hochschartner said. So, if we didnt have solar, we would potentially be seeing even higher bills.

That perspective does not negate the fact that many Mainers are concerned about being able to pay their bills, Hochschartner said.

We have a situation here in Maine that low income ratepayers are being squeezed, Hochschartner said. They pay a much higher percentage of their household income on electricity costs than I do, and that is a problem that we need to solve. So it is both: this program is providing benefits and there is so much more that needs to be done.

Central Maine Power workers repair lines after a storm. (Evan Houk/Maine Morning Star)

The politics of the policy

Maine Republicans blamed Democrats who backed the solar program for the rate increases during a press conference in late June.

Your bill is going to go up and when it does, if you are represented by a Democrat in the Legislature send them a thank you note, said Senate Republican Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook). It is their fault. It is their fault. They should be held accountable.

Stewart, who is seeking re-election this fall, also blamed solar developers, who he said are profiting on the backs of Maine people.

This year, Republicans made several ultimately unsuccessful attempts to scale back or eliminate net energy billing, after opposing adjustments to the program a year prior.

Last year, the Legislatures Democratic majority amended the program in an attempt to mitigate some of the adverse effects by limiting eligibility for the subsidies, directing the state to seek out federal funding for incentives and requiring annual reporting on the costs and benefits of the policy.

Senate Republican Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) speaks at a press conference in Augusta on June 18. (Maine Senate Republicans Facebook)

The sponsor of that proposal, Sen. Mark Lawrence (D-York), who chairs the Legislatures Energy, Utilities, and Technology and is also running for re-election, said the high energy prices stem from former Gov. Paul LePage rejecting proposals to move the state away from carbon-based fuels sooner.

While Maines reliance on heating fuels has decreased in recent years, the state remains the most heating fuel-dependent in the country. This reliance became particularly evident at the start of Russias war in Ukraine, Lawrence said, pointing to New England oil prices reaching record highs.

The Republican argument is that other customers shouldnt be subsidizing people who are buying clean energy, or signing up for clean energy, Lawrence said. But we want to encourage people to sign up for clean energy and we want to promote it and thats why we have that benefit going to them.

Lawrence said the price hikes in the short-term were expected but that the program is still on track to yield savings for consumers in the long run and prevent price fluctuations by converting to energy sources, like solar or wind, with a fixed fuel component.

But the cost of converting from carbon-based producers to non-carbon-based producers, there is always an expense in that and we have to figure out how to justly pay for that, Lawrence said.

Views on the policy do not fall squarely on partisan lines, as evidenced by mixed support from Harwood, who was appointed by the Democratic governor.

The program has been a smashing success, Harwood said, referring to solar developers coming to Maine in droves. However, he cautioned, weve ignored the cost of the solar in our haste to get more solar energy quickly.

People can debate who should pick up the tab: ratepayers, taxpayers, utilities themselves  though Harwood noted that the latter is far fetched. Harwood argues Maine can see the same benefits, but at a cheaper price. State law obligates Maines utilities to pay 20 cents per kilowatt-hour for solar energy, even though it costs less than 10 cents to generate, according to an analysis by his office.

Beyond net energy billing

Just as net energy billing is one part of the price increases, it is also only one part in transitioning Maine to clean energy, lawmakers and climate advocates say.

Harwood pointed to other ways the state can focus efforts to incentivize solar, such as through competitive bidding the Legislature has already authorized the PUC to engage in.

And while the state expands clean energy, Hochschartner with Maine Conservation Voters said it should be looking at ways to relieve Mainers of high energy costs, such as through increased funding for ratepayer relief.

The thing with these emerging industries is that were growing and changing and learning as we need to to meet our clean energy goals, Hochschartner said.

Schultz from the Natural Resources Council of Maine also thinks revisiting planning standards for battery storage and microgrid policy could be ways to make solar more accessible for residential ratepayers and businesses alike.

Federal funding is already headed to Maine to expand solar to low-income households, reduce energy costs and create more jobs. This $62 million is expected to go toward incentives for rooftop solar storage and technical assistance for cooperatively owned solar operations.

We have this incredible opportunity now to use these resources to create a program that will outlive the initial funds and drive the benefits of solar straight to reducing electricity bills, Shultz said.

The clean energy transition is dependent on more than solar. Lawrence, the senator from York, also pointed to recent state investments in the creation of wind power.

However, Shultz added, the state and country cannot expect to transform the fossil fuel underpinnings of the economy without investing in market transformation.

The story of the clean energy transition is one of upfront energy costs to reduce overall costs significantly over the long run, Schultz said.

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Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer have all been touted as possible replacement candidates

Vice president Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, the governor of California,are among those being considered to replace Joe Biden should the 81-year-old stand aside in the US presidential election after his latest Nato summit gaffe.

The president referred to Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin and Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump in a pair of significant gaffes that worsened the crisis engulfing his presidency.

The blunder followed Bidens shaky performance in the first US presidential debate of the 2024 election, in which froze, stuttered and lost his train of thought on stage.

Mr Newsom, 56, was mobbed by reporters after the debate ended, with many asking if he would step in for the ailing president who rambled in response to questions from Donald Trump.

Mr Newsom, who has the best odds to win the 2024 election of any alternative candidate, attempted to swat aside the question, saying the rumours were unhelpful and unnecessary.

But advisers close to three potential replacements for Mr Biden  thought to include Mr Newsom  said they were bombarded with pleas for their employers to step-up as an alternative, according to Politico.

Biden needs to drop out. No question about it, one said.

At 56, Mr Newsom is a quarter of a century younger than Mr Biden and an adept communicator, who runs the worlds fifth-largest economy.

He was re-elected to his second and final term as governor of California in a landslide victory in 2022.

With no political threats to fend off in the Golden State, he has focused on increasing his national recognition, giving speeches in other states, and running national TV adverts.

He has amplified his political profile by wading into this years White House race, casting himself as an attack dog who is prepared to aggressively take on prominent Republicans.

His strategy included challenging Ron DeSantis, Floridas governor and one-time GOP 2024 presidential candidate, to a debate.

Governor Newsome arrived at the spin room. Almost all of the journalists are gathering around him pic.twitter.com/D2qHCcZFPC    Neria Kraus (@NeriaKraus) June 28, 2024

The actions caused some unease in the White House, where aides feared he could launch a challenge against Mr Biden, although he publicly and privately assured the president otherwise.

Mr Newsom has tacked to the Left of the Democrat party, which may dampen appeal among centrist voters who backed Mr Biden in 2020.

He has enacted more than a dozen laws aimed at making California a sanctuary for women seeking abortions in states where the procedure is now banned.

Mr Newsom has also championed green policies, ordering a ban on the sale of new fossil-fuel cars by 2035.

And he has looked to ease obstacles for illegal immigrants, making California the first state to offer health insurance for all undocumented immigrants.

Gretchen Whitmer, 52, secured a convincing victory in the swing state of Michigan in 2020.

Like Mr Newsom, Ms Whitmer is a rising star of the Democratic party who tends to be sought out by American news networks sniffing out possible future presidents.

Mr Biden considered her as a running mate in 2020  she was reportedly one of four who made the all-female shortlist before Kamala Harris was selected  and she has publicly clashed with Donald Trump before.

She shot down speculation last year about a presidential bid, saying she wanted to see out her second term as governor and supported Mr Biden. But she has hinted at running at the next election in 2029.

She successfully turned an insult from Mr Trump  that woman in Michigan  into a slogan that raised her national profile.

Her personal brand is connected with the abortion debate: she has accused Donald Trump of lying about his stance on reproductive rights (she suspects he would seek a national ban on abortion), and won her won reelection in 2022 against a Trump-endorsed opponent, Tudor Dixon, who was considered to be at the extreme end of the anti-abortion right.

That victory  she came home by a handy 11 percentage points, a much more than polls predicted  will only add to her allure for Democrats looking for a candidate who can take on the right.

Another name mentioned is Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat senator in Republican voting state of Ohio.

A career politician and at 71, he is one of a small clutch of Red State Democrats who owe their political success to a strong personal brand and local issues.

Mr Browns brand is messy hair, a rumpled suit and a working man persona. He is an ally of Bernie Sanders and considered one of the most liberal figures in the Democrat party  which is one reason he is sometimes suggested as someone who could unify the partys establishment and progressive wings.

He was considered as a running mate for Hillary Clinton in her 2016 presidential run.

Mr Beshears potential appeal to the Democrats can be summed up in the headline of a recent Wall Street Journal profile of him: This Democratic Governor Knows How to Win in a Red State. Is His Party Listening?

He has twice won the governorship in a determinedly Red State. Hes rated as the most popular Democratic governor in the country, and his name has come up as a potential presidential candidate since he first took office in 2019. Like many of the others mentioned as a possible replacement for Biden, he is thought to be considering a run in 2028.

In Americas ultra-polarised political climate, a Democrat who can reach across the political divide to Republican voters would be a massive asset. His political brand - which boils down to a mild mannered demeanor and expressing compassion for all - does well in his home state.

But not everyone is convinced his appeal is transferable. At home he has the advantage of a local political dynasty - his father was also Kentucky state governor - and the bond he forged with Kentuckians during Covid and a series of natural disasters in the state may be difficult to replicate nationally.

And would a Democrat party dominated by liberal coastal cities be ready to nominate a southern White man?

The most obvious option in establishment Democrat circles is of course vice-president Kamala Harris.

However, she polls worse than Mr Biden and may be sunk by her close work with the president.

Members of Mr Bidens cabinet, including transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and commerce secretary Gina Raimondo, are also considered viable contenders.

Nevertheless, Democrats who are intimately acquainted with Mr Biden insist there is little that can be done to dissuade him from seeking a second term.

Insiders suggest the two voices the president plays closest attention to  his wife Jill and his sister Valerie  remain staunchly supportive of his re-election bid.

David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for Barack Obama, told CNN: The idea he would walk away from this is pretty remote. But his job got harder tonight.

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(The Hill)  A federal appeals court on Sunday ruled that a key part of President Joe Bidens student loan forgiveness plan can resume after an injunction was placed on the initiative.

The previous injunction on the Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan said that the administration could not lower monthly payments or forgive some student debt.

The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals lifted the injunction on the part that would lower monthly payments, allowing them to drop from 10 percent of discretionary income to 5 percent this month.

Everything to know to apply for student loan forgiveness

The administration did place some borrowers in forbearance while the legal issues are worked out.

While we are frustrated by the continued legal challenges brought to limit borrower relief, we are pleased to see the Department of Education take quick and decisive action by placing 3 million borrowers in an administrative forbearance, said Natalia Abrams, president of Student Debt Crisis Center.

Around 8 million Americans have signed up for the SAVE plan after it was implemented in the fall, part of President Bidens wider efforts to bring relief to student loan borrowers.

Back in October, under the plan, the government raised the amount of income protected from 125 percent above the federal poverty guidelines to 225 percent. It also stopped monthly interest that is not covered by the plan.

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Last Tuesday, The Squealing Pig restaurant on Mission Hill was destroyed by a fire. Saturday, Boston Police made an arrest.

Prasidda Baruwal, 23, is charged with arson, breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property. He appeared in Roxbury District Court Monday for arraignment  but that never happened. On the advice of court-appointed Psychiatrist Adeliza Olivero, Judge David Weingarten ordered Baruwal to undergo a 20-day mental evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.

The motive for the alleged arson is not entirely clear. But in court papers, the owner of The Squealing Pig said he let Baruwal go five weeks ago after inappropriate behavior towards female staff. Other than that, Diarmuid ONeill said Baruwal had been a good employee  and that he was in the process of sponsoring his former employees application for U.S. citizenship.

Baruwal was arrested at his residence in Everett, after admitting to police he set the fire.

I did it. I lit the fire, he is quoted in the police report.

During that same interview, Baruwal also explained how he set the restaurant on fire.

I took the hammer from downstairs and hammered all around and in the ceiling and bought three bottles of kerosene from Home Depot and I did that.

Baruwal is scheduled to be back in court after his evaluation, on July 19.

The Squealing Pigs owners posted a letter of thanks on the restaurant website. It expresses gratitude to Bostons first responders  and those whove kept it in business.

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our neighbors, friends and loyal customers, the letter adds. Your kind words, hugs and offers of assistance have lifted our spirits during this difficult time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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By Alimat Aliyeva

The Australian government announced today that it will double the cost of visas for international students as a last resort to stop record migration, which is putting a strain on the housing market. The move followed a series of measures to tighten student visa rules since the end of last year, as the easing of restrictions related to COVID-19 in 2022 led to a record increase in annual migration flows, Azernews reports.

From July 1, the fee for an international student visa has been increased from 710 Australian dollars to 1600 Australian dollars (1068 US dollars).

Australian Interior Minister Claire O'Neill said: "The changes coming into force today will help rebuild our international education system and create a migration system that is fairer and more in Australia's interests."

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of March this year, Australia's net migration rate will increase by 60 percent to 548,000 by 2023. The increase in fees makes applying for a student visa in Australia more expensive than in competing countries such as the United States and Canada. Thus, the price of a visa to these countries is about 110 US dollars.

The government also said it was closing loopholes in visa rules that allow international students to permanently extend their stay in Australia after the number of students on second or subsequent student visas increased by more than 30 percent to more than 150,000 in 2022-2023.

English language proficiency requirements were also tightened in March, and the savings budget required to obtain international student visas was increased to $19,823 in May. Luke Sheehy, executive director of the Association of Australian Universities, said the government's continued political pressure on the education sector would jeopardize the country's strong position.

International education is one of Australia's largest sources of income, contributing about $24 billion to GDP in the 2022-2023 financial year.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Immediately after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new collective government cabinet, the EFF condemned it, adamantly stating that the ANC is "in bed with the racist DA."The red berets strongly opposed Ramaphosa for enlarging the cabinet size, calling it "bloated" to accommodate the DA-ANC partnership, which they argue will burden taxpayers."The EFF has noted the announcement by Cyril Ramaphosa of what is essentially an ANC-DA cabinet, confirming our longstanding view that the Government of National Unity' was nothing but a smokescreen for the ANC to secure a predetermined grand coalition with the racist DA."It is even more concerning that this cabinet has been increased and bloated, signalling more pressure on taxpayers to allow for the accommodation of racists and their policies in high positions of power," said EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys.As the DA was given 12 cabinet offices, including Basic Education and Public Works and Infrastructure, which are significant state offices, Mathys criticised the ANC for losing its identity as a liberation movement, asserting that the DA only serves the white minority."The announcement by Ramaphosa confirms that the ANC has abandoned its historical role as a liberation movement in Africa, and has solidified its role as an instrument of white supremacy, and domestic and global capital on the continent."At a policy level, it is inexcusable to give racists control and influence in sectors such as Agriculture, Trade, Finance, Education, Energy, and Infrastructural Development, when they have exhibited that where they govern, they prioritise the interests of the white minority," said Mathys.Ten parties are part of the GNU, but Mathys stated the EFF will not form part of a grand-coalition-led government, where its founding members - ANC, DA, and IFP - are funded by the Oppenheimers, indicating a captured political arena. Instead, they will officiate as an opposition, holding officials accountable, particularly in ANC-DA ministerial offices.However, during the weekend, the EFF changed its stance, saying it was willing to join the broad coalition, but only if the ANC divorced the DA and VF Plus."The EFF is therefore vindicated in its decision to not form part of the self-juniorisation these political parties have subjected themselves to, where a political party of the white capitalist establishment presides over their descent into insignificance. The EFF long cautioned that the massive investment by the Oppenheimer families in organisations such as the DA and IFP was to capture South Africa's democratic project and subvert the marginal gains made since 1994," said Mathys.
Crews rescued an exhausted Massachusetts man who was hiking in New Hampshire as torrential rains hit over the weekend.

James Fosnock, 70, of Wakefield, Massachusetts came down the Jackson Branch of the Webster-Jackson Trail with the help of rescue crews early Sunday morning, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said Monday.

At approximately 4:40 p.m. Saturday, state officials were notified about a Garmin inReach SOS beacon activation on the Jackson Branch of the Webster-Jackson Trail approximately 2.2 miles from Route 302. Officials did not have any indication of the type of emergency and they were not able to contact the registered owner of the Garmin to verify what type of emergency existed.

With no information to go on Fish and Game Conservation Officers started a minimal response, officials said.

Before crews arrived on the trailhead, the hiker who activated the device arrived out at 6 p.m. He told a conservation officer that he had activated his device for Fosnock, his hiking companion, who was still nearly 2 miles up the trail and was too weak and exhausted to continue, officials said.

Conservation officers hiked up the trail in torrential rain and found Fosnock approximately 1.8 miles up the trail, officials said. The rescuers gave Fosnock food, Gatorade, and a head lamp and helped him down the trail at an extremely slow pace, taking 6 1/2 hours to walk the 1.8 miles.

The crew made it to the trailhead at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Fosnock had rain gear, food, water and some extra clothing, but was unprepared for the New Hampshire hike, officials said.

He had not hiked in several years and was not physically prepared for the rigors of a hike of this magnitude, which led to his exhaustion, officials said.

New Hampshire Fish and Game would like to remind hikers that preparing themselves before venturing out into the wilderness includes being physically prepared for the rigorous nature of a hike and to know their limitations and to turn around before problems arise, officials said.

For more information, visit www.hikeSafe.com.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Concerns about President Joe Bidens debate performance is raising questions about U.S. leadership on the global stage.

On Monday during an event with the Brookings Institution, Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended President Bidens record.

What the world knows, the world has experienced over three and a half years, not one night, is exactly the kind of leadership that hes brought to bear, Blinken said.

Critics of President Biden are pouncing on his debate performance.

Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) told Fox News that his leadership is in doubt.

What do they look like in private meetings with world leaders? Clearly Donald Trump showed that he could represent our country well in that forum. Joe Biden showed that he couldnt, Vance said.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) agreed, saying on CNN that the impacts could be dangerous.

Im worried about between now and November does Iran get a nuclear weapon because they think Joe Biden is so compromised hes not going to do anything about it? Graham asked.

The State Department argues the president has developed strong relationships with other world leaders over the years and they say his experience matters.

World leaders know this president and they know this is a president who has worked at the cross section of foreign policy for decades, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

Secretary Blinken also said that President Biden has worked to rebuild relationships that the previous administration pulled away from.

A president whos reinvested America, reinvested America in the world, reinvested in these alliances, in these partnerships, Blinken said.

Specifically, he pointed to how the president rallied other countries behind Ukraine as it fights against Russia.

Confidence in American leadership has gone up dramatically over the last three and a half years, Blinken said.

Next week the U.S. is hosting the NATO Summit in Washington D.C., giving the Biden Administration a chance to showcase influence among foreign allies.

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TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  A Tulare woman was sent back to prison after she was released for the murder of her husband, prosecutors say.

According to the Tulare County District Attorney, 61-year-old Annette Batten stabbed her husband to death in 1995 following an argument where he tried to remove their children from their home. Batten was granted parole in 2017 after serving two decades of her 25 years-to-life sentence.

Suspect in deadly Halloween party shooting in Fresno County named

Prosecutors say after being released, Batten moved to San Francisco where in 2021 she was involved in a DUI and found with a blood alcohol content level of .22%, which is almost three times the California legal limit of 0.08%. In 2023, the DAs office says she assaulted her 71-year-old roommate with a billy club, causing great bodily injury.

Batten was then referred to Parole Revocation Court, where she was placed back into the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for her propensity for violence, her inability to control her anger, her lack of impulse control, and a substance abuse problem, prosecutors say.

On Thursday, via a virtual hearing, Tulare County District Attorneys office said they successfully argued against parole suitability for Batten after violating her terms. She is currently incarcerated at the Central California Womens Facility in Chowchilla.

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First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. (iStock/Getty Images Plus)

The right to practice religion, or no religion at all, is among the most fundamental of the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

As enshrined in the First Amendment, religious freedom includes two complementary protections: the right to religious belief and expression and a guarantee that the government neither prefers religion over non-religion nor favors particular faiths over others. These dual protections are supposed to work hand in hand, allowing religious liberty to thrive and safeguarding both religion and government from the influences of the other.

But across the country, we are facing an attack on religious liberty from Christian nationalists.

Were seeing it in North Dakota, too. A recent North Dakota News Cooperative poll of North Dakota voters found that Republicans in the state have conservative Christian ideals they believe should be reflected in political decisions and that 42% believe God has called Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of American society.

I want to be clear about my language here: This attack  both nationwide and here in North Dakota, is from a small but growing group of extremists that is distinct from Christians. Most Christians believe strongly in religious freedom, as do Americans of all faiths and no faith.

But thats not what Christian nationalism is.

According to Christianity Today, Christian nationalism is the belief that the American nation is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way. Christian nationalists assert that America is and must remain a Christian nation. 

This is a dangerous idea that plays fast and loose with our history. If the founders of our country wanted an officially Christian nation, that concept would appear in the Constitution. The question was debated. Some delegates to the Constitutional Convention argued for formal recognition of Christianity in the Constitution. But ultimately, the framers did not adopt that view.

Instead, there are no mentions of Christianity in the Constitution, and religion is mentioned only three times: to prohibit attempts to establish a national religion, to prohibit infringing upon the free exercise of religion, and to prohibit religious tests in order to hold public office.

Many of our founders were Christians. Many were not. Regardless of any evidence of Judeo-Christian influences, its clear that the country was not founded as an official Christian state. But that is a core belief of Christian nationalists, and they hold that Christianity should be paramount in policy making and setting societys morality.

We see that in the kind of policies they champion, like reinstating prayer in public school, changing school curriculum to include Biblical education and the 10 Commandments, banning books from libraries, and discriminating against LGBTQ+ people. And much of their advocacy for these policies is characterized by a fervent belief that Christians are being persecuted when they should be elevated.

But Christian nationalism rejects religious freedom and distorts both the Christian faith and Americas constitutional democracy.

Religious pluralism is vital to our democracy. The framers of the Constitution knew that, and most Americans today know it, too. Without it, we throw open the door and toss out the welcome mat to anti-Muslim bigotry, anti-Semitism, and second-class citizenship of those who have no faith at all.

Thats why we must recommit to the foundational ideas of religious freedom for all.

People of all faiths and none have the right and responsibility to engage constructively in the public square.

Ones religious affiliation, or lack thereof, should be irrelevant to ones standing in the civic community.

Government should not prefer one religion over another or religion over nonreligion.

Religious instruction is best left to our houses of worship and other religious institutions.

We cant let Christian nationalists ignore our history and remake our future. I wont. And there are people of all faiths standing in the way of this dangerous movement. I hope you will stand in the way, too.

The post The danger of Christian nationalism appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Darlene 3 Fire in Deschutes County was human caused, officials say

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An ongoing investigation into the Darlene 3 Fire that blackened parts of Deschutes County last week has found the 3,000-acre inferno was human caused.

The fire, which is 75% contained as of Monday morning, first began on Tuesday, June 24  though officials with Central Oregon Fire told KOIN 6 News the exact cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed.

The fire is currently listed at 3,889 acres, or roughly 6 square miles. However, the fires containment went up by 25% since Saturday morning, according to Central Oregon Fire.

Head-on crash in Battle Ground leads to death of 20-year-old driver

Officials said it was thanks to cooler than normal temperatures, low winds during the day, and high humidity at night.

Firefighters have continued to focus on full containment with support from drones checking for hot spots within 100 feet of the fires perimeter.

(Deschutes County evacuation information)

Darlene 3 Fire (Chelsea McCloud)

(Chelsea McCloud)

(FILE)

The Darlene 3 Fire from above on June 28, 2024. (Central Oregon Fire Info)

The Darlene Fire in Deschutes County.

The Darlene Fire in Deschutes County.

The Darlene Fire in Deschutes County.

Smoke from a wildfire rises on a road near La Pine, Ore., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The fire prompted mandatory evacuations in the small town in central Oregon and was growing rapidly in hot, dry conditions. (Jim Pharris via AP)

As of Sunday morning, a Level 2 Be Set evacuation order remains in effect for the Newberry Estates area as well as east of Highway 97. Meanwhile, evacuation notices have been lifted for the areas west of Highway 97 and north of Burgess Road.

Legal chess playing likely as Portland camping ban takes effect

Up-to-date evacuation information can be found via the Deschutes County Emergency Information website.

For the safety of firefighters and the public, the public is urged to respect the closure area as firefighters continue falling weakened trees throughout the fire area and finish mop-up operations, officials said.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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By a narrow, two-point margin, a Dearborn burger joint's double smash burger patty topped with smoked brisket and truffle aioli was deemed the 2024 Burger Battle champ at Sunday afternoon's Burger Battle competition.

Eastern Market's Shed 5 was the hot spot for the annual event that brings together metro area burger restaurants showcasing their creations.

By the end of the event, the crew of So Cheesy, a burger spot on Warren Avenue in Dearborn, wowed the judges with its Brisket Truffle Burger. (Full disclosure, I was a judge along with other Detroit media personalities.)"It's so exciting," Ali Bazzi, So Cheesy owner said. "I came here for a trophy and I left with a trophy."

Brisket Truffle Burger from So Cheesy in Dearborn was the winner of the 2024 Burger Battle on Sunday at Eastern Market Shed 5.

Bazzi and his crew's Brisket Truffle Burger was one big offering packed with many flavors that came together with each bite. It was a two-hander for sure.

The burger begins with two smash burger patties, cooked medium and well-seasoned. From there, brace yourself, the burger is paired with American and Swiss cheese, caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms plus a housemade barbecue sauce.

So Cheesy burger restaurant in Dearborn was the winner of Sunday's 2024 Burger Battle held at Eastern Market Shed 5.

And that's not all. The final topping is smoked beef brisket and truffle aioli.

So Cheesy's burger edged out returning 2023 Burger Battle champion Ali Aljoom, by just two points. Judges gave a total score of 180 to So Cheesy and Aljoom's garnered 178 points. The winner netted $1,000 and a trophy.

Ali Aljoom delivers his Michelin Star burger to a panel of judges at Sunday's Burger Battle.

Aljoom returned to the annual event with a burger called The Michelin Star. Two smash burgers were topped with strips of Wagyu steak, black truffle puree, secret sauce, crispy halal beef bacon, caramelized onions and portobello mushrooms.

11 restaurants compete

Eleven metro area burger restaurants and chefs set up at the outdoor event on Sunday. The restaurants and crews got grilling putting creative spins on burgers to impress burger lovers enough to earn their votes and send them to the judge's table.

A near-capacity crowd attended the event with nearly 2,000 tickets sold, event organizer Scott Rutterbush said.Now in its eighth year, Burger Battle is presented by Dine Drink Detroit with Leaf and Bud as the main sponsor.

The sizzling competition features local chefs and restaurants vying for the title of best burger in Detroit. Attendees sampled unlimited (while supplies lasted) burger samples throughout the afternoon.

This was the second year that Cesar Valdivia attended the event.

Cesar Valdivia of Livonia enjoys a burger at Sunday's Burger Battle held at Eastern Market.

"There's more variety than last year," Valdivia said. "(There's) good vibes and good burgers and I'm having a good time."

Three families, 17 kids

It was the first time for Corey and Iris Chatman of Detroit. The couple thought the event was great, and after trying four burgers, they deemed chef Max's burger (more on this later) as the best followed by Presley's Kitchen.

The Krueger and Summerville families brought their combined 17 children to Sunday's 2024 annual Burger Battle at Eastern Market.

Burger Battle is billed as a family-friendly event. It was the first time for Chad Krueger of Grosse Pointe Shores who attended the event with the two other families.

Attending the event was a good way to sample many burgers. Krueger said the quest for a good smash burger started months earlier as he and his brother Josiah had been searching around town trying smash burgers at different places.

Corey and Iris Chatman of Detroit enjoy the afternoon sampling burgers at Sunday's 2024 Burger Battle at Eastern Market Shed 5.

"It's pretty fun, though it takes a while to get through (the lines) everything," Krueger said. "But we got to them all."

With Krueger was his wife Katy and seven kids, his brother Josiah along with his wife Julia and their five kids and a cousin Brett and Baili Summerville of Grosse Pointe Wood and their five children

Burger competitors

For this year's battle, there were 11 competitors from all around metro Detroit, including the 2023 champ, AlJoom's BBQ. Most of the restaurants competing were newcomers to the event, including a team celebrating and honoring the late chef Max Hardy, who died in March.

The event featured a special dedication to Hardy, a 2022 Burger Battle champion and a familiar face among competitors for at several Burger Battle events.

Chef Nik R. Cole of popular pop-up Fried Chicken & Caviar and chef Phil Jones created a burger in memory of Hardy. Well-known in Detroit's restaurant and food scene, Hardy who was 40 when he died, owned COOP Caribbean Fusion, inside the Detroit Shipping Co. and Jed's Detroit, a pizza and wings franchise on Seven Mile Road in Detroit.

Nik R. Cole (L), Phil Jones (C) and Curt Morris honored the late chef Max Hardy with a burger that featured a plantain aioli and jerk sauce.

"He was my good friend and we collaborated a lot," Cole said. "Burger Battle brings back a lot of memories"In 2022, Hardy won the competition with this Caribbean Fusion Burger. Rutterbush honored Hardy as his close friend, as a champion of Detroit's restaurant scene, and for his overwhelming commitment to Detroit.

"We teamed up to support his work," Phil Jones said. "We want to keep his spirit alive and his work with young folks and follow his leadership. "We are looking for the next generation of young people in the food scene.

Here are the top five burgers voted by the crowd sent to the judge's table.

Brisket Truffle Burger (2024 Burger Battle winner)

Brisket Truffle Burger from So Cheesy was the winner of the 2024 Detroit Burger Battle.

What: Two smash burgers cooked medium and topped with American and Swiss cheese, caramelized onions and mushrooms. This was served on a brioche bun and paired with a final finish of housemade barbecue sauce, truffle aioli and smoked brisket.

Where: So Cheesy, 15010 W. Warren, Dearborn.

The Michelin Star (second place)

What: Two smash burgers topped with crispy beef bacon, caramelized onions and portobello mushrooms, secret sauce and black truffle puree. For a final finish, the burger was topped with grilled strips of Wagyu steak.Where: Aljoom's BBQ, 8606 N. Telegraph Road, Dearborn Heights.

Aljoom's Michelin Star smash burger with wagyu steak.

Pomegranate Burger (third place and best presentation)

Pomegranate Burger from Burgeratti in Dearborn Heights

What: This was an interesting burger. It's a halal burger topped with aged Cheddar cheese and peppery arugula. The burger is topped with a slightly sweet house housemade pomegranate sauce and crunchy pomegranate arils.Where: Burgerratti, 6609 N. Telegraph Road, Dearborn Heights.

Cuzzy Burger (People's Choice)

Comet Burgers Cuzzy Burger was the peoples choise winner at Sunday's Burger Battle held at Eastern Market's Shed 5.

What: Comet Burger, a small Royal Oak eatery, packed a big beefy flavor in its creation, the Cuzzy Burger, thanks to a zip sauce. The brisket and short rib grind was topped with charred onion jam, gruyere cheese, garlic mayo, legends zip sauce and served on a potato roll. Comet Burger is expected to open a St. Clair Shores location soon.

Where: Comet Burgers, 207 S. Main Street, Royal Oak.

Birria Smash Burger

Golden Burger Birria-inspired burger is topped with crushed Doritos.

What: The crew of Golden Burgers food truck made quite a presentation with the "When Birria meets Smash Burgers." As the name suggests, the burger combines its birria (Mexican stew meat) taco meat with a smash burger. The burger sits on bun layerd with Doritos and is topped with crumbled Doritos. On the Golden Burger's crews t-shirts was "King of Late Night" deemed so by Mr.Chimtime. A social media influencer and food critic, Mr. Chimetime is Rashad Mooreman from North Carolina who posts reviews on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Where: Golden Burger food truck, 6914 Wyoming Ave., Dearborn.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X (formerly Twitter.) Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborns So Cheesy wins Burger Battle with Brisket Truffle Burger
Defense Slams Prosecutors After Karen Read Mistrial as State Says It Will Retry Case

The sensational case ended Monday, July 1, when the judge declared a mistrial for the financial analyst and professor accused of murdering her police officer boyfriend John OKeefe

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Karen Read with defense attorney Alan Jackson

Defense attorneys for Karen Read vowed to fight for their client after the judge declared a mistrial in the high-profile murder case.

"We have no quit," defense attorney Alan Jackson declared outside of court after the shocking conclusion to a months-long trial that held the nation in thrall.

The trial came to an end on Monday, July 1, when Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone in Dedham, Mass., declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Prosecutor Adam Lally told the judge he wanted the jury to continue to deliberate after they told the judge a second time they were deadlocked.

In the end, Cannone decided that jurors, as they had said in notes to the judge, were unable to reach any kind of unanimous conclusion.

Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via Getty Karen Read

The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said in a press release it "intends to retry the case."

First, we thank the OKeefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process," they said in the statement. "They maintained sight of the true core of this case  to find justice for John OKeefe. The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.

Read had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2022.

Read, 44, was also charged with manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.

Jurors deliberated for 25 hours, but could not come to a unanimous decision.

When the mistrial was declared, Read hugged her family and supporters, News Nation reported.

Outside of court, Jackson stood in front of Read supporters, who were cheering and clapping, saying, This is what it looks like when you bring false charges against a person, NBC Boston reports.

The Commonwealth did their worst.

They brought the weight of the state based on spurious charges based on (a) compromised investigation and investigators and compromised witnesses. This is what it looks like. And guess what? They failed. They failed miserably. And they'll continue to fail no matter how long it takes. No matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting."

Jackson said, Number one, I am in awe of the strength and courage of this remarkable client that I've had the privilege of representing since day one. And number two, I want to send a message to all of her supporters out there. Your support was invaluable. We are touched and we ask for your continued support.

Related: Karen Read Murder Trial Is a Circus, Says Friend Who Slams Claim She Killed Police Trooper Boyfriend (Exclusive)

Prosecutors claimed that Read drunkenly backed her Lexus SUV into OKeefe, 46, and left him to die after dropping him off at a house party at the Canton, Mass., home of retired Boston police officer Brian Albert.

Read and her lawyers claimed that O'Keefe got into a fight at the party, was severely beaten, attacked by the owner's dog, then dragged into the yard.

OKeefe was found unresponsive in the front yard of the home at 6 a.m. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead just before 8 a.m. A medical examiner determined that O'Keefe died of blunt force trauma to the head and hypothermia.

In their quest to prove reasonable doubt, Read's attorneys alleged that Albert and others know what happened that night and that Read was the victim of a massive coverup among local and state law enforcement officials and others who closed ranks to protect their own.

Related: Lead Investigator in Karen Read Case Admits on Stand He Texted that He Wanted Her to Die by Suicide

They claimed the case's lead investigator planted evidence of a broken taillight at the scene to protect people at the house that night, with whom he has longstanding personal ties, and provided experts who testified his injuries could not have come from a vehicle strike.

In his closing arguments, defense attorney Alan Jackson showed jurors a photograph of the mostly intact tail light of Reads SUV when she went looking for OKeefe after 5 a.m., when he failed to come home that night.



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With the White House scrambling to prevent Joe Bidens candidacy being enveloped in a full-blown crisis, several state governors were said to be subtly positioning themselves as late substitutes while avoiding being seen to do so.

The Biden campaign has launched a counter-offensive, including furious networking among senior Democrats, to counteract fears that the 81-year-old presidents frail appearance in last weeks debate had made defeat at the hands of Donald Trump in Novembers election inevitable.

But while several governors  seen as the next generation of Democrats leadership  have publicly avowed loyalty to Biden, they are keenly watching for slippage in Bidens already fragile poll standings and a loss of support among donors in the next two weeks.

Related: Who could replace Joe Biden? Here are six possibilities

The temperature is high, one Democratic governor told Politico, referring to the state of mind among the partys state leaders . A lot of anxiety, a lot of folks at the edge of their seats.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California and a key Biden surrogate, defended the president immediately after Thursdays disastrous debate performance, saying he would never turn my back on him. But he was widely seen to have expressed ambiguity by saying that he was ready to step up.

The Maryland governor, Wes Moore, another candidate touted as a potential substitute, has publicly said he will not seek the Democratic nomination and that he does not foresee Biden leaving the race. Other governors whose names have been floated are Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania  another vital battleground state  and JB Pritzker of Illinois.

But while no elected Democrat at a national level has yet echoed calls among many other figures, including top liberal media outlets, for Biden to step down, the public displays of support run counter to what Democrats acknowledge is happening behind the scenes.

In one of the most outspoken acknowledgements by a senior party figure, Jamie Raskin, a Democratic congressman from Maryland, told MSNBC there was a big problem with Joe Bidens debate performance.

There are very honest and serious and rigorous conversations taking place at every level of our party, he said.

In a Facebook post shared on Sunday morning, former Democratic National Committee vice-chair RT Rybak called for a public push for Democratic leaders to get Biden to stand aside.

Our elected officials are staying shockingly silent in public, especially considering how many of them acknowledge privately that this has to happen, he wrote. They fear political retribution but they should really fear that if we lose this election because they didnt have the guts to do what they know needs to be done, holy hell and history will come down on them like an anvil.

The ambivalence between public and private support was crystallised in the position of Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan  a key swing state deemed essential for the Democrats to win in November to retain the White House.

Related: If Biden drops out now, how do the Democrats choose a new candidate?

Whitmer reportedly called the chair of Bidens campaign, Jennifer OMalley Dillon, on Friday to disavow a putative draft Gretchen movement and insist that she was not behind speculation mooting her as a possible replacement candidate.

But in a graphic sign of the raised stakes, Biden insiders leaked an underlying message that Whitmer had also relayed  that Michigan was no longer winnable for Biden following the debate.

The revelation was seen as a sign that rivals want to damage Whitmer, a twice-elected governor nicknamed Big Gretch and whose autobiography, True Gretch, comes out this month, to be promoted with a tour of book-buying venues like Nantucket, San Francisco and Marthas Vineyard that are also known as key Democrat donor capitals.

But if other Democratic governors are keen to both remain loyal yet also ready to pounce, one Biden aide said no candidate has a strong enough support base to beat the vice-president, Kamala Harris.

A Biden aide told Politico that the governors would all love an easy sprint, but suggested that even if Biden stepped aside and opened up a nominating contest at the Democratic national convention in August, Harris would be the clear forerunner.

And none of them are ready for this, especially her [Whitmer], the aide said.

The Biden campaign has made it known that it plans to fend off potential challenges furiously, targeting donors, re-doubling ties with Democratic congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, and plugging polling evidence supposedly showing that the debates impact was less damaging than widely assumed.

It is also considering making Biden  who has been carefully shielded during his presidency  more available for press conferences and tough interviews to counteract the narrative that he no longer has the mental capacity to be president.

But in an ominous sign, Democratic congressional candidates are distancing themselves from the president and his entourage, calculating that association with him could damage them in their own election races.

Despite public declarations of support for Biden, there was little disguising the degree of concern over the weekend.

There is an enormous amount of affection and deference to the president  but nobody thinks this is sustainable, Politico quoted one senior Democratic aide.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa has finally named his Cabinet, which comprises representatives from the Government of National Unity (GNU) signatories.Ramaphosa named the National Executive in a televised address on Sunday, 30 June.HERE ARE THE GNU CABINET MINISTERSAs per the election results, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority as support declined from 57% in 2019 to 40%. The Democratic Alliance (DA) obtained 22% while former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party emerged as the third-biggest party with having obtained 15% of the total votes.The ANC, DA, IFP, Patriotic Alliance and other parties then formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) in order to govern the country. Ramaphosa's election as president earmarked the beginning of the seventh administration, however, there has been no Cabinet for just over two weeks.During his address, Ramaphosa said the new ministers are drawn from all corners of the country, they represent the diversity of the nation."None of the members of the National Executive has been appointed to serve the interests of a particular constituency or a particular section of society. Collectively and individually, they are responsible to the people of South Africa," Ramaphosa said.Here are the ministers named:The Deputy President is Paul Mashatile.The Minister of Agriculture is John Steenhuisen.The Deputy Minister of Agriculture is Rosemary Nokuzola Capa.The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Mzwanele Nyhontso.The Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Chupu Stanley Mathabatha.The Minister of Basic Education is Siviwe Gwarube.The Deputy Minister of Basic Education is Reginah Mhaule.The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Solly Malatsi.The Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Mondli Gungubele.The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Velinkosi Hlabisa.The Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs are Dickson Masemola and Zolile BurnsNcamashe.The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Angie Motshekga.The Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans are Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo.The Minister of Electricity and Energy is Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy is Samantha Graham.The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Blade Nzimande.The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Nomalungelo Gina.The Minister of Employment and Labour is Nomakhosazana Meth.The Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour are Jomo Sibiya and Phumzile Mgcina.The Minister of Finance is Enoch Godongwana.The Deputy Ministers of Finance are David Masondo and Ashor Sarupen.The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is Dion George.The Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment are Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts.The Minister of Health is Aaron Motsoaledi.The Deputy Minister of Health is Joe Phaahla.The Minister of Higher Education is Nobuhle Nkabane.The Deputy Ministers of Higher Education are Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe.The Minister of Home Affairs is Leon Schreiber.The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs is Njabulo Nzuza.The Minister of Human Settlements is Mmamoloko Kubayi.The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements is Tandi Mahambehlala.The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Ronald Lamola.The Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation are Alvin Botes and Tandi Moraka.The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Thembi Nkadimeng.The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Andries Nel.The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Gwede Mantashe.The Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Judith NemadzingaTshabalala.The Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Maropene Ramokgopa.The Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Seiso Mohai.As previously reported, the DA secured some of the key portfolios it had demanded during negotiations. These include Agriculture, Basic Education, Public Works and Infrastructure and Home Affairs.WHEN WILL PARLIAMENT OPEN?The opening of Parliament will take place on former president Nelson Mandela's birthday this year, where President Cyril Ramaphosa will address a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).On Friday, the Presidency announced that Ramaphosa would address both houses of Parliament on 18 July, to "outline the priorities of the seventh administration"."The president has asked that Parliament convene in terms of Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read with Rule (13)(1)(a) of the Joint Rules of Parliament."The opening of Parliament Address will coincide with the United Nations-declared Nelson Mandela International Day," the Presidency said.
Do you hear that? Thats the sound of hundreds of thousands of voters groaning at once after, on Thursday night, Democrats across the country realized that Biden can barely get through a debate, let alone beat Trump in the upcoming election.

In the resulting days, instead of party elders realizing that something is horribly amiss and taking responsibility and action, voters have mostly been admonished that Biden is still their best shot to beat Trump and that every vote that doesnt break for Biden is, plainly, a vote cast for Trump. Its been a shocking pile-on of total dismissal of what voters think and feeland, frankly, it shouldnt be a surprise this year. People sympathetic to the ongoing carnage in Palestine have been getting this response since at least October, waiting for the Democratic Party to show any sign of a good-faith effort to win back those 700,000 voters.

Instead, these Muslims and Arabs are repeatedly lectured about how they dont understand the threat Trump poses to their community. It should go without saying that Muslim and Arab voters know exactly who Donald Trump is. But the condescension, and the effort to blame the constituency who is trying to raise what it feels are valid concerns in service of helping the Democratic Party beat Trump, has been astonishing to behold. And Democrats newly concerned about the 81-year-old president are being treated the same waybeing told that their fears are unfounded. Theyre hearing that Biden had a bad night, but hes had a great four years, and that they must not hand this election to Trump, and that the stakes are too high to do anything less.

Its all too familiar to anyone who voted Uncommitted months ago in the primaries instead of casting a vote in favor of Biden, as part of the effort to flag just how serious this constituency was about what was going on in Gaza and how unsatisfied it was by the Democrats response.

Its worth realizing that the bar was already incredibly low going into last weeks debate. Biden knew that all he needed was to appear cogent on the debate stage. Instead, he began with a raspy, weakened voice, and things only got worse from there. The moment when the moderator hit him with the brutal Thank you, after his thoughts trailed off to an absolute lack of conclusion, was particularly excruciating. The response was resounding. The New York Times editorial board published a forceful call for Biden to withdraw from the election, as did the largest newspaper in crucial swing state Georgia.

But rather than take those calls seriously, Biden and his supporters have pressed ahead. His campaign blamed the poor debate performance on a cold. He did look noticeably better at a campaign event in North Carolina the following day, but its hard not to feel as if weve crossed a point of no return. Nevertheless, Biden remains insistent that he is not dropping out, while party stalwarts who have previously called for course change are now warning that it already may truly be too late to swap out another Democratic candidate.

But its not too late to take seriously the damage done to Bidens reputation by that debate performance. And the Democrats should have started to realize earlier that aggressive dismissal of concerns serve only to turn the voters against themthats what theyve done so far to the pro-Palestine constituency.

It is understandable that the campaign feels it need to be careful about the next steps. But not addressing the reality that Biden appears way too old to take on the most difficult job in the world will backfire. Trump and the Republican Party have been hammering Biden on his age for as long as theyve been campaigning. Biden was unable to dispel those concerns on the debate stage, and that performance will worry the very people he needs to actually win this thing. Not addressing these concerns will further alienate these voters.

But this has been the routine so far this election cycle. The Democrats neglect of Arab and Muslim voters hasnt been just a miscalculation; its a glaring oversight that could cost the party the election. Before the debate, members of this voting bloc have been increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction, not just with Bidens recent performances but with the broader partys approach to their concerns. Theyve winced each time Biden downplayed the Palestinian civilian death toll and repeated false claims about the conflict. When Trump called him a weak Palestinian as a slur, Biden asserted he was providing Israel with all the weapons they need and when they need them. Ouch.

Now the Biden campaign seems to be on track to do the same thing to the much larger number of voters who have serious and entirely warranted concerns about his age after seeing him stumble through a 90-minute debate. Theres a sense of entitlement, a belief that these votes are guaranteed because Trump is on the ballot, an assumption that leads to complacency. This election cycle, that complacency could prove fatal. The party must recognize that every vote is earned, not owed, and start treating these voters with the respect they deserve. It means acknowledging their concerns in a genuine way and making a genuine effort to build trust. It means not paying lip service to the idea of unity but actually demonstrating it through meaningful, inclusive actions.

Ezra Klein wrote back in February that Bidens age was a problem and he ought to step aside. In a column this weekend, he reports that what the Democrats are doing amounts to giving the American people an option they do not want and then threatening them with the end of democracy if they do not take it. He continues:

Democrats like to say that democracy is on the ballot. But it isnt. Biden is on the ballot. There are plenty of voters who might want to vote for democracy but do not want to vote for Biden.

The clock is indeed ticking. Bidens campaign and the Democratic Party at large already had a narrow window to win the election. It is they who argue that democracy is on the line. If they want to keep Biden on the ticket, they must show that they are capable of building a coalition around him that includes the people who are now skeptical that he can do his jobas well as the people who are horrified by the deaths of tens of thousands of women and children in Palestine. They must be willing to fight for every vote, rather than expecting them given who the opponent is. The stakes are indeed high, and its time the Democratic Party at least pretend to care about its voters, or otherwise face the very real possibility of defeat.
President Joe Biden touched on a flood of criticism of his debate performance during a rally on Friday, while Democrats interviewed on Capitol Hill said the party must figure out a way to reassure voters after what they described as a terrible showing and a bad night.

Biden, speaking from Raleigh, North Carolina, acknowledged some of the blunders that plagued him during the Thursday night debate on CNN, which included a raspy, low voice and answers that often began one way before veering into a completely separate topic.

I know Im not a young man, lets state the obvious, Biden said. I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to, but  I know how to tell the truth.

Biden, 81, told the crowd that despite the mishaps, hes still up for four more years on the job and said that his rival, the 78-year-old presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump, is a genuine threat to this nation.

When you get knocked down, you get back up, Biden said. I would not be running again if I didnt believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high.

Outside the Beltway, Democrats continued to try to absorb what they saw on Thursday night. In Colorado, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis would not answer directly when asked about calls from some Democrats for Biden to step aside, though in a statement issued later in the day he said, Last night was not a good night, and I hope that President Biden delivers his optimistic message about his vision for our future better throughout the campaign. In the swing state of Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro as well as other Democrats came to Bidens defense on social media and on the airwaves.

Hoyer rejects idea of Biden quitting

Back in Washington, D.C., lawmakers had mixed reviews for how Biden performed during the debate, with some saying one bad night shouldnt lead the party to change its nominee in the weeks ahead, while others said Biden should reassess his decision to run for reelection.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer said Biden had a bad night, but said the president still showed respect for people, the truth and the Constitution.

The other candidate, who respects none of those, showed that last night, he said of Trump.

Hoyer rejected a question about whether Democrats need a new presidential candidate, saying they already had one and it is Joe Biden.

Hes got an extraordinary record of accomplishments, Hoyer said.

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig said it was a terrible debate.

We all have to acknowledge that and Donald Trump lied every time he opened his mouth, Craig said, adding that she wasnt worried about November, but focused on flooding in her home state.

Mood on House floor

New York Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks said he didnt expect that all of a sudden members of the party would jump ship from the Biden-Harris ticket, but said Biden has a lot of work to do before Election Day.

I know Joe Biden. Ive sat across the room from Joe Biden in some very important meetings, Meeks said. And I know that hes all there and he has the ability to do that. He did not do that last night. But I do know that he has that ability.

The mood on the House floor Friday morning, however, was less than ideal, he said.

You cant hide that, people are not pleased. Nobodys in there jumping for joy, saying that, you know, That was a great night last night, Meeks said. Is there concern? Yeah, because we know how important it is to make sure that we win this election.

Meeks declined to speculate about whether Biden will back out of the second debate in September, but said it might be difficult, maybe, to get out of it.

Biden, he said, needs to get in front of voters much more before the election through town halls and interviews to provide reassurance.

Meeks also sought to draw a difference between Biden and Trump, saying that the lies Trump told during the debate signal he hasnt evolved.

Nothing has changed with reference to Trump. He is still that pathological liar that Lindsey Graham called him. Hes still the con man that Marco Rubio called him, Meeks said, referring to Republican senators from South Carolina and Florida. And I definitely dont want a pathological liar and a con man to be President of the United States of America. It would be bad for us and will be bad for our allies.

House speaker sees serious problem

House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Cabinet members should search their hearts on what represented the best path forward for the country, about this alarming situation.

I think they know they have a serious problem  but its not just political, its not just the Democratic Party, its the entire country, Johnson said. We have a serious problem here because we have a president, who, by all appearances, is not up to the task.

This is a very serious moment in American history and it needs to be regarded and handled as such, Johnson added.

The Louisiana Republican didnt rule out that the 25th Amendment, which deals with presidential disability and succession, might be appropriate. But he noted thats up to the Cabinet, not the House.

Trump, during the debate, showed the temperament, the stamina and the mental acuity that is necessary to do this really important job at this really important time, Johnson said.

Biden, on the other hand, showed last night that he was weak, sadly, that he is feeble, Johnson added.

Democrats are moving forward with plans to nominate Biden as their official presidential candidate before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in late August.

The all-virtual roll call vote is supposed to take place before Aug. 7, the final date for candidates to get on Ohios ballot. The state requires candidates to be officially nominated at least 90 days before the November election.

That means any final decisions about Bidens candidacy likely need to take place during the month of July.

No need to replace Biden

Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Richard Neal said he was taking the long view of the campaign and didnt believe Democrats needed to replace Biden at the top of the ticket.

I think that we are kind of caught up in a moment where personalities are a big deal in politics, Neal said. At the same time, I think that Joe Bidens got a really good track record to run on  And I think we want to make sure that people see it in the fullness of his presidency.

Neal said that Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, won her first debate against Trump, even though Trump went on to win the election.

He also noted that Walter Mondale, the Democratic presidential nominee in 1984, was widely considered to have won his first debate against Republican Ronald Reagan, though Reagan went on to sweep him during the election.

Florida Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel said that there was only one decent, honest man who reflected my values, and that was Joe Biden.

Frankel said she wasnt too concerned about calls for Biden to step down from the top of the ticket, though she said she hasnt been involved in those talks.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright said Bidens performance reminded him of a 2022 debate he had where his own performance was lousy,

He had a tough night, Cartwright said, adding that he believes Democrats shouldnt overreact.

Cartwright said he didnt believe Bidens debate performance would affect how voters in his district, which covers sections of northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, will vote for down-ballot races later this year.

People split their tickets where I live, Cartwright said. They know who I am and they know Im not the same guy as whoevers in the White House.

Republicans react

Arkansas Republican Rep. Steve Womack said Bidens performance validated a lot of the concerns that lawmakers and others had about his cognitive abilities heading into the debate.

But at the end of the day, you have to assume that theyre both still going to be head-to-head in November, Womack said.

Republicans, he said, need to move full steam ahead to hold the House, flip the Senate and win back the White House in November, but thats only the beginning of the hard work.

If that happens, weve got a couple of years and we need to be able to demonstrate that were serious about leading America, Womack said.

Iowa Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said its up to Democrats to determine whether or not they feel that their candidate is up to the task of running the country for the next four years.

From my perspective, what I saw last night emphasizes to me that hes not and that I will be voting for President Trump, Miller-Meeks said. I thought President Trumps answers and policies were well reasoned, show that he was very sharp, very in tune and very well-informed.

Miller-Meeks said it will be challenging for the Biden campaign and Democrats to brush aside concerns about Bidens mental functioning following the debate.

I think what has been appearing to a lot of people is now very apparent and difficult to hide, given the performance that everyone saw last night, Miller-Meeks said.

Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, one of the lawmakers on Trumps short list for vice president, said that Trump did what he was supposed to do  demonstrated leadership, demonstrated command talking about the issues that are plaguing this country.

As far as Im concerned, whether its Joe Biden, Kamala Harris or anybody else, the Democrat agenda has been a failure. Period.

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The post Democrats reel from terrible Biden debate performance as he defends candidacy appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Democrats stick with Biden after poor debate performance

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Following CNNs presidential debate Thursday Democrats in Congress say theyre sticking by President Joe Biden.

However, Republicans say hes not up to the task of a second term.

Democratic lawmakers acknowledge this was not a good debate for the president but theyre still behind him and say a second Trump presidency would be worse.

He should stay in this race, said Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn said one bad debate doesnt define a presidency.

Because hes done a great job of leading for the last three and a half years, Clyburn said.

Democrats say the president is fit for a second term despite concerns raised by his performance Thursday.

Hes the only Democrat who can beat Donald Trump, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).

Delaware Senator Chris Coons said that Donald Trump should drop out.

Yes, he spoke plainly, but what he said was lie after lie after lie, said Coons.

Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance said the debate showed a clear contrast between the candidates.

Clearly Donald Trump showed that he could represent our country well, Vance said.

He says the world is watching.

Im not worried about their debate performances Shannon. Im worried about what these guys look like on the world stage, he added.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said voters are watching too.

How could the American people see what they saw and not be forewarned, said Graham.

The next debate is scheduled for September 10.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Democrats in US House of Representatives call for more Ukrainians to be trained on F-16 fighters

A group of Democrats in the US House of Representatives is calling on the Pentagon to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilots.

Source: European Pravda, Politico

Details: The lawmakers, headed by Republican Adam Schiff, support Ukraine's request to train 10 more Ukrainian F-16 pilots this year and in a new letter ask Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to grant the request.

"The request comes at a critical juncture in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, where the deployment of F-16 aircraft has the potential to significantly influence the outcome of the war.

By the end of the year, Ukraine will have more F-16 aircraft than they will have qualified pilots to fly them, this situation threatens to undermine the strategic advantages these aircraft could provide Ukraine," the 15 lawmakers said in a letter provided to Politico.

Last year, US President Joe Biden approved the transfer of aircraft from Norway, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine, but pilot training has faced logistical challenges.

US lawmakers believe that NATO allies have extensive training programmes and could meet Ukraine's request for additional training. But they want the Pentagon to lead the process. They write that it "may provide the most expedient means" to expand the programme.

"This effort not only enhances Ukraines ability to utilise the F-16s effectively but also reinforces the broader coalitions commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity," they added.

Background:

Major General Jan Dam, Chief of the Royal Danish Air Force, said that he expects the schedule for the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to be met.

He also called on all parties not to set expectations too high regarding the expected arrival of F-16s in Ukraine.

Denmark and the Netherlands led an international fighter jet coalition, within which Ukrainian experts are learning the F-16.

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Dengue fever confirmed in Florida Keys as U.S. on watch for rise in mosquito illness

Two people have fallen ill with dengue fever in the Florida Keys after being bit by infected mosquitoes, prompting health officials to issue an alert for the island chain.

The alert comes just days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory warning of an increased risk of dengue infections in the country as cases surge globally.

Dengue fever can cause flu-like symptoms with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash, according to the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread dengue to people through bites.

The two confirmed dengue cases in the Keys were locally acquired, according to the mosquito-borne illness alert issued Saturday by the health department. That means the infections are not associated with travel.

Miami-Dade, Pasco and Hillsborough counties have also reported locally acquired dengue cases this year, state data shows.

Dengue is not contagious and can only spread to people by bites from infected mosquitoes.

Monroe health officials say theyre working with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District to coordinate surveillance and prevention along the island chain. That includes more trapping and monitoring of mosquitoes, intensifying door-to-door mosquito inspections, and deploying aerial and truck-mounted mosquito spraying.

People are urged to take precautions, including draining and covering still water and using EPA-registered mosquito repellents, to reduce getting bit by the bloodsuckers.

Dengue infection risk rises in U.S., CDC says

The dengue cases in the Keys come just days after the CDC issued a health advisory alerting health care providers and public health officials of an increased risk of dengue infections in the country this year. Theres been a record number of dengue cases globally this year, and the illness has surged in Latin American countries, with more than 9.7 million dengue cases reported so far in 2024, according to the CDC. Thats twice as many cases as in 2023.

Sweltering temperatures, stronger storms and more erratic and frequent rainfall are contributing to outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses around the world, according to Yale Climate Connections. These warmer winters, hotter summers, and particularly milder springs and falls are helping the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the species that spreads dengue, to move into new areas and higher elevations that have historically been too harsh for their survival.

And the U.S. has already seen more dengue cases then expected this year, with 2,241 cases reported from January through June 24, according to the CDC advisory. More then half of the cases were in Puerto Rico, which declared a public health emergency in March after seeing a rise in dengue infections during its low dengue season. Dr. Carlos Mellado Lopez, the secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health, said dengue cases had surpassed historical figures.

In Florida, there has been more than 200 dengue cases reported this year, but nearly all are associated with international travel, state data shows. If you count the new cases in the Keys, at least 10 locally acquired dengue cases have been identified in the state this year. Six of the cases were reported in Miami-Dade County, which has been under a mosquito-borne illness alert since last year.

READ NEXT: How do you stop a mosquito invasion in Miami after the rains and floods? Take a look

Most people infected with dengue dont get symptoms, and many recover within a week, according to the Mayo Clinic. But some do get seriously ill and die. People with severe cases of dengue fever can experience severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty or rapid breathing, internal bleeding, and organ failure, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The CDC has issued multiple travel health notices related to mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and oropouche, including for Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Nigeria and Argentina.

The federal public health agency said its expanding laboratory capacity to improve testing for dengue and is urging doctors to have increased suspicion of dengue in patients who have fever and had recently traveled (within 14 days before feeling ill) to areas with frequent or continuous cases of dengue.
The Kigluaik Mountains on the Seward Peninsula are seen in an undated photo. The mountains are in the D-1 lands that remain set aside under a record of decision released Friday. (Photo by Laurie Cadzow/Bureau of Land Management)

Last week, the Department of the Interior rejected a proposed 221-mile road that would stretch across federal lands to connect mineral mining areas in the state. The department said the decision would help protect the state's subsistence economy and preserve a way of life for Alaska Native communities.

On June 26, the Department of the Interior released a record of the decision for the Ambler Road project that chose a no-action plan from the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement released two months prior.

The decision means that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) will not have a right-of-way across BLM-managed lands, the decision states, based on Bureau of Land Management analysis that found that the road would have required over 3,000 stream crossings and would have impacted at risk wildlife populations, including shellfish and the already-declining Western Arctic caribou herd, which are critical food sources for Native communities.

The analysis also found that the road would have reduced abundance, availability, and access to subsistence resources, according to the Interior's press release. In addition, the analysis showed that irreparable impacts to permafrost would make it unlikely the road could be reclaimed, and that it is reasonably foreseeable that the industrial road would be used by the public, increasing impacts to the surrounding environment and communities.

Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management today released a Final Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the proposed revocation of existing withdrawals on 28 million acres of public lands it manages across Alaska. The revocation would have opened the acres to resource extraction, including mining and drilling, and removed the federal subsistence priority. The Final Impact Statement ultimately retained the current land protections, reflecting the overwhelming support BLM heard in the public comment period last winter from Alaska Native communities, hunting and fishing communities who said they rely on the withdrawals to protect subsistence hunting opportunities.

House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said in a statement today that the final decision on Ambler Road reflects the voices of the many Alaska Native communities who took a firm stand against the impending destruction of their lands.

Ambler Road would have decimated the fragile Arctic ecology and wildlife that many communities depend on for their subsistence way of life  all for a speculative, high-risk mining interest, the Representative said. I am grateful to the Biden administration for finalizing this decision and putting the wellbeing of Indigenous communities over corporate greed.

The Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition, a group of Indigenous women from the Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska, released a statement celebrating todays decision.

The Biden Administrations decision today is an important step toward a future full of wild salmon, healthy people, and healthy lands and waters, said Anaanarar Sophie Swope, Executive Director of Mother Kuskokwim. She added that she looks forward to seeing additional protections placed on D1 lands, including in her own Yukon-Kuskokwim region. These protections ensure future generations will be able to live safely with and on the land, carrying our customary and traditional knowledge.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Deputies: Man arrested after shooting flare gun at another man in Cutlerville

BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A man was arrested after deputies say he shot another man in the stomach with a flare gun.

It happened around 12:20 p.m. Sunday in the area of Aztec Drive and S Division Avenue in Cutlerville, according to the Kent County Sheriffs Office. Deputies were called to the area on a report of a shooting.

When they arrived, investigators found that a 54-year-old Byron Township man and a 41-year-old Grand Rapids man had been physically fighting when the Byron Township man shot the other in the stomach with a flare gun.

The Grand Rapids man had minor injuries and went to the hospital, according to deputies. The Byron Township man was arrested.

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The Kent County Prosecutors Office will review the case, the sheriffs office said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi has resigned at his own request on July 1, the General Prosecutor's Office reported.

Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin earlier announced that his office and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) had launched an official investigation into Verbytskyi's assets. Verbytskyi is accused of alleged illicit enrichment.

In the comment to Interfax Ukraine, Verbytskyi said that he decided to resign as "negative information in the media about him also affects the image of the prosecutor's office."

"I am ready to continue to defend my honor and professional reputation. I am waiting for the completion of the internal investigation and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention's inspection, which should close this issue," he said.

The RFE/RL's investigative project Schemes' report alleges that Verbytskyi lives in a two-story townhouse in Kyiv, which his nephew purchased under power of attorney for a businessman registered in Odesa for six times less than the estimated market value.

An earlier RFE/RL article suggests that Verbytskyi's girlfriend, Khrystyna Ilnytska, received a new Porsche car and a three-story townhouse in the same neighborhood estimated to be worth at least 52 million hryvnias ($1,270,000).

Ilnytska's official income declarations over the last decade amounted to a little more than 360,000 hryvnias ($8,800).

Read also: Source: Investigators preparing to charge anti-corruption activist Shabunin

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A hazmat incident in Brunswick County on Saturday, June 29, resulted in several road closures and traffic delays throughout parts of Brunswick and New Hanover counties.

The release of chlorine gas caused a hazmat situation around Navassa that closed roads early Saturday morning and resulted in day-long mitigation efforts.

Shawn Taylor, public information officer with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division, confirmed the incident occurred at American Distillation.

"The NC Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team responded to the site," Taylor said in an email.

He noted that the Environmental Protection Agency offered air monitoring resources and actively coordinated with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Several roads  including sections of I-140  were closed and homes and businesses in the area were evacuated out of an abundance of caution," according to a release from Brunswick County.

Previous coverage: Hazmat cleanup nearly complete, crews to monitor area for next several days

The road closures lasted from early Saturday morning until around 8 p.m. Saturday and created traffic delays around the Leland area and into downtown Wilmington. The news release from Brunswick County noted there was no information about the cause of incident.

The incident was first reported to Brunswick County 911 just after 5 a.m. Saturday morning. According to 911 call logs obtained by the StarNews, the caller advised that there were bags of chlorine powder that had moisture in them and were "smoldering." The caller reported seeing a gas cloud or vapor.

The Navassa Volunteer Fire Department responded to the incident and alerted Brunswick County Emergency Management, according to Brunswick County spokeswoman Meagan Kascsak. The incident involved water coming into contact with a chemical called Trichloroisocyanuric acid, which Kascsak noted is "an industrial version of shock chlorine used in swimming pools."

"The State Emergency Operations Center deployed two NC Regional Response Team (NCRRT) units to the scene, where hazmat technicians quickly conducted air monitoring, investigation, and sampling of the incident area," Kascsak said in an email. "Public safety personnel were able to quickly stabilize the area and mitigate any threats to the public through these actions."

In an email, Justin Graney, chief of external affairs and communications with North Carolina Emergency Management, explained that North Carolina Emergency Management dispatched North Carolina Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team 2 from Wilmington and Team 3 from Fayetteville, as well as a North Carolina Emergency Management Coordinator. Hazmat technicians surveyed the scene and obtained sampling data.

"The information obtained by NCRRT Hazmat Technicians aids local emergency responders in what protective actions, if any, are necessary to ensure that the public is safe," Graney said. "This response is a wonderful example of how North Carolina uses a whole-of-community response methodology to address public safety in our state."

Several other agencies responded Saturday, including the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, the Navassa Police Department, Sunny Point Fire and Rescue, Brunswick County EMS, Leland Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and New Hanover County EMS.

In addition to shutting down roads, the incident also affected river traffic. According to the 911 logs, U.S. Coast Guard and North Carolina Wildlife were advised of a "cloud of chlorine gas over the Cape Fear River" in the area of the CSX Bridge and the I-140 bridge.

Clean up and hazard mitigation continued throughout the day with some roads re-opening Saturday afternoon.

Graney said the incident was "quickly stabilized" and "any threat to the surrounding community, if present, was rapidly mitigated." As of 8:30 p.m. Saturday, all roadways were reopened and anyone who had been evacuated was cleared to return. While all North Carolina Emergency Management and North Carolina Hazardous Materials Regional Response teams had cleared the scene Monday, Graney said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency remained onsite "conducting air monitoring and coordinating clean-up and disposal of the involved chemical."

The StarNews reached out to American Distillation for comment, and while the operator confirmed the incident occurred in the area near the company she said she could not provide additional details about the incident. The spokesperson for the company was unavailable, and a message left was not returned by the time of publication.

According to the news release from Brunswick County, no injuries were reported, and there was no identified threat to the community.

Erin Wilson, spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Labor, said staff in the Occupational Safety and Health Division spoke with Brunswick County 911, and since no employees were transported for medical services, the organization would not be opening an investigation.

The employer isnt required to report it to our OSH Division unless someone is hospitalized (overnight) for treatment, Wilson said in an email.

Kascsak said the cause of the incident is still under investigation, and air and water quality monitoring will continue over the next several days.

"The EPA along with other state and federal agencies will lead the investigation into the incident and make decisions on any repercussions or fines as warranted," Kascsak said.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hazmat incident in Brunswick County mitigated near Navassa, NC
News / National

by Staff reporter

Dozens attending a memorial service for slain Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Mboneni Ncube in Gweru were arrested and detained, according to the party. Ncube was stabbed to death by suspected ZANU-PF supporters at a CCC rally in Kwekwe in February 2022.These arrests occurred shortly after the government warned opposition and Civil Society Organizations against any "subversive activities," stating that law enforcement agents were prepared to apprehend suspects.CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi reported that hundreds of attendees at Ncube's memorial were arrested and are currently detained in Gweru. He criticized the government's actions as indicative of panic and urged citizens to continue peaceful and lawful activities.Police reportedly blocked access to the memorial, turning back all vehicles, including routine commuter omnibuses. Mkwananzi attributed the government's behavior to paranoia and insecurity, citing fears of public discontent over issues such as corruption, human rights violations, and unjust taxes.Police Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, 80 CCC activists were arrested two weeks prior during a private meeting at interim leader Jameson Timba's residence. Most remain in custody after being denied bail, charged with participating in an unlawful gathering and disorderly conduct. Additionally, five members of Job Sikhala's National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) were arrested in Harare for holding an unsanctioned gathering.
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks on grants for infrastructure projects, the Supreme Court Chevron ruling, and President Joe Biden's debate performance at a news conference in Pensacola on July 1, 2024. (Screenshot via the governor's X livestream)

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday praised a recent Supreme Court ruling that stripped federal agencies of much of their power to create regulatory safeguards, instead giving that power to courts and lawmakers.

DeSantis argued the opposite of Justice Elena Kagan, who wrote for the minority in the case that removed broad discretion of federal agencies to resolve ambiguity in federal statutes. Kagan said federal agencies should keep their powers because they typically have more accountability and expertise.

DeSantis said those who are upset about the ruling want to have a rule by unelected, unaccountable, bureaucratic so-called experts. Thats who they think should govern society, and they want to insulate them from any type of accountability.

DeSantis defended the power of the courts and said the ruling puts separation of powers on a better foundation.

Theres a lot of things that this big powerful bureaucracy can do, like imposing fines, DeSantis said.

So, the question is, if theyre coming atcha and theyre wrong on the law, do you have an ability to go in the court and have the court say, You know what, youre right on the law, and rule for you and give you relief? Or do you do the Chevron deference which says, Well, it doesnt really matter if youre actually right on the law. We are going to defer to what these experts in the bureaucracy think the law means or the regulation should mean.'

Chevron deference, which had been Supreme Court precedent since 1984, required courts to defer to the reasonable interpretation by technical experts in federal agencies of ambiguous laws. It is central to enforcement of a broad swath of laws protecting workplace safety, water quality, pollution levels, and more. Under the recent ruling, unelected judges will resolve statutory ambiguities.

The doctrine was not in line with the Constitution, DeSantis said. Accountability, he insisted, should come from the ballot box.

If bureaucracy acts against you, you go and sue, you win, DeSantis said. If Congress doesnt like that outcome, they can always rewrite the law and then you can hold them accountable at the ballot box. Thats the way this is supposed to be.

Debate

DeSantis took time at the end of a news conference announcing grants for infrastructure and job training programs to criticize President Joe Bidens debate performance, which he said gave him a really uncomfortable feeling.

You compare him to 2019, to that debate, its been a really significant decline. And the idea that that decline is going to stop, that somehow you can make it to age 86, given the trajectory, is a joke, and everybody knows thats a joke, DeSantis said.

Thats the age Biden would be at the close of a second term.

DeSantis said people calling on Biden to step aside are less concerned about his competence  theyre totally fine to have a Weekend at Bernies presidency, he said  but rather fear Biden will be unable to win reelection because that scene was so jarring that they understand hes going to lose.

Speaking from Pensacola, DeSantis announced that Pensacola State College will receive $4.4 million for a new airframe and powerplant mechanics program, which trains students to maintain aircraft. The grant will pay for a new hangar and equipment at the Pensacola airport for the program.

We think theres a great opportunity in northwest Florida with the college here, but also with a lot of the folks that come through here in the military and as they leave the military, DeSantis said.

The area is home to six military installations, including Eglin Air Force Base and Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The governors announcements included a $4.6 million grant for a 1.3-mile two-lane road in Jackson County from State Road 276 to Old Airbase Road.
Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing

An FBI Evidence Response Team investigator walks behind a crime scene. The FBIs Quarterly Uniform Crime Report, which was released in early June, suggests that violent crime dropped by 15% compared with the first quarter of 2023. (Ann Arbor Miller/The Associated Press)

Violent crime in the United States dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to the FBIs Quarterly Uniform Crime Report released earlier this month.

The FBIs data, collected from nearly 12,000 law enforcement agencies representing about 77% of the countrys population, suggests violent crime dropped by 15% compared with the first quarter of 2023.

The data, which covers reported crimes from January to March, shows a 26.4% decrease in murders, a 25.7% decrease in rapes, a 17.8% decrease in robberies, and a 12.5% decrease in aggravated assaults. Reported property crime also fell by 15.1%.

Nevertheless, the widespread public perception that crime is rising  a perception reinforced by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and many other GOP candidates  could figure prominently in Novembers election. And state legislative and gubernatorial candidates from both parties likely also will cite crime statistics on the stump.

In a Gallup poll conducted late last year, 63% of respondents described the crime problem in the U.S. as either extremely or very serious. This is the highest percentage since Gallup began asking the question in 2000.

If you are a political operative, capitalizing on fear of crime is incredibly easy to do.

 Dan Gardner, author of Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear

In May, Trump wrongly called FBI data showing a decline in crime fake numbers. This month, he erroneously claimed that the FBIs crime statistics exclude 30% of cities, including the biggest and most violent.

He could have been referring to the fact some departments couldnt report data in 2021 because the FBI switched data reporting systems, but experts say the overall numbers remain valid.

President Joe Biden has also used crime statistics for political gain. In a May campaign email, Biden said that Trump oversaw the largest increase in murder in U.S. history. While this is not entirely inaccurate  the country did see the largest one-year increase in murders in 2020  it omits context regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the social upheaval following George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

The latest FBI crime statistics align with other early data from 2024. In May, the Major Cities Chiefs Association released first-quarter data from a survey of 68 major metropolitan police departments showing a 17% drop in murders compared with the same period last year.

The FBIs latest data is preliminary and unaudited, which means it will change as more law enforcement agencies refine their numbers throughout the year. National crime data is incomplete, as it only includes crimes reported to police, and not every law enforcement agency participates in the FBIs crime reporting program.

Despite the datas limitations, some criminologists and crime data experts say the data is reliable. Some say the FBIs data likely overstates the decreases, suggesting the drop in violent crime is likely less dramatic but still trending downward.

Theres a lot of uncertainty as to the accuracy of the data, so it matches but probably overstates what the trends are, Jeff Asher, co-founder of AH Datalytics, a data consulting firm that specializes in crime data, told Stateline in an interview. In theory, everything will get more accurate as the year goes on.

Although national data suggests an overall major decrease in crime across the country, some criminologists caution that that isnt necessarily the case in individual cities and neighborhoods.

It looks good for the nation as a whole, but even with these great reductions, there are cities in the United States that have likely experienced increases that bucked the trend, Charis Kubrin, a criminology, law and society professor at the University of California, Irvine, told Stateline.

The average Americans understanding of crime and crime statistics is heavily skewed by media coverage that focuses largely on when crimes are committed and by misleading political rhetoric, according to criminologists and crime data experts.

Instead of relying on statistics, which can feel impersonal, people tend to cling to anecdotes that resonate more emotionally. Politicians take advantage of this, Dan Gardner, author of the book Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear, told Stateline.

If you are a political operative, capitalizing on fear of crime is incredibly easy to do, Gardner said.

Telling a tragic story and framing it in a way so that voters feel they or their families could become victims of similar crimes unless they vote for a specific politician is a common, highly effective tactic, he added.

This use of fear as a motivator can drive people to the polls, Gardner said, but it also distorts public perception of crime.

Its a lousy way to understand the reality of personal safety and society, but its a very compelling form of marketing, Gardner said.

The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, released a report this month urging police and the federal government to provide more timely crime data. The report emphasizes that crime data, especially national data, often lags up to a year, which hampers public understanding of crime trends and limits officials ability to make informed policy decisions to proactively address public safety issues.

We need to accelerate improvements in our [crime] data, John Roman, a senior fellow and the director of the Center on Public Safety and Justice at NORC at the University of Chicago, told Stateline. The democratization of this data is really critical to more effective policy and programming.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

The post Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing

An FBI Evidence Response Team investigator walks behind a crime scene. The FBIs Quarterly Uniform Crime Report, which was released in early June, suggests that violent crime dropped by 15% compared with the first quarter of 2023. (Ann Arbor Miller | The Associated Press)

Violent crime in the United States dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to the FBIs Quarterly Uniform Crime Report released earlier this month.

The FBIs data, collected from nearly 12,000 law enforcement agencies representing about 77% of the countrys population, suggests violent crime dropped by 15% compared with the first quarter of 2023.

The data, which covers reported crimes from January to March, shows a 26.4% decrease in murders, a 25.7% decrease in rapes, a 17.8% decrease in robberies, and a 12.5% decrease in aggravated assaults. Reported property crime also fell by 15.1%.

Nevertheless, the widespread public perception that crime is rising  a perception reinforced by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and many other GOP candidates  could figure prominently in Novembers election. And state legislative and gubernatorial candidates from both parties likely also will cite crime statistics on the stump.

In a Gallup poll conducted late last year, 63% of respondents described the crime problem in the U.S. as either extremely or very serious. This is the highest percentage since Gallup began asking the question in 2000.

If you are a political operative, capitalizing on fear of crime is incredibly easy to do.

 Dan Gardner, author of Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear

In May, Trump wrongly called FBI data showing a decline in crime fake numbers. This month, he erroneously claimed that the FBIs crime statistics exclude 30% of cities, including the biggest and most violent.

He could have been referring to the fact some departments couldnt report data in 2021 because the FBI switched data reporting systems, but experts say the overall numbers remain valid.

President Joe Biden has also used crime statistics for political gain. In a May campaign email, Biden said that Trump oversaw the largest increase in murder in U.S. history. While this is not entirely inaccurate  the country did see the largest one-year increase in murders in 2020  it omits context regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the social upheaval following George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

The latest FBI crime statistics align with other early data from 2024. In May, the Major Cities Chiefs Association released first-quarter data from a survey of 68 major metropolitan police departments showing a 17% drop in murders compared with the same period last year.

The FBIs latest data is preliminary and unaudited, which means it will change as more law enforcement agencies refine their numbers throughout the year. National crime data is incomplete, as it only includes crimes reported to police, and not every law enforcement agency participates in the FBIs crime reporting program.

Despite the datas limitations, some criminologists and crime data experts say the data is reliable. Some say the FBIs data likely overstates the decreases, suggesting the drop in violent crime is likely less dramatic but still trending downward.

Theres a lot of uncertainty as to the accuracy of the data, so it matches but probably overstates what the trends are, Jeff Asher, co-founder of AH Datalytics, a data consulting firm that specializes in crime data, told Stateline in an interview. In theory, everything will get more accurate as the year goes on.

Although national data suggests an overall major decrease in crime across the country, some criminologists caution that that isnt necessarily the case in individual cities and neighborhoods.

It looks good for the nation as a whole, but even with these great reductions, there are cities in the United States that have likely experienced increases that bucked the trend, Charis Kubrin, a criminology, law and society professor at the University of California, Irvine, told Stateline.

The average Americans understanding of crime and crime statistics is heavily skewed by media coverage that focuses largely on when crimes are committed and by misleading political rhetoric, according to criminologists and crime data experts.

Instead of relying on statistics, which can feel impersonal, people tend to cling to anecdotes that resonate more emotionally. Politicians take advantage of this, Dan Gardner, author of the book Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear, told Stateline.

If you are a political operative, capitalizing on fear of crime is incredibly easy to do, Gardner said.

Telling a tragic story and framing it in a way so that voters feel they or their families could become victims of similar crimes unless they vote for a specific politician is a common, highly effective tactic, he added.

This use of fear as a motivator can drive people to the polls, Gardner said, but it also distorts public perception of crime.

Its a lousy way to understand the reality of personal safety and society, but its a very compelling form of marketing, Gardner said.

The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, released a report this month urging police and the federal government to provide more timely crime data. The report emphasizes that crime data, especially national data, often lags up to a year, which hampers public understanding of crime trends and limits officials ability to make informed policy decisions to proactively address public safety issues.

We need to accelerate improvements in our [crime] data, John Roman, a senior fellow and the director of the Center on Public Safety and Justice at NORC at the University of Chicago, told Stateline. Roman also is the chair of the Council on Criminal Justices Crime Trends Working Group. The democratization of this data is really critical to more effective policy and programming.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

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Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing

An FBI Evidence Response Team investigator walks behind crime scene, July 15, 2023, in Fargo, N.D. Data in the FBI's annual crime report released Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 shows that violent crime across the U.S. decreased last year, dropping to about the same level as before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Ann Arbor Miller, file)

Violent crime in the United States dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to the FBIs Quarterly Uniform Crime Report released earlier this month.

The FBIs data, collected from nearly 12,000 law enforcement agencies representing about 77% of the countrys population, suggests violent crime dropped by 15% compared with the first quarter of 2023.

The data, which covers reported crimes from January to March, shows a 26.4% decrease in murders, a 25.7% decrease in rapes, a 17.8% decrease in robberies, and a 12.5% decrease in aggravated assaults. Reported property crime also fell by 15.1%.

Nevertheless, the widespread public perception that crime is rising  a perception reinforced by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and many other GOP candidates  could figure prominently in Novembers election. And state legislative and gubernatorial candidates from both parties likely also will cite crime statistics on the stump.

In a Gallup poll conducted late last year, 63% of respondents described the crime problem in the U.S. as either extremely or very serious. This is the highest percentage since Gallup began asking the question in 2000.

If you are a political operative, capitalizing on fear of crime is incredibly easy to do.

 Don't forget to add author

In May, Trump wrongly called FBI data showing a decline in crime fake numbers. This month, he erroneously claimed that the FBIs crime statistics exclude 30% of cities, including the biggest and most violent.

He could have been referring to the fact some departments couldnt report data in 2021 because the FBI switched data reporting systems, but experts say the overall numbers remain valid.

President Joe Biden has also used crime statistics for political gain. In a May campaign email, Biden said that Trump oversaw the largest increase in murder in U.S. history. While this is not entirely inaccurate  the country did see the largest one-year increase in murders in 2020  it omits context regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the social upheaval following George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

The latest FBI crime statistics align with other early data from 2024. In May, the Major Cities Chiefs Association released first-quarter data from a survey of 68 major metropolitan police departments showing a 17% drop in murders compared with the same period last year.

The FBIs latest data is preliminary and unaudited, which means it will change as more law enforcement agencies refine their numbers throughout the year. National crime data is incomplete, as it only includes crimes reported to police, and not every law enforcement agency participates in the FBIs crime reporting program.

Despite the datas limitations, some criminologists and crime data experts say the data is reliable. Some say the FBIs data likely overstates the decreases, suggesting the drop in violent crime is likely less dramatic but still trending downward.

Theres a lot of uncertainty as to the accuracy of the data, so it matches but probably overstates what the trends are, Jeff Asher, co-founder of AH Datalytics, a data consulting firm that specializes in crime data, told Stateline in an interview. In theory, everything will get more accurate as the year goes on.

Although national data suggests an overall major decrease in crime across the country, some criminologists caution that that isnt necessarily the case in individual cities and neighborhoods.

It looks good for the nation as a whole, but even with these great reductions, there are cities in the United States that have likely experienced increases that bucked the trend, Charis Kubrin, a criminology, law and society professor at the University of California, Irvine, told Stateline.

The average Americans understanding of crime and crime statistics is heavily skewed by media coverage that focuses largely on when crimes are committed and by misleading political rhetoric, according to criminologists and crime data experts.

Instead of relying on statistics, which can feel impersonal, people tend to cling to anecdotes that resonate more emotionally. Politicians take advantage of this, Dan Gardner, author of the book Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear, told Stateline.

If you are a political operative, capitalizing on fear of crime is incredibly easy to do, Gardner said.

Telling a tragic story and framing it in a way so that voters feel they or their families could become victims of similar crimes unless they vote for a specific politician is a common, highly effective tactic, he added.

This use of fear as a motivator can drive people to the polls, Gardner said, but it also distorts public perception of crime.

Its a lousy way to understand the reality of personal safety and society, but its a very compelling form of marketing, Gardner said.

The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, released a report this month urging police and the federal government to provide more timely crime data. The report emphasizes that crime data, especially national data, often lags up to a year, which hampers public understanding of crime trends and limits officials ability to make informed policy decisions to proactively address public safety issues.

We need to accelerate improvements in our [crime] data, John Roman, a senior fellow and the director of the Center on Public Safety and Justice at NORC at the University of Chicago, told Stateline. Roman also is the chair of the Council on Criminal Justices Crime Trends Working Group. The democratization of this data is really critical to more effective policy and programming.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

The post Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Monday that his being mentioned as a possible presidential contender is a positive reflection on Kentucky. The governor had just spoken at a celebration of Kentucky State Parks' 100th anniversary. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT  Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said that as long as President Joe Biden remains a candidate in the presidential election, Beshear will continue to support him.

Beshear, 46, a two-term governor in red-state Kentucky, has been floated as a potential Democratic nominee should Biden step aside. However, the governor on Monday pushed back at questions about getting into the race now.

Speaking to reporters, Beshear said he would echo what he said when asked about the possibility of appointing someone to replace Republican U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell in office (which has not come to fruition): The president says hes staying in, and I believe him.

Bidens performance in the CNN debate against former Republican President Donald Trump sparked questions about the presidents ability to lead in a second term. Biden, 81, spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave somewhat confusing answers throughout the night. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, repeated falsehoods, such as election fraud resulting in his 2020 loss.

Beshear made several shortlists over the weekend of possible replacements for Democrats, including nods in the New York Times and Washington Post. Other names that gained attention were Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Beshear said he left a watch party shortly before the debate began Thursday night that was attended by Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker but heard it was tense afterwards. CNN reported the watch party was in Los Angeles and Harris husband, Doug Emhoff, also attended.

Beshear added that Biden has admitted that it was a rough night. Beshear said, My hope is that theres more information forthcoming, that hell speak to the American people and to the leaders around the country.

The debate performance was rough, Beshear said. It was a very bad night for the president, but he is still the candidate. Only he can make decisions about his future candidacy. And so as long as he continues to be in the race, I support him.

Kentucky Democrats recently selected their delegates to the Democratic National Committees convention slated for August. Beshear, who is among voting delegates heading to the convention, said he is positive that our delegates will support Biden. Because nearly 18% of Kentucky Democratic voters cast uncommitted ballots in this years primary election, Kentucky Democrats will have a handful of uncommitted delegates.

When asked about his reaction to being touted as a replacement should Biden step aside, Beshear called it flattering and said it was a positive reflection on Kentucky, particularly in areas like economic growth.

I think the rest of the country turns to us and says how can a Democratic governor (and) a Republican General Assembly create really good results? And I think the answer to that is everything is not partisan. And people are tired of the clashes day in and day out, Beshear said. So when they look at what we have done in Kentucky, they see a better future thats beyond some of the back and forth that we see on the federal level.

Beshear signaled support for Bidens candidacy last October in an editorial board interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader. Beshear has also taken steps to increase his national profile since his reelection last fall. The governor launched a political action committee, In This Together, and will be the keynote speaker for an Iowa Democratic Party dinner later this month.

Beshear spoke to reporters after addressing a crowd outside the Old State Capitol in Frankfort to honor Kentucky State Parks 100th anniversary.

In a statement responding to the governors comments, Republican Party of Kentucky spokesperson Andy Westberry said Beshear clearly sees this as an opportunity for his political future, but his insincere attempt to deflect from the issue wont make it go away.

Andy Beshear needs to stand up and show real leadership by telling the truth: Joe Biden is not fit to serve as President today, let alone for another four years, Westberry said.

Gov. Andy Beshear addresses a crowd outside the Old State Capitol in Frankfort to honor Kentucky State Parks 100th anniversary. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

The post Despite rough debate, Beshear still backs Biden in presidential election appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
In Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? RealityCheck@star-telegram.com.

Officials in the Fort Worth Independent School District may have broken the states public meetings law last month when they gave school board members a closed-door briefing about the districts state test scores.

The Texas Education Agency released scores from last springs State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exams on June 14. Both in Fort Worth ISD and statewide, scores largely held steady or slipped compared to last year.

During a meeting three days before the release, members of the Fort Worth ISDs school board got an advance briefing in executive session on how students in the district fared on the test. The presentation appeared nowhere on the meetings agenda.

In a statement, district officials acknowledged that trustees got a briefing on STAAR scores in closed session, but said it was as a part of a conversation with the districts attorney about an ongoing lawsuit related to state accountability scores. Fort Worth ISD is one of several districts that are suing the state education agency over its A-F accountability system.

Any discussion about STAAR Scores with the Trustees on June 11th that may have occurred in closed session was in the context of legal advice and potential litigation as allowed by Texas Government Code 551.071, district officials wrote. Texas Government Code 551.071 is the provision in the states Open Meetings Act that allows governing bodies like school boards to meet in closed session to seek advice from their attorneys about pending or contemplated litigation or settlement offers.

Bill Aleshire, an Austin-based attorney and former Travis County judge, said boards that dont offer any information about the subjects of closed-door discussions with their lawyers are violating state law. When boards go into closed session to talk to their attorneys, theyre required to post an agenda item stating what theyre getting legal advice about, he said. The Fort Worth ISD board agenda states only that the board would get advice from its attorney, and says nothing about the subject of that advice.

A board could legally meet in closed session to talk to its attorney about the legal implication of its STAAR scores, Aleshire said. But because state test scores are a matter of great public concern, he said, districts need to be as clear as possible about whats being discussed. Theres case law in Texas that requires districts to provide more clarity about what board members discuss in closed meetings when the topic is a matter of community interest  The more public interest there is in an item that would be on the agenda, the more specific they need to be about it, he said.

Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, said in an emailed statement that meeting agendas need to give the public enough information to understand what their government officials are discussing in closed sessions.

Thats the whole point of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Shannon said. The public has a right to know. Elected officials must be transparent, and vague meeting agendas  especially when something of high importance is under discussion  violates the spirit of the law.
Did you see the sky over Bucks County on Sunday night? Mammatus clouds put on a show

Mammatus clouds filled the sky over Bucks County on Sunday night, June 30, 2024, giving a treat of orange and pink fluffy clouds and filling social media with the spectacular sky.

It was not a bird, a plane, popcorn, cotton balls or giant cow udders in the skies above Bucks County on Sunday evening.

So what was it? A unique weather phenomenon.

Called mammatus clouds, these formations are condensed pockets of sinking cold air that form at the base of a cloud as it hits a warmer layer of air creating what, to some, appear to be cow udders in the sky.

What made their appearance Sunday unusual was how widespread it was, appearing as far south as northern Delaware and across New Jersey and the Delaware Valley region, said Patrick OHara, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Amateur photographers didnt hesitate to flood social media with pictures of ominous and majestic looking skies Sunday night.

Did anyone look at the sky tonight? What an amazing cloud, wrote a poster on the Doylestown Facebook page.

Another person posted:Suddenly Lake Galena went wild. What a blessing tonights sky was."

Weird stuff in the skies lately, wrote someone on the Bensalem Proud Facebook page.

I live five minutes away from the Neshaminy Mall for all my married life and Id never seen anything like that. That is just bizarre. Beautiful but bizarre for sure," wrote another person.

Here is what we found about about mammatus cloud formations

Mammatus clouds filled the sky over Bucks County on Sunday night, June 30, 2024, giving a treat of orange and pink fluffy clouds and filling social media with the spectacular sky.

What types of clouds are mammatus typically associated with

These cloud pouches are most often seen with cumulonimbus clouds, which produce strong storms. These clouds typically form during warm months by descending air in the cloud, according to the UCAR Center for Science Education.

What does it mean when you see mammatus clouds

Potential trouble is coming, or it has passed. Mammatus clouds generally form in the most unstable cumulonimbus clouds (the cloud formations that can produce extreme weather). When that happens they are often a sign of a particularly strong storm.

Mammatus clouds filled the sky over Bucks County on Sunday night, June 30, 2024, giving a treat of orange and pink fluffy clouds and filling social media with the spectacular sky.

How do mammatus clouds form?

With big thunderstorms there is a large mass of water vapor that rises to the top of the atmosphere then spreads out as it sinks down, OHara said. Normally, these type of clouds form over a smaller area.

Mammatus clouds filled the sky over Bucks County on Sunday night, June 30, 2024, giving a treat of orange and pink fluffy clouds and filling social media with the spectacular sky.

Are mammatus clouds dangerous?

Yes, if you are a pilot. Because they are a type of cumulonimbus clouds that can indicate high levels of turbulence, according to the American Meteorological Society. But for those of us on the ground, they are generally harmless, but because they form in unstable air they can signal the chance of other dangerous weather nearby like lightning or hail..

Are mammatus clouds rare?

They are not uncommon, but they are most picturesque at sunset, OHara said.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be contacted at jciavaglia@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Mammatus clouds fill skies over Bucks County region
Marjorie Taylor Greene is furious that former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon is reporting to prison Monday.



On Sunday night, Greene posted an interview with Bannon for his War Room podcast on X (formerly Twitter) in support of the MAGA gadfly, calling his imprisonment a DISGRACE to our country, and an affront to the principles of justice it was founded upon, repeating conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.



I want to talk about the January 6 committee, Steve, because people need to understand how it was set up, why its illegitimate, and why it has been a complete failure in our Republican-controlled Congress not to have voted that the January 6 committee is completely illegitimate and completely wipe out these contempt of Congress charges that youre going to prison for tomorrow, Greene ranted.



While Republicans want to turn on cruise control and coast to November, the Biden regime is putting patriotic Americans in prison, and turning a blind eye to government weaponization.



Tomorrow, Steve Bannon will report to federal prison. This is a DISGRACE to our country, and pic.twitter.com/p7r1elHaDR  Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@mtgreenee) July 1, 2024

Bannon has been trying to avoid prison ever since he was convicted in 2022 for contempt by a federal jury for refusing the House January 6 committees subpoena to testify regarding the Capitol insurrection. Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered him to report to prison after the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld his conviction.

While Greene lamented inaction by Congress, she didnt mention that last week Speaker Mike Johnson held a secret vote with other Republican leaders to formally disavow the January 6 committee with the hope of allowing lawmakers to file a legal brief in support of Bannon with Congresss backing. Greene also didnt mention that Representative Barry Loudermilk then filed a brief to the Supreme Court arguing that witnesses in congressional investigations are allowed to ignore subpoenas that they feel are invalidprobably because that attempt failed when the Supreme Court denied Bannons application for release Friday.



The Supreme Court was essentially Bannons last shot at avoiding prison, and since hes also awaiting charges from the state of New York about a fraudulent border wall charity scheme, Bannon will not be serving his time in a minimum security Club Fed prison camp. Instead, hell be in a low-security prison for nonviolent offenders.



Bannon was fortunate to escape prison over federal charges for the border wall scheme thanks to a pardon from Trump. Now his political activities will have to be conducted from behind bars.


After dismal debate, Bidens Raleigh stop gives him fodder for his new campaign ad

A campaign ad for President Joe Biden released Monday features clips from his rally in Raleigh last Friday.

After a lackluster performance in Thursdays debate, Biden headed to Raleigh, in a performance many said was more indicative of his campaign overall. Clips from the Raleigh stop were used in the ad, including shots from the crowd, Biden greeting voters and quotes from his speech.

During the Raleigh event, Biden directly addressed his debate performance. Two of those quotes were used in the ad.

I know how to tell the truth, Biden says in the middle of the ad.

The new spot comes after the president received widespread criticism for his performance in the debate, with the New York Times editorial board calling for Biden to step down and allow a new candidate to take his place.

In the last clip of the ad, Biden says like millions of Americans, I know when you get knocked down, you get back up. This was the final line of his Raleigh speech.

The ad does use clips from Thursdays debate  but none of them feature Biden. The main body of the ad features clips of former President Donald Trump during the debate along with fact-checks provided by the campaign. It takes aim at Trumps actions on Jan. 6, which Biden also addressed in Raleigh.

His biggest lie, Biden said. He lied about how he had nothing to do with the insurrection on Jan. 6.

A news release from the Biden-Harris campaign said the ad puts a spotlight on the difference in character between the two men by lifting up President Bidens concluding remarks from his Friday rally.

Buttigieg, Cooper praise Biden

Also on Monday, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg were asked if they would be willing to step in if Biden left the presidential race.

Buttigieg joined Cooper at a site where contractors are building a Blue Ridge Road underpass near the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Neither answered directly.

Look, he has been a generational president, Cooper said about Biden, pointing out Bidens body of work for the first three and a half years of his term and calling it extraordinary.

Buttigieg said he was proud to be on President Bidens team, also calling Biden an extraordinary leader.

And again, you see it right out here, this is not just talk. This is dollars and cents, jobs, roads, bridges, things happening that many, many of his predecessors, notably the previous administration, said they were going to get done, failed to get done. Now its actually happening, Buttigieg said.

Cooper, who leaves office at the end of the year, has been asked frequently by reporters what his plan is for next year, and if he would work in the Biden-Harris administration. In April he said he wasnt thinking about next year, and on Monday he deferred the question again, noting he has another six months as governor.

Im going to work every single day making sure were investing in North Carolina. Ill find a job somewhere, Cooper said.
A document obtained by the Washington Post (WP) suggests Russia dropped glide bombs on its own territory nearly 40 times in one year, most likely due to malfunctioning guidance systems, the outlet reported on July 1.

Believed to have been compiled by Belgorod city emergency department, the document records 38 incidents in the year from April 2023 to April 2024.

Experts believe the accidental bombings are caused by defective munitions. Ruslan Leviev, a military expert with the Conflict Intelligence Group, in comments quoted by WP, said: "A certain percentage of Russian bombs is defective."

"We think these accidental releases are caused by the unreliability of these kits, something that does not seem to bother the Air Force," Leviev told the Washington Post.

Read also: Glide bombs help Russia gain land in Ukraine. What makes them so effective?

Several incidents of Russian munitions landing in the Belgorod region have previously been reported, most notably one in April 2023 that resulted in a massive crater in downtown Belgorod.

On May 12, an explosion led to the partial collapse of a Belgorod apartment building, killing 17 people. The Kremlin blamed it on a Ukrainian missile but OSINT researchers concluded it was a Russian bomb.

The document obtained by WP suggests such events are far more widespread than previously thought as many of the bombs do not explode, and land in the less populated areas around the city, sometimes being discovered days later by farmers and park rangers.

Russia has heavily relied on glide bombs in its offensive on Kharkiv Oblast, clearing the way for ground troops.

Despite their simplicity and low cost, glide bombs have become one of Russia's most effective weapons during the full-scale war, previously contributing to the fall of the strategic city of Avdiivka in February  Russias first major gain in nine months.

Experts warn that these bombs could pose an even greater threat to Ukraine, which currently has little defense against them, as Russia is expected to continue its mass deployment of glide bombs to support further offensive operations.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Stanley Sakupwanya, a Zanu-PF Manicaland youth leader nicknamed "Jah Prayzah" due to his striking resemblance and towering height, is celebrating after receiving a luxurious parliamentary vehicle, a Ford Ranger. He secured his seat in Parliament through the youth quota system and has become a notable figure in Zimbabwe's new Parliament.Sakupwanya, aged 34 and standing over two meters tall, received his vehicle keys in the capital this week, joining other legislators in receiving their vehicles from the government.Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi confirmed the distribution of vehicles, emphasizing their role in facilitating legislators' work in their constituencies.Sakupwanya, known for his academic achievements including studying at Kwazulu Natal University in South Africa, is recognized for his leadership within Zanu-PF's youth league and pledges to advocate for policies that empower youths across the country.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A high-profile bounty hunter and television personality says he is offering a reward in the search for a missing DeSoto County inmate.

Dog the Bounty Hunter also known as Duane Chapman posted on social media over the weekend that the reward for 31-year-old Joshua Zimmerman has increased, and to look out for the fugitive accused of murdering a woman.

Investigators say Zimmerman escaped from the DeSoto County courthouse last month.

Chapman recently spoke to News Nation as he is also looking for migrant criminals.

Well you know Im a bounty hunter and I go after fugitives, Chapman said.

This weekend he posted on his social media that the reward for Zimmerman is now $20,000, directing people to call or text 833-TELL-DOG if they have any information.

The U.S. Marshals office cites a reward of $10,000, along with another $10,000 from the DeSoto County District Attorneys Office.

Zimmermans escape from the DeSoto County courthouse has now become part of an internal investigation as to how he made it out of the building.

DeSoto County D.A. frustrated after career criminal escapes

They were going upstairs to the courtroom. He was wearing shackles and a jumpsuit like everybody else, he broke from the line and went through a door. Sometime later, he left the courthouse with no shackles and street clothes, DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said.

Zimmerman is accused of attacking an elderly man in Southaven after he hired him to do work at his house last September.

This was just days after he was accused of murdering a 23-year-old woman in Houston.

After doing some digging, WREG discovered Houston Police released a picture of Zimmerman to the public after he was captured on motel surveillance video shortly after the young womans death.

Houston Police say the victim was found shot dead inside the motel, with witnesses telling them they had heard arguing coming from the motel room.

Manhunt underway after inmate escapes from courthouse in DeSoto County, MS

In March he was indicted by a grand jury out of Texas for the murder, and less than four months later, he is now on the run after escaping in DeSoto County.

A spokesperson with the Houston Police Department told WREG that detectives there have been in contact with U.S. Marshals about Zimmerman since he has been on the run, as they are keeping an eye out as well.

But, they tell us he has no ties to Houston.

WREG has also reached out to a spokesperson about Dog the Bounty Hunters post about a reward, but so far, has not heard back. DeSoto County officials told WREG they are not affiliated with the reward.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to offer Boeing a plea deal in the criminal case over two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners, according to a lawyer representing the families of the crash victims.

The potential deal includes a fine of about $244 million and three years of probation and oversight form an external monitor, Paul Cassell, a lawyer for 15 families of victims who were killed in 2018 and 2019 crashes involving Boeings 737 Max jetliners, told The Hill. The crashes killed 346 people in total.

The deal, which was discussed on a call with the families Sunday afternoon, would also feature a new investment in safety improvements and a meeting between Boeings board and the victims families, Cassell said.

Cassell said his team was told Boeing would be offered the deal immediately after Sundays call ended. Cassell ripped the DOJ offer as a sweetheart deal.

The deal will not acknowledge, in any way, that Boeings crime killed 346 people. It also appears to rest on the idea that Boeing did not harm any victim, Cassell wrote in a statement. The families will strenuously object to this plea deal.

The memory of 346 innocents killed by Boeing demands more justice than this, he added.

Boeing will have until the end of this week to accept or reject the offer, The Associated Press reported, citing several people involved with Sundays call with federal prosecutors.

The Justice Department and Boeing did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment.

The criminal case came after the department found Boeing violated a 2021 settlement related to the two fatal crashes. The agreement shielded the company from criminal liability for fraud in exchange for a promised overhaul of its compliance system and a $2.5 billion fine.

Reuters reported last week Justice Department prosecutors were recommending Boeing face criminal charges for violation of the settlement.

The possible plea deal comes about a week ahead of the July 7 deadline to determine whether to charge the aerospace giant.

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.

If the plea deal is reached, U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor will no longer be able to increase Boeings sentence for a conviction or impose any additional punishment, Cassell added.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun was grilled by senators earlier this month over the settlement and other safety concerns during a Homeland Security subcommittee hearing last week. Calhoun apologized to the families of the crash victims.

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 following day, a group of families released a letter to the DOJ, urging federal prosecutors to bring aggressive criminal prosecution against the plane-maker.

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, Cassell wrote on behalf of some victims families.

Boeing came under renewed scrutiny last January, when a door blew out of a 737 Max 9 aircraft while in the air.

The blowout caused a hole in the side of the aircraft, and pilots were forced to make an emergency landing back at Portland International Airport in Oregon. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded all 737 Max 9 aircraft and conducted a probe into the manufacturer. It found issues with safety checks and manufacturing in Boeings build process, prompting increased pressure from regulators and Congress to address the problems.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Justice Department will criminally charge Boeing for violating the terms of a prior agreement that allowed the manufacturer to avoid prosecution for two fatal plane crashes in 2018 and 2019, according to two people familiar with the matter.

DOJ will give Boeing a week to either plead guilty or risk a trial, according to two people who participated in a Sunday evening call with DOJ officials who discussed the contours of the plan.

Boeing declined to comment on any potential trial or plea agreement. The Justice Department could not be reached for comment Sunday evening.

An attorney for family members of some of those lost in the crash in Ethiopia suggested DOJs decision was born of cowardice.

Robert Clifford, senior partner at the Clifford Law Offices, accused DOJ of giving Boeing a sweetheart deal and said the agency is afraid to prosecute a company that they believe is too big to fail.

The families believe that they have been misled for months by a DOJ that went through the motions to meet with them and let the families speak up, but never having the [intention] to do anything other than punish Boeing while wearing kid gloves, he told POLITICO on Sunday.

DOJs decision to pursue charges comes after weeks of deliberations, kicked off by a spate of new quality control problems at one of the United States most important manufacturers. It adds a grave element to accusations that Boeing, also a major defense and aerospace contractor for the federal government, has put short-term profits ahead of public safety.

In May the agency said it believed Boeing had violated the 2021 agreement, in which the planemaker agreed to improve its manufacturing processes in exchange for deferred prosecution. Boeing has previously denied any wrongdoing in the matter, previously stating its honored the terms of that agreement.

The DOJ action places a major weight on Boeings neck as it navigates mounting federal probes  including a separate one from DOJ  and congressional scrutiny following a high-profile incident earlier this year in which a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight midair over Oregon.

Though nobody was seriously injured in that incident, it drew heightened attention to problems with its workhorse 737 MAX passenger jet, and with Boeings quality control.

Faulty flight control software on another version of the MAX had been blamed in the 2018 and 2019 crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed a total of 346 people. It has not been implicated in the recent incident on board Alaska Airlines.

Nadia Milleron, whose daughter Samya Stumo died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash in 2019, told POLITICO on Sunday that the two-hour phone call families had with Glenn Leon, head of DOJ's Fraud Section of its Criminal Division, was once again a disappointing result from DOJ. She said the families will petition Judge Reed O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas who is overseeing the case not to sign the agreement, Milleron said.

It's not the Department of Justice  it's the department of protecting corporations, Milleron said in an interview. Part of the plea deal, she said, will include a fine, and the mandate for Boeing to have a third-party monitor to oversee its work  which DOJ will have final say over, but that Boeing will ultimately get a say in, too.

Boeing "shouldn't be the ones selecting the monitors, right? This is the whole problem that Boeing keeps monitoring itself, she said.

In the previous agreement Boeing is accused of violating, charges were to be dismissed after three years if the company met several conditions, including creating a program that would flag any hint of fraud by Boeing employees, by agents acting on the companys behalf before regulators foreign or domestic, or by any of Boeings airline customers.

But earlier this year, DOJ said Boeing is indeed subject to prosecution because it failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations."

Javier de Luis of the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys department of aeronautics and astronautics  and a member of an FAA-sanctioned expert review panel tasked with reviewing Boeings safety culture  on Sunday said the issue isn't whether there should be a trial or a plea deal, but rather that "the penalties being proposed by the DOJ are totally inadequate both from the perspective of accountability for the crimes committed and from the perspective of acting in the public interest by ensuring a change in Boeings behavior.

De Luis sister died during the 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia in 2019.

The penalties proposed here are essentially the same as those proposed under the previous [agreement] which as the Alaska Airlines incident demonstrated, did nothing to increase the safety of the flying public, he said in a statement.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated where Robert Clifford is senior partner.
Donald Trump badmouthed the US. We shouldn't stand for it. Hillary Clinton should rescue us.

Save us Hillary

Now, more than ever, the country needs Hillary Clinton to step forward to run to become the next and first female president of the United States.

Sure, she has lost before and has lots of baggage and age on her but she is sane not senile, knowledgeable not know nothing, and crafty not crazy. She may not be perfect but she is a damn sight better than the two alternatives we currently have.

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.

Michael Oser, Columbus

Badmouther-in-chief

Watching the June 27 debate of former President Donald Trump lying and badmouthing the United States of America, I was reminded of a scene from the movie "Animal House."

When the Deltas are in "court" with Dean Wormer and the Omegas, who have, by the way, an uncanny resemblance to some of today's Republicans, Eric "Otter" Stratton says, "We're not going to sit here and listen to you bad mouth the United States of America." They got up marched out while humming "The National Anthem," and that was that. Sorry if you don't get the reference, but it fits.

Trump vs. Biden debate: 10 cartoons about first presidential debate

Stephen V. Torsell, Grove City

The Supreme Court from left, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan.

Founders didn't want a king

Originalism is a theory of interpreting legal texts holding that a text in law, especially the U.S. Constitution, should be interpreted as it was understood at the time of its adoption.

Some members of the U.S. Supreme Court are particularly enamored of this concept.

Maybe the original framers couldn't conceive of a populace that needed to debate whether a man who has demonstrated physically threatening behavior to his spouse should be able to bear arms.

Maybe they didn't put in language that would give the leader of the United States absolute immunity because they had just freed themselves from the King of England who  wait for it  had absolute immunity.

Maybe they couldn't conceive of a world where women could vote, own property and have agency over their lives.

On the basis of their thinking, I'm sure judges Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and the rest of the gang would like to declare the 19th Amendment null and void. While they're at it, pitch the 13th as well.

Maybe they couldn't conceive of all of the things that freedom - over time - might encompass. Then again, they included language allowing future amendments to the original, so maybe they could.

Maybe they figured some things were so obvious they didn't need to spell them out.

Dave Schwendenman, Columbus

Care facilities aren't very caring; Politicians should fix that

Reps. Sara Carruthers and Jean Schmidt, I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue that is affecting many families in Ohio.

It has become increasingly clear that our most vulnerable loved ones in long-term care facilities are not receiving the attention and care they deserve.

One particular concern is the lack of oversight and transparency in these facilities, as exemplified by the manipulation of Esther's Law. This law, designed to allow for cameras in residents' nursing home rooms, is being exploited by unscrupulous facilities to deny families and residents the right to have a camera installed.

It is imperative that the language of Esther's Law be expanded to address this issue and to include assisted living facilities as well. By doing so, we can ensure families have the peace of mind of being able to monitor their loved ones' care and well-being, even in the face of resistance from certain facilities.

I urge you to take immediate action to address this critical issue and to protect the rights of our most vulnerable loved ones.

Steve Piskor, elderly nursing home abuse advocates, Cleveland

No reward for conscientious gas usage

A majority of Columbia Gas customers may not realize that each month the company charges each customer $39.10 for fixed monthly delivery charges, $4.03 for infrastructure replacement program rider, $0.09 for infrastructure replacement program rider, $2.99 for capital expenditure program rider, $0.63 for infrastructure development rider, $0.13 for usage-based charges and $2.23 for taxes and fees.

This makes the total fixed monthly charges $49.31.

All these fixed costs are charged regardless how much gas a residential customer uses during a billing cycle. My last gas bill totaled $50.20. The cost of the gas I used during this billing cycle was only $0.89 or 1.78% of the total bill.

This Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved system discourages conservation. Fixed charges should be prorated based on a customers gas usage in order to reward customers who conserve natural gas. It is amazing that the commission approved this billing scheme. However, that is not surprising at all.

George A. Elmaraghy, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Trump-Biden debate debacle shows why we need Hillary Clinton to save us
How Donald Trump is poised to avoid pre-election trials in three out of four of his criminal cases

As last summer came to a close, the four criminal cases that had been brought against former President Donald Trump posed both extraordinary political peril as well as the very real threat that the 2024 Republican White House front-runner would be convicted by multiple juries before the first ballot was cast.

What a difference a year made  or, perhaps more accurately, didnt make.

With Mondays Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling likely preventing a trial in the federal election subversion case before the election, Trump is poised to avoid pre-election trials in the three most significant criminal prosecutions he faces.

He was convicted in the fourth. But the hush money case brought by the Manhattan district attorney was widely viewed as the least serious and most tangential to the choice voters will make on November 5, as it used a controversial legal theory to target conduct that has been publicly known for nearly a decade.

It is possible that he wont even receive prison time in the case.

And in a longshot bid, a source told CNN that Trumps legal team filed a letter Monday seeking to challenge the former presidents conviction in New York based on the high courts ruling on presidential immunity.

The sad thing is, of the four, its the one that feeds Trumps narrative of political persecution, which is tragic, said Ty Cobb, who served as Trumps White House lawyer during the special counsel Russia investigation but now opposes his reelection.

I think that [narrative of political persecution], more than the conviction, will have a bigger effect on the election, which Im horrified about, Cobb said.

Americans will go to the polls this fall without a verdict on whether Trump broke federal and state laws by seeking to overturn the 2020 election, or whether his hoarding of sensitive government documents post-presidency violated national security statutes.

Novembers election will not only select the countrys next leader. It will determine Trumps legal fate. If elected, its widely expected that Trump will make the federal prosecutions against him go away, either by ordering his attorney general to dismiss them or by pardoning himself. The Georgia election subversion case, meanwhile, is on hold while an appeals court considers a bid to kick Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis off the case, and the prosecution now faces other major hurdles.

If Donald Trump wins the election, no criminal trial of his will ever go forward, said Paul Rosenzweig, who worked for the Whitewater investigation into Bill Clinton and went on to serve as an official in the Department of Homeland Security. We couldnt count on the criminal justice system to save us. The electoral system is what will define in the end how we do.

Several factors contributed to Trumps apparent escape from criminal culpability before the election. The wheels of justice turn slowly, as the adage goes, but Trump benefited from legal perks and lucky breaks outside the reach of any other defendant.

They included a well-financed legal strategy built around delay, missteps by his opponents, an almost unbelievable case assignment coincidence and now, a Supreme Court ruling that will delay and undermine what was the marquee case against the former president.

The law can very clearly be used as an instrument of justice and it can very clearly be used as an instrument of injustice, said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Maryland Democrat who led the second House impeachment team against Trump.

The rules can be used to tie everybody up in knots and dilute the moral clarity of a situation or the rules can be used to illuminate the moral meaning of a situation, Raskin told CNN in an interview last week.

A Supreme Court ruling that hamstrings the DC federal subversion case

The charges by special counsel Jack Smith alleging Trump subverted the 2020 election was the second to last of the four cases brought. It broke significant legal ground and posed novel, gravely important legal questions

Yet, it started off at the quickest pace  in no small part due to District Judge Tanya Chutkans zero tolerance for lollygagging  and by the end of last year, it looked likely to be the first to reach a jury, with a trial scheduled for March.

Smith sought to maintain that momentum last December by rushing to the Supreme Court the question that he said needed to be decided before trial: whether presidential immunity Trump claimed he had shielded him from the prosecution.

But the Supreme Court did not go along with Smiths plans, first declining his request that the justices jump ahead of the usual appeals process that would first go to the DC Circuit Court. Once that appeals court issued its ruling rejecting wholesale Trumps sweeping claims, the high court put the case on pause this spring so that it could make the final decision.

The justices consideration of the case halted the pre-trial proceedings for four months, and now their Monday ruling stands likely to add many more months of litigation before a jury hears the charges.

Even some of Trumps critics, however, have defended the courts handling of the matter, noting that by standards of the high court, the dispute did move on a fast track.

You cant charge a former president for a crime for the first time in history without going to Supreme Court, Cobb said.

The DC Circuit deserves some blame for the delay, according to Cobb, as its ruling was more of a body blow than a surgical assessment of the law.

Chief Justice John Roberts opinion for the majority pointed specifically to the lack of factual analysis by the lower courts to explain why another round of pre-trial proceedings would be necessary.

More than just delaying the case, however, the Supreme Courts ruling will make the charges significantly harder to prove if the prosecution does reach a trial. The conservative majority did so by ruling that alleged conduct determined to be an official presidential act is not only subject to immunity but cannot be used as evidence to support the charges targeting Trumps unofficial conduct.

A lot of the evidence that Smith had that indicates the criminality of what Trump was trying to do has now been declared off limits, said Rosenzweig, who signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief opposing Trumps arguments in the Supreme Court case.

A Trump-appointed trial judge slow walks Smiths other case

Compared to his first-of-its-kind election subversion case, Smiths classified documents charges against that Trump was, in theory, a simpler, cleaner-cut prosecution.

The allegations that Trump unlawfully retained national defense information and then obstructed a federal investigation into the materials focus almost entirely on his conduct after leaving the White House. And much of the case resembles prosecutions brought routinely by the Justice Department against government officials who mishandle the nations secrets.

But Smith got a bad break in the south Florida judge who was handed the case, drawing in a random lottery Aileen Cannon, a young, inexperienced Trump appointee. She previously handled the lawsuit Trump brought challenging the FBIs search of Mar-a-Lago and was rebuked by a conservative appeals court for rulings that showed special treatment to the former president.

In the criminal case, Cannon has taken months to rule on pre-trial disputes that legal experts say are not close calls. Shes dragged out the proceedings by requiring days of hearings on Trumps longshot arguments. Even though she so far has rejected his efforts to toss the charges, shes hinted shed let him put in front of a jury his far-fetched and legally dubious claims about the case.

Assuming Trump does not become president and make the case go away, it could take years before the charges reach trial. And Cannons questionable handling of the case makes a messy appeal almost guaranteed.

Cannons performance is historically perverse for a federal judge, Cobb said.

Unforced error by Georgia prosecutor puts entire case at risk

If the assignment of Cannon was an incredible moment of fortune for Trump, then an unforced error in judgment by Willis was a godsend.

Her prosecution of Trump and 18 codefendants for their alleged interference in Georgias 2020 election is now on indefinite hold while the Georgia Court of Appeals reviews ethical allegations against the prosecutor for her romantic relationship with her deputy.

The appeals court could decide to disqualify Willis, a decision sources have told CNN would effectively kill the entire case.

Willis and defenders say her affair with Nathan Wade, who served as her top prosecutor, was not a violation of ethical standards. Nonetheless, it may have cost her the prosecution and even those who cheered on her case say she should have exercised better judgment given the high stakes. As the only state election interference prosecution of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, its a criminal case for which Trump could not pardon himself, even if reelected.

After the trial judge said Willis could stay on the case as long as Wade got the boot, the defendants appealed that ruling and obtained a hold on the prosecution while the appeal plays out  a process that could take many months and has effectively ensured the case will not go to trial before Novembers election.

The fallout from Williss own actions  coupled with the Supreme Courts decision on immunity  may mean that Trump never stands trial in Fulton County, regardless of whether he wins the 2024 election.

If and when the trial court proceedings are allowed to restart, the trial judge, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee will have to go through the same analysis on presidential immunity that the US Supreme Court is requiring in the federal election subversion case.

That will likely throw a big wrench into the way the case was put together, according to CNN analyst Michael Moore, pointing to the Georgia anti-racketeering law that is the foundation of the prosecution.

The usual benefit of that charge is that each defendant can be held accountable for the bad acts of their co-defendants, said Moore, who was a US attorney in Georgia under President Barack Obama. But the new Supreme Court immunity standard jeopardizes the use of much of that conduct in the case.

I think the case is likely toast as it relates to Trump, Moore said.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Kara Scannell, Lauren Fox and Zachary Cohen contributed to this report.

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Donald Trump was the luckiest man alive last Thursday. President Joe Biden's abysmal debate performance overshadowed what should have been the biggest story of the night: Trump, as he did in the 2020 presidential debate, winkingly encouraged his supporters to commit political violence. Biden correctly noted during the debate that Trump has promised to pardon the over 1,200 people charged with federal crimes for the January 6 insurrection. Trump responded by calling the rioters "innocent" and saying Biden "ought to be ashamed" because his Justice Department charged them with crimes. This echoes Trump's increasingly rabid defense of the insurrectionists on the campaign trail, where he often calls them "hostages" and "political prisoners" and holds ceremonies honoring those who are imprisoned.

Trump doesn't just glorify the insurrection because he is a narcissist who can never admit he's done anything wrong. It's part of a larger campaign to encourage more political violence from his supporters. He frequently uses "warnings" to threaten public officials. Using the pseudo-warning, Trump has threatened "bedlam" if he's prosecuted. He begged his followers to "go after" New York Attorney General Letitia James for prosecuting him for fraud. He posted a video fantasizing about kidnapping Biden. He threatened "death and destruction" if he was charged in the New York "hush money" case. He even had a rally in Waco, Texas around the anniversary of the Branch Davidian self-immolation, an unsubtle dog whistle to far-right militias that use that event to justify anti-government violence.

So far, however, Trump's open desire for more mob violence has not amounted to much. During his Manhattan criminal trial, which resulted in 34 felony convictions, Trump's desperation for another January 6 reached a fever pitch. He was all over social media and in front of cameras pleading with his followers to "rally"  barely code after the Capitol riot  but to no avail. There are many reasons for this, but at the top of the list was the widespread fear among right-wing radicals of going to prison, which feels a lot more real now that hundreds of their brethren went to lock-up for the insurrection.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

Every time Trump or his surrogates calls for a "rally" to intimidate public officials, conspiracy theories fly around MAGA social media, claiming it's a "set-up" by the FBI and/or "antifa." However much anyone believes this, it's obvious what they're doing: Creating a face-saving excuse not to risk prison. No matter how much Trump may laud the January 6 insurrectionists, their fate has lingered as a warning to the rest of MAGA about what's coming if they commit more violence in Trump's name.

Or, at least that was true until Friday. In Fischer v. U.S., the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a January 6 defendant who argued that he was wrongly convicted under a law criminalizing the obstruction of an official proceeding. As Amy Howe at SCOTUSblog explained, the court ruled the law "applies only to evidence tampering, such as destruction of records or documents, in official proceedings."

The ruling led to headlines that made it sound like a big win for the January 6 rioters. Words like "strike down" and "improperly charged" featured heavily in headlines. Yes, headline writers did try to soften the blow with words like "some" and "limits scope." For those who live in the alternative reality constructed by MAGA media, however, these modifiers will likely mean little. They've been hearing for years from Trump, Republican politicians, and talking heads like Tucker Carlson that they were done dirty by the Biden Justice Department. Many are likely ready to round this up to a total victory  and a reassurance they won't be prosecuted for future violence.

Legal eagles did swiftly explain that this decision is limited and unlikely to do much to change the fates of the 1,200+ people who have been charged with crimes from the riot. That includes Trump, whose "fake electors" scheme in his indictment appears to fall outside the ruling's narrow scope since his conspiracy was so paperwork-centric. An analysis at Just Security demonstrated that, with small tweaks to their cases, prosecutors can keep the original charges in place. Even more importantly, the legal analysts write, "only 26 of these defendants have been (or were scheduled to be) sentenced solely" under this charge. They even included a helpful pie chart.

A relief, no doubt, to both prosecutors and people nerdy enough to pay attention to these granular legal details. The message sent to MAGA is very different. It's not exactly a group of people gifted with the patience and comprehension to understand these nuanced legal analyses. Instead, MAGA world moved to declare victory and total exoneration.

BREAKING The Supreme Court has just ruled that charges brought against January 6th patriots are NOT VALID.



Hundreds of Americans that are being held as political prisoners for protesting a sham election will be released.



THANK YOU SCOTUS! pic.twitter.com/47yoo4vUxw  The Trump Train  (@The_Trump_Train) June 28, 2024

In a vacuum, this could be viewed as inconsequential chest-thumping. But this is happening in a context where the threatening language and normalization of political violence is spreading way beyond Trump into the larger GOP. "Extremism monitors have warned for years that Trumps incendiary rhetoric inspires real-world attacks. Assailants have invoked his name in dozens of violent episodes," the Washington Post reported last week. Just this month, the first vice chairman of the Maricopa County Republican Committee, Shelby Busch, was caught on video threatening to "lynch" election officials who correctly record ballot counts that don't favor Republicans. More candidates are echoing Trump's threats to "jail" anyone who opposes him. Some, like congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini, R-Fl., are even running paid ads with the threats.

Im running for Congress to imprison as many Democrats as possible



Vote for me if you believe Democrats are the enemy and must be jailed & removed from public life https://t.co/c1JWTh1vVJ  Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) May 30, 2024

Last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued another warning about the rising threat of violence against government workers, telling the Washington Post, "Threats of violence targeting any public servant are abhorrent." The Post laid out some recent chilling examples, including a man who threatened to murder FBI agents if Trump loses in November and another who threatened to murder Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mon., and his whole family.

All this was before the Supreme Court issued a ruling being read in many corners as a broad invalidation of charges against January 6 rioters. As we learned in the days after the riot, many  if not most  of the insurrectionists acted on the belief that people like them would never face legal consequences for political violence. That's why they filmed themselves during the insurrection and uploaded all the photographic evidence used to convict so many of them. A big part of Trump's appeal to his followers is the sense of impunity he breeds, where "criminal" is based on who you are, not what you do. A lot of MAGA is ready to believe their white skin and right-wing politics should immunize them from consequences. Regardless of what the Supreme Court's decision says, we should not be surprised if it's read by Trump's supporters as an invitation to commit more political violence.
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)

OKLAHOMA CITY  More than 80 laws signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt went into effect on Monday.

A law that targets undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma was intended to go into effect on Monday, but has been blocked by a federal court. The law creates a new crime called impermissible occupation for willfully entering Oklahoma without legal authorization to be in the country.

Of the 82 laws that took effect on Monday, nearly 30 of them were related to education.

One law requires that all third through fifth graders be taught to read and write in cursive. Another requires any electronic communication between an individual student and school personnel to include a parent or guardian.

A law originating in the Senate requires that the Oklahoma State Department of Education offer a universal, electronic application to families to apply for free or reduced school meals.

A law passed in 2023 created the Statewide Charter School Board, taking control of the states virtual charter schools. The creation of this board has garnered some attention as St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School has announced it will continue to fight to open as a state-funded school, now in front of this new board.

Other laws affect elections, like Senate Bill 290. This law increases pay for election inspectors as well as election judges and clerks. Inspectors will now make $225, up from $110. Judges and clerks will now earn $200, up from $100.

Incarcerated individuals will not be allowed to receive state tuition assistance or grants until their incarceration is within five years of ending under another new law.

July 1 also marks the beginning of Oklahomas fiscal year so many of the states appropriation bills went into effect Monday, as well.

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The post Dozens of new laws take effect July 1 appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, David Mnangagwa, acknowledged that the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) currency in April has been characterized by a gradual release into the market amidst a notable scarcity of the local currency.Since its launch to replace the Zimdollar (ZWL$), there has been a growing shortage of ZWG, raising concerns that this could encourage greater reliance on the United States dollar and contradict the government's efforts to de-dollarize the economy.While both the government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) have assured that banks possess sufficient ZWG to meet market demands, Mnangagwa explained in an interview with NewsDay Business that the cautious distribution of ZWG aims to safeguard its value.He highlighted a significant shift from the ZWL$ era, noting reduced circulation velocity where holders of ZWG tend to retain it due to its perceived stability. Mnangagwa emphasized that this cautious approach prevents excessive money supply, aligning with a structured framework aimed at maintaining financial stability.Regarding concerns about cash shortages impacting daily operations and consumer livelihoods, Mnangagwa clarified that the RBZ has taken proactive steps to address these challenges, including the establishment of withdrawal points for ZWG in various cities through Homelink.Economist Vince Musewe underscored the necessity of balancing money supply to support economic activity, asserting that adequate liquidity is vital for savings and transactions, essential components for economic growth. He cautioned that insufficient ZWG availability could disrupt economic activities and called for effective management by the RBZ to avoid adverse effects on the economy.
FILE PHOTO: A bottle of Zantac heartburn drug is seen in this picture illustration

By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - A Delaware judge rebuffed a request by GSK and other drugmakers to appeal a ruling allowing more than 70,000 lawsuits claiming that the heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer to go forward.

The ruling by Judge Vivian Medinilla of the Delaware Superior Court means that the drugmakers, which also include Pfizer, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, will have to ask the Delaware Supreme Court directly for permission to appeal. GSK said it already submitted its appeal to that court.

If the state high court declines to take the appeal, it will clear the way for the Zantac lawsuits to go to trial.

"Judge Medinilla resoundingly rejected GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, and Sanofi's attempt to end run around the jury system in Delaware," said Jennifer Moore, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

GSK in a statement said "the scientific consensus remains that there is no consistent or reliable evidence that ranitidine increases the risk of any cancer." Ranitidine is the active ingredient in the now discontinued drug.

Lawsuits began piling up after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020 asked manufacturers to pull the drug off the market over concerns that ranitidine could degrade into a cancer-causing chemical called NDMA over time or when exposed to heat.

The drugmakers say Medinilla should have kept the plaintiffs from introducing expert testimony that Zantac can cause cancer, as a federal judge did in 2022 in about 50,000 claims centralized in Florida.

The plaintiffs' cases depend on that testimony, and cannot go to trial without it.

Industry groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce backed the drugmakers' appeal in a filing last month, saying letting Medinilla's ruling stand had relaxed the standards for evidence in the traditionally business-friendly state and threatened to turn it into "a hotbed of products-liability and mass-tort litigation."

Medinilla wrote on Monday that she had not adopted a different standard from the Florida federal judge, but simply reached a different conclusion about the evidence in the case.

First approved in 1983, Zantac became the world's best-selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first to top $1 billion in annual sales. It was originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK and later sold successively to other companies.

The vast majority of pending cases are in Delaware. Only one case, against GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim in Illinois, has gone to trial, ending in a victory for the companies last month.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
Duke Health OB/GYN Dr. Beverly Gray (Photo: Courtesy of Scholars@Duke)

Its been two years now since the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion care and since then, numerous states  including North Carolina  have moved rapidly to end or greatly restrict abortion access. In 2023, Republican state legislators in Raleigh enacted a law that both bans abortion after the 12th week of gestation and imposes several additional burdensome restrictions for early term abortions.

So, whats been the effect of these changes  both on the health of women and the pregnancy care they receive and the health professionals who try to provide that care? Recently, NC Newsline caught up with one of the states best-informed experts on these subjects, Duke Health OB/GYN Dr. Beverly Gray, to find out.

The post Duke Health physician Dr. Beverly Gray on state of reproductive healthcare in North Carolina appeared first on NC Newsline.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Although bats are commonly thought of as a symbol of Halloween, that doesnt mean you wont see them during other parts of the year. In fact, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Utahns may see more bats around the summer as baby bats are learning to fly and leave their roosts for the first time.

DWR said that Utah is home to 18 confirmed bat species, with the greatest diversity of bat species in the southern part of the state.

Six tips to avoid run-ins with bears this summer

According to DWR, Utahs bat species feed almost exclusively on insects. Bats rely on standing water for both drinking and as a source of insects, with female bats needing more water when producing milk for their young.

Bat hands from capture bag. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)

DWR said that when insects arent available during the winter months, many of Utahs bats either migrate or hibernate. Sometimes, bats will hibernate in caves and mines, or, as recent research in western states shows, crevices of cliffs. DWR said that bats in Utah do not usually hibernate in large groups like they do in many eastern U.S. states but rather, in small groups or by themselves.

Five Utah bat species migrate each year. They fly south from late August through October and then return in April and May.

To keep both yourself and the bats safe, DWR shared tips on what you should do if you do encounter bats.

Encounters with bats seem to spike in September as the migratory species, especially the Mexican free-tailed bat, move around Utah, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Mammal Conservation Coordinator Kimberly Hersey said. However, there are a few simple things that homeowners can do to prevent conflicts during these times of year when bats are the most active.

What to do if bats are roosting in your attic:

According to DWR, groups of bats in a home are often colonies of female bats and their young. They said that females typically come out of hibernation and take up residence in a structure to give birth, usually in May or June. After having babies, female bats increase their activity to support lactation. The young also start to become more active and learn to fly. Around this time, people typically begin to notice bats more.

From June to August is the hardest time of year for dealing with bat nuisance issues, Hersey said. Since the young cant fly yet and are reliant on their mothers milk, preventing the mothers from returning to their roosting spot will kill the babies. Because bats are a protected wildlife species, its illegal to kill them. Ive also seen where poorly timed removals can lead to bats in attics suddenly finding their way inside someones home because the mothers are trying to reach their young.

Hersey said, that due to these reasons, unless there is a human health and safety issue where bats are coming into close contact with people, DWR does not permit bat colony removal during this time of year.

However, you can take actions to prevent them from getting into the living areas of your home. Although it may be inconvenient, you should wait until the young can fly, and then you can safely, humanely and permanently address the problem, she said.

DWR said if you suspect there is a bat colony in your attic, call a local, permitted wildlife nuisance control company.

How to prevent bats from roosting in your attic:

Cool your attic with fans.

Inspect the outside of the building for openings and gaps in siding, chimneys and roof lines.

Seal cracks and holes with caulking, hardware cloth, foam rubber, foam sealant, tar paper and chimney caps. Do not do this during May through August when bats typically have pups. DWR said fall is the best time to seal these openings, especially as bats are vacating their roosts.

After August, when the young can fly, you can also place bird netting over an exterior opening. Staple it down at the tops and sides, leaving the base open. Bats will be able to drop down the netting to leave, but cannot reenter. Leave the netting in place for four to five days, or until all the bats have left, then seal the holes.

What to do if you discover bats inside your house

DWR said to never carry bats with your bare hands as they can carry rabies. If you do have physical contact with a bat, contact your local health department for guidance. DWR said if you find a bat inside the living area of your home, open a door or window, turn off the lights and turn on a porch light outside. Leave the room and allow the bat to leave on its own.

If the bat does not make it outside on its own, heres how DWR said you can carefully remove it.

Wear heavy leather gloves and place a small box or can over the bat.

Create a lid by sliding a piece of cardboard between the can and surface where the bat was located.

Take the bat outside and release it on a tree or other high object.

Bats will occasionally use porches or overhangs as a night roost. If bats are regularly using a porch, try hanging streamers, balloons or other objects like old CDs that will move with the breeze to deter them.

For more information on bats and safety, visit Wild Aware.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Guest Opinion. In a story that is repeated every spring, another high school student (Native American) was forced to remove their mortar board at graduation because they had used an eagle feather with the tassel in addition to other beading additions. This time, May 2024, it occurred in a place that should have known better (or responded better)  Farmington, New Mexico just outside the Navajo Nation.

As the national anthem played during the 2024 Farmington High School graduation ceremony in New Mexico, two staff members approached the Hunkpapa Lakota graduate and told her to remove her mortarboard. White Bulls mortarboard was decorated around the edges with beadwork and featured an aopazan, or eagle plume, as a tassel.

After the incident the American Indian College Fun expressed their support of Native students wearing traditional items to recognize their graduation. Here is an ad from AICF:

Possession of Eagle Feathers

The possession of eagle feathers is prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Just the possession of eagle feathers is allowed in the U.S. only by Native American members of federally recognized tribes, for those with an educational purpose and museums. Eagle feathers owned before eagles were first protected by Federal law (1940 for bald eagles, and 1962 for golden eagles) or those passed down within a family or received as gifts. (However a Native Americans cannot legally gift a non-Native American with an eagle feather).

Possessing an eagle feather could mean a fine of $5,000 and/or one year in jail.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

But possession of eagle feathers is not as easy as it may sound for Native Americans. First, Native Americans cannot just collect a bald or golden eagle in the wild  they have to obtain them from the National Eagle Depository managed by the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Agency. The applicant must be a Native American from a federally recognized tribe and at least 18 years old. Native Americans report they have been waiting years for their requested eagle feather(s). This is a religious exception to the statute.

The Yankton Sioux Tribe successfully challenged the federal statues to enforce their treaty right to take eagles, in United States v. Dion (1986). But this is a unique case.

The National Eagle Depository can also supply eagle feathers for graduations. A school representative may begin making requests  one at a time starting at the beginning of the school year. This federal involvement in graduations indicates there is a recognition of the significance of this practice with eagle feathers.

These long wait times for eagle feathers has created a black market for them. In Montana, a man was caught on a killing spree on the Flathead Reservation, who had killed over 3,000 birds. He was selling the feathers to Native Americans and others. Similarly, a man in South Dakota in 2023 was sentenced to three years in prison for killing eagles.

The government decides who can have their Native American religion

The term federally recognized tribe, refers to those tribes on a list found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that has been established by the U.S. Supreme Court to be a political relationship. Without this political relationship a Native American cannot practice their religion or engage in this religious practice of using eagle feathers, whether it is to wear in graduation or wave over a burning shell of sage, to send the smoke with a prayer to the creator. So the religious exemption is actually a political relationship exemption masked with a religious exemption rationale.

This has led to arrests of Native Americans who are not members of federal recognized tribes, while even participated in powwows, side by side with a sister tribe that may be federally recognized. In 2001, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, upheld the conviction of a Native American, not a member of a federally recognized tribe, holding that [A]llowing tribal members to possess eagle feathers for purposes of worship according to the Native American traditions is rationally related to the government's obligation to preserve tribes' heritage and culture. But this is based on the trust relationship between the federal government and Tribes, not a religious exemption. Thus they also avoided violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Yet, the Department of Interior still maintains the permit is for a religious exemption.

Looking forward

The government should not be in the business of deciding who can have what religion in America. Those Native Americans not affiliated with those tribes in a political relationship with the federal government, should not be discriminated against for their religion, much less arrested! They should be restricted to the same limitations as federal recognized tribal members, which are no small burden  years of waiting for permitted possession of eagle fathers from the National Eagle Depository.

If a student could request permission to wear an eagle feather at the beginning of the year in which they graduate, should that not be sufficient? Uniformity has value, but is an eagle feather and other similar sized items really going to destroy the sea of black robes? Rules are important and an important lesson, so why not demonstrate how rules can be followed? Almost all regulations make room for exceptions and so should graduation ceremonies, through appropriate and timely requests.

So the next time you hear a school administrator forcefully demanding an eagle feather to be taken from the clothing of a Native American graduating student, consider the years that eagle feather may have been in that family, or the years they waited for it from the federal governments approved source.

To read more articles by Professor Sutton go to: https://profvictoria.substack.com/

Professor Victoria Sutton (Lumbee) is a law professor on the faculty of Texas Tech University. In 2005, Sutton became a founding member of the National Congress of American Indians, Policy Advisory Board to the NCAI Policy Center, positioning the Native American community to act and lead on policy issues affecting Indigenous communities in the United States.

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
Yes, it was that bad. A devious Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of lies, and all President Joe Biden could offer was a pallid, halting presentation  failing to counter the former presidents falsehoods or make a strong case for his reelection.

The American economy is the envy of the world. Abortion rights are under threat due to Trumps appointments to the Supreme Court. The sitting president is on the right side of public opinion on gun rights, health care and much more  immigration remains a very real vulnerability  yet he was less persuasive than a reasonably well-educated man on the street, offering an all-you-can-eat word salad bar in stumbling answer after mumbling answer.

None of this came as a surprise. Even Joe Bidens strongest supporters have known for months that he is rusty when unscripted in public. That doesnt mean he is an ineffective president; by all accounts, he understands complex questions and makes intelligent decisions. He has a strong team around him, both in the White House and in federal agencies.

But an election is a binary contest: A candidate either wins or loses, and that win or loss is based not on some elevated intellectual analysis of the quality of the job he does. The political impressions we sometimes dismiss as mere optics are, for millions of swing and low-information voters, decisive. A candidate with massive political liabilities and insufficient political strengths does no favors to his cause, however just.

This was not about a stumble or two. The consistent and holistic impression of the night from Biden was of a man who couldnt make a coherent argument for himself, his party or his ideals. A man who at 81 is well past his prime is now asking the public to reelect him to serve until he is the age of 86.

Biden has some real accomplishments achieved and he feels that he has been a better president than Trump and would be a better president than Trump even at that advanced age. That is not the question, however. The question is whether he can beat Trump in November.

In the 1960s and earlier, both national parties were strong organizations led by bosses with the power to step in and tell a candidate to step aside. No longer: The president is the head of the party; his power comes straight from the voters. Biden ran essentially unopposed in the primaries and at this late date will be the nominee in November unless he himself makes the affirmative choice to bow out.

It would indeed be a big gamble for Biden to step aside. An open convention would be messy, and whoever was hastily chosen  Vice President Kamala Harris or someone else from a plenty-talented field of governors and senators  would have to scramble to rally the Democratic coalition, much less win over independents and any persuadable Republicans.

But after Thursday nights debate, its equally apparent to those who fear a second Trump term that keeping Biden is also a big gamble.

The choice is Bidens. The moment to search his soul is now. He must make a decision motivated not by pride, but by digging deep and honestly answering a difficult question: Is he the Democrats best option to put up a fight against Donald Trump?

___
Now comes before us again Matthew DePerno.

So a judge might introduce this character into a trial summation.

Given DePerno thinks himself qualified and capable to be one of Michigans seven state Supreme Court justices, we may as well take a judicial tone in discussing him, at least for a sentence or two.

*clears throat*

Now comes before us again Matthew DePerno, trounced at the ballot box in 2022 as the Republican candidate for attorney general, then unable to inflate his campaign clown car tires to get elected GOP chair in the partys convention circus held afterwards.

And now comes DePerno, who was indicted in August 2023 and awaits trial on four charges of illegal access to voting machines following the 2020 presidential election and his  is delusional an appropriate description here?  campaign to somehow prove Donald Trump was wrongly cheated from winning re-election as president. Also indicted were former state Rep. Daire Rendon and attorney Elizabeth Lambert. The charges involve allegedly illegally obtaining and accessing voting tabulators from local governments in Barry, Missaukee and Roscommon counties.

So, then, now comes DePerno, announcing he seeks the Republican nomination for a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. Should he get that nomination, at the partys Aug. 24 convention (where will the convention be? Who knows? The party aint talking right now), he will run for Michigans highest court, while awaiting criminal trial.

And should he win  time for a really big breath now  he would be a sitting Supreme Court justice while awaiting and then undergoing a criminal trial.

Which makes DePerno right now one of the best known lawyers in the world, as stories about the indicted lawyer who challenged President Joe Bidens election now running for Michigan Supreme Court have appeared in at least half the U.S. states and one other nation. Ahh, fame. Or maybe, ahhh, infamy.

Attorney Matt DePerno, who unsuccessfully ran for Michigan attorney general in November 2022, is now a candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court.

Down the DePerno rabbit hole

Why does DePerno say he should sit on the Supreme Court? In his own words: After watching the abuse of our legal system both here in Michigan, as well as across the country, it is clear that the Michigan Supreme Court needs members that are committed to following the constitution and rule of law."

The abuse here in Michigan, one presumes, is his own indictment. The abuse nationwide is apparently former President Donald Trump being judged guilty in a hush-money case by a jury of his peers, as well as the other trials hes facing.

There are a lot of elements to this situation, beyond whether DePerno is really fit for office. The wacky way we choose Supreme Court justices, for one. How one runs for Supreme Court is another. The monumentally stupid phrase activist judge  if you draw a judicial paycheck you have to be an activist because you must both apply and interpret law  is another.

There is also the fact DePerno is, like a certain former president, doing all he can to delay and toss his charges off track (which is, yes, his right, no one is arguing that) though it also delays the course of justice.

There is also the sad memory of former governor and former Supreme Court Justice John Swainson. In this reporters mind, Swainson was a very wronged man. Compared to Swainson, figuratively, the jury  should an actual jury be seated  is out on DePerno.

More from John Lindstrom: I was a student during Vietnam. Today's protests aren't that different.

But does he believe in Santa Claus?

DePerno is one of the swampy Republican bases new darlings.

A working lawyer for several decades, practicing tax and government law out of Portage, near Kalamazo, his name is on a number of cases in appellate court records. He's had several complaints filed against them, though no judgments have been rendered. (Well, there were sanctions against him for his part in a case involving former state Rep. Todd Courser and Detroit News reporter  and my buddy  Chad Livengood. But those are not quite the same.)

One complaint was filed by retired Van Buren County Judge William Buhl, who said in an interview with radio station WMUK that he watched DePerno in action in court for several days and saw what I thought were egregious billing behaviors. He also felt DePerno had misadvised his clients on the law, and then tried to collect from them by foreclosing on a property his clients had mortgaged on DePernos advice. Buhl considered DePernos conduct outrageous.

DePernos celebrity rests solely on his efforts to prove Trump the victim of massive voter fraud. He has failed to prove it because there is no proof. No proof in Michigan, or anywhere. Nowhere has a single shred of verifiable evidence been produced of massive voter fraud in 2020, yet DePerno and millions of puportedly rational adults continue to believe and promote the fantasy. Cripes, Santa Claus cant get that kind of unwavering belief.

DePerno has used that failed fantasy to drive his equally failed campaigns for attorney general and for Republican Party chair. After his indictment for, um, trying to play footsie with voting machines, his law practices website featured a statement: This is Unbelievable! Matthew DePerno is fighting for you. On August 1, 2023, (DePerno) was indicted by (Attorney General) Dana Nessel and (Governor) Gretchen Whitmer for defending the Constitution and supporting your rights to fair and free elections. You can help Matt defend his honor and restore our American society by contributing to his legal defense, Since November 2020, weve been al be (sic) victims of the left wing deep state. Lets work together to make American (sic) great again.

More from John Lindstrom: To run for president in 2028, Gretchen Whitmer must deliver Michigan in 2024

That's not how any of this works

First, DePerno was not indicted by Nessel or Whitmer (the governor can't indict people, anyway). DePerno was indicted by a Grand Jury in Oakland County following an investigation by a special prosecutor, Muskegon County Prosecutor D. J. Hilson. DePerno will undergo, at a time yet to be determined, a preliminary exam in Oakland District Court  a conference call on that is supposed to take place sometime in July  before a trial starts before Oakland Circuit Court Chief Judge Jeffrey Matis.

Like Trump, DePerno turned his situation into a fundraising opportunity  we have no idea how much he may have raised, nor whether any of that may go to whatever kind of campaign he runs for however far he gets in his bid for the Supreme Court.

Based on all of his statements, we know what DePernos goal as a Supreme Court Justice will be, and how he would rule in specific cases. This fact ethically and morally makes DePerno utterly unfit to serve as a judge on any bench, let alone Michigans highest court.

Campaigning as a judge is tricky because you cannot, should not, must not, say how you would rule in a case. A judge mustnt prejudge. Which, campaign-wise, means a judicial candidate has to stand on background, reputation, name identification and how well they mutter mush on judging fairly. Of those, frankly, name ID is the best way to get elected judge to any bench.

DePerno has name ID for clearly violating judicial campaign standards.

Under Michigan campaign rules that may not stop him from running for the Supreme Court, but it should convince Republicans not to nominate him and if he is nominated, should convince voters not to support him.

George Romney (left) and Gov. John Swainson, running for governor in 1962.

The John Swainson ending you were waiting for

Oh, John Swainson.

Swainson, born in Canada, raised in Port Huron, volunteered when he was 18 for the U.S. Army during World War II. By the age of 19 he lost both his legs clearing mines from battlefields. He was elected to the state Senate, then served as Lieutenant Governor and was one of Michigans youngest governors when elected in 1960. He lost his re-election in 1962 to George Romney. (Before the current 1963 Constitution, governors served two-year terms.) In 1970, he was elected to the Supreme Court, where he served with distinction.

... Until 1975, when he was accused of taking a bribe. Swainson underwent a criminal trial, where he was acquitted of the bribery charge but convicted of perjury. Which makes no sense (and having served on five juries, I suspect the jurors were trying to split the difference). It destroyed Swainsons life, leading him to alcoholism. His friends terrified he would commit suicide. He struggled to restore himself, and in the 1980s, to the joy of many, he was named head of the Michigan Historical Commission. He died at age 68, his reputation somewhat restored, but to many still a horribly wronged man.

Matt DePerno, John Swainson you aint.

John Lindstrom in the Detroit Free Press photo studio in downtown Detroit on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.

Free Press contributing columnist John Lindstrom has covered Michigan politics for 50 years. He retired as publisher of Gongwer, a Lansing news service, in 2019. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online or in print.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Election denier's run for Michigan Supreme Court is delusional
A history professor with a near-perfect record of predicting presidential elections dismissed talk of Joe Biden dropping out of the race after his disastrous debate performance on Thursday.

Allan Lichtman  an American University professor who helped create a keys to the White House model for predicting presidential races  spoke with CNNs Abby Phillip in an interview in which he shut down talk from pundits, pollsters, and analysts who he said have no track record of predicting elections.

And yet they come on, and they claim they know how this debate is going to affect the outcome of elections. They have no idea, Lichtman told Phillip on Friday.

The remarks on Biden, whose family members reportedly called on him to continue his push for a second term this weekend, arrive amid a fallout for the president among Democrats.

Lichtman, who has accurately predicted nine of the last 10 presidential elections, later declared that the debate would have zero impact on the presidential race.

Debates are not predictive of outcomes, said the professor, who pointed to debate performances by Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and former President Barack Obama.

He continued, Thats why we rely on the 13 keys which tap into the structure of how elections really work. And they show that Democrats really only chance to win, contrary to everything youve heard, is with Biden running.

Phillip later flagged a problem with Democrats considering a Biden replacement due to uncertainty around his ability to physically carry out the rest of his campaign.

Lichtman brushed the talk aside and noted that questions over Bidens physical capabilities are not coming from doctors.

So this is all foolhardy nonsense. The same pundits and pollsters who led us down the primrose path in 2016 are giving the Democrats horrible advice, he said.

He continued, Republicans are sticking with a blatant liar who lied for every one minute and 20 seconds of that debate. Donald Trump put out a lie. And by the way, lies stick. Debate performances can be overcome. And now the first sign of, you know, adversity, the spineless Democrats want to throw under the bus their own incumbent president. My goodness.

Related...
ST. LOUIS  One of FOX 2s longest employees just announced his time here is coming to an end. Elliott Davis says he is retiring on August 2, after 45 years. He says hes grateful to have been able to help so many people through journalism. Elliott says hes enjoyed his career from start to finish but now hes looking forward to spending time with his daughter and granddaughter.

I truly believe God laid out a path for my life that would allow me to help people in need and he gave me the support to survive this 45 year run. I started out as a kid from the housing projects neighborhood and ended up interviewing governors, presidents and other top officials, Davis writes on Facebook. I also want to thank you, the viewers, for supporting our efforts for all these decades. Without you, I wouldnt still be here. Without you, You Paid For It, would not have had the impact that I believe its had for so many years.

Investigative reporter Elliott Davis is known for his impactful You Paid For It segments that expose government waste. He has held various officials accountable, from mayors to presidents, and has sparked significant legislative changes. His dedication to addressing social issues extends to his personal time, notably highlighting the struggles of the homeless.

Daviss career achievements include a regional Murrow Award for his work on homelessness, Emmy Awards, and numerous other accolades from journalism and law enforcement organizations. He played a pivotal role in the Close the Workhouse movement, which began with his viral Facebook post showing prisoners suffering without air conditioning. This advocacy led to ongoing efforts to improve conditions in St. Louis jails.

Daviss investigations have led to numerous reforms, including overhauling vehicle emissions testing in Missouri, passing towing legislation in Illinois, and improving educational opportunities by dissolving ineffective school districts. His work has also resulted in the renovation of public housing complexes and the ouster of corrupt officials.

A native St. Louisan, Davis attended Vashon High School and earned a bachelors degree in political science from Cornell University. His commitment to public accountability and his recognizable on-air presence have made him a trusted figure in St. Louis journalism.

Over the next month, well be honoring Elliott and looking at some of his career highlights. You will see those tributes on-air and 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 FOX 2.
An appellate court issued an emergency motion lifting the block on part of the Education Department's student debt relief plan, a victory for the Biden administration in the ongoing legal battle.

In a 2-1 ruling issued on Sunday, Judge David Ebel, a Reagan appointee, and Carolyn McHugh, an Obama appointee, ruled in favor of the emergency order allowing a provision lowering payments to be implemented. Judge Timothy Tymkovich, appointed by George W. Bush, voted against the emergency order in the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Background: Last week, two Obama-appointed federal judges in Missouri and Kansas issued separate preliminary injunctions against different parts of the SAVE Plan. In the Kansas case, a provision of the program was blocked that would allow lower payments starting July 1. Under the SAVE Plan, the cap on payments for undergraduate borrowers was supposed to decrease to 5 percent of their discretionary income, down from 10 percent starting.

That provision will now go forward under the emergency order.

Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit sided with student loan borrowers across the country who stand to benefit from the SAVE Plan  the most affordable repayment plan in history," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. "Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE Plan can still access its considerable benefits, including undergraduate loan payments cut in half, as well as protection against interest accruing if borrowers are making their monthly payments.

Education Department officials said the agency had been preparing stopgap measures to comply with the injunction, but has directed student loan servicers not to take those steps because they are no longer necessary. The Department said last week that it planned to take down the online SAVE application and loan consolidation form, but both of those will now remain online.

Separately, Judge John A. Ross of the Eastern District of Missouri blocked the Education Department from carrying out any further loan forgiveness for borrowers under the SAVE program until he decides the full case. The Education Department filed an appeal in that case, but it was denied. The agency has not asked the appeals court for a stay, and no action has been taken blocking Ross' ruling from taking effect.

The lawsuits challenging the SAVE Plan were filed by Republican-led states.

What's next: The Education Department announced last week before the emergency order that it would suspend monthly student loan payments and interest for some 3 million borrowers. These borrowers will remain in forbearance for July but will be expected to make their first lower payments in August.

If a borrower's payments had been put on hold before these court rulings because what they owe was being recalculated, their first monthly payment will be due in August and will reflect the new, lower amount of 5 percent of their income on undergraduate loans.
UIUC Study: AI Agents Can Exploit Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

In a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), researchers demonstrated that large language model (LLM) agents can autonomously exploit real-world cybersecurity vulnerabilities, raising critical concerns about the widespread deployment and security of these advanced AI systems.

The study, "LLM Agents can Autonomously Hack Websites," conducted by Richard Fang, Rohan Bindu, Akul Gupta, and Daniel Kang, found that GPT-4, the leading LLM developed by OpenAI, can successfully exploit 87% of one-day vulnerabilities when provided with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) descriptions. (The CVE is a publicly listed catalog of known security threats.)

This constitutes a massive leap from the 0% success rate achieved by previous models and open source vulnerability scanners, such as the ZAP web app scanner and the Metasploit penetration testing framework.

The researchers collected a dataset of 15 real-world, one-day vulnerabilities, including those categorized as critical severity in the CVE description. When tested, GPT-4 could exploit 87% of these vulnerabilities, while models such as GPT-3.5 and other open-source LLMs failed to exploit any. Without the CVE descriptions, GPT-4's success rate plummeted to 7%, indicating that while GPT-4 is adept at exploiting known vulnerabilities, it struggles to identify them independently.

These findings are both impressive and concerning. The ability of LLM agents to autonomously exploit vulnerabilities poses a significant threat to cybersecurity. As AI models become more powerful, their potential misuse for malicious purposes becomes more likely. The study highlights the need for the cybersecurity community and AI developers to carefully consider the deployment and capabilities of these agents.

"We need to balance the incredible potential of these AI systems with the very real risks they pose," study co-author Kang said in a statement. "Our findings suggest that while GPT-4 can be a powerful tool for finding and exploiting vulnerabilities, it also underscores the need for robust safeguards and responsible deployment."

The study's authors call for more research into improving the planning and exploration capabilities of AI agents, as well as the development of more sophisticated defense mechanisms. Enhancing the security of AI systems and ensuring they are used ethically will be crucial in preventing potential misuse.

"Our work shows the dual-edged nature of these powerful AI tools," co-author Fang said. "While they hold great promise for advancing many fields, including cybersecurity, we must be vigilant about their potential for harm."

As LLMs continue to evolve, their capabilities will only increase. This study serves as a stark reminder of the need for careful oversight and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of these technologies. The cybersecurity community must stay ahead of potential threats by continuously improving defensive measures and fostering collaboration between researchers, developers, and policymakers.

The full report is available here.
Invasive species are all over the place, largely because of human activities. But one entrepreneur has figured out a way to reduce the number of one type of invasive fish by turning it into pet treats, Goodness Exchange reported.

The acari is a type of catfish that is native to South America. However, in recent years, it has made its way up to Texas, Florida, and Mexico, where it is known as a suckermouth or pez diablo, aka "devil fish." The species is popular among aquarium owners for its ability to suck up incredible amounts of algae  which may be how it found its way up north in the first place  but that same ability makes it a resource-depleting nightmare in ecosystems where it is not native, as NPR detailed.

Though the fish is edible, getting people to eat it has been something of a problem, per the news outlet, as many erroneously believe that it is poisonous.

Dogs tend to be less picky than humans, though, which led entrepreneur Mike Mitchell to begin marketing it to owners instead, via his company Pezzy Pets. The website describes the product as "single and limited ingredient treats made exclusively from invasive fish." The snacks are high in protein, per Goodness Exchange, and come in biodegradable packaging.

Mitchell first came across the fish in 2014 and has been trying to market and sell the devil fish since at least 2017, first as fillets for humans to eat, then as a fish jerky that he hoped would disguise its somewhat unappetizing appearance, and now as pet treats.

Getting someone to eat these fish is a big step in protecting local waters for the native species that live there and the fishers and other visitors that love them.

Mitchell's persistence in coming up with a way to remove these invasive fish from North American waters is admirable. Other similar efforts to reduce populations of invasive fish species by eating them include a tournament to catch the invasive snakehead in Maryland, another tournament in Illinois to catch Asian carp, and an initiative to increase the culinary popularity of the invasive lionfish.

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Estonia says it could hold out against a Russian attack 'for a couple of weeks' before NATO arrives

Estonia says it could hold out against a Russian attack 'for a couple of weeks' before NATO arrives

Estonia could resist a Russian attack for two weeks before NATO support arrives, a top commander said.

The Baltic states have ramped up their defense amid fears Russia's aggression could turn on them.

Estonia shares a border with Russia. In 2024, its defense spending will be more than 3% of its GDP.

Estonia could resist a Russian attack for two weeks before NATO support came in, a top Estonian commander said.

The NATO country, which shares a land border with Russia, "would be able to resist an invasion for a couple of weeks," Colonel Mati Tikerpuu, the chief of one of Estonia's two army brigades, told El Pais.

He said this would be "long enough until allied reinforcements arrive."

Estonia, which has a population of just 1.4 million, says its defense spending in 2024 will be more than 3% of GDP  far beyond most NATO countries' contributions  amid deteriorating relations with Russia and alarm at the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As a proportion of GDP, Estonia has also given Ukraine more military aid than any other country.

At the same time, American, British and French troops are a frequent presence at the training base Tikerpuu spoke from, some 10 miles from the border with Russia, the Spanish outlet reported  a sign of NATO's boosted approach to the region.

In an interview in February, Tikerpuu told ERR, Estonia's national broadcaster, that "nothing can be excluded" when it comes to preparing for a possible Russian attack.

The war in Ukraine has given Estonia something of a preview, which has helped it prepare its own forces' priorities, he told the outlet.

Drones and artillery would be central to any conflict, he said, noting that Russia still favors massed "meat wave" attacks over the expense of using its high-precision weapons.

Despite ramped-up military spending, Estonia's armed forces are limited; its army has no main battle tanks, and its single operational military air base, near Tallinn, has no combat aircraft.

In 2022, its defense department announced the purchase of six US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems, to be delivered this year.

A recent Estonian intelligence report estimated that Russia plans to station almost 40,000 troops near the border over the coming years, El Pais reported.

That figure dwarfs Estonia's own active-duty force of 4,200 troops  although it has just under 40,000 trained reservists, a product of the country's conscription policy.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told Business Insider last year of her concern that Russia is "the most direct threat to European security right now."

In March, the US approved a $228 million defense aid package for Estonia and its neighbors Lithuania and Latvia, aimed at fast-tracking military infrastructure.

In February, the former Soviet states agreed to build a new bunker defense line along their collective 1,000-mile border with Russia, with reserve forces readied to deploy additional defenses such as mines and "dragon's teeth" anti-tank pyramids at short notice.

Estonia is also part of a six-country coalition building a "drone wall" protecting their borders, although few details of this have emerged.

The countries have warned of impending Russian hybrid attacks, attacks that disrupt but fall short of overt military action.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp apps can be seen on the display of a smartphone, in front of the logo of Meta. Jens Buttner/dpa

The European Commission on Monday informed Meta - owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - that its policy of asking users to either accept personalized advertising across its services or pay may violate the European Union's digital "gatekeeper" rules.

The commission sent the company a "preliminary view" that the policy breaches the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA regulates the behaviour of digital "gatekeepers," meaning companies that hold powerful, entrenched positions in the EU's digital economy, acting as intermediaries between many users and businesses.

Meta could face fines as high as 10% of its global revenue if the commission's final decision upholds this assessment, which is not final and is part of an ongoing investigation into the company.

The commission said in a statement on Monday that to comply with the DMA, users who refuse consent "should still get access to an equivalent service which uses less of their personal data."

Though the investigation is under the DMA - which is essentially a digital competition law - consent for the processing of personal data is normally regulated under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

But the DMA has specific rules where a gatekeeper wants to combine personal data from its different services. It requires gatekeepers to ask for consent, and to provide an equivalent alternative service if users refuse.

The commission said Meta's model "does not allow users to exercise their right to freely consent to the combination of their personal data."

The commission has until March 25 next year to reach a final decision.

In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said, "Subscription for no ads follows the direction of the highest court in Europe and complies with the DMA. We look forward to further constructive dialogue with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close."

The court case mentioned by the Meta spokesperson is the EU Court of Justice's ruling in July last year, which stemmed from a GDPR dispute between Meta and Germany's antitrust regulator, the Federal Cartel Office.

The court said users who refuse consent "are to be offered, if necessary for an appropriate fee, an equivalent alternative not accompanied by such data processing operations."

However, the court was examining the principle of freely-given consent under the GDPR, and not the DMA provision underpinning the commission's preliminary view on Monday.
EVANSTON, Ill.  An Evanston beach remains closed Monday as the search continues for a man went missing while swimming on Sunday afternoon.

According to officials from the Evanston Fire Department, crews were called to Lighthouse Beach around 4 p.m. after a group of swimmers began struggling in the water.

Firework malfunction in Northwest Indiana injures 7, damages 4 homes

Officials say one adult woman, two teenage girls and a 41 -year-old man were in the water when they began to struggle. A community member who was at the beach rescued the woman and the two girls, but the man remains missing.

Crews conducted an extensive search, utilizing helicopters, drones and sonar technology, but were unable to locate the man.

The search was eventually called off around 7:45 p.m. and crews said they would resume the search on Monday morning.

11 injured after escalator malfunction after Cubs game in Milwaukee

According to officials, the beach was under a red flag alert on Sunday, meaning swimming was not permitted and no lifeguards were on duty.

Because of the search, crews asked the public to avoid the area.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Fact checked by Nick BlackmerFact checked by Nick Blackmer





Key Takeaways

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID vaccine when they become available this fall.

The shots should be ready by August or September.

Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will target the KP.2 variant, while Novavax will target JN.1.







The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday recommended that everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID vaccine when manufacturers release them this fall.

The agency made its decision following a meeting of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which found that the virus continues to cause illness, especially as it mutates over time, leaving people less protected even if they were vaccinated or previously had COVID.

Anticipating new fall vaccines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked vaccine manufacturers to target a newer COVID variant called KP.2.

Pfizer and Moderna said they will be able to create such a vaccine by the fall thanks to mRNA technology, which is faster to manipulate and update than protein subunit vaccines like Novavax. Novavax said its fall vaccine will target an earlier COVID variant called JN.1, which it was in the process of developing before the FDA asked the brands to pivot. Novavax expects its vaccine to be protective against KP.2 as well.

Related: The FDA Now Wants Fall COVID Vaccines to Target KP.2But Not All Manufacturers Can Pivot

Given the manufacturing time needed for vaccines, its difficult to fully match them to the variants circulating at the time they are administered, Anne Monroe, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at George Washington University in Washington, DC, told Verywell.

Still, Monroe advises everyone eligible to get the updated vaccine when its available.

Updated vaccines can help protect against infection, hospitalizations, and severe disease and may prevent you from spreading the virus to someone vulnerable if you get sick, she said. People are still dying of this virus.

Studies have shown that vaccines are somewhat protective against getting a COVID infection but very protective against severe disease, Robert Hopkins, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Disease and a liaison to ACIP, told Verywell. Data presented during the ACIP meeting showed that only 11% of hospitalized adult patients between October 2023 and March 2024 had received the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine. In 2023, according to the agency, more than 916,300 people were hospitalized due to COVID, and more than 75,500 people died from the virus.

The recommendation for the updated COVID vaccine applies even to people who have never received a vaccine for the virus. Older vaccines are no longer available, so first-timers will start with the vaccine that will be updated this fall.

If you are 65 and older and/or have a chronic illness, you may have gotten an updated COVID vaccine targeting XBB.1.5 any time since last spring. Hopkins said you are still eligible for another one this coming fall as long as it has been four months since your last dose.

Hopkins says that since COVID cases are rising right now, there are a few things people should do if they get sick:

Stay home to help prevent spreading COVID to others, especially older adults and people at risk of severe disease from COVID.

Get tested if youre unsure that your illness is COVID. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, you may be able to start effective medication like Paxlovid.







What This Means For You

Use this search engine to find a COVID vaccine in your neighborhood and to find updated vaccines when they become available in the fall. The new shots are expected by August or September.







The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.



Read the original article on Verywell Health.
Alan Welsh is a partner in Dakota Herb, a medical marijuana company with dispensaries in Huron, Brandon, Aberdeen and Vermillion. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Alan Welsh is a partner in Dakota Herb, a medical marijuana company with dispensaries in Huron, Brandon, Aberdeen and Vermillion. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Alan Welsh wasnt just a cop. He was a Very Important Cop. The kind of cop who gets a legislative commemoration for an outstanding career upon retirement.

Now he grows marijuana for a living.

Alan Welsh during his days with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. He retired in 2017. (courtesy Sioux Falls Argus Leader)

The shock of seeing Welsh in a room full of pot without a badge on his chest or a story to tell about a massive bust can hardly be overstated.

He served 28 years with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. For many of them, he was one of the top leaders for the patrol in the Sioux Falls region. From 2014 through his retirement in 2017, he was in charge of that region.

Regular news readers or viewers in the area heard from Welsh frequently. In 2012, for example, he was quoted in a story about a saturation patrol that led to the seizure of 295 pounds of marijuana.

Now hes a partner in a Dakota Herb, a company with grow operations that produce that much pot on a regular basis.

There are times Welsh is shocked himself. Like during a recent tour of a Dakota Herb facility in Tea, when he walked into a room filled with clear plastic garbage bags of dried marijuana awaiting their turn to be processed into edibles and vapes.

When I was in law enforcement, Id have gone crazy seeing this, Welsh said.

Evolution in thinking on cannabis

So how did Welsh go from an avowed enemy of the devils lettuce to a purveyor of pot for medical patients?

I did my own research, I looked into it, and I kind of changed my mind, he said.

It all began with his first post-policing gig. He was hired to manage security for a trucking company that services oil and gas industry players in North Dakota. Its owned by Welshs longtime friend Darcy Johnson.

After a few years, the owner asked Welsh about pot. Voters in South Dakota were set to approve a measure legalizing medical marijuana, and Johnson saw an opportunity.

Welsh said no, but Johnson persisted. So Welsh started reading. There were the medical uses to consider, sure, but Welshs cannabis come-to-Jesus moment came by comparing its relative impact on public safety with that of alcohol.

This product has a horrible reputation and stigma associated with it, and its all bullt, in my opinion, Welsh said.

The trim room a Dakota Herb, a medical marijuana grow operation in Tea. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

As he walked through the multimillion-dollar grow building in Tea on June 20, Welsh offered a quote from actor-turned-marijuana-entrepreneur Jim Belushi to sum up his feelings.

He said I used to be a bouncer, and I never broke up a fight between two potheads.

Welsh has a sheet of talking points he compiled under the heading Fact: Marijuana is safer than alcohol. Alcohol causes tens of thousands of deaths, whereas the Centers for Disease Control doesnt even have a code for deaths caused by marijuana, it says.

It also cites peer-reviewed research on marijuana overdose deaths (essentially impossible), the health impacts of marijuana (alcohol is worse), addictive properties (alcohol worse again), as well as the higher risks with alcohol for injuries, traffic accidents, domestic violence and other violent crimes.

Welsh concluded that Dakota Herb was worth a shot. And the new gig came with the added bonus of being closer to home than the North Dakota security job.

Its been smooth sailing ever since.

Sort of.

Welsh: Medical pot more trustworthy

Over the past year, Welsh has grown frustrated with state regulators and his former law enforcement colleagues response to the quasi-legal market for marijuana alternatives, which can cut into demand for medical marijuana.

With the 2018 farm bill, Congress legalized hemp and defined it as anything containing less than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight. Delta-9 THC produces a high from consuming marijuana.

Soon after the bills passage, companies began to synthesize the hemp-derived chemical cousins of delta-9 THC, such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC, and began adding it to products like gummies and vapes. Those products ape the effects of marijuana, which is still federally illegal. You can also buy smokable hemp, sold as being below the federal THC threshold.

No one needs a medical marijuana card to buy the stuff, and its sold at smoke shops, gas stations and liquor stores all over South Dakota.

Some of those products have since been banned in several states. In South Dakota last winter, lawmakers passed House Bill 1125, which bans the creation or sale of any delta-8, delta-10 and THC-O products created through chemical modification. The law took effect Monday.

The legislation was framed in part as a protective measure for the medical marijuana industry. If people can buy unregulated hemp products, lawmakers said, they can skip the fees and hassles of obtaining a medical card.

Thats a sentiment youd think Welsh would appreciate, given what it takes to run a medical pot business in South Dakota.

By law, Dakota Herbs products are tracked from seed to shelf and tested for quality and potency all along the way. There are cameras all over the Dakota Herb facility, even one aimed at the room where a machine extracts THC oil for use in vape pens and concentrated dabs.

Thats not true of the pot alternatives.

The state has access to our camera system. The state has access to our registers. They see what we sold, Welsh said. These other places arent doing any of that.

New law misses part of alternative market

But Welsh isnt doing cartwheels over the new state law. Its unclear how the state will approach enforcement, with officials citing the expense and difficulty of testing products for violations.

Thats not even Welshs issue. He points out that the new law doesnt touch smokable hemp tagged with the term THC-A. THC-A becomes delta-9 THC when burned.

That means a smokable hemp flower can have a bunch of THC-A and remain legal, as long as the delta-9 THC level stays below the 0.3% federal threshold that distinguishes hemp from marijuana.

Joe Stavig, Cheif Operating Officer for Dakota Herb, at the company's Tea, SD grow operation. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Its like me saying, Heres a bottle of vodka, but its not really vodka until you take the cap off and take a drink, Welsh said.

By that THC measurement logic, a lot of the Dakota Herb crop could pass federal muster as hemp.

Most of the high any cannabis user feels is produced by unlocking THC-A through temperature, because theres more of that substance in the unburned plant than there is pure delta-9 THC.

Thats true for Dakota Herbs product. Which is why Chief Financial Officer Joe Stavig said it wouldnt take much for the company to join the quasi-legal hemp market.

All wed have to do is cut the tags off, Stavig said, referencing the tracking tags attached to each plant. Cut off the tags, make a million dollars.

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Law enforcement response

Welsh and Stavig dont plan to do that. Testing is about quality and safety, they say, but theres more to it.

In May, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration issued a letter suggesting that THC-A should be counted in the total THC calculation for legal purposes. Its factored into the total THC counts presented on websites that sell THC-A flower, after all  as a selling point.

That could happen in South Dakota, if the state made doing so a priority. Authorities in Minnesota have begun to factor in THC-A in their calculations, according to a letter from that states Office of Cannabis Management that references the DEA guidance.

Welsh and Stavig would prefer to be on the right side of the law if South Dakota follows suit.

But they have another bone to pick with the state, and it has nothing to do with chemistry.

South Dakota already bars the sale or possession of smokable hemp. That law makes no mention of THC by weight. As Welsh sees it, if a product is meant to be smoked, anyone selling it or smoking it is breaking that law. A violation of that law is a class 1 misdemeanor, on par with a possession of marijuana charge.

According to the Unified Judicial System, 39 people have been charged under the smokable hemp statute since its passage.

A few months ago, the smoke shop owners who opposed HB 1125 told lawmakers that hundreds of businesses would be impacted by the bill.

Marijuana wax from Dakota Herb. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

In other words, there are more stores selling hemp-derived products in South Dakota than people charged with a crime for smoking the hemp sold in them.

By contrast, nearly 1,800 people have been charged with felonies for possession of marijuana edibles or vapes since 2019 (possession of marijuana flower is a misdemeanor).

When I was in law enforcement, we always said, We dont make the laws, we just enforce them, Welsh said. So why arent they enforcing the law?

Hes put that question to the Sioux Falls Police Department, Attorney Generals Office and Department of Health. The responses have basically been because testing is hard, Welsh said.

Welsh doesnt buy it. Police dont need a test to enforce a smokable hemp law that doesnt consider THC content.

As a trooper, Welsh said responding to the public was part of his duty as a public servant. Regarding the hemp that hampers his business, Welsh the private citizen isnt satisfied with whats hes been handed.

Im asking a simple question of all these people, and I cant get one simple answer, he said.

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Exit polls show the French far-right National Rally winning the first round of France's parliamentary election on June 30.

Following a bruising defeat in the European Parliament elections earlier in June, French President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections to be held on June 30 and July 7.

Exit polls appeared to show a victory for the National Rally party, earning 34.2% of the vote. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition earned 28%, and French President Emmanuel Macron's party received only 20%.

The National Rally was ahead in polls prior to June 30, but the party may fall short of winning enough seats required for an absolute majority. Current projections show the National Rally winning between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat lower house.

Jordan Bardella, the current president of National Rally, would be elected prime minister if the party can form a governing coalition. Macron would nonetheless remain president and retain control of most of France's foreign policy decisions.

Bardella has said that he would continue supporting Ukraine if elected prime minister but ruled out sending French troops or supplying the country with long-range weapons.

"My position has not changed, and that is to support Ukraine by providing defense equipment, ammunition, operational logistical support, and defensive weaponry to enable Ukraine to protect itself to hold the front," Bardella told reporters on June 19.

"I don't plan to send, especially, long-range missiles or other weapons that will allow Ukraine to strike the Russian territory," Bardella added.

France has sent Ukraine long-range SCALP missiles, which can hit targets up to 250 (155 miles) kilometers away. SCALP missiles have been put to use to hit valuable Russian military targets in occupied Crimea.

After months of discussion, Macron said earlier in June that France was finalizing a coalition of countries to send military instructors to Ukraine.

Bardella's election may complicate that plan, as he said he is "opposed to sending French troops and soldiers to Ukraine" and characterized it as a "red line."

At the same time, Bardella walked back some of the National Rally's previous foreign policy positions, including some controversial proposals that suggested a rapprochement with Russia.

"I don't intend to weaken France's voice and commitment on the international stage, and I'll be extremely respectful of that," he said.

Bardella also reiterated that he condemned Russia's "violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity" but cautioned that he wanted to "avoid any risk of escalation with Russia because Russia is a nuclear power, and I am committed to the return of peace and political stability in this region."

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Deadly attacks on civilians in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
People cast their votes at a polling station during the first round of the French parliamentary elections on the island of Tahiti in the third constituency of the French overseas territory of French Polynesia. Suliane Favennec/AFP/dpa

The votes of young people could be the deciding factor in the second round of the parliamentary elections in France, according to German politician and France expert Franziska Brantner.

Many are disappointed with President Emmanuel Macron, said Brantner, who is a lawmaker in the German lower house, or Bundestag, and also a deputy member of the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly, in an interview on Monday with public radio Deutschlandfunk.

It now depends on whether young people who voted in favour of the left-wing alliance in the first round on Sunday are still prepared to support a candidate from Macron's alliance.

"Whether the mobilization works here is, I think, one of the big issues for next Sunday," she noted.

After the first round of the early parliamentary elections, Marine Le Pen's far-right nationalist National Rally (RN) and its allies are ahead with 33% to 34.2% of the vote.

President Macron's centrist Ensemble (Together) alliance came third with 20.7% to 22% behind the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) alliance with 28.1% to 29.1%.

However, how many seats the blocs will get in the National Assembly will only be decided in run-off elections next Sunday.

Both the left-wing alliance and Macron's bloc have said they will step down in the constituencies where they came third in favour of candidates who can beat National Rally.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal gave a stark warning on Sunday evening: "The far right is at the gates of power ... Our objective is clear: to prevent the RN from getting elected in the second round."

People queue outside a polling station in the Magenta district before casting their vote during the first round of the French parliamentary elections in Noumea, the first electoral district of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Theo Rouby/AFP/dpa
FILE PHOTO: A Boeing 737 Max aircraft during a display at the Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough

By Chris Prentice, Mike Spector and David Shepardson

(Reuters) - Boeing will plead guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy to resolve a U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) investigation linked to two 737 MAX fatal crashes, the government said in a court filing late on Sunday.

The agreement in principle between the DOJ and Boeing allows the company to escape a courtroom battle with federal prosecutors but could complicate its efforts to overcome an ongoing crisis sparked by the Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines-operated flight.

The deal follows a DOJ finding in May that Boeing breached a 2021 agreement that had shielded it from prosecution over the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.

WHAT WAS BOEING'S ORIGINAL AGREEMENT?

The DOJ in 2021 agreed to hold off prosecuting Boeing and asked a judge to dismiss a charge of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration so long as the company abided by the deal's terms over a three-year period.

Boeing agreed to overhaul compliance practices to prevent violation of U.S. fraud laws and submit regular reports. But the January mid-air emergency occurred two days before the agreement expired.

The planemaker had told prosecutors it disagrees with their finding and said it "honored the terms" of the settlement.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TO BOEING?

A judge will need to sign off on the agreement, which DOJ and Boeing hammered out in advance of a July 7 deadline for the government to decide whether to prosecute the company. The DOJ and Boeing are working to finalize it and file it to the court by July 19, the filing said.

WHAT DOES A GUILTY PLEA MEAN FOR BOEING?

A felony conviction could disrupt Boeing's ability to secure government contracts such as those with the U.S. military. Boeing's government contracts in 2023 accounted for 37% of its annual revenue including foreign military sales through the U.S. government. Boeing had $14.8 billion in Defense Department contracts in 2022, per a government report.

"In the world of government contracting, an indictment or finding of criminal liability can have a significant impact on a company," said Franklin Turner, a government contracts lawyer at McCarter & English.

Boeing could seek waivers from government departments and agencies to continue contracting with them. Some previous DOJ settlements have provided details on how officials should address the issue. It remains unclear to what extent the proposed Boeing plea deal does.

Government officials at each department or agency would have to decide whether Boeing, as a convicted felon, is entitled to a waiver, said Vikramaditya Khanna, a law professor at University of Michigan.

WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR BOEING?

The agreement includes a $487.2 million financial penalty, about half of which Boeing would need to pay as the government would credit it for previous penalties.

Boeing would likely be forced to pay restitution, an amount to be decided by a judge. The company already paid $2.5 billion in penalties and restitution in 2021 in connection with the original conspiracy charge, which included a criminal penalty and compensation for customers and relatives of crash victims.

The plea offer includes putting Boeing on probation for three years.

WHAT OTHER COSTS ARE THERE?

A federal judge can still decide on whether the company should pay any additional restitution for the victims' families. Boeing has also agreed to spend at least $455 million over the next three years to strengthen and integrate its compliance and safety programs, the filing said.

WHO WILL BE BOEING'S THIRD-PARTY MONITOR?

The plea deal includes the appointment of an independent monitor to audit Boeing's safety and compliance practices for three years.

The Justice Department under President Joe Biden has renewed the use of corporate monitors in its deals with companies to resolve charges of misconduct. The practice had fallen out of favor under the previous administration.

Companies typically fight against these terms. The outside firms, which are selected by the DOJ, act as the governments eyes and ears. The company foots the bill.

WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILIES OF THE CRASH VICTIMS?

Boeing's board of directors will meet with the families of victims of the fatal crashes as part of the plea agreement.

(Reporting by Chris Prentice, Mike Spector and David Shepardson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Joe Brock and Jamie Freed)
Explosions were heard in Balaklava, a settlement in the city of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea after an air raid alert went off on July 1, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian proxy leader in Sevastopol, claimed that air defenses were operating in the city.

Crimean Wind shared a photo reportedly taken by locals showing a tall column of smoke rising above Balaklava, presumably near the town's thermal power plant.

Razvozhayev claimed that according to the preliminary data, four air targets were destroyed near Balaklava, "but the wreckage fell in the coastal zone." Information on the scale of possible damages is being clarified, he added.

Explosions were also reported in the area of Cape Fiolent, independent media outlet Krym Realii reported.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these reports, and the Ukrainian military has not commented on the reports at the time of this publication.

Ukraine has carried out several successful attacks against Russian targets in occupied Crimea and its vicinity, heavily degrading the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Ukrainian forces struck around 15 Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea over the past two months, Ukrainian military reported on June 17. Over 15 radar stations and more than 10 control centers stationed on the peninsula were also reportedly hit.

Read also: Source: Ukrainian cyberattack leaves at least 250,000 consumers without connection in Russian-occupied territories

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NTA announces re-test results revised rank list of 1563 candidates of NEET exam

NewDelhi [India] Published : July 1, 2024



The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday announced the results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) retest held on June 23, for 1563 candidates.



The NTA in a public notice June 30 also declared the revision of the rank of all candidates who appeared in the exam. The retest was held on June 23 after a controversy erupted regarding the awarding of grace marks to certain students.



The notice further stated that the revised scorecards of all the candidates of the NEET UG 2024 exam, including the 1563 candidates who appeared for the retest on June 23 would be hosted on the website.



Earlier, amid the ongoing row over the NEET-UG exam, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi on June 30 said that the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has taken moral responsibility for the issue and that an investigation is being carried out.



"Investigation is being carried out in this matter and we need to hold serious deliberations instead of political stunts or playing a blame game. This is a serious issue and we see that the student community and their parents are affected because of this," she said.



The NEET UG examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 5, 2024 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities in the country, 14 cities abroad and with 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination.



The results was declared on June 4, which immediately caused a hue and cry with aspirants raising multiple issues. An unprecedented 67 candidates had achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720 led to widespread protests in the country.



The Supreme Court ruled that the "grace marks" awarded to some students should be scrapped and provided the affected candidates with the option to either take a re-test or retain their original scores, excluding the grace marks.



The Central Government announced a high-level committee, headed by former ISRO chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan, to look into the functioning and fair conduct of examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The seven-member committee will submit its report in two months.



The CBI took over the investigation of NEET-UG following the discovery of evidence of a paper leak by investigators in Bihar and on June 23 registered a criminal case on the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the exam. the probe agency has formed special teams to look into the matter.



As per the agency's FIR, certain "isolated incidents" occurred in a few states during the conduct of the NEET (UG) 2024 examination, which was held on May 5.



On June 27, the CBI arrested two accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case. Previously CBI arrested two people from Bihar's Patna in connection



The CBI took over the investigation of NEET UG following the discovery of evidence of a paper leak by investigators in Bihar.



On June 27, the CBI arrested two accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case from Jharkhand.



Previously, the central probe agency arrested two people from Patna in Bihar in connection with the case. (ANI)



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SACRAMENTO, California  Extreme heat waves have cost Californians at least $7.7 billion over the last decade and killed nearly 460 people, according to a report released Monday by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

While nearly every Californian was somehow affected, people of color and older people suffered the most impacts to their health, according to the report.

The first-of-its kind analysis by the Insurance Department shows the staggering and wide-ranging impacts of extreme heat right at the beginning of a week of triple digit temperatures that will bake inland California.

It also comes a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget that eliminated millions of dollars previously planned for cooling and resilience centers and a program to track heat-related hospital visits. Lawmakers over the weekend released proposed language for a climate bond on the November ballot that would raise around $400 million for extreme heat programs  including $100 million for resilience centers  if approved by voters.

Lara said the report underscored the need to protect residents and address the economic costs of heat. Extreme heat is a silent, escalating disaster that threatens our health, economy, and way of life in California, said Lara, who sponsored the 2022 legislation that prompted the report. We must prioritize resilience-building efforts and innovative insurance solutions to safeguard our state against the growing impacts and financial risks of extreme heat.

The premature death estimate is still likely an undercount; the Los Angeles Times in 2019 estimated that high temperatures had killed nearly 4,000 people between 2010 and 2019, which was more than six times higher than the official state figures.

But even the state figure is still higher than the death toll from other disasters, including wildfires and storms.

The total price tag of the seven extreme heat events since 2013 includes lost labor productivity, costs related to power outages, infrastructure repairs and premature mortality, according to the report.

Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities disproportionately suffered adverse health outcomes, including emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Older populations had the most premature deaths and younger populations had the most emergency heat-related illnesses.

Acute renal failure, respiratory issues, mental health problems and ischemic strokes contributed to more than 5,000 hospitalizations over the seven heat events. Hospitals saw nearly 10,600 emergency department visits, more than 138,000 outpatient visits and nearly 344 adverse birth outcomes.

The report also outlines how few insurance tools exist to help people and businesses recoup from heat-related losses.

Of the people hospitalized, only 17 percent had private insurance, a far lower rate than average across the state.

Manufacturing insurance policies are unlikely to have heat as a covered peril, according to the report, and crop insurance policies dont often cover heat for Californias many specialty crops.

Several state agencies, including the Insurance Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, are setting up an extreme heat wave ranking and warning system as prompted by the same 2022 legislation. CalHeatScore is scheduled to be up and running by January 2025.
New York Times columnist Ezra Klein went after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and the Democratic establishment on Sunday after they brushed off rising concerns about President Bidens viability to win reelection.

After a poor performance at last weeks presidential debate, Newsom, as a top surrogate in the spin room, downplayed any idea that Biden should step aside, despite his name being floated as a top potential replacement on the 2024 ticket.

We gotta have the back of this president, Newsom said. You dont turn your back because of one performance. What kind of party does that?

Klein called out the governor in his latest column.

Perhaps a party that wants to win? he wrote. Or a party that wants to nominate a candidate that the American people believe is up to the job? Maybe the better question is: What kind of party would do nothing right now?

Bidens first debate performance raised alarm among some Democrats and supporters, with the president at times showing difficulty stringing ideas together and often appearing slack-jawed.

A rising number of Democratic voters, along with some unnamed lawmakers, have called on Biden to allow a different candidate to take the partys nomination. But on the record, no lawmaker has said they want Biden off the ticket.

There is no lack of talent or capacity in the Democratic Party. But there is a lack of coherence and confidence, Klein wrote. What is the party for? Newsoms comments on Thursday implied that the partys function was to support Biden.

Klein was one of the earliest voices in major media to argue that Biden shouldnt run again.

He argued that beyond Biden himself, blame for his campaigns precarious position lies just as much with the party establishment as anyone else.

It was a choice to support Biden in running for re-election, despite poll after poll showing supermajorities of the American people thought he was too old to serve a second term, he wrote Sunday.

It was a choice, if an understandable one, for zero major Democrats to run against him in the primaries, even as polls showed majorities of Democratic voters didnt want Biden to run again, he continued. It was a choice, if top Democrats and the White House believed Harris too weak to run or govern in Bidens place, to do nothing about it.

But rather than act as a check on Bidens decisions and ambitions, the party has become an enabler of them. An enforcer of them, Klein wrote. It is giving the American people an option they do not want and then threatening them with the end of democracy if they do not take it. Democrats like to say that democracy is on the ballot. But it isnt. Biden is on the ballot.

Despite the grim outlook, and polling figures that show concern about how voters reacted to the debate, Klein said hes still optimistic about the upcoming Democratic convention.

No path now is without risk, he continued. An open convention would be a risk. Nominating Harris would be a risk. To run an 81-year-old with a 38 percent approval rating who just got trounced in the first debate would be a risk.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The European Commission has raised concerns over Metas pay or consent advertising model for Facebook and Instagram users in the EU. In preliminary findings released on Monday, regulators suggest the social media giants approach may not comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Meta introduced the model in November 2023, offering EU users two options: pay a monthly fee for an ad-free experience or continue using the platforms for free with personalized ads. However, the Commission argues this binary choice fails to provide users with a less personalized but equivalent alternative, as required by the DMA.

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In response to the scrutiny, Meta points to its significant compliance efforts. The company reports that over 11,000 employees have been involved in designing and implementing new systems and user controls to meet DMA requirements. Additionally, Meta claims to have invested more than 590,000 hours of engineering and technical work  equivalent to over six decades work  to introduce the necessary changes.

Nick Clegg, Metas president of Global Affairs, recently penned an op-ed warning about the potential costs to European innovation resulting from stringent regulation. Meanwhile, Meta said it has offered to reduce the cost of its subscriptions service but is awaiting regulatory feedback.

The Commission will conclude its investigation by March 25, 2025. If concerns are confirmed, Meta Meta could face fines of up to 10% of its total worldwide turnover, with penalties potentially doubling for repeated infractions. The case underscores the ongoing tension between tech giants and EU regulators over data privacy, market competition and innovation in the digital space.

Our investigation aims to ensure contestability in markets where gatekeepers like Meta have been accumulating personal data of millions of EU citizens over many years. Our preliminary view is that Metas advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act. And we want to empower citizens to be able to take control over their own data and choose a less personalised ads experience, said Margrethe Vestager, European Commission executive VP in charge of competition policy.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: Today we make another important step to ensure full compliance with the DMA by Meta. Our preliminary view is that Metas Pay or Consent business model is in breach of the DMA. The DMA is there to give back to the users the power to decide how their data is used and ensure innovative companies can compete on equal footing with tech giants on data access.

A Meta company spokesperson told Variety: Subscription for no ads follows the direction of the highest court in Europe and complies with the DMA. We look forward to further constructive dialogue with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close.

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A Fairview Heights sandwich shop closes suddenly and may be sold. Heres what we know

A Fairview Heights sandwich shop closed suddenly late last week.

Firehouse Subs, at 5909 N. Illinois St., currently has a handwritten sign on the door stating, We are closed!! Indefinitely!!!

An image of the notice was posted on the Fairview Heights IL Chatter Facebook page. I also received an email from a reader over the weekend asking if the location is closed permanently.

Plans are in the works for the location to reopen at a later date and under new ownership.

An email thread between the citys finance team and Firehouse Subs franchise owner Rod Wanjala regarding sales tax payments to the city was provided by Land Use and Development Director Dallas Alley.

Wanjala wrote in a May 20 email, After some careful consideration, I have decided to sell [the Fairview Heights] location. I have found a qualified existing Firehouse Subs Franchisee (Chris Steinacher).

The email continued to refer to Steinacher as an excellent operator of his current locations in Edwardsville and Collinsville. Wanjala wrote that the transfer of ownership should be completed over the next few weeks.

On June 5, Wanjala wrote that folks from Firehouse were in town to do a scope of work for the transfer to a new owner and that they are moving as quickly as possible to complete the transition.

I spoke briefly with Steinacher, who said that he and his wife Evelyn, are trying to pursue the location, but he hasnt heard from Wanjala for a couple of weeks.

For now, its a matter of waiting, according to Steinacher.

Messages left for Wanjala were not immediately returned.

Inquiries were also sent to Restaurant Brands International, which owns Firehouse Subs, and Firehouse Subs public relations.

Updates will be reported as new information becomes available.
With four more cases to be decided, the supreme court is planned to issue its decision on Donald Trumps presidential immunity claim on Monday.

In Donald Trump v the United States, the former president is seeking absolute immunity from criminal prosecution over his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his role in the January 6 Capitol Hill insurrection.

According to Trump, who has been indicted by the justice departments special counsel Jack Smith on four counts related to his 2020 election overturn efforts, presidents should be immune from federal prosecution.

The case, which was presented before the conservative-majority supreme court on 25 April, was the last that was argued this term. According to critics, the supreme courts decision to hold on to this case until early July while having issued decisions on other major cases in recent weeks is intentional.

The delay that has occurred here is intentional, and it is destructive of our democratic process, James Sample, a constitutional law professor at Hofstra University, told Salon.

Echoing similar sentiments, Laurence Tribe, a constitutional law professor emeritus at Harvard University, told Salon:

Its obvious that the court has deliberately delayed everything  It could easily have issued a ruling much sooner  It could have taken the case in December when the special counsel asked it to be heard directly, or they could have declined to take the case after the court of appeals quite comprehensively rejected Trumps appeal, so the trial could be over by now.

Regardless of what the supreme courts decision on the case is, its handling of the cases timeline has significantly decreased the chances of Trump standing trial before the 2024 presidential elections in November.

Across all four of his criminal cases, Trump has been trying to delay the trials start dates. Thus far, he has only been convicted in one of his cases that involved hush-money payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Related: New York judge partially lifts Trumps gag order in hush-money case

It remains to be determined whether the supreme court will grant Trump his request for absolute immunity from prosecution. Both Trumps lawyer and the justice departments lawyer have agreed that there were certain private acts that presidents are not immune from.

During oral arguments in April, conservative justice and Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh appeared to suggest that refusing immunity would affect future presidents.

Its not going to stop, its going to cycle back and be used against the current president and the next president and the next president after that, Kavanaugh said.

Meanwhile, liberal justice and Biden appointee Ketanji Brown Jackson said that immunity would encourage future presidents to commit crimes while in office.

Once we say no criminal liability, Mr President. You can do whatever you want, Im worried we would have a worse problem than the problem of the president feeling constrained to follow the law while hes in office, Jackson said.
Family sues SC group after daughters ovaries were taken for research without their consent

The family of a young woman who died in a car wreck are suing the organization that harvests from organ donors in South Carolina over accusations the group misused their daughters ovaries.

Karsyn von Egidy was 27 years old when she was involved in a fatal car accident in Sumter on April 15, 2023. She was airlifted to Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia, where she died from her injuries after five days in a coma in intensive care.

According to the lawsuit, representatives of We Are Sharing Hope, South Carolinas designated organ procurement organization, approached the von Egidy family at the hospital to secure an organ donation. Von Egidy was a registered organ donor in her native North Carolina.

Her mother, Traci von Egidy, filled out an authorization form, saying the family wanted Karsyns organs to go into living recipients but not for research, medical therapy, and/or education, citing deeply held religious, moral, and ethical beliefs, according to the suit.

Without the familys knowledge, records show that Karsyns ovaries were removed along with her other organs, the suit says. The authorization form did not mention reproductive organs, and under other the family wrote N/A.

A couple weeks later, the von Egidys received a letter from Sharing Hope detailing where her organs were sent, including that her ovaries were recovered and sent to medical research, the letter said. The letter left the family feeling as if their wishes had been utterly disregarded, the lawsuit says.

They asked for a copy of the authorization form and said the Sharing Hope representative had written on the form that the family consents to research except for the heart, which expressly contradicted their wishes for Karsyns organs and are false statements, they said.

Sharing Hope CEO Dave DeStefano later wrote to the family that In North Carolina, donor registration does not automatically include donation for research purposes. In contrast, South Carolina donor registration do include donations for research purposes, and that the representative initially assumed that research was covered by the release.

The letter also said that Ovary tissue was used but no eggs were recovered, and no ovary tissue remains, while the initial letter said that no tissue had been removed, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit accuses Sharing Hope of fraudulent conduct and gross negligence that compounded the familys pain and suffering. They are seeking punitive damages.

The suit is brought by attorneys Jacob Kea of Nelson Mullins and Brian Barnwell of Rikard & Protopapas.

In their response to the complaint, Sharing Hope denies the authorization form constitutes a legally enforceable contract and says that organ donations are considered a gift. The organization also denies altering the authorization form and says it acted in good faith.

The organization also denies that the von Edigys have standing to sue, as they suffered no injury from the donation and the group had no legal duty toward them. Sharing Hope maintains that Karsyns organs were taken in accordance with the law and medical standards. The motion filed by attorneys Jean Marie Jennings and Molly Craig of the Hood Law Firm seeks to have the suit dismissed.

The State has reached out to attorneys on both sides of the lawsuit seeking further comment.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  The family of a Myrtle Beach woman who was killed by an Horry County police department vehicle last month has filed a wrongful death suit.

Sandra Sandy Schultz-Peters, 66, died on June 13 after she was hit by the full-sized vehicle near the Nash Street beach access.

The 12-page suit filed Friday in Horry County Common Pleas Court names the police department as the lone defendant. It claims her death was the result of negligence and lax supervision.

Horry County spokeswoman Mikayla Moscov declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

Peters-lawsuit-1Download

Julian Duke Brown, the countys director of beach safety, was driving the truck that hit Peters and is named multiple times in the lawsuit. News13 previously chose not to use his name because no charges had been filed.

The lawsuit also includes allegations that Brown previously ran over beach chairs and other personal belongings on the beach multiple times before the June 13 incident.

The Horry County Police Departments Beach Patrols tolerance for its officers running over beachgoers with full-sized motor vehicles should be exactly 0.00%, W. Coleman Lawrimore, an attorney with Conway-based Derrick Law Firm, wrote. an infinite array of solutions existed that would completely eliminate the possibility that an Horry County beachgoer would experience a greater than 0.00% chance of a Beach Patrol officer running them over with a full-sized motor vehicle.

Brown joined the Horry County Police Department in May 1988, according to state Criminal Justice Academy records obtained by News13.

A day before he struck Peters, Brown attended a lifeguard and beach training exercise at Myrtle Beach State Park where he spoke with News13 about best practices.

Brown said this summer would have been his 59th working on beach safety, dating back to his years as a junior lifeguard.

This is my 36th year as beach safety director and I enjoy working with these, Brown said. I was a schoolteacher for 41 years and I enjoyed working with students then.

Horry County officials have twice declined to comment on the incident  including once again on Monday. Both times, they deferred to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which is heading the investigation into Peters death.

The complaint offers new details about what happened in the time leading up to Peters death. She was hit at about 1 p.m. It also says the weather conditions were clear, that Brown was not responding to an emergency and that his vision was not obstructed.

According to the lawsuit, Brown put the vehicle in gear, released the brake and headed north on the beach. He was somehow distracted and didnt ensure his path ahead was clear of objects and beachgoers.

Peters died at 3:09 pm. But before that happened, the lawsuit describes a harrowing scene.

Upon being run over by Officer Browns full-sized motor vehicle, as confirmed by several credible eyewitnesses, Ms. Schultz Peters let out what has been described as the most powerful scream, the lawsuit says. Concerned onlookers lifted Officer Browns full-sized vehicle off Ms. Schultz Peters trapped body. Ms. Schultz Peters assisted the concerned onlookers in unlocking her phone in order to make a call.

Peters brother Tony Schultz says his family wants to pass legislation called Safe Sands for Sandy banning full-sized emergency vehicles on beaches.

With this tragic event, I want one positive thing to come out of this, and that is to have people going to the beach with zero risk of this ever happening again, Schultz said.

Days after Peters death, state Rep. William Bailey, R-Little River, said he planned to introduce legislation that would prohibit full-sized vehicles being used on the beach during summer hours outside of non-emergency situations.

Theres just no room on the coast for the sunbathers and people who are coming down to enjoy our area, and also have F-150s and other vehicles when we have other resources that we could depend on, Bailey said on June 15.

Peters death also prompted Horry County and Myrtle Beach officials to re-evaluate their own policies.

On June 20, Horry County police said they were limiting the use of trucks on beaches, substituting them with increased foot and ATV patrols.

James Mosley, a Myrtle Beach resident, told News13 shortly after Peters death the incident makes him think twice before deciding where to sit on the beach.

It does make you be afraid to want to go on the beach, and the public and tourists want to come on the beach, Mosley said. And now, therell be scared after this to be on the beach. Its bad enough [with] the sharks out there. Now, you got policemen running over people.

Chris Brewster, chair of the National Certification Committee with the U.S. Lifesaving Association says full-sized vehicles are essential to quickly help people in need.

There is an inevitable risk thats involved in any kinds of motorized vehicles or, you know, motorized boats or whatever being used in rescue on the beach, just like on the street that accidents can happen, Brewster said.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

* * *

Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
The Rassemblement National, France's main far-right party, made significant strides in the country's first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday.

Together with its allies, it rallied close to 11 million French voters, totaling 33.2% of the vote, bringing it closer to being able to form a government after next week's second round of voting.

The snap elections were called only three weeks ago after President Emmanuel Macron's party suffered a resounding defeat in the European elections. His party placed third yesterday with the left-wing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire in second place, reaching 28% of the vote.

With this historic result, the Rassemblement National is closer than ever before to power. Jordan Bardella, a 28-year-old rising star in the party, would become prime minister if an "absolute majority" -- more than half of the 577 seats -- is obtained next Sunday by the RN and its allies.

PHOTO: Former president of the French far-right Rassemblement National parliamentary group Marine Le Pen gives a speech during the results evening of the first round of the parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, on June 30, 2024. (Francois Lo Presti/AFP via Getty Images)

Marine Le Pen, president of the party and three-time presidential candidate, celebrated this victory by attacking President Macron and speaking of the "willingness to turn the page after 7 years of contemptuous and corrosive power."

MORE: France's Macron wins reelection, but Le Pen rises, analysts say

Le Pen took over the RN from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who has multiple convictions for antisemitic and racist hate speech, and the younger Le Pen has spent the last 12 years trying to change the image of her party.

Final results are far from certain, with more than 500 local elections still to be called to know the full makeup of France's National Assembly, but a RN "absolute majority" would potentially mean drastic changes in France's international policy, including support to Ukraine.

PHOTO: Demonstrators react as they take part in a rally after the announcement of the results of the first round of French parliamentary elections, at Place de la Republique in Paris on June 30, 2024. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images)

Prime minister-hopeful Bardella has said he remains "in favor of continuing logistical and defense equipment support to Ukraine" but added that he had two "red lines" that he would not cross: "the sending of French troops to Ukrainian territory" and "the sending of long-range missiles or military equipment [] which could directly strike Russian cities."

This would stop long-range SCALP missile deliveries to Kyiv as well as put an end to Macron's promise to send French military instructors to Ukraine. The question remains whether the level of funding for Ukraine would change under an RN government.

MORE: France again floats idea of sending non-combat troops to Ukraine

Bardella recently said that Russia was a "multidimensional threat to both France and Europe," trying to distance himself from the party's historically pro-Russia stance.

Le Pen had in 2017 traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was said to be watching the current parliamentary elections "very closely."

PHOTO: Demonstrators react as they take part in a rally after the announcement of the results of the first round of French parliamentary elections, at Place de la Republique in Paris on June 30, 2024. (Arnaud Finistre/AFP via Getty Images)

Because of the two-round voting system and 577 local elections, exact predictions are complicated, with polling agencies giving very rough estimates.

In some local elections, three or four candidates have made it to the second round, which means the left-wing coalition is now pulling out candidates who arrived in third place, in order to block seats for the far-right.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of radical left La France Insoumise, called on candidates to withdraw if needed: "Not one vote, not one seat more for the RN."

PHOTO: France's President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with supporters after voting in the first round of parliamentary elections outside a polling station in Le Touquet, northern France, on June 30, 2024. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

Although a clear idea of whether or not the RN can form a government will only be known next Sunday, the result has already alarmed many, including minority groups, some of which have said they fear they would be more targeted under a far-right party leading the country.

If the RN fails to obtain an absolute majority, France could face a months-long standstill as no party would be able to successfully vote laws or implement policy. In any case, Macron would remain president until 2027.

Voter turnout soared to a 22-year high on Sunday, with French voters going back to the polls in just six days, for a decisive second round that will shape the country's future.

Far-right gains in French elections, raising questions about future support for Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Is the Far-Right Victory in France a Sign of Whats to Come For Us Black Folks?

In France, the far-right National Rally party  rooted in antisemitism and racism  won a record number of votes Sunday in the first round of legislative elections and could win an absolute parliamentary majority in the July 7 runoff election.

France appears poised to join six European Union countries with a hard-right party in government: Italy, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.



Theres a hunger for far-right leadership in Europe that could reach our shores in November...if were not careful.



Warning signs are ahead for Democrats after President Joe Bidens disastrous presidential debate against Donald Trump on Thursday. His debate performance has shaken core Democratic voters who now say that age has diminished his cognitive abilities. A USA Today/Suffolk University Poll after the debate found that 41 percent of Democrats want the party to replace Biden as its presidential nominee.

However, according to Reuters, Democratic Party leaders have, so far, dismissed calls to replace 81-year-old Biden with a younger candidate and plan instead to focus campaign messaging on the danger of re-electing Trump.



That strategy is a gamble: We already know that Trump is dangerous, yet hes running neck-and-neck with Biden in national polls and Trump is swaying a larger share of Black voters to his camp.



We know what to expect from a second Trump administration if the far-right wave continues. His four-year presidential reign showed that he was a danger to Black people.



On the campaign trail, he talks a lot about battling crime in urban cities, which is a racist dog whistle for empowering police departments to use excessive force in Black communities. He told TIME magazine that FBI and state data showing a national reduction in violent crime is fake. Trump said he would send National Guard troops to high-crime cities and would award grants to cities that adopt law enforcement methods like stop-and-frisk that civil rights groups say involve racial profiling.



A Trump second administration would champion an agenda to end so-called antiwhite racism, which includes eliminating diversity and racial equality programs. There is a definite antiwhite feeling in the country, and that cant be allowed either, the MAGA leader said.



French voters still have an opportunity at the ballot box to prevent the far-right from winning an absolute parliamentary majority in the second-round runoffs. Frances current prime minister, Gabriel Attal, warned that the extreme right is at the doors of power, adding that not one vote should go to the National Rally. France does not deserve that, according to the Associated Press.



Likewise, stopping that wave from landing on our shores is still possible ahead of the Democratic Party convention in August. That might require party leaders to support the call for Biden to step aside and allow a younger generation of Democrats to take the helm.

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PARIS  Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party won the first round of France's parliamentary election on Sunday, exit polls showed, but the final result will depend on days of horsetrading before next week's run-off.

The RN was seen winning around 34% of the vote, exit polls from Ipsos, Ifop, OpinionWay and Elabe showed.

That was ahead of leftist and centrist rivals, including President Emmanuel Macron's Together alliance, whose bloc was seen winning 20.5%-23%. The New Popular Front (NFP), a hastily assembled left-wing coalition, was projected to win around 29% of the vote, the exit polls showed.

The exit polls were in line with opinion polls ahead of the election, but provided little clarity on whether the anti-immigrant, eurosceptic RN will be able to form a government to "cohabit" with the pro-EU Macron after next Sunday's run-off.

More: Pooping in Olympic river? Not even the 2024 Paris games can bring divided France together

The RN's chances of winning power next week will depend on the political dealmaking made by its rivals over the coming days. In the past, centre-right and centre-left parties have teamed up to keep the RN from power, but that dynamic, known as the "republican front," is less certain than ever.

If no candidate reaches 50% in the first round, the top two contenders automatically qualify for the second round, as well as all those with 12.5% of registered voters. In the run-off, whoever wins the most votes takes the constituency.

High turnout on Sunday suggests France is heading for a record number of three-way run-offs. These generally benefit the RN much more than two-way contests, experts say.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right National Rally, speaks to journalists after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman, Yves Herman, REUTERS

More: France election 2024: How does it work  and what's next?

The horsetrading began almost immediately on Sunday night.

In a written statement to the press, Macron called on voters to rally behind candidates who are "clearly republican and democratic," which, based on his recent declarations, would exclude candidates from the RN and from the hard-left France Unbowed party

France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said the second-placed leftist alliance will withdraw all its candidates who came third in the first round.

"Our guideline is simple and clear: not a single more vote for the National Rally," he said.

Demonstrators hold French flags in support of the leftist New Popular Front to protest the French far-right National Rally party, at the Place de la Republique after the first round of the early 2024 legislative elections, in Paris on June 30. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old RN party president, said he was ready to be prime minister  if his party wins an absolute majority. He has ruled out trying to form a minority government and neither Macron nor the NFP will form an alliance with him.

"I will be a 'cohabitation' prime minister, respectful of the constitution and of the office of president of the republic, but uncompromising about the policies we will implement," he said.

National Rally party is a pariah no more

The RN was seen winning the most seats in the National Assembly, but only one of the pollsters - Elabe - had the party winning an absolute majority of 289 seats in the run-off.

Experts say that seat projections after first-round votes can be highly inaccurate, and especially so in this election.

Voter participation was high compared with previous parliamentary elections, illustrating the political fervour Macron aroused with his stunning decision to call a parliamentary vote after the RN trounced his party in European Parliament elections earlier this month.

His decision plunged France into political uncertainty, sent shockwaves around Europe and prompted a sell-off of French assets on financial markets.

A longtime pariah, the RN is now closer to power than it has ever been. Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for racism and antisemitism, a tactic that has worked amid voter anger at Macron, the high cost of living and growing concerns over immigration.

By Sunday afternoon, turnout was nearly 60%, compared with 39.42% two years ago  the highest comparable turnout figures since the 1986 legislative vote, Ipsos France's research director Mathieu Gallard said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Far right surges in French election's first round
(Bloomberg) -- Nigel Farage is in his element. With Eminems Without Me blasting and pyrotechnics flaring, the engineer of Brexit, friend of Donald Trump and now key protagonist in Britains election is welcomed like a hero.

Most Read from Bloomberg

As he walks into a packed auditorium in Clacton, a deprived town on Englands east coast where polls suggest he will become its member of the UK Parliament next week, the 60-year-old disruptor is greeted by cheers and hoots. He regales them with gags about his fondness for beer and naked appearance on a TV reality show, all while mocking his opponents.

Farages chummy, English love-in disguises a threat to the political establishment that just got bigger.

While the Labour Party looks set for a landslide victory on July 4, some in the incumbent governing Conservatives are growing more concerned that the anti-immigrant, anti-green Farage could stage a Trump-style grassroots takeover of their party, the UKs closest version of the Republicans.

In the UK, the question is what happens to the Conservatives after years of chaos that saw five prime ministers since the Brexit vote split the nation in 2016. The votes Farages Reform Party is projected to pick up could turn a Tory defeat into an unprecedented wipeout by peeling off right-wing voters energized by issues such as immigration.

pic.twitter.com/pxgwI0aeeA

 Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 25, 2024

When Farage entered the election campaign, he told broadcaster ITV he had no intention of joining the Conservatives, and that the better thing to do would be to take it over. Hes doubled down on that on the campaign trail. They may be in opposition, but they wont be the opposition, he told the gathered crowd at the Princes Theatre in Clacton on June 18.

According to Bloombergs poll of polls, Reform has surged to almost 16% versus 20% for the Conservatives and Labour way ahead on more than 40%. In the UK electoral system, though, thats no guarantee of seats in the House of Commons. When Farage last stood for one, in 2015, he gained almost a third of the votes and was beaten by a Conservative.

His comments during the latest campaign blaming the European Union and NATO for provoking Russias invasion of Ukraine havent helped, though. It also remains to be seen if an undercover investigation by broadcaster Channel 4 that revealed Reform campaigners in Clacton making racist and homophobic slurs dents the partys popularity.

But Farage has been somewhat of a wildcard for the Conservatives, or Tories, in recent years. After the Brexit vote he claimed hed got his country back and it was time for a rest. He relished his role as the UKs backseat political driver, feted by former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. Last year, he drew impromptu crowds at the Conservative Party conference.

Clacton also hasnt been shy to embrace the right of UK politics. The town was one of the UKs most ardent supporters of Brexit, with almost 70% of the area voting to leave the EU in 2016. Its local lawmaker at the time was from the UK Independence Party, which was then led by Farage.

Support for Reform is unequivocally terrible for the Conservatives, said Ben Ansell, politics professor at Nuffield College, Oxford University. Yet taking over the party would initially require backing from Conservative MPs, and I dont think a post-calamity Tory party will be particularly more right wing than it is now, he said.

Farage crashing into the election campaign was just the outcome Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Tory leader, wanted to avoid when he called a snap vote in mid-May. Conservative lawmakers and advisers see the prospect of Farage attempting a coup as perhaps their gravest concern for the next five years.

His party is deliberately named after the Reform Party of Canada, which helped push the Canadian Conservatives into a historic electoral wipeout in 1993, before taking it over entirely. They are the model, Farage told Bloomberg in Clacton, adding that he was inspired by his interactions with former Canadian Reform leaders.

Its also hard to ignore the parallels with Trump and the Republicans. In the Clacton auditorium, Farage banters back and forth with the audience. Like Trump, he has nicknames for his opponents; Slippery Sunak for the prime minister, and Call Me Dave for David Cameron, the former premier who staged the Brexit referendum in a failed attempt to unite behind EU membership and snuff out the threat of Farage.

The next Tory leadership contest  likely to take place in the summer if Sunak loses the election as expected  will see each contender asked if theyd welcome Farage into the party, one senior Conservative said.

Of the possible candidates to lead the Tories in opposition, only Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, has indicated shed be willing to accept the Reform leader into the fold. All the other likely candidates would not support him joining, people familiar with their thinking said.

Still, there are doubts over whether that position will hold. Some seven in 10 Tory members want Farage in their party, according to a survey by the website Conservative Home. Another poll in March had Farage as the most popular choice to replace Sunak as leader at 27%.

Braverman was fired by Sunak last year after being accused of emboldening a far-right protest by criticizing the policing of pro-Palestinian marches. She told the Times that Reform and the Conservatives should find a way to work together. I would welcome Nigel into the Conservative Party, she told the newspaper. Theres not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.

Farage has used that as ammunition in his campaign. He told the audience in Clacton that the Conservatives were divided by those proposing a political marriage and those opposed to him ever joining the party.

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is a bookmaker favorite to succeed Sunak as Conservative leader after the election, has ruled out serving with Farage. Why would you welcome someone into your organization when they say they want to destroy it? she told GB News, where Farage until recently hosted a talkshow.

But even if the next Tory leader does keep Farage out, the question doesnt go away in the next election cycle. Pressure to do a deal with Reform would grow in the face of a potential second consecutive landslide for Labour, one veteran Conservative aide said.

So far, Reforms campaign has focused on the promise of tax cuts, scrapping environmental targets, and above all, reducing immigration to net zero. Its also tapped into the European trend of increasing popularity among youth, the rise of the so-called Gen Z right wingers.

Reform is running a slick TikTok campaign and talking up concerns about the high cost of housing and rents. The partys support among the 18-24 bracket is still dwarfed by Labours, but has grown faster than any other partys in recent weeks. And just like at the event in Clacton, the theme tune for the campaign has been the line from rapper Eminem: Cause we need a little controversy.

Just as is happening in Europe, there is a new phenomenon racing through the politics, Farage said when he launched his campaign. I promise you, something is happening out there.

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Fast food chains tend to be lawsuit targets, especially when it comes to being sued for false advertising. Sure, it's worth noting that some of the lawsuits have been dismissed and the fast food chain in question is legally in the clear. For example, some plaintiffs don't even research the definition of the products they thought they were getting before suing about them. One lawsuit we found came from a person who had never even personally bought the product. However, others have resulted in monetary payouts to plaintiffs or customers and dents in the chain's reputation. Sometimes, these suits mean the restaurants are required to make changes or enact other forms of compensation.

There have been some more serious allegations levied against fast food restaurants, too, including claims that some have purchased ingredients from companies that are violating human rights and others that may have even put customers in danger. These wide range of false advertising claims require different approaches from judges and have led to some eye-catching lawsuits.

Read more: Fast Food Hamburgers Ranked Worst To Best

Starbucks Was Accused Of Not Ethically Sourcing Its Coffee As Advertised

child sorting coffee beans - Helovi/Getty Images

In January 2024, the National Consumers League (NCL) filed a lawsuit against Starbucks for false advertising relating to its core product: coffee. While Starbucks claims to use ethically-sourced coffee and tea in its drinks, the lawsuit counters that the company actually gets its products from operations that violate human rights via labor practices.

Starbucks uses an internal verification program for ethical sourcing that it calls the Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE) Practices. CAFE is supposed to ensure that Starbucks gets its products from sustainable sources that protect laborers. However, the NCL uncovered unsavory reports about some of the farms and co-ops where Starbucks gets its coffee and tea. These allegedly documented child labor; forced labor; sexual, physical, and psychological abuse; and unsafe and inhumane work environments and practices on farms in Brazil, Kenya, and Guatemala.

A Starbucks spokesperson stated that "We take allegations like these extremely seriously and are actively engaged with farms to ensure they adhere to our standards. Each supply chain is required to undergo reverification regularly and we remain committed to working with our business partners to meet the expectations detailed in our Global Human Rights Statement" (via The Hill). However, critics like the NCL have noted that the CAFE Practices don't make it easy for third-party verification of its standards. Now, it's up to a judge to decide whether Starbucks is culpable, though the case is ongoing as of this writing.

Panda Express Was Accused Of Misrepresenting Delivery Costs

lady ordering through a delivery phone app - Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Some Panda Express customers were in for a surprise when it came to some of its extra delivery charges when, in 2023, they learned that they might be eligible for compensation in a class action lawsuit.

It all came down to issues with delivery. Customers who ordered delivery through the Panda Express website or app may have thought they were only paying the average $2.95 delivery fee that the chain advertised. However, there was an additional 10% service charge added to many bills that customers weren't necessarily expecting. For instance, a $30 order could go from $32.95 to $35.95. Naturally, the more you ordered, the more you had to pay for delivery.

Panda Express didn't officially apologize or admit to misleading anyone, but it did settle the lawsuit for $1.4 million. As part of this settlement, for a limited time, anyone who used the Panda Express website or app to make a delivery order between July 17, 2020 and February 16, 2022 could submit an online claim form. This process would then compensate them with either cash or a free meal voucher.

Burger King Faced A Lawsuit Claiming Its Burgers Weren't As Meaty As Advertised

Burger King burger on tray - SrideeStudio/Shutterstock

In March of 2022, a class action lawsuit was brought against Burger King , with plaintiffs claiming the chain had presented ads they found misleading. According to the lawsuit the images in the ads gave the illusion that the sandwiches were 35% larger than ones actually received by customers.

While Burger King argued that customers know that advertisements use stylistic visuals, it still claimed that the burgers in its ads are the same as the ones it serves. Burger King also claimed that it doesn't hide the fact that the size listed for its burgers is its starting size -- meaning, that's the size before it's cooked and begins to lose mass from released fats and juices.

In 2023, Burger King tried to get a federal judge in Florida to dismiss the case, but the judge wasn't willing to dismiss the whole thing. He decided to make a distinction between television advertisements that showed products without giving a name or price versus sandwiches on menu boards, which presented specific products with specific prices. The part of the case that hasn't been dismissed, at least so far, relates to the products depicted on menu boards. The plaintiff has had a chance to offer more details to demonstrate whether the images are normal advertising exaggerations or a true misrepresentation of the product. As of May 2024, the court docket shows no final decision from the judge just yet.

Panera Was Sued For Misrepresenting How Much Caffeine Was In Its Charged Lemonades

Panera Strawberry Mint Charged Lemonade - Panera Bread / Facebook

Currently, several lawsuits are pending against Panera Bread related to unclear representation of how much caffeine was in its Charged Lemonades. The company advertised the lemonade as having the caffeine equivalent of a dark-roast coffee ... which wasn't strictly true, as certain sizes of the lemonade reportedly contained more caffeine than the chain's largest dark roast coffee. These shady menu practices allegedly resulted in deaths and significant heart-related medical events for customers.

One lawsuit states a healthy athlete visited the emergency room with heart palpitations and atrial fibrillation after drinking two and a half Charged Lemonades in April 2023. Per the suit, a large 30-ounce Charged Lemonade had 390 milligrams of caffeine, so drinking two and a half was roughly equivalent to drinking 5.75 cups of coffee. Two other lawsuits are related to Charged Lemonade deaths. Both customers had medical conditions that limited how much caffeine they should ingest and didn't realize the lemonade had a relatively high amount. One, a young college student, died in September 2022; and the other concerned a man with an intellectual disability who died in October 2023. A fourth lawsuit came from a healthy teen who suffered cardiac arrest in 2024 , reportedly after consuming just one large Charged Lemonade.

Panera has so far been unsuccessful in getting the lawsuits dismissed. In 2024, several months after multiple lawsuits were filed and while many remained in progress, Panera retired its Charged Lemonades.

Taco Bell Was Accused Of Not Using As Much Filling As Advertised

low-filling Taco Bell Mexican Pizza - Amy Bell/Mashed

When Frank Siragusa got a $5.49 Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell, he was disappointed with just how little beef and beans he found inside. Since the filling amount was about half of what was advertised online and on store menus, he sued in July 2023. When Mashed investigated how close Taco Bell's Mexican Pizzas were to its advertisements in August 2023, we didn't get very much meat or beans either, even though it was the most expensive item on the menu.

Siragusa's lawsuit not only cited his own lackluster pizza but brought in images from other disappointed customers posting on social media, who complained about getting very little filling in both the chain's Mexican Pizzas and its Crunchwraps. The lawsuit pointed out that selling products with less filling than advertised can be especially devastating to those with a limited food budget as food costs continue to rise.

If the lawsuit had succeeded, Taco Bell would have had to pay out at least $5 million to customers who purchased poorly-filled Mexican Pizzas or Crunchwraps during a specified time period. However, court docket information shows that the case was voluntarily dismissed and terminated on November 13, 2023.

Popeyes Was Sued For Not Making Chicken Tenders Out Of Tenderloins

Popeyes Chicken Tenders and biscuits - Popeyes / Facebook

In July 2022, Natasha Sanders filed a lawsuit in New York claiming that Popeyes had falsely represented its chicken tenders given that they were made from chicken breast meat rather than tenderloins. Operating under the assumption that tenderloins were the superior cut of chicken, Sanders felt that the Popeyes menu was shady and that she was getting ripped off by paying a premium price for everyday meat.

In Sanders' lawsuit, she claimed that customers wouldn't pay as much for strips of chicken made out of regular breast meat as they would for strips that came from the tenderloin. While the USDA does specify that tenderloins are the pieces of meat that run next to the breast bones in chicken, it also determines that chicken tenders can be "any strip of breast meat," not just tenderloin. According to the court docket, the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed in 2022.

Undeterred by the lawsuit, Popeyes continues to advertise its chicken strips as chicken tenders. It also doesn't specify exactly what type of white meat is in its tenders because it technically doesn't have to, based on current USDA guidelines.

McDonald's And Wendy's Were Sued For Exaggerating Burger Sizes

Dave's Single and a Big Mac - Adam Swierk/Mashed

In 2022, a customer filed a lawsuit accusing McDonald's and Wendy's, alleging that the advertised size of the chains' burgers was inflated compared to the real things. The lawsuit claimed that the hamburgers in the restaurants' ads must be undercooked, since fully-cooked hamburgers shrink by about 25% during the cooking process. The lawsuit further claimed that ads put out by both chains were misleading and harmful to customers.

In 2023, a U.S. district judge ruled in favor of both McDonald's and Wendy's, reasoning that the advertisements McDonald's and Wendy's used were similar to those of other fast food restaurants. Plus, the judge noted that there were plenty of well-displayed disclaimers available on the restaurants' websites that gave enough information for a customer to understand what they were getting. Since the weight and calorie content of the burgers were clearly stated and available to the consumer, the judge didn't believe that there was any deception on the part of the restaurants.

A Lawsuit Claimed Panera Bread Misrepresented Claims Of Clean Ingredients

Panera bread salads - Panera Bread / Facebook

Randall Sally filed a lawsuit against Panera Bread in August 2020, accusing the chain of using ingredients that weren't 100% clean as it had claimed. Because Panera's stated food beliefs included serving so-called clean foods (which it defines as foods free of artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavor, and colorants), it created a "No No List" of ingredients in 2015 that features many artificial ingredients the chain says that it doesn't include in its products.

Sally's lawsuit claims that Panera still serves unclean ingredients, giving examples like ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid (a natural acid found in citrus), potassium sorbate (a food preservative), and tocopherols (many of which include vitamin E). Part of its claim is based on the FDA definition of chemical preservatives, which only gives exceptions to "common salt, sugars, vinegars, spices or oils extracted from spices, substances added to food by direct exposure thereof to wood smoke, or chemicals applied for their insecticidal or herbicidal properties."

Sally originally filed the lawsuit in a Missouri court. Panera tried to move the case to a higher court, but a district judge kicked it back to Missouri in 2021. In October 2022, the court docket showed that the whole case was dismissed. In the meantime, Panera hasn't added any of the questioned substances to its No No List and apparently continues to use them.

Subway Was Accused Of Using Tuna That Wasn't 100% Real

Tuna Subway sandwich - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In 2020, Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin filed a federal class action lawsuit accusing Subway of using fake tuna in its tuna salad. They didn't have an answer for what the mystery meat was supposed to be, but they didn't believe that it was tuna.

In response to the lawsuit, several news sources did their own investigations. The New York Times sent samples of tuna salad from three restaurants in Queens to a lab to check for tuna DNA. The lab couldn't find any tuna DNA, concluding that it either wasn't made with tuna or was too processed to identify. However, reporters at Inside Edition who sent tuna sandwiches to a Florida lab (which specializes in identifying fish DNA) got different results. In their investigation, samples from three different sandwiches collected at three different locations in Queens, New York all contained tuna DNA.

There were three total versions of the Subway tuna lawsuit. The first was dismissed on a technicality, while the second was dismissed because one of the plaintiffs had never actually bought a Subway tuna sandwich. One of the plaintiffs dropped the third and final version of the lawsuit because she had extreme morning sickness. Subway fired back, demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars to recover its attorney fees, but the judge didn't grant the chain's request.

Dunkin' Has Been Sued Multiple Times Regarding Ingredients

Dunkin' Glazed Blueberry donut - Curoar / X, formerly known as Twitter

Various customers have encountered purportedly shady ingredients on the Dunkin' menu. Thus, the chain was sued multiple times in 2017 for misleading its customers.

Yet two of the 2017 lawsuits were dismissed. A New York customer complained about the chain's Angus Steak and Egg Breakfast Sandwich, saying that it contained ground beef instead of real steak. In 2020, the court concluded that the advertisement wasn't misleading and the case was dismissed. After all, the dictionary definition of steak also typically includes hamburger steaks. In another 2017 lawsuit, Dunkin' was sued over not having real blueberries in its blueberry donuts. It turned out that customers were chomping down on blueberry-flavored crystals instead of real fruit. The lawsuit included multiple blueberry donut flavors served up by the chain, including Glazed Blueberry, Blueberry Butternut, and Blueberry Crumb Cake. Blueberries weren't on the ingredient list for any of these donuts. Ultimately, the customer who brought the case voluntarily dismissed the blueberry lawsuit. A similar suit brought by a California plaintiff made much the same blueberry-related claims, but appears to have gone nowhere.

Dunkin' did lose one of its 2017 lawsuits, in which a customer was upset about not getting butter on their buttered bagels. It turned out that employees at the location were adding more easily-spreadable margarine instead of butter. After a 2019 settlement, the franchise owners also vowed to change their buttering practices.

Chipotle Was Sued For Misleading Customers About Non-GMO Ingredients

food from Chipotle - Chipotle Mexican Grill / Facebook

After Chipotle ran ads that indicated its ingredients came from non-genetically modified organisms (non-GMO), customers naturally had certain expectations. However, some customers who dug deeper into the background of the foods Chipotle was serving felt misled and sued the restaurant.

There were two main complaints in the lawsuit, initially filed by six plaintiffs in April 2016. One was that the animals that Chipotle was using for its meat were fed with GMO foods. The other was that the chain served soft drinks made with GMO corn syrup. The plaintiffs argued that the non-GMO claims that Chipotle were making were therefore bogus.

A judge initially dismissed the case in 2016 but changed his mind in 2018. But, before the case could go back to trial in 2019, Chipotle agreed to a settlement of $6.5 million, which would refund $2 per meal to U.S. residents who ate at Chipotle between April 27, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Households could get a refund for up to 15 meals with proof of purchase or up to five meals without proof. The attorneys and plaintiffs received more significant portions of the payout, and Chipotle also agreed to donate $475,000 to a variety of major charities.

Long John Silver's Sued Captain D's For Misleading Advertising

seafood from Long John Silver's - Long John Silver's / Facebook

Long John Silver's sued rival seafood chain Captain D's in October 2009 after an odd and possibly misleading advertising campaign started appearing in newspapers. Either the advertising campaign was a complete mistake or it represented new height in vicious chain rivalry. However, it was up to a judge to decide.

That year, Captain D's in Knoxville, Tennessee, started running newspaper ads saying that, since Long John Silver's had closed, it would honor any of the competition's coupons customers still had laying around. The clencher: none of the Knoxville Long John Silver's locations had actually closed. A Long John Silver's franchisee sued.

A spokesperson for Sagittarius Restaurants, the parent company of Captain D's, claimed that running the ad in Knoxville was supposedly an accident and it was supposed to be "for publication only in the community in which the closed restaurant was located" (via Nation's Restaurant News). However, the whole point of the lawsuit was that Long John Silver's wasn't convinced that it was an accident and assumed that the ad was meant to be misleading. A search of court dockets didn't reveal how the suit finally ended, though a lack of information about settlements or decisions hints that it may have been dismissed.

Pizza Hut Tried To Take Papa Johns To The Supreme Court

supreme Papa John's pizza - Papa Johns Pizza / Facebook

In 1998, Pizza Hut sued Papa Johns over an ad campaign, specifically the chain's use of the slogan "Better Ingredients, Better Pizza." Pizza Hut felt that the statement wasn't true and could hurt its business, hence the lawsuit.

The case scrutinized the way that each pizza restaurant made its sauce, dough, ingredients, as well as the results of taste tests and the content of each chain's commercials. Both sides ultimately sought monetary restitution for "corrective advertising" that both chains did in response to the other's advertising.

Papa Johns lost its first jury case, but, unhappy with the outcome of having to stop the campaign, it appealed the decision. Three appeals judges ruled in 2000 that the statements that Papa Johns made in its advertisements were not false or misleading, but just exaggerated advertising. Pizza Hut wanted to take the case to the Supreme Court court. However, in 2001, the Supreme Court didn't find the case worth its time and refused to consider it.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci hit back at Steve Bannon on Sunday for saying that his past comments directed at Fauci were a metaphor.

Fauci, in a Sunday appearance on ABCs This Week, was asked about Bannons earlier remarks. The former Trump adviser argued that his past comments suggesting that Fauci and FBI Director Christopher Wray should be beheaded were a metaphor.

Fauci pushed back on Bannon, saying some people could act on comments like that.

Yeah, thats nonsense, figure of speech. Words matter, and he thinks its figure of speech. And then you have maybe one of out 500 out there whos a wacko, who doesnt think its a figure of speech, and thinks its a mandate to go ahead and do something, Fauci said.

And so, these people that say they can say anything they want but its a figure of speech, dont buy that. Thats nonsense. Words matter, Fauci added.

Bannon, a one-time strategist to former President Trump, has been ordered to report to prison by July 1 over his contempt of Congress charges. In an earlier interview on This Week, Bannon defended himself over his past remarks calling for Wrays and Faucis heads to be on pikes.

In this town, a thousand times a day, people go, We got to put their heads on pike. We have put his head on a pike. It was a metaphor, Bannon said.

ABCs Jonathan Karl noted that Bannon made those comments when Fauci and Wray were facing death threats.

Its a total metaphor. Anybody understands that. Thats your  by the way, they banned us I think on Twitter. They banned us on Facebook for that. And guess what? The show got even bigger, Bannon responded.

Karl was referring to 2020 comments made by Bannon on his War Room podcast.

Id actually like to go back to the old times of Tudor England. Id put their heads on pikes, right, Id put them at the two corners of the White House as a warning to federal bureaucrats, you either get with the program or youre gone, Bannon said at the time.

Facebook did not remove Bannons account at the time but removed the video of the comments. Twitter, the social media platform now known as X, suspended his podcast account at the time.

Fauci has previously opened up about the death threats he faced while leading the White Houses COVID-19 response. He choked up while talking about threats made to him and his family during his testimony to a House committee earlier this month.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Fayetteville residents will see a property tax increase to raise pay for police officers and firefighters after the Fayetteville City Council last week unanimously approved the city's fiscal year 2025 budget.

The budget also includes a tax rate increase for downtown property owners and salary increases for city employees.

The City Council on June 24 adopted the budget, totaling $319.9 million, during a regular council meeting held in the council chambers at city hall. This budget represents a 2.83% increase over the previous fiscal year, according to a news release from the city.

We sent the budget back over and over again to find other ways to do it and to be conscious of the fact that people are recovering financially and economically, but still want service and want to feel protected," Mayor Mitch Colvin said in the release.

The Fayetteville City Council unanimously passed the city's fiscal year 2025 budget.

What's in the budget?

 The tax increase is dedicated entirely to public safety personnel, ensuring competitive compensation for police, fire and emergency communications employees, the release said. The tax rate for every $100 value increased by $0.04, bringing the new tax rate to $0.5795 per $100 of property valuation for city residents. The $0.04 tax rate increase is projected to generate about $6.176 million, with each $0.01 increase yielding approximately $1.544 million, the release said.

 The Office of Community Safety will receive $2.3 million in funding, plus an additional $2.5 million for its activities, the release said. The office will focus on providing mental health response and diversion, violence prevention and intervention, homeless risk reduction and youth opportunities.

More: Commissioners unanimously approve Cumberland County's 2025 budget. Here's what's in it.

 The Municipal Service District tax rate for downtown property owners will increase from $0.10 to $0.17. It's expected to generate more than $105,000 to maintain services including enhanced security, street maintenance, beautification projects, community events and downtown hospitality officers to support the growth of the downtown area, the release said.

 A $4.6 million investment toward employee compensation will include a 4% salary increase for all nonexempt employees and an additional 1% contribution to the 401(k) plan, totaling a 3% contribution, the release said. This investment is part of a multiyear strategy that aims to provide a 5% total contribution to enhance competitiveness with other employers, municipalities and counties in North Carolina, the release said.

 The budget includes investments in infrastructure, such as a $1 monthly stormwater fee increase to fund management and maintenance of the city's 751.6 miles of streets and 122 parks and recreation facilities, the release said.

"Working through the budget process this year has been a testament to our commitment to the residents and employees of Fayetteville, City Manager Doug Hewett said in the release. I'm proud of the collaborative efforts of our City Council and staff to ensure that we provide the best possible outcomes."

Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville residents will see tax increase
The Iowa congressional delegation is protesting a U.S. Department of Labor crackdown on businesses that, under a new Iowa law, has allowed teens 14 and 15 to work later hours than permitted under federal regulations.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa congressional delegation are protesting the U.S. Department of Labor's crackdown on Iowa businesses that are following a new state law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work later hours than permitted under federal regulations.

The Iowa Restaurant Association has said some restaurant owners have been assessed fines as high as $180,000 for allowing younger teens to work as late as 9 p.m. on school nights and until 11 p.m. during the summer. That's in contravention of the longstanding federal requirement that school-year work hours end by 7 p.m. and summer hours by 9 p.m. The Iowa Legislature approved the change in the law in 2023.

Reynolds, writing to acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su, pointed to what she described as the selective enforcement of the regulations against Iowa businesses.

More than 25 states currently have state labor laws that are less restrictive than federal law," she wrote. "Those 25 states have not been subjected to the same level of enforcement and excessive fines as Iowa."

She noted that South Dakota has allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 10 p.m. during the school year since 1994. "According to the South Dakota Retailers Association, their businesses have never faced the same level of enforcement scrutiny as Iowa in the 30 years since their law was enacted," she wrote.

A letter prepared by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinsons office and signed by her and the five other members of Iowas congressional delegation  all Republicans like Reynolds  likewise noted the alleged targeting of Iowa.

The Labor Department did not respond to a request for comment, but previously has denied singling out Iowa.

Hinson urged the department to update its rules, rather than penalize Iowa businesses,

We ask the U.S. Department of Labor to assess their own regulations to determine whether they are aligned with our modern work world, support our young workers, meet employers needs and sustain a strong American economy, the letter says.

Reynolds deemed "absurd" the federal position "that a teenager working at a family-owned restaurant past 7 p.m. on a school night qualifies as oppressive child labor," adding, "The department is excessively fining small Iowa businesses to the point of closure for violating outdated child labor regulations that were set in the 1930s. Our workforce and workplaces look much different than they did 85 years ago, and Iowa's child labor laws reflect that. Its time the DOL update its own regulations to recognize the reality of our modern work world.

Chad Simmons, owner of Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry in North Liberty, is among Iowa buisness owners hit by a federal crackdown on enforcement of child labor laws.

She had planned to hold a news conference last week with Chad and Carol Simmons, whose Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry in North Liberty has been hit by the crackdown. She put it off as she focused on severe flooding across north and northwest Iowa.

Reynolds said in her letter that the Simmonses opened Sugapeach in August 2016 and employ teens "not only to serve their customers, but also to support their community." She pointed to their participation in a Scholars Making Dollars program with the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically Black fraternity, giving youths "opportunities to develop work skills, gain real-world experience, and earn a paycheck."

"Sugapeach, like many small businesses, is a staple of its community and its potential closure, due to severe penalties imposed by the department, will have impacts well beyond its own doors," she wrote.

In addition, the owner of a Subway restaurant in Maquoketa has told the Des Moines Register that when her business was the subject of a federal inspection earlier this year, the department conducted private interviews with the teenagers she employed, without any other adults present.

Letter targets specific issues in child labor crackdown

The Hinson letter asks the department by July 9 to respond to five questions:

What steps has the department taken to provide businesses with an opportunity for corrective action prior to issuing a fine?

How does the department determine which businesses to investigate?

What standards are in place to govern the departments interactions with teenage employees during an investigation?

Is it standard practice for the department to demand non-supervised access to teenage employees without parental consent or knowledge?

How many similar investigations are taking place in other states  including Illinois and Minnesota  that have state labor laws in conflict with federal law?

Both Hinson and Reynolds said in their letters they have received numerous reports from small business owners of being fined by the Labor Department.

Small businesses are staples of their community that provide employment opportunities to teenager workers. Rural communities in Iowa would be greatly harmed if these small restaurants were pushed out of business for mistakenly following state regulations, and it is imperative that the Department provides transparency and an opportunity to rectify situations before penalizing small businesses with excessive fines, Hinson's letter said.

U.S. Labor Department warned it would 'vigorously enforce' child labor laws

Labor Department officials had warned Iowa lawmakers and the governor during the legislative session when they considered and passed the law that states could not have less-restrictive child labor laws than those on the federal books. The Department will continue to vigorously enforce child labor protections across the nation, it said.

In a statement issued to the Register June 24, it wrote: Its dangerous and irresponsible that amidst a rise in child labor exploitation in this country, Iowas governor and state legislature have chosen to repeatedly undermine federal child labor protections despite the Labor Departments clear guidance. No child should be working long hours, doing dangerous work, or be employed in unsafe conditions.

It also pointed out that in 2023, it conducted over 4,500 outreach events involving more than 450,000 participants to ensure businesses understood how to maintain compliance with federal law.

Hinson said in her news release she is concerned by what she called the DOLs heavy-handed approach in dealing with child labor violations found in Iowa restaurants.

Rather than working with Iowa small businesses and providing guidance in good faith, the Biden DOL is rushing to immediately slap down hundred-thousand-dollar fines that could force some small businesses to close their doors," she wrote. "I am working to get answers and ensure Iowa's small business community isn't steamrolled by DOL bureaucrats."

"We respectfully request reconsideration or renegotiation of the fines levied against the small businesses of Iowa facing closure due to excessive fines," Reynolds wrote in her letter.

Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at kbaskins@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Federal child labor crackdown gets pushback from Iowa gov, lawmakers
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  A federal judge granted a motion Friday to temporarily stop Oklahoma from enforcing its new anti-immigration law that would make it a crime to live in the state without legal immigration status.

U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones issued a preliminary injunction requested by the U.S. Department of Justice to go into effect while their lawsuit challenging it continues. The law would have taken effect on Monday.

The lawsuit in federal court in Oklahoma City challenges the measure, which makes it a state crime  punishable by up to two years in prison  to live in Oklahoma without legal immigration status. Similar laws passed in Texas and Iowa are also facing challenges from the Justice Department.

The Justice Department says the Oklahoma statute violates the U.S. Constitution and is asking the court to declare it invalid and bar the state from enforcing it.

The judges Friday order says Oklahoma may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration, but that the State may not pursue policies that undermine federal law.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the ruling was disappointing and claimed that the law is necessary because the Biden administration is failing to secure the nations borders.

We intend to appeal todays decision and defend one of the most powerful tools we have, Drummond said.

Noor Zafar, staff attorney with The American Civil Liberties Unions Immigrants Rights Project called the law harmful, and said in a statement that it threatens to tear apart Oklahoma families and communities.

The court was right to block it, Zafar said. This ruling is a victory.

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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) blasted some Democrats who have vowed to not support President Biden over his handling over the war in Gaza during an appearance on Fox News Sunday.

Host Shannon Bream asked Fetterman whether he was worried that the Abandon Biden movement may affect Bidens ability to consolidate support within his own base. She noted that many progressives have differed from Fettermans stance on Israel, including the Abandon Biden movement that calls for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Fetterman said those who dont support Biden will be helping former President Trump.

And that that whole abandon Biden thing, its the  thats the dumbest s Ive ever heard, he said Sunday. I mean, if you are more inclined to vote for a Democrat or be a Democrat, if youre willing to walk away from Joe Biden, youre, by defecting, helping Trump, and thats really it.

And they want to play with that kind of fire, they better earn that burn. And now, especially because people now have turned their backs on Joe Biden, now its going to mean, sure, that everyone, its going to be an all hands on the deck, he added later on.

Fetterman has also blasted Democrats calling on Biden to end his reelection bid after Thursdays poor debate performance, advising people on Friday morning to chill the f out.

Fetterman has been a strong supporter of Israel since the onset of the war. He met last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that his country had no better friend than the Pennsylvania Democrat.

Fetterman said it was an honor to spend time with Netanyahu.

I mean, Ive had the opportunity to meet everybody, and remind everybody that we need to stand with Israel throughout all of this, and its going to get more and more difficult, he said.

He also reiterated his calls to bring back all of the hostages, saying he cant possibly support a deal for peace before Hamas is effectively neutralized.

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Fico likely to return to duties 'soon' after recovering from May assassination attempt, Slovak government says

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will likely return to his duties shortly, Slovak media outlet Aktuality reported on June 30, citing Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak.

Fico, 59, was shot in an assassination attempt as he walked out of a government meeting in the town of Handlova on May 15. The attack left the prime minister in serious condition, and he has since undergone two surgeries.

Fico last addressed the public in early June via a video posted on his Facebook. The Slovak prime minister thanked doctors for their care and said he could return to work "in late June or early July."

"I cannot say that everything is going according to plan," Kalinak said, adding that Fico's injuries affected the functioning of his musculoskeletal system.

Kalinak said Fico is "gradually getting closer" to being able to perform the job of prime minister, fully.

The Slovak prime minister is expected to address the public "in the next few days," according to Kalinak. The Slovak Defense Minister did not specify whether Fico would do it in person or via social media, as he did in June.

Fico was shot by Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old writer and political activist.

According to court documents cited by the Slovak news outlet Pravda, Cintula said he had no intention of murdering Fico but instead wanted to "harm his health."

Cintula reportedly told authorities that he did so because he disagreed with "certain policies" of the current government.

Fico called Cintula "an activist of the Slovak opposition" in his June 5 address. The prime minister added he felt no hatred towards the shooter and would not seek compensation or take legal action.

Read also: Opinion: The EU needs to shift focus as war returns to Europe

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This fight is not over: Neighbors balk at York County response to Silfab controversy

Fort Mill neighbors protesting Silfab Solar are angry, confused and unswayed by York Countys recent statement backing the companys $150 million plan for a manufacturing site. Theyre also determined that it wont be the last word.

Were going to fight them every step of the way, said Regent Park resident Nicole Forde, who lives less than two miles from 7149 Logistics Lane.

York County clears path for solar panel site, blames misinformation for public protests

Thats the address where Canadian solar panel manufacturer Silfab plans to start production by years end. The company received state and county tax incentives to bring the manufacturing site with 800 jobs. Instead of taxes the company can pay a fee at almost half the typical manufacturing tax rate of 10.5%.

Residents protested, saying dangerous chemicals used in production shouldnt be allowed near neighborhoods and beside where two schools are now under construction.

The county Zoning Board of Appeals sided with residents in May. The board unanimously voted that solar panel manufacturing shouldnt be allowed in areas, like the Silfab site, zoned light industrial.

But York County issued a June 25 statement saying that ruling doesnt apply to Silfab. The county contends a zoning verification letter Silfab received in late 2022 from county planning staff allows the company to operate there.

Developments cant be jeopardized by later requests for zoning interpretations from opponents of those projects, the county stated.

John Lee, who lives a little more than a mile west of Silfab, isnt buying the countys response.

It feels like a mistake was made and rather than owning it, and correcting it, they have decided to press forward, Lee said. They owe us more specific answers.

Concerned residents gather in Fort Mill Thursday to voice their concerns about the Silfab Solars plan to open in Fort Mill. York County issued a response backing the company after zoning controversy on whether it should be allowed.

Legal challenges to Silfab decision

Residents gathered Thursday night in Regent Park to pass out fliers protesting Silfab. But York County public meetings have drawn hundreds of protesters at a time for months. Public outcry may no longer be the issue.

Well certainly win based on public opinion, said Rich Krouse, who lives about a mile from the site. The problem is once the lawyers get involved the public opinion goes in the toilet.

The county statement backing Silfab feels like a county facing legal pressure, residents say. Krouse would expect Silfab to file suit if the county disallowed the project after considerable financial investment. So residents plan to fight back. They just arent sure yet whether theyd sue the county, Silfab or both.

We will take them to court, Forde said. We dont want to have to go there, but we will.

Several residents have spoken with attorneys but to date, nothing has been filed.

Neighbors against Silfab Solar plans to manufacture solar panels in Fort Mill gather in Regent Park on Thursday to pass out information to businesses. Protests will continue after York County issued a statement indicating the company will be allowed to operate near schools under construction.

Battling Silfab misinformation

The recent county statement blames much of the public concern over Silfab on misinformation.

Residents agree with so many voices speaking out against the company, some will be misinformed. But they also point to public documents they say make the case to keep Silfab out of a light industrial property.

Theyre trying to defend a bad decision, Krouse said. The question is, should the county allow those kinds of chemicals, in those quantities, in that location.

The county, state and company acknowledge toxic chemicals hydrochloric acid, hydrogen flouride and toluene would be used in the manufacturing process. Emissions from the site, though, wouldnt exceed environmental standards, they say.

Residents point to the zoning verification letter York County says gives Silfab the ability to operate. It states it isnt a permit, and that the company can proceed only with all proper permits including civil site plan review.

Asked Thursday if there are any additional permits Silfab still needs to operate, county spokesman Greg Suskin said building permits for the facilitys upfit and ancillary structures are under joint review by the county and the International Code Council. Suskin didnt know when decisions would be made on those permits.

Residents say a zoning letter shouldnt handcuff the county, when the zoning appeals board later found it erred in allowing solar panel manufacturing in light industrial zoning.

We have the ability to stop this now, and they dont seem interested, Lee said. We have a zoning board of appeals for a reason. They clearly made the right decision.

Silfab protests to continue

York County Council meets again July 15, and residents again plan to rally. They arent against Silfab or solar panel manufacturing. A group that began as Stop Silfab rebranded as Move Silfab to reflect its position.

Its the specific location, Lee said.

Frustration continues to mount. Forde doesnt get how a county appeals board set up in part to review staff decisions can make a ruling that wont apply to the company that prompted the review. Or the idea the county cant stop Silfab based on that board decision when the company hasnt started production.

Were very angry about it, Forde said, because theyre all full of nonsense.

This fight is not over, Lee added. Its just beginning.
This article was originally published in CalMatters.

Even when California high school seniors set a record last year in applying for college financial aid, more than a quarter didnt bother, leaving gobs of money on the table.

Now, the state agency overseeing student grants and scholarships is about to embark on a new campaign to persuade more students and their parents to apply for financial aid. The strategy is buttressed by novel market research that produced counterintuitive conclusions about what compels people to seek cash for college.

It cant come at a better time as financial aid applications in California and nationally are down compared to last year, largely due to major setbacks with the federal governments revamped application for aid.

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Core to the research insights is that low-income parents and students know that a college degree often leads to higher wages, but they have significant anxiety about paying for that education.

Nationally, we are grappling with this question about, How do we communicate to students about the value of an education after high school and the return on investment? said Jake Brymner, deputy director of policy and public affairs at the California Student Aid Commission.

Avoiding language that sounds too good to be true, such as 100% of tuition covered, even if thats technically accurate, was one lesson learned from a round of focus groups led by a public opinion research firm that the student aid commission hired with philanthropic funds. Imagery such as coins or bags of money implied scams, not the promise of affordability, the panel of parents and students told the market researchers.

And video testimonials from students who were frank about their ambivalence toward pursuing college, but mustered the will anyway to apply for financial aid, resonated deeply with participants of the focus groups, which took place between December and April.

It was surprising to see that free money, a phrase like that, leads to distrust at times, said Michael Lemus, a marketing manager at the student aid commission who helps with developing videos the agency produces to explain the intricacies of applying for financial aid.

Added Sara Beth Brooks, whos also on the team: The basic values behind our social media channels is that we believe we can cut through government jargon and take information directly to constituents.

Language on financial aid is persuasive

A survey conducted between May and June of nearly 1,200 high school students and parents showed an 11 percentage point jump among those who said they were likely to apply for financial aid, from 61% to 72%. The participants were asked if they would apply and then asked a second time after viewing the refined marketing material, which included a mix of video testimonials and written material across 20 minutes.

The idea to examine the best ways to reach students was born out of a commissioners retreat last year. The findings from the focus groups and the survey were presented to commission members Thursday. CalMatters was given an advance copy of the results.

Everyone talks about you got to strengthen your communications, meet students where theyre at, said Marlene Garcia, the outgoing director of the student aid commission, at the meeting. It isnt as easy as it sounds. Its hard, and this team is figuring it out.

The likelihood of completing the state or federal financial aid applications jumped from 54% to 68% among the groups the California Student Aid Commission considered a priority  students with grades below a B or C average, those who were in low- and middle-income households and students who hadnt taken the core high school courses required for admission to the states public universities.

State tuition waivers and federal cash grants that dont have to be repaid can fetch students as much as $21,000 or more, per year. Without completing financial aid applications, that vital postsecondary assistance is unattainable.

If we communicate effectively and meet peoples emotional needs, we can increase the likelihood that people will pursue applying for financial aid, said Robert Perez, one of the researchers behind the marketing analysis, at the meeting. Hes the founder of public opinion firm Wonder: Strategies for Good.

Specificity mattered to audiences, as well. Its not enough to say financial aid. Parents and students were more drawn to messaging that stressed state and federal grants arent loans and dont have to be repaid.

I feel more calm knowing these are not loans, but aid, wrote one mother during the focus groups.

Putting the findings on student grants to work

This summer, the outreach and marketing team will use philanthropic dollars to hire content creators on social media with large followings to publish videos about their own experiences seeking financial aid and completing community college. The team will time that with the Sept. 3 deadline for first-time community college students to apply for the Cal Grant, the main financial aid benefit in California.

The video team at the student aid commission will also feature more personal anecdotes about their paths into college. In another effort to appeal to students who havent applied for aid, the commission also will send recent high school graduates postcards with language and imagery informed by the focus groups.

The aid commission was already connecting on social media with students, parents, high school counselors and other professionals involved in the financial aid application process. One video in January generated more than 6 million views on Instagram. It featured Brooks describing a step-by-step process to answer a confusing question on the new federal financial aid application.

The number of followers across the commissions social media channels has grown prodigiously this past academic year. Last year it had 5,200 followers on Instagram and 800 on TikTok. This May, those grew to 58,000 followers on Instagram and 35,000 on TikTok.

We could make graphics that explain these things, and I dont think that they would do as well, Brooks said. Its the human element of somebody saying, I hear that youre in this situation, Im going to do everything I can to help you.

The videos arent slick by design  they often show a member of the outreach team in the car or in their office speaking candidly about how confusing applying for financial aid can be, especially this year when the newly revised federal application encountered a bevy of problems that blocked many students from submitting their applications.

Videos with low production value, high emotional impact

That humility resonates well with audiences, the focus group participants.

A video shown to them earlier this year featured a mother who spoke only in Spanish and her son, who spoke in English, sitting in front of a wall decorated with a crucifix and family photos. The video purposely avoided the slick digital treatment common in advertisements and instead appeared more like a low-budget documentary.

At one point the student, Kenny Funes, said he never felt poor because his parents provided for him, but he was surprised to learn that he qualified for a lot of financial aid because his familys income was sufficiently low.

Another video was in Spanish and featured an undocumented student who applied for state aid. This and other videos were unscripted and edited down from about 75 minutes to under 3 minutes.

In a final video, a college student spoke about dropping out of high school and then feeling inspired to resume his education. As hes speaking, the focus group participants respond in real time to how the video content makes them feel. Initially, the mood among the participants drops as the student describes the dead-end jobs he was working. Seconds later, the student recollects a phone call with his mom after she received distressing news from her doctor. That prompted him to return to college. The audience mood starts to climb, responding well to the narrative arc of temporary setback and eventual triumph.

The researchers said that had the videos just emphasized success, they wouldnt connect as much with the audiences. When we feel like were not alone, we feel like we can do it, Perez said. The sincerity prompts the audience to trust the student, which in turn encourages more people to complete the application, he added.

I understand that frustrationnot wanting to fill it out, the student in the final video, Jesse Williams, said of completing the financial aid application. Because it is a process.

Perez and some of the commissioners also agreed that reaching parents directly will compel more students to apply for aid.

I feel like the one thing that keeps a lot of students from trying, especially first generation students, is that their parents dont know where to even start, said Keiry Saravia, a student commissioner.

Parents are incredibly important messengers and really underutilized, Perez said.

The story was originally published on CalMatters.
Finland's parliament on July 1 unanimously approved a defense pact with the U.S., that gives Washington, among other things, access to 15 bases on the territory of one of NATO's newest members.

Spurred by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finland entered NATO in April 2023, extending the NATO-Russian border by roughly 1,340 kilometers (830 miles).

The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) was signed in December of last year but was still awaiting approval from Helsinki's parliament.

As well as access to military bases, the DCA allows for the training and deployment of U.S. forces on Finnish soil, as well as the deployment of military hardware.

Finland insisted nuclear weapons would remain covered by domestic laws in the agreement, so the import and transit of them remains prohibited.

The U.S. has concluded similar DCA-style pacts with 11 other NATO countries, including Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Finland and Ukraine signed a 10-year security agreement in April, which President Volodymyr Zelensky called a "strong document that proves Finland's readiness to continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression."

Read also: Russia has moved almost all ground forces from Finlands vicinity to Ukraine, media report

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A Pennsylvania man was killed when fireworks exploded in his garage.

Michael Cross, 55, of Union City in Erie County, was working in his garage Sunday night when the blast occurred, the Associated Press reports.

Neighbors helped Cross get away from the flames, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is among the agencies investigating the explosion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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At Supreme Court oral argument in the Texas social media case back in February, Justice Samuel Alito asked the question: Lets say YouTube were a newspaper, how much would it weigh? In Mondays Supreme Court opinion in Moody v. NetChoice, a five-justice majority over Alitos objection did not directly answer that absurd question, but it did say that under the First Amendment, Facebook should get about the same amount of editorial discretion as the Miami Herald. And thats some good news from an otherwise bleak end of the Supreme Court term.

As I first explained at Slate back in February, Moody concerns a pair of laws, one from Florida and one from Texas, that regulate different aspects of social media. Among the most important provisions in each of the laws is a limit on content moderation. The state laws differ in their particulars, but both were motivated by the removal of Donald Trump from major social media platforms after the violence of Jan. 6, 2021, and a general complaint that the platforms were unfairly censoring conservative voices on their platforms. A coalition of internet companies, NetChoice, challenged the laws claiming they violated the First Amendment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit put key parts of the Florida law on hold but the 5th Circuit allowed Texas law to go forward pending further proceedingsan action the Supreme Court reversed as it considered these issues.

In Mondays opinion in Moody, the Supreme Court was unanimous in holding that the way that NetChoice litigated its cases was not proper. It had brought a facial challenge to the law under the First Amendment, which essentially requires showing that in almost any way that the state might try to enforce its law, doing so would be unconstitutional. The justices agreed that these laws were very complex and the issues were not fully developed. As Justice Elena Kagan explained for the majority, the cases were litigated as if it was just about whether Facebook could curate its news feed. But it was not clear how this law might apply to Gmail, or Etsy, or Venmo. The case is going back for better legal and factual development to both courts.

Thats where the agreement among the justices ended. Speaking for herself, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and Sonia Sotomayor, Kagan gave guidance on where the 5th Circuit went wrong in its First Amendment analysis in considering the constitutionality of the Texas content moderation decisions. None of this was necessary for the decision (in legal parlance, it was dicta), but the court addressed the issue because [i]f we said nothing about those views, the court presumably would repeat them when it next considers NetChoices challenge. The other justices would not have reached the First Amendment merits, although Alito expressed some serious reservations about the analysis.

Kagans guidance relied heavily on a 1974 case, Miami Herald v. Tornillo, in which the court held unconstitutional a Florida law that required newspapers to print the reply of someone who had been criticized in the newspaper. The court held that private actors like newspapers have every right under the First Amendment to include or exclude content as they see fit.

To Kagan, social media companies in moderating content were just like newspapers. She said that curating content is expressive activity protected by the First Amendment and that includes the decision to exclude content and that this principle is true even if most content is allowed and just a little bit is excluded. Further, when it comes to laws regulating speech, the government cannot get its way just by asserting an interest in improving, or better balancing, the marketplace of ideas. Were the rule otherwise, Kagan asserted, the platforms could be forced by Texas law to carry bad content including posts that support Nazi ideology; advocate for terrorism; espouse racism, Islamophobia, or anti-Semitism; glorify rape or other gender-based violence; encourage teenage suicide and self-injury; discourage the use of vaccines; advise phony treatments for diseases; [and] advance false claims of election fraud.

Moody might seem like an unremarkable decision, consistent with long-standing First Amendment principles. And indeed, in an amicus brief in the cases that I filed with political scientist Brendan Nyhan and journalism professor Amy Wilentz and co-authored with Nat Bach and his team at Manatt Phelps, we argued that Tornillo is the right analogy.

But in endorsing this view of the First Amendment, the majority brushed aside a major argument made by Justice Clarence Thomas in earlier cases and by First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh that social media companies should be treated differently because they function like common carriers, such as the phone company. Just like Verizon cannot deny you a phone because of what you might say using it, the argument is that Facebook had to be open to everyones view.

The court gives the argument the back of its hand, never even addressing it directly; Alito says the majority brushes aside the argument without adequate consideration. Thomas says the argument should still be pursued in the lower courts, but its squarely inconsistent with what the Kagan majority says in its dicta. Volokh too sees many unanswered questions and thinks there is still a chance for some parts of these laws to be upheld when the cases get back to the lower court.

Beating back this common carrier argument, at least for now, is a victory for democracy. Had Texas won, as we argued in our amicus brief, a state would be free to require a social media company to carry not just election denialist speech but speech that foments political violence.

Social media companies are in many ways not like newspapers in terms of volume and reach and the ability of everyone to share their own views and opinions. But when social media companies regulate content, they can act as responsible corporate citizens and remove speech they find objectionable. We know from Elon Musks takeover of Twitter (now X) that not all platforms will act responsibly. Thats a pity, but as the Supreme court said Monday, its a choice for the platforms to make.

This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside Amicus, we kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Florida is touting new statistics that show Florida students saw significant improvements, nearly across the board, in year two of Floridas progress monitoring system.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The new statistics from the Florida Department of Education suggest the states new progress monitoring system is leading to improved scores, not only compared to last year, but also over the course of the 2024 school year.

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What weve seen is having this information has allowed our teachers to make live adjustments in the classroom, continue to provide for those students who need it on specific items, said Diaz.

Diaz noted some of the biggest year-over-year gains were seen in Geometry, with a six percent increase in students achieving at or above grade level, and US History which saw a five percent increase.

Throughout the 2024 school year students also saw a 20 percent improvement on grades 3-10 English assessments and a 42 percent increase in grades 3-8 mathematics.

READ: Duval County Public Schools new superintendent starts Monday

Merit matters. When you get the core and youre teaching the core of math, of English, of civics of science, you see students perform, said Diaz.

Here in Northeast Florida, among 18 various subject and grade level categories, our nine local counties saw student achievement increase year-over-year in more than 77 percent of those categories.

Less than 17 percent of the categories saw declines.

READ: No other options: Falling traditional school enrollment forces DCPS to cut staff

And Diaz argued by sticking with the new progress monitoring he system, he expects to see improvements continue in both higher and low lower performing districts.

And I think this system accentuates that, allows teachers to teach, allows them to have the data and allows leaders to make assessments. And so I look forward to improvement, not only across the state, but in Northeast Florida, said Diaz.

You can find a full breakdown of student achievement broken down by subject area and county HERE.

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FL killer shares name with Deadpool character: Who is Wade Wilson, what crimes did he commit?

Wade Wilson, a Fort Myers man who shares his name with the Marvel Comics character Deadpool, stands convicted of the brutal 2019 murders of two Cape Coral women.

On June 12, 2024, Wilson, 30, was convicted on six charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, in Lee County, Florida.

Thirteen days later, the jury voted to send Wilson to death row for the murders. It will be up to the trial judge to impose the death sentence on July 23.

Wilson's case has drawn national attention for the heinous murders, his facial tattoos and Deadpool tie.

Here's what to know about Wilson, his crimes and his victims:

Wade Wilson crimes

Wilson, then 25 years old, met Kristine Melton, 35, and her friend Stephanie Sailors on Oct. 7, 2019, at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar.

After the bar closed, Wilson and the two women went to the home of Jayson Shepard where they stayed for several hours before leaving in the morning.

Wilson, Melton and Sailors then went Melton's Cape Coral home. After Sailors left, Wilson strangled Melton to death as she slept in her bed and stole her car.

A short time later, Wilson saw 43-year-old Diane Ruiz walking along a Cape Coral street, asked her for directions to a nearby school and lured her into the car.

When Ruiz tried to exit the car, Wilson attacked her, beating and strangling her before pushing her out of the car and running her over 10 to 20 times.

After the murders, Wilson called his biological father Steven Testasecca several times confessing to and narrating the gruesome details of crimes.

"He was excited," Testasecca testified in court, adding Wilson said he wanted to make Ruiz "look like spaghetti."

Testasecca contacted police and Wilson was arrested Oct. 8, 2019.

Wade Wilson victims Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz

Kristine Melton, 35, of Cape Coral, was murdered Oct. 7, 2019, by Wade Wilson, 30.

Kristine Melton grew up in Illinois and moved with a friend to Cape Coral where she worked as a waitress.

She reportedly was godmother to her cousin Samantha Catomer's child, owned a cat and lived in a Cape Coral duplex.

Melton loved to dress up and her favorite holiday was Halloween, Catomer testified during Wilson's trial.

Melton had a quick wit, made everyone around her feel safe and understood and "was precious, not just to me, but to everyone who knew her," Catomer said.

Melton was 35 years old when she met Wilson at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar. After leaving the bar and spending several hours at the home of Jayson Shepard, Melton, her friend Stephanie Sailors and Wilson went to Melton's duplex.

After Sailors left, Wilson strangled her to death in her sleep.

Diane Ruiz's body was found in a field in Cape Coral on Oct. 10, 2019, four days after she was reported missing.

Diane Ruiz, 43, a mother and engaged to be married, was described as caring and hardworking.

She worked as a bartender at the Moose Lodge in Cape Coral and never missed a shift in five years.

Ruiz was walking to work for her 10 a.m. shift when she encountered Wilson.

A short time after killing Melton, Wilson saw Ruiz walking along a Cape Coral street and lured her into the car after asking her for directions.

When she tried to leave, Wilson beat and strangled Ruiz, pushed her out of the car and ran her over repeatedly.

Her body was found in a field three days later, as vultures circled overhead.

Where is Wade Wilson?

Wilson is housed at the Lee County Jail in Fort Myers. Once his sentencing and other unrelated charges, including an escape attempt, are resolved, he'll be transferred into the Florida prison system.

If Judge Nicholas Thompson confirms Wilson's death sentence, Wilson will end up on Florida's death row at Union Correctional Institution.

Wade Wilson tattoos, before and after

Wilson's facial tattoos have gained widespread attention, including on social media.

While Wilson had neck tattoos at the time of his arrest in 2019, none were visible on his face in his booking photo and early court appearances.

Wade Steven Wilson

At his 2024 murder trial, Wilson's face was covered in tattoos, including a swastika and stitches around his mouth.

Prior to the trial, Wilson's attorneys were granted motions requesting he be allowed to wear street clothes and to cover tattoos, "that might be objectionable to members of the potential jury pool," with makeup.

Wade Wilson enters the courtroom during the start of his capital murder trial at the Lee County Courthouse in Fort Myers on Monday, June 3, 2024. Wilson is facing two first-degree murder charges among others. He was allowed to change into a suit.

Wade Wilson sits the courtroom as the verdict is read during the penalty phase of his murder trial at the Lee County Courthouse in Fort Myers on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The jury recommended the death penalty for Wilson.

Wade Wilson walks back to his seat during the penalty phase of his murder trial at the Lee County Courthouse in Fort Myers on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The jury recommended the death penalty for Wilson.

Who is Wade Wilson in Deadpool movies?

In the Marvel Comics and movies, Wade Wilson is the alter ego of Deadpool, a trigger-happy mercenary highly trained in martial arts and swordsmanship with accelerated healing powers through the Weapon X program that essentially make him immortal, according to USA TODAY.

Because Deadpool, who is played by Ryan Reynolds in the movies, had cancer during Weapon X, his cancer cells regenerate as fast as his normal cells, leaving his body heavily scarred and the reason he wears a full face mask.

The newest film in the franchise, "Deadpool & Wolverine," hits theaters on July 26.

Contributing: Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Wade Wilson: Deadpool namesake murdered 2 women in Florida
Flood waters rushed through Ruidoso over the weekend, transforming roads into rivers and leading 100 people to be rescued by National Guard troops.

More heavy rain is expected. A flash flood watch is in place in Ruidoso and nearby areas from 11 a.m. into the evening on Monday, July 1, according to the National Weather Service.

The rising water may result in flooding of rivers, arroyos and low-lying areas. Roadways may become impassable, and streams may rise above banks, according to the National Weather Service.

Monsoon rain combined with burn scars from the South Fork and Salt Fires created a chaotic scene  an SUV submerged in floodwaters with a driver trapped inside, fast-moving water gushing from windows of shops and restaurants, and people carried to safety by National Guard tactical vehicles.

An urgent evacuation advisory was issued over the weekend, and another could be on the way, according to the village of Ruidoso. Residents and visitors are advised to monitor weather updates, heed flood watches or warnings, and seek higher ground if possible.

Meanwhile, fire crews continue containment efforts, with the South Fork and Salt Fire still affecting over 25,000 acres. Fires are at 84% containment as of Monday, July 1.

Rain has helped suppress some of the blaze, and crews are helping with flood mitigation alongside fighting the fire, according to the village.

Flash flood watch vs warning

Residents in the area are urged to monitor updates. A flash flood watch is when flash flooding is possible or close to the watch area, according to the National Weather Service. Flash flood watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur within 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.

A flash flood warning is when flash flooding is occurring or imminent in the warning area, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood watch is in place in Ruidoso and nearby areas from 11 a.m. into the evening on Monday, July 1, according to the National Weather Service. Monsoon rain combined with burn scars from the South Fork and Salt Fires created a chaotic scene over the weekend  people are seen carried to safety by National Guard tactical vehicles.

How to stay safe

If in a low-lying area, seek higher ground and follow evacuation orders.

Drivers should stay away from flooded roads and never drive around barriers. Only six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, while 12 inches can carry away most cars. It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

Sandbags are available at the following locations in Ruidoso, New Mexico:

Wingfield Park, 300 Center St.

Ruidoso Fire Department Station 2, 606 White Mountain Drive

Ruidoso Downs Senior Center, 393 U.S. Highway 70

Copper Ridge, 111 Copper Ridge Road

Ruidoso Downs race track update

Flash flooding from the recent burn scars damaged the racetrack Saturday afternoon during trials for the $1 million Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino.

The racetrack's damage occurred from debris carried down the Rio Ruidoso into the Ruidoso Downs community from flooding in midtown Ruidoso and other areas.

No make-day for the Rainbow Derby and Rainbow Oaks trials has been set. The makeup day for the race was set for Monday, July 1.

Stay updated at village of Ruidoso.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Heavy rains, burn scars cause flooding in Ruidoso
Despite a recent increase in coronavirus cases, fewer people are masking now  including most of these guests at UCLA's graduation in June. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

COVID-19 cases are continuing to climb in Los Angeles County, as are the number of people hospitalized with infections, as the typical summer surge in the illness creeps up.

Among those recently testing positive for the coronavirus was Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whose office disclosed the result Friday morning, shortly before she spoke at a press conference virtually, through Zoom. The mayor first tested positive for the virus in June 2023.

The rise of COVID in California comes as levels of coronavirus in the state's wastewater remain high, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Doctors have noted an earlier-than-normal rise for this time of year, beginning in May in L.A. County. The midyear rise in county COVID cases and hospitalizations didn't begin until early July in 2021 and 2023, though in 2022 it started in early May.

For the week ending June 23, the most current data available, reported cases averaged 215 per day, up from 154 the prior week. A month before that  for the week that ended May 26  an average of 83 cases a day were reported.

The official tally is an undercount, as it includes only tests done at medical facilities. The tally does not reflect positive at-home tests or take into account that far fewer people are tested once they're sick. But the tallies are still helpful in detecting trends, such as when COVID is on the upswing.

The latest count shows the most new coronavirus cases per day since February's tally, as the virus' winter peak was trending down. The peak rate in the winter was 621 cases a day; last summer, it was 571 cases a day.

The rate at which COVID tests are coming back with positive results is swinging up across California. For the week that ended June 24, 9% of tests showed positive results; a month earlier, the positive rate was 3.4%. Last summer's peak rate was 13.1%.

New subvariants of the coronavirus, labeled FLiRT, are increasingly edging out the previous dominant strain of the virus.

The new FLiRT subvariants, officially known as KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1.1, are believed to be roughly 20% more transmissible than their parent, JN.1, the winters dominant subvariant, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious-disease expert at UC San Francisco, has said.

For the two-week period that ended June 22, the most recent information available, 62.9% of estimated COVID specimens in the U.S. were of the FLiRT variants  up from 45.3% a month earlier.

Despite their increased transmissibility, the new mutations do not appear to result in more severe disease.

Read more: There's a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant. Could FLiRT lead to a summer uptick?

Coronavirus-positive hospitalizations also are ticking upward. For the week that ended June 22, there were an average of 153 patients in L.A. County hospitals per day, up from 138 the prior week. Last summer's peak was an average of 620 patients per day, and the winter's was 825.

The share of emergency room visits related to the coronavirus is also up. For the week ending June 23,



2.1% of ER visits in L.A. County were coronavirus-related; a month before that, the number was 1.2%. Last summer, that share peaked at 5.1% toward the end of August.

Despite those upticks, coronavirus levels in L.A. County wastewater have remained largely stable of late. For the week that ended June 15, the most recent data available, coronavirus levels in sewage were at 17% of the 2022-23 winter peak. That's slightly up from the 15% the previous week, which was an increase from 13% the week before. But the week before that, the level was 16%.

Last summer saw coronavirus levels in L.A. County wastewater reach a high of 38% of the peak from the winter of 2022-23.

A number of places in California have seen rising coronavirus levels in wastewater. Santa Clara County, Northern California's most populous, continues to report high coronavirus levels in a swath of Silicon Valley, from San Jose to Palo Alto.

Fourteen states, including California, are showing high or very high coronavirus levels in their wastewater. California is among nine states with high levels, along with Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. The five states with very high levels of coronavirus in sewage are Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

COVID death rates have remained stable in L.A. County. For the week that ended June 4, the most recent information available, the county's average was fewer than one COVID death a day.

Summer surges in the virus typically coincide with an increase in travel and group gatherings. And with the majority of the population having long ditched their masks, the chances for infection are higher. Further increasing the likelihood of infection is the fact that most people who have been vaccinated are far removed from their last COVID-19 booster shot.

Across California, 36.2% of seniors have received at least one dose of the updated COVID vaccine since September, when it was introduced. Just 18.3% of adults ages 50 to 64 received an updated vaccine in that time; among younger adults, up to age 49, only 9.7% have done so.

The CDC says everyone ages 6 months and older should have gotten at least one updated shot since September, or two shots for seniors 65 and older who are four months out from their first updated dose.

People who are immunocompromised can get an additional updated shot two months after the last recommended dose, and can speak with their healthcare providers about whether further doses are needed.

A new updated formula for the COVID vaccine is expected in the fall. On Thursday, the CDC recommended that after the vaccine comes out, perhaps starting in September, everyone 6 months and older should get the updated 2024-25 version of the vaccine.

Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement. Make a plan now for you and your family to get both updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall, ahead of the respiratory virus season."

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing flood warnings across northeast Kansas as rain hits the area.

The NWS issued a warning Monday, July 1 for parts of northeast Kansas due to flood dangers as rivers become overloaded with water from rainfall. Drivers are warned to not attempt driving around barricades or through flooded areas of the road turn around, dont drown when encountering flooded roads and other areas. Current flooding alerts include:

Pottawatomie County  flood warning Vermillion Creek near Wamego and Mill Creek near Paxico. Issued at 2:41 p.m. on Monday, July 1 through to midnight.

Osage County  flood warning Flooding frome xcessive rain could lead to flooding of local rivers, creeks and streams. Issued just before 10 a.m. and continues to 1 p.m. on Monday, July 1. Could impact Carbondale, Overbrook and Scranton.

Shawnee County  flood warning Wakarusa River Warning in effect from 9 a.m. Monday to morning of Tuesday, July 2. Flooding will occur at 15 feet on this river. Water is projected to rise to 16.1 feet by Monday afternoon. Could impact Wakarusa.

Osage/Lyon County  flood warning Salt Creek near Lyndon and Marais Des Cygnes River above Reading. Warning in effect from 7:49 a.m. on Monday, July 1 to late morning of Tuesday, July 2. Could impact Reading and Lyndon.



27 News will add more alerts to this list as they come in from the NWS. Check back here for updates.

Topeka woman shares warning after suspected spider bite sends her to the ER

For more weather news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Florida abortion amendment: More babies, more revenue is one argument at fiscal impact meeting

The battle over abortion entered a meeting of an otherwise obscure state panel on Monday, turning in part into a discussion about how many babies born or aborted would save or cost Florida taxpayers.

And the attendance of a top aide to Gov. Ron DeSantis telegraphed that the administration is all in against Amendment 4, the November ballot measure aimed at ensuring abortion access in the state.

Chris Spencer, once DeSantis' budget chief and now head of the State Board of Administration, told other panelists on the state's Financial Impact Estimating Conference that the abortion amendment would have a negative fiscal impact on Florida. The group met in the Knott Building, part of the Florida Capitol Complex.

Chris Spencer, State Board of Administration

A "fiscal impact statement," to be printed on ballots, could potentially sway voters to keep Florida's Heartbeat Protection Act, a ban on abortions after six weeks, in effect.

Spencer, who doesn't usually attend the conference's meetings, said a decrease in births would affect state revenue in the long term because of a decrease in population growth.

"If an individual life was costlier than it contributed, you would see at least a slow down in revenue growth," in the state, Spencer said, arguing revenues have increased as the state's population has increased.

Amendment 4, which needs at least 60% of the vote to pass, would negate the current restrictions signed into law by DeSantis. The ballot measure would allow abortions up to fetal viability, usually about 24 weeks of pregnancy.

That would restore a standard in place across the nation until the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs ruling that ended the constitutional right to abortion.

Recent data shows people continue to get abortions even after state abortion bans are enacted, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit research organization that supports abortion rights. Data from 2023 for the year after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization shows the U.S. actually saw an 11% increase in abortions compared to 2020.

Amy Baker, coordinator for the Florida Legislature's Office of Economic & Demographic Research, said growth depends on which population increases, that there's a difference between a Baby Boomer who moves to South Florida and a newborn baby.

'Purely a financial discussion,' state economist says

But she reminded the public: "This is purely a financial discussion. Nobody at this table is saying life is intrinsically valuable or not. But in terms of services to the state, or revenues to the state, that's all we're referencing."

Spencer ultimately said he thought the fiscal impact should be considered "indeterminate" on the ballot, but also argued, for instance, that potential litigation over the amendment will cost the state.

EDR's assessment on the ballot measure was also "indeterminate," as analysts do not usually include litigation in the fiscal impact.

But Spencer and Amendment 4 opponents who spoke at the meeting, including a representative from the attorney general's office, argued court costs could be in the millions for decades.

Jason Gonzalez, a name partner of Tallahassee's Lawson Huck Gonzalez law firm speaking on behalf of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group, said outside counsel costs could total $3 to $5 million for 20, even 30 years.

'Much more litigation than medical marijuana amendment,' lawyer says

"I can say, from my experience, this amendment if passed will cause much more litigation than the medical marijuana amendment," Gonzalez said. "That will happen times probably ten."

There were no speakers in favor of the amendment except for the ACLU, which was representing the sponsors of the amendment. Michelle Marra Morton said there would be no fiscal impact if the ballot measure were passed and said future litigation is out of bounds in the consideration of the fiscal impact statement.

This is the second time EDR has had to create a fiscal impact statement for Amendment 4.

Originally finalized last year, the statement must now account for the state's new six-week ban after abortion rights proponents argued and won in court that tighter abortion restrictions would cost the state more money. The original fiscal impact statement was "indeterminate."

Both House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo decided to reconvene the committee after the six-week ban was upheld. The panel will meet again July 8 to make the fiscal impact statement final.

Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network  Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Amendment 4: Panel talks fiscal impact of babies born, aborted
Floridas condo laws are changing. Heres everything you need to know

Floridas condo laws are changing. Heres everything you need to know

Owners of more than 1.5 million condominium units in Florida are bracing for rules going into effect this year that dictate everything from how a building is maintained to how condo associations are governed.

Last month Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping bill that strengthens oversight of condominium boards. Dubbed condo 3.0, the law could give developers more control over common spaces in mixed-use condo buildings. Theres also a fast approaching deadline for new building safety standards in the wake of the deadly 2021 Surfside condo collapse.

Lawmakers and DeSantis approved the measure to restore faith in condos, said Larry Buckner, a Florida-based advisory manager for the housing research firm Zonda.

Its really become hard to choose a condo when you consider the recent safety concerns, negative public opinion, increased assessments and lack of transparency on condo boards, he said.

While lawmakers hope these reforms will improve the quality of condo life in the long run, the immediate fallout could cause a slump in the real estate market as more owners sell to avoid impending assessments.

Buckner noted that condo sales in the Tampa Bay area are below the 10-year average and pre-pandemic levels. Condos are also staying on the market for longer.

What are the new rules for condo board members?

The bulk of the condo 3.0 law is aimed at cracking down on corrupt condo boards and increasing transparency for unit owners.

Condo owners have provided evidence of real malfeasance on the part of board members and property managers who have just gone awry, said Rep. Vicki Lopez, the Miami Republican who sponsored the legislation. The goal is to provide proper governance.

The law, which went into effect Monday, will:

Set criminal penalties for condo board members who accept kickbacks; engage in voting fraud related to board elections; or fail to maintain or provide access to public records.

Give the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation more power and funding to enforce existing condo laws and investigate condo boards accused of wrongdoing.

Prohibit associations from retaliating against unit owners by suing them for defamation or increasing assessments.

Require associations with 25 units or more to make records available to condo owners through an online webpage by Jan. 1, 2026.

Require new board directors to undergo four hours of mandatory training on inspections, recordkeeping, financial literacy and more. All directors must undergo an hour of continuing education annually.

Mandate that condo boards hold four meetings a year with dedicated time for unit owners to ask questions.

Beef up disclosure requirements for condo owners looking to sell their units. Effective Oct. 1, owners must provide prospective buyers with the condo associations annual financial statement and annual financial report.

Who is in charge of common areas in condo buildings?

In recent years Florida has seen an influx of mixed-use buildings that include both a condo and a commercial property like a resort or hotel.

Traditionally, developers have turned ownership of common areas such as pools, elevators, hallways, lobbies and green spaces over to the condo association once the units are sold. But a growing number of developers claim that they own these spaces, not the condo owners. This has led to several high profile lawsuits in South Florida.

A provision from a different bill that could give developers of mixed-use condos more control over common areas was tacked on to the legislation in the final stages.

The late addition has drawn criticism from condo owners who say the change will strip them of decision making powers in their buildings and open them up to abuse from developers. Some are threatening to sue.

Stevan Pardo, a Miami attorney who successfully represented the Carillon Miami Beach condo association in a lawsuit they brought against the developer over common spaces, said the law will allow developers to raise assessments without approval from the condo board.

Basically youre handing off the keys to the developers and the hotels to dictate whatever property rights unit owners have, he said.

Pardo pointed to cases where developers have been accused of overcharging condo owners.

What are the new building safety requirements for condos?

After Champlain Tower South in Surfside partially collapsed three years ago, killing 98 people, it was revealed that the condo association there had underfunded reserves and postponed major repairs to avoid raising assessments.

In May 2022, state legislators passed Senate Bill 4D to address systemic issues with how condos are maintained and financed. Several small amendments have been made since.

Under the new rules:

Condos three stories and higher must undergo an inspection after 30 years and every 10 years thereafter. This will determine whether the building is structurally sound and if it needs repairs.

Buildings that are already 30 years or older must have inspections completed before the end of the year.

Condos three stories and higher must review reserve funds before the year is over and every 10 years thereafter. This will determine how much condo associations must save to properly maintain the building.

Condos must base a budget adopted on or after January 1 of next year on the findings and recommendations from the review of reserves.

Condo associations three stories and higher will be barred from waiving or underfunding reserves.

How will this impact the real estate market?

Uncertainty about how these changes will pan out is already causing some to rethink condo ownership.

Condo and townhome listings in Tampa Bay increased nearly 99% year-over-year, according to May data from Greater Tampa Realtors. Sales fell 6%.

About 78% of condo units in Tampa Bay are 30 years or older, according to data from Zillow.

Unfortunately in these older buildings, many peoples perspective was that you only need to fix it when its broken, said Greg Main-Baillie, executive managing director for the Florida Development Services Group at Colliers who oversees construction projects for condos across the state.

He noted that certain repairs, like concrete restoration, could end up costing tens of millions of dollars. If the board hasnt saved enough to cover the bill, the cost will fall on the shoulders of condo owners.

Its going to force people to decide whether they can afford to stay, Main-Baillie said.

Disputes over common areas in certain buildings could pose another dilemma.

Whats the value when you dont own anything outside of your unit and you dont have the right to control your assessments? said Pardo.

Buckner said though some individuals may end up selling their units at a loss, he doesnt expect to see any widespread price drops or a fire sale. Condos that make it through this transition will likely come out stronger and see higher values in the long term, he said.

Developers are already on the hunt for opportunities to demolish older condos and rebuild. Though the bar for terminating a condo association is high  just 5% of unit owners can block the decision  Main-Baillie said this could be a better option for condos with serious maintenance and financial issues.

Do you live in a condo thats being affected by the new requirements? Share your story with the Tampa Bay Times by filling out the form below or emailing rliebson@tampabay.com
Former Alabama Teacher of the Year and Son, 8, Dead in Car Crash That Injured 6 Others

Heather Minton was reportedly among several educators to earn Teacher of the Year honors from Pike County Public Schools in 2023

Heather Minton/Facebook Heather Minton and her son Conners

A woman who was named Teacher of the Year at an Alabama school district and her 8-year-old son have died following a crash that reportedly left six others injured.

Brundidge police said the crash that killed 40-year-old Heather Minton and her son occurred on June 25 on County Road 4421, according to CBS affiliate WAKA and ABC affiliate WDHN.

Minton's family identified the second victim in a GoFundMe campaign as a child named Conners.

The child was airlifted from the scene, and later died at the hospital, WAKA reported.

Related: Girl, 5, Reportedly Left on Bus for Entire School Day in 'Hot Heat': 'No Child Should Have to Go Through That'

Six other people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. Brundidge Police Chief Sam Green said five injured individuals were inside the second vehicle, WDHN reported.

It is unclear how the fatal crash occurred. The Brundidge Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Heather was a science teacher at Pike County High School, according to CBS affiliate WTVY.

The Troy Messenger reported that she was among several educators to earn Teacher of the Year honors in 2023.

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.

Pike County Public Schools did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

As of publication, more than $23,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe campaign in support of the Mintons.

According to the family who organized the online fundraiser, all of the money raised will go to Eric Minton as he navigates this new chapter in his life without Heather or Conners.

I know that these wonderful people touched many lives, and I am praying that we can come together as a community for this family, they said.

Related: 4 Dead, at Least 9 Injured After Minivan Crashes Into Long Island Nail Salon

The Brundidge Methodist Church announced on Facebook that it has also started an account through Troy Bank and Trust where donors can help out with expenses for the Minton Family.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, per the local news reports.



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Read the original article on People.
Police have arrested and charged the ex-senior banker who resigned from his job at boutique firm Moelis & Co. after a viral video showed him punching a woman in Brooklyn in June.

Jonathan Kaye, 52, a former Moelis managing director, was charged Monday for second- and third-degree assault, the New York Police Department told CBS MoneyWatch.

The charges stem from an incident at a Brooklyn Pride event on June 8 that was captured on video and widely shared on social media. It showed Kaye appearing to strike a woman, causing her to fall to the ground. The 38-year-old woman later filed a police report alleging that the punch caused her a broken nose, lacerations and a black eye. She also said she became unconscious after hitting the ground, according to the report.

Representatives for Kaye, who is Jewish, shared his perspective on the altercation Monday, after charges were filed. They claim Kaye was walking past a group of pro-Palestinian supporters who made antisemitic remarks and threw liquids at him. He "was surrounded, shoved to the ground and further attacked," a spokesperson for Kaye told CBS MoneyWatch.

The punch he threw at the 38-year-old woman, which was captured on video, was in "self-defense," his reps said.

Kaye's attorney, Danya Perry, said he was "terrorized, assaulted and surrounded by a group of unruly antisemitic protesters" and that the widely shared video doesn't capture the events that led up to the altercation.

"...Agitators formed a ring at him, doused him with two unknown liquids, shoved him to the ground and hurled antisemitic slurs at him. Terrified and injured, Mr. Kaye managed to act in self-defense to escape the situation and return safely to his family," Perry said in a statement.

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Jenni White spoke to reporters Monday, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated after her removal from the Oklahoma County Election Board. (Kennedy Thomason/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A former Oklahoma County Election Board alternate is suing the Oklahoma State Election Board after it alleged she made false claims.

Jenni White was fired from her alternate position on the Oklahoma County Election Board in February after questioning the absentee ballot counting process. Former member Cheryl Williams was also removed.

In a suit filed June 19, White is seeking damages in a jury trial. Mark Hammons, Sr., an attorney specializing in employment law, is representing White.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District. Defendants are State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax and members Heather Mahieu Cline, Tim Mauldin and Mignon Lambley.

White said she decided to sue because a board member should not be able to smear the reputation of another member because they dont like being challenged. She also said Oklahomans deserve to know what is going on in their elections.

I strenuously disagree with the Oklahoma State Election Boards characterizations of my actions and their direction to have me investigated by the two highest law enforcement offices in the state, as though Ive done something wrong, White said. When ironically, all I was trying to do was have them follow the law.

White was referred to the Oklahoma County District Attorney and the Oklahoma Attorney General. There has been no action from their offices, White said.

The board accused White of failure to perform duties prescribed by law; dissemination of false information about Oklahomas election system and procedures; failure to immediately remove false information from the public domain; lack of respectfulness and professionalism; and behavior unbecoming of an Oklahoma election official, according to Jan. 31 meeting minutes.

After becoming aware of alleged issues with the Oklahoma County Election Boards operations, White said she shared her concerns with a state representative and Oklahoma County Republican Party Chairman Ken Warner.

White alleges that during special elections on Sept. 12 and Oct. 10, board members observed vote counting via CCTV and were unable to see the entire room, movement of the ballots, the count on the election machines and tallies from the machines, according to documents.

On Oct. 16, White met with the Oklahoma County Republican Party, where several state representatives were present, according to documents.

White uploaded a formal complaint against State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax to her website, which deals with parental rights in Oklahomas public education system, on Jan. 7. Her grievances were improprieties of canvassing and counting absentee ballots, according to documents.

Three weeks later, White discussed election issues on a public podcast, according to documents.

The next day, she received a letter from Ziriax requiring her to attend a State Election Board meeting on Jan. 31. White was removed from her position because the board alleged she disseminated false election information, according to documents.

Ziriax declined to comment on pending litigation.

White alleges her First Amendment rights were violated after publishing her opinions and observations online.

I believe it was a violation of my First Amendment rights because as soon as I found out what was wrong, I began notifying other people, and I actually have published the information that I have been documenting on my website, White said.

Cline said due diligence and proper care were taken with the removal of White and Williams, according to Jan. 31 meeting minutes.

Further, any action taken by this board is not retaliatory or discriminatory in any way, it will be solely based on the facts and circumstances surrounding their actions or non-actions while serving as a board member, their truthfulness, and whether they have faithfully discharged their assigned duties under the law, Cline said.

Despite allegations of improper procedure, White said she does not believe any election results should be thrown into question.

Im not trying to insinuate anything like that at all, White said. All Im trying to do is say, if we have laws, then we need to follow laws.

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The post Former board alternate sues Oklahoma State Election Board appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Former romance scammer spills secrets on how he did it

A former romance scammer who ripped off tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims decided he would turn over a new leaf and explained how he got away with it.

I would start the conversation with them. I would make them like me. I have a great sense of humor, by the way, said Christopher Maxwell, a former romance scammer.

Looking for love: How to protect yourself from scammers on dating apps

Maxwell lives in Nigeria and told Channel 9s Erika Jackson in a Zoom interview that he preyed on people in North Carolina.

I do tell them that I am in the military, Maxwell said. And I am on deployment, so were not allowed to do video calls at camp, or we will be punished if we do.

Maxwell told Jackson he started scamming in college.

He would find women through dating apps and speak with them throughout the day, which could last years.

He said he would earn their trust and ask for money.

I would say I use Chase Bank, and I cant access my bank in Iran or Afghanistan. So I dont have access to money. And I tell them to please help me with any amount. When Im back from deployment, Ill pay everything.

Maxwell said that one of his victims was an older woman who he managed to scam out of $30,000.

He remembers her being close to his mothers age.

Maxwell said when she realized she was being scammed, she became physically and mentally ill.

That was when he felt guilty.

Maxwell said that interaction led him to his new job at Social Catfish, which is a company that uses technology to verify people online.

I was always scared that maybe the cops will catch me, or something like that. But now Im free, he said.

Maxwell is using his experience to share a warning: Be careful who you talk to online without meeting in person.

If you wait and keep on talking to that person, its at your own risk, Maxwell said. Its a scam. If no one is going to show you their face, its a scam.

VIDEO: More than $500M taken from romance scam victims in 2021, report says

I woke up

Jackson spoke with a victim of a romance scam similar to one that Maxwell would use.

Lara Katherine Miller, of Vale, is the executive director of a psychology institute. She fell for a scam like the one that Maxwell used to use.

Miller said she went into work mode when she got a message from a stranger on LinkedIn in fall 2022.

He began talking about his difficult life in the loss of his father and so this is why I was presuming that he was interested in help, Miller said.

That person said he lived in the Gambia, Africa, but that didnt stop them from quickly growing close.

He would tell Miller that he missed her and asked for photos of her.

BBB warns to not fall for scams when trying to fall in love

Miller said her new, online friend told her he had gotten hurt at work and couldnt afford treatment.

Miller said she voluntarily sent him $50 but soon after, she realized shed made a mistake.

There was a turning point.

Everything that those men were doing on the video from Social Catfish, he was doing to me, she said. Everything he was saying, the sequence of events, so I woke up.

She added, I was thankful that I got out with only $50.
Former Wee Folks in Decatur may see city-funded renovations

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  The City of Decatur is considering renovating and modernizing a shuttered daycare facility.

On Monday, the city council is set to debate giving the former Wee Folks daycare on Orchard Street around $733,000 in funding in order to meet state childcare standards. The money would come from pandemic-related funds like ARPA.

Most of the money would go to replacing the buildings HVAC system. Some of the other renovations needed include removing asbestos, repainting tiles, window frames and handrails, and replacing flooring.

Pritzker takes first steps to creating new state agency for early childhood programs

Love, Learning and Laughter Daycare, which provides childcare in Decatur, would privately run the facility. City leaders said reopening the facility will help local workers.

Renovation of this facility is critical to the workforce development initiative for Decatur-Macon County and help eliminate barriers currently preventing residents from entering the workforce, officials said in a memo.

Officials anticipate the daycare will help provide 250 childcare job as soon as it opens, to eventually 750 job openings over the course of three shifts a year after it opens.

The city bought Wee Folks in December.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Fort Meade has offered Edward Walker Dean, 51, a contract for the city manager position with a starting salary of $130,000. His official start date would be July 22.

Fort Meade is on the verge of having a city manager whose title does not include interim for the first time in nearly a year.

The City Commission voted 4-1 Thursday night to approve a contract offer to Edward Walker Dean, a former city manager of Haines City. The board had voted by the same margin on June 11 to offer Dean the position.

Jaret Williams cast the lone dissenting vote Thursday, as he had on the previous vote to hire Dean. Mayor Petrina McCutchen, Deputy Mayor Samuel Berrien and Commissioners James Watts and James Possum Schaill voted in favor of the contract.

Commissioners agreed to offer Dean a three-year contract with a starting salary of $130,000. Dean, who attended Thursdays meeting and addressed commissioners questions, agreed to a start date of July 22 but demurred on a suggestion that he sign a contract on the spot.

Former City Manager Jan Bagnall resigned in August after 2 years in the position. Three people have held the interim role since then, including the current interim city manager, Dustin Burke. The citys charter limits interim managers to five months of service.

'Elated': Lake Wales captures $23 million federal grant to move road projects forward

The City Commission, with a different composition, voted in December to offer the job to Pat Oman of Minnesota. But commissioners rescinded that offer in January, citing Omans failure to secure a place to live in Fort Meade.

Dean, 51, emerged as one of two finalists among a batch of applicants. During discussions at the June 11 meeting, commissioners also considered elevating Burke to permanent status. Burke has served in the interim role since February.

Williams made a motion to hire Burke at the previous meeting, calling him very qualified. Some residents in the audience held signs that read Keep Burke. Burke is scheduled to leave his position on July 21.

Haines City hired Dean as city manager in 2022, and the City Commission voted 4-1 to fire him eight months later. Haines City Mayor Anne Huffman had accused Dean of signing contracts without commission approval and of excessive spending on his city credit card.

Before coming to Haines City, Dean served from 2017 to 2020 as city manager of Greenville, a town of fewer than 1,000 residents near Tallahassee. He resigned from that position, The Ledger previously reported.

Dean then worked as a senior strategist and economic development consultant with Edward Walker Dean & Associates, his resume says. In that role, he developed strategic plans for the City of Madison to increase general fund revenue.

Deans previous work history includes working as an aide to three elected officials, including Sen. Bill Nelson, from the late 1990s into the early 2000s, according to his resume. He also cites experience as an administrator at Florida A&M University.

Fort Meade has a population of about 5,200.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Fort Meade offers Edward Dean a three-year contract as city manager
With the big July 4th holiday falling on a Thursday, the stage is set for a long holiday weekend at the Worlds Most Famous Beach.

Is the weather going to cooperate? Whats the chance of those nasty afternoon storms that have started to descend like clockwork nearly every afternoon?

Fireworks fill the skies at the Port Orange Fourth of July festivities in 2019. The city is among those with big holiday festivals on tap this year. The weather for outdoor activities will be hot, according to the forecast from the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

Heres the latest forecast for Volusia-Flagler from the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

After more storms on Monday, heat will be the biggest issue

According to a NWS hazardous weather outlook issued on Monday, widely scattered lightning storms are forecast to develop again Monday afternoon and into the evening. The primary threats will be gusty winds up to 45 mph, frequent lightning strikes, and locally heavy rain leading to minor flooding of poorly drained and urban areas.

Jul 1 | Now, for the second half of 2024...



Hot today, and with the humidity factored in, it will feel like 100-106 outside this afternoon. Stay cool and hydrated!



Afternoon/evening storms will be most abundant across the interior and around Lake Okeechobee. pic.twitter.com/8RsqYoJdzk  NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) July 1, 2024

The outlook also calls for high temperatures in the lower to mid-90s and seasonably high humidity early this week that will send heat index readings to a range from 100-106. A moderate risk of rip currents is expected to continue through the holiday weekend.

Although the extended forecast calls for rain chances that range from 40-50%, including a 40% chance of daytime showers on Thursdays Independence Day holiday, the probability of showers could be a bit lower, said Scott Kelly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

On Thursday and into the weekend, the primary concern will be heat, Kelly said. Rain chances will be scattered each day, but it will not be raining most of the time. There will be increasing temperatures from the low- to mid-90s across Volusia and Flagler counties, even at the coast.

Those temperatures are expected to send peak heat index readings as high as 105-108. Kelly said.

High pressure will send temperatures soaring

Unusually strong high pressure will build over Florida from midweek, through Independence Day, and into the weekend, resulting in the somewhat hotter temperatures, according to the NWS.

Combined with above-normal nighttime temperatures and high humidity, the Heat Risk is expected to jump into the "major" category for portions of the area. That means the potential for heat-related health impacts, such as heat exhaustion, will increase.

Residents and visitors planning to be outdoors will need to take extra precautions to beat the heat, the NWS advisory states.

More: Celebrate July 4th: City-by-city listings of firework displays in Volusia and Flagler

There remains a daily chance for scattered showers and storms through this week. Occasional to frequent lightning, brief gusty winds and torrential rainfall will accompany the strongest storms.

In addition, a moderate risk of dangerous rip currents will persist into the weekend.

Were not looking at a high risk (of rip currents) at this point, but certainly a moderate risk, Kelly said. There will be a lot of people in the water and there will be rip currents present with a moderate chance of strong rip currents.

Image Volusia Ocean Rescue uses to illustrate what a beachgoer caught in a rip current can do to try and escape.

Hurricane Beryl, the Category 4 storm churning across the Caribbean, will have no impact on weather conditions in Volusia and Flagler, Kelly said.

Daytona Beach weather radar

Radar

Daytona Beach extended forecast

Tuesday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 and a nighttime low around 79. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 and nighttime low around 78. Light variable wind becoming east at 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Independence Day: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 and nighttime low around 78. A 30% chance of nighttime showers before 8 p.m.

Friday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90 and nighttime low around 78.

Saturday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92 and a nighttime low around 78. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the morning.

Sunday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east-southeast in the afternoon.

Palm Coast extended forecast

Tuesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 and a nighttime low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with a 60% chance of rain mainly after 2 p.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 86 and a nighttime low around 79.

Independence Day: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 and a nighttime low around 79. Mostly clear skies at night.

Friday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 87 and a nighttime low around 79.

Saturday: A 50% chance of daytime showers and thunderstorms, dropping to 20% at night. Sunny, with a high near 89 and a nighttime low around 79.

Sunday: A 60% chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms likely. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 89.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: July 4th holiday weekend weather for Volusia, Flagler counties
By Alimat Aliyeva

One of the missiles launched by the DPRK could have failed and fallen in the country, Azernews reports.

According to Lee Song-jung, a representative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean Armed Forces, the missile may have failed at the beginning of the flight and its debris could have fallen on the territory of North Korea. According to him, there is a possibility that she flew towards Pyongyang.

On June 30, it was reported that the DPRK launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan.

At the end of May, North Korean Deputy Defense Minister Kim Gang Il said that the country's armed forces intend to take measures in response to the violation of the DPRK's maritime border and the intensification of aerial reconnaissance by South Korea and the United States.
Hunter Biden is finally making good on his threat to sue Fox News.

The presidents son filed a lawsuit against Fox News on Monday, alleging that the conservative media company violated New York states revenge porn law by illegally publishing his nude photographs and videos, as part of a miniseries imagining his trial for charges that were never brought.

The suit alleges that explicit photographs of Biden were included in the miniseries The Trial of Hunter Biden: A Mock Trial for the American People without his consent. The program depicts a fictionalized mock trial in which the presidents son is sued for allegations of bribery and foreign lobbyingcharges that have never been formally brought against him.

Fox News unlawfully published numerous intimate images (both still and video) of Mr. Biden depicting him in the nude, depicting an unclothed or exposed intimate part of him, as well as engaged in sex acts, the court documents said.

In the suit, Biden accuses Fox News of using the miniseries in an attempt to harass, annoy, alarm and humiliate him and tarnish his reputation.

Biden is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Fox News and its parent company Fox Corporation for causing severe emotional distress, humiliation, and mental anguish for its own financial gain.

The miniseries is fictionalized; it is not a news event. It was made for the purpose of trade and advertising, and merely exploits Mr. Bidens name, image, and likeness for Foxs commercial benefit, the lawsuit says.

Biden is also hoping to prevent Fox from ever again airing his nude images without his consent.

In April, lawyers for Biden published a letter warning that they would bring legal action against Fox for the companys relentless attacks against him, accusing the media giant of conspiracy and subsequent actions to defame the presidents son. Soon after, the miniseries was yanked from Foxs website out of an abundance of caution, Fox said in a statement to CNN.

Mondays suit alleges that the network failed to remove promotional material and clips of the series, and that the show is still available to view on third-party platforms.

Fox News has already released a statement criticizing Biden and the lawsuit. This entirely politically motivated lawsuit is devoid of merit, said Fox News in a statement to Forbes. The core complaint stems from a 2022 streaming program that Mr. Biden did not complain about until sending a letter in late April 2024.

The company also maintained that its coverage of Biden was consistent with the First Amendment.
Frances far right may be on the brink of power after Macrons gamble backfired. Heres what comes next

The man who once described his leadership style as Jupiterian now resembles Icarus, after he played with political fire and got burnt.

French President Emmanuel Macrons centrist alliance was crushed on Sunday after the far-right National Rally (RN) party surged in the first round of the countrys parliamentary elections.

Once seen as a fringe movement the RN could now be positioned to assume power, after winning 33% of the vote. It would then become the first far-right party to enter the French government since World War II  although nothing is certain ahead of Sundays second round.

The left-wing alliance, New Popular Front, also did well, coming second with 28% of the vote.

Meanwhile, Macrons Ensemble alliance trailed in third place with 21% of the vote, leaving many in his camp to ponder why the president called the snap election in the first place.

Tonight is not a night like any other, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said solemnly in an address to the French. The far-right are at the gates of power.

Theres a long way to go in this election yet, however, so what happens next?

Three rival blocs

Only 76 candidates were elected to the 577-seat parliament on Sunday: 39 from the RN and its allies, 32 from the New Popular Front, and just two lawmakers from Macrons alliance.

The rest of the seats will be decided in the second round next weekend, and huge amounts of political bargaining and maneuvering are expected before then. This could determine whether a truly seismic shift is underway in French politics, and the landscape is now divided between three rival blocs.

Its created an unprecedented situation, with a record number of three-way races poised to take place on Sunday  306 compared with only eight in 2022.

Only those candidates who make it past the 12.5% threshold make it to the runoff. Typically, most constituencies only see two candidates go through, but this year, around half will see three candidates proceed to the next round  a first in Frances modern history.

Those three-way races benefit candidates who came out on top in the first round and with the RN in a lead position in over half of the runoffs, some parties are strategizing to block the far-right. They dont have much time, as candidates need to decide whether they will run or not before Tuesday night.

The left-wing New Popular Front has announced that it will withdraw all candidates who came in third to help prevent far-right candidates from getting elected.

Macrons alliance has not been as clear with only his prime minister insisting that not one vote should go to the far-right.

Ultimately, it all remains just guidance  withdrawing or not is up to the individual candidates, and voters will make their own choices.

A grenade to global order

This parliamentary election has captivated people domestically  the exceptional turnout of 67% speaks for itself, but the rest of the world should pay close attention too.

Far-right doyenne Marine Le Pens RN party is notoriously euroskeptic, and though it no longer talks of a full-blown Frexit, or French departure from the European Union, its manifesto puts into question the very foundations of the European project.

The RN has made it clear it would seek to weaken the union, and regain more control of its borders and sovereignty. Once in power, and with Italys Giorgia Meloni and Hungarys Viktor Orban as far-right allies, their plans for Europe could carry a lot more weight.

If the RN does dominate parliament, it will also be good news for Russian President Vladmir Putin. Le Pen has also only briefly criticized Moscows invasion of Ukraine, having also previously taken a huge loan from a Russian bank and boasted of her admiration for Vladimir Putin.

Ahead of the election, Le Pen questioned the role of the president in military affairs. Macron has pledged to see out the remainder of his final presidential term, which runs until 2027. Constitutionally, the president heads the army, and Macron has not eliminated the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine.

Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of RN, has categorically said that as prime minister, he would not let any French soldier set foot in Ukraine, throwing the French constitutional order into question.

In 2022, Le Pen also said she wanted to leave the military wing of NATO  but her party has since backtracked, saying that wouldnt happen as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing.

Macrons party is already governing in the countrys lower house, the National Assembly, without a majority after its poorer-than-expected showing in the 2022 legislative elections, forcing it either to seek out coalitions to pass legislation, or use a constitutional tool to force through new laws.

But falling behind to either the left or right could be the death knell to his agenda. A loss would force Macron to nominate a prime minister from whichever party wins  putting a political opponent in charge of running the government.

Bardella has said that he would only govern if his party wins an absolute majority  and with the first round suggesting none of the parties will win those 289 necessary seats, there is no obvious prime minister in sight.

It could be a political deadlock in France for at least the next year  and a crisis for President Macron, arguably of his own making.

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People queue outside a polling station in the Magenta district before casting their vote during the first round of the French parliamentary elections in Noumea, the first electoral district of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Theo Rouby/AFP/dpa

The French far-right nationalists are clearly leading the first round of the early parliamentary elections, based on provisional results from the Interior Ministry on Monday.

Marine Le Pen's party, National Rally (RN), and its allies achieved 33.15% of the votes. The left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) alliance stands at 27.99%, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Ensemble (Together) alliance comes in at 20.04%. The conservative Republicans scored 10.23%.

According to figures from the Ipsos opinion research institute after the first round of the vote, National Rally received a particularly high number of votes from working-class voters and people without higher educational qualifications.

It also scored points with its traditional electorate but also expanded its voter base overall, gaining significantly more support from women and people under 35, Ipsos said.

Macron's camp primarily received votes from senior citizens and the financially better-off. According to Ipsos, Macron's alliance lost votes across the entire electorate and not just within specific groups.

The NPF was primarily chosen by younger people, people in larger cities and those with higher educational qualifications.

Overall, significantly more people voted on Sunday compared to the first round of parliamentary elections in previous decades, Ipsos said. Voter turnout stood at 66.71%. However, Ipsos said that no camp benefited more than others from this mobilization.

For Macron, the result is a bitter defeat. He had been seeking to secure a clear majority in the lower house for the centrist forces led by his Renaissance party.

How many seats the blocs will get in the National Assembly will only be decided in run-off elections next Sunday.

Before the second round of voting, parties can still forge local alliances that could influence the election outcome.

Candidates securing an absolute majority in their constituency in the first round are elected to the assembly, but in most constituencies, the victor will emerge only after the second round on Sunday.

According to forecasts, National Rally is likely to become the strongest force next Sunday. However, it could narrowly miss an absolute majority.

In the first round of voting, a total of 76 seats were directly allocated, including 37 to National Rally candidates and two more to far-right candidates. Le Pen is also set to enter the National Assembly directly without a run-off.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal gave a stark warning on Sunday evening: "The far right is at the gates of power ... Our objective is clear: to prevent the RN from getting elected in the second round."

Meanwhile, German politician and France expert Franziska Brantner said that the votes of young people could be the deciding factor in the second round of the parliamentary elections in France.

Many are disappointed with Macron, said Brantner, who is a lawmaker in the German lower house, or Bundestag, and also a deputy member of the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly, in an interview on Monday with public radio Deutschlandfunk.

It now depends on whether young people who voted in favour of the left-wing alliance in the first round on Sunday are still prepared to support a candidate from Macron's alliance.

"Whether the mobilization works here is, I think, one of the big issues for next Sunday," she noted.

One challenge for the centre-left camp is that it has no figurehead, Brantner said.

"The parties have managed to form an alliance in such a short space of time, but have yet to agree on a single leader or a unified agenda. This is challenging at a time like this."

People cast their votes at a polling station during the first round of the French parliamentary elections on the island of Tahiti in the third constituency of the French overseas territory of French Polynesia. Suliane Favennec/AFP/dpa
Pornhub's warning to Hoosiers about the new law that has now been blocked by a federal judge. (Screenshot)

During my second week as the new executive director of the ACLU of Indiana, I found myself in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee testifying against Senate Bill 17, an online age verification bill supporters claim is aimed at preventing minors from accessing pornography.

You can imagine how popular that made me with the other parents of teenagers in my neighborhood. Nonetheless, the position was the right one to take to protect the Constitutional rights of Hoosier adults.

The bill passed the legislature, was signed by the governor, and was scheduled to take effect this week. Fast forward to last Friday, when Pornhub, the most visited pornography website in the United States (and the countrys 10th most visited website of any kind) blocked access to its site in Indiana because of our states age-verification law. In announcing their plans, Pornhubs parent company explained in a statement, Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy.

Led by the Free Speech Coalition, Pornhub, other websites, and individual performers filed suit against the state. Late last week, US District Court Judge Richard Young put Senate Enrolled Act 17 on hold because he found that it was likely facially unconstitutional under the First Amendment. In other words, it is likely the law is unconstitutional in toto.

The ACLU of Indiana strongly agrees with this decision. The First Amendment doesnt just protect a speaker, but also those who want to hear what someone is saying. And in the case of constitutional protections, speech is interpreted broadly to include video productions, including pornography. Protecting free speech is not a theoretical exercise. Today, local and state government officials in Indiana are threatening free speech in our libraries, schools, universities, public spaces, and online.

Pornography is speech

Regardless of how you personally feel about pornography, you should be concerned when the government makes it harder for adults to access it. And a government that is allowed to infringe on free speech because the subject matter is sexual in nature will expand that power to infringe on free speech because it contains ideas that they think are harmful.

The state isnt prohibited from taking any action to help parents keep their children safe. They are just required to do so in a way that accomplishes the states goal while creating the least burden on adults constitutional rights. For instance, they can fund and launch a public education campaign to help parents filter pornography online and can make filtering software more available. Neither of which will affect access for adults.

And you dont have to take my word for it that age verification will negatively affect access for adults. The Indiana Catholic Conference testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee that they supported the legislation, in part, because age verification would change an adults interaction with [a pornography] site. They said that age verification would lead some adults to leave a particular site instead of going through the process.

Even though Sen. Mike Bohacek, author of SB 17, testified that the motivation for the bill was to protect minors, supporters of the bill who are morally opposed to pornography see a larger benefit of the law. This is the exact kind of government overreach that courts have said violates the First Amendment.

When the ACLU of Indiana testified on age verification during session, we told Statehouse leaders that there are effective alternatives that are constitutionally permissible. We also told them wed work with them on these alternatives. We remain hopeful that theyll take us up on it.

The post Free speech is why its important that adult Hoosiers have access to Pornhub appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Sunlight on a dark red surface with hundreds of thousands of names. "To Freedom" can be seen on the top of the monument.

The sun is reflected in the National Monument to Freedom in Montgomery, Alabama on June 26, 2024. The monument is inscribed with the names of 122,000 families listed in the 1870 census, the first in which many former enslaved people were recorded. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

You cant understand the scope of 122,000 names until you see them on a wall.

Stand at the foot of the National Monument to Freedom, recently dedicated by the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, and youll see all of them, soaring three or four stories above your head.

Each name, taken from the 1870 census, belonged to a former enslaved person. These are surnames. Family names. Combined, they represent about 4 million people who emerged from bondage.

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Each one stands for an American once treated as an animal. Someone who could be abused and assaulted under the law. Who could be stripped naked in front of a crowd of rich men; poked and prodded, and sold away from parents, spouses and children.

You get a taste of this horror in a park surrounding the monument and along a path leading to it. There are slave cabins. And a rail car that transported human beings like cattle. Surrounding all of it are statistics that measure toll of human bondage; stories that illustrate it, and carvings of the laws that upheld it.

Theres this chilling statistic from EJI: about 6 million Americans died as the property of someone else.

By the time you reach that wall, you know that each name represents not just those who survived, but dozens if not hundreds of people who lived and died as prisoners. Each one stands atop a mountain of pain and trauma, deposited like sediment over generations.

Its led me to think about a phrase that seems inescapable when we approach federal holidays like Independence Day.

Freedom isnt free.

Ive heard it invoked many times over the last 23 years. The slogan is usually employed to bludgeon critics of the nations disastrous military actions following 9/11.

But the National Monument to Freedom gives the phrase a new meaning.

When the United States came into being on July 4, 1776, each of its 13 constituent parts allowed enslavement. Congress struck out a paragraph condemning the slave trade from an early draft of the Declaration of Independence. There was never anything condemning slavery itself.

Human bondage declined during the Revolution, particularly in South Carolina and Georgia. In Generations of Captivity, a history of slavery, historian Ira Berlin writes that the enslaved population in Georgia fell two-thirds between 1775 and 1783. It fell by a quarter in South Carolina during that period.

That was due to chaos, not ideals. In a revolution, state authority collapses. Without state authority, its hard to keep people subjugated. And enslaved people took advantage of the opportunity.

But war is a poor liberator. Slavery reasserted itself in both states within a decade. And there was nothing on paper that would have kept it from going on forever.

Except Americans.

Enslaved people resisted in ways large and small, defending their humanity in a system determined to rob them of it.

It was two enslaved people  Mum Bett and Quock Walker  who pushed Massachusetts courts to declare in 1781 and 1783 that the states new constitution had abolished slavery.

It was Black men and women, aided by white allies, who ran the Underground Railroad and put themselves on the line to get people out of slavery.

None of this was easy. Success was not guaranteed. It took centuries to end the institution. Every member of every family listed on the National Monument to Freedom knew someone  a parent, a child, a loved one  who lived and died as someone elses property.

But by the eve of the Civil War, the work of brave men and women had broken through in the north. And created a bloc of politicians whose primary goal was putting slavery on the path to extinction, if not abolishing it outright.

That came from people on the margins of society, demanding what had been denied them: respect; the rule of law and a voice in their governance.

Freedom isnt free. But its not armed conflict that pushes freedom forward. More often than not, its the person wounded by power at its most nihilistic who broadens the boundaries of liberty. Its the lawyer who helps register voters in defiance of a regime working to stop it. And its the people who march for their rights with law enforcement against them.

These men and women push past the inertia of the ordinary to grab an ideal that seems impossible.

If we can celebrate a free society on Thursday, its not because of centuries-old philosophers or decades-old battles. Its because Americans who were not free took risks and made sacrifices that lifted this nation higher than it was before.

The 122,000 names on the National Monument to Freedom testify to the enormity of that task. And remind us that the seed of justice is often planted in those who have the least of it.

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Freeway briefly shuts down in Sacramento as firefighters battle grass fire on American River

A brush fire burning Sunday afternoon along the American River Parkway briefly shut down a Sacramento freeway near Cal Expo because of heavy smoke, authorities said.

Caltrans District 3 officials and the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the Capital City Freeway portion near Exposition Boulevard just before 4:30 p.m. due to smoke from the fire, which was at least one acre in size, according to Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department.

The fire, which sparked around 3:50 p.m., ignited several yards downstream near Tribute Road was burning in dry grass and a marsh area. Smoke from the fire was pronounced on the freeways southbound lanes as it crosses over the river.

The freeway reopened to traffic, according to the CHP, around 5:15 p.m.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, Sylvia said.
French newly-elected Members of Parliament with the "Nouveau Front Populaire" left wing coalition and members of the left-wing party La France Isoumise (LFI) pose as they arrive for a welcoming day at the National Assembly. Bertrand Guay/AFP/dpa

While the far-right nationalists emerged on top in the first round of France's early parliamentary elections, centrists surrounding Emmanuel Macron and the leftist camp started on Monday to look for ways to stop a feared right-wing government from coming into power after the second round of voting this coming Sunday.

Based on provisional results from the Interior Ministry on Monday, the far-right nationalists are clearly leading the first round.

Marine Le Pen's party, National Rally (RN), and its allies gained 33.15% of the votes. The left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) alliance stands at 27.99%, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Ensemble (Together) alliance comes in at 20.04%. The conservative Republicans scored 10.23%.

According to figures from the Ipsos opinion research institute after the first round of the vote, National Rally received a particularly high number of votes from working-class voters and people without higher educational qualifications.

It also scored points with its traditional electorate but also expanded its voter base overall, gaining significantly more support from women and people under 35, Ipsos said.

Macron's camp primarily received votes from senior citizens and the financially better-off. According to Ipsos, Macron's alliance lost votes across the entire electorate and not just within specific groups.

The NPF was primarily chosen by younger people, people in larger cities and those with higher educational qualifications.

Overall, significantly more people voted on Sunday compared to the first round of parliamentary elections in previous decades, Ipsos said. Voter turnout stood at 66.71%. However, Ipsos said that no camp benefited more than others from this mobilization.

For Macron, the result is a bitter defeat. He had been seeking to secure a clear majority in the lower house for the centrist forces led by his Renaissance party.

How many seats the blocs will get in the National Assembly will only be decided in run-off elections next Sunday.

Before the second round of voting, parties can still forge local alliances that could influence the election outcome.

Candidates securing an absolute majority in their constituency in the first round are elected to the assembly, but in most constituencies, the victor will emerge only after the second round on Sunday.

According to forecasts, National Rally is likely to become the strongest force next Sunday. However, it could narrowly miss an absolute majority.

In the first round of voting, a total of 76 seats were directly allocated, including 37 to National Rally candidates and two more to far-right candidates. Le Pen is also set to enter the National Assembly directly without a run-off.

Due to the high voter turnout of 66.71% and the strong concentration on the three political blocs, an unusually large number of constituencies saw three candidates qualify for this second round of voting.

French media reported Monday that there would be 300 possible three-way races in the run-off.

In order not to take votes away from each other and thus help the RN to win locally, Macron's party and the left-wing alliance said that wherever they had finished in third place, they would withdraw in favour of candidates who could beat the National Rally.

The parties are hoping that in this way, the so-called firewall against the right - which has worked in the past - can once again halt Le Pen's advance.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal gave a stark warning on Sunday evening: "The far right is at the gates of power ... Our objective is clear: to prevent the RN from getting elected in the second round."

Meanwhile, German politician and France expert Franziska Brantner said that the votes of young people could be the deciding factor in the second round of the parliamentary elections in France.

Many are disappointed with Macron, said Brantner, who is a lawmaker in the German lower house, or Bundestag, and also a deputy member of the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly, in an interview on Monday with public radio Deutschlandfunk.

It now depends on whether young people who voted in favour of the left-wing alliance in the first round on Sunday are still prepared to support a candidate from Macron's alliance.

"Whether the mobilization works here is, I think, one of the big issues for next Sunday," she noted.

One challenge for the centre-left camp is that it has no figurehead, Brantner said.

"The parties have managed to form an alliance in such a short space of time, but have yet to agree on a single leader or a unified agenda. This is challenging at a time like this."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a stark warning against the far right.

"They like Putin, money and power without control. They rule or are reaching for power in the east and west of Europe," Tusk posted on X. He warned that right-wing populists would join forces in the European Parliament.

"In Poland, we reversed this disastrous course of events at the last minute. Let's not waste this," he added.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock asserted: "It cannot leave anyone cold when (...) in our closest partner and best friend a party that sees Europe as the problem and not the solution is far ahead," Baerbock said on Monday, referring to the strong showing by Marine Le Pen's party in French snap elections on Sunday.

She said that Germany and France - the two largest countries in the European Union - share a special responsibility for a Europe.

"In a democracy, elections are of course in the hands of the voters," Baerbock said, adding that as Germany's foreign minister she has a particular responsibility not to interfere in domestic politics of another country.
French directors Benoit Jacquot (Farewell, My Queen) and Jacques Doillon (The Little Gangster) were summoned by police on July 1 for questioning in connection with complaints filed by actor Judith Godreche on Feb. 8.

The two directors were taken in custody by the Juvenile Protection Brigade, according to the AFP.

More from Variety

Godreche lodged a rape complaint against Jacquot and accused him of predation and violent rape of a minor under 15 years old committed by a person in authority. She met Jacquot in 1986, when she was 14 years old (the director was then 39) on the set of his movie Les Mendiants, and began a relationship with him which went on for six years. She also starred in his 1990 film La Desenchantee. The offences were alleged to have taken place between 1986 and 1992. Jacquot has denied all of Godreches accusations.

The directors attorney, Julia Minkowski, told Variety that Benoit Jacquot had requested to be heard since the beginning of the investigation. He will finally be able to express himself before authorities.

Minkowski also noted that the Paris prosecutor had refused to give him access to the files of the procedure, despite the continued attacks on the presumption of innocence.

Doillon, meanwhile, has been accused by Godreche of two counts of sexual assault in the 1980s when she was a minor. Godreche claimed the sexual assault happened at the home that Doillon shared with his then partner Jane Birkin, during the shoot of La fille de 15 ans. Godreche, who was at the time in a relationship with Jacquot, had the lead role in Doillons film and starred alongside Melvil Poupaud and Doillon himself. The movie came out in 1989. Doillon has denied these claims. Variety has reached out to Doillons legal representation for comment.

An actor-turned-filmmaker who presented the short film Moi Aussi on opening night of Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Godreche has been credited for spearheading Frances new MeToo reckoning with her allegations against Jacquot and Doillon. Since she filed these complaints against the two directors, other female actors came forward to accuse them. Julia Roy accused Jacquot of sexual assault, while Isild le Besco accused him of rape. Le Besco, who is Maiwenns estranged sister, has also accused Doillon of sexually inappropriate behavior, as did Anna Mouglalis.

Godreches testimonies have also led the French parliament to approve the creation of a commission whose task is to investigate abuse and sexual violence within Frances film and TV industry, as well as performing arts, advertising and fashion. It remains to be seen whether this commission will be pursued in the wake of Frances overhaul of the National Assembly. The far right party, Rassemblement National, which won the first round of the parliamentary elections and could soon enter the French government, has a lackluster track record when it comes to progressive issues, including womens rights.

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French directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon were questioned by police over accusations of sexual abuse by actress Judith Godreche, according to multiple European media outlets, including the BBC.

Earlier this year, Godreche accused Jacquot of rape and Doillon of sexual assault; both incidents were alleged to have happened when she was still a minor. The men were questioned Monday morning at the Regional Directorate of the Judicial Police (DRPJ) in Paris, AFP reported.

The filmmakers have denied the assaults, alleged to have happened more than 30 years ago. Charges have yet to be filed.

Godreche, 51, filed a complaint in January against Jacquot, now 77, accusing him of raping her when she was 14 and creating a hold over her during a relationship that carried on for years. She accused Doillon of assault on the set of one of his films.

Godreche rose to prominence in France via two Jacquot films, The Beggars (1987) and The Disenchanted (1990). She also starred in Jacques Doillons 1989 film, The 15 Year Old Girl.

The post French Directors Questioned by Police After Rape, Assault Accusations by Actress Judith Godreche appeared first on TheWrap.
President Emmanuel Macrons disastrous snap election, the first round of which took place on Sunday, bears comparison with David Camerons decision to call the Brexit referendum in 2016.

In fairness to Cameron, it should be recalled that he had long held out the promise of a referendum. He had to keep it eventually. Macron, by contrast, was under no moral obligation to command the election of a new national assembly just because his party had done badly in the European elections.

There are similarities, however. The first is the overconfidence of the leaders involved. Having won both the 2015 general election and the Scottish independence referendum, David Cameron had formed a high opinion of his own political shrewdness. He dared to ride the tiger of public opinion on Europe, but then it tossed him off and ate him.

Macron, the president who had come from nowhere in 2017 and won re-election in 2022, also overestimated his magical powers. This was partly to do with his own narcissistic character and partly with the office of the French President, which thinks like an imperial court. Mr Macrons haughty ways now make him hated even when what he says is worth saying. Governing via his overmighty secretary-general, Alexis Kohler, makes him isolated not only from voters, but from political colleagues.

On Sunday, Marine Le Pens Right-wing Rassemblement National (on nearly 33.4 per cent of the national vote) and its allies won 39 seats with the more than 50 per cent of the vote needed to prevent a second round. Macrons party (20.7 per cent) won only two.

The second similarity relates to what happens next. In 2016, Cameron realised that he could not argue with a democratic decision of such a scale: he resigned.

For many other Remainers, however  notably Sir Keir Starmer  the instinctive reaction was to tell the people they had made a silly mistake and try to mingle law and politics to make them vote again, this time the right way. When this fantasy collapsed, they pressed ahead with complicated parliamentary shenanigans to prevent Brexit becoming law.

In the French case, the immediate reaction of the defeated parties  Mr Macrons and those of the Left  is to co-operate to prevent Le Pen forming a government after the next round. It seems not to have occurred to them to try to improve their own democratic performance. Their energies are poured into thwarting the party with the widest popular support.

Since much of the impetus behind insurgent parties across Europe comes from frustration at not being listened to by elites, this is a bad tactic. If I were French and had felt tempted to vote for Le Pen in the first round, I should probably feel compelled to do so in the second this Sunday. If existing politicians have not got the message, they need to be told again, louder.

There is also a third similarity: the issues involved are momentous. Brexit reversed the direction of mainstream British policy which had prevailed for 60 years. Britain has still hardly begun to work out what this will mean. The rise of the Rassemblement National (RN) seems to undermine the moral basis, if not the constitution, of the Fifth Republic. Although it is hard to discern a fully defined policy which marks such a break, there is widespread unease  for example about possible new rules restricting the rights of dual nationals.

RN, at least in its Vichyite historical origins, represents those who reject the existing post-war order of things. So if it were to win power, people might feel there had been a revolution. That feeling can only increase because of Macrons talk of civil war.

Looking at French politics, it is difficult not to share a little of the French political classs exasperation with their compatriots. Why is it, for example, that the French, pretty much alone in Europe, so fiercely resist any attempt to raise the state pension age to reflect the fact that most of us live much longer nowadays? And why is rioting the most common French reaction to even mildly controversial French government policies? French voters seem even less ready than British ones to accept the idea that their governments may not have limitless amounts of their money to give them whatever they want.

Still, that is a weak argument. In a democracy, there is a sense in which the voters are always right: if they truly, deeply  even madly  do not like something, politicians and bureaucrats should not force them to accept it.

In both Britain and France, we do seem to be close to the point at which people are starting to reject the lawful authorities. Immigration is the sharpest example of the problem. Perhaps the only difference between the two countries is that our parliamentary system can be more flexible, and therefore more long-lived, than their presidential one.

Although we have had a lousy election campaign, and may well get a lousy result, I find this some comfort.

Pope Franciss not so private thoughts

President Biden has given the world a masterclass in why it can be difficult to hold a major executive position over the age of 80, I feel it would be interesting to know how Pope Francis, now 87, would manage in a similar situation.

He seems a lot more energetic and articulate than Mr Biden, but he does frequently exercise the privilege of the old of saying privately, but with startling frankness, whatever he happens to be thinking. I would love to see this reach a larger audience.

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Perverted film director groomed actress into relationship when she was 14 years old

A French film director has been taken into custody after being accused of sexual abuse and grooming by an actress he was in a romantic relationship with when she was 14 years old.

Benoit Jacquot, 77, was being questioned by the Paris branch of Frances Brigade for the Protection of Minors along with fellow director Jacques Doillon, 80, local media reported.

Judith Godreche, the actress, filed official complaints of sexual abuse against the two men earlier this year.

The 52-year-old actress claimed Jacquot groomed her in the late 1980s, when he cast her in his 1987 film The Beggars and the pair became a couple. At the time she said she was 14 and he was 39. She has described the relationship as one of control and perversion. She made an official complaint against him for rape with constraint.

Godreche also accused Doillon of sexually assaulting her twice, and demanding she perform 45 takes of an unscripted sex scene with him when she was 15 during the shooting of his 1989 film The 15 Year Old Girl. She made a formal complaint against him for rape with violence.

Judith Godreche received a standing ovation when she spoke out about sexual abuse in the film industry at France's most prestigious awards ceremony in February - VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO/GETTY IMAGES

Jacquot has previously denied the accusations, claiming all sexual relations were consensual and has insisted on the loving nature of the relationship. Doillon has also denied the accusations, describing them as lies.

The lawyers of the two film-makers denounced Mondays custody measure, media coverage of the story, and attacks on the presumption of innocence of their clients.

Speaking about sexual violence in the film industry at Frances most prestigious awards ceremony in February, Godreche said: Silence has been my driving force for 30 years  We can decide that men accused of rape should not be allowed to call the shots in the cinema.

Let us not embody heroines on screen, only to find ourselves hiding in the woods in real life; let us not embody revolutionary or humanist heroes, only to wake up in the morning knowing that a director has abused a young actress and say nothing, she said to a standing ovation.

Godreches speech provoked a #MeToo storm in France, which had until then resisted the 2017 Hollywood movement.

Actress Julia Roy has since filed a complaint for sexual assault against Jacquot, and actress Isild le Besco also formally accused Jacquot for rape of a minor over 15 years old, for events that allegedly took place between 1998 and 2007.

Jacques Doillon has denied the accusations made by Judith Godreche, describing them as 'lies' - VALERY HACHE/AFP

Doillon has also been accused of sexual assault by actress Anna Mouglalis and sexually inappropriate behaviour by Le Besco in interviews with French media. The director said he wanted to reserve his explanations for the courts.

It is not known whether either actress made a formal complaint.

The two men arrived at the regional directorate of the judicial police in Paris about 9.30am on Monday. Under French law, people accused of a crime can be held in custody for up to 48 hours for questioning.

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French MeToo: Directors Benoit Jacquot & Jacques Doillon Taken Into Police Custody For Questioning Over Sexual Assault Allegations

French directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon have been taken into police custody for questioning on accusations of sexual assault made against them by actress and director Judith Godreche.

French media reported that both men were being questioned by the Paris branch of Frances Brigade for the Protection of Minors.

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Godreche unleashed a fresh MeToo wave in France this year after she decided to speak out about her own experiences of sexual abuse within the French cinema world as a teenager.

She filed official complaints against Jacquot and Doillon in February.

The actress and director was in a relationship with Jacquot in the late 1980s, which she says began when she was only 14 years old and he was 40.

Godreche now condemns the relationship, saying she was under Jacquots control, and filed a complaint of rape with constraint against him in February.

At the same time, she also filed a complaint against Doillon, for rape with violence, related to his behavior on and off the set of the 1989 film The 15 Year Old Girl.

In the wake of Godreches legal action against Jacquot, actress Julia Roy filed a complaint for sexual assault against the director, and actress Isild le Besco filed a complaint for rape of a minor over 15 years old, for events that took place between 1998 and 2007.

Under French law, people accused of a crime can be held in custody for up to 48 hours for questioning.

Jacquot and Doillon have denied the allegations and their respective lawyers Marie Dose and Julia Minkowski denounced the custody measure on Monday.

In a statement, Jacquots lawyer Dose lamented the fact that details of the investigation had been covered in the media saying the presumption of innocence of her client had been flouted.

On behalf of Doillon, Minkowski said that given the age of the facts the questioning should have taken place as a free hearing rather than under the regime of police custody.

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FTC starts probe into Teva about some products' patents, Washington Post reports

The logo of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is displayed at the company headquarters in Tel Aviv

(Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into Teva Pharmaceutical over the company's refusal to take down about two dozen patents for its asthma and COPD inhalers, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing agency documents.

The FTC last week ordered Teva to provide internal communications, analysis and financial data related to the contested patents listed in a federal registry known as the Orange Book, according to the report.

Teva has to cooperate with the agency's demand by July 24, the report said.

The FTC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

In a statement to Reuters, Teva said it "believes that its patents are properly listed in the Orange Book and continues to stand behind the companys intellectual property," it said.

COPD is the acronym for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur and Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty, Maju Samuel and Jonathan Oatis)
Israel released 55 Palestinian prisoners Monday, including the director of Gazas al-Shifa Hospital who alleged that he was abused during his eight-month detention.

Mohammed Abu Salmiya, who was detained by Israeli forces while escorting patients with the backing of the United Nations from the hospital during Israels initial raid of al-Shifa in November, said he was held without ever being charged and that prisoners were only given one loaf of bread a day.

Salmiya also said he and other prisoners faced severe and daily torture by Israeli medical staff.

Many detainees are still left behind in very poor health and psychological conditions, he said in a press conference, according to Turkish state-run media outlet Anadolu Agency.

Hamas used the claims of abuse to call for accountability against Israeli leaders for crimes of torture against the Palestinians, according to a statement shared by the militant groups media channels.

Israel raided al-Shifa in Gaza City in November after accusing Palestinian militant group Hamas of using the hospital as a military base.

Israel was largely criticized for the operation that endangered patients but continued to argue the hospital was used by Hamas. It released videos that showed stashed weapons at the hospital and nearby tunnel systems, but the evidence did not fully support claims it had been used as a military base.

Israeli forces returned to al-Shifa in March to take out more Hamas fighters, part of an effort to return to previously cleared areas after what Israel claims is returning insurgent activity.

The prisoners were released Monday to make room because the jails are reportedly full, according to Israeli media reports on a statement from Shin Bet, Israels internal security service.

Israel has arrested thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank since Hamas invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 and taking roughly 250 hostages, about 120 of whom are still being held.

The decision to release the prisoners prompted backlash in Israel from far-right leaders, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called it security negligence, while claiming Shin Bet wants to improve the conditions of prisoners or release them.

Israels minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, said the decision to release the prisoners did not pass the government or Cabinet.

Whoever is behind it should be held accountable for a negligent and harmful decision to Israels security, he posted on the social platform X.

Israels prison service claimed the Israeli military and Shin Bet made the decision to release the prisoners, according to a statement shared by Israeli media.

The nonprofit Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a post on X that it was concerned for Salmiyas life after his release.

Were following with great concern the storm of backlash in Israels government towards the release of Abu Salmiya & we warn that the life of the Shifa hospital director is in critical danger, the group said.

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By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mohammad Salem

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets into Israel on Monday as fighting raged in Gaza and Israeli tanks advanced deeper in parts of the enclave, residents and officials said.

Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas - both of whom are backed by Iran - said its fighters fired rockets towards several Israeli communities near the fence with Gaza in response to "the crimes of the Zionist enemy against our Palestinian people".

The volley of about 20 rockets caused no casualties, the Israeli military said. But the attack showed militants still possess rocket capabilities almost nine months into an offensive that Israel says is aimed at neutralising threats against it.

Residents of several neighbourhoods in eastern Khan Younis, which is in southern Gaza, said they had received audio messages from Israeli phone numbers ordering them to leave their homes.

"For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone," army spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on social media platform X in a call to residents and displaced people living in those areas.

Some suggested this could mean Israeli forces will return to the area, which they left several weeks ago. The Israeli military said in a statement earlier on Monday the rockets were fired from the Khan Younis area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was nearing its goal of taking out the military capabilities of Hamas, the Islamist group that governs Gaza and led the Oct. 7 assault on Israel that sparked the war. Less intense operations would continue, he said.

"We are advancing to the end of the phase of eliminating the terrorist army of Hamas, and there will be a continuation to strike its remnants," Netanyahu said.

Violence also flared on Monday in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian health ministry said a woman and a boy were killed in the city of Tulkarm during an operation by Israeli forces. A day earlier, an Israeli strike in the same area killed an Islamic Jihad member.

In some parts of Gaza, militants continue to stage attacks on Israeli forces in areas that the army had left months ago.

Israeli tanks deepened incursions into the Shejaia suburb of eastern Gaza City for a fifth day, and tanks advanced further in western and central Rafah, in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt, residents said.

The Israeli military said it had killed a number of militants in combat in Shejaia on Monday and found large amounts of weapons there.

Hamas said its fighters had lured an Israeli force into a booby-trapped house in the east of Rafah and blown it up, causing casualties.

The Israeli military announced the death of a soldier in southern Gaza without providing details. Israel's Army Radio said the soldier was killed in Rafah in a booby-trapped house - a possible reference to the incident reported by Islamic Jihad.

Also in Rafah, the Israeli military said that an airstrike killed a militant who fired an anti-tank missile at its troops.

Israel has signalled that its operation in Rafah, meant to stamp out Hamas, will soon be concluded. After the intense phase of the war is over, its forces will focus on smaller scale operations meant to stop Hamas reassembling, officials say.

The war began when Hamas-led fighters burst into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killed 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages, including civilians and soldiers, back into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

The offensive launched by Israel in retaliation has killed nearly 38,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry, and has left the heavily built-up coastal enclave in ruins.

The Gaza health ministry does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, but officials say most of the dead are civilians. Israel says 317 of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza and that at least a third of the Palestinian dead are fighters.

CEASEFIRE EFFORTS STALLED

Arab mediators' efforts to secure a ceasefire, backed by the United States, have stalled. Hamas says any deal must end the war and bring a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israel says it will accept only temporary pauses in the fighting until Hamas is eradicated.

Israeli authorities released 54 Palestinians it had detained during the war, Palestinian border officials said.

Among them was Mohammad Abu Selmeyah, the director of Al Shifa Hospital, arrested by the military when its forces first stormed the medical facility in November.

Israel said Hamas had been using the hospital for military purposes. The military has released the hospital's CCTV footage from Oct. 7 showing gunmen and hostages on the premises and has taken journalists into a tunnel found at the complex.

Hamas has denied using hospitals for military purposes. Abu Selmeyah rejected the allegations on Monday and said detainees had been abused during their detention, including being deprived of food and medicine, and that some had died.

"I was subjected to severe torture, my little finger was broken, and I was beaten in the head until blood came out, more than once," Abu Selmeyah told a press conference at a hospital in southern Gaza.

Israel in May said it was investigating the deaths of Palestinians captured during the war as well as a military-run detention camp where released detainees and rights groups have alleged abuse of inmates.

The military did not immediately comment on Abu Selmeyah's remarks.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Clauda Tanios in Dubai; Editing by Timothy Heritage, William Maclean)
Russian forces lost three military planes, 350 tanks, and more than 58 air defense systems in the month of June, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces announced on June 30. Over 33,700 Russian soldiers were also reportedly killed in the last thirty days.

Ukraine's military struck more than 330 areas of concentration of personnel, military equipment, five bases, and 20 ammunition warehouses.

The General Staff reported that Russians lost at least 352 tanks, 58 air defense systems, three aircraft, and 1,758 military vehicles in the last month.

Russia launched a new offensive on May 10 in northern Kharkiv Oblast, and Vovchansk became the scene of some of the heaviest fighting.

Moscow's forces had advanced as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) in the region but had been halted by the first line of defense.

Russia was "bogged down" in the embattled town of Vovchansk but was constantly replenishing its forces with units from other directions, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on June 12.

The General Staff said on June 28 that Russia has lost 360 planes since the launch of the full-scale invasion.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Deadly attacks on civilians in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast

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FILE - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announces a plan for a further cut to Georgia's state income tax rate, Dec. 4, 2023, at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. That plan, which is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, will take effect on Monday, July 1. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy, File)

ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia on Monday imposed new restrictions on the sale of hemp products, required some basic standards for rented residences, cut income taxes and required cash bail for dozens of new crimes.

Those are among many laws passed earlier this year by the General Assembly that took effect on July 1.

Part of the bail law, which limits the ability of individuals and charitable groups to post bail for others, was put on hold Friday by a federal judge after a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality was filed.

Another law that would require online sites to gather data on high-volume sellers who collect payment in cash or some other offline method also was challenged with a lawsuit, and a federal judge temporarily barred its enforcement Sunday following a Friday hearing.

Other laws took effect when Gov. Brian Kemp signed them, including a measure signed May 1 that compels jailers to check the immigration status of inmates. That already has been law in Georgia but Republican supporters say some jailers are flouting their obligations.

The immigration law was passed after the killing of a nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus. Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan man, has pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping charges in Riley's death.

Here's a look at some of the Georgia's new laws:

Income taxes

An already-planned state income tax cut is being accelerated under House Bill 1015, giving the state a flat 5.39% income tax rate retroactive to Jan. 1. As of that date, Georgia gained a flat income tax rate of 5.49%, passed under a 2022 law that transitioned away from a series of income brackets that topped out at 5.75%.

The income tax rate is supposed to drop 0.1% a year until reaching 4.99% if state revenues hold up. The state will forgo an estimated $300 million by dropping the rate from 5.49% to 5.39%. Thats on top of the $800 million the state is projected to forgo as part of the earlier tax cut.

A separate law will drop the corporate income tax rate from 5.75% to 5.39%. Under the bill, the corporate income tax rate would keep falling along with the personal income tax rate until reaching 4.99%. The corporate income tax cut would cost $176 million in its first full year.

Hemp products

Retailers can only sell hemp products such as CBD to people 21 and older under Senate Bill 494. Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers must buy permits from the state Department of Agriculture. Products can only be sold if they have been tested, with state agriculture officials also regulating testing labs.

Hemp products must include results of testing and a warning sticker if they contain THC, the substance in marijuana that produces a high. Officials have said products they tested in the past had illegally high levels of delta-9 THC and said labels didnt accurately reflect a products ingredients.

The measure bans the sale of hemp products within 500 feet (152 meters) of a K-12 school and bans hemp products that look like existing snacks or candy, trying to make them less attractive to children. That could ban hemp-infused brownies, cookies and candy, but experts say gummies and hemp-infused beverages are still legal.

The measure limits how much delta-9 THC a product can contain, aiming to also eliminate the sale of products with chemicals that can be turned into THC. Other CBD substances such as Delta-8-THC and Delta-10-THC remain legal in Georgia.

Rental standards

Landlords in Georgia would be legally required for the first time to maintain rental properties in a state that is fit for human habitation under House Bill 404. The bill also adds air conditioning as a utility that can't be shut off before an eviction notice is filed, along with the existing requirements to provide heat, light and water.

The law requires a landlord to give a tenant three days' written notice before starting eviction proceedings when a tenant doesn't pay rent or some other required fee, while also requiring that an eviction notice be posted conspicuously on the door of rental property.

The measure limits security deposits to two months' rent.

Cash bail

Cash bail would be required for 30 additional crimes, including some misdemeanors, under Senate Bill 63.

The measure erodes changes in 2018 allowing judges to release most people accused of misdemeanors without bail. Proponents argue people who leave jail without paying bail are less likely to show up for court, although national studies contradict that claim.

Judges would still have the discretion to set very low bails, but opponents say thats unlikely. They warn the move could strand poor defendants in jail even when they're accused of crimes for which they are unlikely to ever go to prison.

A federal judge on Friday put on hold for at least 14 days part of the law that would limit charitable bail funds or individuals from bailing out of jail more than three people in a year. Only those who meet legal requirements to be bail bond companies could do so.

Opponents sued on June 21, alleging that part of the law is unconstitutional.
NEW HOLLAND, Pa. (WHTM)  A Georgia man is facing charges for allegedly having sexual online chats with a minor from Pennsylvania.

According to New Holland Police, back on March 6, 2024, they began an investigation into online communications between a 12-year-old girl and a 22-year-old man, Julian Williams.

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Police came to learn that the two individuals met on social media and engaged in conversations over several days. During these conversations, Williams allegedly mentioned sexual acts that he would do to the 12-year-old once they met.

The two engaged in inappropriate video chats, and police say Williams also sent the minor inappropriate photos.

Williams eventually sent the minor his Georgia address, along with the time it would take him to travel to New Holland, Pa.

With the assistance of the Cobb County Police Department, Williams is facing charges including criminal solicitation, corruption of minors, child pornography, and disseminating explicit sexual material to a minor.

Williams is currently in custody in Elberton Correction Center, Georgia, awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

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Georgia legislators passed several hundred laws and resolutions during the 2024 session that lasted from January to March. A number of those new laws take effect on July 1. Georgia Recorder file photo

Soon after the Georgia legislative session ends in the waning days of winter is when bills lawmakers passed become laws but it isnt until the summer sizzles July 1 when many of those laws take effect.

This Mondays batch of new laws features big changes to cash bail requirements as well as raises for teachers, police officers, other state employees, as well as extended parental leave.

July 1 also means the beginning of the states new budget year, when $36 billion pay primarily for education and health care for millions of Georgians.

Not all new laws will take effect without a fight. The U.S. District Court in Atlanta Friday temporarily blocked a new law requiring charitable bail assistance organizations to follow the same regulations as private bail bond companies if they donate bail money more than three times in a year.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and Georgetown University Law Center filed a lawsuit last week on behalf of Atlanta-based Barred Business Foundation and two Athens residents.

The new cash bail law would also expose individuals to criminal charges for violations. The Republican-sponsored legislation was filed after nonprofits like the Atlanta Solidarity Fund used donations to bail out Stop Cop City protesters who are fighting the planned Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

The cash bail law also adds a laundry list of misdemeanors crimes such as criminal trespassing that would require someone to post bail to get out of jail.

During his January State of the State Address, Gov. Brian Kemp emphasized the importance of providing higher pay for educators, police officers, and other government employees who might be tempted to move out of Georgia for higher paying jobs.

More money for teachers, other state workers

The 12 month budget cycle that began Monday includes giving a $2,500 raise for K-12 teachers and 4% raises to other state employees.

New criminal justice take effect Monday

People convicted of calling in false alarms to law enforcement claiming an emergency is taking place at a home or business now face a felony criminal charge instead of a misdemeanor. Lawmakers increased the penalty after several Georgia public officials were the targets of swatting at their homes.

Georgia law enforcement agencies are under greater pressure to verify the immigration status of detainees and inform federal authorities whenever undocumented immigrants are arrested.

Local governments risk losing state funding if they ignore sanctuary laws requiring police to identify, arrest, and detain undocumented immigrants.

The catalyst for the new law came after the arrest of Venezuelan immigrant Jose Ibarra, who authorities say entered the country illegally, on charges that he murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed on Feb. 22 while jogging on a University of Georgia running trail.

Other new laws taking effect Monday:

Beginning Monday, eligible government employees can take up to 240 hours of paid parental leave within a year of the birth of their child, or within a year after adoption or taking in a minor through foster care. The new provision doubles state employees paid leave from three to six weeks for state government and public school employees.

A new Telephone Consumer Protection Act is designed to stop spam calls by prohibiting companies from making telemarketing calls on their behalf.

Under the new Georgia Squatter Reform Act, people living in another persons house without their consent can be more easily evicted from the property.

Renters are now required to meet local and state housing codes, and homeowners and condo associations must give property owners adequate time to resolve contract violations.

Meanwhile, a controversial school voucher program that will not open until the 2025 school year will allow parents of K-12 students to receive$6,500 of state money to pay for private school and homeschool expenses.

A six-year battle over school vouchers was won by Republican lawmakers this year. Beginning in the 2025 school year, the state will invest up to 1% of the states Quality Basic Education formula budgeted for K-12 public education, which now comes out to $141 million annually to cover tuition for about 21,500 students.

Critics of the vouchers bill complain $6,500 isnt enough for cash-strapped families to cover tuition at the states better private schools. Voucher supporters argued that it gives parents the option of sending their children to higher performing schools than the ones offered by the local government.

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Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD, arrives to the district court. Hoecke is on trial for using a banned Sturmabteilung (SA) slogan. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Pool/dpa

The firebrand regional leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted and fined again for using a banned Nazi slogan.

Hocke, 52, was convicted of leading a crowd in a chant of the outlawed motto of the Nazi SA stromtroopers - "Alles fur Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) - during a speech at a party event.

Hocke said the first two words and then allegedly gestured to the crowd to complete the slogan. At the time, he was under criminal indictment for having used the same banned slogan during a separate speech.

In May, Hocke was convicted in that earlier case and sentenced to a fine. He is currently appealing the verdict.

The court in Halle on Tuesday sentenced Hocke to a fine totalling 16,900 ($18,150).

Hocke is the lead candidate for the AfD in upcoming state parliamentary elections in Thuringia, where the party holds a clear lead in opinion polls.

Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD, arrives in the district court. Hoecke is on trial for using a banned Sturmabteilung (SA) slogan. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Pool/dpa
Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD, arrives at the district court in Halle. The firebrand regional leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted and fined again for using a banned Nazi slogan. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Pool/dpa

The firebrand regional leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted and fined again for using a banned Nazi slogan.

Hocke, 52, was found guilty of using signs of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations for leading a crowd in a chant of the outlawed motto of the Nazi SA stromtroopers - "Alles fur Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) - during a speech at a party event in December 2023.

Hocke said the first two words and then allegedly gestured to the crowd to complete the slogan. At the time, he was under criminal indictment for having used the same banned slogan during a separate speech at an election campaign event in May 2021.

Presiding judge Jan Stengel said that Hocke's culpability in the case was unquestionable and that he knew he was committing a criminal offence by uttering the slogan.

Stengel said the politician clearly wanted the crowd to complete the slogan and was intentionally testing the limits of what could be said.

Stengel rejected Hocke's claims of being a victim of a political prosecution. The judge noted that he has spent the past 30 years reviewing old convictions from courts in the now-defunct communist East Germany and is familiar with cases of genuine political persecution.

During closing arguments on Monday, Hocke claimed that his opponents were using the courts to "silence" him.

In May, Hocke was convicted in that earlier case and sentenced to a fine of 13,000 ($14,000). He is currently appealing the verdict.

The court in Halle on Tuesday sentenced Hocke to a fine totalling 16,900.

Prosecutor Benedikt Bernzen had asked the court for a suspended prison sentence of eight months and an order prohibiting Hocke from holding political office for two years, while Hocke's defence demanded an aquittal.

"The fine is sufficient," said Stengel in rejecting those requests.

The verdict is not yet legally binding. His lawyers said they would decide in the next few days whether to file an appeal.

Hocke is the lead candidate for the AfD in upcoming state parliamentary elections in Thuringia, where the party holds a clear lead in opinion polls.

He is also still facing another pending criminal case on a charge of incitement of the people over a post Hocke made to Telegram in 2022 after an act of violence in the city of Ludwigshafen.

In the post, Hocke suggested that there is a "widespread widespread disease among immigrants that makes the sufferers scream 'Allahu Akbar' and distorts their perception to such an extent that they see the 'infidel' hosts as life unworthy of life."

Trial dates in that case have not yet been set.

Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD, can be seen behind a red barrier tape in the courtroom in Halle. The firebrand regional leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted and fined again for using a banned Nazi slogan. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Pool/dpa
(Bloomberg) -- Alice Weidel, the co-leader of Germanys right-wing AfD party, said the victory of Marine Le Pens National Rally in the first round of Frances legislative election is something to emulate.

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I look at the result in France with admiration and respect, Weidel told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) convention in Essen in western Germany on Sunday. I think its wonderful that Marine Le Pen managed to achieve such a great result. And of course its also a role model for the AfD.

Relations between Weidel and Le Pen have been strained since Frances right-wing politician severed ties with the AfD in the run up to the European Parliament election earlier this month. The AfDs lead candidate Maximilian Krah told an Italian newspaper that not all members of the Nazi SS paramilitary organization were criminals, remarks that led Le Pen to break with the German group.

The comments also resulted in the expulsion of the AfD from the Identity and Democracy alliance, a pan-European group of far-right parties, which left it largely isolated in the EU parliament.

Weidel dismissed the claim that the AfDs migration policy was too radical even for Europes other right-wing groups. In our party program I cannot see anything thats wrong, she said. Le Pens National Rally was in fact much stricter than we are. Le Pen has said that too, she said.

Weidel doesnt expect a reconciliation with Le Pen anytime soon. Of course I hope for a dialog in the medium-to-long term. But I think in the short term well leave it as it is. For now I wish the National Rally luck, she said.

Le Pens National Rally was projected to get between 33% and 34.2% of the vote, according to initial projections from four polling companies on Sunday. The left-wing New Popular Front coalition was set to get between 28.5% and 29.6% and President Emmanuel Macrons centrist alliance between 21.5% and 22.4%.

At an AfD party convention in Essen over the weekend, Weidel and her ally Tino Chrupalla were re-elected as party leaders, while tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside the venue and some clashed with police. Of the 600 delegates, 80% supported Weidel and 83% backed Chrupalla.

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German foreign minister irritated by aid to Ukraine being seen as charitable gesture

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for the defence of the European peace order and increased support for Ukraine.

Source: Tagesschau, as reported by European Pravda

Details: At a conference on the National Security Strategy in Berlin, Baerbock spoke out against the attitude that helping Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression is a charitable gesture.

Quote from Baerbock: "It is irritating to see discussions in which support for Ukraine is seen as a charitable gesture rather than what it really is  an investment in our own national security, in the defence of peace and freedom."

The German foreign minister also noted that "there can be no greater national interest than this".

Quote: "We will defend our Europe  every square centimetre of our Europe  and our freedom."

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that the military equipment export licences issued by the German government in the first half of 2024  the vast majority of which were intended for Ukraine  were worth at least 7.48 billion.

Last year, German arms exports reached a historic high of 12.2 billion, including 4.4 billion in arms sales to Ukraine.

During the first three months of 2024, Germany approved 3.54 billion worth of arms exports to Ukraine.

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Police officers are on duty outside a cafe in Bochum, where several people were injured in an attack with an acidic liquid. Police in Germany are investigating a 43-year-old man as the potential culprit behind an acid attack outside a cafe in the western city of Bochum on Sunday that left several people seriously injured. Justin Brosch/dpa

Police in Germany are investigating a 43-year-old man as the potential culprit behind an acid attack outside a cafe in the western city of Bochum on Sunday that left several people seriously injured.

The suspect is in police custody and is expected to be brought before a judge on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder, a police spokeswoman told dpa.

Police believe a 30-year-old man sitting at a table outside the cafe was the intended target of the attack. He was hit with the most acid and suffered serious injuries.

A woman sitting at the same table and a waitress working nearby were also injured. Two other guests who witnessed the incident suffered shock, while emergency responders were also injured after coming into contact with the potent acid.

In total, police said as many as 14 people could have been injured in the attack.

A police spokesman reported that the customers had been drinking coffee and eating cake "in a very relaxed manner" shortly before the attack.

The suspect was arrested nearby shortly afterwards. Homicide detectives searched his apartment in the town of Bergkamen, around 32 kilometres away, on Monday night.

Investigators have remained tight-lipped about the motive and background to the attack. Authorities are still conducting testing to determine the exact substance used in the attack.
Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn, speaks at the launch event for a DB Experience World. Martin Schutt/dpa

The boss of German state-owned railway Deutsche Bahn said on Monday that there will be no cuts to long-distance passenger service in 2025.

"Our plans for the 2025 timetable, which were finalized in April, do not envisage any cuts," Deutsche Bahn chief executive Richard Lutz wrote in a letter obtained by dpa that was addressed to lawmakers from the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) from eastern Germany.

His comments come after media reports about plans for potential cuts, including service reductions and elimination of certain routes, caused uproar among German politicians and parts of the public, especially in eastern Germany where the cutbacks would reportedly have hit hardest.

"We want to run the full timetable in 2025," a spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn confirmed to dpa.

In the letter, Lutz expressed understanding for the uncertainty among lawmakers following last week's media reports, including a story in Der Spiegel news magazine.

"Contrary to the claims in Der Spiegel, we currently have no plans or decisions to cancel the long-distance connections mentioned," Lutz wrote.

Last week, Der Spiegel reported on a list of long-distance connections that could be thinned out or cancelled, citing a letter sent by Deutsche Bahn to the Federal Network Agency regulators at the beginning of February.

The letter cited rising costs under a significant increase in the track access fees charged to all rail infrastructure users by DB Infrago, Deutsche Bahn's infrastructure subsidiary.

Lutz in his explanation to lawmakers said the February letter was an explanation of the potential impact of higher fees on Deutsche Bahn's passenger rail service, but was not a plan for cutbacks in eastern Germany.
The sunrise shines through the morning fog over the wind energy park. Germany achieved a new record for renewable energy generation, covering some 58% of its electricity consumption in the first half of 2024 with wind, solar, biomass and hydropower. Patrick Pleul/dpa

Germany achieved a new record for renewable energy generation, covering some 58% of its electricity consumption in the first half of 2024 with wind, solar, biomass and hydropower.

This is the result of projections by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research in the south-western state of Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), which were made available to dpa on Monday.

Of the 58% of Germany's renewable energy generation, 24% came from onshore wind generation, 14% from photovoltaics, 9% from biomass, 5% from hydropower, 5% from offshore wind power and 1% from electricity generation from municipal waste.

The share of renewable energy has increased from 52% in the first half of last year.

The BDEW emphasized that renewable energies have made up more than 50% of electricity consumption every month until June. Since April, their monthly share has been 59%.

"In particular, photovoltaic systems produced a total of 37 billion kilowatt hours, significantly more electricity than in the previous year  also thanks to the record expansion in 2023," the report said.

In June, photovoltaic systems generated more than 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity within a month for the very first time. Hydroelectric power also contributed above-average electricity generation with 12 billion kilowatt hours.

The chairwoman of BDEW's chief executive board, Kerstin Andreae, described the figures as "a reward for the persistent expansion of wind energy and photovoltaic systems in recent years."

It was crucial to build hydrogen-capable gas power plants, she said.

"Despite the encouraging figures, electricity generation from wind and sun is not constant.

"We need secure power for system services and times when the sun isn't shining, and the wind isn't blowing."
Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister of Germany, speaks during a joint press conference with Baiba Braze, Foreign Minister of Latvia, at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has expressed her concern about the strong performance of France's right-wing nationalist National Rally (RN) party in the first round of elections there.

"It cannot leave anyone cold when (...) in our closest partner and best friend a party that sees Europe as the problem and not the solution is far ahead," Baerbock said on Monday, referring to the strong showing by Marine Le Pen's party in French snap elections on Sunday.

She said that Germany and France - the two largest countries in the European Union - share a special responsibility for a Europe.

"In a democracy, elections are of course in the hands of the voters," Baerbock said, adding that as Germany's foreign minister she has a particular responsibility not to interfere in domestic politics of another country.

The RN and its allies took the lead in the first round of the early parliamentary elections, collecting 33% of the vote. The left-wing New Popular Front alliance is at almost 28%, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp has just over 20%.

Run-off elections, in which most of the seats in France's National Assembly will be decided, will take place next Sunday.

Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister of Germany, speaks during a joint press conference with Baiba Braze, Foreign Minister of Latvia, at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
Getting help for Illinois veteran on the hook for sewer backup

GRANITE CITY, Ill.  Army veteran Joshua Valezquez recently suffered a great deal due to a sewage backup in the basement of his of Granite City home; a backup that was not his fault.

Velazquez turned to the You Paid For It team after feeling stonewalled by Illinois American Water and city officials. His military uniforms were soaked in sewer water. FOX 2 contacted Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson, who took care of that problem and got the uniforms cleaned.

Valezquez is still on the hook for $5,000 in cleanup costs in his basement from the backup.

Illinois American Water previously purchased the water treatment system from Granite City.

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Terry Macklin, a spokesman for the water utility company, said employees have met with Valezquez multiple times and discussed a project that would prevent backups from happening in the future.

We do have a project thats in the design stage right now. Were going to replace the pumping station at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue and Namoki Road. Replacing that pumping station will be huge; make a huge difference in that area, he said.

Macklin said the company will do what it can to help Valezquez.

Were going to continue to help him as best we can. Weve met with him, and I can tell you well do everything we possibly can, Elliott, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
'Ghost Ship' Washes Ashore on Florida Beach One Week After It Was Abandoned At Sea amid Storms

Michael Barlow's dreams of exploring the world have hit a major snag after he was forced to abandon his sailboat

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A so-called ghost ship that washed ashore in Florida has been traced to one man who dreamed of sailing around the world.

The mysterious sailboat was found on June 18 on the shore of a Pensacola beach, according to NBC News and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV.

Michael Barlow told ABC affiliate WEAR-TV that he and a friend were attempting to travel 884 miles from Fort Pierce, Florida, to Texas the week prior when they ran into inclement weather and sought rescue.

Barlow said he wanted to explore the world on the boat, called The Lady Catherine III, alongside his wife and 9-year-old son, per NBC News. Now, those dreams are dashed.

This is the only way I could take my son and show him theres a whole world out there, beyond whats in America, Barlow explained. Its the only way to do this realistically until this happened.

Related: Over 100 Dolphins Saved from Historic Mass Stranding in Cape Cod

Barlow and his friend left Fort Pierce on The Lady Catherine III on May 21, according to NBC News.

After battling storms for three days, Barlow told WEAR-TV he finally made contact with the U.S. Coast Guard using his Garmin satellite devices SOS system. He believes the device may have saved their lives.

However, Barlow said authorities told him they were three hours away and that he would ultimately have to abandon the vessel. Barlow agreed, according to WEAR-TV.

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Once Barlow and his friend connected with the Coast Guard, rescue swimmer Richard Hoefle leaped from a helicopter and swam to the duo.

It was like a movie, Barlow recalled. Bro jumped in out of a helicopter in these mad big seas and swam over to us with nothing but snorkel gear on.

One week later, The Lady Catherine III washed ashore. Francine Farrar was one of the first people to spot the vessel and found Barlow on social media, according to WEAR-TV.

Related: 2 Bodies Found Near Location Where 2 Teens Disappeared at N.Y.C. Beach After Being Swept Away by Rip Tide

"I've been talking to him all day trying to help him out," Farrar said. "People have been stealing stuff off the boat."

Barlow now has two options, according to NBC News. He can either pay $20,000 to have the sailboat taken to dry dock for repairs, or pay $28,000 to have the vessel moved and demolished.

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If were talking about business numbers, itd make more sense to scrap the boat, Barlow explained. Thats just the stone-cold truth.

Related: Baltimore Sailor Still Missing Off Coast of Mexico as Boat Found: 'We're Not Giving Up Hope,' Says Wife

Barlow is reportedly now working with officials from Floridas Fish and Wildlife Department to determine next steps. He also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help recover the vessel.

Fish and Wildlife officials said Barlow has 30 days, starting from the day he was issued a citation for the boating incident, to move the vessel, according to NBC News.

Barlow said this incident definitely did not shake my resolve as far as sailing goes, and plans to continue to pursue his dream of sailing around the world.



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Girl, 5, Reportedly Left on Bus for Entire School Day in 'Hot Heat': 'No Child Should Have to Go Through That'

The child was apparently left on the vehicle without food for five hours as temperatures reached as high as 94 degrees

Getty A stock image of a school bus

A 5-year-old girl in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, got on a school bus ready for a day of summer school on Thursday, June 27, but she reportedly did not leave the bus until school was out  five hours later.

Staff left the girl on the bus after it transported her from Cecil Picard Elementary School to LeBlanc Elementary School around 7:30 a.m. local time, local outlet KATC reported.

Summer school wraps five hours later, at 12:30 p.m. So, as temperatures soared to 94 degrees, per data from The Weather Channel, and her classmates commenced school, the young girl apparently sat alone on the bus.

She didnt get breakfast, she didnt get lunch, she was on that bus in this hot heat for five hours, her mom, Donyel Rolle, told KATC.

The girl's dad, Raynard Rolle, added: Thats crazy, no child should have to go through that.

Google Maps LeBlanc Elementary School in Louisiana

School officials later confirmed to KATC that the girl was left on the bus, but only after Donyel and Raynard reached out. In fact, had the concerned parents not asked their daughter about her day, they may not have learned of the incident at all, the outlet reported.

She said, I did have a bad day, and she told me, I got stuck on a bus. In my mind, I was thinking she got stuck on the bus for a small amount of time, someone probably noticed, and someone got her, Donyel told the outlet. But I was still furious because we were not notified of any of it.

With further questioning with her, we learned that she was on the bus the whole five hours, she added.

Raynard recalled that at first, I was like, 'This cant be real.' My wife kept asking her questions over and over to make sure it wasnt a joke and she was telling us detail to detail.

After contacting school officials, the parents had one conversation, during which their daughters story was confirmed  although they were not allowed to watch the security footage of the bus themselves, they told KATC.

Basically, a man  I think hes the assistant superintendent and safety guy  said they were watching the video of the bus and confirmed that our daughter was 100 percent correct, she did get left on the bus for five hours, Donyel reportedly told the outlet, and thats really the only conversation weve had with them.

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The superintendent of the Vermilion Parish School System, Thomas Byler, has been informed about the incident involving the Rolles daughter, he confirmed in a statement to KATC.

We were made aware of the incident and the procedures and protocols regarding disciplinary action of school personnel were immediately put into place, the statement said.

Raynard and Donyel told KATC they think new procedures should be put in place so that no child ever goes through what their daughter did.

I think justice would be to prevent this from happening again, Donyel said. There needs to be a mandatory type of rule that when youre transporting any type of children, small or big, once they vacate the bus, they need to look.

PEOPLE reached out to the Vermilion Parish School System and the Rolles for comment about the school bus incident.



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We are going to have justice: Family of 21-year-old Marine killed in hit-and-run speaks

The family of a North Texas Marine Corps reservist is still looking for answers after she was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 20 last week.

Arlington police said 21-year old Areauna Laws was on the way to drills when she began having car trouble and stopped on the shoulder of the interstate on June 23.

Laws exited her vehicle for a moment and was struck and killed by a pickup truck, police said.

Witnesses described seeing the pickup driving erratically and veering onto the shoulder before hitting Laws on the westbound side of I-20 near Matlock Road. According to police, the driver fled the scene of the accident about 5 a.m. and the pickup was found in a nearby parking lot.

Laws father, Lawrence, said his daughter loved the color green and watching tadpoles grow into frogs in a pond on the familys land.

She considered the Marine Corps to be her second family and was engaged to be married, her father said.

The last update he received from the police, Lawrence Laws said, was that officers were close to making an update in the case.

Areauna was buried with full military honors on Friday.

Her father said Marine Corps officers and sergeant majors traveled from as far as California to attend her funeral.

If I could talk to that person, I would say we found you, and we are going to have justice for my Areauna and for every Areauna that is out there that has ever been raped, abused, murdered, or kidnapped using our sacred highways, Laws said.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact the Arlington Police Department.
Gov. Beshear says Biden debate was very bad night, but stands by presidents campaign

National Democratic politics has been awash with reaction, speculation and hand-wringing since President Joe Bidens widely criticized debate performance against former GOP President Donald Trump last Thursday.

On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear weighed in.

The Kentucky governor  who is frequently listed among several relatively young Democrats as contenders for the presidential nomination in the future  acknowledged the debate was a very bad night for the president, per media reports of a Monday press gaggle.

Democrats across the country cringed at several moments during the Thursday debate where the 81-year-old candidate frequently trailed off and struggled to speak coherently, sparking a new wave of concern over the presidents advanced age.

Beshear shared some of that negative assessment.

The debate performance was rough, Beshear said. It was a very bad night for the president, but he is still the candidate. Only he can make decisions about his future candidacy, and so as long as he continues to be in the race, I support him.

Gov. Beshear says Bidens debate performance was rough, but he still supports the president.



Would Beshear consider jumping into the race?



Only the president can determine his future as a candidate. He is the candidate and as long as he is, Im supporting him.@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/yq3eZhq0Ji  Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) July 1, 2024

When asked if hed consider jumping into the race should Biden drop out, Beshear stood by Biden as long as he remains the candidate.

Only the president can determine his future as a candidate, he said. He is the candidate and as long as he is, Im supporting him.

When asked a similar question, he called back to his responses on how hed approach the replacement process of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, should the 82-year-old senator vacate his seat.

Im going to answer that question the same way when I was asked about Sen. McConnell: the president says hes staying in, and I believe him, Beshear said.

A handful in Democratic political circles and many in the media  including the editorial board of the New York Times  have called for Biden to drop out before the partys August convention. Still, a sitting president choosing to forego the party nomination they won in the primary would be an unprecedented, and, many analysts say, unlikely move for Biden.

Beshear has repeatedly said that he intends to serve out his full second term, which ends in December 2027.

The governor has been the subject of much speculation regarding an open Democratic primary for president in 2028 given his five-point win in a state that regularly elects Republicans by wide margins and recent creation of political groups like a political action committee and nonprofit.

The governor is not at the very top of most politicos minds when it comes to either replacing Biden.

A handful of Democrats from more populous states have larger donor bases and more national name recognition, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock or California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

But Beshear is on the list.

A journalist from the Washington Post ranked Beshear as the tenth-best option should Biden need to be replaced. The New York Times and The Economist listed him among several Democratic governors who could make the leap. One unnamed Democratic donor told Reuters they thought Beshear would be the likely winner among several contenders for the throne.

According to POLITICO, the knives are already out between some Democratic governors eager to jockey for positioning.

To add to the speculation, Beshear has recently been on the move in a way that suggest serious political network-building.

According to a CNN report, the governor attended a Thursday night debate watch party in Los Angeles with Doug Emhoff, Harris husband; Whitmer; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker; and major Hollywood Democrats like Rob Reiner and Jane Fonda.

Beshears team confirmed his attendance to the Herald-Leader, adding that he left for another engagement before the debate began.

Beshear has also spoken at major Democratic events in Montana, Tennessee and Virginia. He also has a keynote address to Democrats in Iowa on the schedule later this summer, a move that raised many eyebrows given the Hawkeye States political relevance.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service Secretary Kody Kinsley announced a proposal that could eliminate up to $4 billion in medical debt for around 2 million people.

DHHS is requesting that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approve a set of conditions hospitals need to meet to be eligible for a large amount of Medicaid funds. That includes relieving existing medical debt dating back to Jan. 2014 and putting policies in place to keep debt from piling up on low and middle-income families. If a hospital doesnt meet those conditions, they get the standard amount of money.

By providing relief from medical debt, we give North Carolinians not just peace of mind, but truly a fresh start, Kinsley said.

Secretary Kinsley tells CBS 17 the state is still waiting on approval from CMS. He also said people under any type of insurance could be covered under the proposal, not just Medicaid or Medicare patients.

Gov. Cooper says this move can help North Carolina financially.

We must reduce medical debt to help North Carolinians and our economy thrive, Cooper said.

NCDHHS has a webpage with more information about these new efforts. Click here to view that page.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
North Carolinians struggling with medical debt could get reprieve under a new proposal unveiled by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and state Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley.

If approved by federal officials, the plan that would leverage federal Medicaid funding to wipe away about $4 billion in hospital medical debt for up to 2 million low to middle-income families in the state, said Cooper on Monday during a news conference.

Its not a choice to fall ill with cancer, suffer a heart attack or stroke or have an accident. Medical debt happens because somebody needs help and they cant afford to pay the hospital bills, said Cooper.

North Carolinians should not be saddled with a mountain of debt that they can never repay, he said.

This request is a next step in the states recent expansion of who qualifies for Medicaid healthcare coverage. Hospitals receive a funding boost from Medicaid as part of that expansion and would be expected to grant relief to some medical debt to receive additional funds.

Hospitals often only collect a small fraction of the medical debt they are owed, Cooper said. However, large debts that remain on the books can prevent people from buying a home, getting a credit card and sometimes, can lead people into homelessness and bankruptcy, he said.

North Carolina has one of the highest percentages  13.4%  of adults with medical debt, according to KFF, a health policy organization. About 20 million people  or nearly 1 in 12 adults  owe a combined total of at least $220 billion in medical debt in the United States, KFF says.

Details on the proposal

The North Carolina Healthcare Association and its members are still reviewing the proposal, spokesperson Cynthia Charles said. They look forward to learning how the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) responds, she added.

We believe that the best solutions are always inclusive and transparent, with involvement by all stakeholders, including employers, payors and providers, Charles wrote in an email to The News & Observer.

The state submitted a request to CMS last week to approve requirements hospitals must meet to be eligible to receive an enhanced amount of Medicaid funds under the states Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP), said Kinsley.

Gov. Roy Cooper and state Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley unveil a new proposal to cut medical debt in North Carolina. They were joined by John Broome with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of North Carolina and Dave Almeida with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

But to compensate hospitals, lawmakers included the HASP mechanism, which allows hospitals to take advantage of a federal program that boosts how much they are paid for serving Medicaid patients.

To qualify for further enhanced payments under the HASP program, hospitals would have to put in place relief for medical debt that dates back to January 1, 2014. This would be specific to low-and middle-income North Carolinians, said Kinsley.

The debt-relief program would apply to individuals across any type of insurance and not solely to people on Medicaid.

Its a win for our hospitals to be able to get enhanced payments for more investments in their health care in their work. Its a win for individuals who will finally have the relief from this burden, Kinsley said.

Asked whether this could lead to people not paying their medical debt and increased hospital costs, Kinsley said the program is an even more incentive for hospitals to control costs.

With hospitals knowing that for low and middle-income North Carolinians, theyre not going to be able to collect a certain amount, It puts more of an onus on hospitals to negotiate (with insurers) with that in mind, he said.

As for people defaulting on medical debt, Kinsley said people are going into a hospital referred into care because theyre making life and death decisions, and we want to make sure that we can keep those life and death decisions at the forefront of their minds.

Hospitals would also need to ensure that people who are eligible for charity-care programs actually get enrolled, he said. Through charity care, hospitals are supposed to provide free or discounted services to eligible low-income patients. In return, federal, state, and local governments provide funding  including through tax breaks for nonprofit hospitals  in support. The program would also require hospitals not to sell medical debt to collectors.

On whether hospitals will support the plan, Kinsley said: I know that theres a lot of difference across our 99 hospitals that participate in this program. Theyre all going to think really hard about how theyll approach it. And we hope that theyll say yes.
Illinoiss governor JB Pritzker wrapped up June by signing two bills that affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Illinois.

One of the new laws, HB5507, removes barriers to changing legal gender on birth certificates for Illinois residents born in other states. The other, SB2930, requires nonprofits publicly report demographic data about their boards of directors. The new mandate is to push nonprofits to reflect the diversity of the communities they support.

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After several months of back and forth, officials announced Monday that Illinois had signed a partnership agreement that will allow construction of the $1.15 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project to begin in early 2025 with significant federal funding.

The effort, decades in the making, will become the last, multi-pronged line of defense to stop invasive silver and bighead carp from making it into Lake Michigan, where they pose a threat to Great Lakes ecosystems and billion-dollar fishing and boating industries.

In the last few weeks, the office of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state of Illinois reviewed final drafts and wrapped up negotiations to reach a final agreement that balanced the need to preserve the Great Lakes ecosystem with the responsibility to carefully steward taxpayer dollars, according to a news release.

The announcement comes as experts and advocates expressed concerns that $274 million in federal funds would be lost if the agreement wasnt signed soon, and that construction workers wouldnt be able to take advantage of an upcoming scheduled closure at Lockport Lock near Brandon Road in Joliet.

Any more delays, they said, could have resulted in irreversible disaster if carp continued upstream in Illinois waterways and breached past electric barriers in Romeoville. If the agreement wasnt signed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District  which oversees the project  wouldnt have been able to continue allocating resources to pre-construction engineering and design.

Protecting the Great Lakes has always been and will always be a priority for the State of Illinois and after many years of this project eluding multiple administrations, I am thrilled to see it move forward, Pritzker said in a news release Monday. Protecting the Great Lakes is not an undertaking that any one state or city can tackle alone, and Im thrilled that we were able to forge a path that protects both the Great Lakes and ensures Illinois taxpayers do not shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden.

The project has been awaiting approval from Illinois for a year, after the Michigan legislature authorized $64 million in June 2023 to help finance it. Those funds, plus $50 million from Illinois will account for the projects required $114 million non-federal cost share.

Complex agreements like this dont happen in a vacuum, nor do they happen quickly, said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. A tremendous amount of effort over many months went into hammering out the details of this agreement. Im thrilled this consequential project will now be able to move forward.

In a mid-June virtual news conference, where a group of local politicians, stakeholders and experts gathered to ask the governor to take swift action, Executive Director Jennifer Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council said approving the project was an opportunity for Pritzker to secure his legacy as a champion of the Great Lakes and critical interstate partner to Michigan.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, who have supported the project and helped secure federal funding, urged Pritzker to authorize the project in a June 25 letter, where they acknowledged his concerns about Illinois taking on too much financial responsibility. The two senators and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley applauded Mondays announcement in a news release.

One of our regions greatest assets and resources is our Great Lakes. Right now, invasive carp pose a serious economic and environmental threat to that resource, Durbin said. The Brandon Road Project will play a vital role in protecting the Great Lakes from the irreparable harm of this invasive species.

The politicians said they would continue working to ensure federal support and funding for the project.

The federal government will pay 90% of the costs associated with the Brandon Road Interbasin Projects construction, and just last month, the Illinois senators announced they had secured an increase in the federal cost share for operations and maintenance after construction to 90% as well.

Illinois and Michigan have also entered into a separate agreement to ensure any additional costs as the project continues are shared and do not fall disproportionately on either states taxpayers, the governors office said Monday.

Besides discussions about cost shares, concerns about land acquisition and real estate at Brandon Road Lock and Dam also presented an obstacle, as privately owned land along the riverbank needed for construction is likely contaminated by a former coal plant.

Last year, experts told the Tribune negotiations would be complex; the state was hesitant to buy the property from energy company NRG, which owns the land, and bear the responsibility to ensure it was free of contaminants before passing it on to the federal government.

Alex Gough, press secretary for the governor, told the Tribune on Monday that Illinois negotiated a good deal to ensure Illinois taxpayers will not have to pay massive remediation costs. Officials didnt give additional specifics on how those concerns were resolved.

Now that the agreement has been signed, contracts for fabrication, continued design and bedrock removal are slated for solicitation from interested parties in the coming weeks.

The innovative, multipronged plan to install a gantlet or layered system at a critical pinch point in the Des Plaines River emerged from several years of collaboration among scientists, engineers and partners from numerous U.S., Canadian and tribal agencies surrounding the Great Lakes.

Invasive carp, particularly silver and bighead carp, pose a particular danger to aquatic life due to their large numbers and reproductive capacity. When they reach a new stream, river, lake or anywhere water touches, like wetlands, they can easily outcompete and starve native fish and mussels by eating all the plankton from the base of the food chain.

Under the project, when silver and bighead carp approach the lock and dam in Joliet they will first encounter an acoustic deterrent and an air bubble curtain. The bubbles will serve as a physical barrier and also remove small fish trapped under barges or carried in their wake.

The fish that make it past this curtain will then go through an engineered channel that will extend the length of the current lock, at the end of which persistent carp will come up against an electric barrier like the one in Romeoville. After that, an array of acoustic deterrents will keep the carp at bay by creating painful sound waves. On the other side, a flushing lock will send any remaining larval fish and eggs back downstream.

Todays agreement will help us get shovels in the ground as soon as possible on the critical Brandon Road project, said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday. The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigans economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.

In a news release Monday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes praised what they called a milestone agreement.

The signing of the Brandon Road Project Agreement is historic and will help protect our fishery, our economy and quality of life, said Marc Smith, Great Lakes policy director with the National Wildlife Federation. Keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes is a national priority.

Politicians, environmental groups and conservation partners from other states with strong economic ties to the lakes, including Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota, were optimistic as well.

Governor Pritzkers commitment to protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp is a true milestone achievement for conservation, said Cody Kamrowski, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Wisconsins economy, outdoor recreation and culture is deeply connected to the Great Lakes and finalizing this project ensures future generations can enjoy these one-of-a-kind bodies of water.

For the last several decades since invasive carp were introduced to the country in 1963 and escaped into the Mississippi River Basin during flooding events in the 1980s and 1990s, dozens of other states have dealt with the havoc they wreak on aquatic ecosystems. Silver and bighead carp dont have natural predators in American waterways and likely never will, which means their populations can grow unchecked.

In recent years, as the fish have continued spreading in the states waterways, Illinoisans frustrated with the pace of state and federal deterrent plans have taken matters into their own hands.

Some efforts focus on overfishing: The village of Baths Original Redneck Fishing Tournament pits amateurs and longtime anglers against each other in a yearly competition; commercial fishermen or carp cowboys round up fish elsewhere on the Illinois River; and state biologists have led large-scale removal efforts of hundreds of thousands of pounds of carp in a given day.

Other creative endeavors include using unmanned kayaks to gather information on large carp populations, and attempts to create a market for the fish as a food source, rebranding it as copi and cooking it in tacos, nuggets, empanadas and sliders.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
Governor Ron DeSantis struck down a bill that wouldve taken away local power to enforce short-term rental ordinances.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

In the Governors letter, he said the bill wouldve created new bureaucratic red tape. Its one reason the City of Jacksonville Beach was one of many coastal communities in Florida to push hard against the bill.

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We need to have local control over whats happening in our communities, Jacksonville Beach Vice Mayor Sandy Golding said. When these issues happen, we need to be able to react quickly. Unfortunately anything at the state level takes a long time.

Governor DeSantis vetoed SB 280 last Thursday. He said it would prevent virtually all local regulation of vacation rentals...even though markets are far from uniform.

In April, Action News Jax told you three men were arrested on drug possession charges at a Jax Beach vacation rental and one of them was a convicted felon.

READ: SCOTUS ruling clears path for Floridas ban on public sleeping and camping

Just a few blocks away, police detained two men at a short-term rental connected to a gang that same weekend.

Vice Mayor Golding said gangs renting out these properties has become a serious safety issue in recent years.

They have guns and drugs and theyre basically flaunting and promoting it, she said.

While the veto was a win for the city, Golding said theres still issues holding short-term rental owners accountable. The states preemption bars local officials from suspending problem rentals until the issues can be corrected. Its something Jax Beach city officials are still fighting to fix.

I hope going forward that we will be able to have more of a voice in whats happening with future legislation, Golding said.

In his letter, the Governor urged the legislature not to look at vacation rentals with a one-size fits all approach moving forward.

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HAWLEY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A grass fire in Hawley spread to a structure Sunday afternoon.

Fire crews swiftly responded to County Road 445 in Hawley where a grass fire had escalated, spreading to a nearby structure. No injuries have been reported at this time.

BigCountryHomepage has reached out to the Hawley Volunteer Fire Department and will update as new information becomes available.

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A jury has convicted a former office manager of a Middle Georgia chiropractor in a $200,000 embezzlement scheme, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Emiliya Radford was found guilty last week of bank fraud, wire fraud and federal program theft after an hour of jury deliberations. Radford was hired at Smith Spinal Center in May 2020 and had access to the offices bank account. She used that account to write checks to her marketing business, Cyber Pinecone, without authorization, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Radfords marketing company was hired by Smith Spinal Care Center in September 2019, but she became the offices manager in May 2020, according to evidence presented at her trial. Her job at the chiropractic office included issuing and signing all biweekly payroll checks, including her own, as well as doing marketing work for them.

In order to complete the duties of her role, Radford was given authority over the offices bank account with Wells Fargo. The U.S. Attorneys office said she took the opportunity to write and endorse checks to Cyber Pinecone and gave herself an unauthorized pay raise. Some of the funds she used came from COVID-19 Federal Economic Disaster Loans, which helped small businesses recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

She also bought $11,015 worth of Apple products that were shipped to her own home, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Radford quit on Dec. 19, 2022. Her house was raided May 4 last year, and investigators found all the Apple products she had bought with Smith Spinal Care Centers money.

Emiliya Radford chose greed and deceit with her embezzlement scheme that victimized a small business that had operated in the Warner Robins community for many decades, said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. Financial crimes devastate hard-working, law-abiding citizens and will not be tolerated by this office or our law enforcement partners.

She will be sentenced on Oct. 9 by Judge Marc Treadwell. She could face 30 years and a $1 million fine for bank fraud, 20 years and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud and a 10 years and $250,000 fine for federal program theft, said the U.S. District Attorneys office. She is not eligible for parole.

Radford violated the trust of the company that hired her and elevated her to a position of leadership, said Robert Gibbs, senior supervisory senior resident agent of FBI Atlantas Macon office. Because of her self-interest and greed, she has not only thrown away her career, but will spend time in prison for her crime.
Despite calls for her to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for president in November, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants no part of it. But she may have warned the president that her state is now unwinnable for him.



Politico reports that Whitmer made a phone call to the Biden campaign Friday night saying that she was upset with her name being floated as a replacement for Biden, and that she had nothing to do with it.



However, Politico columnist Jonathan Martin wrote that he was alerted to the call by a national Democratic rival to Whitmer, who said the Michigan governor also called to tell the Biden camp that the debate had ruined the presidents chances in the state.



Whatever the case may be, this is not great news for Biden, except for Whitmer wishing to stay out of replacement discussions. The fact that a Draft Gretch movement has quickly arisen after Thursday nights debate disaster shows that at least a segment of Democrats want to replace Biden. And if Whitmer actually called the campaign to tell them Michigan was lost, which she would have insight into as governor, thats a key battleground state at risk in November.



Michigan was the target of a coordinated effort for voters to select an uncommitted option during the Democratic presidential primary elections to protest Bidens support of Israels brutal war in Gaza. Uncommitted ended up with 13.2 percent of the vote in Michigans February primary and jumpstarted a national effort, with several other states with the option on their ballots registering strong showings. In total, 37 uncommitted delegates will be present at the Democratic National Convention in August, and could be a factor if confidence in Bidens ability to defeat Donald Trump continues to drop.



Right now, Democrats and the Biden campaign are still reeling from Thursdays debate, with calls echoing from across the Democratic Party spectrum for him to step aside or refuse to run again. While former President Barack Obama attempted to tamp down those calls with a tweet Friday afternoon, others have urged him to make a more forceful intervention. It seems that the next few weeks and months could have a crucial effect not only on Novembers election but on the fate of the country at large.


Ground broken for new Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services facility in Gadsden

Ground was broken on June 26 for something that will provide vital services to people with disabilities in Gadsden, Etowah County and surrounding areas, and serve as a symbol for the value of collaboration.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services' new local home will be on land owned by the City of Gadsden behind Burger 101 and Jack's in the 200 block of East Broad Street.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services' new Gadsden location will be on city-owned property in the 200 block of East Broad Street behind Burger 101 and Jack's. It's being financed with a unique bond arrangement.

Local and state officials braved the heat for the groundbreaking; estimated construction time for the building is a year.

It will be nearly twice the size of the department's current location on Gadsden State Community College's East Broad Street campus. ADRS is moving out of that site because of existing construction on Gadsden State's new Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center and planned construction on the Interstate 759 extension.

To help maintain the department's local presence  and keep high-paying jobs in the community  ADRS, the city and its Public Building Authority and the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority came up with a unique way to finance the new site suggested by the IDA's executive director, David Hooks.

David Hooks, executive director of the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority, speaks June 26, 2024, as Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford looks on, during the groundbreaking for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services' new Gadsden location.

The Public Building Authority is issuing revenue bonds and is subleasing the financing to ADRS. The department's rental costs are required to cover both the principal and interest on the bonds, and will fluctuate if necessary to maintain that.

The city isn't responsible for any debt service and its credit ratings won't be affected.

This unique project keeps a state agency in East Gadsden that delivers critical services for people with disabilities and those looking to improve their position in the workforce, Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford said.

Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services, speaks June 26, 2024, at the groundbreaking for the department's new Gadsden location.

Ford thanked Hooks, ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw and state legislators for working with the city to find an innovative solution that will result in another high-quality facility added to our East Broad Street corridor.

He said given the opening of GSCC's new training center and the pending I-759 extension, This building and its programs will help us recruit and retain local businesses and industries for decades."

ADRS' new building will be 20,852 square feet  the current site is 11,062 square feet and Burdeshaw said the department has outgrown it  and will house 40 full-time employees.

From left, Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Buckelew, project manager Tim Coker, Gadsden Public Building Authority Chairman Dr. Lew Mitchell, Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford, Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority Executive Director David Hooks and architect and state Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, are pictured June 26, 2024, at the ground breaking for ADRS new Gadsden location.

It will reflect a $4.8 million capital investment and provide cutting-edge facilities that Burdeshaw indicated will allow the department to provide services across Northeast Alabama, not just in Gadsden and Etowah County.

According to its website, ADRS seeks to enable children and adults with disabilities to achieve their maximum potentialthrough early intervention, childrens rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs.

The new East Gadsden site will have physical therapy and orthotics facilities, audiology suites, a feeding clinic and nutrition area, exam rooms, nurses' areas and staff offices.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Gadsden breaks ground on new rehabilitation services building
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Painted lady butterflies venture far and wide with their impressive migratory patterns that stretch for thousands of miles  but they often travel across land, so they can stop to rest.

Scientists have now found evidence that a group of the winged travelers flew over 2,600 miles (about 4,200 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean without stopping, according to a new study published June 25 in the journal Nature Communications.

The finding ends a decade-long mystery that began when entomologist and lead study author Dr. Gerard Talavera came across around 10 painted lady butterflies, known by the scientific name Vanessa cardui, on a beach in French Guiana in October 2013. The insects, which are not usually found in South America, were worn out with holes and tears in their wings.

They looked exhausted. They even couldnt fly very much  they kind of jumped instead of flying, said Talavera, a Spanish National Research Council senior researcher at the Botanical Institute of Barcelona. The only explanation that came to my mind was that these were long-distance migrants.

But crossing an entire ocean was unheard of for butterflies, even ones as worldly as the painted ladies. Talavera, along with his colleagues, had to rule out a few factors before concluding that these butterflies accomplished what was previously thought impossible.

How far a butterfly can fly

An October 2016 study that Talavera coauthored found that painted ladies from Europe migrate in great distances of around 2,500 miles (about 4,000 kilometers) to sub-Saharan Africa, facing obstacles such as the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert. But even so, the butterflies remain mostly over land where they can stop and refuel, feed on flowers and then get energy to keep going, Talavera said.

Crossing the Atlantic would take a painted lady butterfly five to eight days, depending on different variables, according to the new study.

Based on analyses of the energy constraints, researchers concluded that the butterflies could fly a maximum of 485 miles (780 kilometers) or so without stopping, but favorable wind conditions are what allowed them to complete the lengthy journey, Talavera said.

This is actually kind of a record for an insect, especially for a butterfly, to perform such a long flight without possibilities to stop, said Talavera, who also leads the Worldwide Painted Lady Migration Project, a global citizen science project that tracks the migratory routes of the insects.

There have been other instances in which experts suspect butterflies and other migratory insects of traveling longer distances than usual, turning up on boats, remote islands or countries where they are not usually found, Talavera said.

The researchers believe that these butterflies took part in their annual migration south from Europe but got lost when the wind blew them into the ocean, he added. The butterflies then likely rode out the trade winds, which blow east to west near the equator, until they reached land in South America.

Getting suspended in the air column at just the right height to take advantage of the trade winds is nothing short of remarkable, said Dr. Floyd Shockley, collections manager for the department of entomology at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, who was not part of the new study. It kind of begs the question, have they been doing this for a long time, and we just never documented it because we werent looking for it in South America?

The discovery of around 10 out-of-place butterflies, versus the occasional discovered singleton that was likely caught up in storms, could be sufficient evidence that this was a coordinated migratory event for the group of insects, Shockley said.

Tracking a butterfly

Researchers took a few crucial steps to confirm these out-of-place butterflies really did travel across the ocean.

First, to rule out that the insects did not travel over land from North America, the researchers analyzed their DNA, finding it to match with that of European-African populations. Next, the team used a technique known as isotope tracing that looks at the composition of the butterflies wings for evidence of the types of plants they ate as caterpillars, said study coauthor Dr. Megan Reich, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa in Ontario. By this method, the scientists concluded the butterflies birthplace to be in either Western Europe, North Africa or West Africa, she added.

Scientists concluded the butterflies birthplace to be in either Western Europe, North Africa or West Africa by using isotope tracing that looks at the composition of the butterflies wings for evidence of the types of plants they ate as caterpillars. - Gerard Talavera

But the real key to finding the route the butterflies took was a method first described in a September 2018 study led by Talavera that found that pollen clinging to butterflies can be telling of their migratory journey through the plants on which they fed. The butterflies spotted in October 2013 had the pollen of two West African plants, Guiera senegalensis and Ziziphus spina-christi. The tropical shrubs flower through August and November, according to the study, and this blooming season lines up with the timeline of the butterflies that Talavera discovered in South America.

Additionally, an analysis of weather data from 48 hours before the discovery of the beached butterflies had shown to be exceptionally favorable for the butterflies to disperse across the Atlantic from West Africa, the authors noted in the study.

If the insects traveled from their likely birthplace of Europe, then to Africa and South America, the butterflies journey could have consisted of 4,350 miles (7,000 kilometers) or more.

A lot of people think of butterflies as really fragile creatures. I think this really shows how strong and resilient they are and these amazing journeys that they take  they really shouldnt be underestimated, Reich said.

The researchers hope to use the same techniques to investigate the migration patterns of other species of butterflies, she added.

This is just the first step in sort of a long process of trying to understand why this happened and how this happened, Shockley said.

If future research finds that the butterflies journey is likely a regular migration pattern, its among the longest insect migrations in the world, he added.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Hundreds of new laws go into effect today in Tennessee that will directly impact you and your family.

In Tennessee, July 1 means the start of a new month and a long list of new laws that you will now have to follow. The General Assembly passed many of the bills into law earlier this year.

New leader named for board that sets bail amounts

WREG spoke with state representatives Mark White and Jesse Chism about new gun laws and bail reform aimed at slowing down what some call the revolving door of criminals in and out of the judicial system.

I think we got a good group of bills out that protect the citizens, Rep. White said. We have passed laws to hold them [criminal defendants] accountable. We just got to get our local judicial system to enforce them.

TN governor signs bill making drag racing a felony

As always its a mixed bag. We got some good stuff in there and we got some stuff not so good, Rep. Chism said. Even though there was some stuff in the bill I didnt like, I still believe some of our hardened criminals, it could be a step to keep them off the streets.

Another new law increases the penalty of drag racing to a felony offense, punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.

If a person is drag racing theyre endangering the lives of the rest of us and they pass us every day on the streets. So, we have stronger enforcement, Rep. White said.

One of the more controversial new laws allows teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds.

We knew our districts [MSCS] down here didnt want it and wouldnt implement it, but our rural communities across our state that are 30 minutes away from the closest sheriffs office had been asking for it, Rep. White said. So, we passed it for them.

To add the extra burden of arming teachers, making them be the security of the school as well, I think its a bad thing, Rep. Chism said.

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Representative Chism says he is proud of his bill that now requires the recordings of juvenile interrogations.

Its going to protect both the youth in question, as well as the law enforcement, he said.

As for Representative White, he hopes his bill turning the University of Memphis Campus School into its own school district could be a model for teaching and learning for Memphis area schools.

As for Tennessee lawmakers, they are in recess until the start of the next legislative session.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
New Hampshire man accused of sexually assaulting his foster child

A 64-year-old New Hampshire man is accused of sexually assaulting his foster child.

Dana Lemieux of Manchester is charged with two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, police said Monday.

In June, a juvenile reported to Manchester Police that Lemieux, who was his foster parent at the time, had sexually abused him when he was five years old and in his care.

The Juvenile Unit launched an investigation and established probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for Lemieux, police said.

Lemieux turned himself into police on Thursday. His bail was set at $2,500 cash.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation can call Manchester Detective Canada Stewart at 603-792-5493 or the Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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What happened to the Haiseal Tract? Industrial project on hold since 2022

A rendering of the proposed development shows six warehouses to be built in Ellabell.

Nearly six months after Hyundai Motor Group announced it would build its first electric vehicle plant in Black Creek, residents in North Bryan learned of another big project that could take up a large chunk of land in Ellabell.

But since the news first broke in 2022, the project has not progressed much.

Haiseal Timber Company is the developer of the project and owns 13 tracts of land across three states: Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. A representative for Haiseal said the company does not develop homes or warehouses but that the companys timber has been sold in the past for development. Haiseal Timber Co. is listed as the applicant/developer on the Development of Regional Impact Report.

We are looking for the right fit with the community and what is going to be best for the county, community and potential employers, the developer's representative said. There is no specific activity defined yet.

The site would take up a whopping 1,144 acres of warehouse space, totaling 3.9 million square feet. In comparison, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is 2,923 acres.

Clearing and grading of the warehouse site have not yet begun. The DRI report predicts 6,503 traffic trips per day at this location.

Karen Saunds, grant specialist for Coastal Regional Commission, provided a statement in the public comment section of the DRI Report. It reads in part, "Ogeechee Riverkeeper is concerned that 12.5 acres of jurisdictional wetlands will be impacted due to the development of the Haiseal Tract."

More: More than 100 tortoises were removed from burrows at Hyundai site ahead of construction

The tract of land is located directly across HMGMA off Old Cuyler Road. The DRI report states the project is expected to be completed in 2028, although with no activity at the moment, the projected date could change.

According to the DRI report, the value of the project is projected to be $234 million.

More than 4 million square feet of warehouse space was added in the third quarter of 2023 in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties in Georgia, and South Carolinas Jasper County, according to market research firm CBRE.

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Haiseal Tract at standstill as developer eyes tenants
The Haven's Michael Etheridge reflects on his time in Manitowoc before leaving for Madison

The Haven Executive Director Michael Etheridge poses at the entrance of the facility, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Manitowoc, Wis.

MANITOWOC  Michael Etheridge, executive director of The Haven mens homeless shelter for more than a decade, will leave soon to take a new position in Madison.

This is bittersweet for me, Etheridge said. I love being here and the work I do. But this opportunity presented itself, and its a fantastic opportunity.

He declined to name the organization he will be joining, noting a news release would come soon, but he said it is a larger affordable housing nonprofit where he will oversee many programs and 25 staff.

Working with the homeless for a decade prepared Etheridge for the jump into an organization that focuses on housing. Finding affordable housing is increasingly difficult in todays world of low housing pools and skyrocketing rental costs.

Everybody deserves to get housing, he said.

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Etheridges passion comes from personal experience. He was homeless, addicted to drugs and unable to find any kind of shelter  making him a poster child for what The Haven does, Etheridge said.

The Haven opened in 2014 and provides homeless men with case management, resource referrals and skills groups. The Haven's website says its mission is to "advocate for homeless men while providing community resources and a holistic approach towards self-sufficiency."

More: Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry promotes new VP and general manager

The shelter has helped 489 men since the doors opened, Etheridge said. About 72 men a year use the shelter. The Havens capacity is 20.

The organization serves men who might need shelter after they are released from jail, but many come from broken family situations, Etheridge said. Some had to leave their home after a divorce, some were kicked out by their girlfriends, others were told by friends just to go and live with them, that they would help them out, but it didnt turn out to be a good situation.

Most have deep-rooted trauma and some might have taken their own lives if they hadnt found The Haven.

The Haven Executive Director Michael Etheridge as seen, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Manitowoc, Wis.

He noted society loves to help homeless women, children and animals, adding, We have to help the men, too.

Men stay in the shelter for 60 to 90 days. They must have a job and save money for housing. Those stays grew longer during the pandemic and continue today, in large part because rent prices have spiked.

The Haven now encourages men to consider shared housing or moving into a space together as roommates, Etheridge said. That can cut the costs of monthly rent from $1,200 for a one-bedroom space to $500 or $600 in a shared space.

More: Buried forest in Manitowoc County was first uncovered in 1907. Its discovery changed views on age of last glacier coming through Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry recently offered a three-bedroom home The Haven can use to house three men.

These would be three of our guests who have hit a roadblock with housing, Etheridge said. Maybe theyve had evictions or a bad rental record. This is a chance for them to get back on their feet.

Etheridges last day at The Haven is July 15. A search for his replacement is under way.

The Haven men's homeless shelter is at 1003 Marshall St. For information, call 920-652-9110, send an email to info@thehavenofmanitowoc.org or visit thehavenofmanitowoc.org. Volunteers are always needed.

Contact reporter Patti Zarling @pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling and on Instagram @PGPatti.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Director of The Haven homeless shelter in Manitowoc leaving for Madison
One motorist is dead and seven others were injured after two vehicles collided head-on last month at a Highway 20 intersection, according to the Yuba City Police Department.

The crash happened around 8:40 p.m. June 2, at the intersection of Highway 20 and El Margarita Road, a block north of River Valley High School, after a 39-year-old woman was traveling north on El Margarita with her 4-year-old daughter in the backseat of her white Honda Crosstour, police said in a news release. The woman did not stop at the posted stop sign and turned right around a raised center median and began traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 20.

The Honda crashed with a Ford F-150 with six passengers traveling west along the highway, Yuba City police said. One passenger in the Ford, a 27-year-old man, later succumbed to his injuries and died at Adventist Rideout Hospital that evening. The five other occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The woman and her daughter suffered non-life-threatening injuries as well, police said. She was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center and her daughter was transported to UC Davis Medical Center.

Investigators believe the woman was driving under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested this weekend and booked into the Sacramento County Jail, according to Yuba City Police Department spokesman Lt. Kim Slade, on a warrant for murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in injury and felony child endangerment.

Yuba City police responded to the collision and will be responsible for the investigation, which is still ongoing.
The head of the primary super PAC supporting former President Trump said the potential replacement of President Biden as the Democratic Partys presidential nominee would be impossible to carry out and essentially spell defeat for the party in November.

Make America Great Again Inc. CEO Taylor Budowich, in an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, argued a last-minute effort to coalesce around a single Democratic candidate to replace Biden will lead to an epic political brawl and billions of dollars funneled to several futile campaigns.

Theres no easy answer here. Its actually excruciatingly difficult, and without the benefit of time, its flat out impractical, Budowich wrote. Especially when you cap it all off with the stark reality that the Democratic Partys entire nominating process and convention rules are controlled by progressive delegates, who have little understanding of the real diversity of our country or what it takes to win a national election.

At the end of the day, for Democrats, the only thing worse than going into Election Day with Joe Biden on the ticket is having Joe Biden leave the ticket and watching helplessly as their party is consumed by the cannibalistic chaos that would surely ensue, he added later.

Bidens poor debate performance against former President Trump last week sparked concern among some in his own party over his ability to carry out another four-year term. The presidents voice was raspy for a good portion of the 90-minute debate, while his delivery frequently halted and at times, he appeared to lose his train of thought and had difficulty stringing together his ideas.

Biden has already won the primaries, winning a majority of delegates, and thus he cannot be simply overthrown at the Democratic National Convention in August. The decision is ultimately up to him, and the Biden campaign said last week he is not going anywhere.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules require delegates that Biden won to pledge their support for his nomination unless Biden willingly decides to stand down. Before the convention opens on Aug. 19, the DNC could change the rules to block Biden, but that is highly unlikely given current party dynamics.

Budowich noted Bidens campaign has millions of dollars in campaign funding that cannot be transferred to a replacement candidate, who would have to start from scratch just months ahead of the general election.

He predicted the DNC would attempt to stretch every rule to push forward a new candidate, who would still need to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the campaign.

In the wake of potential chaos, Budowich argued Republicans should remain focused following Trumps most disciplined, clever and devastatingly precise debate performance yet.

So, regardless of the Democrats choice in a lose-lose proposition, its Mr. Trumps message of prosperity and American greatness that will ultimately be decisive in November, Budowich said.

Names of potential replacements have included Vice President Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Hill reached out to the DNC for comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GREENVILLE, Ala. (WDHN)  A Sunday morning fire destroyed the building that housed the Butler County Health Department and Butler County EMA office in Greenville.

Crews were called to the scene on Airport Road in Greenville at around 3:30 a.m. and when they arrived the building was fully engulfed in flames. After knocking down the flames, the building was labeled a total loss.

Officials with the Butler County Health Department say no one was in the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, though authorities do not suspect arson.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) staff is working to find a temporary space to provide health services for people in Butler County.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Crenshaw County Health Department or other neighboring locations for services. The ADPH website provides contact information and operating hours for all county health department locations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (PIX11)  Funeral arrangements are set for the NYPD officer killed Friday when an alleged drunk driver crashed into a Long Island nail salon, killing three others and injuring nine people, officials said.

The funeral service for Officer Emilia Rennhack will be held Saturday at noon at New Hyde Park Funeral Home on Lakeville Road, officials said. Visitation is set for Friday from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the same funeral home.

Our hearts are breaking following the tragic loss of our 102 Pct. sister P.O. Emilia Rennhack  please join us in praying for her family, friends and coworkers, the Police Benevolent Association posted on X over the weekend.

Three other people died and nine were injured when 64-year-old Steven Schwally drove his 2020 Chevy Traverse through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park at around 4:32 p.m., police said.

More Local News

The manager of the nail salon died and his wife was critically injured, according to relatives on a GoFundMe page. The wife suffered back and hip injuries and is expected to recover in a year or two. the post said. The couple has two children, ages 10 and 5. The crowdfunding page has raised over $18,000, as of Monday afternoon.

The officers family also started a fundraiser so Rennhacks family from Poland could attend the funeral. There will be a vigil for the victims at the nail salon at 7 p.m. Monday.

With the shop completely destroyed and their mother suffering from critical back and hip injuries, the family has lost their only source of income, the post said.

Schwally was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, was later charged with driving while intoxicated, police said. He was arraigned on Monday.

Prosecutors said Schwally allegedly had 18 beers the night before and was speeding when he crashed into the crowded salon.

Schwally had a DWI arrest back in April 2014, officials said.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Boise police identified the suspect in a hit-and-run incident Saturday night with the help of witnesses.

Two pedestrians, both women, were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries in a series of serious crashes just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the corner of 11th and Main streets in downtown Boise, according to a Sunday news release from the Boise Police Department.

The suspect, a 46-year-old Boise man, is accused of hitting the pedestrians and continuing to drive, striking other vehicles as he fled, police said.

Bystanders followed the driver, and he was stopped and taken into custody near East Parkcenter Boulevard and Pennsylvania Street, the news release said. He was then taken to a local hospital to be checked for injuries. After his release, he was arrested on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death and booked into the Ada County Jail.

Last night the irresponsible actions of this individual caused serious injuries to two of our community members, Boise police Capt. Jim Quackenbush said in the news release. We thank the many witnesses who acted quickly to provide immediate assistance and all those who have come forward with information on this tragic event. Our officers will continue to work with the community to strictly enforce the law, particularly as it relates to vulnerable road users in the downtown core.

A crash reconstruction team and violent crimes unit responded to the scene to investigate, police said. An Idaho Statesman journalist in the area saw a large SUV with dents along its side and long runs of caution tape around Main Street.

Boise police shut down a stretch of Main Street and asked drivers to avoid a swath of downtown between Main and Idaho streets from 6th to 11th streets. The roads have since reopened.

The incident occurred as the Twilight Criterium bike race, which shut down a separate section of downtown roads nearby, was wrapping up Saturday night.

As part of the investigation, Boise police officers are looking to speak with anyone who was a witness or whose vehicle was damaged in the incident. Police also asked that any businesses on Main Street between 13th and 5th streets with video footage of Main Street contact the department.

Serious crashes injure two pedestrians in downtown Boise. Police have located a suspect

At a Boise crosswalk, 4 people hit by cars this year. One died. How officials responded
HENDERSONVILLE - Sites for affordable housing could be identified as early as May after Hendersonville City Council agreed June 26 to contract with an organization that will study and suggest potential properties.

Council members unanimously agreed to work with the UNC Chapel Hill School of Governments Development Finance Initiative to identify possible sites. The process would include a housing needs assessment, public engagement and parcel and financial feasibility studies.

"The goal is to adopt a strategic housing plan in May that would include action steps, possible sites for housing, policies to support development and next steps," said City Attorney Angela Beeker. Everybody is very interested in and excited about this initiative. City Council, staff and the community.

After the plan is adopted in May, the city would move forward with seeking private investors.

Oklawaha Village in Hendersonville, seen in this July 2021 photo, was builty by the city as affordable housing.

The $60,650 contract with DFI would be funded from a $100,000 grant the city received from Dogwood Health Trust to address affordable housing needs.

Our approach is really similar to the approach a private developer would take in understanding the feasibility of a project, Marcia Perritt, director of the DFI, told council members Wednesday.

I think the difference is that we really emphasize community engagement and public interest, so making sure that public interests are at the forefront of any development plan, but also making sure that the plan is realistic, it is financially feasible, both for you and a private partner, and works within the actual context of your market and community.

The June 26 vote was the latest effort by the city to tackle the issue of housing. In 2023, City Council identified affordable housing as one of its top five priorities, and this year, the issue became the citys second-highest priority, after public safety, Beeker said. Public safety has moved to the No. 1 priority.

More: Hendersonville City Council approves affordable senior housing project on Greenville Hwy

In the fall, council members asked staff to begin working on a strategic housing plan that looked at needs across all income levels in the city, including affordable and workforce housing. A Strategic Housing Steering Committee was formed and has worked with city departments, other municipalities, the Department of Social Services, elected officials and the public.

During a housing summit in May, the city learned that having housing available at all levels was most beneficial, and they should focus on supply, stability and subsidy, Beeker said.

While researching potential sites, the DFI would look for obstacles the city could remove for affordable-housing developers and ways to increase incentives. Policies would have to be changed or put into place to encourage housing, and city staff may have to take a fresh look at restrictions such as parking requirements that could be changed to attract developers.

The Oklawaha Village development is seen under construction in Hendersonville in this file photo, was built as affordable housing. Hendersonville City Council agreed June 26 to contract with an organization that will study and suggest potential properties for more affordable housing,

The city intends to take a long-term look at housing to make sure any housing projects remain affordable and dont turn into market rate a few years down the line, Beeker said.

More public input sessions will be held, and council members are planning to focus their Council Conversations sessions in September and October on housing. A survey will be conducted to determine residents needs.

Council members are also very willing to work with Henderson County officials on housing, Beeker said.

The DFI process

The DFI will complete pre-development tasks for the sites it identifies, including parcel analysis and financial feasibility, to help prioritize the sites, according to its proposal.

The parcel analysis will look at topography, hydrology, infrastructure and other concerns to prioritize sites. The DFI will use in-house staff including architects and design team members.

The needs assessment will look at types of housing needed at different income levels, as well as drivers such as growth, area employment and existing housing supply. The DFI will also hold public engagement sessions.

When it comes to finding possible housing sites, the DFI will look primarily at publicly owned properties, including sites that could qualify for Low Income Housing Tax Credit development, the proposal says, adding that LIHTC is the largest affordable housing finance program in the country.

The reason is, the LIHTC program is what is consistently funding affordable housing in North Carolina, Perritt told council. I dare say 99% of affordable rental housing in North Carolina currently is using the LIHTC program.

The DFI aims to find four potential sites, then prioritize up to two and make recommendations for the properties.

If the city decides to continue working with DFI at the end of the contract, the DFI would conduct additional site-specific pre-development analysis and assist the city in identifying experienced private developers to execute an affordable housing development project, according to the proposal.

Following the selection of a development partner, DFI will then support the city of Hendersonville in negotiating key deal points in a development agreement with its selected partner.

These services would require another contract.

The DFI is currently working on several projects across the state, including in Brevard and Buncombe County. More information about the DFI can be found at https://dfi.sog.unc.edu.

Visit hendersonvillenc.gov/projects/strategic-housing-plan for more information about the citys strategic housing plan, the Affordable Housing Summit from May, and get project updates. Visit youtube.com/watch?v=T6RJQ9QTj1A to watch the June 26 council meeting.

The Strategic Housing Steering Committee meets at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, and these meetings are offered via Zoom for the public to watch at any time and give feedback.

More: Crystal Cauley honored by City Council; funeral set, cause of death revealed

More: More stops, faster service suggested for Apple Country Public Transit improvements

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Hendersonville, NC to scout affordable housing locations
Claim:

A Taiwan-based teacher who shares his math lessons on Pornhub earns over $250,000 annually.

Rating:

Rating: Mixture

What's True:

Chang-Hsu () is an actual teacher who posts his math classes on Pornhub under the names @changhsumath666 and @changhsumath.

What's False:

However, Chang told a journalist in 2021 he earned over $250,000 primarily through selling his courses on multiple platforms, rather than from ad revenue generated by posting videos on Pornhub.

What's Undetermined:

We were unable to independently verify the teacher's current income, as of June 2024.

In July 2024, a photograph spread on social media, allegedly showing a Taiwan-based teacher who shared his math lessons on Pornhub, earning over $250,000 annually. "Every place is a classroom: Teacher uses 'P*rnHub to give math lessons', earns over $250,000 annually. The 34-year-old teacher has uploaded more than 200 videos," read the text of a meme showing a man standing in front of a chalkboard.

The meme was also shared on platforms such as Instagram, Imgur, 9GAG, and Know Your Meme.

In short, the teacher, whose name is Chang-Hsu, exists and his accounts on Pornhub are @changhsumath and @changhsumath666. A 2021 article in Mel Magazine reported, based on an interview with the teacher, that his online course "pulls in 7,500,000 New Taiwan dollars (over $250,000 U.S.) per year, which he uses to pay his bills and provide a decent salary to his employees, who help him teach on his various platforms." Pornhub is a Canadian-owned internet pornography video-sharing website.

In other words, Chang's income comes primarily from multiple platforms, where he sells courses, rather than from ad revenue generated by posting videos on Pornhub. But we were unable to independently verify the teacher's annual income as of June 2024. Because of all of this, we have rated this claim as a mixture of truth and falsehoods.

We have reached out to Chang for a comment and we will update this article if/when we receive a response.

@changhsumath's account on Pornhub, as of June 2024, had 3,300,000 views and 16,400 subscribers.

(www.pornhub.com)

Below you can see what @changhsumath's videos on Pornhub look like:

(@changhsumath Pornhub user)

Chang's second account on Pornhub, @changhsumath666, as of June 2024, had 1,800,000 views and 8,300 subscribers.

(www.pornhub.com)

Some of the videos shared on @changhsumath666 account featured female models who cleared the chalkboard, possibly as a tactic to capture viewers' attention.

(Pornhub user @changhsumath666)

Chang could make money on Pornhub by leveraging its Model Program, which allows users to upload content and earn revenue based on views and ad clicks.

In May 2023, South China Morning Post shared a post on Facebook reading, "A mathematics teacher has come up with a novel way to attract new students to his online classes" and showing behind-the-scenes captures of his videos.

https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/making-maths-sexy-taiwanese-teacher-puts-hardcore-calculus-classes-on-pornhub/713031323177473/

A Focus Taiwan article from February 2021 reported that Chang began the Pornhub project in May 2020 after a financial crisis at his private school and quoted him as saying, "The online-teaching market is highly competitive, and I can now attract 1,000 students each year, compared with an average of a few hundred for a calculus tutor." Moreover, the article underscored Chang's income came from multiple platforms on which he sells his courses:

Although Chang admitted that he felt a majority of his viewers visited his account, dubbed "Play hard, study hard," for a laugh rather than to study math, he said such a marketing strategy has brought him many new students. Chang said the students, many of whom were from other countries, watched the free lessons on Pornhub and decided to enroll in his paid classes through various platforms, which altogether earned him NT$7.5 million (US$268,000) per year.

The article also reported that Chang, who had 15 years of teaching experience and a master's degree in mathematics, found it difficult to succeed on YouTube, and therefore decided to start sharing his videos on Pornhub.

Holding a master's degree in mathematics with 15 years of teaching experience, Chang said he had tried lecturing on YouTube but found it difficult to stand out from his competitors. "I asked myself where to find my target students, say college boys, and the answer popped out: adult video platforms," he said. Not all such websites appreciated Chang's idea, however, as others including XVideos and NXNN rejected non-adult clips, he said. Now that many fellow tutors have started to follow suit, Chang said he is planning a revision for his channel next month. "This is a top business secret, and what I can only tell you is it will no longer be just me in the videos," he said, implying, perhaps, a new hashtag of "multiple people."

According to Mel Magazine, Chang even tried to publish his videos on other adult websites, but "those platforms know which kinds of videos are adult and which aren't, and they forbid them."

Last year, Changhsu saw an opportunity to spread his numeric gospel on Pornhub. "Since very few people teach math on adult video platforms, and since there are so many people who watch videos on them, I thought that if I uploaded my videos there, a lot of people would see them," he tells me (Changhsu asked us to edit his English for clarity, because it's not his first language). It's true that non-pornographic videos like "I Deliver You a Pizza and Don't Put My [...] in It" or "Minecraft Tips and Tricks 3: Fast and Free House" aren't uncommon on Pornhub, but Changhsu appears to be the only math teacher on the website (unless "[...] off to CALCULUS" counts). In fact, Changhsu even tried to extend his reign to other adult websites like XVideos and XNXX, but he says "those platforms know which kinds of videos are adult and which aren't, and they forbid them."

"People may not be interested in my videos, but they'll all know there's a teacher who teaches calculus on an adult video platform," he explained to Mel Magazine, which reported Chang "suspects that 60 percent or more of his viewers come to his Pornhub channel for a laugh, rather than to learn calculus."

"Many students who need a teacher who can teach math know me through Pornhub, and some of them buy my course," he said. "I didn't want to teach math on Pornhub," he stated, adding that, "I wanted to let the world know that I'm a teacher from Taiwan who can teach calculus well."

"I just finished filming a new series of lessons with the help of Lena Paul, Lena Anderson and other helpful models that may assist in your calculus skills," Chang said in a 2022 Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit:

Below you can see the photograph linked in the post:

(Reddit u/WeAreMEL)

"Do you shoot n*de content with the girls who erase your blackboards?" one user under the post asked, to which Chang responded, "No, we don't~."

Apart from publishing on Pornhub, Chang Hsu also shares his videos via a YouTube channel, @changhsumath. His newest video available on YouTube as of this writing was published in March 2024, with the title "[Zhang Xu Freshman Calculus] EP376Vector [13] Divergence TheoremExplanation of Concepts" (we translated it from Chinese using Google Translate).

Chang's Pornhub account also linked to Instagram and X accounts, but as of late June 2024, both profiles were empty and solely redirected to the changhsumath.com website, where his his courses were available for purchase.

(www.changhsumath.com)

It's not the first time we have fact-checked a Pornhub-related claim. For instance, in February 2024, we investigated whether Pornhub "sanctioned" Russia after its attack on Ukraine by blocking Russian users from accessing the site.

Sources:

Evon, Dan. "Did Pornhub Block Russian Users?" Snopes, 28 Feb. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/did-pornhub-block-russian-users/.

Pornhub. https://www.pornhub.com/model/changhsumath666. Accessed 25 June 2024.

Pornhub Amateur Program - How to Make Money on Pornhub | Pornhub Model Blog. https://www.pornhub.com/blog/pornhub-amateur-program-how-to-make-money-on-pornhub. Accessed 27 June 2024.

"Taiwanese Tutor Branches out to Teach Calculus on Pornhub - Focus Taiwan." Focus Taiwan - CNA English News, 2 Nov. 2021, https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202111020009.

---. 3 Nov. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20211103090429/https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202111020009.

"The Determined Math Tutor Teaching Calculus on Pornhub." MEL Magazine, 20 Oct. 2021, https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/math-lessons-on-pornhub.

. EP376 [13] . 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5idZd_5zB0.

 - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBv4eDVLoj5XlRKM4iWj9g. Accessed 25 June 2024.

  . https://changhsumath.com/. Accessed 25 June 2024.
Baraka is one of 12 giant hamster rats that sniff out landmines underground in Angola's Cuanza Sul province for the Belgian organization Apopo. Raul Ilidio, the rat's human work partner, carries the rat Baraka on his shoulder. Kristin Palitza/dpa

Eagerly sniffing, Baraka dashes across a stubble field. He can't see very well, but his sense of smell is extremely well-developed.

Because Baraka, a giant hamster rat with an important job to do: find buried explosives. During his work, the rodent is strapped into a small harness that is connected to a long line via a wire.

An animal handler dressed in mine protection gear stands at each end of the line. This is because Baraka is running across an area where landmines may be buried.

The rat has already found something. He stops, sniffs intensively and scratches the earth a little. This is the sign that Baraka has discovered a mine, explains Raul Ilidio, the rat's human work partner.

Numbered tags are placed at the edge of the field to mark the position of the explosives. Now human demining experts know exactly where to defuse the explosives.

Baraka is one of 12 giant hamster rats currently helping the Belgian organization Apopo in Angola's Cuanza Sul province to clear landmines that were laid during the country's 27 years of civil war.

They are called "hero rats" because the rodents literally save lives in post-war Angola, one of the countries with the most landmine victims per year worldwide.

Since the civil war, which started in 1975 and ended in 2002, more than 88,000 landmine injuries have been reported in this country of 36 million inhabitants in southern Africa. According to the international "Landmine Monitor," the actual number is probably much higher.

Not a month without new victims

The world first became aware of the emergency in Angola at the end of the 1990s when the British Princess Lady Diana visited the civil war country and walked through a minefield in protective clothing. The images went around the world and sparked a global debate. But the attention came too late for Angola.

Once mines are buried, clearing them is difficult, time-consuming and extremely dangerous. Twenty-two years after the end of the civil war, almost 70 square kilometres still need to be cleared in Angola, according to the latest Landmine Monitor report. On average, the country has made progress of around six square kilometres per year.

This harbours great dangers for the population: according to the report, 107 people were killed or injured by landmines in Angola in 2022. "Not a month goes by without new victims," says Manuel Agostinho, Apopo's project manager in Angola.

However, Apopo is making good progress with the giant hamster rats as explosive sniffers. The rodents work much more effectively than humans.

While a landmine expert with a metal detector needs two days to clear 200 square metres and work while risking his or her life, a rat does the same job within half an hour, explains Agostinho.

The rats are not only fast, they are also very light, weighing a maximum of 2 kilograms - too light to trigger an anti-personnel mine, says Shaibu Hamisi, the rat training expert at Apopo. Even a sniffer dog would not be light enough.

Every rat that is used in minefields has to undergo rigorous training. The rodents are first trained for six to eight months and then tested at regular intervals. "The rats' job is not one where you can make mistakes," says Hamisi. Accuracy is even more important than speed. Because mistakes can cost lives.

Fear is part of everyday life

Thanks to the rats, more and more people in Angola can once again cultivate their fields or search for firewood in the forest without worry. Children can roam around outdoors. The inhabitants of the village of Calulo in Cuanza Sul, around which Apopo is currently clearing mined fields, are also hoping for a similar level of security.

Every child in the village knows about the dangers that still lie hidden underground. And almost everyone knows a family that has been affected by an accident. But for Ana Jose Capagaio, a single mother of seven children, the rats have come too late.

Three years ago, the 37-year-old lost her left leg. She was looking for firewood just 150 metres from her house when she stepped on a landmine, she explains. The small farmer, who until then had fed her family from what she could plant and harvest, is happy to have survived.

But since the accident, Capagaio and her children have been dependent on handouts. Her brother, Joao Capagaio, says that the villagers knew about the landmines, but not that there were so many.

Now he is watching the rats' progress and hopes that his children will be able to grow up without the lurking danger of landmines in future.

Millions of landmines worldwide

Apopo's rats are not only used in Angola. The explosive sniffers are also helping to clear landmines in other landmine-infested countries - Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Zimbabwe.

Agostinho hopes that their speedy work will contribute to faster progress in mine clearance. However, Angola will not be able to meet its target of having defused all mines by the end of 2025.

According to the United Nations Mine Action Programme (UNMAS), around 110 million landmines are still buried in 70 countries worldwide. If they were lined up 1 metre apart, they would circle the earth almost three times.

Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Ethiopia and Turkey are among the countries with the most extensive mine contamination per square kilometre.

As many as 2,000 people worldwide are killed or injured by landmines every month, the UN reports. Most victims are civilians, half of them children.

According to UNMAS, an anti-personnel landmine can be produced for less than 1 ($1.07) - but it costs between 300 and 1,000 to defuse them. And above all, a lot of time.

Baraka, the rat, sniffing through a mine filed in search of buried explosives. The rodent is one of 12 giant hamster rats that sniff out landmines underground in Angola's Cuanza Sul province for the Belgian organization Apopo. Kristin Palitza/dpa

A worker for the Belgian organization Apopo searches for mines after a giant hamster had combed the area before for the deadly devices. Kristin Palitza/dpa
High levels of Americans are concerned about antisemitism and Islamophobia, a new Gallup poll found, though serious concern is significantly higher for antisemitism.

The new poll found that 81 percent of Americans believe that antisemitism in the United States is somewhat a problem or a very serious problem. This is significantly higher than the 57 percent of Americans who said the same when asked the question in 2003, Gallup noted.

It is also higher than the 74 percent of Americans who see Islamophobia as somewhat or seriously a problem. The gap is even larger among those most concerned; 33 percent of Americans labeled prejudice against Muslim people as a very serious problem while 49 percent said the same of antisemitism.

Gallup found that older Americans are especially concerned about antisemitism, with 66 percent of respondents aged 65 and older and 55 percent of Americans aged 50 to 64 saying it is very serious. In comparison, just 36 percent of those under 50 years old said the same.

The poll found 34 percent of those older than 65 said prejudice against Muslim people is very serious, while 32 percent of respondents aged 50 to 64 said so. Thirty-two percent of those under 50 also said prejudice against Muslim people was a serious issue.

The poll found some partisan splits regarding concerns about antisemitism and Islamophobia. Sixty-three percent of Republicans said they had serious concerns about antisemitism while just 18 percent had the same concerns about prejudice against Muslim people.

Similar shares of Democrats were concerned about antisemitism and Islamophobia. Forty-nine percent said antisemitism was a very serious problem while 50 percent said prejudice against Muslim people was.

The poll comes amid a jump in anti-Muslim incidents and antisemitic incidents across the country. The incidents spiked in the wake of the Palestinian militant group Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which prompted Israel to launch a war against the group in Gaza.

The poll was conducted May 1-23 among 1,024 adults via telephone interviews. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DIAMOND, Mo.  The George Washington Carver National Park offered an in-depth look at school life in the 1870s.

It was a weekend program that focused on the first African American school that opened on Young Street in Neosho in 1872.

George Washington Carver was one of those students who attended the school in 1876 for almost a year.

After going to school in Neosho, Carver set out to Fort Scott Kansas to further his education.

The first African American school closed in 1891, and then opened another school known as the Lincoln School.

Individuals, African Americans wanted to learn, learn as much as they could, and when the Neosho school board provided that school, it was very very important to George Washington Carver as well as hundreds of others who attended that school, said Curtis Gregory, GWC Park Ranger.

George Washington School National Park has more events this summer, the next one is the 81st annual Carver Day on July 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
A historic pavilion was set for demolition. Now, the city is finalizing renovation plans

In 2021, the historic pavilion at Owl's Nest Park in the Cincinnati neighborhoods of Evanston and East Walnut Hills was set to be demolished.

But that decision was overturned and for the past two years, city leaders and residents have been working to save and restore the old structure.

On Tuesday, Cincinnati Parks and its foundation will host their third forum with residents to finalize a restoration plan.

The meeting will be 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Evanston Recreation Center, 3204 Woodburn Ave., with the public invited to provide feedback.

Why save the pavilion?

The pavilion was designed in 1933 by Elzner & Anderson. It is a two-story brick structure that used to serve as a pool house for the Owl's Nest Pool, which has since been filled in with dirt.

The park itself, at about 10 acres, dates back to 1905. That's when Charles and Edward Perkins donated about five acres of land to the city in memory of their mother and father, a onetime city fire commissioner. In addition to the pavilion, it features playgrounds, basketball courts, a baseball diamond, picnic area and paved paths.

The two-story brick pavilion at Owl's Nest Park used to serve as the pool house. Today, the structure remains at the park but is closed.

The pavilion has ties to the Civil Rights Movement in Cincinnati. Marian Spencer, civil rights activist and former vice mayor, worked to integrate the Owl's Nest Pool, according to the Cincinnati Preservation Association.

Given its age, the pavilion, still the visual focal point of the park, needs repairs "both structurally and aesthetically," according to Rocky Merz, Parks spokesperson.

What's been done so far?

Parks hosted earlier meetings about the pavilion, in December 2022 and April 2023, Merz said. Additionally, officials last year asked neighbors about what amenities they want in the park, collecting 312 responses.

Feedback from those surveys concluded that residents wanted the pavilion restored and pathways to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, 94% of respondents wanted the park to be "a place for community events, festivals, movies in the park and concerts."

Residents of Walnut Hills submitted the largest number of responses.

Plans for the restoration

Although fixing up the pavilion is a key element of the Owl's Nest's renovation, all areas of the park could be upgraded. Plans for the park were designed by KZF Design, a Cincinnati-based architecture firm that has worked on a number of parks in the Queen City, including the award-winning Smale Riverfront Park.

Tuesday's forum will help finalize the design details for Owl's Nest Park's renovation.

Based on the earlier survey results, the renovated park is likely to include an open-air pavilion on the structure's upper level, a stage, ADA-accessible ramps and new landscaping, according to Cincinnati Parks' documentation.

Other elements that could be included are restrooms, picnic benches, a water play area, historical and cultural educational information and more.

"If you're going to put money and time into it, make it worthwhile," said Veta Uddin, Evanston Community Council beautification chair. "Make it where people from other communities want to visit the community."

Evanston Community Council has been involved in planning for the park's renovation, according to Uddin. During a Thursday council meeting, leaders continued to encourage residents to provide feedback about the project.

Because Owl's Nest Park is both in the Evanston and East Walnut Hills neighborhoods, the Evanston Community Council said its primary goal is to ensure that both sides of the park are "beautified equally."

"We want to make sure there's not one iota less energy put into one side than the other," Uddin said.

What happens next?

Once plans for the park are finalized, Cincinnati Parks will seek funding for the project, according to Merz. Officials will seek a mix of grants, city dollars and private funds, he said.

According to a Cincinnati Parks timeline, the goal is to begin work in spring 2025.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Parks seeks feedback on Owl's Nest Park renovations
In historic ruling on presidential immunity, Supreme Court says Trump can be tried for private acts

WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court ruled Monday that former President Donald Trump can be tried for any of his efforts to overturn his 2020 loss that were not taken in his official capacity, a decision that likely came too late for a trial to be completed before Election Day.

Deciding for the first time whether presidents are immune from criminal prosecution, a divided Supreme Court said official acts taken by a president are protected but not steps he took as a candidate.

The parties before us do not dispute that a former President can be subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts committed while in office, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the 6-3 majority that divided along ideological lines. They also agree that some of the conduct described in the indictment includes actions taken by Trump in his unofficial capacity.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majoritys decision makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.

Sotomayor said the court gave Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

"With fear for our democracy, I dissent," she wrote.

Roberts criticized the dissenters for doomsaying rather than acknowledging the lower courts will determine whether Trumps conduct is vulnerable to criminal charges.

As for the dissents, they strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today  conclude that immunity extends to official discussions between the President and his Attorney General, and then remand to the lower courts to determine in the first instance whether and to what extent Trumps remaining alleged conduct is entitled to immunity, Roberts wrote.

Trump, on Truth Social, called the decision a BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY.

The case was a crucial test for the court and its six conservative justices, half of whom were appointed by Trump.

The time it took the high court to issue its opinion leaves a tight timeline to hold a trial that was originally scheduled for March. If Trump wins the election in November, he could order the Justice Department to dismiss any federal case against him. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump last August on four charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Celeste McCall, left, and Nan Raphael react to the US Supreme Courts opinion on presidential immunity shortly after it released on July 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Trump is accused of trying to steal the 2020 election by spreading lies about election fraud and attempting to persuade state officials, his vice president and Congress to prevent the certification of the legitimate results.

Trump, the first president  former or current  to be criminally charged, argued he can't be prosecuted for actions he took in his official capacity during his administration, an extension of the reasoning the Supreme Court used in 1982 when it barred civil suits against a president for official actions. Otherwise, Trump's attorneys argued, the threat of future prosecution and imprisonment would destroy the strength and authority of the presidency by subjecting them to politically motivated prosecutions.

Roberts said presidents are not above the law.

But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts, he wrote. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office.

A New York jury in May found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The state judge had rejected Trumps effort to delay that trial until the Supreme Court ruled on the immunity question.

Trump also has claimed immunity in his federal case in Florida for allegedly hoarding classified documents after leaving the White House and in his election interference case in Georgia.

'Deeply disturbing'

David Becker, a former senior trial attorney in the voting section of the Justice Departments civil rights division, called the high court's decision deeply disturbing and really striking for what it would allow a president to do in office and remain unchallenged criminally.

Presidents, he said, would have immunity from interactions with an attorney general, even if that means pressuring him to change election results or ordering SEAL Team 6 to kill a political opponent.

The way I read this opinion is it could be a road map for (presidents) seeking to stay in power, Becker said. It could put into question whether or not future peaceful transfers of power occur.

Robert Mintz, an expert on white collar criminal defense at McCarter & English, said the decision created more heat than light.

Rather than finding either clear immunity or no immunity for alleged criminal conduct, this new standard will unquestionably lead to protracted hearings and further appeals as the lower courts have to now grapple with the question of which allegations in the indictment constitute official acts, Mintz said.

Protestors gather outside of the US Supreme Court on April 25, 2024 as the Supreme Court justices hear oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal charges in his federal election interference case in Washington, DC.

First ruling on criminal immunity

In January, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected Trump's claim of absolute immunity. But the Supreme Court stepped in to decide for the first time if there are barriers to the criminal prosecutions of presidents.

The court had previously said presidents are immune from civil lawsuits for official actions taken while president, though not from lawsuits tied to their personal behavior.

Smith, the special counsel, argued presidents can still function effectively without criminal immunity, a protection he said neither the framers of the Constitution nor any other president contemplated.

And even if a former president has some immunity, Smith said, trying to thwart the peaceful transfer of power is a perfect example of conduct that should not be protected from prosecution.

During more than 2 hours of oral arguments in April, several conservative justices signaled they were more focused on how a ruling would affect future presidents than  as Justice Brett Kavanaugh put it  the "here and now of this case."

Were writing a rule for the ages, said Justice Neil Gorsuch.

But Justice Amy Coney Barrett got Trump's lawyer to concede that the private acts of presidents aren't protected from prosecution  and that some of the alleged conduct included in the indictment is private.

For example, Barrett asked whether directing lawyers to submit fraudulent slates of electors to obstruct the certification of the election  if proven  would be official or private.

Thats private, Sauer said.

Protesters gather outside of the US Supreme Court before the court issued opinions on July 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Decision took time

The Supreme Court has decided other high-profile cases much faster than Trumps immunity claim.

Smith asked the court to reject the claim quickly in December after U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled Trump must stand trial. But instead the high court waited for the D.C. Circuit to also rule that Trump isnt immune.

In contrast, the Supreme Court allowed Trumps name to remain on the Colorado primary ballot less than a month after hearing arguments about removing it because of his role in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.

And in 1974, the court ordered President Richard Nixon to turn over secret tapes of White House conversations 16 days after hearing arguments.

Alito, Thomas did not recuse

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas rejected calls from Democrats that they recuse themselves from deciding the case.

Alito's wife, Martha-Ann Alito, flew flags over the couple's homes that were adopted by some Trump supporters trying to overturn the 2020 election results.

Thomas' wife, Virginia Ginni Thomas, has argued repeatedly that the 2020 election was stolen and attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021.

Thomas, in an opinion agreeing with Roberts, seemed to question whether Smith is a legitimate prosecutor for the case.

If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people, Thomas wrote. The lower courts should thus answer these essential questions concerning the Special Counsels appointment before proceeding.

The case is Trump v. United States.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court says Trump immune for 'official' but not 'private' acts
In historic ruling on presidential immunity, Supreme Court says Trump can be tried for private acts

WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Donald Trump can be tried for any of his efforts to overturn his 2020 loss that were not taken in his official capacity, a decision that likely came too late for a trial to be completed before election day.

Deciding for the first time whether presidents are immune from criminal prosecution, a divided Supreme Court said official acts taken by a president are protected but not steps he took as a candidate.

The parties before us do not dispute that a former President can be subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts committed while in office, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the 6-3 majority that divided along ideological lines. They also agree that some of the conduct described in the indictment includes actions taken by Trump in his unofficial capacity.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majoritys decision makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.

Sotomayor said the court gave Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

More: Slow-walk? Supreme Court Trump immunity ruling is finally here, likely too late for trial before election

Roberts criticized the dissenters for doomsaying rather than acknowledging that lower courts will determine whether Trumps conduct is vulnerable to criminal charges.

As for the dissents, they strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today  conclude that immunity extends to official discussions between the President and his Attorney General, and then remand to the lower courts to determine in the first instance whether and to what extent Trumps remaining alleged conduct is entitled to immunity, Roberts wrote.

Trump, on Truth Social, called the decision a BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY.

The case was crucial test for the court and its six conservative justices, half of whom were appointed by Trump.

The time it took the high court to issue its opinion leaves a tight timeline to hold a trial that was originally scheduled for March.

If Trump wins the election in November, he could order the Justice Department to dismiss any federal case against him. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump last August on four charges, to which hes pleaded not guilty.

Celeste McCall, left, and Nan Raphael react to the US Supreme Courts opinion on presidential immunity shortly after it released on July 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Trump is accused of trying to steal the 2020 election by spreading lies about election fraud and attempting to persuade state officials, his vice president and Congress to prevent the certification of the legitimate results.

Trump, the first president  former or current  to be criminally charged, argued he can't be prosecuted for actions he took in his official capacity during his administration, an extension of the reasoning the Supreme Court used in 1982 when it barred civil suits against a president for official actions.

Otherwise, Trump's attorneys argued, the threat of future prosecution and imprisonment would destroy the strength and authority of the presidency by subjecting them to politically motivated prosecutions.

Roberts said presidents are not above the law.

But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts, he wrote. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office.

A New York Jury in May found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The state judge had rejected Trumps effort to delay that trial until the Supreme Court ruled on the immunity question.

Trump has also claimed immunity in his federal case in Florida for allegedly hoarding classified documents after leaving the White House, and in his election interference case in Georgia.

'Deeply disturbing'

David Becker, a former senior trial attorney in the voting section of the Justice Departments civil rights division, called the decision deeply disturbing and really striking for what it would allow a president to do in office and remain unchallenged criminally.

Presidents, he said, would have immunity from interactions with an attorney general, even if that means pressuring him to change election results or ordering SEAL Team 6 to kill a political opponent.

The way I read this opinion is it could be a road map for (presidents) seeking to stay in power, Becker said. It could put into question whether or not future peaceful transfers of power occur.

Protestors gather outside of the US Supreme Court on April 25, 2024 as the Supreme Court justices hear oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal charges in his federal election interference case in Washington, DC.

First ruling on criminal immunity

In January, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected Trump's claim of absolute immunity. But the Supreme Court stepped in to decide for the first time if there are barriers to the criminal prosecutions of presidents.

The Court had previously said presidents are immune from civil lawsuits for official actions taken while president though not from lawsuits tied to their personal behavior.

Smith, the special counsel, argued presidents can still function effectively without criminal immunity, a protection he said neither the framers of the Constitution nor any other president contemplated.

And even if a former president has some immunity, Smith said, trying to thwart the peaceful transfer of power is a perfect example of conduct that should not be protected from prosecution.

During more than two-and-a-half hours of oral arguments in April, several conservative justices signaled they were more focused on how a ruling would affect future presidents than  as Justice Brett Kavanaugh put it  the "here and now of this case."

Were writing a rule for the ages, said Justice Neil Gorsuch.

But Justice Amy Coney Barrett got Trump's lawyer to concede that the private acts of presidents aren't protected from prosecution  and that some of the alleged conduct included in the indictment is private.

For example, Barrett asked whether directing lawyers to submit fraudulent slates of electors to obstruct the certification of the election  if proven  would be official or private.

Thats private, Sauer said.

Protesters gather outside of the US Supreme Court before the court issued opinions on July 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Decision took time

The Supreme Court has decided other high-profile cases much faster than Trumps immunity claim.

Smith asked the court to reject the claim quickly in December, after U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled Trump must stand trial. But instead the high court waited for the D.C. Circuit to also rule that Trump isnt immune.

In contrast, the Supreme Court allowed Trumps name to remain on the Colorado primary ballot less than a month after hearing arguments about removing it because of his role in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.

And in 1974, the court ordered President Richard Nixon to turn over secret tapes of White House conversations 16 days after hearing arguments.

Alito, Thomas did not recuse

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas rejected calls from Democrats that they recuse themselves from deciding the case.

Alito's wife, Marth-Ann Alito, flew flags over the couple's homes that were adopted by some Trump supporters trying to overturn the 2020 election results.

Thomas' wife, Virginia Ginni Thomas, has argued repeatedly the 2020 election was stolen and attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021.

The case is Trump v. United States.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court says Trump immune for 'official' but not 'private' acts
WEST PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  History came alive in one part of Luzerne County Sunday as the West Pittston Historical Society hosted its First to Fall event.

Three years ago, the West Pittston Historical Society decided to remember the events that happened 246 years ago when two brothers from what is now West Pittston were killed by indigenous warriors shortly before the battle of Wyoming.

We started the event to honor Benjamin and Strictly Harding and others who are buried here, but especially them because they were the first to fall and we just want to create an awareness as well, said West Pittston Historical Society President Mary Portelli.

The Vice President of the West Pittston Historical Society, Carl Rosencrance Jr., says this is an important part of local history that needs to be kept alive through these reenactments.

Fundraisers kicks off for officer battling cancer

I think its very enriching to help keep you know history alive, especially local history so I just enjoy the fact that you know were still talking about it. Were still honoring those first to fall, Rosencrance Jr. explained.

The significance of this goes beyond the Harding brothers.

A few people realize that the first African-American patriot by the name of Waco was captured and eventually killed butt and thats important to remember, Rosencrance Jr. continued.

Organizers say they want those who attended to have a newfound appreciation for this area.

We want people in town to be aware of this historic location and to appreciate the history that goes along and that its part of our borough as well, Portelli 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 PAhomepage.com.
Home and Away spoilers follow.

Home and Away has teased a first look at Felicity Newman's new love interest Rory  although their first meeting gets off to a rather rocky start.

Felicity and Rory meet for the first time on Australian screens this week as Titans actor Joshua Orpin joins the soap, with the scenes due to air in August in the UK on Channel 5.

TV Week reports that Felicity is less than impressed by Rory, who whistles at her while she's on the beach from Salt's balcony.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away casts newcomer Perri for Tane story

Felicity is furious and confronts Rory, demanding to know what he thinks he's doing whistling at a complete stranger in such a sexist way.

But as they get talking, Felicity finds that she's unexpectedly won over by Rory's charm.

It soon emerges that Rory is a member of the River Boys who recently arrived in the Bay with his friend Dingo.

They turned up to provide Mali Hudson with some support against the Allen family, after Mali's brother Iluka found himself in serious trouble.

Despite his terrible first impression, Rory decides to give Felicity his phone number. She's uncertain and ponders if she's ready for a new relationship following her drawn-out split with Tane Parata, as well as whether Rory is the right person for her.

Bryan Bedder

Related: Best film and TV tours for 2024

Could this be the beginning of a new Summer Bay relationship, or is Felicity set for even more heartbreak?

When Orpin's casting was announced in March, he described his character as "a bit of a bad boy" who would be stirring things up in the Bay  but also as someone who has "great depth".

Speaking to TV Week, he's since added that Rory's status as a River Boy "comes with a preconceived notion about who he is based on the fact that he's a member of a gang that has a legacy".

Orpin added that key themes for Rory's storylines are "love and loyalty and how far that loyalty extends".

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5, with repeat screenings at 6pm on 5STAR and first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.

In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7Plus.

Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage



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Home and Away spoilers follow for Australian-paced episodes, which some UK viewers may prefer to avoid.

Home and Away will see Mackenzie Booth resort to a drastic decision after almost losing "the love of her life", Levi Fowler.

Mac blames Mali Hudson's younger brother Iluka for Levi being stabbed in the chest by one of the Allen gang. In new scenes for viewers in Australia (those in the UK will have to wait till August), Mac banishes Iluka from Summer Bay, causing a rift with Mali.



"Seeing Levi get stabbed  and having to do medical work on him with his guidance and almost lose him  was traumatic for Mac," Mac star Emily Weir told TV Week.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away's Harper gets an idea ahead of Tane's trial

"Mac is in protection mode for her, Levi and her household after the trauma," Weir continued.

"The dangers of the people Iluka mixes with nearly cost her the love of her life. Mac can't quickly forget the gravity of the situation and doesn't yet feel comfortable to forgive."

Channel 5

Related: 15 huge Home and Away spoilers for next week

Mac thinks Iluka is responsible for the Allens coming to town and doesn't want Mali's brother in her house.

Learning about Mac's decision, Mali begs her to reconsider but when she stands her ground, Mali gives her an ultimatum: if Iluka leaves, he goes too.

Will Mac change her mind?

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5, with repeat screenings at 6pm on 5STAR and first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.

In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7Plus.

Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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Homeowner shoots suspect breaking into vehicles in Columbus. Suspect flees to nearby store

A suspect of breaking into vehicles was shot early Saturday after being confronted by a homeowner in Columbus, according to the Columbus Police Department.

Police said they were dispatched at 12:01 a.m., Saturday to the Benning Hills area of Columbus on reports of two males breaking into vehicles.

The homeowner confronted the suspects, one of whom advanced towards the homeowner, who then shot the suspect, according to police.

A few minutes later, police said they were sent to the Circle K gas station on Victory Drive and N. Lumpkin Road regarding a male entering the store with a gunshot wound.

The male, later identified as Deonte Smith, 18, was taken to a local hospital and listed in stable condition, according to police.

Police said a second entering auto suspect, a 17-year-old, was taken into custody with a stolen firearm in his possession.

Another firearm was found in the suspects vehicle along with more than 40 grams of weed, according to police.

Police said the 17-year-old suspect is charged with the following:

- Entering Auto

- Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm)

- Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Crime

- Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

- Possession of Drug-Related Objects

- Loitering

- Credit Card Theft

The release stated, Arrest warrants were obtained for Smith. He will be transported to the Muscogee County Jail upon being released from the hospital.
Georgia police shot a homicide suspect who pulled out a gun and fired at officers, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI says the shooting happened near the entrance to a Home Depot on Sunday night in Chatham County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Chatham County officers attempted to stop a homicide suspect, who was seen driving near Victory Drive, around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Gregory Eugene Griffin, started speeding away from police. Investigators said he eventually crashed into another vehicle while driving in the wrong lane.

At this point, Griffin ran out of his car, pulled out a gun and shot at officers, the GBI said. The three officers shot back at Griffin and injured him near the entrance to the Home Depot off Victory Drive.

TRENDING STORIES:

Griffin was taken to a nearby hospital. The GBI did not release his condition. No officers were injured in the incident.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Statesboro at 912-871-1121. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Lawyers for Horry County Schools have denied allegations that a special education teacher verbally abused a female student between 2021 and 2023.

Responding to a lawsuit filed by the parents of Janie Doe, the districts attorneys last month blamed the students parents, saying they failed to keep a proper look out or were not paying attention to changes in their childs behavior.

The May 15 lawsuit names Horry County Schools as the sole defendant. It cites alleged instances of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress involving a 17-year-old student with Down syndrome and ADHD who was assigned to Lorriane Annunziatos classroom at St. James High School in 2021-22.

Shortly after the student began attending, she stopped speaking and displayed behavioral issues never previously experienced, the lawsuit claims. That included screaming, crying and throwing herself to the floor before school. She also hit herself until bruised in an effort to stay home, according to the complaint.

Janie was only exhibiting these behaviors in the time periods directly before and directly after school. She was otherwise happy, talkative and well adjusted in her home life, the lawsuit states.

In February 2022, Does parents applied for homebound learning, which was approved the following month. The following academic year, Doe was back in Annunziatos classroom and began showing destructive behavior on days when she was unable to learn from home.

In March 2023, Does parents planted a recording device in their daughters pocket. On a single day, the lawsuit states, they heard:

Annunziato aggressively yelling turn around

Annunziato telling another adult in the room that Doe maybe shouldnt do any fun activities

Annunziato aggressively yelling instructions to students anytime they needed to be repeated

Annunziato critiquing the attire of another student

The lawsuit claims no other adults made any reports about Annunziato raising her voice in the classroom despite being heard in the background of the recording.

Two weeks later, Does parents met with school administrators and Annunziato.

Annunziato stated she was Italian and thats just how she talks, the lawsuit states. Annunziato then hugged Doe and told her she loved her at the end of the meeting.

The lawsuit says Does parents learned of other concerning language by Annunziato directed toward other students.

These included reports that were made in Fall of 2022 that Annunziato told their child if they did not stop scratching at bug bites, she was going to cut the childs leg off, and that Annunziato has referred to two of her special education students as dumb and dumber,' attorneys claim.

On March 27, 2023, Doe came home upset and crying, hitting herself and causing a black eye, the lawsuit says. She was evaluated at the Medical University of South Carolina the next month, where officials said she reported being uncomfortable and scared at school.

On the final day of the 2022-23 academic year, the lawsuit said Annunziato told Janie Doe that she would not be in the special education classroom the following year due to the complaints against her.

Annunziato further stated that she would return to teaching the special education students once Janie was no longer a student at St. James High School, according to the suit.

Doe was placed with a new teacher at the start of the 2023-24 year.

Janie has since seen Annunziato in passing in the hallway [and] comes home crying telling her parents that she is scared of her, according to the suit.

Annunziato is listed on St. James High Schools website as a member of its resource special education staff.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The GOP-led House Judiciary Committee filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, on Monday, urging a court to force Garland to release audio recordings of President Bidens interview with Special Counsel Robert Hurs office and a ghost writer for his book.

House Republicans have called on Garland to release the audio tapes since February of this year, though President Joe Biden invoked executive privilege.

The Department of Justice did release the transcripts of Bidens interviews.

Audio recordings are better evidence than transcripts of what happened during the Special Counsels interviews with President Biden and Mr. Zwonitzer, the complaint argued.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Bidens debate performance on Thursday highlighted the importance of the release of the audio tapes.

Hurs report said Biden presented himself during the interview as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

He will very likely sound exactly on that tape as he did on the stage last night, Johnson said on Friday.

The lawsuit claims the administrations privilege claim is frivolous and said it lacks merit. The complaint said the Biden administration was trying to expand the scope of executive privilege.

A Department of Justice spokesperson said the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

Johnson tweeted on Monday urging the Department of Justice to hand over the tapes to Congress.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Houthi bomb boats, including some not seen before, are threatening Red Sea ships while the US Navy's aircraft carriers are away

The Houthis have stepped up their attacks and intimidation efforts with their drone boats.

In their latest messaging, the rebels shared a new video of a previously unseen system in action.

The uptick comes as the US Navy lacks an aircraft carrier in the region.

The US Navy is in the middle of changing up its forces in the Middle East. An aircraft carrier that spent months in the counter-Houthi fight heads home, leaving a gap as another one makes its way toward the region to take over.

It has been over a week since the US last had an aircraft carrier on station in the Red Sea, meaning the Pentagon can't depend on the routine combat air patrols and immense firepower having a carrier in the region has provided over the past seven months.

The Houthis have been stepping up drone boat operations, employing small watercraft that can be packed with explosives and detonate on impact. These weapons can be used to strike merchant vessels and cause catastrophic damage, which has already been the case in at least one instance in recent weeks.

Drone boats are not a new capability for the Houthis. They have employed them in years past and throughout their ongoing campaign of attacks on merchant vessels and commercial shipping lanes.

During the first few months of the year, US airstrikes in Yemen destroyed the drone boats nearly every time the Houthis tried to send them into the water. But in June, the Iran-backed rebels managed to launch well over a dozen crafts  far more than they had in any previous month. Last month, one of the Houthi drone boats struck a commercial vessel, the MV Tutor, for the first time since the campaign began in November.

View of an explosion the MV Tutor, which the Houthis struck in the Red Sea on June 12, in this screen grab obtained from a video. Houthi Media Center/Handout via REUTERS

In the June 12 attack, the Houthis used a small, slow-moving boat staffed with two dummies, appearing to disguise the crude-looking weapon as a common fishing craft. Hours after the initial strike, the rebels hit the Tutor with a missile, causing it to later sink.

More than a week after the Tutor attack, on June 22, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which spent more than seven months battling the Houthis, finally left the region to head home, bringing with it the carrier Ike and dozens of fighter aircraft.

The Ike's eventual replacement  the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group  won't arrive for some time. And in the meantime, the Houthis appear to be taking advantage of the decreased US Navy air patrols and employing more drone boats.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea on April 12. US Navy photo

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, an element of the British Royal Navy, has reported multiple incidents over the past few days that appear consistent with such attacks.

On June 27, for instance, UKMTO cited one threat as a "waterborne improvised explosive device," and on June 30, it said a merchant vessel was approached by "a mixture of fast boats and smaller kayak-type boats," adding that "some were observed as uncrewed."

On June 30, the Houthi rebels revealed what they said is a highly advanced drone boat that can travel at speeds of 45 nautical mph and deliver an explosive payload of up to 3,300 pounds. The group claimed to have used the drone boat in a June 23 attack on the MV Transworld Navigator and published footage purporting to show the unmanned craft strike the much larger merchant vessel.

Business Insider was unable to immediately verify the Houthi claim. US Central Command said at the time that the Transworld Navigator was hit by a "suspected uncrewed aerial system" and did not mention a drone boat.

Footage purporting to show a Houthi drone boat. The rebels have an arsenal of unmanned crafts with different variants. Houthi Media Center/Screengrab via X

In the June 30 video, the Houthis also showed the drone boat going through various maneuvers and training exercises. At one point, rebels can be seen manually operating the craft before they dive off the side into the water and allow it to be remotely piloted.

The newly revealed drone boat is far more sophisticated-looking than the one that struck the Tutor and appears notably larger than unmanned crafts that the rebels publicized and tested earlier in June, underscoring the different capabilities that the Houthis have in their arsenal.

Experts have said that the uptick in drone boat attacks and the Houthis' newfound success in striking commercial vessels with such weapons indicates that they're learning from their many months of attacks and are able to adjust their operations accordingly.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hunter Biden is suing Fox News over a fictional series that depicted a mock trial playing out his legal troubles.

The son of President Biden filed the suit Monday in the New York State Supreme Court. Biden's lawsuit asserts that Fox News defamed him in a six-part series shown on its streaming platform Fox Nation called "The Trial of Hunter Biden: A Mock Trial for the American People."

The 2022 series featured Judge Joe Brown, a syndicated TV jurist, presiding over a dramatized court proceeding showing Biden on trial for bribery and illegal financial dealings with foreign governments. Biden has never been indicted on such charges.

The series opened with a disclaimer noting that viewers were not seeing a real trial and that Biden had not been charged with any of the crimes portrayed in the program. But the series did use actual emails and images from Biden's laptop to make the case against him.

The program cast some figures in the Biden story to play themselves, such as the owner of the Delaware computer repair shop where the president's son abandoned his laptop.

Read more: Who would lend millions to Hunter Biden? Meet the Hollywood lawyer who has

"While using certain true information, the series intentionally manipulates the facts, distorts the truth, narrates happenings out of context, and invents dialogue intended to entertain," the suit said. "Thus, the viewer of the series cannot decipher what is fact and what is fiction, which is highly damaging to Mr. Biden."

The series also used nude photos of Biden, some of which showed him engaged in sex acts, which were taken from the laptop and leaked. The suit alleges that the use of the photos are in violation of New York state's revenge porn law.

Read more: CNN Biden-Trump debate draws 51.3 million TV viewers, a major drop from 2020

Biden, who was convicted of federal gun charges last month, is seeking an unspecified amount of punitive damages from Fox News. He is being represented by high-profile celebrity law firm Geragos & Geragos.

Fox News removed the series from the Fox Nation platform on April 30, a day after the law firm sent a letter threatening legal action. But Biden's attorneys said promotional materials related to it remain available on various social media platforms.

The suit comes while President Biden's campaign is still reeling from his disastrous debate performance Thursday against his November election opponent, former President Trump. A Fox News spokesperson said Monday that the lawsuit is a politically motivated move.

The core complaint stems from a 2022 streaming program that Mr. Biden did not complain about until sending a letter in late April 2024, the spokesperson said in a statement. The program was removed within days of the letter, in an abundance of caution, but Hunter Biden is a public figure who has been the subject of multiple investigations and is now a convicted felon. Consistent with the First Amendment, Fox News has accurately covered the newsworthy events of Mr. Bidens own making.

Although the Hunter Biden series was fictional, his attorneys compared the series to Fox News' coverage of the 2020 election results, which resulted in the company having to pay $787.5 million to settle a defamation suit from Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion alleged that Fox News damaged the companys reputation when the network repeatedly spread falsehoods about voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hurricane Beryl has been upgraded to a Category 5 and is being described as potentially catastrophic, the National Hurricane Center announced Monday night.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 160 mph, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunters.

Beryl is currently moving across the eastern Caribbean Sea after slamming into Carriacou Island in Grenada with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph as a Category 4, leaving at least one person dead, according to officials Monday.

Bequia is the largest island in the Grenadines, approximately nine miles from the nation's capital, Kingstown, on the main island, Saint Vincent.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says there may be more deaths, but right now, one death has been officially confirmed.

Before making landfall, the storm was gaining strength as it headed toward the Windward Islands, which also include Grenada, St. Vincent, Grenadines and Petite Martinique.

The hurricane has caused extensive damage to schools, homes and buildings, farmlands and properties in the region, officials said Monday.

Communication is down in some parts of the country, so authorities still don't know the full extent of the damage.

Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines suffered severe damage, with 90% of houses on the island being impacted and the Union Island airport roof being blown away in the storm.

Gonzalves is set to visit the Grenadine Islands on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, Beryl went from a tropical depression to a major Category 4 hurricane in just 48 hours, becoming the earliest Category 4 on record for the Atlantic Basin, breaking the record Hurricane Dennis held from July 7, 2005. Beryl is the first Category 4 ever recorded in the month of June.

PHOTO: Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment arrive ahead of Hurricane Beryl at Tobago's A.N.R. Robinson International Airport in Crown Point, Trinidad and Tobago June 30, 2024. (Jermaine Cruickshank/Trinidad Express via Reuters)

The hurricane was downgraded Sunday evening to a Category 3, but picked up power and speed over warm ocean water and was upgraded to Category 4 Monday morning.

Ocean temperatures in the area where Beryl is located are 2 to 3 degrees above normal for this time of the year. Such temperatures are usually not seen until September.

MORE: Hurricane Beryl track and forecast: Category 4 storm barrels toward Barbados

Beryl is moving west at 20 mph. Some fluctuations of strength are expected but Beryl is forecast to remain at major status through the day as it passes the Windward Islands. A life-threatening storm surge is expected to raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds near where the eye makes landfall in the hurricane warning area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Beryl is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches across Barbados and the Windward Islands through Monday afternoon. The Grenadines and Grenada could see up to 10 inches of rain and may experience flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

PHOTO: Strong winds blow as Hurricane Beryl approaches Bridgetown, Barbados on July 1, 2024. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: NOAA predicts very active hurricane season for 2024, issues highest-ever early season outlook

Beryl will continue to track toward Jamaica, reaching near the island on Wednesday. Even if Beryl doesnt make a direct landfall in Jamaica it will be close enough to cause issues.

After that, Beryl will move over the Yucatan Peninsula and then likely into eastern Mexico after another stint in the Gulf.

Hurricane Beryl upgraded to Category 5 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Will Hurricane Beryl impact Dallas-Fort Worth? What to know about the Category 4 storm

The first hurricane of the Atlantic season is currently moving towards Mexico, but will that have an impact on Dallas-Fort Worth?

We probably wont see much up here in North Texas, said Steve Fano, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Services Fort Worth office.

Hurricane Beryl is presently moving west across the Caribbean and will arrive in southern Mexico by Friday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Beryl is the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

Based on tracking models, North Texas shouldnt see any real impact from the Category 4 storm, not even the moisture associated with such a weather event, Fano said.

However, since Atlantic hurricane season is here, other storms could develop and potentially impact the North Texas region over the next few months. But for now, its smooth sailing.

Right now, theres no immediate threat on the horizon, Fano said.

The forecast for Hurricane Beryl, which is expected to make landfall in Mexico by Friday.

Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Grenadas Carriacou Island Monday morning, moving through the Windward Islands.

The National Hurricane Center expects flash flooding and heavy rainfall across the Windward Islands through Monday afternoon. The agency is asking residents in the Grenada region to shelter in place and not venture out in the storm.

Hurricane Beryl is expected to remain powerful as it moves across the Caribbean Sea this week, according to the center. A hurricane watch has been issued for Jamaica, as interest in the Cayman Islands, Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula are increasing.

For more information on Hurricane Beryl, visit the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Beryl moving across Caribbean. Could it impact Florida over Fourth of July?

After making landfall Monday morning as a powerful Category 4 storm, Hurricane Beryl is now making its way across the Caribbean Sea.

The official National Hurricane Center forecast predicts Beryl will mover over the Yucatan Peninsula Thursday night and enter the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Friday.

 Spaghetti models for Hurricane Beryl

 Track all active storms

Although larger than it was last week, Hurricane Beryl remains a fairly compact storm, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 125 miles, according to Monday's 2 p.m. advisory.

That said, could Beryl affect your Fourth of July plans or even activities planned for the weekend? Here's what you should know.

Current forecast for Hurricane Beryl

Latest spaghetti models for Hurricane Beryl. Will it approach Florida?

Can't see the map? Open in a new browser.

Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

What impact could Hurricane Beryl have on Florida?

Over the next couple of days, expect Beryl to head northwest across the Caribbean, giving Jamaica a close shave as it passes by, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva.

It should be just east of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Fourth of July and shouldn't be an issue for holiday plans for the United States.

In Florida, any thunderstorms would be normal storms associated with sea breezes unrelated to Beryl.

If Beryl is a weaker storm by the time it enters the Bay of Campeche, it's expected to continuing moving west into Mexico. "Weaker storms, their thunderstorms don't extend as far into the atmosphere. They're controlled by lower-level winds, which mostly run east to west," DaSilva said.

However, if Beryl is still a hurricane at that point or even a strong tropical storm, and the system of high pressure over the southern U.S. weakens and slides to the east as expected, that could leave a channel for Beryl to move toward the north, DaSvila said.

In that scenario, Beryl could have an impact on Texas or even western Louisiana.

"Right now the offiical forecast takes it into northern Mexico. We have many days to watch this. If it can hold together, I'd be worried about direct impact on US by end of the weekend, Sunday into Monday," DaSilva said.

Rip currents and increased surf could be felt along West Florida coasts, even if Beryl heads west into Mexico. Rain bands, though, probably won't make it to Florida.

Timeline: Where could Hurricane Beryl go? When will it strengthen?

Projected path of Tropical Storm Beryl as of Saturday morning, June 29, 2024.

Where Hurricane Beryl goes after it moves through the Caribbean depend on a couple of factors: land interaction and a system of high pressure over the southeastern United States, DaSilva said.

If it moves over Hispaniola or eastern Cuba, the land and mountains could disrupt its circulation, leading to less organization and weakening from a wind speed perspective. That doesn't mean those areas wouldn't feel an impact from the storm, which could dump a huge amount of rain on the islands, DaSilva said.

"We're going to have to watch an area of high pressure across the southeastern U.S. If there is weakness in that high-pressure system, (Beryl) could be drawn up north into either the Gulf of Mexico or the Florida Peninsula," DaSilva said.

For this reason, AccuWeather meteorologists have included South Texas in the potential "window of movement," with some risk to lives and property in the region.

Timing would be next weekend if it does get drawn north, so really watch this thing July 5-7, DaSilva said.

If the system of high pressure stays strong, the storm will be forced west and go into Yucatan and Mexico, with no real impacts to the U.S.

Will Florida feel any impact from Beryl on Fourth of July?

Hurricane Beryl July 1, 2024.

The official National Hurricane Center forecast is for Beryl to move over the Yucatan late on the Fourth of July and into the Bay of Campeche and southwestern Gulf of Mexico Friday.

The National Weather Service in Mobile said there is a low risk for rip currents for the Fourth of July, but risks pick up Friday and into the weekend due to swells from Beryl reaching local beaches.

"Right there is still too much uncertainty whether Beryl would just continue chugging along to the west-northwest into Mexico or start to take a turn to the northwest-north-northwest," the National Weather Service New Orleans said.

The National Weather Service Houston agreed with the uncertainties present at this time.

"What will Beryl look like after moving across land? What will the shear profile look like? What is the ridging situation and steering flow locally? Etc, etc. So really not a lot to be alarmed about at the moment ... but just keep an eye on things as the week progresses," Houston forecasters said.

Farther south, the National Weather Service in Brownsville, Texas, was a little more cautious.

"All eyes remain on Hurricane Beryl, potentially somewhere into the Gulf of Mexico next weekend. This could increase winds, seas, and rain chances by Saturday."

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane Beryl Florida impact, and what about July 4th?
Johanna Jones, former coordinator of the states Indian Education department in Idaho

Johanna Jones, former coordinator of the states Indian Education department, which aims to give every American Indian student the opportunity to learn and achieve academic success. (Courtesy of Idaho Education News)

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on June 27, 2024.

A group that aims to support Indigenous communities in Idaho spoke out on last week about the reprehensible  firing of Johanna Jones, the states longtime Indian Education coordinator.

After spending over a decade as the states Indian Education coordinator, Johanna Jones is no longer with the Idaho Department of Education, EdNews confirmed Thursday. Jones departed the position on June 13, according to Transparent Idaho.

She was one of two state staffers assigned to Indian Education; the other is Patty Sanchez, who is listed as an academic affairs program manager for the State Board of Education.

We feel this is a targeted disgrace of a vaunted educator, a press release from the Indigenous Idaho Alliance reads. It does not bode well that in a time when programs that help not only Native American/Indigenous people in education, but also bridges the cultural education gap with other communities in Idaho, are under attack  that the (Idaho Department of Education) has moved to replace one of the most respected and staunchest supporters of Native Americans in education in the state of Idaho.

Scott Graf, the communications director for the department, said state leaders decided to elevate Jones former coordinator position to a director position, which entails an expansion of duties and responsibilities. The change is a direct result of (Superintendent Debbie Critchfields) interactions with tribes over the past 18 months and a desire to better serve their education needs, Graf wrote in an email to EdNews.

The director position was advertised this spring and candidates were interviewed. Ultimately, the process did not yield a successful hire, Graf wrote. The position has been re-advertised, and we are actively recruiting candidates.

When no hires were made after the initial search, state officials, stakeholders and tribal community members mutually decided to cancel the annual Indian Education summit that was planned for early August, Graf wrote. The summit aims to (provide) educators with knowledge they can use in the classroom to help American Indian students succeed academically.

Check out coverage of the 2023 Indian Education Summit from Idaho Education News.

In its press release decrying Jones termination, the alliance also announced it was severing its partnership with the summit.

We remain hopeful for the future of Idaho Indian Education, the press release read. We also honor the valuable contributions and commitment of the former Indian Education coordinator, and will continue to prioritize and center the voices of tribes and Native communities.

When  or whether  the summit will be rescheduled will depend on the timeline on which the Director of Indian Education is hired, Graf said, and added that the department plans to continue hosting the event in coming years.

Greg Wilson, Critchfields chief of staff, will serve as the interim director of Indian Education until the position is filled.

The Idaho Department of Education has reached out to tribes for their assistance in the search, and is also considering the addition of a second Indian Education position in our department, but doing so would require legislative approval, Graf said.

The shakeup in the states Indian Education department and programming comes as data has underlined alarming achievement gaps between the states tribal youth and the general population, and as tribal education leaders have called on the state to do more to support Native American students.

EdNews reached out to education leaders or spokespeople with the Nez Perce, Coeur dAlene, and Shoshone-Bannock tribes for comment Thursday morning but had not heard back by Thursday evening. We will update this story if comments are provided.

Idaho is home to five federally-recognized tribes, which also include the Shoshone-Paiute and the Kootenai.

Further reading: Take a look at EdNews 11-part series Still Here: Tribes fight to be seen in Idaho classrooms

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Idahos water crisis can be fixed. But are lawmakers still capable of fixing it? | Opinion

Last week, a curtailment order that had cut off groundwater irrigation throughout much of central and eastern Idaho was lifted. The order had been in place for only a short time, so the Gem State is unlikely to experience widespread crop failures this year.

But the crisis is just waiting to rear its head again next year.

The temporary deal forestalled the conflict between surface water irrigators in the Magic Valley and groundwater irrigators from Twin Falls to Ashton for yet another year  one in a series of last-minute developments that have kept the conflict from becoming a crisis  but without making any visible progress toward solving it.

But the lack of a lasting solution itself has a cost: consistent uncertainty. And for an industry thats highly dependent on credit to finance yearly operations, uncertainty translates to higher cost and lower productivity.

I think (the temporary deal is) great for this year, but weve got to figure out how to stop this uncertainty from year to year, said Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls, who chairs the Bonneville-Jefferson Groundwater District.

We have done some good work, said Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, who led 2015 negotiations that produced the existing water deal, at a press conference in Pocatello last week.

The stakes are so high, he said.

In the balance is something like one-sixth of the irrigated ground in Idaho, a vital piece of an industry that, Gov. Brad Little noted at the press conference, makes up about a third of the states economy.

Little signed an executive order that could, if followed up with action from the Legislature, make serious progress toward a lasting solution. It calls for greater scientific study of the aquifer, directs the Idaho Water Resource Board to prioritize projects aimed at stabilizing the aquifer, and asks the two sides of the water war to begin meeting to work out a new deal within months.

But the order and a private deal between the parties arent likely to be sufficient to solve this dilemma on their own. Serious infrastructure projects to shore up the aquifer are the only way forward that doesnt end in major economic disruption. Doing that will require action from the Idaho Legislature, if it is still capable of solving complex, non-ideological problems.

(Some of the weirder segments of the far-right have latched on to the debate, alleging this whole dispute has something to do with cobalt mining  yet another demonstration that the far-right cant solve real problems because it is forever charging into battle against its own delusions.)

Understanding why big recharge programs could be our solution requires understanding the massive aquifer, which runs all across the southern half of the state, and its history.

The usual metaphor is that the East Snake Plain Aquifer works like a leaky bathtub. Fill it up high, and water pours out of the leaks  most visibly in the beautiful Thousand Springs area. Stop filling it up as fast, let it drain to a lower level, and less water pours out of the holes.

That means less water, especially later in the year, for surface water irrigators in the Magic Valley.

The states implicit water policy, the policy it has adopted though its system of water rights, is to keep the aquifer artificially enlarged.

We know the aquifer today contains about 3 million more acre-feet of water than it did in 1912, when the first estimates were available. But the aquifer was already expanding quickly at that time and continued to do so for decades.

Canal systems had already been built and extensive flood irrigation had taken place for decades, so the earliest measurements in all likelihood show a water level thats far higher than the aquifers natural settling point.

And from those initial measurements, the aquifer continued to balloon.

The amount of extra water added to the reservoir between the early 1900s and the 1950s is staggering, somewhere around 17 million acre-feet. Thats about as much water as it would take to fill Anderson Ranch Reservoir from dry to full  35 times. Its about the total volume of Flathead Lake in Montana, almost three times the total volume of Bear Lake straddling the Idaho-Utah border, or a bit more than a third of the total volume of Lake Pend Oreille.

Since the transition away from flood irrigation to more efficient sprinkler systems and the adoption of widespread groundwater pumping in the upstream portion of the valley, the aquifer has dropped by something like 14 million acre-feet. But as much as its dropped, its still probably millions of acre-feet above its natural level.

So a long-term solution will require answering some big questions:

Does it make sense to keep the aquifer at its current level? Or should we be seeking a steady state near the natural, pre-irrigation level of the aquifer? How can we figure out what that level is?

If the states de-facto policy is to maintain an artificially enlarged aquifer, the state should take a much stronger hand in  and dedicate a lot more funding to  building the infrastructure to make it happen. It needs to build infrastructure to replace the flood irrigation that built the artificially enlarged aquifer, not to expect that farmers with junior water rights will solve the problem. They almost certainly cant while remaining solvent.

Doing so could pay real dividends for the state.

The most vexing thing about this years massive curtailment was that if you live in eastern Idaho, you see water everywhere you look. Theres still snow in the mountains. The canals all look full. The Snake River is as high as Ive ever seen it. All the reservoirs upstream are full. How can we be in a water crisis with all this water everywhere?

Little of that water is making its way down into the aquifer. Recharge projects, which divert some of the Snake River during times of high water out into areas like Egin Lakes, where it can sink down into the aquifer, have been developed in eastern Idaho, but they come nowhere near to replacing the recharge that came from widespread flood irrigation in the early 20th Century.

The promise of aquifer recharge is that it can act like a water savings account, saving up extra water in wet years so it will be available in dry ones. Its the kind of infrastructure we need more of to make ourselves more resilient to climate change.

But is an increasingly ideological Legislature still capable of dealing with nuts-and-bolts issues like these?

Lets hope so. Because if were in a crisis now, with water all around, whats going to happen in the next drought?

Bryan Clark is an opinion writer for the Idaho Statesman.
Increased import duties on grain from Russia and Belarus come into force in EU

On 1 July 2024, the European Union introduced significantly higher import duties on certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural products, including grain. The duties are intended to stop grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Following a decision adopted in May, duties on grain imports from Russia and Belarus have now increased significantly, reaching 50% of the market price for some types of grain.

The EU regulation increased import tariffs on cereals, oilseeds and their products, beet pulp pellets, and dried peas from the Russian Federation and Belarus.

The duties are intended to effectively stop grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU to prevent the destabilisation of the EU grain market, to stop Russian exports of stolen Ukrainian grain, and to prevent Russia from using the proceeds of its exports to the EU to finance its war against Ukraine.

Many agricultural products imported from Russia and Belarus have been exempted from EU import tariffs or have been subject to low rates.

In March, Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Vice-President, said that higher tariffs on certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural products would effectively prevent them from entering the EU market.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Agriculture Minister Kestutis Navickas said in late May that the EU should extend the restrictions to all agricultural products of Russian and Belarusian origin.

Background:

On 22 March, the European Commission announced a proposal for increased tariffs on imports of grains, oilseeds and their derivatives from Russia and Belarus.

Ukraine has long called on the EU to ban Russian agricultural imports completely. During the EU leaders' summit on 21 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it "unfair" that Russian food products are being imported into Europe.

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Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department PSO S. Poe. adopted the German Shepherd he rescued days before

IMPD Northwest District Abby the German Shepherd and Officer Poe

This dog was rescued by this public safety officer  twice!

Officer S. Poe, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Public Safety Officer, rescued a German Shepherd from a hot car in June. Days after the rescue, he looked into adopting her and was ultimately able to give her a new home with him.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Office Poe said meeting the dog, named Abby, caught him off guard. "I definitely didnt show up to work that day expecting to adopt a dog," he explained. "I met her on that run and its like we both just knew."

"I immediately started to ask about adopting her, and a little over a week later I took her home. We definitely rescued each other," he added.

Poe previously told local news outlet KWCH that when he "switched her collar, and it was like Abby knew she was home for good."

IMPD Northwest District Abby the German Shepherd

Related: Chance Lunch Delivery Leads to Dog Adoption at Virginia Shelter: 'Love at First Sight'

On June 20, the German Shepherd, along with a pit bull and a cat, were locked in a Chevrolet Sedan parked at the Intown Suites Hotel, per local news outlet WISH-TV. The IMPD was contacted following reports of a dog chained up and dead in a car.

The hotel manager said that he was alerted to the vehicle by the horn honking from the dog inside the vehicle," per WISH-TV.

Upon the police's arrival, the pit bull had died while the cat and German Shepherd were taken away to cool down and hydrate. KWCH reports that the animals were believed to be in the vehicle for three hours without water.



Norma Light and Charles Thomas, who left the animals in the car, said that the hotel did not allow pets inside, only service animals. Thomas, 55, was arrested for felony animal cruelty-kill, per WISH-TV. Light, 74, was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Days after the incident, Poe adopted the German Shepherd, the IMPD Northwest District shared in a Facebook update on Saturday, June 29.



"In a touching display of humanity, IMPD Public Safety Officer (PSO) Poe has given a second chance at happiness to a dog that was left to suffer in a hot vehicle," the post began, recapping the sad circumstances the animals were left in.

IMPD Northwest District Abby the German Shepherd

Related: The World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Is Looking for Its Next Adorable Adopted Winner  Enter Now!

Following the incident, PSO Poe "reached out to Indianapolis Animal Care Services inquiring on how to adopt the resilient German Shepherd" and adopted Abby.

"Abby is already at her new FURever home and is in great hands. PSO Poe mentioned, 'I switched her collar, and it was like Abby knew she was home for good.'"



The IMPD reminded citizens to take extra caution with their pets when it comes to extreme temperatures. "We want to take this moment [to] remind residents of the city ordinance that states you need to bring your pets inside when its over 90 degrees outside or when theres a heat advisory in effect," the department's Facebook post read.



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Rep. Zach Nunn announced Monday that Indian Hills Community College is receiving $1 million to construct a driving training pad. (Screenshot from livestream of announcement)

Another Iowa community college will expand its commercial driving training program using federal funding secured this spring.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn visited Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa Monday to announce the community college will receive a $1 million investment to build a new driving pad for its truck driver education program. The grant was awarded through the Community Project Funding process and included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, signed in March.

This key investment boosts the workforce across Iowa and supports our economy, and its exactly the type of investment I feel very strongly taxpayers want to see happening directly in their community, Nunn said. Ones that complement whats already happening in the public and private sector.

Indian Hills Community College President Matthew Thompson said ever since he came to the community college in 2013, college leaders have talked about wanting to construct a driving skills training pad for students to practice on. That dream is coming true thanks to these federal funds, he said.

The college will spend the next six to nine months working to plan and bid out the pad construction, Thompson said, then break ground as soon as next spring and open the pad up for students by the end of next summer.

As the commercial drivers license (CDL) program can take as little time as six weeks, Thompson said enrolling in the colleges training is a tremendous way to quickly go from being unemployed or having a low-paying job to making anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 a year.

This is just one more step in helping us grow a program that is heightening, Thompson said.

David Hynick, a commercial truck driving instructor at the community college, said the best moments in the program come when he can see the students putting together all of the instruction and training theyve had and using them in practice.

You can see the smile on their face, and theyre just glowing, Hynick said.

Des Moines Area Community College also received a $1 million federal grant to expand access to CDL training through its transportation institute, which is currently under construction for rehabilitation and modernization.

Nunn reiterated previous remarks Monday about the need for truck drivers in the U.S.  there is currently a shortage of around 80,000 drivers, a number that could double over the next five years if the lack of drivers isnt addressed. Effects if the shortage can be felt all across Iowa, Nunn said, from hometown businesses to family farms to the grocery store.

Drivers are critical for many of our small businesses. They include everything from helping deliver crops for a harvest season, to making sure that weve got food and gas  anything that you might be buying online, probably got to you because of a truck and a truck driver, Nunn said. Apprenticeships and hands-on training are one of the key elements that Indian Hills Community College offers to address this critical job, so thats why I want to support these educational opportunities.

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The post Indian Hills Community College receives $1 million for trucker training appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Indiana officials are investigating several cases of illnesses associating with eating Diamond Shruumz sweets, a product line of edibles that promises to deliver energy boosts, euphoria and focus through microdosing.

The company is recalling its products after dozens of people have been sickened across the country with symptoms such as seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness and abnormal heart rates.

As of last Wednesday, regulators tracked 39 cases of illnesses across 20 states and 23 hospitalizations, according to the Indiana Department of Health. Three of those cases were in Indiana.

U.S. Food and Drug administration are urging people to avoid buying, eating or selling Diamond Shruumz chocolate bars, cones and gummies. These products can be found at gas stations, smokes shops and online.

State health officials are asking those who have become ill after eating the product to call the Indiana Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Binghui Huang can be reached at 317-385-1595 and Bhuang@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Diamond Shruumz edibles recalled in Indiana and US in 2024
The state's five biggest farmland losers included Allen, Elkhart, Jefferson, Knox and Monroe counties. (Larry Mayer/Getty Images)

Indiana lost about 345,700 acres of farmland to other purposes between 2010 and 2022, but agricultural productivity still increased, the state found in a study released Monday.

Most of it was lost to residential development around the edges of cities and suburban areas, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

The inventory of lost farmland was an opportunity for ISDA and legislators to gain access to reliable data, where up until now, we could only make assumptions, agency Director Don Lamb said in a news release.

This information is important to have for policy development as we work to balance economic growth, food security and the preservation of agricultural land, because we know when agriculture is strong, Indiana is too, Lamb said.

Lawmakers last year tasked the Indiana State Department of Agriculture with creating the inventory. Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer, called his proposal a food security bill at the time.

ISDA recommended lawmakers let it update the report, involve local units of government in farmland preservation, and decide on a threshold for an alarming level of lost acreage.

Agriculture is, and always has been, the lifeblood of the Hoosier state, said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indianas secretary of agriculture and rural development. Data is critical for all levels of government when making decisions that may affect our rural communities and food security.

The study

ISDA used two data sources: a parcel dataset from Indianas Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) and a cropland data layer dataset from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The first showed a total of about 18.31 million acres of land with property class codes in the agricultural range in 2010, and a total of 17.97 million acres in 2022 across the state of Indiana.

Thats a decrease of about 345,700 acres  with cash grain and general farms, as well as specialty crop farms, losing the most.

More may not be in use. Since the parcel data doesnt distinguish between renewable energy and agricultural land uses, ISDA couldnt tell whether farmland was hosting renewable energy installations.

ISDA also compared 2010 and 2022 data to find the primary drivers of acreage losses and additions. Much of the known converted land was became residential, according to the report, and some went vacant. However, researchers found matches for just 85% of parcels.

The cropland data layer, after image generalization processing, showed about 14.84 million acres of land with land classified as any type of agricultural use to in 2010, and a total of 14.18 million acres in 2022.

Thats a difference of 664,988 acres. Most was lost to developed land, but some became forest.

But ISDA said quantity estimates from the second dataset are likely less reliable.

The two methods yielded differing results, which the agency said was probably because the datasets categorize agriculture or farmland differently.

The states five biggest farmland losers included Allen, Elkhart, Jefferson, Knox and Monroe counties.

Agricultural land change quantity, based on parcel data. (Indiana State Department of Agriculture)

Despite land losses, Hoosier cash crop production is up.

Indiana produced about 597 million bushels of corn for grain in 2012, but over 1 billion in 2022, per the report, which cited USDA yield data. Soybean production also increased from about 219 million bushels of soybeans in 2012 to over 326 million in 2022.

Whats next

The agency didnt suggest wording for future legislative proposals.

Instead, in a list of recommendations, it asked lawmakers to let it update the inventory every five years, starting with a 2030 report.

ISDA believes getting on this five-year schedule will be most beneficial as data from the Census of Agriculture will be released again in 2029, the agency said. The census is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.

It also said lawmakers should involve local units of government in farmland preservation talks, noting that Indiana is a home rule state. Land use decisions are made mostly at the local level.

No two counties are the same and neither are their comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances or land use decisions, ISDA said. Local units of government should be empowered to identify land use trends in their area and use all available information when making land use decisions.

But not all communities have plans. Theyre not required.

So the agency pushed local units to be proactive rather than reactive and to ensure they have a strategic vision for the future.

It also suggested lawmakers find a threshold at which shrinking farmland significantly reduces access to food  while keeping in mind that technological changes have allowed farmers to produce more on less land.

Finally, it recommended that lawmakers consider prime farmland  the states best 12.6 million acres of land  in decision-making.

The post Indiana lost nearly 350k acres of farmland in 12 years, state estimates appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Earlier this spring, the scene at the busy beach club at Lovangothe fashionable, three-year-old private island resort in the U.S. Virgin Islandscould have come straight out of a Slim Aarons monograph. There were the glamorously bejeweled guests swirling about in their sand-skimming caftans, taking breaks for the occasional dip in the 70-foot infinity pool. Epic sailing yachts bobbed in the harbor, with skiffs on standby to ferry passengers to shore, where an open-air restaurant beckoned with chilled champagne, ice-cold local beer, lobster guacamole, and $125 tureens of Caribbean bouillabaisse. And everywhere you looked there was Lovango's staff, nimbly attending to all, while simultaneously preparing for a visit the next day by the islands' governor.

Once upon a timeor rather, until September 2017, when category 5 hurricanes Ivan and Maria dealt a one-two punch to the islandsthe only place in the USVI to immerse yourself in a scene like this was at Caneel Bay, Laurance Rockefellers storied St. John playground for the rich, famous, and social. But for the past seven years, that long-standing resort has languished in hurricane-ravaged ruins, its land inaccessible, its staff laid off, and its future tied up in legal battles between the U.S. government and a real estate investment and management company called CBI Acquisitions.

The dispute is technically over who inherits the right to redevelop the resort, but its equally about who gets to inherit Rockefellers legacyone thats as synonymous with environmental stewardship as it is with luxury hospitality.

Slim Aarons/Courtesy of Caneel Bay

Rockefeller founded Caneel Bay in the mid-1950s, a gem in the midst of the 5,000 acres of pristine land he had bought up on St. John and donated to the U.S. government. That gift gave rise to Virgin Islands National Park, which today comprises 60 percent of the entire island. Rockefeller kept 150 acres for his resort, and in 1983, that parcel became destined for the parks purview, too, when a 40-year land-use agreement was put in place with the government. In other words, Caneel was to become public property in September 2023.

In its prime, Rockefeller's hotel welcomed a bevy of barefoot-chic regulars paying upwards of $2,000 a night for the privilege of staying in one of its 166 rooms and suites. As recently as March 2017, six months before the hurricanes destroyed it, T&C celebrated Caneel for what author Julia Shingler called its primitive charms. It's only accessible by ferry or boat, she wrote, and as you step onto the dock, you suddenly feel like you're traveling back in timejust as guests like Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones did many years before.

But the resort proved a draw beyond its social cachet, too. Without realizing it, Shingler observed, Rockefeller had become a pioneer of eco-tourism, a concept that was beyond the grasp of many at the time. People came for the scene, to be sure, but also for the scenery.

We stayed at Caneel and really loved the naturalness, recalls Lovangos Boston-based owner Gwenn Snider, who created her resort, just off the coast of St. John, with her husband, Mark. It was iconic, and it was in peoples DNA. Guests would return again and again. That allegianceplus Caneels success as a hotel designed for a well-heeled clientele with an adventurous green streakconvinced the Sniders there was a market for their own eco-chic Lovango.

Today, as Lovango seems to be flourishing, the future of Caneel remains in limbo. In April, a federal judge handed down a decision that finally gave the resort over to the National Parks Service (NPS). EHI, the parent company of CBI Acquisitions, has said it plans to appeal, which could lead to years of further litigation. (EHI and the NPS declined to comment for this article.)

Lovango

In the meantime, Caneel finds itself at the center of a broader debate over what environmentally conscious and socially responsible hospitality development should look like, especially in beautiful but fragile destinations where tourism supports the economy. Caneel is a good representation of just how complicated the questions of sustainable tourism are in the 21st century, says Tonia Lovejoy, executive director of the St. John nonprofit Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, noting the island is home to several species of endangered flora and fauna. Its part and parcel of the National Parks System to be in that paradoxpreserving and protecting but also allowing safe and responsible enjoyment of these natural resources.

Of course the larger a resort, the larger its environmental impactbut also the larger the workforce. Caneel was once St. Johns biggest employer. And while a smaller and more exclusive resort means a lighter burden on the land, exclusivity, by definition, limits access. Caneels transformation into national parkland would make it accessible to anyone, without the restrictions imposed by corporate gatekeepers, luxury hotel rates, or the price of that Caribbean bouillabaisse.

These paradoxes weighed on the Sniders too. They had been searching for a warm-weather winter destination to complement their two existing hotelson Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket when they came upon Lovango in 2019. By then it was a failed real estate project that had sat undeveloped for decades. They immediately fell in love. The hilly, jungled isle had its own coral reef and was just a short boat ride from St. Thomas and St. John. Plus, there was a natural sandy beach that faced an uninhabited bird sanctuary just across a turquoise-blue channel. To the Sniders, it was like a tropical Eden. While crafting Lovango, they made a point to listen to locals, to really understand the community. There was a visceral reaction from everyone they spoke with: Dont destroy this natural place. The Sniders took that to heart.

Lovango

Today, 70 percent of off-the-grid Lovangos electricity comes from solar power, and its 19 accommodationssafari tents, treehouses, and bungalows built with local stoneare tucked into existing foliage to preserve precious plant life. Partnerships with the University of the Virgin Islands have led to hospitality students joining resort staff and to an ongoing reef restoration project. Lovangos beach club and restaurants, meanwhile, welcome day visitors, increasing access by decreasing financial barriers.

And if you hike up to the top of Lovango, you can just make out the ruins of Rockfellers hotel across the water, a bit over a mile away. Since the April ruling, the NPS has begun clean-up at Caneel. While the organization's aim is to balance conservation and access with hospitality development, local sentiment about the proposal, and the community-engagement process surrounding it, remains mixed.

Courtesy of Caneel Bay

"The National Park didnt do the due diligence to get residents involved," says one vocal activist, Lorelei Monsanto, a member of the St. John Historical Societys board. "I am disappointed with where we are."

As for the experiment in high-end, environmentally conscious hospitality that is Lovango, it continues to developslowly but surely expanding, figuring out best practices along the way, and trying to find equilibrium between the luxurious and the ecologically and socially responsible. Like the eco-retreats of Costa Ricas bio reserves and the chic tented camps of Botswanas Okavango Delta, Lovango could come to serve as an object lesson in what light(er)-on-the-land luxe resort development can look like in the worlds most beautiful and fragile placesnot least in the Caribbean, and especially right next door, in the tangled, litigation-challenged wilds of Rockefellers Caneel Bay.



Caneel is so important to the territory as a signature experience, Lovejoy concludes. It could define the brand of tourism that is globally promoted and expected from the U.S. Virgin Islands for decades to come. It will set the tone, defining what we talk about when we talk about sustainable tourism here. And it could raise the bar, making us a shining star.

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LONDON (Reuters) -South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday a cabinet of the country's government of national unity following weeks of protracted and at times acrimonious negotiations.

Ramaphosa retained the African National Congress' Enoch Godongwana as finance minister and appointed former opposition leader John Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture, bringing the Democratic Alliance and other parties into his new coalition cabinet.

Below are analysts' reactions to the announcement:

ELNA MOOLMAN, ECONOMIST, STANDARD BANK GROUP

"The Finance Ministers re-appointment was widely expected. It is positive insofar as we have always viewed him and his team as strongly committed to the fiscal consolidation plan that they tabled.

"The portfolios focussed on priority areas for the policy reform agenda include several improvements and some strong appointments. This strengthens our long-standing optimism around the positive impact of the traction with policy reform supported by Operation Vulindlela (the policy implementation unit of the presidency and national treasury)  although the structural reforms are by nature protracted, complex and difficult."

MIKE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, CITADEL

"This is good for continuity. Godongwana - and Treasury under his leadership - have shown solid commitment to fiscal consolidation under difficult circumstances.

"As far as I'm concerned the onus is on the rest of government to get growth up sustainably in order for Treasury to have more wiggle room with the budget. If government has more revenue to work with, then they are able to sort out debt issues which has been the overhang threatening South Africa's fiscal sustainability.

SANISHA PACKIRISAMY, ECONOMIST, MOMENTUM INVESTMENTS

"The reappointment of Enoch Godongwana introduces an element of continuity in the Finance Ministry, which is positive for confidence in financial markets. The inclusion of a DA deputy minister adds to the checks and balances of that portfolio and allows the DA to make a more meaningful contribution to policymaking."

MICHAEL KAFE, ECONOMIST, BARCLAYS

"President Ramaphosa's new cabinet includes ministers from the opposition in key portfolios that could help drive structural reform and lift growth. Strategically, all opposition ministers are closely marked by ANC deputies, and the president was also careful not to leave out the left-leaning segments of his voter base.

"On the whole, the fact that the DA was offered some key ministries where the injection of fresh ideas and the implementation of important structural reforms could help lift the economy on to a higher growth path is likely to be taken positively by markets. The fact that the EFF was not offered any position will likely be perceived positively too."

JEE-A VAN DER LINDE, SENIOR ECONOMIST, OXFORD ECONOMICS

"There will be a palpable sense of relief that Mr Ramaphosa has finally named his executive following protracted and often terse negotiations with his new coalition partners. Working in silos is simply not an option for the incoming government and finding agreement on sticky issues will be of great importance.

"With the new Cabinet finally unveiled and most of the uncertainty out of the way, the government can finally get on with the task at hand. Although it remains to be seen whether the GNU will be able to address South Africa's economic issues, we consider this is a business-friendly outcome.

ANDREW MATHENY, ECONOMIST, GOLDMAN SACHS

"In our view, the cabinet outcome resulting from elections one month ago likely points to policy continuity, in particular a continued fiscal consolidation with the primary surplus likely to rise from 0.5% of GDP in FY23/24 to 1% of GDP in FY24/25 (in line with existing plans). This view is reinforced by the reappointment of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Given the multi-party arrangement in the new government, we see some upside potential for reforms, which could accelerate given greater accountability/oversight that could translate into improved policy implementation.

"Set against this, however, are greater political risks given potential disagreement within the coalition that could impede the effectiveness of government. From a market perspective, we view the latest developments as positive as the market is likely to price out lingering short-term uncertainty over the past several weeks of coalition/cabinet negotiations."

ZIYANDA STUURMAN, SENIOR ANALYST, AFRICA, EURASIA GROUP

"Ramaphosa made several changes. For example, the energy and mining ministries have been separated.

"Crucial state-owned entities such as national power utility Eskom and freight rail and port authority Transnet will now be under the management of the energy and transport ministries respectively. The integration of Eskom and Transnet into the relevant government departments will also likely take several weeks and how the new ministers manage this new role will be a key watch point."

(Reporting by Karin Strohecker, Bhargav Acharya and Kopano Gumbi, editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
SAULT STE. MARIE  The International Bridge Walk was canceled due to bad weather and will likely not be rescheduled this year.

The bridge walk allows residents on both sides of the St. Marys River to walk across the International Bridge and get a unique look at the river, passing freighters and the twin Saults. Inclement weather on Saturday forced the event's cancelation, as it would have been unsafe for walkers.

"The morning of the walk we called it off because of the rain but also the possibility of thunder and lightning and we couldn't put people out there when it's too slippery or when the possibility of more severe wind," said Tony Haller, executive director at the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce.

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While the Michigan and Ontario chambers of commerce still need to coordinate to reschedule, Haller said the bridge walk is unlikely to return this year. The chamber is looking ahead to put the 2025 bridge walk into motion.

"More than likely it won't be rescheduled to return this year," said Haller. "It takes a lot of coordination from a lot of different groups, so it probably won't come back until 2025."

 Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: International Bridge Walk canceled, unlikely to be rescheduled for 2024
Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague speaks to the crowd after the city received a $3.75 million Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa City has received a multi-million dollar grant that officials say will facilitate additional affordable housing, aid prospective homebuyers and lower construction barriers.

The $3.75 million grant comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program, also known as PRO. Iowa City is one of 21 communities nationwide  and one of just three in the Midwest  to receive funding from HUD's $85 million program.

"The need for affordable housing has been on the mind of Iowa City for a long time," Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague said during a press conference on June 27. "And our community's strong economic base and high quality of life attracts many residents to this region. But our housing supply has not kept up with the rise of demand."

Teague said the grant will allow the city council to be "well-positioned" to continue its affordable housing efforts.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, were the other two Midwest cities to receive grant money from this program. Iowa City was also the third smallest city by population to receive money from the PRO program, with awards going to Los Angeles County, California, New York, New York, Seattle, Washington, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, among others.

More: Here's what you need to know about the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling on 6-week abortion ban

From left, Tracy Hightshoe, Kirk Lehmann, Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava, Shawn Harmsen and Bruce Teague pose for a photo as the city received a $3.75 million housing grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Grant money will benefit local housing authority

HUD Assistant Secretary of Administration Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava delivered the check to Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague on Thursday, June 27 echoing the mayor's praise for staff and the city, saying its application "stood out."

This grant will "boost housing supply, lower costs for families, ensure equitable development and build resilience and sustainable ways," de Leon Bhargava said.

Bhargava said a December 2022 law generated the $85 million, and another $100 million with similar goals will be available in the near future.

The nearly $4 million grant will be given to the Iowa City Housing Authority, which helps individuals and families throughout Johnson County and parts of surrounding counties find a place to live at an affordable price. However, this particular pool of money is only authorized for use within Iowa City city limits.

In the past, Iowa City has funded projects like the South District Investment Partnership Program, which purchases and rehabilitates duplexes with the help of local contractors, then resells the homes to low-income, prospective buyers.

More: Iowa City is working to help low-income families become homeowners. Here's how.

Housing authority experiencing influx of interest

The local housing authority recently stopped accepting applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program, better known as Section 8, after the estimated wait for the program swelled beyond four years. In June, Housing Authority officials told the Press-Citizen that more than 1,900 "priority applicants," those already living or working in the area, are on that list.

The $3.75 million grant allows the housing authority to boost the city's offerings while also supporting its residents.

"The funding will empower us to expand our efforts and accelerate our plans to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation," Teague said. "By carrying out activities highlighted by HUD, we are not only enhancing this quality of life for our residents but we're also being a showcase for anyone (in a) small or large community within the Midwest."

More: Celebrate Independence Day at Coralville's 4thFest and more

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City awarded $3.75 million affordable housing grant from HUD
(Getty Images)

Most abortions will soon be illegal in Iowa after six weeks of pregnancy following the Iowa Supreme Courts decision Friday to overturn a lower courts block on the 2023 abortion law.

The 4-3 decision allows enforcement of the law that was previously blocked by a temporary injunction in a case challenging Iowas law restricting most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion remains legal in Iowa for now, until the case returns to the district court for further proceedings, according to American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. That will take at least 21 days under Iowa court rules, according to ACLU of Iowa, and abortion will remain legal during that time.

The law bans abortions after cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the medical procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother. To qualify for an exception to the law, people must report the rape resulting in pregnancy within 45 days to law enforcement or a public health agency or doctor, and within 140 for cases of incest.

Embryonic cardiac activity can typically be detected as early as six weeks of gestation. Reproductive health care advocates have argued that many women do not know they are pregnant at six weeks, and that the law would effectively make most abortions illegal in Iowa. Abortions were previously legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The lawsuit was brought forward by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic  both health care providers that perform abortions  as well as Dr. Sarah Traxler and ACLU of Iowa.

The ruling states that the Iowa law is serving a legitimate state interest, and thus can be upheld legally.

Every ground the State identifies is a legitimate interest for the legislature to pursue, and the restrictions on abortion in the fetal heartbeat statute are rationally related to advancing them, Justice Matthew McDermott wrote in the majority opinion. As a result, Planned Parenthoods substantive due process challenge fails. The district court thus erred in granting the temporary injunction.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, a supporter of the measure, alongside Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and House Speaker Pat Grassley, praised the court decision in a news release Friday.

There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn, Reynolds said in a statement. Iowa voters have spoken clearly through their elected representatives, both in 2018 when the original heartbeat bill was passed and signed into law, and again in 2023 when it passed by an even larger margin. Im glad that the Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the will of the people of Iowa.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart wrote in a statement that the decision strips Iowa women of reproductive rights that they have maintained for more than 50 years.

Its obvious Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans do not trust women to make their own decisions regarding their own medical care or for doctors to use their best judgment while treating their patients, Hart said in a statement. Republicans went too far with this abortion ban, and Iowa voters will hold them accountable this November.

Reynolds signed the six-week abortion ban into law after convening the Legislature for a special session in July 2023. That session followed a state Supreme Court decision in June of the same year to uphold the injunction on the 2018 so-called fetal heartbeat law, a similar measure.

Justices were split in a 3-3 decision on the case, upholding a lower courts decision to enjoin the law. The 2018 abortion law was previously ruled unconstitutional, but Reynolds challenged the decision following major changes to abortion law at both the state and federal levels. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that there was no constitutional right to an abortion, overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade precedent and allowing states to enact abortion restrictions.

Since the U.S. constitutional protections for abortion lifted, multiple states have enacted restrictions or total bans on abortion. Most states surrounding Iowa have enacted laws limiting the procedure since 2022, according to information compiled by the Guttmacher Institute. South Dakota and Missouri have near total abortion bans with limited exceptions. Nebraska has restricted abortion at 12 weeks of gestation, and in Kansas and Wisconsin, abortions are currently legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Minnesota and Illinois have the fewest restrictions, allowing abortions to be performed until fetal viability  when a fetus is able to survive outside the uterus, typically around 25 weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions are granted for this limit in cases where the procedure is necessary to save the life of the woman, or if their health is at risk.

Days prior to the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, the Iowa Supreme Court found there is no state constitutional right to an abortion. That decision came in a case on the state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound for patients seeking an abortion. While the state Supreme Court overturned the strict scrutiny legal standard for abortion laws  a test requiring a law serves a compelling state interest and uses the least restrictive means possible  Iowa Supreme Court Justice Edward Mansfield wrote that we do not at this time decide what constitutional standard should replace it.

The arguments made in court about the 2018 abortion ban largely centered around what legal standard should replace strict scrutiny for Iowa abortion laws. But in the decision upholding the injunction, the Iowa Supreme Court did not put forward a new standard.

During oral arguments in April, attorneys representing Iowa and reproductive health care providers and advocates argued for what legal standard should replace strict scrutiny for Iowa abortion laws.

Eric Wessen, representing the state, called for the rational basis test to be used  a lower standard that means a law is constitutional if the state has a legitimate reason to enact it. Attorney Peter Im, representing Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Iowa, argued for the undue burden test, a standard higher than rational basis that requires laws not be too burdensome or restrictive of an individuals fundamental rights.

The court sided with the state in the case, with McDermott writing that the Supreme Court holds that abortion restrictions alleged to violate the due process clause are subject to the rational basis test.

Employing that test here, we conclude that the fetal heartbeat statute is rationally related to the states legitimate interest in protecting unborn life, McDermott wrote.

The case was returned to the district court to dissolve the temporary injunction and continue with further proceedings, he wrote.

Chief justice dissents

In a dissenting opinion, Chief Justice Susan Christensen wrote that she cannot stand by this decision, holding there is no fundamental right to terminate a pregnancy under the state constitution.

The majoritys rigid approach relies heavily on the male-dominated history and traditions of the 1800s, all the while ignoring how far womens rights have come since the Civil War era, Christensen wrote. It is a bold assumption to think that the drafters of our state constitution intended for their interpretation to stand still while we move forward as a society. Instead, we should interpret our constitution through a modern lens that recognizes how our lives have changed with the passage of time.

Christiansen wrote in the opinion that the majority opinion was too reliant on the state constitutional text adopted in 1857, during a time when women were not granted the same rights as men in the state. In the decision concluding abortion is not a fundamental right under the state constitution, Christiansen wrote the majority perpetuates the gendered hierarchies of old when women were second-class citizens.

Mansfield: Rule gives no weight to a womans autonomy over her body

Justice Edward Mansfield also wrote a dissenting opinion, reflecting on his dissent in 2018 to a ruling on the states 72-hour abortion waiting period that found abortion was protected by the state constitution and subject regulations to strict scrutiny review.

In that decision, Mansfield wrote that both sides are seeking to address important issues  a womans autonomy over her body as well as preserving human life.

I remain of that view, Mansfield wrote in the dissent published Friday. But the court around me has shifted. So, instead of a constitutional rule that gives no weight to the States interest in human life, we now have in Iowa a constitutional rule that gives no weight to a womans autonomy over her body.

He wrote that the rational basis test is not an appropriate measure for determining the constitutionality of abortion laws.

I believe that subjecting a near-total ban on abortion to a rational basis test  the same test we apply to traffic cameras, and a more forgiving test than the one we apply to a law not allowing county auditors to correct defective absentee ballot applications  disserves the people of Iowa and their constitution, Mansfield wrote.

Potential effects beyond abortion

State regulations on abortion following the 2022 Dobbs decision have caused challenges for people seeking to access other reproductive health care, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), in some states. The Alabama Supreme Courts February ruling that found frozen embryos outside the womb are children caused multiple providers to cease IVF services until the governor signed a law providing certain protections to clinics and manufacturers of products used in IVF treatments.

The Alabama decision cited a 2018 state constitutional amendment stating it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. Reproductive health care advocates rallied against states enacting so-called unborn personhood language, often supported by anti-abortion proponents, in the wake of the decision because of concerns over the languages impact on IVF access.

In March, Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill to raise penalties for the nonconsensual ending of a pregnancy that would have changed the language on these crimes from referring to the termination of a human pregnancy to the death of an unborn person. The legislation was tabled by Senate Republicans over concerns about the bills unintended consequences related to IVF access, Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale told reporters.

Reynolds said in a Friday statement that as the six week abortion law takes effect, she and GOP leaders will continue to develop policies that encourage strong families, which includes promoting adoption and protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF).

As the heartbeat bill finally becomes law, we are deeply committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, and promoting fatherhood and its importance in parenting, Reynolds said in a statement Friday.  Families are the cornerstone of society, and its what will keep the foundation of our state and country strong for generations to come.

Access to abortion medication has also been questioned following the 2022 Dobbs ruling. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier in June that mifepristone, a pharmaceutical that can be used to terminate pregnancies, can remain available under the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations prescribing guidelines.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and X.

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The post Iowa Supreme Court lifts injunction on abortion law, allowing enforcement of six week ban appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Iowans who support abortion restrictions rally July 11, 2023 in the Iowa Capitol rotunda alongside supporters of abortion rights. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Most abortions will soon be illegal in Iowa after six weeks of pregnancy following the Iowa Supreme Courts decision Friday to overturn a lower courts block on the 2023 abortion law.

The 4-3 decision allows enforcement of the law that was previously blocked by a temporary injunction in a case challenging Iowas law restricting most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion remains legal in Iowa for now, until the case returns to the district court for further proceedings, according to American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. That will take at least 21 days under Iowa court rules, according to ACLU of Iowa, and abortion will remain legal during that time.

The law bans abortions after cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the medical procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother. To qualify for an exception to the law, people must report the rape resulting in pregnancy within 45 days to law enforcement or a public health agency or doctor, and within 140 for cases of incest.

Embryonic cardiac activity can typically be detected as early as six weeks of gestation. Reproductive health care advocates have argued that many women do not know they are pregnant at six weeks, and that the law would effectively make most abortions illegal in Iowa. Abortions were previously legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The lawsuit was brought forward by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic  both health care providers that perform abortions  as well as Dr. Sarah Traxler and ACLU of Iowa.

The ruling states that the Iowa law is serving a legitimate state interest, and thus can be upheld legally.

Every ground the State identifies is a legitimate interest for the legislature to pursue, and the restrictions on abortion in the fetal heartbeat statute are rationally related to advancing them, Justice Matthew McDermott wrote in the majority opinion. As a result, Planned Parenthoods substantive due process challenge fails. The district court thus erred in granting the temporary injunction.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, a supporter of the measure, alongside Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and House Speaker Pat Grassley, praised the court decision in a news release Friday.

There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn, Reynolds said in a statement. Iowa voters have spoken clearly through their elected representatives, both in 2018 when the original heartbeat bill was passed and signed into law, and again in 2023 when it passed by an even larger margin. Im glad that the Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the will of the people of Iowa.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart wrote in a statement that the decision strips Iowa women of reproductive rights that they have maintained for more than 50 years.

Its obvious Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans do not trust women to make their own decisions regarding their own medical care or for doctors to use their best judgment while treating their patients, Hart said in a statement. Republicans went too far with this abortion ban, and Iowa voters will hold them accountable this November.

Reynolds signed the six-week abortion ban into law after convening the Legislature for a special session in July 2023. That session followed a state Supreme Court decision in June of the same year to uphold the injunction on the 2018 so-called fetal heartbeat law, a similar measure.

Justices were split in a 3-3 decision on the case, upholding a lower courts decision to enjoin the law. The 2018 abortion law was previously ruled unconstitutional, but Reynolds challenged the decision following major changes to abortion law at both the state and federal levels. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that there was no constitutional right to an abortion, overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade precedent and allowing states to enact abortion restrictions.

Since the U.S. constitutional protections for abortion lifted, multiple states have enacted restrictions or total bans on abortion. Most states surrounding Iowa have enacted laws limiting the procedure since 2022, according to information compiled by the Guttmacher Institute. South Dakota and Missouri have near total abortion bans with limited exceptions. Nebraska has restricted abortion at 12 weeks of gestation, and in Kansas and Wisconsin, abortions are currently legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Minnesota and Illinois have the fewest restrictions, allowing abortions to be performed until fetal viability  when a fetus is able to survive outside the uterus, typically around 25 weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions are granted for this limit in cases where the procedure is necessary to save the life of the woman, or if their health is at risk.

Days prior to the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, the Iowa Supreme Court found there is no state constitutional right to an abortion. That decision came in a case on the state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound for patients seeking an abortion. While the state Supreme Court overturned the strict scrutiny legal standard for abortion laws  a test requiring a law serves a compelling state interest and uses the least restrictive means possible  Iowa Supreme Court Justice Edward Mansfield wrote that we do not at this time decide what constitutional standard should replace it.

The arguments made in court about the 2018 abortion ban largely centered around what legal standard should replace strict scrutiny for Iowa abortion laws. But in the decision upholding the injunction, the Iowa Supreme Court did not put forward a new standard.

During oral arguments in April, attorneys representing Iowa and reproductive health care providers and advocates argued for what legal standard should replace strict scrutiny for Iowa abortion laws.

Eric Wessen, representing the state, called for the rational basis test to be used  a lower standard that means a law is constitutional if the state has a legitimate reason to enact it. Attorney Peter Im, representing Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Iowa, argued for the undue burden test, a standard higher than rational basis that requires laws not be too burdensome or restrictive of an individuals fundamental rights.

The court sided with the state in the case, with McDermott writing that the Supreme Court holds that abortion restrictions alleged to violate the due process clause are subject to the rational basis test.

Employing that test here, we conclude that the fetal heartbeat statute is rationally related to the states legitimate interest in protecting unborn life, McDermott wrote.

The case was returned to the district court to dissolve the temporary injunction and continue with further proceedings, he wrote.

Chief justice dissents

In a dissenting opinion, Chief Justice Susan Christensen wrote that she cannot stand by this decision, holding there is no fundamental right to terminate a pregnancy under the state constitution.

The majoritys rigid approach relies heavily on the male-dominated history and traditions of the 1800s, all the while ignoring how far womens rights have come since the Civil War era, Christensen wrote. It is a bold assumption to think that the drafters of our state constitution intended for their interpretation to stand still while we move forward as a society. Instead, we should interpret our constitution through a modern lens that recognizes how our lives have changed with the passage of time.

Christiansen wrote in the opinion that the majority opinion was too reliant on the state constitutional text adopted in 1857, during a time when women were not granted the same rights as men in the state. In the decision concluding abortion is not a fundamental right under the state constitution, Christiansen wrote the majority perpetuates the gendered hierarchies of old when women were second-class citizens.

Mansfield: Rule gives no weight to a womans autonomy over her body

Justice Edward Mansfield also wrote a dissenting opinion, reflecting on his dissent in 2018 to a ruling on the states 72-hour abortion waiting period that found abortion was protected by the state constitution and subject regulations to strict scrutiny review.

In that decision, Mansfield wrote that both sides are seeking to address important issues  a womans autonomy over her body as well as preserving human life.

I remain of that view, Mansfield wrote in the dissent published Friday. But the court around me has shifted. So, instead of a constitutional rule that gives no weight to the States interest in human life, we now have in Iowa a constitutional rule that gives no weight to a womans autonomy over her body.

He wrote that the rational basis test is not an appropriate measure for determining the constitutionality of abortion laws.

I believe that subjecting a near-total ban on abortion to a rational basis test  the same test we apply to traffic cameras, and a more forgiving test than the one we apply to a law not allowing county auditors to correct defective absentee ballot applications  disserves the people of Iowa and their constitution, Mansfield wrote.

Potential effects beyond abortion

State regulations on abortion following the 2022 Dobbs decision have caused challenges for people seeking to access other reproductive health care, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), in some states. The Alabama Supreme Courts February ruling that found frozen embryos outside the womb are children caused multiple providers to cease IVF services until the governor signed a law providing certain protections to clinics and manufacturers of products used in IVF treatments.

The Alabama decision cited a 2018 state constitutional amendment stating it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. Reproductive health care advocates rallied against states enacting so-called unborn personhood language, often supported by anti-abortion proponents, in the wake of the decision because of concerns over the languages impact on IVF access.

In March, Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill to raise penalties for the nonconsensual ending of a pregnancy that would have changed the language on these crimes from referring to the termination of a human pregnancy to the death of an unborn person. The legislation was tabled by Senate Republicans over concerns about the bills unintended consequences related to IVF access, Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale told reporters.

Reynolds said in a Friday statement that as the six week abortion law takes effect, she and GOP leaders will continue to develop policies that encourage strong families, which includes promoting adoption and protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF).

As the heartbeat bill finally becomes law, we are deeply committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, and promoting fatherhood and its importance in parenting, Reynolds said in a statement Friday.  Families are the cornerstone of society, and its what will keep the foundation of our state and country strong for generations to come.

Access to abortion medication has also been questioned following the 2022 Dobbs ruling. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier in June that mifepristone, a pharmaceutical that can be used to terminate pregnancies, can remain available under the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations prescribing guidelines.

This story is developing and will update.

Reactions to Fridays abortion ruling

Gov. Kim Reynolds: There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn. Iowa voters have spoken clearly through their elected representatives, both in 2018 when the original heartbeat bill was passed and signed into law, and again in 2023 when it passed by an even larger margin. Im glad that the Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the will of the people of Iowa.

As the heartbeat bill finally becomes law, we are deeply committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, and promoting fatherhood and its importance in parenting. We will continue to develop policies that encourage strong families, which includes promoting adoption and protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF). Families are the cornerstone of society, and its what will keep the foundation of our state and country strong for generations to come.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver: Todays decision marks a step in the right direction for the protection of life. While litigation continues, I appreciate the clarity the Supreme Court has provided on this issue. I am optimistic the common-sense law passed again last year to protect life at the sound of a heartbeat with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother will be found constitutional.

House Speaker Pat Grassley: This ruling is a victory in the fight to protect unborn children in Iowa. The Legislature is elected by the people, and for too long, the courts have stood in the way of Iowans having their voices heard on this matter.

We are a pro-life and pro-family state. In Iowa, we respect both the life of the unborn child and the life of the mother. While out-of-touch, far-left political groups fight for abortion up until the day of birth, we will continue to fight for common sense policies that promote and protect life.

We will continue to promote strong families in all that we do in the Iowa House. We must build on the work weve already done to expand access to affordable child care, extend postpartum coverage on Medicaid, and improve our foster care and adoption systems.

Iowas Catholic bishops: We celebrate that the Iowa Supreme Court has recognized there is no right to an abortion to be found in the Iowa Constitution and, in so doing, has lifted an injunction against the law that would prohibit abortions after a heartbeat can be detected.

As Pope Francis has said, Let us respect and love human life, especially vulnerable life in a mothers womb. For us, this is a question of the common good and human dignity. Human life is precious and should be protected in our laws to the greatest extent possible. As a state and as a society, we should commit ourselves to working for the protection of all vulnerable populations from violence  wherever individuals and groups are at risk.

We urge people of good will in Iowa both to work for an end to the practice of abortion and to join us in tireless, unremitting and compassionate solidarity with pregnant women in distress, with the men who fathered these children, and with families in need.

(Statement signed by the Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula, archbishop of Dubuque; the Very Rev. Kenneth Kuntz, diocesan administrator, Diocese of Davenport; the Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless, bishop of Sioux City, and the Most Rev. William Joensen, bishop of Des Moines)

Iowa Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque: June 28 will be remembered as a tragic day in Iowa history. With todays Supreme Court ruling, a small group of extreme Republican politicians and activist judges have violated nearly two centuries of tradition in Iowa  eliminating fundamental rights rather than expanding them and attacking personal freedom rather than defending it.

Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights: Todays ruling is devastating for so many Iowans. Iowa Republicans have just gone too far. They are out of touch with the majority of Iowans who want reproductive freedom.

Sarah Corkery, Democrat running in Iowas 2nd Congressional District: It breaks my heart and fills me with rage to read the Iowa Supreme Court  made up of mostly men  opinion that essentially says Iowa is not a place for women to make decisions about their own health or family. Make no mistake: bans like this one put womens lives in danger and put medical decisions about when a woman is close enough to death to receive care in the hands of politicians rather than doctors.

State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines:

This abortion ban will put lives at risk, devastate reproductive health care in our state, and take away the right to bodily autonomy for everyone with a uterus. This is horrific. https://t.co/Do4WJIBJQa  Sarah Trone Garriott (@SarahforIowa) June 28, 2024

Lanon Baccam, Democrat running in Iowas 3rd Congressional District:

This ruling is absolutely devastating for women across our state. Abortion is now banned in Iowa before most women even know theyre pregnant, making this one of the most restrictive and dangerous abortion bans in the entire country.  Lanon Baccam (@lanon_baccam) June 28, 2024

State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville: Todays decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to strip away the fundamental right to abortion is not only deeply distressing but also a clear indication of the extent to which extremist MAGA Republicans are willing to go to control womens lives and bodies. This ruling ignores the voices of the vast majority of Iowans who believe in the fundamental rights of individuals to make their own medical decisions.

Iowa-Supreme-Court-abortion-ruling

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and X.

The post Iowa Supreme Court lifts injunction on abortion law, allowing enforcement of six week ban appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
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





Jul 2, 4:33 PM

European Gaza Hospital now empty following evacuation orders: WHO

All patients and medical staff have left European Gaza Hospital in southern Gaza, following evacuation orders from the Israel Defense Forces in Khan Younis, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.



The hospital, which had 320 patients, is "now completely empty," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.



"It is devastating to see the 650-bed-capacity hospital out of service at a time when access to health care is urgently needed," he said in a statement while calling on the hospital to be made operational "immediately."



Most patients were being referred to Nasser Medical Complex, which is now at full capacity and facing a shortage of medical supplies, the WHO said.





Jul 2, 4:12 PM

Evacuation order is largest in Gaza since October: UN

The Israel Defense Forces' evacuation order for a region in southern Gaza on Monday was the largest such order since October 2023, according to the United Nations.



The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East estimated that 250,000 people are impacted by the evacuation order in Khan Younis. The evacuation zone covers 117 square kilometers, according to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians leave an area in east Khan Yunis after the Israeli army issued a new evacuation order for parts of the city and Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 1, 2024. (Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images)

"[The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] underscores that an evacuation of such a massive scale will only heighten the suffering of civilians and drive humanitarian needs even higher," Dujarric said in a statement Tuesday. "People are left with the impossible choice of having to relocate, some most likely for the second or even the third time, to areas that have barely any space or services, or stay in an area where they know the fighting will take place."



The IDF said it ordered Palestinians to evacuate amid its response to a rocket attack that came from the area involving approximately 20 projectiles, some of which fell inside southern Israel.





Jul 1, 2:55 PM

IDF orders evacuation of area in Khan Younis amid response to rocket attack

The Israel Defense Forces ordered hundreds of people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza to evacuate amid its response to a rocket attack, the military said.



The area for evacuation is near the European Hospital, according to a leaflet distributed in the region Monday.



"For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone," the leaflet stated.



PHOTO: A Palestinian family sits in the remains of their home damaged in previous Israeli bombardment, as some residents return to the city of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 30, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)



The IDF said the evacuation is in response to an earlier rocket attack that came from the area involving approximately 20 projectiles.



"A number of the projectiles were intercepted and some of the projectiles fell inside southern Israel. No injuries were reported," the IDF said in a statement. "IDF Artillery is currently striking the sources of the fire."



-ABC News' Sami Zyara and Matt Gutman





Jun 29, 3:44 PM

Hostage speaks 1st time since release

Noa Argamani, one of four hostages rescued during a deadly IDF raid on June 8, released a video thanking Israeli forces for rescuing her and calls for the release of the remaining hostages, including her boyfriend, in her first public remarks since she was released.



They were separated during the kidnapping, according to Argamani.



"I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that there are still 120 hostages in Hamas captivity. Among them is Avinatan Or, my partner, from whom I was separated at the moment of abduction. Although I'm home now, we can't forget about the hostages who are still in Hamas captivity, and we must do everything possible to bring them back home," Argamani said.



-ABC News' Victoria Beaule





Jun 28, 3:50 PM

Military pier in Gaza to be taken offline again: US official

The U.S. military pier in Gaza will be taken offline again on Friday and moved to the Israeli port of Ashdod due to high seas, according to a U.S. official.

PHOTO: Trucks carry humanitarian aid at Trident Pier, a temporary pier to deliver aid, off the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, near the Gaza coast, June 25, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

This is a precautionary move to protect the pier from breaking due to rough waves, the official said.

This is the third time the pier has had to be moved to Ashdod because of weather. The pier has been operational only about half of the time since it opened in mid-May.

PHOTO: A truck carries humanitarian aid across Trident Pier, a temporary pier to deliver aid, off the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, near the Gaza coast, June 25, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

I don't have a date of when the pier would be reinstalled, Defense Department deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters Friday, noting that Centcom will assess the sea conditions over the weekend.



As the pier was moved away Friday, two U.S. officials told ABC News that officials are considering not re-installing the pier until the humanitarian aid that it brought to Gaza gets distributed. More than 19 million pounds of aid has been delivered to Gaza via the pier but its now piling up at the staging point at the edge of the pier, Singh said.



Inspectors General at the Pentagon and the U.S. Agency for International Development announced Thursday that theyre launching reviews of the mission to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza via the military's temporary pier system.



-ABC News Anne Flaherty and Luis Martinez





Jun 28, 11:31 AM

Israel, US discussing transfer of Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine

Israel and the U.S. are discussing the transfer of Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine, a source familiar with the matter told ABC News.



This agreement -- not yet finalized, according to the source -- would mark a shift in Israels public policy following Russias invasion of Ukraine.



A key factor behind Israels willingness to discuss the transfer of Patriot air defense batteries is the tightening military alliance between Russia and Iran.



In April, Israel announced the decommissioning of U.S.-donated Patriot systems from its aerial defense array. Security sources previously said Patriot has been successfully replaced by the Israeli-made David's Sling air and missile defense system.



-ABC News Dana Savir
Rockets can be seen in the sky flying towards Israel. Around 20 rockets have been fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, with Israeli artillery responding, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Monday. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

Around 20 rockets have been fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, with Israeli artillery responding, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Monday.

Some of the rockets had been intercepted, while others had come down in open countryside, it said. Air-raid sirens sounded in locations near the border ordering residents to seek shelter. The IDF said it had fired on the launch sites with artillery.

The attacks were the heaviest for some time, Israeli media reported.

Since entering the Gaza Strip following the October 7 attacks mounted by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement and other organizations, the IDF has destroyed buildings, launch ramps and tunnels.

Thousands of rockets were fired in the initial months at Israeli targets as far away as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The attacks have since declined in frequency.

Air defense missiles are fired from the Israeli Iron Dome air defence system. Around 20 rockets have been fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, with Israeli artillery responding, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Monday. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
Bearing China's lunar exploration endeavors in mind

Xinhua) 08:10, July 01, 2024

Researchers weigh the Chang'e-6 lunar samples during a returner opening ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation in Beijing, capital of China, June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Upon the complete success of the Chang'e-6 mission, which brought back the world's first samples from the far side of the moon, President Xi Jinping promptly extended his congratulations.

"The outstanding contributions you have made will always be remembered by the country and the people," Xi told all those who participated in the mission in a congratulatory message.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has always kept the country's lunar exploration endeavors in his mind.

It is a tradition for the president to extend congratulations upon the success of each Chang'e mission.

He also met representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the Chang'e-3, Chang'e-4 and Chang'e-5 missions, inquired about their work and life and took pictures with them.

For three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021, Xi highlighted the lunar exploration achievements in his New Year speech.

"Great undertakings are based on innovation, which is crucial for our future," Xi said in February 2019 when meeting representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development of the Chang'e-4 mission.

Living up to Xi's expectations, China's researchers and engineers have taken a self-reliant and ingenious path in the lunar exploration program.

Chang'e-4 made history by being the first mission to achieve soft landing on the far side of the moon. Its rover Yutu-2 started roaming and conducting surveys on this rarely-explored terrain in 2019, leaving moving human trails on the far side of the moon for the first time.

Chang'e-5, launched in 2020, was China's first mission to collect and return lunar samples to Earth. Unlike sampling missions of the United States and the Soviet Union, China chose a complicated technological approach including unmanned rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, which could bring back more samples and lay a technological foundation for manned lunar missions.

Based on the experience of Chang'e-5, Chang'e-6 made further innovations by collecting and returning lunar samples from the moon's far side, an unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history.

"We must be bold in our pursuit of innovation, acquire core technologies, strive to be the backbone of the country's aerospace industry, and scale new heights in space science and technology," said Xiong Tianci, a young designer with the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, developer of the Long March-5 carrier rockets that sent Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 into space.

Noting that exploring the vast universe is humanity's common dream, Xi has stressed the importance of conducting international space cooperation and making contributions to the well-being of all mankind.

China's lunar exploration program stands as evidence of the country's consistent promotion of international cooperation in the field of space exploration.

China welcomes international applications for the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions for scientific researches. Scientists from countries such as Australia, Russia, France, the United States, Britain, and Sweden have taken part in the research of the Chang'e-5 lunar samples.

Chang'e-6 has carried four international payloads, respectively from the European Space Agency (ESA), France, Italy, and Pakistan. Chang'e-7 will carry six international scientific instruments, and Chang'e-8 will offer 200 kilograms of international payload capacity and has garnered over 30 applications.

Xi's guidance and concern on the lunar exploration program has inspired numerous scientists and engineers, who are committed to advancing major space projects, including deep space exploration, and enhancing international exchanges and cooperation.

"We will continue to foster independent innovation capabilities and improve the independent innovation system, so as to propel bigger and further steps in space exploration," said Zhang Gao, an expert involved in the development of the Chang'e-6 probe from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Azerbaijan's national air carrier, AZAL, is set to begin regular flights to Karabakh for the first time ever.

Starting July 17, the airline will offer regular flights between Baku and Fuzuli.

Flights will be operated twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

A one-way ticket to Fuzuli costs 78 AZN, which includes hand luggage up to 10 kg and checked luggage up to 23 kg. Tickets will soon be available on AZAL's website.

Additionally, the Board of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan has decided that, given the social importance of the Baku-Nakhchivan-Baku route, the ticket price for Azerbaijani citizens will remain unchanged. For foreign citizens, fares will be set according to commercial conditions.
Donald Trump may never see the inside of a criminal courtroom again.

The Supreme Courts sweeping ruling that Trump  and all presidents  are immune from prosecution for their official actions immediately gutted some of the central allegations that special counsel Jack Smith leveled against Trump a year ago, when he charged the former president with conspiring to subvert the 2020 election. And it may eventually sink the rest of them, too.

Constitutional experts digesting the breathtaking scope of the opinion, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts over a vociferous dissent by the courts liberal justices, said theres still a narrow window for Trump to face trial, but it almost certainly cant happen before the 2024 election. And if Trump wins that election, hes expected to immediately unravel the case by ordering the Justice Department to drop the charges  or perhaps even by attempting to pardon himself.

The partial win for Trump comes as his separate federal prosecution in Florida  for hoarding classified documents after leaving office  appears to be languishing under the slow pace of U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. Cannon, a Trump appointee, appears poised to push the trial well past the 2024 election.

And Trumps criminal case in Georgia for allegedly seeking to corrupt that states election results in 2020, brought by local prosecutors, has been paused by a state appeals court amid a bid to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from the case.

In Manhattan, Trump was convicted in May of 34 felonies stemming from a scheme to conceal hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. He will be sentenced on July 11, though hes unlikely to receive jail time for those charges because they are low-level felonies. In contrast, the grave felony charges in all three of Trumps other cases would likely carry substantial prison time if Trump were ever brought to trial and convicted.

For now, the federal election case in Washington D.C. returns to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has waited seven months while the appellate courts resolved questions about presidential immunity. Chutkan originally had scheduled the case to go to trial in March of this year, but she was forced to postpone it during Trumps immunity appeals.

She will have to apply the Supreme Courts new ruling to determine whether any of the allegations against Trump can survive.



It is possible that, given enough time, Judge Chutkan could find that some of Trumps acts are unofficial and thus fall outside the presumption of immunity, said Michael Dorf, a constitutional law professor at Cornell University. However, there is not nearly enough time for that to happen before the election.

If Mondays immunity ruling causes the federal election case against Trump to collapse, it would be an unceremonious end to years of wrenching investigations and efforts to assign accountability for the role Trump and his White House allies played in plunging the country into a constitutional crisis.

The Supreme Courts highly anticipated decision landed with a thud in Washington, where Trumps conduct preceding the violence on Jan. 6, 2021, has been under intense scrutiny for years. Now, key episodes in that timeline  long considered core components of the criminal case again Trump  appear outside the reach of prosecutors. And even if it does somehow reach a jury, the case will look dramatically different than Smith intended.

For example, voluminous evidence that Trump leaned on his Justice Department to amplify false claims of voter fraud are protected official conduct, the court ruled.

And Trumps interactions with his vice president, Mike Pence, who would later become a target of the mob that breached the Capitol, are presumptively off limits as well. However, the court is leaving the ultimate determination on that question and others  such as Trumps pressure campaign against state officials to reverse the certified results of their elections  to Chutkan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama.

How quickly Chutkan can conduct that analysis now becomes the central question. In January, she indicated that, if she regained control over the case, she would give Trump at least three months to prepare for a new trial date. She has also said repeatedly that the political calendar will have no bearing on her trial schedule.

It seems impossible to conduct a trial before the election, said Edward Foley, a constitutional law professor at Ohio State University. I do think that the door remains open to prosecuting him for much of his misdeeds in connection with his effort to overturn the legitimate outcome of the 2020 election, but that can happen only if he loses his election.

Foley lamented that other, more preferable methods for holding Trump accountable had failed  leaving criminal prosecution as the last resort. Those included a bid by activists to find Trump ineligible to hold office because of his role in fomenting the Jan. 6 insurrection, an effort rejected by the Supreme Court, which found that Congress must create a uniform standard to determine what counts as participating in an insurrection.

Foley also noted that the Senate could have convicted Trump in his impeachment proceedings in 2021, both opening the door to criminal prosecution and ensuring he would never become president again.
The immunity decision will delay and diminish Jack Smith's two Trump prosecutions, experts predict.

In the documents case, Trump can claim that "declassifying" them, back in DC, was an official act.

In the J6 case, he can seek immunity for allegations involving talking to another federal official.

It's been a pretty bad day for Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Both of his prosecutions of Donald Trump  the Mar-a-Lago documents case in Florida, and the insurrection case out of Washington, DC  will be delayed and diminished by Monday's United States Supreme Court's immunity decision, legal experts predict.

The SCOTUS decision found that former presidents are presumptively immune from prosecution for acts they took while in office. It leaves it to lower courts to decide whether Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election.

That review of the insurrection case  by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals and, likely, the Supreme Court once again  will take many months.

Meanwhile, Trump can be expected to use his new immunity superpowers to also challenge the documents case, including by reviving his claim that he somehow "declassified" the papers back in DC, in what was an "official" act.

"With the January 6th case, the one that was at issue here, this makes it absolutely clear there's no way this is going to trial before the election," said Cliff Sloan, a Georgetown University law professor and constitutional law expert.

"For the Florida case, the decision has no direct impact," noted Michel Paradis, an attorney who teaches national security and constitutional law at Columbia Law School.

"But it is likely to disrupt and complicate the prosecution, in so far as there will be a new round of arguments on how the Supreme Court decision affects the transportation of documents, etc.," he said.

Sloan said that it's possible that Trump's attorneys make new arguments in the classified documents case based on the SCOTUS ruling, but explained, "It'll be more difficult because the core of that case has to do with actions he took when he was no longer president with regard to classified documents."

Still, Trump can now argue that before he left office, he somehow "declassified" the documents, an official act that now cannot be challenged.

Prosecutors say Trump broke federal law when he took documents with him from the White House to Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida, estate and private club.

The Florida litigation will be all the more complicated, Paradis added, "because the Supreme Court also held that you can't inquire into a president's 'motives' for taking any official act. And so precisely how that will work is up in the air at the moment."

According to Monday's decision, "In dividing official from unofficial conduct, courts may not inquire into the president's motives."

The court continued, "Such a 'highly intrusive inquiry would risk exposing even the most obvious instances of official conduct to judicial examination on the mere allegation of improper purpose."

Circling back to the January 6 case, one of that indictment's allegations is almost certain to now be challenged as an official act for which he is immune from prosecution, said Paradis.

Trump is accused of trying to pressure his acting attorney general and the Justice Department to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Those discussions "are readily categorized" as official acts, Monday's decision states.

This is true even if Smith's claims are correct, and Trump's efforts were improper, the decision said.

"Because the President cannot be prosecuted for conduct within his exclusive constitutional authority, Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for the alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials, the decision said.

"Other allegations  such as those involving Trump's interactions with the vice president, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general public  present more difficult questions" that will now be argued over, the decision also states.

"The biggest difficulty will be proving that something is not an official act," noted Paradis.

"The way the Supreme Court set up the new rule is that most everything the president does is 'presumptively immune,'" he said.

"It then falls to the prosecution to show that the 'presumptively' official act was in fact 'unofficial.' However  and this is where Justice Barrett broke with the majority  prosecutors can't inquire into the president's motives and are also largely prohibited from inquiring into the president's communications," he added.

"So you have to show what the president intended while being forbidden from proving what was in his mind," Paradis said.

By that new measure, any communication Trump has with another federal official is, for all practical purposes, immune from prosecution, he said.

In its decision, Sloan said, the Supreme Court was "unwilling to say that even a single allegation in the indictment" against Trump over his over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election "was an example of an unofficial act."

"It was willing to say some things were clearly official acts, but it was unwilling to give a single example of something that was unofficial," said Sloan, adding, "Courts would have to sort out what's official and what's unofficial, and if it's official, what kind of official action is it?"

"In addition to everything else, it's a kind of complicated structure, is very unpredictable, and it just puts it in the hands of courts to make these judgments," Sloan said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Unemployment rates throughout the Jackson and Hattiesburg areas continued to see nominal improvement in May, falling 0.1% to 0.3% in all five of the area counties, according to a Mississippi Department of Employment May report.

The improved rates in Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Lamar and Forrest counties also seem to line up with continued shrinkage of the state's jobless figures, while the nation's rate has risen as compared to last year for a second month in a row.

Democratic U.S. President Joseph Biden said in a press release Wednesday that he is happy to see the magnolia state continue to see year-over-year decline in unemployment, which he credits to his economic policies within the U.S. workforce.

My economic plan is creating good-paying jobs in Mississippimore than 27,000 Mississippians have gained jobs since I took office, and unemployment is at a record low of (2.9%)," Biden wrote.

Unemployment reports from MDES are released every one to two months and the data reflects the month prior or earlier in the year. the MDES June unemployment figures will be released July 23, according to its website.

See April rates in Jackson, Hattiesburg Jackson, Hattiesburg areas see improved unemployment rates

Jefcoat Fence crew members Blake Smith, foreground, of Brandon and David King of Harrisville, work on erecting a chain-link fence around the abandoned First Christian Church at the corner of State and High streets in Jackson, Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Unemployment rates in the Jackson and Hattiesburg areas continued to see steady growth in May.

Jackson area unemployment figures

Year over year in the Jackson area, Madison County saw the most decline in its jobless rate, falling to 2.2% from 2.5% in May 2023.

Hinds County fell 0.2% from May 2023, now siting at 2.8% unemployment. Rankin County saw the smallest improvement, improving by only 0.1% to now resting at 2.1% unemployment.

Hinds County currently has 2,870 people unemployed, 160 fewer than it did in May 2023. Madison County has 1,180, compared to 1,350 by this time last year and Rankin 1,580, which is 70 fewer than it did in May 2023.

Together, the Jackson area has 5,400 people unemployed, compared to 6,030 in May 2023.

Unemployment rates in Hattiesburg

In the Hattiesburg area, Forrest and Lamar counties fell 0.2% and 0.1% from 2.9% and 2.3%, respectively, in May 2023. Forrest County's unemployment rate now sits at 2.7% and Lamar County is at 2.2%.

There are 890 people unemployed in Forrest County, a 60-person drop from May 2023 (950). Lamar County has 720 unemployed, compared to 730 in May 2023.

Together, the Hattiesburg area has 1,610 unemployed people, compared to 1,680 by this time last year.

How do local figures compare to state and national jobless rates

On the state and national level, unemployment fell to 2.9% from 3.1% in Mississippi, while the nation's jobless rate rose 0.3% from 3.4% in May 2023, now sitting at 3.7%.

Read about state revenues, income tax What do MS revenue figures say about future of income tax cuts?

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves sang the state's praises in a press release issued Wednesday, giving credit to the state's growing economy and several projects within the state that have created more jobs.

Our economy is firing on all cylinders, which is why we continue to make history, Reeves said. There are more jobs in Mississippi than ever before, which is truly a victory worth celebrating. Well continue fighting for good-paying, high-quality jobs that attract more residents to our great state.

There are currently 35,600 people unemployed in Mississippi, compared to 37,600 in May 2023. Across the nation, 6,235,000 people are unemployed, compared to 5,700,000 in May 2023.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson, Hattiesburg unemployment continues to fall, so does state
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Jacksonville Speedway has announced that they will be closed through July to allow time to heal from Fridays tragedy.

65-year-old Ralph A. Willhite of Jacksonville was killed at the track after he was struck by an out-of-control sprint car, the Morgan County Coroner said. The Jacksonville Speedway paid their respects through a social media post on Saturday.

Theres so much to say, but really not much that actually needs to be said because we all know the person he was. We could write paragraphs about Ralph as a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Co-Worker, Race Fan and all of the roles he filled, interests he had and skills he excelled at. But without a doubt his greatest talent was the art of being a friend.

The Wakery reopens after damage from nearby Springfield fire

In another social media post on Sunday, Operator Ken Dobson said their team now needs time to reflect, rest, and recuperate their spirits.

A calendar or schedule we made in January isnt going to dictate when that spirit is ready to return  but I can assure you it wouldnt have been back for a rushed week after the fair, or the week following when I personally have to be absent due to a work commitment, Dobson said. This place wont reopen without me able to be here. It wont reopen without Hank and Tommy in a good place and rested, without it in tip top shape, or with fresh scars of Ralphie on everyones minds.

He went on to say that the team expects to reunite on Aug. 9.

Thats when we plan for us all to gather again with minds in the right places, our bodies healed and spirits high. I bet by then we will all be ready to go again  all of us  with a lot of anticipation, excitement and the spirit back.

Upcoming county fairs across Central Illinois

A new schedule and details on what the future will hold will be posted in a week or so. Season ticketholders can call 217-371-3653 for any compensation.

While the Morgan County Fair will have to go on without their speed show, Dobson said he hopes the community will still enjoy all the event has to offer and will be ready for the Jacksonville Speedway once they open again.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
James Hankinson honored: The late circuit judge's old courtroom now named after him

The memory of the late Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson will live on in his former courtroom.

Leon County's government and the 2nd Judicial Circuit dedicated courtroom 3A in the Leon County Courthouse in his honor. A ceremony took place Friday.

A press release explained: Hankinson, "appointed to the bench in 2002 by Gov. Jeb Bush, exemplified unwavering dedication and innovation throughout his tenure. As a circuit judge, he presided over some of the most serious and complicated criminal trials in Leon County."

The Leon County courthouse dedicates courtroom 3A to the late Judge James C. Hankinson on Friday, June 28.

As previously reported, he presided over the trials of serial killer Gary Michael Hilton, who brutally murdered Tallahassee nurse Cheryl Dunlap; Denise Williams, who took part in a plot to kill her husband, Mike Williams; Sigfredo Garcia, one of two hit men who killed Florida State University law professor Dan Markel; and Henry Segura, who killed Brandi Peters and her three young children.

But Hankinson also was "instrumental in establishing the 2nd Judicial Circuits animal therapy program, a pioneering initiative that allows therapy dogs to comfort children testifying in criminal court," the release said. "This program has now been expanded to dependency and delinquency proceedings, and even includes adults in certain cases. This program was the first in the State of Florida and serves as the model for the rest of the State and courts throughout the country.

The Tallahassee Memorial Animal Therapy program attends the dedication of courtroom 3A to the late Judge James C. Hankinson on Friday, June 28.

"In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Hankinson was a frequent instructor at the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges and the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, where he shared his knowledge and experience with fellow judges."

Hankinson retired in 2020 and died July 6, 2023. "His legacy of dedication, compassion, and innovation continues to influence the legal community and the lives of those he served," the release said.

Leon County Circuit Judge James Hankinson presides over jury selection for Denise Williams' trial at the Leon County Courthouse, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018.

'A legend': Retired Judge James Hankinson dies. He presided over city's biggest trials.

More: Flags flying at half-staff in Tallahassee to honor Judge Hankinson

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The late Judge Hankinson honored with having courtroom named after him
Japan's new H3 rocket flew for the third time ever tonight (June 30).

The H3 launched the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4; also known as DAICHI-4) from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center tonight, rising off the pad at 11:06 p.m. EDT (0306 GMT and 12:06 p.m. Japan Standard Time on July 1).

ALOS-4 was deployed into low Earth orbit as planned about 16 minutes after liftoff, commentators said on the webcast provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

a yellow and white rocket climbs into a blue sky.

The two-stage H3 was developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It's envisioned to be Japan's workhorse medium-lift rocket, taking those reins from the H-2A, which is set to retire later this year after more than 20 years of service.

Related: Japan's new H3 rocket fails on 1st test flight, advanced Earth observation satellite lost

The H3's path to orbit was a bit bumpy, however. The new rocket was originally supposed to launch for the first time in 2020, but difficulties in engine development and other issues pushed that debut back to March 2023.

And that initial liftoff didn't go well: The H3's upper-stage engine failed to ignite, and the rocket's payload  the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 (ALOS-3, or DAICHI-3)  was lost.

The H3 bounced back on its second flight, which occurred in February of this year and carried a 5,900-pound (2,600 kilograms) mass simulator as its main payload. The rocket reached orbit successfully and also deployed two small Earth-observation satellites, called CE-SAT-IE and TIRSAT, that were along for the ride.

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 The history of rockets

The 3-ton ALOS-4 is an advanced successor to Japan's ALOS-2 satellite, which has been studying Earth using synthetic aperture radar since its 2014 launch.

"JAXA and its prime contractor, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, are developing the satellite aiming at achieving both high resolution and a broader observation swath," JAXA officials wrote in an ALOS-4 mission description.

"Unlike observations by an optical sensor, radar images can be acquired day and night as it does not require sunlight," the agency added. "Moreover, since radio waves can penetrate cloud, the images can be obtained regardless of weather condition. The ALOS-4 will leverage these merits for observing and monitoring disaster-hit areas, forests and sea ice."
Jasmine Crockett Comes To Bidens Defense After Debate: Democrats Get Into A Frenzy

Jasmine Crockett Comes To Bidens Defense After Debate: Democrats Get Into A Frenzy | Photo: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Thursdays presidential debate was headline-making in multiple-ways. Despite former President Donald Trump telling dozens of lies and misleading statements, most focus has been on President Joe Bidens poor performance. With pundits and even politicians within the Democratic Party panicking after the debate, several other officials and prominent figures have come to the presidents defense, with Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) coming out strong for Biden.

'Its almost like we're scared of our shadow sometimes.'

It is so wild to me, and its been quite annoying if Im going to be perfectly honest, that Democrats get into a frenzy, Crockett told MSNBC host Ali Velshi as they talked about Bidens debate performance on Velshis show Saturday. I mean, its almost like were scared of our shadow sometimes.

Crockett pointed out that Biden has never been known for his strong oratory skills, contrasting Biden with the previous two presidents.

I think that Obama kinda maybe hurt us a little bit with his rhetorical skills, as we got used to this amazing orator.

Crockett criticized Trump, who knows how to just keep talking, and hell say anything.

She also pointed out that Trump repeatedly lied during the debate.

This fool tried to take credit for insulin prices, Crockett said, pointing out how Trump falsely claimed credit for a policy that Bidens administration accomplished.

Crockett summarized her support for Biden by declaring, I dont really care that he was off for 90 minutes, and the reality is that he is 50,000 times better than Trump, who Republicans still support despite his numerous felony convictions.

@RepJasmine kickin' them facts about that #PresidentialDebate2024 Uncle Joe and

Orange Jesus/Trump 

Kick that knowledge Jasmine Crockett @JasmineForUS #Velshi pic.twitter.com/jsBZfrZ3sy  I Plead the GIF  (@lilwaltjr305) June 29, 2024

Black political leaders show support for Biden.

Crocketts defense of the president comes amid various pundits and politicians discussing whether Biden should be removed or asked to step aside from the presidential race after his poor performance. Meanwhile, several Black politicians have come to Bidens defense. Vice President Kamala Harris quickly defended Biden and his record after the debate, contrasting his record to Trumps on issues such as abortion.

Former President Obama tweeted, Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know, referring to his poor 2012 debate performance against Mitt Romney, before issuing a reminder that this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.

Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 28, 2024

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries acknowledged on MSNBC that Bidens debate was an underwhelming performance and a setback. Still, he mentioned, A setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback.

JUST IN: Future Speaker of the House Hakeem Jeffries pours WATER over the idea that Democrats are plotting to replace Biden in strong remarks on MSNBC. His remarks were incredibly honest and a much watch: It was an underwhelming performance on Thursday during the debate, as pic.twitter.com/ZO47pjkJqH  CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) June 30, 2024

South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, a longtime Biden supporter, expressed confidence that Biden would do well in a second debate and criticized the CNN moderators for not fact-checking Trumps lies during the first one.

I'd like to see a conga line of people rolling up behind Rep. James Clyburn to tell Dana Bash what a horrendous, shitty job she did moderating. Well done, Congressman.pic.twitter.com/PNbhL6tmWx  BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 30, 2024

Tech entrepreneur Christopher Bouzy, summing up the disparity in Democratic reaction to the debate, tweeted, After one debate, white voters want to dump Biden while Black voters remain steadfast, noting that Black people are accustomed to handling adversity.

They claim Black voters are abandoning Biden, but after one debate, white voters want to dump Biden while Black voters remain steadfast. Y'all face a little adversity, and y'all are ready to jump out of the window. We face this daily; that is why we are still riding with Biden.  Christopher Bouzy (spoutible.com/cbouzy) (@cbouzy) June 28, 2024

It will likely take weeks to understand how poll numbers, donor contributions and widespread reactions were impacted by Thursdays debate. However, while Biden endures criticism for his performance and challenges to his campaign, supporters like Crockett and others signal they still support him and his campaign to defeat Trump in November.
The Guardia Civil called off its search for 19-year-old Jay Slater on Sunday

The disappearance of Jay Slater is not being treated as a crime at this stage, Spanish authorities have said.

The Guardia Civil called off its search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire on Sunday, almost two weeks after he disappeared while on holiday in Tenerife.

The force said the case remains open and that a parallel investigation is ongoing. But an investigating judge has been told that police have seen nothing yet that points to Mr Slater being the victim of a crime, it emerged on Monday.

A judicial source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: There is no evidence of criminality at this stage in this case. That is not to say things will not change, because the case remains open and investigations are ongoing, but right now thats the situation.

Mr Slater, an apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, had travelled to Tenerife with two friends.

He went missing on June 17 after he left a music festival in a car with two British men he had met. They travelled to the mountain village of Masca, and Mr Slater was last seen walking up a steep road in the early morning.

After setting off, he rang a friend 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 ran out of power shortly after the call.

The Guardia Civil, which carried out a 13-day search for him, is reporting to a court in the municipality of Icod de los Vinos. The Court of Instruction Number One, which covers villages such as Masca, has opened a routine judicial investigation into the case. The investigating judge is Maria Goya.

Mr Slaters family, who have vowed to continue the search for him, were due to meet police on Monday. The purpose of the visit is not yet clear. On Sunday, The Telegraph revealed that they planned to stay in Tenerife despite the police search ending.

A GoFundMe page, which the family claim will support their living costs, has reached almost 47,000.

Rachel Hargreaves, a close family friend who has joined them on the island, said: Nothing has changed. We will continue to search for him.

A final push to find the teenager fell flat on Saturday, when Spanish police asked volunteers to join a massive search but were met by just half a dozen people.

Spanish police have insisted the two men last seen with Mr Slater dont have any relevance to the case. The men, believed to be from south-east England, were interviewed after his disappearance, but were allowed to return to Britain last week.

The Guardia Civil called off its search for Jay Slater on Sunday - James Manning/PA Wire

While the police have ended their search for the teenager, TikTok sleuths have not stopped their efforts to find him.

Paul Arnott, who runs the TikTok account Down the Rapids and describes himself as an explorer, has been searching in Tenerife for more than a week.

So far, the 29-year-old has posted 60 short videos about his search, each attracting hundreds of thousands of views.

On Monday, he claimed a pair of sunglasses had been found and said they could be Jays.

Mr Arnott, who has been in contact with Mr Slaters family, told MailOnline: There have been some new developments, and these sunglasses could be key.They were found by an army guy called Chris who lives here. I dont want to go into too much detail, yet but the family have them and are looking at them.

They could be Jays  they are very similar to ones he has and we are waiting to see. It could be very significant.

The Telegraph has contacted Mr Arnott for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Jehovahs Witness convention will be returning to El Paso for three days this weekend and is expected to draw thousands of attendees.

The event will be from Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 7, and will be held at the El Paso Convention Center located at 1 Civic Center Plz.

The convention will present its 2024 Declare the Good News! series and will be free to the public.

The convention will present bible-based videos, discourses, and interviews on the following topics:

Why do we need good news?

Why we dont fear bad news

Hold Firmly to the Good News and why and how?

For more information on this event, click here: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/conventions/.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
New Jersey officials were right to change their policies on retaining baby blood samples  but the changes do not go far enough. (Photo by Getty Images)

Ummmm WHAT?!

Thats from a social media post responding to this recent headline in the Asbury Park Press: NJ cuts easy police access to baby blood.

A completely reasonable reaction for someone who has not followed this story as closely as we have at the New Jersey Monitor. The thought of a government-controlled cache of babys blood, accessible to law enforcement, sounds like something Philip K. Dick dreamed up as a warning about surveillance state creep.

Alas, its the reality here in New Jersey. In July 2022, we reported that the state holds onto blood samples taken as part of a mandatory newborn health screening program, and provided some samples to police. In one case, the State Police used DNA taken from a nine-year-old when he was born so they could charge his father in a sexual assault case.

New Jersey officials took a step in the right direction last month when they announced they are making changes on this front. Health officials said they would store baby blood samples for a maximum of 10 years now instead of 23, and Attorney General Matt Platkin said he will limit when authorities can access the samples.

The timing of the announcements was not random. Some parents are suing the state over the practice  they say, rightly, that its a violation of the Fourth Amendment ban on unreasonable seizures  and settlement talks broke down a few weeks ago. The same day the state announced its new policies on storing baby blood samples, Platkins office told the judge overseeing the case that the newly announced policy changes mean the parents have no case.

Hardly. Im heartened by Platkins directive that limits when police can access baby blood samples  but that practice should be banned entirely. Forcing parents to provide a sample of their babys blood to test for diseases is one thing; allowing police to use the blood sample later to charge one of the babys parents with a crime is an outrageous violation.

In fact, the state should not be storing baby blood samples for any significant period of time.

New Jersey health officials inadvertently gave away that they dont need to retain these samples in their announcement that they will keep them for only between two and 10 years from now on, depending on test results.

Under the new policy, the Department will retain identified bloodspots for only two years, unless a parent or legal guardian expressly requests a shorter or longer retention period as described below, the announcement reads.

Brian Morris, a lawyer representing the parents suing the state over this policy, said this means the state has no good reason to retain the samples at all.

If they needed it, they wouldnt let people give the permission to destroy it, Morris said

I asked a Department of Health spokeswoman if she would comment on this and she declined. The departments announcement of its new retention policy says it deidentifies samples it holds onto for routine laboratory quality assurance and quality control and the development of new tests for disorders.

As for cops involvement, Platkins order stresses that law enforcement has almost never sought to use DNA collected from baby blood samples in criminal investigations. Our lawsuit to compel records in the case does indeed confirm this, finding just five subpoenas over the course of five years (we dont know much about the cases, because the subpoenas were heavily redacted).

But if storing baby blood samples for years is neither a public health priority  it cant be, because now parents will be allowed to force them to be destroyed  nor a public safety priority  evident by the minuscule amount of times cops have been able to access baby blood DNA  then the whole thing leaves me perplexed. Why do it at all?

I posed this question to Morris.

Im just as perplexed as you, he said.

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An act of vandalism left 176 gravestones damaged in two West Side cemeteries.

Two sections of the Covedale Cemetery complex near the intersection of Anderson Ferry Road and Sidney Road were targeted, a release from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati said Monday. The markers were found vandalized at the Tifereth Israel Cemetery and Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery, two Jewish sections of the complex, early on Monday. The vandalism is thought to have been committed between June 25 and Monday, as the damage wasn't present when a groundskeeper mowed the lawn there last Tuesday.

More: Cincinnatians honor Holocaust victims with one-of-a-kind tribute

"The destruction includes tombstones dating back to the late 1800s, many of which have been knocked over, with some cracked in half. Most of the gravestones have been pushed face down," the release states.

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati is struggling to contact the families of those whose gravestones were damaged, as many of the gravestones are sitting face down with the names out of sight, according to the press release.

Tifereth Israel Cemetery and the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery in the Covedale Cemetery complex were vandalized, Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati announced Monday.

Law enforcement officials have advised that the vandalized markers should not be touched to "preserve the integrity of their investigation," according to the release. Once cleared to do so, the gravestones can be turned over so the organization can contact living relatives.

"We unequivocally condemn this act of hatred and desecration. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless vandalism," the statement said.

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati is working with SAFE Cincinnati, the security arm of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Police Department, the FBI and Green Township to investigate the vandalism.

"We are cooperating fully with local law enforcement to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. We urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and assist in the investigation," the group said.

Those who wish to help fund cemetery repairs and maintenance can donate to the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati at jcemcin.org/donate.

The damage spans two sections of the Covedale Cemetery complex and impacts 176 gravestones, according to Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati.

Antisemitism on the rise

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati described the incident as an "act of antisemitic vandalism."

Antisemitic incidents have proliferated since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel on Oct. 7, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which collects data on acts of hate.

There were 8,873 antisemitic incidents in 2023, up from 3,698 in 2022, according to their annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. Between October and January, there were 3,291 antisemitic incidents in the U.S., according to data provided by the league.

There have been 11 antisemitic incidents in Ohio so far this year, according to a map tracking incidents for the league.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2 Jewish cemeteries in Ohio vandalized
Jill Biden Defends President Joe Biden After First Debate Performance: 'We Will Continue to Fight'

The first lady reflected on her husband's performance, saying they "will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president"

Norman Jean Roy Jill Biden photographed for 'Vogue'

Jill Biden is standing by her husband after his presidential debate performance last week.

Just days after President Joe Biden sparked concern among political strategists for what they considered a weak performance during his first 2024 debate against former President Donald Trump on Thursday, June 27, the first lady revealed to Vogue that she doesn't want the moment to represent the efforts he's made in the White House.

[We] will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president. We will continue to fight," Dr. Biden, 73, told the magazine as part of her August 2024 cover story. [He] will always do whats best for the country."

Related: Joe Biden Sees Strongest Grassroots Fundraising Hour Since Campaign Launched After Muffled Debate Performance

Norman Jean Roy Jill Biden photographed for 'Vogue'

Dr. Biden's comments  which she provided to Vogue from Camp David on Sunday, June 30  came days after President Biden, 81, appeared disoriented with a muffled performance at the CNN debate, which strategists argued had reinforced fears about his age. The unprecedented debate in Atlanta between the oldest U.S. presidents in history also featured repeated false claims from Trump, 78.

A source later confirmed to PEOPLE that Biden had a cold, and he himself addressed the performance to a crowd the following day at a Raleigh, N.C., rally.

"I don't walk as easily as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to," he said. "But I know what I do know, I know how to tell the truth!"

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Former President Barack Obama also weighed in on Biden's performance, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that "bad debate nights happen."



"Trust me, I know," Obama wrote. "But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself."

"Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight  and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didnt change that, and its why so much is at stake in November," he continued.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty From Left: Donald Trump and Joe Biden on June 27, 2024

As previously reported, in the hour after the debate, Biden experienced his best grassroots fundraising hour since he launched his bid for reelection, per a Biden-Harris campaign official. June 27th also marked Biden's best day for grassroots funding throughout the campaign.

The president also saw a fundraising boost after his State of the Union address in March, as well as at fundraisers in New York City and Los Angeles this year.

The next presidential debate, moderated by ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis, is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10.



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The fallout from President Joe Bidens abysmal debate performance last week reached his wifes ill-timed Vogue cover story Monday, with first lady Jill Biden using the piece to signal that her husband isnt about to quit his re-election race.

In an editors note at the top of the article, the magazine highlighted that Joe Bidens monumentally dreadful showing against Donald Trump on Thursday had spurred a discussion about whether the president should remain the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Speaking from Camp David, where the Biden clan holed up over the weekend, Jill Biden told Vogue that the family will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president. We will continue to fight. She added that her 81-year-old husband will always do whats best for the country.

Bidens Family Blame His Staff and Tell Him to Keep Fighting

Jill Bidens 11th-hour addendum to the piece came on the same weekend that she and her family were reportedly gathered at the presidents country residence partly to have their pictures taken by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, according to The New York Times. The get-together marked the first time that all the family came together in one place since Hunter Bidens conviction on federal gun charges last month.

It was also at that family meeting that the presidents loved ones encouraged him to stay in the race and persist with his likely rematch against Trump in November. Hunter Biden was among those most vociferous about his father staying on the ticket, while at least one of the presidents grandkids expressed interest in helping the Biden campaign potentially by reaching out to social media influencers, according to the Times.

The familys resolve comes in stark contrast to the panic that the debate set off among Bidens supporters, with even some of his own friends calling for him to step down before its too late. Others have appealed directly to members of the presidents familyincluding the first ladyto convince him to abandon his re-election campaign and allow a successor to emerge before November.

The magnitude of whats on the line in the 2024 presidential election clearly isnt lost on Jill Biden. Each campaign is unique. But this one, the urgency is different, she was quoted as saying in the main text of the Vogue piece. We know whats at stake. Joe is asking the American people to come together to draw a line in the sand against all this vitriol.

"Every campaign is important, and every campaign is hard, shares Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady and Vogues August cover subject. Whatever happens between now and November, it is Jill Biden who will remain the president's closest confidant and advocate. https://t.co/y6WcDbsWtf pic.twitter.com/4LQFUzoVx6  Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) July 1, 2024

Despite the pleas from some quarters for Biden to now drop his campaignwith many Democratic lawmakers apparently anonymously airing their anxieties to the mediathe president has nevertheless received the public support of some senior Democratic figures.

Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know, former President Barack Obama wrote in an X post Friday. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.

Former President Bill Clinton said hed leave the debate rating to the pundits in his own post last week, before arguing that Biden has given us 3 years of solid leadership which pulled the U.S. out of the quagmire Donald Trump left us in. Thats whats really at stake in November, he wrote.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) echoed Obamas sentiments during a Meet the Press interview Sunday. Asked if he thought Biden should drop out, Warnock answered: Absolutely not. Thereve been more than a few Sundays when I wished I had preached a better sermon, the pastor lawmaker said. But after the sermon was over, it was my job to embody the message, to show up for the people that I serve. And thats what Joe Biden has been doing.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) likewise told MSNBC that Bidens debate performance was a setback but reiterated his belief that a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback.

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House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) called on the ideological left to uphold democratic norms while hailing the Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity in the case involving former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Hyper-partisan prosecutors like Jack Smith cannot weaponize the rule of law to go after the Administrations chief political rival, and we hope that the Left will stop its attacks on President Trump and uphold democratic norms, Jordan said in a statement Monday. The Judiciary Committee will continue to oversee dangerous lawfare tactics in our judicial system.

The Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision on Monday ruled that presidents have presumptive immunity from prosecution for official acts, dealing a blow to special counsel Jack Smiths prosecution of Trump. It sent the case back to the D.C. District Court, where proceedings had been paused to weigh Trumps immunity claims.

The ruling gives space, however, for areas of the prosecution to move forward, such as Trumps pressure campaign on former Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6.

Chief Justice John Roberts directed the lower court to assess whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

Jordan also chairs the House Judiciarys select subcommittee on government weaponization, a panel created in response to Republican concerns about government prosecutors and agencies  including those involved in Trump-related cases  improperly targeting political opponents.

In contrast to Jordans statement, Democrats  who have long raised alarm about Trump breaking democratic norms regarding the peaceful transfer of power  worried that the decision would enable more breaking of democratic norms.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement that the decision marked a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy.

The very basis of our judicial system is that no one is above the law. Treason or incitement of insurrection should not be considered a core constitutional power afforded to a president, Schumer said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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What Joe Biden Needs To Do To Win Back Hollywood Donors & Show People Hes Up To The Job

EXCLUSIVE and UPDATED: Why isnt Joe Biden on 60 Minutes tonight? Why wasnt he on Meet the Press this morning?

Those are the questions an exasperated top Hollywood donor had Sunday as the blast radius from the presidents disastrous June 27 debate performance continued to expand despite the White House and the campaigns efforts to act like it was just a bump in the road to reelection.

More from Deadline

They need to stop blaming other people, the president needs to show people hes up to the job, the donor, who attended the fundraiser with Vice President Kamala Harris at Rob and Michele Reiners on Saturday night, added. They need to get him on TV, now!

Expressing impatience at best and anger at worst with the campaign and the 81-year-old Bidens weak-voiced and meandering face-off with a surprisingly focused and unsurprisingly falsehood-spreading Donald Trump on CNN on Thursday, a number of deep pocketed Tinseltown contributors on both coasts tell Deadline that face time with Harris and Biden himself over the weekend has offered minimal reassurance, to put it kindly.

RELATED: Kamala Harris, At L.A. Fundraiser, Addresses Joe Bidens Debate Performance As Campaign Tries To Assuage Fearful Donors

Its all off the teleprompter, its all dont worry, a NYC donor said Sunday. Im f*cking worried! A number of donors in both the Big Apple and the City of Angels said they are taking a wait and see approach, as Deadline reported the day after the debate.

(L-R) President Joe Biden and Elton John on Friday at the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York

Some donors are being more circumspect, speaking to the campaign privately. Others, not so much. Lets see what the plan is this week, lets see how he turns this around, a prominent TV showrunner and usually dependable Democratic donor said. I want to see them flood the zone.

Amid calls from the New York Times Editorial Board and columnists, New Yorker editor David Remnick and others for the struggling Biden to bow out ASAP in service to the nation, a repeated mantra this weekend is that if Biden, who is currently huddling at Camp David, is going to stay in the race, he has to take a drastically new stance.

RELATED: Biden Should Drop Out After Failed Debate Performance, Says NYT

Biden should sit down with George Stephanopoulos live for an hour this week as a start, a well-connected producer states. Make it event viewing, come clean.

Stump speeches, handpicked crowds dont cut it anymore now. We are going to lose this thing if things dont change fast, the film and TV veteran went on to say. If he cant do it, its a shame to say, (but) we need someone who can to take on Trump and his crowd.

What was especially frustrating to one top Hollywood supporter in the post-debate fallout was the Biden teams blaming of pundits and others. We all saw what we saw, the supporter said.

Already attracting attention from certain media circles today, a POTUS sit-down interview is not an entirely original idea after a big gaffe or crisis; it worked for Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton on more than one occasion. However, compared to his predecessors, Biden has done relatively few of them.

Citing data from the White House Transition Project, the Washington Post reported in April that Biden had done 118 one-on-one interviews with media as of April 30, compared with 327 for Trump at that point in his term and 479 for Obama. Biden also bypassed the chance to do an interview with CBS News during the networks Super Bowl pre-game, typically a way to draw a huge exposure in relatively relaxed circumstances.

The White House has often pushed back on figures such as these, noting that Biden has done frequent informal Q&A sessions with the media  570  compared to 623 for Trump at this point in his term. As White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told the Deadline ElectionLine podcast in April, POTUS values the power and reach of local TV to reach voters over the networks.

None of the networks has announced any kind of pending interview with Biden.

Spokespersons for ABC News, CNN and CBS News did not have any kind of update, and a spokesperson for NBC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The president last sat for an interview with ABC News David Muir in Normandy, France earlier this month during the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations.

The pitch now were hearing donors want for an in-depth sit down interview is that it would be a kind of event television all its own, not fleeting moments on the campaign trail. Biden could explain what happened, and why he had such a bad night.

In fact, several Hollywood political denizens, many of whom were at the Harris fundraiser on Saturday, believe the best way out of this mess for Biden if he wants to have a fighting chance against Trump is to be more like his VP. He needs to go on CNN with [Anderson] Cooper. I hate to say this, he needs to go on Fox with Hannity like [California Gov. Gavin] Newsom did, and give back better than he gets, another donor states. Show people he can handle the tough questions.

In clear damage-control mode, Harris was suddenly all over post-debate coverage Thursday night. Stressing that the president had a slow start but finished strong, Harris won praise from the likes of Anderson Cooper, who said to the VP: Neither person on that stage tonight made the argument as coherently as you just did.

A somewhat familiar face on the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox and an adopted political son for Biden, Newsom offered a preview of a potential 2028 White House bid when he wiped the floor with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on a Hannity-hosted debate in November.

Right now, with some outlets reporting a come-to-Jesus moment among Biden family members at the presidential retreat (something Biden aides deny), Bidens overall schedule for next week has not been made public. Gathering with family for a photo portrait by Annie Leibovitz, the president will stay at Camp David until Monday, and return to the White House around 8:20 p.m. ET, the Press Office confirmed late today. With the Independence Day holiday coming up this week, Biden has a visit to a D.C. Emergency Operations Center and a fundraiser Tuesday, a Medal of Honor ceremony Wednesday and a barbeque with military service members on the Fourth of July. Nothing else has been announced.

Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as Trumps communications director, wrote on X/Twitter that over the weekend, he went to President Bidens fundraiser in East Hampton and I thought he did quite well reading the teleprompter today and meeting with people. However, that is not going to be enough to prove to the American people that hes up for another 4 years.

He pointed to an insistent email that author Whitney Tilson has been sending out to top Democrats, which includes four ideas to deal with the post-debate fallout. They include holding an hourlong press conference at the White House and continuing them every week until after the election; doing an interview with 60 Minutes this week; meeting with the editorial board of the New York Times; and doing another appearance on a late-night show, as he did with Seth Meyers earlier this year.

The recommendations all came with a sense of urgency, that Biden had to act quickly to course correct.

In sync with much of what Tilson wrote, a longtime political operative told Deadline that Biden should be giving face-to-face interviews and town halls every week up until the Democratic National Convention at the end of August in Chicago. More events with regular people, thats where Joe Biden used to excel, the operative added, noting the contrast to Trump and his Mar-a-Lago courtiers.

On top of that, Sunday night is the end-of-quarter deadline for campaign contributions, and the Biden-Harris team may face another embarrassment if they come up significantly short again against the Trump machine.

When it comes to the bottom line, the debate debacle proved a cash cow for the Biden-Harris campaign The reelection effort raised $27 million from June 27-June 28, according to a Saturday memo sent out to influential donors from campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon. However, that total is likely much less than what the campaign might have pulled in if the president had put in a strong showing.

One recipient of OMalley Dillions correspondence called it tone deaf. Another insider dismissed the memo as part of a dont believe youre eyes strategy, citing the social media posts by leading Democratic donor John Morgan.

Biden has for too long been fooled by the value of Anita Dunn and her husband. They need to go TODAY



The grifting is gross. It was political malpractice.



Cc/ @JoeNBC @maggieNYT @Messina2012 @katierogers  John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) June 30, 2024

Joe Biden had a chance to make his case and he blew it, a big check-writing West Los Angeles donor exclaimed this weekend. He has a small window to make his case again directly to the American public, and hope they give him another chance.

This post was corrected to reflect the correct numbers of one-on-one interviews Joe Biden has done since he became president.

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The Court on Monday imbued former presidents with so much immunity from prosecution  some absolute, some presumptive, but with very little guidance about how to sort official acts into those buckets  that itll make it nearly impossible for prosecutors to make criminal cases against them going forward. This is, of course, most immediately relevant in special prosecutor Jack Smiths long-stalled Jan. 6 case against Donald Trump.

Luckily for Trump, per the Courts ruling, he seems to have led the Jan. 6 insurrection in a way that secures him near-blanket immunity. Even some actions Trump took that look a lot like unofficial acts  tweets that egged on the crowds, his speech at the Stop the Steal rally on the Ellipse  might just merit some immunity after all, Chief Justice John Roberts mused in his majority opinion.

Some Presidential conduct  for example, speaking to and on behalf of the American people,  certainly can qualify as official even when not obviously connected to a particular constitutional or statutory provision, Roberts wrote, suggesting he saw himself to be casting a very wide net.

Under the Courts new framework, acts related to core constitutional powers get absolute immunity. The rest of the official acts get presumptive immunity. And unofficial acts get none (assuming prosecutors manage to find some).

Roberts ticked through the charges of Smiths indictment, giving preemptive guidance to the lower courts about how to sort through the acts.

In a total get-out-of-jail-free card, Roberts asserted that Trumps attempts to bully and leverage his Justice Department into leaning on states to replace their slates of electors with Trump-friendly fake ones warrants absolute immunity.

The President may discuss potential investigations and prosecutions with his Attorney General and other Justice Department officials to carry out his constitutional duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, Roberts shrugged, seemingly unconcerned with the torpedo hed just taken to the Justice Departments independence.

Trumps threats to fire the DOJs noncompliant officials and replace them with low-level stooges? That also gets absolute immunity.

The Court then came to a charge more difficult to explain away: Trumps pressure campaign to get then-Vice President Mike Pence not to certify the real Electoral College votes. Pence was acting in his role as President of the Senate, not in an executive branch capacity, Roberts grudgingly noted. But!

Applying a criminal prohibition to the Presidents conversations discussing such matters with the Vice President  even though they concern his role as President of the Senate  may well hinder the Presidents ability to perform his constitutional functions, he wrote.

Presumptive immunity it is, then, with the burden on the government to prove that the pressure campaign was an unofficial act.

On the fake elector scheme writ large, even Trump conceded that it had involved private acts before quickly backtracking. The majority, slipping from summarizing Trumps argument to commenting directly, seemed to suggest that the plot should actually get absolute immunity  the highest degree under its new standard, which attaches to core constitutional powers.

Of course, the Presidents duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed plainly encompasses enforcement of federal election laws passed by Congress, Roberts wrote. And the Presidents broad power to speak on matters of public concern does not exclude his public communications regarding the fairness and integrity of federal elections simply because he is running for re-election.

And on the aforementioned tweets and speeches whipping up the crowd that stormed the Capitol, the majority is nominally leaving it up to the lower courts  but offered up a hearty helping of its own inclinations (most of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, e.g. presumptive immunity).

In every example, the majority put a thumb on the scale for granting Trump some degree of immunity (it also tossed in some occasional hedging so as to not completely preclude the governments arguments). Roberts gave no examples of Trump conduct the Court found to be unarguably unofficial. Smith will now surely do some reformulating, trying to find a path through the Scylla and Charybdis of absolute and presumptive immunity.

Its rich, though, that a Court so dismissive of the Trump disqualification case  which took its thesis directly from the text of the Constitution  is so readily willing to cobble together a brand new theory of presidential immunity that just so happens to align beat-for-beat with Trumps actions around Jan. 6.
FILE - This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein, March 28, 2017. On Monday, July 1, 2024, Florida Circuit Judge Luis Delgado released the transcripts of a 2006 grand jury investigation that looked into sex trafficking and rape allegations made against Epstein. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Florida prosecutors knew the late millionaire and financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually assaulted teenage girls two years before they cut a plea deal that has long been criticized as too lenient and a missed opportunity to imprison him a decade earlier, according to transcripts released Monday.

The 2006 grand jury investigation was the first of many by law enforcement over the past two decades into Epstein's rape and sex trafficking of teenagers  and how his ties to the rich and the powerful seem to have allowed him to avoid prison or a serious jail term for over a decade.

The investigations uncovered Epstein's close ties to former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew, as well as his once friendly relationship with former President Donald Trump and numerous others of wealth and influence who have denied doing anything criminal or improper and not been charged.

Circuit Judge Luis Delgado's release of approximately 150 pages Monday came as a surprise, since there was scheduled hearing next week over unsealing the graphic testimony. Gov. Ron DeSantis had signed a bill in February allowing the release on Monday or any time thereafter that Delgado ordered. Florida grand jury transcripts are usually kept secret forever, but the bill created an exemption for cases like Epstein's.

The transcripts show that the grand jury heard testimony that Epstein, who was then in his 40s, had raped teenage girls as young as 14 at his Palm Beach mansion, often paying them so he could commit statutory rape or assault. The teenagers testified and told detectives they were also paid cash or rented cars if they found him more girls.

The details in the record will be outrageous to decent people, Delgado wrote in his order. The testimony taken by the Grand Jury concerns activity ranging from grossly unacceptable to rape  all of the conduct at issue is sexually deviant, disgusting, and criminal.

In 2008, Epstein cut a deal with South Florida federal prosecutors that allowed him to escape more severe federal charges and instead plead guilty to state charges of procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution. He was sentenced to 1.5 years in the Palm Beach County jail system, during which he was allowed to go to his office almost daily as part of a work-release program, followed by a year of house arrest. He was required to register as a sex offender.

Criticism of the deal resulted in the 2019 resignation of Trump's labor secretary, Alex Acosta, who was the U.S. attorney for South Florida in 2008 and signed off on the deal. A 2020 Justice Department investigation concluded that Acosta used poor judgment in his handling of the Epstein prosecution, but it didn't rise to the level of professional misconduct.

The chief prosecutor in the Epstein case, former Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer, did not immediately respond Monday to an email and a voicemail seeking comment about the transcripts release.

Current Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, who was not involved in the investigation, said in a statement he is glad the records have been released. He said he has not yet read the transcripts, so could not comment on whether Krischer should have pursued a tougher prosecution of Epstein.

Brad Edwards, an attorney for many of the victims, said in a statement that the transcripts show that Krischer's office took the case to the Grand Jury with an agenda  to return minimal, if any, criminal charges against Jeffrey Epstein.

A fraction of the evidence was presented, in a misleading way, and the Office portrayed the victims as criminals, he said. It is so sad, the number of victims Epstein was able to abuse because the State carried water for him when they had a chance to put him away.

Epsteins estate is paying $155 million in restitution to more than 125 victims.

According to the transcripts, Palm Beach Police Detective Joe Recarey testified in July 2006 that the initial investigation began when a woman reported in March 2005 that her stepdaughter who was in high school at the time said she received $300 in exchange for sexual activity with a man in Palm Beach, Recarey testified.

Another teenager, whose name was redacted in the transcript, told detectives that she was 17 years old when she was approached by a friend who said she could make $200 by providing a massage at Epsteins home.

At the house, when Epstein tried touching her, she told him she was uncomfortable. He then told her that he would pay her $200 if she brought girls to the house. And he told her, The younger, the better, Recarey said.

Over time she brought six friends to Epstein's house, including a 14-year-old, and likened herself to Hollywood Madame Heidi Fleiss in October 2005 interviews, Recarey recounted.

When she brought over a 23-year-old friend, Epstein told her that the friend was too old.

The more you did, the more money you made, the detective said the teen told him. She explained that there was going to be a massage or some possible touching, and you would have to provide the massage either topless or naked.

Another teen testified she visited Epstein's house hundreds of times in the early 2000s, starting when she was 16. She testified that Epstein paid her $200 each time she gave him a massage while naked, rented her a car and gave her $1,000 the time he raped her.

A 2005 police search of Epstein's mansion found evidence supporting the girls' testimony. Also, Epsteins houseman told detectives that the teenagers who came to the mansion were "very young. Too young to be a masseuse.

Epstein in 2018 was charged with federal sex trafficking crimes in New York  where he also had a mansion that was a scene of abuse  after the Miami Herald published a series of articles that renewed public attention on the case, including interviews with some victims who had been pursuing civil lawsuits against him. Epstein was 66 when he killed himself in a New York City jail cell in August 2019, federal officials say.

Delgado in his order wrote that the transcripts show why Epstein was the most infamous pedophile in American history."

For almost 20 years, the story of how Jeffrey Epstein victimized some of Palm Beach Countys most vulnerable has been the subject of much anger and has at times diminished the publics perception of the criminal justice system, Delgado wrote.

___

Associated Press reporters Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Stephany Matat in West Palm Beach, Florida, Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama, and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Karen Read will stand trial again on Jan. 27, 2025, after a Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial earlier this month.

Read has been accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, after a night out drinking in 2022 by intentionally backing over him with her car.

Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial on July 1 after the jury said it was unable to reach a unanimous decision. Cannone also scheduled a hearing on Aug. 9 to hear the defense's arguments to dismiss some of the charges.

Reads lawyers claimed that OKeefe was killed by someone else and that the case against Read was a cover-up by Boston police officers.

Read the details of the case: Karen Read murder trial: What to know as jury deliberates in death of Boston police officer

What is a mistrial?

A mistrial can be declared for several reasons, including if a jury cant reach a verdict or a judge finds procedural issues that prevent a defendant from obtaining a fair trial.

Judge Beverly Cannone, who is overseeing Reads trial, reiterated to the jury on June 28 that a unanimous decision was necessary for any conviction or acquittal. Before the jury told Cannone that it could not reach a consensus on a verdict, it had deliberated for almost a week.

Read was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision that caused injury and death. If convicted, Read could be sentenced to life in prison, with an additional maximum of 20 years for manslaughter and up to 10 years for leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

In response to the mistrial announcement, dozens of Reads supporters, who have been camped outside the courthouse for weeks and dressed in pink, cheered.

Supporters cheer 'Free Karen Read' in the rain outside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, as jury comes back hung and calls mistrial on Karen Read, accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston police officer.pic.twitter.com/FYKsCYvymJ  AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) July 1, 2024

Earlier Monday, the jury wrote a note to Cannone saying, The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort but deeply held convictions that each of us carry, ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. We recognize the weight of this admission and the implications it holds.

The prosecutors are now free to retry the case but only within the next year, according to Massachusetts Criminal Procedure.

What is the case against Karen Read?

Read and OKeefe were out with friends the night of Jan. 28, 2022. Read allegedly dropped OKeefe off at his friends house  another Boston police officer, Brian Albert  in Canton, Mass., for a party a little after midnight.

Early the next morning, OKeefe was pronounced dead at a hospital with his autopsy listing his cause of death as hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

The prosecution argued that the couple were in a rocky relationship and the two fought before Read dropped OKeefe off. The prosecution claimed that Read intentionally backed over OKeefe with her car before driving away, pointing to Read's cars vehicle data, its broken back taillight and hair found on the bumper as evidence to support this.

The defense argued OKeefe was beaten up by guests in Alberts house, thrown outside and positioned in a way to make it look like hed been hit by Reads car. The defense claimed Alberts house was never properly searched for evidence of a fight and O'Keefe's injuries were inconsistent with a car hitting him. The defense said Read was set up, especially in light of texts from Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor that used derogatory language to describe Read to other officers.
Judge declares mistrial in Karen Read murder case after jury says it's still undecided

The judge in the Karen Read murder trial has declared a mistrial after the jury said it was unable to reach a unanimous consensus on the fifth day of deliberations Monday.

Read was charged with killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in January 2022.

Prosecutors allege she hit O'Keefe with her car and left him to die in the middle of a snowstorm after the two got into an argument earlier in the day. Read has strenuously denied the allegations, and her lawyers alleged that a fellow police officer was involved in O'Keefe's death and colluded with others in a cover-up.

PHOTO: The murder trial for Karen Read continues in Norfolk Superior Court, June 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

She had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

After jurors told the court earlier Monday they had been unable to attain a consensus, Judge Beverly Cannone read them the Tuey-Rodriguez instructions and had them return to their deliberations. Per Tuey-Rogriguez, the judge would be forced to declare a mistrial if the jury returned once more undecided.

MORE: Karen Read denies killing Boston police officer as prosecution refutes cover-up allegations

In a note to the court Monday afternoon, the jury said it was unable to reach a unanimous consensus despite an exhaustive deliberation process.

"Despite our rigorous efforts we find ourselves at an impasse," the note, as read aloud by Cannone, said. "The deep division is not due to lack of consideration but to a severe adherence to our personal beliefs and moral compasses. To continue to deliberate would be futile."

In response, Cannone stated, "Your service is complete. I am declaring a mistrial."

A status conference has been scheduled for July 22 in the case.

PHOTO: Karen Read looks back during her murder trial at Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., June 20, 2024. (David Mcglynn/AP)

The Norfolk District Attorney's Office said it plans to retry the case.

"First, we thank the O'Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process," the district attorney's office said in a statement. "They maintained sight of the true core of this case -- to find justice for John O'Keefe."

Outside the courthouse in Dedham, Massachusetts, Read's attorneys said they will not stop fighting.

"Folks, this is what it looks like when you bring false charges against an innocent person," her attorney, Alan Jackson, told reporters. "The commonwealth did their worst. They brought the weight of the state based on spurious charges, based on compromised investigation and investigators and compromised witnesses. This is what it looks like. And guess what? They failed. They failed miserably, and they'll continue to fail."

Judge declares mistrial in Karen Read murder case after jury says it's still undecided originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Judge reconsiders retiring now that disgraced judge Scott DuPont to run for his seat

Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III in a file photograph during the penalty phase retrial of Troy Victorino and Jerome Hunter for their role in the Deltona "Xbox murders" on Tuesday, April 25, 2023., Nigel Cook/News-Journal. The penalty phase retrial ended in a mistrial.

Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III said that he had decided he was going to retire when he finished his current term at the end of 2026. He said he was planning to wait another year or longer to make the announcement. But that has changed.

Rowe said in an interview this week that he is reconsidering retirement now that former judge Scott DuPont has filed paperwork to run for his seat in 2026.

And Rowe likes his chances if he decides to stay in office.

If he decides to run against me, Ill beat him like a rented mule," Rowe said of DuPont. "Hes got so much baggage.

The baggage: The Florida Supreme Court in a unanimous vote in 2018 removed DuPont, stating in an opinion that he was presently unfit to serve on the bench. The Supreme Court cited egregious misconduct by DuPont during his campaign in 2016 as well as misconduct while in office.

After DuPont was off the bench, the Supreme Court approved a Florida Bar recommendation that DuPont be suspended for 91 days due to some of the same issues that got him booted from the bench. DuPont would have automatically been reinstated had the suspension been for 90 days or less. But that extra day meant DuPont had to apply for reinstatement.

Circuit Judge Scott DuPont

After DuPont filed to run against Circuit Judge Rose Marie Preddy earlier this year, she sued him. Preddys attorneys, Barry Richard and Daniel Nordby, argued that DuPont was not reinstated until June 30, 2020, meaning he was not a member of the Florida Bar and could not practice law for eight months.

Anyone seeking to serve as a circuit judge must have been a member of the Florida Bar for the five preeceeding years to qualify for the seat, Richard and Nordby argued. Leon County Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh agreed, ruled for Preddy and booted DuPont from the race.

DuPonts attorney, Anthony Sabatini, appealed. Then DuPont withdrew the appeal on June 24, meaning Preddy will remain a judge. Preddy was appointed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DuPont plans to run against Rowe

DuPont, though, has already filed to run against Rowe, who is the most senior judge in the 7th Circuit, which covers Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties. Rowe currently oversees a civil docket in DeLand.

Rowe said this week that DuPont must have heard he was planning to retire so he filed for his seat. Rowe said he was surprised.

I would have appreciated if he would have given me the professional courtesy of calling me, Rowe said.

Rowe said he started getting calls and text messages as soon as word spread about DuPonts ambitions for his seat.

Supporters are aleady offering to donate to Rowes reelection campaign. A respected law firm has offered to hold a campaign event for him. Fellow judges have asked him to reconsider retiring.

Its made me think, said Rowe, adding he is reconsidering retirement. So many people have expressed support for me and have asked me to run to keep him from taking my seat.

Rowe said that if he doesn't retire, then DuPont might simply switch to another race, like one of the new circuit judges who have been or will be appointed this year.

Circuit judges earn $191,163 per year and serve six year terms.

Former Circuit Judge James Clayton is shown in this file photo during a hearing in 2022. Clayton retired in April 2023.

Retired judge James Clayton supports Rowe

Former Circuit Judge James Clayton was the most senior judge in the circuit until he retired in April.

When DuPont said he was going to run against Preddy, Clayton said he called DuPont to tell him he was not qualified to run. But he said DuPont ignored him.

So if hes not smart enough to figure that out, hes not smart enough to be a judge, Clayton said.

Clayton said Rowe keeps "a low profile" but all the county and circuit judges and attorneys like him.

"Everybody loves Randy Rowe," Clayton said in a phone interivew. "And he does a great job. He's polite, he's courteous. He's respectful. He's kind. He's knowledgeable in the law."

As soon as news broke that DuPont had filed to run for Rowe's seat, Clayton said his phone started ringing.

"I've been getting call after call after call: 'What can we do to make sure Scott DuPont does not become a circuit judge?''Clayton said.

He said he told callers that they needed to talk Rowe into running again and if he didnt, they needed to find someone else to compete against DuPont.

If push comes to shove Ill run again, said Clayton, adding he was not kidding.

DuPont did not respond to attempts to contact him for this story.

Florida Supreme Court removes DuPont

The 2018 Supreme Court opinion removing DuPont from office cited his transgressions. Among those: DuPonts campaign website listed possible arrest records for his opponent's family members when in fact they had not been arrested at all. DuPonts website also suggested that his opponent had been arrested for parking in a handicapped zone, when he had neither parked in a handicapped zone or been arrested. DuPont said his opponent had been ticketed for passing a school bus while it was loading children, but that never happened. DuPont's website also wrongfully suggested that his opponent had something to hide in his past.

DuPont admitted to "carelessness" and "mistakes" but denied knowlingly giving out false information.

DuPont was also taken to task by the Supreme Court for stating that he would not declare a law unconstitutional even though as a judge it was his duty to defend the constitution.

DuPont also held first-appearance in Flagler County on Memorial Day weekend in 2016 without the presence of any attorneys, ignoring requirements of criminal procedure.

DuPont also ordered a bailiff in 2011 to search a husband during a court hearing over child support. The bailiff found $180 on the husband which was turned over to the wife. The Supreme Court opinion stated it had previously condemned such unlawful, judicially ordered seizures in open court.

The opinion cites testimony from Circuit Judge Terence Perkins, who currently presides over felony court in Flagler County. Perkins said he had refused to assign DuPont to the criminal division because he received far more complaints about DuPont than any other judge, mostly due to heavy-handedness. Perkins put DuPont in the civil division so "he wasn't putting people in jail all the time." Perkins said he had tried to address the issues with DuPont but it did not seem to change the behavior, the opinion states.

The opinion did cite support for DuPont from Carlos Mendoza, a former judge in the 7th Circuit who was appointed to the federal bench in Orlando. Mendoza said he never saw evidence of heavy-handedness from DuPont but he was disappointed by the search in open court and negative information on the campaign website. Mendoza urged sanctions short of removal saying DuPont has "a good heart."

Retired Circuit Judge John Alexander, who was described as DuPont's mentor, said described DuPont as "efficient, dedicated...diligent," according to the 2018 opinion. Alexander had said that DuPont was fit to serve but said his conduct was "befuddling."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Judge Randell Rowe rethinks retirement after Scott DuPont files to run
A demonstrator holds up paper in the shape of a heart that says Love thy neighbor. Protestors on April 2, 2024, dropped 48,000 handmade hearts  meant to represent LGBTQ Idahoans, in protest of anti-LGBTQ legislation  into the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building.

A demonstrator holds up a paper heart that says Love thy neighbor at a protest of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Idaho. Protestors on April 2, 2024, dropped 48,000 handmade hearts  meant to represent LGBTQ+ Idahoans  into the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

For seven transgender and nonbinary Idahoans on Medicaid, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a new law that bans public funds for their gender-affirming care.

On Saturday, federal judge Raymond E. Patricco, chief magistrate judge in the District of Idaho, issued a temporary restraining order that began Monday, blocking the new law only for the seven patients, who are plaintiffs in a lawsuit.

It appears clear that certain Plaintiffs are receiving gender-affirming care, that is currently being covered by Medicaid, but that will end on July 1, 2024 with (House Bill) 668, Judge Patricco wrote.

The new law took effect Monday, banning Idaho Medicaid and public funds from covering gender-affirming medication and surgeries. Its not clear if Idahos government employee health insurance plan is blocked from covering gender-affirming care under the law.

The bill creating the new law  House Bill 668  was approved by all but one Idaho Republican state legislators this spring before Gov. Brad Little signed it into law.

Bill sponsors argued the bill ensures that taxpayer dollars are not inappropriately used. Opponents testified that major medical groups say gender-affirming care is medically necessary and safe, and that the bill could lead to a lawsuit against the state for discriminating against transgender Idahoans.

The temporary restraining order expires July 15. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Idahos law banning gender-affirming care for minors to take effect, but blocked it for plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the law.

Patricco ordered briefings within the next week from Idaho and the suing patients on the temporary restraining order.

A hearing for a longer preliminary injunction would be set after, according to the judges order.

A temporary restraining order is appropriate to preserve the status quo pending a more complete review of the circulating issues, Judge Patricco wrote.

Attorneys in the ongoing lawsuit by transgender and nonbinary Idahoans on Medicaid allege Idaho Medicaid has an unwritten policy of denying or delaying gender-affirming care coverage, and seeks to block House Bill 668.

The Plaintiffs already have had their gender-affirming care stopped so the Order was a relief for them, but it is only temporary and does not prevent others who are not named in the case from being harmed while the case continues and the Court makes a ruling, Idaho Legal Aid Services Associate Director Howard Belodoff, who represents the suing patients, told the Sun in a Sunday email.

Belodoff told the Sun last week that he sees the new law as formalizing that alleged unwritten policy and Gov. Brad Littles previous request for a policy.

HB 668 effectively memorializes and implements the previously-unwritten Medicaid Exclusion Policy by prohibiting the use of public funds [including Medicaid payments] for any gender-affirming care to treat gender dysphoria, Judge Patricco wrote in his order.

In an interview last week, before the judges limited block, bill co-sponsor Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, told the Sun the bill was reviewed by attorneys who specialize in constitutional law and other areas.

I remain confident the final judicial opinions will uphold the Idaho statute after all arguments have been weighed, Skaug texted the Sun on Sunday.

The bill, Skaug told the Sun in an interview last week, passed by wide margins because we do not want our tax dollars being used for this controversial procedure. Thats the purpose. And I think that purpose is going to have the desired effect immediately.

Belodoff said he cannot truly express how the clients feel.

It is no different than other minorities who have a history of being subjected to state sponsored and sanctioned discrimination, he told the Sun.

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Its unclear how many Idahoans on Medicaid receive gender-affirming care

It isnt clear how many Idaho Medicaid patients receive gender-affirming care.

Health and Welfare spokesperson AJ McWhorter last week declined to answer questions about Medicaids gender-affirming care coverage and costs, citing litigation. In January, McWhorter told the Sun the agency hasnt covered any surgeries for gender dysphoria for adults or youth.

Belodoff told the Sun in an email last week that he has no way of knowing how many Idahoans on Medicaid have received or been denied gender-affirming care.

Belodoff represents the seven unnamed Idahoans suing the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and state health officials, alleging Idaho Medicaid delayed or denied their requests for coverage. In June, the lawsuit  filed in 2022  expanded from two Medicaid patients to include five additional patients and to add House Bill 668 to its legal claims.

The initial exclusion policy was unwritten as far as we know of not authorizing some surgeries, Belodoff told the Sun in a Sunday email. The policy was not published in a Rule or a statute until HB 668 became law in late March 2024. Until July 1st transgender persons were able to obtain other gender affirming care that was medically necessary to treat gender dysphoria. 

The lawsuit filings included a declaration by Dr. Misa Perron-Burdick, an Idaho OB-GYN. In 2023, she wrote she met a transmasculine patient  not named in the filing  who wanted a hysterectomy for heavy and painful bleeding during menstruation, called dysmenorrhea.

In my expert opinion, hysterectomy is an appropriate and medically necessary treatment for painful periods in this patient who had tried medication treatment for dysmenorrhea, Dr. Perron-Burdick wrote.

But, she wrote, Medicaid denied the request for not meeting  criteria for medical necessity, and a reviewer stated that while the patient had some bleeding, the majority of the notes indicated that this was a planned elective surgery for gender reassignment.

Medicaid, over the last year, has authorized hysterectomies for 3 cisgendered patients for the diagnosis of painful periods, Dr. Perron-Burdick wrote. Although this transgender patient has the exact same complaint and indication for hysterectomy as my cisgender patients, Medicaid has denied him necessary medical care.

According to the law, public funds cannot cover hormone therapy, puberty blockers or surgical procedures for the purpose to affirm the individuals perception of their sex.

Public funds can cover those medications and procedures outside of that purpose, including:

When a surgical operation or medical intervention is necessary to the health of the person on whom it is performed.

To treat infections, injuries, diseases or disorders caused or exacerbated by  gender transition procedures.

And when performed in accordance with the good faith medical decision of a parent or guardian of a child or an adult born with a medically verifiable genetic disorder of sex development.

State property, facilities or buildings cant be used to provide the surgical operations or medical interventions, the law states.

Doctors or health care professionals employed by state, county or local governments cant provide those services in the course and scope of (public) employment, the law states.

Public employees or officers who intentionally violate the bill could face misuse of public funds charges.

Health West, an-Idaho based federally qualified health center, will stop providing gender-affirming care in response to various legal and political events  governing gender affirming or transgender care in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, according to an internal email published in lawsuit filings.

Its not clear how other Idaho federally qualified health centers are affected by the new law.

A study recently found gender non-conforming people were at higher risk for being in a lower socio-economic status. Around 300,000 Idahoans are on Medicaid, which largely covers low-income and disabled people.

About 7,000 Idaho adults and 1,000 Idahoans age 13 and up are transgender, according to estimates from the University of California-Los Angeles.

House Bill 668s impact on Idaho government employee health insurance unclear

Idahos state employee health insurance plan, which switches to Regence this year, also appears to be affected by the ban. But spokespeople for Regence and the Idaho Office of Group Insurance didnt directly answer the Suns questions about if the law prevents the state insurance plan from covering gender-affirming care.

The Idaho Department and Administration and Office of Group Insurance has communicated to Regence that no public funds can be used to cover gender affirming care under the state plan, consistent with House Bill 668, agency spokesperson Kim Rau told the Sun in an email on June 26.

Regence is committed to complying with all applicable state and federal laws, while remaining sensitive to the individual health and well-being concerns of our members, spokesperson Lou Riepl told the Sun in an email on June 26.

Skaug told the Sun last week we did not take a position on how the bill would apply to Idahos state insurance plan.

In some other states, or in similar situations, sometimes the insurance company will require the state employee to pay an additional premium for something thats been prohibited, Skaug said.

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(PUEBLO, Colo.)  On this day in 1879, Pueblo Police officer Alvin Phippenney was shot and killed in the line of dutyand his story is like something out of an old Western.

On the morning of June 30, 1879, Officer Phippenney entered John Schwers Arkansas Hall Saloon on Santa Fe Avenue just after noon. A rancher named John Baxter, and another man, James Moore, were armed and had been drinking. They were causing a disturbance and Officer Phippenney was asked to quiet them down.

Courtesy: Pueblo Police Department

The rancher, Baxter, refused to give up his weapon to Officer Phippenney and the two got into a physical altercation. Shots rang out in the saloon and the officer was hit. A gunshot to the back proved fatal, but not before he named his killers.

A jury listened to a dozen witnesses and found that Officer Phippenney was killed by a pistol shot that came either from Moore or Baxter. Incredibly, both suspects escaped. Baxter escaped the sheriff who was guarding him, and Moores escape was assisted by a rancher on the day of the shooting. Neither of them was ever found or brought to justice.

Officer Alvin Phippenney was only 32 years old, a widower with 5 children. He was scheduled to be remarried on the very evening of his death. Historian Keith Dameron records that the funeral was held on Tuesday, July 1 at 4 p.m. and the Pueblo Police Chief reported it to be one of the largest ever seen in the city  there being some 30 vehicles in the procession all well filled.

The Pueblo Police Department posted Phippenneys story on their X account on Sunday, June 30 to honor his memory and sacrifice 145 years later.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mistrial declared for Karen Read, accused of killing her police officer boyfriend  and an investigator is relieved of duty

A judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Karen Read, the Massachusetts woman accused of drunkenly driving into her police officer boyfriend and leaving him to die in January 2022, in a case featuring accusations of a vast police cover-up and investigative misconduct.

And the state trooper who helped lead the investigation  a man who admitted on the stand that hed sent sexist and offensive text messages about the defendant to friends  was relieved of duty Monday after the mistrial was declared, the Massachusetts State Police said.

The mistrial was declared after the jury twice told the judge Monday that it could not reach a verdict after spending days deliberating Reads fate. Jurors also said Friday they could not reach a unanimous decision.

Read, 45, pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, as well as leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in connection to the 2022 death of John OKeefe, who was her boyfriend and a Boston police officer.

We thank the OKeefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process, said Morrisey after the mistrial was announced. They maintained sight of the true core of this case  to find justice for John OKeefe.

The commonwealth intends to retry the case with a new jury following the mistrial, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Read could face life in prison if convicted, according to Massachusetts law.

Reads attorney Alan Jackson, meanwhile, said prosecutors in the case had failed miserably and theyll continue to fail, according to video outside the courthouse provided by CNN affiliate WCVB.

No matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting, Jackson said. Folks, this is what it looks like when you bring false charges against an innocent person.

The Massachusetts judge overseeing the trial gave jurors a so-called dynamite charge Monday morning, directing them to continue their deliberations after they indicated for a second time Monday they could not reach a unanimous verdict. The Tuey-Rodriguez charge instructs jurors to reconsider their positions while taking into consideration the opinions of panelists with whom they do not agree.

Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone read the charge around 11 a.m. after jurors sent a note saying, Despite our commitment to the duty entrusted to us, we find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and state of mind.

Jurors had resumed deliberations Monday morning at the judges direction, after first saying on Friday they could not reach a unanimous decision. Cannone on Friday asked the jury to continue to deliberate, but decided against reading the Tuey-Rodriguez charge, which case law cautions against providing prematurely.

The jury of six men and six women had been considering a verdict since midday June 25, weighing the evidence in a case featuring accusations of a vast police cover-up as well as improper conduct and sexist text messages from a lead investigator.

On both Friday and Monday, Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally argued against the judge issuing the Tuey charge, saying the jury had not yet deliberated enough, citing in part the complexity of the case and the high volume of evidence and witness testimony. Defense attorney David Yannetti, meanwhile, urged the judge to issue the charge, saying Monday jurors had now twice indicated they are hopelessly deadlocked.

On Monday, Cannone sided with the defense, telling the court shed determined the jury had conducted the requisite due and thorough deliberation.

Ive never seen a note like this, with reporting to be at an impasse, the judge said.

If prosecutors seek another trial, they could take a different approach, perhaps bringing a lesser charge than second-degree murder if prosecutors determine their evidence failed to meet the standard required or using different experts or different testimony, trial attorney Misty Marris said.

Its a chance to identify what the mistakes or holes in the case might have been, Marris said. And it does give the defense that advantage, because they know now, especially when youre able to speak to the jurors after the fact, you learn a lot. You learn a lot about what motivated them.

How the trial went

The heart of the trial stemmed from what happened on one wintry evening in Canton, Massachusetts, more than two years ago.

On the night of January 28, 2022, Read and OKeefe went out drinking at two bars with friends. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Reads SUV and drove to the Canton home of one of OKeefes fellow Boston police officers for an after-party, court documents show.

In the morning, OKeefes body was found bruised and battered in the snow outside the home, authorities said. Prosecutors have alleged Read and OKeefe, who had an at-times tumultuous relationship, got into an argument that night, and that she drunkenly backed into him with a vehicle and fled the scene, leaving him to die in the cold.

What the constellation of the facts and the evidence ineluctably demonstrate here is that the defendant drove her vehicle in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 feet, struck Mr. OKeefe, causing those catastrophic head injuries, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to death, prosecutor Lally said in closing arguments Tuesday.

In contrast, Reads defense has accused off-duty police inside the Canton home of fatally beating OKeefe, dumping his body on the lawn and then conspiring through fabricated evidence and false testimony to frame Read.

Ladies and gentlemen, there was a cover-up in this case, plain and simple, defense attorney Jackson said. Youll surely say to yourself, I dont want to believe it, I dont want to believe that could happen in our community, but sadly over these past eight weeks youve seen it right before your eyes.

Karen Read is seen Monday as jurors start their fifth day of deliberations in her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. - Pat Greenhouse/Pool/The Boston Globe/AP

The closing arguments represented the end of a murder trial that has garnered interest both local and widespread, including accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and groups of pink-wearing supporters chanting to Free Karen Read.

Lead investigator is relieved of duty after mistrial

The prosecutions case has also been hampered by a series of missteps and unusual investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator in the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted he sent a series of sexist and offensive texts about Read in a private group chat, calling her a whack job, mocking her medical issues and commenting to coworkers he had found no nudes while searching her phone for evidence, WCVB reported.

Proctor was relieved of duty Monday after the state police learned of the mistrial, state police Col. John Mawn said in an online post Monday evening.

This follows our previous decision to open an internal affairs investigation after information about serious misconduct emerged in testimony at the trial. This investigation is ongoing, Mawns post reads.

CNN has sought comment from the State Police Association of Massachusetts.

Proctor apologized for the unprofessional comments on the stand, but the vulgar texts were sharply criticized in and out of court, including from the governor.

Its completely unprofessional, Gov. Maura Healey told WCVB of the texts. It does harm, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of men and women across the state police and law enforcement. So as a former attorney general and as governor, I am disgusted by that.

CNNs Artemis Moshtaghian, Jennifer Henderson and Zoe Sottile contributed to this report.

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'We just wish he would come home': Couple offers $100 reward for missing pet prairie dog

Gus enjoys going on walks in his harness. Morrison is asking anyone who sees her missing prairie dog to send her a photo. She is offering a $100 reward for his return.

A Liberty Township resident is asking neighbors to help find her lost pet, but it's not a dog or cat. It's a 2-year-old prairie dog named Gus.

Gus has been missing since June 20, his owner Keli Morrison told The Enquirer. Morrison said he likely escaped her home, near the Hamilton-Mason Road and Liberty-Fairfield Road roundabout, when she was taking out the trash.

Morrison raises and rehabilitates wildlife, like squirrels and rabbits, at her home through Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue, a wildlife rescue-and-release group serving southwest Ohio.

A landlord in Blue Ash called Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue about an abandoned pet prairie dog in May 2023, Morrison said. A family had vacated the home, leaving behind their belongings and Gus.

Morrison said Gus had been left in a dog cage with an avocado, apple and spinach  all foods prairie dogs don't eat. His cage also didn't have proper absorbent material, so he was covered in urine.

Morrison and her husband, Jeff, agreed to take in Gus. They bought him a proper cage and wheel to run on, took him on walks using a harness and fed him hay, pellets and sweet potato.

Gus was discovered in a dog crate inside an abandoned Blue Ash home, his owner Keli Morrison said.

At first, the couple wasn't sure they would be able to take care of him. But he quickly became a member of the family.

"We just kept falling in love with him," Morrison said.

Social media users unite to help find Gus

Morrison turned to social media when she realized Gus was lost. A Facebook post about the missing prairie dog and $100 reward got over 300 shares. Morrison also shared the news on Gus' dedicated TikTok account, which has over 1,200 followers.

Morrison also passed out flyers, put Gus' food and cage outside to lure him home and even contacted an animal psychic, who said he was still alive.

Gus' supporters donated money so Morrison could hire Reaves Recovery and Rescue, a Cincinnati-based company that finds missing pets using thermal drone technology. The company searched for Gus, a service that cost $350, on June 22, but did not find him.

'We just wish he would come home'

Morrison isn't giving up hope.

"I just need the neighbors to help keep an eye out and keep reporting if they have a sighting," she said.

Prairie dogs live in the western United States, but are not native to Ohio. The creatures weigh 2 to 3 pounds, roughly the same size as a rabbit, and are much smaller than 10- to-15-pound groundhogs.

Gus is neutered, so he will not pose a threat to native animals, Morrison said.

In the wild, prairie dogs don't wander far from their underground tunnel homes.

"If he is alive, I don't think he's very far," Morrison said. "He may just be living under a shed or some other structure."

Morrison is asking anyone who sees Gus to email a photo to kelimorrison111@gmail.com or reach out to her on Facebook.

"We just wish he would come home," she said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio couple offers reward for missing pet prairie dog
Federal prosecutors began signaling Monday that they may attempt to salvage dozens of felony cases theyve leveled against Jan. 6 defendants, even after a Supreme Court ruling seemed poised to upend them.

Its a sign the Justice Department does not view last weeks ruling from the high court as a blanket rejection of their efforts to apply a 20-year-old obstruction law  a vestige of the Enron financial crisis  against hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol in 2021 in Donald Trumps name.

The Supreme Court ruled in Fischer v. United States on Friday that the obstruction statute in question was meant to punish the destruction, manipulation or concealment of physical documents in an investigation. Trump and his allies celebrated the ruling as an indication that many of the 350-plus obstruction cases against Jan. 6 defendants could be invalidated, since they werent related to the impairment of physical documents.



But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who joined the courts majority, separately emphasized that prosecutors might still be able to sustain cases against the Jan. 6 defendants because of their role in blocking Congress from accessing the Electoral College ballots to certify Joe Bidens victory. The Justice Department seems to be weighing her suggestion.

The Court did not reject the application of [the obstruct law] to January 6, federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing Monday in the case of Donovan Crowl, a member of the Oath Keepers who is awaiting sentencing for a Jan. 6 obstruction charge. Rather, the Court explained that the government must establish that the defendant impaired the availability or integrity for use in an official proceeding of records  or attempted to do so.

The prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta for 30 to 60 days to evaluate the impact of the Courts decision in Fischer on the defendants case.

In a second Jan. 6 obstruction case, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb granted prosecutors request for an indefinite delay to consider the impact of the Fischer ruling as well. And in a third, prosecutors urged U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell to wait for further clarification of the obstruction charge before resuming the case.

Jackson, Bidens lone appointee on the Supreme Court, emphasized that the Jan. 6, 2021, meeting of Congress  when lawmakers were tasked with certifying the vote of the 2020 presidential election  relied on physical records that may have been impaired by Joseph Fischers conduct when he joined the mob that day.

If so, then Fischers prosecution [for obstruction] can, and should, proceed, Jackson wrote. That issue remains available for the lower courts to determine.
Kamala Harris, the US vice president, is concerned she is being passed over as a possible replacement for Joe Biden - Rod Lamkey/CNP/Bloomberg

Kamala Harriss team is concerned that Democrats will install a white candidate ahead of her to replace Joe Biden, arguing that it would be offensive to black voters to overlook her should the president stand aside.

Mr Biden is facing calls to step back from the race over concerns about his age, after a disastrous television debate performance against Donald Trump on Thursday.

The Biden campaign, which is a joint ticket between the US president and Ms Harris, has dismissed calls for him to step aside for a younger candidate.

However, allies of Ms Harris are frustrated that she has largely been excluded from the list of possible replacements, arguing that it would be offensive to overlook a black woman for the job.

Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic governors of California and Michigan, have so far been at the centre of speculation about a replacement nominee.

The fact that people keep coming back to this is so offensive to so many of us, an ally of Ms Harris told Politico.

They still dont get that the message youre saying to people, to this Democratic Party, is, we prefer a white person.

Another source added: If they think they are going to get through South Carolina bashing an effective and qualified black woman vice president  their instincts are as bad as I thought they were.

Ms Harriss team has pointed out that her race may allow her to appeal to black voters  a core demographic for the Democrats that has begun to shift away from Mr Biden in recent months.

Data from the Pew Research centre shows 77 per cent of black voters say they are leaning towards voting for Mr Biden in November, down from 93 per cent that supported him in 2020.

The clamour within the Democratic party for Joe Biden to step down is growing - Amanda L. Gordon/Bloomberg

Although Mr Biden still has a significant lead in that demographic, a shift towards Trump could be enough to win him some swing states.

However, Ms Harriss opponents within the Democratic Party point out that she polls far worse than Mr Biden among voters in general.

An average of polls suggests Trump would lead Ms Harris by six percentage points in a head-to-head race. The current polls have Trump and Mr Biden neck-and-neck.

In the aftermath of Thursdays debate, no Democratic politicians have yet called for Mr Biden to resign the nomination, which he secured essentially unopposed in a primary race earlier this year.

But there are concerns from party strategists that the 81-year-olds mental decline could stop him from beating Trump. Some have called for a contested convention in Chicago in August, which would allow the party to choose a new nominee.

Mr Newsom and Ms Whitmer have both expressed public support for the Biden-Harris ticket, and have rejected claims they hope to step in.

Ms Whitmer spoke with senior officials in the Biden campaign on Friday to assure them she was not behind media reports touting her as a possible replacement, according to Politico.

Speaking to MSNBC after the debate, Mr Newsom dismissed calls for a replacement and urged the party to unite around Mr Biden.

I think its unhelpful, and I think its unnecessary, he said.

With all due respect, the more times we start having these conversations, going down these rabbit holes, its unhelpful to our democracy, the fate and future of this country, the world.

They need us right now to step up and thats exactly what I intend to do.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced several major state infrastructure projects Monday morning which are receiving nearly $45.3 million in federal funds.

The U.S. Department of Transportations (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program is responsible for the injection of funding into the Sunflower State. These grants go towards supporting railway, road, transit and port projects across the nation.

I am pleased that Kansas communities have captured federal dollars to advance these important projects to benefit their residents and strengthen their communities, Kelly said. Capitalizing on these federal grant opportunities improves the safety of our roads, trails, and bridges.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is being awarded $1.6 million to help the agency develop transportation design options for infrastructure replacement along a 5.5-mile segment of I-135. The study comprises of 53 bridges, two interchanges and four pedestrian bridges. This area connects to I-35 and the I-235 bypass which carries more than 87,00 vehicles each day.

The RAISE grant is a way for communities, large and small, to address transportation infrastructure by leveraging local investment to capture federal dollars, Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed said. RAISE also provides the opportunity for KDOT to advance planning activities, as is the case with the Canal Route Modernization Study, that will position future investment in critical Kansas infrastructure. Congratulations to the awarded communities.

What new laws go into effect in Kansas on July 1, 2024?

Three projects in Kansas are destined to receive funding from RAISE grants. These include the following:

Countywide Trails Planning and Design Coffey County $2,645,000 Project will help the county in planning and designing around 47 miles of a multi-use trail system within six communities. This trail will give people a safe transportation option for non-motorized and vulnerable users which can give environmental sustainability and economic benefits through increased tourism.

Road Repair and Rehabilitation Project Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation $16,021,301 Aims to improve 14 miles of roads within the boundaries of the Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation and build 2.5 miles of walking trails. Road improvements will focus on pavement, drainage, adding shoulders and signage.

Pathways for Progress City of Topeka $25,000,000 Assist the City of Topeka in building around 50 miles of new or improved sidewalks in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project will improve pedestrian access to daily destinations and local bus routes and improve deficiencies in the pedestrian network.



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Michael Ogle, a Topeka veteran of the Kansas Army National Guard, is a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination for the 2nd District congressional seat to be vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican from Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Michael Ogle, a Topeka veteran of the Kansas Army National Guard, is a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination for the 2nd District congressional seat to be vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican from Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Kansas congressional candidate Michael Ogle said his personal political quest was to convince voters that exceptional qualities of American values, history and politics were cornerstones of a prosperous national future.

Ogle, a Topekan who works to help military veterans secure federal benefits, said he was seeking the Republican Partys nomination in the 2nd District of Kansas because I think that American exceptionalism needs to be pursued in the context of economic expansion, especially energy independence, and by avoiding unwarranted military entanglements, including defending Ukraine against Russia.

In terms of public policy, Ogle said was would advocate for expanded domestic oil production to help the country break free from reliance on energy resources from abroad.

Drill here, drill now is the solution to our dependence on foreign energy, he said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. Our economy should be secured on the production of American energy, and this will end our need and desire to enter costly foreign entanglements. As far as foreign policy goes, American energy independence is very important for peace and prosperity.

He said former President Donald Trump had channeled this idea by pushing an agenda tied to MAGA, or Make America Great Again.

Its a wonderful slogan, Ogle said. But the thing about it is, the citizen has to make America great again. I can get there by providing opportunity through American energy independence and bringing our tax dollars home. We need jobs. We need opportunity. We need American exceptionalism. We need an economy that can run on American energy.

Ogle, who is in a five-person primary to be decided Aug. 6, said he wasnt concerned with Trumps reluctance to avoid exaggerations, distortions and lies.

As far as President Trump goes, hes a real estate developer that became a reality TV star. Youre not gonna get Ronald Reagan, the actor, the great communicator. Youre gonna get reality TV, he said.

Ogle is running against former Trump administration appointee Jeff Kahrs, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, feedlot owner Shawn Tiffany and Lawrence resident Chad Young. These Republicans are competing for the partys nomination to fill the void of U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurners decision not to seek reelection in 2024. The winner of the GOP primary would take on either former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City or Matt Kleinmann of Kansas City, Kansas.

Military policy

Ogle, a retired infantry officer with the Kansas Army National Guard, works for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kansas as an advocate for veterans applying for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He said Congress should expand the PACT Act, which provided medical care to veterans harmed by toxic chemicals such as agent orange or exposed to burn pits in combat zones.

For veterans that were exposed to high levels of toxins for long periods of time during service we should recognize all cancer and disease affecting human body systems, said Ogle, who retired as a major. We should look at the prolonged effect of ergonomic injury and expand mental health care resources.

He said the United States must develop a more secure southern border with Mexico to inhibit human trafficking. U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps special forces should be deployed to destroy cartels engaging in smuggling people across the border into the United States.

The United States had no business devoting billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid to defend Ukraine from invasion by Russia, Ogle said. He said observation of Russias military capabilities indicated it didnt have the tactical or logistical capabilities to engage in a sustained battle with the United States. He predicted the expansionist urge in Russia would stop at Ukraine.

I am not for the war in Ukraine, Ogle said. It is expensive and American tax dollars should go to solve American problems. Europe can defend Ukraine if they want.

He argued withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan contributed to subsequent decisions to arm Ukrainians and keep funding their military industrial complex allies.

He also was frustrated China had taken over mining lithium used in making batteries for vehicles.

We just finished a 20-year war in Afghanistan, he said. China is buying swaths of land the size of Nebraska in Africa to mine lithium. Mining for lithium is not a green process. American energy independence is the path to opportunity, prosperity and peace.

The nuclear capabilities of the United States should serve as sufficient deterrence to forces aligned against Israel, he said.

Term limits, gun control

Ogle said students should open their day at school by reciting a U.S. constitutional amendment in conjunction with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The history of America is the long struggle for liberty, he said. We must engage in this struggle daily if the blessings of liberty are to be secured for us and our posterity.

He said term limits should be applied to Congress to put an end to long political careers that led to wasteful government spending and corruption. It was foolish Congress had an approval rating in the teens, he said, but voters were unable to throw out incumbent members of the House and Senate.

The United States shouldnt restrict the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, but Congress or the states ought to take action against militia organizations, Ogle said.

Abortion shouldnt be allowed after the point a fetus was considered viable outside the womb, he said. He was wary of all-out bans because that would foster development of black markets and likely introduce more violence into the task of securing abortion services.

Domestic violence

In 2019, Ogle was subdued by Topeka police officers amid a domestic dispute at his home with children inside the residence. His marriage was ending and that legal situation was complicated by his personal struggle post-traumatic stress disorder, he said. On the day the SWAT team was called in, he said he was intoxicated and his now-former wife had been doing illegal drugs.

Ogle eventually entered a guilty plea to aggravated domestic battery. He said he served one year of probation, but the episode had become a campaign issue.

Coming back from deployment, I had some issues with PTSD, said Ogle, who indicated he was prescribed medications that made him hostile. I couldnt find the right medications.

He said people who engaged in misconduct should be given a second chance if making a sincere effort to change their life for the better. He said the arrest wasnt, in his case, relevant to a campaign for the U.S. House.

Stuff happens in peoples lives. Its not always the best, he said. Some of this trauma, some of these things that have happened to me, have really given me a lot of wisdom, insight, empathy.

The post Kansas GOP candidate in 2nd District fighting for enrichment of American exceptionalism appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas Woman Who Had Arms and Legs Amputated After Giving Birth Is Celebrated After Returning Home

The new mother had been in the hospital since February 17 after experiencing complications following the birth of her son via an emergency cesarean section

Brie Morgan Bauer/Instagram

A Kansas mother who lost all four of her limbs due to complications after giving birth in February was celebrated after finally being released from the hospital four months later.

Brie Morgan Bauer, 35, was welcomed back to her Kansas City home to much fanfare on Wednesday, June 26, with several of her family, friends and neighbors throwing a parade to celebrate her resilience.

Bauer had been 27 weeks pregnant with her third child when she began feeling flu-like symptoms. After going to get checked out at urgent care, the doctor determined that Bauer was in labor and an emergency C-section was needed in order to save the baby, "who was in distress with every contraction," according to a GoFundMe page for the family.

Brie Morgan Bauer/Instagram Brie Morgan Bauer uses her prosthetics.

Son Beau was born on February 17, however, after losing "a lot of blood in the operating room," Bauer's health continued to decline and she began to suffer from organ failure and was eventually placed in a medically induced coma.

"They [doctors] advised the family that she was unlikely to make it through the night," per the GoFundMe.

Related: Mom Put into Coma Minutes After Giving Birth Due to Rare Complication: I Remember Telling the Staff, Im Dying

But Bauer pulled through and less than 24 hours later doctors discovered that she had Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome brought on by Strep Group A bacteria and a condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation  which is a rare condition that causes abnormal blood clotting throughout the body, according to the National Institutes of Health.

As a result, Bauer had to undergo numerous surgeries to save her life, including an emergency hysterectomy and a surgery to place an ostomy, or an artificial opening in an organ of the body, because parts of her colon had died. She also had surgery to repair her abdomen and remove dead (necrotic) tissue caused by the sepsis, per the GoFundMe.

Brie Morgan Bauer/Instagram Brie Morgan Bauer.

The blood pressure medications keeping her alive then began to impact her limbs due to lack of blood flow and it was ultimately decided that amputations needed to be made to save her limbs. She was amputated below the elbow on both arms and her right leg was amputated at hip-level, while her left leg was amputated just above the knee, according to the GoFundMe.

Bauer revealed on Instagram on Tuesday, June 25, that she finally graduated from in-patient rehab, alongside a video of the mother of three exiting the hospital in a wheelchair after learning all sorts of tricks for navigating everyday activities. Several staff members at the University of Kansas Health System could be seen cheering her on as she made her way to the exit.

However, the celebrations for Bauer didnt end there as her family, friends and neighbors also got together to celebrate her homecoming by decorating her home with orange streamers and wearing shirts with the same color  which represents limb loss awareness, according to local media outlet KCTV.

KCTV5 News/YouTube Brie Morgan Bauer's family, friends, and neighbors gather to greet her as she returns home.

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We pulled together resources and ideas to show her how excited we are for her to be back, Bauers neighbor Julia Walker told KCTV. ... People are getting their face painted, balloons and stuff. Just so this can be a really joyous, fun, celebratory event for her.

Several people also made banners with inspirational and encouraging words for the mother.

We wrote Brie inspires us because she literally inspires us every day, Alex Hicks, one of Bauers cousins told KCTV. For her to have the strength that shes had to overcome all of the odds, its just amazing.



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As the war rages on in Ukraine, America must not forget its century-long position as the primary guardian of democracy.

Now more than ever, as the summer months permit Russian advancement, we must stand with the Ukrainian government in stopping Russian expansionism. For even beyond the 38 million Ukrainians at risk of living under Russian occupation, a Russian victory would have wide implications affecting the futures of those free people in Eastern Europe, Taiwan and many other parts of the world.

Although the recent federal military-aid package to Ukraine marks a massive victory in assisting our foreign partners, local organizations and humanitarian groups represent the backbone of American support for Ukraine.

This letter urges readers to get in touch with the local Ukrainian groups of Corvallis and Oregon in an effort to better connect our community with the struggle for the survival of the Ukrainian nation.

It is a further hope that those Oregonians who believe in a free Ukraine write their local representatives, reminding them how American assistance has been essential in saving millions of Ukrainian lives from indiscriminate Russian violence.

While the fight for Ukraine is still far from over, this letter intends to remind Corvallis residents of the severity of the current situation and urge them to take action in any way possible.

Sam Haendel

Brownsville
Kanye West and Milo Yiannopoulos are being accused of engaging in forced labor and cruel inhuman, or degrading treatment toward the team brought on to create the app that the rapper-mogul hoped would compete with Tidal and other streaming players, according to a lawsuit filed this weekend in Los Angeles.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California states that West and Yeezy LLC, Wests company, hired developers who had created the YZYVSN streaming service app. For the release of his Vultures project with Ty Dolla $ign, the controversial pop culture player and Yeezy intended to promote the project on the new platform, which fans had made to work with the artist. According to the lawsuit, West intended the app to help him avoid paying promotional fees to Tidal, Apple Music and other streamers.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

In March, eight developers began working for Yeezy on the YZYVSN project, but according to the suit, instead of working with their music hero on a dream project, they found themselves subject to racist and degrading language by West and Yiannopoulos, his chief of staff and the controversial former Breitbart News editor. Wests wife, Bianca Censori, while working on the Yeezy Porn project, allegedly sent a file-sharing link to pornography to a group of individuals that included a 14-year-old who was working on the project.

No guardrails were put in place to prevent the underage YZYVSN workers from working on Yeezy Porn, or to prevent them from being exposed to and being forced to view pornography to perform their work, the lawsuit states.

Yiannopoulos eventually left Yeezy due to clashes over the Yeezy Porn adult film company concept.

The suit states the remote international team of Yeezy staffers, who met on platforms like Discord, Zoom and Slack, was regularly and viciously bullied over simple personal aspects, including, ages, races, genders, sexual orientation, and national origins/ethnicities.

Some team members were called slaves while another group chat referred to team members as new slaves, the complaint says. In early April, the team was promised $120,000 in pay if they completed the app, as Yeezy would acquire it. But soon they were being forced to sign nondisclosure agreements  and threatened with termination of employment and no pay if they refused to sign, the suit states.

The employees who were minors and therefore subject to an entirely different set of more stringent laws and protections were required to sign on as volunteers at the company and would therefore not be paid.

While working, team members claim they were frequently subjected to racist language by the white management at Yeezy. Yiannopoulos at one point allegedly sent a brown-skinned-styled emoji to a Black Yeezy staffer; one younger team member was referred to as a school shooter; Slack chatrooms named Slaves and New Slaves (the latter of which is the title of a popular track on the 2013 West album Yeezus) remained until a Black team member, Shemar DaCosta, made a request they be altered.

In the lawsuit, the former Yeezy staffers seek payment for unpaid wages that were promised and attorney fees, as well as damages for emotional distress. The complaint alleges they were subject to forced labor, as well as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under the Alien Tort statute. They also allege failure to pay wages and overtime, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and several causes of action under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Yeezys PR team sent a statement from Yiannopolis to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday night that it says addresses the lawsuit from his alleged app developers. Yiannopolis states that he has been permitted to speak on behalf of Censori and says that he must stress that any allegation that she showed or caused to be shown any pornographic material to minors is offensive, disgusting, abhorrent and categorically and wholly false.

In the statement, Yiannopolis characterizes DaCosta as the Yeezy staffer behind this egregious and repulsive pack of lies, then goes on to lob insults and claim that DaCosta misrepresented himself to get a position at the company. At one point in the public statement, which may have been drawn heavily from the former chief of staffs own posts on X.com on the matter, Yiannopolis seems to be writing directly to DaCosta to inform him that he will never have an opportunity to work at Yeezy, the company DaCosta is currently suing and where Yiannopolis is no longer employed. The statement is perplexing at times, as DaCosta is referred to as a Yeezy staffer but then admonished in the next paragraph for having claimed to have a top role as an employee there, as Yiannopolis writes, He claimed to be a lead developer for Yeezy. He has never worked at Yeezy.

Theres a simple reason DaCostas clownish claim  that minors were shown Yeezy Porn  isnt true and cant be true. Yeezy Porn doesnt exist, he wrote in the statement. I made sure of that by falling on my sword and quitting over it. All Ive done since is try to get these app developers paid, as voluminous correspondence demonstrates.

Wests attorney Brian Brumfield has not responded to a comment request from The Hollywood Reporter made on Monday, and the artist has not publicly commented on the suit. On Sunday, before issuing his statement, Yiannopoulos tweeted about the complaint, dismissing it as the retaliation of a disgruntled employee.

A joke lawsuit just dropped led by a disgruntled, comically inept Black developer I call Hotep Susan who is mad he didnt get chosen for a full-time Yeezy job.



My question: Why did he need one, given his record of FAKING job history (including Yeezy roles he never held)? Ill  Milo Yiannopoulos (@Nero) June 30, 2024

A joke lawsuit just dropped led by a disgruntled, comically inept Black developer I call Hotep Susan who is mad he didnt get chosen for a full-time Yeezy job, Yiannopoulos wrote. My question: Why did he need one, given his record of FAKING job history (including Yeezy roles he never held)? Ill eviscerate the complaint line by line tomorrow on camera, including his bonkers racism claims. Truly, its the most dishonest thing Ive ever seen filed with a court. (And Ive worked for billionaires and megastars for a decade.) He has no standing and doesnt represent either of the acquired apps. Just wait until you read it. Another sad race hustle. Its a No from me, Susan, as in Not. One. Dime.

In addition to this suit, West is facing several other legal complaints, including a sexual harassment suit from a former staffer and a claim from Diana Ross over a sample. In 2022, Rolling Stone reported on staffers at Yeezy complaining about pornography in the workplace and other misconduct there; West has admitted to pornography addiction and how it has been detrimental to his life.

July 2, 8:49 a.m. This story has been updated with a statement from Yiannopoulos, shared by Yeezys PR team.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
DEDHAM, Mass. (AP)  A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Karen Read, a woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm, a case that drew outsize attention thanks to true crime fanatics, conspiracy theorists and Reads pink-shirted supporters.

Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, faced second-degree murder and other charges in the death of Officer John OKeefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police who was found outside a Canton home of another Boston police officer in January 2022. An autopsy found OKeefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

Prosecutors said Read and OKeefe had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away.

The defense sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually was killed inside Alberts home and then dragged outside and left for dead. They 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 at the party.

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone, right, speaks to the defense and prosecution during the Karen Read trial at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat GreenhouseThe Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read talks with her legal team at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court for the weekend at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, left, arrives with her defense team, including Elizabeth Little at right, at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. A jury is deliberating Read's fate, as her trial is nearing its end. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read gets a long hug from her dad William before the jury breaks for lunch at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, while walking near defense attorney David Yannetti, right, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, left, stands in a doorway near defense attorney David Yannetti, center, as they depart Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read listens as Judge Beverly J. Cannone greets the jury, at the start of the third day of deliberations in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her attorney, Alan Jackson as the jury leaves the courtroom to start their third day of deliberations, in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read watches as the jury enters the courtroom for the start of the second day of deliberation at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Alan Jackson, From left, Liza Little, defendant Karen Read and David Yanetti wait for a question from the jury as the jury deliberates in Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly Cannone looks over the verdict slip the jurors have to fill out when they reach a verdict in Karen Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. The defense has asked for some modifications. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. Jury deliberations began in the trial Tuesday afternoon. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Carol Kelly, of Canton, Mass., below right, waves a pink and white American flag in support of Karen Read while Gail White, of Canton, left, holds a sign, a block from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Lisa Hoffman, of Mansfield, Mass., right, displays a sign in support of Karen Read that features a likeness of a Massachusetts license plate, while seated a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read display signs and a banner a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read listen to proceedings from Read's trial from a laptop computer while gathered a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Laura McGillis, of Attleboro, Mass., a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Eva Jenkins, of Bourne, Mass., left, a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars as other supporters place a banner, right, a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center right, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.

Karen Read listens to family members, after the jury is dismissed at the end of the evidence phase of her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

After the defense's last witness, Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks to the jury during the murder trial for Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

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)

Karen Read, center, stands amid her lawyers during a break in proceedings during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, and her defense lawyers Alan Jackson, left, and David Yannetti, right, listen as the prosecution questions their witness Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens as the prosecutor questions Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens to testimony during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, sits in court with her legal team during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (David McGlynn/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read listens to her lawyer Alan Jackson question witness Massachusetts State trooper Michael Proctor during her, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read reacts to he attorney Alan Jackson as he cross examines state trooper Michael Proctor during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read and attorney David Yannetti listen during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

On Friday, a jury foreperson told the judge that they hadnt reached a unanimous verdict despite an exhaustive review of the evidence. The judge told jurors to keep trying.

Testimony during the two-month trial focused on shoddy police work and relationships between the parties. Police acknowledged using red plastic cups to collect blood evidence and a leaf blower to try to clear away snow to reveal evidence. The lead investigator acknowledged making crude statements about Read in texts from his personal cellphone.

Experts disagreed on whether OKeefes injuries were consistent with being hit by Reads luxury SUV, which had a broken taillight. The defense contended the injuries were caused by an altercation and the Albert familys aggressive dog.

While the drama played out in a courtroom, dozens of Reads supporters dressed in pink gathered each day outside, carrying Free Karen Read signs and mobbing her when she arrived each day. Motorists honked their horns in support. A smaller group of people who want Read convicted also turned up.

Prosecutors relied on several first responders who testified that Read admitted that she hit OKeefe  saying I hit him  as well as evidence that Read was legally intoxicated or close to it eight hours later, after she returned to the house with friends and they found the body.

Several witnesses testified the couple had a stormy relationship that had begun to sour. Prosecutors presented angry texts between the couple hours before OKeefe died. They also played voice messages from Read to OKeefe that were left after she allegedly struck him, including one left minutes afterward saying, John I (expletive) hate you.

Defense attorneys sought to poke holes in the police investigation, noting that Alberts house was never searched for signs of a fight involving OKeefe and that the crime scene was not secured. They suggested that some evidence -- like pieces of her SUVs cracked taillight, a broken drinking glass and even a strand of hair -- was planted by police.

A turning point in the trial came when lead investigator, State Trooper Michael Proctor, took the stand. He acknowledged sending offensive texts about Read to friends, family, and fellow troopers during the investigation. He apologized for the language he used but insisted they had no influence on the investigation.

A photo of Karen Read's Lexis SUV is shown during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. on Wednesday June 5, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

A copy of text messages between trooper Michael Proctor and his sister Courtney Elberg related to a thank you gift appears on a screen during the Karen Read murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 12, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Evidence collected on Fairview Road, Canton is presented on day 20 of the Karen Read murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. on Wednesday June 5, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Evidence collected on Fairview Road, Canton is presented on day 20 of the Karen Read murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. on Wednesday June 5, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

John O'Keefes t-shirt

John O'Keefe sweatshirt

John O'Keefe sweatshirt

Jennifer McCabe searches

Video from John O'Keefe Ring doorbell

DNA Evidence (Karen Read Trial)

DNA Evidence (Karen Read Trial)

In his texts, he called Read several names, including whack job. At one point, he texted his sister that he wished Read would kill herself, which he told jurors was a figure of speech. And despite having relationships with several witnesses, he remained on the case.

Two expert witnesses hired by the U.S. Department of Justice during an investigation of police handling of the case testified for the defense, providing a scientific analysis for their conclusion that OKeefes injuries and the physical evidence didnt sync with the prosecution theory that he was struck and injured by Reads 7,000-pound (3,175-kilogram) vehicle.

OKeefe had a significant head injury and other injuries but lacked significant bruising or broken bones typically associated with being hit by a vehicle at the speed indicated by GPS and the SUVs onboard computer.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Karen Read looks at the gallery during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. - Credit: Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

On Jan. 29, 2022, Massachusetts woman Karen Read went to a bar with her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, dropping him off at the home of a fellow police officer Brian Albert just after midnight. Six hours later, OKeefes body was found outside in the snow, kickstarting what has become one of the most divisive murder trials in Massachusetts history  and the current fixation of TikToks true crime community.

Following the discovery of OKeefes body, Read, 44 was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Prosecutors have stated they believe Read drunkenly backed into her boyfriend that night, then fled the scene, and his body, to go home.

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Reads trial began April 16 at Dedham, Massachusetts Norfolk Superior Court. Both the testimony and arguments from counsel focused mainly on the six hours after OKeefe stepped out of Reads car and the defenses belief that a third party was responsible for OKeefes death  likely the officers inside the house party. On TikTok, where true crime has an active, growing, and sometimes outright harmful community, Reads trial has become a staple for dissection and commentary  garnering thousands of videos with millions of views over the last week.

According to court documents and trial testimony, Read and OKeefes relationship had rocky hallmarks, with multiple text messages and voicemails indicating strain. According to NBC Boston, text messages shared in court revealed the couple were fighting the day before OKeefes death. Sick of always arguing and fighting, read one message from OKeefe. If you tell me youre interested in someone else, you will never hear from me again. You can have all the space in the world, read a later reply from Read.

Around 4:23 a.m. on January 29, OKeefes niece placed a call to Alberts home, telling his sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, that Read had called her worried because OKeefe hadnt returned home and she couldnt remember much because she had been so inebriated when she dropped him off. When the three met up to search for him, they discovered OKeefes body in the snow and called first responders. But converging accounts began immediately after OKeefe was found. According to testimony from officers, Read said I hit him repeatedly while crying to EMT, but her defense has argued that she asked the statement as a question, saying Did I hit him? On Feb. 2, 2022, Read was arrested.

While the trial length and sheer amount of evidence made deliberation difficult for the jury, the specifics around Reads case have only drawn in more viewers online. The prosecution said Read backed into him, breaking her tail light, leaving his DNA on her car, and littering the ground with broken pieces of glass that were later found. The defense agreed that OKeefes DNA was on the vehicle, but claimed an independent federal investigation showed damage on the car inconsistent with the theory of Read hitting OKeefe.

An autopsy ruled OKeefes cause of death as blunt impact injuries to the head and hypothermia, with no obvious signs of a fight. Reads defense pushed back against this claim, saying wounds on OKeefes arms imply he was beaten inside the house, bitten by a dog, and then dumped outside to freeze. CBS News reported that the Google search hos (sic) long to die in cold, was made on McCabes phone. During the trial, McCabe testified that she made the search at Reads request after OKeefes body was found around 6:23 a.m., while the defense showed data saying the search was made hours earlier, at 2:27 a.m. McCabe claims the timestamp shows a 2 a.m. search because she used a tab that was opened at 2 a.m. to make the search.

While the intricate details of Reads case can be difficult to parse, whats easy to explain is why people watched in the first place. Jeffrey Lin, a criminology professor at the University of Denver, previously told Rolling Stone that the fascination with true crime often comes from a psychological pull to control things that feel out of control and to play into a heroic narrative that crime dramas have popularized. We have this intense desire to help and be heroic, and yet we have no opportunity to do so. Most of us are not able to become high-level researchers [for the FBI] but we can get on TikTok and look for [Brian Laundries] van, Lin said. This is just the fulfillment of the fantasy thats been presented to us for decades.

On July 1, Judge Beverly J. Cannone declared a mistrial in the case after the 12-person jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict. The decision came after the jury told the judge they couldnt agree for the second time and were given one last chance to deliberate. The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort but deeply held convictions that each of us carry, ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable, the jury wrote in a note. The next court date to determine next steps has been set for July 22. Its unclear whether the case will be retried.

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DEDHAM  The Karen Read murder trial ended Monday after a "starkly divided" hung jury failed to reach a verdict, forcing Judge Beverly Cannone to declare a mistrial. The decision came after 27 hours of deliberations in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, by hitting him with her car in Canton on January 29, 2022. She denies any involvement and claims he was killed at a house party with police and other law enforcement.

Will Karen Read be retried?

Judge Beverly Cannone set July 22 for the case to be back in court to determine next steps.

In a statement after the decision, the Norfolk District Attorney's office said it plans to retry the case.

"First, we thank the O'Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case  to find justice for John O'Keefe. The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case," the statement read.

What Karen Read jurors said about deliberations

Jurors sent one final note to Judge Cannone before she declared a mistrial.

"Despite our rigorous efforts we continue to find ourselves at an impasse. Our perspectives on the evidence are starkly divided. Some members of the jury firmly believe that the evidence surpasses the burden of proof establishing the elements of the charges beyond reasonable doubt," the jury said in its note. "Conversely, others find the evidence fails to meet this standard and does not sufficiently establish the necessary elements of the charges. The deep division is not due to a lack of effort or diligence, but rather a sincere adherence to our individual principles and moral convictions. To continue to deliberate would be futile and only serve to force us to compromise these deeply held beliefs."

Cannone responded by saying "I'm not going to do that to you folks. Your service is complete. I'm declaring a mistrial in this case."

Alan Jackson vows defense "will not stop fighting"

Read's attorneys spoke briefly outside court on Monday, though she did not comment.

"The Commonwealth did their worst. They brought the weight of the state based on spurious charges, compromised evidence and investigators, and compromised witnesses. They failed miserably and they'll continue to fail, no matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting," defense attorney Alan Jackson said. "We have no quit."

Karen Read hung jury

The mistrial comes after roughly five days of deliberations. The jury of six women and six men received the case Tuesday, June 25, following closing arguments. They heard from 74 witness, 68 of them for the prosecution, during 29 days of testimony over nearly two months. They told Judge Cannone Friday they were deadlocked, but she sent them back to continue deliberating.

They sent a second note to the judge Monday morning, saying, "We find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and state of mind. The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. We recognize the weight of this admission, and the implication it holds."

What is Tuey Rodriguez?

Judge Cannone then gave the jury what's known as a "Tuey-Rodriguez instruction," a last resort instruction aimed at getting them to reach a verdict. But the jury remained hung and Cannone had no choice but to declare a mistrial.

Karen Read mistrial

Without a guilty or not guilty verdict in this trial, Karen Read could be tried again. Legal experts say that could take months. A re-trial would not be anytime soon, because there are other trials that still need to be heard.

"If this case has to be retried, we're going back to the same pool of people, the same Norfolk County jury pool and we're again going to have to try to find a subset of people that really know nothing about this case. It's going to be extraordinarily difficult," legal analyst Jennifer Roman told WBZ-TV.

Karen Read charges

Read, 44, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. If she had been convicted on the murder charge, she faced up to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Read is accused of hitting and killing O'Keefe, who she was dating at the time, with her SUV after a night of drinking and leaving him to die during a snowstorm in Canton, Massachusetts.

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. / Credit: Boston Police

O'Keefe's body was found in the front yard of Brian Albert's home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton. Albert, a retired Boston police officer, was hosting an afterparty for the group that was out drinking in the hours leading up to O'Keefe's death.

Karen Read jury

It's not clear yet what the jury was stuck on during their deliberations.

For the prosecution to get any conviction, the jury had to agree that she hit O'Keefe with her SUV that night, whether she intended to or not. It's not known if the 12 jurors agreed on that or not. If they did, then they could begin discussing the charges.

Karen Read trial closing arguments

Attorneys presented vastly different closing arguments on June 25.

The defense attempted to paint a picture of an elaborate conspiracy by law enforcement and witnesses in the case.

"Ladies and gentlemen there was a coverup in this case, plain and simple," Read's attorney Alan Jackson told the court.

Prosecutor Adam Lally urged jurors to follow the evidence and Read's own words.

"'I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him.' Those are the words of the defendant. Four times," Lally said. "You heard testimony from four different witnesses who overheard and observed those statements from the defendant on January 29, 2022."

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham. / Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

Karen Read murder trial testimony

Defense attorneys argued during the trial that O'Keefe was actually killed during a fight inside Albert's home, then dragged outside and dumped on the lawn during a snowstorm.

The trial began on April 16 with jury selection. Testimony got underway on April 29.

Over the course of nearly two months, the prosecution called 68 witnesses and the defense team called an additional six people to the stand.

Among the witnesses called by the prosecution were first responders who testified that they heard Read's "I hit him" statements the morning O'Keefe's body was found. They also had several witnesses who testified that O'Keefe never went inside Brian Albert's home.

Defense attorneys spent significant time during cross-examination attempting to show that the investigation into O'Keefe's death was biased and focused only on Read from the start. Read's attorneys claimed that people investigating the case lied to cover up for friends who were witnesses.

The Karen Read investigation

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, was a key witness during the trial.

Prosecutors called Proctor to testify about evidence he discovered throughout the investigation. But Proctor was also forced to read aloud derogatory text messages he sent to friends about Read.

Proctor is currently under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police, but remains on full duty. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said she was "disgusted" by Proctor's actions.

Though Read had said she would be willing to take the stand in her own defense, she did not testify during the trial.

Supporters of Karen Read listen to proceedings from Read's trial from a laptop computer while gathered a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham. / Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

"Free Karen Read" supporters

Large crowds of Read's supporters have been present outside Norfolk Superior Court throughout the trial. The crowds grew even larger in the final week of the trial, with many wearing pink and holding "Free Karen Read" signs.

On the day closing statements were presented, supporters told WBZ-TV they came from as far away as Tennessee and Michigan to support Read.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City, Kansas police are investigating a shooting near 56th & Swartz on Sunday afternoon.

Around 2 p.m, officers were called to the scene regarding a shooting. When they arrived, they found a male lying in the street, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

The victim was transported to the hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.

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Multiple persons of interest were taken into custody at the scene and the residence has been cleared. There is no immediate threat.

KCK police are still investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

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Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie announces death of wife, Rhonda. What to know about couple, political career

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Northern Kentucky speaks during a Second Amendment rally in Frankfort in January 2020.

UPDATE: In a social media post, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie shut down "internet conspiracy theories" over his wife's recent death. Read more here.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie's wife died on Thursday, the congressman recently announced to X, formerly Twitter. Here's what we know about his wife, Rhonda Massie, and his political career.

Thomas Massie: 'My high school sweetheart': U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie shares news of his wife's death

Who is Thomas Massie, Kentucky congressman?

Thomas Massie is a Republican who represents Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. He was elected in November 2012 after acting as the Lewis County Judge Executive. He is on three committees in Congress  the House Committee on Rules, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the House Judiciary Committee.

Who is Rhonda Massie?

Rhonda Massie was the wife and high school sweetheart of U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie. She died on Thursday, June 27, according to a post on X from her husband. The two have four children together and reside on a Kentucky cattle farm.

Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven. Thank you for your prayers for our family in this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/tTSWXeLCG0  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 28, 2024

Thank you @anncormican for reminding me of this rare recording of Rhonda singing (on YouTube). I loved her singing voice and she tolerated my out-of-time swarping at a banjo. This was Mike Maggards #nothinfancyfarm liberty event, August 28, 2011. pic.twitter.com/MZ71NBdjvC  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 29, 2024

What was Thomas Massie's wife sick with?

Rhonda Massie's cause of death remains unclear.

Others are reading: Massie shuts down conspiracy theories about his wife's recent death

How old is Rhonda Massie?

Rhonda Massie died on Thursday at age 51, according to The Lewis County Herald. Born on March 20, 1973, she graduated in 1991 as valedictorian from Lewis County High School, where she met her husband, Thomas Massie.

She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1995 before the couple returned to Kentucky to raise their children.

Who is the libertarian congressman for Kentucky?

Thomas Massie is a libertarian-leaning Republican who acts as the representative for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. According to the Libertarian Party, the congressman attended the Libertarian Convention on May 24 in Washington D.C.

Who does Thomas Massie represent?

Thomas Massie represents Kentucky's 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republican congressman is on three committees: the House Committee on Rules, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the House Judiciary Committee.

Kentucky's 4th Congressional District

Thomas Massie represents Kentucky's 4th District in the northern part of the state near Cincinnati.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie announces death of wife, Rhonda
A Kentucky doctor accused of touching female patients inappropriately has surrendered his license to practice medicine in the state.

Dr. James J. Blake accepted an offer to give up his license in lieu of having the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure issue a complaint and emergency order of suspension, according to an order released by the board.

According to the order, Blakes specialty is emergency medicine. The order listed a Richmond address for him.

Blake told the Herald-Leader he denies any touching patients inappropriately.

These false allegations were unsubstantiated, he said.

Blake said he gave up his license because he had retired.

In 2020, a woman reported that Blake had examined her legs and feet after she had been given morphine in the emergency department at St. Joseph Hospital in Berea, then touched her breast and put her hand on his groin, according to the order.

The woman, identified as Patient A in the order, tried to move her hand but Blake wouldnt let her, the order said.

Blake allegedly told the woman this is just between her and him and that it felt good.

After the woman had been given a second dose of morphine, Blake allegedly came back three more times, closed the curtain around the bed and touched her, the order said.

The woman reported the alleged sexual assault to the Kentucky State Police.

Blake said in response that he believed the woman became unsatisfied because she had been given morphine instead of the more powerful Dilaudid, and because she didnt receive a pain shot before she was discharged or a prescription for a narcotic painkiller.

The hospital said the grievance was outside the scope of its complaint committee, and the state declined to prosecute, according to the KBML order.

On May 1, 2023, a woman identified as Patient B told St. Joseph in Berea that Blake had held her hand and put it on his genital area in the emergency room the day before.

The hospital could not substantiate the complaint and turned it over to Adult Protective Services to look into, the order said.

In August 2023, another woman, Patient C, told the hospital that when she was a patient in the emergency room the month before, Blake massaged her hand and then made her feel and rub up and down his genitals, according to the board order.

The hospital opened an investigation.

Staffers said Blake routinely went in examination rooms without other hospital employees, and that he had been in Patient Cs room with the door closed, according to the KBML order.

St. Joseph suspended Blakes privileges and reported the allegation to Adult Protective Services. Soon after Blakes employer, the Lexington Clinic, fired him, according to the order.

In September 2023, a fourth woman, Patient D, told the hospital that a year earlier when she was in the emergency room at the Berea hospital, Blake took her hand and rubbed it up and down on himself.

St. Joseph revoked Blakes privilege to practice at the hospital, which led to an investigation by the KBML.

During that inquiry, Patient B said Blake came into her hospital room late at night, rubbed her arm and then put her hand on his genitals.

Patient C said Blake stood beside her hospital bed, rubbed her arm and then placed her had on him and rubbed it up and down.

The woman told a board investigator she told Blake to stop but he didnt.

Patient D said during the investigation that Blake placed her hand on himself and rubbed it up and down. She said she told him to stop but he continued for a couple of minutes, according to the board order.

In a response to the board, Blake denied the claims by Patient C and said he believed she was unsatisfied because he told her she wasnt going to get any more pain medication or benzodiazepines, which are drugs used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures.

Blake did not address the complaints from Patients B or D in that response, but in an appearance before the licensure board, he characterized the women as drug seekers, according to the board order.

Blake told the board he had retired from practicing medicine in September 2023, but wanted to keep his license so he could provide volunteer medical services.

The board instead gave him the option to give up his license without facing a formal complaint.

The board released the order last week.
Kentuckys largest Greek Revival house in dire need of repairs. Heres how to help

The largest Greek Revival residence in Kentucky, which was once offered to be the state capitol, is in dire need of repairs, the group who runs its foundation says.

The Ward Hall Preservation Foundation is making plans for an $850,000, first phase renovation and it needs a big chunk of that money to be donated to help preserve the historic Georgetown residence because they say its in need desperate repairs.

The foundation recently created a GoFundMe link with the goal of raising $500,000. As of early Monday afternoon the fundraising link had raised $115.

Patrick Palmer, the organizer of the fundraiser, said there is a long list of jobs that need funding in the renovation project. The most expensive job is repairing the original exterior front grand entrance stairway, which was estimated at $435,000. The stairs are currently blocked off to visitors due to safety concerns.

The foundation also wants to upgrade the electrical service and install a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, a job estimated at $100,000, Palmer wrote.

Ward Hall Preservation Foundation is asking for donations to help renovate and repairs much of the Greek Revival home in Georgetown, including the original exterior front grand entrance stairway, upgrade the electrical service and install a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Ward Hall is the largest Greek Revival residence in Kentucky, according to its website. It was built in 1857 by British-born military engineer and Lexington architect, Major Thomas Lewinski, who contributed to other significant Central Kentucky structures, according to Palmer.

The mansion was built for Junius Richard Ward and his wife Matilda Viley Ward. It is more than 12,000 square-feet and was built for $50,000 and paid in gold, according to the city of Georgetown.

By comparison, Henry Clays Ashland covers 8,184 square feet and the Waveland Mansion covers 4,400 square feet.

The building has seen little change since it was constructed, according to the foundation. The Ward family sold the mansion in 1867 and it has had approximately 13 owners previously, all of which made no major changes.

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The building was once offered to be the state capitol of Kentucky, according to Palmer.

Now Ward Hall is open for tours the first two weekends of the month from April through November, according to the city of Georgetown. The foundation bought the property in 2004 and has worked to restore the building ever since.

The first phase of restoration efforts is expected to cost approximately $850,000, according to the foundation. The first phase is dedicated to preserving and protecting the exterior of the building, which is rapidly deteriorating.

David Stuart, former chairman of the foundation, previously said foundation is primarily relying on public donation, as virtually all sources of federal and state grant funding are unavailable.
Police have responded to a shooting that involved an officer in Taylor Mill Sunday evening, according to Kentucky State Police.

A man is dead after he was shot by a police officer in Taylor Mill Sunday, according to the Kentucky State Police.

Taylor Mill and Covington officers responded to Grand Avenue just before 3 p.m. for a report of a person with a weapon, according to dispatchers and Taylor Mill police.

"Officers encountered the suspect inside the home threatening someone and wielding a knife," a press release from Taylor Mill said. "A shot was fired. The Kentucky State Police responded to investigate."

Kentucky State Police reported the man died on the scene. The suspect's name has not been released.

Many jurisdictions in Kentucky do not investigate incidents of their own officers shooting citizens. Kentucky State Police often offer to conduct independent investigations at the request of the local agencies.

"KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation," the agency said in a press release. "To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSPs standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered."

Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said no officers were injured during the incident. He added that the family member who was threatened with the knife did not require medical treatment.

Taylor Mill police said there is no threat to the public and encouraged anyone with information to call Kentucky State Police at 859-428-1212.

This is the second time police officers have shot someone in the Greater Cincinnati area in the past week. On Thursday, 48-year-old Juan Mack was shot and killed outside Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Police said he had repeatedly stabbed a woman before leading officers on a chase. He was armed with a gun at the time of the shooting, investigators said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man was killed in police shooting in Taylor Mill Kentucky
Scientists have inserted low doses of radioisotopes into the horns of 20 live rhinoceroses as part of a testing phase to help save rhinos from poaching.

The belief is that the technology will set off radiation detection monitors at borders, a more reliable way to catch smugglers.

If the research project shows that no harm comes to the rhinos, the team believes that expanding the project will allow them to save the lives of rhinos and other animals poached for their horns.

A little radioactivity shouldnt hurt a rhinoceros, but it could catch a smuggler. At least, thats the current plan,

Its part of a project led by the University of the Witwatersrands Radiation and Health Physics Unit. The group has already inserted small amounts of radioactive isotopes into the horns of 20 live animals to monitor how the rhinos react. If the dose of nuclear technology in the horns prove not to harm the animals, the Rhisotope Project (as its cleverly named) hopes to expand and help save the rhino from poaching.

Every 20 hours in South Africa a rhino dies for its horn, James Larkin, University of the Wit professor, said in a news release. These poached horns are then trafficked across the world and used for traditional medicines, or as status symbols. This has led to their horns currently being the most valuable false commodity in the black-market trade, with a higher value even than gold, platinum, diamonds, and cocaine.

The rhino poaching issue has only grown over time. Since 2008, close to 10,000 rhinos have been lost to poaching in South Africa, and just last year, 499 were known poached. Wildlife trafficking being the third largest organized crime globally, and the team from University of the Wit said rhino poaching specifically has reached crisis levels.

Stopping that trade further down the poaching line may be one way to help save the animals from being killed in the first place. The project wants to piggyback off of the existing sophisticated nuclear security infrastructure across the world, which features over 11,000 radiation detection portal monitors at airports, harbors, and other borders or ports of entry.

Sadly, rhino horns play a large role in funding a wide variety of criminal activities globally, Larkin said. Ultimately, the aim is to try to devalue rhinoceros horn in the eyes of the end users, while at the same time making the horns easier to detect as they are being smuggled across borders.

Following a three-year development project that partnered the university professors with experts in multiple fields, the test has now entered the real world. The 20 rhinos were sedated, and the team drilled a small hole into each of their horns to insert the radioisotopes. The rhinos were then released, and will be monitored constantly for the next six months.

Over months of research and testing, we have also ensured that the inserted radioisotopes hold no health or any other risk for the animals or those who care for them, Larkin said.

If all goes well, the team hopes to implement a little nuclear technology into the world of rhinos, and eventually help secure safety for horned animals the world over.

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Do you know this man?: Police looking for suspect in gas station shooting

Editors note: This story previously used a location provided by police, which police later updated with a correct location.

DENVER (KDVR)  Aurora police are still looking for a suspect connected to a shooting that occurred in February.

According to the police, the shooting took place on Feb. 10 after a suspect went into a gas station convenience store in the 13600 block of East Iliff Avenue.

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Police said the suspect got into a verbal altercation with another person at the store. The altercation moved outside, which is where the suspect allegedly shot the person. Police said the victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

As of Monday, the suspect was still at large. The Aurora Police Department posted photos of the suspect with the caption: Do you know this man?

Aurora Police Department looking for shooting suspect (APD)

Aurora Police Department looking for shooting suspect (APD)

Aurora Police Department looking for shooting suspect (APD)

Aurora Police Department looking for shooting suspect (APD)

At this time, police said they do not have many more details other than the photos of the suspect and that he drove off in a black BMW.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect to contact the department via its non-emergency line at 303-627-3100.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
What to know about the Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump's 2020 election interference case

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court's ruling Monday in former President Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington ahead of the November election.

The Supreme Court did not dismiss  as Trump had wanted  the indictment alleging he illegally schemed to cling to power after he lost to President Joe Biden. But the ruling still amounts to a major victory for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, whose legal strategy has focused on delaying the proceedings until after the election.

The timing of the trial matters because if Trump defeats Biden, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecutions he faces. Or Trump could potentially order a pardon for himself.

Trump posted in all capital letters on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

In remarks Monday evening, Biden said the court had done a terrible disservice to the American people, who he says deserved to know the outcome of the case before they head to the polls.

The American people will have to render a judgment about Donald Trump's behavior," Biden said. The American people must decide whether Trump's assault on our democracy on Jan. 6 makes him unfit for public office.

Here's a look at the ruling and what comes next:

_____

THE OPINION

The courts conservative majority said former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts that fall within their exclusive sphere of constitutional authority" and are presumptively entitled to immunity for all official acts. They do not enjoy immunity for unofficial, or private, actions.

The ruling means that special counsel Jack Smith cannot proceed with significant allegations in the indictment  or must at least defend their use in future proceedings before the trial judge.

The justices, for instance, wiped out Smiths use of allegations that Trump tried to use the investigative power of the Justice Department to undo the election results, holding that his communications with agency officials is plainly protected from prosecution.

The justices sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who must now carefully analyze whether other allegations involve official conduct for which the president would be immune from prosecution.

Among the issues for further analysis is Trumps relentless badgering of then-Vice President Mike Pence to not certify the electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021. The justices said it was ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity in Trumps interactions with Pence.

The order also directed additional analysis on the various posts on X, then known as Twitter, that Trump made  as well as a speech he delivered to supporters  in the run-up to the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Determining whether that communication represents official versus unofficial acts, the justices said, may depend on the content and context of each" and thus needs more scrutiny.

THE FAKE ELECTORS SCHEME

The justices required fresh fact-finding on one of the more stunning allegations in the indictment  that Trump had participated in a scheme orchestrated by allies to enlist slates of fraudulent electors in battleground states won by Biden who would falsely attest that Trump had won in those states.

The Trump team had argued that the selection of alternate electors was in keeping with Trumps presidential interest in the integrity and proper administration of the federal elections and cited as precedent an episode he said took place in the disputed election in 1876.

The Smith team, by contrast, portrayed the scheme as a purely private action that implicated no presidential responsibility.

The conservative justices in their majority opinion didnt answer the question as to which side was right, instead saying that determining whose characterization may be correct, and with respect to which conduct, requires a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations.

Unlike Trumps interactions with the Justice Department, the justices said, this alleged conduct cannot be neatly categorized as falling within a particular Presidential function. The necessary analysis is instead fact specific, requiring assessment of numerous alleged interactions with a wide variety of state officials and private persons.

THE DISSENTERS

The three liberal justices  Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson  sharply criticized the majoritys opinion in scathing dissents. Sotomayor gave a dramatic speech as she read her dissent from the bench, at times shaking her head and gritting her teeth as she said the conservative majority wrongly insulated the U.S. president as a king above the law.

Ironic isnt it? The man in charge of enforcing laws can now just break them," Sotomayor said.

The dissenting justices said the majority decision makes presidents immune from prosecution for acts such as ordering Navy seals to assassinate a political rival, organizing a military coup to hold onto power or accepting a bribe in exchange for a pardon.

Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law, Sotomayor wrote.

In a separate dissenting opinion, Jackson said the majoritys ruling breaks new and dangerous ground.

Stated simply: The Court has now declared for the first time in history that the most powerful official in the United States can (under circumstances yet to be fully determined) become a law unto himself, Jackson wrote.

The majority opinion accused the liberal justices of fear mongering and striking a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the court actually does today.

WHAT COMES NEXT

The case will now go back to Chutkan. The trial was supposed to have begun in March, but the case has been on hold since December to allow Trump to pursue his appeal. Chutkan had indicated at that time she would likely give the two sides at least three months to get ready for trial once the case returns to her court.

That had left the door open to the case potentially going to trial before the election if the Supreme Court  like the lower courts  had ruled that Trump was not immune from prosecution.

But the Supreme Court's ruling that Chutkan must conduct further analysis is expected tie the case up for months with legal wrangling over whether the actions in the indictment were official or unofficial.

TRUMP'S OTHER CASES

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts in his hush money trial in New York and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. The falsifying business records charges are punishable by up to four years behind bars, but there's no guarantee Trump will get prison time. Other possibilities include fines or probation.

It seems almost certain that Trump's two other criminal cases will not go to trial before the election.

An appeals court recently halted Trump's Georgia 2020 election interference case while it reviews the lower court judges ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case. No trial date had been set in that case. Trump's lawyers have asserted presidential immunity in that case, though there's been no ruling.

Trump was supposed to stand trial starting in May in the other case brought by Smith, over classified documents found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon canceled the trial date as the case got bogged down with legal issues. She has yet to schedule a new one. That case, too, involves a claim by the Trump team of immunity that prosecutors have disputed.

Last week, Cannon set the stage further delays by agreeing to revisit a ruling by another judge that permitted crucial evidence related to allegations of obstruction of justice by Trump to be introduced into the case.

One of the arguments Cannon has entertained  that Smith was illegally appointed and that the case should be dismissed  got little traction with the Supreme Court.

A separate concurrence from Justice Clarence Thomas concluded that Smith's appointment was improper, but no other justice signed onto that.

_____

Associated Press reporters Michelle L. Price in New York, Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Stephen Groves in Washington contributed.
Kremlin: Le Pen's French election victory is the will of the voters

Former president of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) parliamentary group Marine Le Pen gestures as she gives a speech during the results evening of the first round of the parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. Francois Lo Presti/AFP/dpa

The Kremlin has interpreted the victory of Marine Le Pen's far-right nationalist National Rally (RN) and its allies in the first round of the parliamentary election in France as a clear sign of the will of the voters.

"We are certainly following the election very closely. What

we saw in a number of European countries earlier, including

France, these trends are being confirmed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.

"I guess we will wait for the second round, even though

its pretty clear to us what French voters want," Peskov added.

In the past, National Rally has been repeatedly accused of having close ties to the Kremlin.

In 2014, what was then the National Front party, rebranded National Rally in 2018, took out a multimillion-dollar loan from a Russian bank. Le Pen has called Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Moscow that same year, a Russian territory.

In a report to the French parliament from last year, it was also noted that party officials had travelled to Crimea and the Donbass region, which was already occupied by Russian forces at that time, before the outbreak of the Ukraine war.

National Rally is divided on whether the Russian war against Ukraine should be condemned.
The Kremlin has responded to statements by Belarusian officials that Ukraine is allegedly gathering troops near the border with Belarus, calling it "a cause for concern for Moscow."

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet, citing Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov

Quote from Peskov: "Belarus is a union state, we have special formats of dialogue through all relevant agencies, including the special services. And our defence ministries are in constant partnership contact. So, of course, these are reasons for concern not only for Minsk but also for Moscow, because we are truly allies and partners."

Why this is important: Russia has been using the territory of Belarus throughout the full-scale invasion: the Russian military invaded Ukraine, among other things, from the territory of Belarus, and Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukraine with missiles from the territory of Belarus.

Putin used the territory of Belarus for the training and treatment of Russian soldiers, as well as for the transfer of weapons and equipment.

It is on the territories of Belarus bordering Ukraine and Poland that Russia conducts joint military exercises with the Belarusian army, including those involving the use of tactical nuclear weapons.

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, among other things, explained his full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the fact that Ukraine was supposedly preparing to attack Russia. Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed Belarusian President, echoed Putins words and even promised to show some maps of where the attack was being prepared, but he never did.

Instead, during the more than two years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lukashenko has repeatedly stated that NATO could supposedly attack Belarus. It is supposedly precisely because of this imaginary threat that Belarus conducts numerous military exercises near the borders of other countries and has even deployed Russian nuclear weapons on its territory.

It is highly likely that Moscow may use the new statements about the alleged gathering of Ukrainian troops at the border with Belarus either to make provocations or to justify some of its next steps in its aggression against Ukraine.

Background:

On 20 June, the State Border Committee of Belarus stated that it had recorded an increase in the number of Ukrainian troops near the border with Belarus, while Ukrainian border guards stressed that the defence forces were defending the sovereign territory from the aggressor and that there were no provocations on their part.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reiterated that the defence forces' actions on the border with Belarus were aimed at protecting our country from the enemy's aggressive actions and in no way at invading other countries territories.

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Lane reductions, delays on Route 86 in Newton Co.

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo.  Commuters and travelers can expect upcoming lane closures and potential traffic delays on Missouri Route 86 starting July 8, said the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

According to MoDOT officials, the project will involve significant improvements to Route 86 between I-44 and Newton County Route BB, just south of Joplin. The project is estimated to cost $5.4 million. Heres what drivers can expect:

Resurfacing Details:

I-44 to Route NN : Crews will lay a new asphalt surface and add two-foot-wide shoulders.

Route NN to Route BB : The old surface will be replaced with a new one.

Additional Enhancements: Rumble strips, permanent striping, and guardrails will also be installed.

Traffic Management Plan:

Lane Reductions : Portions of Route 86 will be reduced to one lane where construction is underway.

Flaggers and Pilot Cars : Traffic control will be managed with flaggers and pilot cars directing vehicles through the work zones. Drivers are advised to wait for pilot vehicles before proceeding through or entering work zones from side roads.

Nighttime and Daytime Hours : Work between I-44 and Route NN will occur during nighttime hours (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.), with all lanes open during the day.

Work between Route NN and Route BB will take place during daytime hours (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.), with all lanes open at night.

Traveler Guidance:

No Signed Detour : Alternate routes are recommended to avoid congestion.

Information and Alerts : Variable message boards and signage will be deployed to guide drivers approaching the work zones.

Stay Informed : MoDOTs Traveler Information Map will provide updates on road closures and traffic impacts.

Potential Delays: Weather conditions and scheduling adjustments may affect the project timeline.

This resurfacing initiative is part of a broader effort that commenced last year, which included improvements along Jasper County routes M & BB and Loop 44. It is expected to be completed by August 1, 2024.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Large number of illegal guns seized after domestic call in Emanuel County

EMANUEL COUNTY, Ga (WJBF)- An Emanuel County man is in jail after a search warrant for his home and commercial properties.

According to the Emanuel County Sheriffs Office, they responded to Rodney Wilsons home on Friday for a domestic dispute, which led to the search warrants being issued.

Law enforcement seized a large number of illegal firearms and financial records from Wilsons home and several commercial properties.

Wilson is charged with possession of firearms with an altered serial number, possession of sawed off shot guns, possession of stolen firearms, 2 counts of aggravated assault and Georgia RICO violations.

The sheriffs office says it will take several weeks to process the seizures and more charges could be coming.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
The Latest | Israel appears set to reinvade a city in Gaza filled with displaced civilians

Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip flee from parts of Khan Younis following an evacuation order by the Israeli army to leave the eastern part of Gaza Strip's second largest city on Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The Israeli army has ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from the eastern half of Khan Younis. Mondays order is a sign that Israeli troops could soon reinvade the southern Gaza city, which is currently filled with displaced civilians.

Israel told people to move to Muwasi, a coastal area designated by the Israeli army as a safe zone and which has transformed into a crowded and unsanitary tent camp. Israeli forces pulled out of Khan Younis earlier this year after a ground offensive left much of the city in ruins, claiming to have destroyed Hamas battalions there. Many of the 1.3 million people who escaped Israel's subsequent offensive in nearby Rafah took shelter in Khan Younis.

Israel says it's in the final stages of the Rafah operation. Last week, the military also ordered Palestinians up north in Gaza City to evacuate from the Shijaiyah neighborhood, where there has since been intense fighting and widespread displacement.

Earlier Monday, Israel freed the director of Gaza's main hospital, Mohammed Abu Selmia. He was released without charge or trial after being detained since November, when Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital. Fifty-five other Palestinians detained in Gaza were also released.

The doctor said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured. Israel denies such allegations.

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.

Since then, Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 37,700 people in Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and basic goods to Gaza, and people there are now totally dependent on aid. The top United Nations court has concluded there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza  a charge Israel strongly denies.

Currently:

 An ultra-Orthodox protest against order to enlist in Israeli military turns violent in Jerusalem

 An Israeli airstrike on the northern West Bank kills a Palestinian militant and wounds five other people

 Lawsuit accuses Iran, Syria and North Korea of providing support for Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel

 The United Nations starts to move tons of aid from the United States-built pier after security fears suspended work there

 The U.S. and Europe warn Lebanons Hezbollah to ease strikes on Israel and back off from a wider Mideast war

 Follow APs coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Heres the latest:

Israeli soldier is killed by roadside explosion in West Bank

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says a soldier has been killed by a roadside explosion in the northern West Bank.

Israel's army said the explosion took place in Nur Shams  an urban refugee camp near the city of Tulkarem where the military has been operating in recent days.

Earlier Monday, the army announced the death of another soldier killed in fighting in the southern Gaza Strip.

Over 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war against Hamas erupted on Oct. 7.

Israeli settlers attack Palestinian villagers in the West Bank with tear gas and sticks, sending six people to the hospital

JERUSALEM  Israeli settlers violently converged on a small Palestinian village in the southern reaches of the West Bank on Monday, sending six Palestinians to the hospital with wounds from tear gas and sticks, residents and witnesses on the ground told The Associated Press.

It was the latest Israeli assault on the Bedouin village of Umm Al-Khair, which has seen two settler attacks and a major demolition of homes in the last week.

On Monday, residents said settlers from a nearby outpost  known as Roots Farm  shot tear gas at Palestinian villagers and injured one man with a stick. Thats according to local activist Basel Adra, who was present in the village Monday. The leader of the Israeli outpost, Shimon Atiya, fired two live rounds of ammunition in the area, residents said.

There were so many women on the ground, lying on the earth, struggling to breathe, said Adra.

Videos posted to social media by residents showed a group of about 40 Israeli border police and soldiers looking on as the events unfolded.

As ambulances tried to evacuate the wounded, Adra said soldiers stopped the vehicles, allowing settlers to peer inside. Soldiers briefly detained one Palestinian man who was in an ambulance before releasing him the same day.

The soldiers then lined up Palestinian women in the village to photograph their faces, videos obtained by the AP showed.

The Israeli military declined to immediately comment on Mondays settler violence or the Israeli forces activity.

Last week, Israeli military bulldozers demolished several homes in the village, leaving nearly a quarter of the 200-person village  including 31 children and a prominent Palestinian artist  without a home.

After the demolitions last week, the military body charged with civilian matters, COGAT, said the demolished structures had been built illegally. Palestinians in the areas have long said it is virtually impossible to get construction permits from Israeli authorities. They say settler violence has only worsened since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Germany's Lufthansa Group suspends some flights to and from Beirut, as Israel-Hezbollah tensions escalate

BERLIN  In response to the escalating conflict between Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Israeli military, the Lufthansa Group is temporarily suspending nighttime flights to and from Beirut, German news agency dpa reported on Monday.

The airline group, which also includes carriers Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Brussels Airlines, is suspending night flights to and from Beirut until July 31, it told dpa. Daytime flights to and from Beirut will continue to be offered, it said.

Israel orders Palestinians to flee Khan Younis, signaling return of troops to southern Gaza city

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  The Israeli army has ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from the eastern half of Khan Younis.

Mondays order is a sign that Israeli troops could soon return to the southern city  the second-largest in Gaza.

Israel wrapped up an offensive in Khan Younis earlier this year and withdrew most of its forces. The evacuation order indicates that Hamas has regrouped in the area.

Israel has said it is in the final stages of an offensive in the nearby Gaza city of Rafah.

Netanyahu joins Israeli uproar over release of Gaza hospital director

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an investigation into the release of a prominent Gaza doctor from Israeli custody Monday.

The decision to release Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Shifa Hospital, sparked uproar from across the political spectrum, with government ministers and opposition leaders saying he should have remained behind bars and reiterating Israeli allegations that the hospital served as a base for Hamas.

Abu Selima was released without charge or trial back into Gaza.

Netanyahu said that the decision was made to release Selmia following a petition by rights groups to shut down a shadowy detention facility in Israels south which alleged that Palestinians were being abused at the overcrowded facility. The case prompted the government to transfer the bulk of the Palestinian detainees held there to other facilities and to release some, like Selmia.

The identity of the released prisoners is determined independently by the security officials based on their professional considerations, Netanyahu wrote, adding that he was calling for an investigation into the matter.

Israeli forces kill a woman and a teenager in the West Bank and wound 4 others, Palestinian officials say

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian health officials say a woman and a teenager were shot and killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said another four people were wounded during Mondays raid in the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem.

Israeli forces have carried out near-daily arrest raids across the West Bank since Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attack ignited the war in Gaza.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 550 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since then. Most have been killed during Israeli raids or violent protests.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state.

Israel has built scores of settlements across the West Bank that are now home to over 500,000 Jewish settlers. The settlers have Israeli citizenship, while the 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule.

Israel releases 55 Palestinians it detained from Gaza

CAIRO  A Palestinian health official says Israel has released 55 Palestinians it detained from Gaza, including the director of the territorys main hospital.

Mohammed Abu Selmia was detained in November when Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital. The army said Hamas was using the facility for military purposes and uncovered a tunnel within the medical complex. Abu Selmia and other staff denied the allegations.

In justifying its first raid, Israel said that underneath the hospital lay a complex network of tunnels, a central command center for Hamas. Evidence produced from that raid caches of weapons, a tunnel leading to small, rusty quarters that appeared out of use, and no scores of militants found  fell far short of the claim.

Nahedh Abu Taema, director of the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, which has also been raided by Israeli forces, says Abu Selmia was among 55 Palestinian detainees from Gaza released Monday. He says all but five were taken to Nasser Hospital for medical checks while the others were taken to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

Israel accuses Hamas and other militant groups of sheltering in hospitals and using them for military purposes. Palestinian health officials say Israeli raids have forced several hospitals to shut down or dramatically reduce services, recklessly endangering civilians. Hospitals can lose their protection under international law if they are used for military purposes.

In video comments aired by Palestinian media following his release, Abu Selmia accused Israeli authorities of mistreating Palestinian detainees, saying they "are subjected to daily physical and psychological humiliation.

Israeli authorities have denied such allegations.

Some 20 projectiles are fired at Israel from Gaza, the Israeli military says, with no casualties

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military says around 20 projectiles were fired from Gaza at communities near the border. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the barrage early Monday.

The military said some were intercepted while others fell inside southern Israel.

It says they were launched from the vicinity of the southern town of Khan Younis, and that Israeli forces are striking the sources of the fire.

Nearly nine months into Israels massive offensive launched in response to Hamas Oct. 7 attack, Palestinian militants have continued to launch sporadic rocket attacks, though the intensity has been greatly reduced.

Fighters have also regrouped in heavily damaged areas of Gaza where Israeli ground troops operated earlier in the war.

In recent days, fighting has erupted in the Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City in the north, which was largely evacuated and heavily bombed early in the war. Tens of thousands of people have fled the area in recent days, according to the United Nations.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against the Supreme Court's order to enlist

JERUSALEM  Thousands of Jewish ultra-Orthodox men clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday during a protest against a Supreme Court order for them to begin enlisting for military service.

The landmark decision on June 25 ordering the government to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition as Israel wages war in Gaza.

Tens of thousands of men rallied in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood to protest the order. But after nightfall, the crowd made its way toward central Jerusalem and turned violent with protesters throwing rocks and police using skunk-scented water cannons to disperse the crowd. The demonstration was still not under control late Sunday.

Military service is compulsory for most Israelis, but politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won exemptions for their followers to skip military service and instead study in religious seminaries. The long-standing arrangement has bred resentment among the broader public, a sentiment that has grown stronger during Israel's war against Hamas. Over 600 soldiers have been killed in fighting, and tens of thousands of reservists have been activated, upending careers, businesses and lives.
Lauren Boebert admits the shiny gold Trump sneakers she wore after her Colorado primary win were 'very China' counterfeits

Lauren Boebert was seen sporting a pair of Trump sneakers at her election watch party last week.

But the Colorado Republican said the flamboyant footwear she wore wasn't the real deal.

"These are very China, but I'm okay with that," Boebert told Westword.

Rep. Lauren Boebert may be an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump but even she couldn't get her hands on some of Trump's campaign merchandise.

The Colorado Republican was seen sporting a pair of golden Trump sneakers at an election watch party on Tuesday. Boebert, who switched from Colorado's 3rd congressional District to the 4th congressional District, won the GOP primary for the constituency.

But the flamboyant footwear she was wearing wasn't even the real deal, Boebert said.

"These are very China, but I'm okay with that. If I could've bought the OGs, I would have," Boebert told the Denver-based media outlet Westword on Tuesday.

Boebert said she spoke to Trump after clinching her win.

"He congratulated me, he loves me and thanks me for a good win," Boebert told Westword.

Trump launched the high-top sneakers in February at this year's "Sneaker Con" in Philadelphia and was met with both boos and cheers from the audience. The shoes, which were launched with a limited run of 1000 pairs, are indeed sold out, per the product listing.

BI identified an online seller in southern China that was hawking "Never Surrender Trump male sneakers" on Taobao, a Chinese online shopping platform.

The knockoffs retail for $24.50 and are far cheaper than the originals, which sell for $399. It is unclear if Boebert had bought her pair from this seller.

BI identified a seller on Taobao, China's largest online shopping site, hawking Trump sneakers. The knockoffs are priced at $24.50, which is way cheaper than the originals, which sell for $399. Taobao

The GOP congresswoman has been a staunch supporter of Trump. In fact, Boebert even skipped a day in Congress to support Trump at his hush-money trial in May but was reportedly absent at her own son's court appearances.

Boebert's 18-year-old son, Tyler, was arrested by the Rifle Police Department in February after a "string of vehicle trespass and property thefts" in Rifle, Colorado.

To be sure, Boebert probably isn't the only Trump supporter who had trouble snagging some of his merchandise.

The former president has endorsed a wide range of products  like bibles and fragrances like "Victory Cologne" and "Victory Perfume."

Trump also has a hefty war chest. In May, the Trump campaign raised $141 million in donations alongside the Republican National Committee.

Representatives for Boebert and Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A hemp crop. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

As of today, several varieties of intoxicating hemp products are illegal to sell or produce in the state of South Dakota.

That doesnt necessarily put them out of reach for South Dakotans.

It also doesnt mean death for the market in alternative intoxicants thats emerged across South Dakota and the nation in part thanks to a loophole in the 2018 federal farm bill, which legalized hemp.

Even if all the products now banned through the actions of the South Dakota Legislature last winter are pulled from store shelves in the state  an open question as the law takes effect  buyers can purchase them online with little fear of repercussion, as their possession isnt prohibited through the new law.

The law targets synthetically produced delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, THC-O, THC-P and HHC. Each are chemical cousins of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the high-inducing compound in cannabis flowers.

Sellers or producers of the hemp-derived products could be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor  the lowest-level crime in the state, punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

But the testing necessary to prove any product violates the law has limits and requires wait times for local law enforcement. The states largest policing agencies have no immediate plans to prioritize enforcement.

That puts the onus on retailers to follow a law that would cut into revenues or force them out of business.

A federal lawsuit from Pierre-based Hemp Quarters 605 is also in play. The company attempted to block the new law as an unconstitutional overreach that interferes with the interstate commerce permitted under the federal farm bill. But U.S. District Judge Eric Schulte declined to issue a preliminary injunction.

Even without the injunction, though, the companys lawsuit will proceed and could eventually upend the law.

Caleb Rose of Rapid City owns Black Hills Vapors and recently founded a trade group called South Dakota Retailers for Better Alternatives to advocate for stores that sell hemp-derived products.

Rose said he planned to pull the targeted products from the shelves of his West River stores, but the lack of certainty could mean other retailers opt to ignore the new law.

I think everybody in town and everybody in the state is going to have to make their own calls and consult their lawyers on what they want to do, Rose said.

Testing complications

Questions of enforcement are tied to product testing. A can of gummies on a retailers shelf might say delta-8, but prosecutors would have to prove the product is illegal beyond a reasonable doubt.

Doing that requires testing, which for the newly illegal substances involves a waiting period for local officers and prosecutors. There are field tests for some felony-level narcotics like methamphetamine, and some agencies can test for the presence of the active ingredient in traditional cannabis, but there are no such tests for products like hemp-derived gummies or delta-8 vape pens. For those, police would rely on the state Department of Health lab.

That lab can distinguish between delta-8, delta-9 and delta-10 THC, according to spokesperson Tia Kafka.

THC tests performed by SD state health lab

2020: 807

2021: 596

2022: 144

2023: 99

But there is no test that can show with certainty that the chemicals present in any particular product are naturally or synthetically derived. To run afoul of the new law, the offending chemical must have been altered from its original state. In theory, products with high levels of the chemicals would be legal if they were naturally derived.

Kafka said that shouldnt prevent police from making a call on enforcement. Delta-8 is only found in small amounts naturally, so Kafka said high levels of those compounds would be enough to show that theyve been modified and are therefore illegal to sell.

Even if a product claims to contain unaltered, unadulterated delta-8, Kafka wrote that testing can help triangulate an intoxicants origin.

Products with synthetically produced hemp chemicals often have contaminants from the chemical reaction which can be an indicator that a product is not 100% natural, Kafka said.

The legalization of hemp and medical marijuana has already slowed the pace of cannabis testing at the state lab, though. In 2020, the state conducted 807 tests for cannabis. Last year, the lab did 99.

Following legalization of industrial hemp and medical cannabis, state laws changed significantly leading to reduced cannabis testing, she said.

Law enforcement awaits guidance

Its unclear if the new law will spur more law enforcement interest in lab testing, but agencies have given no indication that enforcement will become a priority.

Decisions on enforcement come at the local level, Attorney General Marty Jackley said.

There are no plans to push for investigations of shops or hemp products from the state level just because theyre sold in hundreds of stores, he said.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Moody County Sheriff Troy Wellman speak to reporters after a hearing in Flandreau on June 20, 2024. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

No business can be searched or spot-checked for compliance with the law without probable cause and a warrant, he said.

What I can tell you is the Legislature took certain action. They made certain conduct illegal, Jackley said. Law enforcements job is to enforce that. We dont do anything special with respect to that.

In the Hemp Quarters 605 lawsuit, court records show that the Hughes County States Attorneys Office does not intend to immediately prosecute the companys owners for violations of the new law.

Sioux Falls Police Department spokesperson Sam Clemens said his agency awaits guidance from the Minnehaha County State Attorneys Office on what kinds of enforcement actions it might need to take to enforce the new misdemeanor.

Minnehaha County States Attorney Daniel Haggar has not offered guidance on enforcement, though. He told South Dakota Searchlight that his office will evaluate any cases brought by police to determine if prosecutions are necessary.

Katy Urban, spokesperson for the Pennington County States Attorneys Office, offered a similar response by email. She wrote that prosecutors in Rapid City will consider the merits of any case presented to them by police agencies.

Rapid City Police Department spokesperson Brendyn Medina, meanwhile, said his agency awaits enforcement guidance from the Pennington County States Attorneys Office.

Even if law enforcement were to doggedly investigate the sale of newly illegal products, plenty of other avenues for a legal high remain, both for sellers and users.

Other non-hemp products include kratom, kava and magic mushroom hallucinogens, the latter of which are produced with different mushrooms from the federally illegal fungus psilocybin. Some classes of non-alcoholic, hemp-derived beverages, available in bars, restaurants and grocery stores around the state, will also remain available.

Joshua Williston manages a Chasing Clouds vape and smoke shop in Sioux Falls, and said late last week hed remove the now-banned products from the shelf by July 1. Chasing Clouds is a chain store, and he said anything unsold and illegal today will be shipped off for sale in states without a ban.

Williston expects customers who relied on those products will either get medical marijuana cards, buy recreational marijuana on the black market or find other ways to get high.

Its probably going to slow business down, but it aint gonna stop, Williston said. Itll pick back up in other areas, because once its no longer an option, people will just find other things to substitute it with.

Sponsor: Federal fix needed

Rep. Brian Mulder, R-Sioux Falls, was the new laws prime sponsor. He told South Dakota Searchlight he understands his bills practical limitations, but that hes hopeful most retailers will reduce the supply of near-pot intoxicants by complying with the law.

Hes also hopeful because of ongoing discussions in Washington, D.C., about the next federal farm bill. Congress has debated the next version of that bill for more than a year, and a provision added by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee in May aims to close the loophole that created the market by drawing a legal distinction between hemp grown for chemical extraction and hemp grown to produce things like food or fiber.

Rep. Brian Mulder, R-Sioux Falls, speaks on the House floor on Jan. 17, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Congress has already extended its deadline for passage of the farm bill once. The deadline for passage is now September.

However quickly that could go into law, it might be moot here in South Dakota for us to try to address anything else, Mulder said.

Requests for comment sent to all three members of South Dakotas congressional delegation on the farm bill and hemp went unanswered.

Mulder, who works with an organization called Volunteers of America that offers chemical dependency services, said lawmakers in South Dakota want to do what he thinks the federal government meant to do with the 2018 farm bill.

The feds didnt mean to legalize weed with a loophole, he said.

We were trying to deliver something that was the true intent of the 2018 farm bill, where hemp products were being sold for fiber, fabrics, building materials and some of the therapeutics made with CBD, he said.

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Lawmakers want to know why there are fewer LGBTQ+ homeowners than straight: 'Concerning disparities'

LGBTQ+ people have a significantly lower rate of homeownership than their straight and cisgender peers, and U.S. lawmakers are demanding to know why.

Several members of the House of Representatives have sent a letter, exclusively shared with The Advocate, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau inquiring about the "disparities" in homeownership and the lack of data surrounding LGBTQ+ households. The group asked Director Rohit Chopra to create a Data Action Plan involving sexual orientation and gender identity minorities and to investigate queer consumers' complaints about home-buying services.

The lawmakers also called for the CFPB to "do so in alignment with best practices and rigorous research about how to responsibly collect these data in ways that safeguard privacy, security, and civil rights."

The letter cited a recent report by the Urban Institute, which found a 5-percentage-point gap in homeownership between LGBTQ+ households and their straight and cisgender counterparts, even after accounting for financial and demographic characteristics. The disparities were most prevalent among LGBTQ+ households of color, as only 35 percent of Black and queer households are homeowners, compared to 51 percent of Black non-LGBTQ+ households and 77 percent of white non-LGBTQ+ households.

"Further data analysis to better understand these trends and provide evidence-based policy recommendations is limited by a lack of publicly available data," the letter reads. "Responsible data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics is critical to support intersectional research to better understand the credit experiences of LGBTQI+ homebuyers with respect to mortgage rates, loan terms, loan amounts, and denial rates for mortgage credit."

"Such data and research are essential to support evidence-based policymaking to improve the economic security and housing stability of the LGBTQI+ constituents that we serve," it continues.



The letter was signed by 20 members of the House of Representatives, led by Democrats Ritchie Torres and Raja Krishnamoorthi. The group requested that Chopra give a response by no later than July 31.


Here are some of the new laws that take effect July 1 in Iowa

The Iowa State Capitol on Feb. 13, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Dozens of the laws passed during the 2024 legislative session take effect Monday, including measures cutting state boards and commissions, limiting the potency of consumable hemp products and setting new education policies for public K-12 schools.

During the 2024 legislative session, the Republican-controlled Legislature passed more than 180 bills on subjects from tax cuts to K-12 education policy to health care. July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, is the date most laws signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds this year are set to take effect  though other start dates can be specified in legislation.

One law passed during the 2024 session to make illegal reentry a state crime in Iowa was set to take effect Monday, but will not begin enforcement. U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher issued to a preliminary injunction on the law in a case brought forward by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of civil rights groups. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has appealed the decision, aiming to allow enforcement of the law.

If it takes effect, it would allow state law enforcement officials the ability to charge undocumented immigrants with an aggravated misdemeanor if they have been previously deported, denied admission or removed from the U.S., and allowing judges to order the deportation of parties found guilty.

Heres a rundown of some of the laws passed during the 2024 legislative session that take effect Monday:

Area Education Agencies, teacher pay

House File 2612 will make changes to Iowa Area Education Agencies and raise teacher pay. One of the highest profile measures passed during the 2024 session, the bill was signed into law by Reynolds in March.

In the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, Iowa AEAs  the regional agencies providing special education and other support services to Iowa schools  will retain the total of school districts special education funding. However, only 40% of funding for general education and media services will go to AEAs for the upcoming year, with 60% kept by school districts for their discretionary use. The money can be spent with AEAs, other providers, or used for other general fund purposes .

In its second year of implementation, 90% of special education funding will go to AEAs, while 10% will stay at school districts, and all general education and media services will go directly to school districts.

The teacher salary increase will also be implemented over the course of two years. This year, teacher starting salaries are increasing to $47,500, and teachers who have been working for 12 years will have a minimum salary of $60,000. In the 2025-2026 school year, the minimum starting salary for teachers will increase to $50,000, and the minimum for experience teachers will rise to $62,000.

Boards and commissions

Dozens of state boards and commissions have been cut or consolidated in a new Iowa law. Senate File 2385 eliminates 68 of the currently existing 256 boards and commissions, in addition to merging nine boards into three new bodies. The measure also makes changes to the powers and composition of multiple state boards and commissions, including turning the Iowa Civil Rights Commission into an advisory panel.

The law also sets new standards for boards and commissions, like requiring panels to offer virtual, remote and hybrid options for public participation. Moving forward, it also requires a committee to review a quarter of existing boards and commissions each year to determine if panels should be changed or eliminated.

Another law signed this session repeals the 1987 rule requiring the state boards and commissions have equal numbers of men and women serving as members.

Consumable hemp products

Starting Monday, Iowa will have new limits on hemp-derived consumable products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

House File 2605 creates a limit of 4 milligrams of THC per serving for consumable hemp products like drinks or gummies, and a 10 mg THC limit per container. The bill also requires manufacturers include warning labels on such products, sets an age limit of 21 for purchases, in addition to adding new rules and penalties related to the sale, manufacturing and possession of hemp-derived consumables.

While the law will be effective July 1, eight companies suing the state over the law say they are being put in a regulatory limbo as rules on the law are not expected to be finalized until July 17 at the earliest. The plaintiffs, sellers of hemp products, are asking for an immediate stay of enforcement on the law, in addition to asking the court to issue a restraining order and injunction barring enforcement.

Another lawsuit, filed by Climbing Kites and Field Day Brewing Co., Iowa producers of drinks that contain CBD, is also seeking to prevent the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services from enforcing the new THC limits. A judge denied a preliminary injunction Friday.

Traffic cameras

Local governments are now required to gain permission from the Iowa Department of Transportation before implementing automatic traffic enforcement (ATE) systems, like traffic cameras.

Under House File 2681, Iowa counties and cities must submit explanations to the DOT about why a traffic camera is needed at a specific location, including information about the number and severity of accidents, driving speeds and other potential public safety issues at the site.

The law also sets new guidelines around communities use of ATE systems. Speeding tickets can only be issued for violations caught using traffic cameras if the drivers are more than 10 miles per hour above the speed limit, and warning signs are required to be posted 500 and 1,000 feet before a camera. Additionally, the law prohibits localities with fewer than 20,000 residents using mobile traffic camera technologies to issue tickets.

Local governments are required to use funds collected from traffic cameras on transportation infrastructure improvements, as well as local police and fire departments operational costs.

Fake meat and egg product labeling

Lab-grown or plant-based meat alternatives must include words like fake, imitation or vegetarian if they are being sold as traditional meat products.

Mislabeling products can result in fines of up to $10,000 for food processors through Senate File 2391.

The law makes similar requirements for fabricated egg products. The law also directs Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to seek waivers from the federal government for egg substitutes if they are available for purchase through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)  preventing Iowans from purchasing these products using food benefit programs.

Foreign agricultural land ownership

Foreign landowners in Iowa now have new reporting requirements and face higher penalties for violations of reporting requirements under Senate File 2204.

The law requires foreign landowners provide details to the state about land owned in other states greater than 250 acres. It also raises fines for foreign landowners up to $10,000 for failing to report holdings every two years, and up to 25% of a propertys value per violation for failure to disclose leases or purchases of farmland by foreign entities. The Iowa Secretary of State is required to submit a report of foreign landholdings to state leaders each year.

The Iowa attorney general, currently Republican Brenna Bird, is also given more oversight authority through the law. The state attorney general can subpoena foreign landowners for financial records, land purchase agreements and other documents for investigations regarding potential violations of state restrictions on foreign farmland ownership.

Local storm water and topsoil regulations

Iowa local governments cannot impose stormwater and top soil regulations that are more restrictive than federal and state guidelines unless they pay for any increased costs of development caused by the policies.

Senate File 455 requires that local regulations on topsoil preservation, compaction, placement or depth be the same or less restrictive than requirements set by the Department of Natural Resources and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Stormwater runoff regulations must be at or below those based on flow rates calculated using return frequencies of five years.

If localities choose to adopt higher standards, the local governments are required to pay property owners and developers for the difference in cost caused by implementing the regulation.

AI-generated pornography

House File 2240 and Senate File 2243 establish criminal charges for using artificial intelligence technologies to create images and videos depicting a person engaged in a sexual act, a simulacrum of a sexual act, and in full or partial nudity. The laws focus on media that shows the visual depiction of an individual, recognizable through their face, distinguishing features or likeness, engaged in sexual activities.

Creation of AI-generated pornography or other obscene material depicting an adult can be charged as an aggravated misdemeanor, and depiction of a minor as a felony.

The post Here are some of the new laws that take effect July 1 in Iowa appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
What are the laws regulating fireworks in Topeka and Shawnee County? Here's what to know.

Vendors have been legally selling fireworks in Topeka since Saturday, but users won't be able to legally shoot them off until Wednesday.

Topeka's city government allows fireworks to be sold within city limits over a six-day period from June 29 to July 4 and discharged over a two-day period from July 3 to 4.

The Topeka City Council approved those regulations in March 2018. The city previously allowed fireworks to be sold over nine days and discharged over six.

Fireworks explodes above a residential area by Burnett's Mound in southwest Topeka as smoke fills the area.

Mandatory minimum fine for fireworks regulation violations is $250

Topeka's ordinance regulating fireworks allows for them to be discharged from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3, which is Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 4, which is Thursday.

Anyone discharging fireworks outside those hours may be ticketed and have their fireworks seized.

The mandatory minimum fine for violators is $250, according to the city's website.

"Violations may be punished up to a fine of $499 and/or 179 days in jail," that site says.

What are the regulations in Shawnee County outside Topeka?

Licenses to peddle pyrotechnics have been issued for 52 sales locations in Topeka and unincorporated Shawnee County.

In unincorporated parts of Shawnee County outside Topeka, fireworks sales began Thursday, June 27, and run through Friday, July 5.

Shooting off fireworks became legal beginning Thursday, June 27, and remains so through Thursday, July 4, in unincorporated parts of Shawnee County outside Topeka.

On each of those days, the county government allows for fireworks to be shot off between 8 a.m. and midnight.

What fireworks are illegal in Topeka and Kansas?

Topeka's fireworks ordinance bans the use of metal sparklers, as well as any fireworks prohibited by federal or state laws.

Kansas law bans people from shooting off bottle rockets and M80s, according to the website of the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office.

"The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law," that site says. "It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas  including propane  is stored."

What do I need to do to stay safe on Independence Day?

The fire marshal's office shared these safety tips for fireworks users:

 Always ignite outdoors.

 Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities.

 Have a water supply nearby.

 Light from a solid, flat and stable platform.

 Light only one firework at a time.

 Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing of it.

 Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.

 Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

 Use a long-handled lighter.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Fireworks aren't allowed to be shot off in Topeka until Wednesday
Leave it to professionals: Leaders address 4th of July safety in Cleveland

Leave it to professionals: Leaders address 4th of July safety in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland safety leaders spoke Monday about the citys plans for a safe July 4th holiday.

The Cleveland Divisions of Police, Fire, EMS and the Cleveland Department of Public Safety had a press conference at the Emergency Operations Center in Cleveland at 11 a.m.

Where to see July 4 displays in NE Ohio

During the press conference, leaders reiterated that it is illegal to set off fireworks in Cleveland. They reminded the community to leave it to the professionals.

During the press conference, it was said that fireworks can cause not only injury but also fires and even emotional distress for some, including veterans, children and pets.

Light up the Lake: 4th of July Fireworks is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.

Click here for more on where fireworks are legal.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  An ironworker from Alabama is accused of killing another ironworker from Mississippi while the two were working on a job in Tennessee.

News 5s Chad Petri spoke with Aslam Wilsons wife via Zoom on Monday morning.

4 arrested in Baldwin County, charged with manslaughter after overdose death

My husband was so trusting and so loving, Latosha Wilson said. And everybody knew he would tell you, give you the shirt off his back and help anybody.

Aslam Wilson was an ironworker from Leakesville. His wife said he was rooming with another ironworker, Justice Clyde Morgan, while the two worked on a job in Tennessee.

Justice Clyde Morgan (Photo courtesy of the Autauga County Sheriffs Office).

Friday afternoon, Wilson was shot at the motel in Brownsville, Tennessee where they were staying and police began looking for Morgan; they say he ran off.

Wilson died Saturday. Morgan was booked into the Autauga County Jail Sunday night.

Rabid fox attacks, bites Atmore woman, health officials say

Latasha Wilson said her husband and Morgan had been rooming together since May, but the friendship deteriorated, and they would go their separate ways.

I didnt expect to lose my husband at 41 years old through a senseless act, Latosha Wilson said. And to make it worse, it was our daughters birthday. She lost her dad on her 17th birthday.

Latosha Wilson said she and her husband were married for nine years, and he cared for her three kids like he was their dad.

I want my husband back, she said. Im so angry and Im so hurt. And now I have to bury my husband. And 41 years old, we were supposed to grow old together. We best spend our life together and have grandchildren together.

Former NFL QB, JaMarcus Russell, sued over $74k donation intended for alma mater

Morgan is originally from Mobile County and has had several run-ins with the law. In 2022, he threatened a Saraland judge and finished serving his sentence at the end of 2023.

And I believe if somebody would have put a stop to him and not let him continue to get out, that this would not have happened to my husband, Latosha Wilson said.

Family members have set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses and travel expenses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Leap into past: Russia will try to reproduce 2000s-era Western microchips by 2028

The Russian government has set a goal of reproducing Western microchips from the mid-2000s by 2028.

Source: Russian online newspaper The Moscow Times

Details: The Russian government has set 2028 as the deadline for launching mass production of 65-nm microchips in the country. This task has been entrusted to the Zelenograd-based Mikron company, part of the Element group of companies.

In 2011, Mikron reached an agreement with the French-Italian component manufacturer STMicroelectronics to commence production of these microchips. However, in 2014, cooperation was suspended following the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its annexation of Crimea, says a source in the microelectronics market.

At present, Mikron produces semiconductors based on 180-90-nm process technologies. This technology makes it possible to produce microchips for transport cards, Internet equipment, and a narrow range of general-purpose processors.

However, 65-nanometer processors were first developed in 2005, with mass production by leading global microelectronics manufacturers like Intel, AMD, IBM, and others starting in 2006-2007. As of now, global semiconductor manufacturers  for example, Taiwan's TSMC  have advanced to mastering the 2-nanometer process technology.

Background:

Japan has imposed trade restrictions on Chinese companies as part of a new round of sanctions against individuals and groups supporting Russia's war against Ukraine.

The United States sharply expanded sanctions against Russia, including those against Chinese companies that sell semiconductors to Russia.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A new Portland city ordinance allowing the city to fine or jail homeless people who refuse to take the offer of a shelter bed takes effect Monday, weeks after the City Council adopted this camping ordinance and just days after the US Supreme Court upheld a case from Grants Pass.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court reversed a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that largely blocked a camping ban as unconstitutional to punish people for sleeping outside when there is not adequate shelter space.

While that decision has national implications, it is different from the Portland ordinance adopted by the City Council in May.

The ordinance  unanimously approved  includes new public camping regulations that Mayor Ted Wheeler said would clarify the definition of camping as well as the reasons for prohibiting camping when a person does not have or declines reasonable alternative shelter.

Wheelers proposal also clarified how camping cannot take place on public property and reduces criminal sanctions while replacing warnings with diversion tactics.

Portland City Council passes revised public camping ordinance

Under the new ban, people who are offered shelter can accept it or face penalties. Violators can be punished with a fine of up to $100, up to seven days in jail or both.

What to expect going forward

Attorney John DiLorenzo, who sued the city on behalf of several disabled Portlanders and won the case where they claimed the city violated disability laws by allowing tents and tarps on sidewalks, told KOIN 6 News Saturday this camping ban ordinance will take some time but will be effective.

John DiLorenzo on Eye on Northwest Politics on Feb. 2, 2024 (KOIN)

I think its going to be a slow ramp up. But I think it will be a ramp up nevertheless. I think the first thing were encouraging the city to do is to double down on making sure that the sidewalks are clear, DiLorenzo said.

There are lots of opportunities for the city to get people into shelter space, into housing. And I think the latest version of the camping ordinance will do that because I understand that the enforcers, enforcement people will have apps available to them that will let them know at any particular point in time whether theres shelter space available, he said. And if theres shelter space available, theyre going to offer it to people. And if people resist at that point for a number of reasons, maybe they dont want to follow rules or whatever, then therell be other options available to the enforcement personnel.

Multnomah County halts purchase of tents, tarps as debate rages over homeless services

Lewis & Clark law professor Tung Yin said he expects the ordinance to be challenged as a violation of Oregon state law, specifically HB 3115. That House bill, passed two years ago, was based on a Ninth Circuit Court case, Martin v. Boise, that prevented cities from enforcing criminal restrictions on public camping unless the person has access to adequate temporary shelter.

The recent Supreme Court decision in the Grants Pass case only addressed the 8th Amendment regarding cruel and unusual punishment, Yin told KOIN 6 News.

I think its kind of a weird way to think about this particular issue, because normally what we think of the 8th Amendment is, you know, like tarring and feathering as punishment. Or maybe a life sentence for someone who steals a candy bar. So basically, is the punishment too heavy? he said.

Lewis & Clark law professor Tung Yin, June 30, 2024 (KOIN)

Although obviously it does have severe implications for people who are homeless because they cant afford housing. But there are other constitutional rights that I think might bear on camping bans. You might argue its a violation of due process, for example. You might argue that its a violation of equal protection, meaning that the only people who seem to be singled out for citations of the camping bans are people who appear to be houseless.

DiLorenzo hopes the Oregon legislature repeals HB 3115 in light of the high courts latest ruling.

What to keep your eyes on

Yin said legal chess playing is one thing he would watch for as this ordinance and Supreme Court decisions settle in.

And the venue in which a lawsuit is heard can determine its outcome, he said.

Grants Pass homeless case at SCOTUS not complicated

If the case stops at the Ninth Circuit of Appeals, which is the appellate level below the Supreme Court, thats generally a pretty favorable venue for civil rights plaintiffs. But if the Supreme Court decided to take the case, and they take very few cases every year, but if they decide to take the case, thats not a very favorable venue for civil rights plaintiffs right now, he said.

And if a plaintiff loses at the Supreme Court, not only is going to take away whatever it is that you had won before, but also apply nationwide.

Members of the self-proclaimed park watch group protest on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Grants Pass, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

DiLorenzo is keeping his eyes on Multnomah County leaders.

What Im going to watch closely is the number of tents and tarps that the county chair (Jessica Vega Pederson) continues to be putting out into the street, either directly through the Joint Office (of Homeless Services) or through their ideologically-based nonprofits. We have got to turn off the faucet if were going to have any success clearing the streets and the sidewalks.

Last week, Vega Pederson asked the Joint Office of Homeless Services to pause all tent and tarp purchases following a heated debate.

DiLorenzo is also closely following what Multnomah County does with shelters.

You know, the city has built more shelter space than the county has. Unfortunately, the county has a lot of money. And what I hope will happen is that the county will basically get with the program that the city is now attempting to implement and start building some shelter space.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Legal experts are expressing concern about the widespread implications of the Supreme Court decision released Monday stating that Donald Trump and other past and future presidents enjoy absolute immunity for official acts taken in office.

In the 6-3 ruling, the court's right-wing majority said presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions related to their official duties. All three liberal judges dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor writing that the decision reshapes the institution of the Presidency, and makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.

Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law. Moving forward, however, all former Presidents will be cloaked in such immunity, she wrote. With fear for our democracy, I dissent."

On social media, many law experts have shared similar concerns. Lawyer Bradley Moss made a stark historical comparison to put the ruling into perspective:

July 4, 1776 - we declare independence from a king, July 1, 2024 - the Supreme Court decides the president can basically be a king, Moss wrote.

Moss also listed a number of things the president can now do while still theoretically retaining immunity. The list includes choosing to nuke American cities filled with his political opponents, execute the Supreme Court and have the military execute Bannon in the prison showers tonight and be immune from prosecution.

He then asked his followers: do you want to risk living in a military dictatorship or not?

Steve Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, wrote that the Supreme Courts inability to avoid splitting down partisan lines in this case is a major institutional failure. He also pointed out a small, but crucial part of the ruling.

There's an important sub-part of the Trump immunity ruling in which #SCOTUS holds that 'protected conduct' (that can't be prosecuted) also can't be used as *evidence* to establish other charges, Vladeck wrote on X.

This could hinder efforts to use official acts as evidence to determine prosecution against other charges, he explained. He also pointed out that the decision declares the presidents motive for the act irrelevant.

If that's the case, how could a president ever actually *be* prosecuted for ordering the military, in his capacity as commander in chief, to kill his chief political rival? he questioned on X.

Disregarding motive was a point of contention for other critics as well.

Harry Litman, former U.S. deputy assistant attorney general, said bad motives are the soul of criminal law.

In dividing official from unofficial conduct, courts may not inquire into the Presidents motives. But bad motives are what distinguish crim conduct; they're the soul of the criminal law, he wrote on X.

Eric Segall, a law professor at Georgia State College of Law shared similar concerns in an interview with comedian Pete Dominick.

If the president really thought he had to execute an American citizen living in America as a matter of military necessity as part of his commander in chief powers, the next question we would ask is Why are you doing this? Whats your motive? Cant ask that question, Segall told Dominick.

Josh Chafetz, a law professor at Georgetown University, questioned if there is any way to read the majority such that ordering the military to assassinate a domestic political rival isnt an official act and therefore absolutely immune?

He also shared his thoughts on how Democrats could use the ruling to their advantage, suggesting they should make opposition to the Republican Court the organizing theme of the November election."

In a simple but profound statement, Richard Primus, a constitutional law professor at Michigan University, wrote: Fundamentally, the problem is the same as it has always been: the system is not built to withstand a Holmesian Bad Man as president.
Let the fireworks fly: Collier County ends burn ban after deluge of rainfall

Collier County has extinguished its burn ban.

The decision came Monday, just in time for Fourth of July fun.

The ban applied in all unincorporated areas, outside of city limits. While it didn't prevent the sale of fireworks, they couldn't have been used while it remained in effect.

The highlight of the night was the fireworks and laser show that lasted more than 30 minutes. Organizers said this was the biggest and longest fireworks show they have ever put on.

State law limits fireworks to three days a year: July 4, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. So, opportunities to enjoy them are limited (for those who follow the rules).

Implemented in mid-May to reduce the chance of wildfires, the ban prohibited open burning, including outdoor campfires, with a few exceptions. It took effect during a severe drought, after the county saw little rain in March or April.

Fines for violating the county's order were as high as $15,000, if the burning caused irreparable or irreversible damage.

The decision to lift the ban followed a review by the Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services, the Florida Forest Service and the Collier County Fire Chiefs Association after a deluge of rainfall in June.

We continue to urge residents to practice outdoor burning safety to reduce Collier Countys year-round wildfire risk and thank the public for their cooperation, said Dan Summers, director of the Bureau of Emergency Services, in a statement.

Dan Summers, director of Emergency Services for Collier County, talks about Tropical Storm Ian.

The ban excluded all commercial agricultural burning, and lawful, controlled industrial or commercial burning that's part of the manufacturing or assembly process, and burning activities regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

Lee County ended a similar ban on June 11.

To learn more about safe burning practices visit smokeybear.com and Florida Forest Service.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Burn ban lifted in Collier County in time for July 4th
Indias big three private operators, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, have put up their tariffs. This is the first time in three years they have done so. It was, however, widely expected.

Reuters reports that Bharti Airtel plans to raise tariffs by 10% to 21%, Jio by 13% to 27%, and Vodafone Idea by 10% to 23% across a number of prepaid and postpaid plans, starting on 3 July for Jio and Airtel and 4 July for Vodafone.

Massive investment in 5G rollout is one obvious reason for the price rises. Spectrum auctions and infrastructure spending probably made some sort of price correction inevitable. Reuters quotes an analyst estimate that 5G rollout alone would have cost the companies around US$18 billion, with only a modest return on investment likely to date. Indeed, Indias Economic Times says that Jio and Airtel have been offering free 5G services in a bid to attract customers to 5G.

Of course Vodafone Idea hasnt reached 5G rollout stage yet, though it has outlined an aggressive capex plan to expand 4G and roll out 5G.

Another important factor has been the Jio-led price war that forced competitors to keep prices low. This has made India very cheap for subscribers but has hit operator ARPU.

The predicted rises in ARPU as a result of the new tariffs will undoubtedly help. At the moment Vodafone Idea is behind with ARPU of 146 rupees (US$1.75) in the first quarter of the year compared to Jio's 182 rupees (US$2.18) and Airtels 209 rupees (US$2.50). Reuters says Airtel's higher ARPU is a result of its recent strategy to focus on higher-paying subscribers.

Indias Economic Times adds that an analysis of the post-tariff-hike prices shows that Reliance Jios popular prepaid plans are as much as 20% more affordable than the similar prepaid plans offered by its competitors. It also seems to have an edge in the postpaid segment.

Nevertheless, the hope is that a united front on tariffs will ease pressure on the operators balance sheets, notably that of Vodafone Idea, which has quite a lot of spending to do to catch up with its rivals in 5G  and 4G  provision.
Letters to the Editor: America is losing its religion. Louisiana shows the backlash is underway

A statue of Moses holding the Ten Commandments is seen at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove in 2020. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: How could our democracy's venerable church-state wall lately have come under constant attack? ("Supreme Court should not approve Louisiana's provocative Ten Commandments law," editorial, June 25)

Even we agnostics would concede that "God knows why." Christian conservatives fear the steadily growing percentage of religiously unaffiliated Americans. If recent trends hold, the unaffiliated will outnumber Christians within the next 20 years.

This prospect doubtless has alarmed the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative Christian justices. Hence they welcome all manner of supposed religious-liberty cases, the better to foster religious proselytizing, however subtle or overt, from school grounds to statehouses.

It's a desperate gambit aimed at preserving American Christians' shrinking majority  not to mention their disproportionate political (and judicial) influence.

Alas, the torrent of faith-indulgent rulings likely won't abate anytime soon. Never mind how constitutionally sinful it is to favor theocracy over democracy.

Gary Dolgin, Santa Monica

..

To the editor: It would seem that the same conservatives who do not want to have our children feel any guilt about the past treatment of African Americans and thus have banned critical race theory from classrooms now want the Ten Commandments displayed in those classrooms.

How many of us have clandestinely taken a cookie from the cookie jar, held Taylor Swift as an idol or worked on Sunday (or is it Saturday?).

We should constantly remind our children of those sins, but not the sins of our racist past?

Larry Harmell, Granada Hills

..

To the editor: Educators in Louisiana who have an issue with the new Ten Commandments law should post them in a prominent place in their classrooms  but upside down, as a signal of distress.

Dan Proctor, Northridge

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Letters to the Editor: How California makes it almost impossible to build affordable housing

To the editor: It's easy to say, "Build more affordable housing." Doing it is another matter entirely. ("Lack of housing is pushing more seniors onto the streets. That's on all of us," editorial, June 24)

For-profit developers generally aren't interested. There's no profit to be had, except in the form of a density bonus for including affordable housing. But developers don't want to manage these units.

Nonprofits struggle as well, as detailed in recent L.A. Times articles. While nonprofits are usually better at providing monitoring and support services, financing these projects is hard for them.

Building in California is expensive. We have tough building codes to deal with earthquakes and other kinds of natural disasters. Land gets increasingly expensive in urban areas because developers pay full price for properties, tear down the improvements and then have to recover that cost.

Financing for an affordable housing project comes from multiple sources. Multiple layers of financing mean multiple lawyers examining the transaction and billing their time, even though terms of the financing are non-negotiable.

Government funding from a single source is part of the answer, but no single agency can do that. Article 34 of our state Constitution requires a vote of the people for government-funded affordable housing, adding the cost of an election to the process without any guarantee the voters will approve.

The first step is breaking through all these obstacles. A proposal to put repealing Article 34 on the ballot has been dropped. Now what?

June Ailin Sewell, Marina del Rey

The writer is an attorney who has worked on affordable housing projects.

..

To the editor: Conspicuously absent from your editorial on solutions to address the increase in homelessness among seniors in California is any mention of rent control.

Yes, we need to build more housing more quickly  but affordable housing, not more luxury housing. And providing modest rental subsidies when warranted to keep people in their homes could prevent many seniors and others from slipping into homelessness and ending up on our streets.

However, keeping people housed in their existing homes via reasonable rent control measures could be the lowest-hanging fruit in a multi-pronged approach to homelessness.

This November, Californians will have the chance to vote on the Justice for Renters Act, a ballot measure that will override an existing statewide ban on rent control. For a newspaper that has twice previously endorsed similar statewide rent control ballot initiatives, it is strange that The Times made no mention here of rent control as another important tool to address housing affordability and homelessness.

Ged Kenslea, Los Angeles

The writer is senior director of communications for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, sponsor of the rent control ballot initiative.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
For the past 15 years, a Lexington woman who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted near her State Street home said she has feared for her life as the person who attacked her remained free.

The survivor said her life has been affected in every way possible since that day in 2009. Her mental health has deteriorated, and her ability to work and her relationships have been negatively affected.

In 2023, when 54-year-old George Wayne Aldridge was arrested after DNA tied him to five sexual assaults across Kentucky, the trauma resurfaced, and the woman was diagnosed with PTSD-induced fibromyalgia.

There was relief that justice could prevail with the man accused of attacking her now behind bars, she said.

But now, Aldridge could go free a year after he was arrested if his bond is lowered in the three counties where he faces these sex crimes allegations. His bond has already been lowered or dropped in two of those counties.

This has impacted my life in numerous and enormous ways, and I despise that, the woman said.

I despise that this person was able to come in and destroy and shatter my life.

The Herald-Leader does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Aldridge was arrested in February 2023 in relation to three Fayette County abductions and sexual assaults between 2009 and 2016, the Lexington Police Department previously said. Police used DNA technology to connect the victims and identify the suspect.

For those attacks, Aldridge is charged with two counts of first-degree rape, first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of first-degree sodomy, three counts of adult kidnapping and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

In August 2023, Kentucky State Police announced Aldridge was indicted in Jefferson County for a 2005 sexual assault in Louisville. The testing was done through the state Sexual Assault Kit Initiative investigative team, which receives federal grant funding.

Subsequent KSP laboratory forensic genetic genealogy confirmed his DNA matched the profile found in the sexual assault evidence.

Aldridge was most recently charged in Jessamine County in February 2024 related to another sex crime and charged with first-degree attempted rape, court documents show.

How Aldridge could be released

Now, the dominoes are falling in all three counties for Aldridge to be released on bond as he awaits his next steps in court.

In Fayette and Jessamine counties, Aldridges bond has been lowered and posted  or eliminated altogether.

This has been hanging over me like a dark cloud and we are all seeking some type of validation or closure, the Lexington survivor said. So, for someone to even allow the possibility of an escape, regarding the situation to be less of a danger and a threat than what it is, that is somewhat of a mockery of the situation.

At a June 24 hearing, Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman said, based on a pretrial services report, Aldridge was considered a low-flight risk and low danger to the public.

Goodman said she felt legally bound to lower his bond, which was originally $150,000. It was lowered again, and Mondays hearing allowed him to pay only 10 percent  or $5,000  to post bond.

His upcoming status hearing in Fayette County is scheduled for July 18.

Because he faces charges in two additional counties, Aldridge would not be let out of jail unless the other two courts ordered a reduction.

In Jessamine County, a grand jury has not yet been called to indict Aldridge, which eliminated his $25,000 bond altogether.

In Kentucky, the grand jury must indict the defendant within 60 days, or the defendant is discharged from bond and either released from custody, or their money is refunded. This is called the 60-day rule. He could still be indicted.

Aldridge is now facing a bond hearing in Jefferson County, where he is charged with first-degree rape, and his bond is presently set at $25,000, according to court documents.

On Monday, Jefferson Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith will hear arguments about whether to reduce his bond.

Aldridges attorney, Anastasia McKettrick, cited the two significant changes in the other two jurisdictions bond decisions, according to court documents. As an indigent client, she said the $25,000 bond was unreasonably high.

A person is referred to as indigent when they are unable to afford a defense lawyer.

McKettrick is requesting the bond be lowered to an unsecured bond  simply the promise that the defendant will pay a certain amount of money if they do not follow the precise conditions of their bail. There is no requirement to pay this sum in full or in part.

Survivor appalled at judges decision

When the Lexington survivor heard about Goodmans decision to lower the bond, she said she felt disgusted, sickened and appalled.

I couldnt believe she said verbatim that he was not a flight risk, and not a threat, she told the Herald-Leader.

What are we going to consider a threat? Multiple victims, a serial rapist, in multiple counties with DNA evidence. That isnt going to be a threat?

Goodman has recently been at the center of other controversial decisions, including tossing a murder indictment against a defendant over allegations of racial bias in December. In June, she ordered a new trial for a man convicted of murdering his son and cited alleged prosecutorial misconduct as the reason.

Goodman was elected to the Fayette District Court Bench in 2008 and served in the position for 11 years, according to her candidate profile on Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. Prior to that, she was a trial lawyer for 28 years and practiced as a national litigator. She has also served as an assistant attorney general, and worked for the Fayette County Commonwealth Attorneys Office under Ray Larson. Goodman was first elected to the circuit court bench in 2019, and re-elected in 2022.

The survivor mentioned Aldridges bond and likelihood of fleeing has come up before.

In one of his first court appearances, prosecutors asked Fayette District Judge Bruce Bell to increase his $150,000 bond after Aldridge made statements in a jail phone call about attempting to flee.

If I get out of here, I am leaving and not coming back, Aldridge reportedly told his family while on a phone call from jail, prosecutors said in court documents.

Aldridges former attorney, Edward Thompson, argued the context of his statement was that he wanted to get out of Lawrenceburg, which was where he lived. Bell ordered his bond remain at $150,000.

That tells you right there the man is going to cut and run, she said. All he has to do is remove the monitor and head for the hills and be left unaccountable for all those atrocities he has committed.

The Lexington survivor said she believes more victims will be identified.

These arent just allegations at this point, she asserted. I understand presuming innocence until proven guilty, but when DNA is involved, how can you presume someone to be innocent at that point?

There is a danger. He is a danger. This judge just made this ruling, and allowing someone who is a threat and serious danger to be loose and get out once again, she said.

It has proven (judges) dont have a safe, rational mind and do not regard society and community in a safe manner.
A Sioux Falls resident votes during the 2024 primary on June 4, 2024 at the downtown library. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

A Sioux Falls resident votes at the downtown library during the primary election on June 4, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

The Libertarian Party of South Dakota has nominated Gideon Oakes, of Keystone, as its candidate for the Public Utilities Commission in the Nov. 5 general election.

Oakes will face incumbent Republican Kristie Fiegen and Democrat Forrest Wilson. Fiegen has served on the Public Utilities Commission for over a decade, after being appointed to the position by Gov. Dennis Daugaard and being reelected twice.

Gideon Oakes. (Courtesy of Libertarian Party of South Dakota)

The commission of three is responsible for regulating the rates of natural gas, electric and telephone service companies in the state. The commission also considers permits, such as for the controversial Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline thats proposed to run through eastern South Dakota.

Oakes is a business owner and volunteer EMT. He said in a news release that his candidacy offers voters a better choice for the PUC office and a fresh perspective.

The question voters get to decide is whether they want a commissioner that represents the utility industry, one that represents big government, or one that represents the people, Oakes said.

The party also nominated three statehouse candidates Saturday at its state convention in Pierre: Josh Dennert and Tamara Lesnar for House seats in District 1 (Brown, Day, Marshall and Roberts counties) and Greg Zimmerman for District 8 House (Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake and Miner counties).

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The University of Kansas Health System, which has its primary location in Kansas City, Kansas, is set to partner with Liberty Hospital, sparking discontent among some state lawmakers. (Allison Kite/Missouri Independent)

Despite resistance from lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri, Liberty Hospital has officially joined the University of Kansas Health System, executives announced Monday.

Leaders of the health system announced the completion of the merger Monday in a short video Monday alongside the CEO of Liberty Hospital, located in the Kansas City suburbs north of the Missouri River.

Libertys leadership began looking in May 2023 to partner with another health system to help the hospital meet growing demand. It announced in October that it had chosen the University of Kansas.

Raghu Adiga  who served as Liberty Hospitals CEO and now is CEO of the Liberty market for KU  said the hospitals board of trustees evaluated more than 30 potential partners. He said hes more than convinced merging with the Kansas hospital system was the right decision.

We share a commitment to putting patients first, Adiga said. We prioritize our people and believe in providing high quality care close to home. To have a strong community, we need to have strong healthcare. We believe this relationship not only strengthens Liberty Hospital, but the Liberty community and the entire Northland.

Tammy Peterman, president of KU Healths Kansas City Division, said about 35% of the health systems patients currently come from Missouri, and KU already has clinics in the state.

We knew eventually we would need a way to care for more patients in Missouri and the Northland to keep care close to home, Peterman said. So today is a big milestone for us as well: our very first hospital in Missouri.

Health system leaders did not take questions from journalists following the press conference. Asked about the terms of the deal, a spokeswoman for KU said in an email that the health systems leaders are celebrating the next couple of days and were not available to comment.

KU and Libertys merger was met with disdain from some lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri. Former-Missouri Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, pushed legislation earlier this year to block the deal, calling it mind boggling and saying the idea of a Kansas health system owning a Missouri hospital felt terribly wrong.

But supporters of the deal argued Liberty needed a larger hospital partner to be able to grow and make investments in its facilities. A Liberty board member told lawmakers this spring that if the hospital didnt merge with KU, it could be purchased by a for-profit chain and stop offering some of its services, becoming little bit more than a triage center.

Bob Page, president and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, said its incredibly difficult in health care today to remain a completely independent hospital like Liberty.

They found a new path forward to ensure they could continue to deliver high quality care in the Northland for generations to come, Page said. By becoming part of this health system, they will be able to offer some of the most advanced treatments and expertise anywhere in the country.

Razers legislation made it out of a Senate committee but never received a floor vote.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also opposed the merger, writing in a letter to Senate leadership in January that the deal was illegal unless the Missouri General Assembly signed off on it. An attorney for Liberty said, however, that the deal was structured to comply with state laws.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, expressed frustration about the merger in a committee meeting in November, saying struggling hospitals in Kansas could have benefitted from a partnership with KU.

And Kansas Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican, filed legislation that would have required KU get permission from the Kansas Legislature before entering a deal that involves acquiring, building, repairing or improving property outside of Kansas. The bill never got a hearing.

In the meantime, the systems were working toward a finalized deal that is expected to include investment in Libertys facilities.

Peterman said over the coming months, KU leadership will learn more about how Liberty operates and how it can be best integrated into the health system.

This includes everything from inpatient and ambulatory care to supply chain and branding, she said. Ultimately, we want to ensure we are one health system offering a seamless and consistent patient experience.

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The post Liberty Hospital officially joins University of Kansas Health System appeared first on Missouri Independent.
The University of Kansas Health System, which has its primary location in Kansas City, Kansas, is set to partner with Liberty Hospital, sparking discontent among some state lawmakers.

The University of Kansas Health System, which has its primary location in Kansas City, Kansas, is set to partner with Liberty Hospital, sparking discontent among some state lawmakers. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

Despite resistance from lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri, Liberty Hospital has officially joined the University of Kansas Health System, executives announced Monday.

Leaders of the health system announced the completion of the merger Monday in a short video Monday alongside the CEO of Liberty Hospital, located in the Kansas City suburbs north of the Missouri River.

Libertys leadership began looking in May 2023 to partner with another health system to help the hospital meet growing demand. It announced in October that it had chosen the University of Kansas.

Raghu Adiga  who served as Liberty Hospitals CEO and now is CEO of the Liberty market for KU  said the hospitals board of trustees evaluated more than 30 potential partners. He said hes more than convinced merging with the Kansas hospital system was the right decision.

We share a commitment to putting patients first, Adiga said. We prioritize our people and believe in providing high quality care close to home. To have a strong community, we need to have strong healthcare. We believe this relationship not only strengthens Liberty Hospital, but the Liberty community and the entire Northland.

Tammy Peterman, president of KU Healths Kansas City Division, said about 35% of the health systems patients currently come from Missouri, and KU already has clinics in the state.

We knew eventually we would need a way to care for more patients in Missouri and the Northland to keep care close to home, Peterman said. So today is a big milestone for us as well: our very first hospital in Missouri.

Health system leaders did not take questions from journalists following the press conference. Asked about the terms of the deal, a spokeswoman for KU said in an email that the health systems leaders are celebrating the next couple of days and were not available to comment.

KU and Libertys merger was met with disdain from some lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri. Former-Missouri Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, pushed legislation earlier this year to block the deal, calling it mind boggling and saying the idea of a Kansas health system owning a Missouri hospital felt terribly wrong.

But supporters of the deal argued Liberty needed a larger hospital partner to be able to grow and make investments in its facilities. A Liberty board member told lawmakers this spring that if the hospital didnt merge with KU, it could be purchased by a for-profit chain and stop offering some of its services, becoming little bit more than a triage center.

Bob Page, president and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, said its incredibly difficult in health care today to remain a completely independent hospital like Liberty.

They found a new path forward to ensure they could continue to deliver high quality care in the Northland for generations to come, Page said. By becoming part of this health system, they will be able to offer some of the most advanced treatments and expertise anywhere in the country.

Razers legislation made it out of a Senate committee but never received a floor vote.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also opposed the merger, writing in a letter to Senate leadership in January that the deal was illegal unless the Missouri General Assembly signed off on it. An attorney for Liberty said, however, that the deal was structured to comply with state laws.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, expressed frustration about the merger in a committee meeting in November, saying struggling hospitals in Kansas could have benefitted from a partnership with KU.

And Kansas Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican, filed legislation that would have required KU get permission from the Kansas Legislature before entering a deal that involves acquiring, building, repairing or improving property outside of Kansas. The bill never got a hearing.

In the meantime, the systems were working toward a finalized deal that is expected to include investment in Libertys facilities.

Peterman said over the coming months, KU leadership will learn more about how Liberty operates and how it can be best integrated into the health system.

This includes everything from inpatient and ambulatory care to supply chain and branding, she said. Ultimately, we want to ensure we are one health system offering a seamless and consistent patient experience.

The post Liberty Hospital officially joins University of Kansas Health System appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
CLIFTON, N.J. (PIX11)  A family in Clifton, New Jersey, is hoping the saying is true that lightning never strikes twice.

Thats because lightning struck their home Sunday night during the fierce and fast thunderstorms that raced through the tri-state area.

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They told us we were lucky. Once again, God bless, Sebastian Moreno, the son of the homeowner, told PIX11 News.

Moreno cant believe how lucky his family is. Lightning struck the roof of his familys home on Grove Street in Clifton when they werent home as powerful thunderstorms tore through Passaic County.

When they pulled into the driveway and saw the debris, they immediately called the fire department.

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We were driving in and saw a little debris on the side, just the siding, but we were kind of confused, Moreno told PIX11 News. Damage is so small. Fire department said we were so lucky there was no fire. Once again, were so blessed.

Sebastian said their only inconvenience is that some of their TVs, radios, and routers arent working now. Sebastian said its too early to know how much or how little it will cost to repair the damage.

Sebastian said he never saw the need for a lightning rod on top of the house until this happened and now hes going to rush right out and buy one.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Private property owners in New Mexico can have debris removed for free. The service is state-funded, the states Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) Office said.

Residents impacted by the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, or flooding in Lincoln County are allowed to request the debris-clearing service. However, if insurance companies are funding debris removal, the resident has to report it as a portion of the payment might be paid to the state.

Sandbag-filling volunteers needed in San Miguel County

A sign-up is required for the service. Property owners can sign up in person at the Roswell Civic and Convention Center (Roswell), Horton Complex (Ruidoso), or the Mescalero Apache School (Mescalero).

Questions can be directed to a hotline at 1-833-663-4736. More information, and an online application, can be found here.

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BREAKING (2:38 p.m.): Judge Beverly Cannon has declared a mistrial in the Karen Read murder trial.

BREAKING: Judge Cannone declares a MISTRIAL in the KAREN READ murder trial after the jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the 5th day of deliberations. A hung jury means Read is neither convicted nor acquitted. The Norfolk DAs office will have to decide if they want  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

Deliberations in the Karen Read murder trial resumed Monday morning with deeply divided jurors again telling the judge in a note that they remain deadlocked and cant reach a verdict.

Judge issues special instructions, tells Karen Read jurors to resolve fundamental differences

The note the jury handed to Cannone read, Despite all commitment to the duty entrusted to us, we find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and state of mind. The divergence in our views is not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort, but in deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. We recognize the weight of this submission and the implications it holds.

Judge Beverly Cannone then gave the jury Tuey-Rodriguez instructions, also known as a dynamite charge, in a last-ditch effort to reach a verdict.

Read, 44, of Mansfield, is accused of hitting her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe with her car and leaving him for dead in the snow in Canton in January 2022, but the defense has made a case that she is being framed.

Jurors have been deliberating since Tuesday, June 25. Monday marks the fifth day of deliberations.

LIVE UPDATES FROM COURT:

2:38 p.m.

Im declaring a mistrial, Judge Beverly Cannone said.

2:35 p.m.

The jury in the Karen Read murder trial indicates for a 3rd time that they have tried but are unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Judge said, The jury is at an impasse.

2:25 p.m.

The Karen Read jurors have another note for the judge amid struggles to reach a verdict.

Court clerk says jury has sent another note. We are all heading back in courtroom  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

1 p.m.

I'm inside the superior courthouse and missed all the excitement with a prisoner who apparently escaped from the district courthouse across the street and everyone chasing after him. Cant make this stuff up.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

12 p.m.

Heres a look at Dedham today where the jury in the #KarenRead murder trial continues deliberations. This is the sidewalk on High Street between Bullard Street and Court Street. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/tEfgFd5FPT  Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) July 1, 2024

11:30 a.m.

The jury note essentially said they have come as far as they think they can and dont anticipate reaching a unanimous decision. They had the weekend to soul search and fundamental differences remain.

11:10 a.m.

Judge Cannone gives the jury Tuey-Rodriguez instructions or a dynamite charge after the jury indicates they are deeply divided and have fundamental differences and a census is unattainable.

The Court clerk says the judge will have to declare a mistrial if the jury comes back again, after this, without a verdict.

Judge Cannone giving the jury Tuey-Rodriguez instructions or "dynamite" charge after jury indicates they are "deeply divided" and have "fundamental differences" and a "census is unattainable".



The clerk told me the judge will have to declare a mistrial if they come back again,  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

11 a.m.

Breaking: The jury has come back a 2nd time in Karen Read murder trial saying they are deadlocked.

The judge now asks both sides how they want to proceed. Lally says they need to keep going. Yannetti says its time to give the jury the dynamite or now or never instructions for a final push.

We should hear the contents of the note they sent to the judge shortly when the jury is brought back in.

Breaking: Jury has come back a 2nd time in Karen Read murder trial saying they are deadlocked.

Judge now asking both sides how they want to proceed.

Lally says they need to keep going.

Yannetti says it's time to give the jury the "dynamite" or now or never instructions for a  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

10:50 a.m.

Everyone is being brought back into the courtroom. Im told possible jury questions but well find out soon.

Everyone is being brought back in the courtroom.

I'm told possible jury question but we'll find out soon  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

9:30 a.m.

Karen and her legal team have left the courthouse and are waiting at a nearby church to see if jurors reach a verdict today.

Jury deliberations have resumed in the #KarenRead murder trial. Karen and her team have left the court house and are waiting at a nearby church to see if jurors reach a verdict today. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/nzaiohmqQL  Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) July 1, 2024

9:05 a.m.

No apparent issues over the weekend. The jury is back at it.

9 a.m.

Jurors enter the courtroom for morning check-in with Judge Cannone.

Good morning from day 5 of deliberations in the Commonwealth vs. Read.

Im inside the courtroom.

Jury entering for morning hello/check in.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 1, 2024

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone, right, speaks to the defense and prosecution during the Karen Read trial at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat GreenhouseThe Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read talks with her legal team at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court for the weekend at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, left, arrives with her defense team, including Elizabeth Little at right, at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. A jury is deliberating Read's fate, as her trial is nearing its end. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read gets a long hug from her dad William before the jury breaks for lunch at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, while walking near defense attorney David Yannetti, right, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, left, stands in a doorway near defense attorney David Yannetti, center, as they depart Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read listens as Judge Beverly J. Cannone greets the jury, at the start of the third day of deliberations in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her attorney, Alan Jackson as the jury leaves the courtroom to start their third day of deliberations, in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read watches as the jury enters the courtroom for the start of the second day of deliberation at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Alan Jackson, From left, Liza Little, defendant Karen Read and David Yanetti wait for a question from the jury as the jury deliberates in Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly Cannone looks over the verdict slip the jurors have to fill out when they reach a verdict in Karen Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. The defense has asked for some modifications. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. Jury deliberations began in the trial Tuesday afternoon. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Carol Kelly, of Canton, Mass., below right, waves a pink and white American flag in support of Karen Read while Gail White, of Canton, left, holds a sign, a block from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Lisa Hoffman, of Mansfield, Mass., right, displays a sign in support of Karen Read that features a likeness of a Massachusetts license plate, while seated a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read display signs and a banner a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read listen to proceedings from Read's trial from a laptop computer while gathered a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Laura McGillis, of Attleboro, Mass., a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Eva Jenkins, of Bourne, Mass., left, a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars as other supporters place a banner, right, a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center right, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.

Karen Read listens to family members, after the jury is dismissed at the end of the evidence phase of her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

After the defense's last witness, Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks to the jury during the murder trial for Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

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)

Karen Read, center, stands amid her lawyers during a break in proceedings during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, and her defense lawyers Alan Jackson, left, and David Yannetti, right, listen as the prosecution questions their witness Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens as the prosecutor questions Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens to testimony during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, sits in court with her legal team during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (David McGlynn/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read listens to her lawyer Alan Jackson question witness Massachusetts State trooper Michael Proctor during her, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read reacts to he attorney Alan Jackson as he cross examines state trooper Michael Proctor during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read and attorney David Yannetti listen during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

PREVIOUS STORY:

On Friday, those jurors sent the judge a note saying that despite an exhaustive review of the evidence and diligent consideration, they had been unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

The note doesnt really indicate, affirmatively that they cant come to a conclusion. It just says that they havent come to a conclusion, prosecutor Adam Lally said.

Defense attorney David Yannetti responded, Theyre communicating to the court that theyve exhausted all manner of compromise. He continued, They have nowhere to turn.

Judge Beverly Cannone called this a long case with 74 witnesses, 657 exhibits, and very complex issues. She said shes not prepared to find that there have been due and thorough deliberations at this point.

Boston 25 News legal expert Peter Elikann weighed in, saying its not unusual for deliberations to last multiple weeks and it wouldnt be surprising for the judge to send them back to the jury room again should they say they still couldnt reach a verdict.

A lot of people probably thought you go into a jury room you chat around the table for 45 minutes or so and you all kind of take a vote and its over but thats not how it is, Elikann said.

Elikann added, Theres just so much to go over if you want to do a serious diligent job.

Court resumes Monday at 9 a.m.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The aftermath of the Russian attack on a Nova Poshta depot in Kharkiv. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, has reported that eight people, including two children, are being treated in hospitals in the city of Kharkiv after Russia's 30 June attack on a depot in Kharkiv belonging to the private courier service Nova Poshta.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov

Quote: "A 58-year-old man is in a serious condition but is stable. He sustained a blast injury to his head, torso and left arm. Five more adults are in a moderate condition.

A teenage boy, 16, is in a stable condition, and his recovery outlook is positive. An 8-month-old boy is in a satisfactory condition. He is being prepared for discharge today under the supervision of a general practitioner."

Background: On 30 June, Russian forces attacked a depot in Kharkiv belonging to the private courier service Nova Poshta with guided aerial bombs. Syniehubov noted that a man, who was an employee of the depot, had been killed in the attack.

Nova Poshta said "all the staff who were on shift were in a bomb shelter at the time of the attack and did not sustain injuries". The company added that several members of the public and van drivers had been injured in the attack.

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SACRAMENTO, California  The state lawmaker behind a measure targeting the airport security screening service CLEAR pulled the bill Monday, ending a much-debated proposal that ignited conversations over equity and government overreach.

California State Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat, confirmed to POLITICO that he was planning to remove the bill hours before it would have come up in an Assembly committee. Newman said the committee's chair planned to vote against the bill following a significant carve-out for airlines.

Originally, the bill would have effectively banned the company and other third-party security screening vendors from California airports unless they got their own dedicated security lane. Such a move would involve federal approval.

Newman had hoped the bill would make flying a more equitable experience. When the Orange County senator introduced the measure earlier this year, he said travelers shouldn't have to "suffer the indignity of somebody pushing you out of the way to let the rich person pass you."

The bill had the backing of labor unions representing flight attendants and TSA agents but faced steep industry opposition from airports and airlines.

Opponents said the bill wouldn't eliminate the hierarchy of passengers by their ability to pay for preferential treatment, as it would still allow elite travelers to skip the line.



He is fine exempting first class passengers and other million mile type level passengers, but passengers that have CLEAR are not okay, Jim Lites, executive director of the California Airports Council, told POLITICO in an email. Of course, many CLEAR passengers are not flying first class at all . a hypocritical twist on the concern CLEAR creates haves and have nots.

The measure was watered down in April in the Senate Transportation Committee to only restrict CLEAR from expanding to new airports, temporarily removing the security firm's opposition. But CLEAR went back to opposing the bill after Newman in June carved out an exception to allow airlines to have priority lanes or other services.

CLEAR, in a letter last week to Assembly Transportation Chair Lori Wilson, claimed that the airline carve-out would isolate the company and put it at a competitive disadvantage.

Although the author claims this bill is about equity, as opposed to targeting any specific company, the most recent amendments would exempt other priority lanes and lines  such as those for first-class passengers  without restriction, wrote Jessica Ng, CLEARs director of state and local public affairs.

Assembly Transportation Committee staff also noted concerns over whether airports have the authority to control allocation of TSA agents or to create a dedicated security lane.

"Even if TSA did grant a public airport enough TSA agents to staff a dedicated CLEAR lane, the dedicated TSA agent could not help with screening the non-CLEAR security lanes without violating the provisions of this bill," staff wrote.

In a statement, CLEAR spokesperson Ricardo Quinto said that the company will "remain committed to operating in California without interruption and will always welcome opportunities to collaborate and have robust discussions with local, state and federal governments to ensure all travelers have a safer, easier checkpoint experience."
Americans are gearing up to celebrate the Fourth of July, and their thoughts are most likely on how many hot dogs to buy for the cookout and whether a family member needs to go stake out a good spot to watch the parade and fireworks.

While the holiday is focused on revelry, July Fourth actually commemorates a solemn moment in the countrys history, when it declared independence from the colonial power Great Britain. The institutions of government imagined by the founders and their successors over the following decades  among them the presidency, Congress, the departments of State and Treasury, the Supreme Court  have retained their authority and legitimacy for more than 200 years, weathering challenges from wars both internal and abroad and massive economic, political and social upheaval.

But now, the Supreme Court, in the wake of a series of highly controversial rulings and ethical questions about some justices, is experiencing historically low public standing. And that has prompted a national conversation about the courts legitimacy. Its even drawn rare public comment from three sitting Supreme Court justices.

Whats referred to by experts as the problem of judicial legitimacy may seem abstract, but the courts faltering public support is about more than popularity.

Eroding legitimacy means that government officials and ordinary people become increasingly unlikely to accept public policies with which they disagree. And Americans need only look to the relatively recent past to understand the stakes of the courts growing legitimacy problem.

Cost paid in blood

The Supreme Courts 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education shined a light on many white Americans tenuous loyalty to the authority of the federal judiciary.

In Brown, the court unanimously held that racial segregation in public education violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The justices were abundantly aware that their decision would evoke strong emotions. So Chief Justice Earl Warren worked tirelessly to ensure that the court issued a unanimous, short and readable opinion designed to calm the anticipated popular opposition.

Warrens efforts were in vain. Rather than recognizing the courts authoritative interpretation of the Constitution, many white Americans participated in an extended, violent campaign of resistance to the desegregation ruling.

Resistance in the South to the Supreme Courts school desegregation order was strong and often violent. This billboard urged impeachment of the courts then-chief justice, Earl Warren. AP photo

The integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962 provides a pointed example of this resistance.

The Supreme Court had backed a lower federal court that ordered the university to admit James Meredith, a Black Air Force veteran. But Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett led a wide-ranging effort to stop Meredith from enrolling at Ole Miss, including deploying state and local police to prevent Meredith from entering campus.

On Sunday, Sept. 30, 1962, Meredith nevertheless arrived on the universitys campus, guarded by dozens of federal marshals, to register and begin classes the next day. A crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 people gathered on campus and broke into a riot. Meredith and the marshals were attacked with Molotov cocktails and gunfire. The marshals fired tear gas in return.

In response, President John F. Kennedy invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807 and ordered the U.S. Army onto campus to restore order and protect Meredith. Overnight, thousands of troops arrived, battling rioters.

President John F. Kennedy called in federal troops to quell the violence against James Merediths enrollment in the University of Mississippi in 1962. Lynn Pelham/Getty Images

The violence finally ended after 15 hours, leaving two civilians dead  both killed by rioters  and dozens of wounded marshals and soldiers in addition to hundreds of injuries among the insurgent mob.

The next day, Oct. 1, Meredith enrolled in the university and attended his first class, but thousands of troops remained in Mississippi for months afterward to preserve order.

What some call the Battle of Oxford was fueled by white racism and segregation, but it played out against the backdrop of weak judicial legitimacy. Federal courts did not command enough respect among state officials or ordinary white Mississippians to protect the constitutional rights of Black Mississippians. Neither Gov. Barnett nor the thousands of Oxford rioters were willing to follow the court order for Meredith to enroll at the university.

In the end, the Constitution and the federal courts prevailed only because Kennedy backed them with the Army. But the cost of weak judicial legitimacy was paid in blood.

Legitimacy leads to acceptance

In contrast, when people believe in the legitimacy of their governing institutions, they are more likely to accept, respect and abide by the rules the government  including the courts  ask them to live under, even when the stakes are high and the consequences are far-reaching.

For example, two decades ago, the Supreme Court resolved a disputed presidential election in Bush v. Gore, centered on the counting of ballots in Florida. This time, the court was deeply divided along ideological lines, and its long, complicated and fragmented opinion was based on questionable legal reasoning.

Clashes between riot police and Donald Trump supporters near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images

But in 2000, the court enjoyed more robust legitimacy among the public than it does today. As a consequence, Florida officials ceased recounting disputed ballots. Vice President Al Gore conceded the election to Texas Gov. George W. Bush, specifically accepting the Supreme Courts pivotal ruling.

No Democratic senator challenged the validity of Floridas disputed Electoral College votes for Bush. Congress certified the Electoral Colleges vote, and Bush was inaugurated.

Democrats were surely disappointed, and some protested. But the court was viewed as sufficiently legitimate to produce enough acceptance by enough people to ensure a peaceful transition of power. There was no violent riot; there was no open resistance.

Indeed, on the very night that Gore conceded, the chants of his supporters gathered outside tacitly accepted the outcome: Gore in four!  as if to say, Well get you next time, because we believe there will be a next time.

Risks ahead

But what happens when institutions fail to retain citizens loyalty?

The Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection showcased the consequences of broken legitimacy. The rioters who stormed the Capitol had lost faith in systems that undergird American democracy: counting presidential votes in the states, tallying Electoral College ballots and settling disputes over election law in the courts.

The men and women who stormed the Capitol may have believed their country was being stolen, even if such beliefs were baseless. So, they rebelled in the face of a result they didnt like.

The threat of further unrest is real. Polls show the 2024 presidential election between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be a close call, and it is likely that election results in several states will be challenged in federal courts. Some of these claims may raise good-faith questions about the administration of elections, while others advance more spurious claims intended to undermine faith in the elections outcome.

In the end, Americans faith in the timely resolution of those cases and their peaceful acceptance of the presidential elections result will hinge on whether the losing candidates supporters accept the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and the judiciary more broadly.

Nothing is certain in politics, but the specter of constitutional crisis looms over the United States. Its dangerously unclear whether the Supreme Court retains enough legitimacy to ensure acceptance of decisions addressing the upcoming election among those who find themselves on the losing side. If it doesnt, the courts abstract legitimacy problem could once again lead to violence and insurrection.

This story is an updated version of a story that was originally published on Oct. 31, 2022.

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: Matthew Hall, University of Notre Dame and Joseph Daniel Ura, Clemson University

Read more:



Matthew Hall has previously received research funding from the National Science Foundation and funding for academic programs from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Joseph Daniel Ura has previously received research funding from the National Science Foundation and funding for academic programs from the Charles Koch Foundation.
(Wesley Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Two of the Louisiana Department of Healths top officials received large pay increases after Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers created the new surgeon general position last month. The governors administration eliminated another high-paying position in the agency to keep its budget in balance.

Landry picked former Congressman Dr. Ralph Abraham, a primary care physician, to serve as Louisianas first-ever surgeon general. Abraham will receive the same salary, $260,000 per year, hes earned as secretary of the state health department over the past six months.

Two of his deputies saw pay hikes after a reshuffling of the agencys executive team.

Michael Harrington got a $51,000 bump when he went from being undersecretary into Abrahams old position as secretary. His pay has gone from $189,000 to $240,000 annually, according to Louisiana State Civil Service.



Drew Maranto moved from being Abrahams chief of staff to replacing Harrington as the health departments undersecretary. His pay has also gone up $20,000, from $150,000 to $170,00 per year, according to civil service.



The job title changes are not expected to increase the money spent on salaries in the health department overall. The Landry administration got rid of the state health officer post, a high-paying position that a physician held, and moved those duties under the surgeon general.

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Louisianas previous state health officer, Dr. Joe Kanter, left the department in February and was making $244,000 annually at the end of last year, according to a state public salary database.

Last week, Landry said the surgeon general and health secretary will be expected to run the health department together. Abraham, as surgeon general, will focus more on public health concerns and medical treatment guidelines. Harrington will manage the states health care spending and 8,000 agency employees.



Health care spending accounts for almost half of the state governments total operating budget annually. Louisiana expects to put $19.7 billion toward health care needs over the next year.

The post Louisiana health officials get pay bumps with creation of surgeon generals post appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
The Louisiana Supreme Court will review whether granting automatic delays in court proceedings to attorneys who are also state lawmakers is fair. The justices decision to do so comes just days after Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would have changed the practice.

The court agreed Tuesday to hear arguments over whether Sen. Alan Seabaugh and Rep. Micheal Melerine, Republicans who are partners in a Shreveport law firm, have been unreasonably delaying court proceedings related to a car accident because of their legislative responsibilities.

The state capital of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

Caddo Parish resident Theresa Fisher initially sued the driver who hit her car and his insurance company, Hanover Insurance Group, which Seabaugh and Melerine represent, in April 2019. Shes seeking financial compensation for medical problems she the accident caused, according to her attorneys.The case, pending in the First Judicial District in Caddo, has been delayed more than once, sometimes because it conflicted with Seabaughs legislative schedule. He has been a lawmaker since 2010. Melerine joined the Legislature earlier this year.

Louisiana state Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport

The date of the trial was first scheduled in March 2021 and has been moved four times since then. Its now on the calendar for this coming October.Fishers attorneys, J. Cole Sartin and Joseph Gregorio, have asked a judge to weigh in on whether the legislative continuances, which were responsible for one of the trial delays as well as other extensions, are interfering with their clients right to have her day in court.Louisiana gives attorneys who are lawmakers leeway to ask for delays in court proceedings. They can seek a continuance for any time 30 days before until 30 days after a legislative session, as well as for travel and other meetings their elected role requires.

After Sartin and Gregorio first raised concerns over legislative delays with the court this spring, Seabaugh introduced legislation that would have given him leverage over the opposing attorneys.

Lawmakers, several of whom are also lawyers, went along with Seabaugh and voted unanimously for his proposal, but the governor vetoed the measure.

Senate Bill 185 would have required attorneys who challenged legislative extensions to pay the court costs and legal expenses for opposing state lawmakers. In other words, it would have likely forced Fisher, through Gregorio and Sartine, to pay Seabaugh because her attorneys raised the legal challenge to his legislative extensions, Gregorio said.

Seabaugh and Sartin declined to comment for this article. Gregorio said it was a welcomed relief to see Landry veto the bill that would have saddled his client with extra expenses

Not everyone was happy to see the legislation trashed, however. While it contained some expansion of lawmakers entitlement to court extensions, the bill also placed new restrictions on the practice that advocates for domestic violence victims have sought for years. Had it become law, Seabaughs legislation would have prohibited lawmakers from using legislative extensions in cases involving protective orders, stalking, domestic violence and sexual assault. Child custody cases would also have been off limits for automatic continuances for lawmakers for the first time.

Kim Sport, an attorney and advocate for domestic violence survivors, said she was disappointed the bill didnt become law.In cases involving intimate partner abuse, it can be dangerous for proceedings to be on pause for months because one of the attorneys is also in the Legislature, Sport said. Years ago, she had a client whose child custody dispute with an abusive ex-husband was dragged out because the husbands attorney was a lawmaker, she said.This year, the legislature met for three legislative sessions spanning from January until early June. The schedule entitled any attorney serving as a lawmaker to push his or her court proceedings from the second week of January until early July.The Louisiana Supreme Court wont be dealing with the issue of whether legislative extensions are appropriate in cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse or child custody because the complaint about Seabaughs delays isnt related to those problems.Seabaugh and Melerine also arent the only lawmakers who have drawn ire for using their jobs in the legislature to delay court cases. Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Port Allen, angered a state judge in Baton Rouge last year and lost a case when he failed to appear in court, The Advocate reported.Jordan had filed three legislative continuances, which were all denied. Like Seabaugh, he drafted legislation in 2023 to try to expand lawmakers power to seek court extensions when their work as lawmakers interferes with their legal practices. The Louisiana Senate shot down the proposal.

For his court case, Seabaugh has argued legislative extensions werent the only reason Fishers trial has been delayed and shouldnt become a scapegoat. Automatic continuances were necessary to make sure attorneys who are lawmakers can adequately represent their clients, he wrote in a brief earlier this year.It ensures the attorneys who are also members of the legislature can be fully prepared and not distracted by their legislative duties, he said.

Attorney General Liz Murrill, who is a political ally of Seabaughs, filed an amicus brief supporting him, but in Landrys veto message, the governor indicated more scrutiny of legislative legal extensions might be warranted.

[A]n attorney-legislator can simply enroll as counsel of record or place his or her name on a pleading to qualify for a continuance or extension in any case, Landry wrote of the current law. By way of comparison, Texas allows legislative continuances, and the attorney seeking the continuance must file a copy of the continuance with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Unless or until Louisiana provides similar oversight, the courts provide a check in the event a legislative continuance is simply not possible, Landry said.The governor might have also had less principled reasons for rejecting Seabaughs legislation.Landry and Seabaugh are friends and typically politically aligned, but the two men have been sparring publicly in conservative talk radio appearances over the past two weeks.Seabaugh is upset that Landry vetoed another bill, sponsored by Melerine, that would have lowered the cap for financial damages that can be extracted during lawsuits over automobile accidents. In response, Landry has publicly said Seabaugh cannot be trusted on the topic of lawsuit damages because he works as an attorney for insurance companies who often get sued.Landrys office declined to comment on whether his fight with Seabaugh contributed to the veto.

A date for the Louisiana Supreme Court to hear arguments over lawmakers legal extensions hasnt been set yet but will likely take place in the fall, Gregorio said.

 The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge and how they affect the lives of everyday Louisianians, particularly those who are poor or otherwise marginalized.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana lawsuit could limit advantage for attorneys who are state legislators
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  Top leaders of the Sunflower State gathered in Manhattan on Monday to unveil a new campaign aiming to bring former Kansas residents back to their home state.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) David Toland, along with other leaders from around the state, announced the implementation of the Love, Kansas talent attraction campaign on July 1. The program aims to invite past residents to return to Kansas to fill local job opportunities and live in one of the states many communities.

Its simple: We need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state. And with the Love, Kansas campaign, we arent just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back  were also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State.

The campaign focuses on advertising job opportunities, living in the state, the education system and affordable housing, according to the KDC. The program will be driven locally but will also receive support from influence and journalist engagement along with in-person events to reach boomerangs, people who have previous ties to Kansas.

The first 50 communities which partner with the program are eligible for a $5,000 grant to help in their efforts to bring in new residents to their communities. A total of 19 pilot communities and seven universities have signed on already and are planning events which align with the campaigns theme. A large goal of Love, Kansas is for communities in the state to do direct outreach to past residents who have personal connections to their areas and invite them to come home.

What new laws go into effect in Kansas on July 1, 2024?

The collaboration already on display between so many partners underscores the enthusiasm for this campaign, Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. There are so many amazing things happening in Kansas right now; Love, Kansas gives us the chance to let people throughout the country know about them.

For more information on the campaign, watch this video or go to its website by clicking here.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A Lufthansa aircraft is towed to its parking position by a special vehicle at Frankfurt am Main Airport. Fredrik Von Erichsen/dpa

German carrier Lufthansa said Monday that airlines in the Lufthansa Group will temporarily suspends night flights to and from Beirut due to the worsening conflict between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and the Israeli military.

"Due to current developments in the Middle East, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group will suspend their night flights to and from Beirut (Lebanon) from June 29th to July 31st," the Group said in response to a query by dpa.

Daytime flights to and from Beirut would continue to be offered unchanged, it said.

The Foreign Office in Berlin has been warning Germans against travelling to Lebanon for some time in view of the current conflict with Israel.

German citizens are urgently asked to leave the country.

A further aggravation of the situation and expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out, said the Foreign Office.
What Is Lymphoma, and Is It Serious?

A Guide to Navigating Lymphatic Cancer

Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MDMedically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer originating from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. Like all cancers, lymphoma is a serious condition that requires treatment. The most common forms of this disease are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

An early symptom of lymphoma is lumps or swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck, armpits, and collarbone. These lumps may be painless, but in some instances, they may cause pain or pressure in the back, chest, and abdomen.

It's not possible to know you have lymphoma based on symptoms alone. It's also possible to have lymphoma and not be aware of it until additional symptoms occur.

This article will describe the symptoms and treatment options for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and discuss prognosis, remission, and survival rates.

Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health

Lymphoma: Getting a Diagnosis and What It Means

Lymphoma symptoms can go unnoticed for a long time. In some instances, lymphoma may first be suspected during a routine physical exam. It may also be discovered when you seek medical attention for an unrelated condition or symptoms common to muscle strain, infections, or other conditions.

Getting this diagnosis can come as an unpleasant surprise. If you're diagnosed with lymphoma, it means you will require treatment, which is based on the type of lymphoma and the stage it's in.

Diagnostic tests for this condition may include:

Blood tests that check for abnormal blood cells, blood cell counts, and other indicators

Physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes and enlargement of the liver or spleen

Imaging tests

Lymph node biopsy: Removal of a lymph node to examine in the lab

Bone marrow biopsy: Sampling of bone marrow to be analyzed in the lab

These tests will be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type and stage of lymphoma.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in males. The age of onset is most likely to occur either in early adulthood (20 to 39) or late adulthood (65 and over). However, people of any age or sex can get this diagnosis. A prior Epstein-Barr virus infection increases your risk for this condition.

The two main forms of Hodgkin lymphoma are classic and nodular lymphocyte-predominant.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma presents with large, abnormal white blood cells, called Reed-Sternberg cells, under a microscope. These cells increase in number as the disease progresses. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma is curable, especially when diagnosed early. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma has four subtypes.

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma is a slow-growing, rare form of this disease. It is earmarked by lymphocyte-predominant cells, sometimes referred to as popcorn cells, which are different from Reed-Sternberg cells. This form of Hodgkin lymphoma is not considered curable, but periods of remission prior to recurrence are common.







A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like female, male, woman, and man as the sources use them.









Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma becomes more common as people age. Like Hodgkin lymphoma, a prior Epstein-Barr virus infection increases your risk. So does having an autoimmune condition or taking medications that cause immunosuppression. Males are at greater risk than females.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive. Each type of disease has multiple variations. The type you have and its stage determines potential curability.

Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is the most common form of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This form of the disease may resolve or go into remission without treatment. However, this condition is not considered curable. A recurrence of follicular lymphoma is possible after remission.

People with follicular lymphoma make abnormal B lymphocytes. Scans and a lymph node biopsy are needed to diagnose this condition.

Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common form of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although it is aggressive, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is considered curable. This form may originate within the lymphatic system or in any organ of the body.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is further broken down into subtypes. Each subtype produces cells that present differently under a microscope. T-cell/histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma, a common subtype, produces large, atypical B cells, which will appear in a scattered formation.

Early Lymphoma Symptoms

Lymphoma symptoms vary based on the type of lymphoma you have. Signs and symptoms of this disease also vary between people.

Swollen lymph nodes are the most common early symptom of lymphoma. These swollen areas feel like lumps. You may notice them in any area of the body, but they are most commonly discovered in the neck, armpits, collarbone, or groin.

Other early signs and symptoms of lymphoma may include:

Back or chest pain (caused by pressure from a swollen lymph node)

Coughing or a feeling of breathlessness (caused by swelling within the chest)

Bone pain

Extreme fatigue

Abdominal pain or swelling

Itchy skin: Caused by the release of cytokines (chemical messengers involved in inflammation and other processes) from the immune system

Skin rash

Unusual bleeding

Bruising easily

Frequent or hard-to-treat infections

Progressive Symptoms

As lymphoma progresses, people may experience a group of symptoms referred to as B symptoms. They include:

Night sweats

High fever

Weight loss

When to Consider Diagnostic Testing

You can't self-diagnose lymphoma. You cannot know if you have it based on physical symptoms alone, as the symptoms can be due to many other disease processes. See a healthcare provider if you experience swelling or pain or don't feel well for weeks.

Your healthcare provider will do a thorough physical exam to look for swollen areas. They will ask about your family history of this and other diseases. They will also ask about your history of infections and current diagnoses you may have.

Testing will be done that either confirm or rule out lymphoma. A lymph node biopsy is the only way to determine if you have lymphoma and, if so, what type. Imaging tests determine if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These tests are essential for selecting the best kind of treatment.









Causes of Lymphoma Tumors

The underlying cause of lymphoma is not always clear-cut. Male sex and aging are risk factors. So is having a weakened immune system, a family history of this disease, or a personal history of certain viruses and conditions, including Epstein-Barr and HIV.







Lymphoma Treatment Options

The type of lymphoma you have, as well as the stage of the cancer, will determine the treatments that are recommended. Your overall health and age, as well as your personal preferences for treatment, will also be considered.



Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment

The goal of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment is to cure it. The most commonly used treatments for this disease are chemotherapy and radiation. Your cancer team may recommend one or both treatments for you.

In instances where chemo and radiation do not produce optimum results, other treatments may be recommended, such as immunotherapy, or high-dose chemotherapy, coupled with a stem cell transplant.

Immunotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma uses medicines that help the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are often used. These are highly specific immune system proteins produced in quantity artificially.

Stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, replace damaged bone marrow cells with healthy stem cells after high-dose radiation is given.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatments vary based on the type and stage of cancer you have.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment used for this disease. It may be used alone or with radiation therapy or immunotherapy drugs. As is the case with Hodgkin lymphoma, high-dose chemo plus stem cell transplants may also be used.

If standard chemotherapy is not helpful, targeted drug therapy may also be tried. This treatment uses medications that interfere with or halt the actions of certain proteins, enzymes, or cancer cells. Velcade (bortezomib) is a proteasome inhibitor sometimes used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is used for some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In this type of therapy, the person's T-cells (a type of immune cell) are harvested and modified in the lab to have receptors that will attach to lymphoma cells. They are induced to multiply and then infused back into the person to attack the lymphoma cells.

If your cancer originated in your spleen or organs outside of the lymphatic system, surgery may be recommended as a treatment.



Prognosis and Survival Rates for Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Survival rates are ballpark numbers that reflect upon the experience of people who had cancer at least five years ago. Treatments continue to improve, and clinical trials are typically available for many forms of lymphoma. These innovations yield ever-increasing chances for survival through new and effective treatments and cures.

The stage of your cancer's progression will impact your potential prognosis. If you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cancer has spread to more than one organ outside the lymphatic system, your prognosis may be less optimistic. Age also plays a role. People over 60 may have poorer outcomes with this type of cancer.

The relative five-year survival rates for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are:

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma:

Localized - 73%

Regional - 74%

Distant - 58%

Follicular lymphoma:

Localized - 97%

Regional - 91%

Distant - 87%

If you have Hodgkin lymphoma, the presence of B symptoms may indicate a less optimistic prognosis. People over 45 may also be more likely to have a less favorable outcome.

The relative five-year survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma are:

Localized - 93%

Regional - 95%

Distant - 83%



Lymphoma Resources for Patients and Their Families

Many organizations and hospitals offer support groups and other types of care for people with lymphoma.

The American Cancer Society provides information and support via video chat on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Central time. You can schedule a video chat online or call them at 800-227-2345.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society holds in-person support groups, including peer-to-peer support, for patients and their families.

Peer-to-peer support is also available through the Lymphoma Support Network.

CancerCare provides counseling, financial support resources, and support groups.



Summary

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that impacts the lymphatic system, immune system, and other parts of the body. The most common types are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Swollen lymph nodes are a common first symptom of lymphoma. However, the symptoms may be due to many other diseases, so lymphoma must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider. The diagnostic process involves a physical exam, blood work, lymph node biopsy, and imaging.

Treatment can include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and a stem cell transplant, depending on the type and stage of lymphoma. Some types can be cured.

Your prognosis and potential survival rate for lymphoma will be impacted by the type you have and the stage it is in. Your oncology team will work with you to determine the treatments that can give you the best possible outcome.



Read the original article on Verywell Health.
Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged ministers to back Left-wing candidates to block Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN) party from gaining power.

The French president told ministers that not a single vote should go to the far-Right as his party appeared split on tactics heading into this weekends final round of voting.

Mr Macron faces a split among his own ministers, some of whom have warned against certain withdrawing to give the hard-Left a better chance at defeating Le Pen.

We must make no mistake. It is the far-Right that is on its way to the highest office, no one else, the French president told government ministers at a tense midday meeting, according sources cited by various French media.

Aides, however, said that didnt mean he would back all other candidates.

According to several ministerial sources, Mr Macron, who appeared dejected and made no attempt to galvanise his troops, gave no more precise instructions to withdraw from Sundays run-off in a meeting said to be held in a morose atmosphere given the catastrophic results for his Together group in round one.

Ms Le Pens RN finished out in front with 33 per cent with the New Popular Front (NFP)  a Left-wing alliances including Jean-Luc Melenchons Leftist France Unbowed (LFI), Communists, Socialists and Greens  in second place on 28 per cent, and Mr Macrons camp way down in third, on a little less than 21 per cent. The once mighty conservative Republicans mustered 10 per cent of the vote.

Given the number of three-way races in the second round, open to any candidate who garnered more than 12.5 per cent of the registered vote in round one, it remains uncertain that Ms Le Pens party can clinch an absolute majority and propose 28-year-old RN leader Jordan Bardella as prime minister.

Do we want to entrust the destiny of the country to the RN?

Mr Macrons comments came as disagreements emerged over whether Mr Macron candidates who are in third place in three-way races should step down to give Ms Le Pen opponents a better chance at winning.

Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister who harks from the French Right, ruled out calling on voters to choose a far-Left candidate from Mr Melenchons LFI party, calling his movement a danger for the nation on a par with RN, which was a danger to the Republic.

Green leader Marine Tondelier said she was appalled and very angry at Mr Le Maires stance, calling it cowardly and privileged behaviour.

But his comments echoed similar statements by Edouard Philippe, Mr Macrons former Right-wing prime minister who ruled out voting for LFI.

Gabriel Attal, Mr Macrons young prime minister, offered a similar appraisal as his boss. Speaking to Renaissance candidates via videoconference, he said: Only the RN can have an absolute majority in the National Assembly.

Neither the NFP nor LFI can have an absolute majority. The issue is therefore clear: do we want to entrust full powers and the destiny of the country to the RN?

We answer no. Does that mean we want to form an alliance with the NFP? No. We want to bring our convictions, our values, our ideas to a new National Assembly. This is only possible by depriving the RN of an absolute majority, even if it means withdrawing , he added.

France has a second round of voting on Sunday with Jean-Luc Melenchon's Leftist France Unbowed part of the New Popular Front that came second in the first round at the weekend - Shutterstock /Mohammed Badra

Amidst the confusion, Eric Ciotti, the renegade leader of a faction of the conservative Republicans party who backs Ms Le Pen said: The Macron-Melenchon alliance is being written before the astonished eyes of millions of French people.

More than 170 candidates from Mr Macrons party and the hard-Left announced they had pulled out on Monday afternoon, avoiding the potential for them to eat into each others vote share.

Clementine Autain, of the LFI, said the neither-nor approach of some centrists who are opposed to voting both for the RN and her party has only one winner: the far-Right.

The far-Right is at the gates of power. We must do everything to prevent them from winning and to open up hope with the New Popular Front, she said on social media.

Mr Bardella on Monday warned that a win by the Left would pose an existential threat to France.

He said: The French have two choices  either the alliance of the very worst and the extreme left in power, or national unity, the Republic and its values.

I am therefore ready to take part in a debate with Jean-Luc Melenchon. The French want clarity.

Mr Melenchon, a divisive Leftist who has become a bugbear for many moderate voters, refused to rise to the bait, saying that another senior party official would be better choice.

Emmanuel Glucksmann, who led the Socialists European election campaign, coming third, wrote: This is no longer a legislative election pitting plans for governing France against each other, its a referendum with a simple question: do we want the far-Right to come to power in our country?

Voters had seven days to spare France from catastrophe, he warned.

The most likely outcome of the snap election is a year of protracted deadlock, political instability and chaos as there can be no new election for the next 12 months.

If the RN has a relative majority, how do we govern? said a member of Mr Macrons camp.

Marine Le Pen's National Rally won 33 per cent of the vote at the weekend - Reuters/Benoit Tessier

The president might be hoping to put together a broad coalition that would include the conservative Republicans and politicians on the Left, at least some Socialists.

Anne Levade, an expert in public law, said a lot would depend on the New Popular Front.

Each of the players will be responsible for deciding whether the country becomes ungovernable or whether an agreement is possible, she told AFP.

European leaders spooked

With the world agog at Mr Macrons suicidal decision to call snap elections, Le Monde cited one source close to him as saying that the French president remains convinced that if the RN leads a government of cohabitation with him as head-of-state, voters will realise they are a bunch of amateurs and wont elect Ms Le Pen president in 2027.

He thinks that giving them half of the power today will prevent them from having all the power in three years time, the source was cited as saying.

Hes going to appear like the Archangel Gabriel [sic] slaying the dragon, former Socialist Party boss Jean-Christophe Cambadelis told the paper.

Sundays results have spooked some European leaders despite the final outcome of the vote still uncertain.

Polands Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former European Union Council head, said that the French lesson is not finished yet, we still have the runoff, but also warned that the result was worrisome. This trend is really dangerous, he added.

Russia, which the French government has repeatedly accused of seeking to interfere in domestic politics, is following the election results in France very closely, said a Kremlin spokesman.

With elections looming Thursday in the UK, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader and likely next prime minister, said the French polls were a lesson that we need to address the everyday concerns of so many people.

But Right-wing Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the results, saying the constant attempt to demonise and corner people who dont vote for the left... is a trick that fewer and fewer people fall for.

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Paris  A far-right, anti-immigration party is in reach of becoming the biggest political force in France after the first of two rounds of voting in parliamentary elections drew a historically high turnout. The first-round results in the French election are the latest evidence of surging support for the far-right in Europe, but the real test of that trend nationally will come when France opens the polls for the second, decisive round of voting in one week.

French President Emmanuel Macron took a huge gamble by calling the snap election this year, and he's now issued a battle cry urging the nation's voters to come out in force on July 7 to stop the far-right, which made its best showing ever in round one, from rising to the very top of government in round two.

Turnout was unusually high as many voters said they either wanted to block the far-right, or just get rid of Macron's government.

A videograb shows France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) walking down a street in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, June 29, 2024. / Credit: JEREMY AUDOUARD/AFP/Getty

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said her National Rally party had "virtually wiped out" Macron's centrist power base in the first-round Sunday vote. National Rally took a third of the votes in that round.

Macron called these elections hoping to rally voters against the far-right, after parties like Le Pen's fared well in Europe-wide elections for the European parliament, which governs the European Union, in the spring.

"President Macron made a colossal error in judgment," political analyst Douglas Webber told CBS News. Webber said the first round results show Macron could be forced to share power with National Rally  a party that is anti-immigration, wants to roll back the power of the European Union, and has even threatened to pull France out of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

If the National Rally wins enough votes in the second round, party president Jordan Bardella could find himself in the country's second-top job, as prime minister. He wants to pull back on France's support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion.

"That would be a very good result for Vladimir Putin, a very bad result for Ukraine and President Zelenskyy," said Webber.

That outcome is not a foregone conclusion. The French have a history of voting more ideologically in the first round  "with their hearts," as the saying goes  but then more tactically, "with their heads," in the second round.

Demonstrators gather in Place de la Republique, to protest against the rising right-wing movement after the National Rally party's victory in the first round of early general elections in Paris, France, June 30, 2024. / Credit: Luc Auffret/Anadolu/Getty

Macron and the thousands of left-wing supporters who gathered in central Paris on Sunday to voice their concern at the far-right's performance will be hoping that's the case, and that the actual gains in parliamentary seats won't mirror the windfall seen for Le Pen and Bardella's party in round-one.

"Right now, we have big problems with the right wing," said one young woman before the results came in. "We want more democracy, you know, we don't want people to feel afraid or scared about living in France."

But the political winds across much of the continent have been blowing decidedly to the right for more than a year. Should the far-right parties win big in France on July 7, Webber warned it could leave a power "vacuum at the heart of Europe," which has been dominated for years by the influence of its two biggest economies, France and Germany.

"No one, or no other group of countries, could conceivably fill the role that's historically been played by France and Germany," he said. "That's, of course, the main reason why so many people, observers, are extremely worried."

Among the worried Europeans voicing their angst on Monday was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said the first-round results in France indicated a "very dangerous" political turn.



"This is all really starting to smell very dangerous," said Tusk, who suggested without offering specific evidence that "Russian influence" was behind the rise of "many parties of the radical right in Europe."



"Even the complete victory of the radical right of Ms. Le Pen's camp does not signal the loss of power by the center represented by President Macron," Tusk told reporters. "But it is a very clear sign of what is happening not only in France, but also in some other countries, also in Western Europe."

Tusk said France "will be forced to confront these radical forces," and he warned that, "foreign forces and enemies of Europe are engaged in this process, hiding behind these movements."

Macron has called on voters from across the political spectrum to block the far-right's precipitous rise with their votes in the final round on Sunday.

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(Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macrons centrist alliance and the left-wing New Popular Front are weighing whether to pull candidates from the second round of the legislative election on Sunday to keep the ascendant far right out of power.

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Marine Le Pens National Rally and its allies dominated the first round of voting Sunday, locking up 33.2% of the vote, according to interior ministry figures. The New Popular Front got 28% and Macrons coalition got 20.8%.

Le Pens margin of victory was smaller than some polls had indicated. That, together with the news that mainstream parties were exploring ways to lock her group out of power, drove an initial market rally before investor optimism about the outcome began to fade.

Winning an absolute majority of seats in the second round would hand the premiership to National Rally President Jordan Bardella and assure the partys ability to easily pass legislation. Traditionally, Frances mainstream has banded together to keep the far right  which has never held power in the modern French republic  out of government.

I believe the National Rally can win the election Sunday with an absolute majority, Bardella told BFM Television on Monday. I plan on putting together a government of national unity, based on this absolute majority, to carry out the recovery project that I presented to the country.

In wake of the results, Frances CAC 40 index jumped in early trading before then paring gains. French bonds outperformed German peers, putting the yield spread between the two on track to close at the tightest level in two weeks. The euro gained as much as 0.6%, the biggest intraday jump since mid-June.

Markets have been in turmoil since Macron called the snap election on June 9. The extra yield investors demand to hold 10-year French bonds over safer German debt rocketed to more than 80 basis points, levels last seen during the euro areas sovereign debt crisis. The euro fell to its lowest since early May.

The French political world is now embarking on an intense two-day period of horse trading as each party tries to maximize its chances in the final ballot next weekend.

The lesson of today is that the far right is at the gates of power, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told supporters Sunday night. Our objective is clear: to prevent the National Rally from having an absolute majority.

The far-right party and its allies won outright or made it to the second round in 485 districts out of 577. Their candidates came first or were elected in 297 of them, according to Franceinfo radio.

In more than half of districts, three people got through to the run-off. In those situations, the third-placed candidate can withdraw to boost the chances of another mainstream party defeating the National Rally.

The deadline for filing papers for the second round is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and at that point the picture will become clearer.

Jean-Luc Melenchon of the New Popular Front, an alliance of left-wing parties, said that he would encourage third-placed candidates from his group to withdraw, while Macron himself released a statement calling for a broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance for the second round.

Macrons Renaissance party said it would pull third-placed candidates to help those who respect the values of the republic beat the far right.

Thats the catch though  Melenchons France Unbowed has proposed a raft of spending that would flout European Union budget rules and potentially alarm investors. So its not clear whether Macrons party will withdraw in races where the far left would benefit.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire was among those saying he would not call for voters to pick France Unbowed candidates in the second round. Macrons first prime minister, Edouard Philippe, has also said no votes should go to Melenchons party.

France Unbowed is a danger for the nation, the National Rally is a danger for the republic  you dont choose one danger in favor of another, Le Maire said on France Inter radio Monday. In politics you have to take positions of principle, not of circumstances.

In an early sign that Macrons team is seeking to build alliances with the left, the prime minister decided Sunday evening to suspend the implementation of an unpopular change to unemployment insurance. The government had said the plans would encourage people into work by paring back the generosity of welfare, but opposition parties widely criticized the move at a time when joblessness has risen.

Even though Macrons presidency isnt formally at stake  and hes said he has no plans to resign  Sundays result indicates its likely hell either have to share governing responsibilities with Le Pens group or manage a parliament that is basically gridlocked.

An absolute majority by the National Rally would set up Bardella to become prime minister in a power-sharing arrangement called cohabitation  when the president and premier are from different parties. Bardella has sought to reassure voters that he will take a responsible approach to economic policy, while offering little in the way of detail.

The National Rally opposes most of Macrons priorities, from migration and pension reform to strengthening the EU, and investors would prefer gridlock. The party has said that it wont lead the next government unless it has full control of the legislature.

If alliances forming to block Le Pen from absolute power start to look credible, French markets would likely recover, according to Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB.

A hung parliament could make it hard to get anything done in France in the current parliament, which is exactly what the markets would like, she said.

--With assistance from William Horobin, Rachel Evans, Blaise Robinson and Aline Oyamada.

(Updates with markets in third paragraph, Bardella in fifth)

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Insights from The Irish Times, Politico, and Euronews

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French President Emmanuel Macron called for a broad democratic alliance against the far right after Marine Le Pens National Rally clinched a historic victory in the first round of parliamentary elections.

Macrons centrists are now in a precarious position after they came third, behind a left-wing bloc in second place, in a result that marks a major setback for the president whose calling of the snap election led to shockwaves in France and around the world.

Markets, however, reacted with relief as traders bet on Le Pens party falling short of an absolute majority after Sundays second round of voting. But Macron now faces a bitterly painful choice, Politico noted, on whether or not to pull out his candidates in areas where leftwing candidates could win, to keep the far right out.

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Absolute majority still a challenge for Le Pen

Source: The Irish Times

Securing an absolute majority is still seen as an uphill battle for the National Rally, as candidates from rival parties who fared poorly in the first round could drop out of the race, preventing vote-splitting and thereby drawing support away from the far right. Macron faces two scenarios: In the event Le Pen does win big on Sunday, the president will be forced to govern alongside the National Rally, and appoint 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, the partys president, as prime minister. If the National Rally doesnt secure a majority, Macron could find himself with a hung parliament unable to govern the EUs second biggest economy and its top military power, The Irish Times noted.

France in uncharted waters

Sources: Politico, Le Monde

Macron and his prime minister, Gabriel Attal, on Monday called on French citizens to prevent the National Rally from securing an absolute majority. Macron must now also crucially consider whether to tell his candidates to drop out of the race to avoid vote-splitting or attempt to save what remains of his once-dominant movement before it dies, Politico observed. The president called the snap election in an attempt to stop the far-rights rise in France following stunning European election wins for the National Rally  but the vote has only cemented the partys growing support. The nation is facing uncharted waters, Politico added: The country would be governed, at least in part, by politicians who made their names sympathizing with Vladimir Putin while vowing to rip up the European Union, wage war on migration and quit NATO.

Macrons party trounced in near-term

Source: Euronews

The election can be read as a protest vote against Macrons handling of Frances key issues, one political analyst told Euronews. But while there is no hope for the presidential party in the short term, Francois-Xavier Millet, a professor at the the University of the Antilles told the outlet, a National Rally majority could give Macron leverage to rekindle waning support for his centrist coalition. If the far-right heads the government, Macron could try to regain some sort of political legitimacy in the long-term by presenting himself as a guarantor of the Constitution trying to safeguard the French from some of the far-rights decisions, Millet said.
In the event of a second-round victory, French President Emmanuel Macron's political opponents could cause tremors in the European Union.

Whilst the far-right is no longer talking about "Frexit" or leaving the eurozone, some of the National Rally (RN) proposals are contrary to European law.

Eric Maurice, an analyst at the European Policy Centre, highlighted several controversial proposals from RN leader Jordan Bardella. Bardella has suggested getting a so-called "rebate" on a part of France's contribution to the bloc's budget  to the tune of 2 billion  which Maurice said "would challenge France's commitment to the EU".

Bardella's plan to negotiate reforms to freedom of movement within the Schengen area, reserving it for EU nationals, might also raise eyebrows in Brussels.

Additionally, Bardella has proposed stricter immigration controls, potentially backed by a referendum to prioritise French law over European law. Such a move would "be in flagrant contradiction with European law," Maurice told Euronews.

The National Rally also proposes a cut in VAT on energy, which conflicts with EU rules since tax decisions require unanimous approval.

Furthermore, the party wants to reverse the pension reform adopted by Macron's majority. Although this reform does not fall within the EU's remit, the European Commission recommends it to control the public deficit.

Maurice pointed out the subtleties in the National Rally's approach: "It's more perverse than that, in a way. It's not an exit from the European Union, but it's a questioning of certain European policies, in any case of France's participation in European policies or France's commitments."

New Popular Front: EU is fine, its policies maybe not

The left-wing parties, united under the banner of the New Popular Front, are not questioning France's commitment to the European Union. However, tensions could arise over budgetary issues.

The New Popular Front's economic and social programmes come with significant costs, estimated at 150-200 billion.

This raises concerns about "controlling the deficit and public debt, and the convergence or divergence of the French economy" with its European partners, Maurice explained.

Allowing the deficit and debt to spiral out of control would contradict France's commitment to reducing these within the Stability and Growth Pact.

Just weeks ago, the European Commission recommended disciplinary action against France and six other countries for surpassing EU budget deficit limits, setting November deadlines for the seven to reduce their deficit.

The New Popular Front also proposes revising the EU's political priorities, such as ending free trade treaties and reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Stacks of signed petitions sat in Crista Eggers home in Omaha in May 2022, awaiting submission to the State of Nebraska. Eggers is the statewide campaign coordinator for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. (Rebecca S. Gratz)

LINCOLN  Its make-or-break week for organizers of petition drives who are trying to get their issue on the 2024 general election ballot in Nebraska.

And voter fatigue with paid and volunteer petition circulators has touched even some high-profile efforts making last-minute pushes for support from registered voters by Wednesdays 5 p.m. deadline.

Crista Eggers, part of a group petitioning to legalize medical marijuana, told the Nebraska Examiner Sunday that her group still needed about 12,000 more signatures to feel secure.

In a tweet, the group said patients with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, AIDS and chronic pain would benefit from access to medical marijuana and are hoping for voter support.

We need them to get out  and sign the petition, she said of her two initiatives. It is absolutely down to the wire. If people take five minutes out of their day, we will get the numbers.

One initiative would legalize medical marijuana. The other, related initiative would spell out the regulations for prescribing and using the medication.

Some critics of the push have argued that most states that pursue medical marijuana do so as a step toward broader legalization of recreational marijuana, which they oppose.

EPIC tax count coming

State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, a key organizer of an effort to replace Nebraskas property and income taxes with the EPIC Option consumption tax, said his group is seeing more interest.

People frustrated by rising property valuations are signing onto the petitions. Gov. Jim Pillen and other EPIC tax opponents have pointed out that the measure would make many purchases more expensive.

The EPIC tax petitioners are also circulating a petition that would exempt groceries from the tax.

Erdman said his group wont know how many signatures it has gathered until its 250 volunteer circulators turn them in early this week.

We hope to have enough, but we dont know just yet, he said.

Abortion trio sprinting to finish

All three abortion-related petitions being circulated are making late pushes for signatures. One petition drive would ask voters to include abortion rights in the state constitution. Two others are taking different approaches to restricting, limiting or banning abortions.

Protect Our Rights advertised this weekend on social media, seeking late signers for the abortion-rights petition. They say they are confident Nebraskans will help them reach their goal.

Protect Women and Children has been hosting signing events with U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts for the petition to restrict abortions after the first trimester. If passed at the ballot box, the measure would leave open the possibility of the Legislature passing further restrictions in the future.

Organizers declined to comment this weekend on how things were going. Several political observers said they expect this effort, as well as the abortion-rights petition, to reach the November ballot. Both efforts are using paid circulators.

The third group, Now Choose Life, continues organizing signings at Nebraska churches for its personhood amendment at churches. They say tens of thousands have signed on. But they got started late.

We wont stop, organizer Rose Kohl said.

Schools petition has little longer

One group  Support Our Schools Nebraska  has until July 17 to gather signatures. The timing is different because this effort seeks to repeal a law enacted late in this years legislative session.

The groups target is to reject State Sen. Lou Ann Linehans Legislative Bill 1402, which creates a $10 million-a-year, state-funded voucher program for students attending private K-12 schools. LB 1402 replaced a 2023 law providing a tax credit for donors funding scholarships to private K-12 schools.

Support Our Schools spokeswoman Karen Kilgarin said this weekend the group continues gathering signatures but may need the extra two-week window to finish the task.

The group says that the program would put public school funding at risk. Proponents of LB 1402 have said that poor Nebraska families deserve the opportunity to use such vouchers to attend a private school of their choice.

Paid sick leave turned in signatures

Another petition drive, which would require Nebraska employers to provide paid sick leave for more workers, turned in its signatures last week and said 138,000 voters had signed the petitions.

Petitions seeking to change state law, like that one, need about 87,000 registered voters signatures, spread throughout the state. Constitutional amendments need signatures from 10% of Nebraska registered voters, or about 123,000 people.

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Television host Bill Maher called on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential election to allow for an open Democratic National Convention, arguing it would benefit the party and its chances of winning in November.

Maher, in a New York Times op-ed published Monday, offered a plan akin to a television series, claiming Americans are already bored with Biden and former President Trump as candidates.

Lets move the plotline forward. Democrats could not buy, with all of George Soross money, the enthusiasm, engagement and interest they would get from having an open convention  and in Chicago no less, famous for Democratic convention drama, Maher wrote.

Suddenly, instead of rehashing the debate from hell  worst episode of The Golden Bachelor ever  they would be hosting a competition, something Americans love. Who will get the rose this August in Chicago? Maher continued, listing off a series of Democratic politicians who could possibly vie for the presidency should Biden step down.

Bidens poor debate performance last week raised concerns for some within the Democratic Party over his ability to beat Trump in November and lead the nation for another four years. The president is facing a growing chorus of calls to step down following the debate, though no national officials have publicly joined these calls yet.

Maher, who voiced concerns over Bidens viability in the months leading up to the debate, said his suggestions to replace the incumbent were often dismissed by Democrats until now.

What happened at the debate last week wasnt a tragedy, it was a blessing in disguise, he wrote, adding later, Get on board, theyd say, the Democrats will never replace him, its off the table. Well, now its on the table, where it always should have been. And far from being some kind of disaster for the Democratic Party, it plays right into what works best in 21-century American culture. Americans like new.

Biden has already won the primary and thus cannot be overthrown at the convention, meaning the decision is ultimately up to him.

As of now, Biden is the only candidate those attending the Democratic convention could even vote for, after he received 99 percent of his partys delegates in the primaries.

Should Biden and the Democrats take up Mahers advice, the Real Time with Bill Maher host said he would support California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose name has been repeatedly floated as a potential replacement.

Watching him [Newsom] make the case against Mr. Trump in the pre-debate interviews, and defend Mr. Biden post-debate, reminded me: This guy is good at this, Maher said. Yes, he has too much California baggage  some of which I myself dont love  but the contrast to how he prosecutes the case against Mr. Trump and how Mr. Biden did couldnt be clearer. Hes forceful, never at a loss for words or stats, never stumbles, never intimidated. Hes un-bullyable, and thats important against Mr. Trump.

Newsom after the debate called talk of replacing Biden unhelpful and unnecessary.

I am old-fashioned, but on the substance Joe Biden won the debate last night. That is what matters to me, Newsom wrote in a Biden campaign fundraising pitch last Friday. All this other talk  its unhelpful and unnecessary.

We arent going to turn our backs because of one performance. What kind of party does that? he added.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules require delegates that Biden won to pledge their support for his nomination unless Biden were to willingly decide to stand down. Before the convention opens Aug. 19, the DNC could change the rules to block Biden, but that is highly unlikely given current party dynamics.

Maher said it will take a group of the most respected senior statesmen from the Democratic Party to urge him to step aside.

I like Joe Biden, as many of us do. And I have been a full-throated critic of ageism for a long time, calling it out for being the last acceptable prejudice. We all age differently, its a true case-by-case, and the debate illustrated that vividly. Mr. Trump, whatever you think of him, was vigorous; Mr. Biden was vigor-less, he wrote. But the critique of ageism only has credibility if we admit that there is some time when age inevitably catches up to all of us.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- President Emmanuel Macrons centrist alliance and the left-wing New Popular Front have until this evening to strategically pull candidates from Frances final round of voting Sunday in a last-ditch effort to keep a dominant far-right out of power.

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The deadline for candidates to file papers to enter the second round is 6 p.m. on Tuesday. So far, 190 candidates had dropped out  123 from the left and 64 from Macrons group  according to Le Monde newspaper, in a tactical maneuver to reduce the National Rallys chances.

The attempt comes after Marine Le Pens National Rally and its allies dominated the first round of voting two days ago, locking up 33.2% of the vote. The leftist alliance New Popular Front got 28% and Macrons coalition won 20.8%.

In more than half of the 577 constituencies, three people qualified for the runoffs. In those situations, the third-placed candidate can withdraw to boost the chances of another mainstream party defeating the National Rally.

The potential for a hung parliament raises the possibility of a broad, minority government, according to former Bank of France Governor Jean-Claude Trichet.

A technocratic government is not in the French tradition at all. It might be a solution in other countries, namely Italy, Trichet, who was also the European Central Bank chief, told Bloomberg Television. In France it is not the case because we are in a totally different political framework.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Jordan Bardella, the president of the far-right National Rally, both sought to court voters from a wide range of parties in separate live interviews on French TV TF1 late Monday.

In his quest for an absolute majority in parliament, Bardella called on voters to rally behind his partys candidates in the second round on Sunday, even reaching out tomoderate left-wing voters who dont accept extremism and radicalism. For his part, Attal asked all groups to join forces to block the far right from winning an outright majority. He sought a pluralistic National Assembly that would unite parties from the right and the left that would work on legislation bill by bill.

We need to govern differently, Attal said, even though his outgoing government had sought to operate on those very principles. Its a sign that weve heard the message from the French and from the ballot box.

The interviews came as the French political world is embarked on an intense period of bartering as each party tries to maximize its chances in the final ballot on Sunday. Even though Macrons presidency isnt formally at stake  and hes said he has no plans to resign  Sundays result indicates hell either have to share governing responsibilities with Le Pens group or manage a parliament that is basically gridlocked.

An absolute majority for the National Rally would hand the premiership to Bardella and assure his partys ability to easily pass legislation. Historically, Frances mainstream has banded together to keep the far right  which has never held power in the modern French republic  out of government.

The far-right party and its allies would need 289 seats for an outright majority. They won or made it to the second round in 485 districts out of 577. Their candidates came first or were elected outright in the first round in 297 of them, according to Franceinfo radio.

Yields on French government bonds rose for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, widening the risk premium over German peers back to 76 basis points. The euro meanwhile slumped, erasing all of Mondays post-election bump.

French stocks fell again, reversing nearly all of their relief rally on Monday. The CAC 40 is down 6.7% since Macron called the snap elections, trading near five-month lows hit last week, with the shares of Societe Generale SA and Credit Agricole SA down more than 10%.

Raphael Glucksmann, a leader of the New Popular Front, on TF1 TV declined to specify whether he would back a cross-party government. But he joined Attals call urging French voters and politicians alike to do everything they can to prevent the National Rally from obtaining an absolute majority. He described the election as a referendum on whether the French want a far-right government.

Xavier Bertrand, from the center-right Republicans, told TF1 that he objected to a deal with the far right while also declining to rally behind Macron and Attal.

Macrons Renaissance party said it would pull candidates where they placed third to help those who respect the values of the republic beat the far right. Theres a caveat though  the far-left France Unbowed, which is part of the New Popular Front alliance, has proposed a raft of spending that would flout European Union budget rules and potentially alarm investors.

So its not clear whether Macrons party will withdraw in races where the far left would benefit. On Monday, Attal said they would consider such races on a case-by-case basis.

In an interview with Le Figaro on Tuesday, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire reiterated that he would not support France Unbowed, saying he would refuse to vote for the far-left party.

We do not fight the RN with the values of France Unbowed, Le Maire said, referring to the National Rallys French acronym.

Le Pens margin of victory was smaller than some polls had indicated. That, together with the news that mainstream parties were exploring ways to lock her group out of power, drove an initial market rally before investor optimism about the outcome began to fade.

This government will be complete, it will be competent, Le Pen said in a radio interview Tuesday. It will be made up of people from the National Rally, people who took part with us in the electoral battle of the first round.

--With assistance from Vidya Root and Phil Serafino.

(Updates with Trichet comment in the sixth paragraph.)

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Cows with high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS at a farm in Maine. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg)

Maine farmers can access dedicated one-on-one assistance to manage the impacts of harmful forever chemicals on their farm thanks to a new program that launched Monday.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry established the PFAS Navigator program with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to provide resources and guidance to farmers coping with the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, on their farms. According to a news release Monday, the program is confidential and free to farmers.

By offering farmers tailored assistance and access to vital resources, we aim to safeguard the sustainability of their livelihoods and the well-being of their families, said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal in the release.

Maine has been a leader in establishing PFAS protections. In 2021, Maine was the first state to pass a rule requiring manufacturers to report intentionally added PFAS in their products and ban the sale of products with intentionally added PFAS by the turn of the decade.

In recent years, Maine has also passed laws to improve testing of land and groundwater, and invest in remediation efforts, after the state-sanctioned practice of sludge spreading led to PFAS contamination on dozens of farms that have since had to close.

Under this new program, PFAS Navigators will work closely with farmers by answering questions, identifying unique needs and connecting them with technical, financial and social assistance programs, the release said. Program staff will also be able to help with PFAS-related assistance applications and forms.

The program is funded by the departments PFAS fund, which Gov. Janet Mills created in 2022 to support farmers whose land or water is contaminated. The program is managed by the UMaine Cooperative Extensions Maine Agricultural Mediation Program.

The state also created the PFAS Response Kit, which is a comprehensive list of resources for Maine farmers on a variety of topics they may encounter when dealing with PFAS including test results, legal services, health services and managing long-term effects.

Producers told us that the stress of discovering PFAS was amplified by the need to search for information and figure everything out independently, said PFAS Fund Director Beth Valentine. With these two resources, impacted producers have a friendly, knowledgeable person and a reference guide to help ease the way forward.

Those interested in participating in the program can contact Shiela Leonard at um.PFASNavCoord@maine.edu or 207-955-1977.

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Joseph Eaton, who confessed to killing four people and injuring three others, is seen in court for a change-of-plea court hearing on Monday, July 1, 2024, in West Bath, Maine. (AP Photo/David Sharp)

WEST BATH, Maine (AP)  A man who confessed to killing his parents and two of their friends and wounding three people in a highway shooting pleaded guilty to murder and other charges on Monday, and a judge sentenced him to the maximum term of life in prison.

Joseph Eaton never provided a reason to law enforcement officials for the violent crimes he admitted committing in Maine last year, and he had no explanation for the victims' families and friends who spoke in court.

Through written testimony read aloud, a woman described the horrific scene of blood and broken glass that confronted her in April 2023 when she found one of the bodies of Eaton's victims. In a similar written statement, the father of one of three people wounded by bullets that Eaton fired on a highway spoke of his terror that day that his daughter would bleed out in his arms. She ultimately survived. Evangeline Kensell said she was driving to visit her mother who had had a stroke when her car was struck by 13 bullets. Others said they experienced sleepless nights and nightmares as a result of Eaton's actions.

He killed the only four people in this world who actually loved and cared for him, said a distraught Kristina DeRaps, who is married to a nephew of one of the victims, Patti Eger. DeRaps called Eaton a selfish little boy.

Eaton looked down at the defense table during much of the testimony. When he spoke, he said he was still in disbelief over his actions. I wake up every day regretting what I did, he said. Of his life sentence, he added, I honestly think I deserve worse. All I can say is, Im sorry.

Law enforcement officials say Eaton, now 35, confessed to fatally shooting his parents, David Eaton, 66, and Cynthia Eaton, 62; Eger, 62; and Eger's husband, Robert Eger, 72. Also killed was the Egers dog, which led authorities to add animal cruelty to the list of charges against Joseph Eaton. The shootings took place at the Egers' home in the rural town of Bowdoin. Eaton also confessed to shooting at vehicles on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth.

The crimes took place days after Eaton was released from a Maine prison for unrelated crimes, on April 14. Cynthia Eaton picked him up.

Authorities believe Eaton delivered the fatal shots on April 17, 2023. The victims' bodies were found the following morning, on the same day authorities say he fired at cars on I-295 in Yarmouth, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) outside of Portland, Maine's biggest city. Eaton faced separate indictments because the attacks at the Bowdoin home and on the highway happened in different counties.

At the time, Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck called the shootings an attack on the soul of our state." Months later, an Army reservist who lived in Bowdoin killed 18 people at two locations in the city of Lewiston, in what would become the state's deadliest mass shooting.

An unsigned note found at the scene of Eaton's killings mentioned someone being freed of pain and that the writer of the note wanted a new life, according to a criminal affidavit. Eaton told the Portland Press Herald newspaper in jailhouse interviews that he was not in control of his actions at the time of the shootings and didn't understand why he did it.

All told, Eaton pleaded guilty on Monday to more than a dozen charges, including four counts of murder, and aggravated attempted murder. He received the maximum penalty for each of them.

Defense lawyer Andrew Wright said Eaton chose to plead guilty to take responsibility for his actions, believing it was the reasonable and moral thing to do to bring the case to a conclusion.

Outside the courthouse, Wright said he struggles to make sense of Eaton, who despite committing such violent crimes also struck him during their one-on-one interactions as a kind and compassionate and emotional and empathetic man.

It's a senseless act, that makes no sense to anyone involved, he said. It's a tragedy.

Authorities say Eaton also has a criminal history in Florida and Kansas.
A major airline in Miami just made flying more comfortable on one route. Heres how





Colombias national airline, Avianca, is boosting the number of business-class seats on flights between Miami and Bogota, a move meant to tap into the Magic Citys surging wealth and a growing interest in Latin Americas fourth largest economy.

The carrier has four daily non-stop flights from Miami International Airport to Bogota, and on Monday, July 1, added to those flights a more exclusive category called Avianca Insignia.

The change comes as competition among airlines flying to Colombia increases and Miami enjoys a front-row seat.

Last month, Emirates, a flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, started a daily flight between Miami and Bogota. Its a continuation of the Dubai-Miami route and meant to better connect Colombia with the Gulf countries. This week, airline executives will be in Miami to recruit flight crews.

Lots of flights to Colombia

Last year, LATAM added a new daily flight from Miami to Medellin. American Airlines also has dozens of flights between Miami and Colombia. Nearby in the Southeast, Delta Airlines, a partner with LATAM, added a flight between Atlanta and Bogota last year.

Avianca, which dates back to 1919, has about 62 weekly flights between Miami and Latin America.

In Colombia, the carrier also has direct flights to Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla and Cartagena.

The airline is also expanding in Central America, with three daily non-stop flights from Miami to Managua. San Salvador is the carriers second biggest hub after Bogota.

What to know about Aviancas business class

Of the four direct flights Avianca flies between Miami and Bogota, one uses a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which the airline mostly uses on Colombia-Europe routes. The aircraft already had a popular business class with seats that go fully flat.

The other three flights use a narrow-body A-320. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Avianca used a single-cabin class. But the first three rows of the planes have two seats on each side of the aisle, offering extra space from the typical economy set-up of three seats.

So, faced with increased demand and rising competition, Avianca turned those three rows into a new business class.

The 12 seats will be configured the same because the 2x2 is still a comfortable seat, Rolando Damas, Avianca sales director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said in an interview with the Miami Herald. But the service will be a business class service.

That means travelers will get a main meal  breakfast, lunch or dinner  drinks, a snack, and a blanket and pillow, even though the flight from Miami is barely three hours.

What are travelers paying for the class upgrades?

Aviancas website on Monday afternoon listed a round-trip economy ticket for this month costing $483 and a round-trip business class fare running $1,176.

The changes for travelers go beyond Miami. These new business class seats on the narrow-body will be available on non-stop flights between Bogota and other airports: Boston, Washington Dulles, JFK New York, Toronto, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Montevideo, Santiago de Chile and Sao Paulo.

Aviancas daily flight between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Bogota will not offer business- class seats. And once low season starts, in September, the airline will cut the daily service to four flights a week, Damas said.

Avianca is growing in the U.S. The carrier has 377 weekly flights between North America and Latin America.

The U.S. is a very important operation for us, Damas said. Weve noticed a big increase in leisure traffic to Colombia.

Aviancas new seasonal routes

For the summer, Avianca has added 11 seasonal routes, which run now to September. They are:

Miami-Cartagena

Miami-Cali

Orlando-Medellin

Orlando-San Salvador

JFK-Cartagena

JFK-San Pedro Sula (Honduras)

JFK-Cali

JFK-Pereira (Colombia)

Washington Dulles - San Jose

Chicago-Guatemala City

Las Vegas  San Salvador
Man arrested with nearly $600K worth of stolen bitcoin-mining computers, police say

A Canyon Country man was arrested on Thursday after police say he possessed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stolen computers that were being used to mine cryptocurrency.

Bryan Thola, 26, possessed computers worth $579,000 in a cargo van and a public storage unit, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release. Those computers were used for mining bitcoin, police added.

Thola faces a charge of receiving stolen property. Police said he was booked into the Van Nuys Jail, though jail records indicate he was released on his own recognizance.

No court date information was available.

Anyone with information is asked to call 213-486-5920 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).

To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A view of the scene after a major police operation at a train station in Middle Franconia. After a knife attack on federal police officers, police used firearms in Lauf an der Pegnitz near Nuremberg. Daniel Lob/dpa

A man who reportedly attacked three police officers with a knife near Nuremberg in Germany died after police shot him near a train station on Sunday, according to a police spokesman.

The 34-year-old Iranian citizen died at the scene of the shooting in the southern town of Lauf an der Pegnitz, despite immediate first aid measures being initiated, the spokesman said on Monday.

The man is said to have initially targeted a police patrol car, and then tried to attack the three officers while brandishing a knife when they got out of their vehicle, according to an initial police investigation.

A female federal police officer shot the man, according to authorities. The shooting took place at a bus stop outside of a commuter rail station in the town.

A police spokesman said the officers were uninjured and did not provide details on how many shots were fired.

Details about the motive and the exact sequence of events are still unclear, and authorities said a thorough investigation would be conducted.

"We are still at the very beginning of the investigation," said Heike Klotzbucher of the public prosecutor's office in the nearby city of Nuremberg.

Klotzbucher said he could not immediately say where the man lived and whether he had been in trouble with the police.

"We can't say any more about what happened either," she said.
A view of the scene after a major police operation at a train station in Middle Franconia. After a knife attack on federal police officers, police used firearms in Lauf an der Pegnitz near Nuremberg. Daniel Lob/dpa

A man who reportedly attacked three police officers with a knife near Nuremberg in Germany died after police shot him near a train station on Sunday, according to a police spokesman.

The 34-year-old Iranian citizen died at the scene of the shooting in the southern town of Lauf an der Pegnitz, despite immediate first aid measures being initiated, the spokesman said on Monday.

Details about the motive and the exact sequence of events are still unclear, and authorities said a thorough investigation would be conducted.

"We are still at the very beginning of the investigation," said Heike Klotzbucher of the public prosecutor's office in the nearby city of Nuremberg.

Klotzbucher said he could not immediately say where the man lived and whether he had been in trouble with the police.

"We can't say any more about what happened either," she said.

The man is said to have initially targeted a police patrol car, and then tried to attack the three officers while brandishing a knife when they got out of their vehicle, according to an initial police investigation.

A female federal police officer shot the man, according to authorities. The shooting took place at a bus stop outside of a commuter rail station in the town.

A police spokesman said the officers were uninjured and did not provide details on how many shots were fired.

In a mobile phone video posted online, three police officers can be seen surrounding a man lying on the ground. A female officer is pointing her gun at him.

According to the police, the three police officers immediately administered first aid and were later joined by an emergency doctor. However, they were unable to save him.

The town of Lauf an der Pegnitz was celebrating the Old Town Festival that day, and numerous visitors were out and about at the time of the incident.

However, according to the police, there was no danger to the public. The train station, however, remained out of service for some time in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man allegedly confessed to strangling and then sexually assaulting a sex worker inside a hotel room, leading him to turn himself in and face a murder charge, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Larissa Garcia, 30, died on June 21 more than a week after the June 12 incident inside the Palms Casino Resort, documents said. Garcia used the names Andrea and Dallas in online escort advertisements, sources said.

On Friday afternoon, Jason Kendall, 35, surrendered to police at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Headquarters where officers booked him on charges of open murder, sexual assault and battery by strangulation to commit sexual assault, documents said. The 8 News Now Investigators first reported Kendalls arrest Friday evening.

On June 12, Kendall called police saying a woman was overdosing inside a hotel room at the Palms, documents said. Hotel security responded to the room, finding Garcia on the floor with a cut to her jaw. Police did not initially respond as Kendall indicated Garcia had overdosed.

Jason Kendall, 35, faces charges of open murder, sexual assault and battery by strangulation to commit sexual assault. (LVMPD)

At the hospital, doctors determined there was no alcohol or drugs in Garcias blood and that an overdose was not possible. Doctors then suspected Garcia was the victim of a battery, documents said.

Video surveillance from the Palms shows Kendall meeting Garcia in the lobby around 4 p.m., documents said. About an hour later, video shows Kendall leaving the room and the hotel alone with no other person coming to the room or leaving until security arrived. Detectives later located messages between Kendall and Garcia and a web history of Kendall viewing Garcias escort advertisement, documents said.

Police later met Kendall at a different hotel where he requested an attorney and declined to provide information. However, police noted Kendall had an injury to his back and shoulder.

On June 18, six days after the incident at the Palms, a nurse who specializes in sexual assault examinations noted Garcia had been strangled and possibly suffocated, documents said. Garcia died at the hospital on June 21 after a doctor declared her brain dead.

Kendall made his first court appearance Saturday afternoon where a judge ordered him held without bail until his next court appearance, which was scheduled for Tuesday. (KLAS)

On Friday, Kendall entered police headquarters to report an assault, documents said. In the report, Kendall confessed to a strangulation and sexual assault, documents said. Kendall told police he paid Garcia $2,000 to have sex.

Jason said Larissa requested additional payment and he snapped,' documents said. He hit her in the face and choked her for ten minutes and then had sex with her. After having sex with Larissa, Jason wrote he drug her away from the door and left. After leaving the hotel he called the police to report an overdose.

It was unclear from the documents the 8 News Now Investigators received Monday at what point Kendall knew Garcia was deceased or if he knew at all before his self-surrender.

The Clark County coroners office said it did not have any information to provide about Garcias death on Monday. The office will not release information in certain circumstances, including if officials cannot find next of kin.

FILE  In this Oct. 1, 2018, file photo, trees line the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Garcia is the mother of two children and was attending school, friends told 8 News Now.

Kendall is an Army veteran, sources said.

While Metro police issue press releases for every homicide, the department does not usually release ones for delayed deaths. The department released official news of Kendalls arrest Saturday, a day after the 8 News Now Investigators original reporting.

Kendall made his first court appearance Saturday afternoon where a judge ordered him held without bail until his next court appearance, which was scheduled for Tuesday.

Investigator David Charns can be reached at dcharns@8newsnow.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Man in critical condition after being bitten by shark while fishing in Florida

Man in critical condition after being bitten by shark while fishing in Florida

A man has been left in critical condition after he was bitten by a shark while fishing off the coast of Florida  the state with the highest number of recorded shark attacks.

The Nassau County Sheriffs Office (NCSO) marine unit was out patrolling the waters around Fernandina Beach when it received an emergency radio distress call at 11.15am on Friday.

The call reported a man had suffered a severe shark bite to his right forearm, NCSO said.

The man, who is in his 40s, was on board a boat and fishing at the time of the attack, an NCSO spokesperson told ABC News. It remains unclear how the shark managed to get hold of the mans arm while he was in the vessel.

He lost a lot of blood, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said. He was bleeding pretty bad.

When deputies arrived, they found the victim with a critical injury, prompting them to immediately board the vessel and apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from his arm.

The deputy then took control of the vessel and sailed it back to a boat ramp, where Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue was waiting.

A deputy from the Nassau County Sheriffs Office can be seen applying a tourniquet to the victims arm (Nassau County Sheriffs Office)

The victim was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital and has been listed in critical condition; however, police say he is expected to recover.

The deputy was a hero when he arrived and made sure he took care of the situation, Leeper said of the unnamed deputy.

The Independent has contacted the Nassau County Sheriffs Office for further information.

This latest incident comes off the back of two separate shark attacks in the Gulf Coast of Florida earlier in June that left three people injured.

In the first incident, a 45-year-old woman was left with significant trauma to her midsection and had part of her left lower arm amputated after being attacked in Walton County.

The victim was airlifted to hospital and is expected to recover (Nassau County Sheriffs Office)

In the second attack, only an hour and a half later, two teenage girls aged 15 and 17, were injured four miles away near Seacrest Beach while swimming.

One girl had serious injuries, with wounds to one upper and one lower extremity, and was rushed to a trauma center for treatment.

Florida is considered the shark attack capital of the United States, having a total of 928 attacks on its coastline since 1837; the state is also a contender for the worldwide spot, according to The International Shark Attack File for 2023.

The file investigated 120 alleged shark-human interactions worldwide last year and found that 69 of those were unprovoked.

Police were out patrolling on Friday when they received the distress call (Nassau County Sheriffs Office)

The United States came out on top as the country where most interactions happened, with 36 cases representing 52 per cent of the worldwide total.

Florida was home to 16 of the 36 unprovoked attacks in the US last year.

Volusia County had the most shark bites in Florida with eight, representing 50 per cent of the states total, making it 2023s shark attack capital of the world, according to the research.

Elsewhere in the United States, a well-known surfer who appeared in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie died after he was attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii on June 23.

Surfer Tamayo Perry, 49, was found with several shark bites after the attack at Malaekahana Beach on Oahu, Honolulu. He was brought to shore by lifeguards on a jet ski before being pronounced dead at the scene.
MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH)  One man is dead after a crash involving a motorcycle in Madison Township, Guernsey County, Sunday afternoon.

According to the Cambridge Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), the crash happened at approximately 3:07 p.m. on U.S. Route 22.

Two Ohio women arrested after 8-year-olds body found hidden in attic

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Dylan J. Berry, 23, of Lore City, was driving a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle east on US-22 when he crossed the center line and hit the left side of a 2012 Kia Sorento, which was traveling west, police said.

Berry was flown to Zanesville Genesis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:08 p.m.

The driver of the Sorento, identified as a Pickerington woman, and the passengers in the vehicle were not injured.

Ohio State student who disappeared at bar still missing 18 years later

Police said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash. Berry was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, OSHP said.

Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Antrim Fire Department and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The crash remains under investigation.

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FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  A 20-year-old is facing attempted murder charges after a shooting near the parking lot of a Florence apartment complex, police said on Monday.

Juelz Hood of Lancaster, South Carolina, was charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Officers were in the area of N. Coit Street on Sunday when they heard multiple gunshots near their location, according to police. As they searched the area, they heard several more gunshots near Darlington and Coit streets.

When they were searching the 200 block of N. Coit Street, officers found both witnesses and victims in the parking lot of the Coit Village apartments, police said. The victims told them that Hood had been in the parking lot making threats while brandishing a gun.

Hood left the parking lot, and they heard gunshots shortly after, but did not see him, according to police. Hood then came back and allegedly fired a gun in their direction. He left again before officers had arrived.

Shortly after, Hoods vehicle was found near Irby and Evans streets, and police said he was detained without incident. An arrest warrant shows police found a 10mm gun under his drivers seat, which he fired about 30 rounds from in the shooting.

No injuries or property damage were reported.

* * *

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.

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FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) According to a press release from Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley, a North Carolina man is facing felony charges in Fayette County.

Antonio Reyes, 29 of North Carolina, was charged with the felony offense of burglary, and the misdemeanor offenses of trespassing and destruction of property.

Bluefield West Virginia Police Department releases bench warrant list

In the late evening hours on Saturday, June 29, 2024, deputies responded to a trespassing complaint on Summerlee Road.

Before deputies arrived, they received notification that the subject had kicked in the back door of a home, trying to instigate a fight with the family of the residence, which was later determined to be the subjects ex-girlfriend.

Deputies arrived and did find evidence of forced entry, as well as several holes punched into the walls of the residence.

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ByFatime Letifova

In recent days, the rising voices in protests against Macron's administration among the French elite have become more intense. Florian Philippot, the leader of France's Patriots Party, also said yesterday that Emmanuel Macron has created clashes between parties and dragged the country into chaos.

So, what are the reasons behind the Macron administration causing such aggression in France?

It should be recalled that last year, Macron's attempt to reform the pension system in France by raising the retirement age led to massive protests and strikes. After Emmanuel Macron came to power, increasing unemployment rates, economic inequality, and the cost of living also became sources of discontent among the French population.

Additionally, the lack of measures taken against police brutality within the country and the Macron administration's inability to respond to these incidents have caused widespread protests and social tension.

In the last six months, there have been so many disagreements in the French National Assembly that rumours have spread that the opposition might unite to overthrow Macron and his government after the summer break in France in September.

On June 9, the decision by French President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and hold snap elections caused a major scandal in France.

According to a poll conducted by Politico Europe, Macron's centrist alliance (Ensemble) ranked third among rival parties with only 19.5% of the votes. This indicates a lack of confidence in the Macron government.

So why is the Macron administration, which is dragging its own country into an abyss, engaging in provocative actions in different regions instead of contributing to official Paris?

Undoubtedly, the threat of losing its colonies in Africa pushes Macron to expand his sphere of influence in new territories. France is currently trying to maintain and expand its influence in strategic regions, including the South Caucasus.

The presence of an Armenian diaspora in the country fuels the conflict zones that France is trying to create in the South Caucasus. This raises the question: While there is so much strife and unrest within the country, how logical is it to interfere in a foreign country's political affairs in a negative sense when the processes towards a peace agreement are ongoing?

Just as the Armenian diaspora in France does not serve the welfare of the French people, it also puts the country in a politically and socially untenable position. Instead of solving France's internal problems, the country's leadership arms Armenia and claims to do so based on "principles of justice."

It is not surprising that France, like many other European countries, bases its principles of justice on Christian unity and has therefore turned a blind eye to the massacres and provocations carried out by Armenia on Azerbaijani lands for 30 years. However, portraying Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Garabagh War as ethnic cleansing against the Armenian people and arming the Armenian army with new artillery during peace negotiations in the region shows how provocative and indecisive France's leadership is.

While the French people are dealing with the internal problems that arose during the Macron administration, the president's attempt to interfere in the South Caucasus and hinder peace is unacceptable.
Three Wallace Community College-Dothan students and one faculty member have successfully passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part-107 drone pilot licensure exam, earning their licenses as small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Remote Pilots.

Students Andrew Arnold, Jeffrey Blackmon, and Isaac Vernonthe, along with WCCD Physics and Physical Science instructor Dr. Ann McCarty, all demonstrated exceptional knowledge and skill, resulting in a 100% pass rate to date for students who take the licensing exam through WCCDs Drone Licensing course.

We are incredibly proud of Andrew, Jeffrey, Isaac, and Dr. McCarty for their hard work and dedication, said Torrance Laney, FAA 107 Certified Instructor and Criminal Justice faculty. Their success is a testament to the quality of education and training provided in the course, and we look forward to seeing more students follow in their footsteps.

Offered by WCCDs Criminal Justice program, the drone licensing course is designed to prepare students to successfully take and pass their the FFA Part-107 exam. The drone licensing course is also available to students outside the Criminal Justice program and equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the FAA Part-107 exam and operate drones safely and effectively in a variety of professional settings.

Obtaining an FAA Part 107 license allows students to legally operate drones for commercial purposes, opening up career opportunities in fields like aerial photography, surveying, and inspection.

For more information about the Drone Licensing Course, please contact Martha Compton, Associate Dean of Career and Technical at (334) 556-6822.
ST. LOUIS  A man convicted in April of gunning down a man outside his home in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood in 2021 will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Ledra Craig, 21, was convicted in April 2024 of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the murder of Donald Yorker, 53.

The shooting happened on Feb. 5, 2021, in the 3300 block of Leola Avenue, just off Watson Road.

Yorker had just gotten home from work around 5:30 p.m. and had gone outside to collect his mail. At that same time, Craig was driving in the neighborhood when he saw Yorker about to walk inside.

Prosecutors said Craig got out of his car, walked up to Yorker, and asked him for directions to Union Station. While Yorker was giving him directions, Craig took out a 9mm handgun and shot Yorker once in the face.

Police later found Yorker on the sidewalk. Yorker was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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On March 8, a St. Louis police officer spotted a white Toyota Avalon in the same neighborhood with an improper registration. The officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered the man driving the car, Craig, had a 9mm in his possession.

Craig initially denied involvement in the shooting, but a shell casing from the murder scene was tied to Craigs 9mm and cellphone data showed he was in the area at the time.

Prosecutors described Yorkers murder as a thrill kill, saying Craig kept a photo of Yorker and a video of a news story about the shooting on his cellphone.

A St. Louis Circuit Court judge sentenced Craig to life in prison without the possibility of parole on the murder charge, with an additional 15 years for armed criminal action.

The case was previously tried in April 2023 but resulted in a hung jury, with an 11-1 split in favor of conviction.

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Man killed at gun store when firearm being handled by another customer goes off

A Kentucky man was shot and killed at a gun store when a firearm being handled by another customer went off, according to Kentucky State Police.

The shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. Saturday at a gun store in Carroll County, in Northern Kentucky.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a customer was viewing a gun for sale and manipulating it when a single round discharged, hitting another person in the store.

Others in the store immediately began life-saving measures.

However, the victim was pronounced dead after being taken to the Carroll County Hospital, said county Coroner Brent Stucker.

State police identified the man who died as Chad Wainscott, 50, of Worthville.

The person who was handling the gun has cooperated with investigators. Foul play is not suspected in the death, according to state police.

State police did not include the name of the gun store in the release but said the shooting happened at 1496 Whites Run Road.

That address matches the address of Humphrey Double H Farms Enterprises, which advertises guns for sale, according to Google Maps.

The business website said it was closed on Monday. No one from Humphrey Double H Farms answered the phone Monday afternoon or responded to a message sent by a Herald-Leader reporter.

.
Wynter Cole-Smith | Lansing Police Department Facebook

Rashad Maleek Trice pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend and killing her two-year-old daughter, Wynter Cole-Smith, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday in a release.

Trice was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The former charge mandates a sentence of life in prison without parole.

The scars left by Mr. Trices horrific and brutal crime spree will forever etch themselves on the lives he shattered, Nessel said in the release. While nothing can ever fully heal the grief of Wynters family and loved ones, I hope todays plea can be a step toward healing.

Trice sexually assaulted and stabbed his former girlfriend in Lansing on July 2, 2023, and kidnapped and murdered her daughter. He was apprehended in St. Clair Shores in Macomb County after resisting arrest.

The charges from the state and county governments in Lansing and Detroit were consolidated into one prosecution.

By consolidating the prosecution and securing a life sentence through plea, we have ensured the safety of the community while protecting surviving victims from the trauma of a lengthy trial, Nessel said.

Trice is scheduled to be sentenced in Lansing on Aug. 16.

The post Man pleads guilty for Wynter Cole-Smith murder appeared first on Michigan Advance.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Memphis Police Department is searching for a man they say robbed a Parkway Village Dollar Tree at gunpoint last week.

On Monday, the MPD released video surveillance footage of the incident.

According to police, around 1:30 p.m. on June 26, officers responded to a business robbery at 3200 South Perkins Road.

A single man with a gun entered the store wearing a black hoodie with the word G.O.A.T. written on the front, a purple ski mask, red shorts, black socks, and blue slides.

TN woman dead after dog attack; police warn public

Police say the suspect approached an employee and pointed a handgun at them, demanding money from the register. The suspect allegedly made several threats to shoot the employee if they did not cooperate.

The victim opened the cash register and the suspect took the money before fleeing the business on foot.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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ST. LOUIS  A man facing murder charges for seeking to avenge his own sisters death appeared in St. Louis Circuit Court on Monday to plead guilty on a reduced charge.

Prosecutors said Jacorren Riley, 26, gunned down Levi Henning on the morning of June 22, 2023, in the 5500 block of Bartmer Avenue in the citys West End neighborhood. Homicide detectives said Henning was shot in the chest and head.

Henning had been charged with the April 2020 murder of Parkway West High School student Carieal Doss, Rileys younger sister. In March 2023, the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office dropped the case because of a failure to turn over evidence.

However, Henning remained in jail for a 2018 robbery charge until May 18, 2023, when a circuit court judge agreed with a defense attorneys request to toss the case for violating Hennings right to a speedy trial.

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Henning had been out of jail for a little over a month when he was killed. Riley was arrested on July 20, 2023.

Rileys case was scheduled to go to trial this week on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Instead, he agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Prior to sentencing, Riley told the judge he took matters into his own hands because he was angry over the lack of justice for his sister. The judge sentenced Riley to 10 years in state prison.

As this case shows, when individuals do not trust the justice system and seek revenge, it only leads to more violence and threatens the safety of our community, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man, who was a teenager at the time of a 2020 murder, has been sentenced to serve more than 22 years in prison for the crime.

On Friday, June 28, Jeremiah Pena-Nieto, 21, was sentenced to 22 years and 6 months in prison, according to a news release sent out by the Las Cruces District Attorneys Office.

Pena-Nieto, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was found guilty by a Las Cruces jury for the killing of Jacob Daniel Becerra, an 18-year-old. In May 2022, Pena Nieto was put on trial for the first time, ending in a mistrial.

In April 2024, at the second trial, a Las Cruces jury found Pena-Nieto guilty of one count of second-degree murder, two counts of tampering with evidence, and one count of conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence. Pena-Nieto has been awaiting sentencing at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

On Aug. 6, 2020, Las Cruces Police were dispatched about a car that crashed into a light pole on Farney Lane near West Park Drive.

Inside the vehicle, they found Becerra in the drivers seat, shot several times on the right side of his face and body. Witnesses and video footage that were discovered by the Las Cruces Police repeatedly indicated a male dressed in black with white shoes running from the scene.

After an intensive investigation of video and social media footage, interviews with witnesses and friends of the victim, Las Cruces Police identified and arrested Pena-Nieto as the passenger who shot and killed Becerra, the DAs Office said.

The judge at the sentencing noted that at the time of Pena-Nietos arrest, he was placed into juvenile programs, which he has since aged out of, the DAs Office said.

The judge also noted that Pena-Nieto had social media postings showing him flashing guns and showing awareness of his intentions and actions, the DAs Office said.

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SCOTT COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  A man was seriously injured in a crash in western Kansas early Saturday morning.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, at 12:15 a.m., a 33-year-old man from Scott City was driving a 2006 Kenworth Semi southbound on U.S. Highway 83 near mile marker 120.

Pediatricians at Wichita hospital seeing increase in mononucleosis and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

At the same time, a 22-year-old man from Scott City who was driving a 2018 Peterbilt Semi was also southbound on U.S. Highway near mile marker 120, in front of the Kenworth.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The KHP says the Peterbilt driver left the highway to the right onto the emergency shoulder to avoid another vehicle in its lane of travel.

To avoid the same vehicle, the Kenworth driver also moved and, as a result, rear-ended the Peterbilt.

The driver of the Kenworth had suspected serious injuries. He was taken to an area hospital.

The driver of the Peterbilt had no apparent injuries.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A woman is now in jail after being accused of firing shots at a man and woman while they were driving in the Berclair area Sunday morning.

Brandy Clay-Middleton, 29, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault. She is being held in jail on a $7,500 bond.

SCSO investigating shooting in Southeast Shelby County

Around 9:20 a.m., Memphis Police say they completed an aggravated assault report after a male victim says he was shot at by a woman he knows as Brandy Clay Middleton.

The victim says he was in a white Ford Fusion with his female friend driving past Berclair Road when Clay-Middleton started firing shots at them.

That is when officers say they were flagged down by the victims.

Shooting in Midtown leaves man dead, woman injured

Additional officers responded to the scene and located Clay-Middleton. They also found a Taurus G3 9mm handgun on her back waist.

A round was in the guns chamber and eight bullets were in the magazine, police say.

Clay-Middleton was then taken to the General Investigation Bureau. She stated that she pulled her gun out for the male victim to see, in hopes it would deter him from hurting her.

She claims that she did not shoot the gun or call the police because they never help her.

MPD: Woman shoots man after he breaks up with her; spits in officers faces upon arrest

The victim was able to positively identify Clay-Middleton in a six-photo lineup as the person responsible for the shooting.

Brandy Clay-Middleton is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Marine Le Pen: How the National Rally leader redefined the party ahead of the French election

Marine Le Pen's party became more popular after her father, Jean-Marie, was kicked out

It was a defining moment in Marine Le Pens painstaking bid to de-demonise her party.

As the National Rally leader was about to deliver a speech at her partys traditional May 1 march in 2015, her estranged father took to the stage.

She had already banned Jean-Marie Le Pen, the ageing Holocaust denier, from speaking after a fresh salvo of anti-Semitic comments, including that he had never considered Frances wartime collaborationist leader Philippe Petain a traitor and labelling then prime minister Manuel Valls an immigrant due to his Spanish roots.

But he defied her and, dressed in red in defiance, stood before the crowd, waving his fists in the air and exclaiming: Ive been disowned.

Enough was enough, and he was subsequently booted out of the party altogether.

Jean-Marie Le Pen's final act of defiance was enough for his daughter to boot him out of the party - KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP

Marines cut-throat family purge appears to have spectacularly paid off as her party has reached the gates of power after clinching a historic score in Sundays first round of snap parliamentary elections.

While the RN may yet fall short of an absolute majority in next Sundays run-off, the fact that 10.6 million French, or 33 per cent of voters, cast a ballot in her favour is a massive vindication of Ms Le Pens attempts to erase its pariah status.

In the space of a few years weve gone from being the most hated party in France to the most loved party, she recently told the Telegraph.

The RN won 31 per cent of the vote in the June 9 European elections, far ahead of Emmanuel Macrons camp on 14.6 per cent, with several polls suggesting her bid to prove she had broken with her partys xenophobic, anti-Semitic past was gradually bearing fruit.

Last year, for the first time since 1984, more French people (45 per cent) than the reverse (41 per cent) said they no longer viewed the RN as a threat to democracy, according to a Verian-Epoka survey.

Now, thats not something you can do by snapping your fingers. Im not the only one responsible, but come on, maybe Ill give myself a little credit for this development, said Ms Le Pen, who has an eye on the presidency in 2027.

I think weve done our homework. Does that mean that the political and media system is not yet reticent? Of course it is, but its been humming along for 30 years and someone coming along and changing things creates resistance. Thats not a problem, were used to it.

During the campaign, political rivals seized on the partys toxic history to try to mobilise voters against it in the run-up to Frances snap election.

Left-wing and centrist politicians reminded voters that when Ms Le Pens father co-founded the party  originally named Front National  in 1972, its ranks included former members of a Waffen SS military unit under Nazi command during the Second World War.

However, president Macron has previously cautioned against this approach.

When Elisabeth Borne, his former prime minister and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, told a radio station in 2023 that Ms Le Pens party were heirs of Petain, he warned that history and morality were no longer effective in countering its apparently inexorable rise.

You will never make millions of people who have voted for the far-Right believe they are fascists, Mr Macron reportedly told ministers, suggesting that gunning for its policies, not its past was the best way to bring it down.

That past is undoubtedly racist and anti-Semitic. Mr Le Pen, a former paratrooper who had served in Algeria, once founded a company that sold recordings of Nazi speeches and German military songs.

In 1987, he famously dubbed the Holocaust a mere detail of the Second World War and was subsequently convicted of hate speech and contesting crimes against humanity.

Unabashed racist

An unabashed racist, in 1996, he said he believed in the inequality of the races and that ebola was a blessing for Africa as it would result in fewer migrants coming to Europe.

Mr Le Pen once called the Holocaust a 'mere detail' of the Second World War - REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

When, in 2002, he shocked France by making the second round of the presidential election, it sparked mass street demonstrations. His rival, Jacques Chirac, won with more than 82 per cent of the vote.

When Jean-Marie Le Pens youngest daughter, took over the anti-immigration party in 2011, she ousted many of its most extreme elements and toned down its language, framing it as a governing rather than protest party.

She then ousted her father from the party, saying his outbursts were political suicide.

In 2018, she changed the partys name to National Rally and took a case to Frances highest administrative court, the Council of State, arguing that it should no longer be labelled far-Right by the interior ministry. The case was dismissed and France officially classifies the party as far-Right.

However, heated debate erupted during this campaign over whether the term was still appropriate.

David Pujadas, a well-known anchorman on rolling news channel LCI, said he thought it wasnt.

Studying the far Right in Europe, I saw what Geert Wilders was proposing in the Netherlands, what the AfD was proposing in Germany... And I saw the gulf that separated these parties from the RN, he told Le Quotidien. So here, its the far Right and elsewhere its the far far Right? Thats why I changed.

In that case, ex-Trotskyist Jean-Luc Melenchon and his France Unbowed party should be dubbed far Left, said RMC colleague Apolline de Malherbe, even if the Council of State does not use that term for that party.

Perhaps Ms Le Pens main weapon in her detoxification drive is Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old party leader who hopes to become Frances next prime minister after the run-off on Sunday.

Marine le Pen with Jordan Bardella, RN's rising star - Magali Delporte

With his Colgate smile, ideal son-in-law good looks and taste for TikTok and selfies, Mr Bardella has brought in a new generation of supporters with a consensual image.

However, both he and Ms Le Pen have kept the partys essential doctrine, namely national preference, and which she has rechristened national priority. In other words, French citizens should be given priority over non-nationals for jobs, social welfare assistance and housing.

Rights groups and constitutionalists say the doctrine is discriminatory and anti-constitutional.

A key plank of its manifesto is to end birthright citizenship, namely the right for children born to foreign parents on French soil, who are raised and schooled in France, to later claim French nationality.

But experts point out that eliminating birthright citizenship could encounter constitutional hurdles.

His party also shocked many during the campaign by expressing its intention to ban dual nationals from taking up sensitive posts, which would have barred a former education minister and various diplomats from keeping their jobs. France has three million dual nationals and the mooted measure caused uproar.

The party has also kept its long-running hard line on law and order, arguing that crime is linked to immigration. Ms Le Pen wants to introduce a presumption of legitimate defence for police officers firing weapons.

De-demonising the party

Mr Bardella has pledged to fight a cultural battle against Islamism, to demand a 2 billion (1.7 billion) rebate from the European Union, drastically reduce legal and illegal immigration and deport foreign criminals if he leads the government.

Speaking to the Telegraph recently, he said: Weve been de-demonising the party for 10 years. Now I want to institutionalise it.

That he said had been done by the 88 MPs from his party forming the largest single-party opposition force in the previous parliament. In what has been dubbed the tie strategy, they were ordered to look the part and avoid any controversial rhetoric to show they were ready to take the levers of power.

Weve changed dimension. We are the most serious group in the National Assembly, he claimed. Meanwhile, the national cursor had moved to the Right on most of the issues it had been defending for years.

By contrast with the RN, the Left has wreaked chaos in parliament, flouting basic rules by, for example, brandishing Palestinian flags in the National Assembly and blocking debates.

But economically, the RN is, if anything, far-Left, proposing to cut the retirement age to 60 for some, slash VAT on energy prices and block the price of essential goods, even if it toned down some of these during the campaign to avoid scaring the markets.

National Rally expert Jean-Yves Camus said that it resembled other European illiberal parties found in Hungary with Victor Orban or in Polands Law and Justice party that undermine the system of checks and balances that is characteristic of democracy. It is also historically pro-Putin, seen as a strong hand who defends traditional values and Christian roots, but has rowed back since the Ukraine war.

He said perhaps the main reasons the RN had become more palatable was the state of the other parties, which were either in ruins or had radicalised, making the Le Pen camp appear more mainstream.

First, we have a president who wanted to play poker and lost, never had a real political party to act as a conveyor belt for his ideas and is now paying for the fact that he wanted to establish a quasi-vertical link with the French people and failed, he told the Telegraph.

Second, France is probably the only major country in Europe without a conservative Right.

The once-mighty Gaullist Republicans, which won 10 per cent of the vote, are deeply divided after a spectacular split over whether ot not to back Ms Le Pen.

Ms Le Pen has benefited from the xenophobic, anti-Islamic outbursts of Eric Zemmour, a polemist whose rhetoric makes her look like a shrinking violet, and has distanced herself from Germanys far-Right AfD.

Last month, she said her party would no longer sit in the EU parliament with the AfD after the head of its European election list said that someone who had been a member of the SS was not automatically a criminal.

By contrast, she has sought to build bridges with Giorgia Melona, the Italian prime minister, who on Monday said that attempts to demonise far-Right voters were losing impact.

I notice something that in different forms is also happening in Italy: the constant attempt to demonise and corner the people who dont vote for the Left, said the most Right-wing Italian leader since the Second World War.

Its a trick that serves to escape debating on the merits of different political proposals. But its a trick that fewer and fewer people fall for. Weve seen it in Italy, and were seeing it more and more in Europe and throughout the West.

But above all, said Mr Camus, Ms Le Pens ranks had swollen due to the mass rejection of the fiery Jean-Luc Melenchon, an admirer of Hugo Chavez and Mao Zedong, whose Unbowed France, LFI, is part of the New Popular Front, which came second on Sunday.

No doubt on Sunday, moderate voters, even social democrat voters, will find it very difficult to put a Popular Front ballot paper in the box due to his outbursts.

This explains why Mr Bardella is so keen to debate with Mr Melenchon rather than a more moderate member of the Left-wing alliance.

Beyond his tepid support for Ukraine and refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organisation after the Oct 7 attack on Israel, Mr Melenchon has been accused of downplaying anti-Semitic incidents and pandering to the radical Muslim vote.

It reminds me a lot of George Galloway in the UK whose Respect Party tried to bring about this sort of fusion between political Islam and the far Left. It worked quite well but is a turn-off for most, he said.

As parties jockey to forge alliances and strategies to keep the RN out, Sunday will be the ultimate crash test of whether the de-demonisation drive is complete.

Supporters upbeat

Meanwhile, its supporters have the wind in their sails and are prepared to forget Mr Bardellas decision to dilute some of his policies.

Shortly after the results were announced at Ms Le Pens northern fiefdom of Henin-Beaumont, one said: Hes reasonable, in fact he does what other parties fail to do, which is not to offer promises he cannot keep. We wont be able to do everything straight away.

Then the subject moved onto immigration and the tone became more radical.

One supporter called Vanessa said: We need to bin immigration. We dont have the same culture, we dont have the same values. They want to try and change us. Never. Id rather die. With the Popular Front, well end up under under Sharia law. No way.

Edouard was even more direct. Ive had enough of the Left that doles out lessons to everyone. If they love migrants that much, they can have them in their block of flats. They have houses, a job and cars. Why are they in my social housing and whites sleep on the sidewalk?

Minutes earlier, Ms Le Pen had taken to the stage to call on the French to vote National Rally to finally get back unity and fraternity.

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The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is equipping small businesses with a new weapon against confusion: Small Business Peak.

This comprehensive resource hub aims to simplify understanding and implementation of the recently introduced industrial relations (IR) changes.

COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat said; The Australian Governments IR changes introduce a series of complex amendments to workplace laws which will impact casuals, contractors and labour hire workforces. Small businesses need to understand which IR changes apply to their operations, when they come into effect and how to ensure they meet their employer and business reporting responsibilities.

Small Business Peak provides free access to essential, easy to understand information to keep small business owner sinformed, with step-by-step guides to save time and make it easier for them to apply the latest industrial relations changes, Achterstraat explained.

The program offers a multi-phase approach:

Phase 1: A library of downloadable toolkits in plain English. These toolkits explain the latest workplace changes with timelines, checklists, and case studies.

A library of downloadable toolkits in plain English. These toolkits explain the latest workplace changes with timelines, checklists, and case studies. Phase 2: A dedicated portal for deeper dives. Here, business owners can register for even more targeted information and support.

Small Business Peak will be rolled out in phases with the first stage providing small business employers with a library of resources about some of the IR changes under the Closing Loopholes, Secure Jobs, Better Pay and Protecting Workers Entitlements. The second phase will see a portal for small business owners to sign up and gain even more information and support to navigate the multi-faceted IR changes rolling out into 2025.

The program has downloadable toolkits in plain English that explain the latest workplace changes, with timelines, implementation checklists and some case studies to help simplify complexity. Employers and their employees will have immediate access to information to better their understanding of wage underpayments, changes to casual employment, the minimum wage increase update and changes to the superannuation guarantee.

We will continue to develop the program, with more downloadable templates and tools coming online all the time. We are particularly pleased to be able to offer AI capability with Small Business Peak. This means busy small business owners can receive speedy responses to their high-level questions with answers they can rely on.

We chose today, World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (MSME Day), to mark the hugely significant contributions small business makes in Australia and around the world. We hope our new resource hub will empower and support the engine room of our economy during these complex and uncertain times, Achterstraat said.

To learn more about Small Business Peak, small businesses are encouraged to visit www.smallbusinesspeak.org.au. To register your interest for phase two please email peak@cosboa.org.au.

Small Business Peak has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations through the Productivity, Education and Training Fund grant program.

2024 Key IR changes Timeline

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Marines sink moving vessel at sea with new missile in Pacific training

A Marine helicopter crew sank a moving training vessel near Okinawa, Japan, using a newly acquired fire and forget missile for the first time in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two Marine crew of an AH-1Z Viper attached to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 Reinforced with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit fired the missile Wednesday in training mission in the Philippine Sea in which another vessel towed the target.

Marines used the newly acquired AGM-179 joint air-to-ground missile for the first time in such a strike mission, according to a press release.

The missile can be used to defend key maritime terrain against a wide range of targets from armored vehicles to maritime patrol craft during conflict, wrote Capt. Pawel Puczko in the release.

Marine Corps is reviving a light attack helicopter unit it cut in 2022

As part of the training, a UH-1Y Huey helicopter accompanied the Viper on a forward arming and refueling, or FARP, which is how the Marines plan to resupply aircraft across the Pacific in any future conflict.

The missile replaces both the radar-guided Longbow missile and the laser-guided AGM-114, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The missile can be fired from fighter jets, ground vehicles or helicopters.

It combines features of both the Longbow and AGM-114, according to Lockheed Martin.

The missile weighs about 114 pounds, is nearly six feet long and 7 inches in diameter, according to the companys website. It uses a solid rocket motor and can carry a multipurpose warhead with a shaped-charge package inside a fragmenting case, according to the U.S. Navy Air Systems Command.

The weapon can be used on combat vehicles, air defense equipment, launchers, buildings, bunkers, patrol craft and command and control nodes, according to the command.

In 2022 the company announced that it had doubled the range of the AGM-179, showcasing a 10 mile strike in testing at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, Marine Corps Times sister publication Defense News reported.

The Marine Corps did not provide distances or target speed of the recent target strike near Okinawa, Japan.

The company also added a tri-mode seeker that pairs a low-cost imaging sensor with the seekers semi-active laser and millimeter wave sensors.

Those capabilities allow the shooter to fire the weapon and fly away, increasing survivability and accuracy.

The sensors and range give users greater stand-off distances from enemy air defenses, Lockheed Martin program director for air-to-ground missile systems told Defense News at the time.

The Army also purchased the new missile to arm its Viper equivalent, the AH-64E Apache helicopter, Defense News reported.

A Viper crew with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 used the missile during Exercise Steel Knight off the California coast on Dec. 5, 2023, according to a I Marine Expeditionary Force release.

In that exercise, targets were marked with a laser designator from a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, used to guide the missile to the objective, according to the release.
The Republican candidate to be North Carolinas next governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, has been vocal in his opposition to abortion.

If Republicans keep a majority in the General Assembly and Robinson wins the governors race, he could sign a new abortion law  if the legislature sends him one.

The campaign of his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein, used Robinsons comments about abortion in an attack ad. Stein supports the since-overturned Roe v. Wade decision and does not want more restrictions on abortion.

Heres what Robinson has said about what he believes and what he wants the law to be.

Keep your skirt down: Robinson on Facebook

Robinson posted frequently on Facebook in the years leading up to his 2020 election to lieutenant governor. In a February 2019 selfie video, Robinson talks about abortion on demand.

It kills me, somebodys always talking about babies that are dying, and mothers that are in trouble, Robinson said. Everybody knows that abortion in this country is not about protecting the lives of mothers. It is about convenience. It is about abortion on demand. That is exactly what its about.

Its about killing the child because you werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down or your pants up  and not get pregnant by your own choice, because you felt like getting your groove thing on. And now instead of taking care of that child, you want to kill that child so your life can go on, being on easy street and you can keep running to the club every Friday night, Robinson said.

Hardest decision: Robinson and his wife chose abortion

Robinson also revealed through Facebook comments before he was elected that he once paid for an abortion for his now-wife, Yolanda Hill. After the news came out, he released a video in 2022 talking about the decision they made in 1989.

Robinson said that it was a year before they were married or had children.

It was the hardest decision we have ever made, Robinson said in the video, accompanied by Hill.

Sadly, we made the wrong one. This decision has been with us ever since. Its because of this experience and our spiritual journey, that we are so adamantly pro-life.

Will NC abortion law change if Robinson wins as governor? It wont be just up to him.

Id love to pass a law: Robinson talks to a Republican House member

Robinson was a guest on Iredell County Republican Rep. Jeff McNeelys radio show in February 2023. McNeely referenced Robinsons wife having an abortion, and how Robinson has asked for Gods forgiveness. The conversation was held before North Carolinas 12-week abortion ban, with exceptions, became law.

If I had all the power right now, lets say I was the governor, I had a willing legislature, we could pass a bill that says you cant have an abortion in North Carolina for any reason, Robinson said. Would that stop abortions? No, sir. People would get in their cars, theyd go to Georgia, theyd go to South Carolina, and theyd go to Virginia, theyd go wherever they could. Theyd order pills online and have abortions. You know, passing a law is one thing, and certainly Id love to pass a law that restricts abortion.

Specifically, he said, hed love to see a heartbeat bill proposed in the legislature.

Thats a ban at about five or six weeks gestation, when cardiac activity is first detected.

Robinson went on to say that the legislature should also shore up child care centers in the state and health care in the state for pregnant mothers as well as after children are born. He said he also wants to change hearts and minds so that abortion clinics shut down regardless of any law.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson bows his head during the opening prayer at a Moms for Liberty rally outside the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Standing up for life: Robinson at March for Life rally





At the North Carolina March for Life in January 2023, Robinson was the keynote speaker at the event on Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, outside the legislature.

He talked about growing up in poverty and being the ninth of 10 children:.

Because my mother chose life, we know that in this nation, this nation that is based on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that abortion is not compatible with this nation. The same way slavery was not compatible with this nation. We speak of life and liberty, how can you have life and liberty if you end life in the womb, and do not give people their freedom after theyre born? This nation is built on those ideals. And so we have to stand up for life, Robinson told the crowd on a cold Saturday.

Robinson went on to say that standing up for life also means that we stand up for life at conception, we stand up for life at graduation, and we stand up for life at maturation. He talked about a childs needs for education, housing and health care.

Robinson also talked about standing up to the scourge of abortion, and said that if a law was passed in North Carolina, people could still go to other states for an abortion. The speech was several months before North Carolina lawmakers passed Senate Bill 20, the abortion restrictions bill.

I believe that North Carolina can be a leader in the charge to stand up for life, and to ensure people dont go to the abortion clinics, not because theres a law, but simply because they dont want to  because North Carolina is a place that makes life worth living, a life worth giving, he said.

Robinson campaign statement on abortion policy

Robinsons campaign spokesperson Mike Lonergan has told The N&O and other media outlets that Robinsons policy position on abortion is a heartbeat ban with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. He has not provided specifics on what point in a pregnancy he would want the exceptions to end.
When Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright started her last position as Mississippi State Superintendent of Education in 2013, the native Marylander learned a new expression said in the South.

Thank God for Mississippi, Wright recalled learning, relaying the why behind the phrase she was told by some in the Magnolia State, during a presentation earlier this year. Because nobody around us ever had to worry about who was scoring the lowest, cause its always (Mississippi).

During her tenure, the state went from the bottom to the middle of the pack in national rankings. Now, Wright, who starts a four-year term leading Marylands schools on Monday, takes the helm in her home state, where both she and her daughters are products of the public schools.

Carey Wright, at left, who starts officially as Maryland State Superintendent of Schools on July 1, 2024, listens to Maryland State Education Association President-Elect Paul Lemle, at mic, during a board meeting in Baltimore on June 25, 2024.

She comes into the role during the second year of a decadelong implementation of the Blueprint for Marylands Future, the states multi-billion dollar legislation passed between 2018 and 2022.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for public education in Maryland, said Wright, in a June 26 phone interview, days before her official July 1 start date, referring to the Blueprint law. Weve never leaned in so heavily with education as well as leaning in with the funding.

The law has already started to increase enrollment in pre-Kindergarten classes across Maryland, but challenges abound for the state ranked 22nd in education by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which used pre-Blueprint implementation data to compile its 2024 national report.

As of 2022, for example, 69 percent of the Maryland fourth graders were not proficient in reading, according to the foundations report that pulled data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

More: Find out where Maryland ranks in national report with four key education areas

And while the 2023-2024 school year may have recently ended, the former teacher, principal and now superintendent Wright said she is excited about the upcoming school year.

Excited about what we can do for the children, teachers, and leaders across the state, she said.

State leaders laud Wright while state struggles with chronic absenteeism

Carey Wright, at right, who starts officially as Maryland State Superintendent of Schools on July 1, 2024, listens during a Maryland State Department of Education board meeting in Baltimore on June 25, 2024.

While Wright may be excited for the upcoming school year, those tasked with improving outcomes for students in Maryland expressed their excitement for Wright this week.

Former Montgomery County Executive Isiah Ike Leggett, chair of the Accountability and Implementation Board, an entity created to oversee implementation of the Blueprint, called the Maryland State Board of Educations decision to hire Wright wonderful during a joint board meeting on June 25. The outgoing president of the Maryland State Board of Education agreed.

We are extremely fortunate to have, in my judgment, the most outstanding state superintendent in the country here with us in helping to lead the transformation, said Clarence Crawford, during the June 25 meeting, where goals for the upcoming school years were agreed upon.

One of those goals related not explicitly to academic achievement, but to academic attendance.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, nearly 30 percent (29.8%) of students across the state were chronically absent, meaning 10 percent or more of school days were missed in a year. The boards agreed this week to aim to cut that number in half (15%) by the 2025-2026 school year.

The data from the school year that just ended was not yet available, but in the interview Wright called the issue of absenteeism one on every superintendents and every principals radar.

We have to drill down and look at the data by district and by school, so we know where to really reach out and help those schools who are struggling the most, Wright said.

REVIEW: Annapolis lawmakers talk juvenile crime. Is upping school attendance part of the solution?

She takes the time to listen, county superintendent says of Wright.

In this file photo, Washington County Public School Superintendent Dr. David Sovine talks to a student during his visit to Emma K. Doub Elementary School on Monday, the first day of classes in 2023. Ric Dugan/Herald-Mail

With the formal term of Maryland state superintendent of schools just beginning, a pair of county school superintendents remarked on the relationship so far working with Wright, who started in an interim capacity as state superintendent of schools last October.

I am highly impressed with her ability to connect with stakeholders and understand each perspective, said David Sovine, superintendent of Washington County Public Schools since 2022, in a June 25 emailed statement. I am very excited to continue working with Dr. Carey Wright as the next Maryland Public Schools Superintendent.

She takes the time to listen and engage with superintendents and various constituents across the state, said Sovine, of Wright, noting her collaborative approach to leadership and knowledge in all areas of public education.

I am optimistic about the future of Maryland and Washington County with Dr. Wright leading schools at the state level, he said.

Superintendent of Wicomico County Public Schools Micah Stauffer also noted the collaboration with Wright in a June 24 emailed statement.

The local superintendents have appreciated the chance to work with Dr. Wright since last fall as the Interim State Superintendent, he said, we look forward to continuing that collaboration with her as we move forward for the 2024-2025 school year.

Stauffer, the countys superintendent since 2022, also noted a community forum in Salisbury scheduled for September that will start a statewide listening-and-learning tour for the new state superintendent.

REVIEW: Maryland test scores rebound post-pandemic, but here's where there's more work to do

To me, this is about all of us, Wright said

The Maryland State Seal on the wall of the Office of the State Superintendent in Baltimore, Maryland. The Latin legend on the seal's border is the from Psalm 5:12 from the Latin Vulgate Bible, which translates as "with favor wilt thou compass us as with a shield."

Based on the goals the State Board of Education agreed to on Tuesday, its safe to say the superintendents hope they are not the only ones listening-and-learning come next September.

In the 2022-2023 school year, less than half (47%) of the states third-through eighth-grade students scored proficient in English Language Arts and only a quarter of students in that cohort (25%) tested proficient in mathematics.

This week, the boards put a target of 62% percent testing proficient for English Language Arts by 2025-2026, and a target of 46% of third-through eighth-grade students testing proficient in mathematics by that time.

Likely in order to meet that target, the state  teachers, administrators, parents, tutors, and students  will have to work to continue to close racial achievement gaps. English Language Arts proficiency for Black/African American third-through eighth-grade students increased from pre-pandemic scores in school year 2022-2023, but the 34% proficiency rate remained behind the overall rate. Reading proficiency on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress also showed gaps between the state average and reading proficiency for Black and Hispanic students.

As for how Wright will work from her position to address those challenges, her previous work in Mississippi and her remarks earlier this year at a social impact forum at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, Massachusetts provide some indication.

To me, this is about all of us, said Wright, during the Feb. 5 speech. This is about our nations children, and I feel very strongly about that.

I went into education for that very reason, she said. When I say: all children, I do mean all children.

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: State Superintendent of Schools talks challenges, goals as she begins
The President of Mauritania and leader of the Union for the Republic, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, prepares to vote at a polling station during the presidential election. Nicolas Remene/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa

Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has been re-elected to office after winning 56.12% of the vote, provisional results showed.

His main rival, Biram Dah Abeid, an anti-slavery human rights activist, came in second place after winning 22% of the vote, while Hamadi Sidi Mokhtar of the Islamist Tawasul Party, got 12.76%.

Elections were held on Saturday in Mauritania, a former French colony in north-west Africa. Results were announced late Sunday after 99% of the votes were counted.

Before the announcement, Abeid alleged there was fraud, and riot police dispersed his supporters demonstrating against the results using tear gas, witnesses said.

Mauritanians are hoping the president will work on improving their living conditions, decrease unemployment, and fight corruption and poverty. Ould Ghazouani, 67, has promised to focus on supporting the youth during his second term.

Ould Ghazouani, a former defence minister, was elected in 2019 in the country's first peaceful transition of power.

His predecessor Mohamed Ould Abdel-Aziz took office after a 2008 military coup.

The President of Mauritania and leader of the Union for the Republic, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, prepares to vote at a polling station during the presidential election. Nicolas Remene/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa
A man casts his ballot, during the presidential election, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Saturday, June 29, 2024. Mauritanians are voting for their next president, with the incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani widely expected to win the vote after positioning Mauritania as a strategic ally of the West in a region swept by coups and violence. (AP Photo/Mamsy Elkeihel)

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP)  Mauritanias President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has been reelected for a second term, the country's electoral commission said on Monday, after positioning the country as a strategic ally of the West in a region swept by coups and violence.

Ghazouani, who campaigned on a pledge of providing security and economic growth, obtained 56.1% of votes, the countrys independent electoral commission said Monday. His main rival Biram Dah Abeid, an anti-slavery activist, received 22.1% of the votes. He rejected the partial results announced Sunday and called them a fraud.

The turnout was 55% of the two million eligible voters, the commission said.

The country's constitutional court will now review the vote numbers and announce the final results, though it remains unclear when that will happen.

Saturdays vote unfolded peacefully, according to observers.

Nothing has been detected so far and the CENI has not received any complaints, said Taghioullah Ledhem, the spokesman for CENI, the countrys independent electoral commission.

But some opposition candidates held a different view. The commission is made up of representatives of political parties and its president is appointed by the government, and some accused it of colliding with Ghazouanis regime.

Abeid claimed that he was the real winner. The provisional results were an electoral coup detat" to help Ghazouani, he told a news conference Sunday. He accused the electoral commission of fraudulently giving Ghazouni thousands of votes out of nowhere.

Speaking hours later from his home in Riadh  a poor suburb of the Mauritanian capital  he called for civil disobedience against the government and appealed to the military and security forces not to accept being used by the government against the people.

The battle is not over, we are not defeated, he said. The people are not defeated and will not be defeated, we are there to defend the people until the last drop of blood.

Although his opponents accused him of corruption and mismanagement, Ghazouani, a former army chief, remains popular among Mauritanians who see him as a beacon of stability. The vote took place in a tense regional climate, with Mauritanias neighbors shaken by military coups and jihadi violence.

Mauritania is rich in natural resources including iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, gold, oil and natural gas. It is poised to become a gas producer by the end of the year, with the planned launch of the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyin offshore gas project on the border with Senegal.

Yet almost 60% of the population lives in poverty, according to the United Nations, working as farmers or employed informally. With few economic opportunities for young people at home, many are attempting to reach Europe, and some are even trying to get to the United States through Mexico.

The African Union sent an observation mission to Saturdays vote but have yet to release their statement.
Donald Trump is immune from criminal charges for official acts carried out within his "core constitutional powers" while in office but not from unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The highly anticipated decision comes nearly seven months after Trump first submitted the legal challenge in his federal election subversion case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, claiming he enjoyed absolute presidential immunity from prosecution of official acts connected to his alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election results and remain in power.

The justices held that the former president is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken "within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority" and receives "at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts," ruling in a 6-3 determination split along ideological lines. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the majority opinion.

"Criminally prosecuting a President for official conduct undoubtedly poses a far greater threat of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch than simply seeking evidence in his possession," the decision reads, referencing the court's rejection of a claim that a president could not be subpoenaed in United States v. Burr in 1895. "The danger is greater than what led the Court to recognize absolute Presidential immunity from civil damages liabilitythat the President would be chilled from taking the 'bold and unhesitating action' required of an independent Executive."

"Although the President might be exposed to fewer criminal prosecutions than civil damages suits, the threat of trial, judgment, and imprisonment is a far greater deterrent and plainly more likely to distort Presidential decisionmaking than the potential payment of civil damages," it continued.

The court sent the case back to U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who's overseeing the trial, to determine which of Trump's charged actions, including interactions with ex-Vice President Mike Pence, state officials, certain private parties and comments to the American public, constitute either official or unofficial acts.

The justices "gave Trump virtually everything he asked for," issuing a ruling that was "about as broad as it could be for presidential immunity" since it holds that "virtually everything a president does as president is 'presumptively' and 'official act'" that requires the prosecution to "rebut that presumption," argued Bennett Gershman, a law professor at Pace University and former New York prosecutor.

He pointed to the justices determining that courts may not "inquire into the president's motives" and the implication that proof of Trump's attempt to hold onto power through "fraudulent and corrupt actions" would not be allowed as another point of contention, calling the decision "a gift" to the former president "by delaying any trial until next year at the earliest, if at all."

"The courts recital of the presidents authority was stunning in its breadth," Gershman told Salon. "It made me wonder whether a president could claim absolute immunity for the 'official act' of ordering a Navy Seal team to assassinate a political rival; organizing a military coup to hold onto power; accepting a bribe in exchange for a pardon."

David Schultz, a professor of legal studies and political science at Hamline University, told Salon that the high court's decision was "not a surprise" to him in terms of what it held. Instead, he said he was more struck by the clean ideological split in the decision.

"Roberts did not get, I think, what he wanted: a 9-0 opinion," Schultz said, adding: "Whatever the merits of his argument, the public reception of it is going to be that this was a win for Donald Trump, given to him by a Supreme Court that he significantly had a hand in crafting. That's not going to be good for the public perceptions of the court."

Trump sought to have the charges in his federal election interference case alleging he conspired to overturn the 2020 election and obstruct the peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6, 2021, on the grounds of having absolute immunity from prosecution for acts conducted while in office.

Two lower courts roundly rejected the notion before the Supreme Court decided to take up the case, and the high court appeared skeptical of the Trump legal team's assertion during oral arguments in late April. On Monday, the justices described Trump's description of presidential immunity as far broader

Though the decision finally resolves an issue that put his Washington, D.C., trial on hold indefinitely  in theory, now allowing the case to move forward  legal experts have previously told Salon that the court's choice to delay the decision played right into the former president's hand: making it less likely for the case to go to trial before this year's election, which could result in the case being thrown out altogether should he win the presidency in November.

Schultz said that the justices left open two possibilities for the district court to address deciding which alleged misdeeds were official or unofficial  doing so before any trial takes place or making these distinctions as part of trial. The former, he said, appeared to be where the nation's highest court had landed.

"The implications of that are significant because if it basically says that the court has to figure it out first  the prosecution has to convince the court first that these are actions that are not immune  that could very well take place before a trial has to occur and affect the indictments," Schultz said, noting later that, given that the distinction between unofficial and office acts amounts to a "fact-based question," the judge could proceed to trial.

Arguing that there is "no excuse for the delay in reaching this decision," Norman Eisen, a CNN legal analyst and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, called for Chutkan to "call the parties before her" and hold a "mini trial"  to be "scheduled imminently"  to categorize the remaining acts and "shed light" on the depth of Trump's misconduct for the American public to digest ahead of the election.

"The decision today does set up a test that now needs to be adjudicated in a mini trial," he said during a press call Monday afternoon, noting that the chief justice's opinion "actually calls for fact-finding by Judge Chutkan."

Eisen also emphasized the gravity of the dissenting opinion, proclaiming that the three dissenting justices  liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown-Jackson and Elena Kegan  will be "remembered as a clarion call that the Supreme Court took a terrible wrong turn."

"When dissenting justices warned that the majority may have just legalized murder by one individual in our country, that warning is to be taken very seriously," he said. "Nor are the consequences of the majority opinion able to be read in isolation. We can not ignore the trend towards authoritarianism."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Sotomayor, joined by Brown-Jackson and Kegan, authored a scathing dissenting opinion.

"Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law. Moving forward, however, all former Presidents will be cloaked in such immunity," Sotomayor wrote. "If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop."

"With fear for our democracy, I dissent," she concluded.

In posts to Truth Social Monday, Trump, however, celebrated the Supreme Court's decision  and took swings at President Joe Biden and the prosecutors heading his other legal battles, including his civil fraud trial and defamation case from writer E. Jean Carroll.

"Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes - The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs 'case,'" Trump wrote. "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

Trump has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing and routinely characterized the cases against him as a political witch hunt.

The former president still faces federal charges in Florida brought by Smith alleging he illegally retained national security documents post-presidency and obstructed government efforts to retrieve them. He also faces charges in Georgia over an alleged conspiracy to subvert the election results in that state, though that trial has been postponed pending an appellate court decision on whether Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis can remain on the case.

While Schultz said that Supreme Court's decision Monday is unlikely to impact the Florida case in any way due to the alleged misconduct being acts Trump undertook after leaving office, the ruling could impact the Georgia case by requiring the court to determine whether "the actions that he used to try to pressure state officials in Georgia" are official or unofficial acts.

Gershman, however, argued that both cases are "imperiled by this decision," asserting instead that Trump's conviction of 34 felony counts in New York late last month would not be impacted by the Monday ruling.

But looking just at the legal outcomes of the Supreme Court's decision is not enough, Eisen argued. He and Schultz agreed that the determination will have profound political consequences, with Schultz predicting it will be another hot-button issue of the 2024 presidential race.

"Much in the same way that the Dobbs opinion two years ago really affected the contour of the midterm elections, this opinion is  in addition to the fact that it affects Trump's trial and, I think, given the fact that it's going to be perceived as a highly partisan political opinion  also going to be now part of the talking points, at least for the Democrats, going into the 2024 election," Schultz said. "At a time when they need, especially after the debate last week, to shift something away from Biden's performance, it's something that they're going to hope that gives them momentum."

As for the decision's impact on the nation, Schultz said he finds what it suggests to be a lot more unclear.

"The court has really given a degree of immunity to core constitutional acts of the president. I think that does raise a lot of troubling questions," he said, citing specifically the question at oral arguments in April of whether the president ordering the assassination of a political rival amounts to an official or unofficial act. "I don't think the court addresses that question. It leaves open a lot of murky stuff that need not have been so unclear."
Mayor Adams on how $112.4 billion budget will shape future of NYC

Mayor Adams on how $112.4 billion budget will shape future of NYC

NEW YORK (PIX11)  Monday is the first day of the new fiscal year for New York City and the ink is still drying on the record-breaking $112.4 billion budget deal signed by the City Council.

Its about sitting down in a room with real intentions for New Yorkers, and thats what we did, Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 News.

More Local News

Lawmakers were able to restore $1 billion in planned cuts for schools, libraries and other cultural institutions.

We took small decisions at the beginning of this administration that allows us to have over $8 billion in reserves during difficult times, Adams said about restoring parts of the budget. There was a lot of inefficiencies in our agencies we had an over $7 billion budget gap that we had to close.

Adams revealed that the migrant crisis cost the city $4.9 billion, and its not going away anytime soon.

Thats $4.9 billion that couldve gone to other services, Adams said.

Almost 5,000 migrants a month are coming into the city, according to Adams. The city is still enforcing a 30-day limit on shelter stays for migrants, and has 65,000 asylum seekers in its care.

Adams also discussed the police-involved shooting of Win Rozario, the crackdown on crime, the Pride March and the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
GS Energy chairman Huh Yongsoo speaks at a forum with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Seoul on July 1, 2024. Photo by Nhat Bac

South Korean companies are seeking more supportive policies from the Vietnamese government to invest in wind and gas power plants in the country.

Power plant equipment manufacturer Doosan Enerbility is willing to invest in Vietnam to help the country reach its carbon-neutral target by 2050, vice chairman Jung Yeonin told Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Seoul Monday where the latter met with 50 business executives.

The company wants to supply turbines to wind power developers in Vietnam, he said.

"We are ready to provide technology transfer and training".

GS Energy is building a US$3-billion liquefied natural gas power plant in the southern province of Long An, and its chairman, Huh Yongsoo, wants support from the government so that the project can be operational by the end of this year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets with South Korean business representatives in Seoul on July 1, 2024. Photo by Nhat Bac

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told investors that there is large demand for investment in Vietnams energy sector.

The country plans to have 30,400 MW of gas-fired capacity, 75% from LNG, and 27,900 MW of wind power capacity by 2030, he said.

By 2050 it hopes to increase total capacity by eight times to 510,000 MW to meet the demand of an economy expected to grow at 6-6.5% a year, he said.

Vietnam is framing policies on liquefied natural gas prices and direct power purchase agreements, which are set to attract investors, he added.

South Korean investors also expressed interest in civilian aircraft engine maintenance.

Jung In Sub, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said currently Vietnamese airlines have to send their planes overseas for engine maintenance.

"We want to invest in this sector and we expect support from the Vietnamese government".

Chinh welcomed the proposal, saying that with airports such as Long Thanh, Da Nang Chu Lai and Noi Bai being built or upgraded, Vietnam would have a huge need for aircraft engine maintenance.

He also called on companies to find new areas of investment to help the two countries reach bilateral trade of US$100 billion by 2024 and $150 billion by 2030.

It had been worth $76 billion last year, making South Korea Vietnams third biggest partner behind China and the U.S.

Chinh and his wife are in South Korea for an official visit from June 30 to July 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and his wife.

He has more than 30 events lined up during the visit, more than half focusing on the economy, one of the main planks of Vietnam-South Korea relations.
FILE - President Joe Biden looks on at a campaign rally in Raleigh, N.C., June 28, 2024. If President Biden successfully resists some extraordinary calls in the media to abandon his reelection effort following last week's debate, he may reflect on the moment MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski looked into the camera Monday, July 1, to begin a 15-minute essay of support. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  If President Joe Biden successfully resists some extraordinary calls in the media to abandon his reelection effort following last week's debate, he may reflect on the moment that MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski looked into the camera Monday to begin a 15-minute essay of support.

The Morning Joe co-host denounced the screaming, mocking, jeering headlines and editorials suggesting Biden leave the campaign following several halting, confused passages by the president during his CNN debate with former President Donald Trump.

The New York Times editorial board urged Biden's exit, along with some of the newspaper's columnists. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution followed suit in a front-page editorial on Sunday. The New Yorker's editor David Remnick wrote that there is honor in recognizing the hard demands of the moment. The Washington Post said it hoped Biden spent the weekend soul-searching.

It has been a collective nervous breakdown like nothing I've ever seen, said Chris Whipple, author of The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden's White House.

The Morning Joe saga

Nowhere, perhaps, were raw nerves exposed quite like they've been on Morning Joe, where co-hosts Brzezinski and her husband, Joe Scarborough, have been among Biden's most consistent supporters. With Biden reportedly a frequent viewer, there's often a sense that the show's guests are talking to the president, much like with Fox News' Fox & Friends when Trump was in office.

A funereal Scarborough suggested Friday that Biden consider abandoning the campaign, saying that if he were CEO and he turned in a performance like that, would any Fortune 500 company keep him on? It led to some awkward moments with his wife, like when Scarborough said she didn't have to raise her voice when she resisted criticism on Biden.

Yet Scarborough was absent on Monday  on a planned vacation, his wife and network said  and Brzezinski opened the show on her own.

She conceded that Biden's debate performance was terrible and blamed his staff for overworking him. Age brings wisdom, but the deleterious impacts need to be managed, she said. She listed how Biden had recovered from personal and political problems in the past.

I still believe in Joe Biden, she said. I've learned that counting him out is always a mistake, and doing that right now would be catastrophic for the country.

An occasional guest of the show, Mara Gay of the Times' editorial board, was on to defend her newspaper's stance, and Brzezinski took a swipe at those who concentrated more on Biden than Trump. I don't want to hear from editorial boards who have missed a massive story on the other side or have become inured to it, she said.

Strong wording from across the news industry

The Times' editorial, published Sunday, called Biden the shadow of a great public servant.

The greatest public service that Mr. Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for reelection, the newspaper said.

Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote that watching the Biden-Trump debate made me weep. Colleague Lydia Polgreen wrote that a Democratic ticket led by Vice President Kamala Harris has a pretty nice ring to it. And Maureen Dowd, who has an extensive history covering Biden, headlined her column, The Ghastly vs. The Ghostly.

If Biden continued the race, he'd be guilty of a Trump-like self-interest, she wrote. He has age-related issues, Dowd wrote, and these only go in one direction.

Whipple said he doesn't expect opinion pieces in The Times would have much sway in the White House. The Biden campaign has been critical of the amount of space the newspaper has devoted to voter concerns about the president and his age.

Nothing will make Joe Biden more determined to run for reelection than a New York Times editorial urging him to drop out, Whipple said. It is like oxygen for him.

Biden thrives on being underestimated, he said. Biden, who once talked of being a transitional president, has been surprised at the way Trump and his movement have remained politically strong. The desire to stop him, along with a politician's traditional instinct not to want to leave the stage, has fueled his campaign, Whipple said.

The author said Biden needs now to erase what The New Yorker's Remnick wrote was the agonizing experience of watching him wander into senselessness onstage.

It is bound to obliterate forever all those vague and qualified descriptions from White House insiders about good days and bad days, Remnick wrote. You watched it, and, on the most basic human level, you could only feel pity for the man and, more, fear for the country.

The influential Georgia newspaper's editorial headline was, It's Time for Biden to Pass the Torch.

Yet in another swing state, Pennsylvania, The Philadelphia Inquirer took another tack. Biden shouldn't be the presidential candidate dropping out, the newspaper said in an editorial over the weekend.

There was only one person at the debate who does not deserve to be running for president, the Inquirer wrote. The sooner Trump exits the stage, the better off the country will be.

___

David Bauder writes about media for The Associated Press. Follow him at http://twitter.com/dbauder.
Political commentator Meghan McCain began her most recent podcast episode with an angry monologue laying out her relationship with the Biden family and calling President Joe Biden a disaster.

The episode of Citizen McCain, hosted by the daughter of the late Arizona Republican Senator and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain, was published on 28 June  the day after Bidens dismal debate performance against former President Donald Trump.

McCain, 39, began by addressing her listeners and some of their criticism of her for her comments slamming Biden.

She said she wanted to address something that has been popping up very intensely in our comments on social media. I am getting chastised a lot by a lot of you on Instagram for criticizing Joe Biden.

She went on to say that its her job to comment on the politics of the nation.

Yes, President Biden was friends with my father when he was alive and still continues to be friends with my mother, she added. But I think there has been a narrative put in place in no small part by ... the Biden campaign, that President Biden, his family, were best friends with my family.

Meghan McCain addressed criticism against her for blasting Joe Biden (Getty Images for TIME)

I didnt even meet Joe Biden until I was 30, she said, noting that she knew the late Democratic and later independent Senator Joe Liebermann as well as current South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham from a young age.

I used to know Ted Kennedy when I was much younger, she added of the late Democrat.

McCain went on to claim that there was a point in time that President Biden was not friendly with my family because of politics, saying that her relationship with the Bidens is fractured.

She said: That is my choice. It is not my mother.

I do not like the kind of person President Biden has turned out to be as a leader and ... in his personal life, she argued, referencing her guest on the program Lunden Roberts who had a child with Hunter Biden, but the first family didnt initially recognize the child.

I also think the Biden family has proven to be incredibly political, and I have felt ... retribution for not endorsing him when he was originally running for president, McCain said.

She added: President Biden has been a really bad president so far, which is why his approval ratings are the lowest theyve ever been.

I really rooted for him to be successful. He has been a disaster and Trump is a disaster. And thats the situation were all sitting in.

McCain went on to say that she hasnt spoken to Biden since his staff asked me to endorse him at the election in 2020 and I refused to do it.

She said she was no longer politically useful to Biden and his campaign which is why he hasnt contacted me.

As Ive said many times before, I look forward to a time in my adult life where neither Biden nor Trump will be in power, she added.

She also blasted the notion that her father was a raging liberal who would have backed Biden.

You dont become the nominee for president for the Republican Party if youre a raging liberal. And the idea that he would be out here supporting President Biden, particularly after his pullout in Afghanistan, knowing how hawkish and the proponent my dad was of the war in Afghanistan, McCain said.

I recoil at any association I ever had with the Republican Party. Its a wasteland now, she added.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Melling CEO Mark Melling joined 6 News anchors Jorma Duran and Megan Viecelli in the studio to discuss a unique car show. The event will run from 10 AM to 1 PM with classic cars, music, food trucks, and a chance to win a VIP experience with Erica Enders at the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway.

The car show will also serve as a way to educate people about the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act, which was introduced by Michigan Congressman and Jackson representative Tim Walberg. The bill would prohibit the EPA from finalizing the tailpipe emission standards for medium and light-duty motor vehicles model years 2027-2032.

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RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE)  Several soldiers in the New Mexico Army National Guard rescued four elderly Ruidoso residents from a flash flood on Saturday.

Six soldiers were moving heavy equipment out of a creek near homes located on the South Fork burn scar when four people signaled them in distress.

Four of the soldiers created safety lines out of ratchet straps. The other two crossed the rising water toward those who were stranded.

Sandbag-filling volunteers needed in San Miguel County

The two carried all four elderly people to safety on higher ground. Just a few minutes later, the water level reached more than 6 feet high.

Im proud of our Soldiers for acting so quickly to save lives in what was a dangerous situation. This is what we train for and have a lot of experience in. Im just thankful we were there to help our fellow New Mexicans in their time of need. Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the NM National Guards Adjutant General

Also, on Sunday, the military has been using light-medium tactical vehicles for swift water rescues. The New Mexico National Guard says the rescued a total of 100 people.

The Village of Ruidoso also warns residents of more flash flooding in the area, even issuing an evacuation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois Monday to cosponsor the construction of a $1.15 billion project to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.

Todays agreement will help us get shovels in the ground as soon as possible on the critical Brandon Road project, said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigans economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.

This agreement unlocks $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first of three overall stages in the project.

I am grateful to Governor Pritzker in Illinois, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task, said Whitmer. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come.

The Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP) is designed to prevent the upstream movement of invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes from the Illinois Waterway at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Michigan previously appropriated $64 million to the project in 2023.

The USACE Rock Island District has been working diligently with our partners in the states of Illinois and Michigan to move this critical project forward, said Rock Island District Commander, Col. Aaron Williams. We are excited to be entering this next phase of the project and are committed to preventing the upstream movement of invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes.

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The Great Lakes are home to 21% of the worlds fresh water.

Invasive carp such as bighead, silver, and black carp, could potentially outcompete other Great Lakes fish like lake whitefish, perch, and walleye. Invasive species colonizing the Great Lakes basin could also leave inland rivers and lakes vulnerable.

The project will consist of multiple structural control measures, including a flushing lock, electric barrier, acoustic deterrents, air bubble curtain, and automated barge clearing deterrents. In addition, the project will work with other government agencies to implement public education, outreach, monitoring, pest management, manual removal, and research.

Our multi-agency team of scientists and engineers has worked tirelessly over the last three years in combination with external stakeholders to design what we believe is an effective solution for protecting the Great Lakes watershed, said Scott Whitney, BRIP Project Manager at the USACE Rock Island District.

Michigan has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Great Lakes states to maintain the Great Lakes since 2011, leading to the following project progression:

2014 : the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Separation Study identified several options for separating the two basins. Subsequently, the Brandon Road lock and Dam site in Joliet, Illinois, was identified as the best location to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.

2018 : the Brandon Road Feasibility Study was finalized, and Michigan committed $8 million to the project.

2020 : a Planning, Engineering, and Design agreement was signed between Illinois and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Michigan supported Illinois as a nonfederal sponsor and contributed $8 million of the $10.1 million nonfederal funds required.

2022 : a new cost for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project was estimated at $1.14 billion, requiring a 10% nonfederal cost share.

2023: appropriations in Michigan ($64 million) and Illinois ($50 million) meet the nonfederal requirement to begin construction of the project.

Todays announcement represents a major milestone in the protection of Michigans natural resources, in this case one of our most prized natural resources, the Great Lakes, said Scott Bowen, Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. I want to thank and congratulate everyone involved in this effort, at the state and national level, for the years of effort that went into making this day a reality. Our children and grandchildren will thank them, too.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is suspending his campaign for Congress, endorsing Rep. Vince Fong in the November election in a video released Monday.

Boudreaux announced he is dropping out on Monday  over a month after Fong, R-Bakersfield, soundly beat the Republican sheriff in the May special election for Californias 20th Congressional District by 21 percentage points.

Ive known Congressman Fong and worked closely with him and his team for more than a decade, Boudreaux said in a video released Monday. While we were on opposite sides of this campaign, at the end of the day, were Republicans, were family men, and fighters who are committed to protecting individual liberty, reducing the cost of living, and maintaining safe communities for our neighbors.

Boudreaux said that he will spend 2024 supporting public safety-focused candidates across the San Joaquin Valley and California through a new grassroots organization called Golden State Justice.

Last month, Fong was sworn in to finish retired Rep. Kevin McCarthys term, which ends in January 2025. He gained incumbency advantage over Boudreaux ahead of the November election for a two-year congressional term to start in January.

Boudreauxs name will remain with the new congressmans on the November ballot, but Fong will be the only one officially running.

Boudreaux, 57, has been connected to the Tulare County sheriffs office for almost his whole life: He started as a cadet at 19, following in the footsteps of his father, who was with the sheriffs office for 30 years. Before becoming sheriff, Boudreaux worked in various fields, including homicide and narcotics, juvenile investigations and the SWAT team and patrol.

Boudreaux, a Republican who lives in Springville, started leading the department in 2013 when the then-sheriff had a health problem. Boudreaux then ran for sheriff and was sworn in January 2015. He was re-elected to a third term in 2022.

McCarthy left Congress following his October ousting as speaker of the House, a role he long coveted and held for nine months.

Fong, 44, was McCarthys chosen successor in Californias 20th. The Bakersfield Republican was once McCarthys district director and had the support of the ex-Speaker and his allies and donors for his congressional campaign. Until he was sworn in to the House of Representatives, Fong represented the 32nd Assembly District, having been elected in 2016.

Californias 20th, where 47% of registered voters are Republican and 27% are Democrats, covers parts of Kern, Kings, Fresno and Tulare counties. Most of the voters in the 20th are in Kern County, where Fong and McCarthys home base is.
Military horses bolt through central London again after losing riders

Army rider calms one of the horses down after it went on the run

Two black military horses bolted through central London after losing their riders on Monday, the Metropolitan Police said.

The animals were later seen being stroked and calmed down by Army troops on Vauxhall Bridge at around 9.30am as traffic passed by.

It is not known how they ended up on the busy central London bridge.

A police officer told The Telegraph: Two horses lost their riders and went on a run.

We are now waiting for horse boxes to take them away.

There were no injuries.

Two marked police vehicles were parked next to the horses on the pavement.

A large white horse van then appeared and traffic was brought to a halt.

One member of the public called out, did they get loose again? to which a police officer responded, yes.

One of the animals is helped into a horse box following its escape

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Were aware that a number of horses were loose in central London and worked with the Army to locate them.

Were pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army.

It comes after Household Cavalry horses rampaged through central London in April after being spooked by noisy construction work, leaving four people injured.

Five military horses from a group of seven bolted during an exercise in Belgravia, where builders were moving concrete rubble.

The horses charged through the streets, smashing into a double-decker tour bus and a Mercedes-Benz van, with some galloped five miles through rush hour traffic to the east of the capital.

The animals threw their riders, Lifeguards and Blues and Royals servicemen, while they were leaving Hyde Park Barracks during rehearsal preparations for the Kings birthday parade in June.

Two of the horses, one covered in blood, then charged at pace through busy streets around Tower Bridge and the Strand for five miles until eventually being stopped in Limehouse.

The Ministry of Defence was contacted for comment.

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The safety impacts of artificial intelligence are here, are real and are often very personal.

Innocent teenagers are being blackmailed with their faces inserted into photo-realistic pornography. Terrified grandparents are sending tens of thousands of dollars to virtual kidnappers who use AI to fake the voices of family members using snippets of audio from social media. Propaganda shops in China, Russia and Iran are using AI to create fake personas to manipulate political discussions around the world.

We are in desperate need of action at every level of government, but if you pay attention to the debate in Sacramento over AI, you will hear much more about science-fiction risks than solutions aimed at how people are being harmed today.

Opinion

The centerpiece of Californias massive slate of potential AI regulations seems to be Senate Bill 1047 authored by Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco. It recently passed out of the Senate and awaits action by the Assembly. Among several reasonable proposals in this bill, however, is a poison pill for Californias continued dominance of the field: a requirement that makers of foundational (aka general purpose) AI models swear that their products could never be used or modified to enable widespread harm.

The bill specifically mentions nuclear and biological threats, which are reasonable areas where we wouldnt want AI developed. But it also includes catch-all language that blames AI developers for any potential misuse of their product. Penalties apply even if that misuse happens by ill-intentioned third parties intentionally defeating built-in safety protections.

California inventions such as the nicotine patch, WD-40 and the skateboard would never have survived such a standard. Responsible companies think a lot about how their models might be misused, and government agencies and private researchers are racing to create frameworks for predicting and testing for safety flaws. But general purpose AI models are just that: general purpose. They can be used both for good and bad in the same way as a car or hammer.

Requiring companies to foreclose every potential abuse is asking them to peer into a murky crystal ball. It would make it impossible to deploy any open-source AI code that could possibly be modified to make it dangerous.

Recently, 160 students in my Stanford University class presented their final projects applying open or closed-source AI to real online safety challenges. In just seven weeks, they built systems to detect the grooming of children online, prevent the creation of fake spam accounts and stop the spread of virtual revenge porn. For every negative use of AI, we will need positive protections.

To be clear, outlawing free tools will only benefit those individuals and countries who already operate outside of the boundaries of civilized society.

A better approach for legislators would be to focus on the use of AI to hurt others and to bring our states resources to bear against the bona fide bad actors and encourage further responsible development.

California could create severe civil and criminal penalties for those unethical entrepreneurs who are providing online services that create virtual child abuse material or deep-faked pornography. Victims of cybercrime are often caught between FBI offices that wont return their calls and local police officers who dont have the resources to disrupt international gangs. California could lead the country in creating a state-level law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute cybercrime, much of which is now AI-powered.

We could collectively clarify that AI vendors have liability when they knowingly enable harmful or discriminatory behavior and require safety reviews before hooking up AI models to risky applications like the power grid. California could demonstrate to the world how governments can use AI for good, by protecting hospitals, school districts and local institutions that are under constant cyberattack by professional ransomware gangs.

I hope the Legislature shifts to a path to addressing the very real needs of Californians who are falling victim to those who are abusing AI.

Alex Stamos is the chief trust officer of SentinelOne, an AI cybersecurity company, and a lecturer in computer science at Stanford University. He is the former chief security officer of Facebook and Yahoo, a Sacramento native and a graduate of Bella Vista High School and UC Berkeley.
This picture taken on July 8, 2020 shows durians displayed for sale in Kuala Lumpur. Photo by AFP

Malaysian industry experts assure that the upcoming exports of fresh durians to China will not cause domestic price hikes due to increasing supply.

"Malaysias durian production is self-sufficient, and we produce more than what local consumers can consume," Asia News Network quoted Malaysia's Durian Manufacturer Association president Eric Chan as saying.

"When efforts to enhance durian production and explore new export opportunities are successful, more people will invest in durian planting. This could lead to increased fruit supply and potentially impact the local durian market."

Malaysia is anticipated to export fresh durians to China this year, following the approval granted during Chinese Premier Li Qiangs visit to Malaysia from June 18-20.

Sam Tan, president of the Malaysia Durian Exporters Association, mentioned that any price changes, particularly for the locally favored kampung variety, would stabilize or decrease in the long term as production scales up.

"With increased planting leading to oversupply, prices are expected to stabilize, benefiting both producers and consumers," he said, noting that kampung durians are less popular among Chinese consumers.

Durian supplier Hew Wen Zhang, 21, who sells durians in bulk in Balik Pulau, stated that there are "more than enough" durians for locals this season.

"Since early June, weve had truckloads of durians from orchards. We collect about four to five tonnes daily, with 90% going to Kedah," he told The Star. "Buyers come with their own trucks and take everything we have."

Despite reassurances, some Malaysian durian enthusiasts fear that exports to China will reduce domestic supply and raise prices. "The export of fresh durian to China will affect prices in Malaysia. Prices will increase with low supply and high demand among Malaysians," said Ras Atiqah, 31, from Perak, adding that this could also impact tourism, as durian is a major attraction.

Certain regions, like Penang, rely on durian tourism to boost their economy. "Reduced availability will lead to dissatisfaction among locals and tourists," Ras Atiqah concluded, as cited by The Star.

Serafina Liew Yeng Hsing, 22, agreed, stating that while many fans are willing to pay premium prices, she is not. "If the price increase isnt too substantial, I would still consider eating local durian as a treat, but it really depends on how high the prices go," she told The Star.

Last year, Malaysia produced 455,458 tons of durians, 10% of which were exported frozen to China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Kampung durians, primarily consumed locally, accounted for 38% of this production, according to CNA.
Increased scrutiny of elections nationwide means election officials like us are often under a microscope. Thats fine; people have a right to know what we do to conduct elections securely and fairly. However, violent threats and false information targeting election officials are common  driving officials to resign and crossing a line that threatens our democracy. Election officials first responsibility is to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the law  thats what thousands of election officials around the country do every day. Ahead of an election season that will undoubtedly be full of controversy, we want Travis County voters to understand who we are, how we work, and why you can be confident that your vote will count in November.

Elections are administered by officials, workers, and volunteers, all of whom are part of the communities they serve and dedicated to running fair and trusted elections. Together, the two of us oversee Travis Countys elections operations. Combined, we have deputized thousands of registrars, trained thousands of poll workers and election judges, and worked closely with countless volunteers. When our elections go smoothly, its because thousands of Travis County community members worked together to make it happen.

The 2024 elections will likely pose serious challenges to our election system, and local election officials will be thrust into the spotlight. It is important Texans understand who their officials are and the rigorous work that goes into administering elections in our state. Election officials abide by a code of conduct that commits us to fairness, integrity and impartiality. These standards assert, first and foremost, that we are responsible for upholding the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution, and all federal, state, and local laws.

Election officials like us, in Texas and around the country, are professionals who undergo extensive training and certification programs. We are responsible for establishing public trust in election outcomes, including by remaining nonpartisan and not publicly supporting ballot measures or political candidates. Our personal beliefs do not  and should not  impact our roles. Our focus is ensuring people have their say at the ballot box.

Elfant and Limon-Mercado: Travis County residents can be confident their vote will count in November. (Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman/File)

Unfortunately, election officials nationwide  Texas included  have received violent threats. While election procedures can be questioned if warranted, death threats and false information are unacceptable. Election administration can be a stressful job, but we carry it out with passion. It is disheartening to see election workers threatened and their integrity questioned due to false information spread by bad actors.

In Travis County we have been fortunate to avoid receiving credible threats of violence against us. However, we know from the experience of fellow officials that a single video, public statement, or official action, taken out of context by bad actors, could change that. As a result, we are as proactive as we can be in building trust with our community. Our election processes are transparent  we encourage voters with questions about the process to raise them and hear our response. Voters are encouraged on election day to watch ballots being counted if they wish.

Misinformation and disinformation can cast doubt about election officials and erode public trust in elections. Travis County aims to address concerns or issues that come to our attention through news statements, social media posts, and public events that we hold throughout the county.

However, many pieces of false information are published or shared that we cant see or respond to. It is vital for the public to engage directly with election officials and ask questions. If a post on social media or an article shared online makes you question the integrity of our elections, please visit our website, email us, and get information from the source.

Our job is about more than running elections; we also need to ensure our communities are confident their votes matter. We know firsthand the professionalism demonstrated by election officials, even amid intense pressure and scrutiny. Texans in Travis County and across the state should have confidence that election officials are dedicated to integrity, impartiality, and fairness, and want our elections to be secure and reflect the will of voters. After all, were members of the community and voters just like you.

Elfant is Travis County Tax Assessor/Collector, responsible for voter registration. Limon-Mercado is Travis County Clerk, responsible for overseeing elections.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Misinformation, threats on election officials are attacks on democracy
Missing Mom and Toddlers Who Were Possibly 'Coerced' to Religious Facility in Mexico Are Found Safe

Martha Unger and her daughters Madilynn and Haylie were found safe days after they were last seen

Kansas Bureau of Investigation/Facebook Martha Unger (left), and her daughters Madilynn Grace Unger and Haylie Faith Unger

A missing Kansas woman and her two toddlers have been found safe, authorities say, though law enforcement did not provide details about where they were found.

Martha Unger and her daughters, 2-year-old Madilynn Grace Unger and 1-year-old Haylie Faith Unger, were reported missing from their home in rural Haskell County, Kan., on Friday, June 28, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation previously said.

During the initial stages of the missing persons investigation, the KBI said they believed Martha and her daughters had possibly been coerced to travel to Mexico to a religious rehabilitation facility.

On Monday, the Haskell County Sheriffs Office said they had located Martha and verified her safety and the safety of her daughters, per an updated statement by the KBI.

Related: Mom, 23, Who Disappeared with 2 Kids May Have Been 'Coerced to Travel' to Religious Facility in Mexico: Police

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Authorities previously alleged a couple in their 50s had been with Martha and her children at the time of their disappearance, but did not provide any further information about them in Monday's update.

The KBI said the "endangered persons advisory" for Martha and her children was canceled, but it wasn't immediately clear if an investigation is still ongoing.

PEOPLE has reached out to the KBI and the Haskell County Sheriff's Office for further information.



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Read the original article on People.
Two weeks ago, a Missouri judge ruled Sandra Hemme innocent. Why is she still in prison?

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.

A hearing on a motion to release Sandra Sandy Hemme, who was declared innocent by a judge more than two weeks ago, was canceled Monday.

The 64-year-old woman remains imprisoned at Chillicothe Correctional Center, about 90 minutes northwest of Kansas City.

On June 14, Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman ruled there is clear and convincing evidence that Hemme is innocent. She was convicted in a 1980 murder in St. Joseph and has been behind bars for more than 43 years.

In recent cases, defendants who were declared innocent have been released swiftly. When a judge found Ricky Kidd innocent in August 2019, he was released the next day. A judge in November 2021 granted Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Bakers motion to exonerate Kevin Strickland and he was released later that day. In April 2022, the Missouri Supreme Court set aside the convictions of Keith Carnes and two days later, prosecutors said they would not re-file charges. He was released four days later.

An evidentiary hearing in Hemmes case was held in January before Horsman.

Following his ruling last month, Hemmes attorneys immediately filed a motion to release her.

The office of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has asked the state Court of Appeals to review Horsmans order. According to the clerks office, the hearing Monday was canceled because of the pending appellate case.

Hemmes attorneys now plan to file a motion for her release with the Court of Appeals.

Hemme was convicted in the killing of Patricia Jeschke more than four decades ago.

But evidence points to Michael Holman, a former St. Joseph police officer who later went to prison for another crime and died in 2015. He was questioned once in Jeschkes death.

Holmans truck was seen in the area the day of the murder, his alibi could not be corroborated, and he used Jeschkes credit card after he said he found it in a purse in a ditch. A pair of gold horseshoe-shaped earrings identified by Jeschkes father was also found in Holmans possession.

The judge said in his order that Holmans links to the murder are substantial and objective.

No forensic evidence connected Hemme to Jeschkes death.

A detective admitted that Hemme, who was on anti-psychotic medication and sedatives when she was questioned by police, was not totally cognizant of what was going on. Over a series of interviews while she was hospitalized, she told conflicting stories. At one point, she said a man who picked her up from the hospital was the killer. Investigators discovered he was in a locked detox facility in Kansas at the time of the murder and the capital murder charge against him was dropped.

This court can thus reach the merits of Ms. Hemmes claims because she is the victim of a manifest injustice, Horsman wrote in his 118-page order.

Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson has 30 days from the June 14 ruling to decide whether to re-try Hemme or dismiss the charges. Davidson did not immediately respond to an email or voicemail.
Karen Read was on trial in connection with her boyfriend John O'Keefe's mysterious death in January 2022

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Karen Read

The jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision on whether Karen Read  the woman accused of drunkenly running over her boyfriend John OKeefe in 2022  is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. On July 1, the judge overseeing the case declared a mistrial, according to Boston.com, NBC Boston and MassLive.com.

The judge scheduled a hearing for July 22 to determine next steps.



Read, 44, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with OKeefes death. OKeefe, who was 46 when he died, was a beloved Boston police officer who planned to go over to fellow police officer Brian Alberts home for an after-bars gathering in late January 2022, Boston reported. The trial, which began in mid-April, has since sparked an intense media storm.

On June 28, shortly after noon, the jury told the judge that it was deadlocked. Judge Beverly Cannone sent jurors back to keep deliberating after lunch. The following Monday, on July 1, they were still unable to reach a decision.

Prosecutors alleged that Read was driving drunk and backed over OKeefe after dropping him off at Alberts home, while Reads defense team has argued instead that OKeefe was beat up while inside Alberts home, then attacked by a dog, and then thrown in the snow and left for dead.

O'Keefe, who was found with multiple injuries and blood around his nose and mouth, was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead later that morning.

Related: Inside the Trial of Karen Read, Mass. Woman Accused of Fatally Running Over Police Officer Boyfriend

In closing arguments on June 25, Read's defense attorney Alan Jackson told the jury, "You have been lied to," according to WCVB, claiming that evidence presented by the prosecution had been manipulated during the investigation. He also called the case a "cover-up" designed to protect law enforcement officers.

Prosecutor Adam Lally pushed back against any notion of a "conspiracy" during his closing arguments.

The defendant repeatedly said I hit him. I hit him. Oh my God. I hit him, Lally said, in reference to statements Read allegedly made after O'Keefe was found, per WHDH. Those were the words that came from the defendants mouth.

Prosecutors had previously pointed to OKeefes DNA evidence having been found on the back taillight of Reads car. Boston also reported that Reads friend Kerry Roberts, who helped Read search for OKeefe the next morning, had said Read still seemed drunk when they were searching for her boyfriend. Roberts also alleged that Read told her, I hit him, according to the documents cited by Boston.

Meanwhile, Reads defense attorney David Yanetti claimed that evidence shows someone inside Alberts home the night OKeefe died had made an online search for Ho[w] long to die in cold, according to a news release previously cited by PEOPLE.

"This evidence unequivocally exonerates Karen, because it establishes that individuals who were in the house that night were aware that John was dying in the snow before Karen even knew he was missing," the press release said.

In court documents previously obtained by PEOPLE, Reads defense team also claimed that "photographs of O'Keefe suggest that he was beaten severely and left for dead, having sustained blunt force injuries to both sides of his face as well as to the back of his head."

Related: Karen Read Murder Trial Is a Circus, Says Friend Who Slams Claim She Killed Police Trooper Boyfriend (Exclusive)

OKeefe suffered skull fractures and brain bleeding and had black eyes, multiple abrasions and the autopsy confirmed hypothermia contributed to his death, CNN reported.

The theory Reads defense teams presented in court gained traction online, leading to dozens of protestors appearing outside the Norfolk Superior Court during Reads trial in support of the accused murderer.

Reads trial began on April 16 when a judge denied her defense teams motion to dismiss her murder charge.

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Read the original article on People.
Karen Read leaves Norfolk Superior Court to walk across the street to a church office as the jury deliberates. - Credit: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

The jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision on whether Karen Read  the woman accused of murdering her late boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, by running him over with a car in 2022  is guilty or not. Massachusetts judge Beverly J. Cannone declared a mistrial in the case on Monday.

More from Rolling Stone

Read was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death after OKeefes body was discovered. She pleaded not guilty.

After a 10-week trial, which began on April 16 in Dedham, Massachusetts Norfolk Superior Court, a 12-person jury was deadlocked after over 24 hours of deliberation. Early Monday afternoon, the jury informed Judge Cannone for the second time that they were unable to come to a unanimous decision. Despite our commitment to the duty entrusted to us, we find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and state of mind, a note sent to the judge read. The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort but deeply held convictions that each of us carry, ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. After being asked to deliberate once more, the jury remained hung.

Reads case became a fixture of interest both in Massachusetts and online, as the prosecution and defense have failed to agree on even the most basic admittances of evidence. On January 29, Read went to a bar with her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, dropping him off at the home of a fellow police officer, Brian Albert, just after midnight. Surveillance footage showed she had several drinks while at the bar, and she admitted in a frantic early morning call to OKeefes niece that she remembered very little about the previous night and that OKeefe had not come home. After returning to the home to begin a search, Read and two other women found OKeefes body and called first responders. According to testimony from officers, Read said, I hit him repeatedly while crying to EMT, but her defense argued that she asked the statement as a question, saying, Did I hit him? The prosecution painted Read as an alcoholic girlfriend who ran from the scene of the crime. To the defense, she was a flawed girlfriend framed by members of the Boston Police Department.

The court will reconvene on July 22 to determine next steps and whether or not the case will be re-tried.

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Mark Lee Dickson (far right), director of Right to Life East Texas, prays in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on April 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Mark Lee Dickson says hes been home maybe once in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court vanished federal abortion rights in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The 38-year-old director of Right to Life of East Texas in Longview has been on an endless road trip trying to set legal traps for people who are driving someone out of state to get an abortion. The native Texan said he drives from town to town attending pregnancy-center banquets, mens prayer breakfasts, Republican womens club meetings, Catholic fish fries and the rodeo, trying to convince local lawmakers and potential citizen petitioners to make their cities and counties so-called sanctuaries for the unborn, stretching local law to restrict abortion in as many ways as possible  such as restricting travel and medical waste disposal  to potentially provoke an eventual lawsuit.

I find myself in a variety of different places, wherever the Lord takes me, Dickson told States Newsroom.

Many of the pregnant residents in the rural areas Dickson goes to struggle with lack of access to maternal care, but Dickson likens himself to Batman on a vigilante quest to save embryos and fetuses from abortion. Reproductive justice organizers and attorneys whove spent the last two years fighting to restore reproductive health care access throughout the U.S. liken Dickson to a reincarnated version of 19th century anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock, whose eponymous anti-obscenity law Dickson has been wielding as one of many tools to fast-track a national abortion ban.

Two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and four months away from a presidential election, one of the biggest threats to abortion rights is a federal administration willing to enforce and reinterpret the dormant Comstock Act to criminalize the mailing of abortion-related drugs, medical equipment and information. But abortion providers and advocates say that even without Comstock, monitoring and policing of pregnant women and information is already here, thanks to activists like Dickson, whose proposed city ordinances allow residents to sue anyone suspected of helping someone get an abortion.

I have a whole lot of friends that spend time on the sidewalks of abortion facilities throughout America, Dickson said. And Ive told these friends, if you ever meet someone from Abilene, Texas, that is seeking out an abortion in New Mexico, use the sanctuary city ordinance as a deterrent as much as you can.

Rising Comstocks

Dicksons partner in the endeavor to broadly criminalize abortion in every state, one city at a time, is Jonathan F. Mitchell, the onetime solicitor general of Texas, who is also counsel for former President Donald Trump. Along with these sanctuary cities ordinances, together they helped draft Senate Bill 8, a blueprint for largely banning abortion in Texas in 2021 by authorizing citizens to sue those suspected of providing or assisting with an abortion.

And since Roe fell, they have been pushing a version of the Comstock Act that historians and legal scholars say never existed.

Legal scholars Reva Siegel and Mary Ziegler in their forthcoming article about the old law write that Anthony Comstock was focused on preventing illicit sex and pornography, not on preserving fetal life. The religious zealot was known for bringing dildos, contraceptives, and pornography to testify before state and local lawmakers about the need for anti-obscenity laws.

The statute is a ban on obscenity, not criminalization of health care, Siegel, a professor at Yale Law School, told States Newsroom. And when you listen to the revivalists, they just talk about Comstock as an absolute ban as if it has no exceptions. Thats just not true  in light of the text or the history.

But that doesnt really matter to Dickson and Mitchell.

Through their Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn project, Dickson and Mitchell have helped pass approximately 80 ordinances in cities and counties in seven states, mostly in Texas, but also in strategically located cities in abortion-access states, like New Mexico, where a challenge to ordinances that cite the Comstock Act currently awaits a ruling from the state supreme court and could eventually make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Where Anthony Comstock had the financial backing of the YMCA and was elevated to power as a special agent of the U.S. Post Office, the influential conservative think tank Heritage Foundation is pushing Mitchell and Dicksons version of Comstock in its plan for a potential future Trump administration to go after providers and distributors of abortion pills. Mitchell has received some financial support in 2023 and 2022 from the Christian right law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, which brought the recent abortion pill case before the Supreme Court.

Dickson said he wants these ordinances to go even further, such as opening up lawsuits to rideshare companies. But immediately on the agenda, he said, is to try to use Comstock to challenge state abortion-rights ballot initiatives.

There are many ways the Comstock Act can be used to help inoculate pro-abortion ballot initiatives in states like Arizona and Nebraska, Dickson said. A lot is planned between now and November, I can say that.

Mitchell, who did not respond to an interview request, is currently defending the right of Texas professors to penalize students who miss class to obtain an abortion. That new lawsuit will be heard by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, whose opinion last year advanced a challenge to an abortion pill and cited Comstock as a valid argument. Though the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected the mifepristone case, new challenges to the abortion pill continue, as does increased support for anti-abortion Comstock arguments from federal judges like 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge James Ho and Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

Meanwhile, longtime anti-abortion groups like Operation Rescue, which led clinic blockades in the 1980s and 1990s, continue to apply old-school surveillance and monitoring tactics. Based in Wichita, Kansas, president Troy Newman said his group maintains a sidewalk presence at abortion clinics in Wichita, and regularly files public records requests for 911 calls, which they post online. They also publish detailed reports on thousands of abortion providers in the U.S., referring to them as the abortion cartel.

Newman told States Newsroom that the goal is not to target women getting abortions, but to report potential abortion-clinic violations in order to shut down clinics that since Dobbs have relocated to states without abortion bans.

I dont think we can keep track of them all, but we have people feeding us information on a daily basis, Newman said.

Siegel and Ziegler argue comstockery is a threat to democracy, as it depends on suppressing freedom and promoting government censorship. Comstock famously helped imprison women who disseminated information about birth control and abortion, some who later died by suicide.

Revivalists hope to chill the exercise of rights already recognized in positive law, including state constitutional protections and the right to travel, Siegel and Ziegler write. Further, by disparaging reproductive rights and intimidating those who seek to exercise them, Comstock revivalists seek to short circuit an ongoing process of popular constitutional meaning-making that has unfolded in state ballot initiatives, state courts, and grassroots movements.

Resisting Comstocks

Many legal experts argue that Comstock would be a difficult law to defend even with a partially willing U.S. Supreme Court; however, the effects of even temporary enforcement could rock reproductive health care throughout the U.S. even more than it has since Dobbs. After initial discouragement from national reproductive rights groups, Democrats in Congress this month finally introduced a bill to repeal Comstock, though it is unlikely to advance before the election.

New Republic staff writer Melissa Gira Grant and Harvard Law lecturer Kendra Albert last month coalesced historians, attorneys, organizers, and journalists at a one-day summit at Harvard Law School called ComstockCon to unite against modern-day Comstocks from further constricting abortion rights. Grant said the criminalization of sex and pregnancy has long been borne by more marginalized groups, including people of color, sex workers and people who are trans or living in poverty. She said that the reproductive justice movement now more than ever needs solidarity.

We know that those eager rising modern-day Comstocks, the Jonathan Mitchells of the world and others, theyre in this fight for the long term, Grant said. We know that they regard so many of us as obscene for who we are, how we are, and how we want to be.  If they see the suppression of all of us as one fight, then that should be a point of solidarity for us.

And many called for resistance to the dead letter and legally dubious anti-abortion deterrent laws.

You have to keep pushing now, said one of the panelists, Renee Bracey Sherman, founder of We Testify, which lifts up peoples abortion stories. There will always be another ban. Its not going to stop us from talking, from sending pills.

Ban by deterrence

To date, no civil lawsuit has been filed under SB 8 or a sanctuary city ordinance, Dickson said. But, as the Texas Tribune has reported, Mitchell has filed petitions (under a little-known state rule) to depose abortion funds, providers, researchers and  despite assurances that these laws wont punish women having abortions  women who left the state to get an abortion.

These past few months, Dickson has been in Amarillo mobilizing anti-abortion activists to make their high-trafficked roads illegal for the purposes of interstate abortion-related travel. Embedded in the Amarillo ordinance is a reference to the Comstock Act. Petitioners gathered enough signatures to force the city council to vote on the measure, but abortion-rights advocates fiercely campaigned against the ordinance. After the council rejected the proposal earlier this month, Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley said the city doesnt have the authority to enforce the ordinance  a point with which Dickson vehemently agrees and said he spent hours explaining to the mayor.

The whole point of these ordinances, Dickson said, is that they allow for citizen lawsuits, not government enforcement. He admits that they function largely as deterrents, to chill abortion-related activity even in states where its legal. And its working, he said, noting that in the year before Dobbs, most doctors stopped providing abortions in Texas after the 2021 so-called vigilante law. One who didnt was Dr. Alan Braid, and though he was sued, those lawsuits were dismissed.

After Dobbs, however, Braid relocated his abortion practice to New Mexico and told NPR earlier this year that his Albuquerque clinic had higher no-show rates, which he partially attributed to people scared to drive through Lubbock because of its abortion-travel ban.

These ordinances are doing exactly what theyre intended to do, Dickson said. I liken it to an armed security officer at the bank who serves as a deterrent. He doesnt have to fire his gun in order for him to be viewed as an effective method of protecting the interest of the bank.

But theres another purpose to these ordinances, too, particularly Amarillos, which anti-abortion petitioners are still trying to get on the November ballot.

Amarillo is the home of Kacsmaryks court, where anti-abortion attorneys have been filing their strategic lawsuits since Dobbs. Dickson said he and Mitchell are eager to make it a so-called sanctuary city as a way of arguing for legal standing in the cases to come.

Lindsay London, a nurse who co-founded the Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance, which has been fighting the ordinance, said she resents having her native city used as a strategic chess piece. She said her coalition includes Amarillo Republicans skeptical of government overreach and is confident that, if given the opportunity, her fellow residents will vote down this law, which she said would be harmful to the community.

It creates a culture of fear and mistrust, London said. The last thing that people need to be concerned about when theyre moving through a difficult situation is, is someone that they trust or a neighbor or anything like that going to use that vulnerable situation to try and sue them? Positing neighbor upon neighbor is not how we create healthy communities.

Elisha Brown contributed to this report.

The post Modern-day Comstocks look to police travel, information as another strategy to end abortion appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: (L-R) Rev. Pat Mahoney, Peggy Nienaber of Faith and Liberty and Mark Lee Dickson of Right to Life East Texas pray in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on April 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. Organized by The Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution, the small group of demonstrators called on the Supreme Court to affirm Federal District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's ruling that suspends the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Mark Lee Dickson says hes been home maybe once in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court vanished federal abortion rights in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The 38-year-old director of Right to Life of East Texas in Longview has been on an endless road trip trying to set legal traps for people who are driving someone out of state to get an abortion. The native Texan said he drives from town to town attending pregnancy-center banquets, mens prayer breakfasts, Republican womens club meetings, Catholic fish fries and the rodeo, trying to convince local lawmakers and potential citizen petitioners to make their cities and counties so-called sanctuaries for the unborn, stretching local law to restrict abortion in as many ways as possible  such as restricting travel and medical waste disposal  to potentially provoke an eventual lawsuit.

I find myself in a variety of different places, wherever the Lord takes me, Dickson told States Newsroom.

Many of the pregnant residents in the rural areas Dickson goes to struggle with lack of access to maternal care, but Dickson likens himself to Batman on a vigilante quest to save embryos and fetuses from abortion. Reproductive justice organizers and attorneys whove spent the last two years fighting to restore reproductive health care access throughout the U.S. liken Dickson to a reincarnated version of 19th century anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock, whose eponymous anti-obscenity law Dickson has been wielding as one of many tools to fast-track a national abortion ban.

Two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and four months away from a presidential election, one of the biggest threats to abortion rights is a federal administration willing to enforce and reinterpret the dormant Comstock Act to criminalize the mailing of abortion-related drugs, medical equipment and information. But abortion providers and advocates say that even without Comstock, monitoring and policing of pregnant women and information is already here, thanks to activists like Dickson, whose proposed city ordinances allow residents to sue anyone suspected of helping someone get an abortion.

I have a whole lot of friends that spend time on the sidewalks of abortion facilities throughout America, Dickson said. And Ive told these friends, if you ever meet someone from Abilene, Texas, that is seeking out an abortion in New Mexico, use the sanctuary city ordinance as a deterrent as much as you can.

Rising Comstocks

Dicksons partner in the endeavor to broadly criminalize abortion in every state, one city at a time, is Jonathan F. Mitchell, the onetime solicitor general of Texas, who is also counsel for former President Donald Trump. Along with these sanctuary cities ordinances, together they helped draft Senate Bill 8, a blueprint for largely banning abortion in Texas in 2021 by authorizing citizens to sue those suspected of providing or assisting with an abortion.

And since Roe fell, they have been pushing a version of the Comstock Act that historians and legal scholars say never existed.

Legal scholars Reva Siegel and Mary Ziegler in their forthcoming article about the old law write that Anthony Comstock was focused on preventing illicit sex and pornography, not on preserving fetal life. The religious zealot was known for bringing dildos, contraceptives, and pornography to testify before state and local lawmakers about the need for anti-obscenity laws.

The statute is a ban on obscenity, not criminalization of health care, Siegel, a professor at Yale Law School, told States Newsroom. And when you listen to the revivalists, they just talk about Comstock as an absolute ban as if it has no exceptions. Thats just not true  in light of the text or the history.

But that doesnt really matter to Dickson and Mitchell.

Through their Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn project, Dickson and Mitchell have helped pass approximately 80 ordinances in cities and counties in seven states, mostly in Texas, but also in strategically located cities in abortion-access states, like New Mexico, where a challenge to ordinances that cite the Comstock Act currently awaits a ruling from the state supreme court and could eventually make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Where Anthony Comstock had the financial backing of the YMCA and was elevated to power as a special agent of the U.S. Post Office, the influential conservative think tank Heritage Foundation is pushing Mitchell and Dicksons version of Comstock in its plan for a potential future Trump administration to go after providers and distributors of abortion pills. Mitchell has received some financial support in 2023 and 2022 from the Christian right law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, which brought the recent abortion pill case before the Supreme Court.

Dickson said he wants these ordinances to go even further, such as opening up lawsuits to rideshare companies. But immediately on the agenda, he said, is to try to use Comstock to challenge state abortion-rights ballot initiatives.

There are many ways the Comstock Act can be used to help inoculate pro-abortion ballot initiatives in states like Arizona and Nebraska, Dickson said. A lot is planned between now and November, I can say that.

Mitchell, who did not respond to an interview request, is currently defending the right of Texas professors to penalize students who miss class to obtain an abortion. That new lawsuit will be heard by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, whose opinion last year advanced a challenge to an abortion pill and cited Comstock as a valid argument. Though the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected the mifepristone case, new challenges to the abortion pill continue, as does increased support for anti-abortion Comstock arguments from federal judges like 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge James Ho and Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

Meanwhile, longtime anti-abortion groups like Operation Rescue, which led clinic blockades in the 1980s and 1990s, continue to apply old-school surveillance and monitoring tactics. Based in Wichita, Kansas, president Troy Newman said his group maintains a sidewalk presence at abortion clinics in Wichita, and regularly files public records requests for 911 calls, which they post online. They also publish detailed reports on thousands of abortion providers in the U.S., referring to them as the abortion cartel.

Newman told States Newsroom that the goal is not to target women getting abortions, but to report potential abortion-clinic violations in order to shut down clinics that since Dobbs have relocated to states without abortion bans.

I dont think we can keep track of them all, but we have people feeding us information on a daily basis, Newman said.

Siegel and Ziegler argue comstockery is a threat to democracy, as it depends on suppressing freedom and promoting government censorship. Comstock famously helped imprison women who disseminated information about birth control and abortion, some who later died by suicide.

Revivalists hope to chill the exercise of rights already recognized in positive law, including state constitutional protections and the right to travel, Siegel and Ziegler write. Further, by disparaging reproductive rights and intimidating those who seek to exercise them, Comstock revivalists seek to short circuit an ongoing process of popular constitutional meaning-making that has unfolded in state ballot initiatives, state courts, and grassroots movements.

Resisting Comstocks

Many legal experts argue that Comstock would be a difficult law to defend even with a partially willing U.S. Supreme Court; however, the effects of even temporary enforcement could rock reproductive health care throughout the U.S. even more than it has since Dobbs. After initial discouragement from national reproductive rights groups, Democrats in Congress this month finally introduced a bill to repeal Comstock, though it is unlikely to advance before the election.

New Republic staff writer Melissa Gira Grant and Harvard Law lecturer Kendra Albert last month coalesced historians, attorneys, organizers, and journalists at a one-day summit at Harvard Law School called ComstockCon to unite against modern-day Comstocks from further constricting abortion rights. Grant said the criminalization of sex and pregnancy has long been borne by more marginalized groups, including people of color, sex workers and people who are trans or living in poverty. She said that the reproductive justice movement now more than ever needs solidarity.

We know that those eager rising modern-day Comstocks, the Jonathan Mitchells of the world and others, theyre in this fight for the long term, Grant said. We know that they regard so many of us as obscene for who we are, how we are, and how we want to be.  If they see the suppression of all of us as one fight, then that should be a point of solidarity for us.

And many called for resistance to the dead letter and legally dubious anti-abortion deterrent laws.

You have to keep pushing now, said one of the panelists, Renee Bracey Sherman, founder of We Testify, which lifts up peoples abortion stories. There will always be another ban. Its not going to stop us from talking, from sending pills.

Ban by deterrence

To date, no civil lawsuit has been filed under SB 8 or a sanctuary city ordinance, Dickson said. But, as the Texas Tribune has reported, Mitchell has filed petitions (under a little-known state rule) to depose abortion funds, providers, researchers and  despite assurances that these laws wont punish women having abortions  women who left the state to get an abortion.

These past few months, Dickson has been in Amarillo mobilizing anti-abortion activists to make their high-trafficked roads illegal for the purposes of interstate abortion-related travel. Embedded in the Amarillo ordinance is a reference to the Comstock Act. Petitioners gathered enough signatures to force the city council to vote on the measure, but abortion-rights advocates fiercely campaigned against the ordinance. After the council rejected the proposal earlier this month, Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley said the city doesnt have the authority to enforce the ordinance  a point with which Dickson vehemently agrees and said he spent hours explaining to the mayor.

The whole point of these ordinances, Dickson said, is that they allow for citizen lawsuits, not government enforcement. He admits that they function largely as deterrents, to chill abortion-related activity even in states where its legal. And its working, he said, noting that in the year before Dobbs, most doctors stopped providing abortions in Texas after the 2021 so-called vigilante law. One who didnt was Dr. Alan Braid, and though he was sued, those lawsuits were dismissed.

After Dobbs, however, Braid relocated his abortion practice to New Mexico and told NPR earlier this year that his Albuquerque clinic had higher no-show rates, which he partially attributed to people scared to drive through Lubbock because of its abortion-travel ban.

These ordinances are doing exactly what theyre intended to do, Dickson said. I liken it to an armed security officer at the bank who serves as a deterrent. He doesnt have to fire his gun in order for him to be viewed as an effective method of protecting the interest of the bank.

But theres another purpose to these ordinances, too, particularly Amarillos, which anti-abortion petitioners are still trying to get on the November ballot.

Amarillo is the home of Kacsmaryks court, where anti-abortion attorneys have been filing their strategic lawsuits since Dobbs. Dickson said he and Mitchell are eager to make it a so-called sanctuary city as a way of arguing for legal standing in the cases to come.

Lindsay London, a nurse who co-founded the Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance, which has been fighting the ordinance, said she resents having her native city used as a strategic chess piece. She said her coalition includes Amarillo Republicans skeptical of government overreach and is confident that, if given the opportunity, her fellow residents will vote down this law, which she said would be harmful to the community.

It creates a culture of fear and mistrust, London said. The last thing that people need to be concerned about when theyre moving through a difficult situation is, is someone that they trust or a neighbor or anything like that going to use that vulnerable situation to try and sue them? Positing neighbor upon neighbor is not how we create healthy communities.

Elisha Brown contributed to this report.

The post Modern-day Comstocks look to police travel, information as another strategy to end abortion appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
(Bloomberg) -- Indias main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party of spreading violence and hate in a fiery standoff between the two rivals in the parliament Monday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Gandhi, who became the parliaments first leader of the opposition in a decade after his party almost doubled its number of seats in the lower house, criticized Modi for espousing religious ideals, yet being divisive.

Gesturing to the benches where members of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party were seated, Gandhi said they call themselves Hindu but for 24 hours a day, they talk of violence and hatred. As BJP leaders began protesting loudly against the remarks, Gandhi told them You are not Hindu.

Modi responded directly to Gandhis comments, standing up and telling lawmakers it is an issue of concern that the entire Hindu community has been called violent.

Gandhis speech, which was a formal response to the presidents address to the parliament last week, shows the opposition is flexing its muscle in a parliament thats been dominated by the BJP in the past decade, with bills often passed without much debate. The opposition alliance, led by Gandhis Indian National Congress, won about 230 of the 543 seats in the lower house of parliament, with the Congress party gaining 99 seats on its own.

Modis BJP lost its majority in the parliament, winning 240 seats. The party was forced to stitch together a coalition government with allies to stake claim to the government.

The opposition alliances election campaign was focused on job creation, especially for young people, and improving the lives and welfare of poor, lower-caste Indians. Gandhi, 54, doubled down on those themes again in his speech Monday.

The government can do whatever it wants but the youth of this country cannot get jobs, he said. The backbone to job creation is broken, finished and over. Gandhi blamed the governments poor policy decisions and their enforcement as the reason behind job losses in the country.

The opposition leader also criticized Modi for indulging in crony capitalism and favoring billionaires like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani over the rest of the citizens. He also took the government to task for refusing to discuss in the parliament the controversy over alleged corruption and leaking of medical examination papers.

What the government has come to represent today is untruth, a complete lack of courage and violence, Gandhi said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Travelers push carts with their luggage at the departure area of Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, Dec. 14, 2022. Photo by Reuters

Malaysian passport holders applying for a 30-day double-entry e-visa to India will not have to pay fees starting from July 1 as part of Indian governments efforts to boost tourism between the two countries.

The Indian High Commission said the initiative would run until June 30 next year, Free Malaysia Today reported.

Previously, Malaysians had to pay RM465 (US$98) to apply for the e-visa.

Applications could be made online through the Indian visa portal and the visa must be used within 120 days of issuance, the commission said.

Like Thailand, Malaysia has been seeking to attract visitors from the worlds most populous country.

Indian passport holders are now eligible for visa-free entry into Malaysia for up to 30 days.
Mom, 23, Who Disappeared with 2 Kids May Have Been 'Coerced to Travel' to Religious Facility in Mexico: Police

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said on Facebook that Martha Unger and her two daughters, ages 1 and 2, were reported missing from their home this week

Kansas Bureau of Investigation/Facebook Martha Unger and her daughters Madilynn Grace Unger and Haylie Faith Unger

A 23-year-old Kansas mother and her two young children are missing, and authorities are asking the public for help locating them.

According to a Facebook post from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), Martha Unger and her daughters  Madilynn Grace Unger, 2, and Haylie Faith Unger, 1  were last seen on Friday, June 28.

They were reported missing from their home in rural Haskell County before 7 p.m. local time on Friday, and the state bureau said that Martha "may have been coerced to travel to Mexico to a religious rehabilitation facility" with another couple in their 50s.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation/Facebook Madilynn Grace Unger and Haylie Faith Unger in a photo shared by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation

According to KBI, Martha was driving a 2015 white Ford Explorer with a Kansas tag, and may have joined Corney and Elizabeth Klaasen, who were driving a white and black Chevy Blazer with a Mexico tag.

"Investigators wish to check the welfare of Martha and her children. If you see the subjects or vehicles connected to this endangered persons advisory, call 911 immediately," KBI said in its Facebook post, asking those with any information to call the Haskell County Sheriffs Office.

Corney is described as a 6'2 male weighing about 200 lbs. He is "clean shaven and last known to be wearing jeans and a button-up shirt," KBI said. The Unger children have blonde hair and blue eyes, while Martha is 5'6 and weighs around 120 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes.

The Haskell County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Sunday.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation/Facebook Martha Unger

According to KBI, which is the "central repository of information relating to missing and unidentified persons," 420 adults and 261 children are currently missing in the state of Kansas.

The bureau's website encourages those who notice that someone is missing to "immediately report the person as missing to your local law enforcement agency" and "limit access to the home where the person resides, their vehicle and electronic devices."

"Do not wait, especially if the missing person is vulnerable; notify police as soon as you think something is wrong," KBI said.



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Read the original article on People.
A woman was with her 4-year-old son when she breached a U.S. Space Force base and stole a mans car, resulting in a high-speed chase in two Central Florida counties, according to authorities.

Krishna Jade Janosky, 29, of Cocoa, broke into Patrick Space Force Base in Brevard County, damaging the bases flightline gate in February, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida said in a June 28 news release.

Now Janosky is charged in federal court with unauthorized entry onto a military installation, grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and damaging government property, federal prosecutors announced.

Information regarding her legal representation wasnt immediately available July 1.

The breach

On Feb. 7, Janosky rammed into Patrick Space Force Bases gate with her car and entered the military installation while driving with her child, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Indian River County.

Janosky didnt have the credentials to be on the base, prosecutors said.

On the grounds of the facility, she exited her car, grabbed her son and then entered a mans vehicle as he was sitting in the drivers seat, according to the affidavit.

Janosky placed her child in the back seat of the mans car and he got out of his vehicle upon request by base personnel, the affidavit says.

Then Janosky jumped into the driver seat and fled with (his) vehicle, the affidavit says.

The chase ends in arrest

In the mans car, Janosky led Brevard County deputies on a chase into the neighboring Indian River County, where the countys deputies joined the pursuit, according to the affidavit.

One Indian River County deputy was able to completely stop Janosky after deputies deployed two sets of stop sticks, the affidavit says.

Afterward, Janoskys son was removed from the vehicle and watched by additional deputies until a family member could respond for him, an arresting deputy wrote in the affidavit.

Janosky then told one deputy, I know what I did was wrong, the affidavit says.

After her arrest, Janosky said that she was at a hotel with her son before she arrived at Patrick Space Force Base, according to the affidavit.

She told a deputy that veterans were at the hotel and she was fearful of them not knowing if they were there to help her or not, the affidavit says.

Janosky said she left the hotel and followed a car once she arrived at Patrick Space Force Base, according to the affidavit.

Once on the base, she was then directed to pull over and, fearful of what they were going to do, she got into the mans vehicle, the affidavit says.

Janosky said she didnt know the driver of the vehicle shes accused of carjacking and that she didnt pull over for deputies during the chase out of fear, according to the affidavit.

In Indian River County, she was charged with felony fleeing and eluding, grand theft auto, child neglect without great bodily harm, records show.

The state case against Janosky was closed on June 28, according to court records, when the U.S. attorneys office announced Janoskys federal indictment.

Public defender Shannon Haugen, who represented Janosky in state court, declined McClatchy News request for comment on July 1.

Janosky is accused of causing more than $1,000 worth of damage to Patrick Space Force Bases flightline gate on Feb. 7, according to her indictment.

The base is the only Space Force installation located in the eastern U.S. Out west, two Space Force bases are located in California and three in Colorado.

If Janosky is convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

Air Force veteran shared classified info on US aircraft vulnerabilities, feds say

Man demands entry into US Air Force base with AR-15 rifle, loaded magazines, feds say

5 Marines died in defective aircraft crash, families say. Boeing, others face lawsuit
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, was interviewed by Alexander Heffner for an episode of the public affairs show "Breaking Bread with Alexander" broadcast by Bloomberg Originals. In the interview, Moran said threats to U.S. national security required Congress to reacquire a commitment to bipartisanship. (Submitted)

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, was interviewed by Alexander Heffner for an episode of the public affairs show "Breaking Bread with Alexander" broadcast by Bloomberg Originals. In the interview, Moran said threats to U.S. national security required Congress to reacquire a commitment to bipartisanship. (Submitted)

TOPEKA  U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said an inspiring community fundraising effort in the early 1980s that financed a new public library in his hometown could serve as a guide for Congress to deal with partisan rifts interfering with progress on national security threats.

Moran, who worked during high school at the old Carnegie library building in Plainville, said people who refer to the town west of Paradise, south of Stockton, east of Nicodemus and north of Hays as their home had something to teach his political peers in Washington, D.C.

If folks in Plainville could set aside differences to do what was necessary to pay for Plainville Memorial Library on South First Street, Moran said, Congress could do likewise with challenges nearly impossible to resolve with party-line votes.

It is one of the things about rural America that still appeals to me  this sense of community, pride in community, working together to try to make certain something good happens, he said.

Moran was interviewed on the subject by Alexander Heffner for an episode of the public affairs show Breaking Bread with Alexander broadcast by Bloomberg Originals. During the first season in 2023, the host sat down for conversation and a meal with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota among others.

Moran will be part of the shows 12-installment second season, which launches July 4. Its an episode titled In the Land of Eisenhower. Heffner and Moran visited the Plainville library and had chili and milkshakes  Heffner opted for a chili dog concoction  at Vernies Hamburger House in Hays.

In conceiving the series, I considered two fundamental questions: Can we amuse our democracy back to life? Can we incentivize empathy and compromise instead of viciousness and dysfunction? said Heffner, who also hosts The Open Mind on PBS. When hyper-partisanship, fearmongering and corruption have shaken the publics faith in government, the series focuses on our vast collective heritage rather than the divisiveness that has defined a generation of politics.

In the segment, Moran said national security challenges  aggression by Russian, conflict with China, fighting in the Middle East, terrorism driven by Iran and, closer to home, uncontrolled migration on the border with Mexico  required bipartisan action.

The situation has become grave because forces capable of threatening freedom, liberty and democracy in the United States have fallen into alignment, he said.

Maybe this is the time to set aside some of those differences that we fight about and work together, because our nation is in jeopardy from a national security perspective, Moran said. Those reports, if you could read them, I think would, just like they do me, keep you awake at night.

He said the U.S. House and U.S. Senate was too divided for its own good, but there still are lots of members of Congress, lots of senators, who are interested in trying to find a way forward.

Moran said many Kansans were convinced the United States should step back from global problems and take the posture of an isolationist nation. Its not the kind of approach that defined the late President Dwight Eisenhower, who grew up in Abilene and led allied forces in World War II.

Whatever happens when we dont lead? Whatever happens as a consequence of that comes back to haunt us. We pay a price, too, Moran said.

The post Moran downs a milkshake and chili while explaining how Congress can rise above gridlock appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
More major newspapers editorial boards join calls for Biden to drop out of 2024 race

More major newspapers editorial boards join calls for Biden to drop out of 2024 race

A growing number of editorial boards for major newspapers have called on Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 election in the wake of his disastrous performance at the first debate against Donald Trump.

The day after the debate, The New York Times editorial board suggested that the president should leave the race to serve his country, based on his own argument that Trump presents a serious threat to American democracy.

At Thursdays debate, the president needed to convince the American public that he was equal to the formidable demands of the office he is seeking to hold for another term, the board wrote. Voters, however, cannot be expected to ignore what was instead plain to see: Mr Biden is not the man he was four years ago.

Writing for The New Yorker, editor David Remnick wrote that Biden would be performing an act of patriotism by leaving the race, while remaining would be an act not only of self-delusion but of national endangerment.

He added: There is no shame in growing old. There is honor in recognizing the hard demands of the moment.

Tonya Morris, from Cincinnati, reacts during the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on June 27. The face-off was widely seen as a disastrous moment for the Biden campaign (AP)

The Economists editorial board wrote that Biden leaving the race would help rescue America from an emergency.

The board, which suggested in 2022 that Biden should not run for a second term, wrote that Biden is now befuddled and incoherent  too infirm, frankly, to cope with another four years in the worlds hardest job.

The Chicago Tribunes editorial board wrote enough.

Both candidates are two gnarly old men and clowns, while the Democratic Party has been covering up a reality that they must have seen but clearly wished were otherwise, the board wrote.

The president should announce that he is a single-term president who has seen the light when it comes to his own capabilities in the face of the singular demands of being the president of the United States, the board continued.

He can do so with honor, but he is the only person who can do so. Certainly, his family can help. But, again, he is the only one.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that it is time for Biden to pass the torch.

The Georgia newspapers editorial board invoked George Washingtons farewell address, noting that every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.

The shade of retirement is now necessary for President Biden, the board said.

Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden leave the CNN presidential debate stage on June 27 (REUTERS)

The debate  and the insulting excuse that Biden merely had a cold  confirmed the worst fears of some of Bidens most ardent supporters  that after 36 years in the US Senate, eight more as vice president and a term in the White House, age has finally caught up to him, according to the Georgia newspapers board.

Bidens candidacy was grounded in his incumbency and the belief of Democratic leaders and pollsters that he stood the best chance of defeating Trump in November, it continued. That is no longer the case.

The Philadelphia Inquirers editorial board took a different approach by urging Trump to drop out of the race.

Lost in the hand wringing over Bidens performance was Donald Trumps usual bombastic litany of lies, hyperbole, bigotry, ignorance, and fear mongering. His performance demonstrated once again that he is a danger to democracy and unfit for office, the board wrote.

Trump  an unserious carnival barker who is a danger to democracy  reminded voters of what another four years of Trump would look like, according to the newspaper. More lies, grievance, narcissism, and hate. Supporters say they like Trump because he says whatever he thinks. But he mainly spews raw sewage.

Biden, on the other hand, must show that he is up to the job, the board wrote.

This much is clear: He has a substantive record of real accomplishments, fighting the pandemic, combating climate change, investing in infrastructure, and supporting working families and the most vulnerable, the newspaper added. There was only one person at the debate who does not deserve to be running for president. The sooner Trump exits the stage, the better off the country will be.
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  More New Yorkers can now get 50% off subway and bus fares thanks to an expansion of the Fair Fares program in next years budget, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday.

Now, any New Yorker making up to 145% of the federal poverty level will qualify for the program. For example, a family of four would need to make under $53,041 per year combined. For a household of one, the cap is just over $21,800 per year.

Fair Fares discount available on OMNY cards in new pilot program

New York City residents between the ages of 18 and 64 who meet income requirements can register for Fair Fares. The program applies to MetroCards and Access-A-Ride services, providing special cards that charge 50% of regular prices for single ride, 7-day, 30-day and unlimited swipes on subways and eligible buses.

Fair Fares discounts were previously capped at 120% of the federal poverty level, capping a household of one at just over $18,000 per year.

The expansion will include a hundreds of thousands of new locals, and there are already over 335,000 New Yorkers paying half price for their MetroCards, according to Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.

But advocates say theres still work to be done. The program should expand to include families making up to 200% of the federal poverty line, according to Daglian. For a family of five, that would be a combined income of just over $73,000 per year.

Hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers will be eligible for Fair Fares  a huge step forward in opening the door to more equitable access to opportunity across the five boroughs that transit brings, Daglian said.

List: NYC affordable housing lotteries with rent under $1,000

As our citys affordability crisis becomes increasingly apparent, Fair Fares is one of the simplest and most cost-effective tools we have to support working New Yorkers.

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.
Two college students who were pulled from their car and tased by police officers during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020 could receive a $2 million settlement.

Messiah Young, a student at Morehouse College, and Taniyah Pilgrim, a student at Spelman College, got stuck in traffic as the streets filled with protesters on May 30, 2020. They were in their car as the protest took place in downtown Atlanta, in the aftermath of George Floyds death.

Young and Pilgrim were not participating in the protest. They took out their phones and started recording their surroundings. Police officers pulled them out of the car and used their tasers, as seen in a viral video at the time, according to WSBTV.

I just cant stop thinking about if cameras werent there or if they would have went a little bit further, Pilgrim told the news channel in 2020. Its all that can cross my mind.

Charged with aggravated assault and battery, respectively, Sgt. Lonnie Hood and Officer Armon Jones were both fired, per The Hill. Meanwhile, Officers Roland Claud and Willie Sauls were placed on administrative leave. All the officers apart from Claud were charged with criminal damage for punching the windows of the car.

Soon after the incident, the officers were reinstated to their positions.

In two consecutive weeks they have experienced the pain of the justice system continuing to fail them as victims of police brutality, Youngs family wrote in a statement provided to WSBTV in 2021. The family is grateful for those who continue to organize and protest to change a system that remains unjust where Black Lives are concerned. They will not stop demanding justice for Messiah, Taniyah and all of the victims of police violence.

Young and Pilgrim filed a civil lawsuit against the city, saying they wanted officials to take responsibility for the incident. The Atlanta City Council will vote on a $2 million settlement on July 1, a spokesperson confirmed. The vote will begin at 1 p.m.
Former Clark County Sheriff and prominent Indiana Republican Jamey Noel has contributed more than $100,000 to GOP candidates and campaigns since 2008. Investigators have so far alleged at least $33,000 came from public funds. (Photo from Clark County Sheriff's Office. Photo illustration by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Multiple Republican campaigns and committees that received political donations from disgraced former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel said they have no plans to return or donate those dollars elsewhere  while numerous others are keeping mum, distancing themselves from Noel altogether.

Noel, a prominent Hoosier Republican himself, currently faces more than two dozen felony charges for allegedly misusing money from the fire and EMS departments which he oversaw.

Of the more than $100,000 hes contributed to GOP candidates and campaigns since 2008, per state and federal campaign finance records, investigators now allege at least $33,000 made in Noels name actually came from public funds he misappropriated between 2020 and 2023.

The donations  made through WinRed, a Republican fundraising platform  were earmarked to campaigns for former President Donald Trump, the Indiana State Republican Committee, Congresswoman Erin Houchin, and others.

The former sheriff is accused of using credit cards from New Chapel EMS and the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association to fund his and his familys lifestyle  spending millions of taxpayer dollars on cars, planes, vacations, cigars, clothing and other luxury purchases.

Separate from the criminal filings, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is also seeking to force Noel, as well as his wife Misty and their daughter, Kasey, to pay back more than $4 million.

Noel is currently awaiting trial, scheduled for November, in the Scott County Jail. Though he completed a 60-day sentence in June for contempt of court, his bond amount was increased to $1.5 million a day after new charges  some related to the WinRed donations  were levied against him.

Investigation reveals thousands to WinRed

Details about Noels WinRed contributions came to light last month, when six new charges were filed against him  five for theft and one for money laundering  amid an ongoing investigation.

Dollars donated via WinRed can be earmarked for particular candidates and campaigns, at both the federal and state levels, across all 50 states. Its a similar platform to the Democratic Partys ActBlue.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) records, in conjunction with the new court filings, show Noel made approximately $20,518.72 in donations between 2020 and 2023.

Story continues below.

3rd Probable Cause Affidavit Redacted (1)

Investigators allege the donations were charged to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighters Associations American Express Card linked to a Fifth Third Bank Account.

Additionally, Noel is accused of using public funds to contribute another $8,902.56 through Apple Pay, PayPal and Venmo donations. When contributing, Noel used his name as the contributor  not the firefighters association, according to court documents.

The contributions made via WinRed allegedly totaled $33,121.28  about a third of all political contributions on record by Noel.

WinRed did not respond to the Capital Chronicles multiple requests for comment.

Its not yet clear what might happen to the donations made with misappropriated taxpayer dollars.

The Trump campaign  which received at least $7,000 from Noel through WinRed  also did not respond to numerous requests for comment.

Kelly Loeffler, a former U.S. senator from Georgia whose campaign was in receipt of $1,250 from Noel in 2020, additionally did not reply to questions about the donations.

Holcomb unwilling to redirect donations, for now

Among Hoosier politicos, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has received the lion share of campaign donations made by Noel over the last two decades. State and federal records tally at least $33,622 to Holcomb across his campaigns for both U.S. Senate and governor. None of those dollars came from WinRed, however.

Holcomb has repeatedly maintained he never knowingly accepted political donations or non-nominal travel, gifts or otherwise from Noel  which could have been paid for with stolen taxpayer dollars. He said allegations against his close friend and associate are so surprising.

The governor told the Capital Chronicle that his understanding was that Noels donations, specifically, were all above board.

This is not the first time that this scenario has unfolded, Holcomb said, largely referring to campaign contributions he formerly received from online charter school scandal donors.

We'll watch this legal process play out, but to my knowledge, all the contributions that he gave me and everyone else were of legal means.

 Gov. Eric Holcomb

The scheme came to light in 2020, revealing that nearly $70 million in taxpayer funds went to campaigns and committees for various Hoosier Republicans. Elected Indiana Republicans received more than $100,000 in contributions from companies and individuals tied to the scandal. Holcomb accepted more than $10,000 in campaign cash. He later donated the contributions to the Pike Township Education Foundation in Indianapolis.

The campaign donations that I received from (Noel)  and I have received a lot of other donations, and none of which are in this situation, keeping things in proper perspective  but the individual donations that I received from that individual, I understand came from him, they came from his account, the governor said, adding that, if needed, the donations could be returned.

But typically, you end up spending what you received during a campaign, Holcomb continued. What weve learned recently, what the accusations are  Im just referring to my previous comments, and they remain the core of my beliefs, and thats that Im stunned, Im shocked and surprised, and never once was one unethical word uttered to me.

The governor said the legal process will have to play out before any contributions could be returned. For now, the accusations against Noel are unfounded.

Well watch this legal process play out, but to my knowledge, all the contributions that he gave me and everyone else were of from legal means, Holcomb concluded.

Other Indiana politicos respond

Among Noels other contributions was a $2,900 earmark, via WinRed, to current GOP congresswoman Erin Houchin.

Her staff told the Capital Chronicle that contribution was donated to the Washington County Community Foundation in December 2023. Its the only example of redirected Noel donations identified by the Capital Chronicle.

Campaign finance records further show Republican U.S. Sen Todd Young received $1,800 from Noel between 2012 and 2016.

A spokesperson for Young emphasized that Noel last contributed to Young eight years ago, and as such, we have no plans to return those funds.

Other recipients of Noel donations  including former vice president and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and his brother, U.S. Rep. Greg Pence  did not respond to requests for comment about those contributions.

Jennifer McCormick, the Democratic candidate for governor, has said she will likely bring up the Noel scandal while campaigning.

A spokesperson for the Indiana Republican State Committee  which has accepted multiple donations from Noel since 2011, and at least $3,100 via WinRed between 2020 and 2022, according to FEC records  maintained that the party unequivocally condemn(s) the alleged actions of Jamey Noel. Theres no indication that any of Noels contributions could be returned or donated elsewhere, though.

We have not accepted a donation from Jamey Noel in years, said Griffin Reid, communications director for the Indiana Republican Party. If true (Noels) actions are despicable and unacceptable.

The Indiana Democratic Party is currently in complete disarray, plagued by internal conflicts over multiple statewide tickets, Reid continued. In contrast, the Indiana Republican Party stands united with a strong ticket, fully prepared to secure victory in November.

Mike Braun, the Republican nominee for Indiana governor, additionally admonished Noel. His U.S. Senate campaign accepted one $1,000 donation from Noel in 2018.

There is no question that Jamey Noel is a bad actor, and equally as desperate is the fact that Democrats think a one-time donation six years ago is relevant, said Josh Kelley, a senior advisor to Braun. While Mike Braun is visiting all 92 counties discussing his Freedom and Opportunity Agenda, the Democrats are stuck in the past, and that is one of many reasons why they are the two worst Democrat candidates to ever appear on the same ballot in our states history.

This story has been updated to clarify the governors donation to the Pike Township Education Foundation.

This is the second in a series of Indiana Capital Chronicle stories on Jamey Noel. To submit tips for further reporting, send an email to info@indianacapitalchronicle.com.

The post Most candidates not returning thousands in political donations by disgraced sheriff Jamey Noel appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
With its ruling in favor of presidential immunity Monday morning, the Supreme Court has heavily undermined much of the evidence expected to be used against Donald Trump in his pending criminal trials.



In the ruling, the court stated that testimony or private records of the President or his advisers probing such conduct may not be admitted as evidence at trial, referring to anything a president does as an official act.



Much of the evidence gathered against Trump in his January 6 trial, for example, relies on what he said to his advisers and to Vice President Mike Pence, as well as records that were kept on such discussions in the White House. It could also erase evidence of Trump speaking to lawmakers on the evening of January 6 to delay the certification of Bidens victory. According to the Supreme Court, all such evidence is now unusable, an interpretation that, fortunately for Trump, guts that case against him.

As some commentators on X (formerly Twitter) noted, even the Watergate case against former President Richard Nixon would have been heavily undermined by Mondays ruling. In the 1974 case United States v. Nixon, Nixon was required to deliver audiotapes of his conversations in the Oval Office to a district court, which contained damning evidence against him and ultimately led to his resignation.



Twitter screenshot Curtis @RebrandNuggets: The tapes revealing Nixon and Haldeman engineering a cover-up would be excluded in a prosecution and would be presumed immune?

Twitter screenshot GOP Jesus @GOPJesusUSA: Nixon called. Hes like his tapes back.

Twitter screenshot Kat Abu @abughazalehkat: rip richard nixon, you wouldve loved this decision

Its little wonder that Trump immediately celebrated Monday mornings ruling, as he very likely will escape prosecution for January 6. But, as other commentators on social media noted, the Supreme Court has very well opened the door for Joe Biden to discuss taking outrageous actions in his capacity as president, since the ability to gather evidence against him has been rendered moot.

Twitter Screenshot Andrew Lawrence @ndrew_lawrence: joe biden now has the opportunity to create several scotus vacancies in the funniest ways possible

Twitter screenshot Adrian Daub @adriandaub: This decision is obviously a travesty but I will point out that Biden has the opportunity to do the funniest thing right now

Blue Sky Screenshot Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social: The joe biden has the chance to do the funniest thing ever jokes are now literally correct
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The boyfriend of the mother of a one-year-old boy allegedly abused the child, resulting in his death in a case a doctor described as one of the most severe he had ever witnessed, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Christian Moniz Rabino, 28, faces charges of first-degree murder and child abuse for the death of Kai Tesoro who was 17 months old at the time of his death. Police identified Moniz Rabino as Kais mothers boyfriend.

On June 1, Metro police received a call about a child, later identified as Kai, who was not breathing. Paramedics transported Kai to a hospital where doctors noted he had bruising to his head and a fracture to his right leg. The childs mother told police Kai fell off a bed a few days prior and bumped his head.

Doctors later determined Kai had several brain bleeds and a fractured leg, possibly caused by a large amount of force, documents said. A doctor also noted Kai suffered non-accidental trauma to his eyes from suspected shaking and noted the alleged abuse was one of the worst cases he had seen, documents said.

Christian Moniz Rabino, 28, faces charges of first-degree murder and child abuse for the death of Kai Tesoro who was 17 months old. Police identified Moniz Rabino as Kais mothers boyfriend. (Steve Tesoro)

Doctors at the hospital believed the fatal injuries occurred the day Kai was taken to the hospital and that he suffered a massive stroke, documents said.

Doctors took Kai off life support, and he died at the hospital on June 6, documents said. Kai previously had a seizure in February and was evaluated at a different hospital.

Moniz Rabino told police Kai had not been feeling well for the past few days and had a fever, documents said. The boyfriend said he bathed the child and said Kai then stopped breathing.

A witness told police Moniz Rabino allegedly injured Kais mother and bruised her, documents said. The witness also said Kais mother lied about Kai falling off the bed to protect herself and that Moniz Rabino allegedly convinced Kais mother not to take the child to the hospital.

Kais mother later told police she witnessed Moniz Rabino allegedly shake the child before and abuse him. Specifically, police suspect [Moniz Rabino] became frustrated with [Kais] inability to walk on his own and [slammed Kais] feet first on the floor, documents said.

Last week, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman declined to set bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 7. A booking photo for Moniz Rabino was not immediately available.

Kais family donated his organs to help other children, his grandfather, Steve Teroso, said.

Kai is a true hero; his Aloha and spirit will continue to live on, his grandfather wrote on a GoFundMe page. Kai was a joyful and spirited child who brought immense happiness to everyone who knew him, bringing instant smiles to those he met. All he ever wanted was love. He will forever be his daddys Fat Boii.'

The Tesoro family was raising money on GoFundMe for funeral expenses and to help raise money for therapy and education for Kais 3-year-old sister.

For a list of local and state resources for domestic violence and abuse victims, visit this link.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc welcomes Dominican Minister of Agriculture Limber Lucas Cruz Lopez

(Photo: baoquocte.vn)

At the meeting, on behalf of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc expressed his pleasure to welcome Dominican Minister of Agriculture Limber Lucas Cruz Lopez to visit Vietnam and have effective working meetings with Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries in the field of agriculture will create open and effective cooperation opportunities in this field.

For his part, Dominican Minister of Agriculture Limber Lucas Cruz Lopez exchanged the results of work between the two Ministries of Agriculture and affirmed that the two sides have a lot of room for cooperation.

In terms of the relationship between the two countries, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that the two sides have had a traditional relationship of friendship, and Vietnam thanks Dominica for its support and cooperation in the previous resistance war, as well as the current process of construction and socio-economic development. Vietnam congratulates President Luis Abinader on being re-elected for a second term at the general election in May.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing relations with Dominica on both bilateral and multilateral levels, through diplomatic channels of the Party, State, parliament and people. Vietnam hopes to soon welcome Dominica's senior leaders to visit.

Agreeing with the opinion of the Minister Limber Lucas Cruz Lopez, Mr. Ngoc said that the two sides have strengths that can complement each other in the field of agriculture, including high-tech industrial agriculture; at the same time, he hopes that the two sides will expand cooperation into the fields of construction, telecommunications, oil and gas and electric car production.

Minister Limber Lucas Cruz Lopez affirmed that Dominica values and wishes to promote cooperation with Vietnam in all fields. Dominica has opened its embassy in Vietnam to strengthen and expand cooperation areas between the two countries.

Appreciating the development potential in the agricultural sector between the two countries, Mr. Limber Lucas Cruz Lopez hopes that Vietnamese agricultural enterprises will cooperate and invest in production in Dominica, then they can export to third countries./.
Authorities are investigating a car crash where a motorcyclist was killed Friday, Haltom City police announced in a news release.

At around 8:20 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Northeast 28th Street and Higgins Lane in response to a major accident.

First responders arrived at the scene and located an adult male motorcyclist that had been struck and killed by another vehicle.

Investigators believe the motorcyclist lost control and began swerving toward another vehicle waiting to make a turn. The motorcycle hit the vehicle and slid into traffic, where he was hit by an oncoming car, police say.

There were no other reported injuries in the collision.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiners office will release the identity of the victim when appropriate, according to police.

Authorities say they have no reason to believe there was criminal element in the collision.

Haltom City Polices Traffic Unit is investigating.
Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an icon of Japan, has put new regulations in place for climbers amid concerns about overcrowding.

Beginning July 1, climbers must pay 2,000 yen ($12.40) per person, with a daily maximum of 4,000 climbers per day.

By strongly promoting comprehensive safety measures for climbing Mount Fuji, we will ensure that Mount Fuji, a treasure of the world, is passed on to future generations, said Koutaro Nagasaki, governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, when announcing the new regulations earlier this year.

In order to revive traditional mountain climbing from the foot of Mount Fuji, we will gain a detailed understanding of the Fuji-ko and Oshi culture that supported Mount Fuji worship. We look to link these cultures to this mountain climbing, as it is rooted in the cultural values of the religion.

Fuji-ko is a religion specific to the mountain.

Human traffic jams, foothills littered with garbage and inappropriately attired hikers  some attempting the ascent in sandals - are among the issues plaguing the popular Japanese site.

In addition, there will be new guides who manage safety on and around the trails. They will inform climbers when theyre violating etiquette on the mountain, such as sleeping by the side of the trail, starting a fire or wearing unsuitable clothing.

This 2023 photo shows a crowd of visitors beginning their Mount Fuji ascents. - Mathiad Cena/AFP/Getty Images

According to prefectural data, five million people hiked Mount Fuji in 2019, a rise of three million from 2012.

Overtourism  and all the subsequent consequences like rubbish, rising CO2 emissions and reckless hikers  is the biggest problem facing Mount Fuji, Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefectural government official, told CNN Travel last year.

In 2023, a volunteer named Tomoyo Takahashi told CNN she would ask visitors to voluntarily contribute 1,000 yen ($6.20) toward maintaining the mountain.

Not everyone pays the 1,000 yen, and it makes me sad. There should be a mandatory entrance fee thats much much higher so only visitors who truly appreciate Mount Fujis heritage come, she said at the time.

Now, Takahashi will get her wish.

The new rules, though, only apply in Yamanashi prefecture, which is where the more popular hiking trails are. Fuji is also located in Shizuoka prefecture, which has not yet implemented any taxes or visitor limits. Governor Nagasaki told reporters that he and the governor of Shizuoka would meet at the end of the climbing season to compare notes.

Japans tourism headaches

Overtourism has become a bigger issue in Japan since the country reopened following the pandemic.

In Kyoto, locals in the historic Gion quarter have expressed their concern with tourists who flock there to photograph and sometimes harass the geisha who live and work there, earning the nickname geisha paparazzi.

While the city has put up signs and placards asking visitors not to photograph geisha, some locals told CNN Travel that it wasnt enough. One suggestion offered by the neighborhood council is issuing fines or tickets.

And the town of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima prefecture in southwestern Japan, has been affected too. The small town is home to the famous orange floating shrine torii gate, which is part of a 1,400-year-old Shinto complex.

In October 2023, the town began charging 100 yen (62 cents) per visitor to the shrine. The money from the tourist tax goes toward maintaining the site and its infrastructure.

Editors Note: This story was originally published in March 2024 and has been updated. CNNs Hanako Montgomery contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
All aboard! Taking a train from Jackson to Chicago may take more than quadruple the time it takes to fly, but the Mississippi Democratic Party delegation will ride the rails to the Democratic National Convention this summer.

In August, 49 Democratic delegates will board an Amtrak train for a 15-and-a-half hour ride from Jackson to Chicago. Though the delegates have the option of finding their own way to Chicago, Mississippi Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons and friends are fully reimbursing train tickets.

A train depot in Yazoo City seen here in this file photo.

Amtrak in MS: Amtrak wants to study Mississippi-to-Texas I-20 train route

The train is a little bit more like being in your family room at home, Simmons said. It gives you an opportunity to eat pound cake and chicken and other kinds of good Southern foods. They may have a picnic on the rails, a good ride and a good experience with good networking.

The Mississippi Democratic Party announced the train trip during their executive committee election meeting on June 22. The delegation will leave Jackson on Aug. 18 and return on Aug. 25, Simmons said.

More on MS Democratic Party Elections: Cheikh Taylor fends off challenger, maintains MS Democratic Party chairmanship

The Democratic National Convention, which will run from Aug. 19-22 will bring Democrats from all 50 states and U.S. territories together to officially nominate a presidential candidate, adopt a platform and rally around their cause ahead of the presidential election.

We thought that [a train ride] would be a great time to talk and to get equipped with the motivation to elect Democrats up and down the ballot like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, said Peggy Rogers, 3rd congressional district representative for the Mississippi Democratic Party and captain of the delegation going to the DNC.

The Mississippi Republican Party will make a similar, but shorter, journey in July, taking 40 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Political Director for the Mississippi Republican Party Ty Martin said their delegates are responsible for covering their own travel.

However, the RNC does a group rate with most of the major airlines, so delegates get a break on some of that kind of stuff, he said. I've never heard of us taking the Amtrak to wherever we're going.

More on MS Republican Party: Mississippi GOP selects former US Attorney to lead party

Simmons and friends raised the funds to send the delegation to Chicago to ease the cost of transportation for the delegates. He said the train ride was more economical for a large group of people than a flight but that the main consideration was the experience.

It was more of the ability to put everybody in one car on the train and be able to have them to mingle and network, he said.

Delegates would not get that same experience in cars or on an airplane, Simmons said, and buses would not allow passengers to get up and socialize.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 15 hour train ride? MS Dems take Amtrak to Chicago
COLDWATER, Mich. (WOOD)  Authorities say a corrections officer at the Lakeland Corrections Facility was arrested for drug possession.

Michigan State Police said that on June 12, the Michigan Department of Corrections asked the Marshall Post for help with an investigation into Mark Everett Goodlock, 43, of Hillsdale, a corrections officer at the prison.

Goodlock was searched before his shift at the Lakeland Corrections Facility, arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and taken to the Branch County Jail, according to MSP.

State police said Goodlock was arraigned, posted bond and released from jail. However, he was arrested on June 21 for an alleged violation of his bond conditions.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MSP speed enforcement campaign begins today and will continue until the end of the month

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan State Police speed enforcement campaign will begin today to address reckless and aggressive driving for July.

Driving recklessly not only puts drivers and passengers at risk but impacts the lives of all roadway users such as pedestrians and bicyclists, says MSP. In 2022, 26,700 crashes in Michigan involved speeding, which is an 8.7% increase from the 24,555 speed-related crashes in 2021.

In Michigan, in 2022, a review of speed-involved data analyzed by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found:

13.2 percent of unrestrained drivers involved in crashes were speeding.

10.6 percent of drivers aged 15 to 20 involved in crashes were speeding.

14.3 percent of motorcycle operators involved in crashes were speeding.

The speed enforcement campaign will utilize federal highway safety funding to conduct dedicated speed enforcement by increasing the number of officers to help save lives and change risky behaviors like speeding.

Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning said, Each speeding vehicle is a potential catalyst for tragedy, adding to the grim tally of preventable fatalities and crashes each year, Bower said.

It is our hope this speed enforcement period will help lessen the impact of dangerous, impatient drivers this summer. While some people may focus on fines for speeding, the biggest issues are how many lives are put at risk because of speeding and how many crashes could be avoided if drivers simply slowed down.

We are in the busy, warm-weather season with many families driving to their favorite summer destinations, Bower said. Unfortunately, there will be drivers who put everyone at risk by speeding and driving recklessly, making crashes more likely, said Bower.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University.

Middle Tennessee State University Police Lt. Jon Leverette shows off the departments new radar speed trailer, which the department applied for and purchased with the help of a Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant.

Middle Tennessee State Universitys Police Department recently used funding from two state grants  totaling over $1.8 million  to put toward safety improvements across campus.

MTSU landed the funds from the Office of Criminal Justice Programs Higher Education Safety Grant within the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration earlier this year as part of a larger pot of $30 million split between other state higher education institutions.

The university formed an internal committee that met several times over a month to decide how to allocate the $1.8 million. The university has a deadline of completing the upgrades by next summer.

The largest expenditure from this grant will be to replace the existing lighting in all of our parking lots with LED lighting, which is much brighter and energy efficient, Kaup said. We will also add solar-powered lighting to all bus stops on campus.

Well be able to purchase mobile weapons detection systems to be used at events on campus to scan for weapons and also purchase RFID, or radio frequency identification, cards to add additional, more secure electronic doors to buildings.

For the police department itself, well purchase new in-car radios that allow for our officers to send and receive transmissions from the Murfreesboro Police Department and Rutherford County Sheriffs Office, allowing for an open communication and coordination channel in the event of a multijurisdictional response. Along with these radio upgrades, we can replace the battery backups in our radio towers used both for police and the university as a whole.

The department also earned a $5,000 High Visibility Enforcement Grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to improve traffic safety across campus.

We designated $4,000 to be used for the purchase of equipment  namely a radar speed trailer  and $1,000 to be put toward officer overtime pay for enforcement campaigns, said Lt. Jon Leverette, who led the effort to pursue the grant.

Since receiving the trailer this spring, officers tow and set up the trailer at key roads across campus where the device displays oncoming vehicles speed and collects data ranging from speed to traffic patterns, helping the department not only increase speeding awareness but also better analyze and work to improve traffic flow issues.

MTSUs FIRE sponsors CSI summer camp for high schoolers across state, nation

Lt. James Abbott, a detective with the Murfreesboro Police Department and a Middle Tennessee State University adjunct professor in criminal justice, instructs attendees at a mock crime scene at the 2024 CSI: MTSU Forensic Summer Youth Camp for high schoolers held June 11-14 on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Middle Tennessee State University recently hosted 32 high school students from as far away as Alabama, Kentucky, and New Mexico who converged on campus recently for a summer camp to learn about forensic science and what is really involved in crime scene investigation, also known as CSI.

Sponsored by the MTSU Forensic Institute for Research and Education, better known as FIRE, the 2024 CSI: MTSU Forensic Summer Youth Camp allowed participating rising ninth to 12th graders to hear from working professionals from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Murfreesboro Police Department, and faculty from the College of Liberal Arts.

The annual camp, which ran June 11-14, was held this year in and around the MTSU Honors College and culminated with the students working a mock homicide scene in teams and presenting their findings to a panel of judges, which awarded a winner, at the MT Center.

Among the hands-on activities offered at the camp, attendees were given a tour of the Murfreesboro evidence response van and received a lecture on how to document a crime scene from current MPD investigators, and graduates of the MTSU forensic science program, Anna Yuhas and Regan Edwards.

The highlight of the FIRE camp was getting to solve a mock homicide scene set up at the Honors College, organizers said.

The annual camp allows students to explore many unique career possibilities in forensic science by providing a real life reason to tackle higher-level math and science courses, develop skills in teamwork, learn to observe and interpret details, and hone critical thinking and presentation skills.

Forensic science, at the most basic level, is the application of science to matters of legal significance  fingerprints, toxicology, ballistics, DNA, skeletal analysis  any area of science that can assist the legal system in resolving a case or controversy, according to FIREs website.

FIRE is currently led by Director Thomas Holland. For more information about the program, email fire@mtsu.edu or visit www.csimtsu.com.

MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU Police secures $1.8M for upgrades; CSI camp trains young sleuths
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  One teen was killed and five other people were injured after a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 385, according to Memphis Police.

On June 30 at 11:17 p.m., officers responded to a three-vehicle crash at 385 westbound and Ridgeway Road.

One 17-year-old and two adults were taken in non-critical condition and two other adults in critical condition were taken to various hospitals.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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One 17-year-old was pronounced dead.

Police say this is an ongoing crash investigation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Museums, as the anthropologist Adam Kuper notes in his new book, The Museum of Other People, have never been more popular. There are more than 50,000 of them in existence across the globe. The Louvre, the worlds most popular museum, registered more than 10 million visitors in 2018, up by a quarter over the previous year. The 20 most visited museums in the United States hosted nearly 50 million visitors in 2019. The Covid-19 epidemic cut visitor numbers by over three-quarters, but they bounced back quickly once restrictions were lifted. In 2021, the turnover of the museum business in the United States reached $15.4 billion, up nearly 20 percent on the previous year.



And yet, museums are experiencing a rapidly spreading crisis, sparked to begin with by ever-louder demands for the restitution of treasures seized in the era of colonialism. The museums under most pressure are what Kuper terms museums of other peopleethnographic or cultural museums established specifically to cover non-European or non-Western culturesbut what he has to say has important implications for others with a wider, more general coverage, such as the British Museum in London or the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Museums were mostly conceived in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, driven by a curiosity about other peoples and other parts of the world, signaled by the creation of learned societies of anthropology and ethnology as part of the new bourgeois public sphere, the spread of education, and the emerging belief that European and North American culture was superior to cultures in other parts of the world. Western collectors sallied forth into Africa, Asia, and Latin America, sending millions of objects back to the newly created public museums. For many nineteenth-century directors of ethnological museums, the obvious way to organize a collection was chronological, illustrating humankinds progress from barbarism to civilization. The display would begin by showing artifacts from primitive or savage societies and proceed onward up to the civilized and the advanced. Thus bourgeois culture in Europe could convince itself of its superiority.



In the nineteenth-century United States, ethnographic interest focused particularly on Native American Indians whose culture was investigated by anthropologists during the long penetration of the West by white settlers. They confirmed the rightness of this internal colonization by concluding, in the words of Lewis Henry Morgans 1877 book, Ancient Society, that savagery preceded barbarism in all the tribes of mankind as barbarism is known to have preceded civilization. The Native Americans were fated to be assimilated or exterminated, their savage culture to be superseded by a more advanced one. By the late nineteenth century, the rise of scientific racism was inspiring collectors to amass large quantities of human skulls and other remains in the belief that these would illustrate crucial physical differences between the races. In 1987, it was reported that the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., held some 34,000 bones and skulls, 42.5 percent of which were American Indian, and a little less than 12 percent of which were Alaskan Native.

After World War II, most European institutions turned away from scientific racism, having seen its use in Nazi Germany as the basis for programs of mass sterilization and extermination. Anthropologists, not surprisingly, now agreed that race was a cultural construct, not a biological phenomenon. With the wave of decolonization that swept the globe in the postwar era, newly independent nations in Africa and elsewhere began to raise the demand for the restoration of the cultural artifacts taken from them by colonialism. These demands have mounted in recent years, both as activists have brought wider attention to the legacies of colonialism, and as research has identified growing quantities of cultural objects acquired under questionable circumstances. (One group has even begun to offer stolen goods tours of the British Museum.)

The first part of Kupers book goes through the process by which museums were founded, stocked, and arranged, and while those details are illuminating, it is in the books second half that he really gets to grip with todays crises. How much of a threat do growing demands for the return of cultural objects pose to museums? Beyond particular items in its collections, is the universal museum itself a product of colonialism that expresses an implicit belief in the superiority of Western culture over Indigenous cultures in the areas the West came to control in the age of imperialism? Indeeda question Kuper might have considered moreis the very idea of a museum outdated in the digital age?





A classic example of the shape of disputes over looted cultural objects is provided by the thousands of intricately worked sculptures, busts, plaques, and reliefs known as the Benin Bronzes. They were comprehensively looted in 1897 by a British military force sent to punish the precolonial West African kingdom of Benin for its actions in massacring a trade expedition. The scale of the pillage was extraordinary. Back in Europe, the loot found its way into a host of major museums; 580 were collected for the Ethnological Museum in Berlin alone. Some 950 were acquired by the British Museum. Sold at rapidly escalating prices on the open market, many others found their way into smaller provincial museums in Europe, but the Metropolitan Museum in New York also acquired 160, mostly donated by private individuals over the decades.

The demand for their restitution seems unstoppable. Already museums in a number of European countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, have begun to return Benin Bronzes in their possession to the countries where they originated. Yet the moral balance sheet of their restitution was not without controversy. What, for example, was the moral right of the successors of the obas (or kings) of Benin to get back the bronzes? Defenders of the looting, beginning with the looters themselves, pointed out that they had engaged in human sacrifice on a considerable scale: As British forces approached in 1897, the oba of the day had hundreds of slaves and captives sacrificed to his ancestors, and, on arrival, the British troops literally had to wade through blood to reach their objective. Their commander reported from the town that this place reeks of sacrifices and human blood, bodies in every state of decay, wells full of newly killed, crucified men on the fetish trees (which we have blown up), one sees men retching everywhere.

Moreover, the precolonial kingdom of Benin practiced slavery, along with its neighboring states such as Asante, whose king boasted in 1824 that following a successful military expedition, he brought more than 20,000 slaves to Coomassy, or Kumasi, the capital town of Asante. Some of these people, he went on, being bad men, I washed my stool in their blood for the fetische. But then some were good people, and these I sold or gave to my captains. Along with another precolonial kingdom on the Slave Coast of West Africa, Dahomey, these powerful and well-organized states were a major center of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, supplying more than two million slaves to the British ships that brought them to the Americas. The present-day heirs of these states have apologized for their ancestors practice of owning and trading in slaves, and the current government of the Republic of Benin has opened a museum of slavery and is building what has been called a theme park with artifacts, including a slave ship, in the hope of bringing African American tourists to the area. Organizations that have been campaigning against restitution, such as Britains History Reclaimed, a conservative pressure group, have underlined the blood-tainted origins of the bronzes and argued that this invalidates any claim to moral superiority put forward by their original owners as a reason to get them back.

To add to such moral reservations, European museums sometimes argue that the restitution of cultural objects endangers those objects because there is no guarantee that they would be properly cared for. They can point, for example, to the political instability that is endemic in twenty-first-century West Africa, with its frequent military coups, uprisings, and jihadist incursions from the north. In 2012, Islamist extremists destroyed the majority of mausoleums in the Malian city of Timbuktu, all of them inscribed on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, and as French troops approached the following year to restore order, the extremists torched a library housing irreplaceable manuscripts, some of them dating back to the thirteenth century. The national museum of Iraq was looted during the war of 2003, and the sweeping victories of the Taliban in Afghanistan left local mobs to pillage heritage sites and collections following the U.S. withdrawal. The global market for artworks, ancient cultural remains, and other cultural objects has been flooded with illegally acquired material as a result. Corruption in Nigeria and other countries has added to the toll: Writing in 2009, the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah reported, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art has been stolen from the museums of Nigeria alone, almost always with the complicity of insiders. Nigerian Minister of Culture Walter Ofonagoro warned in 1996, We are losing our cultural heritage at such an alarming rate that ... we may have no cultural artifacts to bequeath to our progeny.

A further question raised by the issue of restitution is the identification of recipients. To whom should the restitution be made? Surprisingly often, competing claims are put forward. Native American societies are sometimes divided over the question of what to do with the human remains they receive from museum authorities: Should they inter them or (if custom dictated) incinerate them with due religious ceremony, or display them in an informative though suitably reverential manner? In West Africa, the issue of who had the right to the Benin Bronzes was hotly disputed. In January 2022, the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments announced it would in future deal with claims for them, but on March 23, 2023, Muhammadu Buhari, then president of Nigeria, declared the oba of Benin their exclusive owner. His decision was roundly condemned by the commission, which claimed it was impractical.

In the meantime, the Restitution Study Group, an African American nonprofit organization, went to court to prevent the Smithsonian from sending its Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria, pointing out that some of them were made from brass bracelets presented to the oba and others by slave traders in exchange for slaves and then melted down to make the bronzes. So, the group argued, the descendants of these enslaved people surely had a strong moral interest in these extremely valuable artifacts.





Few such objections to restitution have proved convincing. Arguments that the museums shouldnt return artifacts to societies such as Asante or Benin because of violence in their histories do not make much sense when one considers the scale of brutality and plunder inflicted by Western powers over the same period. Asante was a slaveholding society, to be sure, but then so, too, were the European powers, in their Caribbean possessions, and the United States.

Nor have European states been models of peace and stability over the past centuries and decades. True, the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 obligated states that were victorious in war to respect the cultures of the countries they defeated. But in World War II, the Nazis in particular ran roughshod over the conventions, even though Germany had been a signatory to them. In the summer of 1941, invading German troops, for example, occupied and destroyed much of the novelist Leo Tolstoys house at Yasnaya Polyana, while the composer Tchaikovskys home was wrecked as German soldiers drove muddy motorbikes over the musical manuscripts littering the floor. Millions of cultural objects were looted by the Germans during the war, some of them carried off for never-realized display in Hitlers planned Germanic museum in Linz; yet more were appropriated by the victorious Red Army as trophy art, which is still exhibited in uncatalogued galleries in St. Petersburgs Hermitage Museum.

In 2023, the British Museum discovered that up to 1,500 items in its care, including gold, glass, and jewelry, had been stolen in an inside job.

At the beginning of the Balkan Wars of the late twentieth century, in 1992, Serb forces razed the Bosnian National Library in Sarajevo to the ground. More recently, UNESCO has reported that Russias war against Ukraine had resulted in damage to 126 religious sites, 148 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 30 museums, 19 monuments, 13 libraries, and an archive by January 2024. And its not just war that has imperiled artifacts either: In 2023, the British Museum discovered that up to 1,500 items in its care, including gold, glass, and jewelry, had been stolen in what its chair, George Osborne, described as an inside job; the museums director, Hartwig Fischer, took responsibility for failing to detect the thefts and was forced to resign. Governments have added their bit by misconceived policies designed to save space and resources. The U.K. Ministry of Justice, for instance, is now proposing to destroy millions of historic wills after digitizing them, but the dangers of this policy were starkly laid bare by a massive cyberattack on the British Library in October 2023 that left huge numbers of items still unavailable to readers.

After more than a century in which millions of people across the globe were killed in wars fought between European, American, and Asian armies, destruction and ruin on an unprecedented scale, and torture and suffering of an indescribably horrific nature inflicted on millions, it is difficult, to put it no more strongly than that, for museum directors in London, Paris, or New York to refuse to restore stolen objects on the basis of the supposed moral inferiority of the non-Europeans who want them back, or the danger that they might be destroyed. In the end, what counts above all else is the moral claim for the restitution of stolen goods based on original ownership. If the claimants have a moral right to have their possessions returned, then the question of how they, in their turn, got them, and what they intend to do with them once they have recovered them, is not really relevant.





There are threats to the museum of other people beyond the rising tide of demands for restitution. Such exhibitions might have been educational for the societies in which the museums were based at a time when travel overseas or to far-flung parts of the globe was impossible except for a tiny minority of intrepid explorers, missionaries, and traders, but the invention of photography in the 1820s soon began to satisfy the curiosity of Europeans and Americans about other peoples. Cinema and television further undermined the claims of museums to provide exclusive knowledge about other parts of the world. By the middle of the twentieth century, you could vicariously experience life in a tribal village in New Guinea or the Amazon basin without moving from your armchair at home. Who needs to visit a museum to discover what a totem pole looks like, or an igloo, or a pagoda, or an Easter Island statue? If youre not satisfied with what you see on television, then cheap air travel enables you, even if your income is modest, to go and see for yourself, in situ, surely a superior experience to that of looking at objects in a glass case. On the face of it, we no longer need the museum of other people to tell us what other people were like, or how they lived.

More than this, the rise of identity politics in the early twenty-first century has helped foster the belief that it is morally wrong for one society or culture to say what others were like. Instead, it is arguably preferable for Indigenous cultures themselves to tell the world what they are like, and how they live. By doing so, they can wrest their story back into their own hands and begin to correct the legacies of colonization. Difficulties can arise, however, as Kuper notes, when museums fail to couple their missions with rigorous scientific methods. The National Museum of the American Indian, inaugurated in Washington, D.C., in 2004, was conceived as a showcase for Native American culture, yet critics commented that it lacked depth. The resulting displays were, the playwright and filmmaker James Lujan complained, an exercise in cultural propaganda that emphasizes the positive, glosses over the negative, and provides a depth of understanding that is little more than what we would get from stopping at a tribal community center or gift shop. Many of the displays were chaotically organized and difficult to negotiate. Captions were frequently banal and uninformative (Native Americans of the past consider many places holy, read one in the Washington museum). No wonder the museum was almost empty when I went there a few years ago, in contrast to the well-organized and informative National Museum of African American History and Culture, a stones throw away.

At one museum, Kuper adds, the process of decolonizing meant inviting diviners to use religious rituals to identify objects for repatriation. In 2005, a group of Huichol shamans from Mexico was invited to inspect a number of artifacts in the Ethnological Museum in Berlin. The shamans unhesitatingly identified as Huichol several objects that were not. In this case, the museums attempt to engage with Huichol culture did little to improve public understanding of its collections. It made a clumsy gesture and showed a loss of faith in the best resources that it has to offer the public: its body of curatorial expertise, and its ability to attract and engage with quality research that could have truly aided in restitution.





Over the past few decades, not least as a result of these developments, the ethnographic museum, the museum of other people, has gradually been changing into another kind of museum altogether. To see what has been happening, we need look no further than the Benin Bronzes themselves. From the point of view of museums, the key characteristic of the Benin Bronzes nowadays is the fact that they are regarded not as evidence of other peoples, but as works of art. This is the end result of what Kuper describes as the long-running competition between the art world and the anthropologists, which, he concludes, has been won by the art historians. Museum directors from the Metropolitan Museum in New York to the recently established Humboldt Forum in Berlin now agree, as Kuper puts it: This stuff is the business of art historians, not anthropologists.

Still, Kuper notes, art museums do not explore what these artifacts mean to the people who make and use them. For this, a different kind of museum is needed: a genuinely cosmopolitan museum, one that transcends ethnic and national identities, makes comparisons, draws out connections. Above all, he argues, we need museums that are informed by rigorous, critical, independent scholarship. Museums could, for example, display artifacts from around the world that have been loaned or exchanged, rather than looted. Future exhibitions should surely be informed by the best scholarship in the field, drawing on work from a range of countries and approaches. Deals like the one struck by the Ethnological Museum in Berlin for the repatriation of more than 500 Benin Bronzes perhaps point the way forward: Two-thirds of the bronzes will return to Nigeria, while the remaining third will be displayed in Berlin on loan.

Museums surely have a future. The numinous power of a genuine cultural object is far greater than anything a mere photograph or reproduction can convey. Not long ago, while in New York, I visited the Museum of Modern Art and made my way to Van Goghs Starry Night. A large crowd of mostly young people was gathered in front of this wonderful, iconic, endlessly reproduced painting. Everyone there was clearly thrilled to see the actual artwork. And yet no one was looking at it. Almost all of them had their backs turned to it. They were wielding their cell phones and taking selfies with the picture in the backgrounda ritual that onlookers might bemoan, though nonetheless one that depended above all on the presence of an original.
It was 13 degrees below zero in Skelleftea in Swedens far north.

Arvid Ohgren, a contractor at Northvolts battery factory, tried to pull himself off the freezing ground.

He looked down and with his right hand tried to pick up his left arm. The limb was hanging by a thread of skin.

A sudden crane accident moments before had killed his co-worker, a man in his 60s.

As he waited for an ambulance, a panicked security guard said to Mr Ohgren: Its just a small fracture.

I didnt really think much about the fact that the arm wasnt there anymore, he told Noran, Skellefteas local newspaper.

All I really felt was that it hurt a hell of a lot.

Mr Ohgren lost his arm and suffered a crushed foot.

This is just one of a series of tragic events to have plagued Northvolt, the Swedish battery start-up and European technology champion, in recent months.

As well as the death of Mr Ohgrens co-worker on Dec 14 last year, another 25-year-old employee died as a result of an explosion on Nov 4.

Following news of the deaths, Peter Carlsson, the former Tesla executive leading Northvolt, said in December it was a dark day for the company.

Northvolt markets its Skelleftea site, just shy of the Arctic Circle, as 'Europe's first homegrown battery factory' - Northvolt

Since his remarks, reports have emerged that police are investigating three further mystery deaths linked to the factory.

In January a 33-year-old cleaning worker died shortly after his shift, while a month later a 19-year-old employee died at home in bed.

This month a 59-year-old was also found dead on his balcony.

A Northvolt spokesman said: It is tragic that three colleagues have passed away and our thoughts are with the families.

In a further bizarre twist, it emerged last week that Northvolts chairman, Jim Hagemann Snabe, has been on sick leave since the start of the year after cutting himself open-water swimming in January.

He told Denmarks Borsen newspaper that the cut resulted in a severe infection that required several operations.

The accidents and unexplained deaths have cast a shadow over Northvolt, which has raised over $13bn (10.27bn) to build a European battery giant to take on China.

Founded in 2015 Northvolt markets its Skelleftea site  located just shy of the Arctic Circle  as Europes first homegrown battery factory.

Powered by renewable energy from a hydroelectric plant, it is seeking to sell lithium-ion batteries that reportedly have a 90pc lower carbon footprint than leading rivals.

It has also pledged to recycle the vast majority of its components and close the loop on the rare materials  such as manganese and nickel  used to make batteries.

EU-made batteries present an alternative to those exported from China, which often carry political risk and dubious green credentials.

Carmakers such as BMW, Siemens, Scania and Volkswagen have placed orders with Northvolt to the tune of $50bn.

Growing demand has allowed Northvolt to rapidly expand its operations, with plans to create thousands of jobs via new battery factories in Germany and Canada.

It has also attracted heavyweight investors such as Blackrock, Goldman Sachs and Baillie Gifford.

Faith in the business led to it securing a $5bn loan from a consortium of banks earlier this year, including $1bn in financing from the European Union.

This has also fuelled reports of a potential $20bn stock market listing in 2025, which would propel the company beyond its current $12bn valuation.

However, despite raising vast sums of cash and enjoying generous support from Brussels, recent obstacles have shown the scale of the task ahead.

Whether that will be slowing demand for electric cars or the overall complexity of its product, Northvolt is battling hard to maintain momentum.

Simon Moores, chief executive of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, says the concept of relying on recycled materials was a big win for European car brands against Chinese batteries.

The need to be green was paramount to the entire concept of electric cars and gigafactories in Europe, he says.

But the key barrier is that making sustainable, quality lithium-ion batteries is hard.

As proof of this he claims it took Tesla and Panasonic the best part of a decade to get their shared battery facility in Nevada functioning properly.

Recent setbacks at Northvolts site in Sweden have led to some of its biggest customers not receiving batteries on time.

Scania, the Volkswagen-owned truck maker, was forced to slow the roll-out of its fleet of electric HGVs amid delays to expected deliveries of Northvolt batteries.

Northvolt subsequently sought to ease concerns by claiming in June that it was producing 16,000 cells per week.

However other customers appear to have run out of patience.

Earlier this month BMW reportedly pulled out of a 2bn (1.69bn) contract for Northvolt batteries after it fell behind schedule.

The deal represents less than 5pc of the companys order book.

In a statement Northvolt and BMW said the companies had jointly decided to focus Northvolts activities on the ambition of developing the next generation of battery cells.

Industry sources say the companys production woes are well-known in the sector.

It isnt a huge surprise, a source says.

Theyve obviously done incredibly well at raising capital, but we have known for a while Northvolt has had issues scaling.

A key challenge for battery companies is getting their production lines optimised so the cells they produce have minimal defects.

James Frith, European head at Volta Technologies, says: It is clear that the company has faced problems producing high-quality cells at acceptable yields.

The delays may well slow down some of the companys aggressive expansion plans to refocus on the basics, says Andy Leyland, co-founder of supply chain analysts SC Insights.

Production at Northvolt Ett has improved significantly, a spokesman said, and production rate has increased from thousands of cells per week to tens of thousands.

It is not just in Sweden where Northvolt has faced hurdles.

In Canada, where the company is planning a 30GW battery plant near Quebec, local eco-activists have targeted the company despite its green credentials.

In January vandals buried nails in trees that the company planned to fell, creating a risk to workers trying to clear them.

In May incendiary devices were also found hidden on the construction site.

More broadly Northvolt must contend with the wider shocks to the electric vehicle sector, which is grappling with a slowdown in demand in Europe and a flood of new competitors from China.

Still, the threat from the Far East could help solidify investor and government support for Northvolt which promotes itself as being Europes only large-scale battery start-up.

Without Northvolt, the EU will be reliant on battery supply from China and Asian cell suppliers, says Mr Moores.

Mr Carlsson previously told Manager Magazin he believed the company was past the point where we could fail like a start-up by running out of cash.

Peter Carlsson, Northvolt chief executive, believes the company was 'past the point where we could fail like a start-up' - Gregor Fischer/Getty Images Europe

Skelleftea is a town of just 74,000 people which at this time of year basks in more than 21 hours of daylight.

Authorities sought to ease worries on June 27 as they said there was no concrete connection between the deaths nor suspicion of crime.

However the investigation remains live: As the three deaths have similarities and the people worked at the same workplace, the workplace is also an aspect that is looked at in the investigation.

One line of questioning has already been opened into whether one of the persons may have been exposed to a substance at their workplace, the police said.

Unsurprisingly the deaths have also raised concerns among those on the factory floor.

But union officials at IF Metal said they welcome the investigation and want to be able to rule out that the deaths have anything to do with Northvolt.

As for the company itself, Northvolt said its internal investigations did not indicate any accidents or exposure of toxic materials for the individuals.

A spokesman added: These facts collectively suggest this is a tragic coincidence.

We will of course support the investigation in any way we can.

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Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said ruling any other way would have required the court to rewrite the law, something it can't do. (Amanda Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

Some of those placed on the states sex offender list as juveniles are not required to stay offense-free for 15 years following their conviction or release, New Jerseys Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The ruling is a victory for those who have sought to narrow how Megans Law registration can be applied to minors. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, writing for a unanimous court, said deciding in any other way would have required the court to add language to the statute.

We cannot do so, Rabner wrote.

Deputy public defender Stephanie Lutz said in a statement the decision underscores a crucial point.

Minors accused of sex offenses should not be unfairly judged by standards meant for adults convicted of similar crimes, Lutz said. The courts have recognized time and again that children are different: They are less mature and developed when they offend, more likely to rehabilitate after their offenses as they age, and extremely unlikely to reoffend as adults.

New Jerseys sex offender registration law is among the nations strictest. Minors are automatically placed on the list if adjudicated delinquent in family court, and judges have no discretion to keep their names off the list.

Sex offender registrations are lifelong under New Jersey law, but those on the list for non-aggravated offenses can petition to have their names removed. Courts can remove an individual if they find that person is not likely to pose a threat to others and has not reoffended in the 15 years following their conviction or release from a correctional facility.

The courts Monday decision says juveniles adjudicated delinquent in family court are not subject to the latter test because they could not be convicted unless they were tried as adults. The laws authors did not include those adjudged delinquent in the offense-free test despite including them elsewhere in the statute, the decision notes.

The Legislature made policy choices in the way it crafted Megans Law. It decided when to extend the law to juveniles adjudicated delinquent and when not to, he wrote.

In effect, juveniles tried in family court are not subject to the requirement because family courts do not mete out convictions.

Juveniles tried as adults would still be required to stay offense-free for 15 years to have their names removed from the sex offender list.

Those adjudicated delinquent must still show by clear and convincing evidence  evidence that is substantially more likely to be true than not  that they pose no threat to the safety of others to be taken off the sex offender list.

More recent offenses could still factor into an individuals request to have their name struck from the registry even if they are not subject to the offense-free requirement.

To develop a persuasive record of rehabilitation takes time. Judges commonly look to whether an individual has made progress over a period of time both during confinement and afterward in the community, Rabner wrote.

The courts decision is a response to two cases lodged by juvenile sex offenders who asked the court to strike their names from the registry.

One, identified as R.H. in the courts opinion, was adjudged delinquent of sexually assaulting his younger brother in 2009 and has not reoffended since, but lower courts found he could not be removed from the registry because of the offense-free requirement.

The other, called T.L., was adjudged delinquent of aggravated sexual assault in 2005 and was convicted of an offensive language disorderly persons charge in 2015. Lower courts said the disorderly persons conviction forced them to keep him on the registry.

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An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday. The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea. The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2024 shows the China Coast Guard assisting injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

China Coast Guard assists injured Filipino fishermen in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao on June 29, 2024. The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday.

The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea.

The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for CCG's act of humanitarianism via radio. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Editor: GSY
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The government of China now possesses something that no other humans have ever encountered  rocks and soil from the far side of the moon.

The successful return of the Change-6 lunar mission with the historic cache on June 25 was a scientific coup that further solidified Chinas place as one of the worlds top space powers, rivaled only by the United States.

And despite competition heating up in the global race to establish a permanent human presence on the moon, Chinas space agency is again following the precedent set by NASA decades ago after the Apollo missions and sharing its lunar samples with scientists around the world.

China welcomes scientists from all countries to apply (to study the samples) and share in the benefits, said Liu Yunfeng, director of the international cooperation office of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), during a Thursday news conference in Beijing.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told CNN hes pleased to hear CNSA intends to share the materials collected by the Change-6 lunar probe last month. The samples, gathered using a drill and a mechanical arm, include up to 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of lunar dust and rocks from an ancient crater on the moons far side, which is never visible to Earth.

Make it available to the international community just as we will when we start bringing additional samples back, and as we did a half a century ago with the samples brought back from the six Apollo moon landings, Nelson said.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, shown here during a pre-launch news conference on Boeing's first crewed spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner, on May 3, said he's "pleased" China intends to share the lunar far side samples. - Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images

Its a rare moment of consensus for two space agencies competing to land astronauts on the moon and build a base near the lunar south pole. But US access to the samples may be stymied by a 2011 law known as the Wolf Amendment, which prohibits the use of government funds by NASA for bilateral cooperation with China or its agencies without authorization from Congress or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, effectively banning the space agency from routinely working with its Chinese counterpart.

The root cause of obstacles to China-US space cooperation lies in US domestic laws, such as the Wolf Amendment, which hinder cooperation between the two countries in space exploration, said Bian Zhigang, vice chair of the China National Space Administration, during the Thursday news conference. If the US truly wishes to engage in normal space exchanges with China, I think they should take concrete measures to remove these obstacles.

US access to Change-6 samples

During the Cold War, NASA shared samples collected by Apollo astronauts from the moons near side with its rival in the first space race  the former Soviet Union  along with dozens of other countries, including China, according to a NASA spokeswoman. But samples from the moons far side have taken decades longer to procure.

China is the only country ever to make a soft landing of a robotic spacecraft on the far side of the moon, a feat that was first accomplished in 2019 by the countrys Change-4 mission. A year later, China became only the third nation in history to successfully return samples from the side of the moon that faces Earth with the successful completion of the Change-5 mission.

China opened those samples to international scientists for the first time last August, and Nelson has given NASA-funded researchers the green light to apply for access.

We are going through the process right now with our scientists and our lawyers to make sure that the instructions and guardrails that the Chinese are insisting on  are not a violation of the law, the Wolf Amendment, Nelson told CNN. As of this moment, I dont see a violation.

Any similar application to study the Change-6 samples must pass the same vetting process, Nelson said. The US space agency will continue to determine whether NASA-funded scientists and organizations can access the samples in accordance with Congressional restrictions on NASA interactions with CNSA.

Race to the moon

China is now aiming to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, while the US is shooting for the latter part of 2026, according to Nelson. Despite the recent success of Chinas robotic lunar missions, Nelson remains confident that the US is on track with NASAs Artemis program to beat Beijing in this second space race to land people on the moon.

Spaceflight is hard, but human spaceflight is especially hard, Nelson said. And magnitudes more difficult than a robotic landing.

NASA currently has the edge in testing spacecraft capable of carrying humans to the moon. The uncrewed Artemis I mission successfully sent the Orion spacecraft around the moon in 2022, paving the way for the Artemis II mission to send four astronauts on the same trajectory as soon as September 2025. China has yet to fly a human-rated spacecraft around the moon.

NASAs Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight on Nov. 16, 2022, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. - Joel Kowsky/NASA

NASA has partnered with SpaceX to develop the lunar lander that will take astronauts from the Orion spacecraft to the surface of the moon during the Artemis III mission. That vehicle, dubbed Starship, successfully completed its fourth test flight in June but remains multiple test flights and technology demonstrations away from being capable of carrying people.

China holds the advantage when it comes to the robotic exploration of the moon. The

US government has not landed a robotic spacecraft on the moon since 1968, but NASA is currently funding the development of lunar landers by private companies through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services, or CLPS program.

Intuitive Machines IM-1 lander, also called Odysseus or Odie, became the first US-made spacecraft in more than five decades to soft land on the moon when it reached the lunar surface in February. But a different NASA-funded lunar lander named Peregrine, built by Astrobotic Technologies, failed just hours after lifting off on its maiden voyage in January due to a fuel leak.

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(FOX40.COM)  The largest landowner in the United States is closing its land in California to the public due to increasing threats of wildfires.

On June 28, Sierra Pacific Industries closed all of its nearly 2 million acres of forestland in California to the public. The family that owns Sierra Pacific has 2.4 million acres primarily in the West, and they are the largest private landowner in the nation.

Could you cause a wildfire? How human activities can cause fires

SPI considers several risk factors when closing its lands, including increasing temperatures, dry vegetation, low moisture levels in fuels, and long-range weather forecasts for the region, the lumber company wrote in a news release. The closure will remain in effect until moisture levels and long-range weather forecasts improve.

For much of the year, SPIs vast forests are open to the public for recreational activities like hiking, fishing and hunting.

Use of public roadways through SPI lands will remain open, but any walk-in access is prohibited, the company said.

SPI has also closed all public access to its 177,000 acres of forestland in Oregon effective Monday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Native NYer living in Israel warns Jews to get the hell out of US now as antisemitic crimes continue to soar: You are no longer safe



A former New Yorker whose brother was stabbed to death by a Palestinian in the West Bank is begging his Jewish brethren to wake up and ditch the land of bagels and lox in favor of the land of milk and honey.

Queens native Hillel Fuld, who moved to Israel at 15, believes Israel is the safest place for Jews  as antisemitic crimes soar in the US.

Jews, get out now. Get the hell out while you still can, Fuld warned in an interview with The Post.

Queens native Hillel Fuld, who moved to Israel at 15, believes Israel is the safest place for Jews  as antisemitic crimes soar in the US. Facebook / Hillel Fuld

The 45-year-old married father of five who lives between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem called the recent spate of violent attacks in his native New York and around the US heartbreaking  and labeled last weeks Los Angeles attack at an anti-Israel rally a legitimate modern-day pogrom.

Read the writing on the wall, pleaded Fuld, whose older brother, Ari, 45, was stabbed to death near his home in Efrat by a 17-year-old Palestinian.

Nobody has to lecture me on terrorism  I know it.

He added: You are no longer safe on the streets of New York or Los Angeles.

The latest statistics are grim  as antisemitic hate crimes are up 45% in 2024, according to NYPD data obtained by The Post in April  and the emboldened nature of recent attacks, many captured on shocking video, raise more alarm.

Nobody has to lecture me on terrorism  I know it, Fuld said. REUTERS

Earlier this month, 24-year-old Anas Saleh commandeered a packed rush-hour subway train, demanding that Zionists identify themselves, cops said. Survivors of the Oct. 7 attack were trapped inside a downtown Manhattan memorial and having panic attacks in lockdown as a mob outside raged, chanting, Long live the intifada, a known call to violence.

This is literally 1930s Europe, he said of the shocking subway incident. Its scary this could happen in New York.

Ari Fuld was fatally stabbed by a Palestinian. Facebook / Ari Fuld

The tech guru with a massive social media presence claimed hes not being alarmist when he draws parallels between what he hears about in his native New York City with the dangerous climate his Auschwitz survivor grandmother experienced as a youngster.

Those whose strategy is wait-and-see are in denial, said Fuld, noting the German Jews of the 1930s.

We always say, But were the most German people, he said, invoking a common refrain about the German Jews who didnt think the Holocaust  and systematic slaughter of six million Jews  could befall humanity.

Fuld is pleading with Jews to read the writing on the wall. Facebook / Hillel Fuld

Israel Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, told The Post that obviously Jews are safer in Israel than the US, especially after multiple US university presidents failed to condemn and control raging antisemitism on their campuses. American Jews must start to consider an exit strategy, he stressed.

One of the options  and its an important option  is a return to the Jewish homeland, Chikli said.

More than 700 Jews around the world moved to Israel, or made aliyah, since the Oct. 7 attacks, according to an Israeli nonprofit.

Fuld insisted hes not meshugana, conceding that Israel has its problems, especially dealing with the massive security failure on Oct. 7. But the techie stressed that the population  and those charged to protect it, namely the IDF  will always have your back.

In Israel, he said, they know who the enemy is, whereas in New York, theyre masked  literally  referring to the face coverings so many antisemites have hidden behind.

Fuld admitted to hiding his yarmulke with a hat while visiting Times Square recently with his wife and five kids, ages 13 to 19.

Its just not worth the risk, he said. And thats tragic.

Fuld admitted that American Jews pushed back against his haunting harbingers, saying the world is too civilized to let it happen again, that America is not Germany and that if we run away, they win, he recalled of the skepticism.

But his assessment of the escalating chaos isnt brimming with optimism.

We know whats about to happen  and its going to happen fast. The genie is out of the bottle, he said. Antisemitism will only get worse and worse. Open a history book.

I would love nothing more than to be wrong, he said somberly. But I dont think I am.
The Scoop

NATO allies are expected to commit to speeding up the procurement of key weapons at a summit in Washington DC next week, as the alliance seeks to address critical gaps in its military readiness in the face of Russian aggression, three European officials told Semafor.

A five-year plan put forward by NATOs three Baltic states would see the alliance redouble efforts to acquire long range missiles and other weapons systems that have proven crucial on the battlefield in Ukraine and could be used in the event of a large-scale conflict.

As Russia has rebuilt its military much faster than expected, our proposal is to focus in the next five years on air defense, long range fires, and ammunition, Tuuli Duneton, Undersecretary for Defense Policy at the Estonian Ministry of Defense, told Semafor.

The plan has won the support of key member states, with a US State Department official telling Semafor that Washington supports the intent of the proposal and is working with allies on how to incorporate it in summit deliverables.

The proposal is drawn from the Allied Capability Delivery Commitment, put forward by the Baltic states to reduce key equipment gaps in NATOs regional defense plans.

A Latvian spokesperson told Semafor that the proposals ideas will be embedded in the Defense Industrial Pledge that allies are expected to sign at the summit.

Know More

The new plan reflects a desire to invest in scarce weapons systems that would prove vital in a large-scale conflict. NATO members currently have only 5% of the air defense systems needed to protect its eastern flank in such a war, the Financial Times reported.

Although most NATO members scrapped their long-range capabilities such as ballistic missiles at the end of the Cold War, long-range firepower has provided invaluable for Ukraines defense. Military experts have for years called on NATO members to invest more in such weapons.

Meanwhile, the West has struggled to ramp up the production of artillery ammunition to the level needed to sustain Ukraines war effort, even if it has boosted its output dramatically.

NATO members have been surprisingly positive about the new proposal given the extra costs it will incur, a European official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the alliances internal deliberations, told Semafor. Delivering these [weapons] faster than originally planned would require additional resources to be invested, the official said.

Most importantly, the plan had been agreed upon in principle by NATOs defense ministers at a June meeting in Brussels, the official said. An internal document approved at the meeting stressed the need for a review mechanism to assess whether NATO will actually be on track to achieve these new defense goals, the official added.

Notable

NATO Is Turning 75, but How Much Is There to Celebrate?, asks Christopher S. Chivvis in Foreign Policy.

Alliance members are debating how strongly to commit to Ukraines NATO membership at the summit, CNN reported.
Will NC abortion law change if Robinson wins as governor? It wont be just up to him.

Who voters decide should be the next governor of North Carolina  Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson or Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein  may also decide if theres a new law further restricting abortion in the state.

The current state law banning abortion, with exceptions, after 12 weeks could be reduced to six weeks if Robinson is elected and state lawmakers send him the bill he wants. If Stein wins and Democrats gain even one seat in the legislature, they could block further changes.

But a governor cant sign or veto a bill if state lawmakers dont send them one. Right now, Republicans with power say they dont want a new abortion bill, no matter who is governor.

I completely expect somebody, some Republican in the General Assembly next year, will file a conception bill, and/or six-week bill, Republican Sen. Amy Galey said. But I would be surprised if that bill found any real traction.

Robinson has said he would sign a heartbeat ban on abortion if lawmakers send him a bill, which means a ban at about five or six weeks gestation, when cardiac activity is first detected.

Stein, on the other hand, wants Roe v. Wade codified and said he would veto any bills that further restrict abortion. The current law bans abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions up to 20 weeks for rape and incest; up to 24 weeks for a fetal anomaly; and at any time if a qualified physician determines there exists a medical emergency.

Republican women who negotiated the 2023 abortion bill

Republicans have a supermajority in the General Assembly, meaning enough votes to overturn a veto by the governor. But if the governor and the legislature are in the same party and on the same page, only a simple majority is needed in the General Assembly to send a bill to the governor to sign into law.

The movement of bills is controlled by the majority leadership in the chambers. That is expected to continue to be Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, and in the House, Speaker Tim Moores heir apparent, current House Rules Chair Destin Hall.

In general, Republican leaders of the House and Senate only bring bills to the floor that have support from the vast majority of their caucuses.

Women Republicans were the key players at the table last year when they hashed out the Republican-written Senate Bill 20, which took effect July 1, 2023.

That includes Galey, who said her personal feelings on abortion are different than her role as a state senator representing the Burlington area. She said a 12-week ban is common-sense and reasonable, even though its not the time frame she would choose.

North Carolina Sen. Amy Galey speaks during a press conference in th this February 2023 file photo.

I personally believe that life begins at conception, Galey said in an interview with The N&O in her office at the legislature. But I dont represent a district of one, I represent a district of 205,000-210,000 people.

I think that while the bill we passed last year may not be everything that people in the pro-life community would have wanted, I think it is appropriate for the state of North Carolina, considering our history and considering our culture. I think the bill we passed last year is appropriate for this state. And I would be surprised to see it surface again, in a meaningful way, during the long session next year, she said.

Galey said that pro-life advocates should use their First Amendment rights to make their case for why people should choose life.

But she said that if Robinson wins, a Gov. Robinson would have a hard time getting that bill on his desk to sign.

Abortion access supporters predict Republicans arent done yet

Democrats have made abortion a key campaign issue, saying Robinson would ban abortion like some other Republican-controlled Southern states have.

North Carolinas neighboring states abortion restrictions vary widely. Virginia law allows abortion up to 26 weeks of pregnancy, according to AbortionFinders state guide. South Carolina bans abortion, with exceptions, after about six weeks. Tennessee has a total ban, with very few exceptions.

State restrictions diverged after 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, the decision that for nearly 50 years had guaranteed a right to abortion until a fetus could survive outside the womb, usually the third trimester.

That reignited a national debate on abortion and outraged many voters. Democrats see it as a winning issue in elections from the presidency down to the state level.

A demonstrator holds a sign and a baby outside a House Floor gallery window at the North Carolina State Legislature after Republican state lawmakers announced their plan to limit abortion rights across the state.

In April, Planned Parenthood and its affiliated groups announced a $10 million campaign to fund get-out-the-vote efforts ahead of November, with the goals of breaking the Republican supermajorities in the General Assembly and defeating Robinson. The investment is Planned Parenthoods largest ever in North Carolina.

We need to make sure that we elect a governor and lieutenant governor and attorney general and state legislature that supports access to abortion care, said Jillian Riley, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. In the state legislature, the current leaders are hell bent on interfering with private health care decisions, and making it harder for people to get reproductive health care that they need.

We know that they arent done yet, Riley said.

Anti-abortion extremists called Roe v. Wade settled law while actively working to overturn it, so I dont put much faith or trust in any assurances that SB 20 is as far as Republicans will go to restrict access to reproductive healthcare, said Rep. Julie von Haefen, an Apex Democrat.

Von Haefen said in a text message that GOP lawmakers have also consistently lied about public support for their policies, despite the reality that a majority of North Carolinians opposed further abortion restrictions.

She said that in the time since the bill was passed, North Carolinians havent changed their minds about it, pointing to a March poll by the left-leaning Public Policy Polling that found that 49% of North Carolina voters opposed the new GOP law, 36% supported it, and 15% said they were not sure.

Von Haefen also said that Republicans have refused to take up bills Democrats have filed to codify the protections of Roe, protect access to contraception and IVF and address our increasing maternal (mortality) crisis.

This should tell voters all they need to know  the right to access abortion and reproductive healthcare in North Carolina is very much under threat and they should vote accordingly, she said.

In an emailed statement, Stein told The N&O Robinson has expressed support for a total ban on abortion for any reason, says for him theres no compromise, and blames abortions on women not being responsible enough to keep your skirt down.

Abortion is an extremely personal decision that should be made by a woman, her family, and her doctor  not politicians in Raleigh and certainly not Mark Robinson, Stein said. As Governor, I will veto any further restrictions.

Meanwhile, Mike Lonergan, a spokesperson for Robinsons campaign, told The N&O that the legislature has already spoken on this issue.

As governor, Mark Robinson will work to make North Carolina a destination for life by building a culture that does more to support women and families that choose life, including bolstering adoption, as well as foster and childcare, Lonergan said in a text.

What Mark Robinson, candidate for NC governor, has said about abortion

A reasonable law

Galey said abortion laws should reflect what Americans think is reasonable.

Weve got to talk in this country about when life begins. And when life is worthy of the protection of the law, Galey said.

Is it at conception? Is it when you hear the heartbeat for the first time? Is it at some amorphous point where a hypothetical baby could be able to survive outside the womb on its own? Under a given set of circumstances, whether or not the baby has access to a NICU? Or whether or not the baby was born in a rural place? Do we want a babys right to live to be dictated by their proximity to a major medical center? Is it that childs right to life? Is it based on birth?

Republican Sen. Amy S. Galey listens to debate on the conference report on Senate Bill 20, which restricts abortion in North Carolina, on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the North Carolina General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.

I think that the laws that we pass should be generally in some way reflective of the diverse and dynamic culture that we have in North Carolina, she said. Galey said that reasonable people can disagree.

She said the current law is not what I personally would choose, based on my own thoughts about when life begins, but I have respect for other peoples differences. And I can use my First Amendment rights to advocate for what I think.

But its really important that in the state, in this country, we put our dukes down, put our pitchforks and torches down, and have a reasonable discussion about, when does a baby become a person whose life is worthy of the protection of the law?

Galey said that despite Robinson speaking at an anti-birth control groups event, North Carolina Republicans are not trying to ban contraception, dismissing it as Democrats trying to create controversy.

Galey pointed to money in SB 20 that would fund money for contraception on a recurring basis. The law spends $3.5 million a year on competitive grants awarded to local health departments and nonprofit community health centers by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to provide long-acting, reversible birth control for patients who are underserved, uninsured or medically indigent.

Republicans in legislature follow polling

The News & Observer asked Sen. Vickie Sawyer, a Mooresville Republican and key player in the 2023 law, if she wanted another bill next session.

No, she said.

I really am proud of Senate Bill 20 and what we did, she said in an interview at her legislative office, noting the bills provisions for foster parents and funding birth control.

I dont think wed get anywhere near that consensus ever again. I just dont. I dont see anything in the future that we would move legislation, Sawyer said.

Other lawmakers may think differently, she said. But for her, the law is right where people want us to be, and I dont see  I have no will to reopen that.

Sen. Vicki Sawyer, left, talks with Sen. Amy Galey before the N.C. Senate Education Committee meeting in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Sawyer, like Galey, said some Republican lawmakers may propose abortion bills. Any lawmaker can file a bill. But whether it moves is different.

Sawyer said Republicans she talks to arent talking about changing the law.

And really, thats founded in what North Carolinians are telling us, both through polling and what we hear from folks. We struck the right balance with Senate Bill 20. And it looks like we hit the majority of what folks had asked for, plus helping women with, you know, all kinds of other things like family leave  those good things in the bill that nobody ever talks about because of the focus on restrictions, Sawyer said.

She said that lawmakers have to govern for everybody, not just for one.

She also pointed out Bergers position; as Senate leader, Berger can control what legislation comes to the floor.

I just dont see how anything will change. Although I know, and totally, completely understand why Democrats want to say that it will: the sky is falling for womens rights, and, womens health care and all this other stuff. Theyre gonna continue to gin that up, and I get that. Thats what theyre supposed to do  the loyal opposition. Theyre trying to pick up seats and break a supermajority, she said.

She acknowledged that Robinson also continues to talk about abortion, however.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec, a Forsyth County Republican, and other Republican lawmakers involved in the formation of the new abortion restrictions bill, talk to reporters during a press conference on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C.

Another Republican who helped negotiate last years abortion bill, Rep. Erin Pare of Holly Springs, also told The N&O she felt the 12-week timeframe GOP lawmakers settled on was a reasonable compromise that Republicans had the votes to pass, and is supported by the majority of North Carolinians.

Pare said that as a matter of personal belief, shes always been pro-life and always will be pro-life, and strongly believes in the need to prioritize the preservation of human life.

At the same time, she said she feels its important that lawmakers, as representatives of the people, understand where the majority of North Carolinians are on this issue, which she said matches the bill the GOP passed last year.

Pare pointed to an April poll released by GOP-affiliated groups Carolina Leadership Coalition and Carolina Partnership for Reform, which found 27% of registered voters supported keeping the 12-week ban in place, 17% supported restoring the 20-week ban that was previously in place, 20% supported no restrictions at all, 16% supported a six-week ban, and 13% supported a full ban. Six percent said they didnt know which option most closely matched their opinion.

Berger, an Eden Republican, is expected to handily win reelection. He has been the Senate leader since Republicans took control a dozen years ago. While Republicans strategically put women lawmakers at the front of the intraparty abortion negotiations, the final bill still landed about where Berger had suggested in 2022 was his preference: 12 weeks with exceptions.

As The N&O reported in June, Berger doesnt want any new abortion legislation in 2025.

I personally would not be in favor of making any changes next year. We will see what happens as far as the election, and what the majorities look like in both the House and the Senate next year. And well just see what happens. I can just speak to where I am, he said, noting that other senators may think differently.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger adjourns the Senate after a vote to override a veto on an abortion restrictions bill on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C. Republicans have a veto-proof supermajority in the General Assembly, with the ability to overturn a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Berger said that there are Republican lawmakers who support heartbeat legislation. But he also pointed out what polling shows.

One of the things that Ive looked at is where the vast majority of people in the state of North Carolina are. And Ive yet to see any polling that shows that prohibiting abortions, or having a six- or eight-week time frame, is something that enjoys support of a majority of people in the state of North Carolina  or a majority of voters in the state of North Carolina. And its, I mean, its not even close, Berger said.

Some top lawmakers personally support heartbeat bill

Over in the House, top Republicans are backing Hall, a 36-year-old attorney from Lenoir, to succeed Moore as the next speaker, and leader of their caucus.

First elected in 2016, Hall quickly ascended the leadership ranks, receiving an appointment as co-chair of the Rules Committee in 2020, and months later, becoming sole chair, a role in which he decides which bills will ultimately move forward to the House floor.

In an interview, Hall said that when it comes to any potential new abortion legislation, House Republicans will need to see what their caucus looks like when lawmakers convene for the long session in 2025.

Several lawmakers are retiring at the end of this year, and some chose not to run for reelection, or ran for other elected offices, which means there will be many newcomers.

I think that both our current caucus, and I imagine the next caucus, will certainly see our current law that we passed as being a reasonable compromise, protecting life in this state, while at the same time heavily investing in maternal care, making it easier financially, for folks to have children, Hall told The N&O.

Rep. Destin Hall presides over the House after Speaker Moore stepped out during the first day of the the General Assemblys short session in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

As with every other issue lawmakers act on, however, Hall said itll be vital for Republicans to pay close attention to where the citizens of North Carolina are.

Well learn a lot from the elections this fall, Hall said. Part of that is, what composition do the voters of this state send to Raleigh, for the General Assembly, for the two-year term. Well be watching those things closely, and thats certainly a critical data point for us: Where are the citizens of this state, on every issue, not just this one.

Hall said that he personally supports the heartbeat bill that some Republicans wanted to pass last year.

That doesnt mean thats where our caucus is going to be, Hall said.

Moore also said last year that he personally supported a heartbeat bill, but told activists who were urging GOP lawmakers to settle on a six-week ban at the time that he wanted to pass something that could be enacted over Gov. Roy Coopers veto.

Social conservatives urge lawmakers to go further

One of the leading voices calling on lawmakers to take further action to restrict abortions is the N.C. Values Coalition.

While it was a major supporter of the law Republicans enacted last year, the group had originally pushed GOP lawmakers to get behind a heartbeat bill.

Its no secret that the North Carolina Values Coalition believes that life begins at conception, the groups executive director, Tami Fitzgerald, said in an interview. We want to protect as many unborn babies as possible.

Fitzgerald said that despite lawmakers enacting a stricter law, there has been a horrific increase in abortions being performed as people from surrounding states with more restrictive laws have come to North Carolina, where the law hasnt kept up.

She also pointed out that the vast majority of abortions take place before 12 weeks of gestation. State data for 2021, before the new law went into effect, showed that nearly 90% of the abortions performed that year took place in the first 12 weeks, with around 71% occurring in the first 8 weeks, and about 19% occurring between 9 and 12 weeks, The N&O reported last year.

Ultimately, wed like to see abortion become unthinkable for women, and we believe that one of the ways that happens is that women are offered other alternatives, Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said that many women who have abortions say that if their circumstances were different, they would choose life.

We want to focus on making that possible, for women to choose life, making it the largest option they have, instead of the last option they have, she said.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running for governor, speaks at a Moms for Liberty rally outside the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Looking ahead to next years legislative session, Fitzgerald said that the Values Coalitions lobbying will depend on how many more pro-life supporters get elected to the General Assembly in November, and who wins the governors race.

The obvious advantage of Robinson winning, Fitzgerald said, is that Republicans would no longer have to override a veto on any new restrictions.

That could mean not having to secure support from the entire caucus, since bills could be passed and signed into law by simple majorities.

Hall said its difficult to say how the outcome of the governors race could affect how Republicans approach legislation next year, since it depends not just on how many seats the GOP wins, but the actual members who are filling those seats.

He also said that even though Republicans currently need every one of their caucus members to support bills that will be vetoed, theres no requirement that every bill has to have unanimous support from every member of our caucus.

The threshold House GOP leaders follow now before moving forward with bills is backing from at least a majority of the caucus.

Hall said no matter how many members the caucus has, they are still concerned with what the best policy is for the people of this state.

But theres no question that its easier to get things passed when we have a governor who were confident is going to sign a given bill that we pass, Hall said.

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NC abortion restrictions have been fought in court. Heres where the cases stand.

More than a year after the lawsuits were filed, two legal challenges targeting North Carolinas abortion restrictions remain in court.

One case focuses on two provisions of the 12-week abortion ban GOP lawmakers passed last year. While the main thrust of that law went into effect last July, and has not been successfully challenged in the courts, two of the laws provisions were challenged by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, and have been temporarily blocked since September.

The second case takes aim at the states restrictions on medication abortions, and was filed in January 2023, after the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, but before North Carolina passed its new law.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles, who has heard arguments in both cases, issued a ruling in the medication abortion case last month  which is now being appealed  and is expected to issue a ruling in the other case soon.

Heres a look at how the two cases originated and where they stand now.

Planned Parenthoods lawsuit over new abortion law

The case challenging provisions of the states new abortion law began in June 2023, when Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit in federal court, and sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the entire law from taking effect as the legal challenge moved forward.

(In addition to lowering the threshold after which most abortions are banned to 12 weeks, the law also put into place additional requirements for patients and providers, including a requirement that women receiving medication abortions complete two additional in-person appointments. The law also included more than $180 million in state and federal funds for services including child care and foster care.)

NC now bans abortion after 12 weeks. Answers to questions about the new law

Eagles didnt grant that request but blocked one provision of the law, which requires physicians who prescribe medication abortions to document the existence of a pregnancy within the uterus at the early stages of gestation.

Abortion providers who challenged the law have argued the provision doesnt give guidance on how to satisfy the requirement, and could block physicians from prescribing abortion pills early in pregnancies, when an embryo may not be able to be located using an ultrasound.

Eagles agreed with those concerns and issued a preliminary injunction in September, calling the provision unconstitutionally vague.

In that order, Eagles said the restriction on medication abortions didnt provide physicians with a clear standard, was open to differing interpretations, didnt provide reasonable notice of what is prohibited, and could subject physicians to arbitrary accusations that they have violated the provision.

Eagles temporarily blocked another provision in that order as well.

That provision would have required anyone trying to terminate their pregnancy after 12 weeks  under one of the laws exceptions for rape and incest, fetal abnormalities, or severe medical emergencies  to have the procedure in a hospital. That provision had also been temporarily blocked since September.

Where does the case stand now?

In June, Eagles heard arguments from attorneys representing Planned Parenthood South Atlantic; the N.C. Department of Justice; and Republican legislative leaders, who intervened in the case to defend the new law.

A bench trial had been scheduled for July 22, but Eagles decided after the hearing trial wouldnt be needed, since her ruling would likely resolve all issues in dispute, and removed the case from the July trial calendar.

A ruling hasnt been issued yet.

OB-GYN lawsuit over regulations on abortion pills

In the other case, a UNC Health OB-GYN sued North Carolina over regulations on the use of medication abortion.

Dr. Amy Bryant challenged state laws in place around prescribing mifepristone, such as requiring doctors to provide the pill in-person at certified facilities, and after a 72-hour waiting period. Bryant argued that the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations requirements, which are more lenient, preempt North Carolinas restrictions.

The top legislative leaders, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger, joined the lawsuit as defendants. In court filings, they argued the FDA does not have the final say over one of the most divisive and consequential social and political issues of our day and the past fifty years.

But Eagles ruled largely in favor of Bryant, striking down several of the state regulations.

She decided other requirements were not preempted by FDA regulations, such as requirements for an in-person, 72-hour advance consultation and blood type testing, and allowed them to stand.

That means that currently, in North Carolina:

 Mifepristone does not need to be taken in a clinical setting and can be taken in ones own home.

 The pill can be provided by pharmacies and not solely by licensed physicians.

 A follow-up appointment is not required, but an advance consultation is.

 Enforcement, penalization, or requiring compliance with any medication abortion provisions preempted by the FDA is prohibited.

But Eagles ruling could be reversed. On June 20, Berger and Moore appealed the portion of the ruling that went against them to the federal appellate court encompassing Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

What to know about mifepristone

Medication was used for 63% of abortions nationwide in 2023.

Mifepristone is the first part of a combination of two drugs used to end a pregnancy. The FDA has approved the use of the two-drug regimen within the first 10 weeks of gestation.

Medication abortion can be done in two ways: either with that combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, the most common method in the United States, or by using only misoprostol.

Mifepristone blocks a hormone to stop a pregnancy from progressing, while misoprostol empties the uterus. Solely using misoprostol is effective, but studies show it may cause more side effects.

The FDA allowed the use of mifepristone for abortions in 2000, and more recently has loosened restrictions on the drug. In January 2023, it approved a protocol for certified pharmacies to provide mifepristone directly to patients. This means, under FDA protocols, patients can get a prescription via mail after a consultation, including a telehealth consultation.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected a challenge brought against FDA approval of mifepristone, allowing its continued use.

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Dave Almeida of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, NC DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley and Gov. Roy Cooper at a press conference on medical debt forgiveness. (Photo: Lynn Bonner)

Gov. Roy Cooper announced a plan that could erase hospital medical debts for low- and middle- income residents with bills they cant afford to pay.

The plan involves increased federal payments to hospitals in exchange for the hospitals forgiving old medical debt and helping patients avoid new debt.

The federal government must approve the plan and hospitals must agree to specific conditions for debt forgiveness.

Nearly half a million people have enrolled in expanded Medicaid since December 1. But the weight of medical debt still casts a long shadow, Gov. Roy Cooper said at a news conference Monday.

As people sought to enroll, they relayed their experiences of living with medical debt, said Kody Kinsley, state Department of Health and Human Services secretary.

Theyre still struggling with the burden of debt that they had from a cancer diagnosis or procedure that they had just a few years prior, Kinsley said. Its clear that by providing relief for medical debt, we give North Carolinians not just peace of mind but truly a fresh start.

North Carolina has one of the highest percentages of adults who report having medical debt, according to the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF.

Hospitals rarely collect more than 5% of old debts, Kinsley said, while the unpaid bills remain a burden for patients.

A news release outlined what hospitals must do to qualify for increased federal payments under the plan:

Wipe out medical debt deemed uncollectible for people not on Medicaid but who have incomes at or below 350% of the federal poverty level dating back to January 2014, or who have debt thats more than 5% of their annual income.

Erase all unpaid medical debt dating back to January 2014 for people enrolled in Medicaid.

Provide discounts on medical bills of between 50% and 100% for patients with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Three hundred percent of the federal poverty level is an annual income of $93,600 for a family of four.

Automatically enroll people into charity care by determining eligibility using streamlined screening.

Agree not to sell medical debt held by people with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level to debt collectors.

The plan has the potential to erase $4 billion in medical debt for 2 million people, Cooper said.

However, there may be some limits to the relief in cases where hospitals have sold debt to collection agencies or where people have liens against their homes because of medical debt judgments.

We wont be able to go back in time on all things, Kinsley said.

Medical debt is one of the leading reasons for delaying medical care, said Dave Almeida, government affairs director for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.



No one should have to choose between putting food on the table, paying the rent, putting the kids through college, or engaging in life-saving treatment, yet medical debt is one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy, he said.

Coopers plan allows patients to focus on their health, Almeida said, instead of worrying about when debt collectors are going to call again and demand payments.

The post NC Gov. Cooper presents a plan to erase some residents hospital medical debt appeared first on NC Newsline.
The North Carolina Legislative Building (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

The legislative short session raced out to a hot start this year, with Republicans imposing a sense of inevitably as they moved quickly on their high-profile commitments.

However, Republicans left some of their signature issues simmering as legislators took off last Thursday for their first break of the summer.

Less than a week after the session began on April 24, a Senate committee had advanced the controversial bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, a longtime GOP objective. Sheriffs would be required to hold people charged with certain crimes for 48 hours if federal immigration officials asked.

Another bill that sailed through a Senate committee early in the session added millions of dollars to the expanded private school voucher program, which now allows even the wealthiest families to use taxpayer money to help pay private school tuition. Republican leaders made increased voucher spending a high priority in the run-up to the session.

Those objectives and others remain unfulfilled while Republican legislators try to work out their differences.

The extra voucher spending was rolled into the House and Senate Republican budgets, but House and Senate Republican leaders could not agree on spending revisions for the new fiscal year that starts today. For the meantime, voucher spending will remain at the level approved last year.

The ICE bill stalled after the House decided not to agree to a Senate change.

Big majorities in both chambers seemed to be on board with adding gas station heroin  real name tianeptine  and xylazine, called tranq, to the controlled substance list. Limiting the sale of those substances was included in a bill that would regulate hemp-derived consumables, which also had wide support.

When the Senate added medical marijuana to the bill in late June, that stopped it dead in the House. Sen. Bill Rabon, a Brunswick County Republican, is a medical marijuana champion and is intent on trying to make it legal. He used marjuana during his colon cancer treatment decades ago and told a House committee last year that it saved his life.

As of March, 24 states and Washington D.C. have legalized recreational and medical marijuana, according to the Pew Research Center. Another 14 states have legalized marijuana only for medical use.

House Speaker Tim Moore told the Associated Press last year that theres not enough support among House Republicans to bring medical marijuana legalization to a vote of the full House.

Legislators prepared a full plate of proposed constitutional amendments, including proposed amendments on an income tax cap, voter ID, repealing the voter literacy test, and limiting the governors power to fill vacant Council of State elected executive positions. Democrats proposed a constitutional amendment on the publics right to access government records and public meetings.

The only proposed amendment that passed both chambers to appear on the November ballot says only US citizens are allowed to vote. Voting by non-citizens is already illegal.

The short session isnt over. Republicans have time to make more laws before the end of the year. Legislators have agreed to return to Raleigh sporadically through the summer and fall.

The post NC legislators take a break as some major GOP initiatives stall appeared first on NC Newsline.
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The North Carolina legislative short session wrapped up the last week of June with several pieces of unfinished business.

Lawmakers adjourned without deciding how to spend a billion-dollar surplus.

The two chambers could not agree on a budget amendment, despite Republicans having a veto-proof majority in both houses.

State senators efforted legalizing marijuana for medical use but did not rally enough votes in the House.

Representatives also held up nearly $500 million aimed at private school vouchers, or Opportunity Scholarships, because many members wanted to see public school funding increased at the same time.

State Sen. Graig Meyer told Queen City News reporting partner in Raleigh hes frustrated with the lack of progress.

Its surprising how little legislation weve actually gotten done, Meyer said. Were not fixing our broken schools, were not repairing our failing water and sewer systems and we have money.

In the final few days of the session, lawmakers set aside more than more than $67 million for child care center grants.

They also voted to override three of Governor Roy Coopers vetoes related to the states masking policy, trying youth offenders as adults and billboard maintenance requirements.

The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, July 10.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
People visit the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) released a statistical report on Sunday, one day ahead of its 103rd founding anniversary.

According to the report issued by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the CPC had more than 99.18 million members at the end of 2023, up by over 1.14 million from 2022.

The CPC had about 5.18 million primary-level organizations at the end of 2023, an increase of 111,000 compared with the previous year.

The CPC has maintained its great vitality and strong ability by focusing on the primary level, continuously reinforcing the foundations and shoring up weak links, and strengthening its organizational system and membership, the report says.

Data from the report shows that nearly 2.41 million people had joined the CPC in 2023, with 82.4 percent of them aged 35 or below.

Party membership has seen positive changes in terms of its composition. The report reveals that more than 55.78 million Party members, or 56.2 percent of the overall membership, held junior college degrees or above, 1.5 percentage points higher than the level recorded at the end of 2022.

By the end of 2023, the CPC had over 30.18 million female members, accounting for 30.4 percent of its total membership, up 0.5 percentage points from the previous year. The proportion of members from ethnic minority groups grew by 0.1 percentage points to 7.7 percent.

Workers and farmers continue to make up the majority of CPC members, accounting for 33 percent of all members.

Education and management of Party members continued to improve in 2023, with over 1.26 million study sessions held by Party organizations at all levels.

Also in 2023, the incentive and honorary mechanism for Party organizations and members continued to play its due role. During the year, 138,000 primary-level Party organizations and 693,000 Party members were commended for their excellence.

CPC organizations at the primary level continued to improve in 2023. At the end of the year, there were 298,000 Party committees, 325,000 general Party branches and about 4.6 million Party branches at the primary level in China.

In 2023, the team of leading Party officials continued to strengthen, facilitating China's rural revitalization drive. At the end of 2023, there were nearly 490,000 secretaries of Party organizations in villages, 44 percent of whom held junior college degrees or above.

In the meantime, the practice of assigning "first secretaries" to CPC village committees has continued. There were a total of 206,000 "first secretaries" working in villages at the end of 2023.

Editor: GSY
Will nearly 100-year-old historic New Perry Hotel be demolished? Heres what we know

Reality Check is a Telegraph series digging deeper into key issues and focusing on accountability. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@macon.com.

Against the backdrop of the citys 200th birthday celebration and amid public outcry, a nearly 100-year-old historic building is facing demolition.

The three-story New Perry Hotel has been part of the fabric of downtown Perry since it was built in 1925. Its listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but that does not protect the hotel from demolition. The steep cost of renovation has led current owners to recommend that the building be destroyed.

Community members have reached out to preservationists in an effort to save the hotel. More than 700 people had signed a petition to save it as of Monday.

Others believe the hotels time has come to end, and that its demolition will pave the way for economic revitalization. The one-story motel behind it, which was added to the property in 1955, also would come down under the plan.

In the hotels place, a three-floor development has been proposed to include ground-floor retail space, second-floor office suites and third-floor penthouse apartments. New retail buildings on the site also are proposed.

The proposed development is expected to go before Perrys Main Street Advisory Board for approval before the demolition permit is issued. The property owners have received a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition, which clears the way for them to start asbestos abatement.

The New Perry Hotel signage on the hotel itself has been removed.

Signage on the historic New Perry Hotel itself has been removed. A certificate of appropriateness for its demolition has been approved by the Main Street Advisory Board and the citys Community Development Department.

Why hotel may be headed for demolition

Danny Rosales, one of the new property owners, told the Main Street Advisory Board that he is working with an architect that would give the new development a historic look, according to draft June board minutes. He declined to respond to a request for an interview.

A month earlier, Rosales told the board that demolition was sought after looking at strategies to remodel, which he said proved to be financially unfeasible because the hotel was in severe deterioration, according to May board minutes.

In his May 6 application for a certificate of appropriateness to demolish, Rosales wrote:

Unfortunately, its structural integrity has significantly deteriorated over time. Our engineering assessments reveal critical issues, including foundation cracks, water damage and compromised load bearing elements. These conditions pose safety risks to occupants and passerbys.

The exterior of the New Perry Hotel shows signs of wear and tear. The new owners say its structural integrity has significantly deteriorated over time with cracks in the foundation, water damage and compromised load bearing elements.

City staff reviewed the request and agreed with Rosales, noting that at least two previous owners also found renovation was not financially viable.

Under Triple P Holdings, Rosales and a business partner purchased the New Perry Hotel and Motel for $620,000 in July of last year from the nonprofit HALO Group, according to Houston County tax records.

The nonprofit had dreams of renovating the hotel and restaurant where its disabled adult participants could learn hospitality skills while the motel would be converted to studio and one-bedroom apartments to generate income. But the venture proved to be too costly.

The HALO Group purchased the property in October 2018 for $275,000 from Ocmulgee Red, a group whose vision had been to return the hotel and restaurant to its former glory under the guidance of Southern author and designer James Farmer of Perry.

Allowed to stand, the buildings will continue to deteriorate and become a public nuisance, according to the city staffs May 24 recommendation.

Even with the benefit of state and federal tax credits, the structure of the buildings makes renovations meeting todays hotel standards economically infeasible, the recommendation reads.

The staff concluded, Unfortunately, demolition appears to be the only reasonable resolution.

At its June 6 meeting, the board approved the certificate of appropriateness subject to its approval of the post-demolition plan prior to issuance of a demolition permit.

The demolition of all structures on the property is expected to cost $160,000.

A certificate of appropriateness has been approved for the demolition of the New Perry Hotel and Motel. The one-story motel, added to the property behind the hotel in 1955, is pictured here.

Local Perry outcry over plan

As word spread in the community about the planned demolition, an online petition was launched June 16 to save the historic structure.

We as a community cannot lose this iconic Perry landmark, the petition reads. So many in the community have fond memories swimming at their pool, celebrating anniversaries, weddings, and special dinners in the restaurant.

Because its on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel would qualify for 40% historic tax credit on any qualified rehabilitation expense as well as other grants and programs through the National Trust of Historic Places, according to the petition. The hotel and motel have been on the national register since April 1, 2004.

This is a beautiful piece of history in Houston County that needs to be brought back to life not erased, Wendy Ziliak posted in the comments of the petition. So many of us want and need a place where we can step back in time!

Preservationist Caitlin Mee said members of the Perry community reached out to her after learning of the planned demolition. She helped organize the online petition and is attempting to find a more preservationist-minded developer to purchase the property.

Mee said she plans to fight for the New Perry Hotel for as long as its still standing.

A certificate of appropriateness has been approved for the demolition of the New Perry Hotel and Motel. The three-story hotel was built in 1925. The one-story motel behind it was added in 1955.

New Perry Hotel integral to city

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation condemned the planned demolition of the hotel in a June 17 letter to Mayor Randall Walker.

The New Perry Hotel is an integral part of the social and historic fabric of Perry and its loss would represent a setback for historic preservation in the state of Georgia, wrote W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the nonprofit advocacy group.

Mitchell noted the hotel has served as a focal point for social interaction and as a landmark for the tourist industry in Perry since it was built. He also lauded the structures Neoclassical Revival style of architecture and noted that the hotel was built by a woman.

Unlike traditional jobs for women at the time, the hotel industry allowed women to work independently and develop entrepreneurial skills that permitted them to compete with the men in a business world that was dominated by male interests, Mitchell wrote.

Ben Sutton, director of preservation for the Georgia Trust, said the nonprofit would welcome the opportunity to work with the property owners and the city to identify ways to save the hotel and motel.

Sutton suggested utilization of federal and state tax credits, which he said would include the potential for an 8 1/2 year property tax freeze.

The Georgia Trust, which advocates for historic preservation across the state, became aware of the planned demolition when three or four people filled out an online application to add the hotel to the nonprofits Places of Peril program, Sutton said.

The Places in Peril program seeks to identify and preserve historic sites threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy, according to the organizations website.

Between the 1920s and the 1950s, the New Perry Hotel was a regional tourist destination along Highway 41, becoming a popular stop for Florida vacationers along the busy route between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Jacksonville, Florida, according to the hotels registration form with the National Register of Historic Places. Since its construction in 1925, the hotel served as a focal point for social interaction in the community and as a landmark for the tourist industry in Perry.

Photo of plans for a new three-story development on the New Perry Hotel site after its planned demolition.

Perrys position

Mayor Walker could not be reached for comment, but the city released a statement on the issue.

As we celebrate Perrys 200th Birthday, we reflect on our rich heritage and cherished memories of Perrys past, the city said in its statement. The New Perry Hotel serves as a nostalgic reminder of bygone eras while holding a special place in the hearts of Perrys past and present residents.

Regrettably, the New Perry Hotel has remained vacant for many years and is in a state of disrepair. We are confident the current property owners have a vision for redevelopment which respects Perrys legacy and meets the quality standards expected by the Perry community.

Just as we honor the visionaries who laid the foundation for Perrys success, we must also embrace the responsibility of ensuring that Perry remains a dynamic and thriving community for future generations.

Although city council technically could override the certificate of appropriateness, council members historically have not overridden actions by the Main Street Advisory Board or its Community Development Department, according Tabitha Clark, communications manager for the city.

She noted that the mayor and council members have been kept informed of the developments with the hotel, including its planned demolition and the proposed new development in its place.
Mark Alan Partain was killed by the dog in March. The dog had attacked someone else months before

Jessica Pugh/GoFundMe Mark Alan Partain

Months after a 2-year-old Alabama boy was mauled to death by a dog, a woman was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

The boy was previously identified as Mark Alan Partain by his mother in a March Facebook post.

The Madison County Sheriffs Office responded to the attack on March 1. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a June 20 Facebook post, the sheriffs office said the dog responsible for the boy's death had been involved in a prior attack, which was reported to police in January. That dog has been euthanized, the sheriff's office said.

Related: 2-Year-Old Ala. Boy Mauled to Death by Neighbor's Dogs: 'Tragic Accident'

A woman, Melissa Phillips, was indicted on a charge of violating Emilys Law, an Alabama statute that makes it a crime if an owner is aware their dog has violent tendencies and the dog subsequently attacks and seriously injures or kills a person.

Deputies said Melissa Phillips voluntarily surrendered herself to authorities.

It is not clear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

In the March Facebook post, Mark Alans mother thanked first responders while expressing her grief.

I lost my youngest child, my mini me, my Mark Alan, she wrote. The hurt is unreal. I dont even feel like Im living in reality. My childrens hearts are so broken. Id like to thank everyone that has messaged, prayed, or sent kind words.

A GoFundMe has raised over $22,000.

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Read the original article on People.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that the main phase of the war against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip will soon be concluded.

"We are moving towards the end of the phase of dismantling Hamas' terror army," he said in Jerusalem at a reception for cadets of the National Defence Academy. "We will continue to fight their remnants."

Netanyahu had previously visited the Gaza Division, which is currently deployed in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. He had seen "very considerable progress" there, he said.

Israel has been bombarding Gaza for months and started a ground offensive after Hamas' mass attack on October 7. At least 37,765 Palestinians have been killed and another 86,429 injured in Gaza since then, according to the Palestinian health authority.

The offensive in Rafah on the border with Egypt is aimed at dismantling the last major Hamas combat units, Netanyahu said. However, the Islamist militia remains militarily active in the form of smaller units.

The words of the Israeli prime minister indicate that the Israeli army's major ground offensive in the Gaza Strip could soon come to an end.

Netanyahu and senior military officials have often pointed out that Israeli troops would remain in strategic locations in the sealed-off coastal area even after the phase of intense fighting. This would primarily include the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometre-long, narrow strip that runs along the border with Egypt near Rafah on the Gaza side.
Monday's proposal amounts to an abrupt political reversal for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had said he opposed efforts to change the state's controversial Proposition 47 through the ballot measure process. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders on Monday announced a new November ballot initiative to crack down on retail theft and fentanyl dealers, an effort designed to compete against a tougher anti-crime measure championed by a group of county district attorneys.

The measure would retool the controversial criminal justice reform California voters approved a decade ago, Proposition 47, which changed certain lower-level drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors and invested in drug and mental health treatment.

Monday's announcement is an abrupt political reversal for Newsom, who earlier this year said he opposed efforts to alter Proposition 47 through the ballot measure process and insisted that the necessary reforms could be handled legislatively.

The measure comes just weeks after the crime initiative proposed by a group of county district attorneys qualified for the November ballot. Newsom criticized the prosecutor-led plan as a regressive effort that could take California back to the 1990s era of mass incarceration.

The latest ballot initiative backed by the governor would address repeat shoplifting by making the third petty-theft-related offense over a three-year period eligible for a three-year jail sentence. In cases involving multiple thefts, if the total amount stolen exceeds $950, the offenses could be prosecuted as a felony.

The proposal  announced Monday by the governor and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister)  also would enact stiffer penalties for dealers who knowingly mixed drugs with fentanyl without the buyer's knowledge. Under the measure, judges also would be required to issue warnings to convicted fentanyl dealers about the lethal risks associated with distributing the drug, making it easier for prosecutors to charge dealers with murder if a death occurs. The initiative also would increase resources for drug treatment and mental health programs.

With targeted reforms to Prop. 47, this ballot measure is a critical step forward in our efforts to strengthen Californias public safety laws and provide law enforcement with additional tools to address the growing concerns of property crime and the fentanyl crisis," Newsom said in a written statement released Monday. "This balanced approach cracks down on crime and protects our communities  without reverting to ineffective and costly policies of the past.

If the measure is approved by the Democratic-led Legislature this week, as expected, California voters in November would see two competing crime measures on the ballot: the one supported by the governor and the separate Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, which has strong support among some county district attorneys and anti-crime groups.

McGuire on Monday told reporters that there were "some reservations" about the Legislature bringing in their own ballot initiative. But he said, ultimately, their proposal is less punitive and costly.

"I assure you that it's going to crack down on community-based crimes and hold hard-core drug dealers accountable," he said.

The legislative bill package and the ballot measure will be voted on Wednesday.

The prosecutors' initiative would change the law to make a third offense of theft a felony punishable by up to three years in state prison, regardless of the value of merchandise. The measure also would make possession of fentanyl a felony. Finally, the proposal would impose a treatment-mandated felony the third time someone is arrested on a drug possession charge.

Read more: Newsom suggests ways to crack down on property crime without dismantling Proposition 47

California voters approved Proposition 47 in 2014, during an era when the tough-on-crime policies of the past were under attack for being ineffective and unjust, and when the courts found the state's overcrowded prison system to be unconstitutional.

Before that measure passed, thefts could be considered a felony if stolen merchandise was valued at $450 or more, but Proposition 47 raised the threshold to $950. Critics have disparaged the change since it was enacted, saying the reduced punishment led to an increase in thefts in California. Newsom and other supporters of Proposition 47 said that most other states, including Texas, have higher dollar-amount thresholds than California for a suspect to be charged with a felony.

Newsom and the Legislature plan to cut back on prison spending and transition away from a criminal justice system dependent on incarceration. They argue that the prosecutor-led initiative could end up placing low-level drug and theft offenders back into state prisons instead of jails, where they serve time for misdemeanors, ballooning California's prison population.

Heres what Californians tell us: They dont want to go back to mass incarceration, and spending billions of dollars to imprison people for years over minor offenses, Rivas said in a statement.

The Legislature also is considering what is now a complementary bill package that would, among several things, give store owners the chance to file for restraining orders against repeat offenders and provide district attorneys with better tools to prosecute car break-ins and multiple thefts that take place in different counties.

The newly proposed ballot measure follows a few long weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions and contentious political maneuvering involving both the crime bills and the ballot measures, which have been intertwined during debate in the Capitol.

Most notably, it comes after Democrats unexpectedly inserted an amendment to the crime bills that would revoke parts of legislation  which until that point had bipartisan support  if voters approve the prosecutor-supported ballot initiative. That amendment has recently been stricken from the bills, but the criticism and mistrust the maneuver created remains.

"That was a punch to the gut to the proponents," said Yolo County Dist. Atty. Jeff Reisig, one of the prosecutors involved in the initiative.

Since then, members of the Republican and Democratic caucuses, and leaders of the prosecutor-led coalition, quarreled via separately live-streamed news conferences over the political gamesmanship taking place.

"Don't play politics on public safety. It's the wrong thing to do in the current environment," said Greg Totten, chief executive of the California District Attorneys Assn. and a supporter of the prosecutor-led initiative. "We all came together to draft and qualify a ballot initiative, frankly because politicians in the Capitol have ignored our concerns."

Read more: Can California curb retail theft without changing Prop. 47? Assembly Democrats unveil their plan

The Democratic caucus has reportedly been split since, and members have removed their names from the bipartisan package because of strong-arm tactics.

Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The U.S. Air Force has not abandoned its program to build an advanced next-generation fighter, but it does need a redesign to get costs under control and better integrate its planned drone wingmen, the services secretary told Defense News in an exclusive interview.

Secretary Frank Kendall also said a revamped Next Generation Air Dominance fighter platform could end up with a less complex, smaller engine than originally intended to try to hold down its price.

The family of systems concept of Next Generation Air Dominance is alive and well, Kendall said June 28. I can tell you that we are looking at the NGAD platform design concept to see if its the right concept or not.  Were looking at whether we can do something thats less expensive and do some trade-offs there.

NGAD is intended to replace the F-22 Raptor fighter fleet in the 2030s. It is a highly classified program featuring a crewed sixth-generation fighter with adaptive engines that can switch to the most efficient configuration as flying conditions change. The effort also calls for autonomous drone wingmen  known as collaborative combat aircraft, or CCA  and other new systems such as cutting-edge sensors, weaponry, and technology that improves the jets ability to connect with satellites and other aircraft.

Top Air Force officials have repeatedly stressed such a network, including aircraft beyond the capabilities of fifth-generation F-35 jets, will be necessary to win wars.

It is crystal clear to us that in order to get into the early to mid-[20]30s with a force that can win, we have to get to a sixth-gen fighter, and thats NGAD, retiring Lt. Gen. Richard Moore, who was the Air Forces deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, said in April 2023.

General Atomics has developed an autonomous drone called Gambit for the Air Force's collaborative combat aircraft program. (General Atomics)

But the price tag for such a system has long been a looming stumbling block, and rumors have swirled in recent weeks that NGAD might be endangered as the cash-strapped Air Force draws up its fiscal 2026 budget. The Air Force is now in the process of modernizing two expensive legs of its nuclear triad, even as it faces rising personnel costs and deals with the fallout from the Fiscal Responsibility Acts budget caps for FY25.

At an Air and Space Forces Association event in June, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin hedged when asked whether the service can proceed with NGAD given its tight budgets. He later told reporters the service is still considering which way to go with the program.

Kendall also told Aviation Week that the service is having to reconsider its spending plans for FY26 as competing priorities mount up, and that it must identify the mix of systems necessary to provide dominant air power.

In his interview with Defense News at the Pentagon, Kendall said NGAD is now expected to cost roughly three times as much as an individual F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. With F-35s costing about $80 million to $100 million, that means NGADs price tag could be verging on $300 million apiece  and would greatly limit the size of its potential fleet.

Its a very expensive platform, Kendall said. Its three times, roughly, the cost of an F-35, and we can only afford it in small numbers.

When asked what target cost he wants for NGAD, Kendall said the Air Force isnt far enough along to set such a goal  but added with a chuckle: Ideally, Id like to get it down to less than an F-35, or at least in the ballpark of an F-35. F-35s, as you know, are not cheap airplanes.

Kendall reiterated that the Air Force will build a next-generation crewed fighter platform, and said he believes it will be based on the technologies developed for the Aerospace Innovation Initiative. That initiative was a strategy  which Kendall kicked off in his previous role as the Pentagons acquisition chief, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency initially led alongside the Air Force and Navy  to develop prototype X-planes and a next-generation engine that ultimately led to the current NGAD effort.

However, Kendall said, the design concept that came out of that [initiative] is a very expensive concept. Scale matters, numbers matter, and so does time. We want to get something there quickly.

Along with looking for ways to bring down costs, Kendall said the Air Force wants to ensure NGAD can take full advantage of CCAs as it is redesigned. He noted the CCA concept came along after the service had begun working to develop NGAD.

Having something thats optimized to work with CCAs is another consideration as we look at NGAD, Kendall said.

A smaller, cheaper engine?

The Air Force is also looking at NGADs cutting-edge propulsion system  a so-called adaptive engine  as it reconsiders its future fighter concept, Kendall said.

Clint Hinote, a retired three-star general and former deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements in the Air Force, told Defense News on June 21 that the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program was quite expensive and could be driving up NGADs overall costs.

The last numbers I saw on NGAP [Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion] were pretty high, said Hinote, who was previously in charge of the Air Force Futures organization. I do think thats a factor. I dont know if thats the only factor, or the factor thats really contributing to this decision. But it is true that the NGAP program, the development of an adaptive engine for the NGAD, was very costly.

When asked if the propulsion systems cost is making it harder for the Air Force to afford NGAD, Kendall replied: What were looking for there is the most cost-effective propulsion system for the platform.

Secretary Frank Kendall says a revamped Next Generation Air Dominance fighter platform could end up with a less complex, smaller engine than originally intended to try to hold down its price. (Eric Dietrich/U.S. Air Force)

The Air Force still wants to use the engine technologies it developed to give NGAD more range and fuel efficiency, he said. But as it seeks to bring costs down for NGAD, he noted, the way you do that is if you can reduce the complexity, but also the size of the engine.

While the engine and other systems intended for NGAD represented a technological leap forward, Hinote said, it was not out of reach from what he saw before he retired last year.

We were making really good headway, Hinote said. High-pass engines, sensors  all that was coming together, I thought, pretty well.

The adaptive engine technology that would be the foundation of NGAP is revolutionary, Hinote added.

General Electric Aerospace as well as Pratt & Whitney have each developed their own versions of an adaptive engine. The engines ability to shift its configuration to best respond to any given situation would be a major advancement in propulsion technology, Hinote said.

If the [airplanes] need is efficient cruise at high altitude, then [the adaptive engine would shift to a configuration] that looks a lot like a high-bypass engine, not all that dissimilar from the engines youre seeing on the bottom of Airbus and Boeing airliners right now, Hinote said.

High-bypass engines on aircraft such as 737s have large inlets that allow a great deal of air to pass through, he explained, which makes them very efficient. Its not feasible to put an engine with such a large inlet on a fighter, but Hinote said adaptive engines can produce the same performance characteristics as a high-bypass engine at cruising speeds and altitudes.

And when a pilot needs to hit the afterburner and go to supersonic speeds, he added, then you crank the engine down, you change the geometry of the winglets, and now you have a totally different engine that adapts to the demand given by the pilot.

But those capabilities dont come cheap. The cost of an adaptive engine was one of the factors that thwarted the Air Forces desire to put it in the F-35, along with its incompatibility with the Marine Corps vertical-landing version and possibly the Navys carrier-based variant.

When asked about the potentially high cost for NGAP, Pratt & Whitney told Defense News it is working with the Air Force to use a collaborative digital design to drive down costs.

We have already seen improved efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in cost and time saving thanks to digital collaborative work environments, Peter Sommerkorn, the companys executive director of sixth-generation programs, said in the statement.

Sommerkorn added that upgrades to the firms ceramic matrix composites facility in Carlsbad, California, as well as its turbine airfoil factory in Asheville, North Carolina, will save money on current and future propulsion programs.

GE Aerospace referred Defense News inquiries to the Air Force.

Kendall highlighted an op-ed one of his predecessors as secretary, Deborah Lee James, published in Defense News arguing NGAD is too important to kill for budgetary reasons, and said he is in almost total agreement with her.

In the op-ed, James wrote the Air Force must explore alternative design and acquisition strategies to get NGADs costs down and speed up its delivery. She said Congress and the Pentagon need to provide the Air Force enough funds for all of its major programs, and that the service should look to innovative design and acquisition strategies such as building less expensive fighters that can be more quickly made and regularly updated.

The Air Force hopes to spend more than $2.7 billion on research and development for NGAD in FY25, with another $557 million slated for CCAs. The service projects its R&D spending on NGAD to steadily rise in the years to come, reaching more than $8.8 billion in FY29, alongside $3.1 billion in CCA spending.

The Air Force has repeatedly sought to retire about 32 older Block 20 F-22A Raptor fighters  which the service says would cost too much to make combat-capable  to free up billions of dollars for NGAD. Moore said in 2023 that mothballing those F-22s would save about $2.5 billion over five years.

But Congress last year rejected the Air Forces F-22 retirement proposal and appears poised to again stymie those plans in the FY25 budget.

The Air Force took a major step forward on NGAD in May 2023 when it sent industry a classified solicitation for the programs engineering and manufacturing development contract. Northrop Grumman has ruled out competing for NGAD as a prime contractor, leaving Lockheed Martin and Boeing the likely two remaining contenders.

The Air Force last year said it intended to award that contract in 2024.

When asked if that contract is still coming this year, Kendall said: Im not ready to talk about any specific changes yet.

Courtney Albon contributed to this report.
Of all the roles I have filled since leaving parliament eight years ago, few gave me greater pleasure than working alongside the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, as Lead Non-Executive Director at the Scotland Office.

It was a privilege to advise Alister at a crucial time in the history of both the department and of devolution, as he fought to re-establish the role of the UK government in Scotland after many years of Unionist complacency.

It was on his watch that Holyroods attempt to reform the gender recognition process  by allowing anyone over 16, including sex offenders, to change their legal gender with or without a diagnosis of gender dysphoria  was effectively vetoed by Westminster using an obscure section of the Scotland Act.

It was on his watch that the UK Internal Market Act was introduced and enforced, protecting all parts of post-Brexit Britain from trade barriers  vital for Scotlands interests, given that more than 60 per cent of its exports are destined for other parts of the UK.

And it was on Alister Jacks watch that large sums of UK taxpayers money was distributed directly to local authorities and communities without having to go through the now familiar process in which the Scottish Government receives the money from the Treasury, rebrands it with a St Andrews flag and then top-slices it before distributing it as it sees fit.

Jack considered extremely carefully the consequences of issuing a Section 35 order to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform Bill receiving Royal Assent, and sought the views of many individuals and advisers before making the decision.

It was a gamble, but its success as a political act  the welcome given by most Scots to the intervention entirely wrong-footed Scottish ministers who had assumed that such high-handed behaviour by UK government would see a sharp rise in support for independence  obscured the point that from Jacks point of view, it was an act of principle and necessity, not opportunism.

Similarly, the advent of the Internal Market Act was, like just about everything the UK government does, blasted as a Westminster power grab by increasingly desperate SNP ministers, who were never seriously challenged about their support for membership of the European Single Market, with similar restrictions imposed on Scotland from Brussels rather than London.

Jack wont be Secretary of State by the end of this week, whoever wins the election; he is standing down as an MP after seven dramatic and successful years in the Commons. I had originally decided to remain as Non-Executive Director only until October, when my first term was up, in the expectation that that would coincide with the general election, allowing the new Scottish Secretary to choose his or her own preferred candidate. But when Rishi Sunak surprised us all with an early polling day, I resigned with immediate effect.

So I will not be around the table when Alister Jacks replacement arrives. But its important that the muscular unionism approach he adopted is maintained by his successor, however it is reframed. For decades, Scotland was allowed to disappear from Whitehalls radar, successive Labour and then Conservative administrations having decided that devolve and ignore was the strategy to pursue.

And then the independence referendum happened. But even a mere ten per cent margin of victory for the pro-UK campaign and the subsequent wipeout of all but three non-SNP MPs at the 2015 general election could not tempt Westminster to change its approach, which, since 2007, had been to keep granting Holyrood new powers in the hope of sating the nationalist beasts appetite. A less successful political strategy has never been embarked upon.

When first Theresa May and then Boris Johnson said No to nationalist demands for a second referendum, the SNP establishment started to panic. How dare a British prime minister  and a Tory one at that  insist on holding the nationalists to their promise of a once in a lifetime vote?

With Jacks arrival at the new purpose-built Queen Elizabeth House, the UK government headquarters in central Edinburgh (a building whose very existence continues to infuriate the SNP), the nationalists had finally met their match: a politician who was not only adept at politics but prepared to challenge the SNP administration on its many failures. Such a thing had never been attempted before.

And it worked. Nicola Sturgeons resignation in 2023 was about more than her failed attempt to introduce self-ID, but it played a significant part, as she herself has since acknowledged. And the unpopularity of the parliamentary agreement between the Scottish Greens and the SNP was only exacerbated when Jack used the Internal Market Act to prevent the Greens ill thought through Deposit Return Scheme from inflicting untold damage on Scotlands economy. It was just another straw that eventually broke the camels back  and Humza Yousafs leadership.

The new Secretary of State must learn from Alister Jacks fine example. Standing up to the SNP Government, insisting on the UK Governments rightful and legitimate role in the life of Scotland, is an essential part of the job. Jack will be remembered as the most effective Secretary of State in the devolution era, bar none. His successor will find his a hard act to follow. But the effort should be made anyway.

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HARRISBURG  For the second straight year, Pennsylvanias budget is late, although top lawmakers say theyre hoping for a quick deal after a weekend of closed-door talks.

I am encouraged by the progress that has been made over the past several days, state Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) said in remarks Thursday as lawmakers filed out of the chamber. The Senate adjourned soon after, while the state House adjourned Friday just after noon.

We hope business can be concluded several days past June 30, Pittman added in reference to Pennsylvanias statutory budget deadline.

The state government will still function without a spending deal. The commonwealth is obligated to keep paying its employees, make debt payments, and pay for federal programs like Medicaid, among other obligations. Schools, mental health and addiction treatment, and libraries will face a crunch only if the delay stretches into a weeks-long impasse.

Still, the deadline didnt sneak up on anybody, state House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) told reporters last week. We all know it was there.

Lawmakers current optimism that a deal is near sharply contrasts the sometimes caustic environment that overtook budget negotiations last year and ultimately led to a monthslong standoff before the final pieces of that budget were passed.

This year, disagreements over spending on K-12 education have dominated talks.

A state court last year ruled that Pennsylvanias funding scheme for public education is unconstitutionally inequitable and tasked lawmakers with fixing it. That mandate, along with disagreements over how much of the commonwealths $15 billion surplus to spend, have shaped talks more than any other factor.

Democrats argue the court ruling calls for sharp education funding increases, while Republicans say that spending too much could undermine the commonwealths financial standing.

In a string of late-night talks throughout last week and over the weekend, negotiators inched closer to a spending amount that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, state Senate Republicans, and state House Democrats can agree to.

I believe the fundamentals and the foundation of a budget is there, state House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) told Spotlight PA last week.

Alongside the new spending plan, policymakers will also have to agree on code bills, key pieces of legislation that specify how money is spent can include dozens of policy tweaks. Other law changes may also be dragged into talks in order to secure a deal; possibilities include updating liquor laws or adding new crimes to the books.

Shapiro has declined to weigh in on the specifics of a deal, but has repeatedly said talks have gone well.

We have had very productive, very honest dialogue  a dialogue where every party involved understands that the only way we get this done is to compromise, and that is what were working towards now, Shapiro said at a news conference Thursday.

The sprint to the budget deadline began with Shapiros February budget address, which was delivered 53 days after he signed the final parts of last years budget nearly six months behind schedule.

The address called for a $48.3 billion spending plan that would increase aid for public transit, health care, and housing.

Shapiro also pitched two new revenue sources: recreational marijuana and skill games. He projected that taxing these would bring in a combined $165 million in the coming fiscal year, with additional growth afterward.

But despite bipartisan backing, both efforts have stalled due to pushback from lobbyists and disagreements among lawmakers.

A handful of Shapiros other budget pitches have seen legislative action, most notably higher education.

Last week, state House Democrats advanced the governors proposal to create a 15-member state board of higher education. The new board would be charged with coordinating credit transfers, issuing policy recommendations, and collecting data from the nearly 300 public and private colleges, universities, and technical schools in the commonwealth. Another Shapiro proposal to unify the governance of the states community colleges and state-owned schools was not included in the bill.

The measure would also cap tuition and fees to attend state universities at $1,000 per semester for any student from a family at or below the states median income  currently about $73,000  and increase the maximum size of state grants available to students at the same income level by $1,000 if they attend a private or state-related school.

The bill also tied in some state House Democratic demands, such as encouraging dual enrollment of high-school students in college classes.

We know were not at a final deal yet, were not going to pretend to be, state Rep. Peter Schweyer (D., Lehigh) said Wednesday as the House Education Committee  which he chairs  considered Shapiros higher education proposal. Im actually cautiously optimistic that well be able to get to a deal that will ultimately reduce costs for students and make the entire system a little bit stronger than it is today.

State Senate Republicans have said they dont want to create any new bureaucracies, but they also introduced a scholarship program. Recipients would be required to work in an in-demand field in Pennsylvania after graduation. Their bill passed the upper chamber unanimously last month.

The chamber also overwhelmingly passed a bill that would strip state dollars from any institution of higher learning that divests from Israel or aims to financially penalize Israel with wide bipartisan support. Shapiro backs the measure, but Harris told Spotlight PA it hasnt come up in the lower chamber during budget talks.

State Rep. Chris Rabb (D., Philadelphia), a senior House progressive, told the Center Square that if the Israel proposal came up in the state House, it would cause a s--- show of epic proportions that no Democrat wants to see.

Another key Shapiro budget priority is money for economic development. He called for $500 million in bonds to fund grants or loans for infrastructure, demolition, or other costs associated with preparing land for new construction projects.

Established as a pilot program in last years budget, the proposed expansion passed the state House by a 137-65 vote Friday.

Pittman didnt directly comment on the funding in a conversation with reporters earlier this month, but was skeptical of issuing debt and wanted to see the state quicken its issuing of permits.

Theres, in my mind, no value in putting significant dollars in building sites for economic development if we cant get the shovels in the ground to make the work happen, Pittman said.

Both chambers have voting sessions scheduled through Wednesday. The Senate has also added voting days from Friday, after Independence Day, through Sunday.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
Whats next after Supreme Court curbs regulatory power: More focus on laws wording, less on their goals

Federal Chevron deference is dead. On June 28, 2024, in a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court overturned the 40-year-old legal tenet that when a federal statute is silent or ambiguous about a particular regulatory issue, courts should defer to the implementing agencys reasonable interpretation of the law.

The reversal came in a ruling on two fishery regulation cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce.

This decision means that federal courts will have the final say on what an ambiguous federal statute means. Whats not clear is whether most courts will still listen to expert federal agencies in determining which interpretations make the most sense.

While courts and judges will vary, as a scholar in environmental law, I expect that the demise of Chevron deference will make it easier for federal judges to focus on the exact meaning of Congress individual words, rather than on Congress goals or the real-life workability of federal laws.

Who decides what the law means?

Chevron deference emerged from a 1984 case that addressed the Environmental Protection Agencys interpretation of the term stationary source in the Clean Air Act. The EPA asserted that a source could be a facility that contained many individual sources of air pollutant emissions. This meant, for example, that a factory with several smokestacks could be treated as a single source for regulatory purposes, as if it were enclosed in an imaginary bubble.

In upholding the EPAs decision, the Supreme Court created a two-step test for deciding whether to defer to a federal agencys interpretation of a statute that it administers.

In Step 1, the court asks whether Congress directly addressed the issue in the statute. If so, then both the court and the agency have to do what Congress directs.

In Step 2, however, if Congress is silent or unclear, then the court should defer to the agencys interpretation if it is reasonable because agency staff is presumed to be experts on the issue. Justice John Paul Stevens reportedly told his colleagues, When I am so confused, I go with the agency.

The central question in both the Loper Bright and Relentless cases was whether the U.S. secretary of commerce could require commercial fishers to pay for onboard observers they were required to bring on some fishing voyages to collect catch data. Lower courts in these cases deferred to the agencys interpretation that, under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, it could require fishers to pay.

However, in an opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court majority concluded that Chevron deference contradicts the Administrative Procedure Act. This broad law governs both the procedures that federal agencies must follow and, more importantly, the standards that federal courts must use to review agency actions.

As the majority pointed out, under the Administrative Procedure Act, courts must decide all relevant questions of law  explicitly including interpreting statutes.

Curbing the administrative state

Since 1984, Chevron deference has become pervasive in federal administrative law. By the Supreme Courts count, 70 of its own decisions in that time have turned on Chevron deference.

More importantly, thousands of lower federal court decisions  more than 400 a year on average  have deployed Chevron deference on issues ranging from Social Security benefits to workplace safety standards, immigration eligibility and environmental protection requirements.

Chevron deference gave many federal agencies broad flexibility to use laws to address new and emerging problems that Congress did not anticipate. But some members of the current Supreme Court  as well as some federal appellate judges  criticized this doctrine, for two key reasons.

First, it authorized executive branch agencies to interpret federal law and forced courts to accept agencies reasonable interpretations. However, since the Supreme Courts 1803 decision in Marbury v. Madison, it has been the duty of courts  not federal agencies  to say what the law is.

Second, Chevron deference arguably allowed federal agencies to grab more regulatory authority than Congress intended them to have, usurping the legislative branchs responsibility to make law and delegate authority.

Regulatory agencies take general directions written in laws from Congress and develop specific policies to achieve the goals Congress defined. EPA

How much does Loper Bright undo?

The court majority emphasized that prior court decisions upholding agency interpretations based on Chevron deference cannot be challenged solely because of that fact. As Roberts wrote, these holdings are still subject to statutory stare decisis.

Stare decisis, or the thing is decided, is legalese for why courts will respect prior decisions. In other words, no challenger can go back to a court that relied on Chevron deference and ask the court to change its original decision that the agencys interpretation was OK.

Thats good so far as it goes. However, many agency interpretations of statutes can be challenged multiple times.

For example, the Clean Water Act protects waters of the United States. In 2023, the Biden administration issued new regulations interpreting which bodies of water the law covers. Challengers who disagree with that interpretation can attack the regulations directly and argue that the agencies reading of the law is wrong, as the fishing companies did in the Loper Bright cases.

However, under many laws, businesses and individuals can also challenge an agency interpretation at the moment when the agency decides that a general regulation applies specifically to them. These are called as applied challenges. After Loper Bright, any time an agency that benefited from Chevron deference goes to apply its interpretation to a new regulated entity, that regulated entity can challenge the agency interpretation  and this time the agency wont get Chevron deference.

Will federal courts still listen to regulators?

Eliminating Chevron deference will likely worsen an existing division among judges, and justices, about how to go about interpreting statutes. It centers on how much a statutes purpose and context should matter  or, instead, how much the judge should focus on the plain meaning of the particular words that Congress chose to use.

Suppose, for example, that a federal court faced the issue of how to define a vegetable for purposes of determining whether import taxes apply to imported tomato sauce. A plain meaning approach would emphasize that Congress decided to tax vegetables and that tomatoes are fruits; hence, tomato sauce is not subject to the import tax.

An approach focused on Congress purpose, in contrast, would emphasize that Congress wanted to tax all imports of savory foods that the public generally considers to be vegetables. Using this approach, the Supreme Court in 1893, in fact, decided that tomatoes were vegetables subject to import taxes.

Federal agencies typically take Congress purpose and the context in which regulators act very much into account when they decide what laws mean. For example, when the Food and Drug Administration had to distinguish proteins, which qualify as biologics for regulatory purposes, from chains of amino acids, which qualify as drugs, it focused on Congress reasons for creating the two categories. Ultimately, the agency decided that a molecule made up of amino acids had to have a certain level of complexity to qualify as a protein, and hence a biologic.

In contrast, ever since the late Justice Antonin Scalia joined the Supreme Court in 1986, federal judges  and especially Supreme Court justices  have taken an increasingly plain meaning, or textualist approach, to statutory interpretation. The current Supreme Court, for example, would almost certainly never have allowed a tomato to be a vegetable.

Dissenting Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown-Jackson, along with many other legal experts, foresee serious problems for future cases that turn on highly technical issues. What will happen when a statutes nonexpert plain meaning makes no practical sense in a highly technical or scientifically nuanced regulatory regime, such as the FDA classifying biologics and drugs?

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, shown during his confirmation hearing on March 22, 2017, argued in 2022 that Chevron deference deserves a tombstone no one can miss. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

How long will the APA matter?

This ruling also may signal that the court plans to pay greater attention to the 1946 Administrative Procedure Acts primacy in federal administrative law. This statute had been in place for almost 40 years when the Supreme Court decided Chevron in 1984, and the Chevron majority did not see it as a problem at the time.

Now, however, it has become a reason to overturn Chevron deference. Other court-created glosses on administrative law may also be dead doctrines walking.

Congress can and has created different standards of review in other statutes, including the Clean Air Act that led to the Chevron decision. What if a future Congress specifically directs that the implementing agency should take the lead in interpreting a particular statute?

I expect that the Supreme Court would reach for the Constitution and declare any such delegation unconstitutional. In other words, it is probably only a matter of time before Loper Brights overruling of Chevron deference becomes a matter of federal constitutional law.

This is an updated version of an article originally published January 17, 2024.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Robin Kundis Craig, University of Kansas

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Robin Kundis Craig 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.
Nigel Farage Attacks British Broadcasters During Bad-Tempered Weekend & Says His Party Will Campaign Vigorously To Abolish The License Fee

Nigel Farage has ended a bad-tempered weekend on the campaign trail attacking a pair of national broadcasters and saying his party will campaign vigorously to abolish the license fee.

The Reform UK leader and friend of Donald Trump yesterday said he would boycott the BBC over audience bias on its Question Time leaders special, which took place Friday night. Meanwhile, he is continuing to insist that Channel 4 hired an actor to spout highly offensive language for a Channel 4 News investigation on Reform campaigners, and the party has said it has reported Channel 4 to the UKs electoral commission.

More from Deadline

Farage wrote on X yesterday that he had been invited but refused to appear on the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg Show because of a dishonest Question Time audience.

Our state broadcaster has behaved like a political actor throughout this election, he said. Reform will be campaigning vigorously to abolish the licence fee.

Farage, who became leader of Reform several weeks back and stepped down from his GB News presenting job, took umbrage with what he deemed a critical, biased audience, one of whom called him a racist and another asked why his party attracted extremists.

Farage said he wont appear on the BBC again until the national broadcaster apologizes but a BBC spokesman refuted his claims. Last nights Question Time audience was made up of broadly similar levels of representation from Reform UK and the Green Party, with the other parties represented too, it said in a statement. There were also a number of people, with a range of political views, who were still making up their mind.

The BBC has long been challenged for the make-up of its Question Time audiences. During a previous election debate that took place at the start of June, it said it received 264 complaints from people who felt the audience had a left-leaning bias.

Channel 4 fallout

Farages issues with the BBC were informed by his mega fallout with Channel 4.

Having spent a weekend having to disown a number of Reform candidates and campaigners for making offensive remarks on the doorstep, Farage remains insistent that Channel 4 paid a Reform campaigner, who is also an actor, to spout offensive language during a C4 News investigation that aired late last week and can be watched in full below.

The campaigner in question, Andrew Parker, was filmed using the P-word to describe Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, referred to Islam as a cult and suggested army recruits should shoot asylum seekers. Essex Police has said it is urgently assessing comments in the program to establish if there are any criminal offences.

Sunak has since criticized Parkers remarks directly but Farage and Reform are crying foul play and have said they have reported Channel 4 to the elections watchdog over what they describe as scandalous election interference.

Channel 4 has pushed back. We strongly stand by our rigorous and duly impartial journalism which speaks for itself, a spokeswoman said. We met Mr Parker for the first time at Reform UK party headquarters, where he was a Reform party canvasser. We did not pay the Reform UK canvasser or anyone else in this report. Mr Parker was not known to Channel 4 News and was filmed covertly via the undercover operation.

Farages attack on the broadcasters comes as the election campaign becomes ever more bad tempered, buttressed of late by the gambling scandal and a moody debate between Sunak and the opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer on the BBC last Thursday.

British voters head to the polls this Thursday and Labour remains the ovewhelming favorite to win.

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Nigel Farage has said that it would be a disaster if Marine Le Pens National Rally won power in France.

The Reform UK leader said the hard-Right party would be even worse for the economy than the current lot after a rally in Birmingham.

In contrast, he praised Giorgia Meloni, the hard-Right prime minister of Italy.

Shes brought her party into the 21st century, he said. Some of the more radical Italians might not like it, but shes been a very good thing and shes made her party electable.

Mr Farage spoke to the Unherd website before National Rally won the largest share of the vote in the first round of the snap parliamentary election on Sunday night.

Mr Farage refused to form a European parliamentary alliance with Ms Le Pen in 2014 - JEFF GILBERT

French stocks rallied because it pointed to Ms Le Pens party failing to get an absolute majority in the second round, which soothed investor fears of a Frexit from the EU. They had plummeted after Emmanuel Macron called the snap vote, after losing European elections to National Rally.

Ms Le Pen and Mr Farages relationship dates back to when both were members of the European Parliament  and it has had its ups and downs.

The two politicians are eurosceptics and hold tough views on immigration. Both have denied accusations that they are soft on Vladimir Putin. However, Ms Le Pen favours a more Left-wing and protectionist economic policy than Mr Farage.

Her policies are grounded in cutting taxes, raising spending and borrowing heavily. In recent days the party has rowed back on some of its more expensive plans, in a bid to reassure markets.

Mr Farage, who has a longer history of backing free markets and low borrowing, has argued for significant spending cuts to try to shake up the Governments finances.

Investors in France have been fearing a "Frexit" from the EU, which Ms Le Pen promised as part of her 2017 presidency campaign - JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

In 2014, Mr Farage refused to form a European parliamentary alliance with Ms Le Pen when they were both MEPs because of the partys anti-Semitism and general prejudice.

Ms Le Pen accused Mr Farage of aggression after European elections, when both had led their eurosceptic parties to victory.

In a reference to his alleged roving eye, she suggested the then UKIP chief had only formed an alliance with a rival party because their parliamentary assistants were prettier.

Writing in The Telegraph in 2017, Mr Farage praised Ms Le Pen for reshaping a party with roots deep in Vichy and with anti-Semitism embedded in its DNA.

She is a sincere Eurosceptic, he said and added that her party is now about sovereignty, not race.

He backed her in her failed run at the French presidency in 2017, which included a now ditched campaign promise to hold a Frexit referendum.

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One party has transformed the general election race, with Nigel Farage announcing several weeks ago that he would not only stand as a Reform UK candidate but would lead it for the next five years. The polls moved quickly in the days that followed with his party rising up the rankings. Now, however, there is doubt over its state in the final week of campaigning. Have Farage and Reform UK bungled it, allowing a slew of stories regarding candidates to dominate the narrative, or is this an exaggerated crisis?

Two of our contributors  Patrick OFlynn and Henry Hill  give their opinion below. The former argues that we might be set for a surprise Reform surge, with shy voters turning out in numbers, while the latter says Farage has allowed his party to slip out of the overton window by failing to swiftly deal with the accusations. Read their views below.

Conventional wisdom among the punditry has it that Nigel Farages Reform party are stumbling in the home straight and as a result are likely to undershoot expectations at Thursdays general election.

Who knows? It might be true. A combination of Farages controversial take on the war in Ukraine and prejudiced utterances by various of his partys followers may scare away some of the more nervous backers won over by Reform during the campaign. That, combined with the partys inexperience at getting out the vote on polling day, may lead it to only see a couple of MPs elected. Or even none. For you cant rule much out in this election and first-past-the-post is famously cruel to smaller parties.

And yet it is at least as likely that the opposite will occur. The stunning victory of Marine Le Pens party in the first round of the parliamentary election in France could remind millions of British voters that they too are heartily sick of establishment politics-as-usual. They may also reflect that while the Tories deserve to be ejected from power, Labour has offered nothing in the campaign to merit their support.

They may find themselves agreeing with Farage that Reforms surge has been the stand-out story of what was otherwise shaping up to be the most tedious and underwhelming election in living memory. There may also be a shy Reform voter factor leading pollsters to understate support for the insurgent Right-wing party. And the attempt by establishment parties and media to exploit bigoted comments by a few Reform candidates and activists to depict the entire outfit as racist may simply increase the numbers of those determined to vote for the party who decide to fly under the radar.

Individual polls can produce eye-catching figures, but overall the average Reform poll rating since the furore over Farages Ukraine comments erupted has hardly changed.

Farages instinct from the off has been that making this election about immigration will maximise his partys vote. The Tories were supposed to halve it but trebled it instead. And they failed for half a decade to stop the boats. Labour meanwhile, has convinced almost nobody that it would do any better.

It was anger about uncontrolled mass immigration that fuelled Marine Le Pens victory in France this weekend. It also fuelled the Brexit referendum vote back in 2016, especially in deprived areas. If reports start coming through by the middle of Thursday of unusually high turnouts at polling stations situated in working class Red Wall constituencies then dont bet against Team Farage confounding the predictions of those currently claiming Reform peaked too early in this campaign.

We wont know until Friday morning whether, or to what extent, the abject state of Reform UKs campaign has cost it an extraordinary opportunity to make the parliamentary breakthrough Ukip never quite managed.

But we already know that Nigel Farage has grossly mishandled this campaign, because he has managed to fortify the cordon sanitaire between his party and the Conservatives.

A month ago, it seemed very likely that whether or not to strike a deal with Farage would be a major fault line in the looming Tory leadership contest; last months ConservativeHome survey found a majority of party members surveyed favoured offering him the Conservative whip.

Now? Well, we shall find out what the activists think soon enough. But the past four weeks have so toxified Reform that, behind the scenes, leadership hopefuls are quietly reassuring people that any arrangement is off the table.

That will not displease Farages angrier supporters, who want to see the Tory party smashed to pieces. But the man himself ought to know better: in our system, any hope of profoundly re-ordering the Right involves some accommodation with its dominant party.

Farage used to know this. As leader of Ukip, he recognised that he was at his most effective when giving the Conservatives a means to do something about him  most obviously, calling the EU referendum. He also recognised the vital importance of keeping his party respectable, both for its own sake and to maximise its influence on the rest of the political system. This effort was sometimes patchy, but it was made.

What a difference ten years makes. Farage started out blaming a vetting company for letting him down when the press started turning up problematic candidates. Yet where the old Farage would have swiftly kicked them out, the new one has inexplicably resisted doing so.

Perhaps he will win in Clacton, and pick up a couple of other seats elsewhere. But with the Conservatives facing a moment of historic vulnerability, he may long regret allowing himself to fall out of the overton window.

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New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez with Lincoln County Undersheriff Geraldine Martinez. Torrez warned on Wednesday about price gouging and fraud in the wake of the South Fork and Salt fires and promised swift legal action by his office. (New Mexico Department Of Justice / YouTube Screenshot)

Attorney General Raul Torrez warned that any attempts at price gouging and defrauding victims of recent wildfires would face swift legal action.

Torrez spoke from Ruidoso, where he was meeting with local officials. He said his department has been receiving reports from Roswell, Alamogordo and even Albuquerque of price increases in hotels

We have unfortunately seen this kind of shameful conduct in other emergency situations, not only here in New Mexico, but around the country, where people are attracted to communities that are in distress, Torrez said.

Torrez says his office has initiated civil investigations into several Roswell hotels.

We can actually demand information from businesses about what their rates were a month ago, and what their rates were last week and today, and we will ask for justification for any increases in those types of practices that have been engaged in, he said. If the businesses in these communities think they can justify the practice, theyll certainly have the right to contest the findings that we have, and theyll have the opportunity to make a case in front of a jury of their peers.

Torrez said a second wave of fraud and price gouging often happens after federal disaster funds are distributed.

And the reason I want to talk about that today is to reassure the people here on the ground that were not just going to be committed to this in the short term, but were going to be available in the long term, he said.

He added his office will likely open a branch in Ruidoso to take complaints and referrals from law enforcement on such cases. And he warned that anyone looking to take advantage of people or communities in distress would face the full force of the law.

Lincoln County Manager Randall Camp said the extra help was welcomed.

We know that the predators will move in, he said. This is a welcome relief for us, because were dealing with a lot of other issues and the recovery.

A number of GoFundMe pages have also sprung up in the wake of the fires. Torrez said that is a criminal, not a civil violation. He also warned that facilitating fraud over the internet, which he said is a federal crime.

And I wont hesitate to refer any of those matters to my federal counterparts, who, lets Just say, have more substantial penalties at their disposal, Torrez said.

Victims of the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire in 2022 reported fraud and identity theft on disaster assistance applications.

Individuals can report potential price gouging or fraudulent behavior to the New Mexico Department of Justice online at www.nmdoj.gov/get-help or by calling (505) 490-4060 option 3.

The post NM Attorney General warns about fire-related price gouging and fraud appeared first on Source New Mexico.
NM governor wants more prison time for people convicted of felonies who face new gun charges

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a public health order imposing temporary restrictions on firearms on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, flanked by state and local police officials. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM)

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is proposing to once again extend how long someone can be put in prison for possessing a gun when they have already been convicted of a felony.

New Mexico law prohibits someone from having a gun if theyve been convicted of a felony, battery or property damage against a loved one, stalking, or federal gun charges; or if theyre under a protection order for rape or domestic violence.

If someone has a felony conviction or has served any part of their probation for a felony in the last decade, it is a third-degree felony to be found in possession of a firearm under the current state law.

Other third-degree felonies in New Mexico carry a three-year sentence; being convicted under this part of the law can land someone in prison for up to six years.

A five-page draft bill presented to the Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee on June 26 would make the crime a second-degree felony. That would bring a nine-year sentence on a persons first conviction, and a 12-year sentence for a second one.

Creating a statute in New Mexico that can be effective at safely incarcerating dangerous previously convicted offenders, we believe, is a part of the overall solution that cannot wait, said Benjamin Baker, the governors senior public safety advisor.

If lawmakers pass Lujan Grishams proposal during a special session on July 18, it would be the fifth time in six years that theyve amended the felon in possession statute.

State legislators increased the penalty for violating the law in 2018, and expanded the category of who can be charged with the crime in 2019. They lengthened the possible prison sentence in 2020, and then did so again in 2022.

Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D-Las Cruces) asked Baker to explain why the governor proposes to increase the maximum sentences compared to the proposal considered in the last regular session that ended in February.

This problem continues to increase despite actions made by this Legislature to increase penalties and expand the scope, Baker said.

Proposed prison terms function as mandatory minimums

The draft proposal from Lujan Grisham would also make any sentence ineligible for good time, meaning no matter how that person behaves in prison, no matter what programs they take part in, they could not get out early.

Cadena asked Baker about the intent behind the proposed change, and whether it is meant to function as a mandatory minimum sentence. Baker said yes.

Criminal justice advocates have long argued making people serve longer prison sentences does not reduce crime, citing studies showing sentence enhancements and the creation of new crimes, as the governor is proposing here, have little or no deterrent effect on crime.

While I accept that those studies exist, and Im aware of their existence, I also believe that theres multiple facets to the criminal justice system, and deterrence is not the only one, Baker said. The communitys safety due to incarceration and separation from the community, so that one cant reoffend, are an important point that Id like to raise to the committee.

Sen. Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque) said the mandatory minimums as a policy disincentivizes any good behavior by incarcerated people.

Being cognizant of the plight of our corrections officers, our Department of Corrections is thin with regard to workers, Maestas said. Our workers are working overtime, and that tiny bit of incentive for the inmate to behave is in the interest of public safety.

The proposed sentence could result in someone convicted of felon in possession being in prison for longer than someone convicted of vehicular homicide, Maestas said.

Its just completely inconsistent with good public policy, Maestas said.

It is a statewide concern

Baker said we are failing to both prevent and provide the community safety necessary that exists when a person is incarcerated, instead of being free in the community, to choose to reoffend.

Baker walked lawmakers through data he cited from the Administrative Office of the Courts showing all felon in possession charges in New Mexico between 2017 and May 31, 2024.

In 2017 and 2018, there were about 1,400 cases per year across the state, Baker said.

In 2019, there were significantly fewer cases, and there were nearly no cases in 2020 and 2021, which Baker attributed to COVID and the situation that existed there.

There were 202 cases in 2022, he said.

The most recent annual data from 2023 shows 1,378 cases, a return statewide in New Mexico to pre-pandemic numbers, Baker said.

As of May 31, there were 864 cases filed so far in 2024. Baker said he projects by the end of the year there will be a rate higher than any of the previous seven years.



Statewide charging events have increased, Baker said. It is a statewide concern.

Between 2017 and May 31, 2024, 52% of the charges were dismissed in two ways, Baker said.

State prosecutors dismissed 36% of those cases.

In the remaining 14% of the cases, people pleaded guilty to another crime associated with the same incident, in exchange for getting the gun charge dismissed, he said.

The post NM governor wants more prison time for people convicted of felonies who face new gun charges appeared first on Source New Mexico.
No tornados reported in Central Pennsylvania despite multiple weekend warnings

No tornados reported in Central Pennsylvania despite multiple weekend warnings

(WHTM)  Despite multiple warnings this past weekend, no tornados were officially reported in Central Pennsylvania.

Two warnings were issued within an hour on June 29, however, no tornado was formed, according to the National Weather Service.

The first warning was issued for Juniata County at 5:36 p.m., as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Meiserville. The storm moved east at 55 miles per hour. The warning expired at 5:45 p.m.

The second warning came at 6:26 p.m. for Cumberland County, as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Walnut Bottom, moving east at 25 mph. The warning expired at 6:48 p.m.

One important difference to know is a tornado watch versus a tornado warning.

A tornado watch is a notice that weather conditions could lead to the formation of a tornado, and a tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or indicated by weather radar, meaning a tornado is occurring or expected soon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The Norfolk SPCA is asking for the publics help during its reorganization phase.

According to the Norfolk SPCA, around 100 shelter animals are in immediate need of spaying and neutering services. This will help ensure the animals are healthy and ready for adoption.

The average spay and neuter costs are $165 per dog and $85 per cat.

The SPCA has set a goal to raise $16,500 to put towards this veterinary care for the shelter animals.

You can make a donation online at this link, or you can mail a check to the Norfolk SPCA, 916 Ballentine Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia, 23504.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- North Korea shot off at least two suspected ballistic missiles Monday, days after firing a rocket to test a new multiple warhead system for delivering a nuclear strike.

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The missiles were launched at about 5:05 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. from a province southwest of Pyongyang and headed toward the northeast, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a dispatch sent to reporters. The launch was the second in less than a week. North Korea typically doesnt comment on its launches until the following day.

One of the projectiles was a short-range ballistic missile that flew about 600 kilometers (375 miles) and landed in waters off the east coast, the JCS said later.

The other ballistic missile may have had trouble in flight that caused it to break apart and spread debris on North Koreas inland territory, it added. The missile flew about 120 kms before it disappeared from radar. The distance and flight path open the possibility that debris could have fallen in the Pyongyang area, Yonhap News reported.

The latest launches have been a show of force for leader Kim Jong Un after he hosted Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang in mid-June. The two countries reached a deal during the Russian presidents first visit to North Korea in 24 years to come to the others aid if attacked, raising alarm among the US and its key allies in Asia  Japan and South Korea.

About a week after the visit, North Korea claimed it successfully conducted a test of a multiple warhead missile system on June 26. But South Korea called the launch a failure and accused Kims regime of using deception and exaggeration to cover up a missile that exploded in the early stages of flight.

North Korea has at times made dubious claims about successes in weapons tests. But Kim has set the goal of being able to deploy multiple warheads to hit several targets, making them harder to intercept and more likely at least one can reach its target.

The technology is known as MIRV, or multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles, and was first developed in the 1960s, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

The development of MIRV technology is not easy, according to a factsheet on MIRV by the center. It requires the combination of large missiles, small warheads, accurate guidance, and a complex mechanism for releasing warheads sequentially during flight.

Russia has had multiple warhead deployment technology for decades, and the test earlier in June increases concerns that deepening military ties between the two countries could involve tech transfers to help Kims MIRV program.

The US and its partners have accused Kim of sending millions of rounds of munitions to help Putin in his grinding war on Ukraine in return for aid thats propping up North Koreas economy and technology that could advance its military.

Pyongyang and Moscow have denied the charges of arms transfers despite ample evidence showing them taking place.

Russia, in return, is providing North Korea with food, raw materials and parts used in weapons manufacturing, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik has said. The food aid has helped Kim stabilize prices for necessities, and if the arms transfers grow, Russia will likely send more military technology to Kim, increasing Pyongyangs threat to the region, Shin added.

Over the weekend, Kim presided over a major meeting of his ruling Workers Party of Korea that is stepping up the historic advance for the comprehensive rejuvenation of Korean-style socialism, the states propaganda apparatus reported.

In a separate move that has increased friction on the divided peninsula, North Korea since late May has sent more than 2,000 balloons into South Korea carrying trash such as waste paper, cigarette butts and used batteries, according to South Koreas military and police.

--With assistance from Seyoon Kim and Shinhye Kang.

(Updates with details on missile flights from paragraph two.)

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North Korea test-launched on Monday two ballistic missiles, one of which may have failed and fallen to the ground before reaching the sea, according to South Korea's military and media.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's missile launch as a clear provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The tests were detected at 5:05 a.m. and 5:15 a.m., the South Korean military said. South Korean officials shared the launch data in real-time with the United States and Japan, South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday.

PHOTO: This picture taken on June 29, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency via KNS on June 30, 2024 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un at an undisclosed location. (Str/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)

MORE: North Korea tests new type of cruise missile, state media says

The latest provocation from North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong Un, followed last week's joint military exercises by the U.S., Japan and South Korea. Those exercises were a sign that the security cooperation in the region "has never been stronger," U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Friday.

The U.S. military condemned Monday's launches, calling on North Korea to put an end to its "unlawful and destabilizing acts."

"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, or territory, or to our allies, we continue to monitor the situation," the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. "The U.S. commitments to the defense of the ROK and Japan remain ironclad."

PHOTO: A man walks past a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a train station in Seoul on July 1, 2024. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: Russia and North Korea solidify partnership, vowing mutual assistance against 'aggression'

The first of Monday's ballistic missile tests flew about 600 km, or about 373 miles, and landed off Chongjin, North Korea, in the Sea of Japan, the South Korean military said.

The other missile appeared to have flown only about 120 km, or about 75 miles, the military told the South Korean news agency Yonhap.

"It is difficult to know exactly where the short-range missile hit, and we believe it may have gone toward Pyongyang," a South Korean military official said, according to Yonhap.

ABC News' Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.

North Korea tests 2 missiles, 1 reportedly may have fallen on land originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
North Koreans are seen wearing Kim Jong Un pins for the first time as his personality cult grows

This photo provided Monday, July 1, 2024, by the North Korean government shows that a senior official wears lapel pins with the image of Kim Jong Un during a ruling partys meeting in Pyongyang Sunday, June 30, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  For the first time, North Korean officials have been seen wearing lapel pins with the image of leader Kim Jong Un, another sign the North is boosting his personality cult to the level bestowed on his late dictator father and grandfather.

North Koreans are required to wear pins over their hearts which for decades bore images of either the countrys founder, Kim Il Sung, or his son Kim Jong Il, or both. The existence of pins dedicated to Kim Jong Un had not been verified until state media published photos on Sunday showing officials wearing his pins at a ruling Workers Party meeting.

The pins are part of a state-sponsored mythology surrounding the Kim family which treats Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il like gods. They are memorialized with numerous statues across North Korea, their birthdays are two of the countrys main holidays and their portraits are hung in all homes and offices.

Few question current leader Kim Jong Un's hold on power, but few images honoring the 40-year-old have been displayed in public since he took power in late 2011 upon his father's death. Recently, however, he has begun taking steps to boost his own personality cult while also trying to further move out of the shadow of his father's and grandfather's legacies.

In May, his portrait was publicly displayed along with those of the two other Kims for the first time at a Workers' Party-run training school. In January, Kim announced he will no longer pursue peaceful unification with South Korea, a decadeslong policy cherished by his father and grandfather. Observers also say North Korea appears to be refraining from using terms like the Day of Sun, a reference to the April 15 birthday of Kim Il Sung.

The latest series of efforts to idolize Kim Jong Un is assessed as a move to dilute his predecessors while establishing his authority as a leader different from them, Kim Inae, a deputy spokesperson for South Koreas Unification Ministry, told reporters Monday.

She said Kim is also likely trying to boost internal solidary behind his leadership as he grapples with economic hardships and the influence of South Korean pop culture.

Ahn Kyung-su, head of dprkhealth.org, a website focusing on health issues in North Korea, said Kim Jong Un is trying to phase out the symbols representing the legacies of his predecessors to promote his own era. But as the third-generation leader in the Kim family, he will find it difficult to push too far because that would weaken the legitimacy of its dynastic rule, said Ahn, who has interviewed many North Korean defectors and closely monitors North Korean state media.

Kim Jong Un is in a dilemma. He wants to stay away from his father's and grandfather's legacies more but he can't do so," Ahn said.

He said North Koreans are now expected to wear Kim Jong Un pins.

Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said the wearing of Kim Jong Un pins isn't surprising, given that he has been consolidating his rule for over a decade.

The question is, now that Kim has stepped out from the shadow of his predecessors, whether he will undertake policy adjustments to break with North Koreas past economic failures, Easley said.

In recent years, North Korea's fragile economy has suffered further setbacks because of strict pandemic restrictions, persistent U.N. sanctions and its own mismanagement. During a Workers' Party meeting on Saturday, Kim spoke about some deviations obstructing efforts to improve the countrys economic status, according to state media.

Some experts say Kim's moves are also related to his reported push to make his preteen daughter his heir in another hereditary power transfer.

South Korea's spy agency said in January that it sees Kim's daughter, reportedly named Ju Ae and aged about 11, as her fathers likely heir apparent. But some analysts say it's still too early to call her Kim's successor, citing her age and North Korea's male-dominated hierarchy.
Nearly half a million customers of a Bay Area credit union with reach across California were unable this weekend to access their money including making purchases or checking their balances online due to a serious security incident, the company told customers.

Patelco Credit Union  based in Dublin, Alameda County, with several locations in the capital region  said it shut down some of our day-to-day banking systems, in the wake of the incident, the companys president said in an email to customers on Sunday. What the incident was not disclosed.

In the email, Patelco CEO and President Erin Mendez wrote that the credit union has been working with cybersecurity experts since Saturday to understand the incident and restore online services, but it was still unclear when the problem would be resolved.

We are writing to let you know that on June 29, we experienced a serious security incident. This required us to shut down some of our day-to-day banking systems so that we can remediate the issue and contain the impact, including online banking, our mobile App, and our call center, Mendez wrote. Currently, electronic transactions such as transfers (including Zelle), direct deposit, balance inquiries, and payments are unavailable.

Mendez also said debit and credit card transactions function in a limited capacity. Customers on social media complained that they were unable to make withdraws and debit transactions at certain ATMs and vendors. The company responded to them on X that some ATMs within the credit unions larger Co-Op network should be available including over 30,000 shared branch ATMs in the U.S.

In the social media posts, the company admits Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an ETA on when those systems will be running as expected.

Patelco did not respond to a request for comment Sunday. The credit union, which began as a financial institution for workers of Pacific Bell, has locations in Arden Arcade, Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, and Roseville.

The company said its 33 branches in the Bay Area and capital region would be open Monday and ready to assist as much as they can during our regular business hours.

Customers online seemed unmoved by the responses.

A customer on Reddit said the outage had started around 7 a.m. and that only some customers can use ATMs from branch partners. What are we supposed to do besides reporting it to the NCUA? the customer asked online, referring to the National Credit Union Administration, which insures deposits at credit unions much like the FDIC does for commercial banks.

One customer on X said It shouldnt have taken your team 36 hours to respond with an official statement. Also  no mention of the safety of our assets? Ridiculous.

The company has continued to respond to customers via its web platforms: Rest assured our teams are working to get this taken care of for our members as quickly as possible. We understand this is an inconvenience, and we offer our sincerest apologies.

Patelco is nonprofit credit union founded in 1936 with more than 456,000 members primarily in and around Northern California with around $9 billion in assets, according to the company.
We will not enlist: Ultra-Orthodox in Israel vow to defy orders to serve in the military

Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

As thousands of men hurried towards the main square in Jerusalems ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim on Sunday for a protest, they passed signs declaring war on a contentious order from Israels highest court.

The Supreme Court ruling on June 25 said the Israeli government must enlist draft-age ultra-Orthodox (or Haredi) Jews into the military, reversing a de facto exemption in place since the countrys founding 76 years ago.

Sundays rally in Shabbat Square, which drew thousands, was to demonstrate against the decision, which another poster said had thrust a sword through the beit midrash, or Torah study hall.

The protest highlighted the fault line in Israeli society between ultra-Orthodox Jews, who Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relies on to maintain his government, and other Israelis, many of whom believe that all Jewish citizens should serve in the military, especially during wartime.

Many Haredi men spend much of their early lives out of the workforce, instead studying at religious schools known as yeshivas that are partly funded through government subsidies.

For many Haredis, the idea that they would be pulled from studying scripture and drafted into Israels military is simply out of the question.

An arrangement made during Israels founding exempted several hundred Haredi men from conscription. However, the community has since grown exponentially, allowing tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men to now avoid the draft.

We will not enlist, said Yosef, 22, who traveled to the protest from his home in Beitar Illit, a large Haredi settlement in the occupied West Bank.

Since the beginning of the state (of Israel), we have not enlisted Now they want to make us (serve) by force. It will never work, he said. In a democratic state there is not much they can do besides put us in prison. We are not afraid of prison. We laugh about prison and the more people that go into prison, the more demonstrations there will be in the country.

As Yosef spoke, he looked up at a group of boys climbing a ladder to a nearby lamppost to hang a sign that read: We will not enlist in the army.

We cant watch as they tear the Torah to shreds, said another man, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, due to the cultural norms of his community, some of whom are not open to speaking to the press. We cant be quiet. The High Court, the government, all the Knesset (parliament) they are looking for ways for compromise and to send Haredi boys to be destroyed. We will die rather than be enlisted.

Israeli security forces deploy in Jerusalem's Mea Sharim neighborhood on Saturday ahead of a protest by ultra-Orthodox men. - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images

The clashes between some protesters and police following the gathering in Mea Shearim underscored the depth of emotion in the ultra-Orthodox community, many of whom believe that serving in the military is incompatible with their way of life.

Some ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods like Mea Shearim shun modern technology. A man at Sundays protest held a placard stating: Life is happy only without internet and films.

Five people were arrested in confrontations after some threw rocks, set trash cans on fire and attacked the car of Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, himself a Haredi Jew.

God is going to help them

But Haredi journalist Yanki Farber told CNN in a telephone interview ahead of the protest that although the protesters in Mea Shearim would be among the most extreme of Israels ultra-Orthodox communities, the Supreme Courts decision  requiring the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to recruit all Israeli men equally  had left the wider community reeling.

He said that for many Haredis, the courts decision wont change their stance, adding that many said they would need to starve because theyre not going to have money to buy food, referring to the courts edict that the government must withdraw funding from any yeshivas whose students do not comply with draft notices.

They still refuse to join the Israeli army. They (say they) are just not worried about it. And they trust in God, that God is going to help them, said Farber, who writes for the ultra-Orthodox Hadrei Haredim website.

Given that most other Israeli Jews are required to serve in the military, the Haredi exemption, while relying on disproportionate government subsidies, has fostered significant resentment among non-Haredi Jews, according to the Israel Policy Forum.

The issue came to a head after Israel invaded Gaza following Hamas October 7 attack, when the IDF initiated the largest mandatory military mobilization since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

Some lawmakers in Netanyahus own coalition have joined the opposition in pushing for the Haredi community to enlist.

Despite the court ruling, the military is unlikely to immediately call-up all draft-age Haredi men. The Attorney Generals office said the IDF had committed to recruiting 3,000 yeshiva students in the current recruitment year.

Amichai Milici, a 45-year-old army veteran and father of seven who now studies full-time at a yeshiva, said the IDF isnt ready to absorb more ultra-Orthodox men yet.

They dont have synagogues (in the military), they dont have places to learn the Torah, there are girls all over the place, he told CNN, adding that some fear that enlisting would make the Haredis less religious. The people are afraid When they go to the army, who says they are going to be religious after that? After three years, he aint going to be with kippah.

He insists that any man who wants to study the Torah should remain exempt from military service, arguing that religious studies and the defense of Israel are intertwined and essential for the nations well-being.

The study of the Torah is central to the existence of the Jewish people, he said. The Jewish need the army and need the Torah The Torah is giving power to the soldiers, and the soldiers are giving power to the Torah.

Rabbis losing influence

Many fear that mass enlistment could change the way of life in their insular neighborhoods.

Farber, the Haredi journalist who once served in the IDF, said ultra-Orthodox rabbis may be worried about losing their influence.

The Haredi leaders, spiritual leaders are very, very afraid that they are going to see thousands of young Haredi boys in uniform in (ultra-) Orthodox neighborhoods, he said. They are afraid that being a soldier in the Haredi community will become something normal. And if you go into the IDF, you (might) start getting different ideas, he said. You start opening your head to other opinions and nobodys going to listen to the rabbis anymore.

Netanyahus Likud party said in response to the Supreme Court ruling that it hoped to pass a historic conscription law which would significantly increase the recruitment rates of ultra-Orthodox men but also recognize the importance of Torah study  raising the possibility of the exemption continuing for a smaller number of yeshiva students.

But a source in the political opposition told CNN they did not believe any bill on the matter that could secure the necessary majority support in the Knesset would be acceptable to Netanyahus ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, for whom this was the number one issue.

In terms of legislative process (we are) stuck, the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive political matters candidly, said. Id be surprised if they (the Ministry of Defense) forcefully tried to recruit people against their will, even though its the law. But it puts them in a very difficult spot now because the court ruling was so clear.

The source said it was unclear what would happen to draft-dodgers. Prison is the final step in a process that starts with denying passport issuances and holding back benefits.

So it could be that we see that sort of process for a large number of ultra-Orthodox men. How much that impacts their lives, I dont know.

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CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts  Leg amputations haven't changed much in a very long time.

Civil War-era textbooks describing them look pretty similar to contemporary ones, said Dr. Matthew Carty, a staff surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "You could even dial it back as far as 2,000 years ago," he said, and the standard approach to limb amputation wouldn't be "all that different."

But in recent years, a small number of surgeons, including Carty, have been trying to find better methods.

Collaborating with Hugh Herr, an MIT technologist and double-amputee, Carty developed a new surgical approach, linking pairs of muscles involved in flexing and turning the ankle.

Now, the two have a new paper, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, showing their success with seven patients. All had both the surgery, called AMI (for agonistantagonist myoneural interface) and a bionic prosthetic.

The combination, the study shows, allows the seven to walk naturally, at a normal pace, even up stairs and on uneven surfaces, as if the legs were their own.

Amy Pietrafitta, 47, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, was one of the seven.

"This gives me so much mobility, I love it," said Pietrafitta, a para athlete who runs marathons, dances, is a member of The Boston I.C.E. Storm sled hockey team and will compete in the 2024 World Coastal Rowing Championships in Italy in September.

Amy Pietrafitta, 47, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, became a competitive athlete after her left leg was amputated below the knee in 2018.

But she was only able to use the bionic lower leg in Herr's MIT lab at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics. Now she's back to her regular prosthetic.

"It did make me a little teary eyed," she said of leaving the bionic leg behind. "It's slightly heart-breaking."

A different way to amputate

In the AMI surgery, muscles typically involved in flexing and extending the ankle are linked, as are those involved in inverting and turning out the ankle.

About 60 patients worldwide have received the amputation procedure since the pair developed it about a decade ago, Carty said.

The surgery takes about twice as long as a typical amputation  about 3 hours as opposed to 90 minutes  but isn't much more technically complicated, he told USA TODAY. It doesn't need to be done at an academic medical center. Any modern hospital is good enough, he said.

"Our hope is this or something like this becomes the standard way of doing amputations around the world," Carty said.

The AMI can also be done after an amputation  even years later  as a revision surgery, as long as the needed muscles haven't atrophied.

Herr, who had his own amputation surgery in 1982 after a climbing accident, said he is interested in getting an AMI procedure himself, though only one of the two muscle pairs remains functional.

Bionic limbs

Movements with the bionic limb are much more natural thanks to the AMI, Pietrafitta and Herr said.

With a regular prosthetic, "your foot fights you back," Pietrafitta told USA TODAY. She's adapted to the pushing she gets from her passive prosthetic, but the bionic one felt much more like a part of her.

She was able to go on point dancing ballet and stay up even longer on the bionic foot than her natural one. "That was amazing. That brought tears to my eyes as well," she said.

Hugh Herr in his research lab at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics at MIT. Herr, a double-amputee himself, has helped develop a new approach to surgery and a bionic limb that he hopes will be commercially available within five years.

Today's most advanced prosthetics typically use electronics to move a synthetic ankle, propelling the person forward. The person essentially has to respond to the signals from their prosthetic.

By contrast, the device Herr developed includes electrodes placed on the skin above the point of amputation, outside the muscles paired by the surgery, and is responsive to them. When the muscle normally involved in lifting the ankle contracts, the prosthetic ankle lifts up, when its opposite muscle contracts, the ankle flexes.

Connecting to the person's own muscles also allows them to sense where their prosthetic limb is in space in a way that is not possible with standard surgery and devices, Herr, Carty and Pietrafitta said.

Eventually, Herr said, he hopes to replace surface electrodes with implanted small magnetic spheres that can more accurately track the movements of the muscle pairings with higher fidelity to better control the prosthesis.

A bionic, prosthetic leg developed in the lab of Hugh Herr at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The combination of the AMI surgery with the bionics is particularly powerful, said Dr. Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, who was not involved in the study, but who does similar research and is the incoming chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.

"The magic here is really in the surgery," said Potter, who recently left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after 23 years. "What they've demonstrated here is that, although customized, a relatively simple bionic limb can help the patients walk better."

The research proves that natural walking won't require $1 million worth of technology, Potter said. "The synergy of the novel surgery with a prosthesis that can harness that power is probably the real breakthrough here."

The best thing about the surgery, Carty said, is that it enables amputees to take full advantage of available technological advances.

"Longer term, as this experimental technology moves from the lab hopefully to the commercial realm, they will have access to technology that they will be albe to use better than a standard amputee can," Carty said. Herr expects it will take about five years for the bionic limb to become commercially available.

A long, painful journey with a happy ending

Pietrafitta was injured on June 9, 2014, when superheated water fell on her at her job as a restaurant server. She was burned over a quarter of her body, including her torso and left leg.

She had skin grafts and surgeries to reconstruct her damaged leg but was left with something called complex regional pain syndrome.

On a 50-point scale, complex regional pain syndrome is said to register at about a 42, higher than pregnancy and double the pain of a toothache. "It's called the suicide disease because you can't live in that kind of pain forever," Pietrafitta said.

Her doctor eventually determined said she needed an amputation because her injured leg was no longer functional, but her insurance company kept turning her down for the surgery, saying her pain syndrome made her a poor candidate. For more than two-and-a-half years, she and her doctors fought with the insurance company before a judge finally allowed Carty to give her the AMI amputation on Feb. 27, 2018.

Amy Pietrafitta, of Plymouth, participated in a clinical trial combining innovative surgery with an experimental bionic prosthetic, which she said enables her to run more naturally than with the prosthetic she uses in races like this Boston Athletic Association 5K.

Before the surgery, she took multiple oxycontin, diazepine, clonidine and zoloft every day to cope with the pain. She hasn't needed any since her recovery. "It's been amazing. I have no pain at all," she said. "From one extreme to the other."

She's able to stand in the shower again and even flip her long hair forward and back without falling. If she ever trips, it's because of her natural foot.

"I feel like I still have my limb," she said. "I know I'm an amputee, but my brain forgets in a way, because it feels like so natural."

Herr has long sought to "rebuild bodies, to give persons back after amputation their full limb restoration, where they view the synthetics not an an external tool but as part of their bodies, as self," he said in a call last week with reporters.

"This study is a critical step forward, pun intended, toward that embodiment."

Karen Weintraub can be reached at kweintraub@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amputation advance: novel AMI surgery meets bionics
The New York City Council adopted a massive $112.4 billion spending plan Sunday in a 46 to 3 vote -- with 3 democratic socialist representatives Tiffany Cabana, Shahana Hanif and Alexa Aviles dissenting.

The New York City Council adopted a massive $112.4 billion spending plan Sunday in a 46-3 vote  with the dissenting votes coming from three Democratic socialist representatives.

Mayor Eric Adams  who negotiated the deal with Council leadership  applauded the action, which saw the only opposition from council members Tiffany Caban, Shahana Hanif and Alexa Aviles.

The new fiscal year 2025 budget runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Mayor Eric Adams negotiated a deal with the NYC Council to adopted a massive $112.4 billion spending plan. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

Our administrations mission is clear: Protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make this city more livable  and this budget is a direct testament to that mission, the mayor said in a statement.

The spending plan announced Friday increases spending by $1 billion over the mayors executive budget plan.

The budget includes the addition of $2 billion in capital construction spending to preserve and build more affordable housing while restoring funding to libraries, museums and other cultural institutions as well as students support programs such as summer rising.

Both Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who are not related, discussed an overhaul of the pre-k and 3-k programs to make sure classroom seats are going to areas of the city where there is parental demand.

Council member Alexa Aviles was in opposition to the plan. Gregory P. Mango

The mayor said he and the council approved a fiscally responsible budget that meets New Yorks needs despite grappling with costs associated with the migrant crisis and the phase-out of federal pandemic aid.

We still passed a collaborative budget that addresses the three things that cost New Yorkers the most: housing, childcare, and health care, he said.

Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan, the finance committee chairman said, Reports of New York Citys demise have been greatly exaggerated. But making sure New York City remains the Capital of the World is hard work and doesnt happen on its own. Thats why what we invest in for the next 12 months matters.

A budget is about choices and Mayor Adams has made the wrong ones, said NYC Councilwoman Shahana Hanif. William Farrington

The three dissenting democratic socialists complained that too much money is being spent on the police and not enough on social services for the needy and education.

This no vote will certainly not grow my popularity with the powers that be, Caban, who represents Astoria, said during the floor vote in the council chamber. But my constituents did not put me in this room to be a rubber stamp on another Mayor Adams budget.

Hanif said, Mayor Adams is funneling money into his NYPD pet projects that do not work towards real community safety including the Cop City multi-agency training center, the 86 member PR team, the teenage school police cadet program, and the Strategic Response Group. A budget is about choices and Mayor Adams has made the wrong ones.

Council member Tiffany Caban was also against the spending plan. Getty Images

I cannot sign off on a budget that, despite the Councils best efforts, continues us down Mayor Adamss path of austerity, she said.

The NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America said it will look for a candidate to defeat Adams when hes up for reelection next year.

After years of austerity, New Yorkers finally have the chance to remove Eric Adams from City Hall and vote for a fully-funded future for New York City instead, DSA said in a statement. The people of this city need a new Mayor  one who understands that our city must be a home for the working-class, not a playground for the rich.
NYPD civilian employee accused of assault and harassment in Queens: police

NYPD civilian employee accused of assault and harassment in Queens: police

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  An NYPD civilian employee was arrested on Saturday in Queens, according to officials.

More Local News

Vincent Verdi, 61, is accused of assault and harassment, according to police. He was taken into police custody around 6 p.m.

The NYPD declined to provide further information.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Officials welcome first wild bison in 10,000 years after major restoration initiative: 'It's a learning process for us too'

Non-profit conservationist group Rewilding Europe has announced the release of eight European bison at the Herdade do Vale Feitoso Estate in the Castelo Branco District of eastern Portugal.

The Polish State Forest, European Friends Society, and the European Bison Conservation Center translocated the herd from reserves throughout Poland. According to the Good News Network, the hope is that the bison will help prevent wildfires and invasive species spread while fostering biodiversity across the 7,600-hectare area.

The large grazers reduce the risk of wildfires by consuming flammable vegetation, creating natural firebreaks, and clearing forested areas to allow more light, which, in turn, leads to the growth of grass instead of scrubs.

It's a crucial factor, considering the extreme temperatures that have led to devastating wildfires in the country.

Bison also can support Portugal's diverse landscape of forests, scrubs, grasslands, and other micro-habitats through their grazing, foraging, trampling, and fertilizing. Studies have shown that the herbivores can promote and protect biodiversity and even enhance carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil through these behaviors, making them a keystone species crucial to the climate and ecosystem.

These bison are the first of their kind to live in the Iberian Peninsula since the now-extinct steppe bison roamed the region thousands of years ago during the last ice age. While they aren't native to Portugal, research has found that European bison introduced to southern Spain have acclimated to the hot and dry conditions of the Mediterranean.

That makes the rewilding project mutually beneficial  similar to the giant anteater in Brazil and the white rhino in South Africa  as the creature is listed as near threatened by the IUCN's Red List but has experienced a revival. The European bison population has spiked from 2,500 to 9,000 over the last decade, thanks in part to Rewilding Europe's efforts in Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, and Poland.

Tour groups can view the bison once they have adjusted to their new habitat, adding ecotourism as another positive dimension to their translocation.

"We are viewing this translocation as a pilot," Rewilding Portugal team leader Pedro Prata said in a statement. "The bison will be closely monitored to see how they acclimatise to the local landscape and climate. This is the first time that Rewilding Portugal team have managed bison, so it's a learning process for us too. Members of the team will receive training in bison management."

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A voter shows identification to an election judge during primary voting on May 3, 2022 in Lordstown, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

A voter shows identification to an election judge during primary voting on May 3, 2022 in Lordstown, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Two potentially consequential election measures got their first hearing last week in the Ohio House, but its not clear the problems those measures seek to address are truly problems in the first place.

The first proposal would require watermarks on ballots, a move that would cost millions and one that even the sponsor acknowledges no other state employs. The second establishes weekly screening of voter rolls. Any voter whose information doesnt match up  say, from a recent move  would have to cast a provisional ballot.

Watermarks

State Rep. Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester, compared watermarking ballots to similar security measures used for currency.

Our ballots are a form of currency in their own right, she argued. While the U.S. Treasury is focused on ensuring we do not have fraudulent $100 bills circulating in our society, our ballots can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Gross proposal however doesnt follow the currency model with a single, uniform watermark on every ballot. Instead, her bill calls for a unique, randomly assigned identifying image, pattern, or alphanumeric code. The watermark in this rendering would be more like the bills serial number than any other security feature.

To justify watermarking ballots she points to the 2022 primary election in Williams County. Their initial ballot stock wasnt operating correctly. The board went to Defcon 1, so to speak, contracting for new ballots and borrowing from nearby Defiance County as well. In the end, the election went forward without any serious issue.

But Gross speculated darkly about ballots moved between polling locations, and insisted in the end, the voters could only know that an unknown number of ballots were counted and that a number was given as the results. There was no way for them to know how many of the ballots counted were legitimate ballots.

The state-mandated post-election audit found Williams Countys results were 100% accurate in each of the races officials checked.

Still, Gross contends Williams County hints at the potential for extreme disorganization of ballots and that the threat of someone using that disarray to sneak in illegitimate ballots is real. But all the Williams County challenges she points to relate to ballot stock effectively a blank sheet of paper  rather than a finalized ballot marked with a voters choices.

Aaron Ockerman, the executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials, emphasized the organization has yet to take an official position on the bill, but he acknowledged its a new concept and theyre still thinking through what, if any, advantages it provides.

He explained counties already have robust ballot tracking and identification systems for absentee and in-person votes. Ockerman also highlighted the potential cost, which according to legislative researchers comes out to between $1.6 and $4.5 million.

The question of including an appropriation was a source of confusion during the hearing. Gross insisted an appropriation is included, although its not in the bills text. Democrats pressed her on the issue, and the committee chair, state Rep. Bob Peterson, R-Selina, said hed work with Gross to figure out whether to include funding.

List maintenance

State Reps. Scott Wiggam, R-Wayne County, and Beth Lear, R-Galena, want to see county boards checking their voter rolls for discrepancies on a weekly basis. Among the problems they want flagged  mismatched drivers license numbers, social security numbers, addresses or birthdates. Under the bill, if any one of those discrepancies went unaddressed, the voter would be forced to cast a provisional ballot come election day.

We need to provide greater assurance for Ohioans that those voting in our elections are legally permitted to vote here and are actually the people who are registered in our system, Lear insisted.

County boards and the secretary of state already run similar checks regularly and when boards find problems, they send out notices asking voters to confirm information. When voters are placed in this confirmation status theyre effectively on probation  the registration is still there, but they need to verify some aspect of it before casting a ballot.

The bills primary change is to the frequency of those checks and an insistence on a valid drivers license or Social Security number. Up until 2023, voters could provide an alternative like a utility bill when registering to vote.

The representatives invoked electoral horror stories to justify the changes.

Wiggam described several college students in Wayne County who listed a church parsonage as their residential address despite living on the campus of Wooster College. He acknowledged they were already in confirmation status, but insisted why werent these individuals in provisional status?

Lear described voters forced to vote provisionally because someone else requested an absentee ballot using their names.

But those stories are dubious at best. Lear acknowledged she got her story second-hand from a poll worker. She hasnt responded to follow-up emails requesting further information. Delaware County election officials havent responded either.

In Wayne County, meanwhile, election officials explained the parsonage and several Wooster College residence halls sit on the same street. A voter registration drive likely offered students an incorrect address when they were filling out their form. After Wiggam raised the alarm about the students in 2023, the board investigated and declined to forward the matter to the county prosecutor. They found none of them had cast a ballot since the 2020 primaries and theyd all since graduated.

Whats more, Wiggams frustration with confirmation status is puzzling. He argued the pivotal point is that those voters remain a fully qualified elector, able to sign petitions or request absentee ballots and their name appears in the poll book on election day.

But that doesnt mean theyre in the clear. If they showed up at the polls theyd still have to vote provisionally, and if they requested an absentee ballot, a similar process would play out on the front end. The board wouldnt immediately send a ballot  theyd first send a confirmation notice to verify the voters information.

Although at its core, Wiggam and Lears proposal simply ramps up the frequency and scope of existing verifications, in practice it would likely violate federal law.

Legislative researchers note under the National Voter Registration Act any list maintenance process must be uniform and nondiscriminatory. But the bill treats address discrepancies that arise through the BMV and the National Change of Address Service differently.

The same federal law prohibits any program to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters within 90 days of an election. Continuing to run the bills weekly list maintenance program during that timeframe could risk a court challenge.

The Ohio Association of Election Officials hasnt taken an official position this proposal either, Ockerman said. He stated theres no discernible advantage to checking the voter rolls weekly, but on the other hand, theres likely no harm either, except for added labor costs.

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The post Ohio House lawmakers introduce voting laws to fix dubious problems appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted in September 2022. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal / Republish photo only with original story)

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted adamantly denied prior knowledge of the largest bribery scheme in state history after we discovered text messages from FirstEnergy executives alleging he led the push for House Bill 6.

He also seemed aggravated by follow-up questions asking how he was ignorant of the plot.

FirstEnergy spent $61 million dollars in exchange for H.B. 6, legislation giving their failing utility company a $1 billion bailout.

This landed former House Speaker Larry Householder in federal prison for 20 years, and he is now facing state charges, as well.

Recap

A public records request revealed both Gov. Mike DeWine and Husteds ties to former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling  the ones who helped fund their campaign.

Both DeWine and Husted have continuously denied any involvement, and law enforcement has not accused either of wrongdoing.

Last week, new texts revealed that DeWine asked Jones for money, which he then received via a dark money PAC.

The day after the texts were revealed, DeWine was questioned as to why anyone should believe him that he didnt know about the corruption scheme.

The governor deflected questions about his relationship with the former FirstEnergy executives

On June 25, OCJ/WEWS 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.

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.

Last Wednesday, the bill sponsor gave a first look.

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.

The next day, it was reported that an indicted FirstEnergy executive planned to call DeWine and Husted to testify as witnesses in his criminal trial.

After four days focused on the governor, the spotlight shifted to the second-in-command: Husted.

OCJ/WEWS discovered and reported on messages sent between Husted and FirstEnergy executives, in addition to a slew of texts and emails between FirstEnergy officials and lobbyists about Husted.

Recap of texts

Husted frequently communicated with FirstEnergy execs before, during and after his campaign.

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 [sic] 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.

Although they arent all dated, Husteds personal cell phone number comes up at least 30 times in call logs with Dowling and Jones  with many in 2019.

The above messages are just a sliver of the myriad of other messages about Husted helping FirstEnergy.

You can read these texts and say this is nothing but politics as usual or you can read them and say they know what theyre doing and theyre speaking in code in order to avoid the smoking gun,' Case Western Reserve University law professor Mike Benza said.

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.

Its either [DeWine] was clueless about what was going on both in the statehouse but even within his own administration, which doesnt look good, or he knew what was going on, which makes him guilty, Benza said. The lieutenant governor has that same problem and some of these text messages may make it even worse for him  that it appears that they targeted him as the person to do this in order to insulate Governor DeWine from any issue.

Months after the passage of H.B. 6, Dowling and Mike Dawson, a lobbyist, were texting about the possible 2026 gubernatorial race.

In a Husted Householder primary who is FE for? Dawson texted.

Jon, Dowling responded.

Finding out why FirstEnergy would want Husted is something that could come out in trial, Benza said.

Remember the way the politics in Ohio are structured, really, the power of getting things done is in the General Assembly, the professor said. Sometimes muscle isnt a good leader.

Husteds reaction

At an unrelated press conference on Friday, Husted was asked about the texts.

With FirstEnergy executives talking about you, relying on you to pass House Bill 6, why should people believe you that you didnt know about this scheme? OCJ/WEWS asked.

Well, first of all, everybody in the room may not have been around back when this all started, the Paris Climate Accords in 2000  Husted started, addressing zero-carbon energy.

He advocated publicly for the saving of nuclear power plants, he said.

There is every reason to believe that they were gonna go out  if they had, wed be in an energy deficit today, so its important that they were saved, Husted continued. That was a very public position Id taken and I stand by that position.

When further pushed to talk about the actual texts regarding the bribery scheme, Husted seemed exasperated.

I dont know what youre talking about, he said. We werent involved. Texts to other people  texts to other people shared amongst themselves  have nothing to do with me. And I wasnt involved in that conversation, he replied.

Going further, Husted was asked how he was ignorant of the behavior when phone logs show he talked to them more than 20 times.

I wasnt involved in it. That was Larry Householder and there are no texts between me and him, he responded.

Benza said there are a few reasons why Husted might not know.

You dont ask, he said.

Or, youre kept in the dark.

He sees that as normal political action, he said. If you think its good policy, then the money isnt why youre voting.

When OCJ/WEWS first talked to Benza about DeWines texts, he said politics, as usual, was a legitimate argument, even if the optics werent great.

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.

Benza said the texts about Husted reinforce his point that Husted should be concerned.

I think theres more here, he said. But Im not sure that this more tips over to the ability of the prosecution to either even bring charges, let alone get a conviction.

Any politician in Ohio who has any connections to H.B. 6 has to be worried, he said. Whether or not you were involved in the scheme, your name is still attached.

This could put a damper on political ambitions, Benza said.

Quite frankly, your biggest capital as a politician is your name and your reputation, he added.

Husted is expected to run for governor in 2026 against Attorney General Dave Yost  the man who indicted Jones, Dowling and Randazzo.

OCJ/WEWS reached out to the AGs office to ask if they were aware of all of these texts prior to the publication, if they could rise 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 Ohio Lt. Gov. Husted denies knowledge of corruption scheme in wake of FirstEnergy texts appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Alumni Gateway at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. (Getty Images.)

Ohios public colleges and universities will get $397 million from the states capital budget.

The $4.2 billion budget passed Wednesday in both chambers and Gov. Mike DeWine signed the budget into law Friday morning.

The capital money is going toward things such as basic renovations, HVAC upgrades, restroom upgrades, infrastructure improvements, ceiling repairs and replacement and electrical repairs, among other things.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education commended DeWine and lawmakers for the capital budget.

Maintaining our college and university facilities makes it possible for students to learn in state-of-the-art facilities that will prepare them to thrive in tomorrows workforce, ODHE Chancellor Mike Duffey said in an email.

The Inter-University Council of Ohio was pleased with the allotments Ohios public universities received in the capital budget.

This support will help our institutions make important updates to state-owned facilities and reduce the deferred maintenance burden they face, President and CEO of the Inter-University Council Laura Lanese said in a statement. The legislatures backing of Ohios public universities capital budget request recognizes the critical role our institutions play in driving innovation and research, training tomorrows workforce, and ensuring a well-educated citizenry.

Universities

The 14 public universities and their branch campuses are getting $312.08 million from the state budget.

Some of the branch and regional campuses at Wright State University, Ohio University, Ohio State University, Kent State University and Bowling Green State University are also getting funds from the capital budget.

Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the nation by enrollment, received the most money with $78.8 million.

The Ohio State University  $78,816,467 University of Cincinnati  $42,941,829 Kent State University  $30,346,950 Ohio University  $28,524,432 Miami University  $23,857,620 University of Toledo  $19,053,599 Bowling Green State University  $18,139,967 University of Akron  $17,237,372 Cleveland State University  $15,779,731 Wright State University  $13,770,200 Youngstown State University  $12,705,498 Central State University  $4,820,248 Shawnee State University  $3,507,300 Northeast Ohio Medical University  $2,586,087

Community Colleges

Community colleges are also getting a big chunk of money from the capital budget  $82.5 million.

Columbus State Community College  $16,944,986 Cuyahoga Community College  $14,415,941 Sinclair Community College  $12,210,997 Lorain County Community College  $6,499,304 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College  $6,059,000 Owens Community College  $6,055,798 Lakeland Community College  $4,603,008 Clark State Community College  $3,387,460 Edison Community College  $3,237,301 Southern State Community College  $2,684,296 Northwest State Community College  $2,496,210 Washington State Community College  $1,366,353 Terra Community College  $1,342,177 Rio Grande Community College  $1,218,867

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Twitter.

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Ohio Republicans took a victory lap on Monday after the Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump can't be tried for his official acts as president  a move that complicates and delays Trump's Jan. 6 case.

In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative majority determined that Trump can only be prosecuted for trying to overturn the 2020 election if he acted in an "unofficial" capacity. Justices instructed lower courts to decide whether Trump's conduct at the time was official or private, all but guaranteeing that the case won't be resolved before the November election.

"The president is not above the law," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. "But under our system of separated powers, the president may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts."

The three liberals on the court dissented, with Justice Sonya Sotomayor saying the decision "reshapes the institution of the presidency."

"When (the president) uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution," Sotomayor wrote. "Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune."

Protesters gather outside of the U.S. Supreme Court before the court issued opinions on Monday.

In Ohio, Trump's allies were quick to praise the decision as a victory for the former president.

"A massive win, not just for Trump but the rule of law," said Sen. J.D. Vance, who's on the shortlist for Trump's vice-presidential running mate. "Im still digesting, but this may well destroy all of Jack Smiths case against the president."

A spokesperson for Sen. Sherrod Brown's campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Brown's opponent, Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, said the decision is a "loss for Joe Biden and his allies who attempted to weaponize the justice system against their top political opponent."

Other Democrats argued the decision sets a dangerous precedent and empowers future leaders to commit crimes.

In a statement, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, called the ruling a "disturbing setback for our democracy" that weakens safeguards against presidential abuses of power. State Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, said it's important for President Joe Biden to win in November so he can fill any future Supreme Court vacancies.

"The Court's ruling makes clear how truly horrifying a second Trump presidency would be," Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Cincinnati, posted on X. "He was unhinged with rules in places. Now, there would be no boundaries if he wins, no safeguards. Our democracy would be upended. Our lives upended. We have to win."

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Supreme Court decision on Trump immunity reverberates in Ohio
Oil tanker crash, hazmat response shuts down highway near Massachusetts-New Hampshire border

A serious rollover crash involving a tanker truck shut down a section of a New Hampshire highway near the Massachusetts border on Monday morning.

The crash happened on the northbound side of the Everett Turnpike near Exit 8 in Nashua around 5 a.m., according to Nashua Fire Rescue.

Oil started leaking onto the highway as a result of the wreck, prompting a hazmat response. A safety team is working to offload oil from the overturned tanker.

The scene will be active for several hours as the product from the trailer is offloaded, fire officials said in a post on X.

As of 7:30 a.m., only about 40 percent of the oil had been offloaded into a new tanker, according to the fire department.

The highway is closed from Exit 8 up to Exit 10 and there are lengthy traffic delays behind that.

It wasnt immediately clear if anyone was injured in the crash.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

UPDATE 0730 - crews continue to work on the transfer of product from the overturned TT. Approximately 40% of the product has been offloaded. pic.twitter.com/8ak0Be8byG  Nashua Fire Rescue (@nashuafire) July 1, 2024

Our #hazmat team is on-scene working with @NHDES to ensure impacts are minimal. As of now, the leaking oil is contained.  Nashua Fire Rescue (@nashuafire) July 1, 2024

Incident Alert | TT Rollover |

FE Everett NB | Nashua, NH | Crews are on the scene of a TT rollover NB on the FE Everett just past Exit 8. The scene will be active for several hours as the product from the trailer is offloaded. @NHDOTEverett @NH_StatePolice @NashuaPolice pic.twitter.com/1ldWxFg824  Nashua Fire Rescue (@nashuafire) July 1, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Oklahomas 2 largest school districts now both led by Black women, a first in state history

Oklahoma City Public Schools' incoming superintendent, Jamie Polk, sits the school board horseshoe during a meeting June 3, 2024, at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahoma reached a new milestone on Monday with a new superintendent taking office in Oklahoma City Public Schools.

For the first time, Black women are simultaneously leading the states two largest school districts, OKCPS and Tulsa Public Schools.

Jamie Polk stepped into the OKCPS superintendent role on Monday, succeeding Sean McDaniel.

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson is the first Black woman to lead the school district. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Ebony Johnson became the first Black woman to lead the Tulsa district, the states largest by enrollment, when she was picked to be interim superintendent in September and hired permanently in December.

Polk said she looks forward to working with Johnson to enrich students educational experiences and opportunities.

It is our shared belief that every child should see themselves represented in the educators and leaders who guide them in their educational journey, Polk said.

Tulsa schools did not return a request for comment from Johnson.

When Johnson was promoted in TPS, Oklahoma had only one other Black female superintendent working in the state at the time  Cecilia Robinson-Woods at Millwood Public Schools.

Robinson-Woods said she sees Johnsons and Polks hiring as a big step for women, especially Black women, to be given the confidence and trust to lead a school district.

Its also a boost in representation of groups that arent always well served, she said.

It is not a secret that minority children, especially Black children, have the lowest test scores in everything, Robinson-Woods said. Its not to say just because you have someone of color that things are going to change for those learners, but it does at least give you an insight, and it does at least broaden the conversation about what kids need.

Research has shown a positive impact on minority students test scores and long-term outcomes when they have a teacher of their same race.

The first Black female superintendent in Oklahoma City Public Schools was Betty Mason in 1992. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

But the demographics of educators and school leaders in Oklahoma public schools are vastly different from that of the students they serve, according to state data from the 2022-23 school year. While 77% of public educators in the state are white, more than half of all students are racial or ethnic minorities.

Having diverse leadership is important in districts that want to prioritize equity, said Karlos Hill, regents associate professor of African and African American studies at the University of Oklahoma.

We care about equity both in terms of making sure our kids are fairly educated, but we also should care about the people who are educating them, Hill said, and making sure that theres a diverse group of, not only teachers, but diverse leadership to make sure that the policies (and) the procedures of the school are not just reflective of one group, but of the community.

Hiring Black female superintendents is significant in the context of the states long and deep history of exclusion for people of color, said Hill, who is also the OU presidents adviser for community engagement.

That history, he said, is the reason Oklahoma didnt reach this milestone decades ago.

If we care about equity, we will care about that history of exclusion and the ways in which it shows up today, Hill said.

Unlike in Tulsa, there are Black female predecessors in the Oklahoma City superintendents office. The first was Betty Mason in 1992, who also was the first woman and the first African American superintendent to lead OKCPS.

We all owe her a debt of gratitude for setting the stage for the historic moment we find ourselves in today, Polk said.

The new superintendent said her district will continue to recruit diverse teachers through its Grow Our Own program. The initiative, founded in 2016 at the OKCPS Foundation, covers the cost of a teaching degree for paraprofessionals working in the district.

Twenty-five teachers, most of whom are bilingual or racially diverse, have earned a bachelors degree through the program so far, and another 81 are on track to graduate this summer. The OKCPS Foundation launched a similar program to support aspiring school administrators who want to earn a masters degree.

Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, speaks at a Hispanic Cultural Day rally outside the Oklahoma State Capitol on May 15. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, said he hopes Polk will continue to emphasize the teacher pipeline program and overall teacher pay. Young has represented the historically Black area of northeast Oklahoma City in the state Legislature for 10 years and is a pastor in the community.

When youve got folks who look like you standing in front of you, it does make a difference, Young said. It doesnt make all the difference, but it sure does make a difference. And so I hope that she will remember that and see the things that made a difference in her life. And I think thatll make a difference in the life of our school district.

An Iowa native, Polk spent 25 years as a teacher, principal and district administrator in Lawton Public Schools, where she moved because of her husbands military career. McDaniel, the outgoing OKCPS superintendent, hired her in 2019 to oversee the districts elementary schools.

Jamie Polk said her administration at Oklahoma City Public Schools will emphasize developing diverse teachers and district leaders. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Leading the neighboring district of Millwood, Robinson-Woods said shes gotten to know Polk as a very personable leader and a data-driven problem solver.

Similar descriptions have been applied to Johnson, who is trying to engineer an academic turnaround amid heavy pressure from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Johnson was raised in Tulsa and spent her entire career in the district when the local school board promoted her from chief academic officer to superintendent.

Like Johnson, this is Polks first superintendent job, one she said shes deeply honored to accept.

Moving forward, OKCPS will remain steadfast in our dedication to cultivating leadership that reflects the vibrant tapestry of the communities we serve, Polk said.

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Justice Amy Coney Barrett broke with her conservative peers Monday on a part of the majority opinion that will kneecap prosecutors ability to make criminal cases against former presidents.

The parts she joined with already made that task very difficult: The majority, including Barrett, walled off conduct umbrellaed under a presidents ill-defined core constitutional powers as having absolute immunity. His other official acts, the majority found, get presumptive immunity. Only unofficial acts can be prosecuted with no immunity at all. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who wrote the primary dissent, argued that between those first two murky categories, almost no presidential conduct will be left.

Still, the majority, sans Barrett, took another step that will make cases against former presidents (like special prosecutor Jack Smiths) even more difficult: Non-public evidence pertaining to the protected official acts cannot be admitted during trial to help prove that the unprotected, unofficial ones were crimes.

Testimony or private records of the President or his advisers probing such conduct may not be admitted as evidence at trial, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.

So not only can prosecutors like Smith not charge official acts  even if they are obvious and egregious crimes  they cant even use evidence they dug up around them to bolster their case on the unofficial acts.

Barrett disagreed with the majority on that point in her solo concurrence, going so far as to agree with Sotomayors dissent.

The Constitution does not require blinding juries to the circumstances surrounding conduct for which Presidents can be held liable, she wrote.

She sketched out a hypothetical where a former president had accepted a bribe in exchange for some favor, an official act. Under Roberts rule, juries would hear about the bribe  but not what the President gave in return.

Excluding from trial any mention of the official act connected to the bribe would hamstring the prosecution, she wrote. To make sense of charges alleging a quid pro quo, the jury must be allowed to hear about both the quid and the quo, even if the quo, standing alone, could not be a basis for the Presidents criminal liability.

Elsewhere in her concurrence, she may have lit a small spark of hope for Smiths team, which cant be feeling much of if after reading Mondays ruling. She flagged a couple charges against Trump that she sees as fair game for prosecution. One of those is Trumps pressure campaign against state officials to get them to reverse the election results in their states; she specifically cited former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R). The second is Trumps fake electors scheme.

A President has no legal authority  and thus no official capacity  to influence how the States appoint their electors, she wrote. I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct.

She also sided with Sotomayor again, writing that all exercises of the Take Care provision  requiring that presidents take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed  do not fall within core executive power, meaning they are not covered by those powers absolute immunity. If she can rally other conservative votes on that point, it may be a small winnowing of the immunity former presidents can claim going forward.

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How One of the World's Strongest Car Unions Is Dealing With EV Job Losses

(Bloomberg) -- The threat to jobs caused by the electric vehicle transition isnt just a hot-button issue in the US, where a presidential election campaign is in full swing.

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In Japan, the heads of Toyota Motor Corp., which employs around 70,000 staff in the country, are grappling with how the carmakers technological transformation will impact not only its workers but the nations vast auto supply chain and the thousands of jobs it supports.

In South Korea, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp.s moves toward electrification are provoking similar anxieties in that nations highly active and organized labor movement.

Hyperdrive sat down in Seoul last week with officials from the Korean Metal Workers Union, which represents roughly 180,000 auto workers, including about 70,000 at Hyundai and Kia, the countrys two dominant manufacturers.

The union, formed in 2001, is in the process of negotiating a new annual contract for Hyundais vehicle assembly workers and its threatened to strike over disagreements on future hiring plans and sharing the spoils of Hyundais record profits in 2023. Hyundais shares fell 3% on Monday, trimming gains this year to 40.5%.

The conflict has clear echoes of the contentious six-week strike between the United Auto Workers union and the Detroit Three carmakers last fall.

Last week was also the week that at least 23 people, mostly migrant workers from China, died in a fire caused by explosions at a lithium battery plant south of Seoul. The fire, at a factory owned by Aricell, which makes products for industrial and military applications, was the worst accident at a battery plant in the countrys history. In response, the government has formed a task force to improve fire safety measures across the industry.

We asked union officials including policy secretary Kim Sang Min and executive director of international, Hyewon Chong, how theyre dealing with challenges like job losses due to electrification and automation, as well as safety risks as EV battery production expands. The conversation, which was both in Korean and English, has been edited for length and clarity.

How do you see the battery fire at the Aricell? Lithium-ion batteries are a key component of EVs, and those killed were mostly migrant workers hired by a third-party company.

We have to overhaul safety management systems in light of the incredible risks. If a company is going to bring in temporary, outsourced workers, they have to have a safety management system in place for these people.

Aricell is a subsidiary of S-Connect and there was an outsourced recruitment firm for the factory workers. This kind of system hinders workers from connecting with each other and helps employers control them more easily. Were trying to respond to this trend.

Hyundai is pushing electrification, building EV plants in South Korea and the US, and a new heavily automated facility in Singapore. What does this mean for your members?

The visit to Hyundais plant in Singapore made us realize that it will be hard to keep our jobs. So were trying to demand that companies create new jobs related to green industries. Its something we really think about deeply and study what kind of demands will really make a difference. We need to confess, we dont have a magic bullet.

Dealing with this only at the factory level would be insufficient to address whats going on in society. If we limit our sights to inside the factory walls, it looks like jobs are being reduced. On the other hand, there are also workers who are going to be building robots.

So what does that look like in practice?

We signed an agreement on industrial transformation with Korean metal industry employers in 2021. This year were focusing on supply chains, a plan called just transition, where automakers are taking overall responsibility for realizing carbon neutrality in their supply chains.

We have to develop clusters and strategies for different regions for different sub-sectors. A consultation framework should be made so that the local community and the companies and the trade unions will be able to find strategies to realign their economic production on something thats needed, something that will continue employment in a sustainable way.

South Koreas working population is shrinking as post-war baby boomers retire, and companies are increasingly hiring migrant workers. How do you communicate with this new generation?

We publish newsletters in various languages to deliver information they need to know, such as how to calculate Korean base salaries. Removing discrimination against migrant workers is one of our three main issues we plan to negotiate with companies this year. We also try to help them standardize their labor agreements, as migrant workers sometimes need special clauses such as ways to improve their living conditions at accommodations.

And is Gen-Z interested in joining the union? In one of your newsletters, a union member said young people these days have a weaker willingness for fighting against management.

Gen-Zs and millennials still account for a very small portion of the population at metal workers unions and the average age of unionized workers is rising. So, its true that the demographic trend makes younger people raise their voices less than older generations do. There are views, which are a bit prejudiced, that younger generations dont have much interest in labor disputes and they tend to focus on their own interests.

But we see some newly created unions by younger workers and they are showing actions that we didnt see previously, such as scuffling with gatekeepers at plants. Theyre trying to do something different from the older generation.

(Updates with Hyundai share price. An earlier version corrected Toyotas employee numbers in 2nd paragraph.)

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Opinion: What Trump said during the debate that has many Black Americans and Palestinians outraged

Editors Note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radios daily program, The Dean Obeidallah Show. Follow him on Threads. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Since last weeks presidential debate, weve seen nearly nonstop news coverage about whether President Joe Biden should drop out as the Democratic presidential contender, expressed in numerous op-eds, on political podcasts and on cable television.

Dean Obeidallah - CNN

But while Bidens performance on Thursday is a legitimate issue, the medias laser-focused coverage of it has resulted in former President Donald Trump all but being given a pass for vile and  in the opinion of many  racist remarks he made at the debate. And Trumps comments were far, far worse than anything Biden said.

For starters, there was Trumps use of the word Palestinian as a slur. This came up during a discussion of the war in Gaza, with Trump saying, Let Israel finish the job. He then criticized Biden for, in his view, restraining Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus military action. Thats the same military, it should be noted, that has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and dying, including many women and children, and according to the United Nations has unleashed an ever-growing humanitarian catastrophe along with the widespread destruction of residential homes.

My late father was a Palestinian immigrant. Trump used his heritage as an insult during the exchange when he said Biden has become like a Palestinian. To make matters worse, Trump repeated the use of Palestinian as a smear on Friday at a rally in Virginia, where he said about Democratic US Senator Chuck Schumer, Hes become a Palestinian. Hes a Palestinian now. The remark presumably meant to suggest that Schumer, who is Jewish, is somehow not supportive enough of Israel.

If Trump, in an effort to insult the president, had said that Biden had become just like a Black person or become just like a Jewish person, we would have rightfully heard cries of outrage. But after he used Palestinian as a slur, we have heard relatively little condemnation. True, some organizations criticized the vile comment, but it deserves far more pushback than it has received. This insensitive use of Palestinian identity as an epithet is a reminder that their lives mean nothing to some politicians who believe they can score points by demonizing and even dehumanizing them.

Supporters hold up signs at former President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Virginia on June 28, 2024, one day after his historic debate against President Joe Biden. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Trumps use of Palestinian as a slur is a new low in an effort to erase and deny Palestinian humanity. But it wasnt the only example of US politicians callous indifference to their plight. Last week, the House voted to bar the State Department from citing statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry on the number of Palestinians killed or wounded in Gaza by the Israeli military.

In short, the Republican-led House is seeking to silence the US State Department from even being allowed to cite the health agencys statistics, apparently because the number of Palestinian men, women and children slaughtered poses a PR problem for Netanyahu.

Then there was Trumps baseless comment during the debate claiming that migrants coming to our nation were taking Black jobs. Given Trumps documented history of anti-Black remarks and his defense of white supremacists, the remark rightly raised red flags. And immigration groups and think tanks that have studied the issue have long asserted that immigrants to this country for the most part do not take jobs from Americans.

Some correctly noted that Trump revealed his view that Black Americans are relegated to working in low-paying, menial jobs that anyone could fill. Rep. James Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, speaking Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, noted that Trumps Black jobs remark shows that Trump has a low opinion of Black people. But thats nothing new, Clyburn added. Hes demonstrated that all of his life.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, also slammed Trumps remarks, stating, There is no such thing as a Black job. That misinformed characterization is a denial of the ubiquity of Black talent. We are doctors, lawyers, schoolteachers, police officers and firefighters. The list goes on. He added, The divisive nature of this comment is not surprising for Donald Trump.

The truth is, when it comes to the world of work, Black Americans have done very well under Biden.

Black unemployment fell to its lowest level ever during his presidency when it hit 4.8% in April 2023. But Trump was not talking about hard data or certifiable facts; Trump has long insisted that hes not a racist, but he was peddling what sounded to many of his critics like racist drivel  presumably to attract voters he believes would be conned into supporting him.

Same goes for Trumps assertion that migrants were coming to take Hispanic jobs, a term that once again reveals Trumps own bigotry when it comes to the types of jobs he believes Latino Americans hold  in contrast, presumably, to White jobs. Under Biden, it should be noted, Hispanic unemployment tied a record low 3.9% in September 2022.

People can debate Bidens performance on Thursday. But theres no debating that Trump is once again trafficking in what sounds an awful lot like bigotry, because he believes it will return him to the White House. The only question is whether enough Americans will reject Trumps vileness to ensure that he never gets there again.

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Demonstrators gather outside the Supreme Court on Friday after the justices kicked the can down the road on whether federal law guaranteeing emergency medical care trumps state abortion bans. (Mark Schiefelbein / Associated Press)

Emergency access to abortion has been a flashpoint in the chaotic aftermath of the Supreme Courts overturning of the right to terminate a pregnancy in Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization in 2022.

Can states deny women the care they need to preserve their health in the aftermath of Dobbs, or does federal law provide some protection for patients?

In January, the Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases testing whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act  or EMTALA  could override Idahos strict state abortion ban. Idaho has some of the narrowest exceptions to its ban in the nation  allowing doctors to intervene only when there was a threat to the life, not health, of the patient. The Biden administration argued that the federal law provided broader protection  and trumped the states ban. But on Thursday, the justices decided they had taken up the issue too soon, dismissing the cases as improvidently granted and sending them back to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Read more: Opinion: Abortion foes lost Round One on mifepristone. Here's how their fight continues

In practical terms, Thursdays ruling means that a district court order in Idaho that agreed with the administration about EMTALA went back into effect: Emergency access to abortion will be protected in the state, at least for the time being.

It may seem at first that abortion supporters should be happy. The Supreme Court's conservative supermajority agreed to hear two major abortion cases in a single term. And yet with Thursday's ruling, and the court's earlier decision that maintained wide access to mifepristone, a drug used in more than half of abortions nationwide, things didn't get worse for reproductive rights.

The truth is that the courts Idaho ruling is its own kind of disaster. It will increase the confusion and chaos women face when they need an emergency termination in states that ban all or most abortions. And the decision contains important clues about what could happen when or if the justices get another chance at these issues. The bottom line is simple: Dont expect the Supreme Court to come to the rescue of women who find themselves in dire need of an abortion.

Read more: Column: Two years after the Supreme Court's abortion decision, meet the expert on post-Roe America

In theory, every state that severely limits or bans abortion has some kind of exception for threats to the life or health of the patient , but many of those exceptions are narrowly drawn and hard to understand. In addition, states impose unprecedented penalties on physicians who perform abortions that dont fall under an exception  including, in some cases, life in prison . For these reasons, physicians have been reluctant to intervene, even when a patient may qualify under an exception.

States have scrambled to offer clarity, with some legislatures or medical boards adding explicit examples of when certain abortions may be performed, but these moves have only amplified the confusion. If an emergency condition doesnt appear on a states list, does that automatically mean that a physician cant act? Are there state or federal constitutional limits on denying access to patients who may die or suffer severe and permanent health damage? And what role, if any, does EMTALA play? The Supreme Courts ruling ensures that none of these questions will be fully answered in the short term, and patients will be the ones to pay the price.

Read more: During debate, Trump and Biden make clear where they stand on abortion

The "improvidently granted" ruling split the court into three three-justice factions, with a center-right bloc agreeing with the liberals to dismiss the case, and the most conservative justices, led by Samuel A. Alito Jr., prepared to hold that EMTALA does absolutely nothing to limit strict abortion bans.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Brett M. Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., agreed that it was too early for the court to intervene, but they didn't seem averse to accepting Idahos arguments against EMTALA. Even if the center-right justices could find some rationale for providing patients with protection under EMTALA, they suggested a Faustian bargain: The court would interpret EMTALA to apply only to physical, not mental, health  and would conclude that the law does nothing to stop doctors with conscience-based objections from turning patients away, even when they face life-threatening emergencies.

Read more: How treatment of miscarriages is upending the abortion debate

The opinion Barrett penned clearly reflects suspicions about patients who invoke mental health as a justification for terminating a pregnancy, a long-standing talking point for those who consider psychological struggles during pregnancy to be a mere excuse for abortion on demand.

As for conscience-based denials of care, we can guess what Barrett has in mind because Kavanaughs majority opinion in the mifepristone case already spelled it out: Instead of the law having to balance doctors conscience-based objections with patients safety, the objecting doctors would be able to just say no, even in healthcare deserts where other providers may be unavailable.

The most concerning signal about what could be in store for those who get pregnant came in Alitos dissent in the decision to send the Idaho case back to the lower court. Joined by Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, he suggested that EMTALA, rather than protecting a pregnant patient with a life-threatening emergency, protects the unborn patient instead.

Read more: California saw a surge in abortions after Dobbs. Providers are bracing for more

Antiabortion groups have long argued that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution guarantees constitutional fetal rights . Alito did not explicitly take up that question, but his reading of the statute aligns with so-called fetal personhood views. He reasoned that because the wording in EMTALA includes the term unborn child, its framers must have prioritized the fetus over the mother, even when the mothers life or health is in jeopardy.

As EMTALA litigation moves back into the federal courts, the 2024 election could make the whole thing moot. A second Trump administration would almost certainly withdraw President Bidens guidance on EMTALA and let the states make their own decisions about when to withhold emergency care from patients. That is precisely what conservatives, led by the Heritage Foundation, have recommended in Project 2025, a proposed blueprint for another Trump presidency.

Abortion rights advocates may have been relieved on Thursday that the conservative majority on the Supreme Court punted on the Idaho abortion cases, but any celebration will be short-lived. In reality, there is no relief in sight for pregnant patients facing the dangers of a post-Roe America.

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.
Editors Note: Norman Eisen is a CNN legal analyst and editor of Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial. He served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the first impeachment and trial of then-President Donald Trump. E. Danya Perry is the founding partner at Perry Law, former deputy chief of the Criminal Division for the Southern District of New York, former deputy attorney general for the State of New York and chief of investigations for the Moreland Commission. Joshua Kolb is an attorney at Perry Law and served as law clerk for the Senate Judiciary Committee. The views expressed in this commentary are their own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Now that the Supreme Court has issued its historic decision on presidential immunity  one that will be for the ages, as Justice Neil Gorsuch put it  the most pressing question yet to be answered is far more immediate: What does this mean for special counsel Jack Smiths prosecution of former President Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election?

Norm Eisen - Courtesy Norm Eisen

We vehemently disagree with the majority decision to extend any immunity to aspects of Trumps 2020 election interference. But the courts opinion also makes clear that this ruling is not a death knell for Smiths case.

True, as the case now returns to the trial court, there is no longer time for a full jury trial in 2024. But the opinion calls on District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to initiate the next best thing: an evidentiary hearing  a kind of mini-trial  that will thoroughly ventilate the facts in this case. She should do so quickly.

Smith charged Trump with engaging in a criminal scheme to subvert the 2020 election; Trump has pleaded not guilty to four counts. The trial, which was originally scheduled to begin on March 4, has instead been stayed since December 2023. That is when Trump appealed an order refusing to dismiss the case on immunity grounds  and the Supreme Court first declined to review the case, beginning its unconscionable slow-roll that finally ended almost seven months later with this new decision.

E. Danya Perry - Courtesy E. Danya Perry

On Monday, the Supreme Court essentially found a middle ground between the governments position and Trumps. Rejecting Trumps absurd claim of blanket criminal immunity for official acts, the court still carved out a broader scope of conduct for which a president cannot be prosecuted, even after they leave office.

In doing so, the court adopted and modified the approach it had previously outlined, in the 1982 case Nixon v. Fitzgerald, establishing a presidents civil liability. All the parties, including Trumps team, had already conceded that a president does not enjoy immunity from prosecution for private acts  just as a president can be held civilly liable for private conduct. In Nixon v. Fitzgerald, the Supreme Court held that a president enjoyed civil immunity for all official acts. Now, in Trump v. United States, the court grappled with which official acts should also receive criminal immunity.

Joshua Kolb - CJ Studios

Writing for a 6-3 majority that split on party lines, Chief Justice John Roberts established a three-level immunity test: (1) absolute immunity when the president is exercising his core constitutional powers, (2) presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts that are not core to presidential duties (such as exercising powers given to him by Congress) and (3) no immunity for his unofficial acts.

Given that ruling, the next logical question is: Which of the alleged actions taken by Trump, charged in the indictment, are protected official acts and which arent?

First, the court has ruled that all of the allegations concerning Trumps interactions with the Justice Department  and his attempt to get them to interfere in the election  were official. Therefore, all of that conduct is protected by immunity and cannot be presented at trial.

But the court also held that there are two allegations for which Trump has presumptive immunity, yet this presumption can be overcome: the allegations surrounding his interactions with former Vice President Mike Pence, and his public communications. However, the court did not specify what it would take for that presumption to be overcome. Again, that is for resolution by Chutkan in the mini-trial.

Finally, the court stated that there is one category of alleged conduct that requires a fact-specific analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations: all of Trumps interactions with persons outside the Executive Branch, including state officials and private parties. More grist for Chutkans courtroom.

The upshot is that this ruling ends any hope that this case will conclude before the election. But it also puts crucial judgments about Trumps accountability back in Chutkans capable hands.

In order to settle the extent of Trumps immunity, Chutkan should expeditiously schedule the mini-trial to hear witness testimony and receive other relevant evidence from both parties. This would not be unprecedented. In fact, Chutkan can be guided by the process the federal court in Georgia utilized to handle a similar issue in the Fulton County election overthrow criminal case.

After a grand jury indicted 19 individuals, including Trump, on state conspiracy charges, two of the defendants  former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former Trump administration Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark  attempted last year to remove the case to federal court, claiming the charges involve actions that occurred in their capacities as federal officers. (Four of the 19 charged in the case have pleaded guilty, while Meadows and Clark are among those who have pleaded not guilty.) District Court Judge Steve Jones promptly held evidentiary hearings to determine whether Meadows and Clark were indeed functioning within the scope of their official duties as federal officers.

Meadows and Clark were given ample opportunity to make their arguments and develop a thorough factual record for the court. In fact, at his hearing, Meadows himself testified before the judge, describing his role as chief of staff and how that impacted the charged conduct. Meanwhile, state prosecutors presented some of their key evidence to show that the defendants were acting outside the scope of official duties  including the infamous recorded phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, which Meadows facilitated and joined. Ultimately, Jones ruled against Meadows and sent the case back to state court, and the 11th Circuit upheld his decision. Clarks removal attempt also failed.

The 11th Circuit also endorsed the mini-trials themselves, holding that determining whether Meadowss proof was competent, the district court was entitled to evaluate the demeanor and presentation of witnesses, assess the credibility of testimony including Meadowss, and weigh the competing evidence.

With that blessing, Chutkan should look to those federal hearings in Georgia as a model.

The issues at play in the Georgia removal proceedings are strikingly similar to the ones Chutkan will be forced to consider with respect to Trump. The Supreme Court has explicitly directed Chutkan to determine whether Trumps interactions with state officials and private parties were official  and left open the door for her to hold hearings over allegations that involved Pence, too. Chutkan can give both parties the opportunity to develop facts supporting their competing positions and then make her ruling on immunity, ensuring that Trump continues to receive due process throughout.

The prosecution could call witnesses  such as Pence or former Attorney General Bill Barr  to testify about Trumps actions in the wake of the 2020 election and whether they fell within his official duties as president, along with other supporting documentary evidence. The defense would also have the opportunity to introduce testimonial and documentary evidence supporting Trumps motion to dismiss on immunity grounds  and could even put Trump himself on the stand to explain his conduct, just as Meadows did. This approach would assist Chutkan in swiftly ascertaining the nature and scope of Trumps newfound presidential immunity.

It is also far superior to the competing approach outlined in a separate but related civil case in DC, Blassingame v. Trump, in which members of Congress and Capitol Police officers are suing Trump for harms allegedly caused by the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol  in part, the complaint alleges, as a result of Trumps inflammatory remarks that day on the Ellipse. In response to Trumps assertion of civil immunity there, the DC Circuit put in place a lengthy discovery schedule for the lower court to determine the extent of Trumps civil immunity.

But applying that civil process in the criminal case would be inappropriate: While this type of extended discovery is commonplace in civil cases, including those without the unique immunity issues involved here, it would be quite unusual in the criminal context. Moreover, the criminal allegations against Meadows and Clark are far more analogous to the federal case against Trump than the civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages  among many other distinctions.

Beyond the procedural considerations, the mini-trial would also serve a vital function for the public  allowing voters to learn more details about Trumps alleged election interference. It would utilize the adversarial process at the heart of our criminal justice system to elucidate crucial information about the most grievous attack on our democracy since the Civil War.

One other thing that this opinion makes clear is that Smith should seriously consider slimming down his indictment  not only excising the portions that the court has tossed for him (such as the allegations concerning the DOJ) but also considering where else he can slim to win, as prosecutors often refer to this process. Smith should do that immediately, to make Chutkans task as easy as possible before the inevitable appellate review of her decision.

There will be ample time for further consideration of the far-reaching implications of the Supreme Courts momentous decision, and what it means for the future of the presidency and the principle that no one is above the law. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a dissent joined by justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, warned, The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

But the fact-finding at the heart of this case remains essential for the future of the republic.

As Americans face a stark choice this fall, one made even more complicated by last Thursdays presidential debate, they are entitled to know how close Trump came to decimating our democracy four years ago. That can now begin to happen again  so its time for the case to get back on track.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Oregon is expanding its Medicaid program, the Oregon Health Plan, to people who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

Oregon is expanding its Medicaid program, the Oregon Health Plan, to people who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. (Getty Images)

After two years of planning, Oregon is officially expanding its Medicaid program to give tens of thousands of more people access to the free health insurance program.

The Oregon Health Authority announced on Monday the launch of its OHP Bridge Plan to those who earn more than the federal limits for traditional Medicaid. The Oregon Health Plan, the states version of Medicaid, currently covers 1.4 million Oregonians who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or nearly $21,000 a year for one person or more than $43,000 a year for a family of four.

The OHP Bridge is extending Medicaid benefits to those who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. That means that individuals who earn about $30,000 a year or families of four who earn $62,400 a year will qualify.

Oregon Health Authority officials expect the plan to cover 100,000 Oregonians by 2027.

Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of the health authority, said in a news conference the plan marks a significant milestone in Oregon and will help eliminate health inequities, a health authority goal.

We know that these higher rates of coverage are associated with better health outcomes, with greater health care access and with fewer health inequities, and we want to keep it that way, Hathi said.



People can apply for OHP Bridge coverage by going to Who qualifiesPeople can apply for OHP Bridge coverage by going to ONE.Oregon.gov or HealthCare.gov . People in Oregon will qualify for OHP Bridge if they: The income limits change every March. For more information, go here: https://ohp.oregon.gov/Bridge.

Are 19 to 64 years old

Have an income between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level

Are a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status

Do not have access to other affordable health insurance

Oregon is the third state nationwide  after Minnesota and New York  to expand Medicaid to beyond the traditional federal income limits. But its the first state to offer that coverage at no cost, without monthly premiums or co-pays.

We know that cost sharing in any form, whether thats premiums or co-pays, is a barrier to care for people in this income range, and were we to have either or both of those, we would actually see decreased access to care, which is counterproductive for the goals of the state, said state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a medical doctor and one of the lawmakers who developed the bridge plan.

Like those on Medicaid, people who qualify for the bridge plan will enjoy free medical, dental and mental health care along with some other benefits, such as transportation to medical appointments.

This means that more people will be able to get the diagnoses, treatment and other services they need, preventing delays and care that nearly 300,000 Oregonians otherwise report due to costs, Hathi said.

Gil Munoz, chief executive officer of Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, which serves many Medicaid patients in Forest Grove, said during the news conference that the plan is a win for working families who have a tough time paying for housing, food, transportation and child care. He said its also a boon for providers to work with lower-income families to get them diagnostic services, specialist care and hospital treatment that they need.

It eases the path to better health and better prevention for these families, Munoz said.

Federal approval

Oregon won approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer the plan under a Medicaid waiver. That approval means that the federal government will pay much of the cost of the plan, diverting money that it would normally pay in subsidies to people who otherwise would buy health insurance on the federal marketplace. The state will pay the remaining cost.

Under traditional Medicaid, the federal government picks up about 60% of the cost, and Oregon pays the rest. Payments for the bridge plan will work differently, with the federal government depositing money into an account and the state reconciling that later. Erica Heartquist, a health authority spokeswoman, said the state estimates that Oregon will receive about $500 million in federal revenue to cover an average of 65,000 members per month over the next 12 months. The state is likely to spend $10 million to administer the program and cover costs not paid for by federal funds.

Health officials say keeping people covered is cheaper in the end because they take care of basic problems early or even before they start by regularly seeing a primary care provider and receiving preventive care, like cancer screenings and blood tests that track cholesterol and diabetes risk. Those without insurance often wait until a health problem worsens until theyre severely ill and care is more expensive or seek treatment in an emergency room, which is the most expensive kind of care and drives up overall health care costs.

The basic health plan, OHP Bridge, is a great deal for Oregon taxpayers, Hathi said.

The plan has been in the works in Oregon for two years, following passage of House Bill 4035 during the 2022 session, which launched a task force to develop the plan. One of the plans biggest targets is to cover people whove recently lost Medicaid coverage. During the pandemic, the federal government provided extra benefits to states that kept people enrolled, regardless of any income changes. That meant that even when peoples income changed and they technically no longer met the limit, they enjoyed the free coverage.

But last spring, that changed when the federal government ended the program. Since then state officials have gone through the Medicaid rolls, making sure that everyone on Medicaid qualifies. In Oregon, more than 80% of those covered kept the insurance  one of the highest rates in the country, according to an analysis by KFF Health News.

About 222,000 have fallen off, and state officials have pointed them to the federal marketplace to buy individual coverage. Hathi said that up to 30,000 people who stayed on Medicaid during the pandemic but no longer qualify will be moved to the bridge plan on Monday because they qualify under the bridge plans income limits.

Though they will enjoy most Medicaid benefits, those on the bridge plan will not qualify for long-term care, nor will they be able to obtain social services that were approved under a CMS waiver to improve the environment of Medicaid patients. Under the waiver, Oregon can offer climate support, such as a free air conditioner or air filter, to help patients cope with extreme weather events and wildfire smoke; housing support for up to six months; and nutrition education and food assistance.

Officials rolled out the climate benefit this spring, though fewer patients are getting air conditioners than originally hoped. The housing benefit is expected to be offered toward the end of the year and the food benefit after that.

CLARIFICATION: Up to 30,000 who stayed on Medicaid even though they no longer qualified will be enrolled in the bridge plan on Monday.

The post Oregon expands free Medicaid health insurance to tens of thousands more people appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Four-day week campaigners are focusing too much on cosy office jobs

Having enjoyed the benefits of a shorter working week for the past seven months thanks to childcare, I am not at all surprised by the countless studies showing how a four-day week makes employees happier, healthier and more productive.

The only pain  and its a biggie  is that shrinking hours tend to mean shrinking pay.

So hows this for a pitch to the next prime minister: longer weekends for all, but with the major bonus of keeping a full-time salary?

It sounds like a utopia, so its no surprise that theres a growing number of people gunning for the next government to make this official policy.

Its not a complete fantasy, given that Labour remains comfortably ahead in the polls.

And it was only in 2019 that John McDonnell, the then shadow chancellor, promised that the next Labour government will reduce the average full-time working week to 32 hours within the next decade.

Although it was Jeremy Corbyns flagship policy when he was Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmers party certainly hasnt scoffed at the idea.

If you can deliver within a four-day working week, then why not? Angela Rayner, the deputy leader, asked a room full of business leaders last year, urging them to consider if such a move would be feasible.

Wa-hey! us office workers shout from the sidelines. A better work-life balance here we come.

As we edge closer to polling day on Thursday, calls for a four-day week have only grown louder.

One of Labours biggest backers Unison has urged the next government to take legal action to support an official shift to a shorter week, while 40 company bosses wrote a joint letter to party leaders last week with the same message.

Im all for a shorter week for the companies that can manage it. But a government mandate is a different matter.

Aside from the fact that Labour insiders say there are zero plans to follow Corbyns proposed policy, there doesnt seem to be enough consideration for those who would be left behind by a four-day week.

This is a perk that has been viewed through the lens of a white-collar worker.

The huge divisions in our society will only get wider if working life tilts much further towards suiting the white-collar office worker, a group already benefiting from post-Covid perks such as home working and who typically earn more.

An Ipsos poll published earlier this year found that 63pc of US employees who make $100,000 (79,000) or more report being able to work from home, compared to just 32pc of those making under $50,000.

While the HR departments of blue-chip businesses have been hosing down their office staff with benefits ever since the pandemic, NHS rotas are now so chaotic that doctors have been asked to work on their wedding days.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has said NHS pressures are no longer confined to the winter as the health service is suffering a year-round crisis in emergency care.

Although four-day week campaigners have argued that a shorter week will stop NHS staff from leaving and improve morale, it is almost impossible to see how the idea would work in practice amid chronic staff shortages.

Far more likely to happen at least in the short-term is that office workers cash in while those we rely on the most get left behind.

Anyone who is paid hourly could find themselves with less pay and less stability.

A Welsh Government report into the four-day week warned earlier this year that the idea could discriminate against frontline public sector employees and risk widening existing inequalities.

The Welsh Government consultation was made up of a working group of senior civil servants and public sector bosses.

One manager said that allowing staff to have an extra day off would require them to hire an additional 179 staff on full-time equivalent contracts to maintain the same levels of service.

In the private sector, industries with a large portion of staff on their feet all day are also unlikely to find the majority of workers cheering for this.

Builders under deadline pressure have already said they would rather have flexible hours than a fixed short week.

Resentment could build in sectors such as construction if back-office staff switch to a shorter week on the same salaries, while those on the frontline continue to toil away.

The proportion of our lives devoted to work does need a rethink as robots shrink the length of time it takes to complete many office jobs.

But a government-mandated four-day week isnt the answer.

A spokesman for the official 4 Day Week Campaign has sought to argue that claims a shorter week widens inequality is wrong and way off the mark, particularly as those who stand to benefit most include disabled people and those with caring responsibilities.

But the argument here is not that the vulnerable wont benefit, more that a large proportion of frontline workers who have already missed out on various perks such as home working would once again be left behind.

There are ways to improve work-life balance in a way that includes everyone, such as encouraging more flexible hours and increasing salaries.

It is telling that Unite, Labours biggest backer, is focusing its efforts on improving pay for members rather than joining the push for a four-day week.

Frontline workers deserve more and there are far better places to start than enforcing a shorter week.

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Palm Springs police: No suspect at large after 3 found dead in related scenes near I-10

Three people were found dead near the Pilot Travel Center in North Palm Springs on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Officers received a call for a gunshot victim near North Indian Canyon Drive and Garnet Avenue about 1:15 p.m., the Palm Springs Police Department said in a news release Sunday. Police found two men dead in a white Toyota sedan and a third man, dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, "just south of Interstate 10, near the Indian Canyon Drive overpass."

Officers didn't believe there were any outstanding suspects and said they believed the two scenes were related. Police said they withheld the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin by the Riverside County Coroners Office.

As of Monday morning, the names of those who died still had not been released and police had released no further information on the deaths.

Seven vehicles including Palm Springs police, the Riverside County Coroners office, Riverside County forensics as well as district attorney investigators were at the scene Sunday evening as the white sedan remained in the intersection.

Palm Springs Police Department officials are on scene after three people were found shot dead near the Pilot Travel Center in North Palm Springs on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

The Wendy's restaurant and Pilot Travel Center remained open as officers spoke with people on the scene.

More: Ex-sheriff's deputies guilty on 2 counts in towing bribery, kickback case

The intersection of Indian Canyon Drive and Garnet Avenue was cleared, as seen Monday, a day after three people were found dead in the area.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Three people killed near Pilot Travel Center in North Palm Springs
By Elida Moreno

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Panama's new president, Jose Raul Mulino, took office on Monday vowing to curb illegal immigration, with his government quickly signing an agreement with the United States to crack down on migration through the treacherous Darien Gap jungle passage.

In his first address as president, Mulino, 65, promised to seek international assistance to find solutions to what he described a costly "humanitarian and environmental crisis."

Last year, a record 520,000 migrants risked life and limb, often at the hands of people smugglers, to traverse the Darien Gap, a dense jungle on Panama's border with Colombia.

"We cannot continue financing the economic and social costs that massive illegal immigration generates for the country, along with the consequent connection of international criminal organizations," Mulino said.

Minutes later, Mulino's new foreign minister signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. government to "allow the closing off of the passing of illegal immigrants through the Darien," Panama's government said in a statement.

In the agreement, signed by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who attended Mulino's inauguration, the United States agreed to "cover" the costs of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally.

The agreement was "designed to jointly reduce the number of migrants being cruelly smuggled through the Darien, usually en route to the United States," a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council said in a statement.

The United States will "support" efforts to repatriate migrants in Panama illegally but did not give further details.

Mulino was elected in May after taking over the candidacy of his running mate Ricardo Martinelli, a popular former president who was barred from running himself due to a money laundering conviction.

Mulino, who was Martinelli's security minister from 2010-2014 and also served as foreign minister in the 1990s, vowed on Monday to boost job and economic growth while addressing Panama's swollen public debt.

"We have the challenge of leaving a growing Panama so that those who come after us can do a better job than our generation," Mulino said.

"The state of public finances is worrying," he added. "In five years they (the previous administration) doubled the debt (but) with my government team we will turn the economy around and will start progressing."

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Additional reporting by Diego Ore in Mexico City and Kanishka Singh and Andrea Shalal in Washington; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Christopher Cushing)
The Financial Impact Estimating Conference discusses on July 1, 2024, the financial analysis of the abortion-rights amendment. (Screenshot from Florida Channel)

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee to a state panel in charge of estimating the financial implications of the abortion-rights amendment that will be on the ballot in November is pushing the group to conclude that Florida would have to pay for potential litigation, which he said could run into millions.

The four-person panel is revisiting its financial analysis of Amendment 4 after the initiatives backers, Floridians Protecting Freedom, filed a suit alleging that the panels summary that will appear on ballots isnt accurate now that the six-week abortion ban is under effect. But, based on the panels discussion during a meeting on Monday, the second go-around may not turn out in favor of the abortion-rights initiative.

Chris Spencer, who was director of policy and budget for the Executive Office of the Governor until June and now leads the State Board of Administration, said passage of Amendment 4 would lead to litigation challenging the existing statutes and regulations on abortion, such as waiting periods, parental consent for minors, and whether Medicaid would cover the procedure.

We cant reasonably predict how much it will cost in litigation to defend an existing statute that is being argued to be invalid as passed in an amendment like this, but we know its not zero, Spencer said during the meeting. We have plenty of contract service, outside counsels, for all of our state agencies, and we know that they dont do this for free. So, theres a cost any time litigation will be incurred.

He continued: Its hard to say how much that cost will be. It can be in the hundreds of thousands for basic cases that Ive dealt with. It can be millions for protracted cases that end up going to the state Supreme Court, which any of these issues could easily go up to the state Supreme Court [to] make a determination on whether or not its in compliance.

New faces in the panel

The panel is scheduled to continue the discussion on July 8.

Amendment 4 would protect access to abortion in the Florida Constitution if at least 60% of voters approve the measure in November. The amendment states that no laws can prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients health care provider.

Spencer also took issue with the term health care provider, stating multiple times during the meeting that speech pathologists or dental hygienists could perform abortions because the amendment doesnt define who qualifies. He wasnt a part of the Financial Impact Estimating Conference that met in late October and early November. DeSantis original appointee wasnt available, so the governors office retained Spencer as its panelist for the week, he told Florida Phoenix following the Monday meeting.

During meetings last year, the group decided it couldnt determine the economic impact of the amendment, but did suggest that some state programs could save money if fewer children were born. Spencer and Rachel Greszler wanted the group to change its previous conclusions that Amendment 4 could save the state money in certain areas.

Greszler is a recent addition to the Florida House staff and has worked for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative activist group, as a researcher on labor and retirement policies. In terms of state revenue, Greszler wanted the analysis to say that the amendment would reduce revenues because there would be fewer people living in the state.

More eyes on the financial impact statement

The revising of the financial impact statement has heightened the attention to the process  few people attended the meetings in the Capitol Complex last year, but there were barely any seats open on Monday. Several opponents of the abortion-rights amendment spoke about the costs of litigation.

After the medical marijuana amendment passed, I was counsel to the Department of Health in most of those challenges, said Jason Gonzalez, representing the anti-abortion group Protect Women Florida Action. I can say, from my experience, this amendment, if passed, will cause much more litigation than even the medical marijuana amendment that we litigated from the circuit court to the district court of appeal then all the way through the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Michelle Morton, an attorney with the ACLU of Florida, gave a brief statement on behalf of the initiative backers, saying that the group expects the impact on the economy to be minimal.

Our goal has always been to ensure that voters receive a fair and accurate financial impact statement. We expect a fair, neutral, and accurate financial impact statement and are committed to addressing any issues of inaccuracy, ambiguity, misleading information, lack of clarity, and confusion, wrote Natasha Sutherland, Floridians Protecting Freedoms communications director, in a statement to the Phoenix.

Its not a slam dunk

The other two appointees (Amy Baker, coordinator of Florida Legislatures Office of Economic & Demographic Research, and Azhar Khan, staff director of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee) pushed back against some of Spencer and Greszlers effort to undo the work the panel had done last year.

Additionally, Baker warned Spencer that the panel had already tried to predict the cost of potential litigation with other constitutional amendments.

I think that the passage of the amendment would result in increased litigation in many areas of government that otherwise wouldnt have been there, Baker said. And I dont mind trying to go down this hole, but its not a slam dunk.
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WLFA)  The Pasco County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing endangered 64-year-old man after he was last seen Sunday evening.

Joseph Kotran was last seen in the Downan Point Drive area of Land O Lakes, according to deputies.

Heavy rain causes flooding, prompts road closures in Pasco County

Kotran is 6 feet tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He has white hair and brown eyes and was last spotted wearing a red T-shirt and black jeans.

Image courtesy of the Pasco Sheriffs Office

According to the sheriffs office, the 64-year-old may be driving a blue 2007 Silverado with the New Jersey license plate U18APY.

Anyone with information on Kotrans whereabouts is asked to contact the PSOs non-emergency line at 727-847-8102, opt 7.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DUBLIN, Calif. (KRON)  Patelco Credit Union has announced its systems were experiencing a serious security incident on Saturday. According to a Patelco Credit Union spokesperson, the security incident is a ransomware attack.

Should gun store sales get special credit card tracking? States split on mandating or prohibiting it

Unfortunately, this incident has required us to proactively shut down some of our day-to-day banking systems in order to contain and remediate the issue, the spokesperson said.

Bank members can still access cash from ATMs, the bank told KRON4.com. Bank branches and call centers are open and operating regular business hours, however, customers are advised to expect longer wait times.

Patelco bank employees are not able to access individual account details at this time, the spokesperson said.

We have engaged a leading third-party cybersecurity forensic firm to help us to investigate and recover as soon as possible, the spokesperson told KRON4.com. Please know that our team and third-party partners are working around the clock to get back up and running.

Due to the ransomware attack, the following services are currently unavailable:

Electronic transactions such as transfers (including Zelle)

Direct deposit

Balance inquiries

Online banking bill payments

Debit and credit card transactions are functioning at a limited capacity

Cash withdrawals and deposits are still available at Patelco ATMs, the spokesperson said.

There is not an estimated time for the normal service to resume.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this cyber-attack has caused for our members, said a bank spokesperson. We truly appreciate your patience and support during this difficult 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 KRON4.
Minnesota's list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis became largely irrelevant Monday, when revised state law allowed patients to gain access simply if their doctors recommend it.

Giving doctors broad discretion to recommend medical cannabis makes sense, because patients are just going to turn to Minnesota's recreational marketplace if they can't get what they want from the state's medical program, said Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, whose legislation this session prompted the expansion.

"It just doesn't fit anymore" to have one of the nation's most restrictive lists of qualifying conditions, she said. "We want to make sure, if they have a condition that cannabis can help, that their doctor can help them find the right kind of cannabis. With the legal market open, there is really no reason to limit what doctors can prescribe because folks will be able to go out there and get anything."

Minnesota became the 22nd state to launch a medical cannabis program in 2015, starting with a list of eight conditions such as cancer and seizures that grew each year as residents petitioned to add more. The qualifying list grew to 19 conditions, based on emerging evidence that cannabis use also helped people with intractable pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. Participation surged from 18,000 people in 2019 to 48,000, and has increased even in the months since the recreational marketplace debuted.

Minnesotans will no longer petition to add new conditions  an annual, adversarial process that forced the state's health commissioner to pick between patients who badly wanted cannabis and law enforcement officials and doctors who worried about unintended consequences. The state repeatedly denied requests to make anxiety a qualifying condition because of these disputes.

People still will be able to petition for new consumption methods, though, such as the gummies and smokable forms that were added in recent years. This year's legislative expansion also allowed people to grow up to eight marijuana plants if a doctor has recommended medical cannabis for them, or if they are caregivers of people certified for cannabis.

Experience in other states suggests that only a few people will choose the home-growing option, but that the medical cannabis marketplace will decline with the emergence of legal, recreational options. Port said it is important to maintain a commercial marketplace for medical cannabis, because the recreational market is only for adults. Some of the first advocates for medical cannabis in Minnesota were parents of children with seizure disorders.

"If we're not thoughtful about how we do it, the recreational market can put the medical market out of necessity," Port said.

Research about the risks vs. benefits of cannabis have been limited, because the federal government has classified it as a tightly-restricted Schedule I controlled substance that has high potential for abuse. Minnesota consequently set its medical cannabis program up as a broad research project that would take clinical and observational feedback from certified patients and build it into a database of what worked and what didn't.

Research will continue, even with this year's legislation moving the entire program from the Department of Health to the state's Office of Cannabis Management, which also governs recreational use. Data from Minnesota's early experience has already informed the ongoing federal process to reclassify marijuana as a less-restricted Schedule III substance, said Charlene Briner, interim director of the new state office.

"Minnesota is far and away the leader in the collection of data" on cannabis usage, said Briner. Her office is planning studies on everything from medical benefits to the frequency of impaired driving and first-usage psychosis.

Doctors and other health care practitioners still must be registered with the state program before they can certify medical cannabis for patients. More than 2,500 practitioners are registered, but the state doesn't maintain a list of their identities.

Other changes today include a waiver of possession limits if patients keep their certification and purchase information with their medical cannabis supplies. Veterans also can self-refer to the program or be referred by a registered provider. Doctors with the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs still cannot refer patients because of how cannabis is federally classified.
Pedestrian seriously injured after crash in Northeast El Paso

Pedestrian seriously injured after crash in Northeast El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A pedestrian suffered serious injuries after a crash Monday morning, July 1, in Northeast El Paso, according to El Paso Police.

Police say the call came in at 10:35 a.m. and the crash happened on Dyer Street and Sunrise Avenue.

Police say the crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, police said.

No further information has been released. We will update this story when we learn more.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
(WHTM)  The Pennsylvania State budget due date has passed, however lawmakers have yet to agree on how the state plans to spend its money.

For the second straight year under Governor Josh Shapiro, the state budget is unfinished after the June 30 deadline.

Despite the disagreements over how to spend the $14 billion in surplus and rainy day funds, Governor Shapiro said that staff has worked their tails off over the weekend and are making great progress.

Education remains the most polarizing aspect of the budget, as lawmakers continue to debate over how much more should be spent on public schools, where the money goes, and whether or not to include school vouchers.

Rep. Ben Waxman (D-Philadelphia) said Well, I think that for House Democrats, me and my colleagues, to us fighting for public education and fighting for more dollars for our schools, for our kids, thats worth sticking around a couple of extra days.

House Democrats request that $3 billion increase, $3 billion more than we have available on revenues, Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) said. And the Senate Republicans came out with a $3 billion tax cut. Thats a $6 billion gap between those. So, probably those two are key areas of disagreement.

Talks will continue until Wednesday as lawmakers will take a break for July 4 on Thursday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
The most important battleground state, Pennsylvania holds its 2024 primary election April 23. (Getty Images)

Washington Countys Board of Elections allegedly mishandled mail-in ballots during the April primary and withheld information from 259 voters, leaving them unable to correct the errors before Election Day, according to a lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and local advocacy groups Monday.

The boards decision to conceal the true status of returned mail ballots with minor but disqualifying errors resulted in needless disenfranchisement, ACLU-PA legal director Witold Walczak said. No government official or agency should knowingly disenfranchise its voters.

The ballots, which were from both Republican and Democratic voters, were not counted in the April primary, according to the lawsuit. Several of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are voters who say their ballots were rejected for errors on the ballots outer declaration envelope, such as for writing an incomplete date, or failing to sign and date the envelope in the correct place.

Had county officials correctly coded the rejected mail-in ballots into the states SURE ballot tracking database, the suit alleges, the voters would have been notified their ballots had been rejected, and could have voted by provisional ballot.

Instead, the suit alleges, Washington County elections officials determined which mail-in ballots would not be counted, and then implemented a systematic process to keep that information from voters and the public, in many cases affirmatively misleading voters into thinking that their mail-in ballots would be counted.

Voter Bruce Jacobs, 65, of Venetia, said on a press call Monday that his was one of the mail-in ballots not counted, because he failed to sign and date the outer envelope. Had he known, Jacobs said, he would have voted by provisional ballot.

I thought I had done everything correctly, but I made a mistake, apparently, I forgot to sign and date the envelope, Jacobs said. The Washington County election officials knew I made a mistake. When they received my ballot, they knew they would reject that ballot because of this mistake, but they never notified me, and my vote was not counted. I only found out months later, when I received a call from the Public Interest Law Center.

In addition to the ACLU-PA and the Public Interest Law Center, the Center for Coalfield Justice and the Washington County branch of the NAACP, along with seven voters, are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Washington Countys solicitor did not reply to a request for comment Monday.

The question of whether mail-in ballots with a missing or incorrect date should be counted has plagued elections in Pennsylvania since its no-excuse absentee voting law took effect in 2020. Known as Act 77, the law made voting by mail a popular option that year largely due to pandemic lockdowns and social distancing measures in effect at the time.

But there have been numerous challenges and disputes since over how to consider ballots with return envelopes that are filled out incorrectly. The requirement of a date on the return envelope has caused particular confusion, and consternation, for voting rights groups and the courts.

In response to a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee, in 2022 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that more than 10,000 mail-in ballots on which voters had not written the date on the outer envelope, or had written the wrong date, should be rejected.

In November 2023, Erie-based U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter ruled that ballots with incorrect or missing states on the return envelope must be counted if they are received by Election Day. But in March, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals struck down that decision, ruling that ballots not dated on the outer envelope by the voter should not be counted, even if they arrive at a county election office by Election Day.

Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Thomas Ambro noted that the date requirement serves little apparent purpose. A provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits officials from denying anyone from voting because of an error or omission on any record or paper relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting, unless it is material to the persons qualification to vote.

But Ambro wrote in the circuit courts decision that that provision only applies when the state is determining who may vote, Ambro added, and does not apply to rules, like the date requirement, that govern how a qualified voter must cast his ballot for it to be counted.

In the Washington County case, county commissioners voted in April, shortly before the primary election, to change the countys practice for handling mail-in ballots, Walczak said. And not only would they not tell voters who sent in their ballots with one of these disqualifying mistakes, but they actively concealed the information so that voters wouldnt and couldnt find out that their ballot would not count and they had no way of fixing it.



In other Pennsylvania counties, voters notified about an error on their ballots are able to fix them and preserve their vote, he added.

Walczak also said that since Pennsylvania instituted no-excuse mail-in voting, the ACLU had seen a significant number of people having difficulties completing the process by making technical errors like forgetting the signature date, or putting the wrong date, or forgetting the inner secrecy envelope.

And one of the things weve seen with data collection since then, this mostly and disproportionately affects our senior citizens, he said. Its now running at about 1% of mail ballots. And that may not sound like a lot, but for instance, in the 2022 general election, that was about 22,000 ballots. And if you think about it, a half a percent difference in vote is enough to trigger a mandatory recount.

Indeed, in 2022, Pennsylvanias GOP U.S. Senate primary between Mehmet Oz and David McCormick had a margin of 1,000 votes, triggering an automatic statewide recount. Oz won the primary but lost to Democrat John Fetterman in the general election.

The Pennsylvania Department of State even redesigned the ballots in November 2023, a few weeks after midterm elections, with revised language about how to fill out and return a mail-in ballot, more easily identifiable secrecy envelopes on a yellow background, and coloring to make it easier to tell the difference between the inner and outer envelopes.

On the new ballots, outer envelopes have a pre-filled 20 at the beginning of the year field, so that voters write the current year  not their birth year, a common error in previous elections. And ballots come with full-page, illustrated instructions to show how to place the envelopes before mailing.

David Gatling, president of the Washington County NAACP, which is a plaintiff in the case, said Monday the countys actions are a form of voter suppression. Voting officials who run elections should be doing everything in their power to encourage voting and count ballots, not finding sneaky ways to keep voters from having their ballots count, he said.

Filed In Washington Countys Court of Common Pleas, the suit asks that the court declare the Board of Elections policy and practice of concealing information and misleading voters about their mail-in ballot status is unconstitutional and invalid.

In addition, plaintiffs want the court to direct the board to provide accurate, timely information to voters about mail-in ballots containing disqualifying errors.

Mimi McKenzie, legal director for the Public Interest Law Center, said Monday that in the coming days, the plaintiffs will ask the court to expedite the case.

Election Day is just over four months away.

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The post Pennsylvania county disenfranchised voters whose mail-in ballots had errors, ACLU lawsuit claims appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Few moments capture the essence of the ideological clashes in Congress as vividly as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegs Thursday appearance before the House Oversight Committee. The hearing, intended to scrutinize electric vehicle policies, morphed into a masterclass of rhetorical finesse, with Buttigieg systematically debunking Republican false claims with a blend of empirical evidence and wit.



The encounter began with Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, whose skepticism about the cost-effectiveness of EV tax rebates prompted Buttigiegs direct and incisive response. Is there a time that you will say, You know what? This is just too expensive. This is just too expensive, we want to rethink this policy? Bean queried.

Buttigiegs reply was swift and pointed. If you think this is too expensive, wait until you find out how much oil and gas subsidies youve been supporting, he said. Also, wait until you find out the economic impact, that some economists have put at $15 million every hour, or every day, trillions of dollars every year from allowing the environmental conditions in this country and planet to worsen.

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This exchange set the tone for a revealing exploration of competing visions for Americas energy future between House Republicans and the Biden Administration. Next, U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican, challenged Buttigieg with claims from a McKinsey study, alleging a tailspin in the EV market due to technical issues. Buttigieg, who worked at the consulting firm more than a decade ago, contended that the study was an outlier. Perrys concern about purported federal mandates on EV purchases invited another clarifying rebuttal from Buttigieg.

Tailspin is just a bizarre word to use for a growing sector of our economy, Buttigieg countered somewhat bemused. He detailed the sustained increase in EV sales and underscored the strategic imperative of outpacing China in this industry.

Perrys insistence that Americans should have unrestricted freedom in vehicle choice prompted a final, pointed response from Buttigieg. There is no mandate, he affirmed. You can purchase a gas car if you want to pay gas prices at the pump. But if you dont, you can purchase an EV.

 (@)





Beyond the immediate political theater, Buttigiegs performance at the hearing underscores a critical point: the transition to clean energy is not merely an environmental imperative but an economic one
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a ceremony to mark the 74th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War in Daegu, South Korea, on June 25, 2024. Credit - Kyodo NewsGetty Images

An online petition calling for South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol to be impeached has experienced delays and disruptions following a flood of signatures.

People attempting to access the website on Monday experienced four hour delays and some received an error message showing that at least 30,000 people were attempting to use the website at the same time, according to Reuters.

So far, over 811,000 people have signed the petition, which accuses Yoon of mishandling the countrys relationship with North Korea and increasing the risk of war, exposing South Koreans to health risks from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, and corruption.

In a statement released on Sunday, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik promised to solve the issues with the website.

As of writing, the wait time to load the website for petitions to South Koreas parliament was at 45 minutes, with nearly 32,000 people waiting to use it.

Petitioning the government is a constitutional right in South Korea. By law, if any petition receives more than 50,000 signatures, parliament is required to assign the petition to a committee to determine whether or not the proposal will receive a vote in parliament.

Yoon, who is the leader of the countrys conservative People Power Party, became President of South Korea in May 2022, after narrowly winning an election against the leader of the countrys liberal Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung. A former prosecutor with no political experience, Yoon has alienated voters with a confrontational style. A March survey found that half of respondents polled found him to have done a very bad job in office.

In recent years, South Koreas politics has become increasingly polarized as debates about the countrys relationship with the North, the legacy of Japanese colonialism, and gender equality have taken center stage. Nonetheless, the Democratic Party expressed reluctance to pursue an impeachment bill following the petition news, local media reported.

As soon as we speak about impeachment, it becomes an actionable agenda, so we are not currently focusing on or responding to that issue, a spokesperson for South Koreas Democratic Party told reporters on Sunday, according to the Korea Times.

South Korea has impeached two of its Presidents before. The first was Roh Moo-hyun in 2004, after he was accused of illegal electioneering. He was later reinstated by the Constitutional Court. The second was Park Geun-hye in 2017, after she was accused of corruption.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Ahead of a weeklong heat wave that will bake Sacramento and most of Northern California in sweltering temperatures, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is warning that critical fire danger may lead to its first public safety power shutoffs of the year in across eight counties to prevent the utilitys equipment from sparking wildfires.

On Sunday, officials of the Oakland-based company said its meteorologists were forecasting an elevated risk for shutoffs in parts of eight Northern California counties: Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Shasta, Solano, Tehama and Yolo. The power shutoffs are the first wildfire-safety blackouts undertaken this year by PG&E, which has come under consistent criticism for engineering power shutoffs in past years to ward off fires caused by its equipment.

The areas affected and the timing of the shutoffs correspond with the National Weather Services red flag warning, which was issued for a wide swath of Northern California between 11 p.m. Monday and 8 p.m. Tuesday. Those dangerous conditions produce an increased risk of damage to the electric system that could ignite fires fueled by dry vegetation, said PG&E spokeswoman Karly Hernandez.

She said that PG&E is committed to stopping wildfires and that such engineered outages are a last resort for the utility under such extreme conditions of hot temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

We initiate PSPS when the weather forecast is for such severe weather that peoples safety, lives, homes and businesses may be in danger of wildfires, Hernandez said. As each weather situation is unique, we carefully review various factors when deciding if power must be turned off.

When and where will power shutoffs occur?

The high fire risk conditions are expected to continue through the July 4 holiday as Sacramento and the surrounding region could reach 110 degrees on Wednesday. The weather service also issued an excessive heat warning for all of the Sacramento Valley between 11 a.m. Monday and 8 p.m. Saturday as temperatures are expected to exceed 105 degrees through the weekend.

In an update, PG&E officials said as many as 12,000 customers could lose power beginning at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday under the so-called PSPS. The largest batch of homes and businesses that could lose power are in Shasta County, where as many as 8,800 ratepayers could be taken offline.

Maps provided by the utility showed outages were planned on the western reaches of Yolo County including Winters and homes south of Putah Creek, as well as in Rumsey, Guinda and around the Cache Creek area. PG&E estimated that about 200 customers would be in the dark if the outage is triggered.

Other areas under a potential PSPS include homes on the western edge of the Valley west of Willows, Orland, Corning, Red Bluff and Anderson. A large area of potential shutoff ring the Redding area as well, along Highway 299 and in the Bella Vista and Palo Cedro areas.

As many as 1,800 customers across western Tehama County could have their power severed; Colusa County (550 customers) and Glenn (361) also had sizable potential for outages. All other counties would have fewer than 100 customers affected.

Customers affected by county, according to Hernandez:

Colusa: 550 ratepayers

Glenn: 361

Lake: 49

Napa: 9

Shasta: 8,888

Solano: 96

Tehama: 1,855

Yolo: 204

Restoring power to affected customers would likely take 12 daylight hours once the weather all clear has been given. PG&E crews need to inspect the de-energized lines to make sure they werent damaged during the shutoff. PG&E maps indicate that could come as soon as 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Conditions ripe for wildfires, PG&E says

PG&E officials said in a weather update Sunday that in addition to the high temperatures, there will also be a period of breezy northerly winds across primarily the northern and western Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills beginning Monday night.

Weather service forecasters and PG&E officials say breezes in some spots along the Valleys western tier  from Solano County north to Red Bluff  could gust as high as 30 mph although, localized gusts of 35-40 mph will be possible, PG&E said.

PG&E forecasts are particularly concerned about conditions on the ground, noting that the grass crop has cured across the lower elevations and dead fuel moisture values are at seasonal dryness levels. That means that the combination of hot air, strong winds and tinder-dry grasses common in the Valley and foothills could lead to quick-moving fires.

The utility said in its weather update that it has already shifted 624 of 788 circuits in the affected areas to enhanced powerline safety settings, which adjust the sensitivity of the equipment to power off faster if a problem is detected. These buffers, according to PG&E, allow lines to be de-energized automatically within one-tenth of a second if vegetation or flames interfere with sagging lines or overheated transformers. Officials touted in a report to state regulators that such equipment settings reduced ignitions to its equipment by 68% in 2022.

Utility blamed equipment sparking wildfires

PG&E in recent years has imposed planned power shutoffs in the face of dire wildfire weather. The utility companys equipment has been blamed for sparking some of the worst fires in state history, including the 2018 Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, and PG&E Corp. has been found liable for billions of dollars worth of destruction.

The utility since 2017 has been blamed for starting more than 30 wildfires, blazes that destroyed more than 23,000 homes and businesses and has killed more than 100 people.

Last year, the company engineered two PSPS events out of four possible scenarios the company identified, according to company filings to the California Public Utilities Commission. In late August, the company cut power across the same footprint under Tuesdays possible outage, affecting nearly 4,000 ratepayers out of the 8,400 who were notified of a possible outage from Yolo and Napa counties north to Shasta County. A second PSPS event three weeks later affected roughly 1,200 customers, roughly one in five who could have been affected, in a smaller footprint in Tehama, Lake and Napa counties, according to the filings.

PG&E customers enrolled in its Medical Baseline program who have not verified that they received notification of the potential shutoffs will be visited at home by a PG&E employee when possible, the utility has said for previous outages. Officials said primary focus will be given to customers who rely on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment.

Hernandez, the PG&E spokeswoman, said the utility will open six community resource centers Tuesday in the blackout areas, enabling customers to cool off in the air conditioning, get free bottled water and snacks and charge their phones. PG&E mapping indicated those centers would be open beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday in Redding, Anderson, Elk Creek and Stonyford, among other areas.

More information on the PSPS and how to get alerts are available on PG&E website.
The Philadelphia Inquirer flipped The New York Times call for President Joe Biden to quit his campaign  following his disastrous debate performance last week  into an attack on presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The Times editorial board on Friday explained its call for Biden to drop out of the 2024 election with an op-ed titled, To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race.

On Saturday, the Inquirers editorial board summed up why it believes former President Trump is not fit for another four years of office with its op-ed that was similarly headlined, To Serve His Country, Donald Trump Should Leave The Race.

The Inquirer acknowledged that Bidens performance against Trump was a disaster but warned that lost in the hand wringing was Donald Trumps usual bombastic litany of lies, hyperbole, bigotry, ignorance, and fear mongering.

The debate about the debate is misplaced and the only person who should withdraw from the race is Trump, it added.

The board recalled just some of the scandals, controversies and failings of Trumps presidency.

Why go back to that? it asked.

Biden on his worst day remains lightyears better than Trump on his best, it added, arguing that Biden must now show that he is up to the job.

Related...
WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Fire crews responded to a fire at a commercial warehouse in Weber County Saturday night, according to Weber Fire District.

At around 8:45 p.m. on June 29, firefighters from multiple agencies responded to a structure fire in a commercial warehouse on 2000 West, Farr West, in Weber County.

Crews arrived on the scene and found heavy black smoke and flames billowing from doors and windows on all sides, according to a press release from Weber Fire.

READ NEXT: Week 2: Utah Treasure Hunt 2024 drops four new hints

The interior damage was severe, causing unsafe conditions and making firefighting efforts difficult.

Fire damage was contained to the original unit, officials said, with a single adjoining unit receiving smoke damage.

The unit is reportedly a total loss. No injuries occurred in the blaze, officials said.

Crews from Weber Fire, North View Fire, Ogden Fire, Roy Fire, Riverdale Fire, and the Weber Co. Sheriffs Office responded to this incident. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Polish border authorities have restricted the entry and exit of Ukrainian lorries starting from 1 July.

Source: State Customs Service of Ukraine

Quote: "From 00:00 on 1 July 2024, the Polish side has suspended the entry and exit of Ukrainian freight vehicles without permits for international freight transport (permit or ECMT book) at border crossing points," the State Customs Service of Ukraine reported on Telegram.

The report indicates that border crossing points at other sections of the border are operating normally.

An ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport) permit is a multilateral permit for the international transport of goods by vehicles belonging to hauliers operating in an ECMT member country, based on a quota system.

Background:

In March, the State Customs Service of Ukraine signed a contract with Unibep S.A. (Poland) for the reconstruction of the Shehyni international road checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border, following the results of a tender. The contract is worth 23.50 million.

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Poland has suspended the crossing of Ukrainian trucks, which do not have permits for international cargo transportation, Ukraine's State Customs Service reported on July 1.

Restrictions on transportation to and from Poland came into effect overnight on July 1. The crossing checkpoints are operating as usual, according to the State Customs Service.

Deputy Infrastructure Minister Serhii Derkach said that no permits are required for bilateral transportation, as the visa-free transport regime is still in effect between Ukraine and the European Union.

Ukraine and the EU extended on June 20 the visa-free transport regime for another year with the possibility of automatic prolongation until the end of 2025, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.

According to the updated deal, freight transportation in both directions does not require special permits, but the document includes some mutual obligations regarding licenses for transportation and truck labeling, Shmyhal added.

"The agreement on the liberalization of freight transportation between Ukraine and the EU came into force on the day of signing, on June 20. A transitional period is in effect until July 10, which allows carriers to adapt to the new rules," Derkach wrote on Facebook.

The deputy minister added that the Polish Infrastructure Ministry is aware of the changes.

Ukraine has also notified the European Commission of the suspension of truck traffic. The Commission has already intervened in the situation and is also trying to resolve the problem, according to Derkach.

"This is currently a matter of internal communication on the Polish side. We have addressed the Polish Infrastructure Ministry. Our colleagues assure us that they are trying to solve the problem with the customs service," Derkach said.

The EU signed an agreement in June 2022 that allows Ukraine into the bloc's Convention on Common Transit Procedure for a "visa-free" road freight transportation shortly after the war-torn country had been granted an EU candidacy status.

The agreement allows Ukrainian goods to be exported to Europe much faster, as there is no need to hold up at customs and draw up additional documents. Exporters can issue transit declarations in Ukraine and travel to the EU without any obstacles.

Ukraine has exported 48% more goods to the EU since the agreement was signed, Shmyhal said. The visa-free regime has also boosted Ukrainian imports, which grew by 44%, he added.

Read also: Opinion: Polands democracy isnt out of the woods

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk takes part in a press statement after a joint meeting in the Federal Chancellery. Christoph Soeder/dpa

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a warning on Monday following far-right gains in the first round of the French parliamentary elections.

"They like Putin, money and power without control. They rule or are reaching for power in the east and west of Europe," Tusk posed on X. He warned that right-wing populists would join forces in the European Parliament.

"In Poland, we reversed this disastrous course of events at the last minute. Let's not waste this," he added.

A centre-left government took power led by Tusk in Poland in December following elections in October, in which the nationalist conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) lost power after ruling the country since 2015.

PiS policies on justice in particular caused conflict with the European Union and with Germany, Poland's powerful western neighbour.
Police asking for help in locating missing Kansas woman last seen in downtown Wichita

Authorities are asking the public for help in locating a missing 58-year-old woman from Augusta, Kansas.

Beverly J. Roth was last seen in downtown Wichita on Saturday, the Augusta Department of Public Safety said.

Roth was initially reported missing, found and taken to a local hospital. She was reported missing a second time after she was released from the hospital and could not be found, the department said in a social media post.

Roth has experienced recent bouts of confusion, officials say.

She is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to call the Augusta Department of Public Safety at 316-775-4500.
Are police in Delaware finally 'out of the dog barking business'? New bill passes

Starting this year, the state of Delaware is going to the dogs.

Specifically, state officers will go to the dogs when they bark too loudly, according to a bill passed in the final days of the Legislative session.

House Bill 124, which still awaits the governor's signature, creates new state penalties for pet owners over noise complaints related to barking dogs and other animal noise. The bill also grants the task of enforcing noisy dog barking to the state Office of Animal Welfare.

In most of the state, the bill will not create new infractions nor make dog barking newly illegal, despite reports from some outlets. In New Castle County in particular, the bill will amount mostly to a shifting of accounts.

Behind the scenes, the passage of HB 124 signals a resolution to a many-year, high-stakes and often contentious dispute between New Castle County and the state of Delaware over who has the responsibility of enforcing dog barking complaints  a boiling feud that led to a stand-off between the county and state over a $2 million animal-control contract paid by the county to state agencies.

Up to now, animal noise violations in New Castle County, including dog barking  infractions whose monetary penalties started in the hundreds of dollars in New Castle County  have been enforced by county police officers. When this bill takes effect, that responsibility will pass to state animal control officers.

Here's the history, alongside the details on who will answer your call in the future when your neighbor's dog just barks, and barks, and barks, and won't stop barking and doesn't seem to ever sleep.

What does the dog barking bill do?

Under the terms of House Bill 124, a noise violation occurs when an owner allows a dog to bark "continuously for 15 minutes or more, or intermittently for 30 minutes or more," but there are exceptions.

HB 124, sponsored by State Rep. Eric Morrison, a Democrat representing Newark, Bear and Glasgow, places enforcement of animal noise infractions squarely on the shoulders of the state Department of Agriculture and the Office of Animal Welfare.

The bill allows for assistance from local police officers when the human owners also become a problem and does not supersede local authority. Cities or counties remain free to enforce their own local animal noise ordinances. Under the terms of the state bill, a noise violation occurs when an owner allows a dog to bark "continuously for 15 minutes or more, or intermittently for 30 minutes or more."

That said, there is a laundry list of exceptions, including when a dog has been teased or provoked, or when a dog barks because a person or animal has intruded on private property.

Other exemptions include animal shelters, dog boarding and day care, pet stores, dog groomers, vet offices, animal clinics, dog training and exhibitions, livestock guarding and dogs engaged in hunting or herding.

A warning is given for the first infraction. A second infraction is $50. Repeat infractions can incur fines of up to $150.

"Ain't worth the spit to put out a fire!"

County Councilman George Smiley

The bill's main sponsor, Eric Morrison, said he took up dog barking as an issue after hearing complaints from constituents who had their sleep or home life disturbed and couldn't find relief. He has sponsored multiple versions of a state animal noise bill before finally clearing the gauntlet of House committees.

Morrison said dog barking is the kind of problem that doesn't occur to many people until it disturbs their well-being.

"You don't think about it until and when it happens to you, and then it's very serious quality of life issue," Morrison said, noting he worked with local animal advocacy and kennel associations to carve out appropriate exemptions so that businesses aren't affected.

But for New Castle County, the enforcement of dog barking has been a hot-button issue for most of decade  a source of public contention between the county council and the Department of Health and Social Services that oversees the state Office of Animal Welfare.

In public statements and a series of county resolutions stretching back to at least 2021, New Castle County council members George Smiley and David Carter have argued that nuisance complaints like dog barking are a burden on already understaffed police departments, and best handled by trained animal professionals. Both councilmen lobbied for passage of Morrison's bill.

In county meetings over the years, Smiley and Carter repeatedly referred to what they said were breached verbal promises by DHSS to respond to dog barking calls in New Castle County.

"Their word ain't worth the spit to put out a fire!" Smiley said in a 2023 meeting, referring to the DHSS. At the same meeting, Carter said DHSS did not seem likley to "work with us in good faith."

DHSS spokespeople told Delaware Online that they don't comment on pending legal action or legislation, but that they have no current legal authority to enforce dog barking laws or issue citations.

The county and state finally reach an understanding over barking dogs

A dog takes a break at Patton Park in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Friday, June 14, 2024 during a Bark in the Park Dog Fair.

This year, relations appeared to soften during negotiations over the new animal contract, worth millions to the state agency.

The Office of Animal Welfare conducted a pilot program, allowing its officers to respond to dog barking complaints  a pilot program that county council members and Rep. Morrison called successful.

After that pilot study, New Castle County was able to secure a deal to renew the county's animal control contract with the state. The county would continue to pay around $2 million a year to the state agency to handle animal control, and the state would agree to add "dog barking" to the types of calls they were willing to answer.

The county signed that agreement at the end of May, which will take effect on July 1.

Also in May, Smiley and Carter co-sponsored an ordinance, 24-082, intended to remove dog barking from New Castle County's books, declaring animal noise issues the province of the state.

"What this ordinance did was formally get New Castle County/NCCPD out of the dog barking business," Councilman Carter wrote at the time, in response to inquiries by Delaware Online/The News Journal. "New Castle County Police will not be responding to dog barking."

But while the county ordinance removed primary responsibility from police, DHSS still held that they did not possess authority to enforce violations, only to respond to calls and educate owners.

"Office of Animal Welfare does not enforce county or state barking dog nuisance laws," wrote DHSS spokesperson Laura Matusheski in response to inquiries. "During operating hours, OAW responds to barking dog complaints in New Castle County to tell the dog owner about the complaint, check on the dog's welfare, and provide education about barking dog behavior. "

After the passage of HB 124, the Office of Animal Welfare will also be able to issue citations.

Will penalties for dog barking be higher after the passage of House Bill 124?

Dogs hit the beach for the Lewes Polar Bear Pooch Parade and Plunge in 2015.

In New Castle County, penalties over barking dogs will likely be lower than previously.

The state penalties outlined in HB 124 are a warning for the first offense. Fines ascend from $50 to $150 for the second, third and successive infractions.

As of May 2024, animal noise violation penalties in New Castle County were higher, resolvable by paying a voluntary $200 voluntary fine. Otherwise, noise infractions in New Castle County start at $250, and can ascend as high as $5,000.

In Kent County, where dog barking is treated the same as other noise violations, fines can range from $30 for the first offense to up to $10,000 for the fifth offense.

In Sussex County, a dog barking noise ordinance was rejected in 2014, after a contentious debate among rural and beach-city residents. At the time, some Sussex County council members said they preferred to let the state handle barking dog complaints.

Matthew Korfhage is business and development reporter in the Delaware region covering all things related to land and money: openings and closings, construction, and the many corporations who call the First State home. Send tips and insults to mkorfhage@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware will change how it deals with barking dogs, after Senate vote
A Mercedes SUV being pursued by police in St. Louis crashed early Monday while trying to exit I-270 at Pontoon Beach in Illinois, rolling several times, according to a news release from the St. Louis County Police Department.

The driver of the vehicle, Attauiyo Ekong, 28, of Linton Avenue, St. Louis, has been charged with resisting arrest by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person, Police Sgt. Tracy Panus stated in the release.

Ekong was hospitalized after the crash but is expected to survive his injuries, the release states.

A police officer tried to stop the SUV for speeding at 12:06 a.m. near Goodfellow Boulevard and Veronica Avenue in Jennings, but it kept going, the release states.

The defendant fled the attempted stop at a high rate of speed while weaving in and out of lanes of traffic, the release says, citing a probable cause statement. The officer ultimately terminated the stop, but maintained visual surveillance on the vehicle for a period of time. Officers observed the vehicle approximately 3 minutes later, in the city of St. Louis, at which time the defendant drove the vehicle he was operating directly at the officers vehicles forcing at least one officer to reposition his marked squad vehicle to avoid being struck.

 The defendant continued to flee police after attempting to strike the officers, at which time officers initiated a pursuit and pursued the vehicle into Illinois where it was involved in a single-vehicle crash rendering the vehicle disabled, and the defendant was taken into custody.

Police also asking the Circuit Attorneys Office to file charges of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm, the release states.

St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are leading this investigation.
Police pursuit from Missouri ends in serious crash in Illinois

Police pursuit from Missouri ends in serious crash in Illinois

PONTOON BEACH, Ill.  A police chase beginning in Missouri crosses into Illinois before ending in a serious crash.

County police say that the incident all began a little after midnight in the Jennings area of north St. Louis County.

The incident started when an officer from the City of Jennings Precinct attempted to stop a Mercedes SUV speeding in the area of Goodfellow Avenue and Veronica Avenue.

Police claim the driver of the Mercedes refused to stop and instead made a U-turn, driving straight towards the officer.

The officer was able to avoid the collision with the Mercedes and began a pursuit of the SUV.

How to spot the newest ATM skimmers uncovered by St. Louis police

The pursuit continued over into Illinois before ending in Pontoon Beach when the vehicle that police were chasing appeared to have crashed at Route 111, south of Interstate-270.

Authorities say the Mercedes tried to get off at I-270 at the Route 111 exit but the driver lost control, causing the SUV to roll several times.

Investigators say the Mercedes hit a concrete median and the driver, a 27-year-old man from St. Louis, was thrown from the vehicle.

He was taken to the hospital with what the authorities described as life-threatening injuries.

There were no passengers in the Mercedes, and no officers were hurt.

The Illinois state police are heading the actual crash investigation. The St. Louis County Police are investigating the other parts of the incident, including the pursuit.

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Cardin restates Alsobrooks endorsement

Outgoing U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., first endorsed Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks as his successor on May 14 as Maryland's primary election results were being tabulated.

A month later, he repeated that endorsement.

Congratulations to Angela Alsobrooks, who will be the next senator from Maryland, said Cardin, a three-term senator, in a release from the state Democratic Party sent out in support less than 10 minutes after the Associated Press called the Democratic primary in her favor on May 14.

A vote for any Republican candidate for senator is a vote for a Republican-controlled Senate, and the country cannot afford for that to happen, he said.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, had won his party primary, according to the Associated Press, less than two hours before. Hogan and Alsobrooks are set to be on the ballot in the general with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 5.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., speaks to reporters after a tour of the an old armory site in Pikesville, Maryland on June 17, 2024. The senator, who is not seeking reelection, reiterated his endorsement on Monday of County Executive Alsobrooks, right, as his successor.

After a June 14 event where Cardin and Alsobrooks met with Jewish community leaders in Pikesville, Md., the states senior U.S. senator reiterated that endorsement.

Asked by a reporter if he was officially endorsing Alsobrooks, Cardin said: Oh absolutely.

More: Political notebook: Trump, Hogan, and the endorsement question

States teachers association also backs Alsobrooks

The president of the Maryland State Education Association called Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks a strong education supporter in an endorsement video released Tuesday, months after the 75,000-member organization backed Alsobrooks primary opponent.

U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-6th, received the organizations endorsement in the Democratic Party primary, but Alsobrooks received 70,671 more votes than Trone (a margin of more than 10 percentage points).

The stakes are high, Association President Cheryl Bost said as she stood next to Alsobrooks in the video, so lets all work together for the betterment of Maryland and join educators to get Angela Alsobrooks elected as the next U.S. senator.

Political notebook

The National Education Association, a 3 million-member organization of which the Maryland State Education Association is an affiliate, also recommended Alsobrooks, according to a June 25 release from the Alsobrooks campaign.

Business group backs Hogan

The National Federation of Independent Businesses and a collection of small business owners across the state backed former Gov. Larry Hogan, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, according to a release from the Hogan's campaign.

Larry Hogan is a long-time friend of small businesses, and we believe he will make an exceptional U.S. Senator, Mike O'Halloran, state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses Maryland, said in a statement released June 27.

The Hogan campaign announced nine Small Businesses for Hogan co-chairs in the release.

Small business owners know I have their backs, and Im so honored they have mine in this critical race for Marylands future, Hogan said in the release.

 Dwight A. Weingarten

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Political notebook: Cardin, state's teacher's union endorse Alsobrooks
Fifteen House Democrats called on the U.S. Department of Defense to expand the scale and speed of training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, Politico reported on July 1, citing a letter it obtained.

Ukraine is expected to receive the first F-16 jets this summer, a year after Denmark and the Netherlands founded the "fighter jet coalition" with nine other countries at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

The coalition pledged to help provide Kyiv with F-16s and train Ukrainian pilots and technical staff to operate the U.S.-made fourth-generation jets.

The group of lawmakers, led by U.S. Congressman from California Adam Schiff, ask Pentagon support Ukraine's request and ask to train 10 more F-16 pilots this year, according to the outlet.

Politico reported in early June that delays in the American F-16 training program frustrates Ukraine. The U.S. reportedly has not granted the request, citing commitments to other nations in line for F-16 training at the base.

The request comes at a critical juncture in Ukraines ongoing conflict with Russia, where the deployment of F-16 aircraft has the potential to significantly influence the outcome of the war, the letter read.

It says that Kyiv "will have more F-16 aircraft than they will have qualified pilots to fly them by the end of the year," which "threatens to undermine the strategic advantages" that these aircraft can provide to Ukraine.

Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway have so far pledged more than 70 jets to Ukraine to be delivered from 2024 onwards.

A total of 20 Ukrainian pilots are anticipated to complete F-16 training by the end of 2024, Politico reported. That number is only half of the 40 aviators needed to operate a full squadron of 20 F-16 jets.

Eight new pilots will begin training at the facility in Romania, while another eight are set to undergo training at the Tucson base in Arizona. For the rest of the year, across all training sites, only four spots will be available for Ukrainian pilots, an unnamed official told Politico.

Read also: Deliberate delays to F-16 training will mean more jets than pilots, Ukrainian MP says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(BCN)  A poodle mix and their human got trapped on a cliff overlooking the ocean at San Franciscos Fort Funston Sunday morning, and firefighters came to their rescue, a spokesman said.

The poodle mix and their human were off the trail and got stuck in a tough spot around 10 a.m. Sunday, Justin Schorr, a San Francisco Fire Department spokesman, said in an email.

Two North Bay cities have worst commute in US: study

There were no injuries, Schorr said. Firefighters rescued the duo, who had gone off the trail.

On beautiful days like today many dogs forget to keep their humans on the trail and at the end of their leashes, the spokesman said.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Portsmouth and building owner fight over future of State Street structure damaged in fire

PORTSMOUTH  The citys chief building inspector has asked the owner of the historic Daily Times building to provide a plan to shore up the structure in order to protect public safety.

A major downtown fire in April 2017 damaged several buildings in the heart of the citys Historic District, including 278 State Street.

A fire in 2017 severly damaged the former Daily Times building in downtown Portsmouth, shown here Friday morning

The building is owned by developer Peter N. Floros and has been commonly known as the 1850 Daily Times building. The site has not been redeveloped since the fire.

Flores has sought to demolish the building to move forward with plans to redevelop the site, but the citys Historic District Commission refused to give him permission to do so.

Chief Building Inspector Shanti Wolph recently sent a letter to Flores attorney asking the owner to provide a report on how to make the building safe in order to protect the public safety.

Potential 'threat to life safety'

A fence partially surrounds the former Daily Times building at 278 State Street, which was damaged in an April 2017 fire in Portsmouth and has yet to be redeveloped

Wolph stated in his letter that during an April site visit to the 278 State St. property, it was evident that the roof had not remained in place as ordered by the former chief building inspector in July 2017.

It was clear that water was pouring in, and the open sky was visible, which contributed to further deterioration, Wolph said in the June 20 letter to Flores attorney, John Kuzinevich. Additionally, it was apparent that the exterior brick facade and corbels are failing.

If the facade collapses, there will be a significant threat to life safety, Wolph added.

Wolph asked the owner to provide a report from a licensed New Hampshire structural engineer detailing how the building will be made safe, or certifying that the building is safe, by July 19.

Building at 278 State St. poses a danger

The former Daily Times building in downtown Portsmouth at 278 State Street which was damaged in an April 2017 fire and has yet to be redeveloped

Wolph pointed out that Kuzinevich emailed him in January asserting that the building at 278 State Street posed a danger.

That email included a report from an engineer, Wolph said in his letter, who reported that the building had been open to the weather for the past six plus years, and continues to be.

The engineers report also stated that all wood elements of the historic building have deteriorated to unacceptable levels, and added that the roof was unsafe, Wolph said.

The chief building inspector did say that he understood Flores was in the process of submitting a land use application for the redevelopment of 278 State St. and other nearby buildings he owns.

The plans have not yet been formally submitted, Wolph said.

The city is excited to work with your client and your clients representatives in reviewing and processing this application, Wolph said.

Owner wants to raze historic building

Firefighters from over 50 departments responded to a 5-alarm fire that destroyed the State Street Saloon on Monday morning.[Ioanna Raptis/Seacoastonline]

But Wolph stressed in the letter that he was seeking a short-term solution designed to protect public safety, while your land-use application, which would present a more permanent solution, is pending.

Reached Friday morning, Kuzinevich stated, the citizens of Portsmouth should demand that the city immediately correct this problem, and knock the building down, which is the only safe option.

This has been going on far too long where there is more concern about the Historic Districts mission than there is about public safety, he said.

A Superior Court judge upheld in May 2023 a decision by the citys Historic District Commission, refusing to allow 278 State Street to be demolished, as Flores was seeking.

Its very fair to say that Mr. Flores has been unable to come up with a feasible and economically sensible redevelopment plan that involves keeping the building, Kuzinevich said. Anything that he proposes that keeps the existing walls there leads to a very awkward building design.

Former Daily Times building 'scary' inside

Firefighters from 50 area departments responded to the April 10, 2017 fire in Portsmouth that destroyed the beloved State Street Saloon and severely damaged the historic Daily Times building.

The attorney visited the Daily Times building in April and said it was scary going inside.

There is debris everywhere, there is charred wood everywhere, there is mold and kind of slippery substances on every surface, he said. Portions of the floor are rotted out, portions of the roof are rotted, it is in a stage of disrepair.

The building property, which was partially fenced off during a visit there late Friday morning, is located in the heart of Portsmouths Historic District.

It has not been redeveloped since the building  which used to be home to the State Street Saloon  was badly damaged in the 2017 fire.

Its not surprising because it seems there is too much deference to the Historic District Commission, Kuzinevich said when he was asked if he was surprised that the building hasnt been razed, considering the damage.

Its especially sad, in this case, because Mr. Flores with new construction would build something totally compatible with the neighboring historic buildings.

Any redevelopment of the historic site would likely be a mixture of commercial and residential uses, Kuzinevich said.

If he is going with a new project, he still has to get Historic District Commission approval for what it looks like, he noted.

Flores asks city's building commission to investigate

On behalf of Flores, Kuzinevich sent a letter to the city on Thursday asking for the citys Building Commission to investigate and hold a hearing on 278 State Street.

We ask that the commission act and take testimony from Mr. Wolph, the building owner and his experts, who agree the building is a dangerous building and should be demolished, Kuzinevich said in the letter to the city.

Reached Friday, Wolph stressed that my testimony isnt that the building should be demolished, that would go against the HDCs wishes.

He did agree, as he outlined in his letter, that the building is dangerous, he said.

Mr. Kuzinevich doesnt like to hear this, but its been somewhat demolition by neglect, because the building hasnt been maintained since the fire, Wolph said.

I would ask that he make the building safe, it does appear to be dangerous, he added.

Wolph agreed that the city would like to see the property redeveloped in a fashion appropriate for the Historic District.

We dont want to see the building sitting there empty any more than the owner does, he said.

He acknowledged that this is not something that's going to be resolved overnight.

Its going to be ongoing for a while until the owner and the city can find an equitable path forward, Wolph said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Future of fire-damaged State Street building debated in Portsmouth NH
Powerlines down at intersection of Second Avenue and 40th Street

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  A power pole has been snapped in half at the intersection of Second Avenue and 40th Street.

A vehicle crashed into the pole leaving powerlines down across second avenue. At this time traffic has been shut down in both the north and southbound lanes between 38th Street and 42nd Street. Georgia Power is on scene.

This is an ongoing situation, WRBL will keep you updated when more details are made 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 WRBL.
Former U.S President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps election interference case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

The landmark decision by the courts conservatives  the last of the Supreme Court term  was met with intense dismay from Democrats and allies, who described it as a setback for democracy that undermined the Constitution by putting the former president above the law.

Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was in the Capitol on Jan. 6, said Trump was responsible for the attack that day. The courts ruling has empowered the former president, he said.

Donald Trump is still the single greatest threat to our democracy, Dunn said on a press call organized by the Biden-Harris campaign. I dont need nine Supreme Court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for Jan. 6. I was there. Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name.

Trump and his allies said the ruling repudiated the prosecutions against him, which he has criticized as politically motivated. Todays ruling by the Court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

A federal indictment in August 2023 alleged Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

The Supreme Courts timing of its decision likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day. The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court, under U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

It is unclear how or whether such proceedings would go forward if Trump, who is already a convicted felon in New York, wins a second term.

Sweeping powers and duties

In the 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that realityand ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he woulddoes not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the decision fundamentally alters the presidency and mocks the principle that no one is above the law.

The majority relied on little more than its own misguided wisdom that presidents need to be able to take decisive and quick action, to give Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent, she wrote.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, declared the high courts decision a victory. BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! he wrote on his Truth Social platform immediately after the opinions release.

A top Democrat in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, said Monday was a sad day for our democracy.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA Supreme Court  which is comprised of three justices appointed by Mr. Trump himself  enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, Schumer said in a statement following the opinion. This decision undermines the credibility of the Supreme Court, and suggests that political influence trumps all in our courts today.

DOJ communications immune

Roberts majority opinion held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results are immune to prosecution, but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in the indictment of Trump by Smith, the Department of Justice special counsel.

The indictment accuses Trump of leveraging the power of the Justice Department to pressure states to replace legitimate electors with false ones as a way to clinch the presidency. Trump threatened to fire those who did not cooperate, according to the indictment.

Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegationssuch as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions.

Roberts blamed the expedition of the case and the lack of factual analysis by the lower courts for leaving open what the court described as complex questions.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on four counts Aug. 1, 2023, but the former president effectively halted all proceedings in October when he moved to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. The justices, in December, refused a request by Smith to expedite the question of presidential immunity.

While Trumps communications with the Justice Department are deemed official, the court returns to the lower court the question of whether Trumps alleged pressure campaign of Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6 falls under the presidents scope of constitutional duties.

Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution for the conversations with his vice president, Roberts wrote.

But the opinion also highlights that the vice president simultaneously serves as the president of the Senate, taking some of his or her duties  including the certification of election results  outside the executive branch.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity, Roberts wrote. We therefore remand to the District Court to assess in the first instance, with appropriate input from the parties, whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

Trump and the fake electors

Whether Trumps communication with election officials in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin about false slates of electors qualifies as official presidential conduct must also be decided by the lower courts.

The federal indictment alleges Trump worked with co-conspirators in the seven states to marshal individuals who would have served as [Trumps] electors, had he won the popular vote and submit the false outcomes to Pence and Congress.

During oral arguments in April, Trump attorney D. John Sauer asserted that it is [a]bsolutely an official act for the president to communicate with state officials on . . . the integrity of a federal election. The government argued the discussions amounted to a private scheme with private actors.

On this debate, Roberts, citing the Constitution, wrote in Mondays opinion that Of course, the Presidents duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed plainly encompasses enforcement of federal election laws passed by Congress.

And the Presidents broad power to speak on matters of public concern does not exclude his public communications regarding the fairness and integrity of federal elections simply because he is running for re-election, Roberts continued.

The answer to whether those discussions and alleged plans were official or unofficial will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations by the lower court, Roberts concluded.

Similarly, the justices returned to the lower courts any determination of Trumps tweets, White House Ellipse speech to rallygoers and Rose Garden address to rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, as official or unofficial.

(M)ost of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, Roberts wrote.

There may, however, be contexts in which the President, notwithstanding the prominence of his position, speaks in an unofficial capacityperhaps as a candidate for office or party leader, he continued.

He urged the trial court to conduct a factbound analysis of who was involved in communications leading up to Jan. 6 and what else was said contemporaneous to the excerpted communications quoted in the indictment.

With fear for our democracy

In a scathing dissent, Sotomayor, writing for the courts three-member liberal wing that also includes Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majority opinion invents an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law.

The court did not need to declare a presidents core constitutional duties  which were not at issue in the indictment  as immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Including a discussion of core constitutional duties seemed to expand their definition, she said.

But more important, she said, was the majoritys finding of presumed immunity for all official acts, which greatly expands a presidents power to commit misdeeds with impunity.

Whether described as presumptive or absolute, under the majoritys rule, a Presidents use of any official power for any purpose, even the most corrupt, is immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. That is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The majoritys view that prosecutors cannot even use a presidents official acts as evidence in a prosecution of the president for private offenses was nonsensical, she added.

The ruling makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law, Sotomayor said.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain,

the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, she wrote.

With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Jackson dissent

In a separate dissent, Jackson said she fully endorsed Sotomayors view, and expanded on the theoretical nuts and bolts of what the decision would mean.

Being immune is not like having a defense under the law, Jackson wrote. Rather, it means that the law does not apply to the immunized person in the first place.

In the majority opinion, Roberts said the dissents overreacted to the ruling.

The dissents strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today, Roberts said.

The majority only ruled that Trumps conversations with Justice Department officials were immune from prosecution and left to lower courts to determine other questions, Roberts wrote.

Barrett argues for narrower immunity

In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the most recent of three justices Trump appointed, agreed with the bulk of the majoritys opinion.

But Barrett argued at least part of the allegations against Trump were valid and said the justices should have explicitly said so, rather than leaving the question to lower courts.

The Court leaves open the possibility that the Constitution forbids prosecuting the President for any official conduct, instructing the lower courts to address that question in the first instance, she wrote. I would have answered it now.

In particular, the allegations that involve Trump pressuring state officials to appoint alternate slates of electors should not be immune from prosecution, Barrett wrote, citing Trumps alleged request to Arizonas House speaker at the time, Rusty Bowers.

A President has no legal authorityand thus no official capacityto influence how the States appoint their electors, Barrett wrote. I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct.

Court enables Trumps threat, critics say

Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers decried the decision as a blow to democracy.

Tom Joscelyn, one of the principal authors of the final report from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, told States Newsroom on Monday the court is pretending that theres some ambiguity on what is an official act or not an official act of indictment.

The bottom line is the facts are not really in dispute. Theyre easy for all Americans to see. We all saw how Trump pressured Vice President Pence to overturn the election. When Pence refused to do Trumps bidding, Trump sent a mob down to the Capitol to intimidate him and hunt him, Joscelyn said. So this is not something where theres some great mystery here. We all know what happened.

U.S. Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat who was a lead counsel for the U.S. House impeachments of Trump, including the 2021 proceeding related to Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack, said Trump has indicated he would use the office to seek retribution if he is returned to the White House.

Its not just the biggest threat in a generation, Goldman said on the Biden campaign call. It is far and away the greatest threat since the Civil War.

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement saying President Joe Biden is (t)he only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy  and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.

Victory for all future presidents

Trumps allies celebrated the decision.

House Speaker Johnson said in his statement the court stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts. This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense. As President Trump has repeatedly said, the American people, not President Bidens bureaucrats, will decide the November 5th election.

The far-right Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the Project 2025 document to enshrine conservative policies should Trump win in November, also hailed the decision.

Today, the Supreme Court recognized and breathed life into the important constitutional principle of separation of powers by providing former, current, and future presidents with absolute immunity for official acts that they undertook during their administrations, John G. Malcolm, one of the foundations legal scholars, said in a statement.

(A)nd also made it clear that the burden falls on the prosecution to demonstrate that any action taken by a former president clearly falls beyond the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities and on the side of being an unofficial act, he said.

In a rambling post on Truth Social Monday afternoon, Trump again cheered the decision and also repeated claims that the New York state hush money case against him originated with Biden and was backed by Hungarian Jewish philanthropist George Soros  a yearslong trope repeated by the right wing.

Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes  The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs case, Trump wrote, also referring to the civil case in New York where he was found liable for sexually abusing a writer in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.

GOP-led states back Trump

Trump claimed absolute criminal immunity not long after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden.

DOJs Smith officially charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The former president argued that his acts were official, as they were conducted while he was still in office. He also claimed that the Constitutions Impeachment Clause shields a president from criminal prosecution unless he or she is first impeached and convicted by Congress.

The claim led to some jaw-dropping moments in which Trumps lawyer Sauer argued to both an appeals panel and the high court justices that presidents could not be criminally tried for ordering an assassination of a political rival unless they were first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, an inherently political process.

The high-profile case attracted numerous friend-of-the-court briefs.

GOP-led states lined up in support of Trump including 18 Republican state attorneys general who signed a brief in March accusing Smith of trying to inflict maximum damage on President Bidens political opponent before the November 2024 election.

The attorneys general included on the brief were from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Prior to the Supreme Courts decision to take up the case, 26 former GOP officials warned of terrifying possibilities if the court accepted Trumps claim of blanket immunity.

The officials, a mix of former GOP Department of Justice attorneys and lawmakers, wrote: No Court should create a presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, even for official acts, that is so vast that it endangers the peaceful transfer of executive power that our Constitution mandates.

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. | Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images

WASHINGTON  U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far official acts can reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

The decision about the presumptive Republican presidential nominees actions while in office likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day.

The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

In a 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that realityand ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he woulddoes not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results were official but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in Department of Justice special counsel Jacks Smith indictment of Trump.

Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegations such as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the decision makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate criminal law.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, Sotomayor wrote. With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Trump claimed in court filings that he could not be prosecuted for actions he took while still in office. His legal team also argues that former presidents cannot be tried in the court of law unless they are first impeached by the U.S. House and convicted by the Senate.

The indictment, which a federal grand jury handed up in August 2023, alleges Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

DOJs Smith charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Michigan Advance.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps election interference case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

The landmark decision by the courts conservatives  the last of the Supreme Court term  was met with intense dismay from Democrats and allies, who described it as a setback for democracy that undermined the Constitution by putting the former president above the law.

Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was in the Capitol on Jan. 6, said Trump was responsible for the attack that day. The courts ruling has empowered the former president, he said.

Donald Trump is still the single greatest threat to our democracy, Dunn said on a press call organized by the Biden-Harris campaign. I dont need nine Supreme Court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for Jan. 6. I was there. Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name.

Trump and his allies said the ruling repudiated the prosecutions against him, which he has criticized as politically motivated. Todays ruling by the Court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

A federal indictment in August 2023 alleged Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

The Supreme Courts timing of its decision likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day. The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court, under U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

It is unclear how or whether such proceedings would go forward if Trump, who is already a convicted felon in New York, wins a second term.

Sweeping powers and duties

In the 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that realityand ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he woulddoes not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the decision fundamentally alters the presidency and mocks the principle that no one is above the law.

The majority relied on little more than its own misguided wisdom that presidents need to be able to take decisive and quick action, to give Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent, she wrote.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, declared the high courts decision a victory. BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! he wrote on his Truth Social platform immediately after the opinions release.

A top Democrat in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, said Monday was a sad day for our democracy.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA Supreme Court  which is comprised of three justices appointed by Mr. Trump himself  enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, Schumer said in a statement following the opinion. This decision undermines the credibility of the Supreme Court, and suggests that political influence trumps all in our courts today.

DOJ communications immune

Roberts majority opinion held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results are immune to prosecution, but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in the indictment of Trump by Smith, the Department of Justice special counsel.

The indictment accuses Trump of leveraging the power of the Justice Department to pressure states to replace legitimate electors with false ones as a way to clinch the presidency. Trump threatened to fire those who did not cooperate, according to the indictment.

Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegationssuch as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions.

Roberts blamed the expedition of the case and the lack of factual analysis by the lower courts for leaving open what the court described as complex questions.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on four counts Aug. 1, 2023, but the former president effectively halted all proceedings in October when he moved to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. The justices, in December, refused a request by Smith to expedite the question of presidential immunity.

While Trumps communications with the Justice Department are deemed official, the court returns to the lower court the question of whether Trumps alleged pressure campaign of Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6 falls under the presidents scope of constitutional duties.

Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution for the conversations with his vice president, Roberts wrote.

But the opinion also highlights that the vice president simultaneously serves as the president of the Senate, taking some of his or her duties  including the certification of election results  outside the executive branch.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity, Roberts wrote. We therefore remand to the District Court to assess in the first instance, with appropriate input from the parties, whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

Trump and the fake electors

Whether Trumps communication with election officials in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin about false slates of electors qualifies as official presidential conduct must also be decided by the lower courts.

The federal indictment alleges Trump worked with co-conspirators in the seven states to marshal individuals who would have served as [Trumps] electors, had he won the popular vote and submit the false outcomes to Pence and Congress.

During oral arguments in April, Trump attorney D. John Sauer asserted that it is [a]bsolutely an official act for the president to communicate with state officials on . . . the integrity of a federal election. The government argued the discussions amounted to a private scheme with private actors.

On this debate, Roberts, citing the Constitution, wrote in Mondays opinion that Of course, the Presidents duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed plainly encompasses enforcement of federal election laws passed by Congress.

And the Presidents broad power to speak on matters of public concern does not exclude his public communications regarding the fairness and integrity of federal elections simply because he is running for re-election, Roberts continued.

The answer to whether those discussions and alleged plans were official or unofficial will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations by the lower court, Roberts concluded.

Similarly, the justices returned to the lower courts any determination of Trumps tweets, White House Ellipse speech to rallygoers and Rose Garden address to rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, as official or unofficial.

(M)ost of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, Roberts wrote.

There may, however, be contexts in which the President, notwithstanding the prominence of his position, speaks in an unofficial capacityperhaps as a candidate for office or party leader, he continued.

He urged the trial court to conduct a factbound analysis of who was involved in communications leading up to Jan. 6 and what else was said contemporaneous to the excerpted communications quoted in the indictment.

With fear for our democracy

In a scathing dissent, Sotomayor, writing for the courts three-member liberal wing that also includes Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majority opinion invents an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law.

The court did not need to declare a presidents core constitutional duties  which were not at issue in the indictment  as immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Including a discussion of core constitutional duties seemed to expand their definition, she said.

But more important, she said, was the majoritys finding of presumed immunity for all official acts, which greatly expands a presidents power to commit misdeeds with impunity.

Whether described as presumptive or absolute, under the majoritys rule, a Presidents use of any official power for any purpose, even the most corrupt, is immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. That is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The majoritys view that prosecutors cannot even use a presidents official acts as evidence in a prosecution of the president for private offenses was nonsensical, she added.

The ruling makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law, Sotomayor said.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, she wrote. With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Jackson dissent

In a separate dissent, Jackson said she fully endorsed Sotomayors view, and expanded on the theoretical nuts and bolts of what the decision would mean.

Being immune is not like having a defense under the law, Jackson wrote. Rather, it means that the law does not apply to the immunized person in the first place.

In the majority opinion, Roberts said the dissents overreacted to the ruling.

The dissents strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today, Roberts said.

The majority only ruled that Trumps conversations with Justice Department officials were immune from prosecution and left to lower courts to determine other questions, Roberts wrote.

Barrett argues for narrower immunity

In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the most recent of three justices Trump appointed, agreed with the bulk of the majoritys opinion.

But Barrett argued at least part of the allegations against Trump were valid and said the justices should have explicitly said so, rather than leaving the question to lower courts.

The Court leaves open the possibility that the Constitution forbids prosecuting the President for any official conduct, instructing the lower courts to address that question in the first instance, she wrote. I would have answered it now.

In particular, the allegations that involve Trump pressuring state officials to appoint alternate slates of electors should not be immune from prosecution, Barrett wrote, citing Trumps alleged request to Arizonas House speaker at the time, Rusty Bowers.

A President has no legal authorityand thus no official capacityto influence how the States appoint their electors, Barrett wrote. I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct.

Court enables Trumps threat, critics say

Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers decried the decision as a blow to democracy.

Tom Joscelyn, one of the principal authors of the final report from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, told States Newsroom Monday the court is pretending that theres some ambiguity on what is an official act or not an official act of indictment.

The bottom line is the facts are not really in dispute. Theyre easy for all Americans to see. We all saw how Trump pressured Vice President Pence to overturn the election. When Pence refused to do Trumps bidding, Trump sent a mob down to the Capitol to intimidate him and hunt him, Joscelyn said. So this is not something where theres some great mystery here. We all know what happened.

U.S. Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat who was a lead counsel for the U.S. House impeachments of Trump, including the 2021 proceeding related to Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack, said Trump has indicated he would use the office to seek retribution if he is returned to the White House.

Its not just the biggest threat in a generation, Goldman said on the Biden campaign call. It is far and away the greatest threat since the Civil War.

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement saying President Joe Biden is (t)he only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy  and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.

Victory for all future presidents

Trumps allies celebrated the decision.

House Speaker Johnson said in his statement the court stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts. This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense. As President Trump has repeatedly said, the American people, not President Bidens bureaucrats, will decide the November 5th election.

The far-right Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the Project 2025 document to enshrine conservative policies should Trump win in November, also hailed the decision.

Today, the Supreme Court recognized and breathed life into the important constitutional principle of separation of powers by providing former, current, and future presidents with absolute immunity for official acts that they undertook during their administrations, John G. Malcolm, one of the foundations legal scholars, said in a statement.

(A)nd also made it clear that the burden falls on the prosecution to demonstrate that any action taken by a former president clearly falls beyond the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities and on the side of being an unofficial act, he said.

In a rambling post on Truth Social Monday afternoon, Trump again cheered the decision and also repeated claims that the New York state hush money case against him originated with Biden and was backed by Hungarian Jewish philanthropist George Soros  a yearslong trope repeated by the right wing.

Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes  The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs case, Trump wrote, also referring to the civil case in New York where he was found liable for sexually abusing a writer in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.

GOP-led states back Trump

Trump claimed absolute criminal immunity not long after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden.

DOJs Smith officially charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The former president argued that his acts were official, as they were conducted while he was still in office. He also claimed that the Constitutions Impeachment Clause shields a president from criminal prosecution unless he or she is first impeached and convicted by Congress.

The claim led to some jaw-dropping moments in which Trumps lawyer Sauer argued to both an appeals panel and the high court justices that presidents could not be criminally tried for ordering an assassination of a political rival unless they were first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, an inherently political process.

The high-profile case attracted numerous friend-of-the-court briefs.

GOP-led states lined up in support of Trump including 18 Republican state attorneys general who signed a brief in March accusing Smith of trying to inflict maximum damage on President Bidens political opponent before the November 2024 election.

The attorneys general included on the brief were from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Prior to the Supreme Courts decision to take up the case, 26 former GOP officials warned of terrifying possibilities if the court accepted Trumps claim of blanket immunity.

The officials, a mix of former GOP Department of Justice attorneys and lawmakers, wrote: No Court should create a presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, even for official acts, that is so vast that it endangers the peaceful transfer of executive power that our Constitution mandates.

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Brendan McDermid/Getty Images, Pool)

WASHINGTON  U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps election interference case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

The landmark decision by the courts conservatives  the last of the Supreme Court term  was met with intense dismay from Democrats and allies, who described it as a setback for democracy that undermined the Constitution by putting the former president above the law.

Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was in the Capitol on Jan. 6, said Trump was responsible for the attack that day. The courts ruling has empowered the former president, he said.

Donald Trump is still the single greatest threat to our democracy, Dunn said on a press call organized by the Biden-Harris campaign. I dont need nine Supreme Court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for Jan. 6. I was there. Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name.

Trump and his allies said the ruling repudiated the prosecutions against him, which he has criticized as politically motivated. Todays ruling by the Court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said in a statement.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

A federal indictment in August 2023 alleged Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

The Supreme Courts timing of its decision likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day. The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court, under U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

It is unclear how or whether such proceedings would go forward if Trump, who is already a convicted felon in New York, wins a second term.

Sweeping powers and duties

In the 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that realityand ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he woulddoes not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the decision fundamentally alters the presidency and mocks the principle that no one is above the law.

The majority relied on little more than its own misguided wisdom that presidents need to be able to take decisive and quick action, to give Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent, she wrote.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, declared the high courts decision a victory. BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! he wrote on his Truth Social platform immediately after the opinions release.

A top Democrat in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, said Monday was a sad day for our democracy.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA Supreme Court  which is comprised of three justices appointed by Mr. Trump himself  enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, Schumer said in a statement following the opinion. This decision undermines the credibility of the Supreme Court, and suggests that political influence trumps all in our courts today.

DOJ communications immune

Roberts majority opinion held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results are immune to prosecution, but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in the indictment of Trump by Smith, the Department of Justice special counsel.

The indictment accuses Trump of leveraging the power of the Justice Department to pressure states to replace legitimate electors with false ones as a way to clinch the presidency. Trump threatened to fire those who did not cooperate, according to the indictment.

Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegationssuch as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions.

Roberts blamed the expedition of the case and the lack of factual analysis by the lower courts for leaving open what the court described as complex questions.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on four counts Aug. 1, 2023, but the former president effectively halted all proceedings in October when he moved to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. The justices, in December, refused a request by Smith to expedite the question of presidential immunity.

While Trumps communications with the Justice Department are deemed official, the court returns to the lower court the question of whether Trumps alleged pressure campaign of Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6 falls under the presidents scope of constitutional duties.

Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution for the conversations with his vice president, Roberts wrote.

But the opinion also highlights that the vice president simultaneously serves as the president of the Senate, taking some of his or her duties  including the certification of election results  outside the executive branch.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity, Roberts wrote. We therefore remand to the District Court to assess in the first instance, with appropriate input from the parties, whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

Trump and the fake electors

Whether Trumps communication with election officials in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin about false slates of electors qualifies as official presidential conduct must also be decided by the lower courts.

The federal indictment alleges Trump worked with co-conspirators in the seven states to marshal individuals who would have served as [Trumps] electors, had he won the popular vote and submit the false outcomes to Pence and Congress.

During oral arguments in April, Trump attorney D. John Sauer asserted that it is [a]bsolutely an official act for the president to communicate with state officials on . . . the integrity of a federal election. The government argued the discussions amounted to a private scheme with private actors.

With todays decision, the Supreme Court concluded what weve known all along: a president cannot be prosecuted for his official acts. The weaponization of President Bidens Department of Justice against President Trump is outrageous, unconstitutional, and must cease. While its  Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) July 1, 2024

On this debate, Roberts, citing the Constitution, wrote in Mondays opinion that Of course, the Presidents duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed plainly encompasses enforcement of federal election laws passed by Congress.

And the Presidents broad power to speak on matters of public concern does not exclude his public communications regarding the fairness and integrity of federal elections simply because he is running for re-election, Roberts continued.

The answer to whether those discussions and alleged plans were official or unofficial will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations by the lower court, Roberts concluded.

Similarly, the justices returned to the lower courts any determination of Trumps tweets, White House Ellipse speech to rallygoers and Rose Garden address to rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, as official or unofficial.

(M)ost of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, Roberts wrote.

There may, however, be contexts in which the President, notwithstanding the prominence of his position, speaks in an unofficial capacityperhaps as a candidate for office or party leader, he continued.

He urged the trial court to conduct a factbound analysis of who was involved in communications leading up to Jan. 6 and what else was said contemporaneous to the excerpted communications quoted in the indictment.

With fear for our democracy

In a scathing dissent, Sotomayor, writing for the courts three-member liberal wing that also includes Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majority opinion invents an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law.

The court did not need to declare a presidents core constitutional duties  which were not at issue in the indictment  as immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Including a discussion of core constitutional duties seemed to expand their definition, she said.

But more important, she said, was the majoritys finding of presumed immunity for all official acts, which greatly expands a presidents power to commit misdeeds with impunity.

Whether described as presumptive or absolute, under the majoritys rule, a Presidents use of any official power for any purpose, even the most corrupt, is immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. That is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The majoritys view that prosecutors cannot even use a presidents official acts as evidence in a prosecution of the president for private offenses was nonsensical, she added.

The ruling makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law, Sotomayor said.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, she wrote.

With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Jackson dissent

In a separate dissent, Jackson said she fully endorsed Sotomayors view, and expanded on the theoretical nuts and bolts of what the decision would mean.

Being immune is not like having a defense under the law, Jackson wrote. Rather, it means that the law does not apply to the immunized person in the first place.

In the majority opinion, Roberts said the dissents overreacted to the ruling.

The dissents strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today, Roberts said.

The majority only ruled that Trumps conversations with Justice Department officials were immune from prosecution and left to lower courts to determine other questions, Roberts wrote.

Barrett argues for narrower immunity

In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the most recent of three justices Trump appointed, agreed with the bulk of the majoritys opinion.

But Barrett argued at least part of the allegations against Trump were valid and said the justices should have explicitly said so, rather than leaving the question to lower courts.

The Court leaves open the possibility that the Constitution forbids prosecuting the President for any official conduct, instructing the lower courts to address that question in the first instance, she wrote. I would have answered it now.

In particular, the allegations that involve Trump pressuring state officials to appoint alternate slates of electors should not be immune from prosecution, Barrett wrote, citing Trumps alleged request to Arizonas House speaker at the time, Rusty Bowers.

A President has no legal authorityand thus no official capacityto influence how the States appoint their electors, Barrett wrote. I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct.

Court enables Trumps threat, critics say

Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers decried the decision as a blow to democracy.

Tom Joscelyn, one of the principal authors of the final report from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, told States Newsroom Monday the court is pretending that theres some ambiguity on what is an official act or not an official act of indictment.

The bottom line is the facts are not really in dispute. Theyre easy for all Americans to see. We all saw how Trump pressured Vice President Pence to overturn the election. When Pence refused to do Trumps bidding, Trump sent a mob down to the Capitol to intimidate him and hunt him, Joscelyn said. So this is not something where theres some great mystery here. We all know what happened.

U.S. Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat who was a lead counsel for the U.S. House impeachments of Trump, including the 2021 proceeding related to Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack, said Trump has indicated he would use the office to seek retribution if he is returned to the White House.

Its not just the biggest threat in a generation, Goldman said on the Biden campaign call. It is far and away the greatest threat since the Civil War.

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement saying President Joe Biden is (t)he only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy  and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.

Victory for all future presidents

Trumps allies celebrated the decision.

House Speaker Johnson said in his statement the court stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts. This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense. As President Trump has repeatedly said, the American people, not President Bidens bureaucrats, will decide the November 5th election.

The far-right Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the Project 2025 document to enshrine conservative policies should Trump win in November, also hailed the decision.

Today, the Supreme Court recognized and breathed life into the important constitutional principle of separation of powers by providing former, current, and future presidents with absolute immunity for official acts that they undertook during their administrations, John G. Malcolm, one of the foundations legal scholars, said in a statement.

(A)nd also made it clear that the burden falls on the prosecution to demonstrate that any action taken by a former president clearly falls beyond the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities and on the side of being an unofficial act, he said.

In a rambling post on Truth Social Monday afternoon, Trump again cheered the decision and also repeated claims that the New York state hush money case against him originated with Biden and was backed by Hungarian Jewish philanthropist George Soros  a yearslong trope repeated by the right wing.

Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes  The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs case, Trump wrote, also referring to the civil case in New York where he was found liable for sexually abusing a writer in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.

GOP-led states back Trump

Trump claimed absolute criminal immunity not long after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden.

DOJs Smith officially charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The former president argued that his acts were official, as they were conducted while he was still in office. He also claimed that the Constitutions Impeachment Clause shields a president from criminal prosecution unless he or she is first impeached and convicted by Congress.

The claim led to some jaw-dropping moments in which Trumps lawyer Sauer argued to both an appeals panel and the high court justices that presidents could not be criminally tried for ordering an assassination of a political rival unless they were first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, an inherently political process.

The high-profile case attracted numerous friend-of-the-court briefs.

GOP-led states lined up in support of Trump including 18 Republican state attorneys general who signed a brief in March accusing Smith of trying to inflict maximum damage on President Bidens political opponent before the November 2024 election.

The attorneys general included on the brief were from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Prior to the Supreme Courts decision to take up the case, 26 former GOP officials warned of terrifying possibilities if the court accepted Trumps claim of blanket immunity.

The officials, a mix of former GOP Department of Justice attorneys and lawmakers, wrote: No Court should create a presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, even for official acts, that is so vast that it endangers the peaceful transfer of executive power that our Constitution mandates.

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Former U.S President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Brendan McDermid | Pool | Getty Images)

This story was updated on July 1 at 4:58 p.m.

WASHINGTON  U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps election interference case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

The landmark decision by the courts conservatives  the last of the Supreme Court term  was met with intense dismay from Democrats and allies, who described it as a setback for democracy that undermined the Constitution by putting the former president above the law.

Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was in the Capitol on Jan. 6, said Trump was responsible for the attack that day. The courts ruling has empowered the former president, he said.

Donald Trump is still the single greatest threat to our democracy, Dunn said on a press call organized by the Biden-Harris campaign. I dont need nine Supreme Court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for Jan. 6. I was there. Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name.

Trump and his allies said the ruling repudiated the prosecutions against him, which he has criticized as politically motivated. Todays ruling by the Court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

A federal indictment in August 2023 alleged Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

The Supreme Courts timing of its decision likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day. The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court, under U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

It is unclear how or whether such proceedings would go forward if Trump, who is already a convicted felon in New York, wins a second term.

Sweeping powers and duties

In the 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that reality  and ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he would  does not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the decision fundamentally alters the presidency and mocks the principle that no one is above the law.

The majority relied on little more than its own misguided wisdom that presidents need to be able to take decisive and quick action, to give Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent, she wrote.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, declared the high courts decision a victory. BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! he wrote on his Truth Social platform immediately after the opinions release.

A top Democrat in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, said Monday was a sad day for our democracy.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA Supreme Court  which is comprised of three justices appointed by Mr. Trump himself  enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, Schumer said in a statement following the opinion. This decision undermines the credibility of the Supreme Court, and suggests that political influence trumps all in our courts today.

DOJ communications immune

Roberts majority opinion held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results are immune to prosecution, but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in the indictment of Trump by Smith, the Department of Justice special counsel.

The indictment accuses Trump of leveraging the power of the Justice Department to pressure states to replace legitimate electors with false ones as a way to clinch the presidency. Trump threatened to fire those who did not cooperate, according to the indictment.

Certain allegations  such as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney General  are readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegations  such as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general public  present more difficult questions.

Roberts blamed the expedition of the case and the lack of factual analysis by the lower courts for leaving open what the court described as complex questions.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on four counts Aug. 1, 2023, but the former president effectively halted all proceedings in October when he moved to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. The justices, in December, refused a request by Smith to expedite the question of presidential immunity.

While Trumps communications with the Justice Department are deemed official, the court returns to the lower court the question of whether Trumps alleged pressure campaign of Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6 falls under the presidents scope of constitutional duties.

Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution for the conversations with his vice president, Roberts wrote.

But the opinion also highlights that the vice president simultaneously serves as the president of the Senate, taking some of his or her duties  including the certification of election results  outside the executive branch.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity, Roberts wrote. We therefore remand to the District Court to assess in the first instance, with appropriate input from the parties, whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

Trump and the fake electors

Whether Trumps communication with election officials in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin about false slates of electors qualifies as official presidential conduct must also be decided by the lower courts.

The federal indictment alleges Trump worked with co-conspirators in the seven states to marshal individuals who would have served as [Trumps] electors, had he won the popular vote and submit the false outcomes to Pence and Congress.

During oral arguments in April, Trump attorney D. John Sauer asserted that it is [a]bsolutely an official act for the president to communicate with state officials on . . . the integrity of a federal election. The government argued the discussions amounted to a private scheme with private actors.

On this debate, Roberts, citing the Constitution, wrote in Mondays opinion that Of course, the Presidents duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed plainly encompasses enforcement of federal election laws passed by Congress.

And the Presidents broad power to speak on matters of public concern does not exclude his public communications regarding the fairness and integrity of federal elections simply because he is running for re-election, Roberts continued.

The answer to whether those discussions and alleged plans were official or unofficial will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations by the lower court, Roberts concluded.

Similarly, the justices returned to the lower courts any determination of Trumps tweets, White House Ellipse speech to rallygoers and Rose Garden address to rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, as official or unofficial.

(M)ost of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, Roberts wrote.

There may, however, be contexts in which the President, notwithstanding the prominence of his position, speaks in an unofficial capacity  perhaps as a candidate for office or party leader, he continued.

He urged the trial court to conduct a factbound analysis of who was involved in communications leading up to Jan. 6 and what else was said contemporaneous to the excerpted communications quoted in the indictment.

With fear for our democracy

In a scathing dissent, Sotomayor, writing for the courts three-member liberal wing that also includes Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majority opinion invents an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law.

The court did not need to declare a presidents core constitutional duties  which were not at issue in the indictment  as immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Including a discussion of core constitutional duties seemed to expand their definition, she said.

But more important, she said, was the majoritys finding of presumed immunity for all official acts, which greatly expands a presidents power to commit misdeeds with impunity.

Whether described as presumptive or absolute, under the majoritys rule, a Presidents use of any official power for any purpose, even the most corrupt, is immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. That is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The majoritys view that prosecutors cannot even use a presidents official acts as evidence in a prosecution of the president for private offenses was nonsensical, she added.

The ruling makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law, Sotomayor said.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, she wrote.

With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Jackson dissent

In a separate dissent, Jackson said she fully endorsed Sotomayors view, and expanded on the theoretical nuts and bolts of what the decision would mean.

Being immune is not like having a defense under the law, Jackson wrote. Rather, it means that the law does not apply to the immunized person in the first place.

In the majority opinion, Roberts said the dissents overreacted to the ruling.

The dissents strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today, Roberts said.

The majority only ruled that Trumps conversations with Justice Department officials were immune from prosecution and left to lower courts to determine other questions, Roberts wrote.

Barrett argues for narrower immunity

In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the most recent of three justices Trump appointed, agreed with the bulk of the majoritys opinion.

But Barrett argued at least part of the allegations against Trump were valid and said the justices should have explicitly said so, rather than leaving the question to lower courts.

The Court leaves open the possibility that the Constitution forbids prosecuting the President for any official conduct, instructing the lower courts to address that question in the first instance, she wrote. I would have answered it now.

In particular, the allegations that involve Trump pressuring state officials to appoint alternate slates of electors should not be immune from prosecution, Barrett wrote, citing Trumps alleged request to Arizonas House speaker at the time, Rusty Bowers.

A President has no legal authority  and thus no official capacity  to influence how the States appoint their electors, Barrett wrote. I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct.

Court enables Trumps threat, critics say

Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers decried the decision as a blow to democracy.

Tom Joscelyn, one of the principal authors of the final report from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, told States Newsroom Monday the court is pretending that theres some ambiguity on what is an official act or not an official act of indictment.

The bottom line is the facts are not really in dispute. Theyre easy for all Americans to see. We all saw how Trump pressured Vice President Pence to overturn the election. When Pence refused to do Trumps bidding, Trump sent a mob down to the Capitol to intimidate him and hunt him, Joscelyn said. So this is not something where theres some great mystery here. We all know what happened.

U.S. Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat who was a lead counsel for the U.S. House impeachments of Trump, including the 2021 proceeding related to Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack, said Trump has indicated he would use the office to seek retribution if he is returned to the White House.

Its not just the biggest threat in a generation, Goldman said on the Biden campaign call. It is far and away the greatest threat since the Civil War.

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement saying President Joe Biden is (t)he only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy  and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.

Victory for all future presidents

Trumps allies celebrated the decision.

House Speaker Johnson said in his statement the court stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts. This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense. As President Trump has repeatedly said, the American people, not President Bidens bureaucrats, will decide the November 5th election.

The far-right Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the Project 2025 document to enshrine conservative policies should Trump win in November, also hailed the decision.

Today, the Supreme Court recognized and breathed life into the important constitutional principle of separation of powers by providing former, current, and future presidents with absolute immunity for official acts that they undertook during their administrations, John G. Malcolm, one of the foundations legal scholars, said in a statement.

(A)nd also made it clear that the burden falls on the prosecution to demonstrate that any action taken by a former president clearly falls beyond the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities and on the side of being an unofficial act, he said.

In a rambling post on Truth Social Monday afternoon, Trump again cheered the decision and also repeated claims that the New York state hush money case against him originated with Biden and was backed by Hungarian Jewish philanthropist George Soros  a yearslong trope repeated by the right wing.

Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes  The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs case, Trump wrote, also referring to the civil case in New York where he was found liable for sexually abusing a writer in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.

GOP-led states back Trump

Trump claimed absolute criminal immunity not long after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden.

DOJs Smith officially charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The former president argued that his acts were official, as they were conducted while he was still in office. He also claimed that the Constitutions Impeachment Clause shields a president from criminal prosecution unless he or she is first impeached and convicted by Congress.

The claim led to some jaw-dropping moments in which Trumps lawyer Sauer argued to both an appeals panel and the high court justices that presidents could not be criminally tried for ordering an assassination of a political rival unless they were first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, an inherently political process.

The high-profile case attracted numerous friend-of-the-court briefs.

GOP-led states lined up in support of Trump including 18 Republican state attorneys general who signed a brief in March accusing Smith of trying to inflict maximum damage on President Bidens political opponent before the November 2024 election.

The attorneys general included on the brief were from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

Prior to the Supreme Courts decision to take up the case, 26 former GOP officials warned of terrifying possibilities if the court accepted Trumps claim of blanket immunity.

The officials, a mix of former GOP Department of Justice attorneys and lawmakers, wrote: No Court should create a presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, even for official acts, that is so vast that it endangers the peaceful transfer of executive power that our Constitution mandates.

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far official acts can reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

The decision about the presumptive Republican presidential nominees actions while in office likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day.

The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

In a 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that realityand ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he woulddoes not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results were official but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in Department of Justice special counsel Jacks Smith indictment of Trump.

Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegations such as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the decision makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate criminal law.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, Sotomayor wrote. With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Trump claimed in court filings that he could not be prosecuted for actions he took while still in office. His legal team also argues that former presidents cannot be tried in the court of law unless they are first impeached by the U.S. House and convicted by the Senate.

The indictment, which a federal grand jury handed up in August 2023, alleges Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

DOJs Smith charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. (Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official core constitutional acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trumps election interference case back to the lower courts.

The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

The landmark decision by the courts conservatives  the last of the Supreme Court term  was met with intense dismay from Democrats and allies, who described it as a setback for democracy that undermined the Constitution by putting the former president above the law.

Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was in the Capitol on Jan. 6, said Trump was responsible for the attack that day. The courts ruling has empowered the former president, he said.

Donald Trump is still the single greatest threat to our democracy, Dunn said on a press call organized by the Biden-Harris campaign. I dont need nine Supreme Court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for Jan. 6. I was there. Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name.

Trump and his allies said the ruling repudiated the prosecutions against him, which he has criticized as politically motivated. Todays ruling by the Court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Bidens weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nations highest bench after two lower courts denied his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

A federal indictment in August 2023 alleged Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.

The Supreme Courts timing of its decision likely closes the door to any chance that Trumps election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day. The justices took up the case in February but did not hear oral arguments until April 25.

The trial court, under U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, must now grapple with whether Trumps alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

It is unclear how or whether such proceedings would go forward if Trump, who is already a convicted felon in New York, wins a second term.

Sweeping powers and duties

In the 6-3 opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, like everyone else.

But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties, Roberts wrote. Accounting for that realityand ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he woulddoes not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.

The U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the decision fundamentally alters the presidency and mocks the principle that no one is above the law.

The majority relied on little more than its own misguided wisdom that presidents need to be able to take decisive and quick action, to give Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.

Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent, she wrote.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, declared the high courts decision a victory. BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! he wrote on his Truth Social platform immediately after the opinions release.

A top Democrat in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, said Monday was a sad day for our democracy.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA Supreme Court  which is

comprised of three justices appointed by Mr. Trump himself  enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, Schumer said in a statement following the opinion. This decision undermines the credibility of the Supreme Court, and suggests that political influence trumps all in our courts today.

DOJ communications immune

Roberts majority opinion held that Trumps conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results are immune to prosecution, but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in the indictment of Trump by Smith, the Department of Justice special counsel.

The indictment accuses Trump of leveraging the power of the Justice Department to pressure states to replace legitimate electors with false ones as a way to clinch the presidency. Trump threatened to fire those who did not cooperate, according to the indictment.

Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trumps discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the Presidents official relationship to the office held by that individual, the opinion reads. Other allegationssuch as those involving Trumps interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions.

Roberts blamed the expedition of the case and the lack of factual analysis by the lower courts for leaving open what the court described as complex questions.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on four counts Aug. 1, 2023, but the former president effectively halted all proceedings in October when he moved to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. The justices, in December, refused a request by Smith to expedite the question of presidential immunity.

While Trumps communications with the Justice Department are deemed official, the court returns to the lower court the question of whether Trumps alleged pressure campaign of Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6 falls under the presidents scope of constitutional duties.

Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution for the conversations with his vice president, Roberts wrote.

But the opinion also highlights that the vice president simultaneously serves as the president of the Senate, taking some of his or her duties  including the certification of election results  outside the executive branch.

It is ultimately the Governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity, Roberts wrote. We therefore remand to the District Court to assess in the first instance, with appropriate input from the parties, whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.

Trump and the fake electors

Whether Trumps communication with election officials in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin about false slates of electors qualifies as official presidential conduct must also be decided by the lower courts.

The federal indictment alleges Trump worked with co-conspirators in the seven states to marshal individuals who would have served as [Trumps] electors, had he won the popular vote and submit the false outcomes to Pence and Congress.

During oral arguments in April, Trump attorney D. John Sauer asserted that it is [a]bsolutely an official act for the president to communicate with state officials on . . . the integrity of a federal election. The government argued the discussions amounted to a private scheme with private actors.

On this debate, Roberts, citing the Constitution, wrote in Mondays opinion that Of course, the Presidents duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed plainly encompasses enforcement of federal election laws passed by Congress.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

And the Presidents broad power to speak on matters of public concern does not exclude his public communications regarding the fairness and integrity of federal elections simply because he is running for re-election, Roberts continued.

The answer to whether those discussions and alleged plans were official or unofficial will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations by the lower court, Roberts concluded.

Similarly, the justices returned to the lower courts any determination of Trumps tweets, White House Ellipse speech to rallygoers and Rose Garden address to rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, as official or unofficial.

(M)ost of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, Roberts wrote.

There may, however, be contexts in which the President, notwithstanding the prominence of his position, speaks in an unofficial capacityperhaps as a candidate for office or party leader, he continued.

He urged the trial court to conduct a factbound analysis of who was involved in communications leading up to Jan. 6 and what else was said contemporaneous to the excerpted communications quoted in the indictment.

With fear for our democracy

In a scathing dissent, Sotomayor, writing for the courts three-member liberal wing that also includes Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the majority opinion invents an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law.

The court did not need to declare a presidents core constitutional duties  which were not at issue in the indictment  as immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Including a discussion of core constitutional duties seemed to expand their definition, she said.

But more important, she said, was the majoritys finding of presumed immunity for all official acts, which greatly expands a presidents power to commit misdeeds with impunity.

Whether described as presumptive or absolute, under the majoritys rule, a Presidents use of any official power for any purpose, even the most corrupt, is immune from prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. That is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

The majoritys view that prosecutors cannot even use a presidents official acts as evidence in a prosecution of the president for private offenses was nonsensical, she added.

The ruling makes the president immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law, Sotomayor said.

If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain,

the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop, she wrote.

With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Jackson dissent

In a separate dissent, Jackson said she fully endorsed Sotomayors view, and expanded on the theoretical nuts and bolts of what the decision would mean.

Being immune is not like having a defense under the law, Jackson wrote. Rather, it means that the law does not apply to the immunized person in the first place.

In the majority opinion, Roberts said the dissents overreacted to the ruling.

The dissents strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today, Roberts said.

The majority only ruled that Trumps conversations with Justice Department officials were immune from prosecution and left to lower courts to determine other questions, Roberts wrote.

Barrett argues for narrower immunity

In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the most recent of three justices Trump appointed, agreed with the bulk of the majoritys opinion.

But Barrett argued at least part of the allegations against Trump were valid and said the justices should have explicitly said so, rather than leaving the question to lower courts.

The Court leaves open the possibility that the Constitution forbids prosecuting the President for any official conduct, instructing the lower courts to address that question in the first instance, she wrote. I would have answered it now.

In particular, the allegations that involve Trump pressuring state officials to appoint alternate slates of electors should not be immune from prosecution, Barrett wrote, citing Trumps alleged request to Arizonas House speaker at the time, Rusty Bowers.

A President has no legal authorityand thus no official capacityto influence how the States appoint their electors, Barrett wrote. I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct.

Court enables Trumps threat, critics say

Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers decried the decision as a blow to democracy.

Tom Joscelyn, one of the principal authors of the final report from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, told States Newsroom Monday the court is pretending that theres some ambiguity on what is an official act or not an official act of indictment.

A pro-Trump mob breaks into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The bottom line is the facts are not really in dispute. Theyre easy for all Americans to see. We all saw how Trump pressured Vice President Pence to overturn the election. When Pence refused to do Trumps bidding, Trump sent a mob down to the Capitol to intimidate him and hunt him, Joscelyn said. So this is not something where theres some great mystery here. We all know what happened.

U.S. Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat who was a lead counsel for the U.S. House impeachments of Trump, including the 2021 proceeding related to Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack, said Trump has indicated he would use the office to seek retribution if he is returned to the White House.

Its not just the biggest threat in a generation, Goldman said on the Biden campaign call. It is far and away the greatest threat since the Civil War.

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement saying President Joe Biden is (t)he only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy  and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.

Victory for all future presidents

Trumps allies celebrated the decision.

House Speaker Johnson said in his statement the court stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts. This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense. As President Trump has repeatedly said, the American people, not President Bidens bureaucrats, will decide the November 5th election.

The far-right Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the Project 2025 document to enshrine conservative policies should Trump win in November, also hailed the decision.

Today, the Supreme Court recognized and breathed life into the important constitutional principle of separation of powers by providing former, current, and future presidents with absolute immunity for official acts that they undertook during their administrations, John G. Malcolm, one of the foundations legal scholars, said in a statement.

(A)nd also made it clear that the burden falls on the prosecution to demonstrate that any action taken by a former president clearly falls beyond the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities and on the side of being an unofficial act, he said.

In a rambling post on Truth Social Monday afternoon, Trump again cheered the decision and also repeated claims that the New York state hush money case against him originated with Biden and was backed by Hungarian Jewish philanthropist George Soros  a yearslong trope repeated by the right wing.

Todays Historic Decision by the Supreme Court should end all of Crooked Joe Bidens Witch Hunts against me, including the New York Hoaxes  The Manhattan SCAM cooked up by Soros backed D.A., Alvin Bragg, Racist New York Attorney General Tish James shameless ATTACK on the amazing business that I have built, and the FAKE Bergdorfs case, Trump wrote, also referring to the civil case in New York where he was found liable for sexually abusing a writer in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.

GOP-led states back Trump

Trump claimed absolute criminal immunity not long after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden.

DOJs Smith officially charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The former president argued that his acts were official, as they were conducted while he was still in office. He also claimed that the Constitutions Impeachment Clause shields a president from criminal prosecution unless he or she is first impeached and convicted by Congress.

The claim led to some jaw-dropping moments in which Trumps lawyer Sauer argued to both an appeals panel and the high court justices that presidents could not be criminally tried for ordering an assassination of a political rival unless they were first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, an inherently political process.

The high-profile case attracted numerous friend-of-the-court briefs.

GOP-led states lined up in support of Trump including 18 Republican state attorneys general who signed a brief in March accusing Smith of trying to inflict maximum damage on President Bidens political opponent before the November 2024 election.

The attorneys general included on the brief were from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Prior to the Supreme Courts decision to take up the case, 26 former GOP officials warned of terrifying possibilities if the court accepted Trumps claim of blanket immunity.

The officials, a mix of former GOP Department of Justice attorneys and lawmakers, wrote: No Court should create a presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, even for official acts, that is so vast that it endangers the peaceful transfer of executive power that our Constitution mandates.

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been extensively updated with additional information since its initial publication.

The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
What is presidential immunity? The get out of jail free card Biden could use to assassinate Trump

The Supreme Court has issued its ruling on Donald Trumps immunity case, stating that he has partial immunity from criminal charges in his election interference case.

The former president hailed the development as a big win for democracy as Democrats claimed the ruling had handed him the keys to a dictatorship.

But what exactly did the court decide? What happens next? And is it true that presidents can now send Navy Seals after their political rivals?

What happened at the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump may be immune from charges of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The court split 6-3 along partisan lines to rule that presidents cannot be prosecuted for actions that fall within their core constitutional roles.

Official acts are entitled to a presumption of immunity, meaning the burden is on Jack Smith, the special counsel who brought the indictment against Trump, to rebut the immunity claim.

The district court in Washington DC will decide which charges Trump can claim presidential immunity from.

Does Trump have immunity from the Jan 6 charges?

The court made reference to some of the specific charges against Trump in its ruling to offer guidance to the lower courts.

Trumps attempts to replace his attorney general with a loyalist to oversee his claims of a rigged election is covered by absolute immunity because the president has the sole authority to dismiss executive officers.

Supporters of Donald Trump are confronted by capitol police officers on Jan 6 after storming the building - Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

He also has a presumption of authority over allegedly putting pressure on Mike Pence not to certify the results of the 2020 election. The justice department will need to rebut this presumption.

Trumps speech on the day of the Jan 6 riots  in which he called on supporters to fight like hell  is also likely covered as an official act, the court said.

Why has the court ruled in Trumps favour?

John Roberts, the chief justice, cited a number of cases, precedents and constitutional principles in the 43-page opinion he authored.

However, his key point was that a president could not properly fulfil the duties of their office if the threat of criminal prosecution dangled over them.

He referenced a case made in 1982 against Richard Nixon, the former president, which established presidential immunity from civil litigation.

Potential criminal liability are plainly more likely to distort presidential decision-making than the potential payment of civil damages, he wrote.

During his time in office, Mr Trump filled the Supreme Court with conservative justices - all of whom voted along political lines in his favour.

Could Biden have Trump assassinated?

Sonia Sotomayor, an associate justice who dissented from the courts opinion, claimed the ruling would give presidents the power to assassinate political enemies.

Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organises a military coup to hold onto power? Immune, she said.

Trumps lawyers have previously argued that a president could assassinate his political rivals without criminal prosecution, as long as they were not impeached first. However, the court ruled against this.

Some of the more extreme commentators on social media urged Joe Biden, the US president, to assassinate Trump and launch a drone attack on the Supreme Court.

Assassinating a rival would only be consistent with the courts ruling if it fell within the presidents official acts.

A US president using the power of the state to kill political rivals and maintain his grip on power would be an unprecedented  and hugely unlikely  development.

Stephen Wermiel, a law professor specialising in the Supreme Court, said the notion was preposterous, but said proponents could argue it was covered by the presidents role as commander in chief.

What happens next?

The Jan 6 case will return to the Washington DCs district court, where lawyers will battle over how far Trump can claim immunity from the charges.

Prof Wermiel said the Courts ruling had likely killed any chances of the case coming to trial before Novembers election.

The US supreme court in Washington DC ahead giving a verdict on Donald Trump's immunity trial - Al Drago/Bloomberg

[DC district] Judge Chutkan will have to allow the lawyers to file briefs and maybe have a hearing on what is official and immune and what is unofficial and not immune, he told The Telegraph. I presume either side could appeal the rulings.

Chief justice Roberts said questions about immunity were best decided by the lower courts in the first instance, leaving open the possibility of the Supreme Court having the final say.

What does it mean for Trumps other cases?

The Supreme Court ruling officially relates to the Jan 6 election interference case, but it could open up the opportunity for Trumps lawyers to have it apply to his other criminal charges.

In the Georgia election interference case Trumps lawyers will argue that his alleged plea for Brad Raffensperger, the secretary of state, to change the election results was part of his presidential duties and therefore he should enjoy the presumption of innocence. This, however, is likely to be disputed by the prosecution.



In the classified documents case in Florida, Trumps lawyers have argued the charges relate directly to his duties as president, given he designated the files as personal papers. This, again, could be disputed by prosecutors.

However, as the case has been put on indefinite hold by Judge Aileen Cannon, it will not be heard until after the election, if at all.



A New York jury convicted Trump of 34 counts of falsifying records related to a hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. The offences were committed before Trump became president.

Nevertheless, his legal team are now arguing that the conviction should be overturned because the jury considered evidence from his presidency, which would have been covered by the Supreme Courts immunity ruling.

However, federal courts have given this argument short shrift in the past.

What does it mean for the election?

As the Jan 6 trial has almost certainly been delayed beyond the election, Trump can head into November without being hamstrung by further criminal charges or court appearances that would remove him from the campaign trail.

The former president and his Republican allies have sought to present the ruling as evidence that Mr Biden has weaponised the justice system against him.

Joe Bidens case fell apart after the Supreme Court just gave me total immunity for all official acts, a message from the Trump campaign reads.

However, the Biden campaign has used the decision to hammer home its message that Trump is a fundamental threat to democracy.

If Trump wins again, hell be even more dangerous and unhinged because he knows the courts wont hold him back, it said.

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Kansas Citys Country Club Plaza, languishing after 100 years with crumbling infrastructure and empty storefronts, is slated to receive some $100 million in improvements, the new owners told The Star.

More local restaurants and greater security are also in the plan, as is either a hotel or office building with retail to fill whats become known as the 3-acre empty pit on the Plazas west side. The site had been the proposed location of a new Nordstrom department store before the chain canceled the project in 2022.

On Friday, HP Village Partners  a Dallas-based luxury retail company whose owners include direct descendants of oil magnate H.L. Hunt, father of Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt  took ownership of the Plaza. The sale price paid to The Taubman Co. and Macerich, the districts co-owners since 2016, has yet to be made public.

The Plazas new owners said they intend to talk more about the sale and the shopping districts future at a 10 a.m. Monday press conference with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.

But speaking candidly with the The Star, HP Village principal Ray Washburne laid out some of their priorities in broad strokes.

Its pretty simple, said Washburne. Were going in immediately to try to clean the place up. Its pretty filthy dirty. Clean it up. Were going to really heighten security in a major way that people will see immediately.

Crime and unruly teenagers, particularly during the summer, have been perennial issues.

Nordstrom canceled its plan to build a store on the west side of the Country Club Plaza, leaving this large, vacant lot.

And were going to institute a pretty aggressive marketing campaign because of all the vacancies you see there, Washburne said. Part of our focus is were really going to go hard after the local food scene. Thats totally my focus. You see my other centers, its a local restaurant focus. So, were going to really interview  try to plug a lot of holes with some local food operators. Try to get best-of-class across multiple food lines.

Washburne didnt name any restaurants or type of food directly.

I dont have anything specific in mind yet, he said, because, really, we spent a year chasing this deal. This deal died, came back alive, multiple times.

As for the vacant 3 acres on the Plazas west edge:

Were probably going to do a 300,000- or 400,000-square-foot office building there. Were going to have retail on the ground floor. Everything will have retail on the ground floor. Wed also like to work to put a hotel on the Plaza. That might actually be a hotel site  either office or hotel, a luxury hotel.

The building at 620 Jefferson St. on Kansas Citys famed Country Club Plaza is one of many storefronts that are currently vacant.

The Plaza overall, he said, needs major structural improvements.

Im talking about new roofs, sewers, streets, landscaping, he said. Were budgeting $100 million just to go back into capital improvements.

The others partners in HP Village Partners are Washburnes wife, Heather Hill Washburne, as well his brother-in-law, Stephen Summers, and his wife, Elisa Summers. Elisa Summers and Heather Washburne are sisters and descendants of H.L. Hunt.

Washburne was reluctant to delve into great detail prior to Mondays press conference.

In general, were going to clean it up and reposition the center as something that Kansas City will be proud of again, Washburne said.

Were generational owners,  he later said. Were not putting lipstick on something and flipping it. So its you know, to us, its very important that the community understands where were going and what were doing. And we look at the community as partners with everything we do  every project were part of.

So we want the people there to know that theres no curtain up and, you know, theres total transparency.

At this early stage, stakeholders that include the Plaza District Council  a confederacy of residents and businesses working to maintain the vitality of the Plaza and its surrounding neighborhoods  see the new ownership as providing fresh hope.

I think these guys are authentic, David Westbrook, communications director of the council, told The Star. I think the buyer has family interests in growing and appreciating the asset here so that children and grandchildren can be proud of it and benefit from it.

In discussions with HP Village representatives, he said, he felt they understood the need for unique and local vendors and local restaurants to make the Plaza a draw again.

I think theyre in it for the long run, Westbrook said. I think they understand the history. Ive been around the block a couple of times. And Ive seen developers over the years who are great salesmen, but later youre disappointed in what they deliver.

I think these guys realize that this asset has such cultural value to the Kansas City community, that they dont have to create something, they just have to resurrect it.

Kansas Citys Country Club Plaza was sold Friday to Dallas-based HP Village Partners, which says it has budgeted $100 million for capital improvements.

Resurrection has been sorely needed.

The Spanish-style shopping district, built in 1923 by J.C. Nichols, remains one of Kansas Citys most visited areas. Yet its suffering is on full display, as multiple empty storefronts, particularly on the Plazas west side, create extensive dead spots that were once active.

In 2016, when two companies, Macerich and The Taubman Co., bought the Plaza in a joint venture, they paid a premium, and far more than many insiders thought the Plaza was worth: $660 million to Highwood Properties of North Carolina. Three years later, in 2019, the Jackson County Board of Equalization set the 15-block areas valuation to $292 million.

By 2023, Macerich and Taubman argued that that also was too high. The Missouri State Tax Commission agreed to reduce the Plazas valuation to $179.6 million.

COVID-19 and online shopping seemed to have taken their toll. But critics have long argued that the Plazas slow demise began much earlier under previous owners when they opted to promote national retail chains, found in the average suburban mall, over unique retailers and restaurants apt to draw or serve visitors.

Service retailers such Bruce Smith Drugs and a Meiners market were gone. McDonalds left, too. Marquee retailers gradually followed. Saks Fifth Avenue closed in 2005. Halls department store departed and consolidated in its Crown Center location in 2014. Burberry left in 2018. The Plaza seemed to be losing some of its luster.

In 2019, Cinemark on the Plaza, the movie theater, closed, creating another dark corner that has yet to be filled.

In May 2023, Macerich and The Taubman Co. defaulted on a payment of their $295 loan to their lender, Nuveen. The shopping district went up for sale shortly after.

Highland Park Village, a luxury shopping district in Dallas, was built in 1931 in a Mediterranean style. Its owners have bought Kansas Citys Country Club Plaza.

In Dallas, HP Village Partners owns Highland Park Village, a high-end shopping center that opened in 1931 and which, similar to the Plaza, is built in a Mediterranean, Spanish style. Its list of premier tenants includes luxury brands that go far beyond what the Plaza has previously offered. Among them are Alexander McQueen, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Fendi, Goyard, Harry Winston, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren, Rolex, Tom Ford, Valentino, Van Cleef and Arpels.

In 2022, HP Village also purchased a stake in Phillips Place, a luxury shopping district in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Go look at our other projects, like Highland Park Village in Dallas, Washburne said, which a lot of people in Kansas City have come down to see when they heard we were buying it (the Plaza).

People  they go back very comfortable in who we are and what we do.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A local mother says things could have ended much worse after she hit a deer on I-70 with her infant son in the backseat.

Topekan Billie Fox was traveling home from Council Grove in the early evening of Friday, June 21. She was driving through Wabaunsee County when she noticed a deer on the opposite side of the road. She told 27 News before she knew it, the animal was right in front of her car.

I tried to slow down but it didnt work, Fox said. When he smacked my windshield I pretty much didnt know what to do, but I was like I got my little one in the backseat lets get to the side of the road.

She said panic set in when the deer burst through the windshield and into her lap, but she stayed focused on protecting her son.

Homicides down year-over-year in Topeka

I freaked out, Fox said, but I was like I gotta get out of here so I can check on my baby.

Thats exactly what she did. With the deer still in her lap, Fox managed to get her car to the shoulder so she could pull her son out of the backseat.

The deer had threw my car in park, Fox said. It was like if I dont get to the side Ill be in the middle of the interstate.

Photos provided by Billie Fox

Photos provided by Billie Fox

Photos provided by Billie Fox

Photos provided by Billie Fox

Topeka group taking action to curb violence

Fox had the car sent to Lewis Collision Center in Topeka. The dealership experts told 27 News the deer caused about $15,000 in damage and that the car is totaled.

Fox said she has a lingering back injury, but shes grateful her baby is okay. She told 27 News the Wabaunsee County Sheriffs Department extremely helpful.

They said it was pretty much a miracle that it wasnt worse, Fox said.

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.
Privatization creates "the introduction of a profit motive that is toxic to the creation of broad social benefits." Photo by Getty Images.

If you are someone who generally roots for public policy to succeed, then you might have noticed that Minnesota is having a rough couple of months.

In June, the states celebrated eBike rebate applications were postponed due to a website crash; last week, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced he would be charging five people with over $7 million in fraudulent Medicaid billings; and all of this occurred amidst the ongoing Feeding Our Future trial, which has revealed startling inadequacy in the oversight of more $250 million of nutrition assistance grants distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On their face, the incidents paint a discouraging picture of the states competence and integrity. Unsuccessful programs and improper payments are violations of the public trust. They are also a political liability for Democrats and progressives who generally seek to create a more just and equitable society through government intervention.

Conservatives are eager to use these incidents to inspire doubts about the efficacy of public programs, but recent fraud and dysfunction do not illustrate an inherent problem with government action. To the contrary, the unifying factor in all of these incidents is that policymakers delegated public services, like feeding kids and delivering health care, to nonprofits and private sector businesses rather than having government agencies complete these tasks directly.

Privatization, as this is called, has played a key role both in Minnesotas recent public policy failures, and in national policy challenges for decades. It is a broad and complex topic that I will introduce in this edition of Tax and Spend and hope to explore in depth over the course of the series.

Since the Reagan administration, policymakers have increasingly sought to enact programs and achieve desired outcomes through contracts or subsidies with business. This strategy is emblematic of the neoliberal economic philosophy  ascendant in the U.S. for nearly half a century now  that private markets are the most effective means of improving social welfare, even when it comes to sectors like health care and education that require government funding and oversight.

Despite rhetoric touting the alleged supremacy of private actors, the common result of these programs has not been public savings or enhanced efficiency, but the loss of democratic control over taxpayer dollars and the introduction of a profit motive that is toxic to the creation of broad social benefits.

In their 2021 book, The Privatization of Everything, Donald Cohen and Alan Mikaelian discuss a wide range of infuriating instances of privatization. They range from a disastrous parking meter contract that cost Chicago billions in lost revenue and effectively surrendered the citys right to design its own streets and policies, to military contracts that have weakened our armed forces and left vital national security decisions to the whims of defense industry executives.

Troubling as some of these high-profile examples may be, perhaps no privatization boondoggle matches the scale and scope of our one-of-its-kind system of public-private health care. The United States has the highest health care spending of any developed nation on earth, along with worse health outcomes  including shorter life expectancy and higher infant mortality  than the vast majority of comparable countries.

It is no coincidence we also lead in the delegation of health care management to for-profit corporations.

This incursion of private entities into public services creates opportunities for waste and fraud that are inherently absent in a government-run system. Consider Minnesotas universal school meal program: Unlike Feeding Our Future or Medicaid payments to providers, school lunch money doesnt pass into private bank accounts, but goes directly to school districts, where it is subject to multiple levels of public scrutiny. There is simply no avenue for money to disappear.

Privatization, on the other hand, not only requires spending additional tax dollars to ensure public funds reach their intended destination, but results in leakage to unnecessary middlemen and private profits. Feeding Our Future, for instance, was not simply a meal provider, but acted as a passthrough agent, funding over 100 community-based sites that prepared and served  often nonexistent, it turns out  meals. This is the kind of complex structure you would expect in a multi-level marketing scheme, not a straightforward public program.

In addition to waste and potential fraud, consistent reliance on private providers hurts the public in a third way: By eroding public sector infrastructure and capacity that we need to achieve important social outcomes.

Here is a quote from the Star Tribune editorial board commenting on Feeding Our Future: It continues to be important for state agencies to work with community partners to disperse federal and state dollars because the state doesnt have the capacity to be the providers for numerous social-services funds.

This quote is worth reflecting on. The editorial board takes it for granted that the state does not have the ability to distribute food to people in desperate need. This is both not true  Minnesota is home to tens of thousands of schools, libraries, parks and community centers that can function as hubs for distribution  and hugely problematic. To the extent that the state might struggle to get food to residents in need, it is a tremendous liability, just as the lack of a public health infrastructure greatly complicated the delivery of health care and vaccines during a global pandemic.

But it gets worse. The ed board continues: Commissioner Willie Jett, who has led MDE since 2023, told lawmakers that the department will implement [legislative] recommendations and that it has already strengthened its oversight, started fraud training for employees, contracted with a firm to conduct financial reviews of food programs and added an inspector general to investigate fraud allegations. [emphasis added].

Not only have we privatized the distribution of public funds, but we are now privatizing the oversight of privatization.

Comical as this is, it is not anomalous. In their book, Cohen and Mikaelian discuss the growing Medicaid auditing industry that has popped up as a result of fraud that is created by the privatization of Medicaid services to begin with. This is simply no way to run a country.

The first step to untangling this mess must be a proactive, publicly-run campaign to ensure our tax dollars are going to their intended purposes. This will increase public trust and, by saving wasted money, open new opportunities for increased investment in legitimate services and providers.

But oversight on its own wont be enough. Our systems will remain porous so long as they are built around a motive for private profit. The longer-term project needs to be an agenda of good government grounded in transparent public institutions and a strong public sector workforce.

Undoing decades of privatization is a generational task, but it is necessary if we want to address the pressing needs of Minnesotans, like accessible health care, quality public education, and affordable child care. If Minnesota wants to stand out as the state that works, then we need to step away from a failing status quo.
Rhiannon Willow, a PhD student and research assistant in the Physics Department, speaks at TAHRIR Coalition "Call to Action". July 1, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Updated July 2, 2024 at 11:25 a.m.

A coalition of student groups at the University of Michigan say Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is now looking into possible charges against students involved in pro-Palestinian protests on the Ann Arbor campus, which her office has confirmed for the Michigan Advance.

The TAHRIR Coalition, made up of more than 80 student groups, held a press conference on the grounds of the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, where they continued to press their case that the university should divest itself, both financially and academically, from the state of Israel over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

[University President Santa] Ono and the regents are materially supporting horrifying crimes against humanity, and they are doing it in the name of profit, said Jaredo Eno of the Graduate Employees Organization, one of the coalition members. The campus community has spoken on this over and over and over and has said time and again, we do not want to profit from mass murder.

The efforts of the protesters have included a sit-in last November at Onos office, which resulted in felony charges being brought against four individuals, and an encampment that was broken up by campus police in May that led to four arrests.

While no charges were filed by Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savits office in the encampment confrontation, Eno said the university was not deterred in seeking to repress and silence them, including asking Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to press charges against protesters.

We do not know how many people they have asked for charges against or what those charges are, but we have confirmed that U of Ms police department has requested warrants for criminal charges from the state AGs office against people who are trying to stop the university from funding genocide, said Eno. Its clear that Ono and the regents will use any tool that they can grasp at to silence those who refuse to be complicit in this. This is shameful, and this is dangerous behavior from our supposed leaders.

Danny Wimmer, a spokesperson for the AGs Office, confirmed that they are looking into the activities of students in Ann Arbor and elsewhere.

Our department is reviewing a number of cases involving protest activity around the University of Michigan, Wimmer told the Advance. As has been reported in the media, protesters have engaged in similar activities in multiple southeast Michigan counties and prosecutorial venues, and our office is uniquely situated to review multijurisdictional cases in their totality.

Protesters actions have also included coalition members appearing outside the homes of U of Ms Board of Regents, including Chair Sarah Hubbard and Regent Jordan Acker.

Ackers office was also the target of vandalism in early June, although the coalition did not take credit for it and no suspects in that case have been identified.

Rhiannon Willow, a PhD student and research assistant in the physics department, was one of the students arrested during the clearing of the encampment, saying officers had slammed my forehead and chin forcefully against the ground, which caused a long lasting and extremely debilitating concussion as well as injuries to my neck and jaw, which have still not fully healed.

While no charges were filed against Willow, she was banned from campus for a year, which she says will complicate efforts at finishing her PhD dissertation. However, Willow told the Advance that she too is now concerned about state-level charges.

I believe whats happening is that, knowing that the Eli Savits office declined those charges, I think thats why theyre going to the AGs office, she said. Theyre trying to make it harder for us to keep going, and it seems that the campus bans are unfortunately pretty effective because now so many of us literally cant set foot on campus or well get arrested immediately.

Also speaking was Simrun Bose, who graduated in May, but says she was among more than two dozen students notified in mid-May that the university was pursuing disciplinary action against them for participating in either the Nov.17 sit-in.

Bose said the university flagrantly violated their own procedures when she alleges they forced the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) to start disciplinary proceedings without a formal complaint having been received, and that when one was finally submitted, it was weeks after the six-month deadline.

Weirdest of all, the university representative who submitted the complaint was not a student, staff, or faculty member, once again violating OSCRs own procedural guidelines, said Bose. Instead, the complainant was a California-based consultant who does not seem to have any knowledge of the events of Nov. 17. Hiring this consultant to do the regents dirty work is a cowardly move to avoid responsibility, and possibly is in violation of federal privacy laws.

The coalition contends the consultant, Omar E. Torres of Grand River Solutions, was not a student, faculty, or staff member, violating the universitys own policy about who can file a formal complaint. However, they allege only after the fact was he then added to the faculty. An online check shows a listing for Omar Estrada Torres in the universitys human resources department.

A message was also sent to Torres for comment that has not been returned.

However, when asked for comment, University of Michigan spokesperson Colleen Mastony sent the following response:

On Friday, Nov. 17, individuals forcibly accessed the locked Alexander G. Ruthven Building at the University of Michigan, causing damage and requiring a response from law enforcement. By the evenings end, two police officers were injured and 40 people were arrested for trespassing after multiple warnings to leave the premises. Later, an additional 9 individuals were identified and submitted to the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office for review. This includes 42 students, 5 alumni, one staff member and one person whose affiliation with the university is unknown, said Mastony. On May 16, the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office announced it authorized criminal charges against four individuals involved in the Nov. 17 incident. Charges include attempting to resist and obstruct, resisting and obstructing, and attempting to disarm a police officer. The four people charged are U-M alumni.

Mastony added that those students who were arrested for trespassing that day are now part of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution accountability process.

These students are being afforded appropriate due process protections, including but not limited to notice of the allegations against them, the opportunity to be heard, and the right to an appeal. The university has not deprived students of these rights, said Mastony, who confirmed that U of M has engaged Grand River Solutions, to assist in the student accountability process, and that a staffer of that firm is now an employee of the university and will represent U of M in bringing the cases to resolution.

Mastony also pointed to the universitys Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, which states that while complaints should be submitted to a resolution coordinator, in writing, within six months after the alleged incident, a resolution coordinator may waive the six-month limitation. Mastony says that is what happened in this case.

The university had provided sufficient information to the resolution coordinator to substantiate allegations of a policy violation within six months of the incident. Students were made aware of allegations in letters sent May 15 and the written complaint was finalized on June 3, she stated.

Meanwhile, Bose says OSCR is forcing students to either accept responsibility or be subject to a formal hearing.

I havent made my decision yet, Bose said. I have a lot of questions about how this consultant even got this information in the first place that I would hope to be answered before Im able to make a decision.

Meanwhile, Eno urged the community to show their support for the coalitions efforts and keep up the pressure on the university to change its policies.

We cannot endure continued support for this genocide, he said. So, we will keep fighting for divestment, and we will keep fighting to keep each other safe, because as youve heard from folks, that is exactly the type of world that we are trying to build and nurture through this coalition and its work. So, well keep fighting.

This story has been updated to include a response from the University of Michigan.

The post Pro-Palestinian protesters slam U of M for asking Michigan AG to press charges against students appeared first on Michigan Advance.
From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

A group of prominent conservative and ex-Republican opponents of Donald Trump is set to meet with senior Biden campaign officials in Washington on Monday, just days after a televised presidential debate raised serious questions among many of the presidents supporters about whether Joe Biden should continue his campaign for reelection.

Five people familiar with the meeting confirmed to Dispatch Politics that the gathering was planned before Bidens disastrous performance on Thursday night. However, multiple members of the group will tell the campaign that the president should drop out of his race against Trump, reflecting a growing lack of confidence that the 81-year-old Democrat is able to defeat the presumptive Republican nominee. The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the meeting.

Among those on the list to attend the gathering in Washington are former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, lawyer George Conway, veteran Republican operative Mike Murphy, commentators Bill Kristol and Charlie Sykes, and strategist Sarah Longwell. In recent days, several of these Never Trumpers have publicly called on Biden to either drop out of the race or consider doing so.

I keep returning to a conclusion I reached a while back, but felt was not realistic enough as a scenario to be worth expressing, Conway tweeted Sunday evening. For the good of the country and their own good, both of the major-party presidential candidates should retire.

These pundits and operatives have taken some professional risks to boost the Democratic president; that they are now urging him to step aside is no small development. Although many disaffected Republicans feel the Democratic nominee hasnt done enough to earn their vote, Biden has attracted a number of ex-GOP supporters who believe Trumps potential return to the White House poses a unique threat. Last Wednesdaya day before the presidential debateBiden picked up a couple of key, if predictable, endorsements from Republicans who have found themselves at odds with the leader of their own party.

During a news conference in the lobby of the Georgia state capitol, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan announced their support for Biden. Yes, they conceded they had policy disagreements with the president. But they said their overriding concerns above Trump are pushing them to support a Democrat for president for the first time.

We want somebody whos going to defend democracy, Kinzinger told reporters in Atlanta.

This was an easy decision for me, Duncan added.

Since the debate, Kinzinger has not shied away from saying that Biden performed poorly but reiterated that he would still vote for the president over Trump. Still, the former congressman has expressed a desire for Democrats to weigh their options going forward. At a time when literal democracy is at risk, he wrote on Friday, the Democrats need to have a family meeting about the best way to defend this country, and what part Biden plays in that vital effort.

Kristol, for his part, said Sunday he would still vote for Biden if hes who the Democrats put forward against Trump. But he shouldnt be the nominee, Kristol said of the president on ABC News This Week. We owe [Biden] a lot for what he did in 2020 in defeating Donald Trump, and we owe him a lot for being a good president for three and a half years. We dont owe him another four years in the White House. And he should step aside.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue made history last week.

Donahue was sworn in as the president of the National Sheriffs Association on Thursday in Oklahoma City, with the Canyon County Sheriffs Office making an official announcement on social media. After first being elected to a vice president position in the organization in 2021, Donahue was in line to become president in 2024.

Donahue is the 84th person to serve as president of the National Sheriffs Association and the first Idaho sheriff to hold the position. He was on the organizations board for 10 years in addition to having VP roles, but now his position could put the state and Donahue in the national eye.

In my very humble opinion this is a tremendous opportunity for the state of Idaho and the western United States as a whole to be represented on a national level, Donahue told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. There has never been a sheriff from Idaho who has even reached the executive committee leadership role, let alone be the president.

In a one-year term, Donahue will be responsible for leading a group that represents more than 3,000 sheriffs across the country. He also will be tasked with testifying in Congress  providing an official stance from the National Sheriffs Association on key issues  and even providing briefs to the Supreme Court.

First elected as Canyon County sheriff in 2012, Donahue is running unopposed this year for a fourth term. In his role as the national organizations president, he said hell be committed to working with sheriffs offices across the country to improve border security, address terrorism threats, and focus on thwarting domestic violence and human trafficking, he told the Statesman.

Anything that affects law enforcement, we are engaged at the highest level of government, Donahue said. To have that kind of responsibility you can actually help push the narrative again in Congress. Thats pretty powerful.

Donahue has been a strong vocal supporter of strengthening the United States border with Mexico, saying Idaho needs to send more personnel to states to resist undocumented immigrants crossing the border.

We need to assist states like Texas, states like Arizona, states like New Mexico, Donahue said in August 2023 at a public meeting of the Idaho Legislatures Joint Committee on Federalism. We can and should send troops down, whether its National Guard troops or whether its state troopers.

Donahue said hes committed to working with elected officials anywhere on the political spectrum, even those he wont see eye-to-eye with, for the greater good of the country.

I have to set my personal feelings aside and decide what is best for the country, Donahue said. Whether youre Republican, Democrat or youre Independent, what is the issue before us and how do we navigate with Congress and the sitting president to make sure we move the needle in the correct direction?

Donahues tenure has earned him widespread support in heavily conservative Canyon County, but he has been involved in some controversies.

In September 2022, Canyon County paid $600,000 to two former sheriffs deputies who said they were victims of retaliation when they were fired by Donahue in 2020 after campaigning for Nick Schlader, who was running for sheriff against Donahue, according to previous Statesman reporting.

Donahue was also named in a lawsuit against the Canyon County Sheriffs Office by a former employee who made claims of harassment and gender discrimination after leaving her job in 2022, the Statesman reported. The department paid her $425,000 last year in a settlement.
California farmers operate under one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world. This is not a complaint, its simply an acknowledgment of fact.

In many cases, our fertile soils and culture of innovation allow Californias agricultural economy to thrive even while complying with ever-changing regulations. New policies from Sacramento often come at a cost to our bottom line, but, ultimately, we respect the process and work hard to continue putting food on tables across the nation and world.

Opinion

Unfortunately, some legislators in the Capitol do not respect the process, and are trying to make life more difficult for growers under faulty assumptions.

The latest errant shot at farmers is Assembly Bill 1963, authored by Asm. Laura Friedman, D-Burbank, an unnecessary and unscientific proposal for a one-off ban on a common, effective herbicide called paraquat, which is used by many California farmers to control a broad spectrum of weeds while minimizing damage to nearby trees.

Many almond and pistachio farmers use paraquat to prepare orchards for harvest. Strictly adhering to Californias safety guidelines, we are required to use a state-certified applicator to apply paraquat to our tree rows to clean out harmful weeds and provide a clean surface before harvesting tree nuts.

Although more and more farmers are exploring ways to reduce their reliance on chemicals like paraquat, it is still imperative that it remain an option in our integrated pest management toolbox.

Without access to paraquat, farmers would be forced to use a more costly and carbon-intensive alternative  making several passes with tractors and equipment through each row to disc up and smooth out the surface in preparation.

Our farms and our communities benefit from paraquats ability to tackle weeds not controlled by other pesticides while avoiding adverse effects on soil microbes and microorganisms that preserve healthy soils.

The effectiveness of paraquat allows farmers like me to keep weeds managed and protect the health of crops, reduce the amount of nutrients applied and saving growers between 50,000 to 100,000 gallons of water per acre every year.

There are obstacles to using paraquat, and its use is already strictly regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Pesticide Regulation to protect the health and safety of farmers and farm employees. To apply the herbicide, you must be state-certified; complete regular, mandatory trainings; use a closed system with regulations on droplet size, wind speed limitations and buffers to keep paraquat out of the wrong hands and protect applicators.

When applied under Californias stringent standards, paraquat is a safe, highly effective herbicide that gives California growers a leg up on jurisdictions without the regulatory environment in place for the safe handling of the substance.

AB 1963s proponents want to institute an outright ban on paraquat under the guise of public health claims  including the allegation that exposure to paraquat causes Parkinsons Disease. But thorough reviews by regulatory agencies, including the U.S. EPA, have found those claims to be unsubstantiated. Even so, agencies, including the California Department of Pesticide Regulations, are continuing to evaluate public health claims  and farmers welcome the increased scrutiny.

Unfortunately, AB 1963 would enforce a near-immediate ban in direct conflict with the current science and before any further review by state and federal agencies is available. The proposal would jump the gun and leave farmers like me scrambling for alternatives for weed control that will have more harmful effects on the environment and drive up the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables for California families.

I encourage state legislators to trust the process, trust the experts and trust the science.

Karun Samran is the manager of Bapu Farming Company in Madera, which grows almonds, pistachios and other crops throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Samran also serves on the board of directors for the American Pistachio Growers.
TechCrunch

Palantir now owns 8.7% of struggling electric vehicle startup Faraday Future, according to a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The data-mining company was granted more than 800,000 shares in the EV startup on October 2 "as payment for certain outstanding receivables"  the equivalent of roughly $2.4 million judging by Faraday Future's stock price on that day. Palantir doesn't explicitly say what receivables were outstanding.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Sunday said replacing President Biden at the Democratic National Convention could come with major risks and sew division within the party.

During her MSNBC show, Inside with Jen Psaki, she said, Those of you out there who have hopes of Joe Biden stepping aside so that there can be a brokered convention should know that isnt exactly an easy road either.

First of all, it would have a seismic impact on the Democratic Party if the president stayed neutral and did not endorse his own vice president, Psaki said. It would also mean a couple of thousand party insiders would be empowered to make a choice on the nominee, not the millions of Democratic primary ballots who already cast their ballots.

Bidens lackluster debate performance last week raised alarm bells for some within the Democratic Party over his ability to beat former President Trump in November and lead the nation for another four years.

Some Democrats have called on Biden to step down following his disastrous showing at the debate, though no national officials have publicly joined these calls yet.

Biden has already won the primary and thus cannot be overthrown at the convention, meaning the decision is ultimately up to him.

Should he step aside, Psaki argued a talented  but largely untested candidate with potentially low name identification might be thrust into the national spotlight and asked to shore up enough support in two months to defeat Trump.

It would all be very messy and potentially very divisive, Psaki said. But right now, it still feels very unlikely, given first lady Jill Biden, Democratic leaders in Congress and former President Obama are all standing behind him.

White House and Biden campaign officials have in recent days sought to shut down any notion that the president will step aside or drop out of the race. His campaign in an email on Saturday night mocked the bedwetting brigade suggesting he should step aside.

As of now, Biden is the only candidate for whom those attending the Democratic convention can even vote for, after he received 99 percent of his partys delegates in the primaries.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules require delegates that Biden won to pledge their support for his nomination unless Biden were to willingly decide to stand down. Before the convention opens on Aug. 19, the DNC could change the rules to block Biden, but that is highly unlikely given current party dynamics.

Names of potential replacements have included Vice President Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Psychoactive drugs are having a moment. The FDA will soon weigh in.

Psilocybin is a chemical derived from some types of psilocybe mushrooms. Psilocybin is often ingested for its hallucinogenic effects, but many people are beginning to use it in microdoses to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. (Photo by Brooklyn Grubbs for Byline Magazine.)

Lori Tipton is among the growing number of people who say that MDMA, also known as ecstasy, saved their lives.

Raised in New Orleans by a mother with untreated bipolar disorder who later killed herself and two others, Tipton said she endured layers of trauma that eventually forced her to seek treatment for crippling anxiety and hypervigilance. For 10 years nothing helped, and she began to wonder if she was unfixable.

Then she answered an ad for a clinical trial for MDMA-assisted therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Tipton said the results were immediate, and she is convinced the drug could help a lot of people. But even as regulators weigh approval of the first MDMA-based treatment, shes worried that it wont reach those who need it most.

The main thing that Im always concerned about is just accessibility, the 43-year-old nonprofit project manager said. I dont want to see this become just another expensive add-on therapy for people who can afford it when people are dying every day by their own hand because of PTSD.

MDMA is part of a new wave of psychoactive drugs that show great potential for treating conditions such as severe depression and PTSD. Investors are piling into the nascent field, and a host of medications based on MDMA, LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, ketamine, the South American plant mixture ayahuasca, and the African plant ibogaine are now under development, and in some cases vying for approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

Proponents hope the efforts could yield the first major new therapies for mental illness since the introduction of modern antidepressants in the 1980s. But not all researchers are convinced that their benefits have been validated, or properly weighed against the risks. And they can be difficult to assess using traditional clinical trials.

The first MDMA-assisted assisted therapy appeared to be on track for FDA approval this August, but a recent report from an independent review committee challenged the integrity of the trial data from the drugs maker, Lykos Therapeutics, a startup founded by a psychedelic research and advocacy group. The FDA will convene a panel of independent investigators on June 4 to determine whether to recommend the drugs approval.

Proponents of the new therapies also worry that the FDA will impose treatment protocols, such as requiring multiple trained clinicians to monitor a patient for extended periods, that will render them far too expensive for most people.

Tiptons MDMA-assisted therapy included three eight-hour medication sessions overseen by two therapists, each followed by an overnight stay at the facility and an integration session the following day.

It does seem that some of these molecules can be administered safely, said David Olson, director of the University of California-Davis Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics. I think the question is can they be administered safely at the scale needed to really make major improvements in mental health care.

Breakthrough Therapies?

Psychedelics and other psychoactive substances, among the medicines with the oldest recorded use, have long been recognized for their potential therapeutic benefits. Modern research on them started in the mid-20th century, but clinical trial results didnt live up to the claims of advocates, and they eventually got a bad name both from their use as party drugs and from rogue CIA experiments that involved dosing unsuspecting individuals.

The 1970 Controlled Substances Act made most psychoactive drugs illegal before any treatments were brought to market, and MDMA was classified as a Schedule 1 substance in 1985, which effectively ended any research. It wasnt until 2000 that scientists at Johns Hopkins University were granted regulatory approval to study psilocybin anew.

Ketamine was in a different category, having been approved as an anesthetic in 1970. In the early 2000s, researchers discovered its antidepressant effects, and a ketamine-based therapy, Spravato, received FDA approval in 2019. Doctors can also prescribe generic ketamine off-label, and hundreds of clinics have sprung up across the nation. A clinical trial is underway to evaluate ketamines effectiveness in treating suicidal depression when used with other psychiatric medications.

Ketamines apparent effectiveness sparked renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of other psychoactive substances.

They fall into distinct categories: MDMA is an entactogen, also known as an empathogen, which induces a sense of connectedness and emotional communion, while LSD, psylocibin, and ibogaine are psychedelics, which create altered perceptual states. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, though it can produce hallucinations at the right dose.

Despite the drugs differences, Olson said they all create neuroplasticity and allow the brain to heal damaged neural circuits, which imaging shows can be shriveled up in patients with addiction, depression, and PTSD.

All of these brain conditions are really disorders of neural circuits, Olson said. Were basically looking for medicines that can regrow these neurons.

Psychedelics are particularly good at doing this, he said, and hold promise for treating diseases including Alzheimers.

A number of psychoactive drugs have now received the FDAs breakthrough therapy designation, which expedites development and review of drugs with the potential to treat serious conditions.

But standard clinical trials, in which one group of patients is given the drug and a control group is given a placebo, have proven problematic, for the simple reason that people have no trouble determining whether theyve gotten the real thing.

The final clinical trial for Lykos MDMA treatment showed that 71% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD after 18 weeks of taking the drug versus 48% in the control group.

A March report by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, an independent research group, questioned the companys clinical trial results and challenged the objectivity of MDMA advocates who participated in the study as both patients and therapists. The institute also questioned the drugs cost-effectiveness, which insurers factor into coverage decisions.

Lykos, a public benefit company, was formed in 2014 as an offshoot of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a nonprofit that has invested more than $150 million into psychedelic research and advocacy.

The company said its researchers developed their studies in partnership with the FDA and used independent raters to ensure the reliability and validity of the results.

We stand behind the design and results of our clinical trials, a Lykos spokesperson said in an email.

There are other hazards too. Psychoactive substances can put patients in vulnerable states, making them potential victims for financial exploitation or other types of abuse. In Lykos second clinical trial, two therapists were found to have spooned, cuddled, blindfolded, and pinned down a female patient who was in distress.

The substances can also cause shallow breathing, heart issues, and hyperthermia.

To mitigate risks, the FDA can put restrictions on how drugs are administered.

These are incredibly potent molecules and having them available in vending machines is probably a bad idea, said Hayim Raclaw of Negev Capital, a venture capital fund focused on psychedelic drug development.

But if the protocols are too stringent, access is likely to be limited.

Rachel del Dosso, a trauma therapist in the greater Los Angeles area who offers ketamine-assisted therapy, said shes been following the research on drugs like MDMA and psilocybin and is excited for their therapeutic potential but has reservations about the practicalities of treatment.

As a therapist in clinical practice, Ive been thinking through how could I make that accessible, she said. Because it would cost a lot for [patients] to have me with them for the whole thing.

Del Dosso said a group therapy model, which is sometimes used in ketamine therapy, could help scale the adoption of other psychoactive treatments, too.

Artificial Intelligence and Analogs

Researchers expect plenty of new discoveries in the field. One of the companies Negev has invested in, Mindstate Design Labs, uses artificial intelligence to analyze trip reports, or self-reported drug experiences, to identify potentially therapeutic molecules. Mindstate has asked the FDA to green-light a clinical trial of the first molecule identified through this method, 5-MeO-MiPT, also known as moxy.

AlphaFold, an AI program developed by Googles DeepMind, has identified thousands of potential psychedelic molecules.

Theres also a lot of work going into so-called analog compounds, which have the therapeutic effects of hallucinogens but without the hallucinations. The maker of a psilocybin analog announced in March that the FDA had granted it breakthrough therapy status.

If you can harness the neuroplasticity-promoting properties of LSD while also creating an antipsychotic version of it, then that can be pretty powerful, Olson said.

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 Psychoactive drugs are having a moment. The FDA will soon weigh in. appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Publix just confirmed its third Northern Kentucky store. It's likely eyeing at least 4

Publix Super Markets confirmed its second Northern Kentucky location, in Cold Spring, this spring.

Publix Super Markets announced another store opening in Northern Kentucky, this time in at a roughly 20-acre development in Independence.

It's the third store the trendy Florida-based company has confirmed in Northern Kentucky  one each in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. The Enquirer reported in June the company purchased land for a fourth grocery at the 11-acre Farmview Commons in Florence, bringing the grand total of expected new grocery stores to four.

A grocery chain doing $57 billion in sales annually, Publix has 1,360 supermarkets with more than three-quarters of its stores in Florida and Georgia, where it is a major player. In the last five years, more than half its new store openings have been in other southeast states: Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

In 2021, Publix disclosed plans to expand into an eighth state: Kentucky. The first store opened in Louisville in January. The company also announced plans to open stores in Lexington.

The company is challenging Kroger's dominance in the region where it has more than a 50% market share, according to Tampa-based industry-tracker Chain Store Guide. Walmart controls more than 21% of the regions grocery sales through its namesake supercenters and its Sams Club subsidiary. Meijer is a distant No. 3 grocer with 8% market share.

Eager to try out the grocery store's well-known sandwiches, deli meats, and buy-one-get-one specials? Here's what you need to know about each location.

Independence location

The Enquirer reported last year that a new grocery store was slated to open on nearly 20 acres of land at the northeast intersection of Madison Pike and Harris Pike in Independence, located in the middle of Kenton County.

According to a concept development plan at the time, the 48,387-square-foot facility would also include a 3,200-square-foot liquor store, a 12,600-square-foot retail store and 320 parking spaces on one of two lots included in plans.

A 2,584-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through and 43 parking spaces was slated to be built on the second lot.

A construction timeline and opening date was not confirmed by the company Monday.

Site plans for a grocery store at 420-450 Richwood Road has been approved by Boone County officials.

Triple Crown Shopping Center in Boone County

The first Publix was confirmed for the southwest corner of Triple Crown Boulevard and Richwood Road.

The roughly 56,000-square-foot supermarket is slated to be the anchor store at the Triple Crown Shopping Center between Union and Walton. It will have an adjacent liquor store.

The store is slated to open in 2025.

A grocery store is part of a development plan in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Could it be a Publix?

Cold Spring Pointe

A second Publix was confirmed in April at a development called Cold Spring Pointe at the southeast corner of Ky. 9/AA Highway and Alexandria Pike.

The 48,387-square-foot store will be part of a strip mall planned on just over 53 acres on multiple parcels that will include retail space, an office building and a gas station.

It will employ around 140 associates. It's unclear when the supermarket will be open.

A new grocery store has been proposed in Boone County cities Florence and Union. The developer working on the project has also worked on Publix stores.

Farmview Commons in Boone County

Publix has not confirmed whether it's opening a second store in Boone County, which would be the company's fourth in Northern Kentucky.

But The Enquirer confirmed with Todd Morgan, senior zoning planner for Boone County, that a Publix is planned for a site at the Farmview Commons, which borders Florence and Union on U.S. Highway 42 for $4 million in May.

Morgan said the grocery store will be roughly 56,000 square feet with an attached 3,200-square-foot liquor store and a drive-through pharmacy.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Publix confirms a new store in Northern Kentucky in Independence
In 2024, the Russian navy plans to take delivery of 12 new warships plus another 38 small craft, according to state media.

Thats two more warships than last year  and twice as many as the annual average for the preceding decade. And on paper, its two more warships than the worlds leading navy  the US Navy  plans to accept this year.

But in practice, Russias supposed watershed year for warship-construction is actually closer to a wash. With the exception of submarines, new Russian ships are small and lightly armed  and packed with potentially unreliable equipment such as maritime engines that Russian used to import from Ukraine, but now cobbles together on its own.

Worse, Russian shipbuilding barely keeps pace with Russian ship losses in Russias 28-month wider war on Ukraine. Ukrainian missiles and drone boats are sinking or blowing up Russian naval tonnage nearly as fast as Russia can build tonnage.

There are several ways to compare navies. One is to tally individual oceangoing hulls, regardless of the size of those hulls or what weapons they carry. Another is to add up how many missiles the fleet can carry, overall. A third is to count tonnage  that is, how many tons of water the whole fleet displaces.

Tonnage is a useful metric, as bigger ships tend to be more survivable and more heavily armed than potentially more numerous smaller warships. Which is why, even though the Chinese navy has more hulls than the US Navy  350 Chinese warships to 290 American ones  the US Navy is still the more powerful navy, by far.

The US fleet displaces 8.2 million tons, while the Chinese fleet displaces 3.2 million tons. Not surprisingly, that superior tonnage also translates into heavier armament. American warships sail with around 9,900 missile cells or tubes. Chinese ships sail with just 4,200 cells or tubes  and Russian ships with just 3,000 or so.

Equally damning for Moscow, the US and Chinese navies are steadily growing in tonnage terms as bigger new ships replace smaller old ones. But the Russian navy is going in the opposite direction. Smaller new ships are replacing bigger old ones.

During the Cold War, the Russian navy was a true blue-water navy with ambitions to deploy surface ships and submarines all over the world. The surface ships included massive battlecruisers and cruisers as well as destroyers, frigates and even aircraft carriers.

But the Soviet surface shipbuilding industry collapsed when the Soviet Union did  and never really recovered. The biggest ships in Russian service  a handful of battlecruisers, cruisers and destroyers and a single decrepit aircraft carrier  are Soviet leftovers. And one of these holdovers, the cruiser Moskva, was hit and sunk by Ukrainian anti-ship missiles in 2022.

Russia can still build big, powerful submarines. Pictured is the Belgorod, largest sub built anywhere for 30 years, commencing sea trials in 2021

Russian industry still manages to build large numbers of big submarines. But new Russian surface ships tend to be patrol vessels, corvettes and frigates that displace just a few thousand tons  making them at most a third the size of one of the US Navys 70 or so Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Moscows naval ambitions have shrunk alongside its ships. More and more, the Russian navy is a coastal navy.

The main reason for the steady shrinkage of individual Russian ships, and Russian naval strategy, is that Russian industry struggles to build maritime engines of sufficient size and reliability to propel anything bigger than a frigate. Prior to 2022, Russia imported most of its maritime engines from Ukraine.

Russian warships are so unreliable that the Russian fleet takes pains to maintain a huge fleet of oceangoing tugboats whose roles include taking under tow warships whose engines fail during deployments. The Russian navys tug fleet displaces around 150,000 tons overall, making it bigger than the entire Canadian navy.

So yes, the Russian navy should take delivery of a dozen new warships this year. Four are subs, but most of the rest are corvettes. Considering that the Ukrainians have, so far this year, destroyed at least three surface ships belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet  two corvettes and a landing ship  its possible the Russian navys tonnage growth this year will be marginal if not actually flat.

Incredibly, this should represent a major improvement over 2022, a year when the Russian navy actually shrank  owing mostly to the loss of the 11,000-ton Moskva.

The long decline of the Russian navy continues, with the exception of the submarine fleet.
A sign warns of radioactive material at the West Lake Landfill. Thousands of tons of nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project were dumped there in the 1970s (Theo Welling/Riverfront Times).

Crews working to clean up the West Lake Landfill in St. Louis County detected contamination in nearby groundwater, forcing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate whether radium might have left the site.

In a periodic update to nearby communities last month, the EPA said it would add groundwater monitoring wells around the site, which sits in Bridgeton, about a mile from the banks of the Missouri River.

The expansion, which came after contamination was detected at the edge of the landfill, will help determine whether contamination may be migrating from the site and whether it could reach the river. Radium has been detected near the site at slightly above drinking water limits, the EPA said in a statement, but the radioactive element also occurs naturally in rock formations and aquifers.

Initially, the EPA had anticipated all necessary groundwater wells would be installed by August 2022, the project manager for the groundwater remediation at West Lake, Snehal Bhagat, said in a briefing in December.

But the detections in offsite locations required a significant expansion of the network in order to delineate exactly where the impacts are found, Bhagat said, so a lot more wells were put in. Were still putting them in as we chase the edges of the impacts.

The West Lake Landfill, formerly a municipal landfill, is one of several sites in the St. Louis area contaminated by decades-old nuclear waste.

St. Louis was pivotal to the development of the worlds first atomic bomb in the 1940s. Uranium refined in downtown was used in experiments in Chicago as part of the Manhattan Project, the name given to the World War II-era nuclear weapons program.

After the war, radioactive waste from the downtown uranium plants was trucked to the St. Louis airport, often spilling off of trucks along the way, and dumped, unprotected on the ground next to Coldwater Creek. The creek, which runs through what are now bustling suburbs, was contaminated for miles, increasing the risk of cancer for generations of children who played on its banks and in its waters.

The waste sat at the airport for years before being sold and relocated to a property in nearby Hazlewood, also adjacent to the creek. In the early 1970s, after valuable metals were extracted from the waste, it was trucked to the West Lake Landfill and dumped illegally. It remains there today.

Now, the landfill is a Superfund site subject to EPA cleanup, and in recent years, the agency has discovered the contamination is more widespread than it thought. Despite outcry from the community, the EPA, for years, relied on a decades-old radiation reading taken from a helicopter to determine where the waste was.

Now, its working to determine the size and mobility of the plume.

To date, no conclusions have been made about the source(s) of the radium in off site groundwater because data collection is ongoing, Kellen Ashford, a spokesman for the EPAs regional office said in an email.

Dawn Chapman, a co-founder of Just Moms STL, a nonprofit that formed to advocate for communities near contaminated sites around St. Louis, said she was concerned that the EPA hadnt yet identified the edges of the contamination.

Given both the radioactive waste and the other chemical contaminants that are in the landfill, she feared it could be one hell of a nasty plume.

Chapman noted the parties responsible for the site  the landfills owner, the company that dumped the waste and the U.S. Department of Energy  are nearing the end of the process to plan the cleanup at West Lake.

I really would have hoped, Chapman said, that by now they would have found the edge.

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The post Radium in groundwater near West Lake Landfill in St. Louis County forces more testing appeared first on Missouri Independent.
ZANESVILLE  Despite the cloudy and rainy weather, nothing but rainbows could be seen at the 2024 Zanesville Pride event at Zane's Landing Park on Saturday.

Hundreds of festival attendees crowded the park as the day progressed, celebrating diversity, shopping and visiting the vendors on site and watching drag performances.

The Zanesville Pride event drew huge crowds to Zane's Landing Park on Saturday, June 29.

The event officially kicked off at noon, with Sasha Bloomingdale, otherwise known as the event organizer Andy Hooks performing the national anthem, decked out in a glittering patriotic flag dress. Following the welcome, Muskingum County Commissioner Mollie Crooks addressed the crowd and read the commissioner's proclamation for the day.

Crooks began, "Two years ago I didn't know Andy Hooks, and he reached out to me and he invited me to the 2022 event. And I have to say, I was a little anxious coming into this event. I'm an elected official. What will people think of me? Will they like me for who I am? Will they judge me for what I do and the decisions that I make? Will they call me a derogatory name? I especially don't like the word politician. It's never said with flattery. Can anyone relate? I thought you might."

She continued, "What I found at my first Pride event were people who welcomed me and who were willing to tell me their stories. The first person I met was Geno. I met Geno and he told me his story of a tortuous journey to self-love and self-acceptance." Crooks then went on to read the proclamation.

Appalachian Regional Representative Kaleb Knowlton from Senator Sherrod Brown's office spoke next, highlighting his Pride socks and the senator's support.

A group of protestors attend the Zanesville Pride event, faces covered, shouting about God and liberty through a bullhorn.

The festival was briefly interrupted just before kick off by a group protesting the event. The group of individuals strolled the festival walkway, faces and most identifying marks concealed, carrying bull horns and a variety of flags. The man leading the group used his speaker to shout about God, liberty and being members of proud families. The shouts were drowned out by the crowd, offering to give the individuals mom hugs and prayers for them. The group retreated from the festival peacefully, and the crowd continued to celebrate for the remainder of the afternoon.

Callie Buchanan, a fourth-year political science and international affairs student at the University of Cincinnati was able to identify the men as members of the Patriot Front group using a website that tracks groups known for these types of interruptions. Buchanan and her mother Lori were at the event with the Muskingum County Social Justice Coalition. Members of the protest also wore the patch affiliated with the Patriot group.

Another group of protestors descended on the event later in the afternoon, holding a banner crafted to say "Fight Against White Replacement" and exchanging remarks with the crowd and shouting racial slurs at attendees. The Zanesville Police Department was quickly on location for the second group and maintained the peace.

Hooks said, "Just let them go. They have just as much right to be anywhere that anybody else does. They have their own opinions like we have our opinions. We just don't want to pay them any mind. Let them do their peace and move on."

Lucy Lipps, from left, the new 2024 Miss Zanesville Pride, Lysistrata Jones and Sasha Bloomingdale at the Zanesville Pride event. The theme of the 2024 event was Don't Be Silenced.

The event continued with the recognition of the board and the naming of the Pride Ambassador for the year, Monica Staley. Georgi Grey was honored as well, for her work with the Jenna P Project, which helps those experiencing grief related to suicide.

The crowning of a new Miss Zanesville Pride was a close call between four drag queens, Trixie Moore, Lysistrata Jones, Samantha Rayne and Jinger Ayle. Taking home the crown was Jones, who also won the talent portion of the pageant. Moore won for Creative Eveningwear and the runner-up for the title was Jinger Ayle.

Robyn Edens of Cambridge poses with Lucy Lipps, Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia at the Zanesville 2024 Pride event.

"Pride is going great so far. It's a wonderful turnout, the weather is nice, the breeze feels good," Hook said Saturday. "Our kick off was wonderful with Sherrod Brown's office here and the commissioner's office here. Next year we just want to keep growing bigger and bigger and getting more people involved. I'm actually going to start reaching out to other counties, Morgan and Guernsey and Perry. I've made some connections with other people in groups there so we're going to try to get them to come in and make this bigger every year."

The one piece of advice Hooks said he likes to give to everyone is "Be yourself and don't be silenced."

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Zanesville Pride event celebrates diversity and inclusion
OAKLAND  The Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday night, the first since it rescinded the five-year $1.9 million contract for its new superintendent.

The board is expected to discuss unspecified personnel issues at the 7 p.m. meeting on the day Ronnie Tarchichi was scheduled to assume his duties as superintendent of the 2,000-student, two high-school district serving Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff.

On Monday morning, Tarchichi remained listed as superintendent on the website of the 4,828-student 10-school Pennsauken School District in Camden County where he has served since 2016.

The Ramapo Indian Hills school board hired Ronnie Tarchichi to serve as it's superintendent of schools.

Requests to Tarchichi and Pennsauken officials to confirm his status were not immediately returned on Monday.

The Ramapo Indian Hills school board did not explain last Thursday as it voted 5-0-3 to rescind Tarchichi's contract offer. The five trustees who voted in favor of rescinding were President Kim Ansh, Vice President Marianna Emmolo, Melissa Kiel, Doreen Mariani and Audrey Souders. Trustee Brian DeLaite was absent and Tom Bogdansky, Helen Koulikourdis and Aaron Lorenz abstained from voting.

In a separate statement on June 16, Board President Kim Ansh confirmed there had been discussion on whether Tarchichi could continue serving his former school district as a paid consultant after agreeing to join the Ramapo Indian district a month after his hiring was announced on May 28. However, the board gave no indication this was the reason that led to the contract being rescinded last week.

Superintendents typically give three months' notice when departing. Outgoing superintendent Rui Dionisio announced last August he would leave in November to assume charge of the Fair Lawn School District. However, a five-member majority of the Ramapo Indian Hills board has pressed to have someone in office by July 1 since authorizing the search in January.

It is not clear what the significance of the board attached to a July start. Previous Superintendent Beverly Mackay announced her pending August 2021 retirement in October 2019, but it took the board until March 2021 to hire the Illinois-based search firm of Hazard Young Atea Associates to find her replacement. Dionisio was hired in August 2021 and did not join the district until that November.

Hazard Young Atea Associates also handled the current search that resulted in the hiring of Tarchichi.

In a second vote last Monday, the board approved a 60-day extension of Acting Superintendent Melissa Quackenbush's contract by a 5-3 vote. A motion to initiate a search for an interim superintendent failed by a 3-5 vote.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education Office Conference Room at Indian Hills High School, 131 Yawpo Ave., Oakland. The meeting may also be viewed remotely on Board Livestream through the Ramapo Indian Hills board site.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ramapo Indian Hills board to meet days after voiding super's contract
Rarely used Baby Boxes are expanding on the MS Coast. Do parents know they exist?

She believes life is precious. So Caitlin Kelly willed Mississippis leaders last year to let parents in crisis surrender newborns to authorities in a box.

A lot of people thought this was crazy, she said at the Long Beach Fire Department, where an encased, climate-controlled bassinet embedded in a brick wall is monitored around the clock.

Kelly said she was sick of stories about babies left to die in a backpack, or abandoned alone in the woods. So now, mothers and fathers can leave a newborn in the box at Long Beach and vanish down two-lane roads with no trace.

Kelly and others are pushing for more of the same type of boxes on the Coast and better help for women who might one day use them.

Two years after the end of abortion in Mississippi, their mission is growing even as judges and the states Child Protective Service say surrenders of babies are rare and the boom in births many predicted would upend life here never came to be.

Boxes are planned in Waveland and Gulfport and are also spreading around the country. And even if no babies are ever placed there, Kelly said the boxes give a confidential choice to women who believe they are unable to care for their newborns but cannot bear to look someone in the eyes and say it.

Mississippi, like other states, has long allowed parents to surrender newborns in a face-to-face handoff to emergency services within a short time frame and face no criminal penalties.

But last year, as Republican leaders sought to strengthen resources for mothers, Kelly convinced lawmakers to expand the law, known as Safe Haven. Now, women can leave their children with a hospital emergency room, adoption agency, CPS, emergency medical service, law enforcement or baby box until the child is 45 days old.

Caitlin Kelly shows off the Safe Haven Baby Box, a box that allows mothers to surrender their newborns anonymously, at the Long Beach Fire Department in Long Beach on Thursday, June 20, 2024. So far Long Beachs baby box, which was the first in Mississippi, has not been used.

That push aligned with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, a national organization that says it is an alternative to abandonment  not abortion, even though it is often viewed as such. The boxes come with controversy about the safety and rights of both mothers and children. Many also see them as one answer to a future where instead of ending a pregnancy or abandoning their babies, women let them live.

Leaders say the future has not played out as predicted. The state has recorded no surge in births. No babies have appeared in any of Mississippis three working Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

None of the children surrendered into Child Protective Services custody last year came in under the Safe Haven Law, which began last summer, the agency said.

Surrenders still happen. At least one child was abandoned early this year behind a dumpster in North Mississippi, according to local news reports. It is unclear how many other children across Mississippi are abandoned illegally.

But the Safe Haven Law and the end of abortion, CPS Commissioner Andrea Sanders said, ends up not really impacting us. CPS has studied data on surrenders of children younger than 5, she said, and they hadnt gone up any since the law changed.

Others, too, say safe haven surrenders are rare. Harrison County Youth Court Judge Michael Dickinson said he has seen one case  which did not involve the baby box  in the time since the Supreme Court returned the question of abortion to the states.

The public had a perception we were going to see a spike, he said. In Harrison County, that has not been the case.

The inside of the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Long Beach Fire Department in Long Beach on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Long Beachs baby box, which was the first in Mississippi, allows mothers to surrender their newborns anonymously.

D. Jeffrey White, a Gulfport attorney who handles adoption cases, said he has not yet dealt with a Safe Haven child, although he figured that is because the new law has only been around for one year.

Ive not seen an uptick, he said. Thats not to say that it wont tick up, with education.

The reasons may also be rooted in heartbreak. Most women who carry their children to term end up keeping them, Sanders said, because leaving is too painful.

At that point, she said, its really traumatic.

Still, around the country, Safe Haven advocates say, women make the choice. As the organization added box after box in towns from Indiana to Texas, people surrendered seven babies in 2022, 16 the next year and already, according to the organizations numbers, 11 babies this year have been left in the boxes clear plastic cradles. There are now more than 200 baby boxes across the United States.

Those surrenders have risen not because of the end of Roe v. Wade, said Safe Haven Baby Box founder Monica Kelsey, but because the organization has installed more boxes and began to tell women about them.

Word spread. Kelly said eight other boxes are planned throughout Mississippi, including two at fire stations in Waveland and Gulfport.

At the Long Beach Fire Department, nestled between woods north of the railroad, mothers just need to open the boxs door.

There are no cameras. Any child placed inside will trigger an alarm in the dispatch office down the hall. The boxs outside door locks. The organization says a baby stays in the box for an average of two minutes. The mother is free to leave.

Dispatchers and fire staff take the child in its bassinet and call an ambulance. They call CPS. The child is whisked to a hospital.

Caitlin Kelly shows off the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Long Beach Fire Department in Long Beach on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Long Beachs baby box was the first in Mississippi.

Kelly, who is practiced in the art of responding to skeptics, ran through loopholes like a checklist. No one can reclaim the babies, and Safe Haven says just one mother did so after proving the child was hers. A regretful mother or suspicious stranger cannot walk into the fire house and plead that the child is their own.

Private agencies who charge for adoption are not involved. Each baby goes through a database of missing children. Kelly said authorities put out the call for mothers who could be missing a child, in case the infant was taken against someones will.

It is often impossible to tell the state of the mother, or any medical troubles she may pass along. But if she chooses, the mother can take an orange bag that falls from the box and fill out medical forms inside, then return them to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which shares the clues with a child who might one day wonder about the mystery of its mother.

Kelseys organization has also begun to teach its work to schoolchildren in Mississippi. Safe Haven Baby Boxes sends an educational video to guidance counselors, health classes and government classes, Kelsey said. They also hand out pens in schools with information on their boxes.

The box in Long Beach is clean and quiet. But the fire department is ready, said its chief, Griff Skellie: Staff checks the boxs alarms and safety systems each Monday.

One day, Kelly said, she would like to see a box in every fire station  no matter if they are used tomorrow, or never.

The more boxes, she said, the better.

Long Beach Fire Chief Griff Shellie demonstrates how to use the Safe Haven Baby Box, a box that allows mothers to surrender their newborns anonymously, at the Long Beach Fire Department in Long Beach on Thursday, June 20, 2024.
LANSING  The tragic saga of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith and her death at the hands of her mother's former boyfriend is nearing an end, at least as far as the legal system is concerned.

On Monday, one day before the one-year anniversary of Wynter's kidnapping from her Lansing home, Rashad Maleek Trice pleaded guilty to first-degree, premeditated murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The state Attorney General's Office agreed to dismiss 18 other charges stemming from incidents that began last July 2 in Lansing and culminated in the murder of the little girl in southeast Michigan.

The murder charge carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without chance of parole. But Trice had already pleaded guilty in federal court to kidnapping resulting in death, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Wynter Cole-Smith's picture is seen in a pendant and on clothing worn by friends and family, Monday, July 1, 2024, prior to Rashad Trice pleading guilty at his plea hearing for first degree murder and first degree CSC.

Ingham County Circuit Judge Joyce Draganchuk set sentencing for Aug. 16.

The heart-wrenching story of Wynter's kidnapping and eventual death played out in local and national media during the July 4, 2023 holiday weekend.

In federal court in March, Trice, now 27, admitted taking Wynter from her mother in Lansing and later strangling her with a cellphone cord. The July 2 kidnapping started a statewide search for him and Wynter, and police later found her dead on July 5 in an alley near Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit.

Authorities also said he stabbed and sexually assaulted Wynter's mother, with whom he'd had a previous relationship. He then took Wynter and drove away in a car that belonged to someone else, leaving behind the girl's 1-year-old brother, officials said.

Wynter Smith

Trice told federal agents he and Winter's mother stabbed each other during an argument before he drove off with the girl, according to the federal complaint.

On Monday, Trice appeared in court via a video link to the Newaygo County Jail, where he is being held. He told Draganchuk he sexually assaulted Wynter's mother while committing a home invasion and later killed the toddler by strangling her with a cord.

Trice was charged in federal court in Grand Rapids, as well as three Michigan counties. The state cases were consolidated into a single Ingham County Circuit Court case prosecuted by the state Attorney Generals Office.

Between those cases, Trice faced at least 22 charges and, for several months, the possibility of the death sentence. Federal officials eventually opted against seeking the death penalty.

In March, he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. His sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 23 in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. The federal sentence takes precedence over any state court sentence that is shorter.

Monday's plea hearing in circuit court had been scheduled for weeks, but the details of a potential plea bargain were not revealed prior to Monday's hearing.

Members of Wynter's family were in the courtroom when Trice pleaded guilty.

Almount Smith, Wynter's grandfather, was asked to leave after shouting, "Why did you do it?" apparently to Trice. He left the the courtroom voluntarily.

"Why did you do it?" Almount Smith of Detroit asks, apparently to Rashad Trice, before voluntarily leaving the courtroom during a plea hearing in Judge Joyce Draganchuk's courtroom in Lansing on Monday, July 1, 2024. Smith is the grandfather of Wynter Cole-Smith, 2, who was killed last year after being abducted from Lansing.

"This guy has more rights than my son and her (Wynter's) mother," he said after the hearing. "We just want to know why."

Matthew Dae Smith contributed to this report.

Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Rashad Trice pleads guilty to murder of Lansing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith
RDU celebrates it latest airline, with new flight between the Triangle and Mexico City

Over the trumpets and guitars of a mariachi band, Raleigh-Durham International Airport welcomed its first nonstop flight from Mexico City on Monday, opening a new chapter in international service.

The Aeromexico flights depart daily in both directions, marking RDUs 10th direct international destination and its 18th airline.

RDU President and CEO Michael Landguth celebrated the new nonstop route by citing the airports explosive growth, coming off a record 14.5 million passengers in 2023.

The airport added four airlines and 25 nonstop destinations last year, he added. Offering direct service to Mexico City allows both RDU and the Triangle further access around the globe, he said.

This flight is a life-changer for families who be able to get closer, sooner, said Claudia Velasco, consul general of Mexico in Raleigh. We are on track in order to have more North Carolina in Mexico and more Mexico in North Carolina.

Aeromexico announced in November that it would begin daily flights from RDU to Mexico City, using Embraer 190 jets with 99 seats.

Mexicos flagship airline will partner with Delta for the flights, targeting not just business travelers and tourists but also hoping to attract seasonal farm workers looking for a quicker return home.

We are neighbors, economic partners and friends, Velasco said.

The deal between Delta and Aeromexico is threatened, however, by antitrust issues still unresolved with the federal government. Without a resolution, the airlines say their flights may end in the fall.

Even before Mondays flight landed Monday, Aeromexico already appeared on signs directing passengers to their terminals, and the name showed on arrival gates.

The first flight was delayed by roughly an hour, but those attending the kickoff Monday sang and danced along to Cielito Lindo.

Im happy to report that incoming flight is 100% full, Landguth said, and it will go out as 100% full, as well.
(Reuters) -Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for official actions taken as president, but can for private acts, the U.S. Supreme Court decided on Monday in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.

Here are some reactions to the ruling:

TRUMP ON TRUTH SOCIAL:

"BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

SENIOR ADVISOR FOR THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN:

"Today's ruling doesn't change the facts, so let's be very clear about what happened on January 6 (2021): Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election."

"The American people already rejected Donald Trump's self-obsessed quest for power once  Joe Biden will make sure they reject it for good in November."

REPUBLICAN U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON

"Today's ruling by the court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Biden's weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith. The court clearly stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts."

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES:

"The framers of the Constitution envisioned a democracy governed by the rule of law and the consent of the American people. They did not intend for our nation to be ruled by a king or monarch who could act with absolute impunity."

REPUBLICAN U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIR JIM JORDAN:

"Hyper-partisan prosecutors like Jack Smith cannot weaponize the rule of law to go after the administration's chief political rival, and we hope that the left will stop its attacks on President Trump and uphold democratic norms."

QUENTIN FULKS, DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR BIDEN CAMPAIGN

"This decision will give Donald Trump cover to do exactly what he's been saying that he wants to do for months, which is an act of revenge and retribution against his political enemies."

DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER:

"This is a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy. The very basis of our judicial system is that no one is above the law. Treason or incitement of an insurrection should not be considered a core constitutional power afforded to a president."

REPUBLICAN HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP TOM EMMER:

"The Democrats have proven they will do everything in their power - including weaponizing our justice system - to destroy their top political opponent, Donald Trump. Today's Supreme Court decision is a positive step in the right direction of ending their senseless lawfare."

REPUBLICAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JASON SMITH:

"It is obvious the politically motivated Biden Justice Department's desire to put President Trump on trial in an election year was making a mockery of justice. The Supreme Court has rightly jumped in and laid out the constitutional and fairness questions at stake."

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Will Dunham)
Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter, which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world.

After months of intense speculation and official reticence, China has finally confirmed its two former defense ministers who vanished from public view last year had been under investigation for corruption.

Their dramatic downfall has exposed deep-rooted alleged deceit in key sectors of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings military modernization drive despite his decade-long war on graft, raising questions about the countrys combat readiness at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Li Shangfu, who was drastically ousted as defense minister in October after only seven months on the job, and Wei Fenghe, who served from 2018 to 2023, were expelled from the ruling Communist Party following the investigations, with both cases handed over to military prosecutors for charges, state media reported Thursday.

The duo are the biggest heads to roll yet in a sweeping purge of Chinas defense establishment since last summer, which has felled more than a dozen senior generals and executives from the military-industrial complex.

The turmoil in the upper ranks of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) comes as leader Xi Jinping is seeking to make Chinas armed forces stronger, more combat-ready and more aggressive in asserting its disputed territorial claims in the region.

At the height of their careers, former defense ministers Li and Wei often struck a tough tone before the worlds top military officials. At successive regional security forums, the two generals warned the Chinese military would fight at all costs if anyone dares to split self-governing Taiwan from China. They also fired thinly veiled shots at the United States, vowing to push back against hegemony in the disputed South China Sea.

Both promoted under Xi, their removals come despite the Chinese leaders more than decade long signature anti-graft campaign, underscoring the difficulties in preventing corruption at the highest levels of the military, according to analysts.

While Xis anti-corruption campaign has achieved some success, the lack of proper civilian oversight and an independent legal system means the PLA is reliant on its internal investigators for supervision, said James Char, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Thats difficult, so corruption will definitely continue, he said.

Former Defense Ministers Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe have both been expelled from the Communist Party over corruption allegations. - AP/Reuters

Corruption in weapons procurement

As part of Xis ambition to transform the PLA into a world class fighting force, China has poured billions of dollars into buying and upgrading equipment. Xi has also built up the Rocket Force, an elite branch overseeing the countrys fast-expanding arsenal of nuclear and ballistic missiles.

Most of the generals dismissed or disappeared without explanation last year were linked to the Rocket Force or military equipment, including Li and Wei.

Before becoming Defense Minister, Li headed the PLAs Equipment Development Department for five years. An engineer by training, the 66-year-old spent decades launching rockets and satellites in southwest China before being promoted to the PLA headquarters to deal with military equipment procurement.

Wei, 70, was the inaugural commander of the Rocket Force. In late 2015, it was elevated by Xi into a full service from the PLAs former missile arm, the Second Artillery Corps, where Wei had worked for decades. Weis two successors at the Rocket Force have also been purged.

The allegations against Li laid out in the announcement by the partys 24-member Politburo clearly point to corruption in the procurement of weapons.

In addition to taking and giving bribes and abuse of power, Li was also accused of severely polluting the political environment and industry practices of the military equipment sector, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Joel Wuthnow, a senior research fellow at the Pentagon-funded National Defense University, said the carefully worded phrase points to collusion between the state-owned enterprises that manufacture weapons and the PLA procurement system.

We know there is some collusion, but its not clear  and the CCP would not admit it  that critical weapons actually are substandard or not reliable, Wuthnow said. If proven, that would be even more serious for Xi since he would have doubts not only about ethics but also about actual military readiness.

Char, the analyst, said problems in the PLAs procurement system have existed for many years.

In 2018, a study penned by Chinas Naval University of Engineering, the Navys equipment procurement center and the audit office of the Central Military Commission had already analyzed the bid rigging practices in the PLAs equipment procurement and called for improvement of the bidding system, Char noted.

These problems in procurement and acquisitions raised questions about the quality of the equipment that the PLA had purchased earlier. How well do they actually function on the field? I think thats quite debatable, he said.

In a sign that Chinas top military leadership could be concerned about the quality of its equipment, Gen. He Weidong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which oversees the armed forces, vowed in March to crack down on fake combat capabilities within the military, Char noted.

His comment was quickly banned from public view afterwards. I think that says a lot about the actual combat capabilities of (the PLA), Char said.

Military vehicles carrying DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China held in Beijing in 2019. - Jason Lee/Reuters/File

Lost confidence

Li and Wei are the most senior military figures to be felled in six years by Xis relentless anti-corruption campaign.

The Chinese leader has made rooting out graft and disloyalty a hallmark of his rule since coming to power in 2012, and he has brought down powerful generals previously deemed untouchable.

Within the first few years of his first term, Xi claimed his two most senior scalps in the military, Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, two former vice-chairmen of the CMC. Xu later died of cancer and Guo was sentenced to life in prison for corruption.

In some ways, Wuthnow said, the latest corruption scandal around the two former defense ministers is even worse for Xi than the Xu and Guo cases a decade ago.

Back then we could say Xi was cleaning house, he said, noting that Xu and Guo had been appointed to the CMC under former leader Jiang Zemin. But both Wei and Li were promoted under Xi.

Wei and Lis cases show that Xis own vetting processes and vaunted anti-corruption campaign over the last decade havent succeeded at preventing graft at the top of the system, Wuthnow said.

I think this shows once more that Xi has lost confidence in his own appointees.

Wei was promoted to the rank of general just over a week after Xi took the helm of the party. Li was promoted to lieutenant general and then again to general in just three years.

The announcements by the Politburo said Li and Guos actions betrayed the trust and responsibility placed in them by the top leadership of the party and the military. Li betrayed the partys founding aspirations and party principles, and Wei was accused of collapse of faith and loss of loyalty, according to CCTV.

Xi must be feeling personally betrayed by this high-level corruption, wrote Bill Bishop, a China watcher and author of the Sinocism newsletter.

But Xi remains determined to root out corruption and disloyalty. Last month, he convened the military top brass for a political-work conference in Yanan, a sacred site of Chinese Communist revolution in party history, calling for a deepening of political rectification in the PLA.

The gun barrel must always be held in the hands of those who are loyal and reliable to the party, Xi told the PLA elites. Strictness is clearly required toachieve combat effectiveness. There must be no place in the military for corrupt elements to hide.

Char, the PLA watcher in Singapore, said in the long run, Xis cleaning up of the military and its procurement system is a good sign for Chinas combat capabilities.

The problems are being rectified as and when, and there will always be an ongoing review as to how Xi Jinping can actually bring the PLA up to speed to have his dream of modernizing the PLA by 2035 realized.

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Photo showing people killed and injured in Donetsk Oblast in one day. Infographic: Vadym Filashkin on Telegram

At least two civilians were killed and 12 others injured as a result of Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast on 30 June.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Russia is killing civilians! Russians killed two residents of Donetsk Oblast on 30 June: [one] in Toretsk and [one] in Siversk. Another 12 people were injured in the oblast over the day".

Details: In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russians have killed at least 2,044 and injured at least 5,210 civilians in Donetsk Oblast.

Filashkin emphasises that these figures do not take into account the casualties caused by the Russians in the temporarily occupied cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha.

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Insights from Chatham House, Al-Monitor, Eurasia Review, and The Economist

The News

Iran will hold a runoff election this week after the reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian secured a narrow lead over hardliner and former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, but failed to win an outright majority in the votes first round on Friday amid record low turnout.

Just 40% of eligible Iranians voted, according to the Ministry of Interior  the lowest turnout since the Islamic Republic was formed in 1979.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Record low turnout may have been a silent referendum on the Islamic Republics legitimacy

Sources: Chatham House, AI-Monitor, Eurasia Review, Bloomberg

Iranian elections serve to demonstrate the continuity and functionality of the regime, an expert at UK-based think tank Chatham House told Semafor. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tried to boost turnout by saying that any vote [would] be a vote to the Islamic Republic. But after the vote, some said that the low turnout was a silent referendum against the establishment, and even hardline pundits speculated as to why public trust seemed eroded, AI-Monitors Tehran correspondent noted. The lackluster numbers suggest most Iranians dont see elections as a meaningful path to change, an expert told Eurasia Review. However, that Pezeshkian received a million more votes than his opponents may suggest people still have faith in the reformist camp, a Bloomberg columnist wrote

Pezeshkians appeal to women could bump up his support

Source: The Economist

Ahead of the runoff, both candidates may try to paint each other as existential threats  Pezeshkian by accusing Jalili of representing religious extremism, Jalili by suggesting Pezeshkhian is a threat to Irans theocracy, The Economist noted. They may also exploit ethnic tensions: Jalili appeals to the Persian-speaking majority, while Pezeshkian could mobilize minority resentment. Women could also present a powerful constituency: Anecdotal evidence suggested that women boycotted the vote more than men, and Pezeshkian could try to bring them into his camp, perhaps by promising future cabinet positions, the outlet added.
The Ten Commandments are displayed on the grounds of the Capitol. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing for a state law requiring that they be posted in all public school classrooms.

Concerns about Bible references in a new state-developed curriculum for elementary school students have percolated at Texas' State Board of Education as board members weigh whether to approve an array of classroom materials.

The objections to the Bible references in the public school curriculum were raised at the SBOE last week, just as leaders across Southern U.S. states have implemented policies blurring the lines between public school learning material and Christian-based texts, raising calls for faith-based works in schools by top Texas Republicans.

The Texas Education Agency developed the new materials after a 2023 state law  House Bill 1605  was enacted to provide teachers with a high-quality school curriculum. The bill called for the TEA to develop the teaching materials and for the SBOE to adopt a new list of approved textbooks and other instructional tools. While Texas school districts are not required to teach the TEA-produced content, which is available online for free, districts will get additional state money if they choose to use the materials.

But when the TEA in late May unveiled the curriculum it had developed and opened it for public comment, the state agency received backlash for including Bible stories and other Christian references in some elementary school reading materials.

For example, a passage about American history for first grade students notes that the Liberty Bell is a symbol to celebrate freedom from Great Britain and our freedom to pray. In the same unit, a section about the First Continental Congress uses a call for delegates to pray together to define the word compromise.

Robert Norris, who co-founded Grandparents for Public Schools, an Austin-based nonpartisan group that was formed in 2023 to advocate for public school funding and resources, told the SBOEs Committee on Instruction on Thursday that he worried about the faith-based references in the proposed instructional materials.

It conveys the message students should be impressed by the Bible and the power of the Christian church, Norris said. That kind of messaging does not belong in our public schools.

Jonathan Covey, policy director for the conservative policy group Texas Values, told board members that the organization supports Bible references in the school curriculum.

"Reading the Bible and religious texts are helpful in strengthening reading comprehension skills and understanding everyday historical and cultural references," Covey said.

SBOE member Aicha Davis, D-Dallas, said she wants to spend more time going through the hundreds of pages of materials to understand the religious references included in the curriculum.

Davis said she wondered, How much time is dedicated to this rather than the content that the student is supposed to be focused on?"

'Fundamental foundation of American and Texas law'

The discussion at the SBOE comes at a time when state leaders in Republican-controlled jurisdictions have been focused on religion in public schools. Louisiana on June 19 became the first state in the nation to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressed outrage a day later, lamenting that Texas wasn't the first to require the religious text in schools.

Texas WOULD have been and SHOULD have been the first state in the nation to pull the Ten Commandments back in our schools, Patrick wrote on X on June 20.

Last year, Senate Bill 1515, a Texas proposal similar to Louisiana's new law, missed a key legislative deadline, effectively killing a push to display the Ten Commandments in Texas schools. Patrick, however, said the state Senate will again advance the proposal next year.

"SB 1515 will bring back this historical tradition of recognizing Americas heritage, and remind students all across Texas of the importance of a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law: the Ten Commandments," he said June 20.

In Oklahoma, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters on Thursday ordered schools to incorporate the Bible as an instructional support into the classroom. And on Friday, the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City announced it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling finding a contract between the state public charter school board and a Catholic virtual school illegal.

Similar conversations about the role of religion in schools have become prevalent in Texas.

Last year, the Legislature passed a bill allowing schools to employ a chaplain as a counselor. Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders have also thrown their weight behind a proposal for school vouchers, which would use public money to pay for a childs tuition at a private school  including a religious school.

The TEA-developed education materials are open for public comment through Aug. 16.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Board of Education weighs Bible references in school curriculum
A new study from news outlet WBEZ has concluded that students are not benefiting from Illinois for-profit colleges. The research, which analyzed federal data in addition to surveying more than 250 current and former students, determined that students finds themselves in a worse situation after attending for-profit colleges in Illinois. The students, according to the study, face a large amount of debt after attending the schools and struggle to find profitable jobs. A large of the students who are affected are Black students, the study adds.

The for-profit playbook is to meet these communities where they are, capitalize on the lack of infrastructure, lack of funding, lack of opportunities and then dangle that promise of economic security, economic stability, economic mobility, to these same folks, Aissa Canchola Banez, policy director for the not-for-profit Student Borrower Protection Center, told the Chicago Sun-Times. And the results are catastrophic.

According to WBEZs data, only one-third of about 90 for-profit Illinois schools graduated students who earn more than high school graduates. At DeVry, which is considered one of the better for-profit schools in Illinois, the average graduate still earns less than those who finish high school. The median pay for DeVry students, according to the data, is $45,200.

Federal data shows that for-profit colleges earn a large portion of their revenue from tuition and fees. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, experts say this revenue method encourages the schools to spend much of their money on attracting students, but not educate them once they enroll.

At for-profit institutions, more of that money is just going back to trying to get more students to enroll, Dominique Baker, a higher education researcher at the University of Delaware, told the Sun-Times.

Baker adds that this is a far contrast from nonprofit institutions, where tuition revenue is funneled into things like instruction and helping to sort of craft and improve whats happening in the learning environment.

According to WBEZ, about 40% of the for-profit college students surveyed for the study said they are carrying a debt of at least $30,000.
FILE - Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, right, points toward Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally on March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. Vance sharply criticized Trump during the 2016 election cycle, before changing course and embracing the former president. Vance is now one of Trump's fiercest allies and defenders and among those short-listed to be Trump's vice presidential pick. AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  It was March 2022 and Senate candidate JD Vance was standing under hot lights in a Cleveland television studio debating four fellow Republicans on whether the U.S. should support a no-fly zone over Ukraine, not a month into its grinding war with Russia.

Absolutely not, Vance said.

I'm in the minority up here, the Marine veteran added, because, at the end of the day, we can accept as individuals, look, its tragic, its terrible. What Vladimir Putin did was wrong in invading a sovereign country on his border. But we have our own problems in the United States to focus on.

Vance was "putting Americas priorities ahead of all else," his campaign said  and he had caught Donald Trump's attention.

Within 25 days, the former president had endorsed Vance, helping the Hillbilly Elegy author and Yale-educated Silicon Valley venture capitalist defeat a crowded Republican field and ultimately win Ohio's open Senate seat.

A relationship had been born that's now nudged Vance, 39, onto Trump's vice presidential short list. Trump boosted Vance's career, and Vance has returned the favor by unceasingly defending Trump's policies and behavior. His debating skills, ability to articulate Trump's vision and fund-raising prowess are all potential assets for Vance, those familiar with the vetting process say.

It's far from where Vance's relationship to Trump started. His best-selling book gained Vance a reputation as a Trump whisperer able to help explain the maverick New York businessman's appeal in middle America, but Vance was a never-Trumper in 2016. He called Trump dangerous and unfit for office. Vance, whose wife, lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance, is Indian-American and the mother of their three children, also criticized Trump's racist rhetoric, saying he could be America's Hitler.

After Trump won, Vance returned to his native Ohio and set up an anti-opioid charity. He took to the lecture circuit and was a favored guest at Republican Lincoln Day dinners. His sought-after appearances weren't book signings so much as opportunities to sell his ideas for fixing the country  an approach opponents would cast as all-too-convenient groundwork-laying exercises for entering politics in 2021.

Former Republican Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, a fellow Yale graduate, frequently shared stages with Vance then. He said Vance's story, the hardship and heartbreak endured because of his mothers drug addiction, resonated. The opioid epidemic that ravaged Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia when he was growing up was killing a dozen Ohioans a day on average in 2016.

The struggles that he's talking about are the struggles that a lot of people could identify with, Obhof said.

Vance's family left the house in Middletown where he grew up, but he still has a fan living there. Standing on the porch one recent morning, the shoes of her six teenagers strewn under a hammock, 35-year-old Amanda Bailey said she thought Hillbilly Elegy nailed it, and that Trump and Vance would make a great team.

I grew up here all my life; moved away, came back. I think he portrayed Middletown very well, she said. All of it. The struggle, the economical aspect of it, the cultural aspect of it. Just all around. I think it was pretty spot on.

But not everyone sees the book  later adapted into a Ron Howard-directed film, starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams  that way. It ignited criticism from scholars across Appalachia, many of whom said it trafficked in cheap stereotypes and failed to diagnose the origins of the region's troubled history or offer workable policy solutions.

Some city officials in Middletown still cringe at its mention. They fear their town has forever been branded a forsaken backwater, even as investments pour into local manufacturing, infrastructure and recreational opportunities.

The Senate office Vance set up in town sits unmarked behind a locked door.

So many people from Appalachia were upset about it, because he is not telling his own story. In the middle of the book, he shifts from I to we," said Meredith McCarroll, co-author of the 2019 book Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy. Appalachia is a 13-state region that is far from monolithic, and he is not only representing it as one singular place, but he's representing it very negatively and blaming the victim.

Vance has acknowledged some criticism. He recently told The New York Times he'd distanced himself from Hillbilly Elegy, in order not to wake up in 10 years and really hate everything that Ive become.

Yet it introduced him to the Trump family. Don Jr. loved the book and knew of Vance when he went to launch his political career. The two hit it off and have remained friends. The Ohioan's populist rhetoric seemed Trumpian.

By the time Vance met Trump in 2021, he had reversed his opinion, citing Trump's accomplishments as president.

McCarroll said Vance's evolution on his book and Trump shows he's really willing to do and say what he needs to do and say in order to find himself in a position of power.

Once elected, Vance became a fierce Trump ally on Capitol Hill. Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said he's now a leading voice for a conservative movement, on key issues including a shift away from interventionist foreign policy, free market economics and American culture writ large.

Given his upbringing, he has not only overcome that but used that to become a great patriot serving in the U.S. Marines, to build a great career in business, and now to serving in the Senate, Roberts said.

Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative activist group Turning Point USA, said Vance compellingly articulates the America First world view and, as a running mate, could help Trump in states that share Ohio's values, demographics and economy.

I say commonly that JD Vance's superpower is his ability to go into adversarial media environments, be calm, cool and collected, and say things that are very persuasive without raising his voice, Kirk said.

Vance's politics can be difficult to pigeonhole.

Democrats call him an extremist, citing provocative positions Vance has taken but sometimes later amended. Vance signaled support for a national 15-week abortion ban during his Senate run, for instance, then softened that stance once Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed a 2023 abortion rights amendment. On the 2020 election, he said he wouldn't have certified the results immediately if he had been vice president and that Trump had a very legitimate grievance. He has put conditions on honoring the results of the 2024 election that echo Trump's.

A Trump-Vance ticket would sink the GOP into new depths of extremism, Alex Floyd, a Democratic National Committee spokesperson, said in a statement.

In the Senate, Vance sometimes embraces bipartisanship. He and Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown co-sponsored a railway safety bill following a fiery train derailment in the Ohio village of East Palestine. He's sponsored legislation extending and increasing funding for Great Lakes restoration, and supported bipartisan legislation boosting workers and families.

Chris Tape, his high school physics teacher, remembers Vance as an engaging, fun 17-year-old. Vance never mentioned his rough upbringing, Tape said.

When Vance told him he was joining the Marines, Tape expressed surprise  telling him he was gifted enough to write his own ticket. Vance said he loved his country and if he wasn't willing to serve it, it's all talk.

So I know at least one thing about him, Tape said. He believes in his country, he believes in serving it, and he's willing to take a more difficult path directly in order to do that.
High-ranking Republicans in Congress have requested information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections regarding its decision to deny ballot access to several third-parties. Congressional Republicans suggest that the vote was politically motivated and may have been done to influence the 2024 presidential election.

In a letter sent Monday, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, asked the North Carolina board to provide all documents and communications pertaining to its decision not to certify new parties led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, both of whom are running independent presidential campaigns.

The NCSBEs decision ensures that some otherwise qualified candidates will not garner votes in the November election, which will inevitably influence the election and potentially sway the electoral results, the letter, also signed by Rep. Bryan Steil, chair of the House Administration Committee, said.

Citing concerns about improper addresses, misleading petition-gatherers and voters who asked their signatures to be removed, the state boards Democratic majority voted against recognizing the Justice for All and We The People parties last week.

Unless the decision is reversed, Kennedy and West will be unable to appear on North Carolinas presidential ballot in November with their respective parties.

The board also voted not to certify the right-wing Constitution Party, which is running anti-abortion activist Randall Terry for president.

However, board chair Alan Hirsch emphasized that last weeks decision was not final and said board members would take a second vote in July after further investigation into the parties.

The vote came after weeks of pressure from Democrats and a group tied to President Joe Biden that is seeking to keep independent presidential challengers off the ballot across the country.

Republicans immediately criticized the decision, suggesting that the boards Democrats sought to keep candidates off the ballot who might pull votes away from Biden.

This is one more example of Democrats fracturing trust in Americas democratic institutions and flouting the electoral process in their increasingly desperate attempts to hold onto political power, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement last week.

Jordans letter itself is not a subpoena, though the committee could issue one if board members refuse to comply. The letter requests a response from the board by July 8.
SciTechDaily has shared a report that a new study indicates up to 66% of people worldwide may not have access to enough clean water by 2100. The majority of people affected will live in the Global South, though those in the North will also face shortages at certain times of the year.

What's happening?

Utrecht University used a new, more comprehensive model for examining both the quantity and quality of water that people will have available in the future. Dr. Edward Jones, who led the study, explained in the report: "Previous assessments still predominantly focus on water quantity aspects only. Yet, the safe use of water also depends on the quality."

The model indicates that 55% of people around the world already face problems with either one or both of these facets of water availability, and researchers expect that number to rise.

Many factors related to both rising global temperatures and socioeconomic development affect how much water people have available, how much they need, and how clean it is. Dr. Jones noted that "changes in these three aspects are crucial for evaluating future water scarcity," and future models need to look at all of these before they evaluate water scarcity issues.

Why is water scarcity important?

People around the world rely on water every day, not only for health and hydration but also for sanitation, food, energy, and all sorts of goods.

If people don't have enough clean water, their health will suffer. They may also not be able to produce what they need to thrive. "The lack of clean water presents a systemic risk to both humans and ecosystems, which is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore," Dr. Jones said.

Water scarcity also highlights global inequities. The majority of both water scarcity problems happen in the Global South. Water scarcity disrupts these communities with global consequences. Everything from the food supply to immigration could see shifts. Even the global economy may face slowdowns due to water scarcity.

What's being done about water scarcity?

As people worldwide realize that water scarcity is becoming more of a problem, they are doing things to combat it. Lawmakers are passing new legislation, and researchers are developing new ways to produce, conserve, and clean water.

There are also things that you can do every day to use less water. Buy water-saving appliances so you use less when you wash your clothes or your dishes. Use rain barrels to gather water for your yard instead of relying on sprinklers. Learn more about where your water comes from and who might face water scarcity in your area.

Every tiny effort adds up when it comes to fighting water scarcity.

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Researchers surprised after chance discovery of plant not seen in over a century: 'It's a glimmer of hope'

Researchers in Vermont found a hidden treasure of a plant not seen in over a century.

According to the New York Times, the rare false mermaid-weed (Floerkea proserpinacoides), was thought to be extinct in the region until this remarkable discovery.

Biologist Molly Parren stumbled upon this botanical rarity while surveying wood turtle habitats in rural Addison County. Amid the wild meadow garlic by a stream, she snapped a photograph, which she promptly shared with Vermont's state botanist, Grace Glynn. However, it wasn't the garlic that captivated Glynn but another plant in the frame  the long-lost false mermaid-weed, unseen in Vermont for generations.

The significance of the find struck Glynn immediately. She reached out to Parren and, in an eruption of excitement, contacted Matt Charpentier, a Massachusetts-based field botanist also on the trail of this elusive species.

"There was a lot of screaming," Glynn admitted upon the discovery. The following day, she rushed to the site to find a dense carpet of the plants, marveling at their overlooked resilience.

False mermaid-weed, which appears in late April and flowers for about a month before retreating by early June, is known for its delicate features and small, centimeter-wide flowers, making it easy to miss.

"It's a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim world," Charpentier said, according to the New York Times.

The discovery underscores the significance of preserving natural habitats and the benefits of biodiversity.

Another example is the successful reintroduction of bison on tribal lands in Montana. Starting with 30 wild bison relocated to the Fort Belknap Reservation in 2013, the population has flourished to about 200, rejuvenating local ecosystems and supporting endangered species such as the black-footed ferret and swift fox.

Similarly, Mono Lake in California has rebounded following decades of water diversion, with a remarkable 80% reduction in diversions since 1994. This restoration has revitalized the lake into a thriving ecosystem, now home to trillions of shrimp and millions of birds, serving as a global testament to effective ecological preservation efforts.

Glynn plans to send some Floerkea seeds to a seed bank in Massachusetts, ensuring the plant's preservation for future generations. With ongoing support and awareness, the world can hope to see more stories of ecological resurgence in the future.

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After a wave of violent incidents in Santa Monica, residents and city officials are expressing some serious concerns, with the citys mayor asking for emergency funds, more police and state assistance.

Theres beautiful things about the city, but were losing it, Christina Tullock, who lives on the Santa Monica-Venice border, said.

Tullock told KTLAs Rachel Menitoff that she regularly sees one violent attack after another and believes the issues causing the problems are mental health and drug related.

You can have as much enforcement as possible, but the cops cant do anything until something happens, she explained. What Id like is to see something preemptively happen, which is help people who are sick, help people who are on drugs.

Still, as crowds flock to the Santa Monica Pier ahead of next weekends Fourth of July holiday, the city has been home to a string of violent attacks since the first of the year.

Just this weekend, five men were arrested after a giant brawl broke out on the beach, leaving one person stabbed and another with a broken ankle. Both victims were hospitalized.

Earlier in the week, 32-year-old Jawann Dwayne Garnett, who police say is homeless, was arrested after violent attacks on three female beachgoers. He has since been charged with attempted rape and attempted murder.

One person was stabbed and another injured after a large brawl broke out on the beach near the Santa Monica Pier on June 29, 2024. (TNLA)

Five people were arrested after a large brawl left one person stabbed and another injured on the beach near the Santa Monica Pier on June 29, 2024. (TNLA)

Jawann Dwayne Garnett (Megans Law)

Leonard Hector Korpie, 26 of Venice, was charged with homicide after allegedly punching and killing the manager of a Santa Monica bar. (Santa Monica Police Department)

Jalan Rodger James, 39, is seen in a booking photo from the Santa Monica Police Department.

Larry Ameyal Cedeno, 29, is shown in this mugshot provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. Cedeno was arrested by police in connection with an unprovoked attack of three people on May 19, 2024.

Booking photo of Malcolm Ward. (Santa Monica Police)

On June 11, a 26-year-old man at Jamesons Pub on Main Street in Santa Monica punched and killed the bars manager after he was one of several patrons asked to leave the establishment.

Late in May, a 39-year-old man believed to be homeless was arrested after reportedly attacking a 73-year-old woman, leaving her with minor injuries. Bystanders also said the suspect had been seen trying to punch others in the area.

Almost a week and a half before that attack, 29-year-old Larry Ameyal Cedeno was arrested after what appears to be a entirely unprovoked assault near Parking Structure 7 in the 1500 block of 4th Street that left two people hospitalized with stab wounds, one who was listed in critical but stable condition.

On May 16, a Venice resident who was jogging in the 2000 block of Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica was violently dragged by the hair and pulled toward the restrooms. Police said 48-year-old Malcolm Ward, a parolee, intended to sexually assault the victim.

He was arrested and has since been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault with the intent to commit rape.

Some people who frequent Santa Monica, like Howard Zickefose, said its confusing and disconcerting to be out and about in the city and then suddenly caught up in a swarm of police activity.

We were having a wonderful time, returning from shopping at Trader Joes in the middle of the day yesterday and we were swarmed by police, he said of Saturdays beach brawl. They were driving in every direction and there were helicopters flying.

Criminals in California seen celebrating amid jewelry store break-in

Santa Monica resident Elizabeth Brown cautioned tourists in the area to stay aware of what and who is around them while visiting.

If you live in a really safe environment and you come here, you just need to be a little more acutely aware of your surroundings, she explained.

Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock says the issues facing Santa Monica are happening across Los Angeles.

Some of the same crime patterns, some of the same theft, some of the same behavior comes from unhinged homeless people who are on drugs or mentally ill, he said. It [also] comes from people who cross the border and say, Hey, Santa Monica is lucrative, lets make some of our money here.'

Brocks plan is to saturate business and residential areas with police officers in order to stop crimes before they happen, but said he needs funding to do that. He adds that he also needs help from the court system, the district attorneys office and the state of California.

According to the mayor, though, the city council rejected his proposal to take a few million dollars from the citys budget for emergency security use through the summer. That additional funding, he said, could go toward increasing patrols in the area and hopefully alleviate the concerns of people, like Matt Gotzka, on the boardwalk.

You dont want to hear about attempted stabbings and violence toward people on the beach, Gotzka told KTLA. Youre here trying to have a good 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 KTLA.
A retired Navy admiral pleaded not guilty Monday in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom to criminal charges involving an alleged bribery scheme that played out while he was still in uniform.

Retired Adm. Robert Burke, a former vice chief of naval operations, pleaded not guilty Monday, as did his co-defendants, Yongchul Charlie Kim and Meghan Messenger, according to their attorneys.

Burke, Kim and Messenger are each charged with bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, while Burke faces additional charges of performing acts of a personal financial interest and concealing material facts from the United States.

Adm. Burke is innocent and we look forward to presenting his case to the jury, Burkes attorney, Timothy Parlatore, said in a statement.

William Burck, an attorney for Kim and Messenger, said Monday that the governments case against them was so way off base its shocking.

Retired Navy four-star admiral arrested in bribery scheme

We are confident they will get a fair trial before the court and a jury, Burck said in an email to Navy Times.

A hearing will be held next month to schedule a trial date, according to Parlatore.

An indictment unsealed last month alleges that the retired Burke, 62, took part in the scheme while serving as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa from 2020 until his retirement in 2022.

Before that, Burke was the vice chief of operations from June 2019 to June 2020, and also served as the chief of naval personnel, according to his official biography.

According to the Justice Department, the alleged crimes started when a company run by Kim and Messenger, Next Jump, provided a training pilot program to a small component of the Navy from August 2018 to July 2019.

The Navy terminated a contract with that company in late 2019 and directed Company A not to contact Burke, according to the Justice Department.

But Kim and Messenger allegedly went on to meet with Burke in Washington in July 2021, part an alleged effort to reestablish the companys ties to the Navy.

At the meeting, the charged defendants allegedly agreed that Burke would use his position as a Navy Admiral to steer a sole-source contract to [Next Jump] in exchange for future employment at the company, the Justice Department said. They allegedly further agreed that Burke would use his official position to influence other Navy officers to award another contract to [Next Jump] to train a large portion of the Navy.
Shirion offers bounties for the identification of people involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Photograph: Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A prime mover behind the Shirion Collective, a conspiracy-minded, pro-Israel disinformation network seeking to shape public opinion about the Gaza conflict in the US, Australia and the UK, is a tech entrepreneur named Daniel Linden living in Florida who co-wrote a guidebook for OnlyFans users, the Guardian can reveal.

Shirion has harassed pro-Palestinian activists, including many Jews, offered bounties for the identity of pro-Palestinian protesters, spread conspiracy narratives centered on figures like George Soros, and boasted of an AI-surveillance platform but offered few concrete details of how the technology functions.

The Guardian investigation used public records and open source materials to corroborate information originally provided by the White Rose Society, an Australian anti-fascist research collective.

Linden set up Shirions crowdfunding efforts, appears to play a central role in operating the networks social media accounts, and coordinates the groups efforts on a Telegram channel. Public records and online materials indicate he lives in Gainesville, Florida, but he has also had recent stints in Durango, Colorado, and Medellin, Colombia.

The Guardian emailed Linden at several addresses associated with him and his business ventures, and attempted to contact him via phone, text, a direct message on Reddit and a post tagging an X account associated with one of his ventures seeking comment on this reporting, but received no response.

Heidi Beirich, co-founder and chief strategy officer at the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, said of Lindens Shirion campaigning that his apparent grifting is common among extremists, but his ideology seems very confused.

Regardless, she added, he is spreading hateful messages.

The revelations shed light on the nature of Shirion, which has been criticized in the US congress and attracted media attention around the world, and its role in pushing back against criticisms of Israels conduct in its invasion of Gaza.

Surveillance network

The Shirion Collective is an online operation that since late 2023 has appeared on platforms including X, Telegram and GoFundMe to coordinate the spread of pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian propaganda, and the harassment of pro-Palestinian protesters in the west.

Across its two X bios, Shirion describes itself as a surveillance collective and a surveillance network that searches for digital fingerprints to aggressively track what the MSM [mainstream media] wont and aggressively track and expose antisemitism.

On Telegram, Shirion hosts a private channel with 885 members at the time of reporting. The channel is further divided into rooms for discussion of events in specific territories (like Canada and Latin America), or for coordination of online activity including mass reporting of X accounts.

Shirion organized two GoFundMe fundraisers in April and May of 2024. The earlier fundraiser brought in more than $57,000, including an anonymous $10,000 donation, for an operation in which trucks with big-screen monitors showed footage of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel near universities in various US cities.

The move attracted the attention of critics including Representative Ilhan Omar, who spoke out in Congress against Shirions screening of the footage to the University of California, Los Angeles protest encampment.

Cash for doxers

Starting in late 2023 on X, Shirion began offering what it described as bounties for the identification of people involved in pro-Palestinian protests whom they characterized as antisemites.

A 29 November post on X advertised an INSIDERS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM scheme that promised CASH for GREAT insider information.

An accompanying graphic promoted a variety of bounties that increased with occupational status, ranging from $500 for the identification of a student up to $10,000 for a politician. Shirion asked supporters to BOOKMARK and SHARE to get the word out.

By 3 December, Shirion was offering a $500 reward, later bumped up to $1,500, for the identity of protesters Shirion claimed were engaged in genocidal chanting.

In succeeding months, Shirion has posted dozens of bounty offers and also has claimed to have paid out to people who have allowed them to identify their perceived opponents.

As recently as 19 June, it claimed in a post to have paid out $1,000 for the identity of a protester who was the subject of a bounty on 4 June.

Hate and disinformation

Beyond the bounty program, Shirion voices or boosts Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate, while celebrating death and destruction in Gaza, and violence against their supporters in the west.

Shirion has repeatedly celebrated the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, including Palestinian journalists and children.

On 27 April, Shirion responded to a video that included images of destruction in Gaza, posting Love that gaza looks like That now, adding FAFO, an acronym for fuck around and find out.

Shirion has frequently celebrated police violence directed at pro-Palestinian protesters in the United States. It has also celebrated violence against journalists it characterized as Marxist.

On 5 May, in a post depicting a vehicular attack on protesters in Denver, Shirion wrote LIKE & SHARE to make this more common.

Shirion is also fond of conspiracy narratives. In a 19 December reply to another X user, it described a conspiracy theory that the left was bringing illegals into the US to bolster pro-Palestinian protests.

Despite Shirions claims to be an opponent of antisemitism, on Twitter it regularly promotes conspiracy theories that experts regard as being themselves implicitly antisemitic.

They include conspiracy narratives about the billionaire Jewish philanthropist George Soros.

On May 10, Shirion posted a warning about the Soros-Backed Tides Foundation.

Beirich, the extremism expert, said that Soros conspiracy theories are always implicitly linked with antisemitism. She added that its strange that [Linden] is at once rabidly pro-Israel and also spreads antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Shirion has also shared conspiracy theories about Muslims, including one projecting a Muslim takeover of Europe. Often, Shirion posts outright disinformation. The account captioned images and videos of pro-Palestinian protesters taking a lesson in Haitian martial arts with the claim that they were Practicing Slaughter Techniques on Jews.

Project Maccabee

Shirion often makes grandiose claims about its connections and an AI technology it claims to be using to identify perceived enemies.

At various times on X, Shirion has claimed to have contacts in the New York police department and FBI, Israeli intelligence and the London metropolitan police, and to be connected with Republican congressional candidates and pro-Israel academic and commentator Max Abrahms.

And since late last year, it has claimed to have developed an AI technology, Project Maccabee, whose goal it has described as Hitting and creating AGI for the PROTECTION and survival of our people, and EXPOSING these putrid antisemites.

Shirion has claimed the platform has advanced capabilities. However, Shirion has never made any public demonstration of its operations, nor produced third-party endorsement of its application to surveillance tasks. Nor has it shown that its capabilities for surveillance and identification are vastly superior to amateur open source intelligence investigators.

Dantheprompt and Shirion

One thread connecting Linden to Shirion comes from Reddit. The subreddit ShirionCollective is moderated by user Danimde, whose screen name is Dantheprompt. The subreddit apparently has no other members.

Dantheprompt user profile indicates that the account also moderates 8 other subreddits, and appears to be an enthusiast of generative AI. Most of the subreddits are either have one member or are dominated by posts from Daninmde.

Besides the Shirion subreddit, all of the subreddits Dantheprompt moderates are concerned with topics related to the use of generative AI tools including large language models (LLMs) and image-generating tools. The subreddits titles include chiefaiofficer, SuperPrompters and OnlyFansModelAI. The last subreddit 3 members which features sporadic posts of AI-generated imagery of scantily clad women, all from from the Daninmde account.

The profile picture on the Daninmde Reddit account is an exact match for one used on an account of the same name on Multiplex, a discussion forum dedicated to AI entrepreneurship. In a 28 May 23 post to Multiplex, in a thread called introduce yourself, Dantheprompt posted: Hi guys, Dan Linden here Been an entrepreneur for the last 12 years doing digital marketing, digital info products, etc.

Further on, the post reads @dantheprompt  if you ever want to message me on Twitter.

The dantheprompt X account is now locked, but it identifies Dan Linden as the account holder, and the biography reads Co-founder of Chief AI Officer (CAIO)  Building AI Powered (SaaS)  Digital Arts  Mixed Martial Arts.

The profile photo, while different from the Reddit and Multiplex photos, appears to depict the same person. That photograph connects Linden to a now-deleted X post from Shirion.

On 11 April, Shirion posted a screenshot of a Google search, apparently on an iPhone. At the top right, a profile picture from the signed-in Google account was visible. The profile picture was identical to the one Linden uses on Twitter.

Another, apparently dormant X account also uses the username daninmde, and its profile photo appears to depict the same person as in Lindens other social media accounts.

That accounts screen name is Dani L, which is one of the ties between Linden and Shirions fundraising efforts. Currently, the organizer of each GoFundMe is identified as Dani M. In an early archive of the first fundraiser, however, the organizer is identified as Dani L. As that fundraiser was being set up, though, the name of the organizer was revealed as Daniel Linden.

As the names on that fundraiser shifted, the organizers location was given as Gainesville, Florida. On the more recent fundraiser, the location is given as Durango, Colorado. Daniel Linden has lived in both cities.

Meet Daniel Linden

In his introductory post on Multiplex, one of Lindens lines was that he Built some companies. Wrote some books.

Public records and open source materials indicate that Linden has certainly started many companies, but its far less clear that any of his previous companies survived.

Colorado company records indicate that Linden incorporated two companies in that state: Linden Services in 2006, and Focus Interactions Ltd in 2013. Each apparently lasted less than a year.

In Gainesville, Florida, Linden incorporated a series of companies starting in 2017, including Clickstein LLC, LD Networks LLC and DG Media LLC. Again, all of these companies appear to be defunct.

The companies left few traces on the public record. However, a 2020 English-language media report from Medellin, Colombia, indicates that Clickstein was a digital marketing firm based on the idea of Einstein-inspired marketing formulas, and that Linden lived in the city for a period.

The last captures of Clicksteins website are from mid-2022. An archived our team page does not provide the last names of staff or management, but Dan L is listed as president of the company.

A business intelligence site has Linden as Co-Founder at clickstein.com, bringing experience from previous roles at notyouraverage.marketing, Marketing Bench, Focus Interactions and Cre8tive Ninjas.

In recent years, Linden has displayed a preoccupation with OnlyFans, the platform that allows producers of adult content to monetize their content, that goes beyond his sporadic attempts to synthesize AI models.

A 6 December 2022 screenshot of one of his personal Facebook accounts shows an OnlyFans payment notification indicating a net quarterly take of more than $155,000.

On Amazon, Linden is credited as co-author of a Spanish-language ebook whose title translates as Master OnlyFans in just 7 days!, and whose blurb promises to show readers techniques to build an account that will give you an average of 2,000 dollars a month.

In 2022, El Pais reported that Colombia is second only to Romania in the size of its adult webcam industry. In 2019, Colombian news magazine Semana estimated that there may be 40,000 women working as webcam models in the country.

Linden is currently featured on the website chiefaiofficer.com as one of three instructors of a Chief AI Officer Certification Course priced at $4,995. He is billed as being in the top 0.1% Prompt Engineers in the world.

Beirich, the extremism expert, said that any time there is a protest movement or a mass mobilization, extremist actors will try to use it to their advantage, whether thats to hijack the message or to make the situation more volatile.
As more states enact legislation allowing teens to serve alcohol, labor organizers and legal experts worry about sexual harassment. (Photo by Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the states all-Republican congressional delegation sent letters Monday to the U.S. Department of Labor, criticizing its enforcement of federal child labor laws on Iowa businesses following a state law change.

A 2023 Iowa child labor law loosened some restrictions on minor workers, despite warnings from the Department of Labor that the changes would conflict with federal law.

Changes include allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work later shifts and more hours a week, letting 16- and 17-year-olds seek exemptions through work-study program or employer training to work in restricted fields, and permitting workers over age 16 to sell and serve alcohol in restaurants while kitchens are open.

According to the governors letter to the acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, there are multiple small businesses in Iowa facing excessive fines from the federal government due to their employment of teen workers in accordance with state law.

The law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the school year, and between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. during the summer. Federal law requires work hours to end for these minor employees at 7 p.m. when school is in session, and at 9 p.m. during the summer.

Reynolds wrote that some Iowa businesses are facing fines of up to $180,000 without allowing for any corrections to be made, even if they have no prior violations for youth employees working hours past the federal law restrictions.

She highlighted Sugapeach Chicken and Fish Fry in North Liberty as a business that has been subject to fines. Reynolds was scheduled to hold a news conference at the restaurant last week about the federal departments fines on Iowa businesses, but the event was canceled as the governor responded to severe flooding in northwest Iowa.

Sugapeach, like many small businesses, is a staple of its community and its potential closure, due to severe penalties imposed by the department, will have impacts well beyond its own doors, Reynolds wrote.

Iowas full congressional delegation also signed a letter addressed to Su about the DOL enforcement of federal teen labor laws. Headed by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and sent June 25, the letter states that the lawmakers have received multiple reports from Iowa business owners about investigations. The letter said the investigations included auditors demanding one-on-one, non-supervised access to teenage employees who were younger than 16, without parental consent or knowledge  and excessive penalties from the federal labor department.

Small businesses are staples of their community that provide employment opportunities to teenager workers, the letter said. Rural communities in Iowa would be greatly harmed if these small restaurants were pushed out of business for mistakenly following state regulations, and it is imperative that the Department provides transparency and an opportunity to rectify situations before penalizing small businesses with excessive fines.

The letter asked the department to respond to several questions by July 9. Questions include clarifying the departments standards for interacting with teenage employees during an investigation, how many investigations are taking place in other states with labor laws in conflict with federal law, as well as what actions to the DOL takes to give businesses a chance to take corrective action before issuing a fine.

The department did not respond directly to a question about the letters, but said in a statement that its dangerous and irresponsible that amidst a rise in child labor exploitation in this country, Iowas governor and state legislature have chosen to repeatedly undermine federal child labor protections despite the Labor Departments clear guidance.

No child should be working long hours, doing dangerous work, or be employed in unsafe conditions, a department spokesperson said. The U.S. Department of Labor is working every day to ensure that children seeking their first work experiences are doing so in a safe and responsible way. But under our watch, that will not include allowing children to be exploited.

DOL officials has said in multiple letters to state Democratic lawmakers that the 2023 state child labor law is in conflict with federal regulations, and that the department would be monitoring the implementation of the law to assess potential obstruction of federal child labor protections.

Both the governors and Iowa congress members letters to Su bring up that 25 states have conflicts between state and federal labor laws for minor workers.

In an open letter to the state of Iowa Monday, Reynolds questioned the departments sudden and heavy-handed enforcement that is seemingly targeted at Iowa.

I believe the departments attempt to single us out as an example of what not to do is misguided and likely to backfire, Reynolds wrote. Because most reasonable people  and most Iowans are believe that a job is a good thing for a kid. It teaches them a sense of responsibility and strengthens their work ethic. And in todays workforce, young workers help small businesses thrive. 

The post Reynolds, Congress members protest federal child labor law enforcement appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Former President Richard Nixons counsel John Dean said Monday that the Supreme Courts decision that Donald Trump has full immunity for official actions he took as president  even his attempted coup  likely would have meant that Nixon was immune from his criminal conduct during the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.

As I looked at it, I realized Richard Nixon would have had a pass, Dean said on a press call with the Defend Democracy Project, a group that advocates for free and fair elections.

Virtually all of his Watergate-related conduct and virtually all that evidence falls in what could easily be described as official conduct, he said.

Dean, who served as counsel to Nixon from July 1970 to April 1973, said he was stunned by the Supreme Courts sweeping 6-3 decision. It concluded that Trump enjoys complete immunity for his coup-attempt-related presidential actions that were official in nature, but not for those that were unofficial. The justices kicked the case back to a U.S. District Court to sort out what counts as official and unofficial behavior by a president.

The Supreme Courts decision means that Trumps federal trial on his Jan. 6, 2021, charges almost certainly wont begin before the November election. If Trump is elected president for a second term, he would have authority to appoint a new attorney general who could dismiss the federal charges, as well the potential power to pardon himself.

Former President Richard Nixon could have gotten away with his Watergate scandal if the Supreme Court's new presidential immunity decision was in effect at the time, said his former counsel John Dean. Getty Images

Nixon infamously stepped down as president over his involvement in a 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee, which was located in the Watergate office building in D.C. Nixons aides secretly bugged political opponents offices and misused government offices for political purposes, and Nixon became the target of House impeachment proceedings over his efforts to impede investigations into the incident.

The Supreme Court ultimately forced him to hand over Oval Office tapes in 1974 that revealed his complicity in the cover-up, shortly after which he resigned.

Dean was convicted and sentenced to federal prison for his role in the Watergate scandal and cover-up. He ultimately served just four months.

While the House never did impeach Nixon, it had a voluminous report that detailed all of the evidence of his involvement in the Watergate scandal, said Nixons former counsel. The Supreme Courts latest decision on presidential immunity certainly would have changed what could have been used against Nixon in that case, he said.

Im not even sure you could get to the Nixon tapes under this ruling, Dean speculated. What its implications are with the existing Supreme Court ruling, in U.S. v. Nixon, is a question I havent unraveled yet.
In the fall of 2001, in the aftermath of the Kosovo War, an Air Force colonel went to Harvard University and offered a provocative statement in an equally provocative paper that began: Is lawfare turning warfare into unfair?

Charles J. Dunlap Jr., who is now a general, didnt know then that his presentation at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy would popularize a word that would reemerge today in a vastly different context.

He originally described lawfare as using law as a weapon of war, but later expanded that definition to include not just the use of law, but the misuse of law, to achieve an objective. Now executive director of Duke Law Schools Center on Law, Ethics and National Security, Dunlap made clear in the paper that many people who promoted lawfare in military operations saw it as a good thing, an ameliorator of the misery of war.

That is hardly the case in the terms popular use today.

Lawfare has emerged as a buzzword in politics, a shorter, catchier phrase  or perhaps a euphemism  for a practice that has been described as weaponization of the law in order to hobble or eliminate a political opponent. The legal cases against former President Donald Trump, and the charges brought against Hunter Biden, are the reasons that this formerly niche term is now in the running for 2024s word of the year.

The attorney general of Missouri, Andrew Bailey, has announced plans to sue the state of New York for unconstitutional lawfare in the case against Trump. Utah Sen. Mike Lee is among GOP senators who have signed a letter vowing to block any appropriations bill that funds partisan lawfare. And per Fox News Digital, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan intends to offer an appropriations package that would defund the lawfare activities of state and federal prosecutors who lead politically sensitive investigations.

Meanwhile, Jordan Peterson recently wondered on X if the arrest of conservative activist Tommy Robinson in Canada was an act of lawfare. A Texas state representative is alleging lawfare against whistleblowers who said a hospital is providing gender treatment that violates state law. And The Federalist website has launched a feature called This Week in Lawfare Land.

For a term that was relatively obscure until recently, we are suddenly awash in lawfare.

Censorship has evolved even since we filed Missouri v. Biden.



We are pushing forward undeterred with this case.



But we will also adapt to the ever-changing battlefield of unconstitutional Leftist lawfare.



All legal options are on the table.  Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 26, 2024

Speaking to Fox News Digital earlier this month, Lee spoke at length about the ugly cycle of lawfare and said that he has been uncomfortable in the past when legal action leading to imprisonment has been brought up in political campaigns, as when chants of Lock her up! rang out about Hillary Clinton. And the four criminal cases brought against Trump within a five-month span are without precedent. Lee and other lawmakers said after the New York verdicts that those responsible for turning our judicial system into a political cudgel must be held accountable.

Its the kind of thing I never expected to see in my lifetime, and I would prefer never to see again, Lee said on Fox, adding, It doesnt have to be this way. They could still do the right thing, and perhaps put the genie back in the bottle. Although Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, some analysts have said there were errors made that are grounds for reversal, and Lee told Fox that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his office could admit mistakes and walk away from the whole thing.

Thats the right thing to do and that may be the only thing, at this point, that can prevent the ugly cycle of lawfare from repeating itself, Lee said, predicting that there will be more and more lawfare in the future unless it stops now.

In the letter signed by Lee and 13 others, the GOP senators said they would not aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart and listed three things they would refuse to do in response to Trumps convictions: allow any increase in non-security related funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill which funds partisan lawfare; vote to confirm this administrations political and judicial appointees; allow expedited consideration and passage of Democrat legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the safety of the American people.

On Fox, Lee justified this position saying that if you are engaging in lawfare, we are not going to perpetuate that and arguing that the scope of the legal action taken against Trump, which Lee and many other people believe is being orchestrated by the White House, warrants an equally tough response. We cant, in the wake of that conviction, pretend that nothing has happened, pretend that it is now going to be business as usual, he said.

Thats a fair point. There are myriad reasons that the New York case against Trump, in particular, should never have been brought, and the bad vibes alone are not insignificant. There should be a point in every legal case in which the people in authority think long and hard on the question, Yes, we could prosecute this case, but should we? The conclusion in Manhattan could easily have been no, for reasons that had nothing to do with Trump and everything to do with the rest of the country.

Similarly, there should be a point in which people in authority say to themselves, Yes, we could engage in lawfare to retaliate for a wrong, but should we?

The answer should be no more often than yes.

A case study of the temptation of lawfare appears to be unfolding in Missouri, where Republican Andrew Bailey has garnered national media attention by talking about the lawsuit he intends to file against the state of New York alleging unconstitutional lawfare in the prosecution of Trump.

Independent journalist Judd Legum, noting that this lawsuit has yet to be filed, suggested that Bailey stands to gain more personally from his media appearances than providing any benefit for Trump. Presumably, Bailey will eventually file something, but it will be difficult to construct a complaint that has any credibility. In the United States, in order to have standing as a plaintiff in a lawsuit, you must have an injury in fact. In other words, it is not enough to allege that something illegal occurred. The lawsuit must show that the plaintiff was actually harmed, Legum wrote with Aaron Rupar on the Popular Information Substack.

Legum, who previously worked for the Hillary Clinton campaign, did not use the word grandstanding although the accusation came through loud and clear. But political theater in itself is not dangerous like other fallout of lawfare is, and declining trust in our judiciary might be reason enough to shun it.

Trust in the Supreme Court, like other institutions, has plummeted in recent years. An onslaught of lawfare will likely seed distrust in courtrooms on state and local levels as these cases play out with unintended consequences, as they have in Trumps messy case in Fulton County, Georgia.

Maybe lawfare can ameliorate the misery of war, as Gen. Dunlap wrote in 2011. In 2024, however, we are in need of a way to ameliorate the misery of lawfare.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4)  A suspect who allegedly pulled a gun during a road rage incident last week was located early Monday morning, according to the Utah County Sheriffs Office.

The suspect was identified as Ariel Rangel Perez, 22, of Eagle Mountain. The sheriffs office said a resident offered a tip to officials, which helped locate Rangel Perez and his car just before 6 a.m. Monday.

READ NEXT: Utahs new road rage bill goes into effect July 1

On June 27, deputies in Eagle Mountain responded to a reported road rage incident, where one driver allegedly aimed a handgun at another driver around 6:30 a.m.

The sheriffs office said the victim was able to provide the license plate number of the suspect, but officials were unable to locate the registered owner of the car at the address provided on the cars registration.

On Monday, a deputy was watching traffic on Pony Express Parkway, according to a press release. He noticed a vehicle matching the description and license plate given by the road rage victim and another resident.

The deputy conducted a traffic stop and spoke to Rangel Perez, whose drivers license was suspended. The sheriffs office also said Rangel Perez had no insurance for his car and the vehicles registration was revoked. Officials said the registration had been expired since November 2023.

He admitted that hed been involved in the road rage incident and admitted he brandished the handgun during that incident, the release said.

According to the Utah County Sheriffs Office, Rangel Perez was given a citation for the traffic violations on Monday, and his car was impounded for the registration and insurance violations.

The deputy who stopped Rangel Perez on Monday also submitted the case to the prosecutors office for the suspect for Rangel Perez to be charged with one class A misdemeanor count of threatening with a dangerous weapon during a fight, the sheriffs office said.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain on Sunday shrugged off the prospect of President Biden losing the support of big-money donors, arguing they will not push the president out of the White House race following last weeks bad debate performance.

Klain, who served as Bidens top adviser from the beginning of his presidency in 2021 through January of 2023, told The New York Times he was 100 percent certain Biden would stay in the race.

He is the choice of the Democratic voters, Klain reportedly said. We are seeing record levels of support from grass-roots donors. We had a bad debate night. But you win campaigns by fighting  not quitting  in the face of adversity.

Klain, who ran the presidents debate preparations last week, pointed to a primary debate in 2019 that he claimed went poorly, but did not stop Bidens election to the White House.

Big-money donors dont get to dictate the nominee of the Democratic Party, Klain told the Times.

Biden is facing calls from some within the Democratic party to step aside and allow a different candidate to take his place as the partys nominee. No national officials, however, have joined these calls yet.

His debate performance appeared to raise alarm bells for Democratic donors across New York, Southern California and Silicon Valley, who privately voiced concerns over the viability of Bidens reelection, The Associated Press reported.

The donors, through text message chains and private conversations, discussed a shortlist of potential replacements, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President Harris, the news wire added.

Two days after the debate, Biden attempted to appeal to donors at a weekend fundraiser in New Jersey.

I didnt have a great night, but Im going to be fighting harder, Biden told attendees at the home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday. Donald Trump is a genuine threat to the nation.

Biden has already won the primary and thus cannot be replaced at the convention, unless he agrees to step aside.

Some of Bidens family members are pushing him to stay in the race, including his son, Hunter Biden, the Times reported, citing one person informed about discussions among the family at Camp David this weekend.

The White House and Biden say he has no intention of dropping out of the race.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UPDATE 6/30 9:26 p.m.  While initial estimates indicated the outage may not be restored until 6:30 a.m. on Monday morning, customers regained power on Sunday night.

As of about 9:30 p.m., the outage map on the Rocky Mountain Power website showed that just over 100 customers were experiencing outages in the area as opposed to the nearly 18,000 customers who were without power earlier in the evening.

ORIGINAL STORY: Roughly 18K customers without power in Davis County, power expected to be out until morning

DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Roughly 18,000 customers of Rocky Mountain Power were left without power on Sunday night, and the company said power was not expected to return until Monday morning.

The power company took to social media to inform customers that they were aware of the outage, and said customers in Clearfield, Syracuse, and West Point were affected by the power outage.

READ NEXT: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to take effect in northern Utah  Heres whats not allowed

Roughly 18,000 customers were left without power on June 30, 2024. Rocky Mountain Power said power was estimated to return at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. (Courtesy: Rocky Mountain Power)

The cause of the outage is under investigation and the estimated time of restoration is 6:30 AM, Rocky Mountain Power said in the post.

In its social media post, Rocky Mountian Power said 18,900 customers were being affected by the outage. However, according to the outage map on the Rocky Mountain Power website, the number of affected customers was about 17,900.

If you would like to receive more updates and information about the outage, text OUT to 759677. If you text STAT to that number, you can receive updates on the status of the outage, according to the company.

Alternatively, the company said customers can visit Rocky Mountain Powers website for updates on the outage in Davis County.

Officials did not immediately release information about what caused the power outage, but said the cause was under investigation.

How to prepare for a power outage

Whether the outage is planned or not, Rocky Mountain Power has offered some guidelines and tips to prepare for a power outage.

Safety and preparedness resources have been compiled by Rocky Mountain Power and can be found online.

Some items that Rocky Mountain Power suggests to keep in an emergency kit are listed below:

Water Have one gallon per person, per day

Non-perishable food For both people and pets

First aid kit and essential medications

Copies of important family documents

Cash

Blankets

Rocky Mountain Powers comprehensive emergency preparedness list is 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 ABC4 Utah.
People hang out outside St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall, which offers meals to people in need, especially those experiencing homelessness, in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Originally published by The 19th.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled in the case of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson, to uphold a law enacted by a small Oregon town that bars those experiencing homelessness from using blankets, pillows and cardboard boxes while sleeping outdoors within city limits. Those who are found doing so can impose fines for camping in public on first-time offenders and up to 30 days of jail time for repeat offenders. Its a case that has major implications for survivors of domestic violence, experts say.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs in this case have argued that barring camping on public property effectively criminalizes people for being unhoused. The case before the Supreme Court focused on the question whether the enforcement of the Grants Pass law constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch said in his opinion, that the law in Grants Pass does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment because such laws are not designed to superad[d] terror, pain, or disgrace and because similarly limited fines and jail terms have been and remain among the usual mode[s] for punishing criminal offenses throughout the country.

Gorsuch continued in his opinion, Grants Passs public-camping ordinances do not criminalize status. The public-camping laws prohibit actions undertaken by any person, regardless of status. It makes no difference whether the charged defendant is currently a person experiencing homelessness, a backpacker on vacation, or a student who abandons his dorm room to camp out in protest on the lawn of a municipal building.

The court in April heard oral arguments for the case, one of the most significant Supreme Court cases on the unhoused in over 40 years, as camping ban legislation exists not only in Grants Pass, but in municipalities nationwide. The ruling means that all jurisdictions with these laws are free to enforce them, and others looking to address the homelessness crisis in America through punitive measures now have a court-ordained model for doing so. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 600,000 people in the United States were houseless on any given night in 2023.

But experts tell The 19th that the Grants Pass case has implications beyond the criminalization of housing status and could further limit options for safety and security  and the possibility of stable housing  for survivors of domestic violence. Fifty-seven percent of unhoused women report domestic violence as their immediate cause of homelessness.

In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor cited this rationale, pointing to the almost 60% of those experiencing homelessness [that] report that fleeing domestic violence was the immediate cause. Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson joined Sotomayor in her dissent. For people with no access to shelter, that punishes them for being homeless. That is unconscionable and unconstitutional. Punishing people for their status is cruel and unusual under the Eighth Amendment, the dissent reads.

Kate Walz, a senior staff attorney at the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) and an expert on housing rights and domestic violence, told The 19th that throughout her 20 years as a Legal Aid attorney, she routinely saw situations where domestic abusers would try to make their victims homeless  and they know how to manipulate systems to make that work. They may call the police on their victim, or call the public housing authority and self-report that they are living in the home of their victim when they are not supposed to, even though theyre not  all to jeopardize a victims housing status..

They will take steps to sabotage whatever minute stability a victim might have so that theyre homeless, because then they know there is an increased chance that the survivor will return to them. Criminalizing being unhoused, Walz said, only serves to enact more barriers for survivors by creating a set of impossible choices that often lead them with few viable options for securing their and their familys safety.

If local governments are authorized to enact local policies that allow them to find and arrest people because they are living outside, they are really being complicit in the increase of gender-based violence against survivors without homes, Walz said. Maybe a park looks cleaner and safer to sleep in than a home that might increase the risk of violence to a persons body. This law says that we as a society should accept a person having to accept the risk of violence.

Keri Moran-Kuhn is the associate director of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which helps fund and manage a community-based, non-governmental domestic violence program in Grants Pass, including a family shelter there. Theyre always full, she told The 19th. Its just the need. Its as great there as it is across the country.

Moran-Kuhn stressed that one of the key facets of domestic violence is isolation  and many survivors do not have family and friends or have been isolated from them and have no one to turn to for help. And for housing, if they do not have a place to go, if their local domestic violence program has a full shelter or there is not another safe area to go, they will potentially become homeless.

For many survivors, this looks like sleeping in your car, moving it nightly to avoid detection from an abuser. But in many parts of rural Oregon, and for those who may not have a vehicle, this looks like camping outside, Moran-Kuhn said. Being fined, ticketed, arrested and punished for living outside when they have no other place to go, thats just adding to the trauma that theyve experienced and its also pushing them further into poverty.

In Oregon, the situation is particularly acute right now, she said. Our cities are struggling, our rural areas are struggling  in Oregon, we have a severe housing crisis. And what that looks like on the ground, both in our urban and rural areas in Oregon, is that there are not enough shelter beds,. Moran-Kuhn explained. If theres a waitlist and they cant get in and theyre calling in the middle of the night when theyve left with nothing but the clothing on their back and now theres not a bed for them  where do they go?

The domestic violence shelter in Grants Pass is small, housing a maximum of 15 families. She said that many people drive from more rural parts of the state, often for an hour and a half or two hours, to get to it because of a lack of shelter services where they are.

Homeless shelters, Moran-Kuhn explained, dont provide the level of trauma-informed care that domestic violence survivors and their families need, particularly for children. It can actually be more dangerous to go to a shelter depending on what type of shelter it is and what safety structures exist around them. Transition services are few and far between and permanent housing is at an all-time low in Oregon right now.

Monica McLaughlin, the senior director of public policy at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told The 19th that the Grants Pass case ignores what she describes as a simple solution to the situation in which so many survivors find themselves. Its housing. We need more housing stock to be created. We need more housing subsidies to be created. We need our housing protections for survivors to be strengthened and implemented. She notes that there are many existing federal housing protections for survivors of domestic violence  and investment in strengthening and implementing those is especially critical right now.

McLaughlin points to a recent HUD rule her colleagues submitted comment on, to not deny people housing based on criminal records. Thats a huge step from our perspective. Survivors of gender-based violence who have any sort of criminal record have a hard time accessing housing. Criminalizing being unhoused only further perpetuates that cycle. If we criminalize folks whose crime is living outdoors, then do they just not get any housing?

In the meantime, she said, the Grants Pass ruling feels like a societal and cultural gesture of throwing their hands up around domestic or sexual violence, like saying, Well thats just whats going to happen, rather than having any solution for survivors of violence.

Walz explained that the issue is even more critical for survivors who are also parents, whose housing status can trigger the involvement of child welfare services  and can result in a survivor losing custody of children. McLaughlin added that in understanding the stakes of the Grants Pass decision, it is critical to remember that moving to another town isnt a simple option  especially for those who are parents and often trying to make decisions that allow their children to stay connected to their schools, trusted child care options, and neighborhood support systems while navigating how to survive and leave a violent situation.

Given the limited number of family shelter beds available, many survivors opt to sleep outside with their children in the hopes that this will keep them safe from the violence they are experiencing in their home.

McLaughlin adds that in a child welfare investigation, case workers look for a child having a habitable, comfortable and safe home to live in. A criminal record can preclude someone from accessing the kind of housing that would meet these kinds of standards. Without a shelter to go to and given the risks of taking children to sleep outdoors, many survivors are then forced to stay with or return to an abuser to guarantee the presentation of stable housing for their children.

Writing in her dissent, Sotomayor said, Criminalizing homelessness can cause a destabilizing cascade of harm, pointing specifically to the impact of a criminal record on being able to access government benefits, including housing.

Many people also become unhoused, Walz said, because of other forms of gender-based violence. In an amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court by NHLP, the group tells the story of a woman who was sexually harassed for years by her landlord, who routinely demanded sex for rent. She didnt tell anybody, because she was finally in a home after years of being unhoused, Walz said. She didnt feel safe enough that if she spoke up, there was a system that would hold the landlord accountable, protect her, and keep her housed somewhere else.

Walz said that these are the kinds of choices survivors routinely face on a daily basis, weighing the risks of safe shelter that might expose them to violence against the risks of living outside, of going back to an abusive partner and being able to keep their children or facing the risk of arrest in sleeping outdoors and inviting the child welfare system into their lives. She said she also thinks about the level of economic abuse that many survivors experience. Its not just about being hit  its about power and control over a persons finances. I think most people dont understand how easy it is to be in a position where you cannot get rental housing, your credits been destroyed, you have an eviction history related to the violence and the economic abuse, you may have a criminal history related to the violence  and all of those things are on full display to prospective landlords.

In sanctioning the law in Grants Pass, the Supreme Court has increased the risk of continued violence against survivors in this country. This will give a crude weapon to harm-doers to further control them, because they have this power that if you are unhoused, you could go to jail, Walz said.

But she stressed that the Supreme Court is not saying that a jurisdiction must do what Grants Pass has chosen to do in banning camping outside in public places, but rather that it is something they legally can do. For other municipalities watching news about the ruling, Walz said, We would urge a different outcome, a different outlook, one with more compassion, more education, and more understanding.

The post Ruling on homelessness raises the risks for domestic violence survivors, experts say appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
(Photo by Getty Images.)

Most observers link identity politics with Democrats, as underrepresented groups have used their common fate as a vehicle for political action since the movement politics of the 1960s & 70s.

The political science literature has highlighted another key identity emerging in politics in recent years: rural identity. We have always had a rural/urban divide; think of Hamiltons view of the virtue of burgeoning cities versus Jeffersons ideal of an agrarian republic. But recent work by Katherine Cramer as well as Nicholas Jacobs and Daniel Shea highlights how a growing common identity, even across varied and far-flung rural America, adds to our political cultural divide.

Jacobs and Shea pinpoint the 1980s as when this identity began to crystallize. In different regions, cost pressures on family farms and ranches, suburban sprawl, or water inaccessibility squeezed rural communities economically, which coincided with terrible depictions of country life in popular culture. Just as national news outlets emerged through cable and the internet, regional papers closed, and divisive national narratives enveloped local political context. Separate localized identities merged into a national common rural identity.

Simultaneously, globalization shuttered small manufacturers central to communities economies, so younger generations moved to bigger cities, and social issues and addiction grew. For Cramer, a key component of this rural identity is a resentment from the perception of being overlooked by government. It has furthered party polarization as rural Americans increasingly vote Republican and see the world opposite from group identities associated with Democrats and vice versa.

One could argue that rural America is more Republican because of demographics and cultural conservatism. Rural America is whiter, older, and more religious, but in multiple surveys, Jacobs and Shea control for these factors and find that rural identity independently adds to Republican support. Moreover, on issues of race, LGBTQ+, and immigration, rural Republican whites are typically only slightly more conservative than their suburban and urban Republican counterparts and their news consumption patterns are not distinctive either.

Donald Trump did not create this identity; Cramers study tied rural resentment in Wisconsin to the rise of Gov. Scott Walker years earlier. True, Trumps rhetoric supercharged the resentment angle of this identity  2016 and 2020 were all about identities colliding across parties  but politically energized rural identity already existed  Sarah Palins meteoric rise evidenced that.

What does this mean? Overlapping group and party identity means people use identity-based filters to view politics and see their group as winning or losing relative to other groups. As Marc Hetherington and Jonathan Weiler argue, groups contending worldviews mean others arent just wrong on policies; the other side causes problems that policies need to solve. Democrats threaten the American way of life for Republicans and, to Democrats, Republicans keep America from changing to reach its promise.

With identities colliding in 2024, things seem grim. The way forward is to separate identities from resentment by reframing the actual problems driving it. Like now in rural areas, in the Detroit area of my youth, economic dislocation, population decline, and drug addiction were vivid crises, but were typically categorized as racial issues. Ironically this meant the issues became identity-based rather than universal and helped to drive the very wedge between rural and urban Democrats that has left few Democrats representing rural America anymore.

Both parties do not have to try to empathize across lines if they do not try to even compete for regions of America. From leaders, people with common identities see their fortunes pitted against others, which furthers polarization.

What this rural identity research indicates is that the actual underlying issues that drain the quality of life from communities are affecting everyone  in big cities and small towns  and we have avoided the heavy policy lift on inequality, immigration, and addiction, all while politicians avoiding these issues trigger other citizens based on less salient, and sometimes even bogus, culture war issues that inflame identities and polarization.

Despite the heat of this election year, there have been wins. The bipartisan infrastructure bill has substantial benefits for both rural and urban America. The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and common views on Chinese tariffs by both presidential contenders recognizes that offshoring broke communities and hurt industrial America in rural and urban areas. Even if free-traders might disagree, globalization outstripped the publics patience.

This literature leaves the reader to question: why are we letting people divide us on beer brands and symbolic distractions when genuinely common economic and social issues remain insufficiently addressed?

Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.

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Russia attempting new ways to attack Kyiv, military says

The Russian military is trying a new approach to attack the capital, Kyiv, Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said on June 30.

"The aggressor is trying new tactics  it is looking for the right time, methods, and means to hit Kyiv. Because the capital of Ukraine has always been and will be one of the highest priority targets for the invaders," Popko wrote on Telegram.

Russian forces attacked Kyiv on June 30 with missiles at around 8 p.m. local time. The debris hit a 14-story residential building in the Obolon district.

Read also: Debris from missile attack hits residential building in Kyiv

One elderly woman was hospitalized, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Popko said that the strike on June 30 was "different" from recent Russian attacks against the capital.

Russian forces did not carry out mass or combined night attack with missiles and drones. They also did not use ballistic missiles or cruise missiles from strategic bombers, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Popko called on residents of Kyiv to not ignore air raid alerts.

"The missiles are shot down, but they do not disintegrate, and the fragments pose a threat to human life," he said.

Three people, including a child, in Kyiv Oblast also suffered injuries from the June 30 Russian attack, Governor Ruslan Kravchenko reported. The victims are receiving medical care in one of the regional hospitals as of July 1, he added.

The attack did not hit critical infrastructure, but falling debris damaged three houses, some administrative buildings, a warehouse, and 16 vehicles, according to the governor.

Read also: Life in wartime Kyiv with blackouts

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Russia loses over 1,000 soldiers and 19 tanks over past 24 hours

Ukrainian tank firing at a position. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Russian forces have lost 1,110 soldiers killed and wounded, 26 armoured combat vehicles and 19 tanks over the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 1 July 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 543,810 (+1,110) military personnel;

8,099 (+19) tanks;

15,550 (+26) armoured combat vehicles;

14,599 (+66) artillery systems;

1,111 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems;

874 (+1) air defence systems;

360 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

326 (+0) helicopters;

11,620 (+36) strategic and tactical UAVs;

2,333 (+2) cruise missiles;

28 (+0) ships and boats;

1 (+0) submarines;

19,713 (+70) vehicles and tankers;

2,448 (+0) special vehicles and other equipment.

The information is being confirmed.

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The US only started supplying ATACMS to Ukraine in April

Russian forces have captured and are studying an intact guidance system from a long-range US-made ATACMS missile, according to reports.

RIA-Novosti, a Russian state media outlet, released a video set to dramatic music showing a man in military uniform wearing a balaclava sitting at a table in a warehouse inspecting the device.

Behind him were several shelves of land mines, missiles and other military hardware.

We can, in principle, analyse the work of the missile systems at all stages of the flight trajectory, that is, the base of correction and how much it can be corrected because it flies along a complex ballistic trajectory, the unnamed soldier said as he picked up the device to inspect.

A camera zooms in on the alleged tracking device to a label that identifies it as part of a US-made ATACMS with a specific serial number.

Neither the RIA-Novosti report nor the video footage explained how or when the device was captured. Russian experts said they would get to work immediately on working out how to use the captured devices data to help the Kremlins air defence systems.

A crane is prepared for loading an ATACMS onto the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System - Sgt 1st Class Andrew Dickson/US Army

Viktor Litovkin, a retired Russian colonel, told the online Lenta.ru news portal that scientists would soon identify any weak spots.

We can reconfigure our surface-to-air missile systems that are supposed to shoot it [the missile] down and we can reconfigure and fine-tune our electronic warfare systems against this missile, he was quoted as saying.

ATACMS have a range of nearly 200 miles and have been one of Ukraines most potent weapons, knocking out command centres, warships and air bases.

The US only started supplying ATACMS to Ukraine in April as it was worried that using one of its most lethal missile systems would escalate the war.

Russian forces had complained about the speed and accuracy of the ATACMS. It is rare for Russian forces to shoot them down.

03:48 PM BST

Todays live coverage has ended. Heres a roundup of the days events:

Moscow says it is inspecting US ATACMS missile system

Russia repeatedly dropped bombs on its own territory, report finds

Zelensky accuses Russia of dropping 800 glide bombs in single week

Ukraine arrested group plotting to seize parliament building

Kyiv claims Moscow lost 35,000 troops in June

Ukraines military drives recruitment push for convicts

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

03:29 PM BST

UN body condemns Russian interference with European satellites

A UN body has condemned Russia for a series of incidents of interfering with satellite systems in European countries and asked it to stop.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) had been reviewing a series of complaints from Ukraine and four European Union countries, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Luxembourg.

The complaining parties said the incidents led to the jamming GPS signals, endangered air traffic control and interrupted childrens TV channels to show violent images of the Ukraine war.

The Board expressed its grave concern regarding the use of signals to cause intentional harmful interference, a statement published on Monday read.

03:01 PM BST

Russia repeatedly bombed itself, intelligence report finds

Russia dropped dozens of its glide bombs on its own territory between April 2023 to April 2024, an intercepted internal document found.

At least 38 of the munitions fell on the Belgorod region close to Ukraine, according to The Washington Post, which cited bomb cleanup and evacuation documents obtained by Ukrainian intelligence.



The majority of bombs, largely undetonated, were found by civilians in areas surrounding the city. Four bombs have hit the city of Belgorod itself.



The first recorded accidental bomb drop fell on a central street in Belgorod in April 2023, creating a 65ft crater, shattering windows and blowing up parked cars. The detonation happened at night and no casualties were reported.



Moscow has been making extensive use of glide bombs in recent months, increasingly relying on them to batter Ukrainian cities and drive territorial advances.

02:26 PM BST

Pictured: Ukraines new convict soldiers in training

A Ukrainian military instructor of the Arey Battalion demonstrates to convict prisoners turned soldiers how to use a grenade launcher on a rifle in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine - AP

01:45 PM BST

Sunak: Ukraine support at risk if Labour win

Rishi Sunak has claimed that the UKs multi-year support to Ukraine would be put at risk under a Labour government.

Told there has been a lot of consensus between the Tories and Labour over Ukraine, Mr Sunak replied in an interview: You have to back up words with actions, thats what we are doing, were investing more in defence.

He continued: If Keir Starmer is in charge those plans are going to be cut. Thats going to send a signal of weakness to our adversaries and to our allies and crucially will mean that we wont have the funding to continue providing multi-year support to Ukraine.

Labour has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, although it has not set a date for when this would happen.

12:52 PM BST

Ukraine ramps up drone production

Ukraine is ramping up its production of drones in the face of continued Russian attacks as the war enters its 29th month.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was vital to harness the power of technology to save lives on the battlefield.

Each month, more companies and developers introduce new solutions to effectively counter the enemy, he added on X.

Overnight, Russia claimed to have thwarted a major Ukrainian drone attack, downing 36 of the UAVs launched at its border regions.

This war shows that technology on the battlefield is an effective defense against aggression in the modern world. Each month, more companies and developers introduce new solutions to effectively counter the enemy.



Ukraine is ramping up the production of drones, certain types of pic.twitter.com/jxEJouFXXp  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) July 1, 2024

12:35 PM BST

Russia fires 800 glide bombs at Ukraine in single week

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded the West lift weapons restrictions on targeting Russia after accusing Moscows forces of dropping more than 800 glide bombs in a single week.

Ukraine needs the necessary means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, including Russian combat aircraft, wherever they are. This step is essential, Mr Zelensky wrote on X.

On Sunday, Russia hit Ukraines two largest cities with a glide bomb killing one person and injuring an eight-month-old baby in Kharkiv, while missile fragments damaged a Kyiv apartment building.

Mr Zelensky had repeated his appeal for permission to strike further into Russia after seven were killed and at least 38 injured after a Russian missile strike on the southern Ukrainian town of Vilniansk on Saturday evening.

Long-range strikes and modern air defense are the foundation for stopping the daily Russian terror, Mr Zelensky added last night.

Kharkiv's post office's warehouse terminal and vehicles destroyed by a Russian glide bomb on June 30 - Global Images Ukraine

12:04 PM BST

UK combat medic who saved 200 killed in Ukraine

A British combat medic said to have saved over 200 wounded soldiers on the frontline has been killed in Ukraine.

Peter Fouche, a former carpenter from Fulham, west London, left home in March 2022 to volunteer as a frontline combat medic and in January of this year officially joined Ukraines armed forces.

He co-founded Project Konstantin, a foundation that helps to evacuate injured soldiers from the trenches and provides medical training, vehicles and other equipment to Kyivs forces.

The organisation announced his death on Sunday night, writing: His heroism knew no bounds.

He was actively involved in saving more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, evacuating civilians from the most dangerous frontline cities, as well as bringing humanitarian aid to people in those towns and cities.

On the shield: Peter 'Hasta La Vista' Fouche



It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Pete, our beloved director and founder.



There are no words that can do Pete's life justice. No words or phrases that could ever encapsulate how much he meant to all of pic.twitter.com/acrtrtkcDV  Project Konstantin (@KonstantinTeam) June 30, 2024

11:35 AM BST

Ukraine arrests group plotting to take parliament

Ukraines security service said they have rounded up a group of provocateurs accused of plotting to spark riots in Kyiv and seize Ukraines parliament building.

The SBU said: According to the investigation, the group was led by the co-founder of a public organization that has been known for its anti-Ukrainian actions since 2015... The attackers planned to announce the removal from power of the current military-political leadership of Ukraine.

They then hoped to seize the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and block its work.

The SBU said they planned to spread disturbances that would shake up the social and political situation within our country, which would work in favour of the Russian Federation.

The detainees face up to 10 years in prison.

Ukraine's SBU detains 'provocateurs' said to be plotting to seize the parliament building and spark riots in Kyiv - SBU

Weapons seized by Ukrainian intelligence during the raid - SBU

11:24 AM BST

Kyiv: Moscow lost 35,000 troops in June

Ukraines military claimed on Monday that Russian casualties in Ukraine reached 35,030 in June alone.

According to its estimates, it marks the second highest monthly casualty toll since the war began in February 2022.

Neither Moscow or Kyiv publish their casualty numbers, however analysts have said Russian losses are soaring as it continues with costly offensives in both the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, where the battlefield is characterised by high attrition fighting.

35,030  russian personnel losses in June 2024.



It's the second highest monthly number since February 24, 2022.



Ukraine will win! pic.twitter.com/q01khbu1vv  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 1, 2024

11:05 AM BST

Ukraine denies reports it is reinforcing border with Belarus

Ukraines border guard has dismissed reports suggesting it was reinforcing troop deployments along its border with Belarus, calling the rumours a information operation by Minsk with Moscows support.

Belarus, a close Russian ally that has provided continued support for Russias war in Ukraine, claimed last week that Kyiv was bolstering its forces along the countries shared border.

The Kremlin said the report was a cause of concern on Monday.

It is not the first time Belarus offers information about Ukraine presenting a threat and strengthening itself... This is another part of the information operation conducted by Belarus with support by Russia, border guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko told Ukrainian national TV.

He added that the border area remains threatening, but that Ukraine maintains the necessary number of forces there to prevent any provocations.

Ukraine conduct training exercises near the Belarus border in Chernobyl, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine in March - Anadolu

10:44 AM BST

Zelensky: US not ready to let Ukraine into Nato

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said the White House is not yet prepared to invite Ukraine into Nato.

Unfortunately, this is the policy of one step forward, two steps back. I dont think this is the policy of world leaders, Mr Zelensky said in a new interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

He argued that the US was afraid to annoy Vladimir Putin and also noted recent claims made by Donald Trump, who suggested Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Nato had not provoked it.

If Nato is not ready to protect us, and to take us into the alliance, then we ask Nato to give us everything so we can protect ourselves, he added.

Mr Zelensky pushed for more Patriot missile defence systems, F-16s and again renewed his appeal to remove restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weapons to hit targets inside Russia.

Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at the US for being too 'cautious' in its responses to Ukraine's bid to join Nato - Getty Images Europe

10:31 AM BST

Pictured: Ukraine fires Vampire rocket system

Footage shows members of Ukraines 110th Colonel-General Marko Bezruchko Separate Mechanised Brigade firing a Vampire rocket system at Russian frontline positions in Donetsk.

The Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (Vampire) is a new compact portable rocket launching system carried on top of a pickup truck.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 110th Colonel-General Marko Bezruchko Separate Mechanized Brigade loads a shell to an RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system - Reuters

The 70mm rocket soars above the battlefield - Reuters

The troops load up the 'Vampire' to fire at Russian positions near a front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine - Reuters

09:23 AM BST

Ukraine repels attacks close to Russian-claimed villages

The Ukrainian military said on Monday it had repelled Russian attacks near Spirne and Novooleksandrivka in the war-ravaged eastern Donetsk a day after Russian forces claimed control of both villages.

The eastern Pokrovsk front, which includes Novooleksandrivka, remained the site of the fiercest fighting, with 42 assaults repelled out of a total of 142 battles over the past day, the military said.

It is not clear whether Kyiv is denying Russian troops captured the settlements or instead implying that battles are ongoing around the settlements.

The industrial territory of Donetsk has been the focus of Russian firepower over more than two years of conflict and the Kremlins forces have claimed slow but steady and costly gains there.

08:57 AM BST

Ukraine recruits convicts for front - including murderers

Ukraines convicts have been offered a chance of freedom but first they must fight at the front for Russia.

You can put an end to this and start a new life, said an army recruiter over the weekend at a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine. The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You wont succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.

More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilisation bill last month.

About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates.

Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murdering two or more people or crimes against Ukraines national security arent eligible.

Ukrainian officials have said their recruitment programme is nothing like that used in Russia that assigns convicts to serve in the wars deadliest battles under the notorious Wagner mercenary group. Kyiv said they will aim to integrate their inmates into regular Ukrainian frontline units.

Prisoners stand behind the fence in the barrack's yard in a prison in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine - AP

08:21 AM BST

Seven injured in Russian strike on Dnipro

A Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraines southern city of Dnipro injured seven people, including a 15-year-old boy, and damaged scores of residential buildings, regional governor Serhiy Lisak said on Monday.

The drone and artillery attack on the Nikopol district late on Sunday also damaged scores of residential buildings, power and gas lines and other infrastructure.

It comes after another Russian strike on Dnipro on Friday evening destroyed the top four floors of an apartment building, killing at least one and wounding 12, including a seven-month-old girl.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Dnipro attack was a reminder to Ukraines allies that the country needed more air defense systems.

The ruins of the top floors of an apartment building in Dnipro hit by a Russian missile strike on June 28

08:05 AM BST

Russia seizes two villages in Ukraines east

Russias defence ministry said on Sunday that its forces captured two key villages in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region.

Moscow claimed to have seized Spirne, located close to the border with Ukraines Luhansk region and Novooleksandrivka, 80 miles to the west of Spirne, whilst also improving their positions along the frontline around the villages.

Ukraines General Staff reported heavy fighting was taking place in the area around the villages on Sunday.

Donetsk is one of four regions in Ukraines east and south that Russia claimed to have annexed in late 2022 in a move condemned as illegal by most countries at the UN General Assembly.

Ukrainians leave their homes in Toreskt on June 28 and migrate to safe areas with their belongings due to continued Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine - Anadolu/Getty

07:50 AM BST

Hello and welcome to our live coverage

Were bringing you the latest updates from the Ukraine war.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Russian army struck a house in the settlement of Antonivka in Kherson Oblast using artillery on 1 July, injuring a 97-year-old woman.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration; Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration

Quote: "Russian forces shelled a house in Antonivka using artillery. A 97-year-old local woman was injured in the enemy attack."

Details: The woman reportedly received a shrapnel wound to her right shoulder and is in a moderate condition. She was taken to one of the city hospitals.

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Russian attacks across Ukraine killed six people and injured 41 over the past day, regional authorities said on July 1.

Russia targeted a total of 11 Ukrainian oblasts  Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter five regions.

In Donetsk Oblast, four people were killed and 20 injured over the past day, according to Governor Vadim Filashkin.

The Russian attack injured six people and damaged 21 houses and two cars in the village of Tsukuryne in the Pokrovsk district. In the strikes against the town of Niu-York and the village of Yampil, two people were injured.

In the Bakhmut district, one person was killed, and three others were injured in the city of Toretsk, while one person was killed and another one was injured in the Sieversk community.

Russian forces attacked the town of Ukrainsk in the Pokrovsk district on the morning of July 1, killing at least two and injuring at least eight people, according to the governor.

The shelling was carried out with an Uragan rocket launching system, targeting a residential area. At least 10 apartment buildings and an administrative building were damaged.

In Kharkiv Oblast, the Russian military attacked the regional center with FAB-500 gliding bombs, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

The strike killed one person and destroyed eight vehicles parked outside Nova Poshta, Ukraine's largest privately owned postal service.

At least 10 people, including an eight-month-old child, suffered injuries in the attack.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 24 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. One person was killed, and another one was injured, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

Read also: Russia attempting new ways to attack Kyiv, military says

Russian forces attacked Kyiv on June 30 with missiles at around 8 p.m. local time. The debris hit a 14-story residential building in the Obolon district. One elderly woman was hospitalized, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Three people, including a child, in Kyiv Oblast also suffered injuries from the June 30 Russian attack, Governor Ruslan Kravchenko reported. The victims are receiving medical care in one of the regional hospitals as of July 1, he added.

The attack did not hit critical infrastructure, but falling debris damaged three houses, some administrative buildings, a warehouse, and 16 vehicles, according to the governor.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, seven people were injured in the attack on the regional center of Dnipro. A 15-year-old boy is among the victims, the local military administration reported. One woman was hospitalized.

A shop, some houses and apartment buildings were damaged in the residential area.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Meet the energy workers keeping Kyiv from darkness

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces are bombarding the city of Kherson from the temporarily occupied left (east) bank of the Dnipro River on Monday, 1 July.

Source: Roman Mrochko, the Head of Kherson City Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The Korabelnyi district of Kherson is under fire! Russian forces are attacking it from the temporarily occupied left bank. Several explosions have already occurred, and early reports indicate casualties.

Be careful! Stay in safe places!".

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Russian glide bombs' faulty guidance systems may have led to dozens being dropped on its own territory, military analysts say

Russian glide bombs' faulty guidance systems may have led to dozens being dropped on its own territory, military analysts say

Russia has dropped at least 38 glide bombs on its Belgorod region, according to The Washington Post.

The outlet cited an internal Russian document intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence.

The cause may be a cheap, faulty guidance system, military analysts say.

Faulty guidance systems on Russian glide bombs may have led to dozens of the bombs being dropped on its own territory, military analysts say.

At least 38 glide bombs crashed in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, between April 2023 and April 2024, according to an internal Russian document intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence and passed on to The Washington Post .

At least four were dropped on the city of Belgorod and another seven in the suburbs around it, the document said.

The majority of the bombs were discovered by civilians, and in most cases, Russia's defense ministry didn't know when they were launched, the Post reported.

Some couldn't be recovered because of a "difficult operational situation," the document said.

Cheap guidance systems could be to blame

Glide bombs are older munitions retrofitted with guidance systems that allow them to be launched at a distance.

Russia has been using them to devastating effects against Ukraine, with Russian aircraft able to release them at a safe distance, making it hard for Ukraine to stop them.

But some of the bombs are failing. Ruslan Leviev, a Russian analyst who founded the independent open-source investigation organization Conflict Intelligence Team, said this was probably because of cheap guidance systems known as UMPK kits.

"We think these accidental releases are caused by the unreliability of these kits, something that does not seem to bother the Air Force," he said in a video last month, according to the Post's translation.

Even so, Leviev said his organization estimated that "only a fraction" of the bombs were failing, meaning it had little impact on the weapon's overall effectiveness.

In June, the Russian opposition media channel Astra estimated that Russia had dropped a total of 103 bombs on its own territories over the previous four months.

In March, the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, said Russia had dropped 700 glide bombs on Ukraine from March 18 to March 24 alone.

Russia was also said to have used a massive 6,600-pound FAB-3000 M-54 bomb in Kharkiv in northern Ukraine for the first time last month, causing a massive fireball upon impact, as seen in video footage.

Ukraine is now developing its own glide bombs and is continuing to request further air-defense systems from its NATO allies.

NATO countries have also eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of their weapons so it can strike Russian targets and repel Russian glide-bomb strikes in and around Kharkiv.

In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged President Joe Biden to let Ukraine use US-provided long-range missiles, including the ATACMS, to strike airfields deep inside Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Three people, including a child, have been injured in a Russian missile attack on 30 June on Kyiv Oblast. All of them were taken to hospital.

Source: Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, on Facebook

Quote from Kravchenko: "As a result of yesterday's missile attack on Kyiv Oblast, three people were injured, including a child. The people are currently in one of the district hospitals in the oblast. They have received all the necessary medical care."

Details: Kravchenko stressed that there were no strikes to residential or critical infrastructure.

At the same time, three houses were damaged as debris from the downed missile fell in one of the districts of Kyiv Oblast; windows and doors were smashed and walls were damaged.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

A warehouse, a number of administrative buildings and 16 vehicles, including cars and a motorbike, were also damaged.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) reported that as a result of the Russian attack, a fire station building in Kyiv Oblast had been damaged: the blast wave shattered glass and partially damaged windows, and the ceiling was damaged.

"At the moment of the strike, the firefighters were in the shelter, and no one was injured," the SES concluded.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Background:

On the evening of 30 June, an air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv Oblast and other northern oblasts. Missiles were reportedly launched, and Ukrainian air defence was responding to the attack.

A high-rise building was damaged by missile debris and a fire broke out in the Obolonskyi district of Kyiv.

Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that debris from Russian missiles had fallen in the oblast; there were reports of casualties and damage to buildings.

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The defence forces of Ukraine have downed a Russian Kh-59/69 missile in the Synelnykove district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration; Air Command Skhid (East); Ukraine's Air Force

Quote from Lysak: "Air defence was activated in the Synelnykove district. Our forces have downed an enemy missile."

Details: Air Command Skhid (East) specified that at about 13:00 on 1 July 2024, one of its units downed a guided aerial missile, likely a Kh-59/69.

The Air Force had previously reported that a high-speed target was heading to the city of Dnipro.

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The Russian army fired ballistic missiles on Dnipro on the night of 30 June-1 July, injuring seven people, including a 15-year-old boy.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote: "Explosions occurred in Dnipro overnight. The enemy used ballistic missiles. As a result of the Russian attack, seven people were injured in the city. Among them is a 15-year-old boy. One woman was hospitalised, while the rest will be treated on an outpatient basis."

Aftermath of Russian overnight attack.

Photo: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: Russia reportedly also damaged private and multi-storey residential buildings, a shop and cars. Law enforcement officers launched a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war.

Aftermath of Russian overnight attack.

Photo: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Background:

Several explosions were heard in the city of Dnipro at around 02:00 on the night of 30 June  1 July.

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The Russians launched two Iskander-K cruise missiles towards Kyiv on 30 June  both of which were successfully destroyed by Ukraine's Air Defence.

Source: Illia Yevlash, spokesman for the Air Force of Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the 24/7 joint newscast on 1 July

Quote from Yevlash: "The Russians launched Iskander-K cruise missiles towards Kyiv at around 19:30 yesterday evening. Two missiles were successfully downed. Unfortunately, infrastructure was damaged due to falling wreckage."

Details: Yevlash said that recently the Russians have mostly been attacking Ukraine during the night, but this time they struck in the evening, when there were many people out on a warm weekend day.

"Russia is a terrorist state and continues to prove it with each such attack," Yevlash concluded.

Background:

Air-raid warnings were issued in Kyiv and Ukraine's northern regions after Russia launched missiles on 30 June. Air defence systems in Kyiv Oblast responded.

A high-rise apartment block in Kyiv's Obolonskyi district was damaged by falling missile debris, and a fire broke out.

Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that the debris of Russian missiles had fallen in Kyiv Oblast, injuring people and damaging buildings.

On the morning of 1 July, Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that three people, including a child, had been injured in a Russian missile attack on 30 June on Kyiv Oblast. All of them were taken to hospital.

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Russians attack Ukrainsk in Donetsk Oblast in morning, killing 2 people and injuring 8

Russians attacked the town of Ukrainsk in Donetsk Oblast on the morning of 1 July, killing two women aged 65 and 70 and injuring eight other people.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Early in the morning, Russians attacked the city with a Uragan self-propelled multiple-launch rocket system, and a residential area was hit. Two women aged 65 and 70 were killed."

Details: Preliminary information is that ten high-rise buildings and an administrative building were damaged. Filashkin also asked people to leave the oblast.

Quote from Filashkin: "Every day in Donetsk Oblast, there are new victims of Russian war crimes. It is dangerous to stay here! Be responsible! Evacuate."

Background:

Russian forces attacked a private residential area in the village of Tsukuryne in Donetsk Oblast on the late evening of 30 June. This attack wounded six people, including a child, and damaged 21 houses and cars.

At least two civilians were killed and 12 others injured as a result of Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast on 30 June.

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Destruction in the Russian city of Grayvoron. Photo: Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram

The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed that their air defence systems have downed 36 Ukrainian drones overnight in Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.

Source: Russian Defence Ministry; Russian governors

Details: The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that 18 UAVs were destroyed or jammed by electronic warfare in Bryansk Oblast, nine in Kursk Oblast and nine in Belgorod Oblast.

However, Alexei Smirnov, the acting Governor of Kursk Oblast, stated that seven drones were allegedly downed in the oblast.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported a drone attack on the Grayvoron district at night.

He said power lines were damaged, causing temporary power outages in several settlements.

As usual, Russian officials claim that there are no casualties or damage.

Notably, Russian Telegram channels, which usually quickly publish photos and videos of fires and destruction, did not report anything about any attacks last night.

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Russian forces attacked a private residential area in the village of Tsukuryne in Donetsk Oblast on the late evening of 30 June. This attack wounded six people, including a child, and damaged 21 houses and cars.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Facebook

Quote from the Prosecutor's Office: "The Russian army dropped a bomb on the village of Tsukuryne at 22:25 on 30 June. The Russian projectile hit a private residential area. The enemy presumably struck with a FAB-500 aerial bomb.

As a result of the attack, a woman, 51, and her daughter, 14, were injured. Four local residents aged 47 to 74 were also injured. They were diagnosed with bruises and shrapnel wounds."

More details: In addition, 21 homes and cars were damaged.

Aftermath of a Russian attack on Tsukuryne.

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

The Prosecutor's Office initiated a pre-trial investigation into the matter under Art. 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).

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Russians drop bombs on school in Kharkiv Oblast on 1 July morning: fire breaks out  photos

The aftermath of the Russian attack on a school in Kharkiv Oblast. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Russian forces dropped aerial bombs on a settlement in Kurylivka hromada, Kupiansk district (Kharkiv Oblast) on the morning of 1 July, hitting a school and a local arts centre. (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.)

Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) in Kharkiv Oblast

Quote: "The enemy dropped aerial bombs on a frontline settlement in Kurylivka hromada of Kupiansk district around 06:00, hitting a school, a local arts centre, and a residential area, causing destruction."

Details: Emergency workers reported that a fire broke out at the school premises over an area of 150 sq. m. There were no casualties.

Emergency workers and medics from the SES were involved in dealing with the aftermath of the Russian bombardment.

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The Russian occupying forces struck the Volnovakha and Pokrovsk districts of Donetsk Oblast on 1 July, killing one civilian and injuring seven more.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Details: The investigation reports that on 1 July the Russian army attacked the village of Komar in the Volnovakha district. A 19-year-old boy was injured and hospitalised.

Russian forces struck the town of Selydove. A 55-year-old local woman was killed and a man in the same house was injured. Early reports say the Russians used UMPB D-30SN aerial bombs in the attack on civilians.

Moreover, the Russians launched a repeated attack on the town of Ukrainsk, preliminarily using an Uragan multiple-launch rocket system. As a result five locals were injured  three women and two men. They have received medical treatment.

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Russia's former president said the US thinks it won the Cold War but is now on the verge of losing it

Russia's former president said the US thinks it won the Cold War but is now on the verge of losing it

Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev said that the US erroneously believes it won the Cold War.

"What's more, it is now just one step away from losing it completely," Medvedev added.

The Putin loyalist has routinely threatened nuclear attacks on the West.

Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev said the US had erroneously "decided that it had won the Cold War."

At the 12th International Legal Forum in St Petersburg on June 27, Medvedev, now the deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, said: "It was a very serious misconception. The US did not win it."

He added: "What's more, it is now just one step away from losing it completely."

At the XII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum pic.twitter.com/fcNWSJhuCX  Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) June 27, 2024

Medvedev's comments during the forum are in line with his anti-West stance.

When the former president was elected in 2008, he was seen as more liberal and pro-West than his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

However, since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he has stood against the West in what many consider to be efforts to win Putin's favor. He's now known for routinely making bombastic threats against Western countries.

For one, Medvedev threatened nuclear war in an X post on May 6, when he said that Russia would launch nuke attacks on Western capitals if NATO were to send troops to support Ukraine.

"In that case, none of them will be able to hide either on Capitol Hill, or in the Elysee Palace, or in Downing Street, 10. It will be a global catastrophe," he wrote.

The choir of irresponsible bastards from among Western elites calling for sending their troops to the nonexistent country is expanding. Now it includes members of US Congress, French and British administration, and some madmen from the Baltic States and Poland. They are also  Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) May 6, 2024

Medvedev also suggested that Russia fire a hypersonic missile at The Hague after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin.

Medvedev has also repeatedly made wild predictions of wars in the West and the collapse of Western countries. He said a war would one day erupt between France and Germany. He also predicted in December 2022 that Elon Musk might one day be elected US president  a suggestion that even Musk said he thought was "absurd."

Medvedev's representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A buffalo hide with a painting of Wakan Gli was unveiled in a ceremony on June 26, 2024. (Blair Miller/Daily Montanan)

HEBGEN LAKE, Montana  The birth of a sacred white buffalo calf in Yellowstone National Parks Lamar Valley fulfills a tribal prophecy, according to Native American spiritual leaders.

The prophecy means people need to take better care of Mother Earth and must come together to do so, leaders and elders told a group of about 500 people gathered Wednesday on the north shore of Hebgen Lake.

Its up to each and every one of you to make it happen for the future of our children. We must come together and bring that good energy back, said Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual and ceremonial leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people and the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle.

Looking Horse presided over the ceremony just west of Yellowstone National Park, which encompasses sacred ancestral lands for many western and northern plains tribes. He unveiled a buffalo hide painted with a portrait of the calf, naming it Wakan Gli, which means Sacred Return, Sacred Comes Home, or Comes Holy, according to tribal leaders who were at the ceremony.

buffalo hide that was painted with a mural of the sacred white buffalo born in Yellowstone National Park

Representatives from the Shoshone-Bannock, Lakota, Sioux, Northern Arapaho and Colville tribes were among those who told the crowd of tribal members, tourists, and others who had traveled to the ceremony at the Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters that the birth of Wakan Gli was a foreboding message that the world is in a bad place at the moment, but also that it would help bring forth guidance on how to fix things.

Understand that our ancestors come here and that when we come here, those spirits of our ancestors wake up and we introduce ourselves to the land, said Darnell Sam, the Wenatchi Salmon Chief and member of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington. When we sing our songs, those spirits visit one another. They hold each other up. And thats what were here to do today is to support one another for this buffalo spirit.

The cultural heritage of the white buffalo calf to Native tribes

Chief Arvol Looking Horse (center) is the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle

Long ago, Looking Horse said, there was a time when food was disappearing, bison were scarce, and the people were sick and hungry. Tribes were looking for buffalo near what is now known as Devils Tower, when the White Buffalo Calf Woman presented herself to two scouts.

The next day, the White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared again, as she had promised, and brought the sacred red-stone pipe and bundle and showed them how to pray to the creator and find food. As she left over the hills, she first took the form of other colors of buffalo, then turned into a white buffalo. She told the people that she would one day return as a white buffalo calf with a black nose, black eyes and black hooves.

Mother Earth is going to be sick and has a fever. And thats happening right now, as we speak. This is a prophecy that has been fulfilled, Looking Horse said.  And thats the only way Mother Earth is going to speak  through these white animals.

Looking Horse called the calfs birth a momentous time in our history. About a dozen tribal members from across the region shared versions of what the white buffalo, and the American bison species in general, mean to the tribes and their heritages, and led the ceremony in prayer and song.

The arrival of the calf also offered a chance for deep reflection, the speakers said, on why it appeared now and how people need to recognize that its coming means they will have to change their behaviors with each other and with nature in order to save Mother Earth.

the new white buffalo in Yellowstone National Park

Look at the interactions that we have as human beings, because theres something were missing there, said Devin Old Man of the Northern Arapahoe Tribe on the Wind River reservation in Wyoming. And its just as simple as sitting underneath the tree listening to the birds, watching the bees get the honey. Paying attention to these wild animals because theyre in their natural habitat.

The buffalo as a family, as a herd, share the burden of survival

The calf has been elusive after it was first photographed in the Lamar Valley by Kalispell photographer Erin Braaten in early June. The Buffalo Field Campaign has provided photos of the calf taken by Jordan Creech.

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said in an interview the staff at the park had not seen the calf yet but the search was on. He said if the calf survives, he imagines it will become an animal celebrity of sorts, like Grizzly 399, the grizzly bear that lives in Grand Teton National Park and is followed by dozens of photographers.

There will probably be a lot of people going to find the white bison. Maybe that bison figured it out and took off into the deep backcountry just to hang out there, Sholly said. But Im sure itll be news if we see it again.

According to the National Park Service Biological Resources Division and to Looking Horse, the last white buffalo with black eyes, nose and hooves to survive infancy was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1994.

Called Miracle, she was the first white buffalo calf born since 1933; that bison is known as Big Medicine. These types of white buffalo differ from albino buffalo. Another white buffalo calf born in Minnesota in 2012 died two weeks later.

People gathered at Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters at Hebgen Lake on June 26, 2024, to celebrate the birth of a sacred white buffalo

Mike Mease, the campaign coordinator for the Buffalo Field Campaign, said Wednesday that holding the ceremony for the sacred white buffalo calf was the biggest honor of my life. He helped start the organization nearly three decades ago to help preserve the nations largest wild bison herd, which Indian Country and many who work in the field refer to as buffalo.

From that day to this day, Ive had the honor of standing with these buffalo, of learning from these buffalo, understanding them more than I understand most people, to be quite honest, Mease said. And those buffalo teach me about unity and about caring for one another.

He explained that buffalo help each other survive the bitterly cold and long winters each year and help other animals in the ecosystem survive as well through months of deep snow. The lead bison cuts through the deepest snow, and the rest of the herd follows behind in a single file, then allows the lead buffalo to move to the back to rest.

In that lesson, we learn the buffalo as a family, as a herd, share the burden of survival. They work together to make it all work. And when that trail is built back there in the deep snows, then the deer use it. The elk use it. The wolves use it, he said. Because the buffaloes are the protectors of the land, the people, and all the other animals.

Looking Horse said when he was chosen in 1966 at 12 years old to be the sacred pipe and bundle keeper, his grandmother who preceded him in that role had a warning about Mother Earth and the prophecy of the White Buffalo Calf Woman.

She also told the people that if people dont straighten up, then I shall be the last sacred bundle keeper, and that is always in my heart.

Yellowstone National Park statement about white bison calf

Confirmation

At this time, Yellowstone National Park can confirm, based on multiple creditable sightings, that a white bison calf was born in Lamar Valley on June 4, 2024.

Yellowstones Center for Resources Bison Management Team received numerous reports and photos of the calf taken on June 4 from park visitors, professional wildlife watchers, commercial guides and researchers.

To date, park staff have been unable to locate the calf.

To our knowledge, there have been no confirmed sightings by park visitors since June 4.

Photos provided to park biologists indicate the calf is leucistic (black eyes and hooves with some pigmentation), rather than an albino animal.

Significance

The birth of a white bison calf was a rare natural phenomenon that once occurred before the near extinction of bison in the late 19th century, when bison numbered in the tens of millions.

The birth of a white bison calf may reflect the presence of a natural genetic legacy that was preserved in Yellowstones bison, which has revealed itself because of the successful recovery of a wild bison population of 3,000-6,000 animals.

The birth of a white bison calf in the wild is a landmark event in the ecocultural recovery of bison by the National Park Service.

The National Park Service has never reported a white calf being born within Yellowstone National Park.

The birth of a white bison calf in the wild is believed to occur in 1 in 1 million births or even less frequently.

The National Park Service acknowledges the cultural significance of a white bison calf for Native Americans.

Bison Population

The bison population fluctuates from 3,000 to 6,000 animals in two subpopulations, defined by where they gather for breeding. The northern herd breeds in the Lamar Valley and on the high plateaus around it. The central herd breeds in Hayden Valley.

The National Park Service estimates the 2024 pre-calving bison population around 4,550. Calving occurs in a single pulse during late spring and early summer.

The park service will complete annual post-calving counts this August.

Each spring, about 1 in 5 bison calves die shortly after birth due to natural hazards.

Read more about bison ecology and bison management in Yellowstone .

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. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and X.

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The buffalo hide with a painting of Wakan Gli that was unveiled on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller / Daily Montanan)

HEBGEN LAKE, Montana  The birth of a sacred white buffalo calf earlier this month in Yellowstone National Parks Lamar Valley fulfills a tribal prophecy, according to Native American spiritual leaders.

The prophecy means people need to take better care of Mother Earth and must come together to do so, leaders and elders told a group of about 500 people gathered Wednesday on the north shore of Hebgen Lake.

Its up to each and every one of you to make it happen for the future of our children. We must come together and bring that good energy back, said Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual and ceremonial leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people and the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle.

Looking Horse presided over the ceremony just west of Yellowstone National Park, which encompasses sacred ancestral lands for many western and northern plains tribes. He unveiled a buffalo hide painted with a portrait of the calf, naming it Wakan Gli, which means Sacred Return, Sacred Comes Home, or Comes Holy, according to tribal leaders who were at the ceremony.

Representatives from the Shoshone-Bannock, Lakota, Sioux, Northern Arapaho and Colville tribes were among those who told the crowd of tribal members, tourists, and others who had traveled to the ceremony at the Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters that the birth of Wakan Gli was a foreboding message that the world is in a bad place at the moment, but also that it would help bring forth guidance on how to fix things.

Understand that our ancestors come here and that when we come here, those spirits of our ancestors wake up and we introduce ourselves to the land, said Darnell Sam, the Wenatchi Salmon Chief and member of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington. When we sing our songs, those spirits visit one another. They hold each other up. And thats what were here to do today is to support one another for this buffalo spirit.

Long ago, Looking Horse said, there was a time when food was disappearing, bison were scarce, and the people were sick and hungry. Tribes were looking for buffalo near what is now known as Devils Tower, when the White Buffalo Calf Woman presented herself to two scouts.

The next day, the White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared again, as she had promised, and brought the sacred red-stone pipe and bundle and showed them how to pray to the creator and find food. As she left over the hills, she first took the form of other colors of buffalo, then turned into a white buffalo. She told the people that she would one day return as a white buffalo calf with a black nose, black eyes, and black hooves.

Mother Earth is going to be sick and has a fever. And thats happening right now, as we speak. This is a prophecy that has been fulfilled, Looking Horse said. And thats the only way Mother Earth is going to speak  through these white animals.

Looking Horse called the calfs birth a momentous time in our history. About a dozen tribal members from across the region shared versions of what the white buffalo, and the American bison species in general, mean to the tribes and their heritages, and led the ceremony in prayer and song.

The arrival of the calf also offered a chance for deep reflection, the speakers said, on why it appeared now and how people need to recognize that its coming means they will have to change their behaviors with each other and with nature in order to save Mother Earth.

Look at the interactions that we have as human beings, because theres something were missing there, said Devin Old Man of the Northern Arapahoe Tribe on the Wind River reservation in Wyoming. And its just as simple as sitting underneath the tree listening to the birds, watching the bees get the honey. Paying attention to these wild animals because theyre in their natural habitat.

The calf has been elusive after it was first photographed in the Lamar Valley by Kalispell photographer Erin Braaten in early June. The Buffalo Field Campaign has provided photos of the calf taken by Jordan Creech.

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said in an interview last week the staff at the park had not seen the calf yet but the search was on. He said if the calf survives, he imagines it will become an animal celebrity of sorts, like Grizzly 399, the grizzly bear that lives in Grand Teton National Park and is followed by dozens of photographers.

There will probably be a lot of people going to find the white bison. Maybe that bison figured it out and took off into the deep backcountry just to hang out there, Sholly said. But Im sure itll be news if we see it again.

According to the National Park Service Biological Resources Division and to Looking Horse, the last white buffalo with black eyes, nose and hooves to survive infancy was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1994.

Called Miracle, she was the first white buffalo calf born since 1933; that bison is known as Big Medicine. These types of white buffalo differ from albino buffalo. Another white buffalo calf born in Minnesota in 2012 died two weeks later.

Mike Mease, the campaign coordinator for the Buffalo Field Campaign, said Wednesday that holding the ceremony for the sacred white buffalo calf was the biggest honor of my life. He helped start the organization nearly three decades ago to help preserve the nations largest wild bison herd, which Indian Country and many who work in the field refer to as buffalo.

From that day to this day, Ive had the honor of standing with these buffalo, of learning from these buffalo, understanding them more than I understand most people, to be quite honest, Mease said. And those buffalo teach me about unity and about caring for one another.

He explained that buffalo help each other survive the bitterly cold and long winters each year and help other animals in the ecosystem survive as well through months of deep snow. The lead bison cuts through the deepest snow, and the rest of the herd follows behind in a single file, then allows the lead buffalo to move to the back to rest.

In that lesson, we learn the buffalo as a family, as a herd, share the burden of survival. They work together to make it all work. And when that trail is built back there in the deep snows, then the deer use it. The elk use it. The wolves use it, he said. Because the buffaloes are the protectors of the land, the people, and all the other animals.

Looking Horse said when he was chosen in 1966 at 12 years old to be the sacred pipe and bundle keeper, his grandmother who preceded him in that role had a warning about Mother Earth and the prophecy of the White Buffalo Calf Woman.

She also told the people that if people dont straighten up, then I shall be the last sacred bundle keeper, and that is always in my heart.

Yellowstone National Park statement about white bison calf

Confirmation

At this time, Yellowstone National Park can confirm, based on multiple creditable sightings, that a white bison calf was born in Lamar Valley on June 4, 2024.

Yellowstones Center for Resources Bison Management Team received numerous reports and photos of the calf taken on June 4 from park visitors, professional wildlife watchers, commercial guides and researchers.

To date, park staff have been unable to locate the calf.

To our knowledge, there have been no confirmed sightings by park visitors since June 4.

Photos provided to park biologists indicate the calf is leucistic (black eyes and hooves with some pigmentation), rather than an albino animal.

Significance

The birth of a white bison calf was a rare natural phenomenon that once occurred before the near extinction of bison in the late 19th century, when bison numbered in the tens of millions.

The birth of a white bison calf may reflect the presence of a natural genetic legacy that was preserved in Yellowstones bison, which has revealed itself because of the successful recovery of a wild bison population of 3,000-6,000 animals.

The birth of a white bison calf in the wild is a landmark event in the ecocultural recovery of bison by the National Park Service (NPS).

The NPS has never reported a white calf being born within Yellowstone National Park.

The birth of a white bison calf in the wild is believed to occur in 1 in 1 million births or even less frequently.

The NPS acknowledges the cultural significance of a white bison calf for American Indians.

Bison Population

The bison population fluctuates from 3,000 to 6,000 animals in two subpopulations, defined by where they gather for breeding. The northern herd breeds in the Lamar Valley and on the high plateaus around it. The central herd breeds in Hayden Valley.

The NPS estimates the 2024 pre-calving bison population around 4,550. Calving occurs in a single pulse during late spring and early summer.

The NPS will complete annual post-calving counts this August.

Each spring, about 1 in 5 bison calves die shortly after birth due to natural hazards.

Read more about bison ecology and bison management in Yellowstone .

Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and X.

The post Sacred Return: Tribal ceremony honors birth of prophesied white buffalo calf appeared first on Source New Mexico.
British airline passengers and crew taken hostage by Saddam Hussein have accused the then UK government of treating them like pawns as they revealed they were forced to dig their own graves.

Nearly 100 former British Airways (BA) crew and passengers have launched legal action against the UK Government and BA, claiming their civilian flight was used as cover to get British special forces on the ground ahead of the Gulf War, 34 years ago.

Their claim outlines some of the horrors they were subjected to after being held as human shields by the Iraqi regime when the Foreign Office ignored a warning from its own ambassador that Saddams troops had already invaded Kuwait.

Instead of diverting flight BA149 the authorities allowed the plane to land at Kuwait airport, in order to allegedly transport a special ops team to the battlefield, regardless of the risk this posed to civilians.

Once in the hands of Saddams troops the hostages were held captive for up to five months, during which time they were subject to torture, rape and sexual assault, mock executions and starvation by Saddams notorious Mukhabarat secret police.

The hostages  who were held at strategic locations in Kuwait and Iraq to act as human shields  became convinced that they would be murdered and never return home.

Barry Manners, a passenger on BA flight 149: 'We were not treated as citizens, but as expendable pawns for commercial and political gain'

Documents lodged in the High Court in London reveal that several of the total 367 captured passengers and crew were forced to dig their own graves in preparation for their murder.

According to lawyers for 95 of them taking action this week, evidence shows that BA and the then UK government knew the invasion had taken place while the plane was still in the air on the night of Aug 1 1990, but did nothing to divert it from its before its scheduled stop over in Kuwait en route to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Lawyers say there is also evidence that BA149 was used to secretly transport a special forces operatives team for immediate and covert deployment to the battlefield, regardless of the risk this posed to the civilians on board.

Barry Manners, a passenger on BA flight 149 who now lives in Botany Bay, Kent, told The Telegraph: We were not treated as citizens, but as expendable pawns for commercial and political gain.

A victory over years of cover-up and bare-faced denial will help restore trust in our political and judicial process.

Matthew Jury, managing partner of McCue Jury and Partners LLP, said: The lives and safety of innocent civilians were put at risk by the British government and British Airways for the sake of an off-the-books military operation.

Both have, we believe, concealed and denied the truth for more than 30 years. The victims and survivors of flight BA149 deserve justice for being treated as disposable collateral.

He added: [The then UK government] and BA watched on as children were paraded as human shields by a ruthless dictator, yet they did and admitted nothing. There must be closure and accountability to erase this shameful stain on the UKs conscience.

Message not passed on

There have been previous attempts to sue the British authorities and BA, but hard evidence on which to base such a claim only began to emerge in 2021, when secret files were released by the National Archive under the 30-year rule.

These showed that Sir Michael Weston, the British ambassador to Kuwait, called the Foreign Office duty clerk around midnight on Aug 1 1990 to warn that some kind of Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was under way. His warning was then relayed across Whitehall, including to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the intelligence services, 73 minutes before flight 149 eventually landed  enough time for it to be diverted.

But this message was not passed on to British Airways.

Lawyers for the 95 claimants, who are made up of nine nationalities, claim this was because flight 149 was being used to insert the black ops team known as the Increment or Inc., into Kuwait.

Some passengers and crew claim nine military-looking men boarded the flight shortly before the departure, while others heard the crew debating whether it should proceed with the leg of its flight to Kuwait.

The nine men were allowed first off the flight on landing at Kuwait Airport and were not seen again by their fellow passengers.

Told he was going to be shot

During his time in captivity, Mr Manners, then a 24-year-old businessman, lived in constant fear for his life.

There were a couple of occasions when I was told I was going to be shot, the guard came out in a rage, kicked me around a bit, put a gun against my head and pulled the trigger a few inches away.

The former hostages are claiming an estimated average of 170,000 each in damages for the personal injuries and ongoing psychiatric harm they suffered as a result of serious negligence and joint misfeasance in public office by officials at the Foreign Office  now the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Ministry of Defence and BA.

Their lawyers will argue that many of the claimants who worked for BA were forced to take medical pensions due to BAs unwillingness to make even the most basic accommodations to them, failing to appreciate the trauma caused by their experiences in Kuwait and Iraq.

The UK Government and British Airways are expected to challenge the claims. Both have previously rejected similar claims, maintaining that Saddam was solely responsible for the hostages treatment.

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My Safe Florida Home applications open, but not (yet) for everyone. Heres the schedule

With Hurricane Beryl strengthening from a tropical depression to a powerful Category 4 hurricane in just 42 hours at the start of what has been forecast to be a very active season, getting your home ready suddenly becomes much more important.

Good news: applications for the newly funded My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program are open again as of Monday, July 1.

Less good news: you may have to wait your turn.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill adding $200 million in funding for the extremely popular program that matches up to $10,000 of the costs Florida homeowners pay for home improvements designed to harden their homes against tropical storms and hurricanes

But the bill also made several changes to the program, streamlining the process and weighting new applications toward residents aged 60 and older, and residents who qualify as low- or moderate-income.

Here's what changed, and when you can apply.

What is the My Safe Florida Home program?

The My Safe Florida Home Program was originally started in 2006 but the Republican-controlled Legislature stopped funding it about three years later. It was brought back during a 2022 legislative special session on the state's property insurance crisis amid complaints over the state having the highest homeowner premiums in the nation.

MSFH provides eligible Florida homeowners with free home inspections for hurricane readiness and offers recommendations for wind mitigation features such as roofing materials, better exterior and garage doors, storm shutters, attachments for walls and roofs like hurricane clips and more.

Just getting the inspection can help homeowners save money on their insurance premiums, but homeowners who receive the wind mitigation inspection may also apply for matching grant funds to help pay for the recommended improvements, with the state matching $2 for every dollar the homeowners spend, up to a cap of $10,000.

Of the homeowners who have received grants, completed improvements and disclosed their insurance premium discounts, they report an average savings of $1,014 per year, the News Service of Florida said in 2023.

'Hyperactive' hurricane season ahead? Our models say count on it | WeatherTiger forecast

What types of mitigation projects are eligible for My Safe Florida Home grants?

ROOFS AND STRUCTURES

Improving the strength of roof deck attachments

Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections

Installing a secondary water barrier for the roof

OPENINGS

Upgrading exterior doors

Upgrading garage doors

Upgrading windows

Townhouses are now eligible for upgrades on openings (doors and windows) but are not eligible for roof repairs.

Who can apply for a My Safe Florida Home program grant?

Any homeowner who has received a wind mitigation inspection may apply for a matching grant if they:

Provide proof of homestead exemption

Provide proof the home is insured, to a maximum of $700,000 (not required for low-income homeowners)

Provide a building permit for the home issued before Jan. 1, 2008.

Allow the home to be reinspected after the work is completed

Low-income homeowners who meet these qualifications are not required to provide matching amounts to receive the grant.

What changed in the My Safe Florida Home program in 2024?

Under the new changes, there are now application windows of specific dates to give low- and moderate-income Florida homeowners who are 60 and over first crack at home-hardening grants. Low-income grants were increased from $5,000 to $10,000, the MSFH said.

Homeowners also would be permitted to use any certified Florida state contractor for the recommended improvements rather than requiring them to choose from a state-approved list, and all grant money will be paid directly to the homeowner for disbursement. Grant-eligible improvements for windows and skylights were added.

The option for local governments and nonprofits to seek grants to help homeowners has been removed.

Other bills (HB 943/SB 988) exempted portions of My Safe Florida Home application information from public records requests, and HB 1029/SB 1366 created a similar program for condominiums.

When can I apply for My Safe Florida Home grants?

Applications reopened July 1, according to MSFH, and will be accepted and prioritized as follows:

July 1-15: Homeowners who qualify as low-income and are 60 or older

July 16-30: Any homeowners who qualify as low-income

July 31-Aug. 14: Homeowners who qualify as moderate-income and are 60 or older

Aug. 15-30: Any homeowners who qualify as moderate-income

Aug. 31 and after: Any Florida homeowners of any age or income

What does Florida consider 'low income' and 'moderate income'?

Low-income persons means they live in a household earning 80% or less of the median income for households in the county.

Moderate-income persons means they live in a household earning 120% or less of the median income for households for the county.

You can see a chart of those percentages county by county here.

Homeowners can get matching funds for hurricane hardening projects from My Safe Florida Home grants and may see lowered insurance premiums, the agency said.

How much money was allocated to the My Safe Florida Home program?

The program has received $215 million in funding since it was relaunched in 2022, with an initial $115 million and an additional $100 million added last June to the state's fiscal 2023-2024 budget.

That money ran out last October leaving nearly 18,000 people hanging who had already submitted MSFH applications, but in November, during an emergency session, the Florida Legislature unanimously approved funding of $176.17 million as part of a bill for hurricane relief to keep it going.

The new bill added another $200 million.

How many people have used the My Safe Florida Home program?

According to My Safe Florida Home, the program:

Accepted more than 150,000 applications

Approved over 38,000 grants

Completed more than 95,000 free wind mitigation inspections

Allocated more than $332 million in state funds

The average disbursement in 2023 was $9,183 per homeowner, according to an analysis of SB 7028, and nearly 50% of the homeowners who completed the process saw a discount in their insurance premiums, with an average annual savings of $981.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: My Safe Florida Home applications open for hurricane preparation
Safe at Home Act goes into effect July 1. Heres how it affects renters

Dozens of new laws in Georgia are set to go into effect July 1st which includes the new Safe at Home Act. The new state law aims to protect renters from uninhabitable living conditions.

This comes as Channel 2 Action News has been covering neglected tenants and properties for several years. Tenants who have faced ongoing mold, water, even plumbing issues.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Back in March, Channel 2 spoke to a mother who said her son was hospitalized for several types of mold in his system after living in a Dekalb County apartment complex.

This new law will now hold landlords accountable, requiring property owners to provide housing that does not impose health and safety issues.

TRENDING STORIES:

Georgia is one of the last remaining states to pass a law that establishes minimum habitability standards.

The law applies to all new leases and any lease renewals. It also limits the number of rent payments required up front. A landlord cannot require more than two months rent at the beginning of a lease contract.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, has stated that strengthening the sanctions against Belarus by the EU will prevent Russia from evading the restrictions imposed against it.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Postimees

Details: Tsahkna stated that after these restrictions come into force on 1 July, it will be much harder for Russia to evade them.

He explained that additional sanctions against Belarus are tied to those against Russia better than before.

"Thus Russias possibilities to gain through Belarus access to a range of goods, which it needs on the battlefield for its aggression against Ukraine, are reduced," Tsahkna noted.

He admitted that even though the EU adopted extensive sanctions against Russia, Moscow still received the goods it needed for the war through Belarus.

Background:

On 29 June the Council of the European Union adopted the sanctions against the Belarusian economy which are supposed to reflect some restrictive measures against Russia and thus solve the problem of the evasion of sanctions by Russia.

Earlier, on 24 June, the Council of the European Union adopted the 14th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russian gas for the first time since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Among the sanctioned individuals are the mother of Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadirov, the commander of the Russian Navy, and many other Russian officials. The Artek summer camp and actor Ivan Okhlobistin were placed under sanctions as well.

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Saved more than 200 soldiers: combat medic and volunteer from UK killed in combat zone  photo, video

Peter Fouche, a combat medic and volunteer, has been killed at the contact line. He was a UK citizen and went to Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale war.

Source: Charity Foundation Project Konstantin

Details: Before the full-scale invasion, Peter Fouche lived in London and worked as a carpenter. Prior to that, he was a police officer.

In March 2022, Peter left his home and came to Ukraine as a volunteer. He participated in the creation of a field hospital in Brovary, later underwent medical training, and joined Ukraines Territorial Defence Forces.

Peter Fouche

PHOTO: PROJECT KONSTANTIN/FACEBOOK

Peter Fouche was also a co-founder of the Project Konstantin charitable foundation, named after his brother-in-arms who was killed during the battle for Kherson. The foundation evacuates wounded soldiers, provides military personnel with vehicles and other necessary equipment, and conducts medical training.

In January 2024, Peter Fouche took the oath and officially joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a combat medic.

In April, the defender's 87-year-old mother, Rose Fouche, came to Kharkiv Oblast to meet her son all the way from South Africa. They hadn't seen each other for two years.

Quote from charity foundation: "Pete's unwavering dedication, endless compassion, and relentless commitment to Ukraine and her people have left an everlasting impact on the countless lives he touched.

His heroism knew no bounds. He was actively involved in saving more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, evacuating civilians from the most dangerous frontline cities, as well as bringing humanitarian aid to people in those towns and cities. Petes bravery and selflessness in the face of danger were nothing short of extraordinary, and his actions will forever be etched in our hearts."

Peter is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Nikola. According to the defender, he went to Ukraine for her sake.

"I love you and want to stay with you, but you're safe. But the children who are there are not. They need protection," said Peter to his daughter before he left.

Background:

Serhii Cherednyk, a leading engineer at the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, was killed in action.

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In participating states, low-income families will receive $40 each month for each eligible school-aged child, up to $120, to buy groceries, beginning in the summer of 2024. Shown is a sign at a grocery store noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards, on Dec. 4, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

I am appalled that South Carolina rejected increased grocery benefits for families while children are home during the summer.

As a South Carolina social worker with many children in my caseload some years ago, I learned a lot about this issue. Some children went to school only to eat. School lunch was the only meal they could rely on each day in the days before school breakfast.

Gov. Henry McMaster chose not to participate in the federal program that provides families up to $120 a month in summer grocery aid. Hes pointed to existing food benefit programs, including two that provide poor students free prepared meals in the summer.

While its true that there are summer lunch programs available, that leaves families scrambling to pay for two other meals daily.

During the school year, their children would typically be able to eat two meals at school during the week. As it is, we have Backpack Buddies here in Horry County, which packs food for kids to eat on weekends. But these foods, while helpful, tend to be highly processed and not the best choices for daily use.

Children should not have to rely on this sort of charity for a basic need like a daily meal. Meanwhile, food pantries are strained and often have empty shelves.

I suspect that not every family can get their children to summer lunch program sites. The more difficult the family situation, the more likely this is to be true.

The federal government fully covers the cost of the summer grocery aid added to debit cards. The states only have to fund half of the administrative costs.

With a large revenue surplus, the state could well afford to nourish vulnerable children.

McMaster could have recommended using a tiny portion of this money to feed children, who would then more likely grow up to be taxpayers instead of dependents.

But McMaster calls basic nutrition for children during the summer a Covid-related benefit extra. Instead, the governor backs the legislative move to further cut state income taxes. The spending plan sent to McMasters desk last week doubles the tax reduction called for in the coming year under a 2022 law.

South Carolina, and especially its children, need more services, not fewer.

The best way to ensure a bright future for South Carolinians and especially our children is to boost services to the poorest and most vulnerable among us.

Programs that ensure children are well nourished benefit everyone, because well nourished children are not only healthier, they learn more easily, providing SC with a stronger, healthier, better educated workforce in the future.

Let us know what you think...

The post SC should participate in program that helps parents buy summer groceries appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
SCOTUS punts on social media case, bars states from moderating content for now

The News

The US Supreme Court did not issue an opinion on whether state governments can bar social media companies from deleting certain posts or banning accounts that contravene their policies, sending the case back to the lower courts on Monday.

The ruling leaves lower courts injunctions against both Florida and Texass social media content moderation laws in place.

The court avoided the key question of the case: whether the government or the company has the ultimate authority to decide who can and cant speak on social media apps.
SCOTUS limited federal agencies' regulatory powers with recent rulings.

One legal expert said the high court is clearly "hellbent" on dismantling the administrative state.

Because of the rulings, the regulation of essentially all major industries will be tougher.

In two separate rulings over 48 hours last week, the conservative majority of the United States Supreme Court overturned a 40-year-old precedent that has been long attacked by the right  and has stripped out some of the Securities and Exchange Commission's financial-fraud enforcement capabilities.

The conservative majority, in another 6-3 ruling on Monday, made it easier for government regulations to be contested.

"At the end of a momentous Term, this much is clear: The tsunami of lawsuits against agencies that the Court's holdings in this case and Loper Bright have authorized has the potential to devastate the functioning of the Federal Government," Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissent of the court's Monday ruling in the case of Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Justice Elena Kagan, in her dissent to the Friday decision to strike down the legal precedent known as the "Chevron deference" in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, called the Friday ruling "yet another example of the Court's resolve to roll back agency authority, despite congressional direction to the contrary."

Legal experts and regulation advocates told Business Insider they largely agreed, with one law professor saying that the nation's highest court is clearly "hellbent on dismantling the entire regulatory apparatus put in place over the course of the 20th century."

"These rulings make it impossible for the agencies that Congress itself created to respond quickly and efficiently to newly emerging problems," said Robert Hockett, a Cornell University professor of law and finance.

Thanks to the recent SCOTUS rulings, the regulation of essentially all major industries, ranging from environmental protection to finance and public health, will be much tougher and could result in a more overburdened court system.

Before Friday's ruling, if the Environmental Protection Agency, for example, identified an oil company practice that unduly risked an oil spill, it would first issue a cease-and-desist letter. The oil company might then claim that the EPA has the facts wrong or lacks the regulatory authority to address the practice, Hockett said.

Then, according to Hockett, the case would be heard by an administrative court. If the oil company disagreed with that administrative judge's ruling, it could appeal and ultimately land in a court  but wouldn't do so if it couldn't point to an obvious error by the administrative law judge, Hockett said.

Now, under the ruling, the case would go right to a federal court.

"No ALJ [Administrative Law Judge]. Straight to federal court. Court with overloaded docket scheduled hearing to the year 2035. Oil spills everywhere and renders North America uninhabitable in the meantime while we wait," Hockett said, offering an extreme example.

"The upshot of this is that all of the country's largest business firms in all of its major industries will go effectively unregulated or de-facto unregulated because Congress and the courts will not be able to keep up with the pace of change in our economy," said Hockett.

The legal expert likened the matter to a "robber baron's dream."

"These two rulings largely amputate the two most important arms that our regulatory agencies use every day in overseeing our industrial economy," Hockett said, referring to the the Chevron and SEC rulings.

In overturning the Chevron doctrine in a 6-3 decision, the high court has hamstrung federal agencies' regulatory powers.

The doctrine, established in the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron USA v. Natural Resources Defense Council, called for courts to defer to federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous federal laws and statutes. It has been repeatedly used by the federal government in a wide range of cases.

Chief Justice John Roberts, in his opinion, wrote that the Chevron doctrine "proved to be fundamentally misguided."

"Perhaps most fundamentally, Chevron's presumption is misguided because agencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do," Roberts wrote.

The chief justice continued, "Courts must exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority."

The overturning of the Chevron precedent and Thursday's SEC v. Jarkesy decision both involve cuts in the regulatory powers of federal agencies, "which means reductions in the power of the executive branch of government and an increase in the power of the judicial branch," said Jonathan Siegel, a professor of law at George Washington University.

As a result, over the long term, Siegel said, "It will be more difficult for the government to enforce many statutes, and therefore, there will be more violations."

"Particularly in terms of businesses, they decide what to do based not only on what's legal and what's illegal, but what is the likelihood that they will actually suffer a penalty if they do something illegal," he said.

Siegel explained that the decision in SEC v. Jarkesy has the "potential to affect innumerable agency proceedings."

Up until Thursday, the SEC had two ways of pursuing fraud cases. It could sue in federal court, or it could bring an "administrative proceeding" in its own in-house court, where it appoints its own judges and the cases have no juries.

Roberts wrote in the decision that the latter method violated the Seventh Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects the right to a jury trial.

"It's certainly the case that the court and some individual justices even more strongly have expressed distaste for the amount of power administrative agencies have, and several decisions that the court has come down within the last few years have the effect of reducing that power and increasing the power of courts," Siegel said.

Rachel Weintraub, the executive director of the regulation advocacy group Coalition for Sensible Safeguards, said that the common thread between the decisions "is that it is the manifestation of a conservative quest to minimize the role of the federal government."

"The public expects government to do certain things. It expects the government to ensure that roads are safe and toasters don't explode, and that the water coming from our faucet doesn't cause our families harm, and that there are protections in workplaces, and that our marketplaces are fair, and that there will be consequences if entities scam us," Weintraub said.

These factors, said Weintraub, "could be at stake if judges replace agency expertise with their own positions."

In the case of Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Supreme Court ruled that a six-year statue of limitations in challenging federal agencies under the Administrative Procedure Act begins "when the plaintiff is injured by final agency action."

"The Supreme Court last week made it all but impossible for federal agencies to accept future Congressional assignments of rule-making authority by overturning its own 40-year-old Chevron decision," said Hockett.

"Today it effectively makes that retroactive, by permitting any newly formed corporation to challenge rules that have been on the books for decades," Hockett said, explaining that before Monday's decision a statute of limitations legislated by Congress "ensured that a rule that had gone unchallenged for six years was settled law."

Now, Hockett said, "every rule, no matter how long it has been in place and no matter how long corporations have been operating with a settled understanding of it, will be up for grabs."

Jesse Panuccio, who served as US acting associate attorney general in the Trump administration, was less alarmed by the recent SCOTUS decisions, saying "agencies still have vast delegations of power."

Panuccio told Business Insider he represents private parties who are in lawsuits against the government, and he believes it's important that there are three branches of government "with interdependent functions."

Panuccio said that he supported the Supreme Court decisions in Loper Bright and Jarkesy and called them "important checks on administrative power."

There is never an "even playing field" between the government and a private party  and having a ruling like this in place is the way to ensure parties are in front of a neutral judge, he said.

"And I think we have gone too far, no matter who the president is, the executive branch wields more power than I think the Constitution really envisions," he said. "And these opinions are important."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The search in Greece for the retired Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy who went missing during a hike has reached its conclusion, his brother confirmed to KTLA.

Albert Calibet, 59 of Hermosa Beach, went missing June 11 on the Greek island of Amorgos. The island was experiencing an extreme heat wave at the time, with temperatures as high as 97 degrees.

In the weeks since he didnt return from the hike, family, friends and volunteers from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department made their ways to Amorgos to aid with the search.

On Monday, Calibets brother Oliver said in a statement that the search has been called off.

It is with heavy hearts that I announce the conclusion of our search for our beloved Albert, Oliver said. Despite our relentless efforts and determination, Albert remains missing.

Ret. L.A. deputy sheriff missing on remote Greek island

Oliver continued to say that zero evidence of Albert was found on the island and that there was little assistance from the Greek government and the U.S. Embassy. He said he plans to stay in Europe in case any new information comes out.

Robin Winston, a friend of Alberts, told KTLA that Amorgos, about half the size of Catalina Island, is low on resources and doesnt have an airport, making it tough to access. Oliver said the search parties left the island out of fear for their own safety, as the long hikes have taken a toll on their bodies.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who sent their thoughts and prayers, Oliver said. Your support has been a source of strength for us during this incredibly challenging time. I also wish to thank the search and rescue teams who assisted us and those that donated to the GoFundMe to make search and rescue efforts possible. We were truly hoping for a different outcome.

KTLAs Samantha Cortese contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Sarasota judge has ruled that law enforcement officials violated former Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Zieglers rights during their investigation into an alleged sexual battery and video voyeurism.

In a 46-page order posted early Monday morning, Sarasota County Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll declared that three search warrants that allowed investigators to comb through Zieglers cell phone for documents  including hundreds of thousands of photos, videos and text messages  were severely overbroad, and contained communications that had no connection to the allegations against Ziegler.

Ziegler was not charged with a crime.

Cellphones today can contain a persons entire life story, Carroll wrote. Law enforcement agents euphemistically described the unlimited search and seizure of Mr. Zieglers cellphone data to be best practice. But 250 years ago, our forebears fought a Revolution against the tyrannical policies of King George III, including the allowance of general warrants that permitted unreasonable search and seizure.

The ruling is a win for Ziegler, who was accused last fall of sexually assaulting a woman with whom he and his wife, Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, had previously had a three-way sexual encounter.

According to police reports, Christian Ziegler messaged his accuser last October to propose a threesome with him and his wife. The woman canceled after he told her that his wife had backed out of the plans. But Christian Ziegler showed up at the womans apartment anyway, where she said he raped her.

Ziegler maintained that the encounter was consensual.

In the course of the investigation, Ziegler also faced an accusation that he took video of his encounter with the woman without her consent  an allegation that opened up the possibility of a video voyeurism charge. Prosecutors also declined to pursue that charge.

While prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges, concluding that Zieglers sexual encounter with his accuser was likely consensual, the allegation and subsequent investigation revealed sordid details of the Zieglers personal lives that appeared at odds with their reputations as cultural conservatives and advocates for traditional values.

The couple, according to investigators, previously engaged in three-way sexual encounters over the years. Text messages obtained from Christian Zieglers phone unveiled how Bridget Ziegler directed him to go to bars to prowl for women that they were both interested in having sex with, according to a memo from Sarasota Police Detective Angela Cox.

The allegations and investigation prompted widespread backlash against the power couple. Christian Ziegler faced widespread calls from fellow Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, to resign from his job at the state GOP. Eventually, party officials voted in January to remove him from the chairmanship.

Bridget Ziegler, a co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, also faced intense criticism. The Sarasota County School Board voted overwhelmingly in December to formally call for her resignation from the board, though she declined to do so.

After the Sarasota State Attorneys Office said earlier this year that it would not pursue charges against Christian Ziegler, the former Florida GOP chairman sued to stop the release of records obtained over the course of the investigation.

Carroll ordered investigators on Monday to return Christian Zieglers cell phone and destroy the contents of the data seized as a result of the search warrants. That order, however, doesnt extend to a video and photographs that Ziegler voluntarily handed over to law enforcement.

There is precedent in Florida for a court to order law enforcement to destroy illegally seized material in violation of a persons Fourth Amendment rights, Carroll wrote. And that is what Mr. Ziegler requests, and the Court grants that request.

Matthew Sarelson, an attorney for the Zieglers, touted the judges decision on Monday as a victory for the U.S. Constitution.

These were three, overbroad, general warrants to obtain literally everything on Christians phone, which is tantamount [to] everything in this life, Sarelson said in a statement. Our Constitution requires more nuance because broad general warrants are patently unlawful. And on top of this, Christian [was] neither arrested nor charged. This is a win for all Floridians, not just Christian and Bridget. Hopefully, something like this never happens to anyone else ever again.

Cynthia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Sarasota Police, said that the department is aware of the ruling and is working in coordination with the City Attorneys Office and the State Attorneys Office to review the decision.
Search: How millions will be spent at Louisiana colleges and universities

The exterior of the University of Louisiana Monroe library, a multi-story building with a clock tower at its entrance.

The University of Louisiana Monroe library, photographed from Northeast Drive. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisianas colleges and universities are taking home millions for construction and other budget needs. Its perhaps the last such funding boost before the loss of state tax revenue could slash a quarter of a billion dollars from their operations in the 2026-27 academic year.

The state budget for fiscal year 2024-25, which started Monday, includes approximately $589 million in immediate construction for higher education and around $93 million for research, campus security and other special projects.

Because higher education is one of the two large portions of the state budget without constitutional or statutory protections  along with health care  it is usually the first to get axed when cuts must be made. Unless lawmakers renew a temporary 0.45% sales tax slated to expire next year, make even less politically popular budget cuts or find another revenue source, universities are likely to face drastic cuts in the next budget cycle.

Building boon

The state construction budget, detailed in House Bill 2, provides allocations for each state university system, including an investment in the planning process for a new LSU library at its main campus. Overall, it includes less immediate money for campuses than the previous year, and it lays out promised funds for upcoming years.

Projects in the LSU System are slated to receive about $186 million this year. In addition to planning a new library  more money will be delivered when construction is underway  around $65 million has been allocated for a new science building, and another $51 million was set aside for renovations at the medical education building laboratory at LSU Health Sciences Shreveport.

The Southern University System will receive about $67 million. The largest portion, $22 million, will be used for a new science, technology, engineering and math complex at the main campus in Baton Rouge.

The University of Louisiana System is slated to receive around $136 million. That includes $16 million to renovate the health science complex at the University of Louisiana Monroe and $14 million to replace a major academic building at Northwestern State University.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System will receive around $34 million. Its biggest project is $21 million for a new building and campus development at Baton Rouge Community College

Search through a complete list of projects receiving funding this year in the state construction plan in this interactive chart.

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Extra cash

Each system is slated to receive a little extra cash for special projects, research and campus improvements.

LSU will receive $6 million for graduate assistantships, a continuation of an investment made last year to increase the minimum stipend for degree-seeking graduate assistants. The LSU AgCenter will receive $4 million to modernize equipment and an additional $2 million for research and extension-related projects.

In the University of Louisiana System, Grambling State University will receive $250,000 for new uniforms for its World Famed Tiger Marching Band, Nicholls State University will receive $125,000 for campus police equipment and the University of Louisiana Monroe will receive $4 million for its pharmacy school.

The Southern University System will receive $3 million for accreditation-related expenses at Southern University New Orleans, $1 million for crime prevention in Baton Rouge and $250,000 for the workforce development center at Southern University Shreveport.

Search through a complete list of projects receiving funding this year in the state construction plan in this interactive chart.

The post Search: How millions will be spent at Louisiana colleges and universities appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Search underway for Chicago man missing for over 2 months

CHICAGO  Authorities are asking for help in the search for a man who police say has been missing for several months.

According to Chicago police, 50-year-old Frank Velazquez has been missing since March.

Officers say Velazquez, a Belmont Cragin resident, lives in the 5800 block of West Barry Avenue and is known to frequent the Humboldt Park area and the area near West Division Street and North Springfield Avenue.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

The missing man, who has grey hair and brown eyes, stands 5-foot-6 and weighs around 140 pounds.

50-year-old Frank Velazquez, a Belmont Cragin resident, has been missing since March 2024.

In a photograph provided by Chicago police, Velazquez can be seen with a goatee and a buzz cut, but it is unclear if had either at the time he was reported missing.

Police say Velazquez is also known to have a tattoo of the Puerto Rican flag on his neck.

Officers did not provide a description of what Velazquez was last spotted wearing.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Authorities notified the public about the missing mans disappearance in a news release on Saturday afternoon.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 50-year-old Frank Velazquez is asked to contact the CPD Area 5 Detectives at 312-746-6554 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has reported that they have detained a group of provocateurs who were planning to incite unrest in Kyiv and seize the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament) building following Constitution Day.

Source: SSU on Telegram

Quote: "The investigation materials indicate that the group was led by a co-founder of an NGO known since 2015 for its anti-Ukrainian activities. Under the guise of holding a so-called 'veche' [a popular assembly in mediaeval Slavic countries], the criminals planned to declare the 'removal from power' of the current military and political leadership of Ukraine.

They then hoped to seize the Verkhovna Rada building and disrupt its operations."

Details: In order to gather people, the organisers planned to stage a seemingly peaceful assembly in the centre of Kyiv.

Photo: The Security Service of Ukraine

"However, most of the participants in the event were unaware of the true intentions behind the assembly, i.e. provocations. The criminals planned to spread information about the unrest in Kyiv through domestic and foreign media resources. They hoped this would destabilise the social and political situation within our country to the benefit of the Russian Federation," the SSU reported.

In order to carry out their criminal plan, the main organiser involved several accomplices  representatives of NGOs from Kyiv, Dnipro, and other regions. They communicated with each other through various messengers, and if they met, they did so in small groups of three.

Photo: The Security Service of Ukraine

The SSU disclosed the unlawful intentions of the suspects in advance, documented their subversive activities, and detained the organisers.

Photo: The Security Service of Ukraine

During searches of the provocateurs' residences, the law enforcement officers found weapons and ammunition; mobile phones, computer equipment and draft records with evidence of criminal actions.

Photo: The Security Service of Ukraine

The detainees have been charged with notices of suspicion under Articles 109.1, 109.2, and 109.3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (actions and calls for actions aimed at violent change, overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power), and it was decided to remand the accused in custody as a pre-trial restriction.

"The investigation continues to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring those responsible to justice. The perpetrators face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property," the SSU concluded.

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Cultivated chicken being prepared in Miami at Upside Foods "Freedom of Food" pop-up event on June 27, 2024. (Photo credit: Upside Foods)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the sale of cell-cultured chicken by two companies a little more than a year ago, giving the seal of approval for those businesses to sell lab grown meat to Americans.

But now if you sell, manufacture, or distribute cultivated meat in Florida, you would be breaking the law and, if found guilty, could face 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law (SB 1084) on May 1 and it went into effect on Monday, making the Sunshine State the first in the nation to ban lab-grown meat (Alabama became the second state to do so later in May, but its law wont go into effect until October).

Saying that his motivation was to protect Florida consumers, Tampa Republican state Sen. Jay Collins sponsored the bill during the 2024 legislative session in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture.

There are many concerns right here and, until we have those studies and theres proof positive that this process is going to work, we want to ban this in the state of Florida because its just not there quite yet, Collins told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government in February.

Cultivated meat is animal meat (including seafood and organ meats) produced by growing animal cells directly. This eliminates the need to raise animals for food. According to the Good Food Institute, cultivated meat is made of the same cell types that can be arranged in the same or similar structure as animal tissues, thus replicating the sensory and nutritional profiles of conventional meat.

Last Thursday night, Upside Foods, one of two companies allowed by the USDA to sell cultivated meat, held a Freedom of Food pop-up event in Miamis Wynwood District that featured chef and television personality Mika Leon preparing tostadas featuring Upside cultivated chicken.

Having had the opportunity to work with Upsides cultivated chicken, I can attest that their products are delicious, Leon said Monday in a press release issued the company. From appearance to aroma and taste, their products provide the same experience youd expect from chicken. As a chef, I love the idea of preserving the foods we love while using innovation to figure out ways to create a better future of food.

We believe that cultivated meat is essential for the future of food, and people should have the right to choose what they eat, added Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods.

The purpose of this event was to give Floridians a taste of cultivated meat  something the state is unfortunately preventing them from enjoying and benefiting from, both in terms of innovation and economics. Despite Floridas ban, events like this highlight the increasing interest in cultivated meat and its crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future of food.

The other company able to sell cultivated meat in the U.S., GOOD Meat, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company did issue a blistering statement in May shortly after DeSantis signed the bill into law.

Dictating to consumers

In a state that purportedly prides itself on being a land of freedom and individual liberty, its government is now telling consumers what meat they can or cannot purchase, the company said. This bill sends a terrible message to the investors, scientists, and entrepreneurs that have built Americas global leadership in alternative proteins.

GOOD Meat went on to assail Florida lawmakers for presenting no credible safety concerns, saying the law was designed explicitly to help Big Ag avoid accountability and competition.

When he signed the legislation in May, DeSantis called the development of cultivated meat over the past decade an effort with an ideological agenda that wants to finger agriculture as the problem.

The bill that Im going to sign today is going to say, basically, take your fake, lab-grown meat elsewhere. Were not doing that in the state of Florida, he said.

The law says that a person who knowingly violates the ban on selling, holding, offering for sale, or distributing cultivated meat commits a misdemeanor of the second degree. Florida law says that such misdemeanors are punishable by a jail term of 60 days and a fine of up to $500.

Italy became the first country in the world to ban the production, sale or import of cultivated meat last November.
In an extraordinary letter to Seminole County commissioners, county Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said hes concerned about the safety of my family and myself after what he says are deeply unsettling statements by some commissioners.

Of particular distress is the inclusion of my wife and children in these attacks by some members of the board [of county commissioners], Anderson said in his June 18 letter. Statements implying child abuse and the power some members of the board state they have to force individuals out of town.

Anderson doesnt name any commissioners in his missive. But he told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday he was referring to a letter Commissioner Amy Lockhart sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis more than eight months ago, on Oct. 3, that asked his office to investigate the elections supervisors seemingly erratic and combative conduct. Lockhart said she received no response to that request.

Andersons new letter and his statement to the Sentinel is the latest turn in a nasty fracas between the elections supervisor  originally appointed to his post by DeSantis  and county leaders. Some of those leaders have now lined up against Andersons bid for reelection in August, an unusual step in this largely Republican county.

Lockharts October letter to DeSantis was triggered by the most notable of those claims: an emotional video Anderson posted on TikTok discussing what he called repeated racism among county leaders. Anderson is Seminoles first Black constitutional officer; Seminole Countys five commissioners are white.

Anderson, his wife and three children often create TikTok videos of themselves acting or speaking out on various issues. He said its something that we like to do as a family and the videos have become popular.

But in her letter to DeSantis, Lockhart said one such video showed an actor threatening to harm Andersons daughter.

The film.opens with a scary looking white-faced intruder who places a knife at the throat of Andersons sleeping young daughter, Lockhart said in her letter. The video was so disturbing that I reached out to a professional in our community for their advice.

Lockhart added in her letter that Andersons wife is publicly threatening and disparaging members of the community. She pointed to a May 2022 commission meeting where Anderson urged commissioners to expand his public offices building.

As Mr. Anderson was testifying, his wife could be seen sitting behind him, shaking her head and making distracted gestures that could be perceived as an attempt to influence and intimidate, Lockhart wrote in her letter.

Anderson said he remains angry about Lockharts accusations.

She is using her position of power, with a letter with Seminole County letterhead to the governors office, to make it seem were abusing our children, he said in the interview with the Sentinel.

If they have concerns about the elections thats one thing, Anderson said. But to talk about my wife? What made them think that a Black woman in the audience is intimidating? Why is it that a person of color gets special attention?

In a June 21 letter responding to Andersons allegations, Commission Chair Jay Zembower said he and other board members had deep concern over the situation. He urged Anderson, a former deputy Sheriff and police officer, to contact law enforcement authorities if he feels threatened.

Additionally, the Board requests you to identify to the County Attorney immediately all materials, written statements and other evidence supporting these allegations, Zembowers letter continued.

At Tuesdays county commission meeting, Zembower raised the issue again.

Its not conduct that I think any of us would support, Zembower said of Andersons charges. We want to make sure that people are not in fear of their lives or their familys lives or their childrens lives.

But Lockhart said in a Thursday interview that she stands by her letter to DeSantis.

Its unfortunate that hes perseverating on this letter, she said. I spoke plainly and truthfully and I can see why he wouldnt like that.

Anderson first took office in January 2019 after he was appointed by DeSantis to replace Mike Ertel, who was selected to serve as Floridas secretary of state.

In 2020, Anderson was elected to a four-year term. On Aug. 20, he will face School Board member Amy Pennock in the Republican primary in his bid for re-election. The winner will face Democrat Deborah Poulalion in the Nov. 5 general election.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) arrives for trial at Manhattan Federal Court on June 11, 2024 in New York City. Jose Uribe, who is cooperating with federal prosecutors in their case against Menendez, testified on Monday. He will continue his testimony regarding a backyard meeting with the senator in September 2019. Menendez along with his wife Nadine are facing bribery charges. The indictment is the second in eight years against Menendez. The indictment also includes charges for Wael Hana, Fred Daibes, and Uribe who are cooperating with federal prosecutors in hopes of a lenient sentence. Nadine Menendez's trial is expected to take place later this summer. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

On Friday, the 26th day of the federal corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, prosecutors rested their case against New Jerseys senior senator and two of his codefendants.

The trial began in mid-May and has seen more than two dozen witnesses testify in front of U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse in Manhattan, including U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger, former state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, two former Menendez advisers, and more.

Prosecutors hope they can convince the jury that Menendez accepted lavish bribes in exchange for his interference in foreign policy matters and domestic criminal investigations. Menendezs lawyers have argued his actions were that of a U.S. senator doing his job.

As the defense prepares to present its case, here are key moments in the prosecutions case against Menendez and codefendants Wael Will Hana and Fred Daibes. Menendezs wife, Nadine, is also charged and is expected to be tried later this year.

Cash everywhere

FBI agents found so much cash in Menendezs home in Englewood Cliffs that they had to get someone to bring an automated cash counter to add it all up.

The sheer volume of bills that we encountered was too much to count by hand, said Aristotelis Kougemitros, the FBI special agent who led the search.

The money  $486,461 in cash, along with 13 gold bars  was jammed into jackets and boots and crammed into bags and boxes around the couples cluttered home.

Very shady meat monopoly

Prosecutors allege Hanas monopoly on exporting halal meat to Egypt wasnt because of Hanas business acumen, but because of bribes he gave Menendez and the senators favors to benefit the Egyptian government at Hanas behest.

U.S. Department of Agriculture official James Bret Tate testified that he wanted to push back against Egypts decision to make Hanas company their sole importer of halal-certified meat, but Egypt wouldnt meet with him. And that was unusual, he said.

When the American embassy requests a meeting, we get meetings, Tate said.

The love email

Menendez lost a bid to keep jurors from seeing what has been dubbed the love email, a text he sent Nadine Menendez telling her to inform Hana that the senator was signing off on arms to Egypt.

The senators lawyers argued that the speech and debate clause of the U.S. Constitution  which provides immunity to lawmakers performing official legislative acts  applied here, but Stein said a promise to perform an act is itself not a legislative act.

Prosecutors say releasing aid and arms to Egypt  which historically has received the most military aid from the U.S. of any other country except Israel  is one of the things Menendez did to help Hana protect his monopoly.

Keeping Nadine happy

Prosecutors say Nadine Menendez was a go-between linking her husband with the businessmen accused of bribing him.

Attorney Howard Dorian, who represented Hana, made this clear in a text he sent to one man involved in one of the alleged bribery schemes.

It is extremely important that we keep Nadine happy, Dorian wrote.

Texts also show how Nadine Menendez suggested talking points to Sen. Menendez at Hanas direction.

In your speech, could you please say Egypt now in the right direction with the new government now. With the International Monetary Fund and all the new developments, new capital and the new Suez Canal. Egypt is important to the United States, she texted Sen. Menendez.

Stop interfering

A former U.S. Department of Agriculture official told jurors Menendez called him when the department was looking into why Egypt chose to get halal meat from just Hanas company.

Stop interfering with my constituents, Menendez said, according to the ex-official, Ted McKinney.

The Mercedes-Benz

When Nadine Menendez needed a new car after totaling hers in a crash that killed a pedestrian in Bogota, businessman Jose Uribe stepped in to help.

Uribe had an associate facing prosecution by the state Attorney Generals Office, and a related expanding investigation threatened to ensnare Uribes own business. So he made a deal with Nadine Menendez  a car in exchange for her husbands help in squashing his criminal troubles, he told jurors. He provided a down payment and made monthly payments for Nadines new car for almost three years, testimony showed.

After Nadine Menendez signed paperwork for the Mercedes-Benz, she texted her husband.

The car is home, she wrote.

Woopy!!! the senator texted back.

To Uribe, she texted: You are a miracle worker who makes dreams come true. I will always remember that.

Uribe was charged along with the Menendezes but pleaded guilty in March in a cooperation deal with prosecutors.

Gross

Grewal, the former New Jersey attorney general, told jurors that Menendez tried to speak to him three times about the charges facing Uribes associate.

The last time was at Menendezs Newark office, where Grewal and colleague Andrew Bruck met with the senator. Afterward, Grewal testified, Bruck had this to say: Whoa, that was gross.

Grewal conceded Menendez made no explicit ask during the meeting or phone calls and was polite throughout their interactions.

What I understood the upshot of this conversation to be was that he didnt like how this matter was being handled by our office and wanted it handled differently, Grewal said.

Yes, I did

Uribe took the stand to say he did indeed bribe Menendez hoping the senator would kill the investigations that focused on his associate and business.

I agreed with Nadine Menendez and other people to provide a car for Nadine in order to get the power and influence of Mr. Menendez, Uribe said.

Uribe also testified that Menendez acknowledged his interference.

I saved your little a** not once, but twice, Uribe said the senator told him in Spanish.

Former friends

Sellinger said while Menendez was considering him to be New Jerseys new U.S. attorney in 2020, Menendez told Sellinger that the offices prosecution of Daibes, a real estate developer charged with bank fraud, was unfair.

Sen. Menendez hoped that if I became U.S. attorney, I would look at it carefully, Sellinger told jurors.

When Sellinger said he might be recused from the Daibes case because of a conflict of interest, Menendez chose another candidate, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, Sellinger said. When that fell through, Sellinger got the job  and then, when his new bosses ordered him off the Daibes matter, Menendez ended their friendship, he testified.

Behind-the-scenes

Michael Soliman, a former Menendez adviser, explained how he helped Menendez shield Suarezs potential nomination as U.S. attorney from public scrutiny by falsely claiming there were other candidates and by planting fake stories in the press.

It was my job to protect the senator, so I just cared about his optics, said Soliman.

Soliman also said he met with Sellinger after he became the U.S. attorney  Menendez had asked Soliman to tell Sellinger to give Daibes all due process  but Sellinger warned him at the start of the meal not to bring up any pending criminal matter or Sellinger would have to alert the Department of Justice.

Qatar

Prosecutors allege Daibes bribed Menendez to score investments from a Qatari royal, and that the deal almost went south because the royal learned of Daibes bank fraud case. Menendez stepped in to meet with Sheikh Sultan bin Jassim Al Thani other Qatari royals to smooth things over, prosecutors say.

I hope that this will result in the favorable and mutually beneficial agreement that you both have been engaged in discussing, Menendez wrote to bin Jassim in an encrypted WhatsApp message in January 2022.

Four months later, Daibes and a firm the sheikh founded signed a $190 million deal.

Egypt

Sarah Arkin, a former foreign policy adviser to Menendez, told jurors Menendez started acting weird regarding Egypt at about the time prosecutors say Hana was bribing him to keep his lucrative halal deal.

Arkin said Menendez started meeting with Egyptian officials without her, contrary to their usual protocol.

A critical part of my job is preparing him for those meetings, Arkin said. I didnt know exactly who he was talking to or what information he had or didnt have or who he might want to meet or where information was coming from.

Gold bars

Jeweler Vasken Khorozian said Nadine Menendez cashed in about $250,000 worth of gold bars in 2022, just weeks before the FBI searched the Menendez home and found more gold bars and cash.

Khorozian said she came to his Edgewater store three times that spring, initially telling him she was trading in the bars because she had a financial situation.

Prosecutors cant say whether those gold bars were given to the Menendezes by Daibes or Hana  Khorozian did not take down their serial numbers.

If I know what I know now, I would do things differently, Khorozian said.

Disclosures

A Senate ethics director said income, assets, gifts, and liabilities of both senators and their spouses must be disclosed, so that constituents can see for themselves their representatives financial situation.

But if the gold bars, cash, and other valuables the Menendezes took from Daibes, Hana, and Uribe were indeed loans and gifts as the defense team contends, the senator should have reported them on mandatory annual disclosure forms, said Shannon Kopplin, chief counsel and staff director of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics.

He did not, Kopplin said.

In February 2022, about 16 months after he got married, Kopplin said she got a call from the senator, who had questions about how to report gold bars he said belonged to his wife.

The next month, he officially disclosed his wifes gold, Kopplin said. Three months later, FBI agents seized it as evidence.

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Opponents line up to testify against SB 458 in Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety on Feb. 27, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

Passed by the 2023 Legislature and signed into law by the governor, Senate Bill 458, was a 64-page bill, which attempted to define sex and sexuality as being either, and only, male or female. In pertinent part, the bill defined sex in the following manner: In human beings, there are exactly two sexes, male and female with two corresponding gametes. The bill listed some 41 sections of the Montana Code that would have to be revised based on this definition.

The constitutionality of SB 458 was challenged, not surprisingly. Missoula District Court Judge Shane Vannatta held that the law was unconstitutional because its subject wasnt clear in its title as required by Montanas Constitution, Article V, Sec.11(3).

I dont quarrel with the courts decision; it was narrow, measured and the sort of decision that non-activist courts are required to, and do, make under the controlling facts and law.

Unfortunately, however, I doubt that this will be the last we hear of this matter. A similar bill will likely resurface in a new legislative session, albeit, with a different title.

Regardless of what they call it, the underlying problem is one of legislators willfully choosing to ignore science, and, instead, intentionally legislating on the basis of what they perceive to be Biblical doctrine and on white Christian Nationalismas promoted by the Trump cult and the various national organizations (e.g. the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society, and Alliance Defending Freedom, to name a few) that drive the former Presidents deranged and perverted value system.

In truth, by attempting to define sex and sexuality to include only sperm and egg producers, SB 458 was nothing other than a disingenuous attempt to put a legal gloss on the exact sort of discrimination that Article II, Section 4 of Montanas Constitution specifically prohibits.

Article II, section 4 states, in pertinent part:

The dignity of the human being is inviolable. . .. Neither the state nor any person, firm, corporation or institution shall discriminate against any person in the exercise of his civil or political rights on account of . . .sex. . ..

Bottom line: Discrimination based on sex is absolutely prohibited as a matter of Constitutional law, and it cannot be legalized by adopting a scientifically flawed, religiously grounded statute, no matter how the title finesses it.

As noted, SB 458, attempted to define sex and sexuality in the following manner: In human beings, there are exactly two sexes, male and female with two corresponding gametes. Notwithstanding Genesis 1:27, which the foregoing language follows, this definition is scientifically inaccurate. And, passing a statute saying otherwise doesnt make it any less falseits like passing a law that says the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. It just doesnt.

The bill defined females on the basis that that sex produces large immobile eggs and males on the basis that that sex produces small mobile sperm. Both definitions use the qualifier under normal developmentwhich apparently disqualifies a person from being either female or male if their development is not normal or, otherwise, for whatever reason, a person who does not produce eggs or sperm. In other words, a goodly number of the members of the human race.

The Bible and the Legislatures denial of science, notwithstanding, human beings cannot be categorized into exactly two sexes, male or female, as SB 458 bill decreed.

Medicine and science recognize a third category of human beings under the general classification of intersex. An intersex human being is a person born with a combination of male and female biological traits. These individuals are born with any of several sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, reproductive or sexual anatomy or genitals that do not fit typical definitions of male and femalemuch less the ones in SB 458. There may be a discrepancy between internal genitals and external genitals. There exist at least 30 different intersex variations, each with its own name and description. Word limitations prevent going into these in any detail, but internet research is easy.

The causes of intersex conditions may be hormonal or chromosomal, but the important point to be noted is that intersex individuals are hardwired to be that way; thats just the way they were born, the Bible and willful legislative ignorance to the contrary, notwithstanding.

Intersex individuals simply do not fit within the black and white Biblical definitions adopted by SB 458. And the same can be said for those individuals who suffer from a condition recognized in medicine and science as gender dysphoriain other words, the transgender folks the Legislature demonizes and loves to hate.

If one is neither male nor female according to SB 458, then that person is not included in the definition of sex. That person is an outlier, a social outcast, not even, apparently, considered a human being. And, therefore, it follows, that person is a legitimate target for legalized discrimination, demonization and hatred; the sort of scapegoat which is a hallmark of fascism.

SB 458 did not pass Constitutional muster this time. And, it wont if it comes around a second time, no matter what the Legislature calls it.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it still walks like a pig, looks like a pig, and stinks.

The post Senate Bill 458 which narrowly defined sex was nothing more than lipstick on a pig appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Senate Democrats are President Bidens bulwark in the Democratic Party and are sticking with him firmly, despite his disastrous debate performance in Atlanta.

Senate Democrats believe Biden, even with his shaky performance, is a stronger general election candidate than Vice President Harris, who would have a good shot at the nomination if Biden withdraws from the race.

And Democratic senators have privately acknowledged for months that theres no way to replace Biden on the ticket unless the president himself agrees to step down. Hes built up a massive lead in pledged delegates who are obligated to support him at the convention in Chicago.

Democratic lawmakers worry that even if Biden were to drop his reelection campaign, the battle to replace him as the partys nominee would be a messy affair and only divide their party, hurting them in the general election.

Joe Biden might have had a bad evening, but we dont want four bad years under Donald Trump. On the issues, I thought Biden handled them well, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) told reporters at the Capitol on Friday.

Obviously we were all looking forward to a more  I guess  energetic approach, Cardin conceded.

But from the substance, I think the American people recognize they have a choice between a person who understands the importance of our democratic system, understands the importance of the issues that he has pursued over the last four years, his record  versus a person on the other side who continues to make things up and wouldnt respond to simple questions, he said of the contrast between Biden and former President Trump.

To me its a clear choice that we need to make sure President Biden is reelected as president of the United States, he said.

Biden served in the Senate for 36 years before leaving to serve as former President Obamas vice president. He also served as president of the Senate for eight years as vice president, building up a deep well of support within the Senate Democratic Conference.

Senate Democrats will serve as superdelegates at the Chicago convention, and theyre signaling early that they have no intention of swapping horses in the middle of the presidential race.

The partys nominee must win a majority of nearly 4,000 delegates in Chicago, and officeholders and party officials who make up more than 700 superdelegates would vote if no candidate is able to meet that threshold.

One of the strongest statements bucking up Biden after his disappointing night came from Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

Fetterman noted that pundits also wrote off his 2022 Senate campaign after he bungled his lone debate against celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz, mixing up words and failing to complete his thoughts at key moments.

I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Bidens shoulder after the debate. No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record, he posted on the social platform X.

He mocked polling geniuses who predicted after that he would lose by 2 points only to later swallow their predictions when he wound up winning by more than 5 points.

Fetterman offered a blunt piece of advice to Democrats and media pundits fueling chatter about finding a last-minute alternative to Biden.

Chill the f out, he said.

A New York Times editorial published Friday calling for Biden to drop out of the race had little impact on his Senate allies.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), who represents a battleground state that Biden won narrowly in 2020, said he should absolutely not abandon his campaign.

I can tell you that there have been more than a few Sundays when I wish I had preached a better sermon, Warnock, a pastor, told NBCs Meet the Press.

But after the sermon was over, it was my job to embody the message, to show up for the people that I serve, he said. And thats what Joe Biden has been doing his entire life.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also waved off Bidens poor debate performance and pivoted to Trumps support for overhauling the federal government and its implications on abortion and LGBTQ rights.

Im about substance, not style. After last nights debate, Im more panicked than ever at Trumps agenda. So I made a short video explaining Trumps detailed plan  Project 2025  to destroy democracy, criminalize abortion, and target and harass gay and transgender people, he posted on X.

The vocal support from key Democratic senators contrasted from the alarmed response that some House Democrats voiced anonymously to media outlets.

One House Democrat who requested anonymity told Fox News that a sense of panic had set in by the end of the debate.

Now, with the foundation, where do we go? Obviously, there are conversations that I believe need to be had at all levels, with the realization of, this is not just about the presidency, this is about downballot [effects], the source said.

Senate Democrats, however, have insisted privately for months that Biden would be the nominee and there was no chance of changing up the ticket after he racked up nearly 3,894 pledged delegates in this years Democratic caucuses and primaries.

The general sense of folks is that weve hitched our wagon to Biden, that hes delivered a lot in partnership. It may not be Biden himself, but its his team. Right? And were already into the primaries, a Democratic senator who requested anonymity told The Hill earlier this year.

A Democratic aide dismissed talk about finding a plan B nominee for the general election as fanciful and chided anonymous Democrats who have vented their private anxieties to the media.

Generally, you shouldnt follow people and you shouldnt listen to people who are just panicking, the source said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has repeatedly deflected questions about Bidens age and fitness for the job, insisting the president will win reelection based on the strength of his record and how his positions on abortion and other issues compare with Trumps.

Schumer defended Biden immediately after the debate by looking past the presidents mangled answers and putting them in the broader context of the upcoming election.

Tonights debate made the choice clear: Four more years of progress, or four more years of attacks on our fundamental rights and our democracy. Weve got to get out the vote for @JoeBiden, @KamalaHarris, and a Democratic Senate and House! Schumer posted on X.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients called Schumer on Friday to check in with the Democratic leader to make sure the president still had his Senate support intact.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, signaled Friday that Senate Democrats will stand by Biden as long as he decides to stay in the race, and that it would be up to him alone whether to continue his bid for a second term.

I thought President Biden started off not with the enthusiasm, etc., necessary but its a difference between a bad initial debate and a very bad presidency, which Donald Trump can claim  and also a much worse presidency going forward, Reed told a reporter from a Rhode Island media outlet in a Friday interview.

Asked about Biden stepping aside, Reed said: Thats the presidents decision.

Look at a record of achievement over the last four years and two of them which had a Republican House, he said, touting Bidens enactment of a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, historic investments in renewable energy and a $280 billion investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research.

Its his decision what he wants to do going forward, Reed said of Biden.

Al Weaver contributed.

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Seven people file an emergency protection order each day in Fayette Co., report shows

Seven people file for an emergency protective order in Fayette County each day  the vast majority women  according to a new report from Lexingtons Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition.

Released Monday, the report reflects 2,443 protective orders were filed in Fayette County  averaging seven people per day.

The report reveals crucial insights into patterns and needs within Lexington, and underscores the urgent need for systemic improvements and community-wide support to enhance survivors safety and well-being, according to the organization.

Of the overall number of protective orders issued, 61% were related to intimate partner and sexual violence, according to the report. That equates to four people per day filing for orders.

Intimate partner violence is described as two individuals who were previously married, share a child, currently living together, previously lived together as an intimate couple, or were currently or previously in a dating relationship.

For intimate partner and sexual violence protective orders, 76% were granted, out of the 1,547 petitions filed.

Emergency protection orders are a court order limiting the actions of a person for a fixed period of time  typically three years  to prevent abuse or threats of harm.

Criminal charges are meant to punish past behavior, but protection orders are used to prevent future acts of abuse.

What the report shows, suggests

A vast majority of those seeking a protection order were women at 76%  68% of whom are white according to the report.

However, Fayette Countys Black population is over represented in the report. The Black community geographically consists of 14.7% in Fayette County, but makes up 27% of petitioners for intimate partner and sexual violence protection orders.

The highest rate of petitioners were reported in council district one, which includes downtown Lexington north of Main Street, including the east end neighborhood, parts of the west end and as far north as Interstate 75. Some of the major corridors in the District include Georgetown Street, Newtown Pike, Russell Cave Road, N. Limestone, N. Broadway and Midland Avenue.

The report identifies several systemic challenges, including a significant increase in the average time between filing a petition and attending a final court hearing.

In 2009, the average time was 17 days. In 2023, that average rose to 49 days.

This delay exacerbates the risk and distress for survivors, who navigate complex legal processes during times of crisis, the report stated.

For a majority of the cases filed for intimate partner and sexual violence, strangulation was indicated in 41% of narratives. While only 29% reported the respondent possessed a firearm, 44% of narratives included a firearm being used in their narrative submitted for an order.

Stephanie Theakston, LDSVPC program coordinator, said it was important to note how infrequently child support is being ordered in emergency protection orders.

Judges have the statutory authority to do that, but it is not happening as often as it could, she said.

It happens so infrequently, she believes it is what keeps petitioners from asking for it. In the report, only 7% of petitioners requested child support.

New recommendations for emergency protection orders

The report suggests new recommendations for the court system involved in issuing EPOs, and protecting survivors:

Developing a protective order intake process that guides petitioners efficiently.

Exploring the feasibility of routing non-domestic violence cases through District Court to alleviate the Family Court docket.

Examining whether legislation to establish civil anti-harassment orders would be beneficial to survivors in Kentucky.

Researching reasons for excessive time between petition and final hearing and developing solutions to reduce time.

Instituting standardized criteria for judges to assess imminent threats, ensuring survivors receive consistent and informed decisions.

Establishing ongoing intensive, collaborative training for legal professionals, law enforcement, and community organizations on domestic and sexual violence and the newest trends in research and practice.

Creating and implementing a simpler tool to guide survivors in filling out petitions.

Prioritizing child support orders in Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) to alleviate financial burdens on survivors.
Russian wounded soldiers who surrendered and were taken captive. Screenshot

After a successful military operation, several dozen Russian soldiers have surrendered to the reconnaissance men of the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade Rubizh of the National Guard of Ukraine.

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: It was reported that most of the Russians that were taken captive were conscripts, who would have been killed at war but chose life and laid down their arms.

Ukrainian defenders provided all of them with the necessary medical care.

Quote: "Atrocities, killing civilians, torture and abuse of unarmed people are the way of Russia. Ukrainian soldiers are warriors who have honour and dignity, so they treat enemy prisoners humanely."

Background:

The Russians are forcibly holding more than 14,000 Ukrainian civilians in captivity, and it is more difficult to bring them back than the military or children.

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Several explosions occurred in the city of Dnipro on the night of 30 June-1 July.

Source: Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster; Ukraines Air Force

Details: An air-raid warning was issued in Ukraines eastern oblasts because of a missile attack threat.

At 02:04, after the explosion, Ukraines Air Force reported that a missile had been fired on Dnipro again. There was another explosion shortly afterwards.

At 02:07, the military reported that more missiles were flying towards Dnipro.

At 02:22, the Air Force noted that a missile had been fired at Kharkiv.

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She Said Her Son Ran Off to Buddhist Retreat in 2022. Police Just Found Her Child's Remains in a Burn Barrel

Avantae Deven has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of her son, Blake Deven, and the death of her daughter, London Deven

Fayetteville Police Department Blake Deven (left) and London Deven

A North Carolina woman has been charged with murder after authorities discovered partial skeletal remains in a burn barrel  some belonging to her missing daughter and some believed to be that of her missing son.

London Deven, 28, and Blake Deven, 17, were declared missing by the Fayetteville Police Department earlier this year, the department said in press releases at the time.

Last week, police arrested and charged their adoptive mother, 63-year-old Avantae Deven, according to the press statement.

The investigation began with a 911 call in November when one of Avantae's children told police he had not seen Blake in five years, police say, according to Spectrum News 1 and The Fayetteville Observer.

During the investigation, authorities learned of the disappearance of another child from the same household, identified as London, police said in their statement.

Fayetteville Police Department Avantae Deven

During interviews, Fayetteville Police Sgt. Jeff Locklear said, police learned about the allegedly appalling conditions of the home where at least three of the children grew up, per The Fayetteville Observer.



"Avantae Deven is said to have kept them ... in small rooms, in complete darkness at times, Locklear claimed. They were given little ... or no food and could earn nourishment by quote 'doing paperwork.' That means they had to write hundreds of paragraphs to apologize for behavior."

Locklear alleges that Blake was abused so severely that his body could no longer take the inhumane treatment, per The Fayetteville Observer and WRAL.

Avantae, authorities allege, dismembered and burned the childs remains and forced another household member to assist her, per the outlets. (Police did not identify the member or announce charges against this person).

London, authorities allege, likely died in the same painful way, in the same painful, callous manner that Blake died from  literal starvation and neglect, The Fayetteville Observer and WRAL report.

In January 2024, Avantae said she saw Blake last in 2022 when he went off to a Buddhist retreat, according to a 911 call cited by The Fayetteville Observer, WRAL and ABC 11.

London was last seen in Fayetteville, N.C. in 2019, police said in their statement.

Fayetteville Police Department Missing Person Poster of Blake Deven

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On April 12, the FPD, along with the FBI, located partial skeletal remains in a burn barrel on a Fayetteville property and sent them to the medical examiners office to be identified.

On June 26, the FPD announced that some of the recovered remains were Londons and other remains are believed to be Blakes. It was not immediately clear if the FPD had confirmed the identity of the other remains as of Monday, July 1. PEOPLE has reached out to the FPD for further clarification.

Locklear says he estimates that Blake died at around the age of 10 when the family lived in a Fayetteville home, The Fayetteville Observer reports.

Investigators estimate that London died in 2019 in another home that the family moved to, where the Devens still live, per the outlet.

Avantae has been charged with first-degree murder, concealment of death and kidnapping in connection with London's death, per police. She has been charged with felony child abuse in connection with Blake's disappearance.

It wasn't immediately clear if Avantae has entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, left, said he is dropping out of the race to represent California's 20th Congressional District and endorsing his opponent, Republican Rep. Vince Fong. (Associated Press)

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, considered the outsider candidate in the Central Valley congressional race to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said Monday that he is dropping out of the race and endorsing his opponent.

Boudreaux threw his support behind Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), who beat Boudreaux in a May special election to complete McCarthy's term and was sworn in to Congress last month.

The two men were set to square off again Nov. 5 for a full two-year term in Congress. The 20th Congressional District, the most conservative in California, runs through the agricultural San Joaquin Valley between Bakersfield and Fresno.

"While we were on opposite sides of this campaign, at the end of the day, we're Republicans," Boudreaux told his supporters in a Facebook video. "We're family men, and fighters who are committed to protecting individual liberty, reducing the cost of living and maintaining safe communities for our neighbors."

Boudreaux, who has been the sheriff of Tulare County for more than a decade, said he isn't planning to leave politics. He announced the launch Monday of Golden State Justice, an organization that he said will "help steer support to candidates and commonsense leaders focused on delivering a safer, stronger and more vibrant Central Valley and California."

McCarthy, Fong's former boss, resigned from Congress last year after being voted out as House speaker. He was a major influence in the race to replace him, lending his connections and significant fundraising prowess to help boost Fong.

Fong raised $1.7 million and also received nearly $1 million in support from a McCarthy-linked political action committee. He also secured an endorsement from former President Trump, widely seen as orchestrated by McCarthy. The endorsement was a coup for Fong, who has largely avoided the culture wars that dominate factions of the GOP and sought to win over right-wing Republicans skeptical of the political establishment.

The Bakersfield political establishment that helped to elect Fong, Boudreaux told his supporters in May, is "a machine that is so powerful that its very challenging, to say the least.

The 20th District race was marked by months of legal confusion over whether Fong was eligible to run because he had already filed to run for reelection to the state Assembly. Fong said he was blocked from withdrawing from that race by Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, who argued that the deadline to do so had already passed. She also said that state election law barred candidates from running for two offices at the same time.

Fongs campaign sued Weber and won in court in Sacramento County and again in the 3rd District Court of Appeal.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SILVER LAKE (KSNT)  The Silver Lake community joined together for a fundraiser on Sunday all for a member of their community.

9-year-old Taygen has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor. To help with expenses during her fight, family and community members hosted Trails for Taygen.

All of the money that was raised went towards travel expenses and meals for Taygen and her family during her fight.

We started off with the trail ride, we just sent them off and then have the silent auction down at the Blacksmith from 5-9, event host Kacie Fitzgerald said. We are gonna have some dinner and a bunch of goodies.

The event ended with a silent auction following the 52-mile ATV ride.

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After the storms on Thursday and Friday night, YMCA camp Leif Ericson was submerged in water on Saturday, June 22nd.

The storms a week ago in Sioux Falls submerged YMCA Camp Leif Ericson in 3-12 feet of water, depending on the area, said Mike Murphy, CEO of Sioux Falls Family YMCA.

The camp has experienced flooding before, the last notable flood being in 2019, so staff was able to prepare ahead of time June 20 by tying down picnic tables and bringing horses and vehicles to higher ground. But the water washed away many of the camps supplies, including fishing poles, archery arrows, BB guns, gaga ball pits and art supplies, said camp administrator Megan Thompson.

Because parts of Leif Ericson Camp are in a flood plain, it's difficult to get insurance to cover the flood damages, according to Kadyn Wittman, Development Director at the YMCA. The camp has started an online fundraiser with the goal of raising $100,000 for repairs. So far, the campaign has raised $61,278.

We've received donations from as far away as Seattle and Washington, DC, and Texas, and I think that's just really a good indicator of how far reaching the impact of camp is, Wittman said.

Wittman said the money will go toward replacing equipment they couldnt get to higher ground in time and possibly replanting trees around the camp.

After flooding in the spring of 2019, Leif Ericson had two months to rebuild its camp and prepare for summer sessions. This time, the camp had one week. The staff is getting ready for its third summer session, which was expected to begin Monday.

Our counselors have been pretty much scrubbing and spraying down and bleaching every single possible thing that would have gotten touched by the flood, said Carter Friske, Director of the 8 and 9-year-old age group at Leif Ericson.

Leif Ericson also re-launched it volunteer army corps, the Gnome Corps, to help repair damages. The camp posted a signup link for the Gnome Corps on Facebook at 10 a.m. Wednesday. By 3:30 p.m. that day, more than 40 people had signed up, according to Wittman. The Gnome Corps will begin repairs once the camp staff has completed the initial cleanup.

The support we've received from our community has absolutely blown me away, Wittman said. It's just been amazing, a really tough last few days, but it's easier when you have support from your community like we do.

The YMCA offered modified camp at Central Church the past week for families who relied on Leif Ericson for childcare, and various Sioux Falls businesses have helped in the cleanup effort.

Nybergs ACE Hardware posted on Facebook that its shoppers will have the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to contribute to Leif Ericsons flood relief. Mueller Pallets donated wood chips to replace the ones that washed off the paths during the flood, and Spoke-N-Sport bike and ski shop cleaned and repaired the camps mountain bikes, Murphy said.

Peter Oien, owner of Spoke-N-Sport, grew up going to camp at Leif Ericson as a child.

"I love what they do as a program. I love the fact that they're getting kids outside and doing, you know, active things," he said. "So we wanted to make sure that that that could continue throughout the summer."

Kathryn Kovalenko is an intern for the Argus Leader, paid for by a grant program through Bethel University this summer.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls community rallies around Leif Ericson camp after flood
Ronan Maher, a 16-year-old homeschooled junior from Sioux Falls, was awarded a Congressional Award Gold Medal earlier this month at the three-day 2024 Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C.

Maher was one of 724 youth awardees from 47 states and territories to receive the high honor from Congress, which has been awarded to 13- to 23-year-olds in recognition of their initiative, service and achievement. Grace Belcher from Rapid City was the only other South Dakotan to win the medal this year.

To earn a Gold Medal, youth must achieve 400 hours of voluntary public service, sharing their time and talent to better their community, 200 hours of personal development of social and life skills as well as interests, 200 hours of physical fitness spent in any way to improve their health and quality of life, and five days and four nights exploring a new environment or culture in an expedition or exploration.

Sioux Falls' Ronan Maher was one of two South Dakota students to be awarded a Congressional Award Gold Medal earlier this month at the three-day 2024 Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit in Washington D.C.

Maher has worked on those qualifications for more than two years, which is the minimum time frame to earn the Gold Medal, with voluntary public service in search and rescue organizations, personal development in founding his own business in lawn care and car detailing, physical fitness in rowing training for the national team, and an expedition leading a wilderness trip to remote locations in British Columbia.

His voluntary public service started when he and his parents lived on and off in Washington state with Mahers immunocompromised grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for her needs and helping her with errands like groceries. While in Washington, Maher worked in search and rescue operations in Whatcom and Snohomish counties in Washington.

He said he also virtually interned with the University of Washington to create drone search and rescue systems to navigate treacherous terrains, and create artificial intelligence software for drones.

Maher started rowing when he lived in Washington, and each fall from late September to mid-November, and springs from late February to early May, he trains in Portland, Oregon with his team. Hes currently in Sarasota, Florida for the U.S. Rowing Beach Sprints Trials for the U.S. national team.

Maher was also recognized as a STEM Star at the summit for his work with science, technology, engineering and math.

The Congressional Award program has been very beneficial, Maher said. Through this process, I have been able to meet a lot of great people, experience things I have not experienced before, and have had the opportunity to give back to my community.

Maher said after he earns his high school diploma, he plans to go to college for a degree in finance or economics to work on Wall Street.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls student awarded Congressional Award Gold Medal
NECEDAH, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in central Wisconsin say that six family members died after a Sunday morning house fire.

According to the Juneau County Sheriffs Office, on June 30 around 2:30 a.m., a 911 call came in for a report house fire in Necedah. The caller reportedly thought there could be two or three people still inside the house.

Authorities responded to the scene and saw the house was on fire. Multiple people were found in the driveway near the residence.

Sheriff: Man in Wisconsin drowns after going into the water to help his grandchildren

It was learned there were still five people who were not accounted for. Deputies were told that there was another person unaccounted for. Officials say that it was three adults and three juveniles.

Fire crews battled the fire for an estimated three hours and were at the scene for over twelve hours, according to the Juneau County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities say that six family members died from the fire. The fire appears to be accidental in nature, but the investigation is ongoing.

The Juneau County Sheriffs Office says it will release the names of those who died when all family members are notified.

Man dies, child airlifted to Milwaukee after Sheboygan County 2-vehicle crash, alcohol believed to be a factor

Multiple agencies assisted in the incident. No additional information was provided.

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PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. (KLFY)  Six men were cited by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents for alleged Red Snapper fishing violations in Plaquemines Parish June 25, authorities said.

Agents cited Encarnacion Lopez, 33, of Chalmette, and Juan Lopez, 39, Oscar Ofion, 30, Armando Aguilar, 45, Yony Martinez, 27 and Mario Castro, 46, five of whom are foreign nationals, for possessing over the limit of Red Snapper and possessing undersized Red Snapper, according to the LDWF.

Aguilar, Ofion, Castro, Juan Lopez and Martinez were also cited for not possessing an offshore landing permit. Ofion, Martinez and Castro were also cited for saltwater fishing without possessing a non-resident saltwater fishing license. Martinez and Castro were also cited for fishing without possessing a non-resident basic fishing license. The captain of the vessel, Juan Lopez, was also cited for not possessing a fire extinguisher, failing to comply with personal flotation device requirements and improper boat numbers.

Officials said agents were on patrol in the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish when they observed a 20-foot bay boat occupied by six occupants heading north in the river. Agents stopped the vessel to perform a boating safety and creel inspection.

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During the inspection, agents found the men in possession of 120 Red Snappers of which 97 were undersized, authorities said. The recreational Red Snapper season began April 15 in both state and federal waters with a daily bag limit of four fish per person and a 16-inch total length minimum size limit.

Possessing over the limit of Red Snapper and undersized Red Snapper brings up to a $350 fine for each offense. Fishing without possessing non-resident basic fishing and saltwater fishing licenses also brings up to a $350 fine for each offense. Failing to possess a recreational offshore landing permit, improper boat numbers, failing to possess a fire extinguisher, failing to comply with PFD requirements carries up to a $50 fine for each offense.

Photos: See the most common fish that are found in Louisiana

The subjects also face civil restitution totaling $3,098 for the Red Snapper.

Agents seized all of the fish and donated them to the Second Harvest Food Bank on behalf of the Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana.

This investigation is still ongoing and more charges may be pending, officials said.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Slow-walk? Supreme Court Trump immunity ruling is finally here, likely too late for trial before election

Editor's note: Read USA TODAY's full coverage Monday of the Supreme Court decision on Donald Trump's immunity case.

WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court closed out its term Monday with a decision on its biggest case of year  does Donald Trump have immunity as a former president that prevents him from standing trial on charges he tried to overturn the 2020 election.

But before the Court settled this legal battle, in many ways, Trump may have already won the war.

The trial at stake still has months of pretrial preparation pending, with more delays possible, even if the justices don't throw out the charges. Two other pending criminal trials havent even been scheduled. In other words, legal experts say, the ruling may already too late to hold any of his three pending criminal trials before the Nov. 5 election.

By stalling so long that a trial is now unlikely, the justices have already succeeded in effectively giving Trump immunity regardless of the content of their ruling, Norm Eisen, who served as a special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Trumps first impeachment, and Mike Podhorzer, chair of the Defend Democracy Project, an election advocacy group, said in a joint statement.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and argued that if anyone is committing election interference, it is the Biden administration federal prosecutors who aim to keep him in court and off the campaign trail while he tries to unseat President Joe Biden. Trump has fought to postpone all the trials until after the election.

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures during a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 22, 2024.

Did the Supreme court slow-walk the Trump immunity case?

One reason Trumps critics complain the Supreme Court slow-walked its decision is because the justices have ruled quickly in other high-profile cases.

Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith asked the high court to reject the immunity claim right away in December, after U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled Trump must stand trial.

Instead, the high court waited for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to rule that Trump isnt immune. The trial has been delayed six months.

Laurence Tribe, a Harvard law professor emeritus, has said a potential trial in October is unlikely because it would be so close to the election and the Supreme Courts pace in reaching its decision was inexcusable.

In contrast, the Supreme Court:

Prevented the Nixon administration from blocking the New York Times from publishing a secret history of the Vietnam War four days after hearing arguments in June 1971.

Ordered then-President Richard Nixon to turn over secret tapes of White House conversations to a special prosecutor 16 days after hearing arguments in July 1974.

Ended voting challenges that effectively handed the 2000 election to President George W. Bush a day after hearing arguments that December.

Allowed Trumps name to remain on the Colorado primary ballot less than a month after hearing arguments Feb. 8 about removing it because of his role in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.

A view of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, on June 29, 2024.

What Trump trials are pending?

Trump faces three pending trials, which are all on hold for various reasons.

The federal election-interference trial had been scheduled March 4 but was delayed indefinitely by the immunity challenge. The Supreme Court heard the case on its last day of arguments in April and is handing down its decision Monday, on the last day of its term.

In Florida, federal prosecutors are jousting with defense lawyers about what evidence will be allowed in his trial on charges he hoarded classified documents after leaving the White House.

The classified records case had been scheduled May 20 but was delayed indefinitely by pretrial arguments about what evidence will be allowed. In early April, prosecutors proposed a July trial and Trumps lawyers suggested August. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon completed a round of hearings a week ago, but contemplated holding more, including one on whether prosecutors should have bene permitted to question one of Trumps lawyers.

The Justice Department has an informal rule not to bring charges in political cases within 60 days of an election. But prosecutor Jay Bratt told Cannon on March 1 that a fall trial wouldnt violate the rule because the indictments were handed up a year earlier.

In Georgia, election racketeering charges are on hold while the states highest court decides whether to remove the prosecutor, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee has continued hearing pretrial motions. But the state Court of Appeals set arguments for Oct. 4, leaving little time for a decision or trial before the election.

Seven months to prepare a defense? The election is Nov. 5

The reason Chutkan's trial is unlikely to start before the election is because she assured Trump after his indictment Aug. 1 he would have seven months to prepare his defense. She stopped the clock while he appealed the decision by her  and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals  that he was not immune from charges.

Chutkan paused pretrial preparations on Dec. 13. At that point, 134 days had passed since the indictment and another 81 days of preparation remained until the original trial date.

Starting the clock again Monday would yield a start date around Sept. 20. The trial is projected to last six weeks so it could potentially be completed before the election.

But any other potential appeal during the trial preparation could push off the trial indefinitely.

Trump is expected to argue that at least one of the four charges against him is invalid, based on a Supreme Court decision Friday. The justices ordered the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the obstruction charge against Joseph Fischer, an alleged rioter from the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, because the law was written to apply to destruction of paperwork, which he was not accused of doing. Trump could ask for his own review.

Likewise, the justices could order the lower courts to review the election interference charges against Trump based on his immunity claims, which could also take time. He could potentially appeal any of the decisions about whether charges are legitimate.

Whatever the high court decides, the trial clock might not start ticking immediately. Appeals courts typically notify lower courts about their decisions in what is formally called a "mandate," so they can restart proceedings. The justices could tell Chutkan to restart forthwith, or immediately. But the mandate to restart Trumps trial clock could take up to a month, according to Sarah Isgur, a Harvard Law School graduate and former spokesperson for the Justice Department during the Trump administration, on her Advisory Opinions podcast Wednesday.

Trump's New York guilty verdict likely the only one before Nov. 5 election

Delays in the three pending cases through Trumps vigorous defenses in each case left the New York hush money trial as the only one resolved.

Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records for trying to hide reimbursements to former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid porn actress Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about an alleged sexual episode with Trump.

Sentencing on the felonies is scheduled July 11. Trump has vowed to appeal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court Trump immunity ruling is here. Don't expect a trial soon
Rhode Island lacks data on the states small, minority business community, many of them sole proprietors who arent required to register with the state, which often means they are left out of incentive and aid programs. (Getty image)

Rhode Islands smallest businesses are the backbone of its economy, according to a new report by the Economic Progress Institute. But you wouldnt know it just by looking at the Rhode Island Department of State business database.

More than 90% of 100,000 state businesses in 2020 were micro businesses, defined as those with 10 or fewer employees. But small business owners who run their firms as sole proprietors arent required to register with the state, leaving them left out of state data and often, incentive and aid programs too.

A 2016 law would have helped fill in the blanks, setting up a state coordinator to catalog and submit annual reports to the Legislature on the number of micro businesses in the state. But no action has been taken since the bills passage, and without funding to hire the staffing needed to conduct the inventory, Gov. Dan McKee proposed repealing the law as part of the fiscal 2025 budget. State lawmakers agreed.

That makes the new report measuring the breadth and experiences of the small business community from 2018 to 2021, all the more important.

Our interest in part is showing that many business owners are not this typical millionaire-type, said Alan Krinsky, director of research and policy at the Economic Progress Institute. We think that gets missed both in public imagination and in what goes on at the State House.

Rather than million-dollar profits, one-person business owners saw median earnings of just over $53,000 in 2020, or even less, $32,000, for unincorporated businesses. Yet many state incentive and aid programs such as those through Rhode Island Commerce Corporation or the state Minority Business Enterprise program are focused on firms with larger operations and deeper pockets, leaving the most prevalent  and poorest  business owners out to dry.

Taking care of caregivers

The seemingly unequal system is even more skewed when considering the types of small businesses that employ the most workers. The 2,200 small businesses in the care industry in 2021, which includes health care and child care, were responsible for more than 83,000 employees  the largest of any industry, according to the report. Yet state contracting opportunities and tax credit programs tend to concentrate on construction, engineering, life sciences and ocean economy-related firms.

Thats something that needs more attention, Krinsky said. We recognize the value of the blue economy, investing in things like that. But we cant do that at the expense of ignoring where people actually work. The care economy is likely to only grow.

Krinsky praised lawmakers for allotting money in the fiscal 2025 state budget to subsidize child care for child care workers, extending a program which began as a pilot the prior year. However, he called for redistributing state money from other programs, like some of the annual Commerce tax credits already shown in state analysis to not break even, to help small and micro businesses in growing industries.

Especially for minority and veteran business owners, who comprise a majority of the states microbusiness community and were disproportionately hurt by the pandemic. Immediately before the pandemic, Black and Hispanic-owned businesses blossomed, nearly doubling their numbers in the two years prior to the onset of the COVID-19. However, the first year of the pandemic hit hard, causing drops of 35% and 26.5%, respectively, in the number of Black and Hispanic-owned small businesses, according to the report. By contrast, white-owned small businesses grew 2.7% from 2020 to 2021, reflecting their ease in securing federal pandemic aid through the Paycheck Protection Program, the report stated.

While federal data measuring business ownership by race and ethnicity in subsequent years is not yet available, reporting through the Rhode Island Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion shows signs of improvement in state contracts awarded to women and minority-owned businesses in recent years. The $30 million in state contracts awarded to women and minority-owned businesses in fiscal 2022 represents 13.2% of its annual contract dollars, nearly double the 7.8% of contract dollars awarded to minority and women-owned businesses the year prior. Until last year, state law required that at least 10% of annual contracts go to minority and women-owned businesses, though the state failed to hit that requirement for most of its nearly 40-year history. In 2023, lawmakers agreed to raise the minimum target from 10% to 15%.

The embattled program has faced ongoing criticism from business advocates and owners who decry a lack of reporting and mountain of red tape preventing eligible businesses from achieving the certification required to bid on state projects.

A $500,000 allotment in the states fiscal 2025 budget will pay for an updated study measuring the disparities between the states minority business landscape and the contracts it awards to minority-owned businesses.

However, the program offers a narrow window into the state of the minority business community, since certain types of businesses, due to their industry, or size, are inherently ineligible for state contracting work, Krinsky said. He stressed the need for more holistic data of the states small, minority business community outside of state contracts to better understand its scope and barriers.

The Economic Progress Institute has no immediate plans to release another report measuring small and micro businesses when new data is available, but Krinsky said he plans to keep tabs anyway.

Meanwhile, the Rhode Island Department of States Business Services Division is preparing to roll out a new and improved version of its online business assistance portal, helping new and aspiring business owners register and grow their businesses. The update will include new features like information on how to find mentorship, financial and technical assistance, and is expected sometime in the coming months, Faith Chybowski, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State, said in an email on Monday.

The report was funded with help from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and United Way of Rhode Island. Funding amounts for each were not immediately available.

The post Smallest businesses comprise 90% of R.I. firms. So why isnt the state tracking them? appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
The U.S. Supreme Court said in a 6-3 decision on Friday, June 28, 2024, that the enforcement of local laws that regulate camping on public property, including by people without homes, does not constitute the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. (Jub Rubjob/Getty Images)

Home is both a physical place and a concept. In the popular imagination, home is a refuge, a shelter, a place of safety and belonging. It is where we come from and where we return. We fill our homes with the things most precious to us, surrounding ourselves with the sights of beloved possessions, the sounds of our favorite music, and the aroma of our favorite foods. Those who have always had a home often take it for granted. Like breathing, it is something we fundamentally rely upon but rarely think about.

To be homeless in our society means that not only were your needs out of reach, but also that your network of family and friends, and whatever safety net of social programs were available have been exhausted. Being unhoused means that you are at the mercy of the weather, of law enforcement, and of your community  it creates vulnerability in so many ways that it can be difficult to imagine for those who have always been housed. To be unhoused means you dont even have the dignity and privacy to engage in essential activities, like sleeping or using the bathroom, things that would be considered a crime if done in public.

Despite the importance of a home and the vulnerability of being unhoused, the United States Supreme Court has now made life even more dangerous for the 650,000 unhoused Americans and increased the risks for millions more who are living on the edge and housing-insecure.

Many like to think that homelessness is rare, a problem on the margins. In fact, it is a social problem that does not exist in every society, yet it is increasingly common throughout the country. Between 2012-2022, homelessness grew by 67% in Maine alone.

The growing number of unhoused people is the result of broad economic forces and policy issues, not of individual behaviors or decision making. While our elected officials and policymakers allude to the housing crisis, they have done very little to create affordable housing options or stand up a robust shelter system here in Maine. Instead, the focus has been on continuing to blame, punish, and shame homeless people themselves, continuing a decades long trend of attempting  and failing  to punish people out of poverty.

Several towns and cities throughout Maine are imposing criminal penalties for all kinds of non-criminal behavior: sleeping, standing, sitting, and even loafing. Most recently, Bangor passed an ordinance banning people from being on certain medians and imposing fines of up to $2,500, even if they are not creating a safety hazard. One of the problems with these laws is that they punish all kinds of legal activities, including protected free speech and free expression. They also penalize people for being homeless in public, in an effort to push them into the shadows rather than address the reasons they are homeless to begin with.

Ordinances targeting unhoused people are nothing new and not unique to Maine. In 2002, the Ninth Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed an ordinance in Grants Pass, Oregon, that banned unhoused people from sleeping on public property, even when shelters were full. The ban also prohibited people from using bedding, pillows, sleeping bags, or something as simple as a sheet of cardboard.

The lower court ruled these restrictions violated the Eighth Amendments protections from cruel and unusual punishment by removing unhoused peoples ability to takerudimentary precautions to protect themselves from the elements. Remember, Grants Pass sought to punish people for trying to survive outside even when shelters were full and they had no other options.

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States reversed that decision and opened the door for states and cities to punish poor people simply for existing in public spaces, people who literally have nowhere else to go.

However, just because the court has ruled that cities can pursue punitive policies does not mean that they must or should. Additionally, unhoused people are still entitled to protections under state and federal law, including due process, freedom from discrimination, and protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Fines and jail time will not change the circumstances unhoused people face, because they do not address the root causes of the housing crisis.

Housing is a deep and abiding human need, and ignoring the issue causes grave harm to our communities. Despite this cruel ruling, our state and local leaders still have a choice. Instead of attempting to punish people out of poverty, they must address the root causes immediately and vigorously, ensuring access to shelter, health care, and education for all in need.

Molly Curren Rowles is the executive director at the ACLU of Maine. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management in various public interest settings, addressing issues from human rights and racial justice to religious liberty and equity in access to technology.

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Son arrested in Elk Grove double homicide, police say. He reported his parents death

Elk Grove police arrested the son of two victims killed at a home last week that authorities called a double homicide.

Officers were called about 2 p.m. Friday to the 9000 block of Crosscourt Way, a home in the Perry Ranch neighborhood and blocks away from Arthur C. Butler Elementary School and the private Merryhill School.

Archived radio dispatch calls reviewed by The Sacramento Bee indicated the son found a man and woman inside a garage with obvious signs of a suspicious death, according to The Bees previous reporting. Elk Grove police spokesman Sgt. Jason Jimenez declined to say if the victims were married.

Jimenez said the son, Mark Navarrete, claimed he went to his parents home after several unsuccessful attempts to contact them but the 44-year-old was subsequently arrested in their deaths.

Additionally, Navarrete told officers one of his parents vehicles was missing from their garage, Jimenez wrote in a news release.

Video footage shows Navarrete leaving his parents home in the victims car, which was later recovered by police, Jimenez said.

Navarrete faces two murder charges, Jimenez said, after he was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on Sunday. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, according to jail records.

The victims have not been identified by the Sacramento County Coroners Office pending next-of-kin notification.
Sotomayor Offers Terrifying List of Things Trump Could Do as President After Immunity Ruling

Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a withering dissent to the Supreme Courts presidential immunity ruling on Monday, writing that U.S. presidents will now be able to assassinate political rivals and accept bribes with impunity while theyre in office.

Thats a dangerous precedent to set, Sotomayor wrote, especially as the increasingly unpredictable Donald Trump seeks a return to the White House.

The president of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world, Sotomayor wrote. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution.

That is exactly as terrifying as it sounds, Sotomayor wrote. She laid out a chilling list of hypotheticals that a president could carry out without legal consequence: Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

SCOTUS Creates Trump Prosecution Chaos: Partial Immunity

In her own dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson agreed that Mondays ruling was a dangerous one. She wrote that the seeds of absolute power for Presidents have been planted and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The conservative majority Supreme Court has lobbed assist after assist to Trump this year. By accepting his immunity case, it effectively bumped his pair of federal criminal trials off the 2024 calendar.

Now, with a possible election win in November, Trump would be equipped with an unprecedented amount of power in what was already the worlds most powerful political position.

Trump celebrated the courts decision on Monday, posting in all-caps to Truth Social, Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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(Bloomberg) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a cabinet including members of opposition parties that agreed to join a ruling alliance after elections on May 29 failed to produce an outright winner.

Most Read from Bloomberg

While Ramaphosa allocated the bulk of ministerial posts to members of his African National Congress, which won the most votes in the election, there were also six for the Democratic Alliance, which finished second, and two for the Inkatha Freedom Party, which came fifth.

The following are the key appointments:

Deputy President: Paul Mashatile

Mashatile, 62, the ANCs deputy leader, retained the No. 2 government post, which he has held since March 2023. An ex-premier of the central Gauteng province and former ANCs treasurer-general, hes pressed the government to speed up reforms needed to tackle electricity shortages and revive economic growth.

An investigation by News24, a Cape Town-based news website, found that Mashatile lived a lavish lifestyle funded by businessmen who benefitted from state contracts, and the DA has filed criminal charges against him for alleged corruption. He denies wrongdoing and prosecutors havent taken up the matter so far.

Finance Minister: Enoch Godongwana

A close political ally of Ramaphosa, 67-year-old Godongwana was reappointed as finance chief, a post hes occupied since August 2021. Rarely seen in public without his trademark fedora hat, hes been a strong advocate for reining in spending and state debt, and is popular among investors and business leaders.

Minister of International Relations: Ronald Lamola

Lamola, 40, moves from the Justice and Correctional Services Ministry, which hed headed since 2019. In that portfolio, he led a legal team to argue South Africas case of genocide against Israel over its war in Gaza before the United Nations top court. Lamola has a masters degree in corporate law and extractive law. He succeeds Naledi Pandor, who failed to win a seat in parliament.

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Gwede Mantashe

A former labor-union leader and serving chairman of the ANC, Mantashe, 69, was named minister of mineral and petroleum resources. He previously served as minister of mineral resources and energy. Mantashe was accused of failing to tackle chronic energy shortages that hobbled the economy and for stymieing efforts to add additional generating capacity from green-energy projects in a bid to protect the coal industry. The energy portfolio has now been removed from mineral resources and combined with electricity.

Minister of Energy and Electricity: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Ramokgopa, 49, joined the cabinet in March 2023 in the newly created post of electricity minister and was tasked by Ramaphosa with resolving the energy crisis. Hes made some headway, with power outages having abated for three months.

Minister in the Presidency: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Ntshavheni, 47, is reinstated as Minister in the Presidency. She was first appointed to the role in Ramaphosas March 2023 shakeup, overseeing state security and government communications. Shes previously served as minister of communications, small business development and headed up performance monitoring and evaluation in the presidency in 2021. Ntshavheni started her career as a university lecturer.

Minister of Agriculture: John Steenhuisen

Leader of the DA, Steenhuisen, 48, was appointed as minister of agriculture. Hes been leader of the main opposition since 2019 and before that was chief whip of his party since 2014.

Prior to his appointment to parliament, Steenhuisen formerly served on the eThekwini city council at the age of 22, and served as the provincial leader of the DA and the partys caucus leader in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, according to the DAs website.

Minister of Trade and Industry: Parks Tau

Tau, 54, moves from the department of cooperative governance, where he served as a deputy minister since March 2023. He fills the post vacated by Ebrahim Patel, who quit in May.

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Minister of Basic Education: Siviwe Gwarube

Gwarube, 34, the DAs chief whip, has been instated as basic education minister in Ramaphosas executive. She was previously the department of healths head of ministry in the Western Cape, a province thats led by her party. Gwarube first joined the National Assembly in 2019 and as a legislator shes been vocal about crime and corruption in government, calling the ANC to account.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Solly Malatsi

Ramaphosas new communications minister, Malatsi, 38, is the DAs spokesman and was appointed deputy federal chairperson at the partys 2023 congress. Hes a former student activist and has been a member of parliament since 2014.

Minister of Public Works: Dean Macpherson

Macpherson, 39, is appointed minister of public works. He is the DAs chairman in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal and has previously served as shadow minister of trade and industry. Hes also had two terms in the National Assembly.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Velenkosini Hlabisa

The 59-year-old president of the IFP ascends to the ministry of cooperative governance and traditional affairs. A former schoolteacher, Hlabisa has led the countrys fifth-largest party since 2019. He succeeded Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who founded the party and led it for 44 years.

Minister of Home Affairs: Leon Schreiber

Schreiber, 35, served as the DAs shadow minister of Public Service and Administration. An adviser to Steenhuisen, he has a PhD in political science from the Free University of Berlin in Germany. Hes previously expressed strong disdain for the ANCs policy of appointing party officials to top civil service positions, whats known locally as cadre deployment.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Dion George

George, 58, is the DAs shadow finance minister and the chairman of the partys federal finance unit. Hes previously worked in public finance, pension fund investment and financial planning.

You can follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here.

--With assistance from Rene Vollgraaff, Monique Vanek and Arijit Ghosh.

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South Carolina has implemented one of the most restrictive book ban laws in the US, enabling mass censorship in school classrooms and libraries across the state.

Drafted by Ellen Weaver, the superintendent of education and close ally of the far-right group Moms for Liberty, the law requires all reading material to be age or developmentally appropriate. The vague wording of the legislation  open to interpretation and deliberately inviting challenge  could see titles as classic as Romeo and Juliet completely wiped from school shelves.

All were going to have left is Lassie from here on out, said Shanna Miles, an author and school librarian born and raised in South Carolina. Theyre not going to stop at one aspect of society they dont like; they will keep on going. Now [that] they have a taste of power, this is never going to end.

South Carolinas recent regulation is part of an alarmingly broader nationwide fight against literature exploring race, sexuality, or anything seemingly contentious or divisive. The severity of this particularly draconian law, however, sets it apart from what is happening in most other states.

The broad-reaching policy took effect automatically on 25 June despite not being debated or voted upon by the state senate or house, as the process typically necessitates.

It outlines that age-appropriate materials must not include descriptions or visual depictions of sexual conduct. Any parent with a child enrolled in a public K-12 school in the state can challenge up to five titles a month if they feel they violate these terms.

When similar language was used in an Iowa bill passed in May 2023, an onslaught of book banning ensued. Classic titles, like Ulysses and Native Son, were removed from reading lists and libraries, marking a radical departure from the traditional literature taught in schools for decades.

South Carolinians are less free today than they were yesterday, Jace Woodrum, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in the state, told the Guardian.

Superintendent Ellen Weaver has handed a blunt instrument to her ideological allies in the pro-censorship lobby. We still believe in academic freedom and will fight tooth and nail alongside teachers, librarians, students and parents against the ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation in public schools and libraries.

Shanna Miles, who grew up and went through the education system in South Carolina, never could have foreseen the states current climate. Like many school librarians nationwide, she thought that the literary censorship she heard of was just political theatre.

Its not just queer kids, its not just kids of color, its impacting all kids, Miles said. There is a great overreach with these organizations like Moms of Liberty because they want to govern not just what their children read, but what other children want to read.

Miles has written three books as an author herself, often choosing to centralize her plot around a fictional teenage character. In The Fall of The House of Tatterly, a 12-year-old Black boy living in Charleston fights Confederate demons. Like many other writers, Miles uses her stories to draw on more extensive social and political themes.

While she isnt so focused on her own books being banned, she is worried about the impact this censorship, and by proxy, its intimidation, will have on the future of librarians in the US.

Related: Book about book bans banned by Florida school board

Im more worried about soft censorship, like when librarians would be so afraid to purchase books with any kind of sexual content or Black kids on the cover because that makes them a target, she said.

That sends a cooling effect across the purchasing of queer, Black, and neurodivergent books.

Indeed, librarians have been left with little guidance on how to proceed with future purchases in the face of these new restrictions. PEN America documented how, in other states, this climate of fear for teachers and librarians eventually led many to leave their jobs.

According to a Rand report, about a quarter of the teachers surveyed said limitations on topics related to race and gender influenced their teaching materials.

Tayler Simon, who is from South Carolina and founded Liberation is Lit, a bookselling company that aims to spark collective action and community among readers, agrees that the future under this legislation looks uncertain.

South Carolina already has its issues with sex education in public schools, and limiting access to this material will further isolate students from exploring relationships in safe ways, she said.

I vehemently believe in the power of books and stories for students to see themselves reflected, see possibilities for their lives, and learn about their place in the world.
CHICAGO  The remaining theaters operated by Chicago-based Kerasotes Theatres have closed, including the ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection in the citys South Loop.

A sign on the door of the theater on the 1000 block of South Delano Court East said Monday the location ended operations effective today. The location had served as an anchor to the retail complex since opening in 2009.

We would like to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our guests for your unwavering support, loyalty, and enthusiasm over the many years, the brief note said.

The abrupt closure of the theater and three others in Minnesota and California effectively ends the brand after 115 years, reported IndieWire, a news website focused on the film and theater industry. The Minnesota location will reopen under the control of Marcus Theaters. A location in New Jersey was sold last month to Regal Theaters.

What happens to the California and South Loop locations remains to be seen. A former employee who wished to remain anonymous told WGN they were disappointed with how Kerasotes corporate handled the closure.

Customers who purchased advance tickets directly from ShowPlace ICON have already been refunded. Refunds are processing for customers who purchased from third party vendors, the company said.

The Kerasotes brand debuted in 1909 when Greek immigrant Gus Kerasotes opened a nickelodeon in Springfield. AMC Theaters purchased the brand for $275 million in 2010.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Some people in Canton and neighboring towns were familiar with the Karen Read murder trial. A lot of them said they were confident with what they thought the verdict would be and were surprised when it was declared a mistrial.

Its very upsetting and its gotta be horrible for both sides, said Christine of Stoughton.

Starkly divided: Heres what Karen Read jurors said about evidence before judge declared mistrial

With a population of just more than 22,000 people, the quaint town of Canton was thrown into the national spotlight for the trial.

Am I tired? No, but shes tired and her familys tired and the whole everybody is tired, enough is enough, said Stoughton resident Carol Cattan.

After months of interviewing witnesses and going over evidence, the jury couldnt reach a unanimous verdict.

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone, right, speaks to the defense and prosecution during the Karen Read trial at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat GreenhouseThe Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read talks with her legal team at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court for the weekend at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, left, arrives with her defense team, including Elizabeth Little at right, at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. A jury is deliberating Read's fate, as her trial is nearing its end. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read gets a long hug from her dad William before the jury breaks for lunch at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, while walking near defense attorney David Yannetti, right, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, left, stands in a doorway near defense attorney David Yannetti, center, as they depart Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read listens as Judge Beverly J. Cannone greets the jury, at the start of the third day of deliberations in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her attorney, Alan Jackson as the jury leaves the courtroom to start their third day of deliberations, in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read watches as the jury enters the courtroom for the start of the second day of deliberation at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Alan Jackson, From left, Liza Little, defendant Karen Read and David Yanetti wait for a question from the jury as the jury deliberates in Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly Cannone looks over the verdict slip the jurors have to fill out when they reach a verdict in Karen Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. The defense has asked for some modifications. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. Jury deliberations began in the trial Tuesday afternoon. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Carol Kelly, of Canton, Mass., below right, waves a pink and white American flag in support of Karen Read while Gail White, of Canton, left, holds a sign, a block from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Lisa Hoffman, of Mansfield, Mass., right, displays a sign in support of Karen Read that features a likeness of a Massachusetts license plate, while seated a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read display signs and a banner a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read listen to proceedings from Read's trial from a laptop computer while gathered a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Laura McGillis, of Attleboro, Mass., a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Eva Jenkins, of Bourne, Mass., left, a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars as other supporters place a banner, right, a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center right, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.

Karen Read listens to family members, after the jury is dismissed at the end of the evidence phase of her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

After the defense's last witness, Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks to the jury during the murder trial for Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

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)

Karen Read, center, stands amid her lawyers during a break in proceedings during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, and her defense lawyers Alan Jackson, left, and David Yannetti, right, listen as the prosecution questions their witness Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens as the prosecutor questions Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens to testimony during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, sits in court with her legal team during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (David McGlynn/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read listens to her lawyer Alan Jackson question witness Massachusetts State trooper Michael Proctor during her, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read reacts to he attorney Alan Jackson as he cross examines state trooper Michael Proctor during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read and attorney David Yannetti listen during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Im surprised because I really thought with the evidence that they would come back very quickly, said Marcia Israel of Randolph.

Some locals and people in neighboring towns said theyre happy the jury took their time with what they feel is a complicated case.

I just think that theres so much evidence, theres so many discrepancies, said Deb Aufiero of Mansfield, I dont know, look I wasnt there.

Some people said they think a new trial is a good idea.

I think its great because I think theyre going to come out with more evidence, said Canton resident Roberta Piana.

Some other people said they think it will be costly.

Is it going to cost taxes thats why they call it Taxachusetts, said Bob from Stoughton.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Grass and oak trees burn during the Basin fire in the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County. (David Swanson / AFP via Getty Images)

Nearly 200 San Bernardino and Riverside County firefighters responded Sunday to a blaze that had consumed hundreds of acres and threatened buildings in Fontana  the latest in a string of fires to hit Southern California.

The fire spanned 400 acres and was at 80% containment just after 9 p.m. according to Eric Sherwin, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Meanwhile farther north, in Fresno County, the Basin fire was one of the two largest fires in the state, which continued to grow just as brutal temperatures were expected in inland parts of California this week.

Read more: Major heat wave expected to broil much of California over Fourth of July week

The Fontana fire, dubbed the Sierra fire, was first reported around 2:30 p.m. near Sierra and Jurupa avenues south of the 10 Freeway. The fire was driving up the slope of a hill and buoyed by a breeze once it reached the top, Sherwin said.

Although there was no damage reported Sunday, officials had warned that structures could be threatened but stopped short of calling for evacuations. By late Sunday, the structure threat was "mitigated" and firefighters remained on the scene to reinforce containment lines, according to Sherwin.

Two firefighters were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, he said.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Sherwin urged caution amid record-high temperatures in parts of the state where dried-out grass could easily ignite and spread. A spark from a lawnmower could be enough to start a brush fire, he said.

"Southern California is ready to burn. These fires are everywhere," he said. "Everything we can do to prevent a fire from starting is one less fire that has the potential to threaten homeowners."

On Saturday, a fire broke out in Moreno Valley in Riverside County and scorched more than 200 acres. By Sunday, there were a dozen fires burning across the state, according to Cal Fire.

The largest of the blazes were in Fresno County, where the Basin fire that ignited on Wednesday had destroyed nearly 12,000 acres by Sunday night and had not been contained, according to Cal Fire.

Also in the Central Valley, the Fresno June Lightning Complex fire, which started Monday, had scorched more than 10,600 acres, according to Cal Fire's latest update. Officials had contained 61% of that fire as of Sunday night.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is opening up a special opportunity for hunters later in the year.

Applications are open for the KDWPs Special Hunts program following a press release issued on July 1. This offers hunters interesting hunting opportunities with limited access to public and private lands. This includes select refuge areas for deer, upland game, waterfowl, doves, turkey and furbearers.

The KDWP is offering hunters more than 350 individual Special Hunt opportunities through one draw as opposed to multiple draws as in previous years. The application period is open from now through to July 28, 2024.

Changes made to Kansas fish creel limits, invasive species regulations

Residents and nonresident hunters can apply, though some hunts are for state residents only. When applying online, hunters will select hunts by species, date and category (open, youth or mentored). All applicants can apply for open hunts regardless of their age or experience.

The KDWP will notify hunters of successful or unsuccessful applications by mid-August. Successful applicants will also be emailed their hunt permit and other relevant information. Nonresident deer hunters must have drawn a Kansas deer permit this spring to be eligible for Special Hunts for deer.

You can submit your application online by clicking here. More information on the KDWPs Special Hunts program can be found online by clicking here.

What does it take to go noodling for catfish in Kansas?

For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Springfield teen accused of stabbing mom more than 100 times, according to court officials

A Springfield teenager formally charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his adoptive mother on the north side of Springfield early Saturday morning pleaded not guilty in Sangamon County court on Monday.

Jonathan Long, 16, appeared in court in a white jumpsuit and was handcuffed. He sat with John Dixon, the assistant Sangamon County public defender.

Long was additionally charged with aggravated domestic battery.

Springfield Police confirmed the stabbing death of a 51-year-old woman at a house on Shadow Fax Drive in the Twin Lakes subdivision on the city's northside early on June 29, 2024.

More: 16-year-old arrested in fatal stabbing of his mother in Springfield

Under Illinois law, once a person reaches the age of 16, there is an automatic transfer to adult court for certain charges, including first-degree murder.

In Monday's court proceeding, Sangamon County Assistant State's Attorney Kendra Hansel alleged Long stabbed Misty Long, 51, over 100 times in her face, neck, abdomen, arms and legs.

The two shared a home in the 3000 block of Shadow Fax Drive in Twin Lakes subdivision.

As the defense sought Long's release under the pre-trial fairness act, Hansel detailed that three 911 calls were made from inside the home, two initiated by the teenager.

During one of those calls, Hansel said it was apparent Misty Long was struggling with her son and pleading with him "to stop stabbing her. As she was screaming, Mr. Long is still stabbing her."

Misty Long was taken to Springfield Memorial Hospital for treatment, but was later pronounced dead.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon verified the identity of Misty Long.

Witnesses told officers that the teen had been violent with his mother in the past, Hansel said. On Friday, he had been taken to a Springfield hospital for suicidal ideation but was released to his mother, Hansel told the court.

Dixon, in arguing for Jonathan Long's pre-trial release, said the teen had no juvenile court history and "no history of violence proven or alleged."

Sangamon County Associate Judge Christopher Perrin agreed to Dixon's request for a mental health evaluation for Long.

Perrin also denied Long's pre-trial release.

The next hearing in the case is July 18.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois teen accused of stabbing adoptive mother more than 100 times
ST. LOUIS  Major media outlets called for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race after a disastrous debate performance Thursday against Trump. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is the latest to join The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Economist in editorials urging President Biden not to seek re-election. The Post-Dispatchs opinion piece is titled, Editorial: Biden endangers his party and country with this campaign. He must end it.

Fairly or not, Bidens age-related stumbles have long been cited by detractors as disqualifying. The debate played, devastatingly, to that theme, states a portion of the article posted by the Editorial Board of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The ravages of age dont ease with the passage of time. What the nation saw on Thursday it will see again if Biden continues this campaign.

The Associated Press reports that President Joe Biden spent the weekend trying to stabilize his campaign. Despite meandering and incoherent answers that raised fears among Democrats, Biden promised donors he would fight harder. The Democratic National Committee hosted a call with party leaders, but some supporters thought its upbeat tone misled them.

Section 8 home invaded by bats, resident told she has to live with it

Biden and his team characterized his debate performance as an outlier, arguing it shouldnt define his campaign. He acknowledged his struggles but emphasized his commitment to truth and his ability to perform the presidential duties.

Biden spent part of the weekend at campaign events and a fundraiser in East Hampton, where he reiterated his determination to continue his campaign. His family, including Jill Biden and his son Hunter, urged him to stay in the race during a retreat at Camp David. The Democratic National Committee and campaign staff held a call to reassure party leaders, but many left feeling more concerned.

Democratic leaders expressed mixed reactions, with some defending Biden and others acknowledging the internal debates within the party. Bidens public schedule for the following week continued as planned, indicating a business-as-usual approach despite the recent upheaval.

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Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to take effect in northern Utah  Heres whats not allowed

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to take effect in northern Utah  Heres whats not allowed

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Across northern Utah, officials are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in response to the expected weather conditions  and the restrictions are set to go into effect on July 1.

On Sunday, June 30, Utah officials made the announcement that the Stage 1 restrictions would begin at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, and apply to the unincorporated private and state lands in the following counties:

Box Elder County

Cache County

Rich County

Weber County

Tooele County

Utah County

Salt Lake County

Davis County

Morgan County

READ NEXT: What is a prescribed burn and how does it help?

Incorporated cities and towns are not included in the restrictions, officials said.

Once again, Utah received a lot of snow this year, resulting in new growth of grass and shrubs, Fire Management Officer Dustin Richards with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands said. With all this additional vegetation, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire.

Those who violate the fire restrictions may be punished by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Local law enforcement officers will be enforcing the fire restrictions.

For a map of areas affected by the current fire restrictions, click here.

What is prohibited under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions?

Human-caused wildfires are currently at their highest levels in the past three years, Richards said.

The Utah Department of Natural Resources said that while the Stage 1 restrictions are in effect, Utahns are not allowed to do certain activities.

Please be aware that fire restrictions vary among agencies and do not apply to incorporated cities, the DNR said in a press release. Please check the specific fire restrictions with the respective land management agency before visiting.

READ NEXT: Southwest Utah under Red Flag Warning due to critical fire conditions

Utahns in unincorporated areas will not be allowed to use any fireworks while the restrictions are in place. Additionally, Utahns may not use tracer ammunition, exploding targets, or other pyrotechnic devices.

Having an open fire of any kind is not allowed, unless the fire is within established public facilities in improved campgrounds or picnic areas or is in a permanently constructed fire pit at private homes with running water available.

Smoking is also not allowed unless you are in a paved area or other location that is free from dry vegetation. The DNR said smoking is also permitted at a developed recreation site or inside an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.

If you are in an area of dry vegetation, you are not allowed to cut, weld, or grind metal. You are also not allowed to operate a motorcycle, ATV, chainsaw  or other small internal combustion engine  without a spark arrestor that works and has been approved.

Who is exempt from the restrictions?

According to documents, two groups of people are exempt from the fire restrictions.

The first group of people includes those who have a permit or waiver issued by the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The permit should explicitly authorize a specified act at a specific location, officials said.

However, officials said, A waiver does not relieve the permittee of liability if a fire does occur.

The second group of people exempt from the restrictions includes on-duty firefighters who are performing their official duties.

A map of the fire restrictions for northern Utah can be viewed below. An interactive map is also available online.

Northern-Utah-fire-restriction-map-effective-July-1-2024Download

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More than 100 residents braved the sweltering heat at Martin Luther King Park last Thursday to share their experiences of racial profiling, harassment and discrimination.

The community forum, titled Justice For All Forum  Dismantling Racism in Stanislaus County, was hosted by SEIU Local 521, the union representing Stanislaus County workers, in collaboration with the Northern Valley Labor Federation and the ACLU of Northern California Stanislaus.

Residents of Stanislaus County shared their experiences of facing systemic racism within institutions, workplaces and in their everyday lives. Several people shared about encounters with racial profiling during traffic stops and the disproportionate number of young men of color in the justice system from an early age.

One attendee recounted workplace harassment and the lack of support from their human resources department. Another shared a distressing incident involving her Black mentally disabled sons interaction with law enforcement, where her son was accosted by police officers. She said she later filed a police report.

In turn, community organizations presented resources and services for community members confronting discrimination. They also underscored efforts to combat injustices throughout the county.

The event included testimonials, exchanged ideas and participants commitments to further expand discussions. This included reaching out to additional community groups and building upon the efforts of organizations and community leaders to dismantle racial disparities across the county.

Will Kelly, executive director of the Northern Valley Labor Federation, said it was an important conversation about racial justice and fighting for equity in the region.

During the forum, he highlighted the labor movements longstanding commitment to advancing racial justice while acknowledging the ongoing need to learn from the community about ways to improve their efforts.

If we ignore how our system leaves so many workers behind, were never going to have justice for anyone. But if we ignore racial disparities and discrimination and racism, then were just going to keep reproducing the same, same, same pattern, so we have to unite, Kelly said.

Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie attended the event to listen and engage with the community. He discussed the civilian review board, recognizing the ongoing need for improvement in policing practices. Gillespie also urged attendees to voice any concerns they have about police interactions.

The Bee recently reported on Modesto Police Departments use-of-force data in which Gillespie acknowledged that the department is looking to improve its practices.

Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie speaks with community members at the Justice For All Forum - Dismantling Racism in Stanislaus County forum on Jun. 20, 2024.

Austin Grant, a candidate for Modesto City Council, echoed the importance of the civilian review board and urged residents to participate in its meetings. He also called for more young people to drive positive change within the community.

Tom Helm from the ACLU discussed its Know Your Rights training and other legal aid thats available. Catholic Charities, an organization dedicated to supporting seniors, also provided resources. California Rural Legal Assistance addressed issues related to fair housing.

Griselda Rojas, a community organizer with Faith in the Valley, noted that numerous individuals spoke about their experiences of discrimination, whether in their workplaces or within the community, based on their skin or racial stereotypes.

She said the police chiefs presence was a powerful validation of their concerns. It takes great courage to talk about injustices and it takes even more to talk about your own injustices that youve dealt with and that youve lived, Rojas said.

Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie speaks at the Justice For All Forum - Dismantling Racism in Stanislaus County forum on Jun. 20, 2024.

Karyn Clarke, a member of SEIU 521 and an employee of Stanislaus County, described the event as an informational session. She said attendees could find resources at the forum to assist them if they feel marginalized in areas like housing, medical services and employment.

I learned that I was not alone. And there are other people out there that need the same thing that my neighbor needs that I need, and the county needs, Clarke said.

She said the county has a problem with disseminating information in the neighborhoods that need it most. Looking ahead, she is optimistic that increased attendance at community discussions will sustain ongoing conversations and better educate residents about available resources.

Community members speaking at the forum at Martin Luther King Park on Jun. 20, 2024.
(Bloomberg) -- The fortunes of the port town of Barrow-in-Furness have long been tied to the British defense industry. Generations of its families have spent their entire working life at the yard, where the UKs nuclear submarines are built.

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Today, two-thirds of the towns working population is employed by BAE Systems Plc, which operates the shipyard, its vast Devonshire Dock Hall dominating the local skyline.

When it comes to elections, Barrow is one of the the very few seats in the country that can be decisively swayed by a single national issue, said John Woodcock, who was Labour MP for Barrow-in-Furness until 2015. Its always jobs in the shipyard.

The political fight to control Barrow, in the northwest of England, has long been tied to defense. In 2019, a lack of trust in Labour over the issue helped put a Conservative MP in Westminster for the first time in 27 years, one of several bricks in the so-called red wall to be dismantled. If polls are accurate, Keir Starmers long battle to convince voters he is committed to the UKs nuclear deterrent  and willing to spend  is poised to bring the Cumbrian town back into Labours fold.

Nearly 52% of voters in Barrow favor Labour in the UK election set for July 4, according to the latest YouGov poll, almost double the support for the governing Tories. In April, Starmer became the first Labour leader in three decades to visit Barrows shipyard. His hard-won progress in this relatively small, geographically isolated community speaks volumes about Labours chances to win back the trust of voters across the UK when it comes to defense. Were committed to the shipyard and always have been, said Michelle Scrogham, the Labour candidate for Barrow-in-Furness, as she walked between houses on a door-knock this month.

The arrival of the railways in the mid-1800s helped transform Barrow into an industrial powerhouse. Submarines have been built in the towns shipyard since 1886. But the downturn in defense spending after the Cold War in the early 1990s led to the loss of 9,000 jobs, leaving deep scars on the town of 67,000 people.

Today, the government is spending billions on defense. With political pressure focused on security in the wake of Russias war in Ukraine, Starmer has joined Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in committing to spending 2.5% of GDP on defense. He also said the nuclear deterrent was essential, and that shipyard workers would have Labours full support.

With my changed Labour Party, national security will always come first, Starmer said in a speech in Manchester on June 3.

The comment was a not-so-veiled reference to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a long-time campaigner for nuclear disarmament who had voted against renewing the UKs Trident nuclear weapons system. This position was used as a battering ram in 2019 to suggest voters couldnt trust Labour to keep the country safe.

Starmer, by contrast, has taken pains to show his support for Dreadnought-class submarines built in Barrow, which will replace the Royal Navys Vanguard ballistic-missile submersibles and will be the UKs main nuclear deterrent, as well as for SSN-Aukus, a program to build a fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines in partnership with Australia and the US. This project will provide jobs in Barrow for decades.

His backing of the project, along with Labours broader commitment to nuclear submarines, has been a crucial tool in Starmers election campaign. According to a separate YouGov poll, his plan is working. About the same number of voters trust Labour when it comes to security and defense as the Conservatives. The proportion rises when it comes to younger voters.

Critics point out that Labour said it will meet its defense-spending target only when resources allow. Conservative Simon Fell, the current MP whos running for re-election, insists that voters he speaks to on the doorstep have yet to be convinced. Starmer is being strategically clever, Fell said in an interview at his office in a Barrow shopfront. He came up here before the election, and made all the right noises. But that skepticism remains.

Fell is hoping that voters wont be swayed by the national mood against the Conservatives. Hes also had some help from Sunak, who has announced 200 million ($253 million) in funding over the next decade to revitalize the town.

Those funds could make a difference: despite recent investments in defense, Barrow remains one of the most economically deprived areas in the UK. For a town still reeling from the defense downturn caused by the end of the Trident submarine-building program in the 1990s, there is more at stake than whether the Devonshire Dock Hall is full. The production shutdown led Barrow to the largest decline in in population from 2001 to 2002, as the jobless left to hunt for work elsewhere.

It was a terrible mistake, said Fell. Some of our largest social problems are from that.

Today, the rampant thirst for talent is causing an entirely different workforce issue. Teachers, doctors and tradespeople are quitting to take jobs at the shipyard as BAE hires rapidly. Residents say it can be hard to find a plumber or mechanic.Theres also a shortage of affordable housing to accommodate the new workers and their families. At the same time, those economically inactive  people who arent employed or looking for work  is almost a quarter, above the national average.

For its part, BAE is trying to improve the town center, transforming derelict shops  including turning a former Debenhams department store into a skills center. The idea is for hundreds of trainees to spill out into the high street, spending money in local cafes and shops.

So far, locals have yet to see a difference. Theyre earning good money there, but its not translating into the town center at the moment, said Gerry McDonald, 81, a former shipyard worker who votes Conservative and doesnt plan to switch.

Frank Cassidy, a member of the local Westmorland and Furness Council, has been knocking on doors to scare up more Labour votes as he campaigns to oust the current MP. Because of special conditions in 2019, Simon Fell borrowed this seat from Labour, said Cassidy. We are working very hard to make sure that on July 4 he returns it.

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Steve Bannon reported to prison on Monday to serve out the four-month sentence resulting from his 2022 conviction on charges of contempt of Congress.

The former White House adviser to Donald Trump and influential right-wing radio host surrendered himself to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, a low-security prison where he will serve out his sentence.

President Trump is going to be sentenced to prison on July 11. Me going here for four months is nothing, Bannon said during a press conference Monday outside of the penitentiary. As he attempted to speak, several protesters gathered around him chanted lock him up!

"Trump is going to be sentenced to prison on July 11. Me going here for four months is nothing."



 Steve Bannon speaks outside a prison in Danbury, Connecticut, where he will surrender today for defying a January 6th congressional subpoena pic.twitter.com/ymEdVymDF1  The Recount (@therecount) July 1, 2024

Bannon was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress in 2022, and ordered to pay a $6,500 fine after refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In a protracted legal battle that lasted more than two years, Bannon repeatedly attempted to appeal his conviction. The radio host argued that he had acted on the advice of legal counsel, and had not willfully defied the demands of lawmakers. The appeals judges overseeing his case were unconvinced.

Last month  in a last-ditch effort to avoid serving out his sentence  Bannon appealed his case all the way up to the Supreme Court, requesting a stay on his imprisonment as he continued to try and have the verdict overturned. The court declined to take up the case.

Over the weekend, Bannon sat for a pre-incarceration interview with ABC News. Im a political prisoner  It wont change me. It will not suppress my voice. My voice will not be suppressed when Im there, he told This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

Im going to be more powerful in prison than I am now, he told CNN last week, adding later in his final broadcast as a free man that he doesnt give two fucks about going to Danbury prison.

Inmate #05635509 made clear that while he cant use prison phones to run his business and War Room podcast, his show isnt going anywhere, and he plans to continue providing regular commentary on the election  even if he has to do it inside a prison cell.

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There was a time, not so long ago, when a criminal conviction meant serious trouble for anyone involved in politics.

That time is over. America's political norms and values have been perverted, perhaps permanently, by politicians, aides and lawyers who now see criminal charges and public trials as nothing more than branding opportunities to be exploited.

For that, we have former President Donald Trump  now a convicted felon and the front-runner to win the presidency in November  to thank.

Just ask Trump's most loyal propagandist, Steve Bannon, who is due to surrender at a federal prison in Connecticut on Monday.

Steven Bannon is part of what I call Trump's Confederacy of Convicts

Trump often compares himself to another former Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, who governed the country through the most tumultuous of times by empowering a "team of rivals," aides who often didn't agree with each other or the president but worked in the best interest of America.

Trump, of course, is nothing like Lincoln. But he has surrounded himself with a discredited crew  lawyers, strategists and propagandists  to help tear down the institutions, norms and standards that constrain politicians like him.

Let's call them the Confederacy of Convicts.

The Supreme Court was brought in to settle the matter

Protesters gather outside of the US Supreme Court before the court issued opinions on July 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Bannon  a former top Trump campaign aide and White House strategist  must serve a four-month sentence after being convicted in October 2022 on two criminal counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the U.S. House Select Committee that investigated the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected his last-ditch effort to delay accountability.

Remember Trump's election lies: Trump's daughter-in-law vows to 'protect the vote.' He tried to steal the 2020 election.

To hear Bannon tell it, his sentence is starting 619 days after his conviction because it was timed to fall in the thick of a presidential election when he would be needed to help Trump. The part Bannon leaves out is that the long delay was caused by his frantic attempts to avoid being held responsible.

Speaking Thursday on his podcast and Internet television show War Room, Bannon blamed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for a "reign of terror" for appointing that committee. He seemed resigned to time behind bars while also exhilarated that Republican leaders in the House are rallying to his cause.

Republicans tried to save Bannon from accountability

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives for a news conference at the Republican National Committee after meeting with former President Donald Trump and the House Republican Conference on June 13, 2024.

Remember law-and-order Republicans. Those days are over, too. At least for now.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, along with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., on Wednesday pledged to spend American tax dollars to file a brief after Bannon's expected request for yet another hearing at the D.C. Court of Appeals.

That court last week gave Bannon until July 15 to file his request, which will come after his deadline to report to prison.

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday noted in court filings that another former Trump aide, Peter Navarro, had been convicted of contempt of Congress for dodging a Select Committee subpoena and has been serving a four-month sentence since March. The Supreme Court turned away Navarro as well in April.

Bannon, broadcasting War Room on Friday, aired clips of fired Fox News anchor-turned-web broadcaster Tucker Carlson claiming that Bannon's case is an example of President Joe Biden's administration "using jail as a political instrument."

That's deflecting nonsense. Maybe Bannon will finally get held accountable this time.

Remember that Trump pardoned Bannon

He's slipped away before. Trump, on his last day in office, pardoned Bannon on federal charges in a case that had not gone to trial. He had been accused of pocketing money raised for the nonprofit "We Build The Wall," allegedly to help construct a wall along America's southern border.

Prosecutors said Bannon and his codefendants, who were not pardoned and were convicted in 2023, spent the money on themselves instead.

Trump's January 2021 announcement of Bannon's pardon called him "an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen."

He certainly has an acumen for avoiding accountability. But can he keep it up?

Bannon has more legal problems to keep him busy

Let's say Bannon does his full four months. Navarro reported to prison in mid-March and the Federal Bureau of Prisons lists his release date as mid-July, the full four months.

That would put Bannon back on the street just four days before November's general election. But he'll have other things to worry about.

Trump's debate performance: Republicans deserve the version of Trump we saw during the debate. Too bad it won't last.

Bannon was indicted in a joint state and local New York case in September 2022 on charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud for the We Build The Wall fundraising scam. That trial is set for Sept. 23, more than a month before Bannon would be due for release from prison.

And not even a reelected President Trump can pardon Bannon on state charges if he is convicted.

Trump is who his friends are

Bannon is just one of the many Trump minions still struggling to avoid accountability. Some received last-minute pardons, like Bannon. Others face criminal charges for trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

A bunch of Trump's attorneys are in the process of being disbarred or having their law licenses suspended. Three of them have already pleaded guilty to charges in Georgia.

I tried to tally all the Trump folks facing criminal charges. I found a baker's dozen. I probably missed a few.

Politicians are who they surround themselves with. Trump still faces criminal trials in three other venues. No wonder he is so fond of people who try to tear down institutions and disable the rule of law when convenient.

Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why isn't Bannon in jail? Trump advisor faces justice: Prison
As Steve Bannon turned himself in to Danbury federal prison in Connecticut on Monday to serve out a four-month stint for refusing to testify to Congress for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, demonstrators led by ruckus royalty Anarchy Princess carried signs reading, Bleach blonde bad built butch body behind Bannon ally Marjorie Taylor Greene and smirkingly chanted, Lock him up against competing chants of USA, which inadvertently aided in the cacophony.

Demonstrators drowned out the MAGA press conference with cowbells and chants, making Bannons last words before heading off to the big house indecipherable.

"Lock him up! Lock him up!" -- Steve Bannon and Marjorie Taylor Greene are trying to hold a news conference right now and it's not going well pic.twitter.com/5AvgXGcqxM  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 1, 2024

Bannon was found guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena in 2022 and sentenced to four months in federal prison. He unsuccessfully attempted to appeal his conviction, with the Supreme Court refusing to save him just last week. Greene has fumed at Bannons conviction, calling it a DISGRACE to our country, and an affront to the principles of justice it was founded upon.

Anarchy Princess first came to prominence when she stood behind Trump ally Peter Navarro during his own press conference after he too was found guilty of contempt of Congress, in September 2023. During that presser, Anarchy Princesss simple yet effective antics ruffled Navarros feathers so much he attempted to take her sign blazoned with the words Trump lost (and you know it!), which she deftly kept out of his reach as she reminded him, Youre already facing charges.

Bannon will be in prison until just before the general election, serving his time in a facility slightly less glamorous than the Club Fed minimum-security facility he had hoped for, due to yet another open criminal case against him in New York.* Bannon is accused of defrauding donors with empty promises to build a border wall. He pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, fraud, and conspiracy in September 2022 and is expected to stand trial this September in the same courthouse that convicted Trump.

* This article originally misstated when Bannon will get out of prison.
Steve Bannon, a former Donald Trump White House strategist, reported to a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, on Monday to begin a four-month sentence for defying a congressional subpoena.

Bannon, the second former Trump aide to be imprisoned for a contempt of Congress conviction after Peter Navarro began serving a four-month sentence earlier this year, was taken into custody shortly after 12 p.m. ET.

He was driven into the federal prison in a black van after speaking at a podium outside the correctional facility, saying he was proud to go to prison.

Its time for me to surrender up in Danbury, he said.

Both Bannon and Navarro were convicted for not complying with subpoenas issued to them by the now-defunct House Select Committee that investigated January 6, 2021. The Supreme Court on Friday denied a long-shot effort by Bannon to avoid reporting to prison while he challenges his conviction before the federal appeals court in Washington, DC.

Bannon has said that he was not thumbing his nose at the House committee but rather relying on advice from his attorneys to not respond to the subpoena until lawmakers worked out Trumps claims of executive privilege in the matter. Courts did not allow him to argue that to the jury that decided his case.

The conservative podcaster has remained a staunch Trump ally and is a vocal supporter of his presidential reelection bid.

In an interview aired Monday morning, the former president reacted to Bannon reporting to prison, saying, (President Joe) Biden is going to pay a big price for it.

They wanted to silence him, but theyll never silence him, but they wanted to silence him. Oh, this is pure weaponization. What theyve done in this country is unthinkable, and Biden is going to pay a big price for it, I believe. Because I think that people are going to say, well, wow, youve opened up a Pandoras Box. Its a terrible thing that theyve opened up. Theyve unleashed this. This is the third world countries. No, they wanted to silence Steve Bannon, and the only the way they could do it was by putting him in jail, Trump said in an interview with Richmonds Morning News with John Reid.

Steve Bannon gets into his car before reporting to Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Connecticut. - Julia Nikhinson/AP

More powerful in prison

The MAGA media firebrand was keeping a busy schedule in the days before his prison sentence. He tried, unsuccessfully, to convince Trump to skip the CNN presidential debate last week. He continued to host his far-right podcast where he has vowed to get revenge on his political enemies and imprison the current leadership of the Justice Department.

And he welcomed several mainstream media reporters to join him during his broadcasts, all while peddling his narrative of political martyrdom.

Im going to be more powerful in prison than I am now, Bannon said last week.

His public persona has been one of indifference  unbothered and unafraid of his time at the federal facility.

Im not going to be sitting there going, Oh, woe is me, Bannon told CNN.

Sources close to Bannon painted a different picture, describing a man vacillating between denial that he would be spared a prison term and apprehension about what life behind bars would entail.

Limited contact with the outside world

For criminal defendants, there are worse prisons to end up in than the facility where Bannon will spend the next four months. Danbury has a relatively small prison population, with fewer than 1,200 male and female inmates.

The low-security facility where Bannon will be housed is populated with white-collar criminals, though it can also include some violent offenders and sex offenders. The commissary offers various snacks from peanut butter to plantain chips, according to an online list.

But Bannons universe is about to shrink.

Inmates dont have access to the Internet, according to people familiar with the prison. Those in custody at Danbury can send emails without attachments, but they pass through a monitored system, on a delay. The Federal Bureau of Prisons code bars inmates from conducting a business while incarcerated.

In addition to email access, inmates at Danbury receive hundreds of phone minutes per month, which they can use in 15-minute increments on a wall-mounted phone. Once the monthly minutes are exhausted, theres no option to reup them.

Its a far cry from broadcasting to the Trump faithful for hours each day. Still, Bannon insisted his War Room media platform would thrive even in his absence.

Were a populist movement. This is all about the audience, Bannon said. Whether I never come back ever to the War Room wont make a difference.

He had lofty expectations that he, too, would thrive in the coming months.

Im working 24/7 on this campaign, said Bannon, who does not have a formal role in Trumps 2024 campaign but has remained one of the former presidents most strident supporters, even after he was fired from the Trump White House.

I will have a much bigger impact on the campaign when Im in prison than I have now, he said.

For now, though, Bannon is poised to go through an intake process on Monday thats familiar to inmates at Danbury. Hell pass through a metal detector and undergo a strip search. Afterward, hell take part in a mental health evaluation. Hell then be taken to his housing unit, provided with a bedroll, assigned to a bed and left to acclimate to life behind bars.

That life wont include clinging to letters from his fans, Bannon said.

You must focus 100% of your time on winning, he said of those who might be inspired to send notes of support to his cell.

Dont send me a letter, because Im not going to read it, he added.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Kate Sullivan contributed to this report.

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Stevie Van Zandt: I deeply respect the FBI. Its in that spirit that I say theyre getting this very wrong

Editors Note: Stevie Van Zandt is a musician, songwriter, producer, director and actor. He is an author and a member of the New Jersey Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

I support law enforcement. Im an independent, law and order liberal. My friend, former New York Police Department detective Kevin Schroeder, and I proudly hold a huge fundraiser for law enforcement charities in the US every year in New York City. I count many friends on the job.

Stevie Van Zandt - Courtesy Edward Phillips

I also have friends in the FBI. Im very grateful for the excellent job the FBI does in keeping us safe every day from a world that seems to grow increasingly and more dangerously insane by the day. Whether its the never-ending threat of foreign terrorism or former President Donald Trumps zealots who have chosen to follow their leader in ignoring the rule of law, the FBI has helped to thwart what feel like hourly threats to our nations safety.

Im sure it doesnt always feel that we are a grateful nation, but still, on behalf of all Americans, I thank all members of the FBI, including its leadership.

And its in that spirit, as a citizen who deeply respects the work of the FBI, that I now write to call on FBI Director Christopher Wray to right a wrong. Wray recently opposed the parole of Native American activist Leonard Peltier. Peltier is serving two consecutive life sentences after being convicted of first-degree murder for killing two FBI agents on June 26, 1975, on the Oglala Lakota Nations Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Peltier denies he killed the agents. He has been denied parole before, but now he is 79 and in ill health.

Peltiers imprisonment has been controversial since the incident that precipitated it. In his letter opposing Peltiers release, Wray wrote: Peltier is a ruthless murderer who has shown an utter lack of remorse for his many crimes. His release would strike a serious blow to the rule of law.

But thats not the full story. The historical context for this incident was the war that former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover was waging against anyone and everyone that he perceived as a threat. His dangerous and illegal tactics under COINTELPRO  the FBIs Counterintelligence Program, active from 1956 to 1971  were a direct assault on American citizens. This distorted sensibility continued for far too long after Hoovers death in 1972. The FBI that pursued Peltier was largely Hoovers creation.

People gather for a rally outside of the White House in support of imprisoned Native American activist Leonard Peltier, on September 12, 2023. - Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

Wrays outreach in opposition to Peltiers release seeks to deny a 79-year-old man on a walker not just parole, but compassionate release. It seems clear to me that only an FBI that is completely detached from its own history would want to end this chapter in this way.

Though some still contest it, the simple reality of the case is this:

Peltier has served nearly 50 years on evidence that decades worth of observers have called into question. Witnesses were coerced and advocates say evidence was falsified. Two of the other men charged with the same crime were acquitted. In addition, a witness whose information was key to Peltiers extradition from Canada to stand trial for the murders later said she made up her story under pressure from the FBI.

My question to Director Wray is also simple. Why would you feel the need to defend Hoovers FBI by condemning Peltier to die in prison when you have been an integral part of making the contemporary FBI into the law-abiding organization in the righteous defense of the American people it is today?

This isnt about re-litigating Peltiers case. Its about the fact that Hoovers completely irrational paranoia in regard to the American Indian Movement, the Black Panthers, the Womens Liberation Movement and other groups encouraged the perpetual harassment of these organizations and members of these movements, leading inevitably to countenanced acts of violence, numerous shootouts and assaults in an environment of constant life-and-death-level fear. Its about multiple examples of un-American, extralegal activity under the guise of the phony premise of protecting society, in some cases resulting in deaths.

If there was any true historical justice in this world, Hoovers name would be removed from the building where your organization is headquartered.

Why would you want to defend the actions of a Hoover FBI that considered the Black Panthers Free Breakfast for School Children Program a threat to the FBIs efforts to protect democracy?

Why would you choose to defend a Hoover FBI that bugged Martin Luther King Jr.s hotel rooms to try to embarrass him with the full intention of destroying the Civil Rights Movement?

Let me say it again: Hoovers FBI did everything it could to consciously and deliberately derail the Civil Rights Movement.

I appreciate loyalty, perhaps more than most, but does the FBI really want to defend any part of that chapter in its history when it doesnt have to? After all it has accomplished to become an organization Americans can be proud of?

I just dont understand it. It is my hope that Wray will do as much due diligence as he possibly can on this case and consider writing new letters, explaining that with additional light on the subject, and in the interest of American justice, Leonard Peltier should be released from prison immediately.

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Thunderstorms opened up over the Kansas City Monday, bringing nearly seven inches of rain in six hours to parts of the metro.

The southern half of the Kansas City area saw the heaviest amount of rain, including 6.62 inches near 87th Lane along Mill Creek in Lenexa, according to StormWatch.com, an early warning system for flash flooding that relies on remote weather stations through the Kansas city area.

The heavy rains prompted the weather service to issue several flash flood warnings for the metro. The deluge of rain caused area creeks to spill over their banks and flooded streets. The fast rising water caught drivers off guard as they tried to pass through, requiring some to be rescued.

There were a few high water areas where cars got stuck, including on East 99th Street near Indian Creek, where crews arrived to help but the car was already emptied when they got to the scene, according to Michael Hopkins, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Fire Department.

In Overland Park, several intersections closed due to flooding and have since reopened, including West 79th Street and Frontage Road, West 95th Street and Outlook Drive and West 119th Street from Grant Street to Three Lakes Parkway.

Several vehicles were stuck in flood waters and some may have been damaged or totaled as drivers tried to pass through flooded areas. Officer John Lacy, a spokesperson for the police department, said no water rescues were necessary.

Crews rescued a number of people from flooded vehicles during flash flooding at 124th and Nall. No injuries reported. Water quickly receding. pic.twitter.com/C0meRmEvCJ  Overland Park Fire (@OverlandParkFD) July 1, 2024

Leawood police in a social media post asked drivers to use caution as the torrential rains caused flooding throughout the city.

At one point, State Line Road north of Interstate 435 and Tomahawk Creek Parkway were impassable due to the rising waters, Leawood police said.

Leawood police said they had a few non-evasive water rescues for people driving through high flood waters which disabled their vehicles.

Prairie Village police tweeted photos of flooding along Brush Creek at Mission Drive in Mission Hills.

Today is a good reminder of how quickly the water can rise, Prairie Village police said. Stay safe and turn around if you need to!

Today is a good reminder of how quickly the water can rise, especially along Brush Creek on Mission Drive in Mission Hills! Stay safe and turn around if you need to! pic.twitter.com/octUkk20V4  Prairie Village Police (@PVPoliceDept) July 1, 2024

Grandview police didnt have any water rescues, but reported at least six different roadways in the city that flooded and required detours.
DOVER  State Representative Cliff Newton, R-Rochester, is challenging the right of a sitting commissioner and another county resident to run against him in the District 3 Strafford County Commission race.

State Representative Cliff Newton, R-Rochester is seeking a seat on the Strafford County Commission.

House Bill 75, signed into law in 2023, divided Strafford County into three districts. Before the bill passed by the Republican-led Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, commissioners had been elected at-large by county voters.

As a resident of Rochester, Newton is a resident of District 3. He is being challenged by sitting Commissioner Deanna Rollo, D-Rollinsford, and by Sean M. Leavitt, R-Dover, both of whom reside in District 2.

The Strafford County Commisioners met Aug. 21, 2023 to talk about what to do about Sheriff Mark Brave. Commissioner Deanna Rollo listens to questions of citizens during the meeting.

Newton said Rollo and Leavitt initially filed for candidacy in District 2, changing to District 3 on the last day of the filing period. If Rollo had run in District 2 of the new guidelines, it would have pitted her against current chair George Maglaras, both being residents of District 2.

Newton filed a residency requirement challenge at the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office. A hearing has been scheduled before the Ballot Law Commission on the matter for Tuesday, July 2, at 10 a.m. at the State Archives Building, 9 Ratification Way in Concord.

Rollo and Strafford County Commission Chair George Maglaras said that Newton's interpretation of what transpired is not what happened. Both say Rollo filed for District 3 right from the start.

"I never filed in District 2," said Rollo. "I filed in District 3. What happened was that Assistant Secretary of State Kaley Dion called me and said I made a mistake and that they were changing me to District 2, where I live."

Rollo challenged that, believing there is no statute requiring her to live in the district she files in.

"I already represent these people in District 3, because of the way we were previously elected, as at-large members, representing the entire county," she said. "Secretary of State David Scanlan sought legal advice from the (Secretary of State) attorney, and from the Attorney General. The result was, we were right and so they had to change me back to District 3."

"Secretary Scanlan did not make any changes to Commissioner Rollos candidacy," said Anna Sventek, a spokesperson for the SOS office. "He just accepted her declaration to run in a district she does not reside in based on input from the Attorney General's office."

Robert Watson, D-Durham, is the third commissioner not seeking reelection. Rochester resident and city councilor Tim Fontneau, a Democrat, has filed in District 1 to fill that seat. On the Republican side, Joe Pitre of Farmington is challenging Fontneau.

Maglaras is running unopposed.

The current Strafford County Commissioners filed a court challenge to HB 75 after it was signed into law, having opposed the bill ever since it was introduced. They say the law is unconstitutional. The suit contends the state Legislature had no authority to redistrict Strafford County in House Bill 75 because it wasn't done as part of the decennial census redistricting of election maps in New Hampshire and across the country.

"It was heard in Merrimack Superior Court on May 17," said Maglaras. "We are waiting for a ruling."

Since 1865, Strafford County commissioners have been elected at-large, meaning all the people can vote for all the commission candidates, according to the lawsuit. Under the Republican-passed law, three county commissioner districts in Strafford County were created for the 2024 election.

The lawsuit was filed against New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan and New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.

In 2022, during the decennial census redistricting, the state Legislature passed HB 54, retaining a single district where the three Strafford County commissioners are elected at large. In the 2022 election that followed, Commissioners George Maglaras, Robert Watson, and Deanna Rollo were elected. All three commissioners are Democrats.

Democrats have dominated Strafford County commissioner elections for many years. The last Republican commissioner was in office in 2011-12, according to county records.

In 2023, the Republican-led Legislature passed HB 75, creating three single-member districts, starting with the 2024 election. That would have pit Maglaras and Rollo against one another because they both live in the same newly created district.

HB 75 amended the way county commissioners in Strafford County are elected by creating three districts. District 1 included the towns of Farmington, Middletown, New Durham, wards 1, 5, and 6 of Rochester and wards 1-5 of Somersworth. District 2 includes wards 1-4 in Dover, and the towns of Durham, Lee and Rollinsford. District 3 includes Barrington, wards 5 and 6 of Dover, Madbury and wards 2-4 of Rochester and Strafford.

The suit contends the Legislature can draw new districts only after the census every 10 years. Redistricting of voting maps happens nationally every 10 years, following the once-a-decade census. Numerous election districts were changed in the state during this process, but no changes were made to the Strafford County commissioner election at that time.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Residency is latest flashpoint in Strafford County election dispute
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment rescinded a stream advisory for the Smoky Hill River from Salina east to the confluence with the Saline River that was issued on June 26.

The advisory resulted from operational issues at the Salina Wastewater Treatment Facility, which the city has already resolved. Water sampling indicates that tested bacteria and contaminant levels are within normal range.

2 Colorado residents killed in northwest Kansas plane crash

KDHE has deemed the stream safe for primary (swimming) contact and livestock use.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Patients gather outside one of the five Circle The City mobile clinics stationed outside a soup kitchen for homeless people, Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Phoenix. Based in the hottest big metro in America, Circle the City is taking measures to protect patients from life-threatening heat illness as temperatures hit new highs. Homeless people accounted for nearly half of the record 645 heat-related deaths last year in Arizona's Maricopa County, which encompasses metro Phoenix.(AP Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX (AP)  Alfred Handley leaned back in his wheelchair alongside a major Phoenix freeway as a street medicine team helped him get rehydrated with an intravenous saline solution dripping from a bag hanging on a pole.

Cars whooshed by under the blazing 96-degree morning sun as the 59-year-old homeless man with a nearly toothless smile got the help he needed through a new program run by the nonprofit Circle the City.

Its a lot better than going to the hospital, Handley said of the team that provides health care to homeless people. He's been treated poorly at traditional clinics and hospitals, he said, more than six years after being struck by a car while he sat on a wall, leaving him in a wheelchair.

Circle the City introduced its IV rehydration program as a way to protect homeless people from life-threatening heat illness as temperatures regularly hit the triple-digits in America's hottest metro. Homeless people accounted for nearly half of the record 645 heat-related deaths last year in Maricopa County, which encompasses metro Phoenix.

Dr. Liz Frye, vice chair of the Street Medicine Institute that provides training to hundreds of health care teams worldwide, said she didn't know of groups other than Circle the City administering IVs on the street.

"But if thats what needs to happen to keep somebody from dying, Im all about it, Frye said.

As summers grow warmer, health providers from San Diego to New York are being challenged to better protect homeless patients.

Even the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, featured in last year's book, Rough Sleepers," now sees patients with mild heat exhaustion in the summer after decades of treating people with frostbite and hypothermia during the winter, said Dr. Dave Munson, the street team's medical director.

It's certainly something to worry about, said Munson, noting that temperatures in Boston hit 100 degrees with 70% humidity during June's heat wave. Homeless people, he said, are vulnerable to very hot and very cold weather not only because they live outside, but they often can't regulate body temperature due to medication for mental illness or high blood pressure, or because of street substance use.

The Phoenix team searches for patients in homeless encampments in dry riverbeds, sweltering alleys and along the canals that bring water to the Phoenix area. About 15% are dehydrated enough for a saline drip.

We go out every day and find them, said nurse practitioner Perla Puebla. We do their wound care, medication refills for diabetes, antibiotics, high blood pressure.

Pueblas street team ran across Handley and 36-year-old Phoenix native Phillip Enriquez near an overpass in an area frequented by homeless people because its near a facility offering free meals. Across the road was an encampment of tents and lean-tos along a chain-link fence.

Enriquez sat on a patch of dirt as Puebla started a drip for him. She also gave him a prescription for antibiotics and a referral to a dentist for his dental infection.

Living outside in Arizonas broiling sun is hard, especially for people who may be mentally ill or use sedating drugs like fentanyl that make them less aware of surroundings. Stimulants like methamphetamine contribute to dehydration, which can be fatal.

Temperatures this year have reached 115 degrees (45 Celsius) in metro Phoenix, where six heat-related deaths have been confirmed through June 22. Another 111 are under investigation.

The number of patients with heat illnesses is increasing every year, said Dr. Aneesh Narang, assistant medical director of emergency medicine at Banner Medical Center-Phoenix, which treats many homeless people with heat stroke.

Narang's staff works frequently with Circle the City, whose core mission is providing respite care, with 100 beds for homeless people not well enough to return to the streets after a hospital stay.

Extreme heat worldwide requires a dramatic response, said physician assistant Lindsay Fox, who cares for homeless people in Albuquerque, New Mexico, through an initiative run by the University of New Mexicos School of Medicine.

Three times weekly, Fox treats infections, cleans wounds and manages chronic conditions in consultation with hospital colleagues. She said the prospect of more heat illness worries her.

Highs in Albuquerque can hit the 90s and don't fall enough for people living outside to cool off overnight, she said.

If youre in an urban area thats primarily concrete, youre retaining heat, she said. We're seeing heat exposure that very quickly could go to heat stroke.

Serious heat stroke is far more common in metro Phoenix, where Circle the City is now among scores of health programs for the homeless in cities like New York, San Diego and Spokane, Washington.

Circle the City, founded in 2012 by Sister Adele OSullivan, a physician and member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, now has 260 employees, including 15 doctors, 13 physician assistants and 11 nurse practitioners. It annually sees 9,000 patients.

Grants, donations and other gifts account for about 20% of the funding. Most of the rest comes from insurance payments for services provided through Medicaid and Medicare.

Circle the City works with medical staff in seven Phoenix hospitals to help homeless patients get after-care when they no longer need hospitalization. It also staffs two outpatient clinics for follow-up.

This partnership allows us to offer the best outcomes for our patients, said Craig Orsini, social work manager at St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

Often that's a few weeks in respite care or, for less acute needs, a stay in one of a handful of medical beds at the downtown shelter for things like dressing changes for wounds. Someone who needs months to heal might go to a skilled nursing facility.

While patients recover, Circle the City works to find longer-term transitional shelter such as those for people 55 and older, or in permanent housing. About 77% of respite patients are sent somewhere other than the street or an emergency shelter.

We try to find the best fit for people, said Wendy Adams, Circle the Citys community outreach supervisor.

Circle the City medical staff distributes tens of thousands of water bottles each summer and tries to educate people about hot weather dangers, said Dr. Matt Essary, who works at one of five mobile clinics that stop outside soup kitchens and other services for homeless people.

Essary said Circle the City is also considering a blood analysis tool to detect electrolyte imbalances caused by dehydration.

You can see right away how dehydrated they have become because its so hard to draw their blood, he said. Other possible symptoms include headache, extreme thirst, dizziness and dry mouth.

We also see a lot of people with surface burns, Essary said of the wounds common in broiling Phoenix, where a medical emergency or intoxication can cause someone to fall on a sizzling sidewalk.

Rachel Belgrade waited outside Circle the City's retrofitted truck with her black-and-white puppy, Bo, for Essary to write a prescription for the blood pressure medicine she lost when a man stole her bicycle. She accepted two bottles of water to cool off as the morning heat rose.

They make all of this easier, said Belgrade, a Native American from the Gila River tribe. They dont give you a hard time.
Student-loan borrowers on Biden's new repayment plan get a win after a federal court rules that cheaper monthly payments can go into effect

Student-loan borrowers on Biden's new repayment plan get a win after a federal court rules that cheaper monthly payments can go into effect

Two federal judges blocked cheaper monthly payments and student-debt cancellation through the SAVE plan.

The 10th Circuit granted Biden's request to stay one of the rulings, allowing new provisions like lower bills to be implemented.

The Education Department has directed servicers to move forward with borrowers' lower payments.

The legal roller coaster for millions of student-loan borrowers on President Joe Biden's new repayment plan continues.

A court ruled that borrowers on the SAVE income-driven repayment plan can get the new benefits set to go into effect in July, like lower payments, for the time being after a legal challenges blocked their implementation. However, student-loan forgiveness through the plan is still blocked.

On June 30, Biden's Education Department filed a request to stay the Kansas district court's recent decision to block key parts of the SAVE income-driven repayment plan, like lower monthly payments for undergraduates, to be implemented in July.

It's a result of two separate lawsuits filed by GOP state attorneys general to block parts of SAVE. Along with the Kansas court's decision, a Missouri judge ruled that the forgiveness promised through the plan is blocked, as well, as the legal process progresses.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the Education Department's request the same day it was filed, ruling that Kansas' preliminary injunction on the SAVE plan is stayed pending the appeal.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement that the 10th Circuit "sided with student loan borrowers across the country who stand to benefit from the SAVE Plan  the most affordable repayment plan in history."

"Borrowers will hear directly from their loan servicers and the Department as we implement the new, lower monthly payments for borrowers enrolled in SAVE," he said.

This means that for now, the Education Department can continue working to implement the new SAVE provisions set to go into effect this July. The department said that it has directed servicers to move forward with the new repayment provisions.

Additionally, per the department, if borrowers received a bill from their servicers with a lower monthly payment for July, they should plan to make that payment. If a borrower was placed on forbearance prior to the court rulings due to repayment recalculations, their first lower monthly payment will be due in August.

The Education Department paused payments for 3 million borrowers last week in light of the rulings. In Monday's guidance, the department said that those borrowers would also remain in forbearance in July, with their first payment due in August.

While the stay is a win for Biden's administration, it'll likely add further confusion for borrowers on SAVE who are struggling to understand what these legal challenges mean. The department removed online applications for income-driven repayment plans to avoid misinformation as these legal challenges progress last week, but in light of the stay, the department is now working to restore access to the online applications.

Some advocates and Democratic lawmakers have previously criticized the lawsuits for the confusion and financial burden they've caused borrowers  Persis Yu, executive director of the advocacy group Student Borrower Protection Center, previously said in a statement that the lawsuits are "imperiling the financial security of millions and throwing the student loan system into an untenable chaos."

Despite the stay on the Kansas court's decision, the Missouri court ruled the SAVE plan provision to cancel student debt for borrowers with original balances of $12,000 or lower after making as few as 10 years of payments is still blocked.

The Justice Department will appeal that decision, as well, with an Education Department spokesperson saying a recent staying that the administration "will not stop vigorously defending the SAVE Plan, the most affordable repayment plan in history, and will continue to fight for this long-overdue relief, no matter how many times Republican elected officials and their allies try to stop them."

Editor's note: This story was updated after publication to include a comment from the Education Department.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Study ranks area lake as third 'dirtiest' in U.S.

Correction: An incorrect reference regarding the meaning of the pH of Lake Wichita has been removed from this online version of the story.

A new study ranks Lake Wichita as the third dirtiest lake in the U.S.

The study was released by Lake.com, a vacation rental platform that used data from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, which is part of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The findings indicate Lake Wichita has an odor, contains high volumes of total dissolved solids and has an unusually high pH of 9.9, and chemical analysis shows water near the dam is cloudiest of all the 276 U.S. lakes sampled between Jan. 1, 2023, and May 28 this year.

Murphy's Mountain rises on the shores of Lake Wichita on a recent morning. A study has ranked the lake as one of the dirtiest in the nation.

The assessment is one that lake supporter David Coleman does not agree with and finds the term dirtiest misleading.

Coleman is a member of the Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee that has worked since 2013 to improve the lake and its image. Much of Wichita Falls' Circle Trail has been extended around the lake, a kayak launch was constructed, veterans memorials were erected on the shore and the parking lot at Lake Wichita Park was overhauled.

Coleman said the study was done at a time when the water was very low due to a lingering drought.

If the same measurements were taken right now with the lake full, it would be very different, especially the pH, dissolved solids and turbidity, he said.

He also said because the lake does not provide drinking water, it is not maintained as a reservoir and has accumulated clay and silt, which make the water brown or cloudy.

Many of the lakes chronic problems are due to its low water levels.

The city is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to possibly dredge and deepen part of the lake on a cost-share arrangement, which could alleviate many of the problems.

Coleman said the city may know in September if the plan will move forward..

Construction of Lake Wichita was completed in 1901 as a water supply for Wichita Falls, but the needs of a growing city soon outstripped the small reservoirs capacity and other reservoirs were constructed.

The lake served as a major recreational and tourist draw for years before silt, drought and algae took their tolls and the lake slipped into decline.

Lake Wichita is one of three lakes in Texas on the studys list of dirty lakes.

Lake J.B. Thomas in West Texas ranked as second dirtiest in the nation because its dissolved oxygen measurements were below acceptable levels, and Lake Buchanan near Austin placed sixth worst, also because of dissolved oxygen measurements.

Florida topped the cleanest lakes list with six out of the top 10.

More: Abilene, Wichita Falls and other cities will pay the price for a legal settlement

More: Cracker Barrel starts largest menu test ever, bringing new items to these Texas locations

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Study ranks area lake as third 'dirtiest' in U.S.
Suburban police departments ready to help during Democratic National Convention, if needed: Our officers will be more vigilant

North suburban police departments are preparing and making themselves available to assist the Chicago Police Department, if they are needed, during the Democratic National Conference, which will be held Aug. 19 through 22.

An estimated 50,000 delegates, staff and public officials are expected to attend the convention at the United Center and McCormick Place.

Many suburban police departments participate in the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, or NIPAS, a police mutual aid system that operates in Northeastern Illinois. Police departments throughout Illinois can also participate in the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, or ILEAS, an additional mutual aid system.

Mutual aid systems allow one police department to call on others for assistance if needed. In the case of NIPAS, for example, this usually comes in the wake of natural disasters or the unexpected results of a special event. ILEAS was created after 9/11 and says it meets the needs of local law enforcement in matters of mutual aid, emergency response and the combining of resources for public safety and terrorism prevention and response.

The following police departments have notified Pioneer Press of what they are doing to prepare for the Democratic National Convention. All of these towns either share a border with Chicago or are less than a mile from the border.

Park Ridge

Park Ridge Police Department Executive Officer Tom Gadomski said officers assigned to NIPAS will assist the Chicago Police Department with special assignments.

Additionally, we are in communication with neighboring police departments in case there is a need for assistance in Park Ridge or neighboring communities, Gadomski said.

Harwood Heights

Harwood Heights Police Chief John DeVries said the department will add a few more officers to shifts during the DNC to provide additional support and patrol. He added that the department has an officer on the NIPAS team who can assist the Chicago Police Department.

Our officers will be more vigilant during this time, we will inform our residents that if they see something suspicious to please dial 911, DeVries said.

Norridge

Norridge Police Chief Brian Goss said the department is aware of the DNC and all that it could entail for the village in terms of safety, security and potential drain on resources.

This collaboration includes sharing information, resources, and strategies to address any potential issues that may arise during the convention, he said.

While we have not finalized all specific plans yet, our proactive approach ensures that we are prepared to assist Chicago and other neighboring communities if needed, Goss said. Our priority remains to maintain the high level of safety and service that the Village of Norridge is known for.

Morton Grove

Morton Grove Police Chief Mike Simo said the police department has officers assigned to the NIPAS Mobile Field Force Team. If Morton Grove had any events needing crowd control we would call them, and/or request police Mutual Aid through ILEAS if necessary. The department is also part of NIPAS, he said.

As of today, we do not know of anything planned in Morton Grove around that time that would be a potential problem for us, Simo said.

Niles

Niles Police Deputy Chief Nick Zakula said the Niles Police Department is aware of the dates of the DNC and will be prepared to respond if mutual aid is requested.

(The Chicago Police Department) has not made any direct request of NPD at this time, he said.

Skokie

Skokie Police Sergeant Brandi Shelton said the Skokie Police Department is prepared to provide assistance to any agency who requests it through the departments participation in NIPAS and ILEAS mutual aid systems.

We will remain in regular communication with our local law enforcement partners, she said.

Lincolnwood

Lincolnwood Police Chief Jay Parrott said We are always here to help any agency as best we can with the resources available.

At this time, there has been no formal request for resources from Lincolnwood.
Some suburbs joining Columbus in rezoning to fight housing crisis - others, not so much

I am unsurprised by these findings, Worthington resident Aaron Shearer said of a housing needs assessment consultants presented to the Worthington City Council that found a strong demand for more and diverse housing.

These (findings) are pretty much everything I've come to Council and presented to you for about two years," said Shearer, the founder of the community group Worthington Inclusive Solutions and Engagement or WISE Worthington.

Area advocates for more housing, like Shearer, as well as Columbus city leaders, have long preached that Columbus alone cannot address the regions dire need for more housing and the suburbs must do their part.

A frequent flyer during public comment sessions, Shearer urged the Council at a late May meeting to change the citys zoning code to allow for more housing. He said he finds it concerning that the Council wont take a simple step like legalizing accessory dwelling units  a smaller, second living unit added on the same property as a house. It's a step that has been proposed numerous times, including by the Building Inclusive Communities initiative, which Worthington commissioned.

May 20, 2024; Worthington, Ohio, USA; Aaron Shearer, a Worthington resident who has frequently attended Worthington City Council meetings for the last couple years to advocate for more housing, speaks to Council after the release of a housing needs assessment, the results of which Shearer found "unsurprising."

Updating zoning codes, similar to what Columbus is doing, could go a long way, according to experts like Glennon Sweeney, a city and regional planning doctoral candidate at Ohio State University's Knowlton School of Architecture.

Sweeney is researching which central Ohio municipalities have the most exclusionary zoning codes that prevent development. Every local municipality is exclusionary, she said, according to her research for her dissertation.

Central Ohio should be building 14,000 to 19,000 homes and apartments annually to meet demand, according to a 2022 report by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio. And Franklin County should be building between 8,000 and 16,000 of those units. But the region has only constructed about 10,000 units annually in recent years, with Franklin County issued permits for about 7,300 units last year.

Many suburban leaders told The Dispatch theyre taking the need for more housing seriously. But dedication to change in Franklin County is a mixed bag, according to Sweeney.

Alongside Columbus, Reynoldsburg and Whitehall have led the charge, overhauling their zoning codes in 2020 and 2023, respectively, to allow for more development. Reynoldsburg has seen some dividends with 3,500 units at various price points approved in the past four years, Mayor Joe Begeny said.

Gahanna updated its code earlier this year, and Hilliard and Grove City are about to. However, the degree to which each municipalitys changes or proposed changes provide for more housing varies.

Several other suburban cities, including Worthington, Upper Arlington, Bexley and Westerville, are discussing housing  a lot recently, even though they haven't changed their zoning practices. Theyre bringing in speakers, forming committees, updating their codes in a piecemeal way, or taking steps unrelated to zoning to encourage more housing.

Why housing advocates want zoning reform

Since the 1950s, municipalities nationwide have used zoning to require things like large swaths of only single-family homes on large lots to keep poorer and minority residents out, according to Richard D. Kahlenberg, author of "Excluded: How Snob Zoning, NIMBYism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Dont See."

The resulting economic segregation hinders social mobility by keeping poorer and minority individuals from opportunities like better public schools, according to Kahlenberg.

The worst offenders tend to be in the suburbs. Thats what I found for the Columbus region, said Kahlenberg said. I think Columbus acting on its own is necessary but not sufficient to address the problem.  It would be a shame if the suburbs didnt join Columbus in the effort for reform.

It would be better if the exclusionary barriers came down in high-opportunity neighborhoods that offer really strong schools, Kahlenberg said.

Kahlenberg said zoning reformists are trying to accomplish two things: increase housing supply so prices stabilize for everyone and reduce economic and racial segregation.

This is also an economic issue, as employers want their employees to be able to live close to work, Kahlenberg said.

Columbus-area developers have long harped that zoning is the regions largest barrier to building but others disagree. For one, Dan Ralley, Hilliard assistant city manager and community development director, said building out infrastructure like water and sewers is a larger barrier in Hilliard.

Reynoldsburg Mayor Joe Begeny said that in recent years he's transformed from having a moderate interest in housing to becoming a "militant housing advocate."

Reynoldsburg and Whitehall lead charge

Begeny, Reynoldsburg's mayor, has a small red sign on his desk that says, In a world where you can be anything, be a YIMBY. Yes in my backyard.

Its a response to the phrase not in my backyard or NIMBY, a term commonly used to describe residents who oppose development in their neighborhood.

Begeny said he cant take credit for the slogan.

Thats stolen from Whitehall, Begeny said. Mayor (Kim) Maggard and now Mayor (Michael) Bivens, thats been one of their slogans.

Begeny said the region is not even close to building enough housing because of the exact opposite of what Reynoldsburg is doing. Reynoldsburg is finding ways to make it as easy as possible ... to develop here.

In 2020, Reynoldsburg changed its zoning code to make more types of housing, like townhomes or apartments, allowable in more parts of the city.

Begeny believes zoning changes directly led to development like the two townhome developments Ryan Homes built in the city in recent years. The Woodmont Trace Townhomes off Rosehill Road built in 2022 sold in the $300,000s, and the Wilson Ridge development off South Wagoner Road built this year has homes starting at around $290,000.

Reynoldsburg Mayor Joe Begeny believes the 2020 overhaul of the city's zoning code is already encouraging development, like two townhome developments Ryan Homes built in the city in recent years. The Woodmont Trace Townhomes pictured here off Rosehill Road built in 2022 sold in the $300,000s, and the Wilson Ridge development off South Wagoner Road built this year has homes starting at around $290,000.

Any housing is going to benefit us, Begeny said. Obviously I think the priority should be affordable housing, but having options opens your house for other people."

In 2023, Whitehall also updated its zoning code to be more user-friendly and encouraging of housing development. The new code allows for four or five stories in many corridors and in three denser nodes, allowing up to 12-story buildings. The code also simplifies seven residential categories to two: multi-unit districts (like apartment buildings) and areas for single-unit homes. But the latter also allows for duplexes and accessory dwelling units.

The idea is not to fundamentally change the character of neighborhoods but just to diversify the housing types and then in certain corridors, significantly densify, said Jason Sudy, of OHM Advisors who helped Whitehall with updating its code.

What other suburbs are doing  or not doing

Ralley said Hilliard is already doing its part in terms of the number of units built every year relative to its size in the county. The community plan Hilliard adopted last year calls for encouraging a wider range of housing types and highlights five focus areas in the city where they could encourage development and redevelopment.

Ralley hopes the city will pass zoning code changes for each of the five focus areas over the next year. He expects four of those areas, including around Interstate 270, will include more flexible zoning for more uses like housing, including townhomes or missing middle housing.

The city plans to prioritize encouraging development with a mix of uses like offices, retail and housing. Ralley pointed out that single-use residential developments can be a financial drain on cities as many cities get most of their funds from workers paying income taxes.

Grove City is in the early stages of working on modernizing its zoning code, which was last updated in the 1970s, said Development Director Kyle Rauch. Like Columbus, Grove City is trying to remove barriers to getting a project approved by producing a new zoning code thats understandable and reduces red tape.

Grove City wants to be strategic about establishing where denser residences can be built because only some corridors infrastructure (roads, sewer, etc.) can accommodate more people, Rauch said.

The city will start public engagement on zoning reforms soon, Rauch said.

Gahanna City Council passed a new zoning code in April. For instance, in multifamily zones, the maximum density rose from 18 units per acre to 25 units per acre. The new code also makes it easier to get housing development approved in a business district.

It's said in the economic development world that for every one job you add, you have to add a housing unit, Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin said.

Gahannas neighbor, New Albany doesnt see it the same way.

"For us, its not as formulaic," said Jennifer Chrysler, New Albany director of community development. "Its more about how these land uses balance one another and really planning for quality of life for the residents who live here, but also the employees who work here.

New Albany expects its business park to grow to employ 25,000 people, including at Intel. Asked about building housing for any of those workers, Chrysler said the average commute in the Midwest is more than a half hour and workers can pick where they live. She said New Albany is focused on providing balanced options from traditional single-family communities to multifamily housing in the village center.

Sweeney said suburbs like Dublin and New Albany are not interested in economic diversity and resist affordable projects.

Chrysler said the market drives real estate prices and the city does not have any policies that preclude lower-cost or subsidized housing.

Dublin Director of Community Planning and Development Jennifer Rauch said in an email: Through the Citys comprehensive housing study, we have demonstrated our commitment to ensuring housing options that support the needs of Dublin's employment base and all populations within the City. Similarly, our Envision Dublin community plan update supports the recommendations of the housing study, and includes a chapter solely focused on housing and neighborhoods.

Begeny said every community is going to handle the issue different and he wants Reynoldsburg to be a place where everyone  including teachers, police officers, and his favorite local coffee shops employees  can live and work.

Reynoldsburg Mayor Joe Begeny believes the 2020 overhaul of the city's zoning code is already encouraging development, like two townhome developments Ryan Homes built in the city in recent years. The Woodmont Trace Townhomes pictured here off Rosehill Road built in 2022 sold in the $300,000s, and the Wilson Ridge development off South Wagoner Road built this year has homes starting at around $290,000.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Reynoldsburg, Whitehall leading rezoning charge among Columbus suburbs
Dozens of people posed questions to Navigator CO2 Ventures officials during a pipeline informational meeting in Ames on Jan. 6, 2022. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The company that recently gained approval from state regulators for its carbon dioxide pipeline system in Iowa wants to proceed with expansion requests for that system starting in late August.

Summit Carbon Solutions has proposed new public informational meeting dates for 23 counties that would span about four weeks, according to documents recently filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission, formerly known as the Iowa Utilities Board. The first meeting would be Aug. 26 in Adams County.

The company must hold the meetings in affected counties before it can negotiate with landowners for easements and file petitions for permits to build the extensions.

The 14 proposed offshoots to additional ethanol plants from Summits initial proposal would increase the size of the system in Iowa by about 341 miles  or about 50%. The IUC indicated last week it would grant Summit a permit for the companys initial proposal, which has about 690 miles of pipe.

The company hopes to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol producers in five states to North Dakota to be stored underground. The IUC has stipulated that Summit cannot start laying pipe in Iowa until it obtains permits in the Dakotas. It said the company can use eminent domain to force agreements with unwilling landowners to use their properties for the project.

North Dakota regulators are considering Summits pipeline route in that state and whether it would be allowed to pump the greenhouse gas into the ground. Summit has said it will reapply for a pipeline permit in South Dakota this month. The company hopes to start construction next year.

The IUC denied requests from pipeline opponents to consider the extensions along with the initial proposal. Those extensions and maps of their routes were unveiled in March while the initial permit process was still pending. Some argued, unsuccessfully, that parts of the system route should be revamped to shorten its overall length.

Instead, each of the extensions from the initial route will be subject to individual permits. Summit had hoped to hold informational meetings for them in April and May, but the commission rejected those dates without providing a reason.

Summit submitted new maps of the extension routes last week that increased their total length by about a half mile. A notable change was in Hardin County, where a proposed route moved slightly closer to Iowa Falls.

The new proposed meeting schedule  which has not yet been approved by the IUC  goes from Aug. 26 to Sept. 20 in the following counties: Adams, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Clay, Fayette, Floyd, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Ida, Kossuth, Mitchell, Montgomery, OBrien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Sioux, Webster and Worth.

The expected routes do not go through Buchanan, but an ethanol plant near Fairbank lies on its border with Fayette County.

Utilities regulator changes its name

The Iowa Utilities Commission, formerly the Iowa Utilities Board, announced its name change on Monday and said it was the result of a state government reorganization last year that removed the agency from the state Department of Commerce.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  One person was shot Sunday morning near Northeast 23rd in Oklahoma City after a fight.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > OKCPD Sgt. arrested on rape charges in McClain County >

Oklahoma City Police reported that around 7 a.m. two people had gotten into a fight that ended with one person shot in the leg.

The shooting was said to have happened near NE 23rd and Martin Luther King Avenue.

Police said that the suspect ran away after shots were fired and has not been arrested.

The victim was treated by EMSA and was said to make a full recovery.

If you know anything about the shooting you are asked to call the police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The court declined to intervene in a dispute between two states and social media platforms about conservative speech being censored (Getty Images)

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered lower courts to take another look at a set of content moderation laws in Florida and Texas that were designed to protect conservative speech on social media platforms.

In a unanimous decision, the justices punted the social media moderation cases back to the lower courts, finding that they failed to properly analyze First Amendment challenges to the laws.

For now, social media companies can continue to regulate speech posted on platforms as usual. But the courts refusal to issue a ruling on the constitutional question leaves the door open for other legal challenges to laws on content moderation.

In this photo illustration, social media apps are displayed on an iPad on February 26, 2024, in Miami, Florida (Getty Images)

Under conservative leadership, Texas and Florida passed laws restricting what kind of content may be taken down or who can be banned from platforms. They claimed that social media companies used subjective criteria in moderating content  a violation of the First Amendment.

In Florida, a law enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021 prohibited social media companies from banning political candidates and taking down content from journalistic enterprises  defined as having 100,000 monthly users or 50,000 subscribers.

It was brought after former president Donald Trumps ban from Twitter after the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Similarly, the Texas legislature passed a law prohibiting social media companies from removing content on platforms based on the users viewpoint. It also gave individuals the right to sue the platforms for doing so.

Both laws were crafted to be broad and vague, making it easier to apply them to various social media networks.

But NetChoice LLC, a tech company, disputed the laws, arguing that social media companies have protections similar to that of news organizations.

The case posed a challenge for Supreme Court justices who debated treating the lawsuits as facial challenges  that is, sweeping challenges alleging laws are completely unconstitutional.

Conservative demonstrators who allege that the government pressured or colluded with social media platforms to censor right-leaning content (AFP via Getty Images)

During oral arguments, justices seemed skeptical of Floridas argument. Justices Roberts, Kavanaugh and Barrett expressed concern over the laws infringing on social media companies First Amendment right to decide what content appears on their platforms. Justices also raised concerns about applying the standards set by the state laws to other platforms that encourage user expression like Etsy.

The courts mainly addressed what the parties had focused on. And the parties mainly argued these cases as if the laws applied only to the curated feeds offered by the largest and most paradigmatic social-media platformsas if, say, each case presented an as-applied challenge brought by Facebook protesting its loss of control over the content of its News Feed, Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the majority.

But argument in this Court revealed that the laws might apply to, and differently affect, other kinds of websites and apps.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices returned Trumps case to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump. The outcome means additional delay before Trump could face trial.

The courts decision in a second major Trump case this term, along with its ruling rejecting efforts to bar him from the ballot because of his actions following the 2020 election, underscores the direct and possibly uncomfortable role the justices are playing in the November election.

Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.

Roberts was joined by the other five conservative justices. The three liberal justices dissented.

Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a scathing dissent.

Sotomayor, who read a summary of her dissent aloud in the courtroom, said the protection afforded presidents by the court is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.

Trump posted on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

Live updates: Supreme Court rules Trump has criminal immunity for official acts

Smiths office declined to comment on the ruling.

The justices knocked out one aspect of the indictment. The opinion found Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.

Trump is also at least presumptively immune from allegations that he tried to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certification of Democrat Joe Bidens electoral vote win on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors can try to make the case that Trumps pressure on Pence still can be part of the case against him, Roberts wrote.

The ruling was the last of the term and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including the Watergate tapes case.

The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.

In May, Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to a porn actor who says she had sex with him, which he denies. He still faces three other indictments.

Smith is leading the two federal probes of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. The other case, in Georgia, also turns on Trumps actions after his defeat in 2020.

If Trumps Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter.

But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.

READ: Supreme Court ruling in Trump immunity case

The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Trump  Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh  and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.

Justice Clarence Thomas wife, Ginni, attended the rally near the White House where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when a mob of Trump supporters attacked it soon after. Following the 2020 election, she called it a heist and exchanged messages with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud.

Justice Samuel Alito said there was no reason for him to step aside from the cases following reports by The New York Times that flags similar to those carried by the Jan. 6 rioters flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore. His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the Appeal to Heaven banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic lawmakers responding to their recusal demands.

Trumps trial had been scheduled to begin March 4, but that was before he sought court-sanctioned delays and a full review of the issue by the nations highest court.

Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Trump can be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to Jan. 6.

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 appeals court wrote in February. But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who would preside over the trial in Washington, ruled against Trumps immunity claim in December. In her ruling, Chutkan said the office of the president does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass.

Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability, Chutkan wrote. Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.

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The Supreme Court has ruled that presidents are entitled to immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office. The landmark decision delivers a critical blow to the Justice Departments ongoing election interference case against former president Donald Trump, and virtually guarantees the case will not go to trial before Novembers election.

In a 6-3 decision, with all three of the courts liberal justices dissenting, the court ruled that the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that Trump asserts a far broader immunity than the limited one we have recognized. He contends that the indictment must be dismissed because the Impeachment Judgment Clause requires that impeachment and Senate conviction precede a Presidents criminal prosecution  The text of the Clause provides little support for such an absolute immunity.

The case decided on Monday stems from Trumps ongoing efforts to delay or dismiss the Justice Departments criminal indictment against him over his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Last August, Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The former president pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, writing that the decision was a BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

The court further ruled that specific questions about whether Trumps actions surrounding the election  such as his efforts to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to usurp the Electoral College certification  constitute official or unofficial acts will be remanded back to the District Court. However, those decisions could likely be appealed back to the Supreme Court.

In a critical blow to the Justice Departments ability to prosecute the case, the court also severely limited prosecutors ability to introduce evidence or testimony related to a former presidents official conduct in a case prosecuting unofficial conduct.

The Supreme Courts decision to take up Trumps immunity claims was surprising in itself given the utterly ridiculous arguments posed by his legal team before the D.C. appeals court. His lawyer, John Sauer, took Trumps expansive immunity claim to its logical extreme, arguing that, yes, presidential immunity would even protect a president from prosecution if they attempted to order a hit on their political rival.

In January, an appeals court judge asked Sauer the following: Could a president who ordered SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival, and is not impeached, would he be subject to criminal prosecution?

Sauer replied, If he were impeached and convicted first  my answer is qualified yes, there is a political process that would have to occur first.

While Sauer argued in a filing that the Supreme Court justices should not concern themselves with the appeals courts lurid hypotheticals, because they almost certainly never will occur, and would virtually certainly result in impeachment and Senate conviction, the Trump lawyer made the same argument again when pressed at oral arguments before the Supreme Court in April.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked Sauer: If the president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military or orders someone to assassinate him, is that within his official acts for which he can get immunity?

He responded, It would depend on the hypothetical. We can see that could well be an official act.

In her dissent, Sotomayor wrote that the majoritys opinion will now protect this exact type of conduct.

The president of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world, wrote Sotomayor. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Trump attorneys and close advisers privately braced to lose this Supreme Court case, but they have been uncorking the champagne  at times literally so  for months over the courts decision to take up the case. The conservative-dominated Supreme Courts decision to take the case and the pace with which it handled it effectively bumped Trumps federal criminal trials off the 2024 calendar  or at least past the November election.

Senior Trump aides had feared that the election-subversion federal trial would have begun around the time of the 2024 Republican National Convention, and may have caused him significant political damage during a critical stretch of Trumps campaign to take the White House back from President Joe Biden.

If Trump wins the election in November, the delays to his federal trials would give his second administration and a fully MAGAfied Justice Department the ability to shut down the cases and then pursue the prosecutors who dared to cross Trump.

We won already, even if we dont win, a source close to Trump bluntly noted before the decision.

Furthermore, according to various sources with direct knowledge of the matter, several of Trumps top lawyers and aides predicted for weeks that the Supreme Court conservative majority wouldnt co-sign the former presidents absolute immunity arguments, but would instead endorse some forms of presidential immunity and kick the legal debate back down to a lower court.

That would be insane if the [Supreme] Court agreed it was legal for a president to kill the other partys leader, says a conservative lawyer close to the Trump family. But they are likely to give the Trump side something to work with.

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A divided Supreme Court Monday handed former President Trump a major legal victory by deciding that presidents enjoy significant criminal immunity, derailing a trial for his role in the Jan. 6 attack.

Even as it rejected Trumps claim of absolute immunity, the conservative top court ruled that presidents may not be criminally charged for official acts while serving in the White House,

The 6-3 ruling sends the case back to U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan for pre-trial proceedings and almost certainly prevents Trump from facing trial before the November election.

The nature of presidential power requires that a former president have some immunity, Justice John Roberts rote.

Trump hopes to beat President Biden and win back the White House, when he would likely order the case dismissed, even though presidents are supposed to respect the independence of federal prosecutors.

Trump was indicted last year in what Special Counsel Jack Smith calls a sweeping plot to overturn his loss to President Biden in the 2020 election, an effort that culminated with the Jan. 6 attack.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan set a trial date in March, saying the nation deserved a resolution before picking the next president. But she was forced scrapped that plan and put all proceedings on hold when Trump appealed her ruling that he does not enjoy immunity for the alleged crimes.

Trump appealed her decision and the Supreme Court has taken its time deciding the case, rejecting Smiths December plea that they hear it immediately.

An appeals court panel comprehensively rejected Trumps claim but the Supreme Court agreed to hear a new round of oral arguments in late April.

Several conservative justices appeared to be open to Trumps claims of immunity, although observers say its a fools errand to read too much into their questions at such sessions.

Liberal justices including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson suggested that granting presidential immunity would be akin to allowing a rogue president to turn the White House into the seat of criminality.

Chutkan has said she would give Trumps defense ample time to prepare for the trial, meaning the earliest a trial could start would be late September, just a few weeks before Election Day.

J. Michael Luttig, a conservative retired federal judge, urged Smith to bring the case to trial as quickly as possible, even at the height of a campaign in which Trump would be vying for the presidency.

I would urge Jack Smith  to bring the case on for trial even in September or October in the name of and for the sake of American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, Luttig told MSNBC.

Trump hopes to win back the White House in November. He could presumably engineer a dismissal of the case if he returns to power.

The immunity appeal is only one prong in Trumps mostly successful effort to delay accountability for his alleged crimes.

Trump has successfully delayed his Georgia state racketeering and election interference case by raising allegations of an improper romantic affair between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her top lieutenant.

A Georgia appeals court has agreed to hear Trumps appeal of Judge Scott McAfees ruling that Willis can remain on the case, meaning the trial likely wouldnt start till sometime in 2025 if at all.

Meanwhile, federal District Court Judge Aileen Cannon has slow-walked his trial in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, which many pundits say is the most clear-cut case against him.

Cannon has yet to set a trial date and has allowed the case to become bogged down in time-consuming pre-trial proceedings.

Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in the Manhattan hush money case tied to payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels. He is awaiting a July 11 sentencing date by Judge Juan Merchan.
In a moment sure to thrill closet monarchists, the U.S. Supreme Court kicked off the Fourth of July week by announcing Americas independence from its previous independence from a king.

Broadening the ways in which a president is either immune from criminal prosecution or given presumptive immunity, the court sided in large part with former president and convicted felon Donald Trump, which is a real hoot since Trump is responsible for three of the justices having their current jobs.

As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent: The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

Sweet!

If the immunity ruling is good for Trump, it's great for King Biden!

A placard that read "loser" is seen in front of the US Supreme Court on July 1, 2024, in Washington, DC. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule Monday on the most highly anticipated decision of its term -- a ruling "for the ages" on whether Donald Trump, as a former president, is immune from prosecution. . (Photo by Drew ANGERER / AFP) (Photo by DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images)

While many described Mondays ruling as a real coup (LOL!) for Trump, all but guaranteeing his trial on trying to subvert the last election wont happen before this years election, if it happens at all, the biggest winner was Joe Biden, who I assume is now Americas king.

All hail King Biden, right?

I mean, if the high court says a president is immune from criminal prosecution for official acts, whats to stop a president from official-acting whatever sounds good?

Should Biden drop out? Calls to replace Biden vs. silence on Trump? America has lost its political mind.

As Sotomayor put it: When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

After Supreme Court immunity ruling, Biden must embrace the monarchy

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step off Air Force One upon arrival at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on June 29, 2024. Biden is in New Jersey for campaign fundraisers.

Quentin Fulks, Bidens deputy campaign manager, said of the ruling: They just handed Donald Trump the keys to a dictatorship.

That, in turn, means the Supreme Court just handed Biden the same set of keys. So I say its time to take this new monarchy out for a spin!

Joey Chestnut has been robbed. There's no such thing as a plant-based hot dog.

King Biden should declare a pox on all your fast food

For his first official act, King Biden should go directly at Trumps biggest weakness and, via official presidential act, order the immediate shuttering of all McDonalds restaurants. Its always good to first cut off your enemys food supply.

Nadine Seiler holds a banner outside the Supreme Court, after justices rule on former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's bid for immunity from federal prosecution for 2020 election subversion in Washington, on July 1, 2024.

Next, the king should order the Marines to storm the beaches of Mar-a-Lago, an official act aimed at protecting America from hideous fashion choices and the overuse of gold-plating. While there, they can rescue Melania Trump, who is clearly a political prisoner.

The third official act, just for kicks, should be to appoint Prince Hunter Biden to head up the Federal Communications Commission and launch an investigation into whether Fox News is a threat to the crown. That would keep the right-wing punditry class busy for the next decade or so.

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Clearly the Supreme Court is a threat to democracy. King Biden must act.

Finally, the good and just King Biden should point out that by giving presidents such expansive immunity protections, the Supreme Court has opened the door to widespread presidential criminality.

Say, for example, there was a presidential candidate who had already been convicted of 34 felonies and been indicted in a number of other criminal cases, including one involving the mishandling of high-level classified documents. That apparent crime enthusiast might see the office of the presidency as a fantastic way to do a whole bunch of additional crime-ing, sans consequences.

Now Im sure the conservative justices who were put on the court by that apparent crime enthusiast wouldnt want a president to take advantage of their partially pro-king ruling. That, it seems, would be a threat to the country. Ipso facto, the Supreme Courts immunity ruling in Trumps favor is a threat to the country.

So, it is well within King Bidens official role as ruler to overrule the Supreme Courts decision for the sake of the nation and its future, and to restock the court with justices who have Americas best interests at heart.

Biden could be a monarch  just for a few days

That official act would return Biden to his previous role as president while making sure Trump is fairly prosecuted for all his alleged crimes.

Cmon, King Joe. Embrace the monarchy youve been given.

At least for a few days while you get things straightened out.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court immunity ruling helps Trump, opens door for King Biden
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its final opinions of the term on Monday morning, resolving the question of whether former President Donald Trump may claim immunity from federal election subversion charges.

Overstepping their unofficial end-of-June deadline by a single day, the nine justices will assemble on the bench for a final time before rising for their summer recess  likely leaving in their wake a flurry of legal wrangling over their last decisions.

By far, the case of greatest consequence that is still outstanding is the question of whether Trump is entitled to the sweeping immunity he is seeking from special counsel Jack Smiths election subversion charges.

Trump has argued that without immunity, presidents would be hamstrung in office, always fearful of being second-guessed by a zealous prosecutor after leaving the White House. That position appeared to have some purchase on the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court during oral arguments in April.

The answer to the question could have profound implications for both Trump and future presidents. During the CNN debate on Thursday, Trump claimed President Joe Biden could be a convicted felon with all of the things that hes done. That answer came in response to a question from CNNs Jake Tapper about whether Trump would seek retribution from his political opponents. Trump first responded by saying his retribution is going to be success, but then launched into a series of accusations against Biden.

The immunity case appears likely to come down to whether Trumps post-election actions were official  that is, steps pursuant to his presidential duties  or whether they were private, which would not likely receive immunity.

The court will also decide two cases at the intersection of the First Amendment and social media. At issue are laws enacted in Florida and Texas aimed at stopping social media giants like Facebook and X from throttling conservative views. The state laws ban online platforms from removing or demoting posts that express opinions, such as political content.

The Republican governors who signed the laws said they were needed to keep the social media platforms from discriminating against conservatives.

In some ways, the underlying dispute isnt as salient as it might have been when the cases were first filed. Since Elon Musk bought X and changed the companys content moderation policies, conservatives have been less likely to accuse the social media giant of throttling their views. But the case nevertheless raised fundamental First Amendment questions that could have a broad impact.

At the center of both disputes is whether the curation of posts is protected speech  in the same way that news outlets are entitled to First Amendment protection in how they design their front pages or guest lineups  or whether the social media platforms are simply carrying third-party posts to readers in a way that would allow the government to regulate them more closely.

A final case to be decided deals with a North Dakota truck stop that is challenging the fees banks can charge for debit card transactions in a ruling that could have deeper implications for other government regulations. The issue before the Supreme Court is whether the truck stop may sue in the first place, given a six-year statute of limitations on challenging government regulations.

Its a technical question but with potentially important ramifications. The federal government has warned that if the court sides with the truck stop, it could open the floodgates for similar challenges to government rules.

The decisions will cap a term in which the high court has largely ducked the underlying questions of two major abortion matters. It has sided with the Biden administration on one gun regulation and tossed out a federal ban on bump stocks in another. On Friday, the court narrowed a charge prosecutors had filed against hundreds of people who took part in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Beyond the decisions, the courts term was also plagued by controversy off the bench, including a series of stories documenting that controversial flags  including an upside-down US flag  had flown at properties owned by Justice Samuel Alito. An activist who represented herself as a religious conservative at a Supreme Court event released secret recordings of Alito and his wife, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts, discussing a range of politically sensitive topics.

Finally, in a stunning breach of protocol, the court inadvertently posted a draft of its opinion in a major abortion case a day before the formal release. In that case, the court dismissed a fight between Idaho and the Biden administration over the states strict abortion ban, temporarily blocking that bans enforcement in emergency health situations while the underlying litigation continues.

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The Supreme Court on Monday said it is putting off a ruling for now on whether social media laws adopted by Florida and Texas violate the 1st Amendment.

Instead, the justices sent those cases back to lower courts to consider how those laws would apply in specific situations.

Speaking for the unanimous court, Justice Elena Kagan said the lawyers for NetChoice, the group that sued the states, and the lower court judges who ruled so far made a mistake by focusing broadly on free-speech principles without considering how the laws would apply in different circumstances.

"In sum, there is much work to do below on both these cases, given the facial nature of NetChoices challenges. But that work must be done consistent with the 1st Amendment, which does not go on leave when social media are involved," she said.

All nine justices agreed with the outcome.

Monday's decision leaves unresolved whether states may play a role in deciding what appears on popular platforms that are seen by tens of millions of viewers.

The two largest red states had passed laws to fine and punish platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter (now X) and Instagram for what they said was "censoring" posts that appeal to conservatives.

The Florida and Texas laws under review arose from complaints three years ago that President Trump had been discriminated against or unfairly blocked by social media sites, including Twitter.

In 2021, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his states first-in-the-nation law and said it targeted the Big Tech censors who discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology.

The measure, adopted before billionaire Elon Musk purchased Twitter and changed its name to X, applies to social media sites with more than $100 million in annual revenue or more than 100 million users.

It authorizes lawsuits for damages for unfair censorship and large fines if a social media site deplatforms a candidate for office.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a somewhat broader bill a few months later, saying conservative speech was being threatened. It says a social media platform with more than 50 million users in the United States may not censor ... or otherwise discriminate against expression of users based on their viewpoint.

Read more: Supreme Court dismisses Republican suit claiming Biden administration censored social media

NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Assn. sued to challenge both laws on free-speech grounds, and both laws were put on hold, including by a 5-4 order from the Supreme Court.

The drive to restrict social media is heating up in many states.

Last week, the court in a 6-3 vote threw out a lawsuit brought by Republican state attorneys that accused the Biden administration of censoring social media.

The administration said it had merely alerted sites about dangerous disinformation about vaccines and COVID-19. Justice Amy Coney Barrett said the state attorneys did not show that Facebook and other social media platforms removed postings because they were pressured to do so by the government.

Last year, the California Legislature adopted a measure to prohibit online companies from collecting and selling data on children and teenagers, but it was blocked on 1st Amendment grounds by a federal judge in San Jose.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Supreme Court gives Trump some immunity in Jan. 6 case, but not for 'unofficial acts'

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said former President Donald Trump is entitled to some immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken to overturn results of the 2020 election but sent the case back to the trial court to sort out which charges can stand, effectively delaying any potential trial until after the November election.

The blockbuster decision split the court along ideological lines, with the dissenters saying it makes a "mockery" of the principle that "no man is above the law."

The 6-3 opinion was written by Chief Justice John Roberts.

"The President is not above the law," the majority opinion read. "But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office."

Trump had claimed "absolute immunity" for all his actions, but Roberts noted that, "Trump asserts a far broader immunity than the limited one we have recognized."

The historic decision dramatically outlines the boundaries of presidential power, making clear for the first time that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity for "core" official acts but have no immunity for "unofficial" acts.

The justices are sending the case back to the district court to determine what acts alleged in special counsel Jack Smith's indictment constitute official duties that could be protected from liability and which are not.

Trump is facing four felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding, for his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied any wrongdoing.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump attends the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 2024. (Marco Bello/Reuters)

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a fiery dissent read aloud from the bench, said the majority's decision "reshapes the institution of the presidency."

"It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law," she wrote. Sotomayor was joined in her dissent by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

What are official versus unofficial acts?

Roberts noted the "difficult" task of discerning between a president's official and unofficial conduct, and outlined several guidelines for the lower courts.

"Certain allegationssuch as those involving Trump's discussions with the Acting Attorney Generalare readily categorized in light of the nature of the President's official relationship to the office held by that individual," he wrote. "Other allegationssuch as those involving Trump's interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general publicpresent more difficult questions."

The high court said in addition to core functions, actions within the "outer perimeter" of a president's official responsibilities are immune provided that are "not manifestly or palpably beyond his authority."

It also said courts may not take a president's motives into account. Doing so, Roberts argued, would "risk exposing even the most obvious instances of official conduct to judicial examination on the mere allegation of improper purpose."

Also not relevant to the assessment on official versus unofficial conduct, the high court said, is the fact that an action would have allegedly violated a generally applicable law.

PHOTO: A view of the Supreme Court as the court hears arguments on the immunity of former President Donald Trump, April 25, 2024, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

'Fear for our democracy'

In her dissent, Sotomayor went on to say the court's ruling makes the president "now a king above the law."

"The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution," she wrote. "Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune."

Sotomayors final words: With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

Roberts vigorously disputed the dissent's characterization, calling it "wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today."

"Like everyone else, the President is subject to prosecution in his unofficial capacity," the chief justice wrote. "But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties.

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Tim Walz LIVE: Harriss VP pick uses first speech to condemn creepy and weird Trump and Vance

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in the East Room of the White House, March 18, 2024, in Washington. Shes already broken barriers, and now Harris could soon become the first Black woman to head a major party's presidential ticket after President Joe Bidens ended his reelection bid. The 59-year-old Harris was endorsed by Biden on Sunday, July 21, after he stepped aside amid widespread concerns about the viability of his candidacy. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took the stage together for the first time on Tuesday as official running mates on the Democratic presidential ticket, with the 2024 election just 90 days away.

The pair arrived before the more than 12,000-strong crowd at Temple University in Philadelphia to roars of applause.

Onstage, the vice president praised Walzs Midwest roots as a teacher, veteran, congressman, and governor responsible for policies like free school lunch for kids and protections to codify abortion rights.

I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future, Harris said.

Walz, for his part, gave a fiery speech of his own, balancing calls to bring joy back to politics with cutting attacks on the GOP campaign, mocking Donald Trump and JD Vance as out-of-touch leaders who were weird as hell and lying about their connections to Project 2025. He also made a joke about...that...NSFW rumor about Vance and a couch.

Walz beat out a crowded field of rivals to be the Democratic pick for VP, including Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, who appeared at Tuesdays rally.

Key Points

Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as her vice president ahead of Philadelphia rally

Walz says it is honor of a lifetime to join Kamala Harris for 2024 campaign

Tim Walz lands a zinger on Vance about that couch story - and attacks him for using Hillbilly Elegy to trash his own community

Trump leads Republican meltdown as Tim Walz unveiled as Harris VP pick

New poll says most Americans havent heard of Tim Walz

Harris praises Walz as patriot and fighter for the middle class'

Tuesday 6 August 2024 21:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch LIVE: Kamala Harris rallies with new VP running mate Tim Walz in Philadelphia

Tuesday 6 August 2024 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

How do Walz and Vance stack up in the polls?

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been chosen to run alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, and while current polling shows that most Americans arent familiar with him past polling shows he is popular with voters.

Unlike Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, Walz has decades of political experience, having first been elected to represent Minnesotas 1st district in the House of Representatives in 2006 with 52 percent of the vote.

Despite his experience, an ABC News and Ipsos survey from July found that out of 1,200 Americans, most did not know who Walz was.

Ariana Baio looks at the numbers.

Tim Walzs approval rating compared to JD Vance

Harris and Emhoff set to arrive any minute

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:13 , Josh Marcus

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff are expected to arrive in Philly any moment.

Earlier today, they shared this photo of their journey to this high-profile rally.

On the ground at Harris campaign in Philadelphia

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg reports from Philadelphia:

The crowd at the Temple University-owned arena appeared quite racially diverse and varied in age, a notable difference from the older, whiter crowds that frequent rallies for Harriss opponent.

The Independent spotted a pair of grey-haired caucasian males sporting shirts declaring themselves to be Old White Men for Harris and Freedom.

One of them, Bernie Strain, said he and his friend Joe Mathis were in attendance to support the Democratic ticket, supporting the party, and supporting our next president, Kamala Harris.

Asked about the significance of their shirts, Strain replied: Its as clear as the t shirt says. Its about two old white men liking our Social Security, liking our Medicare, liking our freedom, liking our democracy  well lose it if Trump gets elected.

He also told The Independent that his son, a US Marine, had served a pair of tours at the base that was struck by Iran-backed militants in Iraq yesterday.

Hes no loser and hes no sucker for serving in the United Statess service, and Trumps not going to call my son a loser or a sucker. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever, he said.

Strain added that he feels Biden, citing the death of the presidents eldest son, Beau Biden, following a tour of duty in Iraq.

Joes my guy, but we got to win this. He did the best thing he could do. He saved us for four years, and its time for a new torch to be passed to a new generation, he said.

The debut outing for the 2024 Democratic ticket even attracted a pair of ex-Republican members of Congress.

One of them, James Greenwood, represented Pennsylvanias Eighth Congressional District from 1993 to 2005.

He told The Independent that he understood Biden had to stand down after his debate performance against Trump.

Youre never going to unsee it, thats always going to be in the commercials. Its always going to be on the internet, he said.

Greenwood, who is involved in the Republicans for Harris coalition affiliated with the Harris-Walz campaign, said it was hard to recruit anyone to the pro-Harris GOP effort after the debate, but he described the vibe after Biden stood down as like an electric charge.

Youve seen it. You know, the excitement, the volunteers, the fundraising, so everyones pretty excited, he said.

Greenwood also told The Independent hed been all in for Harris to select Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, but he also had kind words for the Minnesota governor.

From what Ive seen of Governor Walz is that hes a very down to earth guy, very likable guy, and I think theyll make a great team, he said.

Another former Republican Congressman, Tea Party firebrand turned outspoken Never Trump commentator Joe Walsh, said Walz is just what Democrats need to appeal to working-class voters and shake off the partys image as a collection of effete elites.

Hes like an everyman  the Democrats have had trouble with blue collar regular workers and thats right up Walzs alley, he said. This guy can go into any pool hall, any VFW, and hes down more than Shapiro is. I disagree with him on a lot of policy, but hes like a regular guy, and thats what Democrats have to have.

WATCH: Harris campaign releases video introducing Walz as running mate

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:22 , Josh Marcus

Hows the Harris campaign going to introduce Tim Walz to the nation?

Today, we got our first peek.

Heres a mini bio the campaign released talking about the Minnesota governors long career in public service.

Growing up, I learned to be generous toward my neighbors, compromise without compromising my values, and to work for the common good.@KamalaHarris and I both believe in that common good  in that fundamental promise of America. Were ready to fight for it. And like she says: pic.twitter.com/5SfrDRqx7C  Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 6, 2024

Shapiro praises battle-tested' Harris at Philadelphia rally

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:32 , Josh Marcus

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro is speaking at todays rally, and he walked out to a huge roar of applause.

I want you to know I am going to continue to pour my heart and soul into serving you every single day and Im going to be working my tail off to make sure we make Kamala Harris and Tim Walz the next leaders of the United States of America, the Democrat told the crowd.

He praised Harris as courtroom tough and battle-tested and ready to go.

The Trump years, meanwhile, were marked with more chaos and less freedom, as well as declining abortion rights, Shapiro said.

Mention of JD Vance prompts chants of Hes a weirdo'

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:37 , Josh Marcus

At the mere mention of JD Vance just now, the crowd just erupted into chants of, Hes a weirdo.

Thats more than likely because of Tim Walz, who memorably branded the Trump-Vance campaign weirdos in a series of widely seen TV appearances and speeches.

Learn more about the roots of this campaign dig.

How Tim Walz became beloved by young voters with a message that the GOP is 'weird'

Shapiro offers ringing endorsement of Harris-Walz campaign

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:46 , Josh Marcus

Josh Shapiro mayve just been passed over for being Kamala Harriss running mate, but he certainly doesnt sound like it.

The Pennsylvania governor is in the middle of a pumped-up speech touting the campaign as one defending real freedom. He also called Tim Walz a great patriot and personal friend.

Shapiro argued on Tuesday that the Democrats are the right choice for their positions on reproductive freedom, investments in public education, environmentalism, LBGTQ+ issues and other topics.

This election is about all of you, and whether or not youre willing to do this hard work to fight for our freedom, he said.

Teacher, coach and family man: Tim Walz is the Midwest dad courting the White House

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:47 , Josh Marcus

The governorship of Minnesota may have launched Tim Waltz onto the national stage  and now into a battle for the White House  but it was the former teachers wife who brought him to the Land of 10,000 Lakes in the first place.

Gwen Walz, nee Whipple, was born and raised in Minnesota before making a fateful foray after college into teaching across the border in Nebraska; there, she met another young educator and member of the Army National Guard. Tim Walz had grown up in West Point, a small Cornhusker enclave nearly 300 miles south of his future wifes hometown, and already counted several years of military service under his belt when he decided to ask Gwen out.

Thanks to encouragement from her sister, she agreed; their first date at the only movie theater in town  followed by a stop at Hardees, naturally  soon blossomed into a romance, then a 1994 marriage. Exactly 30 years later, the two teachers and their two children now proudly hold the title of First Family of Minnesota  while throwing their hats in the ring for Second Family of America.

Sheila Flynn has more on the Midwest roots of Walz.

Photos capture first Harris-Walz rally

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:48 , Josh Marcus

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were in Philadelphia on Tuesday for their first campaign rally together.

Heres what the scene looked like on the ground.

(Getty Images)

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro greets the crowd (Getty Images)

The mayor of Philadelphi Cherelle Parkerspeaks before US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at Temple University's Liacouras Center (AFP via Getty Images)

Harris VP pick Tim Walz under microscope for response to 2020 George Floyd protests in Minneapolis

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:58 , Josh Marcus

The announcement of Tim Walz as Kamala Harriss running mate has shaken up the 2024 presidential race once again, and its also turning the clock back to 2020 when the country was riven by protests following the police murder of George Floyd.

Walz was governor when police in his state pinned Floyd to the ground by his neck for more than nine minutes, sparking massive, sometimes violent, protests and looting across the Minneapolis area and the country.

Republicans, predictably, have already seized on this moment in Walzs history, painting him as another soft-on-crime liberal who lost control of their city.

They make an interesting tag team, because of course, Tim Walz allowed rioters to burn down Minneapolis in the summer of 2020, JD Vance, Walzs rival on the GOP ticket, told Fox News on Tuesday.

So, how did Tim Walz respond to Floyds death?

Harris VP pick Tim Walz under microscope for response to 2020 George Floyd protests

The VP has landed

Tuesday 6 August 2024 22:59 , Josh Marcus

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have taken the stage.

Follow live for the latest news on this pivotal moment in the campaign.

Harris thanks Shapiro and claims him as key ally in campaign for Pennsylvania

Tuesday 6 August 2024 23:04 , Josh Marcus

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro (Getty Images)

Kamala Harris just gave a special shoutout to Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro.

I will say Josh is a dear, dear friend and an extraordinary leader, she said. He and I have been spending a lot of time together over the years. And I told Josh, look, I am so so invested in our friendship, in doing this together, because together with Josh Shapiro, we will win Pennsylvania.

Harris praises Walz as patriot and fighter for the middle class'

Tuesday 6 August 2024 23:12 , Josh Marcus

(REUTERS)

After talking about her campaign prioritiesdefending reproductive rights, ensuring middle class prosperityHarris is now laying out Walzs qualifications to be vice president.

I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future, Harris told the audience in Philadelphia. A leader who will help unite our nation and move us forward. A fighter for the middle class. A patriot, who believes as I do, in the extraordinary promise of America.

Big cheers for Walz record on ACA and free school lunch

Tuesday 6 August 2024 23:22 , Josh Marcus

(AP)

Some of the biggest cheers of the night so far have come when Kamala Harris described Tim Walzs record on social service programs, which included supporting the Affordable Care Act and making school breakfast and lunch free for Minnesota kids.

We believe healthcare should be a right and not just a privilege for those who can afford it, Harris said.

How Tim Walzs 1995 DUI arrest changed his life

Tuesday 6 August 2024 23:32 , Josh Marcus

Tim Walz chose to stop drinking alcohol in 1995 after he was arrested for driving under the influence, a story that has resurfaced after Vice President Kamala Harris announced the Minnesota Governor as her running mate.

On September 23, 1995, Walz, a 31-year-old, newlywed, high school teacher and football coach, was pulled over doing 96 miles per hour in a 55mph zone. The officer who stopped Walz smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage, according to the police report.

After failing a field sobriety test and preliminary breath test, Walz was taken to a local jail in Dawes County, Nebraska.

The incident took place 11 years before Walz first pursued political office as Minnesotas First Congressional District Representative.

Ariana Baio has the details.

The truth behind Tim Walzs 1995 DUI arrest and how it changed his life

Thank you for bringing back the joy'

Tuesday 6 August 2024 23:42 , Josh Marcus

(Getty Images)

Tim Walz is making that case that he and Kamala Harris will be happy warriors on behalf of the middle class and common decency.

Thank you for bringing back the joy, Walz began, praising Harris for her uplifting style.

The Minnesota governor also connected his small town upbringing working on a family farm to the values he said hell bring to the White House.

My mom and dad taught us, show generosity toward your neighbors, and work for the common good, he said.

Walz said this approach couldnt be more different than Trumps.

He froze in the face of the covid crisis, Walz said. He drove our economy into the ground. And make no mistake, violent crime was up under Donald Trump  thats not even counting the crimes he committed.

Walz gets personal talking about reproductive care

Tuesday 6 August 2024 23:48 , Josh Marcus

Tim Walz is arguing that the Republican position on abortion rights and other forms of reproductive care go against Minnesotas golden rule: Mind your own damn business.

The Minnesota governor said there was a time when Republicans believed in freedom, but that has turned out to mean the freedom to invade your doctors office.

The Democratic leader also spoke personally about his familys efforts to conceive a child through IVF, and the long stretches where it seemed the procedure wouldnt take.

Eventually, when their daughter was born, they named her Hope.

Walz savages JD Vance as out of touch and weird as hell'

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:00 , Josh Marcus

Its not hard to imagine why Tim Walz once won a state football championship when he was a high school coach.

The Minnesota governor practically gave a halftime pump-up speech today in Philadelphia, and he reserved his most passionate section for his rivals on the (political) field, savaging Ohio senator and Trump running mate JD Vance as an out-of-touch elite, despite their shared Midwest roots.

Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a best seller trashing that community, Walz said, to hoots from the crowd.

Come on, thats not what Middle America is, he continued. And I got to tell you. I cant wait to debate the guy ... That is, if hes willing to get off the couch and show up.

The Democrat also accused Vance and Trump of being weird as hell.

Read more here to learn about why Vance is increasingly coming under fire from even those within his party.

Racist Mountain Dew, cat ladies  and eyeliner? The weird times of JD Vance

Walz accuses Trump campaign of lying about Project 2025

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:15 , Josh Marcus

Tim Walz is the latest to accuse the Trump campaign of falsely downplaying its links to Project 2025, a model administration document from a conservative thinktank thats been criticized for its suite of far-right policies.

Trump has claimed he isnt associated with the proposal, despite JD Vance writing a foreword for a book by the projects creator.

Dont believe him when he plays dumb, Walz said in Philadelphia. He knows exactly what Project 2025 will do to restrict our freedoms, to rig the economy to help the super rich. If Trump gets a chance to return, hes going to pick up exactly where he left off four years ago, only this time itll be much, much worse.

VIDEO: Walz claims GOP is breaking the Minnesota golden rule on abortion

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:30 , Josh Marcus

Tim Walz is hoping to connect his Midwest values to the 2024 campaign.

On the subject of abortion, Walz said the GOP opposition to abortion goes against Minnesotas golden rule, of mind your own damn business.

Walz: In Minnesota we respect our neighbors and their personal choices that they make. Even if we wouldn't make the same choice for ourselves, there's a golden rule, mind your own damn business. pic.twitter.com/TRQNlbySlE  Acyn (@Acyn) August 6, 2024

Best pics from Harris-Walz rally

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:33 , Graeme Massie

(AP)

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Tim Walz lands a zinger on Vance about that couch story - and attacks him for using Hillbilly Elegy to trash his own community

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:37 , Graeme Massie

Tim Walz attacks Vance about that couch story at first rally as Harris running mate

Best pics of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz at Philadelphia rally

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:41 , Graeme Massie

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

WATCH: Tim Walzs best reactions to Kamala Harriss speech

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:52 , Graeme Massie

Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz show off new campaign sign

Wednesday 7 August 2024 00:55 , Graeme Massie

I predicted a Harris-Walz ticket a year ago. Heres why

01:00 , Josh Marcus

The wait is over. Vice President Kamala Harris has finally picked her running mate in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Walz has become a favorite of online progressives recently, largely because of his weird attacks on Republicans. But there are also solid policy reasons why Walz is beloved of the left wing of the party. He went from a pro-gun rural Democrat in Congress to a governor who has signed legislation that protects abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights, enacted background checks on guns, and expanded free school meals regardless of income.

Back in August 2023, I tweeted: Walz would be a strong choice for Harris if she were to be the nominee.

Almost a year later, after Bidens debacle of a debate performance, just as Walz and other Democratic governors did a stakeout in front of the White House, I suggested him as a potential running mate for Harris if Biden dropped out. Veteran, longtime congressman from rural Minnesota. Popular governor who has passed major pieces of progressive legislation, is how I summarized my reasons why.

More from Eric Garcia.

I predicted a Harris-Walz ticket a year ago. Heres why

ICYMI: Democrats react to Tim Walz as VP pick: I dont know

01:15 , Josh Marcus

Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota governor Tim Walz to be her running mate for the 2024 General Election.

Its the choice the current vice president mulled over for weeks, before landing on Walz, who beat Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro and Arizonas Mark Kelly to be Harriss top pick.

The pair are due to step out for their first joint rally this evening in Philadelphia in front of thousands of fellow Democrats.

The Independent spoke to a few of them and asked them what they thought of Harriss choice.

Democrats react to Tim Walz as VP pick: I dont know

Trump campaign suspends North Carolina events amid Tropical Storm Debby

01:16 , Josh Marcus

The Trump campaign has had to postpone two scheduled events for August 8 in North Carolina, as Tropical Storm Debby bears down on the state.

The Trump-Vance ticket had been scheduled to appear at events in Raleigh and Oakboro on Thursday.

Heres more on the widespread damage from the storm.

Live updates: Tropical Storm Debby hits South Carolina with over foot of rain

Harris campaign denies ridiculous claim it rejected Shapiro as VP pick over faith

01:31 , Josh Marcus

Kamala Harris campaign has rejected the suggestion that Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro was overlooked as her running mate because of his Jewish faith.

Representatives said that the claims were ridiculous and offensive and that the vice president would always combat antisemitism whenever and wherever she sees it.

Harris announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be joining the Democratic ticket on Tuesday. Shapiro, who is Jewish, was among several others tipped to be in the running.

Some critics suggested that Shapiro had been sidelined because of his faith. Former Harvard law professor and controversial lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, wrote on X:Did Harris reject Shapiro because progressives dont like that hes Jewish?

Mike Bedigan has the details.

Harris campaign denies claim Shapiro was rejected for VP because of Jewish faith

The biggest moments from tonights Harris-Walz kickoff rally

01:40 , Josh Marcus

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made their debut as the presumptive Democratic presidential ticket, kicking off a campaign against Donald Trump and JD Vance in front of a roaring crowd in Philadelphia.

The North Star State executive strode on stage in front of an electricfied crowd at Temple Universitys Licouras Center on Tuesday just hours after Harris announced him as her running mate, ending the closely watched contest for the next potential vice president by choosing the seasoned midwestern politician, military veteran and former school teacher with a progressive track record.

Harris told the estimated 12,000 people in attendance that shed set out to find a partner who can build this brighter future that she has spoke of from the stump during her weeks-old campaign for the presidency.

She added that her search for a running-mate led her to look for a leader who can unite this nation and move us forward, someone who was a fighter for the middle class and a patriot who believes as I do the extraordinary promise of America, a promise of freedom, opportunity and justice not just for some but for all.

Andrew Feinberg and Alex Woodward have the latest.

Tim Walz fires up Democrats in first speech as Kamala Harriss running mate

Photos: Tim Walzs unlikely rise to be the Democratic VP nominee

01:47 , Josh Marcus

A photo of Tim Walz during his early days in the National Guard (Kamala Harris for President)

A photo of Tim Walz during his time as a public school teacher in Mankato, Minnesota (Kamala Harris for President)

Tim Walz during his campaign for governor of Minnesota (AFP/Getty)

Election 2024 Harris (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The other VP race: who will play Tim Walz on SNL?

01:55 , Josh Marcus

Now that both campaigns in the 2024 presidential election have settled on their candidates, for now at least, the next question is: who will play them on Saturday Night Live?

Many on X have suggested that SNL vets Maya Rudolph and Steve Martin should handle the Democratic side.

Make SNL Great Again pic.twitter.com/WKzZQPYbjL  Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) August 7, 2024

Pakistani national with ties to Iran indicted for alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill Trump

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Department of Justice has accused a Pakistani national with ties to the Iranian government with seeking to carry out a murder-for-hire plot targeting US government officials.

Asif Raza Merchant, who is now in federal custody, allegedly traveled to the US to hire hit men to carry out assassinations in August or September, according to an indictment unsealed in New York on Tuesday.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Pakistani national indicted for alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill Trump

Opening of Trump campaign office in Georgia descends into chaos

02:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A fight broke out at the opening of a Trump campaign office in Valdosta, Georgia, police have said.

The incident took place last week when State Representative John LaHood said he was approached by activist Sam Carnline after speaking at the event, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Opening of Trump campaign office in Georgia descends into chaos with fist fight

Is Trump having a public nervous breakdown? Republicans worry he might be...

03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Republicans are concerned that their party leader Donald Trump is having a public nervous breakdown after he made a series of offensive outbursts about Vice President Kamala Harris as he slips behind her in the polls.

Perhaps collapsing under the weight of Harris growing campaign support, the former president has made a number of insulting personal attacks against his Democratic rival. Last week, Trump questioned the vice presidents racial identity at the National Association of Black Journalists conference. Over the weekend, he accused Harris of having a low IQ.

Meanwhile, new polls indicate Trump is slipping behind the vice president in the popular vote and races are tightening in battleground states.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Republicans worry Trump is having a public nervous breakdown

How Walz might help  or hurt  Harris chances

04:15 , Namita Singh

Opting for the Minnesota governor immediately calms the Democratic Partys left wing, which was worried that another contender, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, might have pushed the party closer to Israel and disheartened Arab American and younger voters.

Some in Kamala Harris inner circle saw Mr Walz as a do-no-harm choice who can keep the party unified heading into the Democratic National Convention opening in Chicago on 19 August.

Progressives are already celebrating Mr Walzs ability to deliver an unapologetically populist message in the style of a Midwestern dad who recalls the social studies teacher and football coach he once was.

Activists who for months have followed Joe Biden around the country to protest his full-throated support for Israel in its war with Hamas in Gaza are hopeful that Mr Walz will help Harris take a more nuanced approach than someone like Shapiro.

But some critics will point to 2016, when the only other woman to be nominated for president, Hillary Clinton, picked a mild-mannered dad with centrist views and a modest national profile: Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. That ticket lost to Donald Trump.

Cori Bush becomes second Squad member to lose her primary

04:23 , Namita Singh

Democratic representative Cori Bush became the second member of the Squad to lose her primary as county prosecutor Wesley Bell beat her in a grueling and expensive primary on Tuesday evening.

Pro-Israel groups spent massive amounts of money to depose Bush in the district where she pulled off an upset victory against a longtime incumbent Democrat in 2020.

The United Democracy Project, a super PAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, spent $9.2m against Bush, according to AdImpact. That made the primary the second-most expensive one of the year after UDP spent millions in opposition to fellow Squad member Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York.

Report:

Cori Bush becomes the second Squad member to lose a primary as shes ousted from seat

Cori Bush becomes second Squad member to lose her primary

04:34 , Namita Singh

Democratic representative Cori Bush became the second member of the Squad to lose her primary as county prosecutor Wesley Bell beat her in a grueling and expensive primary on Tuesday evening.

Pro-Israel groups spent massive amounts of money to depose Bush in the district where she pulled off an upset victory against a longtime incumbent Democrat in 2020.

The United Democracy Project, a super PAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, spent $9.2m against Bush, according to AdImpact. That made the primary the second-most expensive one of the year after UDP spent millions in opposition to fellow Squad member Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York.

Report:

Cori Bush becomes the second Squad member to lose a primary as shes ousted from seat

Harris and Walz could clear path for first-ever Native American woman governor

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

If Kamala Harris and her newly announced running mate Tim Walz win the race for the White House, the US could see the first-ever Native American woman serving as governor.

Under the succession plan laid out by the states constitution, Minnesotas Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan would ascend to the governors office, if Harris-Walz defeats Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance in 2024.

Flanagan  a citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe  would also become the states first-ever female governor.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Harris-Walz could clear path for first-ever Native American woman governor

Vance offers battleground counterprogram to Walz

04:49 , Namita Singh

JD Vance is set to follow an overlapping itinerary to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz over the next two days, including stops in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

His role is to attack the Biden administrations policies and tear down Ms Harris record on the economy, public safety and immigration.

Mr Vance got out ahead of the Democrats in Philadelphia on Tuesday, holding an event hours before Ms Harris was to formally introduce her new running mate at a rally.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds rally with vice president pick Tim Walz, in Philadelphia (Reuters)

He said during his Philadelphia stop that I absolutely want to debate Tim Walz, but not until after the Democratic convention.Ms Harris team seemed to be happy to have Vance making the contrast with the Democrats.

We appreciate JD Vance providing voters in battleground states exactly the split-screen that defines the choice this November, said Ms Harris campaign spokesperson Charles Lutvak.

Michigan will choose between Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers

05:18 , Namita Singh

Former US representative Mike Rogers has secured the Republican nomination for a US Senate seat in Michigan and will face Democratic representative Elissa Slotkin in the November election.

Ms Slotkin and Mr Rogers, long considered the front-runners for their respective party nominations, will now shift focus to the general election. Ms Slotkin enters with a massive fundraising advantage and emerges nearly unscathed from a sparse primary, while Mr Rogers has the backing of national Republican groups and former President Donald Trump.

Former representative Mike Rogers and Representative Elissa Slotkin are set to face each other in November election (AP)

Ms Slotkin defeated actor Hill Harper in the Democratic primary, while Republicans chose Mr Rogers over former US representative Justin Amash and physician Sherry ODonnell. Both candidates will now compete for a seat left open by longtime Democratic senator Debbie Stabenows retirement.

The retiring incumbent joined Ms Slotkin onstage at an event in Detroit shortly after the race was called to endorse her. Ms Slotkin praised Stabenow for her years of service before delivering a speech positioning herself as the normal and rational candidate.

North of Detroit, in Oakland County, Mr Rogers thanked supporters at a watch party for not giving up on politics. Like Ms Slotkin, Mr Rogers represented a mid-Michigan swing district in Congress, and he similarly positioned himself as the commonsense candidate in his speech. No Republican has won a US Senate race in Michigan since 1994.

With Democrats holding a razor-thin majority in the Senate and Republicans in the House, competitive races like those in Michigan are drawing lots of attention.

Its a vibes election  and Harris has picked the perfect running mate for the job

05:19 , Namita Singh

Theyre calling it a vibes election.

Vibes are notoriously hard to spot, and they dont always show up in polls, but as Kamala Harris took to the stage in a cavernous auditorium at Temple University in Philadelphia on Tuesday with her new running mate, they were measurable in the screams and shouts of 12,000 people.

The replacement of Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket by Ms Harris has changed the energy in the room. And Ms Harriss choice of Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential candidate is a sign that she is banking on that energy taking her to the White House.

My colleague Richard Hall reports:

Its a vibes election - and Harris has picked the perfect running mate for the job

Wesley Bell defeats 'Squad' member Cori Bush

05:43 , Namita Singh

St Louis County prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell has defeated US representative Cori Bush in a Democratic primary in St Louis, marking the second time this year that one of the partys incumbents has been ousted in an expensive contest that reflected deep divisions over the war in Gaza.

Ms Bush, a member of the progressive congressional group known as the Squad, was seeking a third term in Missouris 1st Congressional District, which includes St Louis city and part of St Louis County. Mr Bell is heavily favored to carry this overwhelmingly Democratic district in November, when his party is aiming to retake control of the US House.

I am committed to serving the St Louis region in Congress with integrity, transparency, and dedication...Together, we will tackle the challenges ahead and build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Wesley Bell

Ms Bush, in a fiery concession speech, said she still has work to do, even if shell no longer be in Congress.

At the end of the day, whether Im a congresswoman or not, Im still taking care of my people, Ms Bush said.

What to know about Tim Walzs origin story

05:45 , Josh Marcus

The governorship of Minnesota may have launched Tim Waltz onto the national stage  and now into a battle for the White House  but it was the former teachers wife who brought him to the Land of 10,000 Lakes in the first place.

Gwen Walz, nee Whipple, was born and raised in Minnesota before making a fateful foray after college into teaching across the border in Nebraska; there, she met another young educator and member of the Army National Guard. Tim Walz had grown up in West Point, a small Cornhusker enclave nearly 300 miles south of his future wifes hometown, and already counted several years of military service under his belt when he decided to ask Gwen out.

Thanks to encouragement from her sister, she agreed; their first date at the only movie theater in town  followed by a stop at Hardees, naturally  soon blossomed into a romance, then a 1994 marriage. Exactly 30 years later, the two teachers and their two children now proudly hold the title of First Family of Minnesota  while throwing their hats in the ring for Second Family of America.

Family  both the one who raised him and the one hes built with Gwen  has deeply molded Walzs professional path and political positions.

Sheila Flynn has the full story.

Teacher, coach and family man: Tim Walz is the Midwest dad courting the White House

Republican activist becomes first person to be convicted in Arizonas fake elector case

05:49 , Namita Singh

A Republican activist who signed a document falsely claiming Donald Trump had won Arizona in 2020 became the first person to be convicted in the states fake elector case.

Loraine Pellegrino, a past president of the group Ahwatukee Republican Women, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false document, Arizona Attorney Generals Office spokesperson Richie Taylor said Tuesday, declining to comment further.

Records documenting her guilty plea havent yet been posted by the court. Still, court records show Pellegrino was sentenced to unsupervised probation. Before the plea, she faced nine felony charges.

Seventeen other people had been charged in the case, including 10 other Republicans who had signed a certificate saying they were duly elected and qualified electors and claimed Trump had carried Arizona in the 2020 election.

President Joe Biden won Arizona by 10,457 votes. Joshua Kolsrud, an attorney representing Pellegrino, said in a statement that his client has accepted responsibility for her actions. Loraine Pellegrinos decision to accept a plea to a lesser charge reflects her desire to move forward and put this matter behind her, Kolsrud said.

Washington state attorney general and Green River Killer detective advance in race for governorship

06:30 , Namita Singh

Washington states longtime attorney general and a former sheriff known for his work hunting down the Green River Killer advanced on Tuesday to Novembers general election in the battle to become the next governor in a Democratic stronghold that hasnt had an open race for the states top job in more than a decade.

In high profile congressional races, meanwhile, Democratic US representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez advanced in the 3rd District and will face Donald Trump-endorsed Joe Kent, whom she defeated two years ago. And in the 8th District, Democratic US representative Kim Schrier will go head-to-head against Republican Carmen Goers, a commercial banker.

File: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is pictured at the Capitol in Washington, 15 November 2022 (AP)

A congressional race in the 4th District between US representative Dan Newhouse, one of the last remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, and two conservative rivals endorsed by the GOP presidential nominee was too early to call.

Under the states primary system, the top two vote-getters in each of the contests advance to the November election, regardless of party. Because Washington is a vote-by-mail state, with ballots due to be postmarked by Election Day, it often takes days to learn final results in close races.

Mike Kehoe wins Republican nomination for governorship

06:42 , Namita Singh

Missouri voters have nominated Lt Governor Mike Kehoe to be the Republican candidate for governor, making the governors race his to lose.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Jefferson City, Mr Kehoe described himself as an underdog and said people doubted his campaign from the start.We proved, once again, the American dream is still alive, Mr Kehoe said.

Mike Kehoe points to the crowd after announcing his win of Missouri Governor on Tuesday, 6 August 2024 (AP)

Mr Kehoe edged out Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel to win the GOP nomination, a huge advantage in a strongly conservative state currently without any Democratic statewide officials.

Mr Kehoe will face off in November against state House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, who won the Democratic nomination.Republican governor Mike Parson is barred from seeking reelection by term limits.

Trump leads Republican meltdown as Tim Walz unveiled as Harris VP pick

06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump is leading the Republican partys meltdown over Kamala Harriss vice presidential pick, dramatically claiming that Tim Walz will unleash HELL ON EARTH.

Harris announced on Tuesday that she had chosen Walz  the man who coined the now-infamous weird moniker for their Republican rivals  to join her on the Democratic ticket to take on Trump and JD Vance in the November election.

The announcement soon provoked an unhinged reaction from the former president whose campaign fired off a fundraising email warning that Tim Walz would be the worst VP in history!

Joe Sommerlad has the story.

Trump leads Republican meltdown as Walz unveiled as Harris VP pick: HELL ON EARTH

Kansas' former attorney general wins the Republican nomination for an open congressional seat

06:48 , Namita Singh

A former Kansas attorney general and failed candidate for governor has found at least initial success in his political comeback attempt, winning Tuesdays Republican primary for an open US House seat.

Former Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt prevailed in the primary in the 2nd District of eastern Kansas over Jeff Kahrs, a former top regional federal health official, and Shawn Tiffany, a rancher. Even though Kahrs worked in former president Donald Trumps administration, Mr Schmidt won Trumps endorsement.

In the Democratic primary, former US representative Nancy Boyda, who held the 2nd District seat in 2007 and 2008, defeated Matt Kleinmann, a public health advocate who was a member of the 2008 national champion University of Kansas mens basketball team.

Ms Boyda won the nomination even though she riled up some party activists by positioning herself toward the political center for what she saw as a more viable general election campaign in the Republican-leaning district. She lost her 2008 race for reelection.

Ms Boyda was the last Democrat to represent eastern Kansas in Congress, and the district became redder after the GOP-controlled Legislature redrew it two years ago.

Mr Schmidt, who is also a former state senator, raised the most money of any candidate, more than $616,000, including more than $119,000 since mid-July alone, according to campaign finance reports.America needs more effective, conservative voices in public service, Mr Schmidt said in a statement.

I will continue to prioritize securing our border, stopping inflation, and rolling back big governments overregulation and over-taxation of our daily lives.

Was Tim Walz arrested for a DUI?

07:45 , Josh Marcus

Tim Walz chose to stop drinking alcohol in 1995 after he was arrested for driving under the influence, a story that has resurfaced after Vice President Kamala Harris announced the Minnesota Governor as her running mate.

On September 23, 1995, Walz, a 31-year-old, newlywed, high school teacher and football coach, was pulled over doing 96 miles per hour in a 55mph zone. The officer who stopped Walz smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage, according to the police report.

After failing a field sobriety test and preliminary breath test, Walz was taken to a local jail in Dawes County, Nebraska.

The incident took place 11 years before Walz first pursued political office as Minnesotas First Congressional District Representative.

Ariana Baio reports.

The truth behind Tim Walzs 1995 DUI arrest and how it changed his life

I predicted a Harris-Walz ticket a year ago. Heres why

08:45 , Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia writes:

The wait is over. Vice President Kamala Harris has finally picked her running mate in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Walz has become a favorite of online progressives recently, largely because of his weird attacks on Republicans. But there are also solid policy reasons why Walz is beloved of the left wing of the party. He went from a pro-gun rural Democrat in Congress to a governor who has signed legislation that protects abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights, enacted background checks on guns, and expanded free school meals regardless of income.

Back in August 2023, I tweeted: Walz would be a strong choice for Harris if she were to be the nominee.

Continue reading...

I predicted a Harris-Walz ticket a year ago. Heres why
Two state laws that could upend the way social media companies handle content moderation are still in limbo after a Supreme Court ruling sent the challenges back to lower courts, vacating previous rulings. In a 9 - 0 decision in Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton, the Supreme Court said that earlier rulings in lower courts had not properly evaluated the laws impact on the First Amendment.

The cases stem from two state laws , from Texas and Florida, which tried to impose restrictions on social media companies ability to moderate content. The Texas law, passed in 2021, allows users to sue large social media companies over alleged censorship of their political views. The Supreme Court suspended the law in 2022 following a legal challenge. Meanwhile, the Florida measure, also passed in 2021 , attempted to impose fines on social media companies for banning politicians. That law has also been on hold pending legal challenges.

Both laws were challenged by NetChoice, an industry group that represents Meta, Google, X and other large tech companies. NetChoice argued that the laws were unconstitutional and would essentially prevent large platforms from performing any kind of content moderation. The Biden Administration also opposed both laws. In a statement , NetChoice called the decision a victory for First Amendment rights online.

In a decision authored by Justice Elena Kagan, the court said that lower court rulings in both cases concentrated on the issue of whether a state law can regulate the content-moderation practices used in Facebooks News Feed (or near equivalents). But, she writes, they did not address the full range of activities the laws cover, and measure the constitutional against the unconstitutional applications.

Essentially, the usually-divided court agreed that the First Amendment implications of the laws could have broad impacts on parts of these sites unaffected by algorithmic sorting or content moderation (like direct messages, for instance) as well as on speech in general. Analysis of those externalities, Kagan wrote, simply never occurred in the lower court proceedings. The decision to remand means that analysis should take place, and the case may come back before SCOTUS in the future.

In sum, there is much work to do below on both these cases  But that work must be done consistent with the First Amendment, which does not go on leave when social media are involved, Kagan wrote.
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that former President Donald Trump is entitled to some presidential immunity from criminal prosecution in the federal election interference case against him.

In a highly anticipated 6-3 decision in Trump v. United States, the justices decided that Trump does not have the broad presidential immunity that he has claimed to have, but he does have protection for official acts. The court concluded that Trump does not have immunity for unofficial or private acts taken while in office. The biggest question that needs to be answered now is what, exactly, constitutes official versus unofficial acts. For that, the justices remanded the case back down to the lower courts to sort out.

Trump praised the high courts decision on his Truth Social platform and wrote in all caps, Big win for our Constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!"

President Biden, in an evening address from the White House, sharply criticized the ruling.

"For all practical purposes, today's decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits to what a president can do," Biden said, adding that it was a "dangerous precedent."

If Trump is reelected in November, Biden said, he would be "more emboldened to do whatever he pleases."

Read the Supreme Court ruling here:

This embedded content is not available in your region.

 What the justices said

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, with the other five conservative justices concurring. Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official, Roberts wrote. The President is not above the law. But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts.

Roberts also wrote that the trial court will have to determine which aspects of Trumps alleged conduct, for which he has been charged in the federal election subversion case, are immune from prosecution.

We accordingly remand to the District Court to determine in the first instance  with the benefit of briefing we lack  whether Trumps conduct in this area qualifies as official or unofficial, Roberts wrote.

The chief justice also made clear that the lower courts cannot take into account Trumps motives when determining the difference between official versus unofficial acts while in office.

Such an inquiry would risk exposing even the most obvious instances of official conduct to judicial examination on the mere allegation of improper purpose, thereby intruding on the Article II interests that immunity seeks to protect, Roberts wrote.

In addition, anything the lower court determines to be an official act while Trump was in office cannot be used as evidence against the former president during trial.

"Presidents cannot be indicted based on conduct for which they are immune from prosecution. On remand, the District Court must carefully analyze the indictments remaining allegations to determine whether they too involve conduct for which a President must be immune from prosecution," Roberts wrote.

 A scathing dissent claims a president is now king above the law

A person holds a placard outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday following the court's ruling on former President Donald Trump's bid for immunity from federal prosecution on charges in his federal election interference case. (Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)

Sotomayor issued a scathing dissent in which she expressed concerns over a U.S. presidents abuse of power. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune, Sotomayor wrote.

Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majoritys message today.

Sotomayor added, The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

 What the ruling means

Overall, this is a strategic win for Trump. Special counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6 criminal case against Trump will be delayed, as the case was remanded back to the trial judge, Tanya Chutkan. She needs to apply these new definitions of immunity to assess whether Trumps trial can proceed in Washington, D.C.

This will likely delay the trial until after the 2024 election. If Trump wins the election, as president he could either pardon himself in this federal case or appoint an attorney general who would drop the case against him.

 Reactions to the decision

A senior campaign official for President Biden issued a statement in response to the Supreme Courts ruling saying in part, Todays ruling doesnt change the facts, so lets be very clear about what happened on January 6: Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election.

Staunch Trump allies  and his vice presidential hopefuls  celebrated Mondays decision and considered it a win for the former president.

Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York called it a historic victory, while Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio called it a massive win for Trump in a social media post.

 How we got here

Trump asked the high court to decide whether he could claim presidential immunity in special counsel Jack Smiths federal election subversion case for his alleged role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smiths August 2023 indictment of Trump includes both official and private acts of the former president.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the four felony counts against him and sought to have the charges thrown out. He argued that he was immune from criminal prosecution because the actions he took were within the scope of his official acts as president, not private acts.

Meanwhile, Smith asked the high court to dismiss Trumps claims of sweeping presidential immunity. The special prosecutor argued that Trumps alleged Jan. 6 actions are fair game for criminal prosecution because they were done for personal gain as a candidate to benefit his presidential campaign, rather than a president taking action for the country. The effective functioning of the presidency does not require that a former president be immune from accountability for these alleged violations of federal criminal law, Smith had written in a brief to the high court.

Smith had urged the court to prevent the former president from delaying a trial until after the November election.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The Supreme Court ruled U.S. presidents are now legally immune from criminal prosecution if it is considered an official act.

The historic ruling does leave room for prosecution for actions deemed unofficial.

The ruling all but guarantees Donald Trump will not face criminal trial for his role leading up to the January 6th riot before Election Day.

In the 6-3 decision the Supreme Court declared presidents immune from prosecution for official acts. MAGA Republicans are applauding the courts decision which will likely shield former president Trump from January 6th related charges at least until after the election.

On Truth Social, Trump called it a big win for democracy.

Were winning everywhere, and were going to win more, said former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.

The courts conservative majority suggested without some immunity prosecution of presidents could quickly become routine.

The three liberal justices sharply disagreed, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor writing the decision quote makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitutionthat no man is above the law.

The ruling does leave presidents on the hook for non-official acts

George Washington University Professor Paul Schiff Berman warns it would be near impossible to separate the two.

Its hard to imagine any prosecution of a president that would not involve some intrusion on executive power, said Schiff Berman.

The Biden campaign is now using the ruling as rally cry to defeat Trump in November.

This is much bigger than one moment, this is about the backbone of our country, said senior Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz.

The Justice Department has not released a statement regarding the ruling.

The case heads back to a lower court to decide which charges are considered official acts.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. In 2023, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria increased by 57 percent compared to the previous year, and in 2024, there is a dynamic trend of continued growth, Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, co-chairman of the Azerbaijani-Bulgarian Intergovernmental Commission Majnun Mammadov said, Trend reports.

He made the statement at the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the countries held in Baku.

According to the minister, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have signed 69 cooperation documents to date, with an additional 7 documents currently under consideration.

"There is potential to further enhance our trade relations. We are also committed to expanding cooperation in agriculture," he further emphasized.

He extended invitations to Bulgarian companies to participate in the reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.

The minister highlighted the potential commercial benefits for Bulgarian companies through the development of the international East-West Trans-Caspian corridor.

"Azerbaijan serves as a crucial regional hub, offering Bulgaria opportunities to leverage its transportation capabilities," noted Mammadov.

He emphasized that energy cooperation and trade are pivotal priorities for advancing bilateral interaction.

"We also foresee significant prospects in tourism, particularly with the recent launch of the Baku-Sofia direct flights in June. Additionally, there is untapped potential for enhancing humanitarian ties and educational programs," added the minister.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts chats with Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 7. Roberts wrote the majority opinion in Monday's ruling on former President Donald Trump's immunity claim and Sotomayor wrote the dissenting opinion. File Pool photo by Shawn Thew/UPI

July 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that former President Donald Trump has some immunity for official acts, prompting a response from President Joe Biden who said "no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States."

"With today's Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, that fundamentally changed," Biden said Monday night. "Today's decision means that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do."

The court ruled 6-3 earlier in the day that Trump has absolute immunity in executing his core constitutional powers, such as the appointment of ambassadors. He also has a presumption of immunity for official acts related to his role as president. However, he does not enjoy immunity for unofficial acts.

The ruling was split along conservative and liberal lines.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing the majority opinion, said it is up to the lower courts to determine whether Trump's alleged acts were official or unofficial.

Former President Donald Trump's defense argued that the former president has "absolute immunity," shielding him from prosecution on four charges in the Washington election interference case. Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/UPI

"Despite the unprecedented nature of this case, and the very significant constitutional questions that it raises, the lower courts rendered their decisions on a highly expedited basis," Roberts wrote. "Because those courts categorically rejected any form of presidential immunity, they did not analyze the conduct alleged in the indictment to decide which of it should be categorized as official and which unofficial."

Roberts adds that the high court has little precedent to rely upon in determining a president's immunity.

President Joe Biden responds Monday to the U.S. Supreme Court Presidential Immunity ruling for the Trump v. United States case at the White House in Washington, D.C., calling the court's decision that former President Donald Trump has some immunity for official acts a "dangerous precedent." Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

"That is because proceedings directly involving a president have been uncommon in our nation," he wrote.

The court did offer some guidance to the lower courts as they revisit the question of Trump's immunity claim. Roberts wrote that Trump's discussions with the acting attorney general are "readily categorized in light of the nature of the president's official relationship to that office," indicating it is an official act.

Gary Roush and Bill Christeson hold up signs outside of the Supreme Court prior to the courts decision to grant former president Donald Trump limited immunity in his Jan. 6 case at the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

How a court should determine Trump's attempts to influence Vice President Mike Pence, state officials and others to reject or overturn the results of the election is not so clear.

Roberts acknowledged that Trump's immunity claim is "far broader" than what the court recognizes.

Sheila Carson and Nadine Seiler react to the U.S Supreme Court decision to grant former President Donald Trump limited immunity in his Jan. 6 case. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

Justice Sonia Sotomayor -- joined in her dissenting opinion by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson -- said the ruling "reshapes the institution of the presidency."

"It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law," Sotomayor wrote. "Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for 'bold and unhesitating action' by the president the court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more. Because our Constitution does not shield a former president from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent."

During his response, which lasted less than four minutes, Biden agreed with Sotomayor's dissent and called the court's decision a "dangerous precedent."

"Because the power of the office will no longer be constrained by the law even including the Supreme Court of the United States," Biden added, "the only limits will be self-imposed."

Biden blasted the Supreme Court and Trump for Monday's ruling, and for reversing Roe vs. Wade more than two years ago, claiming they have "undermined the rule of law in this nation" as Biden urged Americans to vote for him in November.

"Now the American people will have to do what the court should have been willing to do but will not," Biden said, as he lamented Trump's election interference trial will likely be delayed. "The American people will have to render a judgment about Donald Trump's behavior."

Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks on the Supreme Court's immunity ruling. https://t.co/fRmKLnFgN5 The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 1, 2024

Before the Supreme Court, Trump's defense argued that the former president has "absolute immunity," shielding him from prosecution on four charges in the Washington election interference case. This immunity applies to official acts in the role of president, though defense attorneys applied this more broadly to any actions taken by Trump while he was president.

A ruling in Trump's favor, they believed, would have had the case tossed out. Monday's opinion did not do that. Instead, it further delayed the trial proceedings as the lower courts consider what acts by Trump are official.

Monday is the final opinion day on the high court's calendar before being released for summer break.

Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, witness tampering, conspiracy against the rights of citizens and obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding. These charges relate to his role in attempting to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan shot down Trump's immunity claim in the Washington case before the argument was taken to appeals. Chutkan has since put the case on hold while waiting for the high court's opinion.

The case was originally set to go to trial on March 4.

Defense attorney John Sauer also made the argument before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals that Trump must be impeached and convicted before he can be prosecuted.

Special counsel Jack Smith and other government prosecutors contend that no such immunity exists that would shield a former president from charges of fraud, obstruction and denying votes. Smith added that all presidents face the possibility of liability after leaving office.

"Since Watergate, the Department of Justice has held the view that a former president may face criminal prosecution, and independent and special counsels have operated from that same understanding," Smith wrote in an April filing to the Supreme Court. "Until petitioner's arguments in this case, so had former presidents."
Supreme Court gives Trump broad immunity from prosecution  for the past and perhaps future

Supreme Court justices voted 6-3 to uphold former President Trump's claim that he was immune from all criminal charges related to his official actions while he was in the White House. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

The Supreme Court on Monday gave former  and perhaps future  President Trump a broad shield of immunity from criminal charges.

In a 6-3 vote, the justices upheld Trump's claim that he cannot be prosecuted for official actions he took while in the White House.

The six conservatives ruled that presidents and ex-presidents enjoy absolute immunity for exercising their core constitutional powers, including acting as commander in chief of the armed forces, and presumed immunity for their official acts.

The three liberal justices dissented, characterizing the decision as a stark and dangerous expansion of presidential power that in effect places the nation's chief executive above the law.

The decision left the door slightly open to holding Trump accountable for some of his alleged "private" efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The court sent the case back to a district judge in Washington to consider whether any of Trump's efforts to overturn President Biden's victory were unofficial and therefore subject to prosecution.

Although the case began as a challenge to the pending indictment involving Trump's past conduct, the court's explicit endorsement of presidential immunity may have a far greater effect in the years ahead, particularly if Trump returns to the White House.

"The president enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the president does is official. The president is not above the law," said Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. "But Congress may not criminalize the presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch under the Constitution. And the system of separated powers designed by the framers has always demanded an energetic, independent executive. The president therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts."

This outcome all but assures that Trump will not face a trial on the charges before the November election. And if he returns to office, he can order the Justice Department to dismiss the case.

The ruling would also extend a shield of immunity to Biden. Trump has declared that he would seek retribution if he returns to the White House, including by bringing criminal charges against those who have charged him. The court's opinion makes clear that an ex-president cannot be prosecuted because of the actions of that administration's Justice Department.

In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said, "Todays decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law. ... The court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more. Because our Constitution does not shield a former president from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent."

Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson agreed.

Trump reacted on his social media network, posting: BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

Roberts was not entirely clear on what parts of the indictment against Trump may survive.

He said even Trump's lawyers appeared to agree that a scheme to "submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors" was private and not part of the president's official duties. But he said much would depend on the specifics of what Trump said or did.

"It is ultimately the governments burden to rebut the presumption of immunity," Roberts wrote. "We accordingly remand to the district court to determine in the first instance  with the benefit of briefing we lack  whether Trumps conduct in this area qualifies as official or unofficial."

Some legal scholars sharply criticized the ruling.

The "immunity decision will in time rank as among the courts worst decisions in its many-year history," said Claire Finkelstein, a University of Pennsylvania law professor. "Any U.S. president can now violate the law to remain in power as long as he cloaks it in the trappings of his office.

The court's partisan divide in the immunity ruling reminded some of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision that ended the vote recount in favor of President George W. Bush.

University of Chicago professor Alison L. LaCroix said the "court has created a new category of presumptive immunity that invites all future presidents to act first and worry about constitutional consequences later, if ever. Todays decision is potentially even more sweeping than Bush vs. Gore because it applies to all future presidents, not only to one-off situations like the Florida recount in 2000. It also runs counter to the founders design. The founders greatest fear was a popular demagogue."

Among the Democrats slamming the ruling was Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), a lead House prosecutor in one of the impeachments of Trump.

Todays Supreme Court decision on Donald Trumps immunity claim is far worse than anything I imagined, effectively giving a president immunity for any crimes committed while in office, as long as that president can plausibly claim the action was taken in some form of official capacity," Schiff said. "It must now be presumed that the president, as king, is immune from accountability. Under this ruling, a president can order the assassination or jailing of their political rival and be immune. ... They can organize a military coup to hold onto power and still be immune. If that sounds mad, thats because it is."

During arguments in the case, Trump's lawyers were asked whether an ex-president could be prosecuted for ordering the military to "stage a coup" to keep him in office or instructing a Navy SEAL to kill a political rival. In response, the lawyer said that would appear to be an official action under the president's power as commander in chief of the armed forces.

In his opinion, Roberts cited the president's power over the military as coming within "the exclusive constitutional authority of the president." He said the law "may not criminalize the president's actions" in this area.

Jackson pointed to that passage as a concern.

"Even a hypothetical president who admits to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or critics, or one who indisputably instigates an unsuccessful coup, has a fair shot at getting immunity," she said. "Regardless of the nature or the impact of the presidents criminal conduct, so long as he is committing crimes 'pursuant to the powers invested exclusively in him by the Constitution,' or as needed 'to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution,' he is likely to be deemed immune from prosecution."

At the start of the year, the Supreme Court faced three major issues involving Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. It has now ruled for Trump's side on all three.

In March, the court ruled that Trump could not be removed from the ballot for having "engaged in insurrection," in violation of the 14th Amendment.

Last week, it said his most fervent supporters could not be prosecuted under a financial accounting law for "obstructing" Congress as it met to certify Biden's victory in the 2020 election.

And now the court has largely agreed with Trump's immunity claim.

"This decision will give Donald Trump cover to do exactly what hes been saying he wants to for months: enact revenge and retribution against his enemies, said Quentin Fulks, deputy manager for the Biden-Harris campaign. "They just handed Donald Trump the keys to a dictatorship. The Supreme Court just gave Trump a permission slip to assassinate and jail whoever he wants to gain power.

Before Monday, the Supreme Court had not ruled on whether a president or ex-president can be prosecuted for a crime.

The closest case came in July 1974, when a unanimous court rejected President Nixon's claim of executive privilege and ordered him to turn over his White House tapes to investigators pursuing the Watergate scandal. The Justice Department had maintained that it would not bring charges against a president while in office. Government lawyers said the Constitution's only remedy for law-breaking by a president is impeachment.

But it had long been assumed that a former president could be indicted for crimes, including for actions undertaken while in the White House.

Trump's lawyers, however, argued that a former president was broadly shielded from prosecution for his "official acts." They also raised the specter of a partisan prosecution, since Trump, the former chief executive and this year's Republican nominee for president, is facing charges lodged by a Democratic administration whose president is running against him.

Read more: During Watergate, the Supreme Court spoke with one voice. Can it do the same in Trump's case?

Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland appointed Jack Smith as a special counsel to investigate Trump's role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. And last year, he indicted the former president on charges of conspiring to prevent the counting of electoral votes that confirmed Biden had won the election.

Trump called for his supporters to come to Washington on Jan. 6, when Congress was meeting to certify Biden's victory. He urged them to "stop the steal," and thousands of them rioted and broke into the Capitol.

The special counsel hoped to bring the charges before a jury in the spring, but Trump and his lawyers won several delays from the Supreme Court.

Although Trump's claim of absolute immunity was derided by legal experts, Smith and his lawyers took a similarly broad and unyielding position in the opposite direction. They said a former president has no immunity from criminal charges if a prosecutor won an indictment from a grand jury.

The special counsel's position was accepted by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, the assigned trial judge, and upheld by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington.

However, it soon became clear that Smith's position was not favored at the Supreme Court.

The justices refused in December and again in February to stand aside and allow Smith to bring his case before a jury.

Roberts and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh previously worked as White House lawyers. Like Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch, they came up in the post-Watergate era of contentious and highly partisan investigations of presidents and their top advisors.

They were wary of giving prosecutors from the current administration full freedom to bring criminal charges against the previous president.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Opinion. The U.S. Supreme Courts June 6 ruling on Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. San Carlos Apache Tribe suit was lauded as a victory for tribes and tribal organizations across Indian Country.

In the case, the court ruled tribes are entitled to reimbursement for indirect costs incurred in providing services, regardless of whether those services were paid for by the Indian Health Service (IHS) or other sources.

In essence, the Supreme Court ruling says the federal government must pay more for Native Americans' health care. Within the federal government, the IHS  which falls under the U.S. Health and Human Services Department  is the agency that will have to pay for Contract Support Costs (CSC) under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDA).

The ruling determined that ISDA provides Native American tribes the option to enter into a contract with the IHS to run their own health-care programs, which the IHS would otherwise manage.

The Supreme Court found that,

ISDA requires IHS to pay the contract support costs that a tribe incurs when it collects and spends program income to further the functions, services, activities, and programs transferred to it from IHS in a self-determination contract. [] The Governments arguments to the contrary find no support in ISDAs text. [] A contrary reading of the statute would impose a penalty on tribes for opting in favor of greater self-determination.

Tribes can also collect money from outside programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers.

A week after the Supreme Courts decision, IHS Director Roselyn Tso (Navajo) sent a Dear Tribal Leader letter, indicating the agency plans to have a tribal consultation by August 2024 to get their feedback and recommendations to ensure the agency is able to modify its processes to implement the ruling.

The historic decision was indeed a victory for tribes; however, it presents a serious problem because the IHS has been historically underfunded since it was established in 1955  especially when compared to other federal health programs. The latest available figures from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) show that in 2017, per capita spending for IHS was $4,078. By comparison, the per capita spending was $13,185 for Medicare; $10,692 for the Veterans Health Administration; and $8,600 for federal prisoners.

Now, with the Becerra ruling, IHS is faced with another challenge. During the HHSs oral arguments before the Supreme Court in March, it was estimated the ruling would cost IHS an extra $800 million to $2 billion per year. So unless the Congress appropriates more funding to the IHS, there will likely be a reduction of services delivered to Native Americans, who already face extreme health disparities when compared to their white counterparts.

The IHS, tribes and Native advocacy groups like the National Indian Health Board have for years advocated that contract support costs and 105-L lease costs be transitioned to mandatory spending so it would not disrupt the rest of the IHS annual budget.

In recognition of the potential budgetary impact of the Courts decision, we urge Congress to act on the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Presidents Budget proposal to shift the IHS budget from discretionary to mandatory funding starting FY 2026 to protect the overall appropriation for the IHS and create more adequate and stable funding into the future, Tso wrote in her tribal leader's letter.

There has been some progress, but not enough to solve the underfunding of critical services in Indian Country. This past Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee, under the chairmanship of Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)a tribal citizen of the Chickasaw Nationproposed increasing the IHS budget by 23% in the FY 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

The proposal would provide $5.3 billion for services, $851 million for facilities, and $2.45 billion for contract support costs and 105-L lease payments.

While this legislative proposal is welcome news, it still does not address the need for Native American healthcare to be mandatory funding versus discretionary.

Native Americans throughout Indian Country should contact members of Congress and ask for mandatory funding for IHS.

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
The Supreme Court says America now has a king. In November, it could be Donald Trump | Opinion

America has a king after all.

Make no mistake: Thats the ugly result of Monday mornings U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Donald Trump is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal charges for using the powers of his office to try to overturn President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election.

The nature of presidential power requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecutions for official acts during his tenure in office, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the 6-3 court majority. At least with respect to the Presidents exercise of his court constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute.

Its a ruling that would have shocked Americas founders.

They waged a revolution designed to throw off the tyranny of an unaccountable king, and built a Constitution expressly intended to empower a president to govern energetically but not abusively. There had to be accountability. There had to be restraints.

The President of the United States would be liable to be impeached, tried, and, upon conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors, removed from office; and would afterwards be liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law, Alexander Hamilton wrote in The Federalist Papers in 1788, trying to convince his countrymen to adopt the Constitution.

Hamilton contrasted those restraints on the presidency with the person of the king of Great Britain  whom, he noted, is sacred and inviolable; there is no constitutional tribunal to which he is amenable.

So much for that.

Thanks to the courts ruling, the distinction between king and president is now much less clear. The results are dangerous  and possibly even fatal  to one of the foundational ideas underpinning American democracy: the idea that no person is above the law.

And it leaves presidents  not just Donald Trump, but any president  newly free to weaponize the powers of the office.

The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Unofficial acts caveat little consolation

Roberts argued the courts ruling was more limited than the dissenters recognized. Absolute immunity applies only to a presidents official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.

That is small consolation.

Among Trumps official acts during the weeks leading up to Jan. 6: He attempted to order the Justice Department to convince Republican-run swing states to replace their legitimate representatives to the Electoral College with a new slate of electors that would fraudulently push the election from Biden to Trump. When Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen resisted those efforts, Trump tried to oust him  and backed down only when department lawyers threatened to resign en masse.

This was a clear abuse of presidential power, based on false allegations of election fraud, to set aside the will of the American voters in 2020. It was a direct assault on the countrys democratic functioning.

But Trump cannot be punished for it.

Because the President cannot be prosecuted for conduct within his exclusive constitutional authority, Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for the alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials, Roberts wrote.

Trump can still be prosecuted for unofficial acts committed in the course of trying to overturn the election. But as legal observers noted in the rulings aftermath, distinguishing between official and unofficial wont be easy or obvious  and in any case, the time needed to parse the two will push any trial for the remaining charges well past this Novembers presidential election.

Justice delayed is, in this case, quite literally justice denied.

Kansas City-area Republicans back Trumps push

We must observe that Donald Trumps victory over accountability comes with the full support of Kansas City-area Republicans who have spent years assuring us of their utter devotion to the United States Constitution. Of particular note: Kris Kobach and Andrew Bailey, the attorneys general of Kansas and Missouri, both signed onto a brief supporting Trumps claim of immunity. Will Scharf, Baileys opponent in the GOP primary for attorney general, also played a major role in Trumps case.

That advocacy should serve as a black mark on the careers of all three men.

Mondays ruling should also smash to bits any remaining notions that the U.S. Supreme Court is an apolitical balls and strikes institution focused merely and modestly on enforcing the law as written. The Constitution says nothing about presidents being immune from criminal charges for abusing their power. Thats a doctrine created by the conservative justices. We wonder: Would those justices have granted such expansive immunity to a Democratic president facing similar charges?

We cannot mind-read, of course. But were skeptical.

Whats more, the immunity ruling doesnt come in a vacuum. It comes just a few days after the court overturned one of its own precedents, the so-called Chevron deference doctrine that previously gave executive branch agencies a wide berth to interpret Congress intent when translating broadly written laws into specific rules and regulations affecting every facet of American life.

Taken together, the courts rulings in recent days have made it more difficult for presidents to battle climate change and easier for them to mount a coup. Its a stark legacy for the Roberts court.

We do not want any president  not Joe Biden, not Donald Trump, not any of their successors  to hold office with the broad grant of immunity. No leader of a democratic country should have such unrestrained power.

But lets be honest: Were not so worried that Biden will abuse his powers to pursue and punish his political enemies. It is Trump  who already did so in his first term, and who has campaigned for the presidency this year on a platform of vengeance against his critics  who presents the most immediate threat. Trump over the weekend posted an image to his social media platform Truth Social that called for former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney to be tried by a military commission on charges of treason.

The question after Monday is this: Whats to stop him?

The U.S. Supreme Court did perform one small service with its ruling. The stakes of Novembers presidential election are clearer than ever. Do voters really want Trump to reoccupy the Oval Office without any constraints whatsoever on his behavior?

Donald Trump upended American democracy as president. Make him a king and hell finish the job.
Supreme Court Says Donald Trump Immune From Prosecution For Official Acts; The President Is Now A King Above The Law, Dissenting Justice Writes

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump had immunity from prosecution for his official acts, dealing a blow to Special Counsel Jack Smiths election conspiracy case against the former president.

The 6-3 decision, with the courts liberals dissenting, makes it all the more likely that Trumps D.C. federal criminal case will be delayed until after the 2024 presidential election.

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The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. The President is not above the law. But Congress may not criminalize the Presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution. And the system of separated powers designed by the Framers has always demanded an energetic, independent Executive. The President therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party.

Last year, Trump was charged with four counts related to his efforts to remain in office after the 2020 election. He was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

Click to read the Trump immunity decision.

In the majority opinion, Roberts wrote that there was at least a presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for a Presidents acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility. Such an

immunity is required to safeguard the independence and effective functioning of the Executive Branch, and to enable the President to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution.

Roberts raised the possibility of an exception if prosecutors can show that applying a criminal prohibition to that act would pose no dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.'

The ruling essentially raises doubts about what charges Trump will face when he goes to trial and, for the ones that remain, the type of evidence Smith and his prosecution team will be able to bring before a jury.

Roberts wrote that Trump was absolutely immune from prosecution for the alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials, as he sought ways to overturn the 2020 election results.

Roberts raised the prospect that even Trumps tweets and his public statements on January 6th would fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities.

As the sole person charged by the Constitution with executing the laws of the United States, the President oversees and thus will frequently speak publicly about  a vast array of activities that touch on nearly every aspect of American life, Roberts wrote. Indeed, a long-recognized aspect of Presidential power is using the offices bully pulpit to persuade Americans, including by speaking forcefully or critically, in ways that the President believes would advance the public interest. He is even expected to comment on those matters of public concern that may not directly implicate the activities of the Federal Government  for instance, to comfort the Nation in the wake of an emergency or tragedy. For these reasons, most of a Presidents public communications are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities.

The exception may be cases where the president is acting as party leader or candidate for office. To the extent that may be the case, objective analysis of content, form, and context will necessarily inform the inquiry, Roberts wrote.

It will be up to the lower court, with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan presiding, to make the initial determination of what are official acts in the case and what are not. But her decisions could then be challenged again by Trumps legal team, adding further delay to the proceedings.

While the case focused on Trumps conduct following the 2020 election, the justices were well aware during oral arguments that their decision would have far-reaching ramifications. They peppered attorneys for Trump and for the Justice Department with hypotheticals, to the point where many court watchers predicted that the former president would at least see a further delay in his criminal case.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent, blasted the majority reasoning that the president has broad immunity for official acts.

When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he will now be insulated from criminal prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold on to power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

She added, Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

Trump heralded the ruling as a victory.

He wrote on his platform, Truth Social, BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

He added, also in all caps, THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IS A MUCH MORE POWERFUL ONE THAN SOME HAD EXPECTED IT TO BE. IT IS BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN AND WISE, AND CLEARS THE STENCH FROM THE BIDEN TRIALS AND HOAXES, ALL OF THEM, THAT HAVE BEEN USED AS AN UNFAIR ATTACK ON CROOKED JOE BIDENS POLITICAL OPPONENT, ME.

Should Trump win the election and return to the White House, its likely that the January 6th case wouild disappear, while the Supreme Court majority gave reasoning for why the prosecution would at least be on hold. In a footnote, Roberts wrote that in the criminal context, however, the Justice Department has long recognized that the separation of powers precludes the criminal prosecution of a sitting President.'

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that a seriously dangerous aspect of the ruling is its holding that official acts are inadmissible in trials for unofficial acts. With its delay, the Republican-appointed 6-3 Court gave the defendant a political gift.

Republicans heralded the ruling, and called the dissents, and the claims that the ruling allows for the assassination of a political opponent, foolish in every way, in the words of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). In his majority opinion, Roberts wrote that the immunity we have recognized extends to the outer perimeter of the Presidents official responsibilities, covering actions so long as they are not manifestly or palpably beyond [his] authority.' Those are questions that now will be left to lower courts to decide.

But Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote on X/Twitter that todays ruling also undermines longstanding policies that protect DOJs investigations and prosecutions from partisan political interference. He also said that it was disgraceful that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito did not recuse themselves from the case. Thomas wife Ginni was involved in post-election efforts to challenge the results; Alitos wife Martha-Ann flew an upside down flag in January, 2021. That has been a symbol of those who denied the 2020 election results.

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WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday said Republican-backed laws in Texas and Florida limiting the ability of powerful social media companies to moderate content must be reevaluated by the lower courts.

The justices said the lower courts didn't properly evaluate the full scope of the laws when weighing whether they violated the First Amendment.

The laws were prompted in part by the decision of Twitter, Facebook and other social media companies to boot former President Donald Trump from their platforms after the violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by a mob of Trump partisans.

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute, said the court rejected the broadest arguments made by both the Republican-controlled states and the social media giants.

The social media companies asked for a sweeping ruling that would have placed their business models beyond the reach of regulation. The states asked for a ruling that would have given them immense power to manipulate and control public discourse online, Jaffer said.

The Court was entirely right to reject these requests, both of which would have done real harm to our democracy."

The ruling provided some guidance for lower courts as they reconsider the Florida and Texas laws, experts said, which could prevent states from limiting content moderation on curated news streams while possibly allowing rules that discourage moderation on more automated feeds.

In other words, the court held that the free speech rights of social media companies are only implicated where they are engaging in expression by picking and choosing what postings to show," said Kirk McGill, a constitutional law expert.

The laws were passed in 2021 in response to concerns that conservative viewpoints were being suppressed on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

But trade groups representing the social media companies sued, saying governments cant tell the platforms what to post  just as a state cant tell a newspaper what to publish.

Content moderation is necessary, the companies contend, to prevent the sites from becoming mere gobbledy-gook and to avoid extremism, harassment and hate speech.

The states argued sites like Facebook are less like a newspaper and more like a telephone line which transmits content generated by customers instead of creating it themselves.

And because of the huge impact social media giants have over public debate, information needs to flow freely online, they said.

In this photo illustration, popular social media apps X, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, and Facebook Messenger are seen.

Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, filed a brief in support of the laws because of his direct interest in upholding these statutes.

The Biden administration sided with the social media companies, saying that while there are ways to regulate the sites that dont violate the First Amendment, the Texas and Florida laws arent among them.

Inspired in part by decision of Twitter and other major platforms to suspend Trump after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the laws would have severely limited the ability of social media companies to kick users off their platforms or remove individual posts for violating a platform's rules. Platforms would also have had to provide individualized explanations to a user for removing or altering a post.

Floridas law had been blocked by a Georgia-based 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

The Louisiana-based 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals found no constitutional issues with Texas law but kept it on hold while that decision was being appealed.

During nearly four hours of oral arguments in February, the justices complained that they didnt have enough information to evaluate the impact of the laws, including which platforms would be affected and what actions on those sites might be covered.

The cases are Moody v. Netchoice and Netchoice v. Paxton.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court: Texas, Florida social media laws need further review
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Courts ruling Monday that Donald Trump has some immunity from criminal charges over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results dealt a near fatal blow to the push by prosecutors to go to trial before the November election.

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The justices, voting 6-3 along ideological lines, ruled for the first time that former presidents are shielded from prosecution for some official acts taken while in office, saying that a federal appeals court was wrong to reject Trumps immunity arguments out of hand.

The president is not above the law, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. But Congress may not criminalize the presidents conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch under the Constitution.

Read the Full Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Immunity

The majority told US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the case, to decide the full extent to which the allegations are off limits to prosecution.

The court stopped short of tossing out the indictment, as Trump had sought. But the rulings timing nonetheless makes it a tactical triumph for the former president, effectively shutting the narrow window for Special Counsel Jack Smith to put Trump in front of a jury in Washington before Election Day on Nov. 5.

Trump is now likely to reach the November election with only one of the four criminal cases against him having gone to trial. He was convicted in New York state court May 30 for falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. The Washington trial has been on hold while Trump pressed his immunity case.

Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Sotomayor said the decision is based on misguided wisdom and reshapes the institution of the Presidency.

A Mockery

It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law, Sotomayor wrote for the group. With fear for our democracy, I dissent, she said at the close of her 30-page opinion.

Trump hailed the ruling. BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! he said on a post on his social media network Truth Social.

All three of the justices Trump appointed  Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  joined the majority, along with Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

The latter two justices both faced calls to recuse from the case, Thomas because of his wifes support for the push to overturn the election results, Alito because flags flown at his homes allegedly suggested sympathy for those efforts.

This disgraceful decision by the MAGA Supreme Court  which is comprised of three justices appointed by Mr. Trump himself  enables the former president to weaken our democracy by breaking the law, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York.

Critics have accused the Supreme Court of slow-walking the case to prevent a trial before the election. The court in December rejected Smiths request to take up the case on an expedited basis. When the justices eventually did intervene, they scheduled a hearing on the last argument day of the term.

Pushing Pence

Trump is accused of conspiring to defraud the US by promoting false claims of election fraud, pressuring the Justice Department to conduct sham investigations, pushing then-Vice President Mike Pence to undercut certification of Joe Bidens victory and inciting a crowd to storm the Capitol.

Roberts said Trump was entitled to immunity for allegations related to efforts to press the Justice Department to intervene in the postelection contests. The majority said other pieces of the indictment might involve official acts that trigger immunity for Trump, telling Chutkan to dig into the record and make a new round of findings.

Those other allegations cover Trumps communications with Pence, a range of state officials, other private individuals and the public.

With regard to Pence, the court pointed to his dual role under the Constitution as both vice president and Senate president, the capacity in which he oversaw the certification of Bidens victory. Roberts said Chutkan should assess whether a prosecution based on Trumps conversations with Pence would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the executive branch.

The court signaled that Chutkan will need to engage in a detailed analysis to determine which of Trumps public comments, including his tweets and the speech he gave just before the Capitol riot, are fair game for prosecutors.

Whether the Tweets, that speech, and Trumps other communications on January 6 involve official conduct may depend on the content and context of each, Roberts wrote.

In another blow to Smith, the court said he couldnt use evidence of Trumps official acts in making his case, even if the jury is told it can convict only based on his private conduct. Smith had urged the Supreme Court at least to let him use Trumps official actions to show the outgoing president knew that his election-fraud claims were false.

Barrett parted with Roberts on that point, saying she would have let the trial judge make those evidentiary decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Roberts said presidents are completely immune for actions that fall within the exclusive powers the Constitution gives the chief executive. The court said other types of official acts are insulated unless Congress has explicitly said criminal law applies to the president.

The court said the immunity questions must be addressed at the outset of a proceeding, before the case goes to trial.

Chutkan previously said she would allow three months to prepare for a trial that could last two to three months. The schedule is important because of the broad expectation that, should Trump reclaim the White House in January, he would insist the Justice Department drop the prosecution.

Although the Supreme Court said in 1982 that former presidents cant face civil lawsuits over official acts taken while in office, the justices had never before conferred criminal immunity. A federal appeals court had ruled 3-0 that Trump could be prosecuted.

The case is Trump v. United States, 23-939.

--With assistance from Zoe Tillman, Erik Larson and Kimberly Robinson.

(Retops with blow to push by prosecutors for trial before election in lede.)

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The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out claims the Biden administration unlawfully coerced social media companies into removing certain content, overturning an injunction that would have limited contacts between government officials and social media companies on a wide range of issues. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI.

July 1 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Monday sent back to a lower court a pair of laws from Texas and Florida that seeks to put restrictions on a social media company's ability to moderate content on its own platforms.

"[T]he question in such a case is whether a law's unconstitutional applications are substantial compared to its constitutional ones," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in the court's overall opinion.

The justices, with no official dissents, contend that neither lower court had properly conducted a thorough analysis of the First Amendment challenges to the Florida and Texas bills.

"To make that judgment," Kagan wrote, "a court must determine a law's full set of applications, evaluate which are constitutional and which are not, and compare the one to the other."

The high court's sidestepped 6-3 ruling now sends the two Republican-backed laws back to the lower courts to be re-evaluated on the basis of its challenge to the First Amendment.

To make that judgment, a court must determine a law's full set of applications, evaluate which are constitutional and which are not, and compare the one to the other," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in Monday's ruling."Neither court performed that necessary inquiry." File Photo by Eric Lee/UPI

"Neither court performed that necessary inquiry," Kagan wrote in Monday's ruling.

The laws were pursued by state lawmakers about three years ago in the wake of Facebook and X, then known as Twitter, banning the accounts of former President Donald Trump after the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building in Washington.

The Supreme Court's sidestepped 6-3 ruling now sends the two Republican-backed laws back to the lower courts to be re-evaluated on the basis of its challenge to the First Amendment. File Photo by Eric Lee/UPI

"These years have brought a dizzying transformation in how people communicate, and with it a raft of public policy issues," Kagan said in the court opinion.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in July 2021 first blocked the Florida law less than a day before it was set to take affect, stating his belief it violated the constitution, after it was signed in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (L), along with Associate Justices (L-R) Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh before President Joe Biden's March 7 State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC. Pool photo by Shawn Thew/UPI

"The questions of whether, when, and how to regulate online entities, and in particular the social-media giants, are understandably on the front-burner of many legislatures and agencies," Kagan said, adding that "those government actors will generally be better positioned than courts to respond to the emerging challenges social-media entities pose."

The court's move comes as the Supreme Court days ago rejected 6-3, along its liberal-conservative split, a challenge to the federal government's requests to remove social media misinformation in a case which tested the limits of what the government can do to restrict misinformation content on social media.

The Florida law would require social media companies with $100 million in revenue or 100 million monthly participants to make publicly available their content moderation practices and empowers the Florida Election Commission to impose fines of $250,000 a day on any social media company that bans a statewide candidate and $25,000 a day for banning a non-statewide candidate for office.

"But courts still have a necessary role in protecting those entities' rights of speech, as courts have historically protected traditional media's rights," Kagan's opinion stated.

In May that year, NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association announced that the two had filed a lawsuit to block the law, arguing that the bill -- which would allow fines, lawsuits and other penalties against tech companies that remove Floridians from their platforms -- infringes on free speech and claimed that it was driven by politically motivated opposition to companies' moderation policies.

That was followed in September by the signing of a similar bill by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican.

Texas' House Bill 20 targeted social media companies with more than 50 million monthly users, such as Facebook, X and YouTube, which aimed to prevent them from banning users over their politics. It also required companies to disclose their content management and moderation policies, and to implement a complaint and appeals process for content they remove.

On Monday, the CCIA said they were "encouraged" by the court's decision.

In September, the Supreme Court first agreed to hear the case. It set the stage for the First Amendment ruling on what limits, if any, companies have in moderating the kind of speech allowed on their platforms.

"There is nothing more Orwellian than government attempting to dictate what speech should be carried, whether it is a newspaper or a social media site," said CCIA President Matt Schruers, claiming that the country's founding fathers, "understood the importance of the right to speak or not speak without government interference and made this a cornerstone of our democracy when they ratified the First Amendment."

An official with Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute commented that he "was prepared for disaster" ahead of Monday's Supreme Court ruling, but said the "Netchoice decision is good."

"It rejects the broadest arguments made by the states and the platforms," Jameel Jaffer, Knight's director, said on X.

"It recognizes that platforms are 'editors' but dismisses the argument that regulation in this sphere is categorically unconstitutional."

But Monday's Supreme Court ruling was called "not a total blow" to the Florida and Texas laws by a tech author.

However, it was "still a pretty crushing Supreme Court rebuke of the idea that telling tech companies how to moderate content doesn't implicate the First Amendment," Elizabeth Brown, a senior editor at Reason Magazine, posted on X.
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, the original published version of this story erroneously stated that the Supreme Court had struck down the Florida and Texas laws when, in fact, the court sent both cases back to lower courts. It also prematurely declared the ruling a win for tech platforms.

The Supreme Court sent back to the lower courts two laws passed by Republican statehouses meant to curb perceived censorship by social media platforms on Monday.

The court ruled in the twin cases of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton that the lower court rulings on anti-censorship laws passed in Florida and Texas swept too broadly and needed to now analyze each individual application of the laws to see if First Amendment protections may apply. The decision amounted to a significant loss for the tech lobbying group, which sought blanket protection from regulation for all content posted and organized on digital platforms.

The majority ruling, written by Justice Elena Kagan, sent both decisions back to the lower courts, and was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Chief Justice John Roberts. Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch concurred in separate opinions.



Today, we vacate both decisions for reasons separate from the First Amendment merits, because neither Court of Appeals properly considered the facial nature of NetChoices challenge. The courts mainly addressed what the parties had focused on, Kagan wrote. But argument in this Court revealed that the laws might apply to, and differently affect, other kinds of websites and apps. In a facial challenge, that could well matter, even when the challenge is brought under the First Amendment.

At issue were two laws passed by Republicans in 2021 in response to the perception among conservatives that their views were being censored by big social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter (now X) and other sites. The laws aimed to block digital platforms from banning, removing or hiding content based on the political viewpoint expressed.

NetChoice, a lobbying group for the tech industry, sued to overturn the laws by arguing that platforms have a First Amendment right to control the content posted by users. The lobbying group claimed that content moderation decisions made by platforms are no different from the editorial discretion exercised by newspapers when they determine what stories or editorials to run and where to place them.

Florida and Texas, however, argued that the platforms should not be viewed as akin to newspapers but rather to other telecommunications platforms like the telephone or telegraph. Like other telecommunications platforms, states should be allowed to regulate digital platforms as common carriers by forbidding them to discriminate in the content they transmit.

Supporters of strict antitrust regulation also sided with Florida and Texas to argue that granting digital platforms First Amendment protections akin to newspapers could severely hamper regulatory action aimed at reining in the 21st centurys wealthiest and most powerful corporations.
More than two months after hearing oral arguments, the Supreme Court on Monday partially backed former President Donald Trumps claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution for actions he took while in office. In a 6-3 decision split along ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled former Presidents are largely immune from prosecution for official acts, but not actions they took in office that arent part of their job responsibilitiesa decision that will have significant consequences for Trumps remaining criminal cases and the future of the American presidency.

Under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts, the majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts says. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office."

The landmark decision marks the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on whether a president can be prosecuted for actions they took while in office. The decision doesnt dismiss the criminal cases against Trump, but sends certain elements of the federal election interference indictment back to a lower court to review which conduct is protected and immune from prosecution.

"The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official, the ruling reads.

The Supreme Court offered some specific guidance on the conduct at issue in the criminal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith against Trump over his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Roberts wrote for the conservative majority that Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for his alleged conduct relating to conversations with Justice Department officials about launching investigations into election fraud and potential fraudulent slates of electors. But the Supreme Court didnt offer answers on other conduct alleged in Smiths indictment, writing that further proceedings at the lower court level are needed to determine whether Trump can be prosecuted for his alleged attempt to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject the Electoral College vote, and his interactions with state officials, private people, and voters about election fraud and the violence on Jan. 6.

Sending these questions back to a lower court all but guarantees that Trumps stalled federal trial in Washington, D.C will be delayed until after voters decide in November whether to return Trump to the White House. Trump celebrated the Supreme Court ruling on Monday, calling it a big win for the Constitution and democracy in a post on his social media. He also claimed that it should put an end to all four of his criminal cases, including the New York case for which he was already convicted, though legal experts are skeptical of that assertion.

The President has just been placed above the law for his official conduct, but there remains the question of liability for unofficial acts, says Norm Eisen, a senior fellow in governance studies at The Brookings Institution and former counsel to the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee during Trumps first impeachment.

The courts three liberal Justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor writing in an impassioned opinion that the ruling makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law. She added that the Constitution does not shield a former president from answering for criminal and treasonous acts and warned that the ruling could have broad ramifications by protecting Presidents for a wide range of actions.

"The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority's reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution," Sotomayor wrote. "Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune."

In a separate dissenting opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the ruling breaks new and dangerous ground by allowing future Presidents to get a fair shot at immunity even if they admit to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or instigates a coup.

Roberts cautioned that the liberal members of the Court were engaging in "fear mongering," claiming that it was not the Supreme Courts job to sift through the evidence and decide what is and isnt official conduct. That analysis, he wrote, ultimately is best left to the lower courts to perform in the first instance. The Chief Justice added that the dissenters strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today and that "like everyone else, the President is subject to prosecution in his unofficial capacity."

It remains to be seen what the immunity ruling means for Trumps criminal cases. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the election interference case in Washington, D.C. case and was appointed by former President Barack Obama, must now sift through the allegations in the indictment to separate Trumps official acts as President from private ones, when he was acting as a presidential candidate. Those acts include conversations Trump had with people outside the federal government, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who famously rejected Trumps pressure to find enough votes to flip the states 2020 vote.

Roberts addressed Trumps contacts with state officials, writing in the majority opinion that the President has "broad power to speak on matters of public concern" including the conduct of elections. But he also said that the president plays no role in certifying state election results, adding that Chutkan will need to conduct a close analysis to determine if those actions are protected.

Smith, who brought the charges against Trump, wrote to the Supreme Court that even if it finds that some level of immunity exists for official acts, a trial could still get underway focused on Trumps private actions in the indictment. Trumps use of official power was merely an additional means of achieving a private aimto perpetuate his term in officethat is prosecutable based on private conduct, Smith told the Supreme Court. Trumps own lawyer conceded in the oral argument that some of the allegations in the indictment concern private conduct and would not be protected by the immunity defense.

Originally, Chutkan had set Trumps trial in the Smith case to begin on March 4, but Trumps appeal to the Supreme Court resulted in a delay in the proceedings, paving the way for his New York business records case to be the first to reach trial. Trump was found guilty and convicted on all 34 counts in that case and is set to be sentenced on July 11. Trump is also facing criminal cases in Florida and Georgia. If Trump is elected President again, he could order the Justice Department to dismiss the federal charges against him.

During oral arguments, Trumps attorneys argued that a former President has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for all official acts related to the presidency, claiming that they could only be criminally prosecuted if first impeached and convicted by Congress. The Supreme Court rejected that argument: Transforming the political process of impeachment into a necessary step in the enforcement of criminal law finds little support in the text of the Constitution or the structure of the Nations Government, Roberts wrote. Trumps attorneys claimed that without blanket immunity, Presidents would not be able to function as Commander in Chief while worrying about potential criminal charges in the future. "Trump asserts a far broader immunity than the limited one the Court recognizes, Roberts added.

Lower courts had already rejected that argument, including a unanimous three-judge panel on an appeals court in Washington, D.C. But Justice Samuel Alito noted during oral arguments that Presidents are in a peculiarly precarious position given the high-stakes decisions they have to make and enormous amount of power they wield. This case will have effects that go far beyond this particular prosecution, he said at arguments. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, two of Trumps three high court appointees, both raised the specter of overzealous prosecutors targeting former Presidents after they leave office. Im not concerned about this case, but I am concerned about future uses of the criminal law to target political opponents based on accusations about their motives, Gorsuch said.

Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, says that the case that could be most significantly impacted by the rulingbesides the Washington, D.C. caseis the one in Fulton County, Ga., where Trump and 14 of his allies have been criminally charged in a sprawling racketeering indictment. This ruling has implications potentially for the Georgia case [in that] he can claim that he was just checking up on the Georgia elections the ruling suggests that there's no room left over for state courts to exercise judgment around whether or not he was in fact acting in his presidential or personal capacity, she says. Trump could not drop the charges or pardon himself in the Georgia case, which involves state crimes.

Mike Podhorzer, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and chair of the Defend Democracy Project, says that he believes its quite likely that once the courts get to finally resolve whether Trump's conduct in these cases is official or unofficial, it will decide that the vast majority of it is unofficial. If that bears out, Mondays historic ruling may not mark the end of Trumps criminal cases.

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Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled that former President Donald Trump enjoys presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts he took while in office, a victory for Will Scharf, his attorney and a Republican candidate for Missouri attorney general.

Scharf and another Missouri lawyer, former Missouri Solicitor General D. John Sauer, argued Trump should be shielded from prosecution as he faces a series of indictments, including federal charges over his role in trying to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations he illegally retained classified documents after leaving office.

The Supreme Court in 6-3 decision found that presidents enjoy absolute immunity for acts within their conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority and presumptive immunity for all official acts. Lower courts will now have to decide whether Trump was acting in his official capacity when he took steps to try to overturn the election  a process likely to take months that all but guarantees he wont face trial in the case until after the 2024 election, if at all.

The opinion marked a success for Scharf, a former federal prosecutor who is challenging Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican who has been in office since January 2023. The two Republicans have been locked in an increasingly bitter fight ahead of the August primary.

Both candidates are very conservative and in the absence of major policy differences, the race has largely turned on their efforts to outmaneuver each other in demonstrating loyalty and fealty to Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president. As Scharf has been on Trumps legal team, Bailey has filed numerous briefs supporting the former president.

Scharf, in a statement to The Star on Monday, touted the ruling as a tremendous win for the Constitution and for Trump.

It has been an honor representing President Trump in this matter, and I am glad that the Court has recognized the deeply problematic constitutional aspects of Jack Smiths rush to prosecute the President, he said, referring to the special counsel for the Department of Justice.

While Sauer represented Trump during oral arguments, Scharfs name along with others has appeared on Trumps filings in the case. Trump  backed by Scharf and Sauer  argued that he was immune from prosecution for any official acts taken while in office, a position that potentially would shield him from the federal election interference case.

The argument led to extraordinary hypotheticals. During oral arguments in April, Sauer suggested presidents could be immune from prosecution for ordering the assassination of political rivals.

The Supreme Courts decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, found that the Constitutions separation of powers requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office.

Roberts majority opinion was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Amy Coney, with Barrett and Thomas filing concurring opinions. Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

Todays decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law, Sotomayor wrote in dissent.

Sotomayor raised some of the extraordinary hypotheticals that Sauer had discussed in her dissent.

The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution, Sotomayor wrote. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Trumps attorneys have argued that he is being charged for official actions, characterizing much of his effort to overturn the election as communicating with various government officials about election fraud.

Roberts wrote that while the president is entitled to some immunity for official actions that fall outside of his constitutional authority, the court would not weigh in on whether that immunity is absolute at this stage of the case. Roberts warned of a chilling effect if the president is subject to criminal lawsuits based on his official actions.

A President inclined to take one course of action based on the public interest may instead opt for another, apprehensive that criminal penalties may befall him upon his departure from office. And if a former Presidents official acts are routinely subjected to scrutiny in criminal prosecutions, the independence of the Executive Branch may be significantly undermined.

Roberts appeared to be setting up another battle at the Supreme Court  whether Trumps actions attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election were official.

Still, Roberts previewed a potential ruling by the court on Trumps actions. He concluded that Trumps interactions with then acting U.S. Attorney General Jeff Rosen  including urging Rosen to send letters to several swing states about election fraud  are protected by presidential immunity.

He also concluded that Trump has at least presumptive immunity over his effort to convince former Vice President Mike Pence to reject the official results from several swing states and instead use slates of fake electors.

Roberts asked a lower court determine whether Trumps efforts to convince lawmakers in several states to reject the outcome of their respective elections and appoint a slate of false electors fell within official or unofficial duty, as well as whether his speech outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, could be considered official or unofficial.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting Trump, and an array of groups opposed immunity. Former Sen. John Danforth, a Missouri Republican, along with other former federal officials filed an amicus brief arguing presidents dont have immunity for official acts that seek to overturn election results.

Presidential immunity, under any label, should never be so broad as to embolden an outgoing Presidents violations of federal criminal statutes as part of efforts that would prevent what the U.S. Constitution requires, Danforth and others argued, which is the vesting of the authority and functions of the Presidency in the next, lawfully-elected President.

Despite a lack of evidence, Republicans have largely cast the criminal cases against Trump as a Democratic conspiracy, baselessly alleging coordination between the U.S. Department of Justice and prosecutors in New York. In May, a New York jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts, finding he falsified business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star.

I think the American people overwhelmingly see whats going on here and whats going on is an attempt to take this election away from the ballot box and shoehorn it into courtrooms across America, Scharf has previously said.
Former president Donald Trump got almost everything he could have wanted in the past week and a half.

Not only did President Joe Bidens performance at the debate on Thursday evening in Atlanta send the Democratic Party into a collective panic  with some even speculating that the party would need to replace the president  but Trump has received legal rulings that have benefited him and his political movement.

Nevertheless, because he is who he is, he cant help but continue to air his grievances.

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that presidents have some immunity from criminal prosecution. That decision will all but guarantee a delay in Trumps criminal case on charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election results. Its just what his team wanted: theres now unlikely to be a decision until after the 2024 presidential election, when it cant affect what happens in November.

The case will be kicked back to the lower court and Judge Tanya Chutkan will hold hearings to determine whether the allegations against him constitute official acts he performed as president or unofficial acts. This includes every action taken, ranging from Trumps call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger where he infamously asked Raffensperger to find additional votes, to his attempt to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence.

This comes a few days after the court ruled that an obstruction of an official proceeding charge brought against Joseph Fischer, a former police officer who rioted at the US Capitol, had been used too broadly. While the case will likely not have much of an effect on Trumps case, it does allow him to say that an overzealous Justice Department unduly persecuted his most faithful supporters.

Of course, these legal rulings could not have happened, had it not been for Trumps nominations of three Supreme Court Justices. Even though Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with liberals Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, Trumps 2016 election meant that Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who joined the majority, could hand such rulings down instead of the more liberal judges that Hillary Clinton would have nominated.

The fact that Trumps ability to run for president hinges directly on the timing of trials that could determine whether he can become a free man has not caused any soul-searching on behalf of the Republican Party. Nor has his criminal conviction on 34 charges in New York, or his being held liable for the sexual assault of E Jean Carroll.

Rather, he continues to hold sway within the GOP. Only a handful of Republican Senators have declined to endorse him  and his own endorsement has the power to prop up endangered incumbents and dethrone rock-ribbed conservatives for even perceived slights. Trumps dominance within the Republican Party remains whole.

At the same time, he cannot help but continue to dip his foot into the pool of conspiracy theories his supporters have drawn and plot his latest idea for revenge.

On Sunday, he went on a reposting spree on Truth Social, his preferred medium these days. During that spree, he notably reposted an image of himself and First Lady Melania Trump (who was conspicuously absent from the debate) with the phrase Where We Go One, We Go All, a slogan commonly used in QAnon-believing circles.

Another repost called for Biden to be arrested for treason. A third called for members of the January 6 select committee, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mike Pence and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to be arrested. This comes despite the fact that McConnell and Trump supposedly patched things up when Trump made his trek to Capitol Hill last month.

Trump saved most of his ire for Liz Cheney, a former congresswoman with no political power who he already deposed in 2022. He reposted an image calling for her to face a military tribunal.

There is some deep irony here. Trump has complained that he is being politically persecuted by his opponents, despite the fact that Biden has nothing to do with his criminal conviction in New York. Indeed, Attorney General Merrick Garland nominated Special Counsel Jack Smith to given an image of impartiality.

But Trump openly posts and reposts about legal retribution for his opponents, often saying they committed treason, a crime for which the punishment is death.

The fact that Trump can do so without anyone in his party wincing shows his wholesale control of the party he now represents. And it shows an utmost confidence that nothing he can do will deter voters. While such a strategy may well lead to Trump winning in November, it will not always have positive results for Republicans; the moment he sees them as seditious, he will sic his acolytes on them as well.
Challenging the federal prosecution stemming from his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Donald Trump argued that former presidents can be prosecuted for "official acts" only if they are first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate based on the same conduct. The Supreme Court today rejected that claim, which is based on an implausible reading of the constitutional text. At the same time, the Court held that a former president enjoys "absolute" immunity for "actions within his exclusive constitutional power," "presumptive" immunity for other "official acts," and no immunity for unofficial acts.

Since these distinctions require detailed, fact-specific analysis, the justices remanded the case to U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to determine which parts of the election interference indictment can survive based on the Court's guidance. That decision probably means any trial in this case won't begin until after this year's presidential election. And depending on the outcome of that contest, the case may be dropped before it is resolved.

The Court's ruling in Trump v. United States is based on the concern that the threat of criminal charges is apt to have a chilling effect on a president's performance of his duties, especially when he makes controversial decisions that his political opponents might view as illegal. But in weighing the risks of presidential paralysis against the risks of presidential impunity, the ruling raises troubling questions about when and how a former occupant of the White House can be held criminally liable for abusing his powers.

"This case is the first criminal prosecution in our Nation's history of a former President for actions taken during his Presidency," Chief Justice John Roberts writes in the majority opinion, which was joined in full by four of his colleagues. "We are called upon to consider whether and under what circumstances such a prosecution may proceed. Doing so requires careful assessment of the scope of Presidential power under the Constitution. We undertake that responsibility conscious that we must not confuse 'the issue of a power's validity with the cause it is invoked to promote,' but must instead focus on the 'enduring consequences upon the balanced power structure of our Republic.'"

Both sides agreed that a former president can be prosecuted for "unofficial acts committed while in office," although they disagreed about which conduct described in the indictment fell into that category. Today's decision points toward resolution of that dispute but leaves many issues unresolved.

When Trump urged the Justice Department to investigate his baseless allegations of election fraud, Roberts says, he was exercising his "conclusive and preclusive" authority. The executive branch has "'exclusive authority and absolute discretion' to decide which crimes to investigate and prosecute," he writes, "including with respect to allegations of election crime."

The indictment also alleges that Trump "attempted to enlist" Vice President Mike Pence to "use his ceremonial role at the January 6 certification proceeding to fraudulently alter the election results." Trump wanted Pence to reject electoral votes for Joe Biden from several battleground states and send them back to state legislatures to consider whether he actually won them. When the president and the vice president "discuss their official responsibilities," Roberts says, "they engage in official conduct." The government therefore has to overcome a presumption of immunity, which means the district court must consider whether prosecuting Trump based on these conversations would impermissibly intrude on executive authority.

Other allegations involve Trump's interactions with state officials and private parties. Trump tried to persuade state officials that the election results had been tainted by systematic fraud, and his campaign enlisted "alternate" electors whom he wanted state legislators to recognize instead of the Biden slates.

Those actions, Trump maintained, were "official" because he was trying to ensure the integrity of a federal election. To the contrary, Special Counsel Jack Smith argued, Trump was trying to undermine the integrity of the election, and he did so in service of his interests as a political candidate, not as part of his presidential duties. According to the Supreme Court, the district court therefore must determine, as an initial matter, "whether Trump's conduct in this area qualifies as official or unofficial."

Finally, the indictment cites Trump's behavior on January 6, 2021, the day his supporters, inspired by his phony grievance, invaded the U.S. Capitol, interrupting the congressional tally of electoral votes. Trump's conduct that day consisted mainly of his speech at the pre-riot "Stop the Steal" rally and various tweets. Roberts notes that the president has "extraordinary power to speak to his fellow citizens and on their behalf." Generally speaking, his public communications therefore "are likely to fall comfortably within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities." Whether Trump's communications counted as official acts, Roberts says, depends on the "content and context of each," requiring "factbound analysis" by the district court.

"Trump asserts a far broader immunity than the limited one we have recognized," Roberts writes. That claim was based on a counterintuitive reading of the Impeachment Judgments Clause, which says that when Congress impeaches and convicts a federal official, "the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law." Trump's lawyers said that means a former president can be prosecuted for abusing his powers only after he is impeached and removed for the same underlying conduct.

"The text of the Clause provides little support for such an absolute immunity," Roberts writes. "It states that an impeachment judgment 'shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States.' It then specifies that 'the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.' The Clause both limits the consequences of an impeachment judgment and clarifies that notwithstanding such judgment, subsequent prosecution may proceed. By its own terms, the Clause does not address whether and on what conduct a President may be prosecuted if he was never impeached and convicted."

Roberts adds that "historical evidence likewise lends little support to Trump's position." That evidence suggests the clause was aimed at resolving the question of whether prosecuting an impeached and removed president would qualify as double jeopardy.

"The implication of Trump's theory is that a President who evades impeachment for one reason or another during his term in office can never be held accountable for his criminal acts in the ordinary course of law," Roberts writes. "So if a President manages to conceal certain crimes throughout his Presidency, or if Congress is unable to muster the political will to impeach the President for his crimes, then they must forever remain impervious to prosecution." But "impeachment is a political process," and "transforming that political process into a necessary step in the enforcement of criminal law finds little support in the text of the Constitution or the structure of our Government."

The Court's decision nevertheless raises questions about whether a former president can be held criminally liable for outrageous abuses that arguably qualify as official acts. "The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world," Justice Sonia Sotomayor writes in a dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. "When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority's reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune."

In addition to joining Sotomayor's opinion, Jackson filed a dissent that faults the majority for requiring a hazy immunity analysis while leaving crucial questions unanswered. "To the extent that the majority's new accountability paradigm allows Presidents to evade punishment for their criminal acts while in office, the seeds of absolute power for Presidents have been planted," she writes. "And, without a doubt, absolute power corrupts absolutely.The Court has now declared for the first time in history that the most powerful official in the United States can (under circumstances yet to be fully determined) become a law unto himself."

Roberts complains that the dissents "strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does todayconclude that immunity extends to official discussions between the President and his Attorney General, and then remand to the lower courts to determine 'in the first instance' whether and to what extent Trump's remaining alleged conduct is entitled to immunity." Recognizing that the Constitution gives the president "sweeping powers and duties" does not "place him above the law," he argues. "It preserves the basic structure of the Constitution from which that law derives."

The dissenters' objections "boil down to ignoring the Constitution's separation of powers and the Court's precedent and instead fear mongering on the basis of extreme hypotheticals about a future where the President 'feels empowered to violate federal criminal law,'" Roberts says. Yet those "extreme hypotheticals" are surely worth considering.

The majority says Trump cannot be prosecuted for urging the Justice Department to embrace his stolen-election fantasy because such conversations fell within his "conclusive and preclusive" authority to enforce federal law. But the president is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, which suggests that orders to the military, whether they involve assassination or a coup, likewise trigger absolute immunity. The president has plenary authority to issue pardons, which suggests impeachment might be the only remedy if he takes a bribe in exchange for granting one.

That remedy, as Roberts notes in rejecting Trump's interpretation of the Impeachment Judgments Clause, could be foreclosed by timing or a lack of political will. If a president abuses his powers toward the end of his term (as happened in this case), resigns immediately afterward, or conceals his crimes well enough that they do not come to light until after he has left office, impeachment will not be a viable option, and his prosecution could be blocked by "absolute" or "presumptive" immunity, leaving no way to hold him accountable.

Roberts glides over such possibilities, focusing instead on the threat to presidential authority that allowing prosecution for "official acts" could pose. One of the charges against Trump, for example, alleges that he defrauded the United States, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison under 18 USC 371. Section 371, Roberts notes, "is a broadly worded criminal statute" that can cover "any conspiracy for the purpose of impairing, obstructing or defeating the lawful function of any department of Government." Since "virtually every President is criticized for insufficiently enforcing some aspect of federal law," he says, "an enterprising prosecutor in a new administration may assert that a previous President violated that broad statute."

Without immunity, such prosecutions of former presidents "could quickly become routine," Roberts worries. "The enfeebling of the Presidency and our Government that would result from such a cycle of factional strife is exactly what the Framers intended to avoid. Ignoring those risks, the dissents are instead content to leave the preservation of our system of separated powers up to the good faith of prosecutors."

In a partial concurrence, Justice Amy Coney Barrett says most of Roberts' opinion "is consistent with my view that the Constitution prohibits Congress from criminalizing a President's exercise of core Article II powers and closely related conduct." But "properly conceived," she says, "the President's constitutional protection from prosecution is narrow."

Barrett worries that "the Court leaves open the possibility that the Constitution forbids prosecuting the President for any official conduct." Although "I agree that a President cannot be held criminally liable for conduct within his 'conclusive and preclusive' authority and closely related acts," she writes, "the Constitution does not vest every exercise of executive power in the President's sole discretion. Congress has concurrent authority over many Government functions, and it may sometimes use that authority to regulate the President's official conduct, including by criminal statute. Article II poses no barrier to prosecution in such cases."

Barrett favors a two-step analysis that asks first "whether the statute applies and then whether its application to the particular facts is constitutional." For example, Barrett says, "the indictment alleges that the President 'asked the Arizona House Speaker to call the legislature into session to hold a hearing' about election fraud claims. The President has no authority over state legislatures or their leadership, so it is hard to see how prosecuting him for crimes committed when dealing with the Arizona House Speaker would unconstitutionally intrude on executive power."

Barrett disagrees with the majority's holding that "the Constitution limits the introduction of protected conduct as evidence in a criminal prosecution of a President, beyond the limits afforded by executive privilege." In a bribery case, for example, the official act that a president allegedly performed in exchange for money would be clearly relevant in establishing his guilt. "Excluding from trial any mention of the official act connected to the bribe would hamstring the prosecution," Barrett writes. "To make sense of charges alleging a quid pro quo, the jury must be allowed to hear about both the quid and the quo, even if the quo, standing alone, could not be a basis for the President's criminal liability."

In response, Roberts says "the prosecutor may point to the public record to show the fact that the President performed the official act" and may submit "evidence of what the President allegedly demanded, received, accepted, or agreed to receive or accept in return for being influenced in the performance of the act." But the prosecutor may not offer "testimony or private records of the President or his advisers probing the official act itself."

The Constitution "does not insulate Presidents from criminal liability for official acts," Barrett writes. "But any statute regulating the exercise of executive power is subject to a constitutional challenge. A criminal statute is no exception. Thus, a President facing prosecution may challenge the constitutionality of a criminal statute as applied to official acts alleged in the indictment. If that challenge fails, however, he must stand trial."

In this case, that prospect seems quite unlikely. The presidential election is in four months, and right now Trump seems poised to win it. If that happens, he surely will find a way to make the case disappear.

The post Supreme Court's Presidential Immunity Ruling Could Shield Outrageous Abuses of Power appeared first on Reason.com.
Suspect dies after being pursued by man he allegedly robbed at gunpoint in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KTLA)  A suspect who allegedly robbed another man at a Los Angeles gas station was killed in a crash after the victim pursued him.

Initial reports later confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department indicate a 21-year-old man was at a gas station in the citys West Adams neighborhood on Saturday evening when a group of armed men approached and robbed him.

The alleged suspects then fled the scene in a white sedan, and the victim gave chase in a Mercedes-Benz SUV.

Sometime during the pursuit, the man rammed his SUV into the suspects sedan, causing it to lose control and smash into a light pole, according to video from the scene obtained by Nexstars KTLA.

Fire captain deployed to Ground Zero on 9/11 dies in Colorado rafting mishap

One of the suspects, said to be the driver of the sedan, was killed in the collision.

After the crash, the other suspects were reportedly able to escape the wreckage and opened fire at the 21-year-old before running away. At least one of them was found hiding in a nearby backyard by a K9 unit and was taken into custody, preliminary information indicates.

The robbery victim stayed at the scene following the crash and cooperated with police; it is not known if he was injured or what he initially had stolen from him.

The incident is now being investigated as a homicide, LAPD said, but it is unclear if the original robbery victim was in custody.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A SWAT team member on Monday shot to death a man with a gun threatening a domestic violence victim and pointing the weapon at her inside a North Highlands home, sheriffs officials said.

The fatal shooting occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. at the 4100 block of Lund Court home after law enforcement tried for more than four hours to speak to the armed man, said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman.

Sheriffs deputies communicated with the injured woman through her 911 call to dispatchers, and she told them what was going on inside the home throughout the ordeal. Gandhi said the man inside the home refused to speak to deputies, which limited their abilities to negotiate a peaceful surrender.

The incident was initially reported a call for medical help about 9 a.m. at the home, located in a residential neighborhood just south of Elkhorn Boulevard in North Highlands. Authorities arrived at the home and could see the injured woman, before a man went to the opened door and closed it, Gandhi said.

The woman was in a dating relationship with the man, and the couple lived together in the home. Nobody else was inside the home during Mondays standoff, authorities said. Sheriffs officials evacuated some nearby homes as a precaution.

Through the injured woman inside the home, deputies learned the suspect was armed with access to multiple guns, the sheriffs spokesman said.

The woman suffered a hip injury during the reported domestic violence incident at the home. Gandhi said it wasnt clear yet whether the woman had been hit or pushed to the ground, but she wasnt able to walk because of the hip injury.

The Sheriffs Office called for its SWAT team and crisis negotiators to respond to the Lund Court standoff, along with with armored vehicles and aerial drones. Sheriffs officials continued to speak to the injured woman inside the home, but the man refused to speak to them.

A sheriffs aerial drone got to close to the home and with its camera captured a view of what was going on inside. Through the drone camera, deputies at the scene spotted the armed man though an opened entry way.

The suspect came armed with a gun in his hand, pointed it toward the victim, made threats toward her, Gandhi said. Luckily, we had our SED (SWAT) deputies pointed at him and were able to shoot him once.

The sheriffs spokesman said only one SWAT team member fired a gun at the armed man; only one gunshot was fired. The deputies never entered the home, Gandhi said, the deputy fired from outside at the man who was barricaded inside a bedroom. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gandhi said the woman injured in the domestic violence incident suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized. No other injuries were reported.

Gandhi said it appeared the armed man never fired a gun throughout the standoff. He said lethal force is absolutely the last resort every time deputies encounter an armed suspect and that sheriffs deputies would have used some other method to disarm him or get that victim to safety if they had those options.

Our No. 1 option is always have a peaceful surrender, have that person come out unarmed, get handcuffs to deal with it, Gandhi said. Obviously, this didnt go that way. Deputies feared for that victims life and had to take action.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Police have arrested a teenager who is accused of waving a gun outside a Kroger in Bordeaux over the weekend.

According to an arrest report, officers responded to a home in the 300 block of Kingview Drive on Saturday, June 29 after a someone called dispatch to make a report about an individual with a weapon.

When officers arrived on scene they spoke to 18-year-old Robert Turner, who allegedly told them that he was inside the Kroger in the 3900 block of Clarksville Pike when a group of people pointed a gun at him.

Suspected drunk driver arrested after 3 children significantly injured in crash

Court documents state that an officer went to the Kroger to speak with people who may have witnessed the incident.

Thats when multiple witnesses told the officer that Turner was the individual who was walking around the store carrying a gun and made statements that he would shoot.

Video footage reportedly showed Turner holding a gun in his right hand while walking throughout the store and waving it in the air once he got outside.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Police said he was wearing the same clothes he was wearing when officers responded to the home for the initial report.

According to court records, officers learned that Turner was a convicted felon who was previously arrested for motor vehicle burglary.

Turner was taken into custody and charged with felon in possession of a firearm. During his arrest, the 18-year-old allegedly told officers that he saw a group of individuals outside the store and asked his friend for a firearm for protection.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

Turner claimed the group brandished a firearm first, so he brandished his back. However, he denied waving it in the air and told officers he pointed it at the ground.

Officials said he was taken into custody due to video footage capturing the incident and his statements.

Turner remains jailed on a $50,000 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 WKRN News 2.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A 15-year-old has been charged in the shooting death of a 17-year-old that happened last week in Glasgow Village.

According to the St. Louis County Police Departments probable cause statement, police responded to a shooting in the 10600 block of Moidart Circle just after 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 27.

Officers located the victim, Khalil Stanley, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Stanley was taken to the hospital for life-saving treatment, but he died on Sunday, June 30.

The 15-year-old accused of shooting Stanley has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and is being held at the St. Louis County Family Court.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The protocol on the results of the sixth session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria was signed on July 1 in Baku, Trend reports.

The document sets the stage for the future growth of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria's partnership in various fields, including economy, agriculture, food security, energy, transportation, information and communication technologies, healthcare, environment, and tourism. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration in scientific-technical, humanitarian, and social areas.

The final protocol reflected the intention to further improve the legal and regulatory framework of bilateral relations. The parties shook hands on organizing the seventh meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation next year in Bulgaria.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Tennessee toddler dies in crash on I-55 in Jefferson County

Tennessee toddler dies in crash on I-55 in Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo.  A Tennessee toddler was killed in a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in south Jefferson County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrols crash report, the crash happened at 4:40 a.m. on northbound Interstate 55 at mile marker 168.4.

The highway patrol claims a 2024 Kia Forte struck an object or vehicle in the road before traveling off the roadway and striking a tree.

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Four people were in the Forte: a 32-year-old man, a 23-year-old woman, and two boys, ages 1 and 3. All resided in Memphis, Tennessee, according to the highway patrol.

The 3-year-old was declared dead at the scene just before 5:30 a.m.

Everyone else in the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was taken to local hospitals. The passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The 32-year-old was not wearing his seatbelt.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Gov. Rick Perry, left, and John Sharp, who announced Monday that he is retiring as chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, shake hands at a 2006 news conference about recommendations by the Texas Tax Reform Commission. The commission's report became the cornerstone for legislation to pay for schools without a state income tax.

Less than three years after losing his second straight run for lieutenant governor, yet still considering a political comeback in another bruising battle for a Democrat in a state that had shifted solidly Republican, John Sharp made the decision not to fight with his political rival again but to join him.

In the reception room outside the governor's office on the Capitol's second floor, Sharp stood beside Rick Perry in September 2005 and accepted the challenge of finding a way to pay for public schools that met the state's constitutional obligation to provide children with an "adequate" education.

"He has given me what I consider probably my very last chance to do something historic for the state of Texas," Sharp said of Perry as reporters struggled to wrap their heads around one of the unlikeliest political alliances in memory.

John Sharp's tenure as chancellor has included acquiring a law school and putting the Texas A&M engineering program on a path to rival that of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

After all, it was Perry  himself a onetime Texas Democrat  who had handed Sharp his first electoral defeat in the lieutenant governor's race in 1998. And with Perry as governor topping the Republican ticket that swept the state four years later, Sharp was again left in the dust.

Although Sharp, as Perry's point man on school finance reform, did spearhead a plan that both won legislative support and passed constitutional muster, the former state lawmaker and two-term state comptroller turned out to be dead wrong in his assessment that his usefulness to Texas was nearing its end.

Six years later, Sharp began what will be a 14-year run as the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. And in doing so, he led a growth spurt that brought the state's response to disasters under his purview, added a law school and launched an $11.4 billion building boom that vastly enlarged the Aggie footprint on campuses and in facilities in virtually every corner of Texas. Enrollment at the flagship campus in College Station ballooned more than 25% and is now approaching 77,500.

Sharp formally announced Monday that he plans to step down as chancellor in June 2025, even as the A&M System continues its push to install small modular nuclear power generators on at least one of its properties and begins its latest mission at the behest of the U.S. Energy Department to help operate the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, which maintains the nations nuclear weapons stockpile.

Asked in an interview to put his time as chancellor into perspective, Sharp told the American-Statesman ahead of his formal announcement, "You can sum it up as saying A&M isn't anybody's little brother anymore."

John Sharp's return to Aggieland

When Sharp assumed the post of A&M chancellor in August 2011, it was a homecoming. The native of Victoria County, near the Gulf Coast about halfway between Galveston and Corpus Christi, was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets as an undergraduate and was elected student body president before graduating in 1972 with a political science degree.

It was there that he met Perry. They lived in the same dormitory and were allies in Aggie campus politics. Sharp helped Perry get elected to the coveted post of yell leader, and Perry managed Sharp's campaign for student president.

As a member of the university's ROTC program, Sharp was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve after graduation. In 1976, Sharp was a campaign aide to then-A&M economics professor Phil Gramm when he was first elected to Congress. Gramm, a conservative Democrat at the time, would later switch parties and serve three terms in the U.S. Senate.

Entering electoral politics

At 28 and after working for the number-crunching Legislative Budget Board in Austin, Sharp returned to his hometown of Victoria and won a seat in the Texas House at a time when the Legislature was dominated by conservative Democrats like himself.

He would stay for two terms before moving up to the Texas Senate in the 1982 election. By then, Sharp was seen as a man on the move. Still in his 30s, he won his first statewide election as one of three members of the Texas Railroad Commission overseeing the state's oil and gas industry.

The term was for six years, but Sharp would stay only four. In 1990, the year he turned 40, he was elected comptroller, the state's chief financial officer. His arrival in office coincided with a sharp downturn in the Texas economy that left lawmakers facing a daunting $2 billion-plus budget shortfall.

Sharp's predecessor, Bob Bullock, had just been elected lieutenant governor and as president of the state Senate said it was time for Texas to finally impose its own income tax. The political backlash was furious, and Bullock backed away from the idea. The Legislature instead would have to slash state spending

But rather than taking a meat ax to the budget, Sharp suggested using a scalpel. The comptroller's office developed what would become known as the Texas Performance Review, in which the sundry bureaucracies in state government underwent ongoing audits to root out outdated or unnecessary expenditures.

"The performance reviews came up with about $4 billion in cross-cutting and savings, and one way or the other, it stopped an income tax," Sharp recalled.

The audits gained national media attention. When Bill Clinton went to the White House in 1993, he tasked Vice President Al Gore with scrubbing the federal budget. Gore tapped Sharp to help with the task. At a White House briefing that year, Sharp was asked whether members of Congress would actually be willing to cut a federal program if it meant less pork coming home to their districts.

"What's the matter with eliminating goofy programs just because they're in my state?" Sharp replied.

John Sharp, Rick Perry: From allies to enemies

The year Sharp moved to the Senate, Perry was elected to the Texas House to represent his hometown of Haskell, about halfway between Fort Worth and Lubbock. Like Sharp, Perry was a conservative Democrat. But unlike Sharp, he would not remain one.

Five years after his first election, Perry announced he was moving to the GOP. Gramm, Sharp's onetime mentor, was at the news conference welcoming the newest Republican convert. Neither knew it at the time, but Sharp and Perry were on a collision course.

More: Why Texas A&M University wants state-of-the-art nuclear power plants on its campus

The same year Sharp was elected comptroller, Perry upset the incumbent Democrat and won the race for state agriculture commissioner. Perry and Sharp served two terms, and when Bullock, a Democrat, decided to retire as lieutenant governor in 1998, both wanted the job.

By then they had known each other for 30 years and had remained friends. But after a bruising campaign, Perry won by only 2 percentage points. He then became governor when George W. Bush ascended to the U.S. presidency. But the friendship between Perry and Sharp was fractured.

"We were friends. Not best friends, but friends," Perry recalled in an interview nearly 26 years after the race that would cement Texas in the Republican column. "Then 98 happens, and we get a divorce."

Both men now acknowledge that the falling-out was painful, considering that they both served in the Aggie Corps of Cadets, became campus leaders and went on to serve in state government for nearly a decade and a half.

"It's fair to say that we were not on speaking terms for a few years after that," Sharp said.

Reconciliation: Both political and personal

The two offered differing accounts of how the relationship was mended. Sharp recalled a chance meeting at a gun store in Austin at which he needled Perry about a then-recent state Supreme Court decision that ruled Texas' school finance system unconstitutional, meaning the governor would be forced to sign a dreaded state income tax into law.

Perry remembers them meeting at a clay pigeon shoot, long a popular activity for political fundraising in Texas.

They agree that Perry asked his onetime Democratic rival to head up a blue-ribbon panel to develop a taxing scheme that would both draw bipartisan support and pass constitutional muster.

Sharp accepted the challenge, and four months later the Texas Tax Reform Commission issued a report that became the cornerstone for legislation to pay for schools. There was no recommendation for an income tax. Perry would call on Sharp again in 2011 to head the university system that oversees their alma mater.

"I'm grateful that he did," Sharp said.

Perry described Sharp's stewardship as the longest-serving chancellor in the system's history  which included acquiring the former Texas Wesleyan University Law School in Fort Worth and putting the A&M engineering program on a path to rival that of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  as "visionary."

On a personal level, the former governor marveled at Sharp's dedication to his family. Without setting aside his official duties, Sharp took on the role of caregiver to his wife of 42 years, Charlotte, during an illness that would take her life in December 2020.

"For me, that says volumes about his heart, about his soul," Perry said. "And there's one thing to say: This guy did a really good job of managing the university during that period of time, but at the same time he was managing a really challenging situation at home. My hat's really off to him as a human being, and as a good man."

Challenges and controversy

In 2017, another governor tapped Sharp for his organizational skills and political savvy. With much of the Texas Gulf Coast in tatters from the devastation cause by Hurricane Harvey, Gov. Greg Abbott gave Sharp the task of juggling the demands of federal regulations and meeting the needs of local officials to clean up and rebuild. Sharp recalled that he was not asked to volunteer but instead commandeered into service.

His only request, Sharp said, was that he not be forced to give up his post at A&M. The governor agreed.

Chancellor Sharp rose to the occasion and helped ensure victims received all the necessary resources to recover, Abbott said in a statement provided by the university system, adding that once the task was complete, the Texas Division of Emergency Management was put under the A&M System to streamline the state's response to disasters.

Sharp's tenure was not without headaches. In 2023, the chancellor publicly apologized in an August 2023 op-ed published in the American-Statesman for the controversy surrounding the botched attempt to hire University of Texas professor Kathleen McElroy to rebuild A&M's journalism department. The job offer McElroy had accepted was rescinded when some regents complained that her political views were too liberal.

More: Why ex-Gov. Rick Perry is taking an upfront role in the battle over school choice

In the same op-ed, Sharp also apologized to professor Joy Alonzo of the A&M department of pharmacy practice, who had been wrongly suspended and wrongly accused of making a disparaging statement about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Sharp said in both instances that some at A&M had forgotten "our core values."

"It is time to come together, put our house back in order, and vow to never let this happen again" Sharp wrote. "We all must rededicate ourselves to the Aggie values that define us and bind us."

In his interview with the Statesman, Sharp said he was looking ahead to his final year and promised to unveil several new initiatives for the A&M System over the next few months. Asked to look back on his career in politics and not achieving his goal of becoming governor, Sharp responded with a laugh.

"Of course I have regrets," he said, chuckling. "I wish I'd have won and rescued Rick Perry's career."

Then he turned serious.

"I guess if there are two things that I'm most proud of, other than my family," Sharp said, "it would be that I killed an income tax twice and helped build A&M into a powerhouse."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp to retire in 2025, reflects on tenure
Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, John Sharp, announced on Monday he will be retiring next year.

Sharp will officially retire on June 30, 2025, after the conclusion of the upcoming legislative session. Appointed in 2011, he is the longest-serving chancellor in the TAMU Systems history.

Leading this grand enterprise has been one of the great privileges of my life, a challenge, and an honor, Sharp wrote in a letter announcing his retirement.

Texas A&M will expand its presence in downtown Fort Worth with a three-building complex built on four blocks where the current law school is today. This January 2023 photo looking north shows the blocks between the parallel Jones Street, in the right foreground, and Calhoun Street.

Sharp said in an interview he originally planned on being chancellor for only three to five years. Almost 13 years later, he has added a law school to the TAMU system, made the university system a co-manager of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and more.

During Sharps tenure, the Fort Worth-based Texas A&M School of Law rose to become one of the top law schools in the country. This spring, U.S. News and World Report ranked the Texas A&M School of Law the 26th best law school in the country.

System-wide enrollment has risen over the past three years; 157,063 students were enrolled in the TAMU system during the fall 2023 semester.

We have grown this enterprise to such a powerful state that Texas A&M, quite frankly, is the school of choice for Texas kids, Sharp said.

An artists rendering of Texas A&M-Fort Worths future Law and Education Building in downtown. The eight-story building will be one of three on the new campus.

Sharp has long supported Texas A&Ms new Fort Worth campus, which is under construction. He is a proponent of the corporate partnerships the university is building to design curriculum tailored to educate a strong workforce for regional employers.

Its not just transformative for Fort Worth, but its transformative for Texas A&M and the Texas A&M System in the Metroplex, Sharp said.

The Texas A&M system broke ground on the campus in June 2023. The $320 million Fort Worth campus will be the citys first Tier One research university. The eight-story Law & Education Building, one of three buildings to be constructed for the project, is expected to open in 2025.

Im confident that our ideals for whats happening in Fort Worth will get even bigger and better over the next decade, Sharp said.
Robert Roberson in court for the review of his 2003 conviction in the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in Palestine on August 14, 2018. Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

Texass highest criminal court on Wednesday declined to stop the execution next month of Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter, but who has consistently challenged his conviction on the claim that it was based on questionable science.

Without reviewing the merits of Robersons claims, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday dismissed both a motion to halt the execution and a new application for relief filed by his attorneys. That leaves Robersons execution on track for Oct. 17, unless he can win clemency from the states Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Roberts fate is now at the mercy of the Governor, Gretchen Sween, one of Robersons lawyers, said in a statement. We are devastated by this staggering development but will continue to pursue any avenue to make sure that Mr. Roberson is not the first person in the U.S. executed under the discredited Shaken Baby hypothesis.

Roberson has maintained his innocence while being held on death row for more than 20 years. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals previously halted his execution in 2016. But in 2023, the states highest criminal court decided that doubt over the cause of his daughters death was not enough to overturn his death sentence. His new execution date, Oct. 17, was set in July.

Roberson was convicted in 2002 of killing his sickly 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. He had rushed her blue, limp body to the hospital and said that Nikki fell from the bed while they were sleeping in their home in the East Texas town of Palestine, and that he awoke to find her unresponsive. But doctors and nurses, who were unable to revive her, did not believe such a low fall could have caused the fatal injuries and suspected child abuse.

At trial, doctors testified that Nikkis death was consistent with shaken baby syndrome  in which an infant is severely injured from being shaken violently back and forth  and a jury convicted Roberson.

The Court of Criminal Appeals in 2016 stopped his execution and sent the case back to the trial court after the scientific consensus around shaken baby syndrome diagnoses came into question. Many doctors believe the condition is used as an explanation for an infants death too often in criminal cases, without considering other possibilities and the babys medical history.

The Court of Criminal Appeals decision in 2016 was largely a product of a 2013 state law, dubbed the junk science law, which allows Texas courts to overturn a conviction when the scientific evidence used to reach a verdict has since changed or been discredited. Lawmakers, in passing the law, highlighted cases of infant trauma that used faulty science to convict defendants as examples of the cases the legislation was meant to target. Critics have argued that in the decade since the law was codified, it has rarely provided justice as intended for wrongfully convicted individuals.

Robersons attorneys, in his latest habeas corpus petition denied on Wednesday, cited new evidence and three expert opinions that they said proved that Nikki died of natural and accidental causes  not of head trauma.

They said that Nikki had severe, undiagnosed pneumonia that caused her to stop breathing, collapse and turn blue before she was discovered. Then, instead of identifying her pneumonia, doctors prescribed her Phenergan and codeine, drugs that are no longer given to children her age, further suppressing her breathing, they argued.

It is irrefutable that Nikkis medical records show that she was severely ill during the last week of her life, Robersons attorneys wrote in their opposition to setting an execution date, noting that in the week before her death, Roberson had taken Nikki to the emergency room because she had been coughing, wheezing and struggling with diarrhea for several days, and to her pediatricians office, where her temperature came in at 104.5 degrees.

There was a tragic, untimely death of a sick child whose impaired, impoverished father did not know how to explain what has confounded the medical community for decades, Robersons attorneys wrote.

They have also argued that new scientific evidence suggests that it is impossible to shake a toddler to death without causing serious neck injuries, which Nikki did not have.

And they argued that Roberson, who was later diagnosed with autism, was treated with suspicion for not displaying sufficient emotion at the hospital. Brian Wharton, the lead detective who investigated Nikkis death and testified against Roberson, has since said he no longer believes that Roberson is guilty of Nikkis death and pressed for relief.

Robersons attorneys also cited developments in a similar case in Dallas County, in which a man was convicted of injuring a child. His conviction was based in part on now partially recanted testimony from a child abuse expert who provided similar testimony on shaken baby syndrome in Robersons case. Prosecutors in Dallas County have said the defendant should get a new trial.

In 2023, when the Court of Criminal Appeals denied Roberson a new trial, prosecutors argued that the evidence supporting Robersons conviction was still clear and convincing and that the science around shaken baby syndrome had not changed as much as his defense attorneys claimed.

The scheduling of Robersons execution triggers a series of deadlines for any last filings in state and federal court to seek relief and begin a request for clemency.

Just in: Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming; U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania; and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will take the stage at The Texas Tribune Festival, Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Buy tickets today!
Texas State Board of Education approves new charter schools in Austin area. Here's where.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has come under fire in recent years for approving charter schools with what critics say is too little oversight.

The Texas State Board of Education approved four of five proposed new charter schools  including two in the Austin area  during its board meeting Friday.

The board approved the Texas Girls School in the Lake Travis area and Unparalleled Preparatory Academy in Manor. The board also approved Pathway Academy in Big Spring and Infinite Minds in Arlington, but it vetoed Visionary STEM Academy in Terrell, east of Dallas.

The two Austin-area schools plan to open in communities that have experienced high growth.

While there are currently no charter schools operating within the Lake Travis school district's boundaries, there are about seven within the Manor school district's boundaries, according to Texas Education Agency data.

This fact and the Manor districts heavy focus on career and technical education, or CTE, led some state board members to question the need for Unparalleled Preparatory Academy, which will be career and technology education focused.

Your model kind of has a CTE focus, Member Tom Maynard, R-Florence, said during a meeting Wednesday. The school district where you're going also has a big CTE focus. If there's already a big CTE focus in Manor ISD, then why do we need the charter?

Manor school district representatives who spoke Wednesday also believed the charter school would duplicate efforts the traditional district is already making. Manor New Tech High School Principal Bobby Garcia insisted the district is meeting the area's demand and making plans for future growth.

The growing area east of Austin has a high demand for career and technical courses, said Unparalleled Preparatory Academy's proposed superintendent, Shonqualla West. Different high schools can offer different career paths for students, she said.

The reason why parents are looking for school choice and why students are looking for school choice is because of the experience that they will have learning day to day as they're working toward their post-secondary success, West said.

The 15-member elected state board  which consists of 10 Republicans and five Democrats  approves new charter schools in the state among other things, like instructional materials, new curriculum standards and requirements for teacher certification.

Charter schools are public schools that dont collect property taxes like a typical school district does. Instead, the state gives campuses a per-student amount. Charters also typically have appointed school boards, rather than elected boards like those in traditional districts.

Charters were created in the 1990s with the intention of creating innovative education models.

Officials with traditional school districts have frequently opposed charter schools as state public school funding has become tighter. Schools are funded on a per-student baseline, so every child who leaves a public school for a charter means a financial hit for traditional school districts.

Since the governor wouldn't let the Legislature increase public education funding last year, there are a lot of districts facing budget deficits, said Clay Robison, spokesman for the Texas State Teachers Association.

During the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott effectively blocked any passage of significant funding increases for public schools unless lawmakers passed school vouchers, a controversial program that would use public money to fund a students private school tuition. A coalition of Democratic House members and rural Republicans blocked school vouchers in the lower legislative chamber.

About 420,000 students, or 8% of Texas' 5.5 million public school students, attend charter campuses, according to TEA data.

Education Commissioner Mike Morath has come under fire in recent years for approving charter schools with what critics say is too little oversight. In March, TEA placed IDEA Public Schools  one of the largest charter networks in Texas  under conservatorship, a type of monitoring, over multiple allegations of financial mishandling.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas SBOE approves charter schools in Austin area. Why some oppose.
Thank you for your generous support to bolster our legislative coverage

Oklahoma State Capitol Building seal (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

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We did it! Our first legislative fundraising campaign was a success, and we have you to thank. Your generosity will continue to allow us to grow and offer even more relentless reporting and insightful commentary.

We believe every Oklahoman deserves free access to high-quality, nonpartisan reporting on critical issues.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued support. If you missed our campaign, its not too late to support independent journalism:

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Thank you for your generous support to bolster our legislative coverage appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
After the Registry of Motor Vehicles moved out, the Worcester Surgery Center moved took over the building.

Before moving to downtown Worcester, the Registry of Motor Vehicles set up a temporary Worcester branch at a former auto dealership at 300 Grove St.

More than a half-century ago, the Worcester branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles was leveled to make way for Interstate 190.

The branch was on Gold Star Boulevard, a section of which was remade in the 1970s as the highway took shape.

The former Atamian Porsche-Audi dealership, 300 Grove St., not far from the doomed branch, was selected by the state as a temporary home to the RMV. That branch  shown in this week's Then photo  opened in February 1978.

Meantime, plans were in place to locate the RMV in a new building elsewhere in the city. Worcester officials lobbied the state to site a new branch in downtown. The state settled on a parcel at Main and Madison streets, home of the Royal Hotel and Broms Academy of Hairdressing over the years.

With construction of a new RMV expected to take years, the state set up shop at the closed dealership.

The building was part of Atamian Motors, for years a family-owned business with a main showroom at 1013 Main St. There was a dealership at 231 Shrewsbury St.

Before Atamian Porsche-Audi moved into the building at 300 Grove St., it was home to Toomey Rents/Sells.

Charles Atamian, representing Atamian Realty Trust, made an unsuccessful push to have the state become a permanent occupant of the Grove Street building. State and city officials maintained that the downtown spot would help revive Main Street.

The registry on Grove Street closed in February 1984, days before the downtown branch opened. Workers hauled truckloads of file cabinets, boxes and office furniture from the old branch during the Washington's Birthday weekend in anticipation of the grand opening of the downtown location.

"This is a dream come true for me," Gov. Michael Dukakis said of the new branch, noting it had been on the table since his first administration.

After the RMV moved out, the building at 300 Grove St. became home to Worcester Surgery Center, an outpatient facility.

Last week Then & Now: George Bancroft birthplace marker, Salisbury Street, Worcester

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Then & Now: RMV, 300 Grove St., Worcester
Thieves caught with one ton of crucifixes stolen from graves

Police seize dozens of crucifixes from the gang's centre of operations in the Madrid region

A gang of thieves has been arrested after being caught with a ton of crucifixes stolen from graves in Spain.

Six people were detained following reports that cemeteries across Toledo had been targeted. The operation was well organised, with hundreds of figurines of Christ smashed off gravestones and family tombs to be melted down for scrap metal.

Four were arrested on suspicion of theft and two others were accused of receiving stolen goods.

About 2,000 crosses are believed to have been removed from graves.

Police have so far resolved 19 specific cases of theft, having recovered 90 intact crosses stolen from the El Casar de Escalona cemetery when they raided the gangs centre of operations on an industrial estate in the Madrid region on Sunday.

In total, officers found a haul of crucifix pieces weighing one ton as well as a solid silver crucifix, documents related to the scrap bronze sales and 17,440 (14,800) in cash.

The gang used a metal pulverising mill to smash the crucifixes into small pieces after which the material would be sold and transported to another site to be melted down.

Milagros Tolon, the delegate of the government of Spain in the Castilla-La Mancha region, congratulated the police on their tremendous work in a case that has caused understandable social alarm.

The men were due to appear in court on Monday.

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Thousands in Kansas City under Flash Flood Warning on Monday afternoon

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning that includes thousands of people in many of the Kansas City areas biggest counties on Monday afternoon.

See the latest forecast, maps and radar for Kansas City

FOX4 is following flood reports and water rescues, and will keep refreshing this page with live updates from area first responders and the weather service until the warning concludes.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The program of the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to be held in Azerbaijan's Shusha city on July 6 has been announced, Trend reports via the OTS.

The organization spilled the beans that the meeting is expected to be a full house, with the presidents of Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan in attendance, along with observers from member states and the Secretary General of the OTS.

The summit, themed Building a Sustainable Future through Transport Connectivity and Climate Action," will serve as a platform for high-level discussions on the organizations key issues and agenda.

The meeting is expected to wrap up with the signing of the Karabakh Declaration, along with a few other crucial papers.

To note, the previous informal summit of the OTS took place in Kazakhstan's Turkistan in March 2021.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
(Bloomberg) -- Opinion polls in Britain are still pointing to a crushing defeat for the governing Conservatives after 14 years in power as the election campaign reaches its final days.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used a broadcast appearance on Sunday to insist everything remains in play, saying Britain is a better place to live than when the Conservatives took office in 2010. Asked in a BBC interview if he thought hed still be prime minister after the July 4 vote, he replied, Yes. Im fighting very hard and I think people are waking up to the real danger of what a Labour government means.

But polls since Friday morning make depressing reading for the Conservatives. While support for Labour slipped below 40% in two surveys, the Tories remained stuck at around 21%. That puts Keir Starmer on track to enter Downing Street on July 5 with a Labour majority bigger than Tony Blair won in 1997.

Bloombergs UK poll of polls, a rolling 14-day average using data from 11 polling companies stretching back to January 2021, shows Labour leading the Conservatives by 21 percentage points. So-called MRP modeling, based on larger surveys, on average suggest Labour is on course for 450 seats in the 650-member House of Commons, with the Conservatives reduced to around 100  less than a third of their tally at the 2019 general election.

On Monday, the two parties will trade blows over immigration, the National Health Service and the economy, with Sunak set to warn of a disaster from which it would take decades to recover if an unchecked Labour government takes power with a supermajority, according to extracts of comments hes due to make at a campaign rally. For its part, Labour will launch a poster campaign with a warning of five more years of chaos if the Tories are elected.

Sunaks party has been hit in recent days by allegations that Conservative candidates and officials knew about the date of the election before Sunak made it public late last month, and then used the information to place a bet. The Metropolitan Police is investigating a small number of wagers. A Labour candidate was suspended for betting on himself to lose the seat he was contesting.

Labour insists theres no room for complacency about the election, with polls showing around 10% of voters are undecided. Many of them backed the Tories in 2019. For Labour, the fear is that would-be supporters will stay at home if they think the party is heading for landslide.

Im assuming nothing about the result on Thursday, Pat McFadden, Labours election coordinator, said in an interview with Sky News. I think Labour has a chance, has a good possibility this time. But change will only come if people vote for it.

A sobering fact for both parties is that their combined share of the vote has slipped to just over 60% from around 80% three years ago, suggesting voters arent enthused by the two traditional parties of power.

Theyve lost support to smaller parties, notably Nigel Farages populist anti-immigration Reform UK, which is polling around 16% and projected by MRP polls to win a handful of seats in Parliament.

In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Starmer warned that a failure to address the disillusionment in British politics could lead to a rise in the hard right, as seen in France and other European nations. Pledging deeds, not words to stave off the threat in Britain, he said: its based on this disaffection, this sense that politics cannot be a force for good and you cant trust politicians.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said three men were shot within a few hours of each other overnight in Southeast D.C.

At about 11:20 p.m., police were dispatched to the 2800 block of Pomeroy Road for the report of a shooting. When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot. He was conscious and breathing.

He was taken to the hospital to be treated.

More people expected to fly during 4th of July compared to last year

About 20 minutes later, at about 11:40 p.m., police were dispatched to 28th St. and R St. SE for the report of a shooting. A man was found by MPD conscious and breathing.

He was also transported to the hospital.

Then, MPD said that at about 12:55 a.m., it was dispatched to the 2800 block of Pennsylvania Ave. SE for a man who walked into the fire station with gunshot injuries.

He was transported to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Bill Bright, who has been in the fishing industry for decades, is one of several fishermen fighting a federal regulation at the Supreme Court. On June 28, 2024, the court ruled for them, rejecting the deference that courts have given federal agencies in cases where the law is unclear.

Three herring fishermen from Cape May fought the law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and won.

In doing so, the three men overturned the 40-year-old Chevron doctrine, thus making it easier for them and others to challenge federal regulations in court. But, their battle is not over.

The fishermen are challenging what they say is an unlawful requirement that forces them to surrender 20% of their earnings to pay at-sea monitors, who gather information that is used to regulate their industry. That worked out to as much as $700 a day, which is more pay than the crews take home sometimes.

The requirement was imposed on them by an executive branch agency  in this case the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, which oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which in turn regulates the nation's fisheries. The at-sea monitors were never approved by Congress, but due to the so-called Chevron deference, the fishermen were handicapped to fight the rule, because the courts always deferred to the regulatory agencies.

Looming fish fight: NOAA wants smaller boats to slow down for whales. Fishermen say it's foolish overreach

Who makes the law?

The long-standing Chevron precedent was set in 1984 in Chevron USA Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council Inc. The decision in that case required courts to defer to a federal agencys interpretation of a statute it administers when that statute is ambiguous or leaves a gap for the agency to fill  what is often referred to as Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that requires federal courts to defer to agency interpretations of law, even in the absence of expressed congressional authorization.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the Court's opinion, determined that Chevrons presumption is misguided because agencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do.

Mother doesn't always know best: Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch overturns his mom's Chevron victory

The court's decision on Friday to toss out Chevron clears the way for the fishermen to fight the at-sea monitoring rule in a Washington, D.C., circuit court, where the case originated. That litigation will begin in earnest in a few months.

We are grateful the Court has overruled Chevron," said Bill Bright, one of the three herring fishermen. "(Fridays) restoration of the separation of powers is a victory for small, family-run businesses like ours, whether theyre involved in fishing, farming or retail. Congress never authorized industry-funded monitoring in the herring fishery. And agency efforts to impose such funding hurts our ability to make an honest living. Nothing is more important than protecting the livelihoods of our families and crews.

Bright owns two commercial vessels and a seafood restaurant in Wildwood. He runs both businesses with his wife and their four grown children.

'Jaws' at 50: Peter Benchley's toothy terror and the fascination with great white sharks

The two other fishermen are Wayne Reichle, a third-generation fishermen and president of Lund Fisheries in Cape May, one of the biggest seafood operations in the state, and Stefan Axelsson, another third-generation fishermen who owns the herring vessel Drysten and runs it with his daughter.

The Courts decision puts to rest an interpretive methodology that has seriously distorted how the political branches operate for far too long. Courts should ask what the law means, not whether it is ambiguous, and in close cases, the tie should go to the citizen, not the government. We are gratified that the Court restored the constitutionally mandated separation of powers. said Paul Clement, former U.S. Solicitor General and attorney for the fishermen.

Where the fight started

At-sea monitors collect scientific, management and regulatory compliance and economic data and report back to the government. They also focus on the discarded catch, or fish that are thrown back because they're not the target species or are undersized, for example. The data is used for the management and monitoring of the annual catch limits.

How we got here: How NJ herring fishermen could upend federal laws, push power from White House to Congress

The fishermen don't contest that federal law allows the government to require at-sea monitors on their boats, but they argue Congress never gave the executive branch further authority to pass monitoring costs onto the herring fishermen. They contend that the NOAA abused its power.

Their case, Loper Bright v. Raimondo, was first heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and then the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Gina Raimondo is the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Richard Spinrad, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is also named as a defendant.

In both instances the courts ruled in favor of the government, citing Chevron deference. In the Appeals Court, the judges ruled 2 to 1 in favor of the government, but Judge Justin Walker issued a dissenting opinion that closed by saying, Fishing is a hard way to earn a living. And Congress can make profitable fishing even harder by forcing fishermen to spend a fifth of their revenue on the wages of federal monitors embedded by regulation onto their ships."

The New Civil Liberties Alliance, nonprofit civil rights group, joined the fishermen's fight along the way and fought the Chevron deference in tandem.

'Most important fish in the sea': Court fight over fish critical to keep NJ whales alive

Fishermen land the herring using mid-water trawlers that deploy and tow a net in the water column to catch schooling fish such as the herring. The fishermen contend that space onboard a commercial fishing vessel is a scarce and precious resource. Thus, displacing someone engaged in active fishing to make way for a federal observer is already an enormous imposition. Making the fishing vessels foot the bill for that imposition adds insult to injury in a fishery that has seen revenue fall in recent years, they argue.

Fishermen are already eking out a living in the herring fishery which has been in decline for some time. As a result, federally managers have sought more conservative quotas on the shrinking stock of Atlantic herring. NOAA's stock assessments have found the stock's spawning biomass declined from 317,080 metric tons in 2014 to 77,883 metric tons by 2019, the lowest value since the late 1980s.

NOAA did not have New Jersey's catch totals set aside for 2019-2022 on its catch landings page, but New Jersey fishermen's herring catch was worth $606,426 in 2014 but fell to $335,500 in 2018. Overall, the entire Atlantic seaboard's herring harvest was worth $6.6 million in 2021.

"Were gratified that the Court recognized Chevrons perverse consequences and ruled in favor of our clients and all citizens whose livelihoods are threatened by an unaccountable bureaucracy. We look forward to any further steps that will be needed to ensure the unlawful industry-funded monitoring regime imposed on herring fishermen is finally taken off the books," said James Valvo, executive director of Cause of Action Institute, which served as the co-counsel for the fishermen.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Supreme Court favors NJ herring fishermen in historic Chevron case
Photo by 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: Minnesota imprisonment rates; pedestrian deaths continue to fall; Bidens age in context; and religious diversity (or rather lack thereof) in Minnesota.

Minnesota jails people at a higher rate than Russia

Minnesotas imprisonment rate is considerably higher than the authoritarian country of Russia, according to a new report from the Prison Policy Initiative that attempts to put domestic incarceration rates in a global context.

Minnesotas incarceration rate of 323 people per 100,000 is considerably higher than Russias rate of 300 per 100,000. But our rate is nonetheless lower than the rate in all but seven other states  an illustration of just how carceral the United States is relative to the rest of the world.

Louisiana and Mississippi have incarceration rates of over 1,000. Among the worlds countries, only El Salvador is more likely to throw its citizens behind bars.

The state figures account for people in local jails and state and federal prisons. The international numbers come from the World Prison Brief, an academic initiative that seeks to provide the best available estimates of prison populations, even in authoritarian nations, like Russia and China, where reliable data is hard to come by.

Minnesotas incarceration rate is lower than most other states because courts here are more likely to sentence offenders to probation.

Minnesota one of the safest states for pedestrians

Minnesotas pedestrian fatality rate is tied with Vermonts for the second-lowest in the nation, according to the latest estimates from the Governors Highway Safety Administration. Only Nebraska has a lower rate.

Our fatality rate of 0.77 deaths per 100,000 residents is less than one-sixth of the state with the nations highest rate, New Mexico.

Nationally, pedestrian fatalities declined in 2023 for the first time since the pandemic. In recent years, drivers of pickup trucks have become considerably more likely to kill pedestrians than those behind the wheel of a passenger car. Drivers are also four times more likely to strike and kill pedestrians at night.

Minnesota also received kudos this week for having some of the nations best biking infrastructure in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Joe Biden is quite old

Last weeks shambolic presidential debate underscored many voters concerns with President Joe Bidens age and mental fitness. A few factoids to consider: In 1942, when Biden was born, the average male life expectancy was about 63 years, according to the Social Security Administration. Hes now almost two decades past that number.

Another way to think of these numbers: in 2021, when Joe Biden was 78, men of that age had a 5% chance of dying within one year and could expect to live an additional nine years overall (more recent figures arent yet available).

Joe Biden is older than Velcro, microwave ovens and the bikini.

Lets not forget, however: Former President Donald Trump is just three years younger, which means most of this applies to him, as well. Plus he tried to overthrow an election and has been convicted of 34 felonies (so far).

Many experts, like Harvard political scientist Pippa Norris, worry that Biden is following a trajectory similar to that of other powerful Democrats like the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sen. Dianne Feinstein: clinging to power well within their twilight years when they could be making space for the next generation of leaders.

One more astonishing fact to consider: The man who was in the White House three decades ago, Bill Clinton, is four years younger than Biden is today.

Minnesota is not especially diverse from the standpoint of religion but you probably knew that already

The Washington Post recently published a fun series of maps on religious diversity in America, which underscore the lack thereof in Minnesota. Yes, we are squarely in the bullseye of Lutheran Country, with a little bit of Catholicism thrown in for good measure.

But were not the most religiously homogeneous state in the union. That honor goes to Utah, where roughly half of the population identifies as Mormon.
Liara Kaylee Tsai, a 35-year-old transgender woman who was a well-regarded Trevor Project volunteer, was killed in Minnesota last week, and her former romantic partner is charged with second-degree murder.

Tsai, who lived in Minneapolis, was found in the back seat of a car driven by that partner, Margot Lewis, last Saturday when the car crashed into a guardrail in Minnesotas Olmsted County, about 100 miles southeast of Minneapolis, according to several local media outlets.

Olmsted County sheriffs deputies arrived at the scene of the single-vehicle accident and found Lewis sitting in a lawn chair in the median of Interstate 90, Minnesota Public Radio reports. Two people who stopped to offer help told police they saw a dead person in the back seat, MPR explains. The deputies determined the person was not killed in the car crash. She was wrapped in bedding, a mattress, and covered in a tarp, with a puncture wound on her neck and she was cold to the touch. Investigators went to Tsais apartment in Minneapolis and found her bed and bedclothes were soaked in blood.

In Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, Lewis is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, and in Olmsted County, she is charged with felony interference with a dead body or scene of death, according to McClatchy Newspapers. She is being held in Hennepin County on $1 million bond.

Authorities do not believe the crime had anything to do with anti-trans bias, as Lewis is trans as well, they told MPR.

Lewis was visiting Tsai from North Liberty, Iowa, TV station KGAN reports. Tsai had recently moved from Iowa City, which is near North Liberty, to Minneapolis. She was a music producer and club DJ, and she had already gained an enthusiastic following in her six weeks in the Twin Cities, Minnesota TV station KARE notes.

I was so excited and so happy to see her move up to the Twin Cities. It was something she had been wanting to do for years, and her music was her life, her music was her soul, her friend Olivia Anderson told KARE. If you met Liara, its an experience you will remember and hold with you for the rest of your life. She had a huge impact on my life and who I am.

She was the most fearless person Ive ever met, another friend, Mega Solga, told the station. She was the truest person I ever met. She knew exactly who she was, especially as a trans woman. She had no fear showing the world who she was.

Tsai was also a military combat veteran, a spoken-word artist, and a crisis counselor with the Trevor Project, the mental health and suicide prevention organization focusing on LGBTQ+ youth.

Liara was a valued member of our 988 Crisis Intervention team and part of our Trevor community, the Trevor Project posted on its LinkedIn page. She is remembered by our team for her empowering gentleness and remarkable ability to center the feelings and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. Liara saved lives through her crisis intervention work, and we are heartbroken that the world has lost an incredibly bright light far too soon.
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled 6-3 that Donald Trump cannot be criminally prosecuted for "official acts" he took when in office, stating that presidents enjoy "absolute immunity from criminal prosecution" and sending the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to figure out which acts are official and unofficial.

All three liberal justices dissented from the ruling, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor arguing that the ruling "makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law."

"Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent," Sotomayor wrote.

It is not immediately clear how the ruling will affect Trump's prosecution for actions taken on Jan. 6, 2021 but the ruling is expected to delay court proceedings even further, possibly beyond the November election.

Politico's Kyle Cheney tweeted that the ruling "essentially wiped out" the portion of the indictment related to Trump's plot to have the Justice Department intervene on his behalf in his post-election crusade. Under the ruling, "Trump is absolutely immune from prosecution for the alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials," wrote Georgia State Law Prof. Anthony Michael Kreis.

The court has essentially wiped out the Jeff Clark-related portion of the Trump indictment: https://t.co/oZDsjZFbxb pic.twitter.com/aTdJhoBdLs  Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) July 1, 2024

Trump was indicted by special counsel Jack Smith in August of last year on four counts for conspiring to overturn the election on Jan. 6, when a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol building during the electoral college certification process that ultimately awarded Joe Biden the presidency.

The central question in the case was whether Trump had absolute immunity for actions he committed as president. Trump's attorneys argued that his efforts to overturn the 2020 election were official acts as president, qualifying him for a degree of immunity from prosecution even if absolute immunity wasnt found.

When the trial judge, Chutkan, and the D.C. Court of Appeals each rejected Trumps claim to immunity, he appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to take the case in February, holding arguments far enough out to scratch the original March 4 trial date.

In oral arguments back in April, justices prodded Trumps lawyers over the reaches of immunity, prompting the attorneys to take legally controversial stances.

When Sotomayor asked whether the assassination of a political rival would count as an official act, Trump lawyer John Sauer noted that it would depend on the hypothetical.

From what we can see, that could well be an official act, he told justices, also admitting that the Trump teams framework of immunity could hypothetically shield a president who took a bribe in exchange for an ambassadorship or staged a military coup, again depending on context.

Sotomayor in her dissent on Monday wrote that the court seemingly approved a president assassinating a political rival.

The president of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world, wrote Sotomayor. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majoritys reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navys Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in her own dissent wrote that the ruling "breaks new and dangerous ground."

"Even a hypothetical President who admits to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or critics, or one who indisputably instigates an unsuccessful coup, has a fair shot at getting immunity under the majoritys new Presidential accountability model," she wrote.

The outcome is of course a boost to Trump, but the court even taking up the case was itself a tremendous help to the Trump campaign, which is committed to delaying further legal action against the former president after a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in an attempt to influence the 2016 election.
In a controversial new study, scientists are claiming that trees in Los Angeles are contributing to the city's air pollution, challenging conventional notions about the positive role they play in urban ecosystems.

As New Scientist explains, the theory was born of a strange conundrum: despite efforts to decrease traffic exhaust and increase environmental protections, the ground-level ozone and microscopic particulate pollution that make up the city's smog have remained steady.

Back in 2022, a team of scientists from Colorado and South Korea found that those stubbornly stable pollution rates were likely due primarily to a rise in "secondary" sources of pollution  and in this latest multi-institutional study, researchers suggest that trees and shrubs may be the culprit.

Published in the journal Science, this new research focuses on terpenoids, an organic chemical compound found in plant matter that generally acts as an antioxidant  but which, when released into the atmosphere, can combine with pollutants to make them more harmful.

Upon release from plants, the discharge from terpenoids becomes what's known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which end up reacting to air pollution by creating the kind of ozone and fine particulate pollutants in question. What's worse, plants emit more VOCs due to rising temperatures and drought, both of which plague the City of Angels in particular.

To get to this jarring conclusion, the researchers out of Germany, CalTech, Berkeley, Colorado, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration flew a plane over LA over several days in June 2021 with a mass spectrometer to measure concentrations of VOCs.

Combined with 3D measurements of wind speeds to determine where pollutants were coming from, the scientists discovered that terpenoids were the biggest source of VOCs, and that this effect was most on display in vegetation-rich parts of the city and on the hottest days they took their readings. When temperatures surpassed 86 degrees, terpenoids were even measured as the cause of the worst emissions even in places with more people and fewer plants, like LA's concrete-heavy downtown district.

Though they haven't yet figured out which plants are causing the most emissions, the researchers did find that amid heightened temperatures, pollution from human-linked VOCs also jumped, with culprits ranging from unsurprising chemicals like gasoline to personal hygiene products like deodorants. In the most populous areas, in fact, beauty products seemed to have a small but "measurable" effect on smog, first paper author Eva Pfannerstill told New Scientist.

While it would be easy to flatten or misinterpret this research, the scientists behind it want to make sure that it's taken in the right context.

"Since its hard to control the plant emissions, its even more important to control the [human-caused] part," remarked Pfannerstill, an atmospheric chemist at Germany's Forschungszentrum Julich research institution.

In a note added to the top of the paper, Science editor Jesse Smith echoed the researcher's comments.

"Successful mitigation of urban air pollution needs to take into account that climate warming will strongly change emission amounts and composition," Smith wrote.

In short, this research isn't suggesting that trees are bad  but is instead yet another unsettling reminder of how drastically humans have harmed their environment.

More on trees: Trees "Coughing" as They Fail to Capture Excess CO2
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Rashad Maleek Trice has entered a guilty plea in Ingham County Circuit Court to one count of murder and one count of sexual assault in the kidnapping and murder of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith and the violent assault of her mother.

Thats from the Office of the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Trice, 27, was the subject of a massive manhunt from Lansing to Detroit last year after he assaulted Cole-Smiths mother and kidnapped the toddler. The toddler was found in Detroit on July 5  three days after she was taken from a Lansing apartment.

He was originally charged by the Office of the Attorney General Dana Nessel with 20 criminal allegations including assault with intent to murder, two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, home invasion in the first degree, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence (second offense), unlawful driving away of an automobile, and felonious assault. Nessel took over the case by agreement from prosecutors in Ingham, Macomb and Wayne Counties.

A July 2023 booking photo of Rashad Trice from the Ingham County Sheriffs Office next to victim Wynter Cole-Smith

In a news release announcing the plea deal, Nessels office described Trices crimes as follows:

On July 2, 2023, Trice sexually assaulted and stabbed his former girlfriend and kidnapped her daughter, Wynter, from Lansing. Trice then murdered the toddler before resisting arrest and ultimately being apprehended in St. Clair Shores. Wynter was discovered in a Detroit alley after a three-day search involving multiple law enforcement agencies from Lansing to Detroit, Michigan State Police, and agents from the FBI. Office the Attorney General Dana Nessel, news release July 1, 2024

The scars left by Mr. Trices horrific and brutal crime spree will forever etch themselves on the lives he shattered, Nessel said in the news release. While nothing can ever fully heal the grief of Wynters family and loved ones, I hope todays plea can be a step toward healing.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten obtained a federal indictment against Trice as well. Those charges included kidnapping a minor resulting in death.

Trice faces sentencing in the state case on August 16 in front of Judge Joyce Draganchuk of the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham.

More On This Story

Police release map of route taken by 2-year-old girls accused abductor

Missing 2-year-old Lansing girl found dead in Detroit

Nessel announces 20 charges against Trice

Attorney General looking to file murder charge against Trice in toddlers death

2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith strangled, feds say

Feds charge suspected kidnapper in death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. A special representative of the President of Azerbaijan has been appointed in the Kalbajar district, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a corresponding decree.

According to the decree, Bashir Hajiyev was appointed special representative of the President of the Azerbaijan in the Kalbajar district.

The decree comes into force from the date of its signing.
Beryl was downgraded to a tropical storm but is expected to become a hurricane again this weekend.

After moving through the Caribbean last week, Beryl  currently a tropical storm  is expected to reach Texas this weekend and once again become a hurricane.

As of 7 a.m. CT on Sunday morning, Beryl was about 220 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, with maximum sustained winds around 60 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to intensify between Sunday and Monday, with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick adding 121 counties to the state's Hurricane Beryl disaster declaration.

Meteorologists warned that there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge for the Texas Coast. The storm has been blamed for at least 11 deaths so far.

Tracking Hurricane Beryls current path

There is an increasing risk of damaging hurricane-force winds, storm surge, flash and urban flooding and life-threatening rip currents with #Beryl over the next few days. Stay up to date with the latest forecast at https://t.co/meemB5uHAR https://t.co/YAY1pCrCJS pic.twitter.com/bj8SK1By3T  National Weather Service (@NWS) July 6, 2024

Tropical Storm Beryl is currently moving through the Gulf of Mexico and is anticipated to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches the Texas coast. Hurricane warnings have been issued for parts of the coast  from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to San Luis Pass  while a storm surge watch is in place from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to High Island.

A tropical storm warning was also in effect for the Texas coast south of Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande, as well as for the northeastern coast of mainland Mexico from Barra el Mezquital to the mouth of the Rio Grande.

Beryls damage and impact

Beryl hit Jamaica on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread outages and damage before passing over the Cayman Islands and heading toward Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula. On July 3, the Jamaica Public Service Company reported that more than 400,000 customers were without power across the country.

Beryl did the most severe damage when it made landfall earlier this week on the Grenadines, a small belt of islands in the eastern Caribbean. About 90% of buildings and homes on three small islands were destroyed or damaged when Beryl made landfall earlier this week, officials said at a news conference held by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the country a disaster area until July 10.

Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described the "total destruction" to the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada at a news conference Wednesday.

"Having seen it myself, there is really nothing that can prepare you to see this level of destruction," Mitchell said. "It is almost Armageddon-like, almost total damage and destruction of all buildings, whether they be public buildings, homes or private facilities."

Mitchell also described the "complete devastation and destruction" of agriculture and the natural environment, and severe damage to boats, marinas and the electrical grid on Carriacou.

Experts shocked by Beryls rapid intensification

Fishing vessels damaged by Hurricane Beryl seen in Barbados on Monday. (Ricardo Mazalan/AP)

Michael Lowry, a hurricane and storm surge expert, told the Associated Press that the rapid development of Beryl marked a "very serious threat."

"Beryl is an extremely dangerous and rare hurricane for this time of year in this area," he said in a phone interview with the AP. "Unusual is an understatement. Beryl is already a historic hurricane."

On July 2, Beryl became the earliest Atlantic hurricane to reach the Category 5 level. (It is both the earliest Category 4 and Category 5 storm on record in the Atlantic.)

The last strong hurricane to affect the southeast Caribbean was Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. Ivan battered Grenada as a Category 3 and killed 39 people.

The start of a busy Atlantic hurricane season

An image of Hurricane Beryl taken from the International Space Station on Sunday. (NASA via AP)

Beryl's emergence also marks an ominous start to the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which typically doesn't ramp up until late July or August.

Experts agree that this could be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced in May that it expected eight to 13 hurricanes in the Atlantic, with four to seven of them classified as major hurricanes, meaning at least 111 mph winds.
The Trump immunity decision is about to drop. Heres how it might go.

The Supreme Court saved its biggest decision for last.

The justices will finally decide on Monday, the final day before their annual summer recess, whether Donald Trump has immunity from the most serious criminal charges against him: the federal indictment for trying to subvert the 2020 election and stay in power.

How the court answers the immunity question could determine whether there remains even an outside chance that Trump will face a jury on those charges before Election Day. No matter the outcome, the ruling will be a landmark: It will be the first time the high court weighs in on whether a president can be criminally prosecuted for actions he took while in office.

Were writing a rule for the ages, Justice Neil Gorsuch said at the April oral arguments in the case.

Trump has claimed that he has presidential immunity from the four felony charges leveled by special counsel Jack Smith, who has accused the former president of conspiring to derail the peaceful transfer of power and disenfranchise millions of voters in the 2020 election.

Trump contends that many of his efforts to reverse the election were part of his official duties as president  and he says former presidents cannot be prosecuted for any such official acts. Smith counters that Trumps immunity theory would be anathema to the nations founders and would effectively elevate presidents above the law.

Two lower courts sided with Smith, but the Supreme Court  which has a six-justice conservative supermajority, including three Trump appointees  agreed to review the issue. For months, as the justices have mulled the case, all trial proceedings on the federal election charges have been stalled. And the high courts unhurried treatment of the case has made it increasingly unlikely that a trial can occur before November, even if the justices reject Trumps aggressive notion of absolute immunity.



Their decision, expected shortly after 10 a.m. eastern, is unlikely to affect Trumps classified documents case (which concerns conduct after he left office) or his recent conviction in the New York hush money case (which concerned conduct totally unrelated to his presidential duties).

Here are three scenarios for what the Supreme Court might do.

Toss out the indictment

The Supreme Court could rule that Trump is totally immune from all four charges in Smiths indictment. This scenario is considered the least likely, but if the justices adopt it, they would effectively end the federal prosecution of Trump for subverting the 2020 election.

To reach this sweeping result, the high court likely would have to conclude that former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts  and that the specific acts of misconduct alleged in Smiths indictment were largely official, not private conduct. Those specific acts include Trumps assembling of false slates of electors, his use of the Justice Department to bolster false claims of voter fraud, and his pressure on state officials  and his own vice president  to overturn Joe Bidens victory.

Trump and his lawyers have argued that, without blanket immunity, all future presidents could be subject to politically motivated prosecutions after they leave office. During oral arguments, some justices seemed sympathetic to that concern, and the court may seek a nuanced decision that tries to guard against the future prospect of systematic prosecutions of ex-presidents. But an outright declaration of total immunity for Trumps 2020 election efforts would be a shock.

Allow the case to proceed toward trial

On the other extreme, the court could reject Trumps immunity bid wholesale and allow the prosecution to immediately resume in the trial court.

A clear-cut ruling along these lines might preserve a slight possibility for the trial to begin before the election this fall  but prosecutors and the trial judge, Tanya Chutkan, would have to move swiftly to get it back on track.



In earlier rulings, both Chutkan and a federal appeals court resoundingly rejected Trumps immunity argument. There are a few ways the Supreme Court might reach the same result. The justices could rule that former presidents simply have no immunity from criminal prosecution for their official acts. They could rule that some immunity exists for some official acts, but that Trumps allegedly official acts in the election case arent covered by that immunity. Or they could rule that all of the actions described in Smiths indictment were not official at all, but were purely private acts, and so immunity cannot apply.

Partial immunity or some other middle ground

Many constitutional scholars and Supreme Court prognosticators believe the court will not hand either side a definitive victory but will instead issue some sort of mixed-bag ruling.

For instance, the court might say in general terms that former presidents have immunity for official acts and announce a legal test for deciding when a presidential action is official. The justices might then send the case back to the lower courts for them to apply the new test and determine which of Trumps acts alleged in the indictment are official and which are private. Those proceedings could take weeks or months and could even prompt Chutkan to hold extensive evidentiary hearings.

Or the court might say there is no immunity for official acts but then turn to a related question: Whether the criminal laws that Trump is accused of breaking can constitutionally be applied to the president. Some scholars have argued that generally worded criminal laws should not be interpreted to limit the official conduct of a president, and during oral arguments, Justice Brett Kavanaugh seemed particularly interested in that theory. Its possible that this issue, too, could require further proceedings in the lower courts.

If the justices do order further hearings, the most important next question will be: How long will those hearings take? Every additional day of delay bolsters Trumps strategy of postponing the trial until after the election. If he wins, he could order the Justice Department to shut down the case.
Supporters hold up signs as President Biden speaks at a campaign rally in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday. (Matt Kelley / Associated Press)

Mondays Supreme Court decision giving Donald Trump immunity for past and potentially future presidential acts gave Democrats more urgency to defeat him, just as new polling showed that last week's debate intensified voters concerns that President Biden may not be the man to do it.

The dueling pieces of news underscored the conundrum the party has been staring down for months: Evidence that Trump will have unchecked power in a potential second term energizes the Democratic base. But the increasingly high import of the election makes the choice to stick with Biden appear all the more risky.

You can't afford to lose," said Mark Buell, an influential Bay Area Democratic donor and fundraiser. "In either case, you're still down to the risk assessment of who has a better chance  another candidate or Biden?

In a brief televised address at the White House on Monday night, Biden said the Supreme Court decision on immunity meant "there are virtually no limits" on a president's actions. "This is a fundamentally new principle. And it's a dangerous precedent."

He said the public had a right to know" Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, though a trial probably will not take place before the November election.

I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the 3 years, but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law, he said.

In denouncing the 6-3 decision, Biden concluded by saying, "May God preserve our democracy."

Mark Gonzalez, the recently departed Los Angeles County Democratic Party chair and California state director for Biden's 2020 campaign, said he spent the weekend calming nerves of fellow Democrats. The ruling Monday only reaffirmed the stakes to people who were concerned about Biden's fitness for the job and poor political standing, he said. A CBS poll released Sunday showed a growing share of voters  72%  say Biden does not have the cognitive ability to serve as president, compared with 49% who say that about Trump.

Read more: Supreme Court gives Trump broad immunity from prosecution  for the past and perhaps future

"The reality is that, whether they're a delegate or an activist or a $5 donor, they're afraid," Gonzalez said of the people he spoke with over the weekend. "They are scared that we need a stronger person to represent the Democratic Party so that we can prevail in November."

Gonzalez said Monday "is a good reminder that we need to be able to ... be prepared, and know that the other side is going to do everything that they can to take us down. We cannot afford to lose democracy because of mistakes at this one debate."

The Biden campaign scheduled a media call within minutes of Monday's ruling in hopes of shifting attention from the president's poor debate performance on Thursday to Trump, whom they characterized as a singular threat to democracy. The ruling that he could not face prosecution for official acts would only embolden him to carry out threats to prosecute enemies and act like a dictator on his first day in office if he wins a second term, officials argued.

"This is not a drill," said Harry Dunn, a police officer who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 and has become a surrogate for Democrats. "Donald Trump is the single greatest threat to the United States of America in a generation. We can't let him anywhere near the Oval Office again."

Quentin Fulks, principal deputy campaign manager for Biden-Harris 2024, pointed to a new Jan. 6-focused advertisement the campaign released Monday and to heightened efforts to organize volunteers in battleground states.

But many Democrats have urged the president to appear at more rallies and give more adversarial media interviews to demonstrate his vitality. Fulks, asked during the call whether Biden had any plans to increase his public engagement schedule with town halls and other unscripted encounters, said he had no changes to announce.

A USA Today poll conducted Friday through Sunday found 54% of registered voters want Biden to be replaced as the nominee, compared with 37% who want him on the ballot. For Trump, the split was 51% to 46% in favor of removing him from the ballot, despite Trump's record as a convicted felon who remains unwilling to concede that he lost the 2020 election.

Trump, 78, had stronger support within his own party than Biden, 81, did in his. The best news for Biden is that the question was a virtual tie among independent voters  with 64% saying they wanted Biden replaced and 63% wanting Trump replaced.

Despite growing concerns among allies, Biden has shown no signs he is willing to step aside and party rules would make it almost impossible to remove him from the ballot without his consent. A source familiar with a weekend Biden family summit held at Camp David confirmed reporting that the president's family is determined that he remain in the race, calling it "a united front."

Buell, who has been vocal about the need to assess swing state polls in the coming days, believes there is still a chance Biden would agree to withdraw if the data suggest it's the best way to defeat Trump.

The people around Biden, they may privately see it that way, but publicly of course they're all singing the song that he's fine," Buell said. "And I think they have to until such time as he says he wants to pull the plug.

Read more: Trump ally Stephen Bannon surrenders to federal prison to serve 4-month sentence

Still, some of the party faithful are undaunted. Susan Reina, an activist in the Antelope Valley who oversees voter registration efforts in a competitive congressional district, said it was essential to remind voters that it comes down to a binary choice. Division within the Democratic Party plays into the hands of Republicans who have circled the wagons around Trump, she said.

Monday's court decision gave Trump yet another political advantage. It all but guaranteed delay past November of Trump's trial on accusations that he and his political associates worked to subvert the 2020 election.

For Reina and others, this means that beating the former president at the ballot box is even more essential "so that we in this country have the freedoms that we have today."

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press. Bierman reported from Washington, Oreskes from Los Angeles.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Trump has immunity for official acts, US Supreme Court rules

Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for official acts conducted while president, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on July 1.

The landmark ruling said he can still be prosecuted for private acts, but is the first time in U.S. history that any form of presidential immunity from prosecution has been recognized.

The 6-3 ruling is a rejection of a lower court decision throwing out Trump's claim of immunity over his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Six conservative justices were in the majority and three liberal justices dissented.

"We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power requires that former presidents have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office," the ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts said.

"At least with respect to the president's exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute. As for his remaining official actions, he is also entitled to immunity," it added.

"BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" Trump wrote on right-wing social network Truth Social after the ruling.

"This is a shameful decision, and one that will haunt us for years to come," Democratic Representative Gerry Connolly, said.

Read also: Political divide over Ukraine manifests in Pennsylvania, crucial US swing state

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Courts ruling that presidents have some immunity from criminal charges over official conduct sets up a high-stakes mini trial later this summer over Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The timing of such a hearing will be consequential, with Trumps campaign to return to the White House reaching a fever pitch and his rematch against President Joe Biden in the background. It will likely be the only chance for voters to see the governments best evidence before they go to the polls.

The Supreme Court will soon return the case to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who previously ruled Trump had no immunity. Now shell have to reassess each claim in the indictment based on the Supreme Courts findings, and determine whether Trumps actions were official or private.

To do that, Chutkan will likely hold a hearing later this summer that would span several days. Lawyers for Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith will present new evidence, arguments and testimony about the events leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the US Capitol, essentially a public preview of a final jury trial.

The hearing could devolve into something that is also going to be political in nature, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor. This will be the one and only opportunity the prosecution is going to have to present to the judge and the public what evidence they have that the former president was not immune.

Chutkan would certainly get extensive briefing from both sides before the hearing, as they argue about what evidence can be presented under the Supreme Courts guidance that Trumps official acts cant be used against him.

Prosecutors may seek to bolster their case by presenting testimony for the first time from Trumps alleged co-conspirators who havent previously been named, said Weinstein. Those individuals previously took the witness stand in secret before a federal grand jury, and their testimony may be needed, now more than ever, to illustrate that Trumps actions were private rather than official, he said.

The Supreme Court criticized the lower court for issuing a decision against Trump without every aspect of the case being fully briefed. That means the expected mini-trial will need to revisit every element of the indictment in greater detail. But unlike a jury trial, the government wont need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trumps actions were private conduct.

What this judge is going to consider is whether the government presented enough evidence that the acts rebut the presumption of immunity created by the Supreme Court, according to Weinstein. The way theyll do that is to show that the actions were beyond the outer fringes of his official duties, and were private.

Smith could also seek to streamline the process by preemptively amending the indictment to remove any problematic details and narrow the fight.

Once the high-stakes hearing is over, Chutkan will issue a ruling on which aspects of the indictment survived the Supreme Courts guidance. Any ruling would almost certainly be appealed, setting up another path to the Supreme Court and further delaying a jury trial.

Unless the judge completely dismisses the case, which seems unlikely, I imagine Trump will appeal, said former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade. Working through the appellate courts will delay a trial in this case until well into 2025 or beyond.

By that time the issue could be moot, because Trump has said he would instruct the Justice Department to drop the case if he wins the election.

Trump is accused of conspiring to defraud the US by promoting false claims of voter fraud, pressuring the Justice Department to conduct sham investigations, pushing then-Vice President Mike Pence to prevent certification of Bidens victory and, finally, inciting a crowd to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, said Trump is entitled to immunity for claims related to efforts to pressure the DOJ. Trumps talks with Pence may qualify too, the majority held. Everything else, Roberts said, will require a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations.

Chutkan will have to determine whether the remaining alleged conduct was official, including Trumps outreach to politicians in swing states to send fake presidential electors to Pence and the US Senate. The majority opinion signaled the remaining arguments may be complex and time consuming.

The Washington-based judge, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, will also need to review in greater detail Trumps tweets and speeches that feature throughout the indictment, for better context, Roberts said, adding that the analysis must be fact specific and may prove to be challenging.

Unlike Trumps alleged interactions with the Justice Department, this alleged conduct cannot be neatly categorized as falling within a particular presidential function, Roberts wrote.

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On Trump, Russia UN envoy says Ukraine war can't end in one day

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday that "the Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day," when asked about U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's frequent claims that he could end the war within 24 hours if reelected.

Republican candidate Trump has not given any details and has said that if there had been a "real president" in the U.S. - who was respected by Russian President Vladimir Putin - then Moscow would not have invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

"I will have that war settled between Putin and (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy as president-elect before I take office on January 20th. I'll have that war settled," Trump said last week during a debate against President Joe Biden, a Democrat. "I'll get it settled fast, before I take office."

U.S. voters go to the polls on Nov. 5 to elect the next president for a four-year term.

The outcome of the election matters to Russia, despite its attempts to play it down, because it will determine the extent of Washington's commitment to keep backing Ukraine against Moscow and supplying it with advanced U.S. weapons.

"The Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day," Nebenzia told a news conference to mark the beginning of Russia's presidency of the United Nations Security Council for July.

In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Reuters: "President Trump is the most effective statesman and negotiator in history, and he will solve this conflict when he is elected."

The Kremlin has said that any peace plan for Ukraine proposed by a possible future Trump administration would have to reflect the reality on the ground but that Putin remained open to talks.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, additional reporting by Nathan Layne; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Claim:

Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam "stated he would execute a baby after birth."

Rating:

Rating: False

During the first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential cycle, former U.S. President Donald Trump referenced a claim that he had spread before regarding former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and his stance on abortions.

"The problem they have is they're radical, because they will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth  after birth," Trump said during the debate. "If you look at the former governor of Virginia, he was willing to do this. He said, we'll put the baby aside and we'll determine what we do with the baby. Meaning, we'll kill the baby."

In the aftermath of the debate, we found that the claim spread on social media platforms like X, Facebook and TikTok:

Here is the clip of Ralph Northam that Trump referenced



Biden claimed this never happened



Be a shame if this went viral pic.twitter.com/EZAzpfDdwi  Jack Poso  (@JackPosobiec) June 28, 2024

We previously fact-checked this claim in 2019, finding it was mostly false. When we published that fact-check, we sent a list of detailed questions to Northam's office but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Northam was asked during an appearance on a Washington, D.C., radio program whether he supported proposals a Virginia delegate had brought forward regarding the lessening of legal restrictions on second- and third-trimester abortions. The following is a transcript of the relevant exchange, which can be watched in the video embedded below:

Julie Carey: ... There was a very contentious committee hearing yesterday when Fairfax County Delegate Kathy Tran made her case for lifting restrictions on third-trimester abortions, as well as other restrictions now in place. And she was pressed by a Republican delegate about whether her bill would permit an abortion even as a woman is, essentially, dilating, ready to give birth. And she answered that it would permit an abortion at that stage of labor. Do you support her measure? And explain her answer. Ralph Northam: You know, I wasn't there, Julie, and I certainly can't speak for Delegate Tran, but I would tell you -- one, the first thing I would say, this is why decisions such as this should be made by [healthcare] providers, physicians, and the mothers and fathers that are involved. When we talk about third-trimester abortions, these are done with the consent of, obviously, the mother, with the consent of the physicians -- more than one physician, by the way. And it's done in cases where there may be severe deformities. There may be a fetus that's non-viable. So in this particular example, if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. So I think this was really blown out of proportion, but again, we want the government not to be involved in these types of decisions. And this is why, Julie, legislators -- most of which are men, by the way -- shouldn't be telling a woman what she should and shouldn't be doing with her body.

At the time, we wrote Northam's remarks prompted an immediate backlash, with some right-leaning and pro-life observers claiming that he had expressed support for infanticide. Trump further spread the claim in his 2019 State of the Union address.

Vox quoted a spokesperson for Northam as saying that the governor's comments were "absolutely not" a reference to infanticide but rather "focused on the tragic and extremely rare case in which a woman with a nonviable pregnancy or severe abnormalities went into labor." According to NBC News, a spokesperson for Northam "disputed [President Trump's] characterization" of his comments but did not provide any further clarifying details.

In any case, it's clear Northam didn't say he supported executing or killing babies during the interview. He instead instead described scenarios where a third-trimester abortion would occur and stressed that he didn't believe it's a decision the government should be involved in. As such, we rate this claim as "False."

To get more fact-checks of what Biden and Trump said during the June 2024 presidential debate, here is Snopes' real-time coverage.

Sources:

CNN Staff. "READ: Biden-Trump Debate Transcript | CNN Politics." CNN, 28 June 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/27/politics/read-biden-trump-debate-rush-transcript/index.html.

Ertelt, Steven. "Virginia Gov Ralph Northam Defends Infanticide: 'Infant Would Be Resuscitated If That's What the Mother Desired.'" LifeNews.Com, 30 Jan. 2019, https://www.lifenews.com/2019/01/30/virginia-gov-ralph-northam-defends-infanticide-infant-would-be-resuscitated-if-thats-what-the-mother-desired/.

Fact Check: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Stated He "Would Execute a Baby after Birth." https://www.nbcnews.com/card/[object Object]. Accessed 28 June 2024.

Jennings, Scott. "Blackface Is Bad. But Slaughtering Deformed Babies Is Worse, Northam." The Courier-Journal, https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2019/02/04/ralph-northam-advocating-infanticide-worse-than-blackface/2768277002/. Accessed 28 June 2024.

LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2491 > 2019 Session. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+sum+HB2491%22. Accessed 28 June 2024.

MacGuill, Dan. "Did Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Say He Would 'Execute a Baby After Birth'?" Snopes, 9 Feb. 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-northam-abortion-execute/.

North, Anna. "The Controversy around Virginia's New Abortion Bill, Explained." Vox, 1 Feb. 2019, https://www.vox.com/2019/2/1/18205428/virginia-abortion-bill-kathy-tran-ralph-northam.

Snopes Staff. "Fact-Checking the 2024 Presidential Debate." Snopes, 27 June 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/06/27/presidential-debate-live-updates/.

Trump White House Archived. President Trump Delivers the State of the Union Address. 2019. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpf1IYU0poY.

Virginia Governor Asked About Abortion Until Birth. He Floats Infanticide. https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/30/virginia-governor-northam-abortion/. Accessed 28 June 2024.
Within minutes of the Supreme Courts decision on presidential immunity, Donald Trump and his allies declared victory.

The Supreme Courts highly anticipated ruling  which stated that the former presidents official acts are immune from prosecution, leaving the door open for lower courts to decide what constitutes an official or unofficial act  represented a major political and legal win for the former president.

The decision is likely to further delay the Washington criminal case against Trump that he tried to subvert the 2020 election results, one of his biggest obstacles in the lead-up to the November election.

Trump, on social media, posted that the high courts ruling giving him broad immunity was a big win and should end all legal cases against him. Longtime adviser Stephen Miller said it was another setback for Democrats, while Speaker Mike Johnson said it was a win for former President Trump and all future presidents.

And Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, a prospective Trump running mate, called it a massive win, not just for Trump but the rule of law.

The decision comes just days after President Joe Bidens disastrous debate performance, which is likely to further solidify Trumps polling lead, and represents yet another break for the former president in recent days.

I am not sure anyone recently has had a better run of luck in a presidential campaign than Donald Trump. Hes gotten major fundraising infusions, his opponent imploded in a debate and other than the upcoming sentencing he will not see the inside of a courtroom again before Election Day, said former George W. Bush adviser Scott Jennings, referring to Trumps scheduled July 11 sentencing in the New York hush money trial.



The problem for [Democrats] is that its a total nosedive and they dont know how to pull out of it, he added.

The Trump campaign used the ruling to fill its campaign coffers, something it has done with previous court cases and legal developments, including after a judge held him in contempt during his criminal hush money trial. The fundraising appeals have been a financial boon to Trump, helping him narrow the cash shortfall he was confronting in the race.

There are major political ramifications for the high courts decision. It is now highly unlikely the former president will be tried in court before the November election over his plan to overturn the 2020 results. And if Trump wins, then he could potentially dismiss the case.

I think if their plan was to keep President Trump tied up in trial after trial in courtrooms across America and thereby keep him off the campaign trail, that plan has now failed, said Trump attorney Will Scharf.

Mike Davis, a Trump ally and the founder of the Article III Project, said the ruling means that Jack Smiths DC Jan. 6 case is toast.

For weeks, Trumps legal team had remained cautiously optimistic about the results of the case based on how the justices had been thinking. On Monday morning, Trumps appellate team, based in Missouri, kept refreshing their browsers until the Supreme Courts ruling appeared online, according to a person familiar, and then scrambled to read through the opinion and respond quickly.

Biden has argued that Trump would use a second term to enact revenge on his political enemies, and his campaign used the ruling to warn that it would potentially give Trump dictatorial powers if elected.

Quentin Fulks, Bidens principal deputy campaign manager, said in a conference call with reporters shortly after the ruling came down that he was scared as shit and I think Americans are scared and should be scared of whatDonald Trump will do, because he has been telling us for months.

They just handed Donald Trump the keys to a dictatorship, Fulks said. The Supreme Court just gave Trump a permission slip to assassinate and jail whoever he wants to gain power.

Trump communications director Steven Cheung trolled the Biden campaign by crashing the conference call, writing on X: This Biden campaign call is the saddest thing Ive ever listened to. They have given up.

Democrats responded to the ruling with a sense of urgency and alarm. Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, quoted Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissenting opinion that stated she feared for our democracy and wrote on X, simply frightening. May God have mercy on this nation.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X, This is a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, (D-Calif.) wrote in a statement, The former presidents claim of total presidential immunity is an insult to the vision of our founders, who declared independence from a King.



The Trump teams decision to bring the immunity argument was part of a broader effort to delay legal proceedings. It also has leveled a series of appeals and motions in other criminal indictments he is facing, each of which have been significantly postponed.

But the ruling also left open the scope of Trumps immunity from acts he did in office but are outside his authority granted under the Constitution. Some of those questions will be answered by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the former presidents criminal trial over allegations that he engaged in fraud to stay in power.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court delivered a win to Trump when they unanimously ruled that states have no authority to remove the former president from the 2024 presidential ballot, after a series of states challenged Trumps eligibility to be on the ballot after Jan. 6, citing a provision from the 14th Amendment barring someone from holding office after engaging in an insurrection.


BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. State Commissions on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia have held a number of discussions, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev said, Trend reports.

"According to the relevant agreements, the Commissions are working on harmonizing the draft Regulation on the Joint Activities of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, and the Commission on the Matters of Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

As of July 1, 2024, the Commissions have exchanged draft regulations and conducted a series of discussions on a routine basis. The negotiations are progressing constructively, and the process of harmonization is expected to be completed soon.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Claim:

Photos shared in viral social media and blog posts authentically depict the same Soviet soldier, Evgeny Kobytev, before and after WWII.

Rating:

Rating: True

In June 2024, a number of X users participated in a meme that consisted of humorously comparing the drastic difference in appearance of photos allegedly showing a soldier before and after World War II to how the users felt before and after going through everyday experiences. Among the struggles mentioned in the posts were checking a crush's likes, binge-watching a Netflix series, and visiting Wales.

me before and after I check his likes https://t.co/nFHn8ilM2x  zlongz (@TheAvatarLang) June 3, 2024

Many of the joke posts took the form of reposts of a January 2023 X post by historical meme account @historyinmemes, which consisted of side-by-side images that purportedly showed how World War II ravaged one young soldier's face. The original @historyinmemes post had received around 203,000 likes and 33,000 reposts, many of which took the form of the meme.

The photos used in the meme originally went viral  without the joking commentary  in May 2020, when, as Know Your Meme explains, they were posted on the Russian news aggregator site Zen. From there, they quickly spread to Reddit, Facebook, and other corners of the internet.

In the English-speaking world, two widely shared posts have claimed to tell the full story behind the photos. One is a post by the blog Rare Historical Photos, which was most recently updated on Jan. 9, 2024, but first appeared in much shorter form in July 2020. The second is a thread by X user @fakehistoryhunt, which had been retweeted around 7,900 times and liked around 25,000 times at the time this story first published.

I'm getting a lot of questions about these photos, so here's what I've found;

The photos show    (Evgeny Stepanovich Kobytev) and yes, it's the same man in both photos and yes, before and after his experiences during WW2.

But there's more.

Thread; pic.twitter.com/7wTvW7trii  Fake History Hunter (@fakehistoryhunt) August 25, 2021

Both the blog post and the X thread identify the man in the photos as Russian artist Evgeny Stepanovich Kobytev (also transliterated from Cyrillic as "Kobitev"), a teacher and artist from Altai who graduated from art school in Kyiv in 1941 and immediately joined the Red Army. A few months later, according to the posts, Kobytev was captured and sent to the "Khorol pit," a notorious German prison camp in central Ukraine. After escaping from the camp in 1943, the posts claim, Kobytev rejoined the Red Army for the duration of WWII and then returned to artistic life in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk. The photos, the posts claim, subsequently ended up in the collection of an institution called the Pozdeev Museum.

Unfortunately for readers who might want to double check the accuracy of this information, neither Rare Historical Photos nor @fakehistoryhunt cited or linked to any sources for the compelling story.

However, by turning to Russian-language sources, which we consulted using Google Translate, Snopes was able to confirm that the details provided by Rare Historical Photos, @fakehistoryhunt, and other posts are correct. As a result, we have rated the claim as "True."

One informative and authoritative Russian-language source we consulted is a May 7, 2019, article published by Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. The article includes an interview with Kobytev's daughter, Vera PolynskayaKobyteva, who corroborates the major details and dates of the story included the X and Rare Historical Photos posts, including the timelines of Kobytev's service in the war and his artistic career. The article also includes a photograph showing weathered prints of the two pictures of Kobytev before and after the war.

(Komsomolskaya Pravda)

As for the photos themselves, they are indeed part of the collection of the Pozdeev Museum (officially, the School Museum of the Artist Andrey Pozdeev) in Krasnoyarsk, as the Rare Historical Photos post and some social media posts claim.

According to a 2013 post on the museum's Russian-language website, which includes an image of the same two photographs shown in the Komsomolskaya Pravda article, the museum began working with Kobytev's daughter to acquire the artist's personal archives in 2005. While Snopes was unable to confirm the exact year the museum took possession of the photos of Kobytev before and after World War II, a page dedicated to the museum's collection of Kobytev memorabilia clearly explains that the photos are currently on display at the museum and do depict Kobytev as he appeared first in 1941, the year he joined the Red Army, and then in 1945, the year he returned to his adopted hometown of Krasnoyarsk.

Because the major details about the photographs as provided by popular English-language coverage of the photographs are corroborated by authoritative Russian sources, we have rated this claim as "True."

Sources:

"Evgeny Stepanovich Kobytev: A Soldier's Face after Four Years of War, 1941-1945 - Rare Historical Photos." Https://Rarehistoricalphotos.Com/, 4 July 2020, https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/evgeny-stepanovich-kobytev-1941-1945/.

"Soldier's Face After Four Years of War." Know Your Meme, 6 Jan. 2023, https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/soldiers-face-after-four-years-of-war.

     |       . http://mus-pozdeyev.ru/p2/news/32/. Accessed 20 June 2024.

     |    . http://mus-pozdeyev.ru/p82. Accessed 20 June 2024.

"     ":      ""     .  , 7 May 2019. https://www.krsk.kp.ru/daily/26973/4032035. Accessed 20 June 2024.
Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria on July 1 started joint demining operations in the Black Sea in order to ensure safe grain shipments from Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.

Under the Turkish-led deal, the three countries will oversee efforts to clear mines that have been drifting in the Black Sea since the start of Russia's all-out war. Other NATO members are not involved in the initiative.

Hundreds of mines have been spread throughout the Black Sea since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Several civilian and military ships belonging to countries not party to the war have struck sea mines since the beginning of the invasion.

Turkey, which brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2022, plays a major role in the demining agreement. A memorandum of understanding on demining in the Black Sea was signed in Istanbul on Jan. 11.

Kyiv was forced to set up a new export route in the Black Sea last year after Russia unilaterally terminated the Black Sea grain deal. Initially envisioned as a humanitarian corridor to allow the departure of ships stranded there since the start of the full-scale war, it has since grown into a full-blown trade route.

As of the end of June, Ukraine had exported 37.4 million tons of agricultural products through the new route, the Infrastructure Ministry said.

Read also: Economy Ministry: Allies donate over $700 million in demining aid to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FILE - Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused opposition parties of stoking xenophobia and racism on Monday July 1, 2024, a day after residents in a neighborhood in central Turkey set Syrian-owned shops on fire. (AP Photo/Unal Cam, File)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused opposition parties of stoking xenophobia and racism on Monday, a day after residents in a neighborhood in central Turkey set Syrian-owned shops on fire.

The rioting erupted in the Melikgazi region of central Kayseri province late on Sunday, following reports that a Syrian refugee there had allegedly sexually harassed a 7-year-old Syrian girl. Outraged residents overturned cars and set shops ablaze, calling on Syrians to leave.

At least 67 people suspected of involvement in the violence were detained, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X.

In a televised address on Monday, Erdogan accused opposition parties, which have advocated for the repatriation of refugees, of inciting violence.

Nothing can be achieved by fueling xenophobia and hatred of refugees in society, Erdogan said and accused the opposition of poisonous discourse.

When neighboring Syrias civil war broke out in 2011, Turkey received hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees with compassion, becoming the country to host the largest refugee population globally. As the population grew and Turkey encountered escalating economic difficulties, it has seen a rise in anti-migrant sentiment.

Turkey is now home to 3.6 million refugees, according to government figures, though some argue the real population may be significantly larger.

Officials said the alleged abuser in the Melikgazi region was arrested while the girl, her siblings and mother were placed under state protection and would receive psychological support.

Umit Ozdag, the leader of Turkey's anti-migration Victory Party, rejected Erdogan's accusation and blamed the Melikgazi tensions on the government's allegedly privileged treatment of Syrian refugees.

In summary, it's the government's wrongful Syria policy that is to blame," Ozdag said. Don't go looking elsewhere.

The Melikgazi violence drew a backlash in opposition-held areas of northwestern Syria, including those controlled by Turkish-backed forces.

In Syrias Aleppo province, near the border with Turkey, dozens of people gathered at the main roundabout in the town of al-Rai to prevent the entry of Turkish convoys and trucks and prevented Turkish trucks from entering the city of al-Bab, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

Videos circulating on social media show young men and boys carrying rocks and sticks, chasing after a truck bearing Turkish writing. Demonstrators also chased employees out of a Turkish post office in the Syrian city of Azaz, the group said. In some places, protesters clashed with local security forces.

The Syrian National Army, a coalition of armed Syrian opposition groups backed by Turkey, urged residents of northwestern Syria to avoid being drawn in by seditionists who seek to sabotage our institutions.

Tensions have been rising in Syrian opposition-held areas over an apparent rapprochement between Ankara and Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, including plans to open a crossing between government-held areas and those held by Turkish-backed opposition forces in Aleppo.

The al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group's salvation government of the region issued a statement calling on Turkey to assume its legal and moral responsibilities to protect Syrian refugees.

In 2021, similar anti-Syrian riots broke out in an Ankara neighborhood after a Turkish teenager was stabbed to death in a fight with a group of young Syrians. Hundreds of people chanting anti-immigrant slogans took to the streets, vandalized Syrian-run shops and hurled rocks at refugees homes.

___

Associated Press reporter Ghaith Alsayed in Idlib, Syria, contributed to this report.
The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter has asked for the public's assistance and patience as the shelter battles an outbreak of distemper in its dog population.

In a June 29 Facebook post, the shelter said it needs to raise $15,000 to cover the cost of testing all of the dogs and volunteers are needed to help the staff carry out a myriad of tasks related to the outbreak.

More: Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter closes for two weeks after canine distemper outbreak

On June 22, the shelter announced it was halting all adoption and rescue operations for at least two weeks after confirmed cases of distemper were diagnosed within the dogs housed at the shelter. Distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease.

The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter says it needs $15,000 to cover the cost of testing all its dogs after a distemper outbreak in June. A dog is shown at the shelter in this April 28, 2022, file photo.

The shelter said the nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society, based in Utah, is providing consultation, along with an on-site team member to help test each dog for exposure to the virus.

"They are committed on seeing the shelter through this with continued outbreak consultation and on-site staff support," the shelter's Facebook post said. " They have an abundance of experience helping shelters with distemper outbreaks."

The post cites a veterinarian who says the shelter may need four to six weeks of limited operations to eradicate the virus.

"After meeting with community representatives from Northport, City of Tuscaloosa, and the County Commission next week, we will be able to provide a more reasonable date to reopen the shelter," Facebook post states. " As this is an evolving situation, we will extend the date we must be closed to the general public."

The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter says it needs $15,000 to cover the cost of testing all its dogs after a distemper outbreak in June. A dog is shown at the shelter in this April 28, 2022, file photo.

The shelter cannot accept animals from the public or from animal control unless it is an emergency, which the shelter defined as "an animal being offensive and a danger to the public, seriously injured or sick."

The shelter is still answering its phone, 205-752-9101, during regular business hours but administrators appealed for the public's understanding since they have a limited number of people available to respond to a large number of calls and messages.

Cat adoptions have resumed, but all of those adoptions will be completed virtually or by phone. Once the adoption is complete, the shelter will inform the adopter of the process to pick up their new cat.

Cat adoptions have resumed at the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter after a canine distemper outbreak. A cat is shown at the shelter in this April 28, 2022, file photo.

The shelter thanked people in the community who have rallied to its support.

"... First United Methodist has provided ice every day, as well as food and water, the city of Tuscaloosa provided large misting fans, Coca-Cola in Tuscaloosa provided water and Gatorade. Other people have donated towels, sheets, toys, etc. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Thank you!"

Volunteers are needed to help take pictures and create an information sheet for each animal. The shelter also needs help cleaning dishes and doing laundry so the staff can concentrate on other tasks. To sign up, go to www.metroanimalshelter.org/volunteer.

Donations are also needed to cover testing all the dogs, as well as to compensate for revenue lost by the suspension of adoptions.

People can donate through Venmo (@Metro-AnimalShelter), the Cash App ($MetroAnimalShelter), PayPal (Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter) or through the shelter's website, www.metroanimalshelter.org/donate.

The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter is at 3140 Investigator Dornell Cousette St. It is a nonprofit organization contracted to serve as the municipal animal shelter for Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County, and Northport.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How to help Tuscaloosa animal shelter after outbreak of distemper
Two Georgia firefighters disappeared. Bodies found in car days later, Tennessee cops say

The bodies of two Georgia firefighters have been found nearly a week after they disappeared, police say.

Raegan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, along with Andersons car, were discovered Sunday, June 30, nearly 400 miles away in Cocke County, Tennessee, according to the Hinesville Police Department.

Cocke County deputies confirmed two bodies were found in a vehicle on a road in Cosby.

Details pertaining to the discovery of their bodies, vehicle and events leading to their deaths are not available at this time, Hinesville police said in an update on Sunday.

Anderson and Kuhbander were both firefighters with Liberty County Fire Services Station #1 in Midway, Georgia. Authorities said thats where Anderson was last seen.

Kuhbander, a senior firefighter with the department, was last seen early June 25 leaving a gym in Savannah, WTOC and WSAV reported, citing authorities.

McClatchy News reached out to the Hinesville Police Department for more information June 28 and was awaiting a response.

In a tribute posted online, Liberty County fire officials described Anderson and Kuhbander as two extremely dedicated employees.

They put their hearts and souls into protecting and serving the citizens of Liberty County, the department wrote on Facebook. Our prayers, and those of the department, are with the families during this most difficult time.

Andersons and Kuhbanders bodies have been sent for an autopsy, Tennessee deputies said.

Cosby is about a 60-mile drive southeast from Knoxville.

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Two historic Mississippi newspapers close their doors. See where they are

Two century-old weekly newspapers in Mississippi closed their doors in late June.

The Jasper County News and the Smith County Reformer, owned by Buckley Newspapers Inc., closed for financial reasons. The company also owned a publication called Impact, which was also shuttered.

The company also was forced to lay off 11 full-time employees.

"I'm just kind of taking it day by day," said Kevan Lindsey, former general manager for Buckley Newspapers. "I got a call from our H.R. that we weren't projected to make payroll. I went and talked to our company lawyer and he advised that we close immediately."

He said he took that information to their owner, Carolyn Buckley. Buckley was not available for comment.

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The Jasper County News and the Smith County Reformer, owned by Buckley Newspapers Inc., closed last week. The company also owned a publication called Impact, which was also shuttered.

"We just decided the best thing to do was to close it down," said Lindsey, who is already in the process of signing on with another newspaper in southwest Mississippi. "There have been problems for a few years, to be frank. I have never dealt with closing (a newspaper) before, so I am learning something new it seems like every hour."

According the Lindsey, the Smith County paper was originally established in 1897 while Jasper County paper dated as far back as 1891 under a couple of different titles.

"It's a sad day. Both of these papers had been a part of the community for more than 100 years," said Lindsey, 34. "It was just a combination of things including the economy and other things. When I took over my position in 2022, we were looking around $700,000 in debt. There was Covid and other things too."

Lindsey said two of the three publications were profitable in 2022 and 2023, but it wasn't enough to close the financial gap.

"It was just a ticking time bomb," Lindsey said. "We tried to get it close, we just never could catch up."

Lindsey went on to say he believes the area is in need of publications.

"These folks deserve papers and I think there is still a way to make money here," he said. "It's all just too bad right now. I hate it. I do need to say I absolutely loved my time at Buckley Newspapers and appreciate ownership. Unfortunately, the changing economy and the way media is changing and is absorbed was too much to overcome for our papers."

Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Two Mississippi newspapers close their doors
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (File/Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Garland announce that former U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur was appointed as Special Counsel for the investigation. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of the State of Israel, Israel Katz had a telephone conversation on June 28, 2024, Trend reports.

The sides discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation between the two countries, international and regional issues, and the situation around the Gaza Strip.

Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Furthermore, the sides discussed works and plans to be implemented within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), covering 20242026.

The minister informed the Israeli side in detail about the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, large-scale reconstruction and construction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, issues of combating the mine threat, as well as the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

It was emphasized that there is an additional opportunity for cooperation between the two countries within the framework of our country's presidency at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

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U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

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U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Garland announce that former U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur was appointed as Special Counsel for the investigation. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2023, at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home. The investigation did not result in any charges against Biden. (Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home on Jan. 12, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home on Jan. 12, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Garland announce that former U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur was appointed as Special Counsel for the investigation. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the presidents handling of classified documents.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Bidens assertion of executive privilege over the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.

The Republican-controlled committee argues in the suit that the tapes are relevant in its impeachment inquiry into Biden and whether the President willfully retained the classified materials to benefit either his family  or himself.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court at the appropriate time.

The suit also asks for audio recordings of Hurs interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Bidens 2017 memoir.

Its one of several efforts by Republicans to obtain the tapes, after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and described him as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. Biden rebuffed many of those claims.

The Committee thus needs those recordings to assess the Special Counsels characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have forcefully disputed, and ultimate recommendation that President Biden should not be prosecuted, according to the suit.

Separately, Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an inherent contempt vote when lawmakers return next week against Garland with the hope of obtaining the tapes.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that House Republicans will be as aggressive as we can and use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that the audio tapes are released.

The House in early June voted to hold Garland in contempt for not releasing the audio recordings. However, the Department of Justice provided a written transcript of Hurs interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The main condition of the peace agreement is the amendment of the Armenian Constitution, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev while receiving credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the country Kevin Hamilton, Trend reports.

Saying that we are diversifying our diplomatic activities at the global level, the head of state underlined that there is a declaration on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and 10 countries of the European Union, and emphasized that most of these documents were signed during the occupation of our lands at a time when there was no peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this regard, the absence of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be a factor in determining the level of activity of any country in the region.

The head of state emphasized that for 28 years, Armenia refused to comply with the fundamental principles of international law. They violated all humanitarian laws and ignored the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. No one held them accountable in the slightest. A number of countries discussing the conflict did not declare loyalty to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Now, after we have defeated Armenias occupying forces on the battlefield and expelled them from our lands, we hear statements supporting our territorial integrity. But we have already secured it ourselves. Whether someone recognizes our territorial integrity or not is irrelevant.

It is known that pro-Armenian sentiments and the role of the Armenian diaspora exist in some Western countries. However, when it comes to international law, these emotions should be set aside. It is important to understand that issues unresolved for 28 years are difficult to solve in 1-2 years. Moreover, substantive negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia only began in December. Before that, Armenia wanted to include the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh" issue in the peace agreement, which was unacceptable, the President of Azerbaijan said.

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that this is Azerbaijans internal matter. Thus, after the dissolution of the separatist regime, negotiations have been ongoing for only six months since December. The head of state stated that this requires time, and, of course, the main condition for the peace agreement is the amendment of Armenia's constitution. Because it contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and until this is addressed, a peace agreement will not be signed. This is a known fact.

The President of Azerbaijan also noted that, despite this, he believes that we are making considerable progress in the negotiation process. The head of state said, I believe we can finalize the text of the peace agreement, or at least its main principles, within a few months. During the occupation period, the mediators' plan was to agree on the basic principles known as the Madrid Principles. These principles should have been initialed with the text to be drafted later. We believe this could be an optionreaching an agreement on the basic principles, initializing them, and then working on the text. President Ilham Aliyev noted that this will happen if Armenia amends its constitution.

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A lawsuit filed by attorneys general in Missouri and Louisiana alleges the federal government pressured social media companies to target conservative speech across a range of topics, from the efficacy of vaccines to the integrity of the 2020 presidential election (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images).

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday vacated appeals court decisions involving Florida and Texas laws designed to restrict the power of social media companies to curb content that those platforms consider objectionable, sending Floridas case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Texas case to the Fifth Circuit.

The ruling was unanimous, but the justices were divided 6-3 in their reasoning.

The Florida case, Moody v. Netchoice, goes back to a 2021, when the Republican-led Florida Legislature passed a law (SB 7072) in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump being banished from social media platforms after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by some of his supporters.

The law prohibited social media platforms from deplatforming a candidate for political office and allowed the Florida Election Commission to fine a social media platform (defined as a company with annual gross revenues of more than $100 million or more than 100 million monthly active users) $250,000 per day for a candidate for statewide office and $25,000 per day for a candidate for other offices.

It allowed social media users to opt out of a platforms algorithms and insist they feed them posts in order of the time that they were written, and required social media companies to provide detailed explanations to every user whose content they barred.

After the law was passed, two industry groups, NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association, sued to block its enforcement. In July 2021, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee issued an injunction against enforcing the law, concluding that it violated the First Amendment and federal law governing the sites.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody appealed to the Eleventh Circuit, but were rebuked there as well in May 2022, when a three-judge panel unanimously upheld the federal courts decision, writing that the state was not allowed to force the social media companies to comply with what the state deemed was permissible speech.

We hold that it is substantially likely that social-media companies  even the biggest ones  are private actors whose rights the First Amendment protects, that their so-called content-moderation decisions constitute protected exercises of editorial judgment, and that the provisions of the new Florida law that restrict large platforms ability to engage in content moderation unconstitutionally burden that prerogative, Judge Kevin Newsom wrote for the appellate panel.

The state appealed that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard the case in February and ruled on Monday.

Remanded

Writing for the majority, Justice Elena Kagan said the court would remand because neither the Eleventh Circuit nor the Fifth Circuit (in the Texas case) conducted a proper analysis of the facial First Amendment challenges to Florida and Texas laws regulating large internet platforms. The Fifth Circuit had upheld the Texas law.

Much of her opinion references specifically the Texas social media law but the ruling also applies to Floridas law.

Texas has never been shy, and always been consistent, about its interest: The objective is to correct the mix of viewpoints that major platforms present, Kagan wrote.

But a State may not interfere with private actors speech to advance its own vision of ideological balance. States (and their citizens) are of course right to want an expressive realm in which the public has access to a wide range of views. But the way that the First Amendment achieves that goal is by preventing the government from tilt[ing] public debate in a preferred direction,  not by licensing the government to stop private actors from speaking as they wish and preferring some views over others. That unadorned interest is not unrelated to the suppression of free expression. (Emphasis in the original.)

Reaction

The industry groups celebrated the ruling  but curiously, so did Moody.

We are encouraged that a majority of the Court has made clear that the government cannot tilt public debate in its favored direction, said Matt Schruers, president of the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

There is nothing more Orwellian than government attempting to dictate what speech should be carried, whether it is a newspaper or a social media site. Our Founding Fathers understood the importance of the right to speak or not speak without government interference and made this a cornerstone of our democracy when they ratified the First Amendment. We look forward to continuing our advocacy for the First Amendment as these cases return to lower courts in Florida and Texas.

Todays ruling from the Supreme Court is a victory for First Amendment rights online, said Chris Marchese, director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, in a statement posted on X.

As our cases head back to the lower courts of consideration, the Supreme Court agreed with all our First Amendment arguments. Free speech is a cornerstone of our republic. As we prepare to celebrate the 248th anniversary of American independence this week, we are gratified to see the Supreme Court acknowledge the Constitutions unparalleled protections for free speech, including the worlds most important communications tool, the internet.

Despite those comments, Florida AG Moody posted on X that SCOTUS Unanimously Sides with Florida in Social Media Case.

We are pleased that SCOTUS agreed with Florida and rejected the lower courts flawed reasoning  invalidating our social media law. While there are aspects of the decision we disagree with, we look forward to continuing to defend state law.
Thousands of former President Donald Trumps supporters storm the U.S. Capitol building following a Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  A former Pennsylvania police officer who joined the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol that delayed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results cannot be charged with obstructing an official proceeding unless a lower court finds otherwise, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week.

The ruling throws into question the cases of potentially hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants who faced the same charge as well as a portion of Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smiths four-count indictment alleging former President Donald Trump schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

But Attorney General Merrick Garland said following the ruling that he anticipates the decision will not affect the vast majority of Jan. 6 cases.

In a 6-3 opinion, the justices, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, wrote that the charge Fischer faces  a subsection of an early 2000s obstruction law  can only be applied to tampering with physical records.

To prove a violation of Section 1512(c)(2), the Government must establish that the defendant impaired the availability or integrity for use in an official proceeding of records, documents, objects, or as we earlier explained, other things used in the proceeding, or attempted to do so, Roberts wrote.

The judgment of the D. C. Circuit is therefore vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion, Roberts wrote.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered a concurring opinion.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, dissented.

Impact on Jan. 6 defendants, Trump

The ruling has the potential to affect more than 355 Jan. 6 defendants who were charged with the same felony statute, which carries a fine and not more than 20 years in prison.

Dozens, including leaders of the extremist Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have already been sentenced on the charge, according to the Department of Justice.

The case, Fischer v. United States, centered on whether Jan. 6 defendant Joseph W. Fischer broke the obstruction law when he joined the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol and delayed Congress, and Vice President Mike Pence, from certifying the 2020 presidential election results that declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner.

Trump also faces the obstruction charge as part of his four-count federal indictment that alleges he worked with others to overturn the election results in seven states, pressured Pence to join him and whipped his base into a frenzy that culminated in the Jan. 6 attack.

Trump will almost certainly challenge the charge, as his legal team has already argued he is completely immune to it.

Trump attorneys D. John Sauer and William Owen Scharf did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Rather, Trumps 2024 campaign spokesman Steven Cheung responded to the email with a link to Trumps post on his social media platform Truth Social. The post, published at 11:41 a.m. Friday, read BIG WIN!

The cases against those who participated in the Jan. 6 riot have become a rallying cry for Republicans leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Trump, the GOPs presumed nominee, has repeatedly promised to pardon the defendants.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana told reporters Friday that the Supreme Court decision says, effectively, the court agrees that a number of the defendants in the January 6 proceedings have been overcharged.

And that is something that I also think many people have recognized for some time, and now the highest court in the land has declared that to be so, Johnson said during a wide-ranging press conference.

How the charges came about

The obstruction provision examined by the high court is contained in section 1512(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, enacted after the 2001 Enron accounting scandal. The scandal erupted after revelations that the energy company doctored its financial records to inflate its value.

The provision targets whoever corruptly (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.

Fischer, and hundreds of other Jan. 6 defendants, as well as Trump, are charged with the second subsection, cited in court documents as 1512(c)(2).

Significant time during Aprils oral arguments centered on whether the second portion of the statute hinged on the first clause, meaning the law could only be applied if physical evidence was involved.

The government argued the two parts are separate and that Fischer, who sent texts leading up to the riot and is shown on police camera footage inside the Capitol, intended to disrupt an official proceeding of Congress.

Fischers team argued that he didnt actually enter the Capitol until Congress had already paused the proceeding, and that he didnt stay very long.

A lower federal court agreed last year with Fischers motion to dismiss the felony charge.

A federal appeals panel in Washington, D.C., did not. Judge Florence Y. Pan  who also sat on the panel in Trumps presidential immunity appeal  wrote in the lead opinion that the statute is unambiguous in its meaning of what constitutes obstructing an official proceeding.

Other charges

The obstruction charge is not the only count brought against Fischer after his participation in the Jan. 6 riot.

The original indictment against him also included charges of civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, among others.

Fischers attorney Jeffrey Green, who spoke to States Newsroom in person following Aprils oral arguments, told the outlet in an emailed statement Friday that his team is ecstatic.

The various opinions offer a particularly clear window into different statutory interpretation modalities among the Justices on todays Court. And the impact of the opinion on other prosecutions remains to be seen, but we are happy to have driven this criminal statute back to its proper evidence-tampering turf, the Bethesda, Maryland-based attorney wrote.

Frederick Fritz Ulrich, a federal public defender for Pennsylvanias Middle District and attorney for Fischer, told States Newsroom in a written response Friday that the Supreme Court construed the scope of 1512(c) consistent with Congress aim and our argument that its an evidence impairment offense, not some form of omnibus obstruction offense.

And at the end of the day, the government has plenty of offenses that it can charge to capture the conduct at issue. As for Mr. Fischer, the D.C. Circuit should ultimately remand to the district court for a trial, Ulrich wrote.

DOJ reacts

Garland said in a statement Friday that he was disappointed by the courts decision, which he said limits an important federal statute that the Department has sought to use to ensure that those most responsible for that attack face appropriate consequences.

However, Garland doesnt anticipate the ruling will affect a significant swath of the hundreds of Jan. 6 cases, he said.

The vast majority of the more than 1,400 defendants charged for their illegal actions on January 6 will not be affected by this decision. There are no cases in which the Department charged a January 6 defendant only with the offense at issue in Fischer, Garland continued.

The department will take appropriate steps to comply with the Courts ruling for any cases that will be affected, he said.

We will continue to use all available tools to hold accountable those criminally responsible for the January 6 attack on our democracy, Garland said.

He described the riot as an attack on the cornerstone of our system of government  the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next.

Majority justices question governments claim

Writing for the majority Friday, Roberts disagreed with DOJs position that the two parts of the obstruction law could be applied completely separately.

Although the Governments all-encompassing interpretation may be literally permissible, it defies the most plausible understanding of why (the two subsections) are conjoined, Roberts wrote.

Given that subsection (c)(2) was enacted to address the Enron disaster, not some further flung set of dangers, it is unlikely that Congress responded with such an unfocused and grossly incommensurate patch, he wrote, quoting the federal appeals courts dissenting opinion by Judge Gregory Katsas.

In her concurring opinion, Supreme Court Justice Jackson wrote the high court properly interprets the statute and rightly vacates the judgment below and remands this case for further proceedings.

Jackson wrote that Congress certification of the presidential election results on Jan. 6, 2021, plainly used certain records, documents, or objects  including, among others, those relating to the electoral votes themselves.

And it might well be that Fischers conduct, as alleged here, involved the impairment (or the attempted impairment) of the availability or integrity of things used during the January 6 proceeding in ways other than those specified in (c)(1), she wrote, quoting the first subsection of the obstruction law.

If so, then Fischers prosecution under 1512(c)(2) can, and should, proceed. That issue remains available for the lower courts to determine on remand, Jackson concluded.

In her dissenting opinion, Barrett argued against the majoritys narrowing of the subsection.

There is no getting around it: Section 1512(c)(2) is an expansive statute, she wrote.

Congress, when writing the law, set the outer bounds of liability, she continued.

(T)he Executive Branch has the discretion to select particular cases to prosecute within those boundaries. By atextually narrowing 1512(c)(2), the Court has failed to respect the prerogatives of the political branches, Barrett concluded.

Shauneen Miranda contributed to this report.

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One man, young homeless sitting on the street and begging.

The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws.

In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property does not violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Homelessness is complex. Its causes are many. So may be the public policy responses required to address it, he wrote. The Constitutions Eighth Amendment serves many important functions, but it does not authorize federal judges to wrest those rights and responsibilities from the American people and in their place dictate this Nations homelessness policy.

The case originated in Grants Pass, a city in Oregon that argued its ordinance is a solution to the citys homelessness crisis, which includes fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders who camp or sleep outdoors.

Attorney Theane Evangelis, who represented the city, said in a statement to States Newsroom that the ruling would provide relief to local communities trying to address the issues of encampments of homeless people.

The Court has now restored the ability of cities on the frontlines of this crisis to develop lasting solutions that meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of their communities, while also keeping our public spaces safe and clean, she said. Years from now, I hope that we will look back on todays watershed ruling as the turning point in Americas homelessness crisis.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent arguing that the ordinance against camping and a separate ordinance against using blankets on public property targets the status of being homeless and is therefore a violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Grants Passs Ordinances criminalize being homeless, she wrote. The Ordinances purpose, text, and enforcement confirm that they target status, not conduct. For someone with no available shelter, the only way to comply with the Ordinances is to leave Grants Pass altogether.

During oral arguments, the justices seemed split along ideological lines.

The conservative justices sided with the town in Oregon, arguing that policies and ordinances around homelessness are complex, and should be left up to local elected representatives rather than the courts.

The liberal justices argued the Grants Pass ordinances criminalized the status of being homeless and criticized the citys argument that homelessness is not a status protected under the Eighth Amendment.

The Biden administration took the middle ground in the case, and U.S. Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler offered partial support for the city.

Its the municipalitys determination, certainly in the first instance with a great deal of flexibility, how to address the question of homelessness, he said during oral arguments in late April.

Homelessness crisis

The ruling, which was split along ideological lines, reverses the 9th Circuits decision that previously blocked the local law because it found the ordinance criminalized the status of being homeless and was therefore a violation of the Eighth Amendments bar on cruel and unusual punishment.

The Grants Pass ordinances prohibited people from camping and sleeping in parks and on public property and barred those people from using blankets, pillows or other materials to sleep outdoors. A violation carried a $295 file, and if not paid, could be increased to $530. Repeat offenders could also risk jail.

But the city, and a coalition of leaders from red and blue Western states, including Montana and California, petitioned the Supreme Court to review the case.

Cities across the West report that the Ninth Circuits involuntariness test has created intolerable uncertainty for them, Gorsuch wrote.

Cities across the U.S., particularly in the West, are grappling with an increasing homelessness crisis. Its estimated that 650,000 people were homeless on a single night in January of 2023, a 12% increase from 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HUD data indicates that the rise in overall homelessness is largely due to a sharp rise in the number of people who became homeless for the first time, according to the agency.

States with the highest rates of homelessness include California, Oregon, Washington and Montana, according to five-year estimates in the American Community Survey.

Gorsuch argued that the case the 9th Circuit relied on in Martin v. City of Boise had a poor foundation for using the Eighth Amendment as its basis. In that case, homeless plaintiffs sued the city of Boise, Idaho, after it fined them under a camping ordinance.

The Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause focuses on the question what method or kind of punishment a government may impose after a criminal conviction, not on the question whether a government may criminalize particular behavior in the first place, he wrote. The Court cannot say that the punishments Grants Pass imposes here qualify as cruel and unusual.

Sotomayor argued that the ruling focuses only on the needs of local officials and leaves the most vulnerable in our society with an impossible choice: Either stay awake or be arrested.

The Constitution provides a baseline of rights for all Americans rich and poor, housed and unhoused, she wrote. This Court must safeguard those rights even when, and perhaps especially when, doing so is uncomfortable or unpopular.

A crime to be homeless

Advocacy groups expressed their frustration and disappointment in Fridays decision, and raised concerns that it could lead to homeless people being criminalized for sleeping outdoors when they have nowhere else to go.

The president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Diane Yentel, strongly condemned the courts decision and argued it would only worsen the crisis.

It gives cover to elected officials who choose political expediency over real solutions by merely moving unhoused people out of public view rather than working to solve their homelessness, Yentel said in a statement. These ineffective and inhumane tactics exacerbate homelessness by saddling unhoused people with debt they cant pay, while further isolating them from the services and support they need to become stably housed.

The Southern Poverty Law Centers deputy legal director for economic justice, Kirsten Anderson, said in a statement that the ruling will set a precedent for criminalizing homeless people.

The Supreme Court held that it is a crime to be homeless  at a moment in which housing is unaffordable for half the people in the country  proving that it continues to be out of touch with the American public, Anderson said.

Rosanne Haggerty, the president of Community Solutions, a nonprofit that works to end homelessness, expressed disappointment in the decision.

Arresting or fining people for experiencing homelessness is cruel  and it wont solve the problem, Haggerty said in a statement.

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(Bloomberg) -- Almost twice as many British business leaders would prefer Labours Angela Rayner to be the next deputy prime minister over the Conservative incumbent, Oliver Dowden, according to a new poll, despite concern about her workers rights agenda.

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Some 34% of the 1,000 UK business decision-makers surveyed by polling firm Savanta in June said they would prefer Rayner, who served as shadow secretary of state for leveling up, housing and communities before Parliament was dissolved. That compares with 17% for Dowden, Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks right-hand man and the current deputy prime minister.

Around 32% of respondents said they preferred neither. Those who took part were owners and directors for small businesses, and senior managers or executives for medium and large companies.

Rayner remains the favorite even though some 51% of respondents said they were concerned about the workers rights plan that she has championed. That compares with 67% who said they worried about the economy if Labour took power and 61% who said that immigration would be a concern.

Our research suggests that business leaders are more concerned about what impact a Labour government might have on fundamentals such as the economy and taxation, rather than more controversial topics such as workers rights and EDI policy  implying the Conservatives dont necessarily understand the needs of a usually receptive key audience, said Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta.

Still, half said that Keir Starmers opposition party would be the best choice for business, giving it a 22-point lead over Sunaks Tories, a margin in line with broader polling. Head-to-head, business decision-makers prefer Labour figures over most of their Conservative counterparts by a pretty convincing margin, Hopkins said.

Some 42% of businesses preferred Starmer to be the UKs next prime minister, giving him a 15-percentage-point lead over Sunak. Rachel Reeves held a narrower, 5-point lead over Conservative chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, to take up the top post at the Treasury.

Labours business-secretary-in-waiting, Jonathan Reynolds, was favored over incumbent Kemi Badenoch, 26% to 19%. The only Conservative official preferred by more businesses over his Labour counterpart was Foreign Secretary David Cameron, whom led would-be replacement David Lammy, 34% to 25%

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Ukraine is planning to achieve increased air defense capabilities and other security improvements over the next month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address July 1.

The speech followed a meeting with a United States congressional delegation and several meetings between the President's Office and Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.

"We thoroughly discussed all the plans for July in detail  this month can bring Ukraine even more strength, in particular in protecting the sky and bringing real security to our country," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian government is aligned on priorities and objectives in negotiations with foreign partners, particularly the U.S., Zelensky said. He also thanked the bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives for supporting Ukraine and "the rules-based international order."

Zelensky called on U.S. leadership to ensure that Ukraine receives long-range weapons, sufficient fighter jets, and additional air defense systems, calling these resources "crucial factors affecting the entire course of this war."

Ukraine also hopes to achieve progress towards its accession to the European Union over the course of the next month and will sign more bilateral security agreements with European allies, the president said.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian casualties six times larger than those of Ukraine, Zelensky says

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Ukraines SBU security forces claimed they had foiled a Russia-backed coup on Monday which had planned to overthrow Volodymyr Zelensky and install a pro-Kremlin government.

They said that the plotters planned to use the cover of a rally in central Kyiv to incite riots and then capture the Ukrainian parliament, known as the Verkhovna Rada.

The perpetrators planned to announce the removal from power of the current military-political leadership of Ukraine. They then hoped to seize the building of Ukraines Verkhovna Rada and block its work, said the SBU, adding that the coup was planned for Ukraines Constitution Day on June 30.

It published photos on Monday of officers wearing balaclavas as they arrested several alleged plotters on Sunday. It also said that the focus of its operations had been in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of west Ukraine.

The SBU released images of the suspects it had arrested

The coup plotters were known pro-Russia agitators and had stashed caches of weapons, which included assault rifles, a sniper rifle and handguns. Cartons of ammunition, laptops, mobile phones and hand-drawn coup instructions were also found in the raids.

The perpetrators planned to disseminate information about the unrest in Kyiv through domestic and foreign information resources, said the SBU. They hoped to destabilise the socio-political situation within our country, which would play out in favour of the Russian Federation.

The SBU said that the coup plot had been organised by a co-founder of a public organisation that has been known for its anti-Ukrainian actions since 2015 but it declined to name him directly.

The Kremlin has not commented but Western intelligence services have previously said that dozens of assassination attempts against Mr Zelensky have been foiled. In May, the SBU arrested two Ukrainian colonels working in the military unit tasked with protecting top officials for plotting to kill Mr Zelensky. They had planned to kidnap the Ukrainian president and then execute him.

Sundays alleged coup plot appears to have been bigger in scope than the May assassination plan. The SBU said that as well as mobilising in Kyiv, the coup plotters had grassroots organisations in Dnipro and other Ukrainian cities.

They communicated with each other in various instant messengers and, if they met, they did so in small groups of three, said the SBU.

It also released, as evidence of the plot, an alleged voice recording of a conversation between two coup leaders. In the recording, one of the coup leaders claims to have the support of not hundreds, but thousands of people.

We are officially going to organise ourselves as a Veche, the leader said, using the word for a council or assembly in medieval Slavic city states. We need to gather as many people as possible.

The SBU said that if the alleged plotters are convicted, they could be sentenced to prison for up to 10 years.

Ukrainian intelligence services have warned this year that the Kremlin has stepped up its plots against the Ukrainian government as well as schemes to destabilise Ukraine.

Western governments have also warned that Kremlin agents have become more active in Europe.

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Serhii Derkach, Ukraines Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, said that Ukraine has informed the European Commission that Poland has suspended the passage of Ukrainian lorries without permits for international freight transport.

Source: Serhii Derkach on Facebook; European Pravda

Details: The deputy minister noted that Ukrainian hauliers do not need any permits for bilateral transport. The agreement on the liberalisation of freight transport between Ukraine and the EU entered into force on 20 June, but a transition period is in effect until 10 July, which allows hauliers to adapt to the new rules.

Quote: "This is known to the Polish side, first of all to the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure. The Polish side, like all other EU member states, was notified of the update of the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union through official channels. So far, this is a matter of internal communication on the Polish side only."

He said that the Ukrainian side appealed to the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure regarding the situation, and Polish colleagues claimed they were trying to solve the problem with the Polish customs service.

Quote from Derkach: "We have also informed the European Commission about the suspension of lorry traffic. The European Commission has already intervened in the situation for its part and is also trying to influence the solution of the problem."

Background:

On 1 July, the State Customs Service of Ukraine reported that Poland had suspended the entry and exit of Ukrainian lorries that do not have international freight permits - permits or ECMT permits.

On 20 June, the EU extended the "transport visa-free regime" with Ukraine for another year with the possibility of its automatic extension until the end of 2025, but the agreement contains an update.

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Ukraine provides Africa and Asia with enough agricultural products to feed 8 million people

Since the beginning of the Grain From Ukraine programme Ukraine has sent 221,000 tonnes of agricultural products to 10 countries of Africa and Asia.

Source: Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

Quote: "Since the foundation of the Grain From Ukraine programme in the autumn of 2022, we have sent 221,041 tonnes of agricultural products, including 195,000 tonnes of wheat, 22,200 tonnes of wheat flour and 4,100 tonnes of cracked nuts to 10 countries of Africa and Asia. This helped facilitate food trade security for 8 million people."

Yermak noted that a part of Ukrainian food products are being procured by states-participants of the project.

"This is a win-win strategy: our international partners support the Ukrainian economy and improve the global food trade at the same time." the official noted.

He added that in the first half of 2024 batches of wheat flour were delivered to Sudan, of wheat  to Nigeria, cracked nuts to Mauritania, Djibouti, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the moment a part of humanitarian cargoes are headed to Malawi and other states.

In addition to this, Ukraine plans to extend the programme to other regions of the world. Possible supplies to Haiti, Chad, Cameroun, Tanzania, Djibouti and other countries, Yermak said.

Background:

Turkiye, Romania and Bulgaria started joint anti-mine operation in the Black Sea with the goal of increasing shipping security, specifically, for Ukrainian grain export.

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Ukraine war latest: Russian casualties six times larger than those of Ukraine, Zelensky says

Key developments on July 1:

Zelensky says Russian casualties six times larger than those of Ukraine

Russia attempting new ways to attack Kyiv, military says

Document reveals why Russia keeps accidentally bombing itself, WP reports

Source: Ukrainian cyberattack leaves at least 250,000 consumers without connection in Russian-occupied territories

Ukraine should be allowed to strike valid military targets in Russia, US House Intelligence Committee chair says

The ratio of Ukrainian and Russian military personnel losses at this stage of the war is one to six, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 30 in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"Indeed, they (Russian forces) have much more people, and indeed we care for our people more. We will not have more people than Russia (on the battlefield)," Zelensky said.

Zelensky added that the ratio was one to four earlier, but now it is six to one, considering the situation in the directions of the cities of Pokrovsk and Kharkiv.

Russia has lost over 540,000 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to Ukraine's General Staff. This number includes both killed and injured.

Through open-source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 64,000 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify this data.

Zelensky said the war relies on technology, and whoever is more advanced will win.

Speaking about how Ukraine can prevail on the battlefield despite the smaller number of manpower and weapons, Zelensky called on the West to close all the loopholes for Russia to circumvent sanctions for its domestic drone and missiles production.

It is also necessary to finance the domestic production of drones and missiles in Ukraine, he added.

Zelensky also emphasized that Russia earns the most from its oil and gas exports to fuel its aggression in Ukraine.

"This is the most important thing, and we need to focus on it  not to allow sanctions to be circumvented, to support Ukraine technologically, and not to be afraid of what will happen to Russia after (Vladimir) Putin. This is the main message," Zelensky said.

Read also: Meduza: Russian mortality data suggests over 64,000 troops killed fighting in Ukraine

Russia attempting new ways to attack Kyiv, military says

The Russian military is trying a new approach to attack the capital, Kyiv, Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said on June 30.

"The aggressor is trying new tactics  it is looking for the right time, methods, and means to hit Kyiv. Because the capital of Ukraine has always been and will be one of the highest priority targets for the invaders," Popko wrote on Telegram.

Russian forces attacked Kyiv on June 30 with missiles at around 8 p.m. local time. The debris hit a 14-story residential building in the Obolon district.

One elderly woman was hospitalized, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Popko said that the strike on June 30 was "different" from recent Russian attacks against the capital.

Russian forces did not carry out mass or combined night attack with missiles and drones. They also did not use ballistic missiles or cruise missiles from strategic bombers, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Popko called on residents of Kyiv to not ignore air raid alerts.

"The missiles are shot down, but they do not disintegrate, and the fragments pose a threat to human life," he said.

Three people, including a child, in Kyiv Oblast also suffered injuries from the June 30 Russian attack, Governor Ruslan Kravchenko reported. The victims are receiving medical care in one of the regional hospitals as of July 1, he added.

The attack did not hit critical infrastructure, but falling debris damaged three houses, some administrative buildings, a warehouse, and 16 vehicles, according to the governor.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Meet the energy workers keeping Kyiv from darkness

Document reveals why Russia keeps accidentally bombing itself, WP reports

A document obtained by the Washington Post (WP) suggests Russia dropped glide bombs on its own territory nearly 40 times in one year, most likely due to malfunctioning guidance systems, the outlet reported on July 1.

Believed to have been compiled by Belgorod city emergency department, the document records 38 incidents in the year from April 2023 to April 2024.

Experts believe the accidental bombings are caused by defective munitions. Ruslan Leviev, a military expert with the Conflict Intelligence Group, told the Washington Post that "a certain percentage of Russian bombs is defective."

"We think these accidental releases are caused by the unreliability of these kits, something that does not seem to bother the Air Force," he added.

Several incidents of Russian munitions landing in the Belgorod region have previously been reported, most notably one in April 2023 that resulted in a massive crater in downtown Belgorod.

On May 12, an explosion led to the partial collapse of a Belgorod apartment building, killing 17 people. The Kremlin blamed it on a Ukrainian missile but OSINT researchers concluded it was a Russian bomb.

The document obtained by WP suggests such events are far more widespread than previously thought as many of the bombs do not explode, and land in the less populated areas around the city, sometimes being discovered days later by farmers and park rangers.

Russia has heavily relied on glide bombs in its offensive on Kharkiv Oblast, clearing the way for ground troops.

Despite their simplicity and low cost, glide bombs have become one of Russia's most effective weapons during the full-scale war, previously contributing to the fall of the strategic city of Avdiivka in February  Russias first major gain in nine months.

Experts warn that these bombs could pose an even greater threat to Ukraine, which currently has little defense against them, as Russia is expected to continue its mass deployment of glide bombs to support further offensive operations.

Read also: As Russian tank losses in Ukraine continue to mount, heres what you need to know

Source: Ukrainian cyberattack leaves at least 250,000 consumers without connection in Russian-occupied territories

A large-scale cyberattack carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) in late June left at least 250,000 consumers in occupied Crimea and other Russian-controlled territories without communication, a military intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent.

HUR has reportedly carried out several cyberattacks in recent months.

One attack in June reportedly affected the communication network, with representatives of Russian providers calling it "the most powerful DDoS attack they have ever experienced," the HUR said.

The agency also attacked Russia's largest Internet providers operating in the occupied peninsula in late June as well as the servers of propaganda media, and telecom operators, the source claimed.

The work of local accounting systems was reportedly obstructed, while the traffic registration and control system were also attacked, resulting in a long queue of cars trying to cross the illegally-built Kerch Bridge.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

Read also: Companies in Russia supporting war targeted by Ukrainian hackers

Ukraine should be allowed to strike valid military targets in Russia, US House Intelligence Committee chair says

Ukraine should be allowed to strike "valid military targets" in Russia, Mike Turner, Republican congressman from Ohio and the chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in Kyiv on July 1.

Visiting Kyiv as part of a bipartisan delegation of U.S. members of Congress, Turner said his position on Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory was "broader than (President Joe Biden's) administration."

The U.S. gave Ukraine permission on June 1 to use American-supplied weapons, including HIMARS rockets, to strike targets in Russia located near the border with Kharkiv Oblast after Russia launched a renewed offensive in the region on May 10.

Ukraine is still prohibited from using ATACMS and other long-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes deeper inside Russia.

"I believe that Ukraine ought to be able to use the weapons that are being provided for valid military targets," Turner said.

"My position is the same as (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg," Turner added, referring to Stoltenberg's remarks in June that restricting Ukraine's ability to strike targets in Russia is "to ask them to defend themselves with one hand tied around the back."

Turner also highlighted the fact that Russia's arms production is estimated to be far higher than that of the West.

Despite Western efforts to undermine Russia's industrial and military output, the country is only increasing its investment into arms production, allocating a record portion of its 2024 federal budget for military needs.

"This is a math problem and I think there should be an ability to use military force to respond to that issue also."

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on June 7 that his country had increased ammunition production by more than 20 times, and weeks later called for Russia to resume production of short and intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Crossing the gray zone from Russia into Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The US believes that there is an exceptional opportunity to achieve a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, speaking at the Brookings Institution, Trend reports.

"There is an exceptional opportunity to reach a peace agreement between the countries, which will end the decades-long conflict and, I think, will create enormous opportunities in the region in terms of economic ties, economic growth, establishing relations between countries in the east and west, in the south and in the north. Azerbaijan must play a decisive role in this," he said.

"We actively pursued this through diplomacy, trying to bring Azerbaijan and Armenia closer to a peace agreement. And I think this is truly achievable now. I spoke about this only about a week ago with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. I think this is feasible and fully meets the interests of the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the entire region, he added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, says that the month of July may strengthen Ukraine, mainly its air defence, even more.

Source: Zelenskyy in a video address on 1 July

Quote: "I have held several meetings with those responsible for international affairs: the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. We have discussed our plans for July in detail. This month can make Ukraine even stronger, mainly in terms of air defence and facilitation of real security of our country. We can see clearly what we should discuss with our partners, first and foremost the US."

Details: Zelenskyy reported that he met with the delegation of the US Congress and thanked all the American friends of Ukraine.

Quote: "An abiding faith that life must win in the Russian war and defeat all of Putins ambitions is very important. It is absolutely possible. But it will be possible only if not just we, but also our partners remain brave.

Long-range weapons, fighter jets of satisfactory quality and in sufficient quantity for Ukraine, more air defence systems is what affects the course of this war and has to affect it in our favour only  in favour of all the nations which value life and seek global peace. And it will be achieved."

Background: Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas forecasted in February 2024 that first F-16 fighter jets will appear in the Ukrainian skies in June 2024.

Ukraine is still waiting for these fighter jets.

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Prisoners stand behind the fence in the barrack's yard in a prison, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, Friday, June 21, 2024. Ukraine is expanding its military recruiting to cope with battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting Russias full-scale invasion. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, Ukraine (AP)  At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia.

You can put an end to this and start a new life, said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You wont succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.

Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russias full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the countrys prison population.

Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward.

More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press.

About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates.

A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison, Vysotska said.

Ernest Volvach, 27, wants to take up the offer. He's serving a two-year sentence for robbery, at the penal colony in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. He works in the kitchen, ladling dollops of food into tin bowls.

Its stupid to sit here doing nothing," Volvach said, adding that since the start of the war he's wanted to do something for Ukraine and have the opportunity to enlist. Now it's appeared.

Ukrainian soldiers on active duty are typically identified only by their first name, or a call sign, for security reasons. Many of the inmates at the Dnipropetrovsk penal colony also asked to be identified only by their first names to avoid difficulties if they enlist.

Another inmate, 30, who gave his name only as Volodymyr, makes rivets at a penal colony workshop. He said he plans to volunteer after his sentence ends in one year, but wouldn't do so now because there's effectively no home leave under the parole program.

Prisoners can get the conditional release after an interview, medical exam, and a review of their conviction. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murdering two or more people or crimes against Ukraine's national security aren't eligible.

Ukrainian officials are keen to draw a distinction between their program and recruitment in Russia of convicts to serve in the notorious Wagner mercenary group. Those fighters typically have been funneled to the deadliest battles, the officials say, but the Ukrainian program aims to integrate the inmates into regular Ukrainian frontline units.

The country has a prison population of some 42,000, according to figures forwarded by the government to the European Union.

While recent reforms have reduced the number of prisoners and are credited with improving conditions at some facilities, the U.S. State Department noted credible reports of degrading treatment or punishment by prison authorities in its annual report on human rights last year.

After screening, paroled inmates are rushed to basic training at camps where they learn how to handle weapons and other combat fundamentals. Training is completed later once they join the individual units.

Paroled inmate Mykhailo joined an assault course and said it was hard to keep up with the physical demands after months of relative inactivity in prison  clambering in and out of armed personnel carriers and running through obstacle courses.

I decided to sign up for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army because I have a family at home, children, parents, the 29-year-old said, speaking over the noise of gunfire at a shooting range. I will be more useful in the war.

Vysotska, the deputy justice minister, said interest in the military parole program has exceeded early expectations, and that it could provide as many as 5,000 new recruits. That would definitely help, she said.

___

Gatopoulos reported from Kyiv. Volodymyr Yurchuk in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Dmytro Zhyhinas in Kyiv contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The state of Ukraine's electricity grid is expected to improve in August, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of state grid operator Ukrenergo, told Ukrainska Pravda on July 1.

The strain on the country's energy infrastructure will be alleviated after repairs at some nuclear power units are completed, which will provide more available capacity, while changes in the weather are also expected to help, according to Kudrytskyi.

Since spring, Russia has intensified its attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a renewed assault against the country's energy grid, leading to blackouts.

Ukraine began implementing rolling blackouts on May 15, after which the situation continued to worsen, especially after a Russian mass missile attack caused further damage across the country on May 31.

The current power outages are exacerbated by regular strikes, heat and limited electricity imports, the Ukrenergo head said.

"If August is more favorable, then of course there will be more imports and the Ukrainian power system will have more moderate consumption," he said.

"In any case, we expect that in August there will be more generating capacity due to the completion of repairs, and it should be a little easier."

Repairs are ongoing to ensure that the power plants have "maximum capacity in winter," Kudrytskyi added.

In a "worst-case" scenario in which Ukraine is unable to repair damaged energy facilities and prevent future attacks, Ukrainians could experience up to 20 hours of blackouts a day, Dmytro Sakharuk, executive director of Ukraine's largest privately-owned energy company DTEK, told the Kyiv Independent in an interview on June 9.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Six protesters are sprayed with skunk water by Israeli security forces outside the supreme court - Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS

Jewish protesters campaigning against military service outside the Israeli supreme court have been washed out by security forces who sprayed the group with a crowd-control substance.

Six ultra-Orthodox Jews covered their faces as they were sprayed with skunk water, a non-lethal substance used by the Israel Defense Forces to control large demonstrations.

The religious group began protesting outside of the court in Jerusalem on Tuesday following a ruling for ultra-Orthodox Jews to be conscripted into the army, despite them having been long exempt from serving.

The court decided that pressure for manpower in the countrys ongoing war in Gaza was so great that the exclusion should be scrapped, forcing Jewish seminary students into the Israel Defense Forces.

At the height of a difficult war, the burden of inequality is more than ever acute, the courts unanimous ruling said.

The court did not say how many yeshiva students will be made to enlist but said it would roll out conscription gradually and begin with 3,000 this year, in addition to those who had signed up voluntarily.

However, ultra-Orthodox Jews have demonstrated against the decision since it was made, blocking roads and holding banners reading death before conscription.

Pictures showed skunk water covering the faces of protesters seated outside the court in the Mea Shearim neighbourhood of Jerusalem.

The substance was first used in the occupied West Bank in 2008 and is made from a mixture of yeast, baking powder and water, with a putrid smell to deter demonstrators.

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Under the Dome Podcast: Legislature goes home, what bills made it over the finish line

Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of July 1, 2024. Kyle Ingram here, this weeks podcast host and politics reporter for The News & Observer. On this episode, Im joined by my politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai.

After a chaotic final two weeks, the House and Senate adjourned their short session on Thursday after passing a flurry of bills.

What they didnt pass, however, was a budget. Unlike the federal government, North Carolina doesnt risk a government shutdown if no budget is passed  but it did represent a significant breakdown in negotiations between House and Senate Republicans.

The lack of a budget agreement also killed Republicans plans to expand the Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides vouchers to families who want to send their children to private school.

We also discuss a variety of constitutional amendments proposed by House and Senate leaders  only one of which got final approval and will appear on the ballot in November for voters to decide on.

Headliner of the Week

After the break, we discuss the legislatures overrides of several vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, including a controversial bill dealing with face masks and campaign finance.

We also discuss efforts to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina, which had the support of several powerful Republicans but nonetheless failed to make it across the finish line this session.

Plus, find out more about the N&Os exclusive reporting which found that a flag associated with Jan. 6 was flown outside a home owned by North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newbys wife.

Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week, which range from President Joe Bidens visit to third party presidential candidates to a mercifully punctual end to the legislative session.

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.
'US doesn't see Ukraine in NATO today,' Zelensky says

The United States is not ready to invite Ukraine to join NATO today, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 30 in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"They (the U.S.) are talking about it openly. President (Joe) Biden is talking about it. And (Donald) Trump says that if it were not for NATO, the war might not have started," Zelensky said.

"We hear both opinions of the two parties. And this suggests that no one sees Ukraine in NATO today. Unfortunately."

Ukraine has voiced hope that NATO's July summit in Washington will bring a more definite signal about Ukraine's future membership in the alliance. American officials made it clear that the country is unlikely to receive an invitation.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said earlier that Ukraine has to win the war with Russia before becoming a NATO member.

"It is so-called 'one step forward, two steps back' policy. I do not think that this is the policy of world leaders," Zelensky said.

"If America is afraid of irritating (Vladimir) Putin, and that is why we are not invited, then we ask the United States to give us as much as possible that can protect us (from Russian aggression)."

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine desperately needs Patriot air defense systems and F-16 fighter jets to defend itself from Russia.

Kyiv and Washington signed a 10-year bilateral security deal at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, said to be a "bridge to Ukraine's eventual membership in NATO."

Unlike NATO, the U.S.-Ukraine security deal does not require an American military response if Ukraine is attacked but outlines a long-term defense and other assistance to Kyiv.

Read also: Ukraine working to secure guaranteed military funding agreement from NATO allies, Deputy PM says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ASHEVILLE - After being sued by a group of conservation and environmental protection organizations in January for allegedly violating the National Forest Management Act, the U.S. Forest Service has indicated it will no longer pursue logging in a 15-acre area that is part of the "Southside Project" in the Pisgah-Nantahala Land Management Plan, conservation groups announced June 26.

The Southern Environmental Law Center, which has an Asheville office, had filed the lawsuit in February. The legal center filed the complaint on behalf of the Chattooga Conservancy, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, MountainTrue and the Sierra Club.

The groups argued that logging a 15-acre portion of the Southside Project, located near Cashiers in the Nantahala National Forest, was inconsistent with two aspects of the recently approved forest management plan. Logging of the Southside Project has been a point of conflict for years, where multiple conservation-focused nonprofits and legal organizations have frequently encouraged the U.S. Forest Service to reconsider the decision.

Images from the 15-acre tract that abuts waterfalls and rare plant species in the Nantahala National Forest.

The area that has been removed from the Southside Project plan abuts waterfalls and rare plant species and had been designated a "Special Interest Area" in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan.

The plan created specific protections around logging in Special Interest Areas, mostly around protecting or restoring habitats, reducing hazards, or providing for public safety. The January legal complaint argued the Forest Service bypassed those requirements.

On June 21, a letter from Nantahala District Ranger Troy Waskey said he has decided "not to implement" temporary road construction or the designated "post-harvest prescribed burn" within the area that sits just over 15-acres, ostensibly removing any logging activity from the special interest area.

In a news release the same day, James Melonas, Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in North Carolina, said they would remove the tract from the plan "rather than continue a lengthy legal process," and called the removal "proactive."

Images from the 15-acre tract that abuts waterfalls and rare plant species in the Nantahala National Forest.

We applaud the Forest Service for agreeing to drop their illegitimate plan for logging in a Special Interest Area next to the Whitewater River. Regretfully, it took filing a lawsuit and six months of negotiations to prompt the recalcitrant Forest Service to abide by federal law, to save one unique stand of our national forest, Nicole Hayler, director of the Chattooga Conservancy, said in a June 26 joint news release.

The organizations indicated that they intend to drop the lawsuit as part of an agreement with the Forest Service, which indicated they would remove the area from the plan if the groups discontinued the suit. The removal of the 15-acre site will not prevent the agency from implementing other parts of the Southside timber project.

Images from the 15-acre tract that abuts waterfalls and rare plant species in the Nantahala National Forest.

Hayer said the continued logging in the Southside Project and escalated plans for logging in sensitive areas will continue to fuel "more controversy and conflict that further undermines public trust in Forest Service managers.

The Nantahala National Forest covers more than a half-million acres of mountainous terrain in the westernmost region of Western North Carolina. It is the largest of the states four national forests and is open to timber harvesting, hiking, fishing, hunting, paddling, horseback riding and more activities.

More: Word from the Smokies: DNA study yields new estimate of Smoky Mountain elk population

We have been pointing out problems with the agencys logging plans for this area for years. Its a shame we had to take them to court to achieve this outcome, but were glad this incredible area is no longer on the chopping block, Patrick Hunter, managing Attorney of the Southern Environmental Law Centers Asheville Office, wrote in a June 26 news release.

In 2023, the U.S. Forest Service released a new management plan for North Carolina's two westernmost forests. The decade-long revision process on the Nantahala-Pisgah management plan  which will guide management for how much can be logged and how much of the land is protected, as well as many other forest uses, for the next 10-15 years  has been plagued with conservation group concerns about the long-term impacts of expanded logging practices.

More lawsuits have already been filed against the Forest Service after the publication of the 2023 Forest Plan.

In April, a coalition of conservation groups  some of which had also filed the Southside Project lawsuit  filed another lawsuit alleging the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Management Plan violates the Endangered Species Act. The suit alleges the Forest Service worked with "inaccurate and incomplete" information regarding the habitats of federally protected bat species and sensitive habitats when developing the plan, putting both in danger of being permanently damaged.

More: Conservation groups sue US Forest Service alleging Pisgah-Nantahala plan endangers bats

More: 'Gateway to Pisgah National Forest,' Catawba Falls reopens with tower for safe viewing

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: US Forest Service stops 15-acre logging plan in Nantahala Natl Forest
Multiple U.S. military bases in Europe are under a heightened state of alert for a terrorist attack against U.S. military personnel or facilities, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.

The bases include the U.S. Army garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, where the U.S. European Command headquarters is located, which raised its alert level to Force Protection Condition Charlie on Sunday, two U.S. officials told CNN.

This level is raised when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely, per the U.S. Army.

When reached for comment, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) said it is constantly assessing a variety of factors related to the safety of the U.S military abroad.

As part of that effort, we often times take additional steps to ensure the safety of our service members, USEUCOM said, adding it will not get into specific measures for operational security reasons.

As always, USEUCOM advises personnel in the European theater to remain vigilant and stay alert at all times, including reporting suspicious activity, monitoring Department of State travel advisories, and implementing prudent personal risk mitigation measures, it added.

One of the U.S. officials, who stationed at a European base, told CNN they have not seen this threat level in at least 10 years, adding it often means military received an active-reliable threat.

Independent military publication Stars and Stripes, which first reported the development, said similar alerts were sent to other bases in Germany, including the Armys Rheinland-Pfalz and Ramstein Air Base. The alert for the Rheinland-Pfalz garrison also included Baumholder and outlying installations in Romania and Bulgaria.

Aviano Air Base, located in Italy, saw its condition rise to level Charlie, and other installations in Italy had enhanced security measures, per Stars and Stripes.

ABC News also reported the shift in terror threat, citing two U.S. officials.

It was not immediately clear the nature of the intelligence that reportedly prompted the heightened security.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A US Marine Corps aircraft has landed on a rebuilt runway on a World War II-era Japanese airfield on the Pacific island of Peleliu, site of one of the Marines bloodiest battles of the war and now a possible US basing option in a strategy to counter China.

The KC-130 Hercules transport aircraft touched down on the 6,000-foot runway on June 22 in what a Marine Corps press release called a significant and triumphant return to this iconic World War II site.

Marine engineers had been working on rebuilding the runway for months, clearing brush, removing trees and ensuring no unexploded ordnance remained from the World War II battle on the island, which is part of the island country of Palau.

More than 1,500 US troops and nearly 11,000 Japanese were killed on Peleliu between August and November of 1944, according to the US Naval History and Heritage Command, which noted that some Japanese troops hid in the islands jungle and werent found until two years after World War II ended.

One US unit, the 1st Marine Regiment, suffered 70% casualties in six days of fighting on the island.

The Marines named the rebuilt landing strip the Sledge runway in honor of a veteran of the Peleliu battle, Pfc. Eugene Sledge, a mortarman on the island who wrote about it in a memoir With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, and whose memories were portrayed in the HBO miniseries The Pacific.

Troops of the First Marine Division head toward beaches of Peleliu Island in 1944. - Corbis/Getty Images

Sledge described Peleliu as an alien, unearthly, surrealistic nightmare like the surface of another planet.

Now the runway bridges the past and the future, honoring WWII sacrifices while enhancing regional security and cooperation, the Marine Corps release said.

That regional security has been largely focused on China in recent years, which the Pentagon identifies as its pacing threat.

Part of mitigating the threat has been building facilities where the US could disperse assets like aircraft in the event of hostilities, including in the so-called Second Island Chain, locations far enough away from the Chinese mainland that Beijing would have difficulty striking targets there.

The First Island Chain, in such places as Okinawa in Japan, and US bases in the Philippines, is neither a survivable nor viable operating location due to Chinese military capabilities in long-range bombers, cruise missiles, and theater ballistic missiles, US Air Force Lt. Col. Grant Georgulis wrote in a 2022 commentary posted on the US Defense Department website.

Thus, the United States should prioritize Midway Island, the Marianas, Palau, and the Marshall Islands to complement an already fortified Guam, Georgulis wrote.

China has been deeply critical of Washingtons alliance-building efforts in the Pacific, viewing them as an attempt to halt Beijings rise as a military and economic superpower.

Beijing has long felt boxed in by the US presence in the First and Second Island Chains and under leader Xi Jinping has become much more assertive in regional waters and confrontational with neighbors such as Japan and the Philippines.

It has also sought to boost its own diplomatic and security ties across the Pacific region.

In a bid to protect its hegemony, the United States is forming blocs globally to target specific countries, provoke confrontation and destabilize the world, Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency wrote in a recent editorial.

It claims to protect its allies under mutual defense treaties, but in reality, the treaties serve as a tool to subordinate them to the superpower and push them to the forefront of conflicts.

Reviving airfield used by US atomic bombers

Meanwhile, on Yap island in the Federated States of Micronesia, midway between Guam and Palau, the US Air Force in its 2025 budget requested $400 million to extend the runway at the islands international airport  also a former Japanese military airfield  so it can be used by US military aircraft.

The US is already performing work on other locations in the Second Island Chain, including reviving North Field on Tinian island in the Northern Marianas, from where the US bombers that dropped the atomic bombs departed in August 1945.

The United States must focus like a laser on the need for air superiority in the Pacific region. The United States must recapitalize islands gained during World War II to form a Second Island Chain of strategic expeditionary points, Georgulis wrote.

For Washington, establishing strong ties to Pacific island states is also seen as a way to keep China from gaining footholds in the region. The Biden administration has signed a bilateral defense agreement with Papua New Guinea and reopened an embassy in the Solomon Islands since the beginning of 2023.

Palau is a remote archipelago of coral and volcanic islands in the western Pacific and home to about 20,000 people.

Since 1994, Palau has been covered by a compact of free association with the United States, making Washington responsible for its defense needs and allowing Palauans to serve in the US military.

Palau last year signed a bilateral law enforcement agreement with Washington that will let the US Coast Guard enforce its laws in its exclusive economic zone without a Palau officer present.

US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visited Palaus capital of Koror in March as part of a Pacific trip that included stops at two key US allies, Japan and South Korea, during which he said Washingtons partnership with the island state directly supports a free and open Indo-Pacific.

I can assure you that the United States remains committed to Palaus national security, Del Toro said during a trip that also included a visit to the Peleliu island runway work.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has been critical of Chinas increasingly assertive moves in the region, including toward Taiwan. Palau is one of the few remaining countries to diplomatically recognize Taiwan over Beijing.

Along with the runway, US Marines are helping make improvements to the Peleliu Civic Center Museum, to house artifacts from the World War II battle.

At an event last month marking the landing of the Marine aircraft on Peleliu, island Gov. Emais Roberts thanked the US Defense Department for its efforts there.

Our small island community has benefitted immensely with the US Marine presence. We value the great partnership, and we feel safe and protected with the support of the greatest country in this world.

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People experiencing homelessness were recently forced to move from an encampment off of U.S. 70 near Garner. (Photo: Greg Childress)

On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court voted in favor of Grants Pass, Oregon, and opened the door for more municipalities across the U.S. to ticket, fine, and jail people experiencing homelessness for doing something that every human being must do to survive  sleep. Legal experts suggest the case hinged on whether people experiencing homelessness could appeal to the U.S. Constitution as legal protection against ordinances that prevent them from sleeping or camping in public spaces when shelter is not available in their communities.

In this case, the Court denied the plaintiffs protection from cruel and unusual punishment as stated in the Eighth Amendment. In recent years, public parks and other thoroughfares in the small town of Grants Pass, Oregon  like many places in our nation  have become more crowded by homeless people setting up tents or simply choosing a vacant spot to lie down and sleep.

Weve seen the same trends in rural and urban communities right here where we live. For instance, the 2024 Point-In-Time Count for the North Carolina Balance of State Continuum of Care (a snapshot of who is experiencing homelessness on a given night and the temporary and permanent housing resources available to meet their needs) identified a significant increase in the number of people living unsheltered in 79 of the 100 counties in North Carolina. Of the 4,180 people included in the 2024 PIT Count, 2,127 (51%) of them were unsheltered, meaning they were living in places not intended for human habitation, e.g., outside, in tents, or in their cars. In 2023, the unsheltered count was 1,314. So, in just a year, the report identified a whopping 62% increase of people living unsheltered.

While this increase was partly due to improved outreach methods and tools, we cannot overlook the reality of other factors that increase housing instability and homelessness. Soaring costs for rent, mortgages, insurance, food, fuel, and other necessities can create impossible financial situations for many citizens. Combine that reality with domestic violence, insufficient legal protection for renters, the lack of a housing wage, too few affordable housing units, and high-barrier shelter or transitional housing programs.

We should not feign surprise when we see more and more people living outside, in parks, under bridges, along sidewalks, in tent communities. But the Grants Pass case was not about societal surprise. It was about whether our highest court was willing to affirm the full humanity of people caught in the net of our cultural inequities and unable to find or maintain stable housing. It was about the perceived value of homeless people through the lens of the law. It was about whether being homeless, which is a status clearly defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is a crime. Every person, regardless of status, must eat, drink, breathe, relieve themselves, and of course, sleep. Without shelter, where can homeless people perform these human activities with dignity, without harassment or degradation or punishment or shame?

Under oath, local officials in Grants Pass admitted the town did not have enough beds in its sole shelter to accommodate the number of people who were homeless on any given night. They also conceded the ultimate goal of their ordinance against sleeping outside with a blanket or pillow is to get people living unsheltered to move along to another city. Grants Passs refusal to find a humane solution to the humanitarian crisis in their community reveals the moral decay at the heart of this case. The Supreme Court decision gave them, and every other city ready to punish people for experiencing homelessness, the easy way out.

What a shame. Theres much work to do.

In North Carolina, we must:

Protect the basic human rights of all people, especially people who are experiencing homelessness because they are often overlooked, unheard, and underserved by opposing any municipal, county, or state ordinance like the one in Grants Pass.

Challenge our legislators to increase funding for services and allow local providers to use those resources to meet the unique needs in their areas.

Center people with living experience of homelessness to shape programs and processes that are equitable and accessible for everyone.

Collaborate across race, class, gender, party, and region to develop a united movement for housing justice in North Carolina.

Advocate for a housing wage that will allow people to secure and maintain stable housing.

Incentivize and increase affordable housing development.

To learn more about the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness, visit North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness | North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness (ncceh.org).

The post US Supreme Courts approval of Oregon citys ordinance criminalizes homelessness appeared first on NC Newsline.
Insights from CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post

The News

The US Supreme Court dealt another blow to federal agencies on Monday, opening the door for regulations to be challenged long after they take effect.

The court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines in favor of a North Dakota truck stop that wants to sue over a regulation on debit card swipe fees that a federal appeals court upheld 10 years ago  despite federal law mandating a six-year deadline for such challenges.

The decision is expected to lead to a tsunami of lawsuits against agencies, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissent.

During the proceedings, the federal government warned that if the court sided with the truck stop, it would allow opponents of any regulation to challenge it in perpetuity simply by finding a new company willing to sue.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Decision marks another win for the conservative legal movement

Sources: Semafor, CNN

The decision in notches yet another win for the conservative legal movement, which largely believes that federal agencies have used their power too broadly and need to be reined in. The Courts conservative majority has repeatedly curtailed the powers of federal agencies this term, most notably in its decision to strike down a 40-year-old precedent known as the Chevron doctrine, which gave agencies discretion to interpret statutes when federal legislation was ambiguous. puts federal agencies power in further jeopardy because even understandings of agency authority that are a half-century old can now be challenged on the ground that some recent agency action, however minor, has injured a plaintiff, CNN Supreme Court analyst Steve Vladeck said.

Impending crush of lawsuits could paralyze agencies

Sources: The New York Times, Center for American Progress, The Associated Press

In her dissent, Jackson wrote that this decision, in combination with others that open the door for a slew of lawsuits against agencies, has the potential to devastate the functioning of the federal government by allowing well-heeled litigants to game the system. Private interest groups hoping to defang vital regulatory authorities can now bury federal agencies in lawsuits, experts for the Center for American Progress wrote. Former Justice Department lawyer Dan Jarcho told the Associated Press that the decision will unquestionably lead to more successful litigation challenges to federal regulations, no matter which agency issued them.

Federal agencies lost power to fill gaps left by Congress

Source: The Washington Post

Federal agencies often create regulations to fill gaps left by partisan gridlock in Congress, The Washington Post reported, and without guidance from legislation or deference from the courts, [they] may now struggle to respond to novel challenges. The former Democratic chairman of the Federal Communications Commission told the newspaper that agencies will find themselves unable to address anything unless the Congress addresses it. That could have sprawling effects across policy areas: just hours after the Chevron decision came down last week, powerful corporate lobbies started searching for ways to use the ruling to advance their goal of weakening agencies regulations in areas including climate, health, labor, and technology.
By John Kruzel and Andrew Chung

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for actions that were within his constitutional powers as president in a landmark decision recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.

The justices, in a 6-3 ruling authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, threw out a lower court's decision that had rejected Trump's claim of immunity from federal criminal charges involving his efforts to undo his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. The six conservative justices were in the majority, while its three liberal members dissented.

Trump is the Republican candidate challenging Biden, a Democrat, in the Nov. 5 U.S. election in a 2020 rematch. The Supreme Court's slow handling of the case and its decision to return key questions about the scope of Trump's immunity to the trial judge to resolve make it improbable he will be tried before the election on these charges brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

"We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power requires that a former president have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office," Roberts wrote.

Immunity for former presidents is "absolute" with respect to their "core constitutional powers," Roberts wrote, and a former president has "at least a presumptive immunity" for "acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility," meaning prosecutors face a high legal bar to overcome that presumption.

In remarks at the White House, Biden called the ruling "a dangerous precedent" because the power of the presidency will no longer be constrained by the law.

"This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America ... no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States," added Biden, speaking hours after one of his campaign officials said the ruling makes it easier for Trump "to pursue a path to dictatorship."

The ruling could scuttle parts of the special counsel's case as U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan mulls the breadth of Trump's immunity.

In recognizing broad immunity for Trump, Roberts cited the need for a president to "execute the duties of his office fearlessly and fairly" without the threat of prosecution.

"As for a president's unofficial acts," Roberts added, "there is no immunity."

Trump hailed the ruling in a social media post, writing: "BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

Trump, 78, is the first former U.S. president to be criminally prosecuted and the first former president convicted of a crime. Smith's election subversion charges embody one of the four criminal cases Trump has faced.

The court analyzed four categories of conduct contained in the indictment. They are: his discussions with U.S. Justice Department officials following the election; his alleged pressure on then-Vice President Mike Pence to block congressional certification of Biden's win; his alleged role in assembling fake pro-Trump electors to be used in the certification process; and his conduct related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.

The outcome gave Trump much of what he sought but stopped short of allowing absolute immunity for all official acts, as his lawyers had advocated. Instead the court specified that actions within the president's "exclusive sphere of constitutional authority" enjoy such a shield, while those taken outside his exclusive powers are only "presumptively immune."

The court found Trump was absolutely immune for conversations with Justice Department officials. Trump is also "presumptively immune" regarding his interactions with Pence, it decided, but returned that and the two other categories to lower courts to determine whether Trump has immunity.

The ruling marked the first time since the nation's 18th century founding that the Supreme Court has declared that former presidents may be shielded from criminal charges in any instance. The court's conservative majority includes three justices Trump appointed.

The court decided the case on the last day of its term.

'PRESIDENT IS NOW A KING'

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by fellow liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, delivered a sharply worded dissent, saying the ruling effectively creates a "law-free zone around the president."

"When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority's reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune," Sotomayor wrote.

"In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law," Sotomayor added.

Trump's trial had been scheduled to start on March 4 before the delays over the immunity issue. Now, no trial date is set. Trump made his immunity claim to the trial judge in October, meaning the issue has been litigated for about nine months.

'THUMB ON THE SCALE'

UCLA School of Law professor Rick Hasen, a critic of Trump's efforts to overturn his election defeat, said: "The Supreme Court has put out a fact-intensive test on the boundaries of the president's immunity - with a huge thumb on the scale favoring the president's immunity - in a way that will surely push this case past the election."

"Sorting out the court's opinion and how it applies is going to take a while," Georgetown University law professor Erica Hashimoto added. "No chance of a pre-election trial."

The Supreme Court made two other rulings this year beneficial to Trump. In March, it reinstated Trump to the presidential primary ballot in Colorado. And last week, it raised the legal bar for prosecutors pursuing obstruction charges in Smith's election subversion case against Trump and defendants involved in the Capitol attack.

In the special counsel's August 2023 indictment, Trump was charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, corruptly obstructing an official proceeding and conspiring to do so, and conspiring against the right of Americans to vote. He has pleaded not guilty.

Sotomayor wrote on Monday: "Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for bold and unhesitating action by the president, the court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more."

In a separate case brought in New York state court, Trump was found guilty by a jury in Manhattan on May 30 on 34 counts of falsifying documents to cover up hush money paid to a porn star to avoid a sex scandal before the 2016 election. Trump also faces criminal charges in two other cases. He has pleaded not guilty in those and called all the cases against him politically motivated.

Not since its landmark Bush v. Gore decision, which handed the disputed 2000 U.S. election to Republican George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore, has the Supreme Court played such an integral role in a presidential race.

If Trump regains the presidency, he could try to force an end to the prosecution or potentially pardon himself for any federal crimes.

(Reporting by John Kruzel and Andrew Chung, additional reporting by Andrea Shalal and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone)
Supreme Court 'swipe fees' ruling may open US regulations to more suits

By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday revived a North Dakota convenience store's challenge to a Federal Reserve regulation on debit card "swipe fees" in a ruling that could make it easier for businesses to try to undo longstanding federal rules.

The 6-3 decision reversed a lower court's dismissal of the 2021 lawsuit by the Corner Post, located in Watford City, challenging the 2011 rule governing the amount businesses pay banks when customers use debit cards to make purchases. The dismissal had been based on the store missing a six-year statue of limitations that generally applies to such litigation.

The ruling came on the final day of the Supreme Court's term that began in October.

Swipe fees, also called interchange fees, reimburse banks for costs involved in offering debit cards. The fees are determined by Visa, MasterCard and other card networks, with a cap of 21 cents per transaction set under the Fed rule.

At issue in the case was whether Corner Post was too late when it brought its legal challenge. The store argued that it should not be bound by the six-year statute of limitations to challenge the 2011 regulation because it opened for business in 2018, after that deadline had passed.

Corner Post, backed by various conservative and corporate interest groups including billionaire Charles Koch's network and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, contended that businesses should have wide latitude to challenge regulations they consider unlawful and burdensome.

The store argued that the six-year time limit should not start running until a business is adversely affected - which for Corner Post would be March 2018, when it accepted its first debit card payment.

President Joe Biden's administration, representing the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, had argued that adopting Corner Post's legal position "would substantially expand the class of potential challengers" to government regulations and threatens to "increase the burdens on agencies and courts."

A group of small business associations had filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to maintain a strict statute of limitations that begins at the time a regulation is finalized. They said that allowing lawsuits beyond this deadline "would create chaos, uncertainty and inconsistent regulatory regimes for the nation's regulated industries and the American people the regulations seek to serve."

Before congressional passage of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law that directed the Fed to cap swipe fees, retailers paid as much as 44 cents per transaction, which had made it hard for small businesses to accept debit cards.

Retailers that expected a much lower cap sued after the Fed set it at 21 cents per transaction. The Supreme Court in 2015 left in place a lower court's ruling backing the regulation.

Corner Post in its 2021 lawsuit argued that the rule defied congressional intent and was "arbitrary and capricious" under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor in 2022 dismissed the lawsuit. The St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Traynor's decision, setting up the Supreme Court appeal.

The Fed last year proposed cutting the current cap to 14.4 cents per transaction.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
USs terrorist listing of European far-right group signals fears of rising threat  both abroad and at home

The rise of the radical far right in Europe poses a threat not only to the continent but also to Americans at home and abroad.

But while the U.S. government tends to be quick to use sanctions against perceived bad actors across the globe, when it comes to the transnational threat that far-right violence poses, successive U.S. administrations have been more coy about using another critical and effective tool: terrorist designations.

It wasnt until mid-June 2024 that the Biden administrations State Department sanctioned its first violent far-right group, the Nordic Resistance Movement. A neo-Nazi group based in Sweden but with a footprint that extends throughout Scandinavia, the NRM has built a reputation for brutality and espousing a vision of totalitarian rule. As the State Department noted in its designation, the group is also stockpiling weapons and explosive materials.

Prior to the Nordic groups listing as a terrorist entity, the Trump administration designated the far-right Russian Imperial Movement as a terrorist group in 2020.

Both groups are now officially deemed specially designated global terrorists by the United States. As a result, the groups are subject to an asset freeze, and anyone trying to support them risks prosecution for financing terrorism.

As a former State Department counterterrorism official with more than a decade of experience sanctioning terrorists under U.S. law, I know that its no accident that the groups U.S. officials are targeting now are based in Europe rather than in America.

Targeting the far right overseas

The threat posed by violent far-right actors is certainly as serious in Europe as in the United States. But United States agencies do not have authority to legally sanction groups such as the U.S.-based Oath Keepers, Proud Boys or the Atomwaffen Division as terrorists.

Constitutional rights that protect freedom of speech, assembly and the right to bear arms make it exceedingly difficult to sanction domestic groups. Further, all of the relevant executive orders and statutory laws in the anti-terrorism space are explicit that the State Department must designate foreign-based groups.

With limited power to crack down on far-right groups in the U.S., agencies are instead looking to curtail the influence of violent far-right ideology from overseas.

Yet the designations of only two violent far-right groups as specially designated global terrorists  separated by four years  is disappointing to me, especially when considering the range of far-right threats that dot the European continent.

The EUs crime-fighting agency, Europol, reported in its December 2023 report that there were 45 arrests of far-right extremists in 2022 and the threat posed from right-wing terrorist lone actors, radicalized online, remained significant.

The most significant attack was an October 2022 shooting carried out in Bratislava, Slovakia, in front of an LGBTQ+ bar that resulted in two deaths. Interestingly, the State Departments designation of the Nordic Resistance Movement highlighted that the groups violent actions include an anti-LGBTQ+ platform.

Anti-immigration attacks

The Biden administration designated the Nordic Resistance Movement as a terrorist group shortly after EU parliamentary elections, in which far-right political groups made significant gains.

Far-right groups, such as Germanys Alternative for Germany, won seats  15 of them  for the first time. The group encourages violence against immigrants  communities often singled out by violent radical-right extremists such as the Nordic Resistance Movement.

In fact, the Nordic groups most notorious attack was carried out at a refugee center in Gothenburg, Sweden, in January 2017, during which an attempted bomb attack left one person seriously injured.

The perpetrators of the attack were trained at a camp in Russia by the Russian Imperial Movement  the group that the U.S. State Department designated as a terrorist group in 2020.

More recently, on June 18, a former member of the Nordic group carried out a knife attack on a foreign-born 12-year-old child in Finland.

Migration policy has long been a focus for violent far-right extremists, and increasingly politicians have been the targets.

In May 2024, for instance, a center-left German politician was beaten up while hanging campaign posters in an ideologically motivated attack.

In another assault, a politician in Dresden, Germany, was assaulted by a group that allegedly called out, Heil Hitler.

In fact, according to the Middlebury Institutes Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism, the Nordic groups goal is to overthrow democracy across the Nordic region and Scandinavia in favor of establishing a Third Reich-inspired Nazi dictatorship.

Groups like the Nordic Resistance Movement are leveraging a fragile and polarized European society, playing on fears that migrants are a threat to the continent.

Protecting democracies

Against the backdrop of recent violent far-right attacks against politicians and immigrants, along with recent European election results, the timing of the Biden administrations designation of the Nordic Resistance Movement reflects growing fear in Washington that the far-rights political rise in Europe may inspire violent extremists to move beyond chants, slogans and swastikas to mass shootings.

Nonetheless, the United States has been less inclined to sanction far-right groups than many of its partners. For example, the United Kingdom has designated seven far-right organizations as terrorist organizations; for Canada, the count is nine.

Simply put, the United States, despite its penchant to sanction enemies  from hostile states such as Russia to terrorist groups such as ISIS  appears reluctant to fully take advantage of its terrorist designation tools against violent far-right actors.

And that, I believe, could be a concern. U.S.-based far-right extremists are known to be very connected to similarly minded groups and individuals in Europe. Organizers of the 2017 white supremacist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, had alleged links to the proscribed Russian Imperial Movement.

By designating groups such as the Nordic Resistance Movement as terrorists, the Biden administration is hoping to dissuade Americans from supporting Europes far right. Under the terms of the State Department order, if any American did offer support, they could end up behind bars.

At the same time, it may be that the Biden administrations listing of the Nordic group is a signal to Europe that there are more far-right-related terrorist designations to come.

After all, the administration made a point to explain that the Nordic groups designation was taken following consultations with our European partners.

And with multiple important elections on the horizon in Europe, Bidens decision also represents an effort to champion democracy and push back against groups that promote us-versus-them narratives that define enemies as others worthy of attack.

If listing the Nordic Resistance Movement as a terrorist organization is a sign of more designations to come, it could further two of the Biden administrations stated goals: promoting and protecting democracy overseas and combating domestic terrorism.

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: Jason M. Blazakis, Middlebury

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Jason M. Blazakis 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.
A leading antisemitism watchdog on Monday filed a lawsuit in US federal court on behalf of more than 100 victims of the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, and their families, accusing Iran, Syria and North Korea of providing material support to Hamas.

If successful, the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Washington, DC, on Monday by Jewish advocacy group the Anti-Defamation League and the Crowell & Moring law firm, could unlock federal funds designated for victims of state-sponsored terrorism if the plaintiffs can prove their case.

This landmark litigation is really about holding accountable the Islamic Republic as well as Syria and North Korea for the role that they played in providing finances and training and, of course, munitions to Hamas, enabling the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and National Director of the ADL, told CNN.

The lawsuit lays out publicly available evidence of Iran, Syria and North Koreas alleged history of support for Hamas: training, weapons and financial support from Iran; training and financing from Syria; and weapons and tunnel-digging know-how from North Korea.

The lawsuit alleges that Hamas could not have carried out the October 7 attacks, which killed more than 1,200 people and led to the abduction of more than 250 others, without the support of these countries.

Iran has been a longtime ally of Hamas, providing financial and military support to the group. The month after the attacks, a document recovered from a computer found inside a Hamas pickup truck outside Gaza, obtained by CNN from Israeli officials, showed Iran was seeking to provide technical training that would help Hamas produce its own weaponry.

The 2015 Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act established the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, whose funds can be disbursed to victims and the families of deceased victims following the ruling of a US district court.

The names and faces of those killed at the Nova festival are displayed at an exhibition at New York, in April 2024. - Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for The Nova Music

Greenblatt acknowledged that it is unlikely that any of these three countries will respond to the allegations in federal court, but said he views the lawsuit as a critical step to not only seek accountability for their support for Hamas, but also to counter efforts by some anti-Israel activists to deny the horrific nature of the October 7 attack.

The plaintiffs in the case are more than 100 US citizens and their families who were killed or wounded in the October 7 attacks at the Nova music festival and in several of the kibbutzes and towns near the Gaza Strip.

One of the plaintiffs, Nahar Neta, is the son of California native Adrienne Neta, who was killed during Hamas attack on Kibbutz Beeri.

While nothing will ever undo the unbearable pain Hamas caused our family or the brutal losses weve suffered, we hope this case will bring some sense of justice. Its important for us to be able to tell our stories so the world can hear how Hamas has terrorized Israel, the Jewish people, and many American citizens, Neta said in a statement issued through the ADL.

My mom devoted her life to caring for others regardless of race or religious beliefs. She was a peace and justice seeker who was active in many civilian efforts to bridge the gap between Jews and Arabs in Israel.

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Power transmission lines near the Lake Side natural gas power plant in Vineyard are pictured on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rule that requires transmission providers to conduct and periodically update long-term regional transmission planning is being contested by Utahs Public Service Commission.

FERCs Order No. 1920, scheduled to become effective on Aug. 12, requires operators to plan ahead for at least 20 years, refreshing the plan every five years and including a financial plan to build needed lines, with customers only paying for the project from which they benefit.

When planning new facilities, providers should consider benefits to ensure the transmission plans are efficient and cost effective.

The final rule, Utahs Public Service Commission said in its request, is a clear overreach of FERCs limited statutory authority, and it strips states of their power to determine their own energy generation mix. It would also result in unreasonable rates.

Utah also criticized the length of the rule, arguing that the commissions small staff cannot reasonably provide a thorough and exhaustive discussion of the Orders myriad shortcomings within the short window allowed for filing this Request for Rehearing.

While the rule obscures its purpose, the Utah commission wrote, FERC had described its intentions to build transmission planning to allow the implementation of systems that could accommodate extensive and more expensive transmission facilities for renewables.

As blue states have been moving away from coal, supporting decarbonization plans, some red states like Utah have passed legislation to hold onto the resource for longer, arguing a transition to cleaner energy needs more time to fully become effective and affordable.

The Final Rule effectively rigs the planning and cost allocation process to ensure FERCs preferred stakeholders projects are selected in the planning process and these preferred stakeholders are not required to bear the full costs associated with their choices, the request reads.

But, for Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Millcreek  who has advocated for Grid Enhancing Technologies and the development of renewable energy in the state  that isnt necessarily the case.

The rule preserves rights to dispute the costs and planning of the lines, so it doesnt take any authority away from the state, Blouin said. In his view, this creates a better process with the potential to open up new transmission opportunities, a nonpartisan thing to discuss; everyone kind of acknowledges that we need new transmission.

Let us know what you think...

This is all about reliability and all about providing lower cost energy across the entire region. If we can build a bigger grid, we can better share resources, better access the cheapest resources, and thats going to be good for everyone, Blouin said. Im disappointed that the Utah Public Service Commission has chosen to dispute this rule.

Blouin also refuted the argument that FERC would claim the authority from states to determine their energy mix. If decisions ever favor renewables, he said, it would be because of the market.

They are arguing that by doing that, the state is losing some authority over the generation mix because if we build more wind and solar, then its cheaper and so the market is going to move us in a direction that is less friendly to coal and more friendly to renewables, he said. To me, thats a market-driven decision.

If the rule doesnt get implemented it would leave the country at the status quo, the lawmaker said. Some western states wont have enough lines to share resources, and utilities would be in charge of doing their own planning, which doesnt lead to them building the most cost effective lines, it leads to them building the most profitable lines for their shareholders, Blouin said.

A misperception

Rob Gramlich, president of Grid Strategies, a consultancy firm focused on transmission and power markets, described as a misperception the notion that states without clean energy policies will need to pay for transmission for the states that have prioritized cleaner resources.

All of the benefits that the Order No. 1920 asks providers to consider are related to reliability and affordability, he said. None of them mention climate or clean energy policy. There arent any requirements to pay for lines that dont meet those benefits, but states would be allowed to voluntarily pay for transmission systems that only meet their own public policy vision.

I think the rule is a recognition that were doing transmission in the most expensive way possible right now, he said, and the rule tries to fix that and put in place much more sensible, forward-looking planning.

Ratepayers wouldnt bear an additional brunt on their bills either, Gramlich said, as planning the regional grid collaboratively would throw the most efficient transmission line and expansion options into the mix, reducing rates in most western states.

In contrast to how we do things today, which is very much reactive and in response to individual generators or customers coming to the utility, Gramlich added.

Though the rule doesnt directly mention renewables, building a stronger transmission system would certainly help exchange resources when needed. Technologies, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro, which can be used intermittently, can be shared when certain utilities dont need them.

There are already similar coordinating efforts in the west, Gramlich said. This would just reinforce those initiatives.

And, in Utahs efforts to sell energy generated by fossil fuels, the task of building lines to other states who may take coal-fueled power is a tougher case to make.

Most coal plants in the east are closing down based on their economics. I dont see much of a market for coal power, Gramlich said. Moreover, much of the demand growth is from data center companies and other companies like that, that have carbon commitments. So all of the new demand is for carbon-free power. Theres not really any new demand for coal power.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The energy sector holds a significant position in Bulgarian-Azerbaijani cooperation, Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the countries held in Baku today.

"Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of Bulgaria in the energy sector. The energy ministries of the two countries have been conducting regular and constructive dialogue. We express our sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan for supporting the Bulgarian government's efforts to diversify sources and volumes of supplies," he emphasized.

According to him, Bulgaria is ready to work on increasing the potential of the Southern Gas Corridor.

The minister also mentioned that the opening of the SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) office in Sofia in 2023 played an important role in the development of the energy partnership between the two countries.

"Bulgaria has a large number of gas interconnectors in the region and is ready to receive and transit significant volumes of gas," added Malinov.

Besides, he said that the start of gasification in Bulgaria was with the assistance of SOCAR, and he thanked the company for beginning gas supplies to industrial facilities in Bulgaria in June.

To note, Bulgaria has been receiving gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field on a long-term basis since 2021, while SOCAR has also been supplying its surplus gas to Bulgaria whenever possible since last year.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A Salt Lake City Fire Captain died in a boating accident in Dinosaur National Monument, the National Park Service announced Saturday.

The park service confirmed that Michael Harp, 54, died when he was thrown from a raft into Green River in the Colorado portion of the park.

Harp was a 27-year veteran of the Salt Lake City Fire Department and second-generation firefighter. He was deployed to Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a statement from the department.

"His legacy of service, leadership, compassion, and contagious laughter will forever be remembered by all who knew him," the department wrote.

Handout photo of Salt Lake City Fire Captain Michael Harp at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11

Firefighter dies after boat pinned in rapid

Harp was on a permitted private trip down the Green River at the time of the accident, according to the park service.

The park service was alerted on Thursday that a boat had been pinned in the Hells Half Mile rapid, a class III/IV rapid. Harp was underneath the boat.

The rafters were able to secure the boat and unpin Harp who floated down the river, unresponsive and without a lifejacket.

Harp's body was discovered Friday by a commercial rafting company 10 miles downriver.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Salt Lake City Fire's Michael Harp dies in Green River boat accident
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  You may want to start thinking twice before you let your road rage get the better of you. Starting today, road rage will start carrying harsher penalties in the Beehive State.

H.B. 30, otherwise known as the Road Rage Amendments bill, is one of many bills passed by the Utah Legislature that goes into effect beginning Monday, July 1.

The bill was chiefly sponsored by Rep. Paul Cutler and Sen. Todd Weiler. It passed through both the states House and Senate with resounding approval before being signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 8.

Utah Treasure Hunt 2024 drops four new hints

It intends to dissuade drivers from being aggressive on Utahs roads by increasing the fines on citations, giving law enforcement the power to impound vehicles suspected of being in a road rage incident, and allows the court the suspend drivers licenses for road rage offenses.

According to data from the Utah Department of Transportation, there were 27 deaths related to aggressive driving in 2023. So far in 2024, there have been three deaths attributed to road rage.

Aside from dissuading drivers from being aggressive through harsher penalties, H.B. 30 also puts funds toward a road rage education program.

Getting the word out about road rage and staying calm is a goal in the Beehive State for 2024. Zero Fatalities recently launched its road rage awareness campaign, advising Utah drivers on how they can stay calm and behaviors to avoid while driving.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The U.K. National Crime Agency (NCA) is being compelled to revisit its decision not to open an investigation into Chinese cotton imports suspected to have been produced with forced labor.

A London court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and the Global Action Network (GLAN), late last week, deciding that NCAs refusal to conduct a probe into Xinjiang cotton being imported into the country was unlawful. The decision comes a year after WUC and GLANs unsuccessful bid to have the issue investigated.

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Three appeals court judges overturned the high courts decision last week. Depending on the results of the investigation, British high street retailers could be on the hook for any imports found to have been produced with forced labor under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA).

The judges said there was a diverse, substantial, and growing body of evidence pointing to massive human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang. GLAN and WUC estimated that 85 percent of cotton originating in China is grown in the Uyghur Autonomous Region (UAR), meaning that its likely tainted by slave labor.

This litigation has been critical in recognizing the mass atrocities being committed against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people by the Chinese government, and holding to account those complicit in, or profiting from, these crimes, GLAN senior lawyer Dearbhla Minogue said. There is an abundance of evidence that U.K. companies are importing forced labor cotton from China. Following this ruling, we expect the National Crime Agency will investigate and prosecute where appropriate to prevent forced labour cotton from flooding the U.K. market.

Another member of GLANs legal counsel, Leanna Burnard, called the decision a watershed moment for supply chains profiting from forced labor and other crimes.

WUC president Dolkun Isa said the moment was a huge win that will set a real precedent for upcoming similar cases regarding the import of Uyghur forced labor goods, in the U.K. or elsewhere. Isa said the hope is that the decision will prompt more British fashion firms to act with caution when sourcing goods from China, knowing that the government is looking into the matter with more diligence.

This is a monumental victory and a moral triumph. For far too long, there has been no international court to hold China accountable, WUC U.K. director Rahima Mahmut added.

The U.K. governments lack of action forced us to pursue this case, and it is incredibly heartening to see the judges findings support our arguments, she said. Our fight has not only been against genocide but also against the forced labor imposed on countless Uyghurs in East Turkestan under the suffocating CCP regime. This win represents a measure of justice for those Uyghurs and other Turkic people who have been tortured and subjected to slave labor there.

Mahmut urged the government to consider implementing tougher legislation moving forward.

GLAN director Dr. Gearoid O Cuinn said the landmark judgement will have reverberations beyond the U.K., as it sends a message to other countries which allow the importation of Uyghur cotton and other atrocity crime goods that they ought to address retailers operating in their markets who are trading in and profiting from these proceeds of crime.

Meanwhile, Beijing is hitting back at the U.S., which it has long seen as the source of the scrutiny now emanating from other countries across the Western world.

At a Monday press conference, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said criticized the U.S. State Departments recently released report on international religious freedoms, which claimed that China regularly conducts surveillance upon its citizens and represses Muslims in the UAR.

The so-called genocide allegation is nothing but a lie propagated by the U.S. side, she said. Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development, ethnic solidarity, religious harmony and rising living standards.

The U.S., however, ignores those facts and keeps peddling the lies and disinformation, she added. Its real aim is to create a pretext to keep China down.
You can tell the presidential election is really heating up when the White House dispatches Vice President Kamala Harris to do some awards show politicking. On Sunday night (June 30), Harris made a surprise appearance during the 2024 BET Awards in a pre-taped bit paid for by the Biden/Harris campaign in which she sisd down with fellow Howard University alum and awards show host Taraji P. Henson.

The two spoke to each other on FaceTime, with Henson dialing in from backstage and Harris appearing to connect from her residence as they chopped it up about the HBCU they both attended and Henson confessed to being worried about the upcoming presidential election. Womens reproductive rights are on the line, our Supreme Court is on the line, Henson said. Our basic freedoms are being tested Madame VP! I know youve been traveling across the country, what have you been hearing, the Color Purple star added.

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Yeah, girl Im out here in these streets, and let me tell you  youre right, Taraji, there is so much at stake in this moment, Harris assured her. The majority of us believe in freedom and equality. But these extremists, as they say  they not like us.

No, they not, Henson said in response to Harris dropping the title of the recent Kendrick Lamar Drake diss track that debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Continuing the Biden/Harris campaigns attack line that former president Donald Trump and his Republican followers are a threat to American democracy, Harris added, Theres a full-on attack on our fundamental freedoms, the freedom to vote, the freedom to love who you love, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom for a woman to make decisions about her own body and not having her government tell her what to do.

Elsewhere, Henson very adamantly urged the crowd to keep their eye on the ball. Its time for us to play chess, not checkers. Its about making decisions that will affect us as human beings our careers, our next generations to come, she said, referring to a just-announced Supreme Court ruling that enforces bans on sleeping outdoors that some have said is tantamount to criminalizing homelessness.

Pay attention, its not a secret, Henson said. Look it up. They are attacking our most vulnerable citizens. The Project 2025 plan is not a game. Look it up, she added vehemently about the conservative presidential transition project in place to radically reshape the U.S. government in a fashion that some have said has authoritarian overtones.

Henson also paid tribute to Not Like Us elsewhere in the show when she dressed up as K-Dot and performed verses with BET-specific lyrics as her dancers mimicked the moves of Kendricks dancers from his recent Pop Out concert.

The appearance by Harris came just days after what was widely viewed as a poor performance by Biden during his first debate with Trump, during which the president appeared confused and meandering at times.

Check out Henson and Harris below.

Vice President Kamala Harris for the #BETAwards: "The majority of us believe in freedom and equality, but these extremists, as they say, they not like us." pic.twitter.com/wE0hDB3XId  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 1, 2024

OMG! Taraji P. Henson just called out Republicans for their INSANE Project 2025 plan live at the BET Awards The Project 2025 plan is not a game! BOOM! We need more of this. Keep calling out MAGA and their awful policy! pic.twitter.com/dx5lks2Kqb  Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) July 1, 2024

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Viktor Orban has opposed weapons shipments to Ukraine and has called for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow - TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Viktor Orban has announced plans for a new hard-Right bloc in the European Unions parliament that will oppose aid to Ukraine.

The Hungarian prime minister will be joined by poll-topping allies from the Czech Republic and Austria in an attempt to form the new Patriots for Europe.

Historians will decide in a few years time how important this day was  we think this is the day when European policy begins to change, Mr Orban said at a press conference over the weekend.

The Brussels elite is resisting. They do not accept the decision of the European [voters]. They dont want to change, they want to hold on to the status quo. That is unacceptable. That is why this current joint group and platform is being created.

The announcement comes amid a wave of support for populist, nationalist and Eurosceptic parties in last months EU-wide elections, in which they topped the polls in seven countries.

In the wake of those results, Mr Orban, the EUs longest-serving prime minister, hopes to unite Europes Right-wing after decades of fragmentation between its parties.

His Fidesz party have been without a political home in the European Parliament since being ousted from the centre-Right European Peoples Party in a row over Budapests alleged democratic deterioration.

However, alongside Austrias Freedom Party and the Czech Republics ANO, they already have enough MEPs to form an independent political bloc, entitling them to funding and speaking slots.

Mr Orban with Andrej Babis, leader of Czech Republic's ANO party and former Czech prime minister (L) and Herbert Kickl, the leader of Austria's Freedom Party - TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Herbert Kickl, the leader of the Freedom Party, said the new movement would act as a carrier rocket for radical change in Brussels.

We are here together because we are united by three main priorities that will define our policies in the EU. The defence of sovereignty, the fight against illegal migration and the revision of the Green Deal, Andrej Babis, the leader of ANO, added.

Negotiations over the formation of the parliaments groupings have entered into their final days.

The Patriots for Europe already have more than the 23 required MEPs to form their own group, but must find candidates from four more countries before it can be officially accepted.

From this starting signal, all political forces who wish to do so and who want to join in our political and positive reform efforts are very welcome. And from what I have heard in the last few days, there will be more of them, Mr Kickl said.

But with a track record of disputes over policies and standards, it might not be a simple task to find more hard-right parties to join the fold.

Marine Le Pen, whose National Rally won both the European parliamentary vote and the first round of a snap election in France, could join Mr Orbans group, according to a report by Italys Domani newspaper.

Italys League, led by Matteo Salvini, had signed a pact with his French counterpart to leave the current far-Right Identity and Democracy group for the new outfit, the report added.

Marine Le Pen's National Rally trounced left and centrist parties in the first round of the French election - Yves Herman

Another powerful member could be Germanys AfD, which topped the polls with 14 seats in the EU elections.

However, Hungarys Fidesz is opposed to allowing the German party to join the new right-wing power bloc.

AfDs inclusion would also likely result in Ms Le Pen refusing to join after she recently helped expel them from Identity and Democracy after its leading candidate said not all Nazi SS soldiers were criminals. The Freedom Party opposed the move.

European support for Ukraine will likely become a dividing line in the final-hour discussions to find new candidates for Mr Orbans group.

The Hungarian leader is considered Vladimir Putins closest ally in the EU, has opposed weapons shipments to Ukraine and has called for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

Mr Kickl, whose Freedom party has a history of close ties with the Russian president, made numerous references to peace with Russia when announcing the planned political bloc.

This approach could alienate the 20 MEPs of Polands Law and Justice, which has been resolute in its backing for Kyiv since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy, which leads the rival European Conservatives and Reformist group, has maintained staunch support for Ukraine and refused to appease Putin.

If Mr Orban can convince the Polish MEPs to join, alongside colleagues from National Rally, League and AfD, it would make his Patriots for Europe the strongest right-wing bloc in the EU Parliament, ahead of Ms Melonis group.

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VIRGINIA BEACH Va. (WAVY)  Virginia Beach City Public Schools received a $37,500 Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative Grant from the New York Life Foundation to develop a support plan for students dealing with grief.

The grant is an addition to the efforts made by the Coalition to Support Greiving Students, a cohesive effort among K-12 organizations to provide care for students confronting a loss.

Children with unresolved grief can exhibit behavioral issues and poor performance in school. The additional resources and training provided by the grant will equip educators to support students battling grief.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Tuesday is the largest single day of presidential nominating contests, with 15 states and one U.S. territory holding primaries and caucuses. Getty Images.

Minnesotans can now vote early in Minnesotas 2024 primary election, which is on Aug. 13.

To be eligible to vote, a person must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, a resident of Minnesota for 20 days, not under a court order prohibiting them from voting and not currently incarcerated for a felony.

This will be the first statewide primary election that felons will be able to participate in as long as they are not currently incarcerated. In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions on probation, parole or work release.

Minnesotans can register to vote at mnvotes.org. Early voting begins 46 days before an election, and Minnesotans can vote by mail, early in-person or on the day of the Primary Election. Voters can request an absentee ballot through the Minnesota Secretary of States website. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day. Voters can check the status of their ballot here.

Minnesotans can find their voting locations to cast their ballots early in-person here.

Among the most closely watched primary races statewide includes who will win the Republican primary for U.S. Senate: Republican-endorsed candidate Royce White or military veteran Joe Fraser. The winner will face incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar in Novembers general election as shes expected to handily win in the Democratic primary.

The Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District will also draw attention, as voters decide between Republican-endorsed candidate Tayler Rahm and former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab.

The most contested primary election for Democrats is in the 5th Congressional District between Rep. Ilhan Omar and former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. Omar narrowly beat Samuels by about two percentage points in the 2022 Democratic primary.
Voters said no thrice. Puyallup still wants a new public safety building. Heres the plan

Plans for a new public safety building in Puyallup are still on the table.

The city and Police Department will host a meeting to unveil the plan 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13, in the public library at 324 S. Meridian. The citys news release did not say if the meeting will be streamed or recorded.

City staff will present the status of the public safety building project, a proposed location for a police station and a remodel of the Police Departments building at 311 W. Pioneer Ave. Questions and feedback are highly encouraged from attendees, according to the news release.

The City has been working diligently on a new, more cost-effective plan for the project. At the meeting, the City will debut this plan, the news release said.

When asked about the plan, city spokesperson Eric Johnson wrote in an email July 1: We are not releasing any details before the meeting. After the meeting, we will update our project website page with the new plan.

The current building is 56 years old. The citys population and police staff have outgrown the building, making it challenging for staff and officers to work, according to the news release.

In 1968, the building served a population of about 14,000, had 23 employees working in it and held 21 jail inmates. Now the building serves over 43,000, has about 100 employees and holds 52 inmates, according to the news release.

The building has outlived its useful life and can no longer serve the needs of the Police Department and the community, the news release said.

The city has asked voters three times if it wanted a new public safety building. The last proposal, which was on the November ballot, did not reach the 60 percent threshold. About 51.6 percent were against it and about 48.4 percent were for it.

The News Tribune reported in November 2023 that if voters approved it, the city would have built a new public safety building at 600 39th Ave. SE. It would have housed the police department and jail under one roof. A new police substation would have been built downtown.

The average owner of a $500,000 home would have paid $15 per month over 30 years in property taxes if voters approved the proposal. The project had an estimated total cost of $76 million, The News Tribune reported.

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A second floor hallway at the Rhode Island State House outside the Senate Chamber looking toward Smith Street is shown. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Advisors attempted to dissuade Sam Bell from challenging longtime state senator Paul Jabour in the 2018 Democratic primary.

Despite his political activism as former leader of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, Bell was a first-time candidate. Jabour was a Smith Hill veteran, with three decades in the General Assembly. Another challenger, former Rhode Island Commerce employee Nick Autiello, had already proven his fundraising capacity with $50,000 in the bank by the time Bell announced his candidacy.

So many people told me, Sam, this is not going to work out, Bell recalled. I was very much seen as a candidate people thought would not be serious.

Not afraid to go against the grain, Bell ran anyway, and won, besting Jabour with a 6-percentage point margin in the 2018 primary, which cemented his seat since he was unopposed in the 2018 general election.

Now preparing for his fourth run for office, Bell is one of a growing number of examples in state primaries in which progressive organizers challenge, and defeat, long-term legislative incumbents. Yet, change is slow to take hold, especially in a solidly blue state where baked-in structural advantages for incumbents and under-resourced state parties perpetuate a cycle of noncompetitive legislative primaries and general election races.

Indeed, initial candidate filings with the Rhode Island Department of State suggest that nearly half of the Rhode Island General Assembly races  54  feature an incumbent running unopposed in both primary and general elections. The number of uncontested races may increase after the July 12 deadline to collect signatures to qualify for the ballot, which can weed out unsure or unprepared candidates.

Hardly the kind of close competition that inspires voters to sit up and pay attention, let alone cast a ballot.

The mechanism for accountability in democracy is the ability to vote an incumbent out of office because you dont like their performance in office, John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, said. If theres no choice, the mechanism doesnt exist.

Its not a new problem in Rhode Island.

Nearly three-quarters of state legislative races were uncontested by major parties in 2014 general elections  the high water mark over the last 12 years, according to information with Ballotpedia. State legislative primaries have been similarly devoid of challengers, with a peak of 90% of primaries going uncontested in 2014.

The 2022 primary and general election cycles saw an ever-so-slight increase in competition in primary and general legislative races. But its far too soon to tell if that uptick in contested races is the start of a trend, or just a blip, said Marion.

Made with Flourish

Role of pre-primary endorsements

One structural barrier working against more competitive primaries is the emphasis given to pre-primary party endorsements in Rhode Island. Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey are the only three states where pre-primary endorsements show up on the ballot, according to information collected by Common Cause Rhode Island. Earlier this year, a federal judge barred New Jersey from using its contested county line ballot structure in its June 2024 Democratic primary.

In the Ocean State, however, endorsements by town, district and state committees still determine which candidate gets top positioning on a primary ballot. And with the endorsement almost always awarded to the incumbent, challengers are even more of a disadvantage.

In his first term in office, Bell pitched legislation that would have ended this practice, letting the Rhode Island Secretary of State determine ballot placement of candidates with no regard to party endorsement. He never introduced the failed bill in subsequent years, but still thinks the existing structure is unfair to challengers.

The mechanism for accountability in democracy is the ability to vote an incumbent out of office because you dont like their performance in office. If theres no choice, the mechanism doesnt exist.

 John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island

Adam Myers, an associate professor of political science at Providence College, agreed that top ballot placement and the accompanying asterisk signaling party endorsement might make a difference, but only on the margins.

On the flip side, Rhode Islands small geographic size makes shoe leather campaigning manageable, and with a dedicated volunteer staff, a newcomer can make a splash for relatively little money.

Many political scientists and strategists emphasize the importance of serious candidates when considering competition in elections  meaning candidates with some combination of money, experience, name recognition and the intangible it factor.

Not Myers. At least in Rhode Island politics, the political demographics of voters matters far more than the qualifications of the candidate, he said.

Statistically speaking, you can predict a vast majority of the outcomes just by looking at the partisanship of the districts, Myers said.

In other words, a conservative legislative district that voted for Trump in 2016 is unlikely to elect a Democratic state lawmaker over a Republican, no matter who that Republican is.

Which means, hypothetically, the state GOP could pick up a few legislative wins by putting a warm body with an R next to their name up against a Democratic candidate. Yet party leaders have, in recent years, opted against this approach, preferring instead to devote time and energy to finding a few quality candidates, said Joe Powers, Rhode Island GOP chairman.

It was never easy to find candidates for either party, but its definitely gotten harder, says Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican and former House Minority Leader, shown during listening to discussion of a safe firearms storage bill on May 28, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Its definitely gotten harder

Were not going to throw someone into the race just for the sake of having someone, Powers said.

Part of the problem is resources; the state GOP relies on a volunteer staff with a limited donor pool compared with states awash in Republican support. Its also hard to find candidates willing to invest the time, money and emotions into running, especially knowing that if they win, they will be virtually powerless against the Democratic majority on Smith Hill.

It was never easy to find candidates for either party, but its definitely gotten harder, said Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican and former House Minority Leader.

In Newberrys eyes, the 1999 death of John Chafee, a former U.S. Senator and Republican governor, marked the beginning of the end for the state GOP.

He was a one-man builder of the GOP, Newberry said. When he was alive, the Rhode Island Republican Party had some stature beyond its raw numbers. And when he passed away, the party, coupled with national trends, just kind of wilted.

Over the last seven election cycles, the percentage of uncontested, general election legislative races in Rhode Island automatically awarded to a Republican has hovered around 3%, according to Ballotpedia. By contrast, general legislative races handed to Democratic candidates who ran unopposed ranged from 33% to nearly 70% within that same time frame.

Thirty Republicans signaled their intent to run for state office this year, not including the 11 incumbents six in the House and five in the Senate, seeking reelection, according to a Rhode Island Current analysis of candidate filings with the Department of State.

Thats not drastically different than the 36 Democratic challengers vying for a legislative seat, but the Democratic advantage is significantly strengthened by strong incumbent numbers. Over 90 incumbent Democratic lawmakers are seeking reelection this year.

I was very much seen as a candidate people thought would not be serious, Sen. Sam Bell, a Providence Democrat, recalls of his first run for office. He is shown on the last night of the 2024 legislative session on June 13, 2024. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current)

Whats happening within the Democratic party?

Rhode Islands solidly Democratic base has assured the party control of the 113-seat state legislature for nearly 90 years. But long-existing factions within the Democratic majority are starting to widen, evidenced by a slight uptick in Democratic primary challengers.

Bells win over Jabour in 2018 was part of a wave of progressive victories that year. The first signal of change came in the prior election, in 2016, when Working Families Party-backed challenger Marcia Ranglin-Vassell ousted House Majority Leader John DeSimone in the Democratic primary, beating the 24-year legislative veteran by fewer than two dozen votes.

That was the moment when it was like, we have arrived, said Zack Mezera, Rhode Island organizing director for the Working Families Party. Since putting down roots in Rhode Island in 2015, the national progressive group has tried to grow its local presence and hone its strategy of propping up candidates whose views offer a different  and perhaps more accurate  reflection of district voters.

Its not about taking on the Democratic Party so much as it is pushing the values through candidates that we think would actually match the needs and desires of each district, Mezera said.

He described the groups relationship with the Rhode Island Democratic Party as frequently collaborative, rarely antagonistic, in part because state party leaders have perhaps not viewed the progressive group as a serious threat. Indeed, a June 26 Build the Bench election kickoff event hosted by the state party featured party leaders and elected officials across the ideological spectrum.

Statistically speaking, you can predict a vast majority of the outcomes just by looking at the partisanship of the districts.

 Adam Myers, an associate professor of political science at Providence College

Yet, the Democratic Party also appears to suffer some of the resource and organizational shortcomings of its GOP counterpart, Mezera said. Theres no clear policy platform uniting state Democrats, nor have they attempted to rally various factions of the party around a single candidate in multi-candidate primaries, Mezera added.

Liz Beretta-Perik, state party chairwoman, did not respond to multiple inquiries for comment.

Nineteen state races this year feature a primary between one or more Democratic candidates. Six Democratic contenders have lined up to compete for the open seat left by Cranston Sen. Josh Miller, who announced his plans to not seek reelection earlier this month. Meanwhile, Rep. Enrique Sanchez of Providence, a Working Families Party-backed incumbent, will have to defeat three other candidates in his primary, including Anastasia Williams, who he toppled for the same seat in the 2022 primary.

By contrast, there is only one legislative Republican primary. Former chairman of the Johnston Republican Town Committee Frank Ricci will face off against Peter Trementozzi for the seat held by Democrat Gregory Costantino. Costantino is also running for reelection with no primary opponent.

Candidates have until July 12 to turn in signatures of registered voters  at least 50 for representatives and 100 for senators  to their local boards of canvassers to secure a ballot spot. The state primary is Sept. 10 with a Nov. 5 general election.

The post Wanted: Rhode Island legislative candidates appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have discussed the potential for cooperation in the energy sector, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikail Jabbarov wrote on X, Trend reports.

The publication notes that a meeting was held with Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov.

"We discussed future directions of economic ties between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, as well as the potential of cooperation in energy, trade, and industrial sectors," the publication reads.

To note, the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria was held on July 1.

The Bulgarian Energy Minister noted during the meeting that the energy sector occupies a special place in the bilateral cooperation between the countries.

"Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of Bulgaria in the energy sector. I would like to note the regular and constructive dialog between the energy ministries of the two countries. We express our sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan for supporting the Bulgarian government's efforts to diversify the sources and volumes of supplies," he emphasized.

Following the meeting, a protocol was signed. The document envisages further development of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in the spheres of economy, agriculture, food security, energy, transportation, information and communication technologies, healthcare, environment, and tourism, as well as scientific-technical, humanitarian, and social spheres.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria has been receiving gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field on a long-term basis since 2021. Since 2023, SOCAR also supplied its surplus gas to Bulgaria whenever the opportunity arises.

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The Washington Post has obtained internal documents from the authorities of Russias Belgorod Oblast which confirm that glide bombs launched by the Russians on Ukraine have fallen on Russian territory. The documents specify the locations where the bombs fell and address issues regarding the defusing of bombs and evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Source: The Washington Post

Details: The document indicates that at least 38 bombs, attributed to recent territorial gains by Russia, fell in Belgorod Oblast on the border with Ukraine between April 2023 and April 2024, although most of them did not explode.

Additionally, at least four bombs fell on Belgorod itself, a regional centre with a population of about 400,000 people. Another seven were found in the surrounding suburbs. The highest number, 11, fell in the border Graivoron district, where some could not be located due to the "difficult operational situation".

Initially intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence and passed on to The Washington Post, the document contains a table of incidents with references to emergency decrees for bomb disposal and evacuation and was produced by the emergency department of the city of Belgorod.

Infographic: The Washington Post

Most of the bombs were discovered by civilians  forest rangers, farmers, or residents of nearby villages. In most cases, the Russian Defence Ministry did not know when the bombs were launched, indicating that some of them might have been there for several days.

Independent Russian media outlet Astra confirmed that many of the incidents described in the document correspond with information it had received from local authorities and reports in local media.

Local authorities generally remain silent about these incidents, describing them only as "accidents," blaming Ukrainian attacks, or simply not reporting the various explosions in the region, especially recently.

Astra has estimated that Russia accidentally dropped over a hundred bombs on its own territory and on occupied areas in the east of Ukraine over the past four months  the same period when there was a significant increase in the use of glide bombs.

The Russian government did not respond to The Washington Posts request for comment on the document or the reports of the failed use of glide bombs.

For reference: Glide bombs are a Soviet relic from the Cold War era, designed as "dumb bombs" for dropping on targets. Russia has adapted this large arsenal of unguided bombs to modern warfare by upgrading them with guidance systems known as UMPC (unified planning and correction module) kits  cheap retractable wings and navigation systems.

This allows Russian Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft to launch them from about 40 miles away, which is unreachable for most Ukrainian air defence systems. The Washington Post notes that glide bombs have put additional pressure on Ukraine's ground-based air defences and played a significant role in the destruction of Avdiivka, which Russian forces captured in mid-February.

"Ukraines best defence against them is the US Patriot surface-to-air missile that can destroy a Russian aircraft before it approaches to release the bomb, but the systems are in short supply," the publication writes.

At the end of March, the Russian Defence Ministry announced the development of a new, heavier version of the glide bomb, the FAB-3000. It was finally deployed on 21 June against the Ukrainian village of Lyptsi. The Russian military also reported that the production of the lighter FAB-500 and FAB-1500 bombs had been sharply increased.

Background:

In April 2023, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that the explosion in the Russian city of Belgorod was caused by the fall of an aircraft munition during the flight of a Su-34 fighter-bomber belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces. Military sources said that residential buildings had been damaged as a result of the incident.

Also, in January 2024, a Russian munition fell in the village of Petropavlovka (Voronezh Oblast, Russia), located near the border with Ukraine, during a missile attack on Ukraine. A resident in a video said that an entire street had been destroyed as a result of the explosion. He said that a missile had fallen.

Previously: Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that over the past week alone, Russia had used more than 800 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine. "Ukraine needs necessary forces and means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, mainly the Russian attack aircraft where it is deployed. This step is needed," he said.

Zelenskyy said that to effectively counter Russian guided aerial bombs, the Ukrainian Armed Forces need not so much Patriot air defence systems as long-range ATACMS missiles.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The City of Washougal announced small amounts of toxic forever chemicals were found in the citys drinking water, prompting an investigation into the source.

Routine drinking water testing between February and March found trace levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the water supply that were slightly above newly established federal guidelines, the city announced on June 25.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been commonly used since the 1940s in products such as water-resistant clothing, non-stick cookware, and fast-food packaging, the city explained.

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They are also known as forever chemicals for their inability to break down easily in the environment, officials said  noting the chemicals can accumulate and persist for extended periods of time.

In April, the United States Environmental Protection Agency set the first-ever nationwide limits for PFAS levels in drinking water to four parts per trillion.

For perspective, 1 part per trillion translates to 1 second in approximately 32,000 years or a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools, the City of Washougal explained. The recommended limits are based on long-term exposure to PFAS throughout a persons life and represent a conservative level at which no adverse impacts are expected over a lifetime of drinking the water, even in health-sensitive populations.

The city said even though the detected PFAS levels were below State Action Levels determined by the Washington State Department of Health, the trace amounts still prompted public notification.

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The health and safety of our residents are our top priorities, Public Works Director Trevor Evers said in the June 25 announcement. Upon detecting these low levels of PFAS, we have taken immediate steps to ensure our drinking water remains safe and compliant with regulatory standards.

Since discovering the elevated levels of the toxic chemicals, the city said it is continuing to monitor water quality levels at its six wells across its service area, and said scientists are investigating potential sources of PFAS and the extent of the chemicals in the local groundwater supply.

Additionally, the city is planning on investing in PFAS treatments.

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We are committed to transparency and proactive communication with our residents, said David Scott, city manager. Regular updates on PFAS testing results and our ongoing efforts to address this issue will be readily available to ensure our community remains informed.

Nearly all people in the United States have measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Additionally, the EPA has reported several health concerns associated with PFAS exposure, including increased risk of certain cancers, developmental delays or effects in children, and reproductive issues such as decreased fertility.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Yellow caution tape surrounded the front of a Publix store last week after a sneaky little alligator was caught hiding out underneath a corral of shopping carts.

Lisa Royal said she had stopped at the Publix on 1575 Old Trolley Road in Summerville, South Carolina, on June 26 when she spotted the unsuspecting gator and quickly captured a video.

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It was so unbelievably out of the ordinary, I had to stop and document the moment! she told WFLA.

Video of the gator encounter shows shoppers and workers standing around the caution tape as carts blocked off where the gator was hiding.

Yall this is happening right now, Royal said in the video. There is an alligator under the shopping carts outside.

Royal added that shes not sure what happened to the gator, although she does believe that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was called.

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What to Watch: The Supreme Court's decision on Trump immunity is expected Monday

FILE - The Supreme Court building is seen on June 27, 2024, in Washington. Supreme Court justices will take the bench Monday, July 1, to release their last few opinions of the term, including their most closely watched case: whether former President Donald Trump has immunity from criminal prosecution. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court's final day of the term will be Monday, when it issues a critical decision on whether former President Donald Trump has immunity from prosecution for his actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Here's what to watch:

When will the court rule?

The court typically begins issuing opinions at 10 a.m. ET.

How to follow along

Associated Press reporters will be writing a live blog on the morning of the opinions. You can find it at apnews.com.

Why it matters

The opinion decides whether Trump, the first ex-president to face criminal charges, stands trial in Washington.

The courts handling of the issue already has provoked criticism, including questions about whether it was necessary to take up the issue at all, given that a federal appeals court rejected it, and more recently that it has not yet been decided.

The Supreme Court has acted far more speedily in other epic cases involving presidential power, including in the Watergate tapes case. Nearly 50 years ago, the court ruled 8-0 a mere 16 days after hearing arguments that Richard Nixon had to turn over recordings of Oval Office conversations, rejecting his claim of executive privilege.

The current high court makeup took less than a month to rule unanimously that the Constitutions post-Civil War insurrection clause couldnt be used by states to kick Trump off the presidential ballot.

Even if the court sides against Trump, the timing of its decision means Trump may not stand trial before the 2024 election. If he is elected again, he could appoint a new attorney general, who could have the case dismissed.

How will Trump-appointed justices rule?

The nine-member court now includes three conservative justices appointed by Trump and two other conservative justices who have rejected calls to step away from the Jan. 6 cases because of questions about their impartiality.

Social media cases

The justices also have three other cases remaining on the docket Monday, including another major case over social media laws in Texas and Florida that could limit how platforms regulate content posted. Both laws aimed to address conservative complaints that the social media companies were liberal-leaning and censored users based on their viewpoints, especially on the political right.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of France on Sunday night after Marine Le Pens hard-Right National Rally (RN) won the first round of the countrys parliamentary election.

Videos showed a motorbike and bins on fire, with rioters smashing shop fronts and others setting off fireworks. Riot police were filmed throwing tear gas into heavily crowded areas.

The RN and its allies took 33 per cent of the vote, followed by a Left-wing bloc on 28 per cent and president Emmanuel Macrons centrists with just 20 per cent, official results from the interior ministry showed on Monday.

A barricade burns as protesters in Paris demonstrate against the hard-Right - Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters

A demonstrator holds a flare as Parisians protest on Sunday - Geoffroy van der Hasselt/AFP

Al Jazeera reported that a few thousand anti-RN protesters later attended a rally of the Leftist alliance in Pariss Place de la Republique. Protests also erupted in Lyon, Nantes and other major cities.

Najiya Khaldi, a 33-year-old teacher, told Al Jazeera she felt disgust, sadness and fear at the RNs strong results. I am not used to demonstrating, she said. I think I came to reassure myself, to not feel alone.

Protesters gathered at Place de la Republique in Paris on Sunday night - Adnan Farzat/Shutterstock

Riot police in the streets around Place de la Republique - Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Another protester told the AP news agency that France was going towards the extreme. Cynthia Fefoheio, a 19-year-old political science student, said: People dont understand that this will impact us for years and years.

This is a France of hate that is growing, not a France of solidarity and union.

Tear gas was thrown into crowded areas during the protests - Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters

Police and passers-by look on as protests erupt in Paris - Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Ms Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for racism and anti-Semitism  a tactic that has worked amid voter anger at Mr Macron, the high cost of living and growing concerns over immigration.

The results were a huge setback for the French president, who had called the snap election after he was trounced by the RN in European Parliament elections last month.

The final outcome will depend on days of alliance-building before next weeks run-off vote.

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Ukraine has released previously unseen footage from its mission to liberate Snake Island from Russia as the country marks the two-year anniversary of the counter-attack.

Swooping in on choppers and firing off rounds as soon as they land, the bodycam footage reveals how Kyivs forces captured the key Black Sea outpost on June 30, 2022.

It also appears to dispel an earlier claim by Russia that its troops retreated from the island as a goodwill gesture.

Snake Island is a strategic outpost in the Black Sea - MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES

Ukraines security service, the SBU, described the raid as a unique and extremely important operation that began the gradual displacement of the enemy from the Black Sea.

The video begins with explosions erupting across the island from Ukrainian air strikes before its troops land on the island, shoot at targets and run through the smoke-filled ruins of buildings.

Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, is 30 miles off the coast of the Odesa Oblast and was taken by Moscows forces in the early days of the war because of its strategic importance.

Its capture was made famous when a Ukrainian border guard immortalised the words Russian warship, go f--- yourself, turning the tiny piece of rocky land into a lasting symbol of Ukrainian resistance.

Russias military called its withdrawal in June 2022 a gesture of goodwill rather than defeat, a statement Ukraine has branded a complete fake.

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'The way our districts are drawn is BS:' Ohio redistricting effort moves toward fall ballot

Fed up with politicians manipulating maps to ensure reelection, a crowd of Ohio voters took a key step toward offering a redistricting alternative on the November ballot.

That alternative would replace Ohio's current system for drawing congressional and legislative maps, which relies on elected officials, with a 15-member panel of Ohioans without close ties to politics. The campaign, called Citizens Not Politicians, delivered more than 731,000 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State's office Monday morning to make the fall ballot.

Boxes of signed petitions are unloaded at the Ohio Secretary of State's office for Citizens Not Politicians, a potential anti-gerrymandering constitutional amendment. Supporters say they have 731,000 signatures, which is more than enough to secure a spot of the Nov 5, 2024 ballot.

To make the November ballot, the campaign must submit 413,487 valid signatures from at least 44 counties by Wednesday. The Ohio Secretary of State's office will review the list to ensure those who signed are registered to vote, their signatures are legible and various other technical requirements are met.

After dropping off signatures, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor, along with a pastor, a retired bricklayer and a small business owner rallied Ohioans frustrated with the state of state politics. They contend that if members of Congress and state lawmakers had more competitive elections, they would be more responsive to residents.

Ted Linscott, the retired bricklayer from Athens, said Appalachians tell it like it is: "When we see BS, we call BS and the way our districts are drawn is BS."

Last year's elections offered several prime examples. Ohio voters defeated a constitutional amendment that would have made it harder to change the state constitution. They also voted to legalize marijuana and ensure access to abortion  two issues that Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature had fought for decades.

Voter-approved anti-gerrymandering reforms from 2015 and 2018 led to a chaotic mapmaking process, which included several maps rejected as unconstitutional by O'Connor's Ohio Supreme Court. Using the current maps, Republicans hold a veto-proof majority in the Ohio Statehouse and 10 of 15 congressional seats.

"Seven times the politicians thumbed their noses at the citizens and trampled on the rule of law and imposed gerrymandered maps on their voters," O'Connor, a Republican, told a crowd gathered in the Ohio Statehouse atrium. "Ladies and gentlemen, those days are over."

How would the new redistricting model work?

Instead of giving the mapmaking power to lawmakers and statewide elected officials, the proposed constitutional amendment would create a 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission of five Republicans, five Democrats and five independents.

Four retired judges would help select the redistricting commission by narrowing down applicants. Elected officials, lobbyists, political consultants and others with close ties to politics could not serve on the commission.

Senate GOP spokesman John Fortney contended that the citizen commission would not be accountable to Ohioans.

"Citizens not Politicians should be renamed Political Outcomes over People," Fortney said. "When it dissolves, they disappear and Ohioans will be left holding a bag filled with sprawling gerrymandered districts for radical leftists with nowhere to turn to for answers and accountability.

More: Ohio redistricting: How would the proposal to ditch politicians for citizens work?

The commission would draw maps that "correspond closely to statewide partisan preferences of the voters of Ohio." Unlike redistricting proposals approved in 2015 and 2018, this requirement is explicit and mandatory. Mapmakers would also be required to keep communities of interest together.

The proposed amendment also includes a contingency plan if the 15 commission members cannot agree on maps. The members would rank their top picks and each would be assigned points, a process called ranked-choice voting.

Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, campaigned for the last redistricting measures and helped to craft maps that were struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court. Huffman has criticized this new proposal as overly complicated, costly and problematic. If voters are confused, they could strike down the measure.

But O'Connor disagrees. "Anybody who says it is complicated, I think has not read it."

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio anti-gerrymandering effort submits 731K signatures to make ballot
As federal education officials continue to clean up after the botched rollout of a new financial aid application, many college-bound students in Tarrant County are still struggling to complete the form.

But they dont have to do it on their own. School districts and education advocacy groups in the Fort Worth area scrambled to organize help for students who werent able to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, during the regular school year.

FAFSA filings in districts across Texas, including in Tarrant County, dropped off sharply this year. In a typical year, such a decline would be a sign that fewer students plan to go to college, since nearly all college-bound students submit the form during the school year, while they have easy access to help from school counselors.

But this year has been anything but typical. The newly redesigned form was released months later than usual, and even then, technical glitches kept many students from filing. College readiness officials say theyre still working with many recent graduates who plan to go to college but havent been able to complete their financial aid applications because of all the problems with this years form. Many are cautiously optimistic that theyll be able to keep those students college dreams from being derailed, despite the roadblocks.

I do think were going to get there at the end, said Jason Titus, managing director of programs for the T3 Partnership.

Redesigned FAFSA is simpler for some, unusable for others

The U.S. Department of Education embarked on a redesign of the FAFSA after Congress ordered the agency in 2020 to make the form easier for families to fill out. Agency officials say the new form is simpler, paring questions down to fewer than 20 instead of more than 100.

But the rollout of the new form has been rocky. Students didnt get access to the form until late December, about three months later than usual, leaving students, families and high school counselors with less time to fill it out. And even after families got access to the application, technical glitches kept many from being able to complete it. Students whose parents are undocumented had particular challenges because a technical issue made it impossible for parents without Social Security numbers to list themselves as contributors.

Some of those challenges have since been resolved. But others havent. In mid June, education officials announced that colleges wouldnt be able to submit batch corrections until the first half of August. In a typical year, that process is available as soon as the form opens.

Colleges have been able to use a workaround to submit corrections individually on a student-by-student basis, but Justin Draeger, CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said in a statement that doing so is impractical for large universities that process thousands of applications each year, and also for under-resourced financial aid offices. The delays only create more uncertainty for students who are waiting for information, he said.

In the end, its the most vulnerable students who will once again be harmed by this delay, Draeger said.

Education secretary acknowledges problems

During a keynote interview last month at a conference organized by the nonprofit Education Writers Association, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona acknowledged the botched rollout of the new application has caused a frustrating situation for everyone involved in the college-going process  students, families, high school counselors and college admissions officers. The department is working with governors, school superintendents and community partners to help students and their parents work through the obstacles that the delays and other issues created, he said.

But once the problems are worked out, Cardona said hes optimistic that the redesigned form will lead to more students going to college. Replacing the old, complicated form with one that many families can complete in less than a half hour will give more students access to financial aid, he said, which for many is the main factor determining whether they can go to college or not. The old form is one part of a larger education system in which factors like a students race and where they were born are better determinants of college access than academic ability, he said.

Theres a lot of work that we are doing to fix a broken system, he said. Improving FAFSA is part of that.

T3 expands FAFSA support for Tarrant County students

The T3 partnership, also known as Tarrant To and Through, partners with school districts in Tarrant County to help students get to college and graduate with a degree. Earlier this year, the organization received a $240,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support students through the FAFSA process.

Titus, the organizations programs director, said the organization used part of the grant to hire eight staffers to work with students on FAFSA completion over the summer. Those staffers joined a team of 10 college readiness advisers the organization already had in place, he said.

The fact that T3s relationships with districts were already in place before the botched rollout began helped to mitigate the worst impacts on students, Titus said. Likewise, the fact that the organization already had a system in place to reach out to students who might need help with college readiness issues over the summer meant it was well equipped to handle FAFSA support, Titus said. The group runs a program called Summer Launch that helps college-bound students stay on track and get ready for their freshman year. Last year, about 700 students signed up for that program. This year, the group expects to see more than twice that total, he said, in large part because of all the challenges associated with the FAFSA.

Titus said hes confident that Tarrant County students wont see their college plans derailed because of the rollout. The situation has caused headaches for many families, and a huge amount of work for college prep staffers across the country, he said. But FAFSA filings are continuing to trickle in over the summer, he said, even if theyre later than usual. Even in a typical year, some number of students wait until August, just weeks before the beginning of the fall semester, to complete the form, he said. That number will be larger this year, he said, but hes hopeful that college prep staffers in the Fort Worth area will be able to handle it.

FWISD, AISD see declines in FAFSA filings

Christina Galanis, director of secondary student engagement for the Fort Worth Independent School District, said the district saw an uptick in the number of students who filled out a waiver exempting them from a state law requiring all students to apply for financial aid before graduating from high school. By June 14, the districts FAFSA filings were down 18% compared to last year, according to an analysis of federal records by the nonprofit National College Attainment Network. But Galanis was quick to point out that even after those declines, about 67% of the districts graduating seniors filled out the form, compared to about 53% of seniors statewide.

Galanis said shes optimistic that many of those seniors who filled out opt-out waivers still plan to go to college. Because applying for financial aid is a graduation requirement in Texas, students who couldnt get the application completed before graduation had no choice but to opt out, she said. But many of those students have been working with college prep advisors to finish their forms over the summer, she said. She knows of one student who struggled with the application because his parents are undocumented, but plans to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall. The district connected that student with an advisor from T3 who specializes in helping children of undocumented parents navigate the application process, she said.

Galanis said the issues have been particularly burdensome for the districts mixed-status families, those in which some members are U.S. citizens and some are undocumented. But recent graduates who havent yet completed their FAFSAs can still get help over the summer, Galanis said. Fort Worth ISD runs a program called Summer Link thats designed to help recent graduates stay on track over the summer for college, a career or military service.

The Summer Link program has existed for more than a decade, but Galanis said its shifting its focus toward FAFSA support this year. Advisors make regular phone calls to recent graduates to check in. Advisors from Summer Link, as well as from T3, are on hand to help any students who still need to complete the form, she said. She also pointed to a text service operated by the TxCan initiative in partnership with the nonprofit uAspire as another way students can get help.

By June 14, the Arlington Independent School District had seen an 18% decline in FAFSA filings. Telisa Brown, Arlington ISDs director of guidance and counseling, said the delays were a major obstacle for many of the districts graduating seniors. Once the application opened in December, some students were able to get through it quickly, while others ran into problems that kept them from being able to finish it at all, she said.

When it became clear that many students werent going to be able to complete the application before the end of the school year, district leaders worked with InspirED, the organization it partners with to operate college attainment centers on its high school campuses, to place college and career advisors at each of the districts summer school sites, Brown said. Students who have questions about the FAFSA or need help completing it can make an appointment to speak with an advisor or simply drop by, she said. Advisors will also meet with students virtually, she said.

To get help from a uAspire advisor on FAFSA completion, text Hello to (469) 940-5412. An advisor will reply within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Advisors are available to provide support via text message or over virtual meetings.
West must shatter Putin's theory of victory, as he will demand more  ISW

Russian leader Vladimir Putin's theory of victory, which posits that Russia can continue its gradual advances in Ukraine indefinitely, will encourage Putin to prolong the war and strengthen his resolve to destroy Ukrainian statehood.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: The West must quickly provide Ukraine with the necessary support for counteroffensive operations to challenge Putin's theory of victory and prevent prolonging the war to secure a peace agreeable to Ukraine and its allies.

In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer published on 30 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns that the West fears pushing for a complete Ukrainian victory due to worries about Russian stability. This hesitation, he argues, has emboldened Putin to seize as much Ukrainian territory as possible.

Zelenskyy emphasised that each Russian advance strengthens Russia's bargaining position, allowing Putin to leverage this at strategic moments to seek a ceasefire, which would enable Russia to prepare for future aggression against Ukraine.

Putin's theory of victory relies on the belief that Russian forces can continue making gradual advances, prevent Ukraine from achieving significant counteroffensive successes and win a war of attrition.

Quote: "Putin and the Russian military command likely view creeping offensive operations as a more guaranteed approach to making gains in Ukraine than larger mobile offensives and appear to be accepting the reality that Russian forces may have to pursue individual operationally significant objectives over the course of many months if not years.

A protracted war favours Putin's calculus since he likely assesses that Russia will be able to hold any ground it takes and that Russian forces will be more likely to achieve his current stated territorial objectives the longer the war progresses. Putin and the Kremlin have intentionally set no limits to their objectives of conquest in Ukraine and have suggested repeatedly that areas outside of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts are part of Russia."

More details: A prolonged war is likely to motivate Putin to explicitly set new territorial objectives, as long as he believes that Ukrainian forces are unable to halt his advances or conduct significant counteroffensives.

Putin's ultimate objective remains the complete destruction of Ukrainian statehood and identity, with territorial conquest serving as a means to this end.

He is currently unwilling to accept anything less than full Ukrainian capitulation, viewing any ceasefire as a temporary measure to prepare for renewed offensives to achieve his broader aims.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 30 June:

Russian leader Vladimir Putin's theory of victory that Russia will be able to make creeping advances in Ukraine indefinitely will incentivize Putin to protract the war and harden Putin's commitment to destroying Ukrainian statehood. The West must hasten to provide Ukraine the support it needs to conduct counteroffensive operations to invalidate Putin's theory of victory and avoid protracting the war more than necessary to secure a peace acceptable to Ukraine and its partners.

Putin retains his objective of entirely destroying Ukrainian statehood and identity, and all his objectives for territorial conquest in Ukraine are a means to this end.

The Russian military command appears to be separating some limited elements of airborne (VDV) units and formations into smaller components across different sectors of the front, and the Russian military command may still view VDV units as relatively elite, at least compared with other Russian units and formations.

Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK) in Lipetsk Oblast on 30 June.

Dagestan Republic Head Sergey Melikov publicly sided with Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov in a recent debate between Kadyrov and Russian Investigative Committee Head Alexander Bastrykin about responses to religious extremism in Russia amid growing ethnic and religious tension in Russia.

Military and civilian flights continue to experience GPS interference over Europe and the Middle East, highlighting the role of long-term GPS jamming in ongoing and future conflicts.

Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Kreminna, and Russian forces recently advanced near Lyptsi, Vovchansk, Kupiansk and Avdiivka.

A Russian milblogger claimed on 29 June that Russian military commanders sent about 50 wounded soldiers of the 26th Tank Regiment (47th Tank Division, 1st Guards Tank Army, Moscow Military District [MMD]), who are on leave awaiting medical treatments, to the front against doctors' instructions.

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WESTMORELAND (KSNT)  On Sunday, June 30, Westmoreland hosted a Town Hall Gathering for people who were impacted by the tornado.

The city of Westmoreland has established a long-term recovery group (LTRG) to aid those who were impacted by a tornado.

More information on building that collapsed in Junction City

The gathering was a chance for the impacted to get in contact with a variety of resources. They could speak to who they needed to based on their needs.

Resources that were available included contractors, the Kansas Insurance Department, Kansas Legal Services, mental health professionals, and more.

27 News spoke to the chair of the LTRG who said that having resources available in a timely manner is key in the recovery process.

Its timely in recovery aspects that the resources are made available, said Rev. Hollie Tapley. Weve got homes that need repairs. We need people who can do repairs. We know we have homes that need to be totally rebuilt.

Children help neighbor clean up storm debris

27 News also spoke to a homeowner who attended the gathering who said he had been having problems with insurance.

Were a strong community. Were going to overcome everything, said Jim Smith who lives in Westmoreland. But its just the sickening feeling you get that our insurance people cant do the right thing.

Smith, who has lived in Westmoreland since the 60s, said he never expected a tornado like this to hit the town. He said events like this one are great for the community.

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.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 1. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has supported projects for the construction of cancer centers in Turkmenistan, Trend reports.

According to an official source, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nurmuhammed Amannepesov reported this to Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during his working trip to Ashgabat city.

He noted that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will finance the construction of international-level cancer centers in the Balkan and Lebap regions, and the Saudi Development Fund will finance the corresponding center in the Mary region.

Meanwhile, on June 29, the Board of Executive Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) approved the financing of new development projects in member countries, including Turkmenistan.

In particular, with financing from the EBRD in the amount of $156.3 million, Turkmenistan will expand access to high-quality cancer services through the construction of three cancer centers and the training of medical service providers.

The project will increase daily inpatient services by 33 percent and improve cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.
Which college degrees are best? How AI is throwing a wrench in the debate.

Josephine Perl knows from experience that most college students pursuing humanities degrees inevitably get asked a version of the same question: What will you do to make a living?

Its an inquiry the 20-year-old philosophy major at Boston University said especially troubles students like her since the launch of ChatGPT. Some predict the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot will decrease the worth of the refined language skills of workers with humanities degrees, credentials that have been declining for the past decade.

As AI has begun to reshape the job market, the types of jobs that could be most impacted by its rise to prominence are slowly becoming more apparent. Though research into the topic is nascent, there are indications that the career prospects for workers in communications and computer coding could be relatively more endangered than other professions.

For now, conclusions about which fields will be hardest hit by bots remain speculative.

I suspect were going to be going through some sort of sea change, said Manav Raj, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania who has studied ChatGPTs effects on the workforce. "Its hard for me to tell you exactly what those skills are that will maintain value.

The uncertainty is looming large over college-goers while challenging popular assumptions about the value of some degrees. The federal government at the same time is gearing up to slap fresh regulations on colleges to ensure students get their moneys worth.

Josephine Perl, a 20-year-old philosophy major at Boston University, hopes to use her humanities degree to become a novelist.

The discourse will surely endure as students return to campuses this fall. But Perl, the philosophy major in Boston, hasnt been deterred by what she calls the hype around AI. Shes been writing novels since she was 11 and hopes to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. She feels compelled to go after her dreams of becoming a novelist and wants to write the kind of young adult fiction she read as a kid  a skill she thinks AI won't be capable of simulating.

Other philosophy students she knows are banking on going to law school. She considers that option at times, especially as a student who relies on scholarships to pay tuition.

Some people are more concerned with being able to make a living," she said.

Are computer science degrees still a safe bet?

The debate over which college degrees will translate into the highest-paying jobs has persisted for decades, particularly as enrollment in higher education became more widespread in the latter half of the last century.

In recent decades, the skyrocketing cost of college and a crisis over student loan debt have forced students and families to consider more carefully which programs will give them the best results. This fall, the number of undergraduates studying computer and information sciences surpassed the number of humanities majors after years of the techies trailing behind.

Six-figure median annual incomes arent uncommon for computer science majors who become software developers. New data published Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center also shows student retention in computer science programs was rising in the fall of 2022 when ChatGPT was introduced.

Yet in the past year, chatter on social media has brimmed with anxiety-filled pondering over whether advancements in AI could render programming degrees useless. Some of that fear is understandable, said Todd Thibodeaux, the president of the tech trade group CompTIA, which tracks industry trends.

He doesnt think radical shifts in the industry will happen quite as quickly as some fear. But the brisk evolution of marketable skills will force students to be pickier about which colleges they attend, he said.

Dont go to a school where theyre using books that were written five years ago, he said.

All the hand-wringing hasnt fazed Arpita Pandey, a 19-year-old computer science major at the University of California, San Diego. She chose the career path out of a lust for a stable job. Theres a familiarity to the profession, too. Her dad has been a software developer for more than two decades. Like her sister, who also studied computer science, Pandey plans to pursue a masters degree to make herself more competitive in the job market.

Having entry-level coding experience isnt really cutting it anymore, she said. Weve had to start picking up new skills that AI cant beat us at.

A lifeline for the liberal arts?

Even billionaire Mark Cuban, who made his fortune selling his technology companies in the early days of the internet, has waded into the discourse. The mogul has long argued that, in the coming decades, AI will bolster employers' desirability for students who study the humanities. In February, Cuban doubled down on that prediction.

I said this years ago and Ill say it again, in an AI world, being trained in those liberal arts can be very valuable, he wrote on X.

College programs in the humanities  which includes subjects such as English and philosophy  have been in crisis for years. Since 2012, the number of students in those majors has declined precipitously, from roughly 240,000 to less than 180,000 a decade later, according to federal data.

Theres obviously a lot of cause for concern, said Robert Townsend, the co-director of a project at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences that keeps tabs on the drop in humanities majors.

Data indicates that students at four-year colleges who graduate with humanities degrees earn more on average than workers with just a high school diploma. And despite the often-opaque cost, undergraduate degrees typically set young people on the path to higher earnings over their lifetimes. (Whether other types of college degrees are worth the expense is a trickier subject.)

But return on investment is a complicated notion. Whether students and their parents ultimately feel they've spent their college funds wisely depends on many variables, including which school they attended and how much financial aid they received.

Dennis Ahlburg, an economist and former Texas college president who wrote a book on the humanities crisis, tends to agree with the billionaire entrepreneur. More than anything, Ahlburg said, businesses value good workers who can think critically.

It's hard for families to anticipate which degrees will pay off, he acknowledged  especially when the sticker prices can vary so widely. The advice he gave his 18-year-old son, who is headed off to college soon, was to study something hes passionate about.

Life is often a hell of a long stretch to be doing something that you hate, he said.

Biden plans more college oversight

As the agonizing over AI continues, the Biden administration is preparing to implement regulations to hold colleges more accountable for providing degrees that set students up for success. The policies, which would force schools to provide more detailed information to students about whether certain programs are a wise investment, are commonly referred to as "gainful employment" and "financial value transparency" regulations.

A Supreme Court decision handed down last week weakening federal government agencies could jeopardize those rules, however, by making them more vulnerable to court challenges. The policies went into effect this month, though colleges will have until October to implement the reporting requirements.

Read more: Supreme Court curbs power of federal regulators, overturning 40-year precedent

By that time Katie Priest, a philosophy and communications major at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, will be in her senior year. A lot has changed for Priest since ChatGPT was first launched in November 2022. The app's arrival left her terrified about whether she had set herself on the right career path.

It was like the end of the world, she said. But doing some research on AI with one of her professors calmed her nerves, leading her to conclude it wont be able to fully replace her or others hoping to teach philosophy at the college level.

She hasn't fully escaped the technology's implications, though. Her mom relies on a crafting blog as an extra source of income, she said, and ever since Google introduced new AI features in May, web traffic to the site has plummeted. So has the money her mom was making from it.

Zachary Schermele covers education and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AI is altering debate about best college degrees
White House accuses Comer of doing the bidding of the gun lobby

The White House accused House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) of doing the bidding of the gun lobby, pushing back on claims from the Republican that the White House was colluding with gun violence prevention groups in legal matters.

In a letter first obtained by the Hill, the White House on Monday called on Comer and the House GOP to work with them on gun violence prevention.

The letter, from deputy counsel to the president Rachel Cotton, was in response to Comers letter to the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention on July 14. It said his committee is investigating collaboration between the Biden administration and anti-gun groups that are plaintiffs in pending litigation.

The White House, in response, listed Bidens work on preventing gun violence and cited data the violent crime has decreased under this administration. It also suggested Comer should open a real investigation into an actual danger to our communities: the proliferation of illegal devices that convert handguns into machineguns in a matter of seconds.

The President has been clear that the Administration cannot fight this crisis alone. Congress has an important role to play in reducing gun violence. The President has called on Congress to ban assault weapons, bump stocks, and high-capacity magazines; establish universal background checks; require the safe storage of firearms; and repeal gun manufacturers immunity from liability. Such actions would save lives and help keep American communities safe, Cotton wrote to Comer.

She added, The House Majority should work with the President on these real solutions, instead of doing the gun lobbys bidding by launching a baseless political attack on the Biden Administration under the guise of an investigation.

Comers investigation references a lawsuit filed by the city of Chicago and Everytown Law, a gun violence prevention group, alleging Glock Inc. sold guns that can be converted into automatic weapons, Newsweek reported at the time.

Comer claimed the White House met with Glock to ask that the company make it harder for parts that could make a gun an automatic weapon be installed. He asked the White House for communication and information on the matter, including interactions with Everytown Law.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Residents go through the damage after a tornado tore through town yesterday afternoon on May 22, 2024 in Greenfield, Iowa. Multiple deaths and injuries have been reported from a series of tornadoes and powerful storms that hit several Midwestern states | Scott Olson/Getty Images

WASHINGTON  The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve billions in emergency funding for domestic priorities it says are essential, including border security, emergency preparedness and child care.

The $4 billion in new emergency spending requested Friday calls on lawmakers to approve more funding than was included in the dozen annual government funding bills passed earlier this year.

White House budget director Shalanda Young wrote in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., that the supplemental request builds on a similar ask that the Biden administration sent to the Hill last October.

I write today to reiterate the October request and submit revised estimates of an additional $4 billion for certain disaster needs, including funding to help respond to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the devastating fires on Maui last summer, and tornado survivors in Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and throughout the Midwest, Young wrote.

Particularly as we enter what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is describing as an extraordinary hurricane season, the Administration urges prompt congressional action on this request, including for the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), to ensure that we can uphold the Federal Governments responsibility to both rebuild from past disasters and respond to future events, Young added.

Problems ahead

The request is unlikely to gain full approval by the Republican-controlled House and may face headwinds in the Democratic-controlled Senate as well.

Leaders in both chambers of Congress are already working on the 12 annual funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, and are increasingly focused on campaigning ahead of the November elections.

Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, released a statement saying she looked forward to working with the other leaders on the committee in the coming weeks to ensure we deliver this much-needed relief.

Families whove lost homes, workers whove lost their livelihoods, and communities who are working to rebuild are counting on Congress to step up and provide the help they need  and its critical we do just that, Murray wrote.

A senior administration official, speaking on background on a call with reporters, didnt set a specific timeline for Congress to approve the supplemental request, but said the Biden administration hopes they do so as swiftly as possible.

And we are going to work with the Hill and obviously many, I think, legislators on the Hill recognize that urgency to achieve that goal, the official said.

Bridge rebuild, road repair

The updated spending request includes an additional $3.1 billion for the Department of Transportation to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, after a cargo ship barreled into the bridge earlier this year, destroying the structure and killing six construction workers.

The transportation funding would also go toward repairing other Federal-aid highways and federally-owned roads across the Nation that have been seriously damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic failures from external causes, according to a summary of the request.

The U.S. Coast Guard would receive $79.5 million to address costs related to the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, including the response and recovery efforts as well as its salvage operation.

The Army Corps of Engineers would receive $33 million, should Congress approve the request. That funding would go toward replenishing accounts that were used to remove parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and to help re-open the shipping channel.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development would get an additional $700 million for disaster relief and other recovery needs that stemmed from major disaster declarations in 2023 as well as this year.

An additional $25 million would go to the Labor Department for the Dislocated Worker National Reserve to make awards for reconstruction and recovery needs caused by multiple large disasters, including typhoons, wildfires, and hurricanes, as well as cleanup and recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a summary of the request.

Increase from earlier request

The original $56 billion domestic supplemental request, released in October, included $23.5 billion for disaster response needs for several federal departments and agencies, including the Small Business Administration and FEMA.

The October proposal, which was re-requested on Friday alongside the new spending proposals, included $16 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services for child care subsidies.

It included $6 billion for the Federal Communication Commission to extend free and discounted high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

An additional $1.55 billion would address fentanyl abuse through HHS opioid response grants, while slightly more than $1 billion would go toward the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food for Peace program.

Another $220 million was requested for the USDA and Department of Interior to avoid cuts to wildland firefighter salaries.

The October request for emergency assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, which Congress did later act on, also included $13.6 billion for border security efforts.

The post White House seeks emergency funds for Midwest disaster relief, Key Bridge in Maryland appeared first on Michigan Advance.
GREENFIELD, IOWA - MAY 22: Residents go through the damage after a tornado tore through town yesterday afternoon on May 22, 2024 in Greenfield, Iowa. Multiple deaths and injuries have been reported from a series of tornadoes and powerful storms that hit several Midwestern states (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve billions in emergency funding for domestic priorities it says are essential, including border security, emergency preparedness and child care.

The $4 billion in new emergency spending requested Friday calls on lawmakers to approve more funding than was included in the dozen annual government funding bills passed earlier this year.

White House budget director Shalanda Young wrote in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., that the supplemental request builds on a similar ask that the Biden administration sent to the Hill last October.

I write today to reiterate the October request and submit revised estimates of an additional $4 billion for certain disaster needs, including funding to help respond to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the devastating fires on Maui last summer, and tornado survivors in Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and throughout the Midwest, Young wrote.

Particularly as we enter what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is describing as an extraordinary hurricane season, the Administration urges prompt congressional action on this request, including for the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), to ensure that we can uphold the Federal Governments responsibility to both rebuild from past disasters and respond to future events, Young added.

Problems ahead

The request is unlikely to gain full approval by the Republican-controlled House and may face headwinds in the Democratic-controlled Senate as well.

Leaders in both chambers of Congress are already working on the 12 annual funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, and are increasingly focused on campaigning ahead of the November elections.

Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, released a statement saying she looked forward to working with the other leaders on the committee in the coming weeks to ensure we deliver this much-needed relief.

Families whove lost homes, workers whove lost their livelihoods, and communities who are working to rebuild are counting on Congress to step up and provide the help they need  and its critical we do just that, Murray wrote.

A senior administration official, speaking on background on a call with reporters, didnt set a specific timeline for Congress to approve the supplemental request, but said the Biden administration hopes they do so as swiftly as possible.

And we are going to work with the Hill and obviously many, I think, legislators on the Hill recognize that urgency to achieve that goal, the official said.

Bridge rebuild, road repair

The updated spending request includes an additional $3.1 billion for the Department of Transportation to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, after a cargo ship barreled into the bridge earlier this year, destroying the structure and killing six construction workers.

The transportation funding would also go toward repairing other Federal-aid highways and federally-owned roads across the Nation that have been seriously damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic failures from external causes, according to a summary of the request.

The U.S. Coast Guard would receive $79.5 million to address costs related to the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, including the response and recovery efforts as well as its salvage operation.

The Army Corps of Engineers would receive $33 million, should Congress approve the request. That funding would go toward replenishing accounts that were used to remove parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and to help re-open the shipping channel.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development would get an additional $700 million for disaster relief and other recovery needs that stemmed from major disaster declarations in 2023 as well as this year.

An additional $25 million would go to the Labor Department for the Dislocated Worker National Reserve to make awards for reconstruction and recovery needs caused by multiple large disasters, including typhoons, wildfires, and hurricanes, as well as cleanup and recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a summary of the request.

Increase from earlier request

The original $56 billion domestic supplemental request, released in October, included $23.5 billion for disaster response needs for several federal departments and agencies, including the Small Business Administration and FEMA.

The October proposal, which was re-requested on Friday alongside the new spending proposals, included $16 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services for child care subsidies.

It included $6 billion for the Federal Communication Commission to extend free and discounted high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

An additional $1.55 billion would address fentanyl abuse through HHS opioid response grants, while slightly more than $1 billion would go toward the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food for Peace program.

Another $220 million was requested for the USDA and Department of Interior to avoid cuts to wildland firefighter salaries.

The October request for emergency assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, which Congress did later act on, also included $13.6 billion for border security efforts.

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The post White House seeks emergency funds for Midwest disaster relief, Key Bridge in Maryland appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH)  The Wendys at the intersection of E. Main Street and N. Hamilton closed on Sunday.

Signs posted at the property state the location is closed permanently, effective June 30, 2024. The restaurant also appears to be boarded up, according to photos posted to Whitehall Facebook groups. Later photos show Wendys affiliated signs appear to have been removed.

A media relations representative for Wendys said the location closed because their lease for the building ended. They said employees were transferred to nearby locations for the time being, adding, We look forward to reopening at another location in the community soon.

Breach of contract: Why the Ohio Cannabis Festival has been canceled

Black Gate Partners commercial real estate company lists the 4595 E. Main St. property as available for new renters as soon as Sept. 1 of this year.

The building was built in 1983, according to Black Gate, and offers 2,542 square feet within the building alone. The property also includes a drive through and parking, with the total property measuring 0.58 acres, according to the lease brochure.

The most recent lease available for the property was a 2018 agreement between Wendys and Jam Restaurants, LLC. Jam Restaurants ceased operations in 2020, according to records from Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State.

Columbus Zoo holding first ever lantern festival

This location is just 2 miles from another Wendys on E. Main St. that made headlines this year after a man was accused of climbing through the drive-through window and assaulting an employee on May 30.

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The Franklin County Auditors 2023 appraisal of the property values it at $651,400. Black Gates lease brochure offers negotiable rent rates for the property.

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When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer telephoned a senior official with President Bidens campaign on Friday night, she wanted to convey a clear message: She hated the way her name was being floated as a replacement for Biden and she wasnt behind the chatter.

Whitmers conversation with the official, campaign chair Jennifer OMalley Dillon, was cordial but awkward by its very nature. In the aftermath of the presidents disastrous debate performance last Thursday, no would-be replacement has been the recipient of more wish-casting among despairing Democrats than the second-term Michigan governor.

Whitmer, recognizing as much, disavowed the Draft Gretch chatter. She used the call to reiterate her commitment and willingness to help the president but also voiced her concern about how much more difficult the campaign would be now for Biden, Im told by a person familiar with the call.

Even more revealing is how word of the call reached me: from someone close to a potential 2028 Whitmer rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. This person said Whitmer had phoned OMalley Dillon with more of an unambiguous SOS: to relay that Michigan, in the wake of the debate, was no longer winnable for Biden.

In a statement Monday after this column went online, Whitmer said: I am proud to support Joe Biden as our nominee and I am behind him 100 percent in the fight to defeat Donald Trump. Not only do I believe Joe can win Michigan, I know he can because hes got the receipts."

Yet that such political bladework is already taking place from a potential future opponent illustrates how badly her rivals want to wound Whitmer, by portraying her as being disloyal to Biden in his hour of need. Yet it also captures what an extraordinary, and extraordinarily precarious, moment this is for the well-stocked bench of Democratic governors who are eager to succeed Biden.

No Democrats, at least this side of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, have more at stake in the presidents fate than the governors.

If Biden does take the (highly unlikely) step of dropping out of the race, a group of them would assuredly join the lightning-quick contest to replace them.



Yet if any of them dares speak up now about their concerns over his debilitated candidacy, when nearly every elected Democrat is publicly rallying to Biden, it would be construed by the president and his defenders as an act of self-interested treachery. And it would surely be hung around their neck if they ran in 2028.

Oh, and if Trump wins he may well use his administration to exact revenge on Democratic governors, whether personally, via his Department of Justice, or by withholding aid to their states.

Its a crisis that has left the Democratic governors deeply frustrated this weekend. Their ranks are full of talent, ambition and, now, gnawing panic about Biden. Only a handful of them would likely turn down the opportunity to replace him on the ticket. But none of them, of course, want to be the one brandishing the political murder weapon.

The temperature is high, one Democratic governor told me Sunday about sentiment among the partys state executives. A lot of anxiety, a lot of folks at the edge of their seat.

This governor said the party was likely best off sticking with Biden, but reserved the right to revise and extend that assessment based on the presidents polling and fundraising by mid-July.

Other governors and their aides also said they were in the same holding pattern, feeling no choice but to publicly defend Biden but privately furious at the president and his inner circle.

Yet there was a broad recognition that they were constrained by their ambition; that if one of them urged the president, even in private, to step aside theyd be outed and portrayed as trying to take their shot, as one adviser to a Democratic governor put it.

Asked about the governors, a Biden adviser all but affirmed as much, telling me theyd all love an easy sprint, but they couldnt get past Harris if they even had that shot.

And none of them are ready for this, the Biden adviser added, especially her.

That her would be Big Gretch.

Since the debate, the Democratic donor class has swooned for Whitmer.

Here's one example, a blast email that was written to contributors by Chet Atkins, a former Democratic member of Congress from Massachusetts whos now a lobbyist in Boston.

How can you not love a Governor who is affectionately called Big Gretch by Detroit rappers, a Governor who faced down a kidnap attempt, and passed gun safety legislation in response, Atkins wrote in the email, adding that the election is going to hinge on Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and no one knows and understands these voters the way she does.

Atkins pitch, at least for the moment: Flood Whitmer with contributions.

Over the next several weeks, party leaders and the press will be looking to see who has the momentum and the ability to beat Trump, he wrote. A massive outpouring of small and large dollar donations to Gretchen Whitmers political committee will send a strong and clear message. It will also allow her to be ready on day one when the nomination opens up.

Whitmer, Im told by the person who shared the email, did not know about it let alone okay it.

What Whitmer is quite cognizant of and is carefully planning is the debut of her new memoir: True Gretch.



Whitmers early-July book release was exquisitely timed  at least if she wants to sell copies and stir more chatter among the partys swells about the great summer switcheroo of 2024.

The governor is scheduled to travel this month to a list of book-buying venues that double as regional capitals for Democratic donors: San Francisco, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. In Nantucket, shell also have a fundraiser at the summer home of Ben Barnes, the legendary lobbyist and former Texas lieutenant governor, Im told.

Particularly if Bidens polling sags later in July the Go Gretch Go pleas will be deafening. Well, at least they will be within earshot of the canapes.

Should the highly unlikely event happen, Whitmer would be wise to jump in and make her case to the Democratic delegates. Yes, she may never defeat the vice president. And, yes, some of the pro-Whitmer chatter among Democratic insiders owes to the notion that a woman could more plausibly overcome the first Black female vice president than a white man.

But the history of presidential politics favors the bold. You know the examples: Bill Clinton in 1992, when so many Democrats didnt want to challenge a seemingly unbeatable incumbent Republican; Barack Obama in 2008, even though he had less than four years in the Senate and was running against the first family of Democratic politics.

An abbreviated 2024 race may be Whitmers best and only chance at her partys nomination. I know, she is 52. She could run for years to come. Yet when else will she have this much energy behind her candidacy and the possibility of such diminished competition for the nomination?

That certainly wont be the case in 2028. By then, another cadre of Democratic governors and senators who have been elected since Whitmer won the governorship in 2018 will be raring to run.

She may not get her shot this year. However, there may not be a better one later. Because the history of presidential politics is also littered with those who didnt act boldly when they should have and missed what turned out to be their only opening.
Crews search for invasive Asian carp near Chicago , Aug. 2, 2011, following several recent discoveries of their genetic material in Lake Calumet. Teams swept the lake with half-mile-long nets. Six boats from government agencies and four commercial fishing vessels took part the search. No Asian carp were found. | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Jessica Vandrick

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday announced that the state would cosponsor an effort with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the state of Illinois to prevent invasive carp and aquatic nuisance species from entering the Great Lakes.

The agreement to cosponsor the Brandon Road Interbasin Project will unlock $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first of three phases of the $1.15 billion project, according to a statement from Whitmers office.

Todays agreement will help us get shovels in the ground as soon as possible on the critical Brandon Road project, Whitmer said.

The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigans economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. I am grateful to Governor [J.B.] Pritzker in Illinois, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come, she said.

Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Ill., serves as a critical pinch point to stop invasive carp from moving into the Great Lakes, with the Brandon Road Interbasin Project implementing a series of complex deterrents for invasive carp and aquatic nuisance species.

Invasive carp  particularly bighead, silver and black carp  have the potential to outcompete native fish species in the Great Lakes, resulting in fewer fish like lake whitefish, perch, and walleye. Rivers and lakes would also be vulnerable if invasive carp were to populate the Great Lakes basin.

Silver carp are also known to leap into the air, which has injured boaters in the Illinois River and other areas where the fish are present. Silver carp infesting waters has led to decreased opportunities for fishing and in many cases boaters have ceased to enjoy the waters in these areas.

Todays announcement represents a major milestone in the protection of Michigans natural resources, in this case one of our most prized natural resources, the Great Lakes, Scott Bowen, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said in a statement. I want to thank and congratulate everyone involved in this effort, at the state and national level, for the years of effort that went into making this day a reality. Our children and grandchildren will thank them, too.

Michigan has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Great Lakes states since 2011, with Michigan and Illinois appropriating enough funding to meet the nonfederal funding requirement to begin construction in 2023.

U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) cheered the agreement, with each noting their efforts to secure resources for the project.

The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is essential to stopping invasive carp from wreaking havoc on our Great Lakes, and today we are hitting a major milestone  the start of the construction phase. Ive worked tirelessly over the years to get this critical project to this point, alongside my partners in the U.S. Senate, Michigan, Illinois, and the Army Corps of Engineers. This is a big win that will protect our Great Lakes for generations to come, Stabenow said in a statement.

The post Whitmer partners with Army Corps. and Illinois to block invasive species from the Great Lakes appeared first on Michigan Advance.
We work as university professors at three institutions in the South. We develop instruments to measure educators knowledge, beliefs, and mindsets about meeting complex and intricate needs of an increasingly diverse student population.

Specifically, our project aims to develop tools to study educators knowledge and values toward practices consistent with what a robust body of research literature tells us about ways to ensure all students have a fighting chance of academic and related success, both inside and outside of education.

Indeed, student demographics in U.S. schools are becoming increasingly diverse, and rather than expecting educators to disregard practices that ensure students humanity and dignity in education, research is clear that educators need to intensify their commitment to educational equity, not decrease it.

Ground education practices in research

So, the overwhelming calls to terminate mechanisms promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion are disconnected from what we know about the science of student achievement and success in education.

Jelly Roll walks into the music classroom to speaks to students at Antioch High School in Antioch, Tenn., Wednesday, May 8, 2024. It was the first time Jelly Roll had returned to his high school.

We know, for instance, that opportunity structures are essential to whether students succeed. Our point is not that parents, families, policymakers, and students do not have a right to question what happens in schools. To the contrary, we believe questions about education and what happens with young people in schools are well warranted (and we should all welcome them for our democracy and nation-state).

However, our values, beliefs, recommendations, and practices should be guided by and grounded in research.

Teachers, consider these three research-based ideas to help your students

As we move into this increasing era of anti-justice discourses and agendas in education, we want to encourage school leaders to develop tools to study their school community and carefully analyze data already available to them. Decisions we make on behalf of our children should be supported and substantiated through research.

For instance, as school leaders hire new teachers, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and librarians, they should consult and rely on what research tells us. Additionally, as school leaders develop and facilitate powerful learning opportunities for teachers through professional development, they should rely on research.

Educators should develop tools to address justice issues

School leaders should also develop school-specific tools to help them capture the realities of their local school and community.

Summer months can be an excellent time for leaders to gather with their colleagues and especially students and families they serve to determine ways to study their school to improve it. Developing these tools should be framed to address the areas that are most criticized regarding issues of justice, such as race, gender identity, and immigration status.

Some examples are asking about the experiences of new immigrant students in a local school, discussing the many assets and strengths these students bring into the learning environment, and determining additional supports needed to propel them forward.

As researchers from a diverse range of locations, expertise, experiences, knowledge, and skills, we are conducting a study, funded by The Wallace Foundation, intended to help leaders learn from data-rich tools to make informed decisions for student success. As a nation, we are at a critical juncture where research is essential to envisioning and enacting practices that create a better and brighter future for the sake of all our children, especially those traditionally underserved.

H. Richard Milner IV is Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Education at Vanderbilt University. Previously, Professor Milner was a high school English teacher, a substitute teacher, and a community college instructor. His research, teaching and policy interests concern urban education, African American literature, and the social context of education.

Dr. Lisa R. Bass is associate professor of education leadership and policy studies at North Carolina State University. Her work focuses on education reform through the ethics of caring and equitable education for all students.

Dr. Dana Thompson Dorsey is associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of South Florida. She is a former practicing civil rights attorney. Her research and teaching focus on education law, policy, politics, and critical race studies.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: DEI pushback means educators must build data-centered school practices
Editor's note: This is the latest in a series on Florida's first Great Wolf Lodge, one of the most significant endeavors in local history that's drawing plenty of questions from you. One of Collier County's biggest private workplaces, the 530,000-square-foot retreat and water park is slated as Southwest Florida's third largest employer in tourism, drawing by itself the same number of visitors in a year that all of Collier in its entirety attracts in nearly three months time. The $250 million complex and largest hotel in Naples is scheduled to debut by September off Collier Boulevard and I-75.

A common inquiry has been, Does it make sense to have a mountain lodge in what some days so far this summer feels like the hottest place on Earth?

"It doesnt fit," said Naples resident Karen Farrah Fowler. "The concept of a weird northern wolf-themed indoor water park coming to the sunny Southwest Florida Everglades area."

"They should at least alter the theme to match the territory," said reader Brandon Barrionuevo.

Well, the operators aren't going to call it "Great Gator Lodge," which has been among the reader suggestions shared with me or on our Facebook and Instagram pages. But with its most southern location ever for the 20-site chain in the U.S. and Canada, there is some adapting going on for Florida, including opening the largest outdoor bar Great Wolf has constructed. Here's what to know.

Why not call it Great Gator Lodge in Florida instead of Great Wolf?

Florida has plenty of Sunshine State-themed venues, said Jason Lasecki, vice-president for the Chicago-based group who previously worked for Disney World. Great Wolf is the perfect alternative.

"With our core audience (and) that local audience, giving them an escape into the north woods probably makes more sense," Lasecki said. "You bring the more familiarity in."

In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples.

How might Great Wolf Lodge have more of a Florida theme in Naples?

"Where we get a lot more, I guess I would say the destination kind of connection  it plays a lot more in the food and beverage side," Lasecki said. We "will work with (the) culinary team to have a couple of things that are more akin to the local community, things (like) Gulf coast shrimp or something like that. (In) Maryland, we have crab cakes on the menu."

In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples.

How will Great Wolf Lodge be more adult in Southwest Florida?

"So we have our outdoor pool, as well as a hot tub out here, and we have a full-service bar, our Outpost Bar, which is really something that we brought to the South Florida lodge," said Alana M. Ostrowski, Great Wolf's director of operations development & integration. "This Outpost Bar  the standalone full service bar  is something for South Florida. We do have other resorts with outdoor bars, but this Outpost Bar is just for here."

In the Know: When Great Wolf Lodge debuts by autumn 2024 in Naples, Florida, it will open its largest outdoor pool bar ever that is currently under construction. Uploaded June 27, 2024.

How big will outdoor serving area be? What's unique about the pool?

"There are 20 seats at the actual bar  and there will be an additional 68 seats at tables with shade umbrellas surrounding the bar," Lasecki said. "You're in Southwest Florida. The weather's going to be great. The outdoor pool here  we actually moved one of the attractions we usually keep inside the water park to the outdoor pool, like the Lilly Pad Crossing. Because we know the pool here is going to be utilized probably a lot more."

There's other types of seating, too, Ostrowski said: "We wanted to make sure you had a proper outdoor relaxation area. Throughout the indoor park and the outdoor park, we offer cabanas. So inside, we have 11 cabanas, and then outside we have 15. So really if you're looking for something a bit more private or just some place to spread out, we offer those cabanas for you. (The) outdoor pool features chairs and the sleepers so you can relax. It really is an escape. So you can just come out here and relax after running up and down all those stairs all day."

The 47,000-gallon outdoor pool at Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale.

What can Floridians drink at Great Wolf Lodge's largest outdoor bar?

The Outpost will offer craft and specialty cocktails, serving 'em up beginning at 10 a.m. or so. Although nothing is finalized locally, it has offered Mules, Margaritas and Mojitos and suds from local breweries at other locales.

For example, at its Niagara Falls destination, Great Wolf Lodge has offered Ontario pints from Toronto and nearby burgs while pouring some of the usual suspects, Budweiser and Shock Top. Working with Wild Leap Brew Co., it rolled out World Peach Cobbler Ale in Georgia. At its Anaheim spot, California customers have pounded Red Trolley Ales, Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Aloha Sculpins and Citrus Blondes.

In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples.

Where will a bar be the centerpiece at Great Wolf Lodge South Florida?

Adjacent to the lobby, Fireside, which has a bar as a centerpiece, operates usually between noon and 10 p.m. "All-American favorites in there, as well as a full-service bar," Ostrowski said. "So just because you're coming to a children's resort, there's something (for) everybody, and it really is a wonderful experience."

Lasecki agrees: "The fine dining at Fireside and the setup at the lobby is very inviting. Definitely I could see locals coming in to just pop in for an afternoon or so."

In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples.

New to Naples, Great Wolf Lodge South Florida offers Hungry As a Wolf

Alcoholic beverages can be found at Hungry Wolf Food Hall, aka Hungry As a Wolf  no connection to Duran Duran and its similarly named song  from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days. It's a new concept brought to Collier County that also has delivery options via an app within the complex and water attraction including the 60,000-square foot Adventure Park, Ostrowski said.

"That is a food hall so something for everybody again," Ostrowski said. "You want a burger. You want a piece of pizza. You might want a hot dog. Great. You can get all of that from our Hungry Wolf food hall. And the nice thing about that, it both has service out to our adventure park and also inside the water park. So if you're inside our water park, and you're running around and you're getting hungry, no problem. You don't have to leave the water park. You can order right there and enjoy some food right inside the water park."

Order a pizza and wings at Hungry As a Wolf in Scottsdale's Great Wolf Lodge.

Where else will adult beverages flow at Florida's first Great Wolf Lodge?

Inside the 92,000-square foot Great Geyser water park, there's the Tidal Wave Bar that at the moment is slated to run about 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. "We have a full service bar," Ostrowski said. "which is part of the water park as well. So once you're in here, and you're having fun, you don't need need to leave the water park. We've got everything here."

And you don't need to worry about carrying around soggy dollar bills or a credit card to grab that adult beverage, according to Great Wolf Lodge Public Relations Manager Alison Hoesli: "You have a wrist band as opposed to a key card. All charging privileges are linked to that wrist band. Well, the kids don't have charging privileges. I should specify, yes, just the parents."

In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples.

What if you want an early start on consuming your favorite beverages?

Freshwoods Market offers beer and wine and is expected to operate from around 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. It serves as Great Wolf's "grab and go" spot with selections that include: cereal and pastries, yogurts, chips, jerky, candies and chocolate bars, mints, gums, freshly prepared fruit cups, salads, sandwiches, coffee, soft drinks, waters and energy drinks.

In the Know: Florida, New England. What's ahead for Great Wolf Lodge? How about Europe? Yes, it's true

What's another sitdown food venue in SW Florida's Great Wolf Lodge?

"We have our Timbers Table & Kitchen," Ostrowski said. "Timbers Table & Kitchen is our buffet restaurant, and that serves both breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, we have everything from farm fresh eggs to our Wolfprint Waffles. There's really something for everybody to start the day at Timbers Table & Kitchen. And for dinner, again, it's our buffet restaurant so if you're looking for (a) little something for everybody, Timbers Table is where you can come."

The Great Wolf Lodge opened for business in Scottsdale, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019. It is the 18th Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort in North America and its first location in the Southwest. It is also the first indoor water park resort in Arizona. This is the Dunkin' Donuts inside the resort.

What if you want sweets at Collier County's Great Wolf Lodge in Florida?

"We have Dunkin' where you can grab a doughnut throughout the day, a cup of coffee, a light sandwich," Ostrowski said. "And we also have my personal favorite spot in the entire resort, our ice cream shop. It is Wood's Edge Creamery. It serves ice cream. It serves all sorts of sweet, frozen treats."

Also, new to the Great Wolf chain, the Collier site's Fireside is collaborating with Derek Kaplan and his Miami-based Fireman Dereks Bake Shop to develop a special dessert menu featuring individual slices of cakes and pies. From the Sept. 25 opening day until the end of the year, a $5 donation will be made for each $11.99 baked good sold to scholarship funds for aspiring Collier and Miami-Dade fire and emergency technicians as part of the Florida Fire Chiefs Foundation. The menu includes: Chocolate birthday cake, guava cheesecake and its signature key lime pie.

Readers ask: Why build Great Wolf Lodge in 'elderly, upscale Naples?' With locale, it has grandpa fans

How much will food cost at SWFL's Great Wolf Lodge South Florida?

It's not the cheapest you'll see, but with how much folks already pay for Naples dining, it won't be a shock either. Local menus haven't been released. However, a look what's served in Fireside at its Poconos site provides a clue. An all-you-can-eat breakfast rings up to $25 for adults and $13 for kids, generally ages 12 and under. If mom or dad want a "Campfire Bloody Mary" with Tito's vodka, that's another $16. At lunch or supper, a bacon cheeseburger goes for $20. A grilled dinner salmon with peas, carrots and potatoes hooks $32 out of your wallet.

Food passes might help. For $170 purchased prior to arrival, a "Platinum Dining Deal" in Naples gives you $200 worth of grub per room.

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. He writes In the Know, one of USA TODAY Network's most read local news columns in the state. Support democracy. Subscribe to a newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Great Wolf Lodge Florida: How will Naples theme park adapt to Everglades
DEDHAM, Mass.  Ahead of jury deliberations resuming Monday at Norfolk County Superior Court, many supporters will once again wait on the edge of their seats for a verdict in the Karen Read murder case thats captivated the region.

The jury was forced to continue deliberations by Judge Beverly Cannone Friday after they initially couldnt come to a unanimous verdict.

Hundreds outside court waiting for the decision were left without answers Friday.

Jury to keep deliberating Karen Reads murder charge on Monday after saying they havent agreed

Boston 25 legal analyst Peter Elikann told us the weekend is a much-needed break for the jury.

This could really go either way, said Elikann regarding a verdict. We dont know if 11 people are voting one way and theres one person jamming the whole thing up or whether theres a huge disagreement and its 50/50.

While many are wondering whats taking the jury so long, Elikann says the deliberation period is normal for a trial of this length and magnitude.

He explained, A lot of people probably thought you go into a jury room, you chat around the table for 45 minutes or so, and you all kind of take a vote and its over. But, thats not how it is.

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone, right, speaks to the defense and prosecution during the Karen Read trial at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat GreenhouseThe Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read talks with her legal team at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court for the weekend at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read stands as jurors depart the court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read, left, arrives with her defense team, including Elizabeth Little at right, at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. A jury is deliberating Read's fate, as her trial is nearing its end. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read watches as jurors are seated in court to continue with deliberations at the trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read gets a long hug from her dad William before the jury breaks for lunch at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, while walking near defense attorney David Yannetti, right, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, left, stands in a doorway near defense attorney David Yannetti, center, as they depart Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read listens as Judge Beverly J. Cannone greets the jury, at the start of the third day of deliberations in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her attorney, Alan Jackson as the jury leaves the courtroom to start their third day of deliberations, in her murder trial, in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read watches as the jury enters the courtroom for the start of the second day of deliberation at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Karen Read speaks with her lawyer as the jury deliberates in her murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Alan Jackson, From left, Liza Little, defendant Karen Read and David Yanetti wait for a question from the jury as the jury deliberates in Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly Cannone looks over the verdict slip the jurors have to fill out when they reach a verdict in Karen Read's murder trail, Wednesday June 26, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. The defense has asked for some modifications. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip

Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. Jury deliberations began in the trial Tuesday afternoon. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Carol Kelly, of Canton, Mass., below right, waves a pink and white American flag in support of Karen Read while Gail White, of Canton, left, holds a sign, a block from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Lisa Hoffman, of Mansfield, Mass., right, displays a sign in support of Karen Read that features a likeness of a Massachusetts license plate, while seated a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read display signs and a banner a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Supporters of Karen Read listen to proceedings from Read's trial from a laptop computer while gathered a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Laura McGillis, of Attleboro, Mass., a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Eva Jenkins, of Bourne, Mass., left, a supporter of Karen Read, waves to passing cars as other supporters place a banner, right, a block away from Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center right, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, center left, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Karen Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.

Karen Read listens to family members, after the jury is dismissed at the end of the evidence phase of her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

After the defense's last witness, Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks to the jury during the murder trial for Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

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)

Karen Read, center, stands amid her lawyers during a break in proceedings during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, and her defense lawyers Alan Jackson, left, and David Yannetti, right, listen as the prosecution questions their witness Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens as the prosecutor questions Dr. Marie Russell, during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, reacts to testimony from Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, a medical examiner for the state's medical examiner's office during Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, listens to testimony during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Karen Read, center, sits in court with her legal team during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (David McGlynn/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read listens to her lawyer Alan Jackson question witness Massachusetts State trooper Michael Proctor during her, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read reacts to he attorney Alan Jackson as he cross examines state trooper Michael Proctor during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read and attorney David Yannetti listen during her trial, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court in Dedham, Mass. Read is facing charges, including second degree murder, in the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Officer John OKeefe. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read sits at the defense table during her trial, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Elikann told Boston 25 that these deliberations can often last weeks and are not an indication of the verdict.

In the roughly 9 week trial, the jury heard dozens of witnesses and hundreds of exhibits.

Elikann finished, Theres just so much to go over if you want to do a serious, diligent job.

Deliberations in Dedham will resume Monday at 9 am.

Clear your heads: Judge sends Karen Read jurors back to reach verdict in murder trial

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Bulgaria welcomes the holding of COP29 this November in Baku and considers it an important international success for Azerbaijan, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ruslan Stoyanov said, Trend reports.

He made the statement during the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan on July 1 in Baku.

"Azerbaijan is known for its energy resources, but COP29 will also allow it to show itself as an important negotiator on the implementation of the international climate agenda. Bulgaria is actively cooperating with Azerbaijan on issues that will be addressed during COP29," the Ambassador noted.

Meanwhile, cooperation on environmental issues is also reflected in the Protocol signed today on the results of the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan.

According to the information, within the context of environmental protection, the stated goal of Bulgaria and Azerbaijan was to enhance regional and bilateral relations.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Why is Masoud Pezeshkian (most likely to be) Iran's next president?

Why is Masoud Pezeshkian (most likely to be) Iran's next president?

Whether Ebrahim Raisi's death was an accident or the result of a premeditated conspiracy by internal forces of the Islamic Republic regime, the reality is that the deadlock of the 13th government in resolving endless economic problems and addressing the nuclear issue with the West, especially with the increasing likelihood of Trump's return to the White House, has left Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, in need of a new and different "soldier".

Right now, Iranian society is like a cinder under ashes  a single spark can ignite it again. The previous flames have not yet been fully extinguished, and the government's imminent need to increase fuel prices could reignite the unrest.

Given the current state of international relations, it is unclear whether the Islamic Republic has the capability to manage such a situation again.

On one hand, for the first time in decades, Iran has entered into direct military confrontation with Netanyahu's Israel.

On the other, European powers have increasingly opposed Tehran by putting more pressure on Iran to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites and calling the Islamic Republic to find ways to cooperate with the IAEA more adequately.

The less stringent Biden administration is unlikely to stay in power much longer, and Vladimir Putin's Russia may have to yield to peace with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which could signal the end of its apparent support for the Islamic Republic, based completely on Russian national interests.

While ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili's presidency might appeal to the Russians and ensure Tehran's distance from the West, the reality is that a figure like Masoud Pezeshkian, due to his fundamental differences with his rival in the second round, can act as a safety valve for the regime in times of danger.

Pezeshkian, often labelled as a reformist, can prevent anger from turning into hatred by guaranteeing some social freedoms to the youth, such as relaxing the mandatory hijab and offering some relative freedoms in society.

Absence of 37 million voters an issue

Some critics believe that his approval by the Guardian Council  a powerful, 12-member decision-making body  was not a coincidence and that his presidency might be an effort by the regime's core to prevent a collapse. That is why proponents of "regime change" see him as a way out and advocate for a total boycott.

Pezeshkian, who served as a minister in Mohammad Khatami's reformist government, managed to secure nearly 10.5 million votes on a day when voter turnout was said to be less than 40%, surpassing Jalili to reach the second round.

If Ayatollah Khamenei sees the continuation of his political life and that of his family in entrusting the government to Pezeshkian, then this time, unlike previous terms, he must not only give him access to the lock but also its key.

Posters of reformist candidate for the Iranian presidential election Masoud Pezeshkian are pasted on the wall at his campaign headquarters, in Tehran, June 2024 - AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

Reformists and moderates from Hassan Rouhani's government are working together to persuade a portion of the 60% who boycotted the elections to ensure Pezeshkian's presence in the presidential office.

Their ability to convince the boycotters for the second round against the most hardliner candidate remains uncertain.

The absence of about 37 million eligible voters on a day when the leader of the Islamic Republic described "each vote as a vote for the Islamic Republic" has sent a very clear message.

Most absentees and those who boycotted the elections do not believe in realising their legitimate demands within the current regime. They understand that the president lacks the legal power and capability to implement the fundamental principles enshrined in the constitution.

Will Pezeshkian's hands become untied?

If Ayatollah Khamenei sees the continuation of his political life and that of his family in entrusting the government to Pezeshkian, then this time, unlike previous terms, he must not only give him access to the lock but also its key. Pezeshkian must be free to fulfil his promises without interference, especially from the IRGC and other radical hardliners inside and outside the parliament.

Deescalation, especially with the US and European powers, avoiding overreliance on Russia and China, presenting a more moderate image of Iran, and reopening the economy by facilitating foreign investment can bring economic benefits to the Iranian people and ensure the regime's continuity.

Entrusting the government to Jalili will not meet this need, considering his main characteristic of "Western animosity" and his explicit opposition to joining international treaties like the anti-money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing FATF.

A supporter of reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian sticks his poster to a door in a campaign meeting in Tehran, June 2024 - AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

During his election campaign, Pezeshkian clarified that it is Khamenei who sets the general policies, including foreign policy, and that if he wins the election, he will act accordingly and align with the leaders decisions.

However, there is a huge difference between both candidates in the way they execute the leader's orders. "Normalisation and lifting the sanctions" will not bring the same results as "neutralising the sanctions", for one.

It remains to be seen what happens to the domestic and international architects of sanctions and the beneficiaries of corruption and whether Pezeshkian will be allowed such a change in practice.

In his speeches, the Iranian leader has practically called for excluding individuals in the future cabinet who are "reliant on America". This could make the confidence vote for Pezeshkian's cabinet highly contentious, with the probable presence of figures like firebrand former foreign minister Javad Zarif.

For this, we must wait until Friday. Politics in Iran is so complex that a last-minute turnaround is not shocking. In fact, every impossibility in Iranian politics should be considered possible.

Babak Kamiar is the Head of the Persian Service at Euronews.

At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.
A fractured Supreme Court voted 5-4 Thursday to dismiss as improvidently granted Moyle v. United States, a case involving abortion in cases of medical emergencies. Since this suit began in the District Court, Idaho law has significantly changedtwice, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in a concurrence, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in favor of dismissing the case. And since the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, the parties litigating positions have rendered the scope of the dispute unclear, at best.

The Supreme Courts decision to punt the case shouldnt have been surprising. During oral argument in April, Barrett and Kavanaugh struggled to see if theres a real conflict between what federal law requiresthat is, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) command that hospitals accepting Medicare funds must provide emergency careand Idahos law allowing abortion only to save the life of the mother. Two months later, they remain unsure whether such a conflict really exists.

Barrett noted in her concurrence that when the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in January, the state of Idaho argued the federal governments EMTALA guidance would render Idahos Act virtually unenforceable. As Idaho understood it, the Governments theory would allow physicians to perform abortions whenever necessary to avoid serious jeopardy to the mothers mental health.

But in its briefs and at oral arguments, the federal government argued that EMTALA would never require offering abortion for mental health reasons. For its part, Idaho attested that every single emergent physical-health condition identified by the federal government was treatable under the states abortion laws exception to save the life of the mother.

Barrett also noted that the federal government clarified that federal conscience protections would protect both hospitals and individuals physicians from having to perform abortions and also clarified that EMTALA requires delivery, not abortion after viability, when a baby can survive outside the womb. In sum, she wrote, the Supreme Courts decision to hear the case before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a final judgment was a miscalculation because the parties positions are still evolving. While sending the case back down to the lower courts, Barrett, Kavanaugh, and Roberts also voted with the three liberal Supreme Court justices to lift the stay of a district court ruling because even with the preliminary injunction in place, Idahos ability to enforce its law remains almost entirely intact.

The other six justices disagreed with them about the potential lack of conflict between federal and state law, pointing to the text of the statutes. While two liberal appointees, Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, voted to dismiss the case on the grounds that the Supreme Court should never have taken up the case before the 9th Circuit issued a judgment, they think theres an obvious conflict. Kagan wrote in a concurrence joined by Sotomayor that EMTALA requires stabilizing treatment when a womans health is in serious jeopardy, but Idahos law allows abortion only when necessary to prevent a pregnant womans death. Indeed, Justice Samuel Alito agreed in his dissent joined by Justices Neil Goruch and Clarence Thomas that the case is a straightforward question of statutory interpretation.

The Kagan concurrence and the Alito dissent disagree on many points, including what EMTALAs command to protect an unborn child meansand whether its plausible that a Congress and pro-life Republican president who banned federal funding of abortion except to save the life of the mother in 1986 would have passed a law that same year (EMTALA) requiring hospitals to perform abortions in less serious situations.

But perhaps most significantly, Alito effectively conceded that Kagan and pro-abortion rights groups are at least partially right about the conflict between EMTALA and Idahos abortion law.

Kagan noted Idahos largest provider of emergency services had to airlift pregnant women out of Idaho roughly every other week, compared to once in all of the prior year (when the injunction was in effect). These cases generally, if not entirely, involve previable premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)when a pregnant womans water breaks before 22 weeks of pregnancy. Before viability, hospitals typically offer both expectant management and immediate delivery due to the risk of sepsis. But Idahos largest hospital network told the court in an amicus brief that due to legal uncertainty surrounding Idaho law, these patients are now being transferred out of state unless they are at imminent risk of death.

In a brief to the court, the state of Idaho emphasized that its state Supreme Court has already ruled there is no requirement for the threat to be immediate before a woman can get such treatment, and the law only requires doctors to exercise good faith medical judgment that is wholly subjective. The Idaho abortion law, according to the states brief, allows treatment for a pregnant woman whose water breaks before her child is viable because Idahos life-of-the-mother exception would apply. This is why the [9th Circuit Court of Appeals] stay panel below had no trouble concluding that every circumstance described by the administrations declarations involved life-threatening circumstances under which Idaho law would allow an abortion.

Alitos dissent, however, claims there may be a conflict between the federal governments EMTALA guidance and Idahos abortion law in some of these PPROM cases. As he built his argument that the case must be decided now due to existing conflict, Alito wrote that before 34 weeks of pregnancy the chances of conflict between state law and the Biden administrations EMTALA guidance are greatly increased, and before the 24th week of pregnancy, the potential for conflict appears to be even higher.

According to Alito, because Idahos abortion law imposes a subjective standard for doctors to determine when abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother:

[D]ifferent doctors may reach different conclusions about when PPROM endangers the womans life. At least some may conclude in some cases of PPROM occurring before the 34th week of pregnancy that the womans life is not endangered since she may never develop a serious infection, let alone life-threatening sepsis or any other potentially fatal condition, if she receives proper treatment.  Rather, those doctors may believe that Idaho law requires them to try to delay delivery long enough to save the childs life, unless PPROM becomes sufficiently severe to cause infection and serious risk of sepsis. According to the Governments experts, however, EMTALA requires a hospital to perform an abortion at the womans request whenever PPROM is diagnosed, even if the woman has not yet developed an infection or any other health complications. That is because, they assert, it can be reasonably expected that, in the absence of immediate medical attention, PPROM would plac[e] the health of the pregnant woman in serious jeopardy or cause serious dysfunction to her reproductive organs.

Dr. Ingrid Skop, an obstetrician who has delivered more than 5,000 babies and serves as vice president of medical affairs for the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, thinks Alito is mistaken both about some medical realities and the existence of a conflict between EMTALA and Idaho law. If hes actually saying that he thinks the government is saying that at 32 weeks were going to do an abortion, I think he misunderstands, Skop told The Dispatch.

While Alito raises the specter of EMTALA guidance requiring some abortions at up to 34 weeks of pregnancy in cases of premature rupture of membranes, Biden administration Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said EMTALA would be limited to a much smaller number of cases before viability. There can be complications that happen after viability, but there, the standard of care is to deliver the baby if you need the pregnancy to end because its causing these severe health consequences for the mom, Prelogar told the Supreme Court on April 24.

While Alito suggests federal EMTALA guidance could require abortion in up to 2 percent of pregnancies where water breaks before term, less than 0.3 percent of pregnant women experience PPROM before 25 weeks, and in only a fraction of cases before viability would a woman immediately opt for a termination of pregnancy.

If my hospital routinely makes an attempt to save 22-weekers, and a woman comes in with PPROM at 21 and 2 [days] and no sign of infection, shes highly likely to want expectant management, because if she can get five days, then then that neonatologist may be able to save her baby, Skop said. A recent study in the British Journal of Medicine of PPROM before 23 weeks of pregnancy backs up that experience: While 30 percent of women whose water broke between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy chose termination of pregnancy without expectant management, that figure dropped to 3 percent when PPROM occurred between 22 and 23 weeks of pregnancy.

Skop thinks that in cases of pre-viable rupture of membranes, all state abortion laws as written would allow that abortion to be performed. She co-wrote a paper in July 2022 for the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the largest pro-life group in America, making the same argument, and has urged state medical boards, health departments, and attorneys general to provide such guidance to hospitals. As soon as PPROM arises before viability, Skop says that qualifies as a life-threatening condition under the law because its hard to predict who will get very sick very fast. Sepsis following PPROM is the condition that injured Amanda Zurawski in Texas in 2022 and killed Savita Halappanavar in Ireland in 2012 (after doctors missed several signs that infection was present). The British Medical Journal study found that out of 364 women who developed PPROM before 23 weeks of pregnancy, Five women became severely unwell with sepsis; two died and another three required care in the intensive treatment unit. Idahos law thus allows immediate delivery in these cases because, as the state Supreme Court has ruled, there is no certain percent chance requirement that death will occur under the term necessaryand to impute one would only add an objective component to a wholly subjective defense.

But the fact that Alito sees a potential conflict between EMTALA and Idahos law should be another alarm for states that have failed to provide clarifying guidance to hospitals. After the 2022 Dobbs decision, there have been cases in multiple states with anti-abortion laws in which pregnant women experiencing PPROM a month or more before viability have been told that early delivery is not an option due to abortion law; in some cases hospitals have endangered women by sending them home without first admitting them for close monitoring, as is standard practice for expectant management. But only some states have provided clarifying guidance. The Texas Legislature (almost unanimously) voted in June 2023 to clarify PPROM falls under its exception. Before the Florida Heartbeat Act took effect in May, the state agency in charge of regulating hospitals issued guidance that physicians in Florida should follow established standards of care regarding the most appropriate course of action for treating women with premature rupture of membranes, and Nebraska did the same before the state passed a law limiting abortion.

Does Idaho put out any kind of guidance? Barrett asked Idaho Deputy Solicitor General Joshua Turner on April 24. Turner mainly pointed to the Idaho Supreme Courts 2023 ruling. But if the state had provided hospitals the degree of clarity found in that ruling and its Supreme Court briefs two years ago, it might not be embroiled in this EMTALA lawsuit today.

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Wichita to consider demolishing water treatment plant after new one is finished

The city of Wichita plans to pay a contractor $85,000 to tell the city what it should do with its water treatment plant after a new plant begins operating next year.

The Northwest Water Treatment Facility, a $573.2 million project nearing completion at Zoo Boulevard and Hoover Road, is expected to be completed in early 2025. Former Public Works and Utilities director Alan King said at the outset of the project that the city would likely mothball the Main Water Treatment Plant near the Wichita Art Museum while city officials decide if its worth salvaging.

The existing plant is more than 80 years old and has flirted with disaster for years, with boil water advisories in 2021 and 2022.

The City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a contract with engineers at Burns & McDonnell, one of the firms building the new water treatment plant under the joint venture Wichita Water Partners, to develop options for the use of the existing main water treatment plant, City Manager Robert Layton said.

Consultant assistance is needed for defining options, developing estimated costs, and evaluating feasibility, the city council agenda report says. After a preferred option is chosen by the City, the consultant will complete a 5% design for identification of capital improvement needs through a contract amendment.

The 5% design would require a contract amendment to increase what it pays Burns & McDonnell.

The Main Water Treatment Plant was built in 1939, expanded in 1954 and partially upgraded in 1992. It is capable of treating 160 million gallons of drinking water a day, but its aging infrastructure puts it at high risk of failure.

One option under consideration  demolishing the plant  appears to be at odds with concerns raised by state regulators, city officials and consultants, unless the city has a plan to replace it. Its likelihood of failure and status as the citys sole water treatment plant raised concerns with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and helped the city secure a $280.9 million loan from the EPA.

The single water treatment plant and the overall poor condition of the (Main Water Treatment Plant) constitute an unacceptable level of risk to the City of Wichita and the region, the city said in its 2018 application for federal funds to finance a new plant. KDHE has identified this situation as critical.

If the city demolishes the Main Water Treatment Plant, the Northwest Water Treatment Facility would become a new single source of treated water for more than 500,000 people. That means a catastrophic failure, natural disaster, cyber incident or terrorist attack at one plant could cut off the water supply for all of the citys customers.

Other options included in the citys agenda report would be in keeping with previous consultant studies on the citys future water treatment needs. They include preserving the plant for future or emergency use or continuing to operate the plant in a reduced capacity.

With two water plants, the city could continue delivering water to customers if one plant went down.

A second plant would also bolster the citys water treatment capacity for future growth. The Northwest Water Treatment Facility is expected to be capable of treating 120 million gallons a day, enough to handle the citys peak water demand of 118 million gallons a day. But the citys maximum day demands are expected to be more than 125 million gallons a day by 2035 and nearly 130 million gallons a day by 2060, according to the citys Water and Sewer Master Plan, completed by Burns & McDonnell.

Other consultant studies have also looked at what the city should do with the Main Water Treatment Plant.

A 2017 study by CH2M considered 12 possible options for the future of the citys water treatment facilities. Four of those options included building the Northwest Water Treatment Facility with the capacity to treat 120 million gallons a day, as the city eventually did.

The options were then ranked based on several factors including regulatory compliance, public confidence, cost, system reliability, environmental impact and public health.

Of those four options, the highest ranked plan called for major repairs to storage basins at the Main Water Treatment Plant by 2037 and a full rehabilitation of the 160 million gallon a day plant by 2039. The lowest ranking went to the option that called for eliminating some of the storage basins by 2039 and constructing a second, completely new 120 million gallon a day water treatment plant by 2039.
Wichita Machinists went on strike for a better Spirit contract. Will Boeing honor it?

After six days of picketing in the sweltering June heat, Wichita Machinists locked in a new contract with Spirit AeroSystems last summer guaranteeing wage increases and eliminating mandatory overtime work on weekends.

Now, with the news that Boeing has reached a $8.3 billion deal to reacquire Spirit and take over operations at the Wichita plant, it remains to be seen whether the favorable terms of that 2023 contract will be honored through its expiration date in 2027.

We dont know about that, Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said Monday when asked if Wichita workers can expect their pay and benefits to remain consistent during the transition to new ownership.

We cant really predict whats going to happen post-transition but we know that for the next year or so as we continue to operate as an independent company, theres no anticipated changes, Buccino said.

The contract, which guarantees a 20% wage increase over four years, also preserved prescription drug coverage that would have been scaled back if Machinists accepted Spirits earlier offer. Machinists voted to go on strike rather than accept those terms.

Ultimately, it will be up to Boeing to determine how the contract is handled, Buccino said. In an email response, Boeing spokesperson Connor Greenwood declined to say how the company plans to proceed on that front.

Well defer to Spirit. As noted in our news release, the transaction is expected to close mid-2025, said Greenwood, who did not respond to follow-up questions.

Spirit, Boeing and an employment contract

Spirit, spun off from Boeing in a cost-cutting move 19 years ago, remains the citys largest employer. Spirits Wichita workforce consisted of roughly 12,000 employees before 310 were laid off last month due to production slowdowns brought on by persistent quality control issues.

Lisa Whitley, the new president of the Wichita Machinists union, released a statement Monday calling on Boeing to honor its commitment to fair labor practices, job retention, and the protection of workers rights.

Our union stands united in ensuring that this acquisition does not undermine the hard-earned gains of our members, the statement reads.

In a phone call last week, Whitley told The Eagle she was still trying to figure out how the employment contract would be handled in a buyback scenario.

Thats what were all wondering, Whitley said.

Thats why I tell everybody no comment, just because I dont know anything that anybody else doesnt know other than what the news reports.

Before the 2023 contract was ratified, Wichita Machinists had been working under the same contract for the previous 13 years.

IAM to focus on workers contractual rights

In a statement Monday afternoon, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said its focus will be on ensuring that our members contractual rights are enforced throughout this process.

The IAM is carefully evaluating Boeings acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems and will continue to work with management on implementing policies to improve manufacturing processes and standards, as well as put our members interests at the forefront, the statement reads.

The IAM is currently engaged in contract negotiations for more than 32,000 members at Boeing in the Puget Sound, as well as providing members the assistance and resources they need to overcome the challenge of the recent workforce reduction at Spirits Wichita manufacturing facility.

Mayor Lily Wu and the six members of the Wichita City Council did not respond to requests for comment Monday on news of the buyback and how they would like to see Boeing handle the contract with its Wichita workforce after taking over Spirits operations.

Buccino, the Spirit spokesperson, said there will be no disruption in production during the transition to new ownership.

Theres no change to the way we operate until the transaction closes. We still need the entire organization focused on providing the best quality products for customers and focusing on safety and quality management, and thats going to continue, he said.
Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify when Kirkwood pled guilty.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  According to the Office of the District Attorney, 25-year-old Kaylon Kirkwood of Wichita has been sentenced for killing Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office K-9 Bane in November 2023.

Previously, Kirkwood pled guilty to battery against a law enforcement officer and harming or killing certain dogs.

Kaylon Kirkwoods first appearance on Nov. 21, 2023 (KSN Photo)

Kirkwood was sentenced on Monday to 29 months for battery against a law enforcement officer. He was also sentenced to one year and a $5,000 fine for harming or killing certain dogs. Both charges are felonies.

Kirkwood must pay $38,379.98 in restitution, which the DA says includes the cost of a new canine, a K-9 ballistic vest, training the new K-9, travel costs associated with the acquisition and training of the new K-9, and Banes necropsy and cremation.

Restitution was payable to multiple community entities because the Sheriffs Office received donations that covered some of the items, and the restitution is payable to those who donated, said the DA.

Man dead following shooting at east Wichita apartment

In another case, Kirkwood was sentenced to 29 months after pleading guilty to aggravated battery with sexual motivation and seven months after pleading guilty to interference with law enforcement. He must pay $736 in restitution to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

All counts will run consecutively. The DA says the sentences are the maximum allowed under Kansas law.

To learn more about K-9 Bane, 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 KSN-TV.
Republican members of Kentuckys Congressional delegation reaffirmed their support for former President Donald Trump on Monday after the Supreme Court ruled that presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for their official acts.

Trump  and all presidents, past and future  is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority, the 6-3 ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, says. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.

Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, with Sotomayor writing that Mondays ruling in effect, completely insulate(s) Presidents from criminal liability and in doing so, reshapes the institution of the presidency.

Kentucky Republican congressmen Andy Barr and James Comer dont see it that way.

Barr, of Lexington, said the decision is a monumental affirmation of the constitutional protections for the presidency.

This ruling is a resounding victory for the rule of law and ensures that no president can be unfairly prosecuted for executing their official duties, he said Monday afternoon on the social media platform X. Its a win for justice and a clear message that political witch hunts have no place in our democracy.

Comer, who represents the First District, called the ruling the right decision and a win for all Americans.

We need strong checks and balances, he posted on X. Unfortunately, Democrats continue to weaponize the legal system for political gain and peddle dangerous rhetoric in an effort to de-legitimize the court.

The American people can now focus on the November election, Comer said on Fox Business Monday morning, instead of worrying about what a court was going to rule against Donald Trump over some trivial or over-politicized issue.

Comer then accused Democrats of abusing every safety valve we have in our form of government.

Theyve over-politicized everything.

Sen. Rand Paul, the member of Kentuckys delegation who has been arguably the most critical of Trump, said in a statement the Supreme Courts ruling will help prevent partisans from using lawfare to attack former presidents.

The decision is a rebuke to Democrats abusing the court system to interfere in the election he said.

But Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the Kentuckys lone Democrat in Congress, said the decision makes a mockery of the constitutional principles that are foundational to American democracy.

A president is not a king, but the Supreme Courts decision brings us closer to the tyranny and unchecked power of the monarchy that our revolutionaries laid down their lives to reject, McGarvey posted on X.

Lets be clear, Donald Trumps Supreme Court has created a new and dangerous precedent that reverberates far beyond current politicians. Our democracy will pay the price, he said.

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, whom McGarvey replaced in 2022, questioned what the Monday ruling could possibly allow for, now that the high court has essentially given all past and future presidents a legal shield from alleged wrongdoing.

There is so much to question about the SCOTUS decision on immunity, but after hearing about it, what would prevent Biden from having Trump arrested and shipped off to Guantanamo? Yarmuth posted on X. Apparently not the criminal law.

Other members of Kentuckys congressional delegation, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, did not respond to requests for comment or declined to provide comments.

Trump was ousted after his first term by President Joe Biden, after which the 45th president widely  and falsely  claimed the election was stolen. Trump is accused of using his presidential power to try to pressure election officials and state leaders into doctoring results in his favor.

Trump and more than a dozen allies were criminally indicted in Fulton County, Ga. for election racketeering.

As part of that push to remain in power, on Jan. 6, 2021, Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol to try to stop official certification of the election results. Just before rioters broke into the building, Trump gave a rousing speech that many saw as inciting that violence.

The former president, who is again running for reelection against Biden, has long claimed he has immunity from criminal prosecution for such alleged acts.

The Supreme Courts decision likely means Trumps criminal trial for charges stemming from Jan. 6 will be delayed until after Novembers presidential election.

This story may be updated.
What do you like about being White? I asked this question to anti- Critical Race Theory advocate Christopher Rufo. He stated that Whiteness was always only painted as negative, so I asked him to offer something different. Peep his response: pic.twitter.com/H5IkAyv2Co  Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 26, 2021

Dr. Claudine Gay testifies before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building on December 05, 2023 in Washington, DC - Image: Kevin Dietsch (Getty Images)

Since the end of 2023, four Harvard University employees have been been accused of plagiarism. Each of them have two very obvious things in common that will remind everyone that we are, in fact, dealing with an institution with an historical reputation of racism.



The universitys student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, called the attack on its Black woman faculty a witch hunt. According to the paper, the hunt started when the universitys first-ever Black president, Dr. Claudine Gay, was accused of plagiarizing parts of her four academic works, including a 1997 doctorate dissertation, back in December.



Gay resigned in January but warned the campaign against me was about more than one university and one leader. She said in her New York Times article: Such campaigns dont end there. Trusted institutions of all types... will continue to fall victim to coordinated attempts to undermine their legitimacy and ruin their leaders credibility.

And she was right.

Not even a month after Gays resignation, Harvards Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Sherri A. Charleston  also a Black woman  was accused of 40 counts of plagiarism, according to the Crimson.

The following month, another Black faculty member, Shirley R. Greene  who acts as Harvards Extension School administrator  was accused of 42 counts of plagiarism. In March, Harvard Sociology assistant professor Christina J. Cross became the fourth Black woman to be accused of plagiarism at the university.

In all four cases, an anonymous tip jumpstarted each investigation into plagiarism, but the Harvard community seems to know exactly whos responsible for this campaign: Manhattan Institute senior fellow Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist and journalist who was a vocal opponent of Gay.

In an interview with Politico, Rufo said the shared goal between him and other conservatives was to topple the president of Harvard University. He said the ultimate objective is to eliminate the DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] bureaucracy in every institution in America and to restore truth rather than racialist ideology as the guiding principle of America.

Christoper Rufo claims his master's is from Harvard U. It's actually from Harvard *Extension.* Harvard U. doesn't even accept credits from Extension.



I'm sure this isn't related to his barely contained rage toward Harvard U. grad and prez Claudine Gay.https://t.co/0aplUaL5LH  Kali Holloway (@kalihollowayftw) January 4, 2024

Rufo seems laser-focused on targeting all things anti-DEI and Critical Race Theory. Under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Rufo was appointed as a New College of Florida board member in 2023. In his role, Rufo works to transform the college into an right-wing institution, more fitting of DeSantiss anti-woke state.

As such, it should come as no surprise that Black women at these prestigious universities are targeted  it begs the question of if Rufo and his cronies even bothered to do any research at all on Harvard plagiarizers who are not Black women.

What do you like about being White? I asked this question to anti- Critical Race Theory advocate Christopher Rufo. He stated that Whiteness was always only painted as negative, so I asked him to offer something different. Peep his response: pic.twitter.com/H5IkAyv2Co  Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 26, 2021

For now, Harvard appears to be rallying behind the accused women: In a statement to The Harvard Crimson, the Department of Sociology wrote,We find these bogus claims to be particularly troubling in the context of a series of attacks on Black women in academia with the clear subtext that they have no place in our universities.

Interestingly, Harvard is not the only college whose Black educators seem disproportionately under attack: a Black educator at Columbia University was accused of plagiarism in March. And most recently, at least two Black professionals at MIT are facing accusations, as reported in right-wing newspaper Free Beacon.

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This article was originally published in Wisconsin Examiner.

A recent investigation found a Wisconsin school failed to comply with several seclusion and restraint policies, including ensuring sufficient training, properly documenting seclusion and restraint incidents, debriefing after incidents, notifying the students parent and removing a lock on the door of the seclusion room.

The investigation, conducted by Daniel Unertl, an attorney with Attoles Law, looked into the treatment in the fall of 2023 of a first-grade student at Weston Elementary School  a small school of about 140 in rural Cazenovia, Wisconsin. It was initiated by the school board after Candice Corey, the students mother, issued a complaint that her son was the victim of physical harm perpetrated by staff members and the district failed to properly document and communicate the instances of seclusion and restraint.

Corey said her son, whose name is being withheld for privacy reasons, has been traumatized by the experiences.

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His whole demeanor is different, Corey told the Wisconsin Examiner. He used to want to go across town to his friends house. He doesnt do that anymore. He used to take the dogs to the park or take the dogs for a walk. He doesnt do that anymore. Of her sons change in personality, she said, They dimmed a light that they didnt need to.

Seclusion  the forced confinement of a student in a room or area  and physical restraint  restraining a students body movements  are practices used in schools to respond to student behavior. State laws in Wisconsin require that the practices are only used when students present a clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of themselves or others and when it is the least restrictive intervention possible. The law lays out other requirements if the practices are being used.

The practices are disproportionately used with elementary school students who have disabilities and have been highly criticized in the last few decades due to the physical and mental effects on children. Wisconsin adopted its laws regulating the practices in 2010 and 2019 to help limit their use and mitigate the potential harm. Advocates against the use of the practices say problems remain when it comes to ensuring schools comply with the law.

Jeff Spitzer-Resnick, an attorney representing Corey and a long-time disability rights advocate, said the investigations findings and recommendations are notable. He said that often when schools conduct such investigations, they hire the same law firms that usually represent their schools, which is a conflict of interest. This happened in Coreys case as well, but the investigator found several of the concerns and recommended discipline for the superintendent and the special education director.

I have yet to see that for a so-called independent investigation conducted by a school districts attorney in all my time, Spitzer-Resnick said. And I think its a wake up call, hopefully, to other school districts to get serious when they do investigations of abuse by staff and school.

Spitzer-Resnick said he also appreciates that the school didnt go into defense and denial mode as many school districts do when there are accusations about seclusion and restraint. He added that the report helped ensure this.

Insufficient training

Coreys son, who is autistic and deals with ADHD, had a relatively positive start to the 2023-24 school year, according to witnesses interviewed in the investigation. He had been attending Weston Elementary School since the 2020-2021 school year as a 4-year-old kindergarten student and then completed two years of kindergarten before entering the first grade.

In mid-October of 2023, however, his behavioral problems started to increase and as a result, he started receiving instruction mostly in a dedicated special education room. After this, staff began using seclusion and restraint more often to respond to his behavior.

Wisconsin state law lays out several requirements for when seclusion and restraint are used, including requirements that secluded students must be supervised; must have access to a bathroom, drinking water, necessary medication and scheduled meals; must be in a room that cant be locked and is free of objects or fixtures that could injure them and may only be secluded for as long as necessary to resolve the risk. In the case of restraint, some of the policies in the statute include that the degree of force and duration should not exceed what is reasonable and necessary to resolve the risk and it should not constitute corporal punishment. It also includes requirements for steps the school must take after a seclusion or restraint occurs. Several of those requirements were not complied with in this case, according to the report.

Coreys complaint alleged that her son was the victim of physical harm. Her son did come home with a scratch from three nails on his forearm caused by a paraprofessional, though the investigation found that it was an accident. He also had bruises consistent with being grabbed inappropriately.

The investigation did not reveal evidence of corporal punishment. However, it did find several other deficiencies and failures.

Training was one of the first issue areas.

State law requires at least one staff member in each school where restraint might be used to be trained, and that only trained staff members are supposed to conduct any seclusions unless there is an emergency and a trained individual isnt available. The Department of Public Instruction advises that schools should have multiple people trained within a school as its helpful in a situation where restraint is used to have more than one trained person available to ensure safety for students and staff alike.

Before December 2023, Molly Kasten, the director of curriculum, instruction and special education for the district, was the only staff member with up-to-date training. She was also in charge of ensuring staff were trained. Multiple staff members who regularly interacted with the student, including two paraprofessionals, did not have up-to-date training, including when they engaged in the use of seclusion and restraint.

The investigation noted that, given prior experiences with the student, it wasnt unforeseeable that there was the potential for seclusion and restraints, and Kasten, as the administrator in charge of seclusion and restraint training, should have anticipated this need and ensured an adequate number of staff received proper training.

Staff had, as a result, also received little to no training in how to fill out the reports  another area where failings were apparent.

Incomplete documentation, lack of notification

The investigator reviewed a total of 14 seclusion and restraint reports the district had on file. Three of the incidents happened on Nov. 8, 2023. Three other incidents occurred on Nov. 13, 2023. One happened on each of the following dates: Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 20, Nov. 21. Dec. 12 and three others on Dec. 14.

Only one of the 14 was properly documented.

In sum, nearly all the reports examined by this reviewer were inadequate, the investigation states. The reports in some cases are so deficient that it is virtually impossible for a third party reviewer to ascertain whether the report was filled out for a restraint or a seclusion. Despite numerous witnesses indicating that restraint did in fact occur, not a single report explicitly indicates the use of restraint.

When the incidents were occurring, the seclusion room was also out of compliance as a lock remained on the door. It wasnt removed until after the investigation.

In addition, at least one incident was not documented at all during the students second year of kindergarten in 2022-23. Instances of the principal dragging him down the hallway, technically a restraint, were also not documented.

The school may have failed to report the instance in kindergarten to the Department of Public Instruction as zero instances of seclusion and restraint were reported in the 2022-23 seclusion and restraint report.

On at least two occasions, Superintendent Gary Syftestad dragged the student down the hallway at the school. He claimed the student saw it as fun as did other staff members who witnessed the dragging. In the second instance of this happening, Syftestad dragged him by the ankle.

The investigation admonished Syftestad for his actions.

Regardless of a students perception of this type of incident, dragging a student down the hall, be it by a hand or by the foot, is incredibly inappropriate and unprofessional conduct from any staff member, much less from the superintendent, the investigation stated. As the Districts educational leader, Syftestad is held to the highest possible standard.  He is supposed to be the trusted leader who students can come to with any questions or concerns, and witnessing the superintendent drag one of your classmates down the hall of the school would negatively impact students ability to view Syftestad as a trusted adult. Further, it stated that the dragging would model negative behaviors that staff members should not be emulating and may cause staff to lose any trust or respect that the staff have in Syftestad.

The investigation also said that those who witnessed the dragging, including the principal, should have objected to any instance of Syftestad dragging a child, no matter the context, and doing so demonstrates a significant lapse in judgement.

The investigation called the failures concerning given the clear guidance in state statute and school board policy and the serious nature of seclusion and restraint.

In addition to official documentation and reporting, within three days of an incident, parents are supposed to receive written reports from the school. Corey received inadequate notification, according to the investigation.

Corey was only provided with the reports when she requested them. The reports arrived late and incomplete, the report stated.

Corey said she wasnt made aware of the complete extent of her sons situation until December when she started asking questions. Those questions were prompted after her son came home with scratches on his forearm and she heard from some that he was being dragged down the hallway by the superintendent.

[My son] had been telling me these things, but I didnt  I didnt believe it, Corey said. I would get a random call every now and then. Just Oh, he had a rough day. But I was never informed they were putting him in a seclusion room or physically restraining him until December.

In December, she pulled him out of the school.

School responds, students education in flux

Spitzer-Resnick said he suspects the Weston school district is not the only school district in the state with training, documentation and reporting issues. He noted that he had concerns when the laws were being created about staff being trained to prevent incidents and appropriately document them and whether there would be funding to support that. He said this case also brings up the question of whether schools are accurately reporting  an ongoing concern of his.

School districts in Wisconsin have been required to report data to the Department of Public Instruction each year since the 2020-21 school year and many show up as having zero instances of seclusion and restraint.

When we see school districts with low numbers of seclusion and restraint, can we safely assume that that means theyre really not doing it very much, if at all? And the sad answer is no, Spitzer-Resnick said. We cant, because there isnt good auditing at DPIs level.

Spitzer-Resnick said he recognizes that DPI doesnt have the resources to audit every school district in Wisconsin, but said even auditing 10 or 20 would send a message to other districts about ensuring they are reporting incidents and complying with state policy. There is nothing in statute guiding DPI on what to do with the data it receives from schools, and currently, DPI focuses most of its attention to the issue on reaching out to districts that report high numbers of seclusions and restraints.

The investigation recommended several actions for the district, including training for several staff members and disciplinary action for Syftestad and Kasten. In a letter attached to the investigation report, the school board president Carrie Heiking detailed the actions that the school will be taking.

Those actions include reviewing and making necessary corrections to the schools 2022-23 seclusion and restraint report, training and certifying essential staff in seclusion and restraint practices, bringing in an outside consultant to ensure the seclusion room is in compliance, developing a professional development training plan for all staff, training employees who may be involved in a seclusion and restraint situation in documentation and notification requirements, maintaining a training log, developing a best practice protocol for debriefing incidents and reviewing mandatory staff training requirements.

Heiking wrote that the board also reviewed the recommendations for staff discipline and would be taking significant actions, though the specific actions werent disclosed for confidentiality reasons.

On behalf of the Board of Education, we hope that this message gives you the sense of closure we believe you deserve, Heiking wrote in the letter attached to the report.

The Examiner contacted Heiking to ask about the investigation and the districts ongoing response. In an email, Heiking said the district does not comment on matters where the privacy of our students or staff members are concerned and protected by law.

Heiking also referred the Examiner to administrative reports related to seclusion and restraint, which are presented to the board during open meetings.

A June report provided to the school board by Kasten about training noted that the goal is to have all staff trained in nonviolent crisis intervention, and that at one point the district had trained 85% of staff.

At this point, special education staff, administration and some paraprofessionals are correctly certified and trained, the report stated.

Meanwhile, Syftestad, who has worked in education for 30 years, is retiring and the school board is in the process of hiring a new superintendent. He said in a statement to the board that the time has come for me to focus on my health and my family.

Heiking said the board wishes him well in his retirement and is very appreciative of his dedication and leadership over the last several years.

Spitzer-Resnick emphasized that the seclusion and restraint has heavily affected the students education, and his family is still working to make up for that harm. The student has started attending a school outside of Madison  about an hour and a half drive away from his home.

There [was] no education happening for much of the school year for the student in his former school, Spitzer-Resnick said.

And were still in a place after this, granted, this very small school district basically said, OK, you know, I guess we have to send him somewhere else because We dont know what to do, he continued, paraphrasing the schools reaction.

Corey, for now, remains reluctant to send her son back to the district even with the proposed actions from the district.

The changes would be great if theyre actually going to follow through and do well, but I will not let him return up there until theres a staff change, Corey said. This went on for almost three months of you restraining a special needs child down the hallway to throw him in a room by himself. Nobody thought they should probably report that to me.

She added that she appreciates her tight-knit rural community and hopes her son can go back to school there one day.

But at the same time, is this wound ever going to heal? Corey said. Even when we drive by there, he doesnt  he doesnt look at the school. He doesnt talk about the school. If we see somebody from the school out in public, he runs.

Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. Follow Wisconsin Examiner on Facebook and X.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov held several meetings in Milan within the framework of the International Congress on Transition to "Green" Energy, Trend reports.

Particularly, during the meeting with Pakistan's State Minister of Petroleum, Musadik Masood Malik, the sides exchanged views on the implementation of the agreement on long-term supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by SOCAR Trading to Pakistan signed a year ago.

The parties also discussed cooperation within the framework of COP29 and issues of ensuring global energy transition.

In the course of the meeting on July 1 with the General Director of the Italian company Saipem Alessandro Puliti, the possibilities of cooperation in the context of the company's focus on renewable energy, especially offshore wind energy, the development of wind energy in the Caspian Sea, and the and the implementation of "green energy corridors" in Azerbaijan were considered.

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Woman Was Killed by Man Her Mom Had Forced Her to Marry  and Now the Mother Is Convicted

Prosecutors in Australia said Sakina Muhammad Jan forced her daughter to marry a man she didn't want to wed in November 2019, weeks before he killed her

Fairfax Media via Getty I

A mother was convicted of coercing her daughter to marry a man who later murdered the 20-year-old bride weeks after their wedding, according to multiple news reports.

After a two-week trial, a Victoria County jury in Australia found Sakina Muhammad Jan guilty of causing a person to enter into a forced marriage, ABC News Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald and 9News reported on May 23.

Prosecutors said Jan forced her daughter, Ruqia Haidari, to marry Mohammad Ali Halimi in November 2019 after paying him a $10,000 dowry, despite her daughters wishes not to marry him, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Jan reportedly met with a matchmaker who arranged a first meeting between Haidari and Halimi in June 2019.

The outlet reports that Haidai expressed her concerns about getting married to Halimi to several people, including her teacher, counselor, two driving instructors and police. When Haidari told her mother that she did not want to get married, the mom insisted that she had the power to make decisions for her daughter, the jury heard during the trial, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Following two Islamic ceremonies held to formalize the relationship, authorities said the pair were officially married in November 2019 and moved to a home in Perth, Australia, shortly after, ABC News Australia reported.

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In January 2020, authorities said Halimi killed Haidari in their home, according to 9News. While the murder was not mentioned to the jury during Jans trial, the outlet reported Halimi is separately serving a life sentence with a minimum of 19 years.

As for Jan, she remains free on bail while she awaits a pre-sentencing hearing in July, ABC News Australia reported.



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Woman says she hadnt had enough to drink after telling GA deputy he was cute

A Georgia woman faces charges after a compliment led to her arrest.

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Last weekend, a Bibb County deputy was sitting in his patrol vehicle, when a driver, identified as Enisha Bryant, told him, hes cute with slurred speech.

According to the report, the deputy walked over to Bryants car window and noticed an open liquor bottle inside the car.

The sheriffs office said, when the deputy asked how much she had to drink, she said, Not enough.

TRENDING STORIES:

Bibb County deputies learned Bryant had a warrant out of Clayton Clayton for failure to appear on a traffic charge. Georgia State Patrol conducted a sobriety check.

Bryant was then arrested for the warrant and driving under the influence.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Last month, Jack Kraszewski was among a group of World War II service members who went to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day

Bob Van Enkenvoort/Pulaski Community School District Jack Kraszewski (center) wearing his cap and gown as he received his honorary diploma from Pulaski High School on June, 26, 2024

A World War II service member who never finished his senior year at his Wisconsin high school after he was drafted received a special honor from the school district he was previously enrolled in.

Jack Kraszewski, 100, received an honorary high school diploma on June 26 at a presentation approved by the Pulaski Community School District (PCSD) Board of Education, reported the Pulaski News, the student-run newspaper of Pulaski High School.

Kraszewski was 18 years old when he was drafted into service in 1943, per the newspaper, and thus unable to graduate. He later took part in D-Day on June 6, 1944, which became a turning point for the Allies during World War II.

Related: Photographer Captures Moving Portraits of Last WWII Veterans and Learns Their Survival Stories

Kraszewski was drafted March 1, 1943, into the 553 Anti-aircraft Battalion, Ninth Division. He landed on Utah Beach on D-Day and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge, a key battle in WWII, the Pulaski News reported.

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In an interview with WGBA, Kraszewski recalled his war experiences. "We'd shoot down strafing aircraft, low-flying planes," he said. "'Cause our guns were 40 millimeter and 50 caliber, so we couldn't reach the bombers."

Kraszewski also told CBS affiliate WFRV that he not only remembered the war for the friends he made and the camaraderie but also for the terrible things he witnessed.

There were a lot of days I enjoyed, a lot of days I didnt like, but you take the good with the bad, he said. I felt sorry for myself when I got home, I lost three years. But I didnt really lose it, I was one of nine million that got rid of Hitler and the Nazi regime.

Related: World War II Vet, 100, Marries Fiancee, 96, in France amid D-Day 80th Anniversary: 'Beside Myself with Joy'

Following his return from the war, Kraszewski resumed his profession as a cheese maker, per WGBA. He said that raising his family has been his greatest achievement.

This past May, the World War II veteran was honored at a parade in his Pulaski hometown. He rode through the streets in a World War II-era Jeep.

"Words can't describe how much I enjoyed it," Kraszewski said, via WGBA. "So many people came out to see me."

Last month, Kraszewski was among a group of World War II service members who went to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, via the Pulaski News.

Related: WWII Airman's 'Piloting Skill' Helped Save 7 from a Crash in 1944, His Remains Have Now Been Found

Kraszewski expressed humility for his service during the war and the recent attention focused on him. I dont know why you are doing this all for me, he told a reporter via ABC affiliate WBAY. I dont deserve it. I was doing what I did, but I was told to do [it]. And there were 9 million of us. Why should I get the credit?

As for his long life, he credited God by pointing his finger up and saying, That guy upstairs took care of that.

Before Kraszewski, Maj. Stephen Kaster was given an honorary high school diploma from the PCSD Board of Education in December 2018, the Pulaski News reported.



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Conservative former federal Judge J. Michael Luttig on Sunday surprised MSNBCs Ali Velshi with his argument that special counsel Jack Smith should definitely attempt to still bring Donald Trump to trial in the former presidents election subversion case before the 2024 election.

On the eve of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision on whether Trump is immune as a former president from being prosecuted on charges that he tried to overturn the 2020 election result, Luttig admitted he currently doubted whether Trump will ever be tried for his criminal offenses against the United States and the Constitution.

Now, tomorrow, well know whether the Supreme Court even permits his trial for these offenses, he said. But if it does, the court has already made a trial of the former president practically impossible.

Luttig explained, At best, Jack Smith will have to decide whether to ask for the trial to begin one month before the 2024 election. It would be impossible to both begin and end Donald Trumps trial before the November election as no prosecutor would want to straddle election with the trial, he added.

The politics of the moment will all but demand that Jack Smith forgo trial before the election and until after the election, said Luttig. But I would urge Jack Smith in the strongest possible terms today not to yield to that cynical partisan politics and to bring this case on for trial even in September or October, in the name of and for the sake of American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law.

Velshi responded, Wow.

Watch the video here:

Related...
Just a few days after turning 100, Tony Battaglia shared his recollections as a U.S. Army medic serving in the embattled Aleutian Islands during World War II.

"It was a long time ago," the Honesdale resident said, freely recalling that time over 80 years past.

Pfc. Battaglia was born June 12, 1924, in Mount Vernon, New York, to Italian immigrants, Antonio and Carmella Battaglia, who didn't speak English. They raised four daughters and three sons. His brother Frank served in the U.S. Navy in the war, also making it home alive.

Battaglia was working on submarines as a welder at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. He returned home and enlisted on Oct. 21, 1942, in the Army. He was 18.

U.S. Army Pfc. Tony Battaglia.

He was in the 145th Infantry. He trained at Camp Grant, Illinois, for 13 weeks with the Army Medical Service. "I passed all my tests," he said.

They didn't know where they were headed next. "We were wondering when we were in the barracks, what clothes they were going to issue us," he said. "If they issued us summer clothes, we would be going to the South Pacific. We found we were going to the Aleutians. We wanted to go to the 'oven' but we went to the 'ice box.'"

The Aleutians Campaign lasted from June 3, 1942, through Aug. 15, 1943. It was the only U.S. military campaign on North American soil during the war. Thousands of American soldiers fought against Japanese forces that had invaded the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska, which then was an American territory. The Library of Congress states that the stories from the Aleutian Campaign have largely been forgotten.

Battaglia served in Kiska and Attu islands, in the far western end of island chain.

They arrived in the thick of war when their boats landed. "When I landed there, they said my part of the island [Attu] was 80% secure... We could still hear the fighting from up in the mountains. We had the bomb squad discharging all the bombs that were left there as booby traps.

"We had to lay down in the ditch, behind the snowbank," the veteran said. "They were shooting from the mountain. We didn't have the cannons to get them out of there, because the ship (carrying their artillery) came in too late. We landed at night, too. "It was winter... it was cold, cold, cold," he recalled.

U.S. troops navigate snow and ice during the battle on Attu in May 1943.

Battaglia recalled some of the Japanese soldiers donned uniforms of American GIs their forces had killed, snuck in their camp and merged with the Japanese American soldiers at chow. "They ate their supper and took off for the hills again after supper. Eventually they got caught" when a Japanese soldier inadvertently spoke to a Japanese American soldier.

"My job was to take care of the wounded. I was a medical technician," Battaglia said. "I didn't carry a gun. I carried medical equipment on both sides. I took care of the wounded that I could." Other armed soldiers accompanied him and the other two medics. They traveled in an ambulance.

"If anybody got hurt, I was the one that had to patch them up. If anyone was hurt serious, they were shipped to Anchorage, which was not very far... it was the main hospital."

He served duty in field hospitals, giving the wounded intravenous fluid and shots.

Pfc. Tony Battaglia served as an Army battlefield medic in the Aleutian Islands in World War II.

"We came under fire all the time. The red cross on our arm [didn't mean a thing], if you were an American, boom, boom, boom," he said, making his hand like a gun as he spoke.

He said they treated the soldiers right on the battlefield. "And if the American soldier was dead, you wrapped him up in a body bag and you left him there with his dog tags on his gun, so the next group could come and take him away, he said.

"You couldn't stay in one spot; you had to keep moving because they (the Japanese army) were all over. They had the advantage on us. They were shooting from mountains with cannons, Battaglia continued. We were shooting up them at the mountain. You couldn't see them unless you saw the smoke from the fire."

"Plenty of American soldiers got killed," he said. "You got hand grenades thrown at you. You got bombs falling on you. You had no protection because they had the advantage... I do remember a lot of Americans dying; I happened to be one of the lucky ones."

Part of the huge U.S. fleet at anchor, ready to move against Kiska. Photo by naval photographer Horace Bristol.

"A lot of memories, but I was a soldier. I lost a lot of friends," he said, including a soldier who was a neighbor from Mount Vernon who he found had been killed. After the war, Battaglia went to see his neighbor's father, who wanted to know the details of what happened.

He and other soldiers, including his neighbor, had dug under the snow and a rock ledge to sleep. The Japanese bombed them, and Battaglia was the only one who survived the attack, being protected by the crevice.

One day their ambulance hit a Japanese mine. Battaglia was injured; the aged vet rolled up his pant leg to show the scar. His face was cut from glass. Other medics rescued him.

The Japanese poisoned the farmland. He picked and ate a poisoned cucumber, making him gravely sick. He was in the hospital in Anchorage for two weeks. Ever since, he shuns cucumbers.

Afterward, he was transferred out of the "ice box" to the "oven," serving as a medic in the Philippines. The Japanese surrendered while he was there. His company found American prisoners of war in cages and liberated them.

There were happy memories too, he said. United Service Organizations (USO) shows came to Alaska with comedians and movie stars, including Bob Hope, Jerry Collona, the Marx Brothers and Jimmy Durante, who Battaglia sat next to.

He was discharged Christmas Day 1945 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He had a big welcome when he arrived home to Mount Vernon. "My mother didn't hear from in two years. I was in a place where you couldn't get mail out right away," he said. Teary-eyed, Battaglia recalled his mother's joy when he was able to call home.

Tony Battaglia, 100, displays his medals from World War II. The Honesdale resident was an Army medic in the Aleutian Campaign.

For his service, Battaglia received the American Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Purple Heart.

In 1951, he and his late wife Gloria were married. He spoke of his love for his two children and grandchildren.

Battaglia worked in a factory and became a TV repairman. He also was custodian at his Catholic parish. In 1987, he and his wife moved permanently to their vacation home in Pleasant Mount, Wayne County.

Battaglia said he loves music but "not the rock and roll stuff," with soft dance and Italian music being his favorites. He also loves the Yankees.

"I never took drugs, I never drink," he said. "I take an aspirin and Gatorade. Gatorade is my drink."

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Tony Battaglia, 100, of Honesdale, shares about being WWII medic
Zelensky says Russian casualties six times larger than those of Ukraine

The ratio of Ukrainian and Russian military personnel losses at this stage of the war is one to six, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 30 in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"Indeed, they (Russian forces) have much more people, and indeed we care for our people more. We will not have more people than Russia (on the battlefield)," Zelensky said.

Zelensky added that the ratio was one to four earlier, but now it is six to one, considering the situation in the directions of the cities of Pokrovsk and Kharkiv.

Russia has lost over 540,000 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to Ukraine's General Staff. This number includes both killed and injured.

Through open-source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 64,000 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify this data.

Zelensky said the war relies on technology, and whoever is more advanced will win.

Speaking about how Ukraine can prevail on the battlefield despite the smaller number of manpower and weapons, Zelensky called on the West to close all the loopholes for Russia to circumvent sanctions for its domestic drone and missiles production.

It is also necessary to finance the domestic production of drones and missiles in Ukraine, he added.

Zelensky also emphasized that Russia earns the most from its oil and gas exports to fuel its aggression in Ukraine.

"This is the most important thing, and we need to focus on it  not to allow sanctions to be circumvented, to support Ukraine technologically, and not to be afraid of what will happen to Russia after (Vladimir) Putin. This is the main message," Zelensky said.

Read also: Over 1,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded on average each day in May in Ukraine, NYT reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Hungary on the start of its EU presidency and praised Belgium, under whose leadership several important events for Ukraine took place.

Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy congratulated Hungary on the start of its six-month presidency of the EU Council.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I wish the Hungarian Presidency effectiveness in promoting our shared European values, goals, and interests. While advancing on its path to the EU, Ukraine is ready to contribute to these efforts and strengthen our Europe."

He also expressed his gratitude to Belgium and its Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, noting that the Belgian presidency had been "historic".

"During this time, significant steps were taken to strengthen Europe as a whole. Ukraines EU accession negotiations, the 50 billion Ukraine Facility, important steps to use immobilised Russian assets, two sanctions packages, and the Ukraine Assistance Fund as part of the European Peace Facility. These are exactly the bold decisions that are required during such difficult times," the president said.

The Hungarian presidency has outlined seven priorities: improving the EU economy's competitiveness; reinforcing defence policy; shaping the future of "cohesion policy" (levelling out the development of the different EU member states); a "farmer-centred" agricultural policy; addressing "demographic challenges"; stemming illegal migration; and ensuring "a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy".

Shortly before Hungarys EU presidency began, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that the EU was in decline and Brussels officials "remind him of the Communists". He described the agreement between European parties on dividing up the top jobs in the EU as a "shameful pact".

According to European Pravda, Orban may meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy as early as next week, possibly in Ukraine, as part of an effort to improve relations between Kyiv and Budapest in response to EU pressure.

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Have you been zoning in on what the city of Columbus mayor and City Council have been up to lately with major changes to the city codes that control what types of buildings can be located where?

For the past few years, city officials have worked on these zoning changes under an effort called "Zone In," meant to streamline the process of getting approval for development projects. The effort is intended to make it easier for developers by not requiring them to apply for variances  or exceptions to the rules.

Two of the most common variances routinely granted concern the height of new buildings and how much parking is required. Developers usually want to go higher than area residents desire, in order to get more tenants or buyers onto the same land. They usually also want to provide less off-street parking than the code requires. The Council routinely approves variances for projects on a case-by-case basis.

City officials say their hope is to "modernize" the code into a more lenient process that will eliminate delays, keep up with Columbus' growing population, and ease the housing shortage in the future. Buildings as high as 16 stories and with no required parking could be constructed along some major routes.

"Housing should be available to everyone in opportunity-rich neighborhoods at affordable price points  but the free market alone isnt going to make it happen," Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said in an opinion piece in The Dispatch in December. "Thats why Im bringing this policy forward."

"Council will vote early next year for some kind of a change," Council President Shannon Hardin told a meeting of residents and developers last September, saying he didn't want residents to feel the changes were being rushed through, and that they needed to get involved on the front end  not after changes are adopted.

The dark brown and medium brown parcels appearing mostly on High and Broad streets represent the most intensive new zoning, where new buildings could be 12- to 16-stories tall, depending on their percentage of affordable units. The orange parcels show where new buildings could be 5- to 7-stories.

Where are the proposed changes happening?

The city has targeted 12,300 parcels that follow major transportation corridors served by COTA and/or targeted for future improved "bus rapid transit" lines, under a separate new project called LinkUS.

The zoning changes shoot out from Downtown like spokes in a wheel, following main drags like High, Broad, East Long and East Main streets as well as Parsons, Mount Vernon, Cleveland, and Sullivant avenues, and other major crosstown corridors like Morse Road. Largely left off the rezoning map was Rt. 161 between I-71 east to I-270.

The city was approached by Northland area representatives about inclusion of 161 in late 2023, but staff determined that it wasn't able to add the area to the proposal due to a lack of prior analysis and public notice, said Anthony Celebrezze III, a spokesperson for the city Building and Zoning Department.

As the Zone In proposal seeks to overhaul Columbus' zoning code, the mix of high-rises and single-family homes could become more prevalent in the city. These Victorian Village homes have a seven-story Kaufman development called Green | House beyond their backyards.

Why is this change needed now?

In November 2014, a new study made news in central Ohio by projecting large population growth. The number of people in Franklin and the six surrounding counties  Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison and Union  was expected to rise by 500,000, to 2.3 million.

The report, called Insight 2050, was written by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Columbus 2020, which is an economic development non-profit created by the Columbus Partnership, ULI Columbus, a think tank supported largely by local developers, and Calthorpe Associates, an urban planning consultant.

The $700,000 effort was funded by the Federal Highway Administration, Columbus 2020, ULI Columbus, and "received support" from the L Brands Foundation, Easton Community Foundation, Casto Continental Real Estate Companies, and other local entities.

"Are todays land use plans and development regulations aligned with the goal of attracting residents and businesses, helping communities to remain competitive and improve their tax bases?" the 2014 report asked. "Are private developers able to respond to these emerging market trends?"

In April 2019, the Insight 2050 backers released another report, this one specifically recommending that some parts of Franklin County should become more densely developed around transit. The update said central Ohio was expected to grow by 1 million residents from 2010 to 2050.

More: Another 200,000 homes in 10 years? Columbus betting on zoning code overhaul to get it done

"We're going to have to look at zoning rules to ensure we have vibrant, mixed-income neighborhoods," Steve Schoeny, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther's then-development director, told The Dispatch in May 2019. "There's the opportunity to do that." Council President Hardin called current development trends "financially unsustainable."

"If we do dense development, we can reduce costs," Hardin said.

Does the proposal address redlining?

The city hired a zoning consultant, Lisa Wise, and announced in early 2021 it would launch a complete zoning overhaul. Around that same time, it launched an effort to tie the existing zoning plan to "redlining," the discriminatory practice of denying people access to credit because of where they live, pointing out that zoning played a role in who could afford to live where.

In 1935, The Federal Home Loan Bank Board asked the Home Owners Loan Corporation, created in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, to look at 239 cities across the country and create maps showing the level of security for real estate investments. Some neighborhoods, often with Black populations, were outlined in red and deemed the riskiest for mortgages.

The federal government drew Columbus' map in 1936.

The result was the loss of a intergenerational wealth for families of color over the years, which continued to damage vulnerable communities into the future.

Whereas that map was drawn behind closed doors, Columbus officials said this zoning effort is being done in a way to encourage full public participation.

"This increased accessibility is intended to unlock opportunities in all neighborhoods, including those that have experienced hardships from redlining and other discriminatory or exclusionary policies," reads the city's Zone In FAQ page. "Additional objectives of the update are to support investment in transit and expand the citys housing supply. Our goal is to help create a Columbus where all neighborhoods can flourish and succeed."

Among the areas targeted for dramatic changes are inner-city neighborhoods of Franklinton, the Hilltop, the South Side, the Near East Side, Linden, and Northland. Some of the city's most affluent outlying neighborhoods, including those bordering New Albany, Hilliard, Canal Winchester and Delaware County are not recommended for any density-inducing rezoning.

Wise said in a virtual meeting that the newer parts of Columbus don't need major changes to the current land-use policies, because they have larger lots that can handle the current restrictions on setbacks and parking requirements.

Columbus City Council member Rob Dorans told The Dispatch that redlining and single-family zoning worked hand-in-hand to be exclusionary, and that Zone In's targeted corridors help fight historic redlining by slicing through many of those areas with new, more-inclusionary multi-family uses.

How would Zone In streamline development?

Zoning is basically a set of rules that places limits on developers' ability to build in ways that could impact neighboring properties. The body of code generally referred to as zoning not only separates residential areas from commercial and industrial ones, but also dictates how tall structures can be, whether sidewalks must be installed along with the structures, and how much parking they must construct, among other requirements.

When developers don't want to follow these rules, they seek a "variance"  or exception  from the City Council. This process typically begins at the neighborhood level, with area commissions, who review plans and make suggestions, often negotiate changes and ultimately render a recommendation. The city's planning staff also reviews the project and gives a recommendation, up or down.

But the buck stops with City Council, which ultimately decides what rules will be applied to any specific plan.

The entire process, start to finish, can take months, even years, and can end up derailing projects as they get re-designed to accommodate critics - the so-called NIMBYs.

So changing the rules to accommodate taller buildings, and allowing developers to determine what parking is appropriate, takes the need for variances  and neighborhood review  out of the equation. If a project meets the zoning rules, it can be built as designed, without developers seeking neighborhood or Council approval for deviations from those rules.

Harbor Bay Ventures of Illinois is proposing a 13-story apartment building, shown here in a conceptual rendering, at 1479 N. High St. in the University District, on the site of the Bier Stube bar. Columbus' current zoning rules only allow buildings to be 35-feet in height, but a proposed overhaul would allow much taller buildings along many of the city's main corridors.

How does the plan affect building height?

With the exception of Downtown and certain urban corridors, Columbus' zoning code generally calls on buildings to lay low - no higher than 35 feet.

For the 12,300 parcels that will be grouped into five new "Zone In" zoning categories, the heights would grow dramatically - up to 16 stories along some major streets.

The lowest level of intensity under the new code would be called "Urban General," allowing structures of four stories. Next would be "Urban Center" and "Community Activity Center," with up to seven stories. "Regional Activity Center" calls for up to 10 stories. And the most intensive density, "Urban Core," would see the tallest buildings, up to 16 stories without a variance.

Except in the Urban General category, to get the maximum height allowed, developers would need to meet an "affordability requirement," that grants them two to four extra stories, based on the category, if developers provide the required amount of affordable housing. That means buildings of up to five stories, seven stories, and 12 stories could be built in the other four categories with no affordable housing.

Why doesn't the plan require parking?

Perhaps one of the most radical concepts of Zone In is that a developer could legally build a high-rise up to 16 stories tall that includes mixed residential and commercial and provide zero parking spaces, forcing customers or tenants who drive to park on the street or at another off-street location. That could affect the existing residents' ability to park, potentially competing against hundreds of new neighbors who need street parking.

Today, a developer of a building of five or six stories might be liable by code for providing hundreds of off-street parking spaces, often in expensive below-ground garages. Through the variance process, City Council often cuts the number substantially  but almost never down to zero for major projects.

City officials say that with the new, denser developments located along major corridors, those new buildings will be serviced by public transportation, including new "bus rapid transit" lines designed to operate like rapid transit trains, but much more cheaply.

Furthermore, officials claim that  despite there being no parking requirement  developers are still going to construct parking spaces with their new projects, because that's what renters, buyers and commercial customers will demand. This would allow developers to determine how much parking is needed without spending money on unnecessary spaces.

Where can I learn more?

The city's Zone In website provides in-depth details on the plan, including an interactive map showing every parcel affected.

What's next for Zone In?

City Council has held three public hearings on the proposal, and expects to hold a final hearing in late July, and not on the previously announced date of July 17, to unveil any changes that City Council makes to the plan. Council is expected to vote on final changes before adjourning for its regular summer recess during the month of August.

After the first phase is approved, city officials have said they aim to look at updating the zoning rules for the rest of the city  although allowed uses will be far less intense in neighborhoods than they would be along major corridors. For example, it might allow the construction of duplexes or triplexes in areas that now only allow single family homes.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that a final public hearing date has been changed by the City Council from July 17 to sometime between that date and the end of July, to be announced.

wbush@gannett.com

@ReporterBush

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zone In zoning overhaul - what you need to know
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Azerbaijan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have discussed issues related to goals and overall commitments on climate finance within COP29, Trend reports.

According to the Azerbaijani Economy Ministry, the discussions were held at a meeting between Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and IFC Global Director for Climate Business Jamie Fergusson.

Furthermore, the meeting addressed issues related to COP29 in Azerbaijan, green transition, and entrepreneurship development, as well as discussing the goals defined within COP29, common commitments on climate finance, and other potential areas of cooperation.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Within two weeks, Baku, having become the center of the world, will host about 70,00080,000 foreign guests.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the convention. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin, with its secretariat in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
LONDON (Reuters) - Cyber insurance premiums are falling globally as businesses become more adept in curbing their losses from cyber crime, even as ransomware attacks are rising, broker Howden said in a report on Monday.

Insurance premiums to protect companies against cyber attacks rocketed in 2021 and 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove cyber incidents.

But premiums have been dropping in the past year, according to the annual Howden report. The cyber insurance market saw double-digit price reductions in 2023/24, Howden said.

Added security such as multifactor authentication has helped to protect companies' data, reducing insurance claims.

"MFA is the most basic thing you can do, it's like locking the door when you leave the house," said Sarah Neild, head of UK cyber retail at Howden.

"Cyber security is a many-layered beast," Neild added, pointing also to greater investment in IT security, including staff training.

"On the whole, clients are more robust."

Greater appetite by insurers to offer cyber insurance is also leading to price decreases, Neild said, even with attacks rising.

Global ransomware attacks fell following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as hackers in those countries focused on the military effort.

However, recorded ransomware incidents rose 18% in the first five months of 2024 compared with a year earlier, the report said.

Ransom software works by encrypting data. Typically, hackers offer a pass code to victims of an attack, enabling them to retrieve the data in return for cryptocurrency payments.

Business interruption is usually the biggest cost following a cyber attack, but businesses are able to reduce those costs with better back-up systems, such as through the use of cloud providers, the report said.

Most cyber insurance business is in the United States, but growth in the $15 billion global cyber insurance market is likely to be fastest in Europe in the next few years, given lower penetration levels currently, the report said.

Smaller firms are less likely to buy cyber insurance, partly due to lack of awareness of cyber risk, the report added.

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; Editing by Alison Williams)
Did you have an iPhone 7? Apple may still owe you money

Its been years since the iPhone 7 was released in 2016, but the class action lawsuit against Apple over audio issues has finally worked its way through the courts, resulting in a $35 million settlement. The good news is that if you werent aware of this settlement and you are an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus owner, you may still be able to claim the settlement money.

The original deadline for the settlement was June 3, 2024, but the United States District Court for the Northern District of California revised it to July 3, 2024, for unknown reasons.

For those who werent aware, the lawsuit was filed over audio issues experienced by users of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus related to the audio IC chip. This issue was sometimes called loop disease or the Audio IC Defect, where some users saw a grayed-out speaker button on the call, leaving them unable to use the speaker.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

iPhone 7 users who suffered from this issue also were unable to use Siri voice commands, had degraded microphone audio quality, and had a non-functional Voice Memos app. Basically, many of the vital audio and microphone functions on the phone simply didnt work, and some people had to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacements.

According to the court, the following people are members of the settlement class:

Individual persons who are United States residents and who own or owned an Apple iPhone 7 or 7 Plus between September 16, 2016, and January 3, 2023

Reported to Apple in the United States issues reflected in Apples records as Sound-Speaker, Sound-Microphone, Sound-Receiver, Unexpected Restart/Shutdown, or Power On-Device Unresponsive (Covered Issues)

Those who paid Apple out of pocket for repairs or replacements for Covered Issues as reflected in Apples records.

The settlement requires that you have reported or documented the problem with Apple. And while Apple hasnt acknowledged responsibility in the interest of avoiding trial, people who are part of the class action can get a payout ranging between $50 to $349 for those who had to pay Apple out of pocket for repair or replacements of their iPhone 7. For those who didnt pay Apple out of pocket, they can get up to $125. Thats not exactly life-changing money, but its a bit more substantial than most of these class-action payouts, where youre lucky if you get $25 back years later.

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Naturally, the settlement class excludes Apple; any entity in which Apple has a controlling interest; Apples directors, officers, and employees; and Apples legal representatives, successors, and assigns. Also excluded from the Settlement Class are all judicial officers assigned to this case, as well as their staff and immediate families.

If youre part of the settlement class, you should have received a postcard in the mail, but if youre unsure, you can call toll free 1-833-633-0343 to find out or write to the Class Action Administrator at 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103. There should be a Final Approval Hearing on July 18, 2024, to finalize the amounts of the payments and who gets them.
Its summertime, so its prime time for the foldable phone market. Motorola is back at it with the new Razr lineup, which includes the Razr 2024 and Razr Plus 2024.

Surprisingly, both phones are actually looking very good this year, especially the base model. But if youre thinking about picking up a Razr Plus 2024, there may be some reasons to hold off until next year. Heres why you may want to wait for the inevitable Razr Plus 2025.

Motorola removed the ultrawide camera

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

This year, Motorola surprised everyone by adding a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom to the dual-camera setup on the Razr Plus 2024. Typically, the flip phones dont have as much room as the larger foldables, so you only get two cameras instead of three.

The previous Razr Plus had a dual-camera system with a 12MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide lens. This year, Motorola bumped up that main camera to 50MP but took out the ultrawide and added a 50MP telephoto lens instead. The jump to 50MP on the main camera is a welcome change, but the inclusion of the telephoto meant sacrificing the ultrawide.

Telephoto lenses on smartphones are great when you want to get a zoomed-in shot of something, such as wildlife. But in some instances, you want to capture more of a landscape scene or even fit a large group of people into a single shot  thats when ultrawide lenses come in handy.

If you often use a phones ultrawide lens more than its telephoto lens, you might want to wait and see if next years Razr Plus 2025 will bring back an ultrawide shooter. Another option is to pick up the Razr 2024, which has an ultrawide lens instead of a telephoto one.

Every Razr Plus 2024 color uses leather

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Last year, Motorola had a mix of both leather and glass backs with the Razr Plus 2023. This year, however, it does not provide any glass options  all Razr Plus 2024 colors feature a vegan leather back.

There are some advantages to a leather back. For one, it helps add grip to the body, making it easier to hold and less likely to drop. However, not everyone likes the way the leather texture feels in their hand. Maybe you just want smooth glass instead. Or maybe you just arent a fan of vegan leather materials or even the way leather may attract skin oil and fingerprint smudges.

This is definitely a matter of personal preference. Its certainly an interesting choice that Motorola decided to get rid of glass options for those who may have preferred it.

Its unknown if Motorola will bring back a mix of leather and glass for the 2025 models. But if you dont like leather on your phone, you might want to wait and see what Motorola has in store next year.

The Razr Plus 2024 lacks UWB

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is appearing in more smartphones. Its a low-energy, short-range radio technology that is similar to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi but without the interference issues.

UWB has been around for a while now, and brands like Apple have implemented it into phones and Bluetooth trackers. For example, Apple users who have an iPhone with UWB and an AirTag can locate their items with Precision Finding. This helps you narrow down your search when youre near, from a few feet to a few inches. Its much more accurate than GPS.

Alongside the new Razrs, Motorola revealed its own AirTag competitor, the Moto Tag. This is a Bluetooth item tracker that you can use with existing accessories to help you track your keys, purse, backpack, bags, luggage, wallet, and more. It utilizes Googles Find My Device network to locate misplaced items, works with any Android phone, has a multifunctional button, and even has precision finding.

The problem? More detailed tracking needs UWB to work, and the Razr Plus 2024 is a phone that does not have UWB. Some Motorola phones, like the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, have it, but its still not a very prevalent feature on most Android phones. There are a handful of devices from Samsung and Google that have UWB, but the list is short.

Regardless, if you want a phone with UWB, youll need to reconsider the Razr Plus 2024. Maybe next years model will have the tech.

Motorolas ongoing software issues

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

At one point, Apple was the top choice if you wanted long-term software support for your devices. In recent months, both Samsung and Google have outdone Apple by guaranteeing seven years worth of Android software upgrades for more recent smartphones. Meanwhile, Motorola continues to fall behind.

The Razr Plus 2024 will only receive three years of major Android upgrades and four years of bi-monthly security patches. This has been a negative trend for a lot of Motorola phones lately, so its not just the Razr Plus 2024 thats affected by this.

Motorola could change things up in a year, so we might see better software support with the Razr Plus 2025. After all, it would be silly for Motorola not to change this when its now so far behind the competition. Theres no guarantee the Razr Plus 2025 will be an improvement here, but we certainly hope so.

You need a true flagship chip

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Though flagship Android phones in 2024 are likely to have Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the Razr Plus 2024 has the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 instead. Typically, Qualcomm releases a plus version of its flagship chipset, but this year, it did things differently by releasing an s version  a slightly toned-down version of the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is not a flagship chip, it is still quite fast, as we experienced with the Honor 200 Pro. The difference between the two versions is that the s variant has slightly less clock speed; the prime core in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is clocked at 3.0GHz, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 gets up to 3.3GHz. The flagship chip also has a more powerful GPU.

The Razr Plus 2024 is not bad by any means, but the chip it uses is just a step below what youd find in other flagship phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and OnePlus 12.

Its pretty much guaranteed that smartphones will have faster, more powerful, and better chips every year. Thats just the nature of the beast. So next year, well definitely have a more powerful chip in the Razr Plus 2025, and it would be amazing if its a proper flagship one and not one thats just a step below.
Google is investing in a Taiwanese solar company with plans to build a 1 gigawatt (GW) pipeline of sustainable energy in the region. The company is placing a stake in New Green Power (NGP), part of BlackRocks investment portfolio, for the project. The move could help Google and Taiwan move closer to their climate goals while stabilizing green energy production in one of the most crucial semiconductor hubs of our new AI-infused world.

Google already has a significant presence in Taiwan, including a data center. According to Amanda Peterson Corio, Googles global head of data center energy, fossil fuels currently generate nearly 85 percent of Taiwans power grid. To help overcome these obstacles, companies can play a pivotal role in finding new strategies to grow the supply of available renewable energy sources and promoting emerging technologies that enable the full decarbonization of regional electricity systems, she wrote.

Google expects to use up to 300 megawatts of solar capacity to power its data centers in Taiwan. In addition, Peterson Corio says the company may offer a portion of this clean energy capacity to [its] semiconductor suppliers and manufacturers in the region. She said that would help its partners meet their green energy goals and reduce indirect (Scope 3) emissions from Googles supply chain partners.

A significant share of our Scope 3 footprint can be traced back to the electricity grids that power our suppliers and users, which is why broad decarbonization  and partnerships like this  continue to be core to our net-zero goal, Peterson Corio wrote.

Regulators havent yet approved the deal. Google hasnt said how much its investing in NGP.
Solar jobs are in high demand and have a low barrier to entry  now is the time to break into the industry

Demand for solar jobs is growing in response to clean-energy goals and government incentives.

Many entry-level solar jobs don't require higher education, and they offer on-the-job training.

This article is part of "Trends to Bet Your Career On," a series about trending professional opportunities.

The solar industry has some of the fastest-growing occupations, with jobs just in solar-panel installation in the US expected to grow by 22% by 2032.

One reason is the desire to meet environmental goals. The US Department of Energy estimated in 2021 that the solar workforce could add over 1 million workers by 2035 to achieve the goal of decarbonizing the electrical grid.

To support these goals, the federal Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits for qualifying clean-energy investments. Many states offer additional tax credits and rebates, and utility companies will sometimes cover some costs of solar installation.

Individuals are looking to cash in on these incentives and avoid rising energy costs. The market-research company Grand View Research estimated that the size of the US residential solar market size was $7.5 billion in 2023.

Corporations are getting in on the action, too: One year after the Inflation Reduction Act's passage, the White House said companies had announced more than $10 billion in solar-manufacturing investments.

Compounding this demand is a skilled-labor shortage across clean-energy sectors, including positions in installation and repair. "We're such a nascent industry that there's just not a deep pool of folks who have all of the background needed to do all of the jobs," said Kate Collardson, a senior manager of residential operations at the solar company Omnidian.

Solar jobs offer a low barrier to entry and high growth potential

However, the shortage means there are many affordable, accelerated solar training programs designed to help people get their foot in the door. For example, this year Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee added a free four-week solar-installation program to its career-training lineup. Karl Wendt, the organization's career and technical academy director, said graduates leave with the basic certifications and experience needed to be useful installers.

Karl Wendt, the career and technical academy director of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee

The mean hourly wage for solar installers in May 2023 was $25.55, which Wendt said was impressive given people can land those jobs with a high-school diploma and four weeks of training. "If you compare it to other jobs for that skill level and that time horizon, it's competitive," he said, adding that starting as an installer is a strong way to begin a green-technology career involving higher-level positions with higher compensation.

Companies are increasingly willing to hire less experienced employees and offer them on-the-job training. Martin Pochtaruk, the CEO of the solar manufacturer Heliene, told Business Insider that many of his employees appreciated advancement opportunities. "Operators that come in at an entry level have become shift supervisors within a year," he told BI.

Collardson added that people with backgrounds in areas such as marketing, engineering, and law could apply their skills to jobs at solar companies.

Martin Pochtaruk, the CEO of Heliene. Heliene

The solar industry can support long-term careers

While Collardson acknowledged that specific solar jobs could grow or shrink as incentives and demands change, they said they believe there will always be jobs in the solar industry for those willing to be flexible.

Collardson said they see a lot of long-term promise in their career path in operations and maintenance. "It doesn't matter how much solar we install on the planet  if the solar doesn't work, it doesn't mean anything," they said. "Operations and maintenance providers ensure that the solar is working."

Wendt argued that training in solar now would help people get a head start in an industry that will continue to gain relevance. "You get in on the ground floor of anything that's growing very rapidly, and it's always going to be beneficial," he said.

Pochtaruk said solar is far from a passing trend. "This is not stopping," he said. "This is a force that is changing the way we work, the way we power our life, and, as such, is a great employment opportunity."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Within a year of completing solar-installation training, I landed a full-time job that lets me live the life I want

Within a year of completing solar-installation training, I landed a full-time job that lets me live the life I want

Aaron Nichols got certified in solar installation a year ago when he was unsure of his career path.

Now he has a marketing job for a solar company that offers flexibility and career mobility.

This article is part of "Trends to Bet Your Career On," a series about trending professional opportunities.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Aaron Nichols, the marketing and advocacy specialist at Exact Solar. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

My career has been the wildest ride since I got my solar-installation training just a year ago.

I started my career in education and wasn't happy with that path. So I took some time off to travel after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and supplemented my income with a door-to-door solar-sales job, which I landed through some people I met on my journey.

When I came back from traveling, I didn't know what I wanted to do for work, and I thought solar installation could be an interesting career path. I went through a six-week training program with an organization called Grid Alternatives, where I was paid a stipend based on my income level to get certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

I graduated in May 2023 and, after a summer job traveling to Alaska to create educational programs, started job searching in the solar industry in the fall.

Now I'm the marketing and advocacy specialist at a good-size solar-installation company, Exact Solar. To come from the world of teaching and nonprofits and  just a year later  be at this spot in my career is shocking.

My solar-installation training helped me stand out

When I started job searching in the solar industry, I applied to some installer jobs and sales-side jobs, and I started marketing myself on Upwork as a copywriting consultant to make money immediately.

Nichols said he's excited about his career trajectory in the solar industry. Courtesy of Aaron Nichols

Surprisingly, the consulting work picked up fast, before I was able to land a more traditional job. The fact that I had the installer certification made clients in the solar industry especially excited to work with me on the marketing side. The technical knowledge I brought benefited my work and helped me land exciting clients like SunCast Media, which runs one of the most popular industry podcasts, and Exact Solar, which eventually offered me a full-time job.

In a beautiful twist of fate, part of my job now is designing a curriculum for a workforce training program and helping promote solar installations we're putting in schools; so my teaching and nonprofit experience have ended up fitting into the puzzle of my solar career.

There are so many places you can add value. The solar industry needs everything that any other industry needs, and the growth is happening so fast. Anyone who's in finance, advertising, or any other industry and is struggling should consider applying their skills to the solar industry because it's a much-bigger world than you think.

I'm excited about the freedom and the promise of the industry

I'm deeply enjoying the flexibility this job offers me. I have a good salary, and since I work remotely, I've moved into a farmhouse on 5 acres of land with my girlfriend and built a solar system to power our cell booster. I get to live in the woods and take archery breaks in the middle of the day.

When I envision the future of my solar career, it seems like the sky's the limit. It's a very tight community, so once you know people, it's easy to get referral work if you're a contractor or start connecting with people at a high level who would be hard to reach in other industries.

It's a very financially viable career, too. It's not just hippies hugging trees and trying to save the world  there's a lot of private-industry money coming in. I really like the idea that I can make good money, work a flexible job, and feel good about my impact on the planet.

Read the original article on Business Insider
School's out, but free meals are still available in the Yakima Valley
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, July 1. Kazakhstan plans to launch train traffic on the second track of the Dostyk-Moyinty railroad in 2024, Trend reports.

According to Kazakhstan Railways, it is expected to open train traffic on the second track on two sections, Dostyk - Aktogay and Moyinty - Balkhash this year.

Currently, the entire length of the section836 kilometersis under construction. A total of 450 units of equipment and more than 1,500 people are involved on the construction site. The earth bed backfilling is 94 percent complete. Over 463 kilometers of the second track have already been built. More than 240 km of rail-tie bars have been assembled and are ready for laying. Bridges are under construction. Out of 92 bridges under the project, 31 have been completed.

At the same time, the railways are modernizing signaling, communication, and power supply systems. Along the main line, 7,523 supports for power transmission lines were installed (70 percent of the total volume).

Kazakhstan Railways plans to complete the project in 2025.

The Dostyk - Moyinty section is a part of the main transit corridor China - Europe - China, passing through the territory of Kazakhstan. Commissioning of the second track will allow increasing the throughput capacity of the section by five times, which is necessary in conditions of dynamically growing cargo traffic.
Hungarys European Union (EU) presidency will focus on seven priority areas, Janos Boka, the EU affairs minister, said.

Consultations have been held with all EU member states, EU institutions and candidate states, Boka noted in a video posted on Facebook, adding that more than 250 discussions had taken place, which is unprecedented in the history of [EU] presidencies.



Hungarys presidency wants to adopt a new European competitiveness pact to invigorate the blocs economic growth, boost its defence industry, and conclude partnership agreements on protecting the external borders and managing the causes of migration, he said.



Also, its aim is to advance the enlargement process when it comes to the candidate countries of the Western Balkans, he added. Further, Hungary will launch a strategic debate on the future of cohesion policy which has proven a success for decades in strengthening EU competitiveness and ironing out inequalities in the internal market, Boka said.



Hungary wants a farmer-centric agricultural policy that lays the foundation for competitive agriculture while guaranteeing Europes food security and providing farmers with a fair living, he said. Issues related to demographic challenges will be on agenda in all council formations, Boka, said, declaring: Lets make Europe great again!



Meanwhile, Boka underlined in an interview to public radio that boosting European competitiveness will be the main focus of Hungarys EU presidency.



Hungary wants to institute a European competitiveness pact within the framework of the European Council during its presidency, putting the issue in the central focus of politics and highlighting areas where constructive decisions can be made, such as streamlining EU legislation, cutting red tape for European businesses and broadening the internal market. The latter may encompass services, IT and Europes defence industry, he added.



A proper European capital market which boosts infrastructure and energy links and establishes a European industrial policy aimed at fulfilling key European objectives, such as the green transition, is also a central objective, Boka said.



A European security and defence policy aimed at strengthening the blocs peace and security and managing the migration crisis by strengthening Europes external borders and bolstering international partnerships will also be promoted under Hungarys presidency, he said. Theres a basic need  to properly handle this crisis that has persisted since 2015, he said.



The presidency comes at a time when the European parliament and commission are in the process of being formed, he noted, adding that Hungary would strive to ensure the smooth operations of European institutions during this period while ensuring that the bloc is able to respond to world events.



The minister said Hungary plans to organise a summit of the EU and Western Balkans in addition to a Gulf cooperation forum. Fully 37 formal council meetings are expected to take place in Brussels and Luxembourg, he said.



Politically, Hungarys presidency will be successful if, as well as managing the institutional transition, it also shows how it is possible to deliver the change that European citizens expect, based on the outcome of the EP elections the minister said.



EU Presidency - Deutsch: 'Left-Wing Epp', Socialists & Liberals Have Formed 'Pro-War' Platform



The left-wing European Peoples Party, together with the socialists and liberals, have formed a pro-war platform, Fidesz MEP Tamas Deutsch told public radio in an interview.



Power politics in Europe, he said, had undermined the will of European voters. Deutsch said there were 20% more sovereigntist, right-wing and conservative MEPs as a result of the EP election.



Its clear that the right-wing, sovereigntist, nationally committed and patriotic parties won the EP election, he added.



He insisted that Europeans had not voted for a left-wing majority but a right-wing one, and they wanted sovereigntist forces rather than globalists, and they had voted for peace rather than for war.



The left-wing platform was overriding the outcome of the EP election, he said, adding that left-liberal forces had dominated the European mainstream for decades. He accused the liberal-left of stealing the vote from sovereigntist forces and handing them on to the globalist left that supported illegal migration and war. Deutsch called this a declaration of war against the basic institutions of democracy.



Meanwhile, he said Peter Magyar and Ferenc Gyurcsany, the leaders of the Tisza Party and the Democratic Coalition (DK), respectively, were forming tight cooperation in European politics, with Tisza representatives in the EPP and DKs two MEPs part of the European Socialist family, both of which were in a fraternal relationship.



The Fidesz MEP said retaining power was paramount in European politics, no matter how involved the re-anointed Ursula von der Leyen is in one of the gravest corruption cases in the EUs history.



Asked about how cooperative EU member states may be during Hungarys EU presidency, he said that on the one hand, we can expect loud whining  with statements defaming Hungary for political and ideological reasons from the European Parliament, while on the other, the presidency itself had put forward a well-prepared and high-quality programme backed by 26 EU member states.



Not only would EU affairs be well-managed, but new initiatives would be held to solve the crises affecting the functioning of the EU in the short term, he said, noting a planned competitiveness pact aimed at preventing the loss of hundreds of thousands of European jobs while maintaining quality of life of Europeans.



Further, he mentioned the need to turn around Europes demographics and prevent solutions that would see mostly illegal immigrants from outside the EU taking European jobs. For this, policies aimed at stopping illegal migration such as those pursued by Hungary were also needed, he added.



Meanwhile, Hungary Issues Collector Coin Marking EU Presidency



The National Bank of Hungary (NBH) will issue a collector coin marking the start of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, the bank said.



The NBH will issue the coin in silver and non-ferrous metal versions with face values of 7,500 forints and 3,000 forints, respectively.



The obverse of the coin features representations of Hungarys parliament building, the Tihany Abbey and the Millennium Monument above an abstract, dotted representation of an assembly hall.



The reverse of the coin shows the national coat of arms surrounded by a stylised network of interlocking semi-circles, emblemising diplomatic relations, and twelve stars symbolising the EU.



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Budapest Airport welcomed two new Chinese flights in the last week of June, with the launch of direct Guangzhou-Budapest and Xian-Budapest flights. Together with the Budapest-Shenzhen route, which will join the new additions in August, a total of seven direct passenger flights will be available between Budapest and China.

With this, Ferenc Liszt International Airport offers the most extensive route network to the Far Eastern country in East-Central Europe, providing a significant economic advantage for Hungary.



Passengers will also benefit from the new services, which will open the way to the rest of Asia, as well as to New Zealand and Australia.



In addition to Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Ningbo, direct flights will be available from Budapest to Guangzhou and Xian from the end of June, with Shenzhen joining in early August, bringing the number of flights between the Asian country and Hungary to twenty a week.



Thanks to China Southern, Guangzhou, one of Chinas most important economic hubs, has become accessible with direct flights. Guangdong Province, where the city is located, generates 10% of the countrys GDP, so the connection is also of key importance for the Hungarian economy.



The Pearl River Delta - Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and the Guangzhou area - is the worlds largest R&D hub for information technology and renewable energy. The metropolis of more than 15 million inhabitants is home to major investors in Hungary, such as BYD, Huawei, ZTE, Sunwoda and Eve Energy.



With a population of around 13 million, the 3000-year-old Xian is the capital and largest city of Shaanxi Province. Located about 900 kilometers southwest of Beijing, it is an important industrial and financial hub and a major tourist attraction.



It is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time, the 8000 clay soldiers guarding the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, and to the best preserved city wall in China, 11 kilometers long, with a 13-storey pagoda built on top. The flight is operated by Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern.



The new destinations will serve as important hubs for passengers departing from Budapest for onward travel within China and Asia, while the flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou offer convenient connections to Australia and New Zealand.



The two new flights launched this week further strengthen Sino-Hungarian aviation relations, which will benefit both passengers and the Hungarian economy, said Francois Berisot, the CEO of Budapest Airport.



He added: Budapest Airport has developed an extensive route network of major cities in China in recent years that is outstanding even at regional level. The airport has become a regional hub for leisure and business passengers traveling between the two countries, as well as for cargo shipments from the East within Central and Eastern Europe.



Budapest Airport is currently negotiating about the launch of more new flights to China, further strengthening the economic ties and booming tourism between the two countries.



With the addition of the Shenzhen-Budapest route operated by Hainan Airlines, which will start in early August, this will mean 20 direct flights per week between Hungary and China. This is a significant increase compared to the magnitude seen before the coronavirus pandemic.



In 2019, the busiest year ever for the airport, 220,000 passengers flew from China to Hungary.



The current network expansion will allow this number to rise to more than 400,000. In addition to belly cargo, goods transported on the lower decks of aircraft, the number of dedicated cargo flights on this route has also increased significantly in recent years, making Budapest Airport a strategic hub for cargo from China.



Budapest Airport has cooperated actively with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Hungarian Tourism Agency in connection with the launch of the flights.



Source:

Budapest Airport



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A new direct flight between Budapest and Xian, the capital of Chinas Shaanxi Province, will connect the two countries culture and economy, Boglarka Illes, the foreign ministry state secretary for bilateral relations, said at the inaugural ceremony at Liszt Ferenc Airport.

The new flight brings the number of direct flights between Hungary and China to 21 a week, with the Shanghai-Budapest route adding a stopover in Xian once a week, every Saturday, Illes said.



In addition, there will be one weekly direct flight between Xian and Budapest, providing direct access to Chinas 7th big city, the eastern end of the Silk Road, and Shaanxi province, the cradle of Chinese civilisation, she said.



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New Delhi: The Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has challenged his recent arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi High Court. The Aam Aadami Party (AAP) convenor was placed in three-day custody with the CBI in the alleged money laundering case linked to the now scrapped Delhi excise policy.

The agency requested a 14-day judicial custody, alleging that Arvind Kejriwal did not cooperate during the investigation and provided evasive answers. They also expressed concerns that Kejriwal might try to influence witnesses.

Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 was taken into custody by the CBI on June 26. The AAP leader also contested the trial court's June 26 order, which placed him in three-day CBI custody. On June 29, the trial court ordered judicial custody for the accused, extending his detention until July 12.

Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar jail, where he was in judicial custody in a related money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
NEW DELHI: A court here on Monday sentenced activist Medha Patkar to five months simple imprisonment in a 23-year-old defamation case lodged against her by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena when he headed an NGO in Gujarat. Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Patkar.

The court sentenced Patkar after considering the evidence before it and the fact that the case went on for over two decades. However, the court suspended the sentence for one month to enable Patkar to file an appeal against the order.

Rejecting Patkar's prayer to release her on the condition of probation, the judge said, "Considering the facts...Damages, age and ailment (of the accused), I am not inclined to give excessive punishment." The offence entailed a maximum punishment of simple imprisonment of up to two years or fine or both.

On May 24, the court had observed that Patkar's statements calling Saxena a "coward" and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions were not only defamatory per se but also crafted to incite negative perceptions about him. Also, the accusation that the complainant was "mortgaging" the people of Gujarat and their resources to foreign interests was a direct attack on his integrity and public service, it had said.

The arguments on sentencing were completed on May 30, following which the judgment on the quantum of sentence was reserved on June 7.

Patkar and Saxena have been locked in a legal tussle since 2000 after she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). Saxena, who then headed an Ahmedabad-based NGO named 'Council for Civil Liberties', had also filed two cases against Patkar in 2001 for making derogatory remarks against him on a TV channel and issuing a defamatory press statement.
India has finally adopted three new criminal laws effected from today. The decades-old Indian Penal Code (IPC 1860), the Evidence Act(1872), and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, have been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(BNS), the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Notably, these laws were approved by Parliament in December of the previous year. Despite receiving Presidential assent that same month, the Union Government postponed their implementation. Later in February, the Government announced that the laws would take effect starting July 1.

The implementation of these new criminal laws is in a conflicting situation currently as the opposition party is strongly criticizing them. The opposition is continuously accusing the central government of forcibly implementing these laws. Various opposition leaders have expressed their concerns over social media platforms. Here's how they expressed their concerns:

'Cut, copy, and paste Job': P Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram criticized the government, claiming that the majority of new laws are essentially 'cut, copy, and paste' efforts. He suggested that these laws could have been adequately addressed with just a few amendments.

Expressing strong words on X, P Chidambaram said, "The three criminal laws to replace the IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act come into force today. 90-99 per cent of the so-called new laws are a cut, copy and paste job. A task that could have been completed with a few amendments to the existing three laws has been turned into a wasteful exercise." The Congress leader also accused that some changes in the criminal justice system are 'prima facie unconstitutional'.

"On the other hand, there are several retrograde provisions. Some changes are prima facie unconstitutional. MPs who were members of the Standing Committee have poured over the provisions and written detailed dissent notes to the three Bills. The government did not rebut or answer any of the criticisms in the dissent notes. There was no worthwhile debate in Parliament," he added. Further, he also accused the government of ignoring the grave deficiencies in the three laws despite it being pointed out by law scholars, bar associations, judges and lawyers.

"Law scholars, Bar Associations, judges and lawyers have in numerous articles and seminars pointed out the grave deficiencies in the three new laws. No one in government has cared to answer the questions. It is another case of bulldozing three existing laws and replacing them with three new Bills without adequate discussion and debate," he said.

The three criminal laws to replace the IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act come into force today



90-99 per cent of the so-called new laws are a cut, copy and paste job. A task that could have been completed with a few amendments to the existing three laws has been turned into a  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 1, 2024

'Soul Of Indian Democracy Is At Stake': Supriya Sule

NCP leader Supriya Sule asserted that the new laws represent a serious danger to civil liberties and democratic freedoms. Taking to X, she said, "The recently enacted Criminal Law Bills were railroaded in the Parliament without any discussion, and they unfortunately come into effect today, posing a significant threat to civil liberties and democratic freedoms. By expanding police authority, extending remand periods, permitting solitary confinement, and diminishing judicial oversight, the NDA government is establishing a repressive police state. The soul of Indian Democracy is at stake and we cannot afford to be silent. The 18th Lok Sabha must urgently reconsider these Criminal Law Acts to ensure they align with the principles enshrined in the Constitution."

The recently enacted Criminal Law Bills were railroaded in the Parliament without any discussion, and they unfortunately come into effect today, posing a significant threat to civil liberties and democratic freedoms. By expanding police authority, extending remand periods,  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) July 1, 2024

'Highly Regressive': Sagarika Ghose

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said that the new laws are highly regressive. She stated on X, "Reposting on the day that the highly regressive new criminal laws of the National Disaster Alliance government come into effect. The new laws and the old IPC will continue at the same time because crimes can't be judged retrospectively. Result= complete mess in the judicial system." She also claimed that there are provisions to escalate incidents into terror cases which is concerning and may be misused.
New Criminal Laws in India: As of July 1, 2024, India has undergone a major overhaul in its justice system. The colonial-era criminal laws have been replaced by three new laws: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). All cases filed before July 1 will continue under the old IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act. Here are 10 significant changes under the new laws.

What's Changed:

The Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act (IAC) from the British era have been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), respectively, effective July 1.

IPC vs. BNS:

The IPC had 511 sections, while the BNS has 358. The new code compacts several provisions of the IPC and introduces 21 new offenses. The BNS increases imprisonment terms for 41 crimes, raises fines for 82 offenses, and establishes minimum sentences for 25 crimes. Community service is mandated for six types of offenses, and 19 sections have been removed.

What Happens from July 1:

Starting July 1, 2024, all FIRs will be registered under the provisions of the BNS. Cases filed before this date under IPC, CrPC, or the Evidence Act will continue as per the old laws. The new criminal laws will not affect previous cases.

Where to File FIR:

Under the new laws, complaints can be filed from anywhere. Online FIR registration is now possible, eliminating the need to visit a police station. The introduction of Zero FIR allows FIRs to be filed at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction.

Provisions for Women:

Female police officers must record statements from rape victims, with a guardian or relative present. Medical reports must be completed within seven days, and investigations into crimes against women and children should be concluded within two months. Victims will receive updates on their cases within 90 days. Crimes like buying or selling a child are considered heinous, with severe penalties, including death or life imprisonment for gang rape of minors. Punishments are also established for misleading women with false promises of marriage.

Other Changes:

Arrested individuals can notify anyone for help. Arrest information must be prominently displayed at police stations and district headquarters. In serious crimes, a forensic team visit is mandatory. Trials must conclude within 45 days, and charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing. States must implement witness protection plans to ensure the safety and cooperation of witnesses.

Litigation Changes:

Both the accused and victims have the right to obtain copies of the FIR, police report, charge sheet, statements, confessions, and other documents within 14 days. To prevent unnecessary delays, courts are permitted a maximum of two adjournments.

CrPC vs. BNSS:

The CrPC had 484 sections, while the BNSS includes 531. Changes have been made to 177 sections of the CrPC to incorporate them into the BNSS, along with the addition of 9 sections and 39 sub-sections. Fourteen sections of the CrPC have been excluded from the judicial process.

Indian Evidence Act vs. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam:

The BSA replaces the Evidence Act, with 24 sections modified to fit the BSA's 170 total sections. Two sub-sections have been added, and six have been removed.

Why the Changes:

The BNS, BNSS, and BSA are being implemented six months after enactment. The Modi government explained the intent behind these new laws during its previous term. The focus is on replacing "danda" (stick) with "data" in policing. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated in Parliament that the new laws aim to deliver justice rather than merely punishment, protecting the rights of both victims and the accused.
New Delhi: July 1, marks the implementation of three new criminal laws across the country aiming to overhaul the criminal justice system and the end of colonial-era legislation. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

These reforms are expected to bring about major changes in the legal framework, aiming to modernise and streamline judicial processes, enhance citizen security, and ensure more effective and efficient administration of justice.

Here Are Top 10 Changes Under New Criminal Laws:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah while introducing the laws earlier said that the reforms in the new criminal laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the British-era laws that gave primacy to penal action, reported PTI. Shah explained that justice involves both the victim and the accused, eyeing which the new laws aim to deliver political, economic, and social justice with a distinctly Indian approach. The new laws will introduce a modern justice system that include Zero FIR, which allows anyone to file a complaint at any police station and online registration of police complaints, sending summonses via electronic methods like SMS, and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes. As per the new law, the process of evidence collection by the police is thereby deemed mandatory to be video graphed to prevent evidence tampering. Organised crimes and acts of terrorism have now been clearly defined, sedition has been reclassified as treason, and video recording of all searches and seizures is now mandatory. A new chapter on crimes against women and children has been introduced, categorising the buying and selling of any child as a heinous crime. There is now a provision for the death penalty or life imprisonment for gang rape of a minor. Cases like false promises of marriage, gang rape of minors, mob lynching, and chain snatching were reported, but the current Indian Penal Code lacked specific rules to handle these incidents. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has now addressed these issues. A new provision addresses cases where women are abandoned after being misled into sexual relations with false promises of marriage. For specific offenses against women, the victim's statements should, whenever feasible, be recorded by a female magistrate. In cases where a female magistrate is unavailable, a male magistrate should conduct the recording in the presence of a woman to ensure sensitivity and fairness, fostering a supportive atmosphere for victims. The law now allows an arrested individual to notify someone of their choice about their situation. Courts allow up to two adjournments to prevent undue delays in case hearings, ensuring prompt delivery of justice. Individuals such as women, minors under 15, seniors over 60, and those with disabilities or severe illnesses are excused from visiting police stations and can receive police assistance at their homes.

(Based on inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: After the INDIA blocs power display in the parliament last week over the NEET debate issue that prompted ruckus and later adjournment of the house, the Opposition held a demonstration against the central government over the alleged misuse of central agencies and the medical entrance exam irregularities today.

At a press conference on Sunday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh announced that the alliance parties have decided to protest the central government.

"The parties of the INDIA bloc had unanimously decided that we will protest against the misuse of ED and CBI in the Parliament premises tomorrow at 10.30 am," Singh stated, during a press conference at the AAP headquarters in Delhi on Sunday.

"This is a clear abuse of investigative agencies," he remarked, noting that both the ED and CBI lack evidence against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia.

AAP leader added that the CBI has arrested Kejriwal on the instructions of the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On July 29, the Delhi Court ordered CM Kejriwal to be held in judicial custody until July 12 as part of the ongoing investigation into the excise policy case.

In response, the AAP held a protest on June 29 against the court's decision. The demonstration took place in front of the BJP office in Delhi, drawing several AAP leaders and legislators.

Kejriwal had been arrested by the ED on March 21 this year.
At least three people were arrested by police on Monday after a place of worship was vandalised by a visitor in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district that prompted region-wide shutdown.

A visitor discovered vandalism at a place of worship in a village in the Dharmari area on Saturday evening, leading to tension and protests. Police registered an FIR under applicable laws and established a Special Investigation Team, led by a deputy superintendent, to identify and apprehend those responsible.

By Sunday, 12 individuals had been apprehended, with an additional three suspects detained overnight between Sunday and Monday. A police officer confirmed that a total of 15 people has been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the case.

Local police informed that the SIT is working on various evidence to nab the culprits.

"Anyone trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere will not be spared. It is an attempt to create hurdles and sabotage developmental activities, besides communal harmony. This is my guarantee. We will not tolerate any attempt to damage peace in the district," the deputy commissioner told PTI.

In response to a bandh called by a local group, Reasi town and its surrounding areas experienced a shutdown on Monday.

Groups of youths burned tires on various roads. A large crowd of agitated residents gathered at Zanana Park and marched to nearby Thapa Chowk, demanding strict action against those responsible. Officials reported that police and paramilitary forces were deployed extensively in sensitive areas as a precaution to maintain law and order.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 1. Kazakhstan has introduced a legal regime for anti-terrorist operations in certain areas of several cities, the statement of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee said, Trend reports.

The reason for the introduction of the regime of anti-terrorist operations is the holding in Kazakhstan of several important international events, including the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the state visit of the President of the People's Republic of China.

Meanwhile, it is noted that the legal regime is established in Astana from July 2 through July 4 on the territory of the SCO Summit venues and routes of travel for protected persons. In the case of the arrival of protected persons on the territory of Akmola, Karaganda regions, and Almaty city, a legal regime of anti-terrorist operations will be established for the period and in places of their presence in these regions.

According to the information, in the areas of the anti-terrorist operation, measures will be applied to restrict the movement of individuals and vehicles during the stay of protected persons. The movement of urban passenger transport will be canceled on the sections of the special route for protected persons.

Furthermore, taking into account the introduction of the legal regime for anti-terrorist operations, a moderate ("yellow") level of terrorist threat is established at the sites of the SCO summit in the cities of Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, and Kokshetau from July 2 through July 4.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Union Home Minister Amit Shah today hailed the new criminal justice laws saying that after 77 years of Independence, the criminal justice system is now completely 'swadeshi' and embedded in Indian ethos. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that under new criminal justice laws, the conviction rate is expected to go up to 90 per cent. He added that it will further reduce crime. "Instead of 'Dand', it is now 'Nyay'. Instead of delay, there will be speedy trial and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the Police were protected but now, victims and complainants' rights will be protected too," said Shah.

"Justice will replace punishment, speedy trial and justice will be provided in place of delay...Implementation of the three criminal justice laws will lead to the most modern criminal justice system," said Home Minister Shah.

Rubbishing the opposition's claim of forcing the laws through Parliament, Shah said that the three criminal justice laws were deliberated upon for over four years. Shah said that he is ready to meet any opposition leader who has concerns about new criminal laws. "I appeal to political parties to rise above political lines to support criminal justice laws," said Amit Shah.

The Union Home Minister further said, "We have decided the priority of sections and chapters in line with the spirit of our Constitution. The first priority has been given to (the chapters on) crimes against women and children. I believe that this needed to be done much earlier. An entire chapter with 35 sections and 13 provisions has been added. Now, gang rape will attract 20-year imprisonment or life imprisonment, rape of a minor will attract the death penalty, a separate crime has been defined for sexual exploitation by hiding one's identity or making false promises."

Shah said that a provision has been made to record the statement of the (woman) victim at her home in the presence of women officers and her own family.
New Delhi: As Parliament reconvened on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi counters the leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi's 'Violent Hindu' remarks and asserts that calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter. While Rahul Gandhi opposed Modi's statement in Parliament and said, "Modi, BJP, RSS, not the entire Hindu community."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted BJP and said that those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence and hatred. Gandhi added, "Aap Hindu ho hi nahi"

#WATCH | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruthAap Hindu ho hi nahi"



PM Modi is present in the House. pic.twitter.com/mdHtPI9TvL  ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

"All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruthAap Hindu ho hi nahi," Rahul Gandhi said.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's remark, Modi said, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter."

#WATCH | After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter." pic.twitter.com/HrpCvLg3hF  ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Responding to Congress leader, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Rahul Gandhi doesnt know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu.

"The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesnt know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise," Amit Shah said.
Six individuals were injured in a shooting incident at the home of Samajwadi Party leader and former corporator Vijay Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, according to police reports on Monday. A six-year-old child was also included among the injured.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the Dashashavmedh area, where attackers allegedly targeted the SP leader's family with the intent to murder, as claimed in Yadav's complaint. The police have filed an FIR against the accused individuals, named as Ankit Yadav, Shobhit Verma, Govind Yadav, Sahil Yadav, and several unidentified persons.

The victims, identified as six-year-old Nirbhay Yadav, Kiran Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Dinesh Yadav, and Shubham alias Golu, are currently hospitalized and in stable condition.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal has suspended Rakesh Pal, the in-charge sub-inspector (SI) of the Dashashavmedh police station after the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Pramod Kumar stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the accused. The authorities plan to pursue charges under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act and the National Security Act against those responsible.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is undoubtedly one of the toughest in India. Each year, millions of candidates appear for the UPSC exam, but only a few hundred pass and become IAS, IPS, or IFS officers. Here, we discuss the journey of IAS officer Srushti Jayant Deshmukh, who succeeded in passing the UPSC exam on her first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 5.

Early Life and Education

Srushti Deshmukh was born in 1995 to Jayant Deshmukh and Sunita Deshmukh. She hails from Kasturba Nagar in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Srushti was just 23 years old when she cleared the UPSC exam. She studied at Carmel Convent School, BHEL, Bhopal, and passed her 12th board exams with 93.4% marks.

Academic Journey

Initially, Srushti aimed to pursue engineering at IIT, but she could not clear the entrance test. Consequently, she enrolled in Lakshmi Narain College of Technology, Bhopal, for a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering.

Preparation Strategy

Balancing UPSC preparation with engineering studies was extremely challenging for Srushti. She dedicated most of her time and energy to preparing for the UPSC exam, studying for her engineering semester exams one to one and a half months beforehand.

Support from Family

Srushtis family always supported her decisions. Her mother is a teacher, and her father is an engineer. They never questioned her choices or pressured her, always striving to provide her with a conducive environment for her studies.

Study Techniques

In an interview, Srushti mentioned that reading newspapers daily and watching Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) significantly helped her UPSC preparation. Additionally, online study materials were beneficial. She enjoys listening to music and practices yoga daily.

Personal Life

Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is married to Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, who is also an IAS officer.

Key Takeaways from Srushti Jayant Deshmukh's UPSC Success Story

Srushtis journey offers several valuable lessons for UPSC aspirants:

Commitment to Goals:

Srushtis determination to balance her engineering studies with UPSC preparation showcases her unwavering commitment to her goals.

Strategic Preparation:

Her methodical approach, including using various study materials and resources, highlights the importance of a well-planned preparation strategy.

Family Support:

The constant support from her family played a crucial role in her success, emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment.

Effective Study Techniques:

Incorporating daily newspaper reading and watching educational TV channels were pivotal in her preparation, underscoring the value of staying informed about current affairs.

Work-Life Balance:

Despite her rigorous study schedule, Srushti managed to maintain a balance by engaging in activities like listening to music and practicing yoga.

Advice for UPSC Aspirants

Srushti advises aspirants to stay dedicated, make use of available resources like newspapers and online materials, and maintain a balanced lifestyle. She emphasizes the importance of family support and a structured preparation plan.
However, of late, certain new sets of challenges have arrived owing to its vast popularization. Elaborately put, since many eLearning courses have been flooded into the market, not all are able to meet the required mark in terms of quality.

So the virtual platform has become a double-edged sword -- it is perfect for learners with multiple features but if done in a hasty manner, it can be a headache for knowledge seekers. In fact, ignoring the necessary eLearning developer's standards can lead to a bitter user experience, affect the engagement factor, and considerably impact knowledge retention. This is the reason why eLearning development companies like VK Creative Learning (VKCL) methodically design eLearning courseware taking eLearning standards into consideration.

In fact, VK Creative Learning (VKCL) is a one-stop solution for all your eLearning, content development, and multimedia generation needs for academic (schools, colleges, and universities), healthcare, pharmaceutical, mechanical, chemical, engineering, marketing, and many other sectors and industries.

The Need for eLearning Standards

eLearning development companies like VKCL always plan how to take care of the multiple issues pertaining to eLearning development. But why is it necessary  this is because neglecting them can bring up many issues over a period of time. In fact, not following these guidelines may be like sailing a ship through uncharted waters without any concrete directions to navigate.

Thus being acquainted with the fact, reputed and experienced eLearning content development companies such as VKCL follow all essential directives while developing eLearning courseware.

Importantly, what distinguishes VKCL from the rest of the companies is that it has more than 15 years of experience and it has worked on different eLearning standards with 100 successful projects.

Also, it has generated 200 to 300 hours of digital content so far and its commitment extends beyond the present -- anticipating tripling its content output soon.

Also, it has more than 100 clients worldwide as it follows a systematic procedure to create eLearning solutions as per the client's needs and helps to optimize the existing content (be it PDF, static dull images, PowerPoint presentations, or even text) into a multimedia format. The enhancement of the current content is also done with the addition of fresh information.

The best aspect is that VKCL has become one of the best reliable content development companies as it creates high-end eLearning platforms understanding the budget needs with its in-house team, located in different cities. Its customization capabilities and loyalty factor also make it a preferred vendor among top-notch entities (academic institutions and firms) who prefer eLearning courseware for teaching or training purposes.

Additionally, when different features are taken care of by VKCL, the virtual solution has an interface that is captivating and user-friendly along with engaging content -- aspects that learners highly yearn for. Plus, the notable characteristic of all will be that the subject matter may not be that difficult to absorb and will stick to the minds of the readers.

This measure when incorporated diligently (eLearning standards adherence) would help to provide eLearning development services (mentioned hereunder) and build high-quality and impactful virtual learning solutions such as:



1. Corporate eLearning solutions

2. Custom eLearning Solution

3. VR / AR eLearning Solutions

4. K12 eLearning solutions

5. Mobile eLearning Solutions

6. Game-Based eLearning Solutions

7. Rapid Authoring Solutions

8. Localization & Conversion Content

9. Safety 3D Animated courseware

10. 3D Character Videos Animation

11. 3D Modeling Explainer Videos

12. 2D Video Explainer Animation

13. 2D Motion Graphics Animation Videos

14. Animated Infographic Videos Explainer

15. Animated Video Resume

16. eLearning Mobile App Development



For different Industries, VKCL can develop the following eLearning courses:

1. eLearning For Education

2. Healthcare eLearning Solutions

3. Hospitality eLearning Solution

4. Automobile Solution eLearning

5. Telecom Solution eLearning

6. Pharma Industry eLearning

7. eLearning for the Banking Sector

8. eLearning for Retail Industry

9. Animation In Sales Training Video

10. Courses in Cybersecurity

11. Data Analytics Courses

Considering the beneficial factors, in the subsequent section, we'll dive deeper into what exactly eLearning standards are and importantly, their utilization to circumvent the varied learners' challenges.

What are eLearning Developer Standards: An Overview

eLearning Standards can be regarded as the blueprint for developing the eLearning platform and content by a majority of eLearning content development companies in India. In other words, they serve as the guidelines that have to be adhered to while creating the virtual courseware to ensure that the course turns out to be precisely the way your clients want and that the quality is not compromised in any aspect.

A simple explanation to understand the same would be a building contractor would follow a set of rules to ensure that construction activities are robust and have a strong foundation.

In the same way, eLearning content development companies have to closely follow all the essential standards to make sure that courses meet the necessary needs of the learners. But what are these eLearning standards and what factors decide them -- hereunder are they explained.

The Three Pillars of eLearning Standards To Create an Impactful eLearning Program

There are three main types of eLearning standards and they are, namely: instructional design standards, technical standards, and usability standards, and now let's break them down:

Instructional Design Standards: These are the guidelines that lay emphasis on the understanding aspects of eLearning and these are defining proper learning objectives (having clarity) and creating assessments (useful, practical, and effective). When they are adhered to, courses have a sound pedagogical approach and are in sync with the best practices in regard to learning theories.

For example, when Bloom's Taxonomy is incorporated as a framework while creating K12 eLearning courses, then we can target different levels of cognitive skills.

Technical Standards: These can be viewed as the nuts and bolts when building eLearning courseware; examples include accessibility and SCORM compliance. Such compliance with the technical eLearning standards (Learning Content Management System) ensures that not only normal people but also individuals with disabilities can access the learning materials and progress without any hassles.

Importantly, they ensure that courses can be accessed by learners with disabilities and can be seamlessly integrated into learning management systems.

Similarly, when the best web content standards are followed such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG -- highly recommended) by eLearning content development companies in India, they help learners to understand your web layout for eLearning courses; access content without any issues, and have a robust platform.

Usability Standards: This is one of the core eLearning standards that cannot be compromised as it deals with user experience -- includes navigation and user interface design. These aspects when incorporated ensure that courses have a simpler design, are easy to use, and are visually appealing. Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design is such a known set of guidelines implemented by eLearning content development companies in India for creating user-friendly interfaces.

Addressing Current Challenges By Following eLearning Developer's Standards

eLearning standards can prove immensely useful in streamlining the eLearning platform standards as well as content quality; the techniques are explained hereunder.

Battling Inconsistent Quality

Inconsistent quality in terms of proper explanations, diagrams, and examples can become a major concern when it comes to eLearning courseware. Without these essential aspects which help to absorb information quickly, learners can have a tough time. Thus, this can be fixed by carrying out a thorough analysis of the developed eLearning solution -- and this is part of the eLearning developer's standards.

Besides this, even quality testing and systematic scripting -- eLearning standards -- play a pivotal role in the creation of the desired eLearning LMS platform. Taking user feedback also helps the cause as unless eLearning development companies know the requirements of the clients, quality cannot be improved on a regular basis.

Boosting Learner Engagement

Low learner engagement can be another common pitfall when it comes to creating eLearning content. Without interesting content with animations and a proper description of the features, learners will feel bored -- not exactly a recipe for excitement!

eLearning standards incorporated by eLearning development companies such as VKCL give extra emphasis to captivating learners' attention by utilizing elements such as interactive gamification or 3D animations (based on concepts); simulations (practice sessions based on the work as it happens in the workplace), and multimedia components -- primarily images, videos, and audio are included.

Importantly, the inclusion of these aspects makes learning visually appealing and intellectually stimulating and moreover, ensures a high level of engagement along with motivation when it comes to the learning journey.

Enhancing Knowledge Retention

If the knowledge retention is not up to the mark, it will be like pouring water into a leaky bucket -- irrespective of how much effort is put in, it just doesn't stick in the learners' minds!

eLearning standards can assist to circumvent this situation by incorporating guidelines, centered on active learning strategies, such as practice exercises in real-world scenarios. Importantly, performing varied activities on virtual courseware will assist learners to use their learned insight in the workplace. Additionally, since the eLearning standards would also involve spaced repetition and knowledge checks on a periodic basis, they will help reinforce the key concepts and prevent the forgetting curve.

Conclusion

eLearning standards are a set of guidelines that will make the eLearning solutions impactful and easy to use for the learners -- be it the workforce or students. Hence, well-known and reliable eLearning content development companies in India such as VK Creative Learning not only incorporate them as well as pay close attention to all requirements of their clients.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)


The Opposition in West Bengal launched a scathing attack at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over a video clip of an alleged assault on a couple. Referring to the incident as concerning, Bharatiya Janata Party State President Sukanta Majumdar suggested that it signals the TMC's trajectory towards establishing what he termed a governance model akin to 'sharia law' in West Bengal.

The video clip shows the man beating a woman, who grimaced in pain. While a large crowd watched, the accused also struck a man with the stick. According to PTI, the attack followed a decision by a kangaroo court.

Referring to the incident as concerning, Majumdar in a post on X wrote, Statements from TMC's Hamidul Rahaman referring to a 'Muslim Rashtra' and discussing punishments under 'certain rules' are deeply concerning. Is TMC declaring West Bengal a state where Sharia law will be applied?

The man in the clip is identified as Tajmul alias "JCB," who is a local TMC leader from Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district and is beating the couple with bamboo sticks. According to PTI, the attack followed a decision by a kangaroo court.

Statements from TMC's Hamidul Rahaman referring to a 'Muslim Rashtra' and discussing punishments under 'certain rules' are deeply concerning.



Is TMC declaring West Bengal a state where Sharia law will be applied?

pic.twitter.com/ozzZOEQJNu June 30, 2024

However, Zee News English cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

After the clip went viral on social media, the West Bengal Police on Sunday registered a case over the incident and arrested Tajmul.

Denying TMCs links with the alleged assaulter Tajmul, Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahman labelled the womens activities as unsocial. He said it was a village matter and not related to the party.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya shared the video on X and said, "This is the ugly face of Mamata Banerjees rule in West Bengal. The guy in the video, who is beating up a woman mercilessly... is famous for giving quick justice through his insaf sabha and is a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahaman."

Meanwhile, TMC district president Kaniyalal Agarwal attributed the incident to the couple's supposed illicit relationship, which "was not well-received by the villagers." He mentioned that the party would investigate the incident.

TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen condemned the incident while also noting that similar instances of kangaroo courts were prevalent during the Left Front regime.
New Delhi: Market has been on record breaking spree, the equity indices touching historic highs last week. While the Sensex had breached the crucial 79,000 mark, Nifty too clocked 24,000. Nifty and Sensex have jumped 7 percent in June.

Hrishikesh Yedve, AVP Technical and Derivatives Research at Asit C. Mehta Investment Interrmediates Ltd said, "Technically, Nifty has found resistance near the 24,200 levels, and failed to close above the trend line resistance. If the index sustains above 24,200 levels, then the rally could extend towards 24,500-24,600 levels in the short term."

Meanwhile, ahead of the market opening today, as per Zeebiz Auto stocks, NTPC, TVS Motor, Pharma stocks, Bank of Baroda are likely be in focus today.



1. GAIL

State-owned GAIL (India) Ltd has said that the construction of the Rs 12,940-crore 'Urja Ganga' gas pipeline, has been delayed by nine months and will now be completed by March 2025.

2. Auto Stocks



Companies from Tata Motors to Ashok Leyland --will release their monthly sales numbers today.

3. TVS Motors

TVS Motor Company Limited has informed the regulators that it has subscribed to and has been allotted further 68,94,335 equity shares of Rs. 10/- each in TVS Credit Services Limited. The cost of subject investment viz. Rs. 282.67 Cr exceeds the threshold specified in sub-clause (c) of clause (i) of Regulation 30 (4) of the SEBI LODR.

4. Bank of Baroda

Board of Directors is scheduled to be held on 05th July 2024 inter-alia to consider & approve the Capital Plan for FY 2024-25 by way of raising funds through Additional Tier 1 and Tire 2 Debt Capital Instrument with an interchangeability option, the bank has informed regulators.

5. NTPC

NTPC has informed the regulators that the Board of Directors of the Company has, in its meeting held on Saturday, 29th June, 2024, subject to approval of shareholders, approved the issue of secured/ unsecured, redeemable, taxable/tax-free, cumulative/non-cumulative, non-convertible debentures ("Bonds/NCDs") up to Rs.12,000 Crore in one or more tranches/series not exceeding 12 (twelve), through private placement in domestic market during the period commencing from the date of passing of special resolution till completion of one year thereof or the date of next Annual General Meeting in the financial year 2025-26, whichever is earlier. The Size, tenure, listing details (BSE and/or NSE), Coupon, Security (if applicable) and other details as applicable will be decided at the time of issue of each tranche/series.
New Delhi: Suhana Khan and Agastya Nanda made fans swoon with their crackling chemistry in their debut film The Archies helmed by Zoya Akhtar. Agastya and Suhana proved their mettle as actors with their very first release on the OTT. And now Zee News has got an exclusive scoop about the young star kids and that is they are in talks about doing their second film together. Yes, you read it right.

An insider reveals to Zee News, One of the renowned production house has approached both Suhana and Agastya with a rom-com script and they both have quite liked the story. It is also said that Suhana and Agastya are figuring out the dates to accommodate the film as the script is fresh and is not a usual rom-com. Suhana and Agastya both are very much focused on their respective passion as they are aware of their privileges and dont want to take the opportunities for granted. The makers are waiting for Suhana and Agastya to give their go-ahead for the film. When contacted to Agastya and Suhana's team about the film, they remained unavailable to comment.

Currently, Suhana is busy prepping for her role in King with superstar father Shah Rukh Khan, this film will be her huge theatrical debut and fan are indeed waiting for this superhit father and daughter duo to charm together on the big screen. Agastya will be seen in Sriram Raghavan's Ikkis where Bachchan's grandson will play the role of Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and the film will be set in the backdrop of the 1971 war.

Coming back to Suhana and Agastya, they have been the subject of speculation regarding their relationship. They have been seen together at various social events and parties, sparking rumours of romantic involvement. However, neither Suhana nor Agastya has publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. Both are known to be good friends and share a close social circle.
New Delhi:First implemented on July 1, 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is seven years old today. GST is a single, integrated tax system combining several levies imposed by the central and state governments. Customers are required to pay the GST tax, which is levied on the final product pricing. The seller sends the government the collected tax, split into CGST and SGST.

GST for small businesses and startups

The goal of implementing GST is to make doing business easier for various entities, including modern businesses. GST effectively reduces compliance burdens while encouraging the incorporation of modern enterprises into the formal taxation structure by unifying the tax structure into a single regime.

GST exemption for small businesses and startups

Startups whose annual sales fall below the threshold of Rs. 40 lakhs for goods and Rs. 20 lakhs for services, or if the startup is involved in the supply of exempt items or services, are not subject to GST.

From time to time, the government comes up with several GST exemption rules which greatly benefit the startups. Let's examine the five different kinds of startup GST exemptions.

1. Tax Holiday for Three Years

Newly registered companies can claim exemption from paying tax for three years on fulfilling certain conditions. Small startups that have registered between April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2022, will get a tax holiday if their turnover is up to Rs 25 crore.

2. Long-Term Capital Gains Exemptions

Startups are free from long-term capital gain tax under section 54EE. If the businesses reinvest the profits in a government-designated fund within six months and for a minimum of three years, they are exempt from paying the tax. The exemption is nullified if it is withdrawn before the three years.

3. Investments Made Above Fair Market Value Are Exempt

For startups, there is no tax on investments over fair market value. These contributions come from individuals and funds that aren't officially recognized as venture capital (VC) funds, as well as from angel investors and incubators.

4. Non-GST Exemption under Section 54GB on IT Act

People who buy more than 50% of shares in another company or sell residential property to invest in a new business are not required to pay long-term capital gains tax. However, the shares purchased could not be sold for at least five years. Additionally, money invested in a startup company can only be used to buy assets.

5. Angel Tax Exemption

The government has announced some relaxation to the angel tax. If any startup is registered with the DPIIT, it would not be liable for this tax.
New Delhi: Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), has announced the launch of MSME Sahaj --a Web Based Digital Business Loans Solution for MSMEs Invoice Financing.

SBI said that it is developed as a data-driven invoice financing credit assessment engine which will provide complete solution from applying the loan, documentation and disbursement of the sanctioned loan within 15 minutes, without any manual intervention.

"The closure of the loan on due date is also automated and is carried out by the system itself. Using MSME Sahaj, Banks customers can avail finance against their GST registered sales invoices of up to Rs 1 lac in less than 15 minutes," SBI said.

The product is based on machine learning model and uses authentic data footprints from GSTIN, Customers Bank Statements and CIC data base etc.

"The purpose of the product is to provide on tap short term credit for working capital needs to Micro SME units who are part of the GST regime. The product will be made available through digital mode on Yono to the existing customers of SBI and will address the liquidity issues of MSMEs to unlock the cash flows instantly. With the launch of MSME Sahaj, SBI has once again set a new standard in MSME lending. MSME landscape has been identified as one of the focal points by the Bank for the next five years and this innovative digital product marks a significant leap in digital lending space," added SBI.

The product is meant to cater to Sole Proprietorship non-credit Customers of State Bank of India having satisfactory Current Account with the bank. This innovative offering will be readily accessible to them through the Banks Internet Banking application, the bank said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law "On the ratification the Agreement with the government of the People's Republic of China on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR)", Trend reports with reference to the press service of the President of Kazakhstan.

"The head of state signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the development of the Trans-Caspian international transport route, including for container trains between China and Europe," the report says.

To note, the middle corridor links the container rail freight networks of China and the European Union countries through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe.

A multilateral multimodal transportation infrastructure links ferry terminals on the Caspian and Black Seas with the railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland.

The middle corridor facilitates increased cargo traffic from China to Turkiye, as well as to European countries and in the opposite direction.

A route train along this corridor delivers cargo from China to Europe in an average of 2025 days, and this is one of the main advantages of this transport corridor.
Whether it is the resorts, beaches, waterfalls, mountains, caves, or some natural vegetation areas having the best natural landscape view, Southeast Asian countries are blessed with a blend of all these perfect scenarios for one to enjoy the monsoon abroad. The ultimate architecture, stupas, religious monasteries and cityscapes add much more to make your trip memorable

Why Monsoon Is The Perfect Season To Visit

Travel-savvy individuals consider the monsoon season one of the best times to visit such places. The vibrant colours that spread across the sky during sunset are a sight to get immersed in. The orange and red hues that paint the blue sky make the view stunning, especially when surrounded by mountains that let the sun in their lap. The experience of taking a long drive on a traffic-free road, surrounded by natural vegetation and small mountains, is one of the things that can help you forget the stress of your professional life and connect with nature.

Bali VS Bangkok

Both places offer amazing experiences, stunning beauty, and unique cultures. They're also great for remote workers. But, there are some key differences. Bali is full of Beautiful beaches, temples, and vibrant culture on the other hand, Bangkok offers the majority of City beauties, delicious street food, and rich history. There are also plenty of stunning natural beauties nearby.

Here's a quick look at what you can expect in each place

Bali, Indonesia

The best time to visit Bali is from May to October, as the after-summer rains make the place authentic. Bali is known for its active nightlife and nice resorts. It's a great destination for scuba diving and snorkelling, with popular beaches and good hiking spots. Bali is family-friendly and ideal for couples and romance. It's also a great place for backpackers and budget travellers. The island is famous for its impressive beauty.



Bangkok

The best time to visit Bangkok is from November to April. Bangkok is known for its popular museums and historical sights, active nightlife, and family-friendly attractions. It's a great place for couples and romance, as well as for backpackers and budget travellers. The city offers many big city activities and is famous for its impressive beauty. Bangkok is also home to the Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw, two must-see landmarks.

Conclusion

Choosing between Bali and Bangkok depends on what you're looking for. Bali is ideal for those who love beaches, surfing, and a relaxed, nature-filled atmosphere. It's a great palace for outdoor activities like hiking, scuba diving, and yoga. On the other hand, Bangkok is perfect if you want to enjoy a vibrant city life, rich cultural experiences, historical sites, and active nightlife. Both places offer unique experiences, so it depends on your personal preferences.
France National Election: Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party achieved historic gains in the first round of France's parliamentary election on Sunday, according to exit polls. However, the final outcome will be determined after days of negotiations leading up to next week's run-off. Exit polls from Ipsos, Ifop, OpinionWay, and Elabe indicated that the National Rally garnered around 34% of the vote. This development represents a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who called the snap election following his party's defeat by the RN in the European Parliament elections earlier this month.

The RN's chances of securing power next week hinge on the political negotiations of its rivals in the coming days. Historically, center-right and center-left parties have joined forces to prevent the RN from gaining power, a strategy known as the "republican front." However, this dynamic is now more uncertain than ever. If no candidate secures 50% of the vote in the first round, the top two contenders automatically advance to the second round, along with any candidate who receives 12.5% of registered voters. In the run-off, the candidate with the most votes wins the constituency.

Possible Prime Minister

Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old RN party president, said he was ready to be prime minister - if his party wins an absolute majority. He has ruled out trying to form a minority government and neither Macron nor the NFP leftist group will form an alliance with him.

What A Win For Far-Right Means For India?

Trade and Investment

The RN's economic policies are generally protectionist. This could lead to a reduction in French openness to foreign trade and investment, potentially affecting economic relations with India.

Defence and Strategic Ties

France and India have strong defence ties, including joint military exercises and defence procurement. A far-right government might re-evaluate existing agreements, which could either strengthen or weaken defence cooperation depending on its strategic priorities.

Indian Diaspora

A far-right government might implement stricter immigration controls, which could affect the large Indian diaspora in France, particularly students and professionals. Tighter immigration policies could impact Indian students, workers, and tourists, potentially reducing the movement of people between the two countries.

EU Trade Policies

If the RN influences the EU's trade policies, it could lead to changes in the EU-India trade relationship. Protectionist policies might make it harder for Indian goods and services to access the French and broader European markets.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 1. The ink has dried on the protocol of the meeting of the heads of energy agencies of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan on cooperation in the water and energy sector, Trend reports.

According to the information, the document was signed following the meeting of the heads of water and energy agencies of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan in the city of Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul province of Kyrgyzstan.

"The parties discussed issues of jointly addressing the problems related to the energy deficit of Central Asian countries through cooperation and improvement of strategic initiatives," the information notes.

The event was attended by Kyrgyzstan's Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev, Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev, Kazakhstan's Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Energy Minister Samir Valiyev, Uzbekistan's Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Uzbekistan's Water Resources Minister Shavkat Khamrayev and others.

Furthermore, the participants of the meeting discussed issues of rational use of water and energy resources and the import of electricity to Kyrgyzstan to provide the population with electricity from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Russia in the fall-winter period of 20242025.

Meanwhile, negotiations were held with Azerbaijan on oil and energy equipment.

In addition, negotiations were held on the Kambarata HPP-1 construction project. It was noted that the hydropower plant received the status of a national project in Kyrgyzstan, which is aimed at eliminating the energy deficit in the country.

Issues of implementation of the previously developed "road map" and documents signed in Vienna were discussed. It was noted that a working group including representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan will be formed to update the feasibility study of the Kambarata HPP-1 project. Besides, the parties discussed the ongoing work on the project schedule.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Energy Coordination Dispatch Center (an international non-governmental non-profit organization), KEGOC (Kazakhstan), and PJSC Inter RAO (Russia).

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 1. Under the scope of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund electoral group, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Taleh Kazimov and Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan Firdavs Tolibzoda met in Dushanbe, Trend reports.

The meeting concluded with the signing of cooperation memoranda, which formalized the parties' commitment to furthering bilateral collaboration.

The bank heads also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in the banking sector and expressed readiness to make every effort to achieve a new qualitative level of interaction.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the creation of favorable conditions for opening banks or representative offices of Azerbaijani banks, expansion of correspondent relations between commercial banks of the two countries, exchange of experience in the field of banking supervision and insurance, development of capital market and implementation of international standards of financial reporting are the next tasks of bilateral relations.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 1. Turkmenistan discussed the implementation of promising projects with the Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. company, Trend reports.

According to an official source, this topic was discussed during a meeting between the Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and representatives of the Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. company - Senior Advisor on Strategic Issues Tatsuya Watanabe and General Manager Kenji Sanada.

Berdimuhamedov noted that Japan is a long-term strategic partner of Turkmenistan in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that both countries actively cooperate not only at the bilateral level but also within the framework of reputable international organizations, primarily the United Nations.

He stressed that the Turkmen-Japanese business relations have reached a new level and are successfully developing in various fields; a long-term partnership has been established with the company; and a number of large projects have been implemented, including a plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas as well as carbamide and cement plants.

At the same time, taking into account Turkmenistan's plans for the extraction and processing of natural gas, new opportunities for cooperation were discussed between the parties, and the importance of using advanced technologies and compliance with environmental standards in the implementation of projects was emphasized.

Meanwhile, at the end of September last year, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, held a meeting with the senior adviser on strategic issues of the Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. company, Tatsuya Watanabe.

Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan is ready to consider proposals for the implementation of new projects in the field of chemical and oil and gas industry development, in particular, to increase the production of phosphorus, ammonia, carbamide, and gasoline from natural gas.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) will provide a new, modern, and ambitious framework to step up the EU-Uzbekistan partnership, promoting cooperation and regulatory convergence in areas that are relevant to the reform processes underway in the country, the European Commissions lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Peter Stano told Trend in an exclusive interview.

Negotiations for a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) were concluded in summer 2022, and the Agreement is currently being prepared for signature and entry into force. The agreement covers areas such as political dialogue and reforms, the rule of law, justice, freedom and security, human rights, migration, trade, and economic and sustainable development. It will promote a favorable business and investment environment. It also foresees closer cooperation on foreign policy issues and global challenges such as climate change, corruption, and the fight against terrorism, he said.

Peter Stano noted that once the new EPCA enters into force, it will allow the EU and Uzbekistan to boost their cooperation across a wide range of areas, including political cooperation and reforms. The agreement puts a strong emphasis on shared values, democracy and the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedom, and sustainable development.

The agreement also provides enhanced cooperation in foreign and security policy, with a focus on regional stability and international cooperation, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, conflict prevention, and crisis management. It also covers justice, freedom, and security cooperation, providing data protection, migration, the fight against money laundering and terrorism, organized crime and corruption, tackling illicit drugs, as well as judicial cooperation and consular protection, he emphasized.

The Commissions lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy stressed that EPCA ensures a better regulatory environment for economic operators in areas such as trade in goods and services, state-owned enterprises, procurement, and intellectual property rights. Moreover, the agreement ensures enhanced cooperation in a number of other key policy areas, including economic and financial cooperation, energy, transport, environment and climate change, digital economy, agriculture and rural development, employment and social affairs, culture, education and youth, and research.

He also stressed that the EUs support for the transition to a modern agri-food system has been one of the most crucial sectors in cooperation with Uzbekistan since its start.

The European Union is the main provider of grant funding to the agri-food sector in Uzbekistan, through which support is being provided on reforms that enable farmers to prosper, to adapt to a changing climate, to protect the environment, to produce healthy food, and to become part of local and global value chains. In addition to the 30 million euros of grants to be disbursed between 2024 and 2027, the EU has already supported the reform with a budget of 32.5 million euros for the sector between 2020 and 2023, Peter Stano noted.

According to him, at the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, which took place in Brussels in January 2023, the European Union announced an overall commitment to invest 10 billion euros in sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia, based on contributions from international partners present at the Investors Forum.

These investments will aim to deliver 33 hard infrastructure needs and 7 soft connectivity key actions, which were identified in the June 2023 study on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and Central Asia, which was led by the European Commission and conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The delivery of these actions will greatly enhance the operational efficiency and economic attractiveness of the trans-Caspian transport networks, boosting regional connectivity and economic growth in Uzbekistan as well as other Central Asian countries, the representative of the European Commission emphasized.

He also added that support for the green and energy transition is one of the four EU Global Gateway Flagship initiatives in Central Asia, which is implemented through the regional Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy, and Climate Change. Within this framework, the EU funds a regional program on Support to Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia that operates in the five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan) with the aim of ensuring the establishment of a sustainable energy mix in the region through increased capacities on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy deployment and an environment conducive to investments in renewable energy projects.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting further development of modern retail standards and e-commerce in Uzbekistan by financing the expansion of one of the countrys leading consumer electronics and household appliances chains, CA-store (previously known as Credit Asia), Trend reports with reference to EBRD.

The EBRDs loan of up to US$ 10 million will finance CA-stores working capital needs related to its expansion outside the capital city of Tashkent. It is expected that Uzbekistans retailer will capture all major cities in the next few years.

The funds will be also used to develop CA-stores online sales by introducing new e-commerce standards in the countrys fast growing e-commerce market and offer online shopping services to customers across the country.

CA-stores increased regional coverage will contribute to the reduction of the shadow economy by offering authentic goods and fully complying with the national tax requirements.

As part of the project, CA-store will be both creating equal and fair employment opportunities for its staff and offer better inclusivity for customers in all the regions of the country.

Uzbekistan has been the leading recipient of EBRD funding in Central Asia for four years in a row. To date, the Bank has invested around 4.7 billion in 162 projects across the country, with most of those funds supporting private entrepreneurship.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Research and exploration into the Bande-Kerhe oil field in Iran's Khuzestan Province, in the country's southwestern corner, goes on, the executive director of Iranian oil and gas producing company Arvandan Abdollah Ozari Ahvazi said, Trend reports.

According to him, the National Oil Company of Iran entrusted the development of the Bande-Kerhe oil field to the Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company. Within this framework, Mapna Company, under the leadership of Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company, continues the process of information acquisition about the field and research.

"It is projected that $435 million will be invested to develop the Bande Kerhe oil field in Phase 1, and the field will produce 18,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Besides, 2,500 people will be employed in the development of the field in the first phase," he said.

Circa one billion barrels of crude oil are believed to be present in the field, according to the official, and three exploratory wells have been dug thus far.

To note, the Bande Kerhe oil field is located in Iran's Khuzistan Province. This field was discovered in 2007. The National Oil Company of Iran, the National Development Fund of Iran, and Mapna Oil and Gas Company signed a memorandum of understanding on May 10, 2024, to develop the Bande Kerhe oil field.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. The EURO-2024 playoff stage continues, Trend reports via Idman.biz.

The third day of the 1/8 finals started in Dusseldorf.

The French team met with Belgium. Both opponents, who advanced to the 1/8 finals from second place, scored only 2 goals in the group. And only one goal was scored in this game.

Today there will be another game of the 1/8 finals. Portugal will play against Slovenia.

EURO-2024

Round of 16

July 1

20:00. France - Belgium - 1:0

Goal: Jan Vertonghen, 85 (own goal)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Members of the Mine Countermeasures Naval Task Force from Turkiye, Romania and Bulgaria met in Istanbul, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said in a statement, Trend reports.

According to the information, during the meeting agreements were signed on joint work in the Black Sea.

t is reported that a Mine Countermeasures Task Force in the Black Sea (MCM BLACK SEA) has been created to ensure the absence of a mine threat. It is noted that a meeting of the Task Force Committee was held in Istanbul and a document on joint activities was signed on July 1. The signing ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Turkish Navy, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, the Chief of Staff of the Romanian Navy, Rear Admiral Mihai Panait, and the Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mikhailov.
WorldTempus gets in the mood for summer this week with colorful watches inspired by ice cream flavors

It isnt always easy to come up with an idea for our Monday morning editorial. Our Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Wong often suggests checking if it is an interesting international day of something, like Earth Day, International Womens Day, etcso I did a little digging around and it seems that July 1st is the National Day for Creative Ice Cream Flavors in the US. Yes, you read that correctly!

This begs a number of questions. Do we need to raise awareness for the less popular varieties? Are Sweet Avocado Cayenne, Raspberry Balsamic, and Lavender Honey feeling underappreciated? Or is it to promote creativity and innovation in the field? The organizers dont elaborate, but looking at the pictures, these weird and wonderful flavors come in the most appetizing colors, which started to make me think of all the wonderful colored watch dials we have seen this year.

Take the latest Ressence Type 5L for example, with its full luminescent dial, this timepiece would look great in the hand with a mint choc chip cone or, if we want to celebrate Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day, why not a tub of Glow in the Dark ice cream (yes this is a thing)? The Type 5L was released just last week and is also a fully-fledged divers watch so you dont need to worry if your ice cream starts to melt down your arm, its 100m water resistance has you covered!

Type 5L  Ressence

Armin Stroms Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple conjures up all kinds of exotic flavors with its deep purple dial edition released in celebration of the brands 15th anniversary. It is more than just a color, however, the purple-toned mainplate boasts a stunning barleycorn guilloche motif that was created in the dial workshop of revered Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. According to my research, the Finns are quite partial to blueberry cardamom and salty licorice ice cream, both of which happen to be purple!

Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple  Armin Strom

Oriss ProPilot X Calibre 400, with its salmon/peach dial, will definitely have you licking your lips. The brand has been having fun with its dial colors of late. Remember last years ProPilot X Kermit Edition with its lime green dial and then there were the pastel-colored Oris Sixty-Five Divers in mint green, cotton candy, and turquoise. For this version, I would pair it with a peach or apricot coneor if we want to tap into those creative flavorshow about a Honey Date or Salted Pumpkin Seed?

ProPilot X Calibre 400  Oris

We couldnt possibly have an ice cream selection without something chocolate-based. This is a color that will never go out of style in the watchmaking world. One of the latest models that caught my eye was this retro-futuristic Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Chronometer, which is a contemporary revival of a 1960s timepiece from the brands archives. It comes with an 18-karat rose gold case, brown gradient lacquered dial, and a brown embossed calf leather strap.

Heritage Chronometer  Carl F. Bucherer

And last, but by no means least, check out these fun yummy colors from Richard Milles 07-01 Colored Ceramics collection. These timepieces were made for the summer with their bold hues and interesting color combinations. Their design is inspired by the 1980s Italian art and architecture movement called Memphis Design. For the rest, there is all of Richard Milles much-loved performance, technicity, and innovation. If these watches were ice creams, they would surely have names like Cardamon Pistachio Kulfi, Lemon Berry, or Mango Mojito!

RM 07-01 Colored Ceramics  Richard Mille

So, this summer, when you are on vacation and queuing up for an ice cream cone, why not try and match your choice to your watch? We could start a trend #lickmywatch!
On the morning of July 1, a number of settlements in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation lost electricity and water supply. The propagandists claimed that the blackouts were caused by "external influence on the energy facility."

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Because of the power outage, citizens of the terrorist country threw a tantrum online and began to look for the culprits. This was reported by Russian Telegram channels.

According to the Russian media, in several districts of the Belgorod region, electricity has been intermittent since the morning. Moreover, there is no electricity or water supply even in the regional center.

The Russians said that socially important facilities are forced to be supplied with electricity from mobile backup sources. At the same time, residents of Belgorod complain that traffic lights are not working on the streets. In addition, there are interruptions in the Internet.

"There is no electricity supply in most of the region. Blackouts have begun in Belgorod and its suburbs, in Belgorod, Valuisky, Shebekinsky districts, the city of Stary Oskol, and other settlements," the propagandists write.

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A similar situation is observed in the Kursk region. In particular, in the regional center, due to damage to the cable line, there are power outages in the central part of the city. The occupiers said that they were going to restore full power supply in the near future.

Russians threw a tantrum over the lack of electricity and complained that propagandists were hiding the real causes of the accident. Some Russian citizens made it sound like the power outage could be due to a "mistake by specialists."

At the same time, others complained that Kremlin propaganda continues to hide behind concepts such as "pops" and "external influence." At the same time, the Russians once again showed their terrorist nature and called for a nuclear attack on Ukraine.

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As a reminder, Ukrainian defenders continue to destroy enemy military equipment and personnel on enemy territory. This time, they demonstrated the defeat of the enemy's base in the Belgorod region.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Experts have inspected a building in Kyiv's Obolon district that was hit by missile fragments on June 30 and, according to preliminary information, found that the supporting structures were not damaged. For its part, the city will help to carry out restoration work.

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Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced this on his Telegram channel. The terrorist country of Russia attacked the city with Iskander-K missiles.

"Residents of 30 of the 84 apartments in the Obolon building, which was hit by missile fragments yesterday, reported various degrees of damage to their homes. One of these apartments was burned out, and another was partially damaged. The residents did not apply for assistance with resettlement," said Klitschko.

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According to the mayor, according to the preliminary inspection, which has already been carried out by specialists, it was found that the building's load-bearing structures were not damaged. Today the building has a water and electricity supply.

"The city will help restore the damaged apartments. We will also repair broken windows and other damage where necessary. In particular, under the program eRestoration," said Klitschko.

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As a reminder, on Sunday, June 30, the aggressor country attacked Kyiv with missiles. It is noted that the air defense system was triggered, and the debris fell on a residential building. Later it became known that during the shelling of Kyiv on Sunday, June 30, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation used Iskander-K cruise missiles. Both targets were destroyed by the Ukrainian air defense forces, but the falling debris damaged the infrastructure.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On Sunday, June 30, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation used Iskander-K cruise missiles to shell Kyiv. Both targets were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces, but the falling debris damaged infrastructure.

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This was announced during a telethon by the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ilia Yevlash, the media reported. Residents of the capital were once again urged not to ignore the air raid alert.

According to him, on June 30, at about 19:30, the enemy used Iskander-K cruise missiles during an attack on Kyiv. They managed to shoot down two missiles, but the falling debris damaged the infrastructure.

"We haven't noticed any significant changes. However, we can say that the enemy usually attacks at night quite seriously with their missiles. This time they decided to strike in the evening at half past eight on Sunday, a warm summer day when there were many people. This is how they show their cynical face every time. Russia is a terrorist country and continues to prove it with each such strike," emphasized Yevlash.

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"Iskander is a Russian tactical missile system. Iskander-K is a variant using R-500 cruise missiles, with a range of 500 km and a warhead weight of 480 kg. The flight altitude of the missile is about 7 meters when it reaches the target and is no higher than 6 km, the missile is automatically adjusted during the entire flight and automatically bends around the terrain.

As a reminder, on Sunday, June 30, the aggressor country attacked Kyiv with missiles. It is noted that the air defense system was triggered, and the debris fell on a residential building.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Everything in the life of Jordan Bardella, 28, has been accelerating. And its going to be difficult to stop him now. In a week he could become the new prime minister of France for the National Rally (RN) party led by Marine Le Pen. If so, it would bring the euroskeptical and anti-immigrant far right to power for the first time democratically in a country that prides itself on being the cradle of human rights.

If, on July 7, in the second and final round of voting for the French National Assembly, the polls confirm the advantage obtained this Sunday in the first round, Bardella will have advanced by almost three years his partys project to conquer power in the 2027 presidential elections. It would be more acceleration in the dazzling career of a young man who joined the RN at the age of 16, was spokesperson for the party at the age of 22, Frances youngest member of the European Parliament at the age of 23, and party president since the age of 26.

And if he now manages to lead the first cohabitation government that includes the far right, he will be adding a new milestone at 28 years of age. He would be the youngest prime minister of the Fifth Republic, snatching not only the job but also the youth record from the outgoing prime minister and Macronist candidate, Gabriel Attal, 35.

The RNs strong result in the first round of voting on Sunday is, to a large extent, the fruit of the partys de-demonization that Le Pen herself undertook more than a decade ago. But the success is also partly attributable to Bardella, who has given the definitive push to this process of normalization of a party that had been rejected until now by large sectors of the population and by the French establishment.

Not anymore. In the two weeks of campaigning, an always smartly-dressed Bardella  wearing suits to reflect the image of credibility that the RN wants to give out  has moved with ease through all stages and layers of society. He has been a fixture on television sets: according to a media investigation, he has appeared every three days on at least one radio or television show in the country. He has also rubbed shoulders with the Medef employers association. And he has been seen in other centers of influence and power such as Eurosatory, one of the main weapons fairs in the world and a magnet for senior political and defense officials.

He is a very nice boy who has understood the problems of the French very well, said a French military industrialist who accompanied him during the two-hour visit to French arms companies, while soldiers and defense officials followed him enthusiastically.

His presence at Eurosatory is not an innocuous detail for those seeking to erase the pro-Russian fame of the RN. During the 2017 presidential campaign, Le Pen met with President Vladimir Putin, and her party was financed with Russian and Hungarian credit lines. Bardella has also sought to calm, without entirely succeeding, international concern over proposals by his party for France to abandon the integrated command structure of NATO, the hard core of the Atlantic Alliance.

Another of the RNs key objectives is the young vote, and Bardella is there for that, says the journalist Pierre-Stephane Fort, author of an exhaustive biography of the ideal son-in-law of French politics, Le grand remplacant (The great replacer, a title that plays with the far rights theory of the great replacement, which maintains that Muslim and African immigrants are threatening to replace the native European population).

Marine Le Pen never managed to connect with young people, who did not vote for her, and this is one of the missions she gave to Bardella, that is why she chose him, Fort tells EL PAIS. Today, Bardella is more of a political influencer than a real politician. The journalist is alluding to one of the secrets of the far-right politicians success: his presence on social media platforms such as TikTok, where he has more than 1.7 million followers and where, in parallel to his in-person campaigning, he has continued to send campaign messages which, sometimes, reach five million views.

In the European elections that triggered the legislative elections and in which Bardella was also the head of the RN list, his party took 32% of the vote of young people between 18 and 34 years of age. The other usual preserve of the young vote, the radical left of France Insoumise, attracted 20% of these votes.

Not bad for a kid from the banlieue who dropped out of university. Bardella never tires of recalling his childhood in the modest home of his divorced mother, in a troubled neighborhood in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest one in France, and the one with the most immigrants, although when he tells that story he always forgets to explain that his father is a wealthy businessman, Fort recalls.

He essentially received his education during his dizzying climb through the ranks of the RN. At the time that he joined, it still carried the original name of the National Front that Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marines father, gave it when he founded it in 1972 together with veterans of the Algerian war and old Nazi collaborators.

The facelift that his daughter undertook when she took the reins of the party in 2011 involved getting rid of those uncomfortable figures, especially her father, who was expelled in 2015. It continued in 2018 with the name change to Rassemblement National, which eliminated a brand associated with a dark pastpro-Nazi, anti-Semitic, racistfrom which she claims to have now disassociated herself. However, its critics assure that it is nothing more than a layer of varnish behind which many of the former FN officials are still present and very active, despite Bardellas fresh face.

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A hole in a bone awl must have been one of the great drivers of human expansion in its beginnings. For hundreds of thousands of years, early hominid species did not need much shelter; the climate in most of Africa made it unnecessary. However, as they expanded further north, the fossil record shows how they became sheltered. No clothing has been preserved, but an increasing number of tools to make it have been found. At first, they were simple flakes to tear off and cut the hides, but later awls and burins emerged to make holes in them and sew them. But the truly great innovation, led by Homo sapiens, was eyed needles. With them, the first humans not only dressed to protect themselves even better from the cold; needles also allowed them to use the garments as a form of expression, as a culture.

In a review of existing scientific literature published in Science Advances, five researchers led by Ian Gilligan, from the University of Sydney, show how clothing emerged. Not the clothes themselves, of which only a few shreds have been preserved, but the tools to make them. In their work, they conclude that at first humans felt the need to protect themselves from the cold, but very soon the social dimension of clothing was added.

Archaeological evidence indicates that eyed needles first appeared in southern Siberia about 40,000 years ago, followed by northern China between 35,000 and 30,000 years ago, says Gilligan, author of the book Climate, Clothing and Agriculture in Prehistory. At that time and in those latitudes, it was very cold. The Earth was going through the central portion of the last ice age. Three different species of humans lived at that time and were able to coexist: the Denisovans, the Neanderthals and the Sapiens. It is in the Denisova cave complex, located in the Altai massif in Siberia, that the first needles were found. As the authors say in their work, simply opening a hole in a bone tool was a radical innovation: Eyed needles made sewing more efficient, by combining two separate processes into one: (i) the piercing of holes in hides and (ii) the threading of sinew or fiber through the holes.

Until then, available tools allowed for cutting the hides and little else. Evidence such as paleoenvironmental reconstructions, fauna remains and comparisons with current traditional societies, suggest that Neanderthals used simpler garments, such as ponchos. However, the discovery of awls and burins in Neanderthal sites in southern Europe dating back more than 100,000 years suggests that they were also able to make garments by piercing and joining different hides, so that they fit the body better, thus achieving better thermal insulation. That is the key: adjusting clothing to the body as much as possible manages to better conserve human heat. And needles allowed humans to go further, with the construction of multiple garments: adding another layer almost doubles the insulation capacity.

The earliest eyed needles found in China are large and sturdy, suggesting that they were used for crafting thick, tailored clothing and robust leather objects. The size contrast between early needle specimens from Siberia and China suggests the possibility of independent invention in these regions Ian Gilligan, Sydney University

Following the trail of the cold, we can follow the trail of eyed needles and that of humans in their expansion. There are no needles in previous human sites on the African continent and there are hardly any at the time they appeared in Eurasia. The earliest eyed needles found in China are large and sturdy, suggesting that they were used for crafting thick, tailored clothing and robust leather objects. The size contrast between early needle specimens from Siberia and China suggests the possibility of independent invention in these regions, says Gilligan. Eyed needles did not reach Europe until several millennia later, with the emergence of the Solutrean culture in the south of present-day France and the north of the Iberian Peninsula, about 26,000 years ago. Again, the key must have been the climate: During the last ice age, the climate in Europe was not as cold as in Siberia. The difference in temperatures and the thermal sensation of the wind can explain why eyed needles appeared earlier in Siberia than in Europe, adds the Australian researcher. That doesnt mean that Sapiens didnt already sew their clothes. The discovery last year of a bone object used to pierce and sew leather suggests that it was already being done 40,000 years ago on what is now the coast of Catalonia.

The main function of the earliest garments was thermal insulation, notes Francesco DErrico, co-author of the work. As early humans migrated from Africa and encountered colder climates, the need for protection from the elements became crucial for survival. Leather and animal hides provided warmth and essential protection against wind, rain and snow, he adds. His colleague Gilligan highlights their role in prehistory: Eyed needles were fundamental for the expansion of Homo sapiens to very cold environments during the last ice age, and recalls that even Neanderthals, who were physically better adapted to the cold than us, but lacked eyed needles, never reached northern Siberia, as far as we know. In fact, there are needles in the first archaeological sites in northern Siberia and they were found in Alaska, coinciding with the passage of humans to America.

The authors also suggest that needles may have made it easier to make underwear. But neither DErrico nor Gilligan can confirm it. The production of underwear left very little or no trace in the archaeological records, so it is possible that it was already used a long time ago, recalls the former. What is important to note is that for a long time, about 26,000 years ago, hunter-gatherers in Eurasia began to produce needles of different sizes, many of which are compatible with sewing underwear.

Before needles reached the western edge of Europe, there was already a relatively large textile activity. The most striking case, without a doubt, is Isturitz cave, near the town of Saint-Martin-dArberoue, in the French Basque Country. It is an extraordinary site due to the richness of its fossil record, says Aitor Calvo, an archaeologist from the University of the Basque Country. One of the layers of the stratum, from around 30,000 years ago, looks like a millefeuille in which several thousand burins appeared, he says. Regarding what might have been done with them, Calvo can only theorize: Due to the few bone traces and the tests [they carried out a series of experiments using the objects with different materials], they must have been used with a soft material, which suggests animal hide, leather.

This site belongs to the Gravettian culture, which flourished between present-day France and Spain until about 22,000 years ago. From this time, no fabrics have been found either, but perforated beads were distributed around the body, in such a way that they could only be objects sewn to clothing, says Calvo. The Gravettian culture was succeeded by the Solutrean culture, which also spread throughout southern Iberia and coincided with the height of the Ice Age. It was in this culture that the first needles appeared on the Iberian Peninsula. It is when the burins disappear from the cave record, but associating that with the emergence of the needles is risky, warns the archaeologist.

Although the protective function of clothing predates its decorative uses, everything indicates that its social role emerged shortly thereafter. Very soon humans probably began using clothing as ornament and social signaling, DErrico says. This transition can be observed in the adornment of garments with beads, but it is very likely that this dimension was integrated into clothing from a very early time, he adds. For him, the social functions of clothing must have been quite similar to those seen in traditional societies; in addition to thermal insulation, it would cover aspects such as group identity, gender differentiation, social status and ceremonial use. However, there would be a gradual change in the weight of each of these functions, whereby protection, group identity and gender would have more of a role at the beginning and social status would acquire increasingly greater relevance.

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The corridors of the Google DeepMind offices, in the central London neighborhood of Kings Cross, are almost deserted. The company  a world benchmark in the development of artificial intelligence (AI)  brings together some of the best scientists in this discipline, who work diligently behind closed doors in modern rooms bathed in natural light into which the visitor cannot even peek. What is brewing on the multiple screens of these computers is the present and future of AI, the technology destined to change everything. The secrecy is such that visitors are even accompanied to the bathroom.

Lila Ibrahim, 54, walks slowly but decisively while displaying a welcome Californian friendliness amidst so much British formalism. She can open any of the dozens of security doors planted as firewalls throughout the building with her corporate card, including those with restricted access. Ibrahim is the Chief Operating Officer of DeepMind, one of the key positions of the start-up, which was founded in 2010 by three young scientists and acquired by Google in 2014. Its new owners decided to let the London company remain as a kind of advanced AI laboratory dedicated to multidisciplinary basic research. It wasnt a bad idea. In 2016, DeepMind developed a robot capable of beating the best Go teachers, the worlds most complex game, where intuition  an attribute theoretically off limits to AI  plays a key role. The company has been able to predict the structure of 200 million proteins, paving the way for a new era of disease treatment. And DeepMind also discovered hundreds of thousands of new materials and are working on a promising nuclear fusion project.

Raised in Indiana by Lebanese parents, Ibrahim is used to being the weirdo. She was one of three women in her class when she graduated with a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. She was known on campus as the girl with the purple box. I used to carry a little box with my transistors and resistors everywhere, she recalls, laughing. The first stage of her career was at Intel. After working on the design of Pentium processors, she then opted for two new technologies that are now obsolete: USB and DVD. Back then, no one could imagine being able to watch a movie on the computer. Today, my daughters dont know what a DVD is. She has taken her 14-year-old twin daughters across the world: they have visited 40 of the 106 countries that Ibrahim has been to. I learned from my parents that you have to work hard, but also play hard.

Ibrahim later moved to a large venture capital firm and, in 2018, she was hired by Google DeepMind. She misses the California sun, which is rarely present in London, but is dazzled by the diversity and historical heritage of the British capital, which in her opinion, translates into a warmer vision of AI, compared to the one in Silicon Valley. We have the possibility of developing AI responsibly to change the world. She also spends part of her free time on doing just this. She set up a computer laboratory in the Lebanese orphanage where her father, who died last year, grew up. It was followed by three other centers. Technology only makes sense if it improves peoples lives, she says.

Q. How has AI become the most influential technology of today?

A. I think several things are happening at once. The first is that AI, from a technological perspective, has become more advanced. And now we have enough computing power to exploit it, so we can start to imagine how to use it to solve problems. We are facing major global challenges, and we are having difficulty finding solutions. Part of the reason Im here has to do with Google DeepMinds mission: how we can use AI to help us advance solutions and provide advanced science.

Q. Should we fear AI? What are the threats posed by its widespread use?

A. AI has the potential to be the most transformative technology of our time. And, therefore, we must take exceptional care with it. We think about risks all along the way. In the short term it spreads biases and misconceptions, misunderstandings. And that is very real, since it could perpetuate stereotypes that continue to exist in the world. In the long term, we are talking about who is in control of this technology, how we can understand what is happening, and how to make sure it doesnt become so powerful that humans cant control it. We are aware that our duty to humanity is to ensure that we carefully develop and shepherd this technology.

Q. How exactly do you approach that on a day-to-day basis?

A. We have worked hard to develop a culture of responsibility. The best thing about DeepMind is that since its founding in 2010, we have taken a truly responsible approach. You have to ask yourself whether you have the right governance and processes, but also whether you have the right talent and control points. We approach the problem in terms of a culture of responsible leadership. And we analyze it based on three different elements. First, if we have the right chain of responsibility, a good governance system. Second, whether our research is responsible and safe. And third, how do we think about our impact as we launch technology to the world? What are the risks and opportunities? What do we do to mitigate the possible negative effects?

Q. What do the control points you mention consist of?

A. In the research phase, we evaluate several aspects. How do the models perform compared to what was predicted? Are we making pilot teams to really start testing the model and trying to find the break points? We carry out this process internally, but also with the support of external groups that could help us carry out these tests with a view uncontaminated by our own approach.

After the research phase, the second area we focus on is technique: what we are incorporating into the models to ensure the right controls are taken into account. Then we also do sociotechnical tests. And the last thing is to evaluate the responsible impact of technology. Even though we have made so much progress, AI is still in a very early phase of its development, as if we were on the first rung of a very long staircase. And its important that when we do tests, we adopt a mindset of continuous improvement. The more people access the technology, the more it will be tested. We have to be able to respond very quickly when we find out that things are not going as we expected.

Lila Ibrahim, at the Google DeepMind offices in the London neighborhood of King's Cross. Manuel Vazquez

Q. Give me a concrete example.

A. When we launched AlphaFold [the tool that has predicted the structure of 200 million proteins], we spoke to more than 50 experts in the field because we wanted to make sure we understood what the potential risks could be as well as the opportunities. Although we have bioethicists, we spoke to others, including Nobel Prize winners, who encouraged us to launch it. We released the first version in association with the European Bioinformatics Institute.

Q. Google had been working on its own large language model for years, but it remained in the experimental phase because it was thought to need further testing. Suddenly, OpenAI comes along, launches ChatGPT, and just three months later, Google launches Bard. Were all Googles doubts resolved in such a short time?

A. Well, from my point of view, a lot of that had to do with the acceptance of the tool and market demand. We thought the technology needed more innovation, to be more reality-based and more factual. We were surprised that the market was really ready for this technology. So when we launched it, we asked ourselves: how do we make sure we are clear on what this is and what alternatives can be offered? Gemini [the model that replaced Bard] is still an experimental technology. Its about upholding our own principles and values while providing access to technology that people want. Indeed, we had an extensive white paper on large language models before ChatGPT was launched. The first one we did at Google DeepMind is from 2021, but we didnt publish it until we finished the socio-technical paper.

Q. To what extent have these checks and balances changed with the emergence of generative AI? Is this variant of AI more untamable than the others?

A. Technology is developing very quickly. When we identify something happening that is unexpected, we take quick action and try to understand the root cause. And I think thats what happened recently with the Gemini app situation [referring to an attempt to correct its biases that caused it to generate images of Black Nazis]. We are learning as an industry. The Transformer algorithm, the touchstone of language models, was developed at Google in 2017. Weve had this technology for years. For me, who doesnt come from the AI world, when I started interacting with language models, it was incredible. But I couldnt tell anyone because it wasnt available in the outside world. And we were not sure about the ability to launch this technology because it still had hallucinations [making things up], it gave wrong answers. I have been surprised to see that society is almost willing to tolerate failures in technology in order to continue testing it. And we really need the world to help us test it.

Q. A strange phenomenon is taking place around AI. On the one hand, companies put in place mechanisms to make users feel safe with these tools. But on the other hand, the executives of some of these companies, such as yours, sign manifestos such as the Extinction Risk Statement, which proclaims that AI is potentially as harmful as pandemics or nuclear war.

A. I signed it, yes.

Q. Is it possible to say that there is nothing to fear and at the same time warn that this technology can annihilate us?

A. Well, I can talk about my own experience in this regard. Let me tell you how I ended up here. When I interviewed for this position, I had no background in AI or machine learning. I spent 30 years in technology. I lived in Silicon Valley, but I had traveled a lot of the world and I thought, why London, why AI? A mentor of mine encouraged me to talk to Demis [Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind]. The more I talked to him, the more excited I got because I thought, if we could get it right, AI could change a lot of things. So I was very excited and feeling optimistic. The more I learned, the more I liked it, but the more I was also concerned. And I thought, if I could bring my 30 years of experience bringing computers to new communities or the internet to cities and countries that hadnt had access before to this key moment where AI is, maybe I would have a real impact on all of this. After the interview, I looked at my daughters and thought, can I make them sleep peacefully every night? So it was a very serious decision for me. In the end, I decided to go in because I feel I have a moral obligation to try to make AI improve our lives.

Q. How do you approach the existential risks included in the declaration?

A. When I signed it, I felt that there were a lot of things that could go right and a lot of things that could go wrong. I hope we never get anywhere near the existential risk, but in order for me to feel like Im doing my job as a leader I have to sign the document, because I put in writing that we have to take the risks seriously and we have to have an open conversation about it. If we do that, we will avoid catastrophe. We have to handle this transformative and extraordinary technology with the care it requires. That includes international collaboration and regulation.

Q. Which project would you highlight from the ones that Google DeepMind has underway right now?

A. I think much of the work in the field of science is particularly exciting. Thanks to AlphaFold, we are seeing the advances that come with understanding proteins in their internal interactions with DNA, RNA and ligands. [This is important] for understanding diseases, but also for the health of crops and the enzymes that feed on plastics and industrial waste. Understanding protein structure has unlocked a new way of thinking for scientists tackling really big challenges. I would also highlight our materials science discovery last year: we went from 40,000 known materials to perhaps hundreds of thousands. That could mean, for example, new and better technology for electric vehicle batteries. We have also provided models capable of making very accurate weather forecasts 10 days ahead, which will help us navigate extreme weather events.

Q. When Google decided to integrate DeepMind into its AI division, many people thought that basic research would be replaced by the development of tools for the general public, like Astra. Has it been like that?

A. We have always worked on products, although this was not necessarily known to the public. We have increased the battery life of Android phones. We collaborate with our colleagues at Google to optimize the energy consumption of data centers. At the same time as we were taking a much more active approach to generative AI with Gemini, we launched Alpha Missense [a tool that predicts the effect of protein mutations]. We believe there is still a lot of AI research to be done to improve models. My job is also to think about how we organize our teams so they can hire fantastic talent. We give them the space to thrive in their area of expertise. And then, those researches are translated into products and services.

Q. You mentioned talent: I havent seen too many women in the hallways.

A. Weve worked very hard to create a more diverse organization. We have employee resource groups around everything from moms and dads to women and LGBTQ+ people and also different ethnicities. We try to foster the collaborative nature of the team. Could we do any better? We certainly could. One of my main efforts right now is for us to continue to set the bar very high in recruiting and developing talent internally. We also need to make sure we connect with communities that are underrepresented externally, because its important to make their voice heard in the work that we do, especially in terms of our aspirations around AI.

Q. How do you address the growing environmental footprint of AI, which requires a lot of energy, water and minerals?

A. Its something we think about a lot. We are creating smaller, more efficient models, with less processing, like the Gemini 1.5 Flash. We have also been able to reduce energy consumption in Googles data centers by approximately 40%, simply by using AI as an optimization tool. We will try to continue reducing our footprint.

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One of the worst nights of Joe Bidens political career, the disastrous debate that pitted him against his rival Donald Trump, had not yet ended, and a taboo had already been broken regarding a subject that has been at the forefront of Democratic Party conversations for the past two years. What if the time had finally come to recognize that, due to his advanced age, the president is not the ideal candidate not just to lead the worlds leading power for another four years, but to minimally be able to stand up to his rival? And above all: would there still be time to find a replacement before the November election?

Some of the most prominent columnists of the liberal mediameaning, those closest to the Democratsrushed to certify the death of the elephant in the room. Was the debate the beginning of the end of Joe Bidens presidency? asked Susan Glasser in The New Yorker. Time to go, Joe, Mark Leibovich warned in The Atlantic. And Thomas L. Friedman, with the classic tone of this hurts me more than it hurts you, wrote in The New York Times: Joe Biden is a good man and a good president. He must bow out of the race.

On Friday, day one after the debate, it did not appear that Bidens plans included throwing in the towel, but there would still be time to replace him as a candidate in November, using a somewhat tangled and, above all, rusty mechanism that has not been used for decades.

The lack of recent precedents makes everything more complicated, but at least one thing is clear. The rules of the Democratic National Committee do not provide any mechanism for the leaders to initiate Operation Replace Biden by themselves. He could step aside. And it is also possible for someone, any member of the party, to launch a challenge during the party convention, which this year will be held in Chicago starting on August 19.

Almost 4,000 delegates from all over the country will attend, 95% of whom Biden won for his cause during primaries in which he had practically no opposition. It is traditionally assumed that these delegates will support the majority candidate, but they are not required by any rule to do so. At that point, more than half of those 3,894 members who gave him a yes would have to change their minds and vote against Biden this time around.

The convention rules also contemplate the possibility of the candidate himself declining his partys designation. That would also be an excursion into little-explored territory, but at least it would add interest to a gathering that for decades has been seen as a mere procedural event rather than a space for a debate about the future. No one can, however, rule out that this renewed interest could lead the convention into chaos, with multiple votes for more days than initially planned at an event that, in principle, will draw the curtain on August 23.

An open convention

In that case, what is known (or rather, used to be known) as an open convention would be held, in which the candidate is chosen on the fly and after an arduous process of negotiations and compromises behind closed doors.

Delegates who supported the nomination of Hubert Humphrey at the Democratic Convention of 1968 in Chicago. Archive Photos (Getty Images)

The last time something like this happened was in 1968, a turbulent year that keeps coming up as a mirror of 2024. The Democratic convention was then the scene of loud protests against the Vietnam War; leftist groups have warned that they plan to make themselves heard at this years convention over their opposition to Bidens policy of supporting Israel in the war in Gaza. The 1968 convention was also a chaotic one, held a few months after President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that he was not going to run for re-election and which produced a weak candidate, Hubert Humphrey, whom Richard Nixon defeated by a landslide. After that, the primary process was established to avoid new scares like that one.

The logic this year is that if Biden has to be replaced, the chosen one would be the vice president, Kamala Harris, especially in the event that the boss stepped aside of his own free will and named her his successor. This move would not, however, be binding for party members. And Harris would have another problem on her plate: who to choose as her running mate?

Other names that are being tossed around as potential Biden replacements include the governors of California, Gavin Newsom, Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois, J. B. Pritzker, Maryland, Wes Moore, and Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro. All of them have repeatedly denied that replacing Biden is among their plans.

Although just to make things even more complicated in this country, one can always reliably count on the particular laws of one of the 50 states. Ohio has set August 7 as the deadline to accept the name of the candidate for the White House, and, since this year the Democratic convention is being held later than usual, the Democratic National Committee has decided to organize a virtual vote so that Biden can comply with that requirement.

That unpleasant feeling of time slipping through ones fingers is another takeaway of Thursdays disastrous debate outcome for Biden, who arrived at the White House promising that he would be a transitional president and that he would quickly hand over the baton to someone else, then overcame all the tests that the office put before him. A poor result in the midterm elections would have encouraged a discussion within the party about the convenience of finding a replacement, but the Democrats managed to stop the Republican Party at the polls, which gave their leader renewed confidence. And last February, Biden appeared before the world in a State of the Union address in which he surprised everyone with his strong performance, so that again no one dared to question his leadership.

The question, now that he has shown his most vulnerable side, is whether it is not too late to carry out Operation Replace Biden.

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Valeria is half hidden behind a column at the Broadway Junction subway station in Brooklyn, New York. While preparing a serving of pineapple with lemon juice and chili powder in a plastic cup, the street vendor of Ecuadorian origin says that she has been selling fruit at different stops on the citys subway for eight months. She knows well that what she does is illegal  she has received five fines, $100 each, and ended up in jail on one occasion  but she takes the risk every day because it is the only way she has found to earn any money since she arrived in the city after leaving from her native country. I am here out of necessity, because I have a family behind to support. My fingers are full of blisters from cutting and preparing the fruit and walking with everything from side to side, but this sacrifice is for my children, the 28-year-old Ecuadorian whispers amid the roar of the passing trains.

Water and fruit vendors in the subway. Corrie Aune

The children she is talking about are the two kids who are still in Ecuador and her baby, who was born in New York a year ago when she arrived in the city with her husband. Although she does not have her baby with her this Tuesday at the end of June, Valeria  who asked that her real name not be used for fear of being detained or even deported  says she often has had to carry the child on her back while working because she has had no one to take care of him. Like her, of the more than 200,000 migrants who arrived in New York in the last two years, many have resorted to street selling of fruits and sweets in subway stations and public parks. They do this because it is the only job where they can take their children along with them, since they have nowhere or no one to leave them with.

A fruit vendor's stand on the Grand Central Station platform. Corrie Aune

In fact, eight out of 10 migrant sellers say that if it werent for the fact that they didnt have anyone to take care of their children, they would look for other job options. Thats according to a survey published last week by Algun Dia, an initiative founded last January to evaluate and address the needs of this community of sellers. Between March and May, Algun Dia volunteers, mostly social workers, surveyed 75 migrant vendors with children across New York City and found that access to childcare was one of the biggest obstacles to employment faced by migrant parents.

That is why these families end up selling fruits and sweets in public spaces. From early in the morning until the afternoon rush hour, it is common to see migrant women with their children moving from station to station, pushing carts and refrigerators in which they store strawberries, grapes, watermelon and other fresh fruits, as they search for the platform that is the busiest but also the least monitored by the authorities. Children, from babies to teenagers, stay close to their mothers. Some help sell items too. Although male vendors are sometimes seen, they are mostly young women. In fact, 34% of the people surveyed by Algun Dia were women under 25 years of age and 75%, like Valeria, were from Ecuador.

These vendors do not have a support network they can rely on to care for their children, as they left many of their relatives in their home countries and know few people in the city. Furthermore, these families live in places where they cannot leave their children alone. According to the survey, 31% of the respondents reside in one of the more than 200 migrant shelters set up by the city, where they are not allowed to leave their children unsupervised. And another 32% share an apartment or room, often with people they do not know and do not trust to take care of their children.

Aid not reaching those who need it most

A young woman sells fruit on the Fulton Street platform. Corrie Aune

While most vendors need help caring for their children during work hours, very few know that the city offers resources to do so. In fact, 100% of the people surveyed by Algun Dia were unaware that there is local and federal aid for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers who cannot cover the cost of child care programs, an expense that in New York specifically amounts to $20,000 a year on average. This is because the vast majority  93%  of sellers have not received help from any organization or government agency. Vendors remain almost entirely unconnected to the resources and supports that exist in NYC. They have not received assistance with basic needs like health insurance or school enrollment for their children, the organization states in its report.

In other words, its not that there is no aid, its that it isnt reaching those who need it most, explains Tiffany Hervas, one of the founders of Algun Dia. Many are unaware of the resources available to them because government agencies have not done enough to get the information to them, adds the Ecuadorian-born social worker. They think that disseminating information is just handing out pamphlets and thats it, but it requires much more effort.

For her, whats important is to first share information and then make sure people understand the materials they have received. Many of these people dont understand the language, they dont have a phone, they dont have email, they dont have internet access to consult the resources. All of these barriers are part of the reason this community has fallen through the cracks.

A woman sells fruit on the subway platform at Grand Central Station on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in New York City. Corrie Aune

The main option available to these vendors with children is a program called Promise NYC, under which the city pays childcare costs for hundreds of low-income undocumented families. Launched in January 2023, this initiative currently helps 683 children. It is a lifeline for families who  because of their immigration status  cannot access other federally funded childcare, explains Liza Schwartzwald, director of Economic Justice and Family Empowerment at the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), which funds the Algun Dia project. Its a phenomenal program. We criticize a lot of things the city does or doesnt do, but Promise NYC is probably the best example I have of something the city has really done well, Schwartzwald says.

But the program was at risk of disappearing. New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, did not include funding for Promise NYC in his budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which begins Monday, July 1. However, pro-immigrant organizations such as NYIC and the New York City Council pressured the Adams administration to renew the program and expand its funding from $16 million to $25 million. Promise NYC started with a budget of $10 million, which later rose to $16 million. But, according to Schwartzwald, $25 million is needed to expand the program and help the thousands of migrant families who continue to arrive in the city.

In the end, Adams agreed to both requests and Promise NYC will have a budget of $25 million for the coming year. Promise NYC is the only program in the city that is fully accessible to these families, but it does not have enough places, says Schwartzwald. Until now, the program was intended to help about 600 children at a time, when more than 70% of the 200,000 migrants who have arrived in New York since 2022 are families with children, according to city figures. The funding expansion was necessary to meet the needs we have right now, Schwartzwald adds.

Hostility, fines and fear

In addition to the difficulties in finding childcare, the vendors surveyed by Algun Dia identified another problem they face in their daily lives: the police presence in subway stations. Specifically, 60% fear being fined by the police, as has happened to Valeria five times. Sometimes there are good cops, other times there are bad cops. You always have to be aware. Just seeing them makes me panic, she admits, clearly on alert. Her gaze darts from side to side, scanning the subway platform up and down to make sure there are no police officers nearby. If they see us, they take everything from us, throw it in the trash, and give us a ticket. They have given me five fines, and they are $100, in other words, what I earn in a day goes to a single ticket, she says.

A woman and her baby wait for customers at her fruit stand at the Broadway-Lafayette station. Corrie Aune

For one of those fines, she ended up going to prison for 24 hours. They locked me in at 7 p.m. and I came out the other day at the same time. I was in a cell with other women, it was very traumatizing. I only thought about my baby, he was with his dad, but I didnt know what was going to happen to me. If they were going to deport me or what, I was very worried, she remembers. She says that she had to appear in court, but that the judge did not want to hear the case: He told me I dont want to know anything, this is not a crime. He didnt ask any questions and asked that the case be dismissed. I left that court and hugged my husband and my baby, crying a lot. Since then, I have been very careful with the police, I try to flee if I see them. Im learning the shifts of when the good police officers work and when the bad ones work, and thats how I adapt.

According to Algun Dia, vendors also face hostility from New Yorkers themselves. The organization found that 64% have felt unsafe while working and that many have been harassed by teenagers and homeless individuals and have experienced or witnessed traumatic experiences. There are people who criticize us, they insult us for being immigrants and for doing something illegal, says Valeria. But we have no choice but to continue doing it.

As she speaks, an older man approaches her and hands him several bills that are folded and difficult to distinguish. Judging by the colors of each bill, it must be at least $25. Valeria takes the money and, since she doesnt speak English, points to the fruit in front of her, as if asking: what can I serve you? The man, who clearly does not speak Spanish, smiles at her, shakes his head to indicate that he does not want anything and says goodbye. There are also very good people, says Valeria, her eyes full of tears.

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Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for acts performed in the exercise of their office. In a ruling of great importance for the legal future of former president Donald Trump, the justices did not grant him absolute immunity, but rather partial immunity  meaning it only covers official acts. The sentence comes just over four months before the November 5 elections in which Trump is hoping to return to the White House and days after a television debate that has raised doubts about the form of President Joe Biden, his expected rival.

The nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts, states the Supreme Court ruling, which is a win for Trump.

With this ruling, the Supreme Court has overturned lower court rulings that denied Trump immunity, and ordered them to figure out how to apply the decision to the ex-presidents case. The sentence was approved 6-3, with the six conservative justices  including the three appointed by Trump himself  ruling in favor of immunity. The three progressive justices voted against the decision.

The president enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the president does is official. The president is not above the law. But under our system of separated powers, the president may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts, states the 119-page ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office.

The ruling is in response to the Washington case against Trump, in which the former president is accused of four charges over his efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential elections, which he lost to Joe Biden.

The Supreme Court has sent back the case to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who will have to decide what were official acts and what were not. The Supreme Court, however, has already expressly defined some of them: it shields the communications between Trump and his attorney general, which were presented as part of the prosecutions evidence that Trump tried to interfere in the 2020 election results. This decision weakens the prosecution.

Trumps first triumph was in being able to delay the start of the trial, which was scheduled to begin on March 4. Now, it is almost impossible that he will sit in the dock before the presidential elections on November 5. If he wins the election, he will also be able to order that the case against him be dropped or even grant himself a pardon.

In parallel, the Supreme Court on Friday limited the scope of the crime of obstruction of an official proceeding. In the Washington criminal case, Trump is charged with: conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction or attempted obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to violate civil rights. The second and third counts concern the charge at the center of Fridays ruling, and the Supreme Courts decision will make it much more difficult for Trump to be found guilty of these counts.

The Supreme Court  which has a conservative supermajority  limited this criminal offense to cases related to the destruction of evidence, documents, records, objects and other items used in an official proceeding. It does not believe the charge is applicable to the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021.

While this case was pending before the Supreme Court, Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted in a criminal trial. He is awaiting sentencing on July 11, after a jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. The jury found that Trump falsified these record to hide hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels to stop a scandal about an alleged extramarital affair hurting his 2016 presidential campaign. In that case, it was obvious that Trump was not carrying out official acts, so the sentence should not affect that conviction.

It is less clear how Mondays ruling will affect the other cases against Trump: in Florida, he has been charged with withholding confidential documents in his Mar-a-Lago mansion, in which Trump also claimed immunity; and in Georgia, he has been charged for his efforts to subvert the state results of the 2020 presidential election.

This is a landmark case that may draw the contours of presidential power for the future. No president or former president has been impeached before Trump, so the Supreme Court had never had to rule on the issue before. This case has huge implications for the presidency, for the future of the presidency, for the future of the country, Judge Brett Kavanaugh said at the hearing.

The Supreme Courts judicial year has been marked by cases involving the former president. In addition to Mondays ruling on presidential immunity and last Fridays ruling on the crime of obstructing an official proceeding  in which Trump was not directly involved  the Supreme Court has also ruled on whether the Republican should be excluded from the ballot for inciting the assault on the Capitol. The justices unanimously concluded that he could run in the Republican primaries  and by extension, the presidential election  arguing that it is up to Congress to determine whether someone is an insurrectionist.

Previous rulings

Both the federal judge hearing the case and the Court of Appeals to which Trump initially appealed flatly rejected the immunity argument. Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a harsh ruling, in which she said that being president does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass. Trumps lawyers appealed to the Washington Court of Appeals, which brought the case to a standstill, since whether or not the former president could be indicted and tried was in question.

The Court of Appeals also rejected the immunity argument with the unanimous vote of the three judges. For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant. But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution, the 57-page ruling said in its introduction. It would be a striking paradox if the president, who alone is vested with the constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, were the sole officer capable of defying those laws with impunity, the ruling continued. We cannot accept former president Trumps claim that a president has unbounded authority to commit crimes that would neutralize the most fundamental check on executive power.

The judges in the Court of Appeals referred to the Watergate case to reject Trumps claim of near-absolute immunity: Recent historical evidence suggests that former presidents, including president Trump, have not believed themselves to be wholly immune from criminal liability for official acts during their presidency. President Gerald Ford issued a full pardon to former president Richard Nixon, which both former presidents evidently believed was necessary to avoid Nixons post-resignation indictment.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 19:03 | World, All

China implemented new regulations on Monday under its toughened counterespionage law, which enables authorities to inspect smartphones, personal computers and other electronic devices, raising fears among expatriates and foreign businesspeople about possible arbitrary enforcement.

The new rules, which came into effect one year after the revised anti-espionage law expanded the definition of espionage activities, empower Chinese national security authorities to inspect data, including emails, pictures, and videos stored on electronic devices.

Such inspections can be conducted without warrants in emergencies. If officers are unable to examine electronic devices on-site, they are authorized to have those items brought to designated places, according to the regulations.

It remains unclear what qualifies as emergencies under the new rules. Foreign individuals and businesses are now expected to face increased surveillance by Chinese authorities as a result of these regulations.

A 33-year-old British teacher told Kyodo News at a Beijing airport Monday that she refrains from using smartphones for communications. A Japanese man in his 40s who visited the Chinese capital for a business trip said he will "try to avoid attracting attention" from security authorities in the country

A Japanese travel agency official said the new regulations could further prevent tourists from coming to China. Some Japanese companies have told their employees not to bring smartphones from Japan when they make business trips to the neighboring country, according to officials from the companies.

In June, China's State Security Ministry said the new regulations will target "individuals and organizations related to spy groups," and ordinary passengers will not have their smartphones inspected at airports. However, a diplomatic source in Beijing noted that authorities' explanations have not sufficiently clarified what qualifies as spying activities.

Last week, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council upgraded its travel warning for mainland China, advising against unnecessary trips due to Beijing's recent tightening of regulations aimed at safeguarding national security.

In May, China implemented a revised law on safeguarding state secrets, which includes measures to enhance the management of secrets at military facilities.

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By Mihoko Fukuoka, KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 10:42 | All, Feature

A nail technician and lacquer craftsman in central Japan are showcasing their combined talents through nail art that uses a traditional wood lacquerware technique to dazzle audiences at fashion shows and elsewhere.

The Hida-shunkei lacquerware was developed in the Hida mountains around Takayama, a popular hot spring city in Gifu Prefecture, some 400 years ago but its future is now in doubt as the number of artisans has dramatically fallen in recent years due to a lack of successors keeping the tradition alive.

For Naoko Sato, 48, the nail designer who runs a salon in Takayama and came up with the idea to create her own nail art using the lacquerware technique, showcasing the lustrous but elegant fake nails on models is her way of promoting the beauty of Hida-shunkei.

In 2022, she produced nail extensions with local cypress, consulting Toshihiko Kawahara, 63, a Hida-shunkei lacquerware painter, who agreed to collaborate on the project.

Since Sato must work on chiseling the nails when not tending to her regular job at the salon, she says it takes around three months to complete a set of nail enhancements. The finished product is 9 centimeters long and approximately 3 to 5 millimeters thick, and decorated with the glossy Shunkei lacquerware.

At a show held in Takayama in April by the duo, models in kimono and other dresses took to the runway flashing their impressively long, glossy talon-like nails with their various understated embellishments.

"The show was awesome. I want people around the world to know the charms of Hida's traditional craft," said Ayumi Ishigaki, 46, who works in Takayama and uses Hida-shunkei trays, saucers and other items in her everyday life.

Examples of Hida-shunkei lacquerware include the tiered lunch boxes often used to hold traditional Japanese foods, flower vases and other wooden items coated with a shiny caramel-brown finish. The luster becomes more pronounced with use, revealing the rich wood grains underneath the lacquer.

The products are produced jointly through woodworkers who process the timber and lacquerware painters such as Kawahara. But the decline of the traditional craft has left only eight Hida-shunkei lacquerware painters still operating, of whom Kawahara is the youngest.

Like other nail technicians, Sato usually uses conventional materials such as synthetic resins for her nail extensions.

When Sato visited Kawahara's workshop two years ago with the intention of learning how to devise her own wooden nail art, she learned he has nobody willing to take over and carry on his business.

She was saddened by the thought, but hoped that her new nail art endeavor might arouse young people's interest in Hida-shunkei.

Kawahara was surprised by Sato's planned application of the technique but agreed to work with her if she could design the nails. He adopted a different painting process from usual in order to enhance the luster of lacquer used.

He has high expectations that people both inside and outside the lacquerware industry will be inspired to find new applications for the painting technique.

At a show held by Sato in New York last year, fashion industry figures expressed amazement that nails were made of wood.

She is currently promoting Hida-shunkei nails for weddings and other galas at home and abroad.

"I want to pass on the beauty of Hida-shunkei to the world and uphold the traditional craft using nail art," Sato said.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 16:15 | All, Japan

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. plans to extend its compulsory retirement age to 70 from the current 65 from fiscal 2027, making it the highest among major Japanese financial institutions amid the country's labor shortage, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.

About 10,000 employees at the Tokyo-based life insurer, excluding sales personnel, will become eligible under the new system. The company is now in talks with its labor union over the plan, the sources said.

The move is in line with the government's push to increase the number of elderly workers to secure a large enough workforce amid a declining population.

In April 2021, Japan enforced a law to encourage companies to allow their employees to work until they are 70 if they wish to.

Under the plan, Meiji Yasuda's employees aged 65 or above will be able to choose to work for shorter hours a day or three days a week, while the same salary could be offered after reaching 65 depending on their duties.

At many Japanese companies, the retirement age is often set at 60. But most companies rehire their employees until 65 typically with wages significantly lower than before the retirement age.

Meiji Yasuda extended its retirement age to 65 from 60 in fiscal 2019.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 15:32 | All, Japan, World

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Monday, including one that may have failed and fallen inland, South Korea's military said, with the launch Pyongyang's second in less than a week.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the short-range missile was fired in a northeasterly direction at around 5:05 a.m., flying about 600 kilometers from South Hwanghae Province in western North Korea, with an additional unidentified ballistic missile fired at around 5:15 a.m. flying some 120 km.

A JCS spokesperson later told reporters that it is likely the second missile flew with an abnormal trajectory, given the distance it traveled, adding it may have exploded and fallen on land.

There is a possibility that it went toward Pyongyang, a JCS official was quoted by Yonhap News Agency as saying.

The spokesperson noted the possibility that KN-23 missiles had been launched, the same type as those used by Russia to attack Ukraine. North Korea is believed to have provided the missiles to Moscow.

Japan, the United States and South Korea conducted a new multidomain trilateral military exercise called Freedom Edge last week in the East China Sea, triggering a backlash from North Korea for what it labeled the allies' "provocative military muscle-flexing."

The drills signal that three-way relations "have taken on the full-fledged appearance of Asian-version NATO," North Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Sunday.

The launch came after Pyongyang on Wednesday fired a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, with state media claiming a day later a success of a test of an intermediate-range ballistic missile carrying multiple warheads.

But the South Korean military has said it apparently exploded mid-air.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 23:00 | All, World, Japan

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japan business mood improves as auto woes ease but inflation weighs

TOKYO - The business sentiment index for major Japanese manufacturers rose two points to 13 in June, marking the first improvement in two quarters as the impact of an auto safety data-rigging scandal eased, but rising costs cast a shadow over the outlook, Bank of Japan data showed Monday.

The index among nonmanufacturers, including service providers such as hotel operators, worsened to 33 in June from 34, the first fall in 16 quarters after a strong run of improvement mainly driven by a revival of inbound tourism. Many companies now cite concerns about inflation and labor shortages, according to the Tankan quarterly survey.

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Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket with observation satellite

TOKYO - Japan successfully launched Monday its new flagship H3 rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite from a space center on a southwestern island, in a boost to the country's space aspirations following the vehicle's failed debut last year.

The domestically manufactured H3 rocket No. 3 lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, releasing its first stage about 5 minutes later and separating the satellite about 17 minutes later as planned.

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Mt. Fuji climbing season starts with new fees, control on numbers

KOFU, Japan - Mt. Fuji's climbing season started Monday when one of the four main hiking trails opened, with local authorities for the first time charging entrance fees and restricting numbers of climbers to ease congestion.

Yamanashi Prefecture now accepts a maximum of 4,000 climbers per day on the Yoshida Trail, the most commonly used route up the 3,776-meter mountain, and charges 2,000 yen ($12). The route to the summit is expected to remain open through Sept. 10.

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Official of Japanese supermarket chain Aeon detained in Myanmar

TOKYO/YANGON - Japanese supermarket chain operator Aeon Co. said Monday that a senior official of a joint venture in Myanmar has been detained, with the military junta saying he was held along with 10 others for allegedly violating rules on the selling price of rice.

Aeon named the official as Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, an employee of Aeon Orange Co., adding it would cooperate with local authorities' investigations while seeking support from the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar.

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PM Kishida vows travel aid program 6 months after central Japan quake

NANAO, Japan - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Monday to launch a specialized tourism subsidy program to support the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan coast, which was hardest hit by a powerful earthquake just six months after the disaster on Jan. 1.

In Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kishida told reporters that the central government is preparing to introduce a project involving a 70 percent discount for visitors to the Noto area, the epicenter of the New Year's Day disaster.

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North Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles: South Korean military

SEOUL - North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Monday, including one short-range projectile, South Korea's military said, with the launch Pyongyang's second in less than a week.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the short-range missile was fired in a northeast direction at around 5:05 a.m. from western North Korea, with an additional unidentified ballistic missile fired at around 5:15 a.m.

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Japan Jan.-March economic contraction revised to annualized real 2.9%

TOKYO - Japan's economy shrank an annualized real 2.9 percent in the January-March period for the first contraction in two quarters, revised down from a 1.8 percent decline reflecting recent corrections in construction statistics, government data showed Monday.

The figure for the October-December quarter last year was also lowered to an annualized 0.1 percent growth from the previous 0.4 percent expansion, the Cabinet Office said, showing the economy narrowly avoided three consecutive quarters of contraction.

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Football: Japan attacker Daichi Kamada signs with England's Crystal Palace

LONDON - Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada has signed a two-year deal with Crystal Palace, subject to international clearance, the English Premier League club announced Monday.

The 27-year-old joins the south London side on a free transfer after departing Lazio in the Italian top flight.

Video: View of the Noto Peninsula in central Japan six months after the region was hit by a massive earthquake
KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 11:56 | All, Japan

The average land price in Japan rose 2.3 percent in 2024 from a year earlier, government data showed Monday, surpassing 2 percent for the first time and marking the highest annual rate of increase since the current calculation method was introduced in 2010.

The third consecutive year of increase comes as the economy continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, with booming inbound tourism also supporting solid demand for condominiums in urban areas.

The National Tax Agency's annual survey of prices per 1 square meter of land facing major roads is used to calculate inheritance and gift taxes. It is based on data compiled by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and reflects land transactions.

Out of the 47 prefectures, 29 observed higher average land prices as of Jan. 1, four more than last year. Fukuoka topped the list of prefectures this year with a 5.8 percent increase, followed by Okinawa at 5.6 percent, Tokyo at 5.3 percent and Hokkaido at 5.2 percent.

Meanwhile, average prices dropped in 16 prefectures, with Wakayama seeing a decline of 1.0 percent, Ehime 0.8 percent, and Toyama and Kagoshima each 0.7 percent.

The survey also showed that among prefectural capitals, 37 saw land prices in their prime locations increase, with those in Saitama and Chiba topping 10 percent.

As the impact of a Jan. 1 earthquake that hit Ishikawa Prefecture hard in central Japan was not reflected in the latest survey, the agency will announce a separate adjustment rate for approximately 21,000 sq kilometers of land in Ishikawa and nearby Niigata and Toyama prefectures to help reduce the tax burden of affected areas.

The price of land on Kaminarimon Street in Tokyo's downtown Asakusa district, a popular tourist area, rose 16.7 percent from the previous year on the back of an increase in foreign visitors.

The most expensive area in Japan for the 39th year was in front of Kyukyodo stationery store in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district. It was appraised at 44.24 million yen ($275,000) per sq meter, up 3.6 percent from the year before.

As in previous years, no values were assigned for land in areas in Fukushima Prefecture where an evacuation order remains in place following the 2011 nuclear power plant disaster.

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Central Tokyo condo price tops 100 million yen for 1st time
KYODO NEWS - Jul 1, 2024 - 16:53 | All, World, Japan

Japanese supermarket chain operator Aeon Co. said Monday that a senior official of a joint venture in Myanmar has been detained, with the military junta saying he was held along with 10 others for allegedly violating rules on the selling price of rice.

Aeon named the official as Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, an employee of Aeon Orange Co., adding it would cooperate with local authorities' investigations while seeking support from the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar.

According to the junta, which has ruled the country since ousting its civilian government in a February 2021 coup, Kasamatsu and 10 Myanmar nationals have been held for selling rice at a price around 50 percent to 70 percent higher than the level mandated by the authorities.

The detention of a Japanese-affiliated company official in Myanmar came despite Japan having not imposed sanctions on the Southeast Asian country's military or associated individuals and groups following the coup, unlike Western countries. The incident could cast a shadow over other businesses linked to Japan in the country.

The Japanese embassy said a lawyer who met Kasamatsu at a police station in Yangon where he is believed to have been interrogated told them he has no health issues.

"We are in the process of confirming the facts, but we are calling for his early release. We will also provide necessary support" to Aeon Orange, the embassy said.

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular press conference that the government is urging Myanmar's authorities to release the official at the earliest and communicating with the company.

Aeon Orange was established in 2016 with local retailer Creation Myanmar Group of Companies.

The situation that developed following the coup, which saw widespread opposition to junta rule, evolved into a violent conflict between the junta and pro-democracy forces as well as ethnic minority rebels, ravaging Myanmar's economy.

The junta has sought to stabilize the market by fixing the prices of necessary goods, including rice, and setting a reference exchange rate for Myanmar's currency, the kyat, which has weakened significantly since the coup. However, there has been a widening gap between the official rate and prices and the reality on the ground.
BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to new Australian Governor-General Samantha Mostyn on Monday.

Xi pointed out that the healthy and steady development of China-Australia relationship not only suits the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries and their people, but also contributes to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity. 
BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security on Monday began piloting a digitized vehicle registration license policy in 60 cities to refine traffic management services.

Chinese law requires drivers to carry both a driving license and a vehicle registration certificate while driving.

Over 2.15 million digitized licenses were issued by the ministry on Monday across the 60 cities, which include Beijing and Tianjin.

The ministry has also improved online traffic services to promote an auto replacement subsidy program on its Traffic Management 12123 platform, from which over 63,000 drivers have benefited.

The improved online traffic services have provided accuracy and convenience to more than 4 million people and enterprises, according to the ministry. 
A visitor takes a selfie with actresses dressed in ethnic costumes in the China Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- A promotion event of Chinese tea culture was held Sunday here in the Jordanian capital with fascinating music and dance performances and ethnic costumes on display featuring the distinctiveness of southern China's Yunnan Province.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said the Chinese history of making and drinking tea dates back almost 5,000 years, and the spread of tea worldwide has fostered exchanges and fusion between civilizations, including those of the Arab world.

Yang Cheng, deputy director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, proudly introduced six tea processing techniques and associated social practices of his province, including the traditional Pu'er tea processing techniques and the three-course tea tradition of the Bai ethnic minority.

He noted the six techniques were part of the "traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China" enlisted in 2022 as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, expressing hope that the event will help deepen the understanding of Yunnan's ethnic cultures among the Jordanian people and promote cultural exchanges and collaboration between Jordan and Yunnan, China.

The event, which was held in the China Cultural Center in Amman and runs until July 2, saw its opening attracting more than 300 participants from China, Jordan, and other countries. 

An exhibitor makes tea during a promotion event of Chinese tea culture in the China Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

People look at pictures about tea culture of southern China's Yunnan Province in the China Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)
An Ethiopian tourist poses for photos with locals after a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Pan Jifeng, an inheritor of the Yao ethnic group costume, weaves cloth in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

A staff member develops hair shampoo varieties at a shampoo company's lab in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

Locals walk in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 26, 2024 shows Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

Pan Jifeng (front), an inheritor of the Yao ethnic group costume, weaves cloth in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A staff member takes hair shampoos at a shampoo company's lab in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Tourists watch a performance staged by locals in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng)

Tourists interact with locals during a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

This photo taken on June 26, 2024 shows Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A staff member promotes products via livestreaming at a hair shampoo company in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng)

Locals stage a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A staff member packs hair shampoos at the production line of a shampoo company in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

People visit the China Long Hair Science and Technology Museum in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Tourists watch a performance staged by locals in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Locals stage a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Local resident Pan Fengfei shows the Yao ethnic group costume during a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng)

Local resident Pan Fengfei (R) washes her hair along a river in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Local resident Pan Fengfei walks in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng)

Local resident Pan Fengfei (L) takes care of her hair at home in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Local resident Pan Xiuxiang washes her hair along a river in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

Foreign tourists select local specialties in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Pan Jifeng (L), an inheritor of the Yao ethnic group costume, teaches an apprentice to weave belt in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

Foreign tourists interact with locals during a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Local resident Pan Fengfei prepares rice water for hair washing at home in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Local resident Pan Fengfei (L) prepares rice water for hair washing at home in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Tourists visit Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A foreign tourist interacts with locals during a performance in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Tourists watch a performance staged by locals in Huangluo Village of Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Huangluo Village in south China's Guangxi is famous for the dramatically long hair worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group.

The village has, in recent years, scaled up efforts to develop tourism industry by taking advantage of its ethnic cultures, including cloth weaving, dance and long hair care traditions. The village saw about 274,800 tourist trips between January and June this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)
ISLAMABAD, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A paramilitary trooper and a policeman were killed while repulsing a terrorist attack in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, police said.

The incident happened in Khyber district of the province where the terrorists stormed a police station in the wee hours of the morning, the police added.

The attack led to an exchange of fire between militants and law enforcement agencies including police and the paramilitary troops frontier corps, stationed inside the building.

The terrorists fled the site after the retaliatory attack, the police added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the deceased law enforcers and expressed resolve to wipe out terrorism from Pakistan. 
BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- In cave-dwellings on the Loess Plateau, desks, maps, ink, kerosene lamps and other items are kept the way they were used in the Yan'an period (1935-1948) of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Less than a week after the conclusion of the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, led the members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau to the old revolutionary base in Shaanxi Province, northwest China.

They were attracted to a yellowing photograph showing Mao Zedong welcoming acclaimed educationist Huang Yanpei to Yan'an at a local airport on the wall of Mao's cave residence in Yangjialing, where a well-known "cave-dwelling conversation" happened.

The conversation was mainly about how to escape the historical cycle of government's rise and fall. Mao had offered the first answer -- placing the government under the supervision of the people.

This well-known conversation has been repeatedly invoked by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, as a warning of the complicated and long-term risks faced by the governing CPC, and he offered the second answer -- carrying out self-reform of the Party.

When he assumed the Party's top post in 2012, China had already risen to be the world's second-largest economy and the Party had over 80 million members.

Xi was keenly aware of the increasingly grave dangers facing the whole Party, as noted in a document from the 18th CPC National Congress, including a lack of motivation, incompetence, the risk of being out of touch with the people, and corruption.

Less than 20 days after assuming the Party's top position, Xi spearheaded the formulation of the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct. This move effectively put an end to undesirable practices, such as excessive banqueting and extravagant spending.

Shortly after this initiative, an unprecedented fight against corruption, which Xi said was "the most significant threat" to the long-term governance of the Party, was launched, targeting literally every sector and striking at both high-profile "tigers" and low-ranking "flies."

Xi has emphasized the importance of anti-corruption institutional building. Concrete efforts have been made in this regard since 2012, including the issuing of the Code of Conduct for Intraparty Political Life under New Circumstances and the promulgation of the Supervision Law. He had famously said that "power must be kept in the cage of systemic checks" and "transparency is the best precaution against corruption."

In short, he likens self-reform to "using a surgical knife to eliminate the Party's ailments." "The Party is great not because it never makes mistakes, but because it always owns up to its errors and has the courage to confront problems and reform itself," Xi once said.

Xi leads the Party by example through his actions. During a visit to Guangdong, he insisted on not imposing traffic controls that could disturb the public. In an inspection trip to Hebei's Fuping County, he stayed in a 16-square-meter room, and in Shaanxi's Liangjiahe Village, he paid for New Year's gifts for local villagers out of his own pocket.

Through more than a decade of painstaking efforts, the problem of lax and weak self-governance in Party organizations has been addressed at the root, and a political atmosphere of integrity within the Party has been steadily fostered and developed. By doing so, it has been ensured that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character.

In retrospect, the Party has counted on external oversight by the people and internal self-reform to maintain its vitality and continuous growth, Xi said.

The Party's over 99 million membership celebrates the 103rd anniversary of the CPC's founding on Monday. On June 27, Xi presided over a group study session of the CPC leadership. The topic was about improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.

"All of us in the Party must bear in mind that full and rigorous self-governance is an unceasing endeavor and that self-reform is a journey to which there is no end," Xi said at the session, urging that the whole Party must remain vigilant and resolute to prepare for tough tests. 
NEW YORK, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed in a small plane crash in upstate New York on Sunday afternoon.

A single-engine Piper PA-46 plane went down around 2 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) near Sidney, New York, which is around 240 km northwest of New York City, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement.

First responders did not find survivors after hours of search in a big debris field in a wooded area, according to a report by BNO News.

Registered in Atlanta, Georgia, the plane took off from Albert S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York at 1:40 p.m. (1740 GMT) and headed to Charleston, West Virginia, said the FAA.

The identities of the five people on board have not been released.

Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation and provide further details. 
JERUSALEM, July 1 (Xinhua) -- About 50 Palestinian prisoners arrested during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine were released on Monday, including the director of Gaza's largest hospital, Israeli sources confirmed.

An Israeli security official, speaking anonymously to Xinhua, stated that the prisoners were released from various Israeli facilities, including the military detention camp of Sde Teiman in the south, where many Palestinians arrested during the ongoing conflict were held.

The official noted that the release was part of an effort to reduce the number of detainees in Sde Teiman, which is running out of space.

Mohammed Abu Selmia, head of the Al Shifa Hospital, was among those released on Monday. He was detained by Israeli forces in November 2023 while traveling south from Gaza City following an Israeli military raid on the hospital.

In video footage widely circulated on social networks, Abu Selmia is seen near a Red Crescent vehicle and being warmly welcomed upon his arrival in Gaza.

"The prisoners are enduring very difficult conditions, including a lack of food and water and physical humiliation," he said in the video.

Abu Selmia also called for the release of all Palestinian prisoners due to the harsh detention conditions, stating that several Palestinian medical staff members died during detention due to torture and denial of basic medical care.

Israel conducted raids on the Al Shifa hospital twice, in November 2023 and April, claiming that the hospital had served as the headquarters of Hamas. The raids drew widespread criticism from the international community.

Abu Selmia's release has sparked an uproar in Israel. Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right leader in charge of prisons, castigated the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, for approving the release and called for the dismissal of the Shin Bet chief.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also criticized the government over the release of Abu Selmia.

"The news this morning and the chaos in the government ... is a direct continuation of the recklessness and dysfunction of the Israeli government, which is causing damage to the security of Israel's citizens," Lapid accused.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement, saying that the prisoners' release followed an ongoing Supreme Court hearing in which human rights groups are challenging the harsh incarceration conditions. 
DHAKA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has slashed export subsidies for almost all sectors to deal with fiscal pressures.

The reduced export incentive will apply to sectors including readymade garments, jute and jute goods, leather and leather products, frozen fish and agro products, said Bangladesh Bank in a notice Sunday.

For the 2024-25 new fiscal year beginning Monday, the central bank said the maximum rate of export incentive has been set at 10 percent and the minimum at 0.3 percent.

Bangladesh provided cash assistance ranging from 1 to 15 percent on export earnings between February and June last fiscal year (July 2023-June 2024).

Officials said the reduced export incentive is also aimed at encouraging exporters to prepare for competing in the global market without state support after the country graduates from the least developed country status in 2026. 
BAGHDAD, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A militia group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said Monday in an online statement that it launched a drone attack in the morning on a "vital site" in Israel's southern port city of Eilat.

The militia claimed the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," pledging more targeting of "the enemy's strongholds."

The statement did not provide additional details about the targeted site or any casualties.

There is no response from the Israeli side on the alleged attack.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. bases in the region, claiming to support the Palestinians in Gaza. 
In recent years, Chinese cars, including new energy models, have become popular in Central Asia thanks to their stylish designs and smart technology. But how did so many cars get there?

Today, Xinhua reporter Daria came to Southwest China's Chongqing, the first departure city of the China-Europe freight train, to explore the "magical" train that transports Chinese cars to many parts of the world.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
RAMALLAH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, arrived in Doha on Monday to hold official talks with the Qatari leadership regarding the latest developments in the Palestinian territories.

According to a statement released by his office, al-Sheikh met Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Qatari Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The Palestinian envoy and the Qatari prime minister discussed recent developments in the Palestinian territories, internal reconciliation efforts, recent Israeli actions, bilateral, Arab, and international efforts to halt the ongoing Gaza conflict, and emphasized the need for a political framework to achieve a comprehensive solution.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has led to the death of more than 37,000 Palestinians. 
A man casts his vote at a polling station in Montevideo, Uruguay, June 30, 2024. Uruguay held primary elections on Sunday to nominate the presidential hopeful for every political party in the general elections scheduled for Oct. 27. (Photo by Nicolas Celaya/Xinhua)

MONTEVIDEO, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay held primary elections on Sunday to nominate the presidential hopeful for every political party in the general elections scheduled for Oct. 27.

Citizen participation in the primaries is voluntary, unlike in the general elections that will decide who succeeds President Luis Lacalle Pou.

Lacalle was among those casting their votes Sunday in the city of Canelones, 50 km north of the capital Montevideo. He declined to make comments to the press.

Despite frigid temperatures, the voting progressed "totally normally" at some 7,105 voting centers across the country, Jose Garchitorena, minister of the Electoral Court of Uruguay, told Xinhua.

Observers expect the general elections to head to a runoff in November between the candidate of the ruling coalition led by the National Party (PN) and that of the left-wing opposition coalition the Broad Front (FA), which governed from 2005 to 2020.

Alvaro Delgado, having served as secretary of the Presidency from 2020 to 2023, is widely expected to secure the PN-led coalition's candidate.

Voting in the capital, Delgado, 55, called for citizen participation in the primaries, saying the public should "not be spectators, but protagonists."

Meanwhile, the FA is seeing a tight primary race between 57-year-old Yamandu Orsi, former mayor of Canelones, Uruguay's second most populated city, and 62-year-old Carolina Cosse, mayor of Montevideo.

One of the first to vote for the FA in the capital, former President Jose Mujica said there is a process of "renewal" in the political system.

The winner of the general elections will take office on March 1, 2025. 

A man holding a child casts his vote at a polling station in Montevideo, Uruguay, June 30, 2024.

Uruguay held primary elections on Sunday to nominate the presidential hopeful for every political party in the general elections scheduled for Oct. 27. (Photo by Nicolas Celaya/Xinhua)

Alvaro Delgado, having served as secretary of the Presidency from 2020 to 2023, casts his vote at a polling station in Montevideo, Uruguay, June 30, 2024.

Uruguay held primary elections on Sunday to nominate the presidential hopeful for every political party in the general elections scheduled for Oct. 27. (Photo by Nicolas Celaya/Xinhua)

A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Montevideo, Uruguay, June 30, 2024.

Uruguay held primary elections on Sunday to nominate the presidential hopeful for every political party in the general elections scheduled for Oct. 27. (Photo by Nicolas Celaya/Xinhua)
China issues regulations on rare earth administration

08:45, July 01, 2024 By Cheng Yu ( Chinadaily.com.cn

China approved major regulations on the mining, smelting, and trade of rare earth, a critical material used to make magnets in electric vehicles and consumer electronics, on Saturday, with an aim of driving the high-quality development of the rare earth industry.

The regulation, issued by the State Council, the nation's Cabinet, said that China will encourage and support the research, development, and application of new technologies, products, materials, and equipment in the rare earth industry.

The Chinese government will make a unified planning for the development of the sector and industry and information technology authorities will be responsible for such a plan. The new regulation will take effect on October 1.

According to the Association Of China Rare Earth Industry, the country has in recent years become the world's dominant producer of rare earth, accounting for nearly 90 percent of global refined output.

The regulation also noted that rare earth belongs to the country and no organization or individual is allowed to claim them, and any illegal activity involving the mineral's output will be punished.

A rare earth product traceability information system will also be established, according to the regulation.

Companies related to rare earth mining, smelting and separation, and the export of rare earth products, should establish a product flow recording system, it added.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
A Palestinian man sits outside a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian sources said.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a brief statement that a child and a woman were killed by Israeli army gunfire in Tulkarm, noting that four others were injured with varying injuries.

The statement did not provide further details about the incident.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli forces stormed the camp at dawn, prevented residents from leaving or entering it, and deployed snipers on the roofs and inside the high-rise buildings adjacent to and surrounding the camp.

The sources said the Israeli forces caused severe damage to the camp's infrastructure, "sabotaged" public and private property, and also destroyed the main water line.

The Israeli attack also set a house in the camp on fire, damaging several nearby houses, the sources added.

The latest incident has brought the Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 to more than 550 in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incident. 

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People are seen in a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People walk among the rubble following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People are seen in front of a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Smoke rises from a building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A Palestinian man stands in front of a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Smoke rises from a building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on July 1, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed on Monday by the Israeli army during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
KAMPONG CHAM, Cambodia, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The population of the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River in Cambodia has increased to about 105, Dith Tina, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said on Monday.

Tina disclosed the figure during the celebration of the 19th National Fish Day here in Prey Chhor district in southeastern Cambodia.

"For the first six months of 2024, eight newborn Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin calves were recorded, with only two deaths," he said. "This is exciting news."

According to a census conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Fisheries Administration of Cambodia, the species' population was estimated at 89 individuals in 2020, with a 95-percent confidence interval of 78-102.

The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins have been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species since 2004.

The species live along a 180-km main channel of the Mekong River in northeastern Stung Treng and Kratie provinces. 
ULAN BATOR, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Monday urged political parties and a coalition that won seats in Friday's parliamentary elections to forget disputes and divisions arising during the elections, and to unite and work together for the national interests of the country.

Four parties, the ruling Mongolian People's Party, the Democratic Party, the Hun Party and the Civil Will-Green Party, and a coalition, the National Coalition, consisting of the Mongolian National Democratic Party and the Mongolian Green Party, won seats in the State Great Khural, the country's parliament.

Khurelsukh made this call during a meeting with leaders of the parties and the coalition.

"You all should prioritize mutual understanding and look ahead to ensure and protect Mongolia's independence, security and national unity," he said.

Meanwhile, the Mongolian president issued a decree to schedule the first session of the new parliament on Tuesday. 
by Xinhua writers Zhao Jiasong, Zou Xuemian

KABUL, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Washington can't shake off its responsibility of amending the damage it had caused to Afghanistan, a call made by the Afghan public and the international community for the participating parties at the third round of UN-convened talks on Afghanistan being held in Doha, the Qatari capital.

At the end of August 2021, the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan after two decades of war, leaving a war-battered and even more impoverished country behind.

"We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build. And it's the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run their country." That's what U.S. President Joe Biden has claimed on the U.S. army's withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2021.

As irony would have it, Washington, as the president's remarks suggested, was blatant to assume moral high ground after 20 years of chaos and bloodshed. The reality of the violent history won't be altered as the war killed 174,000 Afghans, including more than 30,000 civilians, and displaced nearly one-third of the population.

The United States has a "moral obligation" to Afghanistan and a responsibility to contribute to its economic reconstruction, said Jalal Bazwan, an expert in international relations at Kabul-based Kardan University.

An exploded bomb killed four children, who had mistaken it for a toy, in north Afghanistan's Faryab Province on June 16. Such tragic incidents, occurring with alarming frequency, underscore the lingering peril posed by the 1,228 cluster bombs with 248,056 bomblets dropped by U.S. forces in 2001 and 2002, according to the Cluster Munition Coalition.

Over 20 percent of the bombs do not explode on impact and remain active on the ground, being the source of civilian casualties, said medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders. The International Committee of the Red Cross pointed out that children are the most vulnerable victims of unexploded ordnance, noting in its report that 640 children were killed or injured in 541 incidents involving landmine explosions and explosive remnants between January 2022 and June 2023.

Unexploded bombs have led to grave consequences for Afghanistan's agriculture, on which the landlocked country's economy is mainly dependent, said Sadiq Shinwari, an Afghan military expert.

Afghanistan, among many countries, is bearing the brunt of coercive financial statecraft. The United States should stop exacerbating Afghansitan's predicament by freezing some 7 billion U.S. dollars' worth of assets of Afghanistan's central bank and imposing sanctions. These measures have further destabilized the Afghan economy, driving price rises and reducing international assistance.

An estimated 23.7 million Afghans require humanitarian aid in 2024 -- more than half of the country's population, with a staggering nine out of 10 people living in poverty. The Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024 necessitates 3.06 billion U.S. dollars to 17.3 million Afghans targeted for assistance, but it had only received 16.2 percent of the required funds as of May 15.

Natural calamities, including last year's earthquake in the western Herat province and recent floods in the north, claimed nearly 3,000 lives, leading to an even direr humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Yet, U.S.-induced disaster is equally devastating. The war-ravaged infrastructure doubled the time required for aid to reach disaster zones. Sanctions on the banking system restricted withdrawals, leaving victims unable to access enough relief funds in time.

The U.S.-initiated sanctions imposed on the Afghan caretaker government have undermined vital humanitarian aid supply to the war-torn country, said Martin Schuepp, director of operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "It is key that all sanctions have humanitarian exemptions, which allows humanitarian organizations such as the ICRC to operate and to be able to reach the people in need."

"It's time to accept that past policies have failed and that the United States and its allies must change course and commit to greater engagement," a New York Times opinion article said early this year.

Washington should realize that its old-fashioned wily evasion of responsibility has led to everlasting hardship and unrest in Afghanistan. It is time for Uncle Sam to engage with the international community to take the first solid step in Doha and set the stage for Afghanistan's stability and prosperity. 
COLOMBO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy arrested 25 Indian fishermen who were poaching in the country's territorial waters on Monday morning, the navy said in a statement.

The arrest was made during a special operation to chase away Indian trawlers poaching off Delft Island in northern Sri Lanka, the navy said.

The navy said that they also confiscated four fishing vessels that the Indians were traveling in.

The navy added that the seized trawlers and the Indian fishermen would be handed over to the local authority for onward legal proceedings.

With this arrest, the navy has seized a total of 32 Indian poaching trawlers and 239 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024, the navy said. 
PHNOM PENH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has launched a five-year inclusive action plan to ensure quality education for all children, marking a milestone in the Southeast Asian country's educational landscape, said a press statement on Monday.

Supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the plan, launched Friday, aims to ensure that every child, including those with disabilities, has access to quality education, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

"In Cambodia, children with disabilities are three times less likely to attend school than their peers, and Cambodia has one of the largest gaps in school attendance and completion between children with and without disabilities," the statement added.

Ung Borath, secretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, said the adoption of the Inclusive Education Action Plan 2024-2028 demonstrated the government's commitment to providing quality education for all children.

"By addressing the barriers faced by children with disabilities, we aim to create an educational system that is truly inclusive and equitable," he said.

The launch of the action plan highlighted the pressing need for inclusive education, referencing the 2019 Cambodia Population Census, which revealed that 689,532 people aged five and above have a disability, with approximately 37,500 of them being children aged five to 14.

Will Parks, UNICEF representative in Cambodia, said children with disabilities face immense challenges in obtaining education, accessing healthcare, and fully participating in society.

"If swiftly implemented, this new plan will significantly enhance access to high-quality education for children with disabilities," Parks added. 
Exhibitors learn about a smart wind turbine at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

URUMQI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Amidst the bustling preparations for her final day at the China-Eurasia Expo, Ralko Katsiaryna from Belarus exudes palpable excitement and high hopes for business success.

Katsiaryna is representing a dairy enterprise at the expo in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and aims to seize a lucrative opportunity to expand into China's rapidly growing product market.

"Our whey powder and many other products are highly sought after in China, which are often used to make popular snacks such as chocolates, biscuits and cakes," she said, expressing a strong hope to forge partnerships with more Chinese enterprises.

"Though I'm a newcomer at the expo, the company I represent is actually a returning participant," she said in Mandarin. "I, too, look forward to becoming a familiar face at the China-Eurasia Expo."

In its eighth edition, this expo is hailed as an important channel for economic and trade cooperation between China and Eurasian countries.

China and Eurasian countries are highly complementary in economy and have close connections in industrial and supply chains, said Gao Yunlong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, at the expo's opening ceremony.

Gao expressed the hope for the two sides to enhance strategic synergy, deepen cooperation and jointly create a new chapter in China-Eurasia cooperation.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," this year's expo has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products.

In the exhibition hall next to Katsiaryna's booth, Xin Yaoyong, who works for a new materials technology company in Tumxuk City in southern Xinjiang, passionately introduces their products to the visitors.

"This is the first time our company is participating in the China-Eurasia Expo. We hope to make more friends and share our high-quality 'Made in Xinjiang' products with countries across Asia and Europe," said Xin, adding that the company has made "thorough preparations" for this expo and hopes to leave with fruitful results.

Since its inception in 2011, the China-Eurasia Expo has expanded its reach beyond the Asian and European continents, drawing entrepreneurs from Africa, Oceania and South America. Visitors were also delighted to explore a diverse array of quality products, such as Australian red wine, Ghanaian sheepskin drums and Uruguayan amethyst.

Darfour Frank, hailing from Ghana, deems himself a somewhat China expert as he is a frequenter of the China International Fair for Trade in Services and the China International Import Expo.

"After learning about the China-Eurasia Expo from the embassy, I immediately signed up. I wanted to visit Xinjiang to strengthen cooperation with China's inland regions and hope to raise awareness among Chinese consumers about Ghanaian products such as cocoa beans and shea butter," he said. "This expo is not just an exhibition, but also an opportunity for cooperation and a path toward a mutually beneficial future," Frank added.

This edition of the expo features over 50 trade promotion activities. It also includes industry forums, product displays and various events aimed at fostering cooperation between Chinese and foreign companies to explore new business opportunities together.

Using the expo as a platform, Xinjiang is seizing opportunities to engage in China's opening up as well as the national strategy to develop western China and the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Through mechanisms like the expo, Xinjiang is attracting foreign investments and expanding its global outreach, fostering closer exchanges and interactions with Central Asian countries and enhancing robust economic and trade cooperation.

In 2017, recognizing Xinjiang's strategic geographical location and favorable policies, Khanati Bektmubayev from Kazakhstan established a joint venture for trade in Urumqi.

"Having participated in four editions of the expo, I'm awestruck by the vitality and importance of the Chinese market, and coming here has allowed me to find more opportunities," he said.

"Despite the headwinds hindering the global economic growth, the China-Eurasia Expo will no doubt keep promoting the high-quality opening-up process of Xinjiang," said Chai Li, dean of the School of International Economics and Trade at Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics.

Chai added that Xinjiang, through high-level opening up, will provide more opportunities to foreign companies to help them expand their businesses in China. 
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chairs a symposium on foreign investment work in Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called for action to further attract and utilize foreign investment.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday when chairing a symposium on foreign investment work.

He urged the further relaxation of market access and turning the country's advantages of an ultra-large market into real advantages in attracting capital.

The vice premier said efforts should be made to continue building a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment, support domestic and foreign enterprises on an equal basis to participate in large-scale equipment upgrading, government procurement and bidding, and smooth channels for foreign enterprises to reflect and resolve their demands, while promptly responding to foreign enterprises' concerns.

Provinces that are major destinations of foreign capital inflow should strengthen services, promote the accelerated implementation of foreign investment projects, give full play to the role of various open platforms such as pilot free-trade zones, and explore ideas and forms of attracting investment that adapt to the new situation, said He. 
Tourists visit the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, May 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

by Xinhua writers Hu Tao, Cui Hanchao

LANZHOU, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwest China's Dunhuang, has been haunted by wind and sand over a millennium, and Chinese scientists have recently unraveled the historical sand storm evolution for its better protection.

Researchers from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have successfully established the intensity sequence of dust storm activities in ancient Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, by combining historical documents with modern observation data.

"Alongside intensive efforts of the government and relics conservators in desertification control, our in-depth study into the sand storm evolution will contribute to the protection of the Mogao Grottoes and other relics in the nearby region," Liu Benli, leader of the study, told Xinhua.

Tourists visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 9, 2024. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

TRACING SAND EVOLUTION

Dating back to the 4th century, the Mogao Grottoes features 735 caves carved into a cliff, currently housing more than 2,000 colorful sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals.

Being surrounded by a vast desert, the site was once severely impacted by wind and sand.

"To prolong the life of Mogao Grottoes, generations of scientists and relics conservators have been devoted to controlling the wind and sand. Our new study sheds light on a better understanding of sand storm activities here," said Liu, also researcher at the NIEER Dunhuang Research Station of Gobi Desert Ecology and Environment.

It wasn't easy from the beginning. Although Dunhuang has ages-old Buddhist art treasures, researchers found only five records of dust storm weather with exact dates among local historical materials.

Researchers then broadened their search to collect records of dust weather events along the Hexi Corridor, which stretches over a distance of nearly 1,000 km in Gansu and is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 53 grottoes.

They looked through weather records scattered in renowned Dunhuang manuscripts, word-inscribed bamboo slips from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), as well as other historical records and local chronicles.

With 143 records and 83 pieces of chronological data, the study initially formed an intensity sequence of dust storm activities in Dunhuang over the past 2,000 years.

By comparing the findings with the results from several climate proxy indicators, including tree rings and ice cores in neighboring areas, researchers examined the temporal and spatial distribution of historical dust storms and their relationship with changes in climate conditions.

"Our study provides more adequate data to understand the historical climatic environment in Dunhuang and northwest China. It is of significance to the climate and environmental governance and cultural heritage protection in the region," Liu said.

"Notably, there are vast potentials and great values of historical documents. We should continue mining the existing historical records and strengthen global cooperation," he added.

Aerial photo taken on April 18, 2022 shows a general view of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)

PROLONGING LIFE OF MOGAO GROTTOES

Relaying and racing with time, governments and generations of Dunhuang devotees from all walks of life have been endeavoring to slow down the aging of Mogao Grottoes.

"From passive protection to active prevention, we are committed to doing everything well to prolong the life of the Mogao Grottoes," said Fan Jinshi, the honorary president of Dunhuang Academy.

The female archaeologist has made a lifelong career of protecting and studying the cultural relics of the Mogao Grottoes, and joining efforts with scientists to carry out sand-control research and practice. Efforts are made to "delay its aging."

Local governments have been dedicated to finding ways to contain the pressure of the wind and the sand toward the Mogao Grottoes, by integrated measures such as sand fixing, restoring degraded forests, and adopting modern drip irrigation technology.

Dunhuang now has a forest coverage rate of 3.54 percent and the vegetation coverage of grassland of 17.3 percent, showed statistics from the city's forestry and grassland authorities.

Scientists are contributing to sand control and relics conservation, with the in-depth study into sand, wind and their interactions with ecology as priorities.

In 2007, the NIEER Dunhuang Research Station of Gobi Desert Ecology and Environment was established as a comprehensive observation and research station focusing on desert ecological environment.

"Working days and nights in desert, we are looking for scientific methods for sand prevention and control, and cultivating younger researchers," said NIEER researcher Qu Jianjun.

"And for our dream of preserving Mogao Grottoes, too," said Qu. 
BANGKOK, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's business sentiment inched up in June due to improved confidence in the manufacturing sector, which was in line with a gradual recovery of production activities, data released by the central bank showed on Monday.

According to the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the Southeast Asian country's business sentiment index (BSI) was recorded at 48.7 last month, up from 48 in May, signaling an unclear recovery path as the figure remained constantly in contractionary territory below the 50-point threshold.

The manufacturing index has lingered close to the 50-threshold since 2022, indicating a relatively stable production situation. However, the indices in several industries rebounded noticeably in the second quarter of this year, the BOT said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing index has continuously dropped since the start of 2023, falling below the 50-threshold in most businesses, led by the real estate and retail trade sectors. Despite that, the construction sector index increased on the back of accelerated government budget disbursements.

The three-month expected BSI came in at 51.9 in June, down from 52.9 a month earlier, primarily owing to lower confidence in the non-manufacturing sector while that of the manufacturing sector remained stable, the BOT said.

The reading was based on a survey of 777 respondents from large and medium-sized firms, the central bank said. 
JERUSALEM, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that about 20 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel Monday morning, in a rare salvo from the war-ravaged enclave.

The rockets set off sirens in Kibbutz Kissufim and Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha, communities near the Gaza Strip.

The IDF issued a statement, saying "around 20 projectiles were identified crossing from the area of Khan Younis" in Gaza. Several of them were intercepted, but some struck areas in southern Israel, and no injuries were reported.

The IDF artillery is currently attacking the sources of the fire, it added.

In a statement, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an armed group with its headquarters in Gaza, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Israel started its military offensive on Gaza in response to Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, 2023, during which militants infiltrated southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 others as hostages.

The continuous Israeli ground and air assaults have claimed the lives of at least 37,900 people in Gaza, mainly civilians, according to the enclave's health authorities. 
by Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Fawzi and Nada Hakim, Lebanese expatriates residing in Toulouse, France, remain undeterred in their decision to visit Lebanon this summer despite ongoing tensions at the border between Hezbollah and Israel.

"We are not afraid to return to our homeland. Conflict may simmer in southern Lebanon, but there is much of our country left to explore," remarked Fawzi.

Nada echoed her husband's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with loved ones. "Skipping a summer without seeing our daughter, friends, and relatives in Lebanon is out of the question," she asserted.

Their resolve is shared by others, such as Hala Ezzeddine, currently vacationing with family from Saudi Arabia, who views security challenges as par for the course in Lebanon. "We were here during the 2006 Israel attacks, and we weathered those storms," Hala recounted.

Despite the border escalations between the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel since Oct. 8, 2023, approximately 400,000 people arrived in Lebanon in June this year, with an average of 80 to 90 airplanes touching down at Beirut airport daily, as per Fadi El-Hassan, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority.

El-Hassan pointed out that the majority of these arrivals are Lebanese expatriates, noting that the figures are "comparable" to the numbers from the same month last year, which hovered around 426,000.

He acknowledged a reluctance among international tourists to visit amidst heightened tensions but anticipated a surge in expatriate arrivals.

Similarly, Khaled Nazha, a business insider in Lebanon's hospitality sector, highlighted the resilience of local celebrations and weddings despite the geopolitical backdrop.

"People want to celebrate in their country with their family, friends, and relatives," he said, adding that people are drawn to weddings in Lebanon's beautiful mountains and natural areas such as Byblos and Sawfar.

Nazha stated that the restaurant sector is also performing well this summer, particularly in appealing areas such as Beirut, Batroun, and Byblos.

However, Pierre Ashkar, from the Syndicate of Hotel Owners, lamented diminished hotel occupancy in Lebanon this season.

"Occupancy in Lebanon's hotels has declined this summer compared to last year due to the low number of foreign tourists," said Ashkar, explaining that expatriates typically stay in their own houses with their families.

While the population of Lebanon is fewer than 5.5 million, it has a considerable diaspora, estimated to range from 4 million to 14 million. The vast number of overseas Lebanese or Lebanese descendants wields significant influence in the country's economy and other domains. 
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks during a televised national address in Pretoria, South Africa, June 30, 2024. Ramaphosa announced the lineup of his new national executive cabinet Sunday, comprising ministers from various political parties that form the Government of National Unity (GNU). (Government Communication and Information System/Handout via Xinhua)

JOHANNESBURG, June 30 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the lineup of his new national executive cabinet Sunday, comprising ministers from various political parties that form the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Ramaphosa finally made the long-awaited announcement after protracted negotiations that nearly collapsed when the main opposition party within the GNU demanded additional ministerial positions.

The announcement came more than a week after Ramaphosa's inauguration on June 19 for his second presidential term. His re-election came with a reduced majority, forcing his party, the African National Congress, to share power for the first time in three decades.

This led to the formation of the GNU with 10 opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, among others.

In his late-night televised national address, Ramaphosa declared that the economy and the stability of the government would be of top concern to the new cabinet.

"The incoming government will prioritize rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality," said the president.

The DA, which garnered over 21 percent in the recent elections, was allocated six cabinet posts. The party's leader John Steenhuisen, 48, was appointed minister of agriculture.

Some minor parties also saw their leaders receive cabinet posts. 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks during a televised national address in Pretoria, South Africa, June 30, 2024.

Ramaphosa announced the lineup of his new national executive cabinet Sunday, comprising ministers from various political parties that form the Government of National Unity (GNU). (Government Communication and Information System/Handout via Xinhua)
ASTANA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming meeting between the heads of state of Kazakhstan and China will benefit people of the two countries, and the agreements to be reached will open a new chapter in the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan and attend the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) later this week.

"We look forward to President Xi's visit and believe it will inject powerful impetus into the development momentum of bilateral ties," said Tokayev in a recent exclusive written interview with Xinhua.

The Kazakhstan-China relationship is built upon strong bonds of solid friendship and good neighborliness, said the Kazakh president, noting that bilateral cooperation embarked on a new "golden 30 years" during Xi's visit to Kazakhstan in September 2022.

"I cherish those warm memories of our meetings with esteemed President Xi, where we discussed current issues and prospects for strengthening our permanent comprehensive strategic partnership in an open and trusting atmosphere," he said.

Frequent high-level exchanges have further strengthened bilateral ties between Kazakhstan and China, he said.

Over the past year alone, a number of important agreements have been sealed, including the implementation of a mutual visa-free policy, the construction of a third railway checkpoint, the establishment of cultural centers, and the announcement of 2024 as the "Kazakhstan Tourism Year" in China, noted Tokayev.

"As an outstanding leader and a wise statesman, President Xi will lead China to achieve tremendous growth and significantly strengthen China's global influence with his foresight," he said.

Citing the Kazakh saying "Just as a river needs its bed, people rely on leaders," Tokayev said he believes that China is continuously marching towards the grand goal of realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the wise guidance of its leader.

Recalling his eight-year stay in China, the Kazakh leader said he still has vivid memories from his time in Beijing as a foreign student and later as a diplomat at the beginning of his career, which is connected to China.

"During my experience in China, I delved deeply into the Chinese culture, history, language and customs, and discovered the richness and diversity of the Chinese cuisine," he said, adding that he now reads books in Chinese regularly and stays informed about Chinese political and socio-economic development.

Kazakhstan and China have established close interaction within international frameworks including the United Nations, the SCO, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and the China-Central Asia mechanism, Tokayev pointed out.

"We share similar positions with China on many pressing global and regional issues, and Kazakhstan fully supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and stands ready to actively participate in the ongoing integration of our national development strategies," he said.

The Kazakh president called for promoting cooperation in five key areas, namely deepening investment cooperation, increasing bilateral trade turnover, strengthening Belt and Road cooperation, expanding transport cooperation, and fostering cultural and people-to-people interaction.

In particular, he emphasized the significance of cultural and people-to-people communications between the two countries, as the opening ceremony of the "Kazakhstan Tourism Year" in China was held in March in Beijing.

More than 35 events are expected to be held across China to celebrate the "Kazakhstan Tourism Year," aiming to promote Kazakh tourism, culture, and traditional customs, he said.

"Cultural and people-to-people cooperation plays an important role in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering friendship between the peoples of our countries," he added.

In a world of profound transformation, heightened instability and growing conflicts, humanity needs to develop consolidated and effective solutions to ensure global security and foster economic growth, said Tokayev.

"In this context, Kazakhstan highly values President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which is gaining new relevance in the current international landscape and contributing to the formation of an equal and multipolar world," he said.

"The China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative will make great contributions to ensuring global security and the implementation of the sustainable development goals," he added.

Speaking of Kazakhstan's rotating chairmanship of the SCO, Tokayev vowed to make an effort to develop common approaches to solving security problems, strengthen trade and economic cooperation, promote environmental protection, and consolidate friendship between member countries.

He also said his nation aims to further strengthen the organization's international influence by expanding its contacts with major international and regional organizations.

He expected that the summit's outcome will fully reflect the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of common development.

"The Shanghai Spirit is congruent with the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, as they both promote sustainable development, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness," he said, noting that these concepts should be recognized as the norm in international relations. 
A farmer presents a mulberry twig with silkworms feeding on it in Ankara, Turkiye, July 1, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- In a small village tucked away 200 km west of Ankara, residents use traditional methods to breed silkworms for fiber, their primary source of income.

In special rooms of old houses of Ericek village, silkworms are fed mulberry leaves and will transform into cocoons after four stages of growth. The cocoons, rich with potential, will eventually be spun into shimmering silk threads.

Enver Deliktas, the 61-year-old head of Ericek and a seasoned silkworm producer, explained that the final harvest typically occurs in late June and early July. The cocoons are then sold to the local cooperative.

"This work needs skill, dedication, and patience because the silkworm is a very delicate insect," he said.

"There are feeding houses in each house of the small village of just over a hundred souls, and this ancestral tradition is the main income of families," Deliktas said.

Silk production, once widespread across central, northwestern, and southern Turkiye in the 1940s, has been declining. Ericek stands out as one of the few remaining bastions of traditional sericulture, a practice with a 1,500-year history in the region, dating back to the Ottoman Empire.

Turkiye is located on the ancient Silk Road, and silk products from China entered the country millennia ago. Clothes made of silk were considered a luxury reserved for sultans and nobles.

"When I was a small boy, I used to feed mulberry leaves to silkworms, and so did my father. This is a tradition in this village," Serhan Akin, the biggest producer of Ericek, said to Xinhua.

"Young folks have migrated to big cities. The elderly usually maintain the silkworm business, our mainstay," he explained.

Despite the challenges, Ericek produces over 2 tons of cocoons annually. A single cocoon can yield a staggering 1.5 km of silk filament, which is then combined to form a usable thread, according to Akin.

"This process requires meticulous attention to detail," Akin emphasized. "The mulberry leaves must be chemical-free, and the larvae are incredibly selective feeders -- mulberry leaves are their only sustenance."

Turkiye's climate offers a distinct advantage for mulberry growth, presenting an opportunity for sericulture. According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkiye exports an average of 28 tons of dry cocoons annually, with Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, and Poland serving as the primary export destinations.

While raw silk exports have dipped noticeably, with a decline exceeding 30 percent between 2015 and 2020, around 2,000 Turkish farmers continue the tradition across various districts.

Ericek, however, has bucked the trend. Akin acknowledges a slight decrease due to this year's hot weather, but production remains largely stable.

From cultivating mulberry leaves to meticulously unwinding cocoons and weaving the threads, the intricate and time-honored practice is deeply woven into the fabric of Ericek village life.

"Silkworm rearing is part of our daily life, our culture," he added. 

A farmer feeds silkworms with mulberry leaves in Ankara, Turkiye, July 1, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Silkworms are seen at a silkworm farm in Ankara, Turkiye, July 1, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
MOGADISHU, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Somali government said Monday it has launched a national taskforce on polio immunization, calling for swift action to end vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

The Somalia Immunization and Polio Eradication Task Force, which is chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, will oversee and coordinate polio eradication and immunization efforts across the country.

"The establishment of the national task force on immunization and polio is a testament to my government's commitment to this cause," Hamza said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The taskforce will mobilize financial and technical resources and ensure that every child in Somalia is provided with life-saving vaccines.

SIPE comprises key health officials at the federal and state levels and international partners.

Barre reiterated his government's commitment to stop the transmission of polio by providing strong support and oversight of polio eradication and routine immunization activities in Somalia.

He said the country is committed to mobilizing support for the implementation of the Somalia Emergency Action Plan, rallying efforts domestically and internationally to stop cross-border transmission.

South-central Somalia is one of seven areas identified by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as consequential geographies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Those areas are prone to repeated polio outbreaks, which are hard to control because of overpopulation, fragile health systems and conflict.

Since 2021, Somalia has confirmed 16 cases of polio, all in the south-central region, according to the WHO.

An estimated 1.5 million children have never been vaccinated, and Somalia is one of five countries globally with an under-five mortality rate greater than 100 deaths per 1000 live births.

Without intensified efforts, the WHO said Somalia is unlikely to meet its 2030 Sustainable Development Goal target of no more than 25 deaths per 1,000 live births.

During the event, Barre also launched the Child Survival Forum, which will review progress and devise strategies and an action plan to further reduce child mortality.

Much-needed leadership has been stepped up in Somalia, where 77,000 children die annually before their fifth birthday, and the country is urgently in need of accelerated progress to reduce these deaths.

Later in 2024, Somalia is expected to introduce the pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines to prevent deaths caused by pneumonia and diarrhoea, both leading causes of child mortality, the WHO said. 
BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will further boost China's relations with the two countries, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday while briefing the media on the visits.

Kazakhstan is China's friendly neighbor and permanent comprehensive strategic partner, Mao noted, adding that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 32 years ago, China-Kazakhstan relations have grown with a sound and steady momentum, and cooperation in areas such as trade and economy, investment, connectivity, energy, and cultural and people-to-people exchange has had numerous highlights.

"Our two countries have set a good example of good-neighborliness, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between neighboring countries," she said.

Last year, President Xi met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev twice in Xi'an and Beijing. The two presidents drew a new blueprint for China-Kazakhstan relations, and have guided China-Kazakhstan cooperation into a golden period of fast growth, Mao noted.

This will be President Xi's fifth visit to Kazakhstan. During the visit, President Xi will have talks with President Tokayev and have an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral relations, cooperation in key areas, and the regional and international landscape. President Xi will attend state events, such as the welcoming ceremony, the signing ceremony and the welcoming banquet, and other side events, according to Mao.

"We believe that President Xi's visit will further upgrade the bilateral relations, enrich our high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhance the wellbeing of our two peoples," she added.

Tajikistan is China's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner, Mao noted, adding that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Emomali Rahmon, China-Tajikistan relations have maintained a sound momentum, and the two countries have consolidated political mutual trust, had fruitful Belt and Road cooperation, deepened cultural and people-to-people exchange, and had close cooperation in regional and international affairs.

In May last year, the two presidents announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit, she said.

This will be President Xi's second state visit to Tajikistan after five years. During the visit, President Xi will have talks with President Rahmon to have an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral relations, cooperation in key areas, and the regional and international landscape, and make new plans for the growth of China-Tajikistan relations. The two presidents will jointly attend various side events, according to Mao.

China looks forward to working with Tajikistan through this visit to further enhance political mutual trust, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, bring people's hearts closer, inject new impetus to the growth of bilateral relations, and elevate our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, Mao said.

President Xi will attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan from July 2 to 6, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Sunday. 
KHARTOUM, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Monday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of destroying part of a main bridge in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

"In continuation of its systematic targeting of the country's infrastructure and capabilities, the RSF militia on Sunday evening destroyed the eastern part of the Al-Halfaya Bridge," the SAF said in a statement.

The Al-Halfaya Bridge is one of the ten bridges linking the three main cities in the capital metropolitan area, namely Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman. It is also the largest on the Nile, stretching 911 meters long and 27 meters wide.

The bridge connects Bahri city, now mostly controlled by the RSF, to the Karari locality, north of Omdurman, controlled by the SAF.

The RSF has not yet commented on the accusation.

Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which has claimed more than 16,650 lives, according to the Sudan situation report updated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on June 24. 
NEW DELHI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Three new criminal laws came into force in India on Monday, replacing the nearly 164-year-old colonial legislations.

The three new criminal laws, namely Indian Judicial Code, Indian Civil Defense Code and Indian Evidence Act, were passed by the Indian parliament last year.

The implementation of the three new laws was seen as the federal government's move to get rid of the country's colonial past.

Delhi's Commissioner of Police Sanjay Arora told media that the Delhi Police was ready to implement the three new laws. 
ROME, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Italy suffered massive damages and disruptions on Monday after exceptional downpours battered its northwestern regions over the weekend, local authorities said.

The stormy weather led to intense flooding and extensive landslides in the Alpine Aosta Valley region, which borders France, particularly affecting Piedmont.

In the Aosta Valley, concerns centered on the town of Cogne and the renowned Breuil-Cervinia ski resort, Civic Protection chief Fabrizio Curcio told local media after an emergency meeting with rescue teams and regional authorities that extended into the early hours of Monday.

Since Sunday, both places have been isolated due to a landslide that severed the main road providing access to the region. In addition, the center of Cervinia was inundated by flooding.

Several other villages in Aosta Valley and Piedmont were also cut off. In total, around 500 people, including tourists stranded in resorts along the slopes of the 4,600-meter-high Monte Rosa, had to be evacuated by helicopters.

"Our current priorities are focused on evacuating those still in need to lower Aosta Valley, and on restoring the road system and essential services, including the damaged aqueduct," Curcio explained.

In Piedmont, at least 480 rescue operations were conducted up to Sunday night, involving 100 staff and 170 volunteers from the Civic Protection, according to the latest data provided by the regional government.

Most of these operations took place in the provinces of Turin and Verbania, as well as the Canavese area bordering the Aosta Valley, according to the Volunteer Firefighting Corp involved. 
BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese high school graduates have more choices of undergraduate majors in universities to apply for this year, with new majors ranging from high-power semiconductor science and engineering, and intelligent marine equipment to classical Chinese studies.

China's college application for undergraduate studies is ongoing after scores in the national college entrance exam were recently available.

A total of 13.42 million young people participated in this year's exam, an increase of 510,000 compared to last year, marking a record high since 1977.

Through the fiercely competitive exam, the students are vying for seats in 3,117 Chinese higher learning institutions, which include 1,308 undergraduate schools and 1,560 vocational higher learning institutes.

In March, China's Ministry of Education released the 2024 catalog of undergraduate majors for colleges and universities, which listed 24 new majors among a total of 816 majors.

Gan Haohui, a high school graduate from south China's Guangdong Province, said he is interested in the new major of intelligent visual engineering set in the Harbin Institute of Technology in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

He has learned from the school's enrollment information that the school is the first in the country to open the newly listed undergraduate major.

"It is opened in line with the demand of the country's development, which means the employment potential is great," he said, adding that the major will be vital for the domains of aerospace, precision manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), and electronic information, among others.

Wang Haoyu, from the admission office of the Beijing Institute of Technology, said that the market demand for talent is changing amid the country's industrial transformation, especially the development of AI.

Under the school's undergraduate enrollment plan, students admitted to majors including intelligent equipment technology, new energy and smart material technology will be directly covered to enter the school's graduate education in the same direction.

"The development of the artificial intelligence industry is in full swing in China. AI courses are required in all majors in the institute," he said.

Cui Mingchen, a senior graduate from Beijing 101 Middle School, plans to apply for the Xinya College of Tsinghua University.

"I've learned that the college practices general education in mathematics and humanities fields, and allows students to choose majors after the freshmen year," she said, adding she will later consider the directions such as brain science, medical engineering, and automation, as the country is in urgent need of scientific and technological innovation in the sectors.

In addition to the importance attached to science and engineering majors, new changes are happening in the field of liberal arts.

Beijing-based Renmin University of China is the first in the country to open the undergraduate major of classical Chinese studies this year.

Wu Yang, deputy dean of the school of Chinese classics at the university, said the school plans to build the new major into one that boasts a comprehensive knowledge structure, breaking disciplinary boundaries in history, the Chinese language, and others.

"The purpose of this new major is to engage in the study of ancient China through learning ancient classics," he said.

He explained that the students will be exposed to fields ranging from playing ancient Chinese musical instruments, reading bamboo slips, and learning ancient astronomy, calendar and astrology.

Chinese higher education has been constantly advancing with the times, highlighting the need to serve the national strategy and social development. The new majors emphasize interdisciplinary integration, reflecting society's increasingly high requirements for comprehensive talent, said Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences. 
TIANJIN, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A visitor sat in a new energy vehicle (NEV) and asked its intelligent system to find a suitable nearby parking lot. Within a few seconds, the screen displayed the locations of many nearby parking lots, as well as the optimal choice.

XPENG, a smart NEV maker based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, showcased a series of AI-powered innovations at the 2024 World Intelligence Expo held recently in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

Inside one of its cars equipped with AI interaction functions, users can receive recommendations for nearby scenic spots or even travel tips simply by asking questions.

The car also features an AI Valet Driver function. "When you drive on a road after setting navigation from point A to point B, our car remembers the route. If you choose to set the same navigation next time, the car can drive itself by imitating the way you drive," said Li Xiaodong, an XPENG sales staff member, while adding that the car can remember as many as 10 routes, each up to 100 km long.

In addition, XPENG has enhanced driving safety through AI technology, introducing an AI Bodyguard function. With smart sensors, such as LiDARs and cameras, an XPENG vehicle can accurately perceive the external environment and even predict the trajectory of small animals and surrounding vehicles to avoid collisions, Li said.

Nowadays, breakthrough technologies such as intelligent connection, intelligent vehicle control, digital twins, and AI large models have provided strong driving forces for China's NEV sector, enabling more related enterprises to drive on the AI track.

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Seres Group has designed a magic cube platform which can be adapted to suit different types of cars, and which can also accommodate different power applications.

The platform integrated industry-leading technologies in terms of car safety, power, chassis and software, to provide users with better driving experiences, said Hu Jinyuan, a company engineer.

Three years ago, Seres Group cooperated with Huawei in jointly designing a series of AITO products.

"Now, all AITO cars have intelligent driving functions, two-thirds of them have high-level intelligent driving functions. The assistance driving functions are being used by one-third of the car owners," said Zhang Xinghai, chairman of Seres Group, adding that with the in-depth development of intelligent driving, these proportions will continue to increase.

Such cooperation between Chinese internet companies and NEV firms has become a trend in the country.

In May this year, 360 Group and Chinese electric vehicle brand Zeekr signed a strategic cooperation agreement to explore the business scenarios of digital construction and intelligent transformation in the NEV field.

"Through 360 Group's achievements in the field of digital security, we hope to protect the digital security of NEV enterprises, as well as the privacy security of cars. We will also focus on the scenarios of human-car interactions and improvement of vehicle enterprises' operational management efficiency, creating a full life cycle of security and intelligent experience," said Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360 Group.

An Conghui, CEO of Zeekr Intelligent Technology, said that users pay more attention to data security and privacy security in the era of intelligent connection. The company looks forward to further cooperation with 360 Group in the field of users' data security in the future.

China's NEV sector sustained sound growth momentum in the January to May period this year. NEV output surged to 3.93 million units in the first five months, up 30.7 percent compared with the same period a year earlier, while NEV sales rose by 32.5 percent to 3.9 million units.

The boundaries of smart cars continue to expand. A "flying car" equipped with multiple rotors, named XPENG X2 and produced by XPENG, recently completed its first flight in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Zhang Yongjiu, a manager at XPENG AEROHT, an XPENG affiliate, said XPENG X2 has a full carbon fiber structure, and offers automatic driving, radar ranging, and automatic obstacle avoidance functions.

XPENG X2 has a maximum load of 160 kg, a maximum design flight altitude of 1,000 meters, a maximum design flight speed of 130 km per hour, and a flight time duration of about 25 minutes after takeoff, added Zhang.

According to Zhang Xinghai, China's automotive industry has embraced the trend of intelligence and connection, which will win it more and more customers from home and abroad. 
SINGAPORE, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Singapore police blocked 40 suspicious bank accounts and seized over 1.28 million Singapore dollars (945,000 U.S. dollars) during an operation between June 20 and June 27, according to the latest statement from the police.

Acting on information provided by DBS Bank, the police arrested three suspects for involvement in scam-related activities.

Another 37 suspects are assisting investigations for allowing scammers to open bank accounts with their identities. 
YANGON, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 2,000 households in northern Myanmar's Kachin State have been evacuated as Ayeyarwady River overflowed above danger mark due to heavy rains, according to the Kachin state government on Monday.

There have been no reported fatalities and rescue operations are ongoing, a member from the Kachin state government told Xinhua.

The affected residents have been moved to temporary shelters in 30 schools, churches and monasteries across the region, he said.

According to local media reports, due to heavy rains, more than 1,000 people are trapped in Myitkyina and Waingmaw townships.

According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on Monday, the Ayeyarwady River overflowed by about five feet above the danger mark in Myitkyina Township.

The river is expected to rise by another two feet in the next two days and remains above the Myitkyina Township's danger mark. 
HONG KONG, July 1 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Monday welcomed the substantial conclusion of the consultations between China's Ministry of Commerce and the HKSAR government for further liberalization of trade in services under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).

The Ministry of Commerce announced Monday that an agreement was reached following consultations among the ministry, relevant departments and the HKSAR government under the CEPA, with amendments to further enhance and deepen the mainland's level of liberalization of trade in services with Hong Kong.

Lee said he is looking forward to finalizing the text for the new agreement as soon as possible by the two sides and formally signing and implementing the agreement after the completion of respective internal approval procedures.

"I am very grateful to the central government for its strong support to the HKSAR," he said, adding that CEPA has reinforced Hong Kong's role as a bridge connecting the mainland and the rest of the world and enhanced Hong Kong's competitiveness.

The new amendments will further deepen economic and trade cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, and provide vast business opportunities, he said.

The Chinese mainland and the HKSAR signed the agreement on trade in services under the CEPA framework in November 2015 to basically achieve the liberalization of trade in services. Subsequently, the two sides signed in November 2019 the agreement concerning amendment to the CEPA agreement on trade in services to further liberalize the mainland's trade in services with Hong Kong.

Under the current framework of the CEPA agreement on trade in services, the mainland fully or partially opens up 153 service sectors to Hong Kong's service industry, enabling Hong Kong enterprises and professionals to enjoy preferential treatment in developing their business in the mainland. 
ISTANBUL, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A natural gas explosion in Turkiye's western province of Izmir on Sunday killed five people and injured at least 60 others.

According to state-run TRT broadcaster, the explosion occurred at 2:43 p.m. local time (1143 GMT) at a business on the ground floor of a building in Torbali district.

According to TRT, at least 10 of the injured are in critical condition.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban told TRT that the explosion damaged 11 buildings in the vicinity.

"As a precautionary measure, the gas supply has been cut off, and the area is being evacuated. Our security forces have taken necessary actions," Elban said.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X, formerly Twitter, that an investigation has been launched into the explosion, with the coordination of two public prosecutors. 
BEIRUT, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's state security forces arrested 30 Syrian nationals in the northern town of Berkayel on Monday for illegally entering the country, the National News Agency reported.

The Syrians were apprehended along with a Lebanese driver who allegedly smuggled them across the border.

The driver is under investigation, while the detainees will be transferred to the relevant authorities for potential deportation back to Syria, following approval from the judiciary.

The arrest comes amid heightened Lebanese efforts to curb unauthorized crossings from Syria. Over the past year, the Lebanese army has reportedly thwarted attempts by thousands of Syrians to enter the country.

Lebanon currently hosts the highest number of refugees per capita globally, with the government estimating roughly 1.5 million Syrians seeking refuge in the country. 
A child tastes sea-buckthorn juice at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

Visitors learn about power facility models at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

A staff member operates an industrial robot at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Visitors view a China-made helicopter at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

A staff member puts wheat germ products in place at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Visitors select Hotan jade at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

A staff member (R) introduces agricultural products to an exhibitor at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 28, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Visitors view cotton pickers displayed at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

A staff member introduces steel products at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Xinjiang specialties are displayed at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

A staff member of an oilfield company talks with a visitor at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

A staff member introduces textile fibers at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Exhibitors learn about a smart wind turbine at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

A staff member puts skincare products in place at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Visitors learn about wastewater treatment solutions at the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2024.

Themed "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," the five-day expo that opened on June 26 has drawn over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions and international organizations, showcasing over 6,000 varieties of products. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)
BEIRUT, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese army on Monday received a donation of 20 million U.S. dollars from Qatar, according to a statement issued by the army command.

The statement said the donation, presented by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is part of Qatar's continued support for the Lebanese military amidst the country's ongoing economic challenges.

The army noted the funds would be distributed equally among soldiers following the completion of administrative procedures.

Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese army commander, expressed his gratitude for the "valuable initiative," highlighting its contribution to easing the burden of the crisis on servicemen.

Lebanon's army has been significantly impacted by the country's deep economic and financial crisis that began in 2019. The crisis has caused a sharp decline in the value of the Lebanese pound, leading to a devaluation of wages for public sector employees, including soldiers. 
Recently, Chinese scientists have developed a type of wristwatch that can monitor the health condition of the human body through a drop of sweat. The fully integrated-multiplexed wristwatch can enable real-time accurate monitoring of potassium, sodium and calcium ions in human sweat.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service








LONDON, July 1 (Xinhua) -- David Lammy, shadow foreign secretary of the UK's Labour Party, said on Monday that the United Kingdom (UK) must consistently approach and engage with a country as important as China if Labour is elected on July 4.

At a briefing organized by the Foreign Press Association in London, Lammy told Xinhua reporter that Labour outlined "three Cs (Cooperate, Compete, and Challenge)" in its manifesto published last month.

"What sets Labour apart from the current government's policy towards China is its commitment to a consistent approach, despite areas where the UK must compete and face challenges, particularly related to national security," said Lammy.

Lammy also said that Labour would begin an audit of UK-China relations and seek more engagement with China at all levels of government, given the current government's lack of engagement with Chinese officials. 
KHARTOUM, July 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 9 children were killed and 11 others injured in an air raid by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State in western Sudan, a local resistance committee announced on Monday.

"An RSF drone threw projectiles at the Al-Hijra Mosque in the Al-Tijaniya neighborhood in El-Fasher, killing 9 children and injuring 11 others," the resistance committee in El Fasher, a non-governmental group, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Tribune news portal reported that the targeted site contained a voluntary kitchen providing food to the displaced.

The RSF has yet to respond to the report.

Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging in El Fasher, the latest escalation of the larger conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces across the country since April 15, 2023.

The deadly clashes have so far claimed 16,650 lives, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an update last month. The UN International Organization for Migration estimated in early June that at least 7.3 million people in Sudan are internally displaced in the current conflict. 
TEHRAN, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Turkiye have warned against the consequences of Israel's prolonged strikes against Gaza and potential attack on Lebanon.

In a phone call on Sunday, Iranian Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the latest developments in Gaza, Israeli "crimes" against Palestinians, and bilateral ties, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday.

Bagheri Kani slashed Israel's "brutal crimes" against people in the Gaza Strip and Israel's threats against Lebanon.

He stressed that Lebanon's resistance was completely ready to counter the Israeli threats, noting that any act of aggression by Israelis against Lebanon would be costly for them.

The acting Iranian minister said nine months had passed since the eruption of the conflict in Gaza on Oct. 7 and Israelis were still incapable of returning the situation to what it was before that.

He emphasized that Israelis should know any new mistake by them in Lebanon would lead to the unfolding of a new situation at the regional level against them, and they would not be able to compensate for their strategic mistake even by resorting to "crimes."

Fidan, for his part, praised Iran for its efforts towards resolving the issue of Palestine and condemned the Israeli "crimes" against Gazans, saying it is very important for Ankara and Tehran to continue cooperating on Palestine's issue and maintaining regional security and stability.

The two officials also discussed bilateral cooperation including that in rail transport and regional affairs, calling for enhanced cooperation between Tehran and Ankara in the Caucasus region within the framework of the 3+3 format, comprising three Caucasian states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and their three neighbors of Russia, Turkiye, and Iran. 
BEIRUT, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A Hezbollah member was killed on Monday in an Israeli airstrike in the village of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said an Israeli warplane fired two air-to-surface missiles at a house in the center of Aitaroun, killing a Hezbollah member.

The military sources added that Israel launched seven airstrikes on five towns and villages and fired 45 shells on ten border towns and villages in southern Lebanon during the day.

For its part, Hezbollah announced that it attacked several Israeli sites, including Al-Samaqa, Dovev, and Ramot Naftali.

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.

Since the start of the confrontations with Israeli forces on the border, 357 members of the Lebanese armed group have been killed, according to Lebanese security and medical reports. 
SEOUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Missile Administration of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully conducted a test-fire of new-type tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 on Monday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Tuesday. 
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Boeing on Monday announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems.

The merger is an all-stock transaction at an equity value of approximately 4.7 billion U.S. dollars, or 37.25 dollars per share. The total transaction value is approximately 8.3 billion dollars, including Spirit's last reported net debt, according to Boeing.

"We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly," said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. "By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our Safety and Quality Management Systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes - centered on safety and quality."

Boeing's acquisition of Spirit will include substantially all Boeing-related commercial operations, as well as additional commercial, defense and aftermarket operations.

As part of the transaction, Boeing will work with Spirit to ensure the continuity of operations supporting Spirit's customers and programs it acquires, including working with the U.S. Department of Defense and Spirit defense customers regarding defense and security missions, the company said.

Airbus SE and Spirit have also entered into a binding term sheet under which Airbus will acquire, assuming the parties entered into definitive agreements and receipt of any required regulatory approvals, certain commercial work packages that Spirit performs for Airbus concurrently with the closing of the Boeing-Spirit merger.

In addition, Spirit is proposing to sell certain of its operations, including those in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Prestwick, Scotland, and Subang, Malaysia.

The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025. It is subject to the sale of the Spirit operations related to certain Airbus commercial work packages and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and Spirit shareholder approvals. 
JERUSALEM, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that his country is in "the final stage" of eliminating Hamas' armed force in the Gaza Strip.

"We are advancing towards the completion of the elimination" of Hamas, Netanyahu said during a meeting with cadets from Israel's National Security College, according to a statement released by his office.

Netanyahu's estimate came a day after he toured the Gaza Division and held a security assessment meeting, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the army's senior command, on Israel's nine-month-long offensive in Gaza, "with emphasis on the fighting in Rafah, as well as the continuation of military pressure on Hamas," according to Netanyahu's office.

Also on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ordered a mass evacuation of civilians from the eastern Khan Younis, signaling that ground forces might soon resume their offensives in the southern Gazan city, presumably to fight Hamas forces that have regrouped in the area.

Israel completed a large-scale attack in Khan Younis in early April and subsequently withdrew most of its forces. 
SANAA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday claimed responsibility for launching attacks against four cargo ships belonging to the United States, Britain, and Israel.

"The first operation was carried out by several cruise missiles, targeting the Israeli ship MSC Unific in the Arabian Sea, and the hit was accurate and direct," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"The second operation was carried out by several ballistic and cruise missiles, targeting the American oil tanker Delonix in the Red Sea for the second time this week," he said, adding the third operation targeted the British ship Anvil Point in the Indian Ocean with several cruise missiles "accurately and directly."

"The fourth operation was carried out by several cruise missiles, targeting the ship Lucky Sailor in the Mediterranean Sea," he said, vowing to launch more such attacks until Israel stops its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Since November last year, the Houthi group has been conducting drone and missile attacks on "Israeli-linked" ships, claiming these actions are in solidarity with the Palestinians in war-ridden Gaza.

In response, the United States and Britain launched a military operation in January, conducting air and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This intervention has led the Houthi group to expand its targeting to include American and British commercial and military ships. 
ANKARA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A total of 67 suspects were detained after rioters set fire on Sunday to houses and businesses belonging to Syrians, and vandalized their vehicles in the central city of Kayseri, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday.

After allegations surfaced on Sunday that a Syrian national molested a child, a group "gathered in the area, acted illegally with an attitude unworthy of our human values and damaged houses, workplaces and vehicles belonging to Syrian nationals," he said on social media platform X.

The Syrian man, identified only by his initials as I.A., was suspected of harassing a Syrian girl, who was his relative, the minister said, adding that he was caught by Turkish citizens and delivered to the police.

The Family and Social Services Ministry said the allegedly molested Syrian child is under state protection.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds of men who targeted Syrian businesses and properties.

At least 10 police officers were injured in the protests, the semi-official Anadolu News Agency reported.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the public to avoid xenophobia.

"One cannot get anywhere with xenophobia in society," Erdogan said when addressing the members of his ruling Justice and Development Party at the parliament.

"Regardless of who they are, setting fire to people's houses and cars, committing vandalism, and setting fires in the streets is unacceptable," he said. 
ASTANA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- In recent years, China and Kazakhstan have deepened cooperation in various fields within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework, contributing to building an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, said Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao.

As founding members of the SCO, China and Kazakhstan have always played active roles as advocates, promoters, and contributors to the development of the SCO and cooperation across various fields, he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Over the years, the two countries have closely cooperated, promoting the SCO to actively adapt to the evolving international situation and the needs of member countries, he said, adding that the two countries have vigorously deepened mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, transportation, energy, agriculture, science and technology, education, and culture, and promoted high-quality development of the Belt and Road cooperation.

Several SCO member countries are also participants in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he said, adding that the political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation under the SCO framework highly conforms to the five major areas of the BRI, namely policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and closer people-to-people ties.

The Shanghai Spirit practiced by the SCO also aligns closely with the core values of the Silk Road Spirit, he added.

The SCO has established a comprehensive security cooperation mechanism, including joint drug control, combating the "three forces" -- terrorism, separatism, and extremism, as well as transnational organized crime, and provided a solid security shield for the BRI, he said.

SCO member countries are committed to cooperation in science and technology, culture, education, tourism, environmental protection, and health, laying a solid foundation of public support for the BRI, said the ambassador.

The SCO's practical cooperation is increasingly deepening, not only promoting economic development and improving people's livelihoods in related countries but also providing important support and continuous momentum to the enhancement and upgrading of the BRI, he said.

Zhang said that China and Kazakhstan are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. Over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have withstood the test of changing international dynamics and achieved new breakthroughs.

Under the guidance of the two heads of state, the cooperation mechanisms at various levels between China and Kazakhstan have been operating smoothly, with new breakthroughs continuously made in various fields, injecting new momentum into the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, he said.

Noting that both countries firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and in safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, Zhang said they also resolutely oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs and double standards, while pursuing cooperation through practical actions for common development despite differences among civilizations and social systems.

Zhang said that China and Kazakhstan have yielded fruitful results in the Belt and Road cooperation, and enhanced cooperation in fields such as automobile manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, new energy, cultural exchanges, and higher education.

The two countries closely cooperate within the frameworks of the United Nations, the SCO, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and the China-Central Asia mechanism, practicing true multilateralism and jointly promoting the international governance system to develop in a more just and reasonable direction, he added.

The ambassador said that the two countries have been continuously deepening people-to-people exchanges, achieving fruitful products in education, science and technology, culture, tourism, and archaeology cooperation.

The two countries will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, create more efficient and convenient platforms to this end, and lay a more solid foundation of public support for developing the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

He said that China-Kazakhstan relations have entered a new "golden 30 years" facing new opportunities and challenges.

Taking President Xi Jinping's coming visit as an opportunity, China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to strengthen strategy alignment and policy coordination, deepen mutual political trust, and jointly build a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, strong mutual trust and solidarity, so as to make joint contributions to regional and global stability and development, he added. 
NAIROBI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A lone post at the edge of a road in Kenya's northwestern county of Samburu announces a partnership to provide water to the area. Both the words on the signboard and the stone water tank next to it go unnoticed by residents like Jovana Lengile, who walk past it daily in search of water.

Lengile, 35, is a mother of 10 children and a resident of Kalama Conservancy in the county. In this perpetually parched region, she spends a lot of time searching for water and pasture.

"I have never known a life where water was easily available or where we did not have to walk far with our cattle looking for pasture. Dams and other reservoirs work for a while until they run out of water," Lengile told Xinhua.

In a collective act of determination, Lengile and other women in the conservancy are bringing life to the land by planting perennial grass and uprooting invasive plant species. These women, often disproportionately impacted by drought, hope their initiative will provide grazing pasture for their cattle and revitalize the land after years of degradation.

The Nature Conservancy, Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) are supporting the initiative, which started in 2019 and aims to restore degraded land in Kenya's northern semi-arid regions.

"After the grass has matured, we allow our cattle to feed on it, and we also sell the grass seeds to neighboring conservancies. This is how I earn a living," Lengile said.

Dorcas Lolngojine from NRT Samburu Conservancy said that Samburu was severely affected by the 2021-2023 drought cycle, the worst in 40 years.

"This land has become degraded due to human activities and natural forces such as climate change. It is important for the community to lead the effort in restoring it, as they are the ones who feel the effects most," Lolngojine said. "We are using a semi-circular ban method to plant the grass. This way, we will preserve water and prevent soil erosion."

The women earn about 3,000 Kenyan shillings (about 23.3 U.S. dollars) for a 90-kilogram bag of grass. During their last-season harvest, Kalama Conservancy produced 150 bags of grass seeds, according to Lolngojine.

To ensure the grass grows to maturity, youth from the nomadic Maasai community have been enlisted to prevent livestock from feeding on the young grass and to prescribe grazing guidelines.

One such youth, locally known as Moran, is Mathew Lemakin. He said that thanks to the women's efforts, they no longer have to venture far looking for animal feed.

"Women are doing a good job, and through their efforts, our land has improved. Now when you walk around, you can see vegetation," Lemakin said.

The participation of Maasai youth in the initiative ensures a grazing plan is in place so that the community can utilize available resources efficiently.

At least 91 percent of Kenyan territory is experiencing some form of land degradation, with about 64 percent experiencing high degradation and 27 percent severe degradation, according to Soipan Tuya, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

Tuya made these revelations as she led the country in marking World Desertification and Drought Day recently. She also said that globally, up to 40 percent of the planet's land is degraded, directly affecting half of humanity and threatening roughly half of the global gross domestic product.

In Laikipia North, another dry region in northwestern Kenya, Jane Kipish diligently cares for cochineal insects inside a greenhouse. The bugs play a crucial role in controlling the invasive plant opuntia, which has aggressively spread across large tracts of land.

"When the animals feed on opuntia, they develop sores in their gut, refuse to feed, and eventually die. We cannot even get enough milk because it makes our animals unproductive," Kipish said.

Kipish and her fellow women are now cutting down the opuntia plant, which is not edible, and rearing cochineal insects that feed on the plant, killing it. The spread of invasive plants is a sign of land degradation. The women rear the cochineal bugs in a greenhouse for three weeks until they mature, after which they transfer the bugs to the opuntia plant.

Mamo Boru Mamo, director general of the NEMA, said the state will support community-led interventions to ensure they are replicated across other semi-arid regions and degraded lands.

Peter Kilua, the manager of Naibunga Community Conservancy in northern Kenya, said the efforts are bearing fruit. "Around 20 percent of the 70 percent opuntia that had colonized the land acreage has been eliminated, despite the process being slow." 
UNITED NATIONS, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday unanimously adopted the resolution, proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 140 countries, on strengthening international cooperation in the capacity building of artificial intelligence (AI).

The resolution on "Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence" emphasizes that the development of artificial intelligence should adhere to "the principles of being human-centered," promoting beneficial intelligence, and benefiting humanity.

It encourages international cooperation and practical actions to help countries, especially developing countries, strengthen their AI capacity building, enhance their representation and voice in global AI governance, advocate for "an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment," and support the United Nations in playing a central role in international cooperation.

The resolution aims to achieve inclusive, beneficial, and sustainable development of artificial intelligence, thereby contributing to the realization of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
BAGHDAD, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Interior Ministry announced Monday the arrest of three criminals affiliated with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) over arson charges in the northern provinces of Erbil, Duhok, and Kirkuk in 2022.

The ministry's spokesman Muqdad Miri said in a joint press conference with an official from the Kurdistan Regional Government that the arson incidents in the three provinces caused damage amounting to an estimated 300 million U.S. dollars.

Miri said that they also planned to attack markets in Kirkuk and a main Iraqi oil pipeline that exports crude oil via the Turkish port of Ceyhan, as well as some key markets in Baghdad, Erbil, and Duhok.

Many PKK militants are based in border areas in northern Iraq, especially in the Qandil Mountains.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. 
A groundbreaking event of a China-assisted construction project to expand the Rundu water treatment plant is held in Rundu, Namibia, July 1, 2024. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will assist Namibia in constructing a 665 million Namibian dollars (about 37 million U.S. dollars) project to expand the Rundu water treatment plant in northern Namibia. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)

RUNDU, Namibia, July 1 (Xinhua) -- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will assist Namibia in constructing a 665 million Namibian dollars (about 37 million U.S. dollars) project to expand the Rundu water treatment plant in northern Namibia.

The groundbreaking event took place on Monday in Rundu in Kavango Region, over 500 km from the country's capital, Windhoek. The project aims to enhance water security and support socio-economic development in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions, which have seen population growth due to rural and urban migration.

Namibian Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Carl Schlettwein said "as the town expands and the population grows, the strain on our existing systems intensifies. We must act decisively to address these issues."

Funded by a loan from the African Development Bank, the project is part of Namibia's water sector support program. It includes the construction of a purification plant with a capacity of 36,000 cubic meters per day, expandable to 72,000 cubic meters in the future.

Moreover, a new raw water abstraction facility will be constructed on the Kavango River, with an initial pumping capacity of 40,000 cubic meters per day until 2037, with civil works designed for 80,000 cubic meters daily to accommodate future demand.

The project will also build new storage reservoirs with a total volume of 35,500 cubic meters, new pump stations and pipelines to connect to existing and new elevated reservoirs at the Rundu and Nkarapamwe schemes.

Schlettwein said that Namibia's access to potable water currently stands at 87 percent, and the government is committed to extending water supply to the remaining 13 percent as quickly as possible.

"The contract for the construction of this infrastructure was awarded to CCECC, and I believe they can do better," he added.

Legal Representative of CCECC Jin Hao told Xinhua that "to overcome the risks of construction in complex geological conditions and during the rainy season, we have adopted advanced technical means and strict quality control measures, and maintain close cooperation with the local government and the community."

"The project employs many local engineers and technicians and provides them with systematic training and employment opportunities. This enhances their professional skills and reserves a valuable talent pool for Namibia's future infrastructure development," Jin said. 

Namibian Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Carl Schlettwein speaks during a groundbreaking event of a China-assisted construction project to expand the Rundu water treatment plant in Rundu, Namibia, July 1, 2024. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will assist Namibia in constructing a 665 million Namibian dollars (about 37 million U.S. dollars) project to expand the Rundu water treatment plant in northern Namibia. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
ADDIS ABABA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has hailed Chinese tech giant Huawei for its talent development contributions in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector by targeting the country's youth.

Solomon Soka, Ethiopia's state minister of the Ministry of Labor and Skills, made the remarks during an event held for Ethiopian students who will be attending the Huawei Seeds for the Future 2024 training program in Morocco from July 1 to 10, Huawei Ethiopia said in a statement issued Monday.

Commending Huawei's constructive role in talent development in the East African country, the state minister said such ICT training programs help the country's youth to develop their skills and knowledge in the field.

He said such skill-boosting training programs will enhance the youth's career prospects and open up new job opportunities for them.

Ten students from Ethiopia's eight public universities will attend the Huawei Seeds for the Future 2024 training program, which will bring together around 160 students from 18 African countries.

The program is said to comprise several training sessions focusing on cutting-edge technology and innovation areas, including 5G technologies, Internet of Things, network, cloud, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.

Huawei has several annual projects that aim to promote Ethiopia's education system, such as the ICT competition, seeds for the future, and women in tech, among others. The company, by utilizing ICT technologies, supports the country in developing talent, reducing gaps in learning, and facilitating the digital education revolution. 
NOVI SAD, Serbia, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade Tomislav Momirovic has said that the free trade agreement (FTA) with China, which took effect Monday, will enhance trade, foster investment cooperation and integrate industrial chains, to ultimately maximize economic benefits for both nations and boost their international competitiveness.

According to the deal signed in October 2023, approximately 90 percent of the products traded between China and Serbia will be exempted from tariffs, while over 60 percent of them will enjoy zero tariffs immediately after the FTA goes into effect.

The tariffs on over 95 percent of the products will be gradually reduced to zero, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

Momirovic made the remarks at a launch event for the FTA in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city. He emphasized the agreement's significance for Serbia's economic development while affirming Serbia's commitment to a "steel friendship" with China, according to a press release issued by the government.

"This is a major development for the Serbian economy. We are looking at a market of 1.4 billion consumers," Momirovic said, adding that China has invested 5.5 billion euros (5.9 billion U.S. dollars) in Serbia, making it one of the country's largest investors.

At the event, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming praised the timely implementation of the "high-quality" agreement, which he said reflects "a high degree of political trust." 
LUANDA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- TAAG Angola Airlines, the country's flag-carrying airlines, will resume flights from Luanda, Angola's capital, to Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, starting Aug. 2, according to a press release issued by the company on Monday.

The Luanda-Brazzaville route will replace the existing Luanda-Point Noire route, whose final flight is scheduled for July 26.

The new route will be operated by a Dash-8 400 aircraft with a total capacity of 74 passengers. Flights will depart from Luanda twice a week on Fridays and Sundays.

It will enhance TAAG's connectivity and traffic within the Southern Africa Development Community, the press release said. 
NAIROBI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya and the European Union (EU) reached a milestone in their trade relations with the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Monday, an official of the East African nation said.

With the EPA, all Kenya's exports to the EU market are now duty-free and quota-free, boosting bilateral trade in goods and increasing investment flows, said Rebecca Miano, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, in a statement released in the country's capital Nairobi.

"The EU-Kenya EPA is one of the most ambitious agreements negotiated between the EU and an African country in terms of promoting economic sustainability," said Miano, adding that it can serve as a template for other African countries.

Miano noted that the agreement will unlock economic opportunities as the EU is the top destination for Kenya's exports and the country's second-largest trading partner.

The total trade between Kenya and the EU reached around 3.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, an increase of 16 percent compared to 2018.

Kenya's main exports to the EU are horticultural produce, covering fruits, cut flowers, vegetables, tea and coffee.

The EPA between Kenya and the EU was concluded in June 2023 and signed in December the same year, according to Miano. 
ADDIS ABABA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for concerted efforts to augment the momentum in addressing gaps in children's vaccination in Ethiopia.

Although the East African country is making efforts to reduce the immunity gap, there is still a high number of children who have not received any vaccines or are under-vaccinated in the community, said the WHO in a statement issued Monday.

WHO data showed an estimated 194,246 zero-dose children were identified from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) communities across five regions of Ethiopia that are Amhara, Tigray, Somali, Oromia, and Afar.

It called for more efforts and increasing attention to reach zero-dose children, commonly referring to children who fail to receive any routine vaccination, and under-vaccinated children.

Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO country representative to Ethiopia, said the WHO will use different opportunities and continue to support Ethiopia to clear the backlogs of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children. He said as part of its commitments, the WHO has used the 2024 African Vaccination Week, which takes place annually in the last week of April, as an opportunity to support the IDPs vaccination in five regions with a motto "attention to zero-dose and under-vaccinated children."

The WHO said catch-up activities to the continental vaccination week were recently held to mobilize missed communities, identify zero-dose and under-vaccinated children in the IDPs setting, and vaccinate them with appropriate antigen.

According to the WHO, challenges associated with conflicts on the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly hampered routine immunization programs, leading to an increase in the community immunity gap and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. 
ACCRA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday announced that it has revised its growth projection for Ghana's economy in 2024 to 3.1 percent, up from the previous 2.8 percent.

Stephane Roudet, the IMF mission chief for Ghana, made this announcement at a joint press briefing with Ghana's Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana, highlighting significant improvements in the Ghanaian economy.

"The Ghanaian government has made significant headway in its debt restructuring strategy," said Roudet. "The agreement with the official creditor committee under the Group of 20 common framework on a memorandum of understanding, formalizing the agreement in principle reached last January, was a key milestone."

He said that the government's efforts have been yielding positive results, with signs of economic stabilization and growth proving more resilient than initially anticipated. "Therefore, we are revising our growth projection up from 2.8 percent to 3.1 percent for 2024," Roudet said.

Roudet urged the Ghanaian government to stay on the course and adhere to its policy reform agenda, which is essential for fully restoring macroeconomic stability and debt stability.

Last Friday, the IMF executive board authorized the release of an additional 360 million U.S. dollars to Ghana. This is the third payout to the country, bringing the total disbursement received by Ghana to 1.56 billion dollars from the 3 billion dollar loan approved by the IMF in May last year. 
SYDNEY, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Local authorities have activated an investigation, as the blaze burning at an Australian coal mine entered its third day on Monday.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) noted that the regulator was notified of an ignition of methane at the Grosvenor coal mine in Moranbah, west of Mackay, on Saturday morning.

Inspectors were immediately sent to the site, with all employees safely evacuated from the scene. The authority confirmed that no one was injured due to the incident.

"The coal mine is in the process of being sealed and as a result exclusion zones remain in place to ensure the safety of those on and near the site," said RSHQ Chief Executive Officer Rob Djukic.

Production at the Grosvenor mine was suspended by its operator Anglo American following the incident.

A spokesperson from the global mining giant said in a statement that the company is working with specialist teams from the Queensland Mines Rescue Service and the regulatory authorities to extinguish the underground fire, prior to being able to assess the steps towards a safe re-entry into the mine.

"These procedures are expected to take several months as a result of the likely damage underground," the spokesperson said.

According to the statement, Anglo American's steelmaking coal business expects to produce 8 million tonnes in the first half of this year, of which Grosvenor will contribute 2.3 million tonnes.

For 2024 as a whole, production guidance for the steelmaking coal business is estimated to reach 15 to 17 million tonnes, with Grosvenor expected to contribute 3.5 million tonnes, representing lower production in the second half of the year due to a planned longwall move.

The Grosvenor project delivered its first coal from underground longwall in May 2016 but was shut down in mid-2020 after a methane ignition injured five workers. The mine just returned to operation in February 2022.

Australian Financial Review reported that Anglo American drains approximately 60 percent of the methane gas from the seams and then supplies it to the Queensland electricity grid. 
NEW DELHI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- India's human rights panel, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Monday issued notices to the federal government and local government of the southern state of Tamil Nadu over alleged discrimination by Foxconn India, a major manufacturer of Apple products, that it barred married women from jobs.

The panel said it has taken cognizance of the media reports that Foxconn India at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, systematically excluded married women from jobs.

"The commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity," the panel said, adding that it has issued notices to the secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the chief secretary of the government of Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week.

The NHRC said the state must ensure that all companies follow norms, regulations and related labor laws, including the rights to health, dignity and equality.

Last week, media reports disclosed that jobseekers in the company were contacted between January 2023 and May this year leading to the disclosure that only unmarried women were eligible for assembly jobs, despite no mention of any such policy in the company's advertisements. 
SYDNEY, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Australian police said on Monday that a teenager has been arrested after a daylight stabbing severely injured one man in New South Wales (NSW).

The incident unfolded at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday when emergency services were called to Seymour Street in Bathurst following reports of a stabbing.

Upon arrival, officers found a 28-year-old male sustaining a stab wound to his chest. Paramedics treated the man at the scene before he was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

With a crime scene established, the NSW Police Force launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following inquiries, the officers attended a home in Gormans Hill and arrested a 13-year-old boy.

He was taken to Bathurst Police Station and faced the charge of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The teenager was refused bail and is expected to appear before a children's court on Monday.

Bathurst lies about 200 km west of the state capital Sydney, with 7,001 residents living inside the urban area, according to Australia's 2021 census. 
NEW DELHI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- New Delhi and Islamabad on Monday exchanged a list of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's jails, officials said.

The exchange was carried out through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, India's foreign ministry said.

According to the ministry, the exchange was done in keeping with the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008 under which such lists are exchanged every year on Jan. 1 and July 1. 
NEW DELHI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Five members of a family on a picnic were drowned after being swept away at a waterfall in India's western state of Maharashtra, police said Monday.

While four bodies were fished out, the search for the fifth one was underway.

The members drowned late Sunday afternoon in a waterfall behind the Bhushi Dam in Lonavala of Pune district, about 88 km southeast of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra.

Authorities have pressed in divers from the police and Navy to carry out searches in the water.

"It's a tragic incident. Despite numerous warnings, people continue to venture into hazardous areas in the hilly terrain upstream of Bhushi Dam," a police official was quoted in local media as having said. Enditem.
SEOUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Missile Administration of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully conducted a test-fire of new-type tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 on Monday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday.

The new-type tactical ballistic missile can carry "4.5 ton-class super-large warhead," according to the KCNA report.

By using missile tipped with a simulated heavy warhead, the test-fire was designed to verify its flight stability and hit accuracy at a maximum range of 500 km and a minimum range of 90 km, the report said.

The DPRK Missile Administration will further test-fire the new-type tactical ballistic missile this month, in a bid to verify its flight characteristics, hit accuracy and explosion power of super-large warhead at a medium range of 250 km, the report added. 
In this photo taken by a mobile phone, a China-Europe freight train heading for Moscow departs from the logistics hub in Pinggu District of Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Xu)

BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A cargo train left Beijing for the Russian capital Moscow on Monday, marking the launch of a regular China-Europe freight-train service from the Chinese capital.

The freight train carrying construction materials, household electrical appliances, clothing and other goods departed from the logistics hub of Pinggu District in the northeast of the city.

Beijing launched the first trial train last March. More preparations and improvements have since been made. Starting from Monday, the service will run at least once a month.

"The products used to be sent to neighboring Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region or Hebei Province before heading for Europe," said Geng Zhanfeng, deputy general manager with the north China branch of Sinotrans.

"The launch of this regular freight-train service enables us to send the goods directly from Beijing to Europe, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency," he said. 

In this photo taken by a mobile phone, a China-Europe freight train heading for Moscow departs from the logistics hub in Pinggu District of Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Xu)
BUDAPEST/VIENNA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday for six months, with its focus on enhancing EU competitiveness.

On Sunday, the day before Hungary started its EU presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced in Vienna the creation of "Patriots for Europe," a new far-right alliance, in the European Parliament.

He presented the alliance with Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), and Andrej Babis, leader of the main Czech opposition party Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO).

Orban said the alliance, comprising his right-wing populist Fidesz party, FPOe, and ANO, would soon become the "largest group of the European right." Yet it would need to attract lawmakers from at least four other EU member states to form a group in the European Parliament.

Austrian broadcaster ORF raised the question of how the National Rally (RN) of the French right-wing populist Marine Le Pen and Germany's AfD party would react to the new alliance. The RN and AfD were recently excluded from the right-wing Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament.

On Monday, Hungary's European Union Affairs Minister Janos Boka outlined the seven top priorities during Hungary's presidency, including enhancing the EU competitiveness, reinforcing European defense policy, EU enlargement, stemming illegal migration, shaping the future of a cohesion policy, formulating a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy and addressing European demographic challenges.

Boka said these priorities reflect the will of European voters, stressing that the recent European parliamentary elections sent a clear political message that "Europe needs change."

The minister stressed EU competitiveness and European security and defense policy in particular. "Strengthening Europe's peace and security are of paramount importance," Boka said.

The motto of Hungary's EU Presidency is "Make Europe Great Again." Zoltan Kiszelly, director of the Center of Political Analyses at Hungary's Szazadveg Institute, told Xinhua that the central European country is expected to play a significant role in setting the agenda and topics for meetings and negotiations due in the coming months. 
SOFIA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's GERB-UDF coalition, the largest political force in the newly elected parliament, proposed the structure and composition of a new government immediately after receiving an exploratory mandate.

Rosen Zhelyazkov, GERB-UDF's nominee for prime minister, proposed the new government moments after President Rumen Radev handed him the mandate. Despite having seven days to propose a government as stipulated by the Bulgarian Constitution, Zhelyazkov, whose coalition holds 68 seats in the 240-member parliament, acted promptly.

Radev will submit the proposal to the parliament, where it needs to be approved by legislators in a simple majority vote.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms, the second-largest force in the parliament with 46 seats, has declared support for GERB-UDF.

If the largest political force in parliament fails to form a government, the president will task the second-largest group with nominating a prime minister-designate. If they also fail, the president will then turn to a minor parliamentary group. If no government is formed, new parliamentary elections will be scheduled.

Bulgaria's parliamentary elections were held on June 9, after Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov resigned on March 5, and the subsequent failure of the legislature to form a new government. 
HELSINKI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish parliament has approved the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States, announced the parliament on Monday.

According to Finnish national broadcaster Yle, under the agreement, Finland will open 15 of its military bases for potential use by the military forces of the United States and will also allow the United States to bring defense equipment, supplies, materials, and soldiers to Finland.

In addition, the agreement will authorize establishment of certain military zones, which will include facilities accessible only to the personnel of the United States.

The agreement creates a framework for the activities of the United States and a more permanent presence in Finland, noted Yle.

Anna Kontula, Left Alliance lawmakers, has submitted a proposal calling on legislators to reject the agreement. "Generally, it is not a good idea to allow soldiers and weapons of a foreign country to settle. If this is done, it is usually not wise to give them the free right to operate in the country," Kontula was quoted by Uusi Suomi, a Finnish online news service, as saying.

The lawmaker emphasized that in the DCA, Finland significantly cedes its sovereignty to a foreign state, according to Uusi Suomi.

The negotiations for the DCA started in August 2022, three months after Finland's applying for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. After a total of five rounds of negotiations, the agreement was reached at the end of October 2023.

Finland and the United States signed the DCA in Washington on Dec. 18, 2023. The Finnish government submitted the proposal for the agreement to the parliament for approval at the end of May 2024. 
LONDON, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Conflicts between British elites and ordinary voters have become a prominent issue during the general election, a British expert has said.

As the cost of living in Britain keeps soaring, some have accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who comes from a wealthy family, of being "out of touch," Stuart Wilks-Heeg, a professor of politics at the University of Liverpool, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Wilks-Heeg noted that during a cost-of-living crisis, Sunak's well-known wealth has become a significant issue in the general election.

According to the BBC, Sunak -- a former hedge fund manager -- and his wife Akshata Murty are estimated to have a personal fortune of 650 million pounds (about 821 million U.S. dollars).

Wilks-Heeg said the British electorate typically does not penalize politicians for their wealth. More crucially, he emphasized, is their capacity to comprehend and empathize with voters' personal situations -- an area where he believes Sunak struggles.

Sunak was recently ridiculed after telling ITV News that his family was denied a subscription to Sky TV when asked how he can relate to people struggling financially, a remark seen as out of touch with poverty.

Earlier this month, he faced accusations of dereliction of duty for leaving an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings early for a TV interview. Sunak later apologized for his decision.

The Labour Party has used Sunak's wealth to portray him as "out of touch" and disconnected from ordinary people, Wilks-Heeg observed. "It's been a big feature of this election that the leaders have tried to position themselves as ordinary people and as politicians who understand them. Whether that's worked, I'm very skeptical. I think for Sunak in particular, it's been very difficult to make that case," he said.

Wilks-Heeg noted that the general view is that the Conservatives' record on these issues is poor during their 14 years in government, and the Labour Party is seen as the alternative for change, even though there is "no great enthusiasm" for Keir Starmer, the Labour leader.

Wilks-Heeg described this election as one of those pivotal moments where people are eager for changes, for example on key issues such as cost of living, the economy, healthcare, and education.

If this sentiment persists, it will determine the election outcome, he said. "After 14 years in power, it's very difficult for any governing party to argue that they should be re-elected, particularly if they seem to be struggling on core issues like the economy, like healthcare."

Multiple polls indicate that Labour is leading the Conservatives by about 20 points and might win up to 450 of the 650 parliamentary seats.

Wilks-Heeg said the deciding factor would be the voters' evaluation of the two leaders. Comparatively, Starmer is seen "less negatively," he added. 
ISTANBUL, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group, a trilateral effort by Turkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania, launched its mission on Monday to locate and neutralize drifting mines in the Black Sea, Turkiye's Anadolu Agency reported.

The operation commenced after naval commanders from the three countries signed the "operation order" during a meeting in Istanbul, according to Anadolu.

Turkish Naval Forces Commander Ercument Tatlioglu emphasized the Black Sea's strategic importance and the security of maritime routes at the meeting. He stated that the task force's success is crucial for all regional countries.

Tatlioglu highlighted that the task force's operation will enable a swifter, more effective, and safer response to the Black Sea's mine threat.

Romanian Naval Forces Commander Mihai Panait called the mission a significant step in countering the growing threat of sea mines and ensuring safe passage for ships in the critical Black Sea waters.

For his part, Bulgarian Navy chief Kiril Mihaylov affirmed the commitment of the three countries to creating a secure environment for normal maritime activities and safe navigation.

Following a ceremony, ships belonging to the task force set sail for the Black Sea from a military port on Istanbul's Asian shores later in the afternoon.

The defense ministers of Turkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania signed an agreement in January to address the collective mine threat in the Black Sea arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 
NEW YORK, July 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. lawmakers have been beefing up efforts to end remote work across the country ever since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, but their push was met with resistance from government workers and unions, according to recent media reports.

Just under half of all federal workers now show up in their offices in Washington, D.C., down somewhat from before the pandemic, The Washington Post wrote recently in an opinion, citing card-swipe tallies by security solutions provider Kastle Systems.

"The numbers for public employees alone are devastating: Only 6 percent of federal workers are working full-time in their offices; 30 percent are fully remote ... Some agencies are using less than 10 percent of their space," it wrote, citing a Federal News Network survey published in late April.

It has been a very similar picture at the state and local level. For example, ABC7 News said in a recent report that there are still some 240,000 state employees in California working from home full-time, although the stay-at-home order was lifted some three years ago.

Back in 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden promised in his State of the Union address that "the vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person." In August 2023, Jeff Zients, Biden's chief of staff, told federal agencies to "aggressively execute" a pivot back to in-person work. In May, U.S. Senators Mitt Romney and Joe Manchin introduced the Back to Work Act of 2024, a bipartisan legislation to require employees of federal agencies to return to work in-person at least 60 percent of the time.

At the state and local level, Governor of California Gavin Newsom's new policy set in April requires state employees to work in-office at least two days a week starting from June 17. Meanwhile, Cherelle Parker, mayor of Philadelphia, has required all city workers to make a full-time return to the office starting from July 15.

The return-to-office progress remains glacial not only because some government employees have been used to the long-time ease and comfort of working at home, but also because a few unions have strongly opposed the push.

In late May, "the union that represents workers with the federal Economic Development Administration sent a letter warning that further mandates for spending more time in the office would lead to greater turnover and understaffing," said a recent report by Governing website.

Government employees "worked heroically throughout the pandemic. The idea that they have to go into the office to please Jeff Zients is absurd," Jacqueline Simon, policy director of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union of federal government workers, told The Washington Post. 
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Patelco Credit Union, the third-largest credit union in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. state of California, reported a significant security breach over the weekend, leading to the shutdown of its banking systems, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday.

Erin Mendez, Patelco's president and CEO, confirmed in an email to customers on Sunday that essential transactions, such as Zelle transfers, direct deposits and balance inquiries, were unavailable. The debit and credit card functions were also limited.

"On June 29, we experienced a serious security incident. This required us to shut down some of our day-to-day banking systems so that we can remediate the issue and contain the impact, including online banking, our mobile App, and our call center," Mendez wrote.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an ETA on when those systems will be running as expected," she added.

The institution assured that branches and customer service channels would operate normally on Monday to assist members.

According to the company, Patelco operates 37 branches with nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars in assets and half a million clients. 
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A person died in a shooting early Monday morning in Seattle, the U.S. state of Washington, according to police.

Police officers responded to a report of a shooting at the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood around 12:30 a.m. and found a person who had been shot, according to the Seattle Police Department.

Police said it was not yet clear what led to the shooting, and they have not identified any suspects. 
It's been a big year for most stocks, with the S&P 500 index up about 24% over the past 12 months. A rising market is wonderful for the stocks already in your portfolio, but finding new investment opportunities is a lot more challenging than it was a year ago.

A buoyant stock market makes it harder to find compelling investment opportunities, but not if you know where to look. With artificial intelligence-related businesses absorbing most investors' attention, the healthcare sector is full of underappreciated stocks.

This is a good time for income-seeking investors to consider the underappreciated pharmaceutical industry. Shares of Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) offer dividend yields that are miles above the market average, and there's a good chance they'll keep raising those payouts for at least another decade.

This pair of dividend payers offers an average yield of 4.8% at recent prices. So an investment of $1,000 spread between them will produce about $48 in dividend income over the next 12 months and significantly more by the time you're ready to retire.

Pfizer

Pfizer has been raising its dividend every year since 2009, but its stock price has been beaten down by about 23% over the past 12 months. At its recently depressed price, the pharmaceutical stock offers a huge 6% yield.

Sales of Pfizer's COVID-19-related products fell hard, but now that they're only responsible for about 16% of total revenue, the worst is over. If we exclude COVID-19 products and the negative effects of a stronger dollar, the drugmaker reported first-quarter sales that surged 11% year over year.

Pfizer wisely reinvested its COVID-19 windfall into new drug candidates still in development, plus plenty that are already on the market. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nine new drugs from the company.

Pfizer also benefited from some indication-expanding approvals of some drugs it already markets. For example, Padcev is now approved to treat newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients.

Sales of individual drugs can be unpredictable. With a large and diverse product lineup growing total sales at an impressive pace, investors can count on Pfizer to produce steadily rising earnings in the years ahead.

AbbVie

AbbVie spun out from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and kept up its parent's decades-long dividend-raising streak. At recent prices, the stock offers a nice 3.6% dividend yield.

AbbVie offers a lower up-front yield than Pfizer, but a repeat of its past performance could produce more passive income over the long run. AbbVie's raised its dividend payout by 45% over the past five years.

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AbbVie's last couple of dividend raises were modest ones because its lead drug, Humira, lost patent-protected exclusivity in the U.S. market last year. In the first quarter, Humira sales were responsible for just 14% of total revenue.

With strong contributions from a pair of drugs that launched in 2019, replacing Humira sales and an accelerating dividend growth rate seems likely. Skyrizi is an injection for psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases, with first-quarter sales that jumped 48% year over year to an annualized $8 billion. Rinvoq is a daily tablet with first-quarter sales that surged 59% year over year to an annualized $4.4 billion.

AbbVie thinks the combined annual sales of Skyrizi and Rinvoq will more than double to exceed $27 billion in 2027. While these are its biggest growth drivers, they aren't the only products it sells with rapidly rising sales. Sales of the company's relatively new migraine headache treatments, Ubrelvy and Quilipta, soared to an annualized $1.3 billion in the first quarter. Management expects sales of this pair to exceed $3 billion at their peak.

Despite Himira's decline, AbbVie expects total sales to grow by a single-digit percentage through 2029. Over time, the well-managed drugmaker is likely to raise its dividend payout in line with sales, which makes buying its stock now a great way to boost your passive income stream.

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As the French market navigates through heightened political uncertainty with upcoming elections, investors are closely monitoring the impacts on economic indicators and market movements. In this climate, dividend stocks on Euronext Paris present a particular interest for those seeking income-generating investments in a landscape marked by fluctuating bond yields and cautious monetary policies. In considering dividend stocks, it's essential to look for companies with robust financial health and a history of consistent dividend payouts, which can offer some stability amidst market volatility.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In France

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Samse (ENXTPA:SAMS) 9.50%  Rubis (ENXTPA:RUI) 7.54%  CBo Territoria (ENXTPA:CBOT) 6.84%  VIEL & Cie societe anonyme (ENXTPA:VIL) 4.06%  Arkema (ENXTPA:AKE) 4.31%  Teleperformance (ENXTPA:TEP) 3.91%  Carrefour (ENXTPA:CA) 6.59%  Exacompta Clairefontaine (ENXTPA:ALEXA) 4.59%  Sanofi (ENXTPA:SAN) 4.18%  Piscines Desjoyaux (ENXTPA:ALPDX) 7.94% 

Click here to see the full list of 34 stocks from our Top Euronext Paris Dividend Stocks screener.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Exacompta Clairefontaine S.A. is a company based in France that specializes in the production, finishing, and formatting of papers, operating both throughout Europe and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately 165.20 million.

Operations: Exacompta Clairefontaine S.A. generates its revenue primarily through two segments: Paper, which contributes 368.58 million, and Processing, accounting for 613.23 million.

Dividend Yield: 4.6%

Exacompta Clairefontaine S.A. has demonstrated a robust financial performance with its net income rising to 43.12 million, up from 27.06 million the previous year, on sales of 843.25 million. The company maintains a low payout ratio of 17.6% and an even lower cash payout ratio of 10.3%, ensuring dividends are well-covered by both earnings and cash flow. Despite a reliable dividend yield of 4.59%, it falls below the top quartile in the French market, and recent months have seen significant share price volatility.

ENXTPA:ALEXA Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Bureau Veritas SA operates in the field of laboratory testing, inspection, and certification services, with a market capitalization of approximately 11.73 billion.

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Operations: Bureau Veritas SA's revenue is distributed across several sectors: Buildings & Infrastructure generates 1.75 billion, Industry contributes 1.25 billion, Agri-Food & Commodities brings in 1.23 billion, Consumer Products Services adds 710.70 million, Certification accounts for 465 million, and Marine & Offshore provides 455.70 million.

Dividend Yield: 3.2%

Bureau Veritas SA, trading at 12.7% below estimated fair value, has seen a 7.9% earnings growth over the past year. Despite a decade of dividend increases and coverage by both earnings (74.6% payout ratio) and cash flow (56.9% cash payout ratio), its dividend yield of 3.21% remains below the French market's top quartile at 5.6%. The company's dividends have shown volatility over the past ten years, indicating some instability in its dividend track record despite recent approvals for increased distributions and strong bond issuance performance signaling investor confidence.

ENXTPA:BVI Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Rexel S.A. is a distributor of low and ultra-low voltage electrical products and services for various markets, operating in France, Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, with a market capitalization of approximately 7.19 billion.

Operations: Rexel S.A. generates 19.15 billion in revenue primarily through its wholesale electronics segment.

Dividend Yield: 5%

Rexel S.A. has experienced fluctuations in its dividend payments over the past decade, with a notably unstable dividend track record and a yield of 4.97%, which is below the top quartile of French dividend payers at 5.6%. However, both earnings and cash flows provide solid support for its dividends, with payout ratios of 46.6% and 45.6% respectively, indicating sustainability from a financial perspective. Recent corporate guidance forecasts stable to slightly positive sales growth for 2024 despite a challenging first quarter.

ENXTPA:RXL Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Make It Happen

Embark on your investment journey to our 34 Top Euronext Paris Dividend Stocks selection here.

Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports.

Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets.

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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 ENXTPA:ALEXAENXTPA:BVI and ENXTPA:RXL.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Boogich / Getty Images

Finding a great place to live in retirement doesnt always have to be expensive. In some cases, you can lower your living expenses while improving your quality of life, such as by relocating to an area with lower housing costs and warmer weather so you can enjoy outdoor activities most of the year.

For some retirees, that means moving abroad to places like Costa Rica or Portugal. But you dont have to leave the country to find a relatively low cost of living and positive amenities.

In particular, if youre looking to score a good deal in terms of finding a state to move to that will be cheaper by the end of 2024, consider looking in areas such as some Sun Belt states and parts of the mid-Atlantic. While some areas are experiencing rapidly rising prices, you may be able to find a place to live where costs end up declining by the end of the year.

Find Out: 5 Places in America To Retire That Are Just as Cheap as Mexico, Portugal and Costa Rica

Discover More: The Surprising Way You Can Get Guaranteed Retirement Income for Life

From recent housing data, the top three markets for retirees are Florida, Texas and Virginia. These markets have tons of housing options that are affordable, low taxes for seniors, great access to medical care and [reasonable] cost of living, said Armstead Jones, strategic real estate advisor at Real Estate Bees and founder of Imagine Think Tank, a real estate development research firm and consultancy.

Even with these states offering a lot of positive attributes, theres potential for retirees to be able to find bargains in these areas, especially in regard to housing. Those three states make sense because the real estate market is stale and [theres] not much activity as far as sales. This has led to a slight decline in sales prices, which will definitely help retirees reduce expenses, Jones said.

Lets take a closer look at what these three states have to offer.

Retirement Planning: Whether you're planning for retirement, dealing with a significant life event or simply looking to make smarter financial decisions, a financial advisor can offer the expertise and guidance you need. Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider a financial advisor -- even if you're not wealthy.

Florida

Statewide, housing values have gone up by 3.2% in Florida over the past year, according to Zillow. But thats slower than the 4.3% national gain. Certain cities within Florida are driving those increases, yet retirees might find that some other areas are getting more affordable.

For example, housing values in Miami have jumped by 8.7% in the past year. Yet on the other side of the state, along the Gulf Coast, Fort Myers housing values have dipped by 0.3%. And in central Florida, The Villages  a popular retirement community  has experienced a 3% drop in housing values.

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Meanwhile, Florida offers other financial advantages, like no state income tax and no Social Security tax. That could help some retirees save money, especially if they plan to work part time. Florida also does not have an estate or inheritance tax.

Trending Now: 3 Cities To Retire In That Are as Awesome as Honolulu and San Francisco but Way Cheaper

Texas

Texas offers similar tax advantages as Florida, like no state income tax, no Social Security tax, and no estate or inheritance taxes. And you can find a wide range of climates in Texas to suit your preferences.

Along the Gulf Coast, you can find beach towns with mostly year-round warm weather, while in northern Texas, you might get a bit more of that winter feeling.

In terms of housing, you may be able to find more affordable options, considering the average home value in Texas is nearly $100,000 less than in Florida  $399,944 in Florida versus $306,756 in Texas, according to Zillow. And these values in Texas have increased by only 1% over the past year, a much slower gain. According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, Average overall home price levels could remain flat or, at most, dip slightly in Texas in 2024.

Additionally, some areas of Texas are seeing declining home prices.

San Antonio  the city with the second-highest net migration of retirees nationwide, according to SmartAsset  has seen median home sale price drop by 3.5% over the past year, according to Redfin. And San Antonio homes spend a median of 46 days on the market  up 11 days year over year  which could give buyers some negotiating power.

Virginia

Virginia might not be the first place you think of when it comes to retirement, but it has several attractive features and could get cheaper by the end of 2024.

In terms of taxes, Virginia does have a state income tax ranging between 2% and 5.75%, but it does not tax Social Security benefits, and it no longer has estate or inheritance taxes. Also, property taxes are lower on average here than in many states  0.76% in Virginia versus 0.82% in Florida and 1.63% in Texas, according to WalletHub.

Virginia also has lots of great places to live, especially if you enjoy a bit more of that four seasons feeling, though with relatively mild winters. There are beachy communities, historic towns and midsize cities as well.

Statewide, home values have ticked up sharply  6% over the past year, according to Zillow. But theres some variability among the many different areas of Virginia, and if youre patient, you might find a good deal.

For example, in Virginia Beach, the number of homes with price drops is on the rise  21.5% in May 2024 compared with 16.4% in May 2023, according to Redfin. And in Martinsville, home prices have seen a year-over-year decline, per Redfin. So you might be able to score one at a discount, depending on where you look.

Overall, these three states have the potential to give retirees a great life. Even if not all areas within these states experience price drops, if you do some digging, you might find certain cities or towns offer great deals. At the very least, you can find places where prices are rising slower than the national average while still being enjoyable places to live.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Places in America To Retire That Will Be Cheaper by the End of 2024
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

A generation ago, an annual salary of $100,000 meant you had arrived, that you were part of the upper crust in your community. Then, $100,000 in wages became the standard for living a middle-class existence.

Check Out: What Is the Median Household Income for the Upper Middle Class in 2024?

Read More: 9 Things You Must Do To Grow Your Wealth in 2024

Now, there are plenty of places you could live where $200,000 in yearly earnings is considered middle class. GOBankingRates found the 50 largest cities, in terms of total households, where a person could be paid $200,000 per year and still be regarded as middle class. GOBankingRates defined a middle-class income as two-thirds to double an areas median household income.

The results turned up cities in all four corners of the United States, and perhaps its no surprise that almost half of them  23  sit in pricey California. Heres how the communities nearest to you fared in the study, listed by a citys median household income, lowest to highest.

Scroll on to see if your city made the list.

Also see 30 cities where the middle class is thriving.

Stamford, Connecticut

Median household income: $100,718

Middle-class income range: $67,145 to $201,43

Explore More: Cheapest Places To Buy a Home in Every State

Find Out: 6 Things the Middle Class Should Sell To Build Their Savings

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Oleksii Liskonih / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Overland Park, Kansas

Median household income: $100,876

Middle-class income range: $67,251 to $201,752

Trending Now: 5 Changes That Could Be Coming for the Middle Class If Biden Is Reelected in 2024

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

Washington, D.C.

Median household income: $101,722

Middle-class income range: $67,815 to $203,444

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Chula Vista, California

Median household income: $101,984

Middle-class income range: $67,989 to $203,968

Davel5957 / iStock.com

Lees Summit, Missouri

Median household income: $103,447

Middle-class income range: $68,965 to $206,894

Corona, California

Median household income: $103,727

Middle-class income range: $69,151 to $207, 454

Learn More: 10 Dangerous Cities Where You Shouldnt Buy a Home No Matter the Price

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Scottsdale, Arizona

Median household income: $104,197

Middle-class income range: $69,465 to $208,394

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Berkeley, California

Median household income: $104,716

Middle-class income range: $69,811 to $209,432

TraceRouda / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Costa Mesa, California

Median household income: $104,981

Middle-class income range: $69,987 to $209,962

Andrei Stanescu / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hayward, California

Median household income: $105,371

Middle-class income range: $70,247 to $210,742

For You: Barbara Corcoran Offers 3 Cities To Invest In Real Estate Now Before Prices Skyrocket

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Rancho Cucamonga, California

Median household income: $105,534

Middle-class income range: $70,356 to $211,068

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Gary Fink / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Plano, Texas

Median household income: $105,679

Middle-class income range: $70,453 to $211,358

JRLPhotographer / Getty Images

Arvada, Colorado

Median household income: $106,014

Middle-class income range: $70,676 to $212,028

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Santa Monica, California

Median household income: $106,797

Middle-class income range: $71,198 to $213,594

Learn More: Heres How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in Every State

Oleksii Liskonih / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Concord

Median household income: $107,789

Middle-class income range: $71,859 to $215,578

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Olathe, Kansas

Median household income: $108,077

Middle-class income range: $72,051 to $216,154

Orange, California

Median household income: $109,335

Middle-class income range: $72,890 to $218,670

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Torrance, California

Median household income: $109,554

Middle-class income range: $73,036 to $219,108

See More: 6 Reasons the Poor Stay Poor and Middle Class Doesnt Become Wealthy

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Pearland, Texas

Median household income: $111,123

Middle-class income range: $74,082 to $222,246

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Simi Valley, California

Median household income: $112,144

Middle-class income range: $74,763 to $224,288

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Roseville, California

Median household income: $112,265

Middle-class income range: $74,843 to $224,530

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Alexandria, Virginia

Median household income: $113,179

Middle-class income range: $75,453 to $226,358

Also Read: What Is the Average Credit Score for the Middle Class and Upper Middle Class?

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McKinney, Texas

Median household income: $113,286

Middle-class income range: $75,524 to $226,572

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Huntington Beach, California

Median household income: $114,747

Middle-class income range: $76,498 to $229,494

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Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Median household income: $115,167

Middle-class income range: $76,778 to $230,334

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Gilbert, Arizona

Median household income: $115,179

Middle-class income range: $76,786 to $230,358

Check Out: Heres the Living Wage a Single Person Needs To Live Comfortably in Arizona

Timothy Dimal / Shutterstock.com

Elk Grove, California

Median household income: $115,864

Middle-class income range: $77,243 to $231,728

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Seattle

Median household income: $116,068

Middle-class income range: $77,379 to $232,136

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Santa Clarita, California

Median household income: $116,186

Middle-class income range: $77,457 to $232,372

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League City, Texas

Median household income: $117,316

Middle-class income range: $78,211 to $234,632

Learn More: Why Many Regret Moving to Texas Post-Pandemic

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Cambridge, Massachusetts

Median household income: $121,539

Middle-class income range: $81,026 to $243,078

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Irvine, California

Median household income: $122,948

Middle-class income range: $81,965 to $245,896

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Columbia, Maryland

Median household income: $124,537

Middle-class income range: $83,025 to $249,074

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Centennial, Colorado

Median household income: $124,617

Middle-class income range: $83,078 to $249,234

Explore More: What Is the Median Household Income for the Upper Middle Class in 2024?

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Cary, North Carolina

Median household income: $125,317

Middle-class income range: $83,545 to $250,634

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Thousand Oaks, California

Median household income: $125,399

Middle-class income range: $83,599 to $250,798

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Carmel, Indiana

Median household income: $132,859

Middle-class income range: $88,573 to $265,718

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Carlsbad, California

Median household income: $134,139

Middle-class income range: $89,426 to $268,278

Read More: 5 Things You Should Consider Selling Before You Downsize

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San Jose, California

Median household income: $136,010

Middle-class income range: $90,673 to $272,020

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San Francisco

Median household income: $136,689

Middle-class income range: $91,126 to $273,378

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Arlington, Virginia

Median household income: $137,387

Middle-class income range: $91,126 to $273,378

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The Woodlands, Texas

Median household income: $142,384

Middle-class income range: $94,923 to $284,768

Discover More: 50 Safest and Most Affordable US Cities To Live In

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Naperville, Illinois

Median household income: $143,754

Middle-class income range: $95,836 to $287,508

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Frisco, Texas

Median household income: $144,567

Middle-class income range: $96,378 to $289,134

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San Mateo, California

Median household income: $149,152

Middle-class income range: $99,435 to $298,304

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Newport Beach, California

Median household income: $149,471

Middle-class income range: $99,647 to $298,942

Find Out: How To Generate Passive Income With Just $1,000

Yan Lu / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bellevue, Washington

Median household income: $149,551

Middle-class income range: $99,701 to $299,102

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Santa Clara, California

Median household income: $165,352

Middle-class income range: $110,235 to $330,704

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Fremont, California

Median household income: $169,023

Middle-class income range: $112,682 to $338,046

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Sunnyvale, California

Median household income: $174,506

Middle-class income range: $116,337 to $349,012

Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates found the 50 largest cities, in terms of total households, where one could make $200,000 and still be considered middle-class. For this purpose, GOBankingRates defines middle-class income as two-thirds to double the income of an area. All data was sourced from the 2022 American Community Survey and is up to date as of June 10, 2024.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 50 Cities Where Earning $200,000 Is Considered Middle Class
BANGKOK, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclime, partnering businesses with corporate, governance and advisory services globally, is thrilled to announce the promotion of Pornpun Maksirivilai to the position of Thailand Country Manager. With over ten years of experience in the Acclime Thailand office, Pornpun has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the company's values.

Acclime Logo (PRNewsfoto/Acclime)

In her new role, Pornpun will lead an all-woman management team in Thailand, underscoring Acclime's dedication to diversity and inclusion. This promotion highlights the company's ongoing efforts to elevate leaders within its ranks.

Izzy Silva, CEO of Acclime, expressed his enthusiasm for this development, stating, "I am excited about Thailand's growth under Pornpun's leadership and pleased with our efforts in elevating female leaders. Her dedication and vision make her the perfect fit for this role. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of our operations in Thailand make her an invaluable asset to our team."

Pornpun Maksirivilai shared her thoughts on the promotion: "I am honoured to take on this new role and look forward to driving further success for Acclime in Thailand. My appointment and our all-female management team is a testament to the company's commitment to diversity and empowering female leaders."

About Acclime

Acclime partners businesses with corporate, governance and advisory services. It operates in 14 countries, employing over 1,400 dedicated professionals. The firm provides a comprehensive range of professional services and business advisory to help businesses navigate complex regulatory environments and achieve their goals at all stages of the business lifecycle.

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View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/acclime-promotes-pornpun-maksirivilai-to-thailand-country-manager-302186721.html

SOURCE Acclime
By Abhijith Ganapavaram

(Reuters) - Airbus may end up owning some assets of Spirit AeroSystems in Scotland and Malaysia if the transatlantic supplier is unable to find a buyer for them, a filing from the aerostructures company showed on Monday.

The European planemaker has agreed to take over core activities at four of the supplier's plants in the United States, Northern Ireland, France and Morocco, while rival Boeing would take a few others.

Spirit said on Monday it planned to sell operations in Prestwick, Scotland and in Subang, Malaysia that support Airbus programs and those in Belfast that do not support the programs.

However, Spirit's term sheet with Airbus - named "Project Sparrow" - leaves the door open for the planemaker to own parts of two plants that were not a part of the deal announced on Monday.

Airbus and Spirit shall cooperate to "implement an alternative arrangement pursuant to which the Subang Assets and the associated liabilities shall be allocated and transferred to Spirit and Airbus" if the assets are not bought by a third party before mid-2025, the filing showed.

The Subang plant makes wing fixed leading edge and wing movable leading edge for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, according to Spirit's website.

Its Prestwick plant, which makes wing parts for Airbus A320, could be classified under "transferred business" if a buyer could not be found, the filing said.

Airbus Kinston, the Belfast Airbus business, the A220 Pylon business and the Morocco business that the planemaker is buying are already part of such a classification.

Since Spirit's Airbus-related activities have been losing money, Airbus said it would receive $559 million in compensation from Spirit, depending on the final outlines of the deal, while it would pay the supplier a symbolic $1 for the assets.

"We are evaluating options for assets that may not be acquired by Boeing or Airbus. The ultimate owner for those operations as a result of this process may be Boeing, Airbus or a different owner," Spirit Aero senior vice president of Airbus and Regional/Business Jets Programs said in a letter.

Spirit owes Airbus $122.1 million under a loan arrangement, the filing showed.

Separately, Spirit said it has set up a cash-based program of $50 million to promote employee retention and to incentivize efforts to complete the merger.

(Reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's Airbus on Monday set out the terms under which it plans to buy certain loss-making activities of Spirit AeroSystems as part of a planned wider break-up of the supplier between Airbus and rival Boeing.

The deal involves Airbus taking over work at loss-making plants that supply key parts for its A220 and A350 passenger jets.

Airbus will be compensated for agreeing to take on the work by a payment of $559 million from Spirit, while it will pay a nominal sum of $1 for the assets, depending on the final outline of the deal, it said in a statement.

The European planemaker did not specify the mechanism of compensation, which stems from the financial condition of activities it is acquiring as a result of Spirit's decision to sell the rest of the company back to its one-time owner Boeing.

Airbus, which last week trimmed delivery and production forecasts, said the deal would "ensure stability of supply for its commercial aircraft programmes through a more sustainable way forward, both operationally and financially".

The headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings in Wichita. (Reuters)

Confirming a Reuters report, it said it would take over activities at four Spirit plants in the United States, Northern Ireland, France and Morocco that carry out work for the A350 and A220 jets. It will also take on minor activities carried out for the A220 in Wichita, Kansas, where Spirit is based.

The agreement is subject to due diligence, Airbus said.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Jamie Freed)
In 2023, the AI industry spent an estimated $50 billion on Nvidia chips, with the purpose of training AI models. The payoff for all that spend, according to Sequoia Capital, is $3 billion in revenue. Is that a return worth bragging about?

In this podcast, Motley Fool host Ricky Mulvey talks with analyst Asit Sharma about how investors might think about companies' AI spend.

They also discuss:

The rate of improvement for AI models.

How companies not in the "Magnificent Seven" of stocks are using AI

One company that's spending smartly on the new technology.

The Gartner Hype Cycle.

To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. To get started investing, check out our quick-start guide to investing in stocks. A full transcript follows the video.

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Asit Sharma: The basis of all this is that the processes are much more intensive on servers. They cost a lot more because they're delivering some magic to us that we didn't have before. There's hallucinations in there, there is perceived inaccuracy of some responses. It's early stages. But so far companies are willing to invest, and some consumers are willing to pay for this. Many of us are getting it free as an offer just now, and it is being integrated with products that we use every day. But the general gist of this is that people are willing to pay for that extra bit of magic.

Mary Long: I am Mary Long, and that's Asit Sharma. Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and all that data is expensive. A KPMG survey suggests that 43% of US companies with over a $1 billion in revenue plan to invest at least $100 million in generative AI over the next 12 months. But how to tell whether all that investment is actually paying off, my colleague, Ricky Mulvey caught up with us to talk about how investors might consider a company's AI spend. They also discuss how non Mag Seven companies are using AI, the difference between large and small language models and the future of AI friendships.

Story continues

Ricky Mulvey: Let's start with the positive. Artificial intelligence represents world-changing technology breakthroughs. It's already providing a co-pilot, at my job, it's changed the way I search on the Internet, probably for you as well, if you're on Google [Alphabet], which I assume you're not a Bing guy? You're not out there on the Ask Jeeves, Yahoo, Bing platforms.

Asit Sharma: You read me right, brother. I am a Google person. I don't have anything against Bing. I do use it from time to time, but I'm a Google person first.

Ricky Mulvey: I'm trying to get us to this place where we're in the middle where we recognize the extraordinarily positives and also some of the risks that come with AI in this investment hype, what I would call boom cycle. Let's start with the positive. What's AI allowing you to do that you weren't doing just a couple of years ago?

Asit Sharma: Ricky, one of the things it's allowing me to do is to catch up on a business story that might have changed in a really fast way. I cover many companies for different services that I work on. You can't keep track from day to day with what's going on in every last business. Sometimes I'm called upon to find information quickly and try to make a quick assessment. In the old days, I would have to go to Google, SEC filings, interviews, etc. Now, I can just ask LLM to brief me on what happened during this time frame when X event occurred. That's one thing. I think that's really cool. Another use is to use large language models as a surfacing tool to try to find great investments. Let's be real, their reasoning capabilities aren't better than mine or other analysts yet. They get a little better every day, but they're extremely useful if you know how to point them in a direction to show you companies that might be worthy of further research. I think lastly, there's a foreign language I've been trying to learn, and just being able to ask ChatGPT, here's the sentence. I just don't understand what's going on here with this past participle. Can you explain this to me? It gives a really cogent answer, that helps me fill in the blanks, and so, I think that's really fun.

Ricky Mulvey: I think it's your point, though. It's good for idea generation, but it requires further skimming. For my job, I'll use it, I'll ask it, how does this company make money? If I need to get up to speed on a company that I may be talking about in the future, it's almost like a handyman at times. Where I've asked it, I have this thing going wrong with a piece of software that I use for work, what can I do to accomplish the thing that I'm trying to accomplish? Sometimes it's with audio editing. Then the other thing I'm excited that I've used it for is cooking. I have these ingredients in my refrigerator. What can I do with it? It can give you some different options. It's that idea generation stuff that is great. But you know what else is? Every time I ask it a question, every time you ask it about a piece of investing news, it costs someone money because these artificial intelligence programs are really expensive to run. The infrastructure is really expensive. That's why NVDIA is making so much money right now because you have so much energy on the spending side, according to a research firm KPMG. About 43% of companies who are making $1 billion a year in annual revenue. Big companies making billions of dollars are expected on average to spend, $100 million on generative AI. Companies aren't stupid, generally. Make it general statement, what's the reasoning or fear for spending this much money? Why not take a more wait and see approach?

Asit Sharma: Let's tackle the reasoning part of it first, Ricky. One is that companies of this size, are pretty good at understanding where they can get a return on investment. They'll do a lot of experimentation, conduct experiments, have smart people like software engineers try to run things in a different way, and what they're finding is the small experiments are paying off. Could we save 4,000 person hours by having the large language model solve this coding problem for us rather than hiring people to do it next year? The answer to the experiment may be, yes, we definitely can do that. Second, is that the same types of software engineer, IT people have already identified where proprietary data can be leveraged, so whatever your industry is, you've got something in your data stream; historical data stream, ongoing data stream, that's yours, that's proprietary that you can use to further sales if you can only find the right product fit or service fit or extend your current lineup. Many companies are starting to see how they can use large language models to make sense of that proprietary data and sell that upstream. That makes the investment promising. Lastly, there's a lot of opportunities for cost savings. If you Ricky, or me can now hold up a camera to our fridge and get a recipe out of that, that turns out to be a remarkably tasty dish, we've saved ourselves a heck a lot of time. Those types of optimizations are happening all over the business world. To get to the first part of your question, there's a fear case there. There's a Fomo case here. Some companies are making decisions because they don't want to get left behind, even though they haven't really pinned down the return on investment.

Ricky Mulvey: There's definitely some pivoting, where what was machine learning just a few years ago makes you an artificial intelligence thought leader now, Asit, because people want to see those mentions on the earnings calls even for non computing companies. Let's talk about the spend. Sequoia Capital estimates that the industry spent about $50 billion on chips from NVDIA to train AI, to train these models in 2023. That spending only brought in $3 billion in revenue. I say only with some quotations, it's a lot of money. It's also 6% on the total spent. We got a 6% return. Asit, you're the CFO of all of AI now. Are you satisfied with that return? Is this inefficiency? Is this overspending, or is this just the cost of growth in emerging technology, darn it, and you got to spend money to make money?

Asit Sharma: I'm taking the pencil from between my ear and my shock of hair and waving it back at the CEO and saying, this is about what we expected, boss. Now, I don't mean to make fun of CFOs there. I'm an accountant myself. But, this sounds to me where we should be in this stream. Let me give you an example in the real world. If you and I are real estate developers and we're looking at a big parcel that we can develop on the edge of a city where the downtown is petering out a bit. We're going to have to buy that land, put up a few buildings, maybe a commercial building, some housing, but we've got this long term master project going. In the first year, the income stream that we can capitalize ain't all that much. We might be losing money, and we probably are, overall, if we consider the cost of our debt to pull this project off, but over time, Ricky, businesses move in, subdivisions get built, restaurants come in, Then that part of the city gets big enough that the government wants to put a public library there. Everyone can benefit. There are a lot of players that come in and we start making money in year X. We see we've recouped our investment, and then we're a little bit off to the races. When we call it the AI industry, this is how the hyperscalers, the companies that are buying the GPUs: the Amazons, Metas, Microsoft, Oracles, and other companies, private businesses as well, enterprise businesses are treating it, like a long-term development, and they're not expecting to be making a bunch of money up front in Year 1, Year 2, Year 3.

Ricky Mulvey: The Internet can make every year feel like a dog year. In a way, it's easy to forget that this boom has only been around for about 18 months now, since, I think it was November of 2022-ish. Maybe you're not getting that immediate return. These applications are very expensive. We mentioned that earlier. For just one use case, it's asking, like a ChatGPT question versus Google a question. It's much more expensive to ask ChatGPT a question than it is to ask the Google Search engine. I want to use that as an example to get into the cost of it. Why are these AI applications so much more expensive to run than the computer applications that we're used to?

Asit Sharma: When we ask Google a question, we're asking basically a computer program a series of algorithms to run that look at an index that's been built up over a long period of time. It's a predictable workload. There's this really neat framework of knowledge that Google dips into. It has something called relevance. The latest algorithms tell it which search results to put up top? But that workload was figured out a long time ago, and Google knows how to make money off of that. When we ask a large language model, say ChatGPT to do the same thing, the process is totally different. First of all, it's inferential. The large language model is taking our question and using a probability based decision making metrics to give us an answer. It also consults Google. You can see that now when you do certain web searches with different LLMs, different chatbots, they're consulting Google. This is happening. It's also serving it up to you in natural language, which is another inferential process, which is a harder workload on the servers. That costs more money, too. Then there's the constant training behind the scenes of the models. There are so many engineers who are working on this and making sure that the AI version of Google doesn't tell you to do something weird with your pizza to cool it down.

Ricky Mulvey: Add glue to it.

Asit Sharma: Add glue to it. The basis of all this is that the processes are much more intensive on servers. They cost a lot more because they're delivering some magic to us that we didn't have before. There's hallucinations in there, there is perceived inaccuracy of some responses. It's early stages. But so far companies are willing to invest, and some consumers are willing to pay for this. Many of us are getting it free as an offer just now, and it is being integrated with products that we use every day. But the general gist of this is that people are willing to pay for that extra bit of magic.

Ricky Mulvey: Well, in a lot of tech adoption cycles, you deliver something of value to your customers below cost, hope they enjoy it enough, and then eventually, you figure out how to make a profit on it. We've seen a lot of, the rate of growth on these models, these video, generative AI models have been just incredible Asit. You've seen the differences in video that have come from these tools just a year ago to now. Have you seen the video of Will Smith eating noodles? Back when these models first started?

Asit Sharma: You mentioned this, but I haven't seen it.

Ricky Mulvey: It doesn't quite look human. It looks very much like it came from, a weird computer algorithm. Now there's another image of a man eating noodles and it looks high definition, It looks like it came from someone shot in a cafe. Rates of growth like this always have to slow down. Christopher Mims of the Wall Street Journal. He's a tech columnist there. He's been a guest on Motley Fool. I really admire his column and his writing. Basically points out that all of these AI models have been trained on, more or less the entire Internet, and are running out of additional data to hoover up. There aren't 10 more Internet's worth of human generated content for today's AI models to inhale. Basically saying that these AIs are going to start learning off each other, and that may be a little recursive, and you're not going to get the same rate of change and improvement. Do you think this data limit could put a damper on the rate of improvement for AI models, or maybe are we underestimating how much improvement we have left to go?

Asit Sharma: On the consumer facing frameworks that are iterating on answers to everything, I think Christopher Mims has a great point here. We've already trained most of the prodigious, the biggest LLMs on the bulk of human knowledge. That's on the Internet. There's so much human knowledge that is on the Internet. But having said that, it's hard to see how the quality will improve over time without having a phase of degrading first. We see this in large language models, too, as some of their own output starts to creep in. They get a little dumber, and then the engineers go in and tweak the models, they get a little bit smarter again. I think it's a great point. But for things that aren't trying to be all things to all people in terms of question to answer frameworks, The underlying technology behind this is strong. It's getting stronger. There are so many specialist companies that are working on various ways that information is analyzed and regurgitated back to us. Synthetic data is one solution partial to this problem. If you're a business that has a specific use case, synthetic data is data that's created to train a model like human data or human generated data and this could be important, in a manufacturing industry where you don't necessarily need private data, but you want to have outputs of a certain process to make something better. Synthetic data is going to be more important to such models. Then there's also quality over quantity.

Asit Sharma: If you're working on specific questions in, let's say, the pharmaceutical industry, you don't really need to keep feeding more and more information into a model. What you're trying to do is to make sure you have a better tool for analyzing the information. There's a couple of things I want to mention. There are small language models which don't need as much information or even processing power to run, like Microsoft has a couple that are pretty interesting. These are solving the problems of large language models through reasoning. So some models are trying to get better at reasoning the way our minds reason and that could be a way that all of this ecosystem gets a little better without having to digest so much information and shove a bunch of information down a pipe and get smarter. Instead of information, let's work on the thought process. Let's work on how these models think. Then finally, of course, you've heard me say this and other analysts say this before. Proprietary data sets for companies are very powerful. I was just talking about this a moment ago. That's another case where at least in business, you don't necessarily need to worry about the problem that Chris Mims is talking about. You're focused on your data stream and how you can derive insights and maybe better products.

Ricky Mulvey: I want to talk about small language models for a moment. Lot more familiarity with large language models. How might someone encounter a small language model? What are these looking like? What problems are they addressing?

Asit Sharma: Small language models, I think we'll see them more in the real world now, but I think that Microsoft who I name has a couple of these. We're going to see these with devices in the future, so you can spin a small language model from a device. That merges with chip design. Companies from ARM to AMD to Intel are designing their chips to have some neural processing units right on the chip right on the phone. So when you combine these two concepts, you get devices that are smarter. They don't necessarily have to go to a server out in the Cloud to answer a big question, but they could tell you, Ricky, if you take that photograph of your fridge, how to make a better recipe based on information that's already stored on your phone, themselves without you having to go to a ChatGPT or whatever model you're using. So a bit of reasoning capability, plus information that already exists on device, plus information that's taken in spins out something that's reasoned and solves your quick problem.

Ricky Mulvey: Then to your earlier point, there are times where synthetic data would work for something like a digital twin. You have a manufacturing floor, and it doesn't matter if you're using recursive data. You're just trying to make the model better so you can make maybe an assembly line take two tenths of a second quicker than it normally runs.

Asit Sharma: Totally. I should say we're already at that point that Jensen Huang predicted a couple of years ago, and he said, in the future, there's going to be more virtual robots than there will be physical robots. Maybe we haven't reached it quite yet, but we're headed there. Pretty quickly.

Ricky Mulvey: We'll see if Elon gets his way with the humanoids. That's a separate show, though. We talk often about how the MAG 7 companies seem to be using AI. There's clear winners, which if you're a smaller company, and you need to build an LLM, you probably need Nvidia's chips for that. Maybe you'll use AMD's chips if the Nvidia's chips are not available for sale. But I'm curious about how the other companies seem to be using it, and it breaks down into a few categories. It comes down to essentially, I would say, personalized chat bots. If you go on Airbnb and you need help with something, an Airbnb chat bot might be able to help you a little bit quicker or a little bit more efficiently than a human agent will, I should say more efficiently for the business. Simplifying contracts. That's how Cisco is using it. Co-piloting. Microsoft is famous for this. I've already used a MAG 7 in the example. But, Microsoft copilot on Office 365 to help you write emails a little bit more quickly and then forecasting is another example where if you're a retailer and you want to forecast how many genes you're going to sell, in let's say Indianapolis, Indiana, in May, and you can pull all of the data that you have on similar regions, Indianapolis, and then maybe make a better prediction about how many genes you need to sell to your retail store. Any reflections on these use cases or anything else you'd want to add for these smaller companies spending money on AI.

Asit Sharma: They're all fun. Let's look at that personalized chatbot one. It's intriguing to me into it, which you and I had talked about before the show is really interesting because they have those proprietary data sets that are in consumer-facing applications. So if you use QuickBooks online, they have information not only about you, but about every other business in your ZIP code that's similar to you. This is interesting. I had a conversation with the CEO of Intuit here on Motley Fool Money and just about a year and a half ago, Sasan Goodarzi, and he was telling us, Ricky, that, look, we're going to combine all of this interesting data and help you learn how to manage your cash flow better. Are you running out of funds? Well, the chat bot will be able to tell you, every other one wing business in this Zip code doesn't spend quite as much on seed. Maybe you're buying a premium seed and your profit and loss would be better if you dropped down one level. Now, he didn't use that very specific example, but he was spinning up a few similar types of scenarios. I think that's a great illustration of a use case, of a company that's big into it has a big balance sheet, they could go out and buy a bunch of GPUs, but really what their focus is is, let's make something that will help our end user, the consumer. I think that's going to make them some money over time. I do like, also, you mentioned co-piloting of code. There's so many companies that are offering co-pilots now in various walks of business life and this is something not just that we'll see, on the consumer side, Ricky, but people in business organizations will see. I think it almost becomes commoditized though at some point. These models become so powerful. We don't even think of it as co-piloting anymore. It's just part of our daily routine you just type in or talk to or show an image to your personal co pilot for whatever your workflow is in any industry, and it's going to automatically do things that advance your day. Now, hopefully, that results in a little more free time in our day. Doesn't mean that we don't have work. But we'll have to see what that future looks like.

Ricky Mulvey: The Jetsons future has always been promised with every advancement. We'll see.

Asit Sharma: It has such stars in music. I could not help but think that that's an optimistic case because of the Jetson music. But now, we grew up, Ricky. We're no longer watching the cartoons, and now we wonder is the music going to be really peppy? Is it gonna be a little ominous? I don't, it's time for real work.

Ricky Mulvey: You hit on basically two areas that Sequoia Capital is bullish on, which is customer support, and AI enterprise knowledge in the near term. The other area that Sequoia is bullish on is AI friendship, pointing out that when people use these AI chat box as friends, they have maybe stickier adoption rates, which I understand the business perspective, but also a little concerning and terrifying because, let's find more friendships through these LLMs that really know me for me, and, you don't necessarily have the consequences of human friendships and relationships. That's one thing to flag. Any companies impressing you with how they're spending on AI. We've talked about the amount of spending. We've talked about how companies are creating these new applications for customers and businesses, but are there any companies impressing you with the way that they're spending on AI in this boom cycle?

Asit Sharma: Wait a minute Ricky. I'm going to answer your question. But you can't bring up such an intriguing point for me and our listeners without let's just talk about two seconds.

Ricky Mulvey: We have got some. Let's talk about AI friendships.

Asit Sharma: I find it also fascinating. The transformer model, the technology that underlies all LMS is just sneakily good at figuring out what's important in a group of words, in a text, in any visual data you give it. That's why they're so powerful, and I'll use this word again, so magical. But it also means that they're sneakily good at understanding the buttons to push to get certain responses. If you build an AI with a lot of data to be able to manipulate emotion, you can develop AI that many people will respond to and feel up to a point, like this is very similar to relationships I have in real life, and actually, I'm lonely, and I want to go home and talk to my bot. I find that interesting. I don't know quite what to make of it. What do you think about this? What do you make of it?

Ricky Mulvey: I think it's hugely concerning at a societal level, because it's going to offer people facsimile of human relationships that may be serviceable to you. What happens when you don't need to go out on a date because you have a chatbot who's interested in you and nice to you and always texts you back and is interested in the same things that you are. That's so hard to find in the real world. The chatbot is never going to betray your trust. I think that it's one of those things that seems silly on the surface level. There's a movie Her that covers it a little bit. But it's going to be one of those things that continues the trend of, I would say, social media and a lot of life becoming more digitized, which is that people aren't going out as much as they used to, because you can still get those dopamine buttons pushed on your phone. I think these AI relationships are going to continue to be an amplification of that.

Asit Sharma: The police said, or maybe it was stink. A scientific means of bliss will supersede the human kiss. This is that coming true a little bit to me. I also find it unsettling. I think, too, the pendulum swings both ways. I just see younger people getting fatigued of social media and going out more. I think there comes a point where the emotional support you may get from a bot just starts to feel synthetic, and you crave that human touch, that human conversation. But what it means is to get to that point, many people may dive into this stuff just like they did with social media. That's a scary thought. Then we should also say on a societal level, it may be very helpful for some people who are say elderly or otherwise, unable to do what they used to do in terms of social connection. So it may provide a use there. Again, not a perfect use, but of some comfort or to the sick. There are some really interesting philosophical questions had been posed over time by people who thought this out before the technology reached the point where it is to date.

Ricky Mulvey: Asit, how about that for a setup for a company discussion about which companies are spending on AI in an intelligent way. I'm looking at the outline. You have one. We've talked about on the show previously. But what company is impressing you with how they are spending on artificial intelligence?

Asit Sharma: I'm going to be boring here, but I'm going to say it because it's true. I think Oracle is really impressing me and some other investors. They had earnings recently come out, and I think the stock was up 12 or 13%. But all along Larry Ellison, the chairman of Oracle and Safra Catz, the CEO, have been saying that their technology that Oracle has, DMA architecture is just faster. It's less expensive for companies to train on AI and they just signed a bunch of contracts this last quarter and added in the tens of billions to their future revenue that they're going to recognize out of this. So there's some of that return coming in, Ricky, It was in the first year, but companies like Oracle, they're going to see that return. I think that's a really smart case. They had a little bit better technology than some other web service providers. I would say that in some ways, their server configurations are technically superior to some of Amazon setups, some of Microsoft setups and that's why those companies are forming relationships with Oracle. So there's one. I think that to you and I, we're chatting about the hype cycle. I think, me, personally, and I'd love to hear your opinion. I think we're where that trough is. Look up, those of you who are familiar with this, the Gartner Hype cycle in particular, because these are industry experts who really nail what a hype cycle looks like. So according to the way they label these, I think Ricky, we're somewhere between the trough of disillusionment and the slope of enlightenment. People are past the hype, and many investors are starting to recognize that, there's only a few concentrated winners in this game, so they're getting disillusioned. But that's a great point of the cycle because it means that they are companies that are working on stuff now that we're going to buyer and invest in as time goes on. Where do you think we are in this cycle?

Ricky Mulvey: I like how you separated that out for the biggest companies and then the smaller ones. I think for the smaller ones, we might be moving more toward the trough of disillusionment. But for those big companies, like Nvidia, where at the time of this recording, their market cap is around $100 million per employee. That sounds like some inflated expectations to me, Asit.

Asit Sharma: Yeah, probably. This is not news to anyone, but Nvidia is a cyclical company. So at some point in time, demand supply will hit equilibrium, and we've seen this story with Nvidia. They're going to sell off some. Over time, I think it's still a smart investment, but sure, things are so concentrated now. But that bodes well for the future if this suburban development works out, Ricky, because I've seen him where they were just midlink or they hit the wrong part of real estate outside that city center, which was piddling around a bit.

Ricky Mulvey: Asit. Thank you so much for your time and your insight. I love these longer-form conversations. Thanks for being here.

Asit Sharma: Same here Ricky. I appreciate it.

Mary Long: As always, people on the program may have interests in the stocks they talk about, and the Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. I'm Mary Long. Thanks for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Asit Sharma has positions in Advanced Micro Devices, Amazon, Intuit, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Oracle. Mary Long has positions in Airbnb. Ricky Mulvey has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Airbnb, Alphabet, Amazon, Intuit, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Oracle. The Motley Fool recommends Gartner and Intel and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $45 calls on Intel, long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short August 2024 $35 calls on Intel, and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

AI's ROI was originally published by The Motley Fool
LONDON (Reuters) -Shares in Anglo American slid as much as 4% on Monday, with investors worried over what impact an ongoing underground blaze at a coal mine in Australia could have on the miner's plan to sell its coal portfolio, part of a broader bid to add value.

Anglo has been battling a fire ignited at its Grosvenor steelmaking coal mine in Australia's Queensland state on Saturday. There were no injuries but assessment of the damage and the re-opening of the mine might take several months.

"The underground combustion event is ongoing; however, the QMRS (Queensland Mines Rescue Service) mobile extinguisher unit is now fully operational, and smoke has visibly reduced," it said in a statement on Monday.

Anglo's CEO Duncan Wanblad said in May the sale process of its five operating coal mines, development projects and joint ventures in Australia was soon to kick off as part of a wider plan to divest less profitable assets and focus on expanding copper output after BHP's failed attempt to takeover the company.

Analysts said the weekend suspension could delay the sale of the assets and hit valuation.

"We believe this incident could have negative implications for the timing and execution of Anglo's corporate restructuring plan," JPMorgan analysts wrote in a note.

According to Jefferies, Grosvenor accounts for about 30% of the $4.5 billion value the brokerage attributes to Anglo's steelmaking coal business.

"The incident underground at Grosvenor is serious and it will take some time to assess the impact on the mine and implement remedial action," Anglo said on Monday.

"We will assess the timing of the divestment process in the coming weeks but we are continuing the preparation work in the meantime," it added.

(Reporting by Clara Denina, Yadarisa Shabong; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and David Evans)
As the U.S. stock market navigates through a period of adjustments, with major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq experiencing fluctuations from record highs, investors continue to seek stable investment opportunities. In this context, growth companies with high insider ownership can be particularly appealing, as significant insider stakes often signal confidence in the company's future prospects amidst market volatility.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In The United States

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth GigaCloud Technology (NasdaqGM:GCT) 25.9% 21.3% PDD Holdings (NasdaqGS:PDD) 32.1% 23.2% Atour Lifestyle Holdings (NasdaqGS:ATAT) 26% 22.1% Duolingo (NasdaqGS:DUOL) 15% 48% Super Micro Computer (NasdaqGS:SMCI) 14.3% 40.2% Bridge Investment Group Holdings (NYSE:BRDG) 11.6% 98.2% Credo Technology Group Holding (NasdaqGS:CRDO) 14.7% 60.9% Carlyle Group (NasdaqGS:CG) 29.2% 23.6% BBB Foods (NYSE:TBBB) 22.9% 100.1% EHang Holdings (NasdaqGM:EH) 32.8% 74.3%

Click here to see the full list of 183 stocks from our Fast Growing US Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: AppFolio, Inc. offers cloud-based business management solutions specifically tailored for the real estate sector in the United States, with a market capitalization of approximately $8.86 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through its cloud-based business management software and Value+ platforms, totaling approximately $671.78 million.

Insider Ownership: 31.6%

AppFolio has shown a promising trajectory, transitioning to profitability this year with first-quarter sales jumping to US$187.43 million from US$136.1 million in the previous year, and net income reaching US$38.66 million after a loss of US$35.11 million. Despite high insider ownership, recent months have seen significant insider selling rather than buying, raising concerns about shareholder alignment. Nonetheless, AppFolio's earnings are expected to grow by 28.5% annually, outpacing the broader U.S market forecast of 14.7%.

NasdaqGM:APPF Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Credit Acceptance Corporation operates in the United States, offering financing programs along with related products and services, with a market capitalization of approximately $6.23 billion.

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Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through financing programs and related products and services, totaling $866.70 million.

Insider Ownership: 14.4%

Credit Acceptance, despite a high level of debt, is poised for robust growth with earnings projected to increase by 37.9% annually and revenue growth expected at 42.7% per year, both outpacing the U.S. market significantly. Recent adjustments in their credit facility terms and active share buybacks underline management's confidence in operational stability and shareholder value enhancement. However, a recent drop in quarterly net income highlights potential volatility in profitability amidst these expansions.

NasdaqGS:CACC Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Amerant Bancorp Inc., with a market capitalization of approximately $761.92 million, operates as the bank holding company for Amerant Bank, N.A., serving various customers and businesses.

Operations: The company generates its revenue primarily from banking activities, totaling approximately $315.85 million.

Insider Ownership: 12.4%

Amerant Bancorp Inc. is experiencing a notable decline in net interest income and net income as reported in its first quarter results, with earnings per share also decreasing from the previous year. Despite these challenges, the company maintains a dividend, recently affirming a $0.09 per-share payout. While insider transactions show more buying than selling over the past three months, Amerant's profit margins have diminished compared to last year, and its significant expected annual earnings growth outpaces broader market forecasts.

NYSE:AMTB Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Make It Happen

Click here to access our complete index of 183 Fast Growing US Companies With High Insider Ownership.

Are you invested in these stocks already? Keep abreast of every twist and turn by setting up a portfolio with Simply Wall St, where we make it simple for investors like you to stay informed and proactive.

Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage.

Seeking Other Investments?

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 NasdaqGM:APPF NasdaqGS:CACC and NYSE:AMTB.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
(Bloomberg) -- Atos SEs creditors are set to take control of the embattled French IT services provider, following a months-long battle over the future of a company once hailed as the rising star of the countrys tech industry.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Bondholders and lenders have agreed to convert 2.9 billion ($3.1 billion) of loans and bonds into equity, provide as much as 1.68 billion of new debt and to inject 233 million in new equity, either themselves or alongside a private industrial investor, the company said in a statement on Sunday.

Atos asked creditors to leave the door open to an anchor investor for the equity injection, according to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Representatives for Atos declined to comment.

The agreement marks a pivotal moment in the long-running saga to save the sprawling IT giant thats a key supplier to both the French nuclear industry and the Olympic Games. Supply chain constraints, accounting errors, profit warnings and industry-wide headwinds have wiped out nearly 12 billion of the companys market value over the past seven years, and with a wall of debt coming due, Atos has been under acute pressure to find a solution.

By doing the deal on their own, the debt holders participating in the new debt stand to benefit more from the economics of the deal. While existing shareholders equity will be worth close to zero as a result of the restructuring, it does remove uncertainty over the companys fate after David Layanis Onepoint, Atoss biggest investor, walked away from an agreement last week.

Creditors signing the lock-up agreement by July 12 will receive a 50 basis-point fee.

With this agreement, the Atos group should put an end to the suspense, with the exception of the identity of a possible reference investor, wrote Alexandre Plaud, an analyst at CIC Market Solutions, in a note to investors after the news. While the dilution will be massive, the company should be able to return to a level of debt that will help it reach its target credit profile, and it will then be able to start rebuilding, he said.

Atos bonds due 2025 briefly rose over 1.5 cents in Monday morning trading, before paring gains. They remain deep in distressed territory, trading at just under 12 cents on the euro.

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When it has enough support from creditors, Atos will ask a commercial court to open an accelerated safeguard to approve the restructuring. This court process allows the company to overrule dissenting stakeholders as long as it meets certain conditions.

The creditor group also said they would reexamine a deal to sell part of the companys big data and security unit to the French state. The process will determine whether the purchase price is reflecting a fair market value and is consistent with the corporate interest of the company. If not, the company will terminate the sale, it said.

The French government offered 700 million, including debt, for the strategic parts of the unit, known as BDS, earlier in June in a non-binding bid. Those include Atoss supercomputers, mission-critical systems and cybersecurity activities. In April, the government had said the assets could be worth as much as 1 billion.

Atos started negotiations with its creditors under the supervision of a court-appointed mediator in early February to restructure its 4.85 billion debt pile. The company needed not only to reduce its debt burden but also an equity injection, and two bidders with different views on how to rescue Atos emerged early on: Onepoint  a smaller French IT firm that is the largest shareholder of Atos  and Daniel Kretinskys EPEI.

Layanis One Atos proposal was pitched as a way to help the company avoid a breakup and remain under French ownership, and it also promised a smaller haircut for debtholders. Kretinskys bid, on the other hand, had targeted a more radical debt reduction and suggested selling off the companys digital business.

While Layanis proposal beat out Kretinskys bid, the French entrepreneur backed away last week following further due diligence. That left creditors having to decide whether to reopen talks with Kretinsky  who had offered to step in again  or do a deal on their own.

Here are some details of the agreement:

--With assistance from Alexandra Muller and Jenny Che.

(Updates with write thru, new nut graf)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Australian Clinical Labs fair value estimate is AU$4.65

Australian Clinical Labs' AU$2.51 share price signals that it might be 46% undervalued

Analyst price target for ACL is AU$3.10 which is 33% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Australian Clinical Labs Limited (ASX:ACL) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. 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.

View our latest analysis for Australian Clinical Labs

Is Australian Clinical Labs Fairly Valued?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we 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 (A$, Millions) AU$35.2m AU$45.2m AU$48.3m AU$49.0m AU$50.5m AU$44.0m AU$43.6m AU$43.6m AU$43.8m AU$44.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -1.00% Est @ -0.02% Est @ 0.66% Est @ 1.14% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.3% AU$33.1 AU$40.0 AU$40.2 AU$38.4 AU$37.2 AU$30.5 AU$28.4 AU$26.7 AU$25.3 AU$24.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$324m

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 2.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$44m (1 + 2.3%)  (6.3% 2.3%) = AU$1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$1.1b ( 1 + 6.3%)10= AU$608m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$932m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$2.5, the company appears quite good value at a 46% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. 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 Australian Clinical Labs as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.880. 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 Australian Clinical Labs

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Healthcare market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Australian market.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Australian Clinical Labs, there are three further aspects you should look at:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Australian Clinical Labs , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does ACL'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 Australian 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
Investors often look to dividend stocks in the Netherlands for a reliable income stream. However, it's important to assess the sustainability of these dividends. For instance, companies like JDE Peet's may present a higher risk due to their high payout ratios, which could jeopardize their ability to maintain dividend payments in the long term.

Top 5 Dividend Stocks In The Netherlands

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Acomo (ENXTAM:ACOMO) 6.68%  ABN AMRO Bank (ENXTAM:ABN) 9.84%  Randstad (ENXTAM:RAND) 5.39%  Signify (ENXTAM:LIGHT) 6.65%  Koninklijke Heijmans (ENXTAM:HEIJM) 4.66%  Koninklijke KPN (ENXTAM:KPN) 4.19% 

Click here to see the full list of 6 stocks from our Top Euronext Amsterdam Dividend Stocks screener.

Here's a peek at one of the choices from the screener and one that may be safer to dodge.

Top Pick

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Acomo N.V. operates in sourcing, trading, processing, packaging, and distributing conventional and organic food ingredients for the food and beverage industry across Europe, North America, and other international markets, with a market capitalization of approximately 510.02 million.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from Edible Seeds (257.29 million), Spices and Nuts (429.96 million), Organic Ingredients (436.38 million), Tea (120.62 million), and Food Solutions (24.07 million).

Dividend Yield: 6.7%

ACOMO's dividend profile shows a blend of strengths and areas for caution. Over the past decade, dividends have seen growth, yet their trajectory has been marked by volatility, reflecting some instability. Currently, ACOMo maintains a payout ratio of 85.7%, ensuring dividends are well-covered by earnings. Notably, its cash payout ratio stands at 26.1%, indicating robust coverage by cash flows compared to companies with unsustainable high ratios, positioning it favorably in terms of dividend safety amidst market peers trading at significant discounts to their fair value estimates.

ENXTAM:ACOMO Dividend History as at Jul 2024

One To Reconsider

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: JDE Peet's N.V. operates globally, offering a diverse range of coffee and tea products, with a market capitalization of approximately 9.04 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its Europe (including Out-of-Home) segment at 4.72 billion, followed by CPG LARMEA at 1.50 billion, Peet's contributing 1.15 billion, and CPG APAC generating 0.79 billion.

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Dividend Yield: 3.8%

JDE Peet's dividend sustainability is questionable due to its high payout ratio of 92.6%, indicating that dividends are not well-covered by earnings. Despite a stable history of dividend payments, the company has been distributing dividends for less than 10 years with no growth in payouts during this period. Additionally, its profit margins have declined from 9.5% to 4.5% over the past year, further stressing financial health and undermining the reliability of future dividend payments.

ENXTAM:JDEP Dividend History as at Jul 2024

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B2Gold has agreed to invest in Prospector Metals by acquiring approximately 5.6 million shares in the latter, representing a 9.99% stake, at C$0.163 each.

This will provide Prospector with the necessary funds to advance its ML Project in Yukon, Canada.

The investment, amounting to just over C$909,311 ($664,143), is earmarked for exploration and development of the ML Project.

An investor rights agreement has also been established, forming a Technical Committee with a B2Gold nominee to oversee the ML Project's exploration and development.

B2Gold also secured subscription rights for additional shares, subject to regulatory approval, to maintain up to a 19.9% ownership interest.

Troilus Gold, which owns an 18.16% stake in Prospector, retains the participation right to maintain up to 19.9% ownership.

Upon completion of B2Golds investment, Troilus may purchase additional shares to uphold its ownership percentage.

Prospector CEO and director Rob Carpenter said: We are excited to have B2Gold as a keystone shareholder in Prospector Metals and our team is looking forward to their technical input on our flagship ML Project, Yukon. B2Gold is a major global gold producer with a strong commitment to communities, sustainable mining and employee safety.

This investment and technical partnership will allow Prospector to advance the ML project more efficiently and it represents an endorsement of our exploration philosophy and targeting methods.

Located near Dawson City, Yukon Territory, the ML Project has high-grade gold, silver and copper occurrences.

Previous exploration has focused on skarn mineralisation near syenite intrusions, with limited work within the intrusions themselves.

"B2Gold to acquire 9.99% stake in Prospector Metals" 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.
After hectic payday technical difficulties, HSBC, Nationwide and Virgin Money appeared to have resolved their issues by the start of the new week. But has it been done without any long-term damage?

At around 2pm on Friday, HSBC offered an update via X, stating: Online and Mobile Banking services are back up and running and customers can now view recent transactions. The payments issue affecting multiple banks is also resolved. Were really sorry to those impacted and will continue to monitor systems closely.

While the main relief will be the return of the servies that customers rely on, but there is the unwanted addition of anxiety in wondering whether this could happen again.

Manual processes dont work due to the way modern banking systems are built

Hicham Mabchour, VP UK at Dynatrace, suggests that the situation shows that banks need to update the way they monitor their systems. He commented: Online and mobile banking outages create disruption and always seem to come at the worst possible time - like payday - which only adds to the impact on their customers. Whenever an outage arises, banks need to be able to instantly trace the issue back to the precise root cause, rather than waste hours scrambling to find the problem. Manual processes dont work given the way modern banking systems are built. In fact, 88% of technology leaders in the banking industry say their technology stack has gone beyond human ability to manage. AI-driven approaches have now become mandatory, allowing IT teams to manage their environments holistically with a unified approach to observability, rather than using a fragmented array of monitoring tools.

Part of the challenge in preventing outages is that there are so many problems that can lead to IT outages, including hardware failures, software bugs, cyber-attacks, and human error. Banks urgently need to update the way they monitor their systems, so when outages occur, they can restore their services much faster and minimise the impact of potential disruptions on their customers.

"Banks urgently need to update the way they monitor their systems" 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.
Two of Kansas Citys most iconic assets  the Kansas City Chiefs and the Country Club Plaza  are now owned by members of an equally iconic family: the Hunts of Dallas, descendants of H.L. Hunt, one of Texas most famed oil tycoons.

The Chiefs organization, of course, was started by H.L Hunts son Lamar, who died in 2006. He also founded the American Football League and Major League Soccer and is credited with coining the term Super Bowl. His son Clark is chairman and chief executive officer of the Chiefs, which he jointly owns with his brother Dan and his brother and sister from his dads first marriage, Sharron Hunt and and Lamar Jr.

Lamar Hunt Jr. owns the Kansas City Mavericks hockey team. Dan Hunt is president of the FC Dallas soccer club.

On Friday, the Country Club Plaza, built in 1923, was purchased by HP Village Partners of Dallas, whose owners also include members of the Hunt family.

How close are they?

Very.

Clark lives down the street from me. Dan lives four houses the other direction. Norma (Lamar Hunts wife who died in 2023) lived one house over, said Ray Washburne, one of the Plazas new owners. I was in Clarks wedding.

I was in Clarks wedding, Ray Washburne, one of the new owners of the Country Club Plaza, said of Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, who is related to his wife.

Washburne is partners in HP Village with his wife, Heather Hill Washburne, his brother-in-law, Stephen Summers, and Summers wife, Elisa Summers. Elisa Summers and Heather Hill Washburne are sisters and  like Clark and family  are descendants of H.L. Hunt.

The Hunt family tree, which like many American families includes marriages, divorces and remarriages, is so large it can be easy to get lost in its branches.

As legend goes, Haroldson Lafeyette Hunt Jr., born in Illinois 1889, founded Hunt Oil in 1936 through leases and rights he acquired in the oil fields of East Texas. He became a tycoon, married three times (to two women at once, it was later discovered) and had 15 children. He reportedly was part of the inspiration behind Dallas, the 1980s television hit about the feuding Ewing oil family.

Firstborn to H.L. Hunt was Margaret Hunt Hill, who died in 2017. Lamar Hunt was nearly 17 years younger than his eldest sister.

Margaret Hunt Hill was the grandmother to the new Plaza owners.

All the family members want this to be successful, Washburne said of the Plaza purchase.

The newest owners of the Country Club Plaza, purchased on June 28, include members of the Hunt family, whose relatives own the Kansas City Chiefs.

Another Kansas City connection, although not through the Hunt family line:

Stephen Summers, of the HP Village Partners, often spent his summers here. His mother is a Kansas Citian.

My mom, Emily Summers, went to Southwest High School, he said. His mom turns 80 this summer. She grew up on 60th Terrace.

I was spending significant portions of my life in Kansas City,  Summers said, until I went to college.
The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.



Top 5 Upgrades:

JPMorgan upgraded Adecoagro (AGRO) to Neutral from Underweight with a price target of $11.50, up from $10.50. The firm thinks sugar and ethanol prices have limited downside risk from this point, while the weaker real, a good perspective for Argentine crops and a "reasonable" valuation make it more constructive about the investment case

Wolfe Research upgraded Americold Realty Trust (COLD) to Outperform from Peer Perform with a $31 price target. The firm expects Americold to produce "outsized" growth from storage volume recoveries and development stabilizations while trading at a similar multiple to peers.

Piper Sandler upgraded Teleflex (TFX) to Overweight from Neutral with a price target of $245, up from $205. While it may take another quarter or two, Teleflex's Urolift sales in the physician's office will start to bottom, the firm tells investors in a research note.

Goldman Sachs upgraded IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $167, up from $143. After less than 10% earnings growth over the last three years, the firm sees the company's earnings growth inflecting higher into low teens in 2025 and beyond, supported by structural tailwinds and ICE's global leadership in energy markets, signs of accelerating growth in fixed income data and analytics, and a cyclical trough in mortgage technology.

UBS upgraded Birkenstock (BIRK) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $85, up from $52. The company is successfully executing its direct-to-consumer expansion strategy better than expected, the firm tells investors in a research note.

Top 5 Downgrades:



Piper Sandler downgraded Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $115, down from $140. The firm says a combination of factors, including a back half of 2024 ramp and minimal upside to fiscal 2025 hip and knee estimates "make the setup less attractive from here."

RBC Capital downgraded NextEra Energy Partners (NEP) to Sector Perform from Outperform with a price target of $30, down from $38. With insufficient growth from wind repowerings and about $3.7B CEPF liabilities post-2026, the firm believes the model will not be able to sustain long-term dividend growth of 5%-8% and that the company will need to evaluate a dividend cut.

Truist downgraded ICF International (ICFI) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $155, down from $168. The firm now has less conviction in ICF's high-single-digit organic growth in 2-3 years.

William Blair downgraded Amedisys (AMED) to Market Perform from Outperform after the company agreed to divest certain home health locations to VitalCaring. The firm expected a divestiture of a number of Amedisys home health assets would be required to satisfy potential antitrust concerns associated with the company s proposed acquisition by UnitedHealth (UNH).
BlackRock (BLK) CEO Larry Fink made it clear Monday that his firms acquisition of London data provider Preqin is part of a much larger vision he has to make private markets a lot more investable.

"We anticipate indexes and data will be important to future drivers of the democratization of all alternatives," Fink said on a Monday morning conference call. "And this acquisition is the unlock."

BlackRock and other asset management firms are making an aggressive expansion into private markets as the financial world pushes deeper into alternative assets that arent publicly traded.

These assets include everything from private equity and credit to real estate, infrastructure projects, and even ownership of music rights.

Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid) (REUTERS / Reuters)

For BlackRock, the worlds largest money manager, Preqin is the fourth acquisition of an alternative asset firm in the last five years.

Preqin tracks the private markets for clients, providing data about funds and investors. Its revenue is up 20% over the last three years.

Preqin valued the market for all private assets at $16 trillion last year, and it expects this market to more than double to $39 trillion over the next six years.

The challenge for the market is that these assets are not as readily priced as publicly traded stocks or bonds and data is still relatively opaque, making them a more challenging sell to some investors. The lack of transparency within alternatives has also made some regulators leery.

Fink said BlackRock, which is perhaps best known for its index funds that track stock exchanges, aims to do for private markets what index funds have done for public markets.

"Think about how data, benchmarks, and risk analytics transform public markets, he said on a conference call. "They make markets more accessible from the developed to the emerging from stocks to bonds. They made investment performance and drivers of return much more transparent.

BlackRocks goal, he added, "is to do all of that in the far less mature data analytics and index business for all the private markets."

In short, "we believe we could index to private markets."

BlackRocks stock was down slightly in Mondays trading. Year to date, the money managers stock has fallen 3%.

BlackRock expects to fund the Preqin transaction through up to $3 billion in additional debt and close before year-end, subject to regulatory approvals. It also expects the deal will bring an added $240 million to its 2024 revenue.

BlackRock plans to integrate Preqin's analytics within its own institutional investor platform, Aladdin. The company said it will also continue to offer Preqin as a stand-alone data provider.

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It is the companys second big acquisition in the alternatives space this year. In January it unveiled plans to buy private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners for about $12.5 billion.

"Private markets are the fastest growing segment of asset management, and we see significant demand from our clients to do more in this space," Fink said Monday.

David Hollerith is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance covering banking, crypto, and other areas in finance.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Boeing said Monday it had agreed to buy back its largest supplier, New York Stock Exchange-listed Spirit AeroSystems, two decades after selling it in an all-stock deal for approximately $4.7 billion, or $37.25 per share. File photo by Andy Rain/EPA-EFE

July 1 (UPI) -- Boeing said Monday it had agreed to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier for its 737 Max model.

Boeing announced the all-stock deal to acquire Spirit AeroSystems for approximately $4.7 billion, or $37.25 per share, in which the U.S. aerospace giant will also assume Spirit AS debt of around $8.3 billion.

"We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly," Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun in a news release.

"By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our Safety and Quality Management Systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes -- centered on safety and quality."

The acquisition included "substantially" all of Spirit AeroSystems' Boeing-related commercial operations, as well as additional commercial, defense and aftermarket operations with Boeing committing support for the continuity of operations supporting Spirit's customers and programs, including working with the U.S. Department of Defense and Spirit defense customers regarding defense and security missions.

"We are proud of the role Boeing plays in supporting our men and women in uniform and are committed to ensuring continuity for Spirit's defense programs," said Calhoun.

The sale is subject to a parallel deal for Boeing-rival Airbus to acquire, pending definitive agreements and regulatory approval, European units of Spirt AeroSystems' business that supply Airbus, timed to coincide with the completion of the Boeing-Spirit merger in the middle of next year.

Included, are a plant in Belfast that makes the wings and fuselage for Airbus' narrow-body A220 aircraft.

Witchita, Kan.,-based Spirit AeroSystems also plans to spin off non-Airbus related parts of its operation in Northern Ireland --where it is the largest source of manufacturing jobs with about 3,500 employees -- and in Prestwick, Scotland, and Subang in Malaysia.

The Boeing-Spirit AeroSystems deal, which is subject to approval by Spirt AeroSystems shareholders and regulators, comes two weeks after the Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation after Boeing notified it about falsified documents related to titanium components Spirit AeroSystems purchased from a Chinese company.

Boeing made the disclosure voluntarily after Spirit Aerosystems, which mainly supplies Boeing with fuselage parts began a probe of titanium shipments that may have been accompanied by paperwork that called into question their authenticity and true origin.

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Italian and Turkish companies in the supply chain of the titanium are also being looked at.

The FAA, which said Boeing had made contact regarding the procurement through a distributor "who may have falsified or provided incorrect records," stressed it was gauging the scope of the issue and working to figure out the safety impacts on planes manufactured with the materials.

Boeing has not confirmed which aircraft may have been affected but the New York Times, which broke the story, reported it involved some 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner jets produced between 2019 and 2023 as well as some Airbus A220s.

In May, Spirit AeroSystems blamed a slowdown in deliveries by its biggest customer for laying off as many at 450 of its 12,600 workforce at its Witchita plant which makes fuselages for the 737 Max.

Aircraft deliveries have been hit by Boeing implementing stricter inspections to address quality issues highlighted by the Jan. 5 door panel blowout aboard an Alaskan Airlines 737 Max 9 aircraft.
By Tim Hepher, Shivani Tanna and Mike Stone

(Reuters) -Boeing agreed to buy back Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7 billion in stock and Airbus moved to take on the supplier's loss-making Europe-focused activities, sending shares in all three companies higher in a rare transatlantic break-up.

The near-two-decade independence of the world's largest standalone aerostructures company ended in a carve-up between its largest customers after the latest Boeing 737 MAX crisis, sparked by a mid-air door plug blowout in January, brought to a head doubts over the resilience of fuselage manufacturing.

Boeing, which spun off Spirit's core Wichita and Oklahaoma plants in 2005, said it would repurchase its former subsidiary for about $37.25 per share, as reported by Reuters on Sunday, giving it an enterprise value of $8.3 billion including debt.

"Bringing Spirit and Boeing together will enable greater integration of both companies' manufacturing and engineering capabilities, including safety and quality systems," Spirit CEO Pat Shanahan said in a statement.

Spirit shares rose 3.6% in early U.S. trading, while Boeing gained 2%

The Wichita, Kansas-based company said the deal offered a 30% premium versus the day before Boeing and Spirit announced talks to bring the struggling supplier back in house on March 1.

Boeing has long pondered buying back its former subsidiary, which analysts say has struggled to thrive independently despite diversifying into work for Europe's Airbus and others.

The decision to go ahead comes as Boeing tries to resolve a sprawling corporate and industrial crisis that has engulfed one of the industry's key suppliers.

Boeing is trying to move past months of difficulties sparked by the Jan. 5 blowout of a door plug on a virtually new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet that exposed quality problems.

Those issues have led to a substantial slowdown in output at Boeing, rippling across the global commercial aviation industry.

Rating agency Fitch said the deal should be "operationally beneficial" to Boeing, allowing it to better plan and control future 737 MAX production.

The U.S. planemaker has announced the planned departure of CEO Dave Calhoun in the wake of the crisis, with industry executives and analysts pointing to Spirit's Shanahan, a former senior Boeing executive, as one of the possible replacements.

It was not immediately clear how long he might be tied to Spirit, with the Boeing deal not due to close until mid-2025.

In a note to investors, Bernstein analyst Douglas Harned said the deal "should add clarity ... potentially for the Boeing boards attention to move to the decision on the next CEO".

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AIRBUS DEAL

Spirit had been spun off from Boeing in one of a series of moves that critics say were emblematic of a focus on cost-cutting over quality.

Boeing made the decision to buy it back in the aftermath of the door plug blowout, in what it described as an effort to address its safety problems and shore up its production line.

That raised questions over the future of work that Spirit carries out for Boeing's arch-rival Airbus, prompting the CEO of the European giant to warn in April that it stood ready if necessary to veto changes in control of Airbus-related plants.

On Monday, Airbus said it would take over core activities at four of the supplier's plants in the United States, Northern Ireland, France and Morocco as reported by Reuters last week.

It will also take over minor work currently carried out in Wichita. The separate Airbus deal was triggered by talks between Boeing and Spirit and was loosely coordinated between the three companies, sources said. It is subject to due diligence.

Airbus shares rose about 3.3% on Monday.

Since Spirit's Airbus-related operations are in the red, industry sources had said the planemaker was pressing for up to $1 billion in compensation in return for taking over the plants, which make strategic parts for its A350 and A220 airliners.

Airbus said it would receive $559 million in compensation from Spirit, depending on the final outlines of the deal, while it would pay the supplier a symbolic $1 for the assets.

That echoes its decision to buy the Canadian-designed CSeries small jetliner program for just $1 from Bombardier in 2018. It later renamed the jet the A220.

Until the latest shake-up, Airbus had not envisaged taking control of the loss-making A220 wings manufacturing carried out in Belfast, which Spirit bought from Bombardier in 2019.

Monday's deal lifts doubts over the future of part of Northern Ireland's top industrial employer, though sources have said Airbus may need to invest significant sums to increase output and make the wings more affordable to produce.

Spirit said it planned to sell operations in Prestwick, Scotland and in Subang, Malaysia that support Airbus programs and those in Belfast that do not support Airbus programs.

(Reporting by Mike Stone and David Shepardson in Washington, Allison Lampert in Montreal, Tim Hepher in Paris and Shivansh Tiwary, Abhijith Ganapavaram and Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; editing by David Gaffen, Shubham Kalia, Jamie Freed and Jason Neely)
View of a logo with the word "Boeing" on a hall at the Boeing distribution center. Georg Wendt/dpa

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has struck a deal to buy Spirit AeroSystems, the company announced on Monday.

The all-stock deal has an equity value of about $4.7 billion or $37.25 per share, Boeing said.

The total transaction value is around $8.3 billion, including Spirit's last reported net debt.

Boeing's acquisition of Spirit will include substantially all Boeing-related commercial operations, as well as additional commercial, defence and aftermarket operations.

Separately, Spirit and Airbus SE have also entered into a binding term sheet, under which Airbus will acquire certain commercial work packages that Spirit performs for Airbus concurrently with the closing of the Boeing-Spirit merger.

In addition, Spirit is proposing to sell certain parts of its operations, including those in Belfast, Northern Ireland (non-Airbus operations), Prestwick, Scotland, and Subang, Malaysia.

The Boeing deal is expected to close mid-2025 and is subject to the sale of the Spirit operations related to certain Airbus commercial work packages and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and Spirit shareholder approvals.

In the Boeing deal, each share of Spirit stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of Boeing common stock equal to an exchange ratio between 0.18 and 0.25.

Following the transaction, Spirit shareholders will receive 0.25 Boeing shares for each of their Spirit shares if the volume-weighted average price is at or below $149.00, and 0.18 Boeing shares for each of their Spirit shares if the volume-weighted average price is at or above $206.94.
By Lisa Barrington

SEOUL (Reuters) - Boeing has restarted wide-body jet deliveries to China that were halted in recent weeks due to a Chinese regulatory review which also stalled new narrow-body deliveries by the U.S. planemaker, according to flight tracking data and two sources.

All Boeing deliveries to China are now set to resume, a source told Reuters.

New Boeing deliveries to China have been off and on since 2019 after two fatal crashes of MAX 8 jets and amid intensifying tensions over issues ranging from technology to national security between Washington and Beijing.

The resumption is a boost to Boeing, which had flagged the China delivery delay to investors, and which is engulfed in a separate safety and quality crisis.

On Friday a brand new Boeing wide-body 777 freighter registered to Air China Cargo as B-223S flew from Everett Paine Field in Washington state, where Boeing has a factory, to Beijing, according to flight tracking platform FlightRadar24.

Late on Sunday another new 777 freighter registered to Air China Cargo as B-223T departed Everett Paine for Beijing, tracking data showed.

Air China did not respond to a request for comment.

A source told Reuters last week that orders of wide-body 777 and 787 planes are expected to be delivered in the coming days, with 737 MAX deliveries set to resume as early as July.

China suspended most orders and deliveries of Boeing planes in 2019 after the 737 MAX was grounded worldwide after fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Reuters reported on Sunday the U.S. Justice Department will criminally charge Boeing with fraud over the crashes.

Deliveries of wide-bodies re-started in December and narrow-body MAX jets in January. Reuters reported in late May deliveries had again stopped due to a review by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) of batteries in 25-hour cockpit voice recorders.

Boeing directed a request for comment to CAAC, which did not respond.

In a year-end 2023 filing, Boeing said it had about 140 737 MAX 8 aircraft in inventory, including 85 aircraft for customers in China. Boeing delivered 22 aircraft to China between the start of 2024 and the end of April.

The planemaker estimates Chinese airlines will need 8,560 new commercial planes by 2042.

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Additional reporting by Sophie Yu; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Mexico was the No. 1 market for U.S. corn in 2023, importing $5.39 billion worth of the grain, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Mexicos incoming president will end the governments plan to ban imports of genetically modified (GM) yellow corn from the U.S., according to Reuters.

Julio Berdegue, named to be Mexicos President-elect Claudia Sheinbaums agriculture minister, said the government will instead focus on maintaining self-sufficiency in white corn, which is used throughout the country in foods like tortillas.

Our objective is not to reduce imports, our objective is to produce more, Berdegue said. Our goal is not self-sufficiency in yellow corn  not in this six-year term.

Mexico will likely have to continue importing large amounts of yellow corn due to increased demand from the countrys livestock sector, Berdegue said.





Sheinbaum won Mexicos presidential election on June 5 and will take office Oct. 1.

Mexico was the No. 1 export market for corn from the U.S. in 2023, importing $5.39 billion worth of the grain, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Japan ranked No. 2 for imports of U.S. corn at $2.07 billion, and China ranked third with $1.63 billion.

Most U.S. corn is produced in states such as Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois and shipped by rail, truck and barge, according to the USDA. The bulk of U.S. corn exports to Mexico are shipped either from the Port of New Orleans via container ship or by truck from the port of entry in Laredo, Texas.

Lopez Obradors plan to prohibit the importation of the GM corn began in 2020, when outgoing Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador decreed he would eliminate the use of the herbicide glyphosate and GM corn in the country.





Lopez Obrador was also pushing for Mexico to achieve self-sufficiency in production of the white corn. In June 2023, Mexico began imposing a 50% tariff on white corn exports entering the country from the U.S.

Farmers and policymakers in the U.S. have been urging the Mexican government to reconsider the ban on imports of GM corn.

In August 2023, the U.S. began a dispute settlement panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) over Mexicos plan to ban GM corn.

Lopez Obrador and his administration aimed to ban GM yellow corn to eliminate glyphosate, which they view as harmful to people, from Mexicos food supply chain.

I think it will be very important because it is not just a matter of Mexico, it is a matter that will help consumers in the U.S. and around the world, Obrador said during an August 2023 news conference in Mexico City. Its good that the [U.S.] is now challenging our decree so that we dont use that corn for human consumption, because this will allow us in this panel to present evidence and make proposals.

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In June, a three-person trade panel convened in Mexico City to hear arguments from both Mexican and U.S. legal teams, according to FarmWeekNow. The panel is scheduled to release its preliminary and final reports this fall determining whether Mexico violated USMCA trade provisions in its plans to restrict imports of GM corn.

The post Borderlands Mexico: Mexican government to drop planned import ban on genetically modified US corn appeared first on FreightWaves.
Mark and Lindy O'Hare own 80pc of Preqin, triggering a major payday once the deal completes

A husband and wife duo who built an outdoor theatre on the grounds of their Suffolk farm estate have been catapulted into Britains rich list after netting 2bn from the sale of their financial data business.

Mark and Lindy OHare, who own a Grade-II listed farmhouse and 350-seat theatre, have struck a deal to sell their data group Preqin to fund giant BlackRock for 2.5bn.

Mr and Mrs OHare own 80pc of the business through their family holding company Valhalla Ventures, triggering a major payday once the deal completes.

The deal makes the couple richer than BlackRock boss Larry Fink, who founded the business 36 years ago and is worth 1.3bn.

Preqin sells financial data on alternative assets such as infrastructure, private equity and hedge funds to investment banks and City customers.

It was set up in London in 2002. Cambridge-educated Mr OHare ran the group as chief executive before stepping down in 2022. Mrs OHare worked at the firm until 2008.

More recently, the couple have built Thorington Theatre, which sits in cleared woodland on the site of a Second World War bomb crater.

The couple originally bought their farm six years ago to grow organic chestnuts and walnuts but decided to build a theatre, using timber from their land to construct the venue.

I thought I was a farmer, then, at the age of 60, Im suddenly running a theatre, Mrs OHare told Country Life magazine last year.

It sounded barking mad, but after walking past for a couple of months, I said to my husband, Why dont we do it? Hes the one who said, Yes, well do it with our own timber.

Preqin is just the latest sale by serial entrepreneur Mr OHare. He co-founded a management consultancy in the 1980s called Goodall Alexander OHare & Co after working at Boston Consulting Group.

In 1993, he founded shareholder information service Citywatch, before selling it five years later to Reuters.

Valhalla Ventures currently owns stakes in document automation tool Avvoka and Net Zero Insights, which provides ESG data.

BlackRock is buying the business 100pc in cash, giving Valhalla Ventures substantial financial firepower for further investing and philanthropy.

Mr OHare will join BlackRock as vice chair after the deal closes.

Some of Preqins 300 employees will also share the remaining 500m, with several expected to become multi millionaires overnight.

The deal will give BlackRock access to valuable financial data on private markets, which is harder to obtain than public data from the stock market.

Martin Small, BlackRocks chief financial officer, said it would allow the business to push the democratisation of alternatives for retail investors.

Story continues

The fund manager is hoping to use the private markets data to create price indices similar to the FTSE 100, which could unlock a new world for investors.

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This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter.

UPDATE: July 2, 2024: This piece was updated with additional information from Burritobar.

Burritobar, the American division of Barburrito, announced last week that it had signed a two decade, 93-unit master franchise agreement for New Jersey with Sarang Franchising LLC.

Sarang has served as the Ohio master franchisee for the Toronto-based, fast casual Tex-Mex chain since the two signed a 115-store development contract in May.

Burritobar is laying the groundwork for an aggressive expansion throughout the United States, with franchising agreements in place covering Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, North Texas, South Illinois, in addition to Ohio and New Jersey, Jeff Young, Burritobars chief development officer said. The company has over 325 restaurants in Canada under affiliate Barburrito and entered the U.S. in 2020. Since then, Burritobar has opened three stores in Michigan and a fourth in Delaware, Young said.

In an email to Restaurant Dive, Young said the chain is primarily targeting suburban, secondary and tertiary markets. Grocery anchored shopping centers in residential communities where we can serve out guests for lunch, dinner and through on-line delivery aggregators, provide for an ideal setting for the concept.

Once Burritobar has built up brand awareness in those markets, it will shift towards urban expansion, Young said.

Burritobar has about 750 development commitments in the U.S., Young said, which would put it on a fast track to being a major player in the Mexican fast casual niche in the country. Chipotle, the sectors dominant player, had over 3,400 units in North America at the start of the year, while Qdoba, another major player, had a system of about 750 stores at the beginning of 2024. Like Qdoba, Burritobars U.S. development strategy depends on franchising to fuel a rapid expansion of its store footprint, in contrast to Chipotles company-owned model.

Young said its units tend to be 1,000 to 1,500 square feet and fit well into end-cap or in-line spaces in shopping centers.

Young noted Burritobars menu is a further point of differentiation, claiming that it has more proteins, more toppings and more sauces to choose from. Additionally, we have fryers, so we able to serve a more diverse offering, including signature menu items such as bang, bang shrimp, crunchy chicken, falafel, extreme fries, and freshly deep-fried churros.
Gary H. Larsen, left, Jesse R. Butler, Deborah J. Blue and Jeffrey D. Peairs, lawyers at Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A.

Attorneys at Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A., in Sarasota, have been selected as Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Rising Stars for 2024. Partners Deborah J. Blue, Gary H. Larsen and Jeffrey D. Peairs are Super Lawyers and Jesse R. Butler has been designated a Florida Rising Star.

Super Lawyers, a service of Thomson Reuters, is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorneys are selected from more than 70 practice areas and all firm sizes, assuring a credible and relevant annual list.

The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes peer nominations, independent research by Super Lawyers and evaluations from a highly credentialed panel of attorneys.

Blue is board certified in marital and family law. This is her 17th year as a Florida Super Lawyer. She is ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Larsen, a board-certified civil trial lawyer and Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, mediates in all areas of civil litigation. This is his 11th year as a Super Lawyer and he is ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Peairs is a board-certified civil trial lawyer and Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator who specializes in complex litigation matters. Peairs is ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Butler is a board-certified appellate attorney and a member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors. His trial practice focuses on cases involving legal malpractice, deceptive and unfair trade practices, consumer law and general civil and commercial litigation. He holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating.

Carpenter

Visit Sarasota County has hired Hunter Carpenter as the director of Partnership and Community Relations.

Carpenter will oversee the organizations relationships with local businesses by connecting them with opportunities the VSC team offers to showcase their own offerings to visitors around the world. He will also educate residents of the region about VSCs roles and why the sustainable growth of our local tourism industry is critical to all.

A Sarasota native, Carpenter joins VSC from First Watch Restaurant Group, where he spent several years as the public relations manager, guiding earned media and storytelling strategies to support more than 530 restaurants nationwide.

Prior to this, Carpenter was the manager of Communications and Marketing at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

He holds a masters degree in mass communications from the University of Florida, as well as an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). He is the president-elect of the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association for 2024-2025.

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Budwany

The Ramos Center for Interventional and Functional Pain Medicine has added Dr. Ryan Budwany to its team of physicians. Budwany, a highly skilled interventional pain medicine physician, will be based in the Sarasota office, serving patients across the region.

Dr. Budwany is a board-certified physician specializing in interventional pain and functional medicine. He completed his medical specialty training at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital and his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine.

His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Emory University, a Master of Public Health in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety from Dartmouth College, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from the University of Massachusetts.

Prior to joining the Ramos Center, Dr. Budwany honed his expertise under the mentorship of Dr. Tim R. Deer, a globally recognized figure in interventional pain and minimally invasive spine procedures, at the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Super Lawyers finds outstanding lawyers at Dickinson & Gibbons
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Kardex Holding is CHF284 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Kardex Holding's CHF228 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Our fair value estimate is 10% higher than Kardex Holding's analyst price target of 258

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Kardex Holding AG (VTX:KARN) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present 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.

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. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Kardex Holding

Is Kardex Holding Fairly Valued?

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 start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, 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

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (, Millions) 69.2m 79.0m 87.6m 95.4m 100.7m 104.6m 107.6m 109.8m 111.4m 112.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Est @ 5.54% Est @ 3.94% Est @ 2.81% Est @ 2.03% Est @ 1.48% Est @ 1.09% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 4.8% 66.0 71.9 76.1 79.1 79.6 79.0 77.5 75.4 73.0 70.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 748m

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 0.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 4.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 113m (1 + 0.2%)  (4.8% 0.2%) = 2.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 2.4b ( 1 + 4.8%)10= 1.5b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 2.3b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CHF228, the company appears about fair value at a 20% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. 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 Kardex Holding 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 4.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.003. 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 Kardex Holding

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Currently debt free.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Swiss market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Swiss market.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Kardex Holding, we've compiled three pertinent items you should assess:

Financial Health: Does KARN have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does KARN'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 Swiss 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
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Sherwin-Williams is US$280 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With US$298 share price, Sherwin-Williams appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for SHW is US$339, which is 21% above our fair value estimate

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

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 still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Sherwin-Williams

The Model

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$2.89b US$3.15b US$3.33b US$3.49b US$3.64b US$3.77b US$3.89b US$4.00b US$4.12b US$4.23b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x8 Analyst x5 Est @ 5.91% Est @ 4.85% Est @ 4.11% Est @ 3.59% Est @ 3.23% Est @ 2.97% Est @ 2.80% Est @ 2.67% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.1% US$2.7k US$2.7k US$2.7k US$2.7k US$2.6k US$2.5k US$2.4k US$2.3k US$2.2k US$2.1k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$25b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.4%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.1%.

Story continues

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$4.2b (1 + 2.4%)  (7.1% 2.4%) = US$92b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$92b ( 1 + 7.1%)10= US$46b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$71b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$298, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

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 Sherwin-Williams 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 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.027. 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 Sherwin-Williams

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Chemicals market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Sherwin-Williams, we've compiled three further aspects you should consider:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Sherwin-Williams , and understanding it should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does SHW'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 American 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
Key Insights

Ramsay Health Care's estimated fair value is AU$58.82 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With AU$47.46 share price, Ramsay Health Care appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for RHC is AU$56.86 which is 3.3% below our fair value estimate

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX:RHC) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

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.

View our latest analysis for Ramsay Health Care

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$330.3m AU$653.6m AU$673.1m AU$774.6m AU$818.0m AU$769.0m AU$743.6m AU$731.5m AU$728.1m AU$730.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x5 Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ -3.30% Est @ -1.63% Est @ -0.47% Est @ 0.35% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.8% AU$309 AU$573 AU$553 AU$596 AU$590 AU$519 AU$470 AU$433 AU$404 AU$380

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$4.8b

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After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$731m (1 + 2.3%)  (6.8% 2.3%) = AU$17b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$17b ( 1 + 6.8%)10= AU$8.6b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$13b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$47.5, the company appears about fair value at a 19% discount to where the stock price trades currently. 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

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Ramsay Health Care as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.979. 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 Ramsay Health Care

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

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 Healthcare market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Australian market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. 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 Ramsay Health Care, we've compiled three additional factors you should consider:

Risks: Be aware that Ramsay Health Care is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those is concerning... Future Earnings: How does RHC'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 Australian 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
Chinese companies are ramping up their acquisition of major copper, cobalt and lithium mining projects in Africa, dominating the critical minerals market, as Beijing positions itself to lead the global green energy transition.

In one of the most recent investments, Chinese firm JCHX Mining Management is close to finalising a deal to buy Zambia's Lubambe copper mine.

The deal, which is awaiting approval from the Zambian authorities, would see the Shanghai-listed mining services and contracting firm hold an 80 per cent stake in the mine which is currently held by Australian-based investment firm EMR Capital, according to Reuters.

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.

The Zambian government, through ZCCM Investments Holdings, will hold the remaining 20 per cent of the mine, situated at Chililabombwe, a town in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia near the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border.

Technically insolvent, Lubambe copper mine would be acquired by JCHX Mining for just US$2, the firm announced early this year. The Chinese company will set up a project company to buy the stake for US$1 from EMR Capital and pay another US$1 to buy off the company's US$857 million debt.

Zambia is Africa's second-largest copper producer behind the DRC. It is also rich in gold, precious stones, nickel ore, sulphur, ferroalloys, iron bars, cobalt, tobacco and soybean meal - which has attracted many Chinese companies.

According to JCHX, it has been in Zambia for more than two decades in the contract mining and resources investment sectors, and has been the underground mining services provider of Lubambe copper mine since 2017.

Lauren Johnston, associate professor at the University of Sydney's China Studies Centre, recalls the seeds of EMR Capital from meetings in Beijing some 15 years ago, when current EMR chief executive Jason Chang was advising another set of Australians on setting up a resources fund in Australia using Chinese investment.

Johnston suggested this earlier familiarity with both the Chinese and Australian minerals investment landscape could inform a pre-emptive approach to geopolitical tensions.

"Rising renewables supply chain tensions between China and Western countries are threatening increasing limitations on and monitoring of acquisitions activity in renewables-related minerals supply chains," Johnston said.

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This, and the importance of copper to new energy fields in general, she added, may help to explain both the interest of Chinese firm JCHX Mining to invest in Zambia's Lubambe mine and Melbourne's EMR Capital to sell its 80 per cent stake.

Workers separate minerals in the DRC, where Chinese companies have vast mining investments, as well as in Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and other African nations. Photo: AFP alt=Workers separate minerals in the DRC, where Chinese companies have vast mining investments, as well as in Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and other African nations. Photo: AFP>

The acquisition in Zambia comes a few months after Chinese company MMG, backed by state-owned mining giant China Minmetals Corporation, bought Botswana's Khoemacau copper mine for about US$1.9 billion from Cuprous Capital, a private company that has produced copper at Khoemacau since 2021.

According to MMG, the deal aligns with the company's strategy to build a portfolio of high-quality mines supplying the minerals most important to a decarbonised world. The Khoemacau mine has copper reserves of more than 6 million tonnes and mining rights covering an area of more than 4,000 sq km (1,544 square miles).

Besides the new assets in Zambia and Botswana, Chinese companies have vast mining investments in the DRC, which is the world's largest producer of cobalt and a major source of copper. Zimbabwe has also emerged as a key source of lithium, another metal essential for making lithium-ion batteries. In addition, China has invested in some large iron ore projects in Guinea, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Algeria.

According to a recent study by Washington-based think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Africa's mineral "exports to China are on a rapid ascent, reaching nearly $50 billion in 2021 from $15 billion in 2010". Moreover, the report said, Chinese investments are beginning to cover not only the extraction of ores but also the refining and processing of them on the continent.

One important factor driving China's engagement in the African mining sector is the demand for minerals and metals needed by China's own industries, particularly those involved in renewable energy and electric vehicles, according to Zainab Usman, director of Carnegie Endowment's Africa Programme.

She said the growth momentum of African mineral exports to China will, in many respects, depend on the continued growth of those industries that require the minerals. For example, China is now the world's largest producer, consumer and exporter of electric vehicles globally.

"If the EV industry continues to grow, then we can expect an associated growth in demand for the African minerals and metals used in the manufacturing of EV batteries, especially cobalt, lithium and graphite," Usman said.

But she said the growth trajectory might not necessarily be linear because a few other factors could complicate the situation.

"Intensifying geopolitical tensions, with the announcement of wide-ranging tariffs on Chinese EV imports into the US and Europe, could further restrict the ability of Chinese EV manufacturers to access these markets and therefore affect the industry's growth, at least in the short-term, with knock-on effects on Chinese demand for the mineral and metals input for these electric mobility technologies," Usman said.

She noted that in the longer term though, the commercialisation of newer types of EV batteries, such as various types of sodium-ion batteries that require less cobalt, copper and lithium, may have vast consequences for African mineral exports to China.

Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor at China Global South Project and non-resident scholar at Carnegie Endowment, said geopolitics remains an important factor behind China's mining acquisition.

"These minerals have both economic or industrial use and defence purposes," Neema said, explaining that the slowdown in the Chinese economy may have impacted certain imports but it will not impact mining imports for China.

"When you look at the profile of all these acquisitions, they're all critical or strategic minerals for China."

Neema said another geopolitical factor is stockpiling. China has been doing that for cobalt though it uses more LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries than NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries or lithium-ion batteries) in its EV industry.

Yet, he said, China keeps on not only buying, but also producing, more, even though prices are tanking.

"With that, it can maintain prices low and raise the cost of entry for new players," Neema said. "So geopolitics is an important factor."

Yun Sun, co-director of the East Asia Programme and director of the Washington-based Stimson Centre's China Programme, said: "The supply chain disruption due to the great power competition has demonstrated to China the importance of securing the supply of critical minerals and essential metals." She said many of the major deals between China and Africa since last year belong to this category.

Mark Bohlund, a senior credit research analyst at REDD Intelligence, said China has been driving copper demand for the best part of the past two decades, mostly due to the need for copper fittings in new property developments.

But while authorities are seeking to reduce the importance of property development in driving economic activity, he said the demand for copper has simply switched to another industry.

"The need to secure copper supply from overseas has been taken over by the demand for it from the electrical vehicles and renewables sector," Bohlund said.

"High ore grades and relatively unexploited deposits make Africa an interesting prospective for copper investments, with the weaker position of established players also allowing Chinese companies to more easily take a stake."

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.
Feature: Chinese scientists tackle Arctic grit for global answers

Xinhua) 08:52, July 01, 2024

NY-ALESUND, Norway, June 30 (Xinhua) -- In 1963, French geologist Jean Corbel established a small hut near Ny-Alesund, sparking modern research in Svalbard. Since then, the former mining town has evolved into a global center for science, attracting countries like China to its Arctic research efforts.

"It was a very fine event," recalled Kim Holmen, special advisor at the Norwegian Polar Institute, reflecting on the founding ceremony of China's inaugural Arctic research station.

What struck Holmen most deeply, however, were the discussions centered on "the science that we would be able to pursue."

China's Arctic Yellow River Station is located on the far east side of the town.

According to Hu Zhengyi, the current manager of the station, the institute mainly serves as a support for China's scientific monitoring and research work in various specialties, including glaciology, terrestrial ecology, marine ecology, space physics, and atmospheric studies.

Hu had been focusing on the study of glaciers since his postgraduate period. The second year after graduation in 2015, he was dispatched to the Station for his first term, spending dozens of days almost every year there.

Hu's research centers on meticulously tracking glacial dynamics, including area and thickness fluctuations, as well as the recession of glacial termini from the coastline, which are all crucial metrics in understanding the impacts of climate change.

Glaciology is a young and relatively niche major in China, Hu said, adding that choosing this major normally means that one would be working far from home, sometimes even a quite backbreaking job.

What he meant was the field research work on glaciers, trudging across the frigid ice while carrying equipment weighing dozens of kilograms.

"This job is not for everyone," he joked about the workload.

The Chinese station has been carrying out field research on glaciers for over 10 years, including monitoring and research on glacier material balance, movement, temperature, end position, and meteorology.

Such studies help reveal the response of Arctic glaciers to global warming and provide an important basis for predicting future sea level rise, Hu said.

Basically, most of the research done here is related to climate change, Hu said.

Apart from glacier studies, other research on the changes in terrestrial ecosystems, as well as studies on marine life, also contribute to a better understanding of the common challenges faced by humanity.

By gathering critical data on the health of Arctic ecosystems, the research efforts could contribute to developing better conservation measures.

"The problems we have in front of us are so big that none of us, regardless of how clever we are, could do it alone," Holmen said, stressing the significance of more scientific cooperation between different countries.

Currently, scientists from over 10 countries are based in the town to carry out research in the Arctic.

Holmen said this is a research town where scientists from all over the world could meet, make friends, and build trust, which is essential for dealing with global issues.

"I believe it can make a difference in the world," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Bloomberg) -- China said Monday that it plans to task a committee with drafting standards to guide the use of brain-computer interfaces  a sign that the country intends to step up its own development of this emerging technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg

China will invite relevant industrial and technical experts from enterprises, research institutes, universities and other industries to work on a series of standards including brain information encoding and decoding, data communication, and data visualization, according to the plan issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Brain-computer interfaces are a relatively new area of technical research in which signals from the brain are used to control an external device  say, a robotic limb. Perhaps the best-known company developing this technology is Neuralink Corp, which Elon Musk co-founded in 2016. The firm is working on an implantable device and is seeking people with quadriplegia to participate in a clinical trial, according to its website.

The Chinese governments announcement is a signal that it intends to accelerate the development of similar technologies to rival western competitors like Neuralink after mostly concentrating its efforts thus far in academic research settings.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on China to step up its domestic innovation because other countries dominate certain strategic technologies. In particular, Beijing is pouring billions of dollars into its semiconductor industry, as the US considers further restrictions on Chinas access to chip technology.

Until now, Chinas efforts in braincomputer interfaces have largely been confined to university-affiliated research teams. In March, CCTV reported that a patient who was paralyzed regained some mobility after getting a device, called Neural Electronic Opportunity, implanted in his brain by Tsinghua University. China in February published an ethics guide for brain-computer interface studies.

The ministry is seeking public opinions on the matter. Responses are due July 30.

--With assistance from Debby Wu.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
dulezidar / Getty Images

Many crypto enthusiasts have achieved the status of becoming crypto millionaires. In fact, BitBuy reported that there are 88,200 of them across the world, who reached that goal thanks to their investments in digital assets.

Check Out: In 5 Years, These 2 Stocks Will Be More Valuable Than Apple

Read Next: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

That said, even millionaires make financial mistakes, which can cost them a lot of money.

GOBankingRates spoke to a few of them, who shared what their biggest regrets are.

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

1. Being Too Fancy with Tactics

Jayson  a senior executive at a tech marketing firm based in New York who works regularly with crypto and AI ventures, said he has been investing in crypto for nearly a decade.

And while he said hes made a lot of money, he also made a lot of dumb decisions.

Ive been buying crypto off and on for roughly seven years now, and just buying and holding has been pretty much the most successful strategy for me, said Jayson. Thanks to this rather basic strategy, my crypto holdings of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and smaller bags of memecoins and AI coins are collectively now fluctuating at around $2 million.

He noted, however, that he does a lot of research on which blockchains and applications have the best tech and most users.

But whenever I try to get too fancy and trade and make what I think are intelligent decisions to sell, well, I lose money, he said. Literally, being dumb by buying, closing my eyes and holding through the ups and downs has been the best strategy for me  by far.

For instance, he bought several thousand dollars worth of a new layer-one token in early 2019. His rationale was that the coins market cap was low and as it was the first cycle for this token, it might do pretty well.

A month or two later, the market dipped a tad and I started watching all these goofball doomers like Peter Schiff warning about an impending economic implosion, so I paper-handed those tokens, he said. The implosion never happened, apart from Covid about a year later, but even that ended up becoming a boon to assets.

Had he held those tokens and sold them at the peak of the last cycle instead, they would have netted him roughly $1.5 million.

Thanks a lot, Peter Schiff, he added.

According to him, the moral of the story in crypto is  dont try to be too smart. Instead, find some good projects, buy a few of them and then hold and let the cycle play out, he added.

2. Selling Crypto to Buy Stocks

Matt Webb, co-founder at wevr.ai, has been in crypto since 2015, and he said the coin he regrets not holding onto is Chainlink.

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During the 2020 crypto bull, he said he made a lot of money  specifically during Defi July  when he invested in tokens including Compound and Aave, which made me a lot of profit.

The mistake I made was selling a lot of it for a huge profit at the time and thinking it would be a smart idea to buy stocks around October 2020, he said. Funnily enough the stocks I bought tanked in 2021. If I had held most of my portfolio until mid-2021/2022 Id have made way more money! So that was my biggest regret.

3. Dogecoin

Webb said he also lost $20,000 betting on Dogecoin the day that Elon Musk appeared on Saturday Night Live and touted the coin.

The Doge community was excited that he might mention it and its price would continue to skyrocket to $1, however, the price crashed as soon as he appeared on SNL and I lost my money, he said, adding that it was worth it for the memes.

4. NFT Madness

One purchase some crypto millionaires also regret are NFTs  or as Shawn Carpenter, Chairman and CEO of StockAlarm, puts it: When digital dreams turn to dust.

Carpenter, who said that owning those digital gems that were all the rage, felt like having a special part of digital art history  until it did not.

Imagine this: you purchase what seems to be an exclusive digital artwork, but then discover its more similar to a common digital sticker that many others also own, he said.

5. Memecoins

Along the same lines, Carpenter said that memecoins  which began as jokes on the internet  were funny until money got involved.

Big money, he said, citing Dogecoin, as an example.

Suddenly, everyone started to talk about it. But heres the funny part: while some people made lots of money, many others bought in thinking their coin would shoot up to the moon, only to see it fall back down, he said. Its like choosing the funniest horse in a race without seeing if it can even run.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Crypto Millionaire Confessions: 5 Things I Regret the Most
South Koreas whisk(e)y market is expected to remain flat in volume terms between now and 2028, data shows.

World whiskies like Japanese whisky are anticipated to see the fastest growth  though from a smaller base than Scotch  according to analysis from GlobalData, Just Drinks parent company.

In value terms, meanwhile, Scotch whisky and other world whiskies are predicted to see slight increases.

Last week, drinks major Diageo revealed it would raise prices of several whisky SKUs by an average of 18% in South Korea, from 1 July.

The changes impact Scotch brands Mortlach and Copper Dog, as well as Tequila brand Don Julio. Diageo said the hikes were part of its regular portfolio reviews.

In the six months to 31 December, Diageos business in north Asia, comprising South Korea and Japan, saw net sales decline 6%. At the time, the fall was attributed to falling sales of Scotch.

In February, it emerged Diageo was rolling out an early retirement programme for its workers in South Korea amid falling whisky sales.

GlobalData alcoholic beverages research director David Harris said growing competition from world whiskies in South Korea was damaging products from traditional regions like Scotch.

Competing whiskies produced in India and China often copy Western brands but at a lower price point, he said.

This has created noise in the market that many Western brands find it difficult to cut through. Copycat brands also have the potential to damage the brand equity of Western brands where they are explicitly copied by these new entrants but with a lower overall quality.

Long-term macroeconomic factors and demographic issues have also added to stagnating consumption of whisk(e)y, Harris said.

South Koreas birth rate is shockingly low, and where older consumers are cutting down on alcohol consumption due to health issues, they simply arent being replaced by younger consumers.

Furthermore, even if younger consumers would like to experiment with Diageos premium whiskies, poor work-life balance, low salaries, somewhat-high taxes and extremely high accommodation costs all impact their affordability.

Other priorities?

While at the time of the voluntary retirement scheme, a Diageo spokesperson told Just Drinks South Korea was still a strategically important market, Harris said the companys focus will be on other, more lucrative markets.

Indeed, for the groups wider Asia Pacific region, net sales grew 2% in the second half of 2023, driven by growth in China. Growth was partially offset by the sale of its South Korean whisky business, Windsor Global  first announced in 2022.

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South Korea simply isnt the most attractive market in Asia for Diageo to focus on, he said. While it is seeing modest growth, it is far outpaced by India which is a much larger market.

China is a fairly small market (though still larger than South Korea) but has far more long-term potential and is seeing stronger growth. Thailand, too, is something of an opportunity market, with less domestic competition than either China or India and strong growth.

While Diageo said it remained fully committed to the Korean market, flat predictions for whisk(e)y in the market suggest it may not be the top priority for the group in the years to come. There are far larger prizes which Diageo while be thinking represent a better potential return on investment, Harris added.

"In data: South Korean whisk(e)y market stagnates" 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.
Clinical-stage biotech firm Dianthus Therapeutics has shared preclinical data of its investigational agent DNTH103 being tested in in vitro models of generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG) and chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Data from the blood of three patients with gMG showed that DNTH103 reached a 24.8%  27.8% reduction from baseline in the fatigue index, which measures improvements in neurotransmission and muscle contraction. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness and fatigue due to disrupted communication between nerves and muscles.

A second dataset looked at the blood of patients with CIDP, showing that the highest dose of DNTH103 used restored levels of neuronal conduction velocity. CIDP is a neurological disorder characterised by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms due to inflammation of the peripheral nerves.

The preclinical data, presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) 2024 Congress in Helsinki, Finland, also showed that DNTH103 has the potential to be formulated as a patient-friendly, infrequent, subcutaneous (SC) self-administration.

DNTH103 is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits the active form of C1s, a protein involved in a pathway that promotes inflammation. This pathway, known as the classical complement system, typically functions to clear microbes and damaged cells but is also suggested to play a role in some autoimmune diseases.

This data supports Dianthuss recently initiated Phase II study. The MaGic trial (NCT06282159)  which will enrol 60 gMG patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive  was initiated in February 2024. Patients will receive DNTH103 via SC injection every two weeks, with topline data expected in H2 2025.

Last month, the company received the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase II trial of DNTH103 to treat multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Initial topline results are set for H2 2026, with Dianthus planning another Phase II CIDP study of the drug in H2 2024.

In October 2023, UCBs ZILBRYSQ (zilucoplan) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with gMG who are AChR antibody positive. The drug is a targeted peptide inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5). However, C5 inhibitors have an increased risk for serious bacterial infection, says Dianthus CEO Marino Garcia.

We aim to demonstrate that DNTH103 may become a best-in-class classical complement pathway inhibitor with infrequent self-administration that provides effective and consistent control of symptoms for people living with neuromuscular conditions, without inhibiting the alternative and lectin pathways that are critical in the defence against infection, added Garcia.

Story continues

"Dianthus reveals preclinical data for its Phase II neuromuscular candidate " was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical 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.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) stands against the other bank penny stocks.

The US banking sector in 2024 faces various challenges and opportunities. Although the industry has recovered from the bank failures of early 2023, it now deals with a slower economy, tighter regulations, and the possibility of interest rate cuts, all of which present risks for the sector.

In the past year, the US banking sector observed the collapse of a couple of well-known banks, which led to uncertainty in regional bank stocks. When considering the broader context, last year's bank closures were not particularly notable in terms of quantity. The year's total of five closures pales in comparison to 2009 and 2010, which saw 140 and 157 closures, respectively. However, 2023 stood out due to the substantial total assets of the affected institutions, primarily driven by the significant sizes of First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank.

The banks were also heavily funded by uninsured deposits, as a significant portion of their customers held deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. This increased their risk during sector volatility. Despite these closures and the following instability, many bank stocks regained stability and ended 2023 with positive returns.

The economic outlook indicates slower growth and the possibility of a rate cut in 2024. This may result in a dip in bank profitability, although it is expected to remain strong, with an anticipated return on common equity ranging from 10% to 11%. Moreover, asset quality is predicted to weaken but should remain manageable, with strong pre-provision earnings providing support.

There are economic risks to consider, including the potential for a recession if the Federal Reserve is not careful enough with rate cuts, as well as the persistent threat of inflation that could result in prolonged high rates. Moreover, credit card charge-offs are anticipated to rise. However, banks with more diversified deposit bases and fewer uninsured deposits are less likely to face high risks as compared to those with more uninsured deposits. Regulatory changes, including the finalization of new capital and resolution requirements, may be implemented in 2024 in response to the banking failures of the previous year.

Despite these challenges, the banking sector is expected to maintain strong profitability and capital buildup, aided by a potentially more favorable rate environment later in the year. Moreover, there are potential investment opportunities in regional banks perceived as undervalued. With this context in mind, let's take a look at the best bank penny stocks to buy now.

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Our Methodology

To compile a list of the 10 best bank penny stocks to buy, we conducted an in-depth analysis. Our first step was to identify banks with share prices below $5. To assess their investment potential, we examined the number of hedge fund investors in these banks during Q1 2024. We used Insider Monkey's database of over 900 hedge funds to rank the best bank penny stocks according to the hedge fund sentiment.

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 portfolio manager scanning the stock market numbers projected on a large wall monitor.

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10

A financial giant rooted in Japan since 1864, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) offers a vast range of financial services through its subsidiaries. From personal banking to real estate and investment solutions, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Trust & Banking, and Mizuho Securities cater to individuals, corporations, and public institutions.

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) outperformed expectations in its fourth-quarter earnings report, achieving a net profit of 36.7 billion yen ($235 million), compared to 12.3 billion yen ($76 million) in the prior year. This growth was driven by strong performance in its overseas business and continued loan demand within Japan. The company also has an optimistic outlook for the current financial year, projecting a profit of 750 billion yen ($4.66 billion), up from 678.99 billion yen ($4.22 billion) last year.

Analysts' price targets for Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) are clustered closely, with a high of $4.79 and a low of $4.12, suggesting a strong consensus about the stock's potential future value. The average price target is $4.52, indicating a potential upside.

Overall MFG ranks 5th on our list of the best bank penny stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now to see the other bank penny stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of MFG 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 MFG 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 South Korean stock market has shown steady growth, rising 7.2% over the past year and remaining stable in the last week, with expectations for earnings to grow by 29% annually in the coming years. In such a promising environment, stocks like Dongwha Enterprise Ltd that combine robust growth prospects with high insider ownership may offer appealing opportunities for investors looking for aligned interests and potential resilience.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In South Korea

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth ALTEOGEN (KOSDAQ:A196170) 26.6% 73.1% Global Tax Free (KOSDAQ:A204620) 18.1% 72.4% Fine M-TecLTD (KOSDAQ:A441270) 17.3% 36.4% Park Systems (KOSDAQ:A140860) 33.1% 35.8% Seojin SystemLtd (KOSDAQ:A178320) 26.4% 48.1% UTI (KOSDAQ:A179900) 34.1% 122.7% Vuno (KOSDAQ:A338220) 19.5% 103.8% HANA Micron (KOSDAQ:A067310) 20% 94.1% INTEKPLUS (KOSDAQ:A064290) 16.3% 77.4% Techwing (KOSDAQ:A089030) 18.7% 118.2%

Click here to see the full list of 87 stocks from our Fast Growing KRX Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's dive into some prime choices out of from the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Dongwha Enterprise Co., Ltd. is a South Korean company that manufactures and sells wood materials, with a market capitalization of approximately 691.16 billion.

Operations: Dongwha Enterprise's revenue is generated from three main segments: Housing Business (0.15 billion), Chemical Business (0.24 billion), and Materials Business (0.60 billion).

Insider Ownership: 16.5%

Dongwha Enterprise Co., Ltd is navigating a challenging financial landscape with a net loss reduction in Q1 2024, showing improved performance from the previous year. The company's revenue growth at 11.5% annually is set to outpace the broader South Korean market, although it remains below the high-growth threshold of 20%. Despite this, Dongwha is expected to turn profitable within three years, supported by a significant earnings growth forecast of 93.35% per year. However, its return on equity is projected to be low at 6.2%, and its debt coverage by operating cash flow raises concerns about its financial health. Currently trading at a substantial discount to estimated fair value offers potential upside if it can overcome these operational challenges.

KOSDAQ:A025900 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

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Overview: HANA Micron Inc. specializes in semiconductor back-end process packaging solutions based in South Korea, with a market capitalization of approximately 972.22 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from semiconductor manufacturing, contributing approximately 1.27 billion, and semiconductor materials, adding about 221.85 million.

Insider Ownership: 20%

HANA Micron is poised for substantial growth with a forecasted revenue increase of 27.9% annually, outpacing the South Korean market's 10.5%. This growth is supported by an optimistic earnings projection, expecting profitability within three years. Despite recent financial setbacks marked by a significant first-quarter net loss and volatile share price, the company's high insider ownership could signal strong future governance and alignment with shareholder interests. Additionally, a recent KRW 112.5 billion follow-on equity offering could provide necessary capital for further expansion.

KOSDAQ:A067310 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Zeus Co., Ltd. operates in the semiconductor, robot, and display solutions sectors globally, with a market capitalization of approximately 0.54 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from its Equipment Division, which contributed approximately 436.69 million, and its Valve segment, with revenues of about 22.95 million.

Insider Ownership: 33.3%

Zeus Ltd. is experiencing robust earnings growth, with forecasts suggesting an annual increase of 47.7%, significantly outpacing the South Korean market's 29.2%. Despite a revenue growth rate (18.2% per year) slightly below the desired 20%, it remains well above the market average of 10.5%. However, profitability challenges are evident as profit margins have declined from last year, coupled with shareholder dilution over the past year. Recent strategic moves include a KRW 5 billion share buyback program to stabilize stock prices and enhance shareholder value, reflecting positive steps toward governance and investor alignment despite some financial inconsistencies.

KOSDAQ:A079370 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Summing It All Up

Embark on your investment journey to our 87 Fast Growing KRX Companies With High Insider Ownership selection here.

Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments.

Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets.

Searching for a Fresh Perspective?

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 KOSDAQ:A025900KOSDAQ:A067310 and KOSDAQ:A079370

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 COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore) is S$0.18 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of S$0.15 suggests COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore) is potentially trading close to its fair value

COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore)'s peers seem to be trading at a higher discount to fair value based onthe industry average of 32%

How far off is COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore) Co., Ltd. (SGX:F83) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore)

The Method

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. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we 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 (SGD, Millions) S$28.4m S$27.0m S$26.3m S$26.0m S$25.9m S$26.0m S$26.3m S$26.6m S$27.0m S$27.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -7.71% Est @ -4.77% Est @ -2.71% Est @ -1.26% Est @ -0.26% Est @ 0.45% Est @ 0.95% Est @ 1.29% Est @ 1.53% Est @ 1.70% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% S$26.3 S$23.2 S$20.9 S$19.1 S$17.7 S$16.5 S$15.4 S$14.4 S$13.6 S$12.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$180m

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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 2.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = S$27m (1 + 2.1%)  (7.9% 2.1%) = S$481m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$481m ( 1 + 7.9%)10= S$224m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is S$404m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of S$0.2, the company appears about fair value at a 16% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now 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 COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore) 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 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.268. 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 COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore)

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine F83's earnings prospects.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for F83.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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 example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore), we've compiled three essential factors you should further research:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore) you should know about. 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 Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean 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
LONDON (AP)  European Union regulators accused social media company Meta Platforms on Monday of breaching the bloc's new digital competition rulebook by forcing Facebook and Instagram users to choose between seeing ads or paying to avoid them.

Meta began giving European users the option in November of paying for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram as a way to comply with the continents strict data privacy rules.

Users can pay at least 10 euros ($10.75) a month to avoid being targeted by ads based on their personal data. The U.S. tech giant rolled out the option after the European Unions top court ruled Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users, in a decision that threatened its business model of tailoring ads based on individual users' online interests and digital activity.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said preliminary findings of its investigation show that Meta's pay or consent advertising model was in breach of the 27-nation blocs Digital Markets Act.

Meta's model doesn't allow users to exercise their right to freely consent to allowing their personal data from its various services, including Facebook, Instagram, Marketplace, WhatsApp, and Messenger, to be combined to target them with personalized online ads, the commission said.

Meta's model also doesn't give users the option of a service that's less personalized but still equivalent to its social networks, it said.

Subscription for no ads follows the direction of the highest court in Europe and complies with the DMA, Meta said in a statement. We look forward to further constructive dialogue with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close.

The commission had opened its investigation shortly after the rulebook, also known as the DMA, took effect in March. It's a sweeping set of regulations aimed at preventing tech gatekeepers from cornering digital markets under threat of heavy financial penalties.

One of the DMA's goals is to rein in the power of Big Tech companies that have collected vast amounts of personal data on their users, giving them an edge on rivals competing in online ad or social media services. The commission indicated that in order for Meta to comply, it would like to see an option that doesnt rely on a users full personal information being shared for advertising.

The DMA is there to give back to the users the power to decide how their data is used and ensure innovative companies can compete on equal footing with tech giants on data access, European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who oversees the bloc's digital policy, said in a statement.

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Meta now has a chance to respond to the commission, which must wrap up its investigation by March 2025. The company could face fines worth 10% of its annual global revenues, which could run into the billions of euros.

Under the Digital Markets Act, Meta is classed as one of seven online gatekeepers while Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and its online ad business are among two dozen core platform services that need the highest level of scrutiny.

Monday's decision is the latest in flurry of regulatory activity by Brussels targeting Big Tech companies. The EU leveled its first charges under the DMA a week ago, accusing Apple of of preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store. It also recently charged Microsoft with violating the bloc's antitrust laws by by bundling its Teams messaging and videoconferencing app with its widely used Office business software.
Amid a mixed performance across major European stock indices, Germany's DAX index recently displayed resilience with a modest rise of 0.40%. This context sets the stage for investors to consider the potential of undervalued stocks within this relatively stable market environment.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In Germany

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Kontron (XTRA:SANT) 19.22 32.82 41.4% Novem Group (XTRA:NVM) 5.72 10.39 44.9% technotrans (XTRA:TTR1) 17.80 29.20 39% Stratec (XTRA:SBS) 45.60 81.23 43.9% MTU Aero Engines (XTRA:MTX) 238.80 419.59 43.1% CHAPTERS Group (XTRA:CHG) 24.00 46.83 48.7% SBF (DB:CY1K) 3.40 5.75 40.9% Your Family Entertainment (DB:RTV) 2.40 4.52 46.9% Dr. Honle (XTRA:HNL) 17.95 32.54 44.8% Redcare Pharmacy (XTRA:RDC) 114.00 197.69 42.3%

Click here to see the full list of 29 stocks from our Undervalued German Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener

Overview: Adidas AG operates globally, designing, developing, producing, and marketing athletic and sports lifestyle products across multiple regions, with a market capitalization of approximately 39.82 billion.

Operations: The company generates its revenue from various regional markets, with 5.16 billion from North America, 3.20 billion from Greater China, and 2.31 billion from Latin America.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 33.1%

Adidas, currently trading at 223, is significantly undervalued based on a DCF valuation of 317.77, indicating a 29.8% potential upside. The company's earnings are expected to grow by 41.3% annually, outpacing the German market's 18.6%. Additionally, Adidas has recently turned profitable with a robust forecasted return on equity of 29.6%. Recent events include positive Q1 earnings with sales rising to 5.46 billion and net income reaching 170 million, marking a strong recovery from previous losses.

XTRA:ADS Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Overview: MTU Aero Engines AG operates in the development, manufacture, marketing, and support of commercial and military aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines globally, with a market capitalization of approximately 12.85 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from two segments: the Commercial Maintenance Business (MRO), which brought in 4.35 billion, and the Commercial and Military Engine Business (OEM), which contributed 1.27 billion.

Story continues

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 43.1%

MTU Aero Engines, with a current trading price of 238.8, is positioned below its fair value estimated at 399.86, reflecting a substantial undervaluation based on discounted cash flow analysis. Despite a slight decline in net income and EPS as reported in Q1 2024 earnings, the company's revenue growth outpaces the German market average at 12.2% per year compared to 5.2%. Forecasted to turn profitable within three years, MTU also anticipates robust annual profit growth and a high return on equity of 20.3% in the near future.

XTRA:MTX Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Overview: SAP SE operates globally, offering a wide range of applications, technology, and services, with a market capitalization of approximately 219.63 billion.

Operations: The company generates 31.81 billion from its Applications, Technology & Services segment.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 33.7%

SAP, priced at 189.52, appears undervalued by 30.3% against a fair value of 271.78 based on cash flow analysis, despite recent strategic expansions and technological integrations aimed at enhancing manufacturing efficiencies and cloud ERP experiences. While SAP's revenue growth is projected to be modest compared to the broader market, its earnings are expected to increase significantly over the next three years. However, its forecasted return on equity remains relatively low at 16.1%.

XTRA:SAP Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Taking Advantage

Click here to access our complete index of 29 Undervalued German Stocks Based On Cash Flows.

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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 XTRA:ADS XTRA:MTX and XTRA:SAP.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
By Granth Vanaik and Siddharth Cavale

(Reuters) - Keith Gill, the meme stock trader "Roaring Kitty," thrust Chewy Inc into the spotlight when he made a $245 million bet on the online pet products retailer on Monday.

What is Chewy and why has it attracted Gill's interest?

WHAT'S THE BUSINESS?

Chewy is an $11 billion e-commerce retailer that offers about 115,000 pet products, including food, beds, litter and vitamins to U.S. customers through its websites and mobile app. Their $9.99-a-month subscription plan, which targets dog and cat owners, has been a key driver of their business.

It sells products under brands including A Pet Hub, Bark and Slumber, and Nutro, and its market capitalization stands at $11.87 billion, according to LSEG data.

By marketing its products to a narrow group of shoppers - pet owners - Chewy has been able to keep its marketing costs and inventory levels low, enabling it to grow its profit margins over the years.

The company reported net sales of $11.15 billion and merchandise margins of 28.4% for its fiscal year ended on Jan. 28, 2024.

Chewy competes with the likes of Amazon.com and Etsy, which also sell pet products online, in addition to Petco Health and Wellness, which operates over 1,500 stores in the United States.

WHAT'S CHEWY'S HISTORY?

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen and Michael Day founded Chewy in 2011. They then sold the business to larger rival PetSmart for $3.35 billion in 2017, the largest acquisition of an e-commerce website at the time.

Two years later, PetSmart sold most of its Chewy shares in an IPO, in part to trim the debt it had amassed as part of its acquisition of the company. Chewy began trading on the New York Stock Exchange at a $36 share price on June 14, 2019.

Chewy's shares peaked at nearly $119 in early 2021, as Americans adopted pets during the pandemic and spent lavishly to care for them.

Chewy is chaired by BC Partners' Raymond Svider. The private equity firm continues to own around 68.6% of Chewy following its IPO, representing 95.6% of the voting power, it disclosed in a May 24 proxy statement.

BC Partners is also a majority shareholder of PetSmart.

WHY IS ROARING KITTY INTERESTED IN CHEWY?

Gill said on Monday that he had amassed a 6.6% stake in the company valued at $245 million, which analysts said was partly influenced by the fact that the retailer was founded by GameStop's Cohen.

Gill has called Cohen "the man" and brilliant in the past.

His stake makes him the third largest shareholder, based on the ownership disclosures in Chewy's proxy statement.

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Gill's Reddit posts championing GameStop in 2021 fueled a nearly 700% rise in the video game retailer's shares in 2021.

HOW HAS CHEWY'S STOCK FARED?

Chewy's stock has been volatile since Gill posted an uncaptioned picture of a puppy on social media platform X that resembled Chewy's logo and sent its shares to a near one-year high on Thursday.

But including Monday's trading, Chewy's shares have lost 13% since Thursday's tweet.

The stock is also highly shorted, with 15.7% of its free-float shares in short position, as of June 27, according to Ortex Technologies, an analytics firm. By comparison, about 0.9% of Amazon's free float are shorted.

(Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru and Siddharth Cavale in New York; Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt)
(Bloomberg) -- French antitrust enforcers are preparing to charge Nvidia Corp. with allegedly anticompetitive practices, Reuters reported, as the worlds most valuable chipmaker faces mounting regulatory scrutiny.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The French agency would be the worlds first to take such a step, Reuters said, citing unidentified people with direct knowledge of the matter. The charge sheet  or statement of objections  would follow a raid of Nvidia offices last year.

Nvidia has drawn the attention of regulators since becoming the biggest beneficiary of the artificial intelligence spending boom. Its chips  known as graphics processing units, or GPUs  are prized by data center operators for their ability to crunch the massive amount of information required to develop AI models.

The French antitrust agency declined to comment to Bloomberg, as did Santa Clara, California-based Nvidia.

Nvidia shares slipped as much as 3.8% on Monday in New York before mostly recovering. They have more than doubled this year, pushing the companys valuation above $3 trillion.

In September, French antitrust enforcers raided the offices of a business suspected of engaging in anticompetitive practices in the graphics cards sector. They didnt identify the company as Nvidia at the time, but the chipmaker has since acknowledged that France and other entities are examining its business practices.

Officials in the US, European Union, China and the UK are also scrutinizing its operations, Nvidia said in a filing in February.

Our position in markets relating to AI has led to increased interest in our business from regulators worldwide, the chipmaker said at the time.

French antitrust watchdogs have been interviewing market players on Nvidias key role in AI processors, its pricing policy, the shortage of chips and the impact on prices. The office raid was aimed at gleaning more information on potential abuses of dominance.

Fines for breaching Frances antitrust law can be as high as 10% of a companys global annual revenue. The agency lists a 1.24 billion ($1.33 billion) fine from 2020 as its largest since 2011. Of that, 1.1 billion was imposed on Apple Inc., while the rest was levied against two distributors.

In Brussels, the European Commission has been informally gathering views on whether Nvidia may have also run afoul of its own antitrust rules, but it has yet to launch a formal probe into anticompetitive conduct.

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In November, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that Nvidias dominance was causing growing inequalities between countries and stifling fair competition. He said that 92% of GPUs are from Nvidia.

If you want to have fair competition, you need to have many private companies and not one single company having the possibility of selling all the devices, Le Maire said.

--With assistance from Mackenzie Hawkins and Alan Katz.

(Updates with more on raid starting in sixth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Genoks and healthcare technology company Velsera have partnered to enhance diagnostics and treatment for cancer in Turkey and surrounding regions.

The collaboration will integrate Velsera's Clinical Genomics Workspace (CGW) with Genoks's knowledge in genomics to improve the detection and characterisation of various cancer types.

The CGW platform from Velsera is designed for comprehensive analysis of data from solid tissue, liquid tumours, and haematological cancer samples.

It is tailored for oncology and inherited disease specialists, facilitating the growth of next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing programmes.

Genoks plans to leverage Velsera's capabilities in data interpretation and genomic analysis to enhance its oncology diagnostics capabilities in Turkey.

By adopting Velsera's advanced algorithms and tools, Genoks aims to provide precise and personalised testing solutions. This will enable healthcare providers to offer targeted treatments based on each patient's genetic profile.

The partnership is expected to advance Genoks' position in oncology diagnostics in the country.

The collaboration between Genoks and Velsera highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in driving forward cancer research and improving patient outcomes.

Genoks clinical geneticist Dr Yunus Alp said: We are thrilled to partner with Velsera in our shared mission to revolutionise cancer diagnostics and treatment in Turkey and beyond.

Together, we are poised to make a significant impact in the fight against cancer, empowering clinicians with precise insights to guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

"Genoks and Velsera join forces for cancer diagnostics in Turkey" was originally created and published by Medical Device 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.
Goldman Sachs

Baader Banks AI-driven European equity ETF is the first to launch on the Goldman Sachs ETF Accelerator platform in Europe.

The AI-Enhanced European Equity ETF (EUAI) is listed on the Deutsche Boerse with a total expense ratio (TER) 0.65%.

Benchmarked against the MSCI EMU index, the ETF uses an AI equity selection model to forecast the monthly excess return for each stock in the universe. The forecasts are generated monthly and incorporated into the quantitative portfolio construction process. A portfolio is then constructed based on the forecast and its risk model and aims to limit the tracking error to 2% and sector weightings to 2.5%.

New York-based Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which manages $34.7 billion in its 40 U.S. ETFs, introduced the accelerator in late 2022. This past November it introduced its first funds, three actively managed ETFs from Brandes Investment Partners. It now includes five U.S. ETFs with more than $3 billion assets.

AI-focused asset manager Ultramarin developed the strategy and is licensed to Baader Bank, which acts as the funds investment manager. The ETF is labelled Article 8 under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

Goldman Sachs Accelerator

Lisa Mantil, global head of Goldman Sachs ETF Accelerator, said in an interview that it had earmarked the end of 2023 to hit the market in Europe.

The group has also been keen to stress it is not a white label platform but instead the first institutional service provider for ETFs."

In the U.S., Goldman's largest ETF is the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) with $12.3 billion in assets. In the last trailing year, the best-performing Goldman Sachs ETF was Goldman Sachs Hedge Industry VIP ETF (GVIP) at 35%. The most recent ETF launched in the Goldman Sachs space was the Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Value Equity ETF (GVUS) on Nov. 30.





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Environmental non-profit organisation Greenpeace has denounced New Zealands plastic waste crisis with a new video.

The CGI (computer-generated imagery) video shows Aucklands Eden Park stadium filled with a billion single-use plastic bottles, representing the number of throwaway single-use plastic bottles sold in New Zealand every year.

The video marks the first day of Plastic Free July, an initiative by the Plastic Free Foundation that aims to reduce global plastic waste.

Greenpeace is calling for a shift to a reusable model for drinks and a ban on single-use plastic bottles in New Zealand.

Greenpeace spokesperson Jessica Lee stated: Individual action alone can only ever make a small dent in the plastic pollution crisis. We have to see action from the government to bring about lasting change.

In 2023, the country implemented its ban on thin plastic bags, as part of the governments wider initiative to minimise the use of single-use plastics.

But according to Greenpeace, these efforts are thwarted by major corporations such as the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo. The pair have been identified by Break Free From Plastic as the world's top plastic polluters.

Lee continued: Over 100,000 people have signed our petition calling on the government to ban single-use plastic bottles, and we hope this stark illustration of the sheer volume of plastic bottles sold in New Zealand every year will prompt even more people to join the call.

Greenpeace recently expressed its disappointment at the fourth round of talks for a Global Plastics Treaty in May 2024, which aims to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by the end of the year.

"Greenpeace kicks off Plastic Free July 2024 with plastic bottle stunt in NZ" 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.
PeopleImages / iStock.com

In a society where publicized fashion hauls are normalized on social media, and children swig out of $35 STANLEY water bottles, reflecting on frugal habits and best practices for saving money can be refreshing these days. I grew up in a lower middle class home in Philadelphia with whom Id call frugal parents who certainly watched their cash, used coupons, and rarely took us out to eat. But, they paid for Catholic school, a family vacation, sports, and didnt go into debt. (Yes, they shared many of the frugal habits Dave Ramsey swears by.) I appreciate the budgeting tips my parents passed down, especially being a parent now, I respect that they didnt spend much on fashion or flashy toys, but every parent has to splurge once in awhile.

Expert Advice: Im a Self-Made Millionaire, but I Still Opt For the Budget Versions of These 6 Items

Try This: 5 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

Thats why I wanted to hear about other frugal parents, learning about the times that they let loose on the funds, splurging in ways that mattered to them.

Be Aware: 7 Appliances Frugal Homeowners Steer Clear Of

They spent up on quality tools

Growing up with frugal parents who founded the company I took over, I witnessed firsthand the strategic yet selective approach to spending, says Brian Kroeker, President at Little Rock Printing, based in Alberta, Canada. My parents were diligent and practical, always maintaining a tight budget, but they believed deeply in investing in education and quality tools that would stand the test of time, continued Brian.

They splurged on quality tools, particularly in the realm of printing equipment. Even in the early days, when resources were scarce, they purchased the best printers we could afford. This wasnt just an indulgence; it was a strategic decision to elevate the quality of the products while reducing long-term costs due to fewer breakdowns and maintenance issues. These experiences with my frugal parents shaped not only my personal values but also the foundational business practices at Little Rock Printing. We economize where possible but never compromise on the tools and training that ensure quality, said Brian.

Many times, things are cheap for a reason. For Brian Kroeker, it seems his parents taught him a valuable lesson in commerce and business that not only do you have to spend money to make money, but also splurging on quality items can actually save or make you more money in the long run.

They splurged on education

I grew up with very frugal parents who I found out much later in life were from old money, says Brenda Christensen, Principal at Stellar Public Relations, Inc., in Cape Coral, Florida. My mothers side was Texas gas and land and my fathers side was rum and news publishing in the Caribbean and Chicago. She continued, They drove old cars that werent flashy, a Volkswagen Beetle and a Chrysler station wagon. Brenda noted, My dad would save soap slivers and make us turn off the lights when wed leave a room. My mom made our clothes when we were very little and reused items, like foil and wrappers, said Christensen.

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They always spent lavishly when it involved education, including music lessons with high-quality instruments. My parents paid for my entire college tuition, single dorm room (very expensive), and books, all from their checking account, says Christensen. When I graduated, my father told me he would [buy] a car and after that I was on my own as far as money was to be concerned. Christensen went on to found an Inc. 500 tech company, had an exit of $100 million, and is now a self-made millionaire. I havent seen a dime of my familys money since graduation, noted Christensen.

My parents spent on travel

My father was focused on paying off the mortgage as fast as possible and having a tight grip on our budget, said Sebastian Jania, Director at Ontario Property Buyers. Both parents worked but my mother was eventually laid off from her quality control job. My father worked as an elevator designer in an elevator company. They didnt see the value in buying the most expensive things for us when we were kids because we would outgrow them or lose interest in them over time. I didnt get big, expensive birthday and Christmas gifts like my friends did. They did splurge on family trips to Poland to visit family, he said. Even though they were frugal they understood value and knew that cheap is not ideal but frugal works. This definitely did influence my money decisions as I continue to be very selective on what I buy but Im also willing to pay more for quality knowing that it will last me much longer. Remember, here are 4 things to consider before always buying the cheapest version.

Dental work for the family

I grew up as one of six children in a single-income family with two parents, said Jo Hayes, founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org, based in Queensland, Australia. With such a large family, finances were relatively tight. But dental hygieneamongst other thingswas a top priority for our parents. This was before pediatric dental work was free, as is the case now, in Australia, noted Jo Hayes.

They made sure the kids stayed on top of dental hygiene routines at home and regular dental checkups were non-negotiable, said Hayes. This was a significant annual outlay for six children (plus mom and dad themselves), but worth it, for our healthy pearly whites, as adults, she says. We didnt always have an abundance of the latest clothes, or eating out at restaurants (an ice cream cone at McDonalds was a treat), or overseas holidays, but we honestly felt like our childhood was the best, said Hayes.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Grew Up With Frugal Parents, but They Never Skimped on These Items
By Nell Mackenzie

LONDON (Reuters) - Hedge funds betting on a rise in banking shares abandoned trades last week at the fastest pace since May 2021, according to a June 28 Goldman Sachs note, meaning they missed the sector's rally on Monday after the first round in the French election.

Long positions or bets on a rise in prices of banking and other financial stocks were ditched among the highest rates in five years in the week to June 27, particularly in Europe, said the note which only went to clients.

European bank stocks rallied as much as 1.9% on Monday after Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party and its allies took a smaller lead than some expected in Sunday's first round, suggesting a hung parliament could result and hamper the party's agenda.

French assets had been pummelled in the lead-up to the surprise election, as the prospect of either the far right, or far left, gaining a majority raised the risk of a swell of spending that could undermine the government's fragile finances.

Shares on Monday in the country's three largest lenders, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale rose between 4.1% and 4.7%, while the cost of insuring their bonds against default fell to its lowest in two weeks.

Financial stocks were also sold elsewhere, in every region apart from developing markets Asia in the week to June 27 and were led, in notional terms, by Europe, the note said.

A modest amount of hedge funds bought financials in order to exit short positions, said Goldman Sachs, without revealing the exact number.

A short position is the opposite to a long trade, with the investor anticipating a stock to fall in price so that it can buy it back at a cheaper price.

Stock sectors that hedge funds sold out of included capital markets companies, banks, consumer finance and insurance, said the bank.

Trading companies and those which package up mortgages to be publicly traded saw modest buying, said Goldman.

(Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Susan Fenton)
Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

So, the natural question for Appen (ASX:APX) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this report, we will consider the company's annual negative free cash flow, henceforth referring to it as the 'cash burn'. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

See our latest analysis for Appen

How Long Is Appen's Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. When Appen last reported its December 2023 balance sheet in February 2024, it had zero debt and cash worth US$32m. In the last year, its cash burn was US$43m. That means it had a cash runway of around 9 months as of December 2023. Importantly, analysts think that Appen will reach cashflow breakeven in 3 years. That means unless the company reduces its cash burn quickly, it may well look to raise more cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Well Is Appen Growing?

It was quite stunning to see that Appen increased its cash burn by 341% over the last year. As if that's not bad enough, the operating revenue also dropped by 30%, making us very wary indeed. In light of the above-mentioned, we're pretty wary of the trajectory the company seems to be on. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

How Easily Can Appen Raise Cash?

Since Appen can't yet boast improving growth metrics, the market will likely be considering how it can raise more cash if need be. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Appen's cash burn of US$43m is about 61% of its US$70m market capitalisation. That's very high expenditure relative to the company's size, suggesting it is an extremely high risk stock.

How Risky Is Appen's Cash Burn Situation?

We must admit that we don't think Appen is in a very strong position, when it comes to its cash burn. While its cash runway wasn't too bad, its increasing cash burn does leave us rather nervous. One real positive is that analysts are forecasting that the company will reach breakeven. Once we consider the metrics mentioned in this article together, we're left with very little confidence in the company's ability to manage its cash burn, and we think it will probably need more money. Its important for readers to be cognizant of the risks that can affect the company's operations, and we've picked out 4 warning signs for Appen that investors should know when investing in the stock.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
The Hoffmanns gobbled up the second of two ferry services that shuttle visitors to Mackinac Island from the mainland of Michigan.

The Naples-based Hoffmann Family of Companies closed on the deal with Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company near midnight on Friday.

It follows the family's purchase of competitor Shepler's Ferry two years ago.

Billionaire David Hoffmann, a Naples resident and the company's founder, came from humble beginnings. He has shared stories of working as a child with his father, a milkman who made early morning deliveries door-to-door in tiny Washington, Missouri.

Entrepreneur, David Hoffmann, smiles in the Hoffmann Family of Companies' conference room on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 in Naples, Fla.

Employees of Star Line learned of the sale Saturday morning.

It will be business as usual for the company, and the jobs of all 200 employees are secure, said Jenny Gezella, president of Hoffmann Marine, which includes Sheplers and Sip n Sail Cruises on Mackinac Island, as well as marine operations in Naples and elsewhere in the country.

"All employees are staying on," she said. "We're looking forward to ensuring a first-class and efficient ride to and from the island. All pricing is under a licensing agreement. All the pricing will stay the same."

The Star Line Ferry, which travels from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island.

She declined to disclose the price tag of the sale.

This latest acquisition makes the Hoffmann Family of Companies the largest owner of parcels of property in the area of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Gezella said.

The Hoffmann group also owns two local newspapers in the area, the Mackinac Island Town Crier and St. Ignace News, as part of its larger media group, including in Naples. Mackinac is pronounced Mack-in-aw.

Since buying Shepler's in 2022, an estimated $1.3 million in updates have been completed on five ferry engines, and that kind of investment will continue, said Gezella, who flew from Naples to Michigan to handle details of the latest acquisition.

Star Line service has been disrupted by equipment problems, including this season, which has been an ongoing cause for concern among island leaders. Issues have included loss of propulsion and steering failure, according to documents obtained by the Free Press from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Joining the Hoffmann Family of Companies heralds a new era for Mackinac Island Ferry Company, said Jerry Fetty, the company's CEO, in a statement. Our diverse fleet, including Hydro-Jet ferries, catamarans, classic ferries and pirate ship, will complement their marine division while maintaining our unique identity. We are optimistic about the future.

More like this: What does the Hoffmann family of Naples own near and far? Here's a look as they expand

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And: Hoffmanns make winning bid to acquire Oberweis Dairy out of bankruptcy in Illinois

Reaction to the acquisition is immediate

News of the acquisition generated enthusiasm on the island.

Bart Berkshire, front manager of the Chippewa Hotel, home of the Pink Pony bar, told the Free Press, "The Hoffmann family has been doing a great job continuing the Sheplers Ferry legacy. I cant wait to see how they will improve the passenger ferries to and from Mackinac Island."

After hearing the news, Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, said the Hoffmann team has "really immersed itself in the island culture over the last few years."

"We look forward to learning more about their vision for the Mackinac Island Ferry Company," he said.

The 2024 season is expected to be strong, and so is ferry traffic.

"May (hotel) room revenue was up 17.3.% from a year ago," reaching $9 million for the first time ever, Hygh said.

He added: "We've never had a May like that, and last year was a record. The island has seen great growth over the last decade."

All eyes on Mackinac and keeping tradition

Mackinac Island, a renowned travel destination, is a carless island getaway known for its hiking, biking and horse-drawn carriage rides.

When the Hoffmanns bid for Shepler's, they didn't make the highest offer. But the Shepler family wanted to sell to another family, so they chose the Hoffmanns, Chris Shepler told the Free Press at the time.

David Hoffmann serves as the chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, with his sons Geoff and Greg serving as co-CEOS, following his "retirement."

"We're a family business so we don't have shareholders or quarterly reports or quarterly financials to report to Wall Street," the company's patriarch told the Free Press in 2022. "We're very much about maintaining the culture of Mackinac Island and that's what we bought into. We don't want to see that change."

Shepler ferries alone shuttle about 650,000 passengers between April and November to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace through the Straits of Mackinac. The newest ferry, which carries 210 passengers and launched in 2020, cost $5 million.

Chris Shepler remains part of the Shepler ferry service today and active with island business leaders.

From Left: Chris Shepler, a third generation owner of Shepler's Ferry that carries tourists to Mackinac Island, is standing with Moshell Nelson, the dock lead on the Mackinac Island dock, on Oct. 14, 2021.

Annual income at Shepler's alone is in the tens of millions, growing steadily, Shepler told the Free Press at the time of the sale. He declined to comment this weekend on his former competitor, deferring to Gezella, who oversaw the latest deal.

We are thrilled to acquire the Mackinac Island Ferry Company, further expanding our presence in the Mackinac community and marine industry. Our commitment to providing first-class, efficient transportation remains steadfast, and we look forward to continuing to serve both residents and visitors to this special island," she said.

Who is who

The Hoffmann family runs a multibillion-dollar operation with an international footprint. The family renovated buildings in downtown Naples; Winnetka, Illinois, on the north shore of Chicago; and in Avon, Colorado, at the base of Beaver Creek ski mountain. Their vineyard investments in Augusta, Missouri, also have generated attention.

The recently purchased ferry company rebranded as the Mackinac Island Ferry Company in 2022 to consolidate the Star Line Mackinac Island Hydro-Jet Ferry fleet, which began in the 1970s, the Arnold Line Ferry fleet, operational since 1878, and the Mackinac Marine Services (MMS) shipyard, founded in 2019, according to a news release sent Saturday afternoon by the Hoffmanns about the acquisition.

More: Harbour View Inn hotel on Mackinac Island sold to Grosse Pointe couple

More: Mackinac Island gets new restaurant on Main Street honoring old Michigan family

This acquisition expands the U.S. fleet in Hoffmann Marines portfolio to 46 vessels across seven states, the news release stated. The company purchased Sip n' Sail in May 2024.

"With this expansion, HF Companies now owns more than 116 parcels of land, including docks in Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island and St. Ignace, 51 buildings and 6,500 parking spaces," according to the news release. "This makes the company the largest owner of real estate parcels in the area and employer to 500 people in the Mackinac area."

The Hoffmann Family of Companies consists of more than 100 global brands, with 11,000 employees and businesses in 30 countries and 400 locations around the world.

In addition to marine, media and marketing, the family has investments in aviation, agriculture, financial services, hospitality, business and professional services, industrial operations, manufacturing, real estate and transportation.

More about the Hoffmanns

David Hoffmann and his wife Jerri relocated to Naples in 2015.

They made local headlines that year after spending nearly $75 million on their first purchase of commercial real estate, consisting of seven buildings and a parking lot on world-renowned Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.

The shopping spree in Naples continued from there, first with more real estate, then with local businesses, and more acquisitions elsewhere.

In a strategic move, the company's affiliate Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate sold virtually all of its real estate holdings in Naples last year for nearly $200 million.

The focus has shifted more toward buying up businesses, which often come with real estate  sometimes significant real estate. The change in focus came after David's sons took over the company's reins as co-CEOs in 2022.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com.Follow her on Twitter@phoebesaid.

Laura Layden of the Naples Daily News contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Co. sells to Hoffmanns of Naples
Huawei Technologies has teamed up with Chinese foundry Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to develop high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, according to sources, as these devices have become an indispensable component in the computing infrastructure used for artificial intelligence (AI) projects.

This initiative also involves mainland integrated circuit (IC) packaging firms Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Tech and Tongfu Microelectronics, which are tasked to provide the so-called Chip on Wafer on Substrate - an advanced packaging technology for stacking different types of semiconductors, such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and HBM chips, on a single package, the sources said.

Neither Huawei nor Wuhan Xinxin immediately replied to requests for comment on Sunday.

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.

US-blacklisted Huawei's move into the HBM chip space would mark its latest effort to defy Washington's tech sanctions. The Shenzhen-based company made a surprise comeback in the 5G smartphone market last August, when it released a handset powered by a 7-nanometre processor - a breakthrough that was lauded on the mainland, but sparked intense scrutiny from Washington in light of existing tech access restrictions.

A 3D rendering of high-bandwidth memory chips bundled with an advanced artificial intelligence processor on a server. Photo: Shutterstock alt=A 3D rendering of high-bandwidth memory chips bundled with an advanced artificial intelligence processor on a server. Photo: Shutterstock>

While China remains in the early stage of HBM chip development, its progress is expected to be closely watched by analysts and industry insiders amid Washington's tech restrictions in semiconductors and AI.

In May, a Reuters report said ChangXin Memory Technologies, China's top dynamic random access memory maker, had developed sample HBM chips in partnership with Tongfu Microelectronics. Online tech publication The Information in April reported that a group of Chinese firms, led by Huawei, are looking to ramp up domestic production of HBM chips by 2026.

Wuhan Xinxin in March released a tender for building an advanced fabrication facility for HBM chips that would produce 3,000 12-inch wafers a month. Two months later, Wuhan Xinxin filed an application to go public with the China Securities Regulatory Commission's branch in central Hubei province.

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A subsidiary of China's top flash memory chip maker Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp, had earlier expanded its capitalisation by 46 per cent to 8.5 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) on the back of new investors that included the state-backed China Internet Investment Fund.

Huawei Technologies' self-developed artificial intelligence processor, the Ascend 910B. Photo: Handout alt=Huawei Technologies' self-developed artificial intelligence processor, the Ascend 910B. Photo: Handout>

Huawei, meanwhile, has managed to promote and broaden market interest for its Ascend 910B as an alternative to Nvidia's A100 GPU in AI development projects on the mainland.

Huawei's latest HBM chip initiative still has a long way to go, as the global market for these products is dominated by South Korea's SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics - each firm controlling about a 50 per cent market share in 2024, according to data from Taiwan IC research firm TrendForce. US memory chip maker Micron Technology, has a market share of 3 to 5 per cent.

Major semiconductor design firms Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, as well as chip maker Intel have adopted HBM for their products, which is driving up global demand for these high-performance memory chips this year, according to TrendForce.

While demand for HBM chips continues to surge, the mainland's semiconductor supply chain is not ready to reap the benefits of this booming market segment, according to Simon Woo, managing director and coordinator of Asia-Pacific Technology Research at Bank of America Securities, in a recent interview with the Post.

"China's [semiconductor] supply chain is still insufficient for high-end memory fabrication, with its growth mainly focused on mid to low-end solutions," Woo said.

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.
Key Insights

Significant control over Champion Iron by individual investors implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

The top 12 shareholders own 50% of the company

Insider ownership in Champion Iron is 12%

If you want to know who really controls Champion Iron Limited (ASX:CIA), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 36% stake, individual investors possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Meanwhile, institutions make up 29% of the companys shareholders. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Champion Iron.

See our latest analysis for Champion Iron

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Champion Iron?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Champion Iron. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. 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 Champion Iron's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Champion Iron is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Investissement Quebec, Investment Arm with 8.4% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 8.3% and 8.1% of the stock. William OKeeffe, who is the second-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Top Key Executive.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 12 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

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Insider Ownership Of Champion Iron

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Champion Iron Limited. It has a market capitalization of just AU$3.3b, and insiders have AU$390m worth of shares in their own names. That's quite significant. It is good to see this level of investment. You can check here to see if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 36% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Equity Ownership

With an ownership of 8.4%, private equity firms are in a position to play a role in shaping corporate strategy with a focus on value creation. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 16%, of the shares on issue. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Champion Iron that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
As global markets navigate through a period of relative calm and anticipatory adjustments ahead of key financial reports and economic updates, investors continue to assess opportunities for growth amidst evolving market dynamics. In this context, companies with high insider ownership can be particularly intriguing, as such alignment often suggests that those most familiar with the business are optimistic about its future prospects.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Zhejiang Jolly PharmaceuticalLTD (SZSE:300181) 24% 22.3% Gaming Innovation Group (OB:GIG) 26.7% 36.9% KebNi (OM:KEBNI B) 37.8% 90.4% Plenti Group (ASX:PLT) 12.8% 106.4% Credo Technology Group Holding (NasdaqGS:CRDO) 14.7% 60.9% Calliditas Therapeutics (OM:CALTX) 11.6% 52.9% EHang Holdings (NasdaqGM:EH) 32.8% 74.3% HANA Micron (KOSDAQ:A067310) 20% 96.3% Vow (OB:VOW) 31.8% 97.6% OSE Immunotherapeutics (ENXTPA:OSE) 25.6% 79.3%

Click here to see the full list of 1452 stocks from our Fast Growing Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Jinan Shengquan Group Share Holding Co., Ltd. is a company that operates in the chemical industry, with a market capitalization of approximately CN17.18 billion.

Operations: The company generates its revenue from various segments in the chemical industry.

Insider Ownership: 29.8%

Revenue Growth Forecast: 16.3% p.a.

Jinan Shengquan Group Share Holding Co., Ltd. demonstrated a solid financial performance in the first quarter of 2024, with revenues and net income showing improvements from the previous year. Analysts predict significant earnings growth over the next three years, outpacing the broader Chinese market. Despite this optimism, revenue growth forecasts are less aggressive but still exceed market averages. The company's price-to-earnings ratio remains attractive compared to market norms, although concerns about shareholder dilution and a low forecasted return on equity suggest some caution is warranted.

SHSE:605589 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Changchun BCHT Biotechnology Co. Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company based in China, specializing in the R&D, production, and sale of human vaccines, with a market capitalization of approximately CN11.74 billion.

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Operations: The company generates its revenue primarily from the biotechnology segment, amounting to CN1.92 billion.

Insider Ownership: 31.7%

Revenue Growth Forecast: 21.1% p.a.

Changchun BCHT Biotechnology showcased robust first-quarter earnings in 2024, with substantial increases in sales and net income. The company's earnings are expected to grow significantly over the next three years, outpacing the Chinese market average. Despite high insider ownership, there has been no recent insider buying or selling. Its price-to-earnings ratio stands below the market average, indicating good value. However, its forecasted return on equity remains low compared to industry benchmarks.

SHSE:688276 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. is a global manufacturer and seller of lithium products, operating across Mainland China, Asia, the European Union, North America, and other international markets with a market capitalization of approximately CN51.67 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of lithium products across various regions including Mainland China, the rest of Asia, the European Union, and North America.

Insider Ownership: 27.8%

Revenue Growth Forecast: 15% p.a.

Ganfeng Lithium Group has faced recent challenges, evidenced by a significant drop in Q1 2024 sales and a shift to net losses from profits year-over-year. Despite these setbacks, the company is expected to see its earnings grow by 29.63% annually, outpacing the broader Chinese market. However, its current dividend payout appears unsustainable given poor cash flow coverage. Additionally, there's been no recent insider buying which might raise concerns regarding confidence levels from those closest to the company.

SZSE:002460 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Turning Ideas Into Actions

Unlock our comprehensive list of 1452 Fast Growing Companies With High Insider Ownership by clicking here.

Already own these companies? Link your portfolio to Simply Wall St and get alerts on any new warning signs to your stocks.

Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe.

Seeking Other Investments?

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 SHSE:605589SHSE:688276SZSE:002460 and

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

51% of the business is held by the top 17 shareholders

Recent sales by insiders

A look at the shareholders of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 84% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Last weeks 3.4% gain means that institutional investors were on the positive end of the spectrum even as the company has shown strong longer-term trends. The gains from last week would have further boosted the one-year return to shareholders which currently stand at 30%.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, beginning with the chart below.

Check out our latest analysis for Hewlett Packard Enterprise

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Hewlett Packard Enterprise?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The company's largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc., with ownership of 12%. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 9.3% and 5.2% of the stock.

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 17 have the combined ownership of 51% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

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Insider Ownership Of Hewlett Packard Enterprise

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company insiders own under 1% of the company. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own US$105m worth of shares. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 15% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Hewlett Packard Enterprise , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Passive investing in index funds can generate returns that roughly match the overall market. But you can significantly boost your returns by picking above-average stocks. For example, the Sime Darby Berhad (KLSE:SIME) share price is up 28% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market return of around 20% (not including dividends). That's a solid performance by our standards! Having said that, the longer term returns aren't so impressive, with stock gaining just 21% in three years.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 1 year and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Check out our latest analysis for Sime Darby Berhad

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During the last year Sime Darby Berhad grew its earnings per share (EPS) by 76%. This EPS growth is significantly higher than the 28% increase in the share price. So it seems like the market has cooled on Sime Darby Berhad, despite the growth. Interesting. The caution is also evident in the lowish P/E ratio of 9.68.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Sime Darby Berhad has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts.

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. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Sime Darby Berhad the TSR over the last 1 year was 35%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Sime Darby Berhad has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 35% in the last twelve months. Of course, that includes the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 8% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Sime Darby Berhad you should know about.

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Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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
Key Insights

Schweiter Technologies' estimated fair value is CHF760 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of CHF399 suggests Schweiter Technologies is potentially 48% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 38% higher than Schweiter Technologies' analyst price target of CHF551

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Schweiter Technologies AG (VTX:SWTQ) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Schweiter Technologies

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. 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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, 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

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (CHF, Millions) CHF54.6m CHF65.5m CHF71.3m CHF67.1m CHF64.6m CHF62.9m CHF61.8m CHF61.0m CHF60.6m CHF60.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -3.80% Est @ -2.60% Est @ -1.76% Est @ -1.18% Est @ -0.77% Est @ -0.48% Present Value (CHF, Millions) Discounted @ 5.8% CHF51.7 CHF58.5 CHF60.2 CHF53.6 CHF48.8 CHF44.9 CHF41.7 CHF39.0 CHF36.6 CHF34.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CHF469m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 5.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CHF60m (1 + 0.2%)  (5.8% 0.2%) = CHF1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CHF1.1b ( 1 + 5.8%)10= CHF619m

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 CHF1.1b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of CHF399, the company appears quite good value at a 48% 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 Schweiter Technologies as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.211. 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 Schweiter Technologies

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Building market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Swiss market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Swiss market.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. 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. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Schweiter Technologies, there are three important aspects you should explore:

Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for Schweiter Technologies we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does SWTQ'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 Swiss 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
We recently published a list of the 10 Stocks to Buy and Sell Before the Third Quarter 2024 According to Jim Cramer. Since CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) ranks 9th on the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Jim Cramer in a latest program discussed the changing consumer trends in the US, wondering whether the consumer is just fed up of paying high prices and becoming frugal. Cramer said this frugal thesis is not obvious but he has recognized this latest trend based on some new developments. Cramer named a few consumer companies that are benefitting from the changing consumer behavior because of their discounted price offerings. Cramer rejected the notion that dollar stores are cheap. He said these stores raise prices aggressively and calling them dollar stores has become a misnomer. The CNBC host said the consumers want prices lower and thats why dollar store companies are getting crushed in the new environment.

Jim Cramer also said the renting society is winning the owning society, pointing to a new trend where consumers are renting boats instead of buying them to enjoy the experience without spending a fortune.

For this article we watched several latest programs of Jim Cramer aired on CNBC and picked some stocks hes recommending investors to buy or sell. With each stock we have mentioned the number of hedge fund investors. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) Stock to Buy and Sell Before the Third Quarter 2024 According to Jim Cramer?

CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 26

Restaurant chain company CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer is recommending investors to buy on the dip. Here is what Cramer said during a latest program

 CAVA feels like it has the possibility of being a Chipotle.

Cramer said he knows the stock had a big spike recently, but hed buy more CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) shares if the stock comes down.

Last month, CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) reported upbeat Q1 results and hiked full-year guidance. CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) now sees 2024 restaurant comparable sales growth of 4.5% to 6.5%, compared with the consensus estimate of +4.5%. Adjusted EBITDA guidance was increased to $100 million to $105 million from a prior outlook for $86.0 million to $92.0 million. CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) average unit volume (AUV) has impressed investors while its restaurant-level profit margins, guided to 24% for 2024, are also upbeat given the current market environment.

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CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) shares have gained about 124% so far this year and the stocks P/E ratio is now 224, triggering valuation concerns. While CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) has reported closed to 30% YoY sales growth over the past couple of quarters, Cava bears say the company might not be able to sustain its comparable sales growth down the road as comp sales growth is easy to achieve during early growth stages. They also say most of CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) store footprint spans rich neighborhoods with high population density, and as CAVA expands its store footprint to other areas its profit from growth might moderate. The stocks forward P/E ratio of 370 is outlandishly higher than industry average of 16.65. Average Wall Street price target on the stock is $87, below its current price of $91.

Overall, CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) ranks 9th on Insider Monkeys list titled 10 Stocks to Buy and Sell Before the Third Quarter 2024 According to Jim Cramer. While we acknowledge the potential of CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) , 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 CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) 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 Stocks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
The Indian stock market has shown robust growth, rising by 44% over the past 12 months and gaining 1.1% in just the last week, with earnings expected to grow by 16% annually. In such a thriving market, identifying stocks that are potentially undervalued could offer investors a unique opportunity for value investment.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In India

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Updater Services (NSEI:UDS) 297.25 477.81 37.8% IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (BSE:524164) 403.65 574.52 29.7% Vedanta (NSEI:VEDL) 454.00 635.30 28.5% Strides Pharma Science (NSEI:STAR) 948.85 1520.38 37.6% Mahindra Logistics (NSEI:MAHLOG) 525.05 800.49 34.4% TV18 Broadcast (NSEI:TV18BRDCST) 41.18 69.41 40.7% PVR INOX (NSEI:PVRINOX) 1427.35 2229.08 36% Delhivery (NSEI:DELHIVERY) 400.15 604.58 33.8% Camlin Fine Sciences (BSE:532834) 103.22 155.05 33.4% Godrej Properties (NSEI:GODREJPROP) 3207.90 4589.46 30.1%

Click here to see the full list of 16 stocks from our Undervalued Indian Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool

Overview: Fusion Micro Finance Limited is a non-banking financial company in India that offers microfinance lending services to women entrepreneurs in rural and peri-rural areas, with a market capitalization of approximately 45.15 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through microfinance activities, totaling approximately 12.57 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 10.4%

Fusion Micro Finance, now Fusion Finance Limited, is trading at 448.75, below its estimated fair value of 500.61, indicating a 10.4% undervaluation based on discounted cash flow analysis. Despite robust revenue growth projections at 24.9% annuallyoutpacing the Indian market's 9.6%its debt is poorly covered by operating cash flow, and return on equity is expected to be modest at 19.3%. Recent regulatory challenges and significant insider selling could pose risks, though the company has shown strong earnings growth in the past five years.

NSEI:FUSION Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Overview: Godrej Properties Limited operates primarily in real estate construction and development across India, with a market capitalization of approximately 891.98 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is mainly derived from real estate construction and development, totaling approximately 29.95 billion, with a smaller contribution of 0.41 billion from the hospitality sector.

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Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 30.1%

Godrej Properties Limited, priced at 3207.9, appears undervalued by over 20% against a fair value of 4589.46 based on cash flow analysis. Despite challenges like debt not well covered by operating cash flow, the company shows promise with a projected annual earnings growth of 35.7%, significantly outpacing the Indian market forecast of 15.8%. Recent financials indicate robust year-on-year growth in net income and sales volumes, reinforcing its potential amidst competitive pressures.

NSEI:GODREJPROP Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Overview: Mahindra Logistics Limited operates as a provider of integrated logistics and mobility solutions both in India and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately 37.83 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from two segments: Supply Chain Management, which contributes 51.78 billion, and Enterprise Mobility Services at 3.28 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 34.4%

Mahindra Logistics, trading at 525.05, is significantly undervalued by over 20% with a fair value estimate of 800.49. Despite a challenging fiscal year marked by a net loss of INR 547.4 million and weak earnings coverage for dividends, the company's strategic joint venture aimed at enhancing warehousing and trucking services shows potential for market expansion in India. Analysts forecast an improvement in profitability and revenue growth faster than the Indian market average, suggesting recovery prospects ahead.

NSEI:MAHLOG Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Key Takeaways

Click here to access our complete index of 16 Undervalued Indian Stocks Based On Cash Flows.

Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments.

Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets.

Seeking Other Investments?

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:FUSION NSEI:GODREJPROP and NSEI:MAHLOG.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
As the United Kingdom braces for its upcoming elections, market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, reflected in a slight uptick in FTSE 100 futures. This backdrop of political and economic uncertainty can often highlight opportunities within the small-cap sector, where undervalued stocks may benefit from less direct exposure to global economic shifts and more from domestic developments. In such a climate, identifying small caps with strong fundamentals and insider buying actions could be particularly compelling. These elements often suggest confidence in the company's prospects by those who know it best.

Top 10 Undervalued Small Caps With Insider Buying In The United Kingdom

Name PE PS Discount to Fair Value Value Rating Stelrad Group 9.2x 0.5x 45.21%  Ultimate Products 10.1x 0.8x 14.62%  Norcros 7.5x 0.5x 45.00%  THG NA 0.4x 43.86%  Bytes Technology Group 28.7x 6.5x 15.81%  CVS Group 20.4x 1.1x 43.29%  J D Wetherspoon 21.3x 0.4x -58.29%  Robert Walters 21.4x 0.3x 36.27%  Trifast NA 0.4x -47.48%  Hochschild Mining NA 1.7x 40.67% 

Click here to see the full list of 35 stocks from our Undervalued Small Caps With Insider Buying screener.

We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool.

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Polar Capital Holdings is a specialist, investment-led, active fund management company with a market capitalization of approximately 197.59 million.

Operations: The Investment Management Business generated 197.59 million in revenue, with a gross profit margin of 88.53% and a net income margin of 20.65%. Operating expenses for the period were 118.86 million, impacting the overall profitability metrics detailed above.

PE: 13.3x

Polar Capital Holdings, reflecting a compelling narrative in the realm of undervalued entities, recently affirmed its dividend while showcasing a robust financial uptick with year-over-year revenue and net income growth. With earnings per share increasing from 0.368 to 0.423, their financial health appears solid. Insider confidence is evident as insiders have recently purchased shares, underscoring their belief in the company's prospects amidst a backdrop of no customer deposit reliance and external borrowing as its sole funding source. This strategic positioning might suggest resilience and potential for sustained growth.

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AIM:POLR Share price vs Value as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Victoria is a diversified flooring company with operations spanning soft flooring and ceramic tiles across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia.

Operations: The company generates its revenue from diverse geographical segments, with UK & Europe Soft Flooring contributing 643.8 million and North America adding 163.3 million. Gross profit margins have shown a fluctuating trend, with a notable figure of 35.69% in mid-2019 but declining to 31.75% by the end of 2023.

PE: -1.9x

Victoria PLC, a lesser-known entity in the UK market, recently showcased insider confidence with significant share purchases, signaling strong belief in the company's prospects. Despite a highly volatile share price over the past three months, earnings are projected to surge by 86% annually. With all funding sourced from external borrowingposing higher risksVictoria still managed to maintain shareholder interest ahead of its fiscal year results announcement on June 19, 2024. This blend of financial dynamics and insider actions paints a promising picture for potential growth.

AIM:VCP Share price vs Value as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Robert Walters is a professional recruitment firm with operations in specialist sectors and a market capitalization of approximately 407 million.

Operations: Robert Walters and Resource Solutions generate revenues primarily through recruitment services, with 836 million and 228.1 million respectively. The company's gross profit margin has shown fluctuations over the years, recently recorded at 36.35% in the latest financial period.

PE: 21.4x

Amid a challenging landscape, Robert Walters stands out with its robust earnings forecast, predicting a 28.57% growth annually. Despite a dip in profit margins from 3.6% to 1.3% over the past year, insider confidence remains high as evidenced by recent share purchases by company insiders, signaling their belief in the firm's potential. Additionally, at its recent AGM on April 30, 2024, a final dividend of 17 pence per share was affirmed, underscoring its commitment to shareholder returns despite current financial pressures. This blend of insider activity and proactive financial strategies paints Robert Walters as an intriguing prospect within the undervalued segments of the UK market.

LSE:RWA Share price vs Value as at Jul 2024

Key Takeaways

Take a closer look at our Undervalued Small Caps With Insider Buying list of 35 companies by clicking here.

Already own these companies? Bring clarity to your investment decisions by linking up your portfolio with Simply Wall St, where you can monitor all the vital signs of your stocks effortlessly.

Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide.

Curious About Other Options?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include AIM:POLR AIM:VCP and LSE:RWA.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
As Singapore's market navigates through a landscape of strategic acquisitions and technological integrations, exemplified by Chime's recent acquisition of Salt Labs, investors are keenly observing shifts that could highlight undervalued opportunities. In this context, understanding what constitutes a good stock involves looking at fundamentals, market position, and potential for growth amidst current economic activities.

Top 5 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In Singapore

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Jardine Matheson Holdings (SGX:J36) US$35.38 US$40.44 12.5% Singapore Technologies Engineering (SGX:S63) SGD4.33 SGD7.93 45.4% LHN (SGX:41O) SGD0.335 SGD0.37 10.1% Hongkong Land Holdings (SGX:H78) US$3.23 US$5.64 42.7% Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (SGX:BUOU) SGD0.95 SGD1.62 41.3% Seatrium (SGX:5E2) SGD1.38 SGD2.31 40.4% Digital Core REIT (SGX:DCRU) US$0.57 US$1.11 48.5% Nanofilm Technologies International (SGX:MZH) SGD0.745 SGD1.34 44.6%

Click here to see the full list of 8 stocks from our Undervalued SGX Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks

Overview: Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited engages in diverse sectors including motor vehicles, property investment, food retailing, and more across China, Southeast Asia, and globally, with a market capitalization of approximately $10.28 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from motor vehicles and related operations with $20.61 billion, followed by food retailing at $9.17 billion, while smaller contributions come from property investment and development at $1.84 billion, transport services at $2.14 billion, and other sectors including health and beauty, home furnishings, engineering and construction.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 12.5%

Jardine Matheson Holdings is trading at US$35.38, below the estimated fair value of US$40.44, indicating it may be undervalued based on discounted cash flows. Despite a dividend yield of 6.36%, its coverage by earnings is weak. Analyst consensus suggests a potential price increase of 27.1%. Earnings are expected to grow by 26.7% annually, outpacing the Singapore market's forecast growth rate. However, substantial insider selling and one-off items have impacted recent financial results negatively.

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SGX:J36 Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Overview: Nanofilm Technologies International Limited operates in the field of nanotechnology, offering solutions across Singapore, China, Japan, and Vietnam with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 485.00 million.

Operations: Nanofilm Technologies International's revenue is segmented into Sydrogen (SGD 1.05 million), Nanofabrication (SGD 16.05 million), Advanced Materials (SGD 141.54 million), and Industrial Equipment (SGD 37.17 million).

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 44.6%

Nanofilm Technologies International, priced at SGD0.75, is considered undervalued with its trading value 44.6% below the estimated fair value of SGD1.34 based on discounted cash flow models. While the companys profit margins have decreased from last year's 18.5% to 1.8%, it forecasts a significant earnings growth of 50.7% per year, outperforming the Singapore market's average of 9%. Recent corporate guidance confirms optimism for FY2024, expecting increased revenues and profits barring unforeseen events.

SGX:MZH Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Overview: Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd is a global technology, defense, and engineering group with a market capitalization of SGD 13.50 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is divided into three main segments: Commercial Aerospace contributing SGD 3.97 billion, Urban Solutions & Satcom at SGD 1.98 billion, and Defence & Public Security generating SGD 4.29 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 45.4%

Singapore Technologies Engineering, with a current price of SGD4.33, trades significantly below its fair value estimated at SGD7.93, reflecting a potential undervaluation based on cash flows. Despite a high debt level and unstable dividend track record, the company is poised for robust earnings growth at 11.62% annually, outpacing the Singapore market's average. Recent strategic moves include share repurchases and consistent dividend payouts, signaling confidence in financial health and commitment to shareholder value.

SGX:S63 Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024

Summing It All Up

Unlock our comprehensive list of 8 Undervalued SGX Stocks Based On Cash Flows 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.

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 SGX:J36 SGX:MZH and SGX:S63.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Lithium and Battery Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAAC) stands against the other lithium and battery stocks.

The pivotal role that lithium is playing in the market of batteries, solar panels, and chemicals has resulted in a surge in its global demand, and as such, the lithium market has seen quite a growth in recent years; the market is set to grow from $8.8 billion market size in 2023 to hit $28.45 billion mark in 2033, boasting a CAGR of 12.5%, according to Precedence Research.

On the other hand, the global electric vehicles market size is set to reach $1.579 trillion by 2030 from its market size of $500.48 billion in 2023. This is so because of improved fuel economy and costs, and more importantly, reduced emissions from electric vehicles. Furthermore, according to the International Energy Agencys (IEA) forecast, global electric car sales are set to grow to 17 million by the end of 2024 from its sales volume of almost 14 million in 2023, 95% of which belonged to China, U.S. and Europe; 65% of new electric cars registrations were made in China in 2023, while 25% and 10% registrations were made in Europe and China, respectively! On the back of this, lithium demand and hence, consumption, is set to soar 16% per annum to help it grow from 1,219kt lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in 2024 to 2,261kt LCE in 2029, according to Techopedia.

The EV batteries market, 95% of whose growth is accounted for by the electric cars market, saw its demand growing 40% in 2023 in relation to the 2022 demand level, wherein, it grew to 750 GWh. Regions like China, Europe, and the U.S. are again, the fastest growing in terms of EV battery sales as well, as the EV battery market reached 415 GWh, 185 GWh, and 100 GWh in the three regions, respectively, according to IEA.

In terms of regions that are topping the charts of lithium production, Australia, Chile, and China are the top three countries, with their 2023 mine productions standing at levels of 86,000 MT, 44,000 MT, and 33,000 MT, respectively. China, which has relied a lot on lithium imports, found a million metric ton lithium reserve in its province of Sichuan in January 2024.

However, lithium and EV battery industries have been experiencing a downhill in 2024 in terms of raw material prices, wherein, the excess supply has resulted in a fall in various battery metals prices, resulting in a reduction in EV prices as well. The average price of an EV in the U.S. saw a downtick of 24.2% in December 2023, as compared to its peak price in the second quarter of 2022. This is on the back of a drop in prices of the highest-cost metals  lithium and nickel. Lithium carbonate ended 2023 at the price level of $13,575 per metric ton, falling 80.9% as compared to its 2023 high, and 81.4% in relation to its 2022 high. Nickel, on the other hand, saw its price falling 47.3% from its 2023 high, ending 2023 at $16,375 per ton.

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Methodology

We created this list of 10 Best Lithium and Battery Stocks to Buy Now by listing down companies that operate within the broader market of metals, pertaining specifically to areas of lithium mining, battery sales, and tech relating to batteries. Then, we narrowed down the companies, with their respective upside potential and then ranked the stocks on the number of hedge fund investors in the respective stocks, as of Q1, 2024, using Insider Monkeys database that tracks 920 hedge funds.

For stocks with an equal number of hedge fund holders, we used their upside potential as the tiebreaker. With this, we now present to you our list of 10 Best Lithium and Battery Stocks to Buy Now.

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 close-up of a lithium-ion battery surrounded by a network of silicon nanowires.

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAAC)

Number of hedge fund investors: 7

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAAC), based in Canada, is a resource and materials company, primarily focused on running lithium projects in Canada. Currently, its operating two projects, Cauchari-Olaroz, and Pastos Grandes, both related to lithium brine, a dissolved version of lithium.

In March 2024, Ganfeng Lithium agreed to take up a 15% stake in Pastos Grandes mine through an investment worth $70 million which would be used to fund the operations at the site. The deal is to be finalized in about a couple of months. Cauchari-Olaroz, on the other hand, is set to produce 20,000 to 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate in 2024. For the first quarter of 2024, the mine churned out 4,500 tons of lithium carbonate.

As of Q1, 2024, 7 hedge fund investors have taken up a stake in the companys stock, worth $14.6 million. Analysts are also optimistic about the stocks outlook, as they have set the target price at $8.66, as compared to its current price of $4.36  this would mean an upside potential of stock equaling 98.62%! Thus, this stock naturally made it to our list of 10 Best Lithium and Battery Stocks to Buy Now.

Overall LAAC ranks 10th on our list of the best lithium and battery stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Lithium and Battery Stocks to Buy Now to see the other lithium and battery stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of LAAC 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 LAAC 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.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) stands against the other bank penny stocks.

The US banking sector in 2024 faces various challenges and opportunities. Although the industry has recovered from the bank failures of early 2023, it now deals with a slower economy, tighter regulations, and the possibility of interest rate cuts, all of which present risks for the sector.

In the past year, the US banking sector observed the collapse of a couple of well-known banks, which led to uncertainty in regional bank stocks. When considering the broader context, last year's bank closures were not particularly notable in terms of quantity. The year's total of five closures pales in comparison to 2009 and 2010, which saw 140 and 157 closures, respectively. However, 2023 stood out due to the substantial total assets of the affected institutions, primarily driven by the significant sizes of First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank.

The banks were also heavily funded by uninsured deposits, as a significant portion of their customers held deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. This increased their risk during sector volatility. Despite these closures and the following instability, many bank stocks regained stability and ended 2023 with positive returns.

The economic outlook indicates slower growth and the possibility of a rate cut in 2024. This may result in a dip in bank profitability, although it is expected to remain strong, with an anticipated return on common equity ranging from 10% to 11%. Moreover, asset quality is predicted to weaken but should remain manageable, with strong pre-provision earnings providing support.

There are economic risks to consider, including the potential for a recession if the Federal Reserve is not careful enough with rate cuts, as well as the persistent threat of inflation that could result in prolonged high rates. Moreover, credit card charge-offs are anticipated to rise. However, banks with more diversified deposit bases and fewer uninsured deposits are less likely to face high risks as compared to those with more uninsured deposits. Regulatory changes, including the finalization of new capital and resolution requirements, may be implemented in 2024 in response to the banking failures of the previous year.

Despite these challenges, the banking sector is expected to maintain strong profitability and capital buildup, aided by a potentially more favorable rate environment later in the year. Moreover, there are potential investment opportunities in regional banks perceived as undervalued. With this context in mind, let's take a look at the best bank penny stocks to buy now.

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Our Methodology

To compile a list of the 10 best bank penny stocks to buy, we conducted an in-depth analysis. Our first step was to identify banks with share prices below $5. To assess their investment potential, we examined the number of hedge fund investors in these banks during Q1 2024. We used Insider Monkey's database of over 900 hedge funds to rank the best bank penny stocks according to the hedge fund sentiment.

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).

An aerial shot of a business district with the company's headquarters towering above its competitors.

Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 12

A prominent U.K. financial institution since 2009, Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) offers a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services. Through dedicated divisions, the company serves individuals and businesses of all sizes. Retail customers get everyday banking solutions, while Commercial Banking caters to mid-sized and larger companies. Meanwhile, Insurance & Wealth helps clients with financial planning, and the "Other" segment covers trading activities and one-time gains.

Lloyds Banking Group plcs (NYSE:LYG) Q1 2024 results met expectations despite a slight dip in profitability. The companys other income rose by 7% due to increased activity and strategic initiatives. Asset quality remained strong with a low impairment charge. Loans and deposits experienced minor reductions.

Lloyds Banking Group is expected to generate an additional 300 million pounds ($380 million) in annual revenue from its UK business banking unit by 2026, according to CEO Charlie Nunn. This forecast comes as corporate confidence in Britain rises despite existing challenges.

Analysts' price targets for Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) stock are clustered around $3, with a high of $3.53 and a low of $2.49. This suggests an upside potential from the current price levels. Moreover, 9 analysts have given a rating of Buy to Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) stock.

Of the 920 funds being tracked by Insider Monkey at the end of Q1 2024, 12 reported owning a stake in Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG). English Capital Management was the leading hedge fund investor letter in the company.

Overall LYG ranks 4th on our list of the best bank penny stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now to see the other bank penny stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of LYG 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 LYG 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.
Luke Chan / iStock/Getty Images

For many people, retirement may seem like a far-off accomplishment, a glorious place that looms over a distant horizon. However, you might be in a position to close the gap and round the curve into retirement much sooner  in fact, as early as this year.

Unfortunately, retirement isnt as easy as clocking out for the last time, waving at your office and heading to the beach for good. Its a matter of careful planning and self-assessment. However, there are some clear signs that youre ready to retire sooner rather than later, even if it means youre ringing in the end of the year as a retiree.

Learn More: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security

Find Out: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Retirement Savings Reach $50,000

To help you know whether youre ready to retire this year, GOBankingRates chatted with Lauren Garner, vice president of demand generation and partnerships at Ascent Funding, as well as Dennis Shirshikov, a finance professor at the City University of New York and head of growth at Summer.

According to these experts, here are some signs youre financially ready to retire in 2024.

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Youve Achieved Your Financial Milestones

Mortgage paid off? Check. All debts settled? Double check. Reached your retirement savings goal? Triple check.

If you can check all the boxes on your financial goals, like paying off major debts and ensuring that your retirement savings are in a healthy place, Garner said you have taken a huge step toward being able to retire within the year.

Try This: 3 Reasons You Should Not Buy a House When You Retire

You Have a Robust Portfolio

According to Shirshikov, one of the clearest signs that youre ready to retire is that you have a robust and well-diversified retirement portfolio.

This typically means having enough savings to cover at least 25-30 years of living expenses, assuming a conservative withdrawal rate of 3%-4%, he explained.

Youve Factored In Social Security and Retirement Income

Social Security is a key part of many peoples retirement plans, so you need to calculate your Social Security benefits and factor them into other income, like a pension, per Garner.

Youve Assessed the Market  and Your Finances

For those looking to retire by the end of this year, conducting a thorough financial assessment is the first step, Shirshikov said. This includes evaluating current savings, projected expenses and any potential income streams.

He added that ensuring your investment portfolio is balanced enough to mitigate risks associated with market volatility is another essential goal. If you shift toward more conservative investments, you might be better able to protect your nest egg while still allowing your money to grow.

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Part of bolstering yourself for retirement involves maximizing your contributions to retirement accounts, like 401(k)s and IRAs, before the years end to give yourself significant tax benefits and increase your retirement savings.

You Have a Plan for Healthcare

If theres one downside to retirement, its that it represents a time in life when you may end up needing more healthcare. Shirshikov said that with healthcare costs rising, you have to make sure that you have coverage that will last you through retirement. This may involve a combination of Medicare, supplemental insurance and long-term care insurance.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Financial Expert: 5 Signs Youre Financially Ready for Retirement in 2024
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With its warm weather and lack of state income taxes, Florida is often hailed as a great place to retire. In fact, Florida is by far the top state in the country in terms of the net number of retirees who moved in, according to SmartAsset.

Yet not everyone is eager to retire in Florida. There are some potential downsides to consider too, and not everyones dream retirement looks the same.

Learn More: Why Many Regret Moving to Florida Post-Pandemic

Check Out: The Surprising Way You Can Get Guaranteed Retirement Income for Life

For Mandy Cline, a senior account manager at 919 Marketing, retiring in Florida is not in the cards. While shes only 42 and retirement is a long way off, she said she has zero interest in returning to Florida to retire, despite growing up there.

She left the state after graduating college in 2003 and has since lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, and now Atlanta, and she has no plans to move back to Florida, due to a mix of financial and lifestyle reasons.

On the financial front, here are three of her top reasons she doesnt want to retire in Florida.

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High Housing Costs

While you can still find some good deals in some parts of Florida, the state overall has been experiencing rising housing costs, and certain areas have gotten particularly pricey. Miami, for example, ranks as the third most expensive place to live in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

In Miami, housing prices have jumped by 8.3% since last year, per Redfin. Other cities have also had big jumps, like West Palm Beach soaring by 20% and Tampa increasing by 8.2%.

For Cline, despite owning property in South Florida that she inherited, that does not solve her problem of facing high housing costs.

The property I own is not somewhere I would retire to, and it would cost too much to buy something else, she said.

Find Out: 5 Places in America To Retire That Are Just as Cheap as Mexico, Portugal and Costa Rica

Rising Home Insurance Rates

Not only is the price of real estate high in some parts of Florida, but rising insurance rates have also made Cline want to avoid retiring in Florida.

Florida has by far the highest home insurance rates in the country, due in part to factors like insurers leaving the state or becoming insolvent. In 2023, the average annual home insurance cost in Florida was $10,996, whereas the state with the second-highest home insurance costs, Louisiana, had only an average cost of $6,354, according to Insurify.

These costs do not seem to be letting up anytime soon, with Insurify projecting a 7% increase in 2024.

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Its even gotten to the point where Cline doesnt want to keep the property she owns there. I am looking to sell as soon as possible, because I want nothing to do with the home insurance costs, she said.

Climate-Related Risks

Connected to rising home insurance rates is how climate change is making living in Florida more expensive and possibly putting some investments in physical assets at risk.

I lived through Hurricane Andrew. I have seen how insurance costs have risen since I was younger, and its only going to get worse with climate change, Cline said. I also worry about flooding and what that can do to home costs and car insurance costs.

With issues like hurricanes and flooding continuing to affect Florida, it can be hard for some to justify retiring there in the future.

I think its only going to get worse. I wouldnt want to invest in anything in Florida, Cline said.

Finding Alternatives

With Florida out of the picture for Clines retirement, shes thinking of eventually finding a place that better suits her lifestyle preferences. I am someone who really enjoys the outdoors and hates humidity, she said.

Instead, she has her eyes on a drier climate like Colorado. Yet its hard to find a place that checks all the boxes. There are always some risks and downsides.

For example, if retiring in Colorado, Cline said she would have to worry about fires out there.

Still, home insurance costs are way less in Colorado. Insurify projects 2024 average annual home insurance rates there to be $4,367, whereas Floridas rate projections are nearly three times higher.

For financial reasons like that, combined with other factors such as housing costs and climate risks, Cline does not want to retire in her native state.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Florida Native: 3 Financial Reasons I Wont Retire Here
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Times are changing. Its easier today for Gen Z real estate investors  age 26 and younger  to buy a house than it was for millennials and Gen Xers when they were the same age. In 2023, the homeownership rate among 24-year-olds was 27.8%, according to Newsweek.

Check Out: Im a Real Estate Investor: 10 Places I Would Never Buy Property

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GoBanking Rates spoke to Benjamin Njila Fields, a Gen Z real estate investor and UC Berkeley Ph.D. student, about how he turned $80,000 in multiple real estate investments in the U.S. and other countries into $110,000.

I have invested approximately $80,000 in real estate across the United States and West Africa that is worth over six figures today, said Fields.

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

Where Fields Invested His Money

Fields goal was to buy a decent amount of acreage and use it to build a home once he got a big boy job and was ready to settle down with a family. He said hes not too concerned about squeezing out every ounce of profit at the moment, since he has decades ahead of him for his investments to appreciate.

I bought a piece of land in my home state of Oklahoma for $25,000, invested in raw land in Cameroon West Africa for [my] personal residence, [as well as] residential investments, hotel properties and agricultural land in Cameroon and Benin, West Africa, he said.

He said he plans to split time between America and other countries in the future, and it made sense to build in Cameroon, since his family hails from there.

He also invested in agricultural land in Benin out of curiosity. I studied agriculture a little bit in undergrad and was very interested to see how it could pan out.

Seeing a huge plantation with cashews, coffee beans and cocoa growing was pretty cool, and the investment was not that large, Fields said. When you are working with hundreds of acres, the amount of product you can produce is insane.

Be Aware: 7 Worst States To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents

Advantages of Investing In West Africa

Commercial residential properties make lucrative investments, especially in African countries, according to Fields.

You can build either apartment buildings or hotels for under $200,000, and the cash flow is an insane amount of money with no property taxes, insurance or heavy maintenance to worry about. Building materials and concrete have longevity over in Cameroon, Fields said.

He added, African countries are cash economies, so you do not need to worry about non-payment. People pay their rent a year in advance in Cameroon as a standard, so you can make your money back quickly.

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How He Did It

Investing in land and real estate took a significant amount of time for Fields. He had to research creative financing deals and even take out loans.

My first investment was buying raw land in Oklahoma; I had to [borrow] money from my mother and a personal loan to get the land,  Fields said. After a year, I finally paid my mom and personal loan back and took a nice vacation for the effort!

The irony is that on vacation, I saw a great land deal in Cameroon and took a loan on the Citi App, withdrew the cash and bought raw land in Douala, [a city in Cameroon]; I then began saving cash more extensively so I could [invest in smaller] deals in Cameroon and Benin.

Stay Anonymous By Purchasing Real Estate Through a Trust

In Oklahoma, Fields said you can go to any county assessor and find out who owns land, what price people paid for it and other information. He chose to purchase real estate through a trust to remain anonymous and conceal his personal information.

Field plans to purchase fixed-income treasuries or REITs to cover property taxes on anything he buys in the U.S.

Even if you pay your property off, you can be liable for property taxes and even road assessments if you buy raw land in a subdivision, he said. Knowing I have money in fixed income [treasuries] that I can always recover if I fall on hard times is a great anxiety reliever.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im Gen Z and I Have $80,000 Invested In Real Estate  Heres How I Did It
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Mark Cuban, entrepreneur, venture capitalist and Shark Tank shark, knows a little something about being rich. According to Forbes, Cuban has a net worth of $5.4 billion. He also has advice for others who also want to become rich.

Learn More: Barbara Corcorans 5 Best Passive Income Ideas

Check Out: 5 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

Save Money

Cuban is famous for telling people to save their pennies and be frugal if they want to be rich. In a blog post from 2008, he said, Save as much as you possibly can. Instead of coffee, drink water. Instead of going to McDonalds, eat mac and cheese.

Read Next: Dave Ramseys Best Passive Income Ideas for 2024  15 Steady, Profitable Ways To Build Wealth Fast

Pay Cash

Cuban does not believe in using credit cards. In fact, he said, If you use a credit card, you dont want to be rich.

But he also recommends having cash on hand so that you can take advantage of opportunities that may present themselves. You may have to pass on the best idea in the world if you dont have the cash to take advantage of it.

Invest In Yourself

The investment Cuban is talking about here is one of time, not money. He recommends that you decide what type of business you want to be in and then educate yourself about it.

Step one is to get a job in that business. The job can be anything  entry level or something higher  but you want to learn everything these is to know about that business. When you do this, youre getting paid to learn. Read everything you can find on the business and talk to other people in the same business.

At some point, uncertainty will arise, and there will be an opportunity for you to take your knowledge of the business and take advantage. It may be an opportunity to start your own business  or to start a business that provides a product or service thats needed by the company you work for. Or it may be an opportunity with a competitor.

Be Disciplined

This advice is at the heart of Cubans philosophy. He recommends being disciplined in spending, in saving and in learning  and, ultimately, being disciplined enough to be ready when opportunity knocks.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Mark Cubans Best Advice on How To Become Rich
An event to promote the culture of the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor was held in Hong Kong Sunday as part of efforts to strengthen tourism cooperation between northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Hong Kong.

The Yellow Emperor, also known as Huangdi, was the legendary common ancestor of the Chinese nation. The mausoleum is located on Qiao Mountain in Huangling County of Shaanxi Province.

Feng Haobin, an official with the cultural heritage site, said at the event that the Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum is a spiritual symbol of Chinese civilization, and is crucial for promoting national spirit. Shaanxi and Hong Kong have broad cooperation potential in culture, tourism, economy and other aspects, he said.

Xin Congjin, chairman of a tourism association in Hong Kong to promote Chinese tourism, said that as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange, Hong Kong plays a key role for the culture of the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor to go onto the world stage.

Hong Kong and Shaanxi have worked together in recent years to complement each other's strengths, with exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the fields of economy, culture, finance and technology continuing to expand, Xin added.

An exhibition on the culture of the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is being held in Victoria Park of Hong Kong as part of the celebration activities to mark the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The exhibition will open to the public from Saturday to Tuesday.
(Bloomberg) -- Meta Platforms Inc. has been slapped with a warning over its subscription model for ad-free services on Instagram and Facebook, risking potentially heavy fines in the European Unions latest attack on Big Tech under tough new rules.

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EU regulators announced Monday that the so-called pay-or-consent policy falls foul of the EUs Digital Markets Act, because the new model forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data, while not being offered a less personalized version of either Facebook and Instagram.

Our preliminary view is that Metas advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act, said Margrethe Vestager, the EUs antitrust chief. We want to empower citizens to be able to take control over their own data and choose a less personalized ads experience.

The DMA lays out a series of dos or donts for some of the worlds largest tech platforms. The EUs move is a preliminary step. But eventual fines for breaches can be as high as 10% of global annual revenue, or 20% for repeated violations.

Meta introduced separate, ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in November, to ward off growing regulatory pressure over its processing of users personal data. The company said in a statement that the new model complies with the DMA and that the company looks forward  to further constructive dialog with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close.

Meta shares fell 1.3% at 10:05 a.m. in New York while the Russell 3000 Index Computer Services Subsector advanced.

Under EU rules, Big Tech firms must must seek users consent for combining their personal data across platform services. If a user refuses such consent, they should have access to a less personalized version. The commission says that the likes of Meta cannot make the use of Facebook or Instagram conditional on users consent.

The EU regulators warning comes just a week after it issued a complaint over Apple Inc.s DMA compliance, telling the iPhone maker that it must allow app developers to steer users to cheaper deals and offers outside of the App Store, in order to step into line with the rules.

As part of the DMA, its illegal for certain services operated by the likes of Apple, Alphabet Inc.s Google, Meta, 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.

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(Updates with shares in sixth paragraph)

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By Adriana Barrera and Cassandra Garrison

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's incoming government will discard a core goal of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to reduce imports of yellow corn and achieve self-sufficiency in production of the grain, according to the incoming agriculture minister.

Julio Berdegue, named to President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum's cabinet, told Reuters Mexico will focus on maintaining self-sufficiency in white corn, which is commonly used in the country's staple tortilla.

Sheinbaum also has an "aspirational goal" to reduce deforestation linked to the agriculture sector by half by the end of her six-year term, Berdegue said in an interview on Friday.

"It is a very ambitious goal, but I believe that we can (do it)," he said, citing estimates that deforestation, which is commonly caused by land clearing for lucrative avocado and livestock production, is wiping out an average of about 200,000 hectares per year.

Under the administration of Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaum's mentor, Mexico aimed to dramatically reduce imports of yellow corn, most often originating from the U.S., in favor of boosting local production. The government, however, failed to reduce about $6 billion in yellow corn imports annually during his tenure.

The policy originated from Lopez Obrador's attempts to limit the use of genetically-modified (GM) corn, a position that sparked an ongoing trade dispute with the U.S., by far Mexico's largest commercial partner. Most imported yellow corn is GM and used as fodder for Mexico's livestock sector.

Lopez Obrador's government had already walked back its GM-corn ban to restrict it only for human consumption.

Sheinbaum, set to take office in October, will leave behind the ambition to replace yellow corn imports with local production, Berdegue said, underscoring a rare divergence from Lopez Obrador's established policies.

"Our objective is not to reduce imports, our objective is to produce more," Berdegue said.

"Our goal is not self-sufficiency in yellow corn... not in this six-year term," he added.

Mexico will likely have to continue importing large amounts of yellow corn, said Berdegue, due to the increased demand in the livestock sector as Mexicans' appetite for meat products grows.

A trade panel of the USMCA trade pact is expected to issue a formal ruling in the dispute with Mexico over its GM corn policy by the end of the year.

The U.S. has said Mexico's plan to limit GM corn is not based in science and violates its commitments under the trade pact. Mexico, meanwhile, argues that its policy has no impact on its commercial relationship with the U.S.

(Reporting by Adriana Barrera and Cassandra Garrison; editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Sharon Singleton)
By Aishwarya Jain

(Reuters) -American tourists headed for Japan have surged this year, lured by a slump in the value of the yen, which is also driving a massive jump in foreign investor interest in the country's lodgings market.

The number of Americans arriving in Japan by air crossed more than 900,000 in the first five months of 2024, climbing 17.4% year-over-year and vaulting 35.5% from 2019 before the pandemic, the International Trade Administration data showed.

While pent-up travel demand since the end of the pandemic has also contributed, the Japanese currency's recent plunge to a 38-year low to the U.S. dollar has been a key factor, as it boosts the spending power of American tourists.

Since the end of the pandemic, demand has been booming across the Asia-Pacific, drawing in travelers from China, as well as long-haul visitors from North America with more Americans opting to travel internationally.

"The weakened yen compared to the U.S. dollar makes the entire travel experience more affordable for American tourists," said Tim Hentschel, CEO of travel bookings platform HotelPlanner.

Foreign investments in the Japanese hotel industry have also seen a sharp spike.

Cross-border investments in the industry came in at $1.38 billion in the first half of this year, up 19.2% from the same period of 2023, and 176.3% compared to the first half of 2019, according to MSCI data.

Several U.S.-based hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Choice have been expanding their footprint in Japan by partnering with local real estate and hospitality companies.

"When someone who doesn't know much about Japan visits the country for the first time, they might be more inclined to book with a familiar name," said Wanping Aw, a travel agent in Tokyo.

Short-term rentals giant Airbnb reported a 130% increase in nights booked by American guests in Japan in 2023 from a year earlier.

Airlines are also moving in tandem with this trend, adding more seats between the U.S. and Japan.

Carriers scheduled about 1.5 million seats between the two countries in June, July and August, a 9% increase from a year earlier, according to data in May from online travel agency Hopper.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines Group have increased scheduled seat capacity between the U.S. and Japan for the summer by 19%, 10% and 7%, respectively, Hopper data showed.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
More Americans Push For Wealth Tax Compared To Europe's Top Socialist Nations

A recent survey reveals that more Americans support a wealth tax than citizens in some of Europe's most progressive nations. The survey, conducted by Ipsos and commissioned by Earth4All and the Global Commons Alliance, polled adults in most of the world's largest economies, uncovering a strong global desire for tax reforms aimed at the wealthy.

Approximately two-thirds (68%) of people across 17 G20 countries support implementing a wealth tax on the wealthy to fund significant economic and lifestyle changes. Only 11% are opposed. Additionally, 70% favor higher income tax rates on wealthy individuals, while 69% support higher tax rates on large businesses.

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Indonesia (86%), Turkey (78%), the UK (77%), and India (74%) have the strongest support for a wealth tax. Support is lowest in Saudi Arabia and Argentina, with 54% in favor in both countries.

In the United States, support for this idea is surprisingly high  67% support a wealth tax on the wealthy, matching the levels in France and Germany (67% and 68%, respectively).

Interestingly, nations often labeled as "socialist" for their comprehensive welfare systems  such as Denmark and Sweden  showed lower support for a wealth tax. Only 55% of Danish and 58% of Swedish respondents favored this tax, suggesting that Americans are currently more supportive of this tax reform.

Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you.

Climate Change Concerns

The survey also highlights global concerns about climate change. A significant majority (71%) of citizens in the 18 G20 countries believe the world needs to take immediate action within the next decade to reduce carbon emissions.

This urgency is felt most strongly in Mexico (91%), South Africa (83%), and Brazil (81%). The lowest, yet still significant, concern is in Saudi Arabia (52%), Japan (53%), the United States (62%), and Italy (62%).

Economic Priorities and Trust in Government

68% of those surveyed across 17 G20 countries think their country's economy should prioritize the health and well-being of people and nature instead of focusing on profit and increasing wealth.

At the same time, 62% believe a countrys economic success should be measured by the health and well-being of its citizens, not just by how fast the economy is growing.

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Trust in government is low. Only 39% of people believe their government can be trusted to make decisions that benefit the majority, and only 37% trust their government to make long-term decisions that will help people 20 or 30 years from now.

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 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Kuwait Clearing Company (KCC) to develop the banking services provided by the bank in cooperation with the company.

The MoU was signed by Mohammed Al Kharafi, COO, Head of Group Operations and Information Technology at National Bank of Kuwait, and Duaij Al-Saleh, CEO of Kuwait Clearing Company, at NBK Headquarters in the presence of executives from both parties.

It aims to enhance cooperation in developing electronic services, in a way that helps speed up operations and minimise associated risks, in addition to automating the services provided each party to the other.

This cooperation between NBK and KCC will improve the services provided to the public

NBK and KCC will hold periodic meetings to discuss business development opportunities through the exchange of technical expertise regarding the services provided between the two parties, and joint work to develop systems and prepare for related periodic tests, in a way that complies with regulatory requirements.

Under the MoU, NBK and KCC will discuss automating daily reports to minimise manual entry risks and save time and effort, in addition to mutual coordination in training and familiarising employees with the latest practical and technical developments, thus ensuring having highly up-to-date information.

Mohammed Al Kharafi, COO, Head of Group Operations and Information Technology at National Bank of Kuwait, stated: Through this MoU, we seek to foster fruitful cooperation with KCC, with a focus on training, automation of daily operations, and working together to develop the related daily routine steps, in a way that streamlines operations and speeds up execution.

At NBK, we are proud of our relationship with KCC, and the signing of this MoU aims to enhance banking services provided in cooperation with the company. One of the key services provided by the bank in this regard is e-Dividends allowing NBK shareholders to receive the dividend payments electronically, without the hassle to visit KCC Headquarters to receive checks, thus saving their time and effort.

"National Bank of Kuwait signs MoU with Kuwait Clearing Company" 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Nvidia Corp. Vice President Simona Jankowski is becoming chief financial officer at Lightmatter Inc., joining a chip startup thats angling to become part of the artificial intelligence computing boom.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Jankowski is taking the role after a nearly seven-year stint at Nvidia, where she oversaw investor relations and strategic finance. Prior to that, she was a longtime chip analyst at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The executive announced last month that she was leaving Nvidia.

Jankowski said that she hadnt been looking to depart Nvidia, one of the worlds most valuable companies, until Lightmatter came along. The Mountain View, California-based startup is attempting to shake up the computing world by letting chips communicate with light, potentially making them faster and more efficient.

Its just about the only opportunity that I would have left Nvidia for, she said in an interview.

Lightmatter is trying to broaden the use of a technology called silicon photonics, which replaces traditional copper wire connections with optical linkages. The approach has long been seen as promising, but it hasnt gone mainstream yet because of the difficulty of manufacturing the components at scale.

According to co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Nick Harris, Lightmatter has incredible market traction and its products will soon make an appearance in some of the worlds largest data centers. The company works with other chipmakers, offering parts that link their products. He declined to identify the users of its technology.

Lightmatter is well-funded, having raised roughly half a billion dollars from investors such as GV, the firm formerly known as Google Ventures, Harris said in an interview. Its close to having enough money coming in to be self-sustaining but will take advantage of available capital to prioritize growth, he said.

The company, founded in 2017, is on course to be much bigger than Mellanox Technologies, a computer networking company that Nvidia bought in 2020 for roughly $7 billion, he argued. Lightmatter raised $155 million last year at a $1.2 billion valuation.

Harris said the company enlisted Jankowski because of her mixture of technical knowledge and financial and planning skills.

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Like Jankowskis most recent employer, Lightmatter believes that the use of artificial intelligence software is sparking a wholesale change in the computing industry. The massive size of new processors needed to develop AI software  along with the amount of data and energy required  mean greater efficiency is a necessity.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Chinese chip firm Beijing Zuojiang Technology, which once touted its potential to rival Nvidia Corp, will be delisted from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange after being investigated for financial fraud, marking another cautionary tale in the country's semiconductor industry.

In a regulatory filing on Friday, Zuojiang Technology said that its shares will cease trading in the Shenzhen bourse on July 26. This comes after the company was not able to present a clean audit report for its 2023 financial results, which prompted the Shenzhen Stock Exchange to move for its delisting.

Earlier this year, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said it found the 2023 financial disclosures of Zuojiang Technology to be "seriously untrue" and "suspected [the company] of significant financial fraud".

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.

The delisting notice sent shock waves across the Chinese investor community, which had pushed Zuojiang Technology's stock to a high of 300 yuan (US$41.26) a year ago when the company was touted as a key player in China's semiconductor self-sufficiency efforts. The stock closed at 6.94 yuan on April 26 before its trading was suspended.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission's headquarters in Beijing. Photo: SCMP alt=The China Securities Regulatory Commission's headquarters in Beijing. Photo: SCMP>

Earlier in June, the Shanghai Stock Exchange barred S2C, a local chip maker, from listing its shares in the next five years after it was found to have inflated its 2020 financial results. The CSRC in February slapped the firm with a 16.5 million yuan for overstating its revenue and profits in its listing prospectus.

Founded in 2007, Zuojiang Technology started as a designer, manufacturer and vendor of hardware used in cybersecurity applications.

After going public in September 2019, the firm shifted its focus on the development of data processing units (DPUs) in late 2022 when an artificial intelligence (AI) frenzy swept China following the debut of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

DPU is a programmable chip that tightly combine a central processing unit with network interface hardware, which became an in-demand component just like graphics processing units for computing infrastructure used for AI projects. Zuojiang Technology touted that its China-developed NE6000 DPU matched up with the performance of Nvidia's own Bluefield-2 DPU.

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Zuojiang Technology, however, reported last December that its DPU sales last year failed to meet expectations, according to its stock exchange filing at the time. The company said that it only signed one contract for DPUs that covered 400 units of its NE6000, which were delivered to a trading company. Those goods were later classified as "not in actual development or sales" because the client enterprise that bought the chips did not use most of them.

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.
Viewing insider transactions for Bluejay Mining plc's (LON:JAY ) over the last year, we see that insiders were net buyers. This means that a larger number of shares were purchased by insiders in relation to shares sold.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for Bluejay Mining

Bluejay Mining Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Non-Executive Director Roderick McIllree for UK53k worth of shares, at about UK0.0053 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than UK0.003 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when an insider has purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. Roderick McIllree was the only individual insider to buy during the last year.

The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying.

Does Bluejay Mining Boast High Insider Ownership?

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our data indicates that Bluejay Mining insiders own about UK353k worth of shares (which is 7.8% of the company). Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing!

So What Does This Data Suggest About Bluejay Mining Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Bluejay Mining shares in the last quarter. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. We'd like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we don't see anything to make us think Bluejay Mining insiders are doubting the company. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Case in point: We've spotted 4 warning signs for Bluejay Mining you should be aware of, and 2 of these can't be ignored.

Of course Bluejay Mining may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
A visitor takes a selfie with actresses dressed in ethnic costumes in the China Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)



A promotion event of Chinese tea culture was held Sunday in the Jordanian capital with fascinating music and dance performances and ethnic costumes on display featuring the distinctiveness of southern China's Yunnan Province.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said the Chinese history of making and drinking tea dates back almost 5,000 years, and the spread of tea worldwide has fostered exchanges and fusion between civilizations, including those of the Arab world.

Yang Cheng, deputy director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, proudly introduced six tea processing techniques and associated social practices of his province, including the traditional Pu'er tea processing techniques and the three-course tea tradition of the Bai ethnic minority.

He noted the six techniques were part of the "traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China" enlisted in 2022 as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, expressing hope that the event will help deepen the understanding of Yunnan's ethnic cultures among the Jordanian people and promote cultural exchanges and collaboration between Jordan and Yunnan, China.

The event, which was held in the China Cultural Center in Amman and runs until July 2, saw its opening attracting more than 300 participants from China, Jordan, and other countries.
As global markets navigate through varying economic signals, China's stock market has shown some weakness amidst a slowing economy and concerns about industrial profitability. In this context, focusing on growth companies with high insider ownership on the Shanghai Exchange could offer investors a unique perspective on commitment and confidence from those closest to the operations of these firms.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In China

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Zhejiang Jolly PharmaceuticalLTD (SZSE:300181) 24% 22.3% KEBODA TECHNOLOGY (SHSE:603786) 12.8% 25.1% Suzhou Shijing Environmental TechnologyLtd (SZSE:301030) 22% 54.9% Sineng ElectricLtd (SZSE:300827) 36.5% 39.8% Cubic Sensor and InstrumentLtd (SHSE:688665) 10.1% 34.3% Arctech Solar Holding (SHSE:688408) 38.6% 25.8% Anhui Huaheng Biotechnology (SHSE:688639) 31.5% 28.4% Ningbo Deye Technology Group (SHSE:605117) 23.4% 28.5% Eoptolink Technology (SZSE:300502) 26.7% 39.1% UTour Group (SZSE:002707) 24% 33.1%

Click here to see the full list of 365 stocks from our Fast Growing Chinese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Orbbec Inc. specializes in designing, manufacturing, and selling 3D vision sensors, with a market capitalization of approximately CN10.68 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from the design, manufacture, and sale of 3D vision sensors.

Insider Ownership: 36.4%

Orbbec, a Chinese growth company with significant insider ownership, is expected to turn profitable within the next three years, outpacing average market growth. Despite a forecast of low return on equity at 1.9%, its revenue growth is robust at 37.6% annually, significantly higher than the market's 13.7%. Recent strategic product integrations with NVIDIA and partnerships aimed at enhancing e-commerce efficiencies underscore Orbbec's innovative edge and commitment to maintaining high-performance standards in technology deployment.

SHSE:688322 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Shenzhen INVT Electric Co., Ltd specializes in industrial automation, and energy and power businesses globally, with a market capitalization of approximately CN4.83 billion.

Operations: The company operates primarily in the sectors of industrial automation, as well as energy and power on a global scale.

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Insider Ownership: 16%

Shenzhen INVT Electric Co., Ltd, a growth-focused firm in China with considerable insider ownership, is poised for robust earnings growth of 24.84% annually. Despite a low forecasted return on equity of 16.6%, its revenue is expected to increase by 21% per year, outstripping the Chinese market average of 13.7%. Recent initiatives include a share buyback program aimed at enhancing long-term incentives and aligning employee interests with shareholder value, funded entirely from internal resources.

SZSE:002334 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Shenzhen H&T Intelligent Control Co. Ltd specializes in researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing intelligent controller products both domestically and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately CN9.98 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue by researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing intelligent controller products across domestic and international markets.

Insider Ownership: 16.2%

Shenzhen H&T Intelligent Control Co. Ltd, a key growth company in China with high insider ownership, is forecasted to experience robust earnings growth of 36.6% annually, significantly outpacing the Chinese market average of 22.3%. However, its return on equity is expected to remain low at 13.1% in three years. The firm's revenue growth projection stands at 21.4% per year, also above the market trend of 13.7%. Recent activities include share repurchases totaling CNY 70 million and a dividend increase to CNY 1.50710800 per ten shares for fiscal year 2023, reflecting confidence in sustained profitability despite current profit margins being lower than last year at only 4.4%.

SZSE:002402 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Seize The Opportunity

Reveal the 365 hidden gems among our Fast Growing Chinese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener with a single click here.

Are you invested in these stocks already? Keep abreast of every twist and turn by setting up a portfolio with Simply Wall St, where we make it simple for investors like you to stay informed and proactive.

Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets.

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.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 SHSE:688322 SZSE:002334 and SZSE:002402.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
In 2022, the S&P 500 declined by over 19%, marking its worst year since 2008 during the Great Recession. Luckily, the index has bounced back since then, finishing 2023 up over 24% and now up over 15% through the first half of this year.

On June 18, the S&P 500 hit a new all-time high, topping over 5,487. This is great news for investors in the stock market's most popular and important index, but the huge gains have some investors concerned about a correction heading its way.

Whether the S&P 500 sees a decline in the back half of the year remains to be seen, but investors should keep a few things in mind.

A handful of companies leading the charge

Despite containing around 500 of the U.S.'s largest companies, the S&P 500's gains so far this year can be credited to a handful of big tech stocks leading the way. Let's look at the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO), which mirrors the S&P 500. Here are the exchange-traded fund's top six holdings (as of May 31):

Microsoft : 6.95% of the ETF

Apple : 6.29%

Nvidia : 6.10%

Alphabet : 4.22%

Amazon : 3.63%

Meta Platforms: 2.31%

Together, these five companies make up just under 30% of the ETF, so their gains (or losses) can have a real effect on the S&P 500's performance. It's worked out in the index's favor, too.

VOO Chart

Aside from Apple, which has lagged behind other big tech companies in stock gains, the S&P 500's top companies have all seen impressive gains this year. This is especially true for Nvidia, arguably the hottest name on the stock market for the past year or so.

If the S&P 500 wants to continue its run, much will depend on the performance of its top six holdings. The good news: Those companies each have growth opportunities that could fuel their runs further to finish out the year. The could-be-better news: A company like Nvidia may experience a pullback as investors worry about it approaching bubble territory.

History may be on investors' side

The most important thing to keep in mind is that nobody can predict how the stock market will move in the near term. Not me, you, Warren Buffett, Wall Street executives, nobody. If it were possible, there would be tons more investors raking in cash in abundance. Unfortunately, that's just not the case.

That said, there's nothing wrong with looking at history to gain insight and get a sense of trends. Below are the S&P 500's gains through the first six months of the year and how much it finished up or down at the end of the year:

Year Returns Through First Six Months End of the Year Returns 2023 15.91% 24.23% 2022 (20.58%) (19.44%) 2021 14.41% 26.89% 2020 (4.04%) 16.26% 2019 17.35% 28.88% 2018 1.67% (6.24%) 2017 8.24% 19.42% 2016 2.69% 9.54% 2015 0.20% (0.73%) 2014 7.14% 11.39%

Data source: YCharts. Table by author.

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In eight of the past 10 years, the S&P 500 has finished with better returns than it had through the first six months of the year. That's an encouraging sign of what we may be headed for to end the year, but it's far from a given.

The focus should be on consistency over timing

It's easy to look at the stock market and want to plan your investing accordingly. Whether it's holding off on investing because you anticipate a slump or rushing to put money into the market because you anticipate a surge, many people fall victim to trying to time the market.

Timing the market correctly is virtually impossible to do consistently over time, so the focus should be on consistency. One of the easiest ways to remain consistent is by dollar-cost averaging.

When you dollar-cost average, you decide on an amount you can invest and then put yourself on an investing schedule. For example, you may decide you can invest $400 monthly. From there, you can decide to divide those investments into four $100 weekly investments, two $200 bi-weekly investments, or whatever amount and frequency works best for your financial situation.

You'll make some investments when the market is up and some when it's down. The most important part is to remain consistent and trust that it'll work out over time.

Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF right now?

Before you buy stock in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $757,001!*

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 24, 2024

Stefon Walters has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The S&P 500 Hit an All-Time High in the First Half of 2024 -- Should Investors Expect a Decline to Finish the Year? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Paxos to issue a stablecoin that is substantively compliant with MAS' upcoming stablecoin framework

DBS selected as primary banking partner for cash management and custody of stablecoin reserves

SINGAPORE, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Paxos, the leading regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform, received full approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its Singapore entity, Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd. to offer digital payment token services as a Major Payments Institution. The approval enables Paxos to issue stablecoins in line with MAS' upcoming stablecoin framework.

Paxos logo (PRNewsfoto/Paxos)

With the approval, Singapore becomes the third market, alongside the US and United Arab Emirates, that Paxos and its related entities are authorized to issue stablecoins, showcasing a commitment to expanding access to regulated, secure stablecoins worldwide. This also highlights how stablecoin issuance and operation under prudential regulatory oversight is possible when a company is committed to protecting consumers.

Walter Hessert, Head of Strategy at Paxos, said: "Stablecoins issued in accordance with standards set by a regulator like MAS - known for its rigorous regulatory standards - represent a significant step towards democratizing access to commerce and financial services. Receiving approval from MAS is an important step for Paxos and our global enterprise partners to safely offer access to US dollars to more users around the world."

One important aspect that provides users confidence in a stablecoin is having a trusted institutional-grade partner. In this regard, Paxos is pleased to announce that it has selected DBS Bank as its primary banking partner for cash management and the custody of stablecoin reserves. DBS is Southeast Asia's largest bank by assets, named the Safest Bank in Asia for 15 consecutive years by Global Finance, and has been recognized as a leader in banking innovation. DBS is an ideal partner for Paxos as the company builds and launches cutting-edge, secure and regulated financial solutions.

Evy Theunis, Head of Digital Assets, Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank, said: "We are pleased to support Paxos' new chapter in Singapore. We firmly believe that trust and security are key to wider stablecoin adoption. Having examined all relevant aspects that come with managing reserve assets, stablecoin issuers will find that our solutions will help them meet the robust standards regulators and customers expect from them. This partnership further expands DBS' wide-ranging involvement across the digital asset ecosystem, of which we have been a pioneer and innovator for several years now."

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Receiving full approval from MAS reinforces Paxos's commitment to comply within regulated frameworks as it expands products and services to global markets. This milestone showcases how Paxos is the most comprehensively regulated blockchain platform in the world, meeting the highest operating standards in New York, United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

To learn more about Paxos, its regulated infrastructure or its products, visit www.paxos.com.

About Paxos

Paxos is the leading regulated blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platform. Its products are the foundation for a new, open financial system that can operate faster and more efficiently. Today, trillions of dollars are locked in inefficient, outdated financial plumbing that is inaccessible to millions of people. Paxos is replatforming the financial system to enable assets to instantaneously move anywhere in the world, at any time, in a trustworthy way.

Paxos partners with leading global enterprises to tokenize, custody and trade assets. Its blockchain solutions are used by leaders like PayPal, Interactive Brokers, Mastercard, Mercado Libre and Nubank. It is the issuer of numerous regulated digital assets including PayPal USD (PYUSD), Pax Dollar (USDP) and Pax Gold (PAXG). Its affiliate company Paxos International issues the yield-bearing regulated stablecoin Lift Dollar (USDL). Prudentially regulated by the NYDFS in the US, the MAS in Singapore and FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market, Paxos is a top-funded fintech company with more than $540 million raised from leading investors including Oak HC/FT, Declaration Partners, Founders Fund, Mithril Capital and PayPal Ventures.

Contact: press@paxos.com

About DBS



DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named " World's Best Bank " by Global Finance, " World's Best Bank " by Euromoney and " Global Bank of the Year " by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named " World's Best Digital Bank " by Euromoney and the world's " Most Innovative in Digital Banking " by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the " Safest Bank in Asia " award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region's most dynamic markets.

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com .

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paxos-secures-full-approval-to-offer-digital-payment-token-services-from-monetary-authority-of-singapore-dbs-to-be-primary-banking-partner-302187185.html

SOURCE Paxos
A few weeks ago, the internet had a field day after the Chipotle CEO suggested that to get bigger portion sizes, all you need to do is give the employee the look. 

His response came after customers online complained that Chipotle has gotten cheap with portion sizes and quality. "First, I can tell you the portions have not gotten smaller," he said in the video. Fortune / Via tiktok.com

This week, another food executive is going viral, but for more positive reasons. Meet Don Vultaggio, the chairperson and cofounder of Arizona Iced Tea:

According to Today, Don, who came from a working-class family in Brooklyn, founded the now multibillion-dollar company Arizona Iced Tea in 1992 after seeing the success of Snapple. The name "Arizona" didn't come from the state but from his house, which he said "looked like it belonged in Arizona." His wife, artist Ilene Kutner Vultaggio, designed the cans  those recognizable pink cherry blossoms and yellow, pink, and green logos  which are still the same today. TODAY Show / Via today.com

In an interview with the Today Show, Don explained why he hasn't raised the price on his 99-cent cans (which have been the same price since 1992) for more profit:

"We're successful. We're debt-free. We own everything. Why? Why have people who are having a hard time paying their rent pay more for our drink?"

TODAY Show / Via today.com

"Maybe it's my little way to give back," he added.

Note, this man is still reportedly worth $6.5 billion. TODAY Show / Via today.com

Since the interview made the rounds on TikTok and Twitter, hundreds of people have praised Don's surprisingly anti-greed perspective. On Twitter, one user wrote, "this is how ceos should act instead of being so greedy and money hungry."

this is how ceos should act instead of being so greedy and money hungry  role | fan account (@dvahive) June 29, 2024

Twitter: @dvahive

In another viral tweet that received 7.1 million views, user @ZwiezenZ wrote, "Imagine not chasing endless growth and squeezing your staff and customers endlessly until it all crumbles. What a fucking concept?!"

Imagine running a business that is successful and healthy and just....being happy with that. Imagine not chasing endless growth and squeezing your staff and customers endlessly until it all crumbles.What a fucking concept?! https://t.co/TsWItKL6x2  Zack Zwiezen (@ZwiezenZ) June 29, 2024

Twitter: @ZwiezenZ

On TikTok, commenters said they would start buying or switching to Arizona, even if they didn't already buy it.

People were...ridiculously supportive.

Cheap product, no price gauging, anti-corporate greed = happy customers. What a concept, indeed! @todayshow / Via tiktok.com

Others compared Don's strategy to that of Costco cofounder Jim Sinegal, who once reportedly told CEO Craig Jelinek, "If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out," after Jelinek requested a price raise on the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, which has been the same price since 1985.

Costco has also not changed the price of two more items in over a decade  the infamous rotisserie chicken ($4.99 since 2009) and its 12-slice pizza ($9.95 since 1989). The items are considered part of Costco's "loss leader" strategy, which basically bets on these consistently (and now famously) cheap items to bring customers into the store to buy more items. cnn.com Images: CNN/Today/Arizona / | Text: @erewhonsmoothie/@popcrave / Via x.com

Don, who said he has "never texted or emailed anybody" (or ever opened up a laptop or computer, according to his son), told Today he's a little old-school when it comes to strategy. He said, "I'm focused on things like if my wife, my mother, my sister worked here, what would I want them to have? Maybe that's an old-fashioned Brooklyn thing, but to me, that's what makes business work."

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THE DON pic.twitter.com/TigJKF8487  AriZona Iced Tea (@DrinkAriZona) July 1, 2024

Twitter: @DrinkAriZona

I mean, it's working!

So, while Don noted he can't promise the can's price will never change, he said, "Not in the foreseeable future. We're gonna fight as hard as we can for consumers because consumers are my friend."

TODAY Show / Via today.com

Thanks, Don!

And for that I say thank you.  EriTron_Jo (@erion_jordan) June 29, 2024

Twitter: @erion_jordan
Japan's stock markets have shown resilience, with the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices experiencing notable gains this week, buoyed by a historic weakening of the yen which has favored export-heavy industries. In such an environment, growth companies with high insider ownership like PeptiDream can be particularly compelling, as they often combine deep market knowledge with a vested interest in driving long-term value.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Japan

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth SHIFT (TSE:3697) 35.4% 26.8% Kanamic NetworkLTD (TSE:3939) 25% 28.9% Hottolink (TSE:3680) 27% 57.4% Medley (TSE:4480) 34% 28.7% Micronics Japan (TSE:6871) 15.3% 39.8% Kasumigaseki CapitalLtd (TSE:3498) 34.8% 44.6% ExaWizards (TSE:4259) 24.8% 91.1% AeroEdge (TSE:7409) 10.7% 28.5% Soracom (TSE:147A) 17.2% 54.1% freee K.K (TSE:4478) 24% 72.9%

Click here to see the full list of 99 stocks from our Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: PeptiDream Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of constrained peptides, small molecules, and peptide-drug conjugate therapeutics, with a market capitalization of approximately 322.85 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from the development of therapeutic peptides and small molecule drugs.

Insider Ownership: 26.1%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 22.3% p.a.

PeptiDream, a Japanese biotech firm, shows promise with its high insider ownership and growth trajectory. Recent strategic expansions with Novartis and innovative clinical studies, like the first-in-human imaging study for ccRCC diagnosis using 64Cu-PD-32766, underscore its potential in precision medicine. Financially, PeptiDream has revised its earnings guidance upwards significantly for 2024, reflecting robust operational performance and optimistic revenue prospects from ongoing collaborations. However, the company's profit margins have decreased compared to the previous year.

TSE:4587 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Rakuten Group, Inc. operates in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications sectors serving a diverse customer base both in Japan and globally, with a market capitalization of approximately 1.78 trillion.

Operations: The company generates revenue through its operations in online retail, financial services, digital media, and telecommunications.

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Insider Ownership: 17.3%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 83.9% p.a.

Rakuten Group is poised for notable growth with its revenue expected to increase by 7.4% annually, outpacing the Japanese market's 4.1%. Although currently trading at 77.9% below its estimated fair value, Rakuten anticipates profitability within three years alongside a significant earnings growth forecast of 83.88% per year. However, its projected Return on Equity of 9.1% remains modest. Recent corporate actions include a $1.99 billion fixed-income offering and optimistic guidance for substantial growth in its non-securities business for FY2024.

TSE:4755 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Lasertec Corporation specializes in designing, manufacturing, and selling inspection and measurement equipment both in Japan and globally, with a market capitalization of approximately 3.25 trillion.

Operations: The company's revenue is derived from the design, manufacture, and sale of inspection and measurement equipment across domestic and international markets.

Insider Ownership: 12.1%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 20.2% p.a.

Lasertec, a growth-oriented Japanese company with high insider ownership, has demonstrated robust financial performance with sales reaching JPY 157.20 billion in the first three quarters of FY2024, nearly doubling the previous year's total for the ACTIS Series. The firm is expected to maintain a revenue growth rate of 16.4% annually, outstripping the broader Japanese market. Recent executive reshuffles aim to bolster this momentum, though its share price has shown significant volatility recently.

TSE:6920 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Summing It All Up

Access the full spectrum of 99 Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership by clicking on this link.

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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.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 TSE:4587 TSE:4755TSE:6920 and

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Peru ranks as the world's second-largest copper producer, after Chile.

Following three years of significant growth, Peru's copper production is projected to remain flat in 2024, showing a forecasted growth rate of only 0.6% compared to 2023.

This will primarily be due to disruptions to mining operations caused by blockades and unfavourable weather conditions.

For instance, Chinas MMG is currently developing a Chalcobamba pit at its Las Bambas mine in Peru.

However, the site was blocked by local indigenous communities who objected to the expansion.

The blockade was lifted on 11 April 2024.

In addition, the Las Bambas mine produced 56 kilotonnes of copper in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, down by 4% over the same period in 2023.

Production was impacted by lower ore milled grade, as well as adverse weather conditions.

However, this will be completely offset by the commencement of Aluminum Corporation of Chinas Toromocho Expansion project this year.

The project has an annual output of 75 kilotonnes of copper and a mine life of 24 years.

In addition, an expected increase in production from the Toquepala, Cuajone, Quellaveco, and Antamina mines will further contribute to the growth.

During Q1 2024, combined production from these mines increased to 280 kilotonnes from 238.2 kilotonnes during the same period in 2023.

Overall, Peruvian copper mine production increased by 3.6% year-over-year in Q1 2024.

Looking ahead, in the short-term, Peruvian copper mine production is predicted to expand modestly until 2027, then rise sharply from 2028.

This forecasted sharp increase in production is due to the start of several projects, including the Canariaco Norte, Chalcobamba, Trapiche, and Antilla projects in 2028.

In addition, the ramp-up of projects such as Toromocho Expansion, Tia Maria,

and Zafranal will also contribute to this growth.

Perus copper mine production is expected to grow at a forecast-period compound annual growth rate of 2.8% to reach 3,262.8 kilotonnes in 2030.

"Peruvian copper production to be flat in 2024, due to blockades and unfavourable weather conditions" 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.
The Boeing Co. has reached accord to repurchase Spirit AeroSystems in a stock deal valued at more that $4 billion, a major news organization is reporting.

The Reuters news agency reported that the boards of the two companies met and agreed to the deal on Sunday, and it could be announced as early as Monday.

The acquisition is reportedly a stock-for-stock transaction. Based on Spirits current price of $37.25 per share, Reuters calculated the deals total value at $4.34 billion.

It has been known for months that Boeing intends to buy back Spirit and with it, the Wichita aircraft plant Boeing sold off 19 years ago.

Although it became a separate company after the 2005 sale, Spirit remained a primary supplier of Boeing fuselages, which are assembled into completed aircraft at Boeing plants in the Seattle area.

Boeing is under pressure to take back and improve its quality control after a series of errors cost lives and twice grounded 737 Max jets, a staple product in the Boeing lineup.

The Max was grounded for months in 2019 and 2020 after two overseas airlines suffered a control malfunction which crashed two airliners and killed 346 people.

The planes were grounded again early this year after a door plug that was incorrectly installed in a Spirit-manufactured fuselage blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. The plug was used to fill the hole where an optional emergency door is installed in some configurations of the plane.

No one was killed in that incident, but it triggered intense review by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA reported in March that the agency found multiple instances where the companies (Boeing and Spirit) allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

The FAA said it has identified non-compliance issues in Boeings manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control.

The reported sale of Spirit back to Boeing would bring Wichita full-circle.

In 2005, the community was devastated when Boeing, the No. 1 employer in a city that bills itself the Air Capital of The World, sold its mammoth plant to the investment firm that formed Spirit.

The sale involved abrogation of labor contracts and massive layoffs. Especially hard-hit were older, more experienced and higher-paid employees who had thought themselves secure, because of Boeings long track record in Wichita and reputation for taking care of its people.

Spirit took over as the citys No. 1 employer, and recently was reported to have about 12,000 employees.

The Machinists Union that represents Spirits Wichita line workers reported about a week ago that approximately 310 workers have been laid off due to slowdowns in Boeing production caused by the quality-control controversy.
In this article:

Sanofi Nears Decision on $1.6B Upgrade For Frankfurt Insulin Plant

French drugmaker Sanofi is poised to commit between 1.3 billion euros and 1.5 billion euros ($1.4 billion  $1.6 billion) to enhancing its insulin production site in Frankfurt, Germany.

The site in Frankfurts Hoechst district is known for producing the companys insulin brand, Lantus.

Also Read: Hawaii Court Rules Against Bristol Myers, Sanofi In Blood Clot Drug Case, Increases Liability To $916M.

This move comes after initial plans to shift Lantus production to France were reconsidered.

The decision to invest in the Frankfurt site represents a significant victory for Germanys healthcare sector.

Germanys ruling coalition has been actively working to attract healthcare investments. In February, Daiichi Sankyo announced plans to spend around 1 billion euros to advance its precision cancer drug work near Munich.

Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) also committed 2.3 billion euros last November to produce obesity and diabetes medications in Germany.

Sanofis investment is expected to bolster its production capabilities and reinforce its commitment to maintaining a strong manufacturing presence in Germany.

Reuters noted that the upgrade will likely enhance Lantuss supply chain stability and support Sanofis long-term strategic goals.

In May, Sanofi announced an investment of more than 1 billion to create new bioproduction capacity at its French sites in Vitry-sur-Seine (Val de Marne), Le Trait (Seine-Maritime), and Lyon Gerland (Rhone).

Read Next:

Price Action: At the last check on Monday, SNY shares were up 1.96% at $49.47.

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This article Sanofi Nears Decision on $1.6B Upgrade For Frankfurt Insulin Plant originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
SEC Sues Ethereum Developer Consensys Over Alleged Unregistered Broker Activities

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against Ethereum software firm Consensys. The SEC's filing claims that since January 2023, Consensys has engaged in the unregistered offer and sale of securities via its crypto asset staking programs and acted as an unregistered broker through its MetaMask Staking service, allegedly collecting over $250 million in fees.

In April, Consensys preemptively sued the SEC after receiving notice of the agency's intention to sue over MetaMasks staking programs. The firm claimed that the SEC had secretly considered Ethereum to be a security for over a year and was quietly assembling a broader case against the crypto asset. Earlier this month, Consensys announced that it had been informed by the SEC that the regulator was closing its case against Ethereum, a development that was celebrated within the crypto industry.

In the SEC's lawsuit, the agency highlights Consensys's facilitation of ETH staking via third-party services like Lido and Rocket Pool through MetaMask. The SEC argues that these staking programs are offered and sold as investment contracts, and therefore, should be classified as securities.

This lawsuit emerges during a turbulent period for the SEC and crypto regulation. Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority struck down the "Chevron doctrine," a critical piece of American law that had allowed federal agencies, including the SEC, considerable latitude to interpret their regulatory powers. Consensys appeared to reference this Supreme Court decision, forcefully asserting that the SEC lacks the authority to regulate crypto products like MetaMask.
Regional theme park giants Six Flags and Cedar Fair successfully completed their merger on Monday to become the largest amusement park operator in North America, according to a press release.

"We believe that by combining the best ideas and most successful entertainment practices of both Six Flags and Cedar Fair, the new Six Flags can deliver a superior level of joy and excitement that has yet to be experienced by regional park guests, Selim Bassoul, executive chairman of the newly combined company's board of directors, said in the release. Bassoul served as president and CEO of legacy Six Flags.

The combined company's portfolio now comprises 42 theme parks, water parks, and resort properties across the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico.

Heres what longtime Six Flags and Cedar Fair guests should know.

Will Cedar Fair be changing its name?

Yes. The newly merged company is operating as Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

Will Cedar Point be renamed?

Not for the foreseeable future.

"Each park in the combined companys portfolio will retain their legacy branding with no changes to park names currently being planned or contemplated," Six Flags said in Monday's press release.

What does the Six Flags, Cedar Fair merger mean for guests?

The company is worth an estimated $8 billion after merging.

Our enhanced financial flexibility will enable us to invest in new rides, attractions, food and beverage options, and state-of-the-art consumer technologies, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation, and that each park visit is more exciting and memorable than the last, then Cedar Fair President and CEO Richard Zimmerman said in a June 26 press release. Zimmerman is now president and CEO of the combined company.

Just last week, Six Flags announced its largest Fright Fest investment yet.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation released this new map of its combined properties following the merger of legacy Six Flags and Cedar Fair.

What states have Six Flags?

Prior to the merger, there were 11 states with Six Flags parks and resort properties, in addition to parks in Montreal and Mexico City.

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Visitors ride the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California.

Where are the Cedar Fair locations?

Before the merger, there were nine states with Cedar Fair parks, along with a park in the Toronto area.

Cedar Fair also boasted 11 accommodation offerings around the U.S., ranging from RV sites to hotels.

Contributing: Kathleen Wong, Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Six Flags, Cedar Fair become 'largest amusement park operator'
A combination of music, dance and drama of Wu Opera by a troupe from east China's Zhejiang Province amazed an enthusiastic audience in the Spanish capital Madrid over the weekend.

Some 2,000 people attended two packed Wu Opera performances by China's Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Center on Friday and Saturday. A lot of the audience praised the versatility, drama, agility, colors, and poetry of this local operatic genre, which has a history of more than 500 years.

"I found it very interesting. The combination of music is so unfamiliar to us: the acrobatics, the gestures, and the movements. I thought it was very colorful, very unique," Patricia Garcia, a music teacher, told Xinhua after watching the show on Saturday.

She said the audience was very passionate and involved from the beginning. "I think it is a very attractive and different show. It transported me to China," she added.

During the show lasting for more than an hour and a half, the audience was introduced to different performances like "9-Pieced Segmented Dragon," Suona Solo "Picking Dates," or satirical pieces such as "The Sedan Ride" and "Three Triumphs Over the Skeletal Demon."

Amaya Niz Azpiroz, a supervisor at Lufthansa Airlines, said she is very interested in Chinese culture and art, and this was her first time watching Wu Opera.

"I loved it because of the colorfulness, how simple it is to understand what is going on, the gestures and expressiveness," she said, adding that she expected to see more such shows.

Concepcion Gutierrez, a retired professional, pointed out that she was very impressed by the dragon. "The girl handing out the flowers with the ribbon (is) so delicate. Of course the agility of everyone, the colours," she said.

Among the audience, some people, like Rebeca Mato, came from far away. The Mexican has been a cellist for 33 years with the Mexico National Autonomous University Philharmonic Orchestra, and she is on holiday in Spain.

Noting that the musical registers of Wu Opera are very different from Western ones, Rebeca said they "produce different emotions" and "they have incredible coordination, they do a lot of acrobatics, they do dance ... They are very complete artists."

Wu Opera, also known as Jinhua Opera, is the second major regional operatic genre in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. It first grew in popularity in Jinhua and its surrounding areas and was named after Wuzhou, the name of Jinhua in ancient China.
snappi, a Greek neobank, has received a universal banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB), following the proposal of the Bank of Greece. The regulator's approval comes as the first milestone in snappi's plans to provide next-generation financial services.

The licencing process was facilitated by snappi's team, working in collaboration with regulatory authorities. With the full banking licence, snappi is authorised to conduct a comprehensive range of banking activities, including accepting deposits and offering loans.

Christos Megalou, Chairman of snappi's Board of Directors and CEO of Piraeus Bank, said: "I am very pleased that snappi has been granted a Eurozone-passportable banking licence. This is a significant step in the bank's development and marks a new era in snappi's journey to become part of the new banking landscape in Europe, starting from Ioannina, Greece. As a fully licenced institution, our goal is to serve our clients and society by offering innovative digital products."

snappi will focus on enhancing the setup of its banking operations and integration points to deliver a fresh customer digital experience

Gabriella Kindert, CEO at snappi, commented: "We know that banking is built on trust, and receiving the banking licence is an important milestone for us. Our aim is to evolve the client banking experience by providing customer-centric, innovative, and competitive financial products and solutions. We believe in fostering a more inclusive banking environment and strive to serve our clients and stakeholders with integrity and excellence"

Thanasis Navrozoglou, Vice Chairman of snappi's Board of Directors and President & CEO at Natech, added: "snappi is all about modern people, and this licence unlocks a future of banking experiences that will speak to their hearts. Now, we are focused on rolling out snappi's digital strategy, leveraging state-of-the-art offerings and cutting-edge technologies for everyone who wants something better. Kudos to the snappi team and everyone who have been passionately working to create this new digital bank from the ground up".

snappi's headquarters in Ioannina, strategically positioned outside the Greek capital. This choice is intended to support the local community, foster the development of an emerging regional technology ecosystem, and inspire innovation beyond traditional urban centres.

"snappi receives banking licence" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, 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.
The Supreme Court handed a temporary win to social media giants like Facebook (META), YouTube (GOOG, GOOGL), and TikTok as it sent a set of free speech cases back to the lower courts.

But the unanimous decision left unsettled the question of whether states can strip dominant social media companies of their power to unilaterally block users or remove posts that express certain viewpoints.

The set of cases before the high court challenged state laws in Florida and Texas limiting the capacity of such platforms to moderate posts.

Both laws were passed due to concerns following the Jan. 6, 2021, US Capitol attack that the platforms had restricted or removed posts expressing conservative viewpoints.

The US Capitol building in Washington. (REUTERS/Jim Bourg) (REUTERS / Reuters)

The Supreme Court decided Monday to send these Florida and Texas cases back to lower courts, explaining that the Eleventh Circuit and the Fifth Circuit failed to properly analyze "facial" challenges to state laws.

Such challenges attack an entire law as unconstitutional, as opposed to challenges that allege a law, or part of a law's application to a particular party, is unconstitutional.

"Todays ruling from the Supreme Court is a victory for First Amendment rights online," said Chris Marchese, director of the NetChoice Litigation Center.

NetChoice, a technology organization that advocates for Big Tech companies including Yahoo Finance, opposed both laws and was involved as a plaintiff in the Texas dispute and a defendant in the Florida case.

It argued that, like newspapers or other editorial decision-makers, social media companies are entitled to their own First Amendment right to decide which statements by third parties are permitted on their platforms.

The Florida law blocked companies from removing content posted by "journalistic enterprises," and from deplatforming qualified political candidates.

It also prohibited deprioritizing candidate-related posts and said platforms must notify and explain to users when they censor their speech. The law further required the platforms to apply their content moderation rules consistently to all users.

The Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Texas law said major social media platforms must not remove posts that express a "viewpoint." And like the Florida law, it said platforms must individually explain each decision to moderate a user's post.

An appellate court upheld the Florida law, and a separate appellate court blocked Texas's legislation.

Social media companies have long pushed back against regulation that interferes with their editorial control over content by invoking Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The act immunizes the platforms from liability for content contained in user posts.

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"The irony of both the Texas and Florida laws is that they invoke journalistic liberty to force social media platforms to host speech they dont like," Cliff Davidson, a partner at Snell & Wilmer, told Yahoo Finance before the high court's decision was rendered.

The laws, he said, could be difficult for social media companies to interpret and follow because their application to carry content from "journalistic enterprises" depends on the amount of content an enterprise creates or the number of its paid subscribers or users.

But "its unclear how a social media platform is supposed to determine what content these laws protect day to day" because the laws are silent on how those figures are determined, how long the minimums must be met, and whether the reported number of users must be verified.

The court also issued a decision in another case this term that challenged the editorial power of social media platforms.

The case  Murthy v. Missouri  questioned whether federal government officials and agencies infringed on First Amendment rights by encouraging social media platforms to remove their posts during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 presidential election.

The officials encouraged platforms to remove posts that the administration deemed misinformation and to combat false health-related information.

In a 6-3 ruling, the court held that the plaintiff states and social media users in the case lacked standing  the legal right to challenge the administration in federal court.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
By Cynthia Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's exports rose for a ninth consecutive month in June, albeit at a slower pace than expected, as robust demand for chips and cars bolstered the export recovery in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Overseas sales in June increased by 5.1% from a year earlier to $57.07 billion, while imports decreased by 7.5% over the same period to $49.07 billion, preliminary data from the Korea Customs Service showed.

Export growth missed analysts' forecasts of a 6.3% expansion from a year earlier, likely because of calendar effects that may not have been factored in by some analysts. June this year had 21.5 working days for shipments, fewer than 23 days in the same month last year.

Chip exports surged 52.2% from a year ago thank to price gains in memory chips, while car exports increased 3.8%.

Of South Korea's nine major exports destinations, sales to six of them increased in June. Exports to the U.S. and China jumped 16.8% and 5.4% year-on-year, respectively, data showed.

"Overseas shipments will continue to expand throughout the second half, as the global boom around AI will continue to support demand for South Korean chips especially when Apple Inc. launches new products," said Jeong Yong-taek, an economist at IBK Securities.

"The won is expected to stay weak on the back of strong dollar and support South Korea's exports."

(Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Jamie Freed)
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Sweden launched a groundbreaking new law on Monday that allows grandparents to step in and get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to three months of a childs first year.

The development comes after the Swedish parliament, the 349-seat Riksdag, approved last December the governments proposal on transfer of parental allowance. This comes 50 years after the Scandinavian country became the first in the world to introduce paid parental leave for fathers and not just mothers.

Under the law, parents can transfer some of their generous parental leave allowance to the child's grandparents. A parent couple can transfer a maximum of 45 days to others while a single parent can transfer 90 days, according to the Social Insurance Agency, a government agency that administers the social insurance system.

This Scandinavian country of 10 million, known for its taxpayer-funded social welfare system, has over generations built a society where citizens are taken care of from cradle to grave.

In Sweden, you are entitled to be fully off work when your child is born. Parental benefit is paid out for 480 days, or about 16 months, per child. Of those, the compensation for 390 days is calculated based on a person's full income, while for the remaining 90 days, people get a fixed amount of 180 kronor ($17) per day.

There are also other benefits for parents in Sweden  they can also work reduced hours until the child is 8 years old, while government employees can get those reduced hours until the child turns 12.

By contrast, the United States is one of only a handful of countries  and the only industrialized one  that does not have a national paid maternity leave policy. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible American workers with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave per year, but that time is unpaid.

We have no federal, national-level entitlement to paid parental leave at all, said Vicki Shabo, who researches and advocates for paid family and medical leave programs in the United States at Washington, D.C.-based think tank New America.

Paid family leave programs have been created in 13 states and Washington, D.C., although the parental leave offered in those places is generally about three months  just a fraction of Sweden's benefits. As of March of last year, only about a quarter of civilian workers in the U.S. got paid family leave, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Even in states that offer paid leave to bond with a new child, that time is not transferable to grandparents unless they are acting as the childs parent, said Jared Make, vice president at nonprofit advocacy organization A Better Balance.

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Families often extend beyond the nuclear family, Make said. Examples like Sweden show just how far behind the United States is. We have a lot of work to do to catch up with the rest of the industrialized world.

Alexandra Wallin of Sweden's Social Insurance Agency told Swedish broadcaster SVT the new law will "give greater opportunities."

Still, the rules for grandparents, she said, are the same as for ordinary parental allowance and require a person be insured for parental allowance, which most people in Sweden are.

There are conditions for parental allowance  a retiree can also take parental leave, for example, in which case the compensation is based on the persons pension. A person may not look for work or study during the time they receive parental allowance.

In the central town of Avesta, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of Stockholm, Ritva Karkkainen told SVT she is considering taking time off work to care for her grandchildren.

In 1974, Sweden replaced gender-specific maternity leave with parental leave for both parents. At the time, the so-called parental insurance enabled parents to take six months off work per child  with each parent entitled to half of the days.

However, after that move, only 0.5% of the paid parental leave was taken by fathers, according to the Social Insurance Agency. Today, fathers in Sweden take around 30% of the paid parental leave, the agency said.

___

Associated Press writers David Keyton in Berlin and Claire Savage in Chicago contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Amidst a backdrop of fluctuating global markets and economic uncertainties, Sweden's stock market presents opportunities for investors seeking steady income through dividends. In the current environment, where careful selection becomes paramount, dividend stocks stand out as a potentially prudent choice for those looking to generate regular returns.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Sweden

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Zinzino (OM:ZZ B) 4.48%  Betsson (OM:BETS B) 5.91%  Loomis (OM:LOOMIS) 4.53%  HEXPOL (OM:HPOL B) 3.39%  Axfood (OM:AXFO) 3.05%  Duni (OM:DUNI) 4.92%  Nordea Bank Abp (OM:NDA SE) 8.28%  Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (OM:SEB A) 5.43%  Avanza Bank Holding (OM:AZA) 4.47%  Bilia (OM:BILI A) 4.66% 

Click here to see the full list of 24 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Avanza Bank Holding AB operates primarily in Sweden, providing a comprehensive suite of financial products including savings accounts, pension solutions, and mortgages, with a market capitalization of approximately SEK 40.49 billion.

Operations: Avanza Bank Holding AB generates its revenue primarily through commercial operations, which amounted to SEK 3.84 billion.

Dividend Yield: 4.5%

Avanza Bank Holding has shown a robust financial performance with a notable increase in customer base and net inflows, reporting SEK 34.90 billion in 2024. Its dividend payout ratio stands at 88.6%, supported by earnings and a low cash payout ratio of 18.5%, suggesting sustainability from both profit and cash flow perspectives. However, its dividend track record over the past decade has been volatile, despite recent growth. The firm's P/E ratio at 19.9x remains attractive compared to the broader Swedish market average of 22.6x, indicating potential value for investors seeking dividends with relative market affordability.

OM:AZA Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Nordic Paper Holding AB operates globally, specializing in the production and sale of natural greaseproof and kraft paper, with a market capitalization of SEK 3.26 billion.

Operations: Nordic Paper Holding AB generates revenue primarily through two segments: Kraft Paper, which brought in SEK 2.23 billion, and Natural Greaseproof paper contributing SEK 2.19 billion.

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Dividend Yield: 8.2%

Nordic Paper Holding recently cut its dividend to SEK 4.00 per share, reflecting a cautious approach amidst a slight decline in quarterly sales and net income. Although the company has increased dividends over three years, it has been paying dividends for less than a decade, suggesting an unstable dividend track record. Despite this, with an earnings coverage of 68.3% and cash flow coverage at 78%, its current payouts are well-supported financially. However, high debt levels could pose challenges to future sustainability and growth prospects.

OM:NPAPER Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Solid Forsakringsaktiebolag operates as a provider of non-life insurance products for private individuals across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and other European countries, with a market capitalization of approximately SEK 1.60 billion.

Operations: Solid Forsakringsaktiebolag generates revenue through three primary segments: Product (SEK 328.53 million), Assistance (SEK 339.51 million), and Personal Safety (SEK 423.71 million).

Dividend Yield: 5.2%

Solid Forsakringsaktiebolag recently approved a dividend of SEK 82.84 million, equating to SEK 4.50 per share, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns amidst a positive earnings report with net income rising to SEK 45.04 million from SEK 41.51 million year-over-year. The company's payout ratio stands at 50.2%, indicating that dividends are well-covered by earnings, though its dividend history is too short to assess long-term sustainability or growth reliably.

OM:SFAB Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Taking Advantage

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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 OM:AZA OM:NPAPER and OM:SFAB.

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As the UK market navigates through political uncertainties with upcoming elections and regulatory changes, investors remain vigilant, reflecting a cautious optimism in the FTSE 100's slight uptick. In such a climate, dividend stocks can be particularly appealing for those looking for stable returns amidst market fluctuations.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United Kingdom

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating James Latham (AIM:LTHM) 6.35%  Keller Group (LSE:KLR) 3.68%  Dunelm Group (LSE:DNLM) 7.33%  DCC (LSE:DCC) 3.55%  Plus500 (LSE:PLUS) 5.87%  Grafton Group (LSE:GFTU) 3.88%  Big Yellow Group (LSE:BYG) 3.85%  Rio Tinto Group (LSE:RIO) 6.42%  NWF Group (AIM:NWF) 4.42%  Hargreaves Services (AIM:HSP) 6.74% 

Click here to see the full list of 56 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

We'll examine a selection from our screener results.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: London Security plc is an investment holding company that manufactures, sells, and rents fire protection equipment across several European countries, with a market capitalization of approximately 386.19 million.

Operations: London Security plc generates revenue primarily through the provision and maintenance of fire protection and security equipment, totaling 219.71 million.

Dividend Yield: 3.9%

London Security's dividend history shows inconsistency, with significant fluctuations over the past decade. Despite this, its dividends are currently well-supported, covered by earnings with a payout ratio of 65.3% and cash flows at 79.8%. However, its dividend yield of 3.94% is below the top quartile in the UK market. The company recently affirmed a final dividend of 0.42 per share for 2023, maintaining last year's level, payable on July 12 to shareholders registered by June 14.

AIM:LSC Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: M.P. Evans Group PLC operates oil palm plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia, with a market capitalization of approximately 452.70 million.

Operations: M.P. Evans Group PLC generates $307.32 million from its Indonesian plantation operations.

Dividend Yield: 5.1%

M.P. Evans Group's dividend outlook is mixed, with a history of volatility over the past decade and a current yield of 5.11%, which is below the top 25% of UK dividend payers. Despite this, dividends are reasonably covered by both earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios at 58.7% and 64.5%, respectively. Recent operational results show an increase in crop production and crude palm oil output, suggesting potential for future revenue growth which could support ongoing dividend payments despite past inconsistencies.

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AIM:MPE Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Kingfisher plc operates as a retailer of home improvement products and services in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and other international locations, with a market capitalization of approximately 4.59 billion.

Operations: Kingfisher plc generates 12.98 billion in revenue from the sale of home improvement products and services across its primary markets.

Dividend Yield: 5%

Kingfisher's dividend profile shows complexity with a 10-year history of both growth and volatility, reflecting an unstable dividend track record. Despite this, the dividends are supported by a reasonable payout ratio of 68.2% and a low cash payout ratio of 23.9%, indicating coverage from both earnings and cash flows. The company's P/E ratio stands at 13.3x, below the UK market average, suggesting valuation attractiveness amidst its peers. Recent executive changes could influence future financial strategies as new CFO Bhavesh Mistry brings extensive retail finance experience to the role starting no earlier than January 2025.

LSE:KGF Dividend History as at Jul 2024

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include AIM:LSCAIM:MPE LSE:KGF

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By Lewis Jackson

(Reuters) - When Republican campaigns want a banker, they don't go to New York or San Francisco, but to downtown McLean, Virginia - about a 20 minute drive from the White House, where a one-branch bank next to an auto repair shop has beaten bigger financial rivals to become a must-have partner for political work.

Chain Bridge Bank, privately owned and with some 70 employees, has worked with the campaign of every Republican Party presidential nominee since John McCain in 2008, including Donald Trump.

For almost two decades the bank founded by former Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald has quietly built its position by catering to politics, where large sums shift at short notice and bankers are always on call. Its business model, and the group it serves, could face more scrutiny after the bank said in May it was considering going public.

"In the U.S., federal politics is a $20 billion dollar industry and a couple of financial institutions have appealed and marketed themselves to these entities," said Daniel Weiner, a director at the Brennan Center for Justice.

"Part of it is that the environment is a little Wild West but part of it is that it is a rather insular community, people work by word of mouth."

Reuters reviewed campaign documents filed with the Federal Election Commission going back to 2007 and spoke to Chain Bridge's management and customers before its initial public offering plans were announced, to learn how it came to dominate the market for Republican political campaigns.

As recently as 2016, top Republican presidential contenders Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio banked at BB&T - a sprawling North Carolina-based lender that was merged into Truist Financial.

But in the 2024 election cycle, where Republicans have already raised over $1 billion, every major Republican presidential candidate, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, was a Chain Bridge customer.

The Republican National Committee, the party's main coordinating body, has been a customer since 2008, although it also has accounts with Truist Financial.

The bank has been so successful because it meets the oddball needs of political campaigns in a way no competitor does, according to Bradley Crate, treasurer for Trump's 2024 and 2020 campaigns and head of political consultancy Red Curve Solutions.

"We don't have time to wait for people's lunch breaks," he told Reuters. "If there's an issue at a large bank, I'm not going to be able to call the head of the bank to figure it out."

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New accounts at Chain Bridge take minutes to open, even at short notice. Crate, who has opened more than 1,200 accounts at the bank for clients, once set up new accounts in 15 minutes on a Sunday.

All big depositors are assigned a representative and Crate has called his as late as 11:00 pm. If that doesn't work, he also has the chairman's number.

The bank has also lent money to campaigns. During Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign the bank made a loan against donations which had come in but could not be spent until after the Republican National Convention, when Romney officially became the party's nominee, according to Crate.

Campaigns rushing to pay for last-minute advertisements or events can rely on the bank processing transfers right up until the Federal Reserve stops accepting requests at 6:45 pm.

"When larger banks close their wire at 3:00 pm and someone contacts us at 4:30 pm and they need payment for an event tomorrow, we have to FedEx a check, which is silly," Crate said.

Chain Bridge's political customers extend beyond Republican circles. The pro-Israel United Democracy Project super PAC (political action committee) and tobacco company Altria's corporate PAC are customers, electoral filings show. The US Chamber of Commerce PAC is as well.

The 2024 election campaign for Republican Mike Johnson added Chain Bridge Bank to its paperwork for the first time within three weeks of his election as House speaker on Oct 25.

"We're like Tesla," Fitzgerald, who is also Chain Bridge's chairman, said in an interview with Reuters in January, referencing the electric vehicle maker that for years eschewed traditional advertising.

"We have a marketing budget that's essentially zero and we've grown by word of mouth."

FRIENDS WITH MCCAIN

Fitzgerald's own background in politics was integral to the bank's growth. A Republican from Illinois, he launched the bank in 2007, after retiring from the U.S. Senate two years earlier. His seat was won by former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Fitzgerald says Senator John McCain, who he called a close friend, became the bank's first major political client in 2008 when his campaign needed a new bank after pulling money from Wachovia, which was hit hard by the 2008 banking crisis.

"They were very nervous," Fitzgerald said. "They switched to us because we had the cleanest balance sheet."

Electoral filings show Chain Bridge joined the McCain campaign in April 2008 as one of four banks, including Wachovia.

Money has poured into politics since then, in large part due to the 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United decision which relaxed rules around campaign finance.

Republican candidates for president and Congress raised $2.6 billion in 2020, according to the Federal Election Commission, a two-thirds jump from 2016. Those figures do not include money raised by third party groups like super PACs.

Today, Chain Bridge wins a "substantial" portion of political campaign work, according to Fitzgerald, although it is no monopoly. Electoral filings show the Charles Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity PAC, which backed Haley's campaign, banked with Truist Financial.

Lobbying committees for oil giant Exxon Mobil and Pfizer bank with Citibank and Bank of America, respectively, while Google opts for Wells Fargo, according to electoral filings.

Democrats also have a favored bank. Biden's campaign banks with the partly union-owned and publicly-listed Amalgamated Bank, as did Obama and 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton before him.

ROLLER COASTER BALANCE SHEET

Chain Bridge's balance sheet moves to a political rhythm. Deposits rise through the election campaign period and then crater as politicians spend furiously in the finishing stretch. Deposits fell 21% after the November 2020 election. After the mid terms in 2022 they dropped 25%.

Faced with the equivalent of a small bank run every two years, Chain Bridge is a conservative lender. It has had no non-performing loans in twelve years, according to its annual report. Roughly three quarters of its $1.2 billion in assets at the end of 2023 were investment grade securities or cash.

While it remains to be seen what sort of welcome the bank will get from the stock market, customers will keep coming as long as it maintains its customer service culture, says Crate.

"We've banked at larger banks - Bank of America, JP Morgan, things of that nature - and we just don't get the same experience," he said. "It makes it really hard to go anywhere else."

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson, additional reporting by Heather Timmons, editing by Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington)
Belfast-based shipbuilder Harland & Wolff asked for trading of its London-listed shares to be halted - Radharc Images/Alamy Stock Photo

Shares in the troubled shipyard that built the Titanic have been suspended after auditors refused to sign off its accounts, prompting fresh fears for a major Royal Navy contract.

Harland & Wolff asked for trading of its London-listed shares to be halted after admitting it had been unable to agree a set of audited annual financial statements in time for a deadline on Monday.

Instead, the company expects to publish them next week following extensive discussions with its bookkeepers on how revenues from contracts should be recognised.

Harland also said it was still waiting for the Government to sign off a vital loan guarantee, which is needed to ensure funding for new projects.

It warned that if the guarantee of up to 200m wasnt approved soon after Thursdays general election the companys ability to execute new and large contracts would be adversely affected.

This has raised doubts about its ability to deliver a 1.6bn programme to build three fleet solid support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Harland & Wolff's financial woes have cast doubt over its ability to deliver three fleet solid support ships for the Royal Navy

An announcement to the London Stock Exchange said trading of Harlands shares would remain suspended until the Belfast-based company was able to publish an audited set of annual accounts.

The shares closed at 8.4p on Friday valuing the company at 16m, following a 35pc drop in value so far this year.

Harland on Monday published an unaudited set of numbers which it said might be subject to minor changes in future.

These reported revenues of 87m in 2023, up from 28m a year earlier, and a loss of 43m, down from 71m.

The company has partnered with Spanish state-owned ship building giant Navantia to work on the 1.6bn Navy contract, with its own work on the project valued at 750m, according to the statement.

Harland insisted it was now on track to meet its target of 200m in annual revenues this year and that the business had momentum, even as it admitted problems agreeing with auditors how the deals should be valued.

Given the multi-year and complex nature of some of the contracts under which the company is working, the company has been in extensive discussions with its auditors to agree the method of accounting for revenues throughout the duration of a build programme, it said.

This is especially relevant in the context of the FSS subcontract that is set to last for the next seven years.

The assessment of the split in revenues between current years revenues and deferred revenues has caused a delay to the audit process and hence the publication of the companys annual report and audited financial statements.

Story continues

Now that the company and its auditors agree with the treatment of revenues in the financial statements, the company will progress to complete the audit quickly.

Arun Raman, Harlands finance chief, added: I am highly encouraged by the growth in revenues [in 2023] as we seek to achieve the critical mass required to get to cash break-even.

He added that the companys costs were being made worse by high-interest loans.

The company is currently seeking to refinance the loans by obtaining a loan guarantee from the Government.

Chief executive John Wood, who bought the group out of administration five years ago, previously told The Telegraph he was 100pc confident his business would stay afloat  even without taxpayer support.

Harland was plunged into turmoil in May when it was revealed ministers were withholding approval for the 200m loan guarantee promised to the company back in December.

The crisis triggered concerns about the companys finances, as well as the 1.6bn Navy contract it is expected to deliver.

Harland has applied for the loan guarantee via UK Export Finance, which is aimed at freeing up money for its expansion plans by moving debts onto a lower rate of interest.

Currently, the company is paying double-digit rates reported to be as high as 14pc.

The new 200m loan would be provided by four commercial banks but underwritten in full by taxpayers.

Talks between the company and Whitehall officials are still ongoing despite the general election campaign.

However, they have recently stalled amid concerns the support package risks falling foul of state aid rules.

That is partly because of Harlands plan to launch a new ferry service in the Isles of Scilly after a local rival warned officials that a 100pc loan guarantee would breach competition laws, as revealed by The Telegraph.

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In recent market activities, U.S. stocks displayed mixed results with fluctuations influenced by the Federal Reserve's inflation data and varied earnings reports. The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 showed resilience in a volatile environment, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average faced slight declines. Given these conditions, investors might consider the stability offered by dividend-paying stocks, which can provide regular income streams and potential for long-term value amidst market uncertainties.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United States

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Columbia Banking System (NasdaqGS:COLB) 7.24%  Resources Connection (NasdaqGS:RGP) 5.07%  OceanFirst Financial (NasdaqGS:OCFC) 5.03%  Silvercrest Asset Management Group (NasdaqGM:SAMG) 4.87%  Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) 4.79%  Dillard's (NYSE:DDS) 4.77%  Huntington Bancshares (NasdaqGS:HBAN) 4.70%  CompX International (NYSEAM:CIX) 4.86%  Carter's (NYSE:CRI) 5.16%  Credicorp (NYSE:BAP) 5.66% 

Click here to see the full list of 207 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Flushing Financial Corporation, functioning as the bank holding company for Flushing Bank, offers banking products and services mainly to consumers, businesses, and governmental units, with a market capitalization of approximately $382.26 million.

Operations: Flushing Financial Corporation generates its revenue primarily through its Community Bank segment, which contributed $191.50 million.

Dividend Yield: 6.7%

Flushing Financial has maintained stable dividends over the past decade, with recent affirmations of quarterly payments. However, its high payout ratio of 92.6% raises concerns about sustainability as it's not well covered by earnings. The company's profit margins have declined from 27.3% to 14.8%, and while its P/E ratio at 13.5x is below the US market average, indicating potential value, forecasted earnings growth of approximately 12.96% per year may not suffice to ensure future dividend coverage or growth without improved profitability or cash flow management.

NasdaqGS:FFIC Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Financial Institutions, Inc., operating through its subsidiary Five Star Bank, offers banking and financial services to individuals, municipalities, and businesses in New York, with a market capitalization of approximately $298.44 million.

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Operations: Financial Institutions, Inc. generates revenue primarily through its banking segment, which recorded $196.23 million in earnings.

Dividend Yield: 6.2%

Financial Institutions, Inc. has demonstrated a commitment to dividends, recently affirming a quarterly cash dividend and maintaining payments on preferred stocks. With a 10-year history of stable and growing dividends supported by a payout ratio of 47.6%, the dividends appear sustainable. Despite trading at significant undervaluation, recent earnings have declined, posing potential risks to future dividend coverage without an earnings recovery. The company's consistent dividend policy amidst these challenges highlights its reliability for income-focused investors.

NasdaqGS:FISI Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Independent Bank Corporation, serving as the bank holding company for Independent Bank, offers commercial banking services to individuals and businesses in Michigan's rural and suburban communities, with a market capitalization of approximately $564.37 million.

Operations: Independent Bank Corporation generates its revenue primarily through its subsidiary, Independent Bank, which contributed $205.98 million.

Dividend Yield: 3.6%

Independent Bank Corporation recently reported a solid increase in net interest income and net income for Q1 2024, reflecting financial growth. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.24 per share, consistent with its history of reliable dividends over the past decade. Despite this stability, the stock trades at 62.3% below estimated fair value and faces an earnings forecast decline of 0.3% annually over the next three years, which could challenge future dividend sustainability without strategic adjustments.

NasdaqGS:IBCP Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Summing It All Up

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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 NasdaqGS:FFIC NasdaqGS:FISI and NasdaqGS:IBCP.

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You are here: China

People do clean work after flood at a school in Zhenyuan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's meteorological and water resources authorities on Sunday evening renewed a red alert -- their highest-level alert -- for mountain torrents as rainstorms continue to soak parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday, mountain torrents are very likely to occur in parts of Hunan and Guizhou, according to the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration.

The two departments also issued an orange alert for mountain torrents in the northeast of Guangxi.

Mountain torrents could also be triggered by temporary heavy downpours in other areas, the authorities said.

Localities have been advised to strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warning procedures, prepare for possible evacuation, and take precautionary measures to minimize risks.

In a separate update, the National Meteorological Center on Sunday evening issued an orange alert for rainstorms.

Parts of Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi should expect downpours, with some regions likely to experience heavy rains of up to 260 millimeters within 24 hours, ending at 8 p.m. Monday, according to the National Meteorological Center.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

In a separate update on Sunday, the Ministry of Water Resources said that floods have occurred with water levels rising above warning level in 98 tributaries or trunk streams in the Yangtze River basin, the Xijiang River in the Pearl River basin, and the Taihu Lake basin.

Taihu Lake and Dongting Lake are experiencing their own 2024 "No. 1 Floods" as of Sunday, and their water levels continue to climb, authorities have said.
As the first half of 2024 concludes, Canadian markets have shown resilience with solid gains, particularly benefiting from sectors like utilities and gold while maintaining lower volatility. This backdrop sets an intriguing stage for investors focusing on TSX dividend stocks, which may offer a blend of stability and potential income in the evolving economic landscape. In light of current market conditions, a good dividend stock typically features robust fundamentals and a history of reliable dividend payouts, qualities that are especially appealing in an environment marked by positive economic indicators and favorable market trends.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Canada

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS) 6.78%  Whitecap Resources (TSX:WCP) 7.29%  Enghouse Systems (TSX:ENGH) 3.45%  Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (TSX:BPF.UN) 8.48%  Secure Energy Services (TSX:SES) 3.30%  Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) 3.90%  Russel Metals (TSX:RUS) 4.51%  Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) 4.31%  Canadian Western Bank (TSX:CWB) 3.23%  Firm Capital Mortgage Investment (TSX:FC) 9.08% 

Click here to see the full list of 33 stocks from our Top TSX Dividend Stocks screener.

Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Bank of Montreal offers a range of financial services mainly in North America, with a market capitalization of approximately CA$83.74 billion.

Operations: Bank of Montreal generates revenue through several key segments: BMO Capital Markets with CA$6.38 billion, BMO Wealth Management at CA$7.68 billion, U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking bringing in CA$9.04 billion, and Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking which contributes CA$10.14 billion.

Dividend Yield: 5.4%

Bank of Montreal has a current dividend payout ratio of 71.6%, indicating dividends are covered by earnings, with a forecast to maintain coverage in three years at 52.8%. Despite a low dividend yield of 5.4% compared to the Canadian market's top quartile at 6.62%, the bank has demonstrated stable and increasing dividends over the past decade, suggesting reliability in its distributions to shareholders. However, it maintains a low allowance for bad loans at 76%, which could pose risks if defaults rise unexpectedly.

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TSX:BMO Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) is a diversified financial institution offering a range of financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients across Canada, the United States, and other international locations, with a market capitalization of CA$61.34 billion.

Operations: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce generates revenue through its Canadian Personal and Business Banking (CA$8.53 billion), Capital Markets and Financial Services (CA$5.66 billion), U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management (CA$1.75 billion), and Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management segments (CA$5.37 billion).

Dividend Yield: 5.5%

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce offers a dividend yield of 5.53%, which is below the top quartile for Canadian dividend stocks at 6.62%. Despite this, the bank has shown consistent dividend payments with a stable and increasing pattern over the past decade. It trades at 47.9% below its estimated fair value and dividends are well covered by earnings, with a current payout ratio of 53.9% and forecasted coverage in three years at 49.9%. Recent activities include multiple fixed-income offerings, enhancing its financial flexibility, although shareholder dilution occurred over the past year.

TSX:CM Dividend History as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Leon's Furniture Limited, a Canadian retailer specializing in home furnishings, mattresses, appliances, and electronics, has a market capitalization of approximately CA$1.56 billion.

Operations: Leon's Furniture Limited generates CA$2.50 billion from the sale of home furnishings, mattresses, appliances, and electronics.

Dividend Yield: 3.1%

Leon's Furniture Limited, with a dividend of CA$0.18 per share, exhibits a low dividend yield of 3.15% relative to the Canadian market's top quartile at 6.62%. Despite this, dividends are well-supported by earnings and cash flows with payout ratios of 31.9% and 25.1%, respectively. However, the company has faced volatility in its dividend payments over the past decade, indicating some instability. Recent financial performance shows improvement with Q1 sales rising to CA$562.25 million from CA$513.01 million year-over-year and net income increasing to CA$18.82 million from CA$12.92 million.

TSX:LNF Dividend History as at Jul 2024

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include TSX:BMO TSX:CM and TSX:LNF.

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ARLINGTON, Va.  Boeing announced plans to acquire key supplier Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7 billion, a move that it says will improve plane quality and safety amid increasing scrutiny by Congress, airlines and the U.S. Justice Department.

Boeing previously owned Spirit, and the purchase would reverse a longtime Boeing strategy of outsourcing key work on its passenger planes. That approach has been criticized as problems at Spirit disrupted production and delivery of popular Boeing jetliners including 737s and 787s.

We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly, Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun said in a statement late Sunday.

Spirit AeroSystems builds and supplies multiple structural components for military aircraft, including Boeings E-7 Wedgetail and P-8 Poseidon, Northrop Grummans B-21 Raider, the Bell V-280 Valor, and struts and nacelles for the B-52 Stratofortress.

Boeing is the fifth-largest company in the world based on defense revenue, according to Defense News Top 100 list. Spirit AeroSystems ranked 86.

Concerns about safety came to a head after the Jan. 5 blowout of a panel on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 at 16,000 feet over Oregon. The Federal Aviation Administration soon after announced increased oversight of Boeing and Spirit, which supplied the fuselage for the plane.

No one was seriously injured in the Alaska Airlines door incident, which terrified passengers, but Boeing is under pressure from the Justice Department to plead guilty to criminal fraud in connection with two deadly plane crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners more than five years ago.

Boeing has until the end of the week to accept or reject the offer, which includes the giant aerospace company agreeing to an independent monitor who would oversee its compliance with anti-fraud laws, according to several people who heard federal prosecutors detail a proposed offer Sunday.

The Justice Department said in a May court filing that Boeing violated terms of a 2021 settlement allowing the company to avoid prosecution for actions leading up to the crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, which killed 346 people.

Those crashes were blamed on a faulty sensor in a flight-control system; the investigation is separate from the probe of the more recent Alaska Airlines blowout, which involved Spirit.

Boeing spun off Spirit, which is based in Wichita, Kansas, and not related to Spirit Airlines, in 2005. In recent years, quality problems have mounted, including fuselage panels that didnt fit together precisely enough and holes that were improperly drilled.

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Spirit removed its CEO in October and replaced him with Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive who served as acting defense secretary in the Trump administration.

Things seemed to be going more smoothly until the Alaska Airlines incident. Investigators said a panel used in place of an extra emergency door had been removed at a Boeing factory to let Spirit workers fix damaged rivets, and bolts that help hold the panel in place were missing after the repair job. It is not clear who removed the bolts and failed to put them back.

Spirit said in May that it was laying off about 450 workers at its Wichita plant because of a production slowdown since the January incident. Its total workforce was just over 13,000 people.

Bringing Spirit and Boeing together will enable greater integration of both companies manufacturing and engineering capabilities, including safety and quality systems, Shanahan said.

The acquisition's equity value of $4.7 billion is $37.25 per share, while the total value of the deal is around $8.3 billion, which includes Spirits last reported net debt, the aerospace company said.

Boeing common stock will be exchanged for Spirit shares according to a variable formula that depends on a weighted average of the share price over a 15-trading-day period ending on the second day before the deal closes, Boeing said.

The companies also announced an agreement with Airbus to negotiate the purchase of Spirit assets involved with programs operated by the European aerospace firm. The Airbus agreement is set to commence when Boeings acquisition of Spirit is completed, the two U.S. companies said.

Stephen Losey and Chris Martin with Defense News contributed to this report.
UniDoc Health, in partnership with the Municipality of Aliano in Matera, Italy, has announced plans to install an H3 Health Cube at the Territorial Health Center.

Led by Aliano mayor Luigi De Lorenzo, this initiative is set to bolster primary healthcare services for the citizens of Aliano, incorporating advanced eHealth AI and connected medical instrument technologies.

The installation of the H3 Health Cube is a strategic move to deliver essential healthcare services within Aliano, mitigating the need for residents to travel long distances for medical care.

The initiative is part of the Italian Government's commitment to improve eHealth solutions for rural communities, with UniDoc Health being the preferred provider.

Luigi De Lorenzo said: Focusing particularly on the distances to regional hospitals and the challenges our community faces, especially to better support the fundamental activities of general practitioners, I would like to present the innovative solution of the Health Cube territorial health center by Unidoc Health from Canada.

Aliano's geographic location poses significant challenges for its residents to access timely medical care, with the nearest hospitals being over 65km away.

The H3 Health Cube aims to address these barriers by offering diagnostic, monitoring, and care services locally.

It is equipped with advanced medical devices and telemedicine capabilities and will enable accurate diagnoses and remote consultations.

The services provided by the Health Cube are particularly vital for chronic disease management and immediate diagnostic tests.

Furthermore, the implementation of personalised prevention programmes and regular health condition monitoring will facilitate early anomaly detection and timely medical intervention.

The Health Cube centre aims to revolutionise healthcare in Aliano by providing continuous care and enabling doctors to remotely monitor patients.

In serious cases, the centre will guide patients to the appropriate hospital departments, creating a more efficient care pathway.

This development is anticipated to significantly reduce the travel burdens related to disease prevention, monitoring, and care after hospitalisation.

UniDoc CEO Antonio Baldassarre said: We are aiming to have the Health Cube onsite and installed before the end of this year.

"UniDoc Health and Aliano Municipality collaborate to install H3 Health Cube" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, 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.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Union Pacific is US$295 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Union Pacific's US$226 share price signals that it might be 23% undervalued

Analyst price target for UNP is US$264 which is 11% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Check out our latest analysis for Union Pacific

Step By Step Through The Calculation

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. 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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$6.72b US$7.61b US$8.17b US$8.95b US$9.54b US$10.1b US$10.5b US$10.9b US$11.3b US$11.6b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x9 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.58% Est @ 5.32% Est @ 4.44% Est @ 3.82% Est @ 3.39% Est @ 3.09% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.4% US$6.3k US$6.6k US$6.6k US$6.7k US$6.7k US$6.6k US$6.4k US$6.2k US$5.9k US$5.7k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$64b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$12b (1 + 2.4%)  (7.4% 2.4%) = US$237b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$237b ( 1 + 7.4%)10= US$116b

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 US$180b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$226, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 23% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Union Pacific 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 7.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.090. 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 Union Pacific

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Transportation market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. 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. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Union Pacific, we've put together three pertinent aspects you should assess:

Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Union Pacific . Future Earnings: How does UNP'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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE 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
The Australian stock market is currently experiencing a downturn, with the ASX200 down by 0.45% and most sectors showing declines. Notably, IT and healthcare sectors have faced significant losses, while real estate has shown some resilience amidst recent economic turbulence highlighted by a surprising inflation report. In such a market context, companies with high insider ownership can be particularly compelling as they often indicate that those closest to the business are confident in its long-term potential and are deeply invested in its success.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Australia

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Hartshead Resources (ASX:HHR) 13.9% 86.3% Cettire (ASX:CTT) 28.7% 26.7% Acrux (ASX:ACR) 14.6% 115.3% Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT) 10% 120.9% Plenti Group (ASX:PLT) 12.8% 106.4% Change Financial (ASX:CCA) 26.6% 76.4% Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) 10.4% 45.4% Biome Australia (ASX:BIO) 34.5% 114.4% Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) 16.4% 52.2% Argosy Minerals (ASX:AGY) 14.5% 129.6%

Click here to see the full list of 89 stocks from our Fast Growing ASX Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited, based in Australia, focuses on the research and development of dermatology and antimicrobial products with a market capitalization of approximately A$624.46 million.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through its research and development activities in dermatology and antimicrobial products, totaling A$0.44 million.

Insider Ownership: 10%

Return On Equity Forecast: 44% (2026 estimate)

Botanix Pharmaceuticals, despite its small revenue base of A$437K, is poised for significant growth with expected annual profit and revenue increases substantially above the Australian market average. The company's earnings have expanded by 12.5% annually over the past five years and are projected to surge by 120.89% per year moving forward. Recently, Botanix completed a follow-on equity offering raising A$70 million, which may dilute current shareholders but also funds expansion as it approaches new product launches.

ASX:BOT Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Flight Centre Travel Group Limited operates as a travel retailer serving both leisure and corporate sectors across various regions including Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia with a market capitalization of A$4.44 billion.

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Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through its leisure and corporate travel segments, with A$1.28 billion from leisure and A$1.06 billion from corporate services.

Insider Ownership: 13.3%

Return On Equity Forecast: 22% (2026 estimate)

Flight Centre Travel Group, now profitable, trades at 18.5% below its estimated fair value, highlighting potential undervaluation. With insider ownership aligning interests with shareholders, the company's earnings are set to outpace the Australian market with an 18.8% annual growth rate. Although revenue growth is more modest at 9.7% annually, it still exceeds the national average of 5.4%. The forecasted high Return on Equity of 21.8% in three years underscores strong management efficacy and financial health.

ASX:FLT Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Technology One Limited is a company that develops, markets, sells, implements, and supports integrated enterprise business software solutions both in Australia and internationally, with a market capitalization of A$6.06 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue through three primary segments: software sales contributing A$317.24 million, corporate services at A$83.83 million, and consulting services totaling A$68.13 million.

Insider Ownership: 12.3%

Return On Equity Forecast: 33% (2027 estimate)

Technology One, a growth-oriented firm with high insider ownership, exhibits promising financial health with earnings expected to grow by 14.3% annually, outpacing the Australian market average of 13.8%. While its revenue growth at 11.1% yearly is below the significant threshold of 20%, it still surpasses the national market's 5.4%. The company's price-to-earnings ratio stands at an attractive A$55.3x compared to the industry average of A$61.6x, suggesting potential undervaluation relative to its peers. Recent results show a robust year-on-year revenue increase from A$201 million to A$240.83 million and a net income rise from A$41.28 million to A$48 million, reflecting strong operational performance and profitability.

ASX:TNE Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024

Next Steps

Discover the full array of 89 Fast Growing ASX Companies With High Insider Ownership right here.

Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments.

Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide.

Looking For Alternative Opportunities?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years.

Companies discussed in this article include ASX:BOTASX:FLT ASX:TNE

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Cocktail Courier, the US e-commerce cocktail business, has snapped up Thirstie, a supplier of enterprise software.

ShakeStir, the company behind Cocktail Courier, said the deal can help the spirits brands with which it works.

Thirstie, set up in 2014, works with brands on their e-commerce sales, providing them with software for their online storefronts and analytics on consumers. Two years ago, Thirstie attracted investment from US distribution major Republic National Distributing Company.

Drinkers can order cocktail kits and gift sets via Cocktail Cultures site. The kits are centred around cocktails like a margarita or a cosmo and contain brands such as Camparis Grand Marnier and Wild Turkey Bourbon.

Cocktail Courier says its business gives brands the ability to grow revenue, build engagement, and harness valuable consumer insights.

In a statement, ShakeStir, which does business as Cocktail Courier, said the deal would enable new consumer experiences on liquor brand sites. The transaction, it added, would allow brands to offer bottles and online-exclusive products like cocktail kits to consumers through their sites.

In the wake of the deal, ShakeStirs cocktailcourier.com site will use Thirsties technology.

According to the statement, the combined business is expected to achieve profitability post-integration, with faster growth of both solutions.

Scott Goldman, who set up Cocktail Courier in 2014 and is its CEO, said: The Cocktail Courier/Thirstie combination positions us well to accelerate our growth and make more strategic acquisitions.

Thirstie co-founder and CEO Maxim Razmakhin added: Big tech has clearly won the alcohol delivery race but there is a limit to how fast or how cheap they can deliver a bottle of gin to your doorstep. The next area of growth will be in offering the end consumer new experiences.

Last week, research published by Silicon Valley Bank suggested e-commerce sales of wine fell in the US last year.

In 2023, direct-to-consumer sales formed 72% of all wine sales in the US, compared to 68% in 2022, with 11% in the on-premise and 17% in the off-premise, according to the bank.

Of that 72%, e-commerce accounted for 8% of sales  its smallest share since 2016, and a two percentage-point fall on 2022.

"US e-commerce business Cocktail Courier buys software supplier Thirstie" 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.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Vanquis Banking Group's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

A total of 6 investors have a majority stake in the company with 53% ownership

Insiders have been buying lately

If you want to know who really controls Vanquis Banking Group plc (LON:VANQ), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 69% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Vanquis Banking Group.

Check out our latest analysis for Vanquis Banking Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Vanquis Banking Group?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

Vanquis Banking Group already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Vanquis Banking Group's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Our data indicates that hedge funds own 17% of Vanquis Banking Group. That's interesting, because hedge funds can be quite active and activist. Many look for medium term catalysts that will drive the share price higher. Our data shows that Redwood Capital Management, LLC is the largest shareholder with 17% of shares outstanding. With 15% and 6.8% of the shares outstanding respectively, Schroder Investment Management Limited and Artemis Investment Management LLP are the second and third largest shareholders.

We did some more digging and found that 6 of the top shareholders account for roughly 53% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

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While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Vanquis Banking Group

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Vanquis Banking Group plc in their own names. It seems the board members have no more than UK292k worth of shares in the UK128m company. Many investors in smaller companies prefer to see the board more heavily invested. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 13% stake in Vanquis Banking Group. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Vanquis Banking Group .

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Vedanta Resources has secured approval from a Zambian court to take back control of the Konkola copper project in Chililabombwe, about 26km north of Chingola, reported Bloomberg News.

The court ruling, delivered in Lusaka, sanctions a plan to settle the debts owed to the mine's creditors, paving the way for Vedanta to reclaim the asset.

This decision comes after Vedanta's efforts to regain the major copper asset since 2019.

The previous Zambian government had placed Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) into provisional liquidation, alleging misrepresentation of expansion plans and insufficient tax payments by Vedanta.

To regain access to the mine, Vedanta is required to adhere to the court's directive by disbursing $250m ($197.22m) to clear KCM's outstanding debts to contractors and suppliers.

Vedanta expressed readiness to start making the payments and has also pledged to invest $1bn over the next five years to carry out expansion at the mine.

Despite the potential to produce more than 300,000 tonnes (t) of copper annually, Konkola's output plummeted to less than 40,000t in 2023, even as copper prices soared to record highs.

One of the critical initiatives to revitalise the mine is the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP). This project aims to enhance copper ore production by tapping into the rich ore body beneath the existing operational areas.

Last week, Reuters reported that Vedanta was in discussions with investors including International Resources Holding for a stake sale in its Zambian copper mines.

The company is looking to offload "a little bit more than just up to 30%" and is open to negotiation, a Vedanta senior executive said.

"Vedanta set to regain control of Zambia copper asset" 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.
Warren Buffett says the key to a long marriage is 'low expectations'  how he applies that to his portfolio

Not only is Warren Buffett one of the richest men in the world, hes also one of the best communicators in the business community. His ability to distill a complex idea into a clever one-liner is legendary.

One of his funniest quotes was delivered during a 2001 speech at the University of Georgia. Buffett explained that the secret to a long marriage was finding someone with low expectations. Amid laughter from the crowd, Buffett explained that this philosophy also applies to his investment strategy.

Heres why the Oracle of Omaha believes expectations are the key to successful partnerships of all kinds.

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Picking a partner

Buffett often draws parallels between personal and business relationships. He and his long-term business partner, Charlie Munger, talked often about how rarely they argued.

I always say, the best way to get a good spouse is to deserve one. And the best way to get a good partner is to be a good partner yourself, Munger said at a Daily Journal Corp annual meeting in 2017.

The Buffett-Munger partnership endured for 60 years, and Buffett has been a married man for 70 years of his life. His perspective on long-term relationships is definitely backed up by plenty of experience.

His advice about choosing a partner with low expectations is perhaps easy to misinterpret. Buffett isnt suggesting that people settle for less when it comes to business or life partners  quite the opposite. Instead, hes advocating for setting clear expectations early in any relationship to help it endure the test of time.

This pragmatic approach is at the foundation of many business partnerships that power the Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. Buffetts investment vehicle has spent over $167 billion acquiring 63 companies over the past century, according to company tracking tool Tracxn. Each acquisition is a delicate balance of expectations on both sides.

I want my partners to be on the low side on expectations coming in, Buffett said in his 2001 speech. Because I want the marriage to last. Its a financial marriage when they join me at Berkshire and I dont want them to think Im going to do things Im not going to do.

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This philosophy is also reflected in his investment strategy.

Read more: 'It's not taxed at all': Warren Buffett shares the 'best investment' you can make when battling rising costs  take advantage today

Setting expectations

Buffetts investment success has often been attributed to his risk-averse approach. The famous investor seeks out attractive deals on high-value assets and seeks to acquire them for less than theyre worth. His mentor, Benjamin Graham, trained him to acquire assets with a margin of safety  a buffer on an assets fair market value to account for any unpleasant surprises or errors.

In the 1980s, Buffett explained this philosophy with a bridge analogy. "When you build a bridge, you insist it can carry 30,000 pounds, but you only drive 10,000-pound trucks across it. And that same principle works in investing," he wrote in a 1984 paper.

A margin of safety is simply a rule of thumb for low expectations. By tempering your outlook on a companys future earnings while estimating its intrinsic value, you could minimize the risk of unpleasant surprises.

If sales and earnings drop immediately after you purchase a stock, the margin of safety puts a potential floor on your losses because your cost basis is already low. However, if the company meets or surpasses your expectations your performance could be greatly enhanced.

This is the guiding principle that helped Buffett acquire Apple shares when the stock was trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.5 in 2016.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the obesity treatment Wegovy in June 2021, and fueled by word-of-mouth buzz and social media vitality, this once-a-week injectable is today among Americas most popular medicines. According to the manufacturer, Danish insulin maker Novo Nordisk, around 25,000 people in the U.S. start taking it each week.

Wegovys billion-dollar rise has kept Novo Nordisks facility in Johnston County active. The site produces significant amounts of the weight-loss drug, sources familiar with the operation have told The News & Observer.

Last week, Novo Nordisk announced a major expansion to its 31-year-old North Carolina site, committing $4.1 billion to open 1.4 million additional square feet of manufacturing space between 2027 and 2029. Once complete, the project is expected to create 1,000 jobs at the new facility, which is being built just southeast of downtown Clayton.

Company leaders say the future facility will be capable of manufacturing weight-loss drugs (in addition to Wegovy, Novo Nordisk also makes the trendy weight-loss shot Ozempic), as well as insulin shots and any yet-to-be-released treatments. Construction on the site has already begun, and on June 24, Johnston County approved $206 million in corporate incentives over the next dozen years should Novo Nordisk fulfill its promises.

The entrance to one of Novo Nordisks two manufacturing facilities in Clayton, North Carolina on June 24, 2024.

Though its easy to bet on the company making Wegovy, historically, many sizable economic projects in North Carolina never achieve their initial hiring or investment targets. Headlines stir excitement but then the efforts tend to end years later with little progress.

However, plenty of economic developments in the Tar Heel State do succeed  or at least get part of the way to their original goals.

This years biggest jobs news has been overwhelmingly industrial, said Christopher Chung, CEO of the states top business recruitment organization, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. As for whats in the pipeline, he said the state is pursuing investments including manufacturing, food processing and fulfillment operations.

Chung noted the average size of projects in 2024 has been smaller compared to recent years but in terms of projected job creation, the state is ahead of where we were at this same point last year.

Entering the second half of 2024, lets recap the five biggest North Carolina jobs commitments of the year so far. Novo Nordisks expansion tops the list. Three foreign-based companies and one from California complete it.

Boviet Solar, 908 jobs

Based in Vietnam but a subsidiary of a Chinese conglomerate, Boviet Solar in April said it will invest $294 million and create 908 jobs at a future solar panel facility in the Eastern North Carolina city of Greenville. It would be the companys first U.S. production site and average wages will be at least $52,879, according to incentive deal it entered with the state.

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If Boviet reaches its investment and hiring goals by 2028, it will receive $8.3 million in state payroll tax benefits. The city and Pitt County combined to offer the company another $18 million.

About 80 miles east of Raleigh, Greenville is home to East Carolina University, a university-affiliated hospital, MrBeast, and several large pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. Attracting more renewable energy projects statewide has been a point of emphasis for Gov. Roy Cooper, who in addition to Boviet, has championed recent projects involving lithium-ion battery production.

But Boviets arrival isnt without controversy as some have argued no state support should go to Chinese-owned solar companies. Since April, the U.S. has resumed levying certain tariffs on solar panel imports from China.

North Carolina already ranks among the largest U.S. solar producing states. A massive job creation project is now promised in Pitt County.

Ross Stores, 852 jobs

In May, one of the nations largest discount department store chains pledged to build a $450 million, 852-worker warehouse in Central North Carolina. Ross Stores, the California company behind Ross Dress for Less, said it will pay average wages of $55,800 at its future Randolph County warehouse.

Ross plans to build the facility in the small city of Randleman, about 20 miles south of Greensboro. This would be the S&P 500 companys ninth distribution facility and provide fulfillment, packing and warehousing operations for the southeastern United States.

The North Carolina Economic Investment Committee awarded Ross a job development investment grant, or JDIG, worth up to $7.6 million in payroll tax benefits should the company meet its hiring and investment targets. Ross first hiring deadline occurs in 2028.

A Ross Dress for Less to open Perry. This is a photo of the sign of the Warner Robins store.

Fujifilm Diosynth, 680 jobs

The largest life science project in the Triangle added $1.2 billion and 680 more workers this spring when the contract pharmaceutical manufacturer Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies announced an expansion to its incoming facility in Holly Springs.

Fujifilm Diosynth is a division of the Japanese parent Fujifilm, which has shifted focus in recent decades from photography toward health care. The company has a campus in Research Triangle Park and is readying a more massive plant in Holly Springs, a town of 46,000 southwest of Raleigh.

The project went public in March 2021, when the state awarded Fujifilm an economic incentive worth nearly $20 million over 12 years to create 725 jobs at a $1.5 billion site. Fujifilm Diosynth hopes to open this plant next year. The company doesnt design drugs itself but instead produces the medicines other pharmaceutical companies create at scale.

We can take care of the entire supply chain for the industry, Fujifilm Diosynth CEO Lars Petersen told the N&O last fall.

In April, Fujifilm and North Carolina upped the ante on this massive project.

Aerial photo in October 2023 shows progress at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies facility in Holly Springs, NC.

Siemens Energy, 550 jobs

Another foreign company and another expansion. Spun off from the Munich-based conglomerate Siemens, Siemens Energy has operated in Charlotte since the late 1960s. In February, it said it would add 550 jobs, mostly in Charlotte but with around 80 positions created in Raleigh. Under its state incentive deal, Siemens Energy committed to hire for these positions by the end of 2028 at an average wage of at least $87,000.

The company, which currently employs approximately 1,200 workers in the Queen City, is using the expansion to manufacture grid products and services, including building its first U.S. power transformer plant, in Charlotte.

Siemens Energy will expand its Charlotte, NC facility.

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Monday published the "2024 Honours List and Justices of the Peace appointments" in the gazette, in which a total of 502 people were honored and awarded by the chief executive this year.

According to reports, the award recipients come from different walks of life with diverse backgrounds. They have made significant contributions to Hong Kong, benefitting various domains and sectors of the community.

The honors include the Grand Bauhinia Medal, Gold Bauhinia Star, Silver Bauhinia Star, Distinguished Service Medals for Disciplined Services and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and Bronze Bauhinia Star, among others.

A HKSAR government spokesperson said the chief executive expresses gratitude and extends congratulations to all award recipients, hoping they will continue to excel in their fields and serve the community.

The presentation ceremony for the awards will be held later this year.
(Reuters) -The union representing Canada's WestJet Airlines' striking mechanics said on Monday that it has negotiated a contract with the carrier, ending their strike immediately.

Westjet said members would return to work to restore the network after the airline had to park 130 aircraft at 13 airports across Canada. The airline anticipated further disruptions over the coming week as it gets aircarft and crew back into position.

The union said the contract covers the next five years without giving details on the new pay deal.

The carrier canceled additional 410 flights on Sunday for a total of more than 800 flights after the union representing around 680 workers at WestJet, including aircraft maintenance engineers went on strike on Friday after 97% of its members rejected a pay deal reached in May.

"WestJet & AMFA have reached a tentative agreement, Canadians patience having been worn too thin," Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said in a post on X.

The minister had urged the union and the airline to resolve their differences and reach an agreement.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
Stock market watchers quickly made their own lists of possible replacements for Joe Biden after the president delivered a debate performance last Thursday that amplified concerns about his fitness for a second term.

They range from the obvious  Vice President Kamala Harris  to less-obvious but more business-friendly choices such as Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

These names being floated by these finance pros share many similarities with lists being circulated by those in the political world.

But there are also some differences that are instructive about the current state of the Biden administrations relationship with corporate America  and which of Bidens allies have made inroads among C-suites.

"I think you have to start with the vice president," said Brian Gardner, Stifel chief Washington policy strategist, noting her built-in advantages as the current second in command. "Then I think it's a very open field."

What those in the business world overall say they want is stability and a replacement that wouldnt unsettle markets this year as well as in 2025 and beyond.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step off Air Force One upon arrival at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on June 29 for campaign fundraisers. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) (MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images)

For his part, Biden and his close allies have repeatedly and forcefully said in recent days that he has no intention of stepping aside. That has only minimally tamped down the speculation after his halting performance.

"There's not a clear replacement at hand," Clayton Allen, Eurasia Group director for the United States, said in a Yahoo Finance video interview on Friday, noting that any choice risks turning off "big parts of the Democratic coalition."

The 81-year-old president has delivered a series of more forceful speeches in the days since the debate that tamped down some of the concerns, as did supportive messages from figures like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Biden is at Camp David until Monday evening for a pre-planned visit with family where, according to multiple reports, he is having discussions about the next steps for his campaign.

Outreach to CEOs

A name near the top of lists of both political and financial professionals is Harris. The vice president is clearly in a strong position as Washingtons current number No. 2 with the support of many wings of the Democratic coalition.

In a recent note to clients, AGF Investments chief US policy strategist Greg Valliere called Harris "not necessarily a shoo-in for the nomination" given a list of weaknesses but called her nonetheless "the early favorite to replace Biden" if the president chooses to step aside.

The mentions of Harris are an indication of her strong position within the party but also, to some extent, her outreach to CEOs.

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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at an event at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington with Kenyan President William Ruto and US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman on May 24. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images)

In March, Harris had lunch with JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon as part of a regular series of meetings with business leaders she has been conducting.

Then Harris visited the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington in May, where she met with a series of business leaders including Mastercard (MA) CEO Michael Miebach and Microsoft (MSFT) vice chair and president Brad Smith.

In a deeper look at her CEO "charm offensive" published just a few days before the debate, Bloomberg described Harris as "offering an olive branch" to a community wary of Biden.

Another Biden-world figure garnering at least a few mentions is Raimondo, the secretary of the Commerce Department.

The former Rhode Island governor has outlined to Yahoo Finance in the past just how much time she spends on the phone taking the temperature of the business community. She said it's an essential part of her role as Commerce secretary.

Raimondo has also garnered praise for her stewardship of key Biden economic programs, especially the implementation of the 2022 CHIPs and Science Act that is in the process of sending billions to revamp the semiconductor industry.

"A lot of businesses like her," noted Renaissance Macros Steve Pavlick in a Yahoo Finance interview.

Her name has also popped up on other lists, including that of New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who described her as one of the figures who "would be in a good position to defeat Trump."

Raimondo was prominent on the list of candidates compiled by the Economist and even above other names more often mentioned in political circles, like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo speaks at an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit in England last November. (TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) (TOBY MELVILLE via Getty Images)

What is perhaps being overlooked are the criticisms Raimondo would likely take among the Democratic base for being too friendly with business.

As just one example, Sen. Elizabeth Warren has sent Secretary Raimondo a series of letters in recent months around issues like Big Tech and trade that have often raised concerns about whether Raimondo (who had a career in finance before entering politics) was too open to business concerns.

There is a name recognition issue.

Raimondo may be well known in C-suites, but a recent poll from Blueprint 2024 found that 85% of Americans have no opinion of her one way or the other, making her one of Bidens cabinet members with the least national name identification.

In a note Monday, Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer highlighted that a key hurdle for Raimondo and Whitmer (as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg) is that "theyre all only modestly popular and untested on the national stage."

Other names  and new pledges by Biden to stay in the race

The business world lists also include a range of figures top of mind to the political world as well.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is clearly in contention, but observers note he is currently facing a contentious budget debate in California that could hamper his chances.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) after speaking to reporters following the CNN presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in Atlanta. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)

Two other battleground state governors, Michigan's Whitmer as well as Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, are also often mentioned. As is Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and others.

All of this speculation is, of course, moot if Biden stays in the race, as he has repeatedly pledged to do.

His political allies and family members  not to mention nearly every Democratic elected official as well as candidates being listed to replace him  have repeatedly this week tried to excuse last week's debate performance and blame other factors.

As for the presidents discussion at Camp David this weekend, a New York Times report painted a picture of conversations with family members who are urging him to fight on.

And as Harris herself put it during a CNN appearance immediately after the debate, Biden had a "slow start" but "a strong finish."

This post has been updated.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for politics news related to business and money

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We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) stands against the other bank penny stocks.

The US banking sector in 2024 faces various challenges and opportunities. Although the industry has recovered from the bank failures of early 2023, it now deals with a slower economy, tighter regulations, and the possibility of interest rate cuts, all of which present risks for the sector.

In the past year, the US banking sector observed the collapse of a couple of well-known banks, which led to uncertainty in regional bank stocks. When considering the broader context, last year's bank closures were not particularly notable in terms of quantity. The year's total of five closures pales in comparison to 2009 and 2010, which saw 140 and 157 closures, respectively. However, 2023 stood out due to the substantial total assets of the affected institutions, primarily driven by the significant sizes of First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank.

The banks were also heavily funded by uninsured deposits, as a significant portion of their customers held deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. This increased their risk during sector volatility. Despite these closures and the following instability, many bank stocks regained stability and ended 2023 with positive returns.

The economic outlook indicates slower growth and the possibility of a rate cut in 2024. This may result in a dip in bank profitability, although it is expected to remain strong, with an anticipated return on common equity ranging from 10% to 11%. Moreover, asset quality is predicted to weaken but should remain manageable, with strong pre-provision earnings providing support.

There are economic risks to consider, including the potential for a recession if the Federal Reserve is not careful enough with rate cuts, as well as the persistent threat of inflation that could result in prolonged high rates. Moreover, credit card charge-offs are anticipated to rise. However, banks with more diversified deposit bases and fewer uninsured deposits are less likely to face high risks as compared to those with more uninsured deposits. Regulatory changes, including the finalization of new capital and resolution requirements, may be implemented in 2024 in response to the banking failures of the previous year.

Despite these challenges, the banking sector is expected to maintain strong profitability and capital buildup, aided by a potentially more favorable rate environment later in the year. Moreover, there are potential investment opportunities in regional banks perceived as undervalued. With this context in mind, let's take a look at the best bank penny stocks to buy now.

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Our Methodology

To compile a list of the 10 best bank penny stocks to buy, we conducted an in-depth analysis. Our first step was to identify banks with share prices below $5. To assess their investment potential, we examined the number of hedge fund investors in these banks during Q1 2024. We used Insider Monkey's database of over 900 hedge funds to rank the best bank penny stocks according to the hedge fund sentiment.

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).

5 Countries That Receive the Most International Remittances

A customer withdrawing money from an ATM, illustrating the company's widespread availability of accounts.

Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19

Since 1943, Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) has grown into a Brazilian financial giant, offering banking and insurance services to individuals and businesses. Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) ranks highly among the best bank penny stocks to invest in.

Banco Bradesco S.A.s (NYSE:BBD) Q1 2024 results, highlighted steady profitability with net income of BRL 4.2 billion, reflecting an increase of 46% year-over-year (YoY). Loan growth showed positive signs, increasing 1.2% YoY and 1.4% quarter-over-quarter, indicating a reversal of the previous declining trend.

This growth was particularly notable in segments like real estate mortgages (up 5.8% YoY) and personal loans (up 1.8% YoY). Credit card loans remained flat due to higher risk considerations. The company also maintained well-controlled operating expenses. Overall, these results align with Banco Bradesco S.A.s (NYSE:BBD) plan for gradual growth throughout 2024.

Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) has received a consensus rating of Buy, with an average price target of $4.5. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, 19 funds reported owning a stake in Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN).

Overall BBD ranks 2nd on our list of the best bank penny stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now to see the other bank penny stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of BBD 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 BBD 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.
A tough-on-the-eyes presidential debate might've left viewers with more concern than confidence (or questions than answers), but there are still plenty of reasons investors should remain bullish on red-hot tech darlings such as Nvidia (NVDA).

From a tech perspective, the political environment wont change that much under either [candidate]," Goldman Sachs portfolio manager Brook Dane told Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi on his "Opening Bid" podcast (see video above or listen here).

Dane says a combination of ingrained bullish sentiment around tech stocks and their strong outlook for profits and cash flow should deflect election concerns. AI companies are particularly shielded from political worries given how fast they are expanding, Dane added.

President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden left debate-watchers stunned last week, with the former spewing falsehoods and the latter appearing frail and out of touch.

Pressing topics like tech regulation and the rising influence of AI remained on the back burner.

Tech investors noticed the lack of attention on said hot-button issues and continued to stick with megacap winners, largely because of the facts Dane laid out.

Nvidia recently climbed to a $3.34 trillion market cap, briefly making it the world's most valuable company. Shares traded mostly sideways after the contentious first debate.

Apple (AAPL) shares barely budged  it's only down slightly from its 52-week high of $220.

Microsoft (MSFT) held firm as well; it's down a hair from the record high it closed on June 27.

Regardless of who wins, Dane acknowledges an environment of tighter scrutiny around social media companies and the relationship between the US and China.

But AI names could still do well. I think Washington in general is lagging behind understanding how profound this change is and how structural it is, he said.

Calls from experts like Dane will be put to the test again soon.

The election cycle's next events include the Republican National Convention scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, and another presidential debate on Sept. 12.

In the meantime, tech companies promise to show us we havent seen anything yet.

What we are going to see from these tools over the next two to five years is incredibly profound, Dane said. Its going to fundamentally change the way people work and interact with technology.

Bradesco's head of equity strategy Ben Laidler also thinks the election is a non-event for investors in the medium term. He believes we are in the early innings of a bull market for stocks. Laidler explains his thesis in an episode of "Opening Bid", which you could listen to below.

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Opening Bid Episode List

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Xcel Energy has agreed to a somewhat smaller bill increase for natural gas customers in Minnesota, as long as state utility regulators approve a deal the company negotiated with state officials, unions and affordability advocates.

Minneapolis-based Xcel said Wednesday it would shrink its original request for a 9.6%, $59.03 million rate increase to a 7.5%, $46.31 million hike on bills.

Under the agreement, the increase for residential customers would be smaller than for large commercial businesses and would result in bills that are $4.20 per month higher for the average residential customer.

"We've worked collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve an outcome that supports improvements in system reliability and resiliency, strengthening safety and inspection programs and taking steps to operate the cleanest possible natural gas system that includes more than 9,700 miles of underground infrastructure in Minnesota," said Xcel spokesman Theo Keith.

The rate increase is smaller than a temporary 8.5% rate increase approved the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved for 2024, meaning customers would receive a refund for the difference. Xcel estimates that would be a roughly $9 one-time credit on bills for residential customers. However, it's still a large increase overall.

Xcel said it wanted higher rates to upgrade and maintain its gas transmission and distribution infrastructure as well as safety systems at gas peaking plants and for projects in other parts of the business.

The 9.6% increase would have resulted in a typical residential natural gas customer paying an extra $6.93 per month. Xcel is the second-largest gas provider in Minnesota with 477,000 customers.

Keith said if the PUC approves the settlement, gas rates for Minnesota residential customers would remain below the national average.

Xcel struck the deal with every party that officially intervened in the case, including the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Attorney General Keith Ellison, the ratepayer watchdog nonprofit Citizens Utility Board and two trade unions.

The PUC has the final word on the docket, however, and there were Minnesotans who asked the commission to reject the initial increase.

"For retired people, it's hard to pay for increases in everything, natural gas, gasoline, food, just everything, for persons on a fixed income," said Shoreview resident Ray Gordner in a hand-written letter to the PUC.

The PUC in March 2023 approved a 2.7%, $20.9 million gas rate increase for Xcel. That was significantly smaller than the 6.6% hike Xcel initially asked for in 2021. Before that, Xcel requested much smaller rate increases for natural gas service in 2009, 2006 and 2004.

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The Citizens Utility Board successfully campaigned to stop Xcel from billing customers for about $300,000 in dues to the American Gas Association, an industry trade group. CUB argued the gas association promotes continued use of fossil fuels rather than carbon-free energy.

Last June, the PUC also granted Xcel a 9.6% rate increase through three years for its electric service. That fell short of what Xcel wanted, though the company in April dropped an appeal about a key profit measure.
China's immigration authorities announced on Monday a new measure that will make it more convenient for non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao to travel to the mainland.

Starting July 10, non-Chinese permanent residents of the two special administrative regions will be eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the mainland, according to the National Immigration Administration.

According to the basic laws of the two regions, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao include both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals.

Holders of these documents will be allowed multiple entries into the mainland within a five-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. After completing procedures such as fingerprint collection, the holders can enter through the express clearance channel, according to the administration.

However, if non-Chinese holders intend to work, study, or engage in news reporting activities on the mainland, they should apply for visas or residence permits in accordance with the law.

The administration said that it will continue to improve immigration management services to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and promote the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the country's overall development.
When one juror in Ricardo Castro's criminal trial became incapacitated 11 hours into the jury's deliberations and could not continue, there was broad agreement afterward that the trial judge did everything he could to emphasize the need for remaining jurors to begin anew  with the alternate juror replacing her stricken counterpart.
The Colorado Supreme Court announced this week that it will hear a pair of criminal appeals questioning whether a murder suspect was in custody at the time of her interrogation, and whether police acted constitutionally when they executed an Internet-based search warrant.
Rachel Gabel is a longtime agriculture writer and the assistant editor of The Fence Post Magazine.
If experience is the best teacher, then Leigh Candelas is an expert in protecting her own home from a catastrophic fire. A 2013 Black Forest fire survivor whose ranch-style house was damaged but not destroyed, she has in the intervening years made it a priority to protect her house with proactive safety measures, going so far as to have the property inspected by the Falcon Fire Protection District.

None of that helped her a year ago, however, when her house insurance renewal quote more than doubled to over $8,000 in a single year. She said that the rising costs, along with rising property taxes, might do what the fire 10 years ago could not.

I think were going to be one of those people who might have to move, she said.

Candelas is not alone among homeowners feeling the strain of rapidly increasing insurance rates.

A 2023 report by the Colorado Division of Insurance found that statewide premiums have increased 51% between 2019 and 2022, outpacing the national average. Meanwhile, insurance carriers are consolidating coverage by not renewing policies in the most catastrophe-prone parts of the state.

El Paso County ranked 24th in the state for premium increases in 2022 at 15%.

The DOI says the situation suggests some turmoil for policyholders and instability in the market.

What does turmoil mean?

Its becoming unaffordable, said Candelas. Its heading in that direction right now.

Perfect storm

Colorado is indicative of a nationwide crisis facing homeowners and insurers in the face of skyrocketing natural disaster claims and rebuilding costs. According to the DOI, the state ranked fourth in overall underwriter losses in the country over the past five years.

Two recent disasters, the Marshall fire in 2021 and a 2017 hailstorm that hit the Denver metro area, generated over $2 billion in claims each according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

Nationwide, data from the Insurance Information Institute says insurance companies paid $79 billion from catastrophes in 2023. Reinsurance companies that underwrite insurance have taken notice, providing additional pressure from above. Colorado, along with several other U.S. states, is riding the edge of profitability for many carriers.

Insurance companies have scrambled to adjust at the cost of policyholders, especially those in areas deemed high risk.

Carole Walker, RMIIA executive director, described Colorados market as the perfect storm.

We are at this tipping point in Colorado, she said.

The result is policies becoming more costly and selective, especially in the wildland-urban interface along the Front Range, where urban areas encroach on high-fire-risk forest. One of the most populous such areas runs along the west side of El Paso County. The DOI reported that 76% of carrier groups shrank their exposures through October 2022, meaning less insurance company competition among a handful of large carriers.

While Candelas was forced to find another insurer after her spiking renewal quote, fellow Black Forest resident Michael Gutierrez lost his insurance altogether.

Branch Insurance, Gutierrezs previous insurer, pulled out of the area early this year. He switched plans to Allstate, a much larger, national insurance company, with a rate increase from about $3,000 to $8,000 for his ranch-style home. Gutierrez takes measures to protect his home from wildfire by conducting yearly mitigation.

We absolutely love this house and this property, he said. So were just going to have to bite down and make it happen.

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A safety net

The state of Colorado has taken notice, and what is hoped to be a relief measure is in the works to start next year.

In May 2023, the Colorado Legislature passed the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Act, which provides for the state to create an insurer of last resort for property owners who cannot find a policy on the open market. When the FAIR Plan becomes operational in 2025, it will join more than 30 states that have stepped into the private insurance market.

It will be a safety net for people that truly need it, said Walker, who also serves on the FAIR Plan board.

That is the goal, but some comparable programs have seen issues staying within intentions. In California, critics have raised concerns that the states FAIR Plan could cost policyholders billions in assessments in the event of a natural disaster like a wildfire. According to Politico, the insurer of last resort has seen a sixfold increase since 2018 in property insured after several major companies limited exposure or pulled out of the state entirely.

In Florida, the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has grown since its inception in 2002 into the largest insurer in the state, raising financial concerns in the event of a natural disaster.

The FAIR Act calls for a similar plan as other states insurers of last resort: all licensed insurance companies in the state agree to share financial responsibility for the FAIR Plan, both in income and losses. The bill calls for FAIR rates to remain actuarially sound, meaning that premiums generate enough revenue to pay for expenses and claims.

Kerri Waite, a Colorado Springs homeowner and volunteer advocate with California-based consumer advocate group United Policyholders, said that the state had a responsibility to provide insurance access. She also acknowledged some inherent pitfalls with taking on policies that private companies would deny.

The government programs have big problems because they take on big risks, she said.

But they beat the heck out of nothing, she added.

She also said that the FAIR Plan does not help the large and growing portion of underinsured properties in Colorado. The plan will insure homeowners up to $750,000 and commercial properties up to $5 million. With home and construction costs on the rise, those limits could be easily reached and exceeded by the values of homes and properties.

Sadly, there isnt a perfect answer, she said.

Future landscape

Both Waite and Walker see the best solution to stabilizing the insurance market is doing more to reduce the risk of claims on policies.

Walker said that evolving strategies on how to deal with wildfire and hail, including fire mitigation and the adoption of hail-resistant roofs, will help keep insurance viable.

My hope is is that with any crisis situation that it ends in thoughtful dialogue and solutions, she said.

Waite took a dimmer view on the possibility of avoiding natural disasters, particularly when it comes to wildfire. She said that while mitigation can help homes survive fire, the El Paso County area has and will see wildfires on a magnitude that cannot be protected against.

A wind-driven fire in a wildland urban interface is a completely different story, she said.

Waite said that the area would need to adopt development rules that would stymy growth into high-risk areas, calling wildfire risk a natural limiter.

At some level, we have to listen, or we have to alter the landscape to such a degree that it no longer is the thing people came here to live in, she said.

In the meantime, Candelas worries about the future makeup of her upper middle-class Black Forest neighborhood, where she described her neighbors as hard-working.

I think if we cant get some kind of handle on the rates, it might only be the rich, the super-rich who live here, she said.
Jonathan Shaheen

Shaheen, a former Tri-Lakes area pastor and music teacher who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections on Monday.

Freddy Quintanilla Diaz

Quintanilla Diaz made his first appearance in Colorados 4th Judicial District Court on Tuesday after he was arrested for allegedly trying to kill his roommate over a rent dispute of $50, according to previous reporting from The Gazette.

Quintanilla Diaz now faces seven criminal charges for the altercation including first-degree assault, felony menacing and obstruction of a peace officer. Attempted first-degree murder is not among the charges he faces.

He will return to court on Tuesday for a bond hearing ahead of his July 18 preliminary hearing. Quintanilla Diaz is being held at the El Paso County jail on a $50,000 bond.

Linda Guest and Joseray Arizmendi

The two women accused of kidnapping and repeatedly assaulting a couple for speaking with police were charged Tuesday after making their first appearances in court the week prior.

Guest and Arizmendi each face 10 criminal charges including kidnapping, aggravated witness intimidation, first-degree assault, felony menacing.

They will return to court on July 15 for their preliminary hearings. Both remain in custody at the El Paso County jail on $25,000 bonds.

Erica Johnson

The woman accused of numerous theft charges for defrauding people in Colorado Springs through her contracting business accepted a plea deal on Wednesday, according to court records. Johnson pleaded guilty to four counts of felony theft and received a deferred prison sentence of four years.

Johnson had eight open theft cases, all of which involved stealing money from a client through contracting business that she did not complete, or never started at all, that were dismissed through the plea.

Additionally, Johnson owes over $350,000 in restitution, according to court records.

Brian Yi

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One of the two brothers arrested for selling fentanyl and weapons out of their Colorado Springs liquor store in 2022 accepted a plea deal on Wednesday, according to court records. Yi pleaded guilty to one count of controlled substance distribution and will return to court on Sept. 4 for his sentencing hearing.

Brian Yis brother, Steve Yi, already accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to 13 years in the Department of Corrections in May, according to previous reporting from The Gazette.

Nelson Boyer

The motorcyclist accused of attempting to kill someone during a road rage incident near Interstate 25 last month made his first appearance in court on Wednesday. Boyer faces five charges for the road rage shooting including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Boyers preliminary hearing is slated for July 19, and he remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $250,000 bond.

Donnell Chess

Chess pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges on Thursday, landing himself a 50-year sentence in the Department of Corrections.

Alejandro Balderas-Avilez

After having his initial first appearance vacated on June 20, Balderas-Avilez failed to appear in court on Thursday for his newly scheduled first appearance, according to court records. Balderas-Avilez was released from custody on June 13, the day of his arrest, after he posted a $1,000 cash bond.

He is accused of killing 84-year-old Dolores Holler in a hit-and-run accident in December. He faces two charges in connection to Hollers killing: leaving the scene of an accident involving death and careless driving resulting in death.

A show cause hearing is scheduled for July 27 in which Balderas-Avilez will get the chance to explain why he failed to appear to court.

Ruben Segovia Sr. and Ruben Segovia Jr.

The father-son pair accused of shooting a 9-year-old at a Colorado Springs apartment complex in January each pleaded not guilty to all 15 charges they face for the incident. The charges include several counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Segovia Sr. and Segovia Jr. are both scheduled to return to court on July 19 for a motion hearing, and Dec. 2 is scheduled to be the pairs first day of trial. Both remain in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $150,000 bond.
The man accused of causing the death of 62-year-old Dorothy King in an alleged carjacking attempt outside the South Academy Boulevard bingo hall waived his right to a preliminary hearing .

Nathaniel Buchmann, 33, appeared in 4th Judicial District Court for his latest hearing Monday.

Buchmann faces 13 charges for allegedly causing Kings death at the bingo hall including second-degree murder, robbery, first-degree motor vehicle theft and eight habitual criminal sentence enhancers.

Once Buchmann waived his preliminary hearing, all 13 charges were automatically bound over for trial.

A preliminary hearing is where prosecutors enter evidence and testimony to prove there is probable cause to bind over all charges against a defendant for trial.

According to previous reporting from The Gazette, Buchmann is suspected of attacking King in the parking lot of Bingo World at 272 S. Academy Blvd., on the afternoon of April 17. Footage described in the affidavit showed a man approaching King and her truck in the parking lot before the video began a new file.

Sometime later the man was seated in the truck while King leaned inside. The affidavit said the man was observed thrusting a knife toward King. The driver of the truck then reversed over Kings foot and ran over her after she fell to the ground.

King was pronounced dead at the parking lot, with a laceration on her torso consistent with a knife wound.

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Buchmann will return to court Aug. 29 for an arraignment hearing, where he will have his first chance to enter a plea on all charges.

In addition to the open homicide case, Buchmann had a prolific criminal history according to the affidavit, including two previous convictions for motor vehicle theft from 2019 and 2021. Buchmann was out on bond at the time of his arrest on motor vehicle theft and criminal mischief charges.

According to the court documents, he also had an outstanding arrest warrant issued April 16 in a carjacking incident during which a woman was forced out of a pickup truck while in her driveway.

Buchmann appeared to court in custody of the El Paso County jail. He faces a $1 million bond in the homicide case to be released from custody as well as a $50,000 bond and a $75,000 bond in his two additional open criminal cases in El Paso County.
During an exhibition at the Colorado Springs Event Center on Sunday, a man began to inquire about the price of a particular display item when his wife placed a restraining hand on his shoulder and said, We don't need another one."

I know, he replied. Besides, we don't have the space. But he couldnt take his eyes off the boa constrictor.

The large but non-venomous snake was one of hundreds of exotic pets on display, and for sale, at the two-day Show Me Reptile and Exotics Show.

Coordinated by Missouri-based Show Me Reptiles, the weekend event featured dozens of exotic pet vendors from several states across the U.S., including Utah, New Mexico, Missouri and Tennessee.

Were here to provide a venue for the exotic pet community to look at and buy reptiles, said event coordinator Sam Roy. Were also here for people who might be considering an alternative to a traditional pet.

Non-traditional pets have grown in popularity in recent years, according to several vendors at the trade show.

Over the last few years, spiders have really taken off in the pet trade, said John Morris, owner of Denver-based Outlaw Arachnids, one of a handful of spider vendors at the show.

Tarantulas can live a long time as pets  as much as 20-30 years, said Heather Tinney of Eight Deadly Sins, a spider shop in Grand Junction. "If you want a pet that will be around for a long time, maybe you should consider a tarantula."

More than 1,500 pet enthusiasts showed up for the expo, gave uninitiated attendees a chance to see  and in some cases, touch  live reptiles. Thats the most effective way to dispel stereotypes about reptiles and other exotics, Roy said.

Reptiles are sociable creatures. They love each other and they love us, he said. Theyre not scaly and slimy. Theyre affectionate. They recognize people. Theyre actually pretty nice animals.

Ronald Bohnert, owner of Scales N Tails, echoed Roys assertions.

People tend to think reptiles are slimy and scaly, Bohnert said. "Theyre not. In fact, theyre pretty soft to the touch.

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People also think that snakes are aggressive and dangerous. But all the snakes in this show are captive-bred, by people. The first thing they see, when theyre hatched, is people. They dont have a natural fear of humans, so they dont behave aggressively.

Bohnert and his Scales N Tails team brought an array of snakes and other reptiles to the expo despite a smash-and-grab burglary that took place at their North Academy Boulevard location just a few days before.

Just before 5 a.m. on Wednesday, after a failed attempt the day before, a group of thieves broke into the store and stole several animals.

Security footage, available for viewing on the Scales N Tails Facebook page, shows a hooded figure connecting a tether to the stores door and a small car in a failed effort to tear the door from its hinges. When that didnt work, the thieves threw a large rock against a window several times before it finally broke.

The suspects stole five pythons, six lizards, some bedding and a cage, according to Bohnert.

They basically took what they wanted and left, he said.

Despite about $9,000 in damage and losses, the Scales N Tails team never considered skipping the expo.

We were going to do the show regardless, Bohnert said. Were the premier reptile spot in Colorado Springs. If theres a show in our city, of course were going to be there.

It was Show Me Reptiles first expo in Colorado Springs, but it wont be the last; a second show in the same location is already set for Oct. 5-6, according to Roy.

We thought this weekend really went well, he said. Were looking forward to coming back in October.
Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence transcend differences in social system, ideology

09:34, July 01, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Although born in Asia, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence transcend differences in social system and ideology. They have become an important norm governing contemporary international relations and fundamental principles of international law, contributing the wisdom of the East to properly handling state-to-state relations.

Under the current international situation, inheriting and promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is conducive to fostering international consensus and jointly addressing global challenges, thus promoting world peace and development.

The spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence remains as relevant as ever.

Seven decades ago, then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai put forth in full the five principles for the first time -- mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Since then, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been incorporated into a series of important international documents, widely accepted and recognized by countries across the world.

The enunciation of these principles was a major initiative in the history of international relations and a significant contribution to the building of a new type of just and equitable international relations.

The five principles capture the essence of todays international relations and manifest humanitys common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. They can apply to relations among all countries regardless of their social system, stage of development or size.

Having withstood the test of the evolving international landscape in the past 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are showing strong vitality.

The significance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence remains as important as ever.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have strong vitality because they give concrete expression to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and conform to the fundamental interests of people around the world.

The core of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is that there is sovereign equality among all countries and that no country should monopolize international affairs. These principles offer a powerful intellectual tool for developing countries to uphold their sovereignty and independence, and they have thus become a rallying call for enhancing solidarity, cooperation and strength among them.

The world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval; changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace; and human society faces unprecedented challenges. In this context, inheriting and promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is particularly important.

Only by truly adhering to the principle of sovereign equality of states can the foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation between countries be established, and peace and development of the world ensured.

The role of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence has continued to grow.

The five principles are conducive to both peace and development. Rejecting the law of the jungle by which the strong bullies the weak, they provide a new approach for peacefully resolving historical issues and international disputes, and create a sound environment for mutually beneficial international cooperation and common development. They help build a fairer and more equitable international order.

In the world today, injustice and inequality are still pronounced problems in international relations. Unilateralism, protectionism and bullyism are resurging. Regional conflicts and local wars continue to erupt.

The international community should further inherit and promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, uphold sovereign equality, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, enhance mutual trust through dialogue, and build peace through cooperation. By doing this, the international community will continuously embrace common progress and win-win outcomes.

China champions and firmly observes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Over the past seventy-plus years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, China has always followed a path of peaceful development. It has never initiated a war or occupied an inch of a foreign land. It is the only country that has incorporated peaceful development in its Constitution, and the only country among the five nuclear-weapon states to pledge no first use of nuclear weapons.

China is working to build a clean and beautiful world featuring lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and a community with a shared future for mankind. Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, providing Chinese solutions to development issues facing the mankind.

Adhering to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries, China is committed to promoting a new type of international relations, and will contribute its strength in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Under the new circumstances, China will keep working with all parties to inherit and carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, build a community with a shared future for mankind and write new chapters of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Monday that the central government has agreed to give another pair of giant pandas as a gift to the HKSAR, and the pair is expected to arrive in the coming months.

The HKSAR government is grateful to the central government, and has commenced preparatory work for welcoming the giant pandas to Hong Kong, he said.

Lee made the announcement at a reception after a flag-raising ceremony marking the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the central government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, which fully demonstrates its care and support for our city. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which makes this gift even more special," Lee said.

Lee said that the two pairs of giant pandas given by the central government in the past have accompanied generations of Hong Kong people, which is the collective memory of all.

"The new pair of giant pandas will become close 'family members' of Hong Kong people, bringing us laughter and joy," Lee said.

The HKSAR government has been in liaison with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to discuss the arrival arrangements of the giant pandas. The HKSAR government will immediately get on with the preparatory work to ensure that the Hong Kong Ocean Park is fully geared up to take care of the giant pandas, a spokesperson for the HKSAR government said.

The HKSAR government is confident that the preparatory work will be completed smoothly, and details of the arrangements for welcoming the giant pandas to Hong Kong will be announced in due course, the spokesperson said.
Gazette file photo Campers look on as Denver authorities prepare to shut down their camp near downtown last November.
Dick Wadhams is a former Colorado Republican State Chairman who worked for U.S. Sen Bill Armstrong for nine years before managing campaigns for U.S. Sens. Hank Brown and Wayne Allard, Gov. Bill Owens, and U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
With the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrating its 103rd founding anniversary on July 1, the CPC is set to unveil a new round of deep and comprehensive reforms to better serve China's 1.4 billion people.

On July 15, the CPC will convene the third plenary session of its 20th central committee in Beijing, with a host of reforms on the table that could chart the course forward for the world's second largest economy.

"It is imperative to plan and advance reform with a focus on the people's overall, fundamental and long-term interests," Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a symposium attended by representatives of businesses and academia in May.

The CPC never forgets that the ultimate goal of pursuing reform and development is to ensure that people live better lives. And the touchstone of any reforms should be the approval of the general public.

"As many reform measures as possible should be taken addressing the most pressing concerns of the people and responding to their will, and as many concrete approaches as possible should be adopted that deliver real benefits to the people, win their approval and respect their will, so that the reform can ensure that the people have a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness and security," said Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The secret to the CPC's success in the world's most populous country is to put people's interests and wellbeing above all else.

While Western political parties are obsessed with short-term partisan interests even at the cost of people's wellbeing, the CPC focuses on the happiness of the people, making relentless self-reform and self-improvement. It knows well that without the acknowledgment and support of the mass of people, its governance would be like a tree without roots or water without a source.

The CPC's history bears witness to its pursuit of the happiness of the people. As a political party that is of the people, by the people and for the people, it has always regarded the Chinese people as the supreme and ultimate judge of its work.

China has witnessed profound changes over the modern era that transformed the country from untold sufferings to splendid modernity. History proved that only the CPC could lead the Chinese people in fighting the enemy and winning the revolution. Since then, lives have been saved, humiliation has ended and the destiny of the Chinese people has been illuminated.

The CPC believes that only through development can people's lives be improved and national strength be enhanced. Since China ushered in the reform and opening up in 1978, earth-shaking changes have taken place in people's lives.

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) now ranks the second largest in the world. Just within a decade, nearly 100 million people shook off poverty. The middle-income population has exceeded 400 million, the world's largest.

China also has the world's second largest consumer market, the biggest online retail sales market and the second largest import market. The country is also backed by a stable and bumper output of grains, and has built the world's largest carbon market and clean power generation system.

The speed and quality of infrastructure construction in China has often astonished those who have traveled in this land of wonders. Foreigners are stunned when they board the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, impressed with the comfortable carriages and bullet-like speed.

Rome was not built in a day. Similarly, China's achievements have been built through days and nights of hard work, led by the CPC, which always summons the necessary resources and responds to people's demands as its top priority.

Whether in earthquake-relief or the anti-poverty mission, it was the CPC that led the people in rising anew from the ruins and shaking off poverty in a relatively short period of time.

The CPC's attractiveness cannot be resisted. With close to 100 million members, the CPC is the world's largest ruling Marxist political party. The Party's appeal is sharpened by its broad range of perspectives, as it is willing to listen to opinions from a wide array of members, from the top level to the grassroots, which encompasses some very talented people from across China.

No one can deny that these have made the CPC's governance effective, efficient and highly responsive to people's needs.

If a political party becomes self-assertive and disconnected from the masses, it risks being abandoned by the people. This is an iron law of historical development, and has no exception in any era.

The CPC is able to navigate in the choppy waters of uncertainty, develop new theories and formulate blueprints because it remains on high alert to new challenges and realities, and adapts to changes in line with the times.

In the face of evolving changes, the CPC's approach is pragmatic and realistic. The much-anticipated third plenary session will unveil more details of a new round of reforms in the "deep-water" areas that aim to fix the hard-nut problems arising from decades of development.

The CPC has not only led reforms in economy, environmental protection and many other fields, but also carried out constant self-improvement. In view of the major risks and tests facing the Party and the prominent problems within the Party, the CPC has waged a sweeping war on corruption. It unswervingly promotes comprehensive and strict governance of the Party to keep its blood clean and healthy.

The CPC's people-centered philosophy can be traced back to the country's traditional culture. The Party's inherent genetic code includes fine traditional Chinese culture, from which the notion of putting people's interests above all else originates. China's path to the pursuit of peaceful development under the leadership of the CPC is also inseparable from traditional Chinese culture.

The Chinese people do not have the gene of expansive aggression and oppose the zero-sum game mentality. With respect to equality and mutual benefit in international relations, China is committed to being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. It stands ready to work with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

China needs a peaceful international environment on its road to prosperity. Without peace, neither China nor the world can develop smoothly. Without development, there can be no lasting peace for China and the world.

China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development and hopes that all countries in the world will do so too. China will neither pursue its own development at the expense of other countries' interests, nor will it give up its legitimate rights and interests. No country should expect China to compromise on its core interests.

There has never been a textbook or a ready-made answer to China's own problems. The Party's path to success in its century-long struggle was blazed by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Party. China's problems must be addressed by the Chinese people in light of China's basic national conditions.

The values featuring "peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom" put forward by China echo with the common values of mankind. China's efforts to promote the common values of mankind reflect the broad mind of the Chinese Communists and have been widely recognized by the international community through a range of initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative.

From the narrow angle of one's own country, the world is small and crowded, and there is fierce competition all the time. From the perspective of a shared destiny, the world is big enough for everyone and there are opportunities for cooperation everywhere.

Today's world faces many common challenges, such as climate change, sluggish economy, rising unilateralism and protectionism and regional conflicts. No country can escape from these issues or solve them single-handedly. The only way out for mankind is to work together.

As it celebrates its 103rd birthday, the CPC is leading the Chinese nation toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country. It will lead the Chinese people to national rejuvenation while seeking common development with the world.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other leaders and guests ahead of the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 16, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

On June 15, 2001, then heads of state of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Shanghai. Together, they announced the creation of a new regional group on the Eurasian continent -- the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The SCO is the only inter-governmental organization named after a Chinese city. It has become a key venue for China to bolster its cooperation with countries in Central Asia and the broader Eurasian landmass.

Over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping has attended every SCO head-of-state summit, including through video conferences during the COVID period. He shared at this multilateral platform his thoughts and proposals with other world leaders on ensuring regional stability, achieving more robust common development and contributing to a better world.

"A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far." In Xi's eyes, the development of the SCO, which represents about half of the world's population and a quarter of the global economy, accords with the trend of the times and goes along with the direction of human progress.

"With peace, a country enjoys prosperity"

"The 'Three evil forces,' drug trafficking and transnational organized crime are serious threats to regional security and stability." When Xi first addressed the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek in 2013, he opened his speech with a clear and concise assessment of the security situation facing SCO members.

The SCO was born primarily for security reasons. Its predecessor, the "Shanghai Five," was formed to manage border security issues after the end of the Cold War. Terrorism, separatism and extremism, known as the "three evil forces," have for decades hung over Central Asia, becoming increasingly acute following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the so-called Arab Spring.

As Xi debuted on the SCO stage, the region was facing a much more complicated security situation. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria caused a spillover of terrorist and extremist elements into Central Asia back then, resulting in more pressure for China and its SCO partners to forge strong security ties.

The Chinese leader stressed security cooperation at every summit and mentioned "security" more than 120 times in his 11 SCO speeches. For the Chinese leader, security is the bedrock of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperity.

"With peace, a country enjoys prosperity, just as with rain, the land can flourish." Xi once quoted this Uzbekistan proverb to explain his understanding of the relationship between security and development when attending the 2022 SCO Samarkand summit.

Xi pledged "zero tolerance" towards the "three evil forces" and underscored concerted efforts to eradicate them. He also urged the SCO members to help Afghanistan regain peace and push forward cooperation in tackling drug trafficking, organized crime, and nontraditional security sectors like cyberspace and outer space.

With the consistent push by Xi and his fellow SCO leaders, the SCO has, over the years, organized joint drills and cracked down on drug smuggling to cut terrorism financing. Those efforts have paid off. From 2013 to 2017, SCO member states foiled more than 600 terrorist crimes, captured some 2,000 terrorists and destroyed over 500 terrorist boot camps. Security mechanisms have improved, and joint drills have extended to cyberspace.

The SCO has also been a platform on which Xi expounded his new security vision for Asia -- a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

The world today remains gripped by war and conflict. Xi has always been concerned with preventing war and achieving lasting peace. In 2022, he proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), a global public good provided by China to advance global security governance.

The guiding principle of the GSI is consistent with his security vision, offering China's solution to the question of the times.

Modern Silk Road

The SCO is naturally connected to Xi's signature proposal, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). All six initial SCO members were along the ancient bustling trade route between the East and the West, and the Chinese leader has further strengthened that connection.

During a state visit to Kazakhstan in September 2013, Xi proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt, an essential component of the BRI. Days later, when addressing the Bishkek SCO summit, Xi called on member countries to carry forward the Silk Road spirit.

Over the decade, Xi has used the BRI as a key driver to promote China's practical cooperation with the SCO countries and to accelerate development. By aligning their respective development strategies, China and the SCO members have witnessed fruitful results in boosting infrastructure, trade and financial connectivity.

Earlier this month via video link, Xi, along with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, hailed the signing of an inter-governmental agreement in Beijing on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The railway, as planned, will begin in Kashgar, a city in China's western Xinjiang, and enter the territory of Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. In the future, it can reach West Asia and South Asia, becoming a main transport artery across the Asian continent.

In his video message, Xi described the railway as a strategic project of connectivity between China and Central Asia and a landmark project of the three countries' cooperation efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Located in the heartland of the Asian continent, Central Asia's development has long been constrained by a lack of ports. Once completed, the railway will shorten the time needed to transport Central Asian products to major global markets and facilitate the integration of Central Asia with the global industrial and supply chains, thus boosting regional development.

The railway project was first proposed in the 1990s. Over the years, Xi has paid close attention to the project. In his interactions with leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, both SCO members, he repeatedly called for a joint drive to restart this transformative railway project.

Former SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov hailed the BRI as "an important platform for multilateral cooperation" that benefits landlocked Central Asian countries, including his home country of Uzbekistan. The BRI has provided "the chance to go freely to the world market."

The railway is just one facet of China's booming cooperation with SCO members. Thanks to increased connectivity, trade is flourishing. Over the past year, trade between China and the five Central Asian countries hit a record high of about 90 billion U.S. dollars, up over 27 percent year-on-year.

A railway staff member examines the first train of a new international multimodal transport route departing from Langfang City, north China's Hebei Province, July 4, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Stronger bond

When it was China's turn to hold the SCO summit in 2018, Xi chose to host his colleagues in Qingdao, a coastal city in China's eastern Shandong Province. The choice has rich cultural implications.

Shandong is home to Confucius and Mencius, two Chinese sages, and the cradle of Confucianism. This ancient Chinese philosophy has significantly influenced many Asian cultures and has profoundly impacted the lives of the Chinese people and their way of thinking.

Xi welcomed the SCO leaders by quoting a famous line from Confucius: "What a joy to have friends coming from afar!"

Xi has long advocated for mutual learning among different cultures and civilizations. Since becoming China's president, he has made cultural interaction a trademark of his diplomacy. For him, the diversity of civilizations sustains human progress. In Qingdao, he first defined his outlook on civilization as comprised of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness.

On many occasions, the Chinese leader also stressed the preservation of traditional culture and inheritance of cultural heritage. In his eyes, historical and cultural heritage is a precious resource that is not renewable.

During the trip to Uzbekistan in 2013, Xi launched a joint project with the Uzbek side to restore historical mosques and Islamic schools to their glory of yore in the ancient city of Khiva, which was widely hailed as a shining pearl of civilization along the ancient Silk Road. With Xi's continuous attention and support, the project was completed in 2019.

When he visited the Central Asian country again in 2022, Xi presented Uzbek President Mirziyoyev with a miniature of the ancient city as a state gift in celebration of the two countries' joint efforts to restore the cultural heritage of the Silk Road.

Xi regards each civilization as unique, with none being superior to any other. "We should promote mutual learning between our civilizations and enhance good-neighborliness and friendship between our countries. This allows us to enhance public support for the SCO's long-term development."

Shared home

"The SCO is our shared home," Xi once said. From time to time, the Chinese leader would describe the SCO's growing membership as a "big family."

Whether a shared home or a big family, the SCO is always open and inclusive. It features non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party. That starkly contrasts with exclusive clubs of nations driven by ideological bloc confrontation.

In recent years, the SCO has incorporated new members who recognize the Shanghai Spirit, which is defined by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

Now, with nine member states, three observer states and 14 dialogue partners, the SCO is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographical scale and population.

For Xi, mankind, living in the same global village, are increasingly becoming a community with a shared future in which everyone's interest is closely interlinked. Thus, he proposed the building of an SCO community with a shared future at the Qingdao summit.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a witness to the establishment of "the Shanghai Five" in 1996 as a senior Kazakh official, has been involved in the SCO activities from the beginning.

He expressed "a huge respect" for Xi and support for his visions. "I have no doubts about their positive impacts on developing the world, which must be free of discrimination, of sanctions, of pressure."

Xi's proposals are playing a very crucial role in building mutual trust and benefit among countries in a world characterized by growing instability, uncertainty and unpredictability, said Sheradil Baktygulov, a foreign affairs consultant with the Kyrgyz National Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank.

"The thoughts of President Xi show the way for building a close SCO community," said Baktygulov, "and a bright future for the Eurasian continent."
IT technology distributor Ingram Micro announced the availability of Microsoft Copilot readiness service in Australia and New Zealand.

To cater to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Ingram Micro collaborated with Microsoft to develop the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Adoption Workshop for SMBs. It combines guidance, best practices, tips, and resources.

The Centre of Excellence at Ingram Micro, of which the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Adoption Workshop is hosted, offers services such as security readiness assessments and end-customer adoption training to further support businesses in delivering AI solutions.

Additionally, Ingram Micro has implemented a five-step journey for the organisations it works with, including AI use case workshops, tenant content and security assessments, and ongoing utilisation support, to ensure smooth and effective Copilot deployments.

"Empowering businesses to harness the full potential of Copilot for Microsoft 365 is essential for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, said Microsoft ANZ channel partner director Matt Bostwick.

This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing AI capabilities in the region, enabling partners to harness the power of Microsoft Copilot and drive innovation across industries.

Ingram Micro Australia conducted pre-launch and post-launch roundtables with Microsoft across three major cities in November last year.

Attended by more than 80 of its clients, these sessions provided a platform for understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with AI and Copilot and revealed key areas where those organisations need support, including technical enablement, service profitability, and end-user adoption.

"We are committed to supporting our partners through every stage of their AI journey," said Ingram Micro cloud services ANZ director Trent Gomersall.

"Our collaboration with Microsoft on Copilot has enabled us to provide valuable resources and insights, ensuring our partners are well-prepared to deliver innovative AI solutions to their customers."

In March and April, Ingram Micro launched Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Masters Sales and Technical Bootcamps.

These bootcamps focused on the intricacies of Copilots technical requirements and sales motions, preparing clients for their first deployments.

During the same period, Ingram Micro and Microsoft organised over 20 end-customer events, both in-person at Microsoft offices and digitally through SMB workshops, to help companies introduce Copilot to their clients.

To build momentum for Copilot for Microsoft 365, Ingram Micro has introduced a launch offer for clients, including 30 days free usage and up to $2,500 in rewards.

IT support service Systima is one organisation which has been part of the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Proof of Concept (POC) Application program.

The POC on Copilot with Ingram Micro has given us the ability to convert customers to Copilot seamlessly," said Systima partner Michael Skliros. This program allows us to see firsthand how Copilot performs in the field, enabling us to fine-tune client adoption strategies and technical setups to ensure optimal deployment and satisfaction."

Cloud Made Simple is another IT support company that has benefited from running several webinars with the support of Ingram Micro.

"Initially, our focus was on cybersecurity, explains Cloud Made Simple sales director Deepti Morjaria. But more recently, we have conducted webinars around Copilot for Microsoft 365. These webinars, part of the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Briefings program, have been instrumental in educating our clients and driving engagement in the SMB sector. The collaboration has allowed us to effectively communicate the value and practical applications of Copilot, ensuring our partners are well-prepared to leverage this innovative tool."

Feedback from our roundtables, community calls, and technical bootcamps and readiness workshops and assessments has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the enthusiasm and readiness of our partners to embrace AI," Gomersall concluded.
Singaporean telco Singtel and Hitachi Digital will collaborate to pair Hitachis AI with Singtels Paragon platform, an orchestration platform for 5G, edge computing, and cloud.

Hitachi Digital will deploy Paragon at the Hitachi Americas Santa Clara R&D Labs, followed by a pilot in a US factory for Industry 4.0 cases.

The pilot will aim to validate the interoperability of Hitachi AI applications on quality assurance, workplace safety, immersive training and pre-emptive maintenance on Paragon.

The trial will integrate Paragon with Hitachi industry cloud applications and digital services to enable enterprises to transcend the limitations of complex, low-latency connectivity, and productivity experiences.

Hitachis pre-built Industrial AI applications together with the Paragon platforms network and multi cloud orchestration capabilities will be used to create multiple Paragon-related offerings to help clients improve and accelerate their cloud operations.

Subsequently, Hitachi Digital Services will market these offerings as a Singtel Paragon authorised System Integrator  presenting a unique value proposition to enterprise customers looking to leverage multiple network protocols in delivering digital transformation in industrial settings.

Enterprises in the fast-growing Industry 4.0 sector depend on high quality, reliable connectivity to ensure smooth operations, said Singtel Digital InfraCo CEO Bill Chang.

Integrating Hitachis advanced AI applications with Paragons ecosystem will enhance our suite of solutions for manufacturing enterprises and enable them to seamlessly transform their operations powered by AI.

Hitachi has invested heavily in combining decades of digital, data, cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and connectivity expertise to establish transformative solutions for Industry Cloud deployments. Our applications and consulting services in this area have been an integral part of the digitalisation movement impacting businesses around the world, said Hitachi Digital chief growth officer Frank Antonysamy.
GUEST OPINION: Members of Generation Z (Gen Z), born between 1997 and 2012, are widely recognised as digital natives. Representing 12.2 per cent of Australias population, they excel at adopting new technologies, navigate social media with ease, and thrive in remote work environments.

However, a crucial disconnect exists between their fluency in using technology and their understanding of cybersecurity best practices. This poses a significant risk for organisations employing Gen Z workers, as human error remains a leading cause of data breaches. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) a staggering 95% of cybersecurity issues stem from human mistakes.

The vulnerability of lax security practices

The National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe's 2023 report paints a concerning picture. It reveals that 43% of Gen Z workers have fallen victim to cybercrime. Another survey by EY Consulting highlights their tendency to reuse passwords for both personal and professional accounts, creating easy access points for hackers.

Compounding the issue is Gen Z's reliance on digital communication channels like social media, messaging apps, and video calls. This heavy dependence makes them highly susceptible to phishing attacks and privacy breaches. Their preference for online shopping and digital payments further increases the risk of fraud and identity theft.

The problem: convenience over caution

Several factors contribute to Gen Z's vulnerability. Their comfort with technology often stems from an over-dependence on it for daily tasks. Many view technology as a convenience tool, potentially overlooking the importance of "time-consuming" security measures.

This fosters a sense of complacency, where they underestimate the risks associated with seemingly mundane online activities. Additionally, the constant information flow in today's digital landscape has led to shorter attention spans.

This challenge was highlighted in a recent survey conducted by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia. It found Gen Z individuals were the most likely group to rate cybersecurity as a low or medium threat to small business.

The survey also found Gen Z was much less aware of specific types of cyberattacks, such as ransomware, identity theft, and malware than people in other generations.

The lack of formal cybersecurity education during Gen Z's formative years is another contributing factor. While recent educational programs are integrating digital literacy into the curriculum, a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity practices remains elusive.

This limited academic exposure, coupled with a lack of real-world experience with the consequences of poor security practices, breeds overconfidence when navigating the digital environment.

The benefits of gamifying security training

Traditional training methods, often delivered through lengthy lectures or dry eLearning modules, may not resonate with this new generation of workers. While technological safeguards like endpoint protection are essential, organisations must adopt more engaging approaches to educate Gen Z.

Gamification, the application of game-design elements in non-game contexts, offers a powerful solution. Gamification is particularly effective for Gen Z's learning style for a number of key reasons including:

Enhanced engagement: Gen Z thrives on interactive and captivating digital experiences. Gamification transforms dry security training content into game-like activities that capture their attention and maintain their interest.

Gen Z thrives on interactive and captivating digital experiences. Gamification transforms dry security training content into game-like activities that capture their attention and maintain their interest. Realistic simulations: Gamified scenarios can simulate real-world phishing attacks, enabling Gen Z to recognise red flags and develop healthy scepticism towards suspicious links or online interactions. Learners can be presented with emails or social media messages designed to mimic phishing attempts, allowing them to practice identifying telltale signs like generic greetings, misspelled URLs, or urgent requests for personal information.

Gamified scenarios can simulate real-world phishing attacks, enabling Gen Z to recognise red flags and develop healthy scepticism towards suspicious links or online interactions. Learners can be presented with emails or social media messages designed to mimic phishing attempts, allowing them to practice identifying telltale signs like generic greetings, misspelled URLs, or urgent requests for personal information. Immediate feedback: Games provide instant feedback, allowing learners to track progress and identify areas needing improvement. This aligns perfectly with Gen Z's preference for actionable information and accelerates their learning journey.

Games provide instant feedback, allowing learners to track progress and identify areas needing improvement. This aligns perfectly with Gen Z's preference for actionable information and accelerates their learning journey. Increased motivation: Gamification incorporates points, badges, and leaderboards, fostering a sense of accomplishment and competition. This motivates Gen Z learners to set goals, work towards rewards, and persist through challenges, leading to a more proactive approach to security education.

Gamification incorporates points, badges, and leaderboards, fostering a sense of accomplishment and competition. This motivates Gen Z learners to set goals, work towards rewards, and persist through challenges, leading to a more proactive approach to security education. Active learning: Gamification promotes active learning through interactive challenges, quizzes, and problem-solving tasks. This active participation fosters deeper cognitive engagement and better retention of cybersecurity knowledge.

Gamification promotes active learning through interactive challenges, quizzes, and problem-solving tasks. This active participation fosters deeper cognitive engagement and better retention of cybersecurity knowledge. Collaboration and social learning: Gamified learning platforms can incorporate social elements like teamwork, peer interaction, and competition. These features resonate with Gen Z's collaborative nature and create a more engaging and supportive learning environment.

Gamified learning platforms can incorporate social elements like teamwork, peer interaction, and competition. These features resonate with Gen Z's collaborative nature and create a more engaging and supportive learning environment. Experience customisation: Gamified learning platforms can be tailored to individual learning styles and paces. Gen Z values personalised experiences, and customisation options can cater to their unique preferences, boosting overall effectiveness.

Gamified learning platforms can be tailored to individual learning styles and paces. Gen Z values personalised experiences, and customisation options can cater to their unique preferences, boosting overall effectiveness. Real-world skills development: Problem-solving, strategic thinking, and decision-making are often embedded within gamified learning experiences. These exercises equip Gen Z with valuable real-world skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity, crucial for their professional development. Gamified scenarios can involve making critical choices under pressure, analysing complex data sets to identify threats, and developing creative solutions to security challenges.

Creating a culture of security awareness

Gamified training is just one piece of the puzzle. Organisations must also foster a culture of security awareness that goes beyond training sessions. One way to achieve this is through regular communication about topics such as security updates, best practices, and recent cyber threats to keep employees informed and vigilant.

Its also important to have senior leadership buy-in. When leadership demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity, it sends a powerful message to employees about the importance of security practices.

There should also be mechanisms in place that deliver positive reinforcement. Recognise and reward employees who exhibit strong cybersecurity behaviours, reinforcing positive security habits.

By leveraging gamification and fostering a culture of security awareness, organisations can empower Gen Z employees to become active participants in their cybersecurity defence. This proactive approach can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks and create a more secure digital environment for everyone.

Investing in Gen Z's cybersecurity education is not just about protecting data, it's about investing in the future of the workforce, ensuring they possess the skills and knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape.
GUEST RESEARCH: As healthcare needs escalate globally, the requirement for modern technology to support patient care is evident. New research from SOTI, Code Digital: Will Healthcare Thrive or Survive, reveals that 77% of Australian healthcare IT decision makers believe organisations need to invest in new or better technology to improve patient outcomes.

Understandably, the persistence of outdated technology makes it difficult for healthcare workers to do their jobs efficiently. Research shows that healthcare staff are losing an average of 4 hours per week, per employee, due to technical or system difficulties associated with poorly managed devices and IT infrastructure. Additionally, over one-quarter (29%) of IT professionals estimated that each employee now loses more than five hours per week, affecting the quality of patient care.

Over half (57%) of Australian healthcare organisations regularly experience issues with IoT and telehealth devices, resulting in delays in patient care. This issue significantly impacts overall health outcomes, explained SOTI vice president of sales and marketing APAC Michael Dyson. Without adopting advanced technologies, we risk delaying critical care, mismanaging patient data and hindering communication among healthcare providers.

In with the old, slow with the new: Addressing the remote support gap

Telehealth leverages technology to deliver healthcare services remotely and is relied on to meet community healthcare needs. While the rates of telehealth usage rise, legacy IT issues prevent 26% of healthcare organisations from supporting devices remotely. This impacts the ability to modernise day-to-day operations.

Additionally, 81% of IT decision makers believe their organisations would benefit from more interconnected medical devices. Despite the rapid growth in the number and complexity of devices, healthcare infrastructure and management processes have not kept pace. In fact, 53% admitted to relying on outdated technology. This diminishes the ability to leverage the potential of telehealth technologies and the data they contain.

Digitising manual work in the healthcare sector helps to eliminate inefficiencies and reduces the volume of administrative tasks that can divert attention away from caregiving responsibilities. Recognising the patient care benefits that mobile devices bring, Hato Hone St John (Ambulance) recently underwent a major digital transformation project with SOTI.

Hato Hone St John digital product manager Gabrielle Wildbore shared, Hato Hone St John (Ambulance) deployed more than 2,500 rugged Android tablets using the SOTI ONE Platform. With SOTI we can remotely support any issue our paramedics may experience. We can critically update user applications, meaning that our team always has the latest app version and information in their hands to support positive patient outcomes.

SOTIs research also shows that artificial intelligence (AI) can be a key driver for enabling medical staff to treat more patients, with 79% of organisations in support of using AI in patient care to simplify tasks. Despite the strong interest in using AI to support patient care, the survey reveals a significant hurdle  54% of IT decision makers feel anxious about using AI in patient care and 65% believe it poses a threat to patient privacy.

"AI and machine learning can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care, automating updates to patient records with greater accuracy and speeding up the generation of treatment plans. This allows medical staff to focus more on direct patient care, thereby increasing the number of patients that can be treated, said Dyson. Its evident that there is a need for clearer technological roadmaps and more effective strategies to fully leverage AI and machine learning to enhance patient treatment capacity.

Data security concerns escalate as legacy systems persist

Managing the security of shared devices and data security are growing concerns within the healthcare sector, with 39% of professionals citing one or other as their primary worry. This apprehension is mirrored by a rise in data-related incidents. With 84% of respondents stating that their organisation experienced one or more data breach, leak or ransomware attack since 2022. Additionally, over half (53%) said this was a breach from an outside source and 43% said it was a DDoS ransomware attack.

The survey results highlight the critical need for robust data protection measures and substantial investment in securing sensitive healthcare information. SOTIs research reveals a direct link between the use of legacy technology and escalating security issues.

"Our research shows that 39% of respondents believe outdated IT systems heighten their vulnerability to cyberattacks  a direct correlation to the rate of data breaches and security threats. These security vulnerabilities should motivate healthcare providers to prioritise technological upgrades. Preventing costly data breaches and protecting sensitive patient information is vital, as any compromise can severely damage trust in healthcare systems," concluded Dyson.

To address data security risks in the healthcare sector, organisations must prioritise robust device management solutions. The SOTI ONE Platform offers comprehensive visibility, strong security protections and the capability to remotely manage and secure devices. Moreover, organisations can gain real-time visibility into the field, to support data-driven decision making. It is crucial for IT decision-makers to understand how devices are used in operations, and to be proactive in addressing issues quickly and efficiently.

SOTIs latest report, Code Digital: Will Healthcare Thrive or Survive, can be downloaded here.

Report methodology

SOTIs research spanned 1,450 IT decision-makers across the U.S. (200), Canada (150), Mexico (150), the UK (200), Germany (150), France (150), Sweden (150), the Netherlands (150) and Australia (150). The fieldwork took place between March 7 and March 25, 2024. All respondents worked within the healthcare industry in either a hospital, general medical practice, clinic or for an organisation that provides direct-to-patient remote or telehealth services.

About SOTI

SOTI is a proven innovator and industry leader for simplifying business mobility solutions by making them smarter, faster and more reliable. With SOTIs innovative portfolio of solutions, organisations can trust SOTI to elevate and streamline their mobile operations, maximise their ROI and reduce device downtime. Globally, with over 17,000 customers, SOTI has proven itself to be the go-to mobile platform provider to manage, secure and support business-critical devices. With SOTIs world-class support, enterprises can take mobility to endless possibilities. For more information, visit soti.net.
(file photo)

One of the most romantic and traditional festivals, Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is celebrated every year on the seventh day of the seventh month.

The Star Festival originated from the Chinese legend of two stars, Vega and Altair  lovers who were separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet only once a year on July 7.

The legend of Star Festival in Japan varies according to the region, and one that I was told in my childhood goes like this:

Vega (a weaver and princess called Orihime in Japanese) was a beautiful daughter of King of the Sky. She always weaved celestial clothe for her father by the bank of Milky Way. There was also a young herdsman named Altair (called Hikoboshi in Japanese). One day, the herdsman visited the princess when she was working with her loom and they fell in love at the first sight. As princess met her lover more and more frequently, she began weaving less and less. The king, who was suspicious about his daughters change, finally saw her meeting with the herdsman. In anger, the king separated the two lovers across the Milky Way and forbade them to meet again. The princess became so desperate and continued weeping until her father finally allowed her to meet with the herdsman once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.

So, if you look up into the evening sky on July 7 and it is clear, you can see the two stars reunited. But if it is rainy or cloudy, know that they will try to meet again next year.

As part of the Tanabata celebration, Japanese tie fancy slips of colored paper - blue, red, violet or yellow and white - called tanzaku on bamboo branches. We write our wish on one of the papers and tie it to the bamboo branch, which is also decorated with shiny, metallic decorations, just like a Christmas tree. According to my mother, girls back in the day used to wish that their weaving and sewing skills would improve, like the weaver princess. However, as weaver princess eventually became a guardian of arts in general, many children today wish improve their skills in hand-writing, drawing or singing.

Shopping districts throughout the nation are decorated with colorful bamboo branches. Tanabata is not a national holiday but is a tradition observed by Japanese families. Some regions celebrate this festival on July 7 in accordance with the old lunar calendar, which is Aug. 10 this year.
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A fresh round of negotiations between the Yemeni government and Houthi representatives began Sunday in Muscat, focusing on the exchange of prisoners and detainees.

The talks, held under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), aim to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis surrounding prisoners in the conflict-ridden nation.

Majid Fadail, spokesperson for the government delegation, confirmed to Xinhua that the initial session took place during the past hours. The meeting was attended by Sarhad Fattah, deputy special envoy of the UN secretary-general to Yemen, along with representatives from the ICRC and the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

According to Fadail, the primary objective of these negotiations is to secure the release of all prisoners and detainees without discrimination, based on an "all-for-all" principle. He emphasized "the government delegation's commitment to addressing this humanitarian issue responsibly."

A key point of discussion is the fate of Mohamed Qahtan, a prominent Yemeni politician held by the Houthis nine years ago in Sanaa. The government delegation stressed that "progress in the negotiations is contingent on revealing Qahtan's status and securing his release," according to Fadail.

On the other side, Abdul Qader Murtada, head of the Houthi negotiating team, expressed optimism on social media platform X, stating, "We hope it will be a successful round that a new exchange deal will be agreed upon, and the humanitarian file will be resolved."

The current round follows a series of UN-sponsored talks between the Yemeni government and Houthis over the years. The most recent discussions, held in Amman in June 2023, ended without an agreement.

However, a previous round in Switzerland in March 2023 led to a successful exchange in April 2023, resulting in the release of over 800 prisoners and detainees from both warring Yemeni sides.
A man was injured Sunday in a shooting in the 4900 block of Indiana Avenue, authorities said.

Winston-Salem police responded at 12:44 p.m. to the parking lot of 10 Federal Self Storage at 4955 Indiana Ave. on a reported shooting, police said.

When officers arrived, they found a man with a minor gunshot wound, police said. The victim was treated at the scene by Forsyth County emergency medical technicians.

Police didnt identify the man.

The man told officers that he was in his vehicle when he argued with the driver of another vehicle, police said. That driver then shot him and left the scene in a small white SUV.

The victim didnt know the shooter, police said.

Officers are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information about this shooting can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904.

The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police.
A Winston-Salem teen who was in a car that struck a Forsyth County sheriffs deputy on Monday was convicted last month of having a loaded gun at Winston-Salem State University and barred from having weapons or ammunition.

Christopher Anthony Allen, 19, is charged with 11 counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property in Mondays incident, according to arrest warrants. He is accused of firing a handgun multiple times into an occupied home on Timlic Avenue, which led to a chase with Winston-Salem police.

Mondays chase ended on Interstate 40 West, where the deputy was struck by the fleeing car, breaking his elbow and pelvis.

The vehicles driver, a juvenile, is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, felony hit and run and other offenses, police said. Two other men are also charged.

Allen is being held in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said.

On May 15, Allen pleaded guilty under a plea deal with the Forsyth County District Attorneys Office to possession of a gun on educational property, resisting an officer and carrying a concealed weapon. Allen also pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, attempted trafficking in opium and carrying a concealed gun.

Judge Jason Ramey of Forsyth Superior Court gave Allen, who according to local authorities is a confirmed gang member, a suspended prison sentence of one year and 10 months to three years and 10 months and placed Allen on probation for three years.

Ramey also ordered Allen to serve four months in the jail, and Allen was released from custody on June 21.

Ramey declined to comment on Allens case.

Ramey, who lives in Wentworth, was appointed in March as a superior court judge by Gov. Roy Cooper. Ramey, a former district attorney, primarily presides in Rockingham and Caswell counties

Ramey and other superior-court judges rotate among judicial districts in North Carolina every six months.

During the plea hearing, Sara Loebner, an assistant district attorney, told Allen that as a convicted felon, he could never again possess a handgun, a court record shows.

Under the terms of his probation, Allen could not commit any criminal offense or possess a gun. Ramey also ordered Allen not to have any contact with his co-defendants, including Eddie Oakes, who was also in the car that struck the deputy.

Like Allen, Oakes, 18, also is charged with 11 counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and discharging a firearm within an enclosure in connection with Mondays drive-by shooting, police said.

Oakes also faces charges in a Feb. 23 incident when Allen was arrested on gun and drug offenses.

District Attorney Jim ONeill did not return a request for comment on Allens case.

Allen and Oakes are being held in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed for Allen and Oakes bond set at $500,000, court records show.

Allens probation officer in Winston-Salem filed the paperwork this past week in the Forsyth County Courthouse, saying that Allen violated the terms of his probation, said Greg Thomas, a spokesman for the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.

A hearing on the request is scheduled for Aug. 12 in Forsyth County Superior Court.

The WSSU incident

At Allens hearing on May 15, Loebner told the judge that on April 4, 2023, Allen and other gang members were spotted by investigators with the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office in a dorm at WSSU. The investigators were watching Allen that day because of his gang affiliations, Loebner said.

Allen was 17 at the time and was not a student at WSSU.

At some point, Allen ran from deputies and was later arrested outside of the dorm.

Allen was accused of possessing a loaded gun on the WSSU campus, possessing a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed gun, possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance and marijuana, as well as two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show.

After Allen posted bond and was released from custody in early February on the gun and drug charges, he was arrested and charged on Feb. 23 with several drug offenses and a weapons charge after Winston-Salem police found him and a woman asleep in chairs at the Sleep Inn on Hampton Inn Court, Loebner said.

The woman woke up while officers were at the scene, but Allen was unconscious, Loebner said.

Officers searched Allen and discovered Allen had a stolen gun, a small bag of marijuana, 67 pills of fentanyl and methamphetamines and $710, Loebner said.

Allen was taken to a local hospital and treated.

At Allens court hearing, Ramey urged Allen to change his life.

I am very concerned that you are going to die because of drugs or you are going to die because of gun violence, Ramey told Allen. You can blame society, and you will be dead. We are giving you a second chance.

What comes next?

When Allen was arrested on the gun charge at WSSU, school officials sent out a campus safety advisory about the incident to students, staff and faculty. However, neither WSSU nor the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office, whose deputies arrested Allen, publicly distributed a news release about the case last year.

Under federal law, Allen also can never possess a gun or ammunition again, the court records said. If Allen commits a crime with a gun, he could be charged with possession of a firearm by a felon under state and federal laws.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Greensboro said that Allen is not facing federal charges.

Regarding the state charges that Allen pleaded guilty to six weeks ago, Allen is accused of being a validated gang member and going with other gang members to a dormitory at Winston-Salem State University on April 4, 2023.

Allen and Oakes are scheduled to appear July 11 in Forsyth District Court.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated Samantha Mostyn on assuming office as Australian governor-general.

In a congratulatory message, Xi said that China and Australia are important cooperative partners, as well as major members in the Asia-Pacific region and significant forces in the global multi-polarization process.

The sound, steady development of the China-Australia relationship not only suits the fundamental and long-term interest of the two countries and the two peoples, but also contributes to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity, he said.

Xi said he prizes the growth of China-Australia ties and stands ready to work with the Australian side to facilitate a more mature, steady and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefits as well as seeking common ground while shelving differences, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.
Omaha police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred early Saturday.

A car was traveling northbound on 24th Street near Decatur Street when a pedestrian was struck while crossing from east to west, authorities said.

The driver of the car did not stop.

The pedestrian, 19-year-old Danayjha Britt, was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Omaha Police Department Traffic Unit at 402-444-5627 or Omaha Crime Stoppers anonymously at 402-444-STOP, at www.omahacrimestoppers.org or on the P3 Tips mobile app.

Top Journal Star photos for June 2024
Pati Holschbach and her husband love Kwik Trip so much, they had their wedding photos taken there in March.

"The day after we got married at the courthouse, we went to our local Kwik Trip," said Holschbach, of Green Bay. "It was a very small wedding. We walked in and went up to the counter to make sure it was okay with the staff. I said 'I promise we won't disrupt anything.' The employees were incredibly nice and started clapping."

The couple are among the legions of fans who declare their devotion to the Wisconsin-based convenience store on social media pages such as "Kwik Trip Enthusiasts" and "Wisconsin Kwik Trip Lovers."

Holschbach, a Wisconsin native, met her husband, James McKenzie-Brown, on Tinder.

"I was in Wisconsin and he in England at the time," she said. "Our profiles should have never come across each other."

When they first met in person in 2021, Holscbach took McKenzie-Brown to a Green Bay-area Kwik Trip.

McKenzie-Brown "was in awe" of the stores and "couldn't believe the atmosphere" and all the things it offered. She said he still giggles when he hears the Kwik Trip goodbye: "See you next time."

They went so often whenever he came to visit that "it's part of our engagement history," Holschbach said.

The gas station chain, which opened in 1965, has inspired everything from wedding and prom photo sessions inside its locations to Halloween decorations, even to motorcycle tours across the Midwest to visit every Kwik Trip brand store.

And there are a lot. The chain has 880 locations across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, northern Illinois, upper Michigan and South Dakota.

Enthusiasts say they like Kwik Trip's "Midwestern" feel, from the kindness of its employees to the inviting, communal atmosphere of its stores.

What drives Kwik Trip's following?

Thomas O'Guinn, professor emeritus in marketing at UW-Madison, said businesses typically gain cult-like followings by accident. But it's the businesses that help fulfill a person's need to belong that stick out from the pack, he said.

"In a broad sense, we are all looking for community," he said. "Humans need community. Communities have to feel they are more similar to one another than those on the outside. Rituals and traditions drive belonging, too."

He cited Coca-Cola as a brand that has successfully fulfilled the need to belong.

"They didn't sell a beverage," O'Guinn said. "They sold the idea of community and America and all that wrapped up into one concept."

John McHugh, Kwik Trip brand's vice president of external relations credited the chain's popularity to its 38,000 employees.

"Our people are friendly and welcoming and that makes all the difference for our guests," he said.

A lot of the brand's marketing is targeted toward its food offering, McHugh said, which the vertically integrated chain is uniquely placed to promote since it produces many of its products at its facilities in La Crosse.

"We are a true Midwestern brand because our roots are here and only here," he said. "You won't find us outside the Midwest. More importantly, the profits go back to our coworkers. People in the Midwest want to support companies that return the investment to their people and communities."

A love that 'runs deep'

A few years ago, Whitney Meza of Stevens Point posted a photo on Instagram of herself with a chocolate cookie she bought from a Ripon Kwik Trip. Meza took the photo aboard her motorcycle.

"My love for Kwik Trip gas stations run quite deep," she wrote in that Instagram post from 2020. "They were my breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout each of my pregnancies. I am obsessed with their brownie cookies."

Kwik Trip soon asked Meza to be a marketing ambassador for the company.

Since then, Meza, also a tourism industry worker and wedding photographer, has been tasked with finding quirky ways to both promote the brand while following her wanderlust.

"I thrive on that," she said.

Last year may have been Meza's quirkiest task yet: Meza, in two separate trips on her Harley-Davidson, traveled to all Kwik Trip brand locations across the Midwest, which at the time numbered 877, including 507 in Wisconsin. Her first trip to all Wisconsin Kwik Trip brand stores was in May 2023 and lasted 10 days. Last July, she visited stores around the rest of the Midwest in a trip that lasted three days.

Riding 13 to 19 hours a day, Meza covered 9,321 miles over the two trips, stopping at dozens of stores each day.

"For me, it has always been my go-to," Meza said of Kwik Trip. "If we are going up north, we are making that our initial stop for gas, food and treats.

Halloween fun

For Halloween two years ago, Kerri Jentz of Holmen said her family put together their own Kwik Trip as part of a contest through their church.

"It was a lot of fun and we received a lot of compliments about the creativity," she said.

They set up a table with a red cloth over the top. On one side was a display of gas prices and deals, and in the center a Kwik Trip gas station entrance sign. On the table were Kwik Trip brand donuts, drinks and foods.

"An acquaintance from my high school days saw my photos on Facebook, loved the idea, and ended up doing the same thing" this past year, she said.

How much manufacturers in Wisconsin spend on equipment How much manufacturers in Wisconsin spend on equipment
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a former music director at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School after he was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting a minor while director of the Milwaukee Childrens Choir, according to online court records.

Marco Melendez, 39, faces two felony counts in Milwaukee County Circuit Court of child enticement and one felony count of third-degree sexual assault for incidents that allegedly occurred in 2017 and 2019, before he was employed by the Diocese of Madison in 2020.

Melendez was the director of the Milwaukee Childrens Choir until 2017, when St. Maria Goretti hired him to teach music at the school. He voluntarily left that job in 2023, according to a diocesan statement.

Diocesan and parish officials were not aware of any prior sexual misconduct by the individual at the time of his hire, the diocese said in a statement, nor was any of them aware of any allegation of impropriety on his part during the time of his employment at the Madison parish.

Melendez no longer lives in Dane County, diocesan officials said, and its unclear where he works now. Court records list a Milwaukee address for him. The Wisconsin State Journal was unable to reach him for comment Friday.

Renderings show updated plans for Wisconsin's new indoor practice facility
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.

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TEL AVIV, Israel  In the months since Hamas' surprise attack sent them scattering across fields or hiding in desert brush, thousands of survivors of a massacre at a trance festival in Israel have come together as a community to heal.

They have found solace in massage therapy, ice baths, yoga or surfing with the only people who could truly understand what they had been through. And they have built a robust support network for themselves as the Israel-Hamas war rages on and authorities struggle to provide services to devastated communities.

For some, the way back has come through dancing again.

Thousands of people last week attended the Nova Healing Concert in Tel Aviv, the first Tribe of Nova mass gathering since the Oct. 7 attack.

"We understood that people needed to be together, and we're a community that takes care of itself," said Omri Sasa, one of the founders of the Tribe of Nova, which organized the festival last October. "I'm in trauma, and I wanted to be with people who also went through this."

He was among around 3,000 people dancing through the night in a field just miles from Gaza when rockets lit up the sky at 6:29 a.m. Heavily armed Palestinian militants rampaged through the festival, killing at least 364 people and taking more than 40 hostage. Many of them are still held in Gaza.

Hila Fakliro, a communications student who was tending bar at the festival, escaped by zigzagging through fields, hiding and running for over five hours, until she reached the safety of a village some 12 miles away. Six of her friends were killed and another three were taken hostage.

"Someone asked me if I can dance again, and in the beginning I said no," she said. At a memorial in January for one of her friends, she tried to dance, had a panic attack, and then tried again. "I was crying and dancing at the same time," she said.

But after attending events organized by Nova survivors, she was once again able to find solace in the trance music she loves. At a recent event, she slid into an ice bath while others attended yoga and art classes in a cluster of tents.

Omri Kohavi, 35, one of Nova's founding organizers, said they had felt abandoned by Israel's security forces, who took hours to respond to the Oct. 7 attack. Now director of community programming for the Nova Foundation, Kohavi said organizers realized within days that "if we don't care for ourselves, no one else will."

Survivors began to gather to deal with the trauma they had experienced together. On the first day, 500 showed up. That number doubled the following day. After three months, they shifted to weekly Community Day events and encouraged survivors to return to their regular lives and jobs.

At those events in Tel Aviv, survivors meet with therapists, lawyers, social workers or just spend time with one another. The Nova Foundation connects survivors to opportunities for horse therapy, surfing and massage. Some have completed trainings in peer therapy to help others, and the organization recently began providing support to the families of those killed.

Earlier this month, Israel rescued four hostages who were snatched from the festival, which Sasa said "was the biggest present anyone could imagine." The daytime rescue killed over 270 Palestinians.

The gathering Thursday was to raise money to support the volunteer network and to call for the release of the remaining hostages. To appeal to a broader audience, it featured electronic music and mainstream artists as well as the Nova mainstay, trance.

"We need a lot of money, and the only way we know how to raise money is through events," Sasa said.

Nova provided a separate area at the Nova Healing Concert for survivors and family members of victims, and two hostages who were released during a ceasefire in November addressed the crowd. A chorus of mothers who lost their children performed.

The war ignited by Hamas' attack is far from over. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel on Oct. 7, and another 250 were taken hostage. Israel's massive offensive in Gaza has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Fears of another all-out war, this time with Hezbollah in Lebanon, have people on edge.

Sivan Cohen, 30, said ahead of last week's event that she would be "dancing for two." Her partner of six years, Yaniv Sarudi, 26, was killed while trying to drive a car filled with nine festivalgoers to safety. Cohen was shot in the leg and, at first, she wasn't sure if she would ever walk again, much less dance.

"My friends and I have grabbed this with both hands and we come every week," Cohen said of Nova's Community Days. She said it's hard to explain to those who weren't there what it means to reunite with someone who was in that car or whose injuries she helped to treat.

Tens of thousands danced in the humid June heat Thursday, the beat pulsing as the sun set over the Nova stage. Quiet corners for reflection with mandalas and photos of the victims gave way to a massive party at the center stage.

"The only way to really commemorate these people is through living what they lived, which is dancing. That's what they came there to do," Eyal Porat said as he entered the festival.

Moran Stella Yanai, who was snatched from the Nova festival and held hostage for 54 days, took the stage and invited audience members to close their eyes.

"Imagine, imagine that all of the hostages are standing in a line, holding hands, imagine them strong, imagine them smiling, imagine their families standing before them, imagine the happiness that is beginning to well up inside," Yanai said.

"Raise your hands up to the sky, high and strong," she told the crowd. "Open your eyes, believe, and dance!"

Some visitors to Israel have a new stop on their tours: Hamas' destruction in the south
Six family members, including three adults and three children, died in a house fire in Necedah early Sunday morning, authorities said Monday.

Police and firefighters responded to a 911 call at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday about a house fire at W5040 Morros Mile Road in Necedah, the Juneau County Sheriff's Office said. The caller said people may have been inside the residence.

The house was fully engulfed in flames when responders arrived at the scene, according to the sheriff's office. First responders learned that six people were unaccounted for after they arrived at the scene.

Fire Departments from Necedah and New Lisbon fought the blaze for about three hours, the sheriff's office said.

"Unfortunately, six family members perished as a result of the fire," the sheriff's statement said.

The fire appears to be accidental, the sheriff's office said. The Wisconsin Department of Justice and the State Fire Marshal have been asked to help in the investigation.
On 30 June Mexicos federal attorney generals office (FGR) announced that the government had extradited an alleged high-ranking member of the Sinaloa drug trafficking organisation (DTO) to the US.

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On 29 June Brazils Presidentvisited the city of Sao Paulo and used the trip as a chance to criticise its centre-right mayor,, who is running for re-election in October.

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Two American astronauts have been delayed at the International Space Station (ISS) while engineers try to fix problems with Boeings Starliner spacecraft.

Starliner is a joint project between Boeing and the American space agency NASA. The capsule arrived at the ISS on June 6. It had launched a day earlier from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

The trip was a test flight that marked the first time the Starliner spacecraft successfully carried astronauts to space. It transported NASAs Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS. The two were expected to remain in space for about one week.

But problems affecting Starliner have already led Boeing and NASA officials to postpone the trip back to Earth several times. Reuters news agency reported one of its sources with knowledge of flight planning said NASA was targeting a return date of July 6.

Since its June 5 liftoff, Starliner has experienced at least five helium leaks. In addition, some of the capsules thrusters have failed.

NASA would like to use Starliner to support its future exploration activities on the moon as part of its Artemis program. But Boeing has struggled to complete the testing process before it gets approval for repeated trips to the ISS.

Why was Starliners return trip postponed?

NASA wants more time to examine problems with Starliners propulsion system. This system is attached to the capsule but is not designed to return to Earth for inspection. Instead, it is released during reentry and burns up in the atmosphere.

Steve Stich is NASAs commercial crew program manager. He explained the return delay during a news conference last week. Stich said, Were just taking a little more extra time to review all the data and also learn as much as we can while we have this service module in orbit." Starliners propulsion system is part of what NASA describes as the spacecrafts service module.

The space agency also noted that it did not want the return flight to conflict with spacewalks. A spacewalk was called off this week after water leaked from an astronauts spacesuit. At least one other spacewalk is planned.

What problems are still being investigated?

Five of the capsules 28 thrusters failed after Starliner arrived at the ISS. NASA said all but one thruster restarted, and they were found to be working during a later test firing.

Officials suspect heat from increased thruster use on arrival at the ISS caused the problem. Boeing said the one problematic thruster had been turned off and would not be an issue for the return trip.

The capsule launched with one small helium leak and four more were discovered by the time it reached the ISS. Helium is used to pressurize fuel for the thrusters. A rubber seal was suspected of failing, causing the problem.

What comes next?

Boeing and NASA say they will continue to consider landing dates once the spacewalks are completed.

Boeing has said the capsule can remain at the space station for 45 days or longer if needed. Mission leaders plan to keep examining the thruster problem and helium leaks.

With their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams have been helping with chores and research at the orbiting space laboratory. NASA has said there is no rush for the astronauts to leave and there are enough supplies to support their stay.

During his comments to reporters last week, NASAs Stich stated the agencys desire to safely return the astronauts as soon as possible. So far, we dont see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home, he said.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, NASA and Boeing.

Quiz - Astronauts Return Delayed as Boeing Aims to Fix Starliner Spacecraft Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

__________________________________________

Words in This Story

capsule  n. the part of a spacecraft that people live in

thruster  n. an engine that produces propulsion by releasing a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

propulsion  n. a force that pushes something forward

module  n. part of an object that can operate alone, especially part of a spacecraft

seal  n. an object of substance that stops liquid or aid from leaving or entering a container

chore  n. a job or task that is necessary, but often not enjoyable

scenario  n. a possible situation that could develop in the future
The method of making electricity from the Earths natural heat has been moving forward quietly for many years. Recently, that effort has reached a milestone with a big, new project.

Southern California Edison announced it will buy electricity from Fervo Energy, a company based in Houston, Texas. Fervo uses geothermal energy to produce electric power. The company is going to drill up to 125 geothermal wells in the southwestern state of Utah. The goal is to produce 400 megawatts of electricity. That is being described as enough to supply power to 400,000 homes.

Wilson Ricks is an energy systems researcher at Princeton University in New Jersey. He said if the business deal helps geothermal technology, it could be massively impactful for global decarbonization. The term decarbonization means using machines and methods that do not produce carbon-based substances when they are used.

New geothermal companies are using the drilling technology that oil and gas industries developed. They drill down into areas where underground rock is very hot to create steam, which can be used for power production. Engineers have been working on this technology for many years.

The United States is among the worlds leaders in geothermal energy. But the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says it accounts for less than half of one percent of the nations electricity.

Fervo is among the first companies to drill in what are called geothermal reservoirs. The EIA describes these as areas of very hot rock that are fairly close to the surface of the Earth  between one and three kilometers. In 2021, the company signed an agreement with Google to drill three wells in Nevada. The Associated Press (AP) reported that the project began supplying power to the Nevada electricity system, or grid, in November.

The new development in Utah is called the Cape Station project. It is about 320 kilometers south of Salt Lake City. It is expected to begin providing electricity as early as 2026.

California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said his state supports electricity that does not release carbon when it is produced. He said geothermal power works well with solar farms to provide steady electricity when the wind is not blowing, or clouds block the sun. He believes this is important to ensure reliable energy as California cuts the use of oil, gas and coal.

Sarah Jewett is vice president of Fervo. She called the deal exciting. Jewett said the deal isnt a niche energy resource going to a niche use. The word niche describes something that has very limited availability and limited use in the real world.

Im Anna Matteo.

Jennifer McDermott reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted this report for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________

Words in This Story

milestone n. an event that marks progress in someones life or in the development of a company or organization

geothermal adj. related to natural heat from beneath the Earths surface

megawatt n. one million watt hours: a measure of electrical power

impact n. something that causes a result

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Non-Chinese residents of Macau and Hong Kong will have an easier time entering mainland China as Beijing has relaxed visa regulations to better incorporate the semi-autonomous cities into national development plans.

Starting July 10, permanent residents who are not Chinese nationals will be able to obtain a five-year permit to enter the mainland. They will be allowed multiple entries for up to 90 days per visit, as announced by Chinas National Immigration Administration today.

In a statement, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said the new policy further promotes people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade exchanges, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the mainland and Macau.

It also contributes positively for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and accelerates Macaus integration into the overall development of the country,statement read.

The new policy makes it more convenient for foreigners living in the SARs with permanent residents either to invest, visit relatives, travel, do business, or engage in discussions and exchanges on the mainland.
Internationally renowned chef Sara Aqel introduced students in Macau to authentic Jordanian cuisine today in a demonstration sponsored by MGM Macau. Aqels demonstration filled the sensory space at Macau University of Tourism (UTM) with aromas of olives, olive oil and garlic from her home country. I wanted to give the students flavors they dont experience here, Aqel said. After demonstrating Jordanian dishes, Aqel participated in a seminar on women pioneers in the industry. She stressed the importance of female empowerment in the male-dominated field. The event concluded with another seminar featuring Aqel and cookery masters from India, Thailand and Macau. The UTM Culinary Club president expressed support for greater gender equality in the kitchen.

Related
MANILA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The driver and the passenger of a motorcycle were killed after their vehicle was hit by a sport utility vehicle in Cavite province, south of Manila, police said Monday.

The police said the male and female victims, aged 26 and 30, were traveling along a road in General Mariano Alvarez town on Sunday afternoon when the SUV crashed into them, tossing the victims off the motorcycle and running them over.

Rescuers rushed the victims to a local hospital, but they succumbed to their injuries.

The police detained the SUV driver, who is facing criminal charges. 
To stimulate the economies of Macau and Hong Kong, the Chinese government announced Friday it will raise the duty-free shopping allowance for mainland Chinese visitors to these two special administrative regions (SAR).

Starting July 1, mainland residents returning from the two SARs will see their duty-free allowance increased to RMB15,000 per trip for purchases at border crossing duty-free stores, up from RMB5,000.

The allowance for shopping elsewhere in the city will also rise, to RMB12,000.

Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, praised the measure, saying it would help drive consumption in Macaus tourism market and provide new impetus to the citys overall economic development.

The Macao Government Tourism Office said the change is conducive to increasing the desire of mainland visitors to visit and spend money in Macau, and injecting impetus into Macaus tourism economy.

This policy shift is part of broader efforts by mainland authorities to support the economies of Macau and Hong Kong.

Earlier this year, the government allowed group tours to travel between Hengqin and Macau and expanded the Individual Visit Scheme for the two regions, which are important drivers of economic growth.

The new duty-free allowance will initially be implemented at six border crossings and then extended to all except the Hengqin crossing from August 1.

However, some Hong Kong industry members were disappointed the new limit falls short of the RMB30,000 figure they had sought.

Tai Kin Ip, director of Macaus Economic and Technological Development Bureau, said businesses must change to reap the benefits of the revised policy.

What we should focus on now is enhancing the variety of products offered by community businesses and improving their service quality, Tai said.

He said business associations and enterprises need to prepare for welcoming customers and expressed hope the policy can boost their sales and bring in more business opportunities.

By encouraging greater tourism consumption, the duty-free allowance increase provides a much-needed boost to local businesses and the broader economies of Macau and Hong Kong.

Overall, the Chinese governments decision is seen as a positive step in supporting the economic development of these two important regions.

Andy Wu, president of Macaus Travel Industry Council, said the policy adjustment by Beijing comes as a welcome measure ahead of summer vacation season. Raising the tax-exempt limit on goods carried by cross-boundary visitors will likely increase tourism and spending in Macau during peak travel months, benefiting small- and medium-sized businesses in the retail sector.

Wu noted the industry stands ready to promote the policy update and encourage tourists to increase their spending in Macau. The higher tax threshold, he believes, will strengthen travelers desire to visit and spend in the Special Administrative Region. Victoria Chan
The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government has strongly condemned Taiwans defamation and smearing in relation to the issuance of a travel warning concerning Macau last week.

The MSAR government sees Taiwans actions as an attempt to arbitrarily discredit Macaus legal system for safeguarding national security and distort the citys political and social development.

In a statement, the MSAR government called on the authorities in Taiwan to stop using Macau for political manipulation that harms others, condemning Taiwans sinister intentions and despicable methods.

The statement emphasized that the improvement of Macaus legal system for safeguarding national security has played a positive role in promoting the citys development.

Macau remains one of the safest and most economically dynamic international tourism and leisure destinations, the government said.

The MSAR government urged Taiwan to show sincere care for the well-being of its people and cherish the feelings between the two places.

Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council advised its citizens last week to avoid unnecessary travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The heightened travel warning, raised to the second-highest level, comes in response to Beijings new legal guidelines that threaten diehard separatists from Taiwan with penalties.

The Mainland Affairs Council cited the increased risks to personal safety for Taiwanese travelers under these rules.

In response to the new guidelines, [] the government has the responsibility to remind citizens that there are genuine risks involved in such visits, spokesperson and deputy head of the islands Mainland Affairs Council Liang Wen-chieh said during a press briefing last week.

The government is not banning visits, but those that do travel should not express political opinions or carry books or post online about topics that the Communist Party may use to detain and potentially prosecute them.

Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese live in China or travel there for business, tourism or family visits each year. China has also hosted visits by local Taiwanese officials and leaders of the opposition Nationalist Party, which backs eventual unification between the sides.

Further, a mainland spokesperson slammed Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities practice of political manipulation in the name of upgrading cross-Strait travel alert.

The DPP authorities are undermining the Taiwan peoples legal rights and interests and obstructing exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Zhu made the remarks in response to a media query about the DPP authorities recent move to upgrade the travel alert regarding the mainland.

This is a defamation of the mainland and a blatant intimidation against the people of Taiwan, she said.

The DPP authorities have disregarded the facts and intentionally distorted the judicial guidelines recently issued to impose criminal punishments on diehard Taiwan independence separatists for conducting or inciting secession, Zhu said. Staff Reporter
Top defense and foreign affairs officials of Japan and the Philippines will meet in Manila next month to strengthen strategic ties and discuss regional concerns, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday at a time of escalating concerns over Chinas actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Details of the agenda of the July 8 meetings of Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru with their Philippine counterparts were not immediately made public, but two officials of both countries told The Associated Press that efforts were underway to finalize a key defense pact which they hope could be signed during the meetings.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss the issue publicly.

During a visit to Manila last year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to start negotiations on a reciprocal access agreement which would allow troops to enter each others territory for joint military exercises and strengthened defense cooperation. The move is part of efforts to strengthen their alliance in the face of what they regard as Chinas growing assertiveness in the region.

Marcos said last year that the proposed defense pact would be beneficial both to our defense and military personnel and to maintaining peace and stability in our region. Kishida announced during the Manila visit that a coastal surveillance radar would be given to the Philippines through a grant, making it the first Southeast Asian nation to become a beneficiary of a newly launched Japanese security assistance program for allied militaries in the region.

Additional Japanese patrol vessels, defense equipment and radars will be provided to strengthen the Philippines law enforcement capability at sea, Kishida said last year. Japan has supplied a dozen patrol ships in recent years to the Philippines, which is now largely using them to defend its territorial interests in the contested waters.

Japan has had a longstanding territorial dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Meanwhile, Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy ships have been involved in a series of tense confrontations in the South China Sea, a key global trade route.

In the worst confrontation so far, Chinese coast guard personnel armed with knives, spears and an axe aboard motorboats repeatedly rammed and destroyed two Philippine navy supply vessels at disputed Second Thomas Shoal last week, injuring several Filipino sailors. Chinese sailors seized at least seven Philippine navy rifles.

The Philippines strongly protested the Chinese coast guards actions and demanded payment for the damage and the return of the rifles. China accused the Philippines of instigating the violence, saying the Filipino sailors strayed into what it called Chinese territorial waters despite warnings, prompting its coast guard to take action.

Japan, along with the United States and its Asian and Western allied countries and security partners, expressed concern over the Chinese actions.

Japan reiterates serious concern over repeated actions which obstruct freedom of navigation and increase regional tensions, including recent dangerous actions that resulted in damage to the Filipino vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo said after the confrontation.

Washington renewed its warning that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

Marcos and other Philippine officials said the Chinese assault on the Filipino navy personnel last week, which was caught on video and photographs that were made public by the Manila government, was illegal and deliberate, but did not amount to an armed assault that would activate the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. JIM GOMEZ, MANILA, MDT/AP
A new life science industrial park is under construction in Hengqin. It is situated on Qinghai West Road and is expected to significantly boost Macaus technology and life sciences sectors.

The biopharmaceutical industrial park is part of a broader effort to establish Hengqin as a science city and solidify the GBAs status as a leading innovation hub in China, according to the Hengqin Qinao Innovation Industrial Park Development and Construction (Hengqin IDC) company.

With a total floor area of 400,000 square meters, the three-phase project will receive RMB60 billion in investment and is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2025.

Ng Hong Kei, the general manager of a Macau-funded technology firm in the area told TDM, the various science-related enterprises already established in Hengqin would greatly enhance the clustering effect sparked by new additions built as part of the science city.

Under the terms of the project, Hengqin IDC must recruit eligible Macau-funded businesses to the development and ensure the occupancy level does not fall under 80% within five years after the park comes into operation.

The park is set to receive substantial government subsidies, with up to RMB600 million available for major projects with global significance.

The government estimates the number of Macau residents living in Hengqin will rise significantly from 20,000 by the end of this year to around 120,000 by 2035 as integration between the two regions deepens.

While no specific timeline has been announced for the completion of the new industrial park in Hengqin, construction is ongoing according to Hengqin IDC. Nadia Shaw
Macao Water has hosted its annual open day event to educate the public on the importance of water conservation.

The company highlighted Macau residents relatively low daily water consumption compared to neighboring cities, which it attributed to successful education initiatives.

The event featured a range of interactive activities, including laboratory tests and workshops, designed to give the community a deeper understanding of the companys daily operations and the significance of using water responsibly.

We have some lab tests for people to know what are the major parameters we check daily to ensure clean, safe drinking water, said Oscar Chu, the deputy general manager of Macao Water.

We show them our daily work like meter reading, leak detection and more.

Chu said the open day presents a valuable opportunity, especially for younger generations, to learn more about Macaus water supply.

Despite forecasting a 5.5% increase in total water consumption this year, Macao Water remains confident the local population is well-educated on the importance of conservation.

I think most of the young generation today realize the importance of using water wisely, not wasting any water, Chu said.

He said Macau residents already use less water per capita than neighboring cities, with an average usage of 152 liters per person daily, compared to the surrounding areas average of 160 to 180 liters.

With the companys treatment plants capable of producing 520,000 cubic meters of water daily, nearly 300,000 of which are currently used on average, Macao Water ensures the populations water needs will be met for over a decade. VC
Chinas grueling national college entrance exam, the gaokao, may have concluded, but the pressure is far from over.

As scores for the all-important exam become available nationwide, students and their parents find themselves facing a new source of tension  navigating the complex university application process.

The race for coveted university spots has fueled a booming market for college application advisory services.

Even before the exam concluded earlier this month, the high demand for application services was evident. A service priced at 17,999 yuan ($2,480) offered by Zhang Xuefeng, an influential online education adviser, sold out in three hours during a livestream. Anxious parents flooded the livestream with questions about applying to suitable majors and universities based on their childrens preferences and performance.

According to iiMedia Research, the market for gaokao application services in China reached 880 million yuan in 2022 and around 950 million yuan last year. China has over 1,850 companies involved in university application services, with 80.4 percent established in the past five years, according to database query platform TianYanCha.com.

A college application adviser in Henan province surnamed Xu, who spoke to the Yitiao social media platform, said that while advisers require few professional qualifications, they must have extensive knowledge of admission procedures and university plans.

Xu, an adviser with 10 years of experience, said he provides targeted suggestions based on exam performance and career preferences, rather than recommending specific majors, to help clients avoid pitfalls and irrational trends.

Even though they meet the needs of many students and parents, concerns have been raised about the quality of services provided by some institutions with limited educational expertise. The concerns include potentially unprofessional advice and misguided recommendations during a crucial decision-making period.

The Ministry of Education recently disclosed various fraudulent cases involving people posing as college application experts and conducting scams under the guise of consulting. Some institutions claimed 100 percent guaranteed admission or promised to not waste a point, but then encouraged students to apply to colleges or programs with lower cutoff scores to inflate their success rates.

Chen Jiankun, the founder of ChatEDU, an online education consultancy tool, advised students to be cautious and not blindly trust institutions or consultants. He emphasized the importance of understanding ones personality and career plans.

ChatEDU is a free AI-powered tool that provides tailored college application plans based on algorithms and data. Users input information such as their province, chosen subjects and gaokao scores. The tool then offers high risk, safe and guaranteed recommendations for universities and majors, explaining the reasons behind each suggestion.

Users can also inquire about specific schools or majors and request recommendations within a particular region or field.

ChatEDU has reviewed all public undergraduate institutions and majors, focusing on regular universities and newly established majors to address students concerns.

Providing students with free college application consulting can bridge their information gap and help them find the most suitable universities and majors, Chen said, highlighting the importance of offering equal educational resources to students from disadvantaged families.

Wang Changbin, the father of an examinee in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, decided against using any agency for his daughters college applications due to the high prices and varying quality of services.

I dont think its necessary to get involved in the anxiety raised by the competitive environment, he said. Theres enough time to make choices after gaokao scores come out.

On Monday night, his daughter Wang Ziyu checked her results, and they plan to fill out her college application using a free information service system launched by the Ministry of Education.

The system, accessible through the Sunshine Gaokao platform on the Smart Education of China website, integrates extensive data on university admissions and employment prospects. It aims to assist students by providing reliable and comprehensive resources for choosing their academic paths. ChinaDaily
Two giant pandas from China have safely arrived in Southern California, where they will be cared for as part of an ongoing conservation partnership, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said Friday.

The pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, will spend the next several weeks acclimating to their new home in a private habitat at the San Diego Zoo and will not be viewable by the public, the alliance said in a brief statement.

They are being monitored closely by expert wildlife health and care teams who will determine when the pair are ready to meet the public, the alliance said.

A farewell ceremony was held earlier this week before the pandas departed from China.

Yun Chuan, a mild-mannered male whos nearly 5 years old, has connections to California, the wildlife alliance said previously. His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female described as a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a nearly 30-year partnership with leading conservation institutions in China focused on protecting and recovering giant pandas and the bamboo forests they depend on. MDT/AP
Portuguese Education authorities are investigating the dismissal of five staff members from the Portuguese School of Macau (EPM), the Office of the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation of Portugal (MECI), Fernando Alexandre, has told the Times.

According to the communication, at the request of Minister Alexandre the Inspectorate-General of Education and Science (IGEC) has opened an investigation into the EPM to determine the circumstances the director [Acacio de Brito] dismissed four teachers and one senior technician, the MECI said.

The matter involves four teachers and one psychologist who are part of a larger group of staff members (most of whom are teachers) that earlier on had received notification from the school that their contract had been terminated.

MECI also said the start of the investigation has immediate effects on the dismissal of the staff members who will now stay on duty at the school, at least until the investigation is concluded.

Instructions were also given, during the EPM Foundation Board of Directors meeting held on Thursday [June 27], for these teachers and senior technicians to remain at the school until the investigation process is completed.

The MECI said that if the investigation from IGEC concludes that there were no grounds for dismissing those 5 workers, their replacement will not be authorized.

As the Times reported last week, at least six of the staff members dismissed from the EPM have filed complaints with the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) following their dismissal from the school claiming unruly procedures.

DSAL has not yet confirmed if there is also an investigation into the cases of the EPM staff members by local labor authorities.
Though the idea of attracting more foreign visitors from long-haul markets to Macau is not new, it has recently become a government plan.

While official statistics have been showing long-haul visitor numbers are increasing, particularly from some Asian markets, it is unlikely there will be an increase from other markets such as Europe, European visitors interviewed by the Times said.

Macau is an unappealing destination to European tourists because of the travel distance, the difficulties in flight connections, and, more importantly, the costs.

The Times interviewed two Portuguese nationals traveling in Macau, Ana and Sofia.

They were in the region for a brief stay after an Asian tour that took them to Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The two women in their early 60s agree on something  Macau is expensive!

Confronted with the government plan to attract more foreign visitors, including visitors from Portugal, the pair believes it will be very unlikely that Macau will appeal to the average Portuguese.

This is despite the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) having taken a Roadshow to Portugal and established several partnerships to expand local promotion to neighboring Spain.

We might believe that Macau, due to its historical relation with Portugal, could be appealing to the Portuguese but I doubt many will venture here, particularly due to the prices, Ana said.

Just minutes ago we were commenting that in some of the more touristic areas [in] Portugal, we are easily driven off a certain restaurant or bar just because a glass of wine costs EUR3 (MOP26), said Ana.

Well, the cheapest one that we have had over the past two days in Macau was about EUR8 (MOP68). This might not be such a big deal if we are talking about France or Germany, maybe, but for most Portuguese, it would be outrageous and unacceptable.

The same feeling extended to accommodation. They do not believe the cost matches the quality.

We were kind of lucky to have had a friend that came to Macau some time ago and pointed out some places [hotels] where we could potentially stay on a budget. Its not too pricey but the quality is pretty bad, Sofia said, identifying a hotel on Taipa Island.

As for the rest, Its nice, has some interesting historical places but I would say there is not so much to see or do here to justify staying more than two days, Ana said, supplemented by Sofias, We should have left yesterday.

The pair said they were quite surprised by the prices charged by street restaurants.

We were expecting the restaurants in the casinos to be expensive, they are everywhere in the world, including in Portugal, but we were surprised by the prices charged by the regular ones, the small and more traditional-looking ones on the streets, Sofia said.

It is way too expensive for the kind of food they serve, she said, giving the Times a rough calculation of about MOP1,000 per person per day for lunch, dinner and a snack.

This is about 40-50% more than we spend for the two of us eating at similar places in Portugal, even in tourist areas, she said.

Expanding on her comments, she said it would be difficult for Macau to attract Portuguese visitors.

Sofia said it only makes sense to visit Macau as they did it, as part of a longer trip, with multi-destinations and never coming to visit Macau alone.

Besides, she said, Most Portuguese when planning trips find locations where the costs of living are either similar to or lower than Portugal to compensate for the money spent on airfares and accommodation. Which is not the case in Macau.

Also in Macau for a short stay was Francesca, a 46-year-old from Bologna, Italy, whom the Times found exploring the center.

Francesca said she had visited Macau to fill free time in a longer trip that took her to the neighboring cities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen for professional purposes.

I knew that I had two days off in between some tasks and I planned to come to Macau since it is near [Hong Kong], she said.

She found the city generally interesting and easy to navigate, particularly the tourist sites that are well-identified but, like Ana and Sofia, also found not many things to see.

In just half a day I went to the Cathedral [Ruins of St. Pauls], some smaller churches, and the main square area. After that, I went to the Macau Tower and visited the casinos in the downtown area, Lisboa, Wynn, etc. After that, I crossed the bridge and I went to the other area of the Venetian and Parisian, which I found horrible,she said with a laugh.

I liked the Taipa village more, it is more interesting than the fake things, she said.

Francesca found the local food a little too expensive, noting Macau was more expensive than Hong Kong for food.

In Hong Kong in the Central district, we have a lot of restaurants from all kinds of cuisines and local cafes where you can have a set lunch for about HKD128 or even HKD108.

But in Macau, the ones I found were serving similar food for about HKD168 or even higher prices and some did not even include any drinks, she said, adding, I also find the Chinese-style eateries more expensive here than in Hong Kong, and with a more limited menu on offer.

Asked if she found Macau attractive for Italian visitors, she said, I think only for those that are coming here for some particular purpose, like work or visiting friends, she said.

But I did notice that Macau has a potential for niche market particularly in luxury goods. Some of the shops I have visited have products from famous European labels and brands that are significantly cheaper than in Europe.

But with Hong Kong so close and better served by connections [air links] I am not sure if many people would make the extra effort just to come to Macau for those, but maybe it is possible if it is marketed in this way. To be honest I had no idea there were so many luxury brand stores in Macau until I came here.

In Hong Kong, Macau is marketed as the place of the Portuguese custard cake, the Pork Chop Sandwich, and the old Lisboa Casino, thats all. If you ask me, if Macau wants to attract more non-Chinese visitors as you said, it probably should start [promoting] in Hong Kong rather than in other countries.

WHAT THE FIGURES SHOW

A Times analysis of Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) data shows that while Macau is receiving this year a monthly average of more visitors from almost every country and region in the world, when compared year-on-year with 2023, in most cases this variation is not significant.

Taking as an example some of the European countries that have contributed over the years with larger shares of visitors to Macau, such as the UK, France, Russia, Germany, Portugal and Italy, the variation in monthly visitor numbers between 2023 and 2024 is significantly higher.

UK (+38%, + 918 people); France (+44.6%, +631 people); Russia (137.1%, +1,592 people); Germany (+85.2%, +810 people); Portugal (+55.8%, +280 people); Italy (+66%, +330 people).

However, of this group, only Russia has recorded visitor growth when compared with 2019. Over the first five months of this year, Russia contributed 144 visitors more than it did in 2019.

In all other cases, the balance is still negative, especially from the UK (-1,607 visitors per month) and France (-1,003 visitors per month), when compared with 2019.

After Russia, the European country that is closer to reaching the pre-pandemic level is the Netherlands, which is currently 168 visitors per month lower than the 2019 level.

In the global analysis, Vietnam is the only country this year that has supplied fewer visitors to Macau than in the previous year, with an average of 136 per month (-16 compared to 2023).

Several countries have already surpassed previous visitor numbers to Macau from the pre-pandemic times, including the Philippines (+5.7%, +2,007 visitors per month); Indonesia (+3.6%, +512 visitors per month); and Thailand (+4%, +499 visitors per month).

Govt projects six million summer tourists

The government is projecting tourist arrivals this summer will exceed six million.

Acting director of the Macao Government Tourism Office Cheng Wai Tong said that along with the implementation of a series of measures to benefit Macau, including the mainland increasing the tax exemption for luggage items for resident passengers entering from Hong Kong and Macau, arrivals in both July and August will exceed last years numbers.

The hotel occupancy rate will also maintain a good momentum. It is projected occupancy will reach 90%.

Macaus travel industry is anticipating a summer spike in Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) tourists from mainland China, according to Andy Wu Keng Kuong, president of the Macau Travel Industry Council.

Wu cites several factors as contributing to the expected surge, including the recent addition of eight new mainland cities to the IVS scheme.
Philippine troops killed at least 10 suspected communist guerrillas in a clash in a remote northern area in the latest blow to a decades-old insurgency that has weakened considerably, with only about a thousand guerrillas remaining, military and security officials said Friday.

Army troops caught up with about 20 New Peoples Army guerrillas who were withdrawing from an earlier clash with government forces last week, sparking a firefight Wednesday that killed 10 rebels, including three commanders, near a village in Pantabangan town in Nueva Ecija province, the army said.

Thirteen rifles and a pistol were recovered from the area of the fighting, which was near a key dam, it said. Troops were pursuing about 10 other guerrillas who withdrew from the remote area, regional army spokesperson Maj. Jimson Masangkay said by telephone.

Brig. Gen. Norwin Joseph Pasamonte, an army infantry brigade commander, commended the troops but expressed sadness over the rebel deaths. The government did not fail in appealing to them to surrender and return to normal life, Pasamonte said in a statement, adding that the deaths should help convince the remaining guerrillas to give up.

Nueva Ecija, a rice-growing region in the north, used to be a hotbed of the communist insurgency decades ago, but less than 50 Maoist guerrillas remain in the area, Masangkay said.

Last November, the government and the communist rebels agreed to resume talks aimed at ending the armed insurgency, one of Asias longest, after meeting in the Norwegian capital of Oslo to address key obstacles to intermittent peace negotiations, according to Norwegian mediators.

Actual peace talks, however, have not restarted under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippine officials say about 1,000 communist fighters remain after years of rebel setbacks, surrenders and factionalism. Peace talks brokered by Norway collapsed under previous President Rodrigo Duterte after both sides accused the other of continuing deadly attacks despite the negotiations. MDT/AP
With the U.K.s General Election taking place on Thursday (July 4), evangelicals are being encouraged to both pray and vote for the future of their nation. Research by the Evangelical Alliance (EA) of the U.K. suggests nine out of ten evangelicals in the country intends to vote.

The EA has called on Christians to engage with the election and provided online resources to help believers in their prayers and decision making.

In the run up to the election I'm often asked how Christians should make up their mind [on] how to vote, said Danny Webster, EA Director of Advocacy in a LinkedIn post. Our political engagement should be prayerful and thoughtful, and here are six ways you might be considering in deciding where to put your cross.

These six pointers are: vote for the party policy platform, vote for the leader who will be the best prime minister, vote against a party you dont want in power, vote based on a specific issue or policy area, vote locally and vote tactically.

Voting is an obvious way in which we can engage in the upcoming general election, stated the EA in another section on its website headed Prayer Points for the election. Nevertheless, as followers of Jesus, voting isnt our only or even primary means of engagement. Followers of Jesus are people of prayer.

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Be it on our knees by our beside or standing in a gathering with our church family, prayer reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus our king, and that our ultimate hope within and beyond this election is to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

The EA produced the helpful Prayer Points resource to guide evangelicals in praying for the election. It can be used in both private and public sessions of prayer.

As we pray these prayers, it is our hope that they will be used by the Lord to both shape outcomes in this upcoming election, and also to shape our hearts into His likeness, making us those who together seek the good of our neighbor and the spread of the gospel in this nation.

The EA has also produced an article providing, Three guiding principles for Christian women ahead of polling day by Alicia Edmund, head of public policy.

I foresee that women across the UK and across different demographic groups will play a significant role in determining who the next prime minister will be, wrote Edmund.

Christian Daily International reached out to the main political parties, asking them why evangelicals should vote for them and will update this article once a response is received.

Polling booths to vote are open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday and vote counting begins once the polls are closed.
The general unemployment rate for March-May 2024 stood at 1.9%, while the unemployment rate for local residents was 2.5%, according to data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

The latest government data indicates the unemployment rate has remained steady, approaching the levels seen in the same period in 2019.

Both indicators remained unchanged from the previous period (February-April 2024) after falling for two consecutive periods and are approaching their corresponding levels in the same period in 2019.

The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.4%.

The labor force living in Macau totaled 379,300, with a labor force participation rate of 67.4%.

Total employment (372,100) and the number of employed residents (283,600) both experienced slight declines from the previous period.

Analyzed by industry, employment in the Financial Activities and Construction sectors decreased, while employment in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities increased further, owing to a continued rise in the number of visitors.

The number of unemployed persons (7,200) declined by 200 from the previous period, marking the fifth consecutive period of decline.

Underemployment also decreased further, with the number of underemployed (5,200) falling by 200 from the previous period, primarily in the Construction and Transport & Storage sectors.

This comes as the government, associations and big six operators have held multiple job-matching sessions.

However, earlier this year, lawmakers were skeptical that the job-matching sessions model promoted by the government with the gaming concessionaires will be effective. They said the existing model is saturated and unlikely to alleviate unemployment of residents any further.

Lawmakers noted that some of those employed through the job matching model only remained in their roles for brief periods. Victoria Chan
AirAsia Philippines is celebrating its 15th uninterrupted win at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2024 by offering a P15 one-way base fare for bookings to all domestic destinations from July 1 to 7.

Additionally, seats for international destinations are available from as low as P515 to P2,565.

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The airline aims to serve more than a million travelers this midyear by increasing commercial flight services to domestic and international destinations.

AirAsia has increased flight frequencies to domestic destinations such as Bacolod (24 times weekly), Cagayan De Oro (17 times weekly), and Iloilo (36 times weekly), while international flights to Bangkok have increased to 17 times weekly, and flights to Seoul and Kuala Lumpur now operate daily.

Other international destinations such as Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Hanoi (Vietnam), Maldives, and Almaty (Kazakhstan) can be reached via AirAsia Fly Thru, which is available at AirAsia MOVE App and airasia.com.

AirAsia has been recognized as the Worlds Best Low-Cost Airline, besting more than 300 others in this years Skytrax World Airline Awards. This was based on various factors affecting the safety and comfort of a guests flight, including the hospitality and efficiency of the cabin crew, seat comfort and cabin cleanliness, F&B products, and the overall value for money.

According to AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Ricky Isla, winning the said award is a testament to their commitment to providing the worlds best service and product innovations that meet the changing travel needs of their guests.
A West Philippine Sea monitor on Monday reported China Coast Guard (CCG) ships conducting a resupply cruise to its outposts in the Spratly Islands also passed near five features of the West Philippine Sea.

According to Maritime Security expert Ray Powell, the 8,000-ton Sansha 2 Hao first passed off Pag-asa (Thitu) Island on Sunday morning, accompanied by the San Sha Zhi Fa 301.

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Powell added that the two ships also traversed the waters near Patag (Flat) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, and Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Powell also explained that as of Monday, the two ships were within 60 nautical miles of Malaysias coastline to assert the southern extent of Beijings maritime claims.

This mission has two purposes  to deliver supplies to Beijings Spratly Island bases, and to mark the extent of its maritime claims.=, Powell explained.

Last week, the CCGs monster ship, also conducted what Powell called an intrusive patrol in similar features.

The 13,000-ton Chinese ship was even spotted only 34 nautical miles away off El Nido, Palawan.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson on West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Thursday reported that the monster ship made a possible resupply while entering Kagitingan Reef.

Maritime features in Spratly Islands occupied by the Philippines are collectively known as the Kalayaan Island Group.
Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres was among around 40 archbishops appointed over the past year who received a pallium from Pope Francis, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The Pope handed Alarcon the newly blessed pallium folded up in a small wooden box tied with a brown ribbon during Mass for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter Basilica at the Vatican.

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The pallium is a woven band of lambs wool that serves as a sign of their communion and pastoral responsibility as shepherds. About two inches wide and worn on the shoulders, it is a stole-like vestment worn by metropolitan archbishops over their chasuble when celebrating Mass.

The Pope in his homily invited them to be zealous shepherds who open the doors of the Gospel, and through their ministry, help to build a Church and a society of open doors.

Traditionally, new bishops were invested with the pallia by the pope at the same June 29 Mass. In 2015, however, the Pope changed this policy so that bishops would be invested with the pallia in their archdioceses by the local apostolic nuncio, as a sign of synodality with local churches.

The investiture of the pallium will take place here in Caceres at a later date, the archdiocese posted on social media.

Alarcon, 53, was appointed by the pope as archbishop of Caceres on February 22. He was installed to his new post on May 2.

Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Filipino Archbishop Alarcon receives pallium from Pope Francis
WASHINGTON, DC  The US Supreme Court is expected to rule Monday (Tuesday in Manila) on the most highly anticipated decision of its term  a ruling for the ages on whether Donald Trump, as a former president, is immune from prosecution.

Even if the ruling is likely to reject Trumps claim he should enjoy absolute immunity, the decision will be key in whether his trial for conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss can go ahead before this years election, in which he is the Republican candidate.

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We are writing a rule for the ages, said conservative justice Neil Gorsuch, who was appointed by Trump, as arguments were heard in April.

This case has huge implications for the presidency, for the future of the presidency, for the future of the country, added justice Brett Kavanaugh, another Trump appointee.

Trumps original trial date in the election case had been for March 4, well before his November rematch with President Joe Biden.

But the Supreme Court  dominated by conservatives, including the three appointed by Trump during his term in office  agreed in February to hear his argument for presidential immunity, putting the case on hold while they considered the matter in April.

That means the trial has already been considerably delayed.

The court is unlikely to rule that Trump has complete immunity. During the April arguments, the justices appeared largely skeptical of his claims, with some questioning whether it meant a president could commit crimes with abandon.

However, the scope and wording of the decision could further postpone the trial  shrinking the odds that Trump will face prosecutors before the Nov. 5 vote.

For instance, justices could send the case back to lower courts to sort out which of the special counsels allegations against 78-year-old Trump concern official acts, and thus could be immune from prosecution.

That would inevitably further push back the trial, a complicated undertaking which, regardless of the ruling, will take months of preparation to get back on track.

Facing four criminal cases, Trump has been doing everything in his power to delay the trials at least until after the election.

On May 30, a New York court convicted Trump on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal in the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, making Trump the first former US president ever convicted of a crime. His sentencing will take place on July 11.

The New York hush money case was considered the weakest of the four cases by many legal experts, but likely the only one that will see trial before the vote.

By filing many pre-trial motions, Trumps lawyers have managed to put on hold the three other trials, which deal with his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and hoarding top-secret documents at his home in Florida.

If reelected, Trump could, once sworn in as president in January 2025, order the federal trials against him closed.
Far-right wing party leads 1st round of France's snap legislative elections: projections

Xinhua) 09:46, July 01, 2024

A resident casts his vote at a polling station in Clichy-La-Garenne, near Paris, France, June 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

The second round of the elections set for July 7 will eventually decide how many deputies political camps will have in the National Assembly.

PARIS, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The French far-right wing party National Rally (RN) is leading the first round of France's snap legislative elections held on Sunday, according to projections published by research firm Elabe.

According to the projections, RN and its allies have gained 33 percent of the votes, which should give them between 260 and 310 seats in the National Assembly.

Following the RN, the New Popular Front (NFP), the left-wing parties electoral alliance, should have gained 28.5 percent of the votes with between 115 and 145 seats in the future National Assembly.

French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition comes in third with 22 percent of the votes which would allow them to elect 90 to 120 deputies, the projections show.

Following the announcement of projections, Marine Le Pen of the National Rally called on voters to vote for the RN in the upcoming second round of the legislative elections to allow the RN the "absolute majority" in the National Assembly, which will allow the far-right wing party to occupy the position of prime minister in the next government.

A mother holding her child walks past posters for legislative elections in Clichy-La-Garenne, near Paris, France, June 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

For Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, the 2nd round of the legislative elections will be "one of the most decisive in the entire history of the Fifth Republic."

"I call on all French people attached to their freedom, to the recovery of France, to join us," he said.

Speaking to his supporters, Jean-Luc Melenchon of the NFP said that the French "are heading towards a second round of exceptional intensity."

He called on voters to choose the New Popular Front over the National Rally, as the NFP is the "only" alternative following the "heavy and indisputable" defeat of President Macron's coalition.

The second round of the elections set for July 7 will eventually decide how many deputies political camps will have in the National Assembly.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Archaeological detective work has seemingly uncovered King Sennacherib's military camp utilized in the siege of Jerusalem in 702BC and mentioned in the first three books of the Bible.

Popular Archaeology reported the hilltop site discovery, by independent scholar and writer Stephen Compton, referencing a peer-reviewed paper in the journal Near Eastern Archaeology and revealing the first known discovery of military camps in ancient Assyria.

This appears to be the site of Sennacheribs camp from the siege of Jerusalem, which was featured in the three books of the Bible, depicted in great works of art by, for example, Peter Paul Rubens and Gustave Dore, and celebrated in verse by Lord Byron, wrote Compton in Popular Archaeology.

In the Bible story, the Angel of the Lord passed through the camp in the night slaying the Assyrian soldiers. The Babylonian historian Berosus wrote that a plague devastated the Assyrian army. And the Greek historian Herodotus claimed that mice invaded the Assyrian camp in the night and chewed through their bow strings and shield straps, leaving them defenseless in battle the next morning.

The hills earlier history is equally impressive, according to Compton. He referenced Isaiah 10:24-32, which describes the Assyrians advancing towards Jerusalem, stopping at Nob and challenging Jerusalem from there.

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This connects the Assyrian camp at Jerusalem with Nob, the lost priestly city that held the tabernacle, the holiest site in Judaism prior to the construction of the temple, added Compton, as reported by Popular Archaeology. However, according 1 Samuel 21-22, after the priests there aided the hero David, King Saul had every man, woman, child, and animal in Nob killed. Nob was not mentioned again for some 300 years, until the Assyrians occupied it.

Sennacherib ruled Assyria from 704 to 681 BC and became known for his ambitious construction projects.

Compton used technologically efficient mapping techniques to create a virtual map pinpointing the site of the military maps, by also cross referring early aerial photos, current satellite imagery and ancient references, not only in the Bible (2 Kings 19:35, Isaiah 37:36-38, 2 Chronicles 32:21), but also ancient Greek and Assyrian texts. He also examined stone carvings on display at room nine in the British Museum.

An online description for the room reads: Nineveh was the capital of the powerful ancient Assyrian empire, located in modern-day northern Iraq. Sennacherib was the king of Assyria from 704681 BC and was famous for his building projects. The rooms and courtyards of his Neo-Assyrian Southwest Palace at Nineveh were decorated with a series of detailed carved stone panels. Many of these stone panels are on display in Room 9.

Panels on display feature various scenes, including the military campaigns undertaken by King Sennacherib. One of the panels heralds the conquering of Lachish city, to the south of Jerusalem, by the king, and depicts details of a landscape.



By comparing this artwork with actual aerial photos of the city before it was developed, and other sources as noted above, Compton devised a virtual map pinpointing the military camp.


WE ADD our voice to the statement of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines which declared the Philippines has sovereign rights over its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea.

The area, which has seen Filipinos being harassed by Chinese during humanitarian missions, has been the site of rising tensions despite the grant by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas to states sovereign rights over their exclusive economic zones.

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This means 200 nautical miles from the baselines of the countries: the disputed territory of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal is 105 nautical miles from Palawan and 621 miles from Chinas southern Hainan island.

The other day, the mandatory association of lawyers, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, which has nearly 79,000 members, said the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, to which the Philippines and China are both signatories, granted coastal states sovereign rights over their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), extending up to 200 nautical miles from their baselines.

Therefore, the West Philippine Sea is inside the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone to the extent of 200 miles measured from our countrys archipelagic baselines, the IBP said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself continues to stand firm in defending the countrys sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea amid reports the Chinese increased their electronic communication jamming activities against Philippine vessels in the area.

In an earlier interview, President Marcos expressed his apprehension over the aggressive maneuvers of Chinese nautical assets in the WPS, saying China is now deploying its Navy ships to support the Chinese Coast Guard vessels already deployed there.

The IBP backed its support for the Marcos administrations stance with the 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration confirming the Philippines has sovereign rights over its EEZ in the West Philippine Sea.

We endorse the IBPs observation the area disputed by China is well within Manilas exclusive economic zone and Filipino fishermen are exercising their right to a livelihood within the countrys EEZ.

The IBP was to the point in bold and clear letters of its statement when it said it also supports the legitimate stand of the Philippine government in asserting our countrys lawful and sovereign rights over the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea..

It cited the cited the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and the Spanish-United States Treaty of Washington in 1900 as the basis for its argument.

The IBP said Article III of the Treaty of Paris clearly delineated the territorial boundaries of the Philippine archipelago when Spain ceded to the US all rights of sovereignty over the Philippines, including the waters surrounding the islands.

The Spanish-US Treaty of Washington supplemented this by clarifying and affirming the cession of additional islands to the US as part of Philippine territory, it said.

The Treaty of Washington documented Spains cession to the US of any and all islands of the Philippine Archipelago lying outside of the lines described in Article III of the Treaty of Paris of December 10, 1898.

When the Philippines gained independence, all these islands covered by the Treaty of Paris and Treaty of Washington that form part of the Philippine archipelago became part of our countrys territory, it said.

IBP also said the Permanent Arbitration Court ruling clarified the Philippines shall enjoy all economic rights within its EEZ, including fishing, resource exploration and marine conservation.
As the UK general election approaches, the controversial Rwanda asylum scheme has become a focal point of political debate, with over 320 million in potential losses hanging in the balance. This significant sum, primarily allocated for Rwandas economic development and scheme setup costs, faces the prospect of being written off if the Conservative Party loses power.

The opposition Labor Party has strongly criticized the policy, vowing to scrap it if elected. They propose redirecting resources towards a new Border Security Command aimed at combating people-smuggling gangs.

A National Audit Office report revealed that 270 million of non-refundable funds would be transferred to Rwanda by April 2024. Additional expenses include legal fees, staffing costs, and travel expenses for government officials.

The schemes implementation has been fraught with challenges, including legal battles and the detention of asylum seekers initially slated for deportation. Critics argue that the policy is not only financially wasteful but also ethically questionable, with human rights organizations expressing grave concerns.

As the election looms, the future of this contentious policy hangs in the balance, symbolizing broader debates about UK immigration policy, government spending, and international obligations towards asylum seekers.
In a shocking display of violence, northern Nigeria was rocked by a series of coordinated suicide bombings that claimed at least 18 lives. The attacks, carried out by female bombers, targeted a wedding celebration, a funeral service, and a hospital in Borno state, a region long plagued by insurgent activity.

The assaults bore the hallmarks of extremist groups like Boko Haram, known for their use of women and girls in suicide missions. This tactic has raised suspicions that some attackers may be drawn from the thousands kidnapped by militants over the years.

The bombings left a trail of devastation, with victims including children and pregnant women. Dozens more suffered severe injuries, overwhelming local medical facilities. In response, authorities swiftly imposed a curfew in the affected area.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks as desperate acts of terror, but characterized them as isolated incidents. However, the resurgence of suicide bombings in Borno has reignited concerns about the regions security situation.

This latest tragedy adds to the grim toll of an insurgency that has claimed over 35,000 lives and displaced millions. It also underscores the ongoing threat of mass kidnappings, a tactic that armed groups have found lucrative for funding their operations and exerting control over communities.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses. Credit: Public Domain

Signs of H5N1 bird flu virus have been detected at three wastewater sites in California's Bay Area, according to sampling data.

While positive wastewater samples have been found in seven other states, California is the only one that has yet to report a bird flu outbreak in a herd of dairy cows.

Genetic evidence of bird flu was detected in San Francisco wastewater on June 18 and June 26. Additional H5 "hits" were seen at a site in Palo Alto on June 19, and another on June 10 from the West County Wastewater facility in Richmond.

According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, officials have been closely monitoring H5N1 along with federal, state and local partners, and are "aware of the recent detections of fragments of H5N1 in San Francisco's wastewater."

"As with the previous detections reported from before mid-May 2024, it is unclear what the source of H5N1 is, and an investigation is ongoing," wrote department officials in a statement. "It is possible that it originated from bird waste or waste from other animals due to San Francisco's sewer system that collects and treats both wastewater and stormwater in the same network of pipes."

Health officials said the risk remains low for the general public.

The virus has not been identified in California cows, but it has been found in wild birds and domestic poultry in the state.

The finding "is concerning" because of their urban origin, said Devabhaktuni Srikrishna, an entrepreneur who is developing techniques for disease detection, and the chief executive and founder of PatientKnowHow.com. "There are not many dairy or animal farms in San Francisco."

There are also no dairy farms in Palo Alto or Richmond.

The plant manager from Palo Alto was out of the office, so could not comment. A spokesperson for the Richmond site directed questions to the state.

A request for comment from the state's Wastewater Surveillance Program had not yet been returned.

Although the samples from the Bay Area wastewater sites tested positive for H5, the testing was not specific to H5N1.

However, researchers say a positive genetic identification for H5 is suggestive of bird fluwhether H5N1, the virus that has been found in U.S. dairy cattle (and which has infected three dairy workers ) or H5N2, the subtype implicated in the death of a man from Mexico City this month.

Most human influenza A viruses are of the H1 and H3 variety.

The virus has been detected in 133 dairy herds across 12 states. It has also been found in wild birds and domestic poultry flocks throughout the United States.

In recent weeks, H5 was also detected in wastewater samples in Idaho. among other states.

While there is "no threat to the general public from the H5 detection in wastewater" at this time, said Christine Hahn, Idaho state epidemiologist, "we have determined that it is important that we work to understand these recent findings as much as possible."

The state is working in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the issue.

WastewaterSCAN, the research organization that detected the virus, is an infectious disease monitoring network run by researchers at Stanford, Emory University and Verily, Alphabet Inc.'s life sciences organization.

A review of their datawhich samples from 194 locations across the countrysuggests H5 has also been detected at sites in Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa.

California is the only one of these states that has not reported H5N1-infected cattle.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A large international study conducted at the University of Turku in Finland found that most adolescents do not seek professional help even when they have a high level of mental health problems. This unmet need was prevalent across all eight Asian and European countries involved in this study but especially in lower-income countries.

The study, published in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, revealed that even though many adolescents consider getting help or seek help from informal sources for their mental health problems, very few seek help from formal sources.

Doctoral Researcher Yuko Mori from the Research Center for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku, Finland, and the lead author of the study, tells that when adolescents attempt to get external help to deal with their mental health problems, there are two main types of help-seeking sources: informal and formal sources of help.

"Adolescents may get help from informal sources such as friends, teachers, and family members and/or formal sources such as school nurses, psychologists, and counselors for professional assistance. Where they seek help from depends, for example, on the availability of services, cultural background, and stigma associated with mental illness," Mori says.

Less than 1% of adolescents in middle-income countries seek professional help

The study included 13,184 adolescents aged 13 to 15 who completed self-administered surveys between 2011 and 2017 across eight Asian and European countries: China, Finland, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Norway, and Vietnam. The study was conducted as part of the Eurasian Child Mental Health Study (EACMHS), a school-based cross-national study into the well-being and mental health of adolescents.

In middle-income countries, less than 1% sought help from professional sources while in high-income countries, this rate is slightly higher, between 2% and 7%. Girls are generally more likely to seek help for mental health problems than boys.

Only 1%2% of adolescents with a high level of emotional and behavioral problems in middle-income countries (India, Vietnam, China) sought formal help. In other words, 98%99% of those who suffer from a high level of problems do not seek formal help. In high-income countries, the rate was significantly higher but still limited, 6%7% in Greece, Israel, and Japan and 21%25% in Norway and Finland.

"Interestingly, significant difference between girls and boys on the unmet need were found only in Norway and Finland where girls were more likely to seek formal help than boys," Mori notes.

Global need for mental health awareness and literacy programs

The study also revealed that informal sources of help are widely used among adolescents and are the key sources of help in many countries, particularly in lower-income countries.

The leader of the EACMHS, Professor Andre Sourander, MD says that the widely used informal sources of help especially in lower-income countries highlight a global need for mental health awareness and literacy programs.

"Cross-cultural studies on adolescent mental health such as the present study are important because almost all mental health research comes from high-income Western countries. There is a huge knowledge gap because most research represents less than 10% of adolescent population.

"Maybe the most striking result was how important informal sources of help such as teachers, friends and parents were. This indicates worldwide importance of promoting culturally sensitive mental health awareness and literacy programs," says Professor Sourander.

More information: Yuko Mori et al, Unmet need for mental health care among adolescents in Asia and Europe, European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02472-0
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Researchers at OHSUs Center for Mental Health Innovation have identified novel biomarkers related to body fat composition during pregnancy are associated with mental health outcomes in offspring. Credit: OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's Center for Mental Health Innovation have identified why increased adiposity, or the amount of fat in the body, during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk for mental health disorders in offspring.

The study, published recently in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, examined whether pregnancy or umbilical cord blood concentrations of two key hormones associated with fat massadiponectin and leptincould be predictive of infant mental health disorders. Leptin, a hormone that helps regulate appetite, and adiponectin, a hormone that supports glucose level regulation and fat breakdown, are both critical in fetal development.

While an association between obesity during pregnancy and offspring mental health is becoming increasingly clear, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not yet understood. This is the first study to demonstrate the link between the two hormones and offspring behavioral outcomes.

"The link between the metabolic state of the birthing parenting during pregnancy and offspring mental health is relatively novel, and there is very little research to explain the connection," said Elinor Sullivan, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry in the OHSU School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "The thought is that metabolic state can influence the in-utero environment, which can shape the fetal brain and its development.

"Identifying novel biomarkers allow us the opportunity to predict very early on which children are at risk of common mental health disorders, including ADHD and anxiety, so we can provide targeted early interventions."

Biomarkers, or measurable traits in the body, can serve as an early warning system for underlying diseases or conditions, and are a valuable tool to better understand an individual's health.

Led by Sullivan and Hanna Gustafsson, Ph.D., researchers gathered data from a cohort of more than 300 pregnant people and their children, collecting blood samples from the parent in the second trimester and an umbilical cord blood sample at birth. The offspring were brought in for evaluation at 6 months old, at which point researchers performed standard behavioral tests to examine behaviors used to regulate emotions, which are strong indicators of risk for mental health disorders in early life.

The findings show that that lower levels of the hormone adiponectin in the parent's circulation and higher concentrations of the hormone leptin in cord blood may be novel biomarkers of their offspring's risk for mental health disorders.

Researchers say identifying these biomarkers could have significant potential for early intervention for children at risk for a range of mental health disorders, and suggest that identification of at-risk children may be possible earlier than commonly thoughtat or even before birth. Additionally, these biomarkers can be measured in a clinical setting using standard, low-cost tools, and can be assessed using a single test that is easily interpretable.

The next step for the research team will be testing interventions aimed at reducing child mental health risk and supporting parents during the perinatal period. There is promising evidence that teaching parents practical skills during pregnancy can help to support the health of both the parent and child for example, teaching how to swaddle and soothe a crying baby, providing information about typical infant crying patterns, and offering mindfulness techniques to manage their own emotions when caring for an infant.

"Weight can be a complex and sensitive topic for pregnant individuals, and our goal as clinicians is to help patients take the best care of themselves and their developing baby," said Jamie Lo, M.D., MCR, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the OHSU School of Medicine, who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine. "These findings present an opportunity to intervene early in pregnancy to potentially improve health outcomes in children."

Lo also emphasizes the importance of access to quality prenatal care that includes counseling on nutrition and a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and prior to conception, which is critical to optimize the health of pregnant individuals and their infants.

Looking forward, Sullivan says additional research is needed to better understand the nature of these associations and whether behavioral health outcomes persist throughout childhood. The research team plans to follow the study subjects through 5 years old to determine how these factors can predict long-term risk and clinical diagnosis.

"While this is an exciting first step, we have so much more to learn, including what role social determinants of health might play," Sullivan said. "We look forward to furthering our research and supporting improved care for birthing parents and their children."

More information: Elinor L. Sullivan et al, Adipokines measured during pregnancy and at birth are associated with infant negative affect, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.05.018 Journal information: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
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Recording in an awake rhesus macaque under a fixation-saccade task. a, Schematics showing the setup of the recording. b, Schematics showing the fixation-saccade task. c, Spatial footprint of some example SUAs. d, Waveforms averaged from different trials in a task session of the unit in c marked with the dashed box, showing the stability of the unit over different trials. e, Top, single-trial spiking rasters of the neuron in c marked with the dashed box. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01692-6

Chinese researchers have developed a high-density, 1,024-channel neural probe, achieving a full-depth recording of neuronal activities in the brain of a macaque monkey for the first time in the world.

The research team led by Duan Xiaojie at Peking University designed and produced the probe named Neuroscroll, which isolates single neuronal activities simultaneously from 1,024 densely spaced channels flexibly distributed across the probe.

The probe length is tunable from 1 cm to 10 cm, covering the brain sizes ranging from those of rodent species to primates.

The team used the probes to achieve simultaneous monitoring of the activities of more than 700 single neurons covering the entire depth of the macaque monkey brain. In addition, they have realized stable neural recording in the rat brain for up to two years, demonstrating the excellent biocompatibility and long-term recording stability of the probe, said Duan.

The achievement was published in Nature Neuroscience.

Cheng Heping, director of the National Biomedical Imaging Center at Peking University, said that the breakthrough provides a powerful tool for simultaneously monitoring neuronal activities across multiple brain regions and exploring the relationship between neural activities and behavioral studies.

By implanting multiple probes, it will be possible to further achieve neural recordings from up to tens of thousands of channels, which will bring transformative impacts to basic neuroscience and translational neuroscience research, such as brain-machine interfaces, said Cheng.

More information: Yang Liu et al, A high-density 1,024-channel probe for brain-wide recordings in non-human primates, Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01692-6 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The heat is on, especially across the South, Southeast and portions of the plains. The National Weather Service has issued several heat and excessive heat advisories. When summer goes from warm to hot, exercising could become riskyunless you're prepared.

"Staying active, even exercising in hot weather, can be done safely, but you really have to pay attention to the environment and your body to make sure a good thing doesn't go bad," says Chaun Cox, M.D. , a Mayo Clinic Health System Family Medicine physician and an avid runner.

Here are a few tips from Dr. Cox for exercising in the heat:

Know the weather

If you haven't been exercising in hot weather already this summer, don't choose a hot day to start. Your body needs to acclimate to the heat, so start with shorter periods of exercise and gradually extend the duration of your workout. High humidity prevents sweat from readily evaporating from this skin, which puts added stress on your body. And pay attention to the forecastand the sky. Severe weather can develop rather quickly, and there are no extra points for trying to outrun a thunderstorm or tornado.

Stay hydrated

Your body cools itself by sweating, and if you stay hydrated, the body is pretty good at cooling itself. When you become dehydrated, your body starts to store heat inside. Your core temperature begins to increase, and that can put your organs and nervous system at risk. Drink water before, during and after you exercise. Additionally, make sure you have food throughout the day.

Slow down

Don't try to keep up your normal pace and intensity in hot weather. Get comfortable knowing you'll have to take things a bit easier when the mercury rises. Save your goal of setting a personal best for another, cooler day. Don't think you have to keep up with your running or workout buddiesat least until the temperature cools off a bit.

Dress smart

Clothing for exercise or working out in hot weather should permit evaporation of sweat from your skin. Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting items. Clothing also can help protect your skin from the sun, along with plenty of sunscreen.

Listen to your body

The old adage "no pain, no gain" is false. You should slow down or stop exercising at the first sign of discomfort. Other warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness and dizziness. Heat stroke, which is more serious, may be indicated by a rapid, weak pulse, confusion and loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these warning signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately, or alert someone to make the call on your behalf.

Summer fun can include outdoor exercise and workouts. The trick is to be smart about it. By following some simple tips, you'll get more out of your time outdoors and reduce the risks associated with hot weather.

2024 Mayo Clinic News Network. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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In March 2021, this town of about 2,000 residents in the hills of east Tennessee lost its hospital, a 54-bed acute care facility. Campbell County, where Jellico is located, ranks 90th of Tennessee's 95 counties in health outcomes and has a poverty rate almost double the national average, so losing its health care cornerstone sent ripple effects through the region.

"Oh, my word," said Tawnya Brock, a health care quality manager and a Jellico resident. "That hospital was not only the health care lifeline to this community. Economically and socially, it was the center of the community."

Since 2010, 149 rural hospitals in the United States have either closed or stopped providing in-patient care, according to the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina. Tennessee has recorded the second-most closures of any state, with 15, and the most closures per capita. Texas has the highest number of rural hospital closures, with 25.

Each time a hospital closes there are health care and economic ripples across a community. When Jellico Medical Center closed, some 300 jobs went with it. Restaurants and other small businesses in Jellico also have gone under, said Brock, who is a member of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee's legislative committee. And the town must contend with the empty husk of a hospital.

Dozens of small communities are grappling with what to do with hospitals that have closed. Sheps Center researchers have found that while a closure negatively affects the local economy, those effects can be softened if the building is converted to another type of health care facility.

In Jellico, the town owns the building that housed the medical center, and Mayor Sandy Terry said it is in decent condition. But the last operator, Indiana-based Boa Vida Healthcare, holds the license to operate a medical facility there and has yet to announce its plans for the building, leaving Jellico in limbo. Terry said local officials are talking with health care providers that have expressed interest in reopening the hospital. That's their preferred option. Jellico does not have a Plan B.

"We're just in hopes that maybe someone will take it over," Terry said. Meanwhile, the nearest emergency rooms are a half-hour drive away in LaFollette, Tennessee, and across the state line in Corbin, Kentucky.

An hour and a half away in Fentress County, the building that once housed Jamestown Regional Medical Center has been empty since June 2019, when Florida-based Rennova Healthwhich also previously operated Jellico Medical Centerlocked it up.

County Executive Jimmy Johnson said Rennova's exit from Jamestown was so abrupt that "the beds were all made up perfectly" and IV stands and wheelchairs sat in the halls. About 150 jobs evaporated when the center closed.

Rennova still owed Fentress County $207,000 in taxes, Johnson said, and in April the property was put up for auction. A local business owner purchased it for $220,000. But Rennova was granted a year to reacquire the building for what it owed in back taxes, plus interest, and did so within a few days.

Abandoned hospital buildings dot the map in central and east Tennessee. But in the western part of the state, two communities found uses for their empty buildings, albeit not in reopening hospitals.

Somerville, about an hour east of Memphis, lost its hospital, Methodist Fayette, in 2015. Its parent company, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, donated the building to the town and threw in $250,000. The building is now a satellite campus for the University of Tennessee-Martin.

The conversion was pushed along by the town leveraging other funding. Bob Turner, Somerville's city administrator, said both the town and the county matched Methodist's quarter-million dollars toward the renovation. In its first year in Somerville, the university raised another $125,000. Tennessee's governor then matched that $875,000 in his state budget.

Somerville is now in the seventh year of a 10-year agreement with the university, which rents the building from the town.

"We have a building, an asset, that's probably worth $15 million," Turner said. "It's a four-year university right here in the heart of Fayette County."

Mendi Donnelly, Somerville's community development director, said the county is still in desperate need of a hospital, but "we're thrilled that we were able to make lemonade out of our lemons."

Ninety miles to the northeast, in rural Carroll County, Tennessee, another shuttered hospital found new life.

The closing of McKenzie Regional Hospital in 2018 was a blow to the local economy. But Baptist Memorial Health Care, which operates a hospital in nearby Huntingdon, bought the assetsincluding the building, land, equipment, and ambulance serviceand subsequently donated the building to the town of McKenzie.

Cachengo, a technology company, ultimately took over the space. Because of hospitals' electrical infrastructure, the site was a perfect fit for a business like his, said Ash Young, Cachengo's chief executive. Young said Cachengo is now looking into repurposing abandoned hospitals across the country.

Jill Holland, McKenzie's former mayor and a local-government and special-projects coordinator for the Southwest Tennessee Development District, believes the town can become a technology hub.

"It's opening a lot of doors of opportunity for the youth in the community," Holland said.

Back in Jamestown, the vacant hospital is "deteriorating," said Johnson, the county executive. "It could have been used to save lives." Rennova did not respond to a request for comment.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center opened a freestanding emergency room elsewhere in Jamestown, sparing residents a half-hour drive to the closest ER. Johnson believes the old hospital building could serve the community as housing for those who are homeless or as a facility to treat substance use disorder.

Brock, the health care quality manager, thinks things will get better in Jellico, but the community has had its hopes dashed more than once.

Brock believes a freestanding emergency room could be a viable solution. She urges her community to be responsive to "a new day" in rural health in America, one in which a hospital must focus on its community's most urgent needs and be realistic about what that hospital can provide.

"Maybe it is just the emergency room, a sustainable emergency room, where you could hold patients for a period of time and then transfer them," Brock said. "And then you build upon that."

She added, "There are options out there."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A microscopic image of the Hepatitis B virus, taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Countries in Asia Pacific are unlikely to meet their commitment to eliminate hepatitis by 2030 unless they declare a public health emergency, as they did with COVID-19, a disease specialist suggested.

Hepatitisan inflammation of the liveris the second most deadly infectious disease in the world, surpassing tuberculosis and behind only COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It claims 3,500 lives each day.

The WHO set a target in 2016 of cutting new infections by 90% and deaths by 65% before 2030, as well as treating 80% of people affected, in order to end the disease.

However, Saeed Hamid, professor and chair at the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University, Pakistan, stressed during a 20 June forum on infectious diseases in Vietnam that, "at the current rate, most countries in the Asia Pacific will not meet the elimination target by 2030."

Despite progress in diagnosis and the drop in prices of testing and treatment, there is still a critical gap in coverage, said Hamid, whose research focuses on hepatitis. Far too few receive treatment and for those who do, if often comes too late, he explained.

The disease is deadly because a person could be infected for years and the symptoms only emerge once the disease is in an advanced stagewhich is why testing is crucial.

"We need to declare an emergency in all of the high-burden countries," Hamid said, citing the unprecedented rapid response countries adopted with COVID-19 which demonstrated "that it can be done with political will."

There are five main types of hepatitis virus, referred to as A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with safe and effective vaccines, but there are no widely available vaccines specifically for the other types.

The Asia Pacific region has the greatest hepatitis burden, with Pakistan now having the world's highest number of hepatitis C cases at 8.8 million. Here, transmission of the disease is mostly driven by health carerelated exposure, such as poor sterilization of medical equipment, evidence suggests.

"In Pakistan, three people are dying every minute from hepatitis, and these are preventable," Hamid said.

John Ward, director at the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, considered this as regrettable since "we have a vaccine for hepatitis B for 40 years now. In fact, it is one of the success stories we had."

He emphasized the need not just for testing but more critically accelerated treatment and health service support for those diagnosed with the disease. He also cited the importance of education and peer support to eliminate stigma associated with the disease, which prevents people from seeking treatment.

Ward agreed that declaring a public health emergency would "capture the attention" and cause authorities to implement an immediate response.

"However, with so many health issues and non-health concerns competing for limited resources it will be a challenge" for health experts to build national commitment towards hepatitis elimination by 2030, Ward said.

At the launch of the Global Hepatitis Report 2024 in April, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that every year viral hepatitis kills more than 1 million people globally and infects another 3 million, emphasizing that these numbers might be underestimated.

The WHO report highlighted ten countries responsible for two-thirds of global viral hepatitis B and C burdens: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Philippines and Russia.

There were 304 million people living with hepatitis in 2022. Hepatitis B and C together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, which is now the third leading cancer in Asia Pacific.

Hamid highlighted the success of Egypt in combating the disease. The country used to have the highest hepatitis C burden but saw a dramatic drop following its 100 Million Healthy Lives campaign.

Egypt tested more than 60 million people and treated more than 4 million people, resulting in a drop of new infections from 300 per 100,000 in 2014 to 9 per 100,000 in 2022. The goal for hepatitis C elimination is less than 5 per 100,000 new cases per year.

Pakistan is aiming to replicate Egypt's achievement with a massive hepatitis health campaign currently underway, Hamid said.

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As the war in Ukraine continues to rage, a leading Russian evangelical leader renews his call for evangelicals globally to join together in praying for peace, even as he admits his struggles with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness amid the unending reports of suffering and death.

In an interview with Christian Daily International, Vitaly Vlasenko, a Baptist minister in Moscow and the head of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, opens up about the impact the war has had on evangelicals in the country who were shocked by Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and lamented the decisions by political leaders. And as they continue to pray for an end of the conflict, they also continue to seek to serve meaningfully in society.

Christians in Russia try to remain calm, preach the Good News and serve God and people. They try to remain salt and light for Russian society and rejoice with those who rejoice and cry with those who cry, to seek peace and keep it.

Vlasenko acknowledged that the bloody conflict with Ukraine had left its mark on the Russian evangelical communities, who make up between 1-2% of the Russian population.

It is very difficult in this situation to be a faithful citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and remain a decent citizen and patriot of your earthly Fatherland. It is very difficult to hear about the pain and see the suffering of people in a war zone and find the strength to maintain self-control not to go crazy.

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It is very difficult to speak words of consolation to the loved ones of the victims when everything is so ambiguous. It is very difficult when, instead of calls for peace and negotiations to end the war, you hear about the military defeat of your country on the battlefield.

The evangelical leader admits to feeling anguished at times, as the conflict rages and more people lose their lives. He shared that he suffered times of weakness and temptation to lose patience, where he just wants to shout, Have you people lost your mind?

Are there really no sane people in the whole world who are capable of taking responsibility and finding a solution to this conflict?

Realizing that somewhere from my home, 700 kilometers away, a thousand young people who have mothers and fathers, wives and children, die every day  my eyes are full of tears of compassion, although I am not a sentimental person.

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness fill my heart, but I drive them away and cannot come to terms with it.

And he wonders, Where is the church calling for peace and forgiveness?

Vlasenko suspects that the historic church schism in the year 1054, when Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches formally broke their union, continues to separate believers until today.

Is it really that the church schism of 1054 continues to divide us into East and West? Is it really that we, as Evangelical Christians, cannot act as a united front, but stand on opposite sides of the political barricades?

Vlasenko admitted that it felt difficult at times living as an evangelical believer when the country that you love is being attacked by the countries of the entire Western Christian world.

Even so, he felt very grateful for fellow Christians outside the country who watch and spiritually care for us in Russia despite any political and cultural or any other disagreements, during this period of severe political confrontation with the world. Vlasenko pointed to the Apostle Paul who wrote in his letter to the believers in Galatia to bear one anothers burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.

In seeking for a solution to the war, he believes evangelicals in Russia would welcome if Christians on both sides united in prayer for peace and for the practical steps of the rulers of our countries, in forcing peace.

It will not be some kind of political weakness if we save the life of at least one soldier, because he is, first of all, a human being!

I am not a politician, Vlasenko said, but today, on behalf of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, I call on all people of good will, primarily the global community of Evangelical Christians, to make every possible effort in all areas to save our wonderful world from military escalation and complete destruction.

He said that Jesus prayed, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, and therefore the followers of Jesus are called to respond to this prayer.

Please hear my cry: The self-will of sinful people will destroy this world if we do not take spiritual responsibility for this world and begin to do Gods will on Earth as in Heaven.

I call on all Christians in politics, in economics, in culture, like Queen Esther [in the Bible], to do everything we can to stop the war!

Finally, he said, We pray and ask you to pray for peace in Ukraine, for the suspension of all military conflicts. We pray for the spread of God's will throughout the Earth and for the salvation of people from eternal destruction. We pray for freedom of conscience and interfaith peace and harmony.

We pray and ask you to pray for the restoration of relations and reconciliation of the peoples of our countries, Russia and Ukraine.





July 4, 2024 Update: In response to the above interview, the European Evangelical Alliance issued a statement refuting disunity, attack claims by Russian evangelical leader, and said path to peace 'is simple'
Intelligent beings from distant worlds or times might live hidden in underground colonies on earth or even be walking among us, passing as humans.

These are among the theories proposed in an academic paper by Michael Masters, a professor of biological anthropology at Montana Technological University and two co-authors who are scientists affiliated with Harvard University.

An introductory authors note, striking a rare tone of humility for such scholarly papers, offers a caveat: We would also like to emphasize that we believe this hypothesis to be in all likelihood false, but nevertheless believe it still merits scientific investigation.

In short, the authors ask readers to keep an open mind. And many seemingly do.

Starting June 10, a Monday, the imagination-firing paper of nearly 35,000 words went viral after being uploaded to ResearchGate.

We started to get a sense that people were paying attention by Tuesday or Wednesday, and by Thursday my life was absolutely insane, Masters said. I would conservatively estimate that stories about the paper reached hundreds of millions of people, in more than 100 countries. And in a matter of three or four days. It was wild to see.

The paper, titled The cryptoterrestrial hypothesis: A case for scientific openness to a concealed earthly explanation for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, will be published in print in October by the journal Philosophy and Cosmology.

Frequent reports from credible sources  including military pilots and intelligence agency whistleblowers  of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAP, formerly known as Unidentified Flying Objects, could reflect that beings referred to as cryptoterrestrials might venture out from bases on earth, the paper suggests.

In this usage, crypto refers, in part, to the concealed status of such sentient beings.

David Grusch, an Air Force veteran who worked in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has alleged that the U.S. government and private aerospace companies have for decades maintained a secret crash retrieval and reverse engineering program to study UAP. The paper references his testimony.

The demands and logistics of either interstellar travel or time travel defy contemporary human comprehension. Fighter pilots who have captured images of UAP and shared their observations have marveled at the crafts uncanny maneuverability and speed of travel.

Reasonable speculation would conclude that such travel likely isnt without challenges and risks.

Living in stealth

Masters and co-authors Tim Lomas and Brendan Case, both at Harvard, suggest it seems likely that extraterrestrial beings or visitors from our own evolved future would want to establish hidden bases on earth to conduct reconnaissance or research or protect us from ourselves.

They may be living on this planet, sharing this planet, as opposed to constantly coming and going, Masters said during a June 20 interview in his office at Montana Tech.

Masters specializes in biological anthropology, paleoanthropology and modern human variation. His previous work has described human evolution and physiological adaptations driven by enlarging brains and the associated effects on craniofacial anatomy.

The stereotypical portrait of aliens, with enlarged heads and contracted facial features, might foreshadow the appearance of the human form thousands of years in the future.

They seemingly have characteristics we would expect to see in our future if the same dominant evolutionary trends throughout the last 6 to 8 million years continue into that future, Masters said.

Weve gotten past the point where were debating whether UFOs are real, he said. Were now starting to talk about the beings who are piloting them. And were trying to have an open conversation about some theories about who they might be, about where and when they might be from.

So, the root of all of this is that we should be having an open-minded, grounded conversation about an earthly explanation for UAP, Masters said.

Understanding the weirdness

Its admittedly strange territory for scientific analysis, he said.

To understand the weirdness, maybe we have to look beyond our conventional reality and space and time, Masters said. And start to entertain some of these seemingly wild hypotheses that in the future might not seem strange at all, especially if some of them turn out to be true.

Masters suggests that humans from our distant future might time travel to our present to study their own history and physiological evolution. Thats one explanation, he said, for accounts of alien abduction events featuring what amounted to medical exams. He has interviewed people who have reported such experiences and found consistent descriptions of the encounters.

Its a global phenomenon and its been happening throughout antiquity, Masters said. You cant help but take it seriously. And were talking about thousands and thousands of people. I came into all of this with a very skeptical yet open mind. And my mind has continued to open more.

Science fiction tales often portray aliens as malevolent beings bent on conquering and colonizing earth.

Masters research has not found evidence of such malice in alien abduction accounts. Any negative effects, such as radiation burns accidentally suffered when a ship powers up and leaves, have seemingly been unintended, he said.

To my knowledge, no harm has come except for the ontological shock, the psychological shock of having your world view completely cracked open, he said. Looking at thousands of cases, no ones been injured intentionally. In fact, most people experience a transcendental love and light. Theyre shown this world that exists on a level I think all humans would love to achieve.

Ongoing human evolution that selects for pro-social behaviors could lead us there, Masters said.

Time travel

For now, the human races capacity for self-destruction, through nuclear weapons or environmental degradation, would certainly concern humans from a distant future and compel their interest in time travel for self-preservation, he said.

As an anthropologist, Masters said he would love to time travel into the past and study human ancestors. If he did, his appearance and technological sophistication would likely thoroughly unnerve any beings he encountered.

Meanwhile the authors describe the apparent technological prowess of UAP based on reports from pilots, submariners and other naval personnel and other witnesses of the crafts movements through both air and water.

They are said to move at incredible speeds, and are capable of sudden and rapid acceleration, deceleration and direction changes, all without any visible means of propulsion or control, the authors report.

Separately, the paper quotes the late Edgar Mitchell, the former Apollo astronaut, who talked in 2008 about visitations by extraterrestrial beings. Yes, there have been E.T. visitations, there have been crashed craft, and bodies recovered. We are not alone in the universe; they have been coming here a long time.

Coming and staying, the study's authors suggest  to avoid the slings and arrows of interstellar space travel or time travel.

The cryptoterrestrials theory may be exceedingly improbable, but hopefully this paper has shown it should nevertheless be kept on the table as we seek to understand the ongoing empirical mystery of UAP, the paper suggests.

Masters was asked whether a willingness to weigh in as a scientist about mysteries not yet understood requires a thick skin.

Elephant skin, he replied, smiling.

Having the conversation is whats important, Masters said.

It transcends any individual. It is too important to worry about how people react to me as a person. What I and Tim and these other collaborators are trying to do is open peoples minds to these possibilities that exist on a cosmic scale.
Dozens of the late Eric Feaver's friends, family and colleagues gathered Monday morning to dedicate a Mount Helena trail in honor of the Helena city commissioner and longtime labor leader.

The Eric Feaver trail, formerly known as the Mike Cormier trail, is steep access from LeGrande Cannon Boulevard to the Daisy Hill area of Mount Helena as well as the Ambrose and Prairie trails.

During the ceremony, Mayor Wilmot Collins and Ellen Feaver, wife of Eric, spoke about his work for Montana and his love of trails.

After the spoken words a ribbon was cut at the trailhead.

Eric was a very dear friend to Prickly Pear Land Trust; he poured every ounce of his energy into better outcomes for this place and our entire state, Mary Hollow, PPLT director, said on a Facebook posting. "And he especially loved the wildflowers and trails in the South Hills, so this outcome is beautifully appropriate."

He was in his first term on the Helena City Commission when he died in June 2022. He was 77.

Multiple sources on all sides of the political spectrum described him as a giant.

From 1984-2020, Feaver was president of the MEA, MEA-MFT and finally the Montana Federation of Public Employees, which represents 23,000 professional and classified employees working in public schools, the university system, Head Start, local and state governments, and private health care across Montana.

His 36 years in leadership made him one of the longest serving elected union officials in America.
A man out of jail on more than $500,000 in bonds was taken into custody again Thursday.

Jon Bradley Williams, 50, of 7141 Knobs Landing, Connelly Springs, was charged with maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor probation violation and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Williams was charged after deputies received several reports of items stolen from a construction site on Thursday, the release said. Deputies reviewed surveillance footage that showed Williams and an accomplice taking items from a construction site, the release said.

Detectives made the probation officer who oversees Williams aware of the investigation and probation officers contacted Williams, the release said.

Probation officers and deputies searched his home, seizing drug paraphernalia that included clear baggies, a scale and pipes, along with a white powdery substance that presumptively tested positive for fentanyl, the release said.

Williams was on probation for a misdemeanor larceny, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. He also has previous convictions of driving while impaired and driving while license revoked, records show.

In the release, the sheriffs office said Williams has been arrested more than a dozen times since January 2023 on charges including:

Jan. 12, 2023: Two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon

Feb. 20, 2023: Possession of a firearm by a felon

Feb. 21, 2023: Possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of stolen goods and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance

March 16, 2023: possession of stolen goods

Aug. 7, 2023: Possession of a schedule II controlled substance

Aug. 16, 2023: Possession of a schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine

Sept. 15, 2023: Possession of a schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and probation violation

Oct. 25, 2023: Two counts of possession of a schedule II controlled substance

Nov. 2, 2023: Possession of a schedule II controlled substance

Jan. 5, 2024: Possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia

Jan. 7, 2024: Probation violation

Jan. 26, 2024: Possession of a schedule II controlled substance

The bond on the new charges was set at $12,500 secured, the release said. Jail officials said Williams posted bond in less than two hours.

He is now out on a total of $557,500 in bonds, according to the release.
Islamic extremists in northeastern Nigeria released a video early last week threatening to kill a kidnapped Christian pastor if they did not receive a large ransom payment, according to local reports.

The same terrorists who displayed the flag of jihadist group Boko Haram in a video in May released another video  with published reports showing its date of release ranging from June 21 to June 25  of the Rev. Paul Musa, pastor of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Gamboru Ngala, Borno state, kneeling in front of terrorist brandishing a gun.

Pastor Musa and his wife were kidnapped in March 2023.

One week ultimatum has been given by our captors for you who are ready to secure our release, to do that which is necessary to meet their demands, Pastor Musa says in Hausa on the video. If within one week nothing is done, me and my wife will be killed. My appeal is that you do whatever you can within the stipulated time to get us out of here or receive the news about our death.

The 15-second video shows the pastor dressed in an orange shirt and kneeling, his hands behind his back, with the terrorist standing behind him. He says in the video that this is his last appeal to government authorities and church leaders.

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Reports of the ransom amount the terrorist group demands have ranged from 39,180 USD to 130,221 USD. The Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman of Kings Worship Centre International in Kaduna told media outlet Truth Nigeria that Pastor Musas son informed him from Cameroon that the terrorists gave the pastors family and church seven days from the June 24 release of the video to pay the ransom or he would be killed.

The COCIN raised funds and offered them to the terrorists, which they rejected as insufficient, Azzaman told Truth Nigeria.

The chairman of the Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Rev. John Bakeni, told the media outlet that multiple videos showing Pastor Musa have appeared previously, and that CAN has been striving to obtain the release of various Christian captives, including Pastor Musa.

Kidnapped Priest

In northwestern Nigerias Zamfara state, a Catholic priest appealed for his life in a video after he was kidnapped on June 22 from church premises at St. Raymond Catholic Church in the Damba area of the city of Gusau.

The Rev. Micah Suleiman, in 51-second video sent to the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto by the unnamed terrorists, pleads for ransom to be paid or else he will be killed.

Brethren, heres my plea, please help get me out of captivity. Here, my captors dont keep those they kidnapped for more than a week, Suleiman says in the video.They told me killing is their pastime, and theyll not hesitate to kill me. That Im still alive they said is because theyve decided to give me the chance to talk to my people to pay up the ransom theyre demanding for my release.

I beg you in the name of God, help get me out of here. Just take a look at me. Look at my legs, I have been tied down, and beaten with my legs chained. Here, Im alone, as therere no other captives with me. They killed those theyve kidnapped. Please in the name of God, help me.

The Rev. Nuhu Iliya, chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, announced his kidnapping and asked for prayer, as did the Rev. Emmanuel Anyanwu, also a Catholic priest.

Dear friends and beloved family in Christ, I am Revd. Fr. Emmanuel Anyanwu, and I am asking you in tears for prayers and support for my dear friend and brother priest Rev. Fr. Micah Suleiman, who is in deep suffering under the captivity of Islamic extremists, Anyanwu said. His only offense was being a Christian and a catholic priest.

Zamfara State Police Command spokesman Yazid Abubakar confirmed the kidnapping of the priest.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year. Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.
July 1, 2024  A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has thrown a wrench into the Fearless Funds efforts to support Black women entrepreneurs. The decision halts the venture capital firms grant program, sparking renewed debate over affirmative action and diversity initiatives.

The Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm established to support women of colour, faces a legal challenge led by Edward Blum and his group, the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER). Blum, known for his successful campaign against affirmative action in college admissions, argued that the Fearless Funds grant program violates civil rights laws by using race as a criterion for awarding grants.

The courts decision stems from a lawsuit filed in August 2023, where AAER contended that the grant programs exclusionary criteria amounted to racial discrimination. The appeals courts 2-1 ruling concluded that the program will likely violate Title 42 of the U.S. Code, which prohibits race-based discrimination in contracts.

Arian Simone, Founding Partner of Fearless Fund, expressed profound disappointment with the ruling, highlighting its detrimental impact on efforts to bridge the venture capital funding gap for Black women. This decision is devastating for every girl of colour with a dream, Simone stated, emphasising the broader implications for diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Blum, on the other hand, welcomed the ruling, asserting that civil rights laws should not permit racial distinctions. Programs that exclude certain individuals because of their race are unjust and polarizing, Blum remarked, reinforcing his stance against race-based initiatives.

The Fearless Fund, founded in 2018, has invested over $27 million in 44 companies led by women of colour, aiming to address the severe underrepresentation of these entrepreneurs in venture capital funding. Additionally, the fund has made entrepreneurial investments in Africa, just shy of $1 million, furthering its mission to empower women globally.

African women should take a keen interest in this fight as the legal precedent set by this case could have far-reaching implications for diversity-focused initiatives worldwide. The outcome of this case could either bolster or undermine the efforts to create more equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups in the global business landscape. With stakes this high, African women must stand in solidarity and support the Fearless Funds mission. The Fearless Fund remains committed to exploring all legal avenues to continue supporting Black women in business.

This case underscores the ongoing national debate over affirmative action and the role of race in public policy, with significant implications for similar diversity-focused initiatives across various sectors

For further updates and support, follow Fearless Fund on Instagram.

#standwithfearless

Fearless Fund

Arian Simone,

Founding Partner
Police have confirmed the arrest of former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter in a dramatic incident captured on video in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.

Authorities forcefully pulled Keter out of his vehicle along Nyeri Road in Kileleshwa, Dagoretti North sub-County in Nairobi on Sunday.

Video footage shows armed men, believed to be police officers, pulling Keter out of his V8 Land Cruiser and driving away in a grey Ford Ranger double-cabin vehicle.

In a statement on his official Facebook account, Keter claimed he was abducted and taken to an unknown location.

The video also captures members of the public screaming as the unidentified individuals take Keter away. The former MP had recently expressed support for youth opposing the 2024 Finance Bill during a burial in Siaya County.

Confirming the arrest, authorities said Keter was booked at Kamukunji police station. They stated that he resisted arrest, leading to the dramatic incident.

We attempted to arrest him peacefully, but he resisted. He is under investigation for various allegations, said an officer familiar with the incident.

The DCI issued a statement clarifying that Keter was arrested for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Incitement to Violence.

The DCI dismissed claims circulating on social media that Keter was abducted, confirming that he was subsequently released.

Contrary to misinformation on social media regarding the alleged abduction of Hon Alfred Keter by unknown individuals, we confirm that Hon Keter was arrested earlier today by NPS Officers for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Incitement to Violence, the Directorate stated.

The statement continued, He was booked at Kamukunji Police Station and later released pending Forensic Analysis of exhibits. The case file will then be forwarded to the ODPP for direction.

The DCI urged the public not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding Keters arrest.

Police urge the public to refrain from violence, hate speech, and spreading malicious information to ensure continued peace and security in our country, the DCI emphasized.
The family of Joshua Okayo, the president of the Kenya School of Law (KSL) student governing council, disclosed his condition after his abductors released him.

Joshua was found alive near Maragua River in Muranga County following his abduction during anti-Finance Bill demonstrations on Wednesday, June 26.

Speaking to the press, a family member revealed that the student leader had visible injuries and seemed shaken.

Upon finding him, Joshua Okayo appeared confused and in a state of distress, a family member said.

Okayos brother also reported that Joshua informed him he had been tortured and was experiencing significant pain.

He said he was tortured and is in considerable pain, starting from his neck and throughout his entire body, he told the media.

Adding, We have been shaken, we have been threatened by this issue.

His colleague remarked that he was not the same person they were accustomed to seeing.

The way weve seen him, hes not the same active person we know. We believe hes been through a lot, they said.

Meanwhile, medical staff have reported that Joshua Okayo is under medical observation due to his condition, particularly the psychological trauma he suffered.
The All Saints Cathedral has urged President William Ruto to dismiss incompetent and corrupt Cabinet Secretaries and advisors in his cabinet.

In a statement, the Cathedrals Provost Reverend Canon Evans Omollo said some individuals surrounding the President do not seem to have the nations best interests at heart. The clergy stated that sacking inept members of his administration would restore Kenyans confidence in his leadership.

Fire incompetent and corrupt state officers beginning with Cabinet Secretaries who have been adversely mentioned in corruption cases as well as those who have failed to offer honest and selfless advice, the clergyman said.

The church also challenged the President to outline practical measures to curb government over-expenditure.

Let Kenyans see things changing from using lavish cars, overrepresentation in foreign trips, unnecessary and obnoxious per diems, bloated staff in public service among others, Omollo added.

He further advised the Head of State to abolish unnecessary offices like those of Chief Administrative Secretaries and personal advisers.

Create an environment for businesses to thrive by giving tax incentives to Small and Medium Enterprises as a way of widening the tax bracket which will result in increased revenue collection, the church added.

All Saints Cathedral announced that it will host an interdenominational memorial and prayer service next Sunday, in response to the deadly protests witnessed across the country.

Omollo said the agenda is to pray for the nation, for those injured during the protests, and to remember those who lost their lives.

We invite you to share with those affected and join us on this day, Omollo said.

The Reverend also condemned the use of excessive force by the police in containing protests on Tuesday.

He said that despite the cathedral opening its doors as a refuge for youthful protesters, police officers stormed the compound, firing tear gas and live bullets.

During the protests and demonstrations that rocked the country on Tuesday 25 June 2024. All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi (ASC) opened the gates ot over 3,000 protesters; majority of whom were Gen Z to take refuge from furious police officers who were under orders not to alow any peaceful protest contrary ot Article 73 of the constitution. We are sad that despite seeking refuge ni the House of God, police officers lobbed several tear gas canisters within hte compound affecting several people.

Spent cartridges used within the compound are in our custody, Omollo added.

The clergyman further demanded an apology from the police force for desecrating a place of worship.

Later, that evening at 4.30pm, a contingent of officers stormed the compound of ASC threatening everyone they found, ordering unarmed peaceful youth to lie down and they shot live bullets indiscriminately in the compound. Spent cartridges used within the compound are in our custody. The protestors had to be evacuated for safety into the CTC and Chapter House, Omollo said.

We condemn this careless encroachment into a consecrated place of worship. the sanctity of which must be respected in the same manner we expect respect of protected public infrastructure. We therefore demand an apology from the inspector Genera of Police, for his officers nearly deconsecrating our place of worship.
Picture yourself standing in front of a classroom filled with eager students, ready to learn English. This scenario isnt just a dream; its a reality for many who choose to teach English abroad.

The demand for English teachers around the world is higher than ever, and teaching abroad offers a unique opportunity to experience new cultures, travel extensively, and make a significant impact on students lives. Its a journey that combines professional development with personal growth, and its an adventure that many find incredibly rewarding.

In this article, well explore what you need to know to embark on this exciting path.

Why Teach English Abroad?

Teaching English abroad offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it immerses you in different cultures, providing a firsthand experience of local customs, traditions, and lifestyles. You get to live like a local, try diverse cuisines, and participate in unique cultural festivities. This level of cultural immersion is something you cant get from a vacation.

On a professional level, teaching abroad helps you grow as an educator. Youll develop new teaching strategies, adapt to various educational settings, and become more flexible and resourceful. Its an excellent way to enhance your resume and gain international teaching experience, which can be a significant asset in your career.

Moreover, teaching English abroad allows you to make a real difference in your students lives. Youll help them acquire a valuable skill that can open doors to better education and career opportunities.

Getting Qualified

Before embarking on your journey, having the right qualifications is essential. Most countries require English teachers to have at least a bachelors degree and a TEFL or TESOL certification. One excellent way to meet these requirements is by enrolling in a Master of TESOL online program.

An online program offers flexibility, allowing you to study at your own pace while managing other commitments. This program equips you with advanced teaching skills and a deep understanding of language acquisition, making you a more effective and sought-after teacher.

With a TESOL degree, you not only meet job requirements but also gain the knowledge and confidence to excel in diverse classroom settings. Additionally, this qualification can lead to better job offers and higher salaries.

Choosing the Right Destination

Selecting the right country to teach in involves careful consideration. Various factors come into play, such as language and cultural differences, cost of living, salary expectations, and safety. Each destination offers a unique set of experiences and challenges.

Language and culture are significant aspects to consider. Do you want to go to a country where you already speak the language, or are you excited to learn a new one? Understanding the local culture can greatly enhance your teaching experience and help you connect better with your students.

Cost of living and salary are crucial factors. Some countries offer higher salaries, but they might also have a higher cost of living. Research thoroughly to understand your potential earnings and expenses. Websites like Numbeo can help you compare the cost of living in different countries.

Safety and political stability are also important. Choose a destination where you feel secure and comfortable. Popular destinations for teaching English include South Korea, Japan, China, and Spain, each offering unique opportunities and experiences.

Finding a Teaching Job

After deciding on a destination, the next step is to find a teaching job. There are several avenues to explore. Online job boards and recruitment agencies are excellent resources for finding teaching positions abroad. Websites like Teach Away, ESL Cafe, and GoAbroad list numerous opportunities worldwide.

Networking can also play a significant role. Connect with current or former teachers through social media or professional networks like LinkedIn. These connections can provide valuable insights and potentially refer you to open positions.

Attending job fairs and teaching expos is another effective way to find opportunities. These events allow you to meet potential employers, learn more about different schools and programs, and make a positive impression in person.

Preparing for the Move

Moving abroad involves several practical steps. Start by obtaining the necessary visas and work permits. This process varies by country, so its important to start early and gather all required documents. Visit the embassy or consulate of your chosen destination to get accurate information on the visa process.

Finding accommodation is another crucial step. Research housing options before you arrive. Some schools offer housing or assistance in finding a place to live, while others may not. Understanding local customs and etiquette will help you adjust more quickly to your new environment.

Packing can be challenging, so make a checklist of essentials. Include teaching materials, personal items, and important documents. Be prepared for cultural adjustments and potential homesickness. Staying connected with friends and family back home can help ease the transition and make you feel more grounded.

Navigating Challenges Abroad

Teaching abroad comes with its own set of challenges. Language barriers can be frustrating, but they also present an opportunity to learn and grow. Enroll in language classes and practice regularly to improve your communication skills and better connect with your students and colleagues.

Adapting to different teaching environments and expectations can be tough. Schools abroad might have different curriculums, teaching methods, and classroom management styles. Remain flexible and open-minded, and dont hesitate to ask for support or advice from fellow teachers or administrators.

Homesickness and cultural shock are common experiences. Its normal to miss home and feel overwhelmed by a new culture. To cope, stay positive, find local communities or fellow expats, and give yourself time to adjust. Engaging in local activities and making new friends can also help you feel more at home in your new surroundings.

Conclusion

Teaching English abroad is a rewarding experience. It offers personal and professional growth, the chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, and the opportunity to make a difference in students lives. By getting the right qualifications, choosing the right destination, and preparing thoroughly, you can set yourself up for success.

Consider this exciting path and the many benefits it offers. Teaching abroad not only expands your horizons but also allows you to contribute to the global community in a meaningful way. Its an adventure that enriches both your life and the lives of your students, creating memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Whos ready to drink?

Cheers and applause filled the halls of Napa Valley Distillery on a recent summer evening as excited guests prepared to get a hands-on experience in the art of cocktail making with Head Mixologist Kyle Peete.

Peete, who is also Napa Valley Distillerys beverage director  overseeing craft cocktails at The Hollywood Room and The ArBARetum, both in Napa  had the avid attention of 15 eager students on June 20 during his monthly Cocktails with Kyle class. The immersive cocktail workshop, which is held on the third Thursday of each month, allows guests to learn directly from the award-winning mixologist in a casual, interactive environment designed to demystify the complexity of home bartending.

A lot of times I hear, Oh, I could never make something like this at home, but in reality, you can, Peete said in an interview prior to the June class. During each class, we go over whats achievable at home. We go over everything from tools to technique. I want people to realize that they can make drinks that look and taste good at home."

Even though Cocktails with Kyle is billed as a class, the workshop is entirely hands-on. From shakers to strainers, guests are given all the tools to craft a delicious cocktail. While Peete demonstrates how to build each drink, it is up to the students to complete drinks on the nights menu.

Cocktails with a twist

With nearly 20 years in the industry, Peete has seen rapid changes in the cocktail scene in recent years. The rediscovered interest in home bartending was largely inspired by lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic when people were ordered to stay home but desperately craved their cocktail of choice to help ease the stresses of an uncertain time.

Peete said while some people have maintained the interest in home bartending even after the public restrictions were lifted, there is still a level of intimidation of what can be accomplished in a home bar compared to the drinks served at establishments like The ArBARetum.

All you need is the willingness to learn, Peete said, stressing that attendees need no prior experience before taking one of his classes. Its open to anyone  over 21, of course. We call it a class, but I dont want it to feel like a lecture where I do all the talking. I like to keep it loose. I invite people to ask questions. I want people to feel comfortable even if they are stepping out of their comfort zone. Its about having fun. Some people in the industry are very guarded about their approach to making drinks, but I prefer to share what I know.

Each Cocktails with Kyle class has a theme. The theme of the June event was summer whiskey cocktails. Napa resident and Napa Valley Distillery club member Alyssa Rochioli said Peetes willingness to share insider secrets is one of the greatest draws to attending the class.

I love getting to do this, Rochioli said. Its so fun to learn all these little details. You dont find many experiences where you can take a class to learn these basics of the trade.

Danielle Schofield of American Canyon said shed taken a cocktail class before, but in that scenario, guests stood around the bar while a mixologist did all the work. She attended a Cocktails with Kyle event in the spring and hasnt missed a class since.

I really like that its a hands-on experience, Schofield said. You do everything yourself, and you get to taste what you make. Kyle makes it fun. Hes so generous with his knowledge and answering our questions.

Each month Peete highlights a different spirit or flavoring agent. The July class will focus on sours. The class series started in February, and he said he may design an upper level class for attendees who are interested in going beyond the basics.

Tara McClinton, also from American Canyon, has attended several of Peetes classes and was surprised that she was able to take what shed learned in the class and make drinks at home without a recipe.

In one of the classes, Kyle brought in all these random ingredients and told us to make whatever we wanted, which sounded scary, but he explained that it is all about ratios, McClinton said. So I did that at home, and I made these drinks that turned out really good. My friends loved it. I was so surprised, but thats what keeps me coming back. You learn about different spirits and techniques. Its really interesting.

During the June class, Peete walked guests through the basics of cocktail composition, discussing the balance of ratios between the spirit and the sugar and acid components of the drink. Students made a classic Old Fashioned and a Manhattan as well as a Whiskey Sour and a Whiskey Smash, a variation of a Whiskey Sour.

The building blocks for cocktails often have the same foundation, Peete told attendees. Even if this is your only class, you learn things you can try at home.

The professor is in

Peete has been named one of the Top 100 Bartenders in the U.S. by World Class, a program associated with the United States Bartenders' Guild. However, he found bartending unexpectedly, initially studying biology and chemistry in college in hopes of pursuing a career in medicine. He said his interest in chemistry may have laid the path for his career in cocktails.

I dont know if anyone ever grows up dreaming of becoming a bartender, Peete said with a laugh during an interview with the Register. It always seems to be something that finds you. Ive been doing this for 18 years, and Ive been able to travel and experience more things doing this than I would have doing anything else.

Peete worked in hospitality in his teens, continuing during college, and eventually found himself working behind the bar. After learning basics about the food and beverage industry while on the job, he decided he wanted to pursue cocktail making after he began to realize that mixologists crafting cocktails paralleled chefs preparing food in the kitchen.

While he has no formal training, Peete has found there is no better way to learn than by doing, so he sought the guidance of mentors near and far to hone his talents. He spent time in the Chicago cocktail scene, traveled Europe pursuing unique techniques and made a name for himself in the Santa Barbara area before coming to Napa.

With a lifelong passion for cooking, Peete said he enjoys crafting cocktails because of its similarities to preparing a meal  developing flavors from a variety of ingredients.

Think of it this way, he said. Your spirit in your entree  your protein. The syrups, the bitters  those are your seasonings. Just like with cooking, you are looking for a balance of flavors when you make a cocktail.

An example of this would be the Medium Rare which is currently on the menu at The ArBARetum. The drink features beef-tallow-washed bourbon, garlic Demerara sugar and Meyer lemon topped with a caramelized shallot and thyme wine foam.

It tastes like youre eating a steak and drinking a cabernet, Peete said.

Napa arrives on the cocktail scene

Peete joined Napa Valley Distillery two years ago, soon after the opening of The ArBARetum on First Street. While the Distillerys Hollywood Room  off the beaten path on Stockton Street  offers variations of classic cocktails such as the Old Fashion or Negroni, The ArBARetum caters to downtown tourists looking for tasty drinks that they can brag about on Instagram. Before the opening of The ArBARetum, Napa didnt have much of a cocktail scene, according to Peete, but in recent years Napa has seen a noticeable increase in cocktail lounges with additions such as Folklore, The Fink and Wilfred's Lounge among others.

Napa is definitely having a moment, said Peete.

He said craft cocktails have reignited the beverage industry. While Napa is known worldwide for its wines, its reputation for luxury makes it an ideal candidate for an accompanying cocktail scene. Afterall, craft cocktails are associated with top-shelf spirits. The use of fresh ingredients such as herbs and hand-squeezed juices paired with house-made syrups and bitters add to the allure of craft cocktails for patrons looking for an elevated experience.

Peete said he finds inspiration for cocktails in different ways. Sometimes he thinks of the name first and then strives to craft a cocktail worthy of the moniker. Other times he finds inspiration in a new ingredient he finds at the farmers market, or hell design a cocktail based around a menu or theme.

Whatever it ends up being, I want to give it that Wow factor, said Peete of creating an elevated cocktail. It might take me a few days or a few months. It may even take a year until Im happy with it. Im my biggest critic. Im always looking to improve.

Peete said hes always striving to push the envelope to create new and surprising drinks for guests, but his favorite thing about making cocktails is creating something that gives guests a nostalgic experience.

I love when guests say This reminds me of  or the smell or taste triggers something nostalgic  a memory of a place or time. Thats extremely rewarding. To create something that is able to transport a guest somewhere else with the drink youve made right in front of them  it doesnt get much better than that.

Expanding the cocktail community

Peetes cocktail creations arent the only drinks drawing attention in Napa. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Napas emerging cocktail scene in a feature last December  calling the changes in the downtown Napa landscape a cocktail renaissance.

While Peete says he tries to visit other Napa cocktail bars when he has time  he lives in Sonoma County and doesnt socialize in Napa Valley as often outside of work  he isnt trying to spy on the competition. In fact, he doesnt like to refer to other local businesses as competition.

I do see some imitation here and there, Peete said, referring to things hes seen at other Napa establishments, but they say imitation is the best form of flattery, right? I dont really see it as a competition. Were all in this together. Its about developing community and supporting each other.

Im a cocktail nerd. I like to see new, innovative things, he continued. Seeing more spots open up, clearly were doing something right. Were leaders in whats going on.

With that in mind, Napa Valley Distillery will host a cocktail competition in August dubbed The Iron Shaker. Inspired by the popular Iron Chef culinary competition, The Iron Shaker will feature mixologists from the Napa Valley as well the greater Bay Area battling it out for the cocktail crown.

Unlike other cocktail contests, which are more often popularity contents than measurements of talent, Peete seeks to reward drink masters in a formally judged competition, which will bestow deserved accolades as well as bragging rights.

Theres tons of talent in Napa, and people are starting to notice, but we really want to put Napa on the map for cocktails, Peete said of the event, which is currently scheduled for Aug. 22 at The Hollywood Room. Maybe Napa could have a cocktail week, something similar to restaurant week (which is held annually in January). But until we get to that point, were hoping an event like The Iron Shaker can be something to create awareness for Napas cocktail scene.

Peete says there will be eight to 10 competitors. And while judges will determine the overall winner, guests will be able to vote on a peoples choice. Details are still coming together, but the latest information will be posted online at napadistillery.com.

Sign-ups are currently available for Peetes Cocktails with Kyle class scheduled for Thursday, July 18. The class runs from 7-9:15 p.m. Tickets are $80; $70 for Napa Valley Distillery members. The event is held inside The Hollywood Room, 2485 Stockton St., Napa.

Tricera-Hops 2 ounces Napa Valley Distillery Whiskey  ounces Meyer Lemon juice  ounces IPA Syrup* Pinch of mint *IPA Syrup: Equal parts raw cane sugar and triple IPA. Combine in a blender or use an immersion blender and mix until sugar is dissolved. Combine cocktail ingredients into a shaker with the mint, add ice and shake hard for 10-15 seconds. Strain cocktail over fresh ice in a rocks/tumbler glass. Garnish with a bouquet of mint and fresh lemon wheel. Recipe by Kyle Peete Head Mixologist, Napa Valley Distillery

PHOTOS: Cocktail making class at the Napa Valley Distillery
VGS Chateau Potelle, based in St. Helena, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a grand four-day celebration.

The four days of festivities, a day for each decade, featured a variety of exclusive events that highlighted the winery's rich history and innovative spirit, according to a news release. Each event offered attendees a unique opportunity to experience the essence of VGS Chateau Potelle and its enduring commitment to quality and tradition. Guests reminisced in every decade as they sampled vintages from throughout VGSs 40-year history.

"I am deeply humbled and incredibly proud as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of VGS Chateau Potelle, founding owner Jean-Noel Fourmeaux said in the news release. Our journey has been one of passion, dedication and a relentless pursuit to produce wines of style and character that are representative of their birthplace.

It is an honor to have our wines recognized and cherished by so many, yet we still remain one of Napa Valley's best kept secrets! This milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team and the unwavering support of our loyal customers.

Originally hailing from Bordeaux, France, Fourmeaux embarked on a journey to Napa Valley in 1980. Initially sent as a "wine spy" by the French government, according to the news release, Fourmeaux was captivated by the region's exuberance and the generosity of its fruit. He famously sent a telegram back home simply stating, "Looks good, I stay."

This decision led to the purchase of the original Chateau Potelle property high atop Mount Veeder in 1983, where the winery's first vintage was produced, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Over the years, VGS Chateau Potelle has achieved numerous milestones that have shaped its history as well as graced prestigious occasions, including being poured at the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush.

VGS Chateau Potelle also holds the distinction of being the only winery in Napa Valley history to achieve the highest bid at Auction Napa Valley for three consecutive years, with its renowned Fourmeaux Red captivating wine enthusiasts worldwide.

For more information, visit vgschateaupotelle.com.
Twenty years since a 60th wedding anniversary celebrated at Czestochowa, Poland (Part One) By Mark Wegierski

web posted July 1, 2024 Twenty years ago, I had been invited to the celebration of a 60th wedding anniversary in Czestochowa, which was the first time that I saw the city, and its world-famous shrine of the Virgin Mary, with its Black Madonna icon. Indeed, on Saturday, July 10, 2004, during my three-month-long visit to Poland, I took a long trip by car with my female relative from Ciechocinek to Czestochowa, to reach the celebration of her grandparents' 60th Wedding Anniversary. Ciechocinek is a spa and resort town about 200 kilometers northwest of Warsaw. We set off early in the morning in her elegant Peugeot 206, along with her dog -- a purebred West Highland Terrier -- which had been purchased about a year earlier as a puppy from a leading kennel in Radom (a city in south-central Poland). It was a sunny and fairly hot day. We were travelling in a southwest direction, towards Lodz, the second-largest city in Poland. A superhighway system in Poland has yet to be built, which means that most driving takes place on two-lane highways, where passing slow-moving trucks or cars is itself fairly perilous, requiring superb driving skills. I still recall the approach to the environs of Lodz, with the distinct freshness of the early morning in the air, with the quaint-looking suburban tramcar line running alongside the highway, where we were practically the only traffic. It was the height of the summer -- everything seemed green and fresh. I had a great sense of satisfaction as we sped by one slow-moving tramcar. There were small groups of mostly young people waiting for the tram at widely spaced stops. Ah, the freedom of the road! We drove through downtown Lodz to reach the southern highway exit. The city had a large Jewish population before the Second World War. The Poles have been tremendously respectful of the city's Jewish heritage and remembrance of the Holocaust, for example, in the very solemn ceremonies memorializing the destruction of the Lodz Ghetto by the German occupation forces. There is also a very prestigious arts festival which has been running for several years in the city, "The Dialogue of Four Cultures"  Polish, Jewish, German, and Russian. There had been a German presence in the city long before Hitler; while the city was under Imperial Russian rule from 1815 to 1914. Between 1815-1830, the main part of Russian-occupied Poland was known as the Congress Kingdom (after the Congress of Vienna of 1815 which had decided on the shape of Europe in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars). The Polish nickname for this area during that time and later was "Kongresowka". Lodz is a city that sprang up as a result of the Industrial Revolution in the mid to late nineteenth century. Andrzej Wajda's famous film, Ziemia Obiecana (The Promised Land) (1975) (based on the novel by Wladyslaw Reymont)  and also a close runner-up for the Best Foreign Film Oscar -- gives an atmospheric portrait of the ruthless capitalism of the late-nineteenth century, and of the relations between Poles, Jews, and Germans in the city. Nevertheless, by 1914, about half of the industries of all of the Tsarist Empire were located in what was informally called the Kongresowka. (It should be added here that Wladyslaw Reymont was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1924, for his monumental tetralogy, Chlopi (The Peasants), a poignant, superbly rendered work of agrarian sensibilities.) Especially after the crushing of the November Insurrection of 1830-1831, and the crushing of the January 1863 Insurrection, Imperial Russia endeavoured to forcibly turn the Poles into Russians. The very name of Poland was to be eradicated  the area was to be called (what is rendered in English translation) as "Vistula-land" -- and Poles were ordered to call themselves "Privislentsi". In all the state schools, universities, administrative apparatus, and public and commercial signage, Russian was the sole official language. Active Polish patriots faced heavy jail sentences and were frequently exiled to Siberia or other remote parts of the Russian Empire, or executed outright. Unlike the case of Russian exiles to Siberia, who were usually allowed to eventually return home, the Tsar gave specific orders that the Poles should never be permitted to return. Huge numbers of Poles were also conscripted into the Russian army, and few of them ever returned from the numerous wars fought by Imperial Russia, or from the garrison duty in godforsaken places. It was only as a result of the 1905 Revolution (when the Tsar was forced to create the Duma or Parliament), and the increasing conflicts with Imperial Germany, that some Poles began to hope that Imperial Russia might eventually liberalize itself. In this context, the Kongresowka was the most dynamic and progressive part of the Tsarist Empire. Lodz continued under Russian Partition until late 1914; it then passed briefly under the control of Imperial Germany  but in 1918 an independent Poland was reborn after 123 years of Partition. (Partially based on the author's article that originally appeared in Chronicles (Rockford, IL) (December 2005), pp. 38-39.) To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based writer and historical researcher. He was born in Toronto of Polish immigrant parents. Home
Hizbullah's Hassan Nasrallah and Iran plan a Mediterranean naval campaign against Israel By Yoni Ben Menachem

web posted July 1, 2024 Hassan Nasrallah's recent warning to Cyprus aims to discourage its cooperation with Israel, as part of a Hizbullah-Iranian broader campaign to raise international awareness about the potential consequences of an all-out war with Israel. Nasrallah seeks to generate international pressure on Israel to prevent a significant pre-emptive attack on Hizbullah, whether through air or ground strikes, including large-scale air strikes like those that opened the 2006 Second Lebanon War after Hizbullah ambushed Israeli soldiers on patrol. He emphasizes that any future conflict will differ significantly with new rules and strategies. Hizbullah's threats include a first strike on Israel involving a ground invasion of the Galilee, possibly via tunnels, attacks on Israeli ships in the Mediterranean, deploying swarms of drones into Israeli airspace to target military bases and strategic facilities, and attacking Israel's gas rigs in the Mediterranean Sea. One If by Land, Two If by Sea No Iranian warships from the regular navy or the Revolutionary Guard navy that could threaten Israel are currently in the Mediterranean. However, conceivably, long-range cruise and ballistic missiles could be fired at targets in the Mediterranean from Lebanese or Syrian bases as they have been launched against Red Sea shipping from Houthi territory. In 2006, Hizbullah shot a Chinese-made C-802 anti-ship cruise missile from the Lebanese coast that almost sank an Israeli missile boat, the Hanit. Today, Hizbullah naval weapons could include Iranian ship drones and even mini-submarines. Nasrallah's message is directed at all regional players in the Middle East and the international community supporting Israel. Some suspect that he, alongside Iran, plan to impose a significant naval blockade on Israel in the Mediterranean Sea. Since the beginning of the war, Iran and Hizbullah have been preparing for this move, with the threat to Cyprus being part of Nasrallah's plans. Without an air force, Hizbullah relies on its large fleet of UAVs, aiming to neutralize the Israeli Air Force through two primary actions: a surprise attack with precision missiles and UAVs on Israeli Air Force bases and against radar and air defense facilities, including paralyzing Ben Gurion Airport. Nasrallah's goal is to ground Israeli aircraft to prevent them from conducting missions in Lebanon against mid- and long-range missile launchers. Nasrallah fears that Israel might preempt his planned attack by deploying its air force to Cypriot bases, a scenario the Israeli Air Force practiced with Cyprus during military exercises over the past year. "Opening Cypriot airports and bases to the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon would mean that the Cypriot government is part of the war, and the resistance will deal with it as part of the war," Nasrallah said. Cyprus is 250 km from Lebanon's coast. Hizbullah officials told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar that Israeli, American, British, and French intelligence delegations met in Cyprus to coordinate military cooperation against Hizbullah and Iran. "Opening Cypriot airports and bases to the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon would mean that the Cypriot government is part of the war, and the resistance will deal with it as part of the war," Nasrallah said. In May 2023, Israel and Cyprus conducted their "Jason-Blue Sun" air exercise, with personnel from the Cypriot National Guard air force command and the Israeli military air force participating. These meetings, Hizbullah argues, are not about European security but rather to support Israel in conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and to provide an air defense umbrella similar to what was offered on April 14 when Iran launched over 300 ballistic missiles and UAVs at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Gen. Mohamad Reza Zahedi in Damascus. Hizbullah asserts that the British planes based in Cyprus intercepted drones and missiles launched from Iran on April 14, 2024. Nasrallah views Cyprus as Europe's gateway to Lebanon, holding it directly responsible for any developments. The United States and European countries are wary of Nasrallah's and Iran's intentions to make the Mediterranean Sea a new conflict zone. They have already witnessed the capabilities of Iran's proxies in the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks from Yemen on ships and the ongoing blockade on Israel serve as warnings for the Mediterranean. The Houthis claim to have hit 150 ships linked to Israel so far. In his first speech following the outbreak of war on October 7, Nasrallah warned the United States of harming its fleet after President Biden announced the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the area. Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Home
SIU hosts global philanthropy president to discuss peace, education, democracy programs

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual conversation on July 17.

The discussion, via Zoom at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. The discussion is part of the institutes Understanding Our New World discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.

Richardson will join John Shaw, institute director, to discuss the philanthropy organizations initiatives to bolster peace, education, democracy and local journalism.

The Carnegie Corporation is one of the most respected foundations in the world, with highly regarded programs in peace and security, education and democracy, Shaw said.

Ms. Richardson has been a global leader in higher education for more than three decades and is a highly regarded authority on terrorism. As the president of the Carnegie Corporation, she has developed a clear and compelling strategy to tackle some of the great challenges that confront the world. We are very eager to learn her views on how education and philanthropy can help solve the enormous challenges we are facing.

A native of Ireland, Richardson has an undergraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin, a masters degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a doctorate from Harvard University. Richardson taught government at Harvard for more than 20 years.

Richardson joined Carnegie Corporation of New York in January 2023 as its 13th president. Prior to that, she served as vice chancellor and head of Oxford University from 2016 to 2022, becoming the first woman to lead that university. She was vice chancellor of the University of St. Andrews from 2009 to 2016 and has served as the executive dean of Harvards Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Richardson served on Carnegie Corporations board of trustees from 2013 to 2022.

In June 2022, Richardson was appointed a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her service to higher education.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Richardson on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.

More information, a list of the institutes upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.
Air India on Monday announced that the airline will open a Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Amravati in Maharashtra as part of an initiative by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC). The FTO will help to strengthen the available pilot training capacity in India. The DGCA-licensed FTO at Amravati's Belora airport will be operational by first quarter of financial year 2026 and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year. The Air India FTO, the first by any Indian airline in the country, will have 31 single-engine aircraft and 3 twin-engine aircraft for training. Air India has been awarded a tender by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) to establish and operate this DGCA-licensed FTO in Amravati for a period of 30 years. Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India, said, "The FTO at Amravati will be a significant step towards making Indian aviation more self-reliant and offering more opportunities to the youth in India to fulfill their ambitions of flying as pilots. The young pilots coming out of this FTO will fuel Air India's ambition of becoming a world-class airline, as it moves ahead in its transformation journey." Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India said, "The FTO will be operational by Q1 FY26 and offer aspiring pilots an opportunity to undergo training with world-class curricula at par with best-in-class global schools. We are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government's vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat." Swati Pandey, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Maharashtra Airport Development Company, said, "This collaborative initiative between MADC and Air India will not only boost the economy of Maharashtra by focusing on over 3,000 new employment opportunities within the aviation sector, but also create employment in multifarious allied activities in skilling, technical and small entrepreneurial ventures culminating in an impressive contribution of over Rs 1,000 crore to the state's GDP over the next decade." He added, "The establishment of South Asia's largest FTO will certainly encourage students in Maharashtra to pursue careers in aviation which would further instill a deep sense of inspiration and pride for the state of Maharashtra and the Indian citizenry." At the FTO in Amravati, Air India will develop a state-of-the-art training institute over 10 acres, with digitally enabled classrooms, hostels at par with global academies, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The FTO is curated to deliver the highest safety standards and best-in-class training. As part of its commitment to invest in aviation training, Air India earlier this year announced its new Training Academy, spread over 600,000 sq ft, the largest in South Asia, in Gurugram. This new FTO in Amravati will complement Air India's commitment to power India's aviation ecosystem in the coming years. (ANI)
India has joined Project Nexus, a multilateral international initiative that aims to enable instant cross-border retail payments through interlinking payment systems of various countries. Nexus was conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) to connect the payment systems of four ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) and India, who would be the founding members and first mover countries of this platform. As per a statement from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), an agreement was signed by the BIS and the central banks of the founding countries -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Bank of Thailand (BOT), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the RBI on Sunday (June 30, 2024), in Basel, Switzerland. Indonesia, which has been involved from the early stages, continues to be involved as a special observer. The RBI statement said that the platform may be extended to more countries, going forward. The platform is expected to go live by 2026. Once functional, Nexus will play a key role in making retail cross-border payments efficient, faster, and more cost-effective. RBI has been collaborating bilaterally with various countries to link India's digital public infrastructure -- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) -- with their respective counterparts for cross-border payments. While India and its partner countries can continue to benefit through such bilateral connectivity of fast payment systems, a multilateral approach, such as this Nexus, will provide a further push to such efforts in expanding the international reach of Indian payment systems. Payments through digital means in India are hitting fresh highs, as its citizens are increasingly adopting the emerging modes of transacting on the internet. The UPI payment system has become hugely popular for retail digital payments in India, and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace. UPI is India's mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer. Among others, a key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only; other countries, too, benefit from it. So far, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France, UAE, and Singapore, among others, have partnered or intended to partner with India on emerging fintech and payment solutions. The share of UPI in digital payments in India has reached close to 80 per cent in 2023. Today, India accounts for nearly 46 per cent of the world's digital transactions (as per 2022 data). (ANI)
PNN Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 1: Swarajya, both among India's oldest print publications and today's leading digital platforms, has announced a new funding round in its sponsor company Kovai Media Pvt. Ltd. The new round provides additional capital to supplement internal accruals for funding the next phase of rapid expansion and growth for this unique omni channel platform, which achieved profitability in FY 2020-2021. The current round was over-subscribed by existing investors themselves, including Venture Finance & Development Corporation (Hari Kiran Vadlamani) Meridian Investments (Mohandas Pai), and was led by Yuj Bharat Holdings, an affiliate of Yuj Ventures (which represent the interests of Siddharth Yog), who now become the sponsor company's largest shareholder group with 38% ownership. "The company plans to use the new infusion to significantly expand its editorial desk and add reporters and staff writers across key gateway cities across Bharat. Part of the funds will also be used to upgrade our technology stack including revamped apps, web properties and implementation of modern customer data platforms. These strategic investments will be focussed on significantly increasing the publication's coverage, direct reporting and editorial presence, and also widen and deepen our subscriber base", said Amarnath Govindarajan, the company's Chief Executive Officer and Publisher. "We are very grateful to our existing investors who continue to amaze us with their unshakeable belief in the cause Swarajya serves in providing a big tent for reasoned right-of-center discussion and debate. They have enabled us to remain editorially independent through trying periods. It is their unwavering support that allows me to re-dedicate myself as Publisher and CEO to the vision and mission of Swarajya", he added. Swarajya was originally set up in 1956 as a weekly, under the patronage of first Bharat Ratna, Dr. C Rajagopalachari, freedom fighter and India's first head of state of Indian origin (as Governor General from 1948-1950), Chief Minister of undivided Madras State (from 1952-1954), and founder of the liberal Swatantra Party (in 1959) in protest against the socialist ideology and Nehruvian approach increasingly adopted by the Congress Party. Unfortunately, the magazine ceased operations in or around the time of emergency (1977-1980). In early 2014, a group of entrepreneurs who believed in Rajaji's "liberal- conservative right" vision for independent India, acquired the brand and the archives and resurrected and relaunched the magazine. Swarajya has grown steadily over the last decade and now reaches a target audience of ~ 1 million unique visitors a month It was also among the earliest new age digital media platforms to pivot to a 'reader-pays' model which today has over 20,000 subscribers and accounts for most of the company's revenues, apart from allowing Swarajya to hold independent editorial views on all matters, without fear or favor. Swarajya will also use some of the funds from the current round of capital to revamp the beloved print edition of the magazine, with richer and more expansive editorial content catering to the discerning reader beyond the daily news cycle. "We first backed Swarajya back in 2014, as supporters of an independent, economically conservative but liberal voice in the Indian media, when it was not fashionable to do so." ,said Siddharth Yog, founder of Yuj. "The idea was simply to have a self-sustaining, respected and reasoned voice that analysed, vocalized and championed issues from a center-right perspective - these included free enterprise and limited government; "real liberalism" in supporting true equality with clear, unambiguous but thoughtfully reasoned editorial positions on important matters like the Uniform Civil Code, Article 370, Ram Mandir and Article 377; and introducing young readers to the country's unmatched civilizational heritage to help unshackle long held colonial and slavish mindsets and build self respect. In 2014/2015 very few Indian intellectuals supported such a narrative and even fewer publications in the Indian media espoused or embraced such an editorial policy. It is a huge tribute to Swarajya, which trod an experimental, lonely and often difficult path in the early days in leading an editorial renaissance of the national narrative in the media, that today many publications and media houses have revamped editorial policies to follow similar discourses, and more intellectuals and citizens alike are testing long held blinkered opinions through a new lens of logic and long supressed facts. While the entrepreneurs we backed made some early mis-steps on some counts, they listened to us and course-corrected quickly. I note too, that they were mostly disciplined in their financial approach in not raising huge amounts of capital and focussing on profitability. Rajaji would have been proud. It is now my hope that this new round of capital will allow Swarajya to amplify its reasoned voice and claim its rightful place as the leading, liberal, and lucid right of center publication that does justice to the vision of a truly viksit bharat, gives voice to a young and ambitious citizenry, provides an intellectual and moral compass, and allows us to continue to read India right." (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)
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan's film 'The Buckingham Murders' is all set to hit the theatres. On Monday, the makers shared that the film, which is directed by Hansal Mehta, will arrive in cinema halls on September 13. Sharing the update Kareena took to Instagram Story and uploaded the film's poster and wrote, "See you at the cinemas. 13th September." The film is written by Aseem Arrora, Kashyap Kapoor, and Raghav Raj Kakker. It is produced by Balaji Telefilms and TBM Films alongside Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, and Kareena Kapoor Khan. With this film, Kareena is making her debut as a producer. According to Variety, a US-based media house, the film follows Jasmeet Bhamra (portrayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan), a detective and mother who, after losing her own child, must investigate the murder of a 10-year-old in Buckinghamshire, going down a rabbit hole of secrets, where almost everyone in the small town becomes a suspect. In an interview with Variety, Kareena revealed that her character in the film is inspired by Kate Winslet's role in 'Mare of Easttown.' She said, "I love 'Mare of Easttown' and when Hansal came to me, I said this is something that I've really been dying to do. So we've moulded a little bit on those lines, she plays a detective cop in that." Talking about the film, Hansal Mehta told Variety, "It was a refreshing change to make a film set in the UK., to have Kareena as this detective, to make an authentic procedural, but not to make it about the procedure and make it about grief or trauma and about closure. Kareena's face - there are a million stories on that face. It's amazing - when you put the camera on her and without saying anything it tells you so many stories, in my film she's stunning." Mehta also revealed that he has plans to make the film part of a film franchise, depending on the reception."I have stories taking Jaspreet Bhamra forward," Mehta told Variety. Kareena was last seen in 'Crew', which also starred Tabu and Kriti Sanon. (ANI)
The joint operation was conducted at the road approaching Machipora (Kupwara district) from Bomai (Baramulla) and the arrest and recovery were made at around 7.40 pm on Sunday.

The apprehended terror associate has been identified as Waheed ul Zahoor who hails from Hadipora in the Mustafabad region of Srinagar.

The recovered arms and ammunition include two Turkish Pistols, three Turkish Pistol Magazine, 41 Pistol Rounds, two Chinese Grenade, one Turkish Pistol Silencer, and incriminating IED materials.

According to the press release issued by the Sopore Police, "During the naka, one white-colored car..., coming from Bomai towards Machipora was intercepted. It was signaled to stop but the driver of the vehicle tried to flee from the spot but was apprehended tactfully by the alert naka party."

Upon interrogation, he disclosed his identity and during the search operation, the above-mentioned arms and ammunition were recovered.

"An FIR has been registered in this regard and is further investigating the case. More recoveries are to be expected," said a press statement. (ANI)
Residents of Aya Nagar in South Delhi were seen protesting against the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) over damaged roads and persistent waterlogging in the area on Sunday. Locals were spotted raising slogans against the Delhi Government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, MCD, Chhattarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar, and Aya Nagar Ward Commissioner Sheetal Chaudhary. Furthermore, the residents demanded the resignation of Kartar Singh Tanwar and Sheetal Chaudhary. Several areas of Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram have been experiencing heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning since Thursday. Waterlogging and heavy traffic jams are some of the significant issues citizens are facing. Although the rain has provided relief from the scorching heat, visuals of heavy traffic jams and waterlogged streets have emerged from several areas, including Sarita Vihar, Connaught Place, Palam Airport, Okhla Phase 2, and Dhaula Kuan. After the heavy rains, two children who had left their homes to play in rainwater drowned after falling in a deep rainwater ditch in the New Usmanpur area of Delhi on Friday, police said. The deceased were aged 8 and 10 years old and were residents of Som Bazaar, Gamri, in the New Usmanpur area. As per the official, the two boys had gone there to play in rainwater when the incident happened. In another incident, after heavy rain lashed the national capital, creating traffic snarls and roadblocks, three labourers lost their lives when an under-construction wall collapsed in the Vasant Vihar area. Preliminary reports indicated that the collapse was intensified by the heavy rainfall, which also resulted in two trees falling into the basement pit where temporary huts for labourers were situated. Earlier on Friday, a person was killed after a portion of a canopy at a departure terminal at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport collapsed amid heavy rainfall in Delhi. The incident occurred when Delhi-NCR was hit by a spell of heavy rains on Friday. All flight operations from Terminal 1 are suspended until further notice, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in an official statement. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Laxmikant Bajpai met three victims of job fraud rescued from Uganda and brought back to India on Sunday. A total of seven victims went to Uganda for job purposes, out of which three were rescued by the Embassy of India in Uganda and were sent back to India. The remaining four are yet to come to India, said BJP MP. Speaking with ANI on the incident, the BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpai said, "I got the news that seven people from Meerut, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, and Patna had gone to Uganda to work in the GM Sugar Industry and HK Sugar Industries in March. They were given only one month's salary and they did not have the means to even eat. Blackmailers threatened to pay Rs 5 lakhs to go to India or otherwise, they would have burnt those 7 people in the boiler." "On this matter, I talked to the External Affairs Minister (EAM) and with his help, after submitting the paper, the embassy officials in Uganda reached out to these seven people. After a series of talks, it was decided that all of them would be sent to India. The embassy arranged food, lodging, and tickets for three individuals. They were sent to India after getting tickets," he added. Emphasizing about remaining four individuals, he asserted, "Talks are still going on about the remaining four persons. I have talked to EAM and the officials of the embassy in Uganda. I have also talked to one of the four individuals, they are worried and tensed. I have appealed to the EAM to take them back to India." Appealing to the public, Bajpai stated, "I appeal to the public that avoid going abroad just for money. In cases when they suffer from brutality, I advise them to avoid the abroad visit. Go on favorable terms and conditions, otherwise, you can work in India while being with family." (ANI)
As the Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra marks the anniversary of the completion of two years, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday that in the last two years, the Mahayuti government has done a lot of work, whether it is about roads or metros. Furthermore, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his developmental work and stressed that Maharashtra will stand by him in this journey. Taking a jibe at the Congress party, Shinde said that with the amount of work PM Modi had done in the past 10 years, Congress couldn't even reach that level in 50-60 years. Speaking with ANI, on the completion of two years of the Mahayuti government, Eknath Shinde said, "2 years is actually very little but the Mahayuti government did a lot of work. The works that were stopped by Maha Vikas Aghadi, whether they were metro or road projects, have been resumed. We have also reopened the Marathwada grid that was closed by them. People want us to be in power because we are the government of the common people. 2 years have been completed and we have done a lot of work." On the question of his expectations from the Modi 3.0 government, Eknath Shinde said, "The work PM Modi had done in the last 10 years, the Congress government couldn't do that kind of work even in 50-60 years. In the last 10 years, the extent of development in India has increased, our country's fame has increased across the world and India has become proud all over the world only due to PM Modi. "Now the world listens when India speaks. This has occurred only due to the hard work of Modi Ji. He has dedicated his life to the country. In my life, I have seen Modi Ji as the first such Prime Minister who hadn't taken any leave," Shinde said. Speaking about his 3rd regime, Shinde said, "Now he has become the PM for the 3rd time, and in all those last years, he has brought the economy of the country to the 5th position from the 11th. Now, I have faith that during his 3rd regime, our economy will become the 3rd largest in the world and we will achieve the mark of a 500 trillion-dollar economy. He will make our country a global power and for this purpose, Maharashtra will also contribute to it. Stating the reason behind Maharashtra's contribution, he said, "Maharashtra will help Modi Ji strengthen his hands because he has the vision for development. He focuses only on the agenda of 'development-development-development.' I believe that in the upcoming five years, our country will grow so massively that even the world has to see." (ANI)
Gender-confusion month ends but is never over

By Mark Alexander

web posted July 1, 2024

There is a great clip between Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine in their 1983 film, "Terms of Endearment." After a romantic encounter, MacLaine drops Nicholson at the airport, and just before the terminal doors close behind him, she yells from the sidewalk, "I love you!" Nicholson pauses, turns, and walks back out to MacLaine, who asks, "Do you have any reaction at all to my telling you I love you?" Nicholson responds with a sigh, "I was just inches from a clean getaway."

What I wouldn't have givne to be just inches from a clean getaway at the end of any day in June, also known in gender-confusion circles as "pride month." If only we could have got to the end of a day with just one of these distractions, but alas, our editorial team can't even get through our daybreak call without being confronted by a plethora of grossly absurd "pride month" manifestations.

A couple of typical examples:

First, we confirmed that the woke commander of the Osan Air Force base in South Korea authorized "pride patches" to be worn on uniforms while performing official duties. Got that?

The greatest external threat to the United States is Red China, which is currently threatening an invasion of Taiwan to enforce reunification. Our frontline of defense in the region includes Osan, and I bet the ChiComs are terrified of those pride patches.

Of course, it is not just the Air Force. Each of the service branch chiefs dutifully appeased the Biden administration's political gender-confusion agenda with such virtue-signaling nonsense.

Next, we learned that SCOTUS will hear legal challenges to what the Leftmedia calls "Tennessee's gender-affirming care ban" for children  or, more accurately, "Tennessee's ban on gender mutilation of children."

But in better news, the leftist rag USA Today published a puff piece on the most welcoming states for "gay and transgender people." It's better news because the rankings inadvertently make clear which states are the least family and faith-friendly.

Consider this...

We started this once-unadulterated month with a solemn June 6th observance of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a celebration of Americans devoted to serving a cause much greater than their own self-interest. Fittingly, on June 14th, we then observed Flag Day  the anniversary of that day in 1777 when the Continental Congress authorized the first U.S. flag. And then we observed Father's Day  which reminds us that fathers are the foundation of healthy families, and families are the foundational blocks of a healthy culture and society.

But in each case, much as with the whole month of June, the leftist cadres have upended those bedrock observances.

At Normandy, Joe Biden disgracefully used the gravesites of American Marines killed in World War I as a backdrop for a political ad suggesting that Donald Trump is a "threat to democracy," much as was Adolf Hitler. Of course, Biden is the greatest domestic threat to our Republic.

Fortunately, Biden did not insist on little rainbow flags next to the American flags at those grave markers.

On Flag Day, Nate Jackson wrote about the encroachment of gender-confusion flags on flag poles reserved for our national flag in front of every federal installation across the nation. He noted further, "The 'pride' flag's very name is detestable," and cited psychologist Jordan Peterson, who correctly asserts, "Pride is not a virtue; humility is. ... Pride is the root of all sin."

As for Father's Day... To undermine family, the Demos have spent decades endeavoring to undermine the role of fathers, and the consequences have been disastrous at every level. As I have noted, the lack of functional fathers in families is the common denominator for the cultural entropy in America today.

Fathers  who needs 'em?

So, Demos have hijacked the entire month of June to celebrate pathological degeneracy, mostly related to narcissism, and most often the result of broken families  particularly, as noted above, failed fatherhood. Fact is, family and faith form the foundation of our Republic, but they are completely antithetical to the gender-degeneracy agenda.

Predictably, the largest concentration of gender confusion is among the most easily influenced: "Gen N," the narcissist generation; the youngest of the Gen Y Millennials; and the oldest of the Gen Z cohort. They are also the gender-bender generation.

But don't let those numbers distress you too much. One reason for that growth is because the "alphabet people," as comedian Dave Chappelle calls them, keep adding more letters behind the original "LGBT" designation, now to include LGBT+XYZ-ad-nauseam.

So, why devote a single bit of bandwidth to their agenda, given that only a small percentage of people identify with some degree of gender disorientation? Allow me to explain.

The Democrat political calculation for defending their "degenderization deviancy," even the most absurd outlying manifestations of the gender cult agenda, is because that agenda is favored by the Demos' largest constituency  women voters.

Majorities of women have elected every Democrat president since 1960 and have been a major force in midterm elections. On average, women have voted for Democrat presidents by a margin exceeding six percentage points since 1980.

Democrat strategists believe their female voters are emotionally incontinent idiots who can be manipulated into dependably voting Democrat by promoting emotionally provocative issues, most notably, the gender nonsense.

Consequently, Demos are not content with just the June "pride" month.

The gender-confusion calendar now includes:

January, third Friday: International Fetish Day

February 12: National Freedom to Marry Day

February 25-29: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

March: Bisexual Health Awareness Month

March 1: Zero Discrimination Day

March 20-24: National LGBT Health Awareness Week

March 31: International Transgender Day Of Visibility

April 6: Asexuality Day

April 22: Day of Silence

April 24-30: International Lesbian Visibility Week

April 26 International Lesbian Visibility Day

May 7: International Family Equality Day

May 16: National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day

May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

May 19: Agender Pride Day

May 24: Pansexual & Panromantic Visibility Day

June: Pride Month

June 26: Anniversary of Sam-Sex Marriage Legalization

July 6: Omnisexual Visibility Day

July 10-16: Non-Binary Awareness Week

July 14: International Non-Binary Day

July 16: International Drag Day

September 17-23: Bisexual Awareness Week

September 23: Bisexual Visibility Day

October: LGBTQ History Month

October 8: International Lesbian Day

October 11: National Coming Out Day

October 18: International Pronoun Day

October 19: Spirit Day

October 22-28: Asexual Awareness Week

October 26: Intersex Awareness Day

November: Trans Awareness Month

November 5: Trans Parent Day or Transgender Parent Day

November 8: Intersex Day of Remembrance or Intersex Solidarity Day

November 12-18: Trans Awareness Week or Transgender Awareness Week

November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

December 1: World AIDS Day

December 8: Pansexual Pride Day

December 10: Human (Homosexual) Rights Day

(You may have noticed that there is not a single designated gender-confusion day in August  ssssshhhhhhhh.)

The deeper the aberrant pathology, the greater the need for public affirmation of group denial.

Now let me be clear: I cast no stone ... though daring to object to the Rainbow Mafia agenda means I will be cast as a "hater" by hate groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center, which just added the group Gays Against Groomers to its so-called hate list.

The foundation for my approach to individuals who suffer from gender confusion is thoroughly outlined in "Gender Disorientation  A Faithful Response to the 'LGBT' Agenda." Most of those afflicted with gender disorientation pathology are victims of broken families or predation by homosexual pedophiles, and for that reason deserve a great measure of compassion, not condemnation.

But compassion for those who suffer from gender-identity pathology versus those who promote gender-disorientation pathology, including those who actively groom children with their perverse pathology, are two entirely different things.

What consenting adults do privately is their business, but when the Demos use the strong arm of government to insist you have to protect deviancy and insist you must embrace it, push back every time.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
The implementation of three new criminal laws will be a significant step towards modernising the criminal justice delivery system, said Dr. Adish C Aggarwala, outgoing President of Supreme Court Bar Association and Chairman of All India Bar Association. "One of the important changes brought in by the new laws is the introduction of specific timelines for conducting trials and delivering verdicts", said Dr. Adish C Aggarwala, Senior Advocate. While saluting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for decolonizing "British-era criminal laws", Dr. Aggarwala, who has been Vice-Chairman of the Bar Council of India, described that the implementation of these three new Acts will strengthen our response to crimes and will enhance the faith of people in the law enforcement machinery and criminal justice delivery system of India. "After hearing arguments, the Judge shall give a judgement within 30 days from the date of completion of arguments, which may be extended to a period of 45 days for reasons to be recorded in writing. For every stage of court proceedings, there is a time limit," said Aggarwala. These three new criminal laws encompass substantive crime, procedure, and evidence. These laws aim at digitising various aspects of criminal procedure. From the initial registration of a First Information Report (FIR) to the final delivery of judgement, every stage of a criminal investigation is slated to be recorded digitally under the purview of these 3 new Acts. (ANI)
As the three new criminal laws come into effect today, several legal experts say there are big challenges ahead for law-enforcing agencies, judicial officers, and legal professionals. It is said that these laws will affect a large number of citizens at some point in time or the other in their lives. The passing of the three criminal law bills in Parliament last year sparked a series of debates regarding the need to take such steps towards evolution in the field of law with the introduction of new criminal laws. In an interview with ANI, former Union Law Minister Ashwini Kumar and Congress leader said, "The way the government rushed to bring these laws in Parliament and the way it implemented rushed to, is not desirable in a democracy. These laws were neither adequately discussed in the Parliament committee nor extensively discussed in the House, even no consultation held with the stakeholders." "Now, the opposition parties demanding a change in the legal architecture of criminal laws should be preceded by meaningful deliberations between all the stakeholders that appears not to have been done. It is the only grievance of the opposition parties that should be addressed by the ruling party, said Senior Advocate Ashwini Kumar." Advocate Sumit Gehlot from Fidelegal Advocates and Solicitor also interacted with ANI on this issue and said, "In the New Criminal Laws, law enforcement agencies have been given unfettered powers without checks and balances and safeguards and safety provisions have been ignored, which will be prone to misuse. Under the New Criminal Laws, there will be potential violations of civil liberties." He further asserted, "Like Sedition Law under Section 150 of BNS, the offence has been made Draconian. Section 150 will surely be challenged, as will other provisions, which will result in being struck down by constitutional courts. The insertion of the Sedition Law as a backdoor entry seems to be for political reasons. Why is terrorism inserted as a general penal law offence when it is already punishable under special legislation? Why has police custody been extended from 15 days to 90 days?"There are many regressive steps in the new criminal laws and all these will lead to instances of police torture and abuse and there are many grey areas. These additional powers and discretion with the investigating agency will be misused. There is a dilution of civil liberties and furthermore, there is insufficient institutional capacity to enforce these laws properly," he said. "Reforms were required in the existing criminal colonial laws through specific amendments and more deliberation with all stakeholders but not in this manner. Notably, these laws were passed arbitrarily, in haste, and without even proper debate in the Lower House and Upper House of Parliament," Advocate Gehlot added. In this regard, Dr Adish C Aggarwala, Sr. Advocate & Chairman of All India Bar Association and outgoing President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said, "Many colonial-era laws had been hanging around like an albatross around the neck of the Indian legal fraternity even 75 years after Independence. Now, the soul and spirit of the Bharat have been infused into the key criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, that are replacing the archaic and outdated Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Evidence Act." "The overhaul of these prime criminal laws was long overdue, as many of their provisions had outgrown their purposes and, in fact, were incongruent to the times and objectives for which they had been legislated. The new laws, with the soul and spirit of the new Bharat, therefore bring a sea-change in our criminal justice delivery system," said Aggarwala. "The implementation of provisions addressing current challenges, such as the classification of mob lynchings as a distinct crime, including hate crimes on the basis of race, caste or community, gender, language or place of origin, and implementing and supporting victims, will be indispensable. Providing police and judicial staff with sensitivity training would help ensure that these cases are handled impartially and with respect for the trauma of victims," said Dr Adish Aggarwala. Former Union Law Secretary PK Malhotra, on this issue, said, "The three new criminal laws, replacing British-era legislation, have led to petitions being filed in the courts questioning the legality of these laws and some state governments are reluctant to implement these laws. It need not be overemphasized that these three laws, i.e., the IPC, Cr.PC, & Evidence Act, were required to be reviewed keeping in view the changing social scenario and technological advancements." "Since the subject falls under the concurrent list of the Constitution, Parliament is fully competent to enact these laws. If any State wants modifications in any of these statutes, the Legislature of the State can pass a modification law. However, it can be enforced if the changes made by the state legislature are approved by the president." "It is said that the provisions of these three legislations are victim-centric and will lead to an expeditious trial. No doubt provisions like timelines for investigation, trial, delivery of judgement, use of technology in service of summons, trial of offence, virtual hearing, provision for zero FIR, and provisions of community service for minor offences are welcome steps. A section of society feels that certain provisions, like offences relating to terrorism, accident cases, marital offences, and increasing punishment for certain offences, like Section 377 of the IPC, need greater consultation and deliberation. In the absence of sufficient safeguards, the possibility of excessive use of authority by law enforcing agencies cannot be ruled out," he added. "The three laws were passed in a hurry and at a time when 25% of the members of Lok Sabha were suspended and had no opportunity to participate in the debate. More consultation with various stakeholders would have given the opportunity to the Government to rectify some of the deficiencies, which are now becoming a cause of concern. Be that as it may, the reality is these laws have been passed by Parliament and the date of their implementation has also been notified. The appropriate course will be to implement these laws and any deficiencies coming to the forefront can be rectified in due course by bringing necessary amending legislation," said former Union Law Secy PK Malhotra. Former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and Senior Advocate Pinki Anand said, "Considering the gargantuan numbers that clog our system, I''m sure the drafters of these Acts had their tasks cut out for them. The numbers necessitated a change. The courts had been trying to tackle this problem using their own powers of mandamus, whether by ensuring that bail matters are heard and listed daily or by setting up targets. Discourage pass-overs and adjournments. The present government has acted with great alacrity in providing what we can now call the Arbitration-isation of criminal justice. The provisions that have reformed our commercial adjudications in court, such as limits on adjournments, and time lines." "This is an exercise of giving our criminal statute the thrust of democratic legitimacy. Previously, our criminal statutes drafted in 1860, 1872, and 1973 were products of their time. And to keep them relevant, it required an extensive exercise of judicial interpretation. This would require manifold PILs, Writs, etc. all the way up to the Supreme Court to keep our statutes relevant and achieve the twin purposes of ensuring due process for the accused and fulfilling our society''s moral and legal duty to give justice to the victims of crime. Now, these judicial pronouncements weren''t made strong by electoral legitimacy. The choice of the people to choose the laws that bind us together is a basic feature of a democratic social contract. The Parliament has reviewed the judgements of the past and the jurisprudence that emerged from our Hon''ble Courts and has made democratic calls on what to keep, what to modify and what to remove. This was a democratic exercise that was needed. It''s a revision that was needed. The rust that had settled has been cleansed," said Senior Advocate Pinki Anand. N. S. Nappinai, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court, also gave her opinion on the issue and said, "The new criminal laws are here to stay and the sooner we adapt to it, the better. Resistance to change is natural but it can only be assuaged through transparency and effective implementation. For this reason, the shortening of the initial timeline proposed for implementation appears to be a bit of a hasty act. The changes to the procedural aspect in particular needed more time for effective adaptation. One can only hope that an escalated process has been adapted to bring the system to speed." "There are many procedures that are a welcome addition. In particular the use of technology in the investigative process. Not addressing existing loopholes in the law be it on procedure or substantive law is an unfortunate miss. A lot more to ensure a safer India including in the cyber domain could have been achieved through effective additions in the new laws. Retention of a slightly modified version of proving electronic evidence is a grave error, which is despite explicit directions from the Supreme Court to the legislature to address," said Senior Advocate N. S. Napping. Advocate Aishwarya Kaushiq, BTG Advaya said, "Political parties and legal professionals are concerned about two issues: the procedural irregularities in passing the three bills in Parliament in December 2023 and their broad implications. The legal fraternity fears these changes could lead to increased litigation as existing cases may need re-evaluation under the new laws, adding to the judiciary''s backlog." "Recently, the Chief Justice of India pointed out that district courts often hesitate to grant bail, even for minor crimes. This puts more cases on the desks of the Supreme Court and High Courts, taking up valuable judicial time that could be used for public benefit. The new laws are designed to make it easier to address such issues, improve how investigations are done, strengthen victim rights, and make trials more efficient. At the same time, the new laws grant police broader arrest and detention powers, triggering fears of misuse and unjust arrests. Privacy concerns arise from laws enabling increased state surveillance," Advocate Aishwarya Kaushik added. On June 26, the Bar Council of India (BCI) passed a resolution acknowledging numerous protests from bar associations and state bar councils nationwide against the newly introduced criminal laws. Relying on assurances from the Union Home Minister regarding potential amendments based on valid reasons and suggestions, the BCI has urged all bar associations to refrain from protests. The BCI plans to engage in discussions with the Central Government to convey legal concerns and has requested bar associations and senior advocates to identify unconstitutional or harmful provisions for constructive dialogue. (ANI)
Various social organisations have called for a Reasi Bandh. Visuals from the Reasi bus stand on Monday morning showed people burning tyres and protesting on the streets. Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Police detained 12 suspects in connection with the vandalization of a religious place in the Dharmadi area of Arnas in the Reasi district. An FIR has been registered under section 295 of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) by the Reasi police. As per information from the police, the teams swung into action and rounded up three suspects during the night hours. A series of raids were continued during the daytime and around nine more suspects were apprehended by the team of the Police station in Arnas for questioning the case. Sensing the gravity of the case, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Sharing the details, SSP Reasi conveyed that around 12 suspects were rounded up and apprehended in the case until now for questioning and further investigation in the case is underway. The SSP further appealed to the people of Reasi to remain calm and maintain peace and communal harmony in the area. Reasi Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Iftekhar said that the anti-elements who want to disturb the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood would be caught. "Yesterday at 7:30 p.m. in the Dharmadi area, an incident was reported in which an unknown person entered and tried to vandalise a temple. The police have registered a case and around three suspects have been rounded up. Many more people have been identified. The police teams are on the job. The anti-social elements who want to harm the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood will be caught soon," he said. "The SSP has also formed a Special Investigation Team, looking at the sensitivity of the matter. DSP-level officers will look into the matter. The Reasi police are trying to identify the culprit as soon as possible and punish them under the law so that peace can be maintained," the ASP added. (ANI)
As the new criminal laws came into force on Monday, Chhaya Sharma, Delhi Police Special CP (Training), stated that over 45,000 officers in the force have been trained for the change. The Special CP mentioned that special booklets have been prepared to ease the implementation process. The three new criminal laws, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, which came into effect from Monday. "FIRs will be registered under these sections from today. Our training for this began on February 5. We prepared booklets that helped us easily train our officers so they can be prepared for the coming changes," the Special CP said. "The pocket booklet, divided into four parts, contains the transition from IPC to BNS, new sections added to BNS, categories that now come under seven years of punishment, and a table containing sections needed for everyday policing," she said. CP Sharma stated that the first round of training was provided to the IOs in all stations and also to potential IOs who might be posted in major stations in the future. "Now, at least 45,000 officers in the Delhi Police are trained and ready for the changes introduced by the new criminal laws. We have also established a team to assist officers with any questions regarding the implementation of these laws. This team serves as an FAQ resource, providing support and clarification as needed during the implementation process," CP Sharma said. She also highlighted that the best part of the new system is that it focuses on 'justice' rather than 'punishment' with a victim-centric approach. "For the first time, great emphasis has been given to digital evidence. Now, the evidence will be recorded digitally. The role of forensic experts has been enhanced," she added. She further said that old cases registered under the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act will be tried under the same old laws until final disposal. "Law doesn't function on a retrospective basis. So, the law is that the old cases (registered earlier) will be dealt with under IPC and CrPC. But when new cases are registered from today, July 1, sections of BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) will be invoked. Similarly, the process of investigation that begins today will follow Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and not CrPC. Old cases will be dealt with under old sections - CrPC and IPC. New cases will be dealt with sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)," she said. The first FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered at Kamla Market Police Station in the national capital on Monday. The case has been registered against a street vendor under Section 285 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for obstruction on the footbridge of New Delhi Railway Station and making sales. The three new laws that came into effect today received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and it was published in the official gazette on the same day. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections in the IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 of them. The amount of the fine has been increased in 83 crimes, and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced for six crimes, and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the bill, and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added. The draft act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections, and audio-video provisions have been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed in the Sanhita. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions), and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added, and six provisions have been repealed or deleted in the Adhiniyam. The complete implementation of new criminal laws will ensure an end to the 'tareekh pe tareekh' era, and justice will be given in three years, as earlier informed in the Parliament by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (ANI)
"On National Doctors' Day, we express our heartfelt gratitude and deepest appreciation for the tireless efforts and selfless dedication of our medical fraternity--doctors, healthcare professionals, frontline workers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, ANMs, nurses, and medical staff," Kharge posted on X.

"We salute their unwavering commitment to saving lives and their unrelenting service to humanity," he added.

The Congress leader also honoured the legacy of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a visionary physician, educationist, and freedom fighter who served as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, on his birth anniversary.

"We also honour the legacy of the illustrious Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a visionary physician, educationist, and freedom fighter, who served as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal and made significant contributions to nation building. His remarkable life and work continue to inspire us," Kharge wrote on X.

Every year, on July 1, India observes National Doctor's Day. It is a day set aside to commemorate physicians' achievements and devotion to society's well-being and healthcare. People celebrate this day by thanking physicians for their tremendous work, compassion, and devotion to saving lives and the well-being of all.

National Doctor's Day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

Roy was born on July 1, 1882, and was instrumental in the advancement of medical education and healthcare services in India.

He was also awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country for his pioneering work in the field of medicine. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh government abolished transport check posts at the interstate borders in the state with effect from today and stated that new road safety and enforcement checking points would come up in the state. Under the new system, 45 checking points will come up in the first phase in the state. Mobile units will be formed under temporary arrangements till the new checking points are ready and these mobile units will be constituted of district transport office and enforcement staff along with home guards. On Sunday, CM Mohan Yadav held a meeting with officials at CM House via video conferencing and directed the administrative and police officers associated with all the districts to provide necessary cooperation to the Transport Department in the new system. "Measures have been initiated to eliminate existing irregularities and establish a transparent framework at transport check posts crucial for interstate vehicle movements, in collaboration with relevant district administrations from July 1, 2024. Madhya Pradesh is known for good governance. Strict action will be taken by the state government if complaints are received regarding the transport system. The new system will not cause any inconvenience to the operators of heavy vehicles. By resolving the complaints, arrangements have been made to conduct the basic work of the Transport Department in a better and cleaner manner," CM Yadav said. "Now flying squads will work in the border districts in the state under a new arrangement. Operators of outside vehicles will not face any issues. The new transparent system will prove useful for everyone," he added. CM Yadav further directed that the Transport Department should organise camps in colleges to make driving licences of students. While operating passenger buses, the rule of running the bus from the designated place should be followed. Time timetable should be followed. School buses should also be checked. Attention should be given to improving rural transport services. Meanwhile, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) welcomed and expressed pleasure over the decision of the state government to abolish transport check posts at the interstate borders in Madhya Pradesh. "We are thrilled to announce that, effective from July 1, 2024, check posts in the state of Madhya Pradesh have been abolished. This is a monumental step towards easing road transport operations and reducing delays for our industry," a statement from AIMTC read. (ANI)
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for the "kangaroo court justice" in north Bengal where two people, including a woman, were beaten by a man in "broad daylight" in Uttar Dinajpur district. Poonawalla alleged that the accused is said to be a close aide to the TMC MLA there. He said that the TMC MLA defended the accused by saying that the woman, who was beaten up, had a very "evil character." "TMC means Talibani Mindset and Culture. The entire country is shocked after seeing the brutal video of Taliban-style, Kangaroo court justice being delivered in broad daylight on the streets of Bengal. The person who was doing this is said to be a close aide and a close person to the TMC MLA there. Instead of coming down hard on this shocking video, the TMC MLA has actually defended it by saying that the woman in question who was being beaten up had a very evil character," the BJP leader said. Hitting out at the TMC MLA for justifying the incident, Poonawalla said, "He has resorted to victim-shaming and has even gone on and said that in a 'Muslim Rashtra' there are certain terms and conditions, thereby justifying this kind of barbaric act. What is unfortunate is that those who speak up about Manipur, and women's issues are silent today." He targeted the leaders of the INDIA bloc over their silence on various incidents, including Cooch Behar, post-poll violence, the Swati Maliwal issue and the Chopra incident. "The likes of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Mahua Moitra, Sagarika Ghose, the entire rank and file of INDI Alliance leaders--they were silent even when Sandeshkhali took place, they were silent when a Muslim woman who was a supporter of the BJP was stripped in Coochbehar, they were silent when post-poll violence, rapes took place in West Bengal, and they are silent on issues like Swati Maliwal and this kind of kangaroo court justice being dispensed. This shows that they do not care for women's issues. They only care for their politically convenient agenda," Poonawalla said. AAP MP Sandeep Pathak also reacted to the incident and said that although he has not seen the video, but the law and order should not be affected anywhere in the country. "I have not seen the video and I don't have detailed information on the same. Law and order should not be affected anywhere in the country. Everyone should have equal rights and honour. But politics has stooped to such a level that it has become difficult to adjudge what is right and what is wrong just by looking at it--who is doing it or making it happen, why is it happening and is it right or wrong. TMC is in a better position to respond to it," he said. The assault took place in Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur district, where a man was seen beating two people, including a woman. Meanwhile, according to the police, the accused, identified as Tajmul Haque alias JCB, has been arrested and will be produced before the ACJM court in Islampur today. Chopra police arrested the person and kept the accused at Islampur police station. The police further said that efforts are being made to spread misinformation about the Chopra incident. "Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The fact is, police have promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady," the Islampur Police District posted on X. "Accused has been arrested. Suo moto case started by the police. Victim has been provided police security. Investigation proceeds," they added. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of alleged irregularities in the NEET examination in the Lok Sabha and demanded a separate one-day discussion on the issue in the Parliament. "A message is disseminated to the country, from Parliament. We want to send a message to students that NEET issue is important for the Parliament. So, to send this message, we want the Parliament to discuss this," the Congress leader said. Rahul Gandhi demanded an extra day for the discussion of the NEET issue. Responding to this, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "You can give your suggestions, but I decide." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded to Rahul Gandhi's demand and said that any discussion should be done only after the Motion of thanks on the President's address. "Parliament proceedings are carried out based on some rules and traditions. I request the Opposition that any discussion should be done only after the Motion of thanks on President's address," he said. However, Opposition MPs walk out of Lok Sabha as the Speaker refuses Rahul Gandhi's suggestion for a one-day discussion on NEET. The NEET UG examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 5 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities in the country and 14 cities abroad with 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination. The results were declared on June 4, which immediately caused a hue and cry with aspirants raising multiple issues. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720 led to widespread protests in the country. The Supreme Court ruled that the "grace marks" awarded to some students should be scrapped and provided the affected candidates with the option to either take a re-test or retain their original scores, excluding the grace marks. Meanwhile, amid opposition protests in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla dismissed the allegation of some MPs that the Speaker switched off the mic. "Outside the House, some MPs level allegations that the Speaker switches off the mic. The control of the mic is not in the hands of the one who sits on the Chair," he said. Earlier, the members of the opposition parties staged a protest on the Parliament premises on Monday against the central government's "misuse" of central agencies including the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Opposition MPs including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress' Shashi Tharoor, KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, K Suresh, Varsha Gaikwad, Benny Behnan, Anto Antony, Kerala Congress (M)'s Jose K Mani, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and CPI(M)'s John Brittas among others participated in the protest. The leaders were seen carrying placards and posters that read "Respect Opposition, Stop Intimidation!", "Stop misusing agencies to silence opposition," End the rein of fear, stop ED, IT, CBI misuse, "Bhaajpa mei jaao bhrashtachar ka licence pao..." The opposition parties have been targeting the central government alleging misuse of the central agencies "to silence" the opposition. The arrests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Ministers, former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and TMC Ministers by ED and CBI in various cases invited criticism from many sectors. (ANI)
Calling for a "re-examination" of the new criminal laws that came into force on Monday, Congress MP Manish Tewari said there are enough reasons to "pause" the implementation of the "draconian" acts. "The criminal laws which have come into force are pernicious in nature and they will be draconian in their implementation. They will lay the foundations of a police state in this country, they will provide very wide latitude to the police across the length and breadth of the country because of the very ambiguous nature in which certain provisions have been crafted - provisions with regard to bail are absolutely perverse in their nature," Tewari told ANI on Monday. The Congress MP also questioned the new law defining terrorism as he reiterated the demand for a detailed examination of the new laws by a joint parliamentary committee. "Was there a need to bring the definition of terrorism into general criminal law when there is already a special law on it? The manner in which sedition has been very loosely defined notwithstanding that it was stayed by the Supreme Court of India, the manner in which handcuffs have been brought back surreptitiously in the teeth of two judgements of Supreme Court going all the way back to 1973," Tewari said. "So, there are problems galore with these laws. That's why I have been saying this from the day they were passed by the Parliament by suspending 146 MPs, that these laws are perverse, they need to be re-examined by the House and only after their re-examination and detailed examination by a JPC, should they be implemented. There is enough reason to pause the implementation of these laws," he added. Tewari gave an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha on Monday seeking a discussion on the three new criminal laws that came into force from July 1. In the notice, Tewari urged the House to suspend Zero Hour and discuss the implementation of the three new Criminal Acts. "These three new Acts are going to upend the entire criminal jurispredence of the country which has now been established and has stabilised over the period of more than a century," Tewari said in the notice. He also claimed that lawyers, jurists and constitutional experts have repeatedly expressed serious concerns in the public space with regard to the implementation of these laws which have been passed in Parliament "without the collective application of the wisdom of Parliament." "A joint parliamentary committee should reexamine them threadbare, only then a final view on these criminal acts should be taken," he urged. The three new criminal laws, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, which came into effect from Monday, replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. The three new laws received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and it was published in the official gazette on the same day. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the opposition parties for opposing the new criminal laws and said that there are several occasions to do politics but the new acts should be supported. The new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita came into effect from July 1 midnight. On the Opposition's criticism that no discussions were held before implementation, Shah said, "For these new laws, a few friends in the Opposition are saying different things before the media. I would like to tell you all that 9.29 hours of discussions were held in Lok Sabha and 34 members participated in that. In Rajya Sabha, over 6 hours of discussions were held. 40 members participated in the discussions." "It is also being falsely said that the Bill was brought after the members were sent out (suspended). Bill was already listed before the Business Advisory Committee. I firmly believe that the Opposition had been boycotting the House beforehand, perhaps they didn't want to participate (in discussions). I want to tell the Opposition that there are several occasions to do politics but this should be supported," he said. Shah said that discussions on these laws were held for over four years. "It would be one of the laws on which such a long discussion was held before it was taken into Parliament," he added. "Prison, forensic, and prison personnel are also trained. For training of 22.50 lakh police personnel, over 12,000 trainers are ready," Shah said. Shah further said that around 6.20 lakh police personnel in over 17,000 police stations have been trained for the new laws. The Union Home Minister also clarified that the first FIR being registered under the new law was in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. "The first case registered was that of a motorcycle theft, it was registered at around 12.10 am in Gwalior. The case against the street vendor in Delhi was not the first under the new law," Amit Shah said during a press conference in Delhi on Monday. He said that all crimes that occurred after July 1, 2024, will come under the new laws while the crimes registered before July 1, 2024, will continue to be tried through old laws. Shah said that by August 15, the new criminal laws will be implemented in all Union territories. The Union Home Minister said that the new laws focus on a victim-oriented approach. "The focus has been on crimes against women and children. Crimes including gang rape, and mob lynching, are all separately defined. I firmly say that these three laws will be the most modern law after being implemented properly," he said. He said that a free FIR copy has been made mandatory for the complainant under the new law adding that a station visit to register an FIR is not mandatory from now. Shah said that the new laws will reflect the spirit of the country. He also clarified that number of days of remand is 15 days. Shah said that the arrested person should be presented before the magistrate within 24 hours. "Justice delivery within 45 days is a must, FIR needed to be registered within three days, chargesheet will be submitted within 90 days," he said. On digitalisation, the Union Home Minister said, "99.99 per cent of police stations have been computerised. Everything will be digital including chargesheets. Forensic evidence has been made mandatory. Videography during search and seizure is a must, as well as recording, is compulsory. Now e-register is necessary." He also assured with the implementation of these three laws, any case will get justice within three to four years even if the case goes to the Supreme Court. The three new laws received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and was published in the official gazette on the same day. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections in the IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 of them. The amount of the fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced for six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill. Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the bill, and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The draft act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed in the Sanhita. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions, and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted in the Adhiniyam. (ANI)
Outrageous persecution of J6 political prisoner Jake Lang continues By Rachel Alexander

web posted July 1, 2024 The persecution of J6 political prisoners continues. Jake Lang, who has been incarcerated for three and a half years as a pre-trial detainee, has spent 800 days in solitary confinement for ridiculous infractions, such as accepting an interview with the media. Lang's attorneys filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in April, alleging that he "continues to be held and transferred in violation of his constitutional and human rights." Lang told me that the "FBI hunted us down like animals" after J6. He said he refused to take a 10-year prison sentence as part of a plea bargain offered to him, because "I don't negotiate with terrorists." During J6, he said the Capitol Police officers pushing back on the crowd turned it into a "human swimming pool," with bodies stacked up three to five high on top of each other. Lang, who has now spent much of his 20s incarcerated, was arrested after he posted a video on social media of his participation at J6. He was charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, civil disorder, accessing a restricted building or grounds, and violent entry or disorderly conduct. Although he has no criminal history, he has been denied bond twice. In contrast, convicted violent felons are being increasingly released on little to no bond around the country. Lang told me that the crowd was peaceful until the police started needlessly tear gassing them, which he said was instigating. He tried to assist victims who were trampled when the police pushed back into the crowd. He attempted to pull Rosanne Boyland out from where she was pinned under other bodies, since he could tell she was unconscious, but was unable to. Boyland later succumbed to her injuries. He said there is video of a female police officer beating Boyland. Lang said he was able to help two other protesters, Philip Anderson and Tommy Tatum. They signed affidavits later stating that Lang had saved their lives. Lang said when he discovered Anderson, he was lying unconscious with his teeth knocked out. Lang himself was shot in the foot by a police officer. He is currently being held at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. New York state law states that prisoners may be held no longer than 15 days in solitary confinement, but he was held there 36 days. He said he was only allowed out of the cell for two hours a week, not allowed to have books or a radio. State law requires at least four hours a day outside of a cell while in solitary confinement, including one hour for recreation. A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a court order that brings a defendant in custody in front of a judge and requires the government to prove the validity of the confinement. Lang's habeas corpus complaint described his treatment as "disgusting unconstitutional conditions, punitive punishment, and treatment that can only be explained as the functional equivalent to torture.  The amount of grievances Lang filed by this point is uncountable, most of which remain unanswered." Lang has filed over 50 grievances. His complaint cited denying him access to a court-ordered laptop to review legal documents, moving him around to jails more than a dozen times and losing or destroying his property. The complaint said a former Capitol police officer posted a photo of Lang on social media with the caption, "He fought me in the tunnel. I hope other inmates find out . . . They wanted to fight antifa." Many of the J6ers are being held at the Washington D.C. jail, where Lang was confined for some of the time. The conditions there are so bad that the inmates issued a letter stating that they would rather be serving time at Guantanamo Bay, where terrorists are incarcerated. Lang's complaint alleged that he was transferred to a part of the D.C. jail away from the other J6ers, which was more dangerous. "[I]nmates in that section are provided information  to provoke such inmates in CDF to be violently aggressive towards, and even attack those alleged to have been involved with January 6th," his attorneys said. During one calendar year, he spent over six months in solitary confinement. He said the first time he was sent to "The Hole" was in response to inquiring about Bible study and religious services. He said guards engage in "unsolicited distribution of Islamic fundamentalist literature." Another time he said he was standing with a Bible in his hand when guards sprayed "at least half" of a bottle of mace at his face, paraded him around to show his face to others, then threw him back in solitary confinement naked. Despite the religious persecution, Lang told me that he has led Bible studies and baptized 10 people while in jail. Lang is a Messianic Jew, and said he was not allowed kosher meals, so he went on a hunger strike and lost 25 to 30 pounds. In July 2022, he was ordered not to speak to the media. The complaint asked that prison officials "be ordered to not interfere with Lang exercising his First Amendment rights in speaking to whomever he chooses to." Lang has led much of the resistance from J6ers inside the jails, running the website J6Truth , the Political Prisoner Podcast through The Gateway Pundit, and other associated ventures with the help of his fiancee. The original video on J6Truth is the top viewed video on Rumble, with almost two million views. The U.S. Supreme Court's new decision on charging 349 January 6 protesters with 18 USC 1512(c)(2) , which makes it a felony punishable by 20 years in prison for obstructing an official proceeding, probably won't affect Lang much. Although the court held that the statute was meant to be limited to circumstances involving forms of evidence tampering, most of the protesters are still facing other charges. Donald Trump promised pardons for all of the J6 political prisoners if reelected president. Lang raised over half a million for his legal defense, and raised another $7,000 to assist the families of the imprisoned J6ers. 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
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday objected to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks in Lok Sabha on the Agniveer scheme and said financial assistance of one crore rupees is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting the country's borders or during a war. Rajnath Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to mislead the Lok Sabha by making wrong statements. "He Rahul Gandhi) should not try to mislead the House by making wrong statements. Financial assistance of Rs one crore is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting our borders or during war," the Defence Minister said. Rahul Gandhi claimed that Agniveer is not called a 'jawan' and said that Agniveers serving for a period of four years will not get a pension. "One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a 'martyr'... 'Agniveer' is a use and throw labourer," Rahul Gandhi alleged, attacking the BJP-led NDA government over the scheme," he said. "On one side, you give him training for six months and on the other side, the Chinese soldiers receive training for five years. You give the rifle to our jawan and make him stand in front of them. You strike fear into his heart. You create a rift between two jawans. One gets a pension and the other does not. And then you call yourself 'deshbhakt'. 'Ye kaise deshbhakt hai?" he asked. Rahul Gandhi, who was participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's Address, made his maiden speech as Leader of Opposition and said if the INDIA alliance comes to power, they will scrap the Agniveer scheme. The Congress leader's remarks pertaining to Hindu community drew a sharp response from BJP leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Rahul Gandhi and said that calling "the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter". Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been a systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India. "There has been a systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power & wealth, aggression on poor & Dalits and minorities was crushed. ..I was attacked by the order of Govt of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED..." PM Modi is present in Lok Sabha. "Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions....All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," he added. Home Minister Amit Shah hit back at Rahul Gandhi and said connecting violence with any religion is wrong. "The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn't know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise," Amit Shah said. Rahul Gandhi also said BJP is not the entire Hindu society. "Narendra Modi is not the entire Hindu society. BJP is not the entire Hindu society, RSS is not the entire society, this is not BJP's contract," Rahul Gandhi said. (ANI)
The Government of Kerala has decided to establish an Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplant at Kozhikode. It is being established as an Apex Institute for research, training and patient care in the area of organ transplantation and allied activities. This Apex Institute, with skilled doctors, researchers and health workers, can be developed as a Centre of Excellence. Soaring numbers of patients, a dearth in the availability of organs and a lack of other basic facilities, including good doctors, are the issues that currently prevail in the organ transplant sector. Since organ transplantation is very expensive and 90 per cent of the transplants are conducted in the private sector, majority of those who are in need of transplant succumb to death, as they are unable to bear the associated costs. In such a context, through this Institute, the Government of Kerala aims to ensure organ transplant at a low cost, create the required manpower through various super-specialty courses and research programmes, administer the requisite training and adopt the required action plan for finding and providing healthy organs of the diseased to suitable patients. According to the Concept Note prepared by HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (HITES) - a public sector undertaking under the Government of India, the total cost of setting up the Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplant will be Rs 558.68 crores (Phase I Rs. 373.68 crore + Phase II Rs. 185 crores). Funds will be procured from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to establish the Institute according to a Master Plan within a 25-acre campus, and implement the scheme. The Institute is proposed as a superspecialty centre with a 489-bed hospital which includes 219 general beds, 42 special ward beds, 58 ICU beds, 83 HDU beds, 16 Operation Rooms, Dialysis Centre and a Centre for Transplantation Research. In Phase I, 330 beds are planned, along with 10 Operation Rooms. 180 beds and 6 Operation Rooms are planned in Phase II. The Institute is proposed to perform 1,100 corneal transplants, 500 kidney transplants, 320 liver transplants, 15 intestinal transplants, 15 pancreas transplants, 50 heart transplants, 40 lung transplants, 120 bone marrow transplants and 300 soft tissue / digits / hands / bone / face transplants per year, at the end of 5 years from its inception. The Institute is estimated to have an area of 60,000 sq. mtr. with allied services, parking, auditorium, guest house, hostels and quarters, the total area is estimated to be above 175,000 sq. mtr. There will be 14 Specialty Departments and Divisions in Phase I, and 7 in Phase II. 31 academic courses are planned and some of them will be the first in the country. As far as academic programmes go, super specialty courses, post-doctoral fellowship courses, specialty nursing courses, transplant technician courses and transplant coordinator courses will be offered. A dedicated research facility with an aim to perform basic, translational and clinical research in all areas of transplantation including transplant biology, transplantation medicine, cell therapy, stem cells, transplant immunology etc. will also be created in the Institute. As a State University established under an act of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, it will function as an Autonomous Institution under the Government of Kerala. An Institute Body and a Governing Body will be created. Director will act as the head of the Institute. 50 percent of the overall manpower - faculty, scientists, nursing staff, technical staff, medical social workers, transplant coordinators and others - will be either tenure based or on contract. Currently only USA and China have dedicated transplant centers. The Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplant at Kozhikode will be the first of its kind in the country. A dedicated institute for organ, tissue and cell transplantation with highly motivated doctors, scientists and health care workers will be a game changer in this field. Once established, it will have the potential to place Kerala at par with highly developed countries, with regard to organ transplantation. Such a Centre in the public sector will significantly bring down the cost of organ transplantation. It will benefit the poor and also promote medical tourism. (ANI)
Amid the Centre's intensified efforts to bring the accused in the alleged NEET exam row to the court of law, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that the government would make an appropriate decision in the case and that it would be in the best interest of students. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Chirag Paswan said, "Discussion is always done after the Motion of Thanks on the president's address. The government has nothing to hide on the NEET issue. The central agencies are carrying out investigations on the issue of paper leaks. The government will take a decision in the best interest of students." Recalling his interactions with students, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Monday referred to the medical entrance exam as a "commercial exam" and said that students appearing for NEET alleged that the exam is designed for "rich students and not meritorious students." Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President for her address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government over the paper leak issue and said that there is fear among everyone in the nation. "NEET students spend years and years preparing for their exams. Their family supports them financially, and emotionally and the truth is that NEET students today do not believe in the exam because they are convinced that the exam is designed for rich people, not meritorious people. I have met several NEET students. Every single one of them tells me that the exam is designed to create a quota for rich people and to create a passage for them into the system and is designed not to help poor students. The students prepare for months and months," Rahul Gandhi said. The Hajipur MP Paswan also spoke on the new criminal laws and said, "The laws were passed after holding proper discussions. New provisions have been added. The opposition should not oppose everything that is passed by the government." Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP on Monday over various issues, including the ongoing row over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and arrests of opposition leaders. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also raised the issue of alleged irregularities in the NEET examination in the Lok Sabha and demanded a separate one-day discussion on the issue in Parliament. "A message is disseminated to the country, from Parliament. We want to send a message to students that NEET issue is important for the Parliament. So, to send this message, we want the Parliament to discuss this," the Congress leader said. Rahul Gandhi demanded an extra day for the discussion of the NEET issue. Responding to this, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "You can give your suggestions, but I decide." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded to Rahul Gandhi's demand and said that any discussion should be done only after the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. "Parliament proceedings are carried out based on some rules and traditions. I request the opposition that any discussion be done only after the motion of thanks on the President's address," he said. However, opposition MPs walk out of the Lok Sabha as the Speaker refuses Rahul Gandhi's suggestion for a one-day discussion on NEET. Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday announced the results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) retest held on June 23, for 1563 candidates. The NTA in a public notice on June 30 also declared the revision of the rank of all candidates who appeared in the exam. The retest was held on June 23 after a controversy erupted regarding the awarding of grace marks to certain students. The notice further stated that the revised scorecards of all the candidates of the NEET UG 2024 exam, including the 1563 candidates who appeared for the retest on June 23 would be hosted on the website. The NEET UG examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 5 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities in the country and 14 cities abroad, with 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination. The results were declared on June 4, which immediately caused a hue and cry with aspirants raising multiple issues. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720 led to widespread protests in the country. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Delhi Police on a plea moved by Kejriwal's close aide Bibhav Kumar seeking direction to declare his arrest by Delhi Police as illegal. The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma while issuing notice to Delhi Police, said his plea is maintainable for hearing. The court listed the matter for a detailed hearing before the roaster bench. Earlier, Delhi Police had objected to the maintainability of the petition filed by Bibhav Kumar. Bibhav Kumar was arrested by the Delhi Police on May 18, in connection with a FIR registered by Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal assault case. The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma after hearing the arguments at length, reserved the order on maintainability grounds on May 31, 2024. Appearing for Bibhav Kumar, Senior Advocate N Hariharan submitted that, I (Bibhav Kumar) put an anticipatory bail, while around 4:00-4:30 it is being heard, I am arrested around 4:15. If the arrest is happening in such a fashion then the court must intervene. My fundamental right to be arrested in such a fashion was exploited and hence, I am here. You flouted the 41A procedure. However, Senior Advocate Sanjay Jain appeared for Delhi Police and stated that their petition is not maintainable. The accused argued the violation of guidelines of arrest not being followed before the trial court and a separate application was moved for the same on that Magistrate comes to a conclusion that reasons for emergent arrest were mentioned and hence, because, on May 20th an order was passed and is not mentioned here and the same shall be taken seriously. "This order is capable of being revised, he can file a revision application and there is a 90-day period for that...but they have skipped this step and directly approached here," said Sanjay Jain appeared for Delhi Police. Bibhav through his plea also sought appropriate compensation for his alleged illegal arrest, in deliberate and blatant violation of the provisions of law. The Departmental Action must be initiated against the unknown erring officials, who were involved in the decision making viz. the arrest of the Petitioner, stated the plea. Recently Delhi High Court's vacation Judge sought Delhi Police's response over his bail plea challenging a trial court order that dismissed his bail plea. Earlier, the trial court dismissed Bibhav's bail petition and stated that said that the investigation is at an initial stage and influencing of witnesses and tampering with evidence cannot be ruled out. Trial Court further said, "The investigation is still at the nascent stage and the apprehension of influencing the witnesses or tampering with the evidence cannot be ruled out. Keeping in view the allegations made against the applicant, at this stage, no ground for bail is made out." "The allegations raised by the victim have to be taken on their face value and cannot be swiped away. The mere delay in registering the FIR would not have much impact on the case as the injuries are apparent in the MLC after four days. There seems to be no pre-meditation on the part of the victim as if it would have been so, then the FIR would have been registered on the same day," said the court. The applicant was present at the CM's house even after his employment had been terminated, it further noted The investigating agency has also reported that the applicant has formatted his mobile phone and has not provided the password for opening his mobile phone. The CCTV footage collected from the Hon 'ble CM's camp office is also stated to be blank, the court noted in the order. The judge said that it has come on record that the complainant was medically examined on 16.05.2024 at AIIMS Hospital. Her statement under section 164 Cr. P.C. was recorded by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate. Her version as mentioned in the complaint finds corroboration from the MLC and her statement recorded under section 164 of the Cr.PC. The court stated that the applicant (Bibhav Kumar) was joined in the investigation, but as per the investigation officer, he did not cooperate in the investigation and he was arrested to prevent him to tampering with the crucial evidence. During the arguements, the Counsel for complainant stated that the victim is the sitting MP of Aam Aadmi Party and earlier also, she has gone to meet the Hon'ble CM and she cannot be termed as trespasser, rather it was the applicant/accused who was present in the Hon 'ble CM office without any authority. It was further contended that no one had reported the matter to the police from the CM office and it was the complainant who had made the complaint to the police from the spot itself. It was also argued that the magnitude of the injuries was such that they were present even after four days when the medical examination was done. (ANI)
The sources said the meeting will be held in GMC Balayogi Auditorium of the Parliament Library Building (PLB) at around 9:30 am.

BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a successive third term in office in the recently held Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP secured 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303.

The Congress won 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 293 seats, the opposition INDIA bloc won 234 seats.

A massive uproar erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday over Rahul Gandhi's remarks. BJP has accused the Raebareli MP of "insulting" the Hindu community.

Prime Minister Modi hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks and said calling "the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter." Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Congress leader should apologise for his remarks.

Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's Address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been "a systematic attack" on the idea of India. (ANI)
Delhi Traffic Police have issued a traffic advisory for 3-4 days on NH-48 in the carriageway from Gurugram towards Delhi given the ongoing work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Taking to the microblogging site, Delhi Traffic Police posted on X, "Traffic will remain affected for 3-4 days on NH-48 in the carriageway from Gurugram towards Delhi as service road of NH-48 going from Shiv Murti towards Rangpuri has been closed due to ongoing work being carried out by NHAI. Commuters coming to Delhi via NH-48 are advised to plan their journey accordingly." The NHAI began work on topping the 121-km stretch of NH 48 between Dahisar and Achhad near the Gujarat border more than six months ago, in December 2023, by closing off one lane on either arm of the highway. Earlier, traffic movement was restricted at Okhla Underpass due to waterlogging, the Delhi Traffic Police announced on June 30. "Movement of traffic is restricted at Okhla Underpass due to waterlogging. Kindly plan your journey accordingly," the police posted on X. On June 29, a 60-year-old man drowned in the waters at Okhla Underpass, which was submerged following heavy rain on Friday in the national capital. Heavy rains lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Friday and Saturday, causing waterlogging, traffic jams, rain-related accidents, casualties, and injuries, prompting the government to take measures to tackle the situation. Two boys died allegedly due to drowning near the rainwater-flooded Siraspur underpass in northwest Delhi's Samaypur Badli area on Saturday, police said. According to the Delhi Police, a call about the drowning of a 12-year-old boy near Siraspur underpass was received at Samaypur Badli Police Station at 2:25 PM. Upon reaching the spot, it was observed that the underpass near the metro was flooded with almost 2.5-3 feet of water. Earlier on June 28, two children who had left their homes to play in rainwater drowned after falling into a deep rainwater ditch in the New Usmanpur area of Delhi, police said. The deceased were aged 8 and 10 years old and were residents of Som Bazaar, Gamri, in the New Usmanpur area. Despite heavy rains lashing the national capital over the past few days, the Delhi Metro saw a significant surge in passenger journeys. On Friday, June 28, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reported over 69 lakh passenger journeys. "The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) recorded over 69 lakh passenger journeys on Friday, even as the Metro services operated without any disruption with a punctuality of 99.95 per cent despite the heavy rains that lashed the city and its peripheries," DMRC said in a post on X. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh's first FIR (First Information Report) under the new criminal law, which came into force from today, was registered in the state capital Bhopal, an official said. The FIR was registered at Hanumanganj police station in the state capital at 12.16 am on Monday, said Jaideep Prasad, Additional Director General of Police (ADG, Law and Order). "The first FIR in Madhya Pradesh was registered at Hanumanganj police station in Bhopal at 12.16 pm under section 296 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The second FIR in the state was registered at Nishatpura police station in Bhopal at 12:20 am, while the third FIR was also registered in the state capital at Shahjahanabad police station at 12:22 am. A total of 10 FIRs were registered across the state till 1:36 am on Monday. Eight of these were registered in the state capital Bhopal while one FIR was registered at Hajira police station in Gwalior at 12:24 am and another in Sagar district at 1:36 am," Prasad said. Talking about the implementation of the three new criminal laws, the officer further said that it was a happy day that Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), 2023 were implemented. "Madhya Pradesh Police was making continuous efforts for the last six months to implement the laws which are based on justice not on punishment. From constables to top officials, everyone was trained for the implementation of the three new laws. Over 60,000 officers and employees, including over 31,000 investigation officers (IOs) were trained about the three laws. Especially the importance of technology has been increased in the new laws. From this point of view, the employees operating CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems) in all the police stations in the state have been trained," ADG Prasad said. Madhya Pradesh will remain among the leading states in the country in the implementation of new laws. After the law of the British era, now the new criminal laws have been implemented and electronic evidence is also included in the new laws. There is a separate provision for women and children in the new criminal laws and there will be prompt investigation and hearing in case of crime against women and children. Videography has now been made compulsory in cases related to women, the officer said, elaborating that now it is mandatory for the doctor to give a medical report within the time limit. The three new criminal laws -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), 2023 replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, 1872. The three new criminal laws were passed by the Indian Parliament on December 21, 2023, which received Presidential assent on December 25, 2023 and were published in the official gazette on the same day. The Ministry of Home Affairs notified in February that the three laws would come into force on July 1, 2024. (ANI)
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has decided that the Vice Chancellors of the Universities will now be addressed as 'Kulguru' in the state. A proposal in this regard was tabled before the cabinet meeting held at the state assembly in Bhopal on Monday, and the council of ministers approved it unanimously. "We have decided that such decisions will also be taken in our state through which our roots will be connected to our culture. In the same sequence today, the state cabinet approved a decision we had taken earlier. Now, the state cabinet has decided to address the Vice Chancellors of the universities as Kulguru in the state. Its importance increases as Guru Purnima will be celebrated this month. Now, we will address Vice Chancellors as Kulguru," CM Yadav told ANI. The impact of the decision is such that the other states have also sought a copy of this proposal and making this law in their state. Based on this, they will also change the name of Vice Chancellors in their respective states, he added. CM Yadav further said, "Another decision has been taken by the council of ministers that vehicles involved in the illegal act of transporting cows with the intention of cow slaughter in the state are often released by the court. In the case of vehicles caught violating the rules, action will be taken to confiscate the vehicles. The vehicles will be seized, they will not be freed." The third important decision that the cabinet took was regarding safety guidelines regarding measures for the prevention of fatal accidents of small children due to their falling into abandoned borewells. "In such a case, the cabinet has decided that strict action will be taken against any tubewell found open after boring. Even FIR will be registered and a fine will be imposed. The state government will not tolerate the negligence of those who leave the tubewell open after boring it," the chief minister said. "I also want to appeal to the people of the state that whoever wants to bore a tubewell should get it done properly and must put a lid on it. Do not keep it open under any circumstances," the CM added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the Parliament and asked him to apologise for "insulting" the Hindu religion. This comes after a row erupted over the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's remarks, wherein he accused the BJP of spreading "violence" and "hatred". Following this, both and BJP and Congress have sparred over his remarks. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Ranaut said, "I have said, Rahul Gandhi did a good standup comedian act because he made all our gods and goddesses, brand ambassador of Congress. He said that the hand raised by Lord Shiva in blessing is the 'hand' of Congress, these are his statements, this was his speech, so we were already laughing...He said those who raise their hands for Allah are also the hands of Congress." Taking a jibe at Rahul, she said, "His main complaint was that when Raja Beta (Rahul Gandhi) comes, PM Modi doesn't greet him...so you can understand what sort of a standup comedy act it was." The actor-turned-politician demanded the Congress leader to apologise for his remarks. "He (Rahul Gandhi) even brought the pictures of God and placed it on the desk, while we know it should always be kept inside the temple. He insulted Hindu gods...he even said that the Hindu religion and those who follow it are violent in nature...I think he should apologize for his statements," Ranaut added. Earlier in the day, during the motion of thanks of the President's address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been "a systematic attack" on the idea of India. "There has been a systematic and full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed...I was attacked by the order of the Government of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...," he alleged. He also called the Hindu symbol 'Abhayamudra' which gestures fearlessness, reassurance and safety, as the symbol of the Congress party. "Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions...All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said. BJP members took strong objection to Rahul Gandhi's remark and accused Rahul of insulting Hindu religion by connecting it with violence. Home Minister Amit Shah targeted Rahul Gandhi and said connecting violence with any religion is wrong. "The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn't know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise," Amit Shah said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks and said calling "the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter". In response, Rahul Gandhi hi back stating BJP is "not the entire Hindu society." "Narendra Modi is not entire Hindu society. BJP is not the entire Hindu society, RSS is not the entire society, this is not BJP's contract," he said. (ANI)
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu sought assistance from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre of assisting Andhra Pradesh in "redevelopment and reconstruction." He,, during his address in the Lok Sabha, also urged the concerned ministries to help Andhra Pradesh in seeking debt relief and assistance for the Polavaram project. The TDP MP also heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and said the TDP will support NDA in its developmental endeavour throughout the next five years. Addressing the Lok Sabha on Monday, Devarayalu said, "As the election process is completed, I would request the Prime Minster and honourable ministers to extend a helping hand for reconstruction and rebuilding of Andhra Pradesh...it is a very strong word because we are faced by two issues." He said the two major issues faced by the state are: Revenue deficit and high debt burden. "The first issue being...quota, the revenue deficit we are facing for the last 10 years...we are struggling. We request the Finance Ministry to actually release the revenue deficit, the gap that is supposed to be released 8-10 years back," the TDP MP said. "The second problem is the debt that we are facing to the tune of Rs 13.5 lakh crore. If the debt is taken for infrastructure, no problem. But the problem in Andhra Pradesh, especially in the last 5 years, the deb is taken...no new infrastructure has been added," he added. He also sought the assistance of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry for the Polavaram Project and Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry for the building of the state's capital in Amaravati. "We want the Jal Shakti Ministry to look at the national project, Polavaram Project, that is lying in the limbo for the last 5 years, no progress has been made. I request Jal Shakti Ministry to send a new team to assess situation on ground. We want it to be expedited, because this is a project that can give irrigation water to 4.3 hectare in the state, 28.5 lakh household and also generate 965 megawatt of electricity," Devarayalu said. "Also, we want Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry to look at our capital Amaravati. 33 acre of land has been given by the farmers free of the cost...expecting the capital to be built. Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated 10 years back, but we are still running the state without a capital," he added. The TDP MP also lauded the NDA government's performance in the last 10 years and said the country made huge strides in economy and infrastructure. He also pointed some crucial legislations passed in the Parliament. Devarayalu, further affirmed that NDA government will not stop at this and will work for achieving further bigger targets. "We have passed some important legislations in the last 10 years. We passed GST, which was much needed as we had a very cumbersome tax process across the states. We have brought legislation banning Triple Talaq, and Women's Reservation Bill. We have brought three criminal laws and abrogated Article 370. But NDA will not sit upon this and will set new targets," the TDP leader said. "TDP, as an NDA partner, we support you through this endeavour all through next five years. Andhra Pradesh wants to work with you. Andhra Pradesh has shown this in the recent assembly elections also. Out of 175 seats we contested, NDA won 164 seats. In 25 parliamentary seats, NDA won 21. More than 90 per cent success rate and over 56 per cent vote share," he added. The TDP-BJP-Janasena Party alliance contested the recent polls together and registered a landslide victory in the assembly as well as the parliamentary elections in Andhra Pradesh. The alliance won a landslide 164 seats, with TDP winning 135 and Janasena Party and BJP winning 21 and eight respectively. In the Lok Sabha as well, the alliance won 21 out of 25 seats. The third successive NDA government was sworn in last month under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. NDA won 293 seats with BJP winning 240 seats on its own. The Opposition INDIA bloc won 234 seats. (ANI)
Coming in support of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi over his speech in the Lok Sabha today, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the BJP is rattled after Rahul's speech and is resorting to lies and falsehood. "The BJP is rattled after Rahul Gandhi's speech. Today they are resorting to lies, they are resorting to falsehood. Today I heard the voice of truth. The truth, which is the real truth of India inside the House. I heard the truth of those children who are helpless today, be it Agniveer, unemployment or NEET exam. I heard the truth of those people who wanted some concrete steps from Prime Minister Modi in Manipur, Jammu but they only got to see violence. I heard the truth of our Indian tradition, our Sanatan Dharma. So I would like to thank Rahul Gandhi ji that today through his speech he raised the voice of the country and broke the ego of one person," Gogoi told ANI. Further, Gogoi pointed out that today the Home Minister was seeking protection from the Speaker after Rahul Gandhi's speech. "I spent 10 years in the opposition, where the ruling party was blatantly violating the decorum of Parliament one after the other. Today I saw such a scene where the Home Minister was seeking protection from Rahul Gandhi's speech through the Speaker. I would like to thank the people of India that they broke their (BJP) ego today," the Congress MP said. Congress leader Pawan Khera launched a scathing attack on the BJP and claimed that the party ran its business for the last 10 years by spreading lies on WhatsApp, editing the videos of Rahul Gandhi and making baseless comments about him. Earlier in the day during the motion of thanks of the President's address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been "a systematic attack" on the idea of India. "There has been a systematic and full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed...I was attacked by the order of the Government of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...," he alleged. He also called the Hindu symbol 'Abhayamudra' which gestures fearlessness, reassurance and safety, as the symbol of the Congress party." "Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions...All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said. BJP members took strong objection to Rahul Gandhi's remark and accused Rahul of insulting Hindu religion by connecting it with violence. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament on Monday seemed like an expression of frustration and desperation. Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Prasad said, "Today, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress, delivered a speech in Parliament during the debate on the President's speech. The speech was marked by scathing criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government's schemes and policies. However, it seemed more like an expression of frustration and desperation from a leader struggling to come to terms with his party's dwindling fortunes." In a statement issued by Prasad, he further added that Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP government of perpetuating lies and deceiving the nation. "He (Rahul Gandhi) targeted various schemes and policies, calling them mere showpieces with no substance. He also attacked the Prime Minister, questioning his credibility and intentions." Prasad said that the remarks made by Gandhi lacked substance to support the claims made. "The speech lacked substance and concrete data to support the claims made. It seemed more like an emotional outburst from a leader who has failed to make an impact in the political landscape. The defeat of the Congress party in consecutive elections has clearly affected Gandhi mentally, and his speech today was a reflection of that frustration," he said. The Tamil Nadu BJP Spokesperson further said that despite Gandhi's efforts to appear confident and assertive, his speech came across as weak and lacking in conviction. "His failure to provide viable alternatives to the BJP's policies and schemes further exposed his lack of vision and leadership.," Prasad said. Prasad's statement further said, "In conclusion, Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament today was a desperate attempt to stay relevant in a political landscape that is increasingly moving away from him. His frustration and desperation were palpable, and his speech only served to reinforce the perception that he is a leader in decline." Earlier in the day, participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's Address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been "a systematic attack" on the idea of India. "There has been a systematic and full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed. ..I was attacked by the order of the Government of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...," he alleged. "Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions...All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader had said. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Hindu community, Agniveer scheme and Ayodhya compensation. Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar on Monday over Rahul Gandhi's remarks pertaining to the Hindu community with Home Minister Amit Shah saying that the Congress leader should "apologise" over his remarks. "The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn't know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise," Amit Shah said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks and said calling "the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter". BJP President JP Nadda demanded an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in Lok Sabha alleging that he spoke "lies" and reflected "Hindu hatred" and that he has not learnt from the mandate of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility," JP Nadda posted on X. "Rahul Gandhi Ji must immediately APOLOGISE to all Hindus for terming them as violent. This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop," he added. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the latter has taken up a position of Leader of Opposition for the first time and has made very irresponsible statements thus bringing the level of politics down. "The position of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is a highly responsible one. Leaders like Atal Ji, Advani Ji, and Sushma Ji have handled this responsibility with great care. Today, Rahul Gandhi has taken up a position for the first time and has made very irresponsible statements. Rahul said that no compensation is given to the martyrs under the Agniveer scheme. This is the biggest lie. Today, the Defence Minister clearly stated in Parliament that martyrs under the Agniveer scheme receive a compensation of Rs 1 crore. Rahul Ji should check his facts before making such statements. Congress has always raised such questions about the army and tried to mislead the country," Vaishnaw said. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, accusing him of insulting Hindu society and undermining the credibility of the UPA governance. Trivedi said that whatever Rahul Gandhi says reflects his mindset. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attacked Rahul Gandhi saying the Congress leader should apologise immediately and the Congress party should clarify its stand whether it agrees with the statement or not. CM Yadav also appealed to the National President of the Congress party to immediately ask for the resignation of Rahul Gandhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in the Parliament and accused him of "attacking Hindus." "This is now the Leader of Opposition. Who attacks Hindus while professing brotherhood to all. Who disparages the Indian Army's bravery, while expressing concern for their welfare. Who tears up Cabinet decisions, while preaching respect for Constitution. Welcome to the politics of the Congress Party," Jaishankar posted on X. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Leader of Opposition and said Gandhi would have to face the rules of the house if he has lied. Rijiju also said that being in the post of LoP, he cannot lie and mislead people. Participating in the debate on the Motion Of Thanks on the President's Address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government over the Agniveer scheme and claimed that Agniveer is not called a 'jawan' and said that Agniveers serving for a period of four years will not get a pension. "One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a 'martyr'... 'Agniveer' is a use and throw labourer," Rahul Gandhi alleged, attacking the BJP-led NDA government over the scheme," he had said. He also called the Hindu symbol 'Abhayamudra' which gestures fearlessness, reassurance and safety, as the symbol of the Congress party. "Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions...All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Monday came down heavily on the BJP government at the Centre in the Lok Sabha for expelling her from the 17th Lok Sabha and said that four out of the five-member constituting the ethics committee which recommended her expulsion have failed to return to the House, adding that the people of Krishnanagar have protected her just like Lord Krishna protected Droupadi. She further said that the current government is not stable as it depends on allies that have a history of u-turns. "Seven months ago, on December 8, this House was transformed into Kurusabha, presided over by a blind Dhritrashtra, where Dushshashan darbaris made every attempt to disrobe Draupadi. The ethics committee, that voted to recommend my expulsion on November 9, they voted 6-4, had 10 members and one chairperson. Of the five Loksabha members from the BJP, four have not returned to the House, and the Chairperson, a BJP member has also not returned to the House... Much like Lord Krishna protected Droupadi, the people of Krishnanagar have protected me... I gained freedom from fear. I will see the end of you," she said while fiercely attacking the BJP. Targeting the BJP over securing fewer seats compared to the last Lok Sabha elections, Moitra said, "The last time I stood here I was not allowed to speak. But the ruling party has paid a very heavy price for throttling the voice of one MP. In an attempt to suppress me, the public made 63 of your members sit permanently. You have gone down from 303 to 240." Mahua Moitra, who was participating in the debate on the Motion Of Thanks on the President's Address, targeted the speech and said, "The speech that the President read out, it said that people of India has elected a stable government with a clear majority. Please do not embarrass the office of the president by using poorly edited cut-and-paste versions of old speeches. This is not a stable government. It depends on multiple allies with a history of U-turns. It has not got a single majority. The BJP is 32 short of 272... This time, there are 234 warriorrs, firmly united and we have walked through fire to walk through these doors and you will bnoyt be able to shut us up this time the way you did last time." Moitra further said that the President's address covers many aspects but she has chosen six themes. "The first theme is North-East in which the President says that the government has increased allocation for the north-east by four times, and has worked for lasting peace in the area. Now I have one question, why the word Manipur is nowhere in the speech?... The party, PM Narendra Modi during their election campaign spoke many words starting with M like 'mangalsutra', 'mujra', 'mutton', 'machli', 'musalman', 'mulla', 'madrasa' but not Manipur... I stand here with my brothers and sisters of Manipur, Moitra said. Talking about the second theme of women's empowerment, Moitra said that the President's speech says women in our country have been demanding raised representation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and today, they stand empowered by the Women Reservation Act. "This is a complete untruth. You conveniently delayed reservation for women in Parliament because you fear women. You fear 'Naari Shakti.' You want our support but you certainly don't want us here. The 17th Lok Sabha had 78 women, which is 14.3 per cent. This Lok Sabha has 74 women, which is 13.6 per cent. The BJP had called a special session to bring in the Women Reservation bill. They have got a shameful 30 MPs out of 240 MPs, only 12.5 per cent. It is only Mamata Banerjee's TMC which last time had 37 per cent women and this time also, has 38 per cent women representation." The TMC MP chose the third theme of Kashmir and said, "The address mentions that after decades of shutdown, the Kashmir valley has voted in an atmosphere of security. If abrogating Section 370 was such a good idea, why did the ruling party, the BJP not even dare to put up candidates in the three valley seats of Anantnag, Baramulla, and Srinagar? If 370 was such a big deal, and you were going to campaign on the basis of 370, you did not even dare to fight in these seats." Talking about the fourth theme, she said, "The fourth theme in the President's address is the Election Commission of India (ECI). The speech expresses gratitude to ECI for conducting the largest elections in the world." Criticising the ECI, Moitra said, "The commissioners turned a deaf ear to the most egregious violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the ruling party, by the Prime Minister with his hate-filled speeches. This country has been ashamed and disgusted by the language used against minorities during this campaign. This election will go down in history where EC turned a blind eye and a deaf ear against the ruling party when the MCC was in effect." Moitra also slammed ED and CBI and said, "The opposition leaders were arrested, party accounts were frozen, ED and CBI even came to our election offices." Talking about Indian railways, aviation and infrastructure as the fifth theme, Moitra said, "The address says that work on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train is going on at a fast pace and Indian railways are doing feasibility studies for bullet train corridors in the North, South and East of India. Now, I want to ask the government a question--Is this a cruel joke? You are sanctioning Rs 1 lakh 8 thousand crores for one single Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train. A basic high-speed rail network costs Rs 200 crores per km. The indian Railways is touting the 'Kavach', which is an anti-collusion system, an automatic train protection system and is the cheapest in the world as it costs Rs 50 lakh per km." She added further, "The rail tracks in India are roughly 126 thousand km and the cost of covering India with Kavach is going to be Rs 63,000 crores whereas one single bullet train costs Rs 1 lakh 8 thousand crores." Highlighting the recent train accidents in the country, Moitra talked about three trains colliding in Balasore, which claimed the lives of 96 people. She said, "The Ministry said that Kavach was not operational on that route. Last week, Kanchenjunga Express collided with a goods train in New Jalpaiguri and 10 people died. Again, the Ministry said that Kavach is not operational on that route." Talking about aviation, Moitra said, "The President's address mentions how India is the third largest aviation hub in the world. In truth, India's airports have become domestic hazard hubs. First in Jabalpur, then in Delhi and Rajkot. Newly constructed airports are falling and killing people." The TMC MP also targeted the government over cave-ins that emerged in Rampath and said, "The newly constructed Rampath in Ayodhya has three cave-ins in the last week. The Pragati Maidan tunnel is flooded. The Atal Setu has developed cracks. The Ram Temple's roof is leaking. This is exactly what happens when the infrastructure is poorly planned and rashed for a photo opportunity by the supreme leaders." Talking about the sixth and last theme, Moitra said, "The sixth theme is competitive cooperative federalism. The last decade saw the most brutal, government-sponsored throttling of cooperative federalism." Speaking about West Bengal and Delhi, she said, "The centre has withheld Rs 7,000 crores in MGNREGA funds. It has withheld Rs 8 thousand 200 crores under the Rural Housing Scheme... Another 1000 crore has been held back under pension. In Delhi, the BJP-led Haryana govt is releasing less water which is leading to people suffering. This government's competitive cooperative federalism seems to be an exercise on how to choke opposition states." (ANI)
Dhawade, a retired army personnel from Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad, was trekking with a group of over 30 youths on Saturday when the tragic incident occurred.

A video also went viral on social media which showed Dhawade purportedly jumping into the water body near the waterfall and trying to climb out, only to slip and be swept away by the water current.

After Dhawade went missing, a search operation was immediately launched, with volunteers from the Shivdurg, a self-help rescue team joining the effort. Dhawade's body was recovered in Mangaon on Monday, police said.

The authorities have sent the body for autopsy to determine the cause of death. Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural Police, has confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, the bodies of all five people who had drowned in a waterfall close to Bhushi Dam in Pune's Lonavala have been recovered, Suhas Jagtap, Senior Police Inspector, Pune Rural Police on Monday said.

The incident occurred at the backside of the Bhushi Dam under a waterfall in Lonavala on June 30 at around 12:30 pm.

"Bodies of all 5 people have been recovered. Search and rescue operation called off, said Suhas Jagtap, Senior Police Inspector, Pune Rural Police said.

The three people whose bodies were recovered on Sunday have been identified as Shahista Ansari (36), Amima Ansari (13) and Umera Ansari (8). (ANI)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported beating of a couple in public by a group of people allegedly associated with a political party in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur. According to the media report carried on June 30, 2024, the allegations of a love affair between the victim couple were discussed in an open meeting (Panchayat) by the annoyed villagers after the miscreants started beating the duo. Reportedly, the main perpetrator is alleged to be associated with the political party in power in West Bengal and could be seen in the viral video severely beating up the couple, surrounded by a gathering of people as spectators. The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of a violation of the couple's human rights. Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, West Bengal, calling for a detailed report on the matter within one week. It should include the status of the police investigation into the matter, the health status of the victims and any medical treatment, if any, provided to them. The Commission would also like to know about the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the State government to ensure that such incidents of violation of the human rights of the citizens, by politically protected goons, do not recur. The Commission, looking into the gravity of the issue, has also asked its Director General (Investigation) to immediately constitute and send a team, headed by an officer not below the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police, to visit the place of the incident to conduct an on-the-spot fact-finding enquiry in the matter and to submit a report to the Commission at the earliest. Issuing the notices, the Commission has further observed that the reported cruel and disgraceful act of the miscreants in the instant incident without any fear of law indicates that the State authorities have not learned any lessons, neither from the shameful incidents that occurred in the past nor from the concern raised by the National Human Rights Commission. The Commission has noted that this is not an isolated incident that recently occurred in the State of West Bengal, wherein the law has been taken into hands by unruly elements, victimising innocent people, especially women. As mentioned in the instant news report, in a similar incident, a woman was allegedly made naked and beaten up in Cooch Behar. Apart from this, the Commission has also taken cognizance of the shameful incidents of indignity to women that occurred in the Sandeshkhali area of district North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, wherein a man allegedly associated with a political party subjected the women to sexual abuse and torture. In this matter, a team headed by an Member of the Commission had also visited to conduct an on-the-spot enquiry in the matter. (ANI)
Gujarat Police on Monday organized a meeting of the Lord Jagannath Temple Committee and senior officials of Ahmedabad Police to discuss aspects of the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath scheduled for July 7 in Ahmedabad. "We organized a meeting of the Lord Jagannath Temple Committee and senior officials of Ahmedabad Police. We deliberated on various aspects... We will make full use of GPS, CCTV cameras, and drones during the Rath Yatra... The city is very excited and the atmosphere is very positive. We are getting cooperation from all classes of people," Gujarat DGP Vikas Sahay said. On June 30, Gujarat Police conducted foot patrolling in Ahmedabad today morning to review the security arrangements for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath scheduled to be held on July 7. The patrolling was held to ensure a smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra. Earlier, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that special arrangements have been made for the devotees coming for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. He also added that 315 trains have been made available for the occasion. "For the auspicious occasion of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, special arrangements have been made by the railways. To facilitate the devotees of Maha Prabhu from the different states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand, at least 315 trains will run, covering all the parts of Odisha," Vaishnaw said. "We are constituting a holding area for 15,000 people, along with the construction of a toilet complex and temporary ticketing centre. We are making all possible efforts to ease the journey of the devotees," he further said. The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The festival, celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa encompasses the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple and culminates with the return journey after eight days. In reality, the festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya (in April) and culminates with the return of the journey of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises. (ANI)
Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha on Monday announced the launch of the e-office initiative in all Panchayat offices across the state. Certificates of achievement were awarded to departments that achieved 100 per cent success in implementing the e-office system. The declaration was made during an event at the Secretariat's 2nd-floor auditorium. This initiative, aimed at enhancing cleanliness, efficiency, and accountability in administration, marks a significant step in the state's digital transformation. The e-office platform has been extended to every Panchayat office in Tripura, setting a benchmark for digital governance. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Saha emphasized the state government's commitment to digitization in all sectors to ensure clean governance. He noted that e-Cabinet systems are already in place, facilitating rapid service delivery. Saha highlighted that 587 Gram Panchayats, 589 Village Council Offices, 4 District Panchayat Offices, 4 PRIs, 35 Panchayat Samitis, 40 Block Advisory Committees, and 8 District Councils are now integrated with e-office facilities. Additionally, crucial departments like Information & Culture, Education, and Urban Development have also adopted e-office systems. The Chief Minister underscored that the successful implementation of the Beneficiary Management System (BMS) has further bolstered the state's digitization efforts, enabling residents to avail services seamlessly. He expressed that the state government is earnestly working towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Digital India. Speaking at the event, IT Minister Pranajit Singh Roy stated that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the state has made significant strides in digitization efforts. Despite being a small state, Tripura ranks well in digital initiatives nationwide. He recalled that the mission-mode implementation of the e-office commenced in May 2023 and has since expanded to include Panchayat-level offices. The event was attended by Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Commerce and Industry Secretary Vishweshri B, Secretary of Education Department Raval Hemendra Kumar, Secretary of Urban Development Abhishek Singh, Revenue Secretary Punit Agarwal, and other secretaries and officials from various departments. (ANI)
Kerala Health Minister Veena George held a high-level meeting of the health department in the background of two deaths and one case of hospitalisation due to amoebic meningoencephalitis in the last two months. It has been decided that special guidelines will be released for the state regarding amoebic meningoencephalitis. Instructions have been given to strengthen awareness. The amoeba enters the brain through rare openings in the thin membrane that separates the nose from the brain or through a hole in the eardrum and causes meningoencephalitis. Therefore, children with pus in their ears should not bathe in ponds, stagnant water, etc. The minister requested to seek treatment immediately if symptoms are seen. Caution should be exercised against amoebic meningoencephalitis. Bathing in stagnant water and diving in water should be avoided as much as possible. Water in water theme parks and swimming pools should be properly chlorinated to ensure that it is clean. Notably, Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a very rare disease in people who have contact with standing or running water sources. There are very few scientific studies and study results about this rare disease. Statistics indicate that only 2.6 out of 10 lakh people who come in contact with such water in the world get this disease. The disease usually occurs when Naegleria fowleri, a type of amoeba, infects the brain. This disease is not transmitted from human to human. The amoeba that lives in stagnant water enters the human body through the thin skin of the nose and causes encephalitis, which seriously affects the brain. Free-living amoebas are generally found in stagnant water bodies. Bacteria from the amoeba family are transmitted through the fine pores in the nose by bathing in drains or pools. Enters the human body and severely affects the brain and causes encephalitis. Symptoms appear within one to nine days of infection. The primary symptoms are severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and difficulty turning the neck. Later, when it reaches a critical condition, there are symptoms like epilepsy, loss of consciousness and memory loss. Diagnosis is made by taking fluid from the spinal cord and testing it. People who bathe in stagnant water should report these symptoms and seek treatment. Amoeba enters the body through bathing in stagnant or unclean water. So avoid getting sick by bathing in stagnant water or drains and not pouring water into your nose. Do not ignore symptoms and see a doctor as soon as possible. There is no problem with children bathing in properly chlorinated swimming pools, a press release from the health minister's office said. (ANI)
Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed confidence that the country would secure an extended loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that it could contribute to macroeconomic stability, reported Dawn. While addressing a press conference in Islamabad at the end of the fiscal year 2023-24, the finance minister stressed his and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's hopes that the upcoming IMF programme would be the country's last. "From my perspective, the prime minister agrees that this will be the last IMF program. This is my hope," he said. Pakistan President Asif Zardari on Sunday gave assent to the government's tax-heavy Finance Bill 2024 for the new fiscal year, Dawn reported. The government presented the budget two weeks ago, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties, especially the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as well as coalition ally Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Earlier on Friday, the government extended exemptions in specific sectors while announcing new tax measures in several areas to generate additional revenue in the coming fiscal year to meet the International Monetary Fund's criteria. During the NA session, opposition lawmakers, particularly from the PTI, criticised the budget, asserting that it was now an open secret that the document was dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The leader of the opposition Omar Ayub Khan denounced the budget as "economic terrorism against the people". However, Pakistan is in talks with the IMF for a loan of USD 6 billion to USD 8 billion, according to Dawn. Aurangzeb, in his press conference, stressed the importance of macro stability, especially considering Pakistan's reliance on loans. "If we cannot repatriate an investor's dividends, it will make asking for additional investment difficult," he said. The finance minister highlighted that Pakistan has received USD 1.4 billion in foreign investment, with USD 1 billion from the World Bank for the Dassu hydroelectric project and USD 400 million from an international financial institution (IFI) to finance the acquisition process for Pakistan Telecommunications Ltd. He also said that a condition of the IMF programme was to end tax exemptions on certain sectors of industry, reported Dawn. "They are clear that the Rs 3.9tr worth of exemptions need to end." He added that the government has not given new exemptions, but only extended existing ones. According to Dawn, Aurangzeb added that the government was having virtual discussions towards achieving a staff-level agreement. "There are prior actions, then structural benchmarks," he explained. "Trust us, we will get this done, maybe in July." (ANI)